bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective factors in the evolution of multicellularity in choanoflagellates
Authors: Koehl M. A. R.
Published: March 2020

Choanoflagellates, unicellular eukaryotes that can form multicellular colonies by cell division and that share a common ancestor with animals, are used as a model system to study functional consequences of being unicellular versus colonial. This review examines performance differences between unicellular and multicellular choanoflagellates in swimming, feeding, and avoiding predation, to provide insights about possible selective advantages of being multicellular for the protozoan ancestors of animals. Each choanoflagellate cell propels water by beating a single flagellum and captures bacterial prey on a collar of microvilli around the flagellum. Formation of multicellular colonies does not improve the swimming performance, but the flux of prey‐bearing water to the collars of some of the cells in colonies of certain configurations can be greater than for single cells. Colony geometry appears to affect whether cells in colonies catch more prey per cell per time than do unicellular choanoflagellates. Although multicellular choanoflagellates show chemokinetic behavior in response to oxygen, only the unicellular dispersal stage (fast swimmers without collars) use pH signals to aggregate in locations where bacterial prey might be abundant. Colonies produce larger hydrodynamic signals than do single cells, and raptorial protozoan predators capture colonies while ignoring single cells. In contrast, ciliate predators entrain both single cells and colonies in their feeding currents, but reject larger colonies, whereas passive heliozoan predators show no preference. Thus, the ability of choanoflagellate cells to differentiate into different morphotypes, including multicellular forms, in response to variable aquatic environments might have provided a selective advantage to the ancestors of animals.
Conscripted curriculum: The experiences of minority genetic counseling students
Authors: Carmichael Nikkola , Redlinger‐Grosse Krista , Birnbaum Shira
Published: March 2020

While the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the genetic counseling profession has been discussed for decades, little attention has been paid to the training experiences of under‐represented minorities. Under‐represented minority graduate students in other disciplines have been reported to experience microaggressions and feelings of isolation during training, and they are often informally enlisted to educate classmates about issues related to race. In 2019, sociologist Lauren Olsen coined the term conscripted curriculum to describe the utilization of minority medical students to elucidate issues of race or ethnicity for their classmates. The conscripted curriculum arises when these topics are taught in a small‐group discussion format that relies on students sharing their individual experiences to educate their classmates. In classrooms with limited diversity, the expectation to contribute falls disproportionately on students from non‐majority groups. In this qualitative study, we conducted videoconference focus groups with 32 recent graduates of genetic counseling training programs who identified as racial or ethnic minorities. We present the results of two thematic categories that emerged from that study: the participants' perspectives on the cultural competency curriculum in their training programs and the participants' feelings of being pressed into service as spokespeople for their cultural groups. Participants described the cultural competency training as occurring primarily in a small‐group discussion format in which students were expected to share their personal experiences. During these discussions, minority students, especially those in less‐diverse class cohorts, felt obliged to contribute their perspectives in order to educate non‐minority classmates about issues of race and ethnicity, leading to feelings of frustration and exhaustion. The results reflect a conscripted curriculum as described by Olsen (2019). Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 60(1), 55–68, in which minority students bear the burden of educating their classmates about the social basis of race. Genetic counseling training programs should critically examine their cultural competency curriculum to create a more equitable training environment.
Comparing prenatal screening experiences of Icelandic women who received false‐positive and true‐negative first‐trimester combined screening results in Iceland in 2012–2016
Authors: Thorolfsdottir Eirny , Lunde Åshild , Stefansdottir Vigdis , Hjartardottir Hulda , Rut Haraldsdottir Kristin
Published: March 2020

First‐trimester combined screening (FTS) has been offered to all pregnant women in Iceland since 2003. Individuals with high‐risk FTS results are offered an invasive test option with a ≤1% risk of fetal loss. This study gives insight into the prenatal screening and diagnosis experiences and preferences of 101 women who underwent FTS in Iceland in the years 2012–2016, comparing the experience of those who received false‐positive FTS results to those who received true‐negative results. Retrospective patient‐reported anxiety levels at the time of receiving FTS results were significantly higher in those who received false‐positive results compared to those who received true‐negative results. For a subset of these participants, the anxiety lasted through pregnancy, and for a smaller subset, it lasted even longer. Non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is currently not offered in Iceland, aside from the rare exceptional case. Given the extremely low false‐positive rates of NIPT, we believe NIPT is worth considering as Iceland's standard first‐tier screening method for trisomy 13, 18, and 21. We believe the findings of this study are beneficial not only for Iceland but also for other countries where FTS is the first‐tier prenatal screening method or the only offered test. Additionally, only 21% of participants in our study reported that they had heard of NIPT, which emphasizes the need for comprehensive NIPT pretest information to be available prior to its uptake to ensure informed and autonomous decision‐making.
Education on cancer risk assessment and genetic counseling to address cancer health disparities among racial/ethnic groups and rural populations: Implementing culturally tailored outreach through community health educators
Authors: San Miguel‐Majors Sandra L. , Whitaker Damiya E. , Davis Brian C. , Bailey LeeAnn O. , Springfield Sanya A.
Published: March 2020

While significant progress is being made in cancer prevention and treatment, opportunity exists to make a difference for populations bearing an uneven burden of the disease. Research indicates that increased inherited risk and more‐aggressive forms of cancer among underserved racial/ethnic (R/E) groups (e.g., African American/Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander) and rural populations may explain the cancer incidence and mortality disparities these populations experience. These racial and ethnic (R/E) categories reflect the standard naming convention for the classification of federal data on race and ethnicity. One method by which progress can be made for these underserved populations is to expand knowledge of, access to, and uptake of two existing and impactful preventive oncology tools—cancer screening and genetic counseling and risk assessment (GCRA). Individuals from these populations who have cancer may benefit by learning about treatment options, risk projections for secondary cancers, and clinical trial participation. Effecting change in community beliefs and behaviors regarding these preventive tools and yielding the aforementioned benefits will see greater success if shepherded by individuals accepted and trusted in the respective communities. This was the charge taken on and embraced by Community Health Educators in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities’ (CRCHD) National Outreach Network (NON) and U54 Comprehensive Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (CPACHE) programs. The NCI CRCHD integrated into the work of these CHEs an emphasis on cancer genetic education. As part of their undertaking, NON and CPACHE CHEs detail education and outreach strategies that may be helpful to increase GCRA awareness and uptake in R/E groups and rural populations and, in turn, bring positive change for those with or at risk for heritable cancers.
Clinical features and treatment of COVID‐19 patients in northeast Chongqing
Authors: Wan Suxin , Xiang Yi , Fang Wei , Zheng Yu , Li Boqun , Hu Yanjun , Lang Chunhui , Huang Daoqiu , Sun Qiuyan , Xiong Yan , Huang Xia , Lv Jinglong , Luo Yaling , Shen Li , Yang Haoran , Huang Gu , Yang Ruishan
Published: March 2020

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China (SARS‐CoV‐2) that began in December 2019 presents a significant and urgent threat to global health. This study was conducted to provide the international community with a deeper understanding of this new infectious disease. Epidemiological, clinical features, laboratory findings, radiological characteristics, treatment, and clinical outcomes of 135 patients in northeast Chongqing were collected and analyzed in this study. A total of 135 hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 were enrolled. The median age was 47 years (interquartile range, 36‐55), and there was no significant gender difference (53.3% men). The majority of patients had contact with people from the Wuhan area. Forty‐three (31.9%) patients had underlying disease, primarily hypertension (13 [9.6%]), diabetes (12 [8.9%]), cardiovascular disease (7 [5.2%]), and malignancy (4 [3.0%]). Common symptoms included fever (120 [88.9%]), cough (102 [76.5%]), and fatigue (44 [32.5%]). Chest computed tomography scans showed bilateral patchy shadows or ground glass opacity in the lungs of all the patients. All patients received antiviral therapy (135 [100%]) (Kaletra and interferon were both used), antibacterial therapy (59 [43.7%]), and corticosteroids (36 [26.7%]). In addition, many patients received traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (124 [91.8%]). It is suggested that patients should receive Kaletra early and should be treated by a combination of Western and Chinese medicines. Compared to the mild cases, the severe ones had lower lymphocyte counts and higher plasma levels of Pt, APTT, d‐dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, PCT, ALB, C‐reactive protein, and aspartate aminotransferase. This study demonstrates the clinic features and therapies of 135 COVID‐19 patients. Kaletra and TCM played an important role in the treatment of the viral pneumonia. Further studies are required to explore the role of Kaletra and TCM in the treatment of COVID‐19.
Job satisfaction among nurses in Pakistan: The impact of incivility and informal climate
Authors: Samad Abdul , Memon Salman Bashir , Kumar Mahendar
Published: March 2020

Nurses working in private and public sector hospitals and other health‐care facilities around the world play a critical role in ensuring patient safety and quality of service. Therefore, it is essential to understand the challenges they face on the job that may contribute to dissatisfaction and hamper performance. A study of 129 registered nurses in Pakistan investigated the impact of workplace incivility on job satisfaction and found that a climate of informality significantly buffered the negative effect of workplace incivility on job satisfaction among nurses. Working with these findings, health‐care managers can make the case for policies to foster an informal and supportive working climate that will not only contribute to employees’ job satisfaction, but also improve the quality of the service they deliver to their patients.
How to keep employees from gaming the system
Authors: Rieley James B.
Published: March 2020

When employees are faced with conflicting goals, they may devise solutions that make it appear as though they are following official policies and procedures when, in fact, they are manipulating the system for their own end. Such gaming of an organization's systems can be counterproductive and costly. To discover where gaming might occur, managers must fully understand how work gets done in their organization. This requires a systematic analysis of the cause‐and‐effect relationships that underlie the barriers to organizational effectiveness.
Changes in rice yield and yield stability in China during the past six decades
Authors: Xu Le , Yuan Shen , Man Jianguo
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Increasing rice yield and its stability are important to achieving the sustainability of rice production. Rice yields have increased substantially in China during recent decades, but information on the trend in yield stability has been limited. In this study, the trends in rice yield and rice yield stability from 1949 to 2015 were analysed in China's rice production.

RESULTS

The results showed that rice yields for all 16 provinces presented an increasing trend during the study period. The national annual rice yield gain was 86.0 kg ha−1 during the last six decades, varying from 48.4 to 106.0 kg ha−1 in different provinces and exhibiting linear, bilinear, or trilinear relationships. Remarkably, the annual yield increase was smaller in provinces dominated by double rice cropping systems than in the other provinces. Notably, rice yield stagnations have occurred in recent years at provincial and national levels. Absolute residuals over time showed slight increases in four of 16 provinces, indicating a reduction in yield stability in these four provinces. However, the relative yield residuals exhibited a clear trend towards increased yield stability for all 16 provinces. The rice yields of newer cultivars planted with improved crop management practices were consistently higher and more stable than with cultivars from the beginning of the study period.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that rice yield in China has increased substantially, accompanied by improved stability over the last six decades. Given the spatial difference, this study emphasizes the priority of orienting long‐term on‐farm studies to investigate yield stability. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Composition and biological effects of goldenberry byproducts: an overview
Authors: Nocetti Diego , Núñez Hipólito , Puente Luis , Espinosa Alejandra , Romero Fernando
Published: March 2020

Goldenberry is a wild fruit that has been widely used for centuries, mainly in folk medicine. Most studies of goldenberry have focused on the fruit, but new research has studied its byproducts, which were considered to be waste until recently. The main objective of our study was to systematize the published information regarding the composition of goldenberry byproducts (calyces, leaves, seeds, and pomace) and their effects on biological systems. Goldenberry byproducts contain minerals, amino acids, withanolides, flavonoids, and essential fatty acids, thus representing good sources of these compounds. Some of their major biological effects include anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiproliferative effects. Information regarding their toxicity is also presented here. To determine the optimal dosage, further safety studies would be recommended to ensure the best health benefits of these compounds. The available evidence has demonstrated the nutritional value of different byproducts of goldenberry, suggesting them to be potential candidates for use in the cosmetic industry, in the preparation of functional foods, and in phytomedicine for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of some diseases. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
A comparative study of the modulation of the gut microbiota in rats by dietary intervention with different sources of egg‐white proteins
Authors: Yu Haichuan , Qiu Ning , Meng Yaqi , Keast Russell
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Gut microflora dysbiosis has been related closely to a variety of diseases including obesity and inflammatory bowel disease. Proteins and peptides in egg white have been found to alleviate inflammation but the role played by the intestinal flora is still unclear. Using casein as a dietary protein control, we investigated the effects of diets composed of hen egg white, duck egg white, and preserved egg white on gut microbiota in the rat cecum.

RESULTS

The gut microbiota in rats were altered after egg‐white consumption. The results showed that rats fed with egg white had a similar overall structure of cecal bacterial communities, which was different from those fed with casein. The relative abundance of Akkermansia in the group of rats fed with hen egg white was highest among all groups. Rats fed with duck egg white had significantly higher relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Peptostreptococcaceae, and lower relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae. In addition, the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) in rats fed with duck egg white and preserved egg white were lower than the levels in rats fed with hen egg white.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated the possible positive effect on homeostasis of the intestinal flora brought about by the intake of duck egg white. This study provides an insight into the potential positive impact of preserved egg white on health by changing gut microbiota and affecting the antigen load. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Long‐term prognostic factors of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who survive over 10 years after hepatectomy
Authors: Shimada Shingo , Kamiyama Toshiya , Orimo Tatsuya , Nagatsu Akihisa , Asahi Yoh , Sakamoto Yuzuru , Kamachi Hirofumi , Taketomi Akinobu
Published: March 2020

Background and Objectives

The aim was to evaluate long‐term prognostic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who survived over 10 years after hepatectomy and compare prognostic factors between patients with recurrence who died and survived 10 years after initial hepatectomy.

Methods

We analyzed the HCC patients without recurrence over 10 years after hepatectomy (n = 35), those with recurrence who survived over 10 years (n = 48), and those who died within 10 years (n = 132).

Results

The rate of recurrence was 16.3%, 10‐year overall survival rate was 38.6%, and the 10‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) rate was 16.7%. Nonviral, solitary tumor, well differentiation, and without severe fibrosis were independent favorable factors for long‐term RFS. High cholinesterase levels, small tumors and without portal vein invasion were independent favorable factors for long‐term survival among patients with recurrence. Long‐term survivors with recurrence showed significantly low early recurrence, extrahepatic recurrence, multiple intrahepatic recurrences.

Conclusion

Important factors for long‐term prognoses in HCC patients were a solitary tumor, small tumors, and no advanced fibrosis. A treatment for nonviral hepatitis is needed to achieve long‐term RFS. Even patients who relapse might survive long term if they have a late or solitary intrahepatic recurrence, nonsevere cirrhosis, and curative treatment at recurrence.
Determination of carbapenems in water samples by UHPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Wang Chengfei , Li Xiaowei , Lv Ziquan , Wang Yingyu , Ke Yuebin , Xia Xi
Published: March 2020

A rapid and reliable method for the detection of five carbapenems (biapenem, imipenem, doripenem, meropenem, and faropenem) in water was developed and validated. After acidification of water samples with acetic acid, carbapenems were isolated using a Bond Elut PPL cartridge. The target compounds were separated using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with a chromatographic run time of 5 min and detected on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operated in positive electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring mode. Mean recoveries were in the range of 76.6–106.5%, with satisfactory intraday and interday relative standard deviations lower than 10.0 and 10.8%, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 0.05–0.2 µg/L and 0.1–0.5 µg/L, respectively, depending on the analyte. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of river samples and wastewater samples from swine farms, and no carbapenems were detected in the collected samples.
l‐Cysteine‐modified magnetic microspheres for extraction and quantification of saxitoxin in rat plasma with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Jiajia , Zhu Jinglin , Li Yang , Huang Taomin , Li Yan
Published: March 2020

Saxitoxin, which is one of the most typical paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins, ranks the highest intoxication rate of marine biological poisoning cases globally. Efficient clean‐up and extraction of saxitoxin from complex biological matrices are imperative for the analysis and concentration monitoring of the toxin when correlative poisoning cases happen. Herein, l‐cysteine‐modified magnetic microspheres based on metal‐organic coordination were synthesized by a facile approach and applied for magnetic solid‐phase extraction of saxitoxin from rat plasma samples before liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry detection. Parameters, including adsorbent amount, extraction time, desorption solution, and desorption time that could affect the extraction efficiency, were respectively investigated. The developed method demonstrated good linearity in the range of 5–300 ng/mL (R2 = 0.9985) with a limit of quantification of 5 ng/mL and a limit of detection of 0.5 ng/mL, acceptable accuracy. and precision of within‐run and between‐run.
Rapid screening of MMACHC gene mutations by high‐resolution melting curve analysis
Authors: Wang Chao , Liu Yang , Cai Fengying , Zhang Xinjie , Xu Xiaowei , Li Yani , Zou Qianqian , Zheng Jie , Zhang Yuqin , Guo Wei , Cai Chunquan , Shu Jianbo
Published: March 2020

Background

Cobalamin (cbl) C is a treatable rare hereditary disorder of cbl metabolism with autosomal recessive inheritance. It is the most common organic acidemia, manifested as methylmalonic academia combined with homocysteinemia. Early screening and diagnosis are important. The mutation spectrum of the MMACHC gene causing cblC varies among populations. The mutation spectrum in Chinese population is notably different from that in other populations.

Methods

A PCR followed by high‐resolution melting curve analysis (PCR‐HRM) method covering all coding exons of MMACHC gene was designed to verify 14 pathogenic MMACHC gene variants found in patients with cblC, including all common mutations in Chinese patients with cblC.

Result

By PCR‐HRM analysis, 14 pathogenic variants of MMACHC showed distinctly different melting curves, which were consistent with Sanger sequencing. The homozygous type of the most common mutation c.609G > A (p.Trp203Ter) can also be analyzed by specially designed PCR‐HRM.

Conclusion

The established PCR‐HRM method for screening common pathogenic MMACHC variants in Chinese patients with cblC has the advantages of high accuracy, high throughput, low cost, and high speed. It is suitable for the large‐sample screening of suspected children with methylmalonic acidemia and carriers in population.
U‐net‐based deformation vector field estimation for motion‐compensated 4D‐CBCT reconstruction
Authors: Huang Xiaokun , Zhang You , Chen Liyuan , Wang Jing
Published: March 2020

Purpose

For four‐dimensional cone‐beam computed tomography (4D‐CBCT), its image quality is usually degraded by insufficient projections at each respiratory phase after phase‐sorting. Recently, we developed a simultaneous motion estimation and image reconstruction (SMEIR) technique, which can improve lung 4D‐CBCT reconstruction quality by incorporating an interphase motion model generated as deformation vector fields (DVFs). Simultaneous motion estimation and image reconstruction uses an intensity‐driven two‐dimensional (2D)‐three‐dimensional (3D) deformation technique to estimate these DVFs by intensity‐matching 2D projections. However, 2D‐3D deformation may fail to generate accurate intra‐lung DVFs, since the motion of intricate, small lung structures only leads to subtle intensity variations on 2D projections that are insufficient to drive accurate DVF optimization. This study is to develop convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based methods to fine‐tune the 2D‐3D deformation DVFs to improve the efficiency and accuracy of 4D‐CBCT reconstruction.

Methods

We built two U‐net‐based architectures for this study. The first architecture (U‐net‐3C) uses 2D‐3D deformation‐estimated DVFs (in three cardinal directions) as the input with three channels (3C), and outputs are fine‐tuned DVFs. For the second architecture (U‐net‐4C), the reference phase CBCT image reconstructed by SMEIR was added as an additional input channel (4C) to represent patient‐specific heterogeneous properties of the lung. The output fine‐tuned high‐quality DVFs of both models were input again into the SMEIR workflow, as an optimized motion model, to generate the final 4D‐CBCT.

Both methods were evaluated on 11 lung patient cases, using fivefold cross‐validation. We also reconstructed 4D‐CBCTs by the original SMEIR and the SMEIR‐Bio (SMEIR with biomechanical modeling) algorithms for comparison. The 4D‐CBCT accuracy was quantitatively assessed through metrics including root‐mean‐square‐error (RMSE), universal quality index (UQI), and normalized cross‐correlation (NCC). The DVF accuracy was evaluated by manually tracked lung landmarks. We also evaluated our proposed methods on the SPARE challenge dataset based on reconstructed 4D‐CBCT quality using the above metrics.

Results

The average (±standard deviation) residual DVF errors of SMEIR‐U‐net‐3C, SMEIR‐U‐net‐4C, SMEIR‐Bio, and SMEIR were 3.88 ± 3.12 mm, 3.71 ± 2.90 mm, 3.75 ± 3.40 mm, and 5.73 ± 4.61 mm, respectively. The SMEIR‐U‐net‐3C and SMEIR‐U‐net‐4C generated images of generally improved RMSE, UQI, and NCC as compared to the other methods. Compared with SMERI‐U‐net‐3C, SMEIR‐U‐net‐4C has slightly higher 4D‐CBCT reconstruction and DVF estimation accuracy. For the SPARE dataset, the UQI for SMEIR‐U‐net‐3C, SMEIR‐U‐net‐4C, SMEIR‐Bio, and SMEIR were 0.96, 0.97, 0.96, and 0.94.

Conclusion

The CNN‐based models can achieve fast (~10 s) and accurate DVF fine‐tuning to improve the efficiency and accuracy of 4D‐CBCT reconstruction.
Fulfillment by Amazon versus fulfillment by seller: An interpretable risk‐adjusted fulfillment model
Authors: Sun Libo , Lyu Guodong , Yu Yugang , Teo Chung‐Piaw
Published: March 2020

With dual‐channel choices, E‐retailers fulfill their demands by either the inventory stored in third‐party distribution centers, or by in‐house inventory. In this article, using data from a wedding gown E‐retailer in China, we analyze the differences between two fulfillment choices—fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and fulfillment by seller (FBS). In particular, we want to understand the impact of FBA that will bring to sales and profit, compared to FBS, and how the impact is related to product features such as sizes and colors. We develop a risk‐adjusted fulfillment model to address this problem, where the E‐retailer's risk attitude to FBA is incorporated. We denote the profit gaps between FBA and FBS as the rewards for this E‐retailer fulfilling products using FBA, our goal is to maximize the E‐retailer's total rewards using predictive analytics. We adopt the generalized linear model to predict the expected rewards, while controlling for the variability of the reward distribution. We apply our model on a set of real data, and develop an explicit decision rule that can be easily implemented in practice. The numerical experiments show that our interpretable decision rule can improve the E‐retailer's total rewards by more than 35%.
Surface antimicrobial modification of polyamide by poly(hexamethylene guanidine) hydrochloride
Authors: Ye Saijun , Wei Dafu , Xu Xiang , Guan Yong , Zheng Anna
Published: March 2020

Antimicrobial polyamide (PA) received much attention for the demand of packaging and biomedical fields. In this paper, an antimicrobial PA6 membrane was prepared via a surface chemical reaction. A highly effective antibacterial component (PHMG‐E) with terminal epoxy group was firstly synthesized via a reaction between polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMG) and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE). Then, PHMG‐E was bonded on the surface of PA6 membrane with secondary amine reduced by borane‐tetrahydrofuran (BH3‐THF). The antimicrobial rates of surface‐modified PA6 membrane (PA6‐PHMG) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were both higher than 99.99%, and the PHMG was non‐leaching due to the chemical bonding. The hydrophilicity of antibacterial PA6 membrane was also significantly improved and the mechanical performance became better.
Pre‐thermal treatment in binary solvent systems promoting β crystalline phase of electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofibers
Authors: Nuamcharoen Praewpanit , Kobayashi Takaomi , Potiyaraj Pranut , Shiozaki Makoto
Published: March 2020

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning with an investigation of various ratios of binary solvents at different temperatures. The amount of acetone influenced the morphology. Scanning electron microscopy showed a PVDF membrane composed of smooth and unblemished fibers without beads and dark spots with small diameters of 201 ± 54 nm at a dimethylformamide‐to‐acetone ratio of 4:6. The temperature of pre‐thermal treatment from room temperature to 120 °C was investigated to promote the β crystalline phase in electrospun PVDF nanofibers. The result was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). PVDF solution prepared at 80 °C was used to increase the β crystalline phase of the electrospun PVDF nanofibers due to the transformation of α to β phase occurring during the spinning process and also bead‐free PVDF nanofibers were obtained. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed crystallization behavior corresponding with that determined using FTIR spectroscopy and XRD. Therefore, the solvent proportion and pretreatment temperature were observed to affect ultrafine nanofiber and crystalline structure of PVDF, respectively. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Examining the predictive validity of behavior screeners across measures and respondents
Authors: Jones Corey , Graybill Emily , Barger Brian , Roach Andrew T.
Published: March 2020

Through this study we compared different informants and different behavior screening tools that are available to screen for behavioral and emotional risk. We examined screening results from 100 students from a high school with a high achiever's magnet program in the Southeastern United States (school demographics: 71% female and 79% black, non‐Hispanic). This school conducted behavior screening using both teacher‐report via the Student Risk Screening Scale, Internalizing/Externalizing (SRSS‐IE) and student report via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Nonparametric correlation tests were conducted between the SRSS‐IE and SDQ externalizing and internalizing scores. Generalized linear regression models were created based on the data (demographics, internalizing, and externalizing scores on both screening tools) to model the two count outcomes (office discipline referrals [ODRs] and absences). Diagnostic accuracy metrics were generated from the scores on both the SRSS‐IE and SDQ with the outcome measures (ODRs and absences). Externalizing scores on both screening tools had statistically significant low correlations. The ODR model contained two predictors: externalizing score on the SRSS‐IE and internalizing score on the SDQ, while the absence model contained grade and the externalizing score on the SDQ. The highest accuracy and agreement values were seen between students with elevated risks on both screening measures and ODRs. The results confirmed that teacher and student reporting, as well as different screening tools, will result in some different students being identified. The choice of informant and screening tools should be dependent on the needs and resources of the school.
Rapid Proteomic Profiling by MALDI‐TOF Mass Spectrometry for Better Brain Tumor Classification
Authors: Petre Graciane , Durand Harmonie , Pelletier Laurent , Poulenard Margot , Nugue Guillaume , Ray Pierre F. , Rendu John , Coutton Charles , Berger Francois , Bidart Marie
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive primary brain cancers. The precise grading of tumors is important to adopt the best follow‐up treatment but complementary methods to histopathological diagnosis still lack in achieving an unbiased and reliable classification.

Experimental design

To progress in the field, a rapid Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization ‐ Time of Flight Mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) protocole, devised for the identification and taxonomic classification of microorganisms and based on the analysis of whole cell extracts, was applied to glioma cell lines.

Results

The analysis of different human glioblastoma cell lines permitted to identify distinct proteomic profiles thus demonstrating the ability of MALDI‐TOF to distinguish different malignant cell types.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

In the study, the authors showed the ability of MALDI‐TOF profiling to discriminate glioblastoma cell lines, demonstrating that this technique could be used in complement to histological tumor classification. The proposed procedure is rapid and inexpensive and could be used to improve brain tumors classification and help propose a personalized and more efficient treatment.
Comparison of response adaptive randomization features in multiarm clinical trials with control
Authors: Viele Kert , Saville Benjamin R. , McGlothlin Anna , Broglio Kristine
Published: March 2020

We investigate multiple features of response adaptive randomization (RAR) in the context of a multiple arm randomized trial with control, where the primary goal is the identification of the best arm for use in a broader patient population. We maintain constant control allocation and vary the length of time until RAR is started, interim frequency, the underlying quantity used to calculate the randomization probabilities, and a threshold resulting in temporary arm dropping. We evaluate the designs on five metrics measuring benefit to the internal trial population, the future external population, and statistical estimation. Our results indicate these features have minimal interaction within the space explored, with preference for earlier activation of RAR, more frequent interim analyses, randomizing in proportion to the probability each arm is the best, and aggressive thresholding for temporarily dropping arms. The results illustrate useful principles for maximizing the benefit of RAR in practice.
The attributable estimand: A new approach to account for intercurrent events
Authors: Darken Patrick , Nyberg Jack , Ballal Shaila , Wright David
Published: March 2020

The term “intercurrent events” has recently been used to describe events in clinical trials that may complicate the definition and calculation of the treatment effect estimand. This paper focuses on the use of an attributable estimand to address intercurrent events. Those events that are considered to be adversely related to randomized treatment (eg, discontinuation due to adverse events or lack of efficacy) are considered attributable and handled with a composite estimand strategy, while a hypothetical estimand strategy is used for intercurrent events not considered to be related to randomized treatment (eg, unrelated adverse events). We explore several options for how to implement this approach and compare them to hypothetical “efficacy” and treatment policy estimand strategies through a series of simulation studies whose design is inspired by recent trials in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and we illustrate through an analysis of a recently completed COPD trial.
Marriage, Divorce, and Social Safety Net Policy
Authors: Isaac Elliott
Published: March 2020

I study the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and welfare reforms of the 1990s on flows into and out of marriage. I use test scores to predict who is most likely to be affected by the policy changes, and employ a flexible functional form to estimate heterogeneous effects. I find that lower‐earning married women are more likely to divorce as the EITC expands, but I find no effect of EITC generosity on marriage. I find little effect of welfare generosity on marriage or divorce flows for any group. My results suggest that there are nonsymmetric responses to policy on flows into and out of marriages.
Guanidinium Passivation for Air‐Stable Rubidium‐Incorporated Cs(1 − x)RbxPbI2Br Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Weihai , Xiong Juan , Li Jinhua , Daoud Walid A.
Published: March 2020

Inorganic CsPbI2Br perovskite has gained growing attention due to its potential for improving device performance and stability. However, the notorious phase transition from the photoactive to photoinctive phase in ambient atmosphere hinders its further development. Herein, air‐stable rubidium (Rb)‐incorporated Cs(1 − x)RbxPbI2Br perovskite with guanidinium bromide (GABr) post‐treatment is demonstrated. The incorporation of smaller monovalent Rb cation contributes to a contraction of the perovskite crystal, leading to an improvement in structure stability. In addition, GABr modification induces a 2D/3D heterostructure perovskite with high crystallinity, appropriate surface morphology, favorable electronic properties, and significantly reduced trap‐state density. Consequently, the fabricated perovskite solar cells deliver a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.6%, which is much higher than the 12.9% reported for reference CsPbI2Br‐based devices. Meanwhile, the significantly enhanced long‐term (88% of initial PCE after 60 days), thermal (76% of initial PCE after 30 days) as well as light soaking (90% of initial PCE after 300 min) stability in ambient atmosphere is demonstrated.
Flexural behavior of lightweight concrete beams reinforced with GFRP bars and prestressed with steel strands
Authors: Omrani Mohammad Hossein , Dehestani Mehdi , Yousefpour Hossein
Published: March 2020

The present research is focused on developing efficient, durable flexural members by combining the use of lightweight concrete (LWC), fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) bars, and prestressing. The use of LWC reduces the structural weight while providing suitable thermal insulation whereas using FRP bars instead of steel reinforcement provides corrosion resistance, light weight, high tensile strength, and fatigue resistance. Both materials possess smaller moduli of elasticity compared to those in materials within conventional construction, which may cause large deflections and excessive crack widths that are addressed via prestressing. Six LWC beam specimens were fabricated and tested, all of which contained FRP bars. Two specimens were not prestressed, one in under‐reinforced and the other in over‐reinforced conditions. The other four specimens contained different configurations of prestressing steel in addition to FRP bars. The experimental results were used to validate nonlinear finite element models in Abaqus. Results showed that of a prestress level of 6 MPa in concrete reduced the beam deflection at failure by 28% and increased the cracking load by three times. Therefore, a relatively small prestress level could compensate for the increase in deflection and possible cracking, which shows the merits of this combination in providing an optimal solution for the structural members of the future.
MiR‐20a inhibits the progression of human arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes and inflammatory factor expression by targeting ADAM10
Authors: Xie Zikang , Shen Pengfei , Qu Yuxing , Xu Jianda , Zheng Chong , Gao Yi , Wang Bin
Published: March 2020

MiR‐20a has been reported as a key regulator to pro‐inflammatory factor release in fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS), which caused rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the molecular mechanism of miR‐20a in RA remains to be further elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the roles of miR‐20a in RA pathology. RA (n = 24) and osteoarthritis (OA, n = 20) and normal healthy tissues (n = 16) were collected from operation. TargetScan and dual‐luciferase reporter were performed to predict and confirm the potential binding sites of miR‐20a on ADAM metallopeptidase domain 10 (ADAM10). Pearson's analysis was adopted to evaluate the correlation between miR‐20a and ADAM10 expression. It was found that MiR‐20a was downregulated in RA tissues, and overexpressed miR‐20a inhibited cell viability, migration and invasion, and the expression of inflammatory factors in RA‐FLS MH7A cells. ADAM10 was identified as the target gene of miR‐20a, and upregulation of ADAM10 reversed the inhibitory effects of miR‐20a. In conclusion, miR‐20a inhibits the progression of RA‐FLS as well as the inflammatory factor expression by targeting ADAM10.
Clinical utility of expanded non‐invasive prenatal screening and chromosomal microarray analysis in high‐risk pregnancy
Authors: Zhu X. , Chen M. , Wang H. , Guo Y. , Chau M. H. K. , Yan H. , Cao Y. , Kwok Y. K. Y. , Chen J. , Hui A. S. Y. , Zhang R. , Meng Z. , Zhu Y. , Leung T. Y. , Xiong L. , Kong X. , Choy K. W.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To evaluate the utility of expanded non‐invasive prenatal screening (NIPS), compared with chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in high‐risk pregnancies.

Methods

This was a multicenter retrospective study of singleton pregnancies at high risk for chromosomal abnormality. Patients who underwent expanded NIPS and CMA sequentially during pregnancy from 2015 to 2019 were included in the analysis. Pregnancies with a positive result for sex chromosome aneuploidy were excluded as the full details could not be retrieved. The utility of expanded NIPS and CMA for detection of chromosomal abnormalities in this cohort was compared by assessing the concordance between the results.

Results

Of the 774 included high‐risk pregnancies, 550 (71.1%) had a positive NIPS result, while a positive CMA result was detected in 308 (39.8%) cases. The rate of full or partial concordance between NIPS and CMA was 82.2%, 59.6% and 25.0% for trisomies 21, 18 and 13, respectively. For rare aneuploidies and segmental imbalances, NIPS and CMA results were fully or partially concordant in 7.5% and 33.3% of cases, respectively. Copy‐number variants < 5 Mb were detected more often by CMA, with an incidence of 7.9% (61/774) compared with 3.1% (24/774) by NIPS. A genetic aberration was detected by CMA in 1 in 17 (5.8%) high‐risk pregnancies that had a negative or non‐reportable NIPS result.

Conclusion

CMA allows for comprehensive detection of genome‐wide chromosomal abnormalities in high‐risk pregnancies. CMA should be offered instead of expanded NIPS for high‐risk pregnancies. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Copper (II) removal in a column reactor using electrocoagulation: Parametric optimization by response surface methodology using central composite design
Authors: Mateen Qazi Shabihul , Khan Saif Ullah , Islam Dar Tafazul , Khan Nadeem Ahmad , Farooqi Izharul Haq
Published: March 2020

In the present work, electrocoagulation was applied for copper removal from aqueous solution employing iron electrodes in a cylindrical reactor. A four‐factorial central composite design (CCD) based on response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to study the effect of various process parameters on removal efficiency and energy consumption as the responses. On optimization, maximum removal efficiency up to 95% was attained with energy consumption as 0.903 W‐hour per gram removal of Cu (II) at applied current 0.26 A, initial copper concentration of 27.8 ppm, application time of 5.4 min and pH 7. The interaction between the process variables was evaluated by using the obtained 3‐D plots. The models generated were validated by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Studies carried on Cu (II) removal rate showed adsorption suited pseudo‐Ist order kinetics best. Overall, the electrocoagulation process proved efficient, low cost and a promising alternative to conventional treatment procedures in removing Cu (II).

Practitioner points

Adsorption over hydroxide/polyhydroxide complexes of Fe assisted in enhanced removal of Cu (II) by EC.

Higher concentrations treated at lower current but longer duration reduces energy.

pH was found to be the deterministic factor for coagulation.

CCD‐based optimization reduced energy consumption substantially.
The small black hole illusion
Authors: Cano Pablo A. , Ramírez Pedro F. , Ruipérez Alejandro
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Small black holes in string theory are characterized by a classically singular horizon with vanishing Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. It has been argued that higher- curvature corrections resolve the horizon and that the associated Wald entropy is in agreement with the microscopic degeneracy. In this note we study the heterotic two-charge small black hole and question this result, which we claim is caused by a misidentification of the fundamental constituents of the system studied when higher-curvature interactions are present. On the one hand, we show that quadratic curvature corrections do not solve the singular horizon of small black holes. On the other, we argue that the resolution of the heterotic small black hole reported in the literature involves the introduction of solitonic 5-branes, whose asymptotic charge vanishes due to a screening effect induced by the higher- curvature interactions, and a Kaluza-Klein monopole, whose charge remains unscreened.
Soft corrections to inclusive deep-inelastic scattering at four loops and beyond
Authors: Das Goutam , Moch Sven-Olaf , Vogt Andreas
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We study the threshold corrections for inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) and their all-order resummation. Using recent results for the QCD form factor, related anomalous dimensions and Mellin moments of DIS structure functions at four loops we derive the complete soft and collinear contributions to the DIS Wilson coefficients at four loops. For a general SU(nc) gauge group the results are exact in the large-nc approximation and for QCD with nc = 3 we present precise approximations. We extend the threshold resummation exponent GN in Mellin-N space to the fifth logarithmic (N4LL) order collecting the terms $$ {\alpha}_{\mathrm{s}}^3 $$

α
s
3

(αs ln N)n to all orders in the strong coupling constant αs. We study the numerical effect of the N4LL corrections using both the fully exponentiated form and the expansion of the coefficient function in towers of logarithms. As a byproduct, we derive a numerical result for the complete pole structure of the QCD form factor in the parameter of dimensional regularization ε at four loops.
The radiation valley and exotic resonances in Wγ production at the LHC
Authors: Capdevilla Rodolfo , Harnik Roni , Martin Adam
Published: March 2020

Abstract

The tree-level partonic angular distribution of Standard Model Wγ production possesses a feature known as the Radiation Amplitude Zero (RAZ) where destructive interference causes the cross section to vanish. At the proton level the exact cancellation disappears, however, one can find a dip in the central region of the angular distributions, here called the Radiation Valley (RV). In this paper, we show how the sensitivity for W(ℓv)γ resonances can be significantly improved if one focuses on events in the RV region. Using this technique, we find that the LHC could probe a larger range of resonance masses, equivalent to increasing the luminosity by a factor of 2–3 over conventional searches. The exact increase depends on the spin of the Wγ resonance and exactly how it couples to electroweak gauge bosons.