bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Zn(ii)–organic cage with semirigid ligand for solvent-free cyanosilylation and inhibitory effect on ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion ability via regulating mi-RNA16 expression
Authors: Yin Yan , Mai Hong , Zhang Li-Ying , Liao Yan , Liu Xu-Peng , Wei Ye-Ping
Published: September 2020

[Zn6(L)4(DMF)2(H2O)4](1,4-Dioxane)2(DMF)10(H2O)4 (1, L  =  4,4′,4″-(benzene-1,3,5-triyltris(oxy))tribenzoate), the metal-organic cage, was produced via Zn(NO3)2·6H2O reacting with the H3L ligand in the mixed solvent of DMF and water. The heterogeneous catalytic activities of the complex 1 for the aldehydes cyanidation under the conditions of free solvent were studied, which indicates that the removal of coordination solvents could greatly improve the catalytic activities. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of the compound against the ovarian cancer cells was assessed. The mi-RNA16 relative expression level was measured after exposure to the compound with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The invasion and migration of cells after compound treatment were also detected by the transwell method.
The third partial cohomology group and existence of extensions of semilattices of groups by groups
Authors: Dokuchaev Mikhailo , Khrypchenko Mykola , Makuta Mayumi
Published: September 2020

We introduce the concept of a partial abstract kernel associated to a group G and a semilattice of groups A and relate the partial cohomology group

H
3

⁢

(
G
,

C
⁢

(
A
)

)

{H^{3}(G,C(A))}

with the obstructions to the existence of admissible extensions of A by G which realize the given abstract kernel.
We also show that if such extensions exist, then they are classified by

H
2

⁢

(
G
,

C
⁢

(
A
)

)

{H^{2}(G,C(A))}

.
Survival of altruistic gatekeepers: Kickbacks in medical markets
Authors: Amann Erwin , Felder Stefan
Published: September 2020

Patients often rely on the advice of their general practitioner (GP) to decide which treatment best fits their needs. Hospitals, in turn, might influence GPs’ referral decision through kickbacks. We present a model with a monopolistic hospital and competitive GPs who vary in the degree of altruism towards their heterogeneous patients and show that an equilibrium without crowding out exists that separates GPs into referrers and care providers. Naïve patients visit purely selfish (referring) GPs, while rational patients sort themselves between the two groups of GPs. Finally, we investigate the scope for regulation, including an optimal coinsurance rate.
A novel approach to determine charring of wood in natural fire implemented in a coupled heat-mass-pyrolysis model
Authors: Pečenko Robert , Hozjan Tomaž
Published: September 2020

The paper presents a novel approach to determine charring of wood exposed to standard and natural fire that is based on a new numerical model named PyCiF. The new model couples an advanced 2D heat-mass model with a pyrolysis model. A new charring criterion based on a physical phenomenon is implemented in the PyCiF model to determine charring of wood. This presents the main advantage of the new PyCiF model in comparison to common modelling approaches, which require an empirical value of the charring temperature that is often called the char front temperature. The fact that the char front temperature is not an explicit value as assumed by the isotherm 300 °C is advantageously considered in the presented approach where an assumed empirical value of the char front temperature is not directly required to determine the thickness of char layer. The validation of the PyCiF model against experimental results showed great model accuracy, meaning that the model is appropriate for the evaluation of charring depths of timber elements exposed to the standard fire as well as the natural fires. Additionally, as shown in the case study, the presented approach also enables to determine the char front temperature for various natural fire exposures. This will be especially important for the upgrade of the new design methods for fire safety of timber elements exposed to natural fire given in the various design codes such as Eurocode 5.
Physiology of guanosine-based second messenger signaling in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Bange Gert , Bedrunka Patricia
Published: September 2020

The guanosine-based second messengers (p)ppGpp and c-di-GMP are key players of the physiological regulation of the Gram-positive model organismBacillus subtilis. Their regulatory spectrum ranges from key metabolic processes over motility to biofilm formation. Here we review our mechanistic knowledge on their synthesis and degradation in response to environmental and stress signals as well as what is known on their cellular effectors and targets. Moreover, we discuss open questions and our gaps in knowledge on these two important second messengers.
Perceived burden, causes and consequences of adolescent pregnancy in the rural Maharashtra: a cultural domain analysis
Authors: Joshi Shiv H. , Raut Abhishek V. , Goswami Sourav , Gupta Subodh S.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The existing level of the early age pregnancy necessitates in-depth discussions and study. The objective of this study is to explore the perception of rural population regarding adolescent pregnancy with reference to the perceived burden, causes and consequences.

Methods

A cross-sectional study through cultural domain analysis using free listing and participatory learning and action (PLA) tool of ten seed analysis was used for exploring the perceptions of the community. Cognitive salience was estimated using the Sutrop (Su) index.

Results

The perceived burden of adolescent pregnancy was around 18%. Early marriage (Su index = 0.274), love/relationship (Su index = 0.246), pre-marital sex (Su index = 0.215), rape/incest (Su index = 0.162), and poor educational status (Su index = 0.152) were the salient causes of adolescent pregnancy. The salient consequences identified were weak baby (Su index = 0.170), social stigma (Su index = 0.124), excessive bleeding during delivery (Su index = 0.114), mother may die (Su index = 0.112) and abortion (Su index = 0.109).

Conclusions

Teenage pregnancy is perceived as a problem by the community. The causes of teenage pregnancy in this setting are multi-dimensional and are deeply embedded in the system of local values, beliefs and practices.
Balanced diet related knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) among adolescent school girls in Noakhali district, Bangladesh: a cross sectional study
Authors: Ghosh Susmita , Kabir Md Ruhul , Alam Mohammad Rahanur , Chowdhury Akibul Islam , Al Mamun Md Abdullah
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Adolescence, a crucial period for growth velocity including sexual maturation, is an important period of life and young adolescent girls need to have proper knowledge, positive attitudes and practice of balanced diet to achieve optimum growth and development. Considering its importance this study attempts to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of balanced diets among adolescent schoolgirls in Noakhali district, Bangladesh.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three secondary schools in Noakhali district, Bangladesh. A multistage sampling techniques was used to select schools and study participants. A total of 485 adolescent school girls participated and a pre-designed, validated and structured questionnaire was used for data collection. In addition to descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression were employed for analysis.

Results

The results from the study revealed that more than half of the students did not have good knowledge about a balanced diet, 42.8% had a positive attitude, whereas the practice of consuming a balanced diet was rather low (only 4.5%). Students studying in government schools had better knowledge and attitudes than non-government school students. Moreover, 41.1% of students were underweight; more than 60% of respondent’s mothers did not have an education higher than secondary school and were mostly unemployed housewives. Parent’s education, mother’s occupation, and types of school have a strong association with KAP; however, father’s education and occupation showed an association of varying degrees. Being knowledgeable was related to positive attitudes, and students with good knowledge had (OR: 1.828; 95% CI: 1.270–2.631) more likely to have positive attitudes towards a balanced diet.

Conclusions

Thus, proper knowledge about a balanced diet should be introduced with basic nutritional knowledge to all levels of public education. Interventions and programs can be designed to improve knowledge, attitude, and more specifically the practice at the household level so that adolescent girls can have a proper diet during their sexual maturation phase.
Association between intelligent quotient and oral health conditions among 13–15 year old intellectually disabled children
Authors: Sukhabogi Jagadeeswara Rao , Doshi Dolar , Shwetha Sankepalli , Gone Hariprasad , Vasavi Kandadi , Shulamithi Pandi
Published: September 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the relationship between intelligence quotient and oral health conditions among intellectually disabled children.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 13–15 year old intellectually disabled children at National Institute of Mental Health, Hyderabad. The survey comprised of classification of intellectually disabled children based on their intelligent quotient (IQ) levels along with clinical oral examination using World health organization (WHO) oral health assessment form (2013). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21.0. p<0.05 was statistically significant.

Results

The mean age of study participants was 13.73 ± 3.04 years. Based on IQ levels, majority of the participants had moderate retardation (41.8%) and when oral health problems were compared, greater than 50% had gingivitis with mean DMFT scores of 2.48 ± 2.1. A significant higher mean DMFT scores were observed with profound retardation (4.74 ± 2.17) (p=0.000) whereas greater preponderance for oral health problems was observed among moderately retarded subjects.

Conclusions

Overall majority of the study participants were moderately retarded children and had gingivitis. The higher mean DMFT score was observed with profound retardation with statistical significance. However, Greater percentage of oral health problems were among moderately retarded children. Hence intellectually disabled children should be encouraged to take care about oral health themselves under the guidance of their care takers.
Oral health knowledge, attitude and practice among adolescents in Kuwait
Authors: Abdulrahim Menther , AlKandari Mohammad , Alomari Qasem , Baskaradoss Jagan K.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Adequate knowledge about oral health at a young age is essential in establishing good oral health related behaviors and in developing a positive attitude towards oral health. This study aims to assess the oral health knowledge, attitude and practice of adolescent children aged 15–17 years in Kuwait.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 12 randomly selected public schools in Kuwait using a two-stage cluster sampling method. An Arabic questionnaire with 29 questions were distributed to the students from selected classes. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: the first section gathered information on the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants; the second section assessed the oral health knowledge of the respondents; the third section assessed the students’ attitude towards professional dental care and the last section assessed the students’ oral health behaviors and practice. Frequency distributions were obtained for each variable and the differences between genders were analyzed using chi-squared statistics and the mean difference in the knowledge and attitude scores were analyzed using independent sample t-test.

Results

A total of 3,091 students aged 15–17 years (52.8% girls) participated in this study. The mean (SD) knowledge score of the respondents was 8.62 (2.53) and this was significantly higher for girls compared to boys (p<0.001). Significantly higher percentage of girls than boys knew the role of diet and oral hygiene in preventing caries (p<0.001). Knowledge about dental plaque was very limited in this population. Majority of the respondents believed that regular dental visits were essential (87.1%). The mean (SD) attitude score of the respondents was 3.30 (2.72) and this was significantly higher for girls compared to boys (p<0.001). Majority of the students used toothbrush and toothpaste to clean their teeth (60%).

Conclusion

Significant gender differences were observed in the oral health knowledge and attitudes in this population. School based oral health promotion programs can be effective in promoting good oral health attitudes and practice among children.
Alternatives to the Kaplan–Meier estimator of progression-free survival
Authors: Zhang Jenny J , Sun Zhuoxin , Yuan Han , Wang Molin
Published: September 2020

Progression-free survival (PFS), defined as the time from randomization to progression of disease or death, has been indicated as an endpoint to support accelerated approval of certain cancer drugs by the U.S. FDA. The standard Kaplan–Meier (KM) estimator of PFS, however, can result in significantly biased estimates. A major source for the bias results from the substitution of censored progression times with death times. Currently, to ameliorate this bias, several sensitivity analyses based on rather arbitrary definitions of PFS censoring are usually conducted. In addition, especially in the advanced cancer setting, patients with censored progression and observed death times have the potential to experience disease progression between those two times, in which case their true PFS time is actually between those times. In this paper, we present two alternative nonparametric estimators of PFS, which statistically incorporate survival data often available for those patients who are censored with respect to progression to obtain less biased estimates. Through extensive simulations, we show that these estimators greatly reduce the bias of the standard KM estimator and can also be utilized as alternative sensitivity analyses with a solid statistical basis in lieu of the arbitrarily defined analyses currently used. An example is also given using an ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group advanced breast cancer study.
Separation and purification of fatty acids by membrane technology: a critical review
Authors: Lv Enmin , Ding Shaoxuan , Lu Jie , Yi Weiming , Ding Jincheng
Published: September 2020

Fatty acids (FAs) are a very important group of raw materials for chemical industry, and the technology of separating or purifying the FAs from the reaction product mixture has always been the hotspot of research. Membrane processes for separation of FAs are being increasingly reported. Compared with conventional FAs separation methods, membrane separation has the advantages of low energy consumption, system compactness, high separation efficiency, easy scale-up, high available surface area per unit volume and low working temperatures, thereby attracting considerable attention of many researchers. In this regards, this paper critically reviewed the developments of methods for FAs separation and purification, and the future prospects of coupling membrane technology with hydrolysis for enhanced production of FAs.
Mitigation of power quality issues using UPQC
Authors: Ray Pravat Kumar , Dash Santanu Kumar , Subudhi Bidyadhar , Korkua Suratsavadee K.
Published: September 2020

Power quality has become major concern these days due to application of power electronic devices. Conventional equipment like passive filter, segregate series and shunt filters and synchronous condenser etc. have become inadequate to mitigate different power quality problems. Since, power quality mainly concerned with voltage quality and the current quality in the system. For voltage quality, series compensator is used and for current quality, shunt compensator is used. Further, when these two power quality problems are mitigated simultaneously, the device, which is used, called unified power quality conditioner (UPQC), in power distribution system. In this paper voltage related power quality problems such as (voltage sag, voltage swell, voltage and current distortion) are discussed and UPQC controller is simulated to mitigate these problems. There are different control techniques available for UPQC. Here one of them i.e., unit vector template generation (UVTG) is used to simulate UPQC controller. The considered system efficiently regulated the DC link voltage using properly tuned PI parameters. The proposed work is also validated using experimental results.
Second language processing of English past tense morphology: The role of working memory
Authors: Rızaoğlu Filiz , Gürel Ayşe
Published: September 2020

This study examines, via a masked priming task, the processing of English regular and irregular past tense morphology in proficient second language (L2) learners and native speakers in relation to working memory capacity (WMC), as measured by the Automated Reading Span (ARSPAN) and Operation Span (AOSPAN) tasks. The findings revealed quantitative group differences in the form of slower reaction times (RTs) in the L2-English group. While no correlation was found between the morphological processing patterns and WMC in either group, there was a negative relationship between English and Turkish ARSPAN scores and the speed of word recognition in the L2 group. Overall, comparable decompositional processing patterns found in both groups suggest that, like native speakers, high-proficiency L2 learners are sensitive to the morphological structure of the target language.
Two giant retroperitoneal schwannomas mimicking adrenal malignancy – a case report
Authors: Fülber Isabelle , Peer Katharina , Maurer Elisabeth , Bartsch Detlef K. , Görlach Jannis , Göbel Joachim Nils , Roeßler Marion , Holzer Katharina
Published: September 2020

Schwannomas are benign tumors in 95% of cases and very rarely occur in the retroperitoneum. We report the cases of a 35-year-old man with abdominal discomfort and a 50-year-old asymptomatic woman with large retroperitoneal masses. Both underwent multivisceral surgery to exclude an adrenal carcinoma, and the pathologic diagnosis showed schwannomas in both cases. Despite morphological imaging, it was not possible to get a clear diagnosis preoperatively.
The nasal cantilever technique in children undergoing primary cleft lip surgery: novel concepts and review
Authors: Abdulrauf Badr M. I.
Published: September 2020

Background

Nasal deformity associated with cleft lip deformity is a challenging issue, encompassing controversies, theories, and a diversity of techniques. Historically, esthetic outcomes have ranged from being below expectations to barely acceptable.

Method

Based on the concept that the nasal cartilaginous framework in clefts is similar to that of a collapsing pyramid, a novel suspension technique has been described. The entire cartilaginous structure is lifted from the infratip segment with a loop suture and is secured in a cantilever fashion onto the periosteum overlying the nasal bone. This part of the operation is performed in a semiclosed manner. The technique is applied during primary surgery in bilateral and unilateral nasal cleft lip deformities, with changes in the orientation of the cantilever loop suture. Studies conducted by Masters S. Tajima, H. McComb, H. Thomson, D. Fisher, and J. Mulliken, which are most relevant to this article, have been reviewed and discussed throughout.

Results

The technique was first applied over 10 years ago. A case series of nine children whose parents consented to the developing technique is presented with follow-up ranging from months to years, along with technical descriptions and illustrative drawings. None of these cases had preoperative orthopedic correction, molding, or postoperative nostril splints. The esthetic outcome was optimal enough; none of the cases requested a secondary correction.

Conclusion

The nasal cantilever technique is a novel concept in cleft nasal deformity, which can be used in conjunction with an appropriate lip technique, per the surgeon’s discretion. Other than a learning curve, we believe that it provides a solid correction by securing the cartilaginous structures after they have been mobilized to a stable base, the nasion.
An identification problem involving fractional differential variational inequalities
Authors: Ke Tran Dinh , Tuan Tran Van
Published: September 2020

We study the solvability and stability for the problem of identifying parameter in a class of fractional differential variational inequalities. Our approach is based on a regularity analysis for fractional diffusion equations and fixed point techniques.
Sampling in thermoacoustic tomography
Authors: Mathison Chase
Published: September 2020

We explore the effect of sampling rates when measuring data given byMffor special operatorsMarising in Thermoacoustic Tomography. We start with sampling requirements onMfgivenfsatisfying certain conditions. After this we discuss the resolution limit onfposed by the sampling rate ofMfwithout assuming any conditions on these sampling rates. Next we discuss aliasing artifacts whenMfis known to be under sampled in one or more of its variables. Finally, we discuss averaging of measurement data and resulting aliasing and artifacts, along with a scheme for anti-aliasing.
The inverse problem of recovering the coefficients of a differential equations on a graph
Authors: Sadovnichii Victor , Sultanaev Yaudat Talgatovich , Akhtyamov Azamat
Published: September 2020

We consider a new class of inverse problems on the recovery of the coefficients of differential equations from a finite set of eigenvalues of a boundary value problem with unseparated boundary conditions. A finite number of eigenvalues is possible only for problems in which the roots of the characteristic equation are multiple. The article describes solutions to such a problem for equations of the second, third, and fourth orders on a graph with three, four, and five edges. The inverse problem with an arbitrary number of edges is solved similarly.
Natural Convection Around a Locally Heated Circular Cylinder Placed in a Rectangular Enclosure
Authors: Roy Nepal Chandra , Hossain Md. Anwar , Gorla Rama Subba Reddy , Siddiqa Sadia
Published: September 2020

Natural convective flow and heat transfer around a locally heated circular cylinder kept in a rectangular enclosure are investigated. At first, a problem valid for a rectangular domain is formulated and then an analytical coordinate transformation is introduced to map the rectangular domain to the physical domain considered here. Based on the coordinate transformation, a set of governing equations is obtained which is further simulated by imposing appropriate conditions on the walls of the cavity and the inner solid bodies. Numerical solutions are validated through comparison of the present results with the available published data. It is found that streamlines and isotherms are greatly influenced by the width (w) and breadth (b) of the heat source and the Rayleigh number (\mathit{Ra}). The Nusselt number (\mathit{Nu}) is computed at the surface of the inner and outer cylinders, revealing that it grows considerably when controlling parameters w, b, and \mathit{Ra} are increased. The strength and number of the vortices generated within the velocity field heavily depend on the size and location of the outer cylinder. The span-wise local Nusselt number variation shows some sharp rises compared to the neighboring values in {\mathit{Nu}_{i}} and {\mathit{Nu}_{o}}, which is due to the large temperature gradient at those points.
A novel GNAS mutation inherited from probable maternal mosaicism causes two siblings with pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1A
Authors: Wang Qi , Xian Jiayi , Chen Pingjiao , Wang Jingying , Gao Yan , Zheng Xinyao , Tan Zhongkai , Li Changxing , Zeng Kang
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Objectives Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1A (PHP1A) is caused by maternal inheritance of GNAS mutations. It is characterized by the resistance to several hormones, primarily the parathyroid hormone (PTH), and the features of Albright’s hereditary osteodystrophy.

Case presentation

Here, we present a family comprised two affected brothers with PHP1A and identify a novel mutation (c.277C>T) in the GNAS gene. The siblings developed a slightly different presentation in the same clinical condition. Although both patients presented with PTH resistance, which is the hallmark of PHP, the proband showed the thyroid-stimulating hormone resistance with the progression of heterotopic ossification from skin and subcutaneous tissue into deep connective tissue, while the younger brother with normocalcemia did not show the resistance to other hormones. The patients may inherit the mutation from their mother who presumably carries the mutation as a mosaicism.

Conclusions

Our case highlights the significance of considering mosaicism as an explanation for apparent de novo cases of pseudohypoparathyroidism.
Long-term follow-up of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents
Authors: Negre Busó Montserrat , García Burillo Amparo , Simó Perdigó Marc , Galofré Mora Pere , Boronat de Ferrater Maria , Cuberas Borrós Gemma , Sábado Álvarez Constantino , Castell Conesa Joan
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The aims were to analyze the clinical features, response to treatment, prognostic factors and long-term follow-up of children and adolescents with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).

Methods

Eighty patients with DTC were studied retrospectively. All underwent total or near-total thyroidectomy, and in 75 cases, ablative iodine therapy was recommended. Patients were assessed periodically by tests for serum thyroglobulin levels and whole-body iodine scans. Age, gender, initial clinical presentation, histology, tumor stage, postoperative complications, radioiodine treatment protocol, treatment response, thyroglobulin (Tg), recurrence and long-term disease progression were evaluated.

Results

Seventy patients completed >2 years of follow-up (23 males, 47 females; median age: 14 years; range: 3–18 years). Sixty-two patients showed papillary DTC and eight, follicular DTC. Sixty-five percent presented nodal metastasis and 16%, pulmonary metastasis at diagnosis. Six months after first radioiodine treatment, 36.2% of patients were free of disease. Seven recurrences were documented. At the end of follow-up, overall survival was 100%, and 87.2% of patients were in complete remission. Nine patients had persistent disease. We found a significant association between stage 4 and persistent disease. Hundred percent of patients with negative Tg values at 6 months posttreatment were documented free of disease at the end of the follow-up. The analysis of disease-free survival based on radioiodine treatment protocols used showed no statistically significant differences.

Conclusions

DTC in children and adolescents is frequently associated with presence of advanced disease at diagnosis. Despite this, complete remission was documented after treatment in most cases, with a good prognosis in the long-term follow-up. Negative posttreatment thyroglobulin and stage 4 at diagnosis were significant prognostic variables.
Reassessing vitamin D supplementation in preterm infants: a prospective study and review of the literature
Authors: Zung Amnon , Topf-Olivestone Chani , Shinwell Eric S. , Hofi Lilach , Juster-Reicher Ada , Flidel-Rimon Orna
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Recommendations for vitamin D (VitD) intake and target serum levels of 25(OH)D in preterm infants are diverse. We hypothesized that preterm infants with low birth weight (BW) have low dietary intake of VitD and therefore should be supplemented with higher amounts of VitD.

Methods

Infants with BW < 2 kg were supplemented with 600 units of VitD a day during the first 2–6 weeks of life, whereas infants with BW>2 kg continued with the routine supplementation of 400 units of VitD daily. Serum levels of 25(OH)D, calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were assessed 24 h after birth and before discharge. The total daily intake of vitD was calculated in each infant.

Results

Sixty-two infants were enrolled, 49 with BW < 2 kg. After birth, only 24% had sufficient levels of 25(OH)D, whereas before discharge 45 of 54 infants (83%) available for analysis reached sufficient levels of 25(OH)D. All 54 infants demonstrated significant elevation in serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, AP and significant reduction in PTH levels. The total daily intake of VitD was lower than recommended (800–1000 IU/d) in 16 of 45 infants with BW < 2 kg (36%) and in all nine infants with BW>2 kg. Nevertheless, only 2 of 25 infants with insufficient intake of VitD demonstrated insufficient levels of serum 25(OH)D. No case of vitamin D excess was recorded.

Conclusions

Increased supplementation of VitD (600 IU/d) for premature newborns with BW < 2 kg is effective in increasing both total daily intake of VitD and serum levels of 25(OH)D.
Increased of the carotid intima media thickness in preeclampsia
Authors: Neto Raul Moreira , Ramos Jose Geraldo Lopes , Medjedovic Edin , Begic Edin
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The aim of the study was to determine carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) values in patients who developed and did not develop preeclampsia (PE), and to determine whether CIMT values could be predictors of PE development.

Methods

The study included pregnant women who were examined by regular ultrasound examination at the Materno-Infantil Presidente Vargas Hospital (HMIPV) in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from April 2016 to September 2017. The examinations were performed every three months. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group included patients diagnosed with PE (n=21) and second group included patients who did not have PE (n=199). A high frequency ultrasound device (12 MHz) with a semi-automatic method was used to estimate CIMT.

Results

CIMT was significantly higher in pregnant women with PE than in women without PE (55±0.11 vs. 0.44±0.06, respectively; p<0.001). Using a cut-off value of 0.51 mm, CIMT had a specificity of 77.9% and sensitivity of 81% in the diagnosis of PE. With CIMT ≥0.6 mm, the probability of a patient developing PE was 44.4%; with CIMT >0.42 mm, the probability was only 4.2%.

Conclusions

An increase in CIMT was associated with the onset of PE. CIMT values were significantly higher in patients who develop PE.
Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) for preventing prematurity-related bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD): 7-year follow-up of the European Union Nitric Oxide (EUNO) trial
Authors: Greenough Anne , Decobert Fabrice , Field David , Hallman Mikko , Hummler Helmut D. , Jonsson Baldvin , Sánchez Luna Manuel , Van Overmeire Bart , Carnielli Virgilio P. , Potenziano Jim L. , Mercier Jean-Christophe
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Most studies of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants have focused on short-term mortality and morbidity. Our aim was to determine the long-term effects of iNO.

Methods

A 7-year follow-up was undertaken of infants entered into a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of iNO for prevention of BPD in premature infants born between 24 and 28 weeks plus six days of gestation. At 7 years, survival and hospital admissions since the 2-year follow-up, home oxygen therapy in the past year, therapies used in the previous month and growth assessments were determined. Questionnaires were used to compare general health, well-being, and quality of life.

Results

A total of 305 children were assessed. No deaths were reported. Rates of hospitalization for respiratory problems (6.6 vs. 10.5%, iNO and placebo group, respectively) and use of respiratory medications (6.6 vs. 9.2%) were similar. Two patients who received iNO and one who received placebo had received home oxygen therapy. There were no significant differences in any questionnaire-documented health outcomes.

Conclusions

iNO for prevention of BPD in very premature infants with respiratory distress did not result in long-term benefits or adverse long-term sequelae. In the light of current evidence, routine use of iNO cannot be recommended for prevention of BPD in preterm infants.
Acute chemoradiotherapy toxicity in cervical cancer patients
Authors: Radojevic Marija Zivkovic , Tomasevic Aleksandar , Karapandzic Vesna Plesinac , Milosavljevic Neda , Jankovic Slobodan , Folic Marko
Published: September 2020

During radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer, up to 84% of patients exhibit some form of acute radiation toxicity (ART). The primary aim of this clinical study is to determine the impact of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, β-blockers and other risk factors such as the patient’s anatomical characteristics on ART emergence in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated by chemoradiotherapy. This is a combination of two nested case–control studies within the cohort of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer based on the analysis of potential risk factors for the onset of ART in patients treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and 2D conventional radiotherapy (2D-RT), prospectively followed up from January 2017 to September 2018 in a tertiary care hospital. The ACE inhibitors and bladder volume were identified as factors that significantly affect the occurrence of ART in patients treated with 3D-CRT. In patients treated with 2D-RT, the factors that significantly affect the occurrence of ART were ACE inhibitors, body mass index (BMI), brachytherapy rectal and bladder dose. This study has shown that BMI, radiation dose received by the bladder and rectum are of exceptional importance for the occurrence of the ART and also that therapy with ACE inhibitors was associated with the decreased chances of the ART.
Irresistible Nudges, Inevitable Nudges, and the Freedom to Choose
Authors: Kipper Jens
Published: September 2020

In this paper, I examine how nudges affect the autonomy and freedom of those nudged. I consider two arguments put forth by Thaler and Sunstein for the claim that these effects can only be minor. According to the first of these arguments, nudges cannot significantly restrict a person’s autonomy or freedom since they are easy to resist. According to the second argument, the existence of nudges is inevitable, and thus, pursuing libertarian paternalism by nudging people doesn’t make a relevant difference to people’s autonomy and freedom. After arguing that both of these arguments fail, I elucidate the general conditions in which, and the degrees to which, a person’s autonomy and freedom are affected by nudges. One focus of this discussion concerns how people’s autonomy and freedom are affected if—for example, due to progress in information technology—nudges become more effective, more individualized and more common, and affect more people.
Meta-optics for spatial optical analog computing
Authors: Abdollahramezani Sajjad , Hemmatyar Omid , Adibi Ali
Published: September 2020

Rapidly growing demands for high-performance computing, powerful data processing, and big data necessitate the advent of novel optical devices to perform demanding computing processes effectively. Due to its unprecedented growth in the past two decades, the field of meta-optics offers a viable solution for spatially, spectrally, and/or even temporally sculpting amplitude, phase, polarization, and/or dispersion of optical wavefronts. In this review, we discuss state-of-the-art developments, as well as emerging trends, in computational metastructures as disruptive platforms for spatial optical analog computation. Two fundamental approaches based on general concepts of spatial Fourier transformation and Green’s function (GF) are discussed in detail. Moreover, numerical investigations and experimental demonstrations of computational optical surfaces and metastructures for solving a diverse set of mathematical problems (e.g., integrodifferentiation and convolution equations) necessary for on-demand information processing (e.g., edge detection) are reviewed. Finally, we explore the current challenges and the potential resolutions in computational meta-optics followed by our perspective on future research directions and possible developments in this promising area.
Three-dimensional spatiotemporal tracking of nano-objects diffusing in water-filled optofluidic microstructured fiber
Authors: Jiang Shiqi , Förster Ronny , Plidschun Malte , Kobelke Jens , Fatobene Ando Ron , Schmidt Markus A.
Published: September 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) tracking of nano-objects represents a novel pathway for understanding dynamic nanoscale processes within bioanalytics and life science. Here we demonstrate 3D tracking of diffusing 100 nm gold nanosphere within a water-filled optofluidic fiber via elastic light scattering–based position retrieval. Specifically, the correlation between intensity and position inside a region of a fiber-integrated microchannel has been used to decode the axial position from the scattered intensity, while image processing–based tracking was used in the image plane. The 3D trajectory of a diffusing gold nanosphere has been experimentally determined, while the determined diameter analysis matches expectations. Beside key advantages such as homogenous light-line illumination, low-background scattering, long observation time, large number of frames, high temporal and spatial resolution and compatibility with standard microscope, the particular properties of operating with water defines a new bioanalytical platform that is highly relevant for medical and life science applications.
Die vier Körper des gedopten Athleten
Authors: Schild Wolfgang
Published: September 2020

Sporthandeln ist Körpertechnik, Einsatz und Inszenierung des sportlichen Körpers (zur zunehmenden Bedeutung des Körpers in der Sportphilosophie vgl. Caysa 2003a, b; Seewald 1996). Aber was ist unter diesem „Körper“ zu verstehen? Ist denn überhaupt der Singular – „der“ Körper – angemessen oder brauchen wir – wie wir am Beispiel der „zwei Körper des Königs“ (Ernst H. Kantorowicz) gelernt haben – mehrere Körper bzw. mehrere unterschiedliche Sprechweisen über diesen Körper des Athleten, der noch dazu – um die Fragestellung zu komplizieren – als des Dopings überführter Teilnehmer an einem Wettbewerb des organisierten Sports angesetzt wird? In diesem Beitrag, der sich daher nicht mit dem Freizeit- oder Schulsport oder mit Fitnesspraktiken oder mit Bodybuilding befasst, sondern sich auf den sich dem Publikum präsentierenden Wettkampfsport beschränkt, werden vier Körper unterschieden und dargestellt.
An investigation of the effects of environmental and ecologic factors on cutaneous leishmaniasis in the old world: a systematic review study
Authors: Mohammadbeigi Abolfazl , Khazaei Salman , Heidari Hamidreza , Asgarian Azadeh , Arsangjang Shahram , Saghafipour Abedin , Mohammadsalehi Narges , Ansari Hossein
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Leishmaniasis is a neglected and widespread parasitic disease that can lead to serious health problems. The current review study aimed to synthesize the relationship between ecologic and environmental factors (e.g., weather conditions, climatology, temperature and topology) and the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the Old World.

Content

A systematic review was conducted based on English, and Persian articles published from 2015 to 2020 in PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Keywords used to search articles were leishmaniasis, environmental factors, weather condition, soil, temperature, land cover, ecologic* and topogr*. All articles were selected and assessed for eligibility according to the titles or abstracts. The quality screening process of articles was carried out by two independent authors. The selected articles were checked according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Summary and outlook

A total of 827 relevant records in 2015–2020 were searched and after evaluating the articles, 23 articles met the eligibility criteria; finally, 14 full-text articles were included in the systematic review. Two different categories of ecologic/environmental factors (weather conditions, temperature, rainfall/precipitation and humidity) and land characteristics (land cover, slope, elevation and altitude, earthquake and cattle sheds) were the most important factors associated with CL incidence.

Conclusions

Temperature and rainfall play an important role in the seasonal cycle of CL as many CL cases occurred in arid and semiarid areas in the Old World. Moreover, given the findings of this study regarding the effect of weather conditions on CL, it can be concluded that designing an early warning system is necessary to predict the incidence of CL based on different weather conditions.
Brain metabolic DNA: recent evidence for a mitochondrial connection
Authors: Giuditta Antonio , Grassi Zucconi Gigliola , Sadile Adolfo
Published: September 2020

This review highlights recent data concerning the synthesis of brain metabolic DNA (BMD) by cytoplasmic reverse transcription and the prompt acquisition of the double-stranded configuration that allows its partial transfer to nuclei. BMD prevails in the mitochondrial fraction and is present in presynaptic regions and astroglial processes where it undergoes a turnover lasting a few weeks. Additional data demonstrate that BMD sequences are modified by learning, thus indicating that the modified synaptic activity allowing proper brain responses is encoded in learning BMD. In addition, several converging observations regarding the origin of BMD strongly suggest that BMD is reverse transcribed by mitochondrial telomerase.
Does Bank Profitability Stimulate Economic Growth in the Arab Region?
Authors: Aziz Omar Ghazy
Published: September 2020

This study empirically investigates the impact of bank profitability, as a complementary measure of financial development, on growth in the Arab countries between 1985 and 2016. Using a generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation to test the impact of the bank profitability on growth, this study utilises two variables in the econometric model which are return on assets and return on equity. This study reveals that both variables of bank profitability are positive and significant. This confirms that the bank profitability, beside other financial development variables, has positive impact on the growth. This study points out some important implications based on this result.
A weighted empirical Bayes risk prediction model using multiple traits
Authors: Li Gengxin , Hou Lin , Liu Xiaoyu , Wu Cen
Published: September 2020

With rapid advances in high-throughput sequencing technology, millions of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) can be simultaneously genotyped in a sequencing study. These SNVs residing in functional genomic regions such as exons may play a crucial role in biological process of the body. In particular, non-synonymous SNVs are closely related to the protein sequence and its function, which are important in understanding the biological mechanism of sequence evolution. Although statistically challenging, models incorporating such SNV annotation information can improve the estimation of genetic effects, and multiple responses may further strengthen the signals of these variants on the assessment of disease risk. In this work, we develop a new weighted empirical Bayes method to integrate SNV annotation information in a multi-trait design. The performance of this proposed model is evaluated in simulation as well as a real sequencing data; thus, the proposed method shows improved prediction accuracy compared to other approaches.
Spectral dynamic causal modelling of resting-state fMRI: an exploratory study relating effective brain connectivity in the default mode network to genetics
Authors: Nie Yunlong , Opoku Eugene , Yasmin Laila , Song Yin , Wang Jie , Wu Sidi , Scarapicchia Vanessa , Gawryluk Jodie , Wang Liangliang , Cao Jiguo , Nathoo Farouk S.
Published: September 2020

We conduct an imaging genetics study to explore how effective brain connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) may be related to genetics within the context of Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. We develop an analysis of longitudinal resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and genetic data obtained from a sample of 111 subjects with a total of 319 rs-fMRI scans from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. A Dynamic Causal Model (DCM) is fit to the rs-fMRI scans to estimate effective brain connectivity within the DMN and related to a set of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) contained in an empirical disease-constrained set which is obtained out-of-sample from 663 ADNI subjects having only genome-wide data. We relate longitudinal effective brain connectivity estimated using spectral DCM to SNPs using both linear mixed effect (LME) models as well as function-on-scalar regression (FSR). In both cases we implement a parametric bootstrap for testing SNP coefficients and make comparisons with p-values obtained from asymptotic null distributions. In both networks at an initial q-value threshold of 0.1 no effects are found. We report on exploratory patterns of associations with relatively high ranks that exhibit stability to the differing assumptions made by both FSR and LME.
Peirce, Aristotle, metaphor – and comments to Factor
Authors: Sørensen Bent , Thellefsen Torkild , Dewi Amalia Nurma
Published: September 2020

Charles Peirce provided a few, but interesting we believe, remarks about metaphor. Aristotle on the other hand developed a theory of metaphor that, to this day has been, and still is, influential (even though his theory, especially within recent years, also has been heavily criticized, e.g., by Lakoff, George & Mark Johnson. 1980.Metaphors we live by. Chicago: Chicago University Press). Factor, Lance R. 1996. Peirce’s definition of metaphor and its consequences. In Vincent Colapietro & Thomas Olshewsky (eds.),Peirce’s doctrine of signs: Theory, applications, and connections, 229–235. Berlin/New York: Mouton De Gruyter, as one of very few scholars, makes a comparison between Peirce and Aristotle. Factor claims that Peirce’s definition of metaphor and its consequences undermine and overturn Aristotle’s theory. We do not believe that Factor is right; and this is due to Factor’s misinterpretation of key elements within Aristotle’s theory. We rather believe that Peirce and Aristotle, in fact, have central ideas in common concerning metaphor; perhaps, in particular, when it comes to the function of metaphor. Hence, both see, for example, metaphor as a cognitive mechanism. The article tries to develop this argument.
Abrüstung und Nichtverbreitung atomarer, biologischer und chemischer Waffen. Beiträge des vereinten Deutschland
Authors: Thränert Oliver
Published: September 2020

Das vereinte Deutschland, das selbst aufgrund des „Zwei-Plus-Vier-Vertrages“, der Voraussetzung für die Wiedervereinigung war, auf ABC-Waffen verzichtet, setzt sich mit Nachdruck für die Abrüstung und Nichtverbreitung dieser Waffen ein. Es verfolgt damit sicherheitspolitische Interessen, insoweit der Einsatz dieser Waffen Deutschland direkt oder indirekt erheblichen Schaden zufügen würde. Vor dem Hintergrund seiner Geschichte möchte Deutschland aber auch das humanitäre Völkerrecht und eine regelbasierte internationale Ordnung fördern. Zielkonflikte mit verteidigungspolitischen Interessen wie seine Beteiligung an der nuklearen Teilhabe innerhalb der NATO oder wirtschaftlichen Interessen vermag Deutschland zu meistern. Besonders sichtbar ist Deutschlands Wirken bei den internationalen diplomatischen Bemühungen, Iran vom Erwerb von Atomwaffen fernzuhalten. Da sich die Abrüstungs- und Nichtverbreitungsregime aber in tiefen Krisen befinden, kommt auf Deutschland – gemeinsam mit Partnern – viel Arbeit zu, um auch künftig die Verbreitung von ABC-Waffen zu verhindern.