bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance investigation of shell and helical tube heat energy storage system with graphene dispersed erythritol PCM
Authors: V Mayilvelnathan , A Valan Arasu
Published: July 2020

Experimental investigation on the thermal performance of a shell and helical tube latent heat thermal energy storage system for medium temperature applications is reported in the article. Commercial grade erythritol having a melting temperature of 120°C was employed as the phase change material (PCM). The thermal conductivity of the erythritol had been usually very low (0.73 W/mK) and it results in low heat transfer rates during both charging and discharging processes. In the study, an attempt was made, this inherent limitation of erythritol, high thermal conductive graphene nanoparticles, which are dispersed into erythritol matrix, referred to as nanoparticle dispersed phase change material (NDPCM). The effect of the addition of graphene nanoparticles on the performance of the storage system such as heat flow rate, overall heat transfer coefficient, charging and discharging efficiency and effectiveness was evaluated and compared with the storage system with only base erythritol during both energy storage and retrieval processes. The efficiency of the NDPCM system increased to 16.29% during the storage period and 28.48% during the retrieval period compared with the base PCM system. Further, it was observed that the effectiveness is about 14% greater at the beginning of the melting process and about 12% greater at the beginning of the solidification process for NDPCM.
Exploring power consumption reduction in centralized radio access for energy‐efficient centralized‐Internet of Things implementation
Authors: Mahapatra Byomakesh , Kumar Turuk Ashok , Kumar Patra Sarat
Published: July 2020

The advent of new wireless and Internet of Things (IoT) technology has increased the dependency on the cellular base stations (BS). The rapid growth in IoT and wireless devices impinges many challenges on cellular services providers and manufacturers. The Centralized Radio Access Network is an energy and cost‐efficient solution for the next‐generation BS architecture. In this article, we have proposed a centralized‐IoT (C‐IoT) architecture based on centralized BS (C‐BS). We evaluated different base station technologies and compared the C‐BS with the traditional distributed BS (D‐BS) architecture for power consumption. A mathematical model for power consumption for both types of BS is proposed. We have analyzed the impact of variation in traffic load on power consumption for both types of BS architecture. The simulation result shows that C‐BS architecture has the potential to save around 40% to 50% energy compared with D‐BS architecture.
Application of a judgement method to regulatory impact assessments for sprinkler protection to English high‐rise residential buildings
Authors: Arnott Matthew , Hopkin Danny , Spearpoint Michael
Published: July 2020

When proposing a widespread investment in a safety measure, it is common for some form of regulatory impact assessment to be undertaken. In this study, the cost‐effectiveness of two proposals made by government bodies in England are investigated. The first is made by the London Assembly Planning Committee (LAPC) to retrofit London's existing high‐rise residential buildings (HRRBs) with sprinkler systems. Similarly, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has called for evidence to support reducing the trigger height for sprinkler provision in new HRRBs. The redundant concept of a value for a preventable fatality is addressed using the J‐value methodology. The baseline results show a J‐value above unity for both proposals, suggesting that they are potentially not cost‐effective. A sensitivity analysis highlights the embedded uncertainty and the implications for the J‐value. For the MHCLG proposal, a large increase in annual fatalities for HRRBs would be required to support a reduction in trigger height for the inclusion of sprinklers. However, reasonable modification of some inputs results in a J‐value below unity for the LAPC proposal, suggesting that this may be a cost‐effective safety investment. It may be argued that this proposal be implemented to err on the side of caution.
Fire safe, sustainable loose furnishing
Authors: Storesund Karolina , Amon Francine , Steen‐Hansen Anne , Haghighatpanah Shayesteh , Larsson Ida
Published: July 2020

The aim of this exploratory study has been to investigate the fire properties and environmental aspects of different upholstery material combinations, mainly for domestic applications. An analysis of the sustainability and circularity of selected textiles, along with lifecycle assessment, is used to qualitatively evaluate materials from an environmental perspective. The cone calorimeter was the primary tool used to screen 20 different material combinations from a fire performance perspective. It was found that textile covers of conventional fibres such as wool, cotton and polyester, can be improved by blending them with fire resistant speciality fibres. A new three‐dimensional web structure has been examined as an alternative padding material, showing preliminary promising fire properties with regard to ignition time, heat release rates and smoke production.
Theoretical and numerical studies on the collapse of single‐ and double‐bubble system in water
Authors: Han Sen , Zhu Hanhua
Published: July 2020

The cavitation bubbles that collapse in the hydraulic machinery can cause damage to the structure and the internal wall. In order to find feasible preventive measures, the mechanism of cavitation bubble collapse needs to be thoroughly studied. However, the influence of the initial radius or the interaction between multi‐bubbles has not been studied in depth. In this paper, the collapse process of single‐ and double‐bubble system is studied by the volume of fluid (VOF) method. Three conditions are considered in this paper, single‐bubble (R0= 0.3 mm,R0= 0.4 mm) and double‐bubble system (R0,1= 0.3 mm andR0,2= 0.4 mm). The time evolution of pressure, bubble radius, radial velocity, and acceleration during the bubble collapse can be obtained. The bubble collapse time, pressure distribution, and radial velocity of single bubble are verified by theoretical values. It is found that with the increase of bubble initial radius, the collapse, and rebound time is delayed, the maximum pressure of the bubble center increases, the minimum radius of the bubble decreases, the maximum radial velocity increases. In double‐bubble system, during the first rebound of the small bubble, the central pressure, radius and radial velocity of the small bubble fluctuate with time. And the collapse time of each bubble is delayed, the maximum central pressure decreases and the minimum radius of the bubble increases.
Antimicrobial and mechanism of antagonistic activity of Bacillus sp. A2 against pathogenic fungus and bacteria: The implication on honey's regulatory mechanism on host's microbiota
Authors: Jia Lina , Kosgey Janet Cheruiyot , Wang Jielin , Yang Jianxun , Nyamao Rose Magoma , Zhao Yi , Teng Xue , Gao Lei , Wabo MartinTherese Cheteu , Vasilyeva Natalia V. , Fang Yong , Zhang Fengmin
Published: July 2020

Honey is thought to act against microbes and regulates microbiota balance, and this is mainly attributed to the enzymatic production of hydrogen peroxide, high osmolarity, and nonperoxidase factors, for example, lysozyme and botanical sources of nectar, while the effect of honey's probiotic is recently considered. The study of honey as source of beneficial microbes is understudied. The purpose of this study was to screen for the beneficial microorganisms in honey with antagonistic property against important pathogens and the mechanism of antimicrobial activity and thus play a beneficial role as probiotics. The results showed that one out of the fourteen bacterial isolates had antimicrobial activity and was identified as Bacillus Sp. A2 by 16S rRNA sequence and morphology. Antimicrobial activity of the isolate against C. albicans, E. coli, and S. aureus was confirmed by Agar well diffusion and liquid coculture assays, and the propagation of those microbes was significantly inhibited after treatment with the isolate Bacillus sp. A2 (p < .05) in comparison with untreated negative control and positive control (fluconazole, chloramphenicol, L. plantarum). The morphological changes including the distorted shape with indentations and leakages (SEM), damaged cell membrane, and cell wall with the disintegration and attachment of the Bacillus sp. A2 (TEM) in treated C. albicans were observed. Meanwhile, reactive oxygen species accumulation and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential were detected in treated C. albicans. These results revealed that the isolate Bacillus sp. A2 from honey has significant antimicrobial activity (p < .05) against C. albicans in comparison with untreated negative control and positive control L. plantarum, which depends on the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial damage, and the cell apoptosis. We concluded that the Bacillus sp. A2 possess the antimicrobial property, which may contribute to regulation of host's microbiota as a beneficial microbe or probiotic.
Determinants of stunting during the first 1,000 days of life in Bangladesh: A review
Authors: Islam Md Shariful , Zafar Ullah Abu Naser , Mainali Shristi , Imam Md. Akhter , Hasan Md Imran
Published: July 2020

Stunting is a major problem in Bangladesh, with a prevalence of 31% in 2017. The prevalence of stunting in children aged under two has reduced by only 6% since 2004. After children reach 2 years of age, the consequences of stunting become almost irreversible. This paper seeks to examine and analyze the determinants associated with stunting during the first 1,000 days of life in Bangladesh to assist in developing evidence‐based interventions in Bangladesh. A literature review was conducted comprehensively on all relevant peer‐reviewed and gray literature of studies conducted in Bangladesh. The existing literature was searched and examined using the World Health Organization (WHO) conceptual framework for stunting. Evidence indicates that low maternal weight, lack of maternal education, severe food insecurity, lack of access to suitable nutrition, nonexclusive breastfeeding, pathogen‐specific diarrhea, and low weight and height at birth are associated with early childhood stunting in Bangladesh. The relation of the quality of drinking water with stunting is not clear in Bangladesh. Literature about the association between stunting and determinants such as the political economy, education systems, and agriculture and food systems is not found. This synthesis shows that the factors of stunting are multifaceted. As such, a multi‐sectoral approach is essential in Bangladesh, employing evidence‐based interventions to address the determinants that contribute to the risk of stunting to achieve the global nutrition target by 2025.
ERA5‐HEAT: A global gridded historical dataset of human thermal comfort indices from climate reanalysis
Authors: Di Napoli Claudia , Barnard Christopher , Prudhomme Christel , Cloke Hannah L. , Pappenberger Florian
Published: July 2020

The mean radiant temperature (MRT) and the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) are widely used as human biometeorology parameters to assess the linkages between outdoor environment and human well‐being. Historically computed from meteorological station measurements, we here present ERA5‐HEAT (Human thErmAl comforT), the first historical dataset of MRT and UTCI as spatially gridded records at the global scale. Derived using climate variables from ERA5, a quality‐controlled reanalysis produced by the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) within the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), ERA5‐HEAT consists of hourly gridded maps of MRT and UTCI at 0.25° × 0.25° spatial resolution. It currently spans from 1979 to present, and it will be extended in time as updates of ERA5 are made available. ERA5‐HEAT provides two streams, a consolidated and an intermediate one, that are released at 2 or 3 months and 5 days behind real time, respectively. Data are publicly and freely available for download at the Climate Data Store which has been developed as part of C3S. Being the only existing global historical gridded time series of MRT and UTCI to date, ERA5‐HEAT is aimed at a wide range of end users, from scientists to policymakers, with an interest in environment–health applications at any spatial and temporal scale.
Outcome in patients with isolated regional recurrence after primary radiotherapy for head and neck cancer
Authors: Lindegaard Anne Marie , von Buchwald Christian , Rasmussen Jacob H. , Specht Lena , Vogelius Ivan R. , Zamani Martin , Woller Nina Claire , Lelkaitis Giedrius , Friborg Jeppe
Published: July 2020

Background

Isolated regional recurrences following head‐neck squamous‐cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are often accessible for curatively intended salvage treatment. Factors prognostic for outcome were investigated in a large cohort of HNSCC patients.

Methods

In total, 1811 patients receiving curatively intended radiotherapy from 2007 to 2017 were reviewed and isolated cervical nodal recurrences were identified. Factors associated with survival and second recurrence were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Isolated regional recurrence was seen in 95/1811 (5.2%) patients. Eighty of 95 patients (84%) received salvage surgery. Two‐year survival after isolated regional recurrence was 40%. Overall survival (OS) and time to second recurrence were associated with resection status of the salvage surgery and presence of extranodal spread (ENS), while p16‐positive oropharyngeal squamous‐cell carcinoma (OPSCC) was associated with better OS.

Conclusion

Long‐term survival after regional recurrence in HNSCC is possible. p16‐positive OPSCC, complete salvage surgery, and lack of ENS are associated with better outcome.
Prognostic value of preoperative systemic inflammation response index in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma: Propensity score‐based analysis
Authors: Lin Jing , Chen Lin , Chen Qing , Zhuang Zhaocheng , Bao Xiaodan , Qian Jiawen , Hong Yihong , Yan Lingjun , Lin Lisong , Shi Bin , Qiu Yu , Pan Lizhen , Wei Lihong , Zheng Xiaoyan , Wang Jing , Liu Fengqiong , He Baochang , Chen Fa
Published: July 2020

Background

The aim of the study was to elucidate the relationship between systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) and the prognosis of postoperative oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients.

Methods

The prognostic value of SIRI was evaluated in a prospective cohort consisting of 535 OSCC patients with surgical resection. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analyses were used to further verify the prognostic value of SIRI.

Results

Patients with a higher SIRI had a significantly increased risk of mortality compared with those with a low SIRI (HR [hazard ratio]: 1.60, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.04‐2.47). The similar association pattern was observed following PSM (HR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.14‐3.40) and IPTW (HR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.29‐2.24) analyses. Of note, receiving postoperative chemotherapy resulted in a 72% of decreased risk of death among patients with a higher SIRI (HR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08‐0.95). Additionally, a novel prognostic nomogram, based on TNM stage, tumor differentiation, and SIRI, demonstrated superior accuracy for the prediction of overall survival than that of the seventh edition of the AJCC staging system.

Conclusion

Preoperative SIRI may be a valuable tool for prediction of survival of OSCC patients.
Shape‐modified radial forearm free tissue transfer in oral cavity reconstruction: Technique and a prospective comparison with the conventional technique
Authors: Chavre Sachin , Thankappan Krishnakumar , Mathew Jimmy , Sharma Mohit , Iyer Subramania
Published: July 2020

Background

Donor site morbidity is a significant drawback of the radial forearm flap. The purpose of this study is to describe a new shape‐modified technique. The donor site morbidity was compared to that of the conventional technique, in terms of the esthetic, functional outcomes, and quality of life (QOL).

Methods

This is a prospective study of 30 patients with oral cancer who underwent reconstruction using radial forearm flaps, in two groups.

Results

Regarding the donor site characteristics, the differences in the time for healing (P = .006), the scar score (P < .0001), and the QOL score (P < .0001) were significant. The number of patients with sensory deficit was 11 in the conventional group and 3 in the shape‐modified group (P = .009).

Conclusions

The functional and esthetic outcomes of the donor site were better for the shape‐modified technique. It is best suited for small defects. Compromise of the pedicle length is a limitation.
Feasibility of methylated ctDNA detection in plasma samples of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: de Jesus Lais Machado , dos Reis Mariana Bisarro , Carvalho Raiany Santos , Scapulatempo Neto Cristovam , de Almeida Gisele Caravina , Laus Ana Carolina , Marczynski Gabriella Taques , Leal Leticia Ferro , Melendez Matias Eliseo , de Marchi Pedro , Manuel Reis Rui , Carvalho André Lopes , de Carvalho Ana Carolina
Published: July 2020

Background

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OpSCCs) are commonly associated with high rates of treatment failure.

Objectives

To evaluate methylation‐based markers in plasma from OpSCC patients as emerging tools for accurate/noninvasive follow‐up.

Methods

Pretreatment formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) biopsies (n = 52) and paired plasma (n = 15) were tested for the methylation of CCNA1, DAPK, CDH8, and TIMP3 by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).

Results

Seventy‐one percent (37/52) of the biopsies showed methylation of at least one of the evaluated genes and tumor CCNA1 methylation was associated with recurrence‐free survival. Methylated circulating tumor DNA (meth‐ctDNA) was detected in 11/15 (73.3%) plasma samples; conversely, plasma samples from healthy controls were all negative for DNA methylation (area under the curve = 0.867; 95% confidence interval = 0.720‐1.000). Additionally, preliminary results on the detection of meth‐ctDNA in plasma collected during follow‐up closely matched patient outcome.

Conclusions

The results suggest the feasibility of detecting meth‐ctDNA in plasma using ddPCR and a possible application on routine setting after further validation.
A pandemic center’s experience of managing pregnant women with COVID‐19 infection in Turkey: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Sahin Dilek , Tanacan Atakan , Erol Seyit A. , Anuk Ali T. , Eyi Elif G.Y. , Ozgu‐ Erdinc A. Seval , Yucel Aykan , Keskin Huseyin L. , Tayman Cüneyt , Unlu Serpil , Kirca Fisun , Dinc Bedia , San Ishak , Parpucu Ü. Murat , Surel Aziz A. , Moraloglu Ozlem T.
Published: July 2020

Objective

To evaluate the course and effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on pregnant women followed up in a Turkish institution.

Methods

A prospective, single tertiary pandemic center cohort study was conducted on pregnant women with confirmed or suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Positive diagnosis was made on a real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay of a nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimen. Demographic features, clinical characteristics, and maternal and perinatal outcomes were evaluated.

Results

SARS‐CoV‐2 was suspected in 100 pregnant women. Of them, 29 had the diagnosis confirmed by RT‐PCR. Eight of the remaining 71 cases had clinical findings highly suspicious for COVID‐19. Ten (34.5%) of the confirmed cases had co‐morbidities. Cough (58.6%) and myalgia (51.7%) were the leading symptoms. COVID‐19 therapy was given to 10 (34.5%) patients. There were no admissions to the intensive care unit. Pregnancy complications were present in 7 (24.1%) patients. Half of the births (5/10) were cesarean deliveries. None of the neonates were positive for SARS‐CoV‐2. Samples of breastmilk were also negative for the virus. Three neonates were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Conclusion

The clinical course of COVID 19 during pregnancy appears to be mild in the present study.
Magnetic resonance imaging reconstruction via non‐convex total variation regularization
Authors: Shen Marui , Li Jincheng , Zhang Tao , Zou Jian
Published: July 2020

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reconstruction model based on total variation (TV) regularization can deal with problems such as incomplete reconstruction, blurred boundary, and residual noise. In this article, a non‐convex isotropic TV regularization reconstruction model is proposed to overcome the drawback. Moreau envelope and minmax‐concave penalty are firstly used to construct the non‐convex regularization of L2 norm, then it is applied into the TV regularization to construct the sparse reconstruction model. The proposed model can extract the edge contour of the target effectively since it can avoid the underestimation of larger nonzero elements in convex regularization. In addition, the global convexity of the cost function can be guaranteed under certain conditions. Then, an efficient algorithm such as alternating direction method of multipliers is proposed to solve the new cost function. Experimental results show that, compared with several typical image reconstruction methods, the proposed model performs better. Both the relative error and the peak signal‐to‐noise ratio are significantly improved, and the reconstructed images also show better visual effects. The competitive experimental results indicate that the proposed approach is not limited to MRI reconstruction, but it is general enough to be used in other fields with natural images.
The digital future of internal staffing: A vision for transformational electronic human resource management
Authors: Rogiers Philip , Viaene Stijn , Leysen Jan
Published: July 2020

Through an international Delphi study, this article explores the new electronic human resource management regimes that are expected to transform internal staffing. Our focus is on three types of information systems: human resource management systems, job portals, and talent marketplaces. We explore the future potential of these new systems and identify the key challenges for their implementation in governments, such as inadequate regulations and funding priorities, a lack of leadership and strategic vision, together with rigid work policies and practices and a change‐resistant culture. Tied to this vision, we identify several areas of future inquiry that bridge the divide between theory and practice.
Sex, Finance, and Literacy Assessment
Authors: Slomp David
Published: July 2020

Discussions about literacy assessment can often be polarizing for teachers, school administrators, and other stakeholders. Given the diverse and often charged perspectives on assessment within both the profession and the broader public discourse, it can be difficult to engage in productive dialogue about the role that literacy assessment plays in promoting or inhibiting effective models of literacy education. This department provides perspectives, questions, and research that enables readers to better advocate for themselves and their students as they develop their own assessment programs and respond to assessment programs that are imposed on them.
Infant positioning: A brief review
Authors: Vladescu Jason C. , Schnell Lauren K. , Day‐Watkins Jessica
Published: July 2020

The American Academy of Pediatrics (2016a) has made several recommendations regarding the safe positioning of infants by caregivers, including placing infants in a supine position for sleep and in prone for supervised periods of tummy time. However, caregivers may have difficulty adhering with these recommendations. A small, but growing, number of behavior analytic studies have examined these infant safety recommendations and strategies for increasing adherence. This review describes behavior analytic research on infant positioning and provides suggestions for future research.
Magnetic resonance contrast agents in optical clearing: Prospects for multimodal tissue imaging
Authors: Tuchina Daria K. , Meerovich Irina G. , Sindeeva Olga A. , Zherdeva Victoria V. , Savitsky Alexander P. , Bogdanov Alexei A. , Tuchin Valery V.
Published: July 2020

Skin optical clearing effect ex vivo and in vivo was achieved by topical application of low molecular weight paramagnetic magnetic resonance contrast agents. This novel feature has not been explored before. By using collimated transmittance the diffusion coefficients of three clinically used magnetic resonance contrast agents, that is Gadovist, Magnevist and Dotarem as well as X‐ray contrast agent Visipaque in mouse skin were determined ex vivo as (4.29 ± 0.39) × 10−7 cm2/s, (5.00 ± 0.72) × 10−7 cm2/s, (3.72 ± 0.67) × 10−7 cm2/s and (1.64 ± 0.18) × 10−7 cm2/s, respectively. The application of gadobutrol (Gadovist) resulted in efficient optical clearing that in general, was superior to other contrast agents tested and allowed to achieve: (a) more than 12‐fold increase of transmittance over 10 minutes after application ex vivo; (b) markedly improved images of skin architecture obtained with optical coherence tomography; (c) an increase of the fluorescence intensity/background ratio in TagRFP‐red fluorescent marker protein expressing tumor by five times after 15 minutes application into the skin in vivo. The obtained results have immediate implications for multimodality imaging because many contrast agents are capable of simultaneously enhancing the contrast of multiple imaging modalities.
The role of therapeutic plasma exchange in clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis with MDA‐5 antibody: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Fine Alexander , Karp Julie K. , Peedin Alexis R.
Published: July 2020

Clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) is a rare, aggressive variant of dermatomyositis associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and refractoriness to immunosuppressants. Antibodies against melanoma differentiation‐associated gene 5 (MDA‐5) are often found in patients with CADM. We report a patient with advanced CADM with ILD and MDA‐5 antibodies who failed to improve with immunosuppressants. We performed 2 TPE over 3 days, using 5% albumin as replacement fluid. Although five total TPE were planned, he was transferred for lung transplant evaluation after the second TPE; he died 16 days after transfer without receiving a transplant. A literature review identified four patients with CADM and MDA‐5 antibodies treated with TPE; all experienced symptomatic improvement of their ILD. We attribute our patient's outcome to the advanced nature of his disease rather than a failure of TPE. Additional research may indicate a possible reclassification of CADM with MDA‐5 antibodies in future ASFA guidelines.
Evaluation of time to positivity for blood culture combined with immature granulocytes, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, and CRP in identifying bloodstream coagulase‐negative Staphylococci infection in pediatric patients
Authors: Zeng Lanlan , Wang Shuhui , Lin Minchun , Chen Yaxing , Deng Qiulian , Zhong Huamin , Guan Xiaoshan , Yao Shuwen , Liu Haiying
Published: July 2020

Objective

To evaluate the application value of time to positivity (TTP) for blood culture combined with inflammatory parameters that included immature granulocyte percentage (IG%), immature granulocyte count (IG#), C‐reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBC) neutrophil percentage (NE%), and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and to identify bloodstream infections from contamination with coagulase‐negative staphylococci (CoNS) in pediatric patients.

Methods

Data of 12 897 inpatients with blood culture CoNS were retrospectively collected and analyzed from January‐December 2019 at our hospital. According to pre‐defined criteria, they were divided into a CoNS infection group (132 cases) and a CoNS contamination group (124 cases). Infection with Staphylococcus aureus (SA, 27 cases) at the same period was considered a positive control group. ROC curve analysis assisted in determining the value of applying TTP combined with the above‐mentioned inflammatory parameters to distinguish CoNS infection from contamination.

Results

Among the 256 strains of CoNS, Staphylococcus hominis (55.1%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (32.0%), and Staphylococcus capitis (7.0%) were common. There was no significant difference in the subspecies distribution between the infection and contamination groups. The TTP of the CoNS infection group was significantly lower than the contamination group (P < .05). IG%, IG#, CRP, NE%, and NLR were all higher in the infected group as compared to the contaminated group (P < .05), while WBC was similar among groups. There was also no statistical difference in those parameters when comparing the CoNS infection and SA groups. ROC analysis showed that TTP value in identifying CoNS infection from contamination was the highest with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.913, and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.827 and 0.852, respectively, at the optimal cutoff value of 23.9 hours. This was followed by IG% (AUC = 0.712), with an optimal critical value of 0.55%, and a sensitivity of 0.519 and specificity of 0.797. All the AUC values of IG#, CRP, NE%, and NLR were <0.7. A combination of TTP with IG%, CRP, and NLR improved the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV values to 0.977, 0.922, 0.957, 91.8%, 92.2%, and 91.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

TTP within 24 hours indicates likelihood of CoNS as the pathogenic agent in pediatric patient blood culture. The combination of TTP with IG% CRP and NLR might improve the diagnostic accuracy.
Postnatal alcohol exposure and adolescent exercise have opposite effects on cerebellar microglia in rat
Authors: Gursky Zachary H. , Johansson Julia R. , Klintsova Anna Y.
Published: July 2020

Developmental alcohol exposure results in altered neuroimmune function in both humans and rodents. Given the critical role for the principle neuroimmune cell, microglia, in maintaining synaptic form and function, microglial dysfunction in the cerebellum may be an important mechanism underlying the aberrant cerebellar connectivity observed in rodent models of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Using an established rodent model of alcohol exposure during human third‐trimester fetal development, we examine the cerebellum of male and female Long Evans rats to determine the impact of early postnatal alcohol exposure on cerebellar microglia, and the potential therapeutic effects of an adolescent intervention consisting of voluntary exercise (running). All cerebelli were examined at postnatal day 42 (i.e., late adolescence), and microglia were labeled with Iba1, a microglia‐specific protein. Early postnatal alcohol exposure caused an increase in microglial density throughout cerebellum and a reduction in cerebellar volume, and a reduction in the proportion of fully ramified (often called “resting state”) microglia selective to lobules 1–4. In contrast, adolescent exercise decreased microglial density throughout cerebellum and increased cerebellar volume, while activating microglia (as indicated by increases in amoeboid microglia, and reductions in fully and partially ramified microglia) selectively in lobules 1–4. These results suggest that adolescent exercise may be a suitable intervention to ameliorate alcohol‐induced neuroimmune dysfunction as it alters microglia density and cerebellar volume in opposite to the effects of developmental alcohol exposure. Importantly, exercise intervention can be flexibly implemented well after the time window of vulnerability to alcohol.
Germ lines and extended selection during the evolutionary transition to multicellularity
Authors: Rose Caroline J.
Published: July 2020

The major evolutionary transitions from unicellular organisms to multicellularity resulted in a profusion of complex life forms. During the transition from single cells to multicellular life, groups of cells acquired the capacity for reproduction as discrete units; however, the selective causes and underlying mechanisms remain debated. One perspective views the evolution of multicellularity as a shift in the timescale at which natural selection primarily operates—from that of individual cells to the timescale of reproducing groups of cells. Therefore, a distinguishing feature of multicellular reproduction, as opposed to simple growth of a multicellular collective, is that the capacity for reproduction must develop over a timescale that is greater than the reproductive timescale of a single cell. Here, I suggest that the emergence of specialized reproductive cells (the germ line) was an essential first stage of the evolutionary transition to multicellularity because it imposed the necessary “delay”—allowing natural selection to operate over the longer timescale of a multicellular life cycle, ultimately resulting in the evolution of complex multicellular organisms. This perspective highlights the possibility that the ubiquity of a germ–soma distinction among complex multicellular organisms reflects the fact that such life cycles, on first emergence, had the greatest propensity to participate in Darwinian evolution.
A case of laryngopharyngeal reflux‐associated chronic cough: Misinterpretation of treatment efficacy causes diagnostic delay
Authors: Kikuchi Asuka , Kawamoto Ryuichi , Mizumoto Junki , Akase Taichi , Ninomiya Daisuke , Kumagi Teru
Published: July 2020

A 62‐year‐old woman presented with a dry cough lasting 18 months. She had previously been examined by multiple doctors, but no abnormalities were observed. Several medications such as rabeprazole and inhaled corticosteroids were administered as test treatments without any improvement. Therefore, the possibility of biological disease, including acid reflux, had been mistakenly ruled out. We examined the sputum gram stain. The result showed phagocyted normal bacterial flora, suggesting aspiration. Laryngoscopy revealed edema of the arytenoid cartilage. The patient was finally diagnosed with laryngopharyngeal reflux and silent aspiration. This case suggested that the ineffectiveness of proton‐pump inhibitors cannot always exclude the presence of reflux disease and the usefulness of gram stain examination to detect silent aspiration.
Synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of some novel quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives
Authors: Salem Marwa Sayed , Al‐Mabrook Selima Ali Mohamed , El‐Hashash Maher Abd El‐Aziz Mahmoud
Published: July 2020

A series of novel quinazolinone derivatives was designed and synthesized. The antiproliferative activities were evaluated in vitro using MTT assay against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG‐2) and mammary gland breast cancer (MCF‐7). The preliminary bioassay results demonstrated that tested compounds exhibited antiproliferation with various degrees. Triazole moiety enhanced the activity against the two cell lines when incorporating with quinazolinone moiety in a single molecular framework. Acetohydrazide‐quinazolinone derivative showed strong activity against the two cancer cells comparable to that of doxorubicin. Biological evaluation indicated that all the tested compounds possessed antiproliferative activity with certain degrees.
Horizontal Inequity in Healthcare Delivery: A Qualitative Analysis of Perceptions of Locality and Costs of Access in the Jirapa Municipality, North‐western Ghana
Authors: Domapielle Maximillian Kolbe , Akurugu Constance Awinpoka , Mdee Anna
Published: July 2020

This article provides evidence of horizontal inequity in the distribution of the burden and benefits of healthcare in north‐western Ghana. A qualitative approach was used to collect and analyse the data on variation in perceptions of affordability of health services to rural and urban populations in the Jirapa Municipality of Ghana. The article argues that costs of transportation, food and lodging associated with seeking healthcare at the municipal referral hospital are disproportionately higher for rural residents. This leads to delayed medical treatment, self‐medication or reliance on traditional medicines, all of which can come with harmful consequences. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Harder, better, faster, stronger: Weapon size is more sexually dimorphic than weapon biomechanical components in two freshwater anomuran species
Authors: Palaoro Alexandre V. , Muniz Danilo G. , Santos Sandro
Published: July 2020

Sexual selection influences the evolution of morphological traits that increase the likelihood of monopolizing scarce resources. When such traits are used during contests, they are termed weapons. Given that resources are typically linked to monopolizing mating partners, theory expects only males to bear weapons. In some species, however, females also bear weapons, although typically smaller than male weapons. Understanding why females bear smaller weapons can thus help us understand the selective pressures behind weapon evolution. However, most of our knowledge comes from studies on weapon size, while the biomechanics of weapons, such as the size of the muscles, efficiency, and shape are seldom studied. Our goal was to test if the theoretical expectations for weapon size sexual dimorphism also occur for weapon biomechanics using two aeglid crab species. Males of both species had larger claws which were also stronger than female claws. Male claws were also more efficient than females' claws (although we used only one species in this analysis). For weapon shape, though, only one species differed in the mean claw shape. Regarding scaling differences, in both species, male claws had higher size scaling than females, while only one species had a higher shape scaling. However, male weapons did not have higher scaling regarding strength and efficiency than females. Thus, males apparently allocate more resources in weapons than females, but once allocated, muscle and efficiency follow a similar developmental pathway in both sexes. Taken together, our results show that sexual dimorphism in weapons involves more than differences in size. Shape differences are especially intriguing because we cannot fully understand its causes. Yet, we highlight that such subtle differences can only be detected by measuring and analysing weapon shape and biomechanical components. Only then we might better understand how weapons are forged.
Simultaneous δ2H and δ18O analyses of water inclusions in halite with off‐axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy
Authors: Fourel François , Lécuyer Christophe , Jame Patrick , Guironnet Alexandre , Boutier Antoine , Barbier Manon , Blamey Nigel , Brand Uwe , Fralick Philip
Published: July 2020

Stable isotope compositions of ancient halite fluid inclusions have been recognized to be valuable tools for reconstructing past environments. Nevertheless, in order to better understand the genesis of halite deposits, it could be of great interest to combine both δ2H and δ18O measurements of the water trapped as inclusions in the defects of the mineral lattice. We developed a method combining off‐axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy (OA‐ICOS) connected on line with a modified elemental analyzer (EA‐OA‐ICOS) to perform those measurements. The first step was to test the method with synthetic halite crystals precipitated in the laboratory from isotopically calibrated waters. Water isotopic signatures have been measured with conventional techniques, equilibration for δ18O and chromium reduction for δ2H. Then, we modified and optimized a conventional EA to connect it online with an OA‐ICOS instrument for H2O measurements. The technique is first evaluated for calibrated free water samples. The technique is also evaluated for salt matrix effect, accuracy, and linearity for both isotopic signatures. Then, the technique is used to measure simultaneously δ2H and δ18O values of halite water inclusions precipitated from the evaporation experiments. Data generated with this new technique appeared to be comparable with those inferred from prior off‐line technique studies. The advantages offered by the OA‐ICOS technique are the simultaneous acquisition of both isotopic ratios and the substantial reduction of data acquisition time and sample aliquot size. Natural halite samples have been analyzed with this method. Natural halite samples as old as Precambrian have also been analyzed with this method.
Coulometry‐assisted quantitation in spray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Song Xiaowei , Chen Hao , Zare Richard N.
Published: July 2020

The concentration of target analyte in a mixture can be quantified by combining coulometric measurements with spray ionization mass spectrometry. A three‐electrode system screen printed on the polymer support acts both as the coulometry platform for electrochemical oxidation and the sample loading tip for spray ionization. After loading a droplet of the analyte solution onto the tip, two steps were taken to implement quantitation. First, the electrochemical oxidation potential was optimized with cyclic voltammetry followed by coulometric measurements to calculate the amount of oxidized analyte under a constant low voltage within a fixed period of time (5 s). Then, a high voltage (+4.5 kV) was applied to the tip to trigger spray ionization for measuring the oxidation yield from the native analyte ion and its oxidized product ion intensities by mass spectrometry. The analyte's native concentration is quantified by dividing the oxidized product's concentration (based on Coulomb's law) and the oxidation yield (estimated from mass spectrometry [MS] assuming that the parent and oxidation product have nearly the same ionization efficiencies). The workflow has an advantage in being free of any standard for constructing the quantitation curve. Several model compounds (tyrosine, dopamine, and angiotensin II) were selected for method validation. It was demonstrated that this strategy was feasible with an accuracy of ~15% for a wide coverage of different species including endogenous metabolites and peptides. As an example of its possible practical use, it was initially employed to make a bilirubin assay in urine.
Partial characterization and purification of phytase from Lactobacillus plantarum CRL1964 isolated from pseudocereals
Authors: Sandez Penidez Sergio H. , Velasco Manini Marina A. , Gerez Carla L. , Rollán Graciela C.
Published: July 2020

Cereals and pseudocereals are a rich source of nutrients and trace elements, but their dietary bioavailability is low due to the presence of phytate (IP6), an antinutritional compound with the ability to chelate cations and proteins. Phytase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of IP6 and it is used as an additive improving the nutritional quality of grain‐based foods. The aim of this study was to select lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from pseudocereals with phytase activity, characterize their production and activity, and purify the enzyme. LAB strains isolated from grains and spontaneous sourdough of quinoa and amaranth were grown in the Man Rogosa and Sharpe medium where the inorganic phosphate (Pi) was replaced by 1% of IP6. Phytase activity was determined by measuring the Pi released from IP6. Phytase of Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum CRL1964 (PhyLP) showed the highest specific activity from 73 LAB evaluated. IP6 induces PhyLP production, which is at its maximum at the end of the exponential phase. PhyLP was thermostable and maintained its activity under acidic conditions. The enzymatic activity is stimulated by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, Co2+, and ascorbic acid. PhyLP was partially purified and showed a molecular mass of 55 kDa. L. plantarum CRL1964 and/or PhyLP have the potential to be included in the processing of cereal/pseudocereals based products for animal feed and/or the food industry improving its nutritional value.
Retraction notice for Long‐term outcomes of 530 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. J Surg Oncol. 2018; 117:957‐969
Authors: Qi Wang , Zixiang Wu , Tianwei Zhan , Shuai Fang , Sai Zhang , Gang Shen , Ming Wu
Published: July 2020

Long‐term outcomes of 530 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. J Surg Oncol. 2018; 117:957‐969. https://doi.org/10.1002/jso.24997 The above article, published online on May 30, 2018 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors and the Journal Editor in Chief Dr. Stephen Sener and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The retraction has been agreed following concerns raised that the number of patients operated on was considerably lower than the number of patients reported in the article. When asked to provide documentary evidence of the operations performed, the authors confirmed the reported discrepancy and requested to retract their article.
Measurement Invariance of the Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder Checklist With Respect to Youth Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Age
Authors: Hill Ryan M. , Dodd Cody , Oosterhoff Benjamin , Layne Christopher M. , Pynoos Robert S. , Staine Mary Beth , Kaplow Julie B.
Published: July 2020

The Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (PCBD) Checklist was constructed to facilitate the developmentally sensitive assessment of proposed PCBD criteria in bereaved children and adolescents 8–18 years of age. Initial analyses of the PCBD Checklist provided support for the hypothesized two‐factor model. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the measurement invariance of the PCBD Checklist with respect to gender (boys and girls), race/ethnicity (White, Black, and Hispanic youth), and age (school age, preadolescent, and adolescent youth). Participants were 594 youth (50.4% female) aged 7–18 years (M = 11.91, SD = 2.80) who were evaluated as part of standard care at a community‐based grief support center. Youth self‐identified as Hispanic (n = 184, 30.8%), non‐Hispanic white (n = 179, 30.0%), and African American/Black (n = 136, 22.8%). A series of stepwise, multigroup confirmatory factor analyses provided evidence in support of the PCBD Checklist's measurement invariance for all three groups concerning configural invariance, metric invariance, and scalar invariance. These results suggest that PCBD Checklist Criterion B and C scores are measuring similar latent variables, to a similar degree, across gender, race/ethnicity, and age. Establishing the cross‐group equivalence of the PCBD Checklist is an important endorsement of its generalizability and clinical utility in that it can be administered to diverse populations with confidence that it is measuring proposed PCBC diagnostic criteria similarly across subgroups.