bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and diversity of human rotavirus among Thai adults
Authors: Satayarak Jantawan , Strauss Stefan Thomas , Duangdee Chatnapa , Charunwatthana Prakaykaew , Jiamsomboon Kultida , Kosoltanapiwat Nathamon , Srinukham Sompan , Boonnak Kobporn
Published: May 2020

Rotavirus infections have become one of the most common causes of infectious gastroenteritis in children. Although rotavirus infections have been intensively studied in infants and young children, the study in adults has been limited. As such, this study assessed the prevalence of rotaviruses and performed the molecular characterization of rotaviruses circulating in Thai adults experiencing acute gastroenteritis between January 2018 and December 2018. Group A human rotaviruses were detected in 100 feces samples by rapid immunochromatography. The peak incidence of infection occurred in February and began to decline in the summer months. From January 2018 to December 2018, there were 1344 acute gastroenteritis adult cases in the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok, Thailand. Among these, 310 cases were rotavirus‐suspected cases. Only 100 samples tested positive for rotavirus via an immunochromatography test. Twentynine out of the 100 rotavirus‐positive samples were further characterized by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The G3[P8] strain was identified as the most prevalent (31.0%) followed by G1P[8], G8P[8] and G9P[8], and G2P[8], which accounted for 20.8%, 17.2%, and 13.8%, respectively. Because of the detection of rare rotavirus genotypes, such as G8, the surveillance of rotavirus epidemiology is crucial in monitoring new emergences of rotavirus strains, leading to a better understanding of the effects of strain variation for further vaccine development.
The perplexing question of trained immunity vs adaptive memory in COVID‐19
Authors: Kerboua K. E.
Published: May 2020

The wide spectrum of symptoms observed in coronavirus disease 2019 appears to defy explanation. Apart from geographic limitation to people with prior exposure to other coronaviruses and air pollutants, inflammatory comorbidities and older ages are also among the main factors of susceptibility to severe illness. The unusual epidemiological data pointed out in children and African territories have revealed new insights in host‐pathogen interplay with more focus on epigenetic regulation of cognitive compartments belonging to innate immunity. Should trained immunity be proven to be involved in timely immune responsiveness against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and that adaptive memory could be detrimental, both treatment regimens and vaccine design will tremendously change accordingly with more focus on upper respiratory tissue innate immunity to subdue this threat underway.
The stratospheric ozone rich cold intrusion during El‐Niño over the Indian region: Implication during the Indian summer monsoon
Authors: Roy Chaitri , Fadnavis Suvarna , Sabin T. P
Published: May 2020

Ozone in the upper troposphere is a dominant radiative constituent. In this study, we investigate ozone variability due to stratospheric intrusions in the upper troposphere over India and associated radiative impacts during monsoon breaks co‐occurring with El Niño using the ECHAM5‐HAMMOZ, Global‐Chemistry‐climate model simulations, and ERA‐Interim reanalysis data. Our analysis shows that during El Niño, deep stratospheric intrusions occur at the North India‐Tibetan Plateau (NI‐TP) region and the eastern edge of the monsoon anticyclone. These intrusions lead to an enormous increase in ozone amounts (~100 ppb) in the upper troposphere over India. The intrusions frequently penetrate deep into the troposphere which enhances the surface ozone levels by ~10–20 ppb and augments radiative forcing by ~0.33 W m−2 at the top of the atmosphere. The stratospheric intrusions are associated with the eastward‐moving wave train (composed of cyclonic and anticyclonic circulations) in the upper troposphere emanating from the anomalously warm east Pacific, traversing towards NI‐TP locale. This wave train transport extra‐tropical cold air mass, producing an anomalous cooling of ~1.6–2 K in the upper troposphere over NI‐TP. The upper tropospheric anomalous cooling seems to act as a dominating factor opposing the heating due to enhanced ozone. The wave train likewise intensifies Rossby wave breaking, facilitating stratospheric intrusions, enhancing the anomalous subsidence over the NI‐TP region. Our analysis shows that break days with El Niño substantiate with simultaneous occurrence of (a) RWB, (b) transport of cold air mass via WT‐1 and (c) subsidence by El Niño circulation. These factors lead to exacerbation of deficit rainfall.
Optimal timing and treatment strategy for pancreatic cancer
Authors: Gamboa Adriana C. , Rupji Manali , Switchenko Jeffrey M. , Lee Rachel M. , Turgeon Michael K. , Meyer Benjamin I. , Russell Maria C. , Cardona Kenneth , Kooby David A. , Maithel Shishir K. , Shah Mihir M.
Published: May 2020

Background

For pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), no studies have established any association between earlier treatment initiation and long‐term outcomes. In addition, an optimal type of initial treatment for the localized disease remains ill‐defined.

Methods

Patients in the National Cancer Database (2004‐2015) with clinical stage I (CS‐I) and II (CS‐II) PDAC who underwent curative‐intent resection were included. Optimal time from diagnosis‐to‐treatment including neoadjuvant chemotherapy, neoadjuvant chemoradiation, or upfront surgery was assessed. An optimal type of treatment was evaluated. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS).

Results

Among 29 167 patients, starting any treatment within 0 to 6 weeks was associated with improved median OS compared with 7 to 12 weeks (21.0 vs 20.1 months; P = .004). This persisted when accounting for sex, race, and Charlson‐Deyo score (hazard ratio [HR], 0.94; P = 0.02) and on subset analysis for CS‐I (23.5 vs 21.8 months; P = .04) and CS‐II (19.4 vs 18.3 months; P = .03). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved OS compared with neoadjuvant chemoradiation (25.6 vs 22.7 months; P < .0001) or US (25.6 vs 20.1 months; P < .0001) even when accounting for sex, race, and Charlson‐Deyo score (neoadjuvant chemoradiation: HR, 0.86; P < .001; US: HR, 0.79; P < .001). This improvement persisted in subset analysis with NC compared with neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CS‐I: 28.6 vs 25.0 months; CS‐II: 25.0 vs 22.9 months; both P < .0001) and to US (CS‐I: 28.6 vs 22.9 months; CS‐II: 24.7 vs 18.4 months; both P < .0001). On multivariable analysis for each CS‐I/CS‐II, NC remained associated with 20% improved survival compared with neoadjuvant chemoradiation or upfront surgery.

Conclusions

For PDAC, initiation of therapy within 6 weeks from diagnosis is associated with improved survival, with neoadjuvant chemotherapy associated with the best survival compared with neoadjuvant chemoradiation or upfront surgery.
Role of Doppler Ultrasound Combined With Clinical Features in the Diagnosis of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Dysfunction in the Era of Covered Stents
Authors: Brants Libby , Leiderman Maxim , Veitsman Ella , Ofer Amos , Beck‐Razi Nira
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Our goal was to discuss the role of Doppler ultrasound (US), combined with clinical features, in the diagnosis of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) dysfunction in the era of covered stents. In light of the lack of research regarding the accuracy of Doppler US in TIPS dysfunction evaluations when using covered stents and a recent major meta‐analysis, which primarily reviewed studies with bare metal stents but few with covered stents, we aimed to provide our single‐center case study for further investigation.

Methods

All patients from 2010 to 2019 who underwent angiography for a covered stent preceded by a Doppler US examination in our institution were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

All of the Doppler US and angiographic examination results showed complete agreement, and 11 of 12 were positive for TIPS dysfunction.

Conclusions

Combining the presence of positive clinical signs for TIPS dysfunction with Doppler US may increase its accuracy. Considering our results, there may be a need to reinvestigate Doppler US as a noninvasive, inexpensive, and available tool for the diagnosis of TIPS dysfunction in the era of covered stents, despite recent publications depicting Doppler US as inadequate for evaluating a TIPS.
Abandoning distinctiveness: The influence of nostalgia on consumer choice
Authors: Fan Yafeng , Jiang Jing , Hu Zuohao
Published: May 2020

This study proposes that when feeling nostalgic, consumers are more likely to choose the option that the majority of others prefer. Four studies consistently demonstrate that nostalgia can enhance consumers' social connectedness, which motivates them to maintain the feelings of connection to the group and thereby increases their preference for majority‐endorsed options in the subsequent product choices. Moreover, the strength of social ties between consumers and others moderates the mediation effect of social connectedness. In the weak social ties condition, social connectedness mediates the effect of nostalgia on preference for majority‐endorsed products. In the strong social ties condition, the mediation effect of social connectedness diminishes. These findings complement previous work on how nostalgia influences consumer behavior.
TOLUENIUM AND OTHER GASEOUS METHYLBENZENIUM IONS: COMPLEX INTERPLAY OF PROTONATED ARENES AND CYCLO‐OLEFINS
Authors: Kuck Dietmar
Published: May 2020

The development of the current knowledge of the gas‐phase chemistry of protonated methylbenzenes, such as toluenium, xylenium and mesitylenium ions, their higher congeners as well as of their mostly cyclo‐olefinic isomers by mass spectrometric methodology is presented. Starting from the observation of the characteristic expulsion of dihydrogen from metastable C7H9+ ions, which is associated with the release of large amounts of kinetic energy, and the composite C‐ and H‐scrambling prior to the loss of methane, in particular, insights into the isomerization scenario of various isomeric C7H9+, C8H11+, and C9H13+ ions, based on a large variety of independent techniques, are discussed. Besides isotope labeling and metastable ion methodology, these include flowing afterglow mass spectrometry, gas‐phase titration and infrared spectroscopy of mass‐selected ions. The particularly complex energy hypersurface of isomerizing and fragmenting toluenium ions, which has been elaborated in various reports over the years, is presented in a combined way to assess the role of protonated cycloheptatriene, norbornadiene, and 6‐methylfulvene as well as a number of further C7H9+ isomers. The formation and nature of C7H9+ ions generated by fragmentation of various hydrocarbon precursors, such as monoterpenes and adamantane, is also addressed. The contribution of infrared multiphoton dissociation spectroscopy (IRMPD) and tagged‐ion infrared photodissociation (IRPD) of the gaseous C7H9+ ions as compared to the wealth of previous understanding of their chemistry is commented on as well. Finally, remarkable parallels of the gas‐phase chemistry of methylbenzenium ions and the role of such species within the cavities of acidic zeolite catalysts in the course of the industrially important methanol‐to‐hydrocarbon reaction are discussed. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Mass Spec Rev
Uniaxial and Biaxial Response of Anisotropic Polypropylene
Authors: Kershah Tarek , Anderson Patrick D. , van Breemen Lambèrt C. A.
Published: May 2020

The response of uniaxial and biaxial anisotropic polypropylene is discussed. A 3D elasto‐viscoplastic constitutive model is developed to account for material anisotropy. The famous Hill’s anisotropic yield criterion is combined with the Eyring relation and implemented in a finite element framework to model the response of the polymer during uniaxial loading. An associated viscoplastic flow rule that describes the magnitude and the direction of the viscoplastic flow is incorporated in the model to simulate complex loading conditions. The model quantitatively captures the yield stresses for uniaxial deformation at a given anisotropic state and material orientation. In addition, the results of simulations demonstrate that the constitutive relations qualitatively describe the material deformation during biaxial loading for both isotropic and anisotropic cases.
Utilization of health information technology among cancer genetic counselors
Authors: Ritchie Jordon B. , Allen Caitlin G. , Morrison Heath , Nichols Michelle , Lauzon Steven D. , Schiffman Joshua D. , Hughes Halbert Chanita , Welch Brandon M.
Published: May 2020

Background

Health information technology (IT) is becoming increasingly utilized by cancer genetic counselors (CGCs). We sought to understand the current engagement, satisfaction, and opportunities to adopt new health IT tools among CGCs.

Methods

We conducted a mixed‐mode survey among 128 board‐certified CGCs using both closed‐ and open‐ended questions. We then evaluated the utilization and satisfaction among 10 types of health IT tools, including the following: cancer screening tool, family health history (FHx) collection tools, electronic health records (EHRs), telegenetics software, pedigree drawing software, genetic risk assessment tools, gene test panel ordering tools, electronic patient education tools, patient communication tools, and family communication tools.

Results

Seven of 10 health IT tools were used by a minority of CGCs. The vast majority of respondents reported using EHRs (95.2%) and genetic risk assessment tools (88.6%). Genetic test panel ordering software had the highest satisfaction rate (very satisfied and satisfied) at 80.0%, followed by genetic risk assessment tools (77.1%). EHRs had the highest dissatisfaction rate among CGCs at 18.3%. Dissatisfaction with a health IT tool was associated with desire to change: EHRs (p < .001), cancer screening tools (p = .010), genetic risk assessment tools (p = .024), and family history collection tools (p = .026). We found that nearly half of CGCs were considering adopting or changing their FHx tool (49.2%), cancer screening tool (44.9%), and pedigree drawing tool (41.8%).

Conclusion

Overall, CGCs reported high levels of satisfaction among commonly used health IT tools. Tools that enable the collection of FHx, cancer screening tools, and pedigree drawing software represent the greatest opportunities for research and development.
Determination of the photon spectrum of a therapeutic linear accelerator near the maze entrance: Comparison of Monte Carlo modeling and measurements using scintillation detectors corrected for pulse pile‐up
Authors: Qutub Mohammad A. Z. , Hugtenburg Richard P. , Al‐Affan Ihsan A. M.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The determination of x‐ray spectra near the maze entrance of linear accelerator (LINAC) rooms is challenging due to the pulsed nature of the LINAC source. Mathematical methods to account for pulse pile‐up have been examined. These methods utilize the highly periodic pulsing structure of the LINAC, differing from the effects of high‐intensity radioactive sources.

Methods

Sodium iodide (NaI) and plastic scintillation detectors were used to determine the energy spectra at different points near the maze entrance of a medical LINAC. Monte Carlo calculations of the energy distribution of scattered photons were used to simulate the energy spectrum at the maze entrance. The proposed algorithm uses the Monte Carlo code, FLUKA, to calculate a response function for both detectors. To determine the effects of the pile‐up in the spectra, the Poisson distribution was used, employing the average number of photons per pulse (μ) interacting with the detector. The quantity, μ, was obtained from the ratio of the number of events detected to the number of pulses delivered.

The energy spectra at various distances from the maze entrance were measured using NaI and plastic scintillation detectors. From these measurements, the values of µ were calculated, and the pile‐up probability was determined. The FLUKA Monte Carlo code was used to calculate the spectrum at the maze entrance and the response matrices of the NaI and plastic scintillation detectors. The algorithm based on the Poisson distribution was applied to calculate the spectrum.

Results

The agreement between the calculated and measured spectra was within the first standard deviation of the variance expected in µ. This agreement confirms that photons at the maze entrance have energies between 30 and 240 keV for a maze with three turns, with an average energy of around 85 keV. After pile‐up correction, the range of the pulse height distribution with the plastic scintillation detector, which has a low atomic number, was decreased (0 to 140 keV). In contrast, the range of the pulse height distribution with the NaI scintillation detector was closer to the photon spectrum (0 to 240 keV).

Conclusions

The corrected spectrum demonstrates that using a FLUKA Monte Carlo code and an algorithm based on the Poisson distribution are effective methods in removing the distortion due to the pile‐up in LINAC spectra when measuring with NaI and plastic scintillation detectors. The agreement between the corrected and measured spectra indicates that Monte Carlo modeling can accurately determine the spectrum of a LINAC machine at the maze entrance.
An improved immersed moving boundary for hydrodynamic force calculation in lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Chen Zhiqiang , Wang Moran
Published: May 2020

Particles suspension is considerably prevalent in petroleum industry and chemical engineering. The efficient and accurate simulation of such a process is always a challenge for both the traditional computational fluid dynamics and lattice Boltzmann method. Immersed moving boundary (IMB) method is promising to resolve this issue by introducing a particle‐fluid interaction term in the standard lattice Boltzmann equation, which allows for the smooth hydrodynamic force calculation even for a large grid size relative to the solid particle. Although the IMB method was proved good for stationary particles, the deviation of hydrodynamic force on moving particles exists. In this work, we reveal the physical origin of this problem first and figure out that the internal fluid effect on the hydrodynamic force calculation is not counted in the previous IMB. An improved immersed moving boundary method is therefore proposed by considering the internal fluid correction, which is easy to implement with the little extra computation cost. A 2D single elliptical particle and a 3D sphere sedimentation in Newtonian fluid is simulated directly for the validation of the corrected model by excellent agreements with the standard data.
Breaking the vicious circle: Experiences of people in chronic pain on the pain rehabilitation journey
Authors: Skúladóttir Hafdís , Gunnarsdóttir Thora J. , Halldórsdóttir Sigríður , Sveinsdóttir Herdís , Holden Janean E. , Björnsdóttir Amalía
Published: May 2020

Aim

To explore the lived experience of individuals' in chronic pain of participating in a pain rehabilitation programme in Iceland.

Design

Phenomenological research.

Method

The Vancouver School of Doing Phenomenology. Eleven participants were interviewed.

Results

The overarching theme was as follows: “the journey of breaking the vicious circle of chronic pain.” Before the programme, the participants felt they were in survival mode, trying to survive each day; they were stuck in a vicious circle of chronic pain, simultaneously trying to ease and conceal the pain. Reaching out for professional help was a turning point. While attending the programme, participants began deconstructing their old ways of dealing with chronic pain. After completing the programme, they were still reconstructing their daily lives. In conclusion, pain rehabilitation programmes can be the first step towards breaking the vicious circle of chronic pain.
A qualitative study—Patient experience of tactile massage after stroke
Authors: Seiger Cronfalk Berit , Åkesson Elisabet , Nygren Jill , Nyström Anita , Strandell Anna‐My , Ruas Jorge , von Euler Mia
Published: May 2020

Aim

The aim was to evaluate emotional experiences of gentle skin massage, combined with regular rehabilitation in patients shortly after being diagnosed with stroke.

Design

A randomized study with two groups: standard individualized rehabilitation and tactile massage for 20 min three times per week (max nine times) or individual standardized rehabilitations.

Methods

This study applied a qualitative approach using semi‐structured questions to evaluate experiences of receiving tactile massage among patients with first‐time‐ever stroke. The interviews lasted between 6–25 min and analysed using manifest content analysis. Data was collected between 2015‐2017. This study applies to the COREQ checklist.

Results

Eight patients >18 years of age participated. The participants experienced emotional worries especially during the night hours affecting their sleep negatively. Receiving tactile massage was reported to relax and to ease worries and anxiety momentarily, during the session and for a longer period. The results also show that physical touch generates feelings of closeness. The findings will be presented in two categories: Human touch and The future.
Partnership and collaboration in healthcare delivery in Ghana
Authors: Ampong‐Ansah Francis Bannasco , Maloreh‐Nyamekye Theophilus , Otchere Lucinda Naomi , Boateng Ama Kissiwah , Antwi‐Boasiako Joseph
Published: May 2020

The quest of most state or governments to adequately cater for the healthcare needs of its people continue to be a difficult task since many states have experienced, and continue to experience, a reduction in allocation of resources to the health sector. The involvement of the private sector in health care delivery is an option being explored by a number of states to augment resources in the health sector with some partnerships between the public and the private healthcare facilities in the fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. However, not many empirical studies have been conducted to identify and better understand these partnerships between the state agencies and the private sector in Ghana. This study, therefore, sought to answer questions on the range of partnership and collaborative activities existing between public and private healthcare institutions in Ghana, the need for these collaborations and the factors that hinder these collaborations in Ghana. The study adopted the stakeholder theory as various stakeholders come together to ensure the delivery of healthcare in Ghana. The study revealed that there was no direct partnership between these two groups. They, however, collaborated in some instances under the umbrella of their governing organization. The perceived need for collaboration that was identified under the study was for the protection of human lives. The study concluded that this collaboration is necessary to ensure an efficient healthcare delivery.
Mechanical properties of foam sandwich with chopped‐glass‐fiber/carbon nanotube reinforced hierarchical structure interlayer
Authors: Chen Qihui , Du Surui , Jiang Zhiyuan , Liu Yaqing , Du Ruikui , Zhao Guizhe
Published: May 2020

A chopped‐glass fiber/multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) hierarchical reinforcing structure was used to toughen the core‐face interlayer of sandwich materials. Chopped‐fiber mats modified by MWCNTs‐COOH were inserted at the face‐core interface before resin infusion. Sandwich beams were prepared by vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding, containing a Polyvinylchloride (PVC) foam core covered with two glass fiber/epoxy composite face sheets. The mechanical properties were characterized using quasi‐static three‐point‐bending, Charpy impact, and asymmetric double cantilever beam. Improvement in mechanical properties and interlayer toughness was achieved in the sandwich structure with negligible weight increase and processing variations. The interfacial characteristics between chopped glass fibers, carbon nanotubes, and underlying energy absorption mechanisms were discussed and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy.
Molecular characterization of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from pediatric patients in Shanghai, China
Authors: Wang Xing , Cong Zhilei , Huang Weichun , Li Cong
Published: May 2020

Background

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of bacterial infection among infants and young children with high morbidity and mortality. The serotype distribution of S. pneumoniae varies with geography, time, age, and disease.

Aim

We aimed to investigate the current status of molecular characteristics of S. pneumoniae strains isolated from pediatric patients in Shanghai, China.

Methods

Between 2016 and 2018, 73 clinical S. pneumoniae isolates were characterized by capsular serotype, multilocus sequence typing, antibiotic susceptibility, and resistant genes.

Results

The most common serotypes were 19F (39.7%), 19A (16.4%), 6A (11.0%), 14 (9.6%), and 6B (8.2%). The coverage rates of the 7‐, 10‐ and 13‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines were 64.4%, 64.4%, and 91.8%, respectively. The five predominant sequence types were ST271 (37.0%), ST320 (19.2%), ST3173 (11.0%), ST876 (6.8%), and ST81 (4.1%), which were mainly associated with serotypes 19F, 19A, 6A, 14, and 23F, respectively. The rates of resistance to penicillin and ceftriaxone were 21.9% and 39.7%, respectively. All strains displayed resistance to macrolides, 54.8% of which possessed both erm(B) and mef(A/E) genes, and 41.1% carried the erm(B) gene alone. Tn2010 (41.1%) was the most common transposon.

Conclusions

Clonal complex 271 (Taiwan19F‐14 clone) played a dominant role in the dissemination of pneumococcal isolates. The prevalent serotypes indicated a lack of the 7‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which has not been included in national immunization programs in mainland China. The high rate of macrolide resistance made the empirical use of macrolides alone not suitable for treating pediatric pneumococcal disease.
Optimizing acquisition parameters in diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy of soils
Authors: Deiss Leonardo , Margenot Andrew J. , Culman Steve W. , Demyan M. Scott
Published: May 2020

The number of co‐added scans and spectral resolution are two fundamental acquisition parameters in diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). However, systematic studies evaluating these parameters in soil science applications are lacking, especially when using mid‐infrared frequencies (mid‐DRIFTS). The objective of this study was to evaluate how numbers of co‐added scans and spectral resolution affect both qualitative and predictive applications of high‐throughput mid‐DRIFTS of soils. We first explored the literature with a systematic review to better understand variability in acquisition parameters and their hypothesized relationships with mid‐DRIFTS predictive performance (accuracy) of soil organic and/or total carbon (as a reference variable), but no evident relationship could be established across studies. Second, we experimentally evaluated how spectral resolutions (4, 8, 16, and 32 cm−1), and number of co‐added scans (8, 16, and 24 scans) affected (i) specific spectral peaks representing mineral and organic functional groups, and (ii) predictive performance of soil variables clay, sand, pH, total organic carbon, and permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC). Decreasing the number of co‐added scans from 24 to 8 increased wavenumber‐specific spectral variability and decreased both the predictive performance and the ability to characterize smaller peaks of mineral and organic functional groups. In contrast, broadening spectral resolution from 4 to 32 cm−1 reduced multivariate scores dispersion and had a positive effect on the predictive performance, even though some smaller peaks disappeared in resolutions wider than 8 cm−1. Acquisition parameters can be set to reduce both scanning time and computational demand while maintaining qualitative and predictive applications of mid‐DRIFTS in soil analysis.
Membrane Engineering: Phase Separation in Polymeric Giant Vesicles
Authors: Rideau Emeline , Wurm Frederik R. , Landfester Katharina
Published: May 2020

Cell membranes exhibit elaborate lipidic patterning to carry out a myriad of functions such as signaling and trafficking. Domain formation in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) is thus of interest for understanding fundamental biological processes and to provide new prospects for biocompatible soft materials. Lipid rearrangements in lipidic GUVs and lipid/polymer GUVs are extensively studied whereas polymer/polymer hybrid GUVs remain evasive. Here, the focus is on the thermodynamically driven phase separation of amphiphilic polymers in GUVs. It is demonstrated that polymer phase separation is entropically dictated by hydrophobic block incompatibilities and that films topology can help to determine the outcome of polymeric phase separation in GUVs. Lastly, Janus‐GUVs are obtained and GUVs exhibit a single large domain by using a compatibilizing hydrophobic block copolymer.
Response characterization of highway bridge piers subjected to blast loading
Authors: Patel Kush , Goswami Abhiroop , Adhikary Satadru Das
Published: May 2020

Recent attacks on a number of bridges demonstrate clear evidence of the vulnerability characterizing transportation systems to terrorist attacks. This vulnerability being further enhanced by the fact that the security measures implemented for the highway bridges are often not at par with those in place for the milestone bridges. This has necessitated studies to effectively characterize the response of highway bridge piers subjected to blast loads. The study, presented here, concentrates on investigating the effects of various parameters such as scaled distance, blast type, axial load ratio, and reinforcement detailing in assessing the response of reinforced concrete bridge piers that form the part of a two span highway bridge. The analysis of the bridge was carried out in accordance with IRC 6:2017. It was observed that at lower scaled distances, the burst type and the axial load ratio significantly affect the response of the pier. For a constant ALR value of 0.15, a 91.55% reduction in the peak displacement value was observed on increasing the scaled distance from 0.5 to 1 m/kg1/3. Furthermore, for the conventionally detailed piers, an increase in the ALR value at a scaled distance of 0.5 m/kg1/3 was observed to be characterized by catastrophic failure due to the buckling of the longitudinal rebar on account of crushing of the compression concrete. Seismic detailing was also found to significantly improve the response of the columns, scilicet the use of seismic detailing, was noted to significantly reduce the peak displacement (~ 40%).
Simplified procedures for seismic design verification and evaluation of lead rubber bearing base‐isolated buildings based on free‐vibration response
Authors: Lu Yang , Song Jin , Xiong Feng , Dai Kaoshan , Zhou Guangxin , Wei Mingyu , Zhang Shiming
Published: May 2020

Base isolation has seen widespread application to buildings and infrastructures over the past four decades. However, there is a lack of methods for assessing the performance of a base‐isolated structure at the end of construction and during its service life. To this end, simplified methods are developed for verifying isolation design and evaluating seismic demands of rubber‐bearing‐supported base‐isolated buildings based on their free‐vibration response, which could be obtained using field (on‐site) testing. The base isolation layer consists of lead rubber bearings (LRBs) and linear natural rubber (LNR) bearings. For design verification purposes, analytical solutions are provided to benchmark the free‐vibration response of base‐isolated buildings, considering the general case of a multilinear hysteretic isolation response representing multiple LRBs with distinct mechanical specifications. In seismic demand evaluation, seismic capacity of an isolation system is estimated using free‐vibration response of various amplitudes that cover a range of expected seismic intensity of interest. Seismic demands are obtained when capacity coincides with an earthquake response spectrum at a compatible damping level. Procedures are developed for the potential use of snap‐back tests and verified using experimental and numerical data.
On the domain of moduli fields
Authors: Steingasser Thomas
Published: May 2020

Abstract

The concept of the moduli space allows for a simple, universally applicable description of the low-energy dynamics of topological solitons. This description is remarkably insensitive to the properties of the underlying theory, whose details only manifest themselves via the moduli space metric. This article presents a generalization of this concept, which allows to transfer its most intriguing features to configurations of any energy captured by the theory giving rise to the soliton, given that these are localized sufficiently close to the soliton’s center. The resulting theory is capable of describing all dynamics within its range of applicability by just one family of fields, with all the information about the underlying theory entering via a finite number of background functions, which can be linked to physical properties of the present soliton.
Gedanken experiments at high-order approximation: nearly extremal Reissner-Nordström black holes cannot be overcharged
Authors: Wang Xin-Yang , Jiang Jie
Published: May 2020

Abstract

The new version of the gedanken experiment proposed by Sorce and Wald has been used to examine the weak cosmic censorship conjecture (WCCC) for black holes at the second-order approximation of the matter fields perturbation. However, only considering the perturbation until the second-order approximation is incomplete because there is an optimal option such that the existing condition of the event horizon vanishes at second- order. For this circumstance, we cannot judge whether the WCCC is satisfied at this order. In our investigation, the kth-order perturbation inequality is generally derived. Using the inequalities, we examine the WCCC for nearly extremal Reissner-Nordstöm black holes at higher-order approximation. It is shown that the WCCC cannot be violated yet after the perturbation. From this result, it can be indicated that the WCCC is strictly satisfied at the perturbation level for nearly extremal RN black holes.
Training zur strukturierten Befundung von Radiographien des Thorax mit OSCE-Prüfung
Authors: Dettmer Sabine , Schneidewind Sabine , Fischer Volkhard , Derlin Katja , Schneider Nils , Wacker Frank , Afshar Kambiz
Published: May 2020

Hintergrund

Die strukturierte Befundung von Radiographien des Thorax stellt eine wichtige radiologische Grundkompetenz dar und wird mit der Umsetzung des nationalen kompetenzbasierten Lernzielkatalogs Medizin (NKLM) in der studentischen Lehre gefordert.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel war die Evaluierung, inwieweit Studierende des 2. Studienjahres durch ein neues curriculares Training zur Befundung von Radiographien des Thorax mit anschließender „objective structured clinical examination“ (OSCE) an Sicherheit gewinnen und wie gut sie sich den Erwartungen der betreuenden ärztlichen Kollegen während der Famulatur gewachsen fühlen.

Methoden

Das Training umfasste 4 Vorlesungen und 10 kommentierte Lehrfilme zur Befundung konventioneller Radiographien. Die Studierenden wurden 2 Jahre später befragt, wie häufig und in welcher Form sie in Famulaturen Umgang mit Radiographien hatten und wie sicher sie sich im Umgang in verschiedenen Teilbereichen fühlten. Die Studierenden mit Training wurden zusätzlich gefragt, inwiefern Vorlesungen und Lehrvideos hilfreich waren. Die Ergebnisse der Studierenden des letzten Jahrgangs ohne und des ersten Jahrgangs mit Training und OSCE wurden mittels Mann-Whitney-U-Test für unabhängige Stichproben verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Die Häufigkeit des Umgangs mit Radiographien war bei Studierenden mit und ohne Training vergleichbar hoch. Die Studierenden mit Training und OSCE fühlten sich im weiteren Studium sicherer und besser vorbereitet als die Studierenden ohne Training (je nach Teilbereich p < 0,001 bis p = 0,148). Sie bewerteten die Lehrfilme als hilfreicher als die Vorlesungen (Mittelwert: 2,85 ± 0,76 vs. 3,41 ± 0,68).

Diskussion

Mit einem frühzeitigen Training kann die Sicherheit der Studierenden im Umgang mit Radiographien des Thorax nachhaltig gesteigert werden.
NMR and GC/MS analysis of industrial chloroparaffin mixtures
Authors: Sprengel Jannik , Vetter Walter
Published: May 2020

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are high-volume chemicals used worldwide in various industries as plasticizers, lubricants, and flame retardants. CPs are produced by chlorination of alkane mixtures which leads to complex products of thousands of homologs and congeners. Classic mass spectrometric analyses of CPs allow determining carbon chain lengths and degrees of chlorination while information on the substitution patterns cannot be derived. Therefore, we performed different one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) experiments, elemental analysis (EA), and gas chromatography coupled with electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry (GC/ECNI-MS) for the analysis of ten technical CP products with 42%, 52%, and 70% chlorine content from four producers. Slight differences in chlorine content but varying chain length compositions were observed for similarly labeled products from different manufacturers. Two-dimensional heteronuclear spectral quantum coherence (HSQC) measurements helped to evaluate ten structural elements in the products and confirmed the presence of geminal chlorine atoms in primary and secondary carbons in products with 70% chlorine. The variation of signal groups increased with increasing chlorine content of the products. Two-dimensional heteronuclear multiple bond coherence (HMBC) analysis of one sample and GC/ECNI-MS measurements indicated the presence of impurities (e.g., C9-CPs, iso-alkanes) in different technical CP products. These methods could in future allow for better distinction of CP mixtures, and an improved trace-back of environmental CPs to the source, based on specific structural features. Additionally, further structural characterization could help in the development of more accurate analysis processes.
Dietary patterns are related to cognitive functioning in elderly enriched with individuals at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Wesselman L. M. P. , van Lent D. Melo , Schröder A. , van de Rest O. , Peters O. , Menne F. , Fuentes M. , Priller J. , Spruth E. J. , Altenstein S. , Schneider A. , Fließbach K. , Roeske S. , Wolfsgruber S. , Kleineidam L. , Spottke A. , Pross V. , Wiltfang J. , Vukovich R. , Schild A. K. , Düzel E. , Metzger C. D. , Glanz W. , Buerger K. , Janowitz D. , Perneczky R. , Tatò M. , Teipel S. , Kilimann I. , Laske C. , Buchmann M. , Ramirez A. , Sikkes S. A. M. , Jessen F. , van der Flier W. M. , Wagner M.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

To investigate cross-sectional associations between dietary patterns and cognitive functioning in elderly free of dementia.

Methods

Data of 389 participants from the German DELCODE study (52% female, 69 ± 6 years, mean Mini Mental State Score 29 ± 1) were included. The sample was enriched with elderly at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by including participants with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and siblings of AD patients. Mediterranean and MIND diets were derived from 148 Food Frequency Questionnaire items, and data-driven patterns by principal component analysis (PCA) of 39 food groups. Associations between dietary patterns and five cognitive domain scores were analyzed with linear regression analyses adjusted for demographics (model 1), and additionally for energy intake, BMI, other lifestyle variables and APOe4-status (model 2). For PCA-derived dietary components, final model 3 included all other dietary components.

Results

In fully adjusted models, adherence to Mediterranean and MIND diet was associated with better memory. The ‘alcoholic beverages’ PCA component was positively associated with most cognitive domains. Exclusion of MCI subjects (n = 60) revealed that Mediterranean and MIND diet were also related to language functions; associations with the alcoholic beverages component were attenuated, but most remained significant.

Conclusion

In line with data from elderly population samples, Mediterranean and MIND diet and some data-derived dietary patterns were related to memory and language function. Longitudinal data are needed to draw conclusions on the putative effect of nutrition on the rate of cognitive decline, and on the potential of dietary interventions in groups at increased risk for AD.
Development and validation of a prediction tool for pain reduction in adult patients undergoing elective lumbar spinal fusion: a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Janssen Esther R. C. , Punt Ilona M. , van Kuijk Sander M. J. , Hoebink Eric A. , van Meeteren Nico L. U. , Willems Paul C.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

On average, 56% of patients report a clinically relevant reduction in pain after lumbar spinal fusion (LSF). Preoperatively identifying which patient will benefit from LSF is paramount to improve clinical decision making, expectation management and treatment selection. Therefore, this multicentre study aimed to develop and validate a clinical prediction tool for a clinically relevant reduction in pain 1 to 2 years after elective LSF.

Methods

The outcomes were defined as a clinically relevant reduction in predominant (worst reported pain in back or legs) pain 1 to 2 years after LSF. Patient-reported outcome measures and patient characteristics from 202 patients were used to develop a prediction model by logistic regression. Data from 251 patients were used to validate the model.

Results

Nonsmokers (odds ratio = 0.41 [95% confidence interval = 0.19–0.87]), with lower Body Mass Index (0.93 [0.85–1.01]), shorter pain duration (0.49 [0.20–1.19]), lower American Society of Anaesthesiologists score (4.82 [1.35–17.25]), higher Visual Analogue Scale score for predominant pain (1.05 [1.02–1.08]), lower Oswestry Disability Index (0.96 [0.93–1.00]) and higher RAND-36 mental component score (1.03 [0.10–1.06]) preoperatively had a higher chance of a clinically relevant reduction in predominant pain. The area under the curve of the externally validated model yielded 0.68. A nomogram was developed to aid clinical decision making.

Conclusions

Using the developed nomogram surgeons can estimate the probability of achieving a clinically relevant pain reduction 1 to 2 years after LSF and consequently inform patients on expected outcomes when considering treatment.
HDR image reproduction based on visual achromatic response
Authors: Lee Geun-Young , Kwon Hyuk-Ju , Lee Sung-Hak
Published: May 2020

High-dynamic range image reproduction using tone-mapping algorithms are used for image processing to reduce the dynamic range of a real scene to be displayed on low-dynamic range devices. General tone-mapping methods are associated with the determination of local parameters for tone compression and the halo artifact connected to detail enhancements. This paper proposes a lightness-preserved tone-mapping method and a halo-artifact reduction method based on the property of visual achromatic responses. For the reproduction of the visual perception of the real scene on displays, the sensitivity parameter of the sigmoidal transfer curves is optimized for the lightness-preserved tone mapping, and anti-halo image decomposition method is applied for the halo-artifact reduction. In results, it is confirmed that the proposed method improves the performance of the tone-mapping method effectively.
A comparative analysis of ceramic and cemented carbide end mills
Authors: Dröder Klaus , Karpuschewski Bernhard , Uhlmann Eckart , Arrabiyeh Peter A. , Berger Daniel , Busemann Sarah , Hartig Jörg , Madanchi Nadine , Mahlfeld Georg , Sommerfeld Christian
Published: May 2020

Milling of ferrous metals is usually performed by applying cemented carbide tools due to their high hardness, temperature and wear resistance. Recently, ceramic tool materials have been on the rise and enhanced the efficiency in machining. As ceramics are brittle-hard materials, tool manufacturing requires a sound knowledge in order to meet the tool requirements such as sharp cutting edges and wear resistance. In this study, milling tools made of the high performance ceramic SiAlON were compared to tools made from cemented carbide. For both tool materials, the influence of a prepared cutting edge was investigated. Both the tool manufacturing process and the cutting edge preparation processes are presented, followed by the application of those tools within milling experiments. In order to evaluate the efficiency of both tool types, the cutting forces and the cumulative process energy demand were analyzed. Additionally, surface roughness of the machined workpieces and tool wear were examined. It was found that the ceramic tools, although process forces were higher than for cemented carbide tools, exhibited by far lower energy consumption, less tool wear and finally generated lower surface roughness.
Changes in T-lymphocyte subsets and risk factors in human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients with active tuberculosis
Authors: Li Kui , Ran Renyu , Jiang Zicheng , Fan Chuanqi , Li Tao , Yin Zhiguo
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Immune function imbalance is closely associated with the occurrence and development of infectious diseases. We studied the characteristics of changes in T-lymphocyte subsets and their risk factors in HIV-negative patients with active tuberculosis (ATB).

Methods

T-lymphocyte subsets in 275 HIV-negative ATB patients were quantitatively analyzed and compared with an Mycobacteriumtuberculosis-free control group. Single-factor and multifactor analyses of clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients were also conducted.

Results

In ATB patients, CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts decreased, and the levels were positively interrelated (r = 0.655, P < 0.0001). After 4 weeks of antituberculosis treatment, CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts increased significantly but remained lower than in the control group. CD4 and CD8 cell counts were negatively associated with the extent of lesions detected in the chest by computed tomography (all P < 0.05). Although not reflected in the CD4/CD8 ratio, CD4 and CD8 cell counts differed between drug-resistant TB patients and drug-susceptible TB patients (P = 0.030). The multivariate analysis showed prealbumin, alpha-1 globulin, body mass index, and platelet count were independent risk factors for decreased CD4 cell count (all P < 0.05), while age and platelet count were independent risk factors for decreased CD8 cell count (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts showed the evident value in predicting ATB severity. An increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio may be a critical clue of drug resistance in ATB. Although the factors influencing CD4 and CD8 are not identical, our results indicated the importance of serum protein and platelets to ATB patients’ immune function.