bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring probabilistic seismic risk assessment accounting for seismicity clustering and damage accumulation: Part II. Risk analysis
Authors: Papadopoulos Athanasios N , Bazzurro Paolo
Published: August 2020

In current practice, most earthquake risk models adopt a “declustered” view of seismicity, that is, they disregard foreshock, aftershock, and triggered earthquakes and model seismicity as a series of independent mainshock events, whose occurrence (typically) conforms to a Poisson process. This practice is certainly disputable but has been justified by the false notion that earthquakes of smaller magnitude than the mainshock cannot induce further damage than what was caused by the latter. A companion paper makes use of the epidemic-type aftershock sequence (ETAS) model fitted to Central Italy seismicity data to describe the full earthquake occurrence process, including “dependent” earthquakes. Herein, loss estimates for the region of Umbria in Central Italy are derived using stochastic event catalogs generated by means of the ETAS model and damage-dependent fragility functions to track damage accumulation. The results are then compared with estimates obtained with a conventional Poisson-based model. The potential gains of utilizing a model capable of capturing the spatiotemporal clustering features of seismicity are illustrated along with a discussion on the various details and challenges of such considerations.
KSP: an integrated method for predicting catalyzing kinases of phosphorylation sites in proteins
Authors: Ma Hongli , Li Guojun , Su Zhengchang
Published: August 2020

Background

Protein phosphorylation by kinases plays crucial roles in various biological processes including signal transduction and tumorigenesis, thus a better understanding of protein phosphorylation events in cells is fundamental for studying protein functions and designing drugs to treat diseases caused by the malfunction of phosphorylation. Although a large number of phosphorylation sites in proteins have been identified using high-throughput phosphoproteomic technologies, their specific catalyzing kinases remain largely unknown. Therefore, computational methods are urgently needed to predict the kinases that catalyze the phosphorylation of these sites.

Results

We developed KSP, a new algorithm for predicting catalyzing kinases for experimentally identified phosphorylation sites in human proteins. KSP constructs a network based on known protein-protein interactions and kinase-substrate relationships. Based on the network, it computes an affinity score between a phosphorylation site and kinases, and returns the top-ranked kinases of the score as candidate catalyzing kinases. When tested on known kinase-substrate pairs, KSP outperforms existing methods including NetworKIN, iGPS, and PKIS.

Conclusions

We developed a novel accurate tool for predicting catalyzing kinases of known phosphorylation sites. It can work as a complementary network approach for sequence-based phosphorylation site predictors.
A comparison of intraoperative goal-directed intravenous administration of crystalloid versus colloid solutions on the postoperative maximum N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide in patients undergoing moderate- to high-risk noncardiac surgery
Authors: Reiterer Christian , Kabon Barbara , Taschner Alexander , Zotti Oliver , Kurz Andrea , Fleischmann Edith
Published: August 2020

Background

N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin T are released during myocardial wall stress and/or ischemia and are strong predictors for postoperative cardiovascular complications. However, the relative effects of goal-directed, intravenous administration of crystalloid compared to colloid solutions on NT-proBNP and troponin T, especially in relatively healthy patients undergoing moderate- to high-risk noncardiac surgery, remains unclear. Thus, we evaluated in this sub-study the effect of a goal-directed crystalloid versus a goal-directed colloid fluid regimen on postoperative maximum NT-proBNP concentration. We further evaluated the incidence of myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS) between both study groups.

Methods

Thirty patients were randomly assigned to receive additional intravenous fluid boluses of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and 30 patients to receive lactated Ringer’s solution. Intraoperative fluid management was guided by oesophageal Doppler-according to a previously published algorithm. The primary outcome were differences in postoperative maximum NT-proBNP (maxNT-proBNP) between both groups. As our secondary outcome we evaluated the incidence of MINS between both study groups. We defined maxNT-proBNP as the maximum value measured within 2 h after surgery and on the first and second postoperative day.

Results

In total 56 patients were analysed. There was no significant difference in postoperative maximum NT-proBNP between the colloid group (258.7 ng/L (IQR 199.4 to 782.1)) and the crystalloid group (440.3 ng/L (IQR 177.9 to 691.2)) during the first 2 postoperative days (P = 0.29). Five patients in the colloid group and 7 patients in the crystalloid group developed MINS (P = 0.75).

Conclusions

Based on this relatively small study goal-directed colloid administration did not decrease postoperative maxNT-proBNP concentration as compared to goal-directed crystalloid administration.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01195883) Registered on 6th September 2010.
Expression of Concern to: Comparison of outcomes in patients with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia who are treated with β-lactam vs vancomycin empiric therapy: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wong Davie
Published: August 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Impact of the Ebola virus disease outbreak (2014–2016) on tuberculosis surveillance activities by Guinea’s National Tuberculosis Control Program: a time series analysis
Authors: Magassouba Aboubacar Sidiki , Diallo Boubacar Djelo , Camara Lansana Mady , Sow Kadiatou , Camara Souleymane , Bah Boubacar , Barry Alpha Oumar , Diallo Thierno Hassane , Camara Aboubacar , Bangoura Adama Marie , Sow Oumou Younoussa
Published: August 2020

Background

Most countries in Subsaharan Africa have well-established National Tuberculosis Control Programs with relatively stable routine performances. However, major epidemiological events may result in significant disruptions. In March 2014, the World Health Organization announced the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Guinea, a country with a high incidence of TB and HIV. Our study aimed to assess the impact of the Ebola virus disease outbreak on TB notification, treatment, and surveillance, using main indicators.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study that compared TB trends using surveillance data from the periods before (2011–2013), during (2014–2016), and after (2017–2018) Ebola virus disease outbreak. A time-series analysis was conducted to investigate the linkages between the decline in TB notification and the Ebola virus disease outbreak through cross-correlation. The lag in the cross-correlation test was evaluated using ANCOVA type II delayed variable dependent model. The surveillance system was assessed using TB surveillance standards and benchmarks and vital registration systems recommended by WHO, compared with those of 2015 during the Ebola virus disease.

Results

The rate of reporting of TB declined from 120 cases per 100,000 in 2011 to 100 cases per 100,000 in 2014, at the peak of the Ebola virus disease outbreak. The time-series cross-correlation test of all notified cases of TB and Ebola showed a significant lag of − 0.4 (40%), reflecting a drop in the rate of notification (F-value = 5.7 [95% CI: 0.2–21.3]). The Ebola virus disease had no negative impact on patient treatment outcomes (F-value = 1.3 [95% CI: 0.0–8.8]). Regarding the surveillance system, five out of 13 WHO standards and benchmarks were met following their evaluation in 2019, after the Ebola virus disease outbreak, compared to three in 2015.

Conclusion

Major epidemics such as the Ebola virus disease outbreak may have a significant impact on well-established TB control programs as shown in the example of Guinea. Sudden disruptions of routine performance may lead programs to improve their surveillance system. The experience acquired in the fight against EVD and the investments made should make it possible to prepare the health system in a coherent manner for the other probable episodes.
Differing needs of mothers and fathers during their child’s end-of-life care: secondary analysis of the “Paediatric end-of-life care needs” (PELICAN) study
Authors: Leemann Tanja , Bergstraesser Eva , Cignacco Eva , Zimmermann Karin
Published: August 2020

Background

Mothers and fathers are severely challenged when providing care for their terminally ill child at end of life. Caregiving needs have been studied predominantly in mothers. Differences in caregiving needs between mothers and fathers during their child’s end of life have not, however, been explored so far. This knowledge is of importance to best meet individual parental needs in paediatric end-of-life care.

Methods

Secondary analysis of a quantitative survey on parental needs during their child’s last 4 weeks of life, collected in the Swiss multicentre “Paediatric End-of-Life Care Needs” (PELICAN) study. Caregiving needs of mothers and fathers (parental dyad) who had lost a child due to a cardiological, neurological or oncological disease or during the neonatal period in the years 2011–2012 were retrospectively assessed using a questionnaire representing six evidence-based quality domains of paediatric palliative and end-of-life care.

Results

Seventy-eight parental dyads were included in this analysis. Differences between mothers and fathers were mostly found around needs to be supported as a family. In all, 28 out of 34 needs-related questionnaire items were scored higher by mothers than by fathers, indicating higher importance for that need to be met. The results indicate that these differences might relate to different caregiving roles and gender-specific coping strategies.

Conclusions

To best meet parental needs in paediatric end-of-life care, particular attention should be paid to both mothers and fathers and their specific caregiving roles, as differences in these roles might influence their needs in this exceptional situation. Therefore, healthcare professionals should identify how parental dyads mutually navigate care for their sick child to best meet their needs in support. Additionally, mothers and fathers should be supported in their individual coping strategies.
Fusion transcript detection using spatial transcriptomics
Authors: Friedrich Stefanie , Sonnhammer Erik L. L.
Published: August 2020

Background

Fusion transcripts are involved in tumourigenesis and play a crucial role in tumour heterogeneity, tumour evolution and cancer treatment resistance. However, fusion transcripts have not been studied at high spatial resolution in tissue sections due to the lack of full-length transcripts with spatial information. New high-throughput technologies like spatial transcriptomics measure the transcriptome of tissue sections on almost single-cell level. While this technique does not allow for direct detection of fusion transcripts, we show that they can be inferred using the relative poly(A) tail abundance of the involved parental genes.

Method

We present a new method STfusion, which uses spatial transcriptomics to infer the presence and absence of poly(A) tails. A fusion transcript lacks a poly(A) tail for the 5′ gene and has an elevated number of poly(A) tails for the 3′ gene. Its expression level is defined by the upstream promoter of the 5′ gene. STfusion measures the difference between the observed and expected number of poly(A) tails with a novel C-score.

Results

We verified the STfusion ability to predict fusion transcripts on HeLa cells with known fusions. STfusion and C-score applied to clinical prostate cancer data revealed the spatial distribution of the cis-SAGe SLC45A3-ELK4 in 12 tissue sections with almost single-cell resolution. The cis-SAGe occurred in disease areas, e.g. inflamed, prostatic intraepithelial neoplastic, or cancerous areas, and occasionally in normal glands.

Conclusions

STfusion detects fusion transcripts in cancer cell line and clinical tissue data, and distinguishes chimeric transcripts from chimeras caused by trans-splicing events. With STfusion and the use of C-scores, fusion transcripts can be spatially localised in clinical tissue sections on almost single cell level.
Simulation-based assessment of model selection criteria during the application of benchmark dose method to quantal response data
Authors: Yoshii Keita , Nishiura Hiroshi , Inoue Kaoru , Yamaguchi Takayuki , Hirose Akihiko
Published: August 2020

Background

To employ the benchmark dose (BMD) method in toxicological risk assessment, it is critical to understand how the BMD lower bound for reference dose calculation is selected following statistical fitting procedures of multiple mathematical models. The purpose of this study was to compare the performances of various combinations of model exclusion and selection criteria for quantal response data.

Methods

Simulation-based evaluation of model exclusion and selection processes was conducted by comparing validity, reliability, and other model performance parameters. Three different empirical datasets for different chemical substances were analyzed for the assessment, each having different characteristics of the dose-response pattern (i.e. datasets with rich information in high or low response rates, or approximately linear dose-response patterns).

Results

The best performing criteria of model exclusion and selection were different across the different datasets. Model averaging over the three models with the lowest three AIC (Akaike information criteria) values (MA-3) did not produce the worst performance, and MA-3 without model exclusion produced the best results among the model averaging. Model exclusion including the use of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test in advance of model selection did not necessarily improve the validity and reliability of the models.

Conclusions

If a uniform methodological suggestion for the guideline is required to choose the best performing model for exclusion and selection, our results indicate that using MA-3 is the recommended option whenever applicable.
Advanced lesions of synchronous bilateral mammary Paget’s disease: a case report
Authors: Choridah Lina , Sari Wida Kartika , Dwianingsih Ery Kus , Widodo Irianiwati , Suwardjo  , Anwar Sumadi Lukman
Published: August 2020

Background

Mammary Paget’s disease is an eczematous eruption on the nipple and areola with underlying breast malignancy. It is often misinterpreted as chronic dermatitis or psoriasis causing a delayed diagnosis. Synchronous bilateral mammary Paget’s disease is exceptionally rare and an advanced case with underlying invasive carcinoma might require long-term treatment and follow-up that could affect a patient’s physical, psychological, and social aspects of well-being.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old Javanese woman presented in our clinic with a 2-year history of itching and chronic eczema in both areolae. Bilateral nipple retraction and retro-areolar palpable lumps were observed during the first presentation. Breast ultrasound revealed hypoechoic lesions in her left and right breasts. Mammograms showed an irregular hyperdense lesion and multiple microcalcifications. Histopathology from biopsy and bilateral mastectomy demonstrated infiltration of large Paget’s cells in the epidermis of the areola with underlying lesions of invasive ductal carcinoma, diagnosed solid type with high nuclear grade and negative expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor, with positive expression of human epidermal growth receptor-2(HER2) and Ki-67 (45%).

Conclusions

In a patient with suspicious chronic inflammation of the nipple and areolae, prompt biopsy should be performed to avoid a delayed diagnosis of any malignant breast lesion.
Laboratory features of severe vs. non-severe COVID-19 patients in Asian populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ghahramani Sulmaz , Tabrizi Reza , Lankarani Kamran B. , Kashani Seyyed Mohammad Amin , Rezaei Shahla , Zeidi Nazanin , Akbari Maryam , Heydari Seyed Taghi , Akbari Hamed , Nowrouzi-Sohrabi Peyman , Ahmadizar Fariba
Published: August 2020

Background

More severe cases of COVID- 19 are more likely to be hospitalized and around one-fifth, needing ICU admission. Understanding the common laboratory features of COVID-19 in more severe cases versus non-severe patients could be quite useful for clinicians and might help to predict the model of disease progression. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the laboratory test findings in severe vs. non-severe confirmed infected cases of COVID-19.

Methods

Electronic databases were systematically searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from the beginning of 2019 to 3rd of March 2020. Heterogeneity across included studies was determined using Cochrane’s Q test and the I2 statistic. We used the fixed or random-effect models to pool the weighted mean differences (WMDs) or standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Findings

Out of a total of 3009 citations, 17 articles (22 studies, 21 from China and one study from Singapore) with 3396 ranging from 12 to1099 patients were included. Our meta-analyses showed a significant decrease in lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil, hemoglobin, platelet, albumin, serum sodium, lymphocyte to C-reactive protein ratio (LCR), leukocyte to C-reactive protein ratio (LeCR), leukocyte to IL-6 ratio (LeIR), and an increase in the neutrophil, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Procalcitonin (PCT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), fibrinogen, prothrombin time (PT), D-dimer, glucose level, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the severe group compared with the non-severe group. No significant changes in white blood cells (WBC), Creatine Kinase (CK), troponin I, myoglobin, IL-6 and K between the two groups were observed.

Interpretation

This meta-analysis provides evidence for the differentiation of severe cases of COVID-19 based on laboratory test results at the time of ICU admission. Future well-methodologically designed studies from other populations are strongly recommended.
Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia: in vitro stability profiles of mixtures containing fentanyl, hydromorphone, oxycodone, nefopam, ondansetron, and ramosetron
Authors: Lee Chung Hun , Kim Ah Rahn , Lee Mi Kyoung , Oh Jung Suk , Lee Dong Kyu , Choi Sang Sik
Published: August 2020

Background and objectives

Patient-controlled analgesia often involves combinations of multiple drugs. This study aimed to determine the stability of drug mixtures commonly used for intravenous patient-controlled analgesia.

Materials and methods

We examined four of the most commonly used drug combinations in intravenous patient-controlled analgesia at our institution. Mixtures contained fentanyl (400 μg), either oxycodone (10 mg) or hydromorphone (4 mg), nefopam (20 mg), and either ondansetron (10 mg) or ramosetron (0.3 mg). Each drug mixture was diluted in 0.9% saline and stored in a portable patient-controlled analgesia system at room temperature (24 °C) for 96 h. Physical attributes including color, turbidity, and precipitation were assessed using digital imaging and optical microscopy. Sterility testing was conducted to assess for microbiological contamination. The pH of each mixture was monitored for up to 96 h after mixing. The concentration of each drug in the mixture was also evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results

All mixtures remained colorless and transparent with no visible sediment for 96 h. After 14 days of culture, none of the samples showed bacterial or fungal growth. The pH for all mixtures was maintained between 4.17 and 5.19, and the mean pH change in any mixture was less than 0.4 over the study period. The concentration of each drug remained between 90 and 110% of the initial value for 96 h after mixing.

Conclusion

Four drug mixtures commonly used for intravenous patient-controlled analgesia are physiochemically stable and remain sterile for 96 h after mixing.
A novel strategy for efficient disaccharides synthesis from glucose by β-glucosidase
Authors: Niu Kangle , Liu Zhengyao , Feng Yuhui , Gao Tianlong , Wang Zhenzhen , Zhang Piaopiao , Du Zhiqiang , Gao Daming , Fang Xu
Published: August 2020

Oligosaccharides have important therapeutic applications. A useful route for oligosaccharides synthesis is reverse hydrolysis by β-glucosidase. However, the low conversion efficiency of disaccharides from monosaccharides limits its large-scale production because the equilibrium is biased in the direction of hydrolysis. Based on the analysis of the docking results, we hypothesized that the hydropathy index of key amino acid residues in the catalytic site is closely related with disaccharide synthesis and more hydrophilic residues located in the catalytic site would enhance reverse hydrolysis activity. In this study, positive variants TrCel1bI177S, TrCel1bI177S/I174S, and TrCel1bI177S/I174S/W173H, and one negative variant TrCel1bN240I were designed according to the Hydropathy Index For Enzyme Activity (HIFEA) strategy. The reverse hydrolysis with TrCel1bI177S/I174S/W173H was accelerated and then the maximum total production (195.8 mg/mL/mg enzyme) of the synthesized disaccharides was increased by 3.5-fold compared to that of wild type. On the contrary, TrCel1bN240I lost reverse hydrolysis activity. The results demonstrate that the average hydropathy index of the key amino acid residues in the catalytic site of TrCel1b is an important factor for the synthesis of laminaribiose, sophorose, and cellobiose. The HIFEA strategy provides a new perspective for the rational design of β-glucosidases used for the synthesis of oligosaccharides.
Do sequential lineups impair underlying discriminability?
Authors: Kaesler Matthew , Dunn John C. , Ransom Keith , Semmler Carolyn
Published: August 2020

Debate regarding the best way to test and measure eyewitness memory has dominated the eyewitness literature for more than 30 years. We argue that resolution of this debate requires the development and application of appropriate measurement models. In this study we developed models of simultaneous and sequential lineup presentations and used these to compare these procedures in terms of underlying discriminability and response bias, thereby testing a key prediction of diagnostic feature detection theory, that underlying discriminability should be greater for simultaneous than for stopping-rule sequential lineups. We fit the models to the corpus of studies originally described by Palmer and Brewer (2012, Law and Human Behavior, 36(3), 247–255), to data from a new experiment and to eight recent studies comparing simultaneous and sequential lineups. We found that although responses tended to be more conservative for sequential lineups there was little or no difference in underlying discriminability between the two procedures. We discuss the implications of these results for the diagnostic feature detection theory and other kinds of sequential lineups used in current jurisdictions.
Improved detectability of hypoattenuating focal pancreatic lesions by dual-layer computed tomography using virtual monoenergetic images
Authors: El Kayal Nada , Mohallel Ahmed , Maintz David , Eid Mohamed , Emara Doaa Mokhtar
Published: August 2020

Background

Multidetector CT is the mainstay for radiologic evaluation of pancreatic pathology. Still, imaging of focal pancreatic lesions using MDCT is faced by a number of challenges that are related to the limited contrast between the lesion and surrounding parenchyma, such as detecting early-stage pancreatic cancer and subtle features of cystic lesions that point to malignancy. Dual-layer CT is the first dual-energy CT machine based on separation of high- and low-energy photons at the detector level. If improved contrast between the lesions and normal pancreatic parenchyma could be achieved on CT images, we may expect enhanced CT detection of pancreatic lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether virtual monoenergetic reconstructions generated using contrast-enhanced dual-layer CT could improve detectability of hypoattenuating focal pancreatic lesions compared to conventional polyenergetic reconstructions.

Results

Fifty-four lesions were identified and verified by histopathology or follow-up CT, MRCP, and/or EUS along with clinical data. Across the virtual monoenergetic spectrum, 40 KeV images had the highest contrast-to-noise and signal-to-noise ratios (p < 0.001, p < 0.001) and were significantly higher than conventional images (p < 0.001). Subjective scores for lesion visibility at low kiloelectron volt monoenergetic (40 and 50 KeV) images greatly exceeded conventional images (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Low kiloelectron volt monoenergetic reconstructions of contrast-enhanced dual-layer CT significantly improve detectability of hypoattenuating focal pancreatic lesions compared to conventional polyenergetic reconstructions.
Efficacy of Maintenance Olaparib for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Advanced Ovarian Cancer With a BRCA Mutation: Subgroup Analysis Findings From the SOLO1 Trial
Authors: DiSilvestro Paul , Colombo Nicoletta , Scambia Giovanni , Kim Byoung-Gie , Oaknin Ana , Friedlander Michael , Lisyanskaya Alla , Floquet Anne , Leary Alexandra , Sonke Gabe S. , Gourley Charlie , Banerjee Susana , Oza Amit , González-Martín Antonio , Aghajanian Carol A. , Bradley William H. , Mathews Cara A. , Liu Joyce , Lowe Elizabeth S. , Bloomfield Ralph , Moore Kathleen N.
Published: August 2020

PURPOSE

In SOLO1, maintenance olaparib (300 mg twice daily) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with newly diagnosed BRCA1- and/or BRCA2-mutated advanced ovarian cancer compared with placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 0.30; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.41; median not reached v 13.8 months). We investigated PFS in SOLO1 for subgroups of patients based on preselected baseline factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Investigator-assessed PFS subgroup analyses of SOLO1 included clinical response after platinum-based chemotherapy (complete [CR] or partial response [PR]), surgery type (upfront or interval surgery), disease status after surgery (residual or no gross residual disease), and BRCA mutation status ( BRCA1 or BRCA2). Additionally, we evaluated PFS in patients with stage III disease who underwent upfront surgery and had no gross residual disease. We also report objective response rate.

RESULTS

The risk of disease progression or death was reduced with olaparib compared with placebo by 69% (HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.46) and 63% (HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.58) in patients undergoing upfront or interval surgery; 56% (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.77) and 67% (HR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.46) in patients with residual or no residual disease after surgery; 66% (HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.47) and 69% in women with clinical CR or PR at baseline (HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.52); and 59% (HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.56) and 80% (HR 0.20; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.37) in patients with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer achieve substantial benefit from maintenance olaparib treatment regardless of baseline surgery outcome, response to chemotherapy, or BRCA mutation type.
SNPs in IL4 and IFNG show no protective associations with human African trypanosomiasis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a case-control study
Authors: Fataki Asina Olivier , Noyes Harry , Bucheton Bruno , Ilboudo Hamidou , MacLeod Annette , Mumba Ngoyi Dieudonné ,   TrypanoGEN Group, as members of The H3Africa Consortium
Published: August 2020

Background:Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a protozoal disease transmitted by tsetse flies. Infection with trypanosomes can lead directly to active HAT or latent infection with no detectable parasites, which may progress to active HAT or to spontaneous self-cure. Genetic variation could explain these differences in the outcome of infection. To test this hypothesis, polymorphisms in 17 candidate genes were tested (APOL1[G1 and G2],CFH, HLA-A, HPR, HP, IL1B, IL12B, IL12RB1, IL10, IL4R, MIF, TNFA, IL6, IL4, IL8, IFNG, andHLA-G).

Methods:Samples were collected in Democratic Republic of the Congo. 233 samples were genotyped: 100 active HAT cases, 33 from subjects with latent infections and 100 negative controls. Commercial service providers genotyped polymorphisms at 96 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on 17 genes. Data were analyzed using Plink V1.9 software and R. Loci, with suggestive associations (uncorrected p < 0.05) validated using an additional 594 individuals, including 164 cases and 430 controls.

Results:After quality control, 87 SNPs remained in the analysis. Two SNPs inIL4and two inIFNGwere suggestively associated (uncorrected p<0.05) with a differential risk of developing aTrypanosoma brucei gambienseinfection in the Congolese population. TheIFNGminor allele (rs2430561, rs2069718) SNPs were protective in comparison between latent infections and controls. Carriers of the rs2243258_T and rs2243279_A alleles ofIL4and the rs2069728_T allele ofIFNGhad a reduced risk of developing illness or latent infection, respectively. None of these associations were significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. A validation study using more samples was run to determine if the absence of significant association was due to lack of power.

Conclusions:This study showed no evidence of an association of HAT withIL4andIFNGSNPs or withAPOL1 G1andG2alleles, which have been found to be protective in other studies.
Cardiovascular implications of coronavirus disease 2019: a systematic review
Authors: Pradhan Ravi Ranjan , Yadav Ajay Kumar , Mandal Shobha
Published: August 2020

Background: World Health Organization has declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. It has killed thousands and millions are infected worldwide. Though COVID-19 is supposed to be primarily a disease of the respiratory system, it also has widespread implications on other systems as well.  The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the cardiovascular implications of COVID-19. 

Methods: PubMed, PubMed Central, EMBASE, and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed articles which aimed to delineate the cardiovascular implications of COVID-19.

Results: A total of six articles (five original articles and one case report) were included. We found diverse cardiovascular implications of COVID-19 ranging from acute cardiac injury to death. New-onset abnormalities in electrocardiogram or echocardiogragram, elevated plasma levels of cardiac troponin, NT-proBNP, and D-dimer have role in early identification of acute cardiac injury in such patients. Additionally, cardiac troponin and NT-proBNP can be used to evaluate prognosis and possible need for intensive care in these patients.

Conclusions: Acute cardiac injury is common in patients with COVID-19. Aggressive supportive management based on prognostic indicators along with management of heart failure, arrhythmias, acute coronary syndrome and thrombosis can improve clinical outcomes in such patients.
Why Most University-Industry Partnerships Fail to Endure and How to Create Value and Gain Competitive Advantage through Collaboration – A Systematic Review
Authors: Marinho Arlindo , Silva Rui G. , Santos Gilberto
Published: August 2020

Purpose: The collaborative work between universities and enterprises is increasingly important given the growing competitive environment, transformed by intense global competition, rapid technological change and shorter product life cycles. In this article several case studies are analysed, as well as relevant academic literature, to get an insight concerning the current relationship status between enterprises and universities.Methodology/Approach: The methodology is grounded on the literature review on University-Industry Partnerships, selected from indexed sources, and targeted to case-based experiences where practical feedback is given.Findings: It is shown that university-industry knowledge transfer contributes significantly to an increase of quality, productivity and economic value of businesses. It is found that the lack of controlling mechanisms and lack of efficient communication paths have a strong negative impact in collaboration. Key collaboration factors that support stronger relationships were compiled and discussed in support of better mitigation strategies.Research Limitation/implication: The limited availability of case studies reporting on operative improvements introduced by policy changes hinders the effectiveness of the findings.Originality/Value of paper: The paper analyses the collaboration of the university with industry based on case studies with a focus on value creation and how to gain a competitive advantage through collaboration.
How Managers in Poland Use the Principles and Instruments of the Kaizen Philosophy in Their Personal Lives – The Personal Kaizen Approach
Authors: Burka Iwona
Published: August 2020

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to show whether and how Polish managers working in the Kaizen/Lean environment, benefit from the knowledge gained during their professional work to develop competences in their personal lives and improve personal productivity. Do they transfer the knowledge gained about lean systems into their private lives and what are the benefits for them?Methodology/Approach: To answer the research questions raised, the authoress conducted a literature review and a qualitative research – multiple-case studies. As part of the qualitative study, five in-depth interviews were made.Findings: The literature review and the qualitative research carried out allowed to formulate conclusions, including, i.a., the following: managers transform the knowledge acquired during the training conducted as part of their professional work into their private lives; it is possible to distinguish a number of principles and instruments of the studied concepts that are applied to support the process of developing personal professional and non-professional competences.Research Limitation/implication: Subjectivity of the analysis, owing to the application of a qualitative approach in the studies.Originality/Value of paper: The literature review points to a small number of scientific publications connected with the implementation of the Kaizen approach and Lean Management principles and instruments in the process of developing personal competences and improving personal productivity. This publication is the first approach to creating a Personal Kaizen Toolbox.
Bancos en Colombia: ¿Qué tan homogéneos son?
Authors: León Carlos
Published: August 2020

La homogeneidad, entendida como la falta de diversidad, es una fuente de fragilidad en sistemas complejos. Del mismo modo, la homogeneidad del sistema financiero ha sido documentada como un factor determinante del riesgo sistémico. En este documento se evalúa la homogeneidad en el caso colombiano, para lo cual se mide qué tan similares son los bancos según la estructura de sus estados financieros generales, así como de sus portafolios de cartera, de inversiones y de pasivos. La similitud entre bancos y una metodología de agrupamiento por aglomeración arrojan la estructura jerárquica del sistema bancario, la cual muestra cómo los bancos se relacionan entre ellos de acuerdo con su estructura financiera. El sector bancario colombiano muestra homogeneidad, en especial entre los bancos de mayor tamaño. Así mismo, es evidente que el tamaño es un factor importante en la estructura jerárquica de este sector. Los resultados son robustos a partir de un procedimiento de selección de variables basado en análisis de componentes principales, el cual reduce la dimensionalidad y redundancia de la base de datos. Los resultados permiten estudiar qué tan homogéneo es el sistema bancario, así como identificar aquellas instituciones bancarias que tienen una estructura financiera común (particular) y, por lo tanto, permiten estudiar de mejor manera el riesgo sistémico.
Reflections of research: cutting off life support to the heart
Authors: Brittan Mairi
Published: August 2020

The annual image competition, Reflections of Research, provides a glimpse into the cutting-edge heart and circulatory research funded by the British Heart Foundation
Translocation and bioconcentration of trivalent chromium in green beans grown on bioponics
Authors: Azariz Loubna , Fekhaoui Mohamed , Elblidi Souad , Yahyaoui Ahmed
Published: August 2020

the increasing number of cases of soil contamination by trace elements have affected crop production, and represents a risk threatening the quality of our food products. Some of these contaminants, such as trivalent chromium Cr (NO3)3, which is similar to micronutrients, can, therefore, be absorbed by plants and whose phytotoxicity has long been considered negligible, and largely underestimated. The purpose of this work was to study the transfer of trivalent chromium from nutrient solution to green beans Phaseolus vulgaris L grown on bioponics; the contamination responses were determined in terms of growth parameters, yield, and dry matter production; at various concentrations (5, 10 and 20 ppm). Chromium trivalent effects have also been studied in tissues plant. Results showed that the absorption of trivalent chromium from the nutrient solution and its translocation to the aerial tissues plants had no adverse effects on growth parameters, and also on beans yield. Results also showed that chromium accumulates in roots rather than in the other tissues, and did not reduce the dry matter production, in terms of translocation and bioconcentration. The transfer factor is low and green beans cannot be defined as a hyperaccumulator of chromium.
Engaging Families in Employment: Individuals and Families' Retrospective Transition Experiences With Employment Services
Authors: Kramer John , Bose Jennifer , Shepard John , Winsor Jean
Published: August 2020

In the United States, employment experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have been dominated by discrepancies between recent policy shifts promoting integrated employment for people with IDD and the stagnation of the employment rate in integrated settings for this population. Although there is no direct source for labor force participation for individuals with IDD in the general population, data from the National Core Indicators Project suggest that, in 2015–2016, only 19% of working-age adults supported by state IDD agencies worked in one of the three forms of integrated employment—group-supported, individual-supported, or competitive (individualized and without supports). Twelve percent (12%) worked in competitive or individual-supported employment, and 7% worked in group-supported employment (Hiersteiner, Bershadsky, Bonardi, & Butterworth, 2016). In addition, individual employment supports have not been implemented with fidelity to a consistent model or set of expectations, and participation in nonwork services has grown rapidly (Domin & Butterworth, 2013; Migliore et al., 2012; Winsor et al., 2017).
Pressure scaling of the collisional broadening parameters of Kr
4p6S01→→5p[3/2]2
transition
Authors: Sahoo Abinash , Zelenak Dominic , Narayanaswamy Venkateswaran
Published: August 2020

Pressure scaling of collisional broadening parameters of krypton
(absorber)

4

p
6

S
0
1

→→
5
p

[
3

/

2

]
2

transition centered at 107.3 nm in
the presence of nitrogen

N

2

(perturber) is investigated. The
absorption spectrum in the vicinity of the transition is obtained from
the two-photon excitation scan of krypton in the presence of the
perturber at different prescribed pressures varying from a few torrs
to 10 atm. The absorption spectra reveal noticeable asymmetry at
atmospheric pressure, and the asymmetry becomes increasingly
pronounced with pressure; however, the absorption spectra at
sub-atmospheric pressures tested are symmetric. The absorption spectra
are fitted with synthetic asymmetric Voigt profiles across all
pressures, wherein the asymmetry parameter is varied to capture the
asymmetry at different pressures. The collisional
shift (

δ
C

), the symmetric equivalent
collisional full width at half maximum (

w

C
,
0

), and the asymmetry parameter (

a

) are determined from the synthetic
fits at various pressures. All the parameters are observed to vary
linearly with pressure over the entire range of the pressure values
tested. The mechanisms that cause the asymmetry in the absorption
spectra are also discussed.
Rapid trace element analysis of microgram soft materials with cryogenic milling and laser ablation spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Yuanchao , Hsieh Yi-Kong , Wong Conrad , Ahmed Irfan , Ahmed Rafay , Shehzad Khan Muhammad , Cheung Richard Y. H. , Wang Chu-Fang , Lau Condon
Published: August 2020

Trace element analysis of soft materials, to determine the content of low concentration elements, is important in many industries such as food quality control and medical biopsy analysis. Many of these applications would benefit from faster analysis with smaller sample requirements. Further, some natural samples are soft and have high water content, which brings challenges to element analysis. Here, we develop a cryogenic pelletization pretreatment to address those challenges. The soft samples are cryogenically milled, freeze-dried, and pelletized before elemental analysis. Analysis is performed by laser ablation spectroscopy, the combination of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS), to rapidly analyze light and heavy analytes. For this initial study, aluminum (Al) content in soft samples is determined by LIBS and lead (Pb) content by LA-ICP-MS. The standard addition method is performed to build calibration curves for element quantification. The measurements are compared with a Hong Kong government certified acid digestion and ICP-MS procedure. The experiment is performed on standard reference materials and selected food samples. The relative errors compared with certified measurements are less than 10% for all samples, with Al content ranging from 63–1466 µg/g and Pb content from 0.37–2.35 µg/g (dry mass). Microscopy of pellets shows that laser ablation spectroscopy can be performed with 100 µg of sample (dry mass). Total analysis time from raw sample to final measurement, including preparation, is under 1 h. The results indicate that the laser ablation spectroscopy with cryogenic pelletization is a promising technique for many applications such as screening of small food samples for toxic metals and trace element analysis of millimeter biopsies.
Absence of a perfect intermediate reference wavefront for anamorphic systems
Authors: Tessmer Manuel
Published: August 2020

An exact reference wavefront for a single paraxial surface that provides two perpendicular remote image lines instead of a single focal point has not been provided in the recent literature. A naïve estimate would state that it may have a toric form. We provide a proof for the nonexistence of an exact toric reference wavefront for intermediate spaces in cross-cylindic symmetrical optical systems where the two principal images do not coincide. As it will be shown, such a shape exists only at the second order in the coordinates

x

and

y

in departure from a plane.
Equilibrium temperature of a spectral selective solar light absorber with angular dependent thermal emissivity
Authors: Chen Jinnan , Chen Liang-Yao , Guo Junpeng
Published: August 2020

We develop an angular dependent thermal emissivity model by using the directional radiation pattern of short dipole antennas randomly oriented on a surface to predict the maximally achievable equilibrium temperature of spectral selective solar light absorbers. Equilibrium temperatures of ideal spectral selective solar light absorbers are calculated with the new surface thermal emissivity model.
Ring-artifacts removal for photon-counting CT
Authors: An Kang , Wang Jue , Zhou Rifeng , Liu Fenglin , Wu Weiwen
Published: August 2020

Ring artifacts usually appear in photon counting computed tomography (PCCT) images, which may compromise image quality and cause non-uniformity bias. This study proposed a fast ring artifacts removal method by exploring the correlation from projections with different views for PCCT. This method has three advantages. First, our method only employ mean projection of current scan to correct projections without additional scans. Second, our method can correct the inconsistency of all detector pixels simultaneously without locating the inconsistent response pixels. Third, it can preserve reconstructed image details well without extra computational cost. Both numerical and preclinical experiments demonstrate the proposed method can suppress the ring artifacts very well than the competitors.
Effect of p-doping on the intensity noise of epitaxial quantum dot lasers on silicon
Authors: Duan Jianan , Zhou Yueguang , Dong Bozhang , Huang Heming , Norman Justin C. , Jung Daehwan , Zhang Zeyu , Wang Cheng , Bowers John E. , Grillot Frédéric
Published: August 2020

This work experimentally investigates the impact of p-doping on the relative intensity noise (RIN) properties and subsequently on the modulation properties of semiconductor quantum dot (QD) lasers epitaxially grown on silicon. Owing to the low threading dislocation density and the p-modulation doped GaAs barrier layer in the active region, the RIN level is found very stable with temperature with a minimum value of

−

150

d
B

/

H
z

. The dynamical features extracted from the RIN spectra show that p-doping between zero and 20 holes/dot strongly modifies the modulation properties and gain nonlinearities through increased internal losses in the active region and thereby hinders the maximum achievable bandwidth. Overall, this Letter is important for designing future high-speed and low-noise QD devices integrated in future photonic integrated circuits.
Single-layer dual-frequency unit for multifunction OAM reflectarray applications at the microwave range
Authors: Huang Hui-Fen , Li Shuai-Nan
Published: August 2020

This Letter presents a single-layer, dual-frequency unit for generating orbital angular momentum (OAM) in the microwave range. The unit cell consists of a square frame and two concentric rings with branches. The developed units can produce multifunctional OAM with required OAM mode, beam number, and direction. To demonstrate this versatility, three reflectarrays operating at dual frequencies are designed, and one is fabricated and measured to validate the design. The reflectarray has the following advantages: high gain (15.4dBi at 10 GHz, 20.3dBi at 20 GHz), high aperture efficiency (13.53% at 10 GHz, 10.33% at 20 GHz), low divergence angle (7.5°at 10 GHz, 6° at 20 GHz), small size, and compactness in the form of a single-layer structure. The designed multifunctional reflectarray has potential applications in remote sensing, point-to-point communication, satellite communications, and others.