bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Promoting Gender Equality, SDG5 in Gymnastics
Authors: Ávalos-Ramos MªAlejandra , Merma-Molina Gladys , Vega-Ramirez Lilyan
Published: March 2020

The training of future teachers of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (PAS) must offer learning that ensures comprehensive training. The social demand and the international call to achieve global objectives to overcome any problems associated with health, education or gender differences, makes training and awareness approach necessary for these future professionals. This area, where Olympic values such as respect, excellence and friendship are paramount, has much to offer in addressing these issues. Gender differences in spaces that are still masculinized such as the sports world are a worrying issue; within sports disciplines, the various gymnastic specialties are a traditional area from which to contribute. The aim of this study is to identify the prior knowledge of PAS students in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to implement and assess a teaching action to contribute to the specific training of students on the SDGs and specifically on SDG5: Gender Equality. This way, the teaching strategy has contributed to the awareness of university students towards these objectives and goals, to the identification and description of the main initiatives from the Royal Spanish Gymnastics Federation (RFEG) associated with the development of SDG 5, as well as to the design of possible actions to reduce gender differences and inequalities in the gymnastic environment.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Supersonic Non-ideal Flows for Organic Rankine Cycle Applications
Authors: Robertson Miles , Newton Peter , Chen Tao , Costall Aaron , Martinez-Botas Ricardo
Published: March 2020

The organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is low-grade heat recovery technology, for sources as diverse as geothermal, industrial, and vehicle waste heat. The working fluids used within these systems often display significant real-gas effects, especially in proximity of the thermodynamic critical point. Three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is commonly used for performance prediction and flow field analysis within expanders, but experimental validation with real gases is scarce within the literature. This paper therefore presents a dense-gas blowdown facility constructed at Imperial College London, for experimentally validating numerical simulations of these fluids. The system-level design process for the blowdown rig is described, including the sizing and specification of major components. Tests with refrigerant R1233zd(E) are run for multiple inlet pressures, against a nitrogen baseline case. CFD simulations are performed, with the refrigerant modeled by ideal gas, Peng–Robinson, and Helmholtz energy equations of state. It is shown that increases in fluid model fidelity lead to reduced deviation between simulation and experiment. Maximum and mean discrepancies of 9.59% and 8.12% in nozzle pressure ratio with the Helmholtz energy EoS are reported. This work demonstrates an over-prediction of pressure ratio and power output within commercial CFD packages, for turbomachines operating in non-ideal fluid environments. This suggests a need for further development and experimental validation of CFD simulations for highly non-ideal flows. The data contained within this paper are therefore of vital importance for the future validation and development of CFD methods for dense-gas turbomachinery.
Surface Current Improvement of Magnesium-Doped Hexagonal Boron Nitride Monolayer by Additional Nitrogen Gas Flow
Authors: Wang Yuejin , Liu Guozhen , Lu Shiqiang , Guo Bin , Zhang Hongye , Xu Fuchun , Chen Xiaohong , Cai Duanjun , Kang Junyong
Published: March 2020

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is the most well-known wide band gap two-dimensional (2D) material (> 6 eV). To achieve its applications in optoelectronic devices, the conductance of h-BN must be implemented to the extent that it can be fabricated into a p–n junction. Here, we demonstrate a method to improve the surface current of p-type h-BN monolayer by introducing additional nitrogen gas flow during growth. First-principles calculations were conducted to show that nitrogen atmosphere can promote the formation of boron vacancy, making a low barrier site for Mg doping incorporation. Magnesium-doped h-BN monolayer was achieved using a low pressure chemical vapor deposition method under N2 flux. The surface current has been enhanced by three times up to 16 μA under 4 V external voltage. This approach provides potential applications of controllable conductive h-BN film for two-dimensional optoelectronic devices.
Fatigue Crack Growth for Ferritic Steel Under Negative Stress Ratio
Authors: Yamaguchi Yoshihito , Hasegawa Kunio , Li Yinsheng
Published: March 2020

The phenomenon of crack closure is important in the prediction of fatigue crack growth behavior. Many experimental data indicate crack closures during fatigue crack growths both under tensile–tensile loads and tensile–compressive loads at constant amplitude loading cycles, depending on the magnitude of applied load amplitudes and stress ratios. Appendix A-4300 of the ASME Code Section XI provides two equations of fatigue crack growth rates for ferritic steels expressed by stress intensity factor ranges at negative stress ratios. The boundary of the two equations is classified with the magnitude of applied stress intensity factor ranges, in consideration of the crack closures. However, the boundary value provided by the ASME Code Section XI is not technically well known. The objective of this paper is to investigate the influence of the magnitudes of the applied stress intensity factor ranges on the crack closures. Fatigue crack growth tests using ferritic steel specimens were performed in air environment at room and high temperatures. From the crack closures obtained by the tests, it was found a new boundary which is smaller than the definition given by the Appendix A-4300.
A Numerical Study of the Effects of the Velocity Ratio on Coflow Jet Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Xinchen , Chin Rey C.
Published: March 2020

In this study, large eddy simulations (LES) of turbulent coflow jets are performed and designed to investigate the effects of the jet-to-coflow velocity ratio, Vr, on jet characteristics. A fully developed turbulent pipe flow at Re=10,000, based on the bulk velocity and pipe diameter, is employed as the jet outlet in this work. A comparison between laminar and turbulent jets is performed against the experimental results of a jet produced by a fully developed turbulent pipe flow. For the coflow jet, simulations with different jet-to-coflow velocity ratios (Vr = 3, 6, 12, and ∞) are performed to investigate the turbulence intensities and the decay of the centerline velocity of the jet. The results give two constant decay rates: Ku≈0.144 for single-phase jets and Ku≈0.133 for particle-laden jets. With a decrease in Vr (i.e., a higher coflow velocity), the results show a higher peak value and a larger droop rate for turbulence intensities. This study is then extended to investigate particle distribution under a two-way coupling regime, using a Lagrangian framework. The particle velocity and distribution along the jet centerline, and the particle clustering and radial probability distribution in the jet downstream domain are analyzed with the same coflow jet parameters. The particles tend to move faster and distribute preferentially in the center region with a decrease in Vr, which agrees with the increasing turbulence intensities along the jet centerline in the present work.
The association between jaw-opening strength, geniohyoid muscle thickness and echo intensity measured by ultrasound
Authors: Miura Yuka , Nakagami Gojiro , Tohara Haruka , Ogawa Nami , Sanada Hiromi
Published: March 2020

Aim: Jaw-opening strength is an indicator of swallowing function including hyoid bone elevation. Geniohyoid muscles play an important role during hyoid bone elevation. This study aimed to investigate whether geniohyoid muscle thickness and echo intensity measured by ultrasonography were related to jaw-opening strength.Material and methods: Sixty-eight participants (39 men) with an average age of 77±7.7 years were recruited from a functional training health care facility. We measured muscle thickness and echo intensity of the geniohyoid muscle on transverse ultrasound images.Results: Age, calf circumference, grip strength, muscle thickness and echo intensity were significantly associated with jaw-opening strength in univariate analyses. After adjusting for grip strength in multiple regression analysis, geniohyoid muscle thickness and echo intensity were significantly associated with jaw-opening strength (β=0.29 for muscle thickness, β=−0.26 for echo intensity).Conclusions: There was a positive correlation between geniohyoid muscle thickness and jaw-opening strength; echo intensity negatively correlated with jaw-opening strength. Ultrasound evaluation of geniohyoid muscle status provides important information about maintaining jaw-opening strength.
Lung ultrasound is useful in oncohematologic patients with respiratory dysfunction admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU): a pilot study
Authors: Gomez Ravetti Cecilia , Ataide Thiago Braganca Lana Silveira , Barreto Lidia Miranda , Bastos Fabricio De Lima , Gomes Angelica Gomide dos Reis , Detoffol Renan Braganca , Marinho Carolina Coimbra , Nobre Vandack
Published: March 2020

Aims: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a sequential lung ultrasound score (LUS) in immunosuppressed patients with oncohematologic diseases and acute respiratory dysfunction hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU).Materials and methods: LUS was calculated at ICU admission, after 24 h, 48 h and at discharge. A score ranging from 0 to 26 was attributed according to the number of B lines, presence of lung consolidation and pleural effusion.Results: Twenty-six patients were included. The median age was 50 years [interquartile range (IQR) 21] and 14 (54%) were male. LUS on the day of ICU admission was significantly higher in non-survivors compared to survivors (13 [5] vs 9 [9], respectively; p=0.047). The median delta LUS (LUS_D2 – LUS_D1) did not show difference between survivors and non-survivors (2 [0-7.5] vs 1 [-1.5 – 5], p=0.33). Among patients initially submitted to noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV), no difference in LUS at inclusion or after 24 h was found between those who succeeded or failed on this support.Conclusion: The use of LUS to quantify lung aeration loss in oncohematologic patients hospitalized in an ICU due to acute respiratory dysfunction might be a helpful tool to predict the severity of the illness.
Dependence of skull surface wave propagation on stimulation sites and direction under bone conduction
Authors: Dobrev Ivo , Farahmandi Tahmine S. , Sim Jae Hoon , Pfiffner Flurin , Huber Alexander M. , Röösli Christof
Published: March 2020

In order to better understand bone conduction sound propagation across the skull, three-dimensional (3D) wave propagation on the skull surface was studied, along with its dependence on stimulation direction and location of a bone conduction hearing aid (BCHA) actuator. Experiments were conducted on five Thiel embalmed whole head cadaver specimens. Stimulation, in the 0.1–10 kHz range, was sequentially applied at the forehead and mastoid via electromagnetic actuators from commercial BCHAs, supported by a 5-N steel band. The head response was quantified by sequentially measuring the 3D motion of ∼200 points (∼15–20 mm pitch) across the ipsilateral, top, and contralateral skull surface via a 3D laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) system, guided by a robotic positioner. Low-frequency stimulation (<1 kHz) resulted in a spatially complex rigid-body-like motion of the skull that depended on both the stimulation condition and head support. The predominant motion direction was only 5–10 dB higher than other components below 1 kHz, with no predominance at higher frequencies. Sound propagation direction across the parietal plates did not coincide with stimulation location, potentially due to the head base and forehead remaining rigid-like at higher frequencies and acting as a large source for the deformation patterns across the parietal sections.
Sequential Vertical Shear Fractures of the Medial Malleolus in a High School Football Player: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Vajapey Sravya , Miller Timothy L.
Published: March 2020

We report a case of bilateral vertical shear (pilon variant) medial malleolar fractures in a high school football player that occurred 1 year apart. The player was able to return to his sport after surgical fixation. Treatment of ankle fractures sustained in the athletic setting is dictated by the fracture location and morphology with vertical shear injuries of the medial malleolus commonly requiring surgical plate stabilization. Appropriate knowledge of risk factors and optimal management of these injuries is imperative, given that delayed union or nonunion may result in debilitating consequences for young athletes with extensive time away from sports participation.
Mitigating cavitation erosion using biomimetic gas-entrapping microtextured surfaces (GEMS)
Authors: Gonzalez-Avila Silvestre Roberto , Nguyen Dang Minh , Arunachalam Sankara , Domingues Eddy M. , Mishra Himanshu , Ohl Claus-Dieter
Published: March 2020

Insect-inspired surfaces repel bubble jets.
Two-photon quantum interference and entanglement at 2.1 μm
Authors: Prabhakar Shashi , Shields Taylor , Dada Adetunmise C. , Ebrahim Mehdi , Taylor Gregor G. , Morozov Dmitry , Erotokritou Kleanthis , Miki Shigehito , Yabuno Masahiro , Terai Hirotaka , Gawith Corin , Kues Michael , Caspani Lucia , Hadfield Robert H. , Clerici Matteo
Published: March 2020

Our results show a viable route to free-space quantum-secured communication in an unexplored atmospheric transparency window.
Twist again: Dynamically and reversibly controllable chirality in liquid crystalline elastomer microposts
Authors: Waters James T. , Li Shucong , Yao Yuxing , Lerch Michael M. , Aizenberg Michael , Aizenberg Joanna , Balazs Anna C.
Published: March 2020

Simulations show that a liquid crystalline elastomer post can be made to twist with both left and right chirality with light.
Targeted gene silencing in vivo by platelet membrane–coated metal-organic framework nanoparticles
Authors: Zhuang Jia , Gong Hua , Zhou Jiarong , Zhang Qiangzhe , Gao Weiwei , Fang Ronnie H. , Zhang Liangfang
Published: March 2020

Platelet-mimicking nanoparticles enable the targeted delivery of small interfering RNA to tumors for anticancer therapy.
This is real
Authors: Thorp H. Holden
Published: March 2020

Last week, we ran what is likely to be one of the most widely read
Science
news stories ever—an interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Fauci was strikingly candid about his desire for extraordinary measures to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and he was unusually direct about the challenges in getting the administration to see how important it is for the country to maintain social distancing.
MAP4K4 negatively regulates CD8 T cell–mediated antitumor and antiviral immunity
Authors: Esen Emel , Sergin Ismail , Jesudason Rajiv , Himmels Patricia , Webster Joshua D. , Zhang Hua , Xu Min , Piskol Robert , McNamara Erin , Gould Stephen , Capietto Aude-Hélène , Delamarre Lélia , Walsh Kevin , Ye Weilan
Published: March 2020

MAP4K4 inhibition augments CD8 T cell antitumor and antiviral responses.
Temporal variations in rockfall and rock-wall retreat rates in a deglaciated valley over the past 11 k.y.
Authors: Mohadjer Solmaz , Ehlers Todd A. , Nettesheim Matthias , Ott Marco B. , Glotzbach Christoph , Drews Reinhard
Published: March 2020

This study addresses the temporal variations in rockfall activity in the 5.2 km2 calcareous cliffs of the deglaciated Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland. We did this using 19 campaigns of repeated terrestrial laser scans (TLS) over 5.2 yr, power-law predicted behavior from extrapolation of the TLS-derived frequency-magnitude relationship, and estimates of long-time-scale (∼11 k.y.) activity based on the volume of preserved postglacial rockfall talus. Results from the short-time-scale observations indicate no statistically significant difference between TLS observations averaging over 1.5 versus 5.2 yr. Rock-wall retreat rates in both cases are 0.03–0.08 mm/yr. In contrast, the power-law predicted rock-wall retreat rates are 0.14–0.22 mm/yr, and long-term rates from talus volumes are 0.27–0.38 mm/yr. These results suggest (1) short (1.5 yr) TLS inventories of rockfalls provide (within uncertainties) similar frequency-magnitude relationships as longer (5.2 yr) inventories, thereby suggesting short observation periods may be sufficient for hazard characterization from TLS, and (2) higher rock-wall retreat rates over long time scales (Holocene averaged) may reflect debuttressing and stress relaxation effects after glacial retreat, and/or enhanced rockfall activity under periglacial (climatic) conditions.
Climatically driven displacement on the Eglington fault, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Authors: Springer Kathleen B. , Pigati Jeffrey S.
Published: March 2020

The Eglington fault is one of several intrabasinal faults in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, USA, and is the only one recognized as a source for significant earthquakes. Its broad warp displaces Late Pleistocene spring deposits of the Las Vegas Formation, which record hydrologic fluctuations that occurred in response to millennial- and submillennial-scale climate oscillations throughout the late Quaternary. The sediments allow us to constrain the timing of displacement on the Eglington fault and identify hydrologic changes that are temporally coincident with that event. The fault deforms deposits that represent widespread marshes that filled the valley between ca. 31.7 and 27.6 ka. These marshes desiccated abruptly in response to warming and groundwater lowering during Dansgaard-Oeschger (D-O) events 4 and 3, resulting in the formation of a pervasive, hard carbonate cap by 27.0 ka. Vertical offset by as much as 4.2 m occurred after the cap hardened, and most likely after younger marshes desiccated irreversibly due to a sudden depression of the water table during D-O event 2, beginning at 23.3 ka. The timing of displacement is further constrained to before 19.5 ka as evidenced by undeformed spring deposits that are inset into the incised topography of the warp. Coulomb stress calculations validate the hypothesis that the substantial groundwater decline during D-O event 2 unclamped the fault through unloading of vertical stress of the water column. The synchroneity of this abrupt hydrologic change and displacement of the Eglington fault suggests that climatically modulated tectonics operated in the Las Vegas Valley during the late Quaternary.
Radiocarbon dating supports bivalve-fish age coupling along a bathymetric gradient in high-resolution paleoenvironmental studies
Authors: Albano Paolo G. , Hua Quan , Kaufman Darrell S. , Tomašových Adam , Zuschin Martin , Agiadi Konstantina
Published: March 2020

Studies of paleocommunities and trophic webs assume that multispecies assemblages consist of species that coexisted in the same habitat over the duration of time averaging. However, even species with similar durability can differ in age within a single fossil assemblage. Here, we tested whether skeletal remains of different phyla and trophic guilds, the most abundant infaunal bivalve shells and nektobenthic fish otoliths, differed in radiocarbon age in surficial sediments along a depth gradient from 10 to 40 m on the warm-temperate Israeli shelf, and we modeled their dynamics of taphonomic loss. We found that, in spite of the higher potential of fishes for out-of-habitat transport after death, differences in age structure within depths were smaller by almost an order of magnitude than differences between depths. Shell and otolith assemblages underwent depth-specific burial pathways independent of taxon identity, generating death assemblages with comparable time averaging, and supporting the assumption of temporal and spatial co-occurrence of mollusks and fishes.
Clinical and laboratory characteristics of ocular syphilis and neurosyphilis among individuals with and without HIV infection
Authors: Mathew Dony , Smit Derrick
Published: March 2020

Background/aims

In the era of increasing incidence of syphilis globally, ocular syphilis is re-emerging as an important cause of uveitis. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and laboratory characteristics of ocular- and neurosyphilis among individuals with and without HIV infection.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with ocular syphilis presenting to Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa, over a 5-year period ending December 2018.

Results

Two-hundred and fifteen eyes of 146 patients were included. HIV coinfection was present in 52.1% of the patients, with 23.7% of these patients being newly diagnosed on presentation. The median age was 36.5±9.8 years. Bilateral involvement occurred in 47.3%, with 68.1% of these patients being HIV positive. The most frequent form of intraocular inflammation was posterior uveitis (40.9%), followed by panuveitis (38.1%), both of which were more predominant in HIV-positive eyes. Seventy-four per cent of all eyes had a visual acuity ≤20/50 and 40% <20/200 at presentation. A lumbar puncture was performed in 113 patients (77.4%). Sixteen patients had confirmed neurosyphilis and 27 probable neurosyphilis according to the UpToDate algorithms.

Conclusion

This study included the largest number of ocular syphilis cases with the largest proportion of HIV infection to date. Forty-three of 146 patients (37.0%) had neurosyphilis. HIV status must be determined in all patients with ocular syphilis since almost ¼ of patients were newly diagnosed with HIV infection by doing so.
Global, regional, and national burden of neck pain in the general population, 1990-2017: systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Authors: Safiri Saeid , Kolahi Ali-Asghar , Hoy Damian , Buchbinder Rachelle , Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Bettampadi Deepti , Ashrafi-Asgarabad Ahad , Almasi-Hashiani Amir , Smith Emma , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Cross Marita , Qorbani Mostafa , Moradi-Lakeh Maziar , Woolf Anthony D , March Lyn , Collins Gary , Ferreira Manuela L
Published: March 2020

Objective

To use data from the Global Burden of Disease Study between 1990 and 2017 to report the rates and trends of point prevalence, annual incidence, and years lived with disability for neck pain in the general population of 195 countries.

Design

Systematic analysis.

Data source

Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017.

Main outcome measures

Numbers and age standardised rates per 100 000 population of neck pain point prevalence, annual incidence, and years lived with disability were compared across regions and countries by age, sex, and sociodemographic index. Estimates were reported with uncertainty intervals.

Results

Globally in 2017 the age standardised rates for point prevalence of neck pain per 100 000 population was 3551.1 (95% uncertainty interval 3139.5 to 3977.9), for incidence of neck pain per 100 000 population was 806.6 (713.7 to 912.5), and for years lived with disability from neck pain per 100 000 population was 352.0 (245.6 to 493.3). These estimates did not change significantly between 1990 and 2017. The global point prevalence of neck pain in 2017 was higher in females compared with males, although this was not significant at the 0.05 level. Prevalence increased with age up to 70-74 years and then decreased. Norway (6151.2 (95% uncertainty interval 5382.3 to 6959.8)), Finland (5750.3 (5058.4 to 6518.3)), and Denmark (5316 (4674 to 6030.1)) had the three highest age standardised point prevalence estimates in 2017. The largest increases in age standardised point prevalence estimates from 1990 to 2017 were in the United Kingdom (14.6% (10.6% to 18.8%)), Sweden (10.4% (6.0% to 15.4%)), and Kuwait (2.6% (2.0% to 3.2%)). In general, positive associations, but with fluctuations, were found between age standardised years lived with disability for neck pain and sociodemographic index at the global level and for all Global Burden of Disease regions, suggesting the burden is higher at higher sociodemographic indices.

Conclusions

Neck pain is a serious public health problem in the general population, with the highest burden in Norway, Finland, and Denmark. Increasing population awareness about risk factors and preventive strategies for neck pain is warranted to reduce the future burden of this condition.
Percutaneous cervical cordotomy for cancer-related pain: national data
Authors: Poolman Marlise , Makin Matthew , Briggs Jess , Scofield Kate , Campkin Nick , Williams Michael , Sharma Manohar Lal , Laird Barry , Mayland Catriona R
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Percutaneous cervical cordotomy (PCC) is an interventional ablative procedure in the armamentarium for cancer pain treatment, but there is limited evidence to support its use. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of PCC.

Methods

Analysis was undertaken of the first national (UK) prospective data repository of adult patients with cancer undergoing PCC for pain treatment. The relationship between pain and other outcomes before and after PCC was examined using appropriate statistical methods.

Results

Data on 159 patients’ PCCs (performed from 1 January 2012 to 6 June 2017 in three centres) were assessed: median (IQR) age was 66 (58–71) years, 47 (30%) were female. Mesothelioma was the most common primary malignancy (57%). The median (IQR) time from cancer diagnosis to PCC assessment was 13.3 (6.2–23.2) months; PCC to follow-up was 9 (8–25) days; and survival after PCC was 1.3 (0.6–2.8) months. The mean (SD) for ‘average pain’ using a numerical rating scale was 6 (2) before PCC and 2 (2) at follow-up, and for ‘worst pain’ 9 (1) and 3 (3), respectively. The median (IQR) reduction in strong opioid dose at follow-up was 50% (34–50). With the exception of ‘activity’, all health-related quality of life scores (5-level version of EuroQol-5 Dimension) either improved or were stable after PCC. Six patients (4%) had PCC-related adverse events.

Conclusions

PCC is an effective treatment for cancer pain; however, findings in this study suggest PCC referrals tended to be late in patients’ disease trajectories. Further study into earlier treatment and seeking international consensus on PCC outcomes will further enhance opportunities to improve patient care.
Diagnostic ileocolonoscopy: getting the basics right
Authors: Choy Matthew C , Matharoo Manmeet , Thomas-Gibson Siwan
Published: March 2020

Proficient colonoscopy technique that optimises patient comfort while simultaneously enhancing the timely detection of pathology and subsequent therapy is an aspirational and achievable goal for every endoscopist. This article aims to provide strategies to improve colonoscopy quality for both endoscopists and patients.
Longitudinal NK cell kinetics and cytotoxicity in children with neuroblastoma enrolled in a clinical phase II trial
Authors: Nguyen Rosa , Sahr Natasha , Sykes April , McCarville Mary Beth , Federico Sara M , Sooter Amanda , Cullins David , Rooney Barbara , Janssen William E , Talleur Aimee C , Triplett Brandon M , Anthony Gwendolyn , Dyer Michael A , Pappo Alberto S , Leung Wing H , Furman Wayne L
Published: March 2020

Background

Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the main effector populations of immunotherapy with monoclonal antibody and cytokines, used in combination with chemotherapy to treat children with high-risk neuroblastoma on this phase II trial. However, the impact of chemoimmunotherapy on NK cell kinetics, phenotype, and function is understudied.

Methods

We prospectively examined NK cell properties from 63 children with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma enrolled in a phase II trial (NCT01857934) and correlated our findings with tumor volume reduction after 2 courses of chemoimmunotherapy. NK cell studies were conducted longitudinally during chemoimmunotherapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT) with optional haploidentical NK cell infusion and additional immunotherapy.

Results

Chemoimmunotherapy led to significant NK cytopenia, but complete NK cell recovery reliably occurred by day 21 of each therapy course as well as after autoHCT. Haploidentical NK cell infusion elevated the NK cell count transiently during autoHCT. NK cell cytotoxicity increased significantly during treatment compared with diagnosis. In addition, NK cells maintained their ability to respond to cytokine stimulation in culture longitudinally. Unsupervised cluster analysis of CD56brightNK cell count and tumor volume at diagnosis and after two courses of chemoimmunotherapy identified two patient groups with distinct primary tumor sizes and therapy responses.

Conclusion

After profound NK cytopenia due to chemoimmunotherapy, endogenously reconstituted NK cells exhibit enhanced NK cytotoxicity compared with pretherapy measurements. Our data suggest a relationship between CD56brightexpression and tumor size before and after two courses of chemoimmunotherapy; however, future studies are necessary to confirm this relationship and its predictive significance.

Trial registration number

NCT01857934.
Developing physician leaders: does it work?
Authors: Stoller James K
Published: March 2020

Background

Leader development programmes are signature features of frontrunner multinational companies. Healthcare institutions have generally lagged behind, though attention to implementing leader development programmes in healthcare institutions is increasing. The rationale for leader development in healthcare is that leadership competencies matter and that traditional selection and training of physicians may conspire against both optimal leadership competencies and followership.

Methods

The growth of leader development in healthcare institutions begs the question: Does leader development work?

Results

In this context, three meta-analyses have examined the impact of leader development programmes in healthcare institutions. In general, findings from these studies indicate that while studies do assess the subjective learning of participants, few studies have evaluated the organisational impact of such leader development programmes.

Conclusions

These findings suggest the need for more rigorous, objective assessment of the organisational impact of leader development programmes in healthcare institutions. Such evidence is critically needed in the current resource-constrained environment of healthcare.
Allocation of scarce biospecimens for use in research
Authors: Pierson Leah , Gibert Sophia , Berkman Benjamin , Danis Marion , Millum Joseph
Published: March 2020

Hundreds of millions of rare biospecimens are stored in laboratories and biobanks around the world. Often, the researchers who possess these specimens do not plan to use them, while other researchers limit the scope of their work because they cannot acquire biospecimens that meet their needs. This situation raises an important and underexplored question: how should scientists allocate biospecimens that they do not intend to use? We argue that allocators should aim to maximise the social value of the research enterprise when allocating scarce biospecimens. We provide an ethical framework for assessing the social value of proposed research projects and describe how the framework could be implemented.
Assessing data protection and governance in health information systems: a novel methodology of Privacy and Ethics Impact and Performance Assessment (PEIPA)
Authors: Di Iorio Concetta Tania , Carinci Fabrizio , Oderkirk Jillian , Smith David , Siano Manuela , de Marco Dorotea Alessandra , de Lusignan Simon , Hamalainen Paivi , Benedetti Massimo Massi
Published: March 2020

Background

Data processing of health research databases often requires a Data Protection Impact Assessment to evaluate the severity of the risk and the appropriateness of measures taken to comply with the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We aimed to define and apply a comprehensive method for the evaluation of privacy, data governance and ethics among research networks involved in the EU Project Bridge Health.

Methods

Computerised survey among associated partners of main EU Consortia, using a targeted instrument designed by the principal investigator and progressively refined in collaboration with an international advisory panel. Descriptive measures using the percentage of adoption of privacy, data governance and ethical principles as main endpoints were used for the analysis and interpretation of the results.

Results

A total of 15 centres provided relevant information on the processing of sensitive data from 10 European countries. Major areas of concern were noted for: data linkage (median, range of adoption: 45%, 30%–80%), access and accuracy of personal data (50%, 0%–100%) and anonymisation procedures (56%, 11%–100%). A high variability was noted in the application of privacy principles.

Conclusions

A comprehensive methodology of Privacy and Ethics Impact and Performance Assessment was successfully applied at international level. The method can help implementing the GDPR and expanding the scope of Data Protection Impact Assessment, so that the public benefit of the secondary use of health data could be well balanced with the respect of personal privacy.
The summer soundscape of a shallow-water estuary used by beluga whales in the western Canadian Arctic
Authors: Halliday William D. , Scharffenberg Kevin , Whalen Dustin , MacPhee Shannon A. , Loseto Lisa L. , Insley Stephen J.
Published: March 2020

The soundscape is an important habitat component for marine animals. In the Arctic, marine conditions are changing rapidly due to sea ice loss and increased anthropogenic activities such as shipping, which will influence the soundscape. Here, we assess the contributors to the summer soundscape in the shallow waters of the Mackenzie River estuary within the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area in the western Canadian Arctic, a core summering habitat for beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas Pallas, 1776). We collected passive acoustic data during the summer over four years, and assessed the influence of physical variables, beluga whale vocalizations, and boat noise on sound pressure levels in three frequency bands (low: 0.2–1 kHz; medium: 1–10 kHz; high: 10–48 kHz) to quantify the soundscape. Wind speed, wave height, beluga vocalizations, and boat noise were all large contributors to the soundscape in various frequency bands. The soundscape varied to a lesser degree between sites, time of day, and with tide height, but remained relatively constant between years. This study is the first detailed description of a shallow summer soundscape in the western Canadian Arctic, an important habitat for beluga whales, and can be used as a baseline to monitor future changes during this season.
Regularization of electroweak monopole by charge screening and BPS energy bound
Authors: Zhang Pengming , Zou Liping , Cho Y. M.
Published: March 2020

We show that the electroweak monopole can be regularized with a non-vacuum electromagnetic permittivity. This allows us to set a new BPS bound for the monopole mass, which implies that the mass may not be smaller than 2.98 TeV, more probably 3.75 TeV. We demonstrate that the same method can also regularize the Dirac monopole, which enhances the possibility to construct the Dirac monopole of mass of a few hundred meV in condensed matters. We discuss the physical implications of our result.
An adaptive Flying Ad-hoc Network (FANET) for disaster response operations to improve quality of service (QoS)
Authors: Pandey Ankur , Shukla Piyush Kumar , Agrawal Ratish
Published: March 2020

Flying Ad-hoc Networks (FANETs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are widely utilized in various rescues, disaster management and military operations nowadays. The limited battery power and high mobility of UAVs create problems like small flight duration and unproductive routing. In this paper, these problems will be reduced by using efficient hybrid K-Means-Fruit Fly Optimization Clustering Algorithm (KFFOCA). The performance and efficiency of K-Means clustering is improved by utilizing the Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm (FFOA) and the results are analyzed against other optimization techniques like CLPSO, CACONET, GWOCNET and ECRNET on the basis of several performance parameters. The simulation results show that the KFFOCA has obtained better performance than CLPSO, CACONET, GWOCNET and ECRNET based on Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), throughput, cluster building time, cluster head lifetime, number of clusters, end-to-end delay and consumed energy.
A Stable Chinese Society in 2019: Under Tightening Control
Authors: CHEN Juan , SHAN Wei
Published: March 2020

Society-wise in China, 2019 was largely devoid of violent incidents. The most significant incidents were labour rights protests in high-tech industries, and outcries from middle-class parents over food and vaccine safety hazards. As the economic slowdown and US–China trade war have posed greater challenges for Chinese society, the Party-state has sought to deepen its control of society. State-of-the-art digital technologies have been incorporated in traditional Leninist control at the grassroots, and greater efforts have been invested in promoting ideological education. While such a strategy may seem to have maintained stability and peace now, its actual effects in the long run remain to be seen.
Global Value Chains and the Innovation of the Chinese Mobile Phone Industry
Authors: XING Yuqing
Published: March 2020

The global value chain strategy, which is key to the success of the Chinese mobile phone industry, provides an effective channel for the industry to innovate and catch up with foreign competitors. The innovation activities prevented Chinese firms from falling into the low value-added trap. They have captured increasingly more value added from both home-grown and foreign brand mobile phones. The strategy has successfully nurtured a few home-grown brands, namely Huawei, OPPO and Xiaomi.
Housing Policies in Hong Kong
Authors: LIM Tai Wei
Published: March 2020

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam presented her housing policies at the 2019 annual address in broad strokes, including using ordinances to resume undeveloped land in accordance with the law. The Hong Kong government could use its regulatory power as disincentives for private development of land given the highly bureaucratic, time-consuming and expensive land development approval process. The Hong Kong government would also work jointly with private sector landlords to potentially develop public housing and profit-driven projects, which would then be negotiated based on the Hong Kong government’s terms and conditions.
Life Cycle Assessment for the Design of Chemical Processes, Products, and Supply Chains
Authors: Kleinekorte Johanna , Fleitmann Lorenz , Bachmann Marvin , Kätelhön Arne , Barbosa-Póvoa Ana , von der Assen Niklas , Bardow André
Published: March 2020

Design in the chemical industry increasingly aims not only at economic but also at environmental targets. Environmental targets are usually best quantified using the standardized, holistic method of life cycle assessment (LCA). The resulting life cycle perspective poses a major challenge to chemical engineering design because the design scope is expanded to include process, product, and supply chain. Here, we first provide a brief tutorial highlighting key elements of LCA. Methods to fill data gaps in LCA are discussed, as capturing the full life cycle is data intensive. On this basis, we review recent methods for integrating LCA into the design of chemical processes, products, and supply chains. Whereas adding LCA as a posteriori tool for decision support can be regarded as established, the integration of LCA into the design process is an active field of research. We present recent advances and derive future challenges for LCA-based design.
Nobel Laureates at ECS Meetings: Part I
Authors: Lewis John
Published: March 2020

The Electrochemical Society had the honor of hosting a keynote talk at our October biannual meeting by M. Stanley Whittingham, exactly one week after he was awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry (with John Goodenough, and Akira Yoshino) for his work on lithium ion batteries. His presence at the fall meeting in Atlanta, GA, added a level of excitement not seen since Rudolph Marcus learned of his 1992 Nobel award while at an ECS meeting. After the meeting, we investigated connections between Society meetings and the Nobel Prize, and discovered them woven together through every decade of ECS’s existence.
40 Years After: A Workplace for All
Authors: Suroviec Alice
Published: March 2020

Diversity and inclusion are key to the modern work environment. A recent study by Forbes Insights, “Global Diversity and Inclusion: Fostering Innovation through a Diverse Workforce,” produced significant findings on this. On top of the list was that diversity is a key driver of innovation and is a critical component of being successful on a global scale. According to the study, senior executives recognized that a diverse set of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds is crucial to innovation and the development of new ideas. A second finding was that a diverse and inclusive workforce is crucial for companies that want to attract and retain top talent. The competition for talent is fierce in our global economy. As such, top employers are increasingly putting plans in place to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce. Although significant progress has been made to build and retain diverse workforces, progress still needs to be made in the areas of age, gender diversity, and disability. Members will agree—The Electrochemical Society is on the forefront of diversity and inclusion.
Energy Storage for the Next Generation of Robotic Space Exploration
Authors: Bugga Ratnakumar V. , Brandon Erik J.
Published: March 2020

Energy storage technologies play an important role in powering the robotic exploration of space. Batteries can serve as either the primary power source for a mission, or augment power produced by solar arrays or radioisotope thermoelectric generators. Primary batteries have been used to power atmospheric and landed probes, with rechargeable batteries used to provide power to various spacecraft types during launches, to support peak power/load levelling needs, and to provide power during eclipse periods. Further advances in aerospace energy storage technologies are needed, in particular with respect to improving battery safety and reliability, specific energy, and extreme environment capabilities.
Effect of Nanosilica on Impermeability of Cement‐Fly Ash System
Authors: Liu Huaqing , Zhang Yan , Tong Ruiming , Zhu Zhaoqing , Lv Yang
Published: March 2020

Surface protection has been accepted as an effective way to improve the durability of concrete. In this study, nanosilica (NS) was used to improve the impermeability of cement‐fly ash system and this kind of material was expected to be applied as surface protection material (SPM) for concrete. Binders composed of 70% cement and 30% fly ash (FA) were designed and nanosilica (NS, 0–4% of the binder) was added. Pore structure of the paste samples was evaluated by MIP and the fractal dimension of the pore structure was also discussed. Hydrates were investigated by XRD, SEM, and TG; the microstructure of hydrates was analyzed with SEM‐EDS. The results showed that in the C‐FA‐NS system, NS accelerated the whole hydration of the cement‐FA system. Cement hydration was accelerated by adding NS, and probably, the pozzolanic reaction of FA was slightly hastened because NS not only consumed calcium hydroxide by the pozzolanic reaction to induce the cement hydration but also acted as nucleation seed to induce the formation of C‐S‐H gel. NS obviously refined the pore structure, increased the complexity of the pore structure, and improved the microstructure, thereby significantly improving the impermeability of the cement‐FA system. This kind of materials would be expected to be used as SPM; the interface performance between SPM and matrix, such as shrinkage and bond strength, and how to cast it onto the surface of matrix should be carefully considered.
4-Pyridinio-1,4-Dihydropyridines as Calcium Ion Transport Modulators: Antagonist, Agonist, and Dual Action
Authors: Domracheva Ilona , Kanepe-Lapsa Iveta , Vilskersts Reinis , Bruvere Imanta , Bisenieks Egils , Velena Astrida , Turovska Baiba , Duburs Gunars
Published: March 2020

A set of six new 4-pyridinio-1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) compounds has been synthesized. The calcium channel modulating activity of these compounds was evaluated in an aorta vascular smooth muscle cell line (A7R5), in an isolated rat aortic ring model, and in human neuroblastoma cell lines (SH-SY5Y). The antagonistic effect of these 1,4-DHP was tested by modulating the impact of carbachol-dependent mobilization of intracellular Ca2+in SH-SY5Y cells. The intracellular free Ca2+concentration was measured in confluent monolayers of SH-SY5Y cells and A7R5 cells with the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator Fluo-4 NW. Only four compounds showed calcium channel blocking activity in SH-SY5Y and A7R5 cells as well as in the aortic ring model. Among them, compound 3 was the most active calcium channel antagonist, which had 3 times higher activity on carbachol-activated SH-SY5Y cells than amlodipine. Two of the compounds were inactive. Compound 4 had 9 times higher calcium agonist activity than the classic DHP calcium agonist Bay K8644. The intracellular mechanism for the action of compound 4 using inhibitor analysis was elucidated. Nicotinic as well as muscarinic receptors were not involved. Sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+(SERCA) stores were not affected. Ryanodine receptors (RyRs), another class of intracellular Ca2+releasing channels, participated in the agonist response evoked by compound 4. The electrooxidation data suggest that the studied compounds could serve as antioxidants in OS.
Molecular Assessment of Resistance to Clarithromycin in Helicobacter pylori Strains Isolated from Patients with Dyspepsia by Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization in the Center of Iran
Authors: Vazirzadeh Jina , Falahi Jamal , Moghim Sharareh , Narimani Tahmineh , Rafiei Rahmatollah , Karbasizadeh Vajihe
Published: March 2020

Background and Aims. Helicobacter pylori is a common infectious bacterium mostly found in gastroduodenal diseases. The increased prevalence of clarithromycin‐resistant H. pylori strains is a major challenge in the successful treatment of infections caused by this organism. The present study is aimed at detecting the clarithromycin resistance pattern of H. pylori strains isolated from gastric biopsies and evaluating point mutations of the 23S rRNA gene. Patients and methods. In the present descriptive cross‐sectional study, 165 patients with gastrointestinal disorders, who were referred to the Endoscopy Center of Dr. Shariati Hospital of Isfahan, Iran, were enrolled from April to July 2018. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by culture, and susceptibility of the isolates to clarithromycin was assessed by the E‐test. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were obtained based on EUCAST recommendations. Also, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to determine point mutations associated with clarithromycin resistance. Results. By using culturing, H. pylori was isolated from 50.3% (83/165) gastric biopsy specimens. The overall frequency of resistance to clarithromycin was 25.3% (21/83) by the E‐test. In the resistance genotypic analysis, 19 isolates had mutations. The prevalence of A2143G and A2144G mutations was 68.4% (13/19) and 31.5% (6/19), respectively. A2143C mutation was not tracked in any isolate. Two isolates with MIC > 0.5 μg/mL had no mutations that could be related to other mechanisms of resistance. Conclusion. As presented in the study, the high prevalence of clarithromycin‐resistant H. pylori due to point mutations of the 23S rRNA gene indicates the necessity of revising the standard treatment regimen based on antibiotic susceptibility pattern of each region.