bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
pH‐Responsive Polymers for Improving the Signal‐to‐Noise Ratio of Hypoxia PET Imaging with [18F]Fluoromisonidazole
Authors: Goos Jeroen A. C. M. , Davydova Maria , Lengkeek Nigel , Greguric Ivan , Whittaker Michael R. , Quinn John F. , Baell Jonathan B. , Lewis Jason S. , Davis Thomas P.
Published: April 2020

To improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio of hypoxia positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, stimuli‐responsive polymers are designed for the delivery of the hypoxia PET tracer fluorine‐18 labeled fluoromisonidazole ([18F]FMISO). Linear poly(N‐(2‐(hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide)) polymers are functionalized with hydrazide linkers that form pH‐sensitive acyl hydrazone bonds after their conjugation to an [18F]FMISO ketone analogue. The release of the [18F]FMISO ketone analogue from the polymers is considerably faster at a lower pH and its uptake is significantly higher in cancer cells growing under acidic conditions. Additionally, the retention of the PET tracer is significantly higher in hypoxic cells compared to normoxic cells. The delivery of a PET tracer using stimuli‐responsive polymers may be an attractive strategy to improve signal‐to‐noise ratios in PET imaging.
Pork Meat Proteins Alter Gut Microbiota and Lipid Metabolism Genes in the Colon of Adaptive Immune‐Deficient Mice
Authors: Zhang Min , Zou Xiaoyu , Zhao Di , Zhao Fan , Li Chunbao
Published: April 2020

Scope

Excessive consumption of processed meat has been linked to an increasing risk of gut diseases. It is investigated how pork meat proteins affect colon homeostasis between normal and immune‐compromised mice.

Methods and results

Immune‐deficient mice (Rag1−/−) and wild‐type mice are fed a diet that contains 20% casein or protein isolated from cooked pork or dry‐cured pork for 3 months. Rag1−/− mice show greater variations in transcriptome responses and higher microbial diversity than wild‐type mice after consumption of the pork meat protein diets. Intake of pork meat protein diets also increases body weight and induces colonic oxidative stress, low‐grade inflammation, and gene expression involved in immune function, cell cycle, and migration. Key genes like Hmox1, Ppara, and Pparg are highly upregulated by pork meat protein. These changes are associated with decreased abundances of Blautia, Bifidobacterium, and Alistipes and increased abundances of Akkermansia muciniphila and Ruminococcaceae.

Conclusion

Pork meat proteins affect colon health in both wild‐type and Rag1−/− mice by altering the microbiome profile under the complex interaction with adaptive immunity. The findings herein give a new insight into the understanding of meat intake, immunity, and gut health.
Treatment validation of the Solomon‐Greenwell nomogram for female bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: Lindsay Jamie , Solomon Eskinder , Nadeem Mehwash , Pakzad Mahreen , Hamid Rizwan , Ockrim Jeremy , Greenwell Tamsin
Published: April 2020

Aim

Bladder outflow in women (bladder outlet obstruction [BOO]) has no well‐accepted defining diagnostic criteria. Various nomograms exist based on flow rates, pressure‐flow data, and fluoroscopy. We have prospectively evaluated the Solomon‐Greenwell bladder outflow obstruction nomogram (SG BOO nomogram) as a measurement of BOO resolution following targeted surgical intervention.

Methods

The routine posttreatment urodynamics of 21 unselected women with an original urodynamic diagnosis of BOO on fluoroscopy and the SG BOO nomogram (BOO boundary defined as Qmax > 2.2 Pdet.Qmax + 5) were reviewed. All women had symptomatic BOO secondary to anterior pelvic organ prolapse (aPOP), urethrovaginal fistula (UVF), previous stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery, urethral stricture (US), or urethral diverticulum (U Div). Following treatment, all presenting symptoms resolved and simple urodynamics were performed as part of routine follow‐up.

Results

The urodynamic findings preoperatively and postoperatively showed statistically significant changes posttreatment in mean flow rate which increased from 9.38 to 14.71 mL/s, mean Pdet.Qmax which decreased from 38 to 18.38 cmH2O, and mean SG BOO nomogram probability (PBOO) which reduced from PBOO = 0.68 to 0.08. Mean SG BOO nomogram PBOO was significantly reduced posttreatment in all individual categories except UVF where a nonsignificant reduction from PBOO = 0.55 to 0.05 occurred.

Conclusions

All urodynamic parameters significantly improve in women who become asymptomatic following surgical treatment of BOO. This improvement is best demonstrated by the change in probability of BOO according to the Solomon‐Greenwell nomogram. These findings underline the validity of the Solomon‐Greenwell female BOO nomogram for diagnosing and monitoring BOO in women.
Optimized truncation to integrate multi‐channel MRS data using rank‐Rsingular value decomposition
Authors: Sung Dongsuk , Risk Benjamin B. , Owusu‐Ansah Maame , Zhong Xiaodong , Mao Hui , Fleischer Candace C.
Published: April 2020

Multi‐channel phased receive arrays have been widely adopted for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS). An important step in the use of receive arrays for MRS is the combination of spectra collected from individual coil channels. The goal of this work was to implement an improved strategy termed OpTIMUS (i.e.,optimizedtruncation tointegratemulti‐channel MRS datausing rank‐Rsingular value decomposition) for combining data from individual channels. OpTIMUS relies on spectral windowing coupled with a rank‐Rdecomposition to calculate the optimal coil channel weights. MRS data acquired from a brain spectroscopy phantom and 11 healthy volunteers were first processed using a whitening transformation to remove correlated noise. Whitened spectra were then iteratively windowed or truncated, followed by a rank‐Rsingular value decomposition (SVD) to empirically determine the coil channel weights. Spectra combined using the vendor‐supplied method, signal/noise2weighting, previously reported whitened SVD (rank‐1), and OpTIMUS were evaluated using the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Significant increases in SNR ranging from 6% to 33% (P≤ 0.05) were observed for brain MRS data combined with OpTIMUS compared with the three other combination algorithms. The assumption that a rank‐1SVD maximizes SNR was tested empirically, and a higher rank‐Rdecomposition, combined with spectral windowing prior to SVD, resulted in increased SNR.
Falls After Dysvascular Transtibial Amputation: A Secondary Analysis of Falling Characteristics and Reduced Physical Performance
Authors: Anderson Chelsey B. , Miller Matthew J. , Murray Amanda M. , Fields Thomas T. , So Noel F. , Christiansen Cory L.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Over half of all people with lower limb amputation (LLA) experience at least one fall annually. Furthermore, the majority of LLAs result from dysvascular health complications, contributing to balance deficits. However, fall‐related research specific to dysvascular LLA remains limited.

Objective

To characterize falls among adults with dysvascular LLA, using an existing Fall‐Type Classification Framework and to describe the functional characteristics of participants across the framework categories.

Design

Secondary data analysis from two randomized controlled trials.

Setting

Outpatient setting.

Participants

People (n = 69) 6 months to 5 years from dysvascular lower extremity amputation, who were ≥50 years of age and independently ambulatory using a prosthesis.

Intervention

None.

Outcome

Descriptions of self‐reported falls were collected on a weekly basis for 12 weeks, and analyzed using an existing Fall‐Type Classification Framework. Fall frequencies, estimated count, and estimated proportions were compared across all framework categories, with 95% confidence intervals. Functional measures (Timed Up and Go, Two Minute Walk, Five Meter Walk, and average step count) were collected, and averages for each participant who experienced a fall were calculated.

Results

Thirty participants (43.5%) reported 42 falls within 12 weeks. A variety of fall types were described. Incidence of falls was highest for intrinsic destabilization sources, from incorrect weight shift patterns during transfer activities.

Conclusion

Patients with dysvascular LLAs experience a variety of fall types. The high frequency of intrinsically sourced, incorrect weight‐shift falls during transfer activities emphasizes the need to focus rehabilitation efforts on improving postural control in patients with dysvascular LLAs during activities such as reaching, turning, and transferring.
COVID‐19 infection in a paucisymptomatic infant: Raising the index of suspicion in epidemic settings
Authors: Canarutto Daniele , Priolo Alessio , Russo Gianni , Pitea Marco , Vigone Maria Cristina , Barera Graziano
Published: April 2020

Few children have been reported to have been affected by novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19); it is unclear whether children are less likely to be infected or rather display fewer symptoms. We present the case of a 32‐day‐old boy infected by COVID‐19 that presented with an upper air way infection which resolved spontaneously and did not require any therapy. We argue that in epidemic settings children presenting with any mild symptom potentially attributable to COVID‐19 should be considered contagious until proven otherwise, and that management must be guided by clinical conditions.
Thiocarbohydrazide based Schiff Base as a Selective Colorimetric and Fluorescent Chemosensor for Hg2+ with “Turn‐Off” Fluorescence Responses
Authors: Bhaskar R. , Sarveswari S.
Published: April 2020

An efficient thiocarbohydrazide based fluorescencesensor S5 for the selective detection of Hg2+ in semi‐aqueous medium has been successfully designed and synthesized. The absorption (UV‐Vis) and emission (fluorescence) properties of S5 were studied in various solvents. The sensor S5 displayed no distinct changes in absorption with various solvents; however some remarkable changes were noticed in fluorescence studies. Solvent dependent spectral characterization of S5 was explored via the Lippert‐Mataga plot. UV‐Vis and fluorescence studies also revealed that the sensor S5 could selectively detect Hg2+ ion over the other tested metal ions. The interaction of S5 with Hg2+ leads to colour change from colourless to yellow. The observed quenching in fluorescence intensity may be due to chelation enhanced fluorescence quenching (CHEQ). The sensing mechanism was arrived through DFT and 1H NMR titration studies. The limit of detection was found to be 1.26 nM with a wide pH range of 4–10. Moreover, sensor S5 could demonstrate sensing efficiency for lower concentrations of Hg2+ in real sample analysis. Its performance, as a test strip and in analysis of various water samples conferred its superior selectivity.
Composition and Architecture Design of Double‐Shelled Co0.85Se1−xSx@Carbon/Graphene Hollow Polyhedron with Superior Alkali (Li, Na, K)‐Ion Storage
Authors: Wang Chunhui , Zhang Bao , Xia Haifeng , Cao Liang , Luo Bi , Fan Xinming , Zhang Jiafeng , Ou Xing
Published: April 2020

The exploration of materials with reversible and stable electrochemical performance is crucial in energy storage, which can (de) intercalate all the alkali‐metal ions (Li+, Na+, and K+). Although transition‐metal chalcogenides are investigated continually, the design and controllable preparation of hierarchical nanostructure and subtle composite withstable properties are still great challenges. Herein, component‐optimal Co0.85Se1−xSx nanoparticles are fabricated by in situ sulfidization of metal organic framework, which are wrapped by the S‐doped graphene, constructing a hollow polyhedron framework with double carbon shells (CoSSe@C/G). Benefiting from the synergistic effect of composition regulation and architecture design by S‐substitution, the electrochemical kinetic is enhanced by the boosted electrochemistry‐active sites, and the volume variation is mitigated by the designed structure, resulting in the advanced alkali‐ion storage performance. Thus, it delivers an outstanding reversible capacity of 636.2 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1 after 1400 cycles for Li‐ion batteries. Remarkably, satisfactory initial charge capacities of 548.1 and 532.9 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 can be obtained for Na‐ion and K‐ion batteries, respectively. The prominent performance combined with the theory calculation confirms that the synergistic strategy can improve the alkali‐ion transportation and structure stability, providing an instructive guide for designing high‐performance anode materials for universal alkali‐ion storage.
Phase‐Regulated Sensing Mechanism of MoS2 Based Nanohybrids toward Point‐of‐Care Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Ying Zi , Feng Lingyan , Ji Dongqing , Zhang Yuan , Chen Wei , Dai Yifan , Janyasupab Metini , Li Xinxin , Wen Weijia , Liu Chung‐Chiun
Published: April 2020

Alpha‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase (AMACR) has been proven to be consistently overexpressed in prostate cancer epitheliums, and is expected to act as a positive biomarker for the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma in clinical practice. Here, a strategy for specific determination of AMACR in real human serum by using an electrochemical microsensor system is presented. In order to implement the protocol, a self‐organized nanohybrid consisting of metal nanopillars in a 2D MoS2 matrix is developed as material for the sensing interface. The testing signal outputs are strongly enhanced with the presence of the nanohybrids owing to that the metal pillars provide an efficient mass difussion and electron transfer path to the MoS2 film surface. Furthermore, the phase‐regulated sensing mechanism over MoS2 is noticed and demonstrated by density functional theory calculation and experiments. The explored MoS2 based nanohybrids are employed for the fabrication of an electrochemical microsensor, presenting good linear relationship in both ng µL−1 and pg µL−1 ranges for AMACR quantification. The sampling analysis of human serum indicates that this microsensor has good diagnostic specificity and sensitivity toward AMACR. The proposed electrochemical microsensor system also demonstrates the advantages of convenience, cost‐effectiveness, and disposability, resulting in a potential integrated microsystem for point‐of‐care prostate cancer diagnosis.
Genetic Structure of Smallmouth Bass in the Lake Michigan and Upper Mississippi River Drainages Relates to Habitat, Distance, and Drainage Boundaries
Authors: Euclide Peter T. , Ruzich Jenna , Hansen Scott P. , Rowe David , Zorn Troy G. , Larson Wesley A.
Published: April 2020

Analysis of genetic connectivity helps to define stock boundaries and provides information on interpopulation dynamics, such as migration and spawning site fidelity. We used 16 microsatellite loci to describe the genetic population structure of 1,215 Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu from 32 sites throughout the upper Mississippi River and Lake Michigan watersheds. We found that Smallmouth Bass populations formed two genetically distinct units separated by the Mississippi River–Lake Michigan drainage boundary. Smallmouth Bass from the Lake Michigan drainage could be parsimoniously grouped into two or six genetically distinct units that largely corresponded with either river or lake habitats, while fish from the Mississippi River drainage grouped into two, six, or nine genetic units that were mostly associated with watershed boundaries. In the Lake Michigan and Mississippi River drainages, relative migration was limited between lake and river sites, suggesting that gene flow between neighboring sites with different habitat attributes can be low. Our research provides a higher‐resolution assessment of Smallmouth Bass genetic structure in a core portion of the species’ range and provides strong evidence that Smallmouth Bass populations are structured at small spatial scales that are potentially associated with habitat type. These results demonstrate the importance of evaluating genetic structure at small spatial scales and adopting management strategies that preserve genetic diversity of black bass populations at both the watershed level and the habitat level.
Variation in surgical treatment advice for women with stress urinary incontinence: a study using clinical case vignettes
Authors: Mamza Jil Billy , Geary Rebecca , El-Hamamsy Dina , Gurol Ipek , Duckett Jonathan , Mahmood Tahir , Monga Ash , Toozs-Hobson Philip , Wilson Andrew , Tincello Douglas , Van der Meulen Jan
Published: April 2020

Introduction

The aim of this study was to determine how recommendations of gynaecologists on surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were influenced by patient characteristics.

Methods

Two hundred forty-five gynaecologists in the UK fully responded to an online questionnaire including 18 vignettes describing 7 clinical characteristics of women with SUI (age, body mass index, SUI type, previous SUI surgery, frequency of leakage, bother, physical status). The gynaecologists scored recommendations for surgery ranging from 1 ‘certainly not’ to 5 ‘certainly yes’. Mean scores were used to calculate the relative impact (‘weight’) of each clinical characteristic. Latent class analysis was used to distinguish groups of gynaecologists with a particular practice style because they responded to the patient characteristics captured in the case vignettes in a similar way.

Results

The gynaecologists’ overall average recommendation score was 2.9 (interquartile range 2 to 4). All patient characteristics significantly influenced the recommendation scores (p always < 0.001) but their impact was relatively small. SUI type was most important (weight 23%), followed by previous SUI surgery (weight 21%). Latent class analysis identified five groups of gynaecologists with practice styles that differed mainly with respect to their mean recommendation score, ranging from 1.3 to 4.0.

Conclusions

Surgical treatment advice in response to case vignettes was only minimally influenced by patient characteristics. There were five groups of gynaecologists whose inclination to recommend surgical treatment varied. This suggests that there is lack of consensus on the role of surgery as a treatment for SUI. A considerable number of gynaecologists were reluctant to recommend surgery.
Surgical Unmet Need in a Low‐Income Area of a Metropolitan City in India: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Vora Kranti , Saiyed Shahin , Shah Ankita R. , Mavalankar Dileep , Jindal Rahul M.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

We investigated the burden of surgical conditions, level of unmet needs and reasons for non‐utilization of surgical services in a slum of Ahmedabad, India.

Methods

A community‐based cross‐sectional study was carried out from August to December 2019. Inclusion criteria was age > 14 years; any type of injury/condition that requires surgery; subject has had surgery in last 1 year, and death information of family members. Data were stored and coded in Microsoft excel and exported to IBM SPSS statistics version 25 software for data analysis. Frequencies and proportions (categorical variable) are used to summarize utilization of surgical services and understanding surgical need. The Surgeons Overseas Assessment of Surgical was used to identify surgical met and unmet needs translated into local language. Open Data Kit software was used to install questionnaire in the “Tablet” to collect information and stress‐free workflow in field.

Results

Out of 10,330 population in 2066 households, 7914 were more than 14 years of age. 3.46% (n = 274) people needed surgery; 116 did not avail surgery and were categorized in “unmet need.” Fifty percent of individuals with surgical needs had abdominal‐ or extremities‐related problems followed by eyes surgery need (14%); back, chest and breast surgical need was 13.5%. Seventeen percent of participants with surgical needs had wounds related to injury or accident while 63% had wounds that were not related to injury. Almost all participants had gone to a physician to seek healthcare, however 42% did not avail surgical care needed for a variety of reasons. Forty‐six percent of participants needing surgical care underwent major surgical procedure, while 11% had minor procedures. Financial reasons (34.5%) and lack of trust (35.3%) were major reasons for not availing surgical care.

Conclusions and Relevance

Ahmedabad is a relatively high income metropolitan city, has universally free health care and multiple healthcare facilities. Despite this, we have shown that there is significant unmet need for surgical procedures in the low‐income population. A unique finding was that most patients sought a consultation but approximately 50% did not avail of the free surgical procedures under the universally free health care system in this city. We propose creation of community healthcare workers focused on surgical conditions.
Impact of body mass index on real-world outcomes of rivaroxaban treatment in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Murakawa Yuji , Ikeda Takanori , Ogawa Satoshi , Kitazono Takanari , Nakagawara Jyoji , Minematsu Kazuo , Miyamoto Susumu , Hayashi Yasuhiro , Kidani Yoko , Okayama Yutaka , Sunaya Toshiyuki , Sato Shoichiro , Yamanaka Satoshi
Published: April 2020

This sub-analysis of the XAPASS, a prospective, single-arm, observational study, aimed to evaluate relationships between body mass index (BMI) and safety (major bleeding and all-cause mortality) and effectiveness [stroke/non-central nervous system (non-CNS) systemic embolism (SE)/myocardial infarction (MI)] outcomes in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) receiving rivaroxaban. Patients were categorized according to BMI (kg/m2) as underweight (< 18.5), normal weight (18.5 to < 25), overweight (25 to < 30), or obese (≥ 30). In total, 9578 patients with NVAF completed the 1-year follow-up and were evaluated; of these, 7618 patients had baseline BMI data. Overall, 542 (5.7%), 4410 (46.0%), 2167 (22.6%), and 499 (5.2%) patients were underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that none of the BMI categories were independent predictors of major bleeding whereas being underweight was independently associated with increased all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 3.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.40–5.26, p < 0.001]. The incidence of stroke/non-CNS SE/MI was higher in patients who were underweight than in those of normal weight (HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.20–3.70, p = 0.009). However, in multivariable analyses, being underweight was not identified as an independent predictor of stroke/non-CNS SE/MI (HR 1.64, 95% CI 0.90–2.99, p = 0.104). In conclusion, the high incidence of thromboembolic events and all-cause mortality in patients who were underweight highlights that thorough evaluation of disease status and comorbidities may be required in this population.
Nonlinear “oddities” at the percolation of 3D hierarchical graphene polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Kádár Roland , Gaska Karolina , Gkourmpis Thomas
Published: April 2020

The nonlinear rheology of a novel 3D hierarchical graphene polymer nanocomposites was investigated in this study. Based on an isotactic polypropylene, the nanocomposites were prepared using simple melt mixing, which is an industrially relevant and scalable technique. The novel nanocomposites stand out as having an electrical percolation threshold (≈0.94 wt%) comparable to solution mixing graphene-based polymer nanocomposites. Their nonlinear flow behavior was investigated in oscillatory shear via Fourier-transform (FT) rheology and Chebyshev polynomial decomposition. It was shown that in addition to an increase in the magnitude of nonlinearities with filler concentration, the electrical percolation threshold corresponds to a unique nonlinear rheological signature. Thus, in dynamic strain sweep tests, the nonlinearities are dependent on the applied angular frequency, potentially detecting the emergence of a weakly connected network that is being disrupted by the flow. This is valid for both the third relative higher harmonic from Fourier-transform rheology,I3/1, as well as the third relative viscous,v3/1, Chebyshev coefficient. The angular frequency dependency comprised non-quadratic scaling inI3/1with the applied strain amplitude and a sign change inv3/1. The development of the nonlinear signatures was monitored up to concentrations in the conductor region to reveal the influence of a more robust percolated network.
Osteoma involving the olfactory groove: evaluation of the risk of a CSF leak during endoscopic surgery
Authors: Gotlib Tomasz , Kuźmińska Magdalena , Kołodziejczyk Paulina , Niemczyk Kazimierz
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The olfactory groove (OG) is a common site of iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak during endoscopic sinus surgery. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of CSF leak during endoscopic removal of osteomas involving the OG and identify CT findings indicating increased risk of this complication.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of patients operated on for frontoethmoidal osteoma from 11 years in a single institution. A retrospective review of the literature, 1999 to 2019, of perioperative complications in patients operated on for frontoethmoidal osteoma using endoscopic or combined approaches.

Results

Case series: 73 patients were identified including 17 with the OG involvement. The only case of CSF leak occurred in a patient with spongious part of osteoma at the OG. Among six osteomas with spongious component at the OG, one was detached and five had to be drilled down, leaving a small remnant in four. In contrast, all the 11 osteomas with ivory part at the OG were safely detached and completely removed from the OG after debulking. The prevalence of CSF leak was not statistically different between the patients without and with involvement of the OG. Systematic review of the literature: Among the 273 identified patients there were 8 cases of intraoperative CSF leaks (3%) including 2 from the OG (0.7%).

Conclusion

Involvement of the OG does not significantly increase the risk of intraoperative CSF leak. However, this risk may be increased in patients with the spongious part of the tumor attached to the OG.
The Role of Cognitive Stimulation in the Home and Maternal Responses to Low Grades in Low-Income African American Adolescents’ Academic Achievement
Authors: Hardaway Cecily R. , Sterrett-Hong Emma M. , De Genna Natacha M. , Cornelius Marie D.
Published: April 2020

Parental involvement in education has generally been shown to foster adolescent academic achievement, yet little is known about whether two important forms of parental involvement—how parents respond to academic underachievement and how parents provide cognitive stimulation in the home—are related to academic achievement for African American adolescents. This study uses two waves of data to evaluate whether these forms of parental involvement are related to future academic achievement for low-income African American adolescents and whether there are gender differences in these associations. African American mothers and adolescents (N = 226; 48% girls) were interviewed when adolescents were ages 14 and 16. Mothers of girls reported higher mean levels of punitive responses to grades than mothers of boys, but child gender did not moderate associations between parental involvement and academic achievement. Cognitive stimulation in the home was related to changes in academic achievement from 14 to 16 years of age, controlling for age 14 academic achievement. This study provides evidence that nonpunitive responses to inadequate grades and cognitive stimulation at home are linked to academic achievement among African American adolescents.
Control of mosaic disease using microbial biostimulants: insights from mathematical modelling
Authors: Blyuss Konstantin B. , Al Basir Fahad , Tsygankova Victoria A. , Biliavska Liudmyla O. , Iutynska Galyna O. , Kyrychko Serhii N. , Dziuba Serhii V. , Tsyliuryk Olexandr I. , Izhboldin Olexandr O.
Published: April 2020

A major challenge to successful crop production comes from viral diseases of plants that cause significant crop losses, threatening global food security and the livelihoods of countries that rely on those crops for their staple foods or source of income. One example of such diseases is a mosaic disease of plants, which is caused by begomoviruses and is spread to plants by whitefly. In order to mitigate negative impact of mosaic disease, several different strategies have been employed over the years, including roguing/replanting of plants, as well as using pesticides, which have recently been shown to be potentially dangerous to the environment and humans. In this paper we derive and analyse a mathematical model for control of mosaic disease using natural microbial biostimulants that, besides improving plant growth, protect plants against infection through a mechanism of RNA interference. By analysing the stability of the system’s steady states, we will show how properties of biostimulants affect disease dynamics, and in particular, how they determine whether the mosaic disease is eradicated or is rather maintained at some steady level. We will also present the results of numerical simulations that illustrate the behaviour of the model in different dynamical regimes, and discuss biological implications of theoretical results for the practical purpose of control of mosaic disease.
Endosymbiont diversity and community structure in Porites lutea from Southeast Asia are driven by a suite of environmental variables
Authors: Tan Yuen Ting Rachel , Wainwright Benjamin J. , Afiq-Rosli Lutfi , Ip Yin Cheong Aden , Lee Jen Nie , Nguyen Nhung Thi Hong , Pointing Stephen B. , Huang Danwei
Published: April 2020

Many corals depend upon the highly specialised and intricate relationship they form with Symbiodiniaceae algal symbionts. Porites lutea is a massive reef-building coral found throughout Southeast Asia that hosts these endosymbionts obligately. Yet despite the prevalence and importance of P. lutea as one of the most dominant corals here, its associated Symbiodiniaceae communities have not been precisely characterised. In this study, we used high-throughput DNA amplicon sequencing of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) to characterise the diversity, community structure and biogeographic distribution of Symbiodiniaceae in P. lutea throughout Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. Consistent with previous studies, we found that Cladocopium was the most dominant genus among all samples, and Cladocopium C15 was the most dominant type (or subclade) with 100% occurrence in all samples from every study site. Results also revealed numerous Symbiodiniaceae types associated with P. lutea that were previously undetected in Southeast Asia. Endosymbiont diversity and community variation are driven by a combination of site-specific mean monthly cloud cover and variance in monthly sea surface temperature. This study contributes baseline data toward understanding differences in Symbiodiniaceae assemblages hosted by P. lutea, shedding light on how they might be indicative of particular environmental conditions and coral responses.
Aerogels: promising nanostructured materials for energy conversion and storage applications
Authors: Alwin S. , Sahaya Shajan X.
Published: April 2020

Aerogels are 3-D nanostructures of non-fluid colloidal interconnected porous networks consisting of loosely packed bonded particles that are expanded throughout its volume by gas and exhibit ultra-low density and high specific surface area. Aerogels are normally synthesized through a sol–gel method followed by a special drying technique such as supercritical drying or ambient pressure drying. The fascinating properties of aerogels like high surface area, open porous structure greatly influence the performances of energy conversion and storage devices and encourage the development of sustainable electrochemical devices. Therefore, this review describes on the applications of inorganic, organic and composite aerogel nanostructures to dye-sensitized solar cells, fuel cells, batteries and supercapacitors accompanied by the significant steps involved in the synthesis, mechanism of network formation and various drying techniques.
Pregnancy health in POWERMOM participants living in rural versus urban zip codes
Authors: Radin Jennifer M. , Peters Shaquille , Ariniello Lauren , Wongvibulsin Shannon , Galarnyk Michael , Waalen Jill , Steinhubl Steven R.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Pregnant women living in rural locations in the USA have higher rates of maternal and infant mortality compared to their urban counterparts. One factor contributing to this disparity may be lack of representation of rural women in traditional clinical research studies of pregnancy. Barriers to participation often include transportation to research facilities, which are typically located in urban centers, childcare, and inability to participate during nonwork hours.

Methods:

POWERMOM is a digital research app which allows participants to share both survey and sensor data during their pregnancy. Through non-targeted, national outreach a study population of 3612 participants (591 from rural zip codes and 3021 from urban zip codes) have been enrolled so far in the study, beginning on March 16, 2017, through September 20, 2019.

Results:

On average rural participants in our study were younger, had higher pre-pregnancy weights, were less racially diverse, and were more likely to plan a home birth compared to the urban participants. Both groups showed similar engagement in terms of week of pregnancy when they joined, percentage of surveys completed, and completion of the outcome survey after they delivered their baby. However, rural participants shared less HealthKit or sensor data compared to urban participants.

Discussion:

Our study demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of enrolling pregnant women living in rural zip codes using a digital research study embedded within a popular pregnancy app. Future efforts to conduct remote digital research studies could help fill representation and knowledge gaps related to pregnant women.
Social Insurance and Public Assistance in the Twentieth-Century United States
Authors: Fishback Price V.
Published: April 2020

The growth of American governments in the twentieth century included large increases in funds for social insurance and public assistance. Social insurance has increased far more than public assistance, so “rise in the social insurance state” is a far better description of the century than “rise in the welfare state.” The United States has increased total spending in these areas as much or more as have European countries, but the U.S. spending has relied less heavily on government programs. In the U.S. states largely determine the benefits for many of the public assistance and social insurance programs, leading to large variation in the benefits across the country. I develop estimates of these benefits across time and place and compare them to the poverty line, manufacturing earnings and benefits, state per capita incomes in the US, as well as GDP per capita in countries throughout the world.
ADHD and depression: investigating a causal explanation
Authors: Riglin Lucy , Leppert Beate , Dardani Christina , Thapar Ajay K. , Rice Frances , O'Donovan Michael C. , Davey Smith George , Stergiakouli Evie , Tilling Kate , Thapar Anita
Published: April 2020

Background

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with later depression and there is considerable genetic overlap between them. This study investigated if ADHD and ADHD genetic liability are causally related to depression using two different methods.

Methods

First, a longitudinal population cohort design was used to assess the association between childhood ADHD (age 7 years) and recurrent depression in young-adulthood (age 18–25 years) in N = 8310 individuals in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Second, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses examined relationships between genetic liability for ADHD and depression utilising published Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) data.

Results

Childhood ADHD was associated with an increased risk of recurrent depression in young-adulthood (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.05–1.73). MR analyses suggested a causal effect of ADHD genetic liability on major depression (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.12–1.31). MR findings using a broader definition of depression differed, showing a weak influence on depression (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.13).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that ADHD increases the risk of depression later in life and are consistent with a causal effect of ADHD genetic liability on subsequent major depression. However, findings were different for more broadly defined depression.
EXAMINING ADOLESCENT EFL LEARNERS’ TV VIEWING COMPREHENSION THROUGH CAPTIONS AND SUBTITLES
Authors: Pujadas Geòrgia , Muñoz Carmen
Published: April 2020

This study explores the differential effects of captions and subtitles on extensive TV viewing comprehension by adolescent beginner foreign language learners, and how their comprehension is affected by factors related to the learner, preteaching of target vocabulary, the lexical coverage of the episodes, and the testing instruments. Four classes of secondary school students took part in an 8-month intervention viewing 24 episodes of a TV series, two classes with captions, and two with subtitles. One class in each language condition received explicit instruction on target vocabulary. Comprehension was assessed through multiple-choice and true-false items, which included a combination of textually explicit and inferential items. Results showed a significant advantage of subtitles over captions for content comprehension, and prior vocabulary knowledge emerged as a significant predictor—particularly in the captions condition. Comprehension scores were also mediated by test-related factors, with true-false items receiving overall more correct responses while textually explicit and inferential items scores differed according to language of the on-screen text. Lexical coverage also emerged as a significant predictor of comprehension.
Crystal structure of atorvastatin calcium trihydrate Form I (Lipitor®), (C33H34FN2O5)2Ca(H2O)3
Authors: Hodge Ryan L. , Kaduk James A. , Gindhart Amy M. , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: April 2020

The crystal structure of atorvastatin calcium trihydrate (ACT) has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data and optimized using density functional theory techniques. ACT crystallizes in space group P1 (#1) with a = 5.44731(4), b = 9.88858(16), c = 29.5925(10) Å, α = 95.859(3), β = 94.211(1), γ = 105.2790(1)°, V = 1521.277(10) Å3, and Z = 1. The most prominent feature of the crystal structure is a hydrophilic layer parallel to the ab-plane. The atorvastatin anions bond to each side of the hydrophilic layer, forming a triple layer. The calcium coordination is distorted octahedral, with the CaO6 coordination sphere being comprised of four carboxylate oxygens, one coordinated water molecule, and a hydroxyl group from one but not the second atorvastatin anion. Several O–H⋯O hydrogen bonds form a two-dimensional network parallel to the ab-plane. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD® for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™.
Lymphopenia in adults after the Fontan operation: prevalence and associations
Authors: Alsaied Tarek , Possner Mathias , Brown Nicole , Almeneisi Hassan , Szugye Cassandra , Trout Andrew T. , Niss Omar , Palermo Joseph J. , Zafar Faizeen , Dillman Jonathan R. , Veldtman Gruschen R. , Opotowsky Alexander R. , Lubert Adam M.
Published: April 2020

Lymphopenia is common in adults who have had a Fontan operation although its aetiology and clinical implications remain unknown. Previous work suggests an association between lymphopenia and both liver disease and splenomegaly. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of lymphopenia in adults with a Fontan circulation and evaluate its associations with risk factors and clinical outcomes. Using a retrospective cohort study design, we studied 73 adult Fontan patients (age 25.0 ± 8.4 years) who had a complete blood count and abdominal imaging performed. Patients with protein-losing enteropathy were excluded. Clinical data were extracted from hospital records. The mean white blood cell count was 6580 ± 220/ml with a mean lymphocyte count of 1223 ± 508/ml. Lymphopenia, defined as lymphocyte count <1000/ml, was present in 23 (32%) patients. Patients with lymphopenia had a lower total white blood cell count (5556 ± 2517 versus 7136 ± 1924/ml, p = 0.009) and a lower platelet count (162 ± 69 versus 208 ± 69 k/ml, p = 0.008). Lymphopenia was also associated with findings of portal hypertension, including splenomegaly (36 versus 14%, p = 0.04), varices (22 versus 6%, p = 0.04), and ascites (39 versus 14%, p = 0.02). Lymphopenia did not correlate with any cardiac imaging, haemodynamic or exercise testing variables. In conclusion, lymphopenia is common in adult Fontan patients and is associated with markers of portal hypertension. Larger studies are needed to better define the relationship between lymphopenia and clinical outcomes.
Decriminalizing severe mental illness by reducing risk of contact with the criminal justice system, including for forensic patients
Authors: Dean Kimberlie , Singh Sara , Soon Yin-Lan
Published: April 2020

Risk of contact with the criminal justice system (CJS) is greater among those with mental illness, including severe mental illness—an observation that many argue reflects a process of “criminalizing” mental illness. Forensic patients represent a subgroup at one end of a spectrum of such criminalization, typically with histories of serious violence and psychotic illness. Strategies for decriminalizing mental illness in this context should consider a range of approaches, including intervening to prevent CJS contact in those with severe mental illness, particularly in the early or emerging stages of psychosis. However, it may be that even gold standard mental healthcare applied universally is insufficient to address CJS contact risks. While there is now an extensive literature documenting the relatively low rates of repeat CJS contact for forensic patients released from secure care, appropriate comparison groups are lacking and the key ingredients of any benefits of treatment are unknown. The CJS may well have something to learn from forensic mental health systems and services given the abject failure to stem rates of prison-release reoffending internationally. Understanding how to best identify risk and effectively intervene to prevent CJS contact in those with mental illness, whether early in the course of psychosis or following release from secure care, remains a priority for those seeking to address the criminalization of mentally illness in our communities.
Economic cognitive institutions
Authors: Petracca Enrico , Gallagher Shaun
Published: April 2020

This paper introduces the notion of ‘cognitive’ institution and discusses its relevance to institutional economics. Cognitive institutions are conceptually founded on the philosophy of mind notion of extended mind, broadened to also include the distinctly social, institutional, and normative dimensions. Cognitive institutions are defined as institutions that not just allow agents to perform certain cognitive processes in the social domain but, more importantly, without which some of the agents' cognitive processes would not exist or even be possible. The externalist point of view of the extended mind has already had some influence in institutional economics: Arthur Denzau and Douglass North first introduced the notion of institution understood in terms of ‘shared mental models’, and relatedly philosopher Andy Clark introduced the notion of ‘scaffolding institution’. We discuss shared mental models and scaffolding institutions and go a step further by showing that the notion of cognitive institution can capture more fundamental and salient aspects of economic institutions. In particular, we focus on the market as an economic cognitive institution.
Design of a compact high gain printed octagonal array of spiral-based fractal antennas for DBS application
Authors: Kola Kalyan Sundar , Chatterjee Anirban , Patanvariya Deven
Published: April 2020

This paper presents a compact octagonal array of microstrip patch antennas for direct broadcast satellite (DBS) (12.2–12.7 GHz) services. The proposed single element of this array is a new fractal antenna, having considerably high gain and can heavily suppress cross polarization along the main beam direction. The single element is derived from a 2D spiral geometry. The corporate feed network of the array is designed in such a manner to make the structure very compact. The fabricated single element resonates at 12.51 GHz and gives a gain and bandwidth of 9.32 dBi and 280 MHz, respectively. The array resonates at 12.46 GHz and gives gain of 17.67 dBi and a bandwidth of 506 MHz, which ensures a 100% coverage of the entire DBS service band. The measured cross polarization of single element and array along the direction of main beam are −45.50 and −43.35 dB, respectively. Both the single element as well as the array maintains a reasonably good radiation efficiency of 86.70 and 82.20%, respectively.
The Sensitivity of Joint Inversions of Seismic and Geodynamic Data to Mantle Viscosity
Authors: Lu Chang , Forte Alessandro M. , Simmons Nathan A. , Grand Stephen P. , Kajan Marie N. , Lai Hongyu , Garnero Edward J.
Published: April 2020

Seismic tomography has revealed the existence of large‐scale velocity heterogeneities in the mantle. The interpretation of seismic velocity anomalies in terms of temperature and chemical composition is nonunique. We use geodynamic observations including gravity, plate motions, dynamic topography, and excess ellipticity of the core‐mantle boundary combined with seismic observations to investigate the thermo‐chemical structure of the mantle through joint inversions. An outstanding issue, however, is the physical connection between mantle density anomalies and the surface geodynamic observations, which requires knowledge of the mantle viscosity structure. Here we perform joint inversions assuming different viscosity profiles and examine the dependence of the results on the viscosity. We first assume that mantle heterogeneity is due to thermal variations, which places a constraint on the relation between seismic velocity and density, and we subsequently relax the constraint to allow for potential nonthermal effects. In all of our joint inversions, a nonthermal origin of density anomalies is required to explain the geodynamic data, though the amount varies with the assumed viscosity structure. A common observation is a high‐density chemical signal in the center of the large low‐shear‐velocity provinces at the base of the mantle resulting in a near neutral or slightly dense overall buoyancy there. Using the derived density models and their corresponding viscosity profiles, we also calculate instantaneous mantle flow fields. The predicted flow fields derived from joint inversions are generally similar but are quite different from flow fields using density models derived from a posteriori scaling of pure seismic tomography models.