bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive high-precision high-accuracy equation of state and coexistence properties for classical Lennard-Jones crystals and low-temperature fluid phases
Authors: Schultz Andrew J. , Kofke David A.
Published: November 2018

We report equilibrium molecular simulation data for the classical Lennard-Jones (LJ) model, covering all thermodynamic states where the crystal is stable, as well as fluid states near coexistence with the crystal; both fcc and hcp polymorphs are considered. These data are used to compute coexistence lines and triple points for equilibrium among the fcc, hcp, and fluid phases. All results are obtained with very high accuracy and precision such that coexistence conditions are obtained with one to two significant figures more than previously reported. All properties are computed in the limit of an infinite cutoff radius of the LJ potential and in the limit of an infinite number of atoms; furthermore, the effect of vacancy defects on the free energy of the crystals is included. Data are fit to a semi-empirical equation of state to within their estimated precision, and convenient formulas for the thermodynamic and coexistence properties are provided. Of particular interest is the liquid-vapor-fcc triple point temperature, which we compute to be 0.694 55 ± 0.000 02 (in LJ units).
Chemical kinetics study in rarefied Martian atmosphere using quantum kinetics model
Authors: Dhurandhar Shesh N. , Bansal Ankit
Published: November 2018

An open-source chemistry model based on Quantum-Kinetics (QK) is presented for the direct simulation Monte Carlo method. Chemistry modeling for the Martian atmosphere under rarefied re-entry conditions is analyzed in this study. An eight-species (CO2, N2, CO, O2, NO, C, N, and O) chemistry model is used to simulate the chemical reactions in the Martian environment. The QK model is based on the vibrational relaxation process of the molecule. A vibrational relaxation procedure for more than one vibrational mode is implemented to simulate various reactions in polyatomic molecules such as CO2. The reaction rates are validated with previous data based on the total collision energy model of Boyd and Arrhenius rates, as well as with the experimental data. The reaction rates obtained in this work are found to be in very good agreement with the previous results for near-equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions.
Singular points in the solution trajectories of fractional order dynamical systems
Authors: Bhalekar Sachin , Patil Madhuri
Published: November 2018

Dynamical systems involving non-local derivative operators are of great importance in Mathematical analysis and applications. This article deals with the dynamics of fractional order systems involving Caputo derivatives. We take a review of the solutions of linear dynamical systems 0CDtαX(t)=AX(t), where the coefficient matrix A is in canonical form. We describe exact solutions for all the cases of canonical forms and sketch phase portraits of planar systems. We discuss the behavior of the trajectories when the eigenvalues λ of 2×2 matrix A are at the boundary of stable region, i.e., |arg(λ)|=απ2. Furthermore, we discuss the existence of singular points in the trajectories of such planar systems in a region of C, viz. Region II. It is conjectured that there exists a singular point in the solution trajectories if and only if λ∈ Region II.
Beam quality improvement of high-power semiconductor lasers using laterally inhomogeneous waveguides
Authors: Miah M. J. , Strohmaier S. , Urban G. , Bimberg D.
Published: November 2018

High-brightness vertical broad-area edge-emitting (HiBBEE) semiconductor lasers in the 1060 nm wavelength range with excellent beam quality in both lateral and vertical directions are presented. An approach to modify the thresholds of the transverse lateral modes of ridge-waveguide (RW) lasers is investigated. It has been experimentally shown that inhomogeneities in both sides of the ridges increase optical losses of the higher-order lateral modes as compared to the fundamental mode. The resulting enhancement in the contrast of the optical losses favors the emission of the fundamental mode and improves the beam quality. Reference RW HiBBEE lasers with a 15 μm wide conventional ridge and a 2.0 mm long cavity provide laterally multi-lateral mode emission which is typical for RW lasers with such wide and homogeneous ridges. On the other hand, RW HiBBEE lasers with triangular-shaped corrugations in both sides of 15 μm wide ridges provide single-lateral mode emission across a wide current range and improve the lateral M2 factor by more than a factor of 2 in the investigated current range. The corrugated RW HiBBEE lasers provide an almost 2 times higher brightness than the reference RW lasers.
Intermolecular dissociation energies of hydrogen-bonded 1-naphthol complexes
Authors: Knochenmuss Richard , Sinha Rajeev K. , Poblotzki Anja , Den Takuya , Leutwyler Samuel
Published: November 2018

We have measured the intermolecular dissociation energies D0 of supersonically cooled 1-naphthol (1NpOH) complexes with solvents S = furan, thiophene, 2,5-dimethylfuran, and tetrahydrofuran. The naphthol OH forms non-classical H-bonds with the aromatic π-electrons of furan, thiophene, and 2,5-dimethylfuran and a classical H-bond with the tetrahydrofuran O atom. Using the stimulated-emission pumping resonant two-photon ionization method, the ground-state D0(S0) values were bracketed as 21.8 ± 0.3 kJ/mol for furan, 26.6 ± 0.6 kJ/mol for thiophene, 36.5 ± 2.3 kJ/mol for 2,5-dimethylfuran, and 37.6 ± 1.3 kJ/mol for tetrahydrofuran. The dispersion-corrected density functional theory methods B97-D3, B3LYP-D3 (using the def2-TZVPP basis set), and ωB97X-D [using the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set] predict that the H-bonded (edge) isomers are more stable than the face isomers bound by dispersion; experimentally, we only observe edge isomers. We compare the calculated and experimental D0 values and extend the comparison to the previously measured 1NpOH complexes with cyclopropane, benzene, water, alcohols, and cyclic ethers. The dissociation energies of the nonclassically H-bonded complexes increase roughly linearly with the average polarizability of the solvent, α¯(S). By contrast, the D0 values of the classically H-bonded complexes are larger, increase more rapidly at low α¯(S), but saturate for large α¯(S). The calculated D0(S0) values for the cyclopropane, benzene, furan, and tetrahydrofuran complexes agree with experiment to within 1 kJ/mol and those of thiophene and 2,5-dimethylfuran are ∼3 kJ/mol smaller than experiment. The B3LYP-D3 calculated D0 values exhibit the lowest mean absolute deviation (MAD) relative to experiment (MAD = 1.7 kJ/mol), and the B97-D3 and ωB97X-D MADs are 2.2 and 2.6 kJ/mol, respectively.
Berry phase in strained InSb whiskers
Authors: Druzhinin A. , Ostrovskii I. , Khoverko Yu. , Liakh-Kaguy N. , Rogacki K.
Published: November 2018

Strain influence on the longitudinal magnetoresistance for the n-type conductivity InSb whiskers doped by Sn to concentrations 6·1016–6·10 17 сm–3 were studied at temperatures from 4.2 to 50 K and magnetic field up to 10 T. The Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations at low temperatures were revealed in the strained and unstrained samples with all range doping concentration. Some peaks of the longitudinal magnetoresistance split as a doublet in the InSb whiskers with doping concentration in the vicinity to metal-insulator transition. Taking into account peak splitting giant g-factor from 30 to 60 was defined for strained and unstrained samples. The magnetoresistance oscillation period of the InSb whiskers doesn’t differ under strain for all doping concentration, but Fermi energy increases and electron effective mass mс decreases and consists 0.02 m0. Berry phase presence was also revealed in strained n-InSb whiskers that shows their transition under a strain to topological insulator phase.
On the thermal conductivity of AgSbTe2 and Ag0.82Sb1.18Te2.18
Authors: Ragimov S. S. , Babayeva A. E. , Aliyeva A. I.
Published: November 2018

The temperature dependencies of the thermal conductivity of AgSbTe2 and Ag0.82Sb1.18Te2.18 were studied in the temperature range of 5–320 K. The obtained results are compared with quantitative calculations based on a theoretical model of generalized conductivity of heterogeneous systems. It was shown that a rather low value of thermal conductivity of AgSbTe2 and Ag0.82Sb1.18Te2.18 is associated with the disordering of the crystal structure, as well as phonon scattering by point defects and structural components. The presence of the second phase of Ag2Te leads to an increase in the thermal conductivity of AgSbTe2.
Experimental determination of the magnetic-field dependence of the low-temperature spontaneous magnetization of the electron system of hybridized states of cobalt impurities of low concentration (≤0.035 at.%) in a mercury selenide crystal
Authors: Govorkova T. E. , Okulov V. I.
Published: November 2018

The results of studies of the magnetic-field dependencies of the specific magnetization M(H) of a mercury selenide single crystal with a low concentration (0.01–0.035) at.% of cobalt impurities at a temperature of 5 K are presented. The contributions of the spontaneous magnetism of the electron system of hybridized states of donor impurity cobalt atoms, which have the form of magnetization curves with saturation, were revealed for the first time as a result of detailed precision analysis of the obtained experimental data. Certain magnetic parameters characterizing the spontaneous spin magnetism of the studied system agree with previous results obtained during observation of anomalies of the Hall effect and the temperature dependencies of the magnetic susceptibility associated with the manifestation of the same system. Therefore, in the present work, a solution to the problem of justifying and describing the spontaneous spin polarization of the electron systems of impurities of transition elements to the extent of their small concentration was developed in sufficient detail.
Resolution-enhanced holographic stereogram based on integral imaging using moving array lenslet technique
Authors: Wang Z. , Chen R. S. , Zhang X. , Lv G. Q. , Feng Q. B. , Hu Z. A. , Ming H. , Wang A. T.
Published: November 2018

We proposed a resolution-enhanced integral imaging (II) based holographic stereogram (HS) using the moving array lenslet technique (MALT). The HS can be generated fast by Fourier transforming the elemental images of II into hogels. However, the low sampling rate of II is inherited in HS. The MALT was introduced to increase the sampling rate of II-based HS. Multiple elemental image array sequences are captured with MALT and transformed to the corresponding HS sequences. All the HS sequences are shifted depending on the movement of the lens array and added together to synthesize the HS with a high sampling rate. The synthesized HS can reconstruct the 3D image with the combined light fields of all the HS sequences. The 3D image quality improvement was verified in numerical and optical reconstruction. Superior to the MALT in II, this method does not need the time-multiplexing technique in the display stage because different HS sequences are displayed in one hologram pattern simultaneously.
Methods for chemical synthesis of colloidal gold
Authors: Dykman Lev A. , Khlebtsov Nikolay G.
Published: November 2018

Published data on the chemical synthesis of colloidal gold are summarized and systematized. Attention is focused on the state-of-the-art concepts behind the mechanisms of citrate synthesis and its control parameters, methods for fabrication of ultrafine particles (1 – 5 nm) and the control over the particle spherical shape and size in the range from 10 to 200 nm. The synthesis of gold nanoparticles in organic solvents, in particular, the two-phase Brust – Schiffrin method are discussed. The methods for obtaining gold nanoparticles with the use of synthetic and natural biopolymers that can act simultaneously as reducing agents and surface stabilizers (functional agents) are considered. The studies in which important nanomedicine drugs are used as reducing agents and ligands are analyzed.

The bibliography includes 285 references.
Chemical methods for selective cleavage of glycosidic bonds in the structural analysis of bacterial polysaccharides
Authors: Knirel Yuriy A. , Naumenko Olesya I. , Senchenkova Sof’ya N. , Perepelov Andrei V.
Published: November 2018

This review is devoted to methods for the selective cleavage of glycosidic bonds. The mechanisms of reactions underlying these methods are considered and examples of their practical application in the structural analysis of bacterial polysaccharides are given. Specific methods for the selective cleavage of polysaccharides, remaining relevant for researchers, include the Smith degradation based on destruction of monosaccharides containing vicinal diol groups, dephosphorylation of phosphate-containing polysaccharides with hydrofluoric acid and the hydrolytic cleavage of glycosyl phosphate bonds in the latter compounds. Non-specific methods, including partial acid hydrolysis, acetolysis and solvolysis with anhydrous organic (CF3SO3H, MeSO3H, CF3CO2H) and inorganic (HF) acids do not make any specific demands on the composition and structure of the polysaccharide and are sensitive to its fine structural features. The review addesses the issue of stability of glycosidic bonds in various monosaccharides to reagents used for non-specific selective cleavage.

The bibliography includes 58 references.
Genetic determinants and an epistasis ofLILRA3and HLA-B*52 in Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Terao Chikashi , Yoshifuji Hajime , Matsumura Takayoshi , Naruse Taeko K. , Ishii Tomonori , Nakaoka Yoshikazu , Kirino Yohei , Matsuo Keitaro , Origuchi Tomoki , Shimizu Masakazu , Maejima Yasuhiro , Amiya Eisuke , Tamura Natsuko , Kawaguchi Takahisa , Takahashi Meiko , Setoh Kazuya , Ohmura Koichiro , Watanabe Ryu , Horita Tetsuya , Atsumi Tatsuya , Matsukura Mitsuru , Miyata Tetsuro , Kochi Yuta , Suda Toshio , Tanemoto Kazuo , Meguro Akira , Okada Yukinori , Ogimoto Akiyoshi , Yamamoto Motohisa , Takahashi Hiroki , Nakayamada Shingo , Saito Kazuyoshi , Kuwana Masataka , Mizuki Nobuhisa , Tabara Yasuharu , Ueda Atsuhisa , Komuro Issei , Kimura Akinori , Isobe Mitsuaki , Mimori Tsuneyo , Matsuda Fumihiko
Published: November 2018

Significance

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a systemic vasculitis with unknown etiology. We identified four unreported susceptibility genes to TAK through genome-wide association studies. We successfully fine-mapped HLA associations and showed that HLA-G is associated with TAK in addition to HLA-B*52. The association between PTK2B and TAK could be explained by expression regulation of PTK2B. We showed an epistasis effect of LILR3A, one of the four genes, with HLA-B52 on TAK susceptibility. Enhancer enrichment analysis of significant non-HLA markers showed natural killer cells as important cells in TAK. Not only the associations in the HLA region but also nonsignificant associations from GWAS suggest the involvement of NK cells. These findings would lead to a better understanding of TAK.
Impact of parthenium weed on human and animal health.
Authors: Allan S. , Shi BoYang Shi BoYang , Adkins S. W.
Published: November 2018

This chapter deals with various human and animal health impacts of pathenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus). Diseases caused by the weed include dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. The detrimental health effects of parthenium weed are attributed to the sesquiterpene lactones and in particular parthenin in the plant which are toxic to farm animals and responsible for allergic diseases in humans. As parthenium weed continues to spread through Africa and Asia, information needs to be collected from those countries which have recently been invaded and those that are proximal to infestations. The collection of data and the monitoring of parthenium invasion may ultimately be used to manage both the spread and impact of the weed.
Development of 3rd generation Medium Mn duplex steels for automotive applications
Authors: Perlade Astrid , Antoni Annie , Besson Rémy , Caillard Daniel , Callahan Michael , Emo Jonathan , Gourgues Anne-Françoise , Maugis Philippe , Mestrallet Aurore , Thuinet Ludovic , Tonizzo Quentin , Schmitt Jean-Hubert
Published: November 2018

The mechanical behaviour and fracture were studied in a Fe–5Mn–2.5Al–0.2C (in wt-%) Medium Mn steel. Metallographic and magnetic measurements confirm the significant influence of the transformation kinetics of the strain-induced martensite on the mechanical properties and strain heterogeneities (Lüders and Portevin-Le Chatelier-like phenomena). An accurate study of isothermal evolutions of the microstructure, associated with atomistic calculations, complements current thermodynamic databases to quantify the nature and volume fraction of phases at different temperatures. A kinetic approach then predicts the influence of annealing conditions on the composition of retained austenite, key parameter for the martensitic transformation kinetics. This supports quantitative modelling of the influence of the intercritical annealing temperature on the ultimate tensile strength for industrial developments of these new grades.
BAR scaffolds drive membrane fission by crowding disordered domains
Authors: Snead Wilton T. , Zeno Wade F. , Kago Grace , Perkins Ryan W. , Richter J Blair , Zhao Chi , Lafer Eileen M. , Stachowiak Jeanne C.
Published: November 2018

Cellular membranes are continuously remodeled. The crescent-shaped bin-amphiphysin-rvs (BAR) domains remodel membranes in multiple cellular pathways. Based on studies of isolated BAR domains in vitro, the current paradigm is that BAR domain–containing proteins polymerize into cylindrical scaffolds that stabilize lipid tubules. But in nature, proteins that contain BAR domains often also contain large intrinsically disordered regions. Using in vitro and live cell assays, here we show that full-length BAR domain–containing proteins, rather than stabilizing membrane tubules, are instead surprisingly potent drivers of membrane fission. Specifically, when BAR scaffolds assemble at membrane surfaces, their bulky disordered domains become crowded, generating steric pressure that destabilizes lipid tubules. More broadly, we observe this behavior with BAR domains that have a range of curvatures. These data suggest that the ability to concentrate disordered domains is a key driver of membrane remodeling and fission by BAR domain–containing proteins.
Immune cells and CNS physiology: Microglia and beyond
Authors: Norris Geoffrey T. , Kipnis Jonathan
Published: November 2018

Recent advances have directed our knowledge of the immune system from a narrative of “self” versus “nonself” to one in which immune function is critical for homeostasis of organs throughout the body. This is also the case with respect to the central nervous system (CNS). CNS immunity exists in a segregated state, with a marked partition occurring between the brain parenchyma and meningeal spaces. While the brain parenchyma is patrolled by perivascular macrophages and microglia, the meningeal spaces are supplied with a diverse immune repertoire. In this review, we posit that such partition allows for neuro–immune crosstalk to be properly tuned. Convention may imply that meningeal immunity is an ominous threat to brain function; however, recent studies have shown that its presence may instead be a steady hand directing the CNS to optimal performance.
Eran Elinav: Beyond the microbiome
Authors: Houston Stephanie
Published: November 2018

Eran is the head of the microbiome-focused research group at the Weizmann Institute in Israel. He has published seminal work demonstrating the importance of the microbiota in many different systems, from post-dieting weight gain to circadian rhythms. Recent work from Eran and colleagues shows how probiotics perturb rather than aid the recovery of the microbiota following antibiotic treatment in humans. We contacted Eran to find out about his journey in science so far.
Probing Nonclassicality of Two-Mode SU(2) Generator Based on Quantum Fisher Information*
Authors: Zhang Dan , Zheng Qiang , Wang Xiao-Guang
Published: November 2018

Nonclassicality is an essential but still open question in quantum mechanics. Here, utilizing the maximum value of quantum Fisher information, we suggest a new version of the nonclassical criterion for SU(2) generator realized by two bosonic modes. As an application of the criterion, the system of two coupled nonlinear nanomechanical resonators is considered. And the nonclassicality of the phonon state in the dynamical evolution is explored. The system has a dynamical phase transition from the tunnelling phase to the self-trapping phase by tuning the coupling strength. It is found that for the tunnelling phase, the phonon state is nonclassical in the full time evolution. And for the self-trapping phase, the evolved phonon state is still nonclassical in the full time with a relatively large coupling strength, while it is nonclassical i n the most of time (but not all) with a small coupling strength. Quantum coherence has distinct different behaviors in the two phases.
The Impact of Prior Season Vaccination on Subsequent Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness to Prevent Influenza-related Hospitalizations Over 4 Influenza Seasons in Canada
Authors: Nichols M K , Andrew M K , Ye L , Hatchette T F , Ambrose A , Boivin G , Bowie W , Dos Santos G , Elsherif M , Green K , Haguinet F , Katz K , Leblanc J , Loeb M , MacKinnon-Cameron D , McCarthy A , McElhaney J E , McGeer A , Powis J , Richardson D , Semret M , Sharma R , Shinde V , Smyth D , Trottier S , Valiquette L , Webster D , McNeil S A ,   Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) Network of the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN)
Published: November 2018

Background

Recent studies have demonstrated the possibility of negative associations between prior influenza vaccines and subsequent influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE), depending on season and strain. We investigated this association over 4 consecutive influenza seasons (2011–2012 through 2014–2015) in Canada.

Methods

Using a matched test-negative design, laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and matched test-negative controls admitted to hospitals were enrolled. Patients were stratified into 4 groups according to influenza vaccine history (not vaccinated current and prior season [referent], vaccinated prior season only, vaccinated current season only, and vaccinated both current and prior season). Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate VE; prior vaccine impact was assessed each season for overall effect and effect stratified by age (<65 years, ≥65 years) and type/subtype (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, influenza B).

Results

Overall, mainly nonsignificant associations were observed. Trends of nonsignificant decreased VE among patients repeatedly vaccinated in both prior and current season relative to the current season only were observed in the A/H3N2-dominant seasons of 2012–2013 and 2014–2015. Conversely, in 2011–2012, during which B viruses circulated, and in 2013–2014, when A/H1N1 circulated, being vaccinated in both seasons tended to result in a high VE in the current season against the dominant circulating subtype.

Conclusions

Prior vaccine impact on subsequent VE among Canadian inpatients was mainly nonsignificant. Even in circumstances where we observed a trend of negative impact, being repeatedly vaccinated was still more effective than not receiving the current season’s vaccine. These findings favor continuation of annual influenza vaccination recommendations, particularly in older adults.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT01517191.
Anuran forelimb muscle tendinous structures and their relationship with locomotor modes and habitat use
Authors: De Oliveira-Lagôa Silvia , Cruz Félix B , Azócar Débora L Moreno , Lavilla Esteban O , Abdala Virginia
Published: November 2018

The interaction between organisms and their environment is central in functional morphology. Differences in habitat usage may imply divergent morphology of locomotor systems; thus, detecting which morphological traits are conservative across lineages and which ones vary under environmental pressure is important in evolutionary studies. We studied internal and external morphology in 28 species of Neotropical anurans. Our aim was to determine if internal morphology (muscle and tendons) shows lower phylogenetic signal than external morphology. In addition, we wanted to know if morphology varies in relation to the habitat use and if there are different functional groups. We found differences in the degree of phylogenetic signal on the groups of traits. Interestingly, postaxial regions of the forelimb are evolutionarily more labile than the preaxial regions. Phylomorphospace plots show that arboreal (jumpers and graspers) and swimmer frogs cluster based on length of fingers and the lack of sesamoid, also reflected by the use of habitat. These functional clusters are also related to phylogeny. Sesamoid and flexor plate dimensions together with digit tendons showed to be important to discriminate functional groups as well as use of habitat classification. Our results allow us to identify a “grasping syndrome” in the hand of these frogs, where palmar sesamoid and flexor plate are absent and a third metacarpal with a bony knob are typical. Thus, a lighter skeleton, long fingers and a prensile hand may be key for arboreality.
How we can all stop killing whales: a proposal to avoid whale entanglement in fishing gear
Authors: Moore Michael J
Published: November 2018

Whales are federally protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act; endangered species, such as the North Atlantic right whale, receive additional protection under the Endangered Species Act. However, their regulations have failed to satisfy conservation and animal welfare concerns. From 1990 to 2011 the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis, NARW) population grew at a mean of 2.8% annually. However, population trends reversed since 2011; the species is in decline, with only ∼100 reproductively active females remaining. This failure is driven by vessel collisions and increasingly fatal and serious entanglement in fixed fishing gear, whose rope strength has increased substantially. Chronic entanglement, drag, and associated morbidity have been linked to poor fecundity. Genuine solutions involve designating areas to be avoided and speed restrictions for ships and removing fishing trap ropes from the water column. A trap fishing closure for NARW habitat in the Cape Cod Bay (U.S.) area has been in place seasonally since 2015. 2017 mortalities in Eastern Canada elicited substantive management changes whereby the 2018 presence of NARW in active trap fishing areas resulted in an effective closure. To avoid these costly closures, the traditional trap fishery model of rope end lines attached to surface marker buoys has to be modified so that traps are marked virtually, and retrieved with gear that does not remain in the water column except during trap retrieval. Consumer demand for genuinely whale-safe products will augment and encourage the necessary regulatory changes so that trap fisheries conserve target and nontarget species.
Cancer Outcomes in DCIS Patients Without Locoregional Treatment
Authors: Ryser Marc D , Weaver Donald L , Zhao Fengmin , Worni Mathias , Grimm Lars J , Gulati Roman , Etzioni Ruth , Hyslop Terry , Lee Sandra J , Hwang E Shelley
Published: November 2018

Background

The vast majority of women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) undergo treatment. Therefore, the risks of invasive progression and competing death in the absence of locoregional therapy are uncertain.

Methods

We performed survival analyses of patient-level data from DCIS patients who did not receive definitive surgery or radiation therapy as recorded in the US National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (1992–2014). Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate the net risk of subsequent ipsilateral invasive cancer. The cumulative incidences of ipsilateral invasive cancer, contralateral breast cancer, and death were estimated using competing risk methods.

Results

A total of 1286 DCIS patients who did not undergo locoregional therapy were identified. Median age at diagnosis was 60 years (inter-quartile range = 51–74 years), with median follow-up of 5.5 years (inter-quartile range = 2.3–10.6 years). Among patients with tumor grade I/II (n = 547), the 10-year net risk of ipsilateral invasive breast cancer was 12.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.6% to 17.1%) compared with 17.6% (95% CI = 12.1% to 25.2%) among patients with tumor grade III (n = 244) and 10.1% (95% CI = 7.4% to 13.8%) among patients with unknown grade (n = 495). Among all patients, the 10-year cumulative incidences of ipsilateral invasive cancer, contralateral breast cancer, and all-cause mortality were 10.5% (95% CI = 8.5% to 12.4%), 3.9% (95% CI = 2.6% to 5.2%), and 24.1% (95% CI = 21.2% to 26.9%), respectively.

Conclusion

Despite limited data, our findings suggest that DCIS patients without locoregional treatment have a limited risk of invasive progression. Although the cohort is not representative of the general population of patients diagnosed with DCIS, the findings suggest that there may be overtreatment, especially among older patients and patients with elevated comorbidities.
Stand-Alone Artificial Intelligence for Breast Cancer Detection in Mammography: Comparison With 101 Radiologists
Authors: Rodriguez-Ruiz Alejandro , Lång Kristina , Gubern-Merida Albert , Broeders Mireille , Gennaro Gisella , Clauser Paola , Helbich Thomas H , Chevalier Margarita , Tan Tao , Mertelmeier Thomas , Wallis Matthew G , Andersson Ingvar , Zackrisson Sophia , Mann Ritse M , Sechopoulos Ioannis
Published: November 2018

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems performing at radiologist-like levels in the evaluation of digital mammography (DM) would improve breast cancer screening accuracy and efficiency. We aimed to compare the stand-alone performance of an AI system to that of radiologists in detecting breast cancer in DM.

Methods

Nine multi-reader, multi-case study datasets previously used for different research purposes in seven countries were collected. Each dataset consisted of DM exams acquired with systems from four different vendors, multiple radiologists’ assessments per exam, and ground truth verified by histopathological analysis or follow-up, yielding a total of 2652 exams (653 malignant) and interpretations by 101 radiologists (28 296 independent interpretations). An AI system analyzed these exams yielding a level of suspicion of cancer present between 1 and 10. The detection performance between the radiologists and the AI system was compared using a noninferiority null hypothesis at a margin of 0.05.

Results

The performance of the AI system was statistically noninferior to that of the average of the 101 radiologists. The AI system had a 0.840 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.820 to 0.860) area under the ROC curve and the average of the radiologists was 0.814 (95% CI = 0.787 to 0.841) (difference 95% CI = −0.003 to 0.055). The AI system had an AUC higher than 61.4% of the radiologists.

Conclusions

The evaluated AI system achieved a cancer detection accuracy comparable to an average breast radiologist in this retrospective setting. Although promising, the performance and impact of such a system in a screening setting needs further investigation.
A Simple, Rapid and Non-Radiolabeled Immune Assay to Detect Anti-AChR Antibodies in Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Bokoliya Suresh , Patil Shripad , Nagappa Madhu , Taly Arun
Published: November 2018

Objective

To assess the practicality of dot-blot testing for rapid and sensitive detection of the antiacetylcholine receptor (anti-AChR) antibodies in myasthenia gravis (MG).

Methods

In this case-control study, we tested serum specimens of 85 patients with MG, 85 healthy control individuals, and 85 patients without MG who have other autoimmune and neurological illnesses. All the serum specimens were tested for anti-AChR antibodies using 3 assays: in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the dot-blot assay, and commercial ELISA.

Results

In-house ELISA, commercial ELISA, and dot-blot test results were positive for anti-AChR antibodies in 65 (76.5%) patients with MG. The results of all 3 tests were negative for anti-AChR antibodies in healthy controls and patients without MG. We observed perfect concordance (K = 1, P <.001) between all 3 tests. In-house ELISA correlated significantly (r = 0.873, P <.001) with commercial ELISA. In-house ELISA and the dot-blot test demonstrated similar diagnostic performance in detecting anti-AChR antibodies.

Conclusions

The dot-blot assay is a simple, nonradioactive immune assay for rapid detection of anti-AChR antibodies in MG.
The digital humanist: Contested status within contesting futures
Authors: Papadopoulos Costas , Reilly Paul
Published: November 2018

The fluctuating role and status of digital humanists—for example as adjunct technicians, hybrid cross-disciplinary scholars, para-academics, or so-called Alt-Acs—is not solely contingent on disciplinary challenges in the academy. Uncontrollable external factors such as economic instability, political change, and technological disruption can radically change and redefine roles and career trajectories. Therefore, the possibility of having to deal with the consequences of not just constant change but also potentially massively disruptive upheaval needs to be considered seriously on an ongoing basis. To avoid, or mitigate, the destructive aspects of such destabilizing change to the Digital Humanities we apply the futurity technique of scenario analysis. In this analysis, we develop and explore four plausible, contesting, but not mutually exclusive, potential futures and ask three fundamental questions to inform future organizational designs and development plans: What could happen? What would be the impact? What needs to be done to be ready and able to respond effectively (to all scenarios)? We conclude that, to remain relevant and resilient in a world constantly threatened by disruption, the Digital Humanities should adopt more flexible and less hierarchical divisions, open processes, and policies, and embrace flatter organizational structures, incorporating extended and inter-operable networks of communities, sources, and technologies, while employing a blended basket of criteria that will prevent identified schisms from becoming dangerous chasms.
Be a force for science: an interview with Barbara Schaal and Bill Moran
Authors: Qiu Jane
Published: November 2018

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world's largest general science membership society, is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of advancing science, engineering and innovation for the benefit of all people, communicating science broadly, defending scientific freedom, providing a voice for science on societal issues, strengthening and diversifying the science and technology workforce, and advancing international cooperation in science. Founded in 1848, AAAS today has individual members from around 100 countries, and is the publisher of the Science family of journals, including the open-access journal Science Advances.

NSR talks to Barbara Schaal—an evolutionary biologist at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri, 2017 President of AAAS, former Vice President of the US National Academy of Sciences, and a former advisor of the President's Council of Advisors in Science and Technology under the Obama administration—and also to Bill Moran, the publisher of Science, about why science is a global public good, how basic science is the engine of economic growth and prosperity, the importance of social science, and why the need to defend the free flow of ideas and people across national boundaries is urgent.
Disseminating a Smoke-free Homes Program to Low Socioeconomic Status Households in the United States Through 2-1-1: Results of a National Impact Evaluation
Authors: Bundy Łucja T , Haardörfer Regine , Kegler Michelle C , Owolabi Shadé , Berg Carla J , Escoffery Cam , Thompson Tess , Mullen Patricia Dolan , Williams Rebecca , Hovell Mel , Kahl Tanya , Harvey Dayanne , Price Adrianne , House Donnie , Booker Becky W , Kreuter Matthew W
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Given homes are now a primary source of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in the United States, research-tested interventions that promote smoke-free homes should be evaluated in real-world settings to build the evidence base for dissemination. This study describes outcome evaluation results from a dissemination and implementation study of a research-tested program to increase smoke-free home rules through US 2-1-1 helplines.

Methods

Five 2-1-1 organizations, chosen through a competitive application process, were awarded grants of up to $70 000. 2-1-1 staff recruited participants, delivered the intervention, and evaluated the program. 2-1-1 clients who were recruited into the program allowed smoking in the home, lived in households with both a smoker and a nonsmoker or child, spoke English, and were at least 18 years old. Self-reported outcomes were assessed using a pre-post design, with follow-up at 2 months post baseline.

Results

A total of 2345 households (335–605 per 2-1-1 center) were enrolled by 2-1-1 staff. Most participants were female (82%) and smokers (76%), and half were African American (54%). Overall, 40.1% (n = 940) reported creating a full household smoking ban. Among the nonsmoking adults reached at follow-up (n = 389), days of SHS exposure in the past week decreased from 4.9 (SD = 2.52) to 1.2 (SD = 2.20). Among the 1148 smokers reached for follow-up, 211 people quit, an absolute reduction in smoking of 18.4% (p < .0001), with no differences by gender.

Conclusions

Among those reached for 2-month follow-up, the proportion who reported establishing a smoke-free home was comparable to or higher than smoke-free home rates in the prior controlled research studies.

Implications

Dissemination of this brief research-tested intervention via a national grants program with support from university staff to five 2-1-1 centers increased home smoking bans, decreased SHS exposure, and increased cessation rates. Although the program delivery capacity demonstrated by these competitively selected 2-1-1s may not generalize to the broader 2-1-1 network in the United States, or social service agencies outside of the United States, partnering with 2-1-1s may be a promising avenue for large-scale dissemination of this smoke-free homes program and other public health programs to low socioeconomic status populations in the United States.
Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Serotype Distribution of Group B Streptococcus Colonization in HIV-Infected Pregnant Women Living in Belgium: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Dauby Nicolas , Adler Catherine , Miendje Deyi Veronique Y , Sacheli Rosalie , Busson Laurent , Chamekh Mustapha , Marchant Arnaud , Barlow Patricia , De Wit Stéphane , Levy Jack , Melin Pierrette , Goetghebuer Tessa
Published: November 2018

Background

Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection is a leading cause of severe neonatal infection. Maternal GBS carriage during pregnancy is the main risk factor for both early-onset and late-onset GBS disease. High incidence of GBS infection has been reported in HIV-exposed but -uninfected infants (HEU). We aimed to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors for GBS colonization in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected pregnant women living in Belgium.

Methods

Between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2013, HIV-infected (n = 125) and -uninfected (n = 120) pregnant women had recto-vaginal swabs at 35–37 weeks of gestation and at delivery for GBS detection. Demographic, obstetrical, and HIV infection–related data were prospectively collected. GBS capsular serotyping was performed on a limited number of samples (33 from HIV-infected and 16 from HIV-uninfected pregnant women).

Results

There was no significant difference in the GBS colonization rate between HIV-infected and -uninfected pregnant women (29.6% vs 24.2%, respectively). HIV-infected women were more frequently colonized by serotype III (36.4% vs 12.5%), and the majority of serotype III strains belonged to the hypervirulent clone ST-17. Exclusively trivalent vaccine serotypes (Ia, Ib, and III) were found in 57.6% and 75% of HIV-infected and -uninfected women, respectively, whereas the hexavalent vaccine serotypes (Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, and V) were found in 97% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions

HIV-infected and -uninfected pregnant women living in Belgium have a similar GBS colonization rate. A trend to a higher colonization rate with serotype III was found in HIV-infected women, and those serotype III strains belong predominantly to the hypervirulent clone ST17.
Incidence and Predictors of Serological Treatment Response in Early and Late Syphilis Among People Living With HIV
Authors: Spagnuolo Vincenzo , Poli Andrea , Galli Laura , Nozza Silvia , Bossolasco Simona , Cernuschi Massimo , Maillard Myriam , Hasson Hamid , Gianotti Nicola , Guffanti Monica , Lazzarin Adriano , Castagna Antonella
Published: November 2018

Background

Few studies have investigated predictors of serological response to syphilis treatment in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods

This was a retrospective, longitudinal study on PLWH who were diagnosed with and treated for syphilis who had an assessable serological response between January 2004 and June 2016. Serological treatment response (TR) was defined as a ≥4-fold decline in rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titers or a reversion to nonreactive (if RPR ≤1:4 at diagnosis) 12 months after treatment for early syphilis and 24 months after treatment for late syphilis. Factors associated with a TR were assessed with multivariate Cox proportional hazard models for recurrent events.

Results

A total of 829 episodes of syphilis (686 early, 143 late) in 564 patients were recorded. TR was observed in 732 (88%) syphilis episodes. The proportion of TR differed between early and late syphilis (89% vs 83%, respectively; P = .045). For early syphilis, TR was associated with a higher nadir CD4+ cell count (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.06; P = .029), an RPR titer >1:32 at diagnosis (AHR, 1.26; P = .009), secondary syphilis (AHR, 1.29; P = .008), and cases of syphilis diagnosed in more recent calendar years (AHR, 1.36; P < .0001). In late syphilis, TR was more likely to occur for first infections (AHR, 1.80; P = .027), for episodes that occurred in more recent years (AHR, 1.62; P = .007), and for RPR titers >1:32 at diagnosis (AHR, 2.04; P = .002). TR was not associated with the type of treatment regimen in early and late syphilis.

Conclusions

Higher RPR titers at diagnosis and a diagnosis of syphilis that was made in more recent years were associated with TR in early and late syphilis.
Impact of occupational exposure on human microbiota
Authors: Lai Peggy S. , Christiani David C.
Published: November 2018

Purpose of review

Recent evidence suggests that environmental exposures change the adult human microbiome. Here, we review recent evidence on the impact of the work microbiome and work-related chemical, metal and particulate exposures on the human microbiome.

Recent findings

Prior literature on occupational microbial exposures has focused mainly on the respiratory effects of endotoxin, but a recent study suggests that not all endotoxin is the same; endotoxin from some species is proinflammatory, whereas endotoxin from other species is anti-inflammatory. Work with animals can change the adult human microbiome, likely through colonization. Early studies in military personnel and animal models of gulf war illness show that military exposures change the gut microbiome and increase gut permeability. Heavy metal and particulate matter exposure, which are often elevated in occupational settings, also change the gut microbiome.

An emerging body of literature shows that work-related exposures can change the human microbiome. The health effects of these changes are currently not well studied. If work exposures lead to disease through alterations in the human microbiome, exposure cessation without addressing changes to the human microbiome may be ineffective for disease prevention and treatment.
The increase of anterior pelvic tilt after semitendinosus transfer to distal femur in patients with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy
Authors: de Morais Filho Mauro C. , Fujino Marcelo H. , Kawamura Cátia M. , Dos Santos Carlos A. , Lopes José A.F. , Blumetti Francesco C. , Mattar Junior Rames
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study was to compare semitendinosus transfer to distal femur (STTX) to semitendinosus surgical lengthening (STL) regarding the increase of anterior pelvic tilt after flexed knee gait treatment. Thirty-nine patients were evaluated, and they were divided according surgical procedures at knees: STL group (22 patients/44 knees), which included patients who received medial hamstrings surgical lengthening as part of multilevel approach, and STTX group (17 patients/34 knees), which was represented by patients who underwent orthopedic surgery including a STTX instead of STL. In the present study, the mean anterior pelvic tilt increased in all groups after treatment and STTX was not effective to prevent it in a medium-term follow-up.
FCR Interposition Arthroplasty for Concomitant STT and CMC Arthritis
Authors: Moreno Rodrigo , Bhandari Laxminarayan
Published: November 2018

Arthritis of scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint is common and can be seen in association with first carpal metacarpal (CMC) arthritis. Untreated scaphotrapeziotrapezoid arthritis may be a cause of residual pain after CMC arthroplasty. There are various treatment options described in the literature ranging from arthrodesis, resection arthroplasty, interpositional arthroplasty, and implant arthroplasty. We describe a novel technique of flexor carpi radialis (FCR) tendon interposition to tackle this condition. Our common treatment for CMC arthritis is trapezium resection with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition with half of the FCR. With this procedure, through the same exposure, the proximal part of the trapezoid is resected. An anchor is placed into the trapezoid and the sutures are passed through a remnant of the FCR. Thus the FCR is pulled in between the scaphoid and the trapezoid and secured in place. We performed this procedure in 13 hands with average follow-up of 36 months. All patients were satisfied with the procedure and were pain free at their last follow-up. The advantage of this procedure is the use of the FCR, which is already available in the field and requires very little additional procedure.