bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bottom-up self-assembly of nanofibers in the surfactant mixture of CTAB and Pluronics
Authors: Park Soo Ik , Song Hyon-Min
Published: December 2021

Bottom-up self-assembly of nanofibers in a chemical method is presented using the surfactant mixture of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and Pluronics as the anisotropic micellar templates. Fully fluorinated perfluorooctanoic acids with highly hydrophobic C–F chains are imported for constructing exceptionally long nanofibers. Ag(I) provides robustness of the materials by the complexation with ethylene oxides in Pluronic copolymers. Fluorocarbons reside in the PPO (polypropylene oxide) blocks in Pluronic polymers and accordingly in reverse Pluronics, they are placed in the surrounding regions of nanofibers. During the segregation of water from hydrophobic cores, self-assembly is assumed to be driven by hydrophobic interactions among alkyl chains of CTAB, fluoroalkyl chains of perfluorooctanoic acids, and dehydrated methyl groups of PPO blocks in Pluronics. Nanofibers with relatively high aspect ratios were obtained when Pluronic copolymers with low number average molecular weights (Mn), such as L-31 (Mn ∼ 1100) and L-64 (Mn ∼ 2900), were used. Heterogeneous catalytic activities were monitored in the reduction reactions of 4-nitrophenol, and the nanorods prepared from Pluronic 31R1 show the best catalytic performances with a rate constant of 0.002 35 s−1. The roles of fluorine or C–F groups in perfluorooctanoic acids are believed to be the disruption of hydrogen bonding between water and polyethylene oxide groups, and the phase separation of nanofibers from the aqueous environment by the dehydration of hydrophobic cores.
Study of detached plasma profile in the divertor simulation experimental module of tandem mirror GAMMA 10/PDX
Authors: Yoshikawa M. , Kohagura J. , Ezumi N. , Iijima T. , Nojiri K. , Terakado A. , Nakashima Y. , Kariya T. , Numakura T. , Hirata M. , Minami R. , Sakamoto M. , Ichimura M. , Islam M. S. , Shima Y. , Yasuhara R. , Yamada I. , Funaba H. , Minami T. , Kenmochi N. , Kuwahara D. , van der Meiden H. J.
Published: December 2021

A divertor simulation experimental module (D-module) in the tandem mirror GAMMA 10/PDX was used for the study of plasma detachment. In previous studies, it was difficult to measure far-upstream plasma parameters in the D-module, and only electrostatic probes on the target plate were used to perform electron temperature and density measurements. To study the detached plasma structure, a Thomson scattering (TS) system and a microwave interferometer system have been installed to measure the inside plasma parameters of the D-module, and a movable electrostatic probe has been placed at the inlet of the D-module to measure the inlet plasma density and temperature. The TS system in the central cell observed the electron temperature and density of the core plasma simultaneously. These measurements revealed the entire density and temperature structure from the core plasma to the divertor plate. The line average electron density measured by the microwave interferometer showed a rollover behavior during detachment. The results indicated that the ionization region was located around the center of the D-module, and it appears to move upstream along the axis.
Markov Processes
Authors: Gardiner Crispin
Published: December 2021

Probability theory is the tool that must be used to describe the randomness visible in the world around us, but by itself probability theory is not enough. We need to be able to describe the time evolution of the probabilities that describe the mixture of predictability and chance observed. For practical use, we need a description that gives information about the future, based on information we have now. This leads to the concept of a Markov process.
The Fokker–Planck Equation
Authors: Gardiner Crispin
Published: December 2021

Diffusion processes, which we introduced in Sec. 4.2.2, can be regarded as generalizations of the fundamental physical process of diffusion. The Fokker–Planck equation is, in turn, the fundamental partial differential equation for the conditional probability relevant to diffusion processes.
Elementary Diffusion Processes
Authors: Gardiner Crispin
Published: December 2021

There are a number of diffusion processes that are solvable, and can be used as the basis for approximation methods. This is a compendium of the most useful of such processes, including some examples of their use.
Fractional Brownian Motion
Authors: Gardiner Crispin
Published: December 2021

There are natural phenomena in which wide variability is commonly observed, most notably the weather. Any expectations of regularity, or independence of this year’s weather from the past or the future, are not borne out by tradition or folklore. Mandelbrot and Wallis [16.1] saw the essence of traditional knowledge expressed in the Old Testament narratives of Noah and Joseph, and introduced appropriate names for two corresponding concepts.
Properties of TiCp/Cu composites fabricated by powder metallurgy and electrodeless copper plating
Authors: Zhang Dong-Dong , He Xi-Ya , Zhao Hua , Gao Ya-Li
Published: December 2021

In situ spherical TiCp-reinforced copper matrix composites were prepared via hot-pressing sintering assisted with copper plating. Brinell hardness and electrical conductivity of composites with various contents were investigated, room temperature compression properties and fractography of optimal TiCp/Cu composites and sintered pure copper were analysed. It was found that with the increase of TiCp content, Brinell hardness of composites was increased, while electrical conductivity decreased. When TiCp content was 1.0 wt-%, the Brinell hardness increased significantly and the conductivity was maintained at a high level. Compared with sintered pure copper, the yield strength and ultimate compressive strength of the composites were improved, while the fracture strain was reduced.
Arf6 anchors Cdr2 nodes at the cell cortex to control cell size at division
Authors: Opalko Hannah E. , Miller Kristi E. , Kim Hyun-Soo , Vargas-Garcia Cesar Augusto , Singh Abhyudai , Keogh Michael-Christopher , Moseley James B.
Published: December 2021

Fission yeast cells prevent mitotic entry until a threshold cell surface area is reached. The protein kinase Cdr2 contributes to this size control system by forming multiprotein nodes that inhibit Wee1 at the medial cell cortex. Cdr2 node anchoring at the cell cortex is not fully understood. Through a genomic screen, we identified the conserved GTPase Arf6 as a component of Cdr2 signaling. Cells lacking Arf6 failed to divide at a threshold surface area and instead shifted to volume-based divisions at increased overall size. Arf6 stably localized to Cdr2 nodes in its GTP-bound but not GDP-bound state, and its guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), Syt22, was required for both Arf6 node localization and proper size at division. In arf6Δ mutants, Cdr2 nodes detached from the membrane and exhibited increased dynamics. These defects were enhanced when arf6Δ was combined with other node mutants. Our work identifies a regulated anchor for Cdr2 nodes that is required for cells to sense surface area.
Preparation of mesoporous silica-based nanocomposites with synergistically antibacterial performance from nano-metal (oxide) and polydopamine
Authors: Su Guofeng , Zhong Ximing , Qiu Songfa , Fan Jiajin , Zhou Hongjun , Zhou Xinhua
Published: December 2021

In this work, a novel antibacterial nanocomposite system was developed using mesoporous silica (MSN) as an effective nanocarrier, and the resultant nanocomposites demonstrated remarkable antibacterial performance due to the synergistic effect among nano zinc oxides, silver nanoparticles, and polydopamine (PDA). The successful synthesis of MSN/ZnO@PDA/Ag nanocomposites was confirmed. The physicochemical properties and the morphologies of these nanocomposites were investigated. It was found that the particle size increased along with the evolution of these nanocomposites. Besides, nano zinc oxides were formed in the nanochannels of mesoporous silica with a particle size about 2 nm, and that of silver nanoparticle was less than 50 nm. In addition, the results revealed that the presence of mesoporous silica could effectively prevent the formation of large-size silver nanoparticles and facilitate their well dispersion. Due to the synergistic effect among nano zinc oxides, silver nanoparticles, and polydopamine, these nanocomposites exhibited remarkable antibacterial performance even at a low concentration of 313 ppm, and the antibacterial mechanism was also elucidated. Therefore, this work provides a facile and controllable approach to preparing synergistically antibacterial nanocomposites, and the remarkable antibacterial performance make them suitable for practical applications.
Electrochemical charge storage performance of mesoporous MoO3@Co3O4nanocomposites as electrode materials
Authors: Mohapatra Dillip Kumar , Praharaj Swetapadma , Rout Dibyaranjan
Published: December 2021

Constructing a novel nanocomposite structure based on Co3O4is of the current interest to design and develop efficient electrochemical capacitors. The capacitive performance of MoO3@Co3O4nanocomposite is compared with pristine Co3O4nanoparticles, both of them being synthesized by hydrothermal technique. A BET surface area of ∼41 m2g−1(almost twice that of Co3O4) and average pore size of 3.6 nm is found to be suitable for promoting Faradaic reactions in the nanocomposite. Electrochemical measurements conducted on both samples predict capacitive behavior with quasi-reversible redox reactions. MoO3@Co3O4nanocomposite is capable of delivering a superior specific capacitance of 1248 F g−1at 0.5 A g−1along with notable stability of 92% even after 2000 cycles of charge–discharge and Coulombic efficiency approaching 100% at 10 A g−1. The outstanding results obtained in this work assure functional adequacy of MoO3@Co3O4nanocomposite in fabricating high-performance electrochemical capacitors.
Finite element simulation and experimental investigation on the effect of temperature on pseudoelastic behavior of perforated Ni–Ti shape memory alloy strips
Authors: Altas Emre , Khosravi Farshid , Gokkaya Hasan , Arab Maleki Vahid , Akınay Yüksel , Ozdemir Okan , Bayraktar Omer , Kandas Halis
Published: December 2021

In the present study, the temperature-dependent pseudoelastic behavior of shape memory alloy (SMA) sheets is studied experimentally and by finite element (FE) modeling. For this purpose, temperature-dependent mechanical properties for Ni–Ti alloy materials are first obtained by using direct tensile and three-point bending experiments at 23 °C, 50 °C, and 80 °C temperatures, respectively. The structure of these materials is examined at different temperatures using SEM images and the XRD test. Furthermore, using the FE model, the pseudoelastic behavior and the effect of temperature on the residual deflection of the prose-shape memory strips with a circular hole under three-point bending loads are studied. After validating the results of the FE model with the results of experimental tests, the effects of various parameters such as the diameter and number of holes on residual deformation and residual strains are investigated. The results show that with increasing temperature, the mechanical properties including the tensile strength, Young’s modulus, yield stress, and flexural strength of SMA strips increase significantly. For solid strips, although increasing the temperature increases the maximum flexural force, in contrast, it reduces the flexural stiffness. In solid strips, flexural stiffness decreases by 5.5% with increasing temperature from 23 °C to 80 °C.
Circular building with raw earth: a qualitative assessment of two cases in Belgium
Authors: Pelicaen E , Janssens B , Knapen E
Published: December 2021

The built environment puts high pressure on our planet, and a great deal is related to resource extraction, material production and waste generation. In the context of circular construction, buildings must be designed and built in order to keep our natural resources in closed material loops for as long as possible. Raw earth has regained attention in the building industry as an abundant, low-impact and highly recyclable building material. However, little is known and experienced about the implementation of raw earth in circular building design. Therefore, this research offers a better understanding of the circularity of earth architecture by assessing two contemporary Belgian cases. Based on literature, semi-structured interviews and the analysis of technical documents, the circularity of the two cases is qualitatively assessed at different scales and levels. It appears that circularity is highest on the material scale and lowest on the building scale for both cases. It is also found that earth as a building material does not easily fit in existing circular assessment frameworks. This investigation represents a contribution towards the development of design support for circular building with raw earth.
Tectonics of avoidance
Authors: Thomassen M A , Munch-Petersen P
Published: December 2021

This article unfolds as a dialogue between architectural and economics concerns on how a sustainable circular practice can be introduced and upscaled in construction. It will point towards absolute sustainable targets and will be analyze in juxtaposition to the (weak) economic drivers that can get us there (Brejnrod et al., 2017; Eberhardt et al., 2020). First, it is established that sustainable innovation is design strategies that simplify construction in order to avoid environmental impacts tied to building material overuse. These strategies are defined as tectonics of avoidance and consist of two, direct and indirect, approaches to architectural design. Common for both is that as innovation they must be understood more at applied complex knowledge more than a specific product.

In the second part of the article, we discuss how this kind of information (knowledge) can be applied in the economic circumstances that frame construction and architecture today. How it challenges the path-dependency of design methods today and how information and complex knowledge can be ‘sold’ in an ‘open source’ or ‘closed’ approach to the existing marked for construction.
The environmental impact of prefabricated renovation systems: a worthy alternative to on-site renovation?
Authors: Decorte Y , De Meyer S , Steeman M
Published: December 2021

The conventional renovation practices, which are mainly characterized by time-consuming manual on-site techniques, partly contribute to the low renovation rate. Accordingly, a faster and more efficient approach is necessary. The implementation of prefabricated systems could offer a possible solution. These systems are increasingly being studied, but little is known about their environmental impact. Hence, this study investigates the environmental impact by means of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of two prefabricated façade renovation systems being a timber frame and a sandwich panel; and compares it to a well-known on-site technique, External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS). First, reference designs are assembled. Subsequently, the impact of different life cycle stages is determined in order to clearly indicate differences between on-site and prefabricated systems. More specifically, the production, transport, replacement and end-of-life stage are assessed. In the end, the environmental impact is examined over time combining all stages. The results show that the prefabricated systems are not yet a worthy ecological opponent to ETICS. As of the production stage, the environmental impact appears to be higher. Optimising the reference systems through an extensive redesign could lead to more competitive or even favourable results in terms of environmental impact.
Policy instruments for circular built environment implementation: A systematic literature review
Authors: Ancapi Felipe Bucci
Published: December 2021

The built environment (BE) is of fundamental importance in the transition towards circular economy (CE), for it concentrates major consuming and polluting human activities. CE in the BE research has rapidly increased in recent years. However, aspects concerning its policy-making and -implementation, governance, and management are acknowledged to be widely over-looked. Such context may jeopardize effective implementation of circular built environments (CBE). In this article, I conduct a systematic literature review to characterize the relation between circular built environments and the policy instruments suggested for its implementation. Results show that only 7% of publications address policy and instruments for CBE implementation. Yet, identified publications seem to cover a wide variety of policy instruments according to prevailing classifications. Finally, operationalized concepts in publications mostly relate to technological aspects of CBE implementation, which calls for increasing research efforts over systemic challenges in governance, and policy integration and coherence.
The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Iowa Gambling Task and Interpersonal Reactivity Index: Normative Data in an Italian Population Sample
Authors: Maddaluno Ottavia , Aiello Edoardo Nicolò , Roncoroni Camilla , Prunas Antonio , Bolognini Nadia
Published: December 2021

Objective

Social cognition and executive deficits are frequent in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Yet, there is a paucity of standardized domain-specific psychometric tools for the assessment of complex decision-making, social cognition (i.e., Theory of Mind), and empathy. To this aim, this study intended at providing normative data in an Italian population sample for the Iowa Gambling Task, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index.

Method

The Iowa Gambling Task, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index were administered to 462 healthy Italian participants aged between 18 and 91 years, considering demographic factors. A confirmatory factor analysis was run to test for unidimensionality. Normative values were derived by means of the Equivalent Scores method.

Results

Education predicted all tests’ scores, age influenced scores at the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, gender predicted empathic abilities only. The three tests did not underpin a unidimensional structure.

Conclusions

The present work provides demographically adjusted Italian normative data for a set of tests assessing real-life decision-making, emotion recognition and empathy, filling a gap within II-level, domain-specific, neuropsychological testing. For the first time, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index is proposed as an adjuvant neuropsychological tool, while the standardization of the Iowa Gambling Task offers a new scoring system for advantageous/disadvantageous choices.
Function of hydroxycinnamoyl spermidines in seedling growth of Arabidopsis
Authors: Takahashi Ikuo , Ota Tsuyoshi , Asami Tadao
Published: December 2021

Hydroxycinnamic acid amides are involved in various developmental processes as well as in biotic and abiotic stress responses. Among them, the presence of spermidine derivatives, such as N1,N8-di(coumaroyl)-spermidine and N1,N8-di(sinapoyl)-spermidine, and their biosynthetic genes have been reported in Arabidopsis, but their functions in plants are still unknown. We chemically synthesized the above-mentioned spermidine derivatives to assess their physiological functions in Arabidopsis. We evaluated the growth and development of chemically treated Arabidopsis and demonstrated that these compounds inhibited seed germination, hypocotyl elongation, and primary root growth, which could be due to modulation of plant hormone homeostasis and signaling. The results suggest that these compounds are regulatory metabolites that modulate plant growth and development.
Deep latent space fusion for adaptive representation of heterogeneous multi-omics data
Authors: Zhang Chengming , Chen Yabin , Zeng Tao , Zhang Chuanchao , Chen Luonan
Published: December 2021

The integration of multi-omics data makes it possible to understand complex biological organisms at the system level. Numerous integration approaches have been developed by assuming a common underlying data space. Due to the noise and heterogeneity of biological data, the performance of these approaches is greatly affected. In this work, we propose a novel deep neural network architecture, named Deep Latent Space Fusion (DLSF), which integrates the multi-omics data by learning consistent manifold in the sample latent space for disease subtypes identification. DLSF is built upon a cycle autoencoder with a shared self-expressive layer, which can naturally and adaptively merge nonlinear features at each omics level into one unified sample manifold and produce adaptive representation of heterogeneous samples at the multi-omics level. We have assessed DLSF on various biological and biomedical datasets to validate its effectiveness. DLSF can efficiently and accurately capture the intrinsic manifold of the sample structures or sample clusters compared with other state-of-the-art methods, and DLSF yielded more significant outcomes for biological significance, survival prognosis and clinical relevance in application of cancer study in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Notably, as a deep case study, we determined a new molecular subtype of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma that may benefit immunotherapy in the viewpoint of multi-omics, and we further found potential subtype-specific biomarkers from multiple omics data, which were validated by independent datasets. In addition, we applied DLSF to identify potential therapeutic agents of different molecular subtypes of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, demonstrating the scalability of DLSF in diverse omics data types and application scenarios.
Impacts of a high-fat diet on the metabolic profile and the phenotype of atrial myocardium in mice
Authors: Suffee Nadine , Baptista Elodie , Piquereau Jérôme , Ponnaiah Maharajah , Doisne Nicolas , Ichou Farid , Lhomme Marie , Pichard Camille , Galand Vincent , Mougenot Nathalie , Dilanian Gilles , Lucats Laurence , Balse Elise , Mericskay Mathias , Le Goff Wilfried , Hatem Stéphane N
Published: December 2021

Aims

Obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndromes are risk factors of atrial fibrillation (AF). We tested the hypothesis that metabolic disorders have a direct impact on the atria favouring the formation of the substrate of AF.

Methods and results

Untargeted metabolomic and lipidomic analysis was used to investigate the consequences of a prolonged high-fat diet (HFD) on mouse atria. Atrial properties were characterized by measuring mitochondria respiration in saponin-permeabilized trabeculae, by recording action potential (AP) with glass microelectrodes in trabeculae and ionic currents in myocytes using the perforated configuration of patch clamp technique and by several immuno-histological and biochemical approaches. After 16 weeks of HFD, obesogenic mice showed a vulnerability to AF. The atrial myocardium acquired an adipogenic and inflammatory phenotypes. Metabolomic and lipidomic analysis revealed a profound transformation of atrial energy metabolism with a predominance of long-chain lipid accumulation and beta-oxidation activation in the obese mice. Mitochondria respiration showed an increased use of palmitoyl-CoA as energy substrate. APs were short duration and sensitive to the K-ATP-dependent channel inhibitor, whereas K-ATP current was enhanced in isolated atrial myocytes of obese mouse.

Conclusion

HFD transforms energy metabolism, causes fat accumulation, and induces electrical remodelling of the atrial myocardium of mice that become vulnerable to AF.
Right ventricular haemangioma as a rare cause of chest pain: a case report
Authors: Tang Manyun , Jian Zhijie , Yan Yang , Guo Fengwei
Published: December 2021

Background

Cardiac haemangioma is a rare primary cardiac tumour. Most patients with cardiac haemangioma have no typical symptoms, and some may present with non-specific manifestations, such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or cardiac insufficiency, making it difficult to distinguish cardiac haemangioma from other diseases. We report a case of cardiac haemangioma that present with chest pain. This haemangioma was finally completely excised to relieve the patient’s symptoms and a avoid poor prognosis.

Case summary

A 14-year-old boy presented with an intermittent and progressive non-exertional chest pain for 2 weeks. Echocardiography showed a space-occupying mass at the right ventricular apex, which was later confirmed by computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The mass was successfully resected, and postoperative pathology confirmed a cardiac cavernous haemangioma. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery at the 8-month follow-up.

Discussion

Cardiac haemangioma is a benign tumour with no typical clinical manifestations, and very few patients may present with chest pain. Preoperative echocardiography, computed tomography, and MRI are helpful for diagnosis, and surgery can relieve symptoms and may improve the prognosis of patients with cardiac haemangioma.
Epicardial box lesion using bipolar biparietal radiofrequency and multimodality scar evaluation—a case series
Authors: Bijvoet Geertruida Petronella , Chaldoupi Sevasti-Maria , Bidar Elham , Holtackers Robert J , Luermans Justin G L M , Maesen Bart
Published: December 2021

Background

Surgical epicardial atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can be performed as a stand-alone (thoracoscopic) procedure or concomitant to other cardiac surgery. In hybrid AF ablation thoracoscopic surgical epicardial ablation is combined with a percutaneous endocardial ablation. The Medtronic Gemini-S clamp is a surgical tool that uses irrigated bipolar biparietal radiofrequency (RF) energy applied with two clamp lesions that overlap to create one epicardial box lesion including the posterior left atrial wall and the pulmonary veins.

Case summary

We describe three patients with therapy-refractory persistent AF and different stages of atrial remodelling in whom the Medtronic Cardioblate Gemini-S Irrigated RF Surgical Ablation System was used for hybrid AF ablation. Acute endocardial validation at the end of the hybrid ablation revealed a complete box lesion in all three cases. At 2-year follow-up, two out of three patients had recurrence of atrial arrhythmias. Invasive electro-anatomical mapping confirmed the persistence of the box lesion, and the mechanism of arrhythmia recurrence in both patients was unrelated to posterior left atrium or the pulmonary veins. The third patient has been without arrhythmia symptoms since the ablation procedure. A three-dimensional late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging illustrates the ablation scar non-invasively in two cases.

Discussion

Thoracoscopic biparietal RF AF ablation with the Medtronic Cardioblate Gemini-S Irrigated RF Surgical Ablation System results in permanent transmural scar formation, irrespective of the stage of atrial remodelling, as shown in this small population by means of multimodality scar evaluation.
Predictors of Sustained Response With Tofacitinib Therapy in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Sandborn William J , Armuzzi Alessandro , Liguori Giuseppina , Irving Peter M , Sharara Ala I , Mundayat Rajiv , Lawendy Nervin , Woolcott John C , Danese Silvio
Published: December 2021

Background

Tofacitinib is an oral, small molecule JAK inhibitor for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. We evaluate baseline characteristics as predictors of sustained response and remission in patients with ulcerative colitis receiving tofacitinib maintenance therapy.

Methods

Patients with clinical response following OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2 entered OCTAVE Sustain and were rerandomized to receive tofacitinib 5 or 10 mg twice daily or placebo. Baseline characteristics were stratified by week 52 efficacy endpoints (remission, sustained remission, clinical response, sustained clinical response). Associations between baseline characteristics and efficacy endpoints were evaluated using logistic regression analyses.

Results

Overall, 170 of 487 (34.9%) patients were in remission at week 52. In multivariable modeling, endoscopic subscore at baseline of OCTAVE Induction 1 and 2 (2 vs 3; odds ratio [OR], 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-2.44]), partial Mayo score (<2 vs ≥2; OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.27-2.90), and age (per 10-years; OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.02-1.39) at baseline of OCTAVE Sustain (following 8 weeks’ tofacitinib induction therapy) were associated with higher odds of remission at week 52. Oral corticosteroid use (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.42-0.96) and C-reactive protein (per unit; OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.99) at baseline of OCTAVE Sustain were associated with reduced likelihood of remission at week 52. In general, opposite associations were observed for time to loss of response.

Conclusion

Patients with greater clinical improvement after 8 weeks of tofacitinib induction therapy are more likely to maintain response or remission with tofacitinib regardless of dose received during maintenance, highlighting the importance of a robust response to induction therapy.
Optimized photovoltaic system for improved electricity conversion
Authors: Xiao Dongyue , Liu Titi
Published: December 2021

Photovoltaic (PV) modules convert solar energy into electricity; however, in actual applications, the conversion efficiency of PV modules is low. This is because the temperature of PV modules increases, most of the incoming solar radiation absorbed is discarded to the PV modules as wasted heat; this wasted heat generated can be utilized and transferred to a heat exchanger in contact to the rear PV modules. A proposed model is considered with a variation of solar cell temperature due to solar radiation and its effects on output power are modeled and evaluated, seeing PV modules as a thermal absorber, a part of the heat dissipated in the PV modules can be recovered by means of a heat transfer fluid running behind the PV modules, this method improves the PV efficiency, as well as produces thermal and electrical energy simultaneously, thus, the PV modules provide a multifunctional performance cited above, this plays the role of a hybrid solar collector system. The aim of this study is to improve the efficiency of the PV module, through the analysis of a detailed Photovoltaic-Thermal (PVT) collector model performance. The study also estimates the electrical power and thermal energy produced; using MATLAB as an application-oriented design method, the method proposed in this paper can better improve the efficiency of PV power generation and has a wide range of application prospects.
Aesthetic Realism and Manifest Properties
Authors: Sauchelli Andrea
Published: December 2021

This article outlines a realist theory of aesthetic properties as higher-order manifest properties and defends it from several objections, including a possible conflict with contextualist approaches to the aesthetic properties of works of art.
Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of tenofovir, emtricitabine and dolutegravir in mice
Authors: Labarthe Laura , Gelé Thibaut , Gouget Hélène , Benzemrane Mariam-Sarah , Le Calvez Pauline , Legrand Nicolas , Lambotte Olivier , Le Grand Roger , Bourgeois Christine , Barrail-Tran Aurélie
Published: December 2021

Background

Studies of antiretroviral drug (ARV) tissue distribution in preclinical models, such as mice, are key to understanding viral persistence.

Objectives

To determine the plasma and tissue pharmacokinetics and tissue distributions of tenofovir, emtricitabine and dolutegravir in mice.

Methods

ARVs were simultaneously administered to two different strains, and their levels in plasma and tissue samples were determined by a validated LC-MS/MS method. A non-compartmental analysis was performed to estimate the main pharmacokinetic parameters. A tissue penetration factor (TPF) was calculated as the ratio of the concentration in the tissue concerned to that in plasma.

Results

ARV plasma pharmacokinetic parameters in both strains were similar to those estimated in the clinical context. Tissue concentrations were highest in the digestive tract, followed by the liver and kidneys, lymphatic system, pancreas, adipose tissue and lungs. Tissue concentrations were lowest in the brain. Triple therapy could not be considered effective in any of the tissues considered. The TPF values obtained showed that tenofovir diffused widely, especially in the digestive tract, liver and kidneys. Emtricitabine had a TPF above 100% in two-thirds of the tissues. Dolutegravir was poorly distributed to all tissues.

Conclusions

Drug specificity was observed, with higher levels of exposure to tenofovir than to emtricitabine or dolutegravir. Tissue specificity was also observed, with strong penetration of the digestive tract and weak penetration of the brain. These data have important implications for future preclinical and clinical studies for developing new HIV therapies with the goal of an HIV cure.
Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of health condition and outcome registry systems: a systematic literature review
Authors: Lazem Mina , Sheikhtaheri Abbas
Published: December 2021

Objective

Health condition and outcome registry systems (registries) are used to collect data related to diseases and other health-related outcomes in specific populations. The implementation of these programs encounters various barriers and facilitators. Therefore, the present review aimed to identify and classify these barriers and facilitators.

Materials and Methods

Some databases, including PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Sciences, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Ovid, ProQuest, and Google Scholar, were searched using related keywords. Thereafter, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the required data were collected using a data extraction form and then analyzed by the content analysis method. The obtained data were analyzed separately for research and review studies, and the developed and developing countries were compared.

Results

Forty-five studies were reviewed and 175 unique codes were identified, among which 93 barriers and 82 facilitators were identified. Afterward, these factors were classified into the following 7 categories: barriers/facilitators to management and data management, poor/improved collaborations, technological constraints/appropriateness, barriers/facilitators to legal and regulatory factors, considerations/facilitators related to diseases, and poor/improved patients’ participation. Although many of these factors have been more cited in the literature related to the developing countries, they were found to be common in both developed and developing countries.

Conclusion

Lack of budget, poor performance of managers, low data quality, and low stakeholders’ interest/motivation on one hand, and financing, providing adequate training, ensuring data quality, and appropriate data collection on the other hand were found as the most common barriers or facilitators for the success of the registry implementation.
Hybridization between two introduced, invasive crayfish species in the upper Juniata River system, Pennsylvania, USA
Authors: Merovich George T , Hearn Madison , Smith Nicholas A , Buonaccorsi Vincent P
Published: December 2021

Hybridization of non-native crayfishes with native crayfishes can facilitate invasion success of the non-native. We report novel genetic evidence of hybridization between rusty crayfish, Faxonius rusticus (Girard, 1852), and Allegheny crayfish, F. obscurus (Hagen, 1870), two non-native species in the upper Juniata River basin of central Pennsylvania. We used double-digest restriction-associated DNA sequencing, which yielded 28,031 single nucleotide polymorphisms, to characterize the extent of hybridization. Two of eight individuals with mixed character traits were identified as the progeny of hybrids backcrossed into rusty crayfish. One individual, presumed to be a rusty crayfish in the field, was genetically identified as a hybrid backcross to rusty crayfish. The three crayfish taxa (rusty, Allegheny, and intermediates) are virtually indistinguishable based on typical morphological characters. Key character traits that distinguish rusty and Allegheny crayfishes can be mixed atypically in certain individuals (i.e., intermediates). Our results indicate that introgressive hybridization has occurred between rusty and Allegheny crayfishes, and that at least some of the character-trait intermediate individuals have hybrid ancestry. Hybridization may be an additional means by which invasive rusty crayfish increase their fitness and dominance at the expense of existing species and their habitat.
Diagnostic Uncertainty, Microbes, and the Isolation of People with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: LaBonte Michelle Lynne
Published: December 2021

The framing of cystic fibrosis (CF) changed from a strictly genetic disease in the mid- to late-twentieth century to a genetic/infectious hybrid of sorts by the early twenty-first century, providing an opportunity to examine the nature of disease definition in medicine. Respiratory infections had long been associated with CF, yet it was not until the late twentieth century that many physicians became concerned about the possibility of patient-to-patient transmission of a particularly pathogenic microorganism. Initially termed Pseudomonas cepacia, the microbe was linked to rapid decline and even death in some people with CF, and early efforts to prevent its spread included the segregation of infected individuals. However, soon after segregation was implemented in a range of medical and social contexts, physicians began to suspect that people with CF did not always test positive for P. cepacia in the setting of infection, due to challenges isolating and identifying the microorganism in the laboratory. These sources of diagnostic uncertainty, coupled with the severe health outcomes associated with P. cepacia infection, prompted those in leadership positions to treat all people with CF as a potential source of contagion and restrict their in-person interactions, a practice that has had a profound impact on the CF community.
Current Situation of Malaria and Resistance of Main Vectors to WHO Recommended Insecticides in an Endemic Area, Southeastern Iran
Authors: Saberi Nasrollah , Raeisi Ahmad , Gorouhi Mohammad Amin , Vatandoost Hassan , Mashayekhi Minoo , Nikpour Fatemeh , Bozorg Omid Faramarz , Rahimi Foroushani Abbas , Hanafi-Bojd Ahmad Ali
Published: December 2021

Although malaria is endemic in some areas of southeastern Iran, following the successful national malaria elimination plan, the local transmission area has been shrunk. The main cases in Iran are due to Plasmodium vivax followed by P. falciparum. This study was aimed to determine the current situation of malaria in Kerman Province of Iran and evaluate the insecticide resistance of main vectors. The field study was conducted in 2019. Data of new malaria cases were obtained from the health centers for the period of 2009–2018. Susceptibility status of Anopheles stephensi and An. dthali was evaluated against dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, Dieldrin, Malathion, Bendiocarb, Deltamethrin, and Temephos at the diagnostic dose. A total of 522 malaria cases were recorded and divided into indigenous (33.14%) and imported (66.86%) categories. The highest incidence of the disease was reported from the southern areas of the province, where all indigenous cases occurred. Adults of An. stephensi were resistant to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane while its resistance to be confirmed to dieldrin, bendiocarb and deltamethrin. As An. dthali had less than 98% mortality against bendiocarb, the resistance status should be confirmed with more tests. Our findings showed both species had less than 98% mortality against bendiocarb and deltamethrin insecticides which are used in malaria vector control program in Iran. Due to the susceptibility of these vectors to temephos, larviciding can be advised for vector control in this area.
Losing One’s Head or Gaining a New Body?
Authors: Eberl Jason T
Published: December 2021

A surgical head-transplant technique, HEAVEN, promises to offer significantly improved quality of life for quadriplegics and others whose minds are functional, but whose bodies require artificial support to continue living. HEAVEN putatively actualizes a thought-experiment long debated by philosophers concerning the definition of personhood and criterion of personal identity through time and change. HEAVEN’s advocates presume to preserve the identity of the person whose head is transplanted onto another’s living body, leaving one’s previous body behind as one would their corpse. Various classical and contemporary theories of personhood and personal identity would support this presumption, while others would contest it as providing an accurate or complete view of what is essential for a human person to persist through this procedure. This paper brings such theories to bear in analyzing whether HEAVEN can indeed deliver on its promise of complete ontological survival for the person whose head is transplanted.
Properties of molecular gas in galaxies in early and mid stages of Interaction. III. Resolved Kennicutt–Schmidt law
Authors: Kaneko Hiroyuki , Kuno Nario , Iono Daisuke , Tamura Yoichi , Tosaki Tomoka , Nakanishi Kouichiro , Sawada Tsuyoshi
Published: December 2021

We study properties of the interstellar medium, an ingredient of stars, and star formation activity, in four nearby galaxy pairs in the early and mid stages of interaction for both a galaxy scale and a kpc scale. The galaxy-scale Kennicutt–Schmidt law shows that seven of eight interacting galaxies have a star formation rate within a factor of three compared with the best fit of the isolated galaxies, although we have shown that molecular hydrogen gas is efficiently produced from atomic hydrogen during the interaction in the previous paper (Kaneko et al. 2017 PASJ, 69, 66). The galaxy-scale specific star formation rate (sSFR) and star formation efficiency (SFE) in interacting galaxies are comparable to those in isolated galaxies. We also investigate SFE and the Kennicutt–Schmidt law on a kpc scale. The spatial distributions of SFE reveal that SFE is locally enhanced, and the enhanced regions take place asymmetrically or at off-centre regions. The local enhancement of SFE could be induced by shock. We find that the index of the Kennicutt–Schmidt law for the interacting galaxies in the early stage is 1.30 ± 0.04, which is consistent with that of the isolated galaxies. Since CO emission, which is used in the Kennicutt–Schmidt law, is a tracer of the amount of molecular gas, this fact suggests that dense gas, which is more directly connected to star formation, is not changed at the early stage of interaction.
Linking Pain and Motor Control: Conceptualization of Movement Deficits in Patients With Painful Conditions
Authors: Kantak Shailesh S , Johnson Tessa , Zarzycki Ryan
Published: December 2021

When people experience or expect pain, they move differently. Pain-altered movement strategies, collectively described here as pain-related movement dysfunction (PRMD), may persist well after pain resolves and, ultimately, may result in altered kinematics and kinetics, future reinjury, and disability. Although PRMD may manifest as abnormal movements that are often evident in clinical assessment, the underlying mechanisms are complex, engaging sensory-perceptual, cognitive, psychological, and motor processes. Motor control theories provide a conceptual framework to determine, assess, and target processes that contribute to normal and abnormal movement and thus are important for physical therapy and rehabilitation practice. Contemporary understanding of motor control has evolved from reflex-based understanding to a more complex task-dependent interaction between cognitive and motor systems, each with distinct neuroanatomic substrates. Though experts have recognized the importance of motor control in the management of painful conditions, there is no comprehensive framework that explicates the processes engaged in the control of goal-directed actions, particularly in the presence of pain. This Perspective outlines sensory-perceptual, cognitive, psychological, and motor processes in the contemporary model of motor control, describing the neural substrates underlying each process and highlighting how pain and anticipation of pain influence motor control processes and consequently contribute to PRMD. Finally, potential lines of future inquiry—grounded in the contemporary model of motor control—are outlined to advance understanding and improve the assessment and treatment of PRMD.

Impact

This Perspective proposes that approaching PRMD from a contemporary motor control perspective will uncover key mechanisms, identify treatment targets, inform assessments, and innovate treatments across sensory-perceptual, cognitive, and motor domains, all of which have the potential to improve movement and functional outcomes in patients with painful conditions.
Physical Therapist Management of Parkinson Disease: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association
Authors: Osborne Jacqueline A , Botkin Rachel , Colon-Semenza Cristina , DeAngelis Tamara R , Gallardo Oscar G , Kosakowski Heidi , Martello Justin , Pradhan Sujata , Rafferty Miriam , Readinger Janet L , Whitt Abigail L , Ellis Terry D
Published: December 2021

A clinical practice guideline on Parkinson disease was developed by an American Physical Therapy Association volunteer guideline development group that consisted of physical therapists and a neurologist. The guideline was based on systematic reviews of current scientific and clinical information and accepted approaches for management of Parkinson disease.

The Spanish version of this clinical practice guideline is available as a supplement (Suppl. Appendix 1).
Pneumocystis pneumonia and rheumatic disease: diagnostic potential of circulating microbial cell-free DNA sequencing
Authors: Li Jia , Li Jun , Yu Yuetian , Wang Rongsheng , Zhou Mi , Lu Liangjing
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the clinical utility of circulating microbial cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing as a non-invasive approach for diagnosis of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in immunocompromised patients with rheumatic disease (RD).

Methods

The study included 72 RD patients with suspected lung infections admitted to Renji hospital. Eighteen individuals were diagnosed with PJP, and 54 patients without PJP were enrolled as the control group. All patients had undergone pulmonary CT scans, and blood and respiratory tract specimens had been subjected to metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and conventional microbiological tests. The clinical and laboratory parameters were collected, and the efficacy of circulating microbial cfDNA of P. jirovecii was evaluated.

Results

Of the 18 patients with PJP, the average age was 53.0 years, and the median time between RD diagnosis and PJP presentation was 126.0 days (interquartile range 84.0–176.3 days). Low circulating CD4+ cell counts and a lack of PJP prophylaxis were observed in the patients. Metagenomic NGS of circulating microbial cfDNA was performed in 69 patients, including 15 cases with PJP and 54 controls. Twelve (80%) of 15 analysed blood samples contained P. jirovecii sequences in the PJP group, with P. jirovecii not detected among controls. There was a significant difference between PJP and non-PJP groups (P < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 100% when using plasma cfDNA sequencing. Higher β-D-glucan levels were found in patients with positive results for P. jirovecii in plasma cfDNA sequencing.

Conclusion

Metagenomic NGS of circulating microbial cfDNA is a potential tool for diagnosis of PJP in RD patients.