bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survival and behavior of free and encapsulated probiotic bacteria under simulated human gastrointestinal and technological conditions
Authors: Zeashan Muhammad , Afzaal Muhammad , Saeed Farhan , Ahmed Aftab , Tufail Tabussam , Ahmed Awais , Anjum Faqir Muhammad
Published: April 2020

The present study was designed with the objective to compare the viability and stability of free and encapsulated probiotics under simulated technological and human gastrointestinal conditions. L. acidophilus was encapsulated using two wall materials (sodium alginate, soy protein isolate, and SA‐SPI) by extrusion method for enhanced viability under stressed conditions. Free and encapsulated probiotics were subjected to some simulated technological and gastrointestinal conditions. Furthermore, free and encapsulated probiotics were also incorporated in dairy dessert to evaluate the viability and stability during storage. Encapsulation using sodium alginate and SPI as a coating materials significantly (p < .05) improved the survival of probiotics under simulated gastrointestinal and thermal conditions. The buffering effect of microbeads prolonged their survival and stability of under simulated conditions. The number of surviving probiotic cells encapsulated with sodium alginate, SPI, and SA‐SPI over 120 days of product storage was 7.85 ± 0.39, 7.45 ± 0.37, and 8.50 ± 0.43 cfu/ml, respectively. In case of free cells, the surviving cells were just 3.5 ± 0.18 cfu/ml over the period of storage. In short, the study depicted that encapsulation provides protection during exposure to various hostile conditions.
Exchange rate predictability and dynamic Bayesian learning
Authors: Beckmann Joscha , Koop Gary , Korobilis Dimitris , Schüssler Rainer Alexander
Published: April 2020

We consider how an investor in the foreign exchange market can exploit predictive information by means of flexible Bayesian inference. Using a variety of vector autoregressive models, the investor is able, each period, to learn about important data features. The developed methodology synthesizes a wide array of established approaches for modeling exchange rate dynamics. In a thorough investigation of monthly exchange rate predictability for 10 countries, we find that using the proposed methodology for dynamic asset allocation achieves substantial economic gains out of sample. In particular, we find evidence for sparsity, fast model switching, and exploitation of the exchange rate cross‐section.
Secular Trends in the Incidence of Hip Fracture Among Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Berry Sarah D , Daiello Lori A , Lee Yoojin , Zullo Andrew R , Wright Nicole C , Curtis Jeffrey R , Kiel Douglas P
Published: April 2020

A recent study suggested a decline in the incidence of hip fracture among US women between 2002 and 2012, followed by a leveling in the incidence rate from 2013 to 2015. Newly admitted nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to hip fracture, and it is unclear whether that trend is observed in this high risk group. The purpose of our study was to describe trends in hip fracture rates and postfracture mortality among 2.6 million newly admitted US nursing home residents from 2007 to 2015, and to examine whether these trends could be explained by differences in resident characteristics. Medicare claims data were linked with the Minimum Data Set (MDS), a clinical assessment performed quarterly on all nursing home residents. In each year (2007–2015), we identified newly admitted long-stay (ie, 100 days in the same facility) nursing home residents. Hip fracture was defined using Medicare Part A diagnostic codes. Follow-up time was calculated from the index date until the first event of hospitalized hip fracture, Medicare disenrollment, death, or until 1 year. Poisson regression was used to adjust rates of hip fracture for age and sex. The number of newly admitted nursing home residents ranged from 324,508 in 2007 to 257,350 in 2015. Although mean age remained similar (83 years), residents were more functionally dependent over time. There was a small absolute decrease in the incidence rate of hip fracture between 2007 (3.32/100 person-years) and 2013 (2.82/100 person-years), with an increase again in 2015 (3.03/100 person-years). Adjusting for patient characteristics somewhat attenuated these trends. One-year mortality was high following fracture in all years (42.6% in 2007, 42.1% in 2014). In summary, we observed a recent slight rise in the incidence rates of hip fracture among nursing home residents that was at least partially explained by differences in resident characteristics over time. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Effects of bubble size on the gas–liquid mass transfer of bubble swarms with Sauter mean diameters of 0.38–4.88 mm in a co‐current upflow bubble column
Authors: Wang Zhengchao , Guo Kai , Liu Hui , Liu Chunjiang , Geng Yao , Lu Zhe , Jiao Boya , Chen Dengyue
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Bubble columns have found a wide range of application in biochemical industry. Mass transfer in the bubble column can be manipulated by adjusting the bubble size. Thus, for the design of bubble columns, it is necessary to investigate the behaviors of different‐sized bubbles. This work attempts to study the global hydrodynamic and mass transfer characteristics of bubble swarms with Sauter mean diameters (d32) of 0.38–4.88 mm, from microbubbles to millimeter‐sized bubbles, in a co‐current bubble column.

RESULTS

The specific interfacial areas of the bubble swarms with d32 of 0.38–1.47 (generated by ceramic membrane module) and 1.05–4.88 mm (generated by plate gas distributor) are 250–1100 and 7–270 m−1, respectively. The liquid‐side mass transfer coefficient (kL) of those two kinds of bubbles are (0.45–1.16) × 10−4 and (0.58–7.65) × 10−4 m s−1, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Decreasing the bubble size can effectively increase the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa), especially when the bubble size decreases to several micrometers. The major contribution to the mass transfer enhancement results from the increase of the specific interfacial area. Conversely, the kL decreases clearly. It is demonstrated that Higbieʼs and Frosslingʼs equations can approximate the kL of the bubble swarms with d32 > 2 mm and d32 < 2 mm in the bubble column, respectively. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Implementation of risk assessment tools in psychiatric services
Authors: Chaimowitz Gary A. , Mamak Mini , Moulden Heather M. , Furimsky Ivana , Olagunju Andrew T.
Published: April 2020

Violence remains a major risk management concern in psychiatric services with implications on the safety and well‐being of patients, staff, and the public. Serious physical and psychological consequences of violence involving property damage, bodily injuries, and threat to life have been reported in mental health services. Risk assessment tools are important safeguard measures; however, research on clinical implementation is presently limited. Structured professional judgment (SPJ) risk management tools that incorporate professional discretion with analytical understanding of evidence‐based risk factors are widely accepted for risk assessment. However, clinical utility is suboptimal due to several barriers, including those related to the tool, the clinical setting, and resistance from health professionals. To better understand the challenges militating against optimal implementation of risk assessment tools, we reviewed and presented some lessons from the implementation of clinical practice guidelines on a general scale and our experience implementing an SPJ tool called Hamilton Anatomy of Risk Management across a variety of psychiatric services. In summary, the clinical utility of risk assessment tools improves if the tool is psychometrically sound, concise, consensus rated, time efficient, and practical for planning risk management. User feedbacks on the tool utility are also important to sustain implementation.
The howl of Rancho La Brea: Comparative anatomy of modern and fossil canid hyoid bones
Authors: Flores Deanna , Eldridge Emma I. , Elminowski Erin E. , Dickinson Edwin , Hartstone‐Rose Adam
Published: April 2020

The Rancho La Brea (RLB) fossil collection housed at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles, California, is one of the richest collections of carnivoran fossils in the world. The collection is also particularly well known for the preservation of rare and understudied bones in the tar, including the small bony apparatus that is of particular interest to this study, the hyoid. The La Brea collection houses hyoids from several extinct carnivoran species, some of the most common being those of Canis dirus (the dire wolf) and Canis latrans (the coyote). In this study, we compare fossilized hyoid elements from these two canids to samples from modern large congeners, namely: Canis lupus (the gray wolf), Canis rufus (the red wolf), and modern C. latrans. Seven or nine measurements were taken on each bone of the hyoid apparatus, and principal component analyses were performed in order to determine statistical significance between species. For most of the bones, the majority of the variation was driven by size. Dire wolves could be clearly differentiated from all other canids for all elements; the hyoid apparatus of C. dirus is larger and more robust than that of C. lupus. Most of the bony elements could not be distinguished between red wolves or modern coyotes. However, there are enough, complete fossil coyote basihyoids to compare with those of their modern relatives, and in several metrics (both PC shapes and overall size), RLB and modern C. latrans are significantly different. As larger hyoids have been associated with a lower vocal frequency, this distinction would have resulted in the vocalizations of C. dirus occurring at a lower frequency than those produced by C. lupus and perhaps lower vocalizations in ice age coyotes than their modern relatives.

Research Highlights

We quantify morphological differences in the hyoid of dire wolves (Canis dirus) relative to extant grey wolves (Canis lupus), and hypothesize that, as larger hyoids have been associated with a lower vocal frequency, the vocalizations of C. dirus might have occurred at a lower frequency than those by C. lupus. Likewise, modern and fossil coyotes (Canis latrans) show a significant difference in basihyoid size and shape, potentially indicating that modern and ancient coyotes might have sounded differently.
A novel bioassay for the monitoring of carcinoembryonic antigen in human biofluid using polymeric interface and immunosensing method
Authors: Moradkhani Mahbubeh , Farshchi Fatemeh , Hasanzadeh Mohammad , Mokhtarzadeh Ahad
Published: April 2020

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a member of a family of cell surface glycoproteins. Recognition of CEA is needed to monitor the physiological status of the patient for treatment and also it is important to assess the severity of the disease. In this work, we reported a novel sandwich‐type electrochemical immunosensor based on gold nanoparticles functionalized cysteamine‐glutaraldehyde (AuNPs‐CysA‐GA) and it successfully designed to detection of the CEA biomarker in a human plasma sample. The AuNPs‐CysA‐GA provides a large surface area for the effective immobilization of CEA antibody, as well as it ascertains the bioactivity and stability of immobilized CEA antigens. Biotinylated‐anti‐CEA antibody (Ab1) was immobilized on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified AuNPs‐CysA‐GA. Also, secondary antibody (HRP‐Ab2) was costed immobilized to complete the sandwich part of immunosensor. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM and EDS), was employed to monitor the sensor fabrication procedure. The immunosensor was used for the detection of CEA using differential pulse voltammetry (DPVs) technique. The proposed interface led to enhancement of accessible surface area for immobilizing high amount of anti‐CEA antibody, increasing electrical conductivity, boosting stability, and biocompatibility. Finally, the low limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of the proposed immunosensor was obtained as 7 ng/mL with the linear range of 0.001‐5 μg/L. The proposed immunoassay was successfully applied for the monitoring of the CEA in unprocessed human plasma samples. Obtained results paved that the proposed bioassay can be used as a novel bioassay for the clinical diagnosis of cancer based on CEA monitoring.
Pain Perception and Side Effects During Saline Infusion Sonohysterography With a Balloon Catheter
Authors: Ahmadi Firoozeh , Jahangiri Nadia , Zafarani Fatemeh , Vosough Ahmad
Published: April 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate whether the site of the balloon placement into either the uterine cavity or cervical canal can affect the intensity of pain during sonohysterography.

Methods

In this randomized clinical trial, women who underwent saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) were randomized to intracervical or intrauterine balloon placement between May 2012 and May 2014. The examination was scheduled at the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The primary outcome measures included the degree of pain after inflation and then after deflation of the balloon catheter. Data were analyzed on the basis of the intention‐to‐treat principle for each woman who underwent SIS.

Results

A total of 300 infertile women were assigned to the treatment groups. There were no significant differences in inflation and deflation pain and the total procedure time between the 2 groups. The total volume of required saline for adequate distention of the cavity was significantly lower in the cervical group than the intrauterine group (p = .015). Nulliparous women had insignificantly more pain after the initial inflation of the balloon compared with multiparous women (p = .069). The pain score was not associated with patients’ age, the volume of the saline infused, the presence of intrauterine abnormality, and the procedure time.

Conclusions

Intracervical catheter placement did not reduce pain during or after SIS. However, intracervical balloon insertion requires a less‐significant volume of saline compared with intrauterine placement, leading to a reduced risk of intrauterine infection and the spread of malignant endometrial cells into the peritoneal cavity at the time of the procedure.
THE ARC OF PURPOSEFUL LEADERSHIP
Authors: Horan Thomas A.
Published: April 2020

The author, the dean of the School of Business at the University of Redlands, in California, writes about integrating various concepts and approaches to leadership into a broad framework that can guide teaching, research, and consultations. This has led to the “Arc of Purposeful Leadership,” ranging from self‐management to team management to organizational strategy to societal responsibilities. The author explains that the arc represents levels that identify purpose from self to teams to organization to society. Within Self, the focus is on four domains: character, competence, commitment, and compassion. Next, connecting teams to the clear purpose of an organization is a core strategy to achieve high performance from empowered stakeholders. The next level is defined by the themes of clear mission/strategy, alignment of strength and resources, performance‐driven change management, and a supportive culture. Finally, the societal dimension of the Arc encompasses community engagement and philanthropy. The author points out that leadership comes from every corner and every function of the organization—whether in middle management, an individual contributor, or even at the most entry level. No matter the level of status, every employee can play a vital role in shaping and fulfilling the purpose of the organization.
NAMI partners with Instagram on new Netflix series on MH
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2020

Netflix last month announced the launch of a new series on Instagram with a focus on consumers taking care of themselves and their mental health during the COVID‐19 global pandemic. In particular, the series targets the needs of young people and the challenges they may be facing during this health crisis. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has joined in this effort.
Specific absorption rate implications of within‐scan patient head motion for ultra‐high field MRI
Authors: Kopanoglu Emre , Deniz Cem M. , Erturk M. Arcan , Wise Richard G.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the implications of all degrees of freedom of within‐scan patient head motion on patient safety.

Methods

Electromagnetic simulations were performed by displacing and/or rotating a virtual body model inside an 8‐channel transmit array to simulate 6 degrees of freedom of motion. Rotations of up to 20° and displacements of up to 20 mm including off‐axis axial/coronal translations were investigated, yielding 104 head positions. Quadrature excitation, RF shimming, and multi‐spoke parallel‐transmit excitation pulses were designed for axial slice‐selection at 7T, for seven slices across the head. Variation of whole‐head specific absorption rate (SAR) and 10‐g averaged local SAR of the designed pulses, as well as the change in the maximum eigenvalue (worst‐case pulse) were investigated by comparing off‐center positions to the central position.

Results

In their respective worst‐cases, patient motion increased the eigenvalue‐based local SAR by 42%, whole‐head SAR by 60%, and the 10‐g averaged local SAR by 210%. Local SAR was observed to be more sensitive to displacements along right–left and anterior–posterior directions than displacement in the superior–inferior direction and rotation.

Conclusion

This is the first study to investigate the effect of all 6 degrees of freedom of motion on safety of practical pulses. Although the results agree with the literature for overlapping cases, the results demonstrate higher increases (up to 3.1‐fold) in local SAR for off‐axis displacement in the axial plane, which had received less attention in the literature. This increase in local SAR could potentially affect the local SAR compliance of subjects, unless realistic within‐scan patient motion is taken into account during pulse design.
Optimal tracking control for non‐zero‐sum games of linear discrete‐time systems via off‐policy reinforcement learning
Authors: Wen Yinlei , Zhang Huaguang , Su Hanguang , Ren He
Published: April 2020

In this article, a model‐free off‐policy reinforcement learning algorithm is applied to address the optimal tracking problem based on multiplayer non‐zero‐sum games for discrete‐time linear systems. In contrast to the traditional method and the policy iteration method for solving the optimal tracking problems, the proposed algorithm operates with the system data rather than the knowledge of the system dynamics. For performing the proposed algorithm, an auxiliary augmented system is constructed via assembling the original system and the reference trajectory while a discount factor is introduced into the performance indexes. It is analyzed that the solutions of the proposed algorithm converge to the Nash equilibrium and the result is not influenced by the probing noise. Two simulations are presented to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Assessing strength of evidence for regulatory decision making in licensing: What proof do we need for observational studies of effectiveness?
Authors: Slattery Jim , Kurz Xavier
Published: April 2020

Before a medicine can be recommended for a marketing authorization research must be provided to regulators that convincingly supports the benefit‐risk of the product in the claimed indication. The established criteria for such research are usually expressed in terms of evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCT). If studies in real‐world data (RWD) are to be accepted as all or part of the package of evidence, it is necessary to understand the relationship between information from studies of RWD and that from RCTs. The aim of this review is to consider how the strength of such evidence can be quantified in a manner that relates to the decision‐making process, what research is currently available to further this understanding and what additional information will be required.
Experimental Study on Electrical Ignition Characteristics of Ammonium Dinitramide based Propellant under Different Environmental Pressures
Authors: Li Lei , Li GuoXiu , Li HongMeng , Yao ZhaoPu
Published: April 2020

Ammonium dinitramide (ADN)‐based thrusters have been successfully used in‐orbit, but they possess some problems such as catalyst deactivation at high combustion temperatures and the inability to cold start the engine during thruster operation. Thus, a new thermal ignition method using resistance ignition has been developed for ADN‐based liquid propellant. Experimental results showed that ADN‐based liquid monopropellant droplets could be ignited by resistance ignition at different pressures. Voltage only slightly affected the ignition delay time, combustion duration, and total reaction time at 150 kPa and 200 kPa. In contrast, increasing the environmental pressure effectively reduced the ignition delay time, combustion duration, and total reaction time. When passed through droplets, the current presented a three‐stage rapid decline, entered a stable stage, and finally declined again during droplet ignition and combustion. Furthermore, increasing the environmental pressure could reduce the required ignition energy.
Retrospective assessment of acute poisoning incidents by pharmaceutical agents in Jordan: Data from Pharmacy One™ Poison Call Center, 2014 to 2018—Part II
Authors: Yehya Alaa , Albals Dima , Issa Reem , Fawadleh Aida
Published: April 2020

Poison control centers provide surveillance data that can be used to estimate the magnitude of poisoning cases and the level of public awareness and to evaluate control measures. The aim of this study is to describe the drug‐related poisoning queries received by the Pharmacy One™ Poisoning Call Center (P1PCC) in Jordan. This is a retrospective descriptive study of the acute drug‐related poisoning incidents in the Jordanian population recorded by the P1PCC during the 2014‐2018 period. The inquiries received were recorded on a predesigned form. The demographic data, including the age and the sex of the patient, the route of and reason for exposure and the drug therapeutic groups, in addition to medical outcomes, were extracted utilizing computerized Oracle and Excel spreadsheets. During the period of evaluation, 900 drug‐related poisoning incidents were reported to the P1PCC. The majority of calls (48.5%) were received via 911, followed by the public (48.56%) and healthcare professionals (27.1%). More than half of the poisoning incidents were recorded among males (52.5%). Adults were the most affected group (40.5%), followed by children (34.0%). Unintentional exposure was the most common cause of poisoning (58.6%), followed by suicide attempts (25.3%). Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and paracetamol caused the majority of the reported cases. Poisoning incidents were mainly classified as mild to moderate (56.1%), while only 16.6% were severe. The P1PCC has demonstrated an important and vital role in improving patient safety and providing education on rational drug use. Reflections on these data can be used to increase public awareness in promoting the rational use of medications among Jordanian citizens.
Determining baseline toxicity of ozone against an insecticide‐susceptible strain of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. under laboratory conditions
Authors: Feston James , Gaire Sudip , Fardisi Mahsa , Mason Linda J , Gondhalekar Ameya D
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Ozone gas is commercially used for deodorization and microbial control. Its efficacy against stored product insect pests is well documented. In the midst of the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) outbreak, claims were made that ozone gas was effective for their control. This study was conducted to determine baseline ozone concentrations and exposure times required for the control of an insecticide‐susceptible C. lectularius strain under laboratory conditions. Dichlorvos (DDVP), an organophosphate class fumigant insecticide was used as a positive control.

RESULTS

Nymphs and adults were more susceptible to ozone than eggs. Complete (100%) nymph and adult mortality was achieved at an ozone concentration (C) of 1500 ppm and exposure time (T) of 180 min, or concentration × time product (CT) of 270 000 ppm‐min, whereas eggs required an eightfold higher CT (2 040 000 ppm‐min). DDVP vapor was 2070‐, 2542‐ and 450‐fold more potent than ozone, against nymphs, adults and eggs, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline ozone toxicity data provide insights on the practicality of using this gas for the management of common bed bugs. High ozone CT products required for C. lectularius control, particularly eggs, suggest that its use for treating infested human dwellings is not feasible due to logistic, safety and monetary concerns. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Implementation and performance evaluation of a drilling assistive device for distal locking of intramedullary nails
Authors: Hsu Wei‐En , Yu Ching‐Hsiao , Chang Chih‐Ju , Wu Dian‐Shiue , Yu Tsong‐Han , Tseng Ching‐Shiow
Published: April 2020

Intramedullary nailing is a common treatment for long bone fractures. The nail might deform during implantation because of the shape of medullary cavity. Thus, surgeons take many X‐ray images to position distal locking holes and check the drilling process. In this study, we developed a positioning algorithm with a passive or active (robot arm) assistive device for promptly positioning of distal locking holes and stably drilling guidance and support. Using the passive device, the surgeon could manually align the positioning probe with locking hole within 60 seconds based on 20 test cases. In 36 test cases, the active device aligned the positioning probe with locking hole automatically with average errors of 2.2 mm in position and 3.19° in direction. The passive device provides a reliable and low‐cost solution for distal locking of intramedullary nails, while the active device is easy and friendly to use.
Robotic sphincter saving rectal cancer surgery: A learning curve analysis
Authors: Aghayeva Afag , Baca Bilgi
Published: April 2020

Background

Longer operation time is one of the major obstacles in front of the proposed benefits of robotic rectal surgery. We intended to evaluate the learning process for robotic surgery in sphincter saving rectal cancer surgery.

Methods

The learning curve was evaluated using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method. The variable evaluated for learning curve calculation was the operative time.

Results

The learning curve was divided into two phases: initial 52 operations comprised phase 1 and the following 44 operations represented phase 2. Interphase comparisons showed that phase 2 patients had shorter operation times (323.3 ± 102.8 vs. 379.9 ± 108.7 min, p = 0.011), less blood loss (37.2 ± 51.0 vs. 87.7 ± 124.8 mL, p = 0.009), longer distal resection margins (4.5 ± 4.3 vs. 2.5 ± 1.7 cm, p = 0.008), and higher rates of grade 3 mesorectal completeness (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

In this study, we saw that the cut‐off level in the learning curve of a laparoscopically experienced surgeon could be beyond the numbers reported in the literature.
Epstein‐Barr virus related post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder prevention strategies in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Lindsay Julian , Yong Michelle K. , Greenwood Matthew , Kong David C. M. , Chen Sharon C. A. , Rawlinson William , Slavin Monica
Published: April 2020

Epstein‐Barr virus associated post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (EBV PTLD) are recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). The number of patients at risk of developing EBV PTLD is increasing, partly as a result of highly immunosuppressive regimens, including the use of anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG). Importantly, there is heterogeneity in PTLD management strategies between alloHSCT centers worldwide. This review summarizes the different EBV PTLD prevention strategies being utilized including the alloHSCT and T‐cell depletion regimes and the risk they confer; monitoring programs, including the timing and analytes used for EBV virus detection, as well as pre‐emptive thresholds and therapy with rituximab. In the absence of an institution‐specific policy, it is suggested that the optimal pre‐emptive strategy in HSCT recipients with T‐cell depleting treatments, acute graft vs host disease (GVHD) and a mismatched donor for PTLD prevention is (a) monitoring of EBV DNA post‐transplant weekly using plasma or WB as analyte and (b) pre‐emptively reducing immune suppression (if possible) at an EBV DNA threshold of >1000 copies/mL (plasma or WB), and treating with rituximab at a threshold of >1000 copies/mL (plasma) or >5000 copies/mL (WB). There is emerging evidence for prophylactic rituximab as a feasible and safe strategy for PTLD, particularly if pre‐emptive monitoring is problematic. Future management strategies such as prophylactic EBV specific CTLs have shown promising results and as this procedure becomes less expensive and more accessible, it may become the strategy of choice for EBV PTLD prevention.
Assembling Defined DNA Nanostructure with Nitrogen‐Enriched Carbon Dots for Theranostic Cancer Applications
Authors: Wu Di , Li Bang Lin , Zhao Qianwen , Liu Qian , Wang Dong , He Binfeng , Wei Zhenghua , Leong David Tai , Wang Guansong , Qian Hang
Published: April 2020

DNA nanostructures as scaffolds for drug delivery, biosensing, and bioimaging are hindered by its vulnerability in physiological settings, less favorable of incorporating arbitrary guest molecules and other desirable functionalities. Noncanonical self‐assembly of DNA nanostructures with small molecules in an alternative system is an attractive strategy to expand their applications in multidisciplinary fields and is rarely explored. This work reports a nitrogen‐enriched carbon dots (NCDs)‐mediated DNA nanostructure self‐assembly strategy. Given the excellent photoluminescence and photodynamic properties of NCDs, the obtained DNA/NCDs nanocomplex holds great potential for bioimaging and anticancer therapy. NCDs can mediate DNA nanoprism (NPNCD) self‐assembly isothermally at a large temperature and pH range in a magnesium‐free manner. To explore the suitability of NPNCD in potential biomedical applications, the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake efficiency of NPNCD are evaluated. NPNCD with KRAS siRNA (NPNCDK) is further conjugated for KRAS‐mutated nonsmall cell lung cancer therapy. The NPNCDK shows excellent gene knockdown efficiency and anticancer effect in vitro. The current study suggests that conjugating NCDs with programmable DNA nanostructures is a powerful strategy to endow DNA nanostructures with new functionalities, and NPNCD may be a potential theranostic platform with further fine‐tuned properties of CDs such as near‐red fluorescence or photothermal activities.
Studying chloride ions and corrosion properties of reinforced concrete with a green inhibitor and plasticizers
Authors: Abdulsada Shaymaa A. , Török Tamás I.
Published: April 2020

The breakthrough and diffusion of chloride ions into reinforced concrete structures is the major contributing factor for inducing corrosion of the steel reinforcement. This work presents a study of the total chloride contents in concrete and the corrosion process by testing electrical resistivity and half‐cell potential of concrete samples. The novelty of this work in the use of a green inhibitor—orange peel extract. The analysis was based on an experimental investigation of the samples with time of immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl aqueous solutions at room temperature according to European Standards. For this study, different mixtures of concrete were prepared by adding two types of superplastisizers and green inhibitors in different concentrations. The results of the Cl− ions test showed that all the samples (except sample C2) after an immersion testing period of 6 months contained Cl− ions in high concentrations, indicating a greater risk of corrosion. Sample C2 (with green inhibitor and Oxydtron superplasticizer) showed the highest resistance against the chloride ion ingress measured by following the Cl− concentration changes up to the end of the 6 months testing period. This samples' good resistance to corrosion in the tested environment was also proved by the results of several sets of measurements of the electrical resistivity and half‐cell potentials carried on the concrete test samples.
Citral inhibits N‐nitrosodiethylamine‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma via modulation of antioxidants and xenobiotic‐metabolizing enzymes
Authors: Krishnan Palanisamy , Sundaram Jagan , Salam Sharmila , Subramaniam Nirmala , Mari Ashok , Balaraman Gopalakrishnan , Thiruvengadam Devaki
Published: April 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks the sixth position among various cancers worldwide. Recent research shows that natural and dietary compounds possess many therapeutic effects. Citral is a monoterpene aldehyde that contains geranial and neral. The present study was considered to study the role of citral against N‐nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)‐induced HCC via modulation of antioxidants and xenobiotic‐metabolizing enzymes in vivo. NDEA‐alone‐administered group II animals profoundly showed increased tumor incidence, reactive oxygen species, liver marker enzyme levels, serum bilirubin levels, tumor markers of carcinoembryonic antigen, α‐fetoprotein, proliferative markers of argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expressions, phase I xenobiotic‐metabolic enzymes and simultaneously decreased antioxidants, and phase II enzymes levels. Citral (100 mg/kg b.w.) treatment significantly reverted the levels in group III cancer‐bearing animals when compared to group II cancer‐bearing animals. In group IV animals, citral‐alone administration did not produce any adverse effect during the experimental condition. Based on the results, citral significantly inhibits the hepatocellular carcinogenesis through restoring the antioxidants and phase II xenobiotic‐enzyme levels; thereby, it strongly proves as an antiproliferative agent against rat HCC.
The Cognitive‐Functional Composite is sensitive to clinical progression in early dementia: Longitudinal findings from the Catch‐Cog study cohort
Authors: Jutten Roos J. , Harrison John E. , Brunner A.J. , Vreeswijk R. , van Deelen R.A.J. , de Jong Frank Jan , Opmeer Esther M. , Ritchie Craig W. , Aleman André , Scheltens Philip , Sikkes Sietske A.M.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

In an attempt to capture clinically meaningful cognitive decline in early dementia, we developed the Cognitive‐Functional Composite (CFC). We investigated the CFC's sensitivity to decline in comparison to traditional clinical endpoints.

Methods

This longitudinal construct validation study included 148 participants with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, or mild dementia. The CFC and traditional tests were administered at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Sensitivity to change was investigated using linear mixed models and r2 effect sizes.

Results

CFC scores declined over time (β = −.16, P < .001), with steepest decline observed in mild Alzheimer's dementia (β = −.25, P < .001). The CFC showed medium‐to‐large effect sizes at succeeding follow‐up points (r2 = .08‐.42), exhibiting greater change than the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (r2 = .02‐.12). Moreover, change on the CFC was significantly associated with informant reports of cognitive decline (β = .38, P < .001).

Discussion

By showing sensitivity to decline, the CFC could enhance the monitoring of disease progression in dementia research and clinical practice.
Canine parvovirus and pseudorabies virus coinfection as a cause of death in a wolf (Canis lupus) from southern Italy
Authors: Amoroso Maria Grazia , Di Concilio Denise , D’Alessio Nicola , Veneziano Vincenzo , Galiero Giorgio , Fusco Giovanna
Published: April 2020

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) or suid herpesvirus 1 (SHV‐1) is the causative agent of Aujeszky's disease, a highly contagious viral infection which causes neurological fatal illness in mammals other than suids. Here we report a case of a young wolf (Canis lupus) of around 2 years found dead by a hunter in the province of Avellino, Campania Region. Necropsy showed pathological findings consistent with encephalitis and gastroenteritis. Organs were analysed by microbiological and molecular investigations following standard procedures to ascertain the possible cause of death. Real‐time PCR revealed the presence of PRV in the brain and of canine parvovirus 2b in organs like intestine, liver, brain, kidney and pancreas. Death probably occurred very shortly after SHV‐1 infection in an animal already weakened by parvovirosis.
Runners in Action
Authors: Ahman Danel , Bauer Andrej
Published: April 2020

Runners of algebraic effects, also known as comodels, provide a mathematical model of resource management. We show that they also give rise to a programming concept that models top-level external resources, as well as allows programmers to modularly define their own intermediate “virtual machines”. We capture the core ideas of programming with runners in an equational calculus $$\lambda _{\mathsf {coop}}$$

λ
coop

, which we equip with a sound and coherent denotational semantics that guarantees the linear use of resources and execution of finalisation code. We accompany $$\lambda _{\mathsf {coop}}$$

λ
coop

with examples of runners in action, provide a prototype language implementation in OCaml, as well as a Haskell library based on $$\lambda _{\mathsf {coop}}$$

λ
coop

.
Optimal and Perfectly Parallel Algorithms for On-demand Data-Flow Analysis
Authors: Chatterjee Krishnendu , Goharshady Amir Kafshdar , Ibsen-Jensen Rasmus , Pavlogiannis Andreas
Published: April 2020

Interprocedural data-flow analyses form an expressive and useful paradigm of numerous static analysis applications, such as live variables analysis, alias analysis and null pointers analysis. The most widely-used framework for interprocedural data-flow analysis is IFDS, which encompasses distributive data-flow functions over a finite domain. On-demand data-flow analyses restrict the focus of the analysis on specific program locations and data facts. This setting provides a natural split between (i) an offline (or preprocessing) phase, where the program is partially analyzed and analysis summaries are created, and (ii) an online (or query) phase, where analysis queries arrive on demand and the summaries are used to speed up answering queries.

In this work, we consider on-demand IFDS analyses where the queries concern program locations of the same procedure (aka same-context queries). We exploit the fact that flow graphs of programs have low treewidth to develop faster algorithms that are space and time optimal for many common data-flow analyses, in both the preprocessing and the query phase. We also use treewidth to develop query solutions that are embarrassingly parallelizable, i.e. the total work for answering each query is split to a number of threads such that each thread performs only a constant amount of work. Finally, we implement a static analyzer based on our algorithms, and perform a series of on-demand analysis experiments on standard benchmarks. Our experimental results show a drastic speed-up of the queries after only a lightweight preprocessing phase, which significantly outperforms existing techniques.
General Supervised Learning as Change Propagation with Delta Lenses
Authors: Diskin Zinovy
Published: April 2020

Delta lenses are an established mathematical framework for modelling and designing bidirectional model transformations (Bx). Following the recent observations by Fong et al, the paper extends the delta lens framework with a a new ingredient: learning over a parameterized space of model transformations seen as functors. We will define a notion of an asymmetric learning delta lens with amendment (ala-lens), and show how ala-lenses can be organized into a symmetric monoidal (sm) category. We also show that sequential and parallel composition of well-behaved (wb) ala-lenses are also wb so that wb ala-lenses constitute a full sm-subcategory of ala-lenses.
Minimal Coverability Tree Construction Made Complete and Efficient
Authors: Finkel Alain , Haddad Serge , Khmelnitsky Igor
Published: April 2020

Downward closures of Petri net reachability sets can be finitely represented by their set of maximal elements called the minimal coverability set or Clover. Many properties (coverability, boundedness, ...) can be decided using Clover, in a time proportional to the size of Clover. So it is crucial to design algorithms that compute it efficiently. We present a simple modification of the original but incomplete Minimal Coverability Tree algorithm (MCT), computing Clover, which makes it complete: it memorizes accelerations and fires them as ordinary transitions. Contrary to the other alternative algorithms for which no bound on the size of the required additional memory is known, we establish that the additional space of our algorithm is at most doubly exponential. Furthermore we have implemented a prototype which is already very competitive: on benchmarks it uses less space than all the other tools and its execution time is close to the one of the fastest tool.
Correctness of Automatic Differentiation via Diffeologies and Categorical Gluing
Authors: Huot Mathieu , Staton Sam , Vákár Matthijs
Published: April 2020

We present semantic correctness proofs of Automatic Differentiation (AD). We consider a forward-mode AD method on a higher order language with algebraic data types, and we characterise it as the unique structure preserving macro given a choice of derivatives for basic operations. We describe a rich semantics for differentiable programming, based on diffeological spaces. We show that it interprets our language, and we phrase what it means for the AD method to be correct with respect to this semantics. We show that our characterisation of AD gives rise to an elegant semantic proof of its correctness based on a gluing construction on diffeological spaces. We explain how this is, in essence, a logical relations argument. Finally, we sketch how the analysis extends to other AD methods by considering a continuation-based method.
Exponential Automatic Amortized Resource Analysis
Authors: Kahn David M. , Hoffmann Jan
Published: April 2020

Automatic amortized resource analysis (AARA) is a type-based technique for inferring concrete (non-asymptotic) bounds on a program’s resource usage. Existing work on AARA has focused on bounds that are polynomial in the sizes of the inputs. This paper presents and extension of AARA to exponential bounds that preserves the benefits of the technique, such as compositionality and efficient type inference based on linear constraint solving. A key idea is the use of the Stirling numbers of the second kind as the basis of potential functions, which play the same role as the binomial coefficients in polynomial AARA. To formalize the similarities with the existing analyses, the paper presents a general methodology for AARA that is instantiated to the polynomial version, the exponential version, and a combined system with potential functions that are formed by products of Stirling numbers and binomial coefficients. The soundness of exponential AARA is proved with respect to an operational cost semantics and the analysis of representative example programs demonstrates the effectiveness of the new analysis.
Contextual Equivalence for Signal Flow Graphs
Authors: Bonchi Filippo , Piedeleu Robin , Sobociński Paweł , Zanasi Fabio
Published: April 2020

We extend the signal flow calculus—a compositional account of the classical signal flow graph model of computation—to encompass affine behaviour, and furnish it with a novel operational semantics. The increased expressive power allows us to define a canonical notion of contextual equivalence, which we show to coincide with denotational equality. Finally, we characterise the realisable fragment of the calculus: those terms that express the computations of (affine) signal flow graphs.
Practical Machine-Checked Formalization of Change Impact Analysis
Authors: Palmskog Karl , Celik Ahmet , Gligoric Milos
Published: April 2020

Change impact analysis techniques determine the components affected by a change to a software system, and are used as part of many program analysis techniques and tools, e.g., in regression test selection, build systems, and compilers. The correctness of such analyses usually depends both on domain-specific properties and change impact analysis, and is rarely established formally, which is detrimental to trustworthiness. We present a formalization of change impact analysis with machine-checked proofs of correctness in the Coq proof assistant. Our formal model factors out domain-specific concerns and captures system components and their interrelations in terms of dependency graphs. Using compositionality, we also capture hierarchical impact analysis formally for the first time, which, e.g., can capture when impacted files are used to locate impacted tests inside those files. We refined our verified impact analysis for performance, extracted it to efficient executable OCaml code, and integrated it with a regression test selection tool, one regression proof selection tool, and one build system, replacing their existing impact analyses. We then evaluated the resulting toolchains on several open source projects, and our results show that the toolchains run with only small differences compared to the original running time. We believe our formalization can provide a basis for formally proving domain-specific techniques using change impact analysis correct, and our verified code can be integrated with additional tools to increase their reliability.
Secondary caries: what is it, and how it can be controlled, detected, and managed?
Authors: Askar Haitham , Krois Joachim , Göstemeyer Gerd , Bottenberg Peter , Zero Domenick , Banerjee Avijit , Schwendicke Falk
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To assess how to control, detect, and treat secondary caries. This review serves to inform a joint ORCA/EFCD consensus process.

Methods

Systematic and non-systematic reviews were performed or consulted and narratively synthesized.

Results

Secondary (or recurrent) caries is defined as a lesion associated with restorations or sealants. While the restorative material itself has some influence on secondary caries, further factors like the presence and size of restoration gaps, patients’ caries risk, and the placing dentist’s experience seem more relevant. Current detection methods for secondary caries are only sparsely validated and likely prone for the risk of over-detection. In many patients, it might be prudent to prioritize specific detection methods to avoid invasive overtreatment. Detected secondary caries can be managed either by repair of the defective part of the restoration or its complete replacement.

Conclusions

There is sparse data towards the nature of secondary caries and how to control, detect, and treat it.

Clinical significance

Despite often claimed to be a major complication of restorations, there is surprisingly little data on secondary caries. Longer-term studies may be needed to identify differences in secondary caries risk between materials and to identify characteristic features of progressive lesions (i.e., those in need of treatment).