bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Musculoskeletal ultrasound for traumatic and torsional alterations
Authors: Strakowski Jeffry A. , Chiou‐Tan Faye Y.
Published: July 2020

The sonographic appearance of soft tissue can be altered by trauma and positional change with torsional stress. This creates challenges for ultrasonographic interpretation, because most descriptive literature and standard instructional references are displayed in anatomically neutral or other conventional positions. Knowledge of anatomic alteration and changes in sonographic appearance with torsional stress is essential for accurately assessing soft tissue abnormalities in conditions of spasticity, traumatic and post‐surgical changes, and other conditions that distort musculoskeletal relationships. A systematic scanning approach to these alterations is needed for accurate diagnostic interpretation, optimizing electrode placement for electrodiagnostic techniques, effective needle placement for therapeutic ultrasound‐guided procedures, and even planning for restorative surgery. This review describes expected positional changes of normal structures with torsional alteration, as well as sonographic recognition of scars, burns, hematomas, fat layer fracture, Morel‐Lavallee lesions, abscesses, foreign bodies, myotendinous lesions, muscle injury and denervation, and traumatic peripheral nerve injury.
Satisfaction with ankle foot orthoses in individuals with Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease
Authors: Zuccarino Riccardo , Anderson Kirsten M. , Shy Michael E. , Wilken Jason M.
Published: July 2020

Background

Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly prescribed to individuals with Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT). The aim of this study was to evaluate patient reported satisfaction with orthotic devices and services in individuals with CMT to provide preliminary data for advancing AFO development and improving clinical care.

Methods

The Orthotics and Prosthetics Users Survey was distributed via e‐mail through the Inherited Neuropathy Consortium (INC) Contact Registry and includes 11 device‐specific questions and 10 service‐related questions. Participants were also asked open‐ended questions about their experiences with AFOs.

Results

Three hundred and fourteen individuals completed the survey. Over one‐third of participants provided negative responses, including dislike of AFO appearance, discomfort, abrasions or irritations, and pain. Ratings of orthotic services were generally positive.

Conclusions

Lower scores related to discomfort, abrasions and pain identified areas for AFO improvement. Continued research in these areas will be beneficial to informing and advancing AFO development and improving clinical care.
Agreement between patient global impression scale of improvement, pelvic floor distress inventory and 15D in measuring the outcome of pelvic organ prolapse surgery
Authors: Mattsson Nina K. , Karjalainen Päivi , Heikkinen Anna‐Mari , Nieminen Kari , Jalkanen Jyrki , Tolppanen Anna‐Maija
Published: July 2020

Aims

To evaluate the correlation between three commonly used patient‐reported outcome measures, two generic and one condition‐specific instrument, in assessing the change in health‐related quality of life following pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

Methods

The generic health‐related quality of life measure 15‐dimensional instrument (15D), Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI‐I), and prolapse‐specific Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PDFI‐20) were used to assess the effectiveness of pelvic organ prolapse surgery in the national FINPOP study of 3535 surgeries (83% of all pelvic organ prolapse operations) performed in Finland in 2015. Spearman correlations between PGI‐I, change in 15D and its dimensions and change in PFDI‐20 and its subscales over a 2‐year follow‐up were investigated. The proportion of concordant ratings was also studied by investigating the proportion of women rated similarly (worse/no change/better/much better) by two instruments according to validated cutoffs.

Results

Among 2248 women for whom the 2‐year change in all instruments could be measured, changes in PFDI‐20 and 15D and its dimensions were weak (ρ < 0.2 for all except excretion; ρ = 0.39 and sexual activity; ρ = 0.27). PFDI‐20 change (ρ = 0.39) and its subscales (ρ = 0.19‐0.40, all P < .001) were more strongly correlated with PGI‐I. The proportion of fully concordant ratings were higher for PFDI‐20 and PGI‐I (50.6%) than for PFDI‐20 and 15D (33.0%).

Conclusion

The weak correlations between 15D, PGI‐I, and PDFI‐20 observed in this study show that the quantified health gains are strongly dependent on the chosen patient‐reported outcome measures. This demonstrates the importance of using condition‐specific sensitive outcome measures in assessing the impact of surgical treatment in pelvic organ prolapse.
Relaxometry and quantification in sodium MRI of cerebral gliomas: A FET‐PET and MRI small‐scale study
Authors: Worthoff Wieland A. , Shymanskaya Aliaksandra , Lindemeyer Johannes , Langen Karl‐Josef , Shah N. Jon
Published: July 2020

Sodium MRI is a promising method for assessing the metabolic properties of brain tumours. In a recent study, a strong relationship between semi‐quantitative abnormalities in sodium MRI and the mutational status of the isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme (IDH) with untreated cerebral gliomas was observed. Here, sodium relaxometry in brain tumour tissue was investigated in relation to molecular markers in order to reveal quantitative sodium tissue parameters and the differences between healthy tissue and brain tumour. The previous semi‐quantitative approach is extended by use of suitable relaxometry methods accompanied by numerical simulation to achieve detailed quantitative analysis of intra‐ and extracellular sodium concentration using an enhanced SISTINA sequence at 4 T. Using optimised techniques, biexponential sodium relaxation times in tumour (T*2f, T*2s) and in healthy contralateral brain tissue (T*2f,CL, T*2s,CL) were estimated in 10 patients, along with intracellular sodium molar fractions (χ, χCL), volume fractions (η, ηCL) and concentrations (ρin, ρin,CL). The total sodium tissue concentrations (ρT, ρT,CL) were also estimated. The ratios T*2f/T*2f,CL (P = .05), η/ηCL (P = .02) and χ/χCL (P = .02) were significantly lower in IDH mutated than in IDH wildtype gliomas (n = 4 and n = 5 patients, respectively). The Wilcoxon rank‐sum test was used to compare sodium MRI parameters in patients with and without IDH mutation. Thus, quantitative analysis of relaxation rates, intra‐ and extracellular sodium concentrations, intracellular molar and volume fractions based on enhanced SISTINA confirmed a relationship between abnormalities in sodium parameters and the IDH mutational status in cerebral gliomas, hence catering for the potential to provide further insights into the status of the disease.
“Brothers in arms”: Activity‐related skeletal changes observed on the humerus of individuals buried with and without weapons from the 10th‐century CE Carpathian Basin
Authors: Tihanyi Balázs , Berthon William , Kis Luca , Váradi Orsolya Anna , Dutour Olivier , Révész László , Pálfi György
Published: July 2020

Investigation of warfare‐related lifestyle based on the activity‐induced skeletal changes is of great interest for bioarchaeologists. Numerous studies have described various skeletal traces connected to the regular practice of different types of weapons. However, methodological problems, such as the multifactorial aetiology of these presumed activity‐related skeletal changes, make it difficult to evaluate which changes are reliable in the identification and characterisation of a given class of individuals in a population. This paper aims to find significant morphological and metric differences on the humerus between individuals buried with and without weapons. We focused on the Hungarian Conquest period (10th‐century CE) collection of Sárrétudvari‐Hízóföld, characterised by a high number of burials associated with weapons and, especially, archery‐related equipment. Only adult males were selected for this study to decrease the influence of nonmechanical factors, such as age and sex. We analysed the bones for the presence of entheseal changes, joint changes, morphological variants, and traumas. The selection of these markers relied on anatomical and sport traumatological data. We also calculated indices of robusticity and shape based on the external measurements of the humerus. The values were compared according to the presence (armed group) or absence (unarmed group) of weapon deposits in the graves. An independent group of nonwarriors from the documented Luís Lopes Skeletal Collection (Lisbon) was also used for comparison.

In general, the armed group exhibited higher rates of changes, and statistical tests revealed significant intergroup differences concerning certain entheseal changes and indices of robusticity and shape.

Although the multifactorial aetiology of skeletal changes highly limits the possible interpretations, our results suggest that a set of morphological and metric features on the humerus is indicative of the practice of activities including archery and other fighting techniques. We assess that the further analysis of activity‐related changes of the upper limb bones will contribute to the recognition of the presence of warriors at a populational level.
Muscle‐Specific Relation of Acetylcarnitine and Intramyocellular Lipids to Chronic Hyperglycemia: A Pilot 3‐T 1H MRS Study
Authors: Klepochová Radka , Leutner Michael , Bastian Magdalena , Krebs Michael , Weber Michael , Trattnig Siegfried , Kautzky‐Willer Alexandra , Krššák Martin
Published: July 2020

Objective

Acetylcarnitine plays an important role in fat metabolism and can be detected in proton magnetic resonance spectra in skeletal muscle. An inverse relationship of acetylcarnitine to intramyocellular lipids and metabolic markers of chronic hyperglycemia has been suggested. This study aimed to compare the acetylcarnitine concentrations and intramyocellular lipids measured noninvasively by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) in the tibialis anterior and the soleus of three different groups of volunteers with a broad range of glycemic control.

Methods

Acetylcarnitine and intramyocellular lipid concentrations were measured in 35 individuals stratified into three groups according to glucose tolerance and/or manifestation of type 2 diabetes mellitus. All MRS measurements were performed on a 3‐T MR system.

Results

The differences in patient phenotype were mirrored by increased intramyocellular lipids in the tibialis anterior and decreased acetylcarnitine concentrations in the soleus muscle of type 2 diabetes patients when compared with normal glucose‐tolerant individuals. Results suggest that intramyocellular lipids mirror whole‐body glucose tolerance better in the tibialis anterior muscle, whereas acetylcarnitine is a better discriminator in the soleus muscle.

Conclusions

This muscle‐specific behavior of metabolites could represent different fiber compositions in the examined muscles and should be considered when planning future metabolic studies.
Relationship between financial development and inbound tourism: A revisit
Authors: Al‐Mulali Usama , Solarin Sakiru Adebola , Gholipour Hassan F.
Published: July 2020

In this study, we use a more accurate and comprehensive indicator of financial development to examine the link between financial development and tourist arrivals and expenditures in the top 20 tourist destination countries over the period of 1995–2017. By applying the panel augmented mean group method and controlling for other determinants of tourist arrivals, the overall results revealed that financial development positively influences tourism development. On the contrary, economic growth and countries price levels have no significant effects on tourism development. At the country level results; financial development has positive effects on tourism development in most countries. However, gross domestic product growth and consumer price index have a significant in few countries only. Therefore, the outcome of this study reveals that that visitors do not consider the development and the price level of the country but rather the facilities available including the facilities in the financial structures.
Molecular characterization of organoids derived from pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms
Authors: Huang Bo , Trujillo Maria A , Fujikura Kohei , Qiu Miaozhen , Chen Fei , Felsenstein Matthäus , Zhou Cancan , Skaro Michael , Gauthier Christian , Macgregor‐Das Anne , Hutchings Danielle , Hong Seung‐Mo , Hruban Ralph H , Eshleman James R , Thompson Elizabeth D , Klein Alison P , Goggins Michael , Wood Laura D , Roberts Nicholas J
Published: July 2020

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are commonly identified non‐invasive cyst‐forming pancreatic neoplasms with the potential to progress into invasive pancreatic adenocarcinoma. There are few in vitro models with which to study the biology of IPMNs and their progression to invasive carcinoma. Therefore, we generated a living biobank of organoids from seven normal pancreatic ducts and ten IPMNs. We characterized eight IPMN organoid samples using whole genome sequencing and characterized five IPMN organoids and seven normal pancreatic duct organoids using transcriptome sequencing. We identified an average of 11,344 somatic mutations in the genomes of organoids derived from IPMNs, with one sample harboring 61,537 somatic mutations enriched for T→C transitions and T→A transversions. Recurrent coding somatic mutations were identified in 15 genes, including KRAS, GNAS, RNF43, PHF3, and RBM10. The most frequently mutated genes were KRAS, GNAS, and RNF43, with somatic mutations identified in six (75%), four (50%), and three (37.5%) IPMN organoid samples, respectively. On average, we identified 36 structural variants in IPMN derived organoids, and none had an unstable phenotype (> 200 structural variants). Transcriptome sequencing identified 28 genes differentially expressed between normal pancreatic duct organoid and IPMN organoid samples. The most significantly upregulated and downregulated genes were CLDN18 and FOXA1. Immunohistochemical analysis of FOXA1 expression in 112 IPMNs, 113 mucinous cystic neoplasms, and 145 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas demonstrated statistically significant loss of expression in low‐grade IPMNs (p < 0.0016), mucinous cystic neoplasms (p < 0.0001), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma of any histologic grade (p < 0.0001) compared to normal pancreatic ducts. These data indicate that FOXA1 loss of expression occurs early in pancreatic tumorigenesis. Our study highlights the utility of organoid culture to study the genetics and biology of normal pancreatic duct and IPMNs. © 2020 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving access to care for children with cancer through implementation of an electronic referral system (IMPACT): A single‐center experience from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Jastaniah Wasil , Justinia Taghreed , Alsaywid Basim , Alloqmani Riyadh Maneea , Alloqmani Saleh Maneea , Alnakhli Amal Talal , Alganawi Abdualrahman
Published: July 2020

Background

Delayed access to cancer care has been associated with childhood cancer death. Improving timely access to cancer care is the first important step in the cancer treatment journey. We introduced an electronic referral system (e‐RS) to improve timely access to cancer care. This study aimed to assess the impact of implementing an e‐RS on timely access to cancer care.

Methods

A retrospective cross‐sectional study of pediatric oncology patients selected through a consecutive nonprobability sampling technique was performed to determine the turnaround time (TAT) of children with cancer diagnosed 12 months before and after implementation of the e‐RS. TAT was defined as time in hours from referral to approval for admission.

Results

Of the 326 pediatric oncology patients diagnosed between January 2014 and December 2015, 59.9% were male and 40.1% were female. Median age for both sexes was 5.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.5‐9.0 years). Among these, 98.2% were Saudi nationals. Hematological malignancies accounted for 50.6% of referrals and 16.6% had lymphoma. The median TAT of the manual referral system (m‐RS) and e‐RS was 18 h (IQR: 2‐25 h) and 2 h (IQR: 1‐16 h; P = .0001), median length of hospital stay during first admission was 11 days versus 9 days (P = .14), and death events occurred in 11 patients versus zero patients referred using the m‐RS versus e‐RS (P = .003), respectively.

Conclusion

The introduction of an e‐RS was associated with more rapid processing of pediatric patients for cancer treatment and fewer patient deaths during the initial evaluation and treatment during that time period.
Indicators of Affect Dynamics: Structure, Reliability, and Personality Correlates
Authors: Wendt Leon P. , Wright Aidan G.C. , Pilkonis Paul A. , Woods William C. , Denissen Jaap J.A. , Kühnel Anja , Zimmermann Johannes
Published: July 2020

Researchers are increasingly interested in the affect dynamics of individuals for describing and explaining personality and psychopathology. Recently, the incremental validity of more complex indicators of affect dynamics (IADs; e.g. autoregression) has been called into question (Dejonckheere et al., 2019), with evidence accumulating that these might convey little unique information beyond mean level and general variability of emotions. Our study extends the evidence for the construct validity of IADs by investigating their redundancy and uniqueness, split–half reliability based on indices from odd–numbered and even–numbered days, and association with big five personality traits. We used three diverse samples that assessed daily and momentary emotions, including community participants, individuals with personality pathology, and their significant others (total N = 1192, total number of occasions = 51 278). Mean and variability of affects had high reliability and distinct nomological patterns to big five personality traits. In contrast, more complex IADs exhibited substantial redundancies with mean level and general variability of emotions. When partialing out these redundancies by using residual variables, some of the more complex IADs had acceptable reliability, but only a few of these showed incremental associations with big five personality traits, indicating that IADs have limited validity using the current assessment practices. © 2020 The Authors. European Journal of Personality published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Association of Personality Psychology
Identification of Lathyrus sativus plant volatiles causing behavioral preference of Aphis craccivora
Authors: Mitra Paroma , Das Swati , Debnath Rahul , Mobarak Syed Husne , Barik Anandamay
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

The viviparous aphid Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a serious threat to the crop yield of Lathyrus sativus L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as grass pea. The synthetic insecticides applied to control this insect pest are not safe for the environment. Hence, it is necessary to find volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from two cultivars [BIO L 212 Ratan (BIO) and Nirmal B‐1 (NIR)] of L. sativus plants causing behavioral preference of A. craccivora.

RESULTS

The VOCs from undamaged (UD), insect‐damaged (ID) [plants on which 50 or 100 adults of A. craccivora were fed for 4 h (ID 50 or ID 100)], and mechanically damaged (MD) plants were identified and quantified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and gas chromatography‐flame ionization detection analyses, respectively. Total VOCs were higher in ID plants compared to UD plants of each cultivar. However, total VOCs were higher in NIR cultivar compared to BIO cultivar for both UD and ID plants. Benzyl alcohol was predominant in volatile extracts of all treatments. In Y‐tube olfactometer bioassays, females showed preference towards volatile extracts of UD, ID, and MD plants of each cultivar compared to the control solvent (CH2Cl2). Insects preferred certain synthetic blends comparable to volatile extracts of UD, ID, and MD plants of each L. sativus cultivar against the control solvent.

CONCLUSION

Females preferred a synthetic blend of benzyl alcohol, 1,3‐diethylbenzene, thymol, and 1‐hexadecene at ratios of 142.49: 62.03:1.18:1 dissolved in 25 μL of CH2Cl2 in olfactometer bioassays, which could be used in developing lures to control this insect pest.
Thermoelectric Transport Parameters of p‐Type RuVAs and RuNbAs Heusler Alloys
Authors: Cherifi Fatiha , Mostefa Zohra , Boukra Abdelaziz , Meghoufel Zahira Faïza , Bouattou Miloud , Kadi Allah Fayçal , Terki Ferial
Published: July 2020

Density functional (DFT) theory and semiclassical Boltzmann theory are used to calculate structural, mechanical, electronic, and transport properties of RuVAs and RuNbAs half‐Heusler alloys. The band structure calculations reveal a p‐type semiconducting state with narrow indirect (L–X) gap values of 0.20 and 0.36 eV for RuVAs and RuNbAs alloys, respectively. The Seebeck coefficient S, electrical conductivity σ, thermal conductivity κe, and figure of merit ZT are calculated in the temperature range 100–1200 K. The lattice thermal conductivity κL and the relaxation time τ are also determined. At room temperature, RuVAs and RuNbAs alloys exhibit ZT values of 0.22 and 0.30 respectively, which correspond to the lattice thermal conductivity κL equal to 18.67 and 15.14 W m−1 K. κL rapidly decreases with increasing temperature. In addition, the maximum value of ZT reaches 0.47 at 900 K and 0.62 at 1000 K for RuVAs and RuNbAs alloys, respectively. Consequently, these compounds could be a candidate for use as p‐type thermoelectric materials operating at high temperatures.
Tolerance and avoidance mechanisms of the rare and endemic fish of the upper Yangtze River to total dissolved gas supersaturation by hydropower stations
Authors: Wang Yuanming , Liang Ruifeng , Li Kefeng , Li Ran
Published: July 2020

Several superhigh dams (greater than 200 m in height) and many high dams have been built in the upper Yangtze River basin in recent years, and these dams have made total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation a serious environmental problem. A few studies have examined the tolerance and avoidance characteristics of rare and endemic fish in TDG‐supersaturated water in the upper Yangtze River over the past 10 years. These studies focused on specific species and specific sizes and did not identify a regular pattern that can be applied to all resident fish in the upper Yangtze River. However, elucidating this type of pattern is crucial for fishery management and dam operations in the upper Yangtze River. Data on the median lethal time (LT50), horizontal avoidance percentage, and vertical water depth of three rare and endemic species in the upper Yangtze River from previous studies were used in the current work. An exponential relationship was found between LT50 of fish and TDG supersaturation. The avoidance percentage of fish has a linear relationship with TDG supersaturation. Fish in the upper Yangtze River can use depth compensation to avoid the threat of TDG when the saturation is 130% or above but rarely avoid the threat of TDG when the saturation is less than 125%. We also described the tolerance and avoidance characteristics of fish in a TDG‐supersaturated river downstream from a super‐high dam. When the dam discharged a two‐year flood, the LT50 values of fish downstream ranged from 9.1 to 27.5 hr regardless of depth compensation. The avoidance percentage of resident fish ranged from 8.4 to 44.8%. The resident fish swam to a water depth of 2.43–3.33 m to avoid the threat of TDG.
Behaviour and ability of a cyprinid (Schizopygopsis younghusbandi) to cope with accelerating flows when migrating downstream
Authors: Li Minne , Shi Xiaotao , Jin Zhijun , Ke Senfan , Lin Chenyu , An Ruidong , Li Jia , Katopodis Christos
Published: July 2020

The migration corridors in regulated rivers lead downstream fish migrants, particularly juveniles to pass through water infrastructure. Accelerating flow, experienced by fish, might trigger avoidance behaviour and then influence the downstream migration efficacy. It is essential to understand the causes of avoidance behaviour exhibited by downstream migratory fish in accelerating flow. In this study, the effect of three different accelerating flows on the downstream migration behaviour of Schizopygopsis younghusbandi (S.Y) was investigated using a constriction wedge in a circulating flume. The results showed that some fish (30%, 23%, and 39% under low, medium, and high flow conditions, respectively) repeatedly attempted to burst upstream with positive rheotaxis prior to successful passage downstream. Under the low‐, medium‐, and high‐accelerating levels, the average fish swimming speeds were 89.19, 91.28, and 111.94 cm/s, respectively; these values were close to the critical swimming speed (110.42 cm/s) of the target fish. The water velocities at the fish avoidance points were centrally distributed at approximately 73.03 cm/s. Regarding turbulence, the results exhibited that the S.Y generally responded to a discrete range of <50 cm2/s2 of turbulent kinetic energy and < 2 N/m2 of the horizontal component of the Reynolds shear stress (RSSxy). Also, the fish that exhibited avoidance behaviour were not centrally distributed in the lateral and longitudinal velocity locations, where there was an abrupt change in the gradient. This study highlighted the impact of accelerating flow on the downstream fish migration behaviour of a cyprinid. Furthermore, this study quantified the hydraulic factors that triggered this avoidance. Thus, it provided experimental support for optimizing the design of the hydraulic factors for downstream fishways.
Human perivascular stem cells prevent bone graft resorption in osteoporotic contexts by inhibiting osteoclast formation
Authors: Negri Stefano , Wang Yiyun , Sono Takashi , Lee Seungyong , Hsu Ginny Ching-Yun , Xu Jiajia , Meyers Carolyn A. , Qin Qizhi , Broderick Kristen , Witwer Kenneth W. , Peault Bruno , James Aaron W.
Published: July 2020

The vascular wall stores mesenchymal progenitor cells which are able to induce bone regeneration, via direct and paracrine mechanisms. Although much is known regarding perivascular cell regulation of osteoblasts, their regulation of osteoclasts, and by extension utility in states of high bone resorption, is not known. Here, human perivascular stem cells (PSCs) were used as a means to prevent autograft resorption in a gonadectomy-induced osteoporotic spine fusion model. Furthermore, the paracrine regulation by PSCs of osteoclast formation was evaluated, using coculture, conditioned medium, and purified extracellular vesicles. Results showed that PSCs when mixed with autograft bone induce an increase in osteoblast:osteoclast ratio, promote bone matrix formation, and prevent bone graft resorption. The confluence of these factors resulted in high rates of fusion in an ovariectomized rat lumbar spine fusion model. Application of PSCs was superior across metrics to either the use of unpurified, culture-defined adipose-derived stromal cells or autograft bone alone. Under coculture conditions, PSCs negatively regulated osteoclast formation and did so via secreted, nonvesicular paracrine factors. Total RNA sequencing identified secreted factors overexpressed by PSCs which may explain their negative regulation of graft resorption. In summary, PSCs reduce osteoclast formation and prevent bone graft resorption in high turnover states such as gonadectomy-induced osteoporosis.

Significance statement Perivascular progenitor cells exert positive regulatory effects on osteoblasts to heal bones, yet their potential role in osteoclast regulation is not known. It is observed that human perivascular progenitor cells reduce osteoclast formation, thereby preventing bone graft resorption and yielding better outcomes in a preclinical xenograft model. In the future, perivascular stem cells could be used to augment bone grafts, serving as a pro-anabolic, antiosteoclastic stimulus for better outcomes in orthopaedics.
Toward Controlling the Electronic Structures of Chemically Modified Superatoms of Gold and Silver
Authors: Omoda Tsubasa , Takano Shinjiro , Tsukuda Tatsuya
Published: July 2020

Atomically precise gold/silver clusters protected by organic ligands L, [(Au/Ag)xLy]z, have gained increasing interest as building units of functional materials because of their novel photophysical and physicochemical properties. The properties of [(Au/Ag)xLy]z are intimately associated with the quantized electronic structures of the metallic cores, which can be viewed as superatoms from the analogy of naked Au/Ag clusters. Thus, establishment of the correlation between the geometric and electronic structures of the superatomic cores is crucial for rational design and improvement of the properties of [(Au/Ag)xLy]z. This review article aims to provide a qualitative understanding on how the electronic structures of [(Au/Ag)xLy]z are affected by geometric structures of the superatomic cores with a focus on three factors: size, shape, and composition, on the basis of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The knowledge accumulated here will constitute a basis for the development of ligand‐protected Au/Ag clusters as new artificial elements on a nanometer scale.
Self‐Formed Electronic/Ionic Conductive Fe3S4 @ S @ 0.9Na3SbS4⋅0.1NaI Composite for High‐Performance Room‐Temperature All‐Solid‐State Sodium–Sulfur Battery
Authors: Wan Hongli , Cai Liangting , Yao Yu , Weng Wei , Feng Yuezhan , Mwizerwa Jean Pierre , Liu Gaozhan , Yu Yan , Yao Xiayin
Published: July 2020

Fe3S4 @ S @ 0.9Na3SbS4⋅0.1NaI composite cathode is prepared through one‐step wet‐mechanochemical milling procedure. During milling process, ionic conduction pathway is self‐formed in the composite due to the formation of 0.9Na3SbS4⋅0.1NaI electrolyte without further annealing treatment. Meanwhile, the introduction of Fe3S4 can increase the electronic conductivity of the composite cathode by one order of magnitude and nearly double enhance the ionic conductivities. Besides, the aggregation of sulfur is effectively suppressed in the obtained Fe3S4 @ S @ 0.9Na3SbS4⋅0.1NaI composite, which will enhance the contact between sulfur and 0.9Na3SbS4⋅0.1NaI electrolyte, leading to a decreased interfacial resistance and improving the electrochemical kinetics of sulfur. Therefore, the resultant all‐solid‐state sodium–sulfur battery employing Fe3S4 @ S @ 0.9Na3SbS4⋅0.1NaI composite cathode shows discharge capacity of 808.7 mAh g−1 based on Fe3S4@S and a normalized discharge capacity of 1040.5 mAh g−1 for element S at 100 mA g−1 for 30 cycles at room temperature. Moreover, the battery also exhibits excellent cycling stability with a reversible capacity of 410 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1 for 50 cycles, and superior rate capability with capacities of 952.4, 796.7, 513.7, and 445.6 mAh g−1 at 50, 100, 200, and 500 mA g−1, respectively. This facile strategy for sulfur‐based composite cathode is attractive for achieving room‐temperature sodium–sulfur batteries with superior electrochemical performance.
Mechanical Terahertz Modulation by Skin‐Like Ultrathin Stretchable Metasurface
Authors: Fan Xuanqing , Li Yuhang , Chen Sihong , Xing Yufeng , Pan Taisong
Published: July 2020

The modulation of terahertz plays a key role in realizing the tunable terahertz devices. The concept of flexible and stretchable electronics provides the possibility to dynamically modulate the terahertz with mechanical strain rather than additional electrical components. Here, the mechanical modulation of the terahertz transmission with a freestanding, skin‐like, and highly stretchable metasurface is experimentally illustrated. The stretchable metasurface is fabricated by merely constructing an Al/PI mesh film consisting of serpentine‐like unit cells, with total thickness of only 7 µm. With the flexibility realized by the extremely small thickness, the metasurface can be stretched, bended, and twisted, which provides the possibility to modulate terahertz transmission properties by the mechanical deformation of the metasurface. The terahertz time domain spectroscopy results indicate that the stretchable metasurface shows the band‐stop frequency selective effect and the transmission of the terahertz wave can be modulated from 0.15 to 0.5 with applied external tensile strains up to 28%, while only 3.4% of the shift of the resonance frequency is observed. The mechanisms of the metasurface and the relation between the modulation effect and the structural mesh parameters are also discussed with the electromagnetic simulations and the LC equivalent circuit model.
Porous BN Nanofibers Enable Long‐Cycling Life Sodium Metal Batteries
Authors: Wang Hui , Liang Jianli , Wu Yan , Kang Tianxing , Shen Dong , Tong Zhongqiu , Yang Rui , Jiang Yang , Wu Di , Li Xinjian , Lee Chun‐Sing
Published: July 2020

Sodium metal anode, featuring high capacity, low voltage and earth abundance, is desirable for building advanced sodium‐metal batteries. However, Na‐ion deposition typically leads to morphological instability and notorious chemical reactivity between sodium and common electrolytes still limit its practical application. In this study, a porous BN nanofibers modified sodium metal (BN/Na) electrode is introduced for enhancing Na‐ion deposition dynamics and stability. As a result, symmetrical BN/Na cells enable an impressive rate capability and markedly enhanced cycling durability over 600 h at 10 mA cm−2. Density functional theory simulations demonstrate BN could effectively improve Na‐ion adsorption and diffusion kinetics simultaneously. Finite element simulation clearly reveals the intrinsic smoothing effect of BN upon multiple Na‐ion plating/stripping cycles. Coupled with a Na3V2O2(PO4)2F/Ti3C2X cathode, sodium metal full cells offer an ultrastable capacity of 125/63 mA h g−1 (≈420/240 Wh kg−1) at 0.05/5 C rate over 500 cycles. These comprehensive analyses demonstrate the feasibility of BN/Na anode for the establishment of high‐energy‐density sodium‐metal full batteries.
Capillary and Non‐Capillary Absorption of Wood Evaluated by FT–Raman Spectroscopy and Capillary Rise Method
Authors: Shen Qing
Published: July 2020

Taking the laser‐based FT–Raman spectroscopy and liquid‐based capillary rise as two methods, the wood absorption at the capillary and non‐capillary are studied and quantitatively evaluated. According to the optical method, the natural capillary has greater absorption ability of about two to three times than that of the non‐capillary for pine wood while this value would be reduced in liquid absorption process due to accompanied Lifshitz–van der Waals and Lewis acid–base interactions. The absorption amount is always greater in the capillary as compared with the non‐capillary due to the former with natural pore structure. The absorption of the non‐polar liquid in wood is linearly with the same slow rate in both the capillary and non‐capillary while the absorbed amount is greater. The absorption of polar liquid in wood is non‐linearly in both the capillary and non‐capillary while the faster rate is in non‐capillary as compared with the capillary, especially the liquid with greater Lewis base component. Results comparison suggest that the wood capillary is greater in the Lewis base component and the non‐capillary is greater in the Lewis acid component.
A network perspective on assessing system architectures: Robustness to cascading failure
Authors: Potts Matthew W. , Sartor Pia A. , Johnson Angus , Bullock Seth
Published: July 2020

Despite a wealth of system architecture frameworks and methodologies available, approaches to evaluate the robustness and resiliency of architectures for complex systems or systems of systems are few in number. As a result, system architects may turn to graph‐theoretic methods to assess architecture robustness and vulnerability to cascading failure. Here, we explore the application of such methods to the analysis of two real‐world system architectures (a military communications system and a search and rescue system). Both architectures are found to be relatively robust to random vertex removal but more vulnerable to targeted vertex removal. Hardening strategies for limiting the extent of cascading failure are demonstrated to have varying degrees of effectiveness. However, in taking a network perspective on architecture robustness and susceptibility to cascade failure, we find several significant challenges that impede the straightforward use of graph‐theoretic methods. Most fundamentally, the conceptualization of failure dynamics across heterogeneous architectural entities requires considerable further investigation.
A Comparison between Artificial Intelligence Method and Standard Diagnosis Methods for Power Transformer Dissolved Gas Analysis Using Two Public Databases
Authors: Zheng Hongjie , Shioya Ryuji
Published: July 2020

Oil‐filled power transformers play an important role in modern network systems. Stable power supply can be achieved by early detection of power transformer faults and continuous monitoring of equipment. In recent years, dissolved gas analysis (DGA) has been widely used to diagnose faults in power transformers. Although DGA is an easier and simpler method for the fault diagnosis of transformers, different techniques usually provide different results with real‐world data. In fact, conventional diagnosis approaches for power transformers depend on human experience and available technology of human experts. Therefore, we propose using an artificial intelligence (AI) technique called multilayer perceptron (MLP) for the intelligent diagnosis of power transformer faults. In this work, the MLP model is constructed using the Keras library. The method is tested using two public databases: one based on the Electric Technology Research Association of Japan (ETRA) database and another based on the IEC TC10 database. Results indicate that high‐prediction accuracy is achieved. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
MiR‐122‐5p and miR‐326‐3p promote cadmium‐induced NRK‐52E cell apoptosis by downregulating PLD1
Authors: Yuan Wenya , Liang Lixia , Huang Ke , Deng Yaotang , Dong Ming , Wang Guanghai , Zou Fei
Published: July 2020

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal distributed broadly in the environment and manufactory industry. Long‐term exposure to cadmium, considered as a risk for kidney injury, leads to chronic kidney disease eventually. Phospholipase D1 (PLD1) promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis, and might be involved in cadmium‐induced kidney injury. In this study, we used miRNA microarray assays and bioinformatics analysis to identify miRNAs, which may regulate PLD1 expression and exert an impact on cadmium‐induced kidney injury. MiR‐122‐5p and miR‐326‐3p，selected as candidates, were explored for their regulatory functions in kidney injury, using NRK‐52E cells. Both of these two miRNAs exhibited higher expression in kidneys of SD rats after exposure to cadmium for 6 weeks. Cadmium treatment also increased miR‐122‐5p and miR‐326‐3p and decreased PLD1 in NRK‐52E cells. Both of miR‐122‐5p and miR‐326‐3p could downregulate PLD1 expression through targeting its 3′UTR and enhance cadmium‐induced apoptosis, while inhibiting either of these two miRNAs could reverse such effects. In conclusion, our results suggest that miR‐122‐5p and miR‐326‐3p might enhance cadmium‐induced NRK‐52E cell apoptosis through downregulating PLD1 expression.
Functions and mechanisms of RNA tailing by metazoan terminal nucleotidyltransferases
Authors: Liudkovska Vladyslava , Dziembowski Andrzej
Published: July 2020

Termini often determine the fate of RNA molecules. In recent years, 3′ ends of almost all classes of RNA species have been shown to acquire nontemplated nucleotides that are added by terminal nucleotidyltransferases (TENTs). The best‐described role of 3′ tailing is the bulk polyadenylation of messenger RNAs in the cell nucleus that is catalyzed by canonical poly(A) polymerases (PAPs). However, many other enzymes that add adenosines, uridines, or even more complex combinations of nucleotides have recently been described. This review focuses on metazoan TENTs, which are either noncanonical PAPs or terminal uridylyltransferases with varying processivity. These enzymes regulate RNA stability and RNA functions and are crucial in early development, gamete production, and somatic tissues. TENTs regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, participate in the maturation of many transcripts, and protect cells against viral invasion and the transposition of repetitive sequences.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Recognition

RNA Processing > 3′ End Processing

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability
Analysis and simulations for a phase‐field fracture model at finite strains based on modified invariants
Authors: Thomas Marita , Bilgen Carola , Weinberg Kerstin
Published: July 2020

Phase‐field models have already been proven to predict complex fracture patterns for brittle fracture at small strains. In this paper we discuss a model for phase‐field fracture at finite deformations in more detail. Among the identification of crack location and projection of crack growth the numerical stability is one of the main challenges in solid mechanics. Here we present a phase‐field model at finite strains, which takes into account the anisotropy of damage by applying an anisotropic split of the modified invariants of the right Cauchy‐Green strain tensor. We introduce a suitable weak notion of solution that also allows for a spatial and temporal discretization of the model. In this framework we study the existence of solutions and we show that the time‐discrete solutions converge in a weak sense to a solution of the time‐continuous formulation of the model. Numerical examples in two and three space dimensions illustrate the range of validity of the analytical results.
Renormalized holographic subregion complexity under relevant perturbations
Authors: Jang Dongmin , Kim Yoonbai , Kwon O-Kab , Tolla D. D.
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We construct renormalized holographic entanglement entropy (HEE) and subregion complexity (HSC) in the CV conjecture for asymptotically AdS4 and AdS5 geometries under relevant perturbations. Using the holographic renormalization method developed in the gauge/gravity duality, we obtain counter terms which are invariant under coordinate choices. We explicitly define different forms of renormalized HEE and HSC, according to conformal dimensions of relevant operators in the d = 3 and d = 4 dual field theories. We use a general embedding for arbitrary entangling subregions and showed that any choice of the coordinate system gives the same form of the counter terms, since they are written in terms of curvature invariants and scalar fields on the boundaries. We show an explicit example of our general procedure. Intriguingly, we find that a divergent term of the HSC in the asymptotically AdS5 geometry under relevant perturbations with operators of conformal dimensions in the range 0 < ∆ <$$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

and $$ \frac{7}{2} $$

7
2

< ∆ < 4 cannot be cancelled out by adding any coordinate invariant counter term. This implies that the HSCs in these ranges of the conformal dimensions are not renormalizable covariantly. We also write the plot of the renormalization procedure in the case of asymptotically AdSd+1 geometries, with d > 4.
A potentially detectable gamma-ray line in the Fermi Galactic center excess — in light of one-step cascade annihilations of secluded (vector) dark matter via the Higgs portal
Authors: Yang Kwei-Chou
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We show the presence of a potentially detectable gamma-ray line in the Fermi Galactic center excess in light of the secluded (vector) dark matter (DM) model in which the hidden scalar, nearly degenerate with DM in mass, mediates the interaction of the secluded DM with the Standard Model (SM) due to its mixing with the SM Higgs. We find that the parameter region mX ∈ [60, 132] GeV can provide a good fit to the Fermi Galactic center gamma-ray excess spectrum, appearing a prominent gamma-ray line with the energy ∈ [30, 66] GeV. The best fit gives mX ≃ mS≃ 86 GeV with a p-value = 0.42, so that the resultant gamma-ray line, arising from the decay of the scalar mediator into γγ, peaks at 43 GeV. We derive constraints on the annihilation cross section from the Fermi- LAT gamma-ray line search, gamma-ray observations of the Fermi-LAT dwarf spheroidal galaxies, and Planck cosmic microwave background measurement. For the secluded vector DM model, the parameter space constrained by the current XENON1T and future LUX- ZEPLIN is shown. Finally, for the mixing angle between the Higgs sectors, we discuss its lower bound, which is required by the big bang nucleosynthesis constraint and relevant to the hidden sector decoupling temperature.
Psychological readiness is related to return to sport following hip arthroscopy and can be assessed by the Hip-Return to Sport after Injury scale (Hip-RSI)
Authors: Wörner Tobias , Thorborg Kristian , Webster Kate E. , Stålman Anders , Eek Frida
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Psychological readiness may play an important role in the return to sport (RTS) process following hip arthroscopy (HA), but there are limited tools for the measurement of this construct. The aim of this study was to modify the Swedish version of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale for use in HA patients and evaluate its psychometric properties.

Methods

Content validity of a modified version of the Swedish ACL-RSI (Hip-RSI) was evaluated through 127 HA patient responses and relevance ratings by an expert panel (35 patients, 9 surgeons, 11 physiotherapists). Items with low relevance were omitted. Construct validity was assessed by the association of Hip-RSI scores to hip-related sporting function (HAGOS sport) and quality of life (iHOT12). Hip-RSI scores were compared between patients who had not returned, or returned to sport participation, previous sport, and sport performance.

Results

Item reduction resulted in a 6-item Hip-RSI scale with adequate content validity for the target population. Construct validity of the full and the item-reduced scale was demonstrated by correlation to HAGOS sport and iHOT12 (r0.631–0.752). A gradient increase in Hip-RSI scores was found for patients returning to sport participation, previous sport, and sport performance.

Conclusion

The short version of the Swedish Hip-RSI is a valid tool for the assessment of psychological readiness to RTS and can be recommended to be used in HA patients. Higher psychological readiness to RTS, assessed by the Hip-RSI, is found with increasing levels of return to sports following HA.

Level of evidence

III.
A conservative index heuristic for routing problems with multiple heterogeneous service facilities
Authors: Shone Rob , Knight Vincent A. , Harper Paul R.
Published: July 2020

We consider a queueing system withNheterogeneous service facilities, in which admission and routing decisions are made when customers arrive and the objective is to maximize long-run average net rewards. For this type of problem, it is well-known that structural properties of optimal policies are difficult to prove in general and dynamic programming methods are computationally infeasible unlessNis small. In the absence of an optimal policy to refer to, the Whittle index heuristic (originating from the literature on multi-armed bandit problems) is one approach which might be used for decision-making. After establishing the required indexability property, we show that the Whittle heuristic possesses certain structural properties which do not extend to optimal policies, except in some special cases. We also present results from numerical experiments which demonstrate that, in addition to being consistently strong over all parameter sets, the Whittle heuristic tends to be more robust than other heuristics with respect to the number of service facilities and the amount of heterogeneity between the facilities.