bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective plasma exchange in ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation: comparison of substitution with albumin and partial substitution with fresh frozen plasma
Authors: Hanaoka Ako , Naganuma Toshihide , Kabata Daijiro , Takemoto Yoshiaki , Uchida Junji , Nakatani Tatsuya , Shintani Ayumi
Published: January 2020

We have performed selective plasma exchange (SePE) as apheresis before ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation since 2015. In this study, we divided the SePE sessions into two groups, those using albumin alone (Group A) and those partially using fresh frozen plasma (FFP) (Group F), and compared their clinical efficacies. A total of 58 sessions of SePE (Group A: n = 41, Group F: n = 17) were performed in 30 recipients of ABOi kidney transplantation during the study period and the decrease in isoagglutinin titers, changes in the levels of serum IgG and IgM as well as coagulation factors (fibrinogen, factor XIII), and incidence of side effects were retrospectively compared. There was a more significant decrease of isoagglutinin titers in Group F compared to Group A. Immunoglobulins and coagulants were replenished in Group F. Meanwhile, the incidence of side effects was significantly higher in Group F. SePE using FFP, which can effectively decrease isoagglutinins titers and replenish immunoglobulin and coagulation factors, may be a beneficial treatment modality as apheresis before ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation, in spite of a disadvantage that there are many side effects.
Weighing the role of skeletal muscle mass and muscle density in cancer patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors: a multicenter real-life study
Authors: Cortellini Alessio , Bozzetti Federico , Palumbo Pierpaolo , Brocco Davide , Di Marino Pietro , Tinari Nicola , De Tursi Michele , Agostinelli Veronica , Patruno Leonardo , Valdesi Cristina , Mereu Manuela , Verna Lucilla , Lanfiuti Baldi Paola , Venditti Olga , Cannita Katia , Masciocchi Carlo , Barile Antonio , McQuade Jennifer Leigh , Ficorella Corrado , Porzio Giampiero
Published: January 2020

Sarcopenia represents one of the hallmarks of all chronic diseases, including cancer, and was already investigated as a prognostic marker in the pre-immunotherapy era. Sarcopenia can be evaluated using cross-sectional image analysis of CT-scans, at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3), to estimate the skeletal muscle index (SMI), a surrogate of skeletal muscle mass, and to evaluate the skeletal muscle density (SMD). We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive advanced cancer patient treated with PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors. Baseline SMI and SMD were evaluated and optimal cut-offs for survival, according to sex and BMI (+/−25) were computed. The evaluated clinical outcomes were: objective response rate (ORR), immune-related adverse events (irAEs), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). From April 2015 to April 2019, 100 consecutive advanced cancer patients were evaluated. 50 (50%) patients had a baseline low SMI, while 51 (51%) had a baseline low SMD according to the established cut offs. We found a significant association between SMI and ECOG-PS (p = 0.0324), while no correlations were found regarding SMD and baseline clinical factors. The median follow-up was 20.3 months. Patients with low SMI had a significantly shorter PFS (HR = 1.66 [95% CI: 1.05–2.61]; p = 0.0291) at univariate analysis, but not at the multivariate analysis. They also had a significantly shorter OS (HR = 2.19 [95% CI: 1.31–3.64]; p = 0.0026). The multivariate analysis confirmed baseline SMI as an independent predictor for OS (HR = 2.19 [1.31–3.67]; p = 0.0027). We did not find significant relationships between baseline SMD and clinical outcomes, nor between ORR, irAEs and baseline SMI (data not shown). Low SMI is associated with shortened survival in advanced cancer patients treated with PD1/PDL1 checkpoint inhibitors. However, the lack of an association between SMI and clinical response suggests that sarcopenia may be generally prognostic in this setting rather than specifically predictive of response to immunotherapy.
Author Correction: Personality-dependent breeding dispersal in rural but not urban burrowing owls
Authors: Luna Álvaro , Palma Antonio , Sanz-Aguilar Ana , Tella José L. , Carrete Martina
Published: January 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Geologic factors leadingly drawing the macroecological pattern of rocky desertification in southwest China
Authors: Jiang Miao , Lin Yi , Chan Ting On , Yao Yunjun , Zheng Guang , Luo Shezhou , Zhang Lin , Liu Daping
Published: January 2020

Rocky desertification (RD) is a special process of land deterioration in karst topography, with a view of bedrock exposure and an effect of ecological degradation. Among the three largest karst regions in the world, southwest China boasts the largest RD area and highest diversity of karst landscapes. However, inefficient field surveying tends to restrict earlier studies of RD to local areas, and the high complexity of karst geomorphology in southwest China further lead to the shortage of the knowledge about its macroecological pattern so far. To address this gap, this study innovatively took county as the unit to statistically explore the links between the 2008-censused distributions of county-level RD in southwest China and its potential impact factors of three kinds (geologic, climatic, and anthropogenic), all transformed into the same mapping frame. Spatial pattern analyses based on spatial statistics and artificial interpretation unveiled the macroscopic characteristics of RD spatial patterns, and attribution analyses based on correlation analysis and dominance analysis exposed the links of the impact factors to RD and their contributions in deciding the macroscopic pattern of RD. The results suggested that geologic factors play a first role in drawing the macroecological pattern of RD, also for the slight-, moderate-, and severe-level RD scenarios, in southwest China. Despite this inference somehow collides with the popular awareness that anthropogenic factors like human activities are leadingly responsible for the RD-relevant losses, the findings are of practical implications in guiding making the macroscopic policies for mitigating RD degradation and advancing its environmental restoration.
Author Correction: Influence of high glucose on mesangial cell-derived exosome composition, secretion and cell communication
Authors: da Silva Novaes Antônio , Borges Fernanda Teixeira , Maquigussa Edgar , Varela Vanessa Araújo , Dias Marcos Vinicios Salles , Boim Mirian Aparecida
Published: January 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Responses to addiction help-seeking from Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, Cortana, and Bixby intelligent virtual assistants
Authors: Nobles Alicia L. , Leas Eric C. , Caputi Theodore L. , Zhu Shu-Hong , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Ayers John W.
Published: January 2020

We investigated how intelligent virtual assistants (IVA), including Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant, Microsoft’s Cortana, and Samsung’s Bixby, responded to addiction help-seeking queries. We recorded if IVAs provided a singular response and if so, did they link users to treatment or treatment referral services. Only 4 of the 70 help-seeking queries presented to the five IVAs returned singular responses, with the remainder prompting confusion (e.g., “did I say something wrong?”). When asked “help me quit drugs” Alexa responded with a definition for the word drugs. “Help me quit…smoking” or “tobacco” on Google Assistant returned Dr. QuitNow (a cessation app), while on Siri “help me quit pot” promoted a marijuana retailer. IVAs should be revised to promote free, remote, federally sponsored addiction services, such as SAMSHA’s 1-800-662-HELP helpline. This would benefit millions of IVA users now and more to come as IVAs displace existing information-seeking engines.
Interfacial structure-governed SO2 resistance of Cu/TiO2 catalysts in the catalytic oxidation of CO
Authors: Yang Weiwei , Li Li , Fang Yarong , Shan Yulong , Xu Jue , Shen Huan , Yu Yunbo , Guo Yanbing , He Hong
Published: January 2020

Different types of Cu–Ti interfacial structures determine different tolerance abilities of catalysts towards SO2 poisoning during CO oxidation at 250 °C.
Anti-inflammatory activity of superoxide dismutase mimics functionalized with cell-penetrating peptides
Authors: Mathieu Emilie , Bernard Anne-Sophie , Ching H. Y. Vincent , Somogyi Andrea , Medjoubi Kadda , Fores Jennifer Rodon , Bertrand Hélène C. , Vincent Amandine , Trépout Sylvain , Guerquin-Kern Jean-Luc , Scheitler Andreas , Ivanović-Burmazović Ivana , Seksik Philippe , Delsuc Nicolas , Policar Clotilde
Published: January 2020

A superoxide dismutase mimic was functionalized with three peptides: -R9, -RRWWRRWRR or -Fx-r-Fx-K (MPP). They were studied in intestinal epithelial cells in an inorganic cellular chemistry approach: quantification, distribution and bio-activity.
Protein binding studies with human serum albumin, molecular docking andin vitrocytotoxicity studies using HeLa cervical carcinoma cells of Cu(ii)/Zn(ii) complexes containing a carbohydrazone ligand
Authors: Parsekar Sidhali U. , Velankanni Priyanka , Sridhar Shruti , Haldar Paramita , Mate Nayan A. , Banerjee Arnab , Sudhadevi Antharjanam P. K. , Koley Aditya P. , Kumar Manjuri
Published: January 2020

Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) complexes show very strong binding with human serum albumin and display remarkable cytotoxicity against the HeLa cell line.
Novel O-linked sialoglycan structures in human urinary glycoproteins
Authors: Pap Adam , Tasnadi Ervin , Medzihradszky Katalin F. , Darula Zsuzsanna
Published: January 2020

Identification of new glycoforms for glycopeptides confidently assigned from primary database searches permitting the most common O-glycans only.
Diketopyrrolopyrrole–fullerene C60 architectures as highly efficient heavy atom-free photosensitizers: synthesis, photophysical properties and photodynamic activity
Authors: Agazzi Maximiliano L. , Almodovar Vitor A. S. , Gsponer Natalia S. , Bertolotti Sonia , Tomé Augusto C. , Durantini Edgardo N.
Published: January 2020

New diketopyrrolopyrrole–C60 architectures were synthesized as potential heavy atom-free photosensitizers in photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms.
Study on the dynamic characteristics of soft soil
Authors: Qiao Feng , Bo JingShan , Qi WenHao , Wang Liang , Chang ChaoYu , Zhang ZhaoPeng , Wang Jing
Published: January 2020

Soft soil is a special type of under-consolidated soil widely distributed in coastal areas of China.
Hydrophilic SiC hollow fiber membranes for low fouling separation of oil-in-water emulsions with high flux
Authors: Xu Man , Xu Chenxi , Rakesh K. P. , Cui Yuge , Yin Jun , Chen Changlian , Wang Shulin , Chen Bingcai , Zhu Li
Published: January 2020

The dry-wetting spinning technique involving immersion-induced phase inversion and dry-sintering was applied to prepare two types of SiC and Al2O3 hollow fiber membranes.
Rose bengal as photocatalyst: visible light-mediated Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with nitroalkenes in water
Authors: Yu Zong-Yi , Zhao Jing-Nan , Yang Fan , Tang Xiao-Fei , Wu Yu-Feng , Ma Cun-Fei , Song Bo , Yun Lei , Meng Qing-Wei
Published: January 2020

A novel and facile visible-light-mediated alkylation of indoles and nitroalkenes has been developed.
A floating top-electrode electrowetting-on-dielectric system
Authors: Ma Hanbin , Hu Siyi , Jie Yuhan , Jin Kai , Su Yang
Published: January 2020

A novel device configuration for an electrowetting-on-dielectric system with a floating top-electrode, which provides possibilities to enable a true lab-on-a-chip.
Direct observation of dimethyl sulfide trapped by MOF proving efficient removal of sulfur impurities
Authors: Morita Masashi , Yonezu Akira , Kusaka Shinpei , Hori Akihiro , Ma Yunsheng , Matsuda Ryotaro
Published: January 2020

OMSs in HKUST-1 can strongly trap DMS even under humid conditions, which was directly proved by in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Raman measurements.
The synthesis of a BiOClxBr1−x nanostructure photocatalyst with high surface area for the enhanced visible-light photocatalytic reduction of Cr(vi)
Authors: Hussain Muhammad Bilal , Khan Malik Saddam , Loussala Herman Maloko , Bashir Muhammad Sohail
Published: January 2020

Cr(vi) reduction is performed by BiOCl0.8Br0.2 composite produced via a facile in situ synthetic process at room temperature while making use of PVP (Mw = 10 000).
Study on antibacterial properties and cytocompatibility of EPL coated 3D printed PCL/HA composite scaffolds
Authors: Tian Lijiao , Zhang Zhenting , Tian Bin , Zhang Xin , Wang Na
Published: January 2020

Biomaterial scaffolds play a critical role in bone tissue engineering.
Effect of fatty acids on the accelerated sulfur vulcanization of rubber by active zinc/carboxylate complexes
Authors: Junkong Preeyanuch , Morimoto Rie , Miyaji Kosuke , Tohsan Atitaya , Sakaki Yuta , Ikeda Yuko
Published: January 2020

The effect of fatty acids with different aliphatic chain lengths on the accelerated vulcanization reaction of isoprene rubber was investigated through the generation of new intermediates composed of dinuclear bridging bidentate zinc/carboxylate complexes.
Electron-pinned defect dipoles in (Li, Al) co-doped ZnO ceramics with colossal dielectric permittivity
Authors: Huang Dong , Li Wen-Long , Liu Zhi-Fu , Li Yong-Xiang , Ton-That Cuong , Cheng Jiaqi , Choy Wallace C. H. , Ling Francis Chi-Chung
Published: January 2020

The colossal dielectric constant and relatively low dielectric loss (εr = 9862 and tan δ = 0.159) in ZnO ceramics have been achieved via acceptor and donor co-doping method.
Chiral mono- and dicarbamates derived from ethyl (S)-lactate: convenient chiral solvating agents for the direct and efficient enantiodiscrimination of amino acid derivatives by 1H NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Balzano Federica , Uccello-Barretta Gloria
Published: January 2020

New lactate-based CSAs for 1H NMR enantiodifferentiation of amino acid derivatives.
The relationship between molecular structure and supramolecular morphology in the self-assembly of rod–coil molecules with oligoether chains
Authors: Lu Jie , Yu Shengsheng , Li Zhaohua , Lee Myongsoo , Yang Yuntian , Jin Long Yi
Published: January 2020

Supramolecular nanoassemblies such as scrolled/helical nanofibers and nanorings were constructed by controlling the length of the oligoether chains and inserting lateral methyl groups at the surface of the rod and coil domains in aqueous solutions.
Correction: The role of substituents in determining the redox potential of organic electrode materials in Li and Na rechargeable batteries: electronic effects vs. substituent-Li/Na ionic interaction
Authors: Lee Sechan , Kwon Ji Eon , Hong Jihyun , Park Soo Young , Kang Kisuk
Published: January 2020

Correction for ‘The role of substituents in determining the redox potential of organic electrode materials in Li and Na rechargeable batteries: electronic effects vs. substituent-Li/Na ionic interaction’ by Sechan Lee et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2019, 7, 11438–11443.
Connected component analysis integrated edge based technique for automatic vehicular license plate recognition framework
Authors: Arafat Md Yeasir , Khairuddin Anis Salwa Mohd , Paramesran Raveendran
Published: January 2020

Automatic vehicle license plate recognition (AVLPR) aims at extracting the region that contains the information of vehicle license number out of an image data and then identifying the characters apart from the human intervention. This study proposed an effective AVLPR framework where detection, segmentation and recognition of various shaped license plates have been focused. For both proper visual perception and computational processing, a pre‐processing technique including grey‐scaling conversion combined with close arithmetic‐based dilation has been defined. Both vertical and horizontal edge densities have been enumerated by kernel matrices which enable robustness in detecting various shaped and sized license plates. For better detection of candidate region, the vertical and horizontal energy mapping features combined with Gaussian smoothing filter have been used to enable detection of license plates from both high definition and lower resolution images under various illumination conditions and crowded background. For ensuring a better character segmentation rate which is the prerequisite for higher recognition rate, a blob assessment method has been defined integrated with connected component analysis. With 400 vehicle images having varying pixels, the proposed algorithm achieves 96.5, 95.6 and 94.4% accuracy, respectively, in identifying, segmenting and recognising the plate number.
SFVCC: Chaotic map‐based security framework for vehicular cloud computing
Authors: Mishra Dheerendra , Kumar Vinod , Dharminder Dharminder , Rana Saurabh
Published: January 2020

Vehicular networking is an emerging research area. It enables the vehicles equipped with communication and sensing capacities to communicate vehicle‐to‐vehicle or with available roadside infrastructure. It has significant applications in terms of information and traffic management and road safety. To make vehicular communication more effective, vehicular cloud computing (VCC) architecture is introduced by utilising vehicular resources, cloud computing infrastructure and internet of things environment. VCC provides a scalable platform to support intelligent transport systems. However, there is a lack of efficient and secure mutual authentication framework in VCC. This study presents a chaotic map‐based mutual authentication framework for VCC to ensure secure and efficient communication along with anonymity. The authors use a simulation tool AVISPA ‘Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications’ to verify the protocol security against active attacks. The study also includes the proof of security in the random oracle model to justify security claim against known attacks. It presents the study of performance to validate the efficiency of the proposed scheme. Moreover, a comparative study of performance attributes with related schemes to identify the improvement in communication and computation efficiency is included.
Gauss mixture hidden Markov model to characterise and model discretionary lane‐change behaviours for autonomous vehicles
Authors: Jin Hao , Duan Chunguang , Liu Yang , Lu Pingping
Published: January 2020

To solve the unacceptable issue caused by the inconsistency of lane‐changing behaviour between autonomous vehicles and actual drivers. A lane‐changing behaviour decision‐making model based on the Gauss mixture hidden Markov model (GM‐HMM) is proposed according to the characteristic of a driver's lane changing behaviour. The proposed model is tested and verified based on the database of Next‐Generation Simulation (NGSIM). The results show that the GM‐HMM is 95.4% similar to the real driver's behaviour. To further verify the proposed model, the proposed algorithm is compared with some machine learning techniques from literature in different test scenarios. The comparison and analysis indicate that the GM‐HMM method can more accurately simulate the real driver's lane‐change behaviour, thus improving the trust of the passengers and other vehicles around autonomous vehicles.
Improving power quality of single phase utility grid connected to wind–PV system using multilayer‐frequency adaptive fundamental signal extractor
Authors: Gupta Tripurari Nath , Murshid Shadab , Singh Bhim
Published: January 2020

A multilayer frequency adaptive fundamental signal extractor‐based filter is used for the improvement of power quality of a single phase utility grid interfaced to a wind–photovoltaic (PV) system. This filter is used for the grid synchronisation, serving multiple objectives such as mitigating the lower‐order harmonics, DC offset elimination, load reactive power compensation, and power flow management. As this filtering technique is based on frequency adaptation, it adapts the changes in the grid fundamental frequency. The effectiveness of this filter is studied with simulations using MATLAB Simulink under varying solar irradiance, wind speeds, and loads also validated on the test setup developed in the laboratory.
High speed etching of silicon in KOH + NH2 OH solution at lower temperatures for the fabrication of through holes in silicon wafer
Authors: Krishna Menon Parappurath , Narasimha Rao Avvaru Venkata , Linga Murthy Airpula , Pandey Ashok Kumar , Pal Prem
Published: January 2020

In the fabrication of complicated MEMS inertial sensors, there are many instances where metallisation cannot be done by usual methods such as lift off or conventional metal etch. In such cases, a shadow mask needs to be used. A silicon shadow mask can be realised by the fabrication of through holes in silicon. This also can be used as a cover wafer for wafer level encapsulation by fabricating a cavity in the device region. The fabrication of the shadow mask is carried out by doing double side wet anisotropic etching using potassium hydroxide (KOH) + hydroxylamine (NH2 OH) solution at low temperatures of 50–60°C. The low temperature of etching is preferred so as to reduce the etching of thermal oxide used as a mask layer. This work focuses on the etching characteristics of the KOH + NH2 OH solution at low temperatures in terms of etch rate, undercutting, surface morphology, and selectivity of an oxide layer with silicon. This is very useful in through hole etching using silicon dioxide as a mask. The effect of aging on these characteristics is also studied and this is useful in continuous etching spread over few days especially during pilot production. The results are compared with those obtained using a pure KOH solution.
Large-scale environment of FR 0 radio galaxies
Authors: Capetti A. , Massaro F. , Baldi R. D.
Published: January 2020

We explore the properties of the large-scale environment of the sources in the Faranoff-Riley class 0 catalog (FR0CAT). This sample includes 104 compact radio sources that are associated with nearby (z <  0.05) early-type galaxies. Using various estimators, we find that FR 0s are located in regions with higher than the average number of galaxies. The average galaxies density around FR 0s is a factor two lower with respect to FR I radio galaxies. This latter difference is driven by the large fraction (63%) of FR 0s that are located in groups formed by fewer than 15 galaxies. FR Is rarely (17%) inhabit an environment like this. In addition to the lack of substantial extended radio emission that defines the FR 0 class, this is the first significant difference between the properties of these two populations of low-power radio galaxies. We interpret the differences in environment between FR 0s and FR Is as due to an evolutionary link between local galaxies density, black hole spin, jet power, and extended radio emission.
R-matrix electron-impact excitation data for the C-like iso-electronic sequence
Authors: Mao J. , Badnell N. R. , Del Zanna G.
Published: January 2020

Context. Emission and absorption features from C-like ions serve as temperature and density diagnostics of astrophysical plasmas. R-matrix electron-impact excitation data sets for C-like ions in the literature merely cover a few ions, and often only for the ground configuration.

Aims. Our goal is to obtain level-resolved effective collision strength over a wide temperature range for C-like ions from N II to Kr XXXI (i.e., N+ to Kr30+) with a systematic set of R-matrix calculations. We also aim to assess their accuracy.

Methods. For each ion, we included a total of 590 fine-structure levels in both the configuration interaction target and close-coupling collision expansion. These levels arise from 24 configurations 2l3nl′ with n = 2−4, l = 0−1, and l′ = 0−3 plus the three configurations 2s22p5l with l = 0−2. The AUTOSTRUCTURE code was used to calculate the target structure. Additionally, the R-matrix intermediate coupling frame transformation method was used to calculate the collision strengths.

Results. We compare the present results of selected ions with archival databases and results in the literature. The comparison covers energy levels, transition rates, and effective collision strengths. We illustrate the impact of using the present results on an Ar XIII density diagnostic for the solar corona. The electron-impact excitation data is archived according to the Atomic Data and Analysis Structure (ADAS) data class adf04 and will be available in OPEN-ADAS. The data will be incorporated into spectral codes, such as CHIANTI and SPEX, for plasma diagnostics.
Analysis of approximations of GUM supplement 2 based non-Gaussian PDFs of measurement models with Rosenblatt Gaussian transformation mappings
Authors: Ramnath Vishal
Published: January 2020

In scientific metrology practise the application of Monte Carlo simulations with the aid of the GUM Supplement 2 (GS2) technique for performing multivariate uncertainty analyses is now more prevalent, however a key remaining challenge for metrologists in many laboratories is the implicit assumption of Gaussian characteristics for summarizing and analysing measurement model results. Whilst non-Gaussian probability density functions (PDFs) may result from Monte Carlo simulations when the GS2 is applied for more complex non-linear measurement models, in practice results are typically only reported in terms of multivariate expected and covariance values. Due to this limitation the measurement model PDF summary is implicitly restricted to a multivariate Gaussian PDF in the absence of additional higher order statistics (HOS) information. In this paper an earlier classical theoretical result by Rosenblatt that allows for an arbitrary multivariate joint distribution function to be transformed into an equivalent system of Gaussian distributions with mapped variables is revisited. Numerical simulations are performed in order to analyse and compare the accuracy of the equivalent Gaussian system of mapped random variables for approximating a measurement model’s PDF with that of an exact non-Gaussian PDF that is obtained with a GS2 Monte Carlo statistical simulation. Results obtained from the investigation indicate that a Rosenblatt transformation offers a convenient mechanism to utilize just the joint PDF obtained from the GS2 data in order to both sample points from a non-Gaussian distribution, and also in addition which allows for a simple two-dimensional approach to estimate coupled uncertainties of random variables residing in higher dimensions using conditional densities without the need for determining parametric based copulas.
Visages de l’enfance aliénée à la fin du XIXe siècle
Authors: Le Bras Anatole
Published: January 2020

La colonie pour jeunes garçons de l’asile de Vaucluse, créée en 1876, est une institution méconnue et pourtant pionnière de l’investissement du champ de l’enfance par l’aliénisme de la fin du XIXe siècle. L’étude de la population des « colons » montre que l’établissement était un lieu de prise en charge pour des enfants et adolescents atteints de formes de déficience mentale légères et présentant des parcours d’inadaptés, donnant souvent dans la délinquance. Si la colonie n’était pour certains qu’un lieu de passage temporaire, d’autres y entamèrent de longues carrières asilaires, ici abordées à travers deux études de cas de trajectoires de patients.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided treatment of gastric varices with coil embolization and absorbable hemostatic gelatin sponge: a novel alternative to cyanoacrylate
Authors: Bazarbashi Ahmad Najdat , Wang Thomas J. , Thompson Christopher C. , Ryou Marvin
Published: January 2020

Background and study aims Bleeding from gastric varices (GV) carries high morbidity and mortality. Current endoscopic therapies are premised on cyanoacrylate injection which is technically challenging and carries risk of embolization. We present a case series of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided coil injection in combination with hemostatic absorbable gelatin sponge (AGS) for treatment of bleeding gastric varices.

Patients and methods This was a retrospective review of EUS-guided coil injection for bleeding GV since November 2017. After EUS-guided needle puncture, hemostatic coils were serially injected until significant reduction of Doppler flow. Under fluoroscopic guidance, test contrast was injected to confirm absence of run-off, at which time AGS, converted into a liquid slurry, was injected as hemostatic reinforcement.

Results Ten consecutive patients underwent EUS-guided coil embolization reinforced by AGS. Technical success, defined as uncomplicated injection of coils and sponge was achieved in 100 % (10/10). Mean follow-up was 6 months 73–397 days; No patients rebled or required reintervention on GV. The complication rate was 10 % (1/10; severe abdominal pain without radiographic findings); otherwise, there were no cases of systemic embolization. Nine of 10 patients (90 %) had follow-up EUS (mean 80 days); 100 % (9/9) revealed near-obliteration of GV.

Conclusion EUS-guided coil embolization in combination with hemostatic AGS is a novel method for management of bleeding GV with high clinical and technical success rates, low risk for complications and favorable safety profile when compared to cyanoacrylate. This technique theoretically minimizes embolic complications and need for re-intervention. Further studies are required to compare this modality.
Prenatal Diagnosis and Outcome of Congenital Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries – A Multicenter Report of 69 Cases
Authors: Vorisek Carina Nina , Enzensberger Christian , Willomeit Steven , Kurkevych Andrii , Stessig Rüdiger , Ritgen Jochen , Degenhardt Jan , Mielke Gunther , Bosselmann Stephan , Krapp Martin , Slodki Maciej , Respondek-Liberska Maria , Wolter Aline , Kawecki Andrea , Goette Malena , Axt-Fliedner Roland
Published: January 2020

Objective Congenital corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly which remains difficult to diagnose prenatally. We aim to investigate the natural history, associated anomalies and the outcome of patients in prenatally diagnosed ccTGA.

Method This was an international multicenter retrospective analysis of fetuses with a diagnosis of ccTGA from 2002 to 2017. We reviewed clinical and echocardiographic databases of seven centers. Anatomic survey and fetal echocardiography were performed according to international guidelines of ISUOG.

Results We considered 69 fetuses with prenatally suspected ccTGA. There was an overall survival rate of 91 % among 54 patients with a confirmed diagnosis. Survival to live birth was 96 % (52/54) and survival on an intention-to-treat basis was 94 % (49/52). The mean gestational age at the time of diagnosis was 25.6 ± 5.9 weeks of gestation. In 7 out of 54 fetuses (13 %), ccTGA was an isolated finding. Dextro/mesocardia was present in 15 cases (27.8 %). Intracardiac anomalies were present in 46/54 cases (85.2 %) with the most frequent anomaly being a ventricular septal defect present in 41 fetuses (75.9 %). Complete heart block was diagnosed in 10 cases (18.5 %). Extracardiac anomalies were observed in 9 out of 54 cases (16.7 %). Prenatal karyotyping of the fetus was available in 30/54 (55.6 %) cases with chromosomal anomalies in 4/30 (13.3 %).

Conclusion ccTGA is a rare cardiac anomaly often accompanied by a variable spectrum of further intracardiac abnormalities. Accurate diagnosis of ccTGA, which can be integrated into parental counselling, is feasible with a favorable short-term outcome for affected neonates.
Incidence Estimation in Post-ICU Populations: Challenges and Possible Solutions When Using Claims Data
Authors: Brandl Magdalena , Apfelbacher Christian , Weiß Annette , Brandstetter Susanne , Baumeister Sebastian Edgar
Published: January 2020

Background New or worsening cognitive, physical and/or mental health impairments after acute care for critical illness are referred to as “post-intensive care syndrome” (PICS). Little is known about the incidence of its components, since it is challenging to recruit patients after intensive care unit (ICU) treatment for observational studies. Claims data are particularly suited to achieve incidence estimates in difficult-to-recruit groups. However, some limitations remain when using claims data for empirical research on the outcome of ICU treatment. The objective of this article is to describe three challenges and possible solutions for the estimation of the incidence of PICS based on claims data

Methodological challenges: The presence of competing risk by death, investigating a syndrome and dealing with interval censoring First, in (post) ICU populations the assumption of independence between the event of interest (diagnosis of PICS component) and the competing event (death) is violated. Competing risk is an event whose occurrence precludes the event of interest to be observed, and in ICU populations, death is a frequent secondary event. Methods that estimate incidence in the presence of competing risks are well-established but have not been applied to the scenario described above. Second, PICS is a complex syndrome and represented by various ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) disease codes. The operationalization of this syndrome (case identification) and the validation of cases are particularly challenging. Third, another major challenge is that the exact date of the event of interest is not available in claims data. It is only known that the event occurred within a certain interval. This feature is called interval censoring. Recently, methods have been developed that address informative censoring due to competing risks in the presence of interval censoring. We will discuss how these methods could be used to tackle the problem when estimating PICS components. Alternatively, it could be possible to assign an exact date for each diagnosis by combining the diagnosis with the exact date of prescriptions of the respective medicines and/or medical services.

Conclusion Estimating incidence in post-ICU populations entails various methodological issues when using claims data. Investigators need to be aware of the presence of competing risks. The application of internal validation criteria to operationalize the event of interest is crucial to achieve reliable incidence estimates. The problem of interval censoring can be solved either by statistical methods or by combining information from different sources.
Identification of Flavonoids and Bufadienolides and Cytotoxic Effects of Kalanchoe daigremontiana Extracts on Human Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Stefanowicz-Hajduk Justyna , Asztemborska Monika , Krauze-Baranowska Mirosława , Godlewska Sylwia , Gucwa Magdalena , Moniuszko-Szajwaj Barbara , Stochmal Anna , Ochocka J. Renata
Published: January 2020

Kalanchoe species are well-known medicinal plants used in traditional medicine as anti-inflammatory and analgesic remedies. Recently, it has been reported that Kalanchoe plants have cytotoxic properties; however, data on traditional use of these plants in tumor treatment are extremely limited. Kalanchoe daigremontiana is one of the most popular species cultivated in Europe, and it is used, among other things, as a remedy in treating skin injuries and wounds. Studies on the biological activity of this species are scarce, and there is a lack of data on the cytotoxic activity of K. daigremontiana extracts on epithelial cancer cells in the literature. In our present study, we analyzed the phytochemical composition of K. daigremontiana ethanol extract and fractions–water and dichloromethane–by the HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS method and estimated cytotoxic activity of the extracts on human adenocarcinoma (HeLa), ovarian (SKOV-3), breast (MCF-7), and melanoma (A375) cell lines by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, real-time cell analyzer (RTCA), and flow cytometry. We identified 6 bufadienolide compounds and 19 flavonoids, mostly kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and myricetin glycosides, of which only 3 flavonoids have been identified in K. daigremontiana to date. Other flavonoids that were characterized in our study have not yet been found in this plant. The ethanol extract and water fraction of K. daigremontiana did not show significant cytotoxic activity on the tested cell lines. In contrast, the dichloromethane fraction showed the strongest activity against all cell lines with IC50 values of ≤ 10 µg/mL. The results indicated that this activity is mainly due to the presence of bersaldegenin-1,3,5-orthoacetate.
Intramolecular Ring-Opening of Oxetanes: Access to Functionalised Hydroxymethyl 2,3-Dihydroimidazo[1,2-c]quinazolines
Authors: Bagal Sharan K. , Bodnarchuk Michael S. , King Thomas A. , McKerrecher Darren , Luo Xuehong , Wang Peng , Steward Oliver R.
Published: January 2020

An intramolecular oxetane ring-opening was developed, affording novel 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,2-c]quinazolines from N-(3-methyloxetan-3-yl)quinazolin-4-amines under mild conditions. The resulting medicinally relevant tricyclic scaffolds were synthesised in good yields with diverse substituents. Moreover, reaction optimisation led to the development of a one-pot procedure.
Avaliação comparativa das dimensões do enxerto do coracoide na cirurgia de Latarjet para instabilidade glenoumeral anterior
Authors: Alves Bernardo V.P. , Silva Gabriel S. , Matsumoto Fábio Y. , Ferreira Marco T. , Britto Almiro G. , Mothes Fernando C.
Published: January 2020

Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as dimensões do processo coracoide em nossas cirurgias de Latarjet e compará-las com os resultados descritos na literatura. Além disso, a viabilidade da regra dos 7 milímetros foi verificada.

Métodos Indivíduos com instabilidade glenoumeral anterior com ou sem erosão óssea participaram deste estudo. As dimensões de 31 enxertos de processo coracoide de pacientes operados pela técnica de Latarjet foram mensuradas com um paquímetro analógico e registradas para análise posterior.

Resultados As dimensões do processo coracoide não demonstraram diferença estatisticamente significativa de acordo com o sexo. A largura do enxerto obtida em nossa amostra apresentou semelhança com as dimensões descritas na literatura. No entanto, o comprimento e a espessura foram um pouco menores quando comparados com o estudo de referência (Young et al, 2013).15 A regra dos 7 milímetros foi considerada viável com as dimensões do enxerto obtidas em nossa amostra.

Conclusão As dimensões do enxerto do coracoide foram similares às descritas na literatura em relação à largura, mas o mesmo não foi encontrado quanto ao comprimento e espessura; e a regra dos 7 milímetros demonstrou viabilidade com as dimensões do enxerto obtidas em nossa amostra.
Improved design and experimental verification of linear magnetic gear using parametric analysis
Authors: Seo Sung-Won , Shin Kyung-Hun , Jang Gang-Hyeon , Bang Tae-Kyoung , Choi Jang-Young
Published: January 2020

This study aims at improving the design of a linear magnetic gear (LMG) and verifying its reliability using a fabricated prototype. LMGs represent electromechanical energy-conversion machines employing permanent magnets (PMs). However, given the linear structure of power-transmission devices, LMGs are difficult to manufacture. The proposed study presents an LMG-design aimed at facilitating ease of its manufacturing. To this end, the PM-ratio performance was first analyzed for selection of an appropriate basic model, which can be subsequently optimized by changing the PM-shape and flux-modulation poles to realize optimum electromagnetic characteristics. Moreover, mechanical characteristics of the optimized model were analyzed to aid fabrication. Results of finite-element analyses and experiments performed in this study on a fabricated prototype demonstrate the reliability of the proposed model.
In situ target strength measurement of the black triggerfish Melichthys niger and the ocean triggerfish Canthidermis sufflamen
Authors: Salvetat Julie , Lebourges-Dhaussy Anne , Travassos Paulo , Gastauer Sven , Roudaut Gildas , Vargas Gary , Bertrand Arnaud
Published: January 2020

Triggerfish are widely distributed in tropical waters where they play an important ecological role. The black triggerfish Melichthys niger may be the dominant species around oceanic tropical islands, whereas pelagic triggerfish, such as the ocean triggerfish Canthidermis sufflamen, can assemble around fish aggregating devices (FADs) where they are a common bycatch of tuna fisheries. In this study we combined acoustic and optical recordings to provide the first in situ target strength (TS) measurement of black and ocean triggerfish. Data were collected in the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha off north-east Brazil. The mean TS of a 27.8-cm-long black triggerfish at 70 and 200kHz was –39.3dB re 1m2 (CV=14.0%) and –38.9dB re 1m2 (CV=14.4%) respectively. The mean TS values of ocean triggerfish (with a size range of 39–44cm) at 70 and 200kHz were –36.0dB re 1m2 (CV=15.7%) and –33.3dB re 1m2 (CV=14.0%) respectively. This work opens up the field for acoustic biomass estimates. In addition, we have shown that TS values for ocean triggerfish are within the same range as those of small tunas. Therefore, acoustic data transmitted from FADs equipped with echosounders can introduce a bias in tuna acoustic biomass estimation and lead to increased rates of bycatch.
Fish in the matrix: effects of landscape on community-structure patterns of the ichthyofauna of streams in Cerrado
Authors: Vieira Thiago Bernardi , Brasil Leandro Schlemmer , Raiol Torres Naiara , Lima de Melo Tatiana , Moreira Elto Aparecido , Bastos Rogério Pereira , Dias-Silva Karina
Published: January 2020

This study aims to identify species richness and composition patterns of the ichthyofauna in different landscape matrices (forest, pasture and eucalypt crops) and to evaluate the variation of species composition in different matrices, identifying possible indicator species. We selected 21 streams; 7 were surrounded by native vegetation, 9 surrounded by pasture and 5 by eucalypt crops. We tested whether there was difference in the composition and species richness. In addition, we used the indicator value (IndVal) to verify if there were species faithful and specific to some land use and land cover. Streams located in forest presented the highest estimated species richness, followed by streams in pasturelands and eucalypt matrices. There was no difference between the composition of fishes in different matrices, but we observed a relationship between Phenacorhamdia somnians (Mees, 1974) and pasture matrix. The results indicated that the change in land use may benefit some generalist species such as Phenacorhamdia somnians.
Polydatin ameliorates chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (chemobrain) by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and apoptosis in rats
Authors: Tong Yifan , Wang Kaijie , Sheng Shuhai , Cui Jianzhong
Published: January 2020

Most breast cancer survivors receiving chemotherapy have severe cognitive impairment, often referred to as “chemobrain.” Polydatin (PLD) is known to have many biological activities. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether symptoms of chemobrain can be prevented or relieved by PLD. The chemobrain models were established by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (DOX, 2 mg/kg) in rats once a week for 4 weeks (DOX group and DOX+PLD group). In the PLD group and DOX+PLD group, PLD (50 mg/kg) was administered orally to rats every day. We found that PLD treatment significantly protected against DOX-induced learning and memory impairment, restored hippocampal histopathological architecture. Furthermore, PLD suppressed DOX-induced oxidative stress through up-regulating Nrf2, inhibited inflammatory response by activating the NF-κB pathway, and reduced hippocampal apoptosis. Therefore, the present study indicated that PLD offered neuroprotection against DOX-induced chemobrain. PLD may assist in preventing chemobrain after chemotherapy in patients with cancers.
Realization of a universal quantum pressure standard
Authors: Shen Pinrui , Madison Kirk W , Booth James L
Published: January 2020

We report the realization of the first cold-atom primary standard. This standard is based on a universal law governing quantum diffractive collisions between particles that allows an experimental determination of the velocity averaged total collision cross section, the only parameter required to quantify the pressure or flux of particles given a sensor particle collision rate measurement. Using an ensemble of 87Rb sensor atoms, we show that this new quantum pressure standard can be applied to gases of both atomic (He, Ar, and Xe) and molecular species (

N

2

,

C
O

2

, and

H

2

), surpassing the scope of existing orifice flow pressure standards. We verify the accuracy of this new standard using an ionization gauge (IG) calibrated for N2 by an orifice flow standard. The gauge calibration factors determined by the cold atom and orifice flow standards differ by less than 0.5% and, thus, agree within their uncertainties of 2% and 2.8% respectively. Using this standard, we evaluate the response of two different IGs to a variety of different gas species and report variations of up to 20% for their measured calibration factors. We also observe a non-linear response of the IG readings for CO2 gas. Finally, we demonstrate the use of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) as a transfer standard to extend the measurement range by a factor of 100 to include pressures up to P ~ 10−5 Pa.
A biarticular passive exosuit to support balance control can reduce metabolic cost of walking
Authors: Barazesh Hamid , Ahmad Sharbafi Maziar
Published: January 2020

Nowadays, the focus on the development of assistive devices just for people with mobility disorders has shifted towards enhancing physical abilities of able-bodied humans. As a result, the interest in the design of cheap and soft wearable exoskeletons (called exosuits) is distinctly growing. In this paper, a passive lower limb exosuit with two biarticular variable stiffness elements is introduced. These elements are in parallel to the hamstring muscles of the leg and controlled based on a new version of the FMCH (force modulated compliant hip) control framework in which the force feedback is replaced by the length feedback (called LMCH). The main insight to employ leg length feedback is to develop a passive exosuit. Fortunately, similar to FMCH, the LMCH method also predicts human-like balance control behaviours, such as the VPP (virtual pivot point) phenomenon, observed in human walking. Our simulation results, using a neuromuscular model of human walking, demonstrate that this method could reduce the metabolic cost of human walking by 10%. Furthermore, to validate the design and simulation results, a preliminary version of this exosuit comprised of springs with constant stiffness was built. An experiment with eight healthy subjects was performed. We made a comparison between the walking experiments while the exosuit is worn but the springs were slack and those when the appropriate springs were contributing. It shows that passive biarticular elasticity can result in a metabolic reduction of 14.7

4.27%. More importantly, compared to unassisted walking (when exosuit is not worn), such a passive device can reduce walking metabolic cost by 4.68

4.24%.