bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global Survey on Telemedicine Utilization for Movement Disorders During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Hassan Anhar , Mari Zoltan , Gatto Emilia M. , Cardozo Adriana , Youn Jinyoung , Okubadejo Njideka , Bajwa Jawad A. , Shalash Ali , Fujioka Shinsuke , Aldaajani Zakiyah , Cubo Esther ,   the International Telemedicine Study Group
Published: August 2020

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic restricted usual healthcare management for movement‐disorders patients, with a consequent upsurge in telemedicine to bridge the gap.

Objective

To assess global telemedicine usage in the context of the pandemic.

Methods

The Movement Disorder Society (MDS) Telemedicine Study Group surveyed telemedicine experts from 40 countries across all continents in March–April 2020. Four domains of telemedicine were assessed: legal regulations, reimbursement, clinical use, and barriers; comparing emerging responses to the pandemic versus the baseline scenario.

Results

All forms of telemedicine for movement disorders increased globally, irrespective of country income categorization, as an immediate response to the pandemic. This was aided by widespread availability of technology and updated government regulations. However, privacy concerns, lack of reimbursement, limited access, and lack of telemedicine training were barriers highlighted worldwide.

Conclusions

Questions remain about the longevity and extent of changes in regulations and reimbursement regarding telemedicine in the aftermath of the pandemic. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
On topological properties of boron and boron‐α nanotubes
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Nawaz Tariq , Malik Mehar Ali , Jamil Muhammad Kamran , Hayat Sikander
Published: August 2020

A topological index is a numerical quantity correlating an important physicochemical property of a chemical compound. Study of such indices has found important and vital applications in QSAR/QSPR study, drug design, and pharmacology. In this paper, we use a novel mathematical method of edge partition to compute the Wiener polarity index and a special cases of generalized Wiener polarity index of boron‐triangular and boron‐α nanotubes. Furthermore, we compute certain distance‐based indices of boron triangular nanotubes by using the edge partition technology. A computational analysis and graphical comparison of computed indices is also given to confirm the validity of obtained results.
Stabilized asynchronous fast adaptive composite multigrid using additive damping
Authors: Murray Charles D. , Weinzierl Tobias
Published: August 2020

Multigrid solvers face multiple challenges on parallel computers. Two fundamental ones read as follows: Multiplicative solvers issue coarse grid solves which exhibit low concurrency and many multigrid implementations suffer from an expensive coarse grid identification phase plus adaptive mesh refinement overhead. We propose a new additive multigrid variant for spacetrees, that is, meshes as they are constructed from octrees and quadtrees: It is an additive scheme, that is, all multigrid resolution levels are updated concurrently. This ensures a high concurrency level, while the transfer operators between the mesh levels can still be constructed algebraically. The novel flavor of the additive scheme is an augmentation of the solver with an additive, auxiliary damping parameter per grid level per vertex that is in turn constructed through the next coarser level—an idea which utilizes smoothed aggregation principles or the motivation behind AFACx: Per level, we solve an additional equation whose purpose is to damp too aggressive solution updates per vertex which would otherwise, in combination with all the other levels, yield an overcorrection and, eventually, oscillations. This additional equation is constructed additively as well, that is, is once more solved concurrently to all other equations. This yields improved stability, closer to what is seen with multiplicative schemes, while pipelining techniques help us to write down the additive solver with single‐touch semantics for dynamically adaptive meshes.
Choice between formal and informal financing in cottage industry firm: The application of robust regression
Authors: Wahab Salman , Safi Adnan , Wahab Zeeshan , Shah Nawaz Ali , Zhang Xibao
Published: August 2020

This article aims to analyze the effect of formal and informal financing on the growth of cottage industry firms in village Islampur in Swat one of the districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Primary data were collected through Focused Group Discussions (FGD) and a total of 208 cottage industry firms were surveyed. Robust Regression techniques were employed to analyze the data. The results show that informal financing has a higher impact than formal financing on the growth of the small firms in the study area. There is a tendency for informal borrowing among the small size firms' owners due to the fact that access to formal sources is hindered by a multitude of factors including high interest rate, complex application procedure, and demand for a collateral among others. On the contrary, we find that in case of large size firms, formal financing has a significant influence on firms' growth for cottage industry. Moreover, in co‐financing where the ratio of informal is greater than formal financing has a significant positive effect on the firm's growth. The findings of the study have implications for devising loan policies of the financial institutions to take into account these factors. The financial institutions need to come up with packages that meets the need of the small and medium enterprises.
Delayed treatment effects, treatment switching and heterogeneous patient populations: How to design and analyzeRCTsin oncology
Authors: Ristl Robin , Ballarini Nicolás M , Götte Heiko , Schüler Armin , Posch Martin , König Franz
Published: August 2020

In the analysis of survival times, the logrank test and the Cox model have been established as key tools, which do not require specific distributional assumptions. Under the assumption of proportional hazards, they are efficient and their results can be interpreted unambiguously. However, delayed treatment effects, disease progression, treatment switchers or the presence of subgroups with differential treatment effects may challenge the assumption of proportional hazards. In practice, weighted logrank tests emphasizing either early, intermediate or late event times via an appropriate weighting function may be used to accommodate for an expected pattern of non‐proportionality. We model these sources of non‐proportional hazards via a mixture of survival functions with piecewise constant hazard. The model is then applied to study the power of unweighted and weighted log‐rank tests, as well as maximum tests allowing different time dependent weights. Simulation results suggest a robust performance of maximum tests across different scenarios, with little loss in power compared to the most powerful among the considered weighting schemes and huge power gain compared to unfavorable weights. The actual sources of non‐proportional hazards are not obvious from resulting populationwise survival functions, highlighting the importance of detailed simulations in the planning phase of a trial when assuming non‐proportional hazards.We provide the required tools in a software package, allowing to model data generating processes under complex non‐proportional hazard scenarios, to simulate data from these models and to perform the weighted logrank tests.
The vascular nature of lung-resident mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Steens Jennifer , Klar Lea , Hansel Christine , Slama Alexis , Hager Thomas , Jendrossek Verena , Aigner Clemens , Klein Diana
Published: August 2020

Human lungs bear their own reservoir of endogenous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Although described as located perivascular, the cellular identity of primary lung MSCs remains elusive. Here we investigated the vascular nature of lung-resident MSCs (LR-MSCs) using healthy human lung tissue. LR-MSCs predominately reside within the vascular stem cell niche, the so-called vasculogenic zone of adult lung arteries. Primary LR-MSCs isolated from normal human lung tissue showed typical MSC characteristics in vitro and were phenotypically and functionally indistinguishable from MSCs derived from the vascular wall of adult human blood vessels (VW-MSCs). Moreover, LR-MSCs expressed the VW-MSC-specific HOX code a characteristic to discriminate VW-MSCs from phenotypical similar cells. Thus, LR-MSC should be considered as VW-MSCs. Immunofluorescent analyses of non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) specimen further confirmed the vascular adventitia as stem cell niche for LR-MSCs, and revealed their mobilization and activation in NSCLC progression. These findings have implications for understanding the role of MSC in normal lung physiology and pulmonary diseases, as well as for the rational design of additional therapeutic approaches.
Cucurbit[6]uril‐Derived Sub‐4 nm Pores‐Dominated Hierarchical Porous Carbon for Supercapacitors: Operating Voltage Expansion and Pore Size Matching
Authors: Qiu Daping , Li Min , Kang Cuihua , Wei Jinying , Wang Feng , Yang Ru
Published: August 2020

The intrinsic properties of carbon‐based material and the voltage window of electrolyte are the two key barriers to restrict the energy density of carbon‐based supercapacitors (SCs). Herein, a cucurbit[6]uril‐derived nitrogen‐doped hierarchical porous carbon (CBCx) with unique pore structure characteristics is synthesized and successfully applied to construct SCs based on different electrolyte systems. Owing to narrow pore size distribution (0.5–4 nm), colossal ion‐accessible pore volume, prominent supermesopore volume, and reasonable heteroatom configuration, the CBCx‐based SCs demonstrate excellent electrochemical performances with high operating voltages in two distinct systems. The optimal SCs can output a maximum energy/power density of 18 Wh kg−1 (11.1 Wh L−1)/20 kW kg−1 (12.3 kW L−1) with an operating voltage of 1.2 V in potassium hydroxide aqueous electrolyte, as well as an ultralong cycle life of up to 50 000 cycles (0.046% decay per 100 cycles). Furthermore, the optimal SCs deliver an exceptionally high energy/power density of 95 Wh kg−1 (58.4 Wh L−1)/70 kW kg−1 (43 kW L−1) with an ultrahigh operating voltage of 3.5 V in 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate electrolyte. This work opens up a new application field for cucurbit[6]uril and provides an alternative avenue for optimizing the performances of carbon‐based materials for SCs.
Hydroprinted Liquid‐Alloy‐Based Morphing Electronics for Fast‐Growing/Tender Plants: From Physiology Monitoring to Habit Manipulation
Authors: Jiang Jiajun , Zhang Shuo , Wang Bei , Ding Han , Wu Zhigang
Published: August 2020

Monitoring physiological signals and manipulating growth habits of living plants in real time are important for botany research, biohybrid plant robots, and precision agriculture. Although emerging epidermal electronics that can conveniently acquire vital signals of living organisms exhibit a high potential for such scenarios, it is a significant challenge to adapt such devices for plants, because they are fragile and usually have complex surfaces that can change significantly during rapid growth. A gentle fabrication process is critical in order to employ compliant electronic systems to adapt to this highly dynamic situation. In this study, a hydroprinted liquid‐alloy‐based morphing electronics (LAME) process is employed for fast‐growing plants that will sense physiological signals and even function as a biohybrid to determine plant behavior on demand. Besides various surfaces of inorganic targeting substrates, pinning liquid alloy circuits onto the complex plant epidermis is enhanced by introducing high‐surface‐energy liquid. Functionally, the new developed LAME can be used to monitor leaf moisture content and length, and manipulate leaf and bean sprout orientation. This study lays the foundation for a new form of morphing electronics for botany or biohybrid plant robots, potentially impacting the next generation of precision agriculture and smart hybrid robots.
Effect of goshajinkigan on the mechanical hypoesthesia of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic peripheral neuropathy in mice
Authors: Inagaki Koki , Arai Yoshikazu , Akasaki Taishi , Yamada Tami , Tanaka Rui , Hisaka Shinsuke , Nose Mitsuhiko
Published: August 2020

Aim

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. While there are several reports of treatments and prevention for hyperesthesia and hyperalgesia in DPN, there are no effective treatments for hypoesthesia. In the present study, we examined some Kampo prescriptions that were effective for hypoesthesia in the later stage of DPN.

Methods

Male ICR mice were injected with streptozotocin and the 50% threshold for mechanical stimulation was calculated by performing a von Frey test using the left footpad of diabetic mice.

Results

The 50% paw withdrawal threshold increased significantly six weeks after streptozotocin (STZ) treatment, showing mechanical hypoesthesia in diabetic mice, which was significantly ameliorated after administration of goshajinkigan (GJG). Pretreatment with NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) in diabetic mice inhibited the ameliorative effect of GJG, suggesting the possibility that the improvement in sensory reduction demonstrated by GJG resulted from increasing nitric oxide. To assess the mechanism of GJG action, we demonstrated the possibility that L‐arginine was supplied by GJG as a substrate for nitric oxide synthase (NOS). We further found that four kinds of crude drugs contributed to the ameliorative effect of GJG in the mechanical hypoesthesia in DPN. The L‐arginine content of these four crude drugs was compared in terms of the potency of the ameliorative effects on hypoesthesia and a mechanism is suggested not only for the substrate supply but also for NOS activation.

Conclusion

Here, we found for the first time that GJG improves the mechanical hypoesthesia in the later stage of DPN.
Liver fibrosis score, physical frailty, and the risk of dementia in older adults: The Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Solfrizzi Vincenzo , Scafato Emanuele , Custodero Carlo , Loparco Francesca , Ciavarella Alessandro , Panza Francesco , Seripa Davide , Imbimbo Bruno Pietro , Lozupone Madia , Napoli Nicola , Piazzolla Giuseppina , Galluzzo Lucia , Gandin Claudia , Baldereschi Marzia , Di Carlo Antonio , Inzitari Domenico , Pilotto Alberto , Sabbà Carlo ,   for the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging Working Group
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Liver fibrosis increases progressively with aging and has been associated with poorer cognitive performance in middle‐aged and older adults. We investigated the relationships between a non‐invasive score for advanced liver fibrosis (non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD] fibrosis score [NFS]) and dementia risk. We also assessed physical frailty, a common geriatric condition which is associated to dementia. We tested the joint effects of physical frailty and fibrosis on dementia incidence.

Methods

A total of 1061 older adults (65 to 84 years), from the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging, were prospectively evaluated for the risk of dementia in a period between 1992 and 2001. Liver fibrosis was defined according to the NFS. Physical frailty was assessed according to the Fried's criteria. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the short‐ and long‐term risk of overall dementia, associated to the NFS, testing the effect modifier of physical frailty status.

Results

Older adults with only high NFS (F3‐F4) did not exhibit a significant increased risk of overall dementia. Over 8 years of follow‐up, frail older adults with high NFS had an increased risk of overall dementia (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22 to 14.70, P = .023). Finally, physically frail older adults with low albumin serum levels (albumin < 4.3 g/dL) and with advanced liver fibrosis (F3‐F4 NFS) compared to those with lower liver fibrosis score (F0‐F2 NFS) were more likely to have a higher risk of overall dementia in a long term‐period (HR: 16.42; 95% CI: 1.44 to 187.67, P = .024).

Discussion

Advanced liver fibrosis (F3‐F4 NFS) could be a long‐term predictor for overall dementia in people with physical frailty. These findings should encourage a typical geriatric, multidisciplinary assessment which accounts also for the possible co‐presence of frail condition in older adults with chronic liver disease and liver fibrosis.
Sensing a problem: Proof of concept for characterizing and predicting agitation
Authors: Au‐Yeung Wan‐Tai M. , Miller Lyndsey , Beattie Zachary , Dodge Hiroko H. , Reynolds Christina , Vahia Ipsit , Kaye Jeffrey
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Agitation, experienced by patients with dementia, is difficult to manage and stressful for caregivers. Currently, agitation is primarily assessed by caregivers or clinicians based on self‐report or very brief periods of observation. This limits availability of comprehensive or sensitive enough reporting to detect early signs of agitation or identify its precipitants. The purpose of this article is to provide proof of concept for characterizing and predicting agitation using a system that continuously monitors patients’ activities and living environment within memory care facilities.

Methods

Continuous and unobtrusive monitoring of a participant is achieved using behavioral sensors, which include passive infrared motion sensors, door contact sensors, a wearable actigraphy device, and a bed pressure mat sensor installed in the living quarters of the participant. Environmental sensors are also used to continuously assess temperature, light, sound, and humidity. Episodes of agitation are reported by nursing staff. Data collected for 138 days were divided by 8‐hour nursing shifts. Features from agitated shifts were compared to those from non‐agitated shifts using t‐tests.

Results

A total of 37 episodes of agitation were reported for a male participant, aged 64 with Alzheimer's disease, living in a memory care unit. Participant activity metrics (eg, transitions within the living room, sleep scores from the bedmat, and total activity counts from the actigraph) significantly correlated with occurrences of agitation at night (P < 0.05). Environmental variables (eg, humidity) also correlated with the occurrences of agitation at night (P < 0.05). Higher activity levels were also observed in the evenings before agitated nights.

Discussion

A platform of sensors used for unobtrusive and continuous monitoring of participants with dementia and their living space seems feasible and shows promise for characterization of episodes of agitation and identification of behavioral and environmental precipitants of agitation.
Exploring new short tandem repeat markers for DNA mixture deconvolution
Authors: Novroski Nicole M. M.
Published: August 2020

Relying on their polymorphic nature, short tandem repeats (STRs) have been extensively studied and routinely utilized as human identity markers in forensic genetics. However, even the most comprehensive STR multiplexes in use today are limited in their ability to determine the number and appropriation of component contributor alleles in DNA mixtures. The difficulty in parsing out individuals in DNA mixtures is a consequence of overlapping length‐based alleles genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with capillary electrophoresis (CE). Many challenges exist in the resolution of minor alleles (i.e., the alleles originating from a minor contributor) from stutter and stochastic effects (e.g., inherent heterozygote peak imbalance, undetected alleles [drop out]) in a given DNA profile, in addition to the complex statistical models and algorithms necessary to render DNA mixtures interpretable from a forensic casework standpoint. Therefore, we can either adapt to complex interpretation methods, or pursue new bench science approaches to DNA mixture deconvolution. One promising area of research includes the incorporation of additional highly polymorphic STR loci to compliment current marker multiplexes and offer great potential to improve the forensic genetic analysis of DNA mixtures.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Biology > Forensic DNA Technologies

Forensic Biology > Interpretation of Biological Evidence

Forensic Biology > Ethical and Social Implications
Autonomous reboot: Aristotle, autonomy and the ends of machine ethics
Authors: White Jeffrey
Published: August 2020

Tonkens (Mind Mach, 19, 3, 421–438, 2009) has issued a seemingly impossible challenge, to articulate a comprehensive ethical framework within which artificial moral agents (AMAs) satisfy a Kantian inspired recipe—"rational" and "free"—while also satisfying perceived prerogatives of machine ethicists to facilitate the creation of AMAs that are perfectly and not merely reliably ethical. Challenges for machine ethicists have also been presented by Anthony Beavers and Wendell Wallach. Beavers pushes for the reinvention of traditional ethics to avoid "ethical nihilism" due to the reduction of morality to mechanical causation. Wallach pushes for redoubled efforts toward a comprehensive account of ethics to guide machine ethicists on the issue of artificial moral agency. Options, thus, present themselves: reinterpret traditional ethics in a way that affords a comprehensive account of moral agency inclusive of both artificial and natural agents, or give up on the possibility and “muddle through” regardless. This series of papers pursues the first option, meets Tonkens' "challenge" and pursues Wallach's ends through Beavers’ proposed means, by "landscaping" traditional moral theory in resolution of a comprehensive account of moral agency. This first paper sets out the challenge and establishes the tradition that Kant had inherited from Aristotle, briefly entertains an Aristotelian AMA, fields objections, and ends with unanswered questions. The next paper in this series responds to the challenge in Kantian terms, and argues that a Kantian AMA is not only a possibility for Machine ethics research, but a necessary one.
Correction of severe valgus osteoarthritis by total knee arthroplasty is associated with increased postoperative ankle symptoms
Authors: Graef Frank , Hommel Hagen , Falk Roman , Tsitsilonis Serafeim , Zahn Robert Karl , Perka Carsten
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the mid-term clinical outcome of the ankle joint after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in high-grade valgus osteoarthritis.

Methods

In this case–control study, n = 36 patients with a preoperative mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA) ≥ 15° who underwent TKA between December 2002 and December 2012 were included. The control group (mTFA < 15°) of n = 60 patients was created using case matching. Radiological [mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA) and ankle joint orientation to the ground (G-AJLO)] and clinical parameters [Foot Function Index (FFI), Knee Society Score, Forgotten Joint Score, and Range of Motion (ROM)] were analysed. The mean follow-up time was 59 months (IQR [56, 62]).

Results

The degree of correcting the mTFA by TKA significantly correlated with the postoperative FFI (R = 0.95, p < 0.05), although the knee and ankle joint lines were corrected to neutral orientations. A cut-off value of 16.5° [AUC 0.912 (0.85–0.975 95% CI), sensitivity = 0.8, specificity = 0.895] was calculated, above which the odds ratio (OR) for developing ankle symptoms increased vastly [OR 34.0 (9.10–127.02 95% CI)]. ROM restrictions of the subtalar joint displayed a strong significant correlation with the FFI (R = 0.74, p < 0.05), demonstrating that decreased ROM of the subtalar joint was associated with aggravated outcomes of the ankle joint.

Conclusions

In this study, higher degrees of leg axis correction in TKA were associated with increased postoperative ankle symptoms. When TKA is performed in excessive valgus knee osteoarthritis, surgeons should be aware that this might trigger the onset or progression of ankle symptoms, particularly in cases of a stiff subtalar joint.

Level of evidence

III.
Screening of repeated dose toxicity data in safety evaluation reports of cosmetic ingredients issued by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety between 2009 and 2019
Authors: Gustafson Emma , Debruyne Christophe , De Troyer Olga , Rogiers Vera , Vinken Mathieu , Vanhaecke Tamara
Published: August 2020

A focal point in the safety evaluation of cosmetic ingredients includes oral repeated dose toxicity testing, which is intended to address the most complex human endpoints. Seven years after the full implementation of the animal testing ban for cosmetic ingredients in the EU, there are still no alternative methods available capable of fully replacing oral repeated dose toxicity testing. Until this issue is resolved, the development of new cosmetic ingredients remains seriously hampered. The present paper describes a thorough screening of the oral repeated dose toxicity data included in safety evaluation reports of cosmetic ingredients addressed in the Annexes of the Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, issued by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety between 2009 and 2019. The liver and the haematological system were identified as the potentially most frequently affected organs upon oral administration of cosmetic ingredients to animals. Evaluation of altered biochemical, morphological, and histopathological parameters related to hepatotoxicity indicated that the most recurrent events are liver weight changes, elevated liver enzymes, and alterations in serum cholesterol and bilirubin levels. Combined listing of affected parameters associated with steatosis and cholestasis indicated the possible occurrence of cholestasis, provoked by a limited number of cosmetic ingredients. The most frequently affected parameters related to the haematological system were indicative of anaemia. An in-depth analysis allowed characterisation of both regenerative and non-regenerative anaemia, pointing to direct and indirect haematotoxicity, respectively. The results presented in this study call for prioritisation of research targeted towards the development of new approach methodologies fit for animal-free repeated dose toxicity evaluation of cosmetic ingredients.
Efficient algorithms for solving the p-Laplacian in polynomial time
Authors: Loisel Sébastien
Published: August 2020

The p-Laplacian is a nonlinear partial differential equation, parametrized by $$p \in [1,\infty ]$$

p
∈
[
1
,
∞
]

. We provide new numerical algorithms, based on the barrier method, for solving the p-Laplacian numerically in $$O(\sqrt{n}\log n)$$

O
(

n

log
n
)

Newton iterations for all $$p \in [1,\infty ]$$

p
∈
[
1
,
∞
]

, where n is the number of grid points. We confirm our estimates with numerical experiments.
Recombinant Antibodies with Unique Specificities Allow for Sensitive and Specific Detection of Uncarboxylated Osteocalcin in Human Circulation
Authors: Arponen Milja , Brockmann Eeva-Christine , Kiviranta Riku , Lamminmäki Urpo , Ivaska Kaisa K.
Published: August 2020

Osteocalcin is a bone-specific protein which contains three glutamic acid residues (Glu) that undergo post-translational gamma-carboxylation. Uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) may participate in the regulation of glucose metabolism, thus measurement of ucOC could be useful in evaluating interactions between bone and glucose metabolism. We developed recombinant antibodies and immunoassay to specifically detect ucOC in human blood samples. ucOC-specific recombinant antibodies were selected from an antibody library by phage display. Four candidates were characterized, and one (Fab-AP13) was used to set up an immunoassay with a pre-existing MAb. Plasma ucOC levels were measured in subjects with normal fasting blood glucose (≤ 6 mmol/l,N = 46) or with hyperglycemia (≥ 7 mmol/l,N = 29). Further, we analyzed ucOC in age- and gender-matched patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D,N = 49). Antibodies recognized ucOC without cross-reaction to carboxylated osteocalcin. Antibodies had unique binding sites at the carboxylation region, with Glu17 included in all epitopes. Immunoassay was set up and characterized. Immunoassay detected ucOC in serum and plasma, with on average 1.6-fold higher levels in plasma. ucOC concentrations were significantly lower in subjects with hyperglycemia (median 0.58 ng/ml,p = 0.008) or with T2D diagnosis (0.68 ng/ml,p = 0.015) than in subjects with normal blood glucose (1.01 ng/ml). ucOC negatively correlated with fasting plasma glucose in subjects without T2D (r = − 0.24,p = 0.035) but not in T2D patients (p = 0.41). Our immunoassay, based on the novel recombinant antibody, allows for specific and sensitive detection of ucOC in human circulation. Correlation between ucOC and plasma glucose suggests interactions between osteocalcin and glucose metabolism in humans.
Mustafin varieties, moduli spaces and tropical geometry
Authors: Hahn Marvin Anas , Li Binglin
Published: August 2020

Mustafin varieties are flat degenerations of projective spaces, induced by a set of lattices in a vector space over a non-archimedean field. They were introduced by Mustafin (Math USSR-Sbornik 34(2):187, 1978) in the 70s in order to generalise Mumford’s groundbreaking work on the unformisation of curves to higher dimension. These varieties have a rich combinatorial structure as can be seen in pioneering work of Cartwright et al. (Selecta Math 17(4):757–793, 2011). In this paper, we introduce a new approach to Mustafin varieties in terms of images of rational maps, which were studied in Li (IMRN, 2017). Applying tropical intersection theory and tropical convex hull computations, we use this method to give a new combinatorial description of the irreducible components of the special fibers of Mustafin varieties. Finally, we outline a first application of our results in limit linear series theory.
Sentinel lymph node detection in oral cancer: a within-patient comparison between [99mTc]Tc-tilmanocept and [99mTc]Tc-nanocolloid
Authors: den Toom Inne J. , Mahieu Rutger , van Rooij Rob , van Es Robert J. J. , Hobbelink Monique G. G. , Krijger Gerard C. , Tijink Bernard M. , de Keizer Bart , de Bree Remco
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy has proven to reliably stage the clinically negative neck in early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). [99mTc]Tc-tilmanocept may be of benefit in OSCC with complex lymphatic drainage patterns and close spatial relation to SLNs.

Methods

A prospective within-patient evaluation study was designed to compare [99mTc]Tc-tilmanocept with [99mTc]Tc-nanocolloid for SLN detection. A total of 20 patients with early-stage OSCC were included, who underwent lymphoscintigraphy with both tracers. Both lymphoscintigraphic images of each patient were evaluated for SLN detection and radiotracer distribution at 2–4 h post-injection.

Results

The injection site’s remaining radioactivity was significantly lower for [99mTc]Tc-tilmanocept (29.9%), compared with [99mTc]Tc-nanocolloid (60.9%; p < 0.001). Radioactive uptake in SLNs was significantly lower for [99mTc]Tc-tilmanocept (1.95%) compared with [99mTc]Tc-nanocolloid (3.16%; p = 0.010). No significant difference was seen in SLN to injection site ratio in radioactivity between [99mTc]Tc-tilmanocept (0.066) and [99mTc]Tc-nanocolloid (0.054; p = 0.232). A median of 3.0 and 2.5 SLNs were identified with [99mTc]Tc-tilmanocept and [99mTc]Tc-nanocolloid, respectively (p = 0.297). Radioactive uptake in higher echelon nodes was not significantly different between [99mTc]Tc-tilmanocept (0.57%) and [99mTc]Tc-nanocolloid (0.86%) (p = 0.052). A median of 2.0 and 2.5 higher echelon nodes was identified with [99mTc]Tc-tilmanocept and [99mTc]Tc-nanocolloid, respectively (p = 0.083).

Conclusion

[99mTc]Tc-tilmanocept had a higher injection site clearance, but at the same time a lower uptake in the SLN, resulting in an SLN to injection site ratio, which was not significantly different from [99mTc]Tc-nanocolloid. The relatively low-radioactive uptake in SLNs of [99mTc]Tc-tilmanocept may limit intraoperative detection of SLNs, but can be overcome by a higher injection dose.
Involvement of radiologists in oncologic multidisciplinary team meetings: an international survey by the European Society of Oncologic Imaging
Authors: Neri Emanuele , Gabelloni Michela , Bäuerle Tobias , Beets-Tan Regina , Caruso Damiano , D’Anastasi Melvin , Dinkel Julien , Fournier Laure S , Gourtsoyianni Sofia , Hoffmann Ralf-Thorsten , Mayerhöfer Marius Erik , Regge Daniele , Schlemmer Heinz Peter , Laghi Andrea
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Multidisciplinary tumour boards (MTBs) play an increasingly important role in managing cancer patients from diagnosis to treatment. However, many problems arise around the organisation of MTBs, both in terms of organisation-administration and time management. In this context, the European Society of Oncologic Imaging (ESOI) conducted a survey among its members, aimed at assessing the quality and amount of involvement of radiologists in MTBs, their role in it and related issues.

Methods

All members were invited to fill in a questionnaire consisting of 15 questions with both open and multiple-choice answers. Simple descriptive analyses and graphs were performed.

Results

A total of 292 ESOI members in full standing for the year 2018 joined the survey. Most respondents (89%) declared to attend MT-Bs, but only 114 respondents (43.9%) review over 70% of exams prior to MTB meetings, mainly due to lack of time due to a busy schedule for imaging and reporting (46.6%). Perceived benefits (i.e. surgical and histological feedback (86.9%), improved knowledge of cancer treatment (82.7%) and better interaction between radiologists and referring clinicians for discussing rare cases (56.9%)) and issues (i.e. attending MTB meetings during regular working hours (71.9%) and lack of accreditation with continuing medical education (CME) (85%)) are reported.

Conclusions

Despite the value and benefits of radiologists’ participation in MTBs, issues like improper preparation due to a busy schedule and no counterpart in CME accreditation require efforts to improve the role of radiologists for a better patient care.

Key Points

• Most radiologists attend multidisciplinary tumour boards, but less than half of them review images in advance, mostly due to time constraints.

• Feedback about radiological diagnoses, improved knowledge of cancer treatment and interaction with referring clinicians are perceived as major benefits.

• Concerns were expressed about scheduling multidisciplinary tumour boards during regular working hours and lack of accreditation with continuing medical education.
Insulitis and lymphoid structures in the islets of Langerhans of a 66-year-old patient with long-standing type 1 diabetes
Authors: Smeets Silke , Staels Willem , Stangé Geert , Gillard Pieter , De Leu Nico , in’t Veld Peter
Published: August 2020

Insulitis is a characteristic inflammatory lesion consisting of immune cell infiltrates around and within the pancreatic islets of patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D). The infiltration is typically mild, both in terms of the number of infiltrating cells and the number of islets affected. Here, we present an unusual histopathological case study of a 66-year-old female patient with long-standing T1D, insulitis, and islet-associated lymphoid tissue. Most islets in the head of the pancreas of this patient were insulin-deficient, whereas the islets in the tail appeared normal. Insulitis was present in 0.84% of the insulin-containing islets and three islets had large lymphocytic infiltrates resembling tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). Of note, this is the first description of potential TLS in the endocrine pancreas of a patient with T1D. Their association with a marked residual beta cell mass is of interest and may hint at new insights into disease progression and regulation of autoimmunity.
Clinical outcomes following periodontal surgery and root surface decontamination by erythritol-based air polishing. A randomized, controlled, clinical pilot study
Authors: Cosgarea Raluca , Jepsen Søren , Fimmers Rolf , Bodea Aura , Eick Sigrun , Sculean Anton
Published: August 2020

Aim

To evaluate the outcomes following surgical periodontal treatment and root surface decontamination by means of air polishing using an erythritol powder or conventional mechanical root debridement.

Material and methods

Thirty systemically healthy patients (44.38 ± 8.2 years old, 11 smokers, 19 women) diagnosed with periodontitis stages III–IV were included. Each patient, with one single-rooted tooth, with one probing pocket depth (PD) ≥ 6 mm associated with horizontal bone loss, was treated by means of simplified papilla preservation flap (SPPF) and randomized to either test treatment (careful removal of the calculus with the tip of a blade, air polishing of the root surfaces with erythritol) or to the control group (scaling and root planing with hand curettes, ultrasonic instruments). PD, clinical attachment (CAL), bone sounding (BS), and radiographic bone level (BL) were evaluated at baseline and 12 months postsurgically.

Results

Twenty-seven patients completed the 12-month follow-up (test: n = 14, control: n = 13). In both groups, statistically significant improvements were obtained (p < 0.05, mean CAL gain/PD reduction: test, 2.50 ± 1.60 mm/3.00 ± 0.96 mm; control, 2.85 ± 1.21 mm/3.38 ± 1.12 mm). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for any of the investigated parameters (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Within their limits, the present results indicate that the use of air polishing with an erythritol powder during periodontal surgery may represent a valuable minimally invasive adjunct following calculus removal by means of hand and ultrasonic instruments or a valuable alternative to these, for root surfaces without calculus.

Clinical relevance

The use of air polishing with an erythritol powder during periodontal surgery appears to represent a valuable minimally invasive adjunct following calculus removal by means of hand and ultrasonic instruments or a valuable alternative to these, for root surfaces without calculus.
Cation exchange behavior during the redox switching of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films
Authors: Gruia Violeta-Tincuţa , Ispas Adriana , Efimov Igor , Bund Andreas
Published: August 2020

Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), PEDOT, films were synthesized at room temperature by potentiodynamic and potentiostatic step deposition in aqueous solutions containing EDOT monomer and LiClO4. In some solutions, the effect of small amounts of sodium dodecylsulfate, SDS, on the polymerization rate of EDOT and on the stiffness of the obtained PEDOT film was studied. The obtained PEDOT films were transferred in aqueous solutions containing cations with different molar mass, such as H+, Li+, Na+, K+, and Cs+. The apparent molar masses of the exchanged species during potentiodynamic experiments were determined by in situ microgravimetry. These measurements underlined the importance of the electrolyte chosen for electropolymerization process. It is known that SDS anions can be trapped inside the polymer layer during electropolymerization, providing them with a cation exchange behavior. However, even if the PEDOT films were deposited from an electrolyte without SDS, they still acted as cation exchangers.
Familial writer’s cramp: a clinical clue for inherited coenzyme Q10 deficiency
Authors: Amprosi Matthias , Zech Michael , Steiger Ruth , Nachbauer Wolfgang , Eigentler Andreas , Gizewski Elke R. , Guger Michael , Indelicato Elisabetta , Boesch Sylvia
Published: August 2020

The spectrum of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency syndromes comprises a variety of disorders, including a form of autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia (ARCA2) caused by mutations in the AarF domain–containing kinase 3 gene (ADCK3). Due to the potential response to CoQ10 supplementation, a timely diagnosis is crucial. Herein, we describe two siblings with a novel homozygous ADCK3 variant and an unusual presentation consisting of isolated writer’s cramp with adult-onset. Cerebellar ataxia developed later in the disease course and remained stable during the follow-up. This report highlights that ARCA2 should be considered in the differential diagnosis of familial writer’s cramp.
Families of toric chemical reaction networks
Authors: Adamer Michael F. , Helmer Martin
Published: August 2020

We study families of chemical reaction networks whose positive steady states are toric, and therefore can be parameterized by monomials. Families are constructed algorithmically from a core network; we show that if a family member is multistationary, then so are all subsequent networks in the family. Further, we address the questions of model selection and experimental design for families by investigating the algebraic dependencies of the chemical concentrations using matroids. Given a family with toric steady states and a constant number of conservation relations, we construct a matroid that encodes important information regarding the steady state behaviour of the entire family. Among other things, this gives necessary conditions for the distinguishability of families of reaction networks with respect to a data set of measured chemical concentrations. We illustrate our results using multi-site phosphorylation networks.
Modeling and Simulation of Microstructure Evolution for Additive Manufacturing of Metals: A Critical Review
Authors: Körner Carolin , Markl Matthias , Koepf Johannes A.
Published: August 2020

Beam-based additive manufacturing (AM) of metallic components is characterized by extreme process conditions. The component forms in a line-by-line and layer-by-layer process over many hours. Locally, the microstructure evolves by rapid and directional solidification. Modeling and simulation is important to generate a better understanding of the resultant microstructure. Based on this knowledge, the AM process strategy can be adapted to adjust specific microstructures and in this way different mechanical properties. In this review, we explain the basic concepts behind different modeling approaches applied to simulate AM microstructure evolution of metals. After a critical discussion on the range of applicability and the predictive power of each model, we finally identify future tasks.
Senecio scapioides (Compositae: Senecioneae: Senecioniinae): a new species from the Departamento de Boyacá, in Andean Colombia
Authors: Aguilar-Cano José , Hind D. J. Nicholas
Published: August 2020

Routine use of the virtual herbarium of the collections in COL (Instituto de Ciencias Naturales de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia) revealed the presence of an as yet undescribed species of Senecio amongst the material of Senecio adglacialis and S. leucanthemoides. Following subsequent herbarium studies and fieldwork, Senecio scapioides (Compositae: Senecioneae: Senecioniinae), from the Departamento de Boyacá, in Andean Colombia, was recognised and is described and illustrated; it is compared with S. adglacialis and S. leucanthemoides. Notes on its distribution and habitat, conservation status, phenology, and etymology are also provided, and the distribution of the three species mapped.
Evaluation of an alkali-polymer flooding technique for enhanced oil recovery in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Medica Kyle , Maharaj Rean , Alexander David , Soroush Mohammad
Published: August 2020

Trinidad and Tobago (TT) is seeking to develop more economical methods of enhanced oil recovery to arrest the decline in crude oil production and to meet the current and future energy demand. The utilization of alkaline-polymer flooding to enhance oil recovery in TT requires key studies to be conducted to obtain critical information of the flooding system (soil type, additive type, pH, adsorption characteristics and rheological (flow) characteristics). Understanding the role of, interplay and optimizing of these variables will provide key input data for the required simulations to produce near realistic projections of the required EOR efficiencies. The parameters of various wells in TT were compared to the screening criteria for alkali-polymer flooding, and the EOR 4 well was found to be suitable and thus selected for evaluation. Laboratory adsorption studies showed that the 1000 ppm xanthan gum flooding solution containing 0.25% NaOH exhibited the lowest absorption capacity for the gravel packed sand and exhibited the lowest viscosity at all the tested shear rates. The lowest adsorption was 2.27 × 10−7 lbmole/ft3 which occurred with the 1000 ppm xanthan gum polymer containing 0.25% NaOH, and the evidence showed that the polymer was adsorbed on the other side of the faults, indicating that it has moved further and closer to the producing well. Implementation of an alkali polymer flooding resulted in an incremental increase in the recovery factors (~ 3%) compared to polymer flooding; however, a change in the oil recovery as a function of the alkaline concentration was not observed. The simulated economic analysis clearly shows that all the analysed EOR scenarios resulted in economically feasible outcomes of net present value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and payback period for oil price variations between $35 and $60 USD per barrel of oil. A comparison of the individual strategies shows that the alkali-polymer flood system utilizing 0.25% sodium hydroxide with 1000 ppm xanthan gum is the best option in terms of cumulative production, recovery factor, NPV, IRR and time to payback.
Evaluation of freezing injury in temperate fruit trees
Authors: Yu Duk Jun , Lee Hee Jae
Published: August 2020

Freezing is a major environmental stress limiting the geographical distribution, growth, and productivity of temperate fruit trees. The extent of freezing injury in the trees depends on the rate at which the temperature decreases, the minimum temperature reached, and the duration of the freezing conditions. The ability to tolerate freezing temperatures under natural conditions varies greatly among fruit tree species, cultivars, and tissues. Freezing injury must be precisely evaluated to reliably predict the winter survival and productivity of the trees in specific regions, to screen for tolerant species and cultivars, and to develop cultural strategies that reduce freezing stress. Various methods are used to evaluate freezing injury in temperate fruit trees under field and artificial conditions, including visual evaluation of tissue discoloration, thermal analysis, determination of electrolyte leakage, and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reduction analysis. In this review, we describe the most frequently used experimental procedures for evaluating freezing injury.
A Police Partnership Targeting Truancy: Study Protocol for a Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Mazerolle Lorraine , Bennett Sarah , Cardwell Stephanie M.
Published: August 2020

Research Question

How can an Australian police agency best test its role in a truancy prevention programme that can help to prevent crime?

Data

Operational and analytic planning for testing the Ability School Engagement Partnership (ASEP) programme in Queensland that aims to increase school attendance and reduce anti-social behaviour, including offending.

Methods

Fulfilling the requirements for registering a randomised trial protocol with theClinicaltrials.govRegistry (NCT04281966; date registered 24 February 2020).

Findings

A protocol deploying a cluster randomised trial offers sufficient statistical power to detect a moderately large effect size as statistically significant with 80% probability.

Conclusion

Implementation of this protocol as planned would provide an internally valid test of the effectiveness of the ASEP programme in real-world conditions.