bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 associated with proton pump inhibitors: a nationwide cohort study with propensity score matching
Authors: Lee Seung Won , Ha Eun Kyo , Yeniova Abdullah Özgür , Moon Sung Yong , Kim So Young , Koh Hyun Yong , Yang Jee Myung , Jeong Su Jin , Moon Sun Joon , Cho Joo Young , Yoo In Kyung , Yon Dong Keon
Published: July 2020

Objective

The adverse effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been documented for pneumonia; however, there is no consensus regarding whether the use of PPIs might be harmful regarding the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In this regard, we aimed to measure the potential associations of the current use of PPIs with the infection rates of COVID-19 among patients who underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing.

Design

Data were derived from a Korean nationwide cohort study with propensity score matching. We included 132 316 patients older than 18 years who tested for SARS-CoV-2 between 1 January and 15 May 2020. Endpoints were SARS-CoV-2 positivity (primary) and severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 (secondary: admission to intensive care unit, administration of invasive ventilation or death).

Results

In the entire cohort, there were 111 911 non-users, 14 163 current PPI users and 6242 past PPI users. After propensity score matching, the SARS-CoV-2 test positivity rate was not associated with the current or past use of PPIs. Among patients with confirmed COVID-19, the current use of PPIs conferred a 79% greater risk of severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19, while the relationship with the past use of PPIs remained insignificant. Current PPI use starting within the previous 30 days was associated with a 90% increased risk of severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19.

Conclusion

Patients taking PPIs are at increased risk for severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 but not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This suggests that physicians need to assess benefit–risk assessments in the management of acid-related diseases amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Genotype-first in a cohort of 95 fetuses with multiple congenital abnormalities: when exome sequencing reveals unexpected fetal phenotype-genotype correlations
Authors: Lefebvre Mathilde , Bruel Ange-Line , Tisserant Emilie , Bourgon Nicolas , Duffourd Yannis , Collardeau-Frachon Sophie , Attie-Bitach Tania , Kuentz Paul , assoum Mirna , Schaefer Elise , El Chehadeh Salima , Antal Maria Cristina , Kremer Valérie , Girard-Lemaitre Françoise , Mandel Jean-Louis , Lehalle Daphne , Nambot Sophie , Jean-Marçais Nolwenn , Houcinat Nada , Moutton Sébastien , Marle Nathalie , Lambert Laetita , Jonveaux Philippe , Foliguet Bernard , Mazutti Jean-Pierre , Gaillard Dominique , Alanio Elisabeth , Poirisier Celine , Lebre Anne-Sophie , Aubert-Lenoir Marion , Arbez-Gindre Francine , Odent Sylvie , Quélin Chloé , Loget Philippe , Fradin Melanie , Willems Marjolaine , Bigi Nicole , Perez Marie-José , Blesson Sophie , Francannet Christine , Beaufrere Anne-Marie , Patrier-Sallebert Sophie , Guerrot Anne-Marie , Goldenberg Alice , Brehin Anne-Claire , Lespinasse James , Touraine Renaud , Capri Yline , Saint-Frison Marie-Hélène , Laurent Nicole , Philippe Christophe , Tran Mau-them Frederic , Thevenon Julien , Faivre Laurence , Thauvin-Robinet Christel , Vitobello Antonio
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Molecular diagnosis based on singleton exome sequencing (sES) is particularly challenging in fetuses with multiple congenital abnormalities (MCA). Indeed, some studies reveal a diagnostic yield of about 20%, far lower than in live birth individuals showing developmental abnormalities (30%), suggesting that standard analyses, based on the correlation between clinical hallmarks described in postnatal syndromic presentations and genotype, may underestimate the impact of the genetic variants identified in fetal analyses.

Methods

We performed sES in 95 fetuses with MCA. Blind to phenotype, we applied a genotype-first approach consisting of combined analyses based on variants annotation and bioinformatics predictions followed by reverse phenotyping. Initially applied to OMIM-morbid genes, analyses were then extended to all genes. We complemented our approach by using reverse phenotyping, variant segregation analysis, bibliographic search and data sharing in order to establish the clinical significance of the prioritised variants.

Results

sES rapidly identified causal variant in 24/95 fetuses (25%), variants of unknown significance in OMIM genes in 8/95 fetuses (8%) and six novel candidate genes in 6/95 fetuses (6%).

Conclusions

This method, based on a genotype-first approach followed by reverse phenotyping, shed light on unexpected fetal phenotype-genotype correlations, emphasising the relevance of prenatal studies to reveal extreme clinical presentations associated with well-known Mendelian disorders.
Data-driven modelling of mutational hotspots and in silico predictors in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Waring Adam , Harper Andrew , Salatino Silvia , Kramer Christopher , Neubauer Stefan , Thomson Kate , Watkins Hugh , Farrall Martin
Published: July 2020

Background

Although rare missense variants in Mendelian disease genes often cluster in specific regions of proteins, it is unclear how to consider this when evaluating the pathogenicity of a gene or variant. Here we introduce methods for gene association and variant interpretation that use this powerful signal.

Methods

We present statistical methods to detect missense variant clustering (BIN-test) combined with burden information (ClusterBurden). We introduce a flexible generalised additive modelling (GAM) framework to identify mutational hotspots using burden and clustering information (hotspotmodel) and supplemented by in silico predictors (hotspot+model). The methods were applied to synthetic data and a case–control dataset, comprising 5338 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients and 125 748 population reference samples over 34 putative cardiomyopathy genes.

Results

In simulations, theBIN-testwas almost twice as powerful as the Anderson-Darling or Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests;ClusterBurdenwas computationally faster and more powerful than alternative position-informed methods. For 6/8 sarcomeric genes with strong clustering,Clusterburdenshowed enhanced power over burden-alone, equivalent to increasing the sample size by 50%.Hotspot+models that combine burden, clustering and in silico predictors outperform generic pathogenicity predictors and effectively integrate ACMG criteria PM1 and PP3 to yield strong or moderate evidence of pathogenicity for 31.8% of examined variants of uncertain significance.

Conclusion

GAMs represent a unified statistical modelling framework to combine burden, clustering and functional information.Hotspotmodels can refine maps of regional burden andhotspot+models can be powerful predictors of variant pathogenicity. TheBIN-testis a fast powerful approach to detect missense variant clustering that when combined with burden information (ClusterBurden) may enhance disease-gene discovery.
Quality of life outcomes after globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation in idiopathic or inherited isolated dystonia: a meta-analysis
Authors: Tsuboi Takashi , Cauraugh James H , Wong Joshua K , Okun Michael S , Ramirez-Zamora Adolfo
Published: July 2020

Background

Several studies reported the beneficial effects of globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation (GPi DBS) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with inherited or idiopathic isolated dystonia. However, the impact of this intervention on physical and mental/psychological domains and the effects over time remain unclear.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review from January 2000 to May 2019 and performed a meta-analysis of HRQoL outcomes based on the Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36) after GPi DBS in patients with inherited or idiopathic isolated dystonia to evaluate the effects of DBS on physical and mental QoL.

Results

Seven studies comprising 144 patients with dystonia (78, generalised; 34, segmental; and 32, focal cervical) were included in this comprehensive analysis. The mean (SD) age at DBS implantation was 41.0 (11.4) years, and the follow-up period after implantation was 3.2 (3.8) years. The random effects model meta-analysis revealed that both physical and mental domains of SF-36 improved following DBS with a significantly larger effect size for the physical domains (effect size=0.781; p<0.0001) compared with the mental domains (effect size=0.533; p<0.0001). A moderator variable analysis demonstrated that effect sizes for HRQoL improvement were maintained over time.

Conclusions

This is the first meta-analysis that demonstrates significant benefits in HRQoL following DBS in patients with inherited or idiopathic isolated dystonia. The benefits are greater for physical QoL domains compared with mental/psychological QoL. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to improve mental/psychological QoL.
Data-driven evolution of neurosurgical gene therapy delivery in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Richardson R Mark , Bankiewicz Krystof S , Christine Chadwick W , Van Laar Amber D , Gross Robert E , Lonser Russell , Factor Stewart A , Kostyk Sandra K , Kells Adrian P , Ravina Bernard , Larson Paul S
Published: July 2020

Loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic projection neurons is a key pathology in Parkinson’s disease, leading to abnormal function of basal ganglia motor circuits and the accompanying characteristic motor features. A number of intraparenchymally delivered gene therapies designed to modify underlying disease and/or improve clinical symptoms have shown promise in preclinical studies and subsequently were evaluated in clinical trials. Here we review the challenges with surgical delivery of gene therapy vectors that limited therapeutic outcomes in these trials, particularly the lack of real-time monitoring of vector administration. These challenges have recently been addressed during the evolution of novel techniques for vector delivery that include the use of intraoperative MRI. The preclinical development of these techniques are described in relation to recent clinical translation in an adeno-associated virus serotype 2-mediated human aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase gene therapy development programme. This new paradigm allows visualisation of the accuracy and adequacy of viral vector delivery within target structures, enabling intertrial modifications in surgical approaches, cannula design, vector volumes and dosing. The rapid, data-driven evolution of these procedures is unique and has led to improved vector delivery.
Role of the central autonomic nervous system intrinsic functional organisation and psychosocial factors in primary microvascular angina and Takotsubo syndrome
Authors: Cattaneo Magdalena Maria , Pravatà Emanuele , Provenzi Micol , Moccetti Marco , Kaelin Alain , Sudano Isabella , Biasucci Luigi , Gallino Camilla , Limoni Costanzo , Calanchini Carlo , Gallino Augusto , Crea Filippo , Cattaneo Mattia
Published: July 2020

Introduction and objective

Dysfunctional central autonomic nervous system network (CAN) at rest may result in aberrant autonomic responses to psychosocial stressors. We hypothesised that patients with primary microvascular angina (MVA) or Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) would exhibit a peculiar functional organisation of the CAN, potentially associated with psychological patterns.

Methods

Patients underwent a psychosocial evaluation: a clinical diagnostic interview, Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory III, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The strength of intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) between various nodes of the CAN was investigated using cerebral resting state functional MRI (RS-fMRI).

Results

We evaluated 50 (46 women) stable patients: 16 patients with MVA, 17 patients with TTS and 17 patients with previous acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Compared with AMI, patients with MVA showed a lower (higher impairment) SF-36 Body-Pain score (p 0.046) and a higher SF-36 Mental-Health score (p 0.039). Patients with TTS showed the strongest FC between two nodes of the CAN (sympathetic midcingulate cortex and parasympathetic primary motor area) (F 6.25, p 0.005) using RS-fMRI.

Conclusions

The study implements an innovative collaborative research among cardiologists, neuroscientists and psychiatrists (‘Neuro-psycho-heart Team’). MVA showed a discrepancy between the highest level of self-reported body pain and the best mental health score, which might suggest a mechanism of somatisation. TTS exhibited an increased functional integration between two areas of the CAN involved in interoceptive pain awareness and negative emotional status. We implemented an innovative research collaboration among cardiologists, neuroscientists and psychiatrists. These data are hypothesis generating and suggest potential prospective investigations on pathophysiology and implementation of psychotherapy and stress-reducing techniques as therapeutic strategies.

Trial registration number

NCT02759341.
Pectoral block versus paravertebral block: a systematic review, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Jin Zhaosheng , Durrands Thomas , Li Ru , Gan Tong Joo , Lin Jun
Published: July 2020

Background

Pectoral (PECs) block was first described by Blancoet alfor postoperative analgesia in breast surgery. It was proposed to be an easier and safer alternative to thoracic epidural or paravertebral block (PVB). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we compare the perioperative analgesic efficacy and adverse events of PECs block and PVB.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Central, EMBASE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Web of Science citation index, US clinical trials register, Wanfang database, as well as recent conference abstracts, for clinical studies comparing the two techniques. Analgesic efficacy was assessed according to the time to first rescue analgesia and 24 hours opioid consumption. Adverse events from the trials were recorded and reported descriptively.

Results

The literature search was last updated on 20 February 2020. We identified a total of 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PECs to PVB with 252 and 250 patients, respectively. There was no difference in 24 hours opioid consumption between PECs and PVB. There was no significant difference in the time to rescue analgesia between the two cohorts. The most common adverse event noted was postoperative nausea and vomiting). Trial sequence analysis indicate that further studies are unlikely to alter the conclusion regarding opioid requirement.

Conclusion

Our systematic review suggests that PECs and PVB are comparable in postoperative analgesia efficacy for mastectomy, and further studies are unlikely to alter the conclusion. The choice of technique should, therefore, be based on practitioner skill and institutional guidelines.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020165137.
Undetectable equals untransmittable (U = U): awareness and associations with health outcomes among people living with HIV in 25 countries
Authors: Okoli Chinyere , Van de Velde Nicolas , Richman Bruce , Allan Brent , Castellanos Erika , Young Benjamin , Brough Garry , Eremin Anton , Corbelli Giulio Maria , Mc Britton Marta , Hardy W. David , de los Rios Patricia
Published: July 2020

Objectives

‘Undetectable equals Untransmittable’ (U=U) is an empowering message that may enable people living with HIV (PLHIV) to reach and maintain undetectability. We estimated the percentage of PLHIV who ever discussed U=U with their main HIV care provider, and measured associations with health-related outcomes. Secondarily, we evaluated whether the impact of the U=U message varied between those who heard it from their healthcare provider (HCP) vs from elsewhere.

Methods

Data were from the 25-country 2019 Positive Perspectives Survey of PLHIV on treatment (n=2389). PLHIV were classified as having discussed U=U with their HCP if they indicated that their HCP had ever told them about U=U. Those who had not discussed U=U with their HCP but were nonetheless aware that ‘My HIV medication prevents me from passing on HIV to others’ were classified as being made aware of U=U from non-HCP sources. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure associations between exposure to U=U messages and health outcomes.

Results

Overall, 66.5% reported ever discussing U=U with their HCP, from 38.0% (South Korea) to 87.3% (Switzerland). Prevalence was lowest among heterosexual men (57.6%) and PLHIV in Asia (51.3%). Compared with those unaware of U=U, those reporting U=U discussions with their HCP had lower odds of suboptimal adherence (AOR=0.59, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.78) and higher odds of self-reported viral suppression (AOR=2.34, 95% CI 1.72 to 3.20), optimal sexual health (AOR=1.48, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.92) and reporting they ‘always shared’ their HIV status (AOR=2.99, 95% CI 1.42 to 6.28). While exposure to U=U information from non-HCP sources was beneficial too, the observed associations were attenuated relative to those seen with reported discussions with HCPs.

Conclusion

HCP discussion of U=U with PLHIV was associated with favourable health outcomes. However, missed opportunities exist since a third of PLHIV reported not having any U=U discussion with their HCP. U=U discussions with PLHIV should be considered as a standard of care in clinical guidelines.
Collecting data on organizational structures of trauma centers: the CAFE web service
Authors: Brochhausen Mathias , Ball Jane W , Sanddal Nels D , Dodd Jimm , Braun Naomi , Bost Sarah , Utecht Joseph , Winchell Robert J , Sexton Kevin W
Published: July 2020

Background

During the past several decades, the American College of Surgeons has led efforts to standardize trauma care through their trauma center verification process and Trauma Quality Improvement Program. Despite these endeavors, great variability remains among trauma centers functioning at the same level. Little research has been conducted on the correlation between trauma center organizational structure and patient outcomes. We are attempting to close this knowledge gap with the Comparative Assessment Framework for Environments of Trauma Care (CAFE) project.

Methods

Our first action was to establish a shared terminology that we then used to build the Ontology of Organizational Structures of Trauma centers and Trauma systems (OOSTT). OOSTT underpins the web-based CAFE questionnaire that collects detailed information on the particular organizational attributes of trauma centers and trauma systems. This tool allows users to compare their organizations to an aggregate of other organizations of the same type, while collecting their data.

Results

In collaboration with the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, we tested the system by entering data from three trauma centers and four trauma systems. We also tested retrieval of answers to competency questions.

Discussion

The data we gather will be made available to public health and implementation science researchers using visualizations. In the next phase of our project, we plan to link the gathered data about trauma center attributes to clinical outcomes.
Prolonged survival of a 7‐year‐old vizsla with histiocytic sarcoma affecting the spinal cord and protein‐losing nephropathy after lomustine treatment
Authors: Orgonikova Ivona , Rosati Marco , Reed Nicki , Tappin Simon , Palus Viktor
Published: July 2020

A 7‐year‐old male entire vizsla, diagnosed with protein‐losing nephropathy (PLN) one month previously, presented with lumbar hyperaesthesia. MRI of the lumbar spine revealed an extradural mass at the level of L3 vertebra. Most of the mass was surgically excised during left‐sided pediculectomy at L3 and left‐sided L2‐L3 mini‐hemilaminectomy. Histopathology revealed a moderately proliferative, lymphocyte/plasmacyte‐rich, mesenchymo‐invasive localised histiocytic sarcoma affecting the spinal cord. Chemotherapy with lomustine (1‐(2‐chloroethyl)‐3‐cyclohexyl‐1‐nitrosurea) was commenced for treatment of the histiocytic sarcoma and during therapy the persistent proteinuria resolved, having previously only shown an improvement with symptomatic treatment. The dog survived 881 days after diagnosis, which is exceptional in cases of histiocytic sarcomas affecting CNS.
Body size of ectotherms constrains thermal requirements for reproductive activity in seasonal environments
Authors: Connoy Jared W.H. , Leivesley Jessica A. , Brooks Ronald J. , Litzgus Jacqueline D. , Rollinson Njal
Published: July 2020

Body size may influence ectotherm behaviour by influencing heating and cooling rates, thereby constraining the time of day that some individuals can be active. The time of day at which turtles nest, for instance, is hypothesized to vary with body size at both inter- and intra-specific levels because large individuals have greater thermal inertia, retaining preferred body temperatures for a longer period of time. We use decades of data on thousands of individual nests from Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada, to explore how body size is associated with nesting behaviour in Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta (Schneider, 1783); small bodied) and Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina (Linnaeus, 1758); large bodied). We found that (i) between species, Painted Turtles nest earlier in the evening and at higher mean temperatures than Snapping Turtles, and (ii) within species, relatively large individuals of both species nest at cooler temperatures and that relatively larger Painted Turtles nest later in the evening compared with smaller Painted Turtles. Our data support the thermal inertia hypothesis and may help explain why turtles in general exhibit geographic clines in body size: northern environments experience more daily variation in temperature, and larger size may evolve, in part, for retention of preferred body temperature during terrestrial forays.
Adomain computation of radiative-convective bi-directional stretching flow of a magnetic non-Newtonian fluid in porous media with homogeneous–heterogeneous reactions
Authors: Mishra S. R. , Shamshuddin Md. , Beg O. Anwar , Kadir A.
Published: July 2020

In the present communication, the laminar, incompressible, hydromagnetic flow of an electrically conducting non-Newtonian (Sisko) fluid over a bi-directional stretching sheet in a porous medium is studied theoretically. Thermal radiation flux, homogeneous–heterogeneous chemical reactions and convective wall heating are included in the model. The resultant nonlinear ordinary differential equations with transformed boundary conditions via similarity transformation are then solved with the semi-analytical Adomain Decomposition Method (ADM). Validation with earlier studies is included for the nonradiative case. Extensive visualization of velocity, temperature and species concentration distributions for various emerging parameters is included. Increasing the magnetic field and inverse permeability parameter is observed to decelerate both the primary and secondary velocity magnitudes whereas they increase temperatures in the regime. Increasing sheet stretching ratio weakly accelerates the primary flow throughout the boundary layer whereas it more dramatically accelerates the secondary flow near sheet surface. Temperature is consistently reduced with increasing stretching sheet ratio whereas it is strongly enhanced with greater radiative parameter. With greater Sisko non-Newtonian power-law index the primary velocity and temperature are decreased whereas the secondary velocity is increased. Increasing both homogenous and heterogeneous chemical reaction parameters is found to weakly and more strongly, respectively, deplete concentration magnitudes whereas greater Schmidt number enhances them.
A Cleaning Control Knowledge-Based System Based on Complex Problem Solving
Authors: Xiao Zhengxing , Jiang Qing , Huang He , Wang Rujing , Zhang Zhengyong , Wang Jue
Published: July 2020

The intelligent control of cleaning of rice–wheat combined harvester is a complex problem, which includes the initial setting of cleaning control, judgment of cleaning loss state, cause analysis and selection of corresponding control strategies and many other sub-problems. The knowledge contained in these sub-problems, including knowledge representation methods and reasoning strategies, is different. Therefore, this paper decomposes the complex problem of cleaning control into a sub-problem of hierarchical structure, and constructs a knowledge model of cleaning control based on binary tree structure. In this way, the cleaning control problem can be decomposed into a small set of sub-problems by the judgment of the nodes of the binary tree, until the sub-problems are small enough to be solved directly so as to get the solution of the original problem. It is proved by examples that this method is of great significance to improve the efficiency of knowledge acquisition, management and maintenance of the expert system of rice–wheat combine harvester, and to enhance the knowledge service ability of the expert system of rice–wheat combine harvester. This method can also be used for reference in other fields.
Semantic Service Search in IT Crowdsourcing Platform: A Knowledge Graph-Based Approach
Authors: Wu Qinyue , Fu Duankang , Shen Beijun , Chen Yuting
Published: July 2020

Understanding user’s search intent in vertical websites like IT service crowdsourcing platform relies heavily on domain knowledge. Meanwhile, searching for services accurately on crowdsourcing platforms is still difficult, because these platforms do not contain enough information to support high-performance search. To solve these problems, we build and leverage a knowledge graph named ITServiceKG to enhance search performance of crowdsourcing IT services. The main ideas are to (1) build an IT service knowledge graph from Wikipedia, Baidupedia, CN-DBpedia, StuQ and data in IT service crowdsourcing platforms, (2) use properties and relations of entities in the knowledge graph to expand user query and service information, and (3) apply a listwise approach with relevance features and topic features to re-rank the search results. The results of our experiments indicate that our approach outperforms the traditional search approaches.
Local Mass Addition and Data Fusion for Structural Damage Identification Using Approximate Models
Authors: Hou Jilin , Li Zhenkun , Zhang Qingxia , Jankowski Łukasz , Zhang Haibin
Published: July 2020

In practical civil engineering, structural damage identification is difficult to implement due to the shortage of measured modal information and the influence of noise. Furthermore, typical damage identification methods generally rely on a precise Finite Element (FE) model of the monitored structure. Pointwise mass alterations of the structure can effectively improve the quantity and sensitivity of the measured data, while the data fusion methods can adequately utilize various kinds of data and identification results. This paper proposes a damage identification method that requires only approximate FE models and combines the advantages of pointwise mass additions and data fusion. First, an additional mass is placed at different positions throughout the structure to collect the dynamic response and obtain the corresponding modal information. The resulting relation between natural frequencies and the position of the added mass is sensitive to local damage, and it is thus utilized to form a new objective function based on the modal assurance criterion (MAC) and [Formula: see text]-based sparsity promotion. The proposed objective function is mostly insensitive to global structural parameters, but remains sensitive to local damage. Several approximate FE models are then established and separately used to identify the damage of the structure, and then the Dempster–Shafer method of data fusion is applied to fuse the results from all the approximate models. Finally, fractional data fusion is proposed to combine the results according to the parametric probability distribution of the approximate FE models, which allows the natural weight of each approximate model to be determined for the fusion process. Such an approach circumvents the need for a precise FE model, which is usually not easy to obtain in real application, and thus enhances the practical applicability of the proposed method, while maintaining the damage identification accuracy. The proposed approach is verified numerically and experimentally. Numerical simulations of a simply supported beam and a long-span bridge confirm that it can be used for damage identification, including a single damage and multiple damages, with a high accuracy. Finally, an experiment of a cantilever beam is successfully performed.
Coherent representation of fields and deformation quantization
Authors: Berra-Montiel Jasel , Molgado Alberto
Published: July 2020

Motivated by some well-known results in the phase space description of quantum optics and quantum information theory, we aim to describe the formalism of quantum field theory by explicitly considering the holomorphic representation for a scalar field within the deformation quantization program. Notably, the symbol of a symmetric ordered operator in terms of holomorphic variables may be straightforwardly obtained by the quantum field analogue of the Husimi distribution associated with a normal ordered operator. This relation also allows to establish a [Formula: see text]-equivalence between the Moyal and the normal star-products. In addition, by writing the density operator in terms of coherent states we are able to directly introduce a series representation of the Wigner functional distribution, which may be convenient in order to calculate probability distributions of quantum field observables without performing formal phase space integrals at all.
Novel fluorescence quenching triad based on molybdenum(V) tetra-p-tolylporphyrin and substituted fullero[60]pyrrolidine
Authors: Lomova Tatyana N. , Motorina Elena V. , Mozhzhukhina Elena G. , Gruzdev Matvey S.
Published: July 2020

With the aim of designing new photoactive donor–acceptor dyads, self-assembly in the (ethoxy)(oxo)(5,10,15,20-(4-methylphenyl)porphinato)molybdenum(V) (O=Mo(OEt)TTP)–2[Formula: see text]-(pyridin-4-yl)-5[Formula: see text]-(pyridin-2-yl)-1[Formula: see text]-(pyridin-2-yl-methyl)pyrrolidino[60]fullerene (Py3F)-toluene systems was quantitatively studied using spectral methods (UV-vis, IR,1H NMR, mass spectrometry), chemical thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics. Interaction between O=Mo(OEt)TTP and pyridine (Py) proceeding as step equilibriums was preliminarily studied to model the processes above. The novel donor–acceptor triad based on O=Mo(OEt)TTP and Py3F is represented with both quantitative description of its formation and conformation of the chemical structure. Prospects for the study of the triad as a photosynthetic antenna imitator and an active layer in organic solar cells are substantiated by a fluorescence method. Along with this, it has been demonstrated that O=Mo(OEt)TTP is a good candidate for use as an optical and fluorescent chemosensor of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen bases — the building blocks of pharmaceuticals, food components and environmental pollutants.
Pseudo-differential operator in the framework of linear canonical transform domain
Authors: Prasad Akhilesh , Ansari Z. A. , Jain Pankaj
Published: July 2020

The main goal of this paper is to study properties of the linear canonical transform (LCT) on Schwartz-type space [Formula: see text]. The symbol class [Formula: see text] is introduced. The pseudo-differential operator (p.d.o.) involving LCT is defined and also some of its properties including boundedness are investigated in Sobolev-type space. Kernel and integral representation of p.d.o. are obtained. Some applications of LCT to generalized partial differential equations and canonical convolution integral equation have been solved.
Security in 6G: The Prospects and the Relevant Technologies
Authors: Lu Yang
Published: July 2020

The prospect of information and communication technology (ICT) has given rise to widespread attention and in-depth research on 6G. It is estimated that 6G will not be implemented until 2030; it is currently at the research and foundation stage. Based on the development of the previous five generations, from 1G to 5G, 6G has the potential to provide customized services through a holographic and ubiquitous network. 6G’s achievement will need the support of various technologies. One important factor in the success of 6G will be security. Specifically, 6G’s key enabling technologies include terahertz, a very large scale antenna, a tactile Internet, etc. This study addresses the fundamental principles of 6G security, discusses major technologies related to 6G security, and presents several issues regarding 6G security. This paper will offer value to anyone who is paying attention to the security issues in 6G.
The Global Fight Against COVID-19: Sino-ASEAN Cooperation in Mitigating the Coronavirus Pandemic Along With Other Global Actors
Authors: Lim Tai Wei
Published: July 2020

The thematic treatment of the COVID19 coronavirus mitigation efforts often focuses on epidemiological topics, medical issues, politics, coping mechanisms/technologies or economics but this writing seeks to integrate the economic, political, and international dimensions of the response into an area studies framework, utilizing multidisciplinary eclecticism found in East Asian Studies to analyse the topic. It does not pretend to be comprehensive in its analyses but seeks to summarize, survey and curate regionally the measures taken to date to combat and contain the pandemic. Interpretive work is carried out on newest updated developments as they are reported in the international media. These articles show a functionalist and constructivist framework and trends in inter-regional cooperation between China and ASEAN. Out of the global efforts, two countries/region stand out and contribute to the common humankind fight as well and they are the subject of this paper. China and ASEAN were two outstanding contributors to the global pandemic-mitigation efforts, along with the US, EU and Japan as well as the rest of the world. ASEAN featured high in Beijing’s narratives in that the Southeast Asian states were supportive of China’s COVID-19 mitigation measures. It is worthwhile to note that China and ASEAN countries had some of the best sterling performers in the world’s fight against COVID-19. The functional and constructivist cooperation takes the form of vital supply provision (the most commonly cited items are masks, hazmat suits and disinfectants). Intensification of utilitarian exchanges in COVID-19 mitigation can encourage inter-dependence between regional nations, increasing sharing of resources to deal with common challenges while reducing tensions and conflicts between neighbours. A policy recommendation concluding section based on incremental extrapolation of what can be achieved in the technological field through possible cooperation between the two entities (ASEAN and China) is added at the end of the writing.
The leaching characteristics of common toxic elements in phosphogypsum
Authors: Peng Xin , Deng Yinger , Zhang Xiangda , Liu Lu , Hu Jian , Duan Xianqian , Wei Zhicheng , Feng Qiuping , Shen Ke
Published: July 2020

Phosphogypsum (PG) is an acid by-product from the production phosphate fertilizers that is produced in large amounts all over the world. However, it is challenging to reuse this waste due to the quantities of various impurities in PG and technical restrictions, resulting in PG accumulation, which threatens adjacent environments. To reduce PG storage and safely utilize PG, the aim of our study was to define the leaching characteristics of the impurities present in PG under different conditions. We found that (1) different leaching experiments showed different leachate profiles (including pH and electrical conductivity values of leachate), which indicated that the liquid/solid (L/S) ratio, temperature, oscillation strength, particle size, and pH have remarkable effects on the concentration of leached impurities; (2) all leachate (i.e. soluble P, fluoride, Zn, Pb, As, and Hg) extraction concentrations were significantly more sensitive to the effect of the L/S ratio and pH than the effect of the other conditions; and (3) the leaching concentration was strongly influenced by pH, and a strong correlation among soluble P, F, As, and Hg concentrations in the leachate was demonstrated by a correlation analysis. In the present study, we revealed a systematic leaching mechanism of potential toxic elements in PG and have provided guidance and a reference for PG resource comprehensive utilization and surrounding environment treatment.

Supplementary material:
Chemical compositions of the phosphogypsum and pairwise Wilcoxon test results are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5088187
Automatic extraction of rock mass discontinuity based on 3D laser scanning
Authors: Chen Na , Cai Xiaoming , Li Shu , Zhang Xiaobo , Jiang Qinghui
Published: July 2020

Discontinuity information is important in evaluating the security of a rock mass for the distribution of discontinuity spacings, which affects the mechanical properties and stability of the rock mass. Numerous studies have been conducted on the semi-automatic or automatic extraction of discontinuities from point cloud data. We developed a random sample consensus discontinuity detection (RANSAC) method to automatically extract discontinuities in a rock mass. The proposed method is entirely based on a raw point instead of a triangular mesh, which can retain the integrity of the data. A modified RANSAC algorithm is used to increase the degree of automation. The proposed approach consists of four steps: (1) calculation of the normal vector of the point cloud; (2) plane extraction using the modified RANSAC algorithm; (3) delineation of the boundary of the discontinuity using the modified Graham scan algorithm; and (4) calculation of the orientation and area on the basis of the normal vector and the boundary of the discontinuity. The results and the raw data source are freely provided for reproducible research and to develop the method further.
Elucidating the Electroreduction Mechanism of the Monoprotonated Octaethylporphyrin. A Comparative Study with the Diprotonated Octaethyl- and meso-Tetraphenyl-porphyrins
Authors: Castro-Cruz Hiram M. , Arias-Aranda Leslie R. , Farfán Norberto , Xochitiotzi-Flores Elba , Macías-Ruvalcaba Norma A.
Published: July 2020

The electrochemical reduction mechanisms of diprotonated tetraphenylporphyrin (H2TPP) and mono- and diprotonated octaethylporphyrin (H2OEP) were studied in tetrabutylammonium perchlorate/benzonitrile. The diprotonated forms of both porphyrins undergo two one-electron reversible reduction processes forming isophlorin. Contrastingly, monoprotonated H2OEP is reduced in a single process involving a two-electron one-proton transfer that yields two types of short-lived intermediates, isophlorin and neutral phlorin. The existence of intermolecular proton transfer reactions, from the parent protonated porphyrin to the isophlorin or neutral phlorin, to form phlorin cation species (isophlorin protonated at the meso-position) was demonstrated. In-situ UV–vis spectroelectrochemical experiments allowed us to identify the absorption of the isophlorin species of H2TPP but not of H2OEP. These results show that the lack of phenyl substituents increases the rate of protonation at the meso-position. Finally, it was demonstrated that the protonation of the porphyrin macrocycle not only lowers the reduction potentials but also increases the reactivity of the electrogenerated species.
Highly Selective and Efficient Electrocatalytic Semihydrogenation of Diphenylacetylene in a PEM Reactor with Pt–Pd Alloy Cathode Catalysts
Authors: Nogami Shuji , Nagasawa Kensaku , Fukazawa Atsushi , Tanaka Kenta , Mitsushima Shigenori , Atobe Mahito
Published: July 2020

Electric power can be generated from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, making electrocatalytic hydrogenation an important technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the organic synthesis industry. In the present work, the electrocatalytic semihydrogenation of diphenylacetylene was carried out in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) reactor with carbon-supported Pt, Pd, and Pt–Pd alloy cathode catalysts. Diphenylacetylene introduced into the PEM reactor at less negative potentials underwent electrocatalytic hydrogenation to provide cis-stilbene as a main stereoisomer, with excellent current efficiencies. Among the investigated catalysts, the Pt–Pd alloy with a composition of 1(Pt):99(Pd) was found to be the most suitable for achieving both high cis-stilbene selectivity and a high production rate (partial current density) for cis-stilbene.
Effects of elevated positive end-expiratory pressure on diaphragmatic blood flow and vascular resistance during mechanical ventilation
Authors: Horn Andrew G. , Baumfalk Dryden R. , Schulze Kiana M. , Kunkel Olivia N. , Colburn Trenton D. , Weber Ramona E. , Bruells Christian S. , Musch Timothy I. , Poole David C. , Behnke Bradley J.
Published: July 2020

This is the first study, to our knowledge, demonstrating that mechanical ventilation, with low and high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), increases vascular resistance and reduces total and regional diaphragm perfusion. The rapid reduction in diaphragm perfusion and increased vascular resistance may initiate a cascade of events that predispose the diaphragm to vascular and thus contractile dysfunction with prolonged mechanical ventilation.
Suppressive control of optokinetic and vestibular nystagmus by the primate frontal eye field
Authors: Izawa Yoshiko , Suzuki Hisao
Published: July 2020

In this study, electrical stimulation in the frontal eye field (FEF) suppressed the quick and slow phases of optokinetic and vestibular nystagmus at an intensity subthreshold for eliciting saccades. Furthermore, the activity of fixation neurons in the FEF was related to the suppression of optokinetic and vestibular nystagmus by visual fixation. This suggests that a common neuronal assembly in the FEF may contribute to the suppressive control of different functional classes of eye movements.
Hippocampal and lateral entorhinal cortex physiological activity during trace conditioning under urethane anesthesia
Authors: de Oliveira Eliezyer Fermino , Dickson Clayton Thomas , Reyes Marcelo Bussotti
Published: July 2020

Some forms of learning, such as some types of conditioning, can occur in anesthetized states. However, the extent to which memories can be formed in these states is still an open question. Here, we investigated the trace conditioning under urethane anesthesia and found heart rate, hippocampus, and lateral entorhinal cortex physiological changes to stimuli presentation. This new preparation may allow for exploration of memory acquisition of time-discontinuous events in the nonawake brain.
Muscle sympathetic single-unit response patterns during progressive muscle metaboreflex activation in young healthy adults
Authors: Incognito Anthony V. , Nardone Massimo , Teixeira André L. , Lee Jordan B. , Kathia Muhammad M. , Millar Philip J.
Published: July 2020

Muscle sympathetic single units respond differentially to sympathoexcitatory stress such that single units can increase firing to contribute to the sympathoexcitatory response or can be nonresponsive or even inhibited. We observed a subgroup of single units that can respond bidirectionally, being first inhibited before activated by progressive increases in forearm muscle metaboreflex activation. These results suggest convergent neural inputs (i.e., inhibitory and excitatory), which yield heterogenous muscle sympathetic single-unit activation thresholds.
Differential encoding of action selection by orbitofrontal and striatal population dynamics
Authors: Yang Long , Masmanidis Sotiris C.
Published: July 2020

While previous literature shows that both orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and dorsomedial striatum (DMS) represent information relevant to selecting specific actions, few studies have directly compared neural signals between these areas. Here we compared OFC and DMS dynamics in mice performing a two-alternative choice task. We found that the animal’s choice could be decoded more accurately from DMS population activity. This work provides among the first evidence that OFC and DMS differentially represent information about an animal’s selected action.
Isoflurane inhibits a Kir4.1/5.1-like conductance in neonatal rat brainstem astrocytes and recombinant Kir4.1/5.1 channels in a heterologous expression system
Authors: Ou Mengchan , Kuo Fu-Shan , Chen Xinnian , Kahanovitch Uri , Olsen Michelle L. , Du Guizhi , Mulkey Daniel K.
Published: July 2020

An unwanted side effect of isoflurane anesthesia is suppression of breathing. Despite this clinical significance, effects of isoflurane on cellular and molecular elements of respiratory control are not well understood. Here, we show that isoflurane inhibits heteromeric Kir4.1/5.1 channels in a mammalian expression system, and a Kir4.1/5.1-like conductance in astrocytes in a brainstem respiratory center. These results identify astrocyte Kir4.1/5.1 channels as novel targets of isoflurane and potential substrates for altered respiratory control during isoflurane anesthesia.
EEG correlates of physical effort and reward processing during reinforcement learning
Authors: Palidis Dimitrios J. , Gribble Paul L.
Published: July 2020

Choices probabilistically determined the physical effort requirements for a subsequent task, and reward depended on task performance. Feedback revealing whether choices resulted in easy or hard effort did not elicit reinforcement learning signals. However, the neural responses to reinforcement were modulated by preceding effort. Thus, effort itself was not treated as loss or punishment, but it affected the responses to subsequent reinforcement outcomes. This may explain how effort can enhance the motivational effect of reward.
Primary motor cortical activity during unimanual movements with increasing demand on precision
Authors: Barany Deborah A. , Revill Kate Pirog , Caliban Alexandra , Vernon Isabelle , Shukla Ashwin , Sathian K. , Buetefisch Cathrin M.
Published: July 2020

Contralateral primary motor cortex (M1) predominantly controls unilateral hand movements, but the role of ipsilateral M1 is unclear. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate how M1 activity is modulated by unimanual movements at different levels of demand on precision. Our results show that task characteristics related to demand on precision influence bilateral M1 activity, suggesting that in addition to contralateral M1, ipsilateral M1 plays a key role in controlling hand movements to meet performance precision requirements.
The FGF/FGFR system in the physiopathology of the prostate gland
Authors: Giacomini Arianna , Grillo Elisabetta , Rezzola Sara , Ribatti Domenico , Rusnati Marco , Ronca Roberto , Presta Marco
Published: July 2020

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a family of proteins possessing paracrine, autocrine, or endocrine functions in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, angiogenesis, tissue homeostasis, wound repair, and cancer. Canonical FGFs bind and activate tyrosine kinase FGF receptors (FGFRs), triggering intracellular signaling cascades that mediate their biological activity. Experimental evidence indicates that FGFs play a complex role in the physiopathology of the prostate gland that ranges from essential functions during embryonic development to modulation of neoplastic transformation. The use of ligand- and receptor-deleted mouse models has highlighted the requirement for FGF signaling in the normal development of the prostate gland. In adult prostate, the maintenance of a functional FGF/FGFR signaling axis is critical for organ homeostasis and function, as its disruption leads to prostate hyperplasia and may contribute to cancer progression and metastatic dissemination. Dissection of the molecular landscape modulated by the FGF family will facilitate ongoing translational efforts directed toward prostate cancer therapy.