bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The risk factors for postoperative delirium in adult patients after hip fracture surgery: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wu Juan , Yin Yushuang , Jin Man , Li Bixi
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Postoperative delirium (POD) is the most common complication in patients after hip fracture surgery, and the incidence of POD is associated with mortality and disability in patients following hip fracture surgery. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the individual as well as anesthetic and operative risk factors associated with the POD in adult patients after hip fracture surgery.

Methods

We searched relevant articles published to February 2020 in Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase. Studies involving adult patients who underwent hip fracture surgery were regarded as relevant if the studies contained the individual or anesthetic and surgical characteristics of participants. The pooled relative risk ratios (RRs) or weight mean difference of the variables were estimated by the Mantel‐Haenszel or Inverse‐Variance methods.

Results

A total of 44 studies were included, which altogether included 104572 participants with hip fracture surgery (17703 patients with POD and 86869 patients without POD) and the incidence of POD was 16.93%. A total of 14 risk factors, classified into two categories which were individual as well as anesthetic and operative factors, were identified originally, which included age (weight mean difference [WMD]:2.33;95% confidential interval [CI]: 1.64‐3.03), sex (RR: 0.89; 95% CI:0.85‐0.93), American society of Anesthesiologists classification(RR:0.56; 95%CI:0.51‐0.59), body mass index (WMD:–0.62; 95%CI:–0.81 to –0.44), function dependency(RR:1.52; 95% CI:1.24‐1.87), visual impairment (RR:1.62; 95% CI: 1.16‐2.27), smoking (RR:0.86; 95% CI:0.79‐0.94), preoperative delirium (RR: 2.71; 95% CI: 2.50‐2.72), dementia (RR:2.60; 95% CI:2.50‐2.72), hypertension (RR: 1.10; 95% CI:1.04‐1.15), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (RR:1.08; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.16), regional anesthesia (RR:1.20; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.43), transfusion (RR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.22‐1.63), and elective surgery (RR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.84‐0.99).

Conclusions

Patients possessed above risk factors might be high‐risk patients. Clinician should maintain keen vigilance at those patients.
Are serum cholesterol levels associated with cognitive impairment and depression in elderly individuals without dementia?: A retrospective cohort study in South Korea
Authors: Han Kyu‐Tae , Kim Seung Ju
Published: August 2020

Objectives

As aging progresses, older adults experience several health changes, including changes in cholesterol levels, which increases their risk for other diseases. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to cognitive impairment and depression, which may be due to several factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum cholesterol level and cognitive impairment and depression in older adults.

Methods

This study used senior cohort data from the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea. A total of 128 371 participants contributed repeated measures to this dataset. Cognitive impairment was measured via a self‐reported questionnaire and depression was measured using claim data. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify associations between serum cholesterol level and cognitive impairment and depression, including subgroup analyses by sex.

Results

There was no significant association between low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), total cholesterol (TC), or triglycerides (TG) with cognitive impairment. Low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) was significantly associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment, whereas high HDL‐C was associated with lower cognitive impairment. Higher LDL‐C was significantly associated with lower depression. Higher TC also was significantly associated with depression.

Conclusion

HDL‐C is associated with depressive symptoms, and may be a key factor in predicting psychiatric symptoms or cognitive decline. Our study suggest that routine health screenings may aid in the early detection of high‐risk individuals.
The position of shareholders in the restructuring proceedings of distressed companies: From a shareholders' veto power to their duty to enforce (Aufopferungs‐ or Duldungspflicht) a restructuring plan
Authors: Benedetti Lorenzo
Published: August 2020

This article addresses the problem of the position of equity holders in restructuring proceedings, tackling a new issue in the overall European scenario of insolvency law, where innovative rules have been introduced on this topic in Germany (ESUG), France (loi Macron), Spain (ley concursal), besides the new provisions laid down by the EU Preventive Restructuring Directive. Overall, these rules target the same outcome, while relying on different tools, namely, to overcome the veto power of shareholders in the enforcement of an approved and confirmed restructuring plan. Shareholders can in fact resort to their veto power pursuant to company law when dealing with structural operations having an impact on the property structure of a distressed company, that is, a debt‐equity‐swap. This article focuses on the rules governing the position of shareholders as laid down in Article 163, paragraph 5 and Article 185, paragraph 6 of the Italian Insolvency Law (IIL), in force since 2015, which will be probably amended in September 2021 by Articles 90 and 118 of the new Italian Crisis and Insolvency Code (ICC). The article ultimately provides a comparison with the legal framework in other European countries as well as in the EU Preventive Restructuring Directive. Many issues arise from the new Italian regulation, in particular regarding its field of application, its relationship and its coordination with company law and the protection of shareholders' property in the shares.
Religiosity and financial distress in U.S. firms
Authors: Gharbi Ines , Hamed‐Sidhom Mounira , Hussainey Khaled , Ganouati Janet
Published: August 2020

In our paper, we test the global impact of religiosity on firm's durability. Given that religious firms are more ethics and take less risk, they avoid the costs of misconduct, and they benefit from the good reputation and the excellent relationship with their stakeholders. So, we predict that higher degrees of religiosity can reduce the financial distress. According to this prediction, we detect that corporates headquarters situated in more religious U.S. counties are probably less to suffer from financial problems. We also note that this negative relation becomes stronger during the crisis period. We conclude that the lack of religiosity is a significant cause of the financial difficulty.
Studying the relationship between managerial ability and real earnings management in economic and financial crisis conditions
Authors: Oskouei Zahra H. , Sureshjani Zahra Heidary
Published: August 2020

Managers with different abilities may make various decisions in economic and financial crisis conditions. Real earnings management, as an important issue, is in the centre of attention for many managers in a crisis condition. In this paper, the role of managerial ability in real earnings management is studied in conditions of economic and financial crisis. This study shows that the managers with higher ability take less usage of real earnings management. The results also indicate that managerial ability, economic and financial crisis have significant and negative effects on real earnings management. This negative effect of managerial ability on real earnings management increases in the conditions of economic crisis. Paying attention to the firms' managerial ability, especially in critical conditions, will lead to more accurate decisions by activist investors.
The impact of rent‐seeking on economic growth in the six geographic regions: Evidence from static and dynamic panel data analysis
Authors: Fethi Sami , Imamoglu Hatice
Published: August 2020

This paper empirically investigates the impact of rent‐seeking on economic growth by introducing an augmented Solow growth model over the period 2010–2015. Static and dynamic panel regression models are employed to investigate this impact for the six geographic regions, namely, Sub‐Saharan Africa, East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia according to the World Bank's classification. Results reveal that the impact of control for rent‐seeking on economic growth is found highly significant and positive for most of the regions however, no significant effect could detect on the control for rent‐seeking on economic growth for advanced economies. Results also show that there exists mixed evidence between gross fixed capital as a percentage of gross domestic product, Employment ratio and economic growth for the six geographic regions. The results can be interpreted in favour of the advanced economies that they can relatively handle the rent‐seeking problem compared to the relatively weak economies due to much better political and economic stability, better administrative mechanism, stronger law system, more adequate public services, better health, and education system as well as more advanced infrastructure.
Effects of diamond price volatility on stock returns: Evidence from a developing economy
Authors: Brou Jean Marcelin B. , Mougoué Mbodja , Kouassi Eugene , Thulaganyo Kebaabetswe , Acquah Benjamin K.
Published: August 2020

High diamond price volatility can have significant impact on Botswana's diamond‐driven economy. The global economic crisis of 2008–2009 saw the local economy characterised by heightened commodity price uncertainty, falling stock prices and dwindling international demand for diamonds. In this paper we employ a number of techniques to analyse and assess the effect of diamond price volatility on stock returns in Botswana. Firstly, estimation of a Markov Switching model reveals that high volatility regimes in diamond prices have become more frequent and persistent since the recession. Secondly, a bivariate GARCH‐in‐Mean VAR model is estimated and the results recognize that diamond price volatility has a positive and significant influence on stock returns in Botswana.
Can water mutual funds aid sustainable development?
Authors: Ibikunle Gbenga , Martí‐Ballester Carmen‐Pilar
Published: August 2020

We conduct the first comparative analysis of the financial performance of global water mutual funds with conventional, ecology and natural resources mutual funds. Based on a unique sample of 88 water, 198 ecology, 370 natural resources, and 7,437 conventional mutual funds covering the 2008–2017 period, we contrast the financial performance of these four different fund types. On average, water mutual funds perform comparably to conventional mutual funds and outperform ecology and natural resources funds. The performance dynamics is linked to the state of the economy, such that the outperformance by water mutual funds is not observed when markets are bearish. Overall, fund risk‐adjusted performance is predominantly driven by investor activity, especially with regards to their perception of environmental regulatory risk profiles of funds' constituents.
Volatility forecasting revisited using Markov‐switching with time‐varying probability transition
Authors: Wang Jiqian , Ma Feng , Liang Chao , Chen Zhonglu
Published: August 2020

This study proposes a novel model, Markov‐switching Heterogeneous Autoregressive (MS‐HAR) model with jump‐driven time‐varying transition probabilities (TVTP), to forecast the future volatility in Chinese stock market. The in‐sample results show that MS‐HAR models are more powerful than HAR‐RV‐type models; furthermore, the high‐volatility regime is short‐lived. Moreover, the out‐of‐sample results indicate that the MS‐HAR with TVTP model can achieve a superior forecasting performance and increase the economic value than the competing models including the simple HAR model and the MS‐HAR with fixed transition probabilities (FTP) model. The results are robust to several robustness checks including alternative forecast window, alternative evaluation method, alternative predictive model, sub‐sample analysis and alternative representative index.
How to disinfect anuran eggs? Sensitivity of anuran embryos to chemicals widely used for the disinfection of larval and post‐metamorphic amphibians
Authors: Ujszegi János , Molnár Kinga , Hettyey Attila
Published: August 2020

Emerging infectious diseases are major drivers of global and local amphibian biodiversity loss. Therefore, developing effective disinfection methods to manage the impact of diseases in wild and captive “ark” populations are an important goal in amphibian conservation. While chemical disinfectants have been used safely and effectively in larval and adult amphibians infected with pathogenic microbes, their applicability to amphibian egg masses has remained untested. To bridge this gap, we exposed embryos of the common toad (Bufo bufo) and agile frog (Rana dalmatina) experimentally to three widely used disinfectants: voriconazole, chloramphenicol and chlorogen‐sesquihydrate. For 3 days we exposed portions of egg masses to these disinfectants at 1×, 2×, 5× and 10× the concentration recommended for the disinfection of tadpoles and adults. Subsequently, we recorded embryonic and larval survival, as well as larval body mass and the incidence of abnormalities 12 days after hatching. Application of voriconazole had species‐ and concentration‐dependent negative impacts on survival and body mass, and caused marked malformations in the viscerocranial structure ofB. bufotadpoles. Exposure to chlorogen‐sesquihydrate also resulted in significant mortality inB. bufoembryos and negatively affected body mass ofR. dalmatinalarvae. Chloramphenicol had little negative effects on embryos or larvae in either species. Based on these results, the application of voriconazole and chlorogen‐sesquihydrate cannot be recommended for the disinfection of amphibian eggs, whereas treatment with chloramphenicol appears to be a safe method for eliminating potential pathogens from anuran egg masses and their immediate aquatic environment.
DNA methylation data‐based prognosis‐subtype distinctions in patients with esophageal carcinoma by bioinformatic studies
Authors: Chen Hui , Qin Qin , Xu Zhipeng , Chen Tingting , Yao Xijuan , Xu Bing , Sun Xinchen
Published: August 2020

Esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) is caused by the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations in esophageal mucosa. Of note, the earliest and the most frequent molecular behavior in the complicated pathogenesis of ESCA is DNA methylation. In the present study, we downloaded data of 178 samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to explore specific DNA methylation sites that affect prognosis in ESCA patients. Consequently, we identified 1,098 CpGs that were significantly associated with patient prognosis. Hence, these CpGs were used for consensus clustering of the 178 samples into seven clusters. Specifically, the samples in each group were different in terms of age, gender, tumor stage, histological type, metastatic status, and patient prognosis. We further analyzed 1,224 genes in the corresponding promoter regions of the 1,098 methylation sites, and enriched these genes in biological pathways with close correlation to cellular metabolism, enzymatic synthesis, and mitochondrial autophagy. In addition, nine representative specific methylation sites were screened using the weighted gene coexpression network analysis. Finally, a prognostic prediction model for ESCA patients was built in both training and validation cohorts. In summary, our study revealed that classification based on specific DNA methylation sites could reflect ESCA heterogeneity and contribute to the improvement of individualized treatment and precise prognostic prediction.
Impact of organosilanes modified superhydrophobic‐superoleophilic kaolin ceramic membrane on efficiency of oil recovery from produced water
Authors: Usman Jamilu , Othman Mohd HD , Ismail Ahmad F , Rahman Mukhlis A , Jaafar Juhana , Raji Yusuf O , El Badawy Tijjani H , Gbadamosi Afeez O , Kurniawan Tonni A
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Novel hybrid absorption coupled with membrane filtration technology is proposed for the recovery of oil from produced water. This study aims at developing a low cost superhydrophobic‐superoleophilic kaolin‐based hollow fiber ceramic membrane using phase inversion and sintering technique for the recovery of oil from synthetic produced water. The influence of different organosialanes, such as methyltriethoxysilane (MTES), octadecyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS), 1H,1H,2H,2H‐perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (FAS), trichloro(octadecyl)silane, and chlorotrimethylsilane, was investigated for the modification process.

RESULTS

Field emission scanning electron microscopy results clearly indicated that membrane morphology was altered with coating of the organosilanes. The surface functionality of the organosilanes on kaolin membranes was also confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. From the atomic force microscopy studies, membrane surface roughness was observed to be higher for MTES, FAS, and OTMS coated kaolin membranes. Contact analysis show that the membranes coated with MTES, FAS and OTMS organosilane agents possessed superhydrophobicity of 161.3°, 155.6°, and 150.2° as well as superoleophilicity of 0°, 1.5°, and 2.3°, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Crude oil with a concentration of 2 g L−1 displayed a higher oil flux of 80 L m−2h−1 and absorption of 90% for MTES coated kaolin membrane. This study extends the frontier of knowledge in ceramic membrane application for produced water treatment. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Ammonia capture with biogas purification from anaerobically digested poultry litter
Authors: Witarsa Freddy , Lupitskyy Robert , Moss Andrew , Kulow Anna , Lansing Stephanie
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Poultry litter (PL) has a high solid and organic nitrogen content that is converted into NH3 during anaerobic digestion (AD), requiring the dilution of PL influent prior to AD. With nutrients extracted from the AD effluent, the water could be reused for influent dilution or for other purposes, while creating a designer nutrient product from the PL matrix. The study goal was to determine the effectiveness of an ammonia (NH3)‐stripping and scrubbing system to remove and capture NH3 from anaerobically digested PL. After NH3 stripping, a novel, patent‐pending dual‐vessel NH3‐scrubber system was designed to simultaneously capture the stripped NH3 while producing higher quality biogas through partial removal of non‐combustible carbon dioxide (CO2) and corrosive hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

RESULTS

The stripping reactor reduced total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) by 84.6–90.4% when loaded with an ammonium chloride solution or screened PL digestate after 4 h, while the scrubber captured 73.3–76.2% of the stripped NH3 when proxy biogas streams (59–60% CH4, 40% CO2) with two H2S concentrations (0.1 or 1% H2S) were used. The scrubber reduced CO2 and H2S concentrations in the biogas by 3.9% and 23–29%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated a novel NH3 stripping‐and‐scrubbing system that successfully reduced TAN in anaerobic digestate, captured the stripped NH3, and reduced CO2 and H2S concentrations in biogas. The novel design can be used to increase the adoption of AD for PL by providing a useful NH3 fertilizer, wastewater with less NH3, and a biogas stream with less H2S. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Lessons Learned in Nutrition Therapy in Patients With Severe COVID‐19
Authors: Ochoa Juan B. , Cárdenas Diana , Goiburu María E. , Bermúdez Charles , Carrasco Fernando , Correia M. Isabel T. D.
Published: August 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has reached worldwide, and until a vaccine is found, it will continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality. The clinical presentation of COVID‐19 ranges from that of being asymptomatic to developing a fatal illness characterized by multiple organ involvement. Approximately 20% of the patients will require hospitalization; one‐quarter of hospitalized patients will develop severe COVID‐19 requiring admission to the intensive care unit, most frequently, with acute respiratory failure. An ongoing effort is being made to identify the patients that will develop severe COVID‐19. Overall, patients present with 3 different phenotypes of nutrition risk: (1) the frail older patient, (2) the patient with severe ongoing chronic illness, and (3) the patient with severe and morbid obesity. These 3 phenotypes represent different nutrition risks and diverse nutrition interventions. This article explores the different potential approaches to nutrition intervention in patients with COVID‐19, evaluating, in this process, the challenges faced in the implementation of guidelines written by different societies.
Shear Wave Elastography of the Maternal Cervix
Authors: O'Hara Sandra , Zelesco Marilyn , Sun Zhonghua
Published: August 2020

Objectives

This work aimed to compare the use of shear wave elastography on the maternal cervix with transvaginal (TV) and transabdominal (TA) ultrasound approaches to assess differences in shear wave speeds (SWSs) obtained for possible clinical use.

Methods

In both TV and TA ultrasound approaches, SWS measurements were attempted at the anterior and posterior portions of the internal and external cervical os on 38 gravid participants.

Results

A larger number of SWS measurements were obtained at the anterior portion of the cervix by both approaches. The numbers of reliable measurements of the SWS obtained at the anterior and posterior portions of the internal and external os were 99, 65, 103, and 77 in the TA approach and 93, 53, 110, and 87 in the TV approach, respectively. The mean difference in −the SWS obtained between the TV and TA ultrasound approaches was statistically significant at the anterior and posterior portions of the internal os, with differences of 0.67 and 0.52 m/s (P < .05). Differences were not significant at the external os both anteriorly and posteriorly, with differences of 0.15 and − 0.07 m/s (P > .05).

Conclusions

Both TA and TV ultrasound approaches may be used to obtain SWSs in the maternal cervix. This study has shown that SWSs obtained by each approach need to be considered independently, as the TV approach produced significantly greater SWSs at the internal os compared to the TA approach, but the values were similar at the external os.
Drivers of In‐Hospital Costs Following Endoscopic Transphenoidal Pituitary Surgery
Authors: Parasher Arjun K. , Lerner David K. , Glicksman Jordan T. , Miranda Stephen P. , Dimentberg Ryan , Ebesutani Darren , Kohanski Michael , Lee John Y. K. , Storm Phillip B. , O'Malley Bert W. , Palmer James N. , Grady M. Sean , Adappa Nithin D.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To characterize the patient and clinical factors that determine variability in hospital costs following endoscopic transphenoidal pituitary surgery.

Methods

All endoscopic transphenoidal pituitary surgeries performed from January 1, 2015, to October 24, 2017, with complete data were evaluated in this retrospective single‐institution study. The electronic medical record was reviewed for patient factors, tumor characteristics, and cost variables during each hospital stay. Multivariate linear regression was performed using Stata software.

Results

The analysis included 190 patients and average length of stay was 4.71 days. Average total in‐hospital cost was $28,624 (95% confidence interval $25,094–$32,155) with average total direct cost of $19,444 ($17,136–$21,752) and total indirect cost of $9181 ($7592–$10,409). On multivariate regression, post‐operative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak was associated with a significant increase in all cost variables, including a total cost increase of $40,981 ($15,474–$66,489, P = .002). Current smoking status was associated with an increased total cost of $20,189 ($6,638–$33,740, P = .004). Self‐reported Caucasian ethnicity was associated with a significant decrease in total cost of $6646 (−$12,760 to −$532, P = .033). Post‐operative DI was associated with increased costs across all variables that were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Post‐operative CSF leak, current smoking status, and non‐Caucasian ethnicity were associated with significantly increased costs. Understanding of cost drivers of endoscopic transphenoidal pituitary surgery is critical for future cost control and value creation initiatives.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 131:760–764, 2021
Sialadenitis: A Possible Early Manifestation of COVID‐19
Authors: Chern Alexander , Famuyide Akinrinola O. , Moonis Gul , Lalwani Anil K.
Published: August 2020

Acute sialadenitis may be caused by viruses, including coronaviruses. Although there are anecdotal reports of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) salivary gland infections, there have been no well‐documented cases of sialadenitis in patients with COVID‐19 described in the literature. We report a case of parotitis and submandibular gland sialadenitis, as well as an isolated case of parotitis, in two patients with concurrent SARS‐CoV‐2 infections. Computed tomography imaging demonstrated parotid and submandibular gland enlargement with heterogenous enhancement and attenuation, consistent with sialadenitis. Medical management was sufficient for successful resolution of the acute sialadenitis. Laryngoscope, 130:2595–2597, 2020
UCST‐Type Copolymer through the Combination of Water‐Soluble Polyacrylamide and Polycaprolactone‐Like Polyester
Authors: Kertsomboon Thanit , Agarwal Seema , Chirachanchai Suwabun
Published: August 2020

Copolymers of acrylamide (AAm) and hydrophobic monomers are known as non‐ionic polymers to show an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in aqueous solution. By utilizing cyclic ketene acetals and carrying out the radical ring opening polymerization along with copolymerization with AAm, a UCST polymer, poly(acrylamide‐co‐2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxepane) (P(AAm‐co‐MDO)), is obtained. The AAm/MDO content results in the shift of UCST phase transition temperature. The present work shows how the combination of water‐soluble PAAm and polycaprolactone‐like structured PMDO develops a new type of thermoresponsive polymer which can be expected for bio‐related applications.
Highly Thermally Stable, Green Solvent Disintegrable, and Recyclable Polymer Substrates for Flexible Electronics
Authors: Chen Linlin , Yu Huang , Dirican Mahmut , Fang Dongjun , Tian Yan , Yan Chaoyi , Xie Jingyi , Jia Dongmei , Liu Hao , Wang Jiasheng , Tang Fangcheng , Zhang Xiangwu , Tao Jinsong
Published: August 2020

Flexible electronics require its substrate to have adequate thermal stability, but current thermally stable polymer substrates are difficult to be disintegrated and recycled; hence, generate enormous electronic solid waste. Here, a thermally stable and green solvent‐disintegrable polymer substrate is developed for flexible electronics to promote their recyclability and reduce solid waste generation. Thanks to the proper design of rigid backbones and rational adjustments of polar and bulky side groups, the polymer substrate exhibits excellent thermal and mechanical properties with thermal decomposition temperature (Td,5%) of 430 °C, upper operating temperature of over 300 °C, coefficient of thermal expansion of 48 ppm K−1, tensile strength of 103 MPa, and elastic modulus of 2.49 GPa. Furthermore, the substrate illustrates outstanding optical and dielectric properties with high transmittance of 91% and a low dielectric constant of 2.30. Additionally, it demonstrates remarkable chemical and flame resistance. A proof‐of‐concept flexible printed circuit device is fabricated with this substrate, which demonstrates outstanding mechanical–electrical stability. Most importantly, the substrate can be quickly disintegrated and recycled with alcohol. With outstanding thermally stable properties, accompanied by excellent recyclability, the substrate is particularly attractive for a wide range of electronics to reduce solid waste generation, and head toward flexible and “green” electronics.
ADCY5‐Induced Dyskinetic Storm Rescued with Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation in a 46‐Year‐Old Man
Authors: Eisenberg Hanna J. , Malinova Vesna , Mielke Dorothee , Bähr Mathias , Göricke Meike B. , van Riesen Christoph
Published: August 2020

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Assessing the performance of GPS tomography at retrieving water vapour fields during landfalling atmospheric rivers over southern California
Authors: Chen Biyan , Yu Wenkun , Dai Wujiao , Wu Hao , Wang Wei
Published: August 2020

Accurate monitoring of water vapour evolution is essential to gain a better understanding of the atmospheric river movement, as well as predicting the severity and life cycle of heavy precipitation. The use of hundreds of ground Global Positioning System (GPS) stations in southern California provided a good opportunity to monitor the water vapour changes associated with landfalling atmospheric rivers. Based on a tomographic technique, the 15 min‐resolution water vapour density fields of southern California were reconstructed for February 2019. The assessments by radiosonde and the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts' (ECMWF) Re‐Analysis Interim (ERA‐Interim) database reanalysis show that tomography can retrieve the density profiles with an overall accuracy of about 1.1 g·m–3. In addition, both assessments indicate that the tomographic solutions of altitudes > 6 km are not reliable as relative root mean square error can reach up to 500% in the uppermost layer. Nevertheless, tomographic integrated water vapour is consistent with those derived from radiosonde and ERA‐Interim because their discrepancies are basically < 3 mm. The tomographic density fields were then applied to monitor water vapour evolution associated with two atmospheric river landfalls that occurred on February 2 and February 13, 2019. Results show that both atmospheric rivers made landfall from the northwest and passed over southern California in a southeasterly direction. The series of density profiles reveals that the high‐elevation mountains can block the atmospheric river movement, resulting in the concentration of water vapour at the foot of the mountains.
Ligand‐based Activity Cliff Prediction Models with Applicability Domain
Authors: Tamura Shunsuke , Miyao Tomoyuki , Funatsu Kimito
Published: August 2020

Activity cliffs (ACs) are formed by pairs of structurally similar compounds with large differences in potency. Predicting ACs is of high interest in lead optimization for drug discovery. Previous AC prediction models that focused on matched molecular pair (MMP) cliffs produced adequate performances. However, the extrapolation ability of these models is unclear because the main scaffold for MMPs, the core structure, could exist in both training and test data sets. Also, representation of MMPs did not consider the attachment points where the core and R‐group substituents are connected. In this study, we aimed to improve a ligand‐based AC prediction method using molecular fingerprints. We incorporated applicability domain, which was defined using R‐path fingerprints to consider the local environment around an attachment point. Rigorous evaluation of the extrapolation ability of AC prediction models showed that MMP‐cliffs were accurately predicted for nine biological targets. Furthermore, incorporation of training MMPs with cores distinct from those of test MMPs improved the predictability compared with using training MMPs with only similar cores.
BANΔIT: B’‐Factor Analysis for Drug Design and Structural Biology
Authors: Barthels Fabian , Schirmeister Tanja , Kersten Christian
Published: August 2020

The analysis of B‐factor profiles from X‐ray protein structures can be utilized for structure‐based drug design since protein mobility changes have been associated with the quality of protein‐ligand interactions. With the BANΔIT (B’‐factor analysis and ΔB’ interpretation toolkit), we have developed a JavaScript‐based browser application that provides a graphical user interface for the normalization and analysis of B’‐factor profiles. To emphasize the usability for rational drug design applications, we have analyzed a selection of crystallographic protein‐ligand complexes and have given exemplary conclusions for further drug optimization including the development of a B’‐factor‐supported pharmacophore model for SARS CoV‐2 main protease inhibitors. BANΔIT is available online at https://bandit.uni‐mainz.de. The source code can be downloaded from https://github.com/FBarthels/BANDIT.
Dynamic‐shared Pharmacophore Approach as Tool to Design New Allosteric PRC2 Inhibitors, Targeting EED Binding Pocket
Authors: Lombino Jessica , Gulotta Maria Rita , De Simone Giada , Mekni Nedra , De Rosa Maria , Carbone Daniela , Parrino Barbara , Cascioferro Stella Maria , Diana Patrizia , Padova Alessandro , Perricone Ugo
Published: August 2020

Abstract: The Polycomb Repressive complex 2 (PRC2) maintains a repressive chromatin state and silences many genes, acting as methylase on histone tails. This enzyme was found overexpressed in many types of cancer. In this work, we have set up a Computer‐Aided Drug Design approach based on the allosteric modulation of PRC2. In order to minimize the possible bias derived from using a single set of coordinates within the protein‐ligand complex, a dynamic workflow was developed. In details, molecular dynamic was used as tool to identify the most significant ligand‐protein interactions from several crystallized protein structures. The identified features were used for the creation of dynamic pharmacophore models and docking grid constraints for the design of new PRC2 allosteric modulators. Our protocol was retrospectively validated using a dataset of active and inactive compounds, and the results were compared to the classic approaches, through ROC curves and enrichment factor. Our approach suggested some important interaction features to be adopted for virtual screening performance improvement.
Design and characterization of a W‐band wide‐beam horn for radio holography
Authors: Zhang Xiaoling , Lou Zheng , Zuo Yingxi , Kang Haoran , Wang Yu
Published: August 2020

A W‐band wide‐beam horn suitable for prime‐focus feed is described in this paper. It was designed to provide better illuminations for outer panels of larger reflector antennas and to improve performance of radio holography systems. Much effort has been spent on precise characterization of the amplitude and phase patterns of the wide beam horn which has a direct impact on the measurement accuracy of the radio holography. A far‐field measurement setup with the correction of phase errors due to cable flexing has been developed. Good beam pattern agreement has been achieved between simulation and measurement.
Asymptotics of the eigenvalues for exponentially parameterized pentadiagonal matrices
Authors: Tavakolipour Hanieh , Shakeri Fatemeh
Published: August 2020

Let P(t) be an n × n (complex) exponentially parameterized pentadiagonal matrix. In this article, using a theorem of Akian, Bapat, and Gaubert, we present explicit formulas for asymptotics of the moduli of the eigenvalues of P(t) as t → ∞. Our approach is based on exploiting the relation with tropical algebra and the weighted digraphs of matrices. We prove that this asymptotics tends to a unique limit or two limits. Also, for n − 2 largest magnitude eigenvalues of P(t) we compute the asymptotics as n → ∞, in addition to t. When P(t) is also symmetric, these formulas allow us to compute the asymptotics of the 2‐norm condition number. The number of arithmetic operations involved, does not depend on n. We illustrate our results by some numerical tests.
Does life expectancy, death rate and public health expenditure matter in sustaining economic growth underCOVID‐19: Empirical evidence from Nigeria?
Authors: Alhassan Gloria Nnadwa , Adedoyin Festus Fatai , Bekun Festus Victor , Agabo Terhemen Justine
Published: August 2020

The current health pandemic that has plagued the global of which the global south‐Nigeria is not insulated from is the premise for this empirical investigation. The present study relies on recent annual time‐series data to conceptualize the hypothesized claim via Pesaran's Autoregressive distributed lag techniques. Empirical findings from the bounds test traces the long‐run relationship between public health expenditure and economic growth over the study span. However, unlike previous studies, we introduce life expectancy and death rates in the model framework. Although health expenditure is not significant, empirical results show that a 1% increase in life expectancy and death rate increases and decreases economic growth by 3.85 and 1.84%, respectively. This suggests the need for Health Policymakers in Nigeria to implement active strategies that reduce the death rate, which is a blueprint for active engagement in the face of a global pandemic such as COVID‐19.
Perceptual asymmetries in perceived quality ofHRfunction resulting from ownership transformation: A public‐to‐private scenario
Authors: Asadullah Muhammad Ali , Fatima Naima , Siddiquei Ahmad Nabeel , Rasheed Maria , Wahba Karim
Published: August 2020

Policymakers use privatization to transform a drowning public sector firm into a profitable institution while ignoring its effects on different organizational members. This study advances HR research on ownership transformation and its human resource implications by exploring potential effects of privatization on changes in perceptions of key HR service providers and service receives (i.e., HR and Non‐HR line managers) about the quality of HR business partnership role. This qualitative investigation is based on in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with eight Non‐HR and three HR line managers of a privatized fertilizer company in Pakistan. We proposed that the transformation of ownership positively affects the line manager's perceptions about strategic partner and change agent role of the HR Function. The line managers' perceptions about the expert administrative role remained almost unaffected, while their perceptions about employee champion role of HR Function are negatively affected after privatization. This study has contributed to the existing knowledge by highlighting the role of ownership transformation, particularly privatization in employees' perceptions about the business partner role of HR Function in a fertilizer firm.
Personalised ecology and detection functions
Authors: Gaston Kevin J.
Published: August 2020

Direct interactions with nature are important for people's health, well‐being and support for pro‐nature policies. There is an urgent need better to understand the structure and dynamics of these interactions, and how they differ among individual people, human populations and the communities to which they belong.

The determinants of these interactions have two components. First are the factors that influence whether someone undertakes actions that may lead to interactions with nature (e.g. looking through a window, going for a walk, travelling to the countryside). These factors have attracted significant attention. Second are the factors that influence what nature interactions are obtained when someone is present in a situation in which these could occur. These have received little explicit attention.

One way of formalizing understanding, and identifying gaps in knowledge, of the second group of factors is to consider human–nature interactions in terms of detection functions. Rather than using such functions for the estimation of species abundances, the purpose for which they were originally developed, they can be reorganized as descriptors of influences on people's nature interactions.

This paper considers how the different variables contained within detection functions influence human–nature interactions, and in particular how the number of nature interactions a person has in a given place and time is shaped both by clearly ‘nature’‐associated variables, such as the number of organisms present, and also by variables that are strongly influenced by characteristics of the observer, such as how they use or explore an area and their personal nature detection abilities.

Many issues explored in the context of human–nature interactions are then seen to concern these component variables of detection functions, and approaches to improving the frequency of interactions seen, in effect, to be targeted at affecting change in different ones of these variables.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Influence of subliminal stimuli on interpersonal trust: A possible mechanism
Authors: Cai Jie , Zhang Jingyu , Sun Xianghong
Published: August 2020

The present study aims to investigate whether subliminal stimuli can influence interpersonal trust and to explore the mediating mechanisms. Participants were required to do a lexical decision task while the “trust” or “suspicion” Chinese words were embedded as the subliminal stimuli. Afterward, they played a trust game and reported person and situation perception. Results indicate that compared with exposure to “suspicion” subliminal stimuli, exposure to “trust” subliminal stimuli significantly improved interpersonal trust. Furthermore, person perception mediated the influence of subliminal stimuli on interpersonal trust, but situation perception did not. The results suggest that subliminal priming techniques can influence interpersonal trust, and such impact is mediated by person perception.
Efficient Cellular Internalization and Transport of Bowl‐Shaped Polydopamine Particles
Authors: Acter Shahinur , Vidallon Mark Louis P. , Crawford Simon , Tabor Rico F. , Teo Boon Mian
Published: August 2020

In drug delivery applications, particle‐based systems have been used widely due to their physicochemical properties such as size, shape, and surface charge to achieve desirable properties in intracellular environments. The way in which nanoparticles enter a biological cell is an important factor in determining their efficacy as drug carriers, their biodistribution, and toxicity. Most research thus far has focused on the comparison of spherical and rod‐like particles on cellular internalization and transport. Here, the synthesis of bowl‐shaped polydopamine (PDA) mesoporous nanoparticles with an average diameter of 200 nm and well‐controlled radially oriented mesochannels are reported. By incubating bowl‐shaped PDA nanoparticles and spherical nanoparticles with HeLa cells, their internalization behaviors are investigated using a suite of characterization techniques. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that bowl‐shaped PDA nanoparticles adhere to the cell more efficiently and a faster rate of cellular uptake of bowl‐shaped nanoparticles compared to their spherical counterparts. Overall, the cellular internalization behavior of particles is shape‐dependent, and such information is crucial in designing nanoparticles for biomedical applications.
Physical activity in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Puppo Homero , Torres‐Castro Rodrigo , Vasconcello‐Castillo Luis , Acosta‐Dighero Roberto , Sepúlveda‐Cáceres Nicolás , Quiroga‐Marabolí Pablo , Romero Juan Eduardo , Vilaró Jordi
Published: August 2020

Background

Exercise and physical activity (PA) are essential components of the care of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Lower PA levels have been associated with worse pulmonary function, aerobic fitness, glycemic control, and bone mineral density. Most people with CF do not engage in the recommended amounts of PA.

Objective

To determine the level of PA in children and adolescents with CF.

Methods

A systematic review with meta‐analysis was conducted without language restrictions in five databases. Were included studies that analyzed PA measured by objective and subjective instruments in children and adolescents with CF. Two independent reviewers analyzed the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of evidence. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's risk‐of‐bias tool.

Results

Of the 1535 reports returned by the initial search, 20 articles reporting on 785 patients were included in the data synthesis. The forest plot showed that the CF group had a similar moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA) (mean difference, −7.79; 95% CI −15.65 to 0.08 min/d; P = .05) and sedentary time (mean difference, −50.81; 95%CI, −109.96 to 8.35 min/d; P = .09) to the control group.

Conclusion

Children and adolescents with CF have a similar MVPA and sedentary time compared to controls. There are many options, subjective and objective, for assessing PA in this population. Optimal tool selection should guarantee more valid results.
Understanding the uniqueness of the stepwise [4 + 1] cycloaddition reaction between conjugated nitroalkenes and electrophilic carbene systems with a molecular electron density theory perspective
Authors: Kącka‐Zych Agnieszka
Published: August 2020

The [4 + 1] cycloaddition (41CA) and [2 + 1] cycloaddition (21CA) reactions of the α‐halogeno‐nitroalkenes with carbene have been studied using the molecular electron density theory through density functional theory calculations at the MPWB1K(PCM)/6‐311G(d,p) computational level. The 41CA reaction take place through a polar two‐step mechanism involving the formation of a zwitterionic intermediate. The competitive 21CA reaction path proceeds according to nonconcerted two‐stage one‐step. Bonding evolution theory analysis of 41CA reaction allows the distinguishing of four groups along the reaction path. The reaction begins with rupture of the CC double bond of the alkene moiety and formation of the pseudoradical center. Formation of the OC and CC new single bonds begins in subsequent phases. In the last stage of the 41CA reaction path, we observed the formation of an NC new double bond. In the case of 21CA reaction path, we observed the successive rupture of the CC double bond of the alkene moiety, formation of CC new single bond and pseudoradical center, and creation of a second CC single bond.
Complexity analysis for recent ALOHA random access techniques in satellite communications
Authors: Zamoum Selma , Lacan Jérôme , Boucheret Marie‐Laure , Dupe Jean‐Baptiste , Gineste Mathieu
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we study the the complexity of packet localization at reception, for recent synchronous Random Access (RA) techniques based on the protocol ALOHA for satellite communications. The promising CRDSA (Contention Resolution Diversity Slotted ALOHA) offers better throughput, in comparison to the traditional slotted ALOHA protocols, thanks to the use of Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) along with multireplica transmission. MARSALA (Multi‐replicA decoding using corRelation baSed locALizAtion) is one of the many variants and enhancement schemes of CRDSA that have been proposed in the literature. It is applied to CRDSA each time a decoding deadlock situation is reached (when no packets can be retrieved by CRDSA). MARSALA first localizes the replicas of collided packets on a chosen reference time slot using correlations. Then it performs coherent signal combination of packet replicas prior to decoding. However, despite the good performance offered by MARSALA, its localization process adds a significant complexity to the receiver in terms of correlation operations. R‐SPOTiT (Random Shared POsition Technique for Interfered random Transmissions) mitigates this complexity by introducing a shared information between the receiver and each of the transmitters, about all potential packets' locations on the frame, without any additional signaling overhead. We focus in this paper on the analysis of the total number of correlations which are needed to localize packets' replicas for both MARSALA and R‐SPOTiT, with a single or with multiple Gold preambles. This should include preamble detection operations that are performed at CRDSA with a coarse and fine tracking. The results show that the most suitable system to use is the multi‐preamble R‐SPOTiT with two preambles.