bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased body mass index does not impact the imaging quality of focused assessment with sonography in trauma
Authors: Ifelayo Oluwatomilona I. , Oyemade Kafayat A. , Tawfic Sarah S. , Jeeji Archana K. , Ekstein Samuel F. , Smoot William A. , Voelkel Jacob E. , Laughlin Michael J. , Lohse Christine M. , Kummer Tobias , Bellamkonda Venkatesh R.
Published: June 2020

Background

Many clinicians believe that a patient's body mass index (BMI) affects the likelihood of obtaining high quality ultrasound images.

Objectives

To assess the hypothesis that increased BMI is associated with worsening focused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) image quality.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective single‐center study of FAST examinations performed in a large academic emergency department (ED) with fellowship‐trained emergency ultrasonography faculty performing quality assurance review.

Results

Mean (SD) BMI was 28.0 (6.6) among the 302 included studies. The overall quality rating tended to decrease as BMI increased but did not achieve statistical significance in a univariable setting (P = .06) or after adjustment for age and sex (P = .06). Operators perception of image adequacy was largely unaffected by BMI, with the exception of the pericardial view.

Conclusion

This study did not identify a statistically significant difference in FAST quality with increased BMI. This result may help assuage clinician concerns about ultrasonography for patients in the ED.
The impact of the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, with special reference to the hematological setting
Authors: Sica Antonello , Casale Danilo , Rossi Giovanni , Casale Beniamino , Ciccozzi Massimo , Fasano Morena , Ciotti Marco , Sagnelli Evangelista , Papa Alfonso , Sagnelli Caterina
Published: June 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is a disease known from a few months, caused by a recently arisen virus and, consequently, it is little known. The disease has a benign course in most infected subjects (children and young adults), is often symptomatic in adults over the age of 50 and often serious and life threatening in people with comorbidities and the elderly. The few data published on coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) in the blood‐oncology field report a serious clinical presentation, a serious course of the disease, and a high mortality rate, as has also been reported for other cancer contexts. The current strategy for treating patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 includes antivirals that are effective against other viral infections and drugs that can moderate the cytokine storm. There is no specific vaccine and consequently all possible precautions must be taken to prevent SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in the areas of oncology, oncohematology, and bone marrow transplantation. In this reviewer's article, we report the information currently available on SARS‐CoV‐2 infection to help young doctors and hematologists to successfully manage patients with COVID‐19.
Probable causes and risk factors for positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test in recovered patients: Evidence from Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Wong Justin , Koh Wee Chian , Momin Riamiza Natalie , Alikhan Mohammad Fathi , Fadillah Noraskhin , Naing Lin
Published: June 2020

Case reports of patients with coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) who have been discharged and subsequently report positive reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction again (hereafter referred as “re‐positive”) do not fully describe the magnitude and significance of this issue. To determine the re‐positive rate (proportion) and review probable causes and outcomes, we conduct a retrospective study of all 119 discharged patients in Brunei Darussalam up till April 23. Patients who were discharged are required to self‐isolate at home for 14 days and undergo nasopharyngeal specimen collection postdischarge. Discharged patients found to be re‐positive were readmitted. We reviewed the clinical and epidemiological records of all discharged patients and apply log‐binomial models to obtain risk ratios for re‐positive status. One in five recovered patients subsequently test positive again for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2—this risk is more than six times higher in persons aged 60 years and above. The average Ct value of re‐positive patients was lower predischarge compared with their readmission Ct value. Out of 111 close contacts tested, none were found to be positive as a result of exposure to a re‐positive patient. Our findings support prolonged but intermittent viral shedding as the probable cause for this phenomenon. We did not observe infectivity potential in these patients.
The clinical characteristics of pediatric inpatients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: A meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Ma Xuefeng , Liu Shousheng , Chen Lizhen , Zhuang Likun , Zhang Jie , Xin Yongning
Published: June 2020

Millions of people were infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) all over the world. Data on clinical symptoms of pediatric inpatients with COVID‐19 infection were unclear. The aim of study was to investigate the clinical features of pediatric inpatients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched to seek for studies providing details on pediatric inpatients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection which were published from 1st January to 21st April 2020. Studies with more than five pediatric inpatients were included in our meta‐analysis.This study was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020183550). As the results shown, fever (46%) and cough (42%) were the main clinical characters of pediatric inpatients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and the other clinical characters, such as diarrhea, vomiting, nasal congestion, and fatigue account for 10% in pediatric inpatients. The proportion of asymptomatic cases was 0.42 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.27‐0.59) and severe cases was 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01‐0.06). For the laboratory result, leukopenia (21%) and lymphocytosis (22%) were the mainly indicators for pediatric inpatients, followed by high aspartate aminotransferase (19%), lymphopenia (16%), high alanine aminotransferase (15%), high C‐reactive protein (17%), leukocytosis (13%), high D‐dimer (12%) and high creatine kinase‐MB (5%). Regard to chest imaging features, unilateral and bilateral accounts for 22% in pediatric inpatients, respectively. In conclusion, compared with adult inpatients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, the pediatric inpatients had mild clinical characters, lab test indicators, and chest imaging features. More clinical studies focus on the pediatric patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in other countries should be conducted.
TNFAIP8 family gene expressions in the mouse tail intervertebral disc injury model
Authors: Tian Zuozhen , Shofer Frances S. , Yao Lutian , Sun Honghong , Zhang Hongtao , Qin Ling , Chen Youhai H. , Zhang Yejia
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The TNF‐α‐induced protein‐8 (TNFAIP8, also known as TIPE) family of molecules comprises four members: TNFAIP8 and TIPEs1‐3. Since the first description of these proteins, their roles in fine‐tuning inflammation and in directing leukocyte migration have been described in several organ systems. However, their relationship with intervertebral disc (IVD) is unknown.

Materials and methods

Here, we describe the expression of TNFAIP8 family genes in the nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) of the normal adult murine IVD. We further describe the expression of these genes in the injured male and female murine IVD.

Results

Tnfaip8 gene expression was decreased, and Tipe1 gene expression was essentially unchanged, in response to injury. Tipe2 and Tipe3 gene expression was markedly elevated in response to IVD injury, along with those encoding known inflammatory markers (ie, Tnfa, Il6, Cxcl1, and Adam8). Additionally, sex‐related differences were also observed for some of these genes in intact and injured mouse IVDs. Future studies include examining tissue distribution of TNFAIP8 family proteins and identifying cells that produce them. In addition, examining mice that are deficient in TNFAIP8 molecules, in relation to gene expression, tissue morphology and mouse behavior, may further delineate the roles of these molecules in IVD inflammation and degeneration.
A Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Analysis of Upper Aerodigestive Endoscopy Contamination: Is Flexible Laryngoscopy Different?
Authors: Jiang Roy , Kasle David A. , Alzahrani Faisal , Kohli Nikita , Lerner Michael Z.
Published: June 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Several recent studies have observed a high incidence of duodenoscope microbial contamination and an association of contamination with healthcare‐acquired infections. This study sought to quantify nasopharyngoscope microbial contamination relative to that of other endoscope categories and characterize the manufacturers, outcomes, and microbial profiles associated with these cases.

Study Design

Retrospective, cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A total of 3,865 adverse events were collected from 2013 to 2019 using the US Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database. The fraction of total device failures associated with contamination was quantified for nasopharyngoscopes, bronchoscopes, duodenoscopes, and gastroscopes. Odds ratios of nasopharyngoscope contamination compared to that of bronchoscopes, duodenoscopes, or gastroscopes were calculated, and significance was assessed by χ2 analysis. The Kruskal‐Wallis test was used for nonparametric testing of significance.

Results

Nasopharyngoscope device failures were reported at an incidence of 0.646 per month; 34.1% involved contamination, comparable to the frequency observed for bronchoscopes (23.4%, P = .118), duodenoscopes (29.2%, P = .493), and gastroscopes (45.3%, P = .178). The frequency of device contamination was observed to be significantly higher for a particular endoscope manufacturer regardless of endoscope category (Kruskal‐Wallis P = .021). In instances of contamination, nasopharyngoscopes were significantly less associated with patient harm or death than bronchoscope (odds ratio [OR] = 10.2) and duodenoscope (OR = 4.81) cases.

Conclusions

Although the rates of contamination were comparable across all endoscope categories, nasopharyngoscope contamination was less commonly associated with patient harm or death. In an era of rising healthcare costs, determining adequate disinfection standards for nasopharyngoscopes and their impact on patient safety is crucial.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 131:598–605, 2021
Fibroblast growth factor‐2, derived from cancer‐associated fibroblasts, stimulates growth and progression of human breast cancer cells via FGFR1 signaling
Authors: Suh Jinyoung , Kim Do‐Hee , Lee Yeon‐Hwa , Jang Jeong‐Hoon , Surh Young‐Joon
Published: June 2020

Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) constitute a major compartment of the tumor microenvironment. In the present study, we investigated the role for CAFs in breast cancer progression and underlying molecular mechanisms. Human breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells treated with the CAF‐conditioned media manifested a more proliferative phenotype, as evidenced by enhanced messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Cyclin D1, c‐Myc, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed that fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF2) expression was well correlated with the presence of CAFs. We noticed that the mRNA level of FGF2 in CAFs was higher than that in normal fibroblasts. FGF2 exerts its biological effects through interaction with FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1). In the breast cancer tissue array, 42% estrogen receptor‐negative patients coexpressed FGF2 and FGFR1, whereas only 19% estrogen receptor‐positive patients exhibited coexpression. CAF‐stimulated MDA‐MB‐231 cell migration and invasiveness were abolished when FGF2‐neutralizing antibody was added to the conditioned media of CAFs. In a xenograft mouse model, coinjection of MDA‐MB‐231 cells with activated fibroblasts expressing FGF2 dramatically enhanced tumor growth, and this was abrogated by silencing of FGFR1 in cancer cells. In addition, treatment of MDA‐MB‐231 cells with FGF2 enhanced expression of Cyclin D1, a key molecule involved in cell cycle progression. FGF2‐induced cell migration and upregulation of Cyclin D1 were abolished by siRNA‐mediated FGFR1 silencing. Taken together, the above findings suggest that CAFs promote growth, migration and invasion of MDA‐MB‐231 cells via the paracrine FGF2‐FGFR1 loop in the breast tumor microenvironment.
New York state advocates say cuts would hurt MH community
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2020

New York state community providers have been asked by state officials to brace themselves for an imminent 20% across‐the‐board cut to the public funding they need to provide basic services and support to consumers with mental health and substance use disorders.
A higher order finite element method with modified graded mesh for singularly perturbed two‐parameter problems
Authors: Kaushik Aditya , Kumar Vijayant , Sharma Manju , Vashishth Anil K.
Published: June 2020

This paper presents a modified graded mesh for singularly perturbed two‐parameter problems. The mesh is generated recursively using Newton's algorithm and some implicitly defined function. The problem is solved numerically using the finite element method based on higher order polynomials of degree p≥1. We prove parameter uniform convergence of optimal order in ε‐weighted energy norm. A test example is taken to compare the proposed graded mesh with others found in the literature.
New insights into a chaotic system with only a Lyapunov stable equilibrium
Authors: Chen Biyu , Liu Yongjian , Wei Zhouchao , Feng Chunsheng
Published: June 2020

This paper gives some new insights into a chaotic system. The considered system has only one Lyapunov stable equilibrium and positive Lyapunov exponent in some certain parameter range, which means there coexists chaotic attractors and Lyapunov stable equibirium in system. First, from the perspective of analyzing the global structure of the system, based on the Poincaré compactification technique, the complete description of its dynamical behavior on the sphere at infinity is presented. The obtaining results show that its global dynamical behavior is very complex. Second, from a geometric perspective, the Jacobi stability of the system is investigated, including the unique equilibrium and a periodic orbit. Interestingly, we find that the unique Lyapunov stable equilibrium is always Jacobi unstable, a Lyapunov stable periodic orbit falls into both Jacobi stable and Jacobi unstable regions. It is shown that we might witness chaotic behavior of the system before the trajectories enter a neighborhood of the equilibrium point. It is hoped that the investigation of this paper can contribute to better understand and study the complex chaotic system with stable equilibria.
Muskellunge Survival, Interbasin Movement, and Emigration in a Simple and a Complex Interconnected Glacial Lake
Authors: Meerbeek Jonathan R. , Weber Michael J.
Published: June 2020

Glacial lakes can display a wide range of morphometries that may affect fish movements and population dynamics. Muskellunge Esox masquinongy is a popular sportfish that is long-lived and occurs at low densities, making population abundance susceptible to sources of fish loss. Yet, factors influencing Muskellunge survival, movement, and emigration in lakes of different morphometric complexities are unknown. We used capture histories of nearly 5,700 individual adult (age ≥ 3; ≥610 mm) Muskellunge collected from a simple (single shallow lake, bowl-shaped basin with simple shoreline) and a complex (multiple basins with greater habitat diversity) lake basin over 17 years to quantify survival, interbasin movement, and emigration from these systems and evaluate if these parameters were related to population density or water level metrics. Adult Muskellunge annual survival within the interconnected lake chain varied through time and among connected lakes (range = 0.57–0.95), whereas survival was similar among years in the simple lake basin (0.90; 95% CI = 0.85–0.96). Muskellunge movement probabilities within an interconnected lake chain ranged from 0.02 to 0.22 and increased in two systems but decreased in one system with maximum ice-out water level over crest. Similarly, annual Muskellunge emigration ranged from 0.02 to 0.16 from an interconnected lake chain and from 0.00 to 0.28 in a simple lake and increased in both systems with increasing water levels following ice-out. These results demonstrate that Muskellunge movement within and emigration from lakes as a function of ice-out water levels can be an important source of fish loss (either temporary or permanent) from glacial lakes. Information on movement and emigration may help managers mitigate these losses via supplemental stocking or reduced harvest quotas, whereas constructing barriers may be a necessary component of Muskellunge management in other lake systems.
Thermal shock weakening of granite rock under dynamic loading: 3D numerical modeling based on embedded discontinuity finite elements
Authors: Saksala Timo , Ibrahimbegovic Adnan
Published: June 2020

This paper presents a numerical study of thermal shock weakening of granite rock under dynamic loading. A fully 3D numerical scheme based on a combined continuum viscodamage‐embedded discontinuity model and an explicit scheme to solve the underlying thermomechanical problem was developed and validated through numerical examples. First, the dynamic Brazilian disc test is simulated on intact numerical rock. Then, thermal shock‐induced cracking due to a moving external heat flux boundary condition, mimicking experiments based on plasma jet treatment, is numerically predicted. Finally, numerical Brazilian disc test is conducted on the thermal shocked numerical samples. The predicted and experimental weakening effects are in good agreement demonstrating that the present modeling approach has good predictive capabilities. The practical significance of the results is that heat shock pretreatment can substantially enhance rock gravel and rubble crushing.
Vexin is upregulated in cerebral cortical neurons by brain‐derived neurotrophic factor
Authors: Koshimizu Hisatsugu , Suzuki Shingo , Kawai Anna , Miura Ryuichiro , Ohta Ken‐ichi , Miki Takanori , Adachi Naoki , Matsuoka Hidetada
Published: June 2020

Aim

Chromosome 8 open reading frame 46 (C8orf46), a human protein‐coding gene, has recently been named Vexin. A recent study indicated that Vexin is involved in embryonic neurogenesis. Additionally, some transcriptomic studies detected changes in the mRNA levels of patients with psychiatric and neurological diseases. In our previous study, we sought for target genes of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in cultured rat cortical neurons, finding that BDNF potentially leads to the upregulation of Vexin mRNA. However, its underlying mechanisms are unknown. In the present study, we assessed the regulatory mechanisms of the BDNF‐induced gene expression of Vexin in vitro.

Methods

We reanalyzed ChIP‐seq data in various human organs provided by the ENCODE project, evaluating acetylation levels of the 27th lysine residue of the histone H3 (H3K27ac) at the Vexin locus. The transcriptomic effects of BDNF on rat Vexin (RGD1561849) were evaluated by real‐time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) in primary cultures of cerebral cortical neurons, in the presence or absence of inhibitors for signaling molecules activated by BDNF.

Results

The Vexin locus and its promoter region in the brain angular gyrus show higher acetylation levels of the H3K27 than those in other organs. Stimulation of cultured rat cortical neurons, but not astrocyte, with BDNF, led to marked elevations in the mRNA levels of Vexin, which was inhibited in the presence of K252a and U0126.

Conclusion

The upregulated H3K27ac in the brain may be associated with the enriched gene expression of Vexin in the brain. It is indicated that BDNF induces the gene expression of Vexin in the cortical neurons via the TrkB‐MEK signaling pathway.
Partnering with school providers to codesign mental health interventions: An open trial of Act & Adapt in urban public middle schools
Authors: Bearman Sarah K. , Bailin Abby , Rodriguez Erin , Bellevue Alison
Published: June 2020

Schools are well positioned to provide access to youth mental health services, but implementing effective programs that promote emotional and behavioral functioning in school settings is complicated by the poor fit of interventions developed in research settings to complex school contexts. The current study formed a research–practice partnership with two urban public schools and mental health providers employed by those schools (N = 6, 100% female, 50% Black/African American, 50% White/Caucasian) in the adaptation of a depression prevention intervention, Act & Adapt. The intervention was modified by decreasing meeting time and streamlining session content, increasing flexibility, making intervention materials more similar to academic curriculum, and increasing the focus on managing disruptive behavior within group sessions. In an open trial, sixth‐grade students (N = 22; 59% boys, 31% Hispanic, 22% Black/African American, 4% Asian, 30% White/Caucasian) at both schools who were identified as clinically “at risk” reported improvements from baseline to postintervention and at 1‐year follow‐up on measures of emotional and behavioral difficulties and coping strategies, with parallel results by caregiver report. The providers reported satisfaction with the intervention, and qualitative analyses of provider focus groups suggested both barriers and facilitators to research‐practice collaborations to implement mental health interventions in schools.
Novel small‐molecule LG1836 inhibits the in vivo growth of castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Chen Yanhua , Li Xin , Mamouni Kenza , Yang Yang , Danaher Alira , White Joseph , Liu HongYan , Kucuk Omer , Gera Lajos , Wu Daqing
Published: June 2020

Background

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the mainstay of treatment for castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Unfortunately, although ADT initially prolongs survival, most patients relapse and develop resistance. Clinical failure of these treatments in CRPC highlights the urgent need to develop novel strategies to more effectively block androgen receptor (AR) signaling and target other oncogenic factors responsible for ADT resistance.

Methods

We developed a small‐molecule compound LG1836 and investigated the in vitro and in vivo activity of LG1836 against CRPC in cellular and animal models.

Results

LG1836 exhibits potent in vitro cytotoxicity in CRPC cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that LG1836 inhibits the expression of AR and AR variant 7, partially mediated via proteasome‐dependent protein degradation. LG1836 also suppresses survivin expression and effectively induces apoptosis in CRPC cells. Significantly, as a single agent, LG1836 is therapeutically efficacious in suppressing the in vivo growth of CRPC in the subcutaneous and intraosseous models and extends the survival of tumor‐bearing mice.

Conclusions

These preclinical studies indicate that LG1836 is a promising lead compound for the treatment of CRPC.
IrSi as a Superior Electronic Material with Novel Topological Properties and Nice Compatibility with Semiconductor Si
Authors: Meng Weizhen , Zhang Xiaoming , Dai Xuefang , Liu Guodong
Published: June 2020

To favor the applications in electronic devices, topological semimetals require not only excellent topological electronic structures but also nice compatibility with the traditional Si‐based semiconductor. Herein, IrSi compound is revealed as a superior electronic material which satisfies both criteria proposed earlier. First, IrSi hosts novel band topology with multiple fermionic states. Without spin–orbit coupling (SOC), IrSi shows an accidental node loop, protected by two independent mechanisms. With SOC included, it shows two symmetry‐enforced nodal lines (NLs) and Dirac points (DPs). The presence of NLs and DPs under SOC has been verified by symmetry analysis. Remarkably, the DPs in IrSi locate quite near the Fermi level and possess type‐II band dispersions, which are rarely identified in Dirac semimetals. Second, IrSi has already been prepared on epitaxial Si wafers and thereby has been fabricated as IrSi/Si devices with excellent compatibility in previous experiments. This work further shows that the nodal loop and DPs are robust against potential lattice distortion during its epitaxial growth.
An improving approach for failure mode and effect analysis under uncertainty environment: A case study of critical function component
Authors: Huang Guangquan , Xiao Liming , Zhang Wei , Li Jian , Zhang Genbao , Ran Yan
Published: June 2020

Failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) is a powerful risk discerning technique for identifying, evaluating, and reducing possible failures of products or processes. However, the classical FMEA has been criticized for inherent limitations, such as equal weights of risk elements and lack of capability in handling inaccurate information. Although fuzzy‐based modified FMEA methods are frequently utilized to handle vagueness of experts' judgments, they still have some drawbacks, for example, requiring extra assumptions, neglecting experts' bounded rationality and psychological effects, lacking consideration of randomness, and only considering three classical risk elements among most of them. Therefore, this study develops an extended risk assessment method to enhance the performance of FMEA, which integrates the superiority of rough number theory in handling subjective and inaccurate information and the advantage of cloud model theory in reflecting the randomness of qualitative evaluations. Moreover, two synthetic weighting methods are developed to determine the weights of risk elements and handle the experts' individual effects, respectively, which consider both subjective and objective aspects. In addition, maintenance is added into the classical risk elements, and then a hierarchical structure containing four risk dimensions is built to evaluate failures' risk levels comprehensively. Finally, an application case to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed FMEA model is presented.
A particle filter via constrained sampling for nonlinear dynamic systems
Authors: Hu Chongyang , Liang Yan , Wang Xiaoxu , Xu Linfeng
Published: June 2020

This article is concentrated on the particle filtering problem for nonlinear systems with nonlinear equality constraints. Considering the constraint information incorporated into filters can improve the state estimation accuracy, we propose an adaptive constrained particle filter via constrained sampling. First, in order to obtain particles drawn from the constrained important density function, we construct and solve a general optimization function theoretically fusing equality constraints and the importance density function. Furthermore, to reduce the computation time caused by the number of particles, the constrained Kullback‐Leiler distance sampling method is given to online adapt the number of particles needed for state estimation. A simulation study in the context of road‐confined vehicle tracking demonstrates that the proposed filter outperforms the typical constrained ones for equality constrained dynamic systems.
CO2 emissions and sustainable economic development: New evidence on the role of human capital
Authors: Khan Muhammad
Published: June 2020

The empirical literature testing the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis reports mixed results on the existence of this relationship. This study argues that the effects of economic development on CO2 emissions are contingent upon the level of human capital. In the beginning, when human capital starts increasing from its low levels, more education accelerates the use of non‐renewable resources and increases pollution emissions. However, when certain threshold levels of schooling are traversed, further enrollments reduce CO2 emissions by promoting environmental awareness and facilitating the use of environment friendly technologies. To test these competing possibilities, we rely upon an innovative threshold technique where income–pollution relationship is piecewise linear with human capital serving as regime switching trigger. Our empirical findings using a large sample of 122 economies over the period 1980 to 2014 support the contingency effects of human capital in the income–environment relationship. These results are also supported by our findings from cross‐sectional regressions in the presence of multiplicative interaction term of income and human capital. Based on these results we argue that an increase in education is necessary for reducing the environmental degradation and ensuring the sustainability of economic development.
Quality improvement mechanism for cyber physical systems—An evaluation
Authors: Regan Gilbert , McCaffery Fergal , Paul Pangkaj Chandra , Reich Jan , Armengaud Eric , Kaypmaz Cem , Zeller Marc , Guo Joe Zhensheng , Longo Simone , O'Carroll Eoin , Sorokos Ioannis
Published: June 2020

The future will encompass heavily interconnected, distributed, heterogeneous and intelligent systems which are bound to have a significant economic and social impact. Cyber physical systems (CPS) such as autonomous cars, smart electric grid, implanted medical devices and smart manufacturing are some practical examples of these intelligent systems. However, due to the open and cooperative nature of CPS, assuring their dependability is a challenge. The DEIS project addresses this important and unsolved challenge by developing the concept of a digital dependability identity (DDI). A DDI contains all the information that uniquely describes the dependability characteristics of a CPS or CPS component. DDIs are synthesised at development time and are the basis for the (semi)automated integration of components into systems during development, as well as for the fully automated dynamic integration of systems into systems of systems in the field.
Two‐Terminal Direct Wafer‐Bonded GaInP/AlGaAs//Si Triple‐Junction Solar Cell with AM1.5g Efficiency of 34.1%
Authors: Lackner David , Höhn Oliver , Müller Ralph , Beutel Paul , Schygulla Patrick , Hauser Hubert , Predan Felix , Siefer Gerald , Schachtner Michael , Schön Jonas , Benick Jan , Hermle Martin , Dimroth Frank
Published: June 2020

The terrestrial photovoltaic market is dominated by single‐junction silicon solar cell technology. However, there is a fundamental efficiency limit at 29.4%. This is overcome by multijunction devices. Recently, a GaInP/GaAs//Si wafer‐bonded triple‐junction two‐terminal device is presented with a 33.3% (AM1.5g) efficiency. Herein, it is analyzed how this device is improved to reach a conversion efficiency of 34.1%. By improving the current matching, an efficiency of 35% (two terminals, AM1.5g) is expected.
Service offloading oriented edge server placement in smart farming
Authors: Zhang Jie , Li Xiang , Zhang Xuyun , Xue Yuan , Srivastava Gautam , Dou Wanchun
Published: June 2020

Currently, smart farming has been established to realize agriculture automation by leveraging sensors to gather the growth and environmental data for crops, and realizing multiple intelligent controls, such as irrigation, fertilization, and so on, to increase the crop yields. To support real‐time intelligent controls, edge computing is introduced to smart farming by endowing computing and storage capacities to edge devices nearby the geographically distributed sensors. However, the farmers are relatively willing to purchase and deploy a small quantity of edge servers (ESs) in the farm from the perspective of expenditure saving, thereby leading to a key challenge to guarantee the performance of the real‐time controls and the overall edge services. In view of this challenge, a service offloading‐oriented ES placement method for supporting smart farming, called SOP, is proposed to optimize the data transmission delay from sensors to ESs and the load balance among ESs. More precisely, the corresponding service range of a certain ES is ascertained according to the specific analysis of the farming service requirements. Subsequently, the layout policies for the trade‐offs of the ES performance and service efficiency are acquired. Then the most balanced policy is determined as the final ES placement strategy. Eventually, we evaluate the performance of the whole ES system and the service execution efficiency with
SOP.
Newton-Cartan D0 branes from D1 branes and integrability
Authors: Roychowdhury Dibakar
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We explore analytic integrability criteria for D1 branes probing 4D relativistic background with a null isometry direction. We use both the Kovacic’s algorithm of classical (non)integrability as well as the standard formulation of Lax connections to show the analytic integrability of the associated dynamical configuration. We further use the notion of double null reduction and obtain the world-volume action corresponding to a torsional Newton-Cartan (TNC) D0 brane probing a 3D torsional Newton-Cartan geometry. Moreover, following Kovacic’s method, we show the classical integrability of the TNC D0 brane configuration thus obtained. Finally, considering a trivial field redefinition for the D1 brane world-volume fields, we show the equivalence between two configurations in the presence of vanishing NS fluxes.
Replica wormhole and information retrieval in the SYK model coupled to Majorana chains
Authors: Chen Yiming , Qi Xiao-Liang , Zhang Pengfei
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Motivated by recent studies of the information paradox in (1+1)-D anti-de Sitter spacetime with a bath described by a (1+1)-D conformal field theory, we study the dynamics of second Ŕenyi entropy of the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model (χ) coupled to a Majorana chain bath (ψ). The system is prepared in the thermofield double (TFD) state and then evolved by H

L
+ H

R
. For small system-bath coupling, we find that the second Rényi entropy

$$ {S}_{\upchi L,\upchi R}^{(2)} $$

S

χ
L
,
χ
R

2

of the SYK model undergoes a first order transition during the evolution. In the sense of holographic duality, the long-time solution corresponds to a “replica wormhole”. The transition time corresponds to the Page time of a black hole coupled to a thermal bath. We further study the information scrambling and retrieval by introducing a classical control bit, which controls whether or not we add a perturbation in the SYK system. The mutual information between the bath and the control bit shows a positive jump at the Page time, indicating that the entanglement wedge of the bath includes an island in the holographic bulk.
Accuracy of freely available online GFR calculators using the CKD-EPI equation
Authors: Seiberth Sarah , Terstegen Theresa , Strobach Dorothea , Czock David
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as calculated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation is used for detection of chronic kidney disease and drug dose adjustment. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the accuracy of freely available eGFR online calculators.

Methods

All identified CKD-EPI online calculators were run with five reference cases differing in age, sex, serum creatinine, and ethnicity. Conversion from eGFRindexed (unit ml/min per 1.73 m2) to eGFRnon-indexed (unit ml/min) and creatinine unit from milligramme/decilitre to micromole/litre was checked, if available.

Results

Only 36 of 47 calculators (76.6%) produced accurate eGFR results for all reference cases. Eight of 47 (17.0%) calculators were considered as faulty because of errors relating to ethnicity (4 calculators), to conversion of the eGFR unit (2 calculators), to erroneous eGFR values without obvious explanation (2 calculators), to conversion of the creatinine unit (1 calculator), and to an error in the eGFR unit displayed (1 calculator). Overall, 28 errors were found (range 59 to 147% of the correct eGFR value), the majority concerning calculation of eGFRindexed and the conversion to eGFRnon-indexed. Only 7 of 47 (14.9%) calculators offered conversion of the eGFR unit.

Conclusions

Erroneous calculations that might lead to inappropriate clinical decision-making were found in 8 of 47 calculators. Thus, online calculators should be evaluated more thoroughly after implementation. Conversion of eGFR units that might be needed for drug dose adjustments should be implemented more often.
Hybrid-2-Port-23/25-G-Pars-plana-Vitrektomie zur Entfernung von Öl höherer Viskosität
Authors: Priester Lea Donata , Laspas Panagiotis , Stoffelns Bernhard , Pfeiffer Norbert
Published: June 2020

Wir stellen eine neue Hybridmethode einer kombinierten 23/25 G-Pars-plana-Vitrektomie (PPV) zur Ölentfernung (5700 Centistokes) vor und vergleichen sie mit einer 25 G PPV. Bei der Hybridmethode erfolgt die Infusion über einen 25-G-Zugang und die Absaugung des Öls über einen 23-G-Zugang. Es wurden die Operationszeit und der postoperative intraokuläre Druck (IOD) ausgewertet. Die Operationszeit konnte mit der Hybrid-Methode signifikant um 32,2 % reduziert werden. Postoperativ bestand kein IOD-Unterschied. Schlussfolgerung: Die Entfernung von Silikonöl durch einen 25-G-Zugang ist generell möglich, wobei die neue Hybridmethode die Operationszeit deutlich reduziert.
Congenic expression of poly-GA but not poly-PR in mice triggers selective neuron loss and interferon responses found in C9orf72 ALS
Authors: LaClair Katherine D. , Zhou Qihui , Michaelsen Meike , Wefers Benedikt , Brill Monika S. , Janjic Aleksandar , Rathkolb Birgit , Farny Daniel , Cygan Mikolaj , de Angelis Martin Hrabe , Wurst Wolfgang , Neumann Manuela , Enard Wolfgang , Misgeld Thomas , Arzberger Thomas , Edbauer Dieter
Published: June 2020

Expansion of a (G4C2)n repeat in C9orf72 causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but the link of the five repeat-encoded dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins to neuroinflammation, TDP-43 pathology, and neurodegeneration is unclear. Poly-PR is most toxic in vitro, but poly-GA is far more abundant in patients. To directly compare these in vivo, we created congenic poly-GA and poly-PR mice. 40% of poly-PR mice were affected with ataxia and seizures, requiring euthanasia by 6 weeks of age. The remaining poly-PR mice were asymptomatic at 14 months of age, likely due to an 80% reduction of the transgene mRNA in this subgroup. In contrast, all poly-GA mice showed selective neuron loss, inflammation, as well as muscle denervation and wasting requiring euthanasia before 7 weeks of age. In-depth analysis of peripheral organs and blood samples suggests that peripheral organ failure does not drive these phenotypes. Although transgene mRNA levels were similar between poly-GA and affected poly-PR mice, poly-GA aggregated far more abundantly than poly-PR in the CNS and was also found in skeletal muscle. In addition, TDP-43 and other disease-linked RNA-binding proteins co-aggregated in rare nuclear inclusions in the hippocampus and frontal cortex only in poly-GA mice. Transcriptome analysis revealed activation of an interferon-responsive pro-inflammatory microglial signature in end-stage poly-GA but not poly-PR mice. This signature was also found in all ALS patients and enriched in C9orf72 cases. In summary, our rigorous comparison of poly-GA and poly-PR toxicity in vivo indicates that poly-GA, but not poly-PR at the same mRNA expression level, promotes interferon responses in C9orf72 disease and contributes to TDP-43 abnormalities and neuron loss selectively in disease-relevant regions.
First results of electrode reimplantation and its hypothetical dependence from artificial brain maturation
Authors: Roßberg Willi , Timm Max , Matin Farnaz , Zanoni Alessandra , Krüger Caroline , Giourgas Alexandros , Bültmann Eva , Lenarz Thomas , Kral Andrej , Lesinski-Schiedat Anke
Published: June 2020

Background

After introducing the first Cochlear Implants also in children theses are grown with electrical intracochlear stimulation and subsequent auditory cortical development. Over the meantime the positioning of the electrode was changed orientated on the development of electrode design, ability to insert atraumatic and on the widening of the indications towards highfrequency deafness.

Methods

In this pilot study we analysed five prelingually deafened patients implanted as child in the late 90’s and had a reimplantation 2016 or later. We compared CT and DVT (cone beam CT) scans of the temporal bone and measured the insertion angle, the cochlear coverage, the total length of the electrode in the cochlea and the distance of the first active electrode to the round window. Moreover, we compared their speech understanding before and after reimplantation.

Results

The results show a lowering in the insertion angle, the cochlear coverage, the total length of the electrode in the cochlea, in the distance of the first active electrode to the round window and in the speech understanding after reimplantation.

Conclusion

These results show a difference in the depth of insertion while the speech understanding is not significantly improving in this group—although the technology is advanced. The influence of auditory maturation with CI in these patients will be discussed.
Numerische Simulationen des Ausbreitungsverhaltens von Wärmeträgerfluid-Inhaltsstoffen aus Erdwärmesonden in Trinkwassereinzugsgebieten
Authors: Struß Janine , Schäfer Dirk , Dahmke Andreas , Köber Ralf
Published: June 2020

Aufgrund deutlich erhöhter Wärmebedarfsdichten urbaner Räume besteht in besonderem Maße hier die Möglichkeit und Erfordernis, durch eine nachhaltige Wärmeversorgung und saisonale Wärmespeicherung im geologischen Untergrund einen wesentlichen Beitrag zu den national und international gesetzten Klimaschutzzielen zu liefern. Eine effiziente Möglichkeit zur Wärmegewinnung und -speicherung bieten hierfür Erdwärmesonden, die jedoch aus Gründen des vorbeugenden Grundwasserschutzes in Bereichen der Trinkwassernutzung heutzutage meist nicht oder nur beschränkt genehmigt werden. Numerische Simulationen einer Erdwärmesondenleckage für Randbedingungen eines zur Trinkwassergewinnung genutzten norddeutschen Aquifers auf Grundlage von aufgearbeiteten stoffspezifischen Abbauratenkonstanten zeigen, dass Grenzwerte für die meisten handelsüblichen Wärmeträgerfluid-Inhaltsstoffe bereits bei einem Abstand von nur 100 m zwischen Erdwärmesonde und Trinkwasserentnahme aufgrund starker Verdünnung und mikrobiellen Abbaus mit einem Faktor > 10 unterschritten werden. Vor dem Hintergrund dieser Ergebnisse und angesichts der Zielsetzung einer Reduktion fossiler Primärenergiequellen um 80–95 % bis 2050, erscheinen pauschale Abstandsvorgaben (von zurzeit > 1000 m) daher zumindest hinsichtlich der Trinkwassergefährdung durch Erdwärmesondenleckagen diskussionswürdig.
Ageing, human capital and demographic dividends with endogenous growth, labour supply and foreign capital
Authors: Ziesemer Thomas , von Gässler Anne
Published: June 2020

We add endogenous labour supply to exogenous population growth in an Uzawa-Lucas endogenous growth model with international capital movements. Under non-linearity from a decreasing marginal product of labour in education and a positive human capital externality in output production, a combination of an estimated debt-interest relation and a realistic calibration of the model shows the following. (i) The demographic dividends from a fall in the population growth rate increase welfare in the short run and reduce it in the long run. (ii) A higher (lower) growth rate of the dependency ratio leads to a higher (lower) optimal level of education and technical change. (iii) Lower past cumulated savings lead to a higher foreign-debt/GDP ratio, higher interest rates, more education time and technical change, and more consumption in the future rather than the present. (iv) A higher depreciation rate of human capital through ageing has a stronger impact on growth rates than all other variables that could be associated with ageing and a good mitigating policy is to spend more time on education.
Female university students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards sun exposure and the use of artificial tanning devices: the essence of reducing risky behaviours
Authors: McDaid Orla , Melby Vidar
Published: June 2020

Aim

To investigate female university students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards sun exposure and the use of artificial tanning devices.

Subject and methods

A descriptive correlational survey design using online questionnaires, targeting a population of female university students aged 18–25 from one university in the United Kingdom.

Results

Three hundred and thirty-five students participated (response rate = 26.4%). Students demonstrated average knowledge and good attitude to tanning behaviours, but neither were statistically significantly associated with tanning behaviours. Students showed a history of substantial tanning behaviours, including the use of sunbeds, primarily because having a tanned skin made them look good and thus feel better.

Conclusion

This study has re-affirmed that there is no simple correlation between individuals’ knowledge and attitudes and subsequent sun-tanning behaviours. Feeling good and looking good are critical attributes to female university students’ self-esteem, and these values and beliefs outweigh risk perception of sun-tanning behaviours, and female university students continue to engage in risky tanning behaviours. Focused health promotion activities by public health authorities and higher education institutions should target students’ principal belief of looking good feeling good, as such targeted health promotion may reduce harmful sun tanning behaviours and ultimately mitigate the rising incidence in skin cancers.
Direct Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Spray Combustion in the SpraySyn Burner: Impact of Injector Geometry
Authors: Abdelsamie Abouelmagd , Chi Cheng , Nanjaiah Monika , Skenderović Ivan , Suleiman Samer , Thévenin Dominique
Published: June 2020

Spray combustion is one of the most important applications connected to modern combustion systems. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of such multiphase flows are complex and computationally very challenging. Ideally, such simulations account for atomization, breakup, dispersion, evaporation, and finally ignition and combustion; phase change, heat and mass transfer should be considered as well. Considering the complexity of all those issues, and to simplify again the problem, virtually all DNS studies published up to now replaced the injector geometry by an approximated, simple configuration, mostly without any walls within the DNS domain. The impact of this simplification step is not completely clear yet. The present work aims at investigating the impact of a realistic injector geometry on flow and flame characteristics in a specific burner (called SpraySyn burner). For this purpose, two cases are directly compared: one DNS takes into account the inner geometry of the injector, including walls of finite thickness; a second one relies on a simplified description, as usually done in the literature. It has been found that considering the details of the geometry has a noticeable impact on the evaporation process and ultimately on the flame structure. This is mostly due to the effect of recirculation zones appearing behind thick injector walls; though quite small, they are sufficient to impact the evolution of the flow and of all connected processes.