bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in the seventh lumbar vertebra and the lumbosacral junction morphometry associated with the sacrocaudal fusion in greyhounds
Authors: Ismail Sa'ad M. Y. , Murray Christina M. , Stevenson Mark A. , Hung‐Hsun Yen , Davies Helen M. S.
Published: April 2021

The lumbosacral joint is where the 7th lumbar vertebra (L.7) articulates within the sacrum. It is a clinically important area in the dog because of its relatively large range of motion. The current study aims to determine the possible differences in the length of the L.7 vertebra and the angle of the lumbosacral junction among greyhounds of standard and those of fused sacra, and to determine the potential association of sex, body mass and type of fused sacrum (standard and fused) on the morphology of the L.7 vertebra and the angle of the lumbosacral junction. Radiographs of 55 greyhound cadavers were used for radiographing; all radiographic images were stored and measured using X‐ray acquisition software, and then analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression and logistic regression. The results of this study showed a significant increase (p < .008) in the length of the L.7 vertebra and the angle of the lumbosacral junction (p < .028) in greyhounds with fused sacra comparing with those of standard sacra, but the L.6 length was not significant (p = .431). Differences have been found in the length of L.7 vertebra and the angle of the lumbosacral junction in greyhounds. It was found that in greyhounds, any variation in the sacrum's anatomical features may alter the structure of the surrounding anatomical structures such as the L.7 vertebra and lumbosacral junction.
Comparing Chemistries: Inter‐Laboratory Evaluation of Glass Bead Compositional Research in the Great Lakes Region
Authors: Walder H. , Petrus J. A. , Dussubieux L. , Hancock R. G. V. , Hawkins A. L.
Published: April 2021

Glass beads from archaeological sites in the North American Great Lakes region have been subject to chemical analysis for several decades. Early work identified key elements in glass beads using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), a bulk sample analysis method. Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) now offers an alternative, point‐based analytical method. We compare results of analyzing the same artifacts using INAA and LA‐ICP‐MS, and analyses undertaken in two LA‐ICP‐MS laboratories with differing data analysis protocols. Good comparability across methods and labs makes it possible to combine legacy and newly obtained data to explore interregional archaeological questions.
Heterogeneity of the pharmacologic treatment of allergic rhinitis in Europe based on MIDAS and OTCims platforms
Authors: Bousquet Jean , Schröder‐Bernhardi Detlef , Bachert Claus , Canonica G. Walter , Cardona Victoria , Costa Elisio M. , Czarlewski Wienczyslawa , Devillier Philippe , Fonseca Joao A. , Klimek Ludger , Kuna Piotr , Lourenco Olga , Mullol Joaquim , Pfaar Oliver , Pham‐Thi Nhân , Samolinski Boleslaw , Saueressig Julia , Scadding Glenis K. , Stroh Ann‐Kathrin , Scheire Sophie , Van Ganse Eric , Zuberbier Torsten
Published: April 2021

Background

The practice of allergology varies widely between countries, and the costs and sales for the treatment of rhinitis differ depending on practices and health systems. To understand these differences and their implications, the rhinitis market was studied in some of the EU countries.

Methods

We conducted a pharmaco‐epidemiological database analysis to assess the medications that were being prescribed for allergic rhinitis in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. We used the IQVIA platforms for prescribed medicines (MIDAS®—Meaningful Integration of Data, Analytics and Services) and for OTC medicines (OTC International Market Tracking—OTCims). We selected the five most important markets in the EU (France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain).

Results

Intranasal decongestants were excluded from the analyses because they are rarely prescribed for allergic rhinitis. For both Standard Units (SU) and costs, France is leading the other countries. In terms of SU, the four other countries are similar. For costs, Poland is lower than the three others. However, medication use differs largely. For 2018, in SU, intranasal corticosteroid is the first treatment in Poland (70.0%), France (51.3%), Spain (51.1%) and Germany (50.3%), whereas the Italian market is dominated by systemic antihistamines (41.4%) followed by intranasal corticosteroids (30.1%). Results of other years were similar.

Discussion

There are major differences between countries in terms of rhinoconjunctivitis medication usage.
Effects of mentoring on work engagement: Work meaningfulness as a mediator
Authors: Lin Ligui , Cai Xuejing , Yin Jun
Published: April 2021

This study examined the relationship between career mentoring and work engagement from the mentor perspective, by estimating work meaningfulness as a mediator. The research model used quantitative survey data from 309 employees who mentored their junior colleagues in the on‐the‐job training programmes of Japanese companies. The results demonstrated that career mentoring had an indirect effect on the work engagement of mentors by enhancing the psychological meaningfulness of their work. In addition, learning goal orientation positively influenced career mentoring; this may subsequently facilitate the work engagement by increasing the perception of the meaning of work. Learning‐oriented individuals who act as mentors find psychological meaningfulness in their work, which in turn enhances their work engagement. By setting acceptable meaningful goals for mentoring programmes, practitioners can minimize the negative outcomes of mentoring. The results contribute to the existing literature by examining how mentoring experiences affect the behaviour of mentors.
Assessing risk scores for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma in Thai patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Kamalapirat Thanachote , Yingcharoen Kesinee , Ungtrakul Teerapat , Soonklang Kamonwan , Dechma Jiraporn , Chunnuan Pitchayachuda , Kusuman Pattama , Pothijaroen Charinthip , Tawpa Jantarika , Cheirsilpa Kunsuda , Auewarakul Chirayu
Published: April 2021

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection–associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem in Asian countries. Several HCC risk prediction models have been developed using either treated or untreated CHB patients. However, there is limited validation of these risk scores in a treated and untreated mixed CHB patient cohort. This study analysed and validated HCC risk scores among 2208 CHB patients who enrolled in the HCC surveillance programme in Thailand during July 2010. The baseline clinical and radiologic data of these CHB patients were applied to calculate various HCC risk scores. There were 20 patients (0.9%) with HCC development at the 5.9‐year follow‐up. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) predicting HCC risk at 5 years were 0.80 (0.68–0.91), 0.73 (0.60–0.85), 0.79 (0.67–0.91), 0.70 (0.58–0.82), 0.72 (0.59–0.85), 0.76 (0.63–0.87) and 0.77 (0.64–0.89) for the GAG‐HCC, CU‐HCC, REACH‐B, PAGE‐B, mPAGE‐B, CAMD and AASL scores, respectively. The overall HCC risk scores were accurate and comparable. However, the subgroup analysis revealed better HCC‐risk‐predictive performance in the treated patients, while performance was less helpful in those not fulfilling criteria for antiviral therapy. Clinicians should be aware of these data when using the HCC risk score in untreated CHB patients.
Bone Adaptation-Driven Design of Periodic Scaffolds
Authors: Cohen David O. , Aboutaleb Sohaila M. G. , Johnson Amy Wagoner , Norato Julian A.
Published: April 2021

This work introduces a computational method for designing bone scaffolds for maximum bone growth. A mechanobiological model of bone adaptation is used to compute the bone growth, taking into account the shape of the defect, the applied loading, and the existing density distribution of the bone in which the scaffold has been implanted. Numerical homogenization and a geometry projection technique are used to efficiently obtain surrogates of the effective elastic and diffusive properties of the scaffold as a function of the scaffold design and the bone density. These property surrogates are in turn used to perform bone adaptation simulations of the scaffold–bone system for a sampling of scaffold designs. Surrogates of the bone growth in the scaffold at the end of the simulated time and of the strain energy of the scaffold at implantation time are subsequently constructed from these simulations. Using these surrogates, we optimize the design of a scaffold implanted in a rabbit femur to maximize volume bone growth into the scaffold while ensuring a minimum stiffness at implantation. The results of the optimization demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method by showing that maximizing bone growth with a constraint on structural compliance renders scaffold designs with better bone growth than what would be obtained by only minimizing compliance.
Experimental Study on Influence of Temperature and C-Rate of Discharge on Performance of In-House-Fabricated 30-Ah Li-Ion Prismatic Cell Made With Lithium Iron Phosphate and MCMB
Authors: Satyavani T. V. S. L. , Senthilkumar M. , Prasad Rao G. D. , Kumar Navneet , Srinivas Kumar A.
Published: April 2021

An experimental study was carried out to quantify the influence of temperature and different C-rate of discharge on in-house fabricated lithium-ion (Li-ion) cell. A 30-Ah Li-ion cell is made of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode and meso carbon microbeads (MCMB) anode in prismatic configuration. The capability of Li-ion cell is defined by discharge capacity, voltage, and power at different C-rate of discharge. Influence of 4 different current rates (C/5, C/2, 1C, and 2C) at 5 different temperatures (–20, 0, 20, 40, and 60 °C) were studied. High discharge rate increases the current density of cell which affect mass transport at electrode surface and electrolyte. Increased ohmic and concentration polarization at a high rate of discharge decrease the original capacity. The average discharge voltage of the cell is reduced gradually as operating temperature drops to below 20 °C. Electrochemical impedance (EI) were measured on Li-ion cell in the different frequency domain at different temperatures (–20, 0, 20, and 60 °C). The obtained impedance spectra were examined with an equivalent circuit using the Zman software. The ohmic and charge-transfer resistance displayed a solid dependence with respect to temperature.
Effects of Inlet Guide Vanes on the Performance and Stability of an Aeronautical Centrifugal Compressor
Authors: Poujol Nicolas , Trébinjac Isabelle , Duquesne Pierre
Published: April 2021

A research centrifugal compressor stage designed and built by Safran Helicopter Engines is tested at three inlet guide vanes (IGV) stagger angles. The compressor stage includes four blade rows: axial inlet guide vanes, a backswept splittered impeller, a splittered vaned radial diffuser (RD), and axial outlet guide vanes (OGVs). The methodology for calculating the performance is detailed, including the consideration of humidity in order to minimize errors related in particular to operating atmospheric conditions. The shift of the surge line toward lower mass flow rate as the IGV stagger angle increases highly depends on the rotation speed. The surge line shift is very small at low rotation speeds, whereas it significantly increases at high rotation speeds. A first-order stability analysis of the impeller and diffuser sub-components shows that the diffuser (resp. impeller) is the first unstable component at low (resp. high) rotation speeds. This situation is unaltered by increasing the IGV stagger angle. At low rotation speeds below a given mass flow rate, rotating instabilities (RI) at the impeller inlet are detected at zero IGV stagger angle. Their occurrence is conditioned by the relative flow angle at the tip of the leading edge of the impeller. As the IGV stagger angle increases, the mass flow decreases to maintain a given inlet flow angle. Therefore, the onset of the rotating instabilities is delayed toward lower mass flow rates. At high rotation speeds, the absolute flow angle at the diffuser inlet near surge decreases as the IGV stagger angle increases. As a result, the flow is highly alternate over two adjacent channels of the radial diffuser beyond the surge line at IGV stagger angle of 0 deg.
Experimental Study of Turbulent Flow and Heat Transfer Behaviors Over a Micro-Rib-Dimple-Structured Surface
Authors: Zheng Kuan , Tian Wei , Zhang Peng , Rao Yu , Hu Hui
Published: April 2021

An experimental study was conducted to characterize the evolution of turbulent boundary layer flow over a micro-rib-dimple-structured surface. In addition to measuring the surface pressure distribution and detailed flow field inside the dimple cavity, the heat transfer performance over the rib-dimpled surface was investigated using transient liquid crystal thermography. The flow field measurements were correlated with the heat transfer measurements to elucidate the underlying physical mechanism of the improvement in thermal efficiency due to the micro-rib structure. It was found that, compared to the dimpled surface, the micro-rib structure induces a stronger downwash flow and acts as a turbulator to enhance the turbulent mixing of the downstream flow, which significantly restricts the flow separation and the recirculating flow inside the dimple cavity. The dominant flows inside the dimple cavity are the downwash and successive upwash flows, which significantly enhance the turbulent mixing and, consequently, improve the heat transfer performance over the rib-dimpled surface. The measurements of the pressure loss and heat transfer performance indicated that the rib-dimpled surface has an overall thermal efficiency approximately 12–16% higher than that of the dimpled surface owing to the micro-rib structure.
Simple derivation of the explicit forms of quantum-mechanical fundamental representations
Authors: Xu Ye-Jun , Ding Xiu-Chun , Peng Ji-Zhu , Fang Shu-Dong
Published: April 2021

By finding that the projection operators of the basic quantum mechanical representations can be written as operator delta functions, we derive the explicit forms of quantum-mechanical fundamental representations in Fock space by directly carrying out the integrals within the normally ordered product of operators.
Ancestral trans–North American Bell River system recorded in late Oligocene to early Miocene sediments in the Labrador Sea and Canadian Great Plains
Authors: Corradino Julia I. , Pullen Alex , Leier Andrew L. , Barbeau David L. , Scher Howie D. , Weislogel Amy , Bruner Austin , Leckie Dale A. , Currie Lisel D.
Published: April 2021

The Bell River hypothesis proposes that an ancestral, transcontinental river occupied much of northern North America during the Cenozoic Era, transporting water and sediment from the North American Cordillera to the Saglek Basin on the eastern margin of the Labrador Sea. To explore this hypothesis and reconstruct Cenozoic North American drainage patterns, we analyzed detrital zircon grains from the Oligocene–Miocene Mokami and Saglek formations of the Saglek Basin and Oligocene–Miocene fluvial conglomerates in the Great Plains of western Canada. U-Pb detrital zircon age populations in the Mokami and Saglek formations include clusters at <250 Ma, 950–1250 Ma, 1600–2000 Ma, and 2400–3200 Ma. Detrital zircons with ages of <250 Ma were derived from the North American Cordillera, supporting the transcontinental Bell River hypothesis. Oligocene–Miocene fluvial strata in western Canada contain detrital zircon age populations similar to those in the Saglek Basin and are interpreted to represent the western headwaters of the ancient Bell River drainage. Strontium-isotope ratios of marine shell fragments from the Mokami and Saglek formations yielded ages between 25.63 and 18.08 Ma. The same shells have εNd values of −10.2 to −12.0 (average = −11.2), which are consistent with values of Paleozoic strata in western North America but are more radiogenic than the modern Labrador Current, Labrador Sea Water, and North Atlantic Deep Water values (εNd ~−12 to −25). As a freshwater source, the existence and termination of the Bell River may have been important for Labrador Sea circulation, stratification, and chemistry.
Safe emergency neonatal airway management: current challenges and potential approaches
Authors: O'Shea Joyce E , Scrivens Alexandra , Edwards Gemma , Roehr Charles Christoph
Published: April 2021

This review examines the airway adjuncts currently used to acutely manage the neonatal airway. It describes the challenges encountered with facemask ventilation and intubation. Evidence is presented on how to optimise intubation safety and success rates with the use of videolaryngoscopy and attention to the intubation environment. The supraglottic airway (laryngeal mask airway) is emerging as a promising neonatal airway adjunct. It can be used effectively with little training to provide a viable alternative to facemask ventilation and intubation in neonatal resuscitation and be used as an alternative conduit for the administration of surfactant.
Superior vena cava stenosis presenting with bendopnea
Authors: Li Mozhu , Toomay Seth , Drazner Mark H , Thibodeau Jennifer T
Published: April 2021

Bendopnea, or dyspnoea with bending forward, is a recently described symptom of heart failure that is associated with elevated ventricular filling pressures. Here, we describe a case of superior vena cava (SVC) stenosis that presented with bendopnea and resolved with SVC recanalisation. We suggest that SVC stenosis be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who experience bendopnea.
Clinical and pathological risk factors for worse stage and mortality of eyelid and periocular squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Luo Yingxiu , Chen Huifang , Ge Shengfang , Rao Yamin , Yu Jie , Fan Xianqun , Jia Renbing , Xu Shiqiong , Wang Yefei
Published: April 2021

Background

The clinical and pathological risk factors for worse T stage and prognosis in eyelid and periocular squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) remain unclear. P63 was reported to predict a worse prognosis in other SCCs; however, this correlation was not validated in eyelid and periocular SCCs.

Methods

We reported on a retrospective case series of 85 consecutive patients with eyelid and periocular SCCs from 1995 to 2019. Cox proportional hazards regression models and logistic regression models were applied for risk factor analysis.

Results

Thirty-nine (45.8%) patients were diagnosed with T4 SCCs. Four (5.1%) patients developed nodal metastasis, and five (6.4%) patients developed distant metastasis during the follow-up. 2-year and 5-year disease-specific survival rates were 95.3% and 86.4%, respectively. Poorly or moderately differentiated eyelid and periocular SCCs were associated with worse T stage (p=0.001; p=0.008). Poor differentiation was associated with a higher risk of recurrence (p=0.024). Disease-specific death was more common in patients with T4 stage SCCs (p=0.038, HR=9.05). P63 expression was more common in patients with T3c or worse stage (p=0.008, OR=3.77). P63 expression alone was associated with worse differentiation (p=0.029), higher risk of perineural invasion (p=0.042, OR=4.61) and metastasis (p=0.009, HR=3.99). P63 expression (p=0.012, HR=7.80), coexpression of P63 and Ki67 (p=0.007, HR=9.21) and distant metastasis (p=0.001, HR=11.23) were associated with disease-specific death.

Conclusion

Patients presented with more aggressive orbital invasion features and a higher rate of distant metastasis in this cohort. P63 and coexpression of Ki67 predicted a worse stage, differentiation and prognosis, including metastasis and death due to disease.
Prediction of causative genes in inherited retinal disorder from fundus photography and autofluorescence imaging using deep learning techniques
Authors: Fujinami-Yokokawa Yu , Ninomiya Hideki , Liu Xiao , Yang Lizhu , Pontikos Nikolas , Yoshitake Kazutoshi , Iwata Takeshi , Sato Yasunori , Hashimoto Takeshi , Tsunoda Kazushige , Miyata Hiroaki , Fujinami Kaoru
Published: April 2021

Background/Aims

To investigate the utility of a data-driven deep learning approach in patients with inherited retinal disorder (IRD) and to predict the causative genes based on fundus photography and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging.

Methods

Clinical and genetic data from 1302 subjects from 729 genetically confirmed families with IRD registered with the Japan Eye Genetics Consortium were reviewed. Three categories of genetic diagnosis were selected, based on the high prevalence of their causative genes: Stargardt disease (ABCA4), retinitis pigmentosa (EYS) and occult macular dystrophy (RP1L1). Fundus photographs and FAF images were cropped in a standardised manner with a macro algorithm. Images for training/testing were selected using a randomised, fourfold cross-validation method. The application program interface was established to reach the learning accuracy of concordance (target: >80%) between the genetic diagnosis and the machine diagnosis (ABCA4, EYS, RP1L1 and normal).

Results

A total of 417 images from 156 Japanese subjects were examined, including 115 genetically confirmed patients caused by the three prevalent causative genes and 41 normal subjects. The mean overall test accuracy for fundus photographs and FAF images was 88.2% and 81.3%, respectively. The mean overall sensitivity/specificity values for fundus photographs and FAF images were 88.3%/97.4% and 81.8%/95.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

A novel application of deep neural networks in the prediction of the causative IRD genes from fundus photographs and FAF, with a high prediction accuracy of over 80%, was highlighted. These achievements will extensively promote the quality of medical care by facilitating early diagnosis, especially by non-specialists, access to care, reducing the cost of referrals, and preventing unnecessary clinical and genetic testing.
Nationwide epidemiological approach to identify associations between keratoconus and immune-mediated diseases
Authors: Claessens Janneau L J , Godefrooij Daniel A , Vink Gerko , Frank Laurence E , Wisse Robert P L
Published: April 2021

Background

The aetiology of keratoconus (KC) remains poorly understood. KC has typically been described as a non-inflammatory disorder of the cornea. Nonetheless, there is increasing presumptive evidence for the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of KC.

Aim

To evaluate the association between KC and immune-mediated diseases on a population level. We hypothesise that KC is immune-mediated rather than a predominantly degenerative disease.

Methods

Data were obtained from the largest health insurance provider in the Netherlands. Dutch residents are obligatorily insured. The data contained all medical claims and sociodemographic characteristics from all KC patients plus all those data from a 1:6 age-matched and sex-matched control group. The primary outcome was the association between KC and immune-mediated diseases, as assessed by conditional logistic regression.

Results

Based on our analysis of 2051 KC cases and 12 306 matched controls, we identified novel associations between KC and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (OR=2.89; 95% CI: 1.41 to 5.94) and inflammatory skin conditions (OR=2.20; 95% CI: 1.37 to 3.53). We confirmed known associations between KC and atopic conditions, including allergic rash (OR=3.00; 95% CI: 1.03 to 8.79), asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (OR=2.51; 95% CI: 1.63 to 3.84), and allergic rhinitis (OR=2.20; 95% CI: 1.39 to 3.49).

Conclusion

Keratoconus appears positively associated with multiple immune-mediated diseases, which provides a population-based argument that systemic inflammatory responses may influence its onset. The identification of these particular diseases might shed light on potential comparable pathways through which this proinflammatory state is achieved, paving the way for pharmacological treatment strategies.
Underweight rather than adiposity is an important predictor of death in rural Chinese adults: a cohort study
Authors: Chen Yun , Wang Na , Dong Xiaolian , Wang Xuecai , Zhu Jianfu , Chen Yue , Jiang Qingwu , Fu Chaowei
Published: April 2021

Background

To assess the associations of body mass index (BMI) with all-cause and cause-specific mortalities among rural Chinese.

Methods

A prospective study of 28 895 individuals was conducted from 2006 to 2014 in rural Deqing, China. Height and weight were measured. The association of BMI with mortality was assessed by using Cox proportional hazards model and restricted cubic spline regression.

Results

There were a total of 2062 deaths during an average follow-up of 7 years. As compared with those with BMI of 22.0–24.9 kg/m2, an increased risk of all-cause mortality was found for both underweight men (BMI <18.5 kg/m2) (adjusted HR (aHR): 1.45, 95% CI: 1.18 to 1.79) and low normal weight men (BMI of 18.5–21.9 kg/m2) (aHR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.38). A J-shaped association was observed between BMI and all-cause mortality in men. Underweight also had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer mortalities in men. The association of underweight with all-cause mortality was more pronounced in ever smokers and older men (60+ years). The results remained after excluding participants who were followed up less than 1 year.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that underweight is an important predictor of mortality, especially for elderly men in the rural community of China.
Challenging misconceptions about clinical ethics support during COVID-19 and beyond: a legal update and future considerations
Authors: Brierley Joe , Archard David , Cave Emma
Published: April 2021

The pace of change and, indeed, the sheer number of clinical ethics committees (not to be confused with research ethics committees) has accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Committees were formed to support healthcare professionals and to operationalise, interpret and compensate for gaps in national and professional guidance. But as the role of clinical ethics support becomes more prominent and visible, it becomes ever more important to address gaps in the support structure and misconceptions as to role and remit. The recent case of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust v MX, FX and X ([2020] EWHC 1958 (Fam), [21]–[23] and [58]) has highlighted the importance of patient/family representation at clinical ethics committee meetings. The court viewed these meetings as making decisions about such treatment. We argue that this misunderstands the role of ethics support, with treatment decisions remaining with the clinical team and those providing their consent. The considered review by clinical ethics committees of the moral issues surrounding complex treatment decisions is not a matter of determining a single ethical course of action. In this article, we consider current legal understandings of clinical ethics committees, explore current concepts of ethics support and suggest how they may evolve, considering the various mechanisms of the inclusion of patients and their representatives in ethics meetings which is not standard in the UK.
Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus significantly impacts on quality of life of patients on haemodialysis and associates with increased levels of serum calcium and phosphorus
Authors: Xie Qiuyu , Hu Nan , Chen Yuqing
Published: April 2021

Purpose of the study

Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is common among patients on maintenance haemodialysis (HD). We performed a study to explore the clinical features of patients with CKD-aP and evaluate the impact of CKD-aP on the quality of life of HD patients.

Study design

Patients who were receiving regular HD over 3 months were recruited. Quality of life was quantified by the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire. Pruritus was evaluated by the 5D-Itch Scale. Demographic characteristics and biochemical indicators were obtained from the medical record system. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the association between pruritus and targeting factors. The relationship between the scores on the 5D-Itch Scale and SF-12 was analysed using multiple linear regression, adjusted for other factors, to demonstrate the impact of CKD-aP on the quality of life of HD patients.

Results

In total, 269 out of 301 (89.4%) patients accomplished all investigations. The prevalence of CKD-aP in our cohort was 40.9%. Age (B=0.339, p=0.042), treatment with haemoperfusion (B=1.853, p=0.018), and serum level of calcium (B=3.566, p=0.008) and phosphorus (B=1.543, p=0.002) were independently associated with pruritus. Score on the 5D-Itch Scale negatively impacted on physical component summary (B=−0.778, p<0.001) and mental component summary (B=−0.675, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Pruritus significantly aggravates the quality of life of HD patients. Irregularity in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus may partially explain the mechanism of CKD-aP. More effective treatment of CKD-MBD may help to prevent pruritus and improve patients' mental and physical health conditions.
Endoscopy findings in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Galusko Victor , Protty Majd , Haboubi Hasan N , Verhemel Sarah , Bundhoo Shantu , Yeoman Andrew D
Published: April 2021

Purpose of study

This study examines the associations between dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), to explore possible predictors of outcomes.

Study design

Retrospective analysis of 3342 patients who underwent PCI between 1 August 2011 and 31 December 2018 in a single centre was carried out. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopies (OGDs) for patients 12 months post-PCI were analysed.

Results

Blood loss occurred in 2% of all (3342) patients post-PCI within 12 months. 128 patients (63% male, mean age (SD) of 69.8 (10) years) who had PCI subsequently underwent an OGD within 12 months of the index PCI procedure. GIB occurred within the first 30 days of DAPT in 36% (n=13/36) of cases. There were no thrombotic events associated with cessation of one antiplatelet agent. Increased age, haemoglobin (Hb) ≤109 g/L and Glasgow-Blatchford score ≥8 were associated with increased 12-month mortality. An Hb drop of ≥30 g/L was a sensitive and specific marker for significant pathology and evidence of bleeding on OGD (sensitivity=0.83, specificity=0.81).

Conclusions

GIB bleeding occurred infrequently in the patients post-PCI on DAPT. Risk assessment scores (such as Glasgow-Blatchford and Rockall scores) are useful tools to assess the urgency of OGD and need for endoscopic therapy.
Down-regulation of miR-219-5p increase the risk of cancer-related mortality in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Tang Shimin , Jiang Hao , Cao Zhijun , Zhou Qiang
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in men that is difficult to treat and carries a high risk of death. miR-219-5p is expressed in reduced amounts in many malignancies. However, the prognostic value of miR-219-5p for patients with prostate cancer remains unclear.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed data from 213 prostate cancer patients from 10 June 2012 to 9 May 2015. Overall survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression models. Besides, a prediction model was constructed, and calibration curves evaluated the model's accuracy.

Results

Of the 213 patients, a total of 72 (33.8%) died and the median survival time was 60.0 months. We found by multifactorial analysis that miR-219-5p deficiency increased the risk of death by nearly fourfold (HR: 3.86, 95% CI): 2.01 to 7.44, p<0.001) and the risk of progression by twofold (HR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.68 to 4.64, p<0.001). To quantify each covariate's weight on prognosis, we screened variables by cox model to construct a predictive model. The Nomogram showed excellent accuracy in estimating death's risk, with a corrected C-index of 0.778.

Conclusions

miR-219-5p can be used as a biomarker to predict death risk in prostate cancer patients. The mortality risk prediction model constructed based on miR-219-5p has good consistency and validity in assessing patient prognosis.
Radon daughter removal from PTFE surfaces and its application in liquid xenon detectors
Authors: Bruenner S. , Cichon D. , Eurin G. , Gómez P. Herrero , Jörg F. , Undagoitia T. Marrodán , Simgen H. , Rupp N.
Published: April 2021

Long-lived radon daughters are a critical background source in experiments searching for low-energy rare events. Originating from radon in ambient air, radioactive polonium, bismuth and lead isotopes plate-out on materials that are later employed in the experiment. In this paper, we examine cleaning procedures for their capability to remove radon daughters from PTFE surfaces, a material often used in liquid xenon TPCs. We find a large difference between the removal efficiency obtained for the decay chains of $$^{222}$$

222

Rn and $$^{220}$$

220

Rn. This indicates that the plate-out mechanism has an effect on the cleaning success. While the long-lived $$^{222}$$

222

Rn daughters can be reduced by a factor of  2, the removal of $$^{220}$$

220

Rn daughters is up to 10 times more efficient depending on the treatment. Furthermore, the impact of a nitric acid based PTFE cleaning on the liquid xenon purity is investigated in a small-scale liquid xenon TPC.
DETERMINANTS OF A COUNTRY’S GNP TO GDP POSITION: A REVISIT
Authors: TAN EU CHYE , YIP TIEN MING
Published: April 2021

The aim of this paper is to identify the factors that could contribute to an increase in a country’s GNP relative to its GDP. This represents a sequel to [Tan, EC, CF Tang and RD Palaniandi (2019). What could cause a country’s GNP to be greater than its GDP? Singapore Economic Review, https://doi.org/10.1142/S0217590819500073 .] on what could cause a country’s GNP to exceed its GDP. Annual data of a panel of 52 countries from 1992 through 2016 are mobilized for the purpose, with the sample period split into five-year average intervals. The possible determinants of the relative position include the savings-investment gap, international reserves, state of technology, demography, unemployment, export-orientation, income inequality, size of the primary commodities sector, financial repression, tax incidence and the ease of doing business. Based upon the application of the system GMM technique to winsorized data and filtered data from Cook’s Distance Outlier Test, the savings-investment gap could enhance the GNP–GDP percentage of a country. The percentage could be lowered by export orientation, uneven income distribution and the size of the working age population.
A novel 2.5 Gbps pre-transimpedance amplifier with the gain adaptively adjusted
Authors: Yu Jianhai , Yin Liang , Dong Changchun
Published: April 2021

A 2.5 Gbps transimpedance amplifier (TIA) with the feedback resistance self-adaptively adjusted is designed for the application of optical receivers in passive optical network and implemented in Global Foundries (GF) 0.18 [Formula: see text]m CMOS standard process. The main structure of the circuit consists of an improved three-stage current multiplexing push-pull inverter. With the diode-connected-transistor placed at each end of the inverter, the extra pole will be pulled away in order to increase the stability of the loop system. The feedback resistance of TIA is connected in parallel with the NMOS transistor, and the gate voltage of the tube is adjusted automatically to control the resistance value of this parallel structure in order to overcome the defect of the inverter which will work in the linear region on the condition of excessive optical power. A low-dropout linear regulator (LDO) is adopted from the power supply to the TIA to isolate power supply noise. The measured results demonstrate that the fabricated TIA with a photodetector capacitance of 3.2 pF has a transimpedance gain of 41.64 dB[Formula: see text] with a current signal frequency of 2.5 Gbit/s, and a −3 dB bandwidth of 2.35 GHz. The average input-referred noise current spectral density within the bandwidth is185 pA/Hz[Formula: see text], signal rise time is 195 ps, fall time is 227 ps, eye diagram height is 28 mV, optical sensitivity is −30.6 dBm, and power consumption is only 52 mW at 3.3 V power supply voltage, the chip area is [Formula: see text] mm2.
A low noise CMOS instrumentation amplifier for TMR-effect-based magnetic sensors
Authors: Zhang Wenbo , Chen Weiping , Yin Liang , Fu Qiang , Di Xinpeng , Zhang Yufeng , Liu Xiaowei
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a low [Formula: see text] noise CMOS single-ended output instrumentation amplifier (IA) for tunneling magnetic resistance (TMR) sensors. For high DC gain and linearity, the amplifier employs three-stage current-feedback topology. For high CMRR and PSRR, the first two stages employ fully differential input. To maintain stability and lower the power dissipation, the amplifier employs trans-conductance with capacitance feedback compensation (TCFC) topology. The amplifier employs chopping technology and continuous-time AC-coupled ripple reduction loop to reduce [Formula: see text] noise and chopping ripple. The whole chip is fabricated using 0.35 [Formula: see text]m CMOS-BCD technology and the total area is 1 mm2. Test result shows an input-referred noise power spectral density (PSD) of 14 nV/[Formula: see text] is achieved with 1 Hz [Formula: see text] corner. The bandwidth is larger than 50 kHz [Formula: see text] with 20 pF load capacitor. The total current is 300 [Formula: see text]A at 5 V supply.
Well-posedness and asymptotic behavior of an aggregation model with intrinsic interactions on sphere and other manifolds
Authors: Fetecau Razvan C. , Park Hansol , Patacchini Francesco S.
Published: April 2021

We investigate a model for collective behavior with intrinsic interactions on Riemannian manifolds. We establish the well-posedness of measure-valued solutions (defined via mass transport) on sphere, as well as investigate the mean-field particle approximation. We study the long-time behavior of solutions to the model on sphere, where the primary goal is to establish sufficient conditions for a consensus state to form asymptotically. Well-posedness of solutions and the formation of consensus are also investigated for other manifolds (e.g., a hypercylinder).
FRW cosmology in f(Q,T) gravity
Authors: Godani Nisha , Samanta Gauranga C.
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we considered the study of Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) model in the framework of [Formula: see text] gravity, an extension of symmetric teleparallel gravity, recently defined by Xu et al. [[Formula: see text] gravity, Eur. Phys. J. C 79 (2019) 708]. The nonlinear model [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are constants, is taken into account. The equation of state of perfect fluid is assumed and 31 points of Hubble data are used to constrain the value of model parameter. To explore the evolution of the universe, the numerical solutions of cosmological implications, such as Hubble parameter, deceleration parameter, apparent magnitude and luminosity distance, are determined and the energy conditions are examined. The theoretical results of Hubble parameter are compared with [Formula: see text]CDM model. Further, 57 Supernova data (42 from Supernova cosmology project and 15 from Calán/Tolono supernova survey) are also used to have consistent results of apparent magnitude and luminosity distance.
Effect of Flow and Heat Transfer of Vertical Magnetic Field to Fe3O4-H2O Nanofluids
Authors: Lei Jiajie , Wang Sixian , Huang Xiaoyan , Qing Shan , Li Fuyu , Luo Zhumei
Published: April 2021

Heat transfer coefficient is a key parameter for efficiency evaluation of heat exchangers. Good stability and high heat transfer coefficient are essential for the application of nanofluids in heat exchangers and solar systems. In this work, nanofluids with good stability were prepared, and the influence of vertical magnetic field on flow and heat exchange of magnetic nanofluids under laminar and turbulent conditions was mainly studied. The flow and heat transfer rules of Fe3O4 nanofluids with or without magnetic field conditions, magnetic field strength, magnetic field distribution, the nanoparticle concentration and nanofluids temperature were systematically studied by setting up an experimental platform. The results show that the intensity and distribution of magnetic field had a significant influence on the heat transfer of magnetic nanofluids, whether in laminar or turbulent flow. When the magnetic field strength is 800G and 1000G, the convective heat transfer coefficient increases by an average of 23.89% and 26.12%. However, the influence of magnetic field on its flow characteristics is not obvious, and the effect on resistance coefficient increases by only 2.01%. In addition, the characteristics of magnetic nanofluids also have a certain influence on its flow and heat transfer. When the temperature of magnetic nanofluids is increased, the convective heat transfer coefficient will increase. When the concentration of magnetic nanofluids is increased, the pressure drop will also increase, but it has little effect on the drag coefficient.
Locking-Proof Tetrahedra
Authors: Frâncu Mihai , Asgeirsson Arni , Erleben Kenny , Rønnow Mads J. L.
Published: April 2021

The simulation of incompressible materials suffers from locking when using the standard finite element method (FEM) and coarse linear tetrahedral meshes. Locking increases as the Poisson ratio ν gets close to 0.5 and often lower Poisson ratio values are used to reduce locking, affecting volume preservation. We propose a novel mixed FEM approach to simulating incompressible solids that alleviates the locking problem for tetrahedra. Our method uses linear shape functions for both displacements and pressure, and adds one scalar per node. It can accommodate nonlinear isotropic materials described by a Young’s modulus and any Poisson ratio value by enforcing a volumetric constitutive law. The most realistic such material is Neo-Hookean, and we focus on adapting it to our method. For ν = 0.5, we can obtain full volume preservation up to any desired numerical accuracy. We show that standard Neo-Hookean simulations using tetrahedra are often locking, which, in turn, affects accuracy. We show that our method gives better results and that our Newton solver is more robust. As an alternative, we propose a dual ascent solver that is simple and has a good convergence rate. We validate these results using numerical experiments and quantitative analysis.
Possible Repair Mechanism for Hydrocarbon-Based Ionomers Following Damage by Radical Attack
Authors: de Wild Tym , Nemeth Tamas , Nolte Tom M. , Schmidt Thomas J. , Nauser Thomas , Gubler Lorenz
Published: April 2021

Polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) membranes are subject to radical-induced degradation. Antioxidant strategies for hydrocarbon-based ionomers containing aromatic units can focus on intermediates that are formed upon attack by hydroxyl radicals (HO·). Among the different intermediates, the cation radical P·+ is the most promising target for repair, for example by cerium(III). For the “repair” reaction of Ce(III) with radicals of a poly(α-methylstyrene sulfonate) oligomer we determined an activation energy of (9 ± 2) kJ mol−1 and a rate constant of 1.6 · 108 M−1 s−1 at 80 °C by pulse-radiolysis. For the reduction of Ce(IV) by hydrogen peroxide the activation energy was determined by stopped-flow as (30 ± 1) kJ mol−1 with a rate constant of 4.8 · 106 M−1 s−1 at 80 °C. These parameters are fed into a kinetics model to estimate the efficacy of the cerium (III)/(IV) redox couple as a catalytic repair agent in hydrocarbon-based fuel cell membranes. While cerium can mitigate polymer degradation, repair efficacy depends on the polymer degradation pathway and the nature and lifetime of the intermediates.
Case Studies in Neuroscience: Transcranial Doppler assessment of increased cerebral blood flow during iterative seizures
Authors: Engrand Nicolas , Cholet Clémentine , Lebard Christophe , De Mesmay Marine , Dinkelacker Vera , Roy-Gash Fabian
Published: April 2021

The case study is a clinical demonstration of ictal vasodilation. By assessing arterial caliber and blood velocities with transcranial Doppler, we dissected the impact of seizures on blood flow of the middle cerebral artery in the following sequence: 1) vasodilation occurred, concomitant to the epileptic activity, whereas the blood velocities remained stable and 2) immediately after the seizure, the velocities increased and the artery caliber returned to its initial value. As per author, there was no protocol, but one patient gave consent to use data from her medical file.
Sperm bauplan and function and underlying processes of sperm formation and selection
Authors: Teves Maria Eugenia , Roldan Eduardo R. S.
Published: April 2021

The spermatozoon is a highly differentiated and polarized cell, with two main structures: the head, containing a haploid nucleus and the acrosomal exocytotic granule, and the flagellum, which generates energy and propels the cell; both structures are connected by the neck. The sperm’s main aim is to participate in fertilization, thus activating development. Despite this common bauplan and function, there is an enormous diversity in structure and performance of sperm cells. For example, mammalian spermatozoa may exhibit several head patterns and overall sperm lengths ranging from ∼30 to 350 µm. Mechanisms of transport in the female tract, preparation for fertilization, and recognition of and interaction with the oocyte also show considerable variation. There has been much interest in understanding the origin of this diversity, both in evolutionary terms and in relation to mechanisms underlying sperm differentiation in the testis. Here, relationships between sperm bauplan and function are examined at two levels: first, by analyzing the selective forces that drive changes in sperm structure and physiology to understand the adaptive values of this variation and impact on male reproductive success and second, by examining cellular and molecular mechanisms of sperm formation in the testis that may explain how differentiation can give rise to such a wide array of sperm forms and functions.
Development of Delivery Systems Enhances the Potency of Cell-Based HIV-1 Therapeutic Vaccine Candidates
Authors: Hadi Amin , Rastgoo Abbas , Eskandarian Maryam , Haghighipour Nooshin , Bolhassani Azam
Published: April 2021

An effective therapeutic vaccine to eradicate HIV-1 infection does not exist yet. Among different vaccination strategies, cell-based vaccines could achieve in clinical trials. Cell viability and low nucleic acid expression are the problems related to dendritic cells (DCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are transfected with plasmid DNA. Thus, novel in vitro strategies are needed to improve DNA transfection into these cells. The recent study assessed immune responses generated by MSCs and DCs, which were derived from mouse bone marrow and modified with Nef antigen using novel methods in mice. For this purpose, an excellent gene transfection approach by mechanical methods was used. Our data revealed that the transfection efficacy of Nef DNA into the immature MSCs and DCs was improved by the combination of chemical and mechanical (causing equiaxial cyclic stretch) approaches. Also, chemical transfection performed two times with 48-hour intervals further increased gene expression in both cells. The groups immunized with Nef DC prime/rNef protein boost and then Nef MSC prime/rNef protein boost were able to stimulate high levels of IFN-γ, IgG2b, IgG2a, and Granzyme B directed toward Th1 responses in mice. Furthermore, the mesenchymal or dendritic cell-based immunizations were more effective compared to protein immunization for enhancement of the Nef-specific T-cell responses in mice. Hence, the use of chemical reagent and mechanical loading simultaneously can be an excellent method in delivering cargoes into DCs and MSCs. Moreover, DC- and MSC-based immunizations can be considered as promising approaches for protection against HIV-1 infections.