bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gendered effects on inflammation reaction and outcome of COVID‐19 patients in Wuhan
Authors: Qin Lu , Li Xiaochen , Shi Jing , Yu Muqing , Wang Ke , Tao Yu , Zhou Ying , Zhou Min , Xu Shuyun , Wu Bo , Yang Zhenyu , Zhang Cong , Yue Junqing , Cheng Chongsheng , Liu Xiansheng , Xie Min
Published: June 2020

Background

The rapid outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has turned into a public health emergency of international concern. Epidemiological research has shown that sex is associated with the severity of COVID‐19, but the underlying mechanism of sex predisposition remains poorly understood. We aim to study the gendered differences in inflammation reaction, and the association with severity and mortality of COVID‐19.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we enrolled 548 COVID‐19 inpatients from Tongji Hospital from 26 January to 5 February 2020, and followed up to 3 March 2020. Epidemiological, demographic and clinical features, and inflammatory indexes were collected and compared between males and females. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was applied to identify the gendered effect on mortality of COVID‐19 after adjusting for age, comorbidity, and smoking history. The multiple linear regression method was used to explore the influence of sex on inflammation reaction.

Results

Males had higher mortality than females did (22.2% vs 10.4%), with an hazard ratio of 1.923 (95% confidence interval, 1.181‐3.130); elder age and comorbidity were significantly associated with decease of COVID‐19 patients. Excess inflammation reaction was related to severity of COVID‐19. Male patients had greater inflammation reaction, with higher levels of interleukin 10, tumor necrosis factor‐α, lactose dehydrogenase, ferritin, and hyper‐sensitive C‐reactive protein, but a lower lymphocyte count than females adjusted by age and comorbidity.

Conclusions

Sex, age, and comorbidity are critical risk factors for mortality of COVID‐19. Excess innate immunity and proinflammation activity, and deficiency in adaptive immunity response promote males, especially elder males, to develop a cytokine storm, causing potential acute respiratory distressed syndrome, multiple organ failure and decease.
Assessment of Energy and Protein Requirements in Relation to Nitrogen Kinetics, Nutrition, and Clinical Outcomes in Infants Receiving Early Enteral Nutrition Following Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Zhang Jian , Cui Yan‐Qin , Luo Yi , Chen Xin‐Xin , Li Jia
Published: June 2020

Background

Nutrition therapies in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is crucial, but energy and protein requirements remain undefined. We assessed energy and protein requirements, with nitrogen kinetics and clinical outcomes, in infants with complex CHD following CPB.

Methods

Infants were randomized to control (1.3 g/kg/d), moderate protein (MP, 2.5 g/kg/d), or high protein (HP, 4 g/kg/d) groups. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured 6 hours post‐CPB and then at 24‐hour intervals, using indirect calorimetry to formulate energy intakes. Enteral formula feeding was initiated 6 hours post‐CPB and continued for 5 days. Nitrogen balance (NB); urea nitrogen waste and nitrogen retention; serum prealbumin level; and hepatic, renal, and cardiac function were measured daily. Mid‐upper arm circumference and triceps skinfold were measured preoperatively and 5 days after CPB. Adverse outcomes (bacterial infection, reintubation, and cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) stay > 8 days) were recorded.

Results

REE was not different across the 3 groups (P = .37). It declined from 62 ± 6 to 57 ± 7 kcal/kg/d over 5 days post‐CPB (P = .02). NB and nitrogen retention became positive by day 3 in the HP group but remained negative in the other 2 groups (P = .045–.003), despite higher urea nitrogen waste in the HP group (P < .0001). The HP group had a greater increase in serum prealbumin level and anthropometric measures (P = .009–.03). Other measures were not significantly different across the 3 groups.

Conclusions

In infants with complex CHD in the first 5 days post‐CPB, protein and energy intakes of ≈4 g/kg/d and 60 kcal/kg/d, respectively, led to improved nutrition outcomes without increased adverse events.
Patients who report cording after breast cancer surgery are at higher risk of lymphedema: Results from a large prospective screening cohort
Authors: Brunelle Cheryl L. , Roberts Sacha A. , Shui Amy M. , Gillespie Tessa C. , Daniell Kayla M. , Naoum George E. , Taghian Alphonse
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To identify the association between cording and breast cancer‐related lymphedema (BCRL); describe time course, location, symptoms and functional impairments.

Methods

A total of 1181 patients were prospectively screened for BCRL after breast cancer (BC) surgery, including patient‐reported outcome measures (4193) and perometric arm volume measurements (BCRL defined as relative or weight‐adjusted volume change [RVC or WAC] ≥10% ≥3 months postoperatively).

Results

A total of 374/1181 patients (31.7%) reported cording first a median of 4.5 months postoperatively, and were more likely to: have body mass index less than 30 kg/m2; be less than 55 years of age; have had mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection, regional lymph node radiation, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (all P < .001), or RVC/WAC ≥10% (P = .002). Patients who reported cording had 2.4 times the odds of developing BCRL compared to those who did not (odds ratio = 2.40; 95% confidence interval = 1.40‐4.11; P = .002), and most frequently reported these symptoms: tenderness (61.2%), aching (60.7%), and firmness/tightness (59.8%). On multivariable analysis, cording was significantly correlated with functional difficulty for 17 actions.

Conclusions

Patients frequently present with cording, potentially months after BC surgery. Risk factors for and symptoms of cording are identified, and treatment is recommended. Patients reporting cording are at higher risk of BCRL, therefore, cording should be incorporated into BCRL risk stratification.
Molecular characterization of breast cancer needle core biopsy specimens by the 21‐gene Breast Recurrence Score test
Authors: Jakubowski Debbie M. , Bailey Helen , Abran John , Blacklock Andrea , Ciau Nancy , Mies Carolyn , Tan Vivian , Young Rebekah , Lau Anna , Baehner Frederick L.
Published: June 2020

Background and Objective

Recent COVID‐19 pandemic guidelines recommend genomic assessment of core biopsies to help guide treatment decisions in estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive early‐stage breast cancer. Herein we characterize biopsy and excisional breast cancer specimens submitted for 21‐gene testing.

Methods

US samples submitted to Genomic Health for 21‐gene testing (01/2004‐04/2020) were assessed by pathologists and analyzed by a standardized quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Predefined cutoffs were: ESR1 (positive ≥6.5), PGR (positive ≥5.5), and ERBB2 (negative <10.7). ER status by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and lymph node status were determined locally. Median and interquartile range were reported for continuous variables, and total and percent for categorical variables. Distributions were assessed overall, by age, and by nodal involvement.

Results

Of 919 701 samples analyzed, 13% were biopsies and 87% were excisions. Initial assay success rates were 94.5% (biopsies) and 97.3% (excisions). ER IHC concordance with central ESR1 was 96.8% (biopsies) and 97.6% (excisions). Biopsy and excisional medians were: Recurrence Score results 16 (each); ESR1 10.2 (each); PGR 7.7 and 7.6; ERBB2 9.4 and 9.2, respectively.

Conclusions

Biopsy submissions for 21‐gene testing are common and consistently generate results that are very similar to the experience with excisions. The 21‐gene test can be performed reliably on core biopsies.
Simultaneous enantioselective determination of omeprazole, rabeprazole, lansoprazole, and pantoprazole enantiomers in human plasma by chiral liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Sun Lu‐Ning , Zhang Ye , Yang Yu‐Qing , Shen Ye , Ying Yu‐Wen , Su Yu‐Wen , Zhang Xue‐Hui , Liu Yun , Huang Xu , Wang Yong‐Qing
Published: June 2020

Proton pump inhibitors, including omeprazole, rabeprazole, lansoprazole, and pantoprazole, achieved simultaneous enantioselective determination in the human plasma by chiral liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The four corresponding stable isotope‐labeled proton pump inhibitors were adopted as the internal standards. Each enantiomer and the internal standards were extracted with acetonitrile containing 0.1% ammonia, then separated with a Chiralpak IC column (5 µm, 4.6 mm × 150 mm) within 10 min. The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile–ammonium acetate (10 mM) containing 0.2% acetic acid (50:50, v/v). To quantify all enantiomers, an API 4000 tandem mass spectrometer was used, and multiple reaction monitoring transitions were performed on m/z 360.1→242.1, 384.1→200.1, 370.1→252.1, and 346.1→198.1, respectively. No significant matrix effect was observed for all analytes. The calibration curve for all enantiomers were linear from 1.25 to 2500 ng/mL. The precisions for intra‐ and inter‐run were < 14.2%, and the accuracy fell in the interval of –5.3 to 8.1%. Stability of samples was confirmed under the storage and processing conditions. The developed method was also suitable for separation and determination of ilaprazole enantiomers. The validated method combining the equilibrium dialysis method was applied to the protein binding ratio studies of four pairs proton pump inhibitor enantiomers in human plasma.
Optimizing irrigation and fertilization can improve degraded saline soils and increase wheat grain yield
Authors: Song Fupeng , Zhuge Yuping , Guo Xinsong , Lou Yanhong , Wang Hui , Pan Hong , Feng Haojie
Published: June 2020

In order to validate whether optimizing irrigation and fertilization can improve degraded saline soil and increase wheat production, a 4‐year wheat field experiment on saline soil in the Yellow River Delta of China was conducted from October 2013 to June 2017. Eight optimizing treatments including two irrigation applcations of 90 (I90) and 135 (I135) mm/time, four irrigation times: at pre‐sowing, wintering, jointing, filling stages, and two fertilizer rates 225 kg N hm−2‐75 P2O5 hm−2‐150 K2O hm−2 (F312), 225 kg N hm−2‐150 P2O5 hm−2‐75 K2O hm−2 (F321) with two basal/topdressing ratios 1:1 (A11) and 1:2 (A12) were designed compared with no‐irrigation and fertilization (CK) and farmer mode (CM). The optimizing treatment combined I135 with F321 and A12 was the optimal practice for wheat production on degraded saline soil in this region. This treatment significantly decreased topsoil salinity on average by 21.97%, increased wheat grain yield, topsoil total N, available P and K, respectively, by an average of 0.74‐, 0.75‐, 1.13‐ and 0.78‐times, improved water utilization efficiency, water productive efficiency, nitrogen utilization efficiency, phosphorus utilization efficiency, respectively, by average of 1.26‐, 8.13‐, 0.32‐, 0.43‐times compared with the CM. These results demonstrate that the optimization of irrigation and fertilization can be extensively applied as a feasible and effective strategy to improve degraded saline soil, maintain soil nutrients, maximize crop yield, and enhance efficiency in other similar degraded saline soil areas of the world.
Trade‐offs between forage crop productivity and soil nutrients for different ages of alfalfa grassland
Authors: Fang Yan , Huang Ze , Cui Zeng , He Hong‐Hua , Liu Yu
Published: June 2020

Obtaining sustainable high yield and suitable soil nutrient management is crucial for cultivate alfalfa grassland. However, the information on the trade‐offs between soil nutrient and productivity of alfalfa grassland following long‐term cultivation under intensive agricultural management is scare. Six alfalfa grasslands of different ages under a highly intensive agricultural management system were chosen for this study. It was shown that long‐term planting of alfalfa reduced soil nutrients overall. In the 0–100, 100–200, and 200–300 cm layers, the highest values of soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (TN), and soil total phosphorus (TP) content were observed in one‐year‐old alfalfa grassland. SOC, TN, and TP contents in each 100 cm soil layers linearly declined with increasing stand age, and decreasing rates of SOC and TN (4.31 and 0.03 g kg−1 yr−1) in the 0–100 cm layer were higher than other two soil layers. The SOC storage (SOCS) and TN storage (TNS) in 0–20 cm soil were significantly higher than other soil profiles in six alfalfa grasslands of different ages. SOCS and TNS in 0–100 cm, especially in upper 40 cm soil, decreased over time until the fourth year, and gradually increased in the fifth and sixth years. While in the third and fourth years, productivity reached peak value (3.13 and 3.12 t ha−1), and then reduced. Correlation analysis showed productivity was significantly negatively correlated with SOCS and TNS in 0–100 cm soil depth. The decline in soil nutrients affected alfalfa growth and then feedback its productivity, and the optimal stand age of alfalfa grasslands should not be longer than 6 years for the limitation of soil nutrient, especially SOC storage. To acquire sustainable high productivity of artificial alfalfa grassland, our study suggested that more organic and nitrogen/phosphorus fertilizers should be applied to the upper soil layer beginning in the third year after planting.
Development of soymeal fortified cookies to combat malnutrition
Authors: Ghoshal Gargi , Kaushik Prerna
Published: June 2020

The defatted soy flour contains a lot of essential amino acids and proteins of high biological value and, therefore, it is suitable for the development of protein rich food products. The aim of the study was to develop protein‐rich soymeal fortified cookies using different combination of wheat flour (WF) and soymeal flour (SMF) and characterize. The blends (WF/SMF) were selected in the ratio of 100:0 (S0), 85:15 (S15), 80:20 (S20), and 75:25 (S25) to improve the nutrient content of the cookies. The physicochemical, functional, sensory and nutritive properties, total phenolic contents, and antioxidant properties of those flour blends and developed cookies were assessed. The fortified cookies had higher total soluble phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities in terms of total gallic acid and oxygen scavenging potential. Furthermore, a strong correlation was observed between the total soluble phenolic contents and the antioxidant capacities based on the DPPH (r = 0.945 and 0.912) and ABTS (r = 0.921 and 0.941), respectively, for the fortified flour and the formulated cookies. The calcium and iron contents in the fortified cookies were higher than the control cookies. The formulation containing 20% of soy flour exhibited the best organoleptic characteristics with improved nutritional and antioxidant properties and shelf life.
Phylogenetic analysis of Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus species isolated from sugarcane processing streams
Authors: Nel Sanet , Davis Stephen B. , Endo Akihito , Dicks Leon M. T.
Published: June 2020

High levels of gums such as dextran, produced by Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus spp., have a severe impact on factory throughput and sugar quality. This study aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationships between gum‐producing Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus bacteria which were isolated from various locations in a sugarcane processing factory at times when low‐ and high‐dextran raw sugar, respectively, were produced. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences grouped 81 isolates with the type strains of Leuconostoc mesenteroides (subspp. mesenteroides, dextranicum, and cremoris), Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides, Leuconostoc lactis, and Leuconostoc citreum, respectively. Forty‐three isolates clustered with the type strain of Lactobacillus fermentum. The phylogenetic relatedness of the isolates was determined by sequencing and analysis of the housekeeping genes rpoA and dnaA for Leuconostoc spp. and the pheS and tuf genes for the Lactobacillus spp. The rpoA gene proved discriminatory for the phylogenetic resolution of all of the isolated Leuconostoc spp. and the dnaA housekeeping gene was shown to be effective for isolates clustering with the type strains of Leuc. mesenteroides and Leuc. citreum. None of the loci examined permitted differentiation at the subspecies level of Leuc. mesenteroides. Single‐locus analysis, as well as the concatenation of the pheS and tuf housekeeping gene sequences, yielded identical phylogenies for the Lactobacillus isolates corresponding to L. fermentum.
Lie symmetry analysis, optimal system, and generalized group invariant solutions of the (2 + 1)‐dimensional Date–Jimbo–Kashiwara–Miwa equation
Authors: Chauhan Astha , Sharma Kajal , Arora Rajan
Published: June 2020

In this work, Lie group theoretic method is used to carry out the similarity reduction and solitary wave solutions of (2 + 1)‐dimensional Date–Jimbo–Kashiwara–Miwa (DJKM) equation. The equation describes the propagation of nonlinear dispersive waves in inhomogeneous media. Under the invariance property of Lie groups, the infinitesimal generators for the governing equation have been obtained. Thereafter, commutator table, adjoint table, invariant functions, and one‐dimensional optimal system of subalgebras are derived by using Lie point symmetries. The symmetry reductions and some group invariant solutions of the DJKM equation are obtained based on some subalgebras. The obtained solutions are new and more general than the rest while known results reported in the literature. In order to show the physical affirmation of the results, the obtained solutions are supplemented through numerical simulation. Thus, the solitary wave, doubly soliton, multi soliton, and dark soliton profiles of the solutions are traced to make this research physically meaningful.
Removal of hypotaurine from porcine embryo culture medium does not impair development of in vitro‐fertilized or somatic cell nuclear transfer‐derived embryos at low oxygen tension
Authors: Chen Paula R. , Spate Lee D. , Leffeler Eric C. , Benne Joshua A. , Cecil Raissa F. , Hord Taylor K. , Prather Randall S.
Published: June 2020

Hypotaurine (HT) is a routine component of porcine embryo culture medium, functioning as an antioxidant, but its requirement may be diminished as most embryo culture systems now use 5% O2 instead of atmospheric (20%) O2. Our objective was to determine the effects of removing HT from the culture medium on porcine preimplantation embryo development. Embryos cultured in 20% O2 without HT had decreased blastocyst development compared to culture with HT or in 5% O2 with or without HT. Notably, differences in blastocyst development or total cell number were not detected between embryos cultured in 5% O2 with or without HT. After culture in 5% O2 without HT and embryo transfer, healthy fetuses were retrieved from two pregnancies on Day 42, confirming in vivo developmental competence. Transcript abundance of proapoptotic markers was decreased in embryos cultured without HT regardless of oxygen tension; however, assays for apoptosis did not demonstrate differences between groups. Additionally, no differences were observed in the development or apoptosis of somatic cell nuclear transfer‐derived embryos cultured in 5% O2 with or without HT. With decreased utility in 5% O2, removing HT from porcine embryo culture medium would also have economic advantages because it is undoubtedly the most expensive component.
Long‐term outcome of adjustable transobturator male system for stress urinary incontinence in the Iberian multicentre study
Authors: Angulo Javier C. , Virseda‐Chamorro Miguel , Arance Ignacio , Ruiz Sonia , Ojea Antonio , Carballo Manuel , Rodríguez Andrés , Pereira Javier , Teyrouz Antoine , Rebassa Miguel , Escribano Gregorio , Teba Fernando , Celada Guillermo , Madurga Blanca , Martins Francisco E. , Mendes Pedro A. , Cruz Francisco
Published: June 2020

Aim

The aim of this study is to evaluate long‐term durability and effectiveness of the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS).

Materials and Methods

The retrospective multicenter Iberian ATOMS study (n = 215) was updated to evaluate long‐term continence status, complications, explants, and secondary treatments. Mean follow‐up from surgery to March 2020 was 60.6 ± 18.4 months (range, 39‐91). Eleven patients deceased of an unrelated causes. Kaplan‐Meier curves were performed to evaluate device durability and incontinence free of recurrence interval. The multivariate analysis defined the population at risk of device explant.

Results

A total of 155 patients were dry at the last follow‐up visit (72.1%); 99 (46%) used no pads and 56 (26%) used a security pad/day with urine loss less than 10 mL; 96% of dry patients after adjustment remained free of incontinence 1 year later, 93.6% 2 years later, 91.1% 3 years later, 89.2% 5 years later, and 86.7% 8 years later. Complications during follow‐up occurred in 43 of 215 (20%). In total, 25 (11.6%) devices were explanted and causes were inefficacy 11 (44%), inefficacy and pain 3 (12%), port erosion 10 (40%), and wound infection 1 (4%). The secondary implant was performed in 11 (5.1%) cases, 6 artificial urinary sphincter and 5 repeated ATOMS. Time to explant was associated to complications (P < .0001), baseline stress urinary incontinence (SUI) severity (P = .01), and former irradiation (P = .03). Multivariate analysis revealed complications (hazard ratio [HR] = 8.71; 3.83‐19.82), baseline SUI severity (>5 compared to 1‐2 pads/day; HR = 14.9; 1.87‐125), and irradiation before ATOMS (HR = 2.26; 1.02‐5.18) predicted earlier ATOMS explant. Three cases received radiation after implant without complication.

Conclusions

ATOMS device is efficacious and safe in the long term. Determinants for device explant include complications, baseline severity of incontinence, and previous irradiation. Currently, the durability of the device after 5 years is reassuring.
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Bioequivalence of Two Empagliflozin Formulations after Single Oral Administration under Fasting and Fed Conditions in Healthy Chinese Subjects: An Open‐label Randomized Single‐dose Two‐sequence, Two‐treatment, Two‐period Crossover Study
Authors: Chen Gang , Zhang Dan , Du Aihua , Zhang Yanan , Zhang Ying , Zhang Lina , Zang Siqi , Liu Xiaona , Wang Zejuan , Zhen Haiqing , Liu Yujing , Yang Shuya , Wang Jin
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties and safety of empagliflozin, and the bioequivalence of test formulation empagliflozin tablet compared with the brand‐name drug Jardiance (reference formulation) after single oral administration under fasting and fed conditions in healthy Chinese subjects.

Methods

An open‐label randomized single‐dose two‐sequence, two‐treatment, two‐period crossover study was conducted in healthy Chinese subjects, with 30 subjects under fasting condition and another 30 subjects under fed condition. Under each condition, subjects received a single oral administration of either the test or reference empagliflozin formulation, and then they received a single oral dose of the other formulation after a 7‐day washout period.

Results

A total of 29 subjects under each condition completed the study. The maximum plasma drug concentration, the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUC) from 0 to t (AUC0–t), and the AUC from 0 to infinity (AUC0–∞) of test formulation and reference formulation was 186.90 ± 47.21 and 190.60 ± 40.94 ng/ml, 1303.04 ± 234.28 and 1267.78 ± 217.07 ng·hour/ml, and 1328.08 ± 243.84 and 1293.22 ± 224.82 ng·hour/ml under fasting condition, and 151.55 ± 23.86 and 154.08 ± 30.40 ng/ml, 1215.65 ± 197.62 and 1199.26 ± 186.23 ng·hour/ml, and 1241.76 ± 202.47 and 1225.54 ± 192.10 ng·hour/ml under fed condition, respectively.

Conclusions

The two formulations of empagliflozin were bioequivalent, and both were generally well tolerated under fasting and fed conditions.
The impact of covariance priors on arm‐based Bayesian network meta‐analyses with binary outcomes
Authors: Wang Zhenxun , Lin Lifeng , Hodges James S. , Chu Haitao
Published: June 2020

Bayesian analyses with the arm‐based (AB) network meta‐analysis (NMA) model require researchers to specify a prior distribution for the covariance matrix of the treatment‐specific event rates in a transformed scale, for example, the treatment‐specific log‐odds when a logit transformation is used. The commonly used conjugate prior for the covariance matrix, the inverse‐Wishart (IW) distribution, has several limitations. For example, although the IW distribution is often described as noninformative or weakly informative, it may in fact provide strong information when some variance components are small (eg, when the standard deviation of study‐specific log‐odds of a treatment is smaller than 1/2), as is common in NMAs with binary outcomes. In addition, the IW prior generally leads to underestimation of correlations between treatment‐specific log‐odds, which are critical for borrowing strength across treatment arms to estimate treatment effects efficiently and to reduce potential bias. Alternatively, several separation strategies (ie, separate priors on variances and correlations) can be considered. To study the IW prior's impact on NMA results and compare it with separation strategies, we did simulation studies under different missing‐treatment mechanisms. A separation strategy with appropriate priors for the correlation matrix and variances performs better than the IW prior, and should be recommended as the default vague prior in the AB NMA approach. Finally, we reanalyzed three case studies and illustrated the importance, when performing AB‐NMA, of sensitivity analyses with different prior specifications on variances.
Spectroscopic (FTIR and UV‐Vis) Analysis, Supramolecular Studies, XRD Structural Characterization and Theoretical Studies of Two Flavone‐Oxime Derivatives
Authors: Moreno‐Fuquen Rodolfo , Morales Vanessa , Loaiza Alix , Tenorio Juan Carlos , Goddard Richard
Published: June 2020

Two flavone oxime derivatives, (E)‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one O‐(2‐bromoallyl)oxime (C18H14BrNO2) (1) and (E)‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one O‐benzyloxime (C22H17NO2) (2), were analyzed by XRD, IR (FT‐IR), and UV‐Vis spectroscopies. Supramolecular studies of the two compounds revealed the existence of weak C−Br…Cg halogen bonds as well as weak C−H…O interactions in the first oxime derivative and even weaker interactions dominated by dispersion forces in the second derivative. These interactions were further analyzed by observing the Hirshfeld surfaces. To evaluate the features of the halogen interactions, molecular electrostatic studies (MEP) were performed. These studies showed positive charges on the surface of the halogen atom, demonstrating the presence of a “sigma hole”. The maximum and minimum values of the molecular electrostatic potential indicate low molecular reactivity, and difficult access of the electrophilic or nucleophilic agents to the molecule, in the case of a hypothetical reaction, is observed. Spectroscopic studies in the IR region showed similar results for the two compounds, finding specific differences in the behavior of the N−O and N=C frequencies that characterize the oxime group. UV–visible spectra of both compounds were also recorded and the electronic properties, such as HOMO, LUMO and band gap energies were measured by time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) approach. Analysis of the interaction energies of the two compounds between pairs of neighboring molecules within a radius of 3.8 Å, using the CrystalExplorer program at the DFT/6‐31G level, showed that the Edis term essentially contributed to the total interaction energy in the process of crystal formation.
A recentering approach for interpreting interaction effects from logit, probit, and other nonlinear models
Authors: Jeong Yujin , Siegel Jordan I. , Chen Sophie Yu‐Pu , Newey Whitney K.
Published: June 2020

Research Summary

Strategic management has seen numerous studies analyzing interaction terms in nonlinear models since Hoetker's (Strat Mgmt J., 2007, 28(4), 331–343) best‐practice recommendations and Zelner's (Strat Mgmt J., 2009, 30(12), 1335–1348) simulation‐based approach. We suggest an alternative recentering approach to assess the statistical and economic importance of interaction terms in nonlinear models. Our approach does not rely on making assumptions about the values of the control variables; it takes the existing model and data as is and requires fewer computational steps. The recentering approach not only provides a consistent answer about statistical meaningfulness of the interaction term at a given point of interest, but also helps to assess the effect size using the template that we offer in this study. We demonstrate how to implement our approach and discuss the implications for strategy researchers.

Managerial Summary

In industry settings, the relationship between multiple corporate strategy‐related inputs and corporate performance is often nonlinear in nature. Furthermore, such relationships tend to vary for different types of firms represented within the broader population of firms in a given industry. It is thus imperative for managers to know how to take nonlinear relationships between related business factors into account when they make strategic decisions. We suggest a simple and easily implementable way of assessing and interpreting interactions in a nonlinear setting, which we term a recentering approach. We demonstrate how to apply our approach to a strategic management setting.
From litigation to innovation: Firms' ability to litigate and technological diversification through human capital
Authors: Ganco Martin , Miller Cameron D. , Toh Puay Khoon
Published: June 2020

Research Summary

When firms diversify technologically, they often acquire human capital from competitors. Legal challenges emerge when intellectual property (IP) safeguards are involved. We examine a firm's ability to initiate IP litigation or protect against litigation (i.e., litigation ability) as an antecedent to its technological diversification. We demonstrate that an unexpected reduction in firm's litigation ability is associated with a temporary decline in its entry into new technological domains. Furthermore, we find that the negative effect is stronger when the firm's existing inventors cannot be easily utilized in the new domain or when interfirm mobility in the new domain is low. These findings extend prior work by highlighting a proactive role of the firm's litigation ability that spans beyond protecting the firm's existing IP.

Managerial Summary

To diversify successfully, the firm often needs new knowledge that can be acquired by hiring new research personnel. However, these inventors may come from competitors and their knowledge may be protected by IP safeguards. We examine how the firm's ability to initiate and protect against IP litigation influences its technological diversification. We find that an unexpected reduction in a firm's ability to litigate temporarily reduces its expansion. The negative effect is magnified when considering expansion into domains where the firm's existing inventors cannot be utilized or where the intermobility of inventors is low. Our findings suggest that the ability to both protect IP and avoid litigation are important factors in a firm's diversification strategy.
Advancing physiological maturation in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac muscle by gene editing an inducible adult troponin isoform switch
Authors: Wheelwright Matthew , Mikkila Jennifer , Bedada Fikru B. , Mandegar Mohammad A. , Thompson Brian R. , Metzger Joseph M.
Published: June 2020

Advancing maturation of stem cell-derived cardiac muscle represents a major barrier to progress in cardiac regenerative medicine. Cardiac muscle maturation involves a myriad of gene, protein, and cell-based transitions, spanning across all aspects of cardiac muscle form and function. We focused here on a key developmentally controlled transition in the cardiac sarcomere, the functional unit of the heart. Using a gene-editing platform, human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSCs) were engineered with a drug-inducible expression cassette driving the adult cardiac troponin I (cTnI) regulatory isoform, a transition shown to be a rate-limiting step in advancing sarcomeric maturation of hiPSC cardiac muscle (hiPSC-CM) toward the adult state. Findings show that induction of the adult cTnI isoform resulted in the physiological acquisition of adult-like cardiac contractile function in hiPSC-CMs in vitro. Specifically, cTnI induction accelerated relaxation kinetics at baseline conditions, a result independent of alterations in the kinetics of the intracellular Ca2+ transient. In comparison, isogenic unedited hiPSC-CMs had no cTnI induction and no change in relaxation function. Temporal control of adult cTnI isoform induction did not alter other developmentally regulated sarcomere transitions, including myosin heavy chain isoform expression, nor did it affect expression of SERCA2a or phospholamban. Taken together, precision genetic targeting of sarcomere maturation via inducible TnI isoform switching enables physiologically relevant adult myocardium-like contractile adaptations that are essential for beat-to-beat modulation of adult human heart performance. These findings have relevance to hiPSC-CM structure-function and drug-discovery studies in vitro, as well as for potential future clinical applications of physiologically optimized hiPSC-CM in cardiac regeneration/repair.
Assessing the influence of fibers on the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete beams with different longitudinal reinforcement ratios
Authors: Conforti Antonio , Zerbino Raúl , Plizzari Giovanni
Published: June 2020

The use of fibers in reinforced concrete (RC) beams mainly improves both the bearing capacity and the cracking control. In this way, positive effects on the service life of RC structures can be expected. In this paper, the fiber influence on the flexural behavior of RC beams with different longitudinal reinforcement ratios (0.5% ≤ ρs ≤ 1.2%) is analyzed by testing small‐scale RC beams. Concretes incorporating 0, 25 and 50 kg/m3 of steel, 6 and 12 kg/m3 of glass macrofibers, and 5 and 10 kg/m3 of polymer macrofibers were studied. Crack and deflection control, as well as bearing capacity and crack localization were evaluated for a broad range of fiber‐reinforced concrete (FRC) toughness. It is verified that fibers, in the longitudinal reinforcement ratio considered, improve the bending behavior at serviceability limit state (SLS) and ultimate limit state (ULS) of RC beams, without limiting the structure ductility. It was also confirmed the philosophy of the fib Model Code 2010, such that FRC can be considered as a composite material where performance parameters govern its mechanical behavior. Finally, the several data available allowed to deeply analyze fib Model Code 2010 formulations (mean crack spacing and flexural bearing capacity) and to propose modifications where needed.
Robustness analysis of vertical resistance to progressive collapse of diagrid structures in tall buildings
Authors: Liu Chengqing , Fang Dengjia
Published: June 2020

In order to investigate the vertical resistance to progressive collapse and the evolution of its robustness in the process of loading, a quantitative method of the robustness index of diagrid structure is established based on the mechanical properties of the components and the vertical bearing capacity of the structure. A scale experiment model of diagrid tube structure is established in laboratory which verified the availability of the proposed robustness quantification method. Results demonstrated that, the axial force of inclined column is pressure, and the axial force of ring beam is tension under vertical load. The ring beam is the main restraint to the side bulge of the diagrid structure. The welded strength of the inclined column have great influence on the vertical bearing capacity, so it is necessary to consider the reduction of the strength of welded joint. The influence of the welding line of the joint can lead to the plastic stage of the local components of the structure, which makes the structural robustness worse. In addition, the experimental study and numerical simulation results verify that the proposed method of robustness coefficient quantification for diagrid tube structure can accurately and reasonably evaluate the resistance of vertical progressive collapse performance.
Melioidosis: the Vietnamese time bomb
Authors: Brightman Christopher , Locum
Published: June 2020

Melioidosis is a rare but potentially fatal infection that is common in parts of the Far East and Australia, as well as India and South America. Cases of infection are rare in the UK, but physicians should be aware of the possibility in travellers from areas where the infection is common.
The ghost in the radiation: robust encodings of the black hole interior
Authors: Kim Isaac , Tang Eugene , Preskill John
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We reconsider the black hole firewall puzzle, emphasizing that quantum error- correction, computational complexity, and pseudorandomness are crucial concepts for understanding the black hole interior. We assume that the Hawking radiation emitted by an old black hole is pseudorandom, meaning that it cannot be distinguished from a perfectly thermal state by any efficient quantum computation acting on the radiation alone. We then infer the existence of a subspace of the radiation system which we interpret as an encoding of the black hole interior. This encoded interior is entangled with the late outgoing Hawking quanta emitted by the old black hole, and is inaccessible to computationally bounded observers who are outside the black hole. Specifically, efficient operations acting on the radiation, those with quantum computational complexity polynomial in the entropy of the remaining black hole, commute with a complete set of logical operators acting on the encoded interior, up to corrections which are exponentially small in the entropy. Thus, under our pseudorandomness assumption, the black hole interior is well protected from exterior observers as long as the remaining black hole is macroscopic. On the other hand, if the radiation is not pseudorandom, an exterior observer may be able to create a firewall by applying a polynomial-time quantum computation to the radiation.
Scalar and spinor effective actions in global de Sitter
Authors: Jiang Jiaqi
Published: June 2020

Abstract

In this paper, we compute the effective action of both a scalar field and a Dirac spinor field in the global de Sitter space of any dimension d using the in-/out-state formalism. We show that there is particle production in even dimensions for both scalar field and spinor field. The in-out vacuum amplitude

$$ {\mathcal{Z}}_{\mathrm{in}/\mathrm{out}} $$

Z

in
/
out

is divergent at late times. By using dimensional regularization, we extract the finite part of log

$$ {\mathcal{Z}}_{\mathrm{in}/\mathrm{out}} $$

Z

in
/
out

for d even and the logarithmically divergent part of log

$$ {\mathcal{Z}}_{\mathrm{in}/\mathrm{out}} $$

Z

in
/
out

for d odd. We also find that the regularized in-out vacuum amplitude equals the ratio of determinants associated with different quantizations in AdS
d
upon the identification of certain parameters in the two theories.
Strong cosmic censorship in the BTZ black hole
Authors: Emparan Roberto , Tomašević Marija
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Recently it has been shown that quantum fields can be regular on the inner, Cauchy horizon of a rotating BTZ black hole, which appears to indicate a failure of strong cosmic censorship. We argue that, instead, what these results imply is that the inner horizon remains non-singular when leading-order backreaction of the quantum fields is computed, but, after next-order backreaction is accounted for, it will become singular. Then, strong cosmic censorship will be enforced in the BTZ black hole. We support our claims using a four-dimensional holographic dual of the system, which connects the instability of the inner horizon of the BTZ black hole to that of Kerr-type black holes.
On $$\widetilde{J}$$-tangent Affine Hyperspheres
Authors: Szancer Zuzanna
Published: June 2020

In this paper we study$$\widetilde{J}$$J~-tangent affine hyperspheres, where$$\widetilde{J}$$J~is the canonical para-complex structure on$$\mathbb {R}^{2n+2}$$R2n+2. The main purpose of this paper is to give a classification of$$\widetilde{J}$$J~-tangent affine hyperspheres of an arbitrary dimension with an involutive distribution$$\mathcal {D}$$D. In particular, we classify all such hyperspheres in the 3-dimensional case. We also show that there is a direct relation between$$\widetilde{J}$$J~-tangent affine hyperspheres and Calabi products. As an application we obtain certain classification results. In particular, we show that, with one exception, all odd dimensional proper flat affine hyperspheres are, after a suitable affine transformation,$$\widetilde{J}$$J~-tangent. Some examples of$$\widetilde{J}$$J~-tangent affine hyperspheres are also given.
Evidence of diverse movement strategies and habitat use by white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, off southern Australia
Authors: Bradford Russell , Patterson T. A. , Rogers P. J. , McAuley R. , Mountford S. , Huveneers C. , Robbins R. , Fox A. , Bruce B. D.
Published: June 2020

Large endothermic pelagic sharks are highly migratory and use habitats spanning a broad range of coastal, neritic and oceanic areas. This study aimed to resolve the current lack of information on the movements and habitat use of white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias, between shelf, slope and oceanic areas located off southwestern Australia. Movement behaviours, spatial distribution patterns and vertical habitat use of juvenile, sub-adult and adult white sharks ranging in size from 1.9 to 5.7 m total length were examined using 43 satellite tags deployed over 15 years. Pop-up satellite archival tags and satellite-linked radio tags collected 3663 days and > 109,900 km of tracking data over periods of up to 381 days. We demonstrated sex-based differences in movement and distribution patterns of male (21) and female (19) white sharks. Female dispersal was broader and extended further offshore than males, which largely remained in neritic and gulf habitats. Female white sharks experienced a narrower range of water temperatures (F = 9.0–19.0 °C; M = 10.4–24.8 °C). Despite these subtle differences, both sexes showed an affinity to the Neptune Island Group and the shelf slope canyons of the eastern Great Australian Bight, which are productive and oceanographically complex regions that support known prey of white sharks. This study highlighted that the southern-western Australian population of white sharks use off-shelf habitat to a greater extent than previously identified. Findings have potential implications for: ecological risk assessments of fisheries that operate in these offshore habitats and for monitoring and managing marine protected areas.
A three-dimensional computed tomography angiography study of the anatomy of the accessory middle colic artery and implications for colorectal cancer surgery
Authors: Yano Mitsuhiro , Okazaki Shinji , Kawamura Ichiro , Ito Shunichiro , Nozu Shintaro , Ashitomi Yuya , Suzuki Takefumi , Kamio Yukinori , Hachiya Osamu
Published: June 2020

Purpose

In the present study, we focused on the accessory middle colic artery and aimed to increase the safety and curative value of colorectal cancer surgery by investigating the artery course and branching patterns.

Methods

We included 143 cases (mean age, 70.4 ± 11.2 years; 86 males) that had undergone surgery for neoplastic large intestinal lesions at the First Department of Surgery at Yamagata University Hospital between August 2015 and July 2018. We constructed three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) angiograms and fused them with reconstructions of the large intestines. We investigated the prevalence of the accessory middle colic artery, the variability of its origin, and the prevalence and anatomy of the arteries accompanying the inferior mesenteric vein at the same level as the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery.

Results

Accessory middle colic artery was observed in 48.9% (70/143) cases. This arose from the superior mesenteric artery in 47, from the inferior mesenteric artery in 21, and from the celiac artery in two cases. In 78.2% (112/143) cases, an artery accompanying the inferior mesenteric vein was present at the same level as the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery; this artery was the left colic artery in 92, the accessory middle colic artery in 11, and it divided and became the left colic artery and the accessory middle colic artery in 10 cases.

Conclusion

3D CT angiograms are useful for preoperative evaluation. Accessory middle colic arteries exist and were observed in 14.9% of cases.
The prevalence and impact of depression in primary systemic vasculitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pittam Bradley , Gupta Sonal , Ahmed Ashar E. , Hughes David M. , Zhao Sizheng Steven
Published: June 2020

Objective

To describe the prevalence of depression among patients with primary systemic vasculitides (PSV); compare prevalence according to vasculitis type and against controls; and examine the impact of depression on PSV outcomes.

Methods

We searched Medline, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science using a predefined protocol in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We included all studies that reported the prevalence or impact of depression in PSV. We also included polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) given its association with giant cell arteritis (GCA). Meta-analyses of prevalence estimates were performed using random-effects models and reported as percentages (95% confidence interval).

Results

We reviewed a total of 15 studies that described the prevalence of depression, categorised into small (n = 10) and large vessel vasculitis (n = 7). Pooled prevalence estimate for depression in a small vessel (predominantly ANCA-associated) vasculitis was 28% (95% CI 20–38%) with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 93%). Depression prevalence in large-vessel vasculitis (Takayasu and GCA/PMR) was 24% (95% CI 17–34%), again with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 96%). One study reported 56% prevalence of depression in medium vessel disease. The prevalence of depression in small vessel vasculitis was higher than healthy controls. In these patients, depression and depressive symptoms were associated with poorer quality of life, adherence, and work disability, but not disease activity or damage.

Conclusion

Depression is highly prevalent among patients with primary systemic vasculitis and associated with poorer outcomes across a range of measures in studies of small vessel disease. Further studies are needed for depression in medium and large vessel vasculitides.
Fabrication of H2S gas sensors using ZnxCu1-xFe2O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Haija Mohammad Abu , Chamakh Mariem , Othman Israa , Banat Fawzi , Ayesh Ahmad I.
Published: June 2020

Spinel ferrite nanoparticles can be easily retrieved and utilized for multiple cycles due to their magnetic properties. In this work, nanoparticles of a ZnxCu1-xFe2O4 composition were synthesized by employing a sol–gel auto-combustion technique. The morphology, composition, and crystal structure were examined using scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The produced nanoparticles are in the range of 30–70 nm and manifest spinel cubic structure. The nanoparticles were tested for their sensitivity to H2 and H2S gases, and the Cu-based spinel ferrite nanoparticles were found the most sensitive and selective to H2S gas. Their enhanced response to H2S gas was attributed to the production of metallic CuFeS2 that manifest higher electrical conductivity as compared with CuFe2O4. The fabricated sensors are functional at low temperatures, and consequently, they need low operational power. They are also simple to fabricate with appropriate cost.