bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and analysis of clinical features of patients with different types of coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Zhao Yi , Zhou Jie , Pan Liuhua , Zhang Yujie , Wang Honggang , Wu Wei , He Jingsong , Chen Jun , Huang He
Published: June 2020

This study was designed to investigate the change of various indexes in patients with different types of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Seventy‐five patients with COVID‐19 were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, and they were classified into moderate, severe and critically severe types according to the disease severity. The basic information, blood routine, pneumonia‐related blood indexes, immune‐related indexes along with liver, kidney and myocardial indexes in patients with different types were analyzed. The analysis of immune‐related indexes showed that the proportions of critically severe patients with abnormal interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) and IL‐4 were higher than those of severe and moderate patients. In addition, the proportion of patients with abnormal total cholesterol increased as the severity of disease increased, and the proportion in critically severe patients was significantly higher than that in moderate patients. The patients with a more severe COVID‐19 are older and more likely to have a history of hypertension. With the progression of COVID‐19, the abnormal proportion of total white blood cell, neutrophils, lymphocytes, IL‐2, IL‐4, and total cholesterol increased. The change of these indexes in patients with different COVID‐19 types could provide reference for the disease severity identification and diagnosis of COVID‐19. In addition, the change in the total cholesterol level suggested that COVID‐19 would induce some liver function damage in patients.
Analysis of the diagnostic value of serum specific antibody testing for coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Yan Meitian , Zheng Yutong , Sun Yanmei , Wang Lan , Luan Liang , Liu Jing , Tian Xiao , Wan Nan
Published: June 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has spread to various regions worldwide. As of 27 April 2020, according to real‐time statistics released by the World Health Organization, there have been 84 341 confirmed cases and 4643 deaths in China, with more than 2 979 484 confirmed cases and 206 450 deaths outside China. The detection of antibodies produced during the immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections has become an important laboratory method for the diagnosis of COVID‐19. However, at present, a little research on these specific antibodies has been conducted. In this study, a retrospective analysis was used to explore the dynamic changes of serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibody and factors affecting diagnostic efficacy, so as to provide a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
The cytokine storm and COVID‐19
Authors: Hu Biying , Huang Shaoying , Yin Lianghong
Published: June 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), which began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has caused a large global pandemic and poses a serious threat to public health. More than 4 million cases of COVID‐19, which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), have been confirmed as of 11 May 2020. SARS‐CoV‐2 is a highly pathogenic and transmissible coronavirus that primarily spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact. A growing body of clinical data suggests that a cytokine storm is associated with COVID‐19 severity and is also a crucial cause of death from COVID‐19. In the absence of antivirals and vaccines for COVID‐19, there is an urgent need to understand the cytokine storm in COVID‐19. Here, we have reviewed the current understanding of the features of SARS‐CoV‐2 and the pathological features, pathophysiological mechanisms, and treatments of the cytokine storm induced by COVID‐19. In addition, we suggest that the identification and treatment of the cytokine storm are important components for rescuing patients with severe COVID‐19.
In vivo microstimulation with cathodic and anodic asymmetric waveforms modulates spatiotemporal calcium dynamics in cortical neuropil and pyramidal neurons of male mice
Authors: Stieger Kevin C. , Eles James R. , Ludwig Kip A. , Kozai Takashi D. Y.
Published: June 2020

Electrical stimulation has been critical in the development of an understanding of brain function and disease. Despite its widespread use and obvious clinical potential, the mechanisms governing stimulation in the cortex remain largely unexplored in the context of pulse parameters. Modeling studies have suggested that modulation of stimulation pulse waveform may be able to control the probability of neuronal activation to selectively stimulate either cell bodies or passing fibers depending on the leading polarity. Thus, asymmetric waveforms with equal charge per phase (i.e., increasing the leading phase duration and proportionately decreasing the amplitude) may be able to activate a more spatially localized or distributed population of neurons if the leading phase is cathodic or anodic, respectively. Here, we use two‐photon and mesoscale calcium imaging of GCaMP6s expressed in excitatory pyramidal neurons of male mice to investigate the role of pulse polarity and waveform asymmetry on the spatiotemporal properties of direct neuronal activation with 10‐Hz electrical stimulation. We demonstrate that increasing cathodic asymmetry effectively reduces neuronal activation and results in a more spatially localized subpopulation of activated neurons without sacrificing the density of activated neurons around the electrode. Conversely, increasing anodic asymmetry increases the spatial spread of activation and highly resembles spatiotemporal calcium activity induced by conventional symmetric cathodic stimulation. These results suggest that stimulation polarity and asymmetry can be used to modulate the spatiotemporal dynamics of neuronal activity thus increasing the effective parameter space of electrical stimulation to restore sensation and study circuit dynamics.
The classification of countable models of set theory
Authors: Clemens John , Coskey Samuel , Dworetzky Samuel
Published: June 2020

We study the complexity of the classification problem for countable models of set theory (). We prove that the classification of arbitrary countable models of is Borel complete, meaning that it is as complex as it can conceivably be. We then give partial results concerning the classification of countable well‐founded models of .
Learning patient‐specific parameters for a diffuse interface glioblastoma model from neuroimaging data
Authors: Agosti A. , Ciarletta P. , Garcke H. , Hinze M.
Published: June 2020

Parameters in mathematical models for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumour growth are highly patient specific. Here, we aim to estimate parameters in a Cahn–Hilliard type diffuse interface model in an optimised way using model order reduction (MOR) based on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). Based on snapshots derived from finite element simulations for the full‐order model (FOM), we use POD for dimension reduction and solve the parameter estimation for the reduced‐order model (ROM). Neuroimaging data are used to define the highly inhomogeneous diffusion tensors as well as to define a target functional in a patient‐specific manner. The ROM heavily relies on the discrete empirical interpolation method, which has to be appropriately adapted in order to deal with the highly nonlinear and degenerate parabolic partial differential equations. A feature of the approach is that we iterate between full order solvers with new parameters to compute a POD basis function and sensitivity‐based parameter estimation for the ROM problems. The algorithm is applied using neuroimaging data for two clinical test cases, and we can demonstrate that the reduced‐order approach drastically decreases the computational effort.
l‐Arginine supplementation of gilts during early gestation modulates energy sensitive pathways in pig conceptuses
Authors: Garcia Ingrid S. , Teixeira Susana A. , Costa Karine A. , Marques Daniele B. D. , Rodrigues Gustavo de A. , Costa Thaís C. , Guimarães José D. , Otto Pamela I. , Saraiva Alysson , Ibelli Adriana M. G. , Cantão Maurício E. , de Oliveira Haniel C. , Ledur Mônica C. , Peixoto Jane de O. , Guimarães Simone E. F.
Published: June 2020

Dietaryl‐arginine (ARG) supplementation has been studied as a nutritional strategy to improve reproductive performance of pregnant sows, since arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid. However, reports addressing the molecular mechanisms that mediate supplementation effects on embryos and fetuses development are still scarce. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of 1.0% ARG supplementation of commercial pregnant gilts on genes and proteins from energy metabolism and antioxidant defense pathways in embryos and fetuses. We also analyzed the global transcriptome profile of 25‐ and 35‐day‐old conceptuses. At Day 25, we observed a lower abundance of phospho‐AMP‐activated protein kinase (phospho‐AMPK) protein and downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation system genes in ARG embryos. On the other hand, ARG fetuses showed greater expression ofMLST8and lower expression ofMTORgenes, in addition to lower abundance of phospho‐AMPK and phospho‐mammalian target of rapamycin (phospho‐mTOR) proteins. Transcriptome analysis at Day 35 did not present differentially expressed genes. For the antioxidant defense pathway, no differences were found between CON and ARG conceptuses, only trends. In general, supplementation of gilts with 1.0% ARG during early gestation affects energy sensitive pathways in 25‐ and 35‐day conceptuses; however, no effects of supplementation were found on the antioxidative defense pathway in 25‐day embryos.
Spectral estimates for saddle point matrices arising in weak constraint four‐dimensional variational data assimilation
Authors: Daužickaitė Ieva , Lawless Amos S. , Scott Jennifer A. , van Leeuwen Peter Jan
Published: June 2020

We consider the large sparse symmetric linear systems of equations that arise in the solution of weak constraint four‐dimensional variational data assimilation, a method of high interest for numerical weather prediction. These systems can be written as saddle point systems with a 3 × 3 block structure but block eliminations can be performed to reduce them to saddle point systems with a 2 × 2 block structure, or further to symmetric positive definite systems. In this article, we analyse how sensitive the spectra of these matrices are to the number of observations of the underlying dynamical system. We also obtain bounds on the eigenvalues of the matrices. Numerical experiments are used to confirm the theoretical analysis and bounds.
An outlook into the Turkish civil‐military relations after the 2016 coup
Authors: Uluçakar Mustafa
Published: June 2020

The main aim of this paper is to analyze the efficacy of the post 15 July civil control measures by comparing them with the most common coup‐proofing practices as well as the Turkish civil control measures taken between 2002 and 2010. The data gathering process of the study is based on the literature on coups, coup‐proofing, and evaluating the efficacy of coup‐proofing practices. Additional data were collected through the official gazette archives. The study begins with some remarks on the concepts of the coup, coup‐proofing, and democratic control of the military followed by the brief history of Turkish civil control practices before and after July 15. Then it discusses the most common coup‐proofing practices. This section is followed by a comparative analysis of post‐15 July civil control measures with the most common coup proofing examples and the Turkish civil control measures taken between 2002 and 2010.
Rembrandt portraits: Implicitly detecting the original perspective
Authors: Wang Xuanyu , Bao Yan
Published: June 2020

The original left‐front perspective of portraits by Rembrandt was detected by Chinese students with a higher recognition rate as compared to the right‐front perspective or the mirror reversals of both perspectives. Oculomotor patterns indicated that the eye regions provided essential information for such implicit detection.
Subjectifying the Personality State: Theoretical Underpinnings and an Empirical Example
Authors: Lazarus Gal , Sened Haran , Rafaeli Eshkol
Published: June 2020

Recent developments in personality research highlight the value of modelling dynamic state–like manifestations of personality. The present work integrates these developments with prominent clinical models addressing within–person multiplicity and promotes the exploration of models centred on state–like manifestations of personality that function as cohesive organizational units. Such units possess distinct subjective qualities and are characterized by specific affects, behaviours, cognitions, and desires that tend to be co–activated. As background, we review both theory and research from the fields of social cognition, psychotherapy, and psychopathology that serve as the foundation for such models. We then illustrate our ideas in greater detail with one well–supported clinical model—the schema therapy mode model, chosen because it provides a finite and definite set of modes (i.e. cohesive personality states). We assessed these modes using a newly developed experience–sampling measure administered to 52 individuals (four times daily for 15 days). We estimated intraindividual and group–level temporal and contemporaneous networks based on the within–person variance as well as between–person network. We discuss findings from exemplar participants and from group–level networks and address cross–model particularities and consistencies. In conclusion, we consider potential idiographic and nomothetic applications of subjective states dynamic personality research based on intensive longitudinal methods. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology
Risk factors for nontuberculous mycobacterial isolation in patients with cystic fibrosis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Reynaud Quitterie , Bricca Romain , Cavalli Zoe , Nove‐Josserand Raphaële , Durupt Stéphane , Reix Philippe , Burgel Pierre Régis , Durieu Isabelle
Published: June 2020

Background

To better understand the mechanisms of infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), we explore different risk factors associated with NTM positivity in a meta‐analysis.

Methods

Studies published before 31 July 2019 were selected from MEDLINE. Combined odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by pooling the ORs of each study. The weighted mean difference (WMD) was used for continuous numerical measurements. Summary data were pooled using fixed‐ or random‐effects models according to the presence of heterogeneity (P < .1 or I2 > 50%).

Results

Nineteen studies with a total of 23 418 patients, of whom 1421 (6%) were diagnosed as NTM positive, were included. Older age was significantly associated with NTM positivity (WMD = 2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11‐3.13; P < .01, fixed‐effects model). The OR for Staphylococcus aureus colonization was 1.66 (95% CI: 1.21‐2.26; P = .001) in 11 studies (8091 patients), the OR for Aspergillus fumigatus colonization was 3.59 (95% CI: 3.05‐4.23; P < .001) in 11 studies (20 480 patients), and the OR for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia colonization was 3.41 (95% CI: 2.66‐4.39; P < .01) in seven studies (14 935 patients). Oral corticosteroids were significantly associated with NTM positivity (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.24‐3.16; P < .01, 6 studies, 1936 patients). No other factor showed a significant association.

Conclusion

Older age, S. aureus, S. maltophilia, and A. fumigatus chronic colonization, and oral corticosteroids were significantly associated with an increased risk of NTM positivity. CF patients with more severe conditions should be closely monitored for NTM.
Risk factors for atopic and nonatopic asthma in Puerto Rican children
Authors: Landeo‐Gutierrez Jeremy , Han Yueh‐Ying , Forno Erick , Rosser Franziska J. , Acosta‐Pérez Edna , Canino Glorisa , Celedón Juan C.
Published: June 2020

Background

Little is known about the risk factors for atopic and nonatopic asthma among children in Puerto Rico. We aimed to identify modifiable risk factors for atopic and nonatopic asthma in this vulnerable population.

Methods

Case‐control study of children with (n = 305) and without (n = 327) asthma in San Juan (Puerto Rico). Asthma was defined as physician‐diagnosed asthma and wheeze in the previous year. Atopic asthma (n = 210) was defined as asthma and greater than or equal to one positive IgE to aero‐allergens. Nonatopic asthma (n = 95) was defined as asthma and no positive IgE to the allergens tested. Logistic regression was used for the multivariable analysis of atopic and nonatopic asthma.

Results

In a multivariable analysis, body mass index (BMI) z score, prematurity, parental asthma, lifetime exposure to gun violence, and having a bird in the child's home were associated with increased odds of atopic asthma, while each one‐point increment in a dietary score (range: −2 [least healthy diet] to +2 [healthiest diet]) was associated with 37% reduced odds of atopic asthma (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.48‐0.81; P < .01). In a separate multivariable analysis, parental asthma, early‐life second‐hand smoke (SHS) exposure, and daycare attendance in the first year of life were significantly associated with increased odds of nonatopic asthma, while each one‐point increment in the dietary score was associated with 42% reduced odds of nonatopic asthma (95% CI = 0.45‐0.76; P < .01).

Conclusions

We have identified potentially modifiable risk factors for atopic asthma (eg, BMI and gun violence), nonatopic asthma (eg, early‐life SHS and daycare attendance), or both (eg, an unhealthy diet) in Puerto Rican children.
Adsorption of SO2, H2S, NH3, PH3, and AsH3Gas Molecules on Pristine Armchair Phosphorene Nanoribbon: A First‐Principles Study
Authors: Sardarzadeh Shima , Karamdel Javad , Nayebi Payman
Published: June 2020

The present research studies the adsorption behaviors of SO2, H2S, NH3, PH3, and AsH3over pristine phosphorene nanoribbon (PNR) with armchair edges via first‐principles computations. The adsorption energies, adsorption distances, charge transfers, transmission spectrum, and density of states (DOS) of the adsorbed gas molecules on armchair PNR (APNR) are computed. According to the simulation outputs, the APNR has higher sensitivity to SO2gas molecules with the most significant charge transfer and the most considerable adsorption energy among these gas molecules. It is also noticed that the APNR presents a weak sensitivity to the PH3molecule. Two terminal devices are constructed, and the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the sensors are computed with the use of nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism. The obtained results demonstrate that the current which passed across the armchair PNR is reduced after adsorbing the SO2gas molecule.
Comparison of GO and polymer microcapacitors prepared by ion beam writing
Authors: Malinský Petr , Romanenko Oleksandr , Havránek Vladimir , Hnatowicz Vladimir , Stammers James Henry , Cutroneo Mariapompea , Novák Josef , Slepička Petr , Svorčík Václav , Szőkölová Kateřina , Bouša Daniel , Sofer Zdeněk , Macková Anna
Published: June 2020

Carbon beam writing was employed as a method for maskless production of microscale capacitors in both insulating graphene oxide (GO) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix. The GO and PMMA foils were irradiated using a 5‐MeV C3+ beam with micrometer scale resolution. As follows, the shape of the created microstructures and compositional changes was studied using the scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy method (SEM/EDS). The structural and compositional progression was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), and elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) spectroscopy. The improvement of the prepared structures' electrical properties was also studied, and it can be concluded that carbon irradiation leads to the removal of oxygen and hydrogen and to growth of the carbon domains, which is connected with the conductivity increase of the irradiated parts and capacitance of the final products in the order of pF.
Weakly coupled conformal manifolds in 4d
Authors: Razamat Shlomo S. , Sabag Evyatar , Zafrir Gabi
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We classify

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 gauge theories with simple gauge groups in four dimensions which possess a conformal manifold passing through weak coupling. A very rich variety of models is found once one allows for arbitrary representations under the gauge group. For each such model we detail the dimension of the conformal manifold, the conformal anomalies, and the global symmetry preserved on a generic locus of the manifold. We also identify, at least some, sub-loci of the conformal manifolds preserving more symmetry than the generic locus. Several examples of applications of the classification are discussed. In particular we consider a conformal triality such that one of the triality frames is a USp(6) gauge theory with six fields in the two index traceless antisymmetric representation. We discuss an IR dual of a conformal Spin(5) gauge theory with two chiral superfields in the vector representation and one in the fourteen dimensional representation. Finally, an extension of the conformal manifold of

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 2 class

$$ \mathcal{S} $$

S

theories by conformally gauging symmetries corresponding to maximal punctures with the addition of two adjoint chiral superfields is commented upon.
A search for axion-like particles in light-by-light scattering at the CLIC
Authors: İnan S.C. , Kisselev A.V.
Published: June 2020

Abstract

The virtual production of axion-like particles (ALPs) in the light-by-light scattering at the CLIC collider is studied. Both differential and total cross sections are calculated, assuming interaction of the ALP with photons via CP-odd term in the La­grangian. The 95% C.L. exclusion regions for the ALP mass and its coupling constant are given. By comparing our results with existing collider bounds, we see that the ALP search at the CLIC has a great physics potential of searching for the ALPs, especially, in the mass region 1TeV-2.4 TeV, with the collision energy

$$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= 3000 GeV and integrated luminosity L = 5000 fb-1 for the Compton backscattered initial photons. In particular, our limits are stronger than recently obtained bounds for the ALP production in the light-by-light scattering at the LHC.
Dual conformal symmetry and iterative integrals in six dimensions
Authors: Bork L.V. , Iakhibbaev R.M. , Kazakov D.I. , Tolkachev D.M.
Published: June 2020

Abstract

In this article, we continue the investigation of [1] regarding iterative properties of dual conformal integrals in higher dimensions. In d = 4, iterative properties of four and five point dual conformal integrals manifest themselves in the famous BDS ansatz conjecture. In [1] it was also conjectured that a similar structure of integrals may reappear in d = 6. We show that one can systematically, order by order in the number of loops, construct combinations of d = 6 integrals with 1/(p
2)2 propagators with an iterative structure similar to the d = 4 case. Such combinations as a whole also respect dual conformal invariance but individual integrals may not.
Improved opacity expansion for medium-induced parton splitting
Authors: Mehtar-Tani Yacine , Tywoniuk Konrad
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We present a new expansion scheme to compute the rate for parton splittings in dense and finite QCD media. In contrast to the standard opacity expansion, our expansion is performed around the harmonic oscillator whose characteristic frequency depends on the typical transverse momentum scale generated in the splitting. The first two orders account for the high frequency regime that is dominated by single hard scatterings together with the regime of multiple soft scatterings at low frequency. This provides the tools to go beyond the leading logarithmic approximation and compare to the full numerical solution to the corresponding Schrödinger equation across a wide range of gluon frequencies. We investigate the sensitivity of our results to varying the separation scale that defines the leading order. Finally, the application to Monte Carlo event generators is discussed.
Diversity, enrichment, and genomic potential of anaerobic methane- and ammonium-oxidizing microorganisms from a brewery wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Stultiens Karin , van Kessel Maartje A.H.J. , Frank Jeroen , Fischer Peter , Pelzer Chris , van Alen Theo A. , Kartal Boran , Op den Camp Huub J.M. , Jetten Mike S.M.
Published: June 2020

Anaerobic wastewater treatment offers several advantages; however, the effluent of anaerobic digesters still contains high levels of ammonium and dissolved methane that need to be removed before these effluents can be discharged to surface waters. The simultaneous anaerobic removal of methane and ammonium by denitrifying (N-damo) methanotrophs in combination with anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria could be a potential solution to this challenge. After a molecular survey of a wastewater plant treating brewery effluent, indicating the presence of both N-damo and anammox bacteria, we started an anaerobic bioreactor with a continuous supply of methane, ammonium, and nitrite to enrich these anaerobic microorganisms. After 14 months of operation, a stable enrichment culture containing two types of ‘CandidatusMethylomirabilis oxyfera’ bacteria and two strains of ‘Ca. Brocadia’-like anammox bacteria was achieved. In this community, anammox bacteria converted 80% of the nitrite with ammonium, while ‘Ca. Methylomirabilis’ contributed to 20% of the nitrite consumption. The analysis of metagenomic 16S rRNA reads and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) correlated well and showed that, after 14 months, ‘Ca. Methylomirabilis’ and anammox bacteria constituted approximately 30 and 20% of the total microbial community. In addition, a substantial part (10%) of the community consisted ofPhycisphaera-related planctomycetes. Assembly and binning of the metagenomic sequences resulted in high-quality draft genome of two ‘Ca. Methylomirabilis’ species containing the marker genespmoCAB,xoxF, andnirSand putative NO dismutase genes. The anammox draft genomes most closely related to ‘Ca.Brocadia fulgida’ included the marker geneshzsABC,hao, andhdh. Whole-reactor and batch anaerobic activity measurements with methane, ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate revealed an average anaerobic methane oxidation rate of 0.12 mmol h−1 L−1and ammonium oxidation rate of 0.5 mmol h−1 L−1. Together, this study describes the enrichment and draft genomes of anaerobic methanotrophs from a brewery wastewater treatment plant, where these organisms together with anammox bacteria can contribute significantly to the removal of methane and ammonium in a more sustainable way.

Key points

•An enrichment culture containing both N-damo and anammox bacteria was obtained.

• Simultaneous consumption of ammonia, nitrite, and methane under anoxic conditions.

•In-depth metagenomic biodiversity analysis of inoculum and enrichment culture.
High Occurrence of Thrombo-Embolic Complications During Long-Term Follow-up After Pleural Infections—A Single-Center Experience with 536 Consecutive Patients Over 17 Years
Authors: Ala-Seppälä Henna Maria , Ukkonen Mika Tapani , Lehtomäki Antti Ilmari , Pohja Emilia Susanna , Nieminen Jaakko Juhani , Laurikka Jari Olavi , Khan Jahangir Ari
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Pleural infections are associated with significant inflammation, long hospitalizations, frequent comorbidities, and are often treated operatively—all of which are consequential risk factors for thrombo-embolic complications. However, their occurrence following the treatment of pleural infection is still unknown. The aim of the study was to ascertain the early and long-term occurrence of thrombo-embolic events in patients treated for pleural infections.

Methods

The study included all patients that were treated for pleural infections in Tampere University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2016. Data regarding later treatment episodes due to pulmonary embolisms and/or deep vein thromboses as well as survival data were requested from national registries. The rates were also compared to a demographically matched reference population adjusted for age, sex, and the location of residence.

Results

The final study population comprised 536 patients and 5318 controls (median age 60, 78% men). The most common etiology for pleural infection was pneumonia (73%) and 85% underwent surgical treatment for pleural infection. The occurrence of thrombo-embolic complications in patients and controls was 3.8% vs 0.1% at three months, 5.0% vs 0.4% at one year, 8.8% vs 1.0% at three years, and 12.4% vs 1.8% at five years, respectively, p < 0.001 each. Female sex, advanced age, chronic lung disease, immunosuppression, video-assisted surgery, and non-pneumonic etiology were associated with a higher incidence of thrombo-embolism.

Conclusions

The occurrence of thrombo-embolic events—particularly pulmonary embolism but also deep vein thrombosis—was significant in patients treated for pleural infections, both initially and during long-term follow-up.
Fifty years of impact on liver pathology: a history of the Gnomes
Authors: Torbenson Michael , Desmet Valeer , Denk Helmut , Callea Francesco , Burt Alastair D. , Hübscher Stefan G. , Terracciano Luigi , Dienes Hans-Peter , Goodman Zachary D. , Bedossa Pierre , Wanless Ian R. , Roberts Eve A. , Brunt Elizabeth M. , Clouston Andrew D. , Gouw Annette S.H. , Kleiner David , Schirmacher Peter , Tiniakos Dina
Published: June 2020

Professional societies play a major role in medicine and science. The societies tend to be large with well-developed administrative structures. An additional model, however, is based on small groups of experts who meet regularly in an egalitarian model in order to discuss disease-specific scientific and medical problems. In order to illustrate the effectiveness of this model, the history and practices are examined of a long-standing successful example, the International Liver Pathology Group, better known as theGnomes. The history shows that groups such as the Gnomes offer a number of important benefits not available in larger societies and nurturing such groups advances science and medicine in meaningful ways. The success of the Gnomes’ approach provides a road map for future small scientific groups.
Activation of transient receptor potential channel Sm.(Schistosoma mansoni)TRPMPZQ by PZQ, enhanced Ca++ influx, spastic paralysis, and tegumental disrupture—the deadly cascade in parasitic schistosomes, other trematodes, and cestodes
Authors: Harder Achim
Published: June 2020

After almost 50 years of praziquantel (PZQ) research, Park and Marchant (Trends Parasitol 36:182–194, 2020) described the Ca++-permeable transient receptor potential (TRP) channel Sm.TRPMPZQ in Schistosoma mansoni as target of PZQ. Here we describe the deadly cascade in schistosomes which is induced by the (R)-PZQ enantiomer that includes contemporaneous stereoselective activation of Sm.TRPMPZQ-mediated Ca++ influx, disturbed Ca++ homeostasis, Ca++-dependent spastic paralysis, and Ca++- and PZQ-dependent disruption of parasitic teguments. Under normal conditions, there is a reversible balance between bilayer, isotropic, and HII phases in biological membranes (Jouhet 2013). In vitro, we could observe an irreversible but not stereoselective transition to the HII phase in liposomes consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS), two naturally occurring phospholipids in schistosomes, by the concerted action of Ca++ and PZQ (Harder 2013). HII structures are a prerequisite for induction of fusion processes (Jouhet 2013), which, indeed, become visible as blebs, vacuolation processes, and large balloon-like surface exudates in a large variety of PZQ-sensitive parasitic flukes and cestodes after PZQ treatment. These tegument damages are irreversible. As homologs of Sm.TRPMPZQ are also present in the other trematodes S. japonicum, S. haematobium, or Clonorchis sinensis and cestodes Taenia solium, Echinococcus multilocularis, or Hymenolepis microstoma (Park and Marchant, Trends Parasitol 36:182–194, 2020), it is suggested that a similar deadly cascade will be operating generally in PZQ-sensitive parasites.
Incidence and case fatality of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted to hospital between 2008 and 2014 in Norway
Authors: Øie Lise R. , Solheim Ole , Majewska Paulina , Nordseth Trond , Müller Tomm B. , Carlsen Sven M. , Jensberg Heidi , Salvesen Øyvind , Gulati Sasha
Published: June 2020

Background

To provide age- and sex-specific incidence and case fatality rates for non-traumatic aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) in Norway. We also studied time trends in incidence and case fatality, as well as predictors of death following aSAH.

Methods

A nationwide study using discharge data for patients admitted with aSAH between 2008 and 2014.

Results

A total of 1732 patients with aSAH were included. The mean age was 60 years (SD 14) and 63% were females. Crude annual incidence was 5.7 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI 5.4–6.0) and was higher in females (6.3 per 100,000, 95% CI 5.9–6.7) compared with males (4.9 per 100,000, 95% CI 4.5–5.3). The annual decline in aSAH incidence was 3.2% per year (p = 0.007). The cumulative proportions of fatalities at days 30, 90, and 1 year were 22%, 25%, and 37%, respectively. The 30-day mortality rate did not change during the study period. Age (HR 0.7–2.2) and aneurysms in the posterior circulation (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3–2.3, p = 0.001) were associated with higher 30-day case fatality following aSAH, while aneurysm repair (HR 0.2, 95% CI 0.2–0.3, p < 0.001) was associated with lower risk.

Conclusions

The incidence of aSAH declined in Norway between 2008 and 2014. Case fatality following aSAH continues to be high, and the 30-day mortality during the study period was unchanged. Increasing age and aneurysms in the posterior circulation were associated with increased risk of death within 30 days following aSAH.
Protective effect of the oral administration of cystine and theanine on oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy: a pilot randomized trial
Authors: Kobayashi Minoru , Sato Ryuichiro , Komura Toshihiro , Ichikawa Hidetaka , Hirashima Tomoaki , Otake Satoshi , Akazawa Naoya , Yazawa Takashi , Abe Tomoya , Okada Takaho , Kakita Tetsuya , Oikawa Masaya , Tsuchiya Takashi
Published: June 2020

Background

Oxaliplatin, one of the key cytotoxic drugs for colorectal cancer, frequently causes peripheral neuropathy which leads to dose modification and decreased patients’ quality of life. However, prophylactic or therapeutic measures have not yet been established. Orally administered amino acids, cystine and theanine, promoted the synthesis of glutathione which was one of the potential candidates for preventing the neuropathy. The aim of this study was to determine whether daily oral administration of cystine and theanine attenuated oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXLIPN).

Methods

Twenty-eight colorectal cancer patients who received infusional 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) therapy were randomly and evenly assigned to the cystine and theanine group and the control group. OXLIPN was assessed up to the sixth course using original 7-item questionnaire as well as Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grading scale.

Results

Neuropathy scores according to our original questionnaire were significantly smaller in the cystine and theanine group at the fourth (p = 0.026), fifth (p = 0.029), and sixth course (p = 0.038). Furthermore, significant differences were also observed in CTCAE neuropathy grades at the fourth (p = 0.037) and the sixth course (p = 0.017). There was one patient in each group who required dose reduction due to OXLIPN. Except for neurotoxicity, no significant differences were noted in the incidence of adverse events, and the total amount of administered oxaliplatin.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated the daily oral administration of cystine and theanine attenuated OXLIPN.
MR Image-Based Attenuation Correction of Brain PET Imaging: Review of Literature on Machine Learning Approaches for Segmentation
Authors: Mecheter Imene , Alic Lejla , Abbod Maysam , Amira Abbes , Ji Jim
Published: June 2020

Recent emerging hybrid technology of positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging has generated a great need for an accurate MR image-based PET attenuation correction. MR image segmentation, as a robust and simple method for PET attenuation correction, has been clinically adopted in commercial PET/MR scanners. The general approach in this method is to segment the MR image into different tissue types, each assigned an attenuation constant as in an X-ray CT image. Machine learning techniques such as clustering, classification and deep networks are extensively used for brain MR image segmentation. However, only limited work has been reported on using deep learning in brain PET attenuation correction. In addition, there is a lack of clinical evaluation of machine learning methods in this application. The aim of this review is to study the use of machine learning methods for MR image segmentation and its application in attenuation correction for PET brain imaging. Furthermore, challenges and future opportunities in MR image-based PET attenuation correction are discussed.
Tree mortality in the dynamics and management of uneven-aged Norway spruce stands in southern Finland
Authors: Valkonen Sauli , Aulus Giacosa Lucie , Heikkinen Juha
Published: June 2020

This study focused on tree mortality in spruce-dominated stands managed using the single-tree selection method in southern Finland. Together with regeneration and tree growth, mortality is one of the basic elements of the stand structure and dynamics in selection stands. The study was based on data acquired from a set of 20 permanent experimental plots monitored with repeated measurements for 20 years. The average mortality in the number of stems (N) was 4.45 trees ha−1a−1, in basal area (G) 0.07 m2 ha−1a−1, and in stemwood volume (V) 0.56 m3 ha−1a−1. In relative terms it was 0.50% of N, 0.30% of G and 0.27% of V, respectively. Wind and snow were the most common causes of mortality, while deaths by biotic causes (mammals, insects, pathogens) were extremely rare. Some 6–10% of the total loss in the number of stems and volume was attributable to the loss or removal of trees that sustained serious damage in harvesting. Most of the mortality occurred in the smallest diameter classes of up to 20 cm. Such a high mortality among small trees can have an adverse influence on the sustainability of selection structures if not successfully checked in harvesting and management.
Double Quasi-Poisson Brackets: Fusion and New Examples
Authors: Fairon Maxime
Published: June 2020

We exhibit new examples of double quasi-Poisson brackets, based on some classification results and the method of fusion. This method was introduced by Van den Bergh for a large class of double quasi-Poisson brackets which are said differential, and our main result is that it can be extended to arbitrary double quasi-Poisson brackets. We also provide an alternative construction for the double quasi-Poisson brackets of Van den Bergh associated to quivers, and of Massuyeau–Turaev associated to the fundamental groups of surfaces.
Students’ knowledge of emerging technology and sustainability through a design activity in technology education
Authors: Lind Johan , Pelger Susanne , Jakobsson Anders
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore whether, and if so how, a design activity could encourage students to express and develop knowledge on emerging technology in relation to issues about sustainability. Several researchers have asserted that, in today’s technologically dependent society, it is important to be able to control technology and make informed decisions connected to technology. Design activities could make a significant contribution to technology education while students are developing their knowledge about technology. Thus, the present study aims to analyze students’ verbal interactions as they work in a design project, which includes designing a model of a house, regarding their ability to develop technological literacy with the support of a physical model. The study is based on several small-group interactions that were recorded, transcribed, analyzed, and discussed. This research project was conducted as an observation of technology education in a Swedish compulsory school. The students (aged 13–14) negotiated and shared knowledge about technology as they interacted with their fellow students. The results indicate that, in a relatively large number of situations, the students expressed knowledge about emerging technology and adopted a sustainability perspective while working in a design activity, and thereby, successively developed technological literacy. This meant that the students were able to integrate knowledge on emerging technology like graphene, nanotechnology, and algae batteries in their models. Furthermore, the results indicate that, during technical development work, students were able to develop reasoning, communication, and collaboration skills.
Risk Taking by Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): a Behavioral and Psychophysiological Investigation of Peer Influence
Authors: Dekkers Tycho J. , Popma Arne , Sonuga-Barke Edmund J.S. , Oldenhof Helena , Bexkens Anika , Jansen Brenda R. J. , Huizenga Hilde M.
Published: June 2020

Adolescents with ADHD demonstrate increased risk-taking behavior (RTB) like substance abuse and dangerous traffic conduct. RTB in adolescence is more likely under peer influence. The current investigation (1) tests the hypothesis that adolescents with ADHD are particularly susceptible to such influence and (2) tests whether groups differed in autonomic reactivity to peer influence. Adolescent boys between 12 and 19 years with (n = 81) and without (n = 99) ADHD performed the Balloon Analogue Risk Task twice. In the peer condition, a highly credible virtual peer manipulation that encouraged risk taking was added, in the solo condition this was absent. Autonomic reactivity was indexed by heart rate (HR), pre-ejection period (PEP) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA).Alladolescents engaged in more risk taking in the peer condition relative to solo condition. Autonomic differences between groups were only found on PEP: a stronger sympathetic response to peer influence was observed in typically developing adolescents relative to adolescents with ADHD. Increased physiological stress (as indexed by PEP) in the peer relative to the solo condition predicted peer-induced risk taking in all adolescents. We conclude that susceptibility to peer influence is not exaggerated in ADHD but rather reflects a general tendency of adolescents. As adolescents experiencing peer influence as stressful are most susceptible to peer influence, we suggest that increasing resistance to peer influence may be an important treatment aim for these adolescents specifically.
Revisiting afro-alpine Lake Garba Guracha in the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia: rationale, chronology, geochemistry, and paleoenvironmental implications
Authors: Bittner L. , Bliedtner M. , Grady D. , Gil-Romera G. , Martin-Jones C. , Lemma B. , Mekonnen B. , Lamb H. F. , Yang H. , Glaser B. , Szidat S. , Salazar G. , Rose N. L. , Opgenoorth L. , Miehe G. , Zech W. , Zech M.
Published: June 2020

Previous paleolimnological studies demonstrated that the sediments of Garba Guracha, situated at 3950 m asl in the afro-alpine zone of the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia, provide a complete Late Glacial and Holocene paleoclimate and environmental archive. We revisited Garba Guracha in order to retrieve new sediment cores and to apply new environmental proxies, e.g. charcoal, diatoms, biomarkers, and stable isotopes. Our chronology is established using 210Pb dating and radiocarbon dating of bulk sedimentary organic matter, bulk n-alkanes, and charcoal. Although bedrock was not reached during coring, basal ages confirm that sedimentation started at the earliest ~ 16 cal kyr BP. The absence of a systematic age offset for the n-alkanes suggests that “pre-aging” is not a prominent issue in this lake, which is characterised by a very small afro-alpine catchment. X-ray fluorescence scans and total organic carbon contents show a prominent transition from minerogenic to organic-rich sediments around 11 cal kyr BP coinciding with the Holocene onset. While an unambiguous terrestrial versus aquatic source identification seems challenging, the n-alkane-based Paq proxy, TOC/N ratios, δ13C values, and the sugar biomarker patterns suggest a predominantly autochthonous organic matter source. Supraregional climate events, such as the African Humid Period, the Younger Dryas (YD), a 6.5 cal kyr BP short drying event, and the 4.2 cal kyr BP transition to overall drier climate are recorded in our archive. The Garba Guracha record suggests that northern hemisphere forcings played a role in the Eastern African highland paleoclimate.
A decomposition heuristic for rotational workforce scheduling
Authors: Becker Tristan
Published: June 2020

In rotational workforce planning, a schedule is constructed from a sequence of work and rest periods. Each employee starts at a different part of the schedule, and after a certain amount of time, the schedule repeats. The length of the schedule increases with a higher number of employees. At the same time, various constraints on work sequences and days off have to be considered. For a large number of employees, it is difficult to construct a schedule that meets the requirements. It is important to ensure low solution times independently of the problem instance characteristics. In this work, a novel decomposition approach for rotational shift scheduling is proposed. The decomposition exploits the fact that most constraints in rotational workforce scheduling are imposed on the work shift sequence. By considering a fixed set of blocks to cover the demand, the problem complexity can be greatly reduced. Given a fixed set of blocks, we propose a network model that determines whether a feasible sequence of shift blocks exists. The decomposition approach is applied to the problem structure of the Rotating Workforce Scheduling Problem but may be extended to different problem structures. In a computational study, the decomposition approach is compared to a mathematical formulation and previous exact and heuristic approaches. Computational results show that the decomposition approach greatly outperforms previous heuristics on the standard benchmarks.