bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and neuroimaging findings in 33 patients with MCAP syndrome: A survey to evaluate relevant endpoints for future clinical trials
Authors: Garde Aurore , Guibaud Laurent , Goldenberg Alice , Petit Florence , Dard Rodolphe , Roume Joelle , Mazereeuw‐Hautier Juliette , Chassaing Nicolas , Lacombe Didier , Morice‐Picard Fanny , Toutain Annick , Arpin Stéphanie , Boccara Olivia , Touraine Renaud , Blanchet Patricia , Coubes Christine , Willems Marjolaine , Pinson Lucile , Van Kien Philippe Khau , Chiaverini Christine , Giuliano Fabienne , Alessandri Jean‐Luc , Mathieu‐Dramard Michèle , Morin Gilles , Bursztejn Anne‐Claire , Mignot Cyril , Doummar Diane , Di Rocco Frederico , Cornaton Jenny , Nicolas Claire , Gautier Elodie , Luu Maxime , Bardou Marc , Sorlin Arthur , Philippe Christophe , Edery Patrick , Rossi Massimiliano , Carmignac Virginie , Thauvin‐Robinet Christel , Vabres Pierre , Faivre Laurence
Published: January 2021

Megalencephaly‐CApillary malformation‐Polymicrogyria (MCAP) syndrome results from somatic mosaic gain‐of‐function variants in PIK3CA. Main features are macrocephaly, somatic overgrowth, cutaneous vascular malformations, connective tissue dysplasia, neurodevelopmental delay, and brain anomalies. The objectives of this study were to describe the clinical and radiological features of MCAP, to suggest relevant clinical endpoints applicable in future trials of targeted drug therapy. Based on a French collaboration, we collected clinical features of 33 patients (21 females, 12 males, median age of 9.9 years) with MCAP carrying mosaic PIK3CA pathogenic variants. MRI images were reviewed for 21 patients. The main clinical features reported were macrocephaly at birth (20/31), postnatal macrocephaly (31/32), body/facial asymmetry (21/33), cutaneous capillary malformations (naevus flammeus 28/33, cutis marmorata 17/33). Intellectual disability was present in 15 patients. Among the MRI images reviewed, the neuroimaging findings were megalencephaly (20/21), thickening of corpus callosum (16/21), Chiari malformation (12/21), ventriculomegaly/hydrocephaly (10/21), cerebral asymmetry (6/21) and polymicrogyria (2/21). This study confirms the main known clinical features that defines MCAP syndrome. Taking into account the phenotypic heterogeneity in MCAP patients, in the context of emerging clinical trials, we suggest that patients should be evaluated based on the main neurocognitive expression on each patient.
Essential diabetes medicines and health outcomes in 127 countries
Authors: Budhram Dalton , Benipal Simran , Bilimoria Krish , Maraj Darshanand , Wang Ri , Persaud Nav
Published: January 2021

Aim

Diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death. Improving access to diabetes medicines may decrease mortality. Diabetes medicines on national essential medicines lists (NEMLs) vary considerably. We examine the association between diabetes population health outcomes relating to mortality and the listing of diabetes medicines on national essential medicine lists for 127 countries.

Materials and methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study. We determined the number of diabetes medicines on NEMLs and used multiple linear regression to analyse the association between diabetes health outcomes and the number of medicines on NEMLs. We used linear regression to assess the association between diabetes health outcomes and the listing of or not listing of medicines that were listed by 25‐75% of countries. Diabetes prevalence, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and mean expenditure per person with diabetes were controlled for in all analyses.

Results

The total number of diabetes medicines listed on NEMLs ranged from 0 to 16 (median: 4; interquartile range: 3‐6). Diabetes health outcome scores were associated with the number of diabetes medicines on NEMLs [1.3‐point increase (95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.5‐2.1) for every additional medicine on NEMLs; P = .002] and GDP per capita [19.5‐point increase (95% CI 5.4‐33.6) for every 10‐fold increase in GDP; P = .003]. Diabetes expenditure was not associated with health outcome scores (P = .23). Increases in diabetes health outcomes score were associated with the listing of glimepiride (7.9‐point increase, 95% CI 2.3‐13.5, P = .006) and glipizide (5.8‐point increase, 95% CI 0.03‐11.6, P = .049) on NEMLs.

Conclusions

Listing of diabetes medicines on NEMLs has the potential to improve population health outcomes related to mortality in countries with diverse incomes and diabetes prevalence without necessarily increasing diabetes health expenditure.
Mass spectrometry‐based characterization of histones in clinical samples: applications, progress, and challenges
Authors: Noberini Roberta , Robusti Giulia , Bonaldi Tiziana
Published: January 2021

In the last 15 years, increasing evidence linking epigenetics to various aspects of cancer biology has prompted the investigation of histone post‐translational modifications (PTMs) and histone variants in the context of clinical samples. The studies performed so far demonstrated the potential of this type of investigations for the discovery of both potential epigenetic biomarkers for patient stratification and novel epigenetic mechanisms potentially targetable for cancer therapy. Although traditionally the analysis of histones in clinical samples was performed through antibody‐based methods, mass spectrometry (MS) has emerged as a more powerful tool for the unbiased, comprehensive, and quantitative investigation of histone PTMs and variants. MS has been extensively used for the analysis of epigenetic marks in cell lines and animal tissue and, thanks to recent technological advances, is now ready to be applied also to clinical samples. In this review, we will provide an overview on the quantitative MS‐based analysis of histones, their PTMs and their variants in cancer clinical samples, highlighting current achievements and future perspectives for this novel field of research. Among the different MS‐based approaches currently available for histone PTM profiling, we will focus on the ‘bottom‐up’ strategy, namely the analysis of short proteolytic peptides, as it has been already successfully employed for the analysis of clinical samples.
An experimental test of climate change effects in northern lakes: Increasing allochthonous organic matter and warming alters autumn primary production
Authors: Hamdan Mohammed , Byström Pär , Hotchkiss Erin R. , Al‐Haidarey Mohammed J. , Karlsson Jan
Published: January 2021

Climate changes are predicted to influence gross primary production (GPP) of lakes directly through warming and indirectly through increased loads of allochthonous coloured dissolved organic matter (cDOM) from surrounding landscapes. However, few studies have investigated this combined effect.

Here we tested the effects of warming (elevated 3℃) and cDOM input (three levels of humic river water addition) on GPP in autumn (2 months including open water and ice‐covered periods) in experimental pond ecosystems.

The cDOM input decreased whole‐ecosystem GPP at natural temperature conditions mainly as a result of lower benthic GPP not fully counteracted by an increase in pelagic GPP, while warming increased whole‐ecosystem GPP due to a positive response of mainly pelagic GPP at all levels of cDOM input.

Warming delayed autumn ice cover formation by 2 weeks but did not affect light availability in the water column compared to ambient ice‐covered treatments. Gross primary production during this period was still affected by warming and cDOM.

The results stress the importance of accounting for multiple climate drivers and habitats when predicting lake GPP responses to climate change. We conclude that climate change may shift whole‐ecosystem GPP through different responses of habitat‐specific GPP to increasing cDOM inputs and warming.
Is environmental regulation a blessing or a curse for China's urban land use efficiency? Evidence from a threshold effect model
Authors: Zhang Xupeng , Lu Xinhai , Chen Danling , Zhang Chaozheng , Ge Kun , Kuang Bing , Liu Sui
Published: January 2021

Severe land shortage causes a higher demand for domestic and foreign land‐intensive products. As a result, resource utilization, and related environmental issues, will increase in urban areas. To this respect, the analysis of the impact of environmental regulation on urban land use efficiency helps to identify potential points for interventions designed to ensure sustainable land use. This study first introduces a theoretical framework to investigate the micro‐transmission mechanism of environmental regulation on urban land use efficiency. Our profit decision‐making model concludes that the impact of environmental regulation on urban land use efficiency is influenced by changes in the industrial structure. Empirically, our preliminary analysis suggests that in addition to population density, both formal and informal environmental regulation can promote urban land use efficiency, with a significant spatial heterogeneity across the sample regions. Further, this study shows a remarkable double‐threshold relationship between formal environmental regulation and urban land use efficiency in China. We clarify and confirm that environmental regulation promoted urban land use efficiency only when regulation intensity was higher than 0.8612. Environmental regulation increased urban land use efficiency in high‐level industrial rationalization areas, whereas it had the opposite effect in low‐level ones. Furthermore, there was a clear marginal diminishing effect of the impact of environmental regulation on urban land use efficiency when the optimization of the industrial structure was set as a threshold variable.
Prognostic role of Wnt and Fzd gene families in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Dai Yifeng , Cheng Zhiheng , Fricke Doerte R. , Zhao Hongyou , Huang Wenhui , Zhong Qingfu , Zhu Pei , Zhang Wenjuan , Wu Zhihua , Lin Qing , Zhu Huoyan , Liu Yan , Qian Tingting , Fu Lin , Cui Longzhen , Zeng Tiansheng
Published: January 2021

Wnt‐Fzd signalling pathway plays a critical role in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) progression and oncogenicity. There is no study to investigate the prognostic value of Wnt and Fzd gene families in AML. Our study screened 84 AML patients receiving chemotherapy only and 71 also undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We found that some Wnt and Fzd genes had significant positive correlations. The expression levels of Fzd gene family were independent of survival in AML patients. In the chemotherapy group, AML patients with high Wnt2B or Wnt11 expression had significantly shorter event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS); high Wnt10A expressers had significantly longer OS than the low expressers (all P < .05), whereas, in the allo‐HSCT group, the expression levels of Wnt gene family were independent of survival. We further found that high expression of Wnt10A and Wnt11 had independent prognostic value, and the patients with high Wnt10A and low Wnt11 expression had the longest EFS and OS in the chemotherapy group. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that genes related to Wnt10A, Wnt11 and Wnt 2B were mainly enriched in ‘cell morphogenesis involved in differentiation’, ‘haematopoietic cell lineage’, ‘platelet activation, signalling and aggregation’ and ‘mitochondrial RNA metabolic process’ signalling pathways. Our results indicate that high Wnt2B and Wnt11 expression predict poor prognosis, and high Wnt10A expression predicts favourable prognosis in AML, but their prognostic effects could be neutralized by allo‐HSCT. Combined Wnt10A and Wnt11 may be a novel prognostic marker in AML.
Hind limb muscle reconstruction in the incipiently opisthopubic large therizinosaur Nothronychus (Theropoda; Maniraptora)
Authors: Smith David K.
Published: January 2021

Therizinosaurs are highly modified, probably herbivorous, theropods from the Upper Cretaceous of Asia and North America. They are characterized by an extensively pneumatized axial skeleton, and in the derived forms, an incipiently opisthopubic pelvis. The evolution of such a pelvis is expected to be associated with extensive modification of the muscular system. The muscular system is reconstructed using observed muscle scars, reconstructions of the theropods Staurikosaurus and Tyrannosaurus, the ornithischian Maiasaura, and extant crocodilians and birds. The results indicate convergence with birds and ornithischian dinosaurs, such that the retroverted pubis in some maniraptorans can be regarded as analogous with the postacetabular bar in ornithischians. Functional implications also make derived therizinosaurs, such as Nothronychus, in some respects convergent with birds as the pubis is retroverted, becoming fused with the ischium, a laterally flaring synsacrum, and an avian‐like pes.
Manager narcissism and employee silence: A socio‐analytic theory perspective
Authors: Hamstra Melvyn R. W. , Schreurs Bert , Jawahar I. M. (Jim) , Laurijssen L. Maxim , Hünermund Paul
Published: January 2021

Employee silence is detrimental to organizations, and managers high in narcissism may create conditions that indirectly promote employee silence. Drawing on socio‐analytic theory, in three samples (Ns = 79, 125, and 119), we investigated whether employees’ perceptions of manager trustworthiness mediated the relation between manager trait narcissism and employee silence, and whether this mediation was moderated by a social skill, apparent sincerity. We found that the three samples largely supported our research model. Manager narcissism lowered employees’ perceptions of manager trustworthiness, which were in turn related to increased employee silence. Whereas the effect of narcissism on trustworthiness perceptions and, indirectly, on employee silence were stronger for managers lower in apparent sincerity, these effects of narcissism were absent for managers high in apparent sincerity.

Practitioner points

Perceptions of manager trustworthiness are a key relational process in dyadic, leader–follower relationships; for example, as our studies show, low trustworthiness predicts employee silence about important issues that may be hampering work/organizational functioning.

Furthermore, our studies show that manager trait narcissism drives employees’ perceptions of their manager’s trustworthiness, and indirectly, employee silence.

The findings highlight the downsides of manager narcissism in dyadic relationships with employees, which prompts guarding against hiring and promoting individuals who are high in trait narcissism to management positions.

Moreover, we find that high narcissism managers who seek to appear sincere, may be successful at mitigating the impact of their narcissism on trustworthiness and silence.

The findings lead us to recommend managers to improve their sincerity impression management skills – not doing so may be particularly detrimental among those who are more narcissistic.
Evaluation of Denture Base Adaptation Fabricated Using Conventional, Subtractive, and Additive Technologies: A Volumetric Micro‐Computed Tomography Analysis
Authors: Oğuz Ece İrem , Kılıçarslan Mehmet Ali , Özcan Mutlu , Ocak Mert , Bilecenoğlu Burak , Orhan Kaan
Published: January 2021

Purpose

An in vitro study to compare the adaptation of denture bases fabricated with 4 different techniques using volumetric 3‐dimentional (3D) analysis.

Material and Methods

Edentulous maxillary and mandibular casts were scanned, and standardized denture bases were designed using CAD design software. The same standard tessellation language (STL) data were used to produce the denture bases with 4 different fabrication methods: compression molding (CM), injection molding (IM), PMMA milling (PM), and 3D printing (3D) (n = 11/group). Milled wax denture bases were used to fabricate CM and IM groups. Denture bases placed on edentulous casts were scanned using micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT). Volumetric gap between denture base and cast was calculated from 6 locations for maxilla (anterior ridge crest, posterior ridge crest, labial vestibule, buccal vestibule, palate, and posterior palatal seal) and 3 locations for mandible (intermolar, molar, and retromolar) in addition to overall gap measurements for edentulous arches. The data were analyzed with factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA), 1‐way ANOVA, and post‐hoc Duncan tests. Reproducibility of fabrication methods with regard to each location was assessed using Z test (α = 0.05).

Results

In the maxilla, the highest and lowest palatal gap measurements were recorded for CM (898.44 ± 87.73 mm3) and PM (357.16 ± 57.68 mm3) (p = 0.05). The highest gap measurements for CM and 3D were at palate and, for IM and PM were at posterior ridge crest. In mandible, the volumetric gap measurements for CM were the highest and for PM were the lowest irrespective of location (p = 0.05). PM group showed the best reproducibility and adaptation with the lowest overall mean gaps for both edentulous arches (p = 0.05).

Conclusions

Denture bases milled from PMMA blocks showed better adaptation than 3D printed, or wax milled and conventionally fabricated denture bases for both maxillary and mandibular arches. PMMA milling is a reproducible technique that enables the construction of accurate dentures. Clinicians should be cautious about the palatal gap when the compression molding technique is used. Micro‐CT is a valid technique for evaluating the denture base adaptation.
Heat stress management in poultry
Authors: Goel Akshat
Published: January 2021

High ambient temperature is one of the major causes of economic losses in the livestock industry. The poultry industry is an integral part of the livestock industry. It faces severe losses due to heat stress (HS). The adverse effects of HS can be seen on production performance, body temperature, intestinal health, appetite hormone regulation, immune responses and oxidative characteristics. It is important to monitor these parameters to identify the HS possessions during rearing so that timely action can be taken to minimize the adverse effects of high ambient temperature. Furthermore, the application of productive methods on farms is equally important. Several strategies have been suggested by researchers. Providing a suitable environment with selective rearing systems along with proper ventilation and hygiene is the basic requirement for all types of livestock reared for animal protein. Supplementation of appropriate feed additive could be useful for improving intestinal absorption and minimizing adverse effects of HS. Selection for breeding heat resistant birds also provide merits for improving the germplasm of the strains. Early age thermal conditioning also helps in developing resistance for HS. The most recent advancement is the supplementation of active substances during incubation. It is expected that these methods may have a potential impact on the poultry industry for creating thermotolerance in the newly hatched chicks. This review highlights the major issues concerning chicken health and suggests the measures to be adopted following the increase in environmental temperature.
A division of the capitalist class and the market for money capital
Authors: Park Hyun Woong
Published: January 2021

In a one‐commodity economy populated by capitalists equipped with equal endowment but with heterogeneous linear production technology, a division of the capitalist class emerges endogenously. The capitalists with relatively weak technology, yielding the profit rate lower than the interest rate, become a money capitalist (lender), whereas the capitalists with relatively strong technology, yielding the profit rate greater than the interest rate, become an industrial capitalist (borrower). The equilibrium interest rate is derived by the associated demand and supply relation. From this setup of the model follow two essential relationships Marx establishes between the average profit rate and the interest rate: (a) that the profit (rate) sets a maximum limit of interest (rate), and (b) that the two rates are correlated in the long‐run. Lastly, the profit rate of financial sector is less than that of industrial sector due to the basic setup of the model where the industrial sector uses leverage to amplify the underlying capital profit rate, whereas the financial sector lacks intermediation technology, which would have enabled it to borrow profitably.
Assessment of salt intake to consider salt as a fortification vehicle for thiamine in Cambodia
Authors: Chan Kathleen , Gallant Jelisa , Leemaqz Shalem , Baldwin Dare A. , Borath Mam , Kroeun Hou , Measelle Jeffrey R. , Ngik Rem , Prak Sophonneary , Wieringa Frank T. , Yelland Lisa N. , Green Tim J. , Whitfield Kyly C.
Published: January 2021

Thiamine deficiency is a public health issue in Cambodia. Thiamine fortification of salt has been proposed; however, the salt intake of lactating women, the target population, is currently unknown. We estimated salt intakes among lactating women (<6 months postpartum) using three methods: repeat observed‐weighed intake records and 24‐h urinary sodium excretions (n = 104), and household salt disappearance (n = 331). Usual salt intake was estimated by adjusting for intraindividual intakes using the National Cancer Institute method, and a thiamine salt fortification scenario was modeled using a modified estimated average requirement (EAR) cut‐point method. Unadjusted salt intake from observed intakes was 9.3 (8.3–10.3) g/day, which was not different from estimated salt intake from urinary sodium excretions, 9.0 (8.4–9.7) g/day (P = 0.3). Estimated salt use from household salt disappearance was 11.3 (10.7–11.9) g/person/day. Usual (adjusted) salt intake from all sources was 7.7 (7.4–8.0) g/day. Assuming no stability losses, a modeled fortification dose of 275 mg thiamine/kg salt could increase thiamine intakes from fortified salt to 2.1 (2.0–2.2) mg/day, with even low salt consumers reaching the EAR of 1.2 mg/day from fortified salt alone. These findings, in conjunction with future sensory and stability research, can inform a potential salt fortification program in Cambodia.
Meningococcal carriage among Hajj pilgrims, risk factors for carriage and records of vaccination: a study of pilgrims to Mecca
Authors: Alasmari Abrar , Houghton Joanna , Greenwood Brian , Heymann David , Edwards Phil , Larson Heidi , Assiri Abdullah , Ben‐Rached Fathia , Pain Arnab , Behrens Ron , Bustinduy Amaya
Published: January 2021

Objective

The Saudi government requires that all pilgrims receive a quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine at least 10 days before the Hajj. We conducted a study to determine the uptake of meningococcal vaccine and antibiotic use. We also investigated risk factors of meningococcal carriage and carriage of Neisseria meningitidis pathogenic serogroups A, C, W and Y.

Methods

A cross‐sectional oropharyngeal carriage survey was conducted in 2973 Hajj pilgrims in September 2017. A real‐time polymerase chain reaction (rt‐PCR) assay was used to identify N. meningitidis from the oropharyngeal swabs. A questionnaire investigated potential risk factors for carriage of N. meningitidis.

Results

Two thousand two hundred forty nine oropharyngeal swabs were obtained. The overall prevalence of carriage of N. meningitidis was 4.6% (95% CI: 3.4%–6%). Carriage of pathogenic serogroups was not associated significantly with any of the meningococcal risk factors evaluated. 77% of pilgrims were vaccinated but 22.58 % said they were carrying unofficial vaccination cards.

Conclusion

Carriage of serogroups A, C, W and Y was not significantly associated with any of the risk factors investigated. Almost a quarter of pilgrims were unlikely to have been vaccinated, highlighting a need to strengthen compliance with the current policy of vaccination to prevent meningococcal disease outbreaks during and after the Hajj.
Febrile seizures in an urban Tanzanian population: lessons learned from a community‐based random cluster survey
Authors: Stelzle Dominik , Storz Corinna , Baxmann Arlette , Liang Linda A. , Burtscher Clemens , Matuja William , Schmutzhard Erich , Winkler Andrea S.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To analyse the cumulative incidence of febrile seizures, to evaluate the accuracy of our screening questionnaire and to describe clinical characteristics of children with febrile seizure in an urban population in Tanzania.

Methods

A large random cluster sampled population was screened for a febrile seizure history as part of a larger epilepsy study using a standardised questionnaire in a two‐stage door‐to‐door survey in Tanzania. A subset of screen positive participants was further examined for confirmation of diagnosis and evaluation of clinical characteristics.

Results

Overall, 49 697 people were screened for a febrile seizure history of whom 184 (0.4%) screened positive. Women more commonly screened positive than men (112 [0.4%]vs. 72 [0.3%]). There was no marked difference between age groups or education. The positive predictive value of the screening tool was 37% (95% CI 24–51%) but its accuracy varied with the age of interviewed individuals. Cumulative incidence rates were estimated between 1.1% and 2.0% after adjusting for the inaccuracy of the screening tool. Most febrile seizures occurred before the age of two (65%) and most children had more than one episode (80%). A large proportion of children had complex febrile seizure (65%), often caused by malaria or respiratory infections.

Conclusions

The community‐based cumulative incidence of a febrile seizure history in an urban Tanzanian population was similar to rates reported from other rural populations after adjusting for the inaccuracy of our screening tool. Based on the integrated nature of the febrile seizure questionnaire, screening positivity rates may have been too low. This has implications for the design of future studies. The majority of cases had complex febrile seizures often associated with malaria. This has implications for clinical case management.
A comparison of outcomes between laparoscopic and open adrenalectomies in dogs
Authors: Taylor Colin J. , Monnet Eric
Published: January 2021

Objective

To compare short‐ and long‐term outcomes of dogs with adrenal tumors treated by adrenalectomy with laparoscopy or laparotomy.

Study design

Retrospective study of dogs that underwent adrenalectomy with laparoscopy or laparotomy.

Sample population

Fourteen dogs treated with laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) and twenty‐six dogs treated with open midline adrenalectomy (OA).

Methods

Dogs treated with LA were matched with 1 or 2 dogs treated with OA on the basis of histological nature, size, and side of the tumor. Intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and long‐term survival were compared between LA and OA.

Results

Intraoperative hypotension occurred in 2 of 14 (14.3%) dogs in the LA group and in 16 of 26 (61.5%) dogs in the OA group (P = .007). The surgical time was 69.8 ± 21.8 minutes for the LA group and 108.6 ± 42 minutes for the OA group (P = .0003). The hospitalization time was 39.3 ± 14.9 hours for the LA group and 46.3 ± 25.1 hours for the OA group (P = .1453). The 1‐ and 2‐year survival rates were 77% and 77%, respectively, for the LA group and 77% and 66%, respectively, for the OA group (P = .6144).

Conclusion

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was associated with a shorter surgical time and a reduced incidence of hypotension compared with open adrenalectomy in this case‐matched study. Short‐ and long‐term outcomes were not affected by the surgical technique used to complete the adrenalectomy.

Clinical significance

Laparoscopy can be recommended for adrenalectomy in dogs; however, appropriate case selection is required.
Implications of Lateral Coupler Forces for Rail Vehicle Curving Resistance
Authors: Wu Qing , Wang Bo , Cole Colin , Spiryagin Maksym
Published: January 2021

Curving resistance is an important topic that requires a lot more research. This paper studied the implications of lateral coupler forces for curving resistance. More than 1800 simulations were conducted using a three-piece bogie wagon model developed in the simpack software package. The results show that lateral coupler forces have significant implications for curving resistance and that empty wagons are more sensitive to lateral forces than loaded wagons. With 20 kN lateral forces, curving resistance can be increased by 52% and 225% for loaded and empty wagons, respectively. The implications are significantly greater when the lateral forces are acting on the front and rear ends of a carbody have opposite directions. The differences caused by lateral forces that have opposite directions are more than two times greater than those caused by lateral forces that have the same direction. The results also show that, when front and rear lateral forces have the same direction, forces pushing toward the high rail are generally helpful in reducing curving resistance. However, curving resistance can be increased when these push forces are too high, or track curves already have high cant deficiency. When two lateral forces have opposite directions, curving resistance can be decreased when front lateral forces are pull forces toward low rail.
Validation Metrics for Fixed Effects and Mixed-Effects Calibration
Authors: Porter Nathan W. , Maupin Kathryn A. , Swiler Laura P. , Mousseau Vincent A.
Published: January 2021

The modern scientific process often involves the development of a predictive computational model. To improve its accuracy, a computational model can be calibrated to a set of experimental data. A variety of validation metrics can be used to quantify this process. Some of these metrics have direct physical interpretations and a history of use, while others, especially those for probabilistic data, are more difficult to interpret. In this work, a variety of validation metrics are used to quantify the accuracy of different calibration methods. Frequentist and Bayesian perspectives are used with both fixed effects and mixed-effects statistical models. Through a quantitative comparison of the resulting distributions, the most accurate calibration method can be selected. Two examples are included which compare the results of various validation metrics for different calibration methods. It is quantitatively shown that, in the presence of significant laboratory biases, a fixed effects calibration is significantly less accurate than a mixed-effects calibration. This is because the mixed-effects statistical model better characterizes the underlying parameter distributions than the fixed effects model. The results suggest that validation metrics can be used to select the most accurate calibration model for a particular empirical model with corresponding experimental data.
RailBot: A Novel Assistive Device for Stair Climbing
Authors: Afsar Md Rayhan , Haque Md Rejwanul , Dooley Mason , Shen Xiangrong
Published: January 2021

For most older adults, their own homes is the overwhelmingly preferred environment for living and growing older. However, for those living in homes with stairs, the difficulty and risk of injury in stair ascent/descent is a major challenge in their daily life, which may endanger the feasibility of such choice. In this paper, the authors present a novel assistive device, namely RailBot, to help mobility-challenged individuals (including frail older adults) to climb stairs more easily. Unlike the traditional elevators and stair lifts, the RailBot is a highly compact device that can be easily installed in existing stairways, allowing it to benefit a large number of individuals living in homes with stairs. Further, by assisting the users' stair climbing instead of carrying them upstairs, the RailBot enables and encourages the users to maintain and enhance their stair-climbing capabilities, and thus contributes to their long-term physical health. The design details of the RailBot prototype are presented, including the system configuration, the actuation mechanism of the mobile platform, as well as the intuitive control interface for start-stop control and speed regulation. After mounting the prototype in a real-world use environment, a small-scale human study was conducted, with the results clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of the RailBot assistance through the significant reduction of lower-limb muscle activities.
Thermal Behavior of Power Transformers Filled With Waste Vegetable Oil-Based Biodiesel Under Dynamic Load
Authors: Ebrahimnia-Bajestan Ehsan , Tiznobaik Hani , Gheorghe Paul , Arjmand Mohammad
Published: January 2021

Petroleum-based oils are widely used as electrically insulating materials in high voltage power transformers for dissipating high generated heat flux and maintaining the temperature below critical values. The operating temperature of a transformer dominantly governs its aging rate. In the present research, a renewable coolant as a versatile substitution for the petroleum-based oils was investigated to be employed in the cooling of transformers. The studied coolant is a vegetable-based oil extracted from the waste cooking oils. A numerical model was developed to follow the instantaneous changes in the load profile and ambient temperature and predict the instantaneous hotspot temperature values in the transformer under dynamic load. Then, this thermal model was used to explore the capability of the studied vegetable oil in the cooling of transformers compared with conventional transformer oil. The realistic ambient temperature and loading profile, as well as thermal properties of oils and characteristics of a transformer, were applied as the model’s inputs. The aging rate of the transformer in the presence of vegetable oil was also compared with the conventional transformer oil. The results indicate a better cooling performance for the vegetable-based oil, where a hotspot temperature reduction of 3 °C was observed in comparison to the petroleum-based oil. Also, the model predicts a significantly longer life for the insulating system of the transformer when the proposed vegetable-based oil is employed. The results of this research suggest a sustainable way of reusing the waste of a renewable resource as an alternative insulating liquid for the cooling of high heat flux electric/electronic devices.
Continuous Jumps Enhance Twitch Peak Torque and Sprint Performance in Highly Trained Sprint Athletes
Authors: Zimmermann Haiko B. , Knihs Débora , Diefenthaeler Fernando , MacIntosh Brian , Dal Pupo Juliano
Published: January 2021

Purpose: The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of a conditioning activity (CA) composed of continuous countermovement jumps on twitch torque production and 30-m sprint times. Methods: A total of 12 sprint athletes, 10 men (23.5 [7.7] y) and 2 women (23.0 [2.8] y), volunteered to participate in this study. The participants were evaluated in 2 sessions as follows: (1) to determine the effects of the CA (3 sets of 5 continuous vertical jumps with a 1-min interval between sets) on 30-m sprint performance over time (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 min) and (2) to evaluate twitch peak torque to determine the magnitude and time course of the induced postactivation potentiation at the same recovery intervals. Results: Mixed-model analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc verified that there was a decrease on the 30-m sprint time at 2 minutes (P = .01; Δ = 2.78%; effect size [ES] = 0.43) and 4 minutes (P = .02; Δ = 2%, ES = 0.30) compared with pre when the CA preceded the sprints. The peak torque of quadriceps also showed significant increase from pretest to 2 minutes (P < .01; Δ = 17.0% [12.2%]; ES = 0.45) and 4 minutes (P = .02; Δ = 7.2% [8.8%]; ES = 0.20). Conclusion: The inclusion of CA composed of continuous countermovement jumps in the warm-up routine improved 30-m sprint performance at 2- and 4-minute time intervals after the CA (postactivation performance enhancement). Since postactivation potentiation was confirmed with electrical stimulation at the time when sprint performance increased, it was concluded that postactivation potentiation may have contributed to the observed performance increases.
The Effect of Scapular Muscle Strengthening on Functional Recovery in Patients With Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Day Joseph M. , Lucado Ann M. , Dale R. Barry , Merriman Harold , Marker Craig D. , Uhl Tim L.
Published: January 2021

Context: There is a lack of consensus on the best management approach for lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET). Recently, scapular stabilizer strength impairments have been found in individuals with LET. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of local therapy (LT) treatment to LT treatment plus a scapular muscle-strengthening (LT + SMS) program in patients diagnosed with LET. Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial. Setting: Multisite outpatient physical therapy. Patients: Thirty-two individuals with LET who met the criteria were randomized to LT or LT + SMS. Interventions: Both groups received education, a nonarticulating forearm orthosis, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and thermal modalities as needed. Additionally, the LT + SMS group received SMS exercises. Main Outcome Measure: The primary outcome measure was the patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation; secondary outcomes included global rating of change (GROC), grip strength, and periscapular muscle strength. Outcomes were reassessed at discharge, 6, and 12 months from discharge. Linear mixed-effect models were used to analyze the differences between groups over time for each outcome measure. Results: The average duration of symptoms was 10.2 (16.1) months, and the average total number of visits was 8.0 (2.2) for both groups. There were no significant differences in gender, age, average visits, weight, or height between groups at baseline (P > .05). No statistical between-group differences were found for any of the outcome measures. There were significant within-group improvements in all outcome measures from baseline to all follow-up points (P < .05). Conclusion: The results of this pilot study suggest that both treatment approaches were equally effective in reducing pain, improving function, and increasing grip strength at discharge as well as the 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Our multimodal treatment programs were effective at reducing pain and improving function up to 1 year after treatment in a general population of individuals with LET.
Alterations in Quadriceps Neurologic Complexity After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Davi Steven M. , Woxholdt Colleen K. , Rush Justin L. , Lepley Adam S. , Lepley Lindsey K.
Published: January 2021

Context: Traditionally, quadriceps activation failure after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is estimated using discrete isometric torque values, providing only a snapshot of neuromuscular function. Sample entropy (SampEn) is a mathematical technique that can measure neurologic complexity during the entirety of contraction, elucidating qualities of neuromuscular control not previously captured. Objective: To apply SampEn analyses to quadriceps electromyographic activity in order to more comprehensively characterize neuromuscular deficits after ACLR. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Laboratory. Participants: ACLR: n = 18; controls: n = 24. Interventions: All participants underwent synchronized unilateral quadriceps isometric strength, activation, and electromyography testing during a superimposed electrical stimulus. Main Outcome Measures: Group differences in strength, activation, and SampEn were evaluated with t tests. Associations between SampEn and quadriceps function were evaluated with Pearson product–moment correlations and hierarchical linear regressions. Results: Vastus medialis SampEn was significantly reduced after ACLR compared with controls (P = .032). Vastus medialis and vastus lateralis SampEn predicted significant variance in activation after ACLR (r2 = .444; P = .003). Conclusions: Loss of neurologic complexity correlates with worse activation after ACLR, particularly in the vastus medialis. Electromyographic SampEn is capable of detecting underlying patterns of variability that are associated with the loss of complexity between key neurophysiologic events after ACLR.
Spin-orbit coupling suppression and singlet-state blocking of spin-triplet Cooper pairs
Authors: Komori Sachio , Devine-Stoneman James M. , Ohnishi Kohei , Yang Guang , Devizorova Zhanna , Mironov Sergey , Montiel Xavier , Olde Olthof Linde A. B. , Cohen Lesley F. , Kurebayashi Hidekazu , Blamire Mark G. , Buzdin Alexandre I. , Robinson Jason W. A.
Published: January 2021

Spin-polarized supercurrents interact with spin-orbit coupling and experience resistance in a superconductor.
A 3D underwater robotic collective called Blueswarm
Authors: Wolek Artur , Paley Derek A.
Published: January 2021

A swarm of agile fish robots uses vision-based implicit coordination to demonstrate self-organizing behaviors in a laboratory tank.
Kidney disease genetic risk variants alter lysosomal beta-mannosidase (
MANBA
) expression and disease severity
Authors: Gu Xiangchen , Yang Hongliu , Sheng Xin , Ko Yi-An , Qiu Chengxiang , Park Jihwan , Huang Shizheng , Kember Rachel , Judy Renae L. , Park Joseph , Damrauer Scott M. , Nadkarni Girish , Loos Ruth J. F. , My Vy Thi Ha , Chaudhary Kumardeep , Bottinger Erwin P. , Paranjpe Ishan , Saha Aparna , Brown Christopher , Akilesh Shreeram , Hung Adriana M. , Palmer Matthew , Baras Aris , Overton John D. , Reid Jeffrey , Ritchie Marylyn , Rader Daniel J. , Susztak Katalin
Published: January 2021

MANBA
is a kidney disease risk gene that alters tubular endolysosomal function, inducing inflammasome activation and fibrosis.
Measurement of leukocyte trafficking kinetics in macaques by serial intravascular staining
Authors: Potter E. Lake , Gideon Hannah P. , Tkachev Victor , Fabozzi Giulia , Chassiakos Alexander , Petrovas Constantinos , Darrah Patricia A. , Lin Philana Ling , Foulds Kathryn E. , Kean Leslie S. , Flynn JoAnne L. , Roederer Mario
Published: January 2021

Serial intravascular staining enables analysis of leukocyte migration in healthy nonhuman primates and those infected with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
.
Microbial Diversity Analysis of Sediment from Yeosu New Harbor of South Korea Using 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing
Authors: Lee Junho , Jeong Ilwon , Kim Jong-Oh , Kim Kyunghoi
Published: January 2021

The Yeosu New Harbor in the South Korean benthic environment shows a mesotrophic environment affected by the Tsushima Current and the Seomjin River. Here, we report microbial diversity in sediments of Yeosu New Harbor based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The dominant bacterial phylum was
Proteobacteria
(relative abundance, 72.5 to 78.1%).
Draft Genome Sequences of Multidrug-Resistant and
mcr-1.1
-Harboring Escherichia coli Isolated from Drinking and Well Waters Used in Syrian Refugee Camps
Authors: Nasser Nivin A. , Alhaj Sulaiman Abdallah , Mann David , Li Shaoting , Deng Xiangyu , Kassem Issmat I.
Published: January 2021

Resistance to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, threatens the treatment of complicated infections, especially in susceptible populations such as Syrian refugees who live in makeshift camps. Two multidrug-resistant
Escherichia coli
strains with the plasmid-borne colistin resistance gene (
mcr-1.1
) were isolated from the waters used by refugees and sequenced to analyze antibiotic resistance determinants.
Metagenome-Assembled Genome Sequences of Raphidiopsis raciborskii and Planktothrix agardhii from a Cyanobacterial Bloom in Kissena Lake, New York, USA
Authors: Martin Robbie M. , Kausch Michael , Yap Kimarie , Wehr John D. , Boyer Gregory L. , Wilhelm Steven W.
Published: January 2021

Raphidiopsis raciborskii
and
Planktothrix agardhii
are filamentous, potentially toxin-producing cyanobacteria that form nuisance blooms in fresh waters. Here, we report high-quality metagenome-assembled genome sequences of
R. raciborskii
and
P. agardhii
collected from a bloom in Kissena Lake, New York.
Cocaine-induced mesenteric ischaemia requiring small bowel resection
Authors: Veloso Costa Asya , Zhunus Asiya , Hafeez Rehana , Gupta Arsh
Published: January 2021

Cocaine use causes profound vasoconstriction leading to various systemic complications. Gastrointestinal complications such as mesenteric ischaemia are difficult to recognise and may result in serious consequences if not treated promptly. We report on the case of a 47-year-old man presenting with mesenteric ischaemia on a background of acute on chronic cocaine consumption, where diagnosis was not evident until second presentation. He underwent an emergency laparotomy with small bowel resection and jejunostomy formation and made a good recovery with eventual reversal surgery. The literature on cocaine-induced bowel ischaemia shows significant variability in presentation and outcome. Laboratory investigations are non-specific, and early recognition is vital. Given the increasing recreational use of cocaine in the UK, it is imperative to have a high clinical index of suspicion for mesenteric ischaemia in patients presenting with non-specific abdominal pain, and to ensure a detailed social history covering recreational drug use is not forgotten.
Understanding the perspectives and values of midwives, obstetricians and obstetric registrars regarding episiotomy: qualitative interview study
Authors: Seijmonsbergen-Schermers Anna , Thompson Suzanne , Feijen-de Jong Esther , Smit Marrit , Prins Marianne , van den Akker Thomas , de Jonge Ank
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Insight into perspectives and values of care providers on episiotomy can be a first step towards reducing variation in its use. We aimed to gain insight into these perspectives and values.

Setting

Maternity care in the Netherlands.

Participants

Midwives, obstetricians and obstetric registrars working in primary, secondary or tertiary care, purposively sampled, based on their perceived episiotomy rate and/or region of work.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Perspectives and values of care providers which were explored using semistructured in-depth interviews.

Results

The following four themes were identified, using the evidence-based practice-model of Satterfield et al as a framework: ‘Care providers’ vision on childbirth’, ‘Discrepancy between restrictive perspective and daily practice’, ‘Clinical expertise versus literature-based practice’ and ‘Involvement of women in the decision’. Perspectives, values and practices regarding episiotomy were strongly influenced by care providers’ underlying visions on childbirth. Although care providers often emphasised the importance of restrictive episiotomy policy, a discrepancy was found between this vision and the large number of varying indications for episiotomy. Although on one hand care providers cited evidence to support their practice, on the other hand, many based their decision-making to a larger extent on clinical experience. Although most care providers considered women’s autonomy to be important, at the moment of deciding on episiotomy, the involvement of women in the decision was perceived as minimal, and real informed consent generally did not take place, neither during labour, nor prenatally. Many care providers belittled episiotomy in their language.

Conclusions

Care providers’ underlying vision on episiotomy and childbirth was an important contributor to the large variations in episiotomy usage. Their clinical expertise was a more important component in decision-making on episiotomy than the literature. Women were minimally involved in the decision for performing episiotomy. More research is required to achieve consensus on indications for episiotomy.