bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of 3D MP‐SSFP to enable MRI in inhomogeneous magnetic fields
Authors: Kobayashi Naoharu , Parkinson Ben , Idiyatullin Djaudat , Adriany Gregor , Theilenberg Sebastian , Juchem Christoph , Garwood Michael
Published: September 2020

Purpose

We demonstrate the feasibility of MRI with missing‐pulse steady‐state free precession (MP‐SSFP) in a 4T magnet with artificially degraded homogeneity.

Methods

T1, T2, and diffusion contrast of MP‐SSFP was simulated with constant and alternate radiofrequency (RF) phase using an extended phase graph. To validate MP‐SSFP performance in human brain imaging, MP‐SSFP was tested with two types of artificially introduced inhomogeneous magnetic fields: (1) a pure linear gradient field, and (2) a pseudo‐linear gradient field introduced by mounting a head‐gradient set at 36 cm from the magnet isocenter. Image distortion induced by the nonlinear inhomogeneous field was corrected using B0 mapping measured with MP‐SSFP.

Results

The maximum flip angle in MP‐SSFP was limited to ≤10° because of the large range of resonance frequencies in the inhomogeneous magnetic fields tested in this study. Under this flip‐angle limitation, MP‐SSFP with constant RF phase provided advantages of higher signal‐to‐noise ratio and insensitivity to B1+ field inhomogeneity as compared with an alternate RF phase. In diffusion simulation, the steady‐state magnetization in constant RF phase MP‐SSFP increased with an increase of static field gradient up to 8 to 21 mT/m depending on simulation parameters. Experimental results at 4T validated these findings. In human brain imaging, MP‐SSFP preserved sufficient signal intensities, but images showed severe image distortion from the pseudo‐linear inhomogeneous field. However, following distortion correction, good‐quality brain images were achieved.

Conclusion

MP‐SSFP appears to be a feasible MRI technique for brain imaging in an inhomogeneous magnetic field.
Whitefly‐induced tomato volatiles mediate host habitat location of the parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa, and enhance its efficacy as a bio‐control agent
Authors: Chen Chan‐Shan , Zhao Chan , Wu Zhi‐Yi , Liu Guang‐Fu , Yu Xiao‐Ping , Zhang Peng‐Jun
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a phloem‐feeding insect and causes extensive agricultural damage around the world. Although the parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa is widely used to control B. tabaci on glasshouse tomatoes, low efficiency and discontinuity are frequently recorded. It has been well‐documented that herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are important cues in the foraging behavior of the natural enemies of herbivores. However, the volatiles emitted from tomatoes infested by different developmental stages of B. tabaci (nymphs versus adults) have not been compared in terms of their effects on E. formosa attraction.

RESULTS

Olfactometer assays with four tomato cultivars revealed that the E. formosa wasps showed a significant attraction to the volatiles from adult‐infested plants (except for cv. Castlemart), but not to those from nymph‐infested plants. In a close‐range habitat, however, the wasps appeared to use visual or tactile cues derived from nymphs for host location. Volatile analyses and behavioral assays showed that wasp attraction was correlated with enhanced β‐myrcene and β‐caryophyllene emissions from adult‐infested plants. Furthermore, the use of B. tabaci adult‐induced plant cues under glasshouse conditions resulted in a higher parasitism rate by this parasitoid.

CONCLUSION

Our findings confirm that E. formosa uses the HIPVs resulting from feeding of B. tabaci adults to locate host habitat. Release of β‐myrcene and β‐caryophyllene from dispensers may enhance the efficacy of E. formosa as a biological control agent against B. tabaci in glasshouse production systems.
Teaching Simulation Literacy with Evacuations
Authors: Greubel Andre , Siller Hans-Stefan , Hennecke Martin
Published: September 2020

As significant policies are based on their expected outcome in computer simulations, literacy of such simulations is necessary for political participation. In this paper, we propose ways to increase such simulation literacy. We discuss simulation literacy from a theoretical perspective and argue for simulating evacuations as a simple and potent topic to increase simulation literacy. Additionally, we present , a novel educational tool to simulate the evacuating of buildings (not only) for classrooms. Lastly, we show different teaching scenarios and exercises for the usage of in an exemplary way. and further teaching material is available online at www.evadid.it.
Mirror neutrons as dark matter in the Mirror Twin Two Higgs Doublet Model
Authors: Beauchesne Hugues
Published: September 2020

Abstract

In addition to being a solution to the little hierarchy problem, the Mirror Twin Higgs provides a natural setting for Asymmetric Dark Matter. In its incarnation with only one Higgs doublet and its mirror copy, dark matter would however almost certainly consist mostly of mirror atoms, which is severely ruled out by constraints on dark matter self-interactions. By adding a second Higgs doublet and its mirror, the vevs of the different Higgses can be arranged such that dark matter consists mostly of mirror neutrons, which is cosmologically viable. In this paper, it is shown that current constraints from colliders, flavour and cosmology can accommodate such a vev structure with little increase in the necessary tuning.
Childhood maltreatment and poor functional outcomes at the transition to adulthood: a comparison of prospective informant- and retrospective self-reports of maltreatment
Authors: Latham Rachel M. , Quilter Emma , Arseneault Louise , Danese Andrea , Moffitt Terrie E. , Newbury Joanne B. , Fisher Helen L.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Growing evidence suggests that prospective informant-reports and retrospective self-reports of childhood maltreatment may be differentially associated with adult psychopathology. However, it remains unknown how associations for these two maltreatment reporting types compare when considering functional outcomes. The present study compared associations between childhood maltreatment and functional outcomes at age 18 years using these two methods.

Methods

We used data from the Environmental Risk (E-Risk) Longitudinal Twin Study, a nationally representative birth cohort of 2232 children born in England and Wales in 1994–1995. Maltreatment prior to age 12 years was assessed prospectively (during multiple home visits between birth and age of 12 years based on interviews with caregivers, researcher observations, and information from practitioners where child protection referrals were made) and retrospectively (at age 18 via self-report on the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire). Nine functional outcomes were measured at age 18, forming two variables capturing: (i) psychosocial and (ii) vocational disadvantage.

Results

Among the 2054 participants with available data, childhood maltreatment was associated with poorer functional outcomes regardless of whether this was reported only prospectively, only retrospectively, or both. Stronger associations with psychosocial disadvantage arose in the context of retrospective recall by participants (OR = 8.25, 95% CI 4.93–13.82) than prospective reports by informants (OR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.36–3.04) of maltreatment. Conversely, associations with vocational disadvantage were comparable for both prospective informant-reports (OR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.42–3.38) and retrospective self-reports (OR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.33–2.81) of maltreatment.

Conclusion

Results highlight the importance of considering the maltreatment report type used when interpreting the functional consequences of childhood maltreatment.
On the Asymptotic Nature of First Order Mean Field Games
Authors: Fischer Markus , Silva Francisco J.
Published: September 2020

For a class of finite horizon first order mean field games and associated N-player games, we give a simple proof of convergence of symmetric N-player Nash equilibria in distributed open-loop strategies to solutions of the mean field game in Lagrangian form. Lagrangian solutions are then connected with those determined by the usual mean field game system of two coupled first order PDEs, and convergence of Nash equilibria in distributed Markov strategies is established.
Backtracking Gradient Descent Method and Some Applications in Large Scale Optimisation. Part 2: Algorithms and Experiments
Authors: Truong Tuyen Trung , Nguyen Hang-Tuan
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we provide new results and algorithms (including backtracking versions of Nesterov accelerated gradient and Momentum) which are more applicable to large scale optimisation as in Deep Neural Networks. We also demonstrate that Backtracking Gradient Descent (Backtracking GD) can obtain good upper bound estimates for local Lipschitz constants for the gradient, and that the convergence rate of Backtracking GD is similar to that in classical work of Armijo. Experiments with datasets CIFAR10 and CIFAR100 on various popular architectures verify a heuristic argument that Backtracking GD stabilises to a finite union of sequences constructed from Standard GD for the mini-batch practice, and show that our new algorithms (while automatically fine tuning learning rates) perform better than current state-of-the-art methods such as Adam, Adagrad, Adadelta, RMSProp, Momentum and Nesterov accelerated gradient. To help readers avoiding the confusion between heuristics and more rigorously justified algorithms, we also provide a review of the current state of convergence results for gradient descent methods. Accompanying source codes are available on GitHub.
Population pharmacokinetic analysis of nanoparticle-bound and free camptothecin after administration of NLG207 in adults with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Schmidt Keith T. , Huitema Alwin D. R. , Dorlo Thomas P. C. , Peer Cody J. , Cordes Lisa M. , Sciuto Linda , Wroblewski Susan , Pommier Yves , Madan Ravi A. , Thomas Anish , Figg William D.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

NLG207 (formerly CRLX101) is a nanoparticle–drug conjugate (NDC) of the potent topoisomerase I inhibitor, camptothecin (CPT). The present study sought to characterize the complex pharmacokinetics (PK) of NLG207 and better describe CPT release from nanoparticles using a population PK (popPK) model.

Methods

From 27 patients enrolled on two phase II clinical trials (NCT02769962 and NCT03531827), dense sampling was performed up to 48 h post-administration of NLG207 during cycle one and six of treatment; samples were also collected at ~ 360 h post-dose. Conjugated and free CPT concentrations were quantified from each sample, resulting in 477 observations to build a popPK model using non-linear mixed-effects modeling.

Results

The PK of NLG207 was characterized by combining two linear two-compartment models with first-order kinetics each to describe nanoparticle-bound (conjugated) and free CPT. Allometric scaling based on body weight provided the best body-size descriptor for all PK parameters. The typical volumes of distribution of the conjugated CPT central and free CPT central compartments were 3.16 L (BSV CV%; 18.1%) and 21.1 L (CV%; 79.8%), respectively. CPT release from the nanoparticle formulation was characterized via an initial rapid clearance of 5.71 L/h (CV%; 62.6%), which decreased via first-order decay (estimated half-life of 0.307 h) to the steady-state value of 0.0988 L/h (CV%; 33.5%) by ~ 4 h after end of infusion. Renal clearance of free CPT was 0.874 L/h (CV%; 42.2%).

Conclusion

The popPK model confirmed nanoparticle behavior of conjugated CPT and mechanistically characterized CPT release from NLG207. The current analysis provides a strong foundation for future study as a potential predictive tool in ongoing NLG207 clinical trials.
A modified Ising model of Barabási–Albert network with gene-type spins
Authors: Krishnan Jeyashree , Torabi Reza , Schuppert Andreas , Napoli Edoardo Di
Published: September 2020

The central question of systems biology is to understand how individual components of a biological system such as genes or proteins cooperate in emerging phenotypes resulting in the evolution of diseases. As living cells are open systems in quasi-steady state type equilibrium in continuous exchange with their environment, computational techniques that have been successfully applied in statistical thermodynamics to describe phase transitions may provide new insights to the emerging behavior of biological systems. Here we systematically evaluate the translation of computational techniques from solid-state physics to network models that closely resemble biological networks and develop specific translational rules to tackle problems unique to living systems. We focus on logic models exhibiting only two states in each network node. Motivated by the apparent asymmetry between biological states where an entity exhibits boolean states i.e. is active or inactive, we present an adaptation of symmetric Ising model towards an asymmetric one fitting to living systems here referred to as the modified Ising model with gene-type spins. We analyze phase transitions by Monte Carlo simulations and propose a mean-field solution of a modified Ising model of a network type that closely resembles a real-world network, the Barabási–Albert model of scale-free networks. We show that asymmetric Ising models show similarities to symmetric Ising models with the external field and undergoes a discontinuous phase transition of the first-order and exhibits hysteresis. The simulation setup presented herein can be directly used for any biological network connectivity dataset and is also applicable for other networks that exhibit similar states of activity. The method proposed here is a general statistical method to deal with non-linear large scale models arising in the context of biological systems and is scalable to any network size.
Missed diagnoses and misdiagnoses of adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Fusar-Poli Laura , Brondino Natascia , Politi Pierluigi , Aguglia Eugenio
Published: September 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of life-long neurodevelopmental disorders affecting 1.5% of the general population. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychiatric history of a group of adults who received the first diagnosis of ASD in two Italian university centers. Diagnoses of ASD were confirmed by a team of psychiatrists with wide expertise in the field, after the administration of standardized tools (i.e., ADOS-2, ADI-R). The sample comprised 161 participants, of which 114 (79.5%) were males. The median age of diagnosis was 23 years (range 18–55), with a median IQ of 100 (range 30–145). The first evaluation by a mental health professional was performed at a median age of 13 years, with a gap of 11 years between the first evaluation and the diagnosis of ASD. 33.5% of participants had never received a psychiatric diagnosis, while the rest of the sample had received one or more diagnoses different from ASD. The most common past diagnoses were intellectual disability, psychoses, personality disorders, and depression. Sex differences were detected in the age of diagnosis and ADOS-2 scores. Our results provide important information for both child and adult psychiatrists. Given the prevalence of autism and the high rates of co-occurrent psychiatric conditions, it is important for clinicians to consider ASD in the differential diagnostic process.
Measures describing curvilinear short fiber distributions
Authors: Hartmann Stefan , Liese Teresa
Published: September 2020

In this article, we discuss measures for fibers having a curvilinear shape. This is the case, for example, for man-made cellulose fibers having a weak stiffness. The fibers are bent during the injection molding process of short fiber reinforced plastics. For this purpose, $$\mu $$
μ
-CT data can be evaluated and several measures can be introduced defining the geometrical orientation of the fibers. These measures are the length, a mean curvature, and the mean torsion. Furthermore, a mean orientation of a fiber and a mean deviation to a straight line can be defined. Additionally, to these measures, which are based on a continuous interpolation of given data points, discretized quantities only considering the data points are compared. Finally, the distributions of these measures at real $$\mu $$
μ
-CT data are provided.
Cardiovascular mortality in a Swedish cohort of female industrial workers exposed to noise and shift work
Authors: Eriksson Helena P. , Söderberg Mia , Neitzel Richard L. , Torén Kjell , Andersson Eva
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The aim was to study mortality due to cardiovascular disease as well as total mortality, among female industrial workers, and the association to occupational noise and shift work.

Methods

Women from cohorts of soft tissue paper mills (N = 3013) and pulp and paper mills (N = 1483) were merged into one cohort. Job exposure matrices were developed and used for classification of shift work and noise exposure. Every year was classified as shift work excluding nights or shift work including nights. Noise was classified into seven 5 dB(A) bins from < 75 to ≥ 100 dB(A). Mortality from cardiovascular diseases and total mortality during 1956–2013 was calculated as a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using the female general population as a reference.

Results

Fatal myocardial infarctions (N = 144) were increased in the total cohort, SMR 1.20 (95% CI 1.01–1.41) but not total mortality. The SMR for myocardial infarction for women exposed to noise ≥ 90 dB(A) for > 10 years was 1.41 (95% CI 1.02–1.89) and for those exposed to night shifts > 10 years, 1.33 (95% CI 0.91–1.89). Shift workers without nights ≤ 65 years, with noise exposure ≥ 90 dB(A), had SMR 2.41 (95% CI 1.20–4.31) from myocardial infarction. There was no increased mortality from cerebrovascular disease.

Conclusions

Female paper mill workers had an increased mortality from acute myocardial infarction, especially before retirement age, when exposed to noise ≥ 90 dB(A) and with long-time employment. Exposure to shift work and noise usually occurred concurrently.
Application of electron beam water radiolysis for sewage sludge treatment—a review
Authors: Siwek Malgorzata , Edgecock Thomas
Published: September 2020

A review of the applicability of electron beam water radiolysis for sewage sludge treatment is presented. Electron beam treatment has been proven to be a successful approach to the disinfection of both wastewater and sewage sludge. Nevertheless, before 2000, there were concerns about the perceived high capital costs of the accelerator and with public acceptance of the usage of radiation for water treatment purposes. Nowadays, with increased knowledge and technological development, it may be not only possible but also desirable to use electron beam technology for risk-free sewage sludge treatment, disposal and bio-friendly fertiliser production. Despite the developing interest in this method, there has been no attempt to perform a review of the pertinent literature relating to this technology. It appears that understanding of the mechanism and primary parameters of disinfection is key to optimising the process. This paper aims to reliably characterise the sewage sludge electron beam treatment process to elucidate its major issues and make recommendations for further development and research.
Cultivation of energy crops by ecological methods under the conditions of global climate and environmental changes with the use of diatom extract as a natural source of chemical compounds
Authors: Piotrowski K. , Romanowska-Duda Z. , Messyasz B.
Published: September 2020

Modern agriculture must be subject to some adaptation processes due to unpredictable climate changes. One of the activities that enables the production of plant biomass in adverse climatic conditions is the development of ecological and innovative crop technologies using natural plant extracts. The elimination of synthetic fertilizers and their replacement with products based on organic matter will increase the plant’s resistance to negative conditions of environmental stress, will have a positive effect on the development and yielding of plants and will reduce cultivation costs. The plant material: willow (Salix viminalis), Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) and Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita). The natural extract was obtained from Navicula sp. (Bacillariophyceae) monocultures, which was applied to plants in three variants: watering, spraying (foliar application) and watering and spraying. Every 2 weeks: plant height and chlorophyll content index were determined and at the end of the growing season, an analysis was made of: fresh and dry biomass, gas exchange activity in plants (net photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductivity and intercellular CO2 concentration). The enzymatic activity of acid (pH = 6.0) and alkaline (pH = 7.5) phosphatase, RNase, dehydrogenases, as well as the integrity of cytoplasmic membranes was determined. The obtained results confirmed the positive effect of diatom monoculture extract on the growth and development of the plants. The analyzed physicochemical parameters were characterized by 15–20% higher values in comparison with the control. The use of natural extracts from Navicula sp. can be an alternative to chemical fertilizers and is considered one of the promising strategies in organic agriculture.
Evaluation of a low salinity water flooding with polymer gel treatment in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Ramkissoon Sanyah , Alexander David , Maharaj Rean , Soroush Mohammad
Published: September 2020

Trinidad and Tobago (TT) has a rich history of crude oil production and is still one of the largest oil- and gas-producing countries in the Caribbean region. The energy sector contributes approximately 35% of GDP to its economy; however, economic headwinds due to steadily decreasing oil production, low commodity prices and increased competition worldwide have highlighted the need for more economical methods of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques. Although the use of low salinity polymer flooding for EOR has had success in other countries, critical information relating associated flooding system parameters such as soil type, additive type, adsorption characteristics, rheological (flow) characteristics, pH and salinity is not available and is critical if this type of EOR is to be implemented in TT. The nature and inter-relationship of these parameters are unique to a particular reservoir, and studies in this regard will provide key input data for simulations to produce near realistic projections of this EOR strategy. These projections can be used to evaluate the usefulness of a low salinity polymer flooding in TT and guide for the proper implementation of the strategy. The EOR 33 wells located in the lower Forest sands in Southern Trinidad was selected for study as they satisfied the screening criteria. Laboratory studies of the adsorption of xanthan gum concentrations of 0 to 4000 ppm in combination with NaCl solutions (0–40,000 ppm) onto gravel packed sand found that the mixture of 1000 ppm polymer containing 1000 ppm NaCl exhibited the lowest adsorption capacity. The Langmuir coefficients were derived for each salinity, and together with results from the viscosity studies were inputted within the simulation models. Simulations of a sector of the EOR 33 projected that the highest oil recovery occurred using NaCl < 2000 ppm was 11% greater than water flood. A combination of brine (NaCl < 2000 ppm) with gel technology (1000 ppm polymer) produced the highest oil recovery factor (54%), almost twice that of water flooding, the highest average reservoir pressure and lowest water cut value. The improved performance characteristics observed using low salinity water flood with xanthan gum gel for injection can be associated with improved displacement efficiency and improved the sweep efficiency suggesting the strategy to be a technically feasible option for the EOR well in Trinidad.
Simple and fast prediction of train-induced track forces, ground and building vibrations
Authors: Auersch Lutz
Published: September 2020

A simple and fast prediction scheme is presented for train-induced ground and building vibrations. Simple models such as (one-dimensional) transfer matrices are used for the vehicle–track–soil interaction and for the building–soil interaction. The wave propagation through layered soils is approximated by a frequency-dependent homogeneous half-space. The prediction is divided into the parts “emission” (excitation by railway traffic), “transmission” (wave propagation through the soil) and “immission” (transfer into a building). The link between the modules is made by the excitation force between emission and transmission, and by the free-field vibration between transmission and immission. All formula for the simple vehicle–track, soil and building models are given in this article. The behaviour of the models is demonstrated by typical examples, including the mitigation of train vibrations by elastic track elements, the low- and high-frequency cut-offs characteristic for layered soils, and the interacting soil, wall and floor resonances of multi-storey buildings. It is shown that the results of the simple prediction models can well represent the behaviour of the more time-consuming detailed models, the finite-element boundary-element models of the track, the wavenumber integrals for the soil and the three-dimensional finite-element models of the building. In addition, measurement examples are given for each part of the prediction, confirming that the methods provide reasonable results. As the prediction models are fast in calculation, many predictions can be done, for example to assess the environmental effect along a new railway line. The simple models have the additional advantage that the user needs to know only a minimum of parameters. So, the prediction is fast and user-friendly, but also theoretically and experimentally well-founded.
A tool to predict survival in stage IV entero-pancreatic NEN
Authors: Tarquini M. , Ambrosio M. R. , Albertelli M. , de Souza P. B. , Gafà R. , Gagliardi I. , Carnevale A. , Franceschetti P. , Zatelli M. C.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Well-differentiated stage IV neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) have an extremely heterogeneous, unpredictable clinical behavior. Survival prognostic markers, such as the recently proposed NEP-Score, would be very useful for better defining therapeutic strategies. We aim to verify NEP-Score applicability in an independent cohort of stage IV well-differentiated (WD) gastroentero-pancreatic (GEP) NEN, and identify a derivate prognostic marker taking into account clinical and pathological characteristics at diagnosis.

Methods

Age, site of primary tumor, primary tumor surgery, symptoms, Ki67, timing of metastases of 27 patients (10 females; mean age at diagnosis 60.2 ± 2.9 years) with stage IV WD GEP NEN were evaluated to calculate the NEP-Score at the end of follow-up (NEP-T). We calculated the NEP-Score at diagnosis (NEP-D), which does not consider the appearance of new metastases during follow-up. Patients were subdivided according to whether they were alive or not at the end of follow-up (EOF) and an NEP-Score threshold was investigated to predict survival.

Results

Mean NEP-T and mean NEP-D were significantly lower in 15 live patients as compared to 12 deceased patients (p < 0.01) at EOF. We identified an NEP-D = 116 as the cutoff that significantly predicts survival. No gender differences were identified.

Conclusions

In our series, we confirmed NEP-Score applicability. In addition, we propose NEP-D as a simple, quick and cheap prognostic score that can help clinicians in decision making. NEP-D threshold can predict NEN aggressiveness and may be used to define the best personalized therapeutic strategy.
Factors associated with patient satisfaction in perioperative anesthesia care at Hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital, Ethiopia. Cross-sectional study design
Authors: Siraneh Amanu Gashaw , Dendir Getahun , Paulos Kebreab
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT

Background:

Patient satisfaction with perioperative anesthesia care represents an essential aspect of quality health care management. The assessment of patient satisfaction is a reality of practice today for good patient satisfaction with health care provider interaction and health influencing factors.

Objectives:

To assess the magnitude and associated factor of patient satisfaction towards anesthesia care at Hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital.

Method:

A prospective cross-sectional study design was employed in an adult surgical patient scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia, and the regional anesthesia level of satisfaction and factors associated with satisfaction were analyzed. Data were entered into EPI- info version 7 and transferred to SPSS version 25.0 for analysis. Normality tests checked using the Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov data were normally distributed. The frequency, percentage, and cross-tabulation with different variables were determined, finally, the magnitude and associated factors were analyzed by binary logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression. Variables P-value < 0.2 binary logistic regression included in a multivariate logistic regression and p-value < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.

Result:

A total of 200patient were included in this study with a response rate of 100%. The main findings of this study were predictors of perioperative patient dissatisfaction were general anesthesia, duration of surgery, nausea, and vomiting, and pain after surgery. The magnitude of patient satisfaction was 60%. The odds of the patient who took general anesthesia were 2.31 “(1.096, 4.142)” p = 0.026 more dissatisfied than regional anesthesia. The odds of the patient duration of surgery, 2–3hr 0.313 “(0.124, 0.792)” less likely dissatisfied than the duration of surgery 1hr.The odds of patient nausea and vomiting AOR = 2.575” (1.163, 5.698)” P = 002 more likely dissatisfied than did not have nausea and vomiting. The odds of patient pain after surgery AOR = 2.28” (1.084, 4.76)” more likely dissatisfied than the patient did not have pain after surgery.

Conclusion:

Patient satisfaction with perioperative anesthesia care compared to another study magnitude of satisfaction very low. Regular study and intervention should do every time to increase patient satisfaction.

Highlights:
AN EFFECTIVE BIAS-CORRECTED BAGGING METHOD FOR THE VALUATION OF LARGE VARIABLE ANNUITY PORTFOLIOS
Authors: Gweon Hyukjun , Li Shu , Mamon Rogemar
Published: September 2020

To evaluate a large portfolio of variable annuity (VA) contracts, many insurance companies rely on Monte Carlo simulation, which is computationally intensive. To address this computational challenge, machine learning techniques have been adopted in recent years to estimate the fair market values (FMVs) of a large number of contracts. It is shown that bootstrapped aggregation (bagging), one of the most popular machine learning algorithms, performs well in valuing VA contracts using related attributes. In this article, we highlight the presence of prediction bias of bagging and use the bias-corrected (BC) bagging approach to reduce the bias and thus improve the predictive performance. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of BC bagging as compared with bagging, boosting, and model points in terms of prediction accuracy.
Evaluating the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: perceived risk of COVID-19 infection and childhood trauma predict adult depressive symptoms in urban South Africa
Authors: Kim Andrew Wooyoung , Nyengerai Tawanda , Mendenhall Emily
Published: September 2020

Background

South Africa's national lockdown introduced serious threats to public mental health in a society where one in three individuals develops a psychiatric disorder during their life. We aimed to evaluate the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic using a mixed-methods design.

Methods

This longitudinal study drew from a preexisting sample of 957 adults living in Soweto, a major township near Johannesburg. Psychological assessments were administered across two waves between August 2019 and March 2020 and during the first 6 weeks of the lockdown (late March–early May 2020). Interviews on COVID-19 experiences were administered in the second wave. Multiple regression models examined relationships between perceived COVID-19 risk and depression.

Results

Full data on perceived COVID-19 risk, depression, and covariates were available in 221 adults. In total, 14.5% of adults were at risk for depression. Higher perceived COVID-19 risk predicted greater depressive symptoms (p < 0.001), particularly among adults with histories of childhood trauma, though this effect was marginally significant (p = 0.063). Adults were about two times more likely to experience significant depressive symptoms for every one unit increase in perceived COVID-19 risk (p = 0.021; 95% CI 1.10–3.39). Qualitative data identified potent experiences of anxiety, financial insecurity, fear of infection, and rumination.

Conclusions

Higher perceived risk of COVID-19 infection is associated with greater depressive symptoms during the first 6 weeks of quarantine. High rates of severe mental illness and low availability of mental healthcare amidst COVID-19 emphasize the need for immediate and accessible psychological resources.
British Visions, African Voices: The “Imperial” and the “Colonial” in World War II
Authors: Osborne Myles
Published: September 2020

This article is focused on a magazine calledJambo, which was published by the British East Africa Command for troops in its employ between 1942 and 1945.Jambowas an agglomeration of political articles, general interest stories, propaganda, cartoons, crosswords, and more, with many of its contributions authored (or drawn) by men serving in the Allied forces. Here, I useJamboto consider notions of the “colonial” and “imperial” during the Second World War, exploring how the realities of racial segregation in the colonies fit awkwardly with imperial service.Jamboalso permits us a window into the views of some hundreds of British servicemen, who wrote extensively about the Africans with whom they served, revealing the complexities and shifts in British perceptions of African peoples during the conflict.Jambois unique in another respect: it also provided a forum for African troops. In few other publications—and even fewer with such wide circulation—could educated (but nonelite) African peoples reach thousands of British readers. Though their published letters and articles were few compared to those written byJambo's British authors, African writers used the venue to critique the conditions of their military service, argue about the sort of social ordering they desired in their home communities, and create an alternate narrative of the war. Like most colonial publications,Jambohad intended audiences, but also voracious, additional, alternate publics that mediated the articles which appeared in its pages. All this suggests that we might think of the colonial public sphere as both local and global, inward and outward looking, personal and communal, and situated along a continuum between colonial and imperial contexts.
First antenatally confirmed case of arterial tortuosity syndrome
Authors: Saravu Vijayashankar Sakethram , Culham J. A. Gordon , Moodley Shreya
Published: September 2020

Arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS) is a rare, autosomal recessive, connective tissue disorder. It predominantly involves the arterial tree with clinical features reflecting the systems involved. There have been few cases of ATS suspected during antenatal screening ultrasound in high-risk families, but none confirmed. We present the first case of ATS confirmed antenatally in the fetus with cascade testing, detecting the disease in the mother as well.
The Moderating Role of Parental Self-Efficacy on Parental Worry and Social Activity Limitation Associated With Pediatric Food Allergy
Authors: McLaughlin Alix M. , Humiston Tori , Peterson Catherine
Published: September 2020

Objective: Research has established associations between parental self-efficacy (SE) related to managing their child’s food allergy (FA) and parent quality of life, but there has been limited examination of how parent variables predict child social outcomes. This study examined whether parental SE related to managing their child’s FA moderates the association between parental worry and activity limitation of the child. Methods: Parents of 218 children with parent-reported FA completed an online survey, which included measures of demographics, child FA characteristics, parental SE, parental worry, and social activity limitation. Participants were recruited locally and nationally through social media, e-mail listservs, and paper flyers in pediatricians’ and allergists’ offices in the region. Results: Linear regression results indicated that parental SE moderated the association between parental worry and limitation of child’s social activities, R 2 = .14, F(3, 213) = 8.35, p < .001. Parents with higher SE were less likely to limit their child’s social activities, regardless of worry level, whereas parents with lower SE were more likely to limit child social activities as their reported worry increased. Conclusions: Findings suggest that SE may act as a protective factor against child’s activity limitation and impairment of social quality of life when parents report high levels of worry, suggesting treatment targets for anxious parents of children with parent-reported FA.

Implications for Impact Statement

Higher parent self-efficacy for managing their child’s food allergy may allow for children to be more engaged in social activities, regardless of parent-reported worry. Enhancing parent self-efficacy should be considered as a target for improving family adjustment to childhood FA.
Biological receptor-inspired flexible artificial synapse based on ionic dynamics
Authors: Lu Qifeng , Sun Fuqin , Liu Lin , Li Lianhui , Wang Yingyi , Hao Mingming , Wang Zihao , Wang Shuqi , Zhang Ting
Published: September 2020

The memristor has been regarded as a promising candidate for constructing a neuromorphic computing platform that is capable of confronting the bottleneck of the traditional von Neumann architecture. Here, inspired by the working mechanism of the G-protein-linked receptor of biological cells, a novel double-layer memristive device with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets covered by chitosan (an ionic conductive polymer) as the channel material is constructed. The protons in chitosan and the functional groups in rGO nanosheets imitate the functions of the ligands and receptors of biological cells, respectively. Smooth changes in the response current depending on the historical applied voltages are observed, offering a promising pathway toward biorealistic synaptic emulation. The memristive behavior is mainly a result of the interaction between protons provided by chitosan and the defects and functional groups in the rGO nanosheets. The channel current is due to the hopping of protons through functional groups and is limited by the traps in the rGO nanosheets. The transition from short-term to long-term potentiation is achieved, and learning-forgetting behaviors of the memristor mimicking those of the human brain are demonstrated. Overall, the bioinspired memristor-type artificial synaptic device shows great potential in neuromorphic networks.
Wearable multi-sensing double-chain thermoelectric generator
Authors: Wen Dan-Liang , Deng Hai-Tao , Liu Xin , Li Guo-Ke , Zhang Xin-Ran , Zhang Xiao-Sheng
Published: September 2020

Wearable electronics play a crucial role in advancing the rapid development of artificial intelligence, and as an attractive future vision, all-in-one wearable microsystems integrating powering, sensing, actuating and other functional components on a single chip have become an appealing tendency. Herein, we propose a wearable thermoelectric generator (ThEG) with a novel double-chain configuration to simultaneously realize sustainable energy harvesting and multi-functional sensing. In contrast to traditional single-chain ThEGs with the sole function of thermal energy harvesting, each individual chain of the developed double-chain thermoelectric generator (DC-ThEG) can be utilized to scavenge heat energy, and moreover, the combination of the two chains can be employed as functional sensing electrodes at the same time. The mature mass-fabrication technology of screen printing was successfully introduced to print n-type and p-type thermoelectric inks atop a polymeric substrate to form thermocouples to construct two independent chains, which makes this DC-ThEG flexible, high-performance and cost-efficient. The emerging material of silk fibroin was employed to cover the gap of the fabricated two chains to serve as a functional layer for sensing the existence of liquid water molecules in the air and the temperature. The powering and sensing functions of the developed DC-ThEG and their interactions were systematically studied via experimental measurements, which proved the DC-ThEG to be a robust multi-functional power source with a 151 mV open-circuit voltage. In addition, it was successfully demonstrated that this DC-ThEG can convert heat energy to achieve a 3.3 V output, matching common power demands of wearable electronics, and harvest biothermal energy to drive commercial electronics (i.e., a calculator). The integration approach of powering and multi-functional sensing based on this new double-chain configuration might open a new chapter in advanced thermoelectric generators, especially in the applications of all-in-one self-powered microsystems.
Setting up and sustaining blood and marrow transplant services for children in middle-income economies: an experience-driven position paper on behalf of the EBMT PDWP
Authors: Faulkner Lawrence , Verna Marta , Rovelli Attilio , Agarwal Rajat Kumar , Dhanya Rakesh , Parmar Lalith , Sedai Amit , Kumari Ankita , Ramprakash Stalin , Raghuram C. P. , Mehta Pallavi , Elizabeth Sandeep , Khalid Sadaf , Batool Aliya , Ghilani Sarah Khan , Fatima Itrat , Zara Tatheer , Marwah Priya , Soni Rajpreet , Trivedi Deepa , Conter Valentino , Canesi Marta , Othman Dosti , Faeq Vian , Kleinschmidt Katharina , Yesillipek Akif , Lam Catherine G. , Howard Scott C. , Corbacioglu Selim ,   the Pediatric Diseases Working Party of the European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group, Jefri Abdulah Al , Bertania Alice , Büchner Jochen , Willasch Andrè , Gibson Brenda , Güngür Tayfun , Ifversen Marianne , Meisel Roland , Müller Ingo , Vetteranta Kim , Veys Paul , Wachowiak Jacek
Published: September 2020

Severe blood disorders and cancer are the leading cause of death and disability from noncommunicable diseases in the global pediatric population and a major financial burden. The most frequent of these conditions, namely sickle cell disease and severe thalassemia, are highly curable by blood or bone marrow transplantation (BMT) which can restore a normal health-related quality of life and be cost-effective. This position paper summarizes critical issues in extending global access to BMT based on ground experience in the start-up of several BMT units in middle-income countries (MICs) across South-East Asia and the Middle East where close to 700 allogeneic BMTs have been performed over a 10-year period. Basic requirements in terms of support systems, equipment, and consumables are summarized keeping in mind WHO’s model essential lists and recommendations. BMT unit setup and maintenance costs are summarized as well as those per transplant. Low-risk BMT is feasible and safe in MICs with outcomes comparable to high-income countries but at a fraction of the cost. This report might be of assistance to health care institutions in MICs interested in developing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation services and strengthening context appropriate tertiary care and higher medical education.
Interaction between a nano-formulation of atrazine and rhizosphere bacterial communities: atrazine degradation and bacterial community alterations
Authors: Zhai Yujia , Abdolahpur Monikh Fazel , Wu Juan , Grillo Renato , Arenas-Lago Daniel , Darbha Gopala Krishna , Vijver Martina G. , Peijnenburg Willie J. G. M.
Published: September 2020

Nanotechnology can potentially revolutionize the agricultural industry by offering nano-formulations of pesticides, the so-called nano-pesticides, but the adverse effects of nano-pesticides must be known in non-target organisms.
Simultaneous introduction of multiple biomacromolecules into plant cells using a cell-penetrating peptide nanocarrier
Authors: Thagun Chonprakun , Motoda Yoko , Kigawa Takanori , Kodama Yutaka , Numata Keiji
Published: September 2020

Simple and efficient cell-penetrating peptide-based multiple DNA, RNA and protein codelivery platforms to plant cells have been developed.
Two- and three-photon excitable quaternized imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines as mitochondrial imaging and potent cancer therapy agents
Authors: Hase Eiji , Takanari Hiroki , Hoshi Keita , Okamoto Masaki , Tabata Atsushi , Nagamune Hideaki , Minamikawa Takeo , Yasui Takeshi , Yoshida Yasushi , Minagawa Keiji , Kawamura Yasuhiko , Imada Yasushi , Yagishita Fumitoshi
Published: September 2020

We have synthesized four blue fluorescent imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines. One specific compound work as not only a two- and three-photon fluorescence imaging agent for the visualization of mitochondria, but also a potent mitochondria-targeted photodynamic therapy agent.
Transient imine directing groups for the C–H functionalisation of aldehydes, ketones and amines: an update 2018–2020
Authors: Higham Joe I. , Bull James A.
Published: September 2020

This review describes recent advances in C–H functionalisation using transient directing groups. Advances in directing group design, new bond forming methodologies, regio- and stereoselective processes, and new mechanistic insights are discussed.
Rational design of nonlinear crystalline-amorphous-responsive terpolymers for pH-guided fabrication of 0D–3D nano-objects
Authors: Miao Cheng , Zhu Xiaomin , Zhang Jian , Zhao Youliang
Published: September 2020

Crystallization/pH-induced self-assembly of starlike and tadpole-linear terpolymers allowed the formation of 0D spheres/vesicles, 1D cylinders, 2D platelets/nanosheets and 3D tadpoles/dendritic vesicles.
Core and double bond functionalisation of cyclopentadithiophene-phosphaalkenes
Authors: Wells Jordann A. L. , Shameem Muhammad Anwar , Gupta Arvind Kumar , Orthaber Andreas
Published: September 2020

Opto-electronic tuning by functionalisation of phosphorus heterofulvenoid cores. Oxidation, metal coordination at phosphorus, and substitution with donor and acceptor units at the carbon framework.
Visible-light-mediated Barbier allylation of aldehydes and ketonesviadual titanium and photoredox catalysis
Authors: Li Fu-sheng , Chen Yu-qing , Lin Shuang-jie , Shi Cai-zhe , Li Xi-yu , Sun Yu-chen , Guo Zhuo-wen , Shi Lei
Published: September 2020

This study reports a photocatalytic Barbier-type allylation of various aldehydes and ketones with allyl halides for the synthesis of homoallylic alcohols driven by dual titanium and photoredox catalysis.
Ab initio kinetics predictions for the role of pre-reaction complexes in hydrogen abstraction from 2-butanone by OH radicals
Authors: Gao Yi , Zhao Yang , Guan Qingbao , Wang Fuke
Published: September 2020

Schematic diagram of the geometry and corresponding weak interactions in the complex between two reactant monomers.
Preparation and characterization of squid pen chitooligosaccharide–epigallocatechin gallate conjugates and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities
Authors: Singh Avtar , Benjakul Soottawat , Huda Nurul , Xu Changan , Wu Peng
Published: September 2020

Chitooligosaccharide from squid pen showed increases in both antioxidant and antimicrobial activities via conjugation with epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG).
Mg–Ni–La based small hydrogen storage tank: kinetics, reversibility and reaction mechanisms
Authors: Dansirima Palmarin , Ngamwongwan Lappawat , Suthirakun Suwit , Utke Oliver , Utke Rapee
Published: September 2020

De/hydrogenation performances and mechanisms of a Mg–Ni–La based H2 storage tank are investigated for the first time.