bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Electron-Beam Irradiation on Graphene Oxide
Authors: Adamson P. , Williams S.
Published: October 2019

Graphene oxide (GO) is a nanofilm composed of graphene with various oxygen functional groups attached. GO is of interest due to its unique mechanical-enhancement properties, its tunable electronic properties, and its potential use in the wide-scale production of graphene. Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) are frequently used to characterize and study GO films. The purpose of this project was to study the effects of SEM-imaging on GO films. Using an SEM, we irradiated GO samples at electron beam-energies of 10, 20, and 30 keV (at a constant emission current of ∼40 ± 2 μA) for times ranging from 15 minutes to 1 hour. Raman D- and G-band intensities were used to examine structural modifications/damage to GO samples as a function of beam energy and exposure time. The results suggest that imaging with a 30 keV electron beam for 30 minutes may lead to the formation of amorphous carbon, while imaging with 10 keV or 20 keV beams for 30 minutes does not have a significant effect on GO samples.
Using HECTOR for Cross Section Measurements of 102Pd(p,γ)103Ag
Authors: Churchman Emily , Simon Anna , Kelmar Rebeka , Olivas-Gomez Orlando , Reingold Craig , Kelly Sean
Published: October 2019

The High EffiCiency TOtal absorption spectrometeR (HECTOR) consists of 16 scintillating crystals that are made of thallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)). Each of the crystals is coupled to two photomultiplier tubes (PMT) and the detector is oriented to create a cubic array surrounding a target. This cubic array orientation allows for simultaneous measurements of the individual gamma (γ) rays produced during the de-excitation of the reaction products, creating a coverage of nearly 4π steradian. HECTOR was constructed to measure capture reactions relevant for the nucleosynthesis process at low energies. The work presented here focuses on a (p,γ) reaction on 102Pd, one of the p-nuclei produced during the p-process. The experiment was conducted at the University of Notre Dame using the FN tandem accelerator at the Nuclear Science Lab. A highly enriched 102Pd target was bombarded with a proton (p) beam at energies between 3.5 and 8.0 MeV in 200 keV steps. The measured cross section is compared with experimental data found in literature and theoretical models.
Seed germination and emergence of two flax-leaf alyssum (Alyssum linifolium Steph. ex. Willd.) populations in response to environmental factors
Authors: Mobli A. , Mijani S. , Ghanbari A. , Rastgoo M.
Published: October 2019

Flax-leaf alyssum (Alyssum linifolium Steph. ex. Willd.) is a winter growing annual weed species widely distributed in many semi-arid cropping regions of Iran, especially in the Khorasan Razavi and East Azerbaijan provinces. The germination of two populations (one each from Khorasan Razavi and East Azerbaijan) of this weed was evaluated under different experimental conditions. Seeds of A. linifolium germinated over a wide range of day/night temperature regimes, with the highest germination percentage observed with a regimen of 20°C/10°C. Light was not required for germination for either population, and >70% seeds germinated under all photoperiods tested. Germination was affected by pH levels; seeds germinated over the pH range 4–9 and germination was maximum at pH 7. For the Khorasan Razavi and East Azerbaijan populations, ≥50% of seeds germinated at a water potential of –0.69 and –0.78 MPa and salinity of 12.64 and 11.7 dS m–1 respectively. Maximum seedling emergence occurred when seeds were slightly covered with soil, but emergence decreased with increasing depth of soil cover, with no emergence at depths >3 cm. These results indicate that A. linifolium germinates in a wide range of climatic conditions and could invade into new regions. Burying the seeds through tillage may reduce their emergence.
Autogenous transfer of intracytoplasmic sperm injection-produced equine embryos into the uterus of the oocyte donor during the same oestrous cycle
Authors: Rossini J. B. , Rodriguez J. , Bresnahan D. R. , Stokes J. E. , Carnevale E. M.
Published: October 2019

The clinical use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in horses usually involves the transfer of embryos into recipient mares, resulting in substantial cost increases. This is essential when subfertile mares are oocyte donors; but some donors are fertile, with ICSI compensating for limited or poor-quality spermatozoa. Fertile oocyte donors could carry pregnancies, eliminating the need for a recipient. We assessed the potential of using oocyte donors as recipients for their own ICSI-produced embryos during the same cycle. Donors in oestrus and with large dominant follicles were administered ovulation-inducing compounds to cause follicle and oocyte maturation. Maturing oocytes were collected, cultured and fertilised using ICSI. At 6 or 7 days after ICSI, developing blastocysts were transferred into respective donors’ uteri, and pregnancy rates were determined. Twenty follicles were aspirated from nine mares and 12 oocytes were collected. After ICSI, 10 of the 12 oocytes (83%) cleaved, and eight (67% of injected oocytes) developed into blastocysts for transfer. Five pregnancies resulted from the eight transferred embryos (pregnancy rate 62% per embryo and 42% per sperm-injected oocyte). Following this synchronisation regime, ICSI-produced embryos can be transferred into oocyte donors’ uteri during the same cycle, allowing donors to carry pregnancies after assisted fertilisation.
Intelligent packaging for monitoring food quality.
Authors: Luchese C. L.
Published: October 2019

Synthetic plastics derived primarily from fossil carbon sources (such as crude oil and natural gas) are one of the main constituents of urban solid waste that present an increasing problem of disposal and environmental pollution due to its recalcitrant nature. Growing environmental concerns over the uncontrolled use of traditional synthetic plastics and a desire related to reducing the use of non-renewable resources have led to several looking for alternative packaging materials. An alternative to minimize the problem related to plastic waste disposal is the production of biodegradable films. Currently, dynamic information and constant monitoring of food quality, shelf life, safety and convenience are required for the most demanding consumer news. Intelligent packaging systems are those that monitor the condition of packaged foods to provide information about die quality of packaged food during transportation and storage. In the current context, smart (active and intelligent) packaging is a potential area for future research. The development and improvement of processing technologies and the raw materials used in the manufacture of this type of packaging can help to preserve products of animal origin (chicken meat, beef and pork) and vegetables (minimally processed), as the different characteristic of the material can be obtained.
Experimental Hamiltonian Learning of an 11-Qubit Solid-State Quantum Spin Register*
Authors: Hou P.-Y. , He L. , Wang F. , Huang X.-Z. , Zhang W.-G. , Ouyang X.-L. , Wang X. , Lian W.-Q. , Chang X.-Y. , Duan L.-M.
Published: October 2019

Learning the Hamiltonian of a quantum system is indispensable for prediction of the system dynamics and realization of high fidelity quantum gates. However, it is a significant challenge to efficiently characterize the Hamiltonian which has a Hilbert space dimension exponentially growing with the system size. Here, we develop and implement an adaptive method to learn the effective Hamiltonian of an 11-qubit quantum system consisting of one electron spin and ten nuclear spins associated with a single nitrogen-vacancy center in a diamond. We validate the estimated Hamiltonian by designing universal quantum gates based on the learnt Hamiltonian and implementing these gates in the experiment. Our experimental result demonstrates a well-characterized 11-qubit quantum spin register with the ability to test quantum algorithms, and shows our Hamiltonian learning method as a useful tool for characterizing the Hamiltonian of the nodes in a quantum network with solid-state spin qubits.
DFT  +  U study of H2O adsorption and dissociation on stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric CuO(1 1 1) surfaces
Authors: Ahmad Faozan , Agusta Mohammad Kemal , Maezono Ryo , Dipojono Hermawan Kresno
Published: October 2019

Surface interaction through adsorption and dissociation between H2O and metal oxides plays an important role in many industrial as well as fundamental processes. To gain further insights on the interaction, this study performs dispersion-corrected Hubbard-corrected density functional theory calculations in H2O adsorption and dissociation on stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric CuO(1 1 1) surfaces. The nonstoichiometric surfaces consist of oxygen vacancy defect and oxygen-preadsorbed surfaces. This study finds that H2O is chemically adsorbed on the top of Cusub and Cusub–Cusub bridge due to the interaction of its p  orbital with d orbital of Cu. The adsorption is found to be the strongest on the surface with the oxygen vacancy defect, followed by the stoichiometric surface, and the oxygen-preadsorbed surface. The oxygen vacancy increases the reactivity for H2O adsorption and reduces the reaction energy required for H2O dissociation on the surface. However, the surface modification by the oxygen-preadsorbed significantly reduces the barrier energy for H2O dissociation when compared with the other surfaces.
Synthesis of nanosize manganese oxides from its ore using solvothermal method
Authors: Abi F D Y P , Kusumaningrum R , Widayatno W B , Wismogroho A S , Noviyanto A , Rochman N T , Amal M I
Published: October 2019

Nano-sized manganese oxide was successfully synthesized from local manganese ore using solvothermal method. The manganese ore were obtained from Jereweh District, Sumbawa, West of Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The aims of this research are to study the effects of temperature and time to the morphology, size and phase of manganese oxide obtained by solvothermal method. In the first step, we performed the extraction of manganese precursor from manganese ore. The method to extract the manganese precursor was hydrometallurgy. The second step, manganese precursor that obtained in the first step was used to synthesis manganese oxide using solvothermal method. NaOH was used as precipitating agent. The phase, morphologies and particle size of manganese oxides were examined by x-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscopy.
Synthesis Of Imprinted Ionic Material (SiO2(BGS/RHA)-TMPDT-Im-Au) For Adsorption Of Ion Au(III)
Authors: Hastuti S , Wahyuningsih S , Martini T , Hayati I N
Published: October 2019

Synthesis of imprinted ionic material SiO2(BGS/RHA)-TMPDT-Im-Au) was successfully studied. Sodium silicate from a mixture of ash bagasse and rice husk (Na2SiO3(BGS/RHA)) were used as the precursors. Furthermore, Na2SiO3(BGS/RHA is modified with the N
1-(3-Trimethoxysilylpropyl)diethylenetriamine (TMPDT) in which Au(III) ions are used as templates. The synthesis results were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Surface area analyzers (SAA), Thermo Gravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The adsorption study was carried out using a batch system conducted in various pH and contact time. The adsorption process achieved a maximum pH of 3 in a 60-minute equilibrium time. Au(III) adsorption capacity of SiO2(BGS/RHA)-TMPDT-Im-Au was 10.44 mg/g. The kinetic studies show that the adsorption of Au(III) on SiO2(BGS/RHA)-TMPDT-Im-Au follows a pseudo-second-order with the reaction rate constant (k) of 76.7331 g mol–1 min–1.
Optimization of the use of fly ash and natural zeolite activated as composite for an adsorbent of lead heavy metal (Pb)
Authors: Pranoto  , Martini T , Sunardi B M W , Anandita E P
Published: October 2019

Coal is an alternative source of energy besides petroleum and natural gas which are widely used so they can produce a large amount of waste such as fly ash. Natural zeolite is a natural material that is widely spread in the territory of Indonesia. Fly ash and natural zeolite contain a SiO2 and Al2O3 that can be used as an adsorbent. This study aims to create a composite of fly ash/natural zeolite activated as adsorbent to optimize the performance of Pb heavy metal adsorption. Fly ash and natural zeolite were activated using NaOH 3M, and HCl 1M. The adsorption process was carried out with variations of composition 100:00, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 00:100 (w/w), variations in pH of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and contact time variations 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 min. The adsorbent characterization was performed with FTIR, XRD, SAA, and total specific acidity as well as the final measurement of Pb metal concentration determined by AAS spectrophotometer. The activation process can be shown on the FTIR spectra with the shift of wave numbers, XRD diffractogram showed the decrease of intensity in fly ash and natural zeolite, the increase of acidity value and surface area on each material shows the availability of more active groups. The adsorption of metal Pb reached the optimum condition on fly ash:natural zeolite composition 75:25 (w/w), pH condition of 5, and contact time 60 min, and adsorption capacity of 0, 577 mg/g and 97% adsorption percentage following Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption result obtained is supported by characterization of adsorbent after and before adsorption using SEM EDX indicating the presence of Pb element on adsorbent after adsorption and the surface morphology became rougher due to effect of Pb metal absorption.
Utilization of Yogyakarta natural zeolites to reduce NH4 and NO2 levels in shrimp pond water and its kinetic rate study
Authors: Anggoro D D , Buchori L , Sumantri I , Ivan  , Sejati D A B , Oktavianty H
Published: October 2019

Natural zeolite is an unique crystal that has a very small and uniform pore size when compared to other adsorbents, such as activated carbon and silica gel. This study aims to determine the potential of natural zeolite as an adsorbent, to absorb toxic gases in pond water, especially shrimp ponds and to study its kinetics rate of NH4 and NO2 adsorption. This study consisted of two stages: activated zeolite using NaOH, and tested the absorption power of NH4 and NO2 gases. Zeolite was activated using NaOH where 25 grams of zeolite were mixed with 0.5N NaOH and heated for 2 hours at 70°C, then stirred and dried in an oven at 110°C for 4 hours. Then zeolite was cooled in a desiccator. The results of NH4 and NO2 gas adsorption showed that natural zeolites can reduce NH4 and NO2 gas levels in shrimp pond water. The rate constant of pseudo-second-order, and the initial adsorption rate at any given time t, can be predicted from the equation which is full zeolite obtained the best perform of NH4 and NO2 adsorption.
Improving method of TiO2-Fe2O3 composite materials for self-cleaning glass preparation
Authors: Ramadhani J P , Wahyuningsih S , Ramelan A H
Published: October 2019

Fe2O3-TiO2 composite have been synthesized as a self-cleaning material on glass. TiO2 was prepared from titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) by sol gel method. Meanwhile, Fe2O3-TiO2 composite was prepared from TiO2 synthesized with additional precursor Fe(NO3)3•9H2O. TiO2 synthesized powder was added to Fe3+ solution in aquadest so it formed crystalline layer on TiO2 powder. Core shell composite of Fe2O3-TiO2 was obtained after calcination on temperature 600 °C. Identification and characterization of composite by X-Ray Difraction (XRD) showed that there are difractogram peaks of TiO2 and Fe2O3. Another analysis by X-Ray Fluoroscence (XRF) showed that composition of Fe2O3-TiO2 composite are 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, and 1:3 (w/w). The morphology of composite shown by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) that explained coverage character of TiO2 with Fe2O3 formed core shell type. The electronic spectrum of Fe2O3-TiO2 core shell result showed an increasing response in visible light so it can be aplicated as a coating material in manufacturing technology of self cleaning glass.
Preparation of Fe2O3-TiO2/GO Composites as a Visible Light Oxidation Photocatalyst Material
Authors: Sari U R K , Wahyuningsih S , Ramelan A H
Published: October 2019

Fe2O3-TiO2/Graphene Oxide (Fe2O3-TiO2/GO) has been synthesized through a step by step synthesized. Preparation of Fe2O3-TiO2 composites from Sukabumi iron sand with high iron content. Meanwhile, preparation of GO separately from graphite on strong acid condition H2SO4 and addition oxidator KMnO4 treatment has been carried out. First composition analyzed Sukabumi iron sand shown content of iron about 50% and content of Ti about 10%. Fe2O3-TiO2 composites prepared with addition TiO2 powder thus obtained a ratio of Fe2O3-TiO2 = 1:1(w/w). Fe2O3-TiO2 composites was roasted at 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600°C shown optimalhematite formed at 600 °C. Formation of Fe2O3-TiO2/GO composites were at Fe2O3-TiO2:GO= 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 (w/w), respectively. Fe2O3-TiO2/GO composites (A, B, C) shown excellent photocatalyst activities. Fe2O3-TiO2:GO (1:3) composites have the optimum ability for photocatalytic activity of Rhodamine B degradation achieved about 93.96% for 40 minutes illumination.
Effect of Temperature and Length of Storage to Chloramphenicol Eye Drop’s Concentration
Authors: Yugatama A , Nurmalinda R , Rohmani S , Ermawati D E , Prihapsara F
Published: October 2019

Chloramphenicol is a broad spectrum antibiotic that acts by inhibiting protein synthesize. One of chloramphenicol dosage form which widely found in the marketplace is eyedrop. Drug storage will affect drug stability. This research aimed to know the effect of temperature and length of storage to chloramphenicol eye drop’s concentration. Analysis of chloramphenicol concentration in eyedrops was done by UV spectrophotometry. This analysis was done to eyedrops after stored 0; 7; 21; and 30 days unsealed with various storage condition: under the sunlight, room temperature, and refrigerated. Data obtained was analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA with 95% CI by SPSS for windows software. The result showed that the concentration of chloramphenicol eyedrop before stored was to meet the requirements which were 95.96%. The result of chloramphenicol concentration in eyedrop after stored 30 days in 3 storage condition was reduced significantly. While sunlight and storage temperature did not affect the reduction of chloramphenicol concentration significantly.
Highly efficient one pot synthesis of triacetylphloroglucinol: an analogue of acylphloroglucinol natural product
Authors: Kusumaningsih T , Firdaus M , Artanti A N , Prasetyo W E
Published: October 2019

A green route fast synthesis of triacetylphloroglucinol analogue has been described in detail. This process efficiently achieved by a Friedel-Craft acylation in a one-pot method using phloroglucinol and appropriate acetic anhydride or acyl chloride as acylation agents in the presence of biodegradable catalyst methanesulfonic acid under solvent-free condition. This novel protocol clearly demonstrated green chemistry concept in term of simplicity, good yields and environment-friendly conditions.
Frequency of ABCB1 gene 3435 polymorphism on patients with coronary stent in Surakarta
Authors: Niruri R , Sulastomo H , Kusumati R , Famila A N
Published: October 2019

The use of antithrombotic drugs on patients with coronary stent have reduced the risk of stent thrombosis. ABCB1 Gene 3435TT may limit the drugs availability and response. Frequencies of ABCB1 Gene 3435 Polymorphism varied among different populations. This research aimed to identify frequency of 3435 polymorphism on patients with coronary stent in Surakarta. All the patients (who underwent coronary stent, received antithrombotic therapy, and signed for informed consent forms on the period of May 7th – June 8th 2018 in doctor Moewardi Hospital) were included in this study. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was detected by PCR and sequencing. As a result, the frequencies of 3435 TT, 3435 CC, and 3435 TC on 30 patients were 50 % (15 subjects), 33 % (10 patients), and 17 % (5 subjects) respectively. In this study, the mutant T allele carriers was found in majority of the patients.
Analytical solution of the Bohr-Mottelson equation in the presence of minimal length for yukawa potential using hypergeometric method
Authors: Fatimah S N , Suparmi A , Cari C , Elviyanti I L
Published: October 2019

The relativistic energy and wave function of the Bohr-Mottelson equation in the presence of minimal length are investigated by the hypergeometric method. The Bohr-Mottelson equation in the presence of minimal length is influenced by Yukawa potential. The energy relativistic is calculated by using Matlab software, and the wave function is expressed in the Hypergeometric term. The existence of minimal length caused increased of the energy relativistic of Bohr-Mottelson equation.
Alternative solution of the bohr-mottelson equation in minimal length effect for cotangent potential using the hypergeometric method
Authors: Suparmi A , Fatimah S N , Cari C , Elviyanti I L
Published: October 2019

The rigid deformed nucleus of minimal length effect is investigated using the Bohr-Mottelson equation that influenced by Cotangent potential. The Bohr-Mottelson equation of minimal length effect is solved by Hypergeometric method to obtain the energy spectrum and wave function. The energy spectrum is calculated by using Matlab software. The wave function is expressed in the Hypergeometric term. The result shown that, the energy spectrum is increased caused existence of minimal length effect.
Solution of Schrodinger equation in the presence of minimal length for cotangent hyperbolic potential using hypergeometric method
Authors: Hidayat F , Suparmi A , Cari C
Published: October 2019

This study was proposed to get the solution of the Schrodinger equation with cotangent hyperbolic potential in the presence of minimal length by using the hypergeometric method. By getting the numerical results with the help of Octave software, we can analyze nonrelativistic energy. The visualization of wave function was obtained using Matlab software. The result is defined as the larger of minimal length, the width of potential V1, and the angular momentum was included, the energy is increasing as well. The larger of the width of potential V0 affected the decrease of energy in this system.
Detection of a common odd aberration in confocal reflection microscopy by means of an edge scan
Authors: Smid Pieter , See Chung W , Wright Amanda J
Published: October 2019

In reflection laser scanning microscopes, detection of odd aberrations is challenging because aberration cancellation can occur after the second passage of the light beam through the system. A method is proposed that uses a sample containing high spatial frequencies, such as an edge scan, to detect and measure the presence of odd aberrations. The new approach is demonstrated by scanning the focal spot over an edge in a confocal reflection microscope when coma is present in the imaging system (a common odd aberration). It is shown that the edge response displays characteristic distortions which are typical of coma. Detection of amplitude, sign and orientation of the coma aberration is made possible by comparison of the measured edge responses with theoretical curves.
Real fibered morphisms and Ulrich sheaves
Authors: Kummer Mario , Shamovich Eli
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we define and study real fibered morphisms. Such morphisms arise in the study of real hyperbolic hypersurfaces inPd\mathbb {P}^dand other hyperbolic varieties. We show that real fibered morphisms are intimately connected to Ulrich sheaves admitting positive definite symmetric bilinear forms.
Seasonal pattern of single falls and recurrent falls amongst community-dwelling older adults first applying for long-term care services in Hong Kong
Authors: Qian Xing Xing , Chau Pui Hing , Kwan Chi Wai , Lou Vivian Wq , Leung Angela Y M , Ho Mandy , Fong Daniel Y T , Chi Iris
Published: October 2019

Background

few studies had investigated seasonal pattern of recurrent falls.

Objective

to examine seasonal pattern of both single and recurrent falls amongst community-dwelling older adults first applying for long-term care (LTC) services.

Methods

a cohort of 89,100 community-dwelling Hong Kong older adults aged 65 and over first applying for LTC services from 2005 to 2014 was obtained. Logistic regression models were used to examine seasonal pattern in single and recurrent falls, whilst controlling for gender, age and year.

Results

amongst 89,100 older adults, about 32% fell in past 90 days. Amongst the fallers, 34% fell recurrently. In 2014, the incidences of all fall, single fall and recurrent fall were 1.95, 0.80 and 1.15 per person-years, respectively. For single falls, the 90-day fall risk was highest during November to February with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.29 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–1.41), compared with the lowest one during July to October. For recurrent falls, the highest OR for 90-day risk was highest during November to February (1.46, 95% CI 1.31–1.64) as well.

Conclusions

single and recurrent falls both peaked during winter months. Interventions, such as implementing educational publicity and sending reminder to older adults in fall season, may be considered.
Soft windowing application to improve analysis of high-throughput phenotyping data
Authors: Haselimashhadi Hamed , Mason Jeremy C , Munoz-Fuentes Violeta , López-Gómez Federico , Babalola Kolawole , Acar Elif F , Kumar Vivek , White Jacqui , Flenniken Ann M , King Ruairidh , Straiton Ewan , Seavitt John Richard , Gaspero Angelina , Garza Arturo , Christianson Audrey E , Hsu Chih-Wei , Reynolds Corey L , Lanza Denise G , Lorenzo Isabel , Green Jennie R , Gallegos Juan J , Bohat Ritu , Samaco Rodney C , Veeraragavan Surabi , Kim Jong Kyoung , Miller Gregor , Fuchs Helmult , Garrett Lillian , Becker Lore , Kang Yeon Kyung , Clary David , Cho Soo Young , Tamura Masaru , Tanaka Nobuhiko , Soo Kyung Dong , Bezginov Alexandr , About Ghina Bou , Champy Marie-France , Vasseur Laurent , Leblanc Sophie , Meziane Hamid , Selloum Mohammed , Reilly Patrick T , Spielmann Nadine , Maier Holger , Gailus-Durner Valerie , Sorg Tania , Hiroshi Masuya , Yuichi Obata , Heaney Jason D , Dickinson Mary E , Wolfgang Wurst , Tocchini-Valentini Glauco P , Lloyd Kevin C Kent , McKerlie Colin , Seong Je Kyung , Yann Herault , de Angelis Martin Hrabé , Brown Steve D M , Smedley Damian , Flicek Paul , Mallon Ann-Marie , Parkinson Helen , Meehan Terrence F
Published: October 2019

Motivation

High-throughput phenomic projects generate complex data from small treatment and large control groups that increase the power of the analyses but introduce variation over time. A method is needed to utlize a set of temporally local controls that maximizes analytic power while minimizing noise from unspecified environmental factors.

Results

Here we introduce ‘soft windowing’, a methodological approach that selects a window of time that includes the most appropriate controls for analysis. Using phenotype data from the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC), adaptive windows were applied such that control data collected proximally to mutants were assigned the maximal weight, while data collected earlier or later had less weight. We applied this method to IMPC data and compared the results with those obtained from a standard non-windowed approach. Validation was performed using a resampling approach in which we demonstrate a 10% reduction of false positives from 2.5 million analyses. We applied the method to our production analysis pipeline that establishes genotype–phenotype associations by comparing mutant versus control data. We report an increase of 30% in significant P-values, as well as linkage to 106 versus 99 disease models via phenotype overlap with the soft-windowed and non-windowed approaches, respectively, from a set of 2082 mutant mouse lines. Our method is generalizable and can benefit large-scale human phenomic projects such as the UK Biobank and the All of Us resources.

Availability and implementation

The method is freely available in the R package SmoothWin, available on CRAN http://CRAN.R-project.org/package=SmoothWin.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Investigating How Viewing Common Humanity Scenarios Impacts Compassion: A Novel Approach
Authors: Ling Debbie , Olver John , Petrakis Melissa
Published: October 2019

Compassion is a core value in healthcare. It enables healthcare workers to respond with care and kindness to all patients. The perception of common humanity (CH) has been proposed as the central mechanism of compassion. There have been no empirical studies examining the connection between CH and compassion. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of viewing CH scenarios on compassion. Seventy-five healthcare workers participated and were randomly allocated to two groups. The healthcare workers viewed different CH scenarios and completed pre- and post-test validated scales on perspective-taking, CH and compassion. The authors investigated whether compassion increased after viewing the CH scenarios. A mediation analysis was performed to examine if perspective-taking influences compassion, mediated by CH. Some new CH items were also trialled to help develop a CH scale. The results demonstrated that healthcare workers’ level of compassion increased after viewing the CH scenarios. There was some evidence that perspective-taking influences compassion mediated by CH. CH appears to be a collection of constructs captured by a number of subscales. This study has important implications for supporting healthcare workers to develop and sustain compassion.
Altered topology of large-scale structural brain networks in chronic stroke
Authors: Cheng Bastian , Schlemm Eckhard , Schulz Robert , Boenstrup Marlene , Messé Arnaud , Hilgetag Claus , Gerloff Christian , Thomalla Götz
Published: October 2019

Beyond disruption of neuronal pathways, focal stroke lesions induce structural disintegration of distant, yet connected brain regions via retrograde neuronal degeneration. Stroke lesions alter functional brain connectivity and topology in large-scale brain networks. These changes are associated with the degree of clinical impairment and recovery. In contrast, changes of large scale, structural brain networks after stroke are less well reported. We therefore aimed to analyse the impact of focal lesions on the structural connectome after stroke based on data from diffusion-weighted imaging and probabilistic fibre tracking. In total, 17 patients (mean age 64.5 ± 8.4 years) with upper limb motor deficits in the chronic stage after stroke and 21 healthy participants (mean age 64.9 ± 10.3 years) were included. Clinical deficits were evaluated by grip strength and the upper extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment. We calculated global and local graph theoretical measures to characterize topological changes in the structural connectome. Results from our analysis demonstrated significant alterations of network topology in both ipsi- and contralesional, primarily unaffected, hemispheres after stroke. Global efficiency was significantly lower in stroke connectomes as an indicator of overall reduced capacity for information transfer between distant brain areas. Furthermore, topology of structural connectomes was shifted toward a higher degree of segregation as indicated by significantly higher values of global clustering and modularity. On a level of local network parameters, these effects were most pronounced in a subnetwork of cortico-subcortical brain regions involved in motor control. Structural changes were not significantly associated with clinical measures. We propose that the observed network changes in our patients are best explained by the disruption of inter- and intrahemispheric, long white matter fibre tracts connecting distant brain regions. Our results add novel insights on topological changes of structural large-scale brain networks in the ipsi- and contralesional hemisphere after stroke.
Cortical Network Dynamics Is Altered in Mouse Models of Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Donzis Elissa J , Estrada-Sánchez Ana María , Indersmitten Tim , Oikonomou Katerina , Tran Conny H , Wang Catherine , Latifi Shahrzad , Golshani Peyman , Cepeda Carlos , Levine Michael S
Published: October 2019

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by involuntary movements, cognitive deficits, and psychiatric disturbances. Although evidence indicates that projections from motor cortical areas play a key role in the development of dysfunctional striatal activity and motor phenotype, little is known about the changes in cortical microcircuits and their role in the development of the HD phenotype. Here we used two-photon laser-scanning microscopy to evaluate network dynamics of motor cortical neurons in layers II/III in behaving transgenic R6/2 and knock-in Q175+/− mice. Symptomatic R6/2 mice displayed increased motion manifested by a significantly greater number of motion epochs, whereas symptomatic Q175 mice displayed decreased motion. In both models, calcium transients in symptomatic mice displayed reduced amplitude, suggesting decreased bursting activity. Changes in frequency were genotype- and time-dependent; for R6/2 mice, the frequency was reduced during both motion and nonmotion, whereas in symptomatic Q175 mice, the reduction only occurred during nonmotion. In presymptomatic Q175 mice, frequency was increased during both behavioral states. Interneuronal correlation coefficients were generally decreased in both models, suggesting disrupted interneuronal communication in HD cerebral cortex. These results indicate similar and contrasting effects of the HD mutation on cortical ensemble activity depending on mouse model and disease stage.
Contemporary Constitution Making in Asia-Pacific
Authors: De Visser Maartje , Bui Ngoc Son
Published: October 2019

This special issue features a curated set of contextualized case studies that interrogate how six Asian countries have calibrated global imperatives with domestic desires and concerns during the drafting of their latest constitution. Read together, the accounts demonstrate that the impact of globalization on what has long been thought of as a quintessential exercise of national sovereignty is ubiquitous, yet that the precise combination of the global and the local is unique to each country, determined as it is by the strength of domestic interests and factions. Taking contextualized functionalism as its premise, this introduction sketches the contours of an analytical framework to study constitution-making processes in a globalized environment. By implication, this framework is conceived in a neutral fashion and cast in functional terminology that extrapolates from the circumstances of the countries featured in this Special Issue. This, we hope, will make it a helpful toolbox to make sense of the global-local interplay in constitution-making in any country, whether located in Asia or further afield.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy: basic mechanisms and hope for new therapies
Authors: Ricke-Hoch Melanie , Pfeffer Tobias J , Hilfiker-Kleiner Denise
Published: October 2019

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a life-threatening cardiomyopathy characterized by acute or slow progression of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (LV ejection fraction of <45%) late in pregnancy, during delivery, or in the first postpartum months, in women with no other identifiable causes of heart failure. PPCM patients display variable phenotypes and risk factor profiles, pointing to involvement of multiple mechanisms in the pathogenesis of the disease. The higher risk for PPCM in women with African ancestry, the prevalence of gene variants associated with cardiomyopathies, and the high variability in onset and disease progression in PPCM patients also indicate multiple mechanisms at work. Experimental data have shown that different factors can induce and drive PPCM, including inflammation and immunity, pregnancy hormone impairment, catecholamine stress, defective cAMP-PKA, and G-protein-coupled-receptor signalling, and genetic variants. However, several of these mechanisms may merge into a common major pathway, which includes unbalanced oxidative stress and the cleavage of the nursing hormone prolactin (PRL) into an angiostatic, pro-apoptotic, and pro-inflammatory 16 kDa-PRL fragment, resulting in subsequent vascular damage and heart failure. Based on this common pathway, potential disease-specific biomarkers and therapies have emerged. Despite commonalities, the variation in aetiology and mechanisms poses challenges for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of the disease. This review summarizes current knowledge on the clinical presentation of PPCM in the context of recent experimental research. It discusses the challenge to develop disease-specific biomarkers in the context of rapid changing physiology in the peripartum phase, and outlines possible future treatment and management strategies for PPCM patients.
Auditory, Social, and Behavioral Skills of Children With Unilateral/Mild Hearing Loss
Authors: Nassrallah Flora , Tang Ken , Whittingham JoAnne , Sun Huidan , Fitzpatrick Elizabeth M
Published: October 2019

This study explored the impact of mild bilateral or unilateral hearing loss on auditory, social, and behavior skills in early school-aged children. Thirty-two children (aged 5–9 years) were evaluated with parent and teacher questionnaires. Most outcomes were within the range of expected scores. However, functional auditory skills were below published results for children with typical hearing. On the social skills scale, about 21.4% (parent-reported) and 20.0% (teacher-reported) of children were below one standard deviation (SD) of the normative mean (i.e., a standard score below 85). On the parent-reported behavior test, over a quarter of children scored beyond 1 SD on some subscales. Laterality of hearing loss had no effect on outcomes (p > .05). Agreement between parents and teachers varied from poor (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: .162) to moderate (ICC: .448). Results indicate that these children are functioning in most areas like their peers with typical hearing. Additional research on this population of children who may benefit from early identification and amplification is warranted.
Signing Exact English Transliteration: Effects of Accuracy and Lag Time on Message Intelligibility
Authors: Krause Jean C , Hague Andrew K
Published: October 2019

This paper, the fourth in a series concerned with the level of access afforded to students who use educational interpreters, focuses on the intelligibility of interpreters who use Signing Exact English (SEE). Eight expert receivers of SEE were employed to evaluate the intelligibility of transliterated messages that varied in accuracy and lag time. Results of intelligibility tests showed that, similar to Cued Speech transliterators, (a) accuracy had a large positive effect on transliterator intelligibility, (b) overall intelligibility (69%) was higher than average accuracy (58%), and (c) the likelihood that an utterance reached 70% intelligibility was somewhat sigmoidal in shape, with the likelihood of reaching 70% intelligibility dropping off fastest for accuracy values <65%. Accuracy alone accounted for 53% of the variance in transliterator intelligibility; mouthing was identified as a secondary factor that explained an additional 11%. Although lag time accounted for just .4% of the remaining variance, utterances produced with lag times between .6 and 1.2 s were most likely to exceed 70% intelligibility. With 36% of the variance still unexplained, other sources of transliterator variability (for example, facial expression, nonmanual markers, and mouth/sign synchronization) may also play a role in intelligibility and should be explored in future research.
Two rare complications of myocardial infarction: a case report
Authors: Mahmoud Osama , Mehra Vishal
Published: October 2019

Background

Mechanical complications following myocardial infarction (MI) have decreased in incidence due to the widespread use of early percutaneous coronary revascularization methods. We describe two rare complications as well as their natural history and uncertainties of the ideal management approach.

Case summary

Sixty-two-year-old female with multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors who had a delayed presentation of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and went on to develop dissecting intramyocardial haematoma progressing to ventricular septal rupture and coronary ventricular fistula.

Discussion

Intramyocardial haematoma is a rare complication of MI. It is considered to be part of the continuum of myocardial rupture which our patient eventually developed in the form of ventricular septal defect. The second rare entity in the same patient was development of a coronary ventricular fistula of the infarct-related stented, artery. The best way of managing dissecting intramyocardial haematoma is unclear with conflicting data between conservative and invasive strategies. Our patient failed the conservative approach as she progressed to frank myocardial rupture.
Universal implantation of temporary epicardial pacing wires after surgery for congenital heart disease: necessity or luxury?
Authors: Perumal Gopinath , Marathe Supreet Prakash , Betts Kim S , Suna Jessica , Morwood Jim , Wildschut Jason , Mattke Adrian C , Alphonso Nelson , Venugopal Prem
Published: October 2019

OBJECTIVES

Routine implantation of temporary epicardial pacing wires after surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) has recently been questioned. We evaluated the incidence of arrhythmias, arrhythmias causing haemodynamic compromise and the safety of a strategy of selective implantation of pacing wires in our unit.

METHODS

All patients who underwent surgery for CHD using cardiopulmonary bypass between September 2015 and December 2016 were retrospectively enrolled in the study (n = 313). Patients were stratified into group A (universal implantation) and group B (selective implantation). Group B received pacing wires only when postoperative rhythm disturbances were anticipated based on the operating surgeon’s judgement. The primary outcome was arrhythmia causing haemodynamic compromise. Outcomes were compared between unmatched and propensity matched groups.

RESULTS

Forty-eight patients experienced an arrhythmia causing haemodynamic compromise (15.3%). Twenty-three patients (7.3%) experienced an arrhythmia causing haemodynamic compromise that required the use of pacing wires for therapeutic purposes (group A n = 13, group B n = 10, P = 0.34). There were no pacing wire related complications in either group. All patients in group A and 90% in group B had pacing wires when needed (P = 0.435). In group A, 89% of patients had pacing wires which were not used compared with 13% in group B (P < 0.001). Results were unchanged when repeated using propensity matching (81 pairs).

CONCLUSIONS

The probability of developing a postoperative arrhythmia requiring therapeutic pacing can be predicted using the risk factors identified in our study. The routine implantation of pacing wires after surgery for CHD is not necessary. A measured reduction from universal implantation is safe.
Glucagon-like peptide 1 levels predict cardiovascular risk in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Kahles Florian , Rückbeil Marcia V , Mertens Robert W , Foldenauer Ann C , Arrivas Maria C , Moellmann Julia , Lebherz Corinna , Biener Moritz , Giannitsis Evangelos , Katus Hugo A , Marx Nikolaus , Lehrke Michael
Published: October 2019

Aims

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a gut incretin hormone inducing post-prandial insulin secretion. Glucagon-like peptide 1 levels were recently found to be increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive capacity of GLP-1 serum levels for cardiovascular outcome in patients with myocardial infarction.

Methods and results

In 918 patients presenting with myocardial infarction [321 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and 597 non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)] total GLP-1, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score were assessed at time of hospital admission. The primary composite outcome of the study was the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke. Kaplan–Meier survival plots and univariable Cox regression analyses found GLP-1 to be associated with adverse outcome [hazard ratio (HR) of logarithmized GLP-1 values: 6.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.67–14.81; P < 0.0001]. After further adjustment for age, sex, family history of cardiovascular disease, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterinaemia, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) CKD-EPI, hs-CRP, hs-Troponin T, and NT-proBNP levels the HR remained significant at 10.98 (95% CI: 2.63–45.90; P = 0.0010). Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analyses illustrated that GLP-1 levels are a strong indicator for early events. For events up to 30 days after admission, GLP-1 proved to be superior to other biomarkers including hs-Troponin T, GFR CKD-EPI, hs-CRP, and NT-proBNP. Adjustment of the GRACE risk estimate by addition of GLP-1 increased the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve over time in NSTEMI patients.

Conclusion

In patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction, GLP-1 levels are associated with cardiovascular events.
Early improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction by cardiac resynchronization through His bundle pacing in patients with heart failure
Authors: Moriña-Vázquez Pablo , Moraleda-Salas María Teresa , Manovel-Sánchez Ana José , Fernández-Gómez Juan Manuel , Arce-Léon Álvaro , Venegas-Gamero José , Barba-Pichardo Rafael
Published: October 2019

Aims

Permanent His bundle pacing (p-HBP) can correct intraventricular conduction disorders and could be an alternative to traditional cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) via the coronary sinus. We describe the short-term impact of HBP on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and improvement of left intraventricular synchrony.

Methods and results

This prospective descriptive study, performed from January 2018 to February 2019, included patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and an CRT indication who were resynchronized by p-HBP. We used the Medtronic C315 His catheter or a combination of the CPS-Direct-Universal introducer, CPS-AIM™-Universal subselector (Abbot), and SelectSecure™ MRI-SureScan™ 3830 lead. Correction of the LBBB by HBP had been previously checked. At 1 month of follow-up, we analysed the quantification of LVEF and measurement of the delay of the septal wall with the posterior wall as a parameter of intraventricular synchrony. We included 48 patients with LBBB and an indication for CRT. With HBP, we corrected the LBBB in 81% of patients (n = 39), and we achieved cardiac resynchronization through permanent HBP in 92% of these patients (n = 36). Left ventricular ejection fraction and intraventricular mechanical resynchronization improved in all patients, which was demonstrated by echocardiography through the improvement of the delay of the septal wall with the posterior wall from 138 ms (range 131–151) to 41 ms (19–63).

Conclusion

There is early improvement after p-HBP in LVEF and left ventricular electromechanical synchronization in patients with LBBB, heart failure, and an indication for CRT.