bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of HPLC method for simultaneous quantification of alpha‐tocopherol (free or encapsulated) and cholesterol in semen cryopreservation media
Authors: Taouzinet Lamia , Fatmi Sofiane , Salhi‐Amrani Yasmina , Lahiani‐Skiba Malika , Skiba Mohamed , Iguer‐Ouada Mokrane
Published: October 2020

The HPLC method was developed and validated for assaying alpha‐tocopherol and cholesterol in cryopreservation media. Chromatographic separation was performed on an isocratic system, using a C‐18 column. The mobile phase was composed of a mixture of methanol:acetonitrile:water 68:28:4 (v/v/v), using a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min and 20 μL injection volume, at a wavelength of 208 nm. The method was validated according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The method proved to be specific, accurate, precise, and linear with correlation coefficients greater than 0.996 over a wide concentration range of both analytes. Vitamin E and cholesterol presented limits of detection of 0.002 mg/mL, 0.026 mg/mL and limits of quantitation of 0.006 mg/mL, 0.086 mg/mL, respectively. This method is simple and rapid, shows high precision and accuracy, and offers the advantage of simultaneous assaying of vitamin E and cholesterol (alone, in cyclodextrins complexes or in liposome loaded) on semen cryopreservation media.
Semiautomatic generation and assessment of Java exercises in engineering education
Authors: Insa David , Pérez Sergio , Silva Josep , Tamarit Salvador
Published: October 2020

Continuous assessment is essential in education. It should be an integral part of education that provides immediate feedback to students. Unfortunately, the assessment of programming source code is still a hand‐operated and error‐prone task, and can take weeks before the student gets feedback. This study presents a semiautomatic code assessment method able to automatically apply black‐box assessment (which relies on the comparison of input‐output pairs) and white‐box assessment (which relies on checking different source code properties). The method proposed is a general‐purpose assessment system that was originally designated to be used in engineering education, but that can be used in other educational contexts to assist the assessment of any Java programming assignments or exams. The main advantage of this system is that the assessment made is quicker, exhaustive, and objective; and it does not produce false positives. After the application of this method over two years in several real university courses, we have released a public and free implementation. An empirical evaluation of this system estimates that the amount of assessment work automatically done by the tool is over 48%. Additionally, the system has been used to measure the average subjective influence (i.e., assessment errors) introduced by teachers when they assess exams manually.
Ultra‐mutated colorectal cancer patients withPOLEdriver mutations exhibit distinct clinical patterns
Authors: Hu Hanguang , Cai Wen , Wu Dehao , Hu Wangxiong , Dong Wang Li , Mao Jianshan , Zheng Shu , Ge Weiting
Published: October 2020

POLEmutations, which lead to an ultramutated phenotype in colorectal cancer (CRC), have been reported as a promising marker in immunotherapy. We performed sequencing of CRC cases in Zhejiang University (ZJU) and extracted obtainable data from recently published results, including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Japanese studies and clinical trials, to present clinical patterns ofPOLEdriver‐mutated CRC and reveal its heterogeneity. The rate of somaticPOLEdriver mutations has been reported as 2.60% (ZJU cohort), 1.50% (TCGA cohort), 1.00% (Japan cohort), and 1.00% (Lancet cohort).POLEdriver mutations show a clearly increased mutation burden (mean TMB: 217.98 mut/Mb in ZJU; 203.13 mut/Mb in TCGA). Based on pooled data, more than 70.00% of patients withPOLEdriver mutations were diagnosed before they were 55 years old and at an early disease stage (Stage 0–II >70.00%), and more than 70.00% were male. Among Asian patients, 68.40% developedPOLEdriver mutations in the left‐side colon, whereas 64.00% of non‐Asian patients developed them in the right‐side colon (p < 0.01). The top three amino acid changes due toPOLEdriver mutations are P286R, V411L, and S459F. Investigators and physicians should ascertain the heterogeneity and clinical patterns ofPOLEdriver mutations to be better equipped to design clinical trials and analyze the data.
Metastatic cutaneous apocrine adenocarcinoma successfully treated with systemic anti‐androgen therapy—A case report
Authors: Collette Fanny , Hamoir Marc , Van Eeckhout Pascal , D’Abadie Philippe , Duprez Thierry , Schmitz Sandra , Machiels Jean‐Pascal
Published: October 2020

Primary cutaneous apocrine adenocarcinoma (PCAC) is an extremely rare neoplasm involving the sweat glands. Due to a lack of cases, there is no consensus for the systemic treatment of locally advanced or metastatic PCAC. Anti‐androgen therapy may have activity in inoperable or metastatic PCAC with high androgen receptor (AR) expression.
The mineralogy of air granulated converter slag
Authors: Schollbach Katrin , Ahmed Muhammad J. , van der Laan Sieger R.
Published: October 2020

Converter slag, also known as Basic Oxygen Furnace slag, is a by‐product of steelmaking that is produced in large quantities worldwide. It currently has few applications, because the presence of free lime often prevents the use as aggregate, while the low reactivity makes it undesirable as a cement replacement. Air granulation is a promising way to increase the reactivity of converter slag and enable recycling as a cement replacement and this is the first in‐depth characterization of air granulated steel slag. In this study converter slag was separated into different fractions (0.25‐0.5 mm, 0.5‐1 mm, 1‐2 mm, 2‐4 mm) after air granulation to study the influence of size and therefore cooling speed on its mineralogy. The air granulated slag fractions were characterized using X‐ray fluorescence, quantitative X‐Ray diffraction, large area phase mapping based on scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy as well as leaching behavior. The results show that the main minerals in air granulated converter slag are the same as in industrially cooled slag, but that additional perovskite was formed, which has not been reported before. All fractions contained large phenocrysts of Ca2SiO4 and Mg‐wuestite surrounded by a dense matrix containing the other minerals. The three largest fractions are very similar to each other in chemical composition and microstructure, while the smallest fraction (0.25‐0.5 mm) contains a higher content of Mg‐wuestite even though the starting composition was the same. Free lime is only present at the detection limit (0.1 ± 0.1 wt%) in all size fractions. The leaching of chromium and vanadium is greatly increased compared to standard cooled converter slag indicating that air granulation results in the greater dissolution of phases containing these elements, which also indicates a greater hydraulic reactivity of granulated slag despite very little amorphous content.
Synthesis and Structure‐Activity Relationships of Ring‐Opened Bengamide Analogues against Methicillin‐ResistantStaphylococcus aureus†
Authors: Yu Chen‐Xi , Wei Bing‐Yan , Kong Xue‐Qing , Yang Cai‐Guang , Nan Fa‐Jun
Published: October 2020

Main observation and conclusion

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major threat on public health because of the increase of clinically isolated strains that exhibit resistance to many antibiotics. Therefore, development of new antibiotics for the treatment of MRSA infection is a sustained challenge. We have previously identified a ring‐opened bengamide analogue L472‐2 that displays moderate activity against the growth of S. aureus. In our previous work, we started from L472‐2 and identified a class of analogues containing alkynyl groups which have the potential to activate SaClpP activity but moderate antibacterial activity. Herein, we focused on the antibacterial activity of L472‐2, and a novel series of ring‐opened bengamide analogues were synthesized and their activities were evaluated against MRSA. By conducting a compact analysis of the structure‐activity relationships (SAR) of these analogues, we found that an adamantane ethanol ester bengamide 2j showed excellent antibacterial activity towards six S. aureus strains, including MRSA, while it does not activate ClpP. Therefore, these bengamide analogues represent a new class of candidates that suppress MRSA viability.
A Phase 1 Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody MK‐1654 in Healthy Adults
Authors: Aliprantis Antonios O. , Wolford Dennis , Caro Luzelena , Maas Brian M. , Ma Hua , Montgomery Diana L. , Sterling Laura M. , Hunt Allen , Cox Kara S. , Vora Kalpit A. , Roadcap Brad A. , Railkar Radha A. , Lee Andrew W. , Stoch S. Aubrey , Lai Eseng
Published: October 2020

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection and related morbidity and mortality in infants. Passive immunization with an RSV‐neutralizing antibody can provide rapid protection to this vulnerable population. Proof‐of‐concept for this approach has been demonstrated by palivizumab; however, the use of this antibody is generally restricted to the highest‐risk infants due to monthly dosing requirements and its cost. To address the large unmet medical need for most infants, we are evaluating MK‐1654, a fully human RSV‐neutralizing antibody with half‐life extending mutations targeting site IV of the fusion protein. In this 2‐part, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, first‐in‐human study, 152 healthy adults were randomized 3:1 to receive a single dose of MK‐1654 or placebo in 5 cohorts (100 or 300 mg as an intramuscular dose or 300, 1000, or 3000 mg as an intravenous dose). Safety, pharmacokinetics, antidrug antibodies, and RSV serum‐neutralizing antibody titers were evaluated through 1 year. MK‐1654 serum concentrations increased proportionally with dose and resulted in corresponding elevations in RSV serum‐neutralizing antibody titers. The antibody displayed a half‐life of 73 to 88 days and an estimated bioavailability of 69% at the 300‐mg dose. The overall safety profile of MK‐1654 was similar to placebo, and treatment‐emergent antidrug antibodies were low (2.6%) with no associated adverse events. These data support the continued development of MK‐1654 for the prevention of RSV disease in infants.
Risk of incident cardiovascular disease in people with periodontal disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Larvin Harriet , Kang Jing , Aggarwal Vishal R. , Pavitt Sue , Wu Jianhua
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality; periodontal disease (PD) affects up to 50% of the world's population. Observational evidence has demonstrated association between CVD and PD. Absent from the literature is a systematic review and meta‐analysis of longitudinal cohort studies quantifying CVD risk in PD populations compared to non‐PD populations. To examine the risk of incident CVD in people with PD in randomised controlled trials and longitudinal cohort studies.

Material and Methods

We searched Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane databases up to 9th Oct 2019 using keywords and MeSH headings using the following concepts: PD, CVD, longitudinal and RCT study design. CVD outcomes included but were not restricted to any CVD, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Diagnosis method and severity of PD were measured either clinically or by self‐report. Studies comparing incident CVD in PD and non‐PD populations were included. Meta‐analysis and meta‐regression was performed to determine risk of CVD in PD populations and examine the effects of PD diagnosis method, PD severity, gender and study region.

Results

Thirty‐two longitudinal cohort studies were included after full text screening; 30 were eligible for meta‐analysis. The risk of CVD was significantly higher in PD compared to non‐PD (relative risk [RR]: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.14–1.26). CVD risk did not differ between clinical or self‐reported PD diagnosis (RR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.87–1.07,). CVD risk was higher in men (RR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.08–1.25) and severe PD (RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.15–1.35). Among all types of CVD, the risk of stroke was highest (RR = 1.24; 95% CI:1.12–1.38), the risk of CHD was also increased (RR = 1.14; 95% CI:1.08–1.21).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated modest but consistently increased risk of CVD in PD populations. Higher CVD risk in men and people with severe PD suggests population‐targeted interventions could be beneficial.
Course‐based undergraduate research experiences in a remote setting: Two case studies documenting implementation and student perceptions
Authors: Fey Samuel B. , Theus Meredith E. , Ramirez Aaron R.
Published: October 2020

Inquiry‐based components of ecology curricula can be valuable, exposing students to what it means to do science, from conceiving of a meaningful question to effectively disseminating results to an audience. Here, we describe two approaches for implementing independent, remote research for undergraduates enacted in the spring semester of 2020 at Reed College in Portland, OR, reporting case studies from an intermediate‐level ecology course and an interdisciplinary environmental science course. We report on both the challenges as well as the novel opportunities for independent research projects in such a setting, the details of how projects were implemented, the tools and resources that may help facilitate such endeavors, as well as perceptions on the effectiveness of this endeavor by students. As institutes of higher education continue to operate in an online learning environment, we hope these materials help spark a discussion about how to engage in meaningful research experiences as part of coursework in the COVID‐19 era and beyond.
Introduced plants of Lupinus polyphyllus are larger but flower less frequently than conspecifics from the native range: Results of the first year
Authors: Ramula Satu , Kalske Aino
Published: October 2020

Introduced species, which establish in novel environments, provide an opportunity to explore trait evolution and how it may contribute to the distribution and spread of species. Here, we explore trait changes of the perennial herb Lupinus polyphyllus based on 11 native populations in the western USA and 17 introduced populations in Finland. More specifically, we investigated whether introduced populations outperformed native populations in traits measured in situ (seed mass) and under common garden conditions during their first year (plant size, flowering probability, and number of flowering shoots). We also explored whether climate of origin (temperature) influenced plant traits and quantified the degree to which trait variability was explained collectively by country and temperature as compared to other population‐level differences. Three out of four plant traits differed between the native and introduced populations; only seed mass was similar between countries, with most of its variation attributed to other sources of intraspecific variation not accounted for by country and temperature. Under common garden conditions, plants originating from introduced populations were larger than those originating from native populations. However, plants from the introduced range flowered less frequently and had fewer flowering shoots than their native‐range counterparts. Temperature of a population's origin influenced plant size in the common garden, with plant size increasing with increasing mean annual temperature in both native and introduced populations. Our results of the first year reveal genetic basis for phenotypic differences in some fitness‐related traits between the native and introduced populations of L. polyphyllus. However, not all of these trait differences necessarily contribute to the invasion success of the species and thus may not be adaptive, which raises a question how persistent the trait differences observed in the first year are later in individuals’ life for perennial herbs.
Reduced concentrations of the B cell cytokine interleukin 38 are associated with cardiovascular disease risk in overweight subjects
Authors: de Graaf Dennis M. , Jaeger Martin , van den Munckhof Inge C. L. , ter Horst Rob , Schraa Kiki , Zwaag Jelle , Kox Matthijs , Fujita Mayumi , Yamauchi Takeshi , Mercurio Laura , Madonna Stefania , Rutten Joost H.W. , de Graaf Jacqueline , Riksen Niels P. , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , Netea Mihai G. , Joosten Leo A.B. , Dinarello Charles A.
Published: October 2020

The IL‐1 family member IL‐38 (IL1F10) suppresses inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Here, we report that plasma concentrations of IL‐38 in 288 healthy Europeans correlate positively with circulating memory B cells and plasmablasts. IL‐38 correlated negatively with age (p= 0.02) and was stable in 48 subjects for 1 year. In comparison with primary keratinocytes,IL1F10expression in CD19+B cells from PBMC was lower, whereas cell‐associated IL‐38 expression was comparable. In vitro, IL‐38 is released from CD19+B cells after stimulation with rituximab. Intravenous LPS in humans failed to induce circulating IL‐38, compared to 100‐fold induction of IL‐6 and IL‐1 receptor antagonist. In a cohort of 296 subjects with body mass index > 27 at high risk for cardiovascular disease, IL‐38 plasma concentrations were significantly lower than in healthy subjects (p< 0.0001), and lowest in those with metabolic syndrome (p< 0.05). IL‐38 also correlated inversely with high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (p< 0.01), IL‐6, IL‐1Ra, and leptin (p< 0.05). We conclude that a relative deficiency of the B cell product IL‐38 is associated with increased systemic inflammation in aging, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and is consistent with IL‐38 as an anti‐inflammatory cytokine.
A Novel Strategy to Prepare Palladium‐silver Nano‐alloy by Methanol Reduction for Brucine Electrochemical Detection
Authors: Liu Zhiguang , Zhong Faqiang , Guo Yujing , Liu Min
Published: October 2020

In this work, a novel synthetic strategy of PdAg nano‐alloy colloids was established via methanol reduction, a environmental friendly method due to the advantage of biodegradable methanol. The obtained nano‐alloys were decorated on the surface of graphene (Gr/PdAg). Gr/PdAg was then modified onto the surface of glassy carbon electrode (Gr/PdAg/GCE) to explore its electrocatalytic performance for brucine. The linear range of the electrochemical determination for brucine is 0.63 μM–1.89 mM and the detection limit is 0.10 μM. It was also used for the determination of brucine in human urine with recoveries from 95.0 to 104.0 %.
Impacts of simulated M9 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquakes considering amplifications due to the Georgia sedimentary basin on reinforced concrete shear wall buildings
Authors: Kakoty Preetish , Dyaga Sai Mithra , Molina Hutt Carlos
Published: October 2020

Southwest British Columbia has the potential to experience large‐magnitude earthquakes generated by the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ). Buildings in Metro Vancouver are particularly vulnerable to these earthquakes because the region lies above the Georgia sedimentary basin, which can amplify the intensity of ground motions, particularly at medium‐to‐long periods. Earthquake design provisions in Canada neglect basin amplification and the consequences of accounting for these effects are uncertain. By leveraging a suite of physics‐based simulations of M9 CSZ earthquakes, we develop site‐specific and period‐dependent spectral acceleration basin amplification factors throughout Metro Vancouver. The M9 simulations, which explicitly account for basin amplification for periods greater than 1s, are benchmarked against the 2016 BC Hydro ground motion model (GMM), which neglects such effects. Outside the basin, empirical and simulated seismic hazard estimates are consistent. However, for sites within the basin and periods in the 1‐5 s range, GMMs significantly underestimate the hazard. The proposed basin amplification factors vary as a function of basin depth, reaching a geometric mean value as high as 4.5 at a 2‐s period, with respect to a reference site located just outside the basin. We evaluate the impact of the M9 simulations on tall reinforced concrete shear wall buildings, which are predominant in the region, by developing a suite of idealized structural systems that capture the strength and ductility intended by historical seismic design provisions in Canada. Ductility demands and collapse risk conditioned on the occurrence of the M9 simulations were found to exceed those associated with ground motion shaking intensities corresponding to the 975 and 2475‐year return periods, far exceeding the ∼500‐year return period of M9 CSZ earthquakes.
Design of laterally loaded pile‐columns considering SSI effects: Strengths and weaknesses of 3D, 2D, and 1D nonlinear analysis
Authors: Andreotti Guido , Calvi Gian Michele
Published: October 2020

The type of analysis used to design laterally loaded piles or pile‐columns seems often selected with criteria related more to the analyst's background than to the type of problem. Most of the time, the adopted approach is not rigorous because the response of the soil‐pile system is evaluated without considering the mutual influence that structural inelasticity has on soil plasticity and vice‐versa. This article has two main objectives: (i) to underline the role of the structural and soil plasticity within the nonlinear analysis of the soil‐pile system as a whole, also highlighting the Soil‐Structure‐Interaction (SSI) effects, and (ii) to propose a framework for the rational selection of the most suitable approach in relation to the design phase (eg, tender offer, basic design, detailed design). The cast‐in‐drilled‐hole (CIDH) reinforced concrete pile‐column system, in which the distinction between structural and geotechnical engineering duties is less obvious, has been selected as a case study. The study compares the results of several approaches, using full‐scale experimental data as benchmark. The results have been obtained with different software programs, commonly used by geotechnical and structural engineers. Particular attention has been dedicated to investigate the reliability of the analysis in relation to the level of complexity of the model (eg, 3D, 2D, and 1D).
Multi‐criteria analysis and Geographic Information Systems methods for wind turbine siting in a North Aegean island
Authors: Bertsiou Maria Margarita , Theochari Aimilia Panagiota , Baltas Evangelos
Published: October 2020

The need for energy independence of small remoted islands, promote the exploration of renewable energy sources. Greek islands have rich wind potential and subsequently, the attention is being drawn to the use of wind turbines to meet their energy needs. However, the optimal location of wind turbines installation is the basis for the exploitation of high wind potential in combination with the current legislation framework. This paper presents a combined use of Multi‐Criteria Decision‐Making (MCDM) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the evaluation of eligible sites for wind turbine installation in North Aegean island, in Greece. Criteria weights are estimated for three scenarios using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for the illustration of the impact on the final design. The minimum distance from the main settlement of the island constitutes an extra constraint for the investigation of the capability of installing wind farms with the lowest possible energy losses due to power transmission via cables. In all scenarios, the prohibited zone corresponds to 27.9% of the total area of the island. Also, sites with high wind potential can be combined with lower altitudes and can give even more suitable locations for installation, reducing, thus, the installation cost. Economic‐oriented scenario appears to combine both low cost and larger surface area for installation. A sensitivity analysis is performed, for determining the impact of the criteria on the suitability of a site. It seems that new suitability maps are affected greater by the type of the chosen criterion rather than the weight.
Effects of the dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) diet on blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipid profile in adolescents with hemophilia: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mahdavi Atena , Mohammadi Hamed , Foshati Sahar , Shokri‐Mashhadi Nafiseh , Clark Cain C. T. , Moafi Alireza , Rouhani Mohammad Hossein
Published: October 2020

Children with hemophilia are an enhanced risk of modifiable cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities. There is currently no nutritional guideline to prevent or manage cardiometabolic risk factors in these patients. Therefore, the present study sought to investigate the effect of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors among children with hemophilia. In this parallel randomized clinical trial, 40 children (all male) with hemophilia were randomly allocated to the DASH group (n = 20) or control group (n = 20) for 10 weeks. The intervention group received the DASH diet (50%–55% of energy from carbohydrate, 27%–30% of energy from fat and 16%–18% energy from protein), and the control group received nutritional recommendations based on healthy eating practices. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Serum vitamin C was measured as a biomarker of compliance with the DASH diet. Study was registered at IRCT.ir (IRCT20130903014551N6). A significant increase in serum vitamin C in the DASH diet group was observed compared to the control group (p = .001), indicating good compliance with the DASH diet. There was a significant reduction in SBP (−0.48 mmHg), DBP (−0.48 mmHg), FBS (−5.86 mg/dl), TC (−16.07 mg/dl), TG (−17.21 mg/dl), and LDL‐C (−9.79 mg/dl), and a significant increase in HDL‐C (3.39 mg/dl), in the DASH diet group compared with the control group. Adherence to the DASH diet in children with hemophilia yielded beneficial effects in blood pressure, lipid profiles, and FBS.
The imprint of childhood adversity on emotional processing in high functioning young adults
Authors: Mirman Aron , Bick Atira S. , Kalla Carmel , Canetti Laura , Segman Ronen , Dan Rotem , Ben Yehuda Ariel , Levin Netta , Bonne Omer
Published: October 2020

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been acknowledged as risk factors for increased mental health complications in adulthood, specifically increasing susceptibility to developing psychopathology upon exposure to trauma. Yet, little is known regarding the impact of mild ACEs on highly functioning population. In this study forty participants were selected from a group of 366 highly selected military parachute trainees using the self‐report “childhood trauma questionnaire,” and classified into two groups of 20 each, with and without ACEs. Behavioral measurements were obtained before and at the peak of an intensive combat training period, including anxiety, depression and executive function assessment. Functional MRI including a negative emotional face perception task was conducted at the first time point. Psychometric and cognitive measurements revealed higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and more difficulties in executive functioning in the ACE group at baseline. Slower reaction time to emotional faces presentation was found in the ACE group. Lower activation in response to negative emotional faces stimuli was found in this group in bilateral secondary visual areas, left anterior insula, left parietal cortex and left primary motor and sensory regions. In contrast, higher activation in the ACE group was found in the right ventral lateral prefrontal cortex (Vlpfc). No significant differences between groups were detected in the amygdala. To conclude, mild adverse childhood experiences produce long‐term sequela on psychological wellbeing and neurocircuitry even in high functioning population. Brain regions modulated by childhood trauma may instigate avoidance mechanisms dampening the emotional and cognitive effects of intensive stress.
Numerical and experimental investigation of parabolic trough collector with focal evacuated tube and different working fluids integrated with single slope solar still
Authors: Nabil Tamer , Dawood Mohamed M. K.
Published: October 2020

This study deals with the design and fabrication of parabolic trough solar collectors (PTCs) used to increase the yield of a single slope solar still. The designed parabolic trough solar collector is investigated numerically using Ansys Fluent 18.2. The proposed solar still is coupled with a parabolic trough solar collector with an evacuated tube receiver in its focal axis using different working fluids. The working fluids are water (case 1), oil (case 2), and nano‐oil (CuO/mineral oil 3% vol; case 3). In the case when the working fluid is not water, then a heat exchanger serpentine should be used in the solar still basin. The PTC has a rim angle of 82° and an aperture width of 0.9 m and length of 2.8 m. An assessment of the performance for the studied systems was accomplished under the weather conditions of Ismailia, Egypt, during summer months, June, July, and August 2019. The outcomes of closed‐loop working fluids different flow rates are investigated. The experimental results of the accumulated freshwater productivities record 2.955, 3.475, 4.29, and 5.04 L m−2 d−1 for the traditional solar still and the modified cases 1 to 3 solar stills, respectively. The modified solar still in case 3 has the highest daily accumulated freshwater productivity with a percentage increase of 71.2% than the traditional solar still. The maximum daily efficiency is 46% and 26.9% for the traditional and modified (case 3) solar stills, respectively. The cost of 1 L of fresh water is 0.057 and 0.062 $/L for the traditional and the modified (case 3) solar stills, respectively.
A Review of Key Features and Their Implementation in Unstructured, Structured, and Agent-Based Population Models for Ecological Risk Assessment
Authors: Accolla Chiara , Vaugeois Maxime , Grimm Volker , Moore Adrian P , Rueda-Cediel Pamela , Schmolke Amelie , Forbes Valery E
Published: October 2020

Population models can provide valuable tools for ecological risk assessment (ERA). A growing amount of work on model development and documentation is now available to guide modelers and risk assessors to address different ERA questions. However, there remain misconceptions about population models for ERA, and communication between regulators and modelers can still be hindered by a lack of clarity in the underlying formalism, implementation, and complexity of different model types. In particular, there is confusion about differences among types of models and the implications of including or ignoring interactions of organisms with each other and their environment. In this review, we provide an overview of the key features represented in population models of relevance for ERA, which include density dependence, spatial heterogeneity, external drivers, stochasticity, life-history traits, behavior, energetics, and how exposure and effects are integrated in the models. We differentiate 3 broadly defined population model types (unstructured, structured, and agent-based) and explain how they can represent these key features. Depending on the ERA context, some model features will be more important than others, and this can inform model type choice, how features are implemented, and possibly the collection of additional data. We show that nearly all features can be included irrespective of formalization, but some features are more or less easily incorporated in certain model types. We also analyze how the key features have been used in published population models implemented as unstructured, structured, and agent-based models. The overall aim of this review is to increase confidence and understanding by model users and evaluators when considering the potential and adequacy of population models for use in ERA. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:521–540. © 2020 SETAC

KEY POINTS

We provide an overview of the key features represented in population models of relevance for ecological risk assessment (ERA), and differentiate 3 population model types (unstructured, structured, and agent-based). We show that nearly all features can be included irrespective of formalization, but some features are more or less easily incorporated in certain model types. Depending on the ERA context, some model features are more important than others, and there are trade-offs between the need to incorporate particular features, data availability, and computational and/or mathematical effort. When possible, we encourage the use of a multimodeling approach to increase confidence in model outputs.
Effects of waiting time between failed fresh cycle embryo transfer and the next frozen embryo transfer on pregnancy outcomes in assisted reproductive technology
Authors: Tian Xiao , Song Jing‐Yan , Sun Zhen‐Gao
Published: October 2020

Objective

To explore how waiting time after failed fresh cycle embryo transfer affects the pregnancy outcomes of the next frozen embryo transfer (FET).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was carried out on the data of women who had received at least one FET after a failed fresh embryo transfer between January 2013 to December 2019. The women were grouped based on the “time” of the first FET, referring to the period between a failed fresh embryo transfer and the beginning of the next cycle of FET. This time is divided into two classes: immediate (<90 days after the failed fresh embryo transfer) and delayed (≥90 days after failed fresh embryo transfer). The following parameters were investigated: clinical pregnancy rate; biochemical pregnancy rate; ectopic pregnancy rate; and non‐pregnancy rate.

Results

A total of 293 cases of fresh embryo transfer cycles were included. No significant differences in the number of obtained oocytes, total number of FET, and the total amount of gonadotropin were seen between the immediate and delayed fresh embryo transfer groups. The pregnancy outcomes of the two groups were similar.

Conclusion

The duration of waiting time between failed fresh embryo transfer and the next FET does not affect pregnancy outcomes.
Effects of Parathyroidectomy on Quality of Life: 10 Years of Data From a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial on Primary Hyperparathyroidism (the SIPH-Study)
Authors: Pretorius Mikkel , Lundstam Karolina , Hellström Mikael , Fagerland Morten W , Godang Kristin , Mollerup Charlotte , Fougner Stine L , Pernow Ylva , Aas Turid , Hessman Ola , Rosén Thord , Nordenström Jörgen , Jansson Svante , Heck Ansgar , Bollerslev Jens
Published: October 2020

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) was previously considered a disease presenting with multiorgan involvement and a wide range of symptoms. Today, the disease presents with no symptoms or mild symptomatology in most patients. Data regarding nonspecific symptoms such as pain, fatigue, memory loss, depression, and other neuropsychiatric signs have been ambiguous, and results from prospective long-term randomized control trials are lacking. The Scandinavian Investigation on Primary Hyperparathyroidism (SIPH) is a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 10-year follow up, comparing parathyroidectomy (PTX) to observation without any treatment (OBS). From 1998 to 2005, 191 patients with mild PHPT were included from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. A total of 95 patients were randomized to PTX and 96 to OBS. The generic Short Form-36 survey (SF-36) and the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) were studied at baseline, 2, 5, and 10 years after randomization. After 10 years, the PTX group scored significantly better on vitality (PTX 65.1 ± 20.2 versus OBS 57.4 ± 22.7; p = .017) compared to the OBS group in SF-36. We found no differences between the groups in the physical subscales. The OBS group had no significant change in any of the SF-36 scores throughout the study. The CPRS showed an improvement of symptoms in both groups for single items and sum scores after 10 years compared to baseline. There were, however, no significant differences between the two groups in the CPRS data. The results of this large and long-term RCT indicate improvement in some of the mental domains of SF-36 following PTX. However, the treatment effects between the groups were subtle with uncertain clinical significance. The observation group had stable SF-36 values and improvement in CPRS symptom-scores. Thus, in considering only quality of life (QoL) and in the absence of declines in renal and skeletal parameters, it may be safe to observe patients with mild PHPT for a decade. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Relationship between emotional intelligence and professionalism among second‐year dental students
Authors: Partido Brian B. , Stefanik Dawne , Rashid Warina
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to a person's ability to evaluate and manage their personal emotions and the ability to respond appropriately to the emotions of others. Limited evidence exists regarding whether EI is related to professionalism.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate for relationships between EI and professionalism among second‐year dental students.

Methods

Using a quantitative cross‐sectional research design, the study instrument consisted of 3 parts: (1) The Emotional Quotient Self‐Assessment Checklist (EQSAC), including 30 questions comprising 6 domains that measured EI; (2) The Patient Management and Professionalism Scale (PMPS), including 10 questions comprising 5 domains that measured professionalism; and (3) Demographic questions.

Results

The response rate was 99.2% (n = 117) of second‐year dental students. Most EI and professionalism scores were in the moderate range. Female participants had higher domain scores for agreeableness and conscientiousness compared with male participants. Male participants had higher domain scores for emotional stability than female participants. The EI domains were found to be significant predictors of total and domain professionalism levels.

Conclusion

Understanding methods to improve EI levels may assist dental students in their development of professionalism.
Breast cancer polygenic risk scores in the clinical cancer genetic counseling setting: Current practices and impact on patient management
Authors: McGuinness Molly , Fassi Emily , Wang Catharine , Hacking Claire , Ellis Victoria
Published: October 2020

Multivariate risk models are commonly used in clinical practice to estimate a woman's lifetime risk for breast cancer and assist in implementation of appropriate screening and risk reduction strategies. More recently, breast cancer polygenic risk scores (PRS) have been derived and integrated into these models to further improve risk estimation. While breast cancer PRS have been offered by two clinical diagnostic laboratories since 2017, little is known about the extent to which genetic counselors are ordering breast cancer PRS or incorporating the results into patient management. This study surveyed U.S. cancer genetic counselors from October 2019 to January 2020 to identify and understand their current practices with breast cancer PRS, to determine the impact of breast cancer PRS on patient management, and to anticipate future genetic counselor practices with breast cancer PRS. Fewer than half of respondents (43%, 51/120) had ordered breast cancer PRS and approximately one‐third (35%, 16/46) reported that the PRS had changed their medical management recommendations. The majority of cancer genetic counselors had not ordered PRS, most commonly due to (a) lack of clinical guidelines (90%, 60/67), (b) insufficient evidence of clinical utility (88%, 59/67), and (c) lack of availability for patients of non‐European ancestry (70%, 47/67). Of genetic counselors who had not ordered breast cancer PRS, only 10% (7/68) did not believe they would order PRS in the future. This is the first study to characterize genetic counselors’ experiences with breast cancer PRS. Results from this study indicate that although breast cancer PRS have been clinically available for patients for several years, most cancer genetic counselors are not yet convinced they are ready to be incorporated into patient care.
Intraoperative Characterization of Pancreatic Tumors Using Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound and Shear Wave Elastography for Optimization of Surgical Strategies
Authors: Platz Batista da Silva Natascha , Engeßer Maria , Hackl Christina , Brunner Stefan , Hornung Matthias , Schlitt Hans J. , Evert Katja , Stroszczynski Christian , Jung Ernst Michael
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To evaluate intraoperative contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (IoCEUS) and intraoperative shear wave elastography (IoSWE) for characterization of focal pancreatic lesions (FPLs) in correlation with postoperative histologic results. Thereby, the impact of intraoperative ultrasound (US) on pancreas surgery was evaluated.

Methods

Intraoperative CEUS and SWE data from 54 patients, who underwent pancreas surgery between 2017 and 2019, were analyzed retrospectively. Ultrasound examinations were performed with multifrequency linear/T‐shaped transducers (3–9 MHz) on a high‐end US device (LOGIQ E9; GE Healthcare, Chicago, IL). To analyze FPL stiffness by SWE, regions of interest were placed to measure the shear wave speed (meters per second) and stiffness (kilopascals). After intravenous bolus injections of 2.4 to 10 mL of sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles, a dynamic analysis of FPL microvascularization from arterial to late phases was performed using IoCEUS considering hypoenhancement/irregular vascularization of macrocystic/small solid FPL malignancy criteria. Ultrasound findings were correlated with postoperative histologic results. The impact of intraoperative US on surgery was documented in each case.

Results

Of 54 FPLs, IoCEUS could correctly characterize 39 of 39 malignant and 6 of 15 benign FPLs; IoSWE 29 of 39 as malignant and 7 of 15 as benign. Intraoperative CEUS's sensitivity was 100%; specificity, 40%; accuracy, 83.3%; positive predictive value, 81.3%; and negative predictive value, 100% (P < .05). Applying cutoff values of 3 m/s and 28.7 kPa, SWE's sensitivity was 74.4%; specificity, 46.7%; accuracy, 66.7%; positive predictive value; 78.4%; and negative predictive value, 41.2% for cancer detection (P < .05). The combined use of both techniques showed an accuracy rate of 76%, sensitivity of 74.4%, and specificity of 33.3%. In 29.6%, US results had an immediate impact on surgery.

Conclusions

Intraoperative SWE and CEUS are highly valuable techniques for intraoperative characterization of FPLs. Although IoCEUS proved to be superior to IoSWE, the combined use can be helpful in particular cases.
Kinetics of 1‐decene hydroformylation in an aqueous biphasic medium using a water‐soluble Rh‐sulfoxantphos catalyst in the presence of a cosolvent
Authors: Pagar Nitin S. , Deshpande Raj M.
Published: October 2020

The kinetics of hydroformylation of 1‐decene has been studied in an aqueous biphasic medium using a water‐soluble Rh‐sulfoxantphos catalyst in the presence of N‐methyl pyrrolidone as a cosolvent at 383‐403 K. The rate was found to be first order, with concentrations of catalyst and olefin and partial order, with concentrations of hydrogen in the liquid phase. The plot of rate versus excess ligand and CO concentrations passed through maxima, indicating negative order dependence at higher concentrations. These trends have been interpreted based on the established hydroformylation mechanism. High selectivity towards the linear aldehyde was maintained (n: iso ratio > 30). An empirical rate equation has been proposed which was found to be in good agreement with the observed rate data within the experimental error. The activation energy was evaluated to be 74.76 kJ/mol.
Highly stretchable gelatin‐polyacrylamide hydrogel for potential transdermal drug release
Authors: Qiao Zhen , Tran Long , Parks Jesse , Zhao Yao , Hai Nan , Zhong Yinghui , Ji Hai‐Feng
Published: October 2020

Stretchable hydrogels have been used for a number of biomedical applications. This research focused on the study of a highly stretchable and tough hydrogel made of gelatin and polyacrylamide towards transdermal drug delivery applications. Four drug compounds, nicotine, lidocaine hydrochloride, diltiazem hydrochloride and diclofenac sodium, were used for the evaluation. The release rates of these compounds follow an order: lidocaine > diltiazem > nicotine > diclofenac, which showed a strong correlation between the release rate with their solubility in water at pH 5.5. The kinetics study showed a linear and sustainable release of all tested drugs in the first 8 hours. Experiments were conducted in vitro on replicated human skin. Cytotoxicity studies indicate hydrogel is nontoxic to human cells. The highly stretchable and tough characters of the hydrogel the strength of the hydrogel reduce the severity of wear and tear issues over time for transdermal drug release.
Improved gradient waveforms for oscillating gradient spin‐echo (OGSE) diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Hennel Franciszek , Michael Eric Seth , Pruessmann Klaas P.
Published: October 2020

The dependence of the diffusion tensor on frequency is of great interest in studies of tissue microstructure because it reveals restrictions to the Brownian motion of water molecules caused by cell membranes. Oscillating gradient spin‐echo (OGSE) sequences can sample this dependence with gradient shapes for which the power spectrum of the zeroth moment is focused at a target frequency. In order to maintain the total spectral power (ie the b‐value), oscillating gradient amplitudes must grow with the frequency squared. For this reason, OGSE applications on clinical MRI scanners are limited to low frequencies, for which it is difficult to obtain a narrow frequency bandwidth of the gradient moment in a useful echo time. In particular, the commonly used pair of single‐period trapezoidal‐cosine pulses separated by a half‐period produces significant side lobes away from the target frequency. To mitigate this effect, improved OGSE waveforms are proposed, which reduce the gap between the two gradient pulses to the minimum duration required for the refocusing RF pulse. Additionally, a slight deviation from the periodicity of the waveforms is proposed in order to permit using the maximum slew rate of the gradient system for all lobes of trapezoidal waveforms while maintaining advantageous spectral properties, which is not the case for the currently used OGSE sequences. Numerical calculations validate these changes, showing that both modifications significantly narrow the gradient moment power spectrum and increase the contribution of its main lobe to the b‐value, thus improving the specificity of the measurement. The utility of the new shapes is demonstrated by diffusion tensor measurements of human white matter in vivo over the range of 30‐75 Hz with a b‐value of nearly 1000 s/mm2, using a high‐performance gradient insert. However, the improvement should increase the sampling precision of OGSE experiments for all gradient systems.