bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring prenatal genetic counselors' perceptions of abortion laws in restrictive states
Authors: Koenig Shelby , Simi Eve , Goldenberg Aaron , Magasi Susan , Wicklund Catherine
Published: March 2019

In many states, abortion laws are becoming increasingly restrictive. Prenatal genetic counselors often see patients after the diagnosis of a fetal abnormality or genetic disorder and discuss the option of termination of pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to understand prenatal genetic counselors' perspectives on how state abortion laws impact their practice. Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 16 prenatal genetic counselors in states with restrictive abortion laws who were recruited from the National Society of Genetic Counselors' online directory. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed thematically, yielding five themes: genetic counselors in this study described (a) how state laws restrict access to abortion; (b) how they navigate state laws and institutional policies regarding abortion; (c) how they tailor their professional practice in the context of state abortion laws; (d) how abortion laws burden patients; and (e) how they engage in forms of advocacy. Participants described the financial and emotional burden placed on their patients by state abortion laws and how the laws influence their patient interactions. As access to abortion becomes more restricted, it is important to be aware of how this will impact genetic counselors and their patients.
Influenza surveillance during the 2009‐2010, 2010‐2011, 2011‐2012, and 2012‐2013 seasons in Algeria
Authors: Derrar Fawzi , Voirin Nicolas , Khanafer Nagham , Izri Kahéna , Gradi El‐Aalia , Aitaissa Assia , Hadjal Baya , Mehdi Zahida , Bouzeghoub Salima
Published: March 2019

We report the activity and circulation of influenza viruses in Algeria during four influenza seasons, from a national surveillance study carried out from 2009‐2010 to 2012‐2013. A total of 2766 samples from in‐ and outpatients, with no age restriction, were collected. The overall proportion of specimens that tested influenza positive was 46.0%. Overall, 96.6% of influenza A viruses were subtyped, and A/H1 subtypes accounted for 57.3% of influenza A viruses. Influenza A/H1 and A/H3 virus subtypes cocirculated in 2009‐2010. In 2010‐2011, a high proportion of type B viruses (66.2%) was observed. The subtype H3N2 was identified in 99% of cases typed in 2011‐2012. Influenza A/H3N2 and B virus cocirculated in 2012‐2013. A remarkably low influenza vaccination rate of 2.4% was observed among all age groups. Antibiotics were prescribed for 926 (41.3%) patients, and no difference was observed between patients with confirmed influenza and patients with influenza‐like illness not related to influenza. The burden of influenza is largely undocumented in Algeria and strategies to expand this surveillance across the country are needed. Strategies to increase vaccination coverage are warranted to control and prevent influenza in individuals at risk of complications as well as in the general population.
In vivo arthrometer measurements of mechanical ankle instability—A systematic review
Authors: Wenning Markus , Lohrer Heinz , Gollhofer Albert , Gehring Dominic
Published: March 2019

Chronic ankle instability is caused by functional and/or mechanical deficits. To differentiate the two entities, mechanical ankle instability can be assessed using arthrometers. The measurement of mechanical instability is essential, since it can only be addressed surgically. The aim of this systematic literature review was to find out whether chronic mechanical ankle instability could be adequately and objectively assessed using in vivo arthrometer measurements. Articles were included if the main focus was to evaluate the contribution of mechanical deficits to chronic ankle instability and if they provided sufficient description of the device used. This systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA‐recommendations. Initially 47 articles were screened for eligibility, of which 33 studies reporting 10 different devices were included. While the reliability of the measurements was mostly good to excellent, only two studies aimed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of their results in regard to chronic ankle instability. Several devices reported conflicting results about mechanical deficits. In summary, this systematic review reveals a substantial deficit in diagnostic accuracy when assessing mechanical ankle instability in a clinical setting. Biases in recruiting and classification of participants raise the question whether the two entities of functional and mechanical ankle instability are properly defined. Clinical Significance: In recent years, this may have led to a misinterpretation of mechanical deficits and the subsequent need for surgical intervention. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Essential Fatty Acid Requirements and Intravenous Lipid Emulsions
Authors: Gramlich Leah , Ireton‐Jones Carol , Miles John M. , Morrison Maya , Pontes‐Arruda Alessandro
Published: March 2019

Linoleic acid (LA) and α‐linolenic acid (ALA) must be supplied to the human body and are therefore considered essential fatty acids. This narrative review discusses the signs, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD). EFAD may occur in patients with conditions that severely limit the intake, digestion, absorption, and/or metabolism of fat. EFAD may be prevented in patients requiring parenteral nutrition by inclusion of an intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) as a source of LA and ALA. Early ILEs consisted solely of soybean oil (SO), a good source of LA and ALA, but being rich in LA may promote the production of proinflammatory fatty acids. Subsequent ILE formulations replaced part of the SO with other fat sources to decrease the amount of proinflammatory fatty acids. Although rare, EFAD is diagnosed by an elevated triene:tetraene (T:T) ratio, which reflects increased metabolism of oleic acid to Mead acid in the absence of adequate LA and ALA. Assays for measuring fatty acids have improved over the years, and therefore it is necessary to take into account the particular assay used and its reference range when determining if the T:T ratio indicates EFAD. In patients with a high degree of suspicion for EFAD, obtaining a fatty acid profile may provide additional useful information for making a diagnosis of EFAD. In patients receiving an ILE, the T:T ratio and fatty acid profile should be interpreted in light of the fatty acid composition of the ILE to ensure accurate diagnosis of EFAD.
Effects of part and whole straw returning on soil carbon sequestration in C3–C4 rotation cropland
Authors: Liu Zhen , Gao Tianping , Liu Wentao , Sun Kai , Xin Yanni , Liu Hongjian , Wang Shengzhao , Li Geng , Han Huifang , Li, Zengjia , Ning Tangyuan
Published: March 2019

Long‐term no‐tillage management and crop residue amendments to soil were identified as an effective measure to increase soil organic carbon (SOC). The SOC content, SOC stock (SOCs), soil carbon sequestration rate (CSR), and carbon pool management index (CPMI) were measured. A stable isotopic approach was used to evaluate the contributions of wheat and maize residues to SOC at a long‐term experimental site. We hypothesized that under no‐tillage conditions, straw retention quantity would affect soil carbon sequestration differently in surface and deep soil, and the contribution of C3 and C4 crops to soil carbon sequestration would be different. This study involved four maize straw returning treatments, which included no maize straw returning (NT‐0), 0.5 m (from the soil surface) maize straw returning (NT‐0.5), 1 m maize straw returning (NT‐1), and whole maize straw returning (NT‐W). The results showed that in the 0–20 cm soil layer, the SOC content, SOCs, CSR and CPMI of the NT‐W were highest after 14 years of no‐tillage management, and there were obvious differences among the four treatments. However, the SOC, SOCs, and CSR of the NT‐0.5 and NT‐W were the highest and lowest in 20–100 cm, respectively. The value of δ13C showed an obviously vertical variability that ranged from –22.01‰ (NT‐1) in the 0–20 cm layer to –18.27‰ (NT‐0.5) in the 60–80 cm layer, with enriched δ13C in the 60–80 cm (NT‐0.5 and NT‐1) and 80–100 cm (NT‐0 and NT‐W) layers. The contributions of the wheat and maize‐derived SOC of the NT‐0.5, NT‐1 and NT‐W increased by 11.4, 29.5 and 56.3% and by 10.7, 15.1 and 40.1%, relative to those in the NT‐0 treatment in the 0–20 cm soil layer, respectively. In conclusion, there was no apparent difference in total SOC sequestration between the NT‐0.5, NT‐1, and NT‐W treatments in the 0–100 cm soil layer. The contribution of wheat‐derived SOC was higher than that of maize‐derived SOC.
Insights into the development of grapefruit nutraceutical powder by spray drying: physical characterization, chemical composition and 3D intestinal permeability
Authors: González Freddy , García‐Martínez Eva , del Mar Camacho María , Martínez‐Navarrete Nuria , Sarmento Bruno , Fernandes Iva , Freitas Victor , Rodrigues Francisca , Oliveira Beatriz
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND

The development of functional and nutraceutical foods comes from a greater awareness of the relationship between food and health by consumers. In recent years, the idea of purifying and encapsulating bioactive compounds through techniques such as spray drying has been well received by the food industry. The development and characterization of a grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) nutraceutical powder obtained by spray drying is of great interest owing to the different bioactive compounds and the potential health effects.

RESULTS

The grapefruit powder was characterized by a low water amount (1.5 g water per 100 g powder) and a high porosity (75%). The color parameters were L* = 80.0 ± 1.8, hab* = 61.7 ± 0.4 and Cab* = 11.4 ± 0.6. The IC50 values determined for the freeze‐dried oxalic acid extract (FDOA) and the freeze‐dried methanol–water extract (FDMW) were 0.48 and 0.72 mg mL−1 respectively, while the total phenolic content (TPC) ranged between 1274 and 1294 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per 100 g dry basis (d.b.). Regarding total flavonoid content (TFC), FDOA presented the highest amount (6592 mg quercetin equivalent (QE) per 100 g d.b.). For both extracts, the cell viability in Caco‐2 and HT29‐MTX was above 90% at 100 μg mL−1. The bioavailability of the bioactive compounds was analyzed through a 3D intestinal model. Delphenidin‐3‐glucoside and hesperitin‐7‐O‐glucoside presented a permeation higher than 50%, followed by hesperidin which was close to 30%.

CONCLUSION

This work allows to establish that the formulation of grapefruit powder has great potential as a nutraceutical food, with spray drying being a good alternative technique in the food industry. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Long‐term outcomes of tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis in adults
Authors: Tzelnick Sharon , Hilly Ohad , Vinker Shlomo , Bachar Gideon , Mizrachi Aviram
Published: March 2019

Background

There is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis in the adult population. Several studies have described a reduced number and severity of tonsillitis episodes; however, the impact of tonsillectomy on healthcare burden has yet to be studied. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long‐term outcomes of tonsillectomy in the adult population.

Methods

A retrospective review of the central database of Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv, Israel, between 2003 and 2009 was performed. The study included all adult patients (>18 years) who underwent tonsillectomy due to recurrent tonsillitis. Clinical and epidemiological data from 3 years before and after surgery were collected and analyzed.

Results

A total of 3,701 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 37.4 years, and 42.9% were males. Following surgery, there was a significant decrease in the total number of tonsillitis episodes, otolaryngologist clinic visits, consumption of pertinent antibiotics, and respiratory complaints. Moreover, a reduced number of hospitalizations to the otolaryngology department and shorter hospitalization duration were also noted. Although the total number of hospitalizations was unaffected, there was an increase in the number of primary care office visits. Finally, a break‐even time analysis revealed an average of 2.7 years following tonsillectomy.

Conclusion

Tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis is effective in decreasing the number and severity of tonsillitis episodes and might also have an economic benefit. The impact of tonsillectomy on general health needs to be further evaluated; however, it appears that there is no increase in overall morbidity.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:328–331, 2020
Chemical receptors of the arytenoid: A comparison of human and mouse
Authors: Jetté Marie E. , Clary Matthew S. , Prager Jeremy D. , Finger Thomas E.
Published: March 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

The larynx is a highly responsive organ exposed to mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli. Chemicals elicit responses both in intraepithelial nerve fibers and in specialized chemosensory cells, including scattered solitary cells as well as taste cells organized into taste buds. Activation of both chemosensory cells and taste buds in the larynx elicit cough, swallow, or apnea with exposure to sour or bitter substances, and even by water or sweet‐tasting chemicals. In an effort to begin understanding their function, we sought to compare the distribution, density, and types of chemosensory cells and chemoresponsive nerve fibers in laryngeal epithelium of humans and mice.

Study Design

Animal and human laboratory analysis.

Methods

Using immunohistochemistry, we identified taste cells and polymodal nociceptive nerve fibers in the arytenoid area of the laryngeal epithelium of the following: 1) infants undergoing supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia, and 2) a cadaveric specimen procured from a 34‐year‐old donor. We then compared these findings to both preweanling and mature mouse tissue.

Results

Arytenoid tissue from both human and mouse contained many taste buds containing type II taste cells—bitter, sweet, or umami sensing—which were innervated by nerve fibers expressing P2X3 type adenosine triphosphate receptors. Type III cells (acid responsive) were also present, but they were fewer in human tissue than in equivalent tissue from mice. In both species, the epithelium was densely innervated by free nerve endings.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that from a standpoint of chemosensation, human and mouse larynges are biologically similar. This suggests that a murine model can be used effectively in laryngeal chemosensory research.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:423–430, 2020
Phantom odor perception and vascular conditions among adults in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014
Authors: Bainbridge Kathleen E. , Byrd‐Clark Danita
Published: March 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

Phantom odor perception has been correlated with burden of vascular risk among older adults. We evaluated associations between vascular conditions and phantom odor perception among adults in the United States.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data were collected as part of the 2011 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, yielding a nationally representative sample of 7,417 adults aged 40 years and older. Phantom odor perception was defined as report of an unpleasant, bad, or burning odor when nothing is there. Participants reported on vascular conditions including history of stroke. Total cholesterol and glycated hemoglobinwere measured. High blood pressure was ascertained during an examination.

Results

Stroke was associated with a 76% greater likelihood of phantom odor perception. Congestive heart failure and angina were associated with three times and 2.8 times the odds of phantom odor perception among adults 40 to 59 years and 60 years and older, respectively. Adults with diagnosed, but controlled, high cholesterol reported phantom odors more frequently than those without high cholesterol. Adults with diagnosed, but controlled, high blood pressure reported phantom odors more frequently than those without high blood pressure. We observed a threefold greater odds of phantom odor perception among adults aged 60 years and older with diabetes, but only among those who use both insulin and oral medications.

Conclusions

Stroke, angina, congestive heart failure, well‐managed high blood pressure, and well‐managed high cholesterol are associated with phantom odor perception. Vascular or metabolic conditions or their treatments may contribute to reporting of phantom odor perception.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:332–337, 2020
Decoding phonation with artificial intelligence (DeP AI): Proof of concept
Authors: Powell Maria E. , Rodriguez Cancio Marcelino , Young David , Nock William , Abdelmessih Beshoy , Zeller Amy , Perez Morales Irvin , Zhang Peng , Garrett C. Gaelyn , Schmidt Douglas , White Jules , Gelbard Alexander
Published: March 2019

Objective

Acoustic analysis of voice has the potential to expedite detection and diagnosis of voice disorders. Applying an image‐based, neural‐network approach to analyzing the acoustic signal may be an effective means for detecting and differentially diagnosing voice disorders. The purpose of this study is to provide a proof‐of‐concept that embedded data within human phonation can be accurately and efficiently decoded with deep learning neural network analysis to differentiate between normal and disordered voices.

Methods

Acoustic recordings from 10 vocally‐healthy speakers, as well as 70 patients with one of seven voice disorders (n = 10 per diagnosis), were acquired from a clinical database. Acoustic signals were converted into spectrograms and used to train a convolutional neural network developed with the Keras library. The network architecture was trained separately for each of the seven diagnostic categories. Binary classification tasks (ie, to classify normal vs. disordered) were performed for each of the seven diagnostic categories. All models were validated using the 10‐fold cross‐validation technique.

Results

Binary classification averaged accuracies ranged from 58% to 90%. Models were most accurate in their classification of adductor spasmodic dysphonia, unilateral vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold polyp, polypoid corditis, and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Despite a small sample size, these findings are consistent with previously published data utilizing deep neural networks for classification of voice disorders.

Conclusion

Promising preliminary results support further study of deep neural networks for clinical detection and diagnosis of human voice disorders. Current models should be optimized with a larger sample size.

Levels of Evidence

Level III
Drug penetration enhancement techniques in ablative fractional laser assisted cutaneous delivery of indocyanine green
Authors: Meesters Arne A. , Nieboer Marilin J. , Almasian Mitra , Georgiou Giota , de Rie Menno A. , Verdaasdonk Rudolf M. , Wolkerstorfer Albert
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives

Topical drug delivery can be increased by pretreatment of the skin with ablative fractional laser (AFXL). Several physical penetration enhancement techniques have been investigated to further improve AFXL‐assisted drug delivery. This study investigated the influence of three of these techniques, namely massage, acoustic pressure wave treatment, and pressure vacuum alterations (PVP) on the distribution of the fluorescent drug indocyanine green (ICG) at different depths in the skin after topical application on AFXL pretreated skin.

Materials and Methods

In ex vivo human skin, test regions were pretreated with AFXL (10,600 nm, channel depth 300 μm, channel width 120 μm, density 15%). Subsequently, ICG was applied, followed by massage, acoustic pressure wave treatment or PVP. ICG fluorescence intensity (FI) was assessed after 1, 3, and 24 hours at several depths using fluorescence photography.

Results

FI was higher when using enhancement techniques compared to control (AFXL‐only) up to 3 hours application time (P < 0.05). After 3 hours, mean surface FI was highest after acoustic pressure wave treatment (61.5 arbitrary units; AU), followed by massage (57.5AU) and PVP (46.9AU), respectively (for comparison: AFXL‐only 31.6AU, no pretreatment 14.9AU). Comparable or higher FI was achieved already after 1 hour with enhancement techniques compared to 3–24 hours application time without. After 24 hours, no significant differences between enhancement techniques and AFXL‐only were observed (P = 0.31).

Conclusion

Penetration enhancement techniques, especially acoustic pressure wave treatment and massage, result in improved drug accumulation in AFXL‐pretreated skin and reduce the application time needed. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On‐site rapid detection of antibacterial activity of neutrophils using freeze‐dried bacteria
Authors: Tanabe Koji , Kinoshita Manabu , Nakashima Masahiro , Kariya Koki , Yokokawa Masatoshi , Morimoto Yuji , Suzuki Hiroaki
Published: March 2019

Impaired neutrophil functions, and in particular their antibacterial activity, are known to reflect the immunocompromised condition of the host. To investigate the potential for prompt on‐site measurement of this condition, we analysed the antibacterial activity of murine neutrophils by measuring the change in oxygen consumption in a 10 μl sample solution in which bacteria and neutrophils were co‐incubated. A critical point was the use of freeze‐dried Escherichia coli (E. coli), which remarkably facilitated handling because of its ability to be stored at room temperature for extended periods and the ease in which its respiratory activity could be re‐established. This therefore allowed the antibacterial activity of murine neutrophils to be measured following their co‐incubation with E. coli. Indeed, we successfully detected a reduction in the antibacterial activity of murine neutrophils in mice subjected to water‐immersion restraint stress.
SDA for Virginians with MI marks shift to preventive care to avoid crises
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: March 2019

In an effort to address disparities in accessing mental health care and provide a consistent set of uniform services across the commonwealth for Virginians, Gov. Ralph Northam announced March 14 that all 40 Community Services Boards (CSBs) can provide Same Day Access (SDA) to anyone in need of a mental health evaluation. Consumers can now access walk‐in hours at any CSB without an appointment, rather than wait days or weeks to receive an assessment.
More on a hyperbolic‐cotangent class of difference equations
Authors: Stević Stevo , Iričanin Bratislav , Kosmala Witold
Published: March 2019

We present a natural method for solving the difference equation

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma5541:mma5541-math-0001
where
, parameter a, and initial values x−j,
,
, are real or complex numbers. As a concrete example, the case k = 1, l = 2 is studied in detail, and several interesting formulas for solutions and objects used in the analysis of the equation are given. A useful remark on solvability of difference equations on complex domains is presented and used here.
Gallotannins and Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 Mitigate High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Inflammation and Induce Biomarkers for Thermogenesis in Adipose Tissue in Gnotobiotic Mice
Authors: Fang Chuo , Kim Hyemee , Yanagisawa Lora , Bennett William , Sirven Maritza A. , Alaniz Robert C. , Talcott Stephen T. , Mertens‐Talcott Susanne U.
Published: March 2019

Scope

Intestinal microbial metabolites from gallotannins (GT), including gallic acid (GA) and pyrogallol (PG), may possess potential anti‐obesogenic properties. Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) found in the intestinal microbiome encodes for enzymatic activities that metabolize GT into GA and PG. Anti‐obesogenic activities of orally administered GT in the presence or absence of L. plantarum is examined in gnotobiotic mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD).

Methods and results

Germ‐free (GF) C57BL/6J mice are divided into three groups, GF control, GF gavaged with GT, and mice colonized with L. plantarum and gavaged with GT. Compared to the control, GT decreases the expressions of lipogenic genes (e.g., fatty acid synthase (FAS)) in epididymal white adipose tissue and increases thermogenic genes (e.g., nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐like 1 (Nfe2l1)) in interscapular brown adipose tissue. Intestinal colonization with L. plantarum enhances these effects, and mice colonized with L. plantarum exhibit lower levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), leptin and plasma insulin.

Conclusions

Results indicate that GT and L. plantarum reduce HFD‐induced inflammation, insulin resistance, and promote thermogenesis in adipose tissue potentially through the activity of GT‐metabolizing bacterial enzymes yielding absorbable bioactive GT metabolites. These findings imply the potential role of prebiotic–probiotic interactions in the prevention of diet‐induced metabolic disorders.
Histologically derived fiber response functions for diffusion MRI vary across white matter fibers—An ex vivo validation study in the squirrel monkey brain
Authors: Schilling Kurt G. , Gao Yurui , Stepniewska Iwona , Janve Vaibhav , Landman Bennett A. , Anderson Adam W.
Published: March 2019

Understanding the relationship between the diffusion‐weighted MRI signal and the arrangement of white matter fibers is fundamental for accurate voxel‐wise reconstruction of the fiber orientation distribution (FOD) and subsequent fiber tractography. Spherical deconvolution reconstruction techniques model the diffusion signal as the convolution of the FOD with a response function that represents the signal profile of a single fiber orientation. Thus, given the signal and a fiber response function, the FOD can be estimated in every imaging voxel by deconvolution. However, the selection of the appropriate response function remains relatively under‐studied, and requires further validation. In this work, using 3D histologically defined FODs and the corresponding diffusion signal from three ex vivo squirrel monkey brains, we derive the ground truth response functions. We find that the histologically derived response functions differ from those conventionally used. Next, we find that response functions statistically vary across brain regions, which suggests that the practice of using the same kernel throughout the brain is not optimal. We show that different kernels lead to different FOD reconstructions, which in turn can lead to different tractography results depending on algorithmic parameters, with large variations in the accuracy of resulting reconstructions. Together, these results suggest there is room for improvement in estimating and understanding the relationship between the diffusion signal and the underlying FOD.
Fixed‐precision randomized low‐rank approximation methods for nonlinear model order reduction of large systems
Authors: Bach C. , Duddeck F. , Song L.
Published: March 2019

Many model order reduction (MOR) methods employ a reduced basis
to approximate the state variables. For nonlinear models, V is often computed using the snapshot method. The associated low‐rank approximation of the snapshot matrix
can become very costly as m,n grow larger. Widely used conventional singular value decomposition methods have an asymptotic time complexity of
, which often makes them impractical for the reduction of large models with many snapshots. Different methods have been suggested to mitigate this problem, including iterative and incremental approaches. More recently, the use of fast and accurate randomized methods was proposed. However, most work so far has focused on fixed‐rank approximations, where rank k is assumed to be known a priori. In case of nonlinear MOR, stating a bound on the precision is usually more appropriate. We extend existing research on randomized fixed‐precision algorithms and propose a new heuristic for accelerating reduced basis computation by predicting the rank. Theoretical analysis and numerical results show a good performance of the new algorithms, which can be used for computing a reduced basis from large snapshot matrices, up to a given precision ε.
Implementation of an educational intervention to optimize self‐management and transition readiness in young adults with sickle cell disease
Authors: Calhoun Cecelia L. , Abel Regina A. , Pham Hai Ahn , Thompson Shomari , King Allison A.
Published: March 2019

Background

The transition from the pediatric setting to adult care is a well‐described period of morbidity and mortality for persons with sickle cell disease (SCD). We sought to measure the feasibility and effectiveness of providing skill‐based educational handouts on improving self‐management and transition readiness in adolescents with SCD.

Methods

This was a single‐center study in which participants completed a self‐assessment, the Adolescent Autonomy Checklist (AAC), to assess transition readiness and self‐management skills at baseline. After results were reviewed by the study coordinator, participants were provided with skill‐based handouts on noted areas of deficit. The AAC was subsequently completed at a follow‐up visit. All data were stored electronically and transferred into SAS for statistical analyses.

Results

Sixty‐one patients completed the AAC at baseline and postintervention. At baseline, patients reported needing the most help with skills in money management, living arrangements, vocational skills, and emergency and healthcare skills. Postintervention, statistically significant improvements (P < 0.05) occurred in skills related to laundry, housekeeping, healthcare, and sexual development. A regression model exploring the time to follow‐up showed that most improvements could not be attributed to maturation alone.

Conclusion

This study showed that educational handouts are a readily implementable and well‐accepted intervention among adolescents with SCD who identify challenges with skills necessary to successfully transition to adult care. Distinguishing which transition needs are best improved with this type of intervention will help to strengthen the multidisciplinary approach necessary to support adolescents and young adults with SCD as they matriculate to adult care.
Compensation of process‐induced deformations of double‐curved carbon–epoxy composite elements
Authors: Galińska Anna
Published: March 2019

The process‐induced deformations constitute a severe obstacle to composite part designing and manufacturing. Therefore, in the present work, a method of geometric compensation of those deformations is presented. The compensation process starts with the development of a calculation method which allows to calculate the deformations with the use of Finite Element Method. Linear elastic material model is used in the calculations. Then, the calculated deformations are used to design the compensated geometry of the tool which allows to decrease the deformations of the cured part. The compensation method was verified by compensating and manufacturing a double‐curved fragment of a composite wing leading edge. It appeared that the compensation method allowed to decrease the initial deformation of the structure fragment by approximately 77%. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3666–3677, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Particle percolation in a poly(lactic acid)/calcium carbonate nanocomposite with a small amount of a secondary phase and its influence on the mechanical properties
Authors: Lee Jung Myung , Hong Joung Sook , Ahn Kyung Hyun
Published: March 2019

In this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is blended with natural rubber (NR) to improve a brittleness of PLA. Surface‐modified inorganic particles of calcium carbonate are incorporated to this polymer blend not only to mitigate the strength loss but also to induce toughening of the PLA. Specifically, in order to toughen the PLA, the influence of NR as a second phase on the particle dispersion characteristics is examined while varying the concentration of the particles or the second phase and undertaking rheological measurements and morphological observations. With the surface‐modified particles, the secondary phase was found to induce the aggregation of particles along the interface as opposed to creating a homogeneous dispersion of particles. In addition, it enhanced the particle percolation throughout the blend and improved the brittleness of the PLA. With regard to elongation at break of the PLA/particle, it was increased from 12 to 86% by the addition of NR (19 vol%). On the other hand, for a composite with uncoated particles, the second phase of NR did not induce particle aggregation. Elongation at break of this composite decreased as the particle concentration increased. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:4023–4032, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Direct visualization of the nanoscopic three‐phase structure and stiffness of NBR/PVC blends by AFM nanomechanical mapping
Authors: Wang Wenpin , Yao Qing , Song Jianhui , Yao Binbin , Wang Hui , Li Zhibo
Published: March 2019

The PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping based on atomic force microscope (AFM) is employed to first visualize and then quantify the elastic properties of a model nitrile rubber/poly(vinyl chloride) (NBR/PVC) blend at the nanoscale. This method allows us to consistently observe the changes in mechanical properties of each phase in polymer blends. Beyond measuring and discriminating elastic modulus and adhesion forces of each phase, we tune the AFM tips and the peak force parameters in order to reliably image samples. In view of viscoelastic difference in each phase, a three‐phase coexistence of an unmixed NBR phase, the mixed phase, and PVC microcrystallites is directly visualized in NBR/PVC blends. The nanomechanical investigation is also capable of recognizing the crosslinked rubber phase in cured rubber. The contribution of the mixed phase was quantified and it was found that the mechanical properties of blends are mainly determined by the homogeneity and stiffness of the mixed phase. This study furthers our understanding the structure–mechanical property relationship of thermoplastic elastomers, which is important for their potential design and applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 662–669
Emerging UK infections: identifying new threats early
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: March 2019

Predicting which new and emerging pathogens will pose a threat to the UK population can be difficult. This article discusses the steps Public Health England and other government agencies are taking to identify new threats and protect the public against emerging infections.
Summary of the BSR biological DMARD safety guidelines
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: March 2019

The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) recently published new evidence‐based guidelines on the safe prescribing of biological DMARDs for inflammatory arthritis. This article provides a summary of their recommendations on screening, monitoring and considering co‐morbidities prior to and during treatment.
Erenumab: a monoclonal antibody for migraine prophylaxis
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: March 2019

Erenumab (Aimovig) is a monoclonal antibody targeting the calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) receptor that has been licensed for the prophylaxis of migraine in adults who have at least four migraine days per month. This article discusses its efficacy, adverse effects and place in therapy.
The added value of convection‐permitting ensemble forecasts of sea breeze compared to a Bayesian forecast driven by the global ensemble
Authors: Cafaro Carlo , Frame Thomas H. A. , Methven John , Roberts Nigel , Bröcker Jochen
Published: March 2019

Dynamical downscaling of ensemble forecasts to convection‐permitting resolutions aims to improve forecast skill by explicitly resolving mesoscale dynamical features. The success of this approach is dependent on the ability of the model to spin up smaller features embedded in the larger‐scale flow and provide more local information than could be inferred from knowledge of the climatological response to the large‐scale flow alone. Here we test whether such additional information is obtained from the Met Office Global and Regional Ensemble Prediction Systems (MOGREPS) for the sea‐breeze phenomenon which is resolved properly only at convection‐permitting resolutions but is driven by large‐sale conditions that are well represented in the global driving model. The sea breeze is detected using a new automatic tracking algorithm suitable for use in convective‐scale forecast data. The skill of probabilistic forecasts of sea‐breeze occurrence from the high‐resolution ensemble is compared to that of a Bayesian forecast trained on paired high/low‐resolution ensemble members. This creates a statistical forecast of the high‐resolution ensemble member given knowledge of the global forecast ensemble alone. The aim of this paper is twofold: firstly to assess whether the information about sea‐breeze occurrence is encoded in a few large‐scale parameters and can be forecast by a statistical method, and secondly to estimate what information is gained by running the high‐resolution forecast beyond that which is contained in these large‐scale flow parameters. Comparison of the two forecasting methods using a variety of verification methods all lead to the same conclusion: although both the Bayesian forecast and convection‐permitting ensemble provide information about sea‐breeze occurrence, the convection‐permitting ensemble is significantly more able to discriminate between sea‐breeze events and non‐events for all lead times.
Reconstruction of a Photonic Qubit State with Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Yu Shang , Albarrán‐Arriagada Francisco , Retamal Juan Carlos , Wang Yi‐Tao , Liu Wei , Ke Zhi‐Jin , Meng Yu , Li Zhi‐Peng , Tang Jian‐Shun , Solano Enrique , Lamata Lucas , Li Chuan‐Feng , Guo Guang‐Can
Published: March 2019

An experiment is performed to reconstruct an unknown photonic quantum state with a limited amount of copies. A semiquantum reinforcement learning approach is employed to adapt one qubit state, an “agent,” to an unknown quantum state, an “environment,” by successive single‐shot measurements and feedback, in order to achieve maximum overlap. The experimental learning device herein, composed of a quantum photonics setup, can adjust the corresponding parameters to rotate the agent system based on the measurement outcomes “0” or “1” in the environment (i.e., reward/punishment signals). The results show that, when assisted by such a quantum machine learning technique, fidelities of the deterministic single‐photon agent states can achieve over 88% under a proper reward/punishment ratio within 50 iterations. This protocol offers a tool for reconstructing an unknown quantum state when only limited copies are provided, and can also be extended to higher dimensions, multipartite, and mixed quantum state scenarios.
Quantum Neural Network States: A Brief Review of Methods and Applications
Authors: Jia Zhih‐Ahn , Yi Biao , Zhai Rui , Wu Yu‐Chun , Guo Guang‐Can , Guo Guo‐Ping
Published: March 2019

One of the main challenges of quantum many‐body physics is the exponential growth in the dimensionality of the Hilbert space with system size. This growth makes solving the Schrödinger equation of the system extremely difficult. Nonetheless, many physical systems have a simplified internal structure that typically makes the parameters needed to characterize their ground states exponentially smaller. Many numerical methods then become available to capture the physics of the system. Among modern numerical techniques, neural networks, which show great power in approximating functions and extracting features of big data, are now attracting much interest. In this work, the progress in using artificial neural networks to build quantum many‐body states is reviewed. The Boltzmann machine representation is taken as a prototypical example to illustrate various aspects of the neural network states. The classical neural networks are also briefly reviewed, and it is illustrated how to use neural networks to represent quantum states and density operators. Some physical properties of the neural network states are discussed. For applications, the progress in many‐body calculations based on neural network states, the neural network state approach to tomography, and the classical simulation of quantum computing based on Boltzmann machine states are briefly reviewed.
Engineering for sustainable communities: Epistemic tools in support of equitable and consequential middle school engineering
Authors: Tan Edna , Calabrese Barton Angela , Benavides Aerin
Published: March 2019

This study is focused on engineering for sustainable communities (EfSC) in three middle school classrooms. Three in‐depth case studies are presented that explore how two related EfSC epistemic toolsets—(a) community engineering and ethnography tools for defining problems, and (b) integrating perspectives in design specification and optimization through iterative design sketch‐up and prototyping—work to support the following: (a) Students' recruitment of multiple epistemologies; (b) Navigation of multiple epistemologies; and (c) students' onto‐epistemological developments in engineering. Using a theoretical framework grounded in justice‐oriented notions of equity intersecting with multiple epistemologies, we investigated the impact of the related epistemic toolsets on students' engineering engagement. Specifically, the study focused on how the tools worked when they were taken up in particular ways by teacher and students, and how the nature of their iterative engagement with the tools led to outcomes in ways that were equitable and consequential, both to students' engineering experiences and their engineering onto‐epistemological developments, and also in responding to the community injustices prototypes were designed to address. Tensions that emerged are discussed with further reflection on what the EfSC epistemic toolsets suggest about the affordances of a productive epistemic space and the concomitant risks related to larger institutional norms, which constrain the extent of students' justice‐oriented engineering goals.
Best linear inverse probability weighted estimation for two‐phase designs and missing covariate regression
Authors: Wang Ching‐Yun , Dai James
Published: March 2019

The inverse probability weighted estimator is often applied to two‐phase designs and regression with missing covariates. Inverse probability weighted estimators typically are less efficient than likelihood‐based estimators but, in general, are more robust against model misspecification. In this paper, we propose a best linear inverse probability weighted estimator for two‐phase designs and missing covariate regression. Our proposed estimator is the projection of the SIPW onto the orthogonal complement of the score space based on a working regression model of the observed covariate data. The efficiency gain is from the use of the association between the outcome variable and the available covariates, which is the working regression model. One advantage of the proposed estimator is that there is no need to calculate the augmented term of the augmented weighted estimator. The estimator can be applied to general missing data problems or two‐phase design studies in which the second phase data are obtained in a subcohort. The method can also be applied to secondary trait case‐control genetic association studies. The asymptotic distribution is derived, and the finite sample performance of the proposed estimator is examined via extensive simulation studies. The methods are applied to a bladder cancer case‐control study.
Synthesis, Structure Elucidation, Homology Modeling and Antifilarial Activity of 7‐Benzamidocoumarin Derivatives
Authors: Priyanka  , Neelabh  , Tiwari Neha , Sharma Rajesh K. , Gupta Poonam , Misra Sweta , Misra‐Bhattacharya Shailja , Butcher Ray J. , Singh Karuna , Katiyar Diksha
Published: March 2019

A series of 7‐benzamidocoumarin derivatives 10–25 starting from 7‐amino coumarins 7 and 8 has been synthesized, characterized and evaluated in vitro for antifilarial activity against the human lymphatic filarial parasite, Brugia malayi. Compounds 13 and 20–23 showed permanent paralysis of the worm with 90–95% inhibition of motility of adult worms at 10 μM. All the synthesized compounds were docked on the modeled receptor of Onchocerca volvulus chitinase OvCHT1. Compound 13 with binding energy of −7.95 Kcal/mol showing three hydrogen bonds with the active site of the enzyme emerged as the best inhibitor.
Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of a Linear Trinuclear Cu(II) Complex [Cu3(ClCH2COO)6(bpy)2] and a Dinuclear Complex [Cu2(bpy)2(μ‐OH)(μ‐OH2) (μ‐ClCH2COO)](ClO4)2
Authors: Thatipamula Krishna Chary , Bhargavi Govindugari , Rajasekharan Melath V.
Published: March 2019

Two new triply bridged Cu(II) compounds [Cu3(bpy)2(μ‐ClCH2COO)6] (1) and [Cu2(bpy)2(μ‐OH)(μ‐OH2)(μ‐ClCH2COO)](ClO4)2 (2) (where, bpy=2,2’‐bipyridine) have been synthesized and their magnetic properties have been measured and correlated with structure. Compound 1 is a novel centrosymmetric tricopper compound with only carboxylate bridges. The terminal Cu2+ ions have [5 + 1] coordination while the central ion has [4 + 2] coordination. The three centres are antiferromagnetically coupled, the exchange parameters for the neighbouring and distant pairs of Cu(II) atoms being 2 J=–28.6 cm–1 and 2 J'=–1.0 cm–1, respectively. In compound 2 three types bridging modes are observed, viz., hydroxo, aquo and carboxylato. The two Cu(II) centers are ferromagnetically coupled (2 J=73.8 cm–1) as previously observed for several di‐copper complexes with the same bridges. DFT calculations are in reasonable agreement with the magnetic exchange parameters for both dinuclear and trinuclear compounds.
Memory of Periodic Thermal Stimulation in an Immune Complex
Authors: Stan Razvan C. , de Camargo Maristela M.
Published: March 2019

Proteins search their conformational space in order to attain the native fold and bind productively to relevant biological partners. Most proteins must be able to alternate between at least one active conformational state back to an inactive conformer, especially for macromolecules that perform work and need to optimize energy usage. This property may be invoked by a physical stimulus (eg. temperature) or by a chemical ligand, and may occur through mapping of the protein external environment onto a subset of protein conformers. We have stimulated with temperature cycles two partners of an immune complex before and after assembly. We have revealed with calorimetry that properties of the external stimulus are also found in the characteristics of the immune complex (i. e. periodic variations in the binding affinity). These results are important for delineating the bases of molecular memory ex vivo and may serve in the optimization of protein based sensors.