bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of immuview RSV antigen test (SSI siagnostica) and BinaxNOW RSV card (alere) for rapid detection of respiratory syncytial virus in retrospectively and prospectively collected respiratory samples
Authors: Franck Kristina T. , Schneider Uffe V. , Ma Chih M. G. , Knudsen Danah , Lisby Gorm
Published: July 2020

Human orthopneumovirus, formerly known as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), is a frequent cause of hospitalization among infants due to respiratory tract infection. Fast, reliable, and easy to perform tests are needed to optimize treatment and to identify children that should be contact isolated to avoid nosocomial outbreaks. We prospectively tested 200 respiratory samples with a new assay (ImmuView RSV Antigen Test, SSI Diagnostica) and compared the results to the Alere BinaxNOW RSV Card by using our laboratory‐developed real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as reference. In addition, 300 retrospectively collected respiratory samples were included in the study. The sensitivities of both antigen kits were very low (<50%). Sensitivities were higher when samples came from children less than 6 years, when samples came from nasopharynx or lower respiratory airways, or when samples were positive for RSV serotype A compared to when samples came from adults, samples were throat swabs, or samples were positive for RSV serotype B. In conclusion, the ImmuView RSV antigen kit did not perform well and may at the most be used as a quick guidance for clinical decision. Thus, it cannot stand alone without reverse transcription PCR confirmation of negative results.
The role of nucleus accumbens CREB attenuation in rescuing low voluntary running behavior in female rats
Authors: Grigsby Kolter B. , Childs Thomas E. , Booth Frank W.
Published: July 2020

Given the integral role of nucleus accumbens (NAc) cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) activity in motivational processes, the goal of the current study was to determine whether blunting chronic NAc CREB activity could rescue the low physical activity motivation of female, low voluntary running (LVR) rats. NAc CREB phosphorylation is elevated in these rats, a state previously attributed to deficits in reward valuation. It was recently shown that overexpression of the upstream CREB inhibitor, protein kinase inhibitor alpha (PKIα), increased LVR nightly running by ~threefold. Therefore, the current study addresses the extent to which NAc CREB attenuation influences female LVR and wild‐type (WT) wheel‐running behavior. Inducible reductions in NAc neuronal activity using Gi‐coupled hM4Di DREADDs increased running behavior in LVR, but not in WT, rats. Similarly, site‐directed pharmacological inhibition of NAc CREB activity significantly increased LVR nightly running distance and time by ~twofold, with no effect in WT rats. Finally, environmentally enriched LVR rats exhibit higher levels of running compared to socially isolated rats in what appeared to be a CREB‐related manner. Considering the positive outcomes of upstream CREB modulation and environmental enrichment on LVR behavior, we believe that blunting NAc CREB activity has the neuromolecular potential to partially reverse low physical activity motivation, as exemplified by the LVR model. The positive physical activity outcome of early life enrichment adds translatable value to human childhood enrichment and highlights its importance on motivational processes later in life.
Preparation of porous polymers based on high internal phase emulsion for enrichment of estrogens in urine
Authors: Jiang Xiangqiong , Ruan Guihua , Zhang Wenjuan , Zhang Yan , Du Fuyou , Chen Zhengyi
Published: July 2020

In this work, graphene oxide‐hybridized high internal emulsion polymers with crosslinking and open‐cell structure was prepared and applied for separation and enrichment of estrogens. The prepared graphene oxide‐hybridized high internal emulsion polymer monoliths had hydrophobicity, porosity and stability, which were just obtained by one step in‐situ emulsion polymerization of 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, and divinylbenzene after doping with graphene oxide. Benefit from the advantages of its unique character, the graphene oxide‐hybridized high internal emulsion polymers monolith with low background pressure (85 kPa) and high mechanical strength could be applied for efficient separation for trace estrogens in urine. Under the optimized condition, trace estrogens, including estrone, estradiol, and diethylstilbestrol in urine, were detected by high‐performance liquid chromatography, all the sample preparation process were carried out in 15 min, the recovery rate was ranged from 85.0 to 106.0% and the relative standard deviation was less than 4.
Measuring knowledge management maturity in U.S. Army headquarters
Authors: Van Laar David M. , Kitchens Michael E. , Koskey Joseph T.
Published: July 2020

This study demonstrates the application of the Knowledge Management Maturity Model (KM3), developed by the U.S. Army Knowledge Management Proponency Office and modelled after the American Productivity and Quality Center's (APQC) maturity model. The KM3 model measures the maturity within the organization of knowledge management components to visualize and achieve mission performance. This study proposes the measures that serve as the determinants of optimal mission performance for military organizations. The research question is are these measures appropriate, measurable, and sustainable over time? Eleven U.S. Army Headquarters organizations were examined to assess each organization's KM Maturity level. Using the KM3 as a self‐assessment tool, each organization assessed their knowledge management maturity using data from purposeful sampling through qualitative focus groups. Having articulated our findings, we conclude that the results of this study provide some support that the KM3 Model is both appropriate and measurable but further study is required to determine whether it is sustainable.
Concrete representation of injective Banach lattices
Authors: Kusraev Anatoly G.
Published: July 2020

The paper aims to survey the recent progress towards functional representation of injective Banach lattices as well as to present some new results and open questions. A concrete functional description of injective Banach lattices in the spirit of Kakutani–Maharam representation for AL‐spaces is given.
Tailored finite point method for time fractional convection dominated diffusion problems with boundary layers
Authors: Wang Yihong , Cao Jianxiong , Fu Junliang
Published: July 2020

We propose a tailored finite point method (TFPM) for solving time fractional convection dominated diffusion equations in this paper. The main idea of TFPM is to firstly approximate the diffusion, convection coefficient near each grid by a constant, and then determine the weights of the finite difference scheme by using the exact solution of the convection diffusion equation with constant coefficients. This adaptation perfectly captures the rapid transition of the solutions which contain sharp boundary layers even with coarse meshes. The accuracy and stability of the scheme are rigorously analyzed. Numerical examples are shown to verify the accuracy and reliability of the proposed scheme.
A variant of quasi‐reversibility method for a class of heat equations with involution perturbation
Authors: Roumaissa Sassane , Nadjib Boussetila , Faouzia Rebbani
Published: July 2020

The paper is devoted to investigating a Cauchy problem governed by nonclassical heat equation with involution. The problem is severely ill‐posed in the sense of Hadamard by violating the continuous dependence upon the input Cauchy data. Therefore, in order to obtain a stable solution, we shall use a modified Pseudo‐Parabolic Regularization Method. The main idea is to add a correction term by introducing a third‐order derivation operator to formulate a sequence of well‐posed problems that depend on a regularization parameter ε. Further, we show that the approximate problems are well posed, and we prove some convergence results.
Proportional adaptive algorithm to improve reception techniques and mitigate the multipath fading effect in sub‐6 GHz 5G applications
Authors: Mosbah Abdelkader , Mansoul Ali , Benssalah Mustapha , Ghanem Farid
Published: July 2020

This letter presents a proportional adaptive technique to mitigate the multipath fading effect in advanced wireless communication systems. The designed system consists of a realized ultra‐wideband (UWB) dual antenna array and two universal software radio peripheral (USRP) platforms synchronized by a MIMO cable, with one digital RF phase shifter implemented in the reception chain of one of the two receiving antennas. Without requiring any statistical knowledge channel, the proposed approach adjusts the phase shifter in order to maximize the combined received power proportionally to the amplitude of its gradient. The used antennas operate in different frequencies in the fifth‐generation (Sub‐6 GHz 5G) wireless communication applications. The proposed algorithm has been implemented on a USRP that has been used to carry out experimental measurements on fixed and mobile receiving antennas, and it is compared with other approaches. The measurements reveal, that using the amplitude of the gradient of the received power rather than its sign, as it is proposed in the initial on‐off algorithm presented in a previous published work, allows achieving better performance in combatting fading. The phase adjustment with the proposed algorithm is more efficient than in the other approaches allowing a better reception of the received signal with a higher received power level. The measured performances indicate that gain improvement of 8 to 10 dB can be achieved by using the proportional adaptive technique.
Modeling of vascular space occupancy and BOLD functional MRI from first principles using real microvascular angiograms
Authors: Genois Élie , Gagnon Louis , Desjardins Michèle
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The vascular space occupancy (VASO) is a functional MRI technique for probing cerebral blood volume changes noninvasively, including during neuronal activation in humans. An important consideration when implementing VASO is the BOLD effect in the signal. Assessing the physical origin of this BOLD contamination and the capabilities of correction methods could improve the quantification of cerebral blood volume changes with VASO.

Methods

Given the heterogeneity of cerebral microvascular architecture, the vascular geometry within an MRI voxel can influence both BOLD and VASO signals. To investigate this effect, 3D high‐resolution images of mouse cerebral vasculature measured with two‐photon microscopy were used to model BOLD and VASO signals from first principles using Monte Carlo diffusion of water protons. Quantitative plots of VASO together with intravascular and extravascular BOLD signals as a function of TE at B0 fields 1.5 T to 14 T were obtained.

Results

The BOLD contamination of the VASO response was on the order of 50% for gradient echo and 5% for spin echo at 7 T and TE = 6 ms and significantly increased with TE and B0. Two currently used correction schemes were shown to account for most of this contamination and recover accurate relative signal changes, with optimal correction obtained using TEs as short as possible.

Conclusion

These results may provide useful information for optimizing sequence parameters in VASO and BOLD functional MRI, leading the way to a wider application of these techniques in healthy and diseased brain.
Quantifying the fractional concentrations and exchange rates of small‐linewidth CEST agents using the QUCESOP method under multi‐solute conditions in MRI signals
Authors: Wang Yi , Chen Jin‐Fang , Li Pengyu , Gao Jia‐Hong
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To develop a novel method for quantifying the fractional concentration (fb) and the exchange rate (kb) of a specific small‐linewidth chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) solute in the presence of other unknown CEST solutes.

Theory and Methods

A simplifiedR1ρmodel was proposed assuming a small linewidth of the specific solute and a linear approximation of the other solutes’ contribution toR1ρ. Two modes of CEST data acquisition, using various saturation offsets and various saturation powers, were used. Thefbandkbof the specific solute could be fitted using the proposed model. In MRI experiments, using either single‐solute or multi‐solute phantoms with various creatine concentrations and pHs, thefbandkbvalues of creatine were calculated for each phantom; thefbandkbvalues of phosphocreatine in rats’ skeletal muscles were also evaluated.

Results

The fittedfbvalue of creatine from the phantoms were in excellent agreement. The fittedkbvalue of creatine from the phantoms coincides with that from the literature, as do thefbandkbvalues of phosphocreatine in skeletal muscles.

Conclusion

The proposed approach enables us to quantify thefbandkbvalues of a specific small‐linewidth solute in the presence of other unknown solutes.
Bladder sensation evaluation of a carrageenan‐induced chronic prostatitis model using a direct measurement of the bladder mechanosensitive single‐unit afferent nerve activity
Authors: Aizawa Naoki , Yamanishi Tomonori , Fujita Tomoe
Published: July 2020

Aims

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) causes long‐standing pain and/or storage symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the likelihood of deterioration of bladder sensation in a carrageenan‐induced CP/CPPS model by direct measurement of the bladder mechanosensitive single‐unit afferent nerve activity.

Methods

In this study, male adult Sprague‐Dawley rats were used. They were injected 50 µL of 3% λ‐carrageenan or its vehicle (saline) into both lobes of the ventral prostate. Seven days following injection, the pain behavior at the pelvic‐perineal area (using von Frey filaments), prostatic blood flow (using a laser blood flowmeter), and histology were examined along with cystometry (under conscious free‐moving condition) and mechanosensitive single‐unit afferent nerve activity (under urethane anesthesia).

Results

The prostate showed increased tissue weight and decreased blood flow and inflammatory cell infiltration in the carrageenan group compared to the control group. Consequently, the threshold of the pain behavior was decreased, and the basal and threshold pressures of the bladder were increased in the carrageenan group. In contrast, no significant differences of bladder histology and other cystometric parameters were found between the groups. Regarding Aδ‐ or C‐fibers, the mechanosensitive afferent nerve activities revealed no differences in either group.

Conclusions

The carrageenan‐induced CP/CPPS rat model showed edema, ischemia, and inflammatory pain in the prostate, whereas a little change was detected in bladder sensation. These findings, which were evaluated using a direct measurement of the mechanosensitive single‐unit afferent nerve activity, suggest that the bladder sensation is unlikely deteriorated in this model.
A formalism to investigate the optimal transmit efficiency in radiofrequency shimming
Authors: Georgakis Ioannis P. , Polimeridis Athanasios G. , Lattanzi Riccardo
Published: July 2020

Transmit efficiency specifies the amplitude of the magnetic resonance excitation field produced over a region of interest with respect to the radiofrequency (RF) power deposited in the sample. This metric is highly important at ultra‐high field magnetic resonance imaging (≥7 T), where excitation inhomogeneities and electric field interference effects could prevent achieving the desired flip angle distribution while satisfying the power safety limits. The aim of this work was to introduce an approach to calculate a theoretical upper bound on the transmit efficiency (OPTXE) for RF shimming, independent from any particular coil design. We computed the OPTXE for head‐mimicking uniform spherical samples and a realistic heterogeneous head model by maximizing the square of the net transmit field per unit power deposition. The corresponding RF shimming weights were used to combine the analytical surface current modes into ideal current patterns. OPTXE grew monotonically as the target excitation voxel approached the surface of the object, and overall decreased at higher field strengths, presenting similar trends in both the uniform sphere and heterogeneous head model. Arrays with an increasing number of loops could closely approach OPTXE in the central region of the object, but performance decreased closer to the surface and at higher magnetic field strengths. The performance of 32 loops for a two‐dimensional excitation region at 7 T increased from 34% to 93% when they were arranged based on the shape of the ideal current patterns. OPTXE provides an absolute reference to evaluate coil designs and RF shimming algorithms, whereas ideal current patterns could serve as guidelines for novel coil designs at ultra‐high field. The uniform sphere model enables rapid analytic simulations and provides a good approximation of the OPTXE distribution in a realistic heterogeneous head model with comparable dimensions.
Retinal Vascular Tortuosity and Diameter Associations with Adiposity and Components of Body Composition
Authors: Tapp Robyn J. , Owen Christopher G. , Barman Sarah A. , Welikala Roshan A. , Foster Paul J. , Whincup Peter H. , Strachan David P. , Rudnicka Alicja R. ,   the UK Biobank Eye, Vision Consortium
Published: July 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess whether adiposity or body composition relates to microvascular characteristics of the retina, indicative of cardiometabolic function.

Methods

A fully automated QUARTZ software processed retinal images from 68,550 UK Biobank participants (aged 40‐69 years). Differences in retinal vessel diameter and tortuosity with body composition measures from the Tanita analyzer were obtained by using multilevel regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, clinic, smoking, and Townsend deprivation index.

Results

Venular tortuosity and diameter increased by approximately 2% (P < 10−300) and 0.6 μm (P < 10−6), respectively, per SD increase in BMI, waist circumference index, waist‐hip ratio, total body fat mass index, and fat‐free mass index (FFMI). Venular associations with adiposity persisted after adjustment for FFMI, whereas associations with FFMI were weakened by FMI adjustment. Arteriolar diameter (not tortuosity) narrowing with FFMI was independent of adiposity (−0.6 μm; −0.7 to −0.4 μm per SD increment of FFMI), while adiposity associations with arteriolar diameter were largely nonsignificant after adjustment for FFMI.

Conclusions

This demonstrates, on an unprecedented scale, that venular tortuosity and diameter are more strongly associated with adiposity, whereas arteriolar diameter relates more strongly to fat‐free mass. Different attributes of the retinal microvasculature may reflect distinct roles of body composition and fatness on the cardiometabolic system.
Can a children's hospital still cut it? Comparing outcomes of pediatric, adolescent and young adult patients undergoing thoracic surgery for lung metastases
Authors: Scorletti Federico , Cooke‐Barber Jo , Pressey Joseph G. , Nagarajan Rajaram , Turpin Brian , Jenkins Todd , Dasgupta Roshni
Published: July 2020

Background

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer have unique medical challenges compared with younger children and older adults. Dedicated centers have been established to deliver cancer therapy to the AYA population; many of these programs are located in pediatric hospitals. Outcomes of AYA patients on pediatric protocols are generally superior to those on adult protocols. Little is understood about the impact of care within a pediatric environment for surgical care of young adults.

Methods

A retrospective institutional review was performed of patients undergoing thoracic metastectomy between 2012 and 2017. Demographics, procedural factors, cost, and outcomes were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: > 18 and <18 years.

Results

Ninety‐one procedures were performed: 61.5% (n = 56) were in patients <18 years old and 38.5% (n = 35) were > 18 years old. The median age was 6.5 years for <18 years old and 28 years for > 18 years old. Older patients had a significantly longer operative time on thoracoscopic cases; 91 versus 63 minutes. Fifty percent of the > 18 group had > 1 lesion resected compared with one lesion resected in 80.8% in <18 years old. No significant differences were found between the two groups in the duration of chest tube or length of stay. The AYA group demonstrated more “adult type” comorbidities.

Conclusion

AYA patients have unique developmental and emotional challenges. Surgical intervention in this special population of patients cared for within a pediatric environment shows no significant difference in outcome compared with pediatric patients undergoing the same procedure. AYA patients with “adult type” comorbidities can safely undergo multidisciplinary care including surgery within a pediatric environment without the need to fragment care.
Emerging Role of Mass Spectrometry‐Based Structural Proteomics in Elucidating Intrinsic Disorder in Proteins
Authors: Mitra Gopa
Published: July 2020

Inherent disorder is an integral part of all proteomes, represented as fully or partially unfolded proteins. The lack of order in intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) results in an incredibly flexible, floppy, and heterogeneous ensemble, contrary to the well‐structured and unique organization of folded proteins. Despite such unusual demeanor, IDPs are crucial for numerous cellular processes and are increasingly being associated with disease‐causing pathologies. These warrant more intensive investigation of this atypical class of protein. Traditional biophysical tools, however, fall short of analyzing IDPs, thus making their structure‐function characterization challenging. Mass spectrometry (MS) in recent years has evolved as a valuable tool for elucidating the unusual conformational facets of IDPs. In this review, the features of advanced MS techniques such as Hydrogen‐deuterium exchange (HDX)‐MS, native MS, limited proteolysis (LiP)‐MS, chemical cross‐linking (XL)‐MS, and Fast photochemical oxidation of proteins (FPOP)‐MS are briefly discussed. Recent MS studies on IDPs and the unique advantages/shortfalls associated with the above methods while evaluating structural proteomics of IDPs, are illustrated. Eventually the future scope of the MS methods in further decoding the unexplored landscapes of IDPs is presented.
Limiting Damage to 2D Materials during Focused Ion Beam Processing
Authors: Andersen Anton Bay , Shivayogimath Abhay , Booth Tim , Kadkhodazadeh Shima , Hansen Thomas Willum
Published: July 2020

2D materials are by definition just a few atomic layers thick. They are therefore ideal samples for transmission electron microscopy, in the plan‐view geometry. However, 2D materials are typically placed or grown on substrates, which in some cases requires analysis to be performed on cross sections. In this case focused ion beam preparation is often the technique of choice for producing thin lamellae, but damage to the surface of 2D material during imaging and milling must be mitigated. Herein, it is demonstrated that the typically applied electron beam‐assisted deposition of platinum and carbon prior to milling does not provide sufficient protection, and results in significant damage. Instead, it is found that arc‐evaporated carbon—deposited with a standard carbon coater designed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) samples—can provide sufficient protection, enabling cross‐sectional analysis without detectable damage to monolayer or bilayer samples subsequently prepared by standard focused ion beam preparation procedures.
Synthesis of magnetic metal organic framework/covalent organic framework hybrid materials as adsorbents for magnetic solid‐phase extraction of four endocrine‐disrupting chemicals from milk samples
Authors: Yue Bing , Liu Jianghua , Li Guoliang , Wu Yongning
Published: July 2020

Rationale

Endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs), widespread and easily ingested through the simple food chain, have been suggested to pose potential carcinogenic threats to human health. Considering food safety and public health, it is urgent to establish a sensitive and effective method to enrich and determine EDCs in food samples.

Methods

Novel hybrid nanocomposites Fe3O4@A‐TpBD@NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti) were synthesized through the formation of amide bonds. The as‐prepared Fe3O4 were innovatively encapsulated with 4‐aminobenzoic acid functionalized COF(A‐TpBD) to generate bare carboxyl (‐COOH), which formed amide bonds with the NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti), generating well‐defined and hierarchical hybrid materials. The Fe3O4@A‐TpBD@NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti) materials were used as the adsorbents for magnetic solid‐phase extraction (MSPE) coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) to enrich and determine EDCs (E1, E2, E3 and BPA) from milk samples.

Results

Fe3O4@A‐TpBD@NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti) exhibited improved adsorption efficiency and selectivity based on π‐π stacking interaction, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interaction, and the interaction between the hydroxyl group in EDCs and titanium ions (IV, [Ti]4+). Under the optimized conditions, Fe3O4@A‐TpBD@NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti)‐based MSPE coupled with HPLC/MS/MS showed good linearity with correlation coefficient (R2) ≥0.9983 and high sensitivity with limits of detection (LODs) in the range of 0.37–0.85 μg/L. Moreover, the developed method was successfully employed to detect EDCs in milk samples.

Conclusions

Fe3O4@A‐TpBD@NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti) possess good adsorption capability and selectivity for EDCs. In addition, the proposed MSPE‐HPLC/MS/MS method based on Fe3O4@A‐TpBD@NH2‐MIL‐125(Ti) is effective and sensitive for the determination of EDCs in real samples, which can be used as a robust alternative method to monitor EDCs in complex matrices.
Capsule robot for gut microbiota sampling using shape memory alloy spring
Authors: Rehan Muhammad , Al‐Bahadly Ibrahim , Thomas David G. , Avci Ebubekir
Published: July 2020

Background

Human gut microbiota can provide lifelong health information and even influence mood and behaviour. We currently lack the tools to obtain a microbial sample, directly from the small intestine, without contamination.

Methods

Shape memory alloy springs are used in concentric configuration to develop an axial actuator. A novel design of sampling mechanism is fabricated for collecting the sample from the gut. Storage chamber (500 µl) is used to protect the sample from downstream contamination.

Results

The developed actuator occupies a small space (5 × Ø5.75 mm) and produces sufficient output force (1.75 N) to operate the sampling mechanism. A non‐invasive capsule robot was tested ex vivo on the animal intestine, and it captured an average of 134 µl content which was sufficient for microbiome assessment.

Conclusions

Laboratory testing revealed that the collected sample had an amino acid signature indicative of microbiota, mucus and digesta, which provided a proof of concept for the proposed design.
Implementation of fast independent component analysis on field‐programmable gate array for resolving the slot collision issue in the space‐based automatic identification system
Authors: Krishna Adithya , Nimbal Akshay , Makam Adarsh , Sambasiva Rao V
Published: July 2020

The space‐based automatic identification system (S‐AIS) is a maritime safety and vessel monitoring system used to broadcast the ship position and other telemetry every few seconds in short bursts. A satellite‐based AIS receiver is of interest to defense community as it provides global or wide‐area coverage. However, when the satellite passes regions with elevated traffic density, a major challenge is to overcome the message or signal interference at the satellite receiver. This paper mainly focuses on developing a novel AIS satellite receiver that uses fast independent component analysis (FastICA) blind source separation technique to resolve the overlapped signals at the satellite. We propose an architecture to realize FastICA algorithm on hardware. In addition to this, we present Gaussian minimum shift keying modulator and demodulator design schemes used by the S‐AIS transponders. The proposed framework is realized on Virtex5‐xc5vlx110t field‐programmable gate array. The results obtained validate the effectiveness of the FastICA architecture realized by recovering the original ship data from the overlapped signals.
Hematopoietic stem cells from pluripotent stem cells: Clinical potential, challenges, and future perspectives
Authors: Demirci Selami , Leonard Alexis , Tisdale John F.
Published: July 2020

The generation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is an active and promising area of research; however, generating engraftable HSCs remains a major obstacle. Ex vivo HSC derivation from renewable sources such as iPSCs offers an experimental tool for studying developmental hematopoiesis, disease modeling, and drug discovery, and yields tremendous therapeutic potential for malignant and nonmalignant hematological disorders. Although initial attempts mostly recapitulated yolk sac primitive/definitive hematopoiesis with inability to engraft, recent advances suggest the feasibility of engraftable HSC derivation from iPSCs utilizing ectopic transcription factor expression. Strategic development for de novo HSC generation includes further investigations of HSC ontogeny, and elucidation of critical signaling pathways, epigenetic modulations, HSC and iPSC microenvironment, and cell-cell interactions that contribute to stem cell biology and function.

Significance statement Patient-specific hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer possibility for the treatment of hematological diseases, particularly when no other options are available. This review highlights the current advances in HSC derivation from PSCs and discusses the obstacles that need to be overcome for future autologous PSC-derived HSC transplantation as a therapeutic modality. The feasibility of HSC generation from transcription factor engineered PSCs has been demonstrated in laboratory conditions and is suggestive of clinically relevant application.
Middle‐Range Future Claims: Constructing the Near‐Future Consequences of COVID‐19
Authors: Best Joel
Published: July 2020

The extraordinary social and economic impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic has generated many claims about the middle‐range future—the period beginning in the late summer or early fall of 2020 and projected to last for some months or years. This paper surveys those assertions and seeks to explain the factors that led to them. Exploring questions about future claims can expand the scope of social problems theory.
Agropastoralists’ Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Modeling: Software and Coding Method Accuracies for Best-Worst Scaling Data
Authors: Amadou Zakou
Published: July 2020

Investigating software and coding method accuracies are still a challenge when dealing with best-worst scaling data. Comparing various climate change policy estimates and their relative importance across different statistical packages has received little attention. In this chapter, we use best-worst scaling approach to determine agropastoralist preferences for 13 climate change adaptation policies across two popular statistical packages (R and SAS). While data were collected from 271 agropastoralists, mixed logit was used to analyze data. Results reveal that mean and standard deviation estimates for 13 climate change adaptation policies from R are higher and statistically significant than SAS estimates. Based on R estimates, prolific animal selection, vaccination, settlement, strategic mobility, and strategic destocking are the most popular climate change adaptation policies, and more than two-third of respondents are in favor of these policies.
Predictions of quantum gravity in inflationary cosmology: effects of the Weyl-squared term
Authors: Anselmi Damiano , Bianchi Eugenio , Piva Marco
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We derive the predictions of quantum gravity with fakeons on the amplitudes and spectral indices of the scalar and tensor fluctuations in inflationary cosmology. The action isR+R2plus the Weyl-squared term. The ghost is eliminated by turning it into a fakeon, that is to say a purely virtual particle. We work to the next-to-leading order of the expansion around the de Sitter background. The consistency of the approach puts a lower bound (mχ>mϕ/4) on the massmχof the fakeon with respect to the massmϕof the inflaton. The tensor-to-scalar ratioris predicted within less than an order of magnitude (4/2 <N2r<12 to the leading order in the number ofe-foldingsN). Moreover, the relationr≃ –8nTis not affected by the Weyl-squared term. No vector and no other scalar/tensor degree of freedom is present.
A new renormalon in two dimensions
Authors: Mariño Marcos , Reis Tomás
Published: July 2020

Abstract

According to standard lore, perturbative series of super-renormalizable theories have only instanton singularities. In this paper we show that two-dimensional scalar theories with a spontaneously broken O(N ) symmetry at the classical level, which are super-renormalizable, have an IR renormalon singularity at large N . Since perturbative expansions in these theories are made around the “false vacuum” in which the global symmetry is broken, this singularity can be regarded as a manifestation of the non-perturbative absence of Goldstone bosons. We conjecture that the Borel singularity in the ground state energy of the Lieb-Liniger model is a non-relativistic manifestation of this phenomenon. We also provide en passant a detailed perturbative calculation of the Lieb-Liniger energy up to two-loops, and we check that it agrees with the prediction of the Bethe ansatz.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes: a 23 year cohort study
Authors: Auvinen Anna-Maaria , Luiro Kaisu , Jokelainen Jari , Järvelä Ilkka , Knip Mikael , Auvinen Juha , Tapanainen Juha S.
Published: July 2020

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of this work was to examine the progression to type 1 and type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a 23 year follow-up study.

Methods

We carried out a cohort study of 391 women with GDM diagnosed by an OGTT or the use of insulin treatment during pregnancy, and 391 age- and parity-matched control participants, who delivered in 1984–1994 at the Oulu University Hospital, Finland. Diagnostic cut-off levels for glucose were as follows: fasting, ≥4.8 mmol/l; 1 h, ≥10.0 mmol/l; and 2 h, ≥8.7 mmol/l. Two follow-up questionnaires were sent (in 1995–1996 and 2012–2013) to assess the progression to type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Mean follow-up time was 23.1 (range 18.7–28.8) years.

Results

Type 1 diabetes developed (5.7%) during the first 7 years after GDM pregnancy and was predictable at a 2 h OGTT value of 11.9 mmol/l during pregnancy (receiver operating characteristic analysis: AUC 0.91, sensitivity 76.5%, specificity 96.0%). Type 2 diabetes increased linearly to 50.4% by the end of the follow-up period and was moderately predictable with fasting glucose (AUC 0.69, sensitivity 63.5%, specificity 68.2%) at a level of 5.1 mmol/l (identical to the fasting glucose cut-off recommended by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups [IADPSG) and WHO]).

Conclusions/interpretation

All women with GDM should be intensively monitored for a decade, after which the risk for type 1 diabetes is minimal. However, the incidence of type 2 diabetes remains linear, and therefore individualised lifelong follow-up is recommended.
Controlling airgap magnetic flux density harmonics in synchronous machines using field current injection
Authors: Evestedt Fredrik , Pérez-Loya J. José , Abrahamsson C. Johan D. , Lundin Urban
Published: July 2020

In this paper, a method to control the harmonic content of the magnetic flux density in the airgap of a synchronous machine is presented. Voltage harmonics in one phase as well as the exciting magnetic forces can be affected. Switched power electronics were used to provide the field current to a synchronous machine, the control added specific current harmonics to the DC field current in order to minimize either voltage harmonics or magnetic forces. The method is verified and compared with simulations and experiments on an existing electrical machine.
Patient safety associated with the surgical treatment of bone and soft tissue tumours during the COVID-19 pandemic—results from an observational study at the Oxford Sarcoma Service
Authors: Rajasekaran Raja Bhaskara , Kotecha Sanjeev , Whitwell Duncan , Cosker Thomas D. A. , Critchley Paul , Fries Charles Anton , Pigott David , Gibbons Christopher L. M. H. , Carr Andrew
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Deferring cancer surgery can have profound adverse effects including patient mortality. During the COVID-19 pandemic, departmental reorganisation and adherence to evolving guidelines enabled provision of uninterrupted surgical care to patients with bone and soft tissue tumours (BST) in need of surgery. We reviewed the outcomes of surgeries on BST during the first two months of the pandemic at one of the tertiary BST centres in the UK.

Materials and methods

Between 12 March 2020 and 12 May 2020, 56 patients of a median age of 57 years (18–87) underwent surgery across two sites: index hospital (n = 27) and COVID-free facility (n = 29). Twenty-five (44.6%) patients were above the age of 60 years and 20 (35.7%) patients were in ASA III and ASA IV category. The decision to offer surgery was made in adherence with the guidelines issued by the NHS, BOOS and BSG.

Results

At a minimum follow-up of 30 days post-surgery, 54 (96.4%) patients were recovering well. Thirteen patients (23.2%) had post-operative complications which included four (7.1%) patients developing pulmonary embolism. The majority of complications (12/13 = 92.7%) occurred in ASA III and IV category patients. Four (7.1%) patients contracted COVID-19, of which three required escalation of care due to pulmonary complications and two (3.6%) died. Patients < 60 years of age had significantly less complications than those > 60 years (p < 0.001). Patients operated on in the COVID-free facility had fewer complications compared with those operated on at the index hospital (p < 0.027).

Conclusion

In spite of the favourable results in majority of our patients, our study shows that patients with sarcoma operated at the height of the pandemic are at a risk of contracting COVID-19 and also having associated with mortality. The use of a COVID-free facility, surgery in patients < 60 60 years and in ASA I & II category are associated with better outcomes. If a second wave occurs, a serious consideration should be given to ways of minimising the risk of contracting COVID-19 in these vulnerable patients either by using COVID-free facilities or delaying treatment until peak of infection has passed.
Global monsoon response to tropical and Arctic stratospheric aerosol injection
Authors: Sun Weiyi , Wang Bin , Chen Deliang , Gao Chaochao , Lu Guonian , Liu Jian
Published: July 2020

Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) is considered as a backup approach to mitigate global warming, and understanding its climate impact is of great societal concern. It remains unclear how differently global monsoon (GM) precipitation would change in response to tropical and Arctic SAI. Using the Community Earth System Model, a control experiment and a suite of 140-year experiments with CO2increasing by 1% per year (1% CO2) are conducted, including ten tropical SAI and ten Arctic SAI experiments with different injecting intensity ranging from 10 to 100 Tg yr−1. For the same amount of injection, a larger reduction in global temperature occurs under tropical SAI compared with Arctic SAI. The simulated result in the last 40 years shows that, for a 10 Tg yr−1injection, GM precipitation decreases by 1.1% (relative to the 1% CO2experiment) under Arctic SAI, which is weaker than under tropical SAI (1.9%). Further, tropical SAI suppresses precipitation globally, but Arctic SAI reduces the Northern Hemisphere monsoon (NHM) precipitation by 2.3% and increases the Southern Hemisphere monsoon (SHM) precipitation by 0.7%. Under the effect of tropical SAI, the reduced GM precipitation is mainly due to the thermodynamic term associated with the tropical cooling-induced decreased moisture content. The hemispheric antisymmetric impact of Arctic SAI arises from the dynamic term related to anomalous moisture convergence influenced by the anomalous meridional temperature gradient.
Dietary macronutrients do not differently affect postprandial vascular endothelial function in apparently healthy overweight and slightly obese men
Authors: Smeets Ellen T. H. C. , Mensink Ronald P. , Joris Peter J.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Well-designed trials comparing side-by-side effects of macronutrients on postprandial endothelial function are missing. Therefore, we investigated under well-controlled and isocaloric condition effects of fat, carbohydrates, and protein on postprandial endothelial function as assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), an important non-invasive technique to assess endothelial function.

Methods

Eighteen apparently healthy overweight and slightly obese men (BMI 26.0–35.0 kg/m2) completed this randomized, double-blinded, cross-over trial. The study consisted of three test days each separated by a wash-out period of at least 1 week. After an overnight fast, men received an isocaloric meal providing 3987 kJ (953 kcal) that was either high in dietary fat (En% fat [F]/carbohydrates [C]/protein [P]: 52.3, 39.2, 8.0), carbohydrates (En% F/C/P: 9.6, 81.5, 8.6), or protein (En% F/C/P: 10.6, 51.5, 36.9). Fasting and 2-h postprandial FMD responses were measured.

Results

A postprandial decrease of 1.2% point in FMD was observed after the high-protein meal (P = 0.015). However, postprandial changes did not differ between meals (P = 0.45). An increase in baseline brachial artery diameters was observed after the high-protein meal (P < 0.001) and changes differed between meals (P = 0.020). A meal*time interaction was found for plasma glucose concentrations, with the most pronounced increases after the high-carbohydrate meal at T15, T30, T60, and T90 (P < 0.05). A significant time and meal (P < 0.001), but no time*meal effect (P = 0.06) was found for serum insulin concentrations. Increases in serum triacylglycerol concentrations did not differ between meals (P = 0.014).

Conclusion

Macronutrients did not differently affect postprandial endothelial function in apparently healthy overweight and slightly obese men.

Trial registration

Trial registration number (ClinicalTrials.gov) NCT03139890 in May 2017
Effect of coffee and cocoa-based confectionery containing coffee on markers of cardiometabolic health: results from the pocket-4-life project
Authors: Martini Daniela , Rosi Alice , Tassotti Michele , Antonini Monica , Dall’Asta Margherita , Bresciani Letizia , Fantuzzi Federica , Spigoni Valentina , Domínguez-Perles Raúl , Angelino Donato , Ricci Cristian , Del Pozo-Luengo Soledad , Tornel Pedro Luis , Scazzina Francesca , Gil-Izquierdo Angel , Dei Cas Alessandra , Brighenti Furio , Bonadonna Riccardo , Del Rio Daniele , Mena Pedro
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Coffee is an important source of bioactive compounds, including caffeine, trigonelline, and phenolic compounds. Several studies have highlighted the preventive effects of coffee consumption on major cardiometabolic (CM) diseases, but the impact of different coffee dosages on markers of CM risk in a real-life setting has not been fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of coffee and cocoa-based confectionery containing coffee consumption on several CM risk factors in healthy subjects.

Methods

In a three-arm, crossover, randomized trial, 21 volunteers were assigned to consume in a random order for 1 month: 1 cup of espresso coffee/day, 3 cups of espresso coffee/day, and 1 cup of espresso coffee plus 2 cocoa-based products containing coffee, twice per day. At the last day of each treatment, blood samples were collected and used for the analysis of inflammatory markers, trimethylamine N-oxide, nitric oxide, blood lipids, and markers of glucose/insulin metabolism. Moreover, anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured. Finally, food consumption during the interventions was monitored.

Results

After 1 month, energy intake did not change among treatments, while significant differences were observed in the intake of saturated fatty acids, sugars, and total carbohydrates. No significant effect on CM markers was observed following neither the consumption of different coffee dosages nor after cocoa-based products containing coffee.

Conclusions

The daily consumption of common dosages of coffee and its substitution with cocoa-based products containing coffee showed no effect on CM risk factors in healthy subjects.

Trial registration number

Registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03166540, May 21, 2017.
Opportunities, risks and challenges in global mental health and population neuroscience: a case of Sino-German cooperation
Authors: Liu Shuyan , Müller Sabine , Dolan Raymond J. , Zhao Xudong , Zheng Jialin C. , Heinz Andreas
Published: July 2020

Large scale prospective cohorts have now been established across several countries, and continents, and among the aims include an assessment of the developmental trajectory of mental disorders. This level of international cooperation helps transfer research findings to new social contexts as well as enabling an assessment of which findings can be replicated, and which interventions are most effective, in different social and cultural settings. However, data sharing across different regional and national health care systems requires a careful consideration of different standards in ethical research, data protection and patient care, including respect for patients’ rights, in cooperating jurisdictions. In our review, we discuss ethical, legal and practical challenges associated with such cooperation with a focus on research participants, specifically patient recruitment, by considering the instance of China and Germany. Our broader aim is to promote international cooperation by identifying key challenges that arise in international cooperation, and to facilitate an exchange in relation to legal and practical approaches.
Using Monte Carlo methods for Hp(0.07) values assessment during the handling of 18F-FDG
Authors: Albiniak Łukasz , Wrzesień Małgorzata
Published: July 2020

The dose limit for the skin of the hand is typically converted to a surface of 1 cm2, which means that one needs to measure point doses in different places on the hand. However, the commonly used method of measuring doses on the hand, i.e., using a dosimetric ring including one or several thermoluminescent detectors worn at the base of a finger, is not adequate for manual procedures such as labeling or radiopharmaceutical injection. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to create and conduct a series of computer simulations that, by recreating the actual working conditions, would provide information on the values of ionizing radiation doses received by the most exposed parts of the hands of employees of radiopharmaceutical production facilities, as well as those of nurses during the injection of radiopharmaceuticals. The simulations were carried out using Monte Carlo radiation transport calculations. The Hp(0.07) personal dose equivalent values obtained for the fingertips of the index and middle fingers of nursing staff and chemists were within the range limited by the minimum and maximum Hp(0.07) values obtained as a result of dosimetric measurements carried out in diagnostic and production centers. Only in the case of the nurse’s fingertip, the simulated value of Hp(0.07 slightly exceeded the measured maximum Hp(0.07) value. The comparison of measured and simulated dose values showed that the largest differences in Hp(0.07) values occurred at the thumb tip, and for ring finger and middle finger of some of the nurses investigated.