bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Synthesizing Mind
Authors: Gardner Howard
Published: September 2020

An authority on the human mind reflects on his intellectual development, his groundbreaking work, and different types of intelligences—including his own.

Howard Gardner's Frames of Mind was that rare publishing phenomenon—a mind-changer. Widely read by the general public as well as by educators, this influential book laid out Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. It debunked the primacy of the IQ test and inspired new approaches to education; entire curricula, schools, museums, and parents' guides were dedicated to the nurturing of the several intelligences. In his new book, A Synthesizing Mind, Gardner reflects on his intellectual development and his groundbreaking work, tracing his evolution from bookish child to eager college student to disengaged graduate student to Harvard professor.

Gardner discusses his mentors (including Erik Erikson and Jerome Bruner) and his collaborators (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, William Damon, and others). Comedian Groucho Marx makes a surprise (non-)appearance, declining Gardner's invitation to chat with Harvard College students, in favor of “making a living.”

Throughout his career, Gardner has focused on human minds in general, or on the minds of particular creators and leaders. Reflecting now on his own mind, he concludes that his is a “synthesizing mind”—with the ability to survey experiences and data across a wide range of disciplines and perspectives. The thinkers he most admires—including historian Richard Hofstadter, biologist Charles Darwin, and literary critic Edmund Wilson—are exemplary synthesizers. Gardner contends that the synthesizing mind is particularly valuable at this time and proposes ways to cultivate a possibly unique human capacity.
A circuit mechanism for decision-making biases and NMDA receptor hypofunction
Authors: Cavanagh Sean Edward , Lam Norman H , Murray John D , Hunt Laurence Tudor , Kennerley Steven Wayne
Published: September 2020

Decision-making biases can be features of normal behaviour, or deficits underlying neuropsychiatric symptoms. We used behavioural psychophysics, spiking-circuit modelling and pharmacological manipulations to explore decision-making biases during evidence integration. Monkeys showed a pro-variance bias (PVB): a preference to choose options with more variable evidence. The PVB was also present in a spiking circuit model, revealing a potential neural mechanism for this behaviour. To model possible effects of NMDA receptor (NMDA-R) antagonism on this behaviour, we simulated the effects of NMDA-R hypofunction onto either excitatory or inhibitory neurons in the model. These were then tested experimentally using the NMDA-R antagonist ketamine, a pharmacological model of schizophrenia. Ketamine yielded an increase in subjects’ PVB, consistent with lowered cortical excitation/inhibition balance from NMDA-R hypofunction predominantly onto excitatory neurons. These results provide a circuit-level mechanism that bridges across explanatory scales, from the synaptic to the behavioural, in neuropsychiatric disorders where decision-making biases are prominent.
A physicochemical perspective of aging from single-cell analysis of pH, macromolecular and organellar crowding in yeast
Authors: Mouton Sara N , Thaller David J , Crane Matthew M , Rempel Irina L , Terpstra Owen T , Steen Anton , Kaeberlein Matt , Lusk C Patrick , Boersma Arnold J , Veenhoff Liesbeth M
Published: September 2020

Cellular aging is a multifactorial process that is characterized by a decline in homeostatic capacity, best described at the molecular level. Physicochemical properties such as pH and macromolecular crowding are essential to all molecular processes in cells and require maintenance. Whether a drift in physicochemical properties contributes to the overall decline of homeostasis in aging is not known. Here, we show that the cytosol of yeast cells acidifies modestly in early aging and sharply after senescence. Using a macromolecular crowding sensor optimized for long-term FRET measurements, we show that crowding is rather stable and that the stability of crowding is a stronger predictor for lifespan than the absolute crowding levels. Additionally, in aged cells, we observe drastic changes in organellar volume, leading to crowding on the micrometer scale, which we term organellar crowding. Our measurements provide an initial framework of physicochemical parameters of replicatively aged yeast cells.
Unexplained repeated pregnancy loss is associated with altered perceptual and brain responses to men’s body-odor
Authors: Rozenkrantz Liron , Weissgross Reut , Weiss Tali , Ravreby Inbal , Frumin Idan , Shushan Sagit , Gorodisky Lior , Reshef Netta , Holzman Yael , Pinchover Liron , Endevelt-Shapira Yaara , Mishor Eva , Soroka Timna , Finkel Maya , Tagania Liav , Ravia Aharon , Perl Ofer , Furman-Haran Edna , Carp Howard , Sobel Noam
Published: September 2020

Mammalian olfaction and reproduction are tightly linked, a link less explored in humans. Here, we asked whether human unexplained repeated pregnancy loss (uRPL) is associated with altered olfaction, and particularly altered olfactory responses to body-odor. We found that whereas most women with uRPL could identify the body-odor of their spouse, most control women could not. Moreover, women with uRPL rated the perceptual attributes of men's body-odor differently from controls. These pronounced differences were accompanied by an only modest albeit significant advantage in ordinary, non-body-odor-related olfaction in uRPL. Next, using structural and functional brain imaging, we found that in comparison to controls, most women with uRPL had smaller olfactory bulbs, yet increased hypothalamic response in association with men's body-odor. These findings combine to suggest altered olfactory perceptual and brain responses in women experiencing uRPL, particularly in relation to men's body-odor. Whether this link has any causal aspects to it remains to be explored.
Histone deacetylase knockouts modify transcription, CAG instability and nuclear pathology in Huntington disease mice
Authors: Kovalenko Marina , Erdin Serkan , Andrew Marissa A , St Claire Jason , Shaughnessey Melissa , Hubert Leroy , Neto João Luís , Stortchevoi Alexei , Fass Daniel M , Mouro Pinto Ricardo , Haggarty Stephen J , Wilson John H , Talkowski Michael E , Wheeler Vanessa C
Published: September 2020

Somatic expansion of the Huntington’s disease (HD) CAG repeat drives the rate of a pathogenic process ultimately resulting in neuronal cell death. Although mechanisms of toxicity are poorly delineated, transcriptional dysregulation is a likely contributor. To identify modifiers that act at the level of CAG expansion and/or downstream pathogenic processes, we tested the impact of genetic knockout, in HttQ111 mice, of Hdac2 or Hdac3 in medium-spiny striatal neurons that exhibit extensive CAG expansion and exquisite disease vulnerability. Both knockouts moderately attenuated CAG expansion, with Hdac2 knockout decreasing nuclear huntingtin pathology. Hdac2 knockout resulted in a substantial transcriptional response that included modification of transcriptional dysregulation elicited by the HttQ111 allele, likely via mechanisms unrelated to instability suppression. Our results identify novel modifiers of different aspects of HD pathogenesis in medium-spiny neurons and highlight a complex relationship between the expanded Htt allele and Hdac2 with implications for targeting transcriptional dysregulation in HD.
Feed-forward recruitment of electrical synapses enhances synchronous spiking in the mouse cerebellar cortex
Authors: Hoehne Andreas , McFadden Maureen H , DiGregorio David A
Published: September 2020

In the cerebellar cortex, molecular layer interneurons use chemical and electrical synapses to form subnetworks that fine-tune the spiking output of the cerebellum. Although electrical synapses can entrain activity within neuronal assemblies, their role in feed-forward circuits is less well explored. By combining whole-cell patch-clamp and 2-photon laser scanning microscopy of basket cells (BCs), we found that classical excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) are followed by GABAA receptor-independent outward currents, reflecting the hyperpolarization component of spikelets (a synapse-evoked action potential passively propagating from electrically coupled neighbors). FF recruitment of the spikelet-mediated inhibition curtails the integration time window of concomitant excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and dampens their temporal integration. In contrast with GABAergic-mediated feed-forward inhibition, the depolarizing component of spikelets transiently increases the peak amplitude of EPSPs, and thus postsynaptic spiking probability. Therefore, spikelet transmission can propagate within the BC network to generate synchronous inhibition of Purkinje cells, which can entrain cerebellar output for driving temporally precise behaviors.
Endothelial TGF-β signaling instructs smooth muscle cell development in the cardiac outflow tract
Authors: Boezio Giulia LM , Bensimon-Brito Anabela , Piesker Janett , Guenther Stefan , Helker Christian SM , Stainier Didier YR
Published: September 2020

The development of the cardiac outflow tract (OFT), which connects the heart to the great arteries, relies on a complex crosstalk between endothelial (ECs) and smooth muscle (SMCs) cells. Defects in OFT development can lead to severe malformations, including aortic aneurysms, which are frequently associated with impaired TGF-β signaling. To better understand the role of TGF-β signaling in OFT formation, we generated zebrafish lacking the TGF-β receptor Alk5 and found a strikingly specific dilation of the OFT: alk5-/- OFTs exhibit increased EC numbers as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) and SMC disorganization. Surprisingly, endothelial-specific alk5 overexpression in alk5-/- rescues the EC, ECM, and SMC defects. Transcriptomic analyses reveal downregulation of the ECM gene fibulin-5, which when overexpressed in ECs ameliorates OFT morphology and function. These findings reveal a new requirement for endothelial TGF-β signaling in OFT morphogenesis and suggest an important role for the endothelium in the etiology of aortic malformations.
Genome-wide CRISPR screens of oral squamous cell carcinoma reveal fitness genes in the Hippo pathway
Authors: Chai Annie Wai Yeeng , Yee Pei San , Price Stacey , Yee Shi Mun , Lee Hui Mei , Tiong Vivian KH , Gonçalves Emanuel , Behan Fiona M , Bateson Jessica , Gilbert James , Tan Aik Choon , McDermott Ultan , Garnett Mathew J , Cheong Sok Ching
Published: September 2020

New therapeutic targets for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are urgently needed. We conducted genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens in 21 OSCC cell lines, primarily derived from Asians, to identify genetic vulnerabilities that can be explored as therapeutic targets. We identify known and novel fitness genes and demonstrate that many previously identified OSCC-related cancer genes are non-essential and could have limited therapeutic value, while other fitness genes warrant further investigation for their potential as therapeutic targets. We validate a distinctive dependency on YAP1 and WWTR1 of the Hippo pathway, where the lost-of-fitness effect of one paralog can be compensated only in a subset of lines. We also discover that OSCCs with WWTR1 dependency signature are significantly associated with biomarkers of favorable response toward immunotherapy. In summary, we have delineated the genetic vulnerabilities of OSCC, enabling the prioritization of therapeutic targets for further exploration, including the targeting of YAP1 and WWTR1.
Sperm-specific COX6B2 enhances oxidative phosphorylation, proliferation, and survival in human lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cheng Chun-Chun , Wooten Joshua , Gibbs Zane A , McGlynn Kathleen , Mishra Prashant , Whitehurst Angelique W
Published: September 2020

Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are proteins whose expression is normally restricted to the testis but anomalously activated in human cancer. In sperm, a number of CTAs support energy generation, however, whether they contribute to tumor metabolism is not understood. We describe human COX6B2, a component of cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV). COX6B2 is expressed in human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and expression correlates with reduced survival time. COX6B2, but not its somatic isoform COX6B1, enhances activity of complex IV, increasing oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and NAD+ generation. Consequently, COX6B2-expressing cancer cells display a proliferative advantage, particularly in low oxygen. Conversely, depletion of COX6B2 attenuates OXPHOS and collapses mitochondrial membrane potential leading to cell death or senescence. COX6B2 is both necessary and sufficient for growth of human tumor xenografts in mice. Our findings reveal a previously unappreciated, tumor-specific metabolic pathway hijacked from one of the most ATP-intensive processes in the animal kingdom: sperm motility.
Phenotypic analysis of the unstimulated in vivo HIV CD4 T cell reservoir
Authors: Neidleman Jason , Luo Xiaoyu , Frouard Julie , Xie Guorui , Hsiao Feng , Ma Tongcui , Morcilla Vincent , Lee Ashley , Telwatte Sushama , Thomas Reuben , Tamaki Whitney , Wheeler Benjamin , Hoh Rebecca , Somsouk Ma , Vohra Poonam , Milush Jeffrey , James Katherine Sholtis , Archin Nancie M , Hunt Peter W , Deeks Steven G , Yukl Steven A , Palmer Sarah , Greene Warner C , Roan Nadia R
Published: September 2020

The latent reservoir is a major barrier to HIV cure. As latently infected cells cannot be phenotyped directly, the features of the in vivo reservoir have remained elusive. Here, we describe a method that leverages high-dimensional phenotyping using CyTOF to trace latently infected cells reactivated ex vivo to their original pre-activation states. Our results suggest that, contrary to common assumptions, the reservoir is not randomly distributed among cell subsets, and is remarkably conserved between individuals. However, reservoir composition differs between tissues and blood, as do cells successfully reactivated by different latency reversing agents. By selecting 8–10 of our 39 original CyTOF markers, we were able to isolate highly purified populations of unstimulated in vivo latent cells. These purified populations were highly enriched for replication-competent and intact provirus, transcribed HIV, and displayed clonal expansion. The ability to isolate unstimulated latent cells from infected individuals enables previously impossible studies on HIV persistence.
The predisposing factors of AKI for prophylactic strategies in burn care
Authors: Tsai Shin-Yi , Lio Chon-Fu , Shih Shou-Chuan , Lin Cheng-Jui , Chen Yu-Tien , Yu Chia-Meng , Sun Fang-ju , Kuo Chien-Feng , Jia Xiaofeng
Published: September 2020

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most severe complications of burn injury. AKI with severe burn injury causes high mortality. This study aims to investigate the incidence of and predisposing factors for AKI in burn patients.

Methods

This is a single-center, retrospective, descriptive criterion standard study conducted from June 27, 2015, to March 8, 2016. We used Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria to define and select patients with AKI. The study was conducted by recruiting in hospital patients who suffered from the flammable cornstarch-based powder explosion and were treated under primary care procedures. A total of 49 patients who suffered from flammable dust explosion-related burn injury were enrolled and admitted on June 27, 2015. The patients with more than 20% total body surface area of burn were transferred to the intensive care unit. Patients received fluid resuscitation in the first 24 hours based on the Parkland formula. The primary measurements were the incidence of and predisposing factors for AKI in these patients. Demographic characteristics, laboratory data, and inpatient outcomes were also evaluated. The incidence of AKI in this cohort was 61.2% (n = 30). The mortality rate was 2.0% (n = 1) during a 59-day follow-up period. The multivariate analysis revealed inhalation injury (adjusted OR = 22.0; 95% CI [1.4–358.2]) and meeting ≥3 American Burn Association (ABA) sepsis criteria (adjusted OR = 13.7; 95% CI [1.7–110.5]) as independent risk factors for early advanced AKI.

Conclusions

The incidence rate of AKI was higher in this cohort than in previous studies, possibly due to the flammable dust explosion-related burn injury. However, the mortality was lower than that expected. In clinical practice, indicators of inflammation, including ABA sepsis criteria may help in predicting the risk of AKI in patients with burn injury.
Isolation, Identification and Resistance of Salmonella spp. in Eggs for Human Consumption
Authors: Sarawgi Sharan , Sarawgi Shrey , Dubey Jyoti , Gupta Shweta , Chakraborty Anish , Sultana Tamanna , Mitra Arup Kumar
Published: September 2020

Aim: The present investigation aims to construct a comparative analysis based on isolation, identification and observation of resistance of Salmonella spp. in eggs for human consumption.

Study Design: This is an experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted in the Microbiology laboratory of Department Microbiology, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata (West Bengal, India), from January to March, 2020.

Methodology: In this study, a total of 48 poultry (chicken) eggs from local and super markets (24 samples from each market) were examined to study the diversity of microorganisms in eggshell surface as well as in the internal contents with the specific objective to isolate Salmonella spp. and to study their resistance against a range of antibiotics-  Cefotaxime (30 mcg), Levofloxacin (5 mcg), Aztreonam (30 mcg), Imipenem (10 mcg), Amikacin (30 mcg) and Ceftazidime (30 mcg).

Results: Microscopic and biochemical observations revealed the presence of Salmonella spp. in 68% egg samples. About 22% of the identified Salmonella spp. cultures were resistant to the antibiotics used in the study. Further, the total and the outer membrane proteins of specific isolated Salmonella spp. were isolated, few of which exhibit antibiotic resistance. More than 50% of the cultures exhibited biofilm formation which is a clear indication of the potential risk that it may pose after egg consumption. A 33 kDa and a 36 kDa protein was isolated from the resistant cultures and analysed by SDS-PAGE that could serve as promising vaccine development agents and the level of toxicity was checked on Human Cheek Cells (HCCs), of which 15% caused morphological distortions in the cells.

Conclusion: The study was conducted to isolate, identify and observe the antibiotic resistance pattern of Salmonella spp. from eggs obtained from local and supermarkets. The study clearly indicates the prevalence of antibiotic resistant Salmonella spp. contamination in eggs that may be detrimental for human consumption. Thus, appropriate measures should be adopted by vendors and poultry farm workers to ensure supply of egg samples suitable for human consumption. From the research and development point of view, the results hold a promising prospect to develop potential therapeutics and vaccine candidates against selected Salmonella spp. to reduce the incidence of food-borne infections in humans.
Evaluation of Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Index of Plasma in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (AIP = log TG/HDL-c)
Authors: Moustapha Djite , Oumou Barry Nene Kesso , Matar Kandji Pape , Ngor Sagne René , Malick Ndour El Hadji , Fatou Gueye-Tall , Marieme Thioune Ndeye , Ange T. Sagna-Bassene Helene , Fatou Coly-Gueye Najah , Dominique Doupa , Rokhaya Ndiaye-Diallo , Maimouna Ndour-Mbaye , Aynina Cisse , Amadou Diop Pape , Philomène Lopez-Sall , Madieye Gueye Papa
Published: September 2020

Aims: The objective of our study was to evaluate the lipid profile and the plasma atherogenicity index obtained from the log (TG / HDL-c) in diabetics patients.

Study Design: This is a comparative and analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: MARC SANKALE Centre at the Abass Ndao Hospital in Dakar (Senegal), CHNU/Fann Biochemistry Laboratory, from June 2018 to November 2019.

Controls: For each patient, a witness of the same sex and the same age ± 2 years was recruited.

Methodology: The lipid balance parameters were assayed using enzymatic techniques with the Cobas c311 system (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland). Plasma atherogenicity indices for each patient were calculated (CT / HDL-c, LDL / HDL-c and Log (TG / HDL-c)).

Data analysis was performed using XLSTAT software and a p value <0.05 was considered to be a statistically significant difference.

Results: Our study concerned 100 subjects with type 2 diabetes. The average age was 50.5 ± 10.80 years old and the sex ratio was 0.58. Evaluation of lipid parameters had shown an increase in diabetic subjects compared to controls for total cholesterol (2.30 g / l) and LDL-cholesterol (1.40 g / l) with significant differences (p < 0.001). We also found that 11% of patients had a CT / HDL-c ratio > 4.5, while 8% had an LDL-c / HDL-c ratio > 3.5 and 26% of patients had a log (Tg / HDL- c) > 0.21.

Conclusion: Lipid disturbances constitute significant abnormalities in type 2 diabetic subjects and would predispose them to cardiovascular complications. However, IAP = log (TG / HDL-c) could be considered the most sensitive predictor of cardiovascular risk.
Carbon Footprint of Electrostatic Sprayer in Comparison with Air Compression Sprayer and Mistblower
Authors: Aneesha V. , Dhalin D. , Subhagan Seena R. , Rani O. P. Reji , Khatawkar Dipak S.
Published: September 2020

This study aimed at finding out the efficacy of electrostatic sprayer on pest control in comparison with mist blower and air compression sprayer. Six pests were selected based on specific characteristics viz. integumental, movement and ecological niche. Energy use efficiency in production and application of pesticides used by different sprayers for the control of selected pests were quantified based on application efficiency, pre and post pest count and reoccurrence of pest infestation after spray. The greenhouse gas emission for the total energy usage for the corresponding quantity of pesticide were computed for all the selected sprayers. The energy use efficiency of electrostatic sprayer was found to be 1.5 times more than that of mist blower and 2 times more than that of air compression sprayers. The chemical usage by electrostatic sprayer was reduced by 65%, and that of knapsack mist blower was 35% with air compression sprayers. The corresponding greenhouse gas emission was only 20% for electrostatic sprayer and 65% for powered mist blower than that of air compression sprayers. The post pest count was almost nil in all the categories of pest while applying with electrostatic sprayer and the reoccurrence of the pest to the threshold level was minimum. This contributes a significant reduction in emission of CO2 when considered globally, and ultimately contribute to mitigation of global warming.
Improving soil physical properties through the use of cover crops: A review
Authors: Haruna Samuel I. , Anderson Stephen H. , Udawatta Ranjith P. , Gantzer Clark J. , Phillips Nathan C. , Cui Song , Gao Ying
Published: September 2020

Improving soil physical properties is important to soil conservation. Cover cropping can improve soil physical properties and organic matter content which can reduce soil loss, and thereby improve land productivity and environmental quality. In this article, the benefits of cover crops (CCs) for improving soil physical and hydraulic properties are reviewed as well as some soil conservation benefits that might accrue. The review indicates that CCs reduce soil bulk density by approximately 4%, increase macropores by approximately 33%, and increase water infiltration by as much as 629%, as compared to soil with no CCs. These improvements have been reported to lead to as much as 96% reduction in soil loss. Some current knowledge gaps in understanding how CCs can improve soil physical properties have been identified, including identifying which biomass, aboveground or belowground biomass, plays a greater role in organic C accumulation. Future research should focus on the interconnectedness of soil pores generated by CCs and the influence of CCs on heat transport parameters to further improve soil physical properties and associated benefits.
Controlling the sign of Excimer‐Origin Circularly Polarised Luminescence by Balancing Hydrophilicity/Hydrophobicity in Bipyrenyl Arginine Peptides
Authors: Mimura Yuki , Motomura Yuki , Kitamatsu Mizuki , Imai Yoshitane
Published: September 2020

Determining the conformation of a chiral luminescent molecule in its ground state as well as in its photoexcited state is difficult. In the case of a pyrenyl peptide, the sign of its circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) is determined by the solvent or the intramolecular distance between its pyrenyl units; consequently, a new method for controlling CPL in water is required. Herein, we report that chiral LL‐oligopeptide luminophores bearing two fluorescent pyrenyl and hydrophilic arginine units exhibit clear excimer‐origin circularly polarised luminescence (CPL) at 480–510 nm in aqueous solution. The CPL sign is tuneable by altering the number and positions of the arginine units on the edges of the chiral peptide backbone.
Clinical Issues—October 2020
Authors: Jones Emily , Wood Amber
Published: September 2020

THIS MONTH

Bundling cords during laparoscopic procedures

Key words: antenna coupling, laparoscopy, monopolar active electrode, burns, thermal injury.

Cleaning dirty instruments in scrub sinks

Key words: instrument cleaning, instrument decontamination, scrub sinks, manual cleaning, mechanical cleaning.

Using cotton balls in neurosurgery

Key words: gossypiboma, foreign body granuloma, cotton ball, neurosurgery, retained surgical item (RSI).

Surgical hand rub allergies

Key words: hand allergy, dermatitis, eczema, hand rub, product trial.
Inpatient admissions and costs for adolescents and young adults with congenital heart defects in New York, 2009–2013
Authors: Hsu Wan‐Hsiang , Sommerhalter Kristin M. , McGarry Claire E. , Farr Sherry L. , Downing Karrie F. , Lui George K. , Zaidi Ali N. , Hsu Daphne T. , Van Zutphen Alissa R.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Most individuals born with congenital heart defects (CHDs) survive to adulthood, but healthcare utilization patterns for adolescents and adults with CHDs have not been well described. We sought to characterize the healthcare utilization patterns and associated costs for adolescents and young adults with CHDs.

Methods

We examined 2009–2013 New York State inpatient admissions of individuals ages 11–30 years with ≥1 CHD diagnosis codes recorded during any admission. We conducted multivariate linear regression using generalized estimating equations to examine associations between inpatient costs and sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Results

We identified 5,100 unique individuals with 9,593 corresponding hospitalizations over the study period. Median inpatient cost and length of stay (LOS) were $10,720 and 3.0 days per admission, respectively; 55.1% were emergency admissions. Admission volume increased 48.7% from 2009 (1,538 admissions) to 2013 (2,287 admissions), while total inpatient costs increased 91.8% from 2009 ($27.2 million) to 2013 ($52.2 million). Inpatient admissions and costs rose more sharply over the study period for those with nonsevere CHDs compared to severe CHDs. Characteristics associated with higher costs were longer LOS, severe CHD, cardiac/vascular hospitalization classification, surgical procedures, greater severity of illness, and admission in New York City.

Conclusion

This study provides an informative baseline of health care utilization patterns and associated costs among adolescents and young adults with CHDs in New York State. Structured transition programs may aid in keeping this population in appropriate cardiac care as they move to adulthood.
Aligned human cardiac syncytium for in vitro analysis of electrical, structural, and mechanical readouts
Authors: Napiwocki B. N. , Lang D. , Stempien A. , Zhang J. , Vaidyanathan R. , Makielski J. C. , Eckhardt L. L. , Glukhov A. V. , Kamp T. J. , Crone W. C.
Published: September 2020

Human pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC‐CMs) have emerged as an exciting new tool for cardiac research and can serve as a preclinical platform for drug development and disease modeling studies. However, these aspirations are limited by current culture methods in which hPSC‐CMs resemble fetal human cardiomyocytes in terms of structure and function. Herein we provide a novel in vitro platform that includes patterned extracellular matrix with physiological substrate stiffness and is amenable to both mechanical and electrical analysis. Micropatterned lanes promote the cellular and myofibril alignment of hPSC‐CMs while the addition of micropatterned bridges enable formation of a functional cardiac syncytium that beats synchronously over a large two‐dimensional area. We investigated the electrophysiological properties of the patterned cardiac constructs and showed they have anisotropic electrical impulse propagation, as occurs in the native myocardium, with speeds 2x faster in the primary direction of the pattern as compared to the transverse direction. Lastly, we interrogated the mechanical function of the pattern constructs and demonstrated the utility of this platform in recording the strength of cardiomyocyte contractions. This biomimetic platform with electrical and mechanical readout capabilities will enable the study of cardiac disease and the influence of pharmaceuticals and toxins on cardiomyocyte function. The platform also holds potential for high throughput evaluation of drug safety and efficacy, thus furthering our understanding of cardiovascular disease and increasing the translational use of hPSC‐CMs.
Chemical signature of colorectal cancer: case–control study for profiling the breath print
Authors: Altomare D F , Picciariello A , Rotelli M T , De Fazio M , Aresta A , Zambonin C G , Vincenti L , Trerotoli P , De Vietro N
Published: September 2020

Background

Effective screening for colorectal cancer can reduce mortality by early detection of tumours and colonic polyps. An altered pattern of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath has been proposed as a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool for detection of cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of breath-testing for colorectal cancer screening and early diagnosis using an advanced breath sampler.

Methods

The exhaled breath of patients with colorectal cancer and non-cancer controls with negative findings on colonoscopy was collected using the ReCIVA® Breath Sampler. This portable device is able to capture the alveolar breath fraction without environmental contamination. VOCs were desorbed thermally and analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The discriminatory ability of VOCs in detecting colorectal cancer was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for each VOC, followed by cross-validation by the leave-one-out method, and by applying stepwise logistic regression analysis.

Results

The study included 83 patients with colorectal cancer and 90 non-cancer controls. Fourteen VOCs were found to have significant discriminatory ability in detecting patients with colorectal cancer. The model with the diagnosis of cancer versus no cancer resulted in a statistically significant likelihood of discrimination of 173·45 (P < 0·001), with an area under the ROC curve of 0·979. Cross-validation of the model resulted in a true predictive value for colorectal cancer of 93 per cent overall. Reliability of the breath analysis was maintained irrespective of cancer stage.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that analysis of exhaled VOCs can discriminate patients with colorectal cancer from those without. This finding may eventually lead to the creation of a smart online sensory device, capable of providing a binary answer (cancer/no cancer) and directing to further screening.
Transgelin (TAGLN) Regulates IQGAP1 and Alters the Functions of Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Raymundo Bernardo R. , Oh In‐Rok , Xiu Ling , Kim Chan‐Wha
Published: September 2020

Several studies have been conducted on the transgelin (TAGLN) protein and its critical role in cancer biology. However, the regulation of this protein and the way in which this regulation is correlated with the functions of IQ motif‐containing GTPase‐activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) in MDA‐MB231 cells, remain unclear. We generated stable TAGLN‐knockdown and TAGLN‐overexpressing cells. These cells, along with their control counterparts, were cultured in the presence or absence of 17‐AAG. The different cell groups were then subjected to functional assays to assess proliferation, chemotaxis, and invasion. TAGLN regulation was found to affect the efficacy of 17‐AAG. The ability of TAGLN to influence the levels of IQGAP1 and its binding partners altered the critical functions of breast cancer cells. Therefore, the altered functionality of MDA‐MB‐231 cells, as a consequence of TAGLN regulation, is correlated with IQGAP1 signaling.
Deductive‐reasoning brain networks: A coordinate‐based meta‐analysis of the neural signatures in deductive reasoning
Authors: Wang Li , Zhang Meng , Zou Feng , Wu Xin , Wang Yufeng
Published: September 2020

Objective

Deductive reasoning is a complex and poorly understood concept in the field of psychology. Many cognitive neuroscience studies have been published on deductive reasoning but have yielded inconsistent findings.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed collected data from 38 articles using a recently proposed activation likelihood estimation (ALE) approach and used conjunction analysis to better determine the intersection of the results of meta‐analyses.

Results

First, the left hemispheres in the inferior parietal lobule (Brodmann area 40 [BA40]), middle frontal gyrus (BA6), medial frontal gyrus (BA8), inferior frontal gyrus (BA45/46), caudate, and insula (BA47) were revealed to be significant brain regions via simple‐effect analysis (deductive reasoning versus baseline). Furthermore, IFG, insula, and cingulate (the key neural hubs of the cingulo‐opercular network) were highlighted in overlapped functional connectivity maps.

Conclusion

The findings of the current study are consistent with the view that deductive reasoning requires a succession of stages, which included decoding of linguistic information, conversion and correction of rules, and transformation of inferential results into conclusive outputs, all of which are putatively processed via a distributed network of brain regions encompassing frontal/parietal cortices, as well as the caudate and other subcortical structures, which suggested that in the process of deductive reasoning, the coding and integration of premise information is indispensable, and it is also crucial to the execution and monitoring of the cognitive processing of reasoning.
Developing a Continuous Process for Isosorbide Production from Renewable Sources
Authors: Caiti Massimiliano , Tarantino Giulia , Hammond Ceri
Published: September 2020

Increasing demand for isosorbide has led to the search for sustainable and efficient methods for its production from sorbitol, a biomass‐derived platform molecule. However, sorbitol dehydration to isosorbide is currently performed with mineral acids, resulting in safety and toxicity issues. Although some progress has been made towards replacement of liquid acids with heterogeneous catalysts, continuous systems with good stability, selectivity and productivity remain scarce. Herein, sorbitol dehydration to isosorbide is efficiently performed in a continuous, liquid‐phase plug flow reactor, utilising an acidic zeolite (H‐β (38)) as solid catalyst. H‐β (38) is shown to catalyse the reaction without loss of activity for 55 hours on stream, achieving an isosorbide productivity of 9670 gisosorbide/kgcatalyst. This value is 4 times greater than any other continuous process reported in literature to date, even though the reaction was terminated prior to any loss of activity being detected. Diagnostic kinetic studies reveal improved operational conditions, and characterisation of the post‐reaction catalyst is provided.
Lumped Kinetic Modeling Method for Fluid Catalytic Cracking
Authors: Zhao Xiaojing , Sun Shiyuan
Published: September 2020

A new fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) lumped kinetic modeling method was put forward to improve the prediction accuracy of the FCC kinetic model. This model divided the feedstock into three lumps and the products into six lumps. The parameters of the kinetic model were obtained by combining the fourth‐order Runge‐Kutta integral method and the two‐swarm cooperative particle swarm optimization algorithm. Compared with dividing the feedstock according to the group composition and the distillation range, the average relative error between the experimental data and the calculated values proves the higher fitting accuracy of the new lumped method. The kinetic model established by the method exhibits better adaptability to different feedstock and fewer requirements for feedstock analysis data.
“This is some mess right here”: Exploring interactions between Black sexual minority women and health care providers for breast cancer screening and care
Authors: Greene Naomi , Malone Jowanna , Adams Mary Anne , Dean Lorraine T. , Poteat Tonia
Published: September 2020

Background

Few studies have explored how the intersection of race and sexual identity contribute to breast cancer disparities for Black sexual minority women (SMW). Issues within patient‐provider relationships, including bias, contribute to health disparities for minority groups. The authors used constructs from self‐determination theory (SDT) to explore the nature of health care provider interactions in breast cancer screening and care among Black SMW.

Methods

Participants were sampled nationally through social media, targeted emails, and referrals. Qualitative, in‐depth interviews were conducted with 15 Black cisgender SMW, ages 38 to 64 years, who had a breast cancer diagnosis or recent abnormal mammogram. Interviews were conducted face‐to‐face or online, audio‐recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Two analysts coded the interviews. Codes were analyzed across interviews to identify themes salient to SDT.

Results

Themes aligned with the SDT constructs of relatedness and autonomy. Some participants discussed feeling most understood by Black and/or female providers who shared at least 1 of their identities. Feeling understood through shared identity contributed to participants feeling seen and heard by their providers. Participants who discussed negative experiences with providers believed that the provider made negative assumptions about them based on their race and/or sexual orientation.

Conclusions

When interacting with health care providers for breast cancer screening and care, Black SMW face specific challenges related to their multiply marginalized social position. Reducing health care provider bias toward Black SMW may improve patients' desires to continue in care. Providing equitable care while acknowledging and respecting women with multiply marginalized identities may improve the nature of these interactions.
Mitigating message dissemination issues in safety applications for vehicular ad hoc networks
Authors: Farias Paulo V. G. , Lima Tulio A. , Bordim Jacir L.
Published: September 2020

In a vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) each node is required to transmit periodic and event‐driven messages. The periodic messages are also known as beacons and consist of the basic vehicle status, such as position, speed, direction, and any additional information required by a safety application. One of the main concerns faced with this technology is channel congestion, which often happens in scenarios with a high vehicular density like traffic jams. When the channel is congested, there are no guarantees for a reliable message delivery. For this purpose, several protocols have been proposed to resolve this issue. In this work we propose neighbor congestion avoidance protocol (NCAP) as a novel solution employing a proactive strategy with vehicle position prediction using Kalman filter and an efficient event‐driven message delivery scheme. When compared with other strategies in congested scenarios, NCAP was able to significantly decrease the number of beacons by 49%, while also reducing the number of event‐driven message retransmissions by approximately 81%. NCAP also presented better performance in regard to the number of collisions between messages and channel busy ratio.
Fine‐Tuning Plasmon‐Molecule Interactions in Gold‐BODIPY Nanocomposites: The Role of Chemical Structure and Noncovalent Interactions
Authors: Kumar P. P. Praveen , Rahman Atikur , Goswami Tanmay , Ghosh Hirendra N. , Neelakandan Prakash P.
Published: September 2020

Strong coupling between localized surface plasmons and molecular absorptions leads to remarkable changes in the photophysical properties of dye‐loaded metal nanoparticles. Here, we report supramolecular nanocomposites consisting of BODIPY, tryptophan, and gold nanoparticles, and investigate the effect of structural variations on their photophysical properties. Our results indicate that the photostability and photosensitization properties of the nanocomposites depend on the chemical composition of the BODIPY molecules. The singlet oxygen quantum yield of the nanocomposites NC1 (BODIPY, B1 bearing a single methyl group) and NC3 (BODIPY, B3 with 5 methyl and 2 iodo groups) were 0.46 and 0.42, respectively, which were significantly higher compared to their individual components. Ultrafast spectroscopy studies revealed that the migration of photoexcited BODIPY electrons to the plasmonic photoexcitation allowed electron transfer into the singlet oxygen states, thereby leading to efficient generation of singlet oxygen.
Ethylene Tetramerisation: A Structure‐Selectivity Correlation
Authors: Makume Boitumelo F. , Holzapfel Cedric W. , Maumela Munaka C. , Willemse J. Alexander , van den Berg Jan A.
Published: September 2020

The effect of ethylene tetramerisation ligand structures on 1‐octene selectivity is well studied. However, by‐product formation is less understood. In this work, a range of PNP ligand structures are correlated with the full product selectivity and with catalyst activity. As steric bulk on the N‐substituent increases, the product selectivity shifts from >10 % to < 3% of both C6 cyclics and C16+ by‐products. 1‐Octene peaks at ca. 70%. Thereafter, only 1‐hexene increases. Similar selectivity changes were observed for ortho‐Ph‐substituted PNP ligands. The C10‐14 selectivity was less affected by the ligand structure. The ligand effect on the changes in selectivity is explained mechanistically. Lastly, an increase in ligand steric bulk was found to improve catalyst activity and reduce polymer formation by an order of magnitude. It is proposed that steric bulk promotes formation of cationic catalytic species which are responsible for selective ethylene oligomerisation.
In Vitro Permeation Test (IVPT) for Pharmacokinetic Assessment of Topical Dermatological Formulations
Authors: Santos Leandro L. , Swofford Nathaniel J. , Santiago Brandon G.
Published: September 2020

In vitro assessment of topical (dermal) pharmacokinetics is a critical aspect of the drug development process for semi‐solid products (e.g., solutions, foams, sprays, creams, gels, lotions, ointments), allowing for informed selection of new chemical entities, optimization of prototype formulations during the nonclinical stage, and determination of bioequivalence of generics. It can also serve as a tool to further understand the impact of different excipients on drug delivery, product quality, and formulation microstructure when used in parallel with other techniques, such as analyses of rheology, viscosity, microscopic characteristics, release rate, particle size, and oil droplet size distribution. The in vitro permeation test (IVPT), also known as in vitro skin penetration/permeation test, typically uses ex vivo human skin in conjunction with diffusion cells, such as Franz (or vertical) or Bronaugh (or flow‐through) diffusion cells, and is the technique of choice for dermal pharmacokinetics assessment. Successful execution of the IVPT also involves the development and use of fit‐for‐purpose bioanalytical methods and procedures. The protocols described herein provide detailed steps for execution of the IVPT utilizing flow‐through diffusion cells and for key aspects of the development of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method intended for analysis of the generated samples (epidermis, dermis, and receptor solution). © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: In vitro permeation test

Support Protocol: Dermatoming of ex vivo human skin

Basic Protocol 2: Bioanalytical methodology in the context of the in vitro permeation test
Lignocellulose, Cellulose and Lignin as Renewable Alternative Fuels for Direct Biomass Fuel Cells
Authors: Antolini Ermete
Published: September 2020

In recent years the use of renewable sources, such as lignocellulosic biomass (LCB), as the fuel for various types of fuel cells received growing interest. Different types of fuel cells, that is, operated at low temperatures (T<100 °C; microbial fuel cells (MFC), alkaline (AFCs) and flow fuel cells (FFCs)), intermediate temperatures (T in the range 150–300 °C, proton‐conducting inorganic‐organic composite membrane fuel cells), and high temperatures (T≥500 °C, direct carbon fuel cells (DCFCs)), have been used for the conversion of the chemical energy in LCB to electrical energy. The economic advantage of the direct use of LCB consists of avoiding the acid hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose for low‐temperature fuel cells and the pretreatment at high temperatures necessary to convert biomass to biochar (pyrolysis) in the case of high‐temperature fuel cells. In this Review, the characteristics of direct biomass fuel cells are presented and their performance is compared with that of indirect biomass fuel cells fed with glucose (low‐temperature fuel cells) and biochar (high‐temperature fuel cells).
Book Review
Authors: Worthing Peter
Published: September 2020

Conducting an Institutional Diversity Audit in Higher Education: A Practitioner's Guide to Systematic Diversity Transformation
Book Review
Authors: Cipriano Robert E.
Published: September 2020

Free Speech and Liberal Education: A Plea for Intellectual Diversity and Tolerance