bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Color Gamut Behavior in Epsilon Near‐Zero Nanocavities during Propagation of Gap Surface Plasmons
Authors: Lio Giuseppe Emanuele , Ferraro Antonio , Giocondo Michele , Caputo Roberto , De Luca Antonio
Published: June 2020

This work reports on numerical and experimental results obtained in plasmonic metal–insulator nanocavities. The systems are composed of silver as metal, and different materials as insulator, namely polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), indium tin oxide (ITO), and zinc oxide (ZnO). The proposed nanocavities exhibit extraordinary optical effects as tunable color hue, highlighted in gamut maps, depending on incident/viewing angles, extraordinary transmission and zero reflection at resonant wavelengths, for different incident polarizations. These phenomena are related to the formation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and gap surface plasmons (GSPs) whose presence is evidenced by a remarkable sigmoidal behavior of the pseudo dielectric function, with epsilon‐near‐zero singularities in its real and imaginary parts. This function is directly calculated from the measured ellipsometric parameters Ψ and Δ and allows probing, in a fast and effective way, the existence of the plasmonic modes. Moreover, in presence of these singularities, the ellispometric analysis of the systems also shows a pronounced dephasing between p‐ and s‐reflected beams that can lead to a Goos–Hänchen shift effect to be exploited for sensing applications. Thanks to their unusual optical properties, the proposed nanocavities open a wide scenario of applications in fields like tunable color filters, optics, photonics, physical security, and sensing.
n‐Type Dirac‐Source Field‐Effect Transistors Based on a Graphene/Carbon Nanotube Heterojunction
Authors: Xiao Mengmeng , Lin Yanxia , Xu Lin , Deng Bing , Peng Hailin , Peng Lian‐Mao , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: June 2020

As a type of steep‐slope transistor, a Dirac‐source field‐effect transistor (DS‐FET) provides both high performance and sub‐60 mV dec−1 subthreshold swing (SS) at room temperature. However, only p‐type DS‐FETs are experimentally demonstrated, and n‐type DS‐FETs for constructing complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) logic circuits are lacking. Here, the first experimental demonstrations of n‐type DS‐FETs and tunneling FETs (TFETs) based on a graphene/carbon nanotube heterojunction with a Sc drain are provided. The as‐fabricated n‐type DS‐FETs present a minimum SS as low as 37 mV dec−1 at room temperature and a high I60 of 2.6 µA µm−1 (Vds = 0.1 V), which reflect an advantage in the on‐state performance of more than two orders of magnitude over the TFETs. In addition, the Gm/Ids ratio reaches 70 V−1, which breaks the physical limit (38.5 V−1) and reflects the ultrahigh transconductance efficiency of the transistor for analog applications. The realization of n‐type DS‐FETs not only opens a door to achieving CMOS DS‐FETs for future high‐energy‐efficiency digital electronics and high‐performance analog electronics but also further verifies the validity and universality of device physics for DS‐FETs.
Synthetic Applications of Cyclopropene and Cyclopropenone: Recent Progress and Developments
Authors: Prasad Raiguru Bishnu , Nayak Sabita , Ranjan Mishra Deepak , Das Tapaswini , Mohapatra Seetaram , Priyadarsini Mishra Nilima
Published: June 2020

Smallest ring size, high ring strain, and more reactivity of cyclopropene have brought the attention of researchers for chemical exploration. In this context, the chemistry of cyclopropene and cyclopropenone has exponentially grown over the last few years. This present review focuses on the most recent developments in cyclopropane chemistry.
Water Compatible Direct (Hetero)arylation Polymerization of PPDT2FBT: A Pathway Towards Large‐Scale Production of Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Mainville Mathieu , Tremblay Vicky , Fenniri Miriam Z. , Laventure Audrey , Farahat Mahmoud E. , Ambrose Ryan , Welch Gregory C. , Hill Ian G. , Leclerc Mario
Published: June 2020

The interest in organic solar cells (OSCs) has grown exponentially over the last few years and devices are approaching a symbolic power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20%. However, many challenges related to scaling‐up several processes must be addressed before this technology can reach the production scale. In order to facilitate the scaled‐up production of OSCs, the synthesis of an efficient and cost‐effective conjugated polymer, PPDT2FBT, was adapted to a water‐based method of direct (hetero)arylation polymerization (DHAP). This aqueous DHAP method yields molecular weights (Mn) between 20 and 80 kg mol−1, which can be controlled by manipulating the polymerization time and temperature. The varying polymer molecular weights were used for the fabrication of OSCs with PC61BM and air‐processed in non‐halogenated solvents. When the 40 kg mol−1 PPDT2FBT:PC61BM active layer is slot‐die coated, PCEs of 8.15% were attained under standard one sun illumination. The temporal stability of the devices under constant illumination showed a 80% PCE loss after 220 hours (TS80), after the initial ‘‘burn‐in’’.
Responses of anuran diversity to wetland characteristics and surrounding landscape in the Southern Andean Yungas, Argentina
Authors: Gonzalez Baffa‐Trasci Noelia V. , Pereyra Laura C. , Akmentins Mauricio S. , Vaira Marcos
Published: June 2020

Modification and loss of natural habitats caused by human activities are among the main drivers of biodiversity decline worldwide. To evaluate how land‐use changes affect species diversity at different spatial scales, amphibians represent an excellent group given that their complex life cycle requires both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

In this study, the influence of wetland characteristics and surrounding landscape features on richness and functional diversity of anurans was investigated in 26 natural wetlands in a human‐modified landscape within the Southern Andean Yungas.

The analysis was performed at two spatial scales: wetland scale (the breeding pond structure) and the surrounding landscape scale. The classification of the landscape was limited to land uses modified by human activities within concentric circular buffers (radius = 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1 km) centred on each breeding pond.

Generalized linear models were applied to investigate the relationship between environmental variables measured at different scales and anuran species richness and functional diversity, respectively.

Pond area best explained the observed variation in both diversity measures, which is consistent with other studies on anuran diversity in disturbed landscapes. In contrast to regression models including landscape scale variables only, integrated models (which included variables on both scales) highly improved model fit.

Conservation strategies for anuran species diversity in these altered Andean Yungas forests should include efforts to maintain or restore aquatic habitats (e.g. breeding ponds) placed within suitable landscapes.

Successful long‐term management will require an understanding of relationships between habitat characteristics at different spatial scales to identify variables that relate to species diversity in such heterogeneous habitats.
A High‐Rate and Long‐Life Rechargeable Battery Operated at −75 oC
Authors: Dong Xiaoli , Yang Yang , Li Panlong , Fang Zhong , Wang Yonggang , Xia Yongyao
Published: June 2020

Intercalation compounds are commonly‐used electrodes for commercialized lithium ion batteries (LIBs), while suffering from the sluggish interfacial processes at subzero temperature. Herein, nanoscale Nb2O5 has been investigated as a viable cathode for rechargeable batteries operated at the temperature of as low as −75 °C. Benefitting from the surface‐controlled charge storage process, the intrinsic intercalation pseudocapacitance of Nb2O5 broke the rate limitation at low temperature. Particularly, the battery exhibited outstanding rate performance (100 C) at room temperature and delivered high a reversible charge/discharge with a high capacity of 121 mAh g−1 at −75 °C. Furthermore, a capacity retention of 50 % and a long life for 100 cycles without capacity fading were achieved with a rate of 0.5 C at such low temperature. Based on the outstanding electrochemical performance from −75 °C to +25 °C, it can be envisaged that materials with intercalation pseudocapacitive behavior could be served as good candidate for energy storage systems under extreme conditions.
Preliminary physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of renally cleared drugs in Chinese pregnant women
Authors: Song Ling , Yu Zhiheng , Xu Yifan , Li Xiaobei , Liu Xuanlin , Liu Dongyang , Zhou Tianyan
Published: June 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to build and verify a preliminary physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of Chinese pregnant women. The model was used to predict maternal pharmacokinetics (PK) of 6 predominantly renally cleared drugs.

Method

Based on SimCYP Caucasian pregnancy population dataset, the preliminary Chinese pregnant population was built by updating several key parameters and equations according to physiological parameters of Chinese (or Japanese) pregnant women. Drug‐specific parameters of 6 renally cleared drugs were validated through PBPK modeling of Caucasian non‐pregnant, Caucasian pregnant and Chinese non‐pregnant population. The preliminary PBPK model of Chinese pregnant population was then developed by integrating the preliminary Chinese pregnant population and the drug‐specific parameters. This model was verified by comparing the predicted maternal PK of these 6 drugs with the observed in vivo data from the literature.

Results

The preliminary Chinese pregnant population PBPK model successfully predicted the PK of 6 target drugs for different pregnancy stages. The predicted plasma concentrations time profiles fitted the observed data well, and most predicted PK parameters were within 2‐fold of observed data. Conclusions: The preliminary Chinese pregnant population PBPK model provided a useful tool to predict the maternal PK of 6 predominantly renally cleared drugs in Chinese pregnant women.
Developmental 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin exposure of either parent enhances the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in neonatal mice
Authors: Mokshagundam Shilpa , Ding Tianbing , Rumph Jelonia T. , Dallas Madison , Stephens Victoria R. , Osteen Kevin G. , Bruner‐Tran Kaylon L.
Published: June 2020

Background

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a rare, but potentially fatal intestinal inflammatory condition most often arising in premature infants. Infants provided formula are also at greater risk of developing this disease. Although the majority of formula‐fed, preterm infants do not develop NEC, up to 30% of infants with the disease do not survive. Thus, identifying additional, currently unrecognized factors, which may predispose a specific infant to NEC development would be a significant clinical advancement. In this regard, we have previously reported that offspring of female or male mice with a history of developmental exposure to the environmental toxicant 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) exhibit altered sensitivity to inflammatory challenges and are frequently born premature. Herein, we examined the possibility that, compared to unexposed mice (F1NONE), developmental TCDD exposure of either parent (maternal, F1MTCDD, or paternal, F1PTCDD) would enhance the risk of NEC in offspring (F2TCDD mice) in association with supplemental formula feeding.

Methods

Beginning on postnatal day 7, all neonates were randomized to maternal milk only or maternal milk with up to 20 supplemental formula feedings. All pups remained with the Dams and were additionally allowed to nurse ad libitum.

Results

Formula‐fed F2NONE pups rarely developed NEC while this disease was common in formula‐fed F2MTCDD and F2PTCDD mice. Unexpectedly, 50% of F2MTCDD pups that were not provided supplemental formula also developed NEC.

Conclusions

Our studies provide evidence that a history of parental TCDD exposure enhances the risk of NEC in offspring and suggest exposure to environmental immunotoxicants such as TCDD may also contribute to this inflammatory disease in humans.
Variable selection with P‐splines in functional linear regression: Application in graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Aguilera‐Morillo M. Carmen , Buño Ismael , Lillo Rosa E. , Romo Juan
Published: June 2020

This paper focuses on the problems of estimation and variable selection in the functional linear regression model (FLM) with functional response and scalar covariates. To this end, two different types of regularization (L1 and L2) are considered in this paper. On the one hand, a sample approach for functional LASSO in terms of basis representation of the sample values of the response variable is proposed. On the other hand, we propose a penalized version of the FLM by introducing a P‐spline penalty in the least squares fitting criterion. But our aim is to propose P‐splines as a powerful tool simultaneously for variable selection and functional parameters estimation. In that sense, the importance of smoothing the response variable before fitting the model is also studied. In summary, penalized (L1 and L2) and nonpenalized regression are combined with a presmoothing of the response variable sample curves, based on regression splines or P‐splines, providing a total of six approaches to be compared in two simulation schemes. Finally, the most competitive approach is applied to a real data set based on the graft‐versus‐host disease, which is one of the most frequent complications (30% –50%) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation.
Cost-effectiveness of sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis or end colostomy for perforated diverticulitis: an analysis of the randomized Ladies trial
Authors: Lambrichts D P V , Dieren S , Bemelman W A , Lange J F
Published: June 2020

Background

Several studies have been published favouring sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis over Hartmann's procedure for perforated diverticulitis with purulent or faecal peritonitis (Hinchey grade III or IV), but cost-related outcomes were rarely reported. The present study aimed to evaluate costs and cost-effectiveness within the DIVA arm of the Ladies trial.

Methods

This was a cost-effectiveness analysis of the DIVA arm of the multicentre randomized Ladies trial, comparing primary anastomosis over Hartmann's procedure for Hinchey grade III or IV diverticulitis. During 12-month follow-up, data on resource use, indirect costs (Short Form Health and Labour Questionnaire) and quality of life (EuroQol Five Dimensions) were collected prospectively, and analysed according to the modified intention-to-treat principle. Main outcomes were incremental cost-effectiveness (ICER) and cost–utility (ICUR) ratios, expressed as the ratio of incremental costs and the incremental probability of being stoma-free or incremental quality-adjusted life-years respectively.

Results

Overall, 130 patients were included, of whom 64 were allocated to primary anastomosis (46 and 18 with Hinchey III and IV disease respectively) and 66 to Hartmann's procedure (46 and 20 respectively). Overall mean costs per patient were lower for primary anastomosis (€20 544, 95 per cent c.i. 19 569 to 21 519) than Hartmann's procedure (€28 670, 26 636 to 30 704), with a mean difference of €–8126 (–14 660 to –1592). The ICER was €–39 094 (95 per cent bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) c.i. –1213 to –116), indicating primary anastomosis to be more cost-effective. The ICUR was €–101 435 (BCa c.i. –1 113 264 to 251 840).

Conclusion

Primary anastomosis is more cost-effective than Hartmann's procedure for perforated diverticulitis with purulent or faecal peritonitis.
Establishment and characterization of an in vitro 3D ovarian cancer model for drug screening assays
Authors: Tofani Larissa B. , Abriata Juliana P. , Luiz Marcela T. , Marchetti Juliana M. , Swiech Kamilla
Published: June 2020

The acquired drug chemoresistance represents the main challenge of the ovarian cancer treatment. In addition, the absence of an adequate in vitro model able to reproduce the native tumor environment can contribute to the poor success rate of pre‐clinical studies of new compounds. Three‐dimensional (3D) culture models have been recently used for drug screening purposes due to their ability to reproduce the main characteristics of in vivo solid tumors. Here we describe the establishment and characterization of 3D ovarian cancer spheroids using different adenocarcinoma tumor cell lines (SKOV‐3 and OVCAR‐3 cells) in two different 3D scaffold‐free methods: forced‐floating in ultra‐low attachment (ULA) plates and hanging drop (HD). Spheroids were evaluated in both 3D cultures in order to establish the best condition to perform the drug response analysis with Paclitaxel, a common drug used to treat ovarian cancer. SKOV‐3 and OVCAR‐3 spheroids with the desired characteristics (roundness close to 1.0 and diameter in the 200–500 μm range) were obtained using both methods after addition of the methylcellulose (MC) in the culture medium (0.25% and 0.5%, w/v). We also observed the presence of microvilli on the surface of the spheroids, higher presence of apoptotic cells and higher drug resistance, when compared with 2D cultures. The 3D cultures obtained seem to provide more reliable results in terms of drug response than those provided by 2D monolayer culture. The forced floating method was considered more suitable and straightforward to generate ovarian cancer spheroids for drug screening/cytotoxicity assays.
Nomogram prediction of overall survival based on log odds of positive lymph nodes for patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Wenwen , Li Kangqi , Zhu Weiwei , Ding Yuexia , Wu Qingna , Tang Qiling , Lu Congxiao , Zhao Quan , Yu Shengqiang , Guo Chenyu
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to establish a nomogram to predict the long‐term overall survival (OS) for patients with penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC).

Method

The PSCC patients receiving regional lymph node dissection (RLND) were enrolled from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2015. The dataset of all eligible patients were used to develop the predictive model. The significant independent predictors were identified through Cox regression modeling based on the Bayesian information criterion and then incorporated into a nomogram to predicted 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year OS. Internal validation was performed using the bootstrap resampling method. The model performance was evaluated using Harrell's concordance index (C‐index), calibration plots, integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Totally, 384 eligible PSCC patients were enrolled from the SEER database. A nomogram for OS prediction was developed, in which three clinical variables significantly associated with OS were integrated, including age, N classification, and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS). The C‐index of the nomogram (0.746, 95% CI: 0.702‐0.790) was significantly higher than that of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system (0.692, 95% CI: 0.646‐0.738, P = .020). The bootstrap optimism‐corrected C‐index for the nomogram was 0.739 (95% CI: 0.690‐0.784). The bias‐corrected calibration plots showed the predicted risks were in good accordance with the actual risks. The results of NRI, IDI, and DCA exhibited superior predictive capability and higher clinical use of the nomogram compared with the AJCC staging system.

Conclusion

We successfully constructed a simple and reliable nomogram for OS prediction among PSCC patients receiving RLND, which would be beneficial to clinical trial design, patient counseling, and therapeutic modality selection.
Thermal and thermal damage responses during switching bipolar radiofrequency ablation employing bipolar needles: A computational study on the effects of different electrode configuration, input voltage and ablation duration
Authors: Cheong Jason K. K. , Ooi Ean H. , Ooi Ean T.
Published: June 2020

Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of switching bipolar radiofrequency ablation (bRFA) in treating liver cancer. Nevertheless, the clinical use of the treatment remains less common than conventional monopolar RFA – likely due to the lack of understanding of how the tissues respond thermally to the switching effect. The problem is exacerbated by the numerous possible switching combinations when bRFA is performed using bipolar needles, thus making theoretical deduction and experimental studies difficult. This article addresses this issue via computational modelling by examining if significant variation in the treatment outcome exists amongst six different electrode configurations defined by the X‐, C‐, U‐, N‐, Z‐ and O‐models. Results indicated that the tissue thermal and thermal damage responses varied depending on the electrode configuration and the operating conditions (input voltage and ablation duration). For a spherical tumour, 30 mm in diameter, complete ablation could not be attained in all configurations with 70 V input voltage and 5 minutes ablation duration. Increasing the input voltage to 90 V enlarged the coagulation zone in the X‐model only. With the other configurations, extending the ablation duration to 10 minutes was found to be the better at enlarging the coagulation zone.
Question answering model based on machine reading comprehension with knowledge enhancement and answer verification
Authors: Yang Ziming , Sun Yuxia , Kuang Qingxuan
Published: June 2020

Deep learning has led to important breakthroughs in natural language processing and obtained the state‐of‐the‐art results on machine reading comprehension. However, it is essential to consider the entity recognition and the detection of unanswerable questions for accuracy improvement. A novel question answering model is proposed with knowledge enhancement and answer verification to promote the performance of reading comprehension. With knowledge enhancement, the proposed model is able to recognize entities from the passage and detect word boundary precisely. To deal with unanswerable questions, the answerability of questions is evaluated based on the textual entailment. Empirical studies suggest that the proposed model has better ability of reading comprehension than others, with improvement on question answering tasks.
The Drug Shortage Era: A Scoping Review of the Literature 2001–2019
Authors: Tucker Emily L. , Cao Yizhou , Fox Erin R. , Sweet Burgunda V.
Published: June 2020

Drug shortages continue at crisis levels in the United States, with no end in sight. Extensive research in disparate areas has been conducted to explore the impact that shortages have on patients and the healthcare system. We conducted a scoping review to categorize existing work in order to identify opportunities for further research. We considered peer‐reviewed and non‐peer‐reviewed articles involving non‐vaccine, human drug shortages in the United States published in English between January 2001 and May 2019. In total, 430 papers were charted according to the following categories: causes, impacts on care, health outcomes, costs, management, prevention, and federal government response. Of these, 112 papers considered causes; 199 discussed effects, 158 considered management strategies, and 140 discussed prevention. We provide a resource to navigate the vast literature on drug shortages in the United States, identifying areas in need of further research. This review highlights the widespread negative effects that drug shortages have on patients, providers, and health system costs in the United States. Evidence of their ramifications should be sufficient to justify policy change. Future work should move from characterizing the problem to working toward solutions to reduce the impact, occurrence, and effects of shortages.
Hematologist‐Level Classification of Mature B‐Cell Neoplasm Using Deep Learning on Multiparameter Flow Cytometry Data
Authors: Zhao Max , Mallesh Nanditha , Höllein Alexander , Schabath Richard , Haferlach Claudia , Haferlach Torsten , Elsner Franz , Lüling Hannes , Krawitz Peter , Kern Wolfgang
Published: June 2020

The wealth of information captured by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) can be analyzed by recent methods of computer vision when represented as a single image file. We therefore transformed MFC raw data into a multicolor 2D image by a self‐organizing map and classified this representation using a convolutional neural network. By this means, we built an artificial intelligence that is not only able to distinguish diseased from healthy samples, but it can also differentiate seven subtypes of mature B‐cell neoplasm. We trained our model with 18,274 cases including chronic lymphocytic leukemia and its precursor monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis, marginal zone lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, prolymphocytic leukemia, follicular lymphoma, hairy cell leukemia, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and achieved a weighted F1 score of 0.94 on a separate test set of 2,348 cases. Furthermore, we estimated the trustworthiness of a classification and could classify 70% of all cases with a confidence of 0.95 and higher. Our performance analyses indicate that particularly for rare subtypes further improvement can be expected when even more samples are available for training. © 2020 The Authors.Cytometry Part Apublished by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Management of persistent acromegaly following primary therapy: The current landscape in the UK
Authors: Kyriakakis Nikolaos , Seejore Khyatisha , Hanafy Ahmed , Murray Robert D.
Published: June 2020

Acromegaly is the clinical consequence of chronic exposure of the tissues to excess GH and IGF‐I. It is almost exclusively the result of a GH‐secreting pituitary adenoma. In addition to the somatic features, uncontrolled acromegaly is associated with a number of complications and excess mortality. Management is aimed at control of the tumour; normalization of GH and IGF‐I secretion and relief of symptoms. Initial management of GH‐secreting pituitary adenoma is widely accepted as endonasal trans‐sphenoidal surgery, with second‐line therapy where disease is uncontrolled in most cases being somatostatin analogue therapy. With the combination of surgery and somatostatin analogue therapy, control is achieved in around 75% of patients; however, this leaves a significant proportion of patients requiring multimodality therapy to achieve remission. Within the UK, the health system has finite resources, and decisions for management require consideration of efficacy and cost‐effectiveness. To add to the complexity, subtle differences exist in availability of high‐cost medications used in the treatment of patients with acromegaly across the devolved nations of the UK. In this article, we discuss options for the management of persistent acromegaly following initial surgery and somatostatin analogue therapy, and explore earlier use of dopaminergics and conservative management.
Performance evaluation of the XPEN60 CRP&SAA, a novel automated hematology analyzer, in detecting complete blood count, C‐reactive protein, and serum amyloid A
Authors: Zong Zengyan , Kan Lijuan , Luo Yanping , Wang Cheng , Wang Xibu , Wang Mengmeng , Xiong Dan , Zhang Xiuming
Published: June 2020

Background

The XPEN60 CRP&SAA (hereafter XPEN60) is a new automated hematology analyzer that can rapidly detect C‐reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and blood cell counts (CBC), including the 5‐part differential of white blood cells (5‐DIFF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the analytical performance of XPEN60.

Methods

The analytical performance of XPEN60 was evaluated on the basis of several parameters, including the limit of blank (LoB), limit of detection (LoD), limit of quantitation (LoQ), precision, accuracy, carryover, linearity, clinical reportable range (CRR), and interference test. In addition, method comparisons between CBC and 5‐DIFF, CRP, and SAA were performed on several systems.

Results

Total imprecision and accuracy for all parameters fell within acceptable criteria, and excellent measurements were observed in the dilution linearity (coefficient of determination, R2 > .99). LoBs and LoDs (0 and 0.21 mg/L for CRP, 1.1 and 2.27 mg/L for SAA) satisfy the manufacturer's statement. LoQs were 0.61 and 3.62 mg/L for CRP and SAA, respectively. No significant carryover or interference tests (<10%) were observed in this study. The comparison analysis demonstrated strong agreement between XPEN60 results and those of Sysmex–XN1000 (XN1000), except for basophils (Bas) and eosinophils (Eos). The data correlated well with E601 and Mindray CRP‐M100 for CRP.

Conclusion

XPEN60 was demonstrated satisfactory analytical performance, which made it well‐suited for use in clinical laboratories, emergency departments, and community hospitals.
Prospective cross‐sectional study using Poisson renewal theory to study phase singularity formation and destruction rates in atrial fibrillation (RENEWAL‐AF): Study design
Authors: Quah Jing , Dharmaprani Dhani , Lahiri Anandaroop , Schopp Madeline , Mitchell Lewis , Selvanayagam Joseph B. , Perry Rebecca , Chahadi Fahd , Tung Matthew , Ahmad Waheed , Stoyanov Nikola , Joseph Majo X. , Singleton Cameron , McGavigan Andrew D. , Ganesan Anand N.
Published: June 2020

Background

Unstable functional reentrant circuits known as rotors have been consistently observed in atrial fibrillation and are mechanistically believed critical to the maintenance of the arrhythmia. Recently, using a Poisson renewal theory‐based quantitative framework, we have demonstrated that rotor formation (λf) and destruction rates (λd) can be measured using in vivo electrophysiologic data. However, the association of λf and λd with clinical, electrical, and structural markers of atrial fibrillation phenotype is unknown.

Methods

RENEWAL‐AF is a multicenter prospective cross‐sectional study recruiting adult patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation undergoing clinically indicated catheter ablation. Patients will undergo intraprocedural electrophysiologic atrial fibrillation mapping, with λf and λd to be determined from 2‐minute unipolar electrogram recordings acquired before ablation. The primary objective will be to determine the association of λf and λd as markers of fibrillatory dynamics with clinical, electrical, and structural markers of atrial fibrillation clinical phenotype, measured by preablation transthoracic echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. An exploratory objective is the noninvasive assessment of λf and λd using surface ECG characteristics via a machine learning approach.

Results

Not applicable.

Conclusion

This pilot study will provide insight into the correlation between λf/λd with clinical, electrophysiological, and structural markers of atrial fibrillation phenotype and provide a foundation for the development of noninvasive assessment of λf/λd using surface ECG characteristics will help expand the use of λf/λd in clinical practice.
Structural stability of Sc3CrO6: A Raman spectroscopic study
Authors: Kesari Swayam , Todorov N.D. , Marinova V. , Rao Rekha
Published: June 2020

Structural stability of the mixed rare earth‐transition metal oxide Sc3CrO6 (space group
) is investigated at high pressures using Raman spectroscopy up to 23.8 GPa, at ambient temperature. Results indicate that the compound transforms reversibly to a lower symmetry phase above 18 GPa. Lattice dynamical calculations carried out using a shell model were used to obtain the bulk modulus and to estimate mode Grüneisen parameters from Raman spectroscopic data. From the nature of changes in the vibrational spectra and from the trends in iso‐structural compounds, we speculate the high pressure phase to be a monoclinic phase. On the other hand, temperature dependent Raman scattering studies in the temperature range 77–1,273 K, indicate disappearance of a few vibrational modes indicating increase in symmetry. From the pressure and temperature dependence of the Raman modes, using calculated bulk modulus and thermal expansion coefficient, anharmonicity of the modes is estimated. It is found that anharmonicity due to phonon–phonon decay is more dominant and the contribution of thermal expansion is small for all of the Raman modes.
Removal of Alternaria mycotoxins from aqueous solution by inactivated yeast powder
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Han Yike , Zhang Lihua , Ge Zhenzhen , Liu Mengpei , Zhao Guangyuan , Zong Wei
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), produced by Alternaria spp., are the two mycotoxins with the highest outbreak rates in food systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the removal of AOH and AME from aqueous solutions by inactivated yeast cells. The effects of strains, yeast powder amount, temperature, and pH were evaluated. The kinetics of AOH and AME adsorption on inactivated yeast cells was fitted with four models and a release assay was carried out.

RESULTS

All three tested yeasts could remove AOH and AME. GIM 2.119 was the most effective strain. The reduction rate of both AOH and AME could be as much as 100% with 40 g‧L−1 of yeast powder. For both mycotoxins, pH = 9 was the best environment for toxin removal. The pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model was the best model, with R2 ranging from 0.989 to 0.999. However, the R2 of the pseudo‐first‐order and Elovich models was also relatively high. Alternariol and AME could be partially eluted by methanol and acetonitrile.

CONCLUSION

The inactivated yeast cells could effectively remove AOH and AME. This was best fitted by the pseudo‐second‐order model. The release assay suggested that the adsorption of Alternaria mycotoxins was partially reversible. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the removal of Alternaria mycotoxins from food systems and are useful for the investigation of the mechanisms involved in mycotoxin adsorption by inactivated yeast cells. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of pistachio by‐product extracts treatment in protecting soybean meal and canola meal protein from rumen microbial degradation
Authors: Shakeri Pirouz , Riasi Ahmad , Tahmasbi Reza
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

The industrial de‐hulling of fresh pistachio generates a large quantity of pistachio by‐products (PBP). The present study aimed to investigate the effects of treating soybean meal (SBM) and canola meal (CM) with tannin extracts derived from PBP on the protein fractions according to the Cornell Net Carbohydrates and Protein System (CNCPS), rumen degradability, and ruminal and post‐ruminal crude protein (CP) disappearance in an in situ trials using three fistulated steers. The extracts of PBP were obtained via different solvents and then added to SBM and CM, so that the final concentrations of added tannins were 0, 5 and 10 g kg−1 dry matter.

RESULTS

The CNCPS soluble proteins (fractions A + B1) of CP and B1 fraction of CP were lower (P < 0.01) in SBM and CM treated with PBP extracts than untreated meals. Treating SBM with different PBP extracts (except 5 g kg−1 tannin water extract) and CM with 5 g kg−1 tannin water extract and 10 g kg−1 tannin ethanol extract decreased (P < 0.01) ruminal disappearance of CP. From the in situ results, the rapidly degradable fraction (a) of CP decreased (P < 0.01) by treating SBM with different PBP extracts and CM with 5 and 10 g kg−1 tannin water extracts, whereas the slowly degradable fraction (b) of CP remained unchanged in SBM. Treatment of SBM and CM with PBP extracts decreased (P < 0.01) the effective degradability of crude protein estimated with different outflow rates.

CONCLUSION

Some of the tannin extracts derived from PBP by water, ethanol and methanol could be effective with respect to protein protection of SBM and CM from degradation in the rumen; however, the use of tannin from water extracts can be more economical and practical. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
An efficient biosorption‐based dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction with extractant removal by magnetic nanoparticles for quantification of bisphenol A in water samples by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry detection
Authors: Subuhi Nur Ezwan Anis Muhd , Saad Salwani Md , Zain Nur Nadhirah Mohamad , Lim Vuanghao , Miskam Mazidatulakmam , Kamaruzaman Sazlinda , Raoov Muggundha , Yahaya Noorfatimah
Published: June 2020

In this work, a simple, fast, sensitive, and environmentally friendly method was developed for preconcentration and quantitative measurement of bisphenol A in water samples using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The preconcentration approach, namely biosorption‐based dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction with extractant removal by magnetic nanoparticles was performed based on the formation of microdroplet of rhamnolipid biosurfactant throughout the aqueous samples, which accelerates the mass transfer process between the extraction solvent and sample solution. The process is then followed by the application of magnetic nanoparticles for easy retrieval of the analyte‐containing extraction solvent. Several important variables were optimized comprehensively including type of disperser solvent and desorption solvent, rhamnolipid concentration, volume of disperser solvent, amount of magnetic nanoparticles, extraction time, desorption time, ionic strength, and sample pH. Under the optimized microextraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry conditions, the method demonstrated good linearity over the range of 0.5–500 µg/L with a coefficient of determination of R2 = 0.9904, low limit of detection (0.15 µg/L) and limit of quantification (0.50 µg/L) of bisphenol A, good analyte recoveries (84–120%) and acceptable relative standard deviation (1.8–14.9%, n = 6). The proposed method was successfully applied to three environmental water samples, and bisphenol A was detected in all samples.
The Prevalence and Longitudinal Patterns of Continuous Community Violence Exposure and Trauma‐Related Symptoms in Adolescent Male Serious Offenders
Authors: Gaylord‐Harden Noni K. , Burnside Amanda , Tinsley Don'Terius
Published: June 2020

The current study examined the longitudinal patterns of continuous exposure to community violence (ECV) and associated symptoms in serious adolescent male offenders. Using data from the Pathways to Desistance Study (Schubert et al., 2004), the current study examined the prevalence of continuous ECV and the stability in exposure over a 3‐year period in 1,170 adolescent male offenders (M age at baseline = 16.05 years, SD = 1.15). The results revealed variability in adolescent offenders’ ECV and trauma‐related symptoms. A latent class analysis identified three classes of participants at each time point: “witnessed with hostility,” “dually exposed [i.e., high probability of both witnessing and victimization] with anxiety and hostility,” and “no/low exposure with anxiety and hostility.” Participants in the witnessed with hostility class reported more baseline ECV than those in the other classes, ds = 0.62–1.37, and more violent offenses than those in the dually exposed with anxiety and hostility class, d = 0.48. In addition, participants in the witnessed with hostility class were older, d = 0.10, and reported more violent offenses at baseline, d = 0.07, than those in the no/low exposure class; however, participants in the no/low exposure class reported spending more time in secure settings with no community access than those in the witnessed with hostility class, d = 0.20. A latent transition analysis over a 3‐year period revealed relatively high stability in ECV and trauma‐related symptoms over time, with a large proportion of participants remaining in the same violence and trauma class at each transition.
Poly(ε‐caprolactone) Single Crystals with Different Aspect Ratios Mediated by Counterion Exchange on the Basis of Hofmeister Series
Authors: Su Yawei , Luo Haipeng , Tong Zaizai
Published: June 2020

Although polymeric single crystals fabricated from self‐assembly of block copolymers are reported, preparation of single crystals with different aspect ratios still remains a major challenge. In this work, a facile way is demonstrated to prepare poly(ε‐caprolactone) based single crystals with tunable aspect ratios through simple counterion exchange on the basis of the Hofmeister series. Briefly, after ion exchange from Brˉ (an ion‐containing triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(quaternized 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)/ethyl bromide (PEO‐b‐PCL‐b‐qPDM‐Br)) to more hydrophobic anions, Iˉ, SCNˉ, PF6ˉ and OTfˉ, respectively, morphological transitions from spheres to wormlike micelles and sphere to 2D platelet structure with an increasing aspect ratio are observed. The morphological transition depends on the essential hydrophilicity of the qPDM‐X segment and increasing crystallinity of the PCL core caused by ion exchange. These findings provide a facile approach to the preparation of polymeric single crystals with tunable aspect ratios.
Two novel mutations in DNAJC12 identified by whole‐exome sequencing in a patient with mild hyperphenylalaninemia
Authors: Li Mengting , Yang Qi , Yi Sheng , Qin Zailong , Luo Jingsi , Fan Xin
Published: June 2020

Background

Recently hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) caused by variants in DNAJC12 was reported and this suggested a new strategy for diagnosis. But DNAJC12‐associated HPA is a rare in Chinese population so far.

Methods

The clinical information and blood samples from the patient and his family members were collected and analyzed. Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) was used to identify the causative gene.

Results

We reported a newborn patient with HPA, having excluded the causes in common genes associated with HPA. By using whole‐exome sequencing, novel compound heterozygosity mutations in DNAJC12 were found, namely c.306C>G (p.His102Gln) and c.182delA (p.Lys61Argfs*6). Administering a diet with low phenylalanine combined with tetrahydrobiopterin and neurotransmitter precursors were shown to be effective in preventing neurodevelopmental delay for these patients.

Conclusion

Our finding confirms the diagnosis of DNAJC12‐associated HPA and suggests that genetic detection of DNAJC12 should be considered when newborn screening results are positive for HPA.
A novel missense variant in MYO3A is associated with autosomal dominant high‐frequency hearing loss in a German family
Authors: Doll Julia , Hofrichter Michaela A. H. , Bahena Paulina , Heihoff Alfred , Segebarth Dennis , Müller Tobias , Dittrich Marcus , Haaf Thomas , Vona Barbara
Published: June 2020

Background

MYO3A, encoding the myosin IIIA protein, is associated with autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss. To date, only two missense variants located in the motor‐head domain of MYO3A have been described in autosomal dominant families with progressive, mild‐to‐profound sensorineural hearing loss. These variants alter the ATPase activity of myosin IIIA.

Methods

Exome sequencing of a proband from a three‐generation German family with prelingual, moderate‐to‐profound, high‐frequency hearing loss was performed. Segregation analysis confirmed a dominant inheritance pattern. Regression analysis of mean hearing level thresholds per individual and ear was performed at high‐, mid‐, and low‐frequencies.

Results

A novel heterozygous missense variant c.716T>C, p.(Leu239Pro) in the kinase domain of MYO3A was identified that is predicted in silico as disease causing. High‐frequency, progressive hearing loss was identified.

Conclusion

Correlation analysis of pure‐tone hearing thresholds revealed progressive hearing loss, especially in the high‐frequencies. In the present study, we report the first dominant likely pathogenic variant in MYO3A in a European family and further support MYO3A as an autosomal dominant hearing loss gene.
Robust data‐driven identification of risk factors and their interactions: A simulation and a study of parental and demographic risk factors for schizophrenia
Authors: Gyllenberg David , McKeague Ian W. , Sourander Andre , Brown Alan S.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Few interactions between risk factors for schizophrenia have been replicated, but fitting all such interactions is difficult due to high‐dimensionality. Our aims are to examine significant main and interaction effects for schizophrenia and the performance of our approach using simulated data.

Methods

We apply the machine learning technique elastic net to a high‐dimensional logistic regression model to produce a sparse set of predictors, and then assess the significance of odds ratios (OR) with Bonferroni‐corrected p‐values and confidence intervals (CI). We introduce a simulation model that resembles a Finnish nested case–control study of schizophrenia which uses national registers to identify cases (n = 1,468) and controls (n = 2,975). The predictors include nine sociodemographic factors and all interactions (31 predictors).

Results

In the simulation, interactions with OR = 3 and prevalence = 4% were identified with <5% false positive rate and ≥80% power. None of the studied interactions were significantly associated with schizophrenia, but main effects of parental psychosis (OR = 5.2, CI 2.9–9.7; p < .001), urbanicity (1.3, 1.1–1.7; p = .001), and paternal age ≥35 (1.3, 1.004–1.6; p = .04) were significant.

Conclusions

We have provided an analytic pipeline for data‐driven identification of main and interaction effects in case–control data. We identified highly replicated main effects for schizophrenia, but no interactions.
Generative adversarial network‐based super‐resolution of diffusion‐weighted imaging: Application to tumour radiomics in breast cancer
Authors: Fan Ming , Liu Zuhui , Xu Maosheng , Wang Shiwei , Zeng Tieyong , Gao Xin , Li Lihua
Published: June 2020

Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) is increasingly used to guide the clinical management of patients with breast tumours. However, accurate tumour characterization with DWI and the corresponding apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps are challenging due to their limited resolution. This study aimed to produce super‐resolution (SR) ADC images and to assess the clinical utility of these SR images by performing a radiomic analysis for predicting the histologic grade and Ki‐67 expression status of breast cancer. To this end, 322 samples of dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) and the corresponding DWI data were collected. A SR generative adversarial (SRGAN) and an enhanced deep SR (EDSR) network along with the bicubic interpolation were utilized to generate SR‐ADC images from which radiomic features were extracted. The dataset was randomly separated into a development dataset (n = 222) to establish a deep SR model using DCE‐MRI and a validation dataset (n = 100) to improve the resolution of ADC images. This random separation of datasets was performed 10 times, and the results were averaged. The EDSR method was significantly better than the SRGAN and bicubic methods in terms of objective quality criteria. Univariate and multivariate predictive models of radiomic features were established to determine the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Individual features from the tumour SR‐ADC images showed a higher performance with the EDSR and SRGAN methods than with the bicubic method and the original images. Multivariate analysis of the collective radiomics showed that the EDSR‐ and SRGAN‐based SR‐ADC images performed better than the bicubic method and original images in predicting either Ki‐67 expression levels (AUCs of 0.818 and 0.801, respectively) or the tumour grade (AUCs of 0.826 and 0.828, respectively). This work demonstrates that in addition to improving the resolution of ADC images, deep SR networks can also improve tumour image‐based diagnosis in breast cancer.