bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Excited State Proton Transfer of Quinone Cyanine 9: Implications on the Origin of Super‐Photoacidity
Authors: Lee Changmin , Chung Seyoung , Song Hayoung , Rhee Young Min , Lee Eunsung , Joo Taiha
Published: November 2020

Quinone cyanine 9 (QCy9) is one of the strongest photoacids known to date. The origin of “super”‐photoacidity was investigated via time‐resolved fluorescence (TF) with high time resolution to accurately resolve the ultrafast dynamics of the excited‐state proton transfer (ESPT) to solvent. The ESPT of QCy9 in water is found to proceed fully by two ultrafast time constants of 40 fs (65 %) and 200 fs (35 %). More importantly, the initially created base form of QCy9 in the excited state undergoes a significant dynamic red shift of over 2700 cm−1 by solvation. We suggest that the entirely ultrafast reaction rate and the massive solvation of the conjugate base could make QCy9 a particularly strong photoacid. Quantum chemical calculations show that structural diversity leads to the nonexponential behavior of the ESPT dynamics.
Remote Training of SRL Users and Staff in a Global Pandemic
Authors: Daniels Kathleen , Conway Alexis , Gardner Rui , Martinez Lola , Price Kylie M. , Schneider Sarah , Sheridan Rachael , Srivastava Jane , Thornton Sherry
Published: November 2020

The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on training and Shared Resource Laboratory (SRL) operations such as staffing, facility access, and social distancing, has affected facilities around the globe to different degrees based on restrictions set by various geographical and institutional settings. With these restrictions come unique challenges regarding user and staff training and education, for both theory and practice. Most notably, limitations in facility access, occupancy, staffing availability, network restrictions and trainee engagement call for innovative solutions for training when traditional in‐person options are not feasible. Through the use of remote access tools and prerecorded educational and training materials, SRLs are able to overcome these obstacles. Here, we focus on readily available technologies and general guidelines that SRLs in different environments can use for remote cytometry training and education, while highlighting key obstacles that still remain. Although SRLs may face initial struggles in transitioning trainings to a virtual format, remote technologies provide unique opportunities to advance current training programs. © 2020 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Warthin‐Finkeldey giant cells—A useful clue for the cytodiagnosis of Kimura disease: A report of three cases
Authors: Kothari Kanchan , Agnihotri Mona , Rojekar Amey , Waghmare Tejaswini , Kolhe Ashvini
Published: November 2020

Kimura disease (KD) is a rare, idiopathic chronic inflammatory disorder that usually presents as unilateral painless lymphadenopathy or soft tissue swelling of the head and neck region in young Asian males. The disease lacks pathognomonic clinical and cytomorphological features and can be mistaken for many reactive and malignant conditions. We report three cases of KD presenting as bilateral swelling of the head and neck region, and describe the cytomorphological features of each. In the correct clinical setting, a polymorphous lymphoid aspirate with eosinophils and Warthin‐Finkeldey giant cells should raise a suspicion of KD and prompt further work up.
A review of conspecific attraction for habitat selection across taxa
Authors: Buxton Valerie L. , Enos Janice K. , Sperry Jinelle H. , Ward Michael P.
Published: November 2020

Many species across taxa select habitat based on conspecific presence, known as conspecific attraction. Studies that document conspecific attraction typically provide social information (i.e., cues that indicate the presence of a given species) and then determine if a given species is more likely to settle at locations where the social information is provided compared to those locations that do not. Although the number of studies examining conspecific attraction has grown in recent years, a comprehensive review has not yet been undertaken. Here, we conducted a review of the literature and found 151 studies investigating conspecific attraction across eight taxa. We found that conspecific attraction is widespread with between 80% and 100% of studies, depending on taxa, documenting positive associations between habitat selection and the presence of conspecific cues. Conspecific attraction has been documented more frequently in bird and fish species with less attention given to invertebrate and mammal species. We use the patterns we found to (a) provide an overview of the current state of research on conspecific attraction and (b) discuss how important factors, such as cue characteristics and life history traits, may play a role in shaping conspecific attraction patterns within and across taxa.
Growth, stress, and acclimation responses to fluctuating temperatures in field and domesticated populations of Manduca sexta
Authors: Kingsolver Joel G. , Moore M. Elizabeth , Hill Christina A. , Augustine Kate E.
Published: November 2020

Diurnal fluctuations in temperature are ubiquitous in terrestrial environments, and insects and other ectotherms have evolved to tolerate or acclimate to such fluctuations. Few studies have examined whether ectotherms acclimate to diurnal temperature fluctuations, or how natural and domesticated populations differ in their responses to diurnal fluctuations. We examine how diurnally fluctuating temperatures during development affect growth, acclimation, and stress responses for two populations of Manduca sexta: a field population that typically experiences wide variation in mean and fluctuations in temperature, and a laboratory population that has been domesticated in nearly constant temperatures for more than 300 generations. Laboratory experiments showed that diurnal fluctuations throughout larval development reduced pupal mass for the laboratory but not the field population. The differing effects of diurnal fluctuations were greatest at higher mean temperature (30°C): Here diurnal fluctuations reduced pupal mass and increased pupal development time for the laboratory population, but had little effect for the field population. We also evaluated how mean and fluctuations in temperature during early larval development affected growth rate during the final larval instar as a function of test temperature. At an intermediate (25°C) mean temperature, both the laboratory and field population showed a positive acclimation response to diurnal fluctuations, in which subsequent growth rate was significantly higher at most test temperatures. In contrast at higher mean temperature (30°C), diurnal fluctuations significantly reduced subsequent growth rate at most test temperatures for the laboratory population, but not for the field population. These results suggest that during domestication in constant temperatures, the laboratory population has lost the capacity to tolerate or acclimate to high and fluctuating temperatures. Population differences in acclimation capacity in response to temperature fluctuations have not been previously demonstrated, but they may be important for understanding the evolution of reaction norms and performance curves.
Preconcentration and Successful Selective Detection of Traces of Diclofenac in Water using a Nanostructured Modified Carbon Paste Electrode
Authors: Amra Siham , Bourouina Mustapha , Bourouina Bacha Saliha , Hauchard Didier
Published: November 2020

A highly sensitive, simple and low cost sensor for the quantification of the diclofenac has been constructed. This sensor consists of a carbon paste nano‐structured by Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes (G‐MWCNT)‐CPE. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and voltammetry technique were used to characterize the electrode material and to determine the analytical performances of the sensor in comparison with those obtained at a G‐CPE. The electrochemical oxidation of diclofenac on both G‐CPE and (G‐MWCNT)‐CPE electrodes is mainly controlled by adsorption, presenting a maximum peak current intensity in H2SO4 0.5 mol L−1. The carbon nanotubes, as well as they provide higher conductivity of the paste, act as spacers between the flake graphite particles and avoid their stacking in order to make the surface of graphite particles more accessible to DCF adsorption. The voltammetric measurements of diclofenac on (G‐MWCNT)‐CPE provide a large quantification range from 0.02 to 1 μmol L−1, a detection limit of 0.004 μmol L−1 and quantification limit of 0.014 μmol L−1 under the optimized operating conditions (H2SO4, 0.25 M+KCl 0.25 M, scan rate of 30 mV s−1, preconcentration time 18 min. and MWNTC% (30 %)). The (G‐MWCNT)‐CPE sensor was successfully applied to natural water samples, just acidified with sulfuric acid (pH<1). These samples were doped with diclofenac in sub‐micromolar range and the developed method was validated with excellent recoveries (within a maximum of 3 % difference from 100 %) for all samples indicating no interference effects of the water matrix.
Facile Nonenzymatic Glucose Electrode Composed of Commercial CuO Powder and Ionic Liquid Binder
Authors: Lo Nai‐Chang , Hsu Wei‐Shan , Chen Yi‐Ting , Sun I‐Wen , Chen Po‐Yu
Published: November 2020

Commercially available micro‐sized CuO powder was dispersed in the mixture of ethanol and protonated betaine bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)amide ([Hbet][TFSA]), a hydrophobic amide‐type protic ionic liquid (IL), to prepare a composite paste for the modification of screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) via spin‐coating. The fabricated SPCE\CuO−IL composite‐based electrode showed a comparable activity as that of the nanonized metal‐oxide based electrodes towards the electrochemical oxidation of glucose in alkaline solutions. Hydrodynamic chronoamperometry tests performed at +0.55 V showed a linear dynamic response of the electrode over the concentration range of 1 μM–2.8 mM with a sensor‐sensitivity of 0.16 μA μM−1 in 0.1 M NaOH. The data also showed a linear dynamic response over the concentration range of 1 μM–4.6 mM with a sensor‐sensitivity of 0.10 μA μM−1 in 0.1 M NaOH with 0.1 M NaCl, indicating that the major interferant Cl− had negligible effects on glucose detection . Ascorbic acid (AA) (in the physiological level) and ethanol also did not interfere with the detection. Detection of glucose in real samples showed the recovery ratios higher than 95 %. This study has clearly demonstrated that commercial CuO powder without nanostructure can provide sufficient reactivity to the electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose by using IL as the organic binder. Facile preparation of the micro‐sized metal oxide‐modified electrodes can be accordingly pursued.
An Extensive Study and Analysis of System Modeling and Interfacing of Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
Authors: Ra Nawin , Bhattacharjee Ankur
Published: November 2020

The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) has drawn wide attention for large‐scale stationary energy storage applications for its several advantages over the other conventional batteries, such as the scalability of its power and energy capacity, longer cycle life, and deep discharge capability. Herein, a detailed discussion of the modeling and development aspects of VRFB storage with a system‐level approach is contained. The benefits offered by the various modeling approaches, such as the empirical, lumped parameter, and dynamic electrical equivalent models, are analyzed in detail. The latest field applications of VRFB storage and the necessity of an optimized electrical interface for integrating the VRFB with intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy sources are focused on. The electrical equivalent models of the VRFB are reported, and their performances are qualitatively compared. The comprehensive study and analysis provided in this study will help in widening the scope of further improvement of the VRFB system design, optimizing the design parameters for the development of suitable battery management systems (BMSs) for scalable power system applications.
The effect of body mass index on hippocampal morphology and memory performance in late childhood and adolescence
Authors: Lynch Kirsten M. , Page Kathleen A. , Shi Yonggang , Xiang Anny H. , Toga Arthur W. , Clark Kristi A.
Published: November 2020

Childhood obesity is associated with negative physiological and cognitive health outcomes. The hippocampus is a diverse subcortical structure involved in learned feeding behaviors and energy regulation, and research has shown that the hippocampus is vulnerable to the effects of excess adiposity. Previous studies have demonstrated reduced hippocampal volume in overweight and obese children; however, it is unclear if certain subregions are selectively affected. The purpose of this study was to determine how excess body weight influences regional hippocampal surface morphology and memory performance in a large cross‐sectional cohort of 588 children and adolescents between 8.33 and 19.92 years of age using body mass index expressed as a percentage of the 95th percentile cutoff (%BMIp95). We demonstrate %BMIp95 is associated with reduced radial thickness in the superior anterior region of the left hippocampus, and this relationship is predominantly driven by children younger than 14 years. We also found %BMIp95 was associated with worse performance on a spatial episodic memory task and this relationship was partially mediated by the radial thickness of the significant shape cluster. These results demonstrate the differential influence of excess body weight on regional hippocampal structure and hippocampal‐dependent behavior in children and adolescents.
Stock market dynamics and the relative importance of domestic, foreign, and common shocks
Authors: Ademmer Martin , Horn Wolfram , Quast Josefine
Published: November 2020

We quantify the contemporaneous relationships among stock markets in the euro area, the United States, and a group of emerging economies over the period from 2008 to 2017. Exploiting the heteroskedasticity in the stock market data, we identify shocks that originated in the respective domestic markets and shocks that are common to all markets. Our results underline the leading role of the United States in international equity markets, but also point to the importance of indirect spillovers for all economies. Variance decompositions show that while domestic shocks explain the bigger part of the variation in each stock market, a substantial part of the variation in the euro area and the emerging economies can be attributed to foreign shocks. A comparison with a sample covering the pre‐crisis period from 1999 to 2007 suggests a strengthening of the linkages among global stock markets in recent years. In particular, the spillovers from advanced to emerging economies have become more pronounced.
Marital interactions and experiences of women living in polygamy: An exploratory study
Authors: Sinai Mirit , Peleg Ora
Published: November 2020

The study examines interactions and experiences of Bedouin women living in polygamous households in Israel. A mixed‐method approach was applied in a two‐part study. The quantitative part examined differences in differentiation of self and marital satisfaction between 50 Bedouin women in polygamous marriages and 50 in monogamous marriages. It found that, in polygamous families, women's levels of marital satisfaction were positively related to their I‐position and fusion with others and negatively related to emotional cutoff and number of children at home, whereas among monogamous counterparts, marital satisfaction was only negatively associated with emotional cutoff. Surprisingly, fused relationships with the family of origin predicted higher satisfaction only in women in polygamous marriages. The qualitative part, which yielded deeper understanding of the authentic voices and experiences of 18 senior wives, revealed that they had severe emotional and physiological responses to their husbands' marriage to another woman. For most, particularly those who married young, living in a polygamous family adversely affected their marital satisfaction. Interactions ranged from violent relationships, accompanied by jealousy and anger, to respectful and harmonious relations. Along with the challenges, some women, especially the educated, chose proactive ways of coping. Educated women also preferred cohabitation with the other wife.
The role of emotion dysregulation in the association between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among veterans
Authors: Raudales Alexa M. , Weiss Nicole H. , Dixon‐Gordon Katherine L. , Contractor Ateka A. , Schatten Heather T.
Published: November 2020

Objective

Although research has established a link between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), little is known about factors that may accentuate this relation. This study evaluated the influences of negative and positive emotion dysregulation on the association between PTSD symptoms and STBs among veterans.

Methods

Four‐hundred and sixty‐five trauma‐exposed military veterans in the community (M
age = 38.00, 71.4% male, 69.5% White) completed online questionnaires.

Results

Negative emotion dysregulation did not moderate the relation between PTSD symptoms and STBs. Results showed significant interactive effects of PTSD symptoms and positive emotion dysregulation on STBs, such that PTSD symptoms were more strongly related to STBs at high (vs. low) levels of positive emotion dysregulation. This effect was sustained across domains of positive emotion dysregulation.

Conclusions

Findings suggest a potential need to consider positive emotion dysregulation in the assessment and treatment of STBs among veterans with PTSD symptoms.
Psychological inflexibility processes and nonsuicidal self‐injury: Concurrent and prospective associations
Authors: Callahan Katie E. , Stori Shane A. , Donahue John J.
Published: November 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine concurrent and 3‐month prospective associations between a multidimensional measure of psychological inflexibility and nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) among participants with a self‐harm history.

Method

Participants completed measures of NSSI, psychological inflexibility, negative urgency, and depression at baseline (N = 106, Mage = 34.70, SD = 9.43, 66% women), and were again assessed at follow‐up (N = 86).

Results

Participants currently engaging in NSSI reported significantly higher psychological inflexibility as compared to those who have ceased NSSI. After controlling for covariates, psychological inflexibility was concurrently associated with NSSI recency and longitudinally predicted perceived likelihood of future NSSI. Psychological inflexibility was not associated with new NSSI acts after including baseline covariates. Finally, psychological inflexibility subscales demonstrated differential relationships with various NSSI functions.

Conclusion

Results highlight the psychological inflexibility model's utility in understanding NSSI and have implications for future research that may inform clinical practice.
Preparing for invasion: Assessing risk of infection by chytrid fungi in southeastern plethodontid salamanders
Authors: Friday Brenna , Holzheuser Chace , Lips Karen R. , Longo Ana V.
Published: November 2020

Understanding the responses of naïve communities to the invasion of multihost pathogens requires accurate estimates of susceptibility across taxa. In the Americas, the likely emergence of a second amphibian pathogenic fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans, Bsal) calls for new ways of prioritizing disease mitigation among species due to the high diversity of naïve hosts with priorB. dendrobatidis(Bd) infections. Here, we applied the concept of pathogenic potential to quantify the virulence of chytrid fungi on naïve amphibians and evaluate species for conservation efforts in the event of an outbreak. The benefit of this measure is that it combines and summarizes the variation in disease effects into a single numerical index, allowing for comparisons across species, populations or groups of individuals that may inherently exhibit differences in susceptibility. As a proof of concept, we obtained standardized responses of disease severity by performing experimental infections withBsalon five plethodontid salamanders from southeastern United States. Four out of five species carried natural infections ofBdat the start of the experiments. We showed thatBsalexhibited its highest value of pathogenic potential in a species that is already declining (Desmognathus auriculatus). We find that this index provides additional information beyond the standard measures of disease prevalence, intensity, and mortality, because it leveraged these disease parameters within each categorical group. Scientists and practitioners could use this measure to justify research, funding, trade, or conservation measures.
Family communication of genetic test results among women with inherited breast cancer genes
Authors: Cragun Deborah , Weidner Anne , Tezak Ann , Clouse Kate , Pal Tuya
Published: November 2020

Identification of inherited breast cancer may guide care. These benefits can be amplified through communication of genetic test results with at‐risk family members and subsequent family testing (FT). Females with a pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant in BRCA1/2, PALB2, CHEK2, and/or ATM were surveyed about family communication (FC) of genetic test results and FT. Comparisons were made across genes. The 235 participants with P/LP variants (186 BRCA1/2, 28 PALB2, 15 CHEK2, and 6 ATM) had a median age of 54 and most were non‐Hispanic whites (89%) with a prior breast cancer diagnosis (61%). When controlling for other variables, FC was higher among younger participants (p<.0001), those with high FC self‐efficacy (p=.019), and those with P/LP variants in BRCA1/2 compared to PALB2 (p =.040) and ATM/CHEK2 (p =.032). Higher rates of FC and FT were also observed among female relatives and relatives of closer kinship. Overall 94% of participants would find one or more resources helpful with FC and 70% reported using FC resources when telling family members about their genetic test result. The three most commonly used resources included the following: (a) a family sharing letter (38%); (b) printed materials (30%); and (c) web‐based information (23%). Among the 86% who spoke with a genetic counselor (GC), 93% were given at least one FC resource and the three most common resources GCs provided to participants overlapped with the resources participants would find helpful and those that were used. Our results suggest lower FC and FT rates among women with P/LP variants in genes other than BRCA1/2, the reasons for which should be evaluated in future studies. As more data to refine cancer risks and management are generated across these other inherited breast cancer genes, strategies to improve FC and FT are needed to amplify the benefits of genetic testing.
Impact of time‐to‐surgery on outcomes of patients undergoing curative‐intent liver resection for BCLC‐0, A and B hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tsilimigras Diamantis I. , Hyer J. Madison , Diaz Adrian , Moris Demetrios , Bagante Fabio , Ratti Francesca , Marques Hugo P. , Soubrane Olivier , Lam Vincent , Poultsides George A. , Popescu Irinel , Alexandrescu Sorin , Martel Guillaume , Workneh Aklile , Guglielmi Alfredo , Hugh Tom , Aldrighetti Luca , Endo Itaru , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: November 2020

Background

The impact of a prolonged time‐to‐surgery (TTS) among patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not well defined.

Methods

Patients who underwent curative‐intent hepatectomy for BCLC‐0, A and B HCC between 2000 and 2017 were identified using a multi‐institutional database. The impact of prolonged TTS on overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) was examined.

Results

Among 775 patients who underwent resection for HCC, 537 (69.3%) had early surgery (TTS < 90 days) and 238 (30.7%) patients had a delayed surgery (TTS ≥ 90 days). Patient‐ and tumor‐related characteristics were similar between the two groups except for a higher proportion of patients undergoing major liver resection in the early surgery group (31.3% vs. 23.8%, p = .04). The percentage of patients with delayed surgery varied from 8.8% to 59.1% among different centers (p < .001). Patients with TTS < 90 days had similar 5‐year OS (63.7% vs. 64.9; p = .79) and 5‐year DFS (33.5% vs. 42.4; p = .20) with that of patients with TTS ≥ 90 days. On multivariable analysis, delayed surgery was not associated with neither worse OS (BCLC‐0/A: adjusted hazards ratio [aHR] = 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65–1.25 and BCLC‐B: aHR = 0.72; 95%CI: 0.30–1.74) nor DFS (BCLC‐0/A: aHR = 0.78; 95%CI: 0.60–1.01 and BCLC‐B: aHR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.36–1.25).

Conclusion

Approximately one in three patients diagnosed with resectable HCC had a prolonged TTS. Delayed surgery was not associated with worse outcomes among patients with resectable HCC.
The Role of Negative Affect in Differentiating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Their Comorbidity Among United States Veterans
Authors: Klein Alexandra B. , Dutra Sunny J. , Bovin Michelle J. , Keane Terence M. , Marx Brian P.
Published: November 2020

Following trauma exposure, two frequently co‐occurring forms of psychopathology include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Although these diagnoses have been identified as distinct constructs, the proper classification of these disorders remains a challenge due to overlapping symptoms. Instead, systematically establishing higher‐ and lower‐order personality traits associated with each diagnosis may avoid this confound and improve differential diagnosis. In the present study, we examined how higher‐order negative affect and its lower‐order facets (i.e., anxiousness, emotional lability, and separation insecurity) may be associated with a diagnosis of PTSD only, MDD only, both diagnoses, or neither diagnosis. Participants were 1,175 veterans enrolled in the Veterans After Discharge Longitudinal Registry. Higher‐ and lower‐order negative affect were assessed using the Personality Inventory for DSM‐5 (PID‐5), and PTSD and MDD diagnoses were based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐5 (SCID‐5). Multinomial logistic regressions were used to model the association between higher‐ and lower‐order negative affect and diagnostic status, after controlling for potential covariates. Diagnostic utility analyses were conducted to examine the degree to which higher‐ and lower‐order negative affect classified participants across groups. Higher‐order negative affect and lower‐order anxiousness differentiated diagnostic groups, ORs = 1.76–4.66, and had strong specificity and negative predictive value for individuals with PTSD and MDD and those with MDD only. These findings help explain the role of higher‐order negative affect and lower‐order anxiousness in differentiating PTSD from MDD and comorbid PTSD and MDD and may have implications for assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning.
Putting the Patient Back in Clinical Significance: Moderated Nonlinear Factor Analysis for Estimating Clinically Significant Change in Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Saavedra Lissette M. , Morgan‐López Antonio A. , Hien Denise A. , Killeen Therese K. , Back Sudie E. , Ruglass Lesia M. , Fitzpatrick Skye , Lopez‐Castro Teresa
Published: November 2020

The present study introduced a modernized approach to Jacobson and Truax's (1991) methods of estimating treatment effects on individual‐level (a) movement from the clinical to the normative range and (b) reliable change on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity. Participants were 450 trauma‐exposed women (M age = 39.2 years, SD = 8.9, range: 18–65 years) who presented to seven geographically diverse community mental health and substance use treatment centers. Data from 53 of these women, none of whom met the criteria for full or subthreshold PTSD, were used to establish the normative range. Using moderated nonlinear factor analysis (MNLFA) scale scoring, which weights symptoms by their clinical relevance, a significantly larger proportion of participants moved into the normative range for PTSD severity scores and/or exhibited reliable changes after treatment compared to the same individuals’ movement when using symptom counts. Further, approximately 24% of the participants showed discrepant judgments on reliable change indices (RCI) between MNLFA scores and symptom counts, likely due to the false assumption that the standard error of measurement is equal for all levels of underlying PTSD severity when estimating RCIs with symptom counts. An MNLFA approach to estimating underlying PTSD severity can provide clinically meaningful information about individual‐level change without the de facto assumption that PTSD symptoms have equivalent weight. Study implications are discussed with regard to a joint emphasis on (a) measurement models that highlight differential symptom weighting and (b) treatment‐arm differences in individual‐level outcomes rather than the current overemphasis of treatment‐arm differences on group‐averaged trajectories.
Effects of Low‐Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on Myelosuppression of Rats Induced by Chemotherapy Drugs With Cell Cycle Specificity
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Junlin , Luo Dong , Chen Jinyun , Xu Haopeng , Chen Wenzhi , Wang Yan
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To explore the ameliorating effects of low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on Sprague Dawley rat myelosuppression induced by cell cycle specificity drugs (docetaxel, mitotic phase sensitive; and etoposide, gap 2 phase sensitive).

Methods

Rats were respectively administered docetaxel (100 mg/kg) or etoposide (110 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection for 4 consecutive days. Then the rats were divided randomly into a LIPUS group and a non‐LIPUS group. In the LIPUS group, the right femoral metaphysis of rats was treated by LIPUS (acoustic intensity, 200 mW/cm2; frequency, 0.3 MHz; and duty cycle, 20%) for 20 minutes on 7 consecutive days from day 5. The rats of the non‐LIPUS group were treated without ultrasound output. A blood cell count, an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, a real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and hematoxylin–eosin staining were applied to detect the results.

Results

Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound significantly promoted the counts of bone marrow nucleated cells, white blood cells, immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor, stem cell factor, and intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 and reduced the counts of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 whether in the docetaxel or etoposide group (P < .05). Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound only increased the expression level of IgM in the docetaxel group but decreased the level of interleukin 6 in the etoposide group (P < .05).

Conclusions

Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound has potential to be a noninvasive treatment for myelosuppression caused by different cell cycle–sensitive chemotherapy drugs.
Metabolites of microbiota response to tryptophan and intestinal mucosal immunity: A therapeutic target to control intestinal inflammation
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhu Shengwei , Ma Ning , Johnston Lee J. , Wu Chaodong , Ma Xi
Published: November 2020

In a complex, diverse intestinal environment, commensal microbiota metabolizes excessive dietary tryptophan to produce more bioactive metabolites connecting with kinds of diverse process, such as host physiological defense, homeostasis, excessive immune activation and the progression and outcome of different diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and others. Although commensal microbiota includes bacteria, fungi, and protozoa and all that, they often have the similar metabolites in tryptophan metabolism process via same or different pathways. These metabolites can work as signal to activate the innate immunity of intestinal mucosa and induce the rapid inflammation response. They are critical in reconstruction of lumen homeostasis as well. This review aims to seek the potential function and mechanism of microbiota‐derived tryptophan metabolites as targets to regulate and shape intestinal immune function, which mainly focused on two aspects. First, analyze the character of tryptophan metabolism in bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, and assess the functions of their metabolites (including indole and eight other derivatives, serotonin (5‐HT) and d‐tryptophan) on regulating the integrity of intestinal epithelium and the immunity of the intestinal mucosa. Second, focus on the mediator and pathway for their recognition, transfer and crosstalk between microbiota‐derived tryptophan metabolites and intestinal mucosal immunity. Disruption of intestinal homeostasis has been described in different intestinal inflammatory diseases, available data suggest the remarkable potential of tryptophan‐derived aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists, indole derivatives on lumen equilibrium. These metabolites as preventive and therapeutic interventions have potential to promote proinflammatory or anti‐inflammatory responses of the gut.
Recent developments in controlling sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery and measures to enhance sternal healing
Authors: Pradeep Aathira , Rangasamy Jayakumar , Varma Praveen Kerala
Published: November 2020

One of the major risks of cardiac surgery is the occurrence of infection at the sternal wound site. Sternal wound infections are primarily classified into superficial infection and deep sternal wound infection or mediastinitis. A patient is diagnosed with mediastinitis if microorganisms are present in their mediastinal tissue/fluid or with the observation of sternal wound infection during operation and with characteristic symptoms including chest pain, fever, and purulent drainage from the mediastinum. It is usually caused by Staphylococcal organisms in 75.8% of cases and the rest is caused by gram‐negative bacteria. Currently, in cardiac surgery, hemostasis is achieved using electrocautery and bone wax, and the sternum is closed using wire cerclage. Several studies show that bone wax can act as a nidus for initiation of infection and the oozing blood and hematoma at the site can promote the growth of infectious organisms. Many research groups have developed different types of biomaterials and reported on the prevention of infection and healing of the sternum. These materials are reported to have both positive and negative effects. In this review, we highlight the current clinical practices undertaken to prevent infection and bleeding as well as research progress in this field and their outcomes in controlling bleeding, infection, and enhancing sternal healing.
Numerical solutions and conservation laws of the time fractional coupled WBK‐type system
Authors: Liu Jian‐Gen , Yang Xiao‐Jun , Feng Yi‐Ying , Geng Lu‐Lu
Published: November 2020

In this article, the general form of the fractional reduced differential transform method (FRDTM) to the (N + 1)‐dimensional cases was presented. Then, we applied the general FRDTM to handle the time fractional couple Whitham‐Broer‐Kaup's (WBK)‐type system. As a result, the numerical solution of this considered model was found. Next, based on the concepts of the nonlinear self‐adjointness and Noether operators, conservation laws for the time fractional coupled WBK‐type system was yielded. The results of the above obtained can help us better understand physics phenomena arising in describing propagation of shallow water waves.
Dual band bandpass filter based on semi‐circular mushroom loaded substrate integrated waveguide
Authors: Chaudhury Soumit Samadder , Awasthi Seema , Singh Rajat Kumar
Published: November 2020

This paper presents a dual band bandpass filter by loading two semi‐circular mushroom resonators (ScMRs) inside the cavity of a circular substrate integrated waveguide (SIW). TM101 and TM201 modes of the mushroom resonator loaded circular SIW cavity are excited to generate the first and second passbands respectively. As the proposed bandpass filter is based on circular SIW cavity, the passbands of the filter undergo relatively low insertion loss (IL) compared to other referred works. The selectivity is improved by generating four transmission zeros (TZs); two TZs are generated in between the two passbands by cross coupling the excited modes of the resonators and other two TZs are generated in lower and upper stopband by the source to load coupling. The passbands of the proposed filter are centred at 2.24 GHz and 4.35 GHz with 13% and 6.2% fractional bandwidth (FBW) respectively. A prototype of the proposed dual bandpass filter occupying a compact area of 0.3λ0 × 0.3λ0 is fabricated in Rogers RT/Duroid 5880. The measured minimum insertion losses for the first and second passbands are 0.9 dB and 1.1 dB respectively with a good agreement observed between simulated and measured results.
Pediatric early warning score versus a paediatric triage tool in the emergency department: A reliability study
Authors: Branes Hanne , Solevåg Anne Lee , Solberg Marianne Trygg
Published: November 2020

Aim

In the paediatric emergency department (PED), it is important to correctly prioritize children for physician assessment. The pediatric early warning score (PEWS), although not a triage tool, is often used for PED triage. The scandinavian Rapid Emergency Triage and Treatment System‐pediatric (RETTS‐p) is a reliability tested triage tool. We aimed to compare PEWS and RETTS‐p in a Norwegian PED.

Design

A reliability study.

Methods

The PED nurse routinely did PEWS observations, while the principal investigator concomitantly made RETTS‐p observations. Inter‐tool agreement was calculated for the complete PEWS and RETTS‐p and for vital signs scores, disregarding the RETTS‐p emergency symptoms and signs (ESS).

Results

Rapid Emergency Triage and Treatment System‐pediatric assigned a higher urgency than PEWS. The inter‐tool agreement between PEWS and RETTS‐p was low (weighted kappa [95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.32 [0.24–0.40]]). Weighted kappa (95% CI) was 0.50 (0.41–0.59) for PEWS and RETTS‐p without ESS, indicating that PEWS is not equivalent to five‐level triage tools.
Mission‐first social enterprises: A case study of how three nonprofit organizations avoided mission drift when forming and operating social enterprises
Authors: Jones Jennifer A. , Krasynska Svitlana , Donmoyer Robert
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine how leaders of nonprofit social enterprises manage the tension between social mission and financial goals to avoid mission drift. The study employed a case study/cross‐case analysis design and used the qualitative research methods of interviewing, document review, and participant observation. We found tremendous variation in the strategies created for the organizations included in the study (n = 3). We labeled strategies as (a) structured ignorance, (b) problem reframing, and (c) defensible trade‐offs. Further research is needed to identify a comprehensive typology of strategies; however, there are immediate practical and social implications of this study. Specifically, the strategies identified here can be considered by nonprofit practitioners struggling with the mission/money tension. Additionally, these strategies challenge commonly held beliefs about the relationship among nonprofits, social service, and revenue generating activities.
Obesity in Midlife Hampers Resting and Sensory‐Evoked Cerebral Blood Flow in Mice
Authors: Soleimanzad Haleh , Montaner Mireia , Ternier Gaëtan , Lemitre Mathilde , Silvestre Jean‐Sébastien , Kassis Nadim , Giacobini Paolo , Magnan Christophe , Pain Frédéric , Gurden Hirac
Published: November 2020

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a high‐fat diet (HFD) and aging on resting and activity‐dependent cerebral blood flow (CBF).

Methods

To run a comparison between obese and age‐matched control animals, 6‐week‐old mice were fed either with regular chow or an HFD for 3 months or 8 months. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were assessed for metabolic phenotyping. Resting and odor‐evoked CBF at the microvascular scale in the olfactory bulb (OB) was investigated by multiexposure speckle imaging. Immunolabeling‐enabled imaging of solvent‐cleared organs was used to analyze vascular density. The ejection fraction was studied by using cardioechography. Olfactory sensitivity was tested by using a buried‐food test.

Results

Glucose intolerance and compromised odor‐evoked CBF were observed in obese mice in the younger group. Prolonged HFD feeding triggered insulin resistance and stronger impairment in activity‐dependent CBF. Aging had a specific negative impact on resting CBF. There was no decrease in vascular density in the OB of obese mice, although cardiac function was impaired at both ages. In addition, decreased olfactory sensitivity was observed only in the older, middle‐aged obese mice.

Conclusions

OB microvasculature in obese mice showed a specific functional feature characterized by impaired sensory‐evoked CBF and a specific deleterious effect of aging on resting CBF.
Real‐world reproducibility study characterizing patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma using Clinical Practice Research Datalink, a UK‐based electronic health records database
Authors: Seesaghur Anouchka , Petruski‐Ivleva Natalia , Banks Victoria , Wang Jocelyn Ruoyi , Mattox Pattra , Hoeben Edwin , Maskell Joe , Neasham David , Reynolds Shannon L. , Kafatos George
Published: November 2020

Purpose

We evaluated the reproducibility of a study characterizing newly‐diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients within an electronic health records (EHR) database using different analytic tools.

Methods

We reproduced the findings of a descriptive cohort study using an iterative two‐phase approach. In Phase I, a common protocol and statistical analysis plan (SAP) were implemented by independent investigators using the Aetion Evidence Platform® (AEP), a rapid‐cycle analytics tool, and SAS statistical software as a gold standard for statistical analyses. Using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) dataset, the study included patients newly diagnosed with MM within primary care setting and assessed baseline demographics, conditions, drug exposure, and laboratory procedures. Phase II incorporated analysis revisions based on our initial comparison of the Phase I findings. Reproducibility of findings was evaluate by calculating the match rate and absolute difference in prevalence between the SAS and AEP study results.

Results

Phase I yielded slightly discrepant results, prompting amendments to SAP to add more clarity to operational decisions. After detailed specification of data and operational choices, exact concordance was achieved for the number of eligible patients (N = 2646), demographics, comorbidities (i.e., osteopenia, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease [CVD], and hypertension), bone pain, skeletal‐related events, drug exposure, and laboratory investigations in the Phase II analyses.

Conclusions

In this reproducibility study, a rapid‐cycle analytics tool and traditional statistical software achieved near‐exact findings after detailed specification of data and operational choices. Transparency and communication of the study design, operational and analytical choices between independent investigators were critical to achieve this reproducibility.
Functional outcomes after robot‐assisted pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction: A bi‐centre experience
Authors: Popelin Marie‐Bérénice , Pinar Ugo , Benamran Daniel , Ingels Alexandre , Parra Jérome , Vaessen Christophe , Seisen Thomas , de La Taille Alexandre , Roupret Morgan
Published: November 2020

Background

Robot‐assisted pyeloplasty (RALP) for patients with clinically symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is increasing and needs assessment.

Methods

Patients who underwent RALP for UPJO in two academic centres were included. Demographic and perioperative data were collected retrospectively. UPJO was evaluated by imaging pre‐ and post‐surgery. Patients had follow‐up consultations 3,6 and 12 months post‐surgery. Global success was defined as a clinical response plus radiographic evidence of no further obstruction 3‐months post‐surgery.

Results

Overall 214 patients (median age: 40 years [interquartile range:30.3–54.0]) were included. Fourteen patients (6.5%) had undergone previous surgery for UPJO. Thirty patients (14%) suffered complication: urinoma (n = 13; 6.1%), pyelonephritis (n = 15; 7%) and retroperitoneal haematomas (n = 2; 0.9%). Repeated early surgery was necessary in eight patients (3.6%). Seven patients had a recurrence of UPJO and six (2.9%) underwent repeated surgery. Radiological success rate was 96.7% whereas global success rate was 91%.

Conclusions

RALP was a reliable, effective and safe treatment for UPJO with a high global and radiologic success rate.
Maca extracts and estrogen replacement therapy in ovariectomized rats exposed at high altitude
Authors: Ybañez‐Julca Roberto O. , Asunción‐Alvarez Daniel , Palacios Javier , Nwokocha Chukwuemeka R.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and herbal remedies are often used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, but their effects and efficacy at high altitudes presents with several uncertainties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether pre‐treatment with maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp) improved the tolerance to high altitude on an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model at sea level.

Method

The animals were treated with 17β‐estradiol (200 µg/kg; E2), red and black maca (1.5 g/kg) for 28 days and exposed at high altitude or sea level.

Result

Our findings showed that red and black maca extracts significantly (P < .001) reduced the MDA level in OVX rat serum under hypoxia in a similar way to E2. Red and black maca extracts had similar effects with E2, by significantly (P < .001) reversing and increasing the ovariectomized induced decrease in cornified endometrial cell number. Under hypoxic conditions, the black maca (P < .05) and E2 (P < .01) increased the uterine weight in OVX rats. Finally, E2 alone significantly recovered the frequency of the uterine contractile response.

Conclusion

Aqueous extract of L. meyenii partially protects the reproductive function in hypobaric hypoxic environment, through the recovery of the cornified endometrial cells and uterine weight in a menopausal model of OVX rats.
Approximate analytical solution and parameter estimation for one‐dimensional horizontal absorption based on the van Genuchten–Mualem model
Authors: Su Lijun , Hou Linfang , Zhou Beibei , Shan Yuyang , Duan Manli , Sun Yan , Ning Songrui , Wang Quanjiu
Published: November 2020

The van Genuchten–Mualem (VGM) model is used to describe the absorption of water by soil. The model is highly nonlinear, so developing a simple analytical or approximate method to predict the movement of soil water via the VGM model then estimating the model parameters is necessary. We present a approximate functional extremum solution (FES) for the problem of one‐dimensional horizontal absorption (1DHA) of water in soil under constant saturated boundary conditions and uniform initial conditions based on the least action and the variational principles. Simple linear relationships between the infiltration characteristics (distribution of soil water content, cumulative infiltration, infiltration rate, wetting front distance, and infiltration time) and the VGM model parameters were obtained. We developed a simple approximate analytical method for estimating the VGM model parameters by testing 1DHA. Numerical data simulated by HYDRUS‐1D were compared with the analytical results and used to verify our method's feasibility. The results indicated that the FES could accurately predict the infiltration characteristics, with relative errors between the approximate analytical and numerical solutions of 0.8 to 8.5% for the distribution of soil water content, 0.1 to 0.8% for cumulative infiltration, 1.1 to 6.4% for infiltration rate, and 0.1 to 6.9% for wetting front distance. Estimates of the parameters indicated that errors ranged from 3.2 to 28.3% for α (inverse of the mean pore diameter) and 0.4 to 8.0% for n (pore size distribution index). The proposed methods can be used to predict 1DHA and to estimate α and n in the VGM model.