bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vascular KATP channels protect from cardiac dysfunction and preserve cardiac metabolism during endotoxemia
Authors: Aziz Qadeer , Chen Jianmin , Moyes Amie J , Li Yiwen , Anderson Naomi A , Ang Richard , Aksentijevic Dunja , Sebastian Sonia , Hobbs Adrian J , Thiemermann Christoph , Tinker Andrew
Published: July 2020

KATPchannels in the vasculature composed of Kir6.1 regulate vascular tone and may contribute to the pathogenesis of endotoxemia. We used mice with cell-specific deletion of Kir6.1 in smooth muscle (smKO) and endothelium (eKO) to investigate this question. We found that smKO mice had a significant survival disadvantage compared with their littermate controls when treated with a sub-lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). All cohorts of mice became hypotensive following bacterial LPS administration; however, mean arterial pressure in WT mice recovered to normal levels, whereas smKO struggled to overcome LPS-induced hypotension. In vivo and ex vivo investigations revealed pronounced cardiac dysfunction in LPS-treated smKO, but not in eKO mice. Similar results were observed in a cecal slurry injection model. Metabolomic profiling of hearts revealed significantly reduced levels of metabolites involved in redox/energetics, TCA cycle, lipid/fatty acid and amino acid metabolism. Vascular smooth muscle-localised KATPchannels have a critical role in the response to systemic infection by normalising cardiac function and haemodynamics through metabolic homeostasis.

Key messages

• Mice lacking vascular KATPchannels are more susceptible to death from infection.

• Absence of smooth muscle KATPchannels depresses cardiac function during infection.

• Cardiac dysfunction is accompanied by profound changes in cellular metabolites.

• Findings from this study suggest a protective role for vascular KATPchannels in response to systemic infection.
Nuclear star clusters
Authors: Neumayer Nadine , Seth Anil , Böker Torsten
Published: July 2020

We review the current knowledge about nuclear star clusters (NSCs), the spectacularly dense and massive assemblies of stars found at the centers of most galaxies. Recent observational and theoretical works suggest that many NSC properties, including their masses, densities, and stellar populations, vary with the properties of their host galaxies. Understanding the formation, growth, and ultimate fate of NSCs, therefore, is crucial for a complete picture of galaxy evolution. Throughout the review, we attempt to combine and distill the available evidence into a coherent picture of NSC evolution. Combined, this evidence points to a clear transition mass in galaxies of$$\sim 10^9\,M_\odot$$∼109M⊙where the characteristics of nuclear star clusters change. We argue that at lower masses, NSCs are formed primarily from globular clusters that inspiral into the center of the galaxy, while at higher masses, star formation within the nucleus forms the bulk of the NSC. We also discuss the co-existence of NSCs and central black holes, and how their growth may be linked. The extreme densities of NSCs and their interaction with massive black holes lead to a wide range of unique phenomena including tidal disruption and gravitational-wave events. Finally, we review the evidence that many NSCs end up in the halos of massive galaxies stripped of the stars that surrounded them, thus providing valuable tracers of the galaxies’ accretion histories.
Supportive care needs and service use during palliative care in family caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Ullrich Anneke , Marx Gabriella , Bergelt Corinna , Benze Gesine , Zhang Youyou , Wowretzko Feline , Heine Julia , Dickel Lisa-Marie , Nauck Friedemann , Bokemeyer Carsten , Oechsle Karin
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the supportive care needs of family caregivers (FCs) of advanced cancer patients and their support service use at the beginning of specialist inpatient palliative care (SIPC), near the patient’s death, and during bereavement.

Methods

FCs reported their needs using the Family Inventory of Needs (FIN), along with their utilization of psychosocial and bereavement support services at the beginning (N = 232) and 6–9 months after SIPC (N = 160).

Results

At the beginning of SIPC, mean of 16.9 of 20 needs were reported to be highly important, and 12.2 were reported to be met. At the time of the patient’s death, 16.8 needs were highly important, and 13.8 were met. At both time points, the highest ranked need was related to information about changes in the patient’s condition (100% vs. 99%), and the most frequently unmet need was related to feeling hope (73% vs. 71%). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a low education level to be consistently related to a greater number of highly important needs. Higher satisfaction with care and better social support was related to a greater number of met needs. Twenty-five percent of FCs had accessed at least one psychosocial support service prior to SIPC, and 30% had done so during bereavement. Among non-users of support services, > 75% indicated sufficient informal support as a barrier to service use.

Conclusions

The findings offer a useful guide for adequately addressing FCs’ needs in an effort to optimize FC support. However, only a subgroup of the FCs used support services. Better information and provision of tailored services might improve FCs’ situations in the future.
Factors associated with re-initiation of antidepressant treatment following discontinuation during pregnancy: a register-based cohort study
Authors: Wikman Anna , Skalkidou Alkistis , Wikström Anna-Karin , Lampa Erik , Kramer Michael S. , Yong Eu-Leong , Skoglund Charlotte , Epperson Neill , Sundström-Poromaa Inger
Published: July 2020

Antidepressant treatment when facing a pregnancy is an important issue for many women and their physicians. We hypothesized that women with a greater burden of pre-pregnancy psychiatric illness would be more likely to re-initiate antidepressants following discontinuation of treatment during pregnancy. A register-based cohort study was carried out including 38,595 women who gave birth between the 1st of January 2007 and the 31st of December 2014, who had filled a prescription for an antidepressant medication in the year prior to conception. Logistic regressions were used to explore associations between maternal characteristics and antidepressant treatment discontinuation or re-initiation during pregnancy. Most women discontinued antidepressant treatment during pregnancy (n = 29,095, 75.4%), of whom nearly 12% (n = 3434, 11.8%) re-initiated treatment during pregnancy. In adjusted analyses, parous women (aOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.12–1.33), with high educational level (aOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08–1.36); born within the EU (excluding Nordic countries, aOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.03–1.92) or a Nordic country (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.22–1.65); who more often reported prior hospitalizations due to psychiatric disorders (aOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.10–2.03, for three or more episodes); and had longer duration of pre-pregnancy antidepressant use (aOR 6.10, 95% CI 5.48–6.77, for >2 years antidepressant use), were more likely to re-initiate antidepressants than were women who remained off treatment. Women with a greater burden of pre-pregnancy psychiatric illness were more likely to re-initiate antidepressants. Thus, pre-pregnancy psychiatric history may be particularly important for weighing the risks and benefits of discontinuing antidepressants during pregnancy.
Efficient and Reliable Nanoindentation Simulation by Dislocation Loop Erasing Method
Authors: Shuang Fei , Xiao Pan , Bai Yilong
Published: July 2020

Nanoindentation is a useful technique to measure material properties at microscopic level. However, the intrinsically multiscale nature makes it challenging for large-scale simulations to be carried out. It is shown that in molecular statics simulations of nanoindentation, the separated dislocation loops (SDLs) are trapped in simulation box which detrimentally affects the plastic behavior in the plastic zone (PZ); and the long-distance propagation of SDLs consumes much computational cost yet with little contribution to the variation of tip force. To tackle the problem, the dislocation loop erasing (DLE) method is proposed in the work to alleviate the influence of artificial boundary conditions on the SDL–PZ interaction and improve simulation efficiency. Simulation results indicate that the force–depth curves obtained from simulations with and without DLE are consistent with each other, while the method with DLE yields more reasonable results of microstructural evolution and shows better efficiency. The new method provides an alternative approach for large-scale molecular simulation of nanoindentation with reliable results and higher efficiency and also sheds lights on improving existing multiscale methods.
Factors Influencing the Provision of Classroom-based Physical Activity to Students in the Early Years of Primary School: A Survey of Educators
Authors: Macdonald Kirstin , Milne Nikki , Pope Rodney , Orr Robin
Published: July 2020

Evidence suggests that multiple factors affect implementation of school-based physical activity interventions. This survey study examined the factors that influence the provision of classroom-based physical activity to students in the early years of primary school in Australia. A social ecological approach guided questionnaire design and analysis. A 45-item online questionnaire was administered to Australian classroom teachers and assistant, deputy and school principals working with students in Prep/Kindergarten to Year 2. Descriptive analysis determined response frequencies and content analysis was used to identify common themes in open-ended responses. The survey response rate was 22%; 34 of the 75 participants answered at least 93% of the survey questions. Barriers to providing classroom-based physical activity include: insufficient time, limited training opportunities, limited resources, educator attitudes to physical activity, and confidence. Proposed strategies to overcome barriers include the provision of training and resources to improve educator knowledge of the benefits of classroom-based physical activity for children’s health and learning, and to improve their confidence in delivering classroom-based physical activity. Creating a supportive school culture towards physical activity through implementation of whole-of-school physical activity policies is recommended. Overall, the results of this study suggest that multiple strategies, targeted at the individual (i.e., educator) and organisational (i.e., school) levels, may be necessary to enable Australian schools to overcome perceived barriers to providing physical activity opportunities to students in the early years of school during class time. Findings from this research elucidate how Australian schools may be best supported to implement classroom-based physical activity programs, as part of a whole-of-school approach to physical activity promotion.
Two different populations of Müller cells stabilize the structure of the fovea: an optical coherence tomography study
Authors: Bringmann Andreas , Unterlauft Jan Darius , Wiedemann Renate , Barth Thomas , Rehak Matus , Wiedemann Peter
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To document with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography the structural stabilization of the fovea and the sealing of outer macular defects by Müller cells.

Methods

A retrospective case series of 45 eyes of 34 patients is described.

Results

In cases of a cystic disruption of the foveola as in macular telangiectasia type 2 and vitreomacular traction, the Müller cell cone provides the structural stability of the fovea. In cases of a detachment or disruption of the Müller cell cone, e.g., in foveal pseudocysts, outer lamellar holes, and degenerative and tractional lamellar holes, Müller cells of the foveal walls may provide the structural stability of the fovea by the formation of a hyperreflective external limiting membrane (ELM) which bridges the holes in the central outer nuclear layer (ONL). Müller cells of the foveal walls and parafovea mediate the regeneration of the foveal architecture in cases of outer lamellar and full-thickness macular holes. The regeneration proceeds by a centripetal displacement of photoreceptor cell somata which closes the holes in the central ONL. The closure may be supported by the formation of a glial tissue band at the ELM which seals the hole.

Conclusions

The Müller cell cone provides the foveal stability in cases of a cystic disruption of the foveola. The structural stability of the outer foveal layers is mainly provided by the Müller cells of the foveal walls and parafovea; these cells also mediate the regeneration of the outer fovea in cases of a defect of the central ONL.
Thinking about Others’ Minds: Mental State Inference in Boys with Conduct Problems and Callous-Unemotional Traits
Authors: Roberts Ruth , McCrory Eamon , Bird Geoffrey , Sharp Molly , Roberts Linda , Viding Essi
Published: July 2020

Children with conduct problems (CP) and high levels of callous-unemotional traits (CP/HCU) have been found to have an intact ability to represent other minds, however, they behave in ways that indicate a reduced propensity to consider other people’s thoughts and feelings. Here we report findings from three tasks assessing different aspects of mentalising in 81 boys aged 11–16 [Typically developing (TD) n = 27; CP/HCU n = 28; CP and low levels of callous-unemotional traits (CP/LCU) n = 26]. Participants completed the Movie Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC), a task assessing ability/propensity to incorporate judgements concerning an individual’s mind into mental state inference; provided a written description of a good friend to assess mind-mindedness; and completed the Social Judgement Task (SJT), a new measure assessing mentalising about antisocial actions. Boys with CP/HCU had more difficulty in accurately inferring others’ mental states in the MASC than TD and CP/LCU boys. There were no group differences in the number of mind-related comments as assessed by the mind-mindedness protocol or in responses to the SJT task. These findings suggest that although the ability to represent mental states is intact, CP/HCU boys are less likely to update mental state inferences as a function of different minds.
Knowledge, Attitudes, Prevalence and Associated Factors of Cigarette Smoking Among University Students: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Al Omari Omar , Abu Sharour Loai , Heslop Karen , Wynaden Dianne , Alkhawaldeh Abdullah , Al Qadire Mohammad , Khalaf Atika
Published: July 2020

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of smoking and associated sociodemographic and economic factors as well as students’ knowledge about and attitudes towards smoking among university students in Oman. A proportionate random sampling technique recruited 401 students from three universities in a cross-sectional study. The prevalence of smoking was 9.0%. Significant differences in gender, place of residence, if participants had received medical advice, years spent at the university, student income/day, family members who smoked, knowledge and attitude scores were identified. Universities in collaboration with health care providers should be leading the development of strategies to reduce the prevalence of smoking and to sustain the current knowledge and attitude towards smoking. Gender-specific approaches to smoking interventions need to be developed.
Truthmakers or truthmaking supervenience?
Authors: De Michael
Published: July 2020

I argue that counterpart theory is incompatible with truthmaking supervenience, the thesis that truth supervenes on what there is and how things are. I further argue that David Lewis’s “qua” strategy for providing ontologically innocent and Humean-friendly truthmakers for predications faces a number of difficulties. I propose and assess various solutions to those difficulties, each of which comes at the cost of sacrificing one of the two main virtues of the qua strategy.
The differential impact of friendship on cooperative and competitive coordination
Authors: Chierchia Gabriele , Tufano Fabio , Coricelli Giorgio
Published: July 2020

Friendship is commonly assumed to reduce strategic uncertainty and enhance tacit coordination. However, this assumption has never been tested across two opposite poles of coordination involving either strategic complementarity or substitutability. We had participants interact with friends or strangers in two classic coordination games: the stag-hunt game, which exhibits strategic complementarity and may foster “cooperation”, and the entry game, which exhibits strategic substitutability and may foster “competition”. Both games capture a frequent trade-off between a potentially high paying but uncertain option and a low paying but safe alternative. We find that, relative to strangers, friends are more likely to choose options involving uncertainty in stag-hunt games, but the opposite is true in entry games. Furthermore, in stag-hunt games, friends “tremble” less between options, coordinate better and earn more, but these advantages are largely decreased or lost in entry games. We further investigate how these effects are modulated by risk attitudes, friendship qualities, and interpersonal similarities.
Electroacupuncture improves myocardial ischemia injury via activation of adenosine receptors
Authors: Ren Yulan , Chen Zhihan , Wang Rui , Yu Yang , Li Dehua , He Yonggang
Published: July 2020

Electroacupuncture (EA) can improve myocardial ischemia (MI) injury; nevertheless, the mechanism is not entirely clear. And there were disagreements about whether the effect of EA at acupoint in disease-affected meridian is better than EA at acupoint in non-affected meridian and sham acupoint. Here, we showed that the effect of EA at Neiguan (PC6) is better than EA at Hegu (LI4) and sham acupoint in affecting RPP and ECG, increasing ATP and ADO production, decreasing AMP production, and upregulating the mRNA expression levels of A1AR, A2aAR, and A2bAR; knockdown of A1AR or A2bAR reversed the effect of EA at PC6 in alleviating MI injury; knockdown of A2aAR had no influence on the cardiac protection of EA at PC6; thus, the cardioprotective effect of EA at PC6 needs A1AR and A2bAR, instead of A2aAR; considering that the cardio protection of adenosine receptor needs activation of other adenosine receptors, one of the reasons may be that after silence of A1AR or A2bAR, EA at PC6 could not impact the expression levels of the other two adenosine receptors, and after silence of A2aAR, EA at PC6 could impact the expression levels of A1AR and A2bAR. These results suggested that EA at PC6 may be a potential and effective treatment for MI by activation of A1AR and A2bAR.
Thermal Properties of Söderberg Electrode Materials
Authors: White Jesse F. , Rigas Konstantinos , Peter Andersson S. , Glaser Björn
Published: July 2020

Thermal properties of green Söderberg electrode pastes were measured up to 1073 K (800 °C) using the transient plane source method. Comparison was made to measurements on an electrode material baked beforehand to 1473 K (1200 °C). For the green pastes, thermal conductivity was found to decrease up to 673 K (400 °C) at the onset of baking. After about 873 K (600 °C), thermal conductivity of the material increases with increasing temperature. For previously baked Söderberg material, thermal conductivity continually increases with increasing temperature.
Correction to: Hypothermic circulatory arrest induced coagulopathy: rotational thromboelastometry analysis
Authors: Ise Hayato , Kitahara Hiroto , Oyama Kyohei , Takahashi Keiya , Kanda Hirotsugu , Fujii Satoshi , Kunisawa Takayuki , Kamiya Hiroyuki
Published: July 2020

The article “Hypothermic circulatory arrest induced coagulopathy: rotational thromboelastometry analysis”, written by Hayato Ise, Hiroto Kitahara, Kyohei Oyama, Keiya Takahashi, Hirotsugu Kanda, Satoshi Fujii, Takayuki Kunisawa, Hiroyuki Kamiya, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on 7 June 2020 without open access.
Thyroid function and risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a prospective population-based cohort study
Authors: Groothof Dion , Flores-Guerrero Jose L. , Nolte Ilja M. , Bouma Hjalmar R. , Gruppen Eke G. , Bano Arjola , Post Adrian , Kootstra-Ros Jenny E. , Hak Eelko , Bos Jens H. J. , de Borst Martin H. , Gans Reinold O. B. , Links Thera P. , Dullaart Robin P. F. , Bakker Stephan J. L.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Although thyroid hormones are irrefutably implicated in cardiovascular physiology, the impact of within-reference range variations of thyroid function on cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. Elucidating this is important, since it could foster preventive treatment and reduce global CVD burden. We therefore investigated the impact of within-reference range variations of thyroid function on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Methods

We included community-dwelling individuals aged 28–75 years from a prospective cohort study, without known use of thyroid-affecting therapy and with thyrotropin within reference range. Associations of thyroid function with mortality were quantified using Cox models and adjusted for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors.

Results

Mean (SD) age of the 6,054 participants (52.0% male) was 53.3 (12.0) years. During 47,594 person-years of follow-up, we observed 380 deaths from all causes and 103 from CVDs. Although higher thyrotropin was not associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.92–1.14), point estimates for cardiovascular mortality diverged toward increased risk in younger (<72 years) participants (1.31, 1.00–1.72) and decreased risk in elderly (≥72 years) (0.77, 0.56–1.06). Higher free thyroxine (FT4) was associated with all-cause mortality (1.18, 1.07–1.30) and with cardiovascular mortality only in elderly (1.61, 1.19–2.18), but not in younger participants (1.03, 0.78–1.34). Higher free triiodothyronine (FT3) was associated with all-cause mortality in females only (1.18, 1.02–1.35). FT3 was not associated with cardiovascular mortality (0.91, 0.70–1.18).

Conclusions

Community-dwelling elderly individuals with high-normal thyroid function are at increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, reinforcing the need of redefining the current reference ranges of thyroid function.
Mindfulness in medical education: coming of age
Authors: Epstein Ronald M.
Published: July 2020

None
Application of the eutectic high entropy alloy Nb0.73CoCrFeNi2.1 for high temperature joints
Authors: Tillmann W. , Wojarski L. , Stangier D. , Manka M. , Timmer C.
Published: July 2020

The eutectic high entropy alloy Nb0.73CoCrFeNi2.1 was manufactured by means of arc smelting and the obtained ingots were cut into 300-μm-thick foils, which were used as filler alloys to braze Crofer 22 APU to Hf-metallized yttria-stabilized zirconia (3YSZ). The brazing process was conducted in a vacuum furnace at 1200 °C for 5 min at a vacuum of 4.3·10–4 mbar. In order to minimize the intense diffusion and erosion of the steel substrate, a heating and cooling rate of 50 K/min was applied. Sound joints without any pores or flaws were obtained. The microstructure of the joints consisted of an HfO2 reaction layer at the ceramic interface and the same eutectic structure consisting of a Laves phase and a solid solution that was already detected in the smelted foil. The average hardness of the microstructure in the joint seam amounted to 352 ± 17 HV0.01 and the joints reached strength values up to 97 ± 7 MPa while the fracture area was always located at the ceramic interface in the HfO2 layer. Comparable joints, with AgCuTi3 as filler metal, brazed at 920 °C, only reached a shear strength of ~ 52 ± 2 MPa.
Cold Agglutinin Disease and Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia with Pulmonary Embolism as a Presentation of COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Patil Neha R. , Herc Erica S. , Girgis Marian
Published: July 2020

Background:

Lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated D-dimer and ferritin levels are frequently reported in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here we report a case of cold agglutinin disease (CAD), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), and pulmonary embolism as a presentation of COVID-19 infection.

Case report:

A 51-year-old African-American woman presented to the emergency room with fever and shortness of breath. She was tachycardic, febrile, and had an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. Laboratory studies showed hemoglobin (Hb) 5.1 g/dL, D-dimer 4.55 mg/mL, and C-reactive protein 12.3 mg/dL. Computed tomography scan of the chest showed acute pulmonary embolism involving the bilateral lower lobe segmental branches. Her influenza test was negative, but her SARS-CoV-2 test returned positive. Due to severe anemia, she was not started on any anticoagulation. Haptoglobin was low. Direct antiglobulin test returned positive for anticomplement and negative for anti-immunoglobulin G. Cold agglutinin titer was 80. Mycoplasma, Epstein–Barr virus, parvovirus, human immunodeficiency viruses, and acute hepatitis screen were negative. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography showed a normal liver and spleen without lymphadenopathy. Peripheral blood smear showed red blood cell agglutination. On Day 2, she became hypoxic requiring 6 L oxygen. Since her Hb remained stable, she was started on low-intensity unfractionated heparin. Inflammatory markers subsequently improved and she was weaned off oxygen. Her Hb remained stable at 9 g/dL and she was discharged home. After 2 weeks, her Hb increased to 11 g/dL.

Conclusion:

As exemplified in this case report, COVID-19 infection can lead to thromboembolism, CAD, and AIHA and it should be recognized as a potential etiology to such rare diseases.
A Focused Update on Tardive Dyskinesia
Authors: Blanchet Pierre J.
Published: July 2020

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a delayed and potentially irreversible motor complication following chronic exposure to centrally acting dopamine receptor antagonists, mainly of the class of antipsychotics drugs. New generations of antipsychotic drugs reduced its mean prevalence to 20%, but it continues to mar the drug experience and social integration in a significant fraction of patients. The underlying molecular cascade remains elusive, explaining in part why TD management is so often difficult. Protocol variations between experimental laboratories and inter-species differences in the biological response to antipsychotic drugs have added layers of complexity. The traditional dopamine D2 receptor supersensitivity hypothesis was revisited in an experimental nonhuman primate model. Findings in the striatum revealed a strong upregulation of D3, not D2, receptors specific to dyskinetic animals, and indirect evidence suggestive of a link between overactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β signaling and TD. New effective vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 inhibitors alleviating TD have been approved in the USA. They were integrated to an emerging stepwise treatment algorithm for troublesome TD, which also includes consideration for changes in the current antipsychotic drug regimen and recognition of potentially aggravating factors such as anticholinergic co-medications. These advances may benefit TD.
Congenital Herniation of the Gyrus Rectus Resulting in Compressive Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Gilani Kia , Maralani Pejman Jabehdar , Sundaram Arun NE
Published: July 2020

We report a 34-year-old male with a previously uninvestigated lifelong blindness of the right eye from compressive optic neuropathy secondary to congenital herniation of the gyrus rectus (HGR). His past medical history was otherwise unremarkable, with no history of prior head or ocular trauma. On examination, he had no light perception in the right eye, right relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD), and primary optic atrophy. His left eye had normal visual acuity, color vision, and a healthy optic disc. There was a sensory exotropia in the right eye; however, extraocular movements were intact and the remainder of his neurological exam was normal. MRI revealed compression of the prechiasmatic right optic nerve from HGR and atrophy of the right optic nerve and optic chiasm (Figures 1 and 2), without any parenchymal mass lesions. There were no signal abnormalities in the optic nerves or the chiasm.
All-Cause Mortality After the Great East Japan Earthquake in Fukushima Prefecture: Trends From 2009 to 2016 and Variation by Displacement
Authors: Tsuboi Satoshi , Mine Tomosa , Kanke Satoshi , Ohira Tetsuya
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake (the Great East Japan Earthquake) occurred off the east coast of Japan. After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accidents, as of 2016, people were not allowed to live in the 6 districts (Tomioka, Okuma, Futaba, Namie, Katsurao, Iidate) in Fukushima Prefecture. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of displacement on all-cause mortality in Fukushima Prefecture.

Methods:

Data regarding population and deaths from 2009 to 2016 in Fukushima Prefecture were obtained from the governmental statistics. The age-adjusted all-cause mortality were compared among the 4 areas in Fukushima Prefecture; the Eastern, Middle, Western, and Displacement areas.

Results:

The age-adjusted all-cause mortality rates in the Eastern and Displacement areas were higher than in the other 2 areas from 2009 to 2011. During the period from 2012 to 2016, all-cause mortality in the Displacement area decreased to the lowest, while the morality in the Eastern area remained the highest.

Conclusions:

Against all expectations, after the earthquake, all-cause mortality in the Displacement area was continuously lower than in the rest of the Fukushima Prefecture. Following disasters, long-term monitoring should be organized to meet local health-care needs.
Insurance, Big Data and Changing Conceptions of Fairness
Authors: Barry Laurence
Published: July 2020

This paper aims to show how insurance mechanisms that historically propelled a conception of fairness based on solidarity and a collective approach shifted along the 20th century towards an idealistic adjustment to individual risk. Insurance originally assumed that, while individual hazards remained unknown, risk could be measured and managed on the aggregate. An examination of the proceedings of the American Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) during the 20th century demonstrates the slow crystallization of another conception of fairness, that aims at a scientific adjustment of insurance premiums to actual “individual risks.” I argue that this conception of fairness deconstructs the one based on solidarity. Big data technologies have further radicalized this shift. By aiming at predictive individual risk scores rather than average costs estimated on the aggregate, the algorithms contribute to replacing fairness as solidarity by the correctness of a computation.
The fox tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis, in grey wolves and dogs in Slovakia: epidemiology and genetic analysis
Authors: Jarošová J. , Antolová D. , Šnábel V. , Guimarães N. , Štofík J. , Urban P. , Cavallero S. , Miterpáková M.
Published: July 2020

Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of human alveolar echinococcosis, is an important emerging parasite in the northern hemisphere. In epidemiological studies, the highest attention is being paid to foxes as the main reservoir hosts responsible for geographic expansion from multiple focal populations and the invasion of urban habitats, but little information is available on the parasite distribution in other carnivores. Hence, the study was designed to obtain updated information about the occurrence and genetic diversity of E. multilocularis in grey wolves and dogs in Slovakia. Faecal samples of wolves were collected from three locations under a certain level of environmental protection in the central and eastern parts of the country, and the presence of the parasite DNA was detected in 35.7% of 112 samples, with the highest rate (51.2%) recorded in the Poloniny National Park in north-eastern Slovakia. Among 110 faecal dog samples, E. multilocularis was detected in three faeces from segregated Roma settlements in the eastern part of the country, which accounted for an overall positivity of 2.7%. Sequence analysis of two mitochondrial genes, 12S rRNA and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1, revealed four haplotypes in 13 isolates from wolves and dogs originating from four sites in eastern and central Slovakia, with all samples bearing a European-type pattern of E. multilocularis. The more than one-third positivity rate of E. multilocularis in wolf faecal samples dispersed over a large part of the country has corroborated the extensive circulation of the parasite in wildlife and confirmed the need to improve intervention control strategies.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of three family clusters of COVID-19 transmitted by latent patients in China
Authors: Li Jing , Ding Jiguang , Chen Li , Hong Liang , Yu Xiaoqi , Ye Enling , Sun Gangqiang , Zhang Binbin , Zhang Xinxin , Sun Qingfeng
Published: July 2020

From 21 January 2020 to 9 February 2020, three family clusters involving 31 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 were identified in Wenzhou, China. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the family cluster patients were analysed and compared with those of 43 contemporaneous sporadic cases. The three index cases transmitted the infection to 28 family members 2–10 days before illness onset. Overall, 28 of the 41 sporadic cases and three of 31 patients in the family clusters came back from Wuhan (65.12 vs. 9.68%, P< 0.001). In terms of epidemiological characters and clinical symptoms, no significant differences were observed between the family cluster and sporadic cases. However, the lymphocyte counts of sporadic cases were significantly lower than those of family cluster cases ((1.32 ± 0.55) × 109/l vs. (1.63 ± 0.70) × 109/l, P = 0.037), and the proportion of hypoalbuminaemia was higher in sporadic cases (18/43, 41.86%) than in the family clusters (6/31, 19.35%) (P < 0.05). Within the family cluster, the second- and third-generation cases had milder clinical manifestations, without severe conditions, compared with the index and first-generation cases, indicating that the virulence gradually decreased following passage through generations within the family clusters. Close surveillance, timely recognition and isolation of the suspected or latent patient is crucial in preventing family cluster infection.
A teenager with CHD and coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Olfe Jakob , Grafmann Maria , Kozlik-Feldmann Rainer
Published: July 2020

A 16-year-old girl with history of treated congenital mitral valve disease and signs of respiratory infection was admitted to our paediatric cardiology department. She was tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Despite her severe pre-existing cardiac conditions with pulmonary hypertension, atrial arrhythmias and mitral valve stenosis, the infection did not lead to any cardiac or pulmonary deterioration. In adults, cardiac co-morbidities are known risk factors for a severe course of coronavirus disease 2019 infections. This case illustrates that in children even severe cardiac disease is not necessarily associated with a severe course of coronavirus disease 2019.
Hard and Soft Euroscepticism in the European Parliament
Authors: Kaniok Petr , Komínková Magda
Published: July 2020

Euroscepticism has become a stable component of the European Parliament. But is there one distinct Euroscepticism in the European Parliament or do various types exist there? Departing from the widely accepted definitions of hard and soft Euroscepticism, we analysed the behaviour of Eurosceptical groups in the European Parliament in order to assess how they differ. Using data from parliamentary questions, we argue that there are substantial differences between these two groups. This suggests that hard and soft Euroscepticisms do not represent different degrees of one phenomenon, but instead refer to two fundamentally different stances towards European integration.
Centrifuge Polarizing Microscope
Authors: Inoué S , Knudson R A , Suzuki K , Okada N , Takahashi H , Iida M , Yamanaka K
Published: July 2020

We report here the successful development of a new instrument, the Centrifuge Polarizing Microscope (CPM). The CPM was developed to explore, by high-extinction polarized light microscopy, the dynamic alignment, linkage, and interaction of macromolecules, fine structure, and organelles in living cells and developing embryos being centrifugally stratified. It should also find applications in material sciences, e.g., for examining centrifugal stratification, compaction, and alignment of liquid crystals and emulsions; the CPM uniquely allows continuous observation and measurement of the weak birefringence exhibited by molecules and fine structures that are oriented, or become oriented, under centrifugal acceleration.

Centrifuge microscopes of various designs have been built since the 1930s but were not equipped for polarization optics. In the 8-cm-radius rotor of our prototype CPM, spinning between the objective and condenser lenses with numerical apertures of up to 0.55, the specimen chamber is illuminated stroboscopically by a 5- to 7-ns intense flash of 532-nm-wavelength light from a Nd- YAG laser, synchronized to fire exactly as the specimen intersects the axis of the objective lens (Fig. 1).
Virtual EDS - A Cross-Platform Interactive Multimedia Tool for Self-Paced Instruction in Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Microanalysis.
Authors: Griffin Brendan J , Nockolds Clive E
Published: July 2020

The collection and analysis of x-rays emitted by samples in electron microscopes is in many ways a dynamic process. Conventional methods of off-line teaching are restricted in their ability to convey this dynamic and interactive nature. The recent developments in multimedia software and the increase in power of desktop systems can be taken advantage of in teaching in this area. Specifically the original AMAS (Australian Microbeam Analysis Society) EDS course notes have been integrated with a range of interactive tutorials and multi-choice assessment using the Macromedia Director 6.0 multimedia authoring software. The ‘Virtual EDS’ software is compatible with the Macintosh, Windows'95, Windows NT and Windows 3.11 platforms, on CD-ROM.

The project is on-going but currently the software contains the full AMAS EDS notes updated as thirteen reference topics and the following four interactive tutorials:
A Model Outreach Program for Teaching Scanning Electron Microscopy Technology: Successes and Failures
Authors: Smith NR , Quinta RA
Published: July 2020

A partnership has developed between the Microscope and Graphic Imaging Center (MAGIC) at California State University, Hayward and Ohlone Community College. The purpose of the collaboration is to develop a program to allow community college students to gain experience in preparing and viewing samples using scanning electron microscopy technology. The learning module involves students from the Ohlone College Biology Majors Program and student mentors from CSUH. An additional component is the introduction of under-represented students into a Biology Fellowship Program in which they also participate in the SEM learning module. Participants for these programs are selected on the basis of their interest and how this experience will benefit them as expressed in a one-page written essay. Ten students are selected to participate in the programs.

The objectives of the learning module are to: 1) learn specimen preparation techniques and develop skills in SEM technology; 2) gain hands-on experience and develop some laboratory skills necessary for effective use of a SEM in studying biological specimens; 3) share the experience gained with peers at their home institution.
Understanding Digital Color Imaging and Processing
Authors: Newell Bruce D
Published: July 2020

Color and Color Perception

Accurate color reproduction is an essential component in the effective use of digital imaging techniques in light microscopy. The color reproduction process begins with an understanding that color is the result of three key elements; light, the illuminated object, and the observation method. When light strikes an object, wavelengths may be reflected, absorbed or transmitted. Additionally, the observed colors are strongly influenced by the intensity of the illumination and its spectral content. Colors we think of as “white” can vary significantly in their spectral distribution, e.g., skylight is actually a bluish white while tungsten bulbs produce a yellowish white.

Light waves that reach the eye stimulate a complex process that is not yet fully understood. Within the retina, three different types of cones respond to color hues and brightness while rods sense only brightness.
Spot Measurement Tool for Diffraction Pattern Analysis
Authors: Bright David S , Myers Alline F , Turner Shirley , Steel Eric B
Published: July 2020

Accurate characterization of electron diffraction patterns can be tedious, which encourages development of computer assisted tools and methods. We developed a spot measurement tool to characterize rapidly arrays of diffraction spots that are characteristic of a single crystal, and to measure precisely the d-spacing values for individual spots. The spot tool determines these vectors for averaged measurements from many spots in a digital image of the diffraction pattern. Previously we developed automated methods for spot pattern analysis. Why make an operator-assisted tool? This tool is faster than either our automated or entirely manual methods, and it allows assessment of the quality of the data at the beginning of the analysis.

It is easy to see regular patterns of spots in a zone axis diffraction pattern (Fig. 1.1). An operator guides the initial calculations by adjusting an array of circles to approximately cover the spots in the pattern to be analyzed.
The Position-Sensitive Atom Probe - A New Dimension In Atom Probe Analysis
Authors: Cerezo A , Warren PJ , Smith GDW
Published: July 2020

A possible description of the ideal microscope would be an instrument which was able to reconstruct, with atomic resolution and in 3 dimensions, both the position and the chemical identity of atoms in a material. The 3-dimensional atom probe (3DAP) is the technique which comes closest to this goal.

The position-sensitive atom probe (PoSAP) was the first 3DAP. In the PoSAP, the high magnification of the field-ion microscope is combined with the time-of-flight mass spectroscopy of the atom probe, and position-sensitive detection based on a wedge-and-strip anode, Fig.1. This combination allows the chemical identity and the original surface position to be determined for single atoms removed from a field-ion specimen by pulsed field evaporation. Continued field evaporation and analysis builds up a 3D image of the distribution of all the atomic species originally present in the material, Fig. 2.
An APFIM and TEM Study of Ni4Mo Precipitation In a Commercial Ni-28% Mo-1.4 % Fe-0.4% Cr Wt. % Alloy
Authors: Thomson R C , Brown N , Bates J S , Russell K F , Miller M K
Published: July 2020

Ni-Mo alloys containing at least 26 wt.% Mo have a negligible corrosion rate in boiling 10% hydrochloric acid and are therefore used in corrosive environments. A series of commercial Ni-Mo alloys has been developed with subtle variations in chemical composition. These alloys usually contain ∼28 wt.% Mo with additions of up to 5 % Fe and Cr. A significant amount of research has been performed to understand the microstructure and properties of these alloys, although most of the effort has concentrated on the Ni-Mo binary system. In some alloys with low Fe and Cr contents, a severe embrittlement problem has been observed due to the formation of the Ni4Mo (D1a-ordered) phase within the microstructure. The calculated section of the ternary Ni-Mo-Fe phase diagram in Fig. 1 illustrates that the addition of Fe stabilises Ni3Mo with respect to the brittle Ni4Mo phase.
High Resolution Analysis of Elemental Partitioning in Nickel-Base Superalloy Welds Using Atom Probe Field Ion Microscopy
Authors: Babu S S , David S A , Vitek J M , Miller M K
Published: July 2020

Weldability of single-crystal and directionally solidified Ni-base alloys is important for repairwelding of failed components. During welding, phase decomposition and subsequent microstructure development may occur under non-equilibrium conditions. The final microstructure and phase composition of γ and γ' phases in these welds control the weld properties. Previous work used atom-probe field-ion microscopy (APFIM) for characterizing commercial single-crystal alloys. This work summarizes the microstructural development in PWA-1480 [Ni - 11.5 at. % Cr - 11.0% A1 - 5.1% Co - 1.3% W - 1.9% Ti - 4.0% Ta] electron beam (EB) welds and CMSX-4 [Ni - 7.5 at. % Cr - 12.7% A1 - 9.9% Co - 0.38% Mo -2.1% W - 1.3% Ti - 2.2% Ta - 0.95% Re - 0.034% Hf| pulsed laser (PL) welds.

In both PL and EB welds, a dendritic mode of weld solidification was observed.
Atom Probe Field Ion Microscopy of Titanium Aluminides
Authors: Larson D J , Miller M K
Published: July 2020

Titanium aluminides have a number of potential high temperature applications due to their good elevated-temperature mechanical properties, low density, and good creep and oxidation resistance. However, fabrication of commercial components of these materials has been impeded by their poor mechanical properties at ambient temperatures. Significant efforts with various degrees of success have been made to improve the mechanical properties of these TiAl alloys by doping them with a variety of different elements including B, C, Cr, Er, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Nb, P, Si, Ta, V and W. One of the optimum analytical tools for investigating the effects of these additions on the microstructure is the atom probe field ion microscope. However, relatively few studies of titanium aluminides, compared to some other intermetallic compounds, have performed by atom probe field ion microscopy. This lack of attention can be attributed to the brittle nature of the material, in-situ transformations that occur during the field ion microscopy and preferential evaporation problems that were encountered in some of the early studies.
Clustering and Segregation of Ag and Mg Atoms in the Nucleation and Growth Stage of Ω And T1 Precipitates In Al-Cu(-Li) Alloys
Authors: Murayama M , Reich L , Hono K
Published: July 2020

Trace additions of Ag and Mg in Al-Cu and Al-Li-Cu alloys change the precipitation processes drastically. In Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy, plate-like Ω phase precipitates on the {111} matrix planes. Similarly, additions of Ag and Mg to Al-Li-Cu alloy cause uniform dispersion of the T1 precipitate on the {111} matrix planes. Ω and T1 phases are structurally and morphologically similar, and a similar mechanism is expected to work in both alloy systems to enhance uniform dispersion of the plate-like precipitates on the {111} planes. A previous atom probe work [1] reported that Ag and Mg are segregated at the αΩ. interfaces in an Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy. In an Al-Li-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy, Ag and Mg atoms were found to be incorporated with the T, phase [2]; however, because of the thinness of the T1, plate, the exact location of these atoms with respect to the T1, phase could not be determined sucessfully by a conventional atom probe.