bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polysaccharide-Based Chiral Stationary Phases on Gold Nanoparticles Modified Silica Beads for Liquid-Phase Separation of Enantiomers
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Gao Zhuxian , Chen Tong , Wei Manman , Ma Yulong , Ma Xiaoxia , Xu Hong
Published: July 2020

Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) (10−15 nm in size) were prepared and deposited on the surfaces of silica particles functionalized using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as the seeds under mild conditions. Then, Au seeds grew further and formed nanosheets by the method of gold chloride hydrate reduction. 3, 5-dimethylphenyl isocyanate derivative of cellulose as chiral selector was coated on the surfaces of SiO2/Au. The obtained spheres possessed a sandwich structure in which silica bead, the packed Au NPs monolayer and cellulose derivative were the core, the interlayer and the shell, respectively. The resultant packing material was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as chiral stationary phase (CSP). The separations of nine pairs of enantiomers were achieved in the normal-phase liquid chromatography mode. The results showed that the new CSP has sufficient interaction with the analytes due to the existence of AuNPs on silica surfaces compared with coated cellulose-silica column.
A Cotton Disease Diagnosis Method Using a Combined Algorithm of Case-Based Reasoning and Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Dong Yuhong , Fu Zetian , Stankovski Stevan , Peng Yaoqi , Li Xinxing
Published: July 2020

In this study, a cotton disease diagnosis method that uses a combined algorithm of case-based reasoning (CBR) and fuzzy logic was designed and implemented. It focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and control of diseases affecting cotton production in China. Conventional methods of disease diagnosis are primarily based on CBR with reference to user-provided symptoms; however, in most cases, user-provided symptoms do not fully meet the requirements of CBR. To address this problem, fuzzy logic is incorporated into CBR to allow for more flexible and accurate models. With the help of CBR and fuzzy reasoning, three diagnostic results can be obtained by the cotton disease diagnosis system (CDDS) constructed in this study: success, success but not exact and failure. To verify the reliability of the CDDS and its ability to diagnose cotton diseases, its diagnostic accuracy and stability were analyzed and compared with the results obtained by the traditional expert scoring method. The analysis results reveal that the CDDS can achieve a high diagnostic success rate (above 90%) and better diagnostic stability than the traditional expert scoring method when at least four disease symptoms are input. The CDDS provides an independent and objective source of information to assist farmers in the diagnosis and prevention of cotton diseases.
Vaccination Rates and Family Barriers Among Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Holland Kathleen J , Wilkinson Tracey A , Phipps Erin , Slaven James E , Bennett William E
Published: July 2020

Background

Many children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are taking immunosuppressant medications that place them at risk for vaccine preventable diseases. Despite national guidelines, children with IBD have low vaccination rates. Adult data suggest that there is concern about the safety of vaccines. There are no current studies addressing perceived safety about vaccinations among families of children with IBD.

Methods

A total of 108 caregivers of children (ages 10–25 years) were surveyed during their outpatient visit, with approximately half having a diagnosis of IBD. The survey consisted of validated questions regarding vaccine safety and opinions. After enrollment, state-wide vaccine registry data was collected. Demographics between the 2 groups were compared using chi-square and the Wilcoxon rank-sum tests to analyze Likert-scale questions.

Results

The majority of children followed for IBD were Caucasian males, had Crohn disease (68%), and were immunosuppressed. Results from the survey revealed a concern about vaccine safety (40% vs 16%, P = 0.03) and overall effectiveness (34% vs 12%, P < 0.01) in the IBD group compared with the non-IBD. Furthermore, more IBD families were worried that vaccines would worsen their child’s symptoms (36% vs 10%, P ≤ 0.01). The majority of children were missing the flu and/or human papilloma virus vaccine. Finally, 96% of the children on a biologic for their IBD were missing the PPSV23 booster.

Conclusions

Caregivers of children with IBD are more concerned about vaccine safety and effectiveness than those with non-IBD diagnosis. Despite being on immunosuppressant medications, many patients were missing recommended vaccines.
Successful removal of a circular mapping catheter which perforated the pulmonary vein during cryoballoon ablation by lateral thoracotomy: a case report
Authors: Yoshizawa Reisuke , Owada Shingen , Sawa Yohei , Deguchi Hiroyuki
Published: July 2020

Background

Serious complications may occur during cryoballoon ablation (CBA). However, pulmonary vein (PV) perforation by a circular mapping catheter and the strategy for removing the catheter remain poorly understood.

Case summary

A 40-year-old male presented with palpitations 2 years ago and was diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation 5 months ago. He underwent CBA for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. After isolation of the left PV, a circular mapping catheter was advanced in the right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV), and single freeze was performed. After isolation of the PV, the catheter tip was immobile and could not be withdrawn with significant resistance. Computed tomography showed that the catheter tip perforated the posterior basal vein (V10) of the RIPV and remained in the right lower lobe, along with intrapulmonary haemorrhage. The patient underwent surgery via right lateral thoracotomy to remove the catheter. The RIPV was peeled to the periphery to expose the V10. The catheter perforated the vessel wall in the middle of the V10 and entered the pulmonary parenchyma. A microincision on the lung parenchyma covering the surface of the catheter tip was performed, and the circular distal portion of the catheter was cut. The entire catheter (i.e. shaft and proximal portion) was successfully removed from the transseptal catheter.

Discussion

Surgical approach was performed for the management of PV perforation caused by a circular mapping catheter. This case may assist in troubleshooting and problem-solving in case such an event occurs again during procedures in the future.
A case report of absolute thrombocytopenia with ticagrelor
Authors: Khan Mahin R , Adhikari Govinda , Khan Hafiz , Changezi Hameem U
Published: July 2020

Background

We report a rare case of absolute thrombocytopenia with ticagrelor after 6 h of single loading dose of ticagrelor.

Case summary

A 68-year-old male with ischaemic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia presented with chest pain. He was found to be in new-onset atrial flutter and ruled in for a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. An echocardiogram showed decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, estimated at 15–20% and serum troponin peaked at 0.2 ng/dL, baseline platelet count was 203 × 103/µL. He underwent a drug-eluting stent placement to the right coronary artery with excellent angiographic results. He received 3000 units of unfractionated heparin and 180 mg of ticagrelor during the procedure. About 6 h after the procedure, he had coffee ground emesis. A complete blood count revealed a platelet count of 2 × 103 and 0 × 103/µL on repeat testing. Peripheral smear did not show any evidence of platelet clumping and schistocytes, serum haptoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase were normal. Ticagrelor and heparin were discontinued, while the aspirin was continued. Five units of platelet were transfused. The platelet count improved to 200 × 103/µL. Since his CHADS2VASC score was 3, he was discharged on apixaban and clopidogrel in addition to other medication. No thrombocytopenia was seen on outpatient follow-up.

Discussion

The common side effects of ticagrelor include bleeding, dyspnoea, gynaecomastia, and rarely thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Although extremely rare, absolute or profound thrombocytopenia can occur with ticagrelor, hours after administration and should be considered when other potential causes of thrombocytopenia have been ruled out.
‘Mobile’izing Agricultural Advice Technology Adoption Diffusion and Sustainability
Authors: Cole Shawn A , Fernando A Nilesh
Published: July 2020

Mobile phones promise to bring the ICT revolution to previously unconnected populations. A two-year study evaluates an innovative voice-based ICT advisory service for smallholder cotton farmers in India, demonstrating significant demand for, and trust in, new information. Farmers substantially alter their sources of information and consistently adopt inputs for cotton farming recommended by the service. Willingness to pay is, on average, less than the per-farmer cost of operating the service for our study, but likely exceeds the cost at scale. We do not find systematic evidence of gains in yields or profitability, suggesting the need for further research.
Contributions of cis- and trans-Regulatory Evolution to Transcriptomic Divergence across Populations in the Drosophila mojavensis Larval Brain
Authors: Benowitz Kyle M , Coleman Joshua M , Allan Carson W , Matzkin Luciano M
Published: July 2020

Natural selection on gene expression was originally predicted to result primarily in cis- rather than trans-regulatory evolution, due to the expectation of reduced pleiotropy. Despite this, numerous studies have ascribed recent evolutionary divergence in gene expression predominantly to trans-regulation. Performing RNA-seq on single isofemale lines from genetically distinct populations of the cactophilic fly Drosophila mojavensis and their F1 hybrids, we recapitulated this pattern in both larval brains and whole bodies. However, we demonstrate that improving the measurement of brain expression divergence between populations by using seven additional genotypes considerably reduces the estimate of trans-regulatory contributions to expression evolution. We argue that the finding of trans-regulatory predominance can result from biases due to environmental variation in expression or other sources of noise, and that cis-regulation is likely a greater contributor to transcriptional evolution across D. mojavensis populations. Lastly, we merge these lines of data to identify several previously hypothesized and intriguing novel candidate genes, and suggest that the integration of regulatory and population-level transcriptomic data can provide useful filters for the identification of potentially adaptive genes.
Post-critical SsPmp and its applications to virtual deep seismic sounding (VDSS)—3: back-projection imaging of the crust–mantle boundary in a heterogeneous lithosphere, theory and application
Authors: Liu Tianze , Klemperer Simon L , Yu Chunquan , Ning Jieyuan
Published: July 2020

Virtual deep seismic sounding (VDSS) uses the arrival time of post-critical SsPmp relative to the direct S wave to infer Moho depth at the Pmp reflection point. Due to the large offset between the virtual source and the receiver, SsPmp is more sensitive to lateral variations of structures than near-vertical phases such as Ps, which is used to construct conventional P receiver functions. However, the way post-critical SsPmp is affected by lateral variations in lithospheric structure is not well understood, and previous studies largely assumed a 1-D structure when analysing SsPmp waveforms. Here we present synthetic tests with various 2-D models to show that lateral variations in lithospheric structures, from the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB) to sedimentary basins, profoundly affect traveltime, phase and amplitude of post-critical SsPmp, and that a 1-D approximation is usually inappropriate when analysing 2-D data. Despite these strong effects we show, with synthetic examples and the ChinArray data from the Ordos Block in northern China, that a simple ray-theory-based back-projection method can retrieve the geometry of the crust–mantle boundary (CMB) given array observations in cases with moderate lateral variations in the CMB and/or the LAB. The success of our back-projection method indicates that ray-theory approximations are sufficient in modelling SsPmp traveltimes in the presence of moderate lateral heterogeneity. In contrast, we show that the ray theory is generally insufficient in modelling SsPmp phase shifts in a strongly heterogeneous lithosphere due to non-planar downgoing P waves incident at the CMB. Nonetheless, our results demonstrate the feasibility of direct imaging of the CMB with post-critical SsPmp even in the presence of 2-D variations of lithospheric structure.
The power of rumour(s) in international interventions: MINUSMA's management of Mali's rumour mill
Authors: Sandor Adam
Published: July 2020

The work of international interventions, whether grandiose or commonplace in scale, requires credible, verified information. Nevertheless, in settings of armed conflict that interventions aim to transform, information is more often than not improvised, unofficial, fragmented and based on multiple competing imaginaries. Interventions, therefore, are significantly influenced by rumours: the circulation of information and stories based on uncertain accounts of questionable provenance. Research on international intervention has neglected the place and power of rumour. To address this lacuna, this article examines the impact of rumour on the intervention logics and practices of the United Nations Multilateral Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). It argues that rumours evince an epistemological force that generates constitutive effects among different sets of conflict actors in Mali. To address the impacts of rumours, different divisions within the intervention pursue practices of investigation, correction and officialization. Nevertheless, by enacting these practices, political tensions emerge that reveal contradictory intervention logics within MINUSMA, and foster conflictual relations between the intervention and different conflict actors in the country, thereby decreasing how Malians perceive MINUSMA's legitimacy.
Disentangling the security traffic jam in the Sahel: constitutive effects of contemporary interventionism
Authors: Cold-Ravnkilde Signe Marie , Jacobsen Katja Lindskov
Published: July 2020

Despite years of ongoing interventions by multiple external and regional actors, the security situation in west Africa's Sahel region is dramatically deteriorating. In this introduction to the special section of the July 2020 issue of International Affairs, we zoom in on four major external international intervention actors (France, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations) in the Sahel region's escalating ‘security traffic jam’. We argue that the diversity of intervention actors makes the Sahel a paradigmatic case for exploring a set of often-overlooked constitutive intervention effects. By adding new temporal, relational and spatial dimensions to the notion of ‘constitutive effects’ as introduced by post-structuralists in the 1990s, we (re)launch constitutive effects as a conceptual framework for approaching the study of ongoing intervention engagements. From this perspective, and as further illustrated in this special section, intervention continuity and escalation cannot be explained simply with reference to frameworks of ‘success’ or ‘failure’, but require a broader conceptualization of effects, including how specific threat perceptions, rationales and problematizations get constituted and consolidated through and during ongoing intervention practice. Contributions to this special section each unpack a diverse set of constitutive effects including the contested performance of security actorness, the (un)making of security alliances and partnerships, logics of choices produced by ongoing intervention practices, as well as the constitution of conditions for continual international involvement.
The bitter harvest of French interventionism in the Sahel
Authors: Guichaoua Yvan
Published: July 2020

This article studies the bitter diplomatic sequence arising in the fall of 2019 between France and the Sahelian countries where France has been conducting military operations since 2013. Far from being just one more hiccup in the troubled relations between France and its former colonies, the article interprets this sequence as a constitutive effect of French protracted military presence in the Sahel. Specifically, it argues that although France has a rather clear security-driven agenda, its operational moves produced by bureaucratic thinking are questioned by influential sections of Sahelian public opinions who frame the French military presence as a deeply political issue over their country's sovereignty. In addition, being the de facto military guarantor of the security of Sahelian regimes, France constrains the domestic political conversation through the ‘red lines’ it imposes on actors. This externally-induced distortion of the domestic political landscape eventually places Sahelian authorities in front of a dilemma. Pleasing their foreign patrons might cost them the support of the section of public opinion most attached to national sovereignty, and expose them to nationalist entrepreneurs.
The anatomy of a distributed predictive modeling framework: online learning, blockchain network, and consensus algorithm
Authors: Kuo Tsung-Ting
Published: July 2020

Objective

Cross-institutional distributed healthcare/genomic predictive modeling is an emerging technology that fulfills both the need of building a more generalizable model and of protecting patient data by only exchanging the models but not the patient data. In this article, the implementation details are presented for one specific blockchain-based approach, ExplorerChain, from a software development perspective. The healthcare/genomic use cases of myocardial infarction, cancer biomarker, and length of hospitalization after surgery are also described.

Materials and Methods

ExplorerChain’s 3 main technical components, including online machine learning, metadata of transaction, and the Proof-of-Information-Timed (PoINT) algorithm, are introduced in this study. Specifically, the 3 algorithms (ie, core, new network, and new site/data) are described in detail.

Results

ExplorerChain was implemented and the design details of it were illustrated, especially the development configurations in a practical setting. Also, the system architecture and programming languages are introduced. The code was also released in an open source repository available at https://github.com/tsungtingkuo/explorerchain.

Discussion

The designing considerations of semi-trust assumption, data format normalization, and non-determinism was discussed. The limitations of the implementation include fixed-number participating sites, limited join-or-leave capability during initialization, advanced privacy technology yet to be included, and further investigation in ethical, legal, and social implications.

Conclusion

This study can serve as a reference for the researchers who would like to implement and even deploy blockchain technology. Furthermore, the off-the-shelf software can also serve as a cornerstone to accelerate the development and investigation of future healthcare/genomic blockchain studies.
Communication through the electronic health record: frequency and implications of free text orders
Authors: Kandaswamy Swaminathan , Hettinger Aaron Z , Hoffman Daniel J , Ratwani Raj M , Marquard Jenna
Published: July 2020

Communication for non-medication order (CNMO) is a type of free text communication order providers use for asynchronous communication about patient care. The objective of this study was to understand the extent to which non-medication orders are being used for medication-related communication. We analyzed a sample of 26 524 CNMOs placed in 6 hospitals. A total of 42% of non-medication orders contained medication information. There was large variation in the usage of CNMOs across hospitals, provider settings, and provider types. The use of CNMOs for communicating medication-related information may result in delayed or missed medications, receiving medications that should have been discontinued, or important clinical decision being made based on inaccurate information. Future studies should quantify the implications of these data entry patterns on actual medication error rates and resultant safety issues.
Assessment of the vasoactive effects of the (S)-epimers of ergot alkaloids in vitro
Authors: Cherewyk Jensen E , Parker Sarah E , Blakley Barry R , Al-Dissi Ahmad N
Published: July 2020

Ergot alkaloids are produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea and their levels are carefully monitored in animal and human diets due to their harmful effects and widespread contamination of cereal crops. Ergot alkaloids exist in two forms known as the (R)- and (S)-epimers with only the former being monitored in diets in North America. The (S)-epimers of ergot alkaloids are thought to be biologically inactive and, therefore, harmless. A major mechanism by which the (R)-epimers of ergot alkaloids produce their toxic effect is through vasoconstriction. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the vasoactivity potential (contractile response) of four (S)-epimers, namely ergocryptinine, ergocristinine, ergocorninine, and ergotaminine utilizing an in vitro arterial tissue bath system. Bovine metatarsal arteries (n = 6, ergocryptinine and ergocorninine; n = 6, ergocristinine and ergotaminine; n = 6 arteries/(S)-epimer, total n = 12) were collected from healthy mixed-breed beef steers immediately after slaughter, cut into 3-mm arterial cross sections, and suspended in a tissue bath with continuously oxygenated Krebs–Henseleit buffer. To assess the contractile response of each (S)-epimer, a cumulative contractile dose–response curve was constructed by incubating arteries with increasing concentrations (1 × 10−11 to 1 × 10−6 M) of that (S)-epimer. Contractile responses were recorded as grams of tension and were normalized to an initial contraction of phenylephrine. Contrary to the widespread belief, all tested (S)-epimers were found vasoactive and produced a concentration-dependent arterial contractile response similar to what has been reported for the (R)-epimers. The arterial contractile response to ergotaminine was strongest and was significantly greater than that of ergocryptinine and ergocristinine at the highest concentration used (P ≤ 0.01). Our results indicate that the (S)-epimers are biologically active and are likely harmful similar to the (R)-epimers. The levels of (S)-epimers should be carefully monitored in human and animal diets worldwide.
Differential Behavioral Responses of Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Workers Toward Nestmate and Non-Nestmate Corpses
Authors: Qiu Hua-Long , Qin Chang-Sheng , Fox Eduardo G P , Wang De-Sen , He Yu-Rong
Published: July 2020

The removal of corpses (aka ‘necrophoric behavior’) is critical to sanitation in ant colonies. However, little is known about differences in the necrophoric responses of Solenopsis invicta workers towards corpses of nestmates and non-nestmates. We introduced corpses of S. invicta workers from either intracolony (i.e., nestmate) or intercolony (i.e., non-nestmate) origin at the entrance of artificial nests, and recorded workers’ aggressive responses and necrophoric behaviors for analysis. Solenopsis invicta workers displayed distinct responses towards corpses of different origins. Specifically, resident workers were more likely to remove fresh non-nestmate corpses than nestmate corpses, but there was no difference regarding corpses that had been dead for 15 min or longer. Resident workers reacted more aggressively to, and removed more quickly, fresh non-nestmate corpses than corpses of their nestmates. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the removal time between nestmate and non-nestmate corpses that had been dead for 15 min or longer. Resident workers always displayed stronger aggressiveness towards non-nestmate corpses than nestmate corpses, excepting to corpses that had been dead for 6 h, which elicited a response. No significant correlation between the removal times and aggressiveness levels were detected in any treatments. It remains to be tested whether this differential response is adaptive in how it influences colony fitness and competition.
Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure in an Adolescent With Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Samies Nicole L , Pinninti Swetha , James Scott H
Published: July 2020

There is growing appreciation of the wide range of clinical presentations seen in pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Rhabdomyolysis appears to be a rare, but potentially serious, manifestation of COVID-19. Here, we report an adolescent with COVID-19-associated rhabdomyolysis who required hemodialysis due to acute kidney injury. Pediatric providers should consider rhabdomyolysis and the possibility of acute renal failure in children with COVID-19.
Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (v4) Military Battery: Military Normative Data
Authors: Meyers John E , Vincent Andrea S
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM®) is a validated computerized cognitive assessment battery that has been routinely used for cognitive health assessments for active duty service members. The purpose of the current study was to provide updated normative data for the ANAM Military-Expanded battery.

Materials and Methods

This study was a retrospective review of deidentified predeployment baseline data obtained for service members completing ANAM as part of the mandated Department of Defense clinical testing policy. The effects of age, gender, race/ethnicity, and education were examined for all subtests and descriptive measures of performance were computed. Rates of low scores were also examined.

Results

Data from 1,067,899 active duty service members (88% male) were analyzed and represented all services and the Coast Guard. The sample ranged in age from 17 to 65 years (mean = 28.1, standard deviation [SD] = 8.4) was 66% White with a majority having education of 12 years or less (72%). Generally, small effect sizes were observed for each of the demographic factors with the largest effects observed for age. Rates of low scores on two or more tests in the battery were 10.6% using a more conservative cutpoint (≥1.3 SD below the mean) or 2.4% using the most stringent cutpoint (≥2 SD below the mean).

Conclusions

The current norms provide an update to previously published normative data and represent the largest, most representative set of data currently available for military personnel. Enhancements over previous norms include an expanded sample size, stratification by age (5-year increments), gender, race/ethnicity and education, and inclusion of all 10 tests in the ANAM Military-Expanded battery. These data are provided to assist healthcare providers using ANAM to assess and manage service member health.
Predicting dark matter halo formation in N-body simulations with deep regression networks
Authors: Bernardini M , Mayer L , Reed D , Feldmann R
Published: July 2020

Dark matter haloes play a fundamental role in cosmological structure formation. The most common approach to model their assembly mechanisms is through N-body simulations. In this work, we present an innovative pathway to predict dark matter halo formation from the initial density field using a Deep Learning algorithm. We implement and train a Deep Convolutional Neural Network to solve the task of retrieving Lagrangian patches from which dark matter haloes will condense. The volumetric multilabel classification task is turned into a regression problem by means of the Euclidean distance transformation. The network is complemented by an adaptive version of the watershed algorithm to form the entire protohalo identification pipeline. We show that splitting the segmentation problem into two distinct subtasks allows for training smaller and faster networks, while the predictive power of the pipeline remains the same. The model is trained on synthetic data derived from a single full N-body simulation and achieves deviations of ∼10 per cent when reconstructing the dark matter halo mass function at z = 0. This approach represents a promising framework for learning highly non-linear relations in the primordial density field. As a practical application, our method can be used to produce mock dark matter halo catalogues directly from the initial conditions of N-body simulations.
Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI) spectra of globular clusters and ultracompact dwarfs in the halo of M87
Authors: Forbes Duncan A , Ferré-Mateu Anna , Durré Mark , Brodie Jean P , Romanowsky Aaron J
Published: July 2020

Using the Keck Cosmic Web Imager, we obtain spectra of several globular clusters (GCs), ultracompact dwarfs (UCDs), and the inner halo starlight of M87, at a similar projected galactocentric radius of ∼5 kpc. This enables us, for the first time, to apply the same stellar population analysis to the GCs, UCDs, and starlight consistently to derive ages, metallicities, and alpha-element abundances in M87. We find evidence for a dual stellar population in the M87 halo light, i.e. an ∼80 per cent component by mass that is old and metal-rich and a ∼20 per cent component that is old but metal-poor. Two red GCs share similar stellar populations to the halo light suggesting they may have formed contemporaneously with the dominant halo component. Three UCDs, and one blue GC, have similar stellar populations, with younger mean ages, lower metallicities, and near solar alpha-element abundances. Combined with literature data, our findings are consistent with the scenario that UCDs are the remnant nucleus of a stripped galaxy. We further investigate the discrepancy in the literature for M87’s kinematics at large radii, favouring a declining velocity dispersion profile. This work has highlighted the need for more self-consistent studies of galaxy haloes.
Coupling local to global star formation in spiral galaxies: the effect of differential rotation
Authors: Aouad Charles J , James Philip A , Chilingarian Igor V
Published: July 2020

Star formation is one of the key factors that shapes galaxies. This process is relatively well understood from both simulations and observations on a small ‘local’ scale of individual giant molecular clouds (GMCs) and also on a ‘global’ galaxy-wide scale (e.g. the Kennicutt–Schmidt law). However, there is still no understanding on how to connect global to local star formation scales and whether this connection is at all possible. Here, we analyse spatially resolved kinematics and the star formation rate (SFR) density ΣSFR for a combined sample of 17 nearby spiral galaxies obtained using our own optical observations in Hα for nine galaxies and neutral hydrogen radio observations combined with a multiwavelength spectral energy distribution analysis for eight galaxies from the THINGS project. We show that the azimuthally averaged normalized SFR density in spiral galaxies on a scale of a few hundred parsecs is proportional to the kinetic energy of GMC collisions due to differential rotation of the galactic disc. This energy is calculated from the rotation curve using the two Oort parameters A and B as log (ΣSFR/SFRtot)∝log [2A2 + 5B2]. The total kinetic energy of collision is defined by the shear velocity that is proportional to A and the spin energy of a cloud proportional to the vorticity B. Hence, shear does not act as a stabilizing factor for the cloud collapse thus reducing star formation but rather increases it by boosting the kinetic energy of collisions.
The 2MASS redshift survey galaxy group catalogue derived from a graph-theory based friends-of-friends algorithm
Authors: Lambert Trystan S , Kraan-Korteweg R C , Jarrett T H , Macri L M
Published: July 2020

We present the galaxy group catalogue for the recently completed 2MASS Redshift Survey (2MRS; Macri et al. 2019) which consists of 44 572 redshifts, including 1041 new measurements for galaxies mostly located within the Zone of Avoidance. The galaxy group catalogue is generated by using a novel, graph-theory based, modified version of the friends-of-friends algorithm. Several graph-theory examples are presented throughout this paper, including a new method for identifying substructures within groups. The results and graph-theory methods have been thoroughly interrogated against previous 2MRS group catalogues and a Theoretical Astrophysical Observatory (TAO) mock by making use of cutting-edge visualization techniques including immersive facilities, a digital planetarium, and virtual reality. This has resulted in a stable and robust catalogue with on-sky positions and line-of-sight distances within 0.5 and 2 Mpc, respectively, and has recovered all major groups and clusters. The final catalogue consists of 3022 groups, resulting in the most complete ‘whole-sky’ galaxy group catalogue to date. We determine the 3D positions of these groups, as well as their luminosity and comoving distances, observed and corrected number of members, richness metric, velocity dispersion, and estimates of R200 and M200. We present three additional data products, i.e. the 2MRS galaxies found in groups, a catalogue of subgroups, and a catalogue of 687 new group candidates with no counterparts in previous 2MRS-based analyses.
The effects of cosmic rays on the formation of Milky Way-mass galaxies in a cosmological context
Authors: Buck Tobias , Pfrommer Christoph , Pakmor Rüdiger , Grand Robert J J , Springel Volker
Published: July 2020

We investigate the impact of cosmic rays (CRs) and different modes of CR transport on the properties of Milky Way-mass galaxies in cosmological magnetohydrodynamical simulations in the context of the AURIGA project. We systematically study how advection, anisotropic diffusion, and additional Alfvén-wave cooling affect the galactic disc and the circumgalactic medium (CGM). Global properties such as stellar mass and star formation rate vary little between simulations with and without various CR transport physics, whereas structural properties such as disc sizes, CGM densities, or temperatures can be strongly affected. In our simulations, CRs affect the accretion of gas on to galaxies by modifying the CGM flow structure. This alters the angular momentum distribution that manifests itself as a difference in stellar and gaseous disc size. The strength of this effect depends on the CR transport model: CR advection results in the most compact discs while the Alfvén-wave model resembles more the AURIGA model. The advection and diffusion models exhibit large (r ∼ 50 kpc) CR pressure-dominated gas haloes causing a smoother and partly cooler CGM. The additional CR pressure smoothes small-scale density peaks and compensates for the missing thermal pressure support at lower CGM temperatures. In contrast, the Alfvén-wave model is only CR pressure dominated at the disc–halo interface and only in this model the gamma-ray emission from hadronic interactions agrees with observations. In contrast to previous findings, we conclude that details of CR transport are critical for accurately predicting the impact of CR feedback on galaxy formation.
Inverse reconstruction of jet structure from off-axis gamma-ray burst afterglows
Authors: Takahashi Kazuya , Ioka Kunihito
Published: July 2020

The gravitational wave event GW 170817 and the slowly rising afterglows of short gamma-ray burst (GRB) 170817A clearly suggest that the GRB jet has an angular structure. However the actual jet structure remains unclear as different authors give different structures. We formulate a novel method to inversely reconstruct the jet structure from off-axis GRB afterglows, without assuming any functional form of the structure in contrast to the previous studies. The jet structure is uniquely determined from the rising part of a light curve for a given parameter set by integrating an ordinary differential equation, which is derived from the standard theory of GRB afterglows. Applying to GRB 170817A, we discover that a non-trivial hollow-cone jet is consistent with the observed afterglows, as well as Gaussian and power-law jets within errors, which implies the Blandford–Znajek mechanism or ejecta–jet interaction. The current observations only constrain the jet core, not in principle the outer jet structure around the line of sight. More precise and high-cadence observations with our inversion method will fix the jet structure, providing a clue to the jet formation and propagation.
An open-label, randomized controlled trial of sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim for Pneumocystis prophylaxis: results of 52-week follow-up
Authors: Utsunomiya Masako , Dobashi Hiroaki , Odani Toshio , Saito Kazuyoshi , Yokogawa Naoto , Nagasaka Kenji , Takenaka Kenchi , Soejima Makoto , Sugihara Takahiko , Hagiyama Hiroyuki , Hirata Shinya , Matsui Kazuo , Nonomura Yoshinori , Kondo Masahiro , Suzuki Fumihito , Nawata Yasushi , Tomita Makoto , Kihara Mari , Yokoyama-Kokuryo Waka , Hirano Fumio , Yamazaki Hayato , Sakai Ryoko , Nanki Toshihiro , Koike Ryuji , Miyasaka Nobuyuki , Harigai Masayoshi
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The aim was to investigate the long-term prophylactic efficacy, drug retention and safety of low-dose sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim (SMX/TMP) prophylaxis against Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP).

Methods

Adult patients with rheumatic diseases receiving prednisolone ≥0.6 mg/kg/day were randomized into the single-strength group (SS; SMX/TMP 400/80 mg daily), the half-strength group (HS; 200/40 mg daily) or the escalation group (ES; starting at 40/8 mg and increasing incrementally to 200/40 mg daily) and treated for 24 weeks, then observed for 52 weeks. The primary endpoint, the PCP non-incidence rate (non-IR) at week 24, has been reported previously. The secondary endpoints were the PCP non-IR at week 52, treatment discontinuation rate and adverse events.

Results

Fifty-eight, 59 and 55 patients in the SS, HS and ES, respectively, received SMX/TMP. PCP did not develop in any of the patients by week 52. The estimated PCP non-IR in patients receiving SMX/TMP 200/40 mg daily (HS and ES) was 96.8–100%. Throughout the 52-week observation period, the overall discontinuation rate was significantly lower in HS than in SS (22.7 vs 47.2%, P = 0.004). The discontinuation rates attributable to adverse events were significantly lower in HS (19.1%, P = 0.007) and ES (20.3%, P = 0.007) than in SS (41.8%). The IRs of adverse events requiring SMX/TMP dose reduction before week 52 differed among the three groups, with a significantly higher IR in SS than in HS or ES (P = 0.007).

Conclusion

SMX/TMP 200/40 mg had a high PCP prevention rate and was superior to SMX/TMP 400/80 mg in terms of drug retention and safety.

Trial registration

University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000007727.
1-2VASCULAR STIFFNESS ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSIVE URGENCY IN A CARDIOLOGICAL UNIT IN SOUTH INDIA
Authors: Vamsi Varahabhatla , Achappa Basavaprabhu , Kamath Padmanabh , Ingrid Prkacin
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

Hypertensive urgency is raised in systolic blood pressure greater than 120mmHg without evidence for target organ damage. Vascular stiffness can be assessed using oscillometric devices and determine cardiovascular risk for increased vascular age. When uncontrolled hypertensive urgency, manifests as a hypertensive emergency, which is high systolic and diastolic blood pressure values with target organ damage.

Aim:

To estimate the values of central blood pressure (CBP), pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients with hypertensive urgency in a South Indian population.

Methods and materials:

We included 20 patients with a clinical diagnosis of hypertensive crisis with no end target organ damage, who entered the emergency outpatient clinics at Kasturba Medical hospital, Mangalore. The PWV, pulse pressure (PP), CBP, brachial pressure (BP) were evaluated using the noninvasive Agedio B900 device (Germany). Statistical data was processed in SPSS software; significant differences were considered at p < 0,05.

Results:

Average age of patients was 63.35 ± 9.74 years, 30% were females and 70% males. Average brachial systolic BP was 191,42 ± 9,88 mmHg. Average central systolic blood pressure was 178.35 ± 28.61 mm Hg, and the average central diastolic blood pressure was 115.64 ± 8.01. PWV for each patient was higher than the reference range for age with values of 11.74 ± 1.74 m/s. Median of increased vascular age compared to biological age of patients was 11 years. Student's t-test showed statistically significant difference between PWV measured in males and females (M-11.17 ± 1.74, F-10.85 ± 1.3; p = 0.008). Values of PWV showed a positive correlation with age (r = 0.838, p < 0.00001). Central systolic blood pressure shows a weak positive correlation with PWV (r = 0.1294, p = 0.05).

Conclusions:

The reason for increase in vascular stiffness in coastal population in India could be high salt intake, irregular diet and sleep. Pre-assessment reduces the risk of cardiovascular accidents occurrence and increases the quality of life.
1-4HIGH SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE IN ADMISSION AS MORTALITY PREDICTOR SCORING SYSTEM IN PATIENTS WITH SUBARACHNOID HAEMORRHAGE
Authors: Pinzon Rizaldy , Hana Jesi Prilly Imanuella
Published: July 2020

Background:

Some factors are related to the mortality in subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Prognosis of SAH patients can be predicted with a scoring system. Some factors (high blood pressure, hyperglycaemia, and high temperature) can be modified. The use of valid prognosis scoring system in Indonesia is very limited.

Aim:

To measure the factors which determine mortality in SAH patients and to predict the prognosis using score predictor of mortality.

Method:

In this retrospective cohort study, data were obtained from stroke registry and medical records at Bethesda Hospital Yogyakarta. The data were obtained from 80 patients with confirmed SAH that admitted for the first time in our hospital. Validity test was performed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) and cut-off point using area under the curve (AUC).

Results:

The data from 80 patients with SAH. Multivariate analysis show there is a significant association between mortality and consciousness (p = 0.015), systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg (p = 0.022), blood glucose (p = 0.03) and the presence of complication (p = 0.006). Each variable has a score to determine the prognosis of SAH patients. The score has excellent ability to predict mortality of SAH patient (AUC) ROC 0.946 (p = < 0.001). High systolic blood pressure can be modified for better prognosis.

Conclusion:

Predictive of mortality score is valid to predict mortality in SAH patients.
1-7PROFILE OF HYPERTENSION IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS IN CIKINI CCI HOSPITAL: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY
Authors: Taruna Dicky , Claresta Anesty , Panggabean Steven D. , Silalahi Todung D.A.
Published: July 2020

Background:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common health problems in Indonesia. Some CKD patients may develop to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which requires renal replacement therapy such as hemodialysis. Many people with ESRD have hypertension. There was no research about the profile of hypertension in hemodialysis patients in Cikini CCI hospital before.

Objective:

To study hypertension among hemodialysis patients in Cikini CCI hospital.

Method:

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The subjects of the study are ESRD adult patients on the regular hemodialysis treatment in Cikini CCI hospital. Data were obtained from 121 patients from July to December 2019. The medical record of each patient was reviewed to identify the hypertension of ESRD. We studied the hypertension profile on hemodialysis patients such as hypertension in gender, age group, how long they take hemodialysis, and frequencies in a week.

Result:

The result showed that 106 patients (87.6%) are hypertension. Most of the patients were male (53.7%). Most of hypertension in the age between 40 to 60 years old (49%). Based on the duration of hemodialysis, the majority of hypertension was found in patients undergoing hemodialysis for less than one year (53.7%). Hypertension is more common in the group that doing hemodialysis three times a week (80.1%) rather than twice a week (19.8%).

Conclusion:

Hypertension is almost found in the majority of patients undergoing hemodialysis in Cikini CCI hospital.
1-8DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS, UREA REDUCTION RATIO AND Kt/V IN DETECTING INTRADIALYTIC HYPERTENSION IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS AT SANGLAH HOSPITAL DENPASAR
Authors: Setyawan Yuswanto , Raka-Widiana I Gde , Kandarini Yenny
Published: July 2020

Background:

Intradialytic hypertension is the most common complication in hemodialysis patients, with a prevalence of 38%. It is also one of the causes of death in hemodialysis patients.

Aim:

To determine the diagnostic value of haemoglobin (Hb) levels, Urea Reduction Ratio (URR) and Kt/V in detecting intradialytic hypertension in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing hemodialysis

Method:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 222 CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis at Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar, from 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2019. Intradialytic hypertension is defined as an increase in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) ≥15 mmHg from baseline at the end of the hemodialysis session.

Results:

The AUC values of Hb levels, URR, and Kt/V were 75.5% (95% CI 60.5% - 90.4%, p 0.05), 92.4% (95% CI 87% – 97,9%, p 0.004), and 90.4% (95% CI 84.5% – 96.4%, p 0.006) respectively, with cut-off values of 6.66 g/dL (sensitivity 97.1%, specificity 80%), 83.17% (sensitivity 80%, specificity 85.7%), and 2.16 (sensitivity 80%, specificity 86.4%).

Conclusion:

Haemoglobin levels, URR and Kt/V, have good sensitivity and specificity in predicting intradialytic hypertension in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis.
2-1EFFECTIVENESS OF ACEI/ARB MONOTHERAPY ON SURVIVAL OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSIVE CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF LARGE COHORT STUDIES
Authors: Laurentius Andrea , Ivan Ignatius
Published: July 2020

Cardiovascular morbidity is a significant promoter of 50% overall mortality in renal hypertensive patients. Based on Joint National Committee 8 Guideline, treatment of hypertensive chronic kidney disease (CKD) using angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) are suggested as they pharmacodynamically block the action of angiotensin II. To address the problem related to inconsistent therapeutic benefits of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers, head-to-head systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies examining pharmacological benefits of ARB/ACEi monotherapy toward the prognosis of major cardiovascular event (MACE) and all-deaths in hypertensive CKD patients were conducted. Database access was obtained through login into remote library, and terms of medical references refined advanced keywords searching. Seven out of 714 studies were systematically assessed from total of five databases using Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) tool deliver quality of studies. Several studies had shown therapeutic benefits of ACEi/ARB in improving cardiovascular prognosis of hypertensive CKD patients. Based on quantitative analysis of a five-year follow-up, we found 31% higher survival rate for patients who received ACE-I/ARB monotherapy compared to non-users via random effect estimation.

Furthermore, seven studies suggested similar outcomes favoring ACEi/ARB for long-term survival benefit against all-cause mortality. This could be biologically explained through the mechanism of RAAS blockers in preventing cardiac remodeling. Thus, further studies toward ACEi/ARB monotherapy in preventing MACE and deaths of hypertensive CKD patients are recommended to support the conclusion.