bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practices and Obstacles to Provider-Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) Among Healthcare Providers in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors:   for the ANRS 12323 DOD-CI Study Group, Inghels Maxime , Kouassi Arsène Kra , Niangoran Serge , Bekelynck Anne , Carillon Séverine , Sika Lazare , Danel Christine , Kone Mariatou , Desgrees du Lou Annabel , Larmarange Joseph
Published: May 2020

Practices of Provider-Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling (PITC) remains suboptimal in Côte d’Ivoire. The aim of this survey was to identify the practices and obstacles to PITC among healthcare professionals in Côte d'Ivoire. A nationally representative cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2018 by telephone among three separate samples of midwives, nurses and physicians practicing in Côte d'Ivoire. The number of HIV tests proposed during consultation in the month preceding the survey was collected for each professional. Factors associated with the number of proposed tests were identified through ordinal logistic regression models. A total of 298 midwives, 308 nurses and 289 physicians were interviewed. Midwives proposed the test more frequently, followed by nurses and physicians. Among midwives, a higher number of proposed tests was associated with the perception that HIV testing does not require specific consent compared to other diseases (aOR 4.00 [95% CI 1.37–14.29]). Among nurses, having received HIV training and the presence of community HIV counselors were associated with a higher number of proposed tests (aOR 2.01 [1.31–3.09] and aOR 1.75 [1.14–2.70], respectively). For physicians, the presence of a voluntary testing center was associated with a higher number of proposed tests (aOR 1.69 [1.01–2.86]). PITC practices and barriers differed across professions. Beyond improving environmental opportunities such as dedicated staff or services, strengthening the motivations and capabilities of healthcare professionals to propose testing could improve PITC coverage.
Effect of Pressure on Hydrogen Enriched Natural Gas Jet Flames in Crossflow
Authors: Saini Pankaj , Chterev Ianko , Pareja Jhon , Aigner Manfred , Boxx Isaac
Published: May 2020

The effect of pressure on hydrogen (H2) enriched natural gas jet flames in crossflow is experimentally investigated here. Simultaneously acquired high speed OH* chemiluminescence, OH planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF), and stereoscopic particle image velocimetry are used to study flames at conditions typical of a gas turbine premixer, i.e. at elevated pressure, preheated crossflow, and in confinement. Two different H2enrichment levels (40% and 20%, by volume) and pressures (10 bar and 15 bar) were studied here. Flames at the higher H2enrichment level were found to be stabilized on the windward side, while the flames at the lower H2enrichment were found to be stabilized only on the leeward side. Increased H2enrichment was also associated with greater sootiness in the measured region. Jet centerline trajectories showed greater penetration for the higher H2enrichment flames, which is in agreement with existing theories on the effect of heat release from a flame on crossflow entrainment. There were no significant changes observed in the mean OH* chemiluminescence, OH-PLIF, velocity fields, and velocity fluctuation fields with changes in pressure.
Analysis of the Closures of Sub-grid Scale Variance of Reaction Progress Variable for Turbulent Bunsen Burner Flames at Different Pressure Levels
Authors: Keil Felix Benjamin , Chakraborty Nilanjan , Klein Markus
Published: May 2020

The statistical behaviour and modelling of the sub-grid variance of reaction progress variable have been analysed based on a priori analysis of direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of turbulent premixed Bunsen burner flames at different pressure levels. An algebraic expression for sub-grid variance, which can be derived based on a presumed bi-modal sub-grid distribution of reaction progress variable with impulses at unburned reactants and fully burned products, has been found to be inadequate for the purpose of prediction of sub-grid variance even for the flames in the wrinkled flamelets/corrugated flamelets regime. Moreover, an algebraic model, which is often used for modelling sub-grid variance of passive scalars, has been found to significantly overpredict the sub-grid variance of reaction progress variable for all the cases considered here. The modelling of the unclosed terms of the sub-grid variance transport equation has been analysed in detail. Suitable model expressions have been identified for the sub-grid flux of variance, reaction rate contribution and scalar dissipation rate based on a priori analysis of DNS data. It has been found that the alternation of pressure does not have any significant impact on the closures of sub-grid flux of variance but a model parameter for the Favre-filtered scalar dissipation rate needs to be modified to account for the variation of pressure.
Cutting the edge between cancerogenesis and organogenesis of the pancreatic endocrine lineage allocation—comprehensive review of the genes Synaptotagmin 13 and 533041C22 Rik in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Willmann Stefanie Julia
Published: May 2020

In the past years, a multitude of studies has been published in the field of pancreatic organogenesis to interrogate the critical regulators of endocrine lineage segregation. Preliminary, transcription factors are guiding the transcriptional hierarchy of the endocrine specified cells, underpinning the importance of open chromatin formation. Signaling pathways either inhibit or accelerate the transcriptional landscape of pancreatic organogenesis. Thus, the fine-tuned process in the former pancreatic multipotent progenitors in the mechanism of lineage segregation needs to be elucidated more precisely for unraveling the temporal-spatial lineage-determining factors.

Previously, Willmann et al. described candidate gene regulators of lineage segregation during the secondary transition of pancreatic organogenesis. At embryonic stage (E) 12.5, the former multipotent pancreatic progenitor compartmentalizes into the acinar, ductal, and endocrine lineage. In the adult pancreatic gland, acinar cells secrete enzymes that are transported by the duct to the duodenum. In contrast, the endocrine cells are clustered within the acinar tissue in the Islets of Langerhans. These Islets of Langerhans consist of a subset of α, δ, ε, and PP cells and β cells, and the function of the α and β cells is predominantly described by regulating glucose homeostasis, contrary, the function of the additional subtypes in the Islets of Langerhans remains still unclear and is rather pointing to a supportive role for the α and β cells.

The essential wave of endocrine precursor cells emerges at E 14.5 out of the ductal cord-like structure in a process called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This EMT is a reversible and incomplete process that includes significant intermedia states. As EMT is in focus in the field of cancer research, missense in endocrine lineage segregation is linking to a progression of pancreatic cancer, to be more precise in adenocarcinoma, e.g., meaning pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Thus, the previous review will further accelerate the understanding of EMT about endocrine lineage segregation, respective pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and introduces factors previously only known for either lineage segregation or related in cancer disease into a complete picture.
The Relation Between Teacher-Student Eye Contact and Teachers’ Interpersonal Behavior During Group Work: a Multiple-Person Gaze-Tracking Case Study in Secondary Mathematics Education
Authors: Haataja Eeva , Salonen Visajaani , Laine Anu , Toivanen Miika , Hannula Markku S.
Published: May 2020

Reciprocal eye contact is a significant part of human interaction, but its role in classroom interaction has remained unexplored, mostly due to methodological issues. A novel approach in educational science, multiple-person mobile gaze-tracking, allows us to gather data on these momentary processes of nonverbal interaction. The current mixed-method case study investigates the role of teacher-student eye contact in interpersonal classroom interaction using this methodological approach from three mathematics lessons. We combined gaze-tracking data with classroom videos, which we analyzed with continuous coding of teachers’ interpersonal behavior. Our results show that teacher communion and agency affect the frequency and durations of teachers and students’ gazes at each other. Students tend to gaze their teachers more during high teacher communion and low agency, but qualitative and quantitative differences between the teachers and their classes emerged as well. To conclude, the formation of eye contacts is situational and affected by momentary interpersonal changes as well as the qualities of teacher-student interactions.
Recovery during a crisis: facing the challenges of risk assessment and resilience management of COVID-19
Authors: Menoni Scira , Schwarze Reimund
Published: May 2020

The paper offers a disaster risk management perspective to analyze the COVID-19 pandemic and to propose and assess non-pharmaceutical mitigation measures for the recovery phase. Three main aspects are tackled: (i) the need to take a scenario-based approach; (i) the need to propose more fine-tuned and context-sensitive mitigation measures, the effectiveness and the cost–benefit of which must be carefully appraised; (iii) better communication as a fundamental pillar of any mitigation measure. Evidence and ideas from the field of natural disasters and man-made technological incidents are applied to tackle the health risk posed by the SARS-COV 2 virus and its rapid spread according to a multi-disciplinary perspective that addresses the health-related challenges and the need to avoid societal and economic breakdown.
Atomic congestion games with random players: network equilibrium and the price of anarchy
Authors: Wang Chenlan , Doan Xuan Vinh , Chen Bo
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we present a new model of congestion games with finite and random number of players, and an analytical method to compute the random path and link flows. We study the equilibrium condition, reformulate it as an equivalent variational inequality problem, and establish the existence and non-uniqueness of the equilibria. We also upper bound the price of anarchy with affine cost functions to characterize the quality of the equilibria. The upper bound is tight in some special cases, including the case of deterministic players. Finally a general lower bound is also provided.
Effect of the type of siliceous template and carbon precursor on physicochemical and catalytic properties of mesoporous nanostructured carbon-palladium systems
Authors: Szewczyk Ireneusz , Kosydar Robert , Natkański Piotr , Duraczyńska Dorota , Gurgul Jacek , Kuśtrowski Piotr , Drelinkiewicz Alicja
Published: May 2020

Two series of nanostructured carbon replicas were synthesized through a hard-templating method using ordered SBA-15 or disordered mesoporous spherical silica gel as the templates and furfuryl alcohol or sucrose as the carbon source. They were explored to synthesize the Pd catalysts (ca. 1.5 wt% Pd loading) by the colloid-based microemulsion procedure which allowed preparing the catalysts of monodispersed Pd particles of similar size (4–5 nm). The palladium phase in the catalysts (e.g. the Pd particles distribution and extent of agglomeration) varied depending on the textural and surface characteristics of the carbon replicas. In the furfural hydrogenation studied as a probe reaction (2-propanol, 35 °C, 6 bar H2), furfuryl alcohol and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol were the major products formed. The catalytic reactivity has been related to the properties of the Pd phase including the surface Pd concentration and the extent of the Pd particles aggregation accompanied by the nearest palladium environment expressed by the surface O/Pd atomic ratio. At high O/Pd ratio the reaction slowed down because of a facilitated furfuryl alcohol adsorption resulting most probably in a blockage of the active sites. The SiO2 sucrose system provided the catalyst which was characterized by relatively low O/Pd ratio with well-dispersed Pd particles and the highest and stable activity for the furfural hydrogenation. The SBA-series catalysts, with lower O/Pd and more aggregated Pd particles, exhibited lower activity but somewhat higher tendency to the tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol formation.
Navigating the space between landscape science and collective action for sustainability: identifying key factors in information processing
Authors: Opdam Paul
Published: May 2020

Context

Transitions to more sustainable landscapes require that actors change their thinking about using the landscape and act collectively to implement a shared view on the future. If landscape ecologists want their knowledge to contribute to such transitions, the information they provide need to stimulate collective decisions and action.

Objective

To identify key factors that determine how scientific information about landscape functioning and benefits influences actors in organizing collective action for landscape sustainability.

Method

I combine a theory of knowledge management with a theory of behavioural change to construct a framework of 4 phases of interpretation and implementation of landscape information.

Results

The 4 phases are: (1) actors accept the information as significant, (2) actors assess the saliency of the information for their case, (3) the information stimulates social network building and collective action, and (4) the information enforces the capacity to organize collaborative change. The extent to which these phases effectively develop in the interaction between scientists and practitioners depends on characteristics of the information, but to a great deal also on the process of interaction and the roles scientist play. I discuss how landscape ecologists can intervene in these phases, by providing the right information and by facilitating an interactive process of knowledge generation.

Conclusions

Whether landscape information is eventually used in organizing the landscape change depends on characteristics of the information and the governance process in which the information is brought in. Knowledge from social sciences is indispensable for landscape ecology with impact.
Understanding the (non-)Use of Societal Wellbeing Indicators in National Policy Development: What Can We Learn from Civil Servants? A UK Case Study
Authors: Corlet Walker Christine , Druckman Angela , Cattaneo Claudio
Published: May 2020

Gross Domestic Product is often used as a proxy for societal well-being in the context of policy development. Its shortcomings in this context are, however, well documented, and numerous alternative indicator sets have been developed. Despite this, there is limited evidence of widespread use of these alternative indicator sets by people working in policy areas relevant to societal wellbeing. Civil servants are an important group of indicator end-users. Better understanding their views concerning measuring societal wellbeing can support wider discussions about what factors determine indicator use and influence in policy decision-making. Taking the UK as a case study, we ask what views exist among civil servants in the UK about measuring societal well-being? To answer this question, we used a bootstrapped Q methodology, interviewing 20 civil servants to elicit their views about measuring societal well-being. Three distinct discourses emerged from our analysis: one that was concerned about the consequences of ignoring natural, social and human capital in decision making; one that emphasised opportunity and autonomy as key determinants of well-being; and one that focused on the technical aspects of measuring societal well-being. Each of these discourses has direct implications for the way that we integrate societal wellbeing into policy making and highlights the potential benefits of including end-users in indicator development and strategy.
Understanding foraging flexibility in urban vervet monkeys, Chlorocebus pygerythrus, for the benefit of human-wildlife coexistence
Authors: Thatcher Harriet R. , Downs Colleen T. , Koyama Nicola F.
Published: May 2020

Generalist wildlife species often thrive in urban environments because of increased anthropogenic resources. However, human-wildlife interactions, especially if negative, raise concerns for urban wildlife management. An enhanced understanding of wildlife behavioural flexibility has been suggested to be a key tool to provide educated and effective management strategies. We therefore investigated how availability of semi-naturally occurring food affected behavioural foraging patterns of urban vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), a generalist primate commonly found in urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Over one year, we conducted 20 min. focal animal observations recording foraging behaviour and food consumption. We used a combination of a generalised linear model and descriptive statistics to examine the relationship between anthropogenic food consumption and semi-natural food availability. Our analyses showed that anthropogenic food consumption decreased as semi-natural food availability increased. We also showed that increased aggression from humans towards vervet monkeys decreased time spent foraging on anthropogenic food. Our study highlights how vervet monkeys have adapted to their urban landscape, showing foraging flexibility in response to available food resources and the frequency of human interactions. We suggest how our results can be applied for management recommendations, particularly controlling anthropogenic food availability and decreasing negative human-wildlife interactions.
Prediction of a Cell-Class-Specific Mouse Mesoconnectome Using Gene Expression Data
Authors: Timonidis Nestor , Bakker Rembrandt , Tiesinga Paul
Published: May 2020

Reconstructing brain connectivity at sufficient resolution for computational models designed to study the biophysical mechanisms underlying cognitive processes is extremely challenging. For such a purpose, a mesoconnectome that includes laminar and cell-class specificity would be a major step forward. We analyzed the ability of gene expression patterns to predict cell-class and layer-specific projection patterns and assessed the functional annotations of the most predictive groups of genes. To achieve our goal we used publicly available volumetric gene expression and connectivity data and we trained computational models to learn and predict cell-class and layer-specific axonal projections using gene expression data. Predictions were done in two ways, namely predicting projection strengths using the expression of individual genes and using the co-expression of genes organized in spatial modules, as well as predicting binary forms of projection. For predicting the strength of projections, we found that ridge (L2-regularized) regression had the highest cross-validated accuracy with a median r2 score of 0.54 which corresponded for binarized predictions to a median area under the ROC value of 0.89. Next, we identified 200 spatial gene modules using a dictionary learning and sparse coding approach. We found that these modules yielded predictions of comparable accuracy, with a median r2 score of 0.51. Finally, a gene ontology enrichment analysis of the most predictive gene groups resulted in significant annotations related to postsynaptic function. Taken together, we have demonstrated a prediction workflow that can be used to perform multimodal data integration to improve the accuracy of the predicted mesoconnectome and support other neuroscience use cases.
A robust augmented ε-constraint method (AUGMECON-R) for finding exact solutions of multi-objective linear programming problems
Authors: Nikas Alexandros , Fountoulakis Angelos , Forouli Aikaterini , Doukas Haris
Published: May 2020

Systems can be unstructured, uncertain and complex, and their optimisation often requires operational research techniques. In this study, we introduce AUGMECON-R, a robust variant of the augmented ε-constraint algorithm, for solving multi-objective linear programming problems, by drawing from the weaknesses of AUGMECON 2, one of the most widely used improvements of the ε-constraint method. These weaknesses can be summarised in the ineffective handling of the true nadir points of the objective functions and, most notably, in the significant amount of time required to apply it as more objective functions are added to a problem. We subsequently apply AUGMECON-R in comparison with its predecessor, in both a set of reference problems from the literature and a series of significantly more complex problems of four to six objective functions. Our findings suggest that the proposed method greatly outperforms its predecessor, by solving significantly less models in emphatically less time and allowing easy and timely solution of hard or practically impossible, in terms of time and processing requirements, problems of numerous objective functions. AUGMECON-R, furthermore, solves the limitation of unknown nadir points, by using very low or zero-value lower bounds without surging the time and resources required.
Synthesis and characterization of hybrid activated bentonite/alginate composite to improve its effective elimination of dyes stuff from wastewater
Authors: Aichour Amina , Zaghouane-Boudiaf Hassina
Published: May 2020

The current paper is paying attention to the synthesis of a low-cost, abundant and efficient hybrid activated bentonite–alginate composite ABent/A. Hybrid composite morphology was determined through FTIR, XRPD, and pHPZC. The operational conditions for the retention of two dyes used in the textile industry (methylene blue and crystal violet) from aqueous mediums were evaluated. Results showed that MB and CV adsorbed amount on ABent/A was 780 and 546 mg/g, respectively. Kinetic Lagergren’s and Ho and McKay’s models provide the best result for the MB and CV adsorption on the prepared adsorbent, respectively. Langmuir isotherm model gives the best analyses of the experimentation, justifying a monolayer and a homogeneous nature of adsorption process. Results indicate also that the operational conditions studied affect significantly dyes removal. Reusability study of ABent/A for dyes was also investigated according to the type of desorbing agents. MB regeneration was found 98.92% using hydrochloric acid 0.01 M and CV regeneration percent was 95% using 0.5 M potassium chloride prepared in the mixture ethanol/water (0.5%/0.5%). From the obtained results, hybrid activated bentonite/alginate composites are low-cost, effective and regenerable adsorbent, which give a promising prospect for contaminated wastewaters treatment.
Biological assessment of new tetrahydroacridine derivatives with fluorobenzoic moiety in vitro on A549 and HT-29 cell lines and in vivo on animal model
Authors: Kłosiński Karol , Girek Małgorzata , Czarnecka Kamila , Pasieka Zbigniew , Skibiński Robert , Szymański Paweł
Published: May 2020

A new series of tetrahydroacridine derivatives with the fluorobenzoyl moiety was synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against lung cancer cell lines A549 and colorectal cancer HT29. The cytotoxic activity of the compounds was compared on the somatic cell line—EAhy926. Compounds showed high cytotoxic activity on A549 cells (IC50 183.26–68.07 μM) and HT29 cells (IC50 68.41–19.70 μM), higher than controls—etoposide (IC50 451.47 μM) toward A549 and 5-fluorouracil (IC50 1626.85 μM) against HT29. Derivative 4 was the most cytotoxic to A549, whereas for the cell lines HT29 compound 6. Selected compounds showed similar cytotoxicity to the EAhy926 cell line (IC50 about 50 μM). In the hyaluronidase inhibition assay, all compounds exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, including 4 exhibiting the best inhibitory activity—IC50 of 52.27 μM when the IC50 heparin was 56.41 μM. Mathematical modeling was performed to determine LD50 after intraperitoneal, oral, intravenous and subcutaneous administration and to predict potential mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of the compounds analyzed. Obtained results showed that tested derivatives are slightly toxic compounds, and LD50 values (mg/kg) ranged from 680 to 1200 (oral rat model), the analyzed compounds have low mutagenic potential, and differences between derivatives are insignificant and very low probability of carcinogenicity. To confirm mathematical calculations, an in vivo test was carried out on a laboratory mouse model for two selected compounds. It allowed to qualify compounds: 6 to category 4 of the GHS scale, and 4 to category 3 of the GHS scale.
The Challenge of Maintaining Metabolic Health During a Global Pandemic
Authors: King Andy J. , Burke Louise M. , Halson Shona L. , Hawley John A.
Published: May 2020

The ongoing global pandemic brought on by the spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is having profound effects on human health and well-being. With no viable vaccine presently available and the virus being rapidly transmitted, governments and national health authorities have acted swiftly, recommending ‘lockdown’ policies and/or various levels of social restriction/isolation to attenuate the rate of infection. An immediate consequence of these strategies is reduced exposure to daylight, which can result in marked changes in patterns of daily living such as the timing of meals, and sleep. These disruptions to circadian biology have severe cardiometabolic health consequences for susceptible individuals. We discuss the consequences of reductions in patterns of daily physical activity and the resulting energy imbalance induced by periods of isolation, along with several home-based strategies to maintain cardiometabolic health in the forthcoming months.
Emergency laparotomy in the older patient: factors predictive of 12-month mortality—Salford-POPS-GS. An observational study
Authors: Vilches-Moraga Arturo , Rowley Mollie , Fox Jenny , Khan Haroon , Paracha Areej , Price Angeline , Pearce Lyndsay
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Although high rates of in-hospital mortality have been described in older patients undergoing emergency laparotomy (EL), less is known about longer-term outcomes in this population. We describe factors present at the time of hospital admission that influence 12-month survival in older patients.

Methods

Observational study of patients aged 75 years and over, who underwent EL at our hospital between 8th September 2014 and 30th March 2017.

Results

113 patients were included. Average age was 81.9 ± 4.7 years, female predominance (60/113), 3 (2.6%) lived in a care home, 103 (91.2%) and 79 (69.1%) were independent of personal and instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs) and 8 (7.1%) had cognitive impairment. Median length of stay was 16 days ± 29.9 (0–269); in-hospital mortality 22.1% (25/113), post-operative 30-day, 90-day and 12-month mortality rates 19.5% (22), 24.8% (28) and 38.9% (44). 30-day and 12-month readmission rates 5.7% (5/88) and 40.9% (36). 12-month readmission was higher in frail patients, using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) score (64% 5–8 vs 31.7% 1–4, p = 0.006). Dependency for personal ADLs (6/10 (60%) dependent vs. 38/103 (36.8%) independent, p = 0.119) and cognitive impairment (5/8 (62.5%) impaired vs. 39/105 (37.1%) no impairment, p = 0.116) showed a trend towards higher 12-month mortality. On multivariate analysis, 12-month mortality was strongly associated with CFS 5–9 (HR 5.0403 (95% CI 1.719–16.982) and ASA classes III–V (HR 2.704 95% CI 1.032–7.081).

Conclusion

Frailty and high ASA class predict increased mortality at 12 months after emergency laparotomy. We advocate early engagement of multi-professional teams experienced in perioperative care of older patients.
Predicting development of ipilimumab-induced hypophysitis: utility of T4 and TSH index but not TSH
Authors: Siddiqui M. S. , Lai Z. M. , Spain L. , Greener V. , Turajlic S. , Larkin J. , Morganstein D. L.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Ipilimumab, a monoclonal antibody inhibiting CLTA-4, is an established treatment in metastatic melanoma, either alone or in combination with nivolumab, and results in immune mediated adverse events, including endocrinopathy. Hypophysitis is one of the most common endocrine abnormalities. An early recognition of hypophysitis may prevent life threatening consequences of hypopituitarism; therefore, biomarkers to predict which patients will develop hypophysitis would have clinical utility. Recent studies suggested that a decline in TSH may serve as an early marker of IH. This study was aimed at assessing the utility of thyroid function tests in predicting development of hypophysitis.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed for all patients (n = 308) treated with ipilimumab either as a monotherapy or in combination with nivolumab for advanced melanoma at the Royal Marsden Hospital from 2010 to 2016. Thyroid function tests, other pituitary function tests and Pituitary MRIs were used to identify those with hypophysitis.

Results and conclusions

Ipilimumab-induced hypophysitis (IH) was diagnosed in 25 patients (8.15%). A decline in TSH was observed in hypophysitis cohort during the first three cycles but it did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.053). A significant fall in FT4 (P < 0.001), TSH index (P < 0.001) and standardised TSH index (P < 0.001) prior to cycles 3 and 4 in hypophysitis cohort was observed. TSH is not useful in predicting development of IH. FT4, TSH index and standardised TSH index may be valuable but a high index of clinical suspicion remains paramount in early detection of hypophysitis.
Uncovering the social interaction network in swarm intelligence algorithms
Authors: Oliveira Marcos , Pinheiro Diego , Macedo Mariana , Bastos-Filho Carmelo , Menezes Ronaldo
Published: May 2020

Swarm intelligence is the collective behavior emerging in systems with locally interacting components. Because of their self-organization capabilities, swarm-based systems show essential properties for handling real-world problems, such as robustness, scalability, and flexibility. Yet, we fail to understand why swarm-based algorithms work well, and neither can we compare the various approaches in the literature. The absence of a common framework capable of characterizing these several swarm-based algorithms, transcending their particularities, has led to a stream of publications inspired by different aspects of nature without a systematic comparison over existing approaches. Here we address this gap by introducing a network-based framework—the swarm interaction network—to examine computational swarm-based systems via the optics of the social dynamics. We investigate the structure of social interaction in four swarm-based algorithms, showing that our approach enables researchers to study distinct algorithms from a common viewpoint. We also provide an in-depth case study of the Particle Swarm Optimization, revealing that different communication schemes tune the social interaction in the swarm, controlling the swarm search mode. With the swarm interaction network, researchers can study swarm algorithms as systems, removing the algorithm particularities from the analyses while focusing on the structure of the swarm social interaction.
Revisiting the Self-compassion Scale-Short Form: Stronger Associations with Self-inadequacy and Resilience
Authors: Kotera Yasuhiro , Sheffield David
Published: May 2020

The Self-compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF) was developed as an economical alternative for the Self-compassion Scale (SCS), one of the few scales to assess self-compassion. Despite the active use of the SCS-SF, a psychometric evaluation of this scale remains limited. This study analysed the factor structure, reliability, and construct validity of the SCS-SF in UK university student populations. Of 365 students approached, 333 completed the SCS-SF and other measures including negative psychological constructs (mental health problems, self-criticism, and mental health shame) and positive psychological constructs (self-reassurance, resilience, and well-being). Data were analysed through confirmatory factor analyses and correlations. CFA revealed that the six-factor structure, reported in the validation paper, was not replicated. The positive factor, consisting of the three positive subscales, was not strongly related to any variable but moderately related to reassured-self, resilience, well-being, and inadequate-self. The negative factor, consisting of the three negative subscales, was strongly related to inadequate-self and moderately related to resilience, reassured-self, stress, well-being, depression, and internal shame. Coefficients in the negative factor were in general larger than those in the positive factor. The total SCS-SF score was most strongly related to inadequate-self, followed by resilience. Inter-correlations of the six subscales did follow neither Neff’s [1] theoretical model of self-compassion nor the full-scale factor solution. Findings do not accord with the common use of the global SCS-SF score as an assessment of six factors of self-compassion and suggest a two-factor solution assessing self-criticism and self-compassion.
Effects of Off‐Fault Inelasticity on Near‐Fault Directivity Pulses
Authors: Wang Yongfei , Day Steven M.
Published: May 2020

Near‐fault motion is often dominated by long‐period, pulse‐like particle velocities with fault‐normal polarization that, when enhanced by directivity, may strongly excite middle‐ to high‐rise structures. We assess the extent to which plastic yielding may affect amplitude, frequency content, and distance scaling of near‐fault directivity pulses. Dynamic simulations of 3‐D strike‐slip ruptures reveal significant plasticity effects, and these persist when geometrical fault roughness is added. With and without off‐fault yielding, these models (~M7) predict fault‐normal pulse behavior similar to that of observed pulses (periods of 2–5 s, amplitudes increasing with rupture distance until approaching a limit), but yielding systematically reduces pulse amplitude and increases the dominant period. Yielding causes near‐fault (< ~2 km) peak ground velocity (PGV) to saturate with respect to increases in both stress drop and epicentral distance, and, in that distance range, yielding may contribute significantly to the observed magnitude saturation of PGV. The results support the following elements for functional forms in empirical pulse models: (i) a fault‐normal distance saturation factor, (ii) a period‐dependent and along‐strike distance‐dependent factor representing directivity, and (iii) an along‐strike saturation factor to truncate growth of the directivity factor. In addition to the foregoing effects on long‐period fault‐normal pulses, the model with off‐fault plasticity is very efficient in suppressing the high‐frequency fault‐parallel acceleration pulses that otherwise develop when rupture breaks free surface. This effect is likely to inhibit the initiation of a sustained supershear rupture triggered by a strong free surface breakage.
Numerical Simulation of Oscillating Pore Pressure Experiments and Inversion for Permeability
Authors: Hasanov Azar K. , Dugan Brandon , Batzle Michael L.
Published: May 2020

Accurate knowledge of permeability is crucial for successful management of groundwater, petroleum resources, and subsurface contaminant remediation. The oscillating pore pressure method is a popular laboratory technique for permeability measurements of porous rock samples. We develop a novel data processing approach that utilizes a broad, multifrequency range of data and inverts it for permeability. We reprocess published data and demonstrate that our methodology outperforms traditional data reduction techniques, as our inversion results show a better fit to pressure trends. To better understand the effect of frequency on phase and amplitude data and to verify our inversion approach, we numerically simulate oscillating pore pressure experiments for four rock samples. We document a strong deviation of experimentally obtained phase data starting at 0.3 Hz oscillation frequency. A possible explanation for this deviation is poroelastic coupling during pressure diffusion. Our method can be used for robust determination of permeability and rapid prediction of experimental results using numerical simulation, ultimately improving the analysis of experimental permeability measurements.
Method of Distributions for Quantification of Geologic Uncertainty in Flow Simulations
Authors: Yang Hyung Jun , Boso Francesca , Tchelepi Hamdi A. , Tartakovsky Daniel M.
Published: May 2020

Probabilistic models of subsurface flow and transport are required for risk assessment and reliable decision making under uncertainty. These applications require accurate estimates of confidence intervals, which generally cannot be ascertained with statistical moments such as mean (unbiased estimate) and variance (a measure of uncertainty) of a quantity of interest (QoI). The method of distributions provides this information by computing either the probability density function or the cumulative distribution function (CDF‐) of the QoI. The standard method can be orders of magnitude faster than Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) but is applicable to stationary, mildly to moderately heterogeneous porous media in which the coefficient of variation of input parameters (e.g., log‐conductivity) is below four. Our CDF‐random domain decomposition (RDD) framework alleviates these limitations by combining the method of distributions and RDD; it also accounts for uncertainty in the geologic makeup of a subsurface environment. For a given realization of the geological map, we derive a deterministic equation for the conditional CDF of hydraulic head of steady single‐phase flow. The solutions of this equation are then averaged over realizations of the geological map‐ to compute the hydraulic head CDF. Our numerical experiments reveal that the CDF‐RDD method remains accurate for two‐dimensional flow in a porous medium composed of two heterogeneous hydrofacies, a setting in which the original CDF method fails. For the same accuracy, the CDF‐RDD method is an order of magnitude faster than MCS.
Genetic stratification of depression in UK Biobank
Authors: Howard David M. , Folkersen Lasse , Coleman Jonathan R. I. , Adams Mark J. , Glanville Kylie , Werge Thomas , Hagenaars Saskia P. , Han Buhm , Porteous David , Campbell Archie , Clarke Toni-Kim , Breen Gerome , Sullivan Patrick F. , Wray Naomi R. , Lewis Cathryn M. , McIntosh Andrew M.
Published: May 2020

Depression is a common and clinically heterogeneous mental health disorder that is frequently comorbid with other diseases and conditions. Stratification of depression may align sub-diagnoses more closely with their underling aetiology and provide more tractable targets for research and effective treatment. In the current study, we investigated whether genetic data could be used to identify subgroups within people with depression using the UK Biobank. Examination of cross-locus correlations were used to test for evidence of subgroups using genetic data from seven other complex traits and disorders that were genetically correlated with depression and had sufficient power (>0.6) for detection. We found no evidence for subgroups within depression for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, anorexia nervosa, inflammatory bowel disease or obesity. This suggests that for these traits, genetic correlations with depression were driven by pleiotropic genetic variants carried by everyone rather than by a specific subgroup.
CD133 inhibition via autophagic degradation in pemetrexed-resistant lung cancer cells by GMI, a fungal immunomodulatory protein from Ganoderma microsporum
Authors: Hsin I-Lun , Chiu Ling-Yen , Ou Chu-Chyn , Wu Wen-Jun , Sheu Gwo-Tarng , Ko Jiunn-Liang
Published: May 2020

Background

Adaptive drug resistance is an unfavourable prognostic factor in cancer therapy. Pemetrexed-resistant lung cancer cells possess high-metastatic ability via ERK–ZEB1 pathway-activated epithelial–mesenchymal transition. GMI is a fungal immunomodulatory protein that suppresses the survival of several cancer cells.

Methods

Cell viability was analysed by MTT, clonogenic, tumour spheroid, and cancer stem cell sphere assays. Western blot assay was performed to detect the protein expression. Chemical inhibitors and ATG5 shRNA were used to inhibit autophagy. Tumour growth was investigated using xenograft mouse model.

Results

GMI decreased the viability with short- and long-term effects and induced autophagy but not apoptosis in A549/A400 cells. GMI downregulated the expression levels of CD133, CD44, NANOG and OCT4. GMI induces the protein degradation of CD133 via autophagy. CD133 silencing decreased the survival and proliferation of A549/A400 cells. GMI suppressed the growth and CD133 expression of A549/A400 xenograft tumour.

Conclusions

This study is the first to reveal the novel function of GMI in eliciting cytotoxic effect and inhibiting CD133 expression in pemetrexed-resistant lung cancer cells via autophagy. Our finding provides evidence that CD133 is a potential target for cancer therapy.
Synergetic effect of H+ adsorption and ethylene functional groups of covalent organic frameworks on the CO2 photoreduction in aqueous solution
Authors: Zhou Jie , Cui Jin-Xian , Dong Man , Sun Chun-Yi , You Si-Qi , Wang Xin-Long , Zhou Zi-Yan , Su Zhong-Min
Published: May 2020

A new COF synthesized for reduction of CO2 in aqueous solution and recognition of the new role of H+ in the reduction of CO2.
Kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations from neutron star spreading layers
Authors: Abolmasov Pavel , Nättilä Joonas , Poutanen Juri
Published: May 2020

When the accretion disc around a weakly magnetised neutron star (NS) meets the stellar surface, it should brake down to match the rotation of the NS, forming a boundary layer. As the mechanisms potentially responsible for this braking are apparently inefficient, it is reasonable to consider this layer as a spreading layer (SL) with negligible radial extent and structure. We perform hydrodynamical 2D spectral simulations of an SL, considering the disc as a source of matter and angular momentum. Interaction of new, rapidly rotating matter with the pre-existing, relatively slow material co-rotating with the star leads to instabilities capable of transferring angular momentum and creating variability on dynamical timescales. For small accretion rates, we find that the SL is unstable for heating instability that disrupts the initial latitudinal symmetry and produces large deviations between the two hemispheres. This instability also results in breaking of the axial symmetry as coherent flow structures are formed and escape from the SL intermittently. At enhanced accretion rates, the SL is prone to shearing instability and acts as a source of oblique waves that propagate towards the poles, leading to patterns that again break the axial symmetry. We compute artificial light curves of an SL viewed at different inclination angles. Most of the simulated light curves show oscillations at frequencies close to 1 kHz. We interpret these oscillations as inertial modes excited by shear instabilities near the boundary of the SL. Their frequencies, dependence on flux, and amplitude variations can explain the high-frequency pair quasi-periodic oscillations observed in many low-mass X-ray binaries.
Survival and Marginal Bone Loss of Dental Implants Supporting Cad-Cam Angled Channel Restorations: A Split-Mouth Retrospective Study
Authors: Anitua Eduardo , Fernández-de-Retana Sofía , Alkhraisat Mohammad Hamdan
Published: May 2020

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether the screw emergence angulation correction by computer-aided design (CAD)-computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) can influence implant survival and marginal bone stability.

Materials and Methods This was a controlled split-mouth retrospective study of angled channel restorations. The dental implants supporting the prosthesis were divided into the following two groups: the first group (Group 1) included the implants that required screw channel angulation, while the second group (Group 2) included the implants that did not require this correction to screw the prosthesis to the implant. The main outcome variables were implant survival and marginal bone loss (MBL).

Results A total of 68 dental implants placed in 22 patients were included in the final cohort. The mean follow-up time was 39.65 ± 15.20 months. None of the studied implants failed during the follow-up period and the mean MBL was − 0.29 ± 0.51 mm at the end of the follow-up. No statistical differences in the MBL were observed between the two groups of the study (-0.18 ± 0.51 and − 0.23 ± 0.58 mm, respectively).

Conclusion The angulation of the screw channel with CAD-CAM technology resulted in good clinical outcomes and did not affect MBL. Thus, the angulated screw channel might be considered an alternative to face undesired screw emergencies. Future prospective clinical studies should confirm these results.
3D Analysis of Facial Morphology of a Colombian Population Compared to Adult Caucasians
Authors: Bravo-Hammett Sonia , Nucci Ludovica , Christou Teti , Aristizabal Juan Fernando , Kau Chung How
Published: May 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study involves describing the facial morphology of a Colombian population with three-dimensional (3D) imaging, and comparing their facial morphology with the Caucasian to create a database for this ethnicity.

Materials and Methods: The study, which included 135 subjects selected from the Valle University in Cali, Colombia, and 535 Caucasian subjects selected from the FaceBase–Data (1U01DE024449–01), was funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. All images were taken in the natural head position (NHP) and captured using a stereo-photogrammetric camera system (3dMDface) to obtain a 3D image of each patient. The subjects were between 19 to 31 years of age, with a normal body mass index (BMI), and no craniofacial deformities. All images were plotted and analyzed using the 3dMDVultus software to calculate linear and angular measurements. Standard deviation (SD) and means were calculated for each measurement and analyzed using t-test for different samples.

Results: The Hispanic population had wider eyes, more protruded upper and lower lips, wider face, and greater mandibular width. Caucasian females had a more acute full profile, larger middle third, and less protrusive lips. Understanding the facial morphology of different populations would help to establish a better diagnosis and treatment planning for each ethnicity.

Conclusions: From this study, the following conclusions may be drawn:

1. The mean values of Colombian males showed greater measurements than females in the majority of measurements.

2. Caucasian females had a more acute full profile, larger middle and lower third, and less protrusive lips.

3. This study showed significant ethnic differences in the linear and angular measurements, showing us the importance of considering these findings in the diagnosis and treatment planning when a Hispanic population is involved. Soft tissue values should reflect the norms according to each ethnic population in order to achieve treatment goals.