bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of antifouling membranes by blending poly(vinylidene fluoride) with cationic polyionic liquid
Authors: Shen Shusu , Zhang Linbin , Zhang Yiyuan , Zhang Ganwei , Yang Jingjing , Bai Renbi
Published: December 2019

Membrane fouling problem is now limiting the rapid development of membrane technology. A newly synthesized cationic polyionic liquid (PIL) [P(PEGMA‐co‐BVIm‐Br)] was blended with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) to prepare antifouling PVDF membranes. The PVDF/P(PEGMA‐co‐BVIm‐Br) exhibited an increased surface hydrophilicity, the water contact angle was reduced from 77.8° (pristine PVDF) to 57.9°. More porous membrane structure was obtained by adding PIL into the blending polymers, as high as 478.0 L/m2·h of pure water flux was detected for the blend PVDF membrane in comparison with pristine PVDF (17.2 L/m2·h). Blending of the cationic PIL with PVDF gave a more positive surface charge than pristine PVDF membrane. Blend membranes showed very high rejection rate (99.1%) and flux recovery rate (FRR, 83.0%) to the positive bovine serum albumin (BSA), due to the electrostatic repulsion between the membrane surface and proteins. After three repeated filtration cycles of positive BSA, the blend PVDF membranes demonstrated excellent antifouling performance, the permeation flux of the membranes was recovered very well after a simple deionized water washing, and as high as 70% of FRR was obtained, the water flux was maintained at above 350 L/m2·h. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2020,137, 48878.
Congenital Middle Ear Malformation with Common Deafness Gene Mutation Analysis: A Review of 813 Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss Child Patients
Authors: Dong Yunpeng , He Xiangbo , Wu Weijing , Yang Shu , Peng Anquan , Xiao Zian , Liu Yuyuan , Gao Shuichao , Tan Donghui , Liu Xue Zhong , Xie Dinghua
Published: December 2019

Deafness gene variants play a key role in inner ear malformations. However, the relationship between congenital middle ear malformations and common deafness genes (GJB2, SLC26A4, and mtDNA) in profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) child patients remains poorly investigated. Here we showed that there was no statistical significance in the total mutation frequency of the three common deafness genes in the middle ear malformation group (21.2%, 41/193) in comparison with the normal middle ear and inner ear group (21.0%, 116/553) (χ2 = 0.0061, p = 0.940). Moreover, the mutation ratio of GJB2 and SLC26A4 in the middle ear malformation group (18.7%, 36/193; 2.6%, 5/193) was not significantly different from that in the normal middle ear and inner ear group (17.7%, 98/553; 2.4%, 13/553) (χ2 = 0.084, p = 0.772; χ2 = 0.0000, p = 1.000). The mutation ratio of GJB2 235delC and GJB2 79G>A in the middle ear malformation group (8.8%, 17/193; 8.8%, 17/193) was almost the same to that in the normal middle ear and inner ear group (8.6%, 48/553; 6.7%, 37/553) (χ2 = 0.0030, p = 0.957; χ2 = 0.9556, p = 0.328). The high jugular bulb subgroup analysis also showed the same results. Our findings suggested that GJB2, SLC26A4, and mtDNA mutations might not be related to the middle ear malformations in profound SNHL child patients. Anat Rec, 303:594–599, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Tracing pathways: writing archaeology in Nyiyaparli country
Authors: BIRD CAROLINE , HOOK FIONA , RHOADS JAMES W.
Published: December 2019

TheAboriginal Heritage Act 1972(WA) uniquely placed Aboriginal perspectives at the heart of assessing significance and protecting Aboriginal places, alongside “historical, anthropological, archaeological and ethnographic” interests. In practice, however, archaeological and anthropological assessments have been routinely separated in development surveys. A narrow “scientific” paradigm has come to provide the overarching model for significance assessments and, thereby, archaeological survey and site recording. Arguably, WA Aboriginal heritage management now embodies an impoverished discourse that depersonalises the archaeological record and undervalues Aboriginal archaeological places. In this paper, we explore alternative ways to weigh up archaeological evidence through an interweaving of Aboriginal understandings about archaeology, sites and country with our own archaeological understandings. We describe and analyse connections between different components of the archaeological record along Kakutungutanta Creek in Nyiyaparli Country in the eastern Chichester Range. This analysis suggests an alternative approach to assessing the significance of these sites, based on landscape and Ingold's (1993) concept of the “taskscape”. This, we argue, better reflects Nyiyaparli and archaeological understandings of place and provides a sound basis for communicating the significance and meaning to clients, government and the wider community.
Poly(ADP‐Ribose) Polymerase Enhances Infiltration of Mononuclear Cells in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Through Interferon‐Induced Protein With Tetratricopeptide Repeats 1–Mediated Up‐Regulation of CXCL10
Authors: Tian Qingqing , Zhao Han , Ling Hanzhi , Sun Li , Xiao Chipeng , Yin Guoyu , Wang Xiaobing , Wu Gan , Yang Chenglin , Chen Mu , Jin Shengwei , Yang Xinyu , Wang Jianguang
Published: December 2019

Objective

Mononuclear cell infiltration and type I interferon (IFN) system activation play an important role in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). We undertook this study to investigate the mechanism of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase family member 9 (PARP‐9) on mononuclear cell infiltration triggered by type I IFN.

Methods

A proteomic study was conducted in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with primary SS (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 30) to determine differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) (P < 0.05; fold change >1.20). Labial salivary glands (LSGs) were isolated for hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical analysis. CD19+ B cells were purified by magnetic cell sorting for immunofluorescence staining, lentivirus–PARP‐9 transfection, and IFNα treatment experiments. PARP‐9 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and DTX3L siRNA were delivered into female NOD/LtJ female mice to determine their effect.

Results

The overexpression of PARP‐9 and CXCL10 as well as their colocalization was confirmed in primary SS. PARP‐9 levels in LSGs rose with increased Chisholm scores in patients with primary SS. PARP‐9 and DTX3L were present in the infiltrating mononuclear cells from salivary glands in female NOD/LtJ mouse models. Additionally, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis networks of DEPs demonstrated that PARP‐9, STAT1, and IFN‐induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (IFIT‐1) participated in the IFN‐related pathway. Furthermore, PARP‐9 could up‐regulate the expression of IFIT1 and CXCL10 in B cells. Moreover, PARP‐9 and CXCL10 could be induced by IFNα in B cells.

Conclusion

This study is the first to implicate PARP‐9 as a regulator of infiltration of mononuclear cells in primary SS progression and to reveal that PARP‐9 increases CXCL10 expression through up‐regulating IFIT‐1, which is mediated by the phosphorylation of STAT1. PARP‐9 might therefore be a novel therapeutic target for primary SS.
Unscented Kalman filtering for nonlinear systems with sensor saturation and randomly occurring false data injection attacks
Authors: Lu Jiyong , Wang Weizhen , Li Li , Guo Yanping
Published: December 2019

In this paper, an unscented Kalman filtering problem is studied for a nonlinear system with sensor saturation and randomly occurring false data injection attacks. A random variable obeying the Bernoulli distribution is employed to characterize the phenomena of the randomly occurring false data injection attacks. The aim of this paper is to design a modified unscented Kalman filter by minimizing an upper bound of filtering error covariance. Furthermore, a sufficient condition is provided to ensure an exponentially bounded filtering error in the mean square sense. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the validity of the proposed filter.
The phase diagram of the (Polyakov) Nambu Jona‐Lasinio approach
Authors: Aichelin Jörg , Pied Laurence , Fuseau David
Published: December 2019

We compare the phase diagram for vanishing chemical potential of the recently advanced version of the PNJL approach with that of the standard (P)NJL approaches.
Learning of skilled movements via imitation in ASD
Authors: McAuliffe Danielle , Zhao Yi , Pillai Ajay S. , Ament Katarina , Adamek Jack , Caffo Brian S. , Mostofsky Stewart H. , Ewen Joshua B.
Published: December 2019

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) consists of altered performance of a range of skills, including social/communicative and motor skills. It is unclear whether this altered performance results from atypical acquisition or learning of the skills or from atypical “online” performance of the skills. Atypicalities of skilled actions that require both motor and cognitive resources, such as abnormal gesturing, are highly prevalent in ASD and are easier to study in a laboratory context than are social/communicative skills. Imitation has long been known to be impaired in ASD; because learning via imitation is a prime method by which humans acquire skills, we tested the hypothesis that children with ASD show alterations in learning novel gestures via imitation. Eighteen participants with ASD and IQ > 80, ages 8–12.9 years, and 19 typically developing peers performed a task in which they watched a video of a model performing a novel, meaningless arm/hand gesture and copied the gesture. Each gesture video/copy sequence was repeated 4–6 times. Eight gestures were analyzed. Examination of learning trajectories revealed that while children with ASD made nearly as much progress in learning from repetition 1 to repetition 4, the shape of the learning curves differed. Causal modeling demonstrated the shape of the learning curve influenced both the performance of overlearned gestures and autism severity, suggesting that it is in the index of learning mechanisms relevant both to motor skills and to autism core features. Autism Res 2020, 13: 777–784.. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Imitation is a route by which humans learn a wide range of skills, naturally and in therapies. Imitation is known to be altered in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but learning via imitation has not been rigorously examined. We found that the shape of the learning curve is altered in ASD, in a way that has a significant impact both on measures of autism severity and of other motor skills.
International classification of abdominal wall planes (ICAP) to describe mesh insertion for ventral hernia repair
Authors: Parker S G , Halligan S , Liang M K , Muysoms F E , Adrales G L , Boutall A , Beaux A C , Dietz U A , Divino C M , Hawn M T , Heniford T B , Hong J P , Ibrahim N , Itani K M F , Jorgensen L N , Montgomery A , Morales-Conde S , Renard Y , Sanders D L , Smart N J , Torkington J J , Windsor A C J
Published: December 2019

Background

Nomenclature for mesh insertion during ventral hernia repair is inconsistent and confusing. Several terms, including ‘inlay’, ‘sublay’ and ‘underlay’, can refer to the same anatomical planes in the indexed literature. This frustrates comparisons of surgical practice and may invalidate meta-analyses comparing surgical outcomes. The aim of this study was to establish an international classification of abdominal wall planes.

Methods

A Delphi study was conducted involving 20 internationally recognized abdominal wall surgeons. Different terms describing anterior abdominal wall planes were identified via literature review and expert consensus. The initial list comprised 59 possible terms. Panellists completed a questionnaire that suggested a list of options for individual abdominal wall planes. Consensus on a term was predefined as occurring if selected by at least 80 per cent of panellists. Terms scoring less than 20 per cent were removed.

Results

Voting started August 2018 and was completed by January 2019. In round 1, 43 terms (73 per cent) were selected by less than 20 per cent of panellists and 37 new terms were suggested, leaving 53 terms for round 2. Four planes reached consensus in round 2, with the terms ‘onlay’, ‘inlay’, ‘preperitoneal’ and ‘intraperitoneal’. Thirty-five terms (66 per cent) were selected by less than 20 per cent of panellists and were removed. After round 3, consensus was achieved for ‘anterectus’, ‘interoblique’, ‘retro-oblique’ and ‘retromuscular’. Default consensus was achieved for the ‘retrorectus’ and ‘transversalis fascial’ planes.

Conclusion

Consensus concerning abdominal wall planes was agreed by 20 internationally recognized surgeons. Adoption should improve communication and comparison among surgeons and research studies.
Cost of coronary syndrome treated with percutaneous coronary intervention and 30‐day unplanned readmission in the United States
Authors: Kwok Chun Shing , Amin Amit P. , Shah Binita , Kinnaird Tim , Alkutshan Raed , Balghith Muhammad , Ratib Karim , Nolan James , Bagur Rodrigo , Mamas Mamas A.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the cost of coronary syndrome treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and 30‐day unplanned readmissions.

Background

There is limited understanding of the hospital cost of index PCI and 30‐day unplanned readmissions.

Methods

Patients undergoing PCI between 2010 and 2014 in the U.S. Nationwide Readmission Database were included. The primary outcome was total cost defined by cost of index PCI and first unplanned readmission within 30 days.

Results

This analysis included 2,294,244 patients who underwent PCI, and the mean cost was $23,541 ± $20,730 (~$10.8 billion/year). There was a modest increase in cost over the study years of 17.5%. Of the 9.4% with an unplanned readmission within 30 days, the mean total cost was $35,333 ± 24,230 versus $22,323 ± 19,941 for those not readmitted. The variables most strongly associated with the highest quartile of cost were heart failure (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 25.60 [95% CI 21.59–30.35]), need for circulatory support (aOR 11.62 [10.13–13.32]), periprocedural coronary artery bypass graft (CABG, aOR 585.08 [357.85–956.58]), and readmission within 30 days (aOR 24.49 [22.40–26.77]). An acute kidney injury (AKI; 8.5%), major bleed (0.8%), vascular injury (0.8%), or need for periprodedural CABG (1.4%) had an average increased cost of $21,935; $30,898; $27,875; and $43,005, respectively, compared to PCI without adverse outcome.

Conclusions

The annual 30‐day hospital cost of PCI is approximately $10.8 billion, and the costs associated with in‐hospital adverse events, particularly the need for AKI and periprocedural CABG, were significant.
Machine learning methods to predict solubilities of rock samples
Authors: Hanzelik Pál Péter , Gergely Szilveszter , Gáspár Csaba , Győry László
Published: December 2019

Interests in the use of chemometric and data science methods for laboratory techniques have grown rapidly over the last 10 years, for the reason that they are cheaper and faster than traditional analytical methods of material testing. This study uses 888 rock samples collected from the exploration and production (E&P) sector of the oil industry. Based on the Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra of these rock samples their solubility predictions have been developed and investigated with nine methods including both linear and non‐linear ones. Two of these methods such as Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) are available in a commercial software package and the other seven methods, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Ridge Regression (RR), k‐nearest neighbours (k‐NN), Decision Tree (DT), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) with TensorFlow (TF), were coded by the authors based either on commercial applications or open source libraries. The investigation starts with spectral data pre‐processing carried out by standard normal variate (SNV), baseline correction and feature selection methods creating the feature set for all machine learning (ML) applications. The accuracy of predictions has been evaluated with mean squared error as a performance metric for each investigated method. The comparisons of predicted values to real data of test samples have shown that mineral solubility in acids can be well predicted in the range of the uncertainties of real laboratory measurements, therefore it can be used to improve the response time of these investigations and reduce the risk in industrial applications. In those cases, where the unknown samples have got some out of the range features, the limitations in the accuracy of predictions have become clear. We have also identified the limitations in the methodology and planned steps to further improve the prediction capabilities. The identified constraint of samples' multitude further emphasizes the need for database building efforts, so that the real potential in big data and machine learning can be realized.
Diagnostics via partial residual plots in inverseGaussianregression
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Akbar Atif
Published: December 2019

Regression diagnostics is the basic requirement to apply regression analysis to reach reliable conclusions. Generalized linear models also required diagnostics for its implementation. The construction of partial residuals using response residuals for the inverse Gaussian regression model is carried out to explore the structure and usefulness for visualizing diagnostics and curvature as a function of selected predictors. The current study established the performance of partial residual plots over conventional diagnostic methods. The comparison has been made using aerial biomass data and with the help of simulation study. It has been observed that partial residual plots provide much better diagnosis than do conventional methods. Moreover, multiple diagnostics in a single display provide better perceptive towards lack of fit, specification, and data anomalies.
Confocal Microscopy: Principles and Modern Practices
Authors: Elliott Amicia D.
Published: December 2019

In light microscopy, illuminating light is passed through the sample as uniformly as possible over the field of view. For thicker samples, where the objective lens does not have sufficient depth of focus, light from sample planes above and below the focal plane will also be detected. The out‐of‐focus light will add blur to the image, reducing the resolution. In fluorescence microscopy, any dye molecules in the field of view will be stimulated, including those in out‐of‐focus planes. Confocal microscopy provides a means of rejecting the out‐of‐focus light from the detector such that it does not contribute blur to the images being collected. This technique allows for high‐resolution imaging in thick tissues.

In a confocal microscope, the illumination and detection optics are focused on the same diffraction‐limited spot in the sample, which is the only spot imaged by the detector during a confocal scan. To generate a complete image, the spot must be moved over the sample and data collected point by point. A significant advantage of the confocal microscope is the optical sectioning provided, which allows for 3D reconstruction of a sample from high‐resolution stacks of images. Several types of confocal microscopes have been developed for this purpose, and each has different advantages and disadvantages. This article provides a concise introduction to confocal microscopy. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Treatment of advanced divertor configurations in the flux‐coordinate independent turbulence code GRILLIX
Authors: Body Thomas , Stegmeir Andreas , Zholobenko Wladimir , Coster David , Jenko Frank
Published: December 2019

Advanced divertor configurations modify the magnetic geometry of the divertor to achieve a combination of strong magnetic flux expansion, increased connection length and higher divertor volume—to improve detachment stability, neutral/impurity confinement and heat‐channel broadening. In this paper, we discuss the modification of the flux‐coordinate independent (FCI) turbulence code GRILLIX to treat generalized magnetic geometry, to allow for the investigation of the effect of magnetic geometry on turbulent structures in the edge and scrape‐off layer (SOL). The development of grids and parallel operators from numerically defined magnetic equilibria is discussed, as is the application of boundary conditions via penalization, with the finite‐width method generalized to treat complex non‐conformal boundaries. Initial testing of hyperbolic (advection) and parabolic (diffusion) test cases are presented for the Snowflake scenario.
A Design of Microfluidic Chip with Quasi‐Bessel Beam Waveguide for Scattering Detection of Label‐Free Cancer Cells
Authors: Lv Ning , Zhang Lu , Jiang Lili , Muhammad Amir , Wang Huijun , Yuan Li
Published: December 2019

Light scattering detection in microfluidic chips provides an important tool to identify cancer cells without any label processes. However, forward small‐angle scattering signals of cells, which are related to their sizes and morphologies, are hard to be detected accurately when scattering angle is less than 11° in microfluidic chips by traditional lighting design due to the influence of incident beam. Therefore, cell's size and morphology being the golden standard for clinical detection may lose their efficacy in recognizing cancer cells from healthy ones. In this article, a novel lighting design in microfluidic chips is put forward in which traditional incident Gaussian beam can be modulated into quasi‐Bessel beam by a microprism and waveguide. The quasi‐Bessel beam's advantages of nondiffraction theoretically make forward scattering (FS) detection less than 11° possibly. Our experimental results for peripheral blood lymphocytes of human beings and cultured HeLa cells show that the detection rates increase by 47.87% and 46.79%, respectively, by the novel designed microfluidic chip compared to traditional Gaussian lighting method in microfluidic chips. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
A “No‐Touch” Antibody‐Staining Method of Adherent Cells for High‐Throughput Flow Cytometry in 384‐Well Microplate Format for Cell‐Based Drug Library Screening
Authors: Cornel Annelisa M. , Szanto Celina L. , van Til Niek P. , van Velzen Jeroen F. , Boelens Jaap J. , Nierkens Stefan
Published: December 2019

In the last decade, screening compound libraries on live cells has become an important step in drug discovery. The abundance of compounds in these libraries requires effective high‐throughput (HT) analyzing methods. Although current cell‐based assay protocols are suitable for HT analyses, the analysis itself is often restrained to simple, singular outcomes. Incorporation of HT samplers on flow cytometers has provided an interesting approach to increase the number of measurable parameters and increase the sensitivity and specificity of analyses. Nonetheless, to date, the labor intensive and time‐consuming strategies to detach and stain adherent cells before flow cytometric analysis has restricted use of HT flow cytometry (HTFC) to suspension cells. We have developed a universal “no‐touch” HTFC antibody staining protocol in 384‐well microplates to bypass washing and centrifuging steps of conventional flow cytometry protocols. Optimizing culture conditions, cell‐detachment and staining strategies in 384‐well microplates resulted in an HTFC protocol with an optimal stain index with minimal background staining. The method has been validated using six adherent cell lines and simultaneous staining of four parameters. This HT screening protocol allows for effective monitoring of multiple cellular markers simultaneously, thereby increasing informativity and cost‐effectiveness of drug screening. © 2019 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
A new range‐free PCA‐based localization algorithm in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Banihashemian Seyed Saber , Adibnia Fazlollah
Published: December 2019

Range‐free localization algorithms in wireless sensor networks have been an interesting field for researchers over the past few years. The combining of different requirements such as storage space, computational capacities, communication capabilities, and power efficiency is a challenging aspect of developing a localization algorithm. In this paper, a new range‐free localization algorithm, called PCAL, is proposed using soft computing techniques. The proposed method utilizes hop‐count distances as the data to train and build a neural network. Before feeding the data into the neural network for the purpose of training, the dimensionality of data is reduced by principal component analysis algorithm. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated using simulation. The obtained results show that the proposed algorithm has a better performance in contrast to other algorithms based on storage space, communication overhead, and localization accuracy. Furthermore, the effect of various parameters on the PCAL algorithm is studied.
Opioids for chronic osteoarthritis pain: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis of efficacy, tolerability and safety in randomized placebo‐controlled studies of at least 4 weeks double‐blind duration
Authors: Welsch Patrick , Petzke Frank , Klose Petra , Häuser Winfried
Published: December 2019

Background and Objective

This updated systematic review evaluated the efficacy and safety of opioids compared with placebo for chronic osteoarthritis pain.

Databases and Data Treatment

Clinicaltrials.gov, CENTRAL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched from October 2013 to July 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing opioids with placebo and at least 4 weeks double‐blinded duration were analysed. Primary outcomes were pain relief of 50% or greater, disability, tolerability and safety. Effects were summarized by a random effects model using risk differences or standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. We added two new studies with 397 participants for a total of 22 studies with 8,942 participants. Study duration ranged between 4 and 24 weeks. Studies with a parallel and cross‐over design: Based on very low– to low‐quality evidence, opioids provided no clinically relevant pain relief of 50% or greater and no clinically relevant reduction in disability compared with placebo. There was a clinically relevant harm related to the dropout rate due to adverse events. The frequency of serious adverse events did not differ from placebo. Enriched enrolment randomized withdrawal design: Based on very low– to low‐quality evidence, opioids provided no clinically relevant pain relief of 50% or greater and no clinically relevant reduction in disability compared with placebo. Dropout rates due to adverse events and frequency of serious adverse events did not differ from placebo.

Conclusions

Tolerability of opioids is low and efficacy is not clinically relevant in controlled studies from 4 to 24 weeks for osteoarthritis pain.

Significance

Within the context of randomized controlled trials (4–24 weeks), opioids provided no clinically relevant pain relief and no clinically relevant reduction in disability compared with placebo in chronic osteoarthritis pain (hip, knee). Number needed to treat for an additional dropout due to side effects was 5 (95% confidence interval 4–7). Two studies found no signals of abuse and addiction. The frequency of serious adverse events including deaths did not differ from placebo.
A numerical study of the mining‐induced energy redistribution in a coal seam adjacent to an extracted coal panel during longwall face mining: A case study
Authors: Wang Jun , Qiu Pengqi , Ning Jianguo , Zhuang Li , Yang Shang
Published: December 2019

Mining of the coal seam adjacent to the extracted coal panel is widely practiced in China to improve coal resource recovery rates, but the energy change associated with longwall mining may present a new risk to ground stability and gateroad failure. To understand the energy change effectively, a meticulously validated numerical model, built using FLAC3D software, incorporating a double‐yield model for the gob materials and a strain‐softening model for the coal/rock masses, was developed to investigate the energy redistribution in coal seams and barrier pillars during the process of mining the coal seam adjacent to the extracted coal panel. The model results showed that the closer the region was to the LW 5301 gob, the higher the location and magnitude of the peak strain energy density. Consequently, the risk of rockburst in coal seams was greater than that in barrier pillars. Along the coal seam strike, with increasing advancing distance from the setup room, the magnitude of the peak strain energy density gradually increased to 1.88‐2.78 times the premining energy level. In addition, along the coal seam dip, the maximum distance from the peak strain energy density to the edge of the coal seam was approximately 16‐28 m, which is greater than that in the barrier pillar. The proposed numerical simulation procedure and calibrated method could be a viable alternative approach to evaluate longwall mining‐induced energy changes.
DETERMinants of quality of life, care and costs, and consequences of INequalities in people with Dementia and their carers (DETERMIND): A protocol paper
Authors: Farina Nicolas , Hicks Ben , Baxter Kate , Birks Yvonne , Brayne Carol , Dangoor Margaret , Dixon Josie , Harris Peter R. , Hu Bo , Knapp Martin , Miles Eleanor , Perach Rotem , Read Sanna , Robinson Louise , Rusted Jennifer , Stewart Rob , Thomas Alan , Wittenberg Raphael , Banerjee Sube
Published: December 2019

Objectives

DETERMIND (DETERMinants of quality of life, care and costs, and consequences of INequalities in people with Dementia and their carers) is designed to address fundamental, and, as yet unanswered questions about inequalities, outcomes and costs following diagnosis with dementia. These answers are needed to improve the quality of care and equity of access to care, and therefore the quality of life, of people with dementia and their carers.

Method

DETERMIND is a programme of research consisting of seven complementary workstreams (WS) exploring various components that may result in unequal dementia care:

WS1: Recruitment and follow‐up of the DETERMIND cohort—900 people with dementia and their carers from three geographically and socially diverse sites within six months following diagnosis, and follow them up for three years.

WS2: Investigation of the extent of inequalities in access to dementia care.

WS3: Relationship between use and costs of services and outcomes.

WS4: Experiences of self‐funders of care.

WS5: Decision‐making processes for people with dementia and carers.

WS6: Effect of diagnostic stage and services on outcomes.

WS7: Theory of Change informed strategy and actions for applying the research findings.

Outcomes

During the life of the programme, analysing baseline results and then follow‐up of the DETERMIND cohort over 3 years, we will establish evidence on current services and practice. DETERMIND will deliver novel, detailed data on inequalities in dementia care and what drives positive and negative outcomes and costs for people with dementia and carers, and identify factors that help or hinder living well with dementia.
ACCP clinical pharmacist competencies: Advocating alignment between student, resident, and practitioner competencies
Authors: Engle Janet P. , Burke John M. , Ashjian Emily J. , Avery Lisa , Borchert Jill S. , Faro Sara Jane E. , Harris Christy S. , Herink Megan C. , Jain Barkha , MacLaughlin Eric J. , Martello Jay L. , Moore Katherine , Rogers Elizabeth , Smith Winter J. , Stranges Paul M.
Published: December 2019

Competency standards in pharmacy education and training have been formulated by different organizations to focus on various stages in the development of students, residents, and clinical pharmacists. This commentary advocates a deliberate alignment of educational outcomes, goals, and competencies across the developmental continuum of students, residents, and pharmacy practitioners. Consistent use of terminology and appropriate sequencing of expectations will help develop pharmacists who can meet the demands of the profession in the changing health care landscape. Progressive development is needed for the pharmacist's abilities, from student to resident to new practitioner to experienced professional. Consistency will ensure that educational and training programs optimally prepare individuals for board certification and professional roles. Specific recommendations include developing a common taxonomy that aligns within the pharmacy profession and across health care professions.
Safety of bovine milk derived extracellular vesicles used for delivery of RNA therapeutics in zebrafish and mice
Authors: Matsuda Akiko , Moirangthem Anuradha , Angom Ramcharan Singh , Ishiguro Kaori , Driscoll Julia , Yan Irene K. , Mukhopadhyay Debabrata , Patel Tushar
Published: December 2019

Extracellular vesicles are endogenous biological nanoparticles that have potential for use as therapeutic nanoparticles or as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents. Milk nanovesicles (MNV) are extracellular vesicles isolated from bovine milk that have been explored for use as delivery vehicles for RNA therapeutics such as small interfering RNA (siRNA). We performed in vivo toxicological studies of MNV or therapeutic MNV (tMNV) loaded with siRNA as a prelude to their clinical use. Development toxicity was assessed in zebrafish embryos. Acute toxicity was assessed in both mice and zebrafish whereas safety, biochemical, histological and immune effects after multiple dosing were assessed in mice. Zebrafish embryo hatching was accelerated with MNV and tMNV. While acute toxicity or effects on mortality were not observed in zebrafish, developmental effects were observed at high concentrations of MNV. There was a lack of discernable toxicity, mortality and systemic inflammatory or immunological responses in mice following administration of either MNVs or tMNVs. The tolerability and lack of discernable developmental or systemic in vivo toxicity support their use as biological nano‐therapeutics. Adoption of a standardized protocol for systematic analysis of in vivo safety and toxicity will facilitate preclinical assessment of EV based formulations for therapeutic use.
Influence of liner offset and locking mechanism on fatigue durability in highly cross‐linked polyethylene total hip prostheses
Authors: Kamada Kosuke , Takahashi Yasuhito , Tateiwa Toshiyuki , Shishido Takaaki , Masaoka Toshinori , Pezzotti Giuseppe , Yamamoto Kengo
Published: December 2019

Highly cross‐linked, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (HXLPE) acetabular liners are inherently associated to a risk of fatigue failure due to femoral neck impingement. Different thicknesses and designs employed with HXLPE liners greatly affect mechanical loading scenario. The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of liner offset (lateralization) and locking mechanism (presence/absence of anti‐rotation tabs in the external surface) on fatigue durability in annealed and vitamin E‐blended HXLPE liners with a current commercial design. Each liner tested had six anti‐rotation tabs, which were engaged in the 6 of 12 recesses on the metal shell. The remaining six recesses had no direct contact with the liner, where HXLPE was mechanically unsupported by the metal backing. These mated and/or unmated rim regions in the offset (2, 3, 4‐mm lateralized) liners were exposed to severe neck impingement until crack propagation was identified. Phase volume percentages (crystalline, amorphous, and intermediate phase contents) of HXLPE liners were compared before and after impingement in order to interpret differences in impingement micromechanics associated with the rim design variations. Our results showed that the presence of unmated recesses served as a stress concentrator due to the formation of millimeter‐scale gaps between the liner and shell. Another potential design problem drawn from our study was liner offset associated with a small volume protruding above the metal rim. Therefore, surgeons should take special care in selecting locking designs and geometries especially when using HXLPE offset liners.
Polo‐like kinase 4 correlates with greater tumor size, lymph node metastasis and confers poor survival in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhou Qin , Fan Gongchun , Dong Yuanyuan
Published: December 2019

Background

Our study aimed to investigate the association of polo‐like kinase 4 (PLK4) expression with tumor features as well as survival in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods

Five hundred and sixty NSCLC patients who underwent pulmonary resection were recruited, and their tumor specimens were obtained. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed to assess PLK4 expression in tumor specimen. Follow‐up documents were reviewed, and the disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated.

Results

According to IHC staining, there were 277 (49.5%) patients with PLK4 low expression and 283 (50.5%) patients with PLK4 high expression. PLK4 high expression was further classified into three different classes: high+, high++, high+++, and 122 (21.8%), 127 (22.7%), 34 (6.1%) patients were with PLK4 high+, high++, high+++ expression, respectively. Polo‐like kinase 4 expression was correlated with larger tumor size, LYN metastasis, and higher TNM stage. As for survival, DFS and OS were lower in patients with PLK4 high expression compared with patients with PLK4 low expression. In addition, DFS and OS were the lowest in patients with PLK4 high+++ expression, followed by those with PLK4 high++ expression, PLK4 high+ expression, and then patients with PLK4 low expression. Univariate and multivariate Cox's proportional hazard regression model analyses further disclosed that PLK4 was an independent predictive factor for poor DFS and OS in NSCLC patients.

Conclusion

Our study preliminarily illuminates the clinical implication of PLK4 in NSCLC, while further studies are still needed to explicit the value of PLK4 in surveillance and treatment of NSCLC.
Association between subjective social status and facets of depression self‐stigma
Authors: Bharat Vidya , Habarth Janice , Keledjian Nareg , Leykin Yan
Published: December 2019

Individuals with depressive symptoms frequently experience stigma, which may lower self‐esteem and increase social withdrawal, further exacerbating symptoms. The association between depressive symptoms and subjective social status (SSS; perceived standing within one's community) have previously been identified. However, no work has connected the constructs of SSS and self‐stigma among people with depression. Participants (N = 230) who screened positive for current major depressive episode via a self‐report completed an online survey. A significant negative association between SSS and overall stigma (p = .024) was observed, which was largely explained by general self‐stigma (p = .016) and stigmatizing experiences (p = .015) subscales. The results offer preliminary evidence that SSS may be associated with negative social consequences of stigmatizing health conditions.
Absence of VEGFR‐1/Flt‐1 signaling pathway in mice results in insensitivity to discogenic low back pain in an established disc injury mouse model
Authors: Qiu Sujun , Shi Changgui , Anbazhagan Arivarasu Natarajan , Das Vaskar , Arora Vipin , Kc Ranjan , Li Xin , O‐Sullivan InSug , van Wijnen Andre , Chintharlapalli Sudhakar , Gott‐Velis Gina , Richard Ripper , Mwale Fackson , Shibuya Masabumi , Min Shaoxiong , Im Hee‐Jeong
Published: December 2019

Although degenerative disc disease (DDD) and related low back pain (LBP) are growing public health problems, the underlying disease mechanisms remain unclear. An increase in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in DDD has been reported. This study aimed to examine the role of VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) in DDD, using a mouse model of DDD. Progressive DDD was induced by anterior stabbing of lumbar intervertebral discs in wild type (WT) and VEGFR‐1 tyrosine‐kinase deficient mice (vegfr‐1TK−/−). Pain assessments were performed weekly for 12 weeks. Histological and immunohistochemical assessments were made for discs, dorsal root ganglions, and spinal cord. Both vegfr‐1TK−/− and WT mice presented with similar pathological changes in discs with an increased expression of inflammatory cytokines and matrix‐degrading enzymes. Despite the similar pathological patterns, vegfr‐1TK−/− mice showed insensitivity to pain compared with WT mice. This insensitivity to discogenic pain was related to lower levels of pain factors in the discs and peripheral sensory neurons and lower spinal glial activation in the vegfr‐1TK−/− mice than in the WT mice. Exogenous stimulation of bovine disc cells with VEGF increased inflammatory and cartilage degrading enzyme. Silencing vegfr‐1 by small‐interfering‐RNA decreased VEGF‐induced expression of pain markers, while silencing vegfr‐2 decreased VEGF‐induced expression of inflammatory and metabolic markers without changing pain markers. This suggests the involvement of VEGFR‐1 signaling specifically in pain transmission. Collectively, our results indicate that the VEGF signaling is involved in DDD. Particularly, VEGFR‐1 is critical for discogenic LBP transmission independent of the degree of disc pathology.
Evaluation of a point‐of‐care ultrasound curriculum taught by medical students for physicians, nurses, and midwives in rural Indonesia
Authors: Dornhofer Kyle , Farhat Ahmed , Guan Kevin , Parker Erica , Kong Christina , Kim Daniel , Nguyen Thalia , Mogi Jennifer , Lahham Shadi , Fox John C.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

In the Indonesian health‐care system, nurses and midwives often serve as the primary health‐care providers due to physician shortages. Seeking to address the need for medical care in resource‐limited environments, some have advocated for portable equipment in the hands of health‐care providers. We hypothesized that medical students are able to effectively teach point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) to physicians, nurses, and midwives in rural Indonesia.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational study using health‐care practitioners from a clinic and accredited school for nursing and midwifery in Mojokerto, East Java, Indonesia. Enrolled practitioners took part in a 4‐week POCUS course followed by postinstructional testing.

Results

A total of 55 health‐care practitioners completed the course. This included 19 physicians, 13 nurses, and 19 midwives. Of the 55 clinicians, 43 (72%) passed the course and 12 (28%) failed.

Conclusions

Physicians, nurses, and midwives in rural Indonesia showed significant acquisition of ultrasound (US) knowledge and skills following a 4‐week US course. Following training, all three groups displayed skills in practical US use during a postcourse practical examination. This is one of the first studies to assess the efficacy of medical students teaching POCUS to midwives and nurses.
Genetic counselors with advanced skills: II. A new career trajectory framework
Authors: Davis Claire , Baty Bonnie J. , Hippman Catriona , Trepanier Angela , Erby Lori
Published: December 2019

Career development frameworks help professionals better understand career decision‐making, but the genetic counseling field lacks a comprehensive framework to describe career development. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore commonalities across participants' career trajectories and identify factors which influence decision‐making throughout genetic counseling careers. Using purposive sampling, 17 genetic counselors with advanced skills were interviewed about their career trajectories, factors which influenced career decisions, and the process and outcomes of those decisions. Content analysis was both inductive and deductive, employing triangulation techniques to enhance analytic rigor. Results highlighted common experiences and critical processes of interviewees' career trajectories and contributed to the development of the Genetic Counselor Career Trajectory Framework (GCCTF), which depicts an iterative process of considering change in one's career. Each iteration is prompted by predisposing influences (past experiences, personal attributes, and contextual factors), characterized by self‐assessment and flexible planning, and completed when a decision about making a change is reached. Multiple iterations collectively create evolution of a career trajectory. The GCCTF adds to existing theories of career development by emphasizing dynamic processes of considering change and applies established concepts to a specialized healthcare profession. Individual genetic counselors can utilize the GCCTF to expand awareness of factors influencing a specific career decision and gain insight into experiences of change across their careers.
Synthesis and evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of novel 7‐Aryl‐6H,7H‐ benzo[f]chromeno[4,3‐b]chromen‐6‐one by MgO nanoparticle as green catalyst
Authors: Hosseinzadegan Sara , Hazeri Nourallah , Maghsoodlou Malek T.
Published: December 2019

Using MgO nanoparticle as a recyclable and efficient catalyst, multicomponent reaction of 2‐Naphthol, aldehyde derivatives, 4‐hydroxycoumarin has led to the synthesis of novel 7‐Aryl‐6H,7H‐ benzo[f]chromeno[4,3‐b]chromen‐6‐one derivatives. This study aimed to examine the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of the synthetic compound in order to reach some benefits, including the synthesis of new derivatives with biological properties, shorter time, high yields, and concordance with green chemistry.
Convenient synthesis of novel sulfonamide derivatives as promising anticancer agents
Authors: El‐Mekabaty Ahmed , Awad Hanem M.
Published: December 2019

Novel sulfonamide derivatives have been synthesized from the readily accessible N‐(4‐acetylphenyl)benzenesulfonamide (1). Condensation of 1 with phenylhydrazine in refluxing ethyl alcohol gave the corresponding phenylhydrazone 2, which was then added to the Vilsmeier‐Haack reagent (POCl3/DMF) to give the 4‐formylpyrazole derivative 3. Fusion of 1 with thiourea in the presence of iodine at 130°C afforded the 2‐aminothiazole derivative 4. Refluxing 1 with an excess of N, N‐dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal furnished the enaminone 5. The chemical reactivity of enaminone 5 toward some nitrogen and carbon nucleophiles has been studied to obtain polyfunctionalized heteroaromatic systems bearing a sulfonamide moiety. Besides, the enaminone 5 undergoes the Gewald reaction and reacts with ethyl cyanoacetate and elemental sulfur in the presence of morpholine to yield the 2‐aminothiophene derivative 18. Moreover, the utility of 5 for the synthesis of 4‐(phenylsulfonamido)benzoic acid (19) was investigated. The synthesized sulfonamides were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against two human cell lines, MCF‐7 (breast adenocarcinoma cells) and RPE‐1 (normal retina pigmented epithelium cells). The results revealed that compounds 1‐3, 6‐8, 10, 12b, 18, 19, and 21 have a potent cytotoxic effect on MCF‐7 and less on RPE‐1 cells compared to the positive control doxorubicin®.
Tandem heterocyclization of 2‐(azolyl‐(azinyl‐))anilines as an efficient method for preparation of substituted pyrrolo[1,2‐a]azolo‐(azino‐)[c]quinazolines
Authors: Stavytskyi Viktor , Voskoboinik Oleksii , Antypenko Oleksii , Krasovska Nataliia , Shabelnyk Konstantyn , Konovalova Iryna , Shishkyna Svitlana , Kholodniak Sergiy , Kovalenko Serhii
Published: December 2019

The synthesis of novel pyrrolo[1,2‐a]azolo‐(azino‐)[c]quinazolines by tandem reaction of 2‐(azolyl‐(azinyl‐))anilines with oxocarboxylic acids was described in this article. The mechanism of obtained compounds formation was proposed, and the intermediate of the heterocyclization has been isolated and characterized. The IR‐, 1H and 13C NMR‐, chromato‐mass spectra of synthesized compounds were studied for estimation of their structure and spectral patterns features. The molecular structure of the obtained compounds was additionally proved by X‐ray diffraction method.