bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of Physical and Chemical Characterization and Pathogenic Microbial Pollution in Euphrates River in AL-Nasiriya City during 2018-2019
Authors: Nasir Kadhum S. , Hussein Hiba S. , Hanan Zaman K. , Kadhim Kadhim A.
Published: December 2020

This study was conducted to assess the physical, chemical properties and pathological microbial contamination in the Euphrates River in Nasiriya city, southern Iraq, and three stations were chosen in the study area of 6 km for the period from the fall of 2018 until the summer of 2019. Samples were collected during this period. The first station was north of Nasiriya governorate. The second station is located in the center of the governorate. The third is located in the south of Al-Nasiriya Governorate, about 4 km from the second station. The study included measuring some physical, chemical and microbial properties of river water. It also included measuring the concentration of some physical analyzes including color, odor, temperature and turbidity. Chemical analysis included pH, BOD5, and COD. Pathogenic bacteria analyses included Salmonella enterica, E. coli pseudomonas aeroginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aurous, and Klebseilla spp. AST in our study revealed high levels of resistance to ampicillin (100%), nalidixic acid (90%), sulfamethoxazole- trimethoprim (80% (Tetracycline and ciprofloxacin (55%) and Chloramphenicol (45%).
Modeling the hardening process of monolithic reinforced concrete structures in Elcut Pro software package
Authors: Korobkov S , Mikhailov D , Gnyrya A , Titov M
Published: December 2020

Modeling of heating a monolithic tape grillage using heating insulated wires in the ELCUT Pro 6.3 software and computing complex and the WinConcret add-on are discussed in the article. This type of concrete heating is used at a multi-storey residential complex “Alye Parusa” in Microdistrict “Severny”, a rural settlement of the Tomsk region near the river. The initial parameters were introduced for the object under construction in Elcut Pro software package with the WinConcret add-in. As a result of the calculation, an analysis of the temperature fields in the section of a monolithic tape grillage was carried out, as well as graphs of the temperature dependence on time and graphs of the strength dependence on the heating time. It was found that when concrete was heated with the help of insulated heating wires, the thermal energy was distributed more evenly over the entire cross section of the grillage, which led to an increase in the entire structure strength.
Climate Change and Eco-Anthropocentric Approach to Architectural and Urban Planning
Authors: Eichner M , Ivanova Z
Published: December 2020

Ahumane and environmentally friendly urban environment is akeypriority of the modern age. An eco-anthropocentric approach to design engineering is legislated by many European countries. Federal Building Code (BauGB, Germany) commits municipalities to analyze urban development plans and identify unintended hazardous environmental consequences for urban residents. This approach assumes special importance in the context of mounting climate changes. Europe’s design practicesareeco-anthropocentric; they take account of the climate change and behavioural patterns of urban residents. In this article, eco-anthropocentric climate-conscious architectural solutions, developed by M. Eichner, the co-author, are presented. He develops his architectural projects with account for local specificities, eco-friendly construction materials, and traditional models of dwellings. His projects are both social and ecological; they absorb the best civil engineering solutions; their impact on the biosphere and the global climate is also assessed. The findings of the self-examination, performed by the NRU MGSU students, majoring in architecture, are also contributed to the article. Students realize the importance of climate-conscious design, although they do not think there is a growing demand for projects of this kind in Russia; urban residents do not realize the importance of climate-conscious construction. The co-authors make a conclusion that both local and global patterns of influence, produced by buildings on the environment as a result of their consumption of materials, water and energy, vary from country to country, and so does the demand for climate-conscious architecture. However, given the climate changeacross the world, architectural and urban planning design will put emphasis on a combination of ecological and humane factors.
A performance assessment on Compressed Stabilized Earth Block (CSEB) using geo – polymeric binders
Authors: Sangeethavani B , Muthukannan M , Deepak R , Arun Pradeep A
Published: December 2020

The development of the country mainly depends on Rural Development. About 55% of rural peoples still live in earth building. According to the US Green Building Council, the building sector accounts for 39% of the global emission of CO2. If new technologies were not adopted means the emission could be doubled by the year 2050 according to United Nation Environment Program (UNEP). New technology is required to sustain the environment and earth materials. In India, One of the recently developing technology is Compressed Stabilized Earth Block (CSEB). This CSEB technology replaces the usage of conventional burnt clay bricks. In this Context, The earth materials are not widely used in CSEB because it includes the vital part of industrial wastes. The characteristics of CSEB with Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS), Fly Ash of class-F and coir fiber are to be investigated. Nowadays, the controlling, management and disposal of waste materials are a difficult task. The Flyash-F is an industrial waste material that is obtained from a thermal power plant and it contains a low amount of CaO. GGBFS is also an industrial waste obtained from the quenching molten iron slag in steel industries. About 20-25% of dry volume soil is replaced by a combination of Flyash and GGBFS with the addition of a geopolymer solution. Both the waste materials bring the CSE-Block as eco-friendly to the environment and cost-effective. Besides, The CSEB exhibits high strength, low creep, very minimum water absorption and good erosion resistance. In this paper, we are experimentally investigating the compressive strength and water absorption nature of CSEB with varying ratios of binders and Geo-Polymeric solution.
A review on the emergence of single-chamber microbial fuel cell on wastewater treatment
Authors: Jinisha R , Jerlin Regin J , Maheswaran J
Published: December 2020

The principle of generating electrical energy using biomass forms the basis of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs). This new technology not only produces electricity but also cleans up the waste. Based on the number of chamber units, MFCs are mainly divided into single chamber (SCMFC) and double chamber (DCMFC). This paper reviews particularly about SCMFC. The fundamental components of SCMFC like anode and cathode and the various microbes used in the fuel cell are explained in this review. This paper details about the materials used for the synthesis of anode and cathode. Also, the applicability of SCMFC for the purification of synthetic and real wastewater is discussed.
An Efficient Power Theft Detection Using Mean-Shift Clustering and Deep Learning in Smart Grid
Authors: Johncy G. , Anisha Felise A.
Published: December 2020

Energy theft constitutes a major concern for the utility operators in these modern smart homes. The task of detecting and reducing the energy losses has been highly challenging due to insufficient inspection techniques. Energy distribution is comprised of Technical and Non-Technical Losses (NTL). Energy theft generates a major share of Non-Technical Losses which also prompts budgetary misfortunes for the service organizations. The data in the modern smart meters are transmitted in wireless mode. Therefore the smart homes are vulnerable to energy theft. Many new technologies have been adopted to resolve the issue of energy theft in Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMI) in Smart Grids. Consumption pattern must be derived to identify illegal energy consumers. Computational method has been derived to analyze and identify energy consumption patterns based on data mining techniques. Machine learning technique improves the got client energy utilization readings and guides them on contrasting irregularities in use. Deep Learning method as Convolution Neural Network is implemented on the activity of order methods on client energy utilization and illegal use of electricity and the amount of consumption by energy theft.
Electrical and Electrochemical studies of Polyurethane diol/Polycaprolactone-Iron Oxide nanocomposites
Authors: Suhasini A , Vinod Kumar K P , Sheela A Maria , SheenKumar N
Published: December 2020

Electrically conducting composite materials consisting of different weight percentage of iron oxide nanoparticles dispersed in Polyurethane diol/Polycaprolactone were prepared. As a function of temperature between 30-70°C and frequency in the range of 1 kHz to 1000 kHz the dielectric constant and conductivity of polymer nanocomposites were studied. The dielectric constant value increased with increase in temperature and decreased with increase in frequency. Conductivity was found to be in the order of 10-6 to 10-5 S/cm and increased with increase in temperature. Cyclic voltammetry investigations revealed that the material has the potential to perform as an alternative catalyst for fuel cell applications.
Experimental investigation on partial replacement of fine aggregate by the effect of Coal bottom ash in concrete
Authors: Devananth R , Karthikeyan V , Sujatha S , Anto J
Published: December 2020

The fine aggregate is one of the most important constituent in concrete. It will enhance the property like strength, thermal and elastic characteristic of concrete. Owing to minimize the use of “fine aggregate in concrete, the considered amount” of its weight has to be replaced with some other alternative material. Performance of the concrete becomes economically feasible when coal ash powder is used for concrete. “In this investigation, fine aggregate is replaced” with coal bottom ash in different proportions like 20%, 30% and 50%. The strength properties like compression and split tension were compared with two different days of curing. The result reveals the increased in compressive strength was found to vary from 13.2% to 45.57% and maximum split tensile strength was from 12.43% to 54.91% in 28 days of curing the concrete.
Predi-XY: a python program for automated generation of NICS-XY-scans based on an additivity scheme
Authors: Wahab Alexandra , Fleckenstein Felix , Feusi Stefan , Gershoni-Poranne Renana
Published: December 2020

Polycyclic aromatic systems are prevalent in chemistry and materials science because their thermodynamic stability, planarity, and tunable electronic properties make them uniquely suited for various uses. These properties are closely linked to the aromaticity of the systems. Therefore, characterizing the aromatic behavior is useful for designing new functional compounds and understanding their reactivity. NICS-XY-scans are a popular and simple tool for investigating the aromatic trends in polycyclic systems. Herein we present Predi-XY: an automated system for generating NICS-XY-scans for polycyclic aromatic systems using an additivity scheme. The program provides the predicted scans at a fraction of the computational cost of a full quantum mechanical calculation and enables rapid comparison of various polycyclic aromatic systems.
Working Time Characteristics and Mental Health among Corrections and Transportation Workers
Authors: Cavallari Jennifer M , Garza Jennifer L , Ferguson Jacqueline M , Laguerre Rick A , Decker Ragan E , Suleiman Adekemi O , Dugan Alicia G
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Mental health disorders are a leading cause of work disability and while the psychosocial workplace environment plays a critical role, working time characteristics are also implicated. We sought to examine the association between working time characteristics and mental health in a cohort of two unionized, full-time worker populations, correctional supervisors, and transportation maintainers.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional study design, we surveyed workers on working time characteristics across seven domains including length of the shift, the intensity or proximity of sequential shifts, the time of day, and social aspects of work hours including predictability, variability, control, and free time. Burnout symptoms (Oldenburg Burnout Inventory) and depressive symptoms (eight-item Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) were assessed along with the psychosocial work environment and health behaviors. We used log-binomial regression models to estimate prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals after adjusting for age, gender, and company.

Results

A total of 318 workers were surveyed. The majority (72%) of workers reported a fixed shift. The prevalence of burnout symptoms was higher among workers reporting more frequent shift intensity (working 6 or more days in a row) (PR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.31; P = 0.04). Low psychological demands and high worker social support were associated with fewer burnout symptoms, independent of working time characteristics. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in workers reporting more frequent unpredictable work (PR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.35; P = 0.04) and was lower among workers reporting increased schedule control (PR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.96; P = 0.01). Higher worker social support as well as sufficient sleep and adequate exercise were associated with fewer depressive symptoms, independent of working time characteristics.

Conclusions

Different working time characteristics were associated with work-related mental health (i.e. burnout) as well as general mental health (i.e. depressive symptoms). Work intensity was associated with the prevalence of burnout symptoms and the results suggest that the mechanism may be through the need for recovery from the psychosocial exposures of work. Both schedule control and predictability were associated with depressive symptoms and the results suggest that work-life imbalance and lack of recovery may be implicated. Comprehensive prevention policies that consider work organization along with the psychosocial work environment and work-life balance may help to improve workers’ mental health.
Rehmannieae or Rehmanniaceae? Evidence from plastome sequences and floral morphology
Authors: Xia Zhi , Li Cui-Cui , Wen Jun , Wang Yin-Zheng
Published: November 2020

Rehmannia and Triaenophora form a clade and are widely accepted as being closely allied with Orobanchaceae in Lamiales. However, the taxonomic rank of this clade and its geographical origins are understudied and poorly known. The genera have together been recognized as Orobanchaceae tribe Rehmannieae or Rehmanniaceae. To re-evaluate the taxonomy and systematic position and affinities of these genera, we reconstructed a phylogenety using complete plastid genomes (plastomes) and performed an analysis of comparative floral development. Additionally, we investigated the geographical distributions of Rehmannia and Triaenophora to determine the centre of diversity and origin. The phylogenetic analyses showed that Rehmannia and Triaenophora formed a clade that is sister to all other Orobanchaceae. This relationship was also supported by fruit and floral morphological traits, such as capsules partly or half exserted from the persistent calyx tubes, reticulate testa of seeds, cochlear ascending corolla (rhinanthoid aestivation), late sympetalous corolla tube and axile placentation. In addition, the loss of the adaxial stamen leaving a gap at its expected initiation site and two lateral bracteoles in Rehmannia and Triaenophora may be derived or represent a phylogenetic transitional form in Lamiales. We suggest that Rehmannia and Triaenophora clade should be treated as Orobanchaceae tribe Rehmannieae rather than as a distinct family of Lamiales. The distribution pattern of Rehmannia and Triaenophora indicate that the Shennongjia-Wushan region in central China represents the geographical origin and centre of diversification of the genera.
Coughing as a potentially effective induction method of atrial tachycardia: a case report
Authors: Tonegawa-Kuji Reina , Yamagata Kenichiro , Kusano Kengo
Published: November 2020

Background 

Cough-induced atrial tachycardia (AT) is extremely rare and its electrical origin remains largely unknown. Atrial tachycardias triggered by pharyngeal stimulation, such as swallowing or speech, appears to be more common and the majority of them originate from the superior vena cava or right superior pulmonary vein (PV). Only one case of swallow-triggered AT with right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV) origin has been reported to date.

Case summary 

We present a case of a 41-year-old man with recurring episodes of AT in the daytime. He underwent electrophysiology study without sedation. Atrial tachycardia was not observed when the patient entered the examination room and could not be induced with conventional induction procedures. By having the patient cough periodically on purpose, transient AT with P-wave morphology similar to the clinical AT was consistently induced. Activation mapping of the AT revealed a centrifugal pattern with the earliest activity localized inside the RIPV. After successful radiofrequency isolation of the right PV, AT was no longer inducible.

Discussion 

In the rare case of cough-induced AT originating from the RIPV, the proximity of the inferior right ganglionated plexi (GP) suggests the role of GP in triggering tachycardia. This is the first report that demonstrates voluntary cough was used to induce AT. In such cases that induction of AT is difficult using conventional methods, having the patient cough may be an effective induction method that is easy to attempt.
The Impact of Smoking and Obesity on Disability-Free Life Expectancy in Older Australians
Authors: Kingston Andrew , Byles Julie , Kiely Kim , Anstey Kaarin J , Jagger Carol
Published: November 2020

Background

Smoking and obesity are 2 modifiable risk factors for disability. We examine the impact of smoking and obesity on disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) at older ages, using 2 levels of disability.

Method

We used the DYNOPTA dataset, derived by harmonizing and pooling risk factors and disability outcomes from 5 Australian longitudinal aging studies. We defined mobility disability as inability to walk 1 km, and more severe (activities of daily living [ADL]) disability by the inability to dress or bathe. Mortality data for the analytic sample (N = 20 401; 81.2% women) were obtained from Government Records via data linkage. We estimated sex-specific total life expectancy, DFLE, and years spent with disability by Interpolated Markov Chain (IMaCh) software for each combination of smoking (never vs ever), obesity (body mass index ≥30 vs 18.5 to <30), and education (left school age 14 or younger vs age 15 or older).

Results

Compared to those without either risk factor, high educated nonobese smokers at age 65 lived shorter lives (men and women: 2.5 years) and fewer years free of mobility disability (men: 2.1 years; women: 2.0 years), with similar results for ADL disability. Obesity had the largest effect on mobility disability in women; high educated obese nonsmoking women lived 1.3 years less than nonsmoking, not obese women but had 5.1 years fewer free of mobility disability and 3.2 fewer free of ADL disability. Differences between risk factor groups were similar for the low educated.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest eliminating obesity would lead to an absolute reduction of disability, particularly in women.
Folic Acid Supplementation in the Gestational Phase of Female Rats Improves Age-Related Memory Impairment and Neuroinflammation in Their Adult and Aged Offspring
Authors: Garcez Michelle Lima , Mina Francielle , Bellettini-Santos Tatiani , Ribeiro Fernanda Melo , Ghisi Frassetto Alessandra Zanette , Batista-Silva Hemily , da Luz Aline Pereira , Schiavo Gustavo Luiz , Medeiros Eduarda Behenck , Zabot Gabriel Casagrande , Canever Lara , Zugno Alexandra Ioppi , Budni Josiane
Published: November 2020

Folic acid (FA) supplementation is important during pregnancy to avoid malformations in the offspring. However, it is unknown if it can affect the offspring throughout their lives. To evaluate the offspring, female mother rats (dams) were separated into 5 groups: Four groups received the AIN-93 diet, divided into control and FA (5, 10, and 50 mg/kg), and an additional group received a FA-deficient diet, and the diet was performed during pregnancy and lactation. We evaluated the female offspring of these dams (at 2 and 18 months old). The aged offspring fed with FA-deficient diet presented habituation, spatial and aversive memory impairment and the FA maternal supplementation prevented this. The natural aging caused an increase in the TNF-α and IL-1β levels in the hippocampus from 18-month-old offspring. FA maternal supplementation was able to prevent the increase of these cytokines. IL-4 levels decreased in the prefrontal cortex from aged control rats and FA prevented it. FA deficiency decreased the levels of IL-4 in the hippocampus of the young offspring. In addition, natural aging and FA deficiency decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in the hippocampus and nerve growth factor levels in the prefrontal cortex and FA supplementation prevented it. Thus, the present study shows for the first time the effect of FA maternal supplementation on memory, cytokines, and neurotrophins in the aged offspring.
The Moderating Role of Views of Aging in the Longitudinal Relationship Between Physical Health and Mental Distress
Authors: Avidor Sharon , Palgi Yuval , Solomon Zahava
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Some degree of mental distress is commonly present in old age, and it is often exacerbated in later life following changes in physical health. This work presents in 2 studies among samples that have been exposed to stressful experiences in the past, a prospective examination of how the association between physical health and mental distress is attenuated by 2 forms of views on aging, evaluations of age, and evaluations of one’s future.

Method

Study 1 (N = 226) was conducted in 2008 (Time 1) and 2014 (Time 2), among Israeli war veterans (mean age 64.90, SD = 5.04); Study 2 (N = 132) was conducted in 2014 (Time 1) and 2015 (Time 2) among older adults who were exposed to ongoing rocket fire in the south of Israel (mean age 66.44, SD = 9.77). Participants reported on their subjective age, subjective life expectancy (SLE [in Study 1]/distance to death [DtD; in Study 2]), health, and mental distress.

Results

Both studies showed that after controlling for exposure to trauma and for Time 1 mental distress, Time 1 subjective age, but not SLE/DtD, moderated the association between Time 1 physical health and Time 2 mental distress.

Discussion

Subjective age and SLE represent distinct features of views of aging. Subjective age may reflect perceptions of one’s aging process, associated more directly with health-related outcomes over time. SLE reflects future, death-related perceptions, therefore perhaps less directly associated with such outcomes.
Following Instructions in Working Memory: Do Older Adults Show the Enactment Advantage?
Authors: Coats Rachel O , Waterman Amanda H , Ryder Fiona , Atkinson Amy L , Allen Richard J
Published: November 2020

Objectives

In young adults, the ability to verbally recall instructions in working memory is enhanced if the sequences are physically enacted by the participant (self-enactment) or the experimenter (demonstration) during encoding. Here we examine the effects of self-enactment and demonstration at encoding on working memory performance in older and younger adults.

Method

Fifty young (18–23 years) and 40 older (60–89 years) adults listened to sequences of novel action-object pairs before verbally recalling them in the correct order. There were three different encoding conditions: spoken only, spoken + demonstration, and spoken + self-enactment. We included two different levels of difficulty to investigate whether task complexity moderated the effect of encoding condition and whether this differed between age groups.

Results

Relative to the spoken only condition, demonstration significantly improved young and older adults’ serial recall performance, but self-enactment only enhanced performance in the young adults, and this boost was smaller than the one gained through demonstration.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that additional spatial-motoric information is beneficial for older adults when the actions are demonstrated to them, but not when the individual must enact the instructions themselves.
Changes in Self-estimated Step-Over Ability Among Older Adults: A 3-Year Follow-up Study
Authors: Sakurai Ryota , Fujiwara Yoshinori , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Ogawa Susumu , Higuchi Takahiro , Imanaka Kuniyasu
Published: December 2020

Objectives

There is a growing body of literature examining age-related overestimation of one’s own physical ability, which is a potential risk of falls in older adults, but it is unclear what leads them to overestimate. This study aimed to examine 3-year longitudinal changes in self-estimated step-over ability, along with one key risk factor: low frequency of going outdoors (FG), which is a measure of poor daily physical activity.

Method

This cohort study included 116 community-dwelling older adults who participated in baseline and 3-year follow-up assessments. The step-over test was used to measure both the self-estimated step-over bar height (EH) and the actual bar height (AH). Low FG was defined as going outdoors either every few days or less at baseline.

Results

The number of participants who overestimated their step-over ability (EH > AH) significantly increased from 10.3% to 22.4% over the study period. AH was significantly lower at follow-up than at baseline in both participants with low and high FGs. Conversely, among participants with low FG, EH was significantly higher at follow-up than at baseline, resulting in increased self-estimation error toward overestimation. Regression model showed that low FG was independently associated with increased error in estimation (i.e., tendency to overestimate) at follow-up.

Discussion

The present study indicated that self-overestimated physical ability in older adults is not only due to decreased physical ability but also due to increased self-estimation of one’s ability as a function of low FG. Active lifestyle may be critical for maintaining accurate estimations of one’s own physical ability.
Affective Polarization in Political and Nonpolitical Settings
Authors: Rudolph Thomas J , Hetherington Marc J
Published: December 2020

We seek to understand the extent to which affective polarization is driven by in-group love or out-group hate and whether it varies across context. The answer may, in turn, allow us to evaluate how well the fundamental premises of social identity theory mesh with different manifestations of affective polarization. Using an experiment to analyze partisans’ trust judgments, we find that the amount of affective polarization and the dominant mechanism underlying it varies by context—whether political or nonpolitical. We find that affective polarization is nearly twice as strong in political settings as in nonpolitical settings. In addition, although affective polarization reflects a blend of both in-party love and out-party hate in both contexts, we find that in-party love is the more dominant source of polarization in nonpolitical settings while out-party hate is the more dominant source in political settings. The latter finding causes us to question how well-suited social identity theory is for understanding polarization in the political sphere.
Reliable, Rapid, and Robust Speciation of Arsenic in Urine by IC-ICP-MS
Authors: Wegwerth Peter J , Erdahl Sarah A , Wermers Michelle L , Hanley Matthew M , Eckdahl Steve J , Jannetto Paul J
Published: November 2020

Background

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element with varying species and levels of toxicity. Inorganic arsenic (e.g., arsenite (AsIII) and arsenate (AsV)) are toxic, while its metabolites (e.g., monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA)) are less toxic). Symptoms of exposure can include headaches, confusion, diarrhea, and drowsiness. As these symptoms overlap with many other conditions, arsenic exposure can often be overlooked as a cause. Arsenic toxicity may be treated with chelation and/or electrolyte replacement therapy. However, treatment is not without risks and is unnecessary for exposure to organic (nontoxic) forms of arsenic. This makes screening and differentiation of arsenic important for clinical testing.

Method

An IC-ICP-MS method was developed using a Dionex 5000 with ion exchange chromatography for separation and iCAP Q for detection. Nontoxic species are arsenobetaine and arsenocholine, and toxic species are AsIII, DMA, MMA, and AsV.

Results

Precision, linearity, and specificity studies produced acceptable results. For accuracy, proficiency testing and method comparison samples were analyzed and produced acceptable results. Carryover studies demonstrated single species carryover from the diluter at levels of 500 µg/L, which can be avoided by analysis rules in the standard operating procedure. Limit of detection studies yielded a lower limit of quantitation of 1 µg/L per species.

Conclusions

Here, we present a rapid and reliable method for quantifying and differentiating toxic and nontoxic forms of arsenic to allow for swift and appropriate management of patients with exposure.
Comparison of family health history in surveys vs electronic health record data mapped to the observational medical outcomes partnership data model in the All of Us Research Program
Authors: Cronin Robert M , Halvorson Alese E , Springer Cassie , Feng Xiaoke , Sulieman Lina , Loperena-Cortes Roxana , Mayo Kelsey , Carroll Robert J , Chen Qingxia , Ahmedani Brian K , Karnes Jason , Korf Bruce , O’Donnell Christopher J , Qian Jun , Ramirez Andrea H
Published: November 2020

Objective

Family health history is important to clinical care and precision medicine. Prior studies show gaps in data collected from patient surveys and electronic health records (EHRs). The All of Us Research Program collects family history from participants via surveys and EHRs. This Demonstration Project aims to evaluate availability of family health history information within the publicly available data from All of Us and to characterize the data from both sources.

Materials and Methods

Surveys were completed by participants on an electronic portal. EHR data was mapped to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership data model. We used descriptive statistics to perform exploratory analysis of the data, including evaluating a list of medically actionable genetic disorders. We performed a subanalysis on participants who had both survey and EHR data.

Results

There were 54 872 participants with family history data. Of those, 26% had EHR data only, 63% had survey only, and 10.5% had data from both sources. There were 35 217 participants with reported family history of a medically actionable genetic disorder (9% from EHR only, 89% from surveys, and 2% from both). In the subanalysis, we found inconsistencies between the surveys and EHRs. More details came from surveys. When both mentioned a similar disease, the source of truth was unclear.

Conclusions

Compiling data from both surveys and EHR can provide a more comprehensive source for family health history, but informatics challenges and opportunities exist. Access to more complete understanding of a person’s family health history may provide opportunities for precision medicine.
Quantitation of Δ8-THC, Δ9-THC, Cannabidiol and 10 Other Cannabinoids and Metabolites in Oral Fluid by HPLC–MS-MS
Authors: Lin Lin , Amaratunga Piyadarsha , Reed Jerome , Huang Pornkamol , Lemberg Bridget Lorenz , Lemberg Dave
Published: December 2020

Quantitative analysis of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in oral fluid has gained increasing interest in clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories. New medicinal and/or recreational cannabinoid products require laboratories to distinguish different patterns of cannabinoid use. This study validated a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for 13 different cannabinoids, including (-)-trans-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC), (-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), cannabidiol (CBD), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-A (Δ9-THCA-A), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), 11-hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-Δ9-THC), 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THCCOOH), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabidiorcol (CBD-C1), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG), in oral fluid. Baseline separation was achieved in the entire quantitation range between Δ9-THC and its isomer Δ8-THC. The quantitation range of Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC and CBD was from 0.1 to 800 ng/mL. Two hundred human subject oral fluid samples were analyzed with this method after solid phase extraction. Among the 200 human subject oral fluid samples, all 13 cannabinoid analytes were confirmed in at least one sample. Δ8-THC was confirmed in 11 samples, with or without the presence of Δ9-THC. A high concentration of 11-OH-Δ9-THC or Δ9-THCCOOH (>400 ng/mL) was confirmed in three samples. CBD, Δ9-THCA-A, THCV, CBN and CBG were confirmed in 74, 39, 44, 107 and 112 of the 179 confirmed Δ9-THC-positive samples, respectively. The quantitation of multiple cannabinoids and metabolites in oral fluid simultaneously provides valuable information for revealing cannabinoid consumption and interpreting cannabinoid-induced driving impairment.
GLI3 Is Associated With Neuronal Differentiation in SHH-Activated and WNT-Activated Medulloblastoma
Authors: Natsumeda Manabu , Miyahara Hiroaki , Yoshimura Junichi , Nakata Satoshi , Nozawa Takanori , Ito Junko , Kanemaru Yu , Watanabe Jun , Tsukamoto Yoshihiro , Okada Masayasu , Oishi Makoto , Hirato Junko , Wataya Takafumi , Ahsan Sama , Tateishi Kensuke , Yamamoto Tetsuya , Rodriguez Fausto J , Takahashi Hitoshi , Hovestadt Volker , Suva Mario L , Taylor Michael D , Eberhart Charles G , Fujii Yukihiko , Kakita Akiyoshi
Published: November 2020

Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 3 (GLI3), whose main function is to inhibit GLI1, has been associated with neuronal differentiation in medulloblastoma. However, it is not clear what molecular subtype(s) show increased GLI3 expression. GLI3 levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry in 2 independent cohorts, including a total of 88 cases, and found to be high in both WNT- and SHH-activated medulloblastoma. Analysis of bulk mRNA expression data and single cell RNA sequencing studies confirmed that GLI1 and GLI3 are highly expressed in SHH-activated medulloblastoma, whereas GLI3 but not GLI1 is highly expressed in WNT-activated medulloblastoma. Immunohistochemical analysis has shown that GLI3 is expressed inside the neuronal differentiated nodules of SHH-activated medulloblastoma, whereas GLI1/2 are expressed in desmoplastic areas. In contrast, GLI3 is diffusely expressed in WNT-activated medulloblastoma, whereas GLI1 is suppressed. Our data suggest that GLI3 may be a master regulator of neuronal differentiation and morphology in these subgroups.
Climate change and the origin of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Yan Yam Esabelle Lo
Published: November 2020

The origin of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the coronavirus that is still ravaging across the world almost a year after the first reported case, has been told in various ways—from the wildlife trade at the Wuhan wet market to the covert operations in laboratories. How does climate change fit in the narratives?
Lack of survival advantage among re-resected elderly glioblastoma patients: a SEER-Medicare study
Authors: Goldman Debra A , Reiner Anne S , Diamond Eli L , DeAngelis Lisa M , Tabar Viviane , Panageas Katherine S
Published: November 2020

Background

The survival benefit of re-resection for glioblastoma (GBM) remains controversial, owing to the immortal time bias inadequately considered in many studies where re-resection was treated as a fixed, rather than a time-dependent factor. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare (SEER-Medicare) database, we assessed treatment patterns for older adults and evaluated the association between re-resection and overall survival (OS), accounting for the timing of re-resection.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included elderly patients (age ≥66) in the SEER-Medicare linked database diagnosed with GBM between 2006 and 2015 who underwent initial resection. Time-dependent Cox regression was used to assess the association between re-resection and OS, controlling for age, gender, race, poverty level, geographic region, marital status, comorbidities, receipt of radiation + temozolomide, and surgical complications.

Results

Our analysis included 3604 patients with median age 74 (range: 66–96); 54% were men and 94% were white. After initial resection, 44% received radiation + temozolomide and these patients had a lower hazard of death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.31, P < .001). In total, 9.5% (n = 343) underwent re-resection. In multivariable analyses, no survival benefit was seen for patients who underwent re-resection (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.99–1.27, P = .07).

Conclusions

Re-resection rates were low among elderly GBM patients, and no survival advantage was observed for patients who underwent re-resection. However, patients who received standard of care at initial diagnosis had a lower risk of death. Older adults benefit from receiving radiation + temozolomide after initial resection, and future studies should assess the relationship between re-resection and OS taking the time of re-resection into account.
Case series review of neuroradiologic changes associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy
Authors: Gatson Na Tosha N , Makary Mina , Bross Shane P , Vadakara Joseph , Maiers Tristan , Mongelluzzo Gino J , Leese Erika N , Brimley Cameron , Fonkem Ekokobe , Mahadevan Anand , Sarkar Atom , Panikkar Rajiv
Published: November 2020

While immuno-oncotherapy (IO) has significantly improved outcomes in the treatment of systemic cancers, various neurological complications have accompanied these therapies. Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) risks multi-organ autoimmune inflammatory responses with gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and endocrine complications being the most common types of complications. Despite some evidence that these therapies are effective to treat central nervous system (CNS) tumors, there are a significant range of related neurological side effects due to ICIs. Neuroradiologic changes associated with ICIs are commonly misdiagnosed as progression and might limit treatment or otherwise impact patient care. Here, we provide a radiologic case series review restricted to neurological complications attributed to ICIs, anti-CTLA-4, and PD-L-1/PD-1 inhibitors. We report the first case series dedicated to the review of CNS/PNS radiologic changes secondary to ICI therapy in cancer patients. We provide a brief case synopsis with neuroimaging followed by an annotated review of the literature relevant to each case. We present a series of neuroradiological findings including nonspecific parenchymal and encephalitic, hypophyseal, neural (cranial and peripheral), meningeal, cavity-associated, and cranial osseous changes seen in association with the use of ICIs. Misdiagnosis of radiologic abnormalities secondary to neurological immune-related adverse events can impact patient treatment regimens and clinical outcomes. Rapid recognition of various neuroradiologic changes associated with ICI therapy can improve patient tolerance and adherence to cancer therapies.
Evaluation and management of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell-associated neurotoxicity
Authors: Gonzalez Castro Luis Nicolas , Dietrich Jorg
Published: November 2020

Adoptive cell therapies are a group of cancer immunotherapies that involve the infusion of engineered immune cells targeting specific tumor antigens, with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells at the vanguard of this revolution in cancer therapy. Several CAR T-cell products have been approved for the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma and many more are currently undergoing evaluation in clinical trials for the treatment of other liquid and solid malignancies. Despite their remarkable effectiveness, as with other immunotherapies, CAR T cells are frequently associated with systemic and neurologic toxicity. There has been a major effort by many institutions to develop specific protocols to guide the management of treatment-associated toxicities (eg, cytokine release syndrome [CRS]). However, neurotoxic effects of CAR T-cell therapies are more difficult to evaluate and treat, not easily lending themselves to an algorithmic approach to diagnosis and management. Given the steadily expanding use of CAR T-cell therapies for various malignancies, it is of critical importance for neuro-oncologists to be familiar with the clinical presentation and management principles of CAR T-cell-associated neurotoxicity. Here, we present key principles for the evaluation and management of patients affected by CAR T-cell-associated neurotoxicity based on the most recent evidence.
Analytical Performance of the Exacto Test HIV Self-Test: A Cross-Sectional Field Study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Tonen-Wolyec Serge , Muwonga Masidi Jérémie , Kamanga Lukusa Luc Ferdinand , Nsiku Dikumbwa Gaetan , Sarassoro Angèle , Bélec Laurent
Published: November 2020

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has begun implementing HIV self-testing to boost the first “95” of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by 2025. This study aims to assess the performance and usability of the Exacto Test HIV (Biosynex, Strasbourg, France) self-test in the lab and in the field. The Exacto Test HIV self-test demonstrated high virological performance (sensitivity, 99.6%; specificity, 100%) in the lab and in the field in the hand of untrained users (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 98.9%). Taken together, the excellent performance and usability characteristics of the Exacto Test HIV (Biosynex) self-test make the kit a viable option for HIV self-testing in the DRC.
Spatial distribution of the X-ray-emitting plasma of U Geminorum in quiescence and outburst
Authors: Takeo Mai , Hayashi Takayuki , Ishida Manabu , Nakaniwa Nozomi , Maeda Yoshitomo
Published: November 2020

We present our analysis of the Suzaku data of U Geminorum (U Gem) from 2012 both in quiescence and outburst. Unlike SS Cygni (SS Cyg), the hard X-ray flux of U Gem is known to increase at times of optical outburst. A sophisticated spectral model and reliable distance estimate now reveal that this can be attributed to the fact that the mass accretion rate onto the white dwarf (WD) does not exceed the critical rate that causes the optically thin to thick transition of the boundary layer. From comparison of the X-ray and optical light curves, the X-ray outburst peak seems to be retarded by 2.1 ± 0.5 d, although there remains uncertainty in the X-ray peak identification, due to short data coverage. The larger delay than SS Cyg (0.9–1.4 d) also supports the lower accretion rate in U Gem. A fluorescent iron 6.4 keV emission line bears significant information about the geometry of the X-ray-emitting hot plasma and the accretion disk (AD) that reflects the hard X-ray emission. Our reflection simulation has shown that the optically thick AD is truncated at a distance of 1.20–1.25 times the white dwarf radius (RWD) in quiescence, and the accreting matter in the disk turns into the optically thin hard-X-ray-emitting plasma at this radius. In outburst, on the other hand, our spectral analysis favors the picture that the optically thick disk reaches the WD surface, although disk truncation can take place in the region of <1.012 RWD. From the profile of the 6.4 keV line, we have also discovered that the accreting matter is heated up close to the maximum temperature immediately after the matter enters the boundary layer at the disk truncation radius. This is consistent with the fact that the hard X-ray spectra of dwarf novae, in general, can be well represented with the cooling flow model.
Identifying the Costs of a Public Health Success: Arsenic Well Water Contamination and Productivity in Bangladesh
Authors: Pitt Mark M , Rosenzweig Mark R , Hassan M Nazmul
Published: December 2020

We exploit recent molecular genetics evidence on the genetic basis of arsenic excretion and unique information on family links among respondents living in different environments from a large panel survey to uncover the hidden costs of arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh. We provide for the first time estimates of the effects of the ingestion and retention of inorganic arsenic on direct measures of cognitive and physical capabilities as well as on the schooling attainment, occupational structure, entrepreneurship, and incomes of the rural Bangladesh population. We also provide new estimates of the effects of the consumption of foods grown and cooked in arsenic-contaminated water on individual arsenic concentrations. The estimates are based on arsenic biomarkers obtained from a sample of members of rural households in Bangladesh who are participants in a long-term panel survey following respondents and their coresident household members over a period of 26 years.
Sleep in ostrich chicks (Struthio camelus)
Authors: Lyamin Oleg I , Kibalnikov Anton S , Siegel Jerome M
Published: November 2020

It has been reported that adult ostriches displayed the longest episodes of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (up to 5 min) and more REM sleep (24% of the nighttime) than any other bird species. If the mammalian ontogenetic trend exists in the ostrich, then the amounts of REM and the duration of sleep episodes in young ostriches may be greater than those reported in adults. We investigated sleep in 1.5–3.5 month old ostrich chicks. Recordings were conducted during nighttime (20:00–08:00), the main sleep period in ostriches, which are diurnal. The polygrams were scored in 4-s epochs for waking, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and REM sleep, as in other bird studies. REM sleep in ostrich chicks occurred during both cortical EEG activation and during slow waves, as was described in adult ostriches. The chicks spent 69.3% ± 1.5% of the night in NREM sleep. REM sleep occupied 14.1% ± 1.8% of the night or 16.8% ± 2.0% of nighttime sleep. Episodes of REM sleep lasted on average 10 ± 1 s and ranged between 4 and 40 s. Therefore, the total amount and duration of REM sleep episodes in ostrich chicks were substantially smaller than reported in adult ostriches while the amounts of NREM sleep did not greatly differ. The developmental profile of REM sleep ontogenesis in the ostrich may be remarkably different from what has been reported in all studied mammals and birds.