bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differentiation of human olfactory system‐derived stem cells into dopaminergic neuron‐like cells: A comparison between olfactory bulb and mucosa as two sources of stem cells
Authors: Alizadeh Rafieh , Ramezanpour Farnaz , Mohammadi Amirhossein , Eftekharzadeh Mina , Simorgh Sara , Kazemiha Milad , Moradi Fatemeh
Published: July 2019

Cell transplantation has become a possible therapeutic approach in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases of the nervous system by replacing lost cells. The current study aimed to make a comparison between the differentiation capacity of the olfactory bulb neural stem cells (OB‐NSCs) and olfactory ectomesenchymal stem cells (OE‐MSCs) into dopaminergic‐like neurons under the inductive effect of transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β). After culturing and treating with TGF‐β, the differentiation capacities of both types of stem cells into dopaminergic neuron‐like cells were evaluated. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis 3 weeks after induction demonstrated that the mRNA expression of the dopaminergic activity markers tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT), paired box gene 2 (PAX2), and PAX5 in the neuron‐like cells derived from OB‐NSCs was significantly higher than those derived from OE‐MSCs. These findings were further supported by the immunocytochemistry staining showing that the expression of the tyrosine hydroxylase, DAT, PAX2, and paired like homeodomain 3 seemed to be slightly higher in OB‐NSCs compared with OE‐MSCs. Despite the lower differentiation capacity of OE‐MSCs, other considerations such as a noninvasive and easier harvesting process, faster proliferation attributes, longer life span, autologous transplantability, and also the easier and inexpensive cultural process of the OE‐MSCs, cumulatively make these cells the more appropriate alternative in the case of autologous transplantation during the treatment process of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease.
Subcellular distribution of human tyrosine hydroxylase isoforms 1 and 4 in SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Kunzler Alice , Garcia Sobrinho Pedro , Smith Tenele , Gelain Daniel Pens , Moreira José Cláudio Fonseca , Dunkley Peter Robert , Dickson Phillip Wesley
Published: July 2019

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the key enzyme that controls the rate of synthesis of the catecholamines. SH‐SY5Y cells with stable transfections of either human tyrosine hydroxylase isoform 1 (hTH1) or human tyrosine hydroxylase isoform 4 (hTH4) were used to determined the subcellular distribution of TH protein and phosphorylated TH, under basal conditions and after muscarine stimulation. Muscarine was previously shown to increase the phosphorylation of only serine 19 and serine 40 in hTH1 cells. Under basal conditions, the hTH1 and hTH4 proteins, their serine 19 phosphorylated forms and hTH1 phosphorylated at serine 40 were all similarly distributed; with ~80% in the cytosolic fraction, ~20% in the membrane fraction, and less than 1%, or not detectable, in the nuclear fraction. However, hTH4 phosphorylated at serine 71 had a significantly different distribution with ~65% cytosolic and ~35% membrane associated. Muscarine stimulation led to hTH1 being redistributed from the cytosol and nuclear fractions to the membrane fraction and hTH4 being redistributed from the cytosol to the nuclear fraction. These muscarine stimulated redistributions were not due to TH phosphorylation at serine 19, serine 40, or serine 71 and were most likely due to TH binding to proteins whose phosphorylation was increased by muscarine. This is the first study to show a difference in subcellular distribution between two human TH isoforms under basal and stimulated conditions.
A pilot study to evaluate the practice of transvaginal gynecological sonography in a general gynecology clinic
Authors: Ooi Rucira , Griffiths Anthony , Wilson David
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Ultrasound is the imaging method of choice in gynecology. The quality and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound depends on the skills of the individual performing the scan. Evaluation of ultrasound practice has received limited attention.

Methods

A video recording device was connected to an ultrasound machine in gynecology clinics in a teaching hospital. To minimize the observer effect, all staff were notified through email in advance. Data were collected over a 3‐week period. Anonymous recordings of both patients and user were compared with current guidelines, and practice was categorized as: compliant, partially compliant, or non‐compliant.

Results

Observations (n = 43) were categorized and the results described as percentage frequencies (%). Image optimization was compliant in 23.3% of recorded observations, 11.6% was partially compliant, and 65.1% was noncompliant. The study also found that global examination on gynecology was 20.9% compliant, 18.6% partially compliant, and 60.47% noncompliant. Images were annotated in appropriately 41.9% of instances, and 25.6% of end‐users examined bladder, vagina, and cervix when indicated.

Conclusion

The pilot evaluation showed that ultrasound practice among end‐users did not reflect current guidelines, suggesting a need for improvement. Accuracy and performance of ultrasound examination remains highly operator‐dependent although video evaluation can be an effective tool for assessing such skills.
Drug‐drug interactions between feminizing hormone therapy and pre‐exposure prophylaxis among transgender women: the iFACT study
Authors: Hiransuthikul Akarin , Janamnuaysook Rena , Himmad Kanittha , Kerr Stephen J , Thammajaruk Narukjaporn , Pankam Tippawan , Phanjaroen Kannapat , Mills Stephen , Vannakit Ravipa , Phanuphak Praphan , Phanuphak Nittaya ,   the iFACT Study Team
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Concerns over potential drug‐drug interactions (DDI) between feminizing hormone therapy (FHT) and pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have hampered uptake and adherence of PrEP among transgender women (TGW). To determine DDI between FHT and PrEP, we measured the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of blood plasma estradiol (E2) and tenofovir (TFV) in Thai TGW.

Methods

Twenty TGW who never underwent orchiectomy and had not received injectable FHT within six months were enrolled between January and March 2018. FHT (E2 valerate and cyproterone acetate) were prescribed to participants at baseline until week 5, and then from week 8 until the end of study. Daily PrEP (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine) was initiated at week 3 and continued without interruption. Intensive E2 PK parameters and testosterone concentration at 24 hours (C24) were measured at weeks 3 (without PrEP) and 5 (with PrEP), and intensive TFV PK parameters were measured at weeks 5 (with FHT) and 8 (without FHT).

Results

Median (interquartile range) age, body mass index, and creatinine clearance were 21.5 (21–26) years, 20.6 (19.0‐22.4) kg/m2, and 116 (101‐126.5) mL/min, respectively. The geometric mean (%CV) of area under curve from time zero to 24 hours (AUC0‐24), maximum concentration (Cmax), and C24 of E2 at weeks 3 and 5 were 775.13 (26.2) pg h/mL, 51.47 (26.9) pg/mL, and 15.15 (42.0) pg/mL; and 782.84 (39.6), 55.76 (32.9), and 14.32 (67.4), respectively. The geometric mean (%CV) of TFV AUC0‐24, Cmax, and C24 at weeks 5 and 8 were 2242.1 (26.5) ng h/mL, 353.9 (34.0) ng/mL, and 40.9 (31.4) ng/mL; and 2530.2 (31.3), 311.4 (30.0), and 49.8 (29.6), respectively. The geometric mean of TFV AUC0‐24 and C24 at week 5 were significantly less than that at week 8 by 12% (p = 0.03) and 18% (p < 0.001), respectively. There were no significant changes in E2 PK parameters and median C24 of bioavailable testosterone between week 3 and week 5.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated lower blood plasma TFV exposure in the presence of FHT, suggesting that FHT may potentially affect PrEP efficacy among TGW; but E2 exposure was not affected by PrEP. Further studies are warranted to determine whether these reductions in TFV are clinically significant.

Clinical Trial Number: NCT03620734.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in different human populations of Cameroon
Authors: Modiyinji Abdou F. , Amougou‐Atsama Marie , Monamele Chavely G. , Nola Moise , Njouom Richard
Published: July 2019

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. HEV infection is self‐limiting, but fulminant hepatitis may occur with higher mortality rates. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of the HEV in three different populations in Cameroon and to assess alimentary risk factors of infection. A total of 903 individuals including 450 elderly people, 183 pregnant women, and 270 HIV‐infected patients were enrolled during 2009‐2015. All sera obtained were tested for the presence of anti‐HEV antibodies with commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. The association between initial anti‐HEV status and potential risk factors was assessed. Out of the 903 samples, 22.0% (199/903) were positives for anti‐HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM), 5.8% (52/903) for anti‐HEV IgG, and 3.5% (32/903) for both. The seropositivity for IgM was 7.0%, 13.1%, and 34.7%; meanwhile, the seropositivity for immunoglobulin G was 8.5%, 3.3%, and 5.1%, in HIV‐infected patients, pregnant women, and the elderly population, respectively. Both antibodies were detected simultaneously in 2.2%, 1.6%, and 5.1% in HIV‐infected patients, pregnant women, and the elderly population, respectively. No risk factors were significantly associated with HEV infection in these populations. This study showed a high prevalence of anti‐HEV antibodies in three different populations in Cameroon.
Corticostriatal plasticity in the nucleus accumbens core
Authors: Bamford Nigel S. , Wang Wengang
Published: July 2019

Small fluctuations in striatal glutamate and dopamine are required to establish goal‐directed behaviors and motor learning, while large changes appear to underlie many neuropsychological disorders, including drug dependence and Parkinson's disease. A better understanding of how variations in neurotransmitter availability can modify striatal circuitry will lead to new therapeutic targets for these disorders. Here, we examined dopamine‐induced plasticity in prefrontal cortical projections to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core. We combined behavioral measures of male mice, presynaptic optical studies of glutamate release kinetics from prefrontal cortical projections, and postsynaptic electrophysiological recordings of spiny projection neurons within the NAc core. Our data show that repeated amphetamine promotes long‐lasting but reversible changes along the corticoaccumbal pathway. In saline‐treated mice, coincident cortical stimulation and dopamine release promoted presynaptic filtering by depressing exocytosis from glutamatergic boutons with a low‐probability of release. The repeated use of amphetamine caused a frequency‐dependent, progressive, and long‐lasting depression in corticoaccumbal activity during withdrawal. This chronic presynaptic depression was relieved by a drug challenge which potentiated glutamate release from synapses with a low‐probability of release. D1 receptors generated this synaptic potentiation, which corresponded with the degree of locomotor sensitization in individual mice. By reversing the synaptic depression, drug reinstatement may promote allostasis by returning corticoaccumbal activity to a more stable and normalized state. Therefore, dopamine‐induced synaptic filtering of excitatory signals entering the NAc core in novice mice and paradoxical excitation of the corticoaccumbal pathway during drug reinstatement may encode motor learning, habit formation, and dependence.
Postglacial vegetation community change over an elevational gradient on the western Kenai Peninsula, Alaska: pollen records from Sunken Island and Choquette Lakes
Authors: Scott Anderson R. , Berg Edward , Williams Chris , Clark Tami
Published: July 2019

The Kenai Peninsula of south‐central Alaska is a region of high topographic diversity with a complex glacial history. The sedimentary record of two small lakes [Sunken Island (SIL; 76 m a.s.l.) in the Kenai Lowlands; Choquette (CL; 527 m a.s.l.) in the Caribou Hills upland] exemplifies the postglacial development of the conifer–hardwood forest over an elevational range there. A herb–shrub tundra was established at both sites after deglaciation. By ~10.7 ka, poplar (Populus sp.) and alder (Alnus) dominated the lowland forest, while alder with minor poplar occurred at the upland site. Lake levels lower than today occurred during the early Holocene until ~8 ka. Subsequently at SIL, the near‐modern Kenai birch (Betula kenaica) – white spruce (Picea glauca) forest maintained prominence throughout the Holocene. However, at CL, alder dominated with dwarf birch and other subshrubs; small amounts of white spruce arrived ~5.2 ka. Black spruce (Picea mariana) grew around SIL by ~4 ka, but never gained prominence at CL. Fire, a prominent agent of disturbance in the Kenai Lowlands since ~8 ka, was essentially absent at the hardwood‐dominated upland site before ~6 ka, and rare thereafter. This suggests an important link between fire and spruce in Kenai forests.
Perioperative antibiotherapy should replace prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy preceded by preoperative biliary drainage
Authors: Degrandi O. , Buscail E. , Martellotto S. , Gronnier C. , Collet D. , Adam J.P. , Ouattara A. , Laurent C. , Dewitte A. , Chiche L.
Published: July 2019

Background and objectives

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains a morbid surgery. Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) is often necessary before surgery but is associated with biliary contamination. We compared the postoperative complications of patients undergoing PBD who received the usual prophylactic antibiotics (PAs) or systematic antibiotherapy (ABT).

Methods

All patients who underwent surgery between 2008 and 2017 were included. Systematic perioperative ABT with piperacillin + tazobactam (ABT group) was implemented in 2014 as the standard of care for PBD. Patients treated in the period before such implementation, during which standard cefazolin was given, served as the controls (PAs group). The primary outcomes were postoperative complications.

Results

We included 122 patients with PBD who underwent surgery. There were no demographic differences between the two groups. Perioperative ABT was associated with a reduction in deep abdominal abscesses (36% vs 10%, P = .0008), respiratory tract infections (15% vs 3%; P = .02), bacteremia (41% vs 6%; P < .0001), and a shorter length of hospital stay (17 [13‐27] vs 13 [10‐14] days; P < .0001). ABT was a protective factor against the development of deep abdominal abscesses (odds ratio [OR] = 0.16; P = .001) whereas smoking (OR = 3.9) and pancreatic fistula (OR = 19.1) were risk factors.

Conclusion

Systematic perioperative ABT in patients undergoing PD preceded by PBD may reduce deep surgical infections and the length of hospital stay.
Improving plankton image classification using context metadata
Authors: Ellen Jeffrey S. , Graff Casey A. , Ohman Mark D.
Published: July 2019

Advances in both hardware and software are enabling rapid proliferation of in situ plankton imaging methods, requiring more effective machine learning approaches to image classification. Deep Learning methods, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), show marked improvement over traditional feature‐based supervised machine learning algorithms, but require careful optimization of hyperparameters and adequate training sets. Here, we document some best practices in applying CNNs to zooplankton and marine snow images and note where our results differ from contemporary Deep Learning findings in other domains. We boost the performance of CNN classifiers by incorporating metadata of different types and illustrate how to assimilate metadata beyond simple concatenation. We utilize both geotemporal (e.g., sample depth, location, time of day) and hydrographic (e.g., temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a) metadata and show that either type by itself, or both combined, can substantially reduce error rates. Incorporation of context metadata also boosts performance of the feature‐based classifiers we evaluated: Random Forest, Extremely Randomized Trees, Gradient Boosted Classifier, Support Vector Machines, and Multilayer Perceptron. For our assessments, we use an original data set of 350,000 in situ images (roughly 50% marine snow and 50% non‐snow sorted into 26 categories) from a novel in situ Zooglider. We document asymptotically increasing performance with more computationally intensive techniques, such as substantially deeper networks and artificially augmented data sets. Our best model achieves 92.3% accuracy with our 27‐class data set. We provide guidance for further refinements that are likely to provide additional gains in classifier accuracy.
Golden ratio algorithms with new stepsize rules for variational inequalities
Authors: Hieu Dang Van , Cho Yeol Je , Xiao Yi‐Bin
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we introduce two golden ratio algorithms with new stepsize rules for solving pseudomonotone and Lipschitz variational inequalities in finite dimensional Hilbert spaces. The presented stepsize rules allow the resulting algorithms to work without the prior knowledge of the Lipschitz constant of operator. The first algorithm uses a sequence of stepsizes that is previously chosen, diminishing, and nonsummable, while the stepsizes in the second one are updated at each iteration and by a simple computation. A special point is that the sequence of stepsizes generated by the second algorithm is separated from zero. The convergence and the convergence rate of the proposed algorithms are established under some standard conditions. Also, we give several numerical results to show the behavior of the algorithms in comparison with other algorithms.
Finite difference spectral approximation for the time‐space fractional telegraph equation and its parameter estimation
Authors: Yang Xiu , Jiang Xiaoyun , Zhang Hui
Published: July 2019

The object of this paper is to present the numerical solution of the time‐space fractional telegraph equation. The proposed method is based on the finite difference scheme in temporal direction and Fourier spectral method in spatial direction. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique is applied to practical computation. The stability and convergence analysis are strictly proven, which shows that this method is stable and convergent with (2−α) order accuracy in time and spectral accuracy in space. Moreover, the Levenberg‐Marquardt (L‐M) iterative method is employed for the parameter estimation. Finally, some numerical examples are given to confirm the theoretical analysis.
Operational calculus for the solution of fractional differential equations with noncommensurate orders
Authors: Bengochea Gabriel , Ortigueira Manuel , Verde‐Star Luis
Published: July 2019

We present an operational method suitable for solving fractional differential equations with two or more noncommensurate orders. The method can be applied in a recursive way in the sense that one can add or remove pseudo‐poles or pseudo‐zeros and recompute the output from pre‐existing solutions. In order to illustrate how the method is applied and its efficiency and simplicity, we present several examples.
Hypopressive technique versus pelvic floor muscle training for postpartum pelvic floor rehabilitation: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Juez Leire , Núñez‐Córdoba Jorge M. , Couso Nerea , Aubá María , Alcázar Juan Luis , Mínguez José Ángel
Published: July 2019

Aims: Abdominal hypopressive technique (AHT) is gaining popularity as an alternative to pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) during postpartum. Although, there is no solid evidence for its recommendation.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in a university hospital with 105 primiparae who performed a two‐month PFMT or AHT program. The aim was to compare the effectiveness of both treatments in terms of morphofunctional changes in 3D transperineal ultrasound, manometry, dynamometry, and differences in urinary incontinence symptoms (ICIQ‐IU‐SF) and satisfaction.

Results: The average change in levator ani muscle was 1.2 mm higher in AHT group vs PFMT (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.2 to −0.2; P = .017). No statistically significant differences were shown in maximal strength changes between groups. After AHT, basal tone change was 63.0 g/cm2 higher than PFMT (95% CI, −129 to 2.9; P = .06). A statistically significant reduction in ICIQ‐IU‐SF was observed after both treatments [(PFMT, −0.8 points; 95% CI, −1.4 to −0.1; P = .015), (AHT, −0.7 points; 95% CI, −1.3 to −0.1; P = .018]. AHT showed a higher median satisfaction score than PFMT (P = .004).

Conclusions: This preliminary study is the first that analyses the effect of AHT vs PFMT during postpartum. The results suggest a higher improve for AHT in levator muscle thickness and satisfaction compared to PFMT. These must be considered with caution due to the limitations of the study. Further randomized clinical trials about both techniques during postpartum are required.
Address food, housing insecurity among students
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: July 2019

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — When Clare Cady found herself unemployed and struggling to make ends meet, she faced a tough choice between paying her car loan versus her rent. She chose her car. And so she began living in her car while going on job interviews. This ended up playing a key role in how she answered questions while interviewing for a job helping college students experiencing economic struggles.
Focus on branding, education to improve graduate recruitment efforts
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: July 2019

Marcus Hanscom believes successful graduate recruitment programs should be anchored by strong marketing strategies. Hanscom started out as an undergraduate student‐employee at the University of New Haven, where he earned his bachelor's and a master's in business administration. In 2015, he joined Roger Williams University as director of graduate admission.
Design and application of nonlinear model‐based tracking control schemes employing DEKF estimation
Authors: Bhadra Sanjay , Panda Atanu , Bhowmick Parijat , Goswami Shinjinee , Panda Rames C.
Published: July 2019

This paper deals with the design and application of nonlinear model‐based control schemes for stable and nonlinear benchmark industrial processes. The primary control objective is to facilitate set‐point (constant/time‐varying) tracking in the presence of external disturbances, process noise, measurement noise, parametric uncertainty, and model mismatch. We first propose a “noninferential‐type” model‐based control scheme which involves a finite‐dimensional, nonlinear, and deterministic process model to generate the model states. Secondly, an “inferential‐type” model‐based control scheme has been introduced particularly to take into account the stochastic uncertainties such as process noise and measurement noise. The second scheme exploits the dual extended Kalman filter for estimating the immeasurable states and the process parameters through which disturbance is injected. Unlike fixed‐parameter controllers, the proposed schemes update the controller gains at each step depending on the real‐time process gains. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed closed‐loop tracking control schemes, two exhaustive case studies have been carried out on the CSTR and Van de Vusse reactor processes, which are considered to be benchmark industrial processes due to highly nonlinear and unpredictable behaviour and due to nonminimum phase property. Finally, the performance of the proposed schemes are compared with an EKF‐based adaptive PI control framework and the simulation results reveal that the transient performance of the proposed schemes are better than that of the aforementioned PI technique especially in perturbed condition (ie, in presence of model mismatch and measurement noise).
From Synthesis to Applications: Copper Calcium Titanate (CCTO) and its Magnetic and Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Kawrani Sara , Boulos Madona , Cornu David , Bechelany Mikhael
Published: July 2019

Investigations focusing on electrical energy storage capacitors especially the dielectric ceramic capacitors for high energy storage density are attracting more and more attention in the recent years. Ceramic capacitors possess a faster charge‐discharge rate and improved mechanical and thermal properties compared with other energy storage devices such as batteries. The challenge is to obtain ceramic capacitors with outstanding mechanical, thermal and storage properties over large temperature and frequencies ranges. ABO3 as a type of perovskites showed a strong piezoelectric, dielectric, pyroelectric, and electro‐optic properties useful as energy storage and environmental devices. CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) perovskite with cubic lattice (Im3 symmetry) was discovered to have a colossal dielectric constant (104) that is stable over a wide range of frequencies (10 Hz–1 MHz) and temperature independence (100–300 K). The origin of this high dielectric constant is not fully established, specially because it is the same for single crystal and thin films. In this review, the history of CCTO will be introduced. The synthesis and the sintering approaches, the dopant elements used as well as the applications of CCTO will be reported. In addition to dielectrical properties useful to energy storage devices; CCTO could serve as photocatalytic materials with a very good performance in visible light.
Convection‐Flow‐Assisted Preparation of a Strong Electron Dopant, Benzyl Viologen, for Surface‐Charge Transfer Doping of Molybdenum Disulfide
Authors: Matsuyama Keigo , Fukui Akito , Miura Kohei , Ichimiya Hisashi , Aoki Yuki , Yamada Yuki , Ashida Atsushi , Yoshimura Takeshi , Fujimura Norifumi , Kiriya Daisuke
Published: July 2019

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have received attention as atomically thin post‐silicon semiconducting materials. Tuning the carrier concentrations of the TMDCs is important, but their thin structure requires a non‐destructive modulation method. Recently, a surface‐charge transfer doping method was developed based on contacting molecules on TMDCs, and the method succeeded in achieving a large modulation of the electronic structures. The successful dopant is a neutral benzyl viologen (BV0); however, the problem remains of how to effectively prepare the BV0 molecules. A reduction process with NaBH4 in water has been proposed as a preparation method, but the NaBH4 simultaneously reacts vigorously with the water. Here, a simple method is developed, in which the reaction vial is placed on a hotplate and a fragment of air‐stable metal is used instead of NaBH4 to prepare the BV0 dopant molecules. The prepared BV0 molecules show a strong doping ability in terms of achieving a degenerate situation of a TMDC, MoS2. A key finding in this preparation method is that a convection flow in the vial effectively transports the produced BV0 to a collection solvent. This method is simple and safe and facilitates the tuning of the optoelectronic properties of nanomaterials by the easily‐handled dopant molecules.
P (VDF‐co‐CTFE)‐g‐P2VP amphiphilic graft copolymers: Synthesis, structure, and permeation properties
Authors: Park Byeong Ju , Kim Na Un , Ryu Du Yeol , Kim Jong Hak
Published: July 2019

A series of amphiphilic graft copolymers of poly (vinylidene fluoride‐co‐chlorotrifluoroethylene)‐g‐poly(2‐vinyl pyridine), P (VDF‐co‐CTFE)‐g‐P2VP, with different degrees of P2VP grafting (from 26.3 to 45.6 wt%) was synthesized via one‐pot atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The amphiphilic properties of P (VDF‐co‐CTFE)‐g‐P2VP graft copolymers allowed itself to self‐assemble into nanoscale structures. P (VDF‐co‐CTFE)‐g‐P2VP graft copolymers were introduced into neat P (VDF‐co‐CTFE) as additives to form blending membranes. When two different solvents, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) and dimethylformamide (DMF), were used, specific organized crystalline structures were observed only in the NMP systems. P (VDF‐co‐CTFE)‐g‐P2VP played a pivotal role in controlling the morphology and pore structure of membranes. The water flux of the membranes increased from 57.2 to 310.1 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 with an increase in the PVDF‐co‐CTFE‐g‐P2VP loading (from 0 to 30 wt%) due to increased porosity and hydrophilicity. The flux recovery ratio (FRR) increased from 67.03% to 87.18%, and the irreversible fouling (Rir) decreased from 32.97% to 12.82%. Moreover, the pure gas permeance of the membranes with respect to N2 was as high as 6.2 × 104 GPU (1 GPU = 10–6 cm3[STP]/[s cm2 cmHg]), indicating their possible use as a porous polymer support for gas separation applications.
Association of perioperative red blood cell transfusion with postoperative venous thromboembolism in pediatric patients: A propensity score matched analysis
Authors: Rothstein David H. , Cairo Sarah B. , Schaefer Beverly A. , Lautz Timothy B.
Published: July 2019

Objective

To examine the association between perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pediatric surgical patients.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Pediatric, a validated registry of 118 United States children's hospitals. Patients under 19 years of age undergoing a surgical procedure between 2012 and 2017 were included, with the main exposure being RBC transfusion in the perioperative period (48 hours prior to operation to 72 hours after operation). The primary 30‐day outcome of interest was a postoperative VTE requiring therapy. Risk‐adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated using multiple logistic regression. Subgroup analyses were performed across multiple surgical specialties. Sensitivity analyses were performed after (a) imputation for missing variables and (b) propensity score matching.

Results

During the study years, 482 867 pediatric patients (56.7% male; median age, 6 years [interquartile range, 1–12 years]) underwent an operation. Of these, 30 879 (6.4%) received at least one perioperative RBC transfusion. Postoperative VTE requiring therapy occurred in 618 patients (0.13%). After adjustment for multiple risk factors, perioperative RBC transfusion was associated with an increased risk of VTE (aOR 2.4; 95% CI, 1.9–3.0). The increased VTE risk persisted after imputation of missing demographic and clinical data as well as after 1:1 propensity score matching (29 811 matched pairs, aOR 2.2; 95% CI, 1.7–2.8).

Conclusions

Perioperative RBC transfusion is associated with an increased, albeit still very low, risk of postoperative VTE in pediatric patients. Patients receiving blood in the perioperative period may benefit from additional monitoring or VTE prophylaxis.
SOX3 duplication: A genetic cause to investigate in fetuses with neural tube defects
Authors: Hureaux Marguerite , Ben Miled Selima , Chatron Nicolas , Coussement Aurelie , Bessières Bettina , Egloff Matthieu , Mechler Charlotte , Stirnemann Julien , Tsatsaris Vassilis , Barcia Giulia , Turleau Catherine , Ville Yves , Encha‐Razavi Ferechte , Attie‐Bitach Tania , Malan Valérie
Published: July 2019

Objective

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are one of the most common congenital anomalies caused by a complex interaction of many genetic and environmental factors. In about 10% of cases, NTDs are associated with genetic syndromes or chromosomal anomalies. Among these, SOX3 duplication has been reported in some isolated cases. The phenotype associated with this microduplication is variable and includes myelomeningocele (MMC) in both sexes as well as hypopituitarism and cognitive impairment in males. In order to determine the prevalence of this anomaly in fetuses with MMC, a retrospective cohort of fetuses with MMC was analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting SOX3 locus.

Methods

The detection of an SOX3 microduplication by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in two female fetuses with MMC prompted us to analyze retrospectively by qPCR this gene in a cohort of 53 fetuses with MMC.

Results

In addition to our two initial cases, one fetus harboring an Xq27.1q28 duplication that encompasses the SOX3 gene was detected.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that SOX3 duplication is a genomic imbalance involved in the pathogenesis of NTDs. In addition, our survey highlights the importance of CMA testing in fetuses with NTDs to enable genetic counseling upstream of any considerations of in utero fetal surgery.
Healthcare utilization in infants and toddlers with asthma‐like symptoms
Authors: Levine Hagit , Leventer‐Roberts Maya , Hoshen Moshe , Mei‐Zahav Meir , Balicer Ran , Blau Hannah
Published: July 2019

Background

Recurrent asthma‐like symptoms are common in infants, but few population studies describe diagnostic and treatment practice.

Methods

Using the electronic data repository of Clalit Health Services, the largest integrated health care provider in Israel, we evaluated children born 2005–2012, who before 3 years of age had >3 episodes of asthma‐like symptoms and/or >2 bronchodilator purchases within a year. We described health care utilization and the odds ratio for subsequent utilization after 3 and 12 months’ controller therapy. The primary outcome measure was respiratory‐related doctor visits. Linear and categorical regression analysis measured overall effectiveness of therapy.

Results

Among 689 171 infants, 262 900 (38.1%) had > 3 asthma‐like episodes/year during at least 1 year. Of those, 26 108 (10%) purchased controller therapy: 20 316 (77.8%) inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with or without leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA), and 5792 (22.2%) LTRA alone. For these 26 108 over 3 months there were 93 845 respiratory‐related doctor visits, 3110 hospital admissions, 5568 diagnoses of pneumonia, 9960 chest X‐rays, 37 127 purchases for oral steroids, and 45 142 for antibiotics courses. Healthcare utilization decreased following ICS ± LTRA and LTRA alone, respectively, as follows: doctor visits 7% and 3%, chest X‐rays 16% and 17%, bronchodilators 20% and 11%, systemic steroids 17% and 12%, and antibiotics by 35% and 22%, (P < .001 for all). Twelve months’ therapy remained effective.

Conclusions

Asthma‐like symptoms are common in infants. Health care utilization is very high and physician practices should be reassessed. Following controller therapy, health care utilization decreased. Yet controllers were prescribed in only a minority of eligible children.
Osajin displays potential antiprostate cancer efficacy via impairment of fatty acid synthase and androgen receptor expression
Authors: Huang Shih‐Yin , Huang Guan‐Jhong , Hsieh Po‐Fan , Wu Hsi‐Chin , Huang Wen‐Chin
Published: July 2019

Background

Currently, antiprostate cancer (PCa) drugs, including androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), are initially effective; however, most patients with PCa who receive ADT eventually progress to deadly aggressiveness. There is an urgent need to seek alternative strategies to cure this lethal disease. Activation of lipogenesis has been demonstrated to lead to PCa progression. Therefore, targeting the aberrant lipogenic activity could be developed therapeutically in PCa. The aim of this study is to investigate the molecular basis and efficacy of osajin, a bioactive prenylated isoflavonoid, in PCa.

Methods

PCa cells, LNCaP (androgen‐sensitive) and C4‐2 (androgen‐insensitive/castration‐resistant), were used in this study. Proliferation, migration, and invasion analyses were conducted by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, a wound healing assay, and the transwell method. Lipogenesis was determined by a Fatty Acid Quantification Kit and oil red O staining. Apoptosis was assessed by annexin V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining, caspase enzymatic activity, and Western blot analyses.

Results

Osajin inhibited fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression, a key enzyme for lipogenesis, in PCa cells. By inhibiting FASN, osajin decreased the fatty‐acid levels and lipid accumulation. Significantly, osajin downregulated androgen receptor (AR) and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) in PCa cells. Moreover, osajin suppressed PCa cell growth, migration, and invasion. Through activation of the caspase‐dependent pathway, osajin induced apoptosis in PCa cells.

Conclusions

These data provide a novel molecular basis of osajin in PCa cells, and cotargeting lipogenesis and the AR axis via impairment of FASN and AR expression by osajin could be applied as a new and promising approach for the treatment of malignant PCa.
Significant reduction of ischemia‐reperfusion cell death in mouse myocardial infarcts using the immediate‐acting PrC‐210 ROS‐scavenger
Authors: Hacker Timothy A. , Diarra Gaoussou , Fahl Bryan L. , Back Susan , Kaufmann Erin , Fahl William E.
Published: July 2019

Managing myocardial infarction (MI) to reduce cardiac cell death relies primarily on timely reperfusion of the affected coronary site, but reperfusion itself induces cell death through a toxic, ROS‐mediated process. In this study, we determined whether the PrC‐210 aminothiol ROS‐scavenger could prevent ROS‐induced damage in post‐MI hearts. In a series of both in vitro and in vivo experiments, we show that: (a) in vitro, PrC‐210 was the most potent and effective ROS‐scavenger when functionally compared to eight of the most commonly studied antioxidants in the MI literature, (b) in vitro PrC‐210 ROS‐scavenging efficacy was both immediate (seconds) and long‐lasting (hours), which would make it effective in both (1) real‐time (seconds), as post‐MI or cardiac surgery hearts are reperfused with PrC‐210‐containing blood, and (2) long‐term (hours), as hearts are bathed with systemic PrC‐210 after MI or surgery, (c) systemic PrC‐210 caused a significant 36% reduction of mouse cardiac muscle death following a 45‐minute cardiac IR insult; in a striking coincidence, the PrC‐210 36% reduction in cardiac muscle death equals the 36% of the MI‐induced cardiac cell death estimated 6 years ago by Ovize and colleagues to result from “reperfusion injury,” (d) hearts in PrC‐210‐treated mice performed better than controls after heart attacks when functionally analyzed using echocardiography, and (e) the PrC‐210 ROS‐scavenging mechanism of action was corroborated by its ability to prevent >85% of the direct, H2O2‐induced killing of neonate cardiomyocytes in cell culture. PrC‐210 does not cause the nausea, emesis, nor hypotension that preclude clinical use of the WR‐1065/amifostine aminothiol. PrC‐210 is a highly effective ROS‐scavenger that significantly reduces IR injury‐associated cardiac cell death.
Spin Correlations and Short‐Range Magnetic Order in the Honeycomb‐Layered Na2Ni2TeO6
Authors: Korshunov Artem , Safiulina Irina , Kurbakov Alexander
Published: July 2019

An experimental study of long‐range magnetic order formation mechanisms in a layered structure with a honeycomb arrangement of the magnetic atoms Na2Ni2TeO6 is conducted. For the first time, the strong spin correlations are directly observed above the Neel temperature TN that is manifested in the presence of broad diffuse peaks on neutron diffraction patterns obtained with the XYZ polarization analysis. Due to the possibility of separating the magnetic, nuclear incoherent, and nuclear coherent contributions to the total neutron scattering cross section, it is unequivocally established that the observed diffuse scattering has magnetic nature. The spin‐pair correlation function is reconstructed by modeling diffuse neutron scattering on Na2Ni2TeO6 with reverse Monte Carlo method. The obtained results indicate 2D nature of the magnetic correlations, and moreover, the symmetry of short‐range magnetic state corresponds to long‐range zigzag‐type magnetic order in the honeycomb net, which is established earlier based on the theoretical calculations.
Downstream influence of mesoscale convective systems. Part 2: Influence on ensemble forecast skill and spread
Authors: Clarke Samantha J. , Gray Suzanne L. , Roberts Nigel M.
Published: July 2019

Ensemble forecasts are run operationally to determine the forecast uncertainty arising from initial condition, model physics and boundary condition uncertainty. However, global configuration ensembles, which use a convection parametrization scheme, may miss uncertainty because of the misrepresentation of intense convection by such schemes. Here, the impacts of the misrepresentation of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) on downstream ensemble forecast skill and evolution are determined for a case study. MCS perturbations (calculated‐15 from the difference between outputs from convection‐parametrizing and convection‐permitting Met Office model configurations) are added to six members of a global configuration ensemble created by downscaling forecasts from the global version of the Met Office Global and Regional Ensemble Prediction System. For the first 36 hours, differences grow on the convective scale related to the MCSs, leading to systematic deepening of a developing UK cyclone, although there is damping of the perturbations found in root mean square difference calculations between the forecasts with and without the perturbations (particularly in mean sea level pressure). Subsequently, differences grow rapidly to the synoptic scale, and by five days impact the entire Northern Hemisphere. The MCS perturbations can have systematic effects on ensemble forecasts (e.g., a systematic displacement of a downstream cyclone is found), but, for this case, there is no discernible change in forecast skill as measured by the root mean square error of the ensemble means and the effects of the MCS perturbations are smaller than those generated by the initial condition perturbations. The spread of the combined ensemble (the two ensembles with and without the MCS perturbations) is larger than that of the individual ensembles. Thus, perturbing convection‐parametrizing models to include potential vorticity anomalies associated with MCSs represented in convection‐permitting forecasts, or idealized representations of them, produces alternative realizations from those generated by initial condition perturbations and has the potential to be useful operationally.
A study of the stochastic evolution of hydraulic geometry relationships
Authors: Song Xiaolong , Zhong Deyu , Wang Guangqian
Published: July 2019

Uncertainty resulting from climatic and environmental changes creates barriers to the accurate acquisition of information about rivers. In this study, a set of stable stochastic differential equations is developed to simulate the dynamic probability distributions of typical hydraulic geometry variables represented by slope, width, depth, and velocity with variations in bankfull discharge over time for a river system. Random parts of the equations are modelled based on single Gaussian white noise and further on combined Gaussian/fractional white noise with Poisson noise. Consistent estimates of the equation parameters are made using a composite nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method. The proposed models are examined through a Monte Carlo simulation of the lower Yellow River, and the results successfully reveal the potential responses of hydraulic geometries to stochastic disturbance and that average trends largely synchronize with the measured values. Comparisons of the three different models confirm the advantages of fractional jump‐diffusion model, and according to further discussion, stream power on the basis of such a model is concluded to serve as the better systematic measure of river dynamics. The proposed stochastic approach is new to the field of fluvial relationships, and its application could help to design and monitor river systems with specified accuracy requirements.
Bayesian consensus‐based sample size criteria for binomial proportions
Authors: Joseph Lawrence , Bélisle Patrick
Published: July 2019

Many sample size criteria exist. These include power calculations and methods based on confidence interval widths from a frequentist viewpoint, and Bayesian methods based on credible interval widths or decision theory. Bayesian methods account for the inherent uncertainty of inputs to sample size calculations through the use of prior information rather than the point estimates typically used by frequentist methods. However, the choice of prior density can be problematic because there will almost always be different appreciations of the past evidence. Such differences can be accommodated a priori by robust methods for Bayesian design, for example, using mixtures or ϵ‐contaminated priors. This would then ensure that the prior class includes divergent opinions. However, one may prefer to report several posterior densities arising from a “community of priors,” which cover the range of plausible prior densities, rather than forming a single class of priors. To date, however, there are no corresponding sample size methods that specifically account for a community of prior densities in the sense of ensuring a large‐enough sample size for the data to sufficiently overwhelm the priors to ensure consensus across widely divergent prior views. In this paper, we develop methods that account for the variability in prior opinions by providing the sample size required to induce posterior agreement to a prespecified degree. Prototypic examples to one‐ and two‐sample binomial outcomes are included. We compare sample sizes from criteria that consider a family of priors to those that would result from previous interval‐based Bayesian criteria.
Fire design of slim‐floor beams
Authors: Romero Manuel L. , Albero Vicente , Espinós Ana , Hospitaler Antonio
Published: July 2019

Slim‐floor beams are a well‐known and cost‐effective solution that permits a significant reduction of floor thickness, and are increasingly used in industrial and commercial buildings. Since only their lower flange is exposed to fire, slim‐floor beams may also achieve higher fire resistance, in comparison to other types of composite beams that are not fully embedded in the concrete floor. Simplified models are available in Eurocode 4 Parts 1‐2 to evaluate the temperature distribution for partially encased and non‐encased composite beams. However this standard does not provide any simplified model to evaluate the cross‐sectional temperature field of slim‐floor beams. In this sense, different proposals have been evaluated in recent years in order to provide simplified models for temperature evaluation. The currently available models in the literature have shown their accurate behaviour providing results on the safe side, and are recommended for use in practice. Finally, this work shows that slim‐floor composite beams can provide good performance during a fire event. Specifically, 60 min of standard fire rating can be achieved for load levels lower than 0.5–0.6. Improved behaviour to achieve 90 or 120 min of standard fire exposure may also be reached by using innovative solutions, advanced materials or external protection.
Tragverhalten von CoSFB‐Dübeln
Authors: Braun Matthias , Obiala Renata , Schäfer Markus , Kuhlmann Ulrike , Reif Ferdinand , Odenbreit Christoph
Published: July 2019

Kennzeichnend für die Slim‐Floor‐Bauweise ist die Integration von Deckenträgern in die Decke. Wird eine Verbundtragwirkung zwischen Stahlträger und Betondecke aktiviert, so führt dies zu einem signifikanten Zuwachs an Steifigkeit und Tragfähigkeit des Trägers, wodurch größere Trägerspannweiten ermöglicht werden. Als Verbundmittel bieten sich hierzu sogenannte „CoSFB‐Dübel” an. Diese bestehen aus Bewehrungsstäben, die bauseits durch Bohrungen im Trägersteg geführt und auf der Baustelle mit Beton vergossen werden. Der vorliegende Aufsatz präsentiert eine Methode zur Bestimmung der Tragfähigkeit dieser CoSFB‐Dübel. Mittels einer detaillierten Auswertung von Push‐out‐Versuchen und umfangreicher numerischer Simulationen der einzelnen Versuche konnten die zur Beschreibung der Traglast maßgebenden Einflussgrößen bestimmt werden. Basierend auf den so gewonnenen Erkenntnissen wurde eine vereinfachte, analytische Formulierung der Tragfähigkeit der CoSFB‐Dübel hergeleitet.