bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-management Strategies for Risk Reduction of Subclinical and Mild Stage of Breast Cancer–Related Lymphedema
Authors: Liu Fei , Li Fenglian , Fu Mei R. , Zhao Quanping , Wang Yingxin , Pang Dong , Yang Ping , Jin Sanli , Lu Qian
Published: December 2020

Background

Early intervention with self-management strategies can potentially reduce the risk of progression of breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL).

Objective

To determine if The-Optimal-Lymph-Flow (TOLF) program focused on self-management strategies applied to patients with a subclinical or mild stage of BCRL can improve lymphedema-related behaviors, symptom experience, and limb circumference changes.

Methods

A total of 41 women with subclinical or mild lymphedema were enrolled in TOLF program. Lymphedema-related behaviors and lymphedema-related symptom experiences were measured by the Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Symptom Experience Index, and limb circumference changes were measured by sequential circumferential limb measurements at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the effects of the intervention on outcomes.

Results

Generalized estimating equations revealed that lymphedema-related behaviors and the number and severity of lymphedema-related symptoms were significantly improved at 4 postintervention test points compared with baseline (all P < .001). Reduced lymphedema-related symptom distress in functional, social, emotional, and psychological and self-perception (all P < .01) also resulted. The majority (77.5%) of patients maintained their preintervention lymphedema status; 17.5% of them reversed from mild lymphedema to subclinical lymphedema; 5.0% of them had lymphedema status progression.

Conclusion

Positive outcomes in terms of lymphedema-related behaviors, relieving lymphedema-related symptom experience, and halting the progression of lymphedema status were documented following TOLF.

Implications for Practice

Nurses could educate patients to incorporate the self-management strategies of TOLF program into daily life to help patients prevent or reverse subclinical or mild stage of BCRL.
Timing and Success of Postoperative Voiding Trial After Colpocleisis With and Without Concomitant Midurethral Sling
Authors: Powell T. Clark , Meyer Isuzu , Lin Chee Paul , Lipking Kelsey , Richter Holly E.
Published: December 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare failure rates of first voiding trial (VT) within 7 days and on postoperative day (POD) 1 after colpocleisis with versus without concomitant midurethral sling (MUS). Predictors of POD 1 VT failure were also examined.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing colpocleisis from January 2012 to October 2019 comparing VT outcomes with versus without MUS. Primary outcome was first VT failure within 7 days; outcomes of VTs performed on POD 1 were also assessed. Association between MUS and VT failure and predictors of POD 1 VT failure were assessed via logistic regression.

Results

Of 119 women, 45.4% had concomitant MUS. First VT was performed on mean POD 3.1 ± 2.2 in the MUS group versus POD 1.8 ± 1.8 in the no MUS group (P < 0.01). The MUS group was less likely to undergo POD 1 VT (50% vs 83%, P < 0.01). Failure of the first VT did not differ (22.2% with MUS vs 32.8% without MUS, P = 0.20); no association between VT failure and MUS was noted (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18–2.1). There were 68.1% (81/119) of participants who underwent POD 1 VT, MUS was performed in 33.3% (27/81). The POD 1 failure did not differ between those with 33.3% versus 40.7% without MUS (P = 0.52). Midurethral sling was not associated with POD 1 VT failure (aOR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.27–3.23). In women undergoing POD 1 VT, preoperative postvoid residual was associated with VT failure (aOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.01–1.92).

Conclusions

In women undergoing colpocleisis, MUS was not associated with VT failure within 7 days or on POD 1. Increased preoperative postvoid residual was associated with POD 1 VT failure.
ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Pospiviroidae
Authors: Di Serio Francesco , Owens Robert A. , Li Shi-Fang , Matoušek Jaroslav , Pallás Vicente , Randles John W. , Sano Teruo , Verhoeven Jacobus Th. J. , Vidalakis Georgios , Flores Ricardo ,   ICTV Report Consortium
Published: December 2020

Members of the family Pospiviroidae have single-stranded circular RNA genomes that adopt a rod-like or a quasi-rod-like conformation. These genomes contain a central conserved region that is involved in replication in the nucleus through an asymmetric RNA–RNA rolling-circle mechanism. Members of the family Pospiviroidae lack the hammerhead ribozymes that are typical of viroids classified in the family Avsunviroidae. The family Pospiviroidae includes the genera Apscaviroid, Cocadviroid, Coleviroid, Hostuviroid and Pospiviroid, with >25 species. This is a summary of the ICTV Report on the family Pospiviroidae, which is available at ictv.global/report/pospiviroidae.
Quality indicators for blood culture: 1 year of monitoring with BacT/Alert Virtuo at a French hospital
Authors: Emeraud Cécile , Yilmaz Seher , Fortineau Nicolas , Cuzon Gaëlle , Dortet Laurent
Published: December 2020

Introduction. Blood culture (BC) remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of bloodstream infection. Clinical microbiology laboratories must ensure the quality of their BC process from receipt to definitive results.

Aim. In this study, we followed the evolution of different quality indicators for BCs over the first year of implementation of the BacT/Alert Virtuo system in a French hospital.

Methodology. In our laboratory, we instituted regular monitoring of several quality indicators to track (i) delays in sample registration, (ii) delays in loading BC bottles in our incubating system (BacT/Alert Virtuo) after registration, (iii) the volume of blood in bottles and (iv) the contamination rates.

Results. For 53 892 BC bottles loaded in the BacT/Alert Virtuo from 23 January to 31 December 2019, the delays in sample registration, loading and unloading were respectively 3.5 h±0.016, 44 min±0.209 and 5.8 h±0.0727. Intriguingly, the automated process performed by the BacT/Alert Virtuo system to check the blood volume in bottles was only performed for 60 % of the loaded bottles. Among these, 30 % contained the recommended volume of blood (between 7 and 13 ml). Finally, the contamination rate was found to be 27.2 % for samples at our institution.

Conclusions. The delays in sample registration, loading and unloading were found to be acceptable, even though they could be improved by ensuring a continuous service during the night duty period. Furthermore, the percentage of volumes measured is insufficient and must be improved and the majority of bottles do not contain the recommended blood volume.
Amplicon contamination in labs masquerades as COVID19 in surveillance tests
Authors: Davidi Dan , Fitzgerald Susan , Glaspell Hannah L , Jalbert Samantha , Maheras Stylianos , Mattoon Stephanie E , Britto Vanessa M , Hamer Davidson H , Nguyen Giang T , Platt Judy , Stuopis Cecilia W , Turse Joshua E , Springer Michael
Published: December 2020

A cohort of laboratorians with positive SARS-CoV2 test results were uncovered during asymptomatic COVID-19 screening programs at six universities. Follow-up PCR and antibody tests showed that most of these cases were not true COVID-19 infection but instead arose from reverse-transcribed and amplified viral sequences (amplicons) that are generated during research. Environmental testing showed widespread contamination of amplicons in lab spaces including notebooks, keyboards, glasses, and doorknobs. Minimizing instances of amplicon contamination and developing protocols for handling suspected cases are critical to propel research efforts and to avoid diverting university and healthcare resources from patients with COVID-19. Removal of these individuals from the standard testing protocol, per CDC guidelines for positive cases, risks the spread of true infection. We discuss potential prevention and mitigation strategies.
COVID-19 vaccines that reduce symptoms but do not block infection need higher coverage and faster rollout to achieve population impact
Authors: Swan David A. , Bracis Chloe , Janes Holly , Moore Mia , Matrajt Laura , Reeves Daniel B. , Burns Eileen , Donnell Deborah , Cohen Myron S. , Schiffer Joshua T. , Dimitrov Dobromir
Published: December 2020

Background

Several COVID-19 vaccine candidates are in the final stage of testing. Interim trial results for two vaccines suggest at least 90% efficacy against symptomatic disease (VEDIS). It remains unknown whether this efficacy is mediated predominately by lowering SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility (VESUSC) or development of symptoms after infection (VESYMP). A vaccine with high VESYMP but low VESUSC has uncertain population impact.

Methods

We developed a mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, calibrated to demographic, physical distancing and epidemic data from King County, Washington. Different rollout scenarios starting December 2020 were simulated assuming different combinations of VESUSC and VESYMP resulting in up to 100% VEDIS with constant vaccine effects over 1 year. We assumed no further increase in physical distancing despite expanding case numbers and no reduction of infectivity upon infection conditional on presence of symptoms. Proportions of cumulative infections, hospitalizations and deaths prevented over 1 year from vaccination start are reported.

Results

Rollouts of 1M vaccinations (5,000 daily) using vaccines with 50% VEDIS are projected to prevent 30%-58% of infections and 38%-58% of deaths over one year. In comparison, vaccines with 90% VEDIS are projected to prevent 47%-78% of the infections and 58%-77% of deaths over one year. In both cases, there is a greater reduction if VEDIS is mediated mostly by VESUSC. The use of a “symptom reducing” vaccine will require twice as many people vaccinated than a “susceptibility reducing” vaccine with the same 90% VEDIS to prevent 50% of the infections and death over one year. Delaying the start of the vaccination by 3 months decreases the expected population impact by approximately 40%.

Conclusions

Vaccines which prevent COVID-19 disease but not SARS-CoV-2 infection, and thereby shift symptomatic infections to asymptomatic infections, will prevent fewer infections and require larger and faster vaccination rollouts to have population impact, compared to vaccines that reduce susceptibility to infection. If uncontrolled transmission across the U.S. continues, then expected vaccination in Spring 2021 will provide only limited benefit.
JUNE: open-source individual-based epidemiology simulation
Authors: Krauss Frank , Bullock Joseph , Cuesta-Lazaro Carolina , Quera-Bofarull Arnau , Icaza-Lizaola Miguel , Sedgewick Aidan , Truong Henry , Curran Aoife , Elliot Edward , Caulfield Tristan , Fong Kevin , Vernon Ian , Williams Julian , Bower Richard
Published: December 2020

We introduce JUNE, an open-source framework for the detailed simulation of epidemics on the basis of social interactions in a virtual population constructed from geographically granular census data, reflecting age, sex, ethnicity, and socio-economic indicators. Interactions between individuals are modelled in groups of various sizes and properties, such as households, schools and workplaces, and other social activities using social mixing matrices. JUNE provides a suite of flexible parameterisations that describe infectious diseases, how they are transmitted and affect contaminated individuals. In this paper we apply JUNE to the specific case of modelling the spread of COVID-19 in England. We discuss the quality of initial model outputs which reproduce reported hospital admission and mortality statistics at national and regional levels as well as by age strata.
Generation of mouse conditional knockout alleles in one step using the i-GONAD method
Authors: Shang Renjie , Zhang Haifeng , Bi Pengpeng
Published: December 2020

The Cre/loxP system is a powerful tool for gene function study in vivo. Regulated expression of Cre recombinase mediates precise deletion of genetic elements in a spatially– and temporally–controlled manner. Despite the robustness of this system, it requires a great amount of effort to create a conditional knockout model for each individual gene of interest where two loxP sites must be simultaneously inserted in cis. The current undertaking involves labor-intensive embryonic stem (ES) cell–based gene targeting and tedious micromanipulations of mouse embryos. The complexity of this workflow poses formidable technical challenges, thus limiting wider applications of conditional genetics. Here, we report an alternative approach to generate mouse loxP alleles by integrating a unique design of CRISPR donor with the new oviduct electroporation technique i-GONAD. Showing the potential and simplicity of this method, we created floxed alleles for five genes in one attempt with relatively low costs and a minimal equipment setup. In addition to the conditional alleles, constitutive knockout alleles were also obtained as byproducts of these experiments. Therefore, the wider applications of i-GONAD may promote gene function studies using novel murine models.
Reliable induction of sleep spindles with intracranial electrical pulse stimulation
Authors: Eckert Michael J. , Iyer Kartik , Euston David R. , Tatsuno Masami
Published: December 2020

Neocortical sleep spindles have been shown to occur more frequently following a memory task, suggesting that a method to increase spindle activity could improve memory processing. Stimulation of the neocortex can elicit a slow oscillation (SO) and a spindle, but the feasibility of this method to boost SO and spindles over time has not been tested. In rats with implanted neocortical electrodes, stimulation during slow wave sleep significantly increased SO and spindle rates compared to control rest periods before and after the stimulation session. Coordination between hippocampal sharp-wave ripples and spindles also increased. These effects were reproducible across five consecutive days of testing, demonstrating the viability of this method to increase SO and spindles.
Re-examining public debt and current account dynamics: SVAR evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Melesse Wondemhunegn Ezezew
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Public debt management is now an integral part of overall macroeconomic management in many developing and emerging market economies. Preventing unsustainable debt accumulation and maintaining healthy fiscal profile begins with understanding its key drivers both in the short and in the long run. The purpose of this paper is to analyze public debt and current account dynamics in Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies structural vector auto-regressive (SVAR) model on annual time series data to study general government debt and current account dynamics in Ethiopia for the period 1980–2018.

Findings

Both the impulse response and forecast error variance decomposition results confirm that fiscal balance exerts the strongest influence on both government debt and current account balance in the short run. In addition, own shock as well as shocks stemming from gross fixed capital formation and growth have significant effects on general government debt. The findings were robust to alternative data transformation, differing Choleski ordering of the model variables, and inclusion of exogenous deterministic terms that capture changes in the political landscape.

Practical implications

The most important implication is that since fiscal balance is the strongest determinant of both public debt and current account balance, public investment efficiency is relevant here than anywhere else in the national economy. A recent study by Barhoumi et al. (2018) found that the sub-Saharan region lags behind its peers in terms of public sector investment efficiency with inefficiency gap of as large as 54% depending on the indicator variable for public investment output. Improving public investment spending efficiency would reduce government debt by enhancing productivity and growth – which has significant negative effect on public debt.

Originality/value

First, the few studies conducted on Ethiopia are dominated by single equation specifications and do not account for the possibility of endogenous feedback effects among the model variables. Second, still equally important is the role of rising gross fixed capital formation in Ethiopia, which increased from about 13% (relative to GDP) in the 1980s to about 35% in the 2010s. Ignoring this variable amounts to a major model misspecification when analyzing short-run macro dynamics in low-income economies. Finally, the paper complements existing limited studies on Ethiopia by comparing the strength of shock propagation mechanisms using alternative data transformation techniques.
Users' perception of navigating bibliographic families from IFLA-LRM perspective
Authors: Arastoopoor Sholeh
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper focuses on the way users navigate bibliographic families not only when a user has no specific document in mind but also when he/she has a specific predefined need in mind.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, the Epic of Kings was selected as a test-bed for the study and both situations were studied based on International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions-Library Reference Model (IFLA-LRM), but the potential users (participants of this study) were not directly exposed to the entities of the model. Card sorting, interview and distributing questionnaire constituted the data-gathering process.

Findings

Almost all of the participants in this study, when they had no specific resource in mind, generated a top-down view of the family, and in this view, all of them disregarded the item entity and lots of them disregarded the manifestations also. Yet on the other side, when they were asked to assume themselves in certain situations (in need of a specific work with a predefined expression and format), they viewed the bibliographic family from a bottom-up approach.

Originality/value

Most of the studies in this area regard the navigation process of users as a top-down approach and the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) family as a model suitable for hierarchical top-down visualization of bibliographic families. Yet this study poses the bottom-up approach of users regarding the family.
Sex steroid hormones, leptin, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels in adolescents
Authors: de Dios Olaya , Herrero Leticia , Vales‐Villamarín Claudia , Mahíllo‐Fernández Ignacio , Soriano‐Guillén Leandro , Garcés Carmen
Published: December 2020

Background

The association of sex hormones with C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels has been reported. However, this association remains unexplored in children in whom important anthropometric and hormonal changes are taking place.

Objectives

To analyze the association between high‐sensitivity CRP (hs‐CRP) and testosterone, estradiol and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) levels in a population‐based sample of adolescents, and to evaluate the influence of leptin levels on this association.

Materials and Methods

The sample population of this cross‐sectional study was comprised of 338 male and 385 female adolescents, aged 12–16 years. Information on anthropometric variables, hormone, leptin, and hs‐CRP levels was available.

Results

In male adolescents in our study, higher age is significantly associated with higher testosterone levels and with lower leptin and SHBG concentrations across the range of age studied. No significant changes in leptin and SHBG levels by age are observed in females. In males, leptin correlates negatively with testosterone levels (−0.263, p < 0.001), showing a stronger correlation after adjusting by body mass index (BMI) (−0.424, p < 0.001). A significant correlation between hs‐CRP and testosterone levels is observed in males after adjusting by BMI, but the correlation disappears after adjusting by leptin. No association between testosterone and hs‐CRP was observed in females. The negative association between hs‐CRP levels and SHBG remains significant after adjusting by leptin in both sexes but disappears in males after adjusting by BMI.

Conclusion

The negative association between hs‐CRP and testosterone concentrations observed in 12‐ to 16‐year‐old males seems to be related to leptin levels which are closely negatively related to testosterone levels in males independently of BMI.
Noninvasive mechanical ventilation in the COVID‐19 era: Proposal for a continuous positive airway pressure closed‐loop circuit minimizing air contamination, oxygen consumption, and noise
Authors: Cavaglià Marco , Olivieri Carlo , Morbiducci Umberto , Raparelli Terenziano , Jacazio Giovanni , Ivanov Alexandre , Chiesa Alessandro , Savino Dario , Chiarenza Sebastiano M. , Romiti Armando , Romiti Andrea , Ferrara Marino , Musso Giuseppe , Audenino Alberto
Published: December 2020

Noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure (NIV‐CPAP) is effective in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure. Building evidence during the COVID‐19 emergency reported that around 50% of patients in Italy treated with NIV‐CPAP avoided the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Standard NIV‐CPAP systems operate at high gas flow rates responsible for noise generation and inadequate humidification. Furthermore, open‐configuration systems require a high concentration of oxygen to deliver the desired FiO2. Concerns outlined the risk for aerosolization in the ambient air and the possible pressure drop in hospital supply pipes. A new NIV‐CPAP system is proposed that includes automatic control of patient respiratory parameters. The system operates as a closed‐loop breathing circuit that can be assembled, combining a sleep apnea machine with existing commercially available components. Analytical simulation of a breathing patient and simulation with a healthy volunteer at different FiO2 were performed. Inspired and expired oxygen fraction and inspired and expired carbon dioxide pressure were recorded at different CPAP levels with different oxygen delivery. Among the main findings, we report (a) a significant (up to 30‐fold) reduction in oxygen feeding compared to standard open high flow NIV‐CPAP systems, to assure the same FiO2 levels, and (b) a negligible production of the noise generated in ventilatory systems, and consequent minimization of patients' discomfort. The proposed NIV‐CPAP circuit, reshaped in closed‐loop configuration with the blower outside of the circuit, has the advantages of minimizing aerosol generation, environmental contamination, oxygen consumption, and noise to the patient. The system is easily adaptable and can be implemented using standard CPAP components.
[99mTc‐HYNIC/EDDA]‐MccJ25 antimicrobial peptide analog as a potential radiotracer for detection of infection
Authors: Mazaheri Tehrani Maryam , Erfani Mostafa , Amirmozafari Nour
Published: December 2020

Bacterial infections are a serious risk to human health, and therefore techniques for early detection of infectious foci need to be further developed to begin treatment quickly and achieve better results. Antimicrobial peptides labeled with gamma‐emission radio nuclides are important diagnostic radiotracers in nuclear medicine. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of a 99mTc‐labeled MicrocinJ25 (MccJ25) antimicrobial peptide analog for early detection of infection. For this purpose, a HYNIC conjugated cyclic peptide derivative based on the primary structure of MccJ25 peptide was prepared and labeled by 99mTc with tricine and EDDA as coligands. The [99mTc‐HYNIC/EDDA]‐MccJ25 peptide analog showed high radiochemical purity (˃90% (n = 5)) which was stable up to 24 hr after labeling. The radiotracer showed specific uptake to the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterial (40.45 ± 5.21%) at 1 hr incubation. High kidneys uptake of radioactivity (4.71 ± 0.84% and 3.76 ± 0.45% ID/g at 1 and 4 hr after injection respectively) demonstrates that most of the whole body clearance was proceeded via the urinary system. Significant radioactivity uptake (1.71 ± 0.34%ID/g) was observed in thigh muscle of mouse with E. coli induced infection at 1 hr after injection. In the blocking test, due to the significant decrease of radioactivity uptake in the infection site (0.62 ± 0.21%ID/g after 1 hr), the specificity of infection uptake was reviled. Despite the high activity of the bladder due to urinary excretion, the infected area was somewhat visible. Hence, the results indicate the potential of this new radiotracer to be used as a diagnostic agent in E. coli infections.
‘What if it were like this?’ Perception of mothers of children with cerebral palsy about the ankle‐foot orthosis of their children: A qualitative study
Authors: Ribeiro Volpini Lana Mariana , Pimenta Maia Joana , Horta Anderson Antônio , Teixeira da Fonseca Sérgio , Guimarães Assis Marcella
Published: December 2020

Background

The family‐centred approach is fundamental in the therapeutic process of children with cerebral palsy (CP), and the increased competence of parents about therapeutic devices, especially orthoses, can facilitate its implementation, thus intensifying the benefits that this device provides. The aim of this study was to understand the perception of mothers of children with CP in relation to their children's ankle‐foot orthosis.

Methods

This is a qualitative study using thematic content analysis technique. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews from 24 mothers of children with Levels IV and V of CP according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), who were attended at a philanthropic rehabilitation centre.

Results

Three categories were identified from analyzing the interviews: benefits of the orthosis, the orthosis in the child's daily life and ‘What if it were like this?’

Conclusions

According to the mothers' perceptions, the ankle‐foot orthosis improved their child's mobility. The orthoses are used in different contexts in the child's daily life, and the mothers pointed out suggestions regarding personalizing the orthosis with different colors and patterns, increasing comfort and facilitating the way in which the device is placed.
What determines quality of life in patients with vestibular schwannoma?
Authors: Pruijn Ineke M. J. , Kievit Wietske , Hentschel Mayke A. , Mulder Jef J. S. , Kunst Henricus P. M.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Patients with a vestibular schwannoma (VS) experience a reduced quality of life (QoL). The main objective of this study was to determine the strongest predictors reducing physical and mental QoL from the disease‐specific Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality of Life (PANQOL) questionnaire in patients with VS.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Radboudumc Skull Base Centre, Nijmegen.

Participants

Patients newly diagnosed with VS between 2014 and 2017 managed with either observation, stereotactic radiosurgery or microsurgery.

Main outcome measures

Quality of life was assessed using the disease‐specific PANQOL and general Short‐Form (36) Health Survey (SF‐36). Multiple linear regression models with PANQOL domains as predictors were used to determine the strongest predictors for SF‐36 QoL physical and mental health scores. Standardised beta coefficients (β) were used for ranking.

Results

A total of 174 patients (50% females, mean age 58.9 years) returned the questionnaires, providing a 69% response rate. Fifteen patients (9%) were treated with microsurgery, 29 (17%) with stereotactic radiosurgery and 130 patients (75%) were observed in a wait and scan strategy. A lack of energy (β = .28; P ≤ .001), lower general health (β = .22; P ≤ .001), headache (β = .16; P ≤ .001), anxiety (β = .15; P ≤ .001) and balance problems (β = .10; P ≤ .001) are the strongest predictors affecting physical health, while mental health is most affected by anxiety (β = .37; P ≤ .001), a lack of energy (β = .34; P ≤ .001), facial nerve dysfunction (β = .07; P ≤ .001), balance problems (β = .04; P ≤ .001) and headaches (β = .04; P ≤ .001).

Conclusion

A lack of energy, anxiety, headache and balance problems are the strongest predictors of both SF‐36 physical and mental QoL in patients with VS. More awareness and supportive care regarding energy, anxiety, headache and balance in informing, evaluating and treating patients with VS could improve QoL.
A non‐convulsant delta‐opioid receptor agonist, KNT‐127, reduces cortical spreading depression and nitroglycerin‐induced allodynia
Authors: Bertels Zachariah , Witkowski Wiktor D. , Asif Sarah , Siegersma Kendra , van Rijn Richard M. , Pradhan Amynah A.
Published: December 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine if the non‐convulsant delta‐opioid receptor (DOR) agonist, KNT‐127, could inhibit migraine‐associated endpoints.

Background

The DOR has been identified as a therapeutic target for migraine. However, the development of delta agonists is limited as some ligands have seizurogenic properties, which may be related to their ability to induce receptor internalization. While both pro‐ and non‐convulsant delta agonists can reduce migraine‐associated allodynia, only the proconvulsant agonist, SNC80, has been shown to decrease cortical spreading depression (CSD). It is unclear if the ability of delta agonists to modulate cortical activity is related to the same signaling mechanisms that produce proconvulsant effects.

Methods

The effects of the non‐convulsant delta agonist, KNT‐127, were examined. Repetitive CSD was induced in female C57BL6/J (n = 6/group) mice by continuous application of KCl and the effect of KNT‐127/vehicle (Veh) on both local field potentials and optical intrinsic signals was determined. To assess the effect of KNT‐127 on established chronic migraine‐associated pain, male and female C57BL6/J mice were treated with nitroglycerin (NTG; 10 mg/kg, ip) every other day for 9 days and tested with KNT‐127 (5 mg/kg, sc) or Veh on day 10 (n = 6/group). DOR‐enhanced green fluorescent protein mice (n = 4/group) were used to confirm the internalization properties of KNT‐127 in the trigeminal ganglia, trigeminal nucleus caudalis, and somatosensory cortex.

Results

KNT‐127 inhibited CSD events (t(10) = 3.570, p = 0.0051). In addition, this delta agonist also reversed established cephalic allodynia in the NTG model of chronic migraine (F(1, 20) = 12.80, p < 0.01). Furthermore, KNT‐127 caused limited internalization of DOR in key migraine processing regions.

Conclusions

This study shows that the antimigraine effects of DOR agonists can be separated from their proconvulsant effects. This data provides valuable information for the continued development of delta agonists for the treatment of migraine.
THE INFLUENCE OF SUPERPLASTICISERS ON THE FRESH AND MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF FOAM CONCRETE UTILIZING POFA AS SAND REPLACEMENT
Authors: Al-Shwaiter Abdullah Abdulsalam , Awang Hanizam
Published: December 2020

Since the foam concrete is delicate, it is important to carefully choose the additives, such as superplasticiser (SP), to be used in this type of concrete. The effect of using different types and percentages of SP on the performance of foam concrete with target density of 1500±50 kg/m3 has been investigated in this study. A sustainable material, Palm Oil fuel ash (POFA), used as a sand replacement at a level of 20% by weight. Five types of SP have been used in this study, including Sulphonated polymer-based, selected synthetic and organic polymers-based and three Polycarboxylate ether-based (PCE). Different SP contents (0.0%, 1.0% and 2.0%) have been used as a ratio of cement weight. Workability, consistency, foam stability and mechanical properties were investigated. The results showed that types and quantity of SP have a significant effect on the different properties of the foam concrete. Workability, compression strength and tension strength improved remarkably for most specimens. The use of 2% SP4, a PCE SP, showed superior workability, compression strength and tensile strength with acceptable stability.
ISOTHERM, KINETICS AND THERMODYNAMICS ADSORPTION STUDIES OF DYE ONTO Fe3O4-WASTE PAPER ACTIVATED CARBON COMPOSITES
Authors: Fisli Adel , Safitri Rahma Dina , Nurhasni Nurhasni , Dewi Sari Hasnah , Deswita Deswita
Published: December 2020

This paper focused on the studying of adsorption properties of Fe3O4-waste paper activated carbon composites for the removal of methylene blue dyes from water. The various parameters were carried out for the adsorption test of the composites, namely; contact time, adsorbent dose, initial MB concentration, pH solution, and temperature. The adsorption of isotherm, thermodynamics and kinetic was used to determine the characteristics of methylene blue adsorption onto the prepared adsorbent. The result indicates that the optimum adsorption capacity has occurred at pH = 6 in water solution. The adsorption capacity increase as the temperature increase until at 315K (45oC). The Langmuir isotherm is more appropriate to be applied as the adsorption model with the maximum adsorption capacity (qm) value of 101 and 93 mg/g for KA HCl-Fe3O4 and KA-Fe3O4 composites, respectively. The value of adsorption thermodynamic parameters was positive for ΔH, negative for ΔGo and positive for ΔSo, meaning the process adsorptions were endothermic, feasibility and spontaneity and randomness, respectively. The pseudo-second-order model was appropriate to predict the kinetic models for methylene blue adsorption onto the composites. The obtained adsorbent composites possess high adsorption efficiency and rapid magnetic separation. They were a promising for practical wastewater treatment for dyes removal from water.
Aplicaciones de investigación de operaciones en sistemas de salud en Colombia
Authors: Villegas Juan G. , Gutiérrez Elena Valentina , David Barrera Ferro , Osorio Muriel Andrés Felipe , Paredes Bayona Juan Esteban , Carlos Andrés Bolívar Polanía , Guerrero William J. , Leal Hernández Deisy Paola , Ortiz López Liceth Paola , Rivera Cadavid Leonardo , Ceballos Acevedo Tatiana María , Velásquez Restrepo Paula Andrea , España Lopera Juan Camilo , Úsuga Manco Olga Cecilia , Ramírez Sierra Yuly Andrea , Lamos Díaz Henry , Álvarez Tobón Edwin Alonso , Ramírez Orrego Marta Cecilia , Rodríguez Quintero Alma Karina , Espejo-Díaz Julián Alberto , López-Santana Eduyn , Caicedo Rolón Álvaro Junior , Jaén-Posada Juan Sebastián
Published: December 2020

Sin duda, ver los sistemas de salud desde la perspectiva de la investigación de operaciones impone nuevos retos que no son insalvables. Hay en los sistemas de salud desafíos y dilemas a los que quizás antes no nos veíamos enfrentados al trabajar en otras industrias o servicios. Desde dilemas éticos, causados por la naturaleza del servicio de salud como un derecho fundamental, bien sea porque en las decisiones que se modelan muchas veces están involucradas las vidas y el bienestar de los pacientes, o porque los objetivos de los sistemas de salud van más allá de la rentabilidad o la disminución de costos a los que estamos comúnmente acostumbrados (v. g., mejorar la cobertura o lograr equidad). Por otro lado, entender los sistemas de salud y las decisiones que en ellos se toman (para el tratamiento de los pacientes, para la planeación de las operaciones de los servicios o para la definición de políticas públicas) exige apropiarse de conocimientos que son ajenos a la formación tradicional en investigación de operaciones. Por fortuna, esto último exige la conformación de equipos multidisciplinarios, con personal asistencial (médicos, enfermeras, instrumentadores, terapeutas, etc.), con epidemiólogos, con funcionarios del Estado, con expertos en sistemas de información, calidad y acreditación en salud, entre otros. En estos equipos es también importante la investigación de operaciones, pues los complementa aportando una visión cuantitativa, analítica e ingenieril que algunas veces no tienen.
Emerging Transcriptional and Genomic Mechanisms Mediating Carbapenem and Polymyxin Resistance in
Enterobacteriaceae
: a Systematic Review of Current Reports
Authors: Mmatli Masego , Mbelle Nontombi Marylucy , Maningi Nontuthuko E. , Osei Sekyere John
Published: December 2020

The spread of carbapenem- and polymyxin-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
poses a significant threat to public health, challenging clinicians worldwide with limited therapeutic options. This review describes the current coding and noncoding genetic and transcriptional mechanisms mediating carbapenem and polymyxin resistance, respectively.
Supplemental Material: The assembly of the South China and Indochina blocks: Constraints from the Triassic felsic volcanics in the Youjiang Basin
Authors: Gan Chengshi , Zhang Yuzhi , al. et
Published: December 2020

Table S1: LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating results for Early-Middle Triassic felsic volcanic rocks in the Youjiang Basin; Table S2: In-situ zircon Hf-O isotopes results for Early-Middle Triassic felsic volcanic rocks in the Youjiang Basin; Table S3: Geochemical compositions for Early-Middle Triassic felsic volcanic rocks in the Youjiang Basin.
Investigating the potential of unsaturated fatty acids as antifungal crop protective agents
Authors: Yasari Azadeh , Liang Nuanyi , Foroutan Aidin , Gänzle Michael G. , Strelkov Stephen E. , Kav Nat N.V.
Published: December 2020

Pathogenic fungi cause significant yield losses and quality reductions to many crops including canola, wheat, and barley. Toxic metabolites produced by fungal pathogens, along with excessive application of synthetic fungicides, can also pose risks to human and livestock health. Hydroxy unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) are novel alternatives to commonly used fungicides. Here, the antifungal activities of two HUFAs, coriolic acid (CA) and ricinoleic acid (RA), were assessed in vitro and in planta for their activity against the important phytopathogens Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Died.) Drechsler, Pyrenophora teres f. teres Drechsler, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, Leptosphaeria maculans Ces. & De Not., and Aspergillus niger Tiegh. on selected media, monocots or dicots. The results in vitro indicated that both CA and RA showed the strongest inhibitory activity against L. maculans and A. niger, but their activities varied with different fungi. On wheat and barley, CA but not RA reduced disease severity caused by Pyrenophora spp.; on canola, treatment with high levels of CA and RA led to oxidative damage of the plant tissues, and treatment with low concentrations of CA and RA did not reduce disease severity caused by L. maculans or S. sclerotiorum on canola. Our findings suggest that the utility of HUFAs in reducing disease severity caused by pathogenic fungi depends on the dosage and the plant and fungus targeted. High concentrations of HUFA can be phytotoxic on certain plants. In addition to their direct antifungal properties, additional mechanisms may be involved in the disease reduction of CA, suggesting the need for further evaluation of its potential use in crop protection.
The die is cast
Authors: Levine Edlyn V.
Published: December 2020

Hardware security is not assured.
Alternating Tree Automata with Qualitative Semantics
Authors: Berthon Raphaël , Fijalkow Nathanaël , Filiot Emmanuel , Guha Shibashis , Maubert Bastien , Murano Aniello , Pinault Laureline , Pinchinat Sophie , Rubin Sasha , Serre Olivier
Published: December 2020

We study alternating automata with qualitative semantics over infinite binary trees: Alternation means that two opposing players construct a decoration of the input tree called a run, and the qualitative semantics says that a run of the automaton is accepting if almost all branches of the run are accepting. In this article, we prove a positive and a negative result for the emptiness problem of alternating automata with qualitative semantics.

The positive result is the decidability of the emptiness problem for the case of Büchi acceptance condition. An interesting aspect of our approach is that we do not extend the classical solution for solving the emptiness problem of alternating automata, which first constructs an equivalent non-deterministic automaton. Instead, we directly construct an emptiness game making use of imperfect information.

The negative result is the undecidability of the emptiness problem for the case of co-Büchi acceptance condition. This result has two direct consequences: the undecidability of monadic second-order logic extended with the qualitative path-measure quantifier and the undecidability of the emptiness problem for alternating tree automata with non-zero semantics, a recently introduced probabilistic model of alternating tree automata.
Large-Format Bipolar and Parallel Solid-State Lithium-Metal Cell Stacks: A Thermally Coupled Model-Based Comparative Study
Authors: Pang Mei-Chin , Wei Youxiu , Wang Huizhi , Marinescu Monica , Yan Yue , Offer Gregory J.
Published: December 2020

Despite the potential of solid electrolytes in replacing liquid electrolytes, solid-state lithium-metal batteries have not been commercialised for large-scale applications due to manufacturing constraints. In this study, we demonstrate that the desired energy and power output for large-format solid-state lithium-metal batteries can be achieved by scaling and stacking unit cells. Two stack configurations, a bipolar and a parallel stack are modelled and compared. With 63 cells stacked in series, we show that a bipolar stack could reach a stack voltage up to 265 V. In contrast, a parallel stack with 32 double-coated cells could achieve a nominal capacity of 4 Ah. We also demonstrate that the choice of current collectors is critical in determining the gravimetric power and energy density of both stacks. By coupling the electrochemical stack model thermally, we show that the Joule heating effects are negligible for bipolar stacks but become dominant for parallel stacks. Bipolar stacks are better due to their higher power and energy densities and lower heat generation, but a lower Coulombic stack capacity limits their performance. In contrast, parallel stacks generate more heat and require more advanced thermal management. These thermally-coupled stack models can be used as prototypes to aid the future development of large-format solid-state batteries.
Solving the Set Packing Problem via a Maximum Weighted Independent Set Heuristic
Authors: Li Ruizhi , Wang Yupan , Hu Shuli , Jiang Jianhua , Ouyang Dantong , Yin Minghao
Published: December 2020

The set packing problem (SPP) is a significant NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem with extensive applications. In this paper, we encode the set packing problem as the maximum weighted independent set (MWIS) problem and solve the encoded problem with an efficient algorithm designed to the MWIS problem. We compare the independent set-based method with the state-of-the-art algorithms for the set packing problem on the 64 standard benchmark instances. The experimental results show that the independent set-based method is superior to the existing algorithms in terms of the quality of the solutions and running time obtained the solutions.
Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties and Energy Dissipation of Gas Coal under Dynamic and Static Loads
Authors: Cheng Xiang , Zhao Guangming , Li Yingming , Meng Xiangrui , Tu Qingyi , Dong Chunliang
Published: December 2020

In order to study the mechanical properties and energy dissipation of gas coal under dynamic and static loads, the static loading and impact tests of different strain rates were carried out by the testing systems of SZW‐1000 microcomputer servo pressure tester and separated Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) for gas coal in the Panxie Coal Field in Huainan City. In the test, the influence laws of various loading patterns on mechanical properties, failure characteristics, and energy dissipation of gas coal sample were analyzed. The results showed that the stress‐strain curve of coal gas under dynamic load had no micropore compaction stage compared with that under static load. Dynamic compressive strength, dynamic strength growth factor, mixed dynamic elasticity modulus, and dissipation energy were all highly correlated with strain rate, whereas energy dissipation rate was uncorrelated with strain rate. In addition, the gas coal sample with lower strain had small dissipated energy, and it developed a splitting failure mode. With the increase of strain rate, the dissipation energy increased and the crushing degree of gas coal intensified, finally presenting a compressive failure mode. Based on the comparison of dissipated energy densities of different gas coal samples, given the same dissipated energy density, the failure degree of sample under dynamic load was higher than that under static load.
The Dark Side of Ridesharing in China: A Case Study of Qiangsheng Taxi
Authors: Meng Tian , Cai Songyi , Qu You , Ng Evelyn , Tan Barney , Zhu Bo
Published: December 2020

Our understanding of the negative implications of the sharing economy is limited, particularly from the perspective of the traditional businesses that are being displaced. To address this knowledge gap, this paper documents our ongoing study of Qiangsheng Taxi, the oldest and largest taxi company based in Shanghai, China. Our aim is to develop a preliminary process model based on the data collected to date that sheds light on the negative implications of ridesharing, one of the most recognized forms of the sharing economy. More specifically, our process model suggests that there are contextual conditions that are particularly conducive to the growth of ridesharing platforms in China and how they accumulate resources, which give rise to four negative outcomes for the traditional taxi business. These negative outcomes, in turn, reinforce the prevailing contextual conditions to form a vicious cycle that exacerbates the negative influence of the ridesharing platforms even further.
Effect of the Double‐Line Spiral Tunnel Curvature on the Tunnel Construction Stability
Authors: Zhang Chao , Wang Chao , Niu Xibin , Zhang Shaoqiang , Zhao Huiling
Published: December 2020

In the construction of mountain highway, in order to avoid complicated geology and adapt to the requirements of the terrain of the large height difference and the large slope, the double‐line spiral tunnels are gradually applied. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the mechanical behavior of the double‐line spiral tunnel and its surrounding rock under different line curvatures, and to obtain the influence of the curvature of the spiral tunnel on the stability of the double‐line tunnel construction. The analysis of this paper is based on the engineering background of double‐line spiral tunnels in China’s Yunnan province. The elastoplastic three‐dimensional rock strata‐tunnel by means of finite difference FLAC3D software was established to simulate the construction process. The model was verified by comparing the calculation results and the actual monitoring data of tunnel vault settlement. The small curvature radius spiral makes the mechanical behavior of the double‐line tunnel uneven and the surrounding rock deformed unevenly. A quantitative analysis and qualitative evaluation of the influence of curvature radius were established by the systematic evaluation index of (1) ratio of compressive stress on both sides of the tunnel, (2) stress ratio of double‐line tunnel, (3) convergent deformation of the cross section of the tunnel, and (4) deformation of the surrounding rock on the top of the tunnel. The results show that the small curvature radius (less than 200 m) will make the inner pressure of the inner tunnel significantly greater than the external pressure stress, showing obvious asymmetry, and the inner tunnel vault tensile stress is greater than the outer tunnel. With the increase of the curvature radius (about more than 400 m), the ratio of the compressive stress on the inside and outside of the tunnel tends to be constant, and the bias condition is weakened and stabilized. Meanwhile, the smaller curvature radius makes the convergent deformation of the cross section of the tunnel appear asymmetrical, and the compression quantity inside the tunnel center line is larger. It provides a reference basis for the stability control of the construction of the double‐line spiral tunnels in the mountainous area.