bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential item functioning of the Arm function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ) by language, a study in six countries
Authors: Kalkers Nynke F , Galan Ingrid , Kerbrat Anne , Tacchino Andrea , Kamm Christian P , O’Connell Karen , McGuigan Chris , Edan Gilles , Montalban Xavier , Uitdehaag Bernard MJ , Mokkink Lidwine B
Published: December 2019

Background:

The Arm function in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (AMSQ) has been developed as a self-reported measure of arm and hand functioning for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The AMSQ was originally developed in Dutch and to date translated into five languages (i.e. English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian).

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate differential item functioning (DIF) of the AMSQ in these languages.

Methods:

We performed DIF analyses, using “language” as the polytomous group variable. To detect DIF, logistic regression and item response theory principles were applied. Multiple logistic regression models were evaluated. We used a pseudo R2 value of 0.02 or more as the DIF threshold.

Results:

A total of 1733 male and female patients with all subtypes of MS were included. The DIF analysis for the whole dataset showed no uniform or non-uniform DIF on any of the 31 items. All R2 values were below 0.02.

Conclusion:

The AMSQ is validated in six languages. All items have the same meaning to MS patients in Dutch, English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian. This validation study enables use of the AMSQ in international studies, for monitoring treatment response and disease progression.
Phase, microstructure, and wear behavior of Al2O3-reinforced Fe–Si alloy-based metal matrix nanocomposites
Authors: Saxena Akash , Singh Neera , Singh Bhupendra , Kumar Devendra , Sadasivuni Kishor Kumar , Gupta Pallav
Published: December 2019

In the present work, phase, microstructure, and wear properties of Al2O3-reinforced Fe–Si alloy-based metal matrix nanocomposites have been studied. Composites using 2 wt.% and 5 wt.% of Si and rest Fe powder mix were synthesized via powder metallurgy and sintered at different temperature schedules. Iron–silicon alloy specimens were found to have high hardness and high wear resistance in comparison to pure iron specimens. Addition of 5 wt.% and 10 wt.% alumina reinforcement in Fe–Si alloy composition helped in developing iron aluminate (FeAl2O4) phase in composites which further improved the mechanical properties i.e. high hardness and wear resistance. Formation of iron aluminate phase occurs due to reactive sintering between Fe and Al2O3 particles. It is expected that the improved behavior of prepared nanocomposites as compared to conventional metals will be helpful in finding their use for wide industrial applications.
Principles of Internet contracting: Illuminating the shadows
Authors: Gardiner Caterina
Published: December 2019

The common law that applies to Internet contract formation could be said to exist in a penumbra—a grey area of partial illumination between darkness and light—where it may be possible to lose sight of established contract law principles. Internet contracts raise difficult issues relating to their formation that challenge traditional contract doctrine. Analysis of case law from the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland illustrates that the courts have not applied contract formation doctrine in a principled or consistent way. There is a tendency for decisions to be reached for policy reasons, for example, to facilitate the development of e-commerce, or to achieve a result that is considered fair, rather than on sound principles of contract law. There may also be some uncertainty arising from the relationship between statutory consumer protection rules and common law contract formation doctrine. The enforceability of Internet contracts in the common law courts remains unpredictable. This article argues that although Internet contracting may raise distinctive contract formation issues, it is possible for the judiciary to invoke the inherent flexibility of the common law, to take into account the specific characteristics of Internet contracts, while still adhering to established contract law doctrine and maintaining a principled approach.
Design and implementation of state-of-charge estimation based on back-propagation neural network for smart uninterruptible power system
Authors: Li Shuo , Li Song , Zhao Haifeng , An Yuan
Published: December 2019

In this article, a method for estimating the state of charge of lithium battery based on back-propagation neural network is proposed and implemented for uninterruptible power system. First, back-propagation neural network model is established with voltage, temperature, and charge–discharge current as input parameters, and state of charge of lithium battery as output parameter. Then, the back-propagation neural network is trained by Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm and gradient descent method; and the state of charge of batteries in uninterruptible power system is estimated by the trained back-propagation neural network. Finally, we build a state-of-charge estimation test platform and connect it to host computer by Ethernet. The performance of state-of-charge estimation based on back-propagation neural network is tested by connecting to uninterruptible power system and compared with the ampere-hour counting method and the actual test data. The results show that the state-of-charge estimation based on back-propagation neural network can achieve high accuracy in estimating state of charge of uninterruptible power system and can reduce the error accumulation caused in long-term operation.
Pressure loss characteristics and calculation model of calcium carbide sludge flow in a pipe
Authors: Fuyan Lyu , Zhang Minjun , Shichen Fu , Yuting Lv , He Li , Jianfeng Zhou , Wu Miao
Published: December 2019

Calcium carbide sludge is a kind of dense paste; when transported by pipeline, the pressure loss is enormous. However, how to calculate the pressure loss accurately has not been solved until now. This article aims to present a new method to build a pressure loss calculation model based on the experimental data of pipeline transportation. To determine the relationship between the pressure loss and the properties of calcium carbide sludge, a new circulating pipeline testing apparatus was designed. The test studied pressure losses arising from changes in the mass concentration of the paste, flow velocity, pipe diameter, and pipe length. Analyzing the obtained data by means of nonlinear curve fitting, the adsorption coefficient and viscosity coefficient were defined and then the calculation formula was deduced. Finally, the calculation formula was verified for a project pipeline with a relatively large diameter equal to φ200 mm and the same parameters as those of industrial applications. The results show that under the appropriate conditions of applying the model, the relative error is less than 20%, so the model can be applied to engineering pressure loss estimation. This method provides a suitable pipe transportation calculation method for dense paste, combining experimental data and theoretical derivation.
A high-performance millirobot for swarm-behaviour studies: Swarm-topology estimation
Authors: Kim Justin Y , Kashino Zendai , Pineros Laura Marcela , Bayat Sayeh , Colaco Tyler , Nejat Goldie , Benhabib Beno
Published: December 2019

In this article, we present a novel high-performance millirobot ( milli- robot- Toronto), designed to allow for the testing of complex swarm-behaviours, including human–swarm interaction. milli- robot- Toronto, built only with off-the-shelf components, has locomotion, processing and sensing capabilities that significantly improve upon existing designs, while maintaining one of the smallest footprints among current millirobots. As complementary software to this hardware development, herein, we also present a new global swarm-topology estimation algorithm. The method is novel in that it uniquely fuses incomplete location data collected by the individual robots in a distributed manner to optimally estimate the topology of the overall swarm using a centralized computer. It is a generalized technique usable by any swarm comprising robots capable of collecting location estimates of neighbouring robots. Numerous experiments, evaluating the performance of milli- robot- Toronto and the proposed optimal swarm-topology estimation algorithm, are also included.
Adaptive neural network terminal sliding mode control for uncertain spatial robot
Authors: Sun Chunxiang , Li Guanjun , Xu Jin
Published: December 2019

The tracking control problem for uncertain spatial robot is investigated by means of adaptive terminal sliding mode control in this article. To approximate unknown nonlinear functions of these systems, a neural network model is employed. By using Lyapunov stability theory, adaptive terminal sliding mode controller is given, which guarantees that the tracking error converges to an arbitrary small region of zero and all the signals remain bounded. Finally, numerical simulation is given to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Cartilage Restoration of Patellofemoral Lesions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Andrade Renato , Nunes Joni , Hinckel Betina B. , Gruskay Jordan , Vasta Sebastiano , Bastos Ricardo , Oliveira J. Miguel , Reis Rui L. , Gomoll Andreas H. , Espregueira-Mendes João
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aimed to systematically analyze the postoperative clinical, functional, and imaging outcomes, complications, reoperations, and failures following patellofemoral cartilage restoration surgery.

Methods

This review was conducted according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to August 31, 2018, to identify clinical studies that assessed surgical outcomes of patellofemoral cartilage restoration surgery. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) was used to assess study quality.

Results

Forty-two studies were included comprising 1,311 knees (mean age of 33.7 years and 56% males) and 1,309 patellofemoral defects (891 patella, 254 trochlear, 95 bipolar, and 69 multiple defects, including the patella or trochlea) at a mean follow-up of 59.2 months. Restoration techniques included autologous chondrocyte implantation (56%), particulated juvenile allograft cartilage (12%), autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (9%), osteochondral autologous transplantation (9%), and osteochondral allograft transplantation (7%). Significant improvement in at least one score was present in almost all studies and these surpassed the minimal clinically important difference threshold. There was a weighted 19%, 35%, and 6% rate of reported complications, reoperations, and failures, respectively. Concomitant patellofemoral surgery (51% of patients) mostly did not lead to statistically different postoperative outcomes.

Conclusion

Numerous patellofemoral restoration techniques result in significant functional improvement with a low rate of failure. No definitive conclusions could be made to determine the best surgical technique since comparative studies on this topic are rare, and treatment choice should be made according to specific patient and defect characteristics.

Level of evidence

Level IV, systematic review of level II to IV studies.
Does a balanced test form regarding selected-response and constructed-response items overcome gender gap in test scores? An analysis of the format-gender relation in the test of economic-civic competence
Authors: Ackermann Nicole , Siegfried Christin
Published: December 2019

Studies indicate that male students outperform female students in economic literacy and that a specific item format (selected-response, constructed-response) favours either males or females. This study analyses the relationship between item format and gender in economic-civic competence using the WBK-T2 test (“revidierter Test zur wirtschaftsbürgerlichen Kompetenz”). The WBK-T2 encompasses 32 items, of which 53% have a selected-response format and 47% a constructed-response format. To answer the research questions, we used a sample of 375 Swiss high school students and ran T-tests and multiple regression analyses. Male students significantly outperformed female students in the overall test score, in the selected-response test score and in the constructed-response test score, but effect sizes are rather small. Interest in socio-economic issues predicted but did not moderate the test scores; however, prior knowledge in economics did. Our results indicate that the balanced test form of the WBK-T2 regarding selected-response and constructed-response items does overcome the gender gap in overall test scores and format-related test scores for students with prior economic knowledge. However, this does not apply for students without prior knowledge in economics. Thus, there must be other test-external variables, such as prior knowledge in economics that cause the gender gap in economic-civic competence.
Spreading Disinformation on Facebook: Do Trust in Message Source, Risk Propensity, or Personality Affect the Organic Reach of “Fake News”?
Authors: Buchanan Tom , Benson Vladlena
Published: December 2019

There is considerable concern about the propagation of disinformation through social media, particularly for political purposes. “Organic reach” has been found to be important in the propagation of disinformation on social networks. This is the phenomenon whereby social media users extend the audience for a piece of information: interacting with it, or sharing it with their wider networks, greatly increases the number of people the information reaches. This project evaluated the extent to which characteristics of the message source (how trustworthy they were) and the recipient (risk propensity and personality) influenced the organic reach of a potentially false message. In an online study, 357 Facebook users completed personality and risk propensity scales and rated their likelihood of interacting in various ways with a message posted by either a trustworthy or untrustworthy source. Message source impacted on overall organic reach, with messages from trusted sources being more likely to be propagated. Risk propensity did not influence reach. However, low scores on trait agreeableness predicted greater likelihood of interacting with a message. The findings provide preliminary evidence that both message source and recipient characteristics can potentially influence the spread of disinformation.
Polarization and Ideological Weaving in Twitter Discourse of Politicians
Authors: Masroor Farzana , Khan Qintarah N. , Aib Iman , Ali Zulfiqar
Published: December 2019

The form and functions of political discourse have considerably taken a new orientation with the evolving ways of communication. Twitter is a platform that is increasingly preferred by the political elites for the purpose of gaining public acclaim and propagating political ideologies. The political discourse on Twitter requires a critical attention toward linguistic structures and strategies to uncover the relationship between language and social practices. For this purpose, tweets of two eminent Pakistani political figures are chosen for unmasking a variety of discourse strategies at work from the perspective of critical discourse analysis (CDA) through the socio-cognitive model of ideological square. The analysis uncovers the hidden ideological structures and strategies realized through a number of rhetorical moves in the selected tweets. The cognitive binary of positive self-presentation and negative other-presentation help achieving political domination and legitimization of political actions by controlling the public opinion. The underlying motives vary and are context bound such as the aims to topple a government or to restore public faith in the governance. This research is significant for political discourse analysts as well as the general public, as a means for analytical activism propagated by any CDA inquiry, and paves way for further research in the use of social media platforms for political purposes.
Read-SpaM: assembly-free and alignment-free comparison of bacterial genomes with low sequencing coverage
Authors: Lau Anna-Katharina , Dörrer Svenja , Leimeister Chris-André , Bleidorn Christoph , Morgenstern Burkhard
Published: December 2019

Background

In many fields of biomedical research, it is important to estimate phylogenetic distances between taxa based on low-coverage sequencing reads. Major applications are, for example, phylogeny reconstruction, species identification from small sequencing samples, or bacterial strain typing in medical diagnostics.

Results

We adapted our previously developed software programFiltered Spaced-Word Matches (FSWM)for alignment-free phylogeny reconstruction to take unassembled reads as input; we call this implementationRead-SpaM.

Conclusions

Test runs on simulated reads from semi-artificial and real-world bacterial genomes show that our approach can estimate phylogenetic distances with high accuracy, even for large evolutionary distances and for very low sequencing coverage.
Recovering rearranged cancer chromosomes from karyotype graphs
Authors: Aganezov Sergey , Zban Ilya , Aksenov Vitaly , Alexeev Nikita , Schatz Michael C.
Published: December 2019

Background

Many cancer genomes are extensively rearranged with highly aberrant chromosomal karyotypes. Structural and copy number variations in cancer genomes can be determined via abnormal mapping of sequenced reads to the reference genome. Recently it became possible to reconcile both of these types of large-scale variations into a karyotype graph representation of the rearranged cancer genomes. Such a representation, however, does not directly describe the linear and/or circular structure of the underlying rearranged cancer chromosomes, thus limiting possible analysis of cancer genomes somatic evolutionary process as well as functional genomic changes brought by the large-scale genome rearrangements.

Results

Here we address the aforementioned limitation by introducing a novel methodological framework for recovering rearranged cancer chromosomes from karyotype graphs. For a cancer karyotype graph we formulate an Eulerian Decomposition Problem (EDP) of finding a collection of linear and/or circular rearranged cancer chromosomes that are determined by the graph. We derive and prove computational complexities for several variations of the EDP. We then demonstrate that Eulerian decomposition of the cancer karyotype graphs is not always unique and present the Consistent Contig Covering Problem (CCCP) of recovering unambiguous cancer contigs from the cancer karyotype graph, and describe a novel algorithm capable of solving CCCP in polynomial time. We apply on a prostate cancer dataset and demonstrate that it is capable of consistently recovering large cancer contigs even when underlying cancer genomes are highly rearranged.

Conclusions

can recover rearranged cancer contigs from karyotype graphs thereby addressing existing limitation in inferring chromosomal structures of rearranged cancer genomes and advancing our understanding of both patient/cancer-specific as well as the overall genetic instability in cancer.
A retrospective study of the relationship between postoperative urine output and one year transplanted kidney function
Authors: Kim Joungmin , Pyeon Taehee , Choi Jeong Il , Kang Jeong Hyeon , Song Seung Won , Bae Hong-Beom , Jeong Seongtae
Published: December 2019

Background

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the most obvious method of treating a patient with end-stage renal disease. In the early stages of KT, urine production is considered a marker of successful reperfusion of the kidney after anastomosis. However, there is no clear conclusion about the relationship between initial urine output after KT and 1-year renal function. Thus, we investigated the factors that affect 1-year kidney function after KT, including urine output.

Methods

This retrospective study investigated the relationship between urine output in the 3 days after KT and transplanted kidney prognosis after 1-year. In total, 291 patients (129 living-donor and 162 deceased-donor transplant recipients) were analyzed; 24-h urine volume per body weight (in kilograms) was measured for 3 days postoperatively. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), determined by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease algorithm, was used as an index of renal function. Patients were grouped according to eGFR at 1-year after KT: a good residual function group, eGFR ≥60, and a poor residual function group, eGFR < 60.

Result

Recipients’ factors affecting 1-year eGFR include height (P = 0.03), weight (P = 0.00), and body mass index (P = 0.00). Donor factors affecting 1-year eGFR include age (P = 0.00) and number of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches (P = 0.00). The urine output for 3 days after KT (postoperative day 1; 2 and 3) was associated with 1-year eGFR in deceased-donor (P = 0.00; P = 0.00 and P = 0.01). And, postoperative urine output was associated with the occurrence of delayed graft function (area under curve (AUC) = 0.913; AUC = 0.984 and AUC = 0.944).

Conclusion

Although postoperative urine output alone is not enough to predict 1-year GFR, the incidence of delayed graft function can be predicted. Also, the appropriate urine output after KT may differ depending on the type of the transplanted kidney.

Trial registration

Clinical Research Information Service of the Korea National Institute of Health in the Republic of Korea (KCT0003571).
Comparison of general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, and general anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway and nerve block for intertrochanteric fracture surgeries in elderly patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liu Yang , Su Mang , Li Wei , Yuan Hao , Yang Cheng
Published: December 2019

Background

There is no consensus on the optimal anesthesia method for intertrochanteric fracture surgeries in elderly patients. Our study aimed to compare the hemodynamics and perioperative outcomes of general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, and general anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and nerve block for intertrochanteric fracture surgeries in elderly patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 75 patients aged > 60 years scheduled for intertrochanteric fracture surgeries with general anesthesia with intubation (n = 25), combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (n = 25), and general anesthesia with LMA and nerve block (n = 25). The intraoperative hemodynamics were recorded, and the maximum variation rate was calculated. Postoperative analgesic effect was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS). Postoperative cognitive status was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE).

Results

The maximum variation rate of intraoperative heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure differed significantly between the three groups (general anesthesia with intubation > combined spinal-epidural anesthesia > general anesthesia with LMA and nerve block). The VAS scores postoperative 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h also differed significantly between the three groups (general anesthesia with intubation > combined spinal-epidural anesthesia > general anesthesia with LMA and nerve block). The VAS scores postoperative 24 h were significantly lower in the general anesthesia with LMA/nerve block group than the general anesthesia with intubation group and the combined spinal-epidural anesthesia group. The MMSE scores postoperative 15 min and 45 min differed significantly between the three groups (general anesthesia with intubation < combined spinal-epidural anesthesia < general anesthesia with LMA and nerve block). The MMSE scores postoperative 120 min in the general anesthesia with intubation group were the lowest among the three groups. There was no significant difference in the incidence of respiratory infection postoperative 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h between the three groups.

Conclusion

Compared to general anesthesia with intubation and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia, general anesthesia with LMA and nerve block had better postoperative analgesic effect and less disturbances on intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative cognition for elderly patients undergoing intertrochanteric fracture surgeries.
Intrathecal injection of bone marrow stromal cells attenuates neuropathic pain via inhibition of P2X4R in spinal cord microglia
Authors: Teng Yongbo , Zhang Yang , Yue Shouwei , Chen Huanwen , Qu Yujuan , Wei Hui , Jia Xiaofeng
Published: December 2019

Background

Neuropathic pain is one of the most debilitating of all chronic pain syndromes. Intrathecal (i.t.) bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) injections have a favorable safety profile; however, results have been inconsistent, and complete understanding of how BMSCs affect neuropathic pain remains elusive.

Methods

We evaluated the analgesic effect of BMSCs on neuropathic pain in a chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (CCD) model. We analyzed the effect of BMSCs on microglia reactivity and expression of purinergic receptor P2X4 (P2X4R). Furthermore, we assessed the effect of BMSCs on the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), a key molecule in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain, in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons.

Results

I.t. BMSC transiently but significantly ameliorated neuropathic pain behavior (37.6% reduction for 2 days). We found no evidence of BMSC infiltration into the spinal cord parenchyma or DRGs, and we also demonstrated that intrathecal injection of BMSC-lysates provides similar relief. These findings suggest that the analgesic effects of i.t. BMSC were largely due to the release of BMSC-derived factors into the intrathecal space. Mechanistically, we found that while i.t. BMSCs did not change TRPV4 expression in DRG neurons, there was a significant reduction of P2X4R expression in the spinal cord microglia. BMSC-lysate also reduced P2X4R expression in activated microglia in vitro. Coadministration of additional pharmacological interventions targeting P2X4R confirmed that modulation of P2X4R might be a key mechanism for the analgesic effects of i.t. BMSC.

Conclusion

Altogether, our results suggest that i.t. BMSC is an effective and safe treatment of neuropathic pain and provides novel evidence that BMSC’s analgesic effects are largely mediated by the release of BMSC-derived factors resulting in microglial P2X4R downregulation.
Chronic dry eye induced corneal hypersensitivity, neuroinflammatory responses, and synaptic plasticity in the mouse trigeminal brainstem
Authors: Fakih Darine , Zhao Zhanlin , Nicolle Pierre , Reboussin Elodie , Joubert Fanny , Luzu Jade , Labbé Antoine , Rostène William , Baudouin Christophe , Mélik Parsadaniantz Stéphane , Réaux-Le Goazigo Annabelle
Published: December 2019

Background

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease associated with ocular surface inflammation, pain, and nerve abnormalities. We studied the peripheral and central neuroinflammatory responses that occur during persistent DED using molecular, cellular, behavioral, and electrophysiological approaches.

Methods

A mouse model of DED was obtained by unilateral excision of the extraorbital lachrymal gland (ELG) and Harderian gland (HG) of adult female C57BL/6 mice. In vivo tests were conducted at 7, 14, and 21 days (d) after surgery. Tear production was measured by a phenol red test and corneal alterations and inflammation were assessed by fluorescein staining and in vivo confocal microscopy. Corneal nerve morphology was evaluated by nerve staining. Mechanical corneal sensitivity was monitored using von Frey filaments. Multi-unit extracellular recording of ciliary nerve fiber activity was used to monitor spontaneous corneal nerve activity. RT-qPCR and immunostaining were used to determine RNA and protein levels at d21.

Results

We observed a marked reduction of tear production and the development of corneal inflammation at d7, d14, and d21 post-surgery in DED animals. Chronic DE induced a reduction of intraepithelial corneal nerve terminals. Behavioral and electrophysiological studies showed that the DED animals developed time-dependent mechanical corneal hypersensitivity accompanied by increased spontaneous ciliary nerve fiber electrical activity. Consistent with these findings, DED mice exhibited central presynaptic plasticity, demonstrated by a higher Piccolo immunoreactivity in the ipsilateral trigeminal brainstem sensory complex (TBSC). At d21 post-surgery, mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-6 and IL-1β), astrocyte (GFAP), and oxidative (iNOS2 and NOX4) markers increased significantly in the ipsilateral trigeminal ganglion (TG). This correlated with an increase in Iba1, GFAP, and ATF3 immunostaining in the ipsilateral TG of DED animals. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFα, IL-1β, and CCL2), iNOS2, neuronal (ATF3 and FOS), and microglial (CD68 and Itgam) markers were also upregulated in the TBSC of DED animals at d21, along with increased immunoreactivity against GFAP and Iba1.

Conclusions

Overall, these data highlight peripheral sensitization and neuroinflammatory responses that participate in the development and maintenance of dry eye-related pain. This model may be useful to identify new analgesic molecules to alleviate ocular pain.
A high-throughput quantification of resin and rubber contents in Parthenium argentatum using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy
Authors: Luo Zinan , Thorp Kelly R. , Abdel-Haleem Hussein
Published: December 2019

Background

Guayule (Parthenium argentatum A. Gray), a plant native to semi-arid regions of northern Mexico and southern Texas in the United States, is an alternative source for natural rubber (NR). Rapid screening tools are needed to replace the current labor-intensive and cost-inefficient method for quantifying rubber and resin contents. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a promising technique that simplifies and speeds up the quantification procedure without losing precision. In this study, two spectral instruments were used to rapidly quantify resin and rubber contents in 315 ground samples harvested from a guayule germplasm collection grown under different irrigation conditions at Maricopa, AZ. The effects of eight different pretreatment approaches on improving prediction models using partial least squares regression (PLSR) were investigated and compared. Important characteristic wavelengths that contribute to prominent absorbance peaks were identified.

Results

Using two different NIR devices, ASD FieldSpec®3 performed better than Polychromix Phazir™ in improving R2 and residual predicative deviation (RPD) values of PLSR models. Compared to the models based on full-range spectra (750–2500 nm), using a subset of wavelengths (1100–2400 nm) with high sensitivity to guayule rubber and resin contents could lead to better prediction accuracy. The prediction power of the models for quantifying resin content was better than rubber content.

Conclusions

In summary, the calibrated PLSR models for resin and rubber contents were successfully developed for a diverse guayule germplasm collection and were applied to roughly screen samples in a low-cost and efficient way. This improved efficiency could enable breeders to rapidly screen large guayule populations to identify cultivars that are high in rubber and resin contents.
Nanotechnology in cancer diagnosis: progress, challenges and opportunities
Authors: Zhang Ye , Li Maoyu , Gao Xiaomei , Chen Yongheng , Liu Ting
Published: December 2019

In the fight against cancer, early detection is a key factor for successful treatment. However, the detection of cancer in the early stage has been hindered by the intrinsic limits of conventional cancer diagnostic methods. Nanotechnology provides high sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexed measurement capacity and has therefore been investigated for the detection of extracellular cancer biomarkers and cancer cells, as well as for in vivo imaging. This review summarizes the latest developments in nanotechnology applications for cancer diagnosis. In addition, the challenges in the translation of nanotechnology-based diagnostic methods into clinical applications are discussed.
Improving hydrocarbon production by engineering cyanobacterial acyl-(acyl carrier protein) reductase
Authors: Kudo Hisashi , Hayashi Yuuki , Arai Munehito
Published: December 2019

Background

Acyl-(acyl carrier protein (ACP)) reductase (AAR) is a key enzyme for hydrocarbon biosynthesis in cyanobacteria, reducing fatty acyl-ACPs to aldehydes, which are then converted into hydrocarbons by aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase (ADO). Previously, we compared AARs from various cyanobacteria and found that hydrocarbon yield in Escherichia coli coexpressing AAR and ADO was highest for AAR from Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (7942AAR), which has high substrate affinity for 18-carbon fatty acyl-ACP, resulting in production of mainly heptadecene. In contrast, the hydrocarbon yield was lowest for AAR from Synechococcus sp. PCC 7336 (7336AAR), which has a high specificity for 16-carbon substrates, leading to production of mainly pentadecane. However, even the most productive AAR (7942AAR) still showed low activity; thus, residues within AAR that are nonconserved, but may still be important in hydrocarbon production need to be identified to engineer enzymes with improved hydrocarbon yields. Moreover, AAR mutants that favor shorter alkane production will be useful for producing diesel fuels with decreased freezing temperatures. Here, we aimed to identify such residues and design a highly productive and specific enzyme for hydrocarbon biosynthesis in E. coli.

Results

We introduced single amino acid substitutions into the least productive AAR (7336AAR) to make its amino acid sequence similar to that of the most productive enzyme (7942AAR). From the analysis of 41 mutants, we identified 6 mutations that increased either the activity or amount of soluble AAR, leading to a hydrocarbon yield improvement in E. coli coexpressing ADO. Moreover, by combining these mutations, we successfully created 7336AAR mutants with ~ 70-fold increased hydrocarbon production, especially for pentadecane, when compared with that of wild-type 7336AAR. Strikingly, the hydrocarbon yield was higher in the multiple mutants of 7336AAR than in 7942AAR.

Conclusions

We successfully designed AAR mutants that, when coexpressed with ADO in E. coli, are more highly effective in hydrocarbon production, especially for pentadecane, than wild-type AARs. Our results provide a series of highly productive AARs with different substrate specificities, enabling the production of a variety of hydrocarbons in E. coli that may be used as biofuels.
Different interpretation of additional evidence for HTA by the commissioned HTA body and the commissioning decision maker in Germany: whenever IQWiG and Federal Joint Committee disagree
Authors: Dintsios C. M. , Worm F. , Ruof J. , Herpers M.
Published: December 2019

Background

The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of commissioned addenda by the Federal Joint Committee (FJC) to the HTA body (IQWiG) and their agreement with FJC decisions and to identify potential additional decisive factors of FJC.

Methods

All available relevant documents up to end of 2017 were screened and essential content extracted. Next to descriptive statistics, differences between IQWiG and FJC were tested and explored by agreement statistics (Cohen’s kappa and Fleiss’ kappa) and ordinal logistic regression.

Results

Most of the 90 addenda concerned oncological products. In all contingent comparisons, positive changes in added benefit or evidence level on a subpopulation basis (n = 124) prevailed negative ones. Fleiss’ ordinal kappa for agreement of assessments, addenda, and appraisals reached a moderate strength for added benefit (0.474, 95%-CI, 0.408–0.540). Overall agreement between addenda and appraisals on a binary nominal basis is poor for added benefit (Cohen’s kappa 0.183; 95%-CI: 0.010–0.357) ranging from “less than by chance” (respiratory diseases) to “perfect” (neurological diseases). The OR of the selected regression model showed that i) mortality, ii) unmet need, the positions of iii) the physicians’ drug commission and iv) medical societies, and v) the annual therapeutic costs of the appropriate comparative therapy had a high influence on FJC’s appraisals deviating from IQWiG’s addenda recommendation.

Conclusions

IQWiG’s addenda have a high impact on decision-maker’s appraisals offering additional analyses of supplementary evidence submitted by the manufacturers. Nevertheless, the agreement between addenda and appraisals varies, highlighting different decisive factors between IQWiG and FJC.
Existence of solutions for some two-point fractional boundary value problems under barrier strip conditions
Authors: Li Zhiyu , Bai Zhanbing
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we are dedicated to researching the boundary value problems (BVPs) for equation$D^{\alpha }x(t)=f(t,x(t),D^{\alpha -1}x(t))$Dαx(t)=f(t,x(t),Dα−1x(t)), with the boundary value conditions to be either:$x(0)=A$x(0)=A,$D^{\alpha -1}x(1)=B$Dα−1x(1)=Bor$D^{\alpha -1}x(0)=A$Dα−1x(0)=A,$x(1)=B$x(1)=B. Let the nonlinear termfsatisfy some sign conditions, then by making use of the Leray–Schauder nonlinear alternative, some existence results are obtained. In the end, an example is given to verify the main results.
A systematic review of the measurement properties of patient reported outcome measures used for adults with an ankle fracture
Authors: McKeown Rebecca , Ellard David R. , Rabiu Abdul-Rasheed , Karasouli Eleni , Kearney Rebecca S.
Published: December 2019

Background

Ankle fractures are painful and debilitating injuries that pose a significant burden to society and healthcare systems. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly used outcome measures in clinical trials of interventions for ankle fracture but there is little evidence on their validity and reliability. This systematic review aims to identify and appraise evidence for the measurement properties of ankle specific PROMs used in adults with an ankle fracture using Consensus Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instrument (COSMIN) methodology.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL online databases for evidence of measurement properties of ankle specific PROMs. Articles were included if they assessed or described the development of the PROM in adults with ankle fracture. Articles were ineligible if they used the PROM to assess the measurement properties of another instrument. Abstracts without full articles and conference proceedings were ineligible, as were articles that adapted the PROM under evaluation without any formal justification of the changes as part of a cross-cultural validation or translation process. Two reviewers completed the screening. To assess methodological quality we used COSMIN risk of bias checklist and summarised evidence using COSMIN quality criteria and a modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Two reviewers assessed the methodological quality and extracted the data for a sample of articles.

Results

The searches returned a total of 377 articles. From these, six articles were included after application of eligibility criteria. These articles evaluated three PROMs: A-FORM, OMAS and AAOS. The A-FORM had evidence of a robust development process within the patient population, however lacks post-formulation testing. The OMAS showed sufficient levels of reliability, internal consistency and construct validity. The AAOS showed low quality evidence of sufficient construct validity.

Conclusions

There is insufficient evidence to support the recommendation of a particular PROM for use in adult ankle fracture research based on COSMIN methodology. Further validation of these outcome measures is required in order to ensure PROMs used in this area are sufficiently valid and reliable to assess treatment effects. This would enable high quality, evidenced-based management of adults with ankle fracture.
Comparison of the effects of low-level laser and pulsed and continuous ultrasound on pain and physical disability in chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Rubira Ana Paula Fernandes De Angelis , Rubira Marcelo Custódio , Rubira Lucas De Angelis , Comachio Josielli , Magalhães Maurício Oliveira , Marques Amélia Pasqual
Published: December 2019

Objective

To compare the short-term effects of pulsed laser and pulsed and continuous ultrasound on pain and functional disability in women with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Methods

The sample was composed of 100 volunteers randomly allocated into four groups: The Pulsed Laser Group (n = 26) was treated with 3 J/cm2; the Pulsed Ultrasound Group (n = 24; 3 MHz) was treated with 1 W/cm2; the Continuous Ultrasound Group (n = 26; 1 MHz) was treated with 1 W/cm2; and a Control Group (n = 24), where the patients were still waiting for treatment. Before and after 10 sessions of treatment, the intensity of pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the quality of pain was evaluated using the McGill pain questionnaire and functional disability was investigated using the Roland–Morris questionnaire.

Results

The three treated groups exhibited a decrease in pain (p < 0.001); the Pulsed Laser Group showed the greater relative gain (91.2%), Meanwhile, the Control Group exhibited a worsening of − 5.8%. The three treated groups demonstrated improvement in the quality of pain (McGill) in the total, sensory and affective dimensions (p < 0.005; p < 0.002; p < 0.013, respectively). All treated groups showed a decrease in functional disability (p < 0.001), but the Pulsed Ultrasound Group showed the highest relative gain (83.3%).

Conclusions

The three modalities have significant effects to decreasing low back pain and improving functional disability in women with non-specific chronic low back pain, but the pulsed low-level laser had the best results on pain while the pulsed ultrasound had the best results on improve the functional disability.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02150096.
Noble metal-free two dimensional carbon-based electrocatalysts for water splitting
Authors: Younis Muhammad Adnan , Lyu Siliu , Zhao Qidong , Lei Chaojun , Zhang Peiling , Yang Bin , Li Zhongjian , Lei Lecheng , Hou Yang , Feng Xinliang
Published: December 2019

Noble metal materials are widely employed as benchmark electrocatalysts to achieve electrochemical water splitting which comprises of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, the high cost and scarcity limit the wide ranging commercial applications of noble metal-based catalysts. Development of noble metal-free two dimensional (2D) carbon-based materials can not only reduce the consumption of noble metals, but also create materials with the characteristics of high active surface area, abundance, easy functionalization, and chemical stability, which may carve a way to promising electrochemical water splitting. In this review, noble metal-free 2D carbon-based electrocatalysts, including heteroatom (B, S, N, P, F, and O) doped graphene, 2D porous carbons modified with heteroatoms and/or transition metals, and 2D carbon-based hybrids are introduced as cost-effective alternatives to the noble metal-based electrocatalysts with comparable efficiencies to conduct HER, OER, and overall water splitting. This review emphasizes on current development in synthetic strategies and structure–property relationships of noble metal-free 2D carbon-based electrocatalysts, together with major challenges and perspectives of noble metal-free 2D carbon-based electrocatalysts for further electrochemical applications.
Value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in assessment of adnexal lesions
Authors: Ibrahim Rania S. M. , El Fattah Marwa Sh. Abd , Metwally Zeinab M. , Eldin Lamiaa A. S.
Published: December 2019

Background

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in the characterization and diagnosis of ovarian lesions.

Results

From October 2015 to October 2017, a total of 57 female patients (65 adnexal lesions; 8 cases were bilateral) were included. The examined lesions were classified according to their histopathological findings, (37 (57%) benign lesions, 4 (6%) borderline lesions, and 24 (37%) malignant lesions). The mean choline/creatinine (CHO/Cr) ratio was 1.29 ± 0.98 SD for malignant lesions, while the mean value in borderline lesions was 0.63 ± 0.15 SD, and the mean value for the benign lesions was 0.65 ± 0.34. Therefore, the mean CHO/Cr ratio was much higher in malignant than in benign lesions, which was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.001) as well as between the borderline and invasive lesions (P = 0.05), but not between the benign and borderline lesions. The diagnostic performance of conventional MRI in diagnosing adnexal lesions was 100%, specificity was 76%, and accuracy was 86%. However, MRS individual diagnostic performances are the following: sensitivity 89%, specificity, and 100% with an accuracy of 95%.

Conclusion

MRS proved to be an accurate and efficient method for the analysis of adnexal lesions and in differentiation between benign and malignant tumors.
Velocity-attenuation model from check-shot drift trends in North Sea well data
Authors: Carter Andrew J. , Torres Caceres Veronica A. , Duffaut Kenneth , Stovas Alexey
Published: December 2019

Seismic attenuation distorts phase and narrows bandwidth in seismic surveys. It is also an exploration attribute, as, for example, gas or overpressure, may create attenuation anomalies. Compensating attenuation in imaging requires accurate models. Detailed attenuation models may be obtained using full-waveform inversion (FWI) or attenuation tomography, but their accuracy benefits from reliable starting models and/or constraints. Seismic attenuation and velocity dispersion are necessarily linked for causal linear wave propagation such that higher frequencies travel faster than lower frequencies in an attenuative medium. In publicly released well data from the Norwegian North Sea, we have observed systematic positive linear trends in check-shot drift when comparing (lower frequency) time-depth curves with (higher frequency) integrated sonic transit times. We observe velocity dispersion consistent with layers having constant seismic attenuation. Adapting a previously published method, and assuming an attenuation-dispersion relationship, we use drift gradients, measured over thick stratigraphic units, to estimate interval P-wave attenuation and tentatively interpret its variation in terms of porosity and fluid mobility. Reflectivity modeling predicts a very low attenuation contribution from peg-leg multiples. We use the attenuation values to develop a simple regional relationship between P-wave velocity and attenuation. Observed low drift gradients in some shallower units lead to an arch-shaped model that predicts low attenuation at both low and high velocities. The attenuation estimates were broadly comparable with published effective attenuation values obtained independently nearby. This general methodology for quickly deriving a regional velocity-attenuation relationship could be used anywhere that coincident velocity models are available at seismic and sonic frequencies. Such relationships can be used for fast derivation (from velocities) of starting attenuation models for FWI or tomography, constraining or linking velocity and attenuation in inversion, deriving models for attenuation compensation in time processing, or deriving background trends in screening for attenuation anomalies in exploration.