bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ripening of avocado fruits studied by spectroscopic techniques
Authors: Lin Xiaobo , Zhang Han , Hu Lingna , Zhao Guangyu , Svanberg Sune , Svanberg Katarina
Published: April 2020

Avocados are considered very healthy due to the high content mono‐unsaturated lipid, essential vitamins and minerals, minimal sugar and no cholesterol and are therefore sometimes referred to as “the perfect fruits”. Avocados, mainly grown in Latin‐America, are harvested unripe and sent overseas. However, the ripening process is very difficult to assess visually and tactilely. A tool for precise noninvasive judgment of the status would be valuable as the fruit is too expensive to be cut open unripe or overdue. A white‐light source and a light‐emitting diode unit with four excitation wavelengths (365, 385, 395, and 405 nm) were used for reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy in a fiber‐coupled set‐up for noninvasive monitoring. Twelve non‐ripe avocados, with approximately the same size and appearance, were studied and divided into three groups and kept at three different storage conditions; at room temperature, in a refrigerator and a combination of the two. We showed that fluorescence was useful for following the ripening process. A method, which compensates for the spatial variations in spectral properties around a fruit, is described. Remote fluorescence monitoring, intended for orchard use, was also demonstrated. A low‐cost device based on fluorescence for avocado ripeness assessment is proposed.
Observations on the oral organelle, cytopharynx, and subpellicular structure of a Dileptus sp.
Authors: Liang Wenwei , Wang Mingjie , Qiu Zijian
Published: April 2020

We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to observe the oral organelle, cytopharynx, and subpellicular structure of a Dileptus sp. The main results were as follows: (a) the cytostome was located on the ventral surface of the base of the beak, surrounded by a periportal matrix that integrated 135 microtube bundles. When these microtube bundles contract, radially arranged into a disk, the cytostome was closed. When these microtube bundles were stretch, they fell into the cytostome and opens. The diameter of the cytostome was about 16 μm regardless of its closure or opening, indicating that the contraction or elongation of these microtube bundles did not change the size of the cytostome, which was only related to whether it blocked the cytostome, thus determining the opening and closing of the cytostome. There were many microtube bundles on two sides of the feeding trough, which could widen or narrow the feeding trough and facilitate beak feeding. (b) The cytopharynx was basket‐like without a bottom with a diameter of about 6 μm and was woven from two kind fibers about 0.08 and 0.19 μm. (c) There were two types of extrusomes under the pellicle. Using transmission electron microscopy，the Type I extrusomes showed narrow and long egg shape, its cross section was circular which is composed by various electronic density of concentric. Using the scanning electron microscope, they were two slightly thin clavate, the length was about 5 μm, the diameter of the middle section was about 0.75 μm, and the diameter of the two ends was about 0.32 μm, they were distributed abundantly between the microtubule fasciculi which were located on both sides of the gap on the feeding groove. Using transmission electron microscopy, the Type II extrusomes showed egg shape. Using the scanning electron microscopy, they were about 1.6 × 0.8 μm in size, they were distributed abundantly under the body pellicle while rarely the proboscis. In addition, many different of developmental stages two types of extrusomes could be also seen in the cytoplasm. (d) There were very well‐developed fibrous systems under the pellicle that were woven from fibers about 0.14 μm in diameter that attached to the pellicle and bound some organelles in the cytoplasm (e.g., mitochondria, extrusomes) and other structures to the cytoplasm and maintained cell morphology. The results of this study not only supplement and enrich the morphological contents of the Dileptus sp., but also provide the basis for the study of the taxonomy of the Dileptus sp. It also provides a new method for researchers to explore the morphology and structure of ciliate cells under the cortex by SEM.
Developing and implementing a faculty development curriculum for Japanese family medicine residency faculty
Authors: Ie Kenya , Narushima Masato , Goto Michiko , Merenstein Joel , Wilson Stephen , Takemura Yousuke
Published: April 2020

Background

Despite the increase in family medicine residency in Japan, there are only a few structured faculty development (FD) programs. The objective of this project was to construct a consensus on core competencies of faculty to develop a faculty development curriculum in a Japanese family medicine context.

Methods

In 2015, a private FD initiative in the Mie University initiated a curriculum development in collaboration with FD fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. A literature review and subsequent Delphi process were conducted for core competency development. Based on the core competency list, we designed and implemented a 2‐year part‐time FD curriculum from 2016. A course evaluation using pre‐post confidence level was held during March 2017.

Results

Twenty‐eight objectives were defined in five core domains: 1) care management/family medicine principle, 2) leadership/professional development, 3) administrative/management, 4) teaching, and 5) research/scholarly activity. A pre‐post survey at the end of an academic year revealed a significant increase in learner confidence for “care management/family medicine principle” (P = .03), “teaching” (P < .01), and “research/scholarly activity” (P < .01), as well as the total score (P = .03).

Conclusions

A family medicine FD curriculum based on a faculty core competency list was developed by consensus in a Japanese family medicine context. The core competency was strongly context‐oriented, and the relevance of the FD topics and opportunities to apply to the participants' current positions may be inevitable for learner engagement. Further curriculum refinements will be required to see whether the curriculum could be used for faculty development in other family medicine residencies.
Leadership Insights from Hollywood‐Based War Movies: An Opportunity for Vicarious Learning
Authors: Kuri Subrato K. , Kaufman Eric K.
Published: April 2020

Film has a significant impact on the human mind. The primary aim of the current paper is to highlight leadership concepts portrayed in award‐winning war films. The current review can help leadership educators incorporate specific movies in their leadership courses, particularly those for military personnel. Such an approach to vicarious learning may motivate young military leaders for better performance in their roles. Many war movies portray transformational, transactional, and authoritarian styles of leadership. Looking more closely, the movie heroes are presented as transformational, ethical, transactional, situational, follower‐based, and servant leaders.
Three‐phase hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction combined with HPLC for determination of three trace acidic plant growth regulators in Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl
Authors: Hong Ruixia , Wu Pingping , Lin Jin , Huang Liying , Yang Lijuan , Wu Youjia , Yao Hong
Published: April 2020

The analysis of plant growth regulators presents a challenge due to their trace quantities and complex matrices. A novel, simple, and effective analytical method for the determination of three trace acidic plant growth regulators in Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl was developed to address this issue. Three‐phase hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography was applied for the enrichment, purification, and determination of three acidic plant growth regulators, namely, indole‐3‐acetic‐acid, indole‐3‐butyric‐acid, and (+)‐abscisic acid. The factors affecting extraction performance, including extractant species, pH of donor and acceptor phases, salt addition dosage, extraction time, temperature, and stirring rate, were investigated and optimized. Under optimum conditions, the proposed method provided good linearity (R2, 0.9994–0.9999), low limit of detection (0.038–0.12 ng/mL), and acceptable relative recoveries (56.7–117.6%). The enrichment factors were between 153 and 328. The developed method was successfully applied to the enrichment and determination of plant growth regulators in Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl and exhibited increased purification capacity, higher sensitivity, and decreased organic solvent consumption compared with conventional sample preparation methods. This method may provide a testing platform for the monitoring of plant growth regulator residues, ensuring the safe and effective use of traditional Chinese medicine.
Adjusting the chromatographic properties of poly(ionic liquid)‐modified stationary phases by substitution on the imidazolium cation
Authors: Wang Jie , Tang Yuqi , Chu Huiyuan , Shen Jiwei , Wang Chaozhan , Wei Yinmao
Published: April 2020

Poly(ionic liquid)‐modified stationary phases can have multiple interactions with solutes. However, in most stationary phases, separation selectivity is adjusted by changing the poly(ionic liquid) anions. In this work, two poly(ionic liquid)‐modified silica stationary phases were prepared by introducing the cyano or tetrazolyl group on the pendant imidazolium cation on the polymer chains. Various analytes were selected to investigate their mechanism of retention in the stationary phases using different mobile phases. Two poly(ionic liquid)‐modified stationary phases can provide various interactions toward solutes. Compared to the cyano‐functionalized poly(ionic liquid) stationary phase, the tetrazolyl‐functionalized poly(ionic liquid) stationary phase provides additional cation‐exchange and π‐π interactions, resulting in different separation selectivity toward analytes. Finally, applicability of the developed stationary phases was demonstrated by the efficient separation of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs.
Calculating lateral plume spreading with surface Lagrangian drifters
Authors: Kakoulaki Georgia , MacDonald Daniel G. , Cole Kelly
Published: April 2020

This work provides a rare quantification of lateral spreading from Lagrangian measurements in a buoyant river plume by comparing four methods. Drifter motions, including along‐stream shear and rotation, can be incorrectly interpreted as lateral spreading. This work aims to improve estimates of lateral spreading by identifying additional motions in drifter trajectories. The techniques applied are first evaluated and compared using an idealized group of drifters undergoing specific types of motion, and then applied to in situ data from 27 surface Lagrangian drifters released in the Merrimack River plume (Massachusetts) under a variety of different environmental conditions. The techniques tested include two methods using the standard deviation of drifter position with respect to various interpretations of mean drifter direction and two methods using a rotating elliptical coordinate reference frame. The idealized trajectories are modeled analytically with each type of motion (i.e., spreading, rotation, and shear) separately, then in different combinations, to identify the method that best resolves and isolates lateral spreading. The idealized experiments demonstrate that three of the methods are sensitive to shear and rotational motion in various combinations. The most robust method resolving lateral spreading is the “time‐step” method, which applies a reference frame that follows the mean flow at each time step, calculated as the average direction of the drifters between two time steps. This method also successfully identifies lateral spreading in observations, which is maximized in classic bulge‐shaped plume deployments. This work is applicable to other river plume systems as well as other propagating oceanographic phenomena.
Lipase Treatment of Dietary Krill Oil, but Not Fish Oil, Enables Enrichment of Brain Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid
Authors: Yalagala Poorna C. R. , Sugasini Dhavamani , Zaldua Steve B. , Tai Leon M. , Subbaiah Papasani V.
Published: April 2020

Scope

Currently available omega‐3 fatty acid supplements do not enrich the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) of the adult brain because they are absorbed as triacylglycerol, whereas the transporter at the blood brain barrier requires lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)‐DHA. The hypothesis that treatment of krill oil (KO), which contains DHA/eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) at the SN2 position of phosphatidylcholine, with SN1‐specific lipase will generate LPC‐DHA/EPA and which can be absorbed intact and transported into the brain, is tested.

Methods

KO and fish oil (FO) are treated with Mucor meihei lipase, incorporated into AIN 93G diet, and fed to 2‐month‐old mice for 30 days. Fatty acid composition is analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is measured by ELISA.

Results

Lipase‐treated (LT) KO increases brain DHA and EPA, respectively, 5‐and 70‐fold better than untreated (UT) KO. FO, whether lipase‐treated or not, has no effect on brain DHA/EPA. LTKO is also more efficient in enriching liver DHA/EPA, but less efficient than UTKO and FO in enriching adipose tissue and heart. Brain BDNF is significantly increased by LTKO, but only marginally by other preparations.

Conclusions

Pretreatment of dietary KO with lipase enables it to efficiently increase brain DHA/EPA because of the generation of LPC‐DHA/EPA.
Autocalibrated cardiac tissue phase mapping with multiband imaging and k‐t acceleration
Authors: Ferrazzi Giulio , Bassenge Jean Pierre , Mayer Johannes , Ruh Alexander , Roujol Sébastien , Ittermann Bernd , Schaeffter Tobias , Cordero‐Grande Lucilio , Schmitter Sebastian
Published: April 2020

Purpose

To develop an autocalibrated multiband (MB) CAIPIRINHA acquisition scheme with in‐plane k‐t acceleration enabling multislice three‐directional tissue phase mapping in one breath‐hold.

Methods

A k‐t undersampling scheme was integrated into a time‐resolved electrocardiographic‐triggered autocalibrated MB gradient‐echo sequence. The sequence was used to acquire data on 4 healthy volunteers with MB factors of two (MB2) and three (MB3), which were reconstructed using a joint reconstruction algorithm that tackles both k‐t and MB acceleration. Forward simulations of the imaging process were used to tune the reconstruction model hyperparameters. Direct comparisons between MB and single‐band tissue phase‐mapping measurements were performed.

Results

Simulations showed that the velocities could be accurately reproduced with MB2 k‐t (average ± twice the SD of the RMS error of 0.08 ± 0.22 cm/s and velocity peak reduction of 1.03% ± 6.47% compared with fully sampled velocities), whereas acceptable results were obtained with MB3 k‐t (RMS error of 0.13 ± 0.58 cm/s and peak reduction of 2.21% ± 13.45%). When applied to tissue phase‐mapping data, the proposed technique allowed three‐directional velocity encoding to be simultaneously acquired at two/three slices in a single breath‐hold of 18 heartbeats. No statistically significant differences were detected between MB2/MB3 k‐t and single‐band k‐t motion traces averaged over the myocardium. Regional differences were found, however, when using the American Heart Association model for segmentation.

Conclusion

An autocalibrated MB k‐t acquisition/reconstruction framework is presented that allows three‐directional velocity encoding of the myocardial velocities at multiple slices in one breath‐hold.
T2 relaxation‐time mapping in healthy and diseased skeletal muscle using extended phase graph algorithms
Authors: Keene Kevin R. , Beenakker Jan‐Willem M. , Hooijmans Melissa T. , Naarding Karin J. , Niks Erik H. , Otto Louise A. M. , van der Pol W. Ludo , Tannemaat Martijn R. , Kan Hermien E. , Froeling Martijn
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Multi‐echo spin‐echo (MSE) transverse relaxometry mapping using multi‐component models is used to study disease activity in neuromuscular disease by assessing the T2 of the myocytic component (T2water). Current extended phase graph algorithms are not optimized for fat fractions above 50% and the effects of inaccuracies in the T2fat calibration remain unexplored. Hence, we aimed to improve the performance of extended phase graph fitting methods over a large range of fat fractions, by including the slice‐selection flip angle profile, a through‐plane chemical‐shift displacement correction, and optimized calibration of T2fat.

Methods

Simulation experiments were used to study the influence of the slice flip‐angle profile with chemical‐shift and T2fat estimations. Next, in vivo data from four neuromuscular disease cohorts were studied for different T2fat calibration methods and T2water estimations.

Results

Excluding slice flip‐angle profiles or chemical‐shift displacement resulted in a bias in T2water up to 10 ms. Furthermore, a wrongly calibrated T2fat caused a bias of up to 4 ms in T2water. For the in vivo data, one‐component calibration led to a lower T2fat compared with a two‐component method, and T2water decreased with increasing fat fractions.

Conclusion

In vivo data showed a decline in T2water for increasing fat fractions, which has important implications for clinical studies, especially in multicenter settings. We recommend using an extended phase graph–based model for fitting T2water from MSE sequences with two‐component T2fat calibration. Moreover, we recommend including the slice flip‐angle profile in the model with correction for through‐plane chemical‐shift displacements.
Label‐free histomorphometry of peripheral nerve by stimulated Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Coto Hernández Iván , Yang Wenlong , Mohan Suresh , Jowett Nate
Published: April 2020

Background

Conventional processing of nerve for histomorphometry is resource‐intensive, precluding use in intraoperative assessment of nerve quality during nerve transfer procedures. Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy is a label‐free technique that enables rapid and high‐resolution histology.

Methods

Segments of healthy murine sciatic nerve, healthy human obturator nerve, and human cross‐facial nerve autografts were imaged on a custom SRS microscope. Myelinated axon quantification was performed through segmentation using a random forest machine learning algorithm in commercial software.

Results

High contrast, high‐resolution imaging of nerve morphology was obtained with SRS imaging. Automated myelinated axon quantification from cross‐sections of healthy human nerve imaged using SRS was achieved.

Conclusions

Herein, we demonstrate the use of a label‐free technique for rapid imaging of murine and human peripheral nerve cryosections. We illustrate the potential of this technique to inform intraoperative decision‐making through rapid automated quantification of myelinated axons using a machine learning algorithm.
Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Insurance Coverage Rates Among Adult Populations with Low Income and by Obesity Status
Authors: Rajbhandari‐Thapa Janani , Zhang Donglan , MacLeod Kara E. , Thapa Kiran
Published: April 2020

Objective

This study examines insurance coverage rates among working‐age adults with low income and with or without obesity before and after Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.

Methods

Individual‐level data on noninstitutionalized and nonpregnant adult participants aged 18 to 64 years with household income below $15,000 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2006‐2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used. A difference‐in‐differences design with logistic regression was used to examine the likelihood of insurance coverage before and after Medicaid expansion.

Results

Working‐age adults (analytic sample N = 316,151) who were white, female, less educated, unemployed, and living in a Medicaid‐expansion state were more likely to have insurance coverage. The insurance coverage rate in Medicaid‐expanded states in years after expansion increased for both subgroups with and without obesity. However, the increase was slightly lower for the subpopulation with obesity (5.59%, 95% CI: 2.35%‐8.83%) compared with the subpopulation without obesity (7.35%, 95% CI: 5.35%‐9.34%).

Conclusions

Increased attention should be paid to reduce insurance coverage barriers for working‐age adults with low income and obesity to address potential health disparities caused by lack of access to care. This is important, as access to care provides opportunities to increase prevention and treatment‐oriented services to address obesity and associated health care costs.
FDXR regulates TP73 tumor suppressor via IRP2 to modulate aging and tumor suppression
Authors: Zhang Jin , Kong Xiangmudong , Zhang Yanhong , Sun Wenqiang , Wang Jian , Chen Mingyi , Chen Xinbin
Published: April 2020

Ferredoxin reductase (FDXR) is a mitochondrial flavoprotein that initiates electron transport from NADPH to several cytochromes P450 via two electron carriers, ferredoxin 1 (FDX1) and FDX2. FDXR is the sole ferredoxin reductase in humans and plays a critical role in steroidogenesis and biosynthesis of heme and iron–sulfur clusters. However, much less is known about the role of FDXR in cancer. Here, we show that FDXR plays a role in tumorigenesis by modulating expression of the tumor suppressor p73. By using genetically modified mouse models, we recently showed that mice deficient in either Fdxr or Trp73 had a shorter lifespan and were prone to spontaneous tumors as compared with wild‐type (WT) mice. Interestingly, compound Trp73
+/−;Fdxr
+/− mice lived longer and developed fewer tumors when compared with Fdxr
+/− or Trp73
+/− mice. Moreover, we found that cellular senescence was increased in Trp73
+/− and Fdxr
+/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), which was further increased in Trp73
+/−;Fdxr
+/− MEFs, as compared with that in WT MEFs. As FDXR is regulated by p73, we examined whether there was a feedback regulation between p73 and FDXR. Indeed, we found that Trp73 expression was decreased by loss of Fdxr in MEFs and that FDXR is required for p73 expression in multiple human cancer cell lines independent of p53. Mechanistically, we found that loss of FDXR, via FDX2, increased expression of iron‐binding protein 2 (IRP2), which subsequently repressed TP73 mRNA stability. We also showed that TP73 transcript contained an iron response element in its 3′UTR, which was required for IRP2 to destabilize TP73 mRNA. Together, these data reveal a novel regulation of p73 by FDXR via IRP2 and that the FDXR–p73 axis plays a critical role in aging and tumor suppression. © 2020 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diabetes specialist nurse point‐of‐care review service: improving clinical outcomes for people with diabetes on emergency wards
Authors: Knee Madeleine , Hussain Zeeshan , Alkharaiji Mohammed , Sugunendran Suma , Idris Iskandar
Published: April 2020

It is well established that inpatients with diabetes are associated with poorer clinical outcomes. We therefore investigated the effects of introducing a point‐of‐care (POC) ward‐based glucose and ketones assessment to trigger a diabetes inpatient specialist nurse (DISN) proactive review to the ward, on the length of stay (LOS), 30‐day readmission rate and 30‐day mortality rate.

Data were extracted for patients admitted to The Royal Derby Hospital during two six‐month periods in 2017 (pre‐intervention) and 2018 (post‐intervention). Data from four acute wards were used in the analysis, including two high dependency units (HDUs), an intensive care unit (ICU) and a medical admissions unit. The following clinical outcome measures were compared between the two groups: average LOS, 30‐day readmission rate and 30‐day mortality rate. Subgroup analysis was also performed to investigate the clinical outcomes for insulin‐treated patients.

In total, 979 patient admissions were included in the study (n=443 in the 2017 pre‐intervention; n=536 in the 2018 post‐intervention). Thirty‐day readmission rates decreased significantly after the introduction of the POC‐DISN proactive review (29.3% to 20.1%, p=0.001). However, 30‐day mortality rates and the average LOS did not significantly decrease. Subgroup analysis showed that 30‐day readmission rates among the three wards (ICU and two HDUs) reduced further for patients using insulin (26.8% to 16.4%, p<0.05) compared to those not using insulin (26.6% to 22.2%, p<0.05).

In conclusion, POC‐DISN intervention was effective in reducing 30‐day readmission rates for inpatients with diabetes. There was no significant impact on the 30‐day mortality rate or average LOS. Patients using insulin as part of their diabetes management were more likely to benefit from this intervention. Copyright © 2020 John Wiley & Sons.
Using survival modelling as a composite measure of outcome to demonstrate insulin pump therapy effectiveness in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Yamanouchi Liana , Leong Wen Bun , Lloyd Joanne , Smith Angela , Davies Peter , Basu Ansu
Published: April 2020

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is a time‐series measure subject to variability; quantifying the difference between the first and last readings over a defined period may have little value in measuring success in service evaluation models. Identifying a composite measure for outcome would be an invaluable tool for service providers. We demonstrate the efficacy of survival modelling as a composite measure of outcome.

This was a retrospective observational cohort analysis of patients with type 1 diabetes on insulin pump therapy. From these data, a service evaluation project was undertaken. Survival (time‐to‐event) analysis was undertaken for two HbA1c values – 58 and 64mmol/mol (7.5% and 8.0%); analyses were based on time taken to reach the index HbA1c value (58 or 64mmol/mol) for the first time from start of pump therapy.

A total of 113 patients were treated with the insulin pump. The median time to reach an HbA1c of 58 and 64mmol/mol was 25 and 13.9 months, respectively. Cox regression using gender, HbA1c, weight and age prior to pump therapy as factor variables identified HbA1c as the only predictor that significantly influenced the time‐to‐event (HR 0.94, p=0.001 for HbA1c 58mmol/mol, and HR 0.97, p=0.008 for HbA1c 64mmol/mol).

Survival modelling appears to be a robust statistical tool to evaluate performance. Furthermore, adjusting for covariates identifies factors that may influence outcome. Pump therapy is considered a high cost area by commissioners, therefore having auditable outcome measures would be useful to inform authorities on the effectiveness of the service. Copyright © 2020 John Wiley & Sons.
Non‐invasive ventilation and airway exchange catheter using a novel adapter in a difficult airway patient with post‐extubation respiratory failure
Authors: Quintero Osorio Oscar Ivan , Arenas Janer V. , Cuervo Juan A. , Ospina Tascón Gustavo A.
Published: April 2020

Post‐extubation respiratory failure in patients with difficult airway is considered a challenge for the health team. Some intratracheal devices such as airway exchange catheters (AECs) could be used during scheduled tube removing to ensure a rapid access to airway in the case of requiring emergent reintubation. Nevertheless, using such devices could impede adequate non‐invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) support because of the air leaks generated by interfering with mask interfaces. We describe the case of a woman with a very difficult airway in whom an AEC was placed before scheduled extubation and then developed post‐extubation respiratory failure. Mask interface was adequately sealed by using a novel tube adapter for NIMV and successful non‐invasive ventilation was provided while maintaining the AEC placed in the trachea until the emergency reintubation risk was overcome.
A novel SEA‐based haptic force feedback master hand controller for robotic endovascular intervention system
Authors: Wang Kundong , Mai Ximing , Xu Haijin , Lu Qingsheng , Yan Weiwu
Published: April 2020

Robotic Endovascular Intervention System (REIS) has been a focused and interesting area in robot‐assisted telesurgery. While, haptic feedback is the latest advancing study in interventional robots. Few systems with haptic feedback are commercialized due to accuracy, instantaneity, and the lack of surgeon previous experience on interventional surgery. In this article, a novel haptic force feedback master hand controller system is proposed to solve the problems. A SEA (Series Elastic Actuators)‐based mechanism is designed to provide feedback force with high force/torque fidelity, low impedance, and inertia. Also, the handle of the mechanism is similar to the catheter, making the surgeon operate the telesurgery with his experience. The control model of the system is built, and PID algorithms are explored to realize the motion control. PID parameters are optimized for fast response time and stability. The experiments and results demonstrate that the master hand controller system has maximum feedback force relative error of 3%, instantaneity of 0.89 second and tracking performance of 9 Hz frequency 3 dB bandwidth.
One-loop divergences in 7D Einstein and 6D conformal gravities
Authors: Aros R. , Bugini F. , Diaz D.E.
Published: April 2020

Abstract

The aim of this note is to unveil a striking equivalence between the one-loop divergences in 7D Einstein and 6D Conformal Gravities.

The particular combination of 6D pointwise Weyl invariants of the 6D Conformal Gravity corresponds to that of Branson’s Q-curvature and can be written solely in terms of the Ricci tensor and its covariant derivatives. The quadratic metric fluctuations of this action, 6D Weyl graviton, are endowed with a sixth-order kinetic operator that happens to factorize on a 6D Einstein background into product of three shifted Lichnerowicz Laplacians. We exploit this feature to use standard heat kernel techniques and work out in one go the UV logarithmic divergences of the theory that contains in this case the four Weyl anomaly coefficients.

In a seemingly unrelated computation, we determine the one-loop IR logarithmic divergences of 7D Einstein Gravity in a particular 7D Poincaré-Einstein background that is asymptotically hyperbolic and has the above 6D Einstein manifold at its conformal infinity or boundary.

We show the full equivalence of both computations, as an outgrowth of the IR/UV connection in AdS/CFT correspondence, and in this way the time-honoured one-loop calculations in Einstein and higher-derivative gravities take an interesting new turn.
Quantum quench in c = 1 matrix model and emergent space-times
Authors: Das Sumit R. , Hampton Shaun , Liu Sinong
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We consider quantum quench in large-N singlet sector quantum mechanics of a single hermitian matrix in the double scaling limit. The time dependent parameter is the self-coupling of the matrix. We find exact classical solutions of the collective field theory of the eigenvalue density with abrupt and smooth quench profiles which asymptote to constant couplings at early and late times, and with the system initially in its ground state. With adiabatic initial conditions we find that adiabaticity is always broken regardless of the quench speed. In a class of quench profiles the saddle point solution for the collective field diverges at a finite time, and a further time evolution becomes ambiguous. However the underlying matrix model expressed in terms of fermions predict a smooth time evolution across this point. By studying fluctuations around the saddle point solution we interpret the emergent space-times. They generically have spacelike boundaries where the couplings of the fluctuations diverge and the semi-classical description fails. Only for very finely tuned quench profiles, the space-time is normal.
On matching confidence intervals and tests for some discrete distributions: methodological and computational aspects
Authors: Klaschka Jan , Reiczigel Jenő
Published: April 2020

Exact two-tailed tests and two-sided confidence intervals (CIs) for a binomial proportion or Poisson parameter by Sterne (Biometrika 41:117–129, 1954) or Blaker (Can J Stat 28(4):783–798, 2000) are successful in reducing conservatism of the Clopper–Pearson method. However, the methods suffer from an inconsistency between the tests and the corresponding CIs: In some cases, a parameter value is rejected by the test, though it lies in the CI. The problem results from non-unimodality of the test p value functions. We propose a slight modification of the tests that avoids the inconsistency, while preserving nestedness and exactness. Fast and accurate algorithms for both the test modification and calculation of confidence bounds are presented together with their theoretical background.
Preoperative Exercise Habits are Associated with Post‐gastrectomy Complications
Authors: Toriumi Tetsuro , Yamashita Hiroharu , Kawasaki Koichiro , Okumura Yasuhiro , Wakamatsu Kotaro , Yagi Koichi , Aikou Susumu , Nomura Sachiyo , Seto Yasuyuki
Published: April 2020

Background

Sarcopenia is reportedly associated with postoperative complications of gastrectomy, which would presumably be affected by exercise habits aimed at maintaining muscle quantity and quality. However, the potential benefits of exercise habits have yet to be clarified.

Methods

We included 178 patients undergoing gastrectomy in this study. Postoperative complications above grade 2 according to the Clavien–Dindo classification were regarded as clinically significant. Patients were classified according to exercise quantity employing the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and relationships between exercise habits and complications were investigated.

Results

On univariate analysis, low exercise habits (p = 0.008) and total gastrectomy (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with morbidity after gastrectomy. Although severe comorbidity (p = 0.095) and combined resection (p = 0.064) tended to be associated with complications, multivariate analysis demonstrated only low levels of exercise (Odds ratio = 2.42, p = 0.014) and total gastrectomy (Odds ratio = 3.67, p = 0.028) to be independently associated with postoperative complications. Anastomotic leakage (p = 0.028) and systemic complications (p = 0.006), especially pneumonia, were significantly more frequent in the low exercise group.

Conclusions

Preoperative exercise habits independently affected short‐term postoperative outcomes. Our results raise the possibility that exercise intervention would reduce the morbidity experienced by gastrectomy patients.
Acute hypertrophic but not maximal strength loading transiently enhances the kynurenine pathway towards kynurenic acid
Authors: Joisten Niklas , Schumann Moritz , Schenk Alexander , Walzik David , Freitag Nils , Knoop Andre , Thevis Mario , Bloch Wilhelm , Zimmer Philipp
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Due to distinct immuno- and neuro-modulatory properties, growing research interest focuses on exercise-induced alterations of the kynurenine (KYN) pathway in healthy and clinical populations. To date, knowledge about the impact of different acute strength exercise modalities on the KYN pathway is scarce. Therefore, we investigated the acute effects of hypertrophic (HYP) compared to maximal (MAX) strength loadings on the KYN pathway regulation.

Methods

Blood samples of twelve healthy males (mean age and weight: 23.5 ± 3.2 years; 77.5 ± 7.5 kg) were collected before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 1 h after completion (T2) of HYP (5 sets with 10 repetitions at 80% of 1RM) and MAX (15 sets with 1RM) loadings performed in a randomized cross-over design. Serum concentrations of tryptophan (TRP), KYN, kynurenic acid (KA), and quinolinic acid (QA) were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results

The KA/KYN ratio increased from T0 to T1 (p = 0.01) and decreased from T1 to T2 (p = 0.011) in HYP, while it was maintained within MAX. Compared to MAX, serum concentrations of KA were greater in HYP at T1 (p = 0.014). Moreover, the QA/KA ratio was significantly lower in HYP than in MAX at T1 (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Acute HYP loading led to increases in the metabolic flux yielding KA, thereby possibly promoting immunosuppression and neuroprotection. Our findings emphasize the potential of acute HYP exercise as short-term modulator of KYN pathway downstream to KA in healthy males and need to be proven in other samples.
Preventing, identifying, and managing medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: a practical guide for nurses and other allied healthcare professionals
Authors: Drudge-Coates Lawrence , Van den Wyngaert Tim , Schiødt Morten , van Muilekom H. A. M. , Demonty Gaston , Otto Sven
Published: April 2020

Background

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is an infrequent, but potentially serious, adverse event that can occur after exposure to bone-modifying agents (BMAs; e.g., bisphosphonates, denosumab, and antiangiogenic therapies). BMAs are typically used at higher doses to prevent skeletal-related events in cancer patients and at lower doses for osteoporosis/bone loss. MRONJ can cause significant pain, reduce quality of life, and can be difficult to treat, requiring a multiprofessional approach to care.

Methods

We reviewed the literature and guidelines to summarize a practical guide on MRONJ for nurses and other allied healthcare professionals.

Results

While there is a risk of MRONJ with BMAs, this should be considered in relation to the benefits of treatment. Nurses and other allied healthcare professionals can play a key role alongside physicians and dentists in assessing MRONJ risk, identifying MRONJ, counseling the patient on the benefit–risk of BMA treatment, preventing MRONJ, and managing the care pathway of these patients. Assessing patients for MRONJ risk factors before starting BMA treatment can guide preventative measures to reduce the risk of MRONJ. Nurses can play a pivotal role in facilitating multiprofessional management of MRONJ by communicating with patients to ensure compliance with preventative measures, and with patients’ physicians and dentists to ensure early detection and referral for prompt treatment of MRONJ.

Conclusions

This review summarizes current evidence on MRONJ and provides practical guidance for nurses, from before BMA treatment is started through to approaches that can be taken to prevent and manage MRONJ in patients receiving BMAs.
Baltica and the Cadomian orogen in the Ediacaran–Cambrian: a perspective from SE Poland
Authors: Żelaźniewicz Andrzej , Oberc-Dziedzic Teresa , Slama Jiri
Published: April 2020

In the supercontinent of Rodinia, Baltica occurred next to Amazonia, then the two drifted away when Rodinia broke up. By the end of the Neoproterozoic, Baltica became an independent continent. At that time, Timanide orogen developed at its modern northeastern margin. In most paleogeographical reconstructions, the opposite (SW, Tornquist) edge faced the Tornquist Ocean and remained just a passive margin till the arrival of the Gondwana-born East Avalonia in the late Ordovician. However, preliminary isotopic studies of detrital zircons from the Tornquist passive margin succession hinted that rock components of Gondwana derivation reached Baltica already in the early Cambrian. In this paper, we examine 18 drill-cores of Ediacaran-Cambrian and Ordovician siliciclastic rocks from the tectonostratigraphic units along the SW–NE transect from Upper Silesia (USB) via Małopolska (MB) and the Holy Cross Mts (HCM) to the East European Platform (EEP), SE Poland, in terms of the provenance data gained from the LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP analyses of 32 zircon samples. Rocks from all the units revealed abundant Cadomian 0.7–0.55 Ga detrital zircons (15–50% of the total analyzed grains) and other grains that yielded peaks at 0.9–1.2, 1.4–1.6, 1.8–2.2, 2.7–3.0 Ga assignable to Baltica rather than Amazonia. Such age spectra in the USB, HCM and EEP prove the proximity of peripheral (peri-Gondwanan) fragments of the Cadomian orogen to Baltica. These fragments formed the Teissyere-Tornquist Terrane Assemblage (TTA) that obliquely docked and overrode the thinned southwestern edge of Baltica which earlier accumulated Neoproterozoic rift and passive margin deposits. Our data show that in the late Ediacaran-early Cambrian, parts of the Cadomian orogenic belt became accreted to Baltica.
Capacity challenges in water quality monitoring: understanding the role of human development
Authors: Kirschke Sabrina , Avellán Tamara , Bärlund Ilona , Bogardi Janos J. , Carvalho Laurence , Chapman Deborah , Dickens Chris W. S. , Irvine Kenneth , Lee SungBong , Mehner Thomas , Warner Stuart
Published: April 2020

Monitoring the qualitative status of freshwaters is an important goal of the international community, as stated in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) indicator 6.3.2 on good ambient water quality. Monitoring data are, however, lacking in many countries, allegedly because of capacity challenges of less-developed countries. So far, however, the relationship between human development and capacity challenges for water quality monitoring have not been analysed systematically. This hinders the implementation of fine-tuned capacity development programmes for water quality monitoring. Against this background, this study takes a global perspective in analysing the link between human development and the capacity challenges countries face in their national water quality monitoring programmes. The analysis is based on the latest data on the human development index and an international online survey amongst experts from science and practice. Results provide evidence of a negative relationship between human development and the capacity challenges to meet SDG 6.3.2 monitoring requirements. This negative relationship increases along the course of the monitoring process, from defining the enabling environment, choosing parameters for the collection of field data, to the analytics and analysis of five commonly used parameters (DO, EC, pH, TP and TN). Our assessment can be used to help practitioners improve technical capacity development activities and to identify and target investment in capacity development for monitoring.
The Object(s) of Phenomenology
Authors: Arnold Thomas
Published: April 2020

Object-hood is central to Husserl’s work, yet he employs several different notions of object-hood without clarifying the differences; his work thus offers rich and nuanced reflections on object-hood, but in a theoretically underdeveloped, at times even paradoxical, form. This paper aims to develop Husserl’s theory of objects systematically. In order to achieve this I distinguish five object-concepts operative in Husserl’s phenomenology and prove that they are not co-extensional. I also argue that they form a layer in terms of transcendental constitution, one implying the other. I conclude the paper by exploring Husserl’s paradoxical claim that the absolute is not an object. From these considerations, two meta-phenomenological lessons emerge: (a) object-hood is not total (there are not only objects); yet (b) we cannot escape objectification while engaged in phenomenological reflection.
Assessment of the attitude, awareness and practice of periprocedural warfarin management among health care professional in Qatar. A cross sectional survey
Authors: Eljilany Islam , El-Bardissy Ahmed , Nemir Arwa , Elzouki Abdel-Naser , El Madhoun Ihab , Al-Badriyeh Daoud , Elewa Hazem
Published: April 2020

It is estimated that 10–15% of oral anticoagulant (OAC) patients, would need to hold their OAC for scheduled surgery. Especially for warfarin, this process is complex and requires multi-layer risk assessment and decisions across different specialties. Clinical guidelines deliver broad recommendations in the area of warfarin management before surgery which can lead to different trends and practices among practitioners. To evaluate the current attitude, awareness, and practice among health care providers (HCPs) on warfarin periprocedural management. A multiple-choice questionnaire was developed, containing questions on demographics and professional information and was completed by187 HCPs involved in warfarin periprocedural management. The awareness median (IQR) score was moderate [64.28% (21.43)]. The level of awareness was associated with the practitioner’s specialty and degree of education (P = 0.009, 0.011 respectively). Practice leans to overestimate the need for warfarin discontinuation as well as the need for bridging. Participants expressed interest in using genetic tests to guide periprocedural warfarin management [median (IQR) score (out of 10) = 7 (5)]. In conclusion, the survey presented a wide variation in the clinical practice of warfarin periprocedural management. This study highlights that HCPs in Qatar have moderate awareness. We suggest tailoring an educational campaign or courses towards the identified gaps.
Deciphering the performance of satellite-based daily rainfall products over Zambia
Authors: Libanda Brigadier , Mie Zheng , Nyasa Linda , Chilekana Ngonga
Published: April 2020

The amount and distribution of precipitation plays a vital role in the management of water resources, agriculture and flood-risk preparedness. Unfortunately, Zambia like many other developing countries is a highly data-scarce country with few and unevenly distributed meteorological stations. The objective of this study was to run a comparative analysis of satellite-based rainfall products (SRPs) and gauge data to ascertain the reliability of using SRPs for daily rainfall measurements in Zambia. The four daily SRPs examined in this study include the following: The Tropical Applications of Meteorology using Satellite and ground-based observations version 3 (TAMSATv3), Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks (PERSIANN), the Climate Hazards group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data version 2 (CHIRPSv2.0), and the African Rainfall Climatology Version 2 (ARCv2). SRPs were compared to rain gauge data from 35 meteorological, agrometeorological, and climatological stations in Zambia for the period 1998–2015. Statistical analyses were extensively carried out at temporal scales inter alia daily, monthly, seasonal and annual. Comparisons were also done for three stations lying at the highest, middle and lowest elevations to examine the ability of SRPs to capture precipitation occurrences on complex topography. Strong coefficient of determination (> 0.9) of all the SRPs and gauge data were found at the monthly scale even over multifaceted topography. However, the ability of these products to capture rain gauge data at daily, seasonal and annual scales differs markedly. Specifically, PERSIANN outperforms all the other SRPs at all scales, CHIRPSv2.0 is rated second, followed by TAMSATv3 and ARCv2, respectively. These results suggest that PERSIANN can reliably be used in studies that seek to estimate rainfall in data-sparse regions of Zambia at any temporal scale and arrive at similar results to rain gauge data.