bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive in situ proton MRS in muscle tissue and bone marrow as a novel approach to identify previous freezing in a completely thawed cadaver
Authors: Gascho Dominic , Richter Henning , Karampinos Dimitrios C. , Heimer Jakob , Schaerli Sarah , Thali Michael J. , Zoelch Niklaus
Published: November 2019

The temporary or permanent storage of human bodies in freezers following a homicide is a documented method for criminal disposal of human corpses. In these cases, the detection of characteristics which indicate that a thawed cadaver or body part was previously frozen provides crucial information for forensic casework. Previous histological and radiological approaches to detect characteristics of previous freezing are based on the formation of bubble‐like gas patterns, which are difficult to distinguish from common postmortem gas formation in the course of decomposition. The objective of this study was to detect changes in the muscle tissue and in the bone marrow after freezing and thawing by means of in situ proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) to provide a noninvasive approach to detect postfreezing alterations in human cadavers. In this experimental study, the hind legs of seven sheep were used as substitutes for human tissue. One hind leg underwent 1H‐MRS before and daily after storage in a deep freezer (−20°C) and complete thawing at room temperature (study group: n = 7). The opposite hind leg was kept at room temperature and was measured daily (control group: n = 7). Spectra and relaxation times were measured using single voxel measurements in the muscle tissue and in the bone marrow. 1H‐MRS revealed several changes in the muscle tissue and in the bone marrow after freezing and thawing. A strongly reduced peak area ratio (<20) between bulk methylene and olefinic and glycerol methine and a reduced T2 relaxation time for bulk methylene (<45 ms) measured in the bone marrow were found to be indicators that a sheep leg was previously frozen and thawed independent of the postmortem interval. Noninvasive in situ 1H‐MRS in the bone marrow potentially provides a new method for detecting previous freezing or extreme cooling in cadavers.
Sociodemographic and clinical correlates of diabetes self‐efficacy in adults with type 2 diabetes and comorbid heart failure
Authors: Aga Fekadu , Dunbar Sandra B. , Kebede Tedla , Higgins Melinda Kay , Gary Rebecca
Published: November 2019

Heart failure (HF) is a comorbidity that complicates type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) management and increases the chance of death. However, little is known concerning factors related to diabetes self‐efficacy in comorbid HF. This secondary data analysis was aimed at describing sociodemographic and clinical correlates of diabetes self‐efficacy in adults with T2D and comorbid HF. A correlational design was used to analyze cross‐sectional baseline data from a randomized study of 180 participants that tested a 6‐month integrated self‐care intervention targeting adults with concomitant HF and T2D. Participants were enrolled from one of four large urban‐tertiary hospitals in Atlanta, GA, during 2010–2013. Data were collected from medical records and self‐report. We used stepwise multiple linear regressions to examine variables associated with diabetes self‐efficacy. The participants' mean age was 58.1 ± 10.7 years and the majority were male (n = 118; 65.6%) and African American (n = 119; 66.1%). Good self‐rated health and presence of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) had significant positive relationships with diabetes self‐efficacy, while taking both oral antiglycemic medication and insulin, history of depression, cardiac pacemaker, and taking digitalis were negatively related. These variables collectively explained 22.4% of the variation in diabetes self‐efficacy. One study implication is that using self‐rated health provides a quick, patient‐centered assessment to evaluate patient health status. Further studies are warranted to ascertain the pathways linking ICD, pacemaker, and digitalis treatment with diabetes self‐efficacy.
The Local Food Environment and Obesity: Evidence from Three Cities
Authors: Walker Blake Byron , Shashank Aateka , Gasevic Danijela , Schuurman Nadine , Poirier Paul , Teo Koon , Rangarajan Sumathy , Yusuf Salim , Lear Scott A.
Published: November 2019

Objective

This study aimed to identify the association between the food environment and obesity.

Methods

BMI and waist circumference (WC) were measured in 8,076 participants from three cities. The number of fast‐food restaurants, full‐service restaurants, bars/pubs, markets, and liquor stores within 500 m of each participant was documented. The association between the food environment (ratio of fast‐food to full‐service restaurants, ratio of bars/pubs to liquor stores, and presence of markets) with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (WC ≥ 102 cm for males or WC ≥ 88 cm for females) was investigated, adjusted for age, sex, education level, neighborhood deprivation, neighborhood type, and total hours per week of walking and taking into account city‐level clustering.

Results

The ratios of fast‐food to full‐service restaurants and of bars/pubs to liquor stores were positively associated with obesity (OR = 1.05 [CI: 1.02‐1.09] and OR = 1.08 [CI: 1.04‐1.13], respectively). The ratio of bars/pubs to liquor stores was positively associated with abdominal obesity (OR = 1.10 [CI: 1.05‐1.14]). There was no association between markets and either obesity or abdominal obesity.

Conclusions

Features of the food environment have varying associations with obesity. These features have an additive effect, and future studies should not focus on only one feature in isolation.
Reaching the Tipping Point: Identification of Thresholds at which Visceral Adipose Tissue May Steeply Increase in Youth
Authors: Kelly Aaron S. , Kaizer Alexander M. , Bosch Tyler A. , Rudser Kyle D. , Ryder Justin R. , Gross Amy C. , Chow Lisa S. , Fox Claudia K. , Dengel Donald R.
Published: November 2019

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether children and adolescents demonstrate, similarly to adults, a threshold of total percent body fat (%BF) above which the slope of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) rises.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 557 youth, aged 8 to 18 years, with a wide range of BMI values. Dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry was used to determine body composition (including VAT), and fasting blood was collected for measurement of lipids, glucose, insulin, and biomarkers. Segmented linear regression analysis identified the threshold for %BF unadjusted and adjusted for Tanner stage. Linear regression with robust variance estimation compared associations of risk factors and thresholds.

Results

Thresholds of %BF were identified by sex (males = 33%, females = 38%), age (< 12 years = 34%; ≥ 12 years = 30%), and race (White/non‐Hispanic = 31%; all other races/Hispanic = 38%) above which the slope of VAT was significantly steeper (all P < 0 .001). The percentage of total body fat stored as VAT was higher above versus below these thresholds (all P < 0.001). Above threshold, but not below it, VAT was associated with triglycerides/high‐density lipoprotein ratio, insulin, adiponectin, and blood pressure.

Conclusions

The thresholds should be confirmed in longitudinal studies, and they may be useful in identifying youth at increased cardiometabolic risk in need of close clinical monitoring and/or intensive intervention to reduce excess adiposity.
Synthetic and theoretical investigation on nano‐Au/TiO2 catalyzed hydrothiolation for construction of C─S bond: Experimental and DFT study
Authors: Turukarabettu Vishwanath , Kalluraya Balakrishna
Published: November 2019

In this article, we describe a new synthetic and theoretical approach for the construction of C─S bond in heterocyclic molecules undergoing nanogold catalytic hydrothiolation reaction. The experimental studies showed that the reaction proceeded via regioselective Michael‐type anti‐addition and gave the corresponding sulfur bridged 1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐propenone in excellent yield. The compounds were characterized by analytical and spectral techniques. A gas phase molecular modeling study of nanogold‐catalyzed hydrothiolation of acetylenic ketone with 5‐aryl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐thiol was carried out using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It showed the adsorption of acetylenic ketone on nanogold and preferable coordination at the β carbon of the alkyne group. The charge calculations showed that on adsorption over nanogold, the alkyne group became more polar in nature. The frontier highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) analysis showed a possible overlap of molecular orbitals between thiol and acetylenic β carbon to give Z isomer. The experimental and theoretical validation of bond parameters was carried out. A possible mechanism of hydrothiolation reaction was proposed based on the analogy with the results of theoretical calculations and experimental evidence.
Study on the Crystallization Rates of β‐ and ϵ‐form HNIW in in‐situ Raman Spectroscopy and FBRM
Authors: Yang Hee‐og , Kim Jun‐Hyung , Kim Kwang‐Joo
Published: November 2019

Kinetics of anti‐solvent crystallization of HNIW polymorphs were studied using in situ Raman spectroscopy and focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM). Crystal polymorphs and supersaturation were monitored in situ by Raman spectroscopy. Crystal counts and crystal size were monitored by FBRM during anti‐solvent crystallization. The addition rate of the anti‐solvent affected the polymorph transformation, the first polymorph of the crystals, and supersaturation. At a wide range of addition rate, the unstable form, β‐form, was detected and then transformed to the stable form, ϵ‐form. By controlling the concentration and rate of addition, the stable form, ϵ‐form was only nucleated and grown without transformation. This process depended on the supersaturation and affected polymorphic transformation, concentration, nucleation rate, and growth rate, which were simultaneously monitored by Raman spectroscopy and FBRM.
Effect of Metamaterial Perfect Absorber on Device Performance of PCPDTBT:PC71BM Solar Cell
Authors: Katsumata Shohei , Isegawa Tomohisa , Okamoto Takayuki , Kubo Wakana
Published: November 2019

Light absorption and device performance of organic solar cells with metamaterial perfect absorbers are examined, and their correlation is elucidated. The solar cells exhibit enhanced light absorption as well as device performance in the longer wavelength range. In the shorter wavelength range, the absorption is increased; however, the device performance is deteriorated. Precise nanofabrication and numerical calculations reveal the correlation between the improved light absorption and the device performance, which can be explained by the positions of the field localizations. In the longer wavelength range, the metamaterial perfect absorber confines light into the active layer, whereas in the shorter wavelength range, the field is localized outside the active layer.
Electron Mobility in Molybdenum Disulfide: From Bulk to Monolayer
Authors: Kovalenko Konstantin L. , Kozlovskiy Sergei I. , Sharan Nicolai N.
Published: November 2019

Herein, the low‐field mobility in bulk, multilayer, and monolayer of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is calculated using a quantum kinetic approach. Analytical expressions are obtained for mobility of 3D and 2D electrons for scattering by out‐of‐plane flexural and in‐plane acoustic phonons (deformation potential and piezoelectric scattering), nonpolar and polar optical (PO) phonons, charged impurities, and surface roughness. It is shown that the known experimental Hall data in bulk MoS2 should be analyzed in the presence of two types of free electrons contributing to the charge transport: 3D electrons in the conduction band and 2D electrons in the quantum layers. Calculations show that the electron mobility in bulk, multilayer, and monolayer MoS2 is mainly limited by acoustic (deformation potential) and PO phonons scatterings in a wide temperature range of 100–700 K. For temperatures below 100 K, electron mobility is determined by the ionized impurity scattering.
A global evaluation of multi‐model ensemble tropical cyclone track probability forecasts
Authors: Titley Helen A. , Bowyer Rebecca L. , Cloke Hannah L.
Published: November 2019

At the Met Office, dynamic ensemble forecasts from the Met Office Global and Regional Ensemble Prediction System (MOGREPS‐G), the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Ensemble (ECMWF ENS) and National Centers for Environmental Prediction Global Ensemble Forecast System (NCEP GEFS) global ensemble forecast models are post‐processed to identify and track tropical cyclones. The ensemble members from each model are also combined into a 108‐member multi‐model ensemble. Track probability forecasts are produced for named tropical cyclones showing the probability of a location being within 120 km of a named tropical cyclone at any point in the next 7 days, and also broken down into each 24‐hour forecast period. This study presents the verification of these named‐storm track probabilities over a two‐year period across all global tropical cyclone basins, and compares the results from basin to basin. The combined multi‐model ensemble is found to increase the skill and value of the track probability forecasts over the best‐performing individual ensemble (ECMWF ENS), for both overall 7‐day track probability forecasts and 24‐hour track probabilities. Basin‐based and storm‐based verification illustrates that the best performing individual ensemble can change from basin to basin and from storm to storm, but that the multi‐model ensemble adds skill in every basin, and is also able to match the best performing individual ensemble in terms of overall probabilistic forecast skill in several high‐profile case‐studies. This study helps to illustrate the potential value and skill to be gained if operational tropical cyclone forecasting can continue to migrate away from a deterministic‐focused forecasting environment to one where the probabilistic situation‐based uncertainty information provided by the dynamic multi‐model ensembles can be incorporated into operational forecasts and warnings.
Elucidating the Interplay between Non‐Stoquasticity and the Sign Problem
Authors: Gupta Lalit , Hen Itay
Published: November 2019

The sign problem is a key challenge in computational physics, encapsulating the inability to properly understand many important quantum many‐body phenomena in physics, chemistry, and the material sciences. Despite its centrality, the circumstances under which the problem arises or can be resolved as well as its interplay with the related notion of “non‐stoquasticity” are often not very well understood. In this study, an attempt is made to elucidate the circumstances under which the sign problem emerges and to clear up some of the confusion surrounding this intricate computational phenomenon. To that aim, the recently introduced off‐diagonal series expansion quantum Monte Carlo scheme is used to analyze in detail a number of examples that capture the essence of the results.
Carbon‐Supported Organic Electrode Materials for Aqueous Rechargeable Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Munivenkatappa Chaithra , Shetty Vijeth Rajshekar , Suresh Gurukar Shivappa
Published: November 2019

Electro active organic compounds represent one of the most capable electrode materials for the next generation green and sustainable rechargeable lithium ion batteries. In this context, we highlight the synthesis of an organic electrode material of azo derivative; diazoaminobenzene (DAAB) by diazotization method followed by lithiation using conventional technique. The electrochemical performances of the electro‐active species are examined by Cyclic Voltammetry, Galvanostatic Cycling with Potential Limitation and Potentio‐electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy in an aqueous saturated Li2SO4 electrolyte. DAAB has shown considerable progress in terms of cyclic performance, better rate capability and high reversible capacity. The electroactivity of active species are enhanced by the addition of carboxy‐functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs‐COOH) as an additive. The half‐cell of lithiated diazoaminobenzene/CNTs‐COOH (dLiDAAB) vs. SCE delivers a capacity of 173.7 mA h g−1 up to 10 cycles at 0.08 mA. The full cell configuration dLiDAAB | aq. Saturated Li2SO4 | 2‐[1H‐indol‐2‐yl (1H‐indol‐3‐yl) methyl] phenol (b‐IMP) delivered a discharge capacity of 81.99 mA h g−1 in the potential window of −0.2 V to 1.2 V. The battery performance of the cell has been increased significantly by the influence of CNTs‐COOH group with 96.95% columbic efficiency. This agreeable result markably suits this material as an anode in aqueous rechargeable lithium batteries for future needs of energy technology.
Mesoporous V‐TiO2 Catalysts with Crystalline Anatase‐Rutile Mixed Phases for Naphthalene Degradation
Authors: Liu Guang , Qin Juan , Zhou Zhiwei , Liu Chuanfa , Li Fanqing , Wu Wenliang
Published: November 2019

A series of V‐doped multiphase mixed mesoporous TiO2 (V‐3M‐Ti) catalysts with anatase‐rutile crystalline phases were prepared with two titanium precursors in the presence of citric acid, and the effect of TiO2 crystalline structure on the oxidation of naphthalene is deeply discussed in this work for the first time. The physical and chemical properties of these prepared samples were characterized by different techniques including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N2 sorption, Raman spectra, Uviolet–visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (Uv‐vis DRS), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), O2‐temperature programmed desorption (O2‐TPD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). With the TiCl4 addition amount in the preparation solution increasing, the rutile phase would be promoted, where more oxygen vacancies were obtained resulting in the formation of the vanadium species with lower valence. The 10V‐3M‐Ti‐4 catalyst with 78% anatase and 22% rutile phase, respectively, good crystallinity, high surface area (298 cm3⋅g‐1), monomodal mesoporosity (around 5 nm), appropriate oxygen vacancies and low valence vanadium species showed higher catalytic performance in the liquid‐phase oxidation of naphthalene with hydrogen peroxide than other samples, where the highest naphthalene conversion up to 40.1% can be obtained. The catalytic stability can be preserved well even after reactions for five times using ascorbic acid as reducer, suggesting its potential application for the degradation of naphthalene to the environmental protection.
Introduction of a Novel Brønsted Acidic Ionic Liquid Incorporated in UiO‐66 Nanocages for the Efficient Synthesis of Pyrimido[4,5‐d]Pyrimidines
Authors: Mirhosseini‐Eshkevari Boshra , Ghasemzadeh Mohammad Ali , Esnaashari Manzarbanoo , Ganjali Saeed Taghvaei
Published: November 2019

An efficient, environmentally friendly and convenient route is described for the synthesis of pyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidines by using TEDA‐BAIL@UiO‐66 as a novel catalyst. In this procedure, a series of pyrimido[4,5‐d]pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized via the three‐component reactions of 6‐aminouracils, substituted aromatic aldehydes and urea or thiourea in the presence of triethylenediamine Brønsted acidic ionic liquid supported in Zr metal‐organic framework (TEDA‐BAIL@UiO‐66) as a novel catalyst under ultrasound irradiation. Excellent yields and no tedious separation procedures are the key advantages of the present method, which produced the desired products in high yields and short reaction times. Also, the catalyst was fully characterized by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis.
Pseudorotaxanes Constructed from Cucurbit uril and Linear Bispyridinium Ethylene Derivatives
Authors: Wang Hai‐Yan , Zhou Yang , Zhao Jie , Fan Ying , Bian Bing , Tao Zhu , Xiao Xin
Published: November 2019

A series of linear molecules (G1, G2 and G3) containing a long alkyl (decane) bispyridinium ethylene and an imidazole moiety bearing aliphatic substituents at the imidazole nitrogen were synthesized as an axle. Mixing cucurbituril (Q[7]) and these axle molecules in aqueous solution led to the spontaneous formation of Q[7]‐wheeled [3]pseudorotaxanes, [4]pseudorotaxanes and [5]pseudorotaxanes, which were studied by 1H NMR, UV, and fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and DLS. These Q[7]‐based pseudorotaxanes could be manipulated by controlling the amount of Q[7]. For G1 and G2 systems, increasing the amount of Q[7] altered the host‐guest interaction from a dumbbell‐shaped structure ([3]pseudorotaxanes) to a [4]pseudorotaxane structure. For the G3 system, increasing the amount of Q[7] changed the dumbbell‐shaped structure into a [5]pseudorotaxane structure. This indicated that the alkyl chain attached to the imidazole nitrogen could also influence the mode of pseudorotaxanes.
Metal Oxides with Distinctive Valence States in an Electron‐Rich Matrix Enable Stable High‐Capacity Anodes for Li Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Jipeng , Dong Liwei , Chen Dongjiang , Han Yupei , Liang Yifang , Yang Mengqiu , Han Jiecai , Yang Chunhui , He Weidong
Published: November 2019

Metal oxides are arguably a promising solution to next‐generation high‐energy‐density anode materials. In particular, molybdenum oxides own high theoretical specific capacity (1117 and 838 mA h g−1 for MoO3 and MoO2, respectively), high chemical stability, and low cost. The low electronic conductivity of MoO3 limits their charge–discharge rate performances and delithiation capability. By controlling the valence state of MoOx with carbon, partial MoO3 can be reduced to MoO2 with low electrical resistance and high‐rate capacity. Nonetheless, both molybdenum oxides undergo large‐volume expansion/shrinkage and even pulverization in the lithiation/delithiation process. Herein, through a facile pyrolysis method a MoOx/N‐doped carbon nanotube (NCNT) anode with controllable valence states of Mo is designed. The high conductivity and flexibility of the NCNT matrix form a stable MoO2/MoO3 anode with finely matched lattices and coordinated 3d electrons. Owing to molecularly close contact between electron‐rich CNTs and MoOx, MoOx/NCNTs own a high conductivity of 0.36 S cm−1, and mitigate the volume expansion in charges and discharges. The MoO3/MoO2/NCNTs anode delivers an unparalleled high gravimetric capacity of 970 mA h g−1, over 100‐cycle stability and high rate capability.
NICE guideline: the diagnosis and management of hypertension
Authors: Corr Laura
Published: November 2019

New targets for blood pressure control have sparked controversy not just because of the increase in the numbers of people defined as hypertensive but also because different interpretations of the same data seemed to have been reached in the UK, Europe and the USA. Here the author examines the data behind the guideline decisions to try to make sense of the differences.
A Monte-Carlo simulation of double parton scattering
Authors: Cabouat Baptiste , Gaunt Jonathan R. , Ostrolenk Kiran
Published: November 2019

Abstract

In this work, a new Monte-Carlo simulation of double parton scattering (DPS) at parton level is presented. The simulation is based on the QCD framework developed recently by M. Diehl, J. R. Gaunt and K. Schönwald. With this framework, the dynamics of the 1 → 2 perturbative splittings is consistently included inside the simulation, with the impact-parameter dependence taken into account. The simulation evolves simultaneously two hard systems from a common hard scale down to the hadronic scale. The evolution is performed using an angular-ordered parton shower which is combined with a set of double parton distributions that depend explicitly on the inter-parton distance. An illustrative study is performed in the context of same-sign WW production at the LHC, with the quark content of the proton being limited to three flavours. In several distributions we see differences compared to DPS models in Herwig, Pythia, and the DPS “pocket formula”.
Linearly polarized gluons at next-to-next-to leading order and the Higgs transverse momentum distribution
Authors: Gutierrez-Reyes Daniel , Leal-Gomez Sergio , Scimemi Ignazio , Vladimirov Alexey
Published: November 2019

Abstract

We calculate the small-b (or large-qT) matching of transverse momentum de- pendent (TMD) distribution for linearly polarized gluons to the integrated gluon distributions at the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO). This is the last missing part for the complete NNLO prediction of the Higgs spectrum within TMD factorization. We discuss the numerical impact of the correction so derived to the qT -differential cross-section for Higgs boson production and to the positivity bound for linearly polarized gluon transverse momentum distribution.
SSD1 modifies phenotypes of Elongator mutants
Authors: Xu Fu , Byström Anders S. , Johansson Marcus J. O.
Published: November 2019

The translational decoding properties of tRNAs are influenced by post-transcriptional modification of nucleosides in their anticodon region. The Elongator complex promotes the first step in the formation of 5-methoxycarbonylmethyl (mcm5), 5-methoxycarbonylhydroxymethyl (mchm5), and 5-carbamoylmethyl (ncm5) groups on wobble uridine residues in eukaryotic cytosolic tRNAs. Elongator mutants in yeast, worms, plants, mice, and humans not only show a tRNA modification defect, but also a diverse range of additional phenotypes. Even though the phenotypes are almost certainly caused by the reduced functionality of the hypomodified tRNAs in translation, the basis for specific phenotypes is not well understood. Here, we discuss the recent finding that the phenotypes ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaeElongator mutants are modulated by the genetic background. This background-effect is largely due to the allelic variation at theSSD1locus, which encodes an mRNA-binding protein involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. A nonsensessd1allele is found in several wild-type laboratory strains and the presence of this allele aggravates the stress-induced phenotypes of Elongator mutants. Moreover, other phenotypes, such as the histone acetylation and telomeric gene silencing defects, are dependent on the mutantssd1allele. Thus,SSD1is a genetic modifier of the phenotypes of Elongator-deficient yeast cells.
The inguinal region revisited: the surgical point of view
Authors: Konschake M. , Zwierzina M. , Moriggl B. , Függer R. , Mayer F. , Brunner W. , Schmid T. , Chen D. C. , Fortelny R.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Inguinodynia or chronic post-herniorrhaphy pain, defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months after open inguinal hernia repair, has become the most important complication after inguinal surgery and therefore compromises the patient´s quality of life. A major reason for inguinodynia might be the lack of neuroanatomical knowledge and suboptimal “management” of the nerves during surgery.

Methods

We present a detailed neuroanatomic mapping of the inguinal region by dissection including the most important surgical landmarks with all nerves confirmed by immunohistochemistry, ultrasound guided visualization of the iliohypogastric, ilio-inguinal, and genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, and a practical (preoperative) algorithm for clinical management.

Results

Surgically and ultrasonographically relevant structures (“landmarks”) in open hernia repair are the anterior–superior iliac spine, pubic tubercle, Camper´s fascia (superficial layer of the superficial abdominal fascia), External oblique aponeurosis, Internal oblique muscle, Transversus abdominis muscle, superficial inguinal ring, external spermatic fascia, cremasteric fascia with cremaster muscle fibers, internal spermatic fascia, cremasteric vein (=external spermatic vein = “blue line”), ductus deferens, pampiniform plexus, inguinal ligament and the inferior epigastric vessels.

Conclusion

A detailed understanding of inguinal anatomy is an indispensable basic requirement for all surgeons to perform inguinal ultrasonography as well as open inguinal hernia repair, avoiding complications, especially postoperative inguinodynia.
Female sex as independent risk factor for chronic pain following elective incisional hernia repair: registry-based, propensity score-matched comparison
Authors: Köckerling F. , Hoffmann H. , Adolf D. , D.Weyhe  , Reinpold W. , Koch A. , Kirchhoff P.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

To date, little attention has been paid by surgical scientific studies to sex as a potential influence factor on the outcome. Therefore, there is a sex bias in the surgical literature. With an incidence of more than 20% after 3 years, incisional hernias are a common complication following abdominal surgical procedures. The proportion of women affected is around 50%. There are very few references in the literature to the influence of sex on the outcome of elective incisional hernia repair.

Materials and methods

In all, 22,895 patients with elective incisional hernia repair from the Herniamed Registry were included in the study. The patients had undergone elective incisional hernia repair in a laparoscopic IPOM, open sublay, open IPOM, open onlay or suture technique. 1-year follow-up was available for all patients. Propensity score matching was performed for the 11,480 female (50.1%) and 11,415 male (49.9%) patients, creating 8138 pairs (82.0%) within fixed surgical procedures.

Results

For pain on exertion (11.7% vs 18.3%; p < 0.001), pain at rest (7.53% vs 11.1%; p < 0.001), and pain requiring treatment (5.4% vs 9.1%; p < 0.001) highly significant disadvantages were identified for the female sex when comparing the different results within the matched pairs. That was also confirmed on comparing sex within the individual surgical procedures. No sex-specific differences were identified for the postoperative complications, complication-related reoperations or recurrences. Less favorable intraoperative complication results in the female sex were observed only for the onlay technique.

Conclusions

Female sex is an independent risk factor for chronic pain after elective incisional hernia repair.
The influence of arm positions on abdominal image quality of whole-body computed tomography in trauma: systematic review
Authors: Speelman E. S. , Brocx B. , Wilbers J. E. , de Bie M. J. , Ivashchenko O. , Tank Y. , van der Molen A. J.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is the standard diagnostic method for evaluating polytrauma patients. When patients are unable to elevate their arms, the arms are placed along the body, which affects the image quality negatively. Aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the influence of below the shoulder arm positions on image quality of WBCT.

Methods

Literature in PubMed and Scopus databases was systematically searched. Results of the papers were stratified into 4 categories: arms elevated, 1 arm up 1 arm down, arms ventrally supported, arms along the body. A qualitative analysis was performed on subjective image quality and a quantitative analysis on objective quality (image noise).

Results

Eight studies were included with 1421 participants. Various studies reported significantly higher quality scores with arms elevated, compared to arms along the body. Significant differences in objective image quality were found between the arms elevated and the arms ventrally on support group. The arms ventrally supported group had a significantly higher image quality than the arms along the body group. A statistically significant difference was found in objective image quality between the 1 arm up 1 arm down and arms along the body group. No preferential below the shoulders position could be identified.

Conclusion

Positioning the arms alongside the body results in a poor image quality. Placing the arms on a pillow ventrally to the chest improves image quality. Interestingly, asymmetrical arm positioning has potential to improve the image quality for patients that are unable to elevate the arms.
Correction to: M1 macrophage dependent-p53 regulates the intracellular survival of mycobacteria
Authors: Lim Yun-Ji , Lee Junghwan , Choi Ji-Ae , Cho Soo-Na , Son Sang-Hun , Kwon Sun-Jung , Son Ji-Woong , Song Chang-Hwa
Published: November 2019

The original version of this article unfortunately contains an error in the acknowledgement section. The text “Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Chungnam National University” was omitted by mistake. The correct and complete acknowledgment is given below: Acknowledgments This work was supported by the research fund of Chungnam National University and the Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Chungnam National University. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Genomic methods in profiling DNA accessibility and factor localization
Authors: Klein David C. , Hainer Sarah J.
Published: November 2019

Recent advancements in next-generation sequencing technologies and accompanying reductions in cost have led to an explosion of techniques to examine DNA accessibility and protein localization on chromatin genome-wide. Generally, accessible regions of chromatin are permissive for factor binding and are therefore hotspots for regulation of gene expression; conversely, genomic regions that are highly occupied by histone proteins are not permissive for factor binding and are less likely to be active regulatory regions. Identifying regions of differential accessibility can be useful to uncover putative gene regulatory regions, such as enhancers, promoters, and insulators. In addition, DNA-binding proteins, such as transcription factors that preferentially bind certain DNA sequences and histone proteins that form the core of the nucleosome, play essential roles in all DNA-templated processes. Determining the genomic localization of chromatin-bound proteins is therefore essential in determining functional roles, sequence motifs important for factor binding, and regulatory networks controlling gene expression. In this review, we discuss techniques for determining DNA accessibility and nucleosome positioning (DNase-seq, FAIRE-seq, MNase-seq, and ATAC-seq) and techniques for detecting and functionally characterizing chromatin-bound proteins (ChIP-seq, DamID, and CUT&RUN). These methods have been optimized to varying degrees of resolution, specificity, and ease of use. Here, we outline some advantages and disadvantages of these techniques, their general protocols, and a brief discussion of their development. Together, these complimentary approaches have provided an unparalleled view of chromatin architecture and functional gene regulation.
GPML: an XML-based standard for the interchange of genetic programming trees
Authors: Dou Tiantian , Kaszubowski Lopes Yuri , Rockett Peter , Hathway Elizabeth A. , Saber Esmail
Published: November 2019

We propose a genetic programming markup language (GPML), an XML-based standard for the interchange of genetic programming trees, and outline the benefits such a format would bring in allowing the deployment of trained genetic programming (GP) models in applications as well as the subsidiary benefit of allowing GP researchers to directly share trained trees. We present a formal definition of this standard and describe details of an implementation. In addition, we present a case study where GPML is used to implement a model predictive controller for the control of a building heating plant.
Syntax and processing in Seediq: an event-related potential study
Authors: Yano Masataka , Niikuni Keiyu , Ono Hajime , Sato Manami , Tang Apay Ai-yu , Koizumi Masatoshi
Published: November 2019

In many languages with subject-before-object as a syntactically basic word order, transitive sentences in which the subject precedes the object have been reported to have a processing advantage over those in which the subject follows the object in sentence comprehension. Three sources can be considered to account for this advantage, namely, syntactic complexity (filler-gap dependency), conceptual accessibility (the order of thematic roles), and pragmatic requirement. To examine the effect of these factors on the processing of simple transitive sentences, the present study conducted two event-related potential experiments in Seediq, an Austronesian language spoken in Taiwan, by manipulating word orders (basic VOS vs. non-basic SVO), the order of thematic roles (actor vs. goal voice), and discourse factors (presence/absence of visual context). The results showed that, compared to VOS, SVO incurred a greater processing load (reflected by a P600) when there was no supportive context, irrespective of voice alternation; however, SVO did not incur a greater processing load when there was supportive context and the discourse requirement was satisfied. We interpreted these results as evidence that the processing difficulty of the non-basic word order in Seediq is associated with a discourse-level processing difficulty.
Feasibility study for applying the lower-order derivative fast Padé transform to measured time signals
Authors: Belkić Dževad , Belkić Karen
Published: November 2019

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), as a powerful and versatile diagnostic modality in physics, chemistry, medicine and other basic and applied sciences, depends critically upon reliable signal processing. It provides time signals by encoding, but cannot quantify on its own. Mathematical methods do so. The signal processor of choice for MRS is the fast Padé transform (FPT). The spectrum in the FPT is the unique polynomial quotient for the given Maclaurin expansion. The parametric FPT (parameter estimator) performs quantification of time signals encoded with MRS by explicitly solving the spectral analysis problem. Thus far, the non-parametric FPT (shape estimator) could not quantify. However, the non-parametric derivative fast Padé transform (dFPT) can quantify despite performing shape estimation alone. The dFPT was successfully benchmarked on synthesized MRS time signals for derivative orders ranging from 1 to 50. It simultaneously improved resolution (by splitting apart tightly overlapped peaks) and enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (by suppressing the background baseline). The same advantageous features of improving both resolution and signal-to-noise ratio are presently found to be upheld with encoded MRS time signals. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the dFPT hugely outperforms the derivative fast Fourier transform even for derivatives of orders as low as four. The clinical implications are discussed.
Stunting Among Under 5-Year-Olds in Nepal: Trends and Risk Factors
Authors: Budhathoki Shyam Sundar , Bhandari Amit , Gurung Rejina , Gurung Abhishek , KC Ashish
Published: November 2019

Introduction

The nutritional status in the first 5 years of life has lifelong and inter-generational impacts on individual’s potential and development. This study described the trend of stunting and its risk factors in children under 5 years of age between 2001 and 2016 in Nepal.

Methods

The study used datasets from the 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 Nepal Demographic Health Surveys to describe the trend of stunting in under 5-year children. Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the risk factors for stunting at the time of the four surveys.

Results

The nutritional status of under 5-year children improved between 2001 and 2016. Babies born into poorer families had a higher risk of stunting than those born into wealthier families (AOR 1.51, CI 95% 1.23–1.87). Families residing in hill districts had less risk of stunting than those in the Terai plains (AOR 0.75, CI 95% 0.61–0.94). Babies born to uneducated women had a higher risk of stunting than those born to educated women (AOR 1.57, CI 95% 1.28–1.92).

Discussion

Stunting among under-5-year children decreased in the years spanning 2001–2016. This study demonstrated multiple factors that can be addressed to decrease the risk of stunting, which has important implications for neurodevelopment later in life. We add literature on risk factors for stunting in under-5-year children.
What is conditionalization, and why should we do it?
Authors: Pettigrew Richard
Published: November 2019

Conditionalization is one of the central norms of Bayesian epistemology.
But there are a number of competing formulations, and a number of arguments that purport to establish it. In this paper, I explore which formulations of the norm are supported by which arguments. In their standard formulations, each of the arguments I consider here depends on the same assumption, which I call Deterministic Updating. I will investigate whether it is possible to amend these arguments so that they no longer depend on it. As I show, whether this is possible depends on the formulation of the norm under consideration.
The relation between subjects and their conscious experiences
Authors: Taylor Henry
Published: November 2019

One of the most poorly understood features of consciousness is the relation between an experience and the subject of the experience. In this paper, I develop an ontology of consciousness on which experiences are events constituted by substances having properties at times. I use this to explain the relation between a subject and her experience.
Untargeted analysis of plasma samples from pre-eclamptic women reveals polar and apolar changes in the metabolome
Authors: Sander Katrin N. , Kim Dong-Hyun , Ortori Catharine A. , Warren Averil Y. , Anyanwagu Uchenna C. , Hay Daniel P. , Broughton Pipkin Fiona , Khan Raheela N. , Barrett David A.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive gestational disorder that affects approximately 5% of all pregnancies.

Objectives

As the pathophysiological processes of pre-eclampsia are still uncertain, the present case–control study explored underlying metabolic processes characterising this disease.

Methods

Maternal peripheral plasma samples were collected from pre-eclamptic (n = 32) and healthy pregnant women (n = 35) in the third trimester. After extraction, high-resolution mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics was used to profile polar and apolar metabolites and the resulting data were analysed via uni- and multivariate statistical approaches.

Results

The study demonstrated that the metabolome undergoes substantial changes in pre-eclamptic women. Amongst the most discriminative metabolites were hydroxyhexacosanoic acid, diacylglycerols, glycerophosphoinositols, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolites, bile acids and products of amino acid metabolism.

Conclusions

The putatively identified compounds provide sources for novel hypotheses to help understanding of the underlying biochemical pathology of pre-eclampsia.
Oil, the Baltic Dry index, market (il)liquidity and business cycles: evidence from net oil-exporting/oil-importing countries
Authors: Said Husaini , Giouvris Evangelos
Published: November 2019

The recent financial crisis has made (il)liquidity research more significant than ever. Galariotis and Giouvris (Int Rev Financ Anal 38:44–69, 2015) find evidence that market liquidity may contain information for predicting the state of the economy. Similar to (il)liquidity, oil is an important indicator of the future state of the economy (GDP). We consider five predictive variables, namely national/global illiquidity, foreign exchange, Baltic Dry, and oil. Our findings show that (1) global illiquidity provides greater overall explanatory power compared to national illiquidity (even for developed oil exporters: Norway, Canada, and Denmark). (2) Oil is the most important predictive variable for oil exporters (especially for emerging oil exporters suggesting over-reliance), while Baltic Dry appears to be more important for oil importers. (3) FX has extra power over financial variables mainly for emerging oil exporters. Finally, there is a two-way causality between GDP and our predictive variables: (4) For oil exporters, the two-way causality between oil and GDP remains, while for net oil importers, we observe a one-way causality from GDP to oil.
Correction to: Reversal agents for oral anticoagulant-associated major or life-threatening bleeding
Authors: Moia Marco , Squizzato Alessandro
Published: November 2019

The article Reversal agents for oral anticoagulant-associated major or life-threatening bleeding, written by Marco Moia, Alessandro Squizzato was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 24 August 2019 without open access.
Knowledge and Acceptance Towards Mammography as Breast Cancer Screening Tool Among Yogyakarta Women and Health Care Providers (Mammography Screening in Indonesia)
Authors: Choridah Lina , Icanervilia Ajeng Viska , de Wit Marloes Josephia Maria , van Asselt Antoinette D.I. , Kurniawan Wahyu Tri , Fahmi Yusnia Irchami , Rengganis Anggraeni Ayu
Published: November 2019

Annual mammography remains the gold standard of asymptomatic breast cancer screening for women starting at the age of 40. However, Indonesia has not designated mammography as its national screening program. To help policymakers decide whether mammography should be introduced into a national program, it is important to comprehensively understand the knowledge and acceptance of both consumers and providers. A total of 25 subjects including a range of women and health care professionals (HCPs) in Yogyakarta Province were recruited using purposive, maximum variation sampling and then interviewed in-depth. The interviews were recorded and all data were taken and transcribed from the audio recording, which were subsequently translated to English and analyzed thematically. Almost all of Yogyakarta women had heard about the term of mammography. However, only few of them have let themselves be screened, mainly because of their perceived lack of urgency to screen for asymptomatic breast cancer. Another important reason was the high cost of mammography. Meanwhile, several HCPs believed that breast cancer has not been a priority for the government and hence the government limited mammography screening’s access and excluded it from the national insurance coverage. Most women in Yogyakarta have a good understanding about breast cancer screening, but their acceptance of mammography as a breast cancer screening tool is significantly influenced by high cost, limited access, and lack of urgency.
On Equilibrium Properties of the Replicator–Mutator Equation in Deterministic and Random Games
Authors: Duong Manh Hong , Han The Anh
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we study the number of equilibria of the replicator–mutator dynamics for both deterministic and random multi-player two-strategy evolutionary games. For deterministic games, using Descartes’ rule of signs, we provide a formula to compute the number of equilibria in multi-player games via the number of change of signs in the coefficients of a polynomial. For two-player social dilemmas (namely the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Snow Drift, Stag Hunt and Harmony), we characterize (stable) equilibrium points and analytically calculate the probability of having a certain number of equilibria when the payoff entries are uniformly distributed. For multi-player random games whose pay-offs are independently distributed according to a normal distribution, by employing techniques from random polynomial theory, we compute the expected or average number of internal equilibria. In addition, we perform extensive simulations by sampling and averaging over a large number of possible payoff matrices to compare with and illustrate analytical results. Numerical simulations also suggest several interesting behaviours of the average number of equilibria when the number of players is sufficiently large or when the mutation is sufficiently small. In general, we observe that introducing mutation results in a larger average number of internal equilibria than when mutation is absent, implying that mutation leads to larger behavioural diversity in dynamical systems. Interestingly, this number is largest when mutation is rare rather than when it is frequent.