bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural Higgs inflation, gauge coupling unification, and neutrino masses
Authors: Chen Heng-Yu , Gogoladze Ilia , Hu Shan , Li Tianjun , Wu Lina
Published: July 2020

We present a class of nonsupersymmetric models in which the so-called critical Higgs inflation [Formula: see text] can be naturally realized without using specific values for Higgs and top quark masses. In these scenarios, the Standard Model (SM) vacuum stability problem, gauge coupling unification, neutrino mass generation and Higgs inflation mechanism are linked to each other. We adopt in our models Type I seesaw mechanism for neutrino masses. An appropriate choice of the Type I seesaw scale allows us to have an arbitrarily small but positive value of SM Higgs quartic coupling around the inflation scale. We present a few benchmark points where we show that the scalar spectral indices are around 0.9626 and 0.9685 for the number of [Formula: see text]-folding [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. The tensor-to-scalar ratios are of the order of [Formula: see text]. The running of the scalar spectral index is negative and is of the order of [Formula: see text].
Feature Extraction of EEG Signals Based on Local Mean Decomposition and Fuzzy Entropy
Authors: Li Yanping , Wang Qi , Wang Tao , Pei Jian , Zhang Shuo
Published: July 2020

An improved feature extraction method is proposed aiming at the recognition of motor imagined electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. Using local mean decomposition, the algorithm decomposes the original signal into a series of product function (PF) components, and meaningless PF components are removed from EEG signals in the range of mu rhythm and beta rhythm. According to the principle of feature time selection, 4[Formula: see text]s to 6[Formula: see text]s motor imagery EEG signals are selected as classification data, and the sum of fuzzy entropies of second-and third-order PF components of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] lead signals is calculated, respectively. Mean value of fuzzy entropy [Formula: see text] is used as input element to construct EEG feature vector, and support vector machine (SVM) is used to classify and predict EEG signals for recognition. The test results show that this feature extraction method has higher classification accuracy than the empirical mode decomposition method and the total empirical mode decomposition method.
Nature does not play Dice at the Planck scale
Authors: Singh Tejinder P.
Published: July 2020

We start from classical general relativity coupled to matter fields. Each configuration variable and its conjugate momentum, as also spacetime points are raised to the status of matrices [equivalently operators]. These matrices obey a deterministic Lagrangian dynamics at the Planck scale. By coarse-graining this matrix dynamics over time intervals much larger than Planck time, one derives quantum theory as a low energy emergent approximation. If a sufficiently large number of degrees of freedom get entangled, spontaneous localisation takes place, leading to the emergence of classical spacetime geometry and a classical universe. In our theory, dark energy is shown to be a large-scale quantum gravitational phenomenon. Quantum indeterminism is not fundamental, but results from our not probing physics at the Planck scale.
General properties of f(R) gravity vacuum solutions
Authors: Capozziello Salvatore , Mantica Carlo Alberto , Molinari Luca Guido
Published: July 2020

General properties of vacuum solutions of [Formula: see text] gravity are obtained by the condition that the divergence of the Weyl tensor is zero and [Formula: see text]. Specifically, a theorem states that the gradient of the curvature scalar, [Formula: see text], is an eigenvector of the Ricci tensor and, if it is timelike, the spacetime is a Generalized Friedman–Robertson–Walker metric; in dimension four, it is Friedman–Robertson–Walker.
Molecular Dynamic Simulations of Diethyl Ether and its Mixture with Cellulose Dinitrate Tripolymer Molecules for their Thermal Diffusion Behaviors
Authors: Sun Ruochen , Qi Hui , Liu Pingan , Lv Fangwei
Published: July 2020

In this paper, thermal diffusion states of pure diethyl ether and its mixture with cellulose dinitrate tripolymer were uncovered by LAMMPS-based Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulations. Those MD simulations were generally performed through specified ReaxFF reactive force field to obtain the properties of the chemical system such as molecular energy, density, mean square displacement (MSD) and molecular coordinate. The result of MD simulations presented the clear superheating phenomenon of pure liquid diethyl ether system in the studied environment. The obtained phase transition point was much higher than the reported one. The deviation between two temperatures was about 132.369[Formula: see text]K. It was also demonstrated that the transition process was associated with the sharp increment of potential energy, volume, diffusion coefficient and cohesive energy. However, the split of these diethyl ether molecules was not uniform. The cluster-like transition state was observed before the end of the vaporing process (460[Formula: see text]K). As for the addition of cellulose dinitrate tripolymer, these molecules were not agglomerated in the simulated organic mixture. However, the diffusion of cellulose dinitrate tripolymer was much weaker than those diethyl ether molecules. While the concentration of cellulose dinitrate tripolymer was higher, molecular interactions of this organic mixture were consequently improved, and this further limited the diffusion behavior of the entire chemical system. It could be concluded that the diffusion behavior of the entire organic system was decreased with more amount of cellulose dinitrate tripolymer molecules.
Caledonian and Pre-Caledonian orogenic events in Shetland, Scotland: evidence from garnet Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd geochronology
Authors: Walker S. , Bird A. F. , Thirlwall M. F. , Strachan R. A.
Published: July 2020

Garnet Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd ages from the Shetland Caledonides provide evidence of a polyorogenic history as follows: (1)
c.
1050 Ma Grenvillian reworking of Neoarchaean basement; (2)
c.
910 Ma Renlandian metamorphism of the Westing Group; (3)
c.
622–606 Ma metamorphism of the Walls Metamorphic Series but of uncertain significance because the eastern margin of Laurentia is thought to have been in extension at that time; (4) Grampian I ophiolite obduction at
c.
491 Ma followed by crustal thickening and metamorphism between
c.
485 and
c.
466 Ma; (5) Grampian II metamorphism between
c.
458 and
c.
442 Ma that appears to have been focused in areas where pre-existing foliations were gently inclined and thus may have been relatively easily reworked; (6) Scandian metamorphism at
c.
430 Ma, although the paucity of these ages suggests that much of Shetland did not attain temperatures for garnet growth. There is no significant difference in the timing of Caledonian orogenic events either side of the Walls Boundary Fault, although this need not preclude linkage with the Great Glen Fault. However, the incompatibility of Ediacaran events either side of the Walls Boundary Fault may indicate significant lateral displacement and requires further investigation.
Statistics of Extreme Events in Fluid Flows and Waves
Authors: Sapsis Themistoklis P.
Published: July 2020

Extreme events in fluid flows, waves, or structures interacting with them are critical for a wide range of areas, including reliability and design in engineering, as well as modeling risk of natural disasters. Such events are characterized by the coexistence of high intrinsic dimensionality, complex nonlinear dynamics, and stochasticity. These properties severely restrict the application of standard mathematical approaches, which have been successful in other areas. This review focuses on methods specifically formulated to deal with these properties and it is structured around two cases: ( a) problems where an accurate but expensive model exists and ( b) problems where a small amount of data and possibly an imperfect reduced-order model that encodes some physics about the extremes can be employed.
Analysis of Gas Permeation Phenomena in a PEM Water Electrolyzer Operated at High Pressure and High Current Density
Authors: Bernt M. , Schröter J. , Möckl M. , Gasteiger H. A.
Published: July 2020

In this study, on-line mass spectrometry is used to determine hydrogen permeation during proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEM-WE) operation for a wide range of current densities (0–6 A cm−2) and operating pressures (1–30 bar, differential pressure). H2 permeation measurements with a permeation cell setup, i.e., without applying a current, show a linear correlation between permeation rate and H2 partial pressure, indicating diffusion as the main crossover mechanism. Measurements with full membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) during PEM-WE operation reveal a significant increase of the gas permeation rate at high current densities, by up to ≈20-fold at 1 bar H2 and up to ≈1.2-fold at 30 bar H2 (Nafion® 212 or Nafion® 117 membrane; Ir-black (anode) and Pt/C (cathode)). Recently, H2 super-saturation of the ionomer phase in the cathode catalyst layer was shown to be the reason for this increase, and we discuss the impact of this effect for different electrode compositions and operating conditions. Finally, the determined H2 permeation rates and electrolyzer performance are used to discuss the overall PEM-WE efficiency for different membrane thicknesses and it is shown that the formation of an explosive gas mixture in the anode at low current densities requires additional mitigation strategies.
Cellular mechanism underlying oxytocin-stimulated Cl− secretion in rat cauda epididymal epithelium
Authors: Gao Dong-Dong , Wang Long-Long , Xu Jia-Wen , Qiu Zhuo-Er , Zhu Yun-Xin , Zhang Yi-Lin , Zhou Wen-Liang
Published: July 2020

The neurohypophyseal hormone oxytocin (OT) plays critical roles in lactation and parturition, while its function in male reproduction system is largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the effect of OT on regulating transepithelial ion transport in rat cauda epididymal epithelium. With the use of RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis, we found that OT receptor (OTR) was expressed and localized at the basal membrane of rat cauda epididymal epithelium. The short-circuit current ( Isc) measurement showed that basolateral application of OT to the primary cultured rat cauda epididymal epithelial cells elicited an increase in Isc, which was abrogated by pretreating the epithelial cells with CFTRinh-172, a blocker of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Pretreatment with the prostaglandin H synthase inhibitors indomethacin and piroxicam, or the nonselective antagonists of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor EP2 or EP4, AH-6809, and AH-23848, significantly attenuated OT-stimulated Isc response. Furthermore, the generation of PGE2 was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, demonstrating that OT induced a substantial increase in PGE2 release from primary cultured rat cauda epididymal epithelial cells. In conclusion, activation of OTR by OT triggered PGE2 release, resulting in CFTR-dependent Cl− secretion through paracrine/autocrine pathways in rat cauda epididymal epithelium.
Sex-derived attributes contributing to SARS-CoV-2 mortality
Authors: Chanana Neha , Palmo Tsering , Sharma Kavita , Kumar Rahul , Graham Brian B. , Pasha Qadar
Published: July 2020

Epidemiological data in COVID-19 mortality indicate that men are more prone to die of SARS-CoV-2 infection than women, but biological causes for this sexual dimorphism are unknown. We discuss the prospective behavioral and biological differences between the sexes that could be attributed to this sex-based differentiation. The female sex hormones and the immune stimulatory genes, including Toll-like receptors, interleukins, and micro-RNAs present on X-chromosome, may impart lesser infectivity and mortality of the SARS-CoV-2 in females over males. The sex hormone estrogen interacts with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, one of the most critical pathways in COVID-19 infectivity, and modulates the vasomotor homeostasis. Testosterone on the contrary enhances the levels of the two most critical molecules, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the transmembrane protease serine-type 2 (TMPRSS2), transcriptionally and posttranslationally, thereby increasing viral load and delaying viral clearance in men as compared with women. We propose that modulating sex hormones, either by increasing estrogen or antiandrogen, may be a therapeutic option to reduce mortality from SARS-CoV-2.
A murine model of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease causes microbiota-gut-brain axis deficits in adulthood
Authors: Salvo Eloisa , Stokes Patricia , Keogh Ciara E. , Brust-Mascher Ingrid , Hennessey Carly , Knotts Trina A. , Sladek Jessica A. , Rude Kavi M. , Swedek Michelle , Rabasa Gonzalo , Gareau Mélanie G.
Published: July 2020

Here we describe long-lasting impacts on the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis following administration of low-dose dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to weaning mice (P21), including gut dysbiosis, colonic inflammation, and brain/behavioral deficits in adulthood (P56). Early-life DSS leads to acute colonic inflammation, similar to adult mice; however, it results in long-lasting deficits in the MGB axis in adulthood (P56), in contrast to the transient deficits seen in adult DSS. This model highlights the unique features of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
Forecasting Confirmed Cases, Deaths, and Recoveries from COVID-19 in China during the Early Stage
Authors: Liu Lianyi , Chen Yan , Wu Lifeng
Published: July 2020

To provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in China, confirmed cases, deaths, and recoveries from COVID-19 in China were predicted using a fractional grey model. The results indicated that the grey model has high forecasting accuracy in the prediction of disease spread.
Effect of Calcium Carbonate on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Red Clay
Authors: Chen Lijie , Chen Xuejun , Yang Xin , Bi Pengyan , Ding Xiang , Huang Xiang , Wang He
Published: July 2020

The influence of precipitated calcium carbonate on the strength and microstructure of red clay was studied. Precipitated calcium carbonate was added to red clay at ratios of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. Shear tests were carried out on the samples to observe the effect of calcium carbonate on the mechanical properties of red clay. The results showed that, with increasing calcium carbonate content, the strength of red clay first decreased and then increased. The maximum strength was obtained for the sample with 20% calcium carbonate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the changes in microstructure caused by addition of calcium carbonate. The pores and cracks analysis system (PCAS) was used to quantitatively characterize the microstructure changes detected in SEM images. The addition of calcium carbonate decreased the pore area and increased the total number of pores of red clay. The incorporation of calcium carbonate caused the red clay particles to agglomerate. The higher the calcium carbonate content, the stronger the agglomeration of red clay particles in the soil samples.
Role of Oxygen Supply in Macrophages in a Model of Simulated Orthodontic Tooth Movement
Authors: Schröder Agnes , Barschkies Leonie , Jantsch Jonathan , Proff Peter , Gölz Lina , Deschner James , Kirschneck Christian
Published: July 2020

Apart from periodontal ligament fibroblasts, immune cells like macrophages also play an important mediating role in orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Upon orthodontic force application to malpositioned teeth, macrophages in the periodontal ligament get exposed to both mechanical strain and hypoxic conditions (via a compression of blood vessels). In this study, we assessed the relative impact of orthodontically induced mechanical strain and hypoxic conditions on macrophages for the mediation and regulation of OTM. Macrophages were stimulated with physiological orthodontic compressive forces of 2 g/cm2 for 4 h and 24 h on gas-impermeable or gas-permeable cell culture plates under normoxic or hypoxic cell culture conditions. We quantified expression of genes involved in inflammation (Tnf, Il-6, and Cox-2), extracellular remodelling (Mmp-9), and angiogenesis (Vegf) by RT-qPCR. Furthermore, we analysed HIF-1α, prostaglandin-E2, and VEGF protein expression via immunoblotting or ELISA. Mechanical strain and oxygen supply both differentially affected expression of genes and proteins involved in inflammation and angiogenesis. In this context, we found that HIF-1α protein levels were elevated by combined mechanical strain and hypoxic conditions, whereas gas-permeable plates providing sufficient oxygen supply prevented HIF-1α stabilization at the protein level after pressure application on macrophages. Our results thus indicate that macrophages involved in the mediation of OTM are affected by and respond differently to hypoxic conditions and mechanical compressive strain, which occur concomitantly during OTM, than periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF), thus indicating different roles of these cells in the regulation of OTM at the cellular-molecular level. We further observed that contrary to PDLF HIF-1α stabilization in macrophages is rather induced via the decreased oxygen supply associated with OTM than via mechanotransduction by mechanical strain.
Implosion-Induced Collapse Effect of Initial Penetration Damage on Concrete Structures with Finite Thickness
Authors: Geng Hao , Lu Hao , Yue Songlin , Xiong Ziming , Sun Shanzheng , Huang Mu , Jiang Zhongzheng
Published: July 2020

Attacks using penetration-explosion warheads can cause the backside of concrete targets to collapse. Current research on collapse damage mainly focuses on the damage caused by external explosions and the damage of targets with prefabricated holes under internal blasts. However, the penetration effect also affects the destructive effect of the explosion-induced collapse, so experiments on prefabricated borehole charges cannot fully reflect real implosions. To study the effect of the initial penetration damage of imploding concrete structures with finite thickness on their collapse, in this study, field experiments are carried out on concrete targets with different initial penetration damage. The collapse damage of the targets is analyzed, and the dimensional analysis method is used to fit the experimental data and obtain the rules and prediction methods of the effect of the initial penetration damage on the relative collapse thickness. The collapse depth of the concrete targets is found to decrease with the increase in the impact energy factor; this increase is found to reduce gradually until stabilization. The conclusion has been verified and analyzed in depth through numerical simulations. The results of this study can provide a basis for subsequent simulations of the actual penetration and explosion effects and a reference for the optimal protection design of concrete structures and the optimal damage design of penetration-explosion warheads.
Factors Associated with U5M in the Afar Region of Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremichael Shewayiref Geremew , Fenta Setegn Muche
Published: July 2020

Background. Ethiopia has experienced a significant reduction of under-five mortality over the past few decades. But still, the country is far from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030. This study aims to identify the potential associated factors of under-five mortality in the Afar region, Ethiopia. Methods. Data from a national representative cross-sectional survey of Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey of the year 2016 were used. Data were collected from the population of all under-five children in randomly selected enumeration areas of the Afar region of Ethiopia. Chi-squared and binary logistic regression analyses were employed. Results. The result revealed that twin child [(AOR = 5.37; 95%CI: 2.12–13.62)], age of mothers at first birth [(AOR = 0.47; 95%CI: 0.35–0.62) of greater than 16], current breastfeeders (AOR = 0.41; 95%CI: 0.32–0.54), rural residents (AOR: 2.54; 95%CI: 2.49–2.58), used current contraceptive methods (AOR = 0.38; 95%CI: 0.15–0.94), vaccinated the child (AOR = 0.40; 95%CI: 0.27–0.59), family size [(AOR = 0.65; 95%CI: 0.41–0.92) for 4–6 household members and (AOR = 0.49; 95%CI: 0.29–0.80) for seven and more household members], rich households (AOR = 0.03; 95%CI: 0.01–0.16), mother’s age group [(AOR = 3.24; 95%CI: 1.90–5.54) (age 20–29), (AOR = 12.43; 95%CI: 6.86–22.51) (age 30–39), and (AOR = 46.31; 95%CI: 21.74–98.67) (age 40 and above), and antenatal visits ((AOR = 0.48; 95%CI: 0.31–0.74) (1–3 visits) and (AOR = 0.44; 95%CI: 0.24–0.81) (4 and more visits)) significantly determined the under-five mortality. Conclusions. The study showed that giving birth at an early age, low coverage and quality of health access, unimproved breastfeeding culture, nonaccessibility to contraceptive methods, absence of awareness of mothers on vaccination of a child, low economic status of households, and low status of mothers’ antenatal visits lead to the highest under-five mortality in the area. Therefore, community-based educational programs and public health interventions focused on improving the survival of children by providing awareness to the community and specifically to mothers should be improved.
Results from the Population-Based Gutenberg Health Study Revealing Four Altered Autoantibodies in Retinal Vein Occlusion Patients
Authors: Bell Katharina , Beutgen Vanessa M. , Nickels Stefan , Lorenz Katrin , Scheller Yvonne , Elbaz Hisham , Peto Tunde , Ponto Katharina A. , Schulz Andreas , Wild Philipp S. , Münzel Thomas , Lackner Karl J. , Schmidtmann Irene , Beutel Manfred , Pfeiffer Norbert , Grus Franz H. , Schuster Alexander K.
Published: July 2020

Purpose. Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second most common retinal vascular disease and a major cause of visual impairment. In this study, we aimed to observe whether RVO cases have different antibody profiles as a new potential risk factor and whether a conversion of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) to neovascular glaucoma (NVG), one of the major complications, is occurring within a 5-year timeframe.Methods. We performed a nested case-control study (1 : 4) within the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS), a population-based, prospective cohort study in the Rhine-Main Region of Germany including 15,010 participants. RVO subjects (n = 59) were identified by grading of fundus photographs. Optic nerves of RVO subjects and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 229) at baseline and their follow-up examination after 5 years were analyzed for glaucomatous alterations. Of all RVO subjects and controls, serum autoantibody profiles were measured using in-house manufactured antigen-antibody microarrays.Results. Of the 59 RVO patients, 3 patients (5%) showed glaucomatous optic disc alterations at baseline, whereas no new glaucoma case was detected at 5-year follow-up. Four of the autoantibodies measured (against dermcidin, neurotrophin-3, superoxide dismutase 1, and signal recognition particle 14 kDa protein) were significantly increased in the serum of RVO patientsp<0.001. Multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis showed that 3 of these 4 antibodies were independent of cardiovascular risk factors.Conclusions. We found several autoantibodies associated with RVO, targeting proteins and structures possibly involved in RVO pathogenesis.
Effectiveness and Safety of Moxibustion on Constipation: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Yao Fang , Zhang Yang , Kuang Xiaohong , Zhou Qi , Huang Lihua , Peng Jiazhu , Du Shizheng
Published: July 2020

Aim. This study aimed to evaluate the effects and safety of moxibustion in the management of constipation. Background. Constipation is extremely common in clinical practice and causes physical and mental pain to patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects and safety of moxibustion in the management of constipation. Methods. Studies on moxibustion for constipation published up to November 2019 were searched in PubMed; EBSCO; EMBASE; Cochrane Library; and three Chinese databases, namely, China National Knowledge Internet, Wanfang, and China Biomedical Network. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed on the basis of the CLEAR NPT system evaluation methods of Boutron. Further meta‐analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software. Results. Ten randomized controlled trials involving 760 patients were included in this study. The meta‐analysis revealed that, in comparison to western medicine treatment or other Chinese medicine methods (control group), moxibustion (experimental group) had a higher total effective rate (RR = 1.30, 95% CI [1.21, 1.40], P < 0.00001), and the clinical effectiveness of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group in any subgroup analysis. The first defecation time of the experimental group was shorter than that of the control group (SMD = −1.36, 95% CI [−2.03, −0.68], P < 0.0001). The clinical symptom score of the patients in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (SMD = −0.65, 95% CI [−1.00, −0.30], P = 0.0003). The patients in the experimental group had higher scores on Bristol stool form scale than those in the control group (MD = 0.99, 95% CI [0.48, 1.50], P = 0.0001). However, there was no obvious difference in safety between the two groups (RR = 0.38, 95% CI [0.01, 11.8], P = 0.58). Conclusions. Moxibustion may have better effect than other treatments on constipation. However, it is not yet possible to assess the safety level of moxibustion therapy, and the quality of the included literature is low, so rigorous studies are warranted. Implications for Nursing and Health Policy. The focus of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion therapy in constipation. This evaluation showed that moxibustion therapy has a good effect on constipation and provides an effective treatment for constipation patients. Whether moxibustion therapy can be used for different syndrome types deserves further discussion.
Shear Strength Prediction for SFRC Shear Wall with CFST Columns by Softened Strut and Tie Model
Authors: You Peibo , Song Shuaiqi , Zhang Haiyang , Zhang Lijuan , Shi Ke , Wang Yi
Published: July 2020

The steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) shear wall with concrete filled steel tube (CFST) columns is an innovative composite structure. In order to calculate the shear strength of SFRC shear wall with CFST columns, the softened strut and tie model (SSTM) of SFRC shear wall with CFST columns was proposed based on the analysis of shear mechanism of SFRC shear wall with CFST columns. The SSTM was composed of diagonal, horizontal, and vertical mechanisms, in which the contributions of concrete, reinforcement, and steel fiber to the shear strength of SFRC web of shear wall were identified. The shear capacities of 24 shear walls were calculated and compared with the available test results, and reasonable agreement was obtained. The results also showed that the steel fibers distributed randomly in concrete could be treated as longitudinal and transverse reinforcement in the shear strength analysis of SFRC web, and the SSTM was reasonable and useful to analyze and predict the shear strength of SFRC shear wall with CFST columns.
The Association Between Periodontal Disease and Breast Cancer in a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Jia Mengmeng , Wu Zeni , Vogtmann Emily , O'Brien Katie M. , Weinberg Clarice R. , Sandler Dale P. , Gierach Gretchen L.
Published: July 2020

Periodontal disease may be associated with increased breast cancer risk, but studies have not considered invasive breast cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) separately in the same population. We assessed the relationship between periodontal disease and breast cancer in a large prospective cohort study. The Sister Study followed women without prior breast cancer ages 35 to 74 years from 2003 to 2017 (N = 49,968). Baseline periodontal disease was self-reported, and incident breast cancer was ascertained over a mean follow-up of 9.3 years. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusting for multiple potential confounders, including smoking status. Heterogeneity in risk for invasive breast cancer versus DCIS was also estimated. About 22% of participants reported a history of periodontal disease at baseline. A total of 3,339 incident breast cancers (2,607 invasive breast cancer, 732 DCIS) were identified. There was no clear association between periodontal disease and overall breast cancer risk (HR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.94–1.11). However, we observed a nonstatistically significant suggestive increased risk of invasive breast cancer (HR = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.97–1.17) and decreased risk of DCIS (HR = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.72–1.04) associated with periodontal disease, with evidence for heterogeneity in the risk associations (relative HR for invasive breast cancer versus DCIS = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.01–1.52). A case-only analysis for etiologic heterogeneity confirmed this difference. We observed no clear association between periodontal disease and overall breast cancer risk. The heterogeneity in risk associations for invasive breast cancer versus DCIS warrants further exploration.
Liquid Biopsy in Uveal Melanoma: Are We There Yet?
Authors: Jin Eva , Burnier Julia V.
Published: July 2020

In the era of precision oncology, major strides are being made to use individual tumor information for clinical decision-making. Differing from traditional biopsy methods, the emerging practice of liquid biopsy provides a minimally invasive way of obtaining tumor cells and derived molecules. Liquid biopsy provides a means to detect and monitor disease progression, recurrence, and treatment response in a noninvasive way, and to potentially complement classical biopsy. Uveal melanoma (UM) is a unique malignancy, with diagnosis heavily reliant on imaging, few repeat biopsies, and a high rate of metastasis, which occurs hematogenously and often many years after diagnosis. In this disease setting, a noninvasive biomarker to detect, monitor, and study the disease in real time could lead to better disease understanding and patient care. While advances have been made in the detection of tumor-disseminated components, sensitivity and specificity remain important challenges. Ambiguity remains in how to interpret current findings and in how liquid biopsy can have a place in clinical practice. Related publications in UM are few compared to other cancers, but with further studies we may be able to uncover more about the biology of disseminated molecules and the mechanisms involved in the progression to metastasis.
Ischemic Preconditioning Improves Microvascular Endothelial Function in Remote Vasculature by Enhanced Prostacyclin Production
Authors: Rytter Nicolai , Carter Howard , Piil Peter , Sørensen Henrik , Ehlers Thomas , Holmegaard Frederik , Tuxen Christoffer , Jones Helen , Thijssen Dick , Gliemann Lasse , Hellsten Ylva
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

The mechanisms underlying the effect of preconditioning on remote microvasculature remains undisclosed. The primary objective was to document the remote effect of ischemic preconditioning on microvascular function in humans. The secondary objective was to test if exercise also induces remote microvascular effects.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 12 healthy young men and women participated in 2 experimental days in a random counterbalanced order. On one day the participants underwent 4×5 minutes of forearm ischemic preconditioning, and on the other day they completed 4×5 minutes of hand‐grip exercise. On both days, catheters were placed in the brachial and femoral artery and vein for infusion of acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside, and epoprostenol. Vascular conductance was calculated from blood flow measurements with ultrasound Doppler and arterial and venous blood pressures. Ischemic preconditioning enhanced (
P
<0.05) the remote vasodilator response to intra‐arterial acetylcholine in the leg at 5 and 90 minutes after application. The enhanced response was associated with a 6‐fold increase (
P
<0.05) in femoral venous plasma prostacyclin levels and with a transient increase (
P
<0.05) in arterial plasma levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. In contrast, hand‐grip exercise did not influence remote microvascular function.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that ischemic preconditioning of the forearm improves remote microvascular endothelial function and suggest that one of the underlying mechanisms is a humoral‐mediated potentiation of prostacyclin formation.
Disparities in Premature Cardiac Death Among US Counties From 1999–2017: Temporal Trends and Key Drivers
Authors: Jin Yinzi , Song Suhang , Zhang Lin , Trisolini Michael G. , Labresh Kenneth A. , Smith Sidney C. , Zheng Zhi‐Jie
Published: July 2020

Background

Disparities in premature cardiac death (PCD) might stagnate the progress toward the reduction of PCD in the United States and worldwide. We estimated disparities across US counties in PCD rates and investigated county‐level factors related to the disparities.

Methods and Results

We used US mortality data for cause‐of‐death and demographic data from death certificates and county‐level characteristics data from multiple databases. PCD was defined as any death that occurred at an age between 35 and 74 years with an underlying cause of death caused by cardiac disease based on
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision
(
ICD‐10
), codes. Of the 1 598 173 PCDs that occurred during 1999–2017, 60.9% were out of hospital. Although the PCD rates declined from 1999–2017, the proportion of out‐of‐hospital PCDs among all cardiac deaths increased from 58.3% to 61.5%. The geographic disparities in PCD rates across counties widened from 1999 (Theil index=0.10) to 2017 (Theil index=0.23), and within‐state differences accounted for the majority of disparities (57.4% in 2017). The disparities in out‐of‐hospital PCD rates (and in‐hospital PCD rates) associated with demographic composition were 36.51% (and 37.51%), socioeconomic features were 18.64% (and 18.36%), healthcare environment were 18.64% (and 13.90%), and population health status were 23.73% (and 30.23%).

Conclusions

Disparities in PCD rates exist across US counties, which may be related to the decelerated trend of decline in the rates among middle‐aged adults. The slower declines in out‐of‐hospital rates warrants more precision targeting and sustained efforts to ensure progress at better levels of health (with lower PCD rates) against PCD.
Book Reviews
Authors: Adelaar K.A. , Muhadjir  , Pernis H.D. , Schmidgall-Tellings A.Ed. , Prentice D.J. , Labrousse Pierre , Steinhauer H. , Collins J.T. , Teeuw A. , Salmon Claudine
Published: July 2020

- K.A. Adelaar, Muhadjir, Morphology of Jakarta dialect, affixation and reduplication, Nusa II, Jakarta: Badan Penyelenggara Seri Nusa, 1981, pp. xii + 117. - H.D. van Pernis, A.Ed. Schmidgall-Tellings, Contemporary Indonesian-English dictionary, a supplement to the standard Indonesian dictionaries with particular concentration on new words, expressions and meanings, Ohio University press, Chicago, Athens Ohio, London. 1981., Alan M. Stevens (eds.) - D.J. Prentice, Pierre Labrousse, Dictionnaire gýnýral indonýsien-francais (Cahier dýArchipel 15, 1984). Association Archipel, Paris. xxi + 934 pp. - H. Steinhauer, J.T. Collins, Ambonese Malay and creolization theory, Dewan bahasa dan pustaka, Kuala Lumpur 1980, xii + 84 pp., 2 maps. - A. Teeuw, Claudine Salmon, Literature in Malay by the Chinese of Indonesia; A provisional annotated bibliography. ýtudes Insulindiennes - Archipel 3. ýditions de la Maison des Sciences d lýHomme, Paris, 1981, 588 pp.
Johann Baptist Franzelin (1816–86): A Jesuit Cardinal Shaping the Official Teaching of the Church at the Time of the First Vatican Council
Authors: Knorn, S.J. Bernhard
Published: July 2020

Johann Baptist Franzelin (1816–86), a Jesuit from South Tyrol, was an important systematic theologian at the Collegio Romano. Against emerging neo-Scholasticism, he supported the growing awareness of the need for historical context and to see theological doctrines in their development over time. He was an influential theologian at the First Vatican Council. Created cardinal by Pope Pius ix in 1876, he engaged in the work of the Roman Curia, for example against the German Kulturkampf and for the Third Plenary Council of the Catholic Church in the usa (Baltimore, 1884). This article provides an overview of Franzelin’s biography and analyzes his contributions to theology and church politics.
God’s Stopgap: Cardinal Adam Kozłowiecki, S.J.
Authors: Danieluk, S.J. Robert
Published: July 2020

Adam Kozłowiecki (1911–2007) was a Polish Jesuit, who spent sixty-one years in missionary service in Zambia. He arrived there in 1946, just a few months after having been liberated from the concentration camp of Dachau, where he spent the biggest part of his time during wwii (earlier he was one of the first prisoners of the camp in Auschwitz). The vicissitudes made of him a witness of tragedy of the years 1939–45 and a protagonist of the missionary endeavor in Africa—the continent that was then looking for and finding its independence from colonialism. At the same time, Kozłowiecki was both witness and protagonist of the changes in the Catholic Church brought by the Second Vatican Council—the event in which he took an active part as the first archbishop metropolitan of Lusaka. The article, based on the existing literature and archival material from Rome, recalls the life of this extraordinary figure, pointing out the surprises and unexpected changes he had to face several times.
Cryptomonas cattiensis sp. nov. (Cryptophyceae: Cryptomonadales), a new species described from Vietnam

Authors: MARTYNENKO NIKITA A. , GUSEV EVGENIY S. , KAPUSTIN DMITRY A. , GUSEVA ELENA E. , KULIKOVSKIY MAXIM S.
Published: July 2020

A new species, Cryptomonas cattiensis sp. nov., is described from Vietnam based on morphological and molecular data. Phylogenetic relationships inferred from nuclear small and large subunit ribosomal DNA, internal transcribed spacer 2, and plastid psbA sequences show that the new species forms a separate branch on the phylogenetic tree of the genus Cryptomonas. This species has slightly sigmoid to elliptical cells in ventral view and a single plastid, deeply notched into several irregular lobes, with two pyrenoids. C. cattiensis has been observed in one locality in Cat Tien National Park.
The nomenclature and taxonomy of Kalanchoe nyikae (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae), a little-known species from East Africa

Authors: SMITH GIDEON F. , FIGUEIREDO ESTRELA
Published: July 2020

From the 1950s to the 1980s the East African taxa of Kalanchoe Adanson (1763: 248) (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) received taxonomic attention in a series of papers by Cufodontis (1957, 1958, 1965, 1967, 1969), Raadts (1977, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1989), and Wickens (1982, 1987) that culminated in the treatment of the genus by Wickens (1987: 30–58) for the Flora of Tropical East Africa (FTEA; Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania). Wickens (1987) recognised 25 Kalanchoe species in the FTEA region, with two species, K. ndorensis Schweinfurth (1892: 865 [as name only in Engler (1892: 232)]) and K. stuhlmannii Engler (1895: 188), treated as imperfectly known.
Position of Moina wierzejskii Richard, 1895 (Crustacea: Cladocera) within the genus Moina Baird, 1850 in the light of new morphological data
Authors: NERETINA ANNA N. , KIRDYASHEVA ANNA G. , KOTOV ALEXEY A.
Published: July 2020

The family Moinidae (Crustacea: Cladocera) is intensively studied recently. Last genetic investigations revealed a huge diversity of species in the genus Moina Baird, 1850, comparable with the number of species in the genus Daphnia O.F. Müller, 1776. However, unlike daphniids, the taxonomy of moinids is understudied. Along with new still undescribed species, there are many inadequately described and illegitimately forgotten taxa within Moinidae. Moinids of tropical and subtropical regions remain especially poorly studied, and their features are ignored in recent intergeneric systems. Here we redescribe the morphology of M. wierzejskii Richard, 1895, a peculiar Moina from the New World, and discuss its position within the genus Moina s.l. In the taxonomic scheme, designed for European moinids, M. wierzejskii takes an intermediate position between subgenera Exomoina Hudec, 2010 and Moina s.str. Similarly to European species belonging to M. (Exomoina), females of M. wierzejskii have a modified Ilyocryptus-like labrum and an ephippium with two resting eggs. However, the males have no exopod on the thoracic limb I which suggests that this species is closer to the subgenus Moina s.str. The lack of exopod on male thoracic limb I was also marked in another species of the genus from the New World, M. hutchinsoni Brehm, 1937. To date such unusual combination of morphological features is unknown for any moinids from the Old World and Australia. We hope that our observations will stimulate deep phylogenetic studies of peculiar moinids inhabiting the New World.
Reconstruction of Endoscopic Photoacoustic Tomographic Images for Attenuating Acoustic Tissues: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Sun Zheng , Duan Shuang
Published: July 2020

Biological endoscopic photoacoustic tomography (EPAT) Has been rapidly developed in the past decades as a hybrid functional imaging modality with multi-physics coupling. The acoustic inhomogeneity of biological tissues results in acoustic reflection, scattering, diffusion and absorption,
thus the attenuated photoacoustic signals measured by the detector. The idealized assumptions on the acoustic homogeneity usually lead to reconstructed images with reduced quality and imaging depth. This paper focuses on a preliminary study of EPAT image reconstruction accounting for acoustic
attenuation. The correlation equation related to ideal and measured photoacoustic signals is deduced. The equation is then solved by using singular value decomposition (SVD) to recover the approximation of the ideal signals from the measured signals. Finally, the cross-sectional images of
optical distribution are reconstructed from the ideal signals. Numerical results indicate that this method can effectively reduce image artifacts caused by acoustic attenuation and improve image focusing. Comparison results suggest that it outperforms the method of correcting the frequency-dependent
attenuation which requires the prior knowledge about attenuation coefficients of tissues.
Full Convolutional Neural Network with Multi-Scale Residual Model for Optic Cup and Disc Segmentation
Authors: Sun Yanxia , Peiqing  , Geng Xiaoxu , Wang Haiying , Wang Jinke , Tamura Shinichi
Published: July 2020

Accurate optic cup and optic disc (OC, OD) segmentation is the prerequisite for cup-disc ratio (CDR) calculation. In this paper, a new full convolutional neural network (FCN) with multi-scale residual module is proposed. Firstly, polar coordinate transformation was introduced to balance
the CDR with space constraints, and CLAHE was implemented in fundus images for contrast enhancement. Secondly, W-Net-R model was proposed as the main framework, while the standard convolution unit was replaced by the multi-scale residual module. Finally, the multi-label cost function is utilized
to guide its functioning. In the experiment, the REFUGE dataset was used for training, validation and testing. We obtained 0.979 and 0.904 for OD and OC segmentations on MIoU, which indicates a relative improvement of 4.04% and 3.55%, comparing with that of U-Net, respectively. Experiment
results proved that our proposed method is superior to other state-of-the-art schemes on OC and OD segmentation, and could be a potential prospective tool for early screening of glaucoma.
Direct 3D Organ Extraction Method in Virtual Human-Body Color Volume Image
Authors: Liu Bin , Chen Yanjie , Liu Shujun , Wang Qifeng , Niu Xiaolei , Yue Zongge , Yang Liang
Published: July 2020

Extracting 3D structures from voxel based images can make doctors more directly observe the situation of the target in the clinic, making it easier for doctors to diagnose the condition and make the medicine teaching more directly and easier to understand. For this purpose, we propose
a 3D volume image segmentation method based on the max-flow/min-cut algorithm. Our segmentation method can be applied directly to 3D volume image. After users marking small amount tags (foreground and background pixels), we put forward a method to use a directed connected graph structure to
represent the volume image. In the directed connected graph, in order to speed up the efficiency of the segmentation in subsequent steps, we divide each voxel node in the graph into different color ranges, and each color range match up with an auxiliary node. In order to divide the color range
more finely, we propose a method to calculate the color similarity. We then use the max-flow/min-cut algorithm to segment the directed connected graph. The result of experiments performed in multiple sets of slice images shows that our proposed method improves the efficiency, reduces human
error on the 3D volume image segmentation task, and the result is complete and accurate.
Using Radiomic Features to Predict Visual Prognosis of Idiopathic Macular Hole Surgery
Authors: Zhao Zhuoran , Zhu Jun , Xu Yi , Geng Xingyun
Published: July 2020

Idiopathic macular holes (IMH) are a leading cause of vision loss in middle-aged and older people. IMH is usually treated surgically by vitrectomy. Improvement in visual acuity is used to assess the prognosis of macular hole surgery. To achieve better diagnosis and treatment of IMH,
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology is widely used. It will improve patient outcomes if parameters that are correlated with favorable prognoses are identified in OCT images. Both 2D OCT images and 3D OCT images can be obtained, which allows for the possibility of extracting 3D features.
We propose the use of radiomic features as predictors of IMH prognosis. In this study, radiomic techniques were used to identify shape and texture features of IMH. OCT images were sliced into 2D images to enable experts to segment the region of interest before feature extraction. Elements
of an initial set of mined features were selected as predictors based on correlation analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator data analysis. P-values between selected features and best-corrected visual acuity were calculated to identify significant features. Nine
features were found that influence surgical outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses of positive samples (post-surgical visual outcome improved more than 0.3) and negative samples (all nonpositive samples) showed the area under the ROC curve of the radiomic feature set reached
0.81. Analysis showed that radiomic features of preoperative OCT images accurately predict visual prognosis, and thus identifying the features can be a powerful diagnostic technique.