bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of Resident‐Performed Point‐of‐Care Lung Ultrasound Examinations Versus Chest Radiography in Pneumothorax Follow‐up After Tube Thoracostomy in Rwanda
Authors: Shumbusho Jean Paul , Duanmu Youyou , Kim Sung H. , Bassett Ingrid V. , Boyer Edward W. , Ruutiainen Alexander T. , Riviello Robert , Ntirenganya Faustin , Henwood Patricia C.
Published: September 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and timeliness of resident‐performed point‐of‐care lung ultrasound (LUS) examinations for the follow‐up of pneumothorax (PTX) after tube thoracostomy.

Methods

After brief training, Rwandan surgical residents blinded to chest radiography (CXR) performed and interpreted LUS examinations for PTX in participants undergoing CXR for PTX follow‐up. Treating clinicians interpreted CXR for the presence of PTX for therapeutic decisions. Lung ultrasound was later reviewed by ultrasound experts, and CXR was reviewed by a radiologist. We defined expert LUS interpretation as the reference standard. The sensitivity and specificity of resident‐performed LUS examinations for diagnosing PTX were calculated. We assessed agreement between trained resident versus expert LUS and clinician versus radiology CXR using the Cohen κ coefficient. We compared the time to results between LUS and CXR.

Results

Over an 8‐month period, 51 participants were enrolled. Compared to expert LUS interpretation, the sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence intervals) of resident LUS were 100% (85%–100%) and 96% (82%–100%), respectively, whereas the sensitivity and specificity of clinician‐interpreted CXR were 48% (27%–69%) and 100% (88%–100%). The agreement between resident and expert LUS was excellent (κ = 0.96), whereas the agreement between clinician and radiologist CXR was only moderate (κ = 0.60). The time to results was significantly longer for CXR than LUS (mean, 1335 versus 396 minutes; P = .0001).

Conclusions

A resident‐performed LUS examination was a quicker imaging modality with superior sensitivity compared to clinician‐interpreted CXR for PTX follow‐up after tube thoracostomy in this Rwandan study. Lung ultrasound can be a valuable imaging tool for PTX follow‐up, especially in resource‐limited settings.
Emerging trends in paper spray mass spectrometry: Microsampling, storage, direct analysis, and applications
Authors: Frey Benjamin S. , Damon Deidre E. , Badu‐Tawiah Abraham K.
Published: September 2019

Recent advancements in the sensitivity of chemical instrumentation have led to increased interest in the use of microsamples for translational and biomedical research. Paper substrates are by far the most widely used media for biofluid collection, and mass spectrometry is the preferred method of analysis of the resultant dried blood spot (DBS) samples. Although there have been a variety of review papers published on DBS, there has been no attempt to unify the century old DBS methodology with modern applications utilizing modified paper and paper‐based microfluidics for sampling, storage, processing, and analysis. This critical review will discuss how mass spectrometry has expanded the utility of paper substrates from sample collection and storage, to direct complex mixture analysis to on‐surface reaction monitoring.
Docking‐based approach for identification of mutations that disrupt binding between Bcl‐2 and Bax proteins: Inducing apoptosis in cancer cells
Authors: Raghav Pawan Kumar , Kumar Rajesh , Kumar Vinod , Raghava Gajendra P. S.
Published: September 2019

Background

Inducing apoptosis in cancer cells is an important step for the successful treatment of cancer patients. Bcl‐2 is an antiapoptotic protein which determines apoptosis by interacting with proapoptotic members of the Bcl‐2 family. Exome sequencing has identified Bcl‐2 and Bax missense mutations in more than 40 cancer types. However, a little information is available about the functional impact of each Bcl‐2 and Bax mutation on the pathogenesis of cancer.

Methods

The mutational data from cancer tissues and cell lines were retrieved from the cBioPortal web resource. The 13 mutated Bcl‐2 and wild‐type Bax complexes with experimentally verified binding were identified from previous studies wherein, binding for all complexes was reportedly disrupted except one. Several protein–protein docking methods such as ClusPro, HDOCK, PatchDock, FireDock, InterEVDock2 and several mutation prediction methods such as PolyPhen‐2, SIFT, and OncoKB have been used to predict the effect of mutation to disrupt the binding between Bcl‐2 and Bax. The result obtained was compared with the known experimental data.

Results

The protein–protein docking method, ClusPro, employed in the present study confirmed that the binding affinity of 11 out of 13 complexes decreases. Similarly, binding affinity computed for all the 10 wild‐type Bcl‐2 and mutated Bax complexes agreed with experimentally verified results.

Conclusion

Several methods like PolyPhen‐2, SIFT, and OncoKB have been developed to predict cancer‐associated or deleterious mutations, but no method is available to predict apoptosis‐inducing mutations. Thus, in this study, we have examined the mutations in Bcl‐2 and Bax proteins that disrupt their binding, which is crucial for inducing apoptosis to eradicate cancer. This study suggests that protein–protein docking methods can play a significant role in the identification of hotspot mutations in Bcl‐2 or Bax that can disrupt their binding with wild‐type partner to induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
A novel TTN deletion in a family with skeletal myopathy, facial weakness, and dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Roggenbuck Jennifer , Rich Kelly , Morales Ana , Tan Christopher A. , Eck Douglas , King Wendy , Vatta Matteo , Winder Thomas , Elsheikh Bakri , Hershberger Ray E. , Kissel John T.
Published: September 2019

Background

Pathogenic variants in TTN (OMIM 188840), encoding the largest human protein, are known to cause dilated cardiomyopathy and several forms of skeletal myopathy. The clinical interpretation of TTN variants is challenging, however, due to the frequency of missense changes, variable testing and reporting practices in commercial laboratories, and incomplete understanding of the spectrum of TTN‐related disease.

Methods

We report a heterozygous TTN deletion segregating in a family with an unusual skeletal myopathy phenotype associated with facial weakness, gait abnormality, and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Results

A novel 16.430 kb heterozygous deletion spanning part of the A‐ and M‐bands of TTN was identified in the proband and his symptomatic son, as well as in an additional son whose symptoms were identified on clinical evaluation. The deletion was found to be de novo in the proband.

Conclusion

Pathogenic variants in TTN may be an unrecognized cause of skeletal myopathy phenotypes, particularly when accompanied by dilated cardiomyopathy.
Tropical and Subtropical Parasitic Diseases: Targets for a New Approach to Virtual Screening
Authors: Yunta Maria J. R. , Dietrich Roque Carlos
Published: September 2019

Computational techniques are widely used to reduce costs associated with new drug development with the ability to bind a specific molecular target. These studies need a Brookhaven protein data bank structure sample of the enzyme interaction with an inhibitor of adequate size. In this context, a new computational methodology is postulated to be used when there are no published samples fulfilling this requirements. In this study, 7 compounds, which showed anti‐T. cruzi, L. donovani and L. infantum properties, and proved to be inhibitors of their Fe‐SOD enzymes, have been theoretically evaluated against related parasites Fe‐SOD enzymes, which have been proposed as targets for antiparasitic drugs. This methodology may be applied to similar cases and also to generate starting structures to be used with different CADD methods
Uzawa methods for a class of block three‐by‐three saddle‐point problems
Authors: Huang Na , Dai Yu‐Hong , Hu QiYa
Published: September 2019

In this work, we consider numerical methods for solving a class of block three‐by‐three saddle‐point problems, which arise from finite element methods for solving time‐dependent Maxwell equations and some other applications. The direct extension of the Uzawa method for solving this block three‐by‐three saddle‐point problem requires the exact solution of a symmetric indefinite system of linear equations at each step. To avoid heavy computations at each step, we propose an inexact Uzawa method, which solves the symmetric indefinite linear system in some inexact way. Under suitable assumptions, we show that the inexact Uzawa method converges to the unique solution of the saddle‐point problem within the approximation level. Two special algorithms are customized for the inexact Uzawa method combining the splitting iteration method and a preconditioning technique, respectively. Numerical experiments are presented, which demonstrated the usefulness of the inexact Uzawa method and the two customized algorithms.
The Shifted Interface Method: A flexible approach to embedded interface computations
Authors: Li Kangan , Atallah Nabil M. , Main G. Alex , Scovazzi Guglielmo
Published: September 2019

We propose a new embedded finite element method to simulate partial differential equations over domains with internal interfaces. Our approach belongs to the family of surrogate/approximate interface methods and relies on the idea of shifting the location and value of jump interface conditions. This choice has the goal of preserving optimal convergence rates while avoiding small cut cells and related problematic issues, typical of traditional embedded methods. The proposed approach is accurate, robust, efficient, and simple to implement. We apply this concept to internal interface computations in the context of the mixed Poisson problem, also known as the Darcy flow problem. An extensive set of numerical tests is provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach.
Periglacial deposits as indicators of paleotemperatures. A case study in the Iberian Peninsula: The mountains of Galicia
Authors: Viana‐Soto Alba , Pérez‐Alberti Augusto
Published: September 2019

In this study, we provide a paleotemperature reconstruction based on periglacial deposits and landforms from the northwest Iberian Peninsula. We describe different types of periglacial deposits and landforms which were considered as paleoenvironmental archives. The occurrence of these landforms and deposits suggests that mean annual air temperatures must have been of ≤ −2°C for formation of block fields, block slopes and rock glaciers and ≥ 2°C for formation of stratified slope deposits, as indicated by their modern‐day analogs. The information obtained was used to construct paleotemperature maps by estimating temperature in relation to a standard altitudinal gradient. Two phases were differentiated. During the first phase, associated with the Maximum Glacial Advance (MGA) before 30 ka cal BP, the prevailing snow conditions favored the formation of stratified slope deposits and genesis of glaciers in all of the mountain systems, without the presence of permafrost. During the second phase, associated with the Glacial Maximum (GM) between 21 and 25 ka cal BP, colder conditions favored the presence of permafrost and genesis of block fields, block slopes and rock glaciers at elevations above 700 m. Temperature estimations ranged between around +6°C and − 6°C at an elevation of 2,000 m for the first phase, and between +2°C and − 10°C for the second phase. Due to limitations in estimating past climate conditions, the results should be considered as a first approximation to define northwest Iberian Peninsula paleotemperatures for the Late Pleistocene.
Resistance of some commercial walnut cultivars and genotypes toAceria tristriata(Nalepa) (Acari: Eriophyidae) and its correlation with some plant features
Authors: Ahmad–Hosseini Mohammad , Khanjani Mohammad , Karamian Roya
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

The walnut leaf gall mite (WLGM) (Aceria tristriata(Nalepa)) is one of the major pests of walnut in western Iran. The use of a resistant variety is an economical and environment‐friendly method of pest control. The aim of the present study is to assess resistance of some walnut cultivars and genotypes in relation to WLGM. Also, the current research aimed to study a possible correlation between resistance with plant morphological and biochemical features.

RESULTS

Based on the leaf damage index (number of galls per leaf and plant, the percentage of infested leaves and the percentage of leaf injury area) induced by WLGM, the studied cultivars and genotypes were classified into four groups from susceptible to approximately resistant. Free‐choice experiments indicated that Jamal and Chandler cultivars were colonized by lower densities of WLGM, whereas Seedling, Hartly, Lara and Z60 hosted denser populations. In antibiosis assay, the highest mite density was created in the galls on the leaves of Seedling and Hartly, whereas lowest mite density was observed in galled leaves of Chandler and Jamal cultivars.

CONCLUSION

Results from biochemical assays showed that nearly all evaluated biomarkers had negative correlation with number of galls per leaf and mite density. Generally, resistant cultivars (Chandler, Jamal and Pedro) significantly produced defensive compounds more than those of controls after mite infestation. Also, it is worth noting that, the content of photosynthetic pigments significantly reduced in susceptible cultivars after mite infestation. The obtained results from this study can be useful for provisional resistance screening. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of lime sulfur on Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus macropilis, two naturally occurring enemies of the two‐spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae
Authors: Vacacela Ajila Henry E , Oliveira Eugênio E , Lemos Felipe , Haddi Khalid , Colares Felipe , Marques Gonçalves Pedro H , Venzon Madelaine , Pallini Angelo
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

The application of lime sulfur is a common practice used to control arthropod pests in organic production of fruits. However, the unintended effects of this insecticide preparation on non‐targeted organisms have not received the adequate attention. Here, we evaluated the lime sulfur toxicity on the phytophagous mites Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and on two predatory mite species [i.e., Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks)] (Acari: Phytoseiidae) of natural occurrence in strawberry plants. We also assessed the repellency and potential effects on the oviposition rates and the egg viability of mites that were exposed to field‐used lime sulfur concentrations (i.e., 2%).

RESULTS

The lime sulfur exhibited higher toxicity to the predators N. californicus (LC50 = 5.4 [4.5%–6.8%]) and P. macropilis (LC50 = 5.0 [4.0%–6.5%]) than to the phytophagous T. urticae (LC50 = 12.4 [9.0%–17.1%]). However, the exposure to field‐applied concentrations resulted in higher reductions on the oviposition rate of T. urticae (36%) than on the predatory mites (N. californicus = 18%. P. macropilis = 19%). Interestingly, although the egg viability of P. macropilis was less affected (i.e., reduction of 50%) by such lime sulfur exposures, these mites were unable to avoid lime sulfur‐treated areas. Egg viability of N. californicus was only 18.6%.

CONCLUSION

Lime sulfur at field‐applied concentrations harmed T. urticae fecundity and fertility and it showed selectivity against naturally occurring predatory mites, which reinforces its potential as a tool for integrated mite pest management. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Transition Metals in a Cast‐Monocrystalline Silicon Ingot Studied by Silicon Nitride Gettering
Authors: Sun Chang , Liu AnYao , Samadi Aref , Chan Catherine , Ciesla Alison , Macdonald Daniel
Published: September 2019

The concentrations of Cr, Fe, Ni, and Cu in a cast‐monocrystalline silicon ingot grown for solar cell applications are reported. Wafers taken from along the ingot are coated with silicon nitride films and annealed, causing mobile impurities to be gettered to the films. Secondary ion mass spectrometry is applied to measure the metal content in the silicon nitride films. The bulk concentrations of the gettered metals in samples along the ingot are found to be: Cr (3.3 × 1010–3.3 × 1011 cm−3), Fe (3.2 × 1011–2.5 × 1012 cm−3), Ni (1.5 × 1012–1.3 × 1013 cm−3), and Cu (7.1 × 1011–3.2 × 1013 cm−3). For each metal, the lower limit is measured on the wafer from the middle of the ingot, and the higher limit is measured on wafers from the bottom or the top. The results are compared with similar data recently measured on a high‐performance multicrystalline silicon ingot. The results provide insights into the total bulk concentrations of the metals in cast‐grown ingots.
Compensation of dynamic electromagnetic field distortion using simultaneous localization and mapping method with application in endobronchial ultrasound‐transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) guidance
Authors: Navaei Lavasani Saeedeh , Deevband Mohammadreza , Farnia Parastoo , Ahmadian Alireza , Saghatchi Samaneh
Published: September 2019

Background

Electromagnetic (EM)‐based navigation methods without line‐of‐sight restrictions may improve lymph node sampling precision in transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) procedure. However, EM tracking susceptibility to metallic objects severely declines its precision.

Method

We proposed to track the location of a tool in a dynamic bronchial phantom and compensate field distortion in a real‐time procedure. Extended Kalman filter simultaneous localization and mapping (EKF‐SLAM) algorithm employ the bronchial motion and observations of a redundant sensor. The proposed approach was applied to the phantom with four different amplitudes of breathing motion in the presence of two types of field‐distorting objects.

Results

The proposed approach improved the accuracy of EM tracking on average from 18.94 ±1.17 mm to 4.59 ±0.29 mm and from 14.2 ±0.69 mm to 4.31 ±0.18mm in the presence of steel and aluminum, respectively.

Conclusions

With EM tracking position error reduction based on the EKF‐SLAM technique, the approach is appeared promising for a navigated ultrasound TBNA procedure.
Efficacy of silicone sheet as a personalized barrier for preventing adhesion reformation after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis of intrauterine adhesions
Authors: Azumaguchi Atsushi , Henmi Hirofumi , Saito Tsuyoshi
Published: September 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of silicone sheet as a new type of barrier for preventing adhesion reformation following hysteroscopic adhesiolysis of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs).

Methods

Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis was performed for 36 patients with IUAs. The adhesion reformation rate was retrospectively compared between 26 patients treated with silicone sheet (group 1) and 10 patients treated with an intrauterine device wrapped in oxidized regenerated cellulose as a barrier (group 2). For patients in group 1, a 1‐mm‐thick silicone sheet was cut to fit the size and shape of the individual uterine cavity as a personalized barrier.

Results

The size and shape of each silicone sheet used for patients in group 1 differed significantly. The adhesion reformation rate was significantly lower in group 1 (4/26, 15.4%) than in group 2 (4/10, 40.0%; P = 0.03), although the pregnancy rate (14/20, 70.0% vs. 5/10, 50.0%; P = 0.28) and miscarriage rate (2/14, 14.3% vs. 1/5, 20.0%; P = 0.72) were not significantly different.

Conclusion

Use of silicone sheets appears to be effective for preventing adhesion reformation following hysteroscopic adhesiolysis of IUAs. This is the first study to investigate the efficacy of silicone sheet used as a personalized barrier for preventing IUAs.
Stability analysis of interconnected nonlinear fractional‐order systems via a single‐state variable control
Authors: Yu Zhongming , Sun Yue , Dai Xin , Ye Zhaohong
Published: September 2019

This paper is devoted to investigating the stability of interconnected nonlinear fractional‐order systems via a single‐state variable control. First of all, based on stability theory, the Grönwall‐Bellman lemma and the Mittag‐Leffler function, the relevant stability results are derived. The obtained results are general and can further extend the application range. Meanwhile, an improved single‐state variable control method is introduced. The control scheme only needs to control some state variable of the system or some subsystem(s) to realize and any additional restrictions are not added. Finally, the effectiveness of the obtained results is demonstrated by several typical examples. Besides, by comparison, simulation results show that the proposed control method can indeed decrease the design and control cost and improve flexibility of control.
Dam construction in Francoist Spain in the 1950s and 1960s: Negotiating the future and the past
Authors: Brendel Benjamin
Published: September 2019

In the 1950s and 1960s, dams were crucial to governmental campaigns for development, progress, and modernity in many world regions. This article focuses on the local aspects of a particular development scheme, namely, the construction of the Mequinenza Dam in Spain (1955–1964). This case study shows that dams were contested on a local level from the beginning, even within authoritarian contexts like Francoist Spain. It offers a closer look at processes of transformation and contestation in connection with the construction of dams, focusing on the actors, their points of view and arguments. It shows that the cleavages between interest groups that were later dichotomously labeled as strong supporters or opponents of the ideas connected to the dam construction were complex and shifted over time. These findings are relevant today because they show how the notion of development through dam building was controversial per se and challenged from the beginning.
On the Chemistry and Diffusion of Hydrogen in the Interstitial Space of Layered Crystals h‐BN, MoS2, and Graphite
Authors: An Yun , Kuc Agnieszka , Petkov Petko , Lozada‐Hidalgo Marcelo , Heine Thomas
Published: September 2019

Recent experiments have demonstrated transport and separation of hydrogen isotopes through the van der Waals gap in hexagonal boron nitride and molybdenum disulfide bulk layered materials. However, the experiments cannot distinguish if the transported particles are protons (H+) or protium (H) atoms. Here, reported are the theoretical studies, which indicate that protium atoms, rather than protons, are transported through the gap. First‐principles calculations combined with well‐tempered metadynamics simulations at finite temperature reveal that for h‐BN and MoS2, the diffusion mechanism of both protons and protium (H) atoms involves a hopping process between adjacent layers. This process is assisted by low‐energy phonon shear modes. The extracted diffusion coefficient of protium matches the experiment, while for protons it is several orders of magnitude smaller. This indicates that protium atoms are responsible for the experimental observations. These results allow for a comprehensive interpretation of experimental results on the transport of hydrogen isotopes through van der Waals gaps and can help identify other materials for hydrogen isotope separation applications.
Boosting High‐Rate Sodium Storage Performance of N‐Doped Carbon‐Encapsulated Na3V2(PO4)3 Nanoparticles Anchoring on Carbon Cloth
Authors: Li Wei , Yao Zhujun , Zhou Cheng‐ao , Wang Xiuli , Xia Xinhui , Gu Changdong , Tu Jiangping
Published: September 2019

The further development of high‐power sodium‐ion batteries faces the severe challenge of achieving high‐rate cathode materials. Here, an integrated flexible electrode is constructed by smart combination of a conductive carbon cloth fiber skeleton and N‐doped carbon (NC) shell on Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) nanoparticles via a simple impregnation method. In addition to the great electronic conductivity and high flexibility of carbon cloth, the NC shell also promotes ion/electron transport in the electrode. The flexible NVP@NC electrode renders preeminent rate capacities (80.7 mAh g−1 at 50 C for cathode; 48 mAh g−1 at 30 C for anode) and superior cycle performance. A flexible symmetric NVP@NC//NVP@NC full cell is endowed with fairly excellent rate performance as well as good cycle stability. The results demonstrate a powerful polybasic strategy design for fabricating electrodes with optimal performance.
Highly Sensitive, Fast Response Perovskite Photodetectors Demonstrated in Weak Light Detection Circuit and Visible Light Communication System
Authors: Li Chenglong , Lu Jiaorong , Zhao Yan , Sun Liya , Wang Guoxin , Ma Yao , Zhang Shiming , Zhou Jingran , Shen Liang , Huang Wei
Published: September 2019

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite (OIHP) photodetectors have presented unprecedented device performance mainly owing to outstanding material properties. However, the solution‐processed OIHP polycrystalline thin films with defective surface and grain boundaries always impair the key parameter of photodetectors. Herein, a nonfullerene passivation layer exhibits more efficient passivation for OIHP materials to dramatically reduce the trap density of state, yielding a dark current as low as 2.6 × 10−8 A cm−2 under −0.1 V. In addition, the strong absorption in near‐infrared (NIR) region of nonfullerene/C60 heterojunction broadens the detectable range to over 900 nm by effective charge transport, ultimately leading to a specific detectivity of 1.45 × 1012 and 7.37 × 1011 cm Hz1/2 W−1 at 650 and 820 nm, respectively. Encouragingly, the response speed of 27 ns is obtained at 0.6 mm2 of device area by removing constrain from the resistance–capacitance constant. Moreover, the prominent practical application of the photodetector is demonstrated in a weak light detection circuit and a visible light communication system. It is believed that the OIHP photodetectors with high sensitivity, NIR photoresponse, and ultrafast speed would pave the way to commercial applications.
Anisotropic Excitation Polarization Response from a Single White Light‐Emitting β‐NaYF4:Yb3+,Pr3+ Microcrystal
Authors: Yang Dandan , Peng Zixing , Zhan Qiuqiang , Huang Xiongjian , Peng Xingyun , Guo Xin , Dong Guoping , Qiu Jianrong
Published: September 2019

Precise knowledge about optical and structural performance of individual rare earth (RE)‐doped particles is extremely important for the optimization of luminescent particles and for fully exploiting their capability as multifunctional probes for interdisciplinary applications. In this work, optical and structural anisotropy of individual particles through RE‐doped single fluoride microcrystals with controllable morphology is reported. Unique luminescent phenomena, for example, white light‐emission from Pr3+ at single particle level and different photoluminescent spectra variation dependence on excitation polarization orientation at different excitation direction are observed upon excitation with a 980 nm linearly polarized laser. Based on the analysis of local site symmetry and electron cloud distribution of REs in hexagonal structure by density functional theory calculations, an exciting mechanism of excitation polarization response anisotropy is given for the first time, providing a guidance for emission polarization simultaneously. The structural anisotropy is presented in Raman spectra with obvious differing Raman curves, revealing the reason why there are differences between powder groups. Taking advantage of anisotropic crystals, potential applications in microscopic multi‐information transportation are suggested for the optical and structural performance anisotropy from RE‐doped fluoride single nano/microcrystals to ordered nano/microcrystal arrays, such as local rate probing in a flowing liquid.
The Challenges, Opportunities and Performance of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry Post-TRIPS
Authors: Dhar Biswajit , Joseph Reji K.
Published: September 2019

India’s generic pharmaceutical producers face numerous challenges after the country’s patent law was amended to make it compatible with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Two amendments were significant: introduction of product patent regime covering the area of pharmaceuticals, replacing the process patent regime existing earlier, and increase in patent term for pharmaceutical patents to 20 years, from the earlier 5–7 years (5 years from sealing of patent or 7 years from the date of application, whichever was lower). India’s pre-TRIPS patent regime that did not allow product patents in the pharmaceutical sector provided the impetus for the emergence of a generic pharmaceutical industry from the 1980s.

How did the Indian pharmaceutical industry respond to the challenges posed by the TRIPS-consistent patent regime, in particular the product patent regime? This paper analysed a number of functional parameters to answer this question.

Analysis of the parameters explaining the size and the operational strengths of the major companies in the industry did not suggest structural weaknesses in the generic companies. They continued to remain the leaders in the industry, both in terms of invested capital and size of operations. They remained viable: their profit rates were higher than those in most major manufacturing sectors in India.

Although the major generic companies are all producers of generic medicines, they continued to invest sizeable shares of their sales turnover in research and development (R&D). They have been active in taking patents, but their filings in foreign jurisdictions were significantly higher.
Genetically Modified Foods in China: Regulation, Deregulation, or Governance?
Authors: Sun Juanjuan
Published: September 2019

Whether to regulate or deregulate genetically modified food is an international debate, and each country or region has put forward specific policies and legislation based on its own special needs. When it comes to China, technological innovation, economic development, and food security and safety are significant considerations during the decision-making process. This chapter will outline these considerations and examine their influences on the formulation of policies and legislation on genetically modified foods and then point out the trend of government regulations and regulatory debates in China before ending with a conclusion.
The Growth of the Indian Automobile Industry: Analysis of the Roles of Government Policy and Other Enabling Factors
Authors: Miglani Smita
Published: September 2019

The automobile industry is one of the most important drivers of economic growth of India and one with high participation in global value chains. The growth of this sector has been on the back of strong government support which has helped it carve a unique path among the manufacturing sectors of India. The automobiles produced in the country uniquely cater to the demands of low- and middle-income groups of population which makes this sector stand out among the other automobile-producing countries. This chapter analyzes the roles of government policy, infrastructure, and other enabling factors in the expansion of the automobile and automotive component sectors of India. In 2017, India became the world’s fourth largest automobile market, and the demand for Indian vehicles continues to grow in the domestic and international markets. To meet the future needs of customers (including the electrical vehicles) and stay ahead of competition, manufacturers are now catching up on upgradation, digitization, and automation. The chapter also analyzes India’s national policy in light of these developments.
Holographic OPE coefficients from AdS black holes with matters
Authors: Li Yue-Zhou , Mai Zhan-Feng , Lü H.
Published: September 2019

Abstract

We study the OPE coefficients c
Δ, J
for heavy-light scalar four-point functions, which can be obtained holographically from the two-point function of a light scalar of some non-integer conformal dimension Δ
L
in an AdS black hole. We verify that the OPE coefficient c

d,0 = 0 for pure gravity black holes, consistent with the tracelessness of the holographic energy-momentum tensor. We then study the OPE coefficients from black holes involving matter fields. We first consider general charged AdS black holes and we give some explicit low-lying examples of the OPE coefficients. We also obtain the recursion formula for the lowest-twist OPE coefficients with at most two current operators. For integer Δ
L
, although the OPE coefficients are not fully determined, we set up a framework to read off the coefficients γ
Δ,J
of the log(z

$$ \overline{z} $$

z
¯

) terms that are associated with the anomalous dimensions of the exchange operators and obtain a general formula for γ
Δ,J
. We then consider charged AdS black holes in gauged supergravity STU models in D = 5 and D = 7, and their higher-dimensional generalizations. The scalar fields in the STU models are conformally massless, dual to light operators with Δ
L
= d − 2. We derive the linear perturbation of such a scalar in the STU charged AdS black holes and obtain the explicit OPE coefficient c

d−2,0. Finally, we analyse the asymptotic properties of scalar hairy AdS black holes and show how c

d,0 can be nonzero with exchanging scalar operators in these backgrounds.
The connection between holographic entanglement and complexity of purification
Authors: Ghodrati Mahdis , Kuang Xiao-Mei , Wang Bin , Zhang Cheng-Yong , Zhou Yu-Ting
Published: September 2019

Abstract

In this work we study how entanglement of purification (EoP) and the new quantity of “complexity of purification” are related to each other using theEP=EWconjecture. First, we consider two strips in the same side of a boundary and study the relationships between the entanglement of purification of this mixed state and the parameters of the system such as dimension, temperature, length of the strips and the distance between them. Next, using the same setup, we introduce two definitions for the complexity of mixed states, complexity of purification (CoP) and the interval volume (VI). We study their connections to other parameters similar to the EoP case. Then, we extend our study to more general examples of BTZ black holes solution in massive gravity, charged black holes and multipartite systems. Finally, we give various interpretations of our results using resource theories such as LOCC and also bit thread picture.
The time-dependent CP asymmetry in B0 → Kresγ → π+π−$$ {K}_s^0\gamma $$ decays
Authors: Akar S. , Ben-Haim E. , Hebinger J. , Kou E. , Yu F.-S.
Published: September 2019

Abstract

The time-dependent CP asymmetry in B
0 → K
resγ → π+π−
K
Sγ is sensitive to the photon polarisation in the quark level process b → sγ. While this polarisation is predominantly left-handed in the standard model, it could be modified by the existence of new physics contributions that may possess different CP properties. In this paper, we derive the CP violation formulae for B
0 → K
resγ → π+π−
K
Sγ including the most dominant intermediate states. We propose a new observable that could be measured in a time-dependent amplitude analysis of B
0 → π+π−
K
Sγ decays, providing a stringent contraint on the photon polarisation. We discuss the future prospects for obtaining such constraints from measurements at Belle II and LHCb.
Transitional Care in Rheumatology: a Review of the Literature from the Past 5 Years
Authors: McDonagh Janet E. , Farre Albert
Published: September 2019

Purpose of Review

Effective transitional care for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with rheumatic musculoskeletal disease (RMD) is fundamental to rheumatology care provision. Here we review the recent evidence from the literature on transition in rheumatology and debate why universal implementation has yet to be recognised.

Recent Findings

Evidence of need for transitional care continues to be reported. The triphasic nature of transitional care remains poorly recognised, and the third phase following transfer to adult rheumatology is particularly under-researched in spite of the recognition of the age-related trajectories of transition skill development during young adulthood. Several rheumatology-specific transitional care interventions have now been evaluated but the search for valid measures including outcome continues. Finally, the need to study transition at a health system level is increasingly recognised.

Future research in this area should consider the developmental trajectories of AYA as well as the social-ecological model of transition readiness, which focuses on the interactions between AYA, caregivers and providers (and the systems they are part of) as these are the likely targets of any intervention to improve health transitions.
Acute Appendicitis or Lymphoid Hyperplasia: How to Distinguish More Safely?
Authors: Aydin Sonay , Tek Cihat , Ergun Elif , Kazci Omer , Kosar Pinar Nercis
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Lymphoid hyperplasia can be an important mimicker of acute appendicitis by creating a non-compressible appendix more than 6 mm in diameter. The aim of this study was to evaluate methods of distinguishing lymphoid hyperplasia and appendicitis on the basis of sonography, lamina propria thickness, and Alvarado scoring.

Methods

This retrospective study included 259 patients (142 appendicitis, 117 lymphoid hyperplasia). The US (ultrasound) reports of the patients were reviewed and the maximum diameter of the appendix, the presence or absence of increased echogenicity of the surrounding pericaecal fat, local fluid collection, the presence of reactive lymph nodes in the periappendiceal area, and mural hyperemia within the appendix were recorded.

Results

The use of additional sonographic criteria, lamina propria thickness (≤1 mm is indicative for appendicitis), or Alvarado scoring (>6 mm is indicative for appendicitis) provided a true-positive diagnosis for acute appendicitis.

Conclusion

The presence of local fluid collection in the periappendiceal area and a lamina propria thickness ≤ 1 mm are the most successful parameters for distinguishing appendicitis from lymphoid hyperplasia.
Skin in the game
Authors: Kyriakou Georgia , Glentis Apostolos
Published: September 2019

Background:

Following the inception of video games and the subsequent development of progressive innovations in videogame technology, many reports of videogame-related dermatologic conditions soon emerged in literature. Children and adolescents, in particular, are among the most avid consumers of online digital entertainment.

Methods:

In an effort to better detail the impacts of these cutaneous manifestations and provide recommendations for injury prevention as it relates to video games, we performed an extensive systems-based literature review pertaining to the clinical features, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of reported cases of dermatoses resulting from the misuse of video games.

Results:

A literature review using PubMed, SCOPUS, Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed. Hardware implicated in the reported cases include video games consoles, personal computers, laptop computers, mobile phones and tablets. The dermatologic conditions are primarily localized to the extremities, particularly the palms and fingers. The majority are associated with repetitive friction and trauma, as well as allergic contact sensitivities. For all cutaneous manifestations induced by video gaming, early recognition and removal of the offending agent was most often described as effective in symptom resolution.

Conclusions:

The universal use and pervasive popularity of video games for recreational purposes present an emerging dermatological concern. As videogames become increasingly advanced and immersive, various cutaneous conditions arising from intensive gaming will likely become common over time. Consequently, it is critical that dermatologists consider video games with a high index of suspicion when encountering dermatological ailments in underage patients engaging in persistent gaming behavior.
Dyadic and Solitary Sexual Desire in Patients With Fibromyalgia: A Controlled Study
Authors: López-Rodríguez María Mar , Fernández Aida Pérez , Hernández-Padilla José Manuel , Fernández-Sola Cayetano , Fernández-Medina Isabel María , Granero-Molina José
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Although fibromyalgia symptoms negatively affect patients’ sexual life, sexual desire in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia has been understudied.

Aim

To describe and compare sexual desire in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia and healthy control women, and to investigate the influence of fibromyalgia and its pharmacologic treatment on sexual desire among women diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Methods

164 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia participated in the study. Participants’ sexual desire, fibromyalgia symptoms, symptom interference in daily life activities, and perceived quality of life were measured. Further sociodemographic and health-related data were also recorded. 87 healthy women were selected as a control group, and their sexual desire was compared with those of women diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Main Outcome Measures

Main outcome measures included the Sexual Desire Inventory and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire.

Results

When compared with healthy control subjects, women diagnosed with fibromyalgia exhibited a significantly lower mean score on total desire (47.92 ± 17.48 vs 26.33 ± 21.95; P < .001), solitary desire (10.52 ± 5.96 vs 5.74 ± 7.01; P < .001), and dyadic desire (37.40 ± 13.98 vs 20.59 ± 16.94; P < .001). Women diagnosed with fibromyalgia who were taking antidepressants scored significantly lower on dyadic desire (P < .001), solitary desire (P < .001), and total desire (P < .001) than those who were not. Furthermore, a negative correlation between desire (dyadic and solitary) and Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (total and all subscales) was found. Linear regression showed that taking antidepressants, age, and the total Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score explained 16% of the variance of total desire.

Clinical Implications

Knowing how fibromyalgia symptoms and their pharmacologic treatment affect women’s sexual desire may have implications for designing care strategies according to individual needs.

Strengths & Limitations

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that focuses on studying the impact of fibromyalgia on dyadic and solitary sexual desire. Limitations are related to having used an online questionnaire for data collection, having recruited the participants through a convenience sampling technique and not being able to isolate whether certain results are related to fibromyalgia symptoms or are side effects of the pharmacologic treatment used for symptom control.

Conclusion

Fibromyalgia impact seems to negatively influence dyadic and solitary sexual desire in women. In addition, other factors such as age or taking antidepressant drugs may result in lower sexual desire in these patients.
Assessing the Validity of Bioelectrical Impedance and Skinfold Calipers for Measuring Body Composition in NOLS Backcountry Hikers
Authors: Boughman Jihan K. , Masters Melissa A. , Morgan Cass A. , Ruden Tim M. , Rochelle Shannon G.
Published: September 2019

Introduction

The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) conducts backcountry research in an effort to provide the most up-to-date support to its students. Past research efforts have used a variety of body composition measurement tools, including bioelectrical impedance (BIA), skinfold calipers, and air displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod), but these tools are not interchangeable. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and accuracy of the Tanita scale and the Harpenden skinfold calipers for assessing body composition in backcountry hikers.

Methods

Twenty-two NOLS participants completed a 23-d backpacking trip into the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Pre- and postexpedition anthropometric measures were collected using 3 different body composition measurement tools: Tanita segmental body composition monitor, Harpenden skinfold calipers, and the Bod Pod. For the purposes of this study, the Bod Pod was used as the standard against which other methods were compared.

Results

Participants lost a significant amount of weight and fat during the expedition. Fat-free mass increased by 0.4 ± 1.9 kg, but this did not reach significance. A high degree of reliability was found between skinfold calipers and the Bod Pod and between BIA and the Bod Pod. The BIA measurements significantly underreported body fat percentage when compared to the Bod Pod, whereas the skinfold measurements were not significantly different from the Bod Pod, but measurements were more variable.

Conclusions

This study shows that the skinfold caliper and the Tanita scale give measurements comparable to the less readily available and more costly Bod Pod measurement in backcountry expedition participants.
La codification du droit interaméricain de la drogue
Authors: MOUGNOK CYPRIEN BASSAMAGNE
Published: September 2019

Partant du constat de l’absence de littérature sur les processus de codification du “droit interaméricain de la drogue,” la présente étude ambitionne de combler cette lacune en vérifiant par ailleurs l’existence même de ce droit, essentiellement au moyen d’une analyse comparative des prescriptions du droit onusien de la drogue avec celles du droit en vigueur dans les Amériques. Ce faisant, l’auteur en arrive à la conclusion que le droit interaméricain de la drogue est le produit d’un jeu d’influence réciproque entre le droit onusien, les lois-modèles de la Commission interaméricaine de contrôle de l’abus des drogues (CICAD) et les droits nationaux. Ce jeu d’influence, par effet de renvoi, particulièrement entre les lois-modèles de la CICAD et les droits nationaux, traduit bien l’influence des conditions structurelles, métajuridiques et extrajuridiques dans la codification et l’institutionnalisation du droit interaméricain de la drogue.
Continued fractions, the Chen–Stein method and extreme value theory
Authors: GHOSH ANISH , SØLUND KIRSEBOM MAXIM , ROY PARTHANIL
Published: September 2019

In this work we deal with extreme value theory in the context of continued fractions using techniques from probability theory, ergodic theory and real analysis. We give an upper bound for the rate of convergence in the Doeblin–Iosifescu asymptotics for the exceedances of digits obtained from the regular continued fraction expansion of a number chosen randomly from$(0,1)$according to the Gauss measure. As a consequence, we significantly improve the best known upper bound on the rate of convergence of the maxima in this case. We observe that the asymptotics of order statistics and the extremal point process can also be investigated using our methods.
Numerical analysis of a leading edge tubercle hydrofoil in turbulent regime
Authors: Pena Blanca , Muk-Pavic Ema , Thomas Giles , Fitzsimmons Patrick
Published: September 2019

This paper presents a numerical performance evaluation of the leading edge tubercles hydrofoil with particular focus on a fully turbulent flow regime. Efforts were focused on the setting up of an appropriate numerical approach required for an in-depth analysis of this phenomenon, being able to predict the main flow features and the hydrodynamic performance of the foil when operating at high Reynolds numbers. The numerical analysis was conducted using an improved delayed detached eddy simulation for Reynolds numbers corresponding to the transitional and fully turbulent flow regimes at different angles of attack for the pre-stall and post-stall regimes. The results show that tubercles operating in turbulent flow improve the hydrodynamic performance of the foil when compared to a transitional flow regime. Flow separation was identified behind the tubercle troughs, but was significantly reduced when operating in a turbulent regime and for which we have identified the main flow mechanisms. This finding confirms that the tubercle effect identified in a transitional regime is not lost in a turbulent flow. Furthermore, when the hydrofoil operates in the turbulent flow regime, the transition to a turbulent regime takes place further upstream. This phenomenon suppresses a formation of a laminar separation bubble and therefore the hydrofoil exhibits a superior hydrodynamic performance when compared to the same foil in the transitional regime.