bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Instantaneous blow‐up for a fractional in time equation of Sobolev type
Authors: Jleli Mohamed , Samet Bessem
Published: February 2020

We consider the fractional in time Sobolev‐type equation

where
,
and
is the Caputo fractional derivative (with respect to time
) of order
. Using the nonlinear capacity method, we obtain a class of initial data
for which there are no local in time weak solutions; ie, we have an “instantaneous blow‐up” of weak solutions.
Technical Note: Accurate replication of soft and bone tissues with 3D printing
Authors: Okkalidis Nikiforos , Marinakis George
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The fabrication of a realistic patient‐specific skull phantom employing for the first time a new filament extrusion rate method, for the accurate replication of soft and bone tissues both in Hounsfield Units (HU) range and in texture.

Methods

An in‐house developed software was used for the fabrication of the phantom taking into account all the HU of a patient’s Computed Tomography (CT) images, replicating the organs voxel‐by‐voxel without the need of a uniform three‐dimensional printing pattern. Two commercially available materials were used; the polylactic acid (PLA) filament for the soft tissues, and a mixture of 50% of PLA and 50% of gravimetric powdered stone for the bone tissues. Additionally, a layer of small amounts of PLA were also extruded on the fabricated bones.

Results

The replicated anatomy of the phantom was very close to the patient’s one, achieving a similar range of HU without creating any air gaps and variations on the replicated HU, which are the main artifacts observed when a standard infill density and pattern is employed. The maximum measured HU values of the replicated bone tissues were at about 900.

Conclusions

The results indicated an accurate replication of the soft tissues HU, and a significant improvement of the bone tissue HU replication. Further investigation on materials of high density in conjunction with the filament extrusion rate method may provide custom‐made realistic phantoms for diagnostic and lower energy radiation such as in superficial, orthovoltage, and electron beam radiotherapy.
Time‐domain principal component reconstruction (tPCR): A more efficient and stable iterative reconstruction framework for non‐Cartesian functional MRI
Authors: Wang Fei , Hennig Jürgen , LeVan Pierre
Published: February 2020

Purpose

To improve the reconstruction efficiency (i.e., computational load) and stability of iterative reconstruction for non‐Cartesian fMRI when using high undersampling rates and/or in the presence of strong off‐resonance effects.

Theory and Methods

The magnetic resonance encephalography (MREG) sequence with 3D non‐Cartesian trajectory and 0.1s repetition time (TR) was applied to acquire fMRI datasets. Different from a conventional time‐point‐by‐time‐point sequential reconstruction (SR), the proposed time‐domain principal component reconstruction (tPCR) performs three steps: (1) decomposing the k‐t‐space fMRI datasets into time‐domain principal component space using singular value decomposition, (2) reconstructing each principal component with redistributed computation power according to their weights, and (3) combining the reconstructed principal components back to image‐t‐space. The comparison of reconstruction accuracy was performed by simulation experiments and then verified in real fMRI data.

Results

The simulation experiments showed that the proposed tPCR was able to significantly reduce reconstruction errors, and subsequent functional activation errors, relative to SR at identical computational cost. Alternatively, at fixed reconstruction accuracy, computation time was greatly reduced. The improved performance was particularly obvious for L1‐norm nonlinear reconstructions relative to L2‐norm linear reconstructions and robust to different regularization strength, undersampling rates, and off‐resonance effects intensity. By examining activation maps, tPCR was also found to give similar improvements in real fMRI experiments.

Conclusion

The proposed proof‐of‐concept tPCR framework could improve (1) the reconstruction efficiency of iterative reconstruction, and (2) the reconstruction stability especially for nonlinear reconstructions. As a practical consideration, the improved reconstruction speed promotes the application of highly undersampled non‐Cartesian fast fMRI.
Reference values for the motor unit number index and the motor unit size index in five muscles
Authors: Cao Bei , Gu Xiaojing , Zhang Lingyu , Hou Yanbing , Chen Yongping , Wei Qianqian , Ou Ruwei , Shang Huifang
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Few reference values have been established for the motor unit number index (MUNIX) and motor unit size index (MUSIX). In this study we aimed to investigate the features of MUNIX in healthy individuals for five muscles.

Methods

We measured the MUNIX in the right abductor pollicis brevis (APB), abductor digiti minimi (ADM), biceps brachii (BB), tibialis anterior (TA), and trapezius (TR) muscles.

Results

The study enrolled 76 male and 74 female participants. The mean MUNIX and mean MUSIX of the right APB, ADM, BB, TA, and TR muscles were 191.0 ± 43.6, 179.1 ± 38.8, 179.7 ± 36.2, 152.1 ± 38.8, and 166.1 ± 40.7; and 60.4 ± 12.5, 59.3 ± 13.7, 43.8 ± 11.5, 41.3 ± 10.7, and 49.1 ± 15.2, respectively. MUNIX in these five muscles was inversely related to age.

Discussion

The establishment of reference values for MUNIX and MUSIX in five muscles may help in monitoring the progression of neuromuscular diseases.
Associations between changes in resilient coping and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms
Authors: Sinclair Vaughn G. , Adams Susan M. , Dietrich Mary
Published: February 2020

The pervasive, damaging nature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) presents enormous clinical challenges. Understanding the relationship between patients’ perceptions of PTSD symptoms and resilient coping strategies may prompt investigation of clinical interventions that improve adaptive, resilient coping skills. In this study, we examined whether changes in resilient coping were related to changes over time in the PTSD symptoms of intrusion and avoidance. A secondary analysis was conducted using longitudinal data from the community‐based Washington State Twin Registry. Participants completed the four‐item Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) and the Avoidance and Intrusion subscales of the Impact of Events Scale (IES) at two points in time that were at least 2 years apart. To limit analyses to participants reporting PTSD symptoms at baseline, an initial value of at least 1.0 on either Avoidance (n = 1,337) or Intrusion (n = 1,206) was required for inclusion in the sample. Using linear regression, we assessed associations of change in BRCS with a change in IES scores, controlling for the respective initial scores on each measure. Controlling for initial BRCS and IES‐Intrusion values, we observed a small, statistically significant association between change in BRCS and change in IES‐Intrusion scores (b* = −0.07; p = .003). There was no statistically significant association between change in BRCS and change in IES‐Avoidance (b* < 0.01; p = .869). In this large, longitudinal sample, increases in resilient coping were related to decreases in intrusive thoughts over time. Because coping patterns can be taught, these results warrant further investigations into adaptive coping patterns associated with diminishing PTSD symptoms.
Polyphosphazene microspheres modified with transition metal hydroxystannate for enhancing the flame retardancy of polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Li Shuai , Li Teng , Wang Xuan , Zhong Yi , Zhang Linping , Wang Bijia , Feng Xueling , Sui Xiaofeng , Xu Hong , Chen Zhize , Mao Zhiping
Published: February 2020

A novel PZS@CS hybrid structure was synthesized for enhancing the flame retardancy of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The PZS@CS hybrids showed significant flame retardance. For example, the incorporation of 6 wt% PZS@CS obviously brought about an 8.8% increase of limiting oxygen index value (29.3%) and passed the vertical burning test UL‐94 V‐0 level, accompanied with the sharp reduction of heat and smoke release. The flame retardant mechanism of PZS@CS hybrids was fully studied by the Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), pyrolysis‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and Raman methods, and the results showed that the improvement of flame retardancy was mainly ascribed to the synergistic effect of PZS and CS phases in both the condensed and the gas phase. Rheological results showed that PZS@CS hybrids improved the melt complex viscosity of PET composites and the well compatibility of PET matrix and PZS@CS hybrids was also proved by the improvement of mechanical properties.
An overview of synthetic modification of nitrile group in polymers and applications
Authors: Sruthi Pambingal Rajan , Anas Saithalavi
Published: February 2020

The physicochemical properties of polymers are mainly dependent on the nature of polymer backbone and/or pendant groups linked to the main chain. Therefore, synthetic modification of these functional groups via post functionalization is an important approach for obtaining novel polymeric systems with improved properties and targeted applications. In this context, the synthetic modifications of nitrile group in polymers into various useful functionalities have received considerable attention and several interesting applications of the resulting polymers have been identified. The majority of the studies are based on Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), and some isolated examples of nitrile functionalization in copolymers such as Poly (Styrene‐co‐Acrylonitrile) (SAN), Poly (Acrylonitrile‐co‐Butadiene‐co‐Styrene (ABS) and Nitrile Rubber (NBR) are available. These synthetic modifications are mainly accomplished by the reactions such as Nucleophilic addition, cycloaddition, reduction, and hydrolysis using various reagents. These studies describing the post‐polymerization modifications of nitrile group in polymers reported during the last three decades are covered in this review.
The Bloch Electron Response to Electric Fields: Application to Graphene
Authors: Iafrate Gerald , Sokolov Valeriy
Published: February 2020

The theory of Bloch electron dynamics for carriers in homogeneous electric fields of arbitrary time dependence is developed in consideration of the electronic transport properties in graphene. The general approach is to use the accelerated Bloch state representation (ABR) as a basis so that the dependence upon the electric field, including Zener tunneling, is treated exactly; also, the electric field is described in the vector potential gauge. Within the ABR, the instantaneous eigenstates for the central Hamiltonian are described and utilized to develop both the time‐dependent wave functions and the single‐particle density matrix pictures with explicit application to intrinsic graphene. The Bloch electron analysis for graphene in a constant electric field reveals the explicit manifestation of electron–hole pair creation, Bloch oscillations, and Wannier–Stark localization. The average velocity and acceleration are established as an explicit function of the electric field, and their behavior is characterized on short and long time scales. Further, it is shown that the average acceleration in a nonvanishing electric field gives rise to an electric field induced dynamical effective mass tensor in the direction of the field.
Curcumin inhibits cell viability, migration, and invasion of thymic carcinoma cells via downregulation of microRNA‐27a
Authors: Han Zhifeng , Zhang Jingzhe , Zhang Kun , Zhao Yinghao
Published: February 2020

Curcumin (CUR) is a kind of polyphenolic compound and widely used in the treatment of diseases. However, the involvement of CUR in thymic carcinoma remains unknown. The object of our research is to clarify the role of CUR and related regulatory mechanism in thymic carcinoma cells. After treatment with CUR for 24 hr, cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of TC1889 cells were measured. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was executed to examine the expression of microRNA‐27a (miR‐27a) in thymic carcinoma tissues and TC1889 cells. After miR‐27a mimic transfection, whether miR‐27a is involved in CUR‐modulated cell behaviors was measured. Finally, western blot was utilized to detect mTOR and Notch 1 pathways‐linked proteins. CUR restrained cell viability and increased cell apoptosis of TC1889 cells. In addition, cell migration and invasion were restrained by CUR. Meanwhile, miR‐27a expression was positively regulated in thymic carcinoma tissues and downregulated by CUR in TC1889 cells. Overexpressed miR‐27a reversed the CUR‐induced reduction of growth, migration, and invasion in TC1889 cells. Furthermore, CUR blocked mTOR and Notch 1 pathways via downregulating miR‐27a. We demonstrated that CUR blocked mTOR and Notch 1 pathways via downregulating miR‐27a, thereby suppressing cell growth, migration, and invasion of thymic carcinoma cells.
Stabilization of a class of nonlinear uncertain ordinary differential equation by parabolic partial differential equation controller
Authors: Benabdallah Abdallah
Published: February 2020

This article is concerned with stabilization for a class of uncertain nonlinear ordinary differential equation (ODE) with dynamic controller governed by linear 1−d heat partial differential equation (PDE). The control input acts at the one boundary of the heat's controller domain and the second boundary injects a Dirichlet term in ODE plant. The main contribution of this article is the use of the recent infinite‐dimensional backstepping design for state feedback stabilization design of coupled PDE‐ODE systems, to stabilize exponentially the nonlinear uncertain systems, under the restrictions that (a) the right‐hand side of the ODE equation has the classical particular form: linear controllable part with an additive nonlinear uncertain function satisfying lower triangular linear growth condition, and (b) the length of the PDE domain has to be restricted. We solve the stabilization problem despite the fact that all known backstepping transformation in the literature cannot decouple the PDE and the ODE subsystems. Such difficulty is due to the presence of a nonlinear uncertain term in the ODE system. This is done by introducing a new globally exponentially stable target system for which the PDE and ODE subsystems are strongly coupled. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the design procedure of the proposed method.
A Markovian jump system approach to consensus of heterogeneous multiagent systems with partially unknown and uncertain attack strategies
Authors: Xu Zhenhua , Ni Hongjie , Reza Karimi Hamid , Zhang Dan
Published: February 2020

The problem of robust leader‐following consensus of heterogeneous multiagent systems subject to deny‐of‐service attacks is investigated, where attack strategies are partially unknown and uncertain to defender. A Markovian jump system approach is proposed, that is, capable of describing the occurrence of different attack strategies, and the occurring probability of each attack strategy is represented by the transition probability of the Markovian jump model. Then, sufficient conditions are derived such that the output tracking performance can be guaranteed. In order to design the controller gains, some slack matrices are introduced, which can provide some design freedom. Finally, it is shown that the controller design results can be applied to the multivehicle position‐tracking system. The simulation results reveal that the consensus performance is much better if one has more statistics information on attacks.
Robust adaptive fault‐tolerant quantized control of nonlinear systems with constraints on system behaviors and states
Authors: Zhao Kai , Lei Ting , Lin Ting , Chen Long
Published: February 2020

In this work, we develop a robust adaptive fault‐tolerant tracking control scheme for a class of input‐quantized strict‐feedback nonlinear systems in the presence of error/state constraints and actuation faults. The problem is rather complicated yet challenging if nonparametric uncertainties and unknown quantization parameters as well as time‐varying yet completely undetectable actuation faults are involved in the considered systems. Compared with the most existing approaches in the literature, the proposed control exhibits several attractive advantages: (1) upon using a nonlinear decomposition for quantized input and employing the robust technique for actuation fault, not only the exact knowledge of quantization parameters are not required, but also the actuation fault can be easily compensated since neither fault detection and diagnosis/fault detection and identification nor controller reconfiguration is needed; (2) based on the error/state‐dependent unified nonlinear function, the constraints on tracking error and system states are directly handled and the cases with or without constraints can also be addressed in a unified manner without changing the control structure; and (3) the utilization of unified nonlinear function‐based dynamic surface control not only avoids the problem of the explosion of complexity in traditional backstepping design, but also bypasses the demanding feasibility conditions of virtual controllers. Furthermore, by using the Lyapunov analysis, it is ensured that all signals in the closed‐loop systems are uniformly ultimately bounded. The effectiveness of the developed control algorithm is confirmed by numerical simulations.
Gravity Drawing of Micro‐ and Nanofibers for Additive Manufacturing of Well‐Organized 3D‐Nanostructured Scaffolds
Authors: Yadavalli Nataraja S. , Asheghali Darya , Tokarev Alexander , Zhang Weizhong , Xie Jin , Minko Sergiy
Published: February 2020

This work introduces a gravity fiber drawing (GFD) method of making single filament nanofibers from polymer solutions and precise alignment of the fibers in 3D scaffolds. This method is advantageous for nanofiber 3D alignment in contrast to other known methods. GFD provides a technology for the fabrication of freestanding filament nanofibers of well‐controlled diameter, draw ratio, and 3D organization with controllable spacing and angular orientation between nanofibers. The GFD method is capable of fabricating complex 3D scaffolds combining fibers with different diameters, chemical compositions, mechanical properties, angular orientations, and multilayer structures in the same construct. The scaffold porosity can be as high as 99% to secure transport of nutrients and space for cell infiltration and differentiation in tissue engineering and 3D cell culture applications.
First Report of Chenodeoxycholic Acid–Substituted Dyes Improving the Dye Monolayer Quality in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Buene Audun F. , Almenningen David M. , Hagfeldt Anders , Gautun Odd R. , Hoff Bård H.
Published: February 2020

Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) is the most used antiaggregation additive in dye‐sensitized solar cells since its introduction to the field in 1993. However, effective suppression of dye aggregation comes at the cost of reduced dye loading, a lower open‐circuit voltage, and limited control of dye/additive distribution when cosensitizing with free CDCA. To combat this, herein, a novel dye design concept that uses the covalent attachment of a CDCA moiety to triarylamine sensitizers is reported. The CDCA substituents do not affect the photophysical or electrochemical properties of the sensitizers but have a positive effect on the photovoltaic performance with [Cu+/2+(tmby)2](TFSI)1/2 electrolyte (tmby = 4,4′,6,6′‐tetramethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, TFSI = bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide). By ensuring a one‐to‐one ratio of dye and CDCA, paired with isotropic distributions of each component, this approach results in a higher‐quality dye monolayer. Compared with the reference system, the novel approach reported herein gives a higher open‐circuit voltage and power conversion efficiency (PCE). The best device is fabricated with the dye C6–CDCA, delivering a PCE of 6.84% (8 μm TiO2, 1 mm CDCA, JSC = 8.64 mA cm−2, VOC = 1007 mV, and FF = 0.77).
Mean score equation and instrumental variables: Another look at estimating the volume under the receiver operating characteristic surface when data are missing not at random
Authors: To Duc Khanh , Adimari Gianfranco , Chiogna Monica
Published: February 2020

Evaluation of accuracy of diagnostic tests is frequently undertaken under nonignorable (NI) verification bias. Here, we discuss an approach, based on a mean score equation, aimed to estimate the volume under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) surface of a diagnostic test under NI verification bias. The proposed approach rests on a parametric regression model for the verification process, which accommodates for possible NI missingness in the disease status of sample subjects, and may employ instrumental variables, to help avoid possible identifiability problems. The solution of the mean score equation derived from the verification model requires to preliminarily estimate the parameters of a model for the disease process, whose specification is limited to verified subjects. Verification bias‐corrected estimators, an alternative to those recently proposed in the literature and based on a full likelihood approach, are obtained from the estimated verification and disease probabilities. Consistency and asymptotic normality of the new estimators are established. Simulation experiments are conducted to evaluate their finite‐sample performances, and an application to a dataset from a research on epithelial ovarian cancer is presented. Although the narrative is driven by the three‐class case, the extension to high‐dimensional ROC analysis is also presented.
Safety of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in postpartum period in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bellos I. , Pergialiotis V. , Antsaklis A. , Loutradis D. , Daskalakis G.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To assess the effect of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on blood pressure when administered for postpartum analgesia in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Methods

MEDLINE, Scopus, CENTRAL,
Clinicaltrials.gov and Google Scholar databases were searched systematically from inception to 5 December 2019 for studies evaluating the safety of postpartum NSAIDs in women with any gestational hypertensive disorder. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies were eligible for inclusion. Case–control studies, case series and case reports were excluded. The primary outcomes of interest were the incidence of severe hypertension and systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure. Pooled estimates were obtained by fitting a random‐effects statistical model. The quality of evidence was assessed according to Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) guidelines.

Results

Ten studies were included, comprising five RCTs and five retrospective cohort studies and involving a total of 1647 women. All studies were evaluated qualitatively and eight of them were included in the quantitative meta‐analysis. Administration of NSAIDs was not associated with a significantly higher risk of severe postpartum hypertension (odds ratio, 1.52 (95% CI, 0.77–3.01)). Similarly, no significant differences were found in postpartum systolic blood pressure (mean difference (MD), –3.03 mmHg (95% CI, –6.21 to 0.15 mmHg)) and mean arterial pressure (MD, –0.38 mmHg (95% CI, –1.88 to 1.11 mmHg)) between women who received NSAIDs and those who did not, whereas postpartum diastolic blood pressure was marginally lower in women treated with NSAIDs (MD, –2.28 mmHg (95% CI, –4.44 to –0.13 mmHg)). The same effects were observed when studies with a large sample size, RCTs, women with severe pre‐eclampsia and studies using ibuprofen as the study drug and acetaminophen as the control treatment were examined separately. The credibility of evidence was judged to be very low according to GRADE, owing to concerns about study limitations, inconsistency and imprecision.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis suggests that postpartum administration of NSAIDs is not associated with elevated blood pressure in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. However, the existing evidence is of very low quality, thus future large‐scale RCTs are warranted to verify the safety of postpartum NSAIDs in this population. Copyright © 2020 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Representation of wind turbine blade responses in power production load cases by linear mode shapes
Authors: Gözcü Ozan , Stolpe Mathias
Published: February 2020

The wind turbine industry is designing large MW size turbines with very long blades, which exhibit large deflections during their operational life. These large deflections decrease the accuracy of linear models such as linear finite element and modal‐based models, in which the structure is represented by linear mode shapes. The aim of this study is to investigate the competence of the mode shapes to represent the large blade responses in normal operation load cases. For this purpose, blade deflections are projected onto the linear modal space, swept by mode shape vectors. The projection shows the contribution of each mode and the projection error. The blade deflections are calculated by a nonlinear aero‐servo‐elastic solver for power production fatigue load cases with normal turbulence. The mode shapes are calculated at the steady‐state deflected blade position computed at different wind speeds. Three reference turbine blades are used in the study to evaluate the effects of various blade design parameters such as length, stiffness, mass, and prebend. The results show that although the linear mode shapes can represent the flapwise and edgewise deflections accurately, axial and torsional deflections cannot be captured with good accuracy. The geometric nonlinear effects are more apparent in the latter directions. The results indicate that the blade deflections occur beyond the linear assumptions.
Metal Complexes of Indigo and of Some Related Ligands
Authors: Beck Wolfgang , Sünkel Karlheinz
Published: February 2020

While the first coordination compounds of indigo were reported over 100 years ago, a systematic study of the coordination chemistry of this important dye and also its structural “relatives” remained silent for over half a century. Only in the last two decades of the 20th century research on this topic started again keeps on growing ever since. It could be established, mainly by X‐ray crystallography, but also by many other modern spectroscopic techniques, that deprotonated indigo, and its deprotonated oxidized and reduced forms act as mono‐ and bidentate chelate ligands in metal complexes
Logarithmic forms and differential equations for Feynman integrals
Authors: Herrmann Enrico , Parra-Martinez Julio
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We describe in detail how a d log representation of Feynman integrals leads to simple differential equations. We derive these differential equations directly in loop momentum or embedding space making use of a localization trick and generalized unitarity. For the examples we study, the alphabet of the differential equation is related to special points in kinematic space, described by certain cut equations which encode the geometry of the Feynman integral. At one loop, we reproduce the motivic formulae described by Goncharov [1] that reappeared in the context of Feynman integrals in [2–4]. The d log representation allows us to generalize the differential equations to higher loops and motivates the study of certain mixed-dimension integrals.
On the BPS Spectrum of the rank-1 Minahan-Nemeschansky theories
Authors: Distler Jacques , Martone Mario , Neitzke Andrew
Published: February 2020

Abstract

The F-theory realization of the rank-1 Minahan Nemeschansky (MN) E6, E7 and E8 theories leads to a description of the BPS states on the Coulomb branch in terms of Type IIB (p, q)-string networks. Subject to a simple ansatz for the types of networks which can occur, we study the representations of the flavor symmetry group which occur in the BPS spectrum. The results we find for the E6 and E7 theories are in perfect agreement with previous calculations by other methods (in particular, we find that arbitrarily large representations occur), but our scheme is easier to implement and more computationally efficient. The string network picture also gives a possible explanation of the experimental observation that in rank-1 MN theories, BPS states whose charge is n times a primitive charge occur with BPS index divisible by (−1)n+1n.
Probing the decoupled seesaw scalar in rare Higgs boson decay
Authors: Gao Yu , Jin Mingjie , Wang Kechen
Published: February 2020

Abstract

The Higgs boson can mix with a singlet scalar that dynamically generates the Majorana mass of the right-handed neutrino NR. We show that even a tiny mixing between the Higgs boson and a ‘decoupled’ singlet scalar allows for Higgs-mediated pair production of NR without significant mixings between the active neutrinos and NR, and thus testable at colliders via a characteristic signal of two same-sign same-flavor lepton pairs, plus missing energy. We demonstrate that this search channel is mostly background- free in pp-collision and can be a highly sensitive probe of the Higgs-singlet mixing at the current and future pp colliders. Such channel provides a clean signal to discover the singlet scalar and explore the origin of neutrino masses.
Algorithms and tools for iterated Eisenstein integrals
Authors: Duhr Claude , Tancredi Lorenzo
Published: February 2020

Abstract

We present algorithms to work with iterated Eisenstein integrals that have recently appeared in the computation of multi-loop Feynman integrals. These algorithms allow one to analytically continue these integrals to all regions of the parameter space, and to obtain fast converging series representations in each region. We illustrate our approach on the examples of hypergeometric functions that evaluate to iterated Eisenstein integrals as well as the well-known sunrise graph.
Störungseinsicht bei körperdysmorpher Störung, Zwangsstörung und sozialer Angststörung
Authors: Schulte Johanna , Dietel Fanny A. , Buhlmann Ulrike
Published: February 2020

Hintergrund

Die körperdysmorphe Störung (KDS) geht mit einer geringen Störungseinsicht bis zu wahnhaft anmutenden Überzeugungen bezüglich wahrgenommener körperlicher Makel einher, die für andere nur leicht oder nicht sichtbar sind. Während die Einsicht bei der KDS bereits vielfach untersucht wurde und obwohl sie ein transdiagnostisch relevantes Merkmal ist, gibt es kaum vergleichende Studien.

Ziel der Arbeit

Es wird untersucht, inwiefern sich Personen mit einer KDS von Personen mit einer Zwangsstörung (ZS) und einer sozialen Angststörung (SAS) dimensional und kategorial hinsichtlich der Einsicht unterscheiden.

Material und Methode

Personen mit KDS (n = 36), ZS (n = 38) und SAS (n = 36) beantworteten diagnostische Interviews und Fragebogen. Die Einsicht wurde mithilfe eines teilstrukturierten Interviews, das verschiedene Facetten und Grade von Einsicht erfasst, beurteilt (Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale).

Ergebnisse

In allen Gruppen lagen unterschiedliche Einsichtsgrade im gesamten Spektrum von exzellent bis fehlend vor. Bei den Betroffenen mit einer KDS entsprach der Gesamtmittelwert einer schlechten (M = 13,25, SD ± 6,32), bei Betroffenen mit einer SAS einer ausreichenden (M = 10,39, SD ± 5,70) und bei Betroffenen mit einer ZS einer guten Einsicht (M = 4,74, SD ± 5,49). Abgesehen von einer stärkeren Fixiertheit der Überzeugung bei KDS war die Einsicht bei KDS und SAS dimensional und kategorial nicht signifikant voneinander verschieden, jedoch bei beiden Störungen schlechter als bei ZS.

Diskussion

Die Ergebnisse bestätigen, dass die KDS mit geringer Einsicht einhergeht, dies jedoch fast gleichermaßen auf die SAS zutrifft. Die Störungseinsicht erscheint bei allen untersuchten Störungen relevant und sollte in der Psychotherapie von Beginn an diagnostisch und psychotherapeutisch berücksichtigt werden.
Association of handgrip strength with patient-reported outcome measures after total hip and knee arthroplasty
Authors: Meessen Jennifer M. T. A. , Fiocco Marta , Tordoir Rutger L. , Sjer Arnout , Verdegaal Suzan H. M. , Slagboom P. Eline , Vliet Vlieland Thea P. M. , Nelissen Rob G. H. H.
Published: February 2020

About 33% patients with osteoarthritis undergoing total hip/knee arthroplasty are not satisfied with the outcome, warranting the need to improve patient selection. Handgrip strength (HGS) has been suggested as a proxy for overall muscle strength and may be associated with post-arthroplasty function. This study aims to assess the association of pre-operative HGS with change in hip/knee function and quality of life in patients with arthroplasty. 226 hip (THA) and 246 knee (TKA) arthroplasty patients were included in this prospective cohort study. Pre-operative HGS was assessed by means of a dynamometer and the HOOS/KOOS and SF-36 questionnaires were collected before arthroplasty and 1 year thereafter. The association of HGS with score change on each sub-domain of the included questionnaires was assessed by linear regression models, adjusting for sex, body mass index and baseline score. Mean pre-operative HGS was 26 kg for patients undergoing THA and 24 kg for those undergoing TKA. HGS was positively associated with an increased improvement score on “function in sport and recreation”-domain in hip (β = 0.68, P = 0.005) and knee (β = 0.52, P = 0.049) and “symptoms”-domain in hip (β = 0.56, P = 0.001). For patients with THA, HGS was associated with the “quality of life” domain (β = 0.33, P = 0.033). In patients with TKA, HGS was associated with the physical component score (β = 0.31, P = 0.001). All statistically significant effects were positive, indicating that with greater pre-operative HGS, an increased gain in 1-year post-surgery score was observed. HGS can be used as a tool to inform patients with OA who are future candidates for a prosthesis about the possible improvements of certain aspects of life after arthroplasty.
Prognosis of persistent mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Mauri Victor , Körber Maria I. , Kuhn Elmar , Schmidt Tobias , Frerker Christian , Wahlers Thorsten , Rudolph Tanja K. , Baldus Stephan , Adam Matti , ten Freyhaus Henrik
Published: February 2020

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess imaging predictors of mitral regurgitation (MR) improvement and to evaluate the impact of MR regression on long-term outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background

Concomitant MR is a frequent finding in patients with severe aortic stenosis but usually left untreated at the time of TAVR.

Methods

Mitral regurgitation was graded by transthoracic echocardiography before and after TAVR in 677 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis. 2-year mortality was related to the degree of baseline and discharge MR. Morphological echo analysis was performed to determine predictors of MR improvement.

Results

15.2% of patients presented with baseline MR ≥ 3 +, which was associated with a significantly decreased 2-year survival (57.7% vs. 74.4%, P < 0.001). MR improved in 50% of patients following TAVR, with 44% regressing to MR ≤ 2 +. MR improvement to ≤ 2 + was associated with significantly better survival compared to patients with persistent MR ≥ 3 +. Baseline parameters including non-severe baseline MR, the extent of mitral annular calcification and large annular dimension (≥ 32 mm) predicted the likelihood of an improvement to MR ≤ 2 +. A score based on these parameters selected groups with differing probability of MR ≤ 2 + post TAVR ranging from 10.5 to 94.4% (AUC 0.816; P < 0.001), and was predictive for 2-year mortality.

Conclusion

Unresolved severe MR is a critical determinant of long term mortality following TAVR. Persistence of severe MR following TAVR can be predicted using selected parameters derived from TTE-imaging. These data call for close follow up and additional mitral valve treatment in this subgroup.

Graphic abstract

Factors associated with MR persistence or regression after TAVR
High water intake and low urine osmolality are associated with favorable metabolic profile at a population level: low vasopressin secretion as a possible explanation
Authors: Brunkwall Louise , Ericson Ulrika , Nilsson Peter M. , Enhörning Sofia
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Elevated plasma concentration of the vasopressin marker copeptin and low water intake are associated with elevated blood glucose and diabetes risk at a population level. Moreover, in individuals with low urine volume and high urine osmolality (u-Osm), water supplementation reduced fasting plasma (fp) copeptin and fp-glucose. In this observational study, we investigated if low total water intake or high u-Osm correlated with high fp-copeptin and components of the metabolic syndrome at the population level.

Methods

In the population-based Malmö Offspring Study (MOS, n = 2599), fp-copeptin and u-Osm from morning urine samples were measured, and diet and total water intake (from beverages and food moisture) was assessed by a 4-day web-based record.

Results

Increasing water intake by tertile was after adjustment for age and sex associated with low fp-triglycerides (p = 0.002) and high fp-HDL (p = 0.004), whereas there was no association with the other investigated metabolic traits (HbA1c, fp-glucose, BMI or waist circumference). Increasing u-Osm by tertile was, after adjustment for age and sex, associated with high fp-glucose (p = 0.007), and borderline significantly associated with high HbA1c (p = 0.053), but no association was observed with fp-HDL, fp-triglycerides, BMI or waist circumference. Fp-copeptin concentration correlated significantly with water intake (r = − 0.13, p < 0.001) and u-Osm (r = 0.27, p < 0.001). High copeptin was associated with all investigated metabolic traits (p < 0.001 for all).

Conclusion

Low concentrations of the vasopressin marker copeptin is linked to high water intake, low u-Osm, and a favorable metabolic profile, suggesting that vasopressin lowering lifestyle interventions, such as increased water intake, may promote metabolic health.
Experts’ opinion for improving global adolescent vaccination rates: a call to action
Authors: Azzari Chiara , Diez-Domingo Javier , Eisenstein Evelyn , Faust Saul N. , Konstantopoulos Andreas , Marshall Gary S. , Rodrigues Fernanda , Schwarz Tino F. , Weil-Olivier Catherine
Published: February 2020

Worldwide, lifestyle and resource disparities among adolescents contribute to unmet health needs, which have crucial present and future public health implications for both adolescents and broader communities. Risk of infection among adolescents is amplified by biological, behavioral, and environmental factors; however, infectious diseases to which adolescents are susceptible are often preventable with vaccines. Beyond these concerns, there is a lack of knowledge regarding adolescent vaccination and disease risk among parents and adolescents, which can contribute to low vaccine uptake. Promising efforts have been made to improve adolescent vaccination by programs with motivational drivers and comprehensive communication with the public. In May 2017, a multidisciplinary group of experts met in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to discuss adolescent vaccine uptake, as part of an educational initiative called the Advancing Adolescent Health Spring Forum. This article presents consensus opinions resulting from the meeting, which pertain to the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases among adolescents, reasons for low vaccine uptake, and common characteristics of successful strategies for improving adolescent vaccination.

Conclusion: There is an urgent “call to action,” particularly targeting healthcare providers and public health authorities, for the prioritization of adolescent vaccination as a necessary element of preventive healthcare in this age group.

What is Known:• Despite increased risk of certain infectious diseases, adolescent vaccination uptake remains low.

What is New:• Barriers to adolescent vaccine uptake include lack of information regarding vaccines and disease risk, health system inadequacies, and insufficient healthcare follow-up.• Successful efforts to improve adolescent vaccine uptake need cohesive leadership and involvement of multiple stakeholders, as well as youth-friendly messaging; healthcare providers and policymakers should prioritize adolescent vaccination and implement proven program strategies to improve adolescent health worldwide.
Timing of indocyanine green injection prior to laparoscopic colorectal surgery for tumor localization: a prospective case series
Authors: Satoyoshi Tetsuta , Okita Kenji , Ishii Masayuki , Hamabe Atsushi , Usui Akihiro , Akizuki Emi , Okuya Koichi , Nishidate Toshihiko , Yamano Hiroo , Nakase Hiroshi , Takemasa Ichiro
Published: February 2020

Background

Accurate identification of tumor sites during laparoscopic colorectal surgery helps to optimize oncological clearance. We aimed to assess the timing of the local injection preoperatively and clarify the usefulness and limitation of tumor site marking using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent primary colorectal cancer surgery from September 2017 to January 2019 were included. Preoperatively, lower endoscopy was used to inject the ICG solution into the submucosal layer near the tumor. During laparoscopic surgery, ICG fluorescence marking as the tumor site marking was detected using a laparoscopic near-infrared camera system. The detection rate and factors associated with successful intraoperative ICG fluorescence visualization including the interval between local injection and surgery were evaluated.

Results

One hundred sixty-five patients were enrolled. Using the laparoscopic near-infrared system, the intraoperative detection rates of ICG marking were 100% for ICG injection within 6 days preoperatively, 60% for injection between 7 and 9 days preoperatively, and 0% for injection earlier than 10 days preoperatively. There were no complications associated with ICG marking. Additionally, this method did not disturb the progress of the surgical procedure because injected ICG in the submucosal layer did not cause any tissue inflammation, and if ICG spilled into the serosa, it was invisible by white light.

Conclusion

Advantages of ICG fluorescence tumor site marking were high visibility of infrared imaging during laparoscopic colorectal surgery and minimal adverse events of surgery. One of the most important findings regarding practical use was a rapid decrease in fluorescence marking visibility if one week passed from the time of ICG local injection.
Semigroups for which every right congruence of finite index is finitely generated
Authors: Miller Craig
Published: February 2020

We call a semigroupSf-noetherian if every right congruence of finite index onSis finitely generated. We prove that every finitely generated semigroup is f-noetherian, and investigate whether the properties of being f-noetherian and being finitely generated coincide for various semigroup classes.
Important roles of dietary taurine, creatine, carnosine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline in human nutrition and health
Authors: Wu Guoyao
Published: February 2020

Taurine (a sulfur-containing β-amino acid), creatine (a metabolite of arginine, glycine and methionine), carnosine (a dipeptide; β-alanyl-l-histidine), and 4-hydroxyproline (an imino acid; also often referred to as an amino acid) were discovered in cattle, and the discovery of anserine (a methylated product of carnosine; β-alanyl-1-methyl-l-histidine) also originated with cattle. These five nutrients are highly abundant in beef, and have important physiological roles in anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory reactions, as well as neurological, muscular, retinal, immunological and cardiovascular function. Of particular note, taurine, carnosine, anserine, and creatine are absent from plants, and hydroxyproline is negligible in many plant-source foods. Consumption of 30 g dry beef can fully meet daily physiological needs of the healthy 70-kg adult human for taurine and carnosine, and can also provide large amounts of creatine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline to improve human nutrition and health, including metabolic, retinal, immunological, muscular, cartilage, neurological, and cardiovascular health. The present review provides the public with the much-needed knowledge of nutritionally and physiologically significant amino acids, dipeptides and creatine in animal-source foods (including beef). Dietary taurine, creatine, carnosine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline are beneficial for preventing and treating obesity, cardiovascular dysfunction, and ageing-related disorders, as well as inhibiting tumorigenesis, improving skin and bone health, ameliorating neurological abnormalities, and promoting well being in infants, children and adults. Furthermore, these nutrients may promote the immunological defense of humans against infections by bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses (including coronavirus) through enhancing the metabolism and functions of monocytes, macrophages, and other cells of the immune system. Red meat (including beef) is a functional food for optimizing human growth, development and health.
Versorgung des abdominellen Aortenaneurysmas (AAA) 2018
Authors: Schmitz-Rixen T. , Steffen M. , Böckler D. , Grundmann R. T.
Published: February 2020

Zielsetzung

Die Daten für das Jahr 2018 des Registers „Abdominelles Aortenaneurysma“ (AAA) des Deutschen Instituts für Gefäßmedizinische Gesundheitsforschung (DIGG) der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gefäßchirurgie und Gefäßmedizin werden vorgestellt.

Methodik

Im Jahr 2018 beteiligten sich an dem Register insgesamt 135 Kliniken. Für die offene Versorgung (OR) des intakten AAA (iAAA) gaben 118 (87,4 %) Kliniken, für die endovaskuläre Versorgung (EVAR) des iAAA 133 (98,5 %) Kliniken Daten ein. Für das rupturierte AAA (rAAA) wurden von 80 Kliniken (59,3 %) (EVAR) bzw. 65 (48,1 %) Kliniken (OR) Patienten gemeldet. Ausgewertet wurden die Daten von 4051 stationär behandelten Patienten.

Ergebnisse

2800 iAAA (75,8 %) wurden endovaskulär und 895 (24,2 %) offen versorgt. Bei den endovaskulär versorgten Patienten mit iAAA verlief der Eingriff in 86,4 % der Fälle komplikationslos. Es verstarben insgesamt 32 Patienten (1,1 %) bis zur Entlassung. Bei den offen versorgten Patienten wiesen 73,4 % der Patienten keine Komplikationen auf. Verstorben sind insgesamt 42 Patienten (4,7 %). Von den 356 Patienten mit rAAA wurden 192 (53,9 %) endovaskulär und 164 (46,1 %) offen versorgt. Nur 11,0 % der mit OR versorgten Patienten, aber 23,4 % bei EVAR wiesen freies Blut in der Bauchhöhle auf. Bei EVAR sind 30,7 % der Patienten während des stationären Aufenthalts verstorben, bei OR 20,1 %.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Ergebnisse des Jahres 2018 zu Klinikletalität und Morbidität bei endovaskulärer und offener Versorgung des iAAA bestätigen weitestgehend die publizierten Ergebnisse für die Jahre 2013 bis 2017. Beim rAAA wurde 2018 erstmals über mehr endovaskuläre als offene Versorgungen berichtet – mit Ergebnissen, die denen der Vorjahre diametral entgegengesetzt waren. Patienten mit EVAR wiesen die höhere Komorbidität als Patienten mit OR auf und die Klinikletalität war höher. Es bleiben die Ergebnisse der Folgejahre abzuwarten, um diesen Trend genauer bewerten zu können.