bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of intracranial arteriovenous malformation embolization with more rapid rate of perfusion in the peri-nidal region on color-coded quantitative digital subtraction angiography
Authors: Shellikeri Sphoorti , Bai Harrison , Setser Randolph M , Hurst Robert W , Cahill Anne Marie
Published: March 2020

Background

Hemodynamic alterations post-embolization of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) may cause delayed edema/hemorrhage in brain parenchyma adjacent to the lesion.

Objective

To quantify and compare cerebral perfusion changes in the peri-AVM territory pre- and post-embolization using color-coded quantitative digital subtraction angiography (q-DSA).

Methods

Pediatric intracranial AVM embolization procedures performed over a 5 year period were included. DSA images of all patients were retrospectively assessed usingsyngoiFlow. Regions of interest (ROI) were selected on anteroposterior and lateral q-DSA views: three in the peri-AVM region; two in parenchyma distant from the AVM. Time-to-peak (TTP) contrast enhancement of ROIs and ∆TTP (TTP at the selected ROI minus TTP at either the ipsilateral internal carotid/vertebral artery) were measured.

Result

19 pediatric patients with 19 AVMs (9 males/10 females, mean age 12 years) underwent intracranial AVM embolization: 15/19 AVMs were supplied by the anterior circulation and 4/19 by the posterior circulation. Blood flow was significantly slower post-embolization in the draining vein (19/19) (p<0.01), and the venous sinus outflow (17/19) (p<0.01), by mean difference of 2.01±1.31 s and 1.74±2.04 s. There was significantly increased peri-AVM parenchymal perfusion post-embolization (∆TTP=2.20±0.48 s) compared with pre-embolization (∆TTP=2.52±0.42 s), by an average ∆TTP of 0.33±0.53 s (p=0.014). In contrast, there was no perfusion difference (∆TTP=0.03±0.20 s, p=0.8) between pre- and post-embolization in the distant parenchyma. The size of the AVM was not correlated with change in peri-nidal parenchymal perfusion (r=−0.136, p=0.579).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates more rapid perfusion in the peri-nidal brain parenchyma post-embolization of the AVM, which supports the theory that increased perfusion in normal tissue surrounding the AVM after embolization may underlie some post-procedural complications.
Occupational and non-occupational risk factors of sickness absence due to a shoulder lesion
Authors: Sirén Maria , Viikari-Juntura Eira , Arokoski Jari , Solovieva Svetlana
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To determine the associations of lifestyle factors and cumulative physical workload exposures with sickness absence (SA) due to a shoulder lesion and to calculate their population attributable fractions (PAF).

Methods

Our nationally representative cohort consisted of 4344 individuals aged 30–62 years who participated in the Finnish Health 2000 Survey. Education, smoking, chronic diseases and work exposures were assessed during interviews and leisure time physical activity with a questionnaire. Weight and height were measured. We followed the individuals for 15 years for the first SA due to a shoulder lesion. We used competing risk regression models. We calculated PAFs to assess the proportion of SA that was attributed to modifiable risk factors.

Results

In the entire study population, risk factors of SA were age, daily smoking, being exposed for more than 10 years to physically heavy work and being exposed for more than 10 years to at least two specific physical workload factors. The overall PAF for the modifiable risk factors was 49%. In men, number of specific cumulative exposures, obesity and daily smoking predicted SA with PAF values of 34%, 30% and 14%, respectively. Among women, being exposed for more than 10 years to physically heavy work, number of specific cumulative exposures and daily smoking accounted for 23%, 22% and 15% of SA, respectively.

Conclusions

Reducing significantly prolonged exposure to physical workload factors, avoiding regular smoking in both genders and obesity in men has a high potential to prevent SA due to a shoulder lesion.
2019 Italian Society of Cardiology Census on telemedicine in cardiovascular disease: a report from the working group on telecardiology and informatics
Authors: Brunetti Natale Daniele , Molinari Giuseppe , Acquistapace Flavio , Zimotti Tecla , Parati Gianfranco , Indolfi Ciro , Fedele Francesco , Carugo Stefano
Published: March 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to assess by a census supported by the Italian Society of Cardiology (Società Italiana di Cardiologia, SIC) the present implementation of telemedicine in the field of cardiovascular disease in Italy.

Methods

A dedicated questionnaire was sent by email to all the members of the SIC: data on telemedicine providers, service provided, reimbursement, funding and organisational solutions were collected and analysed.

Results

Reported telemedicine activities were mostly stable and public hospital based, focused on acute cardiovascular disease and prehospital triage of suspected acute myocardial infarction (prehospital ECG, always interpreted by a cardiologist and not automatically reported by computerised algorithms). Private companies delivering telemedicine services in cardiology (ECGs, ambulatory ECG monitoring) were also present. In 16% of cases, ECGs were also delivered through pharmacies or general practitioners. ICD/CRT-D remote control was performed in 42% of cases, heart failure patient remote monitoring in 37% (21% vital parameters monitoring, 32% nurse telephone monitoring). Telemedicine service was public in 74% of cases, paid by the patient in 26%. About half of telemedicine service received no funding, 17% received State and/or European Union funding.

Conclusions

Several telemedicine activities have been reported for the management of acute and chronic cardiovascular disease in Italy. The whole continuum of cardiovascular disease is covered by telemedicine solutions. A periodic census may be useful to assess the implementation of guidelines recommendations on telemedicine.
Long-term incidence of chronic postsurgical pain after thoracic surgery for lung cancer: a 10-year single-center retrospective study
Authors: Yoon Susie , Hong Won-Pyo , Joo Hyundeok , Kim Hansol , Park Samina , Bahk Jae-Hyon , Lee Ho-Jin
Published: March 2020

Background

The long-term incidence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) after thoracic surgery has not yet been reported.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 4218 consecutive patients who underwent thoracic surgery for lung cancer between 2007 and 2016. We evaluated the long-term incidence of CPSP after thoracic surgery at intervals of 3 months for 36 months. A Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to investigate the predictors of CPSP after thoracic surgery.

Results

A total of 3200 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 459 (14.3%) and 558 (17.4%) patients were diagnosed with CPSP within 3 and 36 months after surgery, respectively. Furthermore, the incidence of CPSP decreased over time. Additionally, 99 (3.1%) patients were newly diagnosed with CPSP at least 6 months after surgery. Female sex (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.43; p=0.04), longer duration of surgery (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.20; p<0.01), higher 11-point Numeric Rating Scale score at first outpatient visit after surgery (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.34; p<0.001), postoperative chemotherapy (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.90; p<0.001), and postoperative radiation therapy (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.74; p=0.02) were significant predictors of CPSP for 36 months after surgery.

Conclusion

Our study showed a decreasing trend in the incidence of CPSP as well as delayed-onset or recurrent CPSP after thoracic surgery. A better understanding of the progression of CPSP after thoracic surgery may provide important information on its prediction and treatment.
Workplace smoke-free policies that allow heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes use are associated with use of both these products and conventional tobacco smoking: the 2018 JASTIS study
Authors: Siripongvutikorn Yanakawee , Tabuchi Takahiro , Okawa Sumiyo
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are rapidly gaining popularity, especially in Japan. However, at the time of the survey (2018), there was no national legislation banning HTPs or e-cigarette use in the workplace. The objective is to examine the current situation for workplace smoke-free policies which ban the use of HTPs/e-cigarettes and the associations of such rules with the use of HTP and e-cigarette as well as conventional cigarette smoking.

Methods

An internet-based self-reported questionnaire survey was conducted in 2018 as a part of the Japan Society and New Tobacco Internet Survey study. 5646 eligible employees aged 15–72 years were analysed. Proportions and adjusted rate ratios for HTP and e-cigarette use were calculated according to covariates, using Poisson regression models. Those who reported HTP or e-cigarette use within 30 days were defined as current user of the products.

Results

In workplaces which prohibited smoking indoors but permitted the use of HTPs/e-cigarettes, the rate ratios of HTP use was 2.19 (95% CI 1.57 to 3.06), e-cigarette use was 3.86 (95% CI 1.97 to 7.57) and combustible cigarette use was 1.67 (95% CI 1.19 to 2.34) when using workplaces which also prohibited HTPs/e-cigarettes as a reference category.

Conclusions

Workplaces that allow HTP/e-cigarette use indoors were associated with higher rate for HTP and e-cigarette users, and for combustible cigarette smokers. National legislation banning tobacco should be enforced and also cover HTPs and e-cigarettes in order to avoid renormalisation of smoking and nicotine addiction.
Borealization of the New England – Acadian Forest: a review of the evidence
Authors: Noseworthy Josh , Beckley Thomas M.
Published: March 2020

The New England – Acadian Forest (NEAF) is an ecoregion spanning 24 million hectares of the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. The region is characterized as a transitional forest naturally composed of both boreal and temperate species. The term “borealization” is sometimes used to describe various processes driving the NEAF toward a more boreal character at the expense of its temperate forest species and ecological communities. That the NEAF has undergone significant landscape-scale change in the last four centuries since European settlement is well understood. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the literature on the forest composition and dynamics of this region to investigate whether past, current, and (or) predicted future processes of change are indeed driving the forest toward a more boreal character. We examine studies on the historical forest composition and impacts of past and current land-use practices, as well as indirect anthropogenic changes that are predicted to influence future forest compositions of the NEAF. We review over 100 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and government reports related to this issue. We find ample evidence to suggest that, at the landscape scale, there has been widespread replacement of temperate tree species by boreal species since European settlement. Five primary drivers have facilitated borealization across the NEAF: logging and high-grading, natural reforestation of abandoned farmland, industrial clearcutting, anthropogenic fire, and boreal conifer plantations. Furthermore, the borealization of the NEAF has continued to occur in direct contrast to the predicted impacts of climate change. We encourage future scholarship to tackle these aspects of borealization in the NEAF, including its social, economic, and ecological implications.
DYTurbo: fast predictions for Drell–Yan processes
Authors: Camarda Stefano , Boonekamp Maarten , Bozzi Giuseppe , Catani Stefano , Cieri Leandro , Cuth Jakub , Ferrera Giancarlo , de Florian Daniel , Glazov Alexandre , Grazzini Massimiliano , Vincter Manuella G. , Schott Matthias
Published: March 2020

Drell–Yan lepton pair production processes are extremely important for standard model (SM) precision tests and for beyond the SM searches at hadron colliders. Fast and accurate predictions are essential to enable the best use of the precision measurements of these processes; they are used for parton density fits, for the extraction of fundamental parameters of the SM, and for the estimation of background processes in searches. This paper describes a new numerical program, , for the calculation of the QCD transverse-momentum resummation of Drell–Yan cross sections up to next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy combined with the fixed-order results at next-to-next-to-leading order ($$\mathcal {O}(\alpha _{\mathrm {S}}^2)$$O(αS2)), including the full kinematical dependence of the decaying lepton pair with the corresponding spin correlations and the finite-width effects. The program is an improved reimplementation of the , and programs, which provides fast and numerically precise predictions through the factorisation of the cross section into production and decay variables, and the usage of quadrature rules based on interpolating functions for the integration over kinematic variables.
On exact proper time Wilsonian RG flows
Authors: Bonanno Alfio , Lippoldt Stefan , Percacci Roberto , Vacca Gian Paolo
Published: March 2020

We discuss the possibility to define exact RG equations for a UV regulated Wilsonian action based on a proper time (PT) regulator function. We start from a functional mapping which shows how each particular flow equation (and RG scheme) is associated to infinitely many scale dependent field redefinitions, which are related to specific coarse-graining procedures. On specializing to a sub-family of one parameter PT regulators we briefly analyze few results for the Ising Universality class in three dimensions, obtained within a second order truncation in the derivative expansion of the Wilsonian action.
Dyonic and magnetized black holes based on nonlinear electrodynamics
Authors: Kruglov S. I.
Published: March 2020

We propose a new model of nonlinear electrodynamics with two dimensional parameters. The phenomenon of vacuum birefringence, the principles of causality and unitarity were studied. It was shown that there is no a singularity of the electric field in the center of point-like charges. Corrections to the Coulomb law as $$r\rightarrow \infty $$r→∞ were obtained. Dyonic and magnetized black holes are considered. We show that in the self-dual case, when the electric charge equals the magnetic charge, corrections to Coulomb’s law and Reissner–Nordström solutions are absent. The metric function and its asymptotic limit as $$r\rightarrow \infty $$r→∞ for magnetic black holes were evaluated. We calculate the magnetic mass of the black hole, which is finite. The thermodynamic properties and thermal stability of black holes were investigated. We calculated the Hawking temperature, the heat capacity and the Helmholtz free energy of black holes and showed that for some parameter values there are second-order phase transitions. It was demonstrated that at some range of the parameters the black holes are stable.
Spectrophotometric investigation of gel formation in water solution of agar
Authors: Asadova A. , Masimov E. A. , Imamaliyev A. R. , Asadova A. H.
Published: March 2020

The temperature and concentration dependences of the transmission spectrum of an aqueous solution of agar are investigated. Measurements taken in the heating and cooling modes show strong thermal hysteresis in the spectral properties. Analysis of the results suggests that the formation of a gel network occurs in a much narrower temperature range than its collapse. The study of the temperature dependence of transmittance indicates that the association bispirals by cooling the solution and responsible for the formation of network occurs at temperature about [Formula: see text]C. A breakdown of these associates by heating of the gel begins at [Formula: see text]C and covers a wide temperature range. The gel point [Formula: see text] and the gel melting point [Formula: see text] increase with increasing polymer concentration, but for [Formula: see text] this dependence is stronger. Growth of turbidity (light scattering) of gel by increasing of agar concentration is due to the increasing of number and size of gel associates.
End-to-end Learned, Optically Coded Super-resolution SPAD Camera
Authors: Sun Qilin , Zhang Jian , Dun Xiong , Ghanem Bernard , Peng Yifan , Heidrich Wolfgang
Published: March 2020

Single Photon Avalanche Photodiodes (SPADs) have recently received a lot of attention in imaging and vision applications due to their excellent performance in low-light conditions, as well as their ultra-high temporal resolution. Unfortunately, like many evolving sensor technologies, image sensors built around SPAD technology currently suffer from a low pixel count.

In this work, we investigate a simple, low-cost, and compact optical coding camera design that supports high-resolution image reconstructions from raw measurements with low pixel counts. We demonstrate this approach for regular intensity imaging, depth imaging, as well transient imaging.

Our method uses an end-to-end framework to simultaneously optimize the optical design and a reconstruction network for obtaining super-resolved images from raw measurements. The optical design space is that of an engineered point spread function (implemented with diffractive optics), which can be considered an optimized anti-aliasing filter to preserve as much high-resolution information as possible despite imaging with a low pixel count, low fill-factor SPAD array. We further investigate a deep network for reconstruction. The effectiveness of this joint design and reconstruction approach is demonstrated for a range of different applications, including high-speed imaging, and time of flight depth imaging, as well as transient imaging. While our work specifically focuses on low-resolution SPAD sensors, similar approaches should prove effective for other emerging image sensor technologies with low pixel counts and low fill-factors.
CellPred
Authors: Qin Zhou , Cao Fang , Yang Yu , Wang Shuai , Liu Yunhuai , Tan Chang , Zhang Desheng
Published: March 2020

Cellular data usage consumption prediction is an important topic in cellular networks related researches. Accurately predicting future data usage can benefit both the cellular operators and the users, which can further enable a wide range of applications. Different from previous work focusing on statistical approaches, in this paper, we propose a scheme called CellPred to predict cellular data usage from an individual user perspective considering user behavior patterns. Specifically, we utilize explicit user behavioral tags collected from subscription data to function as an external aid to enhance the user's mobility and usage prediction. Then we aggregate individual user data usage to cell tower level to obtain the final prediction results. To our knowledge, this is the first work studying cellular data usage prediction from an individual user behavior-aware perspective based on large-scale cellular signaling and behavior tags from the subscription data. The results show that our method improves the data usage prediction accuracy compared to the state-of-the-art methods; we also comprehensively demonstrate the impacts of contextual factors on CellPred performance. Our work can shed light on broad cellular networks researches related to human mobility and data usage. Finally, we discuss issues such as limitations, applications of our approach, and insights from our work.
Assumptions Checked
Authors: Beneteau Erin , Guan Yini , Richards Olivia K. , Zhang Mingrui Ray , Kientz Julie A. , Yip Jason , Hiniker Alexis
Published: March 2020

Users of voice assistants often report that they fall into patterns of using their device for a limited set of interactions, like checking the weather and setting alarms. However, it's not clear if limited use is, in part, due to lack of learning about the device's functionality. We recruited 10 diverse families to participate in a one-month deployment study of the Echo Dot, enabling us to investigate: 1) which features families are aware of and engage with, and 2) how families explore, discover, and learn to use the Echo Dot. Through audio recordings of families' interactions with the device and pre- and post-deployment interviews, we find that families' breadth of use decreases steadily over time and that families learn about functionality through trial and error, asking the Echo Dot about itself, and through outside influencers such as friends and family. Formal outside learning influencers, such as manufacturer emails, are less influential. Drawing from diffusion of innovation theory, we describe how a home-based voice interface might be positioned as a near-peer to the user, and that by describing its own functionality using just-in-time learning, the home-based voice interface becomes a trustworthy learning influencer from which users can discover new functionalities.
A Multi-perspective Analysis of Social Context and Personal Factors in Office Settings for the Design of an Effective Mobile Notification System
Authors: Cavdar Seyma Kucukozer , Taskaya-Temizel Tugba , Musolesi Mirco , Tino Peter
Published: March 2020

In this study, we investigate the effects of social context, personal and mobile phone usage on the inference of work engagement/challenge levels of knowledge workers and their responsiveness to well-being related notifications. Our results show that mobile application usage is associated to the responsiveness and work engagement/challenge levels of knowledge workers. We also developed multi-level (within- and between-subjects) models for the inference of attentional states and engagement/challenge levels with mobile application usage indicators as inputs, such as the number of applications used prior to notifications, the number of switches between applications, and application category usage. The results of our analysis show that the following features are effective for the inference of attentional states and engagement/challenge levels: the number of switches between mobile applications in the last 45 minutes and the duration of application usage in the last 5 minutes before users' response to ESM messages.
mmASL
Authors: Santhalingam Panneer Selvam , Hosain Al Amin , Zhang Ding , Pathak Parth , Rangwala Huzefa , Kushalnagar Raja
Published: March 2020

Home assistant devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home have become tremendously popular in the last couple of years. However, due to their voice-controlled functionality, these devices are not accessible to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) people. Given that over half a million people in the United States communicate using American Sign Language (ASL), there is a need of a home assistant system that can recognize ASL. The objective of this work is to design a home assistant system for DHH users (referred to as mmASL) that can perform ASL recognition using 60 GHz millimeter-wave wireless signals. mmASL has two important components. First, it can perform reliable wake-word detection using spatial spectrograms. Second, using a scalable and extensible multi-task deep learning model, mmASL can learn the phonological properties of ASL signs and use them to accurately recognize the ASL signs. We implement mmASL on 60 GHz software radio platform with phased array, and evaluate it using a large-scale data collection from 15 signers, 50 ASL signs and over 12K sign instances. We show that mmASL is tolerant to the presence of other interfering users and their activities, change of environment and different user positions. We compare mmASL with a well-studied Kinect and RGB camera based ASL recognition systems, and find that it can achieve a comparable performance (87% average accuracy of sign recognition), validating the feasibility of using 60 GHz mmWave system for ASL sign recognition.
KEHKey
Authors: Lin Qi , Xu Weitao , Lan Guohao , Cui Yesheng , Jia Hong , Hu Wen , Hassan Mahbub , Seneviratne Aruna
Published: March 2020

For kinetic-powered body area networks, we explore the feasibility of converting energy harvesting patterns for device authentication and symmetric secret keys generation continuously. The intuition is that at any given time, multiple wearable devices harvest kinetic energy from the same user activity, such as walking, which allows them to independently observe a common secret energy harvesting pattern not accessible to outside devices. Such continuous KEH-based authentication and key generation is expected to be highly power efficient as it obviates the need to employ any extra sensors, such as accelerometer, to precisely track the walking patterns. Unfortunately, lack of precise activity tracking introduces bit mismatches between the independently generated keys, which makes KEH-based authentication and symmetric key generation a challenging problem. We propose KEHKey, a KEH-based authentication and key generation system that employs a compressive sensing-based information reconciliation protocol for wearable devices to effectively correct any mismatches in generated keys. We implement KEHKey using off-the-shelf piezoelectric energy harvesting products and evaluate its performance with data collected from 24 subjects wearing the devices on different body locations including head, torso and hands. Our results show that KEHKey is able to generate the same key for two KEH-embedded devices at a speed of 12.57 bps while reducing energy consumption by 59% compared to accelerometer-based methods, which makes it suitable for continuous operation. Finally, we demonstrate that KEHKey can successfully defend against typical adversarial attacks. In particular, KEHKey is found to be more resilient to video side channel attacks than its accelerometer-based counterparts.
Playing with the p-Doping Mechanism to Lower the Carbon Loading in n-Type Insertion Organic Electrodes: First Feasibility Study with Binder-Free Composite Electrodes
Authors: Jouhara Alia , Dupré Nicolas , Guyomard Dominique , Lakraychi Alae Eddine , Dolhem Franck , Poizot Philippe
Published: March 2020

Organic electrode materials should offer promising alternative to traditional inorganic compounds thanks to several attractive assets such as low-cost, low environmental footprint or the versatility in terms of cell assemblies (cationic and/or anionic shuttling). However, improvements are needed to push forward organic solid electrodes. In particular, decrease the quantity of conductive carbon in the composite electrode is important because it impedes the resulting energy density values. Herein, we present an innovative approach aiming at replacing most of the carbon conductive additive by an electron-conductive anion-inserting crystallized organic material, namely dilithium 2,5-(dianilino)terephthalate (Li2DAnT). Combined with an appropriate n-type lithiated organic electrode material, we demonstrate the beneficial effect of adding Li2DAnT (23 wt%)/carbon (10 wt%) compared to a typical conducting carbon loading of 33 wt% for powder-based composite electrodes made without binder by simple mixing and grinding with a pestle in a mortar. In fact, Li2DAnT provides an efficient percolating conductive network and contributes to the overall reversible capacity of the composite electrode through its own storage properties.
Well-designed Crosslinked Polymer Electrolyte Enables High Ionic Conductivity and Enhanced Salt Solvation
Authors: Lehmann Michelle L. , Yang Guang , Nanda Jagjit , Saito Tomonori
Published: March 2020

A new facile single-step method to fabricate crosslinked polymer electrolyte membranes consisting of branched poly(ethyleneimine), (PEI) and poly(ethylene oxide), (PEO) is demonstrated. The membranes exhibit excellent ionic conductivity (1.2 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 80 °C) with minimal addition of plasticizer (20 wt%). The amine functional group in the PEI-PEO crosslinked matrix provides Lewis basic and hydrogen bonding characteristics that facilitate the dissolution of lithium salt and enables a higher cation transport number than a PEO crosslinked matrix. The glass transition temperature, degree of crystallinity, and room temperature storage modulus increases with decreasing crosslink density and increasing ratio of free amines. The resultant ionic conductivity and mechanical strength can be flexibly tailored by varying the molar ratio of free amine moieties in the crosslinked PEI-PEO matrix. This study provides an improved synthesis method, in-depth characterization, and fundamental insights on the effect of free amine moieties on the transport properties of a highly conductive gel polymer electrolyte.
Temperature Dependence of Dendritic Lithium Electrodeposition: A Mechanistic Study of the Role of Transport Limitations within the SEI
Authors: Maraschky Adam , Akolkar Rohan
Published: March 2020

The accelerated failure of rechargeable Li-metal batteries due to dendritic Li electrodeposition particularly during charging at low temperatures is not well-understood. In this work, we investigate the effect of temperature on the initiation of Li dendrites during galvanostatic lithium electrodeposition. Using electrochemical measurements coupled with optical microscopy, we show that the dendrite onset time increases monotonically with temperature in the range 5 °C–35 °C. This observation is explained by incorporating temperature effects into an analytical transport model for Li dendrite initiation [J. Electrochem. Soc., 165, D696 (2018)], which considers solid state Li+ diffusion through a gradually thickening solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. We conclude that sluggish Li+ transport at lower temperatures accelerates the depletion of Li+ at the Li-SEI interface, and this effect causes earlier initiation of dendrites at lower temperatures. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements of the temperature-dependent transport properties of the SEI, as well as plating efficiency measurements, are used to support the model.
The LQT-associated calmodulin mutant E141G induces disturbed Ca2+-dependent binding and a flickering gating mode of the CaV1.2 channel
Authors: Su Jingyang , Gao Qinghua , Yu Lifeng , Sun Xuanxuan , Feng Rui , Shao Dongxue , Yuan Yuan , Zhu Zhengnan , Sun Xuefei , Kameyama Masaki , Hao Liying
Published: March 2020

Calmodulin (CaM) mutations are associated with congenital long QT (LQT) syndrome (LQTS), which may be related to the dysregulation of the cardiac-predominant Ca2+ channel isoform CaV1.2. Among various mutants, CaM-E141G was identified as a critical missense variant. However, the interaction of this CaM mutant with the CaV1.2 channel has not been determined. In this study, by utilizing a semiquantitative pull-down assay, we explored the interaction of CaM-E141G with CaM-binding peptide fragments of the CaV1.2 channel. Using the patch-clamp technique, we also investigated the electrophysiological effects of the mutant on CaV1.2 channel activity. We found that the maximum binding (Bmax) of CaM-E141G to the proximal COOH-terminal region, PreIQ-IQ, PreIQ, IQ, and NT (an NH2-terminal peptide) was decreased (by 17.71–59.26%) compared with that of wild-type CaM (CaM-WT). In particular, the Ca2+-dependent increase in Bmax became slower with the combination of CaM-E141G + PreIQ and IQ but faster in the case of NT. Functionally, CaM-WT and CaM-E141G at 500 nM Ca2+ decreased CaV1.2 channel activity to 24.88% and 55.99%, respectively, compared with 100 nM Ca2+, showing that the inhibitory effect was attenuated in CaM-E141G. The mean open time of the CaV1.2 channel was increased, and the number of blank traces with no channel opening was significantly decreased. Overall, CaM-E141G exhibits disrupted binding with the CaV1.2 channel and induces a flickering gating mode, which may result in the dysfunction of the CaV1.2 channel and, thus, the development of LQTS. The present study is the first to investigate the detailed binding properties and single-channel gating mode induced by the interaction of CaM-E141G with the CaV1.2 channel.
Perspective: pathobiological paradigms in pulmonary hypertension, time for reappraisal
Authors: Tuder Rubin M. , Stenmark Kurt R.
Published: March 2020

For the past 120 years, there has been a progressive evolution of the pathobiological concepts underlying pulmonary hypertension. Conceptual frameworks, build around the paradigms of excessive vasoconstriction (vs. vasodilation) and, more recently, of the cancer-like hypothesis of pulmonary hypertension, have served to consolidate key discoveries; moreover, they have and continue contributing to innovative advances that have been translated into either successful or potential new therapies. However, those frameworks do not fully address the complexity and challenges facing pulmonary hypertension, particularly those involving the marked heterogeneity of disease presentation and the dynamic changes occurring over time in affected tissues and cells. This is particularly relevant in regards to the molecular pathways of pulmonary hypertension; the ever growing understanding of molecular and cellular pathways requires clarification if they drive distinctive pulmonary vascular lesions in a given lung and disease patients with the same group pulmonary hypertension. Novel methodologies and approaches can start dissecting this key challenge in the field as it is critical to address the key angle of heterogeneity of the disease and reappraisal of disease-modifying therapies.
cAMP signaling primes lung endothelial cells to activate caspase-1 during Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
Authors: Renema Phoibe , Hardy Kierra S. , Housley Nicole , Dunbar Grace , Annamdevula Naga , Britain Andrea , Spadafora Domenico , Leavesley Silas , Rich Thomas , Audia Jonathon P. , Alvarez Diego F.
Published: March 2020

Activation of the inflammasome-caspase-1 axis in lung endothelial cells is emerging as a novel arm of the innate immune response to pneumonia and sepsis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Increased levels of circulating autacoids are hallmarks of pneumonia and sepsis and induce physiological responses via cAMP signaling in targeted cells. However, it is unknown whether cAMP affects other functions, such as P. aeruginosa-induced caspase-1 activation. Herein, we describe the effects of cAMP signaling on caspase-1 activation using a single cell flow cytometry-based assay. P. aeruginosa infection of cultured lung endothelial cells caused caspase-1 activation in a distinct population of cells. Unexpectedly, pharmacological cAMP elevation increased the total number of lung endothelial cells with activated caspase-1. Interestingly, addition of cAMP agonists augmented P. aeruginosa infection of lung endothelial cells as a partial explanation underlying cAMP priming of caspase-1 activation. The cAMP effect(s) appeared to function as a priming signal because addition of cAMP agonists was required either before or early during the onset of infection. However, absolute cAMP levels measured by ELISA were not predictive of cAMP-priming effects. Importantly, inhibition of de novo cAMP synthesis decreased the number of lung endothelial cells with activated caspase-1 during infection. Collectively, our data suggest that lung endothelial cells rely on cAMP signaling to prime caspase-1 activation during P. aeruginosa infection.
Lung developmental arrest caused by PDGF-A deletion: consequences for the adult mouse lung
Authors: Gouveia Leonor , Kraut Simone , Hadzic Stefan , Vazquéz-Liébanas Elisa , Kojonazarov Baktybek , Wu Cheng-Yu , Veith Christine , He Liqun , Mermelekas Georgios , Schermuly Ralph Theo , Weissmann Norbert , Betsholtz Christer , Andrae Johanna
Published: March 2020

PDGF-A is a key contributor to lung development in mice. Its expression is needed for secondary septation of the alveoli and deletion of the gene leads to abnormally enlarged alveolar air spaces in mice. In humans, the same phenotype is the hallmark of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a disease that affects premature babies and may have long lasting consequences in adulthood. So far, the knowledge regarding adult effects of developmental arrest in the lung is limited. This is attributable to few follow-up studies of BPD survivors and lack of good experimental models that could help predict the outcomes of this early age disease for the adult individual. In this study, we used the constitutive lung-specific Pdgfa deletion mouse model to analyze the consequences of developmental lung defects in adult mice. We assessed lung morphology, physiology, cellular content, ECM composition and proteomics data in mature mice, that perinatally exhibited lungs with a BPD-like morphology. Histological and physiological analyses both revealed that enlarged alveolar air spaces remained until adulthood, resulting in higher lung compliance and higher respiratory volume in knockout mice. Still, no or only small differences were seen in cellular, ECM and protein content when comparing knockout and control mice. Taken together, our results indicate that Pdgfa deletion-induced lung developmental arrest has consequences for the adult lung at the morphological and functional level. In addition, these mice can reach adulthood with a BPD-like phenotype, which makes them a robust model to further investigate the pathophysiological progression of the disease and test putative regenerative therapies.
Intermittent CPAP limits hyperoxia-induced lung damage in a rabbit model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Gie Andre George , Salaets Thomas , Vignero Janne , Regin Yannick , Vanoirbeek Jeroen , Deprest Jan , Toelen Jaan
Published: March 2020

A significant proportion of preterm infants develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) leading to poor lifelong respiratory health. Limited treatment options exist with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation being one of the few associated with diminished BPD. However, little is known about the effect of the distending pressure of CPAP on the developing lung exposed to hyperoxia. We aimed to identify the functional and structural effects of CPAP in a preterm hyperoxia rabbit model of BPD. Premature rabbit pups were randomized to normoxia, hyperoxia (≥95% O2), or hyperoxia plus 4 h daily CPAP [fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) 0.95, 5 cmH2O]. On day 7 postdelivery we performed invasive pressure-volume- and forced oscillation-based pulmonary function tests, before lung harvest for histological evaluation. Alveolar and vascular morphology, airway smooth muscle content, respiratory epithelium height, extracellular matrix components, and inflammatory cytokine expression were quantified. Hyperoxia-reared pups had restrictive lungs: alveolar walls were thickened, with the lung parenchymal tissue, collagen content, and airway smooth muscle content increased. In addition, peripheral pulmonary artery wall thickness was increased. CPAP increased alveolar recruitment and limited the structural effect of hyperoxia on the respiratory epithelium and pulmonary arteries. Additionally, CPAP improved lung function, mitigating hyperoxia-associated changes to respiratory system resistance, tissue damping, and tissue elastance. Hyperoxia disrupted functional and structural lung development. Daily intermittent CPAP limited hyperoxia-associated decreased lung function and attenuated structural changes to pulmonary arteries and respiratory epithelium while having no structural alveolar consequences. The mechanism by which CPAP has these beneficial effects needs further investigation.
Cisplatin nephrotoxicity is induced via poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation in adult zebrafish and mice
Authors: Kim Myoung-Jin , Moon Daeun , Jung Sumi , Lee Jehee , Kim Jinu
Published: March 2020

Cisplatin is a well-known chemotherapy medication used to treat numerous cancers. However, treatment with cisplatin in cancer therapy has major side effects, such as nephrotoxic acute kidney injury. Adult vertebrate kidneys are commonly used as models of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxic acute kidney injury. Embryonic zebrafish kidney is more simplified and is composed simply of two nephrons and thus is an excellent model for the investigation of cisplatin nephrotoxicity. Here, we developed a novel model to induce cisplatin nephrotoxicity in adult zebrafish and demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin caused a decline in kidney proximal tubular function based on fluorescein-labeled dextran uptake and alkaline phosphatase staining. We also showed that cisplatin induced histological injury of the kidney tubules, quantified by tubular injury scores on the periodic acid-Schiff-stained kidney sections. As shown in a mouse model of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, the activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), an enzyme implicated in cisplatin-induced cell death, was markedly increased after cisplatin injection in adult zebrafish. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of PARP using a specific PARP inhibitor PJ 34 hydrochloride (PJ34) or 3-aminobenzamide ameliorated kidney proximal tubular functional and histological damages in cisplatin-injected adult zebrafish kidneys. Administration of a combination of PARP inhibitors PJ34 and 3-aminobenzamide additively protected renal function and histology in zebrafish and mouse models of cisplatin nephrotoxicity. In conclusion, these data suggest that adult zebrafish are not only suitable for drug screening and genetic manipulation but also useful as a simplified but powerful model to study the pathophysiology of cisplatin nephrotoxicity and establish new therapies for treating human kidney diseases.
Increased myoinositol in the anterior cingulate cortex of veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
Authors: Sheth Chandni , Prescot Andrew P. , Legarreta Margaret , Renshaw Perry F. , McGlade Erin , Yurgelun-Todd Deborah
Published: March 2020

In this study of veterans, we used a state-of-the-art neuroimaging tool to probe the neurometabolic profile of the anterior cingulate cortex in veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI). We report significantly elevated myoinositol levels in veterans with TBI compared with those without TBI.
Hybrid Fuzzy Clustering Method Based on FCM and Enhanced Logarithmical PSO (ELPSO)
Authors: Zhang Jian , Ma Zongheng
Published: March 2020

Fuzzy c-means (FCM) is one of the best-known clustering methods to organize the wide variety of datasets automatically and acquire accurate classification, but it has a tendency to fall into local minima. For overcoming these weaknesses, some methods that hybridize PSO and FCM for clustering have been proposed in the literature, and it is demonstrated that these hybrid methods have an improved accuracy over traditional partition clustering approaches, whereas PSO-based clustering methods have poor execution time in comparison to partitional clustering techniques, and the current PSO algorithms require tuning a range of parameters before they are able to find good solutions. Therefore, this paper introduces a hybrid method for fuzzy clustering, named FCM-ELPSO, which aim to deal with these shortcomings. It combines FCM with an improved version of PSO, called ELPSO, which adopts a new enhanced logarithmic inertia weight strategy to provide better balance between exploration and exploitation. This new hybrid method uses PBM(F) index and the objective function value as cluster validity indexes to evaluate the clustering effect. To verify the effectiveness of the algorithm, two types of experiments are performed, including PSO clustering and hybrid clustering. Experiments show that the proposed approach significantly improves convergence speed and the clustering effect.
Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis Use and Surgical Site Infection Pattern in Dessie Referral Hospital, Dessie, Northeast of Ethiopia
Authors: Misganaw Desye , Linger Bedilu , Abesha Atinkut
Published: March 2020

Background. Surgical site infections are the third (14%‐16%) most frequent cause of nosocomial infections among hospitalized patients. They still form a large health problem and result in increased antibiotic usage, increased associated costs, and prolonged hospitalization and contribute to increased patient morbidity and mortality. Therefore, studies on surgical site infections and surgical antibiotic prophylaxis contribute to identifying surgical site infection rate and risk factor associated with it as well as for identifying the gap in surgical antibiotic prophylaxis practice. Objective. To assess surgical antibiotic prophylaxis practice and surgical site infection among surgical patients. Method. A hospital‐based prospective observational study was conducted in 68 patients who underwent major surgery in Dessie Referral Hospital adult surgical wards between March 24 and April 25/2017. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine infection rate and risk factors for surgical site infections. Result. Assessment of 68 patients who underwent major surgery revealed an overall surgical site infection rate of 23.4%. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered for 59 operations; of these, 33 (48.6%) had inappropriate timing of administration. A combination of ceftriaxone and metronidazole 28 (47.46%) was frequently used. Factors associated with surgical site infection were wound class, patient comorbid condition, duration of the procedure, the timing of administration, and omitting prophylaxis use. Conclusion. This study indicated a higher rate of surgical site infection and also revealed that wound class, preexisting medical condition, prolonged duration of surgery, omitting of prophylaxis use, and inappropriate timing of administration were highly associated with surgical site infection.
Influence of the Geometric Parameters on the Densification Onset Strain of Double‐Walled Honeycomb Aluminum under Out‐of‐Plane Compression
Authors: Wang Jian , Cao Ying
Published: March 2020

As a material widely used in various lightweight structures and energy absorbing devices, honeycomb aluminum has high specific stiffness and specific strength, excellent energy absorption capacity, and vibration damping. When evaluating the energy absorption of honeycomb aluminum under out‐of‐plane compression, platform stress and onset strain of densification have become important parameters studied by many scholars. In this work, based on the theory that the energy absorption efficiency determines the densification onset strain, the influence of the geometric design parameters of honeycomb aluminum on the onset strain of out‐of‐plane quasi‐static compression densification is studied. Based on the results of the finite element analysis, the relationship between the onset strain and the geometric design parameters including cell size length and wall thickness is fitted by the least squares method. A linear relationship that the onset strain of densification will decrease with the increase of the reciprocal of cell side length and the onset strain of densification will decrease with the increase of the wall thickness is exhibited in the conclusion. This work can provide a theoretical basis for the calculation of the platform stress in the plastic deformation stage.
Wave Propagation in X-Section Piles for Low Strain Integrity Testing: Three-Dimensional Effects
Authors: Zhang Yanling , Fan Yuming , Li Zheng , Wang Chenglong , Ding Xuanming
Published: March 2020

X-section cast-in-place concrete pile (referred to as XCC pile) has a different velocity response compared with circular section pile in the low strain testing due to the special cross section. Full-scale model tests of XCC pile were conducted to reveal the velocity response characteristics. The time-domain velocity responses on the pile top were obtained, which showed obvious three-dimensional effects because of the different high-frequency interferences. The test results were compared with the numerical results to validate the numerical model. Furthermore, numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the propagation characteristic of velocity waves along the longitudinal direction in the pile. The results indicated that the wave propagation was complicated as a result of the superposition of the incident wave and the reflected wave. The effects of the geometrical parameters of cross section on the three-dimensional effects of velocity responses were also studied. Three-dimensional effects would be more significant with a larger arc distance. However, the effects of arc angle were not obvious.