bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of ear anthropometry for young college students in China and its implications for ear‐related product design
Authors: Lu Peixian , Tsao Liuxing , Yu Chen , Ma Liang
Published: September 2020

Ear anthropometry plays an important role in ear‐related product design. However, current Chinese ear anthropometry data do not provide sufficient guidance for product designers targeting young Chinese consumers. In this study, an ear anthropometry survey of 1338 young Chinese college students was conducted using photogrammetry. Eight key dimensions were determined, measured, and statistically analyzed: ear height, ear width, ear length, cavum conchae height, cavum conchae width, ear connection height, ear lobe height, and ear lobe width. Interethnic, intergender, subject‐specific, and intrasubject differences were explored and discussed, based on the collected data. In addition, ear shape classification was conducted using principal component analysis to recommend an ear‐related product sizing system. The data obtained in this survey can be used as a reference for ear‐related product design targeting young Chinese consumers.
Are family medicine centres achieving their target in Turkey: Impact on health care utilization of mothers and infants
Authors: Aygün Aysun
Published: September 2020

The family medicine (FM) system was introduced as the main source of primary care in Turkey as a component of the Health Transformation Program reforms. During a gradual implementation process, provinces switched to the FM system at different points in time between 2005 and 2010. In this paper, we use a micro‐level data set to test whether the health care utilization of mothers during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period is affected by the program. Using a difference‐in‐differences method for estimation, we find that the program is only effective for pregnant women who lived in provinces with a limited availability of specialist doctors. As a result of the FM program, women are likely to have their first prenatal consultancy earlier and their probability of seeing a doctor during their prenatal visit and receiving an ultrasound and blood and urine sample checks increases if they live in a province with a low number of specialists per 10,000 people. We find that the impact of the FM program decreases as the rate of specialists in a province increases, which negates any positive effect of the program on health care use.
Enhancement of the yield of solar still with the use of solar pond: A review
Authors: Panchal Hitesh , Sadasivuni Kishor K. , Essa Fadl A. , Shanmugan Sengottain , Sathyamurthy Ravishankar
Published: September 2020

A solar pond (SP) is a remarkable growth of renewable energy technology that has stored solar energy for storage purposes and is used in many solar thermal applications. It is also utilized for many purposes, such as heating, cooling, space heating, air conditioning, and many more. The present paper shows the use of an SP to improve the yield of solar still (SS) by providing hot water through the heat energy stored in it. It also reveals the use of shallow and mini SPs with SS to improve yield. Various future research works on SS using SPs have also been included in this paper. From the current review paper, it was concluded that the SP increases the yield of the SS.
Parallel Implementation of hybrid scheme for simulation of heat flow within a Wavy Square Enclosure with line heat source filled with nanofluid under Magnetic field effect
Authors: Nishad Surabhi , Bhargava Rama
Published: September 2020

In the present paper, the hybrid meshfree method with parallel algorithm has been implemented to simulate natural convection inside a wavy square enclosure with a line heat source placed on the right vertical wall of the cavity. The fluid is assumed to be a ‐waterbased nanofluid where single‐phase model is used in two dimensions. The computations are performed for variation of the Rayleigh number, Hartmann number, positions of the heat source as well as size of the heat source. The results are shown in terms of streamlines, isotherms, and Nusselt numbers. Such problems have direct applications for effective cooling or heating of the enclosures with the heat sources.
Heat and mass transfer analysis in unsteady MHD flow of aluminum alloy/silver‐water nanoliquid due to an elongated surface
Authors: Ashwinkumar G. P.
Published: September 2020

The current article presents an analytical study of an unsteady magnetohydrodynamic flow of Al50Cu50/Ag‐water nanofluid over an elongated surface with thermal radiation and thermal diffusion effects. The flow is caused by an elongated plate, and the flow governing partial differential equations are transmuted into ordinary differential equations using suitable similarity transmutations. The regular perturbation technique is employed to resolve the transmuted equations. The results obtained describe the influence of pertinent parameters over usual flow fields, which are presented via plots, and the expressions procured for skin friction factor and rate of thermal and diffusion transport are comprehensibly portrayed in a tabular mode. The outcomes stipulate that the thermal transport performance of Al50Cu50‐water nanofluid is moderately high as compared with Ag‐water nanofluid. Also, the thermal radiation and chemical reaction parameters have a tendency to augment the rate of mass transfer.
Heat transfer analysis of inclined magnetic field and activation energy in Maxwell nanofluid with thermophoresis effects
Authors: Prabhakar Besthapu , Mabood Fazle
Published: September 2020

Numerical analysis is performed for incompressible Maxwell nanofluid model flow under the implications of thermophoresis and inclined magnetic field over a convectively stretched surface. The system that comprises differential equations of partial derivatives is remodeled into the system of ordinary differential equations via similarity transformations and then solved through by Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg with shooting technique. The physical parameters, which emerge from the derived system, are discussed in graphical formats. Excellent proficiency in the numerical process is analyzed by comparing the results with available literature in limiting scenarios. The significant outcomes of the current investigation are that the velocity field decays for higher fluid parameters while that peter out the fluid temperature. Further, the heat transfer rate is reduced with the incremental values of fluid and thermophoresis parameters while it uplifts with Biot and Prandtl numbers.
Prognostic significance of postsurgery circulating tumor DNA in nonmetastatic colorectal cancer: Individual patient pooled analysis of three cohort studies
Authors: Tie Jeanne , Cohen Joshua D. , Lo Serigne N. , Wang Yuxuan , Li Lu , Christie Michael , Lee Margaret , Wong Rachel , Kosmider Suzanne , Skinner Iain , Wong Hui Li , Lee Belinda , Burge Matthew E. , Yip Desmond , Karapetis Christos S. , Price Timothy J. , Tebbutt Niall C. , Haydon Andrew M. , Ptak Janine , Schaeffer Mary J. , Silliman Natalie , Dobbyn Lisa , Popoli Maria , Tomasetti Cristian , Papadopoulos Nickolas , Kinzler Kenneth W. , Vogelstein Bert , Gibbs Peter
Published: September 2020

Studies in multiple solid tumor types have demonstrated the prognostic significance of ctDNA analysis after curative intent surgery. A combined analysis of data across completed studies could further our understanding of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a prognostic marker and inform future trial design. We combined individual patient data from three independent cohort studies of nonmetastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Plasma samples were collected 4 to 10 weeks after surgery. Mutations in ctDNA were assayed using a massively parallel sequencing technique called SafeSeqS. We analyzed 485 CRC patients (230 Stage II colon, 96 Stage III colon, and 159 locally advanced rectum). ctDNA was detected after surgery in 59 (12%) patients overall (11.0%, 12.5% and 13.8% for samples taken at 4‐6, 6‐8 and 8‐10 weeks; P = .740). ctDNA detection was associated with poorer 5‐year recurrence‐free (38.6% vs 85.5%; P < .001) and overall survival (64.6% vs 89.4%; P < .001). The predictive accuracy of postsurgery ctDNA for recurrence was higher than that of individual clinicopathologic risk features. Recurrence risk increased exponentially with increasing ctDNA mutant allele frequency (MAF) (hazard ratio, 1.2, 2.5 and 5.8 for MAF of 0.1%, 0.5% and 1%). Postsurgery ctDNA was detected in 3 of 20 (15%) patients with locoregional and 27 of 60 (45%) with distant recurrence (P = .018). This analysis demonstrates a consistent long‐term impact of ctDNA as a prognostic marker across nonmetastatic CRC, where ctDNA outperforms other clinicopathologic risk factors and MAF further stratifies recurrence risk. ctDNA is a better predictor of distant vs locoregional recurrence.
Cohabitation, infection and breast cancer risk
Authors: Kinlen Leo J. , Gilham Clare , Ray Roberta , Thomas David B. , Peto Julian
Published: September 2020

For 50 years, the effect of age at first birth (AFB) has been thought to explain the strong association between breast cancer risk and age at first marriage (AFM), which was first reported in 1926. The independent effects of AFM, AFB and number of sexual partners adjusted for parity and other risk factors were estimated in reanalysis of a large international case‐control study conducted in 1979 to 1982 (2274 breast cancers, 18209 controls) by unconditional logistic regression. Respective AFB and AFM breast cancer odds ratios (ORs) for ≥31 years relative to ≤18 years were 3.01 (95% CI 2.44‐3.71; P(trend) < .0001) and 3.24 (95% CI 2.62‐4.01; P(trend) < .0001) in univariate analyses. Among married parous women, these ORs fell to 1.38 (95% CI 0.98‐1.95; P(trend) < .03) for AFB and 1.70 (95% CI 1.17‐2.46; P(trend) < .002) for AFM when fitted together in multivariate analysis including other risk factors. A similar adjusted OR for AFM ≥ 31 years relative to ≤18 years was seen among married nulliparous women (OR 1.71, 95% CI 0.98‐2.98; P(trend) < .001). AFM (a surrogate for age at starting prolonged cohabitation) is thus strongly associated with breast cancer risk. This suggests an effect of close contact. Identifying the (probably infective) mechanism might lead to effective prevention of breast cancer. The independent effect of AFB is smaller and could be due to residual confounding.
Female detrusor underactivity: Two uterine leiomyoma cases
Authors: Shimizu Ayami , Sakakibara Ryuji , Nakata Maki , Takeshita Naoki , Takashima Akiko , Aiba Yosuke , Tateno Fuyuki , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Yano Masashi
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Female urinary retention is rare.

Case presentation

Case 1, a 35‐year‐old nulliparous woman, and case 2, a 47‐year‐old nulliparous woman, had transient urinary retention. A urodynamics revealed increased bladder sensation in case 1 and detrusor underactivity with a large post‐void residual in cases 1 and 2. Both women had a uterine leiomyoma of >10 cm in diameter. Soon after extraction of the tumor, retention episodes disappeared completely in case 1.

Conclusion

Although rare, uterine leiomyoma should be listed as a cause of female detrusor underactivity.
In‐plane epitaxial growth of 2D CoSe‐WSe2 metal‐semiconductor lateral heterostructures with improved WSe2 transistors performance
Authors: Ma Huifang , Huang Kejing , Wu Ruixia , Zhang Zhengwei , Li Jia , Zhao Bei , Dai Chen , Huang Ziwei , Zhang Hongmei , Yang Xiangdong , Li Bo , Liu Yuan , Duan Xiangfeng , Duan Xidong
Published: September 2020

The two‐dimensional (2D) in‐plane (lateral) heterostructures have attracted increasing interest for potential applications in the atomically thin electronics and optoelectronics. While most studies focus on semiconductor‐semiconductor lateral heterostructures with highly similar lattice structures between the constituent components, the synthesis of metal‐semiconductor lateral heterostructures is much less explored and usually more challenging due to more distinct lattice structures or chemical properties. Herein, a vapor phase epitaxy growth method of high‐quality metal‐semiconductor lateral heterostructures between tetragonal CoSe and hexagonal WSe2 is reported. The 2D CoSe can selectively nucleate at the edge of pre‐grown WSe2 nanosheets to form CoSe‐WSe2 metal‐semiconductor lateral heterostructures. Optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies reveal distinct contrast across the heterostructure interface. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) studies further confirm the microstructure modulation across the heterostructure interface. The field‐effect transistors (FETs) of CoSe‐WSe2 lateral heterostructures show satisfactory Ohmic contacts and considerably better FET performance over those with deposited Cr/Au contacts, suggesting the in‐plane metal‐semiconductor junctions may function as improved contacts for the atomically thin electronics.

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Immunological effects of Chondrus armatus carrageenans and their low molecular weight degradation products
Authors: Cicinskas Eduardas , Begun Maria A. , Vikhareva Valeria V. , Karetin Yuri A. , Kalitnik Aleksandra A.
Published: September 2020

Ability of high molecular weight (HMW) κ‐ and λ‐carrageenans of the red marine algae Chondrus armatus and their low molecular weight degradation products (LMWDPs) (0.7–20 and 10–170 kDa respectively) to influence functional properties (motility and phagocytosis) of murine peritoneal macrophages was assessed in this study as an in vitro and a weeklong feeding experiment. We demonstrated that, with an exception of one, all carrageenan samples at 100 μg/ml increased cellular motility and dose‐dependently decreased phagocytic activity; LMWDPs of λ‐carrageenan suppressed motility and had no effect on phagocytosis. Oral administration of all the carrageenan samples at 100 μg/kg/day for 7 days to mice had no effect on their clinical appearance, body weight, weight of their liver, spleen or thymus or development of noticeable changes to their inner organs. All samples induced a shift of the cell composition of the peritoneal cavity towards macrophages. Consumption of LMWDPs of κ‐carrageenan resulted in development of leukopenia, however, no changes to relative WBC count were introduced by either of the samples. All samples decreased murine peritoneal macrophages phagocytic activity, with λ‐samples possessing higher efficacy than their κ‐counterparts; all LMWDPs stimulated peritoneal macrophages motility, with κ‐samples possessing higher efficacy than their λ‐counterparts In conclusion, we have shown that κ‐ and λ‐carrageenans of the C. armatus and their LMWDPs suppress phagocytotic activity of peritoneal macrophages under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. This allows them to be viewed as pharmacologically active substances andpropagates the need for their further investigation as such.
Effects of beta‐tricalcium phosphate nanoparticles on the properties of a thermosensitive chitosan/collagen hydrogel and controlled release of quercetin
Authors: Sareethammanuwat Maytha , Boonyuen Supakorn , Arpornmaeklong Premjit
Published: September 2020

In the present study, an inorganic matrix of beta‐tricalcium phosphate (bTCP) nanoparticles and quercetin was incorporated into an organic matrix of 2:1 (w/w) chitosan/collagen composite to fabricate thermosensitive bTCP‐chitosan/collagen‐quercetin hydrogels. A sol–gel transition of the hydrogels was stimulated by beta‐glycerophosphate (bGP) and temperature changes at physiological temperature and pH levels. Thereafter, the effects of 1%–3% (w/v) bTCP on properties of the bTCP‐bGP‐2:1 (w/w) chitosan/collagen hydrogels were investigated. Notably, the incorporation of 1%–3% (w/v) bTCP in the hydrogels did not interfere with the gelation process and time of the hydrogels at physiological temperature and pH levels. The bTCP‐hydrogels exhibited a porous structure, interconnecting pore architecture, and median pore size of 100–200 μm. The incorporation of 3% bTCP increased the mechanical strength but decreased the swelling and degradation rates, pore size, permeability, and quercetin release rate of the hydrogels. The hydrogels were noncytotoxic and able to support cell encapsulation. A sustained quercetin release profile of the 3% bTCP‐hydrogel further suggested the applicability of the hydrogel as a delivery vehicle of natural flavonoids for bone regeneration.
Bone morphogenetic protein‐2 delivery from polyelectrolyte multilayers enhances osteogenic activity on nanostructured titania
Authors: Wigmosta Tara B. , Popat Ketul C. , Kipper Matt J.
Published: September 2020

Incomplete osseointegration is primary cause of failure for orthopedic implants. New biomaterials that present stable signals promoting osteogenesis could reduce failure rates of orthopedic implants. In this study bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) was delivered from titania nanotubes (Nt) modified with chitosan/heparin polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs). The surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. BMP‐2 release from the surfaces was measured in vitro for up to 28 days. After an initial burst release of BMP‐2 during the first 2 days, most of the BMP‐2 remained on the surface. To determine the osteogenic properties of these surfaces, they were seeded with rat bone marrow cells; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, total protein, calcium deposition, and osteocalcin were measured up to 4 weeks in vitro. When compared to Nt surfaces, the surfaces with BMP‐2 induce greater osteocalcin and calcium deposition. PEMs provide sustained presentation of BMP‐2, from a biomimetic surface. This enhances the osteogenic properties of the surface without requiring supraphysiologic growth factor dose. This growth factor delivery strategy could be used to improve bone healing outcomes and reduce complications for recipients of orthopedic implants.
Topological analysis of chemical bonding in the layered FePSe3 upon pressure‐induced phase transitions
Authors: Evarestov Robert A. , Kuzmin Alexei
Published: September 2020

Two pressure‐induced phase transitions have been theoretically studied in the layered iron phosphorus triselenide (FePSe3). Topological analysis of chemical bonding in FePSe3 has been performed based on the results of first‐principles calculations within the periodic linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) method with hybrid Hartree‐Fock‐DFT B3LYP functional. The first transition at about 6 GPa is accompanied by the symmetry change from to C2/m, whereas the semiconductor‐to‐metal transition (SMT) occurs at about 13 GPa leading to the symmetry change from C2/m to . We found that the collapse of the band gap at about 13 GPa occurs due to changes in the electronic structure of FePSe3 induced by relative displacements of phosphorus or selenium atoms along the c‐axis direction under pressure. The results of the topological analysis of the electron density and its Laplacian demonstrate that the pressure changes not only the interatomic distances but also the bond nature between the intralayer and interlayer phosphorus atoms. The interlayer P–P interactions are absent in two non‐metallic FePSe3 phases while after SMT the intralayer P–P interactions weaken and the interlayer P–P interactions appear.
Portably parallel construction of a configuration‐interaction wave function from a matrix–product state using the Charm++ framework
Authors: Wang Ting , Ma Yingjin , Zhao Lian , Jiang Jinrong
Published: September 2020

The construction of configuration‐interaction (CI) expansions from a matrix product state (MPS) involves numerous matrix operations and the skillful sampling of important configurations in a large Hilbert space. In this work, we present an efficient procedure for constructing CI expansions from MPS employing the parallel object‐oriented Charm++ programming framework, upon which automatic load‐balancing and object migrating facilities can be employed. This procedure was employed in the MPS‐to‐CI utility (Moritz et al., J. Chem. Phys. 2007, 126, 224109), the sampling‐reconstructed complete active‐space algorithm (SR‐CAS, Boguslawski et al., J. Chem. Phys. 2011, 134, 224101), and the entanglement‐driven genetic algorithm (EDGA, Luo et al., J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2017, 13, 4699). It enhances productivity and allows the sampling programs to evolve to their population‐expansion versions, for example, EDGA with population expansion (PE‐EDGA). Further, examples of 1,2‐dioxetanone and firefly dioxetanone anion (FDO−) molecules demonstrated the following: (a) parallel efficiencies can be persistently improved by simply by increasing the proportions of the asynchronous executions and (b) a sampled CAS‐type CI wave function of a bi‐radical‐state FDO− molecule utilizing the full valence (30e,26o) active space can be constructed within a few hours with using thousands of cores.
Enhancement of the biochemical activity of some market antibiotics by chemical modification: Synthesis, characterization, and biochemical evaluation
Authors: Abbas Abbas M. , Fisal Sara R. , Orabi Adel S.
Published: September 2020

The reaction of isatin with the Ampicillin gave the new compound: (6R)‐3,3‐dimethyl‐7‐oxo‐6‐(2‐(([E]‐2‐oxoindolin‐3‐ylidene)amino)‐2‐phenylacetamido)‐4‐thia‐1‐azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept ‐ane‐2‐carboxylic acid (HAI). The new complexes derived from HAI and Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Eu(III), and Gd(III) were obtained in pure form. The obtained compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, UV–Vis, Fluorescence, 1HNMR, Mass spectra, DTA, TGA, Magnetic susceptibility, X‐ray, AAS, and the conductivity of 0.001 M in DMSO. The obtained data indicated the formation of the target complexes: [Co(HAI)(H2O)(NO3)]NO3.4H2O, [Ni(AI)(H2O)2]Cl.2H2O, [Cu(AI)]Cl.H2O, [Eu(AI)(H2O)Cl]Cl.5H2O and [Gd(AI)(H2O)(NO3)]NO3.3H2O. The ligation sites were predicted from the guide of the FTIR and thermal analysis meanwhile the stereochemistry was proved by the UV–Vis and magnetic moment. Co(II) and Ni(II) gave an octahedral structure while Cu(II) gave a square planar form. Molecular modeling, molecular mechanics, and DFT calculations were carried out for the synthesized compounds. The active lone pair and surface properties were obtained and discussed in the silico level. The x‐ray analysis indicates the nanoparticle behavior of the Cu‐AI complex with a monoclinic structure. The interactions of the synthesized complexes with FM‐DNA moiety were investigated through spectrometric titration (UV–vis. spectra) and by using fluorescence spectroscopy. The modes and binding affinities were evaluated and discussed using Benesi–Hildebrand method. Antimicrobial activities of the synthesized compounds have been screened using the disc diffusion method. HAI and Cu‐AI gave activity exceeded the Ampicillin. The docking work was carried using the targeting protein of Escherichia coli FabH (PDB code: 1HNJ). The obtained binding energy was compared and discussed in terms of the in vitro studies.
A preliminary study about neurofilament light chain and tau protein levels in psoriasis: Correlation with disease severity
Authors: Okan Gokhan , Baki Adile Merve , Yorulmaz Eda , Doğru‐Abbasoğlu Semra , Vural Pervin
Published: September 2020

Background

Studies investigating cognitive dysfunction in psoriatic patients remain inconclusive.

Objective

To investigate the risk of cognitive decline in plaque‐type psoriasis patients.

Methods

Serum neurofilament light chain (NFL) and tau protein concentrations in 45 patients with plaque‐type psoriasis and forty‐five healthy controls were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Mean homeostasis model assessment (HOMA‐IR) values (6.82 vs 3.25) and serum levels of insulin (28.19 vs 15.71), NFL (5.74 vs 1.98), and tau (348.17 vs 207.30) in patients with psoriasis were found to be significantly higher than those of in healthy controls. There was a significant positive correlation between NFL and tau (r = .257, P = .015). There was significant correlation between NFL, tau and PASI (r = .310, P = .040) and (r = .383, P = .010), respectively. Significant correlations between NFL and insulin, TC, HDL‐C, TG, VLDL‐C, and BMI were found. NFL (9.38 vs 3.08) and tau (439.28 vs 281.58) concentrations and PASI values (23.94 vs 14.18) in patients with disease onset before 40 years were significantly higher than that of the patients with disease onset after 40 years. C‐reactive protein (CRP) was significantly correlated with BMI (r = .449, P < .001), LDL‐C (r = .240, P = .026), TG (r = .244, P = .024), and VLDL‐C (r = .241, P = .025) in patients with psoriasis.

Conclusions

Increased serum NFL and tau protein levels and the presence of positive correlations between NFL, tau protein and PASI score show cognitive decline risk may be higher in moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis.
Performance evaluation of Automated Fluorescent Immunoassay System ROTA and NORO for detection of rotavirus and norovirus: A comparative study of assay performance with RIDASCREEN® Rotavirus and Norovirus
Authors: Ha Changhee , Yoo In Young , Yun Sun Ae , Chung Yoo Na , Huh Hee Jae , Lee Nam Yong
Published: September 2020

Background

The Automated Fluorescent Immunoassay System ROTA (AFIAS‐Rota) and NORO (AFIAS‐Noro) assays (Boditech Med Inc.) are newly developed diagnostic tests for rotavirus and norovirus infections.

Methods

Performance of AFIAS‐Rota/Noro assays was evaluated in comparison with RIDASCREEN® Rotavirus and Norovirus ELISA kits (R‐Biopharm) using clinical stool samples submitted from November 2018 to January 2019. Multiplex real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction was used as reference method.

Results

A total of 256 clinical specimens were analyzed. AFIAS‐Rota and RIDASCREEN Rotavirus had almost perfect agreement (Kappa value = 0.95), and substantial agreement was observed between AFIAS‐Noro and RIDASCREEN Norovirus (Kappa value = 0.80). For detection of rotavirus, AFIAS and RIDASCREEN assays showed satisfactory diagnostic sensitivity (100% and 97.8%, respectively) and specificity (99.5% and 99.1%). For detection of norovirus, the RIDASCREEN assay showed significantly higher sensitivity than the AFIAS‐Noro (86.0% and 66.0%, respectively; P = .002). Analytic specificity of AFIAS‐Rota/Noro assays showed no cross‐reactivity against any other bacteria (14 strains) or viruses (2 strains). Hands‐on time (6 minutes) and turnaround time (26 minutes) required to perform AFIAS assays were much shorter than those required for RIDASCREEN assays (20 and 150 minutes, respectively).

Conclusion

The AFIAS‐Rota/Noro assays showed overall excellent agreement with the RIDASCREEN assays. Although the AFIAS‐Noro assay exhibited lower sensitivity than the RIDASCREEN Norovirus assay for detection of norovirus, the AFIAS‐Rota/Noro assays could be useful as a rapid initial screening test in clinical laboratories due to its convenience and rapid turnaround time.
Molecular epidemiological and hematological profile of thalassemia in the Dongguan Region of Guangdong Province, Southern China
Authors: Peng Qi , Zhang Zhenhong , Li Siping , Cheng Chuyun , Li Wenrui , Rao Chunbao , Zhong Baimao , Lu Xiaomei
Published: September 2020

Background

Thalassemia is a common inherited hematological disease in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to investigate the mutation spectrum of thalassemia in the Dongguan region of southern China and comprehensively analyze hematologic features of thalassemia carriers with various types of globin mutations.

Methods

A hematological screening including hematological indices such as mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was conducted in 19 442 people from Dongguan region, Guangdong province of China. Then, 4891 suspected thalassemia carriers were further investigated by genetic analysis of combined NGS and gap‐PCR.

Results

Totally, 2319 (11.9%) cases were diagnosed as carriers of thalassemia, of which 1483 cases (7.6%) were α‐thalassemia, 741 cases (3.8%) were β‐thalassemia, and 95 cases (0.5%) were co‐inheritance of α‐ and β‐thalassemia. In α‐thalassemia carriers, the phenotypic severity increases with the number of nonfunctional α‐globin genes. The patients with –SEA/αWSα genotype have less severe clinical phenotypes than those with other Hb H diseases. As for β‐thalassemia, the MCV and MCH in both β0 and β+ carriers are markedly reduced.

Conclusions

This is the first comprehensive molecular epidemiological survey and hematological profiling of thalassemia in Dongguan area. This study will be benefit for genetic counseling in the clinic and may help pediatricians to make a correct diagnosis of different types of thalassemia.
Después de la tormenta: Collective trauma following Hurricane Maria in a northeastern Puerto Rican community in the United States
Authors: Macias R. Lillianne , LeBrón Alana , Taylor Kaylyn , Silva Michelle
Published: September 2020

Hurricane Maria was the largest disaster in Puerto Rico's history, affecting Puerto Rican communities throughout the United States. We conducted focus groups using a grounded theory approach with adults displaced from Puerto Rico to a northeastern community 12 (n = 5) and 17 months (n = 7) postdisaster. Key informant interviews were also conducted with nine community advocates working with displaced hurricane survivors. Emerging themes reflect narrative and social identity processes following collective trauma. Findings emphasize the need for timely and long‐term disaster responses that build on community strengths without leaving communities to cope on their own. We discuss how incorporating group storytelling in postdisaster research is a culturally sensitive practice that can promote resiliency among survivors.
Evolution and new frontiers of histology in bio‐medical research
Authors: Mazzarini Maria , Falchi Mario , Bani Daniele , Migliaccio Anna Rita
Published: September 2020

Histology refers to the study of the morphology of cells within their natural tissue environment. As a bio‐medical discipline, it dates back to the development of first microscopes which allowed to override the physical visual limitation of the human eye. Since the first observations, it was understood that cell shape predicts function and, therefore, shape alterations can identify and explain dysfunction and diseases. The advancements in morphological investigation techniques have allowed to extend our understanding of the shape–function relationships close to the molecular level of organization of tissues, as well as to derive reliable data not only from fixed, and hence static, biological samples but also living cells and tissues and even for extended time periods. These modern approaches, which encompass quantitative microscopy, precision microscopy, and dynamic microscopy, represent the new frontier of morphology. This article summarizes how the microscopy techniques have evolved to properly face the challenges of biomedical sciences, thus transforming histology from a merely qualitative discipline, which played an ancillary role to traditional “major” sciences such as anatomy, to a modern experimental science capable of driving knowledge progress in biology and medicine.
The structural and ultrastructural organization of the cellular constituents of the trunk kidney of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Authors: Mokhtar Doaa M.
Published: September 2020

The trunk kidney of grass carp mainly consisted of renal tubules with a few interstitial hematopoietic tissues. The component structure of fish nephron markedly varies between different species of fish. The nephron of grass carp consisted of morphologically distinct segments; renal corpuscles, neck segment, proximal, intermediate, distal, and collecting tubules. The glomerulus of renal corpuscles mainly composed of mesangial cells and well‐developed podocytes that extended their processes to the endothelium of glomerular capillaries forming the filtration barrier. The podocytes expressed both α‐SMA and the transforming growth factor gene, TGF‐β. The proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs) expressed α‐SMA iNOS2, and TGF‐β. The cytoplasm of PCT was rich in mitochondria and rER, in addition to the presence of well‐developed basolateral tubular system and apical brush borders. Collecting tubules distributed throughout the kidney and lined by principal and flask cells. The interstitial hemopoietic tissues contained iNOS2‐positive polymorphic granulocytes, CD3‐positive T lymphocytes, rodlet cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, melanomacrophage centers, and telocytes. This study described for the first time the cellular components of the nephron and its associated hemopoietic tissues that can act as a basis for studying the structural changes that may occur in the kidney of grass carp during water salinitiy, environmental, or experimental conditions.
Pursuing genetic testing for children with autism spectrum disorders: What do parents think?
Authors: Zhao Shixi , Chen Wei‐Ju , Dhar Shweta U. , Eble Tanya N. , Kwok Oi‐Man , Chen Lei‐Shih
Published: September 2020

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, and the American Academy of Neurology recommend genetic testing, as a genetic evaluation tool, for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Despite the potential benefits, the utilization of genetic testing is low. We proposed an integrated theoretical framework to examine parents’ intention and associated psychosocial factors in pursuing genetic testing for their children with ASD. Recruiting primarily from the Interactive Autism Network, a nationwide sample of 411 parents of children with ASD who had never pursued genetic testing for their children completed our theory‐based online survey. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. About half of the parents were willing to pursue genetic testing for their children with ASD. Findings of the structural equation modeling suggested a good model fit between our integrated theoretical framework and survey data. Parents’ intention was significantly and positively associated with their attitudes toward genetic testing, subjective norm, and self‐efficacy in having their children tested. This study serves as an initial window to understand parental intention to pursue genetic testing for their children with ASD. Our findings can help physicians and genetic counselors understand, educate, counsel, and support parents’ decision‐making about having their children with ASD genetically tested. Furthermore, our study can also assist physicians and genetic counselors in developing theory‐ and evidence‐based patient education materials to enhance genetic testing knowledge among parents of children with ASD.
Prevalence of therapeutic failure and evolution of biological factors amongst people living with HIV enrolled in antiretroviral therapy at the Ambulatory Treatment Center in Nouakchott, Mauritania
Authors: Ly Hawa Mariem Ibrahima , Kelly Mamadou , Fall Mohamed Vall Mazouzi , Fall‐Malick F‐Zahra , Kane Coumba Touré , Lo Baidy Boubou
Published: September 2020

Goal: The goal of this study is to determine the prevalence of therapeutic failure and the evolution of the biological factors after 6 and 12 months of anti‐retroviral treatment (ART) amongst human immunodefeciency virus (HIV) Patients receiving care through the Ambulatory Treatment Center in Nouakchott.

Methods: The study presents a descriptive and retrospective analysis of 479 patients enrolled in ART between January 2015 and January 2019, with focus on treatment failures and related biomarkers. The average age of the patients studied was 37 ± 12.94 years. The majority (52.8%) were males, of whom (52.6%) were married.

Results: The average body mass index (BMI) of the patients progressively increased after 6 and 12 months on ART. The average BMI increased from 20.3 ± 5.1 kg/m2, before treatment, to 21.7 ± 5.0 kg/m2 and 22.7 ± 5.4 kg/m2, after 6 and 12 months of treatment, respectively. Of the 479 patients, 97.3% were on 2 NRTIs + NNRTI. During the first 6 months of treatment, the clinical, immunological, and virological therapeutic failures were 0.6%, 34.10%, and 9%, respectively. After 6 and 12 months of ART, the TCD4, Hemoglobin, platelets, glycemia, creatinemia, and transaminase remained normal during the entire monitoring period.

Conclusion: study demonstrated effective HIV treatment amongst the study patients. It showed clearance of virus and immune restoration can be attained after 6 and 12 months of ART. The number of patients who received the tests did decrease during the treatment period, which highlights the importance of adherence to patient management protocols, including clinical and biological monitoring.
An efficient spectral balance method for transient analysis of single phase overhead lines in the presence of surge arresters
Authors: Taghavi Seyed M. , Ostadzadeh Saeed R. , Sadeghi Seyed Hossein H.
Published: September 2020

In this paper, an efficient hybrid method is proposed for transient analysis of an overhead line equipped with a grounded arrester. The proposed method adopts a nonlinear equivalent circuit consisting of linear and nonlinear parts respectively associated with the overhead line and the arrester. In the first part of the paper, an intelligent model based on qualitative concepts in electromagnetics is proposed for derivation of the linear part. With the use of this qualitative model, the behavior of the linear part is first extracted as simple and unchanged membership functions, and effects of parameters of the problem, that is, the height of the overhead line and the electrical parameters of the ground, are then extracted as simple curves so that the linear part based on the qualitative model is efficiently computed in the frequency domain. The qualitative model, in contrast with the conventional numerical methods, is very efficient, and in comparison with the approximate ones, is broad band. In the second part of the paper, with the aid of an efficient optimization algorithm, called intelligent water drop algorithm (IWD), the lightning overvoltage across the arrester is efficiently computed.
The 2020 Siberian heat wave
Authors: Overland James E. , Wang Muyin
Published: September 2020

Siberia saw a heat wave of extreme monthly temperatures of +6°C anomalies from January through May 2020, culminating with near daily temperature records at the Arctic station of Verhojansk in mid‐June. This was a major Arctic event. The proximate cause for the warm extremes from January through April was the record strength of the stratospheric polar vortex (SPV) and tropospheric jet stream. The SPV and high geopotential heights to the south combined to provide strong zonal winds from the west that reduced the potential penetration of cold air from the north. An index of vortex strength is the Arctic Oscillation (AO); averaged over January–April, the AO set extreme positive records in 1989, 1990, and 2020 (baseline starting in 1950). The strength and stability of the SPV over the central Arctic contributed to the winter–spring persistence of the heat wave in Siberia. May–June temperatures were related to high tropospheric geopotential heights over Asia. An open question is whether these dynamic events are becoming more persistent. Such record events will not occur every year but one can expect that they will occasionally naturally reoccur over the next decades due to internal atmospheric variability in addition to a continued global warming background.
Vicissitudes experienced by the oldest urban center in Bangladesh in relation to the migration of the Brahmaputra River
Authors: Hu Gang , Wang Ping , Rahman Sufi Mostafizur , Li Dehong , Alam Muhammad Mahbubul , Zhang Jiafu , Jin Zhengyao , Fan Anchuan , Chen Jie , Zhang Aimin , Yang Wenqing
Published: September 2020

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. There are 57 trans‐frontier rivers in the country, the widest being the Brahmaputra River. The river's channels have frequently changed course, but the relationship between such river migrations and human settlement patterns has remained unstudied. In this paper, optically stimulated luminescence and radiocarbon dating techniques were applied to sedimentary and organic materials in the oldest urban center (Wari‐Bateshwar) in Bangladesh. The results showed that the landscape around the urban center was dominated by floodplain and peatland facies between 7.9–7.6 and 4.7–1.6 ka, respectively. Humans occupied this area at ~3.2 ka, and manufactured delicate semi‐precious gemstone beads between ~2.4 and 1.8 ka. The urban center might be the same as an important city of the Gangaridai described in historical records. Due to fluvial migration at ~1.8 ka, the area surrounding the urban center was covered by fluvial sand. Humans might have been forced to abandon the urban center, leading to the bead processing technology in Bangladesh being lost forever.
Raman response of topologically protected surface states in sub‐micrometric Pb0.77Sn0.23Se flakes
Authors: Mehdipour Sanaz , López‐Diaz David , Velázquez María Mercedes , Hidalgo Pedro , Méndez Bianchi , Luna Mónica , Bellani Vittorio , Amado Mario , Balakrishnan Geetha , Diez Enrique
Published: September 2020

The Raman spectra of the topological crystalline insulator Pb0.77Sn0.23Se flakes of thickness below 150 nm show the presence of plasma enhanced phonons related to topologically protected surface electronic states. The Fröhlich interaction between the topologically protected surface Dirac electrons and the phonons activates the forbidden phonons near the center of the Brillouin zone. An overtone is observed at a higher wavenumber, with a resonant response with temperature, related to an enhancement of the long‐range coupling between the topologically protected surface electrons and phonons.
Improving the precision of search strategies for guideline surveillance
Authors: Casey Monica , Raynor Michael , Jacob Catherine , Sharp Stephen , McFarlane Emma
Published: September 2020

Introduction and aim

NICE guideline surveillance determines whether previously published guidelines need updating. The surveillance process must balance time constraints with methodological rigor. It includes a rapid review to identify new evidence to contradict, reinforce or clarify guideline recommendations. Despite this approach, the screening burden can still be high. Applying additional search techniques may increase the precision of the database searches.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on five surveillance reviews with less than 2% of the studies included after screening. Modified searches were run in MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO (where appropriate) to test the impact of additional search techniques: focused subject headings, subheadings, frequency operators and title only searches. Modified searches were compared to original search results to determine: the retrieval of included studies, the precision of the search and the number needed to read. Studies not retrieved by the modified search were checked to determine if the surveillance decision would have been affected.

Results

The additional search techniques tested indicated that a combination of focused subject headings and frequency operators could improve the precision of surveillance searches. The modified search retrieved all the original studies included in the surveillance review for three of the reviews tested. Some of the original included studies were not retrieved for two reviews but the missing studies would not have affected the surveillance decision.

Conclusions

Combining focused subject headings and frequency operators is a viable option for improving the precision of surveillance searches without compromising recall and without impacting the surveillance decision.
Volatile organic compounds of tobacco leaves versus waste (scrap, dust, and midrib): extraction and optimization
Authors: Banožić Marija , Aladić Krunoslav , Jerković Igor , Jokić Stela
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Volatile organic compounds are present at very low concentration but exhibit an important influence on flavor and aroma of tobacco leaves and products. During tobacco processing, at different stages, tobacco wastes occur. Since they are delivered directly from the tobacco plant, they are expected to have a similar aroma profile.

RESULTS

The volatile composition of three types of tobacco waste (scrap, dust, and midrib) was characterized for the first time and compared with tobacco leaves’ volatile composition. Ultrasound‐assisted extraction with hexane followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was successfully applied. Different ultrasound‐assisted extraction parameters (temperature, time, and solvent:solid ratio) showed a significant influence on the volatile profiles of the extracts obtained. The most important compounds in tobacco leaves, scrap, and dust with the highest abundance were nicotine (up to 87.5%), 4,8,13‐duvatriene‐1,3‐diol (up to 16.2%), and neophytadiene (up to 9.4%). In midrib, only nicotine was present in all extracts. The most abundant compounds in the extracts were quantified and subjected to optimization using response surface methodology.

CONCLUSION

Regression analysis showed that 83–98% of the variation was explained by the models obtained. The experimentally obtained values agreed with those predicted, thus indicating the suitability of the model employed and the success of response surface methodology in optimizing the extraction conditions. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Accuracy of Ultrasound Compared to Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries
Authors: Moore Brittany J. , Iafrate Julia L. , Kakar Sanjeev , Wisniewski Stephen J. , Murthy Naveen S. , Smith Jay
Published: September 2020

This prospective case series compared the accuracy of ultrasound (US) to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiating complete displaced (CD) thumb ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears from nondisplaced injuries in 10 patients with suspected traumatic thumb UCL injuries. Ultrasound identified 100% (2 of 2) of MRI‐documented CD tears, both of which were further confirmed during surgical repair. Ultrasound identified the absence of CD tears in the remaining 8 patients. Although MRI is the reference standard imaging modality for characterizing thumb UCL injuries, ultrasound should be considered an accurate, cost‐effective, and alternative imaging modality to differentiate surgical versus nonsurgical thumb UCL injuries.