bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid phenotyping towards personalized malaria medicine
Authors: Veiga Maria Isabel , Peng Weng Kung
Published: February 2020

Malaria is major public health concerns which continues to claim the lives of more than 435,000 people each year. The challenges with anti-malarial drug resistance and detection of low parasitaemia forms an immediate barrier to achieve the fast-approaching United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of ending malaria epidemics by 2030. In this Opinion article, focusing on the recent published technologies, in particularly the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based diagnostic technologies, the authors offer their perspectives and highlight ways to bring these point-of-care technologies towards personalized medicine. To this end, they advocate an open sourcing initiative to rapidly close the gap between technological innovations and field implementation.
A network analysis framework to improve the delivery of mosquito abatement services in Machala, Ecuador
Authors: Lippi Catherine A. , Mao Liang , Stewart-Ibarra Anna M. , Heydari Naveed , Ayala Efraín Beltrán , Burkett-Cadena Nathan D. , Blackburn Jason K. , Ryan Sadie J.
Published: February 2020

Background

Vector-borne disease places a high health and economic burden in the American tropics. Comprehensive vector control programs remain the primary method of containing local outbreaks. With limited resources, many vector control operations struggle to serve all affected communities within their districts. In the coastal city of Machala, Ecuador, vector control services, such as application of larvicides and truck-mounted fogging, are delivered through two deployment facilities managed by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health. Public health professionals in Machala face several logistical issues when delivering mosquito abatement services, namely applying limited resources in ways that will most effectively suppress vectors of malaria, dengue, and encephalitis viruses.

Methods

Using a transportation network analysis framework, we built models of service areas and optimized delivery routes based on distance costs associated with accessing neighborhoods throughout the city. Optimized routes were used to estimate the relative cost of accessing neighborhoods for mosquito control services in Machala, creating a visual tool to guide decision makers and maximize mosquito control program efficiency. Location-allocation analyses were performed to evaluate efficiency gains of moving service deployment to other available locations with respect to distance to service hub, neighborhood population, dengue incidence, and housing condition.

Results

Using this framework, we identified different locations for targeting mosquito control efforts, dependent upon management goals and specified risk factors of interest, including human population, housing condition, and reported dengue incidence. Our models indicate that neighborhoods on the periphery of Machala with the poorest housing conditions are the most costly to access. Optimal locations of facilities for deployment of control services change depending on pre-determined management priorities, increasing the population served via inexpensive routes up to 34.9%, and reducing overall cost of accessing neighborhoods up to 12.7%.

Conclusions

Our transportation network models indicate that current locations of mosquito control facilities in Machala are not ideal for minimizing driving distances or maximizing populations served. Services may be optimized by moving vector control operations to other existing public health facilities in Machala. This work represents a first step in creating a spatial tool for planning and critically evaluating the systematic delivery of mosquito control services in Machala and elsewhere.
Is insulin-like growth factor-1 involved in Parkinson’s disease development?
Authors: Castilla-Cortázar Inma , Aguirre Gabriel A. , Femat-Roldán Giovana , Martín-Estal Irene , Espinosa Luis
Published: February 2020

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results in the death of dopaminergic neurons within thesubstantia nigra pars compactaand the reduction in dopaminergic control over striatal output neurons, leading to a movement disorder most commonly characterized by akinesia or bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor. Also, PD is less frequently depicted by sensory symptoms (pain and tingling), hyposmia, sleep alterations, depression and anxiety, and abnormal executive and working memory related functions. On the other hand, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an endocrine, paracrine and autocrine hormone with several functions including tissue growth and development, insulin-like activity, proliferation, pro-survival, anti-aging, antioxidant and neuroprotection, among others. Herein this review tries to summarize all experimental and clinical data to understand the pathophysiology and development of PD, as well as its clear association with IGF-1, supported by several lines of evidence: (1) IGF-1 decreases with age, while aging is the major risk for PD establishment and development; (2) numerous basic and translational data have appointed direct protective and homeostasis IGF-1 roles in all brain cells; (3) estrogens seem to confer women strong protection to PD via IGF-1; and (4) clinical correlations in PD cohorts have confirmed elevated IGF-1 levels at the onset of the disease, suggesting an ongoing compensatory or “fight-to-injury” mechanism.
The effect of tactile augmentation on manipulation and grip force control during force-field adaptation
Authors: Avraham Chen , Nisky Ilana
Published: February 2020

Background

When exposed to a novel dynamic perturbation, participants adapt by changing their movements’ dynamics. This adaptation is achieved by constructing an internal representation of the perturbation, which allows for applying forces that compensate for the novel external conditions. To form an internal representation, the sensorimotor system gathers and integrates sensory inputs, including kinesthetic and tactile information about the external load. The relative contribution of the kinesthetic and tactile information in force-field adaptation is poorly understood.

Methods

In this study, we set out to establish the effect of augmented tactile information on adaptation to force-field. Two groups of participants received a velocity-dependent tangential skin deformation from a custom-built skin-stretch device together with a velocity-dependent force-field from a kinesthetic haptic device. One group experienced a skin deformation in the same direction of the force, and the other in the opposite direction. A third group received only the velocity-dependent force-field.

Results

We found that adding a skin deformation did not affect the kinematics of the movement during adaptation. However, participants who received skin deformation in the opposite direction adapted their manipulation forces faster and to a greater extent than those who received skin deformation in the same direction of the force. In addition, we found that skin deformation in the same direction to the force-field caused an increase in the applied grip-force per amount of load force, both in response and in anticipation of the stretch, compared to the other two groups.

Conclusions

Augmented tactile information affects the internal representations for the control of manipulation and grip forces, and these internal representations are likely updated via distinct mechanisms. We discuss the implications of these results for assistive and rehabilitation devices.
An analysis on the effect of the three-incision combined approach for complex fracture of tibial plateau involving the posterolateral tibial plateau
Authors: Hong Guqi , Huang Xiaowen , Lv Tianrun , Li Xiang
Published: February 2020

Background

The clinical effect of the three-incision combined approach for complex fracture of tibial plateau involving the posterior tibial plateau was discussed.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed for 13 cases receiving surgery for complex fracture of tibial plateau from July 2015 to June 2019. They received surgery via the three-incision combined approach, and regular postoperative reexamination was performed at the outpatient clinic. During the last follow-up, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Knee Scoring System was used to assess the knee joint function; the Lysholm score was used to assess the knee mobility. The anterior, posterior, and rotational stabilities of the knee joint were assessed by the Lachman test and pivot-shift test.

Results

There was no nonunion and delayed union, implant loosening and fracture, or refracture, and neither were there neurological symptoms or restricted mobility in daily life. During the follow-up, none of the cases were found with restriction of knee mobility caused by internal fixation or apparent pain. The HSS score during the last follow-up was 86–100 (average, 90.2 ± 6.8), and the excellent and good rate was 100%; the Lysholm score was 86–100 (average, 95.7 ± 2.6). All cases were negative for the Lachman test and pivot-shift test. The knee flexion mobility was 100~140° (average, 127.2° ± 11.4°). Postoperative X-ray indicated anatomical reduction of bone fractures in all cases. Loss of reduction or loosening and fracture of internal fixation was not observed by postoperative regular reexaminations. The posterior tibial slope at 6 months after surgery was 6~16° (average, 10.66 ± 2.58°), the varus angle was 84~89° (average, 86.52 ± 1.46°), the Rasmussen radiological score was 12~18 (average, 16.12 ± 1.35), and the excellent and good rate was 100%.

Conclusion

The three-incision combined approach proved safe and reliable for complex fracture of tibial plateau involving the posterior tibial plateau and is worthy of further popularization.
Optimization of the extraction and purification of Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang based on the Q-marker uniform design method
Authors: Zhang Yongping , Wang Zuhua , Xu Jian , Yang Fangfang , Dai Chuanyang , Xie Weijie , Liang Zhu , Su Songbo
Published: February 2020

Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang alkaloids are mainly divided into three categories: protoberberine, prototropine and aporphine alkaloids. Therefore, we have taken into account these three alkaloid contents when extracting and purifying crude drugs, which is essential for the quality control of C. yanhusuo and its derivative products. Herein, we investigated the feasibility of the Q-marker uniform design method in the optimization of the extraction and purification of C. yanhusuo. In this study, Q-marker-based comprehensive scoring (CS) and uniform design methods were used to optimize the extraction and purification of C. yanhusuo. The inspective factors included the solvent concentration, pH, liquid–solid ratio, extraction time and frequency. Then 8 Q-markers, the total alkaloid extraction and the extraction rate were considered as the evaluating indicators during the process. The results indicated that the optimal reflux extraction process of C. yanhusuo was as follows: a total amount of 20 times 70% ethanol (pH = 10 of diluted ammonia), heating and refluxing twice, and extracting each time for 60 min. The results of nine-resin screening exhibited that NKA-9 macroporous adsorption resin had the best separation and purification effect on 8 kinds of C. yanhusuo alkaloids with stronger enrichment. During the optimal enrichment process and elution conditions, the water-soluble impurities were washed off with 5 BV distilled water at a volume flow rate of 2 BV/h, and the elution solvent was 70% ethanol with an elution volume flow rate of 1.5 BV/h and an elution dosage of 12 BV. Additionally, the total alkaloids of the obtained product were over 50%, of which eight quality markers were (+)-corydaline 3.55%, tetrahydropalmatine 3.13%, coptisine 2.79%, palmatine hydrochloride 2.24%, dehydrocorydaline 13.11%, (R)-(+)-corypalmine 2.37%, protopine 2.71% and glaucine 14.03%. Our data demonstrated that the optimal extraction and purification process was stable and feasible, which was expected to provide an experimental basis and reference for the industrial production of C. yanhusuo.
Relationship of spontaneous microembolic signals to risk stratification, recurrence, severity, and mortality of ischemic stroke: a prospective study
Authors: Bazan Rodrigo , Luvizutto Gustavo José , Braga Gabriel Pereira , Bazan Silméia Garcia Zanati , Hueb João Carlos , de Freitas Carlos Clayton Macedo , Hamamoto Filho Pedro Tadao , Módolo Gabriel Pinheiro , Trindade André Petean , Sobreira Marcone Lima , Nunes Hélio Rubens de Carvalho , Leite João Pereira , Pontes-Neto Octávio Marques
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The presence of microembolic signals (MES) during the acute phase of stroke is poorly understood, and its role and clinical application in relation to risk stratification and prognosis in patients remain uncertain. We assessed the prevalence of spontaneous MES in acute stroke and their relationship with risk stratification, stroke recurrence, morbidity, and mortality.

Patients and methods

This was a prospective cohort study conducted in the Stroke Unit. The MES presence was evaluated by transcranial Doppler (TCD) in patients with ischemic stroke within 48 h. The outcomes (risk stratification, morbidity, mortality, and recurrence of a stroke) were followed up for 6 months. The relationship between risk stratification and MES was obtained by odds ratios and that between MES and stroke recurrence, morbidity, and mortality using multiple logistic regression; considering statistical significance at P < 0.05.

Results

Of the 111 patients studied, 70 were men (63.1%) and 90 were white (81.1%), with a median age of 68 years. The MES frequency was 7%. There was a significant relationship between MES and symptomatic carotid disease (OR = 22.7; 95% CI 4.1–125.7; P < 0.001), a shorter time to monitoring (OR = 12.4; 95% CI  1.4–105.4; P = 0.02), and stroke recurrence (OR = 16.83; 95% CI 2.01–141; P = .009).

Discussion

It was observed that the stroke recurrence adjusted for prior stroke was higher and earlier among patients with MES detection. In conclusion, MES demonstrated a significant correlation with symptomatic carotid disease and a shorter DELAY until monitoring, and could be a predictor for the early recurrence of stroke in the long term.
Composite extragradient implicit rule for solving a hierarch variational inequality with constraints of variational inclusion and fixed point problems
Authors: Ceng Lu-Chuan , Shang Meijuan
Published: February 2020

Let X be a uniformly convex and q-uniformly smooth Banach space with $1< q\leq 2$1<q≤2. In the framework of this space, we are concerned with a composite gradient-like implicit rule for solving a hierarchical monotone variational inequality with the constraints of a system of monotone variational inequalities, a variational inclusion and a common fixed point problem of a countable family of nonlinear operators $\{S_{n}\}^{\infty }_{n=0}${Sn}n=0∞. Our rule is based on the Korpelevich extragradient method, the perturbation mapping, and the W-mappings constructed by $\{S_{n}\}^{\infty }_{n=0}${Sn}n=0∞.
Application of Adomian decomposition method to nonlinear systems
Authors: Li Wenjin , Pang Yanni
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we study the Adomian decomposition method (ADM for short) including its iterative scheme and convergence analysis, which is a simple and effective technique in dealing with some nonlinear problems. We take algebraic equations and fractional differential equations as applications to illustrate ADM’s efficiency.
Validity of an under-mattress sensor for objective sleep measurement in critically ill patients: a prospective observational study
Authors: Nagatomo Kanae , Masuyama Tomoyuki , Iizuka Yusuke , Makino Jun , Shiotsuka Junji , Sanui Masamitsu
Published: February 2020

Background

Considering the adverse effects of sleep disturbance in critical care settings, accurate assessment could aid therapy; however, methodological inadequacies mean that no viable option is currently available. Research in healthy population has recently shown that a non-wearable sleep measurement device placed under the mattress of the bed could be beneficial in intensive care settings. Therefore, we aimed to validate this device compared with polysomnography (PSG) and to assess how it related to subjective sleep evaluations.

Methods

This observational study measured the sleep of critically ill adult patients. The primary goal was to validate the Nemuri SCAN (NSCAN; Paramount Bed Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) against the reference standard PSG for 24 h. The secondary goal was to evaluate the association between the objective parameters obtained from NSCAN and PSG and the subjective report data obtained using the Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) for the nighttime.

Results

Eleven participants were evaluated. The median of the total sleep time scored by PSG was 456.0 (353.0–517.5) min during the nighttime and 305.0 (186.2–542.5) min during the daytime. PSG over 24 h revealed significant decreases in restorative sleep, with excessive daytime sleep, but with a normal quantity of nighttime sleep. The agreement, sensitivity, and specificity rates (with 95% confidence intervals) for the NSCAN compared with PSG were 68.4% (67.9–69.0%), 90.1% (89.7–90.6%), and 38.7% (37.9–39.7%), respectively. The median RCSQ value when subjectively evaluating nighttime sleep was 68.0 (26.3–83.5); this showed no correlation with the NSCAN sleep parameters, despite a positive correlation with the ratio of the stage N2 isolated or combined with restorative sleep in the PSG assessment.

Conclusions

NSCAN had moderate agreement, high sensitivity, and poor specificity in intensive care settings, which is most likely due to its inability to identify immobile wakefulness often observed in critically ill patients or sleep depth. This remains a barrier to its use in the assessment of subjective sleep quality.

Trial registration

This investigation was part of an interventional trial registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Individual Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000026350,http://www.umin.ac.jp/icdr/index-j.html) on March 1, 2017.
Correction to: Quantitative relationshipbetween plume emission and multiple deflations after the 2014 phreatic eruption atOntake volcano, Japan
Authors: Narita Shohei , Murakami Makoto , Tanaka Ryo
Published: February 2020

In the original publication of this article (Narita et al. 2019), the Figs. 6 and7 are incorrect. The correct figures are below:
Linc-OIP5 in the breast cancer cells regulates angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells through YAP1/Notch/NRP1 signaling circuit at a tumor microenvironment
Authors: Zhu Qing , Li Jingchao , Wu Qi , Cheng Yongxia , Zheng Huizhe , Zhan Tao , Wang Hongwei , Yang Yue , Wang Hongyan , Liu Ye , Guo Sufen
Published: February 2020

Background

LincRNAs have been revealed to be tightly associated with various tumorigeneses and cancer development, but the roles of specific lincRNA on tumor-related angiogenesis was hardly studied. Here, we aimed to investigate whether linc-OIP5 in breast cancer cells affects the angiogenesis of HUVECs and whether the linc-OIP5 regulations are involved in angiogenesis-related Notch and Hippo signaling pathways.

Methods

A trans-well system co-cultured HUVECs with linc-OIP5 knockdown breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 was utilized to study the proliferation, migration and tube formation abilities of HUVECs and alterations of related signaling indicators in breast cancer cells and their conditioned medium through a series of cell and molecular experiments.

Results

Overexpressed linc-OIP5, YAP1, and JAG1 were found in breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 and the expression levels of YAP1 and JAG1 were proportional to the breast cancer tissue grades. MDA-MB-231 cells with linc-OIP5 knockdown led to weakened proliferation, migration, and tube formation capacity of co-cultured HUVECs. Besides, linc-OIP5 knockdown in co-cultured MDA-MB-231 cells showed downregulated YAP1 and JAG1 expression, combined with a reduced JAG1 level in conditioned medium. Furthermore, a disrupted DLL4/Notch/NRP1 signaling in co-cultured HUVECs were also discovered under this condition.

Conclusion

Hence, linc-OIP5 in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells may act on the upstream of the YAP1/Notch/NRP1 signaling circuit to affect proliferation, migration, and tube formation of co-cultured HUVECs in a non-cellular direct contact way through JAG1 in conditioned medium. These findings at least partially provide a new angiogenic signaling circuit in breast cancers and suggest linc-OIP5 could be considered as a therapeutic target in angiogenesis of breast cancers.
Aiming for better use of convenience food: an analysis based on meal production functions at home
Authors: Nakano Satoshi , Washizu Ayu
Published: February 2020

Background

In recent years, the evaluation of convenience food has changed. It came to be considered not to have a negative effect on health and is now positioned as a tool to support dietary habits of elderly and other people. In advanced countries where the population is aging, convenience foods are expected to improve the eating habits of the elderly.

Methods

We defined the indicators of cooking effort and usage intensity of convenience food and presented a model wherein a “meal” is home-produced. In the model, a home cook decides the optimal cooking effort to apply for a given usage intensity of convenience food. Using an empirical form of the proposed model, we performed a multiple regression analysis and calculated “the elasticity of cooking effort with respect to the usage intensity of convenience food” for home cooks, with each attribute defined by a combination of different personality and demographic factors, using the estimated coefficients.

Results

Regression analysis results revealed a negative correlation between cooking effort and the usage intensity of convenience food, which is consistent with our theoretical model of home meal production. The results showed that home cooks who have special food preferences may not be satisfied with accepting convenience foods purchased from the market as they are and that these home cooks will require a higher cooking effort to obtain higher satisfaction. The elasticity of elderly home cooks was low, implying that they are not flexible enough to accept convenience food.

Conclusions

The results revealed that existing convenience foods do not have the same impact on home cooks with attributes. This problem can be solved with smart food systems that utilize information and communication technology, which allow home cooks to explore information on convenience foods that match their preferences and enable food providers to offer food that matches the specific tastes of home cooks. The regression results suggest this possibility.
Biocontrol efficacy of bay essential oil against housefly, Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae)
Authors: Chintalchere Jyoti M. , Dar Mudasir A. , Pandit Radhakrishna S.
Published: February 2020

Background

The synanthropic housefly, Musca domestica, augments the transmission of several detrimental diseases like cholera and avian flu. Consequently, during the last century, many physico-chemical methods including synthetic compounds have been applied for its control. But these methods have proven to be prohibitive due to their side effects and serious issues like resistance development, environmental contamination, and detrimental effects on non-target fauna. Therefore, in view of these objectives, we investigated the effects of bay essential oil (EO) against M. domestica.

Methods

The attractant/repellent assays were conducted by double choice technique. Different enzyme assays evaluating the effect of LC50 concentration of the tested essential oil on larval gut were taken into consideration. To determine the composition, the tested oil was subjected to GC-MS/MS analysis. Further, the morphological alterations caused by EO treatment to third instar larvae were observed in a Nova Nano SEM machine. Data was statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA using Tukey’s test (p < 0.001). The LC50 and LC90 values were calculated by probit analysis.

Results

The adulticidal bioassay revealed significant effects with LC50 concentration as 43.03 mg/dm3 against the newly emerged adult flies while in larvicidal assay mortality was dose dependent showing maximum effect at LC50 0.0629 μg/cm2. The pupicidal activity was more effective at a dose of LD50 64.09 μl/0.25 L of air which either killed the pupae or caused deformity in the emerged adults. Likewise total sugar, protein, glycogen, and lipid contents of larvae were reduced after treatment with EO when compared with the normal larvae along with some gut enzymes. The EO reduced the acetylcholinesterase activity from 0.013 U/mg protein in normal larvae to 0.0093 U/mg protein after EO treatment. The GC-MS/MS analysis of the bay EO showed the abundance of myrcene, linalool, eugenol, chavicol, and anethole along with diterpenoid, geranylgeraniol. However, the insecticidal activity of tested EO might be majorly imparted by eugenol content. The FESEM analysis showed shrinkage of integument and distortion to intersegmental regions caused by the tested compound.

Conclusion

The present study concludes the significant efficacy of bay EO against M. domestica which could be employed to breakdown its population below threshold levels to prevent the menace of vector-borne diseases.
A new early Visean coral assemblage from Azrou-Khenifra Basin, central Morocco and palaeobiogeographic implications
Authors: Rodríguez Sergio , Somerville Ian D. , Cózar Pedro , Sanz-López Javier , Coronado Ismael , González Felipe , Said Ismail , El Houicha Mohamed
Published: February 2020

A new early Visean coral assemblage has been recorded from turbidite facies in the southern part of the Azrou-Khenifra Basin, northwest of Khenifra, central Morocco. The newly discovered Ba Moussa West (BMW) coral fauna includesSiphonophyllia khenifrensesp. nov.,Sychnoelasma urbanowitschi,Cravenia lamellata,Cravenia tela,Cravenia rhytoides,Turnacipora megastomaandPleurosiphonella crustosa. The early Visean age of the coral assemblage is supported by foraminiferal and conodont data, with the recognition of the basal Visean MFZ9 Zone. This confirms that the first transgression in the Azrou-Khenifra Basin was during the earliest Visean. The allochthonous coral assemblage was recovered from coarse-grained proximal limestone debris flow and turbidite beds within a fault-bounded unit, lying to the west of a thrust syncline containing upper Visean limestones. No evidence exists of the former early Visean shallow-water platform from which the corals were derived. All other in situ platform carbonate rocks around the southern margin of the Azrou-Khenifra Basin are probably of late Visean (Asbian–Brigantian) age. The early Visean Ba Moussa West coral fauna can be compared with that at Tafilalt in eastern Morocco, as well as in other Saharian basins of Algeria. Many of the genera and species in the Ba Moussa West assemblage are identical to those in NW Europe, with which it must have had marine connections. The new rugose species described,Siphonophyllia khenifrense,is probably endemic to North Africa. Its ecological niche in NW Europe was occupied byS. cylindricaorS.aff.garwoodi.
Role of diffusion weighted MR-imaging in the evaluation of malignant mediastinal lesions
Authors: Sabri Youssriah Yahia , Nossair Eman Zaki Bassyouni , Assal HebatAllah Hany , Wahba Hisham Samir
Published: February 2020

Background

Conducted studies showed that the ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient) values of malignant mediastinal lesions are significantly lower than those of benign lesions. Investigators determined cut-off ADC values to differentiate the two; concluding that ADC value is a promising noninvasive, imaging parameter that helps assess and characterize mediastinal tumors.

Taking this a step forward, the primary objective of our prospective study was to investigate the potential of DW-MRI (diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging) to characterize malignant mediastinal lesions using their ADC values.

Thirty-three patients that underwent MRI of the chest with DWI and latter pathologically diagnosed with a malignant mediastinal lesion were included in this study. Lesions’ ADC values were measured and correlated with the histopathological results. The statistical significance of differences between measurements was tested using the one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) test; p values equal to or less than 0.05 were considered significant.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the ADCmean values of the histopathological groups of lesions assessed with the overlap of their ADCmean values. The average ADCmean value of NHL (non-Hodgkin lymphoma) was evidently lower than that of HD (Hodgkin disease) with no overlap between their ADCmean values. DWI failed at characterizing one lesion in this study as a malignant tumor, namely an immature teratoma (germ-cell tumor). Again DWI could not be used to evaluate a mass, latter pathologically diagnosed as an angiosarcoma, because of its overall hemorrhagic nature showing no definite non-hemorrhagic soft tissue components. The aforementioned results did not differ considerably when minimum ADC was used instead of mean ADC.

Conclusion

There was no statistically significant difference between the ADC values of the malignant mediastinal lesions evaluated. However, regarding lymphoma subtypes, our limited sample study of lymphoma suggested a considerable difference between the ADC values of Hodgkin disease and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Pressure-dependent cross-property relationships between elastic and electrical properties of partially saturated porous sandstones
Authors: Han Tongcheng , Liu Shengbiao , Xu Denghui , Fu Li-Yun
Published: February 2020

Successful joint inversion of seismic and electromagnetic survey data to estimate parameters and improve the characterization of the earth’s subsurface relies on the understanding of the cross-property relations between the elastic and electrical properties. Pressure-dependent cross-property relationships of rocks with varying degrees of fluid saturation remain poorly understood even though such conditions are encountered frequently. We investigate this problem by designing and undertaking dedicated laboratory experiments to simultaneously measure the elastic velocity and electrical resistivity in two Berea sandstone samples subject to varying confining pressure and water saturation, using a state-of-the-art joint elastic-electrical measurement system. P- and S-wave velocities are found to increase exponentially with increasing confining pressure at each water saturation, whereas electrical conductivity can either increase or decrease with confining pressure depending on the degree of water saturation. More interestingly, the elastic and electrical properties of the two samples are shown to be systematically correlated as functions of water saturation and the applied confining pressure. The correlations reveal the natural link between the elastic and electrical properties in the two porous sandstones with partial water saturation, and they help to better indicate the fluid flow within compliant pores in addition to the known flow between stiff and compliant pores. The results will form the theoretical basis for the successful joint interpretation of seismic and electromagnetic survey data acquired from partially saturated porous rocks in the subsurface of the earth.
Carers' experiences of involuntary admission under mental health legislation: systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis
Authors: Stuart Ruth , Akther Syeda Ferhana , Machin Karen , Persaud Karen , Simpson Alan , Johnson Sonia , Oram Sian
Published: February 2020

Background

Carers are key providers of care and support to mental health patients and mental health policies consistently mandate carer involvement. Understanding carers' experiences of and views about assessment for involuntary admission and subsequent detention is crucial to efforts to improve policy and practice.

Aims

We aimed to synthesise qualitative evidence of carers' experiences of the assessment and detention of their family and friends under mental health legislation.

Method

We searched five bibliographic databases, reference lists and citations. Studies were included if they collected data using qualitative methods and the patients were aged 18 or older; reported on carer experiences of assessment or detention under mental health legislation anywhere in the world; and were published in peer-reviewed journals. We used meta-synthesis.

Results

The review included 23 papers. Themes were consistent across time and setting and related to the emotional impact of detention; the availability of support for carers; the extent to which carers felt involved in decision-making; relationships with patients and staff during detention; and the quality of care provided to patients. Carers often described conflicting feelings of relief coupled with distress and anxiety about how the patient might cope and respond. Carers also spoke about the need for timely and accessible information, supportive and trusting relationships with mental health professionals, and of involvement as partners in care.

Conclusions

Research is needed to explore whether and how health service and other interventions can improve the involvement and support of carers prior to, during and after the detention of family members and friends.
Attributable Causes of Cancer in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thuy Phuong , Luu Hung N. , Nguyen Mai Vu Tuyet , Tran Mo Thi , Tuong Thuy Thi Van , Tran Chi Thi Du , Boffetta Paolo
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE

Vietnam is undergoing rapid socio-economic transition with an increasing cancer burden. The contribution of modifiable risk factors to cancers in Vietnam has not been studied. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the attributable causes of cancer in Vietnam.

METHODS

We reviewed the data on burden of cancer in Vietnam from 2 cancer registries in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City between 1995 and 2012. Next, we calculated the fractions of cancers occurring in 2018 attributable to established modifiable risk factors whose impact could be quantified. Data on exposure prevalence were obtained for the period from 2000 to 2010 from national sources wherever possible.

RESULTS

Cancer incidence in Vietnam has decreased slightly in both sexes. Cancer related to infectious agents decreased sharply, whereas cancer related to nutrition and metabolism has increased. In 2018, established carcinogens included in the analysis explained 47.0% of cancer burden in Vietnam. Chronic infections accounted for 29.1% of cancers (34.7% in men and 22.1% in women), tobacco smoking for 13.5% (23.9% in men and 0.8% in women), and alcohol drinking for 10.3%. Passive smoking was responsible for 8.8% of cancers in women. Other risk factors, including overweight or obesity, nulliparity, and low vegetable and fruit intake, accounted for < 1% of all cancers each.

CONCLUSION

Cancer incidence is slowly decreasing in Vietnam, and the causes of more than half of cancers remain unexplained. This result underlines the need for further epidemiologic and fundamental research. Our findings confirm the notion that controlling oncogenic infections and decreasing tobacco smoking are the most effective approaches to reduce the burden of cancer in Vietnam, but other risk factors, including alcohol drinking and diet, should not be neglected.
Dapagliflozin Suppresses Hepcidin And Increases Erythropoiesis
Authors: Ghanim Husam , Abuaysheh Sanaa , Hejna Jeanne , Green Kelly , Batra Manav , Makdissi Antione , Chaudhuri Ajay , Dandona Paresh
Published: February 2020

Context

Dapagliflozin and other SGLT2 inhibitors are known to increase hematocrit, possibly due to its diuretic effects and hemoconcentration.

Objective

Since type 2 diabetes is a proinflammatory state and since hepcidin, a known suppressor of erythropoiesis, is increased in proinflammatory states, we investigated the possibility that dapagliflozin suppresses hepcidin concentrations and thus increases erythropoiesis.

Design

Prospective, randomized, and placebo-controlled study.

Setting

Single endocrinology center.

Patients

Fifty-two obese type 2 diabetes patients.

Intervention

Patients were randomized (1:1) to either dapagliflozin (10 mg daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected before and after treatments and serum, plasma, and mononuclear cells (MNC) were prepared.

Main Outcome Measure

Hepcidin and other hematopoietic factors.

Results

Following dapagliflozin treatment, there was a significant fall in HbA1c and a significant increase in hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit. Dapagliflozin treatment significantly reduced circulating hepcidin and ferritin concentrations while causing a significant increase in levels of the hepcidin inhibitor, erythroferrone, and a transient increase in erythropoietin. Additionally, dapagliflozin increased plasma transferrin levels and expression of transferrin receptors 1 and 2 in MNC, while there was no change in the expression of the iron cellular transporter, ferroportin. Dapagliflozin treatment also caused a decrease in hypoxia-induced factor-1α expression in MNC while it increased the expression of its inhibitor, prolyl hydroxylase-2. There were no significant changes in any of these indices in the placebo group.

Conclusions

We conclude that dapagliflozin increases erythropoiesis and hematocrit through mechanisms that involve the suppression of hepcidin and the modulation of other iron regulatory proteins.
Does Household Electrification Supercharge Economic Development?
Authors: Lee Kenneth , Miguel Edward , Wolfram Catherine
Published: February 2020

In recent years, electrification has reemerged as a key priority in low-income countries, with a particular focus on electrifying households. Yet the microeconomic literature examining the impacts of electrifying households on economic development has produced a set of conflicting results. Does household electrification lead to measurable gains in living standards or not? Focusing on grid electrification, we discuss how the divergent conclusions across the literature can be explained by differences in methods, interventions, potential for spillovers, and populations. We then use experimental data from Lee, Miguel, and Wolfram (2019) — a field experiment that connected randomly selected households to the grid in rural Kenya — to show that impacts can vary even across individuals in neighboring villages. Specifically, we show that households that were willing to pay more for a grid electrification may gain more from electrification compared to households that would only connect for free. We conclude that access to household electrification alone is not enough to drive meaningful gains in development outcomes. Instead, future initiatives may work better if paired with complementary inputs that allow people to do more with power.
The Consequences of Treating Electricity as a Right
Authors: Burgess Robin , Greenstone Michael , Ryan Nicholas , Sudarshan Anant
Published: February 2020

This paper seeks to explain why billions of people in developing countries either have no access to electricity or lack a reliable supply. We present evidence that these shortfalls are a consequence of electricity being treated as a right and that this sets off a vicious four-step circle. In step 1, because a social norm has developed that all deserve power independent of payment, subsidies, theft, and nonpayment are widely tolerated. In step 2, electricity distribution companies lose money with each unit of electricity sold and in total lose large sums of money. In step 3, government-owned distribution companies ration supply to limit losses by restricting access and hours of supply. In step 4, power supply is no longer governed by market forces and the link between payment and supply is severed, thus reducing customers’ incentives to pay. The equilibrium outcome is uneven and sporadic access that undermines growth.
Emi Nakamura: 2019 John Bates Clark Medalist
Authors: Eberly Janice , Woodford Michael
Published: February 2020

Emi Nakamura is the 2019 recipient of the John Bates Clark Medal from the American Economic Association. Emi is an empirical macroeconomist whose work has studied the nature of price-setting and the effects of monetary and fiscal policies, among other issues, and has been notable for using less aggregated data, while addressing central questions about the macroeconomy. We describe Emi's key research contributions, with particular emphasis on those identified by the Honors and Awards Committee of the American Economic Association in her Clark Medal citation, as well as her broader contributions to the field of economics.
Dynamism with Incommensurate Development: The Distinctive Indian Model
Authors: Lamba Rohit , Subramanian Arvind
Published: February 2020

India’s sequencing of economic and political development has been unusual. In contrast to the West and more recently East Asia, democratization has preceded economic growth. Notwithstanding its unique path, India has grown substantially over the last four decades, pulling hundreds of millions out of poverty. The pace, durability, and stability of economic growth has been matched by few countries in the post-war period. This dynamism, though, has not been matched by development in several dimensions: a structural transformation that has skipped high-productivity manufacturing despite surplus labor, an increased spatial divergence in income despite integration in internal markets, limited convergence in education and other social metrics across castes but divergence across religions, a deep societal preference for sons that is associated with poor outcomes for women and high levels of stunting amongst children, and an environmental degradation that is severe for its level of income. The paper speculates on two immediate challenges: reviving dynamism when human capital development remains weak and the financial system is impaired and accelerating development when state capacity remains limited.
Approximate symmetries in the Interacting Boson Model
Authors: Bonatsos D.
Published: February 2020

Dynamical symmetries have played a central role for many years in the study of nuclear structure. Recently, the concepts of Partial Dynamical Symmetry (PDS) and Quasi-Dynamical Symmetry (QDS) have been introduced. We shall discuss examples of PDS and QDS appearing in the large boson number limit of the Interacting Boson Mod
A renormalized HVT approach for a class of central potential wells
Authors: Efthimiou C. A. , Grypeos M. E. , Koutroulos C, G. , Oyewumi W. J. , Petridou Th.
Published: February 2020

An investigation is carried out to consider a renormalized HVT approach in the context of s-power series expansions for the energy eigenvalues of a particle moving non-relativistically in a central potential well belonging to the class V(r)=−Df(rR), D>0 where f is an appropriate even function of x=r/R and the dimensionless quantity s = (h^2/2μDR)^{1/2} is assumed to be sufficiently small. Previously, the more general class of central potentials of even power series in r is considered and the renormalized recurrence relations from which the expansions of the energy eigenvalues follow, are derived. The s-power series of the renormalized expansion are then given for the initial class of potentials up to third order in s (included) for each energy-level Enl . It is shown that the renormalization parameter Κ enters the coefficients of the renormalized expansion through the state-dependent quantity a_{nl}χ^{1/2} =a_{nl}(1+K ((−d_1D)R^2))^{½}, a_{nl}=(2n+l+32). The question of determining χ is discussed. Our first numerical results are also given and the utility of potentials of the class considered (to which belong the well-known Gaussian and reduced Poschl- Teller potentials) in the study of single–particle states of a Λ in hypernuclei is pointed out.
Parity-violating electron scattering
Authors: Kowalski S.
Published: February 2020

Parity violating electron scattering has been a very useful tool for probing the structure of neutral currents and providing detailed information on electroweak form factors. A pioneering SLAC measurement in the mid-70’s provided an important early test of the Standard Model. Modern electron accelerators provide high intensity (>100 μA), CW beams with polarizations as high as 85%. Experiments such as SAMPLE, A4, HAPPEX and G0 have exploited these capabilities and obtained new information on electroweak strange form factors in the Q2 range of 0.1-1.0 GeV2. That activity continues. Other experiments are designed to provide stringent tests of the Standard Model. E-158 at SLAC recently measured the weak charge of the electron. Qweak is a challenging new experiment at JLAB which is designed to measure the weak charge of the proton. This will probe for physics beyond the Standard Model corresponding to energy scales of more than 5TeV.
Nucleon Electromagnetic Structure from Lattice QCD
Authors: Alexandrou C. , Koutsou G. , Neff H. , Negele J. W. , Schroers W. , Tsapalis A.
Published: February 2020

We present an evaluation of nucleon to Δ electromagnetic form factors within Lattice QCD. The EMR and CMR ratios are calculated both in the quenched theory and using two degenerate flavors of dynamical Wilson fermions. We obtain values in qualitative agreement to experiment. In addition, we evaluate the isovector Sachs electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon both in the quenched and unquenched theory for momentum transfer squared in the range between 0.1 and 2 GeV2. The nucleon magnetic moment and r.m.s. radii are obtained using chiral effective theory to extrapolate to the physical pion mass.
Current Trends in the Endorsement and Quality Assurance of Contemporary Radiotherapy Applications
Authors: Karaiskos P. , Al. Et
Published: February 2020

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CASTOR: A Calorimeter for Search of “Strangelets” at the CMS Experiment at CERN.
Authors: Aslanoglou X. , CMS/CASTOR group For the
Published: February 2020

In the search for Strange Quark Matter (SQM) and Exotic objects in Heavy Ion collisions at high energy, a new Electromagnetic plus Hadronic calorimeter, the CASTOR (Centauros And STrange Objects Research) calorimeter is now under construction. This calorimeter will operate in the experiment CMS at the LHC collider at CERN and is designed for the detection of Strange and Exotic objects at heavy ion collisions. Beam tests of two prototypes in the years 2003 and 2004, showed a good behavior of the instrument.