bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repercussions on sarcomeres of the myotendinous junction and the myofibrillar type adaptations in response to different trainings on vertical ladder
Authors: Rocha Lara Caetano , Pimentel Neto Jurandyr , de Sant'Ana Jossei Soares , Jacob Carolina dos Santos , Barbosa Gabriela Klein , Krause Neto Walter , Watanabe Ii‐sei , Ciena Adriano Polican
Published: June 2020

The myofibrillary types establish to the skeletal muscle functional and adaptive properties that influence the sarcomeric arrangement during muscle contraction and may have repercussions on an important related force transmission region of the locomotor apparatus, the myotendinous junction (MTJ). This study aimed to describe changes in myofibrillary type and sarcomeric lengths in the belly muscle and MTJ of the soleus and plantaris muscles associated with training protocols in vertical ladder. Thirty adults male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 10): Control (CTR), No‐load Training (NLT), and Load Training (LT). Morphoquantitative analysis of different fibers types and sarcomere lengths were performed in distinct regions of plantaris and soleus muscles. In the plantaris muscle with both trainings, there was an increase in the cross‐sectional area (CSA) in Type I and II fibers (p < .0001) while sarcomeric lengths revealed greater lengths in the proximal and distal sarcomeres of NLT, although in the LT we found greater lengths in the belly and MTJ sarcomeres. The soleus muscle showed an increase in CSA muscle fiber only in the NLT (p < .0001) and revealed alterations in belly and MTJ sarcomere lengths with training. We concluded that plantaris muscle has an adaptive effect directly associated with training load, with hypertrophy in both trainings and sarcomere length inverse from belly and MTJ, in LT associated with increased force generation and transmission at the MTJ, although soleus muscle has a lower adaptive response to training stimuli with variation in the belly and distal sarcomere of the MTJ.
Influence of air pressure patterns over Europe on solar radiation variability over Poland (1986–2015)
Authors: Kulesza Kinga
Published: June 2020

The key factor that affects the inflow of radiant energy to the Earth's surface is the circulation of the atmosphere (caused by uneven distribution of air pressure on the globe) and the related changes in the amount of aerosols and cloudiness. This paper identified the areas in the Euro‐Atlantic region where the air pressure change had a significant impact on global solar radiation (GSR) changes over Poland, during the period 1986–2015. In general, growing GSR sums over Poland are to some extent related to the positive phase of the NAO (simultaneous pressure growth in the area of the Azores High and the pressure decrease in the area of the Icelandic Low). Correlation coefficient between the NAO index and GSR over Poland equals 0.18 (statistically significant at α = 0.05). In turn, in summer and autumn the pressure growth in southern Scandinavia results in a significant increase in the amount of GSR over Poland. Days with extremely large GSR sums (above the 95th percentile) are also prompted by the Azores High ridge which covers Central and Southern Europe, and by air mass inflow from the Atlantic.
New results on common properties of the products AC and BA, II
Authors: Zeng Qingping , Yan Kai , Zhang Shifang
Published: June 2020

In this note, we continue to investigate common properties of the products in the setting of rings, bounded linear operators, or Banach algebras. We prove: (i) If are elements in a unital associative ring satisfying , then von Neumann regularity (resp. generalized Fredholmness relative to an ideal of ) of is converted into that of . (ii) If are bounded linear operators satisfying , then and share common complementability of kernels and ranges. (iii) If are elements in a unital semisimple Banach algebra satisfying and is a trace ideal of such that soc kh(soc, then and share common Fredholmness relative to and have the same abstract index. A similar result holds for B‐Fredholmness in primitive Banach algebra.
More substance use–focused agencies could eye mental health expansion
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: June 2020

During last month's webinar on behavioral health delivery post‐COVID‐19 crisis, co‐sponsored by the National Council for Behavioral Health (see MHW, June 1), panelists discussed the question of whether increased demand for mental health care would attract new players to the industry. The substance use treatment community would appear to be a likely place to look for such activity to grow in the coming months.
RAND examines physician practices' use of integrated BH care
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: June 2020

Although implementing behavioral health integration in primary care has proven effective, cultural differences and financial challenges remain, according to RAND researchers and the American Medical Association (AMA), following an examination of a diverse group of physician practices that implemented integrated care. The qualitative study results were published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
A new fractional mathematical model of extraction nanofluids using clay nanoparticles for different based fluids
Authors: Danish Ikram Muhammad , Imran Asjad Muhammad , Ahmadian Ali , Ferrara Massimiliano
Published: June 2020

In this paper, the heat transfer analysis of viscous (clay water‐based) nanofluid over an exponentially moving vertical plate is discussed. When clay nanoparticles are mixed to water‐based fluids, the thermal conductivity, thickness stages, and danger level of the fluid increase, which deliver hardy to extraordinary temperatures and controller the fluid charge. Clay nanoparticles show a vigorous rule in the drilling techniques of oils and gases from stuns and acreage. More accurately, clay nanoparticles are suspended in three different based fluids (water, kerosene, and engine oil). The governing PDE of nanofluids has been modeled by appealing ABC fractional derivative. The dimensionless temperature and velocity fields are attained as the solutions of the governing equations by Laplace transformation technique. The reported results are expressed in terms of ML function. To validate the results, the impact of several flow parameters and some comparison with the exiting results from the literature are made using Mathcad and designed in different figures. In some cases, our outputs are reduced to the results obtained in the literature. In comparison, we found that our results decay better than the classical approach proposed in existing research works. We also have compared the presents results based on ABC derivative, Caputo and CF derivatives. As a consequence, we have implied that ABC derivative decays better than C and CF derivatives and velocity of engine oil‐based fluid decays near the plate in comparison with other based fluids.
Tensor image enhancement and optimal multichannel receiver combination analyses for human hyperpolarized 13C MRSI
Authors: Chen Hsin‐Yu , Autry Adam W. , Brender Jeffrey R. , Kishimoto Shun , Krishna Murali C. , Vareth Maryam , Bok Robert A. , Reed Galen D. , Carvajal Lucas , Gordon Jeremy W. , van Criekinge Mark , Korenchan David E. , Chen Albert P. , Xu Duan , Li Yan , Chang Susan M. , Kurhanewicz John , Larson Peder E. Z. , Vigneron Daniel B.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

With the initiation of human hyperpolarized 13C (HP‐13C) trials at multiple sites and the development of improved acquisition methods, there is an imminent need to maximally extract diagnostic information to facilitate clinical interpretation. This study aims to improve human HP‐13C MR spectroscopic imaging through means of Tensor Rank truncation‐Image enhancement (TRI) and optimal receiver combination (ORC).

Methods

A data‐driven processing framework for dynamic HP 13C MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) was developed. Using patient data sets acquired with both multichannel arrays and single‐element receivers from the brain, abdomen, and pelvis, we examined the theory and application of TRI, as well as 2 ORC techniques: whitened singular value decomposition (WSVD) and first‐point phasing. Optimal conditions for TRI were derived based on bias‐variance trade‐off.

Results

TRI and ORC techniques together provided a 63‐fold mean apparent signal‐to‐noise ratio (aSNR) gain for receiver arrays and a 31‐fold gain for single‐element configurations, which particularly improved quantification of the lower‐SNR‐[13C]bicarbonate and [1‐13C]alanine signals that were otherwise not detectable in many cases. Substantial SNR enhancements were observed for data sets that were acquired even with suboptimal experimental conditions, including delayed (114 s) injection (8× aSNR gain solely by TRI), or from challenging anatomy or geometry, as in the case of a pediatric patient with brainstem tumor (597× using combined TRI and WSVD). Improved correlation between elevated pyruvate‐to‐lactate conversion, biopsy‐confirmed cancer, and mp‐MRI lesions demonstrated that TRI recovered quantitative diagnostic information.

Conclusion

Overall, this combined approach was effective across imaging targets and receiver configurations and could greatly benefit ongoing and future HP 13C MRI research through major aSNR improvements.
Comparison of thermal and fire properties of carbon/epoxy laminate composites manufactured using two forming processes
Authors: Xu Yanying , Lv Chao , Shen Ruiqing , Wang Zhi , Wang Qingsheng
Published: June 2020

Carbon/epoxy composites have been widely used in the aviation industry. However, the flammability of epoxy resins is of great concern within the industry. Currently, vacuum bag and autoclave forming processes are the most commonly used processes for composites. To compare the thermal and fire properties of carbon/epoxy laminate composites manufactured using these two forming processes, a comprehensive experimental investigation and theoretical analysis was carried out in this work. The glass transition temperatures and epoxy resin matrix content in composites were determined. Several thermal and fire properties were quantitatively evaluated, including onset decomposition temperature, time to ignition, mass loss rate (MLR), and heat release rate (HR). The morphologies of specimens before combustion were also observed. For vacuum bag (VB)‐C/ELC and A‐C/ELC, the critical heat flux (14.48 and 20.56 kW m−2), thermal response parameter (165.56 and 204.49 kW s1/2 m−2), heat of gasification (9.13 and 20.10 MJ kg−1), and theoretical heat of combustion (33.27 and 43.82 MJ kg−1) were calculated and compared using the thermal behavior model, MLR model, and heat release rate model, respectively. It has been found that the forming process can significantly affect the fire properties of carbon/epoxy laminate composites. More specifically, the carbon/epoxy laminate composites formed using autoclave forming processes have more combustion resistance and thus have improved fire properties.
Drug discontinuation in pregnant women with psoriasis: The PSO‐MOTHER cohort study
Authors: Belleudi Valeria , Poggi Francesca R. , Perna Serena , Naldi Luigi , Bortolus Renata , Rosa Alessandro C. , Kirchmayer Ursula , Davoli Marina , Addis Antonio
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To analyse the drug use pattern in women with psoriasis before, during and after pregnancy.

Methods

All children born (2009‐2016) in a central Italian region (Lazio) to mothers with a diagnosis of psoriasis were identified. Drug use patterns (biologicals, systemic, and topical), and discontinuation and switching of drug therapies before, during, and after pregnancy were studied. Findings were compared with data from a population exposed to similar drug therapies (eg, antirheumatic drugs).

Results

Among 3499 deliveries by women affected by psoriasis, 1876 (53.6%) were diagnosed with this condition before the Last Menstrual Period (LMP). Of these, 525 (27.9%) had at least one drug prescription for psoriasis therapy during 6 months before LMP. For each class of drugs considered, there was a general decrease in its use during pregnancy. Considering the two trimesters preceding LMP and the three trimesters of pregnancy, the following percentages of prescriptions were observed: from 10.5% to 0% for biologicals, 7.2% to 2.5% for the conventional systemic drugs, and 51.1% to 9.4% for the topical treatments. After delivery, previous treatments were resumed. Similar results were observed for rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic condition.

Conclusions

Majority of drugs come with warnings regarding potential embryo‐fetotoxicity, which might play a role in the decision to continue treatments during pregnancy. According to our study pregnancy appears to have a significant influence on drug prescriptions of different pharmacological treatments for psoriasis.
Development of a fluorescent three‐hybrid system for the identification of protein‐protein associators
Authors: Foster Andrew D. , Chung Chun‐wa , Hann Michael M. , Simpson Graham L. , Tavassoli Ali
Published: June 2020

The chemically‐induced dimerization of proteins is fundamental to many key regulatory pathways. A number of natural products exert their downstream effect through the stabilization of a protein complex, either by direct binding to two distinct protein partners or via an allosteric mechanism. Here, we report a bacterial three‐hybrid system, with dual life/death and fluorescent reporters, which detects protein association and is compatible with high‐throughput screening. We use rapamycin mediated mTOR‐FKBP12 (mammalian target of rapamycin—FK506 Binding Protein 12 kDa) dimerization to validate this platform; the addition of rapamycin results in the association of these target proteins, leading to the expression of two essential life/death reporter genes and a fluorescent signal. We further used this system to quantify the activity of rapamycin by utilizing the fluorescent readout, exemplifying its potential in screening and for ranking large in vivo libraries for compounds that upregulate the association of any two given proteins.
Evaluating Correlations of Coracohumeral Ligament Thickness with Restricted Shoulder Range of Motion and Clinical Duration of Adhesive Capsulitis with Ultrasound Measurements
Authors: Wu Pin‐Yi , Hsu Po‐Cheng , Chen Tzu‐Ning , Huang Jian‐Ru , Chou Chen‐Liang , Wang Jia‐Chi
Published: June 2020

Objectives

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate, using ultrasound measurements, the correlation between coracohumeral ligament (CHL) thickness and restricted shoulder range of motion (ROM) in patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC). The secondary objective is to investigate the correlation between CHL thickness and disease duration.

Design

Prospective cross‐sectional survey.

Setting

Clinical research of a tertiary care hospital.

Methods

Overall, 65 patients with clinically diagnosed AC were enrolled. Ultrasound measurements of CHL thickness in the axial oblique plane were obtained under maximal external rotation of the glenohumeral joint. Both Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and shoulder ROM were prospectively evaluated by an experienced investigator. CHL thickness was compared with shoulder ROM and SPADI. The association between CHL thickness and disease duration was also investigated.

Results

Simple linear regression analysis showed significant inverse correlation between CHL thickness and shoulder ROM including external rotation (ER) (r = −0.335, P = .006) and internal rotation (IR) (r = −0.409, P = .001). CHL thickness also correlated with disease duration (r = −0.352, P = .004). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that CHL thickness was significantly associated with restricted ER (r = −0.293, P = .02) and IR (r = −0.363, P = .003) after adjusting for age and disease duration. On the other hand, CHL thickness showed no significant correlation with abduction (r = −0.210, P = .09), flexion (r = −0.170, P = .176), or total SPADI score (r = 0.176, P = .16). Moreover, CHL was significantly thicker in patients with disease duration >6 months (P = .004, difference in means: 0.55 mm, 95% confidence interval: −0.922, −0.183).

Conclusions

CHL was significantly thicker in later‐stage AC. CHL thickness correlated negatively with ER and IR of the shoulder. Furthermore, CHL thickening could be observed in the early stage of the disease course. These imaging findings may assist in confirming the diagnosis of AC, leading to early intervention and treatment options.
Graphenic Aerogels Decorated with Ag Nanoparticles as 3D SERS Substrates for Biosensing
Authors: Biasotto Glenda , Chiadò Alessandro , Novara Chiara , Fontana Marco , Armandi Marco , Zaghete Maria Aparecida , Giorgis Fabrizio , Rivolo Paola
Published: June 2020

A versatile and efficient surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate based on a hybrid aerogel composed of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), suitable for highly sensitive label‐free detection of chemical and biological species, is presented. The simple and low‐cost one‐pot hydrothermal synthesis allows obtaining of a 3D nanostructured spongy‐like matrix that shows good spatial distribution of Ag nanoparticles in intimate contact with rGO flakes, characterized by means of several morphological, structural, and compositional techniques. The nanostructured material, tested by SERS analysis with both rhodamine 6G (R6G) and 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA), shows a satisfying SERS efficiency, quantified in terms of minimum detectable concentration of 10−10 and 10−7 m, corresponding to on‐ and off‐resonant excitation, respectively. The versatility of chemical/biochemical functionalization is successfully demonstrated by exploiting different routes, by immobilizing both protoporphyrin IX (PRPIX) and hemin (H) that take advantage of π−π non‐covalent bonding with the graphene layers, as well as thiol‐ended oligonucleotides (DNA probes/aptamers) directly grafted on the AgNPs. Finally, after the successful integration of the hybrid aerogel into a microfluidic chip, the biorecognition of miR222 is obtained demonstrating the reliability of the aerogel substrate as SERS platform for biosensing.
Amphiphilic Carbon Dots with Excitation‐Independent Double‐Emissions
Authors: Liu Yun , Sun Dong‐ming , Zhang Zhi‐ying , Zhang Li , Nie Shi‐dong , Xiao Jun‐ping , Chung Yeon Sook , Choi Hyeonho , Kim Sunghan , Liu Chun‐yan
Published: June 2020

Developing total carbon‐based multicolor emissive carbon dots (Cdots), especially amphiphilic Cdots (A‐Cdots) with several luminescent bands and limited emissive sites, is still a challenge. Herein, A‐Cdots with bright excitation‐independent blue/yellow photoluminescence (PL) bands from two types of fluorophores are synthesized by the solvothermal treatment of citric acid and dodecylamine in cyclohexane (c‐hexane) solution. Due to the hydrogen‐bonding interaction of carboxylic groups linked with A‐Cdots and the hydrophobic effects of long‐chain alkyl groups, assemblies of A‐Cdots with reversed micelle‐like structure formed in c‐hexane solution lead to remarkable yellow‐PL (y‐PL) with quantum yield of 33.1%. Time‐resolved fluorescence and the distinct solvation effects of A‐Cdots conclude that the blue‐PL and y‐PL are from the radiative recombination of emissive sites of amide and carboxylic groups. For the solvent‐dependent optical properties and the amplification effect of dual‐color PL, the A‐Cdots exhibit good potential in the very sensitive detection of trace impurities in alkane solution, such as ethanol in c‐hexane with content as low as 0.033% (v/v). With A‐Cdots as phosphors, white‐light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs) are successfully constructed with luminous efficiency of 52.72 lm W−1. This work provides a new thinking for the design of multicolor luminous Cdots materials and their potential applications.
Preoperative serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 and the incidence of early pulmonary infection after pediatric living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Tan Yu‐Le , Sun Li‐Ying , Zhu Zhi‐Jun , Wei Lin , Zeng Zhi‐Gui , Qu Wei , Liu Ying , Zhang Hai‐Ming , Wang Jun , He En‐Hui , Xu Rui‐Fang , Zhang Liang
Published: June 2020

Background

Pulmonary infection is a common complication in pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients. It has been suggested that vitamin D has a role in immune defense against infection. Therefore, we investigated the effect of preoperative serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) on the risk of pneumonia in hospitalized patients undergoing LDLT.

Materials and Methods

This study was a retrospective review of patient records. Fifty consecutive pediatric patients (aged < 14 years) who underwent LDLT from January 2017 to December 2017 were included. Pulmonary infection in the early postoperative period was diagnosed using clinical, radiological, or laboratory criteria. Preoperative serum 25(OH)D3 level, demographic characteristics, primary diagnosis, ascites, time to extubation, length of intensive care unit stay, and perioperative laboratory values were recorded. Vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were defined as a serum 25(OH)D3 concentration of less than 10, 10 to 20, and more than 20 ng/mL, respectively. Associations between serum 25(OH)D3 levels and pulmonary infection were analyzed.

Results

Of 50 pediatric patients who underwent LDLT, 19 (38%) developed pulmonary infections in the early postoperative period. The mean serum 25(OH)D3 level in these subjects was 18.7 ± 17.2 ng/mL (range, 3.0‐70.0 ng/mL). Twenty patients (40%) had severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL). The mean serum 25(OH)D3 level was significantly decreased (9.3 ± 7.4 vs 24.5 ± 19.1 ng/mL, P = .002) in patients with pulmonary infection compared with those without pulmonary infection. Serum 25(OH)D3 level as a continuous variable (odds ratio [OR], 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84‐0.97, P = .008) and a classification variable (≤10 ng/mL) (OR, 7.42, 95% CI, 2.06‐26.79, P = .002) were significantly associated with pulmonary infection in univariate analysis. After adjusting for other significant predictors (age, weight, and pediatric end‐stage liver disease score), severe 25(OH)D3 deficiency at presentation was independently associated with a higher risk of developing pulmonary infection in the early postoperative period (OR, 5.11, 95% CI, 1.30‐20.16, P = .02).

Conclusions

25(OH)D3 deficiency is common and inversely correlated with pulmonary infection within the first month after pediatric LDLT. Our results indicate that preoperative serum 25(OH)D3 deficiency is a potential biomarker for early pulmonary infection after pediatric LDLT.
Prognostic factors influencing overall survival in de novo oligometastatic prostate cancer patients
Authors: Rii Junryo , Sakamoto Shinichi , Yamada Yasutaka , Takeshita Nobushige , Yamamoto Satoshi , Sazuka Tomokazu , Imamura Yusuke , Nakamura Kazuyoshi , Komiya Akira , Komaru Atsushi , Fukasawa Satoshi , Nakatsu Hiroomi , Akakura Koichiro , Ichikawa Tomohiko
Published: June 2020

Background

Oligometastatic cancer has been suggested as an intermediate state between localized disease and wide‐ranging metastases. The clinical significance of local treatment in oligometastatic prostate cancer (PCa) has been a recent topic of interest. However, standard definitions of oligometastasis are lacking. Here we studied risk factors among Japanese de novo oligometastatic patients with PCa.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed clinical data from 264 patients, including locally advanced (T3 or T4N0M0) cancer, lymph‐node‐positive cancer (TanyN1M0), and cancer with ≤10 bone metastases. All patients received androgen deprivation therapy only. The number of bone metastases and clinical factors were evaluated in association with overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS). The Mann‐Whitney U test, Cox proportional hazard models, and Kaplan‐Meier methods were used as statistical analyses.

Results

Median age, PSA at baseline and OS were 74 years, 55.2 ng/mL, and 129.0 months, respectively. The cutoff for the number of bone metastases having the greatest impact on OS was ≥3 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.67; P = .0001). In multivariate analysis, non‐regional lymph node (LN) metastases (HR: 2.15; P = .0222), ISUP grade group (GG) 5 (HR: 2.04; P = .0186) and ≥3 bone metastases (HR: 1.82; P = .0390) were independent predictors of OS. In risk classification based on these factors, OS and PFS were significantly classifiable into poor (2‐3 factors), intermediate (1 factor), and good (no factors) risk groups (P < .0001).

Conclusion

Not only the number of bone metastases, but also non‐regional LN metastases predict OS in patients with de novo oligometastatic PCa.
Physicochemical analysis and biological characterization of FKB327 as a biosimilar to adalimumab
Authors: Schreiber Stefan , Yamamoto Katsuhiko , Muniz Rafael , Iwura Takafumi
Published: June 2020

FKB327 was approved by the European Medicines Agency as a biosimilar to European‐authorized adalimumab (Humira®; AbbVie Inc). Adalimumab is a monoclonal antibody, binding and inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α with use indicated for several immune‐mediated, chronic, and inflammatory disorders. The approval is based on high similarity in the physicochemical properties between FKB327 and adalimumab. The objective of this study is to assess the biological similarity, with regard to Fab‐ and Fc‐associated functions, and describe the relationship between physicochemical and biological characterization and functional activity. State‐of‐the‐art orthogonal techniques were implemented to assess the structure and function of FKB327. Peptide mapping with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis–sodium dodecyl sulfate, ultraviolet circular dichroism, size‐exclusion high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and cation exchange HPLC were the techniques used to assess structure. Functional activity was assessed with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, surface plasmon resonance, and cell‐based assays. The polypeptide sequence of FKB327 was identical to that of adalimumab. FKB327 also was demonstrated to have a similar secondary and tertiary structure to adalimumab. Posttranslational heterogeneities, along with size and charge variants, were not clinically meaningful. FKB327 binds to TNF‐α, FcγR, the neonatal Fc receptor, and C1q, and induces apoptosis, antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and complement‐dependent cytotoxicity. The binding and activity of FKB327 were similar to that of adalimumab. FKB327 shares similar structure and activity with adalimumab. Based on characterization of physicochemical and biological properties, FKB327 is expected to have a similar safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy profile to adalimumab.
Towards a dry‐mass conserving hydrostatic global spectral dynamical core in a general moist atmosphere
Authors: Peng Jun , Zhao Jun , Zhang Weimin , Zhang Lifeng , Wu Jianping , Yang Xiangrong
Published: June 2020

The aim of this article is to develop a dry‐mass conserving hydrostatic global spectral dynamical core in a general moist atmosphere, which can be regarded as an alternative, improved version of that used in the current Integrated Forecast System (IFS) of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). In contrast to the original IFS‐like core, the dry‐mass vertical coordinate is employed and the mass continuity equation is expressed in terms of the dry air density, which ensures the inherent conservation of dry air mass. Meanwhile, the thermodynamic equation is reformulated with a modified temperature variable and the formula used to compute the full pressure vertical velocity is derived rigorously. To assess the performance of this new core, an idealized tropical cyclone (TC) test is conducted. Simulation results from both the new core and the original IFS‐like dynamical core are presented and compared. The results show that the TC‐like storm produced by the new dynamical core is more intense, more compact and more concentric, and is thus much more in line with previous results from other global models. In this new dynamical core, the diagnosed full pressure vertical velocity is decomposed into four components, of which the first component, the dry hydrostatic pressure vertical velocity, dominates. Sensitivity experiments imply that despite their small numerical value the other three components should not be neglected, especially for medium‐range forecasts.
Information percolation and cutoff for the random‐cluster model
Authors: Ganguly Shirshendu , Seo Insuk
Published: June 2020

We consider the random‐cluster model (RCM) onwith parametersp∈(0,1) andq ≥ 1. This is a generalization of the standard bond percolation (with edges open independently with probabilityp) which is biased by a factorqraised to the number of connected components. We study the well‐known Fortuin‐Kasteleyn (FK)‐dynamics on this model where the update at an edge depends on the global geometry of the system unlike the Glauber heat‐bath dynamics for spin systems, and prove that for all small enoughp(depending on the dimension) and anyq>1, the FK‐dynamics exhibits the cutoff phenomenon atwith a window size, whereλ∞is the largenlimit of the spectral gap of the process. Our proof extends theinformation percolationframework of Lubetzky and Sly to the RCM and also relies on the arguments of Blanca and Sinclair who proved a sharpmixing time bound for the planar version. A key aspect of our proof is the analysis of the effect of a sequence of dependent (across time) Bernoulli percolations extracted from the graphical construction of the dynamics, on how information propagates.
Excess cumulative incidence estimation for matched cohort survival studies
Authors: Boschini Cristina , Andersen Klaus K. , Jacqmin‐Gadda Hélène , Joly Pierre , Scheike Thomas H.
Published: June 2020

We suggest a regression approach to estimate the excess cumulative incidence function (CIF) when matched data are available. In a competing risk setting, we define the excess risk as the difference between the CIF in the exposed group and the background CIF observed in the unexposed group. We show that the excess risk can be estimated through an extended binomial regression model that actively uses the matched structure of the data, avoiding further estimation of both the exposed and the unexposed CIFs. The method naturally deals with two time scales, age and time since exposure and simplifies how to deal with the left truncation on the age time‐scale. The model makes it easy to predict individual excess risk scenarios and allows for a direct interpretation of the covariate effects on the cumulative incidence scale. After introducing the model and some theory to justify the approach, we show via simulations that our model works well in practice. We conclude by applying the excess risk model to data from the ALiCCS study to investigate the excess risk of late events in childhood cancer survivors.
Recycling of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 Material from Spent Lithium‐ion Batteries Using Mixed Organic Acid Leaching and Sol‐gel Method
Authors: Gao Ruichuan , Sun Conghao , Zhou Tao , Zhuang Luqi , Xie Huasheng
Published: June 2020

A novel closed‐loop recycling system of mixed organic acid leaching and sol‐gel method re‐synthesis for LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 cathode material is designed. Mixed organic acid solution consisting of 0.4 mol/L DL‐malic acid and 0.1 mol/L ascorbic acid was applied to the leaching procedure. Under optimal conditions (temperature: 70 °C, time: 30 min, slurry density: 20 g/L), the leaching efficiency of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn is 99.06 %, 97.11 %, 96.46 %, and 97.22 %, respectively. DL‐malic acid has a stronger chelate tendency with metal ions in the mixed acid leachate, which is verified by the UV‐Vis spectra and FT‐IR spectra. Without adding extra chelating reagents to the leachate, LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 material is regenerated by the sol‐gel method directly. Electrochemical performances of the re‐synthesized LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 material exhibit an excellent initial charge and discharge capacity of 156.0 mAh g−1 and 145.2 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C, respectively. As an alternative to LIBs recovery, the advantages of this recovery method are low reagents consumption and environmentally benign.
Automated generation of oracled test cases with regular expressions and combinatorial techniques
Authors: Polo Macario , Pedreira Oscar , S. Places Ángeles , García Rodríguez de Guzmán Ignacio
Published: June 2020

One of the main challenges of software testing research is the automated addition of oracles to the generated test cases: Whereas the automated generation of operation sequences (which is one of the essential components of test cases) is in practice a solved problem, the automated addition of the oracle (another indispensable element) is still an important problem and an open research question. This article proposes an approach to get executable test suites composed by complete test cases (i.e., they include the oracle). The core of the method is based on annotated regular expressions. The test generation process, which is supported by a tool, follows three steps: (1) creation of annotated regular expressions, where each regular expression describes a set of sequences of operations to be executed against the system under test; (2) expansion of the regular expressions to get sequences of operations, which still do not have parameter values; and (3) generation of the executable test cases with oracle. In this third step, each test case is generated with the suitable oracle, depending on the conditions specified in the regular expression.
Sensei: Enforcing secure coding guidelines in the integrated development environment
Authors: De Cremer Pieter , Desmet Nathan , Madou Matias , De Sutter Bjorn
Published: June 2020

We discuss the potential benefits, requirements, and implementation challenges of a security‐by‐design approach in which an integrated development environment plugin assists software developers to write code that complies with secure coding guidelines. We discuss how such a plugin can enable a company's policy‐setting security experts and developers to pass their knowledge on to each other more efficiently, and to let developers more effectively put that knowledge into practice. This is achieved by letting the team members develop customized rule sets that formalize coding guidelines and by letting the plugin check the compliance of code being written to those rule sets in real time, similar to an as‐you‐type spell checker. Upon detected violations, the plugin suggests options to quickly fix them and offers additional information for the developer. We share our experience with proof‐of‐concept designs and implementations rolled out in multiple companies, and present some future research and development directions.
Selective and sensitive spectral signals on confocal Raman spectroscopy for detection of ex vivo skin lipid properties
Authors: Liu Yali , Lunter Dominique Jasmin
Published: June 2020

Spectral signals of stratum corneum (SC) acquired from confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) are employed to track lipid variations and the most sensitive and efficient signals are of high interest. Herein, 1% of sodium lauryl sulfate treated SC was compared to water‐treated one to evaluate statistical difference of spectral signals concerning lipid content, SC thickness and lipid molecular structures. Results showed that peak ratio of 1425 to 1490 cm−1 and 1630 to 1710 cm−1 in fingerprint region and Gaussian‐function deconvoluted lipid‐keratin peak ratio in high wavenumber (HWN) region were both responsive for analyzing lipid content. SC thickness measurement using the full width of half‐maximum (FWHM) of 2920 to 2960 cm−1 signal presented good sensitivity. Nevertheless, the shift of peak 2850 cm−1 indicated less sensitivity compared to trans‐gauche peak signals and 1300 cm−1 peak position for lipid conformation analysis. Meanwhile, the ratio of peak 2880 and 2850 cm−1 indicating lipid lateral packing structure presented to be less responsive. More strikingly, FWHM of peak 2850 cm−1 appeared to be unable for lipid lateral packing order analysis in our study. In summary, this research can serve as a pilot study for further investigation of direct drug delivery and interaction between topical applied compounds and skin components.
Unitarity at the late time boundary of de Sitter
Authors: Şengör Gizem , Skordis Constantinos
Published: June 2020

Abstract

The symmetry group of the de Sitter spacetime, accommodates fields of various masses and spin among its unitary irreducible representations. These unitary representations are labeled by the spin and the weight contribution to the scaling dimension and depending on the mass and spin of the field the weight may take either purely real or purely imaginary values. In this work, we construct the late time boundary operators for a massive scalar field propagating in de Sitter spacetime, in arbitrary dimensions. We show that contrary to the case of Anti de Sitter, purely imaginery weights also correspond to unitary operators, as well as the ones with real weight, and identify the corresponding unitary representations. We demonstrate that these operators correspond to the late time boundary operators and elucidate that all of them have positive definite norm.
Random attractors for stochastic partly dissipative systems
Authors: Kuehn Christian , Neamţu Alexandra , Pein Anne
Published: June 2020

We prove the existence of a global random attractor for a certain class of stochastic partly dissipative systems. These systems consist of a partial and an ordinary differential equation, where both equations are coupled and perturbed by additive white noise. The deterministic counterpart of such systems and their long-time behaviour have already been considered but there is no theory that deals with the stochastic version of partly dissipative systems in their full generality. We also provide several examples for the application of the theory.
Personalised medicine and the decision to withhold chemotherapy in early breast cancer with intermediate risk of recurrence – a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wallerstedt Susanna M. , Nilsson Ek Astrid , Olofsson Bagge Roger , Kovács Anikó , Strandell Annika , Linderholm Barbro
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To assess the evidence for decision making, at the health care and the patient levels, regarding the use of gene expression assays to inform chemotherapy decisions in breast cancer patients with intermediate clinical risk of recurrence.

Methods

Systematic literature searches were performed (January 2002–April 2020) in Medline, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and HTA databases. Inclusion criteria: patients (P) were individuals with post-surgical breast cancer at intermediate clinical risk of recurrence; intervention (I)/comparison (C) was (i) use of, versus no use of, a gene expression assay and (ii) withholding versus providing chemotherapy; outcomes (O) were overall survival (OS), health-related quality of life (HRQL), and recurrence. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs were included. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed where possible.

Results

Three inconclusive non-RCTs, respectively, compared OS and recurrence with and without a gene expression assay. No studies investigated HRQL. Regarding the comparison withholding versus providing chemotherapy based on a gene expression assay, one RCT and four non-RCTs evaluated OS. In the RCT, 93.9% (I) versus 93.8% (C) were alive at 9 years. Three RCTs and seven non-RCTs evaluated recurrence. Three RCTs could be pooled regarding distant recurrence; 4.29% versus 3.88% had such an event (risk ratio: 1.12 (95% confidence interval: 0.90 to 1.39).

Conclusion

Regarding the use of gene expression assays in breast cancer, evidence on patient effects, informing patient-level chemotherapy decision making, is available. However, evidence for prioritisation at the overall health care level, i.e. use of, versus no use of, such assays, is largely lacking.
Persönlichkeit, Lebensbedeutungen und Angst vor dem Tod bei affektiven Störungen
Authors: Mavrogiorgou Paraskevi , Chmielewski Fabian , Hanning Sven , Juckel Georg
Published: June 2020

Hintergrund

Die Befunde der bislang wenigen durchgeführten Untersuchungen legen nahe, dass die Angst vor dem Tod eine zentrale kausale und aufrechterhaltende Variable bei der Entstehung psychischer Störungen ist. Hierbei ist die Bedeutung von Persönlichkeit oder lebenserfüllenden und krisenbewältigenden Verhaltensweisen nicht abschließend geklärt.

Material und Methoden

An der vorgestellten explorativen Studie nahmen 54 ambulante Psychotherapiepatienten (27 Frauen und 27 Männer, Alter im Mittel 43,7 Jahre [Standardabweichung, SD ± 13,2 Jahre]) teil. Bei mehr als 90 % der Teilnehmenden bestanden psychische Störungen aus den ICD-10-Bereichen F3 (affektive Störungen) und F4 (neurotische, Belastungs- und somatoforme Störungen). Mithilfe von semistrukturierten Interviews und Fragebogen wurden Daten u. a. zu Angst vor dem Tod („Bochumer-Fragebogen zur Erfassung der Angst vor dem Tod und der Einstellung zum Tod“, BOFRETTA), Persönlichkeitsdimensionen (NEO-Fünf-Faktoren-Inventar, NEO-FFI) und Lebensbedeutungen erhoben.

Ergebnisse

Lediglich für die Persönlichkeitsdimension Neurotizismus (nach NEO-FFI) fanden sich signifikante Korrelationen mit den 3 BOFRETTA-Kenngrößen, wobei ein höherer Neurotizismusgrad mit einem höheren BOFRETTA-Gesamtwert (r = 0,496; p ≤ 0,000), einem höheren Wert der Angst vor dem Tod (r = 0,524; p ≤ 0,000) und einer negativen Einstellung zum Tod (r = 0,401; p = 0,003) korrelierte. Zudem zeigte sich ein positiver Zusammenhang zwischen Angst vor dem Tod und Sinnkrise (r = 0,284; p = 0,038). Schließlich fanden sich signifikante Zusammenhänge zwischen der Dimension „Ordnung“ des Fragebogens zu Lebensbedeutungen und Lebenssinn (LeBe) und den BOFRETTA-Werten (Angst: r = 0,458; p ≤ 0,000; Einstellung: r = 0,521; p ≤ 0,000; Gesamt: r = 0,504; p ≤ 0,000). Gerade in Bezug auf diese Zusammenhänge ergaben sich wesentliche Geschlechterunterschiede.

Schlussfolgerung

Neurotizismus und Lebenskrise im Kontext einer psychischen Störung sowie geschlechterspezifisch unterschiedlich gewichtete Lebensbedeutungen wirken sich auf die Angst vor dem Tod aus und gehen mit einer problematischen Einstellung zum Tod einher. Eine stärkere Betrachtung dieser Zusammenhänge im Rahmen der individuell konzipierten psychotherapeutischen Behandlung eines jeden Patienten ist wünschenswert.
On Fast–Slow Consensus Networks with a Dynamic Weight
Authors: Jardón-Kojakhmetov Hildeberto , Kuehn Christian
Published: June 2020

We study dynamic networks under an undirected consensus communication protocol and with one state-dependent weighted edge. We assume that the aforementioned dynamic edge can take values over the whole real numbers, and that its behaviour depends on the nodes it connects and on an extrinsic slow variable. We show that, under mild conditions on the weight, there exists a reduction such that the dynamics of the network are organized by a transcritical singularity. As such, we detail a slow passage through a transcritical singularity for a simple network, and we observe that an exchange between consensus and clustering of the nodes is possible. In contrast to the classical planar fast–slow transcritical singularity, the network structure of the system under consideration induces the presence of a maximal canard. Our main tool of analysis is the blow-up method. Thus, we also focus on tracking the effects of the blow-up transformation on the network’s structure. We show that on each blow-up chart one recovers a particular dynamic network related to the original one. We further indicate a numerical issue produced by the slow passage through the transcritical singularity.
Sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis versus the Hartmann’s procedure for perforated diverticulitis with purulent or fecal peritonitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lambrichts Daniël PV , Edomskis Pim P , van der Bogt Ruben D , Kleinrensink Gert-Jan , Bemelman Willem A , Lange Johan F
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The optimal surgical approach for perforated diverticulitis with purulent or fecal peritonitis (Hinchey grade III or IV) remains debated. In recent years, accumulating evidence comparing sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis (PA) with the Hartmann’s procedure (HP) was presented. Therefore, the aim was to provide an updated and extensive synthesis of the available evidence.

Methods

A systematic search in Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases was performed. Studies comparing PA to HP for adult patients with Hinchey III or IV diverticulitis were included. Data on mortality, morbidity, stoma reversal, and patient-reported and cost-related outcomes were extracted. Random effects models were used to pool data and estimate odds ratios (ORs).

Results

From a total of 1560 articles, four randomized controlled trials and ten observational studies were identified, reporting on 1066 Hinchey III/IV patients. Based on trial outcomes, PA was found to be favorable over HP in terms of stoma reversal rates (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.29, 5.31) and reversal-related morbidity (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.16, 0.69). No differences in mortality (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.32, 2.19), morbidity (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.65, 1.51), and reintervention rates (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.39, 2.11) after the index procedure were demonstrated. Data on patient-reported and cost-related outcomes were scarce, as well as outcomes in PA patients with or without ileostomy construction and Hinchey IV patients.

Conclusion

Although between-study heterogeneity needs to be taken into account, the present results indicate that primary anastomosis seems to be the preferred option over Hartmann’s procedure in selected patients with Hinchey III or IV diverticulitis.
Intestinal motility distal of a deviating ileostomy after rectal resection with the construction of a primary anastomosis: results of the prospective COLO-MOVE study
Authors: Burghgraef T. A. , Amelung F. J. , Verheijen P. M. , Broeders I. A. M. J. , Consten E. C. J.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

No consensus exists regarding the use of preoperative bowel preparation for patients undergoing a low anterior resection (LAR). Several comparative studies show similar outcomes when a single time enema (STE) is compared with mechanical bowel preparation (MBP). It is hypothesized that STE is comparable with MBP due to a decrease in intestinal motility distal of a newly constructed diverting ileostomy (DI).

Methods

In this prospective single-centre cohort study, patients undergoing a LAR with primary anastomosis and DI construction were given a STE 2 h pre-operatively. Radio-opaque markers were inserted in the efferent loop of the DI during surgery, and plain abdominal X-rays were made during the first, third, fifth and seventh postoperative day to visualize intestinal motility.

Results

Thirty-nine patients were included. Radio-opaque markers were situated in the ileum or right colon in 100%, 100% and 97.1% of the patients during respectively the first, third and fifth postoperative day. One patient had its most distal marker situated in the left colon during day five. In none of the patients, the markers were seen distal of the anastomosis.

Conclusion

Intestinal motility distally of the DI is decreased in patients who undergo a LAR resection with the construction of an anastomosis and DI, while preoperatively receiving a STE.