bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linking abdominal imaging traits to electronic health record phenotypes
Authors: MacLean Matthew T. , Jehangir Qasim , Vujkovic Marijana , Ko Yi-An , Litt Harold , Borthakur Arijitt , Sagraiya Hersh , Rosen Mark , Mankoff David A. , Schnall Mitchell D. , Shou Haochang , Chirinos Julio , Damrauer Scott M. , Torigian Drew A. , Carr Rotonya , Rader Daniel J. , Witschey Walter R.
Published: September 2020

Quantitative traits obtained from computed tomography (CT) scans performed in routine clinical practice have the potential to enhance translational research and genomic discovery when linked to electronic health record (EHR) and genomic data. For example, both liver fat and abdominal adipose mass are highly relevant to human disease; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is present in 30% of the US adult population, is strongly associated with obesity, and can progress to hepatic inflammation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. We built a fully automated image curation and organ labeling technique using deep learning to identify liver, spleen, subcutaneous and visceral fat compartments in the abdomen and extract 12 quantitative imaging traits from 161,748 CT scans in 19,624 patients enrolled in the Penn Medicine Biobank (PMBB). The average liver fat, as defined by a difference in attenuation between spleen and liver, was −6.4 ± 9.1 Hounsfield units (HU). In 135 patients who had undergone both liver biopsy and imaging, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed an area under the curve(AUC) of 0.81 for hepatic steatosis. The mean fat volume within the abdominal compartment for subcutaneous fat was 4.9 ± 3.1 L and for visceral fat was 2.9 ± 2.1 L. We performed integrative analyses of liver fat with the phenome extracted from the EHR and found highly significant associations with chronic liver disease/cirrhosis, chronic non-alcoholic liver disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, renal failure, alcoholism, hepatitis C, use of therapeutic adrenal cortical steroids, respiratory failure and pancytopenia. Liver fat was significantly associated with two of the most robust genetic variants associated with NAFLD, namely rs738409 in PNPLA3 and rs58542926 in TM6SF2. Finally, we performed multivariate principle component analysis (PCA) to show the importance of each of the quantitative imaging traits to NAFLD and their interrelationships with the phenome. This work demonstrates the power of automated image quantitative trait analyses applied to routine clinical imaging studies to fuel translational scientific discovery.
Endothelial cell invasiveness is controlled by myosin IIA-dependent inhibition of Arp2/3 activity
Authors: Figueiredo Ana M. , Barbacena Pedro , Russo Ana , Vaccaro Silvia , Ramalho Daniela , Pena Andreia , Lima Aida P. , Ferreira Rita R. , El-Marjou Fatima , Carvalho Yulia , Vasconcelos Francisca F. , Lennon-Duménil Ana-Maria , Vignevic Danijela M. , Franco Claudio A.
Published: September 2020

Sprouting angiogenesis is fundamental for development and contributes to multiple diseases, including cancer, diabetic retinopathy and cardiovascular diseases. Sprouting angiogenesis depends on the invasive properties of endothelial tip cells. However, there is very limited knowledge on the mechanisms that endothelial tip cells use to invade into tissues. Here, we prove that endothelial tip cells use long lamellipodia projections (LLPs) as the main cellular protrusion for invasion into non-vascular extracellular matrix. We show that LLPs and filopodia protrusions are balanced by myosin-IIA (MIIA) and actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) activity. Endothelial cell-autonomous ablation of MIIA promotes excessive LLPs formation in detriment of filopodia. Conversely, endothelial cell-autonomous ablation of Arp2/3 prevents LLPs development and leads to excessive filopodia formation. We further show that MIIA inhibits Rac1-dependent activation of Arp2/3, by regulating the maturation state of focal adhesions. Our discoveries establish the first comprehensive model of how endothelial tip cells regulate its protrusive activity and will pave the way towards new strategies to block invasive tip cells during sprouting angiogenesis.
Molecular barcoding of native RNAs using nanopore sequencing and deep learning
Authors: Smith Martin A. , Ersavas Tansel , Ferguson James M. , Liu Huanle , Lucas Morghan C. , Begik Oguzhan , Bojarski Lilly , Barton Kirston , Novoa Eva Maria
Published: September 2020

Nanopore sequencing enables direct measurement of RNA molecules without conversion to cDNA, thus opening the gates to a new era for RNA biology. However, the lack of molecular barcoding of direct RNA nanopore sequencing data sets severely affects the applicability of this technology to biological samples, where RNA availability is often limited. Here, we provide the first experimental protocol and associated algorithm to barcode and demultiplex direct RNA nanopore sequencing data sets. Specifically, we present a novel and robust approach to accurately classify raw nanopore signal data by transforming current intensities into images or arrays of pixels, followed by classification using a deep learning algorithm. We demonstrate the power of this strategy by developing the first experimental protocol for barcoding and demultiplexing direct RNA sequencing libraries. Our method, DeePlexiCon, can classify 93% of reads with 95.1% accuracy or 60% of reads with 99.9% accuracy. The availability of an efficient and simple multiplexing strategy for native RNA sequencing will improve the cost-effectiveness of this technology, as well as facilitate the analysis of lower-input biological samples. Overall, our work exemplifies the power, simplicity, and robustness of signal-to-image conversion for nanopore data analysis using deep learning.
Intentions to use travel eWOM: mediating role of Indian urban millennials’ attitude
Authors: Anubha  , Shome Samik
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on behavioural intentions of Indian urban millennials to use it when they book travel. The eWOM has been measured on the basis of four dimensions, namely, perceived credibility, quality, quantity and completeness. eWOM attitude is studied as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

The study first applies a confirmatory factor analysis to gauge validity and reliability. Then structural equation modelling was applied to test the research hypotheses after collecting responses from 288 Indian millennials from six North Indian cities. Mediation has also been examined using the bootstrapping method. The quality of the data was assured by Harman’s single-factor test.

Findings

The study reveals that millennials’ eWOM attitude fully mediates its perceived quality and its usage intentions at the time of booking travel. However, this mediation effect is partial with respect to other components of eWOM, namely, perceived credibility, perceived quantity and perceived completeness.

Practical implications

India has the largest millennial population (440 million) in the world out of which 33% live in urban cities. Hence, it becomes imperative for travel marketers to understand the attitude of millennials’ towards eWOM, shared on social media. They should understand that millennials prefer eWOM in social media over traditional advertising for fulfilling their informational needs. Therefore, by apprehending the impact of recipients’ perception towards various components of eWOM on their behavioural intentions to use it, market practitioners can design superior marketing campaigns that will help them to gain maximum in the changing business landscape.

Originality/value

The study is unique in the sense that to date no study to the limited knowledge of the researchers has investigated the attitude of Indian millennials towards eWOM on social media as a mediator to comprehend their behavioural intentions to use travel reviews when they book travel.
Catalyzing knowledge management processes towards knowledge worker satisfaction: fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis
Authors: Sahibzada Umar Farooq , Latif Khawaja Fawad , Xu Yan , Khalid Roshi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Constructed upon the knowledge-based view, the purpose of this study is to investigate the interrelationship between internal marketing, knowledge management processes and knowledge worker satisfaction. The study also postulates that specific combinations of internal marketing dimensions and knowledge management processes can lead to improved knowledge worker satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample is gathered from 248 personnel of Pakistan higher education institutions (HEI’s). The interrelationships are checked through Smart PLS 3.2.8. The fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is used to examine configurational paths for improving knowledge worker satisfaction.

Findings

The results of the study show that in HEI’s, internal marketing has a substantial influence on knowledge management processes, and knowledge management processes strongly enhance knowledge worker satisfaction. The result from fsQCA reveals multiple configurational paths to improve knowledge worker satisfaction.

Originality/value

There is a scarcity of research that has explored the association of internal marketing, knowledge management processes and knowledge worker satisfaction. This study attempts to examine their inter-relationships in HEI’s. Methodologically, the study contributes by combining direct and configurational methods to foster the knowledge of organizational (higher education) matters. The use of fsQCA reveals multiple pathways to improve knowledge worker satisfaction and exposes asymmetric relationships between internal marketing and knowledge management processes that lead to knowledge worker satisfaction. The study identifies the interactions among variables that might not be directly obvious via conventional symmetric methods.
Keeping together: older people in longitudinal research studies, the case of TwinsUK
Authors: Mein Gill , Bhatti Taha , Bailey Sarah , Steves Claire J. , Hart Deborah , Garcia Paz , Tinker Anthea
Published: September 2020

Purpose

A decline in participation in research studies as people age is inevitable as health declines. This paper aims to address this by collecting data from a group of participants to examine their reasons for declining attendance and suggestions for maintaining attendance as participants age.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a postal self-completed questionnaire including open and closed questions. The questionnaire was sent to those participants who have declined to attend further clinic visits. Results were analysed using thematic content analysis.

Findings

The study had a 51% response rate. Participants reported difficulty with travelling to the clinic, and health as the main issues in addition to family demands and a lack of understanding regarding the continuing participation of a singleton twin.

Research limitations/implications

This study could only include data from responding participants, answers to open question also included comments from participants regarding their twin.

Practical implications

An anonymous questionnaire was sent to all individuals in the Keeping Together project. It was therefore not possible to identify if responses were from both members of a twin pair.

Originality/value

Maintaining participation in longitudinal studies is of crucial importance to enhance the value of data. Retention of participants in studies may change as people age and health becomes impaired. Suggestions for maintaining and improving the retention of older participants have been identified and are generalisable to other longitudinal studies of ageing.
Radiation oncology during COVID‐19: Strategies to avoid compromised care
Authors: Horsley Patrick J , Back Michael , Lamoury Gillian , Porter Brian , Booth Jeremy , Eade Thomas N
Published: September 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic will present a range of challenges to radiation oncology departments. Early data suggest that cancer patients carry a higher than average, but still low absolute risk of hospitalization from COVID‐19. The risk of severe events for those who are hospitalized however, is high. Resources for usual cancer care will likely be limited. Decisions to alter, delay or omit treatment during this period should consider both the risk of the cancer and of COVID‐19 to the patient, as well as resource constraints. There is a need for departments to adapt with goals of maintaining an uninterrupted, high quality service and of minimizing compromise to oncologic care.
Transcranial Doppler as a Screening Tool for High‐Risk Patent Foramen Ovale in Cryptogenic Stroke
Authors: Park Seongho , Oh Jin Kyung , Song Jae‐Kwan , Kwon Boseong , Kim Bum Joon , Kim Jong S. , Kang Dong‐Wha , Chang Jun Young , Lee Ji Sung , Kwon Sun U.
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The identification of high‐risk patent foramen ovale (PFO) is important for selecting suitable patients for PFO closure to prevent recurrent stroke in those with cryptogenic stroke. We aimed to evaluate the predictability of transcranial Doppler (TCD) in diagnosing high‐risk PFO compared with that of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), which is not feasible for some stroke patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of 461 cryptogenic stroke patients who underwent TEE and TCD for PFO evaluation. High‐risk PFO on TEE was defined as PFO with atrial septal aneurysm (phasic septal excursion ≥10 mm) or large PFO (≥2 mm). Spencer grading of right‐to‐left shunt was used to classify the amount of shunt on TCD.

RESULTS

PFO on TEE was observed for 242 (52.5%) patients, and high‐risk PFO was detected for 123 (26.7%) patients. However, PFO on TCD was observed for 336 (72.9%) patients. Among patients with significant shunt (Spencer grade III or higher) who underwent TCD after Valsalva maneuver (VM), 60.0% of patients had high‐risk PFO. However, only 5.3% of patients had high‐risk PFO among those without significant shunt. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that significant shunt after VM had higher predictability (AUC = .876, 95% CI: .843‐.905) for detecting the high‐risk PFO compared with the predictability based on significant shunt at rest (AUC = .718, 95% CI: .674‐.759). (P<.0001 for the differences between two AUCs).

CONCLUSIONS

TCD is a good screening tool for evaluating high‐risk PFO. VM is important for the evaluation of PFO. Patients with minimal or no shunt on TCD after VM are unlikely to have high‐risk PFO.
Pairing Directional Solar Inputs From Ray Tracing to Solar Receiver/Reactor Heat Transfer Models on Unstructured Meshes: Development and Case Studies
Authors: Bush H. Evan , Schrader Andrew J. , Loutzenhiser Peter G.
Published: September 2020

A novel method for pairing surface irradiation and volumetric absorption from ray tracing to computational heat transfer models is presented. The method is well-suited to directionally and spatially-complex concentrated radiative inputs, such as in solar receivers and reactors. The method employs a generalized algorithm for directly mapping absorbed rays from the ray tracing model to boundary or volumetric source terms in the computational mesh. The algorithm is compatible with unstructured, two and three-dimensional meshes with varying element shapes. To validate the method, four case studies were performed on a directly irradiated, windowed solar thermochemical reactor model. The method was shown to be energy conservative and to preserve spatial variation when mapping rays from a Monte Carlo ray tracing model to the computational heat transfer model in ANSYS Fluent.
A Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar-Driven Atmospheric Water Harvesting
Authors: Siegel Nathan P. , Conser Ben
Published: September 2020

Water may be produced from atmospheric humidity anywhere on Earth; however, current approaches are energy intensive and costly, thus limiting the deployment of atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) technologies. A system level thermodynamic model of several AWH pathways is presented to elucidate the important energy flows in these processes as a means to reducing the energy required to produce a unit of water. Model results show that fresh water may be produced from humid air via processes driven solely with solar electricity in an arid climate with an energy input between 158 kWhe/m3 and 1021 kWhe/m3, depending on atmospheric conditions and processing configuration. We describe a novel, desiccant-based AWH approach in which the latent heat of vaporization is internally recovered resulting in a significant reduction in energy requirements relative to the state of the art. Finally, a parametric model of a desiccant-based AWH system is used to estimate the minimum levelized cost of water (LCOW) via solar-driven AWH at 6.5 $/m3 when both latent and sensible energy are recovered internally.
Effect of Anode Flow Channel Design on the Carbon Dioxide Bubble Removal in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Osman Sameer , Ookawara Shinichi , Ahmed Mahmoud
Published: September 2020

On the anode side of a direct methanol fuel cell, carbon dioxide bubbles are generated as a result of the methanol oxidation reaction. The accumulation of such bubbles prevents methanol from reaching the gas diffusion layer. Hence, a significant reduction in the reaction rate occurs, which limits the maximum current density of the cell. To keep carbon dioxide bubbles away from the gas diffusion layer interface, a new design of the anode flow channel besides wall surface treatment is developed. Such a design can introduce the Concus-Finn phenomena, which forces the carbon dioxide bubbles to move away from the gas diffusion layer due to capillary forces. This can be achieved by using a trapezoidal shape of the flow channel, as well as the combined effect of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface treatments on the gas-diffusion layer and channel walls. To identify the optimal design of the anode flow channel, a three-dimensional, two-phase flow model is developed. The model is numerically simulated and results are validated with available measurements. Results indicated that treating the gas-diffusion layer with a hydrophilic layer increases the area in direct contact with liquid methanol. Besides, the hydrophobic top channel surfaces make it easier for the carbon dioxide bubbles to attach and spread out on the channel top surface. The current findings create a promising opportunity to improve the performance of direct methanol fuel cells.
Comparison and Implementation of Thermally Massive Wall and Roof Models for Use in Simplified Building Energy Models
Authors: Fernandez Christopher , Jeter Sheldon
Published: September 2020

An increasing trend in building energy simulations is to use simplified models to reduce simulation time, evaluate different model configurations, and analyze for energy consumption across different constructions and weather climates. Simplified models tend to share some common benefits such as ease of calibration and reduced setup and operation time. All of which allows for shorter time and simpler program to evaluate different situations or systems.

Some of these simplified models ignore thermal capacitance within walls and roofs; removing thermal capacitance can decrease simulation time but may alter loading due to ignoring the delay between when exterior surfaces receive loading and when the load is transferred to the interior. While this simplification is sometimes useful, it often overlooks the delay that occurs between the external wall heating and that heat being transferred to the interior. This paper will explore alternative methods for evaluating conduction loads in opaque surfaces for use in building energy models. Specifically, a differential equation conduction method with numerical integration, closed form solution, and forward difference calculation. These methods will be evaluated for how different conduction simulation techniques can be used in different situations to provide a potential increase in accuracy for simplified models while simultaneously reducing computational loads. Understanding the physics of dynamic envelope loading can change how much energy a building uses and when room conditioning needs to occur.
Imaging Particle Temperatures and Curtain Opacities Using an IR Camera
Authors: Ortega Jesus D. , Anaya Guillermo , Vorobieff Peter , Mohan Gowtham , Ho Clifford K.
Published: September 2020

The Falling Particle Receiver (FPR) at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) is a testbed for promising receiver technologies offering solutions to the temperature and irradiance limitations exhibited by gas and molten salt receivers, since the particle curtain is directly irradiated without the need of containment. Until recently, the heat loss of the NSTTF 1 MWth FPR was not fully characterized. One of the challenges of the FPR characterization is the intricate flow conditions that the particle curtain experiences due to its cavity design with a single open aperture, to allow the direct irradiance. Recently, particle plumes expelled from the FPR during operation were observed. While this phenomenon affects the FPR heat loss and needs to be closely monitored, it is extremely difficult to operate any kind of sensors near the aperture of the FPR. This work describes the development of a methodology using a high-speed IR camera, located ≥ 5 meters away from the aperture, to estimate the opacity of a particle plume, which in turn can be used to extract the average particle temperature of a region of interest with a known background temperature. Experiments performed at the University of New Mexico using four different flow configurations and three different temperatures (200, 450, and 750°C) were conducted to determine the relationship between the plume opacity in the visible range and the “particle-pixel” opacity obtained from thermograms in the IR range. We present a “particle-pixel function” that describes the combined impact of an unknown number of particles at a specific temperature on a thermogram pixel value with an initial value equal to the background temperature. The novelty of this function is that it provides a reasonable estimate of the plume opacity using thermograms obtained from the IR camera; hence a bulk particle temperature can be obtained. Future development of this methodology will make it possible to compute the advective losses from the FPR and provide a first order approximation of the convective losses for the system.
Evaluation of Performance Factors for a Multistage Falling Particle Receiver
Authors: Shaeffer Reid , Mills Brantley , Yue Lindsey , Ho Clifford K.
Published: September 2020

An important factor identified for the efficiency of falling particle concentrating solar applications is the falling particle curtain opacity. Low curtain opacity results in increased radiative losses. Candidate multi-stage configurations that can increase particle-curtain opacity were simulated for the existing 1 MWth falling particle on-sun receiver at Sandia’s NSTTF. In the candidate configurations, falling particles were collected periodically in sloped troughs spanning the width of the receiver. A small lip at the front of each trough causes particles to accumulate, allowing subsequent particles to spill over. Particle surface boundary conditions were represented with an empirically based model created to approximate particle behavior observed in testing. Curtain opacity increased using a multi-stage approach and decreases in radiative losses were outweighed by decreases in advective losses which were the dominant loss mechanism. The ability to alter the flow of air within the receiver using multi-stage release resulted in the greatest efficiency gains by reducing advective losses. Additionally, multi-stage release substantially decreased back wall temperatures within receiver.
Nanostructure Fabrication in Oil Media for Enhanced Thermophysical Properties
Authors: Nayfeh Yousof , Rizvi Syed Muhammad Mujtaba , El Far Baha , Shin Donghyun
Published: September 2020

Recently, researchers have focused on molten-salt-based nanofluids, relying on their unique ability to form special fractallike nanostructures due to the interaction between molten salt ionic molecules and the nanoparticles. These nanostructures are thought to be causing the observed heat capacity enhancement. Thus far, this phenomenon was believed to be exclusive to molten salt nanofluids. In this study, the nanostructure observed in molten-salt-based nanofluids is mimicked, and similar fractallike nanostructures were formed in-situ in polyalphaolefin (PAO) oil as the base fluid by dispersing alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles (1% wt. concentration) in the PAO and adding hydroxyl-ended polymer (PPG) (1% wt. concentration) as surfactants to form “artificial” nanostructures by ionically bonding to the nanoparticle’s surface. The effect of these artificial nanostructures was studied to confirm that they affect the base fluid similar to the nanostructures formed in molten salt nanofluids. Results showed an increase of 4.86% in heat capacity, and a 42% increase in viscosity was measured at high shear rates, as well as a noticeable non-Newtonian rheological behavior at low shear rates. These results show that the nanostructure has formed and that the thermophysical and rheological properties of the oil have been affected as expected.
Increased vaccine tolerability and protection via NF-κB modulation
Authors: Moser B. A. , Steinhardt R. C. , Escalante-Buendia Y. , Boltz D. A. , Barker K. M. , Cassaidy B. J. , Rosenberger M.G. , Yoo S. , McGonnigal B. G. , Esser-Kahn A. P.
Published: September 2020

Inflammation can be decoupled from the antigen-presenting actions of adjuvants using an immune potentiator that modulates NF-κB.
Generating multifunctional acoustic tweezers in Petri dishes for contactless, precise manipulation of bioparticles
Authors: Tian Zhenhua , Wang Zeyu , Zhang Peiran , Naquin Ty Downing , Mai John , Wu Yuqi , Yang Shujie , Gu Yuyang , Bachman Hunter , Liang Yaosi , Yu Zhiming , Huang Tony Jun
Published: September 2020

Acoustic tweezers enable contactless, dynamic, precise, and multifunctional manipulation of bioparticles in Petri dishes.
B cells polarize pathogenic inflammatory T helper subsets through ICOSL-dependent glycolysis
Authors: Zeng Qiu-Hui , Wei Yuan , Lao Xiang-Ming , Chen Dong-Ping , Huang Chun-Xiang , Lin Qian-Yi , He Min , Liao Yuan , Zheng Limin , Li Bo , Zhang Guang-Bo , Chen Yun , Kuang Dong-Ming
Published: September 2020

B cells have a previously unrecognized helper function in triggering pathogenic differentiation of inflammatory T
H
subsets.
Real-time shaping of entangled photons by classical control and feedback
Authors: Lib Ohad , Hasson Giora , Bromberg Yaron
Published: September 2020

Shaping the classical laser that stimulates generation of entangled photons allows optimization of their quantum correlations.
Enhancing KDM5A and TLR activity improves the response to immune checkpoint blockade
Authors: Wang Liangliang , Gao Yan , Zhang Gao , Li Dan , Wang Zhenda , Zhang Jie , Hermida Leandro C. , He Lei , Wang Zhisong , Si Jingwen , Geng Shuang , Ai Rizi , Ning Fei , Cheng Chaoran , Deng Haiteng , Dimitrov Dimiter S. , Sun Yan , Huang Yanyi , Wang Dong , Hu Xiaoyu , Wei Zhi , Wang Wei , Liao Xuebin
Published: September 2020

The bifunctional compound D18 improves checkpoint blockade efficacy by increasing KDM5A and PD-L1 abundance and inducing TLR7/8 activation.
Leaky pipes: Tau and apoE implicated in blood-brain barrier dysfunction in Alzheimer disease
Authors: Davis Albert A.
Published: September 2020

Concentrations of tight junction proteins correlate with tau and apolipoprotein E in Alzheimer disease brain tissue independent of cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
Evidence for Missing Positive Results for Human Papilloma Virus 45 (HPV-45) and HPV-59 with the SPF
10
-DEIA-LiPA
25
(Version 1) Platform Compared to Type-Specific Real-Time Quantitative PCR Assays and Impact on Vaccine Effectiveness Estimates
Authors: van Eer Kahren , Leussink Suzan , Severs Tim T. , van Marm-Wattimena Naomi , Woestenberg Petra J. , Bogaards Johannes A. , King Audrey J.
Published: September 2020

Human papillomavirus (HPV) epidemiological and vaccine studies require highly sensitive HPV detection systems. The widely used broad-spectrum SPF
10
-DEIA-LiPA
25
(SPF
10
method) has reduced sensitivity toward HPV-45 and -59. Therefore, anogenital samples from the PASSYON study were retrospectively analyzed with type-specific (TS) HPV-45 and -59 real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays. The SPF
10
method missed 51.1% of HPV-45 and 76.1% of HPV-59 infections that were detected by the TS qPCR assays.
Draft Genome Sequences of
Enterobacteriales
Strains Isolated from the International Space Station
Authors: Bharadwaj Achintya R. , Daudu Robert , Singh Nitin K. , Wood Jason M. , Debieu Marilyne , O’Hara Niamh B. , Karouia Fathi , Mason Christopher E. , Venkateswaran Kasthuri
Published: September 2020

The whole-genome sequences of 26 strains isolated from the International Space Station were generated, and the strains were identified as being members of the order
Enterobacteriales.
Characterization of these whole-genome sequences might enable the identification of potential pathogenic bacteria that have been adapting to the space environment.
Supplemental Material: Paleomagnetic constraints on the duration of the Australia-Laurentia connection in the core of the Nuna supercontinent
Authors: Kirscher Uwe , Mitchell Ross , al. et
Published: September 2020

Materials and methods, five supplemental figures, seven supplemental tables, and references providing further detail on paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic results, sampling descriptions, performed analysis, and reconstruction data.
Supplemental Material: Early Permian tectonic evolution of the Last Chance thrust system: An example of induced subduction initiation along a plate boundary transform
Authors: Levy Drew A. , al. et
Published: September 2020

40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb geochronologic data discussed in the text, detailed geochronologic methods, detailed descriptions of the stratigraphy discussed in the text, and additional figures to supplement those in the text.
Supplemental Material: Coseismic surface rupture during the 2018 Mw 7.5 Palu earthquake, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia
Authors: Wu Dengyun , Ren Zhikun
Published: September 2020

Table S1: Main coseismic offset locations of the Palu rupture zone; Table S2: Field investigation locations; Figure S1: UAV images and surface coseismic left-lateral offset distribution; Figure S2: Mirrored trench and interpretation; Figure S3: Relations between the surface rupture trace and the architecture of the Palu-Koro fault.
Guidelines for clinical trial protocols for interventions involving artificial intelligence: the SPIRIT-AI Extension
Authors: Rivera Samantha Cruz , Liu Xiaoxuan , Chan An-Wen , Denniston Alastair K , Calvert Melanie J
Published: September 2020

The SPIRIT 2013 (The Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) statement aims to improve the completeness of clinical trial protocol reporting, by providing evidence-based recommendations for the minimum set of items to be addressed. This guidance has been instrumental in promoting transparent evaluation of new interventions. More recently, there is a growing recognition that interventions involving artificial intelligence need to undergo rigorous, prospective evaluation to demonstrate their impact on health outcomes.

The SPIRIT-AI extension is a new reporting guideline for clinical trials protocols evaluating interventions with an AI component. It was developed in parallel with its companion statement for trial reports: CONSORT-AI. Both guidelines were developed using a staged consensus process, involving a literature review and expert consultation to generate 26 candidate items, which were consulted on by an international multi-stakeholder group in a 2-stage Delphi survey (103 stakeholders), agreed on in a consensus meeting (31 stakeholders) and refined through a checklist pilot (34 participants).

The SPIRIT-AI extension includes 15 new items, which were considered sufficiently important for clinical trial protocols of AI interventions. These new items should be routinely reported in addition to the core SPIRIT 2013 items. SPIRIT-AI recommends that investigators provide clear descriptions of the AI intervention, including instructions and skills required for use, the setting in which the AI intervention will be integrated, considerations around the handling of input and output data, the human-AI interaction and analysis of error cases.

SPIRIT-AI will help promote transparency and completeness for clinical trial protocols for AI interventions. Its use will assist editors and peer-reviewers, as well as the general readership, to understand, interpret and critically appraise the design and risk of bias for a planned clinical trial.
TREM-2 defends the liver against hepatocellular carcinoma through multifactorial protective mechanisms
Authors: Esparza-Baquer Aitor , Labiano Ibone , Sharif Omar , Agirre-Lizaso Aloña , Oakley Fiona , Rodrigues Pedro M , Zhuravleva Ekaterina , O'Rourke Colm J , Hijona Elizabeth , Jimenez-Agüero Raul , Riaño Ioana , Landa Ana , La Casta Adelaida , Zaki Marco Y W , Munoz-Garrido Patricia , Azkargorta Mikel , Elortza Felix , Vogel Andrea , Schabbauer Gernot , Aspichueta Patricia , Andersen Jesper B , Knapp Sylvia , Mann Derek A , Bujanda Luis , Banales Jesus Maria , Perugorria Maria Jesus
Published: September 2020

Objective

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent and aggressive cancer usually arising on a background of chronic liver injury involving inflammatory and hepatic regenerative processes. The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM-2) is predominantly expressed in hepatic non-parenchymal cells and inhibits Toll-like receptor signalling, protecting the liver from various hepatotoxic injuries, yet its role in liver cancer is poorly defined. Here, we investigated the impact of TREM-2 on liver regeneration and hepatocarcinogenesis.

Design

TREM-2 expression was analysed in liver tissues of two independent cohorts of patients with HCC and compared with control liver samples. Experimental HCC and liver regeneration models in wild type andTrem-2-/-mice, andin vitrostudies with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and HCC spheroids were conducted.

Results

TREM-2expression was upregulated in human HCC tissue, in mouse models of liver regeneration and HCC.Trem-2-/-mice developed more liver tumours irrespective of size after diethylnitrosamine (DEN) administration, displayed exacerbated liver damage, inflammation, oxidative stress and hepatocyte proliferation. Administering an antioxidant diet blocked DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in both genotypes. Similarly,Trem-2-/-animals developed more and larger tumours in fibrosis-associated HCC models.Trem-2-/-livers showed increased hepatocyte proliferation and inflammation after partial hepatectomy. Conditioned media from human HSCs overexpressing TREM-2 inhibited human HCC spheroid growthin vitrothrough attenuated Wnt ligand secretion.

Conclusion

TREM-2 plays a protective role in hepatocarcinogenesis via different pleiotropic effects, suggesting that TREM-2 agonism should be investigated as it might beneficially impact HCC pathogenesis in a multifactorial manner.
Maternal mild thyroid dysfunction and offspring cognitive and motor development from infancy to childhood: the Rhea mother–child cohort study in Crete, Greece
Authors: Kampouri Mariza , Margetaki Katerina , Koutra Katerina , Kyriklaki Andriani , Karakosta Polyxeni , Anousaki Despoina , Chalkiadaki Georgia , Vafeiadi Marina , Kogevinas Manolis , Chatzi Leda
Published: September 2020

Background

Maternal thyroid hormones’ supply is crucial for fetal neurodevelopment; however, the role of maternal mild thyroid dysfunction is not clear. We aimed to assess the association of maternal mild thyroid dysfunction with child neuropsychological development from infancy to early childhood.

Methods

We included 757 mother–child pairs from the prospective ‘Rhea’ cohort on Crete, Greece. Maternal thyroid functioning was assessed by quantitative analysis of serum thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies at early gestation (mean=14 weeks). Neuropsychological assessment was based on Bayley Scales of Infant Development (18 months of age), McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities (4 years of age), Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices, Trail Making Test and Finger Tapping Test (6 years of age).

Results

In multivariate adjusted linear regression analyses, maternal hypothyroxinemia was associated with decreased verbal scores at 4 years and reduced motor speed at 6 years of age. Maternal thyroid autoimmunity was associated with decreased child perceptual and motor ability at 4 years of age. Four trajectories of longitudinal non-verbal cognitive development were identified and children exposed to maternal thyroid autoimmunity had increased risk for belonging to an adverse trajectory (‘low’: adjusted relative risk ratio (RRR) = 2.7 95% CI: (1.4, 5.2), ‘high-decreasing’: adjusted RRR = 2.2 95% CI: (1.2, 4.0), ‘low-increasing’: adjusted RRR = 1.8 95% CI: (1.0, 3.2)).

Conclusion

Maternal hypothyroxinemia is associated with reduced offspring verbal and motor ability. Maternal thyroid autoimmunity is associated with decreased offspring perceptual performance and motor ability and increased risk for adverse non-verbal cognitive development from infancy to childhood.
Clinical outcomes following balloon aortic valvuloplasty
Authors: Bularga Anda , Bing Rong , Shah Anoop SV , Adamson Philip D , Behan Miles , Newby David E , Flapan Andrew , Uren Neal , Cruden Nick
Published: September 2020

Background

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) remains a treatment option for the selected patients with severe aortic stenosis. We examined clinical outcomes and predictors of prognosis in patients undergoing BAV for severe aortic stenosis.

Methods

We identified all patients undergoing BAV from January 2010 to March 2018 (n=167) at a single transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) centre. Patient demographics, investigations, subsequent interventions and clinical outcomes were obtained from electronic health records.

Results

Patients undergoing BAV were elderly (median age 80, IQR 73–86 years) and half (n=87, 52%) were male. All-cause mortality at 30 days and 12 months was 11% and 43%, respectively. Reduce ejection fraction (EF 30%–50%: HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.94; EF <30%: HR 1.90, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.20) was the only independent predictor at baseline of overall mortality. Median survival was 212 (IQR 54–490) days from the index procedure. Mortality at 1 year was lowest in patients who subsequently underwent TAVI or SAVR but high among those who had no further interventions or those who had a repeat BAV (14%, 19%, 60%, 89% respectively, log-rank p<0.001).

Conclusion

BAV as a bridge to definitive aortic valve intervention in carefully selected patients offers acceptable outcomes. These contemporary observational findings demonstrate the ongoing potential utility of BAV in the TAVI era.
Scientific considerations and challenges for addressing cumulative effects in forest landscapes in Canada
Authors: Venier L.A. , Walton R. , Brandt J.P.
Published: September 2020

Traditionally, forest management has focused on forestry-related practices whereas other industries have been managed separately. Forest management requires the integration of all natural resource development activities, along with other anthropogenic and natural forest disturbances (e.g., climate change, pollution, wildfire, pest disturbance) to understand how human activities can change forested ecosystems. The term cumulative effects has been used to describe these attempts to integrate all disturbances to develop an understanding of past, current, and future impacts on environmental, social, and economic components of the system. In this review, we focus on the science required to understand the past, current, and future impacts of the cumulative effects of anthropogenic and natural disturbances on forested ecosystems or their components. We have primarily focused on the terrestrial system with an emphasis on northern forests in Canada. Our paper is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all cumulative effects science but a synthesis of the challenges and approaches currently being used. Central repositories were identified as an approach to deal with issues of availability of remotely sensed data on anthropogenic and natural disturbances. Data integration projects, open data, and well-designed large-scale data collection efforts are needed to provide sufficient data on environmental responses to cumulative effects. As well, large-scale integrated, modularized ecosystem models are needed to bring stressor and environmental response data together to explore responses to, and interactions between, multiple stressors to project these effects into the future and to identify future data collection needs.
Self-similar extrapolation of nonlinear problems from small-variable to large-variable limit
Authors: Yukalov V. I. , Yukalova E. P.
Published: September 2020

Complicated physical problems are usually solved by resorting to perturbation theory leading to solutions in the form of asymptotic series in powers of small parameters. However, finite, and even large values of the parameters, are often of main physical interest. A method is described for predicting the large-variable behavior of solutions to nonlinear problems from the knowledge of only their small-variable expansions. The method is based on self-similar approximation theory resulting in self-similar factor approximants. The latter can well approximate a large class of functions, rational, irrational, and transcendental. The method is illustrated by several examples from statistical and condensed matter physics, where the self-similar predictions can be compared with the available large-variable behavior. It is shown that the method allows for finding the behavior of solutions at large variables when knowing just a few terms of small-variable expansions. Numerical convergence of approximants is demonstrated.
Quantum heat engine based on spin isotropic Heisenberg models with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction
Authors: Khlifi Y. , El Allati A. , Salah Ahmed , Hassouni Y.
Published: September 2020

A quantum heat engine (QHE) model by considering as working substance two spins (spin-1, spin-[Formula: see text]) is proposed. It consists of using different Heisenberg models with the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction in the presence of magnetic field [Formula: see text]. The proposed model contains four stroke two isochoric and two others adiabatic. A comparison of different models such that [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is examined for various thermodynamics quantities, especially the efficiency [Formula: see text] and work [Formula: see text]. Finally, discussion and interpretation all results are given in the last section.
Intelligent Diagnosis Method Based on 2DECG Model
Authors: Song Weibo , Wang Wei , Jiang Fengjiao
Published: September 2020

Electrophysiological signals can effectively reflect various physiological states of human body, and provide favorable basis for medical diagnosis. However, the correct analysis of electrophysiological signals requires professional medical diagnosis experience. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, intelligent diagnosis methods based on deep learning are gradually applied in the medical field in order to reduce the dependence of diagnosis results on medical experience. Deep learning has made remarkable achievements in the field of image processing, through which deeper information can be extracted than through time-series signals. Therefore, this paper proposes a method of 2DECG diagnosis based on Faster R-CNN (Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Network). First, the time-series ECG signal is transformed into two-dimensional curve. Then, the Faster R-CNN model based on beat is obtained by using dataset training. Finally, three kinds of ECG diseases are diagnosed by the Faster R-CNN model. The test results show that compared with the effect of one-dimensional CNN, the method proposed in this paper has high diagnosis accuracy and can help doctors to diagnose diseases more intuitively.
Structural features of the A2TiSi2O8 (A-Ba and Pb) compounds
Authors: Weber Svetlana , Lebedinskaya Alla , Rudsky Daniil , Kabirov Yuri , Rudskaya Anzhela , Kupriyanov Michael
Published: September 2020

X-ray diffraction studies of synthesized Ba2TiSi2O8 have shown that this compound has a fresnoite structure and is characterized by a polar phase [Formula: see text]4bm at room temperature. The synthesis of Pb2TiSi2O8 in the fresnoite phase under the selected synthesis conditions has led to the formation of a perovskite tetragonal phase [Formula: see text]4mm corresponding to PbTiO3.
PowerPoint as a Graphics Editor
Authors: Thorn Kevin
Published: September 2020

As a preview to the Training 2013 Conference & Expo, this article will serve as an introduction to Kevin Thorn's session "PowerPoint as a Graphics Editor." With a focus visual design and communication, Thorn delves into how our brains work and perceive visual signals.
ELearning's Rock Stars
Authors: Raymer Rick
Published: September 2020

ELearning's Rock Stars are individuals whose passion and enthusiasm has made a positive impact on the industry. This series of 12 interviews will spread some of the knowledge behind what drives these eLearning rock stars.
Walk the Chalk: 'Blackboard Essentials for Teachers' by William Rice
Authors: Jones Brad
Published: September 2020

Find out if the recently released 'Blackboard Essentials for Teachers' by William Rice is worth your time.
Getting Going with mLearning: A recap of mLearnCon 2014
Authors: Quinn Clark
Published: September 2020

The latest mLearn Conference was a chance to assess the current state of the mobile industry. The core message was that mobile has matured, and there are real opportunities to be had. The cutting edge, however, is still a dynamic area of exploration with content architectures at the back end and wearables at the front end both are driving much excitement.
A Balancing Act Part II: Providing technical support before, during and after the online course
Authors: Shamsy Jennifer A.
Published: September 2020

As one of many roles of online instructors, effective technical support can be achieved by engaging in proactive steps before, during, and after the course or training program.
The Significance of Educational Technology History and Research
Authors: Veletsianos George
Published: September 2020

What impacts learning are changes in instructional design and pedagogical practices supported by the introduction of new technologies, not the technology itself.
Building a Blended Learning Classroom that Works
Authors: Kish Marcia
Published: September 2020

Blended learning has the potential to significantly improve student learning and growth, but it is only truly successful when educators carefully base their instructional decisions on high-quality student assessment data. Blended learning coach Marcia Kish shares key principles for implementing blended learning that is data-driven and student-centered, as well as ideas and tools that can help make any blended learning model more effective.
Use the 3 Rs to Guide Effective Teaching
Authors: Baxter Emily , Sutterlin Jane , Wherley Maria
Published: September 2020

Relationships, relevance, and rigor, when fully addressed together, can frame best practices that will help to create an active online classroom environment where students may unleash their learning potential. In this article, we offer practical and easy ways to leverage technology to develop positive relationships, demonstrate relevance, and increase rigor in order to create an active online classroom where students are motivated to learn and understand the benefits of working hard and submitting high-quality work.