bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nocturnal enteral nutrition is therapeutic for growth failure in Fanconi‐Bickel syndrome
Authors: Pennisi Alessandra , Maranda Bruno , Benoist Jean‐François , Baudouin Véronique , Rigal Odile , Pichard Samia , Santer René , Romana Lepri Francesca , Novelli Antonio , Ogier de Baulny Hélène , Dionisi‐Vici Carlo , Schiff Manuel
Published: December 2019

Fanconi‐Bickel syndrome (FBS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterised by impaired glucose liver homeostasis and proximal renal tubular dysfunction. It is caused by pathogenic variants in SLC2A2 coding for the glucose transporter GLUT2. Main clinical features include hepatomegaly, fasting hypoglycaemia, postprandial hyperglycaemia, Fanconi‐type tubulopathy occasionally with rickets, and a severe growth disorder. While treatment for renal tubular dysfunction is well established, data regarding optimal nutritional therapy are scarce. Similarly, detailed clinical evaluation of treated FBS patients is lacking. These unmet needs were an incentive to conduct the present pilot study. We present clinical findings, laboratory parameters and molecular genetic data on 11 FBS patients with emphasis on clinical outcome under various nutritional interventions. At diagnosis, the patients' phenotypic severity could be classified into two categories: a first group with severe growth failure and rickets, and a second group with milder signs and symptoms. Three patients were diagnosed early and treated because of family history. All patients exhibited massive glucosuria at diagnosis and some in both groups had fasting hypoglycaemic episodes. Growth retardation improved drastically in all five patients treated by intensive nutritional intervention (nocturnal enteral nutrition) and uncooked cornstarch with final growth parameters in the normal range. The four severely affected patients who were treated with uncooked cornstarch alone did not catch up growth. All patients received electrolytes and l‐carnitine supplementation to compensate for the tubulopathy. This is one of the largest series of FBS on therapeutic management with evidence that nocturnal enteral nutrition rescues growth failure.
Long‐term histological analysis of innervation and macrophage infiltration in a mouse model of intervertebral disc injury–induced low back pain
Authors: Lee Seunghwan , Millecamps Magali , Foster Daniel Z. , Stone Laura S.
Published: December 2019

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of global disability. Multiple anatomical, cellular, and molecular factors are implicated in LBP, including the degeneration of lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs). We previously described a mouse model that displays behavioral symptoms of chronic LBP. Here, we investigated the development of pathological innervation and macrophage infiltration into injured IVDs following a puncture injury in mice over 12 months. 2‐month old CD1 female mice underwent a single puncture of the ventral L4/5 IVD using a 30G needle, and were sacrificed 4 days and 0.5‐, 3‐, 6‐ and 12‐months post‐injury. Severity of disc degeneration was assessed using colorimetric staining. IVD innervation was measured by PGP9.5‐immunoreactivity (‐ir) and calcitonin gene‐related peptide‐ir (CGRP‐ir). Macrophage accumulation into IVDs was detected by F4/80‐ir. Mechanical IVD injury resulted in severe degeneration and increased PGP9.5‐ir nerve fiber density starting at 4 days that persisted for up to 12 months and dorsal herniations began to occur at 3 months. CGRP‐ir was also upregulated in injured IVDs, with the largest increase at 12 months after injury. Infiltration of F4/80‐ir macrophages was observed in injured IVDs by day 4 both dorsally and ventrally, with the latter diminishing in the later stage. Persistent LBP is a complex disease with multiple underlying pathologies. By highlighting pathological changes in IVD innervation and inflammation, our study suggests that strategies targeting these mechanisms might be useful therapeutically.
A sensitive resonance Rayleigh scattering sensor for dopamine in urine using upconversion nanoparticles
Authors: Murillo Pulgarín José Antonio , Alañón Molina Aurelia , Jiménez García Elisa , García Gómez Lucía
Published: December 2019

A highly sensitive resonance light scattering method for detecting dopamine in urine was developed by using a novel probe based on lanthanide‐doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) linked to dopamine–quinone (DQ) by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. Adding dopamine to a solution containing UCNPs decreases their size and the intensity of their resonance light scattering signals. Based on the decrease, dopamine can be determined in Tris–HCl buffer and in urine samples spiked with analyte concentrations over the range 0–300 μM with a limit of detection of 1.62 μM. As‐prepared UD can thus provide an effective platform for biosensor development, drug discovery, and rapid diagnosis of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, among other medical conditions.
Controlling Polymer Microfiber Structure by Micro Solution Blow Spinning
Authors: Hofmann Eddie , Dulle Martin , Liao Xiaojian , Greiner Andreas , Förster Stephan
Published: December 2019

Recent progress in microfluidic technology allows fabricating microfluidic devices to produce liquid microjets with unprecedented control of the jet diameter and velocity. Here it is demonstrated that microfluidic devices based on the gas dynamic virtual nozzle principle can be excellently used for micro solution blow spinning to continuously fabricate microfibers with excellent control of the fiber diameter and the internal crystalline alignment that determines the mechanical properties. Fiber spinning experiments with small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering are combined to directly relate the macroscopic spinning conditions to the bulk and molecular structure of the resulting fibers. The elongational rate is shown as the relevant parameter that transduces the nozzle flow conditions to the local macromolecular structure and orientation, and thus the mechanical properties of the resulting fiber. It is observed that the spinning process results in very uniform microfibers with a well‐defined shish–kebab crystal structure, which evolves into an extended chain crystal structure upon plastic deformation. Thus, the presented microfluidic spinning methodology has great implications for a precisely controlled production of microfibers using miniaturized spinning devices.
NYS Self‐Directed Care Pilot promotes person‐centered focus toward recovery
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: December 2019

The idea that people with significant behavioral health needs are experts in their own lives and should be responsible for determining their own recovery pathways is at the crux of a pilot program in New York state. The program receives funding from the state for goods and services — such as a gym membership, furniture, nutritional counseling and more — needed to support the recovery of people with significant behavioral health needs.
ADAA leader credits listening as gateway to donor success
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: December 2019

As the season of giving continues to unfold, mental health organizations and other nonprofit groups around the country are embarking on their respective Giving Tuesday campaigns, which occurred this year on Dec. 3. Many, such as the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), have also spotlighted their donor giving program on social media and via emails and check solicitations.
Comparison of Phasix, polypropylene, and primary closure of the abdominal donor site after bilateral free flap breast reconstruction: Long‐term evaluation of abdominal hernia and bulge formation
Authors: Yu Deborah , Patel Anika T. , Rossi Kristie , Topham Neil S. , Chang Eric I.
Published: December 2019

Background

Abdominal free flap harvest for breast reconstruction may result in significant morbidity in terms of hernias and bulges. Reinforcement of the donor site with mesh has been recommended to minimize the risk of hernias and bulges, but no studies exist evaluating the optimal type of mesh. Polypropylene has traditionally been used but the development of Phasix restorable mesh may be a reasonable alternative. Here, we compared the use of Phasix to polypropylene and primary closure and hypothesize that the former has lower rates of abdominal morbidity in the long term.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective review of all patients undergoing bilateral free flap breast reconstruction from the abdomen was performed while patients with pedicle flaps or alternative donor sites were excluded. Patient demographics, medical/surgical history, cancer treatments, and flap type were analyzed. All patients were monitored for a minimum of 2 years for early donor site complications as well as hernia/bulges.

Results

Sixty‐six consecutive patients were included (40 patients with Phasix, 20 patients with polypropylene, and 6 patients with primary closure). Use of Phasix mesh resulted in higher initial operative costs ($2,750 vs. $72 vs. $0). Two patients with polypropylene mesh and one patient undergoing primary closure developed an abdominal bulge in an average follow‐up of 25.2 months (11.5% vs. 0%, p = .04).

Conclusions

Mesh placement for abdominal wall reinforcement after bilateral free flap breast reconstruction minimizes the risk of hernias and bulges. Although Phasix results in increased initial costs, abdominal morbidity is significantly decreased after follow‐up beyond 2 years.
A boundary element method for homogenization of periodic structures
Authors: Lukáš Dalibor , Of Günther , Zapletal Jan , Bouchala Jiří
Published: December 2019

Homogenized coefficients of periodic structures are calculated via an auxiliary partial differential equation in the periodic cell. Typically, a volume finite element discretization is employed for the numerical solution. In this paper, we reformulate the problem as a boundary integral equation using Steklov–Poincaré operators. The resulting boundary element method only discretizes the boundary of the periodic cell and the interface between the materials within the cell. We prove that the homogenized coefficients converge super‐linearly with the mesh size, and we support the theory with examples in two and three dimensions.
Automatic multi‐organ segmentation in dual‐energy CT (DECT) with dedicated 3D fully convolutional DECT networks
Authors: Chen Shuqing , Zhong Xia , Hu Shiyang , Dorn Sabrina , Kachelrieß Marc , Lell Michael , Maier Andreas
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Dual‐energy computed tomography (DECT) has shown great potential in many clinical applications. By incorporating the information from two different energy spectra, DECT provides higher contrast and reveals more material differences of tissues compared to conventional single‐energy CT (SECT). Recent research shows that automatic multi‐organ segmentation of DECT data can improve DECT clinical applications. However, most segmentation methods are designed for SECT, while DECT has been significantly less pronounced in research. Therefore, a novel approach is required that is able to take full advantage of the extra information provided by DECT.

Methods

In the scope of this work, we proposed four three‐dimensional (3D) fully convolutional neural network algorithms for the automatic segmentation of DECT data. We incorporated the extra energy information differently and embedded the fusion of information in each of the network architectures.

Results

Quantitative evaluation using 45 thorax/abdomen DECT datasets acquired with a clinical dual‐source CT system was investigated. The segmentation of six thoracic and abdominal organs (left and right lungs, liver, spleen, and left and right kidneys) were evaluated using a fivefold cross‐validation strategy. In all of the tests, we achieved the best average Dice coefficients of 98% for the right lung, 98% for the left lung, 96% for the liver, 92% for the spleen, 95% for the right kidney, 93% for the left kidney, respectively. The network architectures exploit dual‐energy spectra and outperform deep learning for SECT.

Conclusions

The results of the cross‐validation show that our methods are feasible and promising. Successful tests on special clinical cases reveal that our methods have high adaptability in the practical application.
Equity in genetic newborn screening
Authors: El Hajj Hussein , Bish Douglas R. , Bish Ebru K.
Published: December 2019

State‐level newborn screening allows for early treatment of genetic disorders, which can substantially improve health outcomes for newborns. As the cost of genetic testing decreases, it is becoming an essential part of newborn screening. A genetic disorder can be caused by many mutation variants; therefore, an important decision is to determine which variants to search for (ie, thepaneldesign), under a testing budget. The frequency of variants that cause a disorder and the incidence of the disorder vary by racial/ethnic group. Consequently, it is important to consider equity issues in panel design, so as to reduce disparities among different groups. We study the panel design problem using cystic fibrosis (CF) as a model disorder, considering the trade‐offs between equity and accuracy, under a limited budget. Most states use a genetic test in their CF screening protocol, but panel designs vary, and, due to cost, no state's panel includes all CF‐causing variants. We develop models that design equitable genetic testing panels, and compare them with panels that maximize sensitivity in the general population. Our case study, based on realistic CF data, highlights the value of equitable panels and provides important insight for newborn screening practices.
Demonstration of asymmetric muscle perfusion of the back after exercise in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI
Authors: Federau Christian , Kroismayr Daniela , Dyer Linda , Farshad Mazda , Pfirrmann Christian
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this work was to quantify muscular perfusion patterns of back muscles after exercise in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MR perfusion imaging. The paraspinal muscles of eight patients with AIS (Cobb angle 35 ± 10°, range [25‐47°]) and nine healthy volunteers were scanned with a 1.5 T MRI, at rest and after performing a symmetric back muscle exercise on a Roman chair. An IVIM sequence with 16 b‐values from 0 to 900 s/mm2 was acquired, and the IVIM bi‐exponential signal equation model was fitted in two steps. Perfusion asymmetries were evaluated using the blood flow related IVIM fD* parameter in regions of interest placed within the paraspinal muscles. Statistical significance was assessed using a Student t‐test. The observed perfusion pattern after performing a Roman chair muscle exercise differed consistently in patients with AIS compared with healthy normal volunteers, and consisted of an asymmetrical increase in IVIM fD* [10−3 mm2/s] above the lumbar convexity from 6.5 ± 5.8 to 28.8 ± 26.8 (p < 0.005), with no increase in the concavity (decrease from 6.5 ± 10.0 to 3.2 ± 1.5 (p = 0.19)), compared with a bilateral symmetric increase in the healthy volunteers (right, increase from 3.3 ± 2.1 to 10.1 ± 4.6 (p < 0.05); left, 6.7 ± 10.7 to 13.3 ± 7.0 (p < 0.05)). In conclusion, patients with AIS exhibit significant asymmetric muscle perfusion over the convexity of the scoliotic curvature after Roman chair exercise.
Reviewing the palaeopathological evidence for bovine tuberculosis in the associated bone groups at Wetwang Slack, East Yorkshire
Authors: Wooding Jeanette E. , King Sarah S. , Taylor G. Michael , Knüsel Christopher J. , Bond Julie M. , Dent John Strickland
Published: December 2019

The excavation by T. C. M Brewster and J. S. Dent between 1964 and 1989 of the multiperiod site at Wetwang Slack, East Yorkshire, has gained international importance for its square barrow cemetery and multiple Arras‐style Iron Age cart/chariot burials. A lesser known fact is that the excavations also produced the largest Iron Age faunal assemblage identified outside of southern Britain, in addition to several late Iron Age/early Romano‐British articulated animal bone groups (ABGs). The presence of pathological human and articulated faunal remains provides the unique opportunity to review the macroscopic evidence for zoonotic diseases, specifically bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in an Iron Age community where close working relationships with animals, the use of animal by‐products, and the consumption of infected dairy products all form potential avenues of infection. This paper presents the palaeopathological evidence for possible infectious disease in the ABGs at Wetwang Slack with a focus on bTB. Several cases of suspected tuberculosis are described in the human remains, with one example of gastrointestinal infection that could potentially indicate a case of bTB. Ancient DNA (aDNA) samples were taken from five ABGs testing for both Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Brucella pathogen DNA. The results were negative, but DNA degradation was highlighted as a contributing factor. This paper highlights the importance of considering the evidence for zoonotic diseases at sites where human and faunal assemblages are recovered and especially where articulated animal skeletons are present. The paper also emphasizes that future aDNA studies of diseased faunal remains should focus on smaller amplicons or whole genome sequencing to amplify pathogen DNA.
Association of body mass index and osteoarthritis with healthcare expenditures and utilization
Authors: Johnston Stephen S. , Ammann Eric , Scamuffa Robin , Samuels Jonathan , Stokes Andrew , Fegelman Elliott , Hsiao Chia‐Wen
Published: December 2019

Objective

Osteoarthritis is highly prevalent and, on aggregate, is one of the largest contributors to US spending on hospital‐based health care. This study sought to examine body mass index (BMI)–related variation in the association of osteoarthritis with healthcare utilization and expenditures.

Methods

This is a retrospective study using administrative insurance claims linked to electronic health records. Study patients were aged ≥ 18 years with ≥1 BMI measurement recorded in 2014, with the first (index) BMI ≥ 25 kg m−2. Study outcomes and covariates were measured during a 1‐year evaluation period spanning 6 months before and after index. Multivariable regression analyses examined the association of BMI with osteoarthritis prevalence, and the combined associations of osteoarthritis and BMI with osteoarthritis‐related medication utilization, all‐cause hospitalization, and healthcare expenditures.

Results

A total of 256 459 patients (median age = 56 y) met study eligibility criteria; 14.8% (38 050) had osteoarthritis. In multivariable analyses, the adjusted prevalence of osteoarthritis increased with increasing BMI (12.7% in patients who were overweight [25.0‐29.9 kg m−2] to 21.9% in patients with class III obesity [BMI ≥ 40 kg m−2], P < .001). Among patients with osteoarthritis, increasing BMI (from overweight to class III obesity) was associated with increased (all P < .01): utilization rates for analgesic medications (41.5‐53.5%); rates of all‐cause hospitalization (26.3%‐32.0%); and total healthcare expenditures ($18 204‐$23 372).

Conclusion

The prevalence and economic burden of osteoarthritis grow with increasing BMI; primary prevention of weight‐related osteoarthritis and secondary weight management may help to alleviate this burden.
Exponentially weighted moving average chart with a likelihood ratio test for monitoring autocorrelated processes
Authors: Wang Fu‐Kwun , Cheng Xiao‐Bin
Published: December 2019

In this article, an exponential weighted moving average chart based on a likelihood ratio test is developed to monitor the mean and variance shifts simultaneously for autocorrelated processes. A simple method is used to transform the positively autocorrelated data to the negatively autocorrelated data. The average run length of the proposed chart is derived from a simulation approach. The performance of our proposed chart is compared with some existing charts. The results show that the proposed chart provides better performance for detecting a wide range of shifts in the process mean and variance simultaneously. Additionally, the economic performance of different charts under the first‐order autoregressive model is provided. A real example of a stepper motor in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning module is used to demonstrate the application of the proposed method.
Exploring the Limitations of Quantum Networking through Butterfly‐Based Networks
Authors: Wilkinson Kieran N. , Cope Thomas P. W. , Pirandola Stefano
Published: December 2019

The classical and quantum networking regimes of the butterfly network and a group of larger networks constructed with butterfly network blocks are investigated. By considering simultaneous multicasts from a set of senders to a set of receivers, the corresponding rates for transmitting classical and quantum information through the networks are analyzed. More precisely, achievable rates (i.e., lower bounds) for classical communication are compared with upper bounds for quantum communication, quantifying the performance gap between the rates for networks connected by identity, depolarizing, and erasure channels. For each network considered, a range is observed over which the classical rate non‐trivially exceeds the quantum capacity. It is found that, by adding butterfly blocks in parallel, the difference between transmitted bits and qubits can be increased up to one extra bit per receiver in the case of perfect transmission (identity channels). The aim is to provide a quantitative analysis of those network configurations which are particularly disadvantageous for quantum networking, when compared to classical communication. By clarifying the performance of these “negative cases,” some guidance on how quantum networks should be built is also provided.
A surrogateℓ0sparse Cox's regression with applications to sparse high‐dimensional massive sample size time‐to‐event data
Authors: Kawaguchi Eric S. , Suchard Marc A. , Liu Zhenqiu , Li Gang
Published: December 2019

Sparse high‐dimensional massive sample size (sHDMSS) time‐to‐event data present multiple challenges to quantitative researchers as most current sparse survival regression methods and software will grind to a halt and become practically inoperable. This paper develops a scalableℓ0‐based sparse Cox regression tool for right‐censored time‐to‐event data that easily takes advantage of existing high performance implementation ofℓ2‐penalized regression method for sHDMSS time‐to‐event data. Specifically, we extend theℓ0‐based broken adaptive ridge (BAR) methodology to the Cox model, which involves repeatedly performing reweightedℓ2‐penalized regression. We rigorously show that the resulting estimator for the Cox model is selection consistent, oracle for parameter estimation, and has a grouping property for highly correlated covariates. Furthermore, we implement our BAR method in an R package for sHDMSS time‐to‐event data by leveraging existing efficient algorithms for massiveℓ2‐penalized Cox regression. We evaluate the BAR Cox regression method by extensive simulations and illustrate its application on an sHDMSS time‐to‐event data from the National Trauma Data Bank with hundreds of thousands of observations and tens of thousands sparsely represented covariates.
Large‐Area Integrated Triboelectric Sensor Array for Wireless Static and Dynamic Pressure Detection and Mapping
Authors: Wang Hai Lu , Kuang Shuang Yang , Li Hua Yang , Wang Zhong Lin , Zhu Guang
Published: December 2019

Large‐area flexible pressure sensors are of paramount importance for various future applications, such as electronic skin, human–machine interfacing, and health‐monitoring devices. Here, a self‐powered and large‐area integrated triboelectric sensor array (ITSA) based on coupling a triboelectric sensor array and an array chip of CD4066 through a traditional connection is reported. Enabled by a simple and cost‐effective fabrication process, the size of the ITSA can be scaled up to 38 × 38 cm2. In addition, unlike previously proposed triboelectric sensors arrays, which can only react to the dynamic interaction, this ITSA is able to detect static and dynamic pressure. Moreover, through integrating the ITSA with a signal processing circuit, a complete wireless sensing system is present. Diverse applications of the system are demonstrated in detail, including detecting pressure, identifying position, tracking trajectory, and recognizing the profile of external contact objects. Thus, the ITSA in this work opens a new route in the direction of large‐area, self‐powered, and wireless triboelectric sensing systems.
The effect of increased maternal body habitus on image quality and ability to identify fetal anomalies at a routine 18‐20‐week morphology ultrasound scan: a narrative review
Authors: Hennig Christina L. , Childs Jessie , Aziz Aamer , Quinton Ann
Published: December 2019

The number of obese pregnant women is increasing. Increased maternal body habitus is related to greater maternal health risks and an increased risk of fetal anomalies. The 18‐20‐week morphology scan is a routine clinical tool to detect fetal viability, anomalies, gestational age and number. Suboptimal ultrasound visualisation (SUV) affecting image quality increases with larger body habitus. This results in longer scanning times, incomplete and repeat scans, misdiagnosis, sonographer injuries and patient disappointment. This review aims to establish the effect increased maternal body habitus has on ultrasound image quality, specifically, the relationship between maternal body habitus and the 18‐20‐week morphology scan and detection of fetal anomalies. Inability to assess fetal structures due to SUV creates great challenges for the health system, imaging departments and patients. Studies have used different variables to measure the effect SUV has on the detection of fetal anomalies in obese women such as prenatal/neonatal comparisons, scan completion rates, the number of repeated scans and subjective judgements about diagnostic image quality. Some studies also included other influences such as fetal lie or placental position. Most studies concluded that a linear relationship exists between increased body habitus and decreased detection of fetal anomalies due to SUV particularly cardiac structures.
Development of the brainstem respiratory circuit
Authors: van der Heijden Meike E. , Zoghbi Huda Y.
Published: December 2019

The respiratory circuit is comprised of over a dozen functionally and anatomically segregated brainstem nuclei that work together to control respiratory rhythms. These respiratory rhythms emerge prenatally but only acquire vital importance at birth, which is the first time the respiratory circuit faces the sole responsibility for O2/CO2 homeostasis. Hence, the respiratory circuit has little room for trial‐and‐error‐dependent fine tuning and relies on a detailed genetic blueprint for development. This blueprint is provided by transcription factors that have specific spatiotemporal expression patterns along the rostral‐caudal or dorsal‐ventral axis of the developing brainstem, in proliferating precursor cells and postmitotic neurons. Studying these transcription factors in mice has provided key insights into the functional segregation of respiratory control and the vital importance of specific respiratory nuclei. Many studies converge on just two respiratory nuclei that each have rhythmogenic properties during the prenatal period: the preBötzinger complex (preBötC) and retrotrapezoid nucleus/parafacial nucleus (RTN/pF). Here, we discuss the transcriptional regulation that guides the development of these nuclei. We also summarize evidence showing that normal preBötC development is necessary for neonatal survival, and that neither the preBötC nor the RTN/pF alone is sufficient to sustain normal postnatal respiratory rhythms. Last, we highlight several studies that use intersectional genetics to assess the necessity of transcription factors only in subregions of their expression domain. These studies independently demonstrate that lack of RTN/pF neurons weakens the respiratory circuit, yet these neurons are not necessary for neonatal survival because developmentally related populations can compensate for abnormal RTN/pF function at birth.

This article is categorized under:

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development
Subleading power factorization with radiative functions
Authors: Moult Ian , Stewart Iain W. , Vita Gherardo
Published: December 2019

Abstract

The study of amplitudes and cross sections in the soft and collinear limits allows for an understanding of their all orders behavior, and the identification of universal structures. At leading power soft emissions are eikonal, and described by Wilson lines. Beyond leading power the eikonal approximation breaks down, soft fermions must be added, and soft radiation resolves the nature of the energetic partons from which they were emitted. For both subleading power soft gluon and quark emissions, we use the soft collinear effective theory (SCET) to derive an all orders gauge invariant bare factorization, at both amplitude and cross section level. This yields universal multilocal matrix elements, which we refer to as radiative functions. These appear from subleading power Lagrangians inserted along the lightcone which dress the leading power Wilson lines. The use of SCET enables us to determine the complete set of radiative functions that appear to $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(λ2) in the power expansion, to all orders in αs. For the particular case of event shape observables in e+e−→ dijets we derive how the radiative functions contribute to the factorized cross section to $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(λ2).
AdS3 solutions in massive IIA, defect CFTs and T-duality
Authors: Lozano Yolanda , Macpherson Niall T. , Nunez Carlos , Ramirez Anayeli
Published: December 2019

Abstract

We establish a map between AdS3
×S2 and AdS7 solutions to massive IIA supergravity that allows one to interpret the former as holographic duals to D2-D4 defects inside 6d (1,0) CFTs. This relation singles out in a particular manner the AdS3
×S2 solution constructed from AdS3
×S3
×CY2 through non-Abelian T-duality, with respect to a freely acting SU(2). We find explicit global completions to this solution and provide well-defined (0,4) 2d dual CFTs associated to them. These completions consist of linear quivers with colour groups coming from D2 and D6 branes and flavour groups coming from D8 and D4 branes. Finally, we discuss the relation with flows interpolating between AdS3
×S2
×T4 geometries and AdS7 solutions found in the literature.
Consistency of the standard model effective field theory
Authors: Remmen Grant N. , Rodd Nicholas L.
Published: December 2019

Abstract

We derive bounds on couplings in the standard model effective field theory (SMEFT) as a consequence of causality and the analytic structure of scattering amplitudes. In the SMEFT, there are 64 independent operators at mass dimension eight that are quartic in bosons (either Higgs or gauge fields) and that contain four derivatives and/or field strengths, including both CP-conserving and CP-violating operators. Using analytic dispersion relation arguments for two-to-two bosonic scattering amplitudes, we derive 27 independent bounds on the sign or magnitude of the couplings. We show that these bounds also follow as a consequence of causality of signal propagation in nonvacuum SM backgrounds. These bounds come in two qualitative forms: i) positivity of (various linear combinations of) couplings of CP-even operators and ii) upper bounds on the magnitude of CP-odd operators in terms of (products of) CP-even couplings. We exhibit various classes of example completions, which all satisfy our EFT bounds. These bounds have consequences for current and future particle physics experiments, as part of the observable parameter space is inconsistent with causality and analyticity. To demonstrate the impact of our bounds, we consider applications both to SMEFT constraints derived at colliders and to limits on the neutron electric dipole moment, highlighting the connection between such searches suggested by infrared consistency.
Universal correlation functions in rank 1 SCFTs
Authors: Hellerman Simeon , Maeda Shunsuke , Orlando Domenico , Reffert Susanne , Watanabe Masataka
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Carrying to higher precision the large-

$$ \mathcal{J} $$

J

expansion of [1], we calculate to all orders in

$$ 1/\mathcal{J} $$

1
/
J

the power-law corrections to the two-point functions

$$ {\mathcal{Y}}_n\equiv {\left|x-y\right|}^{2n{\varDelta}_{\mathcal{O}}}\cdot \le \left\langle {\mathcal{O}}^n(x){\overline{\mathcal{O}}}^n(y)\right\rangle $$

Y
n

≡

x
−
y

2
n

Δ
O

⋅
≤

O
n

x

O
¯

n

y

for generators

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

of Coulomb branch chiral rings in four-dimensional

$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$

N
=
2

superconformal field theories. We show these correlators have the universal large-n expansion

$$ \log \left({\mathcal{Y}}_n\right)\simeq \mathcal{J}\mathbf{A}+\mathbf{B}+\log \left(\Gamma \left(\mathcal{J}+\alpha +1\right)\right), $$

log

Y
n

≃
J
A
+
B
+
log

Γ

J
+
α
+
1

,

where

$$ \mathcal{J}\equiv n{\Delta}_{\mathcal{O}} $$

J
≡
n

Δ
O

is the total R-charge of

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

n
, the A and B are theory-dependent coefficients, α is the coefficient of the Wess-Zumino term for the Weyl a-anomaly, and the ≃ denotes equality up to terms exponentially small in

$$ \mathcal{J} $$

J

. Our methods combine the structure of the Coulomb-branch eft with the supersymmetric recursion relations. However, our results constrain the power-law corrections to all orders, even for non-Lagrangian theories to which the recursion relations do not apply. For the case of

$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$

N
=
2

sqcd, we also comment on the nature of the exponentially small corrections, which can be calculated to high precision in the double-scaling limit recently discussed by Bourget et al. in [2]. We show the exponentially small correction is consistent with the interpretation of the eft breaking down due to the propagation of massive bps particles over distances of order of the infrared scale |x − y|.
Sp (4) gauge theories on the lattice: Nf = 2 dynamical fundamental fermions
Authors: Bennett Ed , Hong Deog Ki , Lee Jong-Wan , Lin C.-J. David , Lucini Biagio , Piai Maurizio , Vadacchino Davide
Published: December 2019

Abstract

We perform lattice studies of the gauge theory with Sp(4) gauge group and two flavours of (Dirac) fundamental matter. The global SU(4) symmetry is spontaneously broken by the fermion condensate. The dynamical Wilson fermions in the lattice action introduce a mass that breaks the global symmetry also explicitly. The resulting pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone bosons describe the SU(4)/Sp(4) coset, and are relevant, in the context of physics beyond the Standard Model, for composite Higgs models. We discuss scale setting, continuum extrapolation and finite volume effects in the lattice theory. We study mesonic composite states, which span representations of the unbroken Sp(4) global symmetry, and we measure masses and decay constants of the (flavoured) spin-0 and spin-1 states accessible to the numerical treatment, as a function of the fermion mass. With help from the effective field theory treatment of such mesons, we perform a first extrapolation towards the massless limit. We assess our results by critically comparing to the literature on other models and to the quenched results, and we conclude by outlining future avenues for further exploration. The results of our spectroscopic analysis provide new input data for future phenomenological studies in the contexts of composite Higgs models, and of dark matter models with a strongly coupled dynamical origin.
The non-antibiotic macrolide EM900 attenuates HDM and poly(I:C)-induced airway inflammation with inhibition of macrophages in a mouse model
Authors: Sadamatsu Hironori , Takahashi Koichiro , Tashiro Hiroki , Kato Go , Noguchi Yoshihiko , Kurata Keigo , Ōmura Satoshi , Kimura Shinya , Sunazuka Toshiaki , Sueoka-Aragane Naoko
Published: December 2019

Objective

Macrolides have been reported to reduce the exacerbation of severe asthma. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects and mechanisms of EM900, a non-antibiotic macrolide, on allergic airway inflammation.

Methods

Mice were sensitized and challenged by house dust mite (HDM), then exposed to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) as a model of asthma complicated with viral infection. Mice were administered with EM900. Airway inflammation was assessed from inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and cytokines in lung tissues. Lung interstitial macrophages were counted by flow cytometry. Cytokine production, phosphorylation of NF-κB, and p38 in macrophages were examined by ELISA and western blotting.

Results

Counts of cells in BALF and concentrations of IL-13, IL-5, RANTES, IL-17A, and MIP-2 were significantly decreased by EM900 compared to those without EM900. Percentages of lung interstitial macrophages were significantly decreased with EM900. Concentrations of IL-6, RANTES, and MIP-2 induced by HDM and poly(I:C) were significantly suppressed by EM900 through the suppression of NF-κB and p38 phosphorylation in macrophages.

Conclusions

HDM and poly(I:C)-induced airway inflammation is attenuated by EM900 with the inhibition of lung interstitial macrophages. Clinical use of EM900 is expected, because EM900 has inhibitory effects against airway inflammation without inducing bacterial drug resistance.
Analytical and preparative separation of phosphorothioated oligonucleotides: columns and ion-pair reagents
Authors: Enmark Martin , Bagge Joakim , Samuelsson Jörgen , Thunberg Linda , Örnskov Eivor , Leek Hanna , Limé Fredrik , Fornstedt Torgny
Published: December 2019

Oligonucleotide drugs represent an emerging area in the pharmaceutical industry. Solid-phase synthesis generates many structurally closely related impurities, making efficient separation systems for purification and analysis a key challenge during pharmaceutical drug development. To increase the fundamental understanding of the important preparative separation step, mass-overloaded injections of a fully phosphorothioated 16mer, i.e., deoxythymidine oligonucleotide, were performed on a C18 and a phenyl column. The narrowest elution profiles were obtained using the phenyl column, and the 16mer could be collected with high purity and yield on both columns. The most likely contribution to the successful purification was the quantifiable displacement of the early-eluting shortmers on both columns. In addition, the phenyl column displayed better separation of later-eluting impurities, such as the 17mer impurity. The mass-overloaded injections resulted in classical Langmuirian elution profiles on all columns, provided the concentration of the ion-pairing reagent in the eluent was sufficiently high. Two additional column chemistries, C4 and C8, were also investigated in terms of their selectivity and elution profile characteristics for the separation of 5–20mers fully phosphorothioated deoxythymidine oligonucleotides. When using triethylamine as ion-pairing reagent to separate phosphorothioated oligonucleotides, we observed peak broadening caused by the partial separation of diastereomers, predominantly seen on the C4 and C18 columns. When using the ion-pair reagent tributylamine, to suppress diastereomer separation, the greatest selectivity was found using the phenyl column followed by C18. The present results will be useful when designing and optimizing efficient preparative separations of synthetic oligonucleotides.
DNA content equivalence in haploid and diploid maize leaves
Authors: Santeramo D. , Howell J. , Ji Y. , Yu W. , Liu W. , Kelliher T.
Published: December 2019

Main conclusion

The qPCR assay developed to differentiate haploid and diploid maize leaf samples was unsuccessful due to DNA content difference. Haploid cells are packed more closely together with less cellular expansion.

Increased ploidy content (> 2 N) directly correlates with increased cell size in plants, but few studies have examined cell morphology in plants with reduced ploidy (i.e., haploids). To pioneer a scalable new ploidy test, we compared DNA content and cellular morphology of haploid and diploid maize leaves. The amount of genomic DNA recovered from standardized leaf-punch samples was equivalent between these two ploidy types, while both epidermal and mesophyll cell types were smaller in haploid plants. Pavement cells had a substantially smaller size than mesophyll cells, and this effect was more pronounced in the abaxial epidermis. Interveinal distance and guard cell size were significantly reduced in haploids, but the cell percentage comprising stomata did not change. These results confirm the direct correlation between ploidy content and cell size in plants, and suggest that reduced cell expansion predominantly explains DNA content equivalence between haploid and diploid samples, confounding efforts to develop a haploid detection method using DNA content.
Does HLA matching matter in the modern era of renal transplantation?
Authors: Kim Jon Jin , Fuggle Susan V , Marks Stephen D
Published: December 2019

Children with end-stage kidney disease should be offered the best chance for future survival which ideally would be a well-matched pre-emptive kidney transplant. Paediatric and adult practice varies around the world depending on geography, transplant allocation schemes and different emphases on living (versus deceased) donor renal transplantation. Internationally, paediatric patients often have priority in allocation schemes and younger donors are preferentially allocated to paediatric recipients. HLA matching can be difficult and may result in longer waiting times. Additionally, with improved surgical techniques and modern immunosuppressive regimens, how important is the contribution of HLA matching to graft longevity? In this review, we discuss the relative importance of HLA matching compared with donor quality; and long-term patient outcomes including re-transplantation rates. We share empirical evidence that will be useful for clinicians and families to make decisions about best donor options. We discuss why living donation still provides the best allograft survival outcomes and what to do in the scenario of a highly mismatched living donor.
Late-onset Huntington’s disease with 40–42 CAG expansion
Authors: Capiluppi Elisa , Romano Luca , Rebora Paola , Nanetti Lorenzo , Castaldo Anna , Gellera Cinzia , Mariotti Caterina , Macerollo Antonella , Cislaghi M. Giuliana
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG expansion greater than 35 in the IT-15 gene. There is an inverse correlation between the number of pathological CAG and the age of onset. However, CAG repeats between 40 and 42 showed a wider onset variation. We aimed to investigate potential clinical differences between patients with age at onset ≥ 60 years (late onset-HD) and patients with age at onset between 30 and 59 years (common-onset HD) in a cohort of patients with the same CAG expansions (40–42).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 66 HD patients with 40–41–42 CAG expansion was performed. Patients were investigated with the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (subitems I–II–III and Total Functional Capacity, Functional Assessment and Stage of Disease). Data were analysed using χ2, Fisher’s test, t test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. GENMOD analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to study the disease progression.

Results

The age of onset ranged from 39 to 59 years in the CO subgroup, whereas the LO subgroup showed an age of onset from 60 to 73 years. No family history was reported in 31% of the late-onset in comparison with 20% in common-onset HD (p = 0.04). No difference emerged in symptoms of onset, in clinical manifestations and in progression of disease between the two groups.

Conclusion

There were no clinical differences between CO and LO subgroups with 40–42 CAG expansion. There is a need of further studies on environmental as well genetic variables modifying the age at onset.
Coordination in Thought
Authors: Clarke Henry
Published: December 2019

Coordination in thought is the treatment of beliefs by the believer as being about the same thing. Such treatment can be indirect, via an identity belief, or direct. Direct coordination presents a problem concerning how this treatment is justified. Dickie (Fixing reference, OUP, Oxford, 2015) accounts for the justification of coordination in terms of aptness to a motivational state: coordination serves to fulfil a need to represent things outside the mind. I argue that this account gets the problem coordination presents wrong, and so does not present an adequate solution. While the material of that account may be reconfigured to provide a more promising proposal, I argue that this depends on a specious psychology of belief, and will anyway end up being circular. I propose an account that, while similar in some ways, improves on both the official and reconfigured Dickie-style accounts, and points to some broader conclusions about the nature of rational cognition.
Profinite Separation Systems
Authors: Diestel Reinhard , Kneip Jakob
Published: December 2019

Separation systems are posets with additional structure that form an abstract setting in which tangle-like clusters in graphs, matroids and other combinatorial structures can be expressed and studied. This paper offers some basic theory about infinite separation systems and how they relate to the finite separation systems they induce. They can be used to prove tangle-type duality theorems for infinite graphs and matroids, which will be done in future work that will build on this paper.
Exploring synergies and trade-offs among the sustainable development goals: collective action and adaptive capacity in marginal mountainous areas of India
Authors: Orchard Steven , Glover Dominic , Thapa Karki Shova , Ayele Seife , Sen Debashish , Rathod Roshan , Rowhani Pedram
Published: December 2019

Global environmental change (GEC) threatens to undermine the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Smallholders in marginal mountainous areas (MMA) are particularly vulnerable due to precarious livelihoods in challenging environments. Acting collectively can enable and constrain the ability of smallholders to adapt to GEC. The objectives of this paper are: (i) identify collective actions in four MMA of the central Indian Himalaya Region, each with differing institutional contexts; (ii) assess the adaptive capacity of each village by measuring livelihood capital assets, diversity, and sustainable land management practices. Engaging with adaptive capacity and collective action literatures, we identify three broad approaches to adaptive capacity relating to the SDGs: natural hazard mitigation (SDG 13), social vulnerability (SDG 1, 2 and 5), and social–ecological resilience (SDG 15). We then develop a conceptual framework to understand the institutional context and identify SDG synergies and trade-offs. Adopting a mixed method approach, we analyse the relationships between collective action and the adaptive capacity of each village, the sites where apparent trade-offs and synergies among SDGs occur. Results illustrate each village has unique socio-environmental characteristics, implying distinct development challenges, vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities exist. Subsequently, specific SDG synergies and trade-offs occur even within MMA, and it is therefore crucial that institutions facilitate locally appropriate collective actions in order to achieve the SDGs. We suggest that co-production in the identification, prioritisation and potential solutions to the distinct challenges facing MMA can increase understandings of the specific dynamics and feedbacks necessary to achieve the SDGs in the context of GEC.