bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Access to scientific literature by the conservation community
Authors: Larios Daisy , Brooks Thomas M. , Macfarlane Nicholas B.W. , Roy Sugoto
Published: July 2020

Access to the scientific literature is perceived to be a challenge to the biodiversity conservation community, but actual level of literature access relative to needs has never been assessed globally. We examined this question by surveying the constituency of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a proxy for the conservation community, generating 2,285 responses. Of these respondents, ∼97% need to use the scientific literature in order to support their IUCN-related conservation work, with ∼50% needing to do so at least once per week. The crux of the survey revolved around the question, “How easy is it for you currently to obtain the scientific literature you need to carry out your IUCN-related work?” and revealed that roughly half (49%) of the respondents find it not easy or not at all easy to access scientific literature. We fitted a binary logistic regression model to explore factors predicting ease of literature access. Whether the respondent had institutional literature access (55% do) is the strongest predictor, with region (Western Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) and sex (male) also significant predictors. Approximately 60% of respondents from Western Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have institutional access compared to ∼50% in Asia and Latin America, and ∼40% in Eastern Europe and in Africa. Nevertheless, accessing free online material is a popular means of accessing literature for both those with and without institutional access. The four journals most frequently mentioned when asked which journal access would deliver the greatest improvements to the respondent’s IUCN-related work were Conservation Biology, Biological Conservation, Nature, and Science. The majority prefer to read journal articles on screen but books in hard copy. Overall, it is apparent that access to the literature is a challenge facing roughly half of the conservation community worldwide.
Social support network of women with breast cancer
Authors: Vargas Gabriela de Souza , Ferreira Carla Lizandra de Lima , Vacht Crischima Lunardi , Dornelles Carla da Silveira , Silveira Vanessa do Nascimento , Pereira Adriana Dall’Asta
Published: July 2020

OBJETIVO: Conhecer a rede de apoio social à mulher com câncer de mama, participante de um grupo de apoio do Rio Grande do Sul. MÉTODOS: Estudo qualitativo, exploratório, descritivo, com mulheres de um grupo de apoio. A análise dos dados, conforme Minayo, resultou em quatro temáticas: família e amigos como provedores da rede de apoio social; grupos terapêuticos no contexto da rede de apoio; equipe de saúde como integrantes da rede de apoio; religiosidade, fé e espiritualidade integram a rede de apoio social para alivio do sofrimento. RESULTADOS: O apoio social é necessário durante o tratamento, para enfrentamento da patologia e recuperação da mulher. Revela-se que família, vizinho, amigos e grupo fazem parte da rede da mulher que vivencia o câncer. CONCLUSÃO: Prover o apoio social é parte do cuidado integral do enfermeiro e reconhecer as necessidades da mulher é importante para o planejamento de enfermagem.
The young father involvement in the prenatal care: the perspective of health professional
Authors: Mello Melissa Gomes de , Parauta Thais Cordeiro , Saldanha Bruna Lopes , Lemos Adriana
Published: July 2020

OBJETIVO: Conhecer a visão dos enfermeiros/as e médicos/as sobre a paternidade na adolescência; identificar ações direcionadas ao jovem pai no pré-natal. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa documental com abordagem qualitativa, com dados produzidos pelo projeto “Saúde sexual e reprodutiva como direito de mulheres e homens na atenção à saúde." Os documentos/entrevistas com profissionais que realizam consultas de pré-natal nas ESF possibilitaram a análise de conteúdo nas categorias: “Visão dos profissionais sobre paternidade na adolescência” e “Ações no pré-natal voltadas aos jovens pais”. RESULTADOS: As participantes declararam a diferença entre ser pai jovem e adulto, destacando-se a maturidade. A maioria condenou a gravidez na adolescência, e a não-frequência dos pais às consultas. CONCLUSÃO: Ser pai, em qualquer idade, não afasta as relações tradicionais de gênero, sendo sua inclusão insuficiente. Interpretar negativamente a paternidade na adolescência contribui no afastamento desse jovem pai aos serviços de saúde.
Hope for life and depression: people living with hiv/aids
Authors: Leite Maria Amanda Pereira , Patrício Anna Cláudia Freire de Araújo , Silva ngrid Bergman do Nascimento , Santos Thayná Dias Dos , Ferreira Milenna Azevedo Minhaqui , Silva Richardson Augusto Rosendo da
Published: July 2020

Objetivo: Analisar a esperança de vida e a depressão em pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids. Método: Trata–se de uma pesquisa descritiva, quantitativa realizada com 17 pessoas com HIV/aids que recebem atendimento em um Hospital de Referência para Doenças Infectocontagiosas no município de João Pessoa/PB, Brasil. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se uma Escala de Esperança de Vida e a Escala de Depressão HAM-D. Resultados: Quanto ao tipo de exposição que levou ao diagnóstico de HIV/aids 88,2%(15) revelaram o sexo desprotegido, o estado civil de maior prevalência foi o solteiro 58,8%(10). Os dados referentes a esperança de vida apresentaram escore médio 38,47±7,45, mediana 39, máximo 48 e mínimo 27. Conclusão: A fé e a esperança têm importantes valores, contribuindo na capacidade de lidar com situações difíceis e na manutenção da qualidade de vida, sendo facilitadoras das consequências psicossociais acerratadas por essa condição.
Covalent Organic Framework Hosting Metalloporphyrin‐Based Carbon Dots for Visible‐Light‐Driven Selective CO2Reduction
Authors: Zhong Hong , Sa Rongjian , Lv Haowei , Yang Shuailong , Yuan Daqiang , Wang Xinchen , Wang Ruihu
Published: July 2020

The visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic CO2reduction is one appealing approach to simultaneously mitigate the energy crisis and environmental issues. It is highly desirable but challenging to selectively and efficiently convert CO2into desirable products. Herein, a covalent organic framework hosting metalloporphyrin‐based carbon dots (M‐PCD@TD‐COF, M = Ni, Co, and Fe) is first presented, which serves as heterogeneous catalysts for CO2photoreduction. M‐PCD@TD‐COF not only enriches available COF‐based catalytic materials, but also provides suitable environment for CO2adsorption and activation on metalloporphyrin‐based carbon dots. The advantages of the host environment in COFs are highlighted by the satisfactory catalytic activity and remarkable selectivity of CO2‐to‐CO conversion over H2generation up to 98%. The photocatalytic system is effective for both pure CO2and the simulated flue gas. This work provides new protocols for the rational design of COF‐based heterogeneous catalysts for selective CO2photoreduction.
Enhancing Magnetic Cooperativity in Fe(II) Triazole‐based Spin‐crossover Nanoparticles by Pluronic Matrix Confinement
Authors: Zoppellaro Giorgio , Čépe Klára , Aparicio Claudia , Ugolotti Juri , Zbořil Radek
Published: July 2020

Polymeric one‐dimensional (1D) triazole‐based FeII spin crossover nanoparticles have been entrapped in pluronic P123 matrix, forming nanorods in which the interaction between host (P123) and guest (FeII complex) promoted high reproducibility of the spin crossover process, significant shifts of the transition temperatures (T↑=370 K, T↓=338 K for the P123 entrapped material vs the literature values of T↑=358 K, T↓=341 K for the neat/polymer free system) and larger magnetic hysteresis width.
Validation of the Dutch version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System
Authors: van der Baan Frederieke H. , Koldenhof Josephine J. , de Nijs Ellen J. , Echteld Michael A. , Zweers Danielle , Hesselmann Ginette M. , Vervoort Sigrid C. , Vos Jan B. , de Graaf Everlien , Witteveen Petronella O. , Suijkerbuijk Karijn P. , de Graeff Alexander , Teunissen Saskia C.
Published: July 2020

Background

The Utrecht Symptom Diary (USD) is a Dutch and adapted version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, a patient‐reported outcome measurement (PROM) tool to asses and monitor symptoms in cancer patients. This study analyses the validity and responsiveness of the USD and the cutoff points to determine the clinical significance of a symptom score.

Methods

Observational longitudinal cohort study including adult in‐ and outpatients treated in an academic hospital in the Netherlands who completed at least one USD as part of routine care (2012‐2019). The distress thermometer and problem checklist (DT&PC) was used as a reference PROM.

Content, construct and criterion validity, responsiveness, and cutoff points are shown with prevalences, area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Chi‐squared test, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, and positive and negative predictive values, respectively.

Results

A total of 3913 patients completed 22 400 USDs. Content validity was confirmed for all added USD items with prevalences of ≥22%. All USD items also present on the DT&PC demonstrated a good criterion validity (ROC >0.8). Construct validity was confirmed for the USD as a whole and for the items dry mouth, dysphagia and well‐being (P < .0001). USD scores differed significantly for patients when improving or deteriorating on the DT&PC which confirmed responsiveness. Optimal cutoff points (3 or 4) differed per symptom.

Conclusion

The USD is a valid 12‐item PROM for the most prevalent symptoms in cancer patients, which has content, criterion, and construct validity, and detects clinically important changes over time, in both curative and palliative phase.
Physical activity during and after breast cancer therapy and associations of baseline physical activity with changes in cardiac function by echocardiography
Authors: Upshaw Jenica N. , Hubbard Rebecca A. , Hu Jian , Brown Justin C. , Smith Amanda M. , Demissei Biniyam , Schmitz Kathryn H. , Ky Bonnie
Published: July 2020

Background

Observational studies suggest that regular physical activity may reduce cardiovascular morbidity and cancer recurrence in survivors of breast cancer. The association between physical activity and cardiac function with breast cancer therapy is unknown.

Methods

Self‐reported physical activity was assessed using the Godin Leisure‐Time Exercise Questionnaire at repeated intervals in a longitudinal cohort study of 603 breast cancer participants treated with doxorubicin and/or trastuzumab. Multivariable regression models estimated associations between clinical variables and physical activity. Generalized estimating equations adjusted for prespecified variables estimated associations between baseline physical activity and longitudinal echocardiographic measures of systolic and diastolic function.

Results

Physical activity was low at baseline, prior to cancer therapy initiation. More than half of participants reported no moderate‐strenuous physical activity, and only 12.1% met guideline recommended levels of physical activity. Physical activity increased after chemotherapy completion; however, only 26.0% of individuals were sufficiently active 3 years after cancer diagnosis. Body mass index, hyperlipidemia and higher cancer stage were significantly associated with lower total physical activity at baseline. Higher baseline physical activity was very modestly associated with an attenuation in the absolute decline in left ventricular ejection fraction over time (β 0.4%, 95% CI 0.1, 0.7, P = .02 for each 10‐unit increase in total activity). There tended to be a cardioprotective association with cardiotoxicity risk, although this was not statistically significant (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.66, 1.04, P = .097).

Conclusions

A small proportion of breast cancer patients and survivors are engaged in regular moderate‐strenuous physical activity. While only modest associations between self‐reported physical activity and left ventricular systolic function were observed, our findings do not exclude a cardioprotective benefit of exercise.
Optimization of Insecticidal Triterpene Derivatives by Biomimetic Oxidations with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodosobenzene Catalyzed by MnIII and FeIII Porphyrin Complexes
Authors: Mazoir Noureddine , Benharref Ahmed , Vaca Laura , Reina Matías , González‐Coloma Azucena
Published: July 2020

Semisynthetic functionalized triterpenes (4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate; 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐ene‐3,7,11‐trione; 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholesta‐7,9(11)‐dien‐3‐one and 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐en‐3β‐yl acetate), previously prepared from 31‐norlanostenol, a natural insecticide isolated from the latex of Euphorbia officinarum, have been subjected to oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and iodosobenzene (PhIO) catalyzed by porphyrin complexes (cytochrome P‐450 models) in order to obtain optimized derivatives with high regioselectivity. The main transformations were epoxidation of the double bonds and hydroxylations of non‐activated C–H groups and the reaction products were 25‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholesta‐7,9(11)‐dien‐3β‐yl acetate (59 %), 25‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐ene‐3,7,11‐trione (60 %), 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,7β‐7,8‐epoxycholest‐9(11)‐en‐3‐one (22 %), 8‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐9(11)‐ene‐3,7‐dione (16 %), 12α‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,7β‐7,8‐epoxycholest‐9(11)‐en‐3‐one (16 %), and 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate (26 %), respectively. We also investigated the insect (Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi and Spodoptera littoralis) antifeedant and postingestive effects of these terpenoid derivatives. None of the compounds tested had significant antifeedant effects, however, all were more effective postingestive toxicants on S. littoralis larvae than the natural compound 31‐norlanostenol, with 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate being the most active. The study of their structure–activity relationships points out at the importance of C3 and C7 substituents.
How Faculty Change Agents Enact Midlevel Leadership in STEM
Authors: Iverson Ellen R. , Bragg Debra D. , Eddy Pamela L.
Published: July 2020

This chapter describes research on a four‐year National Science Foundation grant project that supported instructional, organizational, and professional change made by geoscience faculty change agents. The faculty change agents participated in sustained professional development, led regional workshops, and engaged in college‐, program‐, and classroom‐level reforms en‐route to their development as midlevel leaders.
Lessons From the Field: Leading Institutional Change From the Middle
Authors: Conrad Kelley L. , LeMay Lynsey E.
Published: July 2020

Leading community college change initiatives from midlevel leadership positions is challenging. This chapter reviews the experiences of two midlevel leaders who led change on their campuses. They describe the work of their leadership efforts, including their relationships with faculty, administrators, students, and the challenges, rewards, and lessons learned.
Prognostic Factors in Childhood Acute Myeloid Leukemia; Experience from A Developing Country
Authors: Ghafoor Tariq , Khalil Sumaira , Farah Tanzeela , Ahmed Shakeel , Sharif Imtenan
Published: July 2020

Background

In the developed world, 5‐years survival of childhood acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has improved to 70%. However, the survival rates in the developing world are below 40%. The main contributing factors to these reduced survival rates are a late presentation, malnutrition and high treatment‐related mortality.

Aim

To document the factors affecting treatment outcome of childhood AML at a tertiary care facility of Pakistan.

Methods and Results

All newly registered cases of AML under 18 years of age from January 1, 2012 onwards who completed their treatment before November 30, 2019 were included. Data of 219 cases of AML containing 140 (63.9%) males and 79 (36.1%) females was analyzed. The mean age was 6.30 ± 3.66 years. Pallor was the commonest presenting features in 180 (82.2%) and M2 was the commonest French American‐British (FAB) subtype in 103 (47.0%) cases. In univariate analysis, high white blood cells (WBC) count at presentation (P = .006), poor nutritional status (P = .005), unfavourable cytogenetics (P = .019), certain types of FAB AML subtype (P = .005), and use of etoposide in induction chemotherapy (P = .042) significantly adversely affected overall survival (OS). Neutropenic sepsis and bleeding were the major causes of treatment‐related mortality. Response to induction chemotherapy was the most significant prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis (P = <.001). After a median follow‐up of 40.96 ± 26.23 months, 5‐year OS and DFS of the cohort were 40.6% and 38.3% respectively.

Conclusions

In this largest cohort of childhood AML from Pakistan, high WBC count at presentation, malnutrition, unfavourable cytogenetics and use of etoposide during induction chemotherapy were associated with decreased OS and DFS rates. Response to the induction chemotherapy was the most significant prognostic factor.
Zeta potential of inorganic fine particle—Na‐bentonite binder mixture systems
Authors: Otsuki Akira , Hayagan Neil Lonio
Published: July 2020

The zeta potential of single and multi‐inorganic fine particle mixtures (hematite and gangues, i.e., SiO2 + Al2O3) with Na‐bentonite was investigated to understand and properly control the mineral surface properties relevant to pelletization of low‐grade fine iron ores. The zeta potential of hematite‐bentonite mixture showed more negative charge up to 1 wt.% bentonite dosage and became constant. In the multiparticle mixture systems with bentonite, the SiO2 amount in the system controlled the changes in zeta potential due to its high negative charge (−54.9 mV at natural pH) and the bentonite attachment on its surface based on the electrostatic interaction while Al2O3 had no effect due to its negligible surface charge (−1.6 mV at natural pH). This article reports the new insight into the characterization of surface chemistry of inorganic/mineral mixture systems to understand their surface charge properties in relation to fine mineral particle processing, and to show a direction toward the elucidation of particle dispersion/aggregation mechanism in complex ore systems aiming for their beneficiations.
An energy efficient and resource‐constrained scheduling framework for smart city application
Authors: Jing Weipeng , Miao Qiucheng , Song Houbing , Liu Yaqiu
Published: July 2020

With the development of smart Internet of things devices, intelligent applications are expected to lead further innovation in smart city. However, although cloud computing infrastructure can be used to meet traditional challenges, the scheduling model for new big data intelligent application has still not matured. In this work, we proposed a two‐stage scheduling framework for smart city intelligent application. In the first stage, we propose a virtual machine selection algorithm for edge computing to enhance relative migration benefits. The algorithm defines the invalid virtual machine migration and relative migration benefits from the change in the overall computing resources of the cloud data center after the virtual machine migration. In the second stage, we proposed an energy efficient and resource‐constrained scheduling framework for edge computing. The historical data of the cloud and edge computing workload of the computing node are processed in a sliding window manner, and the median absolute deviation of the historical data is used as the base of the physical reserved resource constraint when the base also changes as the workload changes. The experimental results show that energy‐efficient and resource‐constrained can make the computer resource provide high‐quality services for users in a low‐energy state.
Seizure progression triggered by IQSEC3 loss is mitigated by reducing activated microglia in mice
Authors: Park Dongseok , Kim Seungjoon , Kim Hyeonho , Shin Jungsu , Jung Hyeji , Um Ji Won
Published: July 2020

IQSEC3, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ADP‐ribosylation factors (ARF‐GEFs) is specifically expressed at GABAergic synapses, and its loss increases seizure susceptibility in mice. However, the contribution of microglia to initiation and/or progression of seizures in IQSEC3‐deficient mice has not been investigated. In the current study, we show that mice with hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG)‐specific IQSEC3 knockdown (KD) exhibit microglial activation and death of DG granule cell. Furthermore, treatment of IQSEC3‐KD mice with minocycline, an inhibitor of microglial activation, blocks DG granule neuron cell death and the occurrence of spontaneous seizures without affecting GABAergic synapse deficits or loss of somatostatin. Our results suggest that microglial activation is involved in a subset of IQSEC3‐KD–induced epileptogenesis stages, and that its regulation could be an alternative strategy for managing epilepsy.
Regioselective Synthesis of Palm‐Based Sorbitol Esters as Biobased Surfactant by Lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus in Nonaqueous Media
Authors: Arniza Mohd Zan , Hoong Seng Soi , Yusop Muhammad Rahimi , Hayes Douglas G. , Yeong Shoot Kian , NSMariam Nek MD
Published: July 2020

This paper describes the regioselective production of palm‐based sorbitol monoesters via esterification catalyzed by Lipozyme® TL IM (Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase adsorbed onto silica gel, Novozymes, Inc., Franklington, NC, USA). Effects of various reaction parameters including types of solvent, substrate molar ratio, molecular sieve and lipase concentration, temperature, reaction time, and fatty acid chain length were investigated. Approximately 76% conversion of sorbitol to sorbitol esters was achieved within 24 h under optimal conditions: sorbitol (0.4 M), fatty acid (0.8 M), 20 wt% Lipozyme® TL IM in 100 mL tert‐butanol at 55 °C for 24 h in the presence of 25 wt% 3 Å molecular sieve as water absorbent. The reactions were conducted in an orbital incubator shaker at a shaking rate of 200 rpm. Lipozyme® TL IM was highly regioselective, esterifying exclusively at sorbitol's primary hydroxyl groups, producing 1‐O‐ and 6‐O‐sorbitol monoesters. The biocatalyst also exhibited substrate selectivity toward shorter chain acyl donors, with caprylic acid exhibiting the highest conversion of sorbitol. In addition, Lipozyme® TL IM was reused up to four successive reaction cycles without significant loss of activity. The biocatalytic process reported in this paper is a one‐step process to produce biobased surfactants that does not involve the use of toxic or expensive solvents that are commonly employed for derivatization of sugars, or pre‐derivatization of the substrates molecules.
Sagebrush Characteristics Influencing Foraging Patterns of Pygmy Rabbits
Authors: Jimenez Amber , Schmalz Jennifer , Wright Masako N. , Skopec Michele M.
Published: July 2020

The pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) is endemic to the sagebrush steppe landscapes in the western United States. Pygmy rabbits have adapted to this region by depending on big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) as a source of nutrition and concealment from predators. Being a central place forager, and a dietary specialist makes pygmy rabbits an ideal subject to study foraging tradeoffs. Our objectives were to determine if pygmy rabbit foraging patterns are influenced by the nutrient content of individual sagebrush, or the size and location of individual sagebrush. We first developed a near infrared spectroscopy assay that can be conducted in the field, with whole plant foliage, to determine individual sagebrush crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents. We then measured the size, location, protein, and fiber contents of >1,500 foraged and non‐foraged sagebrush plants surrounding pygmy rabbit burrows in 2 field sites in northern Utah, USA. We found significant site differences in sagebrush CP levels and significant season differences in sagebrush ADF levels; sagebrush closer to central burrows were higher in protein and lower in fiber. Pygmy rabbits preferred to forage on taller sagebrush plants that were closer to the central burrow but only marginally higher in CP (0.2%) and lower in ADF (1%). Sagebrush plants with a >50% chance of being foraged, were <5.6 m from the burrow, >0.67 m tall, >10.4% CP, and <34.95% ADF. The selection of closer, larger, and more nutrient‐dense sagebrush may be influenced by pygmy rabbits' need for concealment from predators or a way to minimize foraging effort. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Electrosurgery Turbinate Reduction Revisited: Can Comparable Volumetric Heating be Achieved Without Feedback Control?
Authors: Kshirsagar Rijul S. , Hong Ellen M. , Pham Tiffany T. , Wong Brian J. F.
Published: July 2020

Background and Objectives

Temperature‐controlled radiofrequency inferior turbinate ablation (TCRFA) uses a feedback system to control thermal injury and achieve precise volumetric heating to induce specific scar formation. However, it requires costly single‐use proprietary consumables. Comparable volumetric tissue heating may be achieved for a fraction of the cost by adjusting the power settings on traditional monopolar electrosurgery devices that use low‐cost needle tips. This pre‐clinical study aims to determine the optimized power parameters to achieve electrosurgical coagulum volume similar to that of TCRFA.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

An electrosurgery submucosal diathermy (SMD) system (cut mode, 4–32 W, 5–120 seconds) and a temperature‐controlled radiofrequency ablation system (standard clinical parameters for treating inferior turbinate hypertrophy) were used to coagulate egg white and chicken breast. Coagulum major and minor axis were measured, and lesion volume was approximated as prolate spheroid.

Results

No significant difference in volume was found between the temperature‐controlled system and the electrosurgery system at 8 W for 30 seconds, 8 W for 60 seconds, 16 W for 30 seconds, 32 W for 5 seconds, and 32 W for 15 seconds. The time to achieve equivalent lesion size was significantly less in the SMD system when compared to the temperature‐controlled system (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Electrosurgery handpieces may achieve similar lesion volume effects as the temperature feedback‐controlled, single‐use handpieces when set to the optimized parameters. SMD handpieces are significantly more cost and time effective than proprietary devices, and they are easily used in the office. SMD devices may be a more affordable alternative to temperature‐controlled systems with comparable lesion volume effect and may be valuable for office‐based therapy. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Location‐dependent change of median nerve mobility in the carpal tunnel of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Yao Yifei , Grandy Emily , Evans Peter J. , Seitz William H. , Li Zong‐Ming
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to investigate in vivo median nerve longitudinal mobility in different segments of the carpal tunnel associated with active finger motion in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients in a comparison with healthy controls.

Methods

Eleven healthy volunteers and 11 CTS patients participated in this study. Dynamic ultrasound images captured location‐dependent longitudinal median nerve mobility within the carpal tunnel during finger flexion at the metacarpophalangeal joints using a speckle cross‐correlation algorithm.

Results

Median nerve longitudinal mobility in the carpal tunnel was significantly smaller in CTS patients (0.0037 ± 0.0011 mm/degree) compared with controls (0.0082 ± 0.0026 mm/degree) (P < .05), especially in the proximal (0.0064 vs 0.0132 mm/degree on average) and middle (0.0033 vs 0.0074 mm/degree on average) carpal tunnel sections.

Discussion

Median nerve mobility can potentially serve as a biomechanical marker when diagnosing CTS, or when assessing the effectiveness of surgical and conservative treatments.
Determinants of patent survival in emerging economies: Evidence from residential patents in India
Authors: Danish Mohd Shadab , Ranjan Pritam , Sharma Ruchi
Published: July 2020

Over the period of time, patent filing in India has gone up significantly. However, no enough evidence is found in the literature about the quality or value of patented invention in the Indian context. To assess this question, we examine the patent renewal length (survival of patent) as a proxy of patent value for five different technology classes. This study uses the renewal information of firm‐level patents applied during January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2005, which were eventually granted. The data provided by Indian Patent Office consists of 2,025 resident patents assigned to 266 firms (foreign subsidiary firms and domestic firms). The survival analysis is carried out via Kaplan–Meier estimation and Cox proportional hazard regression. The outcomes of this study suggest that the survival length of patents significantly depends on their technological scope and inventor size. Moreover, the patents of the firms taking tax credit benefits exhibit lower survival rates as compared with patents of remaining firms. The study also finds that the patents filed by foreign firms with Department of Scientific and Industrial Research affiliation survive longer. Among different technological categories, electrical and mechanical patents are found to be more valuable compared with instrument patents.
Modeling thermal regime and evolution of the methane hydrate stability zone of the Yamal peninsula permafrost
Authors: Arzhanov Maxim M. , Malakhova Valentina V. , Mokhov Igor I.
Published: July 2020

In recent years, new geophysical phenomena have been observed in the high‐latitude regions of continental permafrost. Since 2014 new craters 10–20 m in diameter have been found within the Yamal Peninsula and neighboring regions. They are associated with the emissions of gases, which could have been formed during dissociation of relict gas hydrate deposits due to increases in soil temperature. This paper presents the results of numerical modeling of the thermal regime of permafrost in the north of Western Siberia with the assessment of methane hydrate stability zone under climate changes over the past 130,000 years. According to the results obtained, the upper boundary of the methane hydrate stability zone in Yamal could have reached the surface within the periods of glacial maxima (about 90,000 and 60,000 years ago). We show that at present in Yamal permafrost above the modern boundary of the stability zone, relic methane hydrates are likely to exist at depths of up to 100–150 m, they could have “survives” warming during the Holocene optimum about 6,000 years ago and remain in permafrost rocks under negative temperatures even under transgression and increased geothermal flux conditions.
Effects of polylactic acid antimicrobial films on preservation of Chinese rape
Authors: Yin Xing , Huang Zhen
Published: July 2020

Two antimicrobial agents of organic salicylic acid (SA) and inorganic nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2) were added into polylactic acid (PLA) respectively to prepare two different biodegradable packaging films. The antimicrobial properties of PLA‐based films were then characterized and the film preservation effect on fresh vegetables had been exampled by evaluating the external appearance, headspace gas concentration, weight loss rate, decay rate and −a/b values of Chinese rape. The results showed that the antimicrobial rate of PLA/4%TiO2 film was 91.3% against Staphylococcus aureus and 90.8% against Escherichia coli. In the case of PLA/6%SA film, its antimicrobial rate was 97.3% against S. aureus and 93.1% against E. coli. These two antimicrobial films were seen to obviously reduce the respiration rate of Chinese rape and exhibit lower decay rate and higher −a/b values of Chinese rape than those packaged in pure PLA bag, resulting in the extended shelf life for stored Chinese rape. These satisfactory performances suggest that the PLA‐based antimicrobial films could be potentially suitable for the preservation of green vegetables.
Harmonic SU(3)- and $$G_2$$-Structures via Spinors
Authors: Niedziałomski Kamil
Published: July 2020

In this note, using the spinorial description of SU(3) and $$G_2$$

G
2

-structures obtained recently by other authors, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for harmonicity of the above mentioned structures. We describe the results on appropriate homogeneous spaces. Here, harmonicity means harmonicity of a certain unique section induced by the G-structure in consideration.
Berichterstattung zu Sicherheit und Gesundheit bei der Arbeit
Authors: Siefer Anke
Published: July 2020

Die Berichterstattung zu Sicherheit und Gesundheit bei der Arbeit in Deutschland hat eine lange Tradition, wobei im ersten „Unfallverhütungsbericht Arbeit“ aus den 1960er-Jahren diese zunächst auf Arbeitsunfälle und Berufskrankheiten fokussierte. Die im Arbeitsschutz geltende Maxime der menschengerechten Arbeitsgestaltung und der Wandel der Arbeitswelt forderten in der Vergangenheit und fordern in Gegenwart und Zukunft aber verschiedene inhaltliche Erweiterungen und Veränderungen. Nicht zuletzt, um diesen Anforderungen nachkommen zu können, werden neben den verfügbaren amtlichen und Prozessdaten inzwischen auch verstärkt Befragungen von Erwerbstätigen berücksichtigt, die Einblicke in die individuellen Arbeitstätigkeiten und Befindlichkeiten erlauben.

Bei der Berichterstattung zu Sicherheit und Gesundheit und der Gesundheitsberichterstattung gibt es einige Überschneidungen, z. B. nutzen sie zum Teil die gleichen Daten, aber auch substanzielle Unterschiede. Neben Unterschieden in der Berichterstattung liegt die wohl größte Differenz in der zu betrachtenden Gruppe, die in der Gesundheitsberichterstattung deutlich vielfältiger ist.

Die größte Herausforderung für die Arbeitsweltberichterstattung liegt im (stetigen) Wandel der Arbeitswelt, der durch technische Entwicklungen auch strukturelle Veränderungen in der betrieblichen Zusammenarbeit bewirken kann. So kann z. B. orts- und zeitflexibles Arbeiten dafür sorgen, dass nicht nur die Zusammenarbeit mit Kolleginnen und Kollegen virtuell stattfinden muss, sondern auch die Anforderungen an Führungskräfte sich fundamental verändern. Erhebungsmethoden und Berichterstattungen müssen sich hier den Gegebenheiten anpassen.
Wer schützt Österreichs Kinder und Jugendliche vor Tabakindustrie und -handel?
Authors: Berger J. , Neuberger M.
Published: July 2020

Zum Weltnichtrauchertag 2020 ruft die WHO dazu auf, die Jugend vor der Manipulation durch die Tabak- bzw. Nikotinindustrie zu schützen. Bei der Tabakprävention haben Mittel- und Osteuropa Nachholbedarf. In Österreich wurde das Schutzalter erst 2019 auf 18 Jahre angehoben. Danach erhoben wir bei 13- bis 16-jährigen Schülern in 5 Bundesländern (Burgenland, Kärnten, Niederösterreich, Steiermark, Wien) Konsum und Bezugsquellen von Tabak- und Nikotinprodukten. Von 95 % der Stichprobe erhielten wir auswertbare Antworten. Von 1029 Jugendliche gaben 38,4 % zu, schon mit Rauchwaren Erfahrung zu haben (41,6 % der Mädchen und 34,9 % der Jungen), wobei Tabakzigaretten am häufigsten konsumiert wurden, gefolgt von Shisha und E‑Zigaretten. Bezugsquellen sind meist Freunde, aber Mädchen benutzen häufiger auch Automaten (11,6 %), meist zum Bezug normaler Zigaretten, während Jungen verschiedene Tabak- und Nikotinprodukte und das zu 30,2 % in der Trafik kaufen. Im Vergleich zu früheren Studien ist der Anteil täglicher Raucher zwar auf 3,3 % (2,4–4,3 %) gesunken, aber der Anteil der Gelegenheitsraucher ist auf 10,1 % (8,4–12,0 %) gestiegen. Die Raucherprävalenz bei Jugendlichen liegt in Österreich noch immer über dem EU-Schnitt. Dringend nötig wären Testkäufe zur Alterskontrolle in Trafiken, die Abschaffung der Zigarettenautomaten und die Förderung des Nichtrauchens.
Spectral Analysis of Ultrasonic and Photo Acoustic Signals Generated by a Prototypal Fiber Microprobe for Media Characterization
Authors: Granchi Simona , Vannacci Enrico , Miris Lorenzo , Onofri Luca , Zingoni Duccio , Biagi Elena
Published: July 2020

Combination of photoacoustics and ultrasound can provide complemental features and mutual benefits, useful for a complete tissue characterization and consequently for early diagnosis or therapy monitoring. Furthermore, minimally invasive techniques are required both to reach organs or tissue not accessible and to reduce patient discomfort and costs. This work has tested a prototypal microprobe for media characterization analysing their optical and mechanical features. Two different transmitters compose the miniaturized probe: one for large bandwidth ultrasonic signals generation and one for guiding the laser light into tissue to photogenerate ultrasound. The aim is to evaluate the possibility of employing in the future this new type of microprobe to characterize internal tissue, combining ultrasound and photoacoustic investigations. A calibrated commercial hydrophone has been used to detect generated signals, with the aim to provide repeatable and reliable results. Dedicated test objects have been realized by using solutions of corn starch flour and of Chinese ink with different and calibrated dilutions. The spectral algorithm HyperSPACE (Hyper SPectral Analysis for Characterization in Echography), applied on ultrasonic and photoacoustic signals has allowed differentiating scatterers’ concentration and distribution.
Mapping Large LSTMs to FPGAs with Weight Reuse
Authors: Que Zhiqiang , Zhu Yongxin , Fan Hongxiang , Meng Jiuxi , Niu Xinyu , Luk Wayne
Published: July 2020

Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) can retain memory and learn from data sequences. It gives state-of-the-art accuracy in many applications such as speech recognition, natural language processing and video classifications. Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have been used to speed up the inference of LSTMs, but FPGA-based LSTM accelerators are limited by the size of on-chip memory and the bandwidth of external memory on FPGA boards. We propose a novel hardware architecture to overcome data dependency and a new blocking-batching strategy to reuse the LSTM weights fetched from external memory to optimize the performance of systems with size-limited on-chip memory for large machine learning models. Evaluation results show that our architecture can achieve 20.8 GOPS/W, which is among the highest for the FPGA-based LSTM designs storing weights in off-chip memory. Our design achieves 1.65 times higher performance-per-watt efficiency and 2.48 times higher performance-per-DSP efficiency when compared with the current state-of-the-art designs of LSTM using weights stored in off-chip memory. Compared with CPU and GPU implementations, our FPGA implementation is 23.7 and 1.3 times faster while consuming 208 and 19.2 times lower energy respectively, which shows that our approach enables large LSTM systems to be processed efficiently on FPGAs with high performance and low power consumption.
Using Transposition to Efficiently Solve Constant Matrix-Vector Multiplication and Sum of Product Problems
Authors: Sarband Narges Mohammadi , Gustafsson Oscar , Garrido Mario
Published: July 2020

In this work, we present an approach to alleviate the potential benefit of adder graph algorithms by solving the transposed form of the problem and then transposing the solution. The key contribution is a systematic way to obtain the transposed realization with a minimum number of cascaded adders subject to the input realization. In this way, wide and low constant matrix multiplication problems, with sum of products as a special case, which are normally exceptionally time consuming to solve using adder graph algorithms, can be solved by first transposing the matrix and then transposing the solution. Examples show that while the relation between the adder depth of the solution to the transposed problem and the original problem is not straightforward, there are many cases where the reduction in adder cost will more than compensate for the potential increase in adder depth and result in implementations with reduced power consumption compared to using sub-expression sharing algorithms, which can both solve the original problem directly in reasonable time and guarantee a minimum adder depth.
Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation Affects Plasma Corticosterone Concentration and Peripheral Immunity Changes in Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Grembecka Beata , Glac Wojciech , Listowska Magdalena , Jerzemowska Grażyna , Plucińska Karolina , Majkutewicz Irena , Badtke Piotr , Wrona Danuta
Published: July 2020

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (DBS-STN) is an effective treatment for advanced motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recently, a connection between the limbic part of the STN and side effects of DBS-STN has been increasingly recognized. Animal studies have shown that DBS-STN influences behavior and provokes neurochemical changes in regions of the limbic system. Some of these regions, which are activated during DBS-STN, are involved in neuroimmunomodulation. The therapeutic effects of DBS-STN in PD treatment are clear, but the influence of DBS-STN on peripheral immunity has not been reported so far. In this study, we examined the effects of unilateral DBS-STN applied in male Wistar rats with 6-hydroxydopamine PD model (DBS-6OHDA) and rats without nigral dopamine depletion (DBS) on corticosterone (CORT) plasma concentration, blood natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC), leukocyte numbers, lymphocyte population and apoptosis numbers, plasma interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) concentration. The same peripheral immune parameters we measured also in non-stimulated rats with PD model (6OHDA). We observed peripheral immunity changes related to PD model. The NKCC and percentage of T cytotoxic lymphocytes were enhanced, while the level of lymphocyte apoptosis was down regulated in 6OHDA and DBS-6OHDA groups. After DBS-STN (DBS-6OHDA and DBS groups), the plasma CORT and TNF-α were elevated, the number of NK cells and percentage of apoptosis were increased, while the number of B lymphocytes was decreased. We also found, changes in plasma IFN-γ and IL-6 levels in all the groups. These results suggest potential peripheral immunomodulative effects of DBS-STN in the rat model of PD. However, further studies are necessary to explain these findings and their clinical implication.
On the convergence rate of the Halpern-iteration
Authors: Lieder Felix
Published: July 2020

In this work, we give a tight estimate of the rate of convergence for the Halpern-iteration for approximating a fixed point of a nonexpansive mapping in a Hilbert space. Specifically, using semidefinite programming and duality we prove that the norm of the residuals is upper bounded by the distance of the initial iterate to the closest fixed point divided by the number of iterations plus one.
Update on DNA-Double Strand Break Repair Defects in Combined Primary Immunodeficiency
Authors: Slatter Mary A. , Gennery Andrew R.
Published: July 2020

Purpose of Review

The most serious DNA damage, DNA double strand breaks (DNA-dsb), leads to mutagenesis, carcinogenesis or apoptosis if left unrepaired. Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is the principle repair pathway employed by mammalian cells to repair DNA-dsb. Several proteins are involved in this pathway, defects in which can lead to human disease. This review updates on the most recent information available for the specific diseases associated with the pathway.

Recent Findings

A new member of the NHEJ pathway, PAXX, has been identified, although no human disease has been associated with it. The clinical phenotypes of Artemis, DNA ligase 4, Cernunnos-XLF and DNA-PKcs deficiency have been extended. The role of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, following reduced intensity conditioning chemotherapy, for many of these diseases is being advanced.

In the era of newborn screening, urgent genetic diagnosis is necessary to correctly target appropriate treatment for patients with DNA-dsb repair disorders.
Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction—a Concise Review
Authors: Adamczak Daria M. , Oduah Mary-Tiffany , Kiebalo Thomas , Nartowicz Sonia , Bęben Marcin , Pochylski Mateusz , Ciepłucha Aleksandra , Gwizdała Adrian , Lesiak Maciej , Straburzyńska-Migaj Ewa
Published: July 2020

Purpose of Review

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a relatively new disease entity used in medical terminology; however, both the number of patients and its clinical significance are growing. HFpEF used to be seen as a mild condition; however, the symptoms and quality of life of the patients are comparable to those with reduced ejection fraction. The disease is much more complex than previously thought. In this article, information surrounding the etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and possible therapeutic options of HFpEF are reviewed and summarized.

Recent Findings

It has recently been proposed that heart failure (HF) is rather a heterogeneous syndrome with a spectrum of overlapping and distinct characteristics. HFpEF itself can be distilled into different phenotypes based on the underlying biology. The etiological factors of HFpEF are unclear; however, systemic low-grade inflammation and microvascular damage as a consequence of comorbidities associated with endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, myocardial remodeling, and fibrosis are considered to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of a disease. The H2FPEF score and the HFpEF nomogram are recently validated highly sensitive tools employed for risk assessment of subclinical heart failure.

Despite numerous studies, there is still no evidence-based pharmacotherapy for HFpEF and the mortality and morbidity associated with HFpEF remain high. A better understanding of the etiological factors, the impact of comorbidities, the phenotypes of the disease, and implementation of machine learning algorithms may play a key role in the development of future therapeutic strategies.
A global Newton-type scheme based on a simplified Newton-type approach
Authors: Amrein Mario
Published: July 2020

Globalization concepts for Newton-type iteration schemes are widely used when solving nonlinear problems numerically. Most of these schemes are based on a predictor/corrector step size methodology with the aim of steering an initial guess to a zero of f without switching between different attractors. In doing so, one is typically able to reduce the chaotic behavior of the classical Newton-type iteration scheme. In this note we propose a globalization methodology for general Newton-type iteration concepts which changes into a simplified Newton iteration as soon as the transformed residual of the underlying function is small enough. Based on Banach’s fixed-point theorem, we show that there exists a neighborhood around a suitable iterate $$x_{n}$$

x
n

such that we can steer the iterates—without any adaptive step size control but using a simplified Newton-type iteration within this neighborhood—arbitrarily close to an exact zero of f. We further exemplify the theoretical result within a global Newton-type iteration procedure and discuss further an algorithmic realization. Our proposed scheme will be demonstrated on a low-dimensional example thereby emphasizing the advantage of this new solution procedure.