bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-demographic and Clinical Correlates of Community Reintegration of Stroke Survivors in Nigeria
Authors: Ali Muhammad Usman , Garba Auwal Yahaya , Oyeyemi Adewale Luqman , Masta Mamman Ali , Gujba Fatima Kachallah , Modu Ali Alhaji
Published: September 2020

Background: Low level of community reintegration among stroke survivors is a major obstacle to rehabilitation services post discharge from acute care. Few studies have assessed the impact of community reintegration on stroke survivors in Nigeria. This study investigates community reintegration and associated factors among stroke survivors in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Methodology: Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 55 stroke survivors attending rehabilitation services from two public hospitals in Maiduguri. Community reintegration was assessed with the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) questionnaire, while information on sociodemographics (e.g., age group, gender, employment status, educational status) and clinical characteristics (e.g., post stroke duration, types of stroke, side of affectation) was obtained using the data form. Logistic regression analyses with odd ratios were used to test the associations between community reintegration and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Results: The mean age and post stroke duration of the participants were 44.69±13.06 years and 17.25±24.90 months respectively. The participants’ community reintegration scores showed that 60%, 38.2% and 1.8% have no integration, mild to moderate reintegration and complete reintegration respectively. The results indicated that stroke survivors with a stroke duration greater than 8 months (OR=3.32, C.I=1.08-10.27) and those with haemorrhagic stroke (OR=4.67, C.I=1.05-20.66) were more likely to be reintegrated into the community than their counterparts with 6-8 months post stroke duration and ischaemic stroke, respectively. There was significant association between community reintegration and sociodemographic characteristics such as post stroke duration and type of stroke.

Conclusions: Rehabilitation strategies should focus on clinical characteristics of the stroke survivors when planning and delivering effective community reintegration interventions.
Maternal Expressions (Serum Levels) of Alpha Tumour Necrosis Factor, Interleukin 10, Interleukin 6 and Interleukin 4 in Malaria Infected Pregnant Women Based on Parity in a Tertiary Hospital in Southeast, Nigeria
Authors: Ifeanyi Obeagu, Emmanuel , Uzoma Obeagu, Getrude , Amaeze Amaeze, Augustine , Ijego Asogwa, Eucharia , Felix Chukwurah, Ejike , Ngozi Amaeze, Florence , Nchekwubedi Chukwu, Stella , Chinenye Kama, Stella
Published: September 2020

Malaria has been reported as a condition caused by infestation with Plasmodium parasite specie, which is a great public health problem globally, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This study was carried out in Federal Medical Centre Umuahia in Abia State, Nigeria. The study was done to determine the maternal serum levels of alpha tumour necrosis factor, interleukin 10, interleukin 6, and interleukin 4 in malaria-infected pregnant women based on parities in Southeast, Nigeria.  A total of 150 subjects between the ages of 18-45 years were recruited for the study comprising 50 subjects each of 3 parities (groups A-C). A commercial ELISA Kit was used to measure all the cytokines. Neither statistically significant differences were found for TNF-α (p=0.636), IL-10 (p=0.892), IL-6 (p=0.306) and IL-4 (p=0.222) between prime parity and second parity nor for TNF-α (p=0.356), IL-10 (p=0.896), IL-6 (p=0.304) and IL-4 (p=0.298) between prime parity and multi-parity of malaria-infected pregnant women. TNF-α (p=0.255), IL-10 (p=0.524), IL-6 (p=0.616), and IL-4 (p=0.672) between second parity and on multi-parity respectively. The study showed no changes in the cytokines studied among the malaria-infected pregnant women based on parities. It shows that the number of pregnancies in women infected with malaria has no changes in the levels of the cytokines studied.
Eliminating computed tomography imaging artifacts through 3D printed radiotherapy head supports
Authors: Bedwani Stéphane , Blais Danis , Roberge David , DeBlois François
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The geometry of an immobilization device such as a headrest can cause undesired computed tomography (CT) artifacts that may affect both volume definition and dosimetry in radiotherapy of the brain. The purpose of this work was to reduce CT artifacts caused by a standard hard plastic hollow radiotherapy headrest. This was to be achieved through design and prototyping of a custom‐made head support.

Methods

A series of CT scans were acquired of both a water phantom and an anthropomorphic head phantom which were resting on custom‐made three‐dimensional (3D) printed supports. All custom‐made supports were made of polylactic acid (PLA) plastic filament and printed by fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing technology. Initial designs were studied with a water phantom using a simplified support with straight and curved shapes both at the edges and as infill patterns. Imaging of a 3D printed clinical prototype was then compared to our standard headrest using an anthropomorphic head phantom.

Results

The presence of dark streaks inside both phantoms was seen on the CT images for headrests involving supports with straight shapes at the edges or as infill patterns. Such artifacts were ascribed to the exponential edge‐gradient effect (EEGE). No such artifact was observed when the support was designed with a combination of curved edges and infill patterns.

Conclusion

When developing immobilization accessories for use in CT scanners, more attention could be paid to artifact attenuating design elements. This work illustrates the usefulness of 3D printing in prototyping radiotherapy accessories and solving concrete clinical problems.
Robust observer design for a class of discrete‐time nonlinear singular systems with persistent disturbances
Authors: Coutinho Daniel , de Souza Carlos E. , Kinnaert Michel , Schons Silvane
Published: September 2020

This article addresses the design of a nonlinear observer for nonlinear uncertain discrete‐time descriptor systems. The nonlinearities that appear in both state and output equations fulfill a Lipschitz‐like condition locally. Besides, the parametric uncertainties can affect the state dynamics as well as the input and output channels. The design methodology ensures input‐to‐state stability of the observer while minimizing an upper bound on a peak‐to‐peak performance index relating the disturbances/parametric uncertainties and the error in estimating a given performance signal. The observer design is cast as a convex optimization problem involving a set of linear matrix inequalities subject to a linear matrix equality constraint. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated by numerical examples.
Time‐Resolved Nonlinear Diffuse Femtosecond‐Pulse Reflectometry Using Lithium Niobate Nanoparticles with Two Pulses of Different Colors
Authors: Kijatkin Christian , Bourdon Bjoern , Klenen Jan , Kocsor Laura , Szaller Zsuzsanna , Imlau Mirco
Published: September 2020

Time‐resolved nonlinear optical sum‐frequency generation (SFG) of two differently colored, infrared (sub‐)picosecond laser pulses is studied by means of nonlinear diffuse femtosecond‐pulse reflectometry using lithium niobate nanoparticle pellets. The visible SFG emission exhibits an asymmetric pulse shape in the time domain which is explained within the framework of light propagation in random media. The analysis of the spectro‐temporal data set indicates that nanoparticle pellets can be used for an alternative type of an optical correlator, e.g., for the determination of a pulse's chirp parameter. This finding is generalized by means of numerical simulations. As a result, ultrashort pulse shapes can now be predicted inside nanoscaled, densely packed media with a nonlinear optical response on a comprehensive basis, giving rise to a number of prospective fields of applications.
Body mass estimation for circum‐Pacific Asian people based on somatometric data
Authors: Takigawa Wataru
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Multiple regression approaches for estimating body mass by somatometry typically use stature and biiliocristal breadth. However, these measures were obtained largely from Europeans, Africans, and Indo‐Mediterraneans, whereas mid‐latitude Asians were not broadly reflected. Thus, new estimation formulas for circum‐Pacific Asians were devised, and the accuracy was evaluated using raw individual data.

Materials and Methods

Targeting Asians in the traditional society or before the 1960s and performing multiple regression analysis (MRA) with body weight as the objective variable, and stature, body breadth, and product of head length/breadth (HLBpr) as explanatory variables. The target population was divided into four climate groups, and the formulas were prepared for each sex or the combined‐sexes.

Results

The MRA by stature and body breadth indicated significant multiple correlation coefficients (R) in many formulas. R was higher in the combined‐sexes. Among the four climate groups, the temperate group showed the highest R. In the East/Southeast Asians, R exceeded 0.8 in the MRA by stature and HLBpr. Substituting the raw data of 19th‐century Japanese males, the temperate group formulas presented the least error, and the error in all the formulas using body breadth was <2 kg.

Conclusions

As body mass index varies significantly depending on some climatic factors, estimation formulas mixed with various climate groups are not desirable because of the large errors. For the mid‐latitude Asians, the temperate group formulas are expected to have a smaller error; however, in the group where the proportion of underweight individuals was originally high, any formula tends to be overestimated.
Lithium‐Ion Transport in Li4Ti5O12 Epitaxial Thin Films vs. State of Charge
Authors: Pagani Francesco , Döbeli Max , Battaglia Corsin
Published: September 2020

We investigate the electrochemical lithiation of epitaxial Li4Ti5O12 thin‐film model electrodes grown on epitaxial platinum current collectors. Structure and composition of Li4Ti5O12 films are confirmed by out‐of‐plane and in‐plane X‐ray diffraction and elastic recoil detection analysis. Employing different cell configurations, we deconvolute electrochemical impedance spectra and extract for the first time the lithium‐ion conductivity as a function of electrochemical lithiation. Lithium‐ion conductivity increases monotonously by more than two orders of magnitude from 2.6 ⋅ 10−9 S/cm in Li4Ti5O12 to above 3 ⋅ 10−7 S/cm between Li4.5Ti5O12 and Li6Ti5O12 and drops again to 1.3 ⋅ 10−9 S/cm in Li7Ti5O12. We discuss our results in light of nuclear magnetic resonance studies and theoretical models reported previously and derive important implications for fast‐charging applications of lithium‐ion batteries with Li4Ti5O12 anodes.
Catechol‐conjugated Dextran for Marine Antifouling Applications: The Adverse Effects of High Catechol Content
Authors: Jeong Yeonwoo , Kang Sung Min
Published: September 2020

Marine antifouling property of dextran coating was investigated. Catechol‐conjugated dextrans (Dex‐C) with different grafting densities were synthesized and used for surface coating. The coating efficacy was analyzed by spectroscopic ellipsometry and water contact angle goniometry, and as a result, coating thickness was shown to increase with increasing catechol content in Dex‐C. Marine antifouling property of Dex‐C coating was then investigated via marine diatom adhesion assays. Unlike the coating thickness, marine antifouling performance of Dex‐C coating was found to be not proportional to the catechol content in Dex‐C. We expect that this study will provide an important factor to consider in designing catechol‐conjugated antifouling materials.
Pathways to post‐traumatic stress disorder and alcohol dependence: Trauma, executive functioning, and family history of alcoholism in adolescents and young adults
Authors: Subbie‐Saenz de Viteri Stacey , Pandey Ashwini , Pandey Gayathri , Kamarajan Chella , Smith Rebecca , Anokhin Andrey , Bauer Lance , Bender Annah , Chan Grace , Dick Danielle , Edenberg Howard , Kinreich Sivan , Kramer John , Schuckit Marc , Zang Yong , McCutcheon Vivia , Bucholz Kathleen , Porjesz Bernice , Meyers Jacquelyn L.
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Family history (FH) of alcohol dependence is likely to increase the risk of trauma exposure, post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and alcohol dependence. FH of alcohol dependence and trauma has been separately shown to adversely affect planning/problem‐solving aspects of executive function. However, few studies have examined these risk factors in an integrated model.

Methods

Using data from trauma‐exposed individuals from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism prospective cohort (N = 1,860), comprising offspring from alcohol‐dependent high‐risk and comparison families (mean age [SE] = 21.9 [4.2]), we investigated associations of trauma (nonsexual assaultive, nonassaultive, sexual assaultive) with DSM‐IV PTSD and alcohol dependence symptom counts, and planning/problem‐solving abilities assessed using the Tower of London Test (TOLT). Moderating effects of family history density of alcohol use disorder (FHD) on these associations and sex differences were explored.

Results

Family history density was positively associated with PTSD in female participants who endorsed a sexual assaultive trauma. Exposure to nonsexual assaultive trauma was associated with more excess moves made on the TOLT.

Conclusion

Findings from this study demonstrate associations with PTSD and alcohol dependence symptom counts, as well as poor problem‐solving ability in trauma‐exposed individuals from families densely affected with alcohol dependence, depending on trauma type, FHD, and sex. This suggests that having a FH of alcohol dependence and exposure to trauma during adolescence may be associated with more PTSD and alcohol dependence symptoms, and poor problem‐solving abilities in adulthood.
Influence of resilience on the relations among acculturative stress, somatization, and anxiety in latinx immigrants
Authors: Cariello Annahir N. , Perrin Paul B. , Morlett‐Paredes Alejandra
Published: September 2020

Objective

In cultures where psychological distress is stigmatized, the presentation of emotional distress as somatic complaints is a frequent occurrence. Understanding factors that contribute to the presentation of somatization in Latinx immigrants is crucial due to its tie to poor quality of life. The purpose of this study was to explore relations among acculturative stress, anxiety, somatization, and resilience in a sample of Latinx immigrants living in the United States.

Methods

Data were collected from 204 Latinx immigrants across diverse community settings.

Results

Acculturative stress was positively related to both anxiety and somatization, and the relation between acculturative stress and somatization occurred through anxiety. Resilience moderated the relations between acculturative stress and somatization, and between anxiety and somatization.

Conclusion

This study suggests that Latinx immigrants presenting with somatic symptoms may benefit from the examination of a possible comorbid presentation of anxiety or acculturative stressors. An integrated behavioral healthcare approach is recommended when working with Latinx immigrants evaluating the impact of minority stressors on health. Clinicians are encouraged to incorporate cultural protective factors that reinforce the development and sustenance of resilience.
An advanced hybrid smoothed particle hydrodynamics–fluid implicit particle method on adaptive grid for condensation simulation
Authors: Shi Jiajun , Li Chen , Wang Changbo , Qin Hong , He Gaoqi
Published: September 2020

In this article, we propose a novel hybrid framework by combining smoothed particle hydrodynamics and adaptive narrow band fluid implicit particle method (NB‐FLIP) to faithfully model the multiphysical processes involving heat transfer and phase transition, and to precisely simulate the dynamics of condensed droplets moving along intricate objects. We first formulate a governing physical model built upon an improved phase transition model and an augmented on‐surface drop analysis method to achieve realistic condensation effects over intricate hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface. To achieve both high‐fidelity interactions and high‐resolution visual effects, we further develop an adaptive NB‐FLIP solver with octree‐dictated background grid in order to further enhance the performance of our framework. Experimental results have shown that our approach can be used to efficiently and realistically simulate the small‐scale interaction details between condensed drops and complex objects with arbitrary geometry.
Gelatinization kinetics and starch particle structure of formula feed in limited water system employing homogeneous thermal treatments
Authors: Jin Nan , Wang Hongying
Published: September 2020

Background and objectives

During conditioning, one of the most important feed thermal processing techniques, the gelatinization of starch in feedstuffs is applied extensively. In this study, the gelatinization kinetics and transformations of starch particle structure of formula feed subjected to thermal treatments in limited water system were investigated.

Findings

Gelatinization process of feed in limited water system followed the first‐order kinetics model. The relatively low Ea obtained from the linear regressions of kinetics parameters could only be called “incomplete gelatinization activation energy.” The decrease in birefringence was higher in the center of starch granules in heat‐treated feed samples. The crystalline phases of all samples changed to V‐type attributed to the formation of the amylose–lipid complexes, and the relative crystallinity of samples increased with the heating duration within certain temperature.

Conclusion

Gelatinization process of feed samples suffering thermal treatments started from the destruction of amorphous regions in the center of starch granules. Destruction and re‐formation of the crystalline structure occurred simultaneously during the heat–moisture treatments of samples.

Significance and novelty

The results help to understand the mechanisms of starch gelatinization in practical feed conditioning and to find new ways to improve the effects of feed conditioning.
Cutaneous larva migrans in the city
Authors: Khan Aruna S. , Al‐Awadi Ahmad , Willis Floyd B. , Pujalte George G. A.
Published: September 2020

Cutaneous larva migrans is typically reported in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, cutaneous larva migrans cases are spreading and should now be recognized even in urban, nontropical settings.
Germline and somatic genetic alterations in two first‐degree relatives with appendiceal low‐grade mucinous carcinoma peritonei
Authors: King Mary Caitlin , Munoz‐Zuluaga Carlos , Ledakis Panayotis , Studeman Kimberley , Sittig Michelle , Gushchin Vadim , Sardi Armando
Published: September 2020

Comparing genetic mutations of first‐degree relatives with appendiceal pseudomyxoma peritonei may explain clinical outcomes and disease pathogenesis. Molecular profiling of mucinous tumors may identify improved treatments to traditional chemotherapy.
Remarkable response to pericardial window procedure and weekly docetaxel treatment in a metastatic breast cancer patient with pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade
Authors: Ucche Meita , Putra Andika , Gustisiya Muhammad Agi Ramadhani , Choridah Lina , Supriatna Yana , Dwidanarti Sri Retna , Dinarti Lucia Kris , Mumpuni Hasanah , Suluk Auliya , Malueka Rusdy Ghazali , Aribowo Haryo , Suwardjo  , Gani Munawar , Riyanto Bambang Sigit , Taroeno‐Hariadi Kartika Widayati , Hutajulu Susanna Hilda
Published: September 2020

Metastatic breast cancer may present as a pericardial effusion that can progress to a life‐threatening cardiac tamponade. Pericardial window followed by initial chemotherapy needs to be immediately applied in order to achieve a favorable outcome.
Optimization of Helical Microreactors by a Genetic Algorithm Technique
Authors: Beigzadeh Reza , Izadi Mahtab , Rahimi Masoud
Published: September 2020

Micromixing in coiled microreactors is attained by a higher pressure drop and more pumping power. The optimum geometries of helically coiled microreactors were determined by multiobjective optimization based on a genetic algorithm (GA). The segregation index (Xs) values of the Villermaux/Dushman reaction were measured in twelve coiled microchannels. The effects of the geometries including curvature diameter and coil pitch on the mixing performance and pressure drop were investigated. The mixing performance of the microreactors and the pressure drop were considered as the GA objectives. The optimum geometries of the studied coiled microchannels with a trade‐off between Xs and friction factors were obtained using GA‐based multiobjective optimization.
An E3 ubiquitin ligase, cullin‐4 regulates retinal differentiation in Drosophila eye
Authors: Tare Meghana , Chimata Anuradha Venkatakrishnan , Gogia Neha , Narwal Sonia , Deshpande Prajakta , Singh Amit
Published: September 2020

During organogenesis, cell proliferation is followed by the differentiation of specific cell types to form an organ. Any aberration in differentiation can result in developmental defects, which can result in a partial to a near‐complete loss of an organ. We employ the Drosophila eye model to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms involved in the process of differentiation. In a forward genetic screen, we identified, cullin‐4 (cul‐4), which encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase, to play an important role in retinal differentiation. During development, cul‐4 is known to be involved in protein degradation, regulation of genomic stability, and regulation of cell cycle. Previously, we have reported that cul‐4 regulates cell death during eye development by downregulating Wingless (Wg)/Wnt signaling pathway. We found that loss‐of‐function of cul‐4 results in a reduced eye phenotype, which can be due to onset of cell death. However, we found that loss‐of‐function of cul‐4 also affects retinal development by downregulating retinal determination (RD) gene expression. Early markers of retinal differentiation are dysregulated in cul‐4 loss of function conditions, indicating that cul‐4 is necessary for differentiation. Furthermore, loss‐of‐function of cul‐4 ectopically induces expression of negative regulators of eye development like Wg and Homothorax (Hth). During eye development, Wg is known to block the progression of a synchronous wave of differentiation referred to as Morphogenetic furrow (MF). In cul‐4 loss‐of‐function background, expression of dpp‐lacZ, a MF marker, is significantly downregulated. Our data suggest a new role of cul‐4 in retinal differentiation. These studies may have significant bearings on our understanding of early eye development.
Caught in the Act: Variation in plastid genome inverted repeat expansion within and between populations of Medicago minima
Authors: Choi In‐Su , Jansen Robert , Ruhlman Tracey
Published: September 2020

The inverted repeat (IR) lacking clade (IRLC) is a monophyletic group within the Papilionoideae subfamily of Fabaceae where plastid genomes (plastomes) do not contain the large IR typical of land plants. Recently, an IRLC legume, Medicago minima, was found to have regrown a ~9 kb IR that contained a number of canonical IR genes, and closely related M. lupulina contained an incomplete IR of ~425 bp. Complete plastomes were generated for seven additional species, putative members of the M. minima clade. Polymerase chain reaction was employed to investigate the presence of the IR across M. minima and M. lupulina including individuals of nine and eight Eurasian and North African accessions and 15 and 14 Texas populations, respectively. While no sequence similar to the ~9 kb IR was detected among the seven newly sequenced plastomes, all Eurasian and North African accessions of M. minima contained the IR. Variation in IR extent was detected within and between the Texas populations. Expansions of 13 bp and 11 bp occurred at the boundaries of both IR/small single‐copy regions, and populations had one or the other expansion, but not both. Expansion of the IR was not detected in the accessions from Eurasia and North Africa suggesting recent mutations yielded at least two additional plastid haplotypes in M. minima.
A single pleiotropic locus influences the rate of hybridization between two sibling species of Lygaeus bugs
Authors: Balfour Vicki L. , Black Daniella , Shuker David M.
Published: September 2020

The evolution of reproductive isolation lies at the heart of understanding the process of speciation. Of particular interest is the relationship between pre‐ and postzygotic reproductive isolation, and the genetic architecture of traits that contribute to one or both forms of reproductive isolation. The sibling species of seed bug Lygaeus equestris and L. simulans show a classic pattern of asymmetric prezygotic reproductive isolation, with female L. equestris hybridizing with male L. simulans, but with no hybridization in the reciprocal direction. We have recently described a mutant pale color form of L. simulans, that inherits as a single Mendelian locus and is pleiotropic for a number of other life history and behavioral traits. Here, we tested whether this locus also influences pre‐ and postzygotic reproductive isolation. Two sets of experimental crosses revealed that behavioral isolation varied with mutant versus wild‐type phenotype for male L. simulans, with the pale form less successful at mating with female L. equestris. In terms of trying to assess postzygotic isolation, levels of hybrid offspring production were uniformly low across the experiments. However, we did obtain, for the first time, hybrid offspring from a pairing between a female L. simulans and a male L. equestris. In this instance, the female was of the pale mutant genotype. Together with evidence for heterozygote advantage in terms of nymph survival, we consider our results in terms of possible mechanisms of reproductive isolation between this species pair, the role of the pale mutation, and the possible genetic architectures underlying the mutation, from a single gene to a supergene.
Effect of shielding rates on upward flame spread over extruded polystyrene foam in vertical channel and heat transfer mechanism
Authors: An Weiguang , Peng Lujun , Yin Xiangwei , Cai Minglun
Published: September 2020

Fire hazard of extruded polystyrene (XPS) thermal insulation materials has aroused public concern. In order to develop flame spread theory and the guideline for fire risk assessment of XPS, an experimental study on upward flame spread behavior and heat transfer mechanism of XPS in a vertical channel with different frontal shielding rates was conducted. Maximum temperature at the place 2 cm from XPS surface and at the center of channel first increase and then decrease as the shielding rate rises. The former is higher than the latter. Experimental value of average flame height rises as the shielding rate increases. A model for predicting the flame height is built, and the predicted results are consistent with the experimental results. Moreover, the relation between flame height and pyrolysis height under different shielding rates is obtained. The flame spread rate rises as the shielding rate increases. A prediction model of flame spread rate is established, and its prediction results are more accurate compared with those from previous models. The model also predicts that radiative heat transfer is the dominant heat transfer mode, accounting for 93% of the total heat transfer. This work is beneficial for fire risk assessment and fire safety design of building façade.
Poorly differentiated chordoma with whole‐genome doubling evolving from a SMARCB1‐deficient conventional chordoma: A case report
Authors: Curcio Christian , Cimera Robert , Aryeequaye Ruth , Rao Mamta , Fabbri Nicola , Zhang Yanming , Hameed Meera
Published: September 2020

Evolution of poorly differentiated chordoma from conventional chordoma has not been previously reported. We encountered a case of a poorly differentiated chordoma with evidence of whole‐genome doubling arising from a SMARCB1‐deficient conventional chordoma. The tumor presented as a destructive sacral mass in a 43‐year‐old man and was comprised of a highly cellular poorly differentiated chordoma with small, morphologically distinct nodules of conventional chordoma accounting for <5% of the total tumor volume. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed both components were strongly reactive for brachyury and lacked normal staining for INI1. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis identified multiple genomic imbalances in the conventional component, including deletions of 1p, 3p, and 22q (involving SMARCB1) and loss of chromosomes 5 and 15, while the poorly differentiated component exhibited the same aberrations at a more profound level with additional loss of chromosome 4, low level focal deletion of 17p (involving TP53), and tetraploidy. Homozygous deletion of SMARCB1 was present in both components. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis confirmed the relevant deletions in both components as well as genome doubling in the poorly differentiated tumor. This case suggests that SMARCB1 loss is an early event in rare conventional chordomas that could potentially evolve into poorly differentiated chordoma through additional genomic aberrations such as genome doubling. Further studies with additional patients will be needed to determine if genome doubling is a consistent pathway for evolution of poorly differentiated chordoma.
Performance analysis of waste brick magnesia as a storage material in a solar still
Authors: Panchal Hitesh , Sadasivuni Kishor Kumar , Shanmugan S. , Pandya Naimish
Published: September 2020

In this current study, a single basin solar still (SBSS) was explored in the climatic state of Patan (23.84° N, 72.12° E) India over March 2019. The SBSS was examined with the use of waste brick magnesia (WBM) for the same amount of water (10 L). For experimentation, three same‐sized SBSS were taken with 3 and 6 kg WBM and without storage materials. It was found that a daytime yield for SBSS of 2.27 L without storage materials was obtained; and this was reduced for SBSS with 3 and 6 kg WBM to 1.96 and 1.75 L, respectively. It has also been noticed that the yield of SBSS during off‐sunshine hours due to the energy storage capacity increased with WBM but the combined (daytime + off‐sunshine hours) yield was found reduced with an increment in a mass of the WBM. It was found that the maximum instantaneous thermal efficiency of the SBSS without WBM, 3 and 6 kg WBM was 60.24%, 45.65%, and 54.26%, respectively. Overall thermal efficiency was also determined and obtained to be higher for SBSS without WBM as storage.
Safety and cardiovascular effects of multiple‐dose administration of aripiprazole and olanzapine in a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Koller Dora , Almenara Susana , Mejía Gina , Saiz‐Rodríguez Miriam , Zubiaur Pablo , Román Manuel , Ochoa Dolores , Wojnicz Aneta , Martín Samuel , Romero‐Palacián Daniel , Navares‐Gómez Marcos , Abad‐Santos Francisco
Published: September 2020

Objective

To assess adverse events (AEs) and safety of aripiprazole (ARI) and olanzapine (OLA) treatment.

Methods

Twenty‐four healthy volunteers receiving five daily oral doses of 10 mg ARI and 5 mg OLA in a crossover clinical trial were genotyped for 46 polymorphisms in 14 genes by qPCR. Drug plasma concentrations were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Blood pressure (BP) and 12‐lead electrocardiogram were measured in supine position. AEs were also recorded.

Results

ARI decreased diastolic BP on the first day and decreased QTc on the third and fifth day. OLA had a systolic and diastolic BP, heart rate and QTc lowering effect on the first day. Polymorphisms in ADRA2A, COMT, DRD3 and HTR2A genes were significantly associated to these changes. The most frequent adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to ARI were somnolence, headache, insomnia, dizziness, restlessness, palpitations, akathisia and nausea while were somnolence, dizziness, asthenia, constipation, dry mouth, headache and nausea to OLA. Additionally, HTR2A, HTR2C, DRD2, DRD3, OPRM1, UGT1A1 and CYP1A2 polymorphisms had a role in the development of ADRs.

Conclusions

OLA induced more cardiovascular changes; however, more ADRs were registered to ARI. In addition, some polymorphisms may explain the difference in the incidence of these effects among subjects.
COVID‐19‐associated diffuse leukoencephalopathy and cerebral microbleeds during puerperium
Authors: Montes‐Ramirez Juan , Aquino‐Lopez Edgar
Published: September 2020

Leukoencephalopathy with cerebral microbleeds is a novel and potentially disabling neurological complication that can be present during pregnancy and puerperium in the era of COVID‐19.
Fractional wavelet transform based diagnostic system for brain tumor detection in MR imaging
Authors: Kaushal Bhakti , Patil Mukesh D. , Birajdar Gajanan K.
Published: September 2020

The brain tumor detection is a highly complicated but significant task. The early detection of a brain tumor can increase the survival rate of an individual by providing proper treatment. This work proposes a computer‐aided diagnostic method for brain tumor detection using fractional wavelet transform (FrDWT) with different values of alpha (α) ranging from (0.1‐1), histogram‐based various local feature descriptors, feature selectors, and two classification methods, that is, support vector machine (SVM) as well as artificial neural network (ANN). The brain MR images dataset is taken from BraTS 2015, e‐health laboratory, and Harvard Medical School. The FrDWT and the local feature descriptors used are combined to extract features. Some of the features are selected using Eigenvector centrality and Laplacian Score techniques. The selected features are trained and classified by the two classifiers, SVM and ANN. It is a type of binary classification, so the labels provided to the classifier are named “normal” and “abnormal.” The performance is estimated using parameters like accuracy, sensitivity, precision, specificity, and F1 score. The results of FrDWT are compared with conventional discrete wavelet transform (DWT), and it is observed that FrDWT outperforms DWT at alpha (α) values lower than 0.5.
Zero‐cell corrections in random‐effects meta‐analyses
Authors: Weber Frank , Knapp Guido , Ickstadt Katja , Kundt Günther , Glass Änne
Published: September 2020

The standard estimator for the log odds ratio (the unconditional maximum likelihood estimator) and the delta‐method estimator for its standard error are not defined if the corresponding 2 × 2 table contains at least one “zero cell”. This is also an issue when estimating the overall log odds ratio in a meta‐analysis. It is well known that correcting for zero cells by adding a small increment should be avoided. Nevertheless, these zero‐cell corrections continue to be used. With this Brief Method Note, we want to warn of a particularly bad zero‐cell correction. For this, we conduct a simulation study comparing the following two zero‐cell corrections under the ordinary random‐effects model: (a) adding to all cells of all the individual studies' 2 × 2 tables independently of any zero‐cell occurrences and (b) adding to all cells of only those 2 × 2 tables containing at least one zero cell. The main finding is that correction (a) performs worse than correction (b). Thus, we strongly discourage the use of correction (a).
A single blinded randomized controlled trial comparing semi‐mechanical with hand‐sewn cervical anastomosis after esophagectomy for cancer (SHARE‐study)
Authors: Nederlof Nina , Tilanus Hugo W. , de Vringer Tahnee , van Lanschot Jan J. B. , Willemsen Sten P. , Hop Wim C. J. , Wijnhoven Bas P. L.
Published: September 2020

Objective

The aim was to compare leak rate between hand‐sewn end‐to‐end anastomosis (ETE) and semi‐mechanical anastomosis (SMA) after esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction.

Background Data

The optimal surgical technique for creation of an anastomosis in the neck after esophagectomy is unclear.

Methods

Patients with esophageal cancer undergoing esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction and cervical anastomosis were eligible for participation after written informed consent. Patients were randomized in 1:1 ratio. Primary endpoint was anastomotic leak rate defined as external drainage of saliva from the site of the anastomosis or intra‐thoracic manifestation of leak. Secondary endpoints included anastomotic stricture rate at one year follow up, number of endoscopic dilatations, dysphagia‐score, hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality. Patients were blinded for intervention.

Results

Between August 2011 and July 2014, 174 patients with esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy. Ninety‐three patients were randomized to ETE (n = 44) or SMA (n = 49). Anastomotic leak occurred in 9 of 44 patients (20%) in the ETE group and 12 of 49 patients (24%) in the SMA group (absolute difference 4%, 95% CI −13% to +21%; p = .804). There was no significant difference in dysphagia at 1 year postoperatively (ETE 25% vs. SMA 20%; p = .628), in stricture rate (ETE 25% vs. 19% in SMA, p = .46), nor in median hospital stay (17 days in the ETE group, 13 days in the SMA group), morbidity (82% vs. 73%, p = .460) or mortality (0% vs. 4%, p = .175) between the groups.
Tree species composition and selection effects drive overstory and understory productivity in reforested oil sands mining sites
Authors: Xiao Wenya , Chen Chen , Chen Han Y. H.
Published: September 2020

Reforestation is a feasible option for the eventual restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services on deforested oil‐sands mining sites. The associations between plant diversity and productivity spanning the different strata of restoration forests, in conjunction with specific factors that may impact these relationships, remain uncertain. We sampled 94 sites that encompassed conifer, mixed‐wood, and broadleaved overstory types as three exemplar substrates following the reforestation of oil‐sands mining sites in Alberta, Canada. We employed structural equation modeling to investigate the correlations between species diversity and aboveground biomass production spanning forest vegetation strata, while concurrently accounting for the effects of overstory composition, functional diversity/identity, soil fertility, and restoration age. We found that the relationships between species diversity and biomass were negative, or inconsequential across restoration forest strata. Overstory biomass was linked to the coniferous tree proportion and community‐weighted mean of leaf nitrogen, rather than the species and functional diversity of overstory trees. Further, overstory composition, diversity, and biomass were the key features involved in the diversity and biomass of understory strata. Our results demonstrated the importance of overstory tree species composition and selection effects toward driving overstory and understory productivity in restoration forests at post‐oil sands mining sites. Coniferous trees were observed to have lower leaf nutrient levels and negative impacts on the productivity and diversity of overstory and shrub layers. Therefore, it was recommended that a greater proportion of broadleaved trees should be incorporated to promote productivity and species diversity in restoration forests through the enhancement and utilization of available resources.
Fitness for purpose of routinely recorded health data to identify patients with complex diseases: The case of Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Wiegersma Sytske , Flinterman Linda E. , Seghieri Chiara , Baldini Chiara , Paget John , Barrio Cortés Jaime , Verheij Robert A.
Published: September 2020

Background

This study is part of the EU‐funded project HarmonicSS, aimed at improving the treatment and diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). pSS is an underdiagnosed, long‐term autoimmune disease that affects particularly salivary and lachrymal glands.

Objectives

We assessed the usability of routinely recorded primary care and hospital claims data for the identification and validation of patients with complex diseases such as pSS.

Methods

pSS patients were identified in primary care by translating the formal inclusion and exclusion criteria for pSS into a patient selection algorithm using data from Nivel Primary Care Database (PCD), covering 10% of the Dutch population between 2006 and 2017. As part of a validation exercise, the pSS patients found by the algorithm were compared to Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) recorded in the national hospital insurance claims database (DIS) between 2013 and 2017.

Results

International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) coded general practitioner (GP) contacts combined with the mention of “Sjögren” in the disease episode titles, were found to best translate the formal classification criteria to a selection algorithm for pSS. A total of 1462 possible pSS patients were identified in primary care (mean prevalence 0.7‰, against 0.61‰ reported globally). The DIS contained 208 545 patients with a Sjögren related DRG or ICD10 code (prevalence 2017: 2.73‰). A total of 2 577 577 patients from Nivel PCD were linked to the DIS database. A total of 716 of the linked pSS patients (55.3%) were confirmed based on the DIS.

Conclusion

Our study finds that GP electronic health records (EHRs) lack the granular information needed to apply the formal diagnostic criteria for pSS. The developed algorithm resulted in a patient selection that approximates the expected prevalence and characteristics, although only slightly over half of the patients were confirmed using the DIS. Without more detailed diagnostic information, the fitness for purpose of routine EHR data for patient identification and validation could not be determined.
The effect of stochasticity with respect to reinfection and nonlinear transition states for some diseases with relapse
Authors: El Fatini Mohamed , El Khalifi Mohamed , Lahrouz Aadil , Pettersson Roger , Settati Adel
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we consider a stochastic epidemic model with relapse, reinfection, and a general incidence function. Using stochastic tools, we establish a stochastic threshold and prove the extinction of the disease when its value is equal or less than unity. We also show the persistence in mean of the disease when Moreover, we prove the existence and uniqueness of a stationary distribution. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to show the effectiveness of theoretical results.
Green's formulas and Poisson's equation for bosonic Laplacians
Authors: Ding Chao , Ryan John
Published: September 2020

A bosonic Laplacian is a conformally invariant second‐order differential operator acting on smooth functions defined on domains in Euclidean space and taking values in higher‐order irreducible representations of the special orthogonal group. In this paper, we firstly introduce the motivation for study of the generalized Maxwell operators and bosonic Laplacians (also known as the higher spin Laplace operators). Then, with the help of connections between Rarita–Schwinger type operators and bosonic Laplacians, we solve Poisson's equation for bosonic Laplacians. A representation formula for bounded solutions to Poisson's equation in Euclidean space is also provided. In the end, we provide Green's formulas for bosonic Laplacians in scalar‐valued and Clifford‐valued cases, respectively. These formulas reveal that bosonic Laplacians are self‐adjoint with respect to a given L2 inner product on certain compact supported function spaces.
Report of AAPM Task Group 235 Radiochromic Film Dosimetry: An Update to TG‐55
Authors: Niroomand‐Rad Azam , Chiu‐Tsao Sou‐Tung , Grams Michael P. , Lewis David F. , Soares Christopher G. , Van Battum Leo J. , Das Indra J. , Trichter Samuel , Kissick Michael W. , Massillon‐JL Guerda , Alvarez Paola E. , Chan Maria F.
Published: September 2020

The use of radiochromic film (RCF) dosimetry in radiation therapy is extensive due to its high level of achievable accuracy for a wide range of dose values and its suitability under a variety of measurement conditions. However, since the publication of the 1998 AAPM Task Group 55, Report No. 63 on RCF dosimetry, the chemistry, composition, and readout systems for RCFs have evolved steadily. There are several challenges in using the new RCFs, readout systems and validation of the results depending on their applications. Accurate RCF dosimetry requires understanding of RCF selection, handling and calibration methods, calibration curves, dose conversion methods, correction methodologies as well as selection, operation and quality assurance (QA) programs of the readout systems. Acquiring this level of knowledge is not straight forward, even for some experienced users. This Task Group report addresses these issues and provides a basic understanding of available RCF models, dosimetric characteristics and properties, advantages and limitations, configurations, and overall elemental compositions of the RCFs that have changed over the past 20 yr. In addition, this report provides specific guidelines for data processing and analysis schemes and correction methodologies for clinical applications in radiation therapy.
Distortion‐free 3D diffusion imaging of the prostate using a multishot diffusion‐prepared phase‐cycled acquisition and dictionary matching
Authors: Roccia Elisa , Neji Radhouene , Benkert Thomas , Kiefer Berthold , Goh Vicky , Dregely Isabel
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To achieve three‐dimensional (3D) distortion‐free apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps for prostate imaging using a multishot diffusion prepared‐gradient echo (msDP‐GRE) sequence and ADC dictionary matching.

Methods

The msDP‐GRE sequence is combined with a 3D Cartesian, centric k‐space trajectory with center oversampling. Oversampled k‐space center averaging and phase cycling are used to address motion‐ and eddy current–induced magnitude corruption. Extended‐phase‐graph (EPG) simulations and ADC dictionary matching are used to compensate for T1 effects. To shorten the acquisition time, each volume is undersampled by a factor of two and reconstructed using iterative sensitivity encoding. The proposed approach is characterized using simulations and validated in a kiwifruit phantom, comparing the msDP‐GRE ADC maps obtained using both standard monoexponential fitting and dictionary matching with the clinical standard single‐shot diffusion weighted‐echo planar imaging (ssDW‐EPI) ADC. Initial in vivo feasibility is tested in three healthy subjects, and geometric distortion is compared with anatomical T2‐weighted‐turbo spin echo.

Results

In the kiwifruit phantom experiment, the signal magnitude could be recovered using k‐space center averaging and phase cycling. No statistically significant difference was observed in the ADC values estimated using msDP‐GRE with dictionary matching and clinical standard DW‐EPI (P < .05). The in vivo prostate msDP‐GRE scans were free of geometric distortion caused by off‐resonance susceptibility, and the ADC values in the prostate were in agreement with values found in the published literature.

Conclusion

Nondistorted 3D ADC maps of the prostate can be achieved using a msDP sequence and dictionary matching.
Oxidative phosphorylation in creatine transporter deficiency
Authors: Li Shizhe , Bianconi Simona , van der Veen Jan Willem , Dang Do An , Stolinski JoEllyn , Cecil Kim M. , Hannah‐Shmouni Fady , Porter Forbes D. , Shen Jun
Published: September 2020

X‐linked creatine transporter deficiency (CTD) is one of the three types of cerebral creatine deficiency disorders. CTD arises from pathogenic variants in the X‐linked gene SLC6A8. We report the first phosphorus (31P) MRS study of patients with CTD, where both phosphocreatine and total creatine concentrations were found to be markedly reduced. Despite the diminished role of creatine and phosphocreatine in oxidative phosphorylation in CTD, we found no elevation of lactate or lowered pH, indicating that the brain energy supply still largely relied on oxidative metabolism. Our results suggest that mitochondrial function is a potential therapeutic target for CTD.