bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An exact analysis of radiative heat transfer and unsteady MHD convective flow of a second‐grade fluid with ramped wall motion and temperature
Authors: Anwar Talha , Kumam Poom , Asifa  , Khan Ilyas , Thounthong Phatiphat
Published: August 2020

The influence of simultaneously applied ramped boundary conditions on unsteady magnetohydrodynamic natural convective motion of a second‐grade fluid is investigated and analyzed in this study. The motion of the fluid is considered near an infinite upright plate that is nested in a porous medium subject to nonlinear thermal radiation effects. The Laplace transformation technique is utilized to acquire the exact solutions of momentum and energy equations. To effectively examine the rate of heat transfer and shear stress, the Nusselt number and skin friction coefficient are also established. The outcomes of mathematical computations are elucidated through tables and figures to highlight some physical aspects of the problem. Some limiting models of the present problem are also deduced and presented. On comparison, it is observed that the fluid exhibits lower temperature and velocity profiles under ramped boundary conditions. It is also found that wall shear stress can be controlled by choosing large values of the magnetic parameter (M) and Prandtl number (Pr). In addition, the heat transfer rate specifies inverse trends for growing values of radiation parameter (Nr) and Prandtl number (Pr), while it increases rapidly under a ramped surface condition and decreases slowly under a constant surface condition.
Dual staining for p16/Ki‐67 to detect high‐grade cervical lesions: Results from the Screening Triage Ascertaining Intraepithelial Neoplasia by Immunostain Testing study
Authors: El‐Zein Mariam , Gotlieb Walter , Gilbert Lucy , Hemmings Robert , Behr Marcel A. , Franco Eduardo L. ,   for the STAIN‐IT Study Group
Published: August 2020

We compared clinical performance of p16/Ki‐67 dual‐stained cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping, via different algorithms—alone, or in combination with cytology—to identify cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) and grade 3 or worse (CIN3+) in women referred to as colposcopy. We included 492 cervical specimens (134 normal, 130 CIN1, 99 CIN2, 121 CIN3, 8 cancers) randomly selected from 1158 specimens with valid conventional cytology, HPV (cobas 4800 HPV test) and biopsy results. Dual‐stained cytology was retrospectively performed (CINtec PLUS assay) on PreservCyt material; slides were read by a cytologist and confirmed by two pathologists, blinded to cytology, biopsy and genotyping results. Sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence intervals in parentheses) of dual‐stained cytology to detect CIN2+ and CIN3+ were compared to other screening tests available for the same women. Positivity rate for dual‐stained cytology increased with histological severity: 30.6% in normal, 41.5% in CIN1, 72.7% in CIN2, 86.8% in CIN3 and 87.5% in cancer. Dual‐stained cytology alone had lower sensitivity than HPV testing for CIN2+ [80.7% (75.0‐85.6) vs 89.9% (85.3‐93.5)] and CIN3+ [86.8% (79.7‐92.1) vs 92.3% (86.2‐96.2)]. However, corresponding specificity values were higher [64.0% (57.9‐69.8) vs 56.1% (49.8‐62.1) for CIN2+; 54.0% (48.7‐59.2) vs 44.4% (39.2‐49.6) for CIN3+]. Combining dual‐stained cytology with an ASC‐US abnormality threshold decreased specificity to 31.4% (25.9‐37.4) for CIN2+ and 24.2% (19.9‐29.0) for CIN3+. The corresponding values considering low squamous intraepithelial lesion threshold values were 42.8% (36.8‐49.0) and 35.0% (30.1‐40.1). Dual‐stained cytology and HPV testing exhibited similar performance, although the former improved the specificity by 7.9% and 9.6% for CIN2+ and CIN3+, respectively.
Not everyone is a follower: The behaviour of interest rate and equity markets within major economies relative to the United States
Authors: Tunaru Diana , Fabozzi Frank J.
Published: August 2020

Using a multifactor continuous‐time model, we study the impact of the global financial crisis on the information transmission mechanism between interest rate and equity markets in the United States and each of the four major economies (United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and Canada). The exchange of information through the return channel shows that the equity markets communicate differently with the short‐ and long‐term interest rate markets: the linkages between the equity and money markets follow similar patterns across all four major economies, whereas the feedbacks between the returns on equity and bond markets suggest country‐specific relationships with the United States. The level of interdependence is higher between the equity and long‐term bond markets, whereas within the money markets context, there is evidence of the flight‐to‐quality phenomenon.
Macro‐economic determinants of non‐performing assets in the Indian banking system: A panel data analysis
Authors: Mishra Aswini Kumar , Jain Shikhar , Abid Mohammad , R L Manogna
Published: August 2020

Over the last few years, the Indian banking sector has been ceaselessly adding increasingly huge piles of non‐performing assets (NPAs), also known as bad loans, to its balance sheet. As of March 2018, gross NPAs for all scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) stood at over ₹10 trillion, compared to merely 4 years back, that is, March 2014, when they were almost one‐fourth of this. Aimed at tackling the NPA problem, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) was enacted in 2016 by the Parliament of India, which provides for initiation and quick resolution of bankruptcy proceedings against defaulters. In 2017, the RBI identified 12 Mega‐defaulters which accounted for nearly INR 1.75 trillion of the total NPAs of Indian banks. Targeting the NPA problem at the policy level requires extensive research and analysis in order to come up with effective action plans. This study tries to analyse NPAs of Indian banks using panel data regression models and identify their key determinants. It also examines the relative severity of the NPA problem in case of public banks as compared to private banks.
The determinants of export sophistication: Does digitalization matter?
Authors: Atasoy Burak Sencer
Published: August 2020

Due to innovation, productivity surged and the structure of exports shifted towards sophisticated products in recent decades. In this study, I analyse the determinants of export sophistication with a special focus on the effects of digitalization for 61 countries by employing three measures of export sophistication. To my knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the nexus between digitalization and sophistication. It is found that exports get more sophisticated as digitalization promotes. In line with the literature, institutional quality, access to credit, and R&D are concluded to be other drivers of export sophistication. However, the evidence on tertiary enrolment and FDIs is mixed. Finally, the level of democracy seems to have a limited effect on sophistication indicating countries that have an autocratic rule also have a chance to sophisticate their exports. In the light of these findings, governments are advised to improve property rights, rule of law, the ease of doing business, access to credit, tertiary enrolment, and R&D expenditures to sophisticate their export baskets.
Investment momentum: A two‐dimensional behavioural strategy
Authors: Xu Fangming , Zhao Huainan , Zheng Liyi
Published: August 2020

We propose an investment‐momentum strategy of buying past winners with low investment and selling past losers with high investment, which simultaneously exploits two dimensions of market inefficiencies. The new strategy generates twice the monthly returns earned by either the price momentum or investment strategy (1.44% vs. 0.75% or 0.61%). Despite the diminishing anomalies in recent decades, the investment‐momentum stays persistent. The mispricing‐based strategy performs better in periods of high investor sentiment or for stocks with high limits‐to‐arbitrage, which is consistent with our expectations. Overall, we show that one can simultaneously use multiple dimensions of market inefficiency to attain superior performance.
Ischemic uterine necrosis following Hayman suture for postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Agrawal Swati , Aggarwal Kiran , Chaudhary Vidhi , Satija Bhawna , Rajagopalan Induja , Sethi Alisha
Published: August 2020

Awareness of grave complications like ischemic necrosis associated with uterine compression sutures is essential for prompt diagnosis and timely management.
Reliable radical stabilization energies from diffusion Monte Carlo calculations
Authors: Per Manolo C. , Fletcher Emily K. , Swann Ellen T. , Cleland Deidre M.
Published: August 2020

We assess the performance of variational (VMC) and diffusion (DMC) quantum Monte Carlo methods for calculating the radical stabilization energies of a set of 43 carbon‐centered radical species. Even using simple single‐determinant trial wavefunctions, both methods perform exceptionally well, with mean absolute deviations from reference values well under the chemical accuracy standard of 1 kcal/mol. In addition, the use of DMC results in a highly concentrated spread of errors, with all 43 results within chemical accuracy at the 95% confidence level. These results indicate that DMC is an extremely reliable method for calculating radical stabilization energies and could be used as a benchmark method for larger systems in future.
Initiation of a multidisciplinary telemental health clinic for rural justice‐involved populations: Rationale, recommendations, and lessons learned
Authors: Batastini Ashley B. , Jones Ashley C. T. , Lester Michael E. , Davis Riley M.
Published: August 2020

Videoconferencing technology (VCT) is rapidly increasing in the mental healthcare industry and is becoming an attractive option to reach justice‐involved populations. This paper first highlights the need for alternative service delivery solutions and reviews current literature on the use of VCT for correctional clients. We then outline the specific timeline, procedures, and barriers associated with the initiation of a virtual, multidisciplinary telemental health clinic for jailed and community‐released offenders in a rural Mississippi county aimed at reducing criminogenic and psychiatric risks. Finally, we summarize generalizable recommendations for establishing community partnerships, developing structural and logistical processes, and delivering VCT while accounting for unique client factors and integrating evidence‐based intervention strategies. We hope other community leaders will feel empowered to initiate similar programs that address needs within in their own jurisdictions.
Ascorbic acid supplementation attenuates schizophrenia‐like symptoms in an animal model induced by ketamine
Authors: Supp Angelo D. , Avila Silvio , Mastella Gustavo A. , Damásio Louyse , de Oliveira Isabela H. , Godoi Amanda K. , Michels Alander , Schuck Patricia F. , Zugno Alexandra I.
Published: August 2020

Schizophrenia is a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder with a poorly understood pathophysiology. The theories about the disorder are mainly about dysregulation in one or more systems of neurotransmitters, and the progression triggers the presence of inflammatory markers indicates the possibility that the disorder is initially an inflammatory disease. The objective was to evaluate the ascorbic acid supplementation in an animal model of schizophrenia, on behavioral parameters, and cytokines involved in inflammation IL‐1β, IL‐10. Wistar rats with 60 days of age were used which were supplemented with ascorbic acid at 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg or saline for 14 days via orogastric gavage. Subsequently, four groups were given ketamine (25 mg/kg) and four groups received intraperitoneal saline from the 9th‐15th day of the experiment. After 30 min of the last administration of ketamine/saline, and behavioral test, rats were killed by guillotine decapitation and the brain structures were carefully dissected for biochemical analysis. Results showed that ascorbic acid supplementation prevented motor sensory loss but nor alter other parameters evaluated. We concluded that ascorbic acid may be used as a therapeutic adjuvant in schizophrenia and may help to improve the schizophrenic patient's life quality.
Clinical practice guidelines for biliary atresia in Japan: A secondary publication of the abbreviated version translated into English
Authors: Ando Hisami , Inomata Yukihiro , Iwanaka Tadashi , Kuroda Tatsuo , Nio Masaki , Matsui Akira , Yoshida Masahiro ,   The Japanese Biliary Atresia Society
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study was to prepare clinical practice guidelines for biliary atresia according to the Medical Information Network Distribution Service (MINDS) Handbook for Clinical Practice Guideline Development 2014. The guideline drafting group determined 25 clinical questions (CQs) essential for daily clinical practice. These CQs were grouped into the following four major categories: diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prognosis. A systematic literature search was performed by the systematic review team, and medical evidence was extracted from articles published until July 2014 on PubMed and the Japan Medical Abstracts Society. To reach a consensus, majority voting (>70%) of the panel of the guideline drafting group was adopted according to the Delphi technique. Recommendations for 21 CQs were appropriately provided. However, for four CQs (CQ2, stool color; CQ9, steroid administration; and CQ24 and CQ25, liver transplantation), recommendations could not be determined due to a scarcity of evidence. The first clinical practice guidelines for biliary atresia were successfully created using procedures recommended by the MINDS. It is expected that these guidelines will be used worldwide, and that the standardization of biliary atresia treatment will improve treatment outcomes.
An efficient green synthesis and antibacterial activity of 1,3‐benzoxazine and 1,3‐naphthoxazine using NaCl.SiO2 as solid catalyst in neat condition
Authors: Imchen Putusenla , Zhimomi Betokali K. , Longkumer Lensayula , Tumtin Shokip , Swu Toka , Phucho Tovishe
Published: August 2020

A series of 1,3‐oxazine derivatives were synthesized by a one‐pot three‐component (ie, phenol, formaldehyde, amine) method where SiO2 bonded with NaCl was used as a reusable, more efficient, easily prepared, and available solid catalyst. The reactions were also carried out at room temperature for greener approach. in vitro studies for the synthesized compounds were also done against two gram‐positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and two gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia) to check for their applicability as an antibacterial agent where some of the synthesized compounds gives the best antibacterial activity against selected bacterial strains. Streptomycin was used as a standard control for all the microbial test.
Uptake and retention on HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis among key and priority populations in South‐Central Uganda
Authors: Kagaayi Joseph , Batte James , Nakawooya Hadijja , Kigozi Boniface , Nakigozi Gertrude , Strömdahl Susanne , Ekström Anna Mia , Chang Larry W , Gray Ron , Reynolds Steven J , Komaketch Patrick , Alamo Stella , Serwadda David
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programmes have been initiated in sub‐Saharan Africa to prevent HIV acquisition in key populations at increased risk. However, data on PrEP uptake and retention in high‐risk African communities are limited. We evaluated PrEP uptake and retention in HIV hyperendemic fishing villages and trading centres in south‐central Uganda between April 2018 and March 2019.

Methods

PrEP eligibility was assessed using a national risk screening tool. Programme data were used to evaluate uptake and retention over 12 months. Multivariable modified Poisson regression estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% Confidence intervals (CIs) of uptake associated with covariates. We used Kaplan–Meier analysis to estimate retention and multivariable Cox regression to estimate adjusted relative hazards (aRH) and 95% CIs of discontinuation associated with covariates.

Results and discussion

Of the 2985 HIV‐negative individuals screened; 2750 (92.1 %) were eligible; of whom 2,536 (92.2%) accepted PrEP. Male (aPR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.85 to 0.97) and female (aPR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.77 to 0.94) fisher folk were less likely to accept compared to HIV‐discordant couples. Median retention was 45.4 days for both men and women, whereas retention was higher among women (log rank,p < 0.001) overall. PrEP discontinuation was higher among female sex workers (aRH = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.83) and female fisher folk (aRH = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.46 to 2.72), compared to women in discordant couples. Male fisher folk (aRH = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.07 to 1.76) and male truck drivers (aRH = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.14 to 1.94) were more likely to discontinue compared to men in discordant couples. Women 30 to 34 years tended to have lower discontinuation rates compared to adolescents 15 to 19 years (RH = 0.78 [95% CI = 0.63 to 0.96]).

Conclusions

PrEP uptake was high, but retention was very low especially among those at the highest risk of HIV: fisher folk, sex workers and truck drivers and adolescent girls. Research on reasons for PrEP discontinuation could help optimize retention.
Clinical characteristics of moderate COVID‐19 patients aggravation in Wuhan Stadium Cabin Hospital: A 571 cases of retrospective cohort study
Authors: Shu Lei , Wang Xiaoyan , Li Mingquan , Chen Xiaolin , Ji Ningfei , Shi Lei , Wu Mingjing , Deng Kaili , Wei Jing , Wang Xueli , Cao Yang , Yan Jiaxin , Feng Ganzhu
Published: August 2020

To report the clinical characteristics and potential risk factors of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in Wuhan Stadium Cabin Hospital in Hubei Province. A total of 571 patients of COVID‐19 treated in the Wuhan Stadium Cabin Hospital were selected for analysis, univariable and multivariable logistic regression methods were used to explore the risk factors associated with disease aggravation. The main clinical symptoms of moderate COVID‐19 were fever, cough and dyspnea, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart diseases were the main comorbidities both in transferred and stable patients. Twenty‐six patients (4.55%) of mild and moderate patients had disease aggravation, and most of which occurred between 36 and 48 hours after admission. Multiple regression analysis showed increasing odds of disease aggravation associated with former smoker history, diabetes, dyspnea, consolidation, and interstitial abnormalities of computed tomography scanning, lymphopenia and elevated of C‐reactive protein, the time points of transferred patients mainly between 36 and 48 hours (65.38%), and the average hospital stay for stable patients was 15 days.It could help clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis at an early stage, and provide early warning role for timely intervention.
Inflammatory interactions between degenerated intervertebral discs and microglia: Implication of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate signaling
Authors: Navone Stefania E. , Campanella Rolando , Guarnaccia Laura , Ouellet Jean A. , Locatelli Marco , Cordiglieri Chiara , Gualtierotti Roberta , Gaudino Chiara , Ciniglio Appiani Giuseppe , Luzzi Sabino , Borsa Stefano , Rampini Paolo , Pluderi Mauro , Haglund Lisbet , Riboni Laura , Alini Mauro , Marfia Giovanni
Published: August 2020

The etiology of intervertebral disc degeneration is largely unknown, but local neuroinflammation may exert a crucial role through activation of cells as microglia and pro‐inflammatory cytokines production. We aimed to compare the effect of degenerated and normal intervertebral disc microenvironment on microglial cells and the potential role of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate, a pro‐inflammatory sphingolipid, in their crosstalk. Human degenerated intervertebral discs (Pfirrmann grade IV) were obtained at surgery for spondylolisthesis. Normal intervertebral discs were collected from cadaveric normal lumbar spines. Normal and degenerated‐intervertebral discs were kept in culture to obtain media conditioning. Then, microglial cells were cocultured with conditioned media and viability, proliferation, migration, chemotaxis, and inflammatory gene expression were evaluated. The results demonstrate that conditioned media from degenerated intervertebral discs activate microglial cells, increasing chemotaxis, migration, and pro‐inflammatory mediators release to a great extent than normal discs. In addition, we show that the administration of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate to normal intervertebral disc/microglia coculture mimicked degenerative effects. Interestingly, sphingosine‐1‐phosphate content in conditioned media from degenerated discs was significantly higher than that from normal ones. In addition, FTY720, a functional antagonist of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate, potently inhibited the effect of degenerated intervertebral discs on microglial inflammatory factor transcription and migration. Our data report, for the first time, that sphingosine‐1‐phosphate is involved as signal in the microenvironment of human degenerated intervertebral discs. Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate signaling modulation by FTY720 may induce beneficial effects in counteracting microglial activation during intervertebral disc degeneration.
Capillary electrophoretic profiling of in‐bone tryptic digests of proteins as a potential tool for the detection of inflammatory states in oral surgery
Authors: Michalusová Iva , Sázelová Petra , Cejnar Pavel , Kučková Štěpánka , Hynek Radovan , Kašička Václav
Published: August 2020

The commonly used histological assessment of pathological states of alveolar bone tissues in oral surgery needs laborious and time‐consuming processing by an experienced histologist. Therefore, a simpler and faster methodology is required in this field. Following this demand, this paper reports a straightforward approach using the tryptic cleavage of proteins directly in bone without its demineralization, followed by the capillary electrophoresis‐ultraviolet detection profiling of the yielded protein digest. Cleavage‐derived peptides were separated by capillary electrophoresis in acidic background electrolytes, pH 2.01–2.54. The best resolution of peptide fragments with the highest peak capacity was achieved in the background electrolyte composed of 55 mM H3PO4, 14 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethan, pH 2.01. The differences in the obtained capillary electrophoresis‐ultraviolet detection profiles with characteristic patterns for particular bone samples were subsequently discriminated by linear discriminant analysis over principal components. This approach was first verified on porcine bone tissues as model samples; jawbone and calf bone tissues could be discriminated with an accuracy of 100%. Subsequently, the method was capable of differentiating unequivocally between human healthy and inflammatory alveolar bone tissues obtained from oral surgery. This procedure seems to be promising as complement or even an alternative to the traditional histological discrimination between healthy and inflammatory bone tissues in oral surgery.
Utility of Ultrasound as a Valid and Accurate Diagnostic Tool for Sarcopenia
Authors: Wilkinson Thomas J. , Gore Eleanor F. , Vadaszy Noemi , Nixon Daniel G. D. , Watson Emma L. , Smith Alice C.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have aberrant changes in body composition, including low skeletal muscle mass, a feature of “sarcopenia.” The measurement of the (quadriceps) rectus femoris (RF) cross‐sectional area (CSA) is widely used as a marker of muscle size. Cutoff values are needed to help discriminate the condition of an individual's muscle (eg, presence of sarcopenia) quickly and accurately. This could help distinguish those at greater risk and aid in targeted treatment programs.

Methods

Transverse images of the RF were obtained by B‐mode 2‐dimensional ultrasound imaging. Sarcopenic levels of muscle mass were defined by established criteria (1, appendicular skeletal muscle mass [ASM]; 2, ASM/height2; and 3, ASM/body mass index) based on the ASM and total muscle mass measured by a bioelectrical impedance analysis. The discriminative power of RF‐CSA was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curves, and optimal cutoffs were determined by the maximum Youden index (J).

Results

One hundred thirteen patients with CKD (mean age [SD], 62.0 [14.1] years; 48% male; estimated glomerular filtration rate, 38.0 [21.5] mL/min/1.73m2) were included. The RF‐CSA was a moderate predictor of ASM (R2 = 0.426; P < .001) and total muscle mass (R2 = 0.438; P < .001). With a maximum J of 0.47, in male patients, an RF‐CSA cutoff of less than 8.9 cm2 was deemed an appropriate cutoff for detecting sarcopenic muscle mass. In female patients, an RF‐CSA cutoff of less than 5.7 cm2 was calculated on the basis of ASM/height2 (J = 0.71).

Conclusions

Ultrasound may provide a low‐cost and simple means to diagnose sarcopenia in patients with CKD. This would allow for early management and timely intervention to help mitigate the effects in this group.
First‐Trimester Prognosis When an Early Gestational Sac is Seen on Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Doubilet Peter M. , Phillips Catherine H. , Durfee Sara M. , Benson Carol B.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To determine the factors that jointly and independently affect first‐trimester outcome of very early intrauterine pregnancies (those whose sonogram shows a gestational sac with no identifiable yolk sac or embryo) and develop a mathematical model and Web‐based calculator that computes prognosis based on these factors.

Methods

Our study population included 590 very early pregnancies scanned between January 1, 2012, and June 30, 2018, with known outcomes (live or spontaneous loss) at 14 weeks. We recorded patient age, mean sac diameter (MSD), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) rise, and presence/absence of: vaginal bleeding, history of infertility, prior miscarriage, and pregnancy via assisted reproductive technology. We assessed the correlation between each of these factors and outcome and performed stepwise logistic regression to determine the subset that independently correlated with outcome.

Results

Patient age, MSD, hCG rise, vaginal bleeding, history of infertility, and assisted reproductive technology pregnancy were significantly correlated with outcome (P < .05, t test for age and MSD, χ2 for the others). Stepwise logistic regression identified age, MSD, hCG rise, and vaginal bleeding as the subset of factors that independently predicted outcome. The regression model's area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.823. We incorporated the regression model into a Web‐based calculator (https://tinyurl.com/Prognosis-PD) that predicts the outcome of an early intrauterine pregnancy based on these 4 key variables.

Conclusions

The prognosis of very early intrauterine pregnancies is related to several clinical, biochemical, and sonographic factors. The factors that independently correlate with first‐trimester outcome are patient age, MSD, hCG rise, and vaginal bleeding. The logistic regression model predicts outcome based on these variables.
Prognostic role of human papilloma virus status in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Marshall Deborah C. , Kao Derek D. , Bakst Richard , Sharma Sonam , Ferrandino Rocco , Rosenzweig Kenneth , Wisnivesky Juan , Sigel Keith
Published: August 2020

Objective

Although the prognostic role of human papilloma virus (HPV) status in oropharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is well established, growing evidence shows that there may be a prognostic role for HPV status in hypopharyngeal SCC. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic role of HPV status in hypopharyngeal SCC.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, population‐based analysis of 1934 adult patients with HNSCC diagnosed between 2010‐2016 and treated with a combination of surgery and/or radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, and a subset of 641 patients with hypopharyngeal SCC and known HPV status included in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Head and Neck with HPV Status Database. Patient data were used to determine the adjusted 2‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort and the specific subgroup of hypopharyngeal cancer patients with known HPV status.

Results

Of the 1934 hypopharynx SCC cases, HPV status was unknown in 1294 (66.9%), and 167 (8.6%) were HPV positive; among hypopharynx cases with known HPV status, 21.6% were HPV positive. In models adjusting for sex, age, race/ethnicity, marital status and stage, patients with HPV‐positive hypopharyngeal tumors had improved CSS compared with patients with HPV‐negative tumors (CSS: HR: .57, 95% CI = .38 to .86, P = .008; OS: HR: .49, 95% CI = .34 to .71, P = <.001).

Conclusion

Our findings in a large cohort of hypopharyngeal SCC with known HPV status and cancer‐specific survival support the hypothesis that HPV has a prognostic role in hypopharyngeal cancer. Consideration should be given to increased testing for HPV in hypopharyngeal SCC.

Level of Evidence

4
Does quality of research in otolaryngology correlate with academic impact?
Authors: Kazi Aasif A. , Vahidi Nima A. , Sinkovich John , Coelho Daniel H.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To determine if the quality of otolaryngology‐related journal articles correlates with traditional measures of article impact.

Methods

All articles published by Laryngoscope in 2011 were categorized according to level of evidence (LOE) according to the Oxford Center for Evidence Based Medicine rubric. Articles without a level of evidence assigned were alphabetically subcategorized type with letters A‐D corresponding to Contemporary Reports, Case Reports, Basic Science or Animal Studies, and Other respectively. Citations per article were then recorded per article each year from 2012 to 2018.

Results

A total of 494 articles were included for analysis, 315 had numerical LOE and 179 had alphabetical LOE. There was a strong negative correlation between numerical LOE and median and interquartile number of citations (R = −.9014, P = .037). Overall, numerical LOE had a significantly higher median number of citations per article compared with the non‐number/alphabetical group (14 vs 6, P < .001).

Conclusions

Higher quality research as determined by level of evidence is in fact being cited more frequently than lower quality articles. Although the scope of this study was relatively limited, these data suggest that better designed studies may exhibit greater impact by traditional measures. Such findings should serve as an impetus for (and validation of) continued pursuit of high LOE research.

Level of Evidence

NA.
Preparation and Characterization of PHBV/PEO/AZ‐Gelatin Electrospun Mats with Photochemical Surface Modification: The Role of AZ‐Gelatin
Authors: Xu Yongjing , Lu Hongwei , Sun Chenkai , Zou Liming , Yin Hai , Li Wengang
Published: August 2020

As ideal tissue engineering scaffold, surface feature plays an important role in cell adhesion and proliferation. In order to improve cytocompatibility of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) synthetic materials, in this study, photochemical surface modification is applied in electrospinning field for the first time. Azidobenzoic acid‐modified gelatin (AZ‐gelatin) as bioactive protein is successfully fixed on PHBV/PEO electrospun mats by photochemical technique without any crosslinking agent. In vitro degradation and cell culture results show that PHBV/PEO/AZ‐gelatin electrospun mats have excellent cell adhesion and proliferation compared with PHBV and PHBV/PEO electrospun mats. But, by contrast with PHBV/PEO electrospun mats, the fiber diameter of PHBV/PEO/AZ‐gelatin mats increased, and the porosity and mechanical properties decrease. Nonetheless, PHBV/PEO/AZ‐gelatin‐0.01 mg mL−1 electrospun mats have shown better morphology (fiber diameter 600 nm, porosity 88%), mechanical properties (4.2 MPa), and water vapor transmission rate (2301 g m−2 day−1), which has great potential as artificial skin scaffold in tissue regeneration field.
Synthesis of Diels‐Alder Reaction‐Based Remendable Epoxy Matrix and Corresponding Self‐healing Efficiency to Fibrous Composites
Authors: Wu Pan , Liu Ling , Wu Zhanjun
Published: August 2020

A Diels‐Alder (DA) thermo‐reversible compound consisting of a furan (FA) and a bismaleimide (BMI) is synthesized and grafted to a general low‐viscosity epoxy to prepare a self‐healable epoxy matrix system. Results prove that the synthesized epoxy can completely self‐heal its own cracks and the interlaminar shear cracks of a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) due to the dissociation and reassociation of DA thermo‐reversible covalent bonds under proper thermal excitations. Self‐healing efficiencies of 108.5% for the first healing and 130.5% for the second healing are obtained to the mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (GIIC) of the FRP. Moreover, the obtained first and second healing efficiencies of interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) can also reach 105.8 and 102.4%, respectively. Most importantly, the obtained original mechanical properties, with GIIC of 0.82 kJ m−2 and ILSS of 41.6 MPa, of the FRP are much closer to those of traditional structural FRPs. Therefore, this study reveals that the synthesized epoxy system can be used to prepare structural FRPs possessing high self‐healing capability.
Freely Suspended Semiflexible Chains in a Strong Aligning Field: Simple Closed‐Form Solutions for the Small‐Angle Approximation
Authors: Kloza Philipp A. , Elliott James A.
Published: August 2020

A worm‐like chain model for a single, freely suspended semiflexible macromolecule with an aligning field of arbitrary coupling order is presented. Using a small‐angle approximation and Ginzburg–Landau theory, exact closed‐form solutions of the model are derived in the regime of a strong aligning field in arbitrary dimensions. Expressions for the mean cosine of the chain alignment angle, orientational order parameters, and the two‐point correlation function are found. As a corollary, the persistence length is confirmed as a valid threshold for rigid behavior of the chain. The theoretical results are validated with Monte Carlo simulations in two and three dimensions. It is shown that the solutions for the small‐angle approximation are within of the simulated values for the exact model for chain‐field alignment angles θ ≲ 20°. As a practical application, the findings are applied to carbon nanotubes in an aligning electric field.
A novel large deletion of the CYLD gene causes CYLD cutaneous syndrome in a Chinese family
Authors: Zhu Ruizheng , Xu Jie , Shen Juan , Li Wenru , Tan Fei , Li Changchang , Wei Zhichen , Liu Yeqiang , Bai Yun
Published: August 2020

Background

CYLD cutaneous syndrome (CCS; syn. Brooke‐Spiegler syndrome) is a rare autosomal dominant hereditary disease characterized by multiple adnexal skin tumors including cylindromas, spiradenomas, and trichoepitheliomas. More than 100 germline mutations of the cylindromatosis (CYLD) gene have been reported in CCS and most of them are frameshift mutations or small alterations.

Methods

We identified a large, three‐generation Chinese family with CCS, which consisted of 18 living family members, including six affected individuals. To explore the molecular biology of this family, we carried out targeted next‐generation sequencing and Affymetrix CytoScan HD SNP array to analyze the mutation in the CYLD gene.

Results

A novel large deletion mutation, NC_000016.9:g.(50826498_50827517)_(50963389‐50967346)del was found in the proband of this family. This deletion results in the loss of a nearly 140 kb fragment of the CYLD gene, spanning exons 17 ~ 20, which represent the coding regions of the ubiquitin‐specific protease domain. Further quantitative polymerase chain reaction proved that all patients and two proband‐related family members carried this large deletion.

Conclusions

Our study expands the types of mutations in CCS and will undoubtedly provide valuable information for genetic counseling for families affected by the condition.
RUN‐UP: Accelerated multishot diffusion‐weighted MRI reconstruction using an unrolled network with U‐Net as priors
Authors: Hu Yuxin , Xu Yunyingying , Tian Qiyuan , Chen Feiyu , Shi Xinwei , Moran Catherine J. , Daniel Bruce L. , Hargreaves Brian A.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To accelerate and improve multishot diffusion‐weighted MRI reconstruction using deep learning.

Methods

An unrolled pipeline containing recurrences of model‐based gradient updates and neural networks was introduced for accelerating multishot DWI reconstruction with shot‐to‐shot phase correction. The network was trained to predict results of jointly reconstructed multidirection data using single‐direction data as input. In vivo brain and breast experiments were performed for evaluation.

Results

The proposed method achieves a reconstruction time of 0.1 second per image, over 100‐fold faster than a shot locally low‐rank reconstruction. The resultant image quality is comparable to the target from the joint reconstruction with a peak signal‐to‐noise ratio of 35.3 dB, a normalized root‐mean‐square error of 0.0177, and a structural similarity index of 0.944. The proposed method also improves upon the locally low‐rank reconstruction (2.9 dB higher peak signal‐to‐noise ratio, 29% lower normalized root‐mean‐square error, and 0.037 higher structural similarity index). With training data from the brain, this method also generalizes well to breast diffusion‐weighted imaging, and fine‐tuning further reduces aliasing artifacts.

Conclusion

A proposed data‐driven approach enables almost real‐time reconstruction with improved image quality, which improves the feasibility of multishot DWI in a wide range of clinical and neuroscientific studies.
Textural markers of ultrasonographic nerve alterations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Schreiber Frank , Garz Cornelia , Heinze Hans‐Jochen , Petri Susanne , Vielhaber Stefan , Schreiber Stefanie
Published: August 2020

Ultrasound has revealed cross‐sectional nerve area (CSA) reduction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but little is known about the sonographic nerve texture beyond CSA alterations. In a large cohort of 177 ALS patients and 57 control subjects, we investigated the covariance and disease‐specific signature of several sonographic texture features of the median and ulnar nerves and their relationship to the patients’ clinical characteristics. ALS patients showed atrophic nerves, a loss of the intranerve structures’ echoic contrast, elevated coarseness, and a trend toward lower cluster shading compared with controls. A reduction in intranerve echoic contrast was related to longer disease duration and poorer functional status in ALS. Sonographic texture markers point toward a significant reorganization of the deep nerve microstructure in ALS. Future studies will be needed to further substantiate the markers’ potential to assess peripheral nerve alterations in ALS.
An efficient neural network optimized by fruit fly optimization algorithm for user equipment association in software‐defined wireless sensor network
Authors: Zeng Xiao‐Ping , Luo Qi , Zheng Jia‐Li , Chen Guang‐Hui
Published: August 2020

Software‐defined wireless sensor network (SDWSN) has aroused great interest due to its new operating characteristics in recent years. For instance, centralized user association control, full network state information perception, and seamless switching. Furthermore, with the development of the Internet of things(IoT), all sensors and user equipment (UE) will be connected. The proposal of the Internet of everything concept has expanded the scope of SDWSN. It is a very challenging issue to ensure the quality of experience(QoE) while achieving load balancing when associating the UE and the base station (BS). Based on the new features of SDWSN, this paper studies a multi‐objective optimization model under multiple constraints in high‐density situations. The goal is to minimize the number of unsatisfied UEs and maximize system throughput by achieving load balancing. This problem was solved by employing an artificial neural network (ANN), which was optimized by the fruit fly optimization algorithm (FOA). This ANN–FOA scheme greatly reduced the execution time and significantly promoted the result of the multi‐objective optimization model. Through simulation, we verified the effectiveness of our proposed ANN–FOA scheme, and the influence of different sample quantity and different ANN architecture on the final result was explored.
PRESAS: Block‐structured preconditioning of iterative solvers within a primal active‐set method for fast model predictive control
Authors: Quirynen Rien , Di Cairano Stefano
Published: August 2020

Model predictive control (MPC) for linear dynamical systems requires solving an optimal control structured quadratic program (QP) at each sampling instant. This article proposes a primal active‐set strategy, called PRESAS, for the efficient solution of such block‐sparse QPs, based on a preconditioned iterative solver to compute the search direction in each iteration. Rank‐one factorization updates of the preconditioner result in a per‐iteration computational complexity of , where m denotes the number of state and control variables and N the number of control intervals. Three different block‐structured preconditioning techniques are presented and their numerical properties are studied further. In addition, an augmented Lagrangian based implementation is proposed to avoid a costly initialization procedure to find a primal feasible starting point. Based on a standalone C code implementation, we illustrate the computational performance of PRESAS against current state of the art QP solvers for multiple linear and nonlinear MPC case studies. We also show that the solver is real‐time feasible on a dSPACE MicroAutoBox‐II rapid prototyping unit for vehicle control applications, and numerical reliability is illustrated based on experimental results from a testbench of small‐scale autonomous vehicles.
Estimating the effect of democracy, governance and militarisation on peace in Africa
Authors: Iheonu Chimere O. , Odo Kingsley O. , Ekeocha Davidmac O.
Published: August 2020

Peace has been deemed paramount to socioeconomic progress and economic development across nations. It is for this reason nations strive to improve the peaceful coexistence of citizens. This study investigates the effect of democracy, governance and militarisation on peace in 43 African countries for the year 2018 in a cross sectional framework. The ordinary least square (OLS), the tobit regression and the quantile regression (QR) where employed as estimation strategies. The empirical result firstly reveal that democracy increases peace in Africa, particularly in countries where the initial level of peace is at its highest level. Secondly, militarisation of Africa reduces peace in the region only in countries where the initial level of peace is at its highest level. Thirdly, the influence of governance on peace in Africa depends majorly on the measure of governance utilized. The control of corruption, government effectiveness and regulatory quality increases peace where the initial level of peace is at its lowest level. Political stability increases peace across the entire quantiles utilized while rule of law increases peace in countries where the initial level of peace is low. In conclusion, governance in general increases peace in the countries where initial level of peace is very low. Policy recommendations based on these findings are discussed.
Thermal response study of carbon epoxy laminates exposed to fire
Authors: Li Han , Fan Baoxin , Wang Nasidan , Han Xuefei , Feng Zhenyu , Guo Shijun
Published: August 2020

In this article, a three‐dimensional thermal response model is developed to investigate the thermal behavior of carbon epoxy composite impacted directly by propane flame. The model is established in consideration of heat transfer and energy conservation in which the heat transfer is in the form of anisotropic heat conduction, absorption by matrix decomposition, and diffusion of gas. Arrhenius equation is utilized to present the decomposition process of the materials. The diffusion equation for the decomposition gas is included for mass conservation. The thermal response model is implemented with the UMATHT and USDFLD subroutines via ABAQUS code, from which the temperature, density, decomposition degree, and decomposition rate can be extracted to analysis the process of material decomposition by finite element simulation. The model shows its capability to analysis the evolution of a carbon epoxy composite in fire by the comparison between the numerical and experimental results. Furthermore, the numerical results show that thermal conductivities in different directions of fiber have a significant influence on the heat transfer. In addition, the relationship between the decomposition degree and temperature is correlated with depths, as well as the peak value of decomposition rate and the time to reach that.
A national study on prescribed medicine use in Australia on a typical day
Authors: Wylie Claire E. , Daniels Benjamin , Brett Jonathan , Pearson Sallie‐Anne , Buckley Nicholas A.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To describe Australians' prescribed medicine use on a typical day (September 25, 2018).

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study using nationally representative dispensing claims data using the Australian Government Department of Human Services random 10% sample of all Australians eligible for prescription medicines subsidised through the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Our main outcome measures were the number and proportion of people using at least one prescribed medicine and the specific medicine groups and classes on the day. We estimated the proportion of Australians using these medicines using the mid‐year Australian population as the denominator. We quantified multiple medicine use by calculating the number and proportion of people experiencing polypharmacy (the use of 5 or more unique medicines) and hyper‐polypharmacy (the use of 10 or more unique medicines).

Results

We found that 9.0 million Australians used at least one PBS medicine on September 25, 2018; equating to 27.5 million medicines in use across Australia. “Cardiovascular system”, “nervous system” and “alimentary tract and metabolism” medicines comprised the top three medicine groups. Over 1.8 million people experienced polypharmacy on the day, accounting for 13.6 million dispensed medicines. 1 022 590 (45%) people aged ≥70 years old experienced polypharmacy and 188 930 (8%) experienced hyper‐polypharmacy.

Conclusions

Rates of polypharmacy were high, particularly in the people most susceptible to polypharmacy‐related harm. Strategies to optimise the risk‐benefit ratio of medicines and to reduce polypharmacy through “choosing wisely” and “de‐prescribing” in this age group are needed. Australia's national data provides a benchmark to inform global medicine utilisation practices.
Effect of Ni2+ chelated to the surface of PBFA on the charring flame retardant and smoke suppression properties of epoxy resin
Authors: Zhang Kailun , Wu Hongjuan , Wu Ruifang , Yang Guang , Wang Tian , Xie Jixing , Qu Hongqiang
Published: August 2020

Here, a phosphazene‐based flame retardant (PBFA) containing active amine groups was synthesized by hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene and N‐aminoethylpiperazine and nickel ion (Ni2+) was chelated to the surface of PBFA (named as PBFA‐Ni2+). Incorporation into epoxy resin (EP) with a loading of 6 wt% (named as EP/PBFA‐Ni2+‐6.0), enabled the composite to pass the vertical burning test (UL‐94) V 0 rating. Peak heat release rate and the total smoke release of EP/PBFA‐Ni2+‐6.0 were decreased by 41.02% and 22.74% as measured by cone calorimeter tests. The production rate of CO was inhibited when PBFA‐Ni2+ was incorporated into EP.