bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitat characteristics and insecticide susceptibility of Aedes aegypti in the Ifakara area, south-eastern Tanzania
Authors: Kahamba Najat F. , Limwagu Alex J. , Mapua Salum A. , Msugupakulya Betwel J. , Msaky Dickson S. , Kaindoa Emmanuel W. , Ngowo Halfan S. , Okumu Fredros O.
Published: February 2020

Background

Aedes-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya constitute constant threats globally. In Tanzania, these diseases are transmitted by Aedes aegypti, which is widely distributed in urban areas, but whose ecology remains poorly understood in small towns and rural settings.

Methods

A survey of Ae. aegypti aquatic habitats was conducted in and around Ifakara, a fast-growing town in south-eastern Tanzania. The study area was divided into 200 × 200 m search grids, and habitats containing immature Aedes were characterized. Field-collected Ae. aegypti were tested for susceptibility to common public health insecticides (deltamethrin, permethrin, bendiocarb and pirimiphos-methyl) in the dry and rainy seasons.

Results

Of 1515 and 1933 aquatic habitats examined in the dry and rainy seasons, 286 and 283 contained Aedes immatures, respectively (container index, CI: 18.9–14.6%). In the 2315 and 2832 houses visited in the dry and rainy seasons, 114 and 186 houses had at least one Aedes-positive habitat, respectively (house index, HI: 4.9–6.6%). The main habitat types included: (i) used vehicle tires and discarded containers; (ii) flowerpots and clay pots; and (iii) holes made by residents on trunks of coconut trees when harvesting the coconuts. Used tires had highest overall abundance of Ae. aegypti immatures, while coconut tree-holes had highest densities per habitat. Aedes aegypti adults were susceptible to all tested insecticides in both seasons, except bendiocarb, against which resistance was observed in the rainy season.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study on ecology and insecticide susceptibility of Ae. aegypti in Ifakara area, and will provide a basis for future studies on its pathogen transmission activities and control. The high infestation levels observed indicate significant risk of Aedes-borne diseases, requiring immediate action to prevent potential outbreaks in the area. While used tires, discarded containers and flowerpots are key habitats for Ae. aegypti, this study also identified coconut harvesting as an important risk factor, and the associated tree-holes as potential targets for Aedes control. Since Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in the area are still susceptible to most insecticides, effective control could be achieved by combining environmental management, preferably involving communities, habitat removal and insecticide spraying.
SERT and BDNF polymorphisms interplay on neuroticism in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Salinas Valeria , Villarroel Juana , Silva Hernán , Herrera Luisa , Jerez Sonia , Zazueta Alejandra , Montes Cristián , Nieto Rodrigo , Bustamante M. Leonor
Published: February 2020

Objective

Genetic factors underlying different personality traits are not entirely understood, particularly how genes interact to modulate their effect. We studied 76 patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), characterized by extreme levels of personality traits, especially neuroticism (N), in which we genotyped two polymorphisms, the 5HTTLPR of the Serotonin transporter (SERT) gene, and the Val66Met of the Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene.

Results

We found an association with SERT, where S-allele carriers had significantly higher levels of N than L-homozygous. Furthermore, we found that the protective effect of L-homozygosity is only evident on A-allele carriers of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. Genetic constitution in SERT and BDNF seems to be important in neuroticism, the most relevant personality trait on BPD.
In search of universal health coverage: the hidden cost of family planning to women in Ghana
Authors: Amissah John , Nakua Emmanuel Kwaku , Badu Eric , Amissah Alexander Baba , Lariba Leticia
Published: February 2020

Objective

This study aims to estimate the cost of accessing FP services in Ghana. A cross-sectional design, involving quantitative methods were used to recruit 1194 women who accessed FP services in 336 primary health facilities, selected through a two-stage sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the cost, using STATA 13.

Results

The average age of the women was 29 ± 6.87. Most women had basic education. The sources of payment for FP services were self-finance, family and sponsorship. The average direct cost of accessing FP services was GHS 7.90 [US$ 1.76]. The cost of FP services was highest for consultation GHS 7.50 [US$ 1.67], Laboratory test/x-ray GHS 6.03 [US$ 1.34], Transportation GHS GHS5.50 [US$ 1.22], Contraceptive GHS 4.73 [US$ 1.05] and Client records Card GHS 3.30 [US$ 0.73]. The cost of FP services was higher for clients visiting private facilities, tertiary level as well as those in urban centers. Clients on average spent 54.21 min traveling at a distance of 3.49 km and wait averagely 18.11 min for each visit. Government stakeholders are encouraged to revise the existing maternal health policies, as well as increase the list of FP services within the exemption package of the NHIS policy.
Comparison and optimization of protein extraction and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis protocols for liverworts
Authors: Yadav Sandhya , Srivastava Akanksha , Biswas Subhankar , Chaurasia Neha , Singh Sushil Kumar , Kumar Sanjiv , Srivastava Vaibhav , Mishra Yogesh
Published: February 2020

Objective

Liverworts possess historical adaptive strategies for abiotic stresses because they were the first plants that shifted from water to land. Proteomics is a state-of-the-art technique that can capture snapshots of events occurring at the protein level in many organisms. Herein, we highlight the comparison and optimization of an effective protein extraction and precipitation protocol for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) of liverworts.

Results

We compared three different protein extraction methods, i.e.,1.5 M Tris–HCl (pH 8.8), 50 mM Tris–HCl (pH 7.5), and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) extraction, followed by three precipitation methods, i.e., 80% ethanol, 80% acetone, and 20% tricholoroacetic acid (TCA)–acetone, in a liverwort Dumortiera hirsuta. Among these methods, 50 mM Tris–HCl (pH 7.5) extraction, followed by 20% TCA–acetone precipitation, appeared to be more suitable for 2-DE. Furthermore, we performed modifications during protein washing, re-solubilization in rehydration buffer and isoelectric focusing (IEF). The modifications provided us better results in terms of protein yield, resolution, spot numbers, and intensities for 2-DE gels of D. hirsuta and other two liverworts, i.e., Marchantia paleacea and Plagiochasma appendiculatum. Furthermore, we randomly selected spots from the 2-DE gel of D. hirsuta and identified using mass spectrometry, which confirms the applicability of this protocol for liverworts proteomics.
Combined intramuscular and intraspinal transplant of bone marrow cells improves neuromuscular function in the SOD1G93A mice
Authors: Martínez-Muriana Anna , Pastor Diego , Mancuso Renzo , Rando Amaya , Osta Rosario , Martínez Salvador , López-Vales Rubèn , Navarro Xavier
Published: February 2020

Background

The simultaneous contribution of several etiopathogenic disturbances makes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) a fatal and challenging disease. Here, we studied two different cell therapy protocols to protect both central and peripheral nervous system in a murine model of ALS.

Methods

Since ALS begins with a distal axonopathy, in a first assay, we performed injection of bone marrow cells into two hindlimb muscles of transgenic SOD1G93A mice. In a second study, we combined intramuscular and intraspinal injection of bone marrow cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to assess the survival of the transplanted cells into the injected tissues. The mice were assessed from 8 to 16 weeks of age by means of locomotion and electrophysiological tests. After follow-up, the spinal cord was processed for analysis of motoneuron survival and glial cell reactivity.

Results

We found that, after intramuscular injection, bone marrow cells were able to engraft within the muscle. However, bone marrow cell intramuscular injection failed to promote a general therapeutic effect. In the second approach, we found that bone marrow cells had limited survival in the spinal cord, but this strategy significantly improved motor outcomes. Moreover, we also found that the dual cell therapy tended to preserve spinal motoneurons at late stages of the disease and to reduce microgliosis, although this did not prolong mice survival.

Conclusion

Overall, our findings suggest that targeting more than one affected area of the motor system at once with bone marrow cell therapy results in a valuable therapeutic intervention for ALS.
Higher glycemic variability within the first day of ICU admission is associated with increased 30-day mortality in ICU patients with sepsis
Authors: Chao Wen-Cheng , Tseng Chien-Hua , Wu Chieh-Liang , Shih Sou-Jen , Yi Chi-Yuan , Chan Ming-Cheng
Published: February 2020

Background

High glycemic variability (GV) is common in critically ill patients; however, the prevalence and mortality association with early GV in patients with sepsis remains unclear.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) in central Taiwan. Patients in the ICU with sepsis between January 2014 and December 2015 were included for analysis. All of these patients received protocol-based management, including blood sugar monitoring every 2 h for the first 24 h of ICU admission. Mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) and coefficient of variation (CoV) were used to assess GV.

Results

A total of 452 patients (mean age 71.4 ± 14.7 years; 76.7% men) were enrolled for analysis. They were divided into high GV (43.4%, 196/452) and low GV (56.6%, 256/512) groups using MAGE 65 mg/dL as the cut-off point. Patients with high GV tended to have higher HbA1c (6.7 ± 1.8% vs. 5.9 ± 0.9%, p < 0.01) and were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (DM) (50.0% vs. 23.4%, p < 0.01) compared with those in the low GV group. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that a high GV was associated with increased 30-day mortality (log-rank test, p = 0.018). The association remained strong in the non-DM (log-rank test, p = 0.035), but not in the DM (log-rank test, p = 0.254) group. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis identified that high APACHE II score (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.045, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.013–1.078), high serum lactate level at 0 h (aHR 1.009, 95% CI 1.003–1.014), having chronic airway disease (aHR 0.478, 95% CI 0.302–0.756), high mean day 1 glucose (aHR 1.008, 95% CI 1.000–1.016), and high MAGE (aHR 1.607, 95% CI 1.008–2.563) were independently associated with increased 30-day mortality. The association with 30-day mortality remained consistent when using CoV to assess GV.

Conclusions

We found that approximately 40% of the septic patients had a high early GV, defined as MAGE > 65 mg/dL. Higher GV within 24 h of ICU admission was independently associated with increased 30-day mortality. These findings highlight the need to monitor GV in septic patients early during an ICU admission.
Improvement of job completion time in data-intensive cloud computing applications
Authors: Ibrahim Ibrahim Adel , Bassiouni Mostafa
Published: February 2020

Task stragglers in MapReduce jobs dramatically impede job execution of data-intensive computing in cloud data centers. This impedance is due to the uneven distribution of input data, heterogeneous data nodes, resource contention situations, and network configurations. Data skew of intermediate data in MapReduce job causes delay failures due to the violation of job completion time. Data-intensive computing frameworks, such as MapReduce or Hadoop YARN, employ HashPartitioner. This partitioner may cause intermediate data skew, which results in straggler reducers. In this paper, we strive to make Hadoop YARN more efficient in cloud environments. We present, a new partitioning scheme, called balanced data clusters partitioner (BDCP), to handle straggler Reduce tasks based on sampling of input data and feedback information about the current processing task. Our extensive experimental results show that BDCP can outperform the default Hadoop HashPartitioner and Range partitioner. BDCP can assist in straggler mitigation during reduce phase and minimize the job completion time in MapReduce jobs within data-intensive cloud computing.
Research on the Corrosion/Permeability/Frost Resistance of Concrete by Experimental and Microscopic Mechanisms Under Different Water–Binder Ratios
Authors: Zhang Rongling , Liu Peng , Ma Lina , Yang Zijiang , Chen Huisu , Zhu Han Xing , Xiao Huigang , Li Jia
Published: February 2020

To study the influence of different water–binder ratios on the corrosion, permeability, and freezing properties of concrete, we produced different strengths of concrete with respective water–binder ratios of 0.32, 0.38, 0.50, and 0.66. The corrosion resistance of the concrete was studied via three corrosion methods: full immersion, half immersion, and dry and wet cycles. The impermeability and frost resistance of concrete with different water–binder ratios were tested and analyzed. The test results show that the corrosion modes in order from strong to weak were dry and wet cycles, half soaking, and full soaking. The relative dynamic elasticity modulus and freeze–thaw index were used to evaluate the frost resistance of concrete based on the analysis of three indices of frost resistance. To study the internal mechanism of corrosion of concrete with different water–binder ratios, microscopic pore structure testing of the concrete was conducted using a Micromeritics AutoPore IV 9500 Series instrument. The porosimeter studies show that the smaller the water–binder ratio, the more small pores and the denser the concrete. The smaller the water–binder ratio, the higher the strength and the better the corrosion, permeability, and frost resistance.
Development of a Human Activity Recognition System for Ballet Tasks
Authors: Hendry Danica , Chai Kevin , Campbell Amity , Hopper Luke , O’Sullivan Peter , Straker Leon
Published: February 2020

Background

Accurate and detailed measurement of a dancer’s training volume is a key requirement to understanding the relationship between a dancer’s pain and training volume. Currently, no system capable of quantifying a dancer’s training volume, with respect to specific movement activities, exists. The application of machine learning models to wearable sensor data for human activity recognition in sport has previously been applied to cricket, tennis and rugby. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a human activity recognition system using wearable sensor data to accurately identify key ballet movements (jumping and lifting the leg). Our primary objective was to determine if machine learning can accurately identify key ballet movements during dance training. The secondary objective was to determine the influence of the location and number of sensors on accuracy.

Results

Convolutional neural networks were applied to develop two models for every combination of six sensors (6, 5, 4, 3, etc.) with and without the inclusion of transition movements. At the first level of classification, including data from all sensors, without transitions, the model performed with 97.8% accuracy. The degree of accuracy reduced at the second (83.0%) and third (75.1%) levels of classification. The degree of accuracy reduced with inclusion of transitions, reduction in the number of sensors and various sensor combinations.

Conclusion

The models developed were robust enough to identify jumping and leg lifting tasks in real-world exposures in dancers. The system provides a novel method for measuring dancer training volume through quantification of specific movement tasks. Such a system can be used to further understand the relationship between dancers’ pain and training volume and for athlete monitoring systems. Further, this provides a proof of concept which can be easily translated to other lower limb dominant sporting activities
Intraoperative detection of stuck leaflet after implantation of a mechanical aortic valve: a case report
Authors: Miyata Kazuto , Shigematsu Sayaka
Published: February 2020

Background

Mechanical aortic valve dysfunction is a rare but potentially fatal complication. It is usually caused by thrombosis, vegetation, and pannus overgrowth. However, it very rarely occurs immediately after the cardiopulmonary bypass weaning period.

Case presentation

We describe a case of stuck leaflet after the implantation of a mechanical aortic valve because of residual suture materials interfering with mechanical aortic valve leaflet closure, which is a very rare cause and has not been reported until now.

Conclusion

The residual suture materials for mechanical aortic valve replacement could cause mechanical valve dysfuction indicated as stuck leafet.
Effect of sharing health messages on antenatal care behavior among women involved in microfinance-based self-help groups in Bihar India
Authors: Walia Monika , Irani Laili , Chaudhuri Indrajit , Atmavilas Yamini , Saggurti Niranjan
Published: February 2020

Background

Bihar state in India has one of the highest rates of maternal and infant mortality in South Asia. Microfinance-based self-help groups (SHGs), involving rural women, are being utilized to improve maternal and child health practice and reduce mortality. SHG members receive information on key maternal and child health practices as well as encouragement for their practice. This study measures the association of health messaging to SHG members with their antenatal care (ANC) behaviors.

Methods

The study was conducted in eight districts of Bihar in 2016. A three-stage cluster sampling design (with a random selection of blocks, villages, and SHGs) selected the sample of 1204 SHG members who had an infant child; of these, 597 women were members of SHGs that received dedicated sessions on health messages, while 607 women belonged to SHGs that did not. To examine the impact of the health intervention on ANC practice, radius caliper method of propensity score matching controlled for various socio-demographic characteristics between the two groups.

Results

Most of the interviewed women (91.5%) belonged to a scheduled caste or tribe. Nearly 44% of SHG members exposed to the health intervention were engaged in some occupation, compared to 35% of those not exposed to the intervention. After matching unexposed SHG women with exposed SHG women, no significant differences were found in their socio-demographic characteristics. Findings suggest that exposure to a health intervention is associated with increased likelihood of at least four ANC visits by SHG women (ATE = 7.2, 95% CI: 0.76–13.7,p < 0.05), consumption of iron-folic acid for at least 100 days (ATE = 8.7, 95% CI: 5.0–12.5,p < 0.001) and complete ANC (ATE = 3.6, 95% CI: 2.3–4.9,p < 0.001), when compared to women not exposed to the health intervention.

Conclusions

The study shows that sharing health messages in microfinance-based SHGs is associated with significant increase in ANC practice. While the results suggest the potential of microfinance-based SHGs for improved maternal health services, the approach’s sustainability needs to be further examined.
Low-noise transfer of the spectral purity of an optical comb line using a feedforward scheme
Authors: Brochard Pierre , Rudin Benjamin , Emaury Florian , Wittwer Valentin J. , Schilt Stéphane , Südmeyer Thomas
Published: February 2020

We present a detailed frequency noise analysis of a feedforward scheme used to faithfully transfer the spectral properties of an individual line of an optical frequency comb spectrum to a single-mode laser and in this way indirectly amplify it, which is applicable to any arbitrary comb mode spacing. In contrast to previously reported implementation of the feedforward method for a similar purpose, we present a more thorough noise study, including the measurement of the additive noise of the setup. The reported experimental investigation was performed using two low-noise ultrafast mode-locked lasers with different repetition rates (~ 1 GHz and 250 MHz) and show a faithful transfer of the comb mode frequency noise to the auxiliary laser with a sub-radian additive phase noise integrated from 1 Hz to 1 MHz. We discuss the present limitations of the method that is able to transfer optical comb lines with sub-Hz linewidth and propose simple improvements.
Recent investigations of shock wave effects and interactions
Authors: Ligrani P. M. , McNabb E. S. , Collopy H. , Anderson M. , Marko S. M.
Published: February 2020

Despite over fifty years of research on shock wave boundary layer effects and interactions, many related technical issues continue to be controversial and debated. The present survey provides an overview of the present state of knowledge on such effects and interactions, including discussions of: (i) general features of shock wave interactions, (ii) test section configurations for investigation of shock wave boundary layer interactions, (iii) origins and sources of unsteadiness associated with the interaction region, (iv) interactions which included thermal transport and convective heat transfer, and (v) shock wave interaction control investigations. Of particular interest are origins and sources of low-frequency, large-scale shock wave unsteadiness, flow physics of shock wave boundary layer interactions, and overall structure of different types of interactions. Information is also provided in regard to shock wave investigations, where heat transfer and thermal transport were important. Also considered are investigations of shock wave interaction control strategies, which overall, indicate that no single shock wave control strategy is available, which may be successfully applied to different shock wave arrangements, over a wide range of Mach numbers. Overall, the survey highlights the need for additional understanding of fundamental transport mechanisms, as related to shock waves, which are applicable to turbomachinery, aerospace, and aeronautical academic disciplines.
Better quadriceps and hamstring strength is achieved after Total knee Arthroplasty with single radius femoral prostheses: a retrospective study based on isokinetic and isometric data
Authors: Li Mengyuan , Zhang Lei , Zhang Ruiying , Ma Yuanchen , Liao Junxing , Li Qingtian , Deng Zhantao , Zheng Qiujian
Published: February 2020

Background

Strength deficits, muscle imbalances, and quadriceps inhibition are common after the total knee arthroplasty (TKA). It was suggested that theoretically single radius (SR) femoral protheses could provide longer extensor moment arm compared to the multiple radius (MR) design. However, quantitative evidence has not yet been reported. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the differences in isokinetic data and to compare the patient-reported outcome scores between TKA SR and MR design.

Method

The present retrospective study included 36 TKA involving 16 knees (9 patients) using SR design implant and 20 knees (11 patients) using MR design implant. The mean follow-up time was longer than 1 year. Isokinetic knee flexion and extension torques of the operated leg were evaluated at 60°/s and 180°/s. Quadriceps and hamstring torques and ratios, work and power were recorded. Angle-specific torques were also collected at different extension or flexion angles.

Results

Both groups showed improvement in knee society scores (KSS) and knee injury, and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) after operation. Patients in SR group had significantly higher scores in KSS-knee, symptoms and activities of daily living KOOS sub-score than those in the MR group at the end of the follow-up. The peak knee flexion torque, peak knee extension torque and maximum knee flexion work were greater in SR group at 180°/s and 60°/s. At 60°/s, and SR group had higher average knee flexion power and average knee extension power than MR group. In the isometric contraction test, the knee extension torque was higher in SR group than in MR group. At 180°/s, SR group showed higher flexion torques at 30°, 40°, 50°, 60° compared with MR group. At 60°/s, SR group showed higher flexion torques at 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, 80° when compared with MR group. Additionally, SR group also provided higher extension torques at 40°, 50°, 60° than the MR group. There were no differences in other isokinetic and isometric parameters between the two groups.

Conclusion

Femoral design exerted an influence on quadriceps and hamstring strength after TKA, and SR design shows advantages, in terms of higher extension and flexion strength, over MR design.
Dietary Modification and Breast Cancer Mortality: Long-Term Follow-Up of the Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Trial
Authors: Chlebowski Rowan T. , Aragaki Aaron K. , Anderson Garnet L. , Pan Kathy , Neuhouser Marian L. , Manson JoAnn E. , Thomson Cynthia A. , Mossavar-Rahmani Yasmin , Lane Dorothy S. , Johnson Karen C. , Wactawski-Wende Jean , Snetselaar Linda , Rohan Thomas E. , Luo Juhua , Barac Ana , Prentice Ross L. ,   on behalf of the Women’s Health Initiative
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE

Observational studies of dietary fat intake and breast cancer have reported inconsistent findings. This topic was addressed in additional analyses of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Dietary Modification (DM) clinical trial that evaluated a low-fat dietary pattern influence on breast cancer incidence.

METHODS

In the WHI DM trial, 48,835 postmenopausal women, ages 50-79 years, with no prior breast cancer, and a dietary fat intake of ≥ 32% of energy were randomly assigned at 40 US centers to a usual diet comparison group (60%) or dietary intervention group (40%). The goals were to reduce fat intake to 20% of energy and increase vegetable, fruit, and grain intake. Breast cancers were confirmed after central medical record review and serial National Death Index linkages to enhance mortality findings.

RESULTS

During 8.5 years of dietary intervention, breast cancer incidence and deaths as a result of breast cancer were nonsignificantly lower in the intervention group, while deaths after breast cancer were statistically significantly lower both during intervention and through a 16.1-year (median) follow-up. Now, after a long-term, cumulative 19.6-year (median) follow-up, the significant reduction in deaths after breast cancer persists (359 [0.12%] v 652 [0.14%] deaths; hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.96; P = .01), and a statistically significant reduction in deaths as a result of breast cancer (breast cancer followed by death attributed to the breast cancer) emerged (132 [0.037%, annualized risk] v 251 [0.047%] deaths, respectively; HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.97; P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Adoption of a low-fat dietary pattern associated with increased vegetable, fruit, and grain intake, demonstrably achievable by many, may reduce the risk of death as a result of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
EV-101: A Phase I Study of Single-Agent Enfortumab Vedotin in Patients With Nectin-4–Positive Solid Tumors, Including Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Rosenberg Jonathan , Sridhar Srikala S. , Zhang Jingsong , Smith David , Ruether Dean , Flaig Thomas W. , Baranda Joaquina , Lang Joshua , Plimack Elizabeth R. , Sangha Randeep , Heath Elisabeth I. , Merchan Jamie , Quinn David I. , Srinivas Sandy , Milowsky Matthew , Wu Chunzhang , Gartner Elaina M. , Zuo Peiying , Melhem-Bertrandt Amal , Petrylak Daniel P.
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE

To assess the safety/tolerability and antitumor activity of enfortumab vedotin (EV), a novel investigational antibody-drug conjugate that delivers the microtubule-disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E, to cells that express Nectin-4.

METHODS

EV-101 is a phase I dose escalation/expansion study that enrolled patients with Nectin-4–expressing solid tumors (eg, metastatic urothelial carcinoma [mUC]) who progressed on ≥ 1 prior chemotherapy regimen and/or programmed death-1 receptor/programmed death ligand-1 [PD-(L)1] inhibitor, including a cohort of patients with mUC who received prior anti–PD-(L)1 therapy. Patients received escalating doses of EV up to 1.25 mg/kg on days 1, 8, and 15 of every 28-day cycle. Primary objectives were evaluation of safety/tolerability and pharmacokinetics; antitumor activity was a secondary objective.

RESULTS

Enrolled patients with mUC (n = 155) were heavily pretreated, with 96% having prior platinum-based chemotherapy and 29% receiving ≥ 3 lines of prior treatment. Maximum tolerated dose of EV was not established; however, the recommended phase II dose was identified as 1.25 mg/kg. Rash, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, alopecia, and nausea were the most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs); the most common TRAEs were grade 1-2 in severity. Among the 112 patients with mUC treated with single-agent EV 1.25 mg/kg, the investigator-assessed confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was 43%, and duration of response was 7.4 months. Median overall survival (OS) was 12.3 months, and the OS rate at 1 year was 51.8%. Similar ORR and estimated median OS were observed in patients ≥ 75 years of age with and without prior anti–PD-(L)1 treatment, liver metastases, or upper-tract disease.

CONCLUSION

Single-agent EV was generally well tolerated and provided clinically meaningful and durable responses in patients with mUC; survival data are encouraging. A pivotal phase II and a confirmatory phase III study are ongoing.
Dystopias in the Kingdom of Israel: Prophetic Narratives of Destruction in Recent Hebrew Literature
Authors: Hochberg Gil
Published: February 2020

This article is about a recent wave of literary dystopias published in Israel, most of which center on the soon-to-come destruction of the Jewish state. Notable among these are The Third (Ha-shlishi) by Yishai Sarid (2015), Mud (Tit) by Dror Burstein (2016), and Nuntia (Kfor) by Shimon Adaf (2010). These texts draw on biblical or Rabbinic Hebrew, Jewish sources, and Jewish historical events (specifically the destruction of the First and Second Temples), making them just as much about a dystopian past as they are about a dystopian future. They are, in other words, dystopias of a circular temporality: emerging from and moving toward (Jewish) dystopia. This recent wave of Israeli dystopian narratives is primarily preoccupied with the past and future of Judaism, the Jewish people, and Israel as a secular-yet-Jewish state. Most interesting, perhaps, is the complete absence of Palestinians from these texts and from this dystopic imagination. Despite their obvious presence in Israel’s current reality, Palestinians have no role whatsoever in these texts. We are dealing therefore with exclusively Jewish dystopias. Read against some of the dystopian white South African writings under Apartheid, the complete absence of Palestinians in the recently published Israeli dystopias, appears particularly disheartening. Neither partner nor enemy, Palestinians do not even share in a future nightmare with Israeli Jews. We are left with the following questions: Does writing a Jewish Israeli dystopia require eliminating Palestinians from the narrative? Is it possible (how is it possible?) to think of a Jewish (Israeli) future, present, and past without thinking about a Palestinian past, present, and future? Following the example of South African dystopias, this article concludes that for such literary and ethical concerns to be critically explored, Israel must first be (officially) recognized as an apartheid regime.
Pascal Quignard as Sinophile: Recreating Chinese Antiquity in Contemporary France
Authors: Li Xiaofan Amy
Published: February 2020

This article examines the question of reinventing Chinese antiquity in the works of the contemporary French writer Pascal Quignard. It focuses on three aspects of Quignard’s Chinese-inspired works: his rewriting of ancient Chinese texts, his views on the idea of language via classical Chinese language and thought, and his recreation of Chinese antiquity via a radical contemporization of the past. This examination demonstrates that Quignard poses important questions about cultural reception and appropriation, especially as regards the problematic relation between sinophilia, Orientalism, and the reception of antiquity. Finally, the article proposes a nuanced view of Quignard’s sinophilia that recognizes both its merits and drawbacks. It concludes by arguing that despite the pitfalls of cultural misunderstanding and misrepresentation, Quignard spells out the conceptual death of French Orientalism in his refusal to fetishize Chinese antiquity and attests to a tendency in contemporary French literature and thought to creatively recycle foreign cultures and revise one’s understanding through the other.
Arx expansion mutation perturbs cortical development by augmenting apoptosis without activating innate immunity in a mouse model of X-linked infantile spasms syndrome
Authors: Siehr Meagan S. , Massey Cory A. , Noebels Jeffrey L.
Published: February 2020

X-linked infantile spasms syndrome (ISSX) is a clinically devastating developmental epileptic encephalopathy with life-long impact. Arx(GCG)10+7, a mouse model of the most common triplet-repeat expansion mutation of ARX, exhibits neonatal spasms, electrographic phenotypes and abnormal migration of GABAergic interneuron subtypes. Neonatal presymptomatic treatment with 17β-estradiol (E2) in Arx(GCG)10+7 reduces spasms and modifies progression of epilepsy. Cortical pathology during this period, a crucial point for clinical intervention in ISSX, has largely been unexplored, and the pathogenic cellular defects that are targeted by early interventions are unknown. In the first postnatal week, we identified a transient wave of elevated apoptosis in Arx(GCG)10+7 mouse cortex that is non-Arx cell autonomous, since mutant Arx-immunoreactive (Arx+) cells are not preferentially impacted by cell death. NeuN+ (also known as Rbfox3) survival was also not impacted, suggesting a vulnerable subpopulation in the immature Arx(GCG)10+7 cortex. Inflammatory processes during this period might explain this transient elevation in apoptosis; however, transcriptomic and immunohistochemical profiling of several markers of inflammation revealed no innate immune activation in Arx(GCG)10+7 cortex. Neither neonatal E2 hormone therapy, nor ACTH(1-24), the frontline clinical therapy for ISSX, diminished the augmented apoptosis in Arx(GCG)10+7, but both rescued neocortical Arx+ cell density. Since early E2 treatment effectively prevents seizures in this model, enhanced apoptosis does not solely account for the seizure phenotype, but may contribute to other aberrant brain function in ISSX. However, since both hormone therapies, E2 and ACTH(1-24), elevate the density of cortical Arx+-interneurons, their early therapeutic role in other neurological disorders hallmarked by interneuronopathy should be explored.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Assessing the risk from the depleted uranium weapons used in Operation Allied Force
Authors: Liolios Th. E.
Published: February 2020

The conflict in Yugoslavia has been a source of great concern for the neighboring countries, about the radiological and toxic hazard posed by the alleged presence of depleted uranium in NATO weapons. In the present study a worst-case scenario is assumed mainly to assess the risk for Greece and other neighboring countries of Yugoslavia at similar distances . The risk of the weapons currently in use is proved to be negligible at distances greater than 100 Km. For shorter distances classified data of weapons composition are needed to obtain a reliable assessment.
Theory of Time Asymmetry and Strangeness Oscillation of K°
Authors: Syros C. , Ioannidis G. S.
Published: February 2020

The predicted value for the T-asymmetry, AT eory, of the neutral kaons strangeness oscillation in the framework of the chronotopological stochastic quantum field theory is AT eory = 6 . 6 x l 0 - 3 and the corresponding diameter of the interaction proper-time neighborhood, is δ(τχ) = 2.382 χ IO- 2 7 s. The antiproton energy in the reaction for the kaon production is Ep = 200 MeV. The time evolution operator, C(T\K), acting on the state vector gives two contributions, one unitary and one decoherent. AT eory as a function of Ep shows that Κ - decays (antimatter) were more abundant than matter decays at higher temperatures of the universe. C(T\K) appears in two disjoint subsets of denumerably many forms, unitary and non-measure preserving. The evolution operator of the standard quantum field theory is identical to the zerothorder element of the unitary subset. The set of evolution paths Schronotop., produced by C(7A„) is denumerable (quantized) in contradistiction to the set, SFeynman, of trajectories in the path integral which is continuous. The value measured recently by the CPLEAR-Collaboration at CERN is {A§xper·) = (6.6 ± 1.3) x 10"3 . The agreement with the predicted value is excellent.
Weak magnetism and pseudoscalar coupling in neutrino mass mechanism of neutrinoless double beta-decay
Authors: Pantis G. , Simkovic F.
Published: February 2020

In the calculations of the nuclear matrix element of Majorana neutrino mass mechanism of neutrinoless double beta decay so far only contributions from vector/axialvector part and weak magnetism of the nuclear current have been included, while other contributions have been neglected. In the present work we are examining the effect of weak magnetism and induced pseudoscalar coupling. We have performed calculations within the proton-neutron renormaiized quasiparticie random phase approximation and we have found that these additional contributions of the nucleon current, result in a considerable reduction of the nuclear matrix elements of all nuclei which we have considered. This reduction of the nuclear matrix element makes the extracted limits of the lepton number violating parameters ( < mu >, < g > and < 77^ >) less stringent yielding the best value for < mv > less than 0.62 eV for 76Ge.
The exotic μ~ —» e~ conversion in Nuclei: An Interplay of Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics.
Authors: Kosmas T. S.
Published: February 2020

The partial rates of all kinematically accessible channels (for coherent and incoherent processes) of the exotic μ~ —» e~ conversion in the currently interesting nuclei 27Al, 4 8Ti, and 2 0 8Pb are investigated. The assumed muon-number violation involves exchange of various particles in conventional extentions of the standard model and in minimal supersymmetric models with R-parity conserving and R-parity violating interactions. The transition matrix elements obtained are used to extract very severe constraints for the flavor violation parameters entering the effective Lagrangians resulting in the framework of specific particle models.
Cross section measurements of the 6Li(p,γ)7Be reaction
Authors: Skreti E. , Tsagkari P. , Souliotis G. A. , Demetriou P. , Harissopulos S. , Paradellis T.
Published: February 2020

Measurements of the nuclear reaction 6Li(p,γ)7Be have been carried out at the Van de Graaf Tandem accelerator of NCSR "Demokritos". The total cross section of the nuclear reaction 6Li(p,7)'Be has been measured over the proton energy range £p=690-930 keV.
"Beat" Patterns of Odd-Even Staggering in Octupole Bands of Light Actinides
Authors: Bonatsos Dennis , Daskaloyannis C. , Drenska S. B. , Karoussos N. , Minkov N. , Raychev P. P. , Roussev R. P.
Published: February 2020

The Δ I = 1 staggering (odd-even staggering) in octupole bands of light actinides. is found to exhibit a "beat" behaviour as a function of the angular momentum J, forcing us to revise the traditional belief that this staggering decreases gradually to, zero and then remains at this zero value. Various algebraic models (spf-Interacting Boson Model, spdf-IBM, Vector Boson Model, Nuclear Vibron Model) predict in their su(3) limits constant staggering for this case, being thus unable to describe the "beat" behaviour. An explanation of the "beat" behaviour is given in terms of two Dunham expansions (expansions in terms of powers of I ( I + 1) ) with slightly different sets of coefficients for the ground state band and the negative parity band, the difference in the values of the coefficients being attributed to Coriolis couplings to other negative parity bands.
Proton drip line nuclei in the Relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model
Authors: Lalazissis Georgios A.
Published: February 2020

The Relativistic Hartree Bogoliubov (RHB) theory is applied to the description of ground-state properties of proton-rich odd-Z nuclei. The model predicts the location of the proton drip-line, the ground-state quadrupole deformations and one-proton separation energies at and beyond the drip-line, the deformed single-particle Orbitals occupied by the odd valence proton, and the corresponding spectroscopic factors. The results of fully self-consistent RHB calculations are compared with experimental data on deformed and transitional proton emitters and the predictions of various mass models.
Μια νέα διάταξη για τη μεταστοιχείωση στοιχείων
Authors: Φραγκοπούλου Μ.
Published: February 2020

No abstract (available).
Improved global α optical model potentials at low energies
Authors: Demetriou P.
Published: February 2020

Many nuclear astrophysics applications involve radiative α-particle captures, α decays and Qi-particle transfer reactions. Theoretical estimates of the corresponding reaction  rates within the framework of the statistical model of Hauser-Feshbach remain highly uncertain due to the poor knowledge of the α-nucleus optical model potential, especially at low energies far below the Coulomb barrier. In the present paper we propose new global α-optical potentials that take into account the strong energy dependence and nuclear structure effects that characterize the alpha-nucleus interaction. The real part of the potential is calculated using a double-folding procedure over the M3KY effective nucleon-nucleon interaction. A Woods-Saxon potential is used for the imaginary potential where now a new parametrization is introduced to describe its energy dependence. Three potentials are developed, one with purely volume absorption, one with volume plus surface absorption, and finally, one where in addition to volume and surface absorption, the dispersive contributions obtained from the dispersive relation are included. The three potentials considered are able to reproduce the bulk of experimental data on (a,7), (α,η), (a,p) and (η,α) reactions as well as the existing elastic scattering data at energies of relevance to astrophysical applications. However, when considering reaction rates for nuclei in the experimentally unexplored mass region, deviations within a factor of 10 are found. These uncertainties are mainly due to the difficulty in constraining the diffuseness of the imaginary potential from analyses of existing experimental data
Bose-Einstein condensation of correlated atoms in a trap
Authors: Moustakidis Ch. C. , Massen S. E.
Published: February 2020

The Bose-Einstein condensation of correlated atoms in a trap is studied by examining the effect of inter-particle correlations to one-body properties of atomic systems at zero temperature using a simplified formula for the correlated two body density distribution. Analytical expressions for the density distribution and rms radius of the atomic systems are derived using four different expressions of Jastrow type correlation function. In one case, in addition, the one-body density matrix, momentum distribution and kinetic energy are calculated analytically, while the natural orbitals and natural occupation numbers are also predicted in this case. Simple approximate expressions for the mean square radius and kinetic energy are also given.
Development of X-ray fluorescence methods by use of a Mo X-ray tube and their application in the case of biological samples
Authors: Zarkadas Ch. , Karydas A. G. , Paradellis T.
Published: February 2020

In the present work two different experimental arrangements, aiming in the X-ray fluorescence analysis of solid and liquid biological samples respectively, were developed and studied both theoretically and experimentally in combination with a Mo anode X-ray tube: The secondary target XRF (STXRF) and the Total Reflection XRF set-up (TXRF). The secondary target XRF irradiation chamber was designed and constructed in our laboratory. Careful choice of the materials combined with the tight geometry used, minimize the presence of interference peaks in the spectrum and offer high intensity of the exciting beam at the sample position. Optimum performance was ensured by means of an extended theoretical and experimental study of various parameters affecting the analytical capabilities of secondary target XRF systems, such as: The choice of secondary target material and the operational conditions of the X-ray tube. The secondary target XRF set-up was applied in the determination of the concentrations of trace elements in a pool blood serum sample. A simple preparation technique, like the freeze-drying process was employed, resulting in detection limits of 15 ng/ml for most metal trace elements and for a 6000 sec measuring time. The accuracy of the whole experimental procedure, examined by internal standardization and by analyzing the reference standard material A-13, was found to be about 4% over the whole atomic number range. For the determination of the mass absorption coefficients, necessary in the quantification step, a modified version of the emission transmission method was employed. Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence (TXRF) is a well-established method, mainly applied in the analysis of liquid samples, offering very low detection limits in most of the cases. Direct application of the TXRF method is not so efficient in blood serum analysis, since the high content of the organic matrix increases significantly the background due to Compton scattering. Chemical treatment of the blood serum samples and related preconcentration techniques have been suggested in literature, but they are time consuming and increase the possibility of adding contaminants in the sample. In this work, the applicability of direct TXRF analysis in blood serum samples was examined. The insertion of a Mo filter after the cut-off reflector has been found to improve significantly the peak to background ratio, especially for the elements of interest such as Cu, Zn, Se and Br. The influence of self-absorption phenomena in the quantification procedure was also investigated with respect to the internal standard used and the sample mass analyzed. Precision and accuracy in the analysis was found to be about 4% over the whole atomic number range. Detection limits were in the order of 25ng/ml for most metal trace elements and a measuring time of 3600 sec.