bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic simulation scenario analysis of multiobjective optimization configuration of China's natural gas resources
Authors: Wang Yanqiu , Li Pengtai , Zhu Zhiwei
Published: August 2020

In order to seek the optimal growth of China's economy under the premise of natural gas supply safety and air pollution emission constraints, this paper builds a multiobjective optimal allocation model of China's natural gas. The model takes 2012 as the base period, and the simulation period is from 2013 to 2025. Four types of policy combinations are set as variables to be introduced into the model. Lingo is used to simulate the policy combinations under considerations by the model to select the optimal scenario. The dynamic scenario simulation results are as follows: (a) Comparing the simulated data with actual data from 2013 to 2018, we find that the relative error between the simulated results and the actual results is less than 3%, indicating that the constructed multiobjective optimization configuration model is reliable and effective. (b) By 2025, China's natural gas production will be 333.4 billion cubic meters, and its consumption will be 217.1 billion cubic meters. The output will gradually exceed the demand; the proportion of natural gas consumption in the total energy consumption will increase from 5.4% to 7.8%. The proportion has increased significantly; the total GDP is 139 trillion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 7.5%, and the contribution of the tertiary industry to GDP accounts for 55.8%; (c) China's SO2 emissions from 19.54 million tons in 2013 will be reduced to 12.64 million tons in 2025, China's NOx emissions plummeted from 21.92 million tons in 2013 to 12.59 million tons, and the emission intensity of atmospheric pollutants dropped from 34.0 tons/100 million yuan in 2013 to 9.1 tons/100 million yuan in 2025.
Underestimating Kanzi? Exploring Kanzi‐Oldowan comparisons in light of recent human stone tool replication
Authors: Eren Metin I. , Lycett Stephen J. , Tomonaga Masaki
Published: August 2020

The knapping experiments with Kanzi, a bonobo, are among the most insightful experiments into Oldowan technology ever undertaken. Comparison of his artifacts against archeological material, however, indicated he did not produce Oldowan lithic attributes precisely, prompting suggestions that this indicated cognitive or biomechanical impediments. The literature describing the learning environment provided to Kanzi, we suggest, indicates alternative factors. Based on consideration of wild chimpanzee learning environments, and experiments with modern knappers that have looked at learning environment, we contend that Kanzi's performance was impeded by an impoverished learning environment compared to those experienced by novice Oldowan knappers. Such issues are precisely those that might be tested via a repeat study, but in this case, practical and ethical constraints likely impede this possibility. We propose experiments that may be relevant to drawing conclusions from Kanzi's experiments that may not need to use non‐human primates, thus bypassing some of these issues.
Light‐limited photosynthesis under energy‐saving film decreases eggplant yield
Authors: Chavan Sachin G. , Maier Chelsea , Alagoz Yagiz , Filipe Joao C. , Warren Charles R. , Lin Han , Jia Baohua , Loik Michael E. , Cazzonelli Christopher I. , Chen Zhonghua H. , Ghannoum Oula , Tissue David T.
Published: August 2020

Glasshouse films with adjustable light transmittance and energy‐efficient designs have the potential to reduce (up to 80%) the high energy cost for greenhouse horticulture operations. Whether these films compromise the quantity and quality of light transmission for photosynthesis and crop yield remains unclear. A “Smart Glass” film ULR‐80 (SG) was applied to a high‐tech greenhouse horticulture facility, and two experimental trials were conducted by growing eggplant (Solanum melongena) using commercial vertical cultivation and management practices. SG blocked 85% of ultraviolet (UV), 58% of far‐red, and 26% of red light, leading to an overall reduction of 19% in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 380–699 nm) and a 25% reduction in total season fruit yield. There was a 53% (season mean) reduction in net short‐wave radiation (radiometer range, 385–2,105 nm upward; 295–2,685 nm downward) that generated a net reduction of 8% in heat load and reduced water and nutrient consumption by 18%, leading to improved energy and resource use efficiency. Eggplant adjusted to the altered SG light environment via decreased maximum light‐saturated photosynthetic rates (Amax) and lower xanthophyll de‐epoxidation state. The shift in light characteristics under SG led to reduced photosynthesis, which may have reduced source (leaf) to sink (fruit) carbon distribution, increased fruit abortion and decreased fruit yield, but did not affect nutritional quality. We conclude that SG increases energy and resource use efficiency, without affecting fruit quality, but the reduction in photosynthesis and eggplant yield is high. The solution is to re‐engineer the SG to increase penetration of UV and PAR, while maintaining blockage of glasshouse heat gain.
Corporate governance and earnings management nexus: Evidence from the UK and Egypt using neural networks
Authors: Abdou Hussein A. , Ellelly Nouran N. , Elamer Ahmed A. , Hussainey Khaled , Yazdifar Hassan
Published: August 2020

Using conventional regressions and generalized regression neural networks (GRNNs), we examine the relationship between corporate governance (CG) and earnings management (EM). We also examine whether governance quality moderates the association between EM and CG for a sample of British and Egyptian companies. Our findings show that: (a) UK firms are likely to have lower levels of EM if they: have smaller boards, are dominated by independent outside directors, and have a low percentage of female directors; (b) Egyptian firms are likely to have lower levels of EM if they: have larger boards, are dominated by independent outside directors, and have a low percentage of female directors; (c) The governance quality (control of corruption) has a significant hidden effect on EM. Since our results provide empirical evidence that the board of directors plays a vital role in mitigating EM, these findings might lead to an improvement in the credibility of financial statements for investors in both the UK and Egypt. As policy implications, our findings inform regulators and policy‐makers that corruption has a very strong hidden effect on EM and that they can deter EM by controlling the corruption level in their countries.
Effect of delayed obstetric labor care during the COVID‐19 pandemic on perinatal outcomes
Authors: Sun Sue Yazaki , Guazzelli Cristina Aparecida Falbo , de Morais Luiza Russo , Dittmer Fernanda Parciapese , Augusto Marina Nóbrega , Soares Arimaza Contarini , Coutinho da Silva Priscilla Mota , Abuchaim Erika de Sá Vieira , Mattar Rosiane
Published: August 2020

During the COVID‐19 quarantine period, there was an increased number of patients admitted in advanced stages of labor, resulting in higher rates of vaginal deliveries compared to the same period in 2019.
Polymer microparticles with a cavity designed for transarterial chemo‐embolization with crystalline drug formulations
Authors: Karina Aigerim , Benzina Abderazak , Tazhibayeva Samal , Fan Haiyan , Koole Levinus H.
Published: August 2020

Transarterial chemo‐embolization with drug‐eluting embolic beads (DEB‐TACE) is still evolving. Recent developments include the introduction of radiopaque (X‐ray imageable) drug‐eluting particles. Here, we report on conceptually different radiopaque polymeric drug‐eluting embolic particles, which are (i), cross‐linked poly(methacrylates); (ii), radiopaque; (iii), microporous. Furthermore, the particles are not perfectly spherical: they have a large indentation in the sense that they are either a spherical/cup‐shaped or ellipsoid/mouth‐shaped. The micropores and the large indentation can confer useful features upon the particles, since they can be filled with a crystalline lipophilic chemotherapeutic drug. It is important, in this respect that (i), many potent chemotherapeutics are lipophilic and crystalline; (ii), available drug‐eluting beads (DEBs) have the limitation that they can only be used in combination with water‐soluble chemotherapeutic agents. Cup‐ and mouth‐shaped particles were obtained in a Cu(0) catalyzed free‐radical polymerization reaction. The microparticles could be charged with crystalline drug, in such a manner that the crystals reside in both the micropores and the large cavity, and in quantities that would be required for effective local chemotherapy. The antifungal drug voriconazole, lipophilic, and crystalline, was used to demonstrate this. We believe that the ability of the microporous/cavitated DEBs to carry lipophilic chemotherapeutic drugs is especially important. DEB‐TACE is likely to become a cornerstone method of interventional oncology in the years ahead, and the new embolic particles described herein hold the promise of becoming scope widening for the technique.
Development and evaluation of reparative tricalcium silicate‐ZrO2‐Biosilicate composites
Authors: Queiroz Marcela B. , Torres Fernanda F. E. , Rodrigues Elisandra M. , Viola Kennia S. , Bosso‐Martelo Roberta , Chavez‐Andrade Gisselle M. , Souza Marina T. , Zanotto Edgar D. , Guerreiro‐Tanomaru Juliane M. , Tanomaru‐Filho Mario
Published: August 2020

Biosilicate is a bioactive glass–ceramic used in medical and dental applications. This study evaluated novel reparative materials composed of pure tricalcium silicate (TCS), 30% zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and 10 or 20% biosilicate, in comparison with Biodentine. Setting time was evaluated based on ISO 6876 standard, radiopacity by radiographic analysis, solubility by mass loss, and pH by using a pH meter. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide and NR assays. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red were used to evaluate cell bioactivity. Antimicrobial activity was assessed on Enterococcus faecalis by the direct contact test. The data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Tukey; Bonferroni and Kruskal–Wallis, and Dunn tests (α = 0.05). The association of Biosilicate with TCS + ZrO2 had appropriate setting time, radiopacity, and solubility, alkaline pH, and antimicrobial activity. TCS and Biodentine showed higher ALP activity in 14 days than the control (serum‐free medium). All cements produced mineralized nodules. In conclusion, Biosilicate + TCS ZrO2 decreased the setting time and increased the radiopacity in comparison to TCS. Biosilicate + TCS ZrO2 presented lower solubility and higher radiopacity than Biodentine. In addition, these experimental cements promoted antimicrobial activity and mineralization nodules formation, suggesting their potential for clinical use.
Congenital biliary dilatation in the era of laparoscopic surgery, focusing on the high incidence of anatomical variations of the right hepatic artery
Authors: Mori Yasuhisa , Nakata Kohei , Aly Mohammed Y. F. , Ideno Noboru , Ikenaga Naoki , Okabe Yasuhiro , Ishigami Kousei , Oda Yoshinao , Nakamura Masafumi
Published: August 2020

Background

The present study aimed to evaluate anatomical variations of the right hepatic artery (RHA) in patients with congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) and the appropriate approach in laparoscopic surgery for CBD.

Methods

The medical records of 36 patients who underwent laparoscopic or open surgery for CBD from 1996 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Radiological evaluation of the origin and course of the RHA in these 36 patients were compared with 195 control patients without CBD.

Results

The incidence of the RHA crossing anterior to the common hepatic duct (CHD) was significantly higher in patients with CBD than in those without CBD (33% versus 10%, P = .0001). There was no intraoperative injury of the RHA, irrespective of the course of the RHA. The CHD was divided at the caudal side of the RHA in 11 of 12 patients (92%) with the anterior type of RHA, and in 13 of 24 patients (54%) with the posterior type of RHA (P = .03).

Conclusions

Patients with CBD had a higher incidence of the RHA crossing anterior to the CHD than patients without CBD. Preservation of the RHA in each situation is necessary during surgery for CBD in the era of laparoscopic surgery.
The differences of atrial thrombus locations and variable response to anticoagulation in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation with ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Zhang Hao , Yu Miao , Xia Yu , Li Xiaofeng , Liu Jun , Fang Pihua
Published: August 2020

Objectives

This study aims to research the clinical features of atrial thrombi in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODS

This study included 191 patients of AF who had atrial thrombi. One hundred and twenty‐eight of them were assigned into nonventricular cardiomyopathy group (non‐VCM), and the remaining 63 into ventricular cardiomyopathy group (VCM). After atrial thrombi diagnosed, all patients had taken oral anticoagulant therapy. The resolution rates of thrombi within 12 months were compared between the two groups, as well as the locations of thrombi.

Results

Of all 191 patients, 161 had thrombi only detected in left atrial appendage (LAA), 20 in both left atrium (LA) and LAA, six in LA only, and four in right atrium only. More patients had thrombi out of LAA in the VCM group than in the non‐VCM group (30.2% vs 8.6%, P < .001). After propensity score matching, the atrial thrombi were resolved faster in the non‐VCM group than in the VCM group (mean time length: 22 ± 2 weeks vs 30 ± 3 weeks, P = .038), and the resolution rate within 12 months was higher in the non‐VCM group than in the VCM group (88.7% vs 61.4%, Log‐rank, P = .038). In Cox proportional hazards model, absence of ventricular cardiomyopathy was an independent predictor for the resolution of atrial thrombus (hazard ratio: 1.76; P = .035).

Conclusions

The patients of atrial fibrillation with ventricular cardiomyopathies have higher incidence of thrombosis in the body of left atrium or right atrium. And the resolution rate was lower in these patients.
Climatology and trends of reference evapotranspiration in Spain
Authors: Tomas‐Burguera Miquel , Beguería Santiago , Vicente‐Serrano Sergio M.
Published: August 2020

This study presents a climatology and trend analysis of reference crop evapotranspiration (ETo) over continental Spain and the Balearic Islands. Geographic features of the study region play a substantial role in the climatology of ETo. The highest values (in excess of 1,200 mm y−1) are found at lower elevations in the south, while the lowest values (less than 900 mm y−1) are found in the highest elevations in the north. A deep analysis reveals: (a) a low interannual variability; (b) summer accumulates more than 50% of annual values; and (c) the radiative component contribution is higher than 50%. A positive long‐term trend (1961–2014) has been detected for most of the study area, but showing contrasting situations when shorter periods (20–30 years) are analysed. A short initial period of negative trend was followed by a longer period of a positive trend. We argue that global dimming/brightening played a role in this process, as these two contrasting periods are clearly guided by the radiative component. A seasonal analysis of the trends reveals that spring and summer are the seasons showing the long‐term positive trends. Interestingly, a monthly analysis shows that spring trends are guided by March and April and summer trends are mostly guided by June, which is the month showing the highest relative changes. This could have important consequences for agriculture and natural ecosystems since this month represents the start of the summer (dry) period.
COVID‐19: Current and future challenges in spine care and education ‐ a worldwide study
Authors: Nolte Michael T. , Harada Garrett K. , Louie Philip K. , McCarthy Michael H. , Sayari Arash J. , Mallow G. Michael , Siyaji Zakariah , Germscheid Niccole , Cheung Jason PY , Neva Marko H. , El‐Sharkawi Mohammad , Valacco Marcelo , Sciubba Daniel M. , Chutkan Norman B. , An Howard S. , Samartzis Dino
Published: August 2020

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted spine care around the globe. Much uncertainty remains regarding the immediate and long‐term future of spine care and education in this COVID‐19 era.

Study design

Cross‐sectional, international study of spine surgeons.

Methods

A multi‐dimensional survey was distributed to spine surgeons around the world. A total of 73 questions were asked regarding demographics, COVID‐19 observations, personal impact, effect on education, adoption of telemedicine, and anticipated challenges moving forward. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess factors related to likelihood of future conference attendance, future online education, and changes in surgical indications.

Results

A total of 902 spine surgeons from seven global regions completed the survey. Respondents reported a mean level of overall concern of 3.7 on a scale of one to five. 84.0% reported a decrease in clinical duties, and 67.0% reported a loss in personal income. The 82.5% reported being interested in continuing a high level of online education moving forward. Respondents who personally knew someone who tested positive for COVID‐19 were more likely to be unwilling to attend a medical conference 1 year from now (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: [0.39, 0.95], P = .029). The 20.0% reported they plan to pursue an increased degree of nonoperative measures prior to surgery 1 year from now, and respondents with a spouse at home (OR: 3.55, 95% CI: [1.14, 11.08], P = .029) or who spend a large percentage of their time teaching (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: [1.02, 2.07], P = .040) were more likely to adopt this practice.

Conclusions

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had an adverse effect on surgeon teaching, clinical volume, and personal income. In the future, surgeons with family and those personally affected by COVID‐19 may be more willing to alter surgical indications and change education and conference plans. Anticipating these changes may help the spine community appropriately plan for future challenges.
Dissolved organic matter regulates nutrient limitation and growth of benthic algae in northern lakes through interacting effects on nutrient and light availability
Authors: Fork Megan L. , Karlsson Jan , Sponseller Ryan A.
Published: August 2020

Widespread increases in dissolved organic matter (DOM) concentration across northern lakes can alter rates of primary production by increasing nutrient availability and decreasing light availability. These dual effects of DOM generate a unimodal relationship in pelagic primary production and primary producer biomass among lakes over a gradient of DOM concentration. However, the responses of benthic algae to variation in DOM loading are less clear because of their potential to access sediment nutrients. We tested algal production and nutrient limitation along a DOM gradient in northern Sweden. Without added nutrients, benthic algal production showed a unimodal relationship with DOM, similar to reported pelagic responses. Nutrient addition revealed widespread nitrogen limitation, with decreasing severity in lakes with higher DOM. Because the majority of northern Swedish lakes currently fall below the inflection point in this unimodal relationship, moderate increases in DOM have the potential to increase benthic primary production, particularly for epilithic algae.
Stakeholder perspectives regarding pragmatic clinical trial collateral findings
Authors: Morain Stephanie R. , Mathews Debra J. H. , Weinfurt Kevin , May Elizabeth , Bollinger Juli M. , Geller Gail , Sugarman Jeremy
Published: August 2020

Context

Pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs), which are becoming widespread since they are relatively inexpensive and offer important benefits for healthcare decision‐making, can also present practical, ethical, and legal challenges. One such challenge involves managing “pragmatic clinical trial collateral findings” (PCT‐CFs), or information emerging in a PCT that is unrelated to the primary research question(s), yet may have implications for individual patients, clinicians, or health care systems from whom or within which data were collected. The expansion of PCTs makes it likely healthcare systems will increasingly encounter PCT‐CFs, yet little guidance exists regarding their appropriate management.

Methods

We conducted semi‐structured interviews with key stakeholders experienced in the conduct or oversight of PCTs and those in health system leadership. Interviews explored respondents' experience with PCTs and PCT‐CFs, and actual or hypothetical reactions to PCT‐CF management. We used standard methods of qualitative analysis to identify key themes.

Findings

Forty‐one stakeholders participated. Four key themes emerged. First, discussions of PCT‐CFs are complicated by layers of ambiguity related to both the nature of PCTs themselves, and unanticipated results that emanate from them. Second, management of PCT‐CFs is context‐specific, and not amenable to a “one‐size‐fits‐all” approach. Third, there was a wide diversity of attitudes regarding the scope of researcher responsibilities in PCTs. Fourth, PCT‐CFs had generally not been previously considered by respondents, but there was widespread belief in the importance of prospective planning to anticipate such issues in future PCTs.

Conclusions

PCT‐CFs are likely to increase, yet those charged with PCT‐CF decision‐making and their disclosure are unlikely to have experience with these issues. Further deliberation about the ethical obligations and implementation processes regarding PCT‐CFs is needed. To enhance the likelihood of developing sound policies and practices, such deliberations should include the input and perspectives of key stakeholders in PCTs, including professionals, policy makers, and patients.
Dynamic modeling and analysis of COVID‐19 in different transmission process and control strategies
Authors: Hu Lin , Nie Lin‐Fei
Published: August 2020

Based on the control measures at different stages of COVID‐19 and its transmission characteristics, we propose a dynamical model to describe the transmission of this virus among wild animals, human population, and the environment, where the migration of humans, asymptomatic infected humans, and the self‐protection awareness of susceptible humans are also introduced. We discuss, firstly, the existence and stability of the disease‐free and endemic equilibrium of wild animals and environment‐only model; this happens to be the initial stage of disease transmission. Further, with the intervention of control measures, the model degenerates into a subsystem with only human population and environment; the existence and stability of the disease‐free equilibrium of this subsystem are studied. With the strengthening of control strategies, the environment and human population subsystems have further degenerated into a human population‐only model with blocking migration and environment; the ultimate extinction of this disease and the peak of the outbreak are researched. Finally, some numerical simulations are carried to explain the main results and the impacts of various control strategies on the disease outbreak. In particular, we also fit the confirmed cases in Wuhan from 24 January to 5 March to illustrate the rationality and effectiveness of our model. The results show that, in the early stage of the outbreak of COVID‐19, stopping all the migration of humans, increasing the intensity of treatment, enhancing the awareness of personal protection, and especially increasing the ability to identify asymptomatic infections are indispensable control means to control this disease.
Mechanically reconfigurable array with pattern and polarization diversity
Authors: Chen Tsair‐Rong , Lin Yao‐Sheng , Kuo Li‐Kai , Row Jeen‐Sheen
Published: August 2020

A 2 × 2 array with reconfigurable pattern and polarization is presented. The element of the array is a circularly polarized (CP) antenna, which is mainly composed of a monopole slot, a dipole, and a cylindrical copper tube. By manually moving the dipole arms, the element can be operated at right‐handed and left‐handed circular polarization states; besides, each CP element can be electrically rotated with a servo motor, whereby the phase of its radiated fields is varied with rotation angle. Based on such a mechanically reconfigurable element, the resultant array at each CP state can be operated in different radiation modes, including broadside mode, conical mode, and steerable beam mode. In addition, the array operated in the broadside mode can also provide a linearly polarized radiation with 360° polarization scanning. Simulations for typical radiation modes of the proposed array are performed, and they are validated with experiments.
Cognitive functioning, patient health communication, and worry mediate pain predictive effects on health‐related quality of life in youth with sickle cell disease
Authors: Varni James W. , Panepinto Julie A.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The objective was to investigate the serial mediating effects of perceived cognitive functioning, patient health communication, and disease‐specific worry in the relationship between pain and overall generic health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) from the patient perspective.

Methods

The pain, cognitive functioning, communication and worry scales from the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Sickle Cell Disease Module and the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, and the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales were completed in a multisite national study by 233 youth with SCD of ages 5‐18. Hierarchical multiple regression and serial multiple mediator model analyses were conducted to test the mediating effects of perceived cognitive functioning, health communication, and disease‐specific worry as intervening variables in the association between the pain predictor variable and overall generic HRQOL.

Results

Pain predictive effects on overall generic HRQOL were serially mediated by cognitive functioning, health communication, and disease‐specific worry. In predictive analytics models utilizing hierarchical multiple regression analyses with age and gender demographic covariates, pain, cognitive functioning, health communication, and worry accounted for 65% of the variance in patient‐reported overall generic HRQOL (P < .001), representing a large effect size.

Conclusions

Perceived cognitive functioning, patient health communication, and disease‐specific worry explain in part the mechanism of pain predictive effects on overall generic HRQOL in youth with SCD. Identifying SCD‐specific pain, perceived cognitive functioning, health communication, and disease‐specific worry as predictor variables of overall generic HRQOL from the patient perspective may inform clinical interventions and future patient‐centered clinical research.
Identification and management of congenital parvovirus B19 infection
Authors: Attwood Lucy O. , Holmes Natasha E. , Hui Lisa
Published: August 2020

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection is well known for its mild, self‐limiting clinical presentations in children, such as erythema infectiosum. Approximately 40% of women of childbearing age are susceptible to B19V infection. While maternal B19V infection usually has a good prognosis, B19V can cause severe fetal anaemia and pregnancy loss due to its ability to suppress erythroid progenitor cells. Non‐invasive ultrasound monitoring for fetal anaemia is usually performed if maternal seroconversion occurs in the first 20 weeks of gestation, with amniocentesis for fetal infection reserved for those who first present with fetal anaemia or hydrops of unknown cause. Intrauterine transfusion is the standard treatment for severe fetal anaemia and is associated with a significant improvement in survival. However, survivors of hydrops fetalis may have a higher rate of long‐term neurodevelopmental complications compared with non‐hydropic survivors. This review aims to synthesise published data on the diagnosis, surveillance and outcomes of congenital parvovirus infection to assist clinicians in diagnosing and managing this important condition.
Clinical Profiles and Symptom Burden Estimates to Support Decision‐Making Using the Urinary Symptom Questionnaire for People with Neurogenic Bladder (USQNB) using Intermittent Catheters
Authors: Tractenberg Rochelle E. , Groah Suzanne L. , Rounds Amanda K. , Davis Elizabeth F. , Ljungberg Inger H. , Frost Jamie K. , Schladen Manon M.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To describe the scoring approach, considering interpretability, validity, and use, of a new patient‐centered patient reported outcome (PRO), the Urinary Symptom Questionnaire for Neurogenic Bladder‐Intermittent Catheter version (USQNB‐IC).

Design

Subject matter experts (researchers, clinicians, a consumer, a psychometrician) classified USQNB‐IC items. Profiles were then composed based on self‐management decisions made by patients; patient management decisions made by clinicians; and research‐oriented decisions made by investigators. Participants in an 18‐month pilot study completed the USQNB‐IC every week. Differences in decisions based on traditional ‘total scores’ and profiles were examined. Validity was defined based on alignment of scoring method with decisions.

Setting

A new set of patient‐centered PROs enable monitoring and decision‐making around urinary signs and symptoms among people with neurogenic bladder (NB).

Participants

Classifications of USQNB‐IC items by subject matter experts. Utility of the classifications and profiles that were created was assessed using weekly responses from the 6‐month baseline period from 103 participants in a pilot study.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Classification of the 29 symptoms resulted in four categories with exchangeability within‐category and nonexchangeability across categories. The burden of each symptom type is one approach to scoring the USQNB‐IC. Five profiles, based on these categories, emerged based on, and supportive of, decisions to be made according to symptoms, representing a categorical approach to scoring the USQNB‐IC.

Results

USQNB‐IC items are not all exchangeable. Four symptom classifications comprise within‐class exchangeable items. Five profiles emerged to summarize these items to promote decision‐making and identification of change over time. Both ways to “score” the USQNB‐IC are described and discussed.

Conclusions

“Profiling” promotes valid and interpretable decisions by patients and clinicians, based on a patient's urinary symptoms with the USQNB‐IC cross‐sectionally and longitudinally. Alternatively, four subsets of the 29 USQNB‐IC symptoms can be used as continuous outcomes representing “burden” in clinical management or research.
Exploring the effect of silicene monolayer on the structure and function of villin headpiece and amyloid fibrils by molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Meng Yajie , Liu Ruirui , Song Liting , Zhu Min , Zhai Honglin , Ren Cuiling
Published: August 2020

With the development of various nanomaterial expected to be used in biomedical fields, it is more important to evaluate and understand their potential effects on biological system. In this work, two proteins with different structure, Villin Headpiece (HP35) with α‐helix structure and protofibrils Aβ1‐42 with five β‐strand chains, were selected and their interactions with silicene were studied by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to reveal the potential effect of silicene on the structure and function of biomolecules. The obtained results indicated that silicene could rapidly attract HP35 and Aβ1‐42 fibrils onto the surface to form a stable binding. The adsorption strength was moderate and no significant structural distortion of HP35 and Aβ1‐42 fibrils was observed. Moreover, the strength of calculated the H‐bonds in neighbor chain of Aβ1‐42 fibrils indicated that the mild interactions between silicene and fibrils could regularize the structure of Aβ1‐42 fibrils and stabilize the interactions between five chains of fibrils protein, which might enhance the aggregation of Aβ1‐42 fibrils. This study provides a new insight for understanding the interaction between nanomaterials and biomolecules and moves forward the development of silicene into biomedical fields.
Exploring the role of hydrophilic amino acids in unfolding of protein in aqueous ethanol solution
Authors: Halder Ritaban , Jana Biman
Published: August 2020

Hydrophobic association is the key contributor behind the formation of well packed core of a protein which is often believed to be an important step for folding from an unfolded chain to its compact functional form. While most of the protein folding/unfolding studies have evaluated the changes in the hydrophobic interactions during chemical denaturation, the role of hydrophilic amino acids in such processes are not discussed in detail. Here we report the role of the hydrophilic amino acids behind ethanol induced unfolding of protein. Using free energy simulations, we show that chicken villin head piece (HP‐36) protein unfolds gradually in presence of water‐ethanol binary mixture with increasing composition of ethanol. However, upon mutation of hydrophilic amino acids by glycine while keeping the hydrophobic amino acids intact, the compact state of the protein is found to be stable at all compositions with gradual flattening of the free energy landscape upon increasing compositions. The local environment around the protein in terms of ethanol/water number significantly differs in wild type protein compared to the mutated protein. The calculated Wyman‐Tanford preferential binding coefficient of ethanol for wild type protein reveals that a greater number of cosolutes (here ethanol) bind to the unfolded state compared to its folded state. However, no significant increase in binding coefficient of ethanol at the unfolded state is found for mutated protein. Local‐bulk partition coefficient calculation also suggests similar scenarios. Our results reveal that the weakening of hydrophobic interactions in aqueous ethanol solution along with larger preferential binding of ethanol to the unfolded state mediated by hydrophilic amino acids combinedly helps unfolding of protein in aqueous ethanol solution.
Multiscale Model Identifies Improved Schedule for Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia In Vitro With the Mcl‐1 Inhibitor AZD5991
Authors: Goliaei Ardeshir , Woods Haley A. , Tron Adriana E. , Belmonte Matthew A. , Secrist J. Paul , Ferguson Douglas , Drew Lisa , Fretland Adrian J. , Aldridge Bree B. , Gibbons Francis D.
Published: August 2020

Anticancer efficacy is driven not only by dose but also by frequency and duration of treatment. We describe a multiscale model combining cell cycle, cellular heterogeneity of B‐cell lymphoma 2 family proteins, and pharmacology of AZD5991, a potent small‐molecule inhibitor of myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl‐1). The model was calibrated using in vitro viability data for the MV‐4‐11 acute myeloid leukemia cell line under continuous incubation for 72 hours at concentrations of 0.03–30 μM. Using a virtual screen, we identified two schedules as having significantly different predicted efficacy and showed experimentally that a “short” schedule (treating cells for 6 of 24 hours) is significantly better able to maintain the rate of cell kill during treatment than a “long” schedule (18 of 24 hours). This work suggests that resistance can be driven by heterogeneity in protein expression of Mcl‐1 alone without requiring mutation or resistant subclones and demonstrates the utility of mathematical models in efficiently identifying regimens for experimental exploration.
On the Influence of the SiNx Composition on the Firing Stability of Poly‐Si/SiNx Stacks
Authors: Steinhauser Bernd , Feldmann Frank , Ourinson Daniel , Nagel Henning , Fellmeth Tobias , Hermle Martin
Published: August 2020

Industrial TOPCon cells commonly feature a TOPCon/SiNx stack for the passivation at the rear. In this layer stack system, the SiNx needs to function as a hydrogen source during the firing step to ensure a good passivation after firing. Herein, the composition of this SiNx layer is varied, and it is shown that a refractive index of n > 2 is desirable to achieve proper hydrogenation of the TOPCon layer yielding a J0s as low as 6.6 fA cm−2 after firing on textured surface. The increased silicon content in the layer does not lead to negative effects when metallizing the samples and instead leads to less metal spiking resulting in an iVOC of 730 mV including the contacts with a low specific contact resistivity of ≈1 mΩ cm2.
National culture's influence on environmental performance of countries: A study of direct and indirect effects
Authors: Dangelico Rosa Maria , Fraccascia Luca , Nastasi Alberto
Published: August 2020

The effect of national culture on country environmental performance has received attention during the past few years. However, previous studies considered a subset of cultural dimensions, focused on diverse environmental performance measures, provided contrasting results, and did not adequately investigated the mediating effects of socio‐economic variables. In this study, we investigate the impact of all cultural dimensions (power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long‐term orientation, indulgence) on three environmental performance measures at the country level: the environmental performance index and its two main overarching objectives. Both direct and indirect effects, through three socio‐economic variables (population growth, education, income), are tested using a sample of 62 countries. Results show that the effect of cultural dimensions may vary based on the specific cultural dimension and the type of environmental performance measure considered. Masculinity and indulgence directly impact on environmental performance. Power distance has no influence on environmental performance measures. The other dimensions affect environmental performance through the mediating effect of socio‐economic variables.
Pan‐genome: A promising resource for noncoding RNA discovery in plants
Authors: Tahir ul Qamar Muhammad , Zhu Xitong , Khan Muhammad Sarwar , Xing Feng , Chen Ling‐Ling
Published: August 2020

Plant genomes contain both protein‐coding and noncoding sequences including transposable elements (TEs) and noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). The ncRNAs are recognized as important elements that play fundamental roles in the structural organization and function of plant genomes. Despite various hypotheses, TEs are believed to be a major precursor of ncRNAs. Transposable elements are also prime factors that cause genomic variation among members of a species. Hence, TEs pose a major challenge in the discovery and analysis of ncRNAs. With the increase in the number of sequenced plant genomes, it is now accepted that a single reference genome is insufficient to represent the complete genomic diversity and contents of a species, and exploring the pan‐genome of a species is critical. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in the field of plant pan‐genomes. We also discuss TEs and their roles in ncRNA biogenesis and present our perspectives on the application of pan‐genomes for the discovery of ncRNAs to fully explore and exploit their biological roles in plants.
From Navier-Stokes to Maxwell via Einstein
Authors: Keeler Cynthia , Manton Tucker , Monga Nikhil
Published: August 2020

Abstract

We revisit the cutoff surface formulation of fluid-gravity duality in the context of the classical double copy. The spacetimes in this fluid-gravity duality are algebraically special, with Petrov type II when the spacetime is four dimensional. We find two special classes of fluids whose dual spacetimes exhibit higher algebraic speciality: constant vorticity flows have type D gravity duals, while potential flows map to type N spacetimes. Using the Weyl version of the classical double copy, we construct associated single-copy gauge fields for both cases, finding that constant vorticity fluids map to a solenoid gauge field. Additionally we find the scalar in a potential flow fluid maps to the zeroth copy scalar.
Tachyonic Kaluza-Klein modes and the AdS swampland conjecture
Authors: Malek Emanuel , Nicolai Hermann , Samtleben Henning
Published: August 2020

Abstract

We compute the Kaluza-Klein spectrum of the non-supersymmetric SO(3) × SO(3)-invariant AdS4 vacuum of 11-dimensional supergravity, whose lowest-lying Kaluza-Klein modes belong to a consistent truncation to 4-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 8 supergravity and are stable. We show that, nonetheless, the higher Kaluza-Klein modes become tachyonic so that this non-supersymmetric AdS4 vacuum is perturbatively unstable within 11-dimensional supergravity. This represents the first example of unstable higher Kaluza-Klein modes and provides further evidence for the AdS swampland conjecture, which states that there are no stable non-supersymmetric AdS vacua within string theory. We also find 27 infinitesimal moduli amongst the Kaluza-Klein modes, which hints at the existence of a family of non-supersymmetric AdS4 vacua.
Some new results about a conjecture by Brian Alspach
Authors: Costa S. , Pellegrini M. A.
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we consider the following conjecture, proposed by Brian Alspach, concerning partial sums in finite cyclic groups: given a subset A of $$\mathbb {Z}_n{\setminus } \{0\}$$

Z
n

\

{
0
}

of size k such that $$\sum _{z\in A} z\not = 0$$

∑

z
∈
A

z
≠
0

, it is possible to find an ordering $$(a_1,\ldots ,a_k)$$

(

a
1

,
…
,

a
k

)

of the elements of A such that the partial sums $$s_i=\sum _{j=1}^i a_j$$

s
i

=

∑

j
=
1

i

a
j

, $$i=1,\ldots ,k$$

i
=
1
,
…
,
k

, are nonzero and pairwise distinct. This conjecture is known to be true for subsets of size $$k\le 11$$

k
≤
11

in cyclic groups of prime order. Here, we extend this result to any torsion-free abelian group and, as a consequence, we provide an asymptotic result in $$\mathbb {Z}_n$$

Z
n

. We also consider a related conjecture, originally proposed by Ronald Graham: given a subset A of $$\mathbb {Z}_p{\setminus }\{0\}$$

Z
p

\

{
0
}

, where p is a prime, there exists an ordering of the elements of A such that the partial sums are all distinct. Working with the methods developed by Hicks, Ollis, and Schmitt, based on Alon’s combinatorial Nullstellensatz, we prove the validity of this conjecture for subsets A of size 12.
On the Nonstationary Stokes System in a Cone ($$L_p$$ Theory)
Authors: Kozlov V. , Rossmann J.
Published: August 2020

The authors consider the Dirichlet problem for the nonstationary Stokes system in a threedimensional cone. In a previous work they had proved the existence and uniqueness of solution in weighted$$L_2$$L2Sobolev spaces, where the weights are powers of the distance from the vertex of the cone. Now they extend these results to weighted$$L_{q,p}$$Lq,pSobolev spaces.
Discriminant analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination in bee pollen based on near-infrared data from lab-stationary and portable spectrometers
Authors: De Jesus Inacio Luciana , Lanza Ilaria , Merlanti Roberta , Contiero Barbara , Lucatello Lorena , Serva Lorenzo , Bisutti Vittoria , Mirisola Massimo , Tenti Sandro , Segato Severino , Capolongo Francesca
Published: August 2020

Bee pollen may be contaminated with pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and their N-oxides (PANOs), which are mainly detected by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), even though the use of fast near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is an ongoing alternative. Therefore, the main challenge of this study was to assess the feasibility of both a lab-stationary (Foss) and a portable (Polispec) NIR spectrometer in 60 dehydrated bee pollen samples. After an ANOVA-feature selection of the most informative NIR spectral data, canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) was performed to distinguish three quantitative PA/PANO classes (µg/kg): < LOQ (0.4), low; 0.4–400, moderate; > 400, high. According to the LC–MS/MS analysis, 77% of the samples were contaminated with PAs/PANOs and the sum content of the 17 target analytes was higher than 400 µg/kg in 28% of the samples. CDA was carried out on a pool of 18 (Foss) and 22 (Polispec) selected spectral variables and allowed accurate classification of samples from the low class as confirmed by the high values of Matthews correlation coefficient (≥ 0.91) for both NIR spectrometers. Leave-one-out cross-validation highlighted precise recognition of samples characterised by a high PA/PANO content with a low misclassification rate (0.02) as false negatives. The most informative wavelengths were within the < 1000, 1000–1660 and > 2400 nm regions for Foss and > 1500 nm for Polispec that could be associated with cyclic amines, and epoxide chemical structures of PAs/PANOs. In sum, both lab-stationary and portable NIR systems are reliable and fast techniques for detecting PA/PANO contamination in bee pollen.
Collagen hydrogels loaded with fibroblast growth factor-2 as a bridge to repair brain vessels in organotypic brain slices
Authors: Ucar Buket , Yusufogullari Sedef , Humpel Christian
Published: August 2020

Vessel damage is a general pathological process in many neurodegenerative disorders, as well as spinal cord injury, stroke, or trauma. Biomaterials can present novel tools to repair and regenerate damaged vessels. The aim of the present study is to test collagen hydrogels loaded with different angiogenic factors to study vessel repair in organotypic brain slice cultures. In the experimental set up I, we made a cut on the organotypic brain slice and tested re-growth of laminin + vessels. In the experimental set up II, we cultured two half brain slices with a gap with a collagen hydrogel placed in between to study endothelial cell migration. In the experimental set up I, we showed that the number of vessels crossing the cut was tendencially increased with the addition of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor, or platelet-derived growth factor-BB compared to the control group. In the experimental set up II, we demonstrated that a collagen hydrogel loaded with FGF-2 resulted in a significantly increased number of migrated laminin + cells in the gap between the slices compared to the control hydrogel. Co-administration of several growth factors did not further potentiate the effects. Taken together, we show that organotypic brain slices are good models to study brain vessels and FGF-2 is a potent angiogenic factor for endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Our results provide evidence that the collagen hydrogels can be used as an extracellular matrix for the vascular endothelial cells.