bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral Bisphosphonate Use and All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Moderate–Severe (Grade 3B-5D) Chronic Kidney Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Alarkawi Dunia , Ali M Sanni , Bliuc Dana , Pallares Natalia , Tebe Cristian , Elhussein Leena , Caskey Fergus J , Arden Nigel K , Ben-Shlomo Yoav , Abrahamsen Bo , Diez-Perez Adolfo , Pascual Julio , Pérez-Sáez María José , Center Jacqueline R , Judge Andrew , Cooper Cyrus , Javaid Muhammad K , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel
Published: January 2020

Oral bisphosphonates (oBPs) have been associated with reduced fractures and mortality. However, their risks and benefits are unclear in patients with moderate–severe CKD. This study examined the association between oBPs and all-cause mortality in G3B-5D CKD. This is a population-based cohort study including all subjects with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <45/mL/min/1.73 m2 (G3B: eGFR <45/mL/min/1.73 m2 G4: eGFR 15–29/mL/min/1.73 m2 G5: eGFR <15/mL/min/1.73 m2 G5D: hemodialysis) aged 40+ years from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and the Catalan Information System for Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP). Previous and current users of other anti-osteoporosis drugs were excluded. oBP use was modeled as a time-varying exposure to avoid immortal time bias. Treatment episodes in oBP users were created by concatenating prescriptions until patients switched or stopped therapy or were censored or died. A washout period of 180 days was added to (date of last prescription +180 days). Propensity scores (PSs) were calculated using prespecified predictors of mortality including age, gender, baseline eGFR, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, previous fracture, co-medications, and number of hospital admissions in the previous year. Cox models were used for PS adjustment before and after PS trimming (the first and last quintiles). In the CPRD, of 19,351 oBP users and 210,954 non-oBP users, 5234 (27%) and 85,105 (40%) deaths were recorded over 45,690 and 915,867 person-years of follow-up, respectively. oBP users had 8% lower mortality risk compared to non-oBP users (hazard ratio [HR] 0.92; 95% CI, 0.89 to 0.95). Following PS trimming, this became nonsignificant (HR 0.98; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.04). In the SIDIAP, of 4146 oBP users and 86,127 non-oBP users, 1330 (32%) and 36,513 (42%) died, respectively. oBPs were not associated with mortality in PS adjustment and trimming (HR 1.04; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.1 and HR 0.95; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.01). In this observational, patient-based cohort study, oBPs were not associated with increased mortality among patients with moderate–severe CKD. However, further studies are needed on other effects of oBPs in CKD patients. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Correlation of microRNA‐125a/b with acute respiratory distress syndrome risk and prognosis in sepsis patients
Authors: Li Shilei , Zhao Danna , Cui Jie , Wang Lizeng , Ma Xiaohua , Li Yong
Published: January 2020

Objective

This study was conducted to explore the association of microRNA (miR)‐125a and miR‐125b with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) risk and to investigate their correlation with clinical characteristics and prognosis in sepsis patients.

Methods

Totally 150 sepsis patients admitted to our hospital were consecutively enrolled and another 150 healthy subjects were enrolled as healthy controls (HCs). Their blood samples were collected for miR‐125a and miR‐125b detection by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Besides, ARDS occurrence and 28‐day mortality were documented in all sepsis patients.

Results

MiR‐125a and miR‐125b relative expressions were increased in ARDS‐sepsis patients/non‐ARDS‐sepsis patients compared with HCs, while only miR‐125b but not miR‐125a was elevated in ARDS‐sepsis patients compared with non‐ARDS‐sepsis patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve presented that miR‐125a (AUC: 0.650, 95%CI: 0.549‐0.750) and miR‐125b (AUC: 0.739, 95%CI: 0.653‐0.823) could differentiate ARDS‐sepsis patients from non‐ARDS‐sepsis patients, and miR‐125b was of increased predictive value compared with miR‐125a numerically. In sepsis patients, miR‐125a relative expression was positively associated with serum creatinine (Scr), chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and miR‐125b was positively associated with Scr, C‐reactive protein (CRP), APACHE II score, SOFA score, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. All sepsis patients were categorized into survivors and deaths according to 28‐day mortality, and miR‐125b but not miR‐125a was upregulated in deaths compared with survivors.

Conclusion

Both of miR‐125a and miR‐125b predict ARDS risk, while only miR‐125b is of value in prognosis prediction in sepsis patients.
IgA is the predominant isotype of anti‐β2 glycoprotein I antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Melayah Sarra , Changuel Maha , Mankaï Amani , Ghedira Ibtissem
Published: January 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of anti‐cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti‐β2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) among Tunisian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Ninety RA patients with positive anti‐cyclic citrullinated antibodies (anti‐CCP) and 90 healthy blood donors (HBD) were studied. aCL and aβ2GPI of isotype IgG, IgA and IgM were detected by ELISA.

Result

The frequency of antiphopholipid antibodies (aPL) (aCL and/or aβ2GPI) was significantly higher in patients with RA than in HBD (35.5% vs 11.1%, P = .0001). The frequencies of aCL and aβ2GPI were significantly higher in patients than in healthy subjects (15.5% vs 5.5%, P = .04 and 32.2% vs 11.1%, P = .0005 respectively). aβ2GPI‐IgA were significantly more frequent in patients than in the control group (26.7% vs 7.8%, P = .0007). In patients, aβ2GPI‐IgA were significantly more frequent than aβ2GPI‐IgG (26.7% vs. 6.7%, P = .0003) and aβ2GPI‐IgM (26.7% vs 5.6%, P = .0001). In RA patients, the frequency of aβ2GPI was significantly higher than that of aCL (32.2% vs 15.5%, P = .008). aβ2GPI‐IgA was significantly more frequent than aCL‐IgA (26.7% vs 4.4%, P = .00005). The average titer of anti‐CCP in aPL positive patients was significantly higher than in aPL negative patients (170.6 ± 50 RU/mL vs 147.7 ± 51 RU/mL, P = .04). Significant correlation was found between aβ2GPI‐IgA and anti‐CCP (r = .235, P = .026).

Conclusions

aPL and particularly aβ2GPI‐IgA are frequent in RA and are correlated with anti‐CCP.
Comparison of pesticide concentrations observed in community water systems to predictions from U.S. regulatory aquatic exposure models
Authors: Padilla Lauren E. , Peranginangin Natalia , Dunne Jonnie B. , Winchell Michael
Published: January 2020

The Variable Volume Water Model (VVWM), the receiving water body model for the USEPA regulatory assessment of aquatic pesticide exposures, is composed of a set of static and quasistatic receiving water body conceptual models, but research comparing performance of these models to observations is limited. The water body models included are the constant volume (CVol), constant volume with overflow (CVO), and varying volume with overflow (VVO) models. This work quantified the performance of these three VVWM conceptual models compared with atrazine observations in 50 community water systems (CWSs), and the effect of alternative conceptual models on estimated environmental concentrations of pesticides in regulatory screening assessments. The 50 selected CWSs most relevant to the static and quasistatic VVWM concepts were small in size, with estimated time to peak flow of <1.5 d for consistency with the daily runoff assumption in USEPA landscape Pesticide Root Zone Model (PRZM). The CVO and VVO conceptual models resulted in similar distributions of bias across CWSs with the median result being close to no bias, but the CVol model resulted in overestimation in the majority of CWSs with median model bias near three times the observed values. At present, the CVol conceptual model parameterized with conservative input assumptions has been the regulatory standard invoked in VVWM, yet our results showed that a more physically correct conceptual model (CVO or VVO) could be invoked in regulatory exposure modeling for ecological risk assessment, reducing structural model bias while still allowing users to introduce conservative model inputs for screening purposes.
Eosinophil and mast cell Siglecs: From biology to drug target
Authors: O’Sullivan Jeremy A , Chang Alan T , Youngblood Bradford A , Bochner Bruce S
Published: January 2020

Mast cells and eosinophils are innate immune cells involved in both acute and chronic inflammatory responses. Siglecs are a family of cell surface receptors that share sialic acid binding activity. Over the past 20 years, our knowledge of the expression and function of Siglecs on cells of the immune system and others has greatly expanded, as has our understanding of their signaling, ligands, and possible roles in disease pathophysiology. Because of this, Siglecs have garnered interest as potential drug targets using strategies ranging from biologics to ligand-directed nanoparticles. This mini-review will highlight the state of our knowledge regarding human eosinophil and mast cell Siglecs, their biology, what they recognize, tools developed for in vitro and preclinical experimentation, and the status of ongoing efforts to develop drugs that engage eosinophil and mast cell Siglecs for potential therapeutic benefit.
Intensive organic vegetable production increases soil organic carbon but with a lower carbon conversion efficiency than integrated management
Authors: Zhao Yi , Wu Shuxia , Bol Roland , Bughio Mansoor Ahmed , Wu Wenliang , Hu Yecui , Meng Fanqiao
Published: January 2020

Intensive vegetable production in greenhouses has rapidly expanded in China since the 1990s and increased to 1.3 million ha of farmland by 2016, which is the highest in the world. We conducted an 11‐year greenhouse vegetable production experiment from 2002 to 2013 to observe soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics under three management systems,i.e., conventional (CON), integrated (ING), and intensive organic (ORG) farming. Soil samples (0–20 and 20–40 cm depth) were collected in 2002 and 2013 and separated into four particle‐size fractions,i.e., coarse sand (> 250 µm), fine sand (250–53 µm), silt (53–2 µm), and clay (< 2 µm). The SOC contents and δ13C values of the whole soil and the four particle‐size fractions were analyzed. After 11 years of vegetable farming, ORG and ING significantly increased SOC stocks (0–20 cm) by 4008 ± 36.6 and 2880 ± 365 kg C ha−1y−1, respectively, 8.1‐ and 5.8‐times that of CON (494 ± 42.6 kg C ha−1y−1). The SOC stock increase in ORG at 20–40 cm depth was 245 ± 66.4 kg C ha−1y−1, significantly higher than in ING (66 ± 13.4 kg C ha−1y−1) and CON (109 ± 44.8 kg C ha−1y−1). Analyses of13C revealed a significant increase in newly produced SOC in both soil layers in ORG. However, the carbon conversion efficiency (CE: increased organic carbon in soil divided by organic carbon input) was lower in ORG (14.4%–21.7%) than in ING (18.2%–27.4%). Among the four particle‐sizes in the 0–20 cm layer, the silt fraction exhibited the largest proportion of increase in SOC content (57.8% and 55.4% of the SOC increase in ORG and ING, respectively). A similar trend was detected in the 20–40 cm soil layer. Over all, intensive organic (ORG) vegetable production increases soil organic carbon but with a lower carbon conversion efficiency than integrated (ING) management.
Research on the effect of contrast enhancement and illumination condition on 3D visual fatigue
Authors: Li Kena , Liu Yue , Wang Yongtian
Published: January 2020

3D visual comfort can be influenced by such common factors as binocular parallax, 3D image contrast, viewing distance, and illumination condition. This paper investigates the effect of contrast enhancement and illumination condition on 3D visual fatigue by performing a visual fatigue measurement experiment, of which subjects need to watch 3D images under two illumination conditions and finish a comfort judgment task. The proportion of discomfort images, the subjective evaluation of visual fatigue under 100 lux and 500 lux illumination conditions, the effect of image contrast enhancement on 3D visual fatigue, and the relationship between visual fatigue and proportion of discomfort images were analyzed, respectively. The experimental results showed that both the contrast enhanced by Laplacian algorithm and low illumination condition have positive influence on 3D visual perception of eyes; the 3D visual fatigue of contrast enhanced by Laplacian algorithm under low illumination condition was less than other situations in the experiment. Moreover, it was examined that the proportion of discomfort images can be potential prediction indicator of the 3D visual fatigue.
Storm‐induced turbulence alters shelf sea vertical fluxes
Authors: Schultze Larissa K. P. , Merckelbach Lucas M. , Carpenter Jeffrey R.
Published: January 2020

Storms are infrequent, intense, physical forcing events that represent a potentially significant driver of ocean ecosystems. The objective of this study was to assess changes in water column structure and turbulent fluxes caused by storms using an autonomous underwater glider, as well as the chlorophyll a (Chl a) response to the altered physical environment. The glider was able to measure throughout the complete life cycle of Storm Bertha as it passed over the North Sea in August 2014, from its arrival to dissipation. Storm Bertha triggered rapid mixing of the thermocline through shear instability, increasing vertical fluxes by nearly an order of magnitude, and promoting increases in surface layer Chl a. The results demonstrate that storms represent a significant fraction of seasonal vertical turbulent fluxes, with potentially important consequences for biological production in shelf seas.
Prognostic Factors in Pediatric Early Liver Retransplantation
Authors: Cañon Reyes Isabel , Halac Esteban , Aredes Diego , Lauferman Leandro , Cervio Guillermo , Dip Marcelo , Minetto Julia , Reijenstein Hayellen , Meza Veronica , Gole Maria , Jacobo Dillon Agustina , Imventarza Oscar
Published: January 2020

The most common indications for early liver retransplantation (eRe‐LT) are vascular complications and primary nonfunction (PNF). These patients are usually in a critical clinical condition that can affect their chances of survival. In fact, the survival of these patients is usually lower compared with the patients undergoing a first transplant. To the best of our knowledge, no specific series of pediatric patients undergoing eRe‐LT has been published to date. Therefore, the aim of this study is to report the results of eRe‐LT and to analyze factors potentially related to success or failure. Our work is of a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent eRe‐LT at the Juan P. Garrahan Pediatric Hospital of Buenos Aires, Argentina, between May 1995 and December 2018 (n = 60). Re‐LT was considered early when performed ≤30 days after the previous LT. A total of 40 (66.7%) patients were enrolled due to vascular causes and 20 (33.3%) were enrolled because of PNF. Of all the relisted patients, 36 underwent eRe‐LT, 14 died on the waiting list, and 10 recovered without eRe‐LT. A total of 23 (63.9%) patients died after eRe‐LT, most of them due to infection‐related complications. Survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 42.4% and 33.9%, respectively. On univariate logistic regression analysis, Pediatric End‐Stage Liver Disease (PELD)/Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, transplant era, and advanced life support at eRe‐LT were found to be related to 60‐day mortality. However, on multivariate analysis, era (odds ratio [OR], 9.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19‐72.35; P = 0.033) and PELD/MELD scores (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1‐1.14; P = 0.036) were significantly associated with 60‐day patient mortality. This study found that the level of acuity before retransplant, measured by the requirement of advanced life support and the PELD/MELD score at eRe‐LT, was significantly associated with the chances of post–eRe‐LT patient survival.
Rapid high resolution melting assay to differentiate Streptococcus suis serotypes 2, 1/2, 1, and 14
Authors: Scherrer Simone , Rademacher Fenja , Spoerry Serrano Nathalie , Schrenzel Jacques , Gottschalk Marcelo , Stephan Roger , Landolt Patricia
Published: January 2020

This rapid high resolution melting (HRM) assay allows distinguishing between Streptococcus suis serotype pairs 2 and 1/2 as well as 1 and 14, respectively, based on a single‐nucleotide polymorphism within capsular polysaccharide synthesis gene cluster K. This assay is easy to implement and identifies potential zoonotic serotypes.
Effects of Short‐Peptide‐Based Enteral Nutrition on the Intestinal Microcirculation and Mucosal Barrier in Mice with Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Zhang Jian , Yu Wen‐Qiao , Wei Tao , Zhang Cheng , Wen Liang , Chen Qi , Chen Wei , Qiu Jun‐Yu , Zhang Yun , Liang Ting‐Bo
Published: January 2020

Scope

Short‐peptide‐based enteral nutrition (SPEN) is absorbed more efficiently in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). More importantly, SPEN decreases SAP‐induced enterogenous infection risk. This study aims to investigate whether SPEN alleviates intestinal bacterial translocation in mice with SAP, and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods and results

The SAP model is established after pre‐treatment with SPEN or intact‐protein‐based enteral nutrition. Although there is no improvement in pancreas injury, as evaluated through Hematoxylin‐Eosin staining or serum amylase, SPEN obviously attenuates intestinal bacterial translocation after SAP. To unveil the mechanisms, it is found that the intestinal mechanical barrier destroyed by SAP is significantly relieved by SPEN, which presents with recovered ZO‐1 expression, mucus layer, and goblet cell function. Additionally, SPEN alleviates local CCR6/CCL20 induced CD11c+ dendritic cell infiltration, systemic immunosuppression, and inhibits the secretion of luminal secretory immunoglobulin A. Possibly responsible for SAP‐induced mucosal dysfunctions, destroyed intestinal mucosal microcirculation and local hypoxia are largely improved in SAP+SPEN group.

Conclusion

SPEN can improve downregulated intestinal mucosal microcirculation secondary to SAP, which may be responsible for mucosal inflammation relief, maintenance of the mechanical barrier and mucosal immunity, the correction of systemic immunosuppression, and play a protective role in defending commensal bacterial translocation after SAP.
RF modeling and parameter extraction for GaAs‐based on‐chip inductors
Authors: Gao Hanqi , Zhang Ao , Jin Jing
Published: January 2020

RF modeling and equivalent circuit model parameter extraction for GaAs‐based on‐chip inductors are presented in this article. An improved model that takes into account of the substrate loss effects based on the S parameters on wafer measurement is proposed. The parameter extraction method combines the analytical expressions and the empirical optimization procedure, which does not require any additional test structures. The intrinsic elements determined by utilizing the analytical method are described as functions of the parasitic elements. After that, an advanced design system is used to optimize the parasitic parameters with very small dispersion of initial values. Good agreement is obtained between the simulated and measured data up to 50 GHz.
Newly graduated registered nurses' self‐assessed clinical competence and their need for further training
Authors: Willman Anna , Bjuresäter Kaisa , Nilsson Jan
Published: January 2020

Aim

To explore and describe changes in self‐assessed clinical competence and the need for further training among newly graduated Registered Nurses during their first 15 months of professional work in acute care hospital settings.

Design

Quantitative longitudinal design.

Methods

The 50‐item Professional Nurse Self‐Assessment Scale of clinical core competencies II was used. A total of 45 newly graduated Registered Nurses answered the questionnaire at four different occasions. Data were collected after 2, 5, 9 and 15 months of working experience.

Result

The components “ethical decision‐making,” “cooperation and consultation” and “clinical leadership” were rated highest in clinical competence and lowest in need for further training. The components “professional development” and “critical thinking” were rated lowest in clinical competence and “direct clinical practice” rated highest in need for further training. The clinical competence increased significant between 9–15 months, with the exception of “critical thinking” and need for further training decreased significantly between 9–15 months, with the exception of “critical thinking.”
Patient experiences with peripherally inserted venous catheters— A cross‐sectional, multicentre study in Norway
Authors: Leonardsen Ann‐Chatrin Linqvist , Lunde Ellen Marie , Smith Stine Thorvaldsen , Olsen Gitte Lise
Published: January 2020

Aim

To investigate patient experiences with peripherally inserted venous catheters, namely PICC lines and Midlines, as well as the influence of socio‐demographic variables, length of stay, comorbidity and complications on these experiences.

Design

The study had a descriptive, multicentre, cross‐sectional design.

Methods

We used a questionnaire to investigate patient experiences (N = 359).

Results

Patients experiences were not optimal on each of the items in the questionnaire. Nevertheless, few respondents would have preferred a traditional peripheral venous catheter instead. Moreover, free‐text answers indicated that patients were very satisfied with their catheter. Results also indicate that the hospitals have different approach when selecting a PICC line or a Midline as route of choice. The only factor associated with patient experiences was “complications.”

Conclusion

Even though patients reported of several disadvantages with the PICC line/Midline, findings indicate that they would have chosen this again. PICC lines and Midlines are beneficial from the patients' perspective, even though they have disadvantages.
Nonisothermal crystallization behavior of polylactide/polyethylene glycol/graphene oxide nanosheets composite films
Authors: Ahmed Jasim , Luciano Giorgio , Maggiore Sofia
Published: January 2020

The nonisothermal crystallization (NIC) behavior of solution‐cast polylactide (PLA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG)/graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets composite (PLA/PEG/GO) films was examined at the selected cooling rate. The crystallization temperature (Tc) of the PLA/PEG matrix improved with increasing the reinforcement of GO (0.5%‐2% w/w) at a constant cooling rate. Various conventional crystallization models, namely, Jeziorny, Ozawa, and Mo were employed to elucidate the NIC kinetics of the PLA/PEG/GO composite films. Results showed that the Mo equation was the best model to describe the NIC of the nanocomposite films. The activation energy (E) of crystallization was estimated by Friedman's method, and the values varied from 18 to 186 kJ·mol−1, however, the values were not systematic with the loading concentration of GO.
Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants versus Warfarin in Obese Patients with Acute Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Coons James C. , Albert Lauren , Bejjani Andrea , Iasella Carlo J.
Published: January 2020

Study Objective

Studies on the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in obese patients are limited. Current guidelines advise against DOAC use in patients with a body weight more than 120 kg or body mass index higher than 40 kg/m2. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of DOACs versus warfarin for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) in obese patients.

Design

Retrospective matched cohort study.

Setting

Integrated delivery system of 40 academic, community, and specialty hospitals.

Patients

A total of 1840 adults with a primary admission diagnosis of acute VTE who received a DOAC (apixaban, dabigatran, or rivaroxaban [632 patients] or warfarin [1208 patients]) while hospitalized between January 1, 2011, and October 1, 2015, and who had a body weight more than 100 kg and less than 300 kg, were included. Patients in the warfarin group were matched in a 2:1 ratio to patients who received a DOAC based on history of VTE, chronic kidney disease, race, and age.

Measurements and Main Results

The primary outcome was recurrence of VTE within 12 months of the index admission date. Secondary outcomes included occurrence of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) events separately within the study time frame, as well as bleeding within 12 months of the index admission date. No significant difference in the recurrence of VTE was observed between patients who received a DOAC compared with those who received warfarin (6.5% vs 6.4%, p=0.93). Likewise, no significant differences in the occurrence of PE and DVT were seen between the DOAC‐ and warfarin‐treated patients (3.7% vs 3.8%, p=0.94, and 3% vs 3.5%, p=0.56, respectively). Bleeding occurred in 1.7% and 1.2% of patients in the DOAC and warfarin groups, respectively (p=0.31).

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the largest clinical study to date showing that patients with obesity can be treated effectively and safely with a DOAC compared with warfarin for acute VTE. Thus DOACs should be considered a reasonable alternative to warfarin for treatment of acute VTE in obese patients.
Synthesis and characterization of 24‐membered cyclobis(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate)
Authors: Xie Donghang , Slebodnick Carla , Gibson Harry W.
Published: January 2020

The pure 24‐membered cyclic dimer (2) of ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate was isolated in 9% yield by reaction of bis(2′‐hydroxyethyl) 2,6‐naphthalate (5) with 2,6‐naphthalenedicarbonyl chloride (4) in THF with pyridine as catalyst under high dilution conditions. The macrocycle was characterized by NMR, MS, elemental analysis, and X‐ray crystallography. The crystal structure reveals a significant distortion of the naphthalene rings, forming an ellipsoidal cavity as a result of the ring strain, suggesting facile ring‐opening polymerization.
Drug metabolite identification using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet spectroscopy and parallelized scans on a tribrid Orbitrap mass spectrometer
Authors: Wilkinson Stephen D. , Martin Scott , Orton Alexandra L. , Markandu Roshini , Jones Barry C.
Published: January 2020

Rationale

To capture all metabolites in metabolite identification studies, MS/MS information is required in both positive and negative ionization mode, usually involving several sample injections to gain all information about samples. A high‐resolution and high mass accuracy quadrupole/linear trap/Orbitrap tribrid instrument was used to gain this information in a novel single injection ‘capture‐all’ approach to metabolite identification.

Methods

Diclofenac, a model compound, was incubated in human and rat hepatocytes. These incubated samples were run using an ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet (UHPLC–UV) system coupled to a Thermo Fusion tribrid mass spectrometer. Five parallel scans were used: positive and negative ion full scan, data‐dependent MS/MS, both high energy dissociation and collision‐induced dissociation, and data‐independent all ion fragmentation (AIF) spectra were collected in positive and negative ion mode.

Results

Nine metabolites were identified; a metabolite observed in the UV trace, but not positive ion full scan MS, was detected in the same sample injection by negative ion full scan MS. This was identified as a sulphate metabolite, and the corresponding negative ion AIF allowed for some structural elucidation. The use of a photo‐diode array (PDA) detector allowed for spectral assessment in case of changes in absorbance spectra, and the subsequent semi‐quantification of metabolites.

Conclusions

This method provided good‐quality MS/MS data across the m/z range in both positive and negative ion mode. The addition of both negative ion full scan MS and negative ion MS/MS allowed for the detection and structural elucidation of metabolites not observed in positive ion mode. The use of the PDA detector allowed for the semi‐quantification of metabolites.
Autonomous collision detection and avoidance for ARAGON USV: Development and field tests
Authors: Han Jungwook , Cho Yonghoon , Kim Jonghwi , Kim Jinwhan , Son Nam‐sun , Kim Sun Young
Published: January 2020

This study addresses the development of algorithms for multiple target detection and tracking in the framework of sensor fusion and its application to autonomous navigation and collision avoidance systems for the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) Aragon. To provide autonomous navigation capabilities, various perception sensors such as radar, lidar, and cameras have been mounted on the USV platform and automatic ship detection algorithms are applied to the sensor measurements. The relative position information between the USV and nearby objects is obtained to estimate the motion of the target objects in a sensor‐level tracking filter. The estimated motion information from the individual tracking filters is then combined in a central‐level fusion tracker to achieve persistent and reliable target tracking performance. For automatic ship collision avoidance, the combined track data are used as obstacle information, and appropriate collision avoidance maneuvers are designed and executed in accordance with the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea (COLREGs). In this paper, the development processes of the vehicle platform and the autonomous navigation algorithms are described, and the results of field experiments are presented and discussed.
Multimodal localization: Stereo over LiDAR map
Authors: Zuo Xingxing , Ye Wenlong , Yang Yulin , Zheng Renjie , Vidal‐Calleja Teresa , Huang Guoquan , Liu Yong
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we present a real‐time high‐precision visual localization system for an autonomous vehicle which employs only low‐cost stereo cameras to localize the vehicle with a priori map built using a more expensive 3D LiDAR sensor. To this end, we construct two different visual maps: a sparse feature visual map for visual odometry (VO) based motion tracking, and a semidense visual map for registration with the prior LiDAR map. To register two point clouds sourced from different modalities (i.e., cameras and LiDAR), we leverage probabilistic weighted normal distributions transformation (ProW‐NDT), by particularly taking into account the uncertainty of source point clouds. The registration results are then fused via pose graph optimization to correct the VO drift. Moreover, surfels extracted from the prior LiDAR map are used to refine the sparse 3D visual features that will further improve VO‐based motion estimation. The proposed system has been tested extensively in both simulated and real‐world experiments, showing that robust, high‐precision, real‐time localization can be achieved.
Designed synthesis of ZnO/PEDOT core/shell hybrid nanotube arrays with enhanced electrochromic properties
Authors: Chen Long , Zhang Hanrui , Liu Shengnan , Sun Chenghua , Hu Xiujie , Zhou Shuyun
Published: January 2020

Designed growth of zinc oxide (ZnO)/poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) core/shell hybrid nanotube arrays has been achieved by electropolymerization technique. The ZnO/PEDOT hybrid nanotubes electropolymerized for 2000‐second display enhanced electrochromic properties of the contrast ratio up to 31.3%, a lot higher than those of the pure PEDOT and ZnO/PEDOT hybrid nanorods. Moreover, the coloring efficiency of the hybrid nanotubes increases from 105.2 cm2 C−1 of ZnO/PEDOT hybrid nantotube with the electrodeposition time of 1000 seconds to 122.2 cm2 C−1 of 2000 seconds at 520 nm. Therefore, the hybrid composite nanotubes fabricated by the in situ electrodeposition techniques may demonstrate huge potential applications in energy‐saving technologies such as smart windows.
Titanium Incorporation into Zr‐Porphyrinic Metal–Organic Frameworks with Enhanced Antibacterial Activity against Multidrug‐Resistant Pathogens
Authors: Chen Mian , Long Zhou , Dong Ruihua , Wang Le , Zhang Jiangjiang , Li Sixiang , Zhao Xiaohui , Hou Xiandeng , Shao Huawu , Jiang Xingyu
Published: January 2020

This study uses metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) alone without any added antibacterial ingredients as the nonantibiotic agent for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of chronic wounds infected by multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria. Nanoparticles (NPs) of MOFs (PCN‐224) are incorporated with titanium through a facile cation exchange strategy. The obtained bimetallic PCN‐224(Zr/Ti) shows greatly enhanced photocatalytic performance for the generation of reactive oxygen species under visible light, which is responsible for the effective antibacterial activities. The PCN‐224(Zr/Ti) NPs are loaded onto lactic‐co‐glycolic acid nanofibers to prepare a wound dressing, which shows high biocompatibility and minimal cytotoxicity. The wound dressing is efficient for PDT‐based in vivo healing of the chronic wound infected by MDR bacteria. Most importantly, this work does not involve any additional antibacterial agents, which is facile, low cost, and in particular, greatly explores the potential of MOFs as a powerful nonantibiotic agent in PDT.
Oligomerization Driven by Phase Separation
Authors: Myrgorodska Iuliia , Colomer Ignacio , Fletcher Stephen P.
Published: January 2020

Chemical reactions occurring within liquid‐liquid phase separated systems drive numerous biological processes and have likely been involved in the emergence of first cellular compartments. Herein we report a reaction whose product distribution is drastically affected by the presence of a liquid‐liquid interface. Under phase separated conditions, the system produces a dynamic library of increasingly complex oligomeric structures. This reactivity is in sharp contrast to results under homogeneous conditions; when there is no phase separation only two thermodynamically stable products are formed. The reactivity observed using phase separated conditions stems from generating a dynamic out‐of‐equilibrium self‐assembling system. This work shows that relatively complex oligomeric products that would not be otherwise easily accessible can be made by biphasic out‐of‐equilibrium processes.
Local and regional anaesthesia in dogs and cats: Descriptions of specific local and regional techniques (Part 2)
Authors: Grubb Tamara , Lobprise Heidi
Published: January 2020

Pain management in veterinary patients is a crucial component of appropriate patient care. Local anaesthetic drugs used in local and regional blockade can completely block the transmission of nociceptive impulses, decreasing both intra‐operative nociception and postoperative pain, while decreasing the potential incidence of adverse effects that can be associated with systemic boluses of drugs. For efficacy and safety, this class of drugs is recommended as part of the analgesic protocol in the majority of surgical procedures and traumatic injuries. Numerous local and regional blocks are proven effective in dogs and cats, thus providing the clinician with ample opportunity to include these blocks in practice. This manuscript, Part 2 of a two‐part instalment, focuses on brief descriptions of select commonly used local/regional anaesthesia techniques for dogs and cats that cover a multitude of painful surgeries/injuries and that can be implemented in any practice. In Part 1 of this topic, detailed information on local anaesthetic drugs commonly used in small animal practice was reviewed (Grubb & Lobprise, 2020).
Local and regional anaesthesia in dogs and cats: Overview of concepts and drugs (Part 1)
Authors: Grubb Tamara , Lobprise Heidi
Published: January 2020

Pain management in veterinary patients is a crucial component of appropriate patient care. Multimodal analgesia that includes both systemically and locally/regionally administered drugs is generally the most effective approach to providing pain relief. Local anaesthetic drugs used in local and regional blockade are unique in that they can completely block the transmission of pain (in conscious patients) or nociceptive (in anaesthetized patients) signals, thereby providing profound analgesia. In addition, local and regional administration of drugs, when compared with systemic bolus administration, generally results in a lower incidence of dose‐related adverse effects. Due to the potential to provide profound analgesia and the high safety margin (when used correctly) of this drug class, local anaesthetics are recommended as part of the analgesic protocol in the majority of patients undergoing surgical procedures or suffering traumatic injuries. This manuscript, Part 1 of a two‐part instalment, emphasizes the importance of using local and regional anaesthesia as a component of multimodal analgesia, provides a review of the basic pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of local anaesthetic drugs in general, lists information on commonly used local anaesthetic drugs for local and regional blockade in dogs and cats, and briefly introduces the novel liposome‐encapsulated bupivacaine (NOCITA®). Part 2 is a review of local and regional anaesthetic techniques used in dogs and cats (Grubb & Lobprise, 2020).
Reducing Gastroschisis Mortality: A Quality Improvement Initiative at a Ugandan Pediatric Surgery Unit
Authors: Wesonga A. , Situma M. , Lakhoo K.
Published: January 2020

Introduction

With modern treatment, survival of gastroschisis exceeds 90% in high‐income countries. Survival in these countries has been largely attributed to prenatal diagnosis, delivery at tertiary facilities with timely resuscitation, timely intervention, parenteral nutrition and intensive care facilities. In sub‐Saharan Africa, due to lack of these facilities, mortality rates are still alarmingly high ranging from 75 to 100%. In Uganda the mortality is 98%.

Aim

The aim of this study was to reduce gastroschisis mortality in a feasible, sustainable way using a locally derived gastroschisis care protocol at a referring hospital in Western Uganda.

Methods

Data collection was performed from January to October 2018. Nursing staff were interviewed regarding the survival and management of gastroschisis babies. A locally derived protocol was created with staff input and commitment from all the team members.

Results

Four mothers absconded and 17 babies were cared for using the newly designed protocol. Seven survived and were well at one month post discharge follow‐up, reducing the mortality for this condition from 98 to 59%.

Conclusion

A dedicated team with minimal resources can significantly reduce the mortality in gastroschisis by almost 40% using a locally derived protocol.
An experimental study of binary collisions of miscible droplets with non-identical viscosities
Authors: Al-Dirawi Karrar H. , Bayly Andrew E.
Published: January 2020

The dynamics of binary collisions of equi-diameter droplets with non-identical viscosities have been investigated experimentally and compared to previously generated data from identical droplet collisions (Al-Dirawi and Bayly in Phys Fluids 31(2):027105, 2019). Three hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) aqueous solutions, 2%, 4%, and 8% HPMC, were used to generate the droplets of different viscosities, 2.8, 8.2, and 28.4 mPa s, respectively. High-speed imaging techniques were applied to observe and capture the collision outcomes. Collision outcomes were characterised and regime maps were generated. The non-identical viscosity droplet collisions produced regime maps with well-defined boundaries which are comparable in shape to the conventional regime maps of identical droplet collisions. The boundaries of the bouncing and reflexive separation regimes of the non-identical collisions show intermediate position between the identical cases of the low and the high viscosity droplets. However, the boundary of the stretching separation regimes of the non-identical collisions showed good agreement with the boundary of the identical case of the lower viscosity droplet. Moreover, the ability of models developed for predicting the regimes boundaries of collisions of identical viscosity droplets was assessed for the non-identical collisions. They proved capable in the non-identical cases, and the changes in adjustable parameters were consistent with the underlying physical basis of the models.

Graphic abstract
Argumentation Evolved: But How? Coevolution of Coordinated Group Behavior and Reasoning
Authors: Seitz Fabian
Published: January 2020

Rational agency is of central interest to philosophy, with evolutionary accounts of the cognitive underpinnings of rational agency being much debated. Yet one building block—our ability to argue—is less studied, except Mercier and Sperber’s argumentative theory (Mercier and Sperber in Behav Brain Sci 34(02):57–74,10.1017/s0140525x10000968, 2011, in The enigma of reason. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 2017). I discuss their account and argue that it faces a lacuna: It cannot explain the origin of argumentation as a series of small steps that reveal how hominins with baseline abilities of the trait in question could turn into full-blown owners of it. This paper then provides a first sketch of the desired evolutionary trajectory. I argue that reasoning coevolves with the ability to coordinate behavior. After that, I establish a model based on niche construction theory. This model yields a story with following claims. First, argumentation came into being during the Oldowan period as a tool for justifying information ‘out of sight’. Second, argumentation enabled hominins to solve collective action problems with collaborators out of sight, which stabilized argumentative practices eventually. Archeological findings are discussed to substantiate both claims. I conclude with outlining changes resultant from my model for the concept of rational agency.
Three Pillars of Urbanization: Migration, Aging, and Growth
Authors: Grafeneder-Weissteiner Theresa , Prettner Klaus , Südekum Jens
Published: January 2020

Economic development in industrialized countries is characterized by rising per capita GDP, increasing life expectancy, and an ever greater share of the population living in cities. We explain this pattern within a regional innovation-driven economic growth model with labor mobility and a demographic structure of overlapping generations. The model shows a natural tendency for core–periphery structures to emerge in modern knowledge-based economies.
Surgeon-Administered Nerve Block during Rotator Cuff Repair Can Promote Recovery with Little or No Post-operative Opioid Use
Authors: Caldwell George L. , Selepec Michael A.
Published: January 2020

Background

The use of opioid analgesia is common in both the acute and extended post-operative periods after rotator cuff repair. The current opioid crisis has prompted surgeons to seek alternatives that minimize or even eliminate the need for oral opioids after surgery.

Questions/Purposes

We sought to investigate the effects on post-operative opioid use of a surgeon-administered block of the suprascapular and axillary nerves in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), in particular to quantify outpatient opioid consumption and duration.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, all patients undergoing primary ARCR performed under general anesthesia by a single surgeon were studied over a 15-month period. Of 91 ARCRs performed, 87 patients were enrolled and followed prospectively. At the conclusion of the procedure, the surgeon performed “local–regional” nerve blockade with injections to the sensory branches of the suprascapular nerve and the axillary nerve, as well as local infiltration about the shoulder. Use of medications in the post-anesthesia care unit was left up to the anesthesiologist. Patients were prescribed oral opioids (hydrocodone/acetaminophen 5/325 mg) for analgesia after discharge. The quantity and duration of opioid use and pain scores were recorded for 4 months. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate factors that could account for greater opioid use.

Results

Total opioid consumption ranged from 0 to 30 opioid tablets (average, 4.2 tablets) over the 4-month period. Post-operatively, 91% of patients took between ten or fewer tablets, and 39% took no opioids. The average duration of opioid use was 2.4 days. No patients were taking opioids at the 4- to 6-week or 4-month follow-up visits, none required refills, and none received prescriptions from outside prescribers. No statistically significant differences were seen in opioids taken or duration of use in regard to tear size, sex, body mass index, surgery location, or procedure time. There was a significant inverse correlation between opioid use and age. In addition, the cost of the surgeon-performed procedure was substantially lower than that associated with pre-operative nerve blockade performed by an anesthesiologist. All patients were satisfied with the post-operative pain management protocol. Average reported post-operative pain scores were low and decreased at each visit.

Conclusion

With this local–regional nerve-blocking protocol, opioid use after ARCR was unexpectedly low, and a large proportion of patients recovered without any post-surgical opioids. The correlation seen between opioid use and age may not be clinically significant, given the low use of post-operative opioids overall. These results may be useful in guiding post-operative opioid prescribing after ARCR, as well as in lowering costs associated with ARCR.
Applying collaborative cognitive load theory to computer-supported collaborative learning: towards a research agenda
Authors: Janssen Jeroen , Kirschner Paul A.
Published: January 2020

Research on computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) has traditionally investigated how student-, group-, task-, and technological characteristics affect the processes and outcomes of collaboration. On the other hand, cognitive load theory has traditionally been used to study individual learning processes and to investigate instructional effects that are present during individual learning (e.g., expertise reversal effect). In this contribution we will argue that cognitive load theory can be applied to CSCL. By incorporating concepts such as collective working memory (i.e., individuals share the burden of information processing), mutual cognitive interdependence (i.e., individuals learn about each other’s expertise and become dependent on their partners’ expertise), and transaction costs (i.e., the burden placed on individuals working memory capacity when communicating and coordinating collaborative activities), collaborative cognitive load theory (CCLT) can be used to formulate testable hypotheses for pressing issues in CSCL research. The aim of this paper is to develop a research agenda to guide future CSCL research from a CCLT perspective. We highlight how variables associated with student-, group-, task-, and technological characteristics may be investigated using CCLT. We also address important steps CSCL research needs to make with respect to the measurement of variables and the methodologies used to analyze data.