bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tolerability and age‐dependent toxicokinetics following perinatal hydroxyurea treatment in Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Huang Madelyn C. , Turner Katie J. , Vallant Molly , Robinson Veronica G. , Lu Yi , Price Catherine J. , Fennell Timothy R. , Silinski Melanie A. , Waidyanatha Suramya , Ryan Kristen R. , Black Sherry R. , Fernando Reshan A. , McIntyre Barry S.
Published: November 2020

Hydroxyurea (HU) is a valuable therapy for individuals with sickle cell anemia. With increased use of HU in children and throughout their lives, it is important to understand the potential effects of HU therapy on their development and fertility. Thus, studies were conducted to identify appropriate doses to examine long‐term effects of prenatal and early postnatal HU exposure and to understand kinetics of HU at various life stages. Pregnant Sprague Dawley dams were administered HU (0–150 mg/kg/day) via oral gavage from gestation days 17 to 21 and during lactation. Pups were dosed with the same dose as their respective dam starting on postnatal day (PND) 10 and up to PND 34. There was minimal maternal toxicity, and no significant effects on littering at any dose of HU. Starting on ~PND 16, offspring displayed skin discoloration and alopecia at doses ≥75 mg/kg/day and lower body weight compared to controls at doses ≥100 mg/kg/day. Gestational transfer of HU was observed, but there was minimal evidence of lactational transfer. Our toxicokinetic studies suggest that the internal dose in offspring may be altered due to age, but not due to sex. The plasma area under the curve, a measure of systemic exposure, at doses tolerated by offspring was threefold to sevenfold lower than the internal therapeutic dose in humans. Therefore, strategies to establish clinically relevant exposures in animal studies are needed. Overall, these data are useful for the design of appropriate nonclinical studies in the future to evaluate the consequences of long‐term HU treatment starting in childhood.
Toxicity of orally administered food‐grade titanium dioxide nanoparticles
Authors: Han Hyoung‐Yun , Yang Mi‐Jin , Yoon Cheolho , Lee Gwang‐Hee , Kim Dong‐Wan , Kim Tae‐Won , Kwak Minjeong , Heo Min Beom , Lee Tae Geol , Kim Soojin , Oh Jung‐Hwa , Lim Hyun‐Ji , Oh Inkyung , Yoon Seokjoo , Park Eun‐Jung
Published: November 2020

This year, France banned the application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles as a food additive (hereafter, E171) based on the insufficient oral toxicity data. Here, we investigated the subchronic toxic responses of E171 (0, 10, 100, and 1,000 mg/kg) and tried to elucidate the possible toxic mechanism using AGS cells, a human stomach epithelial cell line. There were no dose‐related changes in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development test guideline‐related endpoints. Meanwhile, E171 deeply penetrated cells lining the stomach tissues of rats, and the IgM and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor levels were significantly lower in the blood from rats exposed to E171 compared with the control. The colonic antioxidant protein level decreased with increasing Ti accumulation. Additionally, after 24‐h exposure, E171 located in the perinuclear region of AGS cells and affected expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress‐related proteins. However, cell death was not observed up to the used maximum concentration. A gene profile analysis also showed that immune response‐related microRNAs were most strongly affected by E171 exposure. Collectively, we concluded that the NOAEL of E171 for 90 days repeated oral administration is between 100 and 1,000 mg/kg for both male and female rats. Additionally, further study is needed to clarify the possible carcinogenesis following the chronic accumulation in the colon.
The toxicity of cell therapy: Mechanism, manifestations, and challenges
Authors: Jin Yongjia , Dong Yan , Zhang Jin , Sun Jingwei , Liu Yarong , Chen Yong
Published: November 2020

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT), including tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), T cell receptor engineered T cell (TCR‐T), and chimeric antigen receptor engineered T cell (CAR‐T), has shown significant clinical benefits for cancer treatment. However, all of these ACT therapies are associated with toxicities from mild to life threatening in clinic. Common ACT‐related toxicities include cytokine release syndrome (CRS) resulting from immune activation, neurological toxicity, on‐target/off tumor or off‐target toxicities, and toxicities associated with lymphodepletion preconditioning and high does IL‐2 administration. This review summarizes clinical manifestations of adverse events associated with ACT treatment and discusses the underlying pathological mechanisms. Moreover, challenges and opportunities of managing ACT‐related toxicities have been discussed to give an indication of how to improve the safety of ACT treatment without dampening the therapeutic effect.
The effect of wet spinning conditions on the structure and properties of poly‐4‐hydroxybutyrate fibers
Authors: Singhi Bhavya , Ford Ericka N. , King Martin W.
Published: November 2020

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), also known as bacterial polyesters, are considered novel polymers for fabricating biomedical products, such as sutures and hernia meshes, because of their biocompatibility and slow biodegradability. Poly‐4‐hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) is a commonly used PHA that was explored in this study as an absorbable biomaterial for several medical applications, including controlled drug delivery. Currently, P4HB is melt spun and drawn into filaments at high processing temperatures (~200°C), precluding the incorporation of thermally sensitive drugs within the polymer during melt spinning. Post‐spinning drug incorporation can potentially cause nonuniform drug absorption that leads to an uneven release profile. This raises the need for a low temperature spinning process for these polymers. Until now, there has been no defined procedure to produce P4HB fibers through a low temperature solution spinning process. This study focuses on determining suitable wet spinning conditions to form continuous P4HB fibers. After several preliminary tests, it was found that a chloroform‐based spin dope with 10–15% polymer concentration facilitated the extrusion of continuous stretchable fibers into a coagulation bath containing reagent alcohol. Subsequently, several P4HB fibers were spun with various spin dope concentrations, coagulation bath temperatures, and spin draw ratios to assess their effect on fiber structure and properties.
The molecular structure and function of sorting nexin 10 in skeletal disorders, cancers, and other pathological conditions
Authors: Xu Jiake , Qiu Heng , Zhao Jinmin , Pavlos Nathan J.
Published: November 2020

SNX10 is a member of the phox homology domain‐containing family of phosphoinositide‐binding proteins. Intracellularly, SNX10 localizes to endosomes where it mediates intracellular trafficking, endosome organization, and protein localization to the centrosome and cilium. It is highly expressed in bone and the gut where it participates in bone mineral and calcium homeostasis through the regulation of osteoclastic bone resorption and gastric acid secretion, respectively. Not surprisingly, patients harboring mutations in SNX10 mutation manifest a phenotype of autosomal recessive osteopetrosis or malignant infantile osteopetrosis, which is clinically characterized by dense bones with increased cortical bone into the medullary space with bone marrow occlusion or depletion, bone marrow failure, and anemia. Accordingly, SNX10 mutant osteoclasts exhibit impaired bone resorptive capacity. Beyond the skeleton, there is emerging evidence implicating SNX10 in cancer development, metabolic disorders, inflammation, and chaperone‐mediated autophagy. Understanding the structural basis through which SNX10 exerts its diverse biological functions in both cell and tissue‐specific manners may therefore inform new therapeutic opportunities toward the treatment and management of SNX10‐related diseases.
Quantification of MRI T2 Interstitial Lung Disease Signal‐Intensity Volume in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Benlala Ilyes , Albat Agnes , Blanchard Elodie , Macey Julie , Raherison Chantal , Benkert Thomas , Berger Patrick , Laurent François , Dournes Gaël
Published: November 2020

Background

Imaging has played a pivotal role in the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Recent reports suggest that T2‐weighted MRI could be sensitive to monitor signal‐intensity modifications of the lung parenchyma, which may relate to the disease activity in IPF. However, there is a lack of automated tools to reproducibly quantify the extent of the disease, especially using MRI.

Purpose

To assess the feasibility of T2 interstitial lung disease signal‐intensity volume quantification using a semiautomated method in IPF.

Study Type

Single center, retrospective.

Population

A total of 21 adult IPF patients and four control subjects without lung interstitial abnormalities.

Field Strength/Sequence

Both free‐breathing ultrashort echo time (TE) lung MRI using the spiral volume interpolated breath hold examination (VIBE) sequence (3D‐UTE) and T2‐BLADE at 1.5T.

Assessment

Semiautomated segmentation of the lung volume was done using 3D‐UTE and registered to the T2‐BLADE images. The interstitial lung disease signal‐intensity volume (ISIV) was quantified using a Gaussian mixture model clustering and then normalized to the lung volume to calculate T2‐ISIV. The composite physiological index (CPI) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured as known biomarkers of IPF severity. Measurements were performed independently by three readers and averaged. The reproducibility between measurements was also assessed.

Statistical Tests

Reproducibility was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman analysis. Correlations were assessed using Spearman test. Comparison of median was assessed using the Mann–Whitney test.

Results

The reproducibility of T2‐ISIV was high, with ICCs = 0.99. Using Bland–Altman analysis, the mean differences were found between –0.8 to 0.1. T2‐ISIV significantly correlated with CPI and FVC (rho = 0.48 and 0.50, respectively; P < 0.05). T2‐ISIV was significantly higher in IPF than in controls (P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

T2‐ISIV appears to be able to reproducibly assess the volumetric extent of abnormal interstitial lung signal‐intensity modifications in patients with IPF, and correlate with disease severity.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy Stage

1
An efficient electro‐thermo‐mechanical model for the analysis of V‐shaped thermal actuator connected with driven structures
Authors: Zhao Lin‐Feng , Zhou Zai‐Fa , Meng Mu‐Zi , Li Meng‐Jie , Huang Qing‐An
Published: November 2020

V‐shaped thermal actuators are popular in many types of microelectromechanical systems' (MEMS) devices. In the rapidly growing applications of V‐shaped thermal actuators, there are usually complex driven structures, in which the Joule heat may transfer, connecting to the V‐beams. However, their influence on the temperature distribution has not been included in existing analytical models. An electro‐thermo‐mechanical model is presented to tackle this problem. By dividing the thermal actuator into a set of short beams, a two‐dimensional network is constructed. Besides, the driven structure can be analyzed as an equivalent circuit of thermal resistances. Then, circuit‐like node equations can be acquired for this heat flow network to solve the heat distribution. On this basis, the heat expansions of the shuttle beam are taken into consideration to predict the displacements and forces under different driving voltage and ambient temperature. Taking a test structure as an example, this model is proved to be accurate by comparing the results with finite element analysis. This model can be served as an effective analysis technique for MEMS devices containing V‐shaped thermal actuators.
Durability of Linear Small‐Intestinal Growth Following Treatment Discontinuation of Long‐Acting Glucagon‐Like Peptide 2 (GLP‐2) Analogues
Authors: Hinchliffe Tierah , Pauline Mirielle L. , Wizzard Pamela R. , Nation Patrick N. , Brubaker Patricia , Campbell Jhenielle R. , Kim Yunji , Dimitriadou Violetta , Wales Paul W. , Turner Justine M.
Published: November 2020

Background

Short‐bowel syndrome is the leading cause of pediatric intestinal failure, resulting in dependency on long‐term parenteral nutrition (PN). To promote enteral autonomy in neonates, a key outcome may be intestinal growth in length. The purpose of this study was to determine if intestinal lengthening persists following discontinuation of treatment with 1 of 2 GLP‐2 analogues with different pharmacokinetic profiles.

Methods

Neonatal short‐bowel piglets were assigned to saline control (S), 7‐day treatment with teduglutide (T) (0.05 mg/kg twice daily), or 7‐day treatment with apraglutide (A) (5 mg/kg twice weekly). Comparisons were made between day 7 and day 14 endpoints using analysis of variance. Data included small‐intestine length, weight, histology, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of mucosal transcripts for peptide growth factors and their receptors, nutrient transporters, and tight‐junction proteins.

Results

Compared with control, 7 days of GLP‐2 analogue treatment induced mucosal adaptation based on villus hyperplasia (P = .003), which was not durable 7 days after treatment cessation (day 14; P = .081). Treatment increased intestinal growth in length by day 7 (P = .005), which was maintained (by T) or further increased (by A) at day 14 (P < .001). No significant differences in mucosal transcripts were detected.

Conclusion

Unlike mucosal adaptation, intestinal growth appears to be a lasting outcome of treatment with long‐acting GLP‐2 analogues in a neonatal piglet short‐bowel model. This has significant clinical implications for neonates, given their potential for intestinal growth. Intestinal lengthening varies between analogues with different half‐lives; however, molecular mechanisms require further elucidation.
Frequency and nature of drug‐related problems in patients with acute coronary syndrome: role of the clinical pharmacist in coronary care practice
Authors: Gona Oliver Joel , Shambu Sunil Kumar , Madhan Ramesh
Published: November 2020

Background

Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) often have associated problems either as a reason or as a corollary of the disease and drug‐related problems (DRPs) are more likely to precipitate despite the presence of standard guidelines. This research is intended to evaluate the nature and extent of DRPs and examine their clinical significance in the presence of a clinical pharmacist.

Methods

A clinical pharmacist‐initiated cross‐sectional study was carried out in the Department of Cardiology unit in a tertiary care teaching hospital for a year. The patient's medications were audited for DRPs using PCNE V 8.0.1 and drug‐interactions by Micromedex. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied whenever required by using SPSS v 25.0.

Results

A total of 1120 patients screened, 432 patients were enrolled in the study by obtaining consent. The majority were in the age group 41–60 years of whom (294 (68.05 %)) were males. DRPs (367) were identified in (225 (52%)) patients of which (243 (66.13%) were due to problems in prescription, 27 (1.90%) treatment duration, followed by dispensing 43 (11.71%), drug use process 41 (11.17%) and patient‐related 38 (10.35%)). The overall incidence of DRPs was 51.85%. Most risk factors were associated with DRPs (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Drug‐related problems are common in patients with acute coronary syndrome due to comorbidities and its related polypharmacy. Physician and clinical pharmacist collaboration can help in the early detection of DRPs, and alleviate the adversities emphasising optimal pharmacotherapeutic management.
Synthesis of Sustainable Polyesters via Organocatalytic Ring‐Opening Polymerization of O‐carboxyanhydrides: Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Wang Jianqun , Tao Youhua
Published: November 2020

Sustainable polyesters can be furnished via ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of O‐carboxyanhydrides (OCAs). Various catalysts, especially metal‐based catalysts, are devised to achieve controlled ROP of OCAs. In the following mini review, the recent progress on the organocatalytic ROP of OCAs, including the usage of thiourea‐based bifunctional single‐molecule organocatalysts for eliminating epimerization in OCAs polymerization is summarized. Moreover, the future development of the organocatalytic ROP of OCAs for the synthesis of sustainable polyesters will be discussed.
A residual power series method for solving pseudo hyperbolic partial differential equations with nonlocal conditions
Authors: Modanli Mahmut , Abdulazeez Sadeq Taha , Husien Ahmad Muhamad
Published: November 2020

This article will give the residual power series method (RPSM) for solving pseudo hyperbolic partial differential equations with nonlocal conditions, RPSM is essentially based on general formula of Taylor series with residual error function. A new analytical solution is investigated. The analytical solution is designed to find the approximation solutions by RPSM and compare the obtained results from the current method with the exact solution that detects the precision, reliability, and rapid convergence of the proposed method. Finally at different times through the graphical representation of obtained results are given.
A study on fractional predator–prey–pathogen model with Mittag–Leffler kernel‐based operators
Authors: Ghanbari Behzad , Kumar Sunil
Published: November 2020

This paper aims to present a novel study on the dynamics of a fractional predator–prey–pathogen model to investigate the existence of the chaos in the model. We applied the Atangana–Baleanu fractional operator to the predator–prey–pathogen model, and new results are presented. Furthermore, the stability of the equilibrium points of the proposed model is investigated. The convergence and uniqueness of the solution for the model are also studied. Few numerical simulations have been performed for both predator, and prey populations. Some interesting chaotic behaviors of predator and prey populations of the model are also obtained by using an effective numerical scheme. Furthermore, corresponding numerical simulations were achieved for the various values of the fractional derivative.
Financing urban infrastructure in India through tax increment financing instruments: A case for smart cities mission
Authors: Malhotra Abhishek , Mishra Alok Kumar , Vyas Iti
Published: November 2020

This article is targeted at exploring the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) model for financing planned urban development programs and projects in Indian cities—smart cities, in particular. This is founded on the premise that the TIF approach offers an excellent opportunity to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for the creation, capture and recycling of values in cities to support funding of core urban infrastructure in a sustained manner. This article identifies the key components of the TIF model and explains why it is a theoretically elegant and practically desirable strategy for potential acceptance by Indian cities at the present level of urban evolution when municipal finances are unstable and the municipalities are also not in a position to generate current tax income surplus. This article is grounded on the precept of “theory follows practice and vice versa”, case studies on TIF as implemented internationally. In the end, this article suggests directions as to how the TIF principles could be integrated into the theoretical account of financing innovative projects under the Smart Cities Mission, including accessing capital market funds through municipal bonds. The key findings of this article suggest that the efficacy of tax increment financing tools in Indian cities will depend on several factors: the versatility of city development strategy and plan; reforms in municipal finance system; reforms in spatial planning; effective design of TIF projects and financing strategies, including mechanisms for value capture and recycling to catalyze economic growth‐enhancing enterprises that create further values to land‐owners and the city; and human resource capacity to plan, design, finance, implement and monitor projects. If planned well, TIF instruments can act as potent tools to augment external economies of agglomeration and networking and give a momentum to the economic growth, bringing forth a self‐financing or even surplus‐generating process of planned urban expansion, growth and reclamation.
Development of a bubble growth model for natural rubber‐based foams
Authors: Ferasat Hessam , Fasihi Mohammad , Ghoreishy Mir Hamid Reza , Ajorloo Mojtaba
Published: November 2020

The modeling of bubble growth was employed as a technique to control the cellular structure and by taking the equations of bubble growth and rubber curing into account simultaneously, the instantaneous radius of cells as a function of time was predicted. Side‐by‐side solves of the Kamal–Sourour kinetic model, as well as the heat transfer equation, led to the development of temperature variation function. Also, the predictions of the employed model concerning the effects of different parameters like the temperature of the foaming process, the level of foaming agent, and various physical attributes such as viscosity, gas diffusion coefficient, thermal conductivity, density, and surface tension on the bubble growth and radius alterations were analyzed. Based on the obtained scanning electron microscopy image from the cellular structure, there was only a 15% disparity between the predicted and experimental data about the bubble radius. Contrary to temperature, viscosity, and thermal conductivity, an increment in the level of foaming agent, diffusion coefficient, and density caused a rise of bubble radius. Also, the surface tension had an insignificant impact on the volume of the bubbles. Based on the findings, the applied model has proper credibility and can predict the influences of the abovementioned factors with satisfying accuracy.
Using ways of knowing in nursing to develop educational strategies that support knowledge mobilization
Authors: Swift Amelia , Twycross Alison
Published: November 2020

There are continued challenges in achieving effective pain management for children and young people (CYP). Research has found several barriers to effective CYP pain management, which include, but are not limited to, deficiencies in knowledge among nurses and other healthcare professionals. Calls for improvements in and an increase in pain education ensue, in the expectation that an increase in knowledge will lead to an improved pain care for patients. Educational initiatives, as reported in the literature, have tended to focus on increasing empirical knowledge which has not resulted in the anticipated improvements in practice. An exploration of Carper's and Chinn & Kramer's five ways of knowing helps demonstrate why an over‐reliance on empirics fails to equip nurses for the realities of clinical practice and does not facilitate knowledge mobilization or improvements in pain care for CYP. In this paper, we explore these ways of knowing to produce a model for knowledge mobilization in (pain) education. Our model puts forward a multifaceted approach to education using the active learning principles which supports and equip nurses to become effective pain practitioners.
Facile Preparation and Excellent Ultraviolet Shielding Application of Polyurethane‐TiO2 Composite Microcapsules
Authors: Hong Wei , Wang Ran , Li Na , Gao Le , Jiao Tifeng
Published: November 2020

In this work, butyl stearate, isophorone diisocyanate, and glycerol are used to prepare reticulated polyurethane microcapsules using interfacial polymerization. In addition, anatase nano‐TiO2 is added to prepare TiO2‐polyurethane phase change microcapsules during the polymerization process. Polarized light microscope, scanning electron microscope, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric, differential scanning calorimeter, and other methods demonstrate the successful preparation of microcapsules, and microcapsules with different TiO2 content have differences in morphology and performance. It is worth noting that the addition of TiO2 enhances the thermal stability and mechanical strength of the prepared composite microcapsules. In addition, TiO2 particles allow the microcapsules to have photocatalytic properties and ultraviolet shielding properties, and the prepared TiO2‐polyurethane composite capsules show good catalytic degradation properties for methyl orange solution. Moreover, the ultraviolet absorption performance of the TiO2‐polyurethane composite microcapsule coating is tested, and the results show that the strength of ultraviolet light is weakened after passing through the coating, indicating that the composite microcapsule can enhance the UV resistance of the coating. This work shows the preparation of multifunctional microcapsules and their potential applications in photocatalysis and UV resistance.
Secondary pulmonary hypertension due to pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis accompanied with panhypopituitarism
Authors: Miyashita Tatsuyuki , Yamazaki Susumu , Ohta Hiromitsu , Nakamura Hidetoshi , Nagata Makoto
Published: November 2020

A 65‐year‐old man presented to our hospital with complaint of acute dyspnoea. He smoked 30 cigarettes per day from age 20 to 52 years. Immunocytochemical findings revealed 6.3% of positive CD1a cells in the cell fraction of bronchoalveolar lavage, thus suggesting a diagnosis of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH), after nine years since the first suspicion of PLCH. Furthermore, he was diagnosed with secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by progressed PLCH by right heart catheterization. At 59 years of age, he was diagnosed with panhypopituitarism, and persistent hormone replacement therapy was subsequently started by an endocrinologist. After the initiation of oxygen therapy and treatment with a combination of sildenafil and warfarin, an estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure reduced 97.9 to 64.0 mmHg. We believed this is a rare case of PLCH with irreversible central nervous system (CNS) disorder in whom severe PH developed due to a long‐term burden of PLCH in a middle‐aged male.
Predicting soil organic matter nitrogen mineralization
Authors: Gilmour John T.
Published: November 2020

The objectives of this study were to develop a model for soil organic matter (SOM) N mineralization that required minimal inputs, to test the model using independent datasets, and to determine if the results could be used in adjusting commercial N fertilizer recommendations. A first‐order model was adjusted monthly for differences in soil temperature and moisture. A daily time step was used to allow N mineralization estimates from one date to another. Simulations began in the month where temperature exceeded 10 °C. Model predictions were compared with those in published studies in northern California and Illinois. In the first California study, model predictions were near observed values in four of five locations. In the second California study, model predictions were within the 95% confidence interval of those based on laboratory incubation corrected for field temperature and moisture regimes. In a third study, unfertilized corn (Zea mays L.) yields were compared with seasonal N mineralization predictions plus N from the prior crop for 15 Illinois soils. The result was 32.0 kg corn kg−1 seasonal available N as compared with the typical value of 67.5 kg corn kg−1 commercial N fertilizer. Nitrogen mineralization predictions for Illinois soils were related to total N, suggesting that an equation could replace simulation modeling for a given soil–location combination. It is proposed that the N mineralization model, which has readily obtainable inputs (total N, bulk density, monthly weather), could be used in conjunction with field studies to refine commercial N fertilizer recommendations.
Generalizing randomized trial findings to a target population using complex survey population data
Authors: Ackerman Benjamin , Lesko Catherine R. , Siddique Juned , Susukida Ryoko , Stuart Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2020

Randomized trials are considered the gold standard for estimating causal effects. Trial findings are often used to inform policy and programming efforts, yet their results may not generalize well to a relevant target population due to potential differences in effect moderators between the trial and population. Statistical methods have been developed to improve generalizability by combining trials and population data, and weighting the trial to resemble the population on baseline covariates. Large‐scale surveys in fields such as health and education with complex survey designs are a logical source for population data; however, there is currently no best practice for incorporating survey weights when generalizing trial findings to a complex survey. We propose and investigate ways to incorporate survey weights in this context. We examine the performance of our proposed estimator through simulations in comparison to estimators that ignore the complex survey design. We then apply the methods to generalize findings from two trials—a lifestyle intervention for blood pressure reduction and a web‐based intervention to treat substance use disorders—to their respective target populations using population data from complex surveys. The work highlights the importance in properly accounting for the complex survey design when generalizing trial findings to a population represented by a complex survey sample.
Hedge fund investor activism and human capital loss
Authors: Chen Guoli , Meyer‐Doyle Philipp , Shi Wei
Published: November 2020

Research summary: Prior research suggests that hedge fund activism can benefit targeted firms. We explore a potential negative side‐effect of hedge fund activism: the unwanted loss of human capital in targeted firms. We find that firms targeted by hedge fund activists experience a greater departure of valuable employees compared with a matched sample of non‐targeted firms. Further, the positive effect of hedge fund activism on firm performance is stronger when firms experience a lower departure of valuable employees. These results suggest that hedge fund activism can lead to the unwanted loss of human capital, which may reduce the otherwise positive performance effect on targeted firms. These findings contribute to research on investor activism and human capital.

Managerial summary: Hedge fund activism has been shown to benefit shareholders of targeted firms. We investigate a potential negative side‐effect of hedge fund activism: the unwanted loss of human capital in targeted firms. We find that targeted firms experience a greater departure of valuable employees when attacked by hedge fund activists, and that the positive performance effect of hedge fund activism is greater if that departure is smaller. Our results, together with additional analyses, are consistent with our argument that valuable employees decide to leave firms targeted by hedge fund activists to reduce the potential uncertainty and adversity for their careers, and that this human capital loss can harm firm performance. Our study has important implications for firms facing the potential prospect of hedge fund activism.
High Throughput and Highly Controllable Methods for In Vitro Intracellular Delivery
Authors: Brooks Justin , Minnick Grayson , Mukherjee Prithvijit , Jaberi Arian , Chang Lingqian , Espinosa Horacio D. , Yang Ruiguo
Published: November 2020

In vitro and ex vivo intracellular delivery methods hold the key for releasing the full potential of tissue engineering, drug development, and many other applications. In recent years, there has been significant progress in the design and implementation of intracellular delivery systems capable of delivery at the same scale as viral transfection and bulk electroporation but offering fewer adverse outcomes. This review strives to examine a variety of methods for in vitro and ex vivo intracellular delivery such as flow‐through microfluidics, engineered substrates, and automated probe‐based systems from the perspective of throughput and control. Special attention is paid to a particularly promising method of electroporation using micro/nanochannel based porous substrates, which expose small patches of cell membrane to permeabilizing electric field. Porous substrate electroporation parameters discussed include system design, cells and cargos used, transfection efficiency and cell viability, and the electric field and its effects on molecular transport. The review concludes with discussion of potential new innovations which can arise from specific aspects of porous substrate‐based electroporation platforms and high throughput, high control methods in general.
Nanocage‐Shaped Co3−xZrxO4 Solid‐Solution Supports Loaded with Pt Nanoparticles as Effective Catalysts for the Enhancement of Toluene Oxidation
Authors: Wang Mengmeng , Chen Dongyun , Li Najun , Xu Qingfeng , Li Hua , He Jinghui , Lu Jianmei
Published: November 2020

Nanocage‐shaped Co3−xZrxO4 solid‐solution supports and the corresponding platinum loaded nanocomposites, yPt/Co3−xZrxO4 (x =0.27, 0.50, 0.69; y = 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 wt.%), are successfully fabricated via a Cu2O nanocube hard template method and a glycol reduction method, respectively. The hollow nanocage structures obviously improve surface areas; moreover, the Zr doping forms the Co3−xZrxO4 solid‐solution supports, and the corresponding yPt/Co3−xZrxO4 catalysts promote the enhancement of catalytic performance. Catalytic activity toward toluene combustion is enhanced for the 2.0 wt% Pt/Co2.73Zr0.27O4 catalyst. The catalysts are characterized using multiple techniques. Pt nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed across the Co2.73Zr0.27O4 nanocage surface. The 2.0 wt% Pt/Co2.73Zr0.27O4 catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activity among all the samples and demonstrates good stability, with 90% toluene conversion obtained at a temperature of 165 °C. The same catalyst accomplishes full toluene oxidation at 180 °C, at a weight hourly space velocity of 36 000 mL h−1 g−1. The apparent activation energy (Ea) over the yPt/Co2.73Zr0.27O4 samples are significantly lower than those over the Co3−xZrxO4 supports, with the 2.0 wt% Pt/Co2.73Zr0.27O4 catalyst exhibiting the lowest Ea value. These findings demonstrate the potential of the 2.0 wt% Pt/Co2.73Zr0.27O4 catalyst as a promising catalyst toward atmospheric toluene removal.
Clouds, radiation, and atmospheric circulation in the present‐day climate and under climate change
Authors: Voigt Aiko , Albern Nicole , Ceppi Paulo , Grise Kevin , Li Ying , Medeiros Brian
Published: November 2020

By interacting with radiation, clouds modulate the flow of energy through the Earth system, the circulation of the atmosphere, and regional climate. We review the impact of cloud‐radiation interactions for the atmospheric circulation in the present‐day climate, its internal variability and its response to climate change. After summarizing cloud‐controlling factors and cloud‐radiative effects, we clarify the scope and limits of the Clouds On‐Off Klimate Model Intercomparison Experiment (COOKIE) and cloud‐locking modeling methods. COOKIE showed that the presence of cloud‐radiative effects shapes the circulation in the present‐day climate in many important ways, including the width of the tropical rain belts and the position of the extratropical storm tracks. Cloud locking, in contrast, identified how clouds affect internal variability and the circulation response to global warming. This includes strong, but model‐dependent, shortwave and longwave cloud impacts on the El‐Nino Southern Oscillation, and the finding that most of the poleward circulation expansion in response to global warming can be attributed to radiative changes in clouds. We highlight the circulation impact of shortwave changes from low‐level clouds and longwave changes from rising high‐level clouds, and the contribution of these cloud changes to model differences in the circulation response to global warming. The review in particular draws attention to the role of cloud‐radiative heating within the atmosphere. We close by raising some open questions which, among others, concern the need for studying the cloud impact on regional scales and opportunities created by the next generation of global storm‐resolving models.

This article is categorized under:

Climate Models and Modeling > Knowledge Generation with Models
Graviton-mediated scattering amplitudes from the quantum effective action
Authors: Draper Tom , Knorr Benjamin , Ripken Chris , Saueressig Frank
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We employ the curvature expansion of the quantum effective action for gravity-matter systems to construct graviton-mediated scattering amplitudes for non-minimally coupled scalar fields in a Minkowski background. By design, the formalism parameterises all quantum corrections to these processes and is manifestly gauge-invariant. The conditions resulting from UV-finiteness, unitarity, and causality are analysed in detail and it is shown by explicit construction that the quantum effective action provides sufficient room to meet these structural requirements without introducing non-localities or higher-spin degrees of freedom. Our framework provides a bottom-up approach to all quantum gravity programs seeking for the quantisation of gravity within the framework of quantum field theory. Its scope is illustrated by specific examples, including effective field theory, Stelle gravity, infinite derivative gravity, and Asymptotic Safety.
R-symmetric flipped SU(5)
Authors: Hamaguchi Koichi , Hor Shihwen , Nagata Natsumi
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We construct a supersymmetric flipped SU(5) grand unified model that possesses an R symmetry. This R symmetry forbids dangerous non-renormalizable operators suppressed by a cut-off scale up to sufficiently large mass dimensions so that the SU(5)-breaking Higgs field develops a vacuum expectation value of the order of the unification scale along the F- and D-flat directions, with the help of the supersymmetry-breaking effect. The mass terms of the Higgs fields are also forbidden by the R symmetry, with which the doublet-triplet splitting problem is solved with the missing partner mechanism. The masses of right-handed neutrinos are generated by non-renormalizable operators, which then yield a light neutrino mass spectrum and mixing through the seesaw mechanism that are consistent with neutrino oscillation data. This model predicts one of the color-triplet Higgs multiplets to lie at an intermediate scale, and its mass is found to be constrained by proton decay experiments to be ≳ 5 × 1011 GeV. If it is ≲ 1012 GeV, future proton decay experiments at Hyper-Kamiokande can test our model in the p → π0μ+ and p → K0μ+ decay modes, in contrast to ordinary grand unified models where p → π0e+ or p → $$ {K}^{+}\overline{\nu} $$

K
+

ν
¯

is the dominant decay mode. This characteristic prediction for the proton decay branches enables us to distinguish our model from other scenarios.
Versorgung des abdominellen Aortenaneurysmas (AAA) 2019
Authors: Schmitz-Rixen T. , Steffen M. , Böckler D. , Grundmann R. T.
Published: November 2020

Zielsetzung

Die Daten für das Jahr 2019 des Registers „Abdominelles Aortenaneurysma“ (AAA) des Deutschen Instituts für Gefäßmedizinische Gesundheitsforschung (DIGG) der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gefäßchirurgie und Gefäßmedizin werden vorgestellt.

Methodik

Im Jahr 2019 beteiligten sich an dem Register insgesamt 109 Kliniken. Für die offene Versorgung (OR) des intakten AAA (iAAA) gaben 78 (71,6 %) Kliniken, für die endovaskuläre Versorgung (EVAR) des iAAA 102 (93,6 %) Kliniken Daten ein. Für das rupturierte AAA (rAAA) wurden von 36 Kliniken (33,0 %) (EVAR) bzw. 50 (45,9 %) Kliniken (OR) Patienten gemeldet. Ausgewertet wurden die Daten von 1967 stationär behandelten Patienten. Von den insgesamt 1793 iAAA waren 1501 infrarenal (83,7 %) und 292 (16,3 %) juxtarenal gelegen.

Ergebnisse

1429 iAAA (79,7 %) wurden endovaskulär und 364 (20,3 %) offen versorgt. Bei den endovaskulär versorgten Patienten mit iAAA verlief der Eingriff in 86,3 % der Fälle komplikationslos. Es verstarben insgesamt 15 Patienten (1,0 %) bis zur Entlassung. Bei den offen versorgten Patienten wiesen 67,0 % der Patienten keine Komplikationen auf. Verstorben sind insgesamt 20 Patienten (5,5 %). Bei EVAR war die Klinikletalität bei Versorgung juxtarenaler AAA mit 3,7 % signifikant höher als bei Versorgung infrarenaler AAA mit 0,6 % (p = 0,002), bei OR konnten hingegen keine signifikanten Unterschiede hinsichtlich der Klinikletalität aufgezeigt werden (juxtarenal 4,8 %, infrarenal 5,8 %; p = 0,470). Von den 174 Patienten mit rAAA wurden 80 (46,0 %) endovaskulär und 94 (54,0 %) offen versorgt. Bei EVAR sind 20,0 % der Patienten während des stationären Aufenthalts verstorben, bei OR 36,2 %.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Ergebnisse des Jahres 2019 zu Klinikletalität und Morbidität bei endovaskulärer und offener Versorgung des iAAA bestätigen weitgehend die publizierten Ergebnisse für die Jahre 2013 bis 2018. Beim rAAA sind die Ergebnisse der einzelnen Jahresberichte hingegen widersprüchlich, die kleinen berichteten jährlichen Fallzahlen erlauben nur Aussagen über größere Zeiträume.
A deep learning system that generates quantitative CT reports for diagnosing pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Li Xukun , Zhou Yukun , Du Peng , Lang Guanjing , Xu Min , Wu Wei
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to establish and validate a new deep learning system that generates quantitative computed tomography (CT) reports for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in clinic. 501 CT imaging datasets were collected from 223 patients with active PTB, while another 501 datasets, which served as negative samples, were collected from a healthy population. All the PTB datasets were labeled and classified manually by professional radiologists. Then, four state-of-the-art 3D convolution neural network (CNN) models were trained and evaluated in the inspection of PTB CT images. The best model was selected to annotate the spatial location of lesions and classify them into miliary, infiltrative, caseous, tuberculoma, and cavitary types. The Noisy-Or Bayesian function was used to generate an overall infection probability of this case. The results showed that the recall and precision rates of detection, from the perspective of a single lesion region of PTB, were 85.9% and 89.2%, respectively. The overall recall and precision rates of detection, from the perspective of one PTB case, were 98.7% and 93.7%, respectively. Moreover, the precision rate of type classification of the PTB lesion was 90.9%. Finally, a quantitative diagnostic report of PTB was generated including infection possibility, locations of the lesion, as well as the types. This new method might serve as an effective reference for decision making by clinical doctors.
Exploring Flood Filling Networks for Instance Segmentation of XXL-Volumetric and Bulk Material CT Data
Authors: Gruber Roland , Gerth Stefan , Claußen Joelle , Wörlein Norbert , Uhlmann Norman , Wittenberg Thomas
Published: November 2020

XXL-Computed Tomography (XXL-CT) is able to produce large scale volume datasets of scanned objects such as crash tested cars, sea and aircraft containers or cultural heritage objects. The acquired image data consists of volumes of up to and above$$\hbox {10,000}^{3}$$10,0003voxels which can relate up to many terabytes in file size and can contain multiple 10,000 of different entities of depicted objects. In order to extract specific information about these entities from the scanned objects in such vast datasets, segmentation or delineation of these parts is necessary. Due to unknown and varying properties (shapes, densities, materials, compositions) of these objects, as well as interfering acquisition artefacts, classical (automatic) segmentation is usually not feasible. Contrarily, a complete manual delineation is error-prone and time-consuming, and can only be performed by trained and experienced personnel. Hence, an interactive and partial segmentation of so-called “chunks” into tightly coupled assemblies or sub-assemblies may help the assessment, exploration and understanding of such large scale volume data. In order to assist users with such an (possibly interactive) instance segmentation for the data exploration process, we propose to utilize delineation algorithms with an approach derived from flood filling networks. We present primary results of a flood filling network implementation adapted to non-destructive testing applications based on large scale CT from various test objects, as well as real data of an airplane and describe the adaptions to this domain. Furthermore, we address and discuss segmentation challenges due to acquisition artefacts such as scattered radiation or beam hardening resulting in reduced data quality, which can severely impair the interactive segmentation results.
Treatment for Younger Siblings of Participants in a Home-Based Intensive Paediatric Feeding Programme in Australia
Authors: Taylor Tessa , Haberlin Alayna
Published: November 2020

Early childhood feeding problems can be challenging. Children who limit their food consumption may significantly impact multiple critical areas of development. Effective treatment should be accessed as early as possible but has been limited to a handful of US hospital programmes. Feeding problems affect both children with and without disability, and families may struggle with multiple children having feeding difficulties. We provided short-term (less than 2 weeks), in-home, intensive, behaviour-analytic feeding intervention to two children with typical development who were younger siblings of children already in the programme. We used a withdrawal/reversal design to assess the effects of nonremoval of the spoon, re-presentation, contingent and noncontingent access to tangibles, differential attention, and response cost. This multi-component intervention was effective in increasing the consumption of a wide variety of foods at regular texture and self-feeding for both participants. Variety was increased to over 60 foods from all food groups. Admission goals were met (100%). We trained caregivers to high procedural integrity and generalised the protocol. We provided actual plate picture examples of family meals consumed where the brothers and parents ate the same meal. Caregiver satisfaction and social acceptability were high. Gains were maintained at 3-year follow-up where parents reported problems were fully resolved.
Beyond Argumentum in Terrorem: The Contested Rhetoric of Campus Carry
Authors: BUTTERS ALBION M.
Published: November 2020

This essay reflects on the use of competing rhetorical frames of fear strategically used by the academic community of The University of Texas at Austin in the debate on Campus Carry policy. With the legalization of concealed handguns on campus, fear emerged as a prominent trope in public discussions, albeit used in very different ways by supporters or opponents of the law. Against the more standard interpretation of fear-based rhetoric as an exploitation of others’ insecurities, this essay draws on mixed-methods research to examine expressions of fear by activist opponents of Campus Carry and the way in which supporters of the law sought to deconstruct it.
Investing in Low-Trust Countries: On the Role of Social Trust in the Global Mutual Fund Industry
Authors: Massa Massimo , Wang Chengwei , Zhang Hong , Zhang Jian
Published: November 2020

We hypothesize that social trust, in mitigating contracting incompleteness, may have an important effect on the activeness and effectiveness of delegated portfolio management. Using a complete sample of worldwide open-end mutual funds, we find that trust is positively associated with the activeness of funds and that trust-related active share delivers superior performance (e.g., approximately 2% per year for cross-border investments). Moreover, “trust in the market” and “trust in managers” play important yet different roles for different types of cross-border delegated portfolio management. Our results suggest that trust acts as a fundamental building block for delegated portfolio management.