bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteogenic and Chondrogenic Master Genes Expression Is Dependent on the Kir2.1 Potassium Channel Through the Bone Morphogenetic Protein Pathway
Authors: Pini Jonathan , Giuliano Serena , Matonti Julia , Gannoun Lila , Simkin Dina , Rouleau Matthieu , Bendahhou Saïd
Published: May 2018

Andersen's syndrome is a rare disorder affecting muscle, heart, and bone that is associated with mutations leading to a loss of function of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel Kir2.1. Although the Kir2.1 function can be anticipated in excitable cells by controlling the electrical activity, its role in non-excitable cells remains to be investigated. Using Andersen's syndrome–induced pluripotent stem cells, we investigated the cellular and molecular events during the osteoblastic and chondrogenic differentiation that are affected by the loss of the Ik1 current. We show that loss of Kir2.1 channel function impairs both osteoblastic and chondrogenic processes through the downregulation of master gene expression. This downregulation is the result of an impairment of the bone morphogenetic proteins signaling pathway through dephosphorylation of the Smad proteins. Restoring Kir2.1 channel function in Andersen's syndrome cells rescued master genes expression and restored normal osteoblast and chondrocyte behavior. Our results show that Kir2.1-mediated activity controls endochondral and intramembranous ossification signaling pathways. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Synthesis of obeticholic acid, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, and its major metabolites labeled with deuterium
Authors: Gai Kuo , Huang Yu , Liu Baomin , Zhang Yinsheng
Published: May 2018

Simple and facile methods for the synthesis of deuterium‐labeled obeticholic acid and its 2 metabolites, glycine and taurine conjugates of obeticholic acid, are described herein. The 3 deuterated compounds were applicable for use as internal standards in drug development.
Diversity of dermal denticle structure in sharks: Skin surface roughness and three‐dimensional morphology
Authors: Ankhelyi Madeleine V. , Wainwright Dylan K. , Lauder George V.
Published: May 2018

Shark skin is covered with numerous placoid scales or dermal denticles. While previous research has used scanning electron microscopy and histology to demonstrate that denticles vary both around the body of a shark and among species, no previous study has quantified three‐dimensional (3D) denticle structure and surface roughness to provide a quantitative analysis of skin surface texture. We quantified differences in denticle shape and size on the skin of three individual smooth dogfish sharks (Mustelus canis) using micro‐CT scanning, gel‐based surface profilometry, and histology. On each smooth dogfish, we imaged between 8 and 20 distinct areas on the body and fins, and obtained further comparative skin surface data from leopard, Atlantic sharpnose, shortfin mako, spiny dogfish, gulper, angel, and white sharks. We generated 3D images of individual denticles and measured denticle volume, surface area, and crown angle from the micro‐CT scans. Surface profilometry was used to quantify metrology variables such as roughness, skew, kurtosis, and the height and spacing of surface features. These measurements confirmed that denticles on different body areas of smooth dogfish varied widely in size, shape, and spacing. Denticles near the snout are smooth, paver‐like, and large relative to denticles on the body. Body denticles on smooth dogfish generally have between one and three distinct ridges, a diamond‐like surface shape, and a dorsoventral gradient in spacing and roughness. Ridges were spaced on average 56 µm apart, and had a mean height of 6.5 µm, comparable to denticles from shortfin mako sharks, and with narrower spacing and lower heights than other species measured. We observed considerable variation in denticle structure among regions on the pectoral, dorsal, and caudal fins, including a leading‐to‐trailing edge gradient in roughness for each region. Surface roughness in smooth dogfish varied around the body from 3 to 42 microns.
Signal‐averaged electrocardiography: Past, present, and future
Authors: Gatzoulis Konstantinos A. , Arsenos Petros , Trachanas Konstantinos , Dilaveris Polychronis , Antoniou Christos , Tsiachris Dimitris , Sideris Skevos , Kolettis Theofilos M. , Tousoulis Dimitrios
Published: May 2018

Signal‐averaged electrocardiography records delayed depolarization of myocardial areas with slow conduction that can form the substrate for monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. This technique has been examined mostly in patients with coronary artery disease, but its use has been declined over the years. However, several lines of evidence, derived from hitherto clinical data in patients with healed myocardial infarction, indicate that signal‐averaged electrocardiography remains a valuable tool in risk stratification, especially when incorporated into algorithms encompassing invasive and noninvasive indices. Such an approach can aid the more precise identification of candidates for device therapy, in the context of primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. This article reappraises the value of signal‐averaged electrocardiography as a predictor of arrhythmic outcome in patients with ischemic heart disease and discusses potential future indications.
Simultaneous determination of 22 phthalate esters in polystyrene food‐contact materials by ultra‐performance convergence chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Fan Ying‐Li , Ma Ming , Cui He‐Zhen , Liu Shu , Yang Min‐Li , Hou Xiu‐Feng
Published: May 2018

A method for the determination of 22 phthalate esters in polystyrene food‐contact materials has been established using ultraperformance convergence chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. In this method, 22 phthalate esters were analyzed in <3.5 min on an ACQUITY Tours 1‐AA column by gradient elution. The mobile phase, the compensation solvent, the flow rate of mobile phase, column temperature, and automatic back pressure regulator pressure were optimized, respectively. There was a good linearity of 20 phthalate esters with a range of 0.05–10 mg/L, diisodecyl phthalate and diisononyl phthalate were 0.25–10 mg/L, and the correlation coefficients of all phthalates were higher than 0.99 and those of 16 phthalates were higher than 0.999. The limits of detection and the limits of quantification of 15 phthalates were 0.02 and 0.05 mg/kg, meanwhile diallyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, di‐n‐butyl phthalate, and di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate were 0.05 and 0.10 mg/kg, and diisodecyl phthalate and diisononyl phthalate were 0.10 and 0.25 mg/kg. The spiked recoveries were in the range of 76.26–107.76%, and the relative standard deviations were in the range of 1.78–12.10%. Results support this method as an efficient alternative to apply for the simultaneous determination of 22 phthalate esters in common polystyrene food‐contact materials.
Fine mapping in TERT‐CLPTM1L region identified three independent lung cancer susceptibility signals: A large‐scale multi‐ethnic population study
Authors: Li Zhihua , Pu Zhening , Fan Jingyi , Li Ni , Zhu Meng , Zhang Jiahui , Wang Yuzhuo , Geng Liguo , Cheng Yang , Ma Hongxia , Jin Guangfu , Dai Juncheng , Hu Zhibin , Shen Hongbing
Published: May 2018

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) and fine mapping studies have identified multiple lung cancer susceptibility variants in TERT‐CLPTM1L region. However, it is still unclear about the relationship between these risk variants and the independent lung cancer risk signals in this region. Therefore, we evaluated the independent susceptibility signals for lung cancer and explored the potential functional variants in this region. Sequential conditional analysis was used to detect the independent susceptibility loci based on four lung cancer GWAS datasets with 12 843 lung cases and 12 639 controls. Comprehensively functional annotations were performed for each independent signal. Three independent susceptibility signals were identified in multi‐ethnic population. For the first signal, rs2736100 showed the most significant association with lung cancer risk (C > A, OR = 0.82, 95%CI: 0.79‐0.85, P = 1.98 × 10−25). Rs36019446 was the top‐ranked site (A > G, OR = 0.88, 95%CI: 0.84‐0.92, P = 1.74 × 10−9) in the second signal. For the third signal, rs326048 was the leading SNP (A > G, OR = 0.91, 95%CI: 0.87‐0.95, P = 1.38 × 10−5). The following subgroup analysis found the same three loci among Asian population. Further, we compared the difference between various subgroup populations. Functional annotations revealed that rs2736100, rs27996 (r2 = 0.85 with rs36019446) and rs326049 (r2 = 0.73 with rs326048) could be potential functional variants in these three risk signals, respectively. In conclusion, although multiple variants have been found associated with lung cancer risk in TERT‐CLPTM1L region, our findings indicated that there are three independent lung cancer susceptibility signals in this region.
A Dynamic Simulator for Slurry‐Phase Catalytic Olefin Copolymerization in a Series of CSTRs: Prediction of Distributed Molecular and Rheological Properties
Authors: Pladis Prokopios , Baltsas Apostolos , Meimaroglou Dimitrios , Kiparissides Costas
Published: May 2018

A comprehensive mathematical model is developed to simulate the dynamic Ziegler–Natta ethylene‐α‐olefins copolymerization in a series of slurry‐phase continuous stirred tank reactors. A generalized multisite kinetic mechanism is considered to describe the molecular and compositional developments (joint molecular weight‐copolymer composition distribution) in a series of continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs). Dynamic macroscopic mole balances are derived to calculate the dynamic evolution of all species concentrations in three phases (i.e., gas, liquid, and polymer) of the multiphase system. The polymer molecular properties (i.e., molecular weight distribution, short chain branching distribution, etc.) are determined by two different approaches, namely, the method of double moments and a Monte Carlo algorithm. Detailed thermodynamic calculations are carried out to calculate the solubility of all species in the various phases. Particular emphasis is given to the calculation of mass transfer rates from the gas to the continuous liquid phase and from the liquid to the polymer swollen phase. Comparison of model predictions with experimental measurements has shown that the present plant simulator is capable of simulating the dynamic operation of ethylene with α‐olefins copolymerization over a broad range of operating conditions and, thus, can be used in future process and product optimization and control of lab‐, pilot‐, and industrial‐scale plants.
Breastfeeding and weaning practices of the ancestral Ohlone Indians of California: A case study using stable isotope analysis of bone collagen
Authors: Gardner Karen S. , Bartelink Eric J. , Martinez Antoinette , Leventhal Alan , Cambra Rosemary
Published: May 2018

Variation in human breastfeeding and weaning practices is subject to changing social pressures and norms, as well as individual agency. This paper presents a case study from the Yukisma Mound (CA‐SCL‐38), a prehistoric site in the San Francisco Bay Area, which was used as a ceremonial and cemetery space by the ancestral Ohlone Indians between 780 and 230 cal yearsbp. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values from bone collagen of 201 individuals, including 26 subadults, are analysed. The Weaning Age Reconstruction with Nitrogen isotope analysis package in R is used to model expected δ15N values of infant bone collagen, against which measured δ15N values reveal individual variation in weaning practices. Infants from this burial sample were exclusively breastfed until approximately 0.8 years (maximum density estimation (MDE), marginal probability = 0.0456), and completely weaned by around 4.4 years (MDE, marginal probability = .0409). Range of variation in adult diets is used as a baseline of comparison, in addition to mean δ15N values of adult females, to better consider supplementary food options, and to avoid the assumption of a homogeneous maternal diet. Comparison with weaning data from contemporaneous regional sites, drawn from studies using tooth dentin of individuals who survived childhood, reveals that introduction of complementary foods and cessation of breastfeeding occurred somewhat later at the Yukisma Mound. This contrast suggests prolonged supplementation with breastmilk for children who expressed nutritional stress or disease. Variation in weaning trajectories is further interpreted using δ13C values to identify individuals with elevated δ15N values due to supplementation with high trophic level foods (e.g., freshwater fish and marine foods). Changes in weaning practices are demonstrated by comparison of this sample to ethnohistoric accounts of the Ohlone. This study provides an example of collaborative research with descendent populations and of making the most of available materials.
Bifacial Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells using hydrogen‐doped In2O3 films as a transparent back contact
Authors: Keller Jan , Chen Wei‐Chao , Riekehr Lars , Kubart Tomas , Törndahl Tobias , Edoff Marika
Published: May 2018

Hydrogen‐doped In2O3 (IOH) films are used as a transparent back contact in bifacial Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells. The effect of the IOH thickness and the impact of the sodium incorporation technique on the photovoltaic parameters are studied, and clear correlations are observed. It is shown that a loss in short circuit current density (JSC) is the major limitation at back side illumination. The introduction of a thin Al2O3 layer on top of the IOH significantly increases the collection efficiency (ϕ(x)) for electrons generated close to the back contact. In this way, the JSC loss can be mitigated to only ~ 25% as compared with front side illumination. The Al2O3 film potentially reduces the interface defect density or, alternatively, creates a field effect passivation. In addition, it prevents the excessive formation of Ga2O3 at the CIGS/IOH interface, which is found otherwise when a NaF layer is added before absorber deposition. Consequently, detrimental redistributions in Ga and In close to the back contact can be avoided. Finally, a bifacial CIGS solar cell with an efficiency (η) of η = 11.0% at front and η = 6.0% at back side illumination could be processed. The large potential for further improvements is discussed.
Magnetic circular dichroism of an unaromatic planar [8]annulene
Authors: Wen Jin , Uto Takayuki , Chalupský Jakub , Casher Deborah L. , Raabe Gerhard , Fleischhauer Joerg , Yanai Takeshi , Tsuji Hayato , Komatsu Koichi , Michl Josef
Published: May 2018

An overview of magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy of π‐electron systems derived from a 4N‐electron perimeter is provided, with emphasis on the hypothetical parent cycloocta‐1,3,5,7‐tetraene of D8h symmetry (1) and its D4h symmetry derivatives. UV‐visible absorption and MCD spectra of 2, a D4h symmetric cycloocta‐1,3,5,7‐tetraene planarized by the effect of 4 bicyclo[2.1.1]hexeno units fused to its 8‐membered ring, are reported and interpreted. The perimeter model is applied to obtain an understanding of the nature of electronic states in 1 and 2 and to predict general trends in the spectra. The electronic excitation patterns are found to be different in the antiaromatic D8h and unaromatic D4h species, and their states cannot be unequivocally correlated. The results of time‐dependent density functional theory and extended multistate complete active space second‐order perturbation theory (XMS‐CASPT2) computations agree with the algebraic perimeter model analysis and reproduce the spectra of 2 well, including three of the four observed MCD signs of A and B terms.
The relationship between cancer‐related worry and posttraumatic growth in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors
Authors: McDonnell Glynnis A. , Pope Alice W. , Schuler Tammy A. , Ford Jennifer S.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To examine cancer‐related worry in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors and its relationship with posttraumatic growth over time, as the relationship between these constructs has not been assessed longitudinally in this population.

Methods

A total of 153 AYA cancer survivors completed measures of cancer‐related worry and posttraumatic growth 3 times across approximately 1 year. Descriptive statistics were calculated for cancer‐related worry items, and mixed‐effects modeling assessed the relationship between cancer‐related worry and posttraumatic growth.

Results

Most participants reported at least moderate cancer‐related worry in at least 1 area at each assessment (88.2‐93.9% across time points). Worry about future health was the most prevalent concern (65.4%‐83.7% across time points). Cancer‐related worry was positively related to posttraumatic growth in the mixed‐effects model. However, post hoc analyses indicated that cancer‐related worry and posttraumatic growth were modestly related; there was no evidence that either construct predicted the other over time.

Conclusions

Cancer‐related worry appears to be a common psychosocial outcome in AYA cancer survivors. However, cancer‐related worry appears to be only modestly related to the development of posttraumatic growth, implying that these may be independent constructs despite theoretical literature suggesting that posttraumatic growth may stem from posttraumatic distress. Thus, it is necessary to assess AYA survivors for cancer‐related worry and posttraumatic growth, and develop interventions to target cancer‐related worry and foster posttraumatic growth.
Spectroscopic study of excited molecular nitrogen generation due to interactions of metastable noble gas atoms
Authors: Scally Laurence , Lalor James , Gulan Miroslav , Cullen Patrick J. , Milosavljević Vladimir
Published: May 2018

This work provides an insight into the generation of excited nitrogen species by allowing noble gases to interact both with one another and ambient air. He and Ar were utilized to generate the optimum selectivity process to create reactive nitrogen species. An optimum setting for the generation of excited molecular nitrogen species, based on their excited energy levels, was obtained when using a mixture of Ar‐He at a ratio of 10:1. At that point, when a voltage of 27 kV is applied to the system, it reached the maximum efficiency for selectivity processes to occur which allowed for a greater non‐radiative transfer of energy through the mixture of noble gas atoms and into the molecular nitrogen present in ambient air.
Effects of robot‐assisted gait training in chronic stroke patients treated by botulinum toxin‐a: A pivotal study
Authors: Erbil Dursun , Tugba Gokbel , Murat Topcu Hasan , Melike Akarsu , Merve Akyüz , Cagla Karacan , Mehmetali Çiftçi Can , Akay Öztürk , Nigar Dursun
Published: May 2018

Objective

To investigate combined effects of robot‐assisted training (RAT) and physical therapy versus physical therapy only on balance and gait function of chronic stroke patients after botulinum toxin‐A (BoNT‐A) treatment.

Methods

Forty‐eight chronic stroke patients, received BoNT‐A treatment for lower extremity spastic muscles, were randomly assigned to RAT (n = 32) and control (n = 16) groups in a 2:1 ratio. RAT group received 30 min of RAT (RoboGait®) plus 60 min of physical therapy, whereas controls received 90 min of physical therapy for 3 weeks during weekdays. Outcome assessments were measured at baseline and post‐treatment Weeks 6 and 12. Spasticity was assessed by Modified Ashworth Scale and Tardieu Scale. Balance and gait functions were assessed by Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, and Rivermead Visual Gait Assessment.

Results

Demographic and baseline characteristics were similar in both groups (p > .05) for all parameters. Significant improvements were determined in both RAT and control groups regarding spasticity, balance, and gait functions after treatment. However, at post‐treatment Weeks 6 and 12, change from baseline Timed Up and Go test (p = .003 and p = .002, respectively), Berg Balance Scale (p = .001 and p < .001, respectively), and Rivermead Visual Gait Assessment (p < .001 and p < .001, respectively) were significantly higher in RAT group than those of the control group.

Conclusion

Integrated treatment with RAT and physical therapy might provide additional benefits in chronic stroke patients whom spasticity was treated by BoNT‐A.
Induced expression of cathelicidins in trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) challenged with four different bacterial pathogens
Authors: Furlan Michela , Rosani Umberto , Gambato Stefano , Irato Paola , Manfrin Amedeo , Mardirossian Mario , Venier Paola , Pallavicini Alberto , Scocchi Marco
Published: May 2018

Cathelicidins are an important family of antimicrobial peptide effectors of innate immunity in vertebrates. Two members of this group, CATH‐1 and CATH‐2, have been identified and characterized in teleosts (ray‐finned fish). In this study, we investigated the expression of these genes in different tissues of rainbow trout challenged with 4 different inactivated pathogens. By using qPCR, we detected a strong induction of both cath‐1 and cath‐2 genes within 24 hours after intraperitoneal inoculation with Lactococcus garvieae, Yersinia ruckeri, Aeromonas salmonicida, or Flavobacterium psychrophilum cells. Up to 700‐fold induction of cath‐2 was observed in the spleen of animals challenged with Y. ruckeri. Moreover, we found differences in the intensity and timing of gene up‐regulation in the analyzed tissues. The overall results highlight the importance of cathelicidins in the immune response mechanisms of salmonids.
Supramolecular Metal–Phenolic Gels for the Crystallization of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Authors: Rahim Md. Arifur , Hata Yuuki , Björnmalm Mattias , Ju Yi , Caruso Frank
Published: May 2018

The use of supramolecular gel media for the crystallization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is of interest for controlling crystal size, morphology, and polymorphism, as these features determine the performance of pharmaceutical formulations. In contrast to supramolecular systems prepared from synthetic gelators, herein, supramolecular metallogels based on a natural polyphenol (tannic acid) are used for the crystallization of APIs. The gel‐grown API crystals exhibit considerable differences in size, morphology, and polymorphism when compared with those formed in solutions. These physical features can also be tailored by varying the gel composition and additives, suggesting an influence of the gel medium on the crystallization outcomes. Furthermore, these gel–API crystal composites can be used for sustained drug release, indicating their potential as drug delivery systems. The facile preparation of these supramolecular gels and the use of naturally abundant components in their synthesis provide a generic platform for studying gel‐mediated crystallization of diverse APIs.
Oversampling the minority class in a multi‐linear feature space for imbalanced data classification
Authors: Liang Peifeng , Li Weite , Hu Jinglu
Published: May 2018

This paper proposes a novel oversampling method for imbalanced data classification, in which the minority class samples are synthesized in a feature space to avoid the generated minority samples falling into the majority class regions. For this purpose, it introduces a multi‐linear feature space (MLFS) based on a quasi‐linear kernel, which is composed from a pretrained neural network (NN). By using the quasi‐linear kernel, the proposed MLFS oversampling method avoids computing directly the Euclidean distances among the samples when oversampling the minority class and mapping the samples to high‐dimensional feature space, which makes it easy to be applied to classification of high‐dimensional datasets. On the other hand, by using kernel learning instead of representation learning using the NN, it makes an unsupervised learning, even a transfer learning, to be easily employed for the pretraining of NNs because a kernel is usually less dependent on a specific problem, which makes it possible to avoid considering the imbalance problem at the stage of pretraining the NN. Finally, a method is developed to oversample the synthetic minority samples by computing the quasi‐linear kernel matrix instead of computing very high dimensional MLFS feature vectors directly. The proposed MLFS oversampling method is applied to different real‐world datasets including image dataset, and simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Colonized and the Wrong of Colonialism
Authors: van Wietmarschen Han ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: May 2018

In “What’s Wrong with Colonialism,” Lea Ypi argues that the distinctive wrong of colonialism should be understood as the failure of the colonial relationship to extend equal and reciprocal terms of political association to the colonized. Laura Valentini argues that Ypi’s account fails. Her argument targets an ambiguity in Ypi’s account of the relata of the colonial relationship. Either Ypi’s view is that the members of the colonized group are, as individuals, denied an equal and reciprocal political relationship to the colonizer, or Ypi’s view is that the colonized individuals form a collective agent and that it is denied an equal and reciprocal relationship to the colonizer. According to Valentini, both options face insurmountable difficulties. This paper argues that Valentini sets up a false dilemma: the third option is to think of the colonizer as relating in an unequal and nonreciprocal way to the plurality of people subjected to colonial rule. This view, I argue, avoids Valentini’s objections, but it also raises new questions about how we are to understand the distinctive wrong of colonialism.
Image‐scoring system for umbilical and uterine artery pulsed‐wave Doppler ultrasound measurement
Authors: Molloholli M. , Napolitano R. , Ohuma E. O. , Ash S. , Wanyonyi S. Z. , Cavallaro A. , Giudicepietro A. , Barros F. , Carvalho M. , Norris S. , Min A. M. , Zainab G. , Papageorghiou A. T.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

To develop an objective image‐scoring system for pulsed‐wave Doppler measurement of maternal uterine and fetal umbilical arteries, and evaluate how this compares with subjective assessment.

Methods

As an extension to the INTERGROWTH‐21st Project, we developed a scoring system based on six predefined criteria for uterine and umbilical artery pulsed‐wave Doppler measurements. Objective evaluation using the scoring system was compared with subjective assessment which consisted of classifying an image as simply acceptable or unacceptable. Based on sample size estimation, a total of 120 umbilical and uterine artery Doppler images were selected randomly from the INTERGROWTH‐21st image database. Two independent reviewers evaluated all images in a blinded fashion, both subjectively and using the six‐point scoring system. Percentage agreement and kappa statistic were compared between the two methods.

Results

The overall agreement between reviewers was higher for objective assessment using the scoring system (agreement, 85%; adjusted kappa, 0.70) than for subjective assessment (agreement, 70%; adjusted kappa, 0.47). For the six components of the scoring system, the level of agreement (adjusted kappa) was 0.97 for anatomical site, 0.88 for sweep speed, 0.77 for magnification, 0.68 for velocity scale, 0.68 for image clarity and 0.65 for angle of insonation.

Conclusion

In quality assessment of umbilical and uterine artery pulsed‐wave Doppler measurements, our proposed objective six‐point image‐scoring system is associated with greater reproducibility than is subjective assessment. We recommend this as the preferred method for quality control, auditing and teaching. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Evaluation of the Impact of an International Master of Advanced Studies in Medical Physics
Authors: Loreti Giorgia , Aslian Hossein , Brito Antonio , Delis Harry , Longo Renata , Padovani Renato
Published: May 2018

The Master of advanced studies in Medical Physics (MMP) has been jointly organized since 2014 by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and Trieste University and supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), through the work of the Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physics Section (DMRP), Division of Human Health (NAHU) and the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme. The MMP, offers one academic year of theoretical classes followed by one year of structured clinical training in hospitals. It aims at addressing the scarcity of formal education and training schemes for medical physics studies, through an internationally harmonized programme that provides graduates with an academic knowledge and practical skills and competencies, to effectively practice medical physics once back to their home countries and Regions. Adequate academic education and structured clinical training of medical physicists play an important role in ensuring the safe and effective use of nuclear technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. To evaluate the impact of the MMP, an online survey was developed and distributed to the graduates of the first two cycles of the programme, in March 2017, considering different aspects contributing to the overall fulfilment of the MMP aims. Criteria comprised: the activity of the graduates before and after the MMP, return rate to their home country and work activities performed after the degree. Specific feedback was also analysed about the MMP programme. The analysis of the 22 received answers (85% of all graduates at the time of the survey) is presented in this article.
The $$ T\overline{T} $$ deformation at large central charge
Authors: Aharony Ofer , Vaknin Talya
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We study Zamolodchikov’s

$$ T\overline{T} $$

T

T
¯

deformation of two dimensional quantum field theories in a ’t Hooft-like limit, in which we scale the number of degrees of freedom c to infinity and the deformation parameter t to zero, keeping their product t · c fixed (more precisely, we keep energies and distances fixed in units of t · c). In this limit the Hagedorn temperature remains fixed, but other non-local aspects of the theory disappear. We show that in this limit correlation functions may be computed exactly, and they are local in space and polynomials in t. We compute explicitly the deformed three-point functions of the energy-momentum tensor for a

$$ T\overline{T} $$

T

T
¯

-deformed conformal field theory.
The analytic bootstrap equations of non-diagonal two-dimensional CFT
Authors: Migliaccio Santiago , Ribault Sylvain
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Under the assumption that degenerate fields exist, diagonal CFTs such as Liouville theory can be solved analytically using the conformal bootstrap method. Here we generalize this approach to non-diagonal CFTs, i.e. CFTs whose primary fields have nonzero conformal spins. Assuming generic values of the central charge, we find that the non-diagonal sector of the spectrum must be parametrized by two integer numbers. We then derive and solve the equations that determine how three- and four-point structure constants depend on these numbers. In order to test these results, we numerically check crossing symmetry of a class of four-point functions in a non-rational limit of D-series minimal models. The simplest four-point functions in this class were previously argued to describe connectivities of clusters in the critical Potts model.
Some remarks on anthropic approaches to the strong CP problem
Authors: Dine Michael , Haskins Laurel Stephenson , Ubaldi Lorenzo , Xu Di
Published: May 2018

Abstract

The peculiar value of θ is a challenge to the notion of an anthropic landscape. We briefly review the possibility that a suitable axion might arise from an anthropic requirement of dark matter. We then consider an alternative suggestion of Kaloper and Terning that θ might be correlated with the cosmological constant. We note that in a landscape one expects that θ is determined by the expectation value of one or more axions. We discuss how a discretuum of values of θ might arise with an energy distribution dominated by QCD, and find the requirements to be quite stringent. Given such a discretuum, we find no circumstances where small θ might be selected by anthropic requirements on the cosmological constant.
The long and winding road of evolutionary demography: preface
Authors: Takada Takenori , Shefferson Richard
Published: May 2018

Fitness can be calculated using demographic parameters such as survival and fecundity, which are normally used to examine population dynamics in ecology. This concept is at the heart of Darwin's thinking on natural selection. Natural selection optimizes survival and fertility schedules through differential fitness, and these optimal schedules drive changes in population dynamics. Therefore, there must exist an interaction between ecology and evolution. One of the disciplines that focus on the interaction is “Evolutionary demography”. It uses age‐ or stage‐specific demographic parameters throughout the whole life history to explore the evolution of life histories. Data throughout the life history of a species is indispensable to study evolutionary demography. To this end, two large‐scale databases of plant and animal life history are now available online, the COMPADRE Plant Matrix Database and the COMADRE Animal Matrix Database. We are now in a revolutionary era in the demographic research of plant and animal populations (including human populations). Many skills and approaches are needed to answer questions on evolutionary demography including bodies of theory and analytical toolkits. This special issue covers a wide array of subjects: (1) Demographic analysis of populations (including human populations) from the point of view of evolutionary ecology, (2) Meta‐analysis using big databases of populations, (3) Eco‐evolutionary studies at the population and/or community level and (4) Theoretical studies and the development of mathematical models of life history evolution. 14 collected papers are published to answer a variety of questions using original ideas, new tools, and big data.
Trauma Without Borders: The Necessity for School-Based Interventions in Treating Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
Authors: Franco Diana
Published: May 2018

This article explores migration trauma among Mexican and Central American unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) with the purpose of developing an understanding of migration as a tripartite process consisting of: pre-migration exposure to traumatic stressors, in-journey stressors, and post-migration stressors. The migration experience of these youth may be subjectively different depending on a wide range of factors. The complexities of migration are explored as a traumatic, tripartite process. These three salient components of migration may act as precursors, often resulting in psychological sequelae such as: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Of all migrant groups, URM are more likely to develop psychiatric symptoms. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), and Mental Health for Immigrants Program (MHIP) are among the most effective interventions in the treatment of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in refugee minors. Social workers in schools are in unique positions to provide mental health services to URM. A case example illustrating a cultural adaptation of TF-CBT in an urban public high school is included. Clinical implications of culturally responsive and trauma-informed treatment of URM in schools will be discussed. Additionally, this article will emphasize the importance of bridging the gap between research and culturally responsive, trauma-informed interventions for URM in schools.
Lightly supervised alignment of subtitles on multi-genre broadcasts
Authors: Saz Oscar , Deena Salil , Doulaty Mortaza , Hasan Madina , Khaliq Bilal , Milner Rosanna , Ng Raymond W. M. , Olcoz Julia , Hain Thomas
Published: May 2018

This paper describes a system for performing alignment of subtitles to audio on multigenre broadcasts using a lightly supervised approach. Accurate alignment of subtitles plays a substantial role in the daily work of media companies and currently still requires large human effort. Here, a comprehensive approach to performing this task in an automated way using lightly supervised alignment is proposed. The paper explores the different alternatives to speech segmentation, lightly supervised speech recognition and alignment of text streams. The proposed system uses lightly supervised decoding to improve the alignment accuracy by performing language model adaptation using the target subtitles. The system thus built achieves the third best reported result in the alignment of broadcast subtitles in the Multi–Genre Broadcast (MGB) challenge, with an F1 score of 88.8%. This system is available for research and other non–commercial purposes through webASR, the University of Sheffield’s cloud–based speech technology web service. Taking as inputs an audio file and untimed subtitles, webASR can produce timed subtitles in multiple formats, including TTML, WebVTT and SRT.
Idiopathic Arterial Calcification: Experience from a Single Center in South India
Authors: Colaco Sylvia M. , Chidambarathanu Shanthi , Raja Vijayalakshmi , Murlidhar Lata , Jagadeesh Sujatha , Suresh Indrani , Seshadri Suresh
Published: May 2018

Idiopathic arterial calcification of infancy is a rare autosomal recessive disease, characterized by deposition of calcium along the internal elastic membrane of arteries, accompanied by fibrous thickening of the intima which causes luminal narrowing. We hereby report a series of 20 cases seen over a period of 10 years. Nineteen cases were reported as idiopathic arterial calcification and one was reported as arterial calcification in a twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence. The sites of calcification were mainly aortic valve and root of aorta which was involved in 100% of cases followed by pulmonary artery up to its branches in 18 (90%) cases. There was recurrence in the subsequent pregnancies in three of the cases. Genetic association with ENPP1 was proved in one case. There was no survival in all the cases. Thus, the prognosis of idiopathic arterial calcification is very poor with very few long-term survivors.
Childhood physical maltreatment with physical injuries is associated with higher adult psychopathology symptoms
Authors: Lamela Diogo , Figueiredo Bárbara
Published: May 2018

Background:

Previous research has neglected the distinction between childhood physical maltreatment (CPM) behaviors and the physical sequelae resulting from CPM. Prior empirical work has combined CPM behaviors (e.g., beat, hit with a belt) and CPM physical sequelae (e.g., bruises, fractures) into a single conceptual category to predict adverse psychological consequences in adults. This is preventing the examination whether specific subgroups of CPM exposure may report a higher risk of psychopathology symptoms in adulthood. The aim of this study was to examine whether distinct experiences of CPM histories (no physical maltreatment, physical maltreatment only, and physical maltreatment with physical sequelae) would be differentially associated with specific psychopathology dimensions in adulthood. symptoms

Method:

Data were drawn from the Portuguese National Representative Study of Psychosocial Context of Child Abuse and Neglect (N = 941). Participants completed the Childhood History Questionnaire and the Brief Symptom Inventory.

Results:

Three groups were created based on participants' experience of CPM assessed by the Childhood History Questionnaire. Participants who reported that suffered physical sequelae of the CPM exhibited significantly higher symptoms in all psychopathology dimensions than participants with no history of CPM and participants that were exposed to physical maltreatment without sequelae.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that clinicians should discriminate CPM behavior from CPM physical sequelae in order to increase effectiveness of mental health treatment with adults with history of CPM. Our findings are discussed in light of the evolutionary-developmental frameworks of adaptative development and cumulative risk hypothesis.
Evaluation of the Combined Application of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Volitional Contractions on Thigh Muscle Strength, Knee Pain, and Physical Performance in Women at Risk for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Rabe Kaitlin G. , Matsuse Hiroo , Jackson Anthony , Segal Neil A.
Published: May 2018

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability that is associated with quadriceps weakness. However, strengthening in people with or with risk factors for knee OA can be poorly tolerated.

Objective

To assess the efficacy of a 12‐week low‐load exercise program, using a hybrid training system (HTS) that uses the combination of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and volitional contractions, for improving thigh muscle strength, knee pain relief, and physical performance in women with or with risk factors for knee OA.

Design

Randomized, single‐blinded, controlled trial.

Setting

Exercise training laboratory.

Participants

Forty‐two women 44‐85 years old with risk factors for knee OA.

Interventions

Participants randomized to 12 weeks of biweekly low‐load resistance training with the HTS or on an isokinetic dynamometer (control).

Outcomes

Maximum isokinetic knee extensor torque. Secondary measures included maximum isokinetic knee flexor torque, knee pain (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score), and timed 20‐m walk and chair stand tests.

Results

The HTS and control treatments resulted in muscle strengthening, decreased knee pain, and improved physical performance. HTS group quadriceps and hamstring strength increased by 0.06 ± 0.04 Nm/kg (P > .05) and 0.05 ± 0.02 Nm/kg (P = .02), respectively. Control group quadriceps and hamstring strength increased by 0.03 ± 0.04 Nm/kg (P > .05) and 0.06 ± 0.02 Nm/kg (P = .009), respectively. Knee pain decreased by 11.9 ± 11.5 points (P < .001) for the HTS group and 14.1 ± 15.4 points (P = .001) for the control group. The 20‐m walk time decreased by 1.60 ± 2.04 seconds (P = .005) and 0.95 ± 1.2 seconds (P = .004), and chair stand time decreased by 4.8 ± 10.0 seconds (P > .05) and 1.9 ± 4.7 seconds (P > .05) in the HTS and control groups, respectively. These results did not differ statistically between the HTS and control groups.

Conclusions

These results suggest the HTS is effective for alleviating pain and improving physical performance in women with risk factors for knee OA. However, the HTS does not appear to be superior to low‐load resistance training for improving muscle strength, pain relief, or physical function.

Clinical trial registration number: NCT02802878.

Level of Evidence

I
Risk Factors for Thirty‐Day Readmissions After Lower Extremity Amputation in Patients With Vascular Disease
Authors: Vogel Todd R. , Smith Jamie B. , Kruse Robin L.
Published: May 2018

Background

Understanding risk factors associated with readmission after lower extremity amputation may indicate targets for reducing readmission.

Objective

To evaluate factors associated with all‐cause 30‐day readmission after lower extremity amputation procedures.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Inpatient.

Patients

A total of 2480 patients who had lower extremity amputations between 2008 and 2014 were selected from national electronic medical record database, Cerner Health Facts.

Methods

Univariate analysis of demographics, diagnoses, postoperative medications, and laboratory results were examined. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify characteristics independently associated with readmission overall and by amputation location—above the knee (AKA) or below the knee (BKA).

Main Outcome Measurement

Readmission within 30 days of discharge.

Results

More than one half of patients (1403, 57%) underwent BKA and 1077 (43%) underwent AKA. Readmission within 30 days was 22% (24.1% BKA versus 19.4% AKA, P = .005). In multivariable logistic regression, factors associated with 30‐day readmission after any amputation included BKA (odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15‐1.74, P = .001), hypertension (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.33‐2.16), surgical‐site infections (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.02‐2.04), heart failure (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10‐1.75), discharge to a skilled nursing facility (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.41‐2.51), and emergency/urgent procedures (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.04‐1.67). At readmission, 13.3% of patients with a BKA required an AKA revision, and 21.3% had a diagnosis of surgical‐site infection.

Conclusions

Risk factors for readmission after any amputation included cardiac comorbidities, associated postoperative medications, and discharge to a skilled nursing facility. The finding that acute arterial embolism or thrombosis and a BKA during the index admission was highly associated with readmission, combined with the high rates of 30‐day conversion to an AKA when readmitted, suggests these patients more often develop stump complications or may be undertreated during the initial hospitalization.

Level of Evidence

III
Shear reversal in dense suspensions: the challenge to fabric evolution models from simulation data
Authors: Chacko Rahul N. , Mari Romain , Fielding Suzanne M. , Cates Michael E.
Published: May 2018

Dense suspensions of hard particles are important as industrial or environmental materials (e.g. fresh concrete, food, paint or mud). To date, most constitutive models developed to describe them are, explicitly or effectively, ‘fabric evolution models’ based on: (i) a stress rule connecting the macroscopic stress to a second-rank microstructural fabric tensor $\unicode[STIX]{x1D64C}$; and (ii) a closed time-evolution equation for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D64C}$. In dense suspensions, most of the stress comes from short-ranged pairwise steric or lubrication interactions at near-contacts (suitably defined), so a natural choice for $\unicode[STIX]{x1D64C}$ is the deviatoric second moment of the distribution $P(\boldsymbol{p})$ of the near-contact orientations $\boldsymbol{p}$. Here we test directly whether a closed time-evolution equation for such a $\unicode[STIX]{x1D64C}$ can exist, for the case of inertialess non-Brownian hard spheres in a Newtonian solvent. We perform extensive numerical simulations accessing high levels of detail for the evolution of $P(\boldsymbol{p})$ under shear reversal, providing a stringent test for fabric evolution models. We consider a generic class of these models as defined by Hand (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 13, 1962, pp. 33–46) that assumes little as to the micromechanical behaviour of the suspension and is only constrained by frame indifference. Motivated by the smallness of microstructural anisotropies in the dense regime, we start with linear models in this class and successively consider those increasingly nonlinear in $\unicode[STIX]{x1D64C}$. Based on these results, we suggest that no closed fabric evolution model properly describes the dynamics of the fabric tensor under reversal. We attribute this to the fact that, while a second-rank tensor captures reasonably well the microstructure in steady flows, it gives a poor description during significant parts of the microstructural evolution following shear reversal. Specifically, the truncation of $P(\boldsymbol{p})$ at second spherical harmonic (or second-rank tensor) level describes ellipsoidal distributions of near-contact orientations, whereas on reversal we observe distributions that are markedly four-lobed; moreover, ${\dot{P}}(\boldsymbol{p})$ has oblique axes, not collinear with those of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D64C}$ in the shear plane. This structure probably precludes any adequate closure at second-rank level. Instead, our numerical data suggest that closures involving the coupled evolution of both a fabric tensor and a fourth-rank tensor might be reasonably accurate.