bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dementia risk scores as surrogate outcomes for lifestyle‐based multidomain prevention trials—rationale, preliminary evidence and challenges
Authors: Coley Nicola , Hoevenaar‐Blom Marieke P. , van Dalen Jan‐Willem , Moll van Charante Eric P. , Kivipelto Miia , Soininen Hilkka , Andrieu Sandrine , Richard Edo ,   PRODEMOS consortium, the preDIVA study group, the MAPT/DSA group, and the HATICE consortium
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Although not designed as such, dementia risk scores might be useful surrogate outcomes for dementia prevention trials. Their suitability may be improved by using continuous scoring systems, taking into account all changes in risk factors, not only those crossing cut‐off values.

Methods

In three large multidomain dementia prevention trials with 1.5 to 2 years of follow‐up (Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial, Prevention of Dementia by Intensive Vascular Care and Healthy Ageing Through Internet Counselling in the Elderly) we assessed (1) responsiveness (sensitivity to change) and (2) actual and simulated intervention effects of the original and crude/weighted z‐score versions of the cardiovascular risk factors, aging and incidence of dementia, and Lifestyle for Brain Health scores.

Results

All versions of the risk scores were generally responsive, and able to detect small though statistically significant between‐group differences after multidomain interventions. Simulated intervention effects were well detected in z‐score versions as well as in the original scores.

Discussion

Dementia risk scores and their z‐score versions show potential as surrogate outcomes. How changes in risk scores affect dementia remains to be determined.
Bornavirus Encephalitis Shows a Characteristic Magnetic Resonance Phenotype in Humans
Authors: Finck Tom , Liesche‐Starnecker Friederike , Probst Monika , Bette Stefanie , Ruf Viktoria , Wendl Christina , Dorn Franziska , Angstwurm Klemens , Schlegel Jürgen , Zimmer Claus , Wiestler Benedikt , Wiesinger Isabel ,   the Bornavirus‐Encephalitis Study Group
Published: August 2020

Objective

The number of diagnosed fatal encephalitis cases in humans caused by the classical Borna disease virus (BoDV‐1) has been increasing, ever since it was proved that BoDV‐1 can cause human infections. However, awareness of this entity is low, and a specific imaging pattern has not yet been identified. We therefore provide the first comprehensive description of the morphology of human BoDV‐1 encephalitis, with histopathological verification of imaging abnormalities.

Methods

In an institutional review board‐approved multicenter study, we carried out a retrospective analysis of 55 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of 19 patients with confirmed BoDV‐1 encephalitis. Fifty brain regions were analyzed systematically (T1w, T2w, T2*w, T1w + Gd, and DWI), in order to discern a specific pattern of inflammation. Histopathological analysis of 25 locations in one patient served as correlation for MRI abnormalities.

Results

Baseline imaging, acquired at a mean of 11 ± 10 days after symptom onset, in addition to follow‐up scans of 16 patients, revealed characteristic T2 hyperintensities with a predilection for the head of the caudate nucleus, insula, and cortical spread to the limbic system, whereas the occipital lobes and cerebellar hemispheres were unaffected. This gradient was confirmed by histology. Nine patients (47.4%) developed T1 hyperintensities of the basal ganglia, corresponding to accumulated lipid phagocytes on histology and typical for late‐stage necrosis.

Interpretation

BoDV‐1 encephalitis shows a distinct pattern of inflammation in both the early and late stages of the disease. Its appearance can mimic sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease on MRI and should be considered a differential diagnosis in the case of atypical clinical presentation. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:723–735
Minimum Energy and Total Dipole Moment
Authors: Batle Josep
Published: August 2020

Several magnetic materials consisting of dipoles owe their properties to the specific nature of the dipole–dipole interaction. In the present work, systems of particles possessing a dipole moment arranged on various types of 2D and 3D structures, completely arbitrary and, in some 2D instances, periodic (albeit finite), are studied. Noteworthy, the work is in the regime of strong dipole moments where a classical treatment is possible. The ultimate goal is to quantitatively address the unknown relation existing between the minimum possible energy of a system of dipoles and the concomitant total dipole moment. To such an end, classical numerical methods are used to the previous minimum energy–total dipole moment tandem for various magnetic configurations at zero temperature. An analytic bound for the minimal energy valid for any dimension is also obtained. With this exploration, new light is shed on the connection between the two former physical quantities, establishing an analytic inequality for particles, and describing other instances of physical interest.
Engineering the Protein Corona Structure on Gold Nanoclusters Enables Red‐Shifted Emissions in the Second Near‐infrared Window for Gastrointestinal Imaging
Authors: Wang Weili , Kong Yifei , Jiang Jun , Xie Qianqian , Huang Yang , Li Guanna , Wu Di , Zheng Huizhen , Gao Meng , Xu Shujuan , Pan Yanxia , Li Wei , Ma Ronglin , Wu Mei X. , Li Xuehua , Zuilhof Han , Cai Xiaoming , Li Ruibin
Published: August 2020

The application of NIR‐II emitters for gastrointestinal (GI) tract imaging remains challenging due to fluorescence quenching in the digestive microenvironment. Herein, we report that red‐shifting of the fluorescence emission of Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) into NIR‐II region with improved quantum yields (QY) could be achieved by engineering a protein corona structure consisting of a ribonuclease‐A (RNase‐A) on the particle surfaces. RNase‐A‐encapsulated AuNCs (RNase‐A@AuNCs) displayed emissions at 1050 nm with a 1.9 % QY. Compared to rare earth and silver‐based NIR‐II emitters, RNase‐A@AuNCs had excellent biocompatibility, showing >50‐fold higher sensitivity in GI tract, and migrated homogenously during gastrointestinal peristalsis to allow visualization of the detailed structures of the GI tract. RNase‐A@AuNCs could successfully examine intestinal tumor mice from healthy mice, indicating a potential utility for early diagnosis of intestinal tumors.
Nb(iPrNPMe2)3Fe–PMe3: A potential high reactivity heterobimetallic catalyst for acetylene cycloadditions
Authors: Zhang Na , Huo Suhong , Meng Lingpeng , Li Xiaoyan
Published: August 2020

Alkynes cycloaddition reactions are powerful tools for constructing cyclic molecules with optimal atom efficiency, but these reactions cannot proceed at ambient temperature without transition‐metal catalysts. In this work, a heterobimetallic complex featuring an Nb–Fe triple bond, Nb(iPrNPMe2)3Fe–PMe3, has been evaluated as the potential catalyst for acetylene cycloaddition, using density functional theory. The calculated results show that the singlet‐state (i.e. ground‐state) Nb(iPrNPMe2)3Fe–PMe3 can be applied to benzene synthesis, but is not suitable for cyclobutadiene. Benzene can be obtained easily at room temperature and is the unique product on the singlet potential surface. The irradiation of infrared‐red light can drive the excitation of singlet Nb(iPrNPMe2)3Fe–PMe3 to its triplet state. Both benzene and cyclobutadiene can be formed on the triplet reaction potential surface due to their low energy barriers. Therefore, Nb(iPrNPMe2)3Fe–PMe3 is a potential high reactivity heterobimetallic catalyst for the cyclotrimerization of alkynes. In the reaction process, the catalytic active site of Nb(iPrNPMe2)3Fe–PMe3 moves from niobium to iron.
The Friction and Wear Behaviors of Vegetable Oil‐Based Waxes, Natural Beeswax, and Petroleum Paraffin Wax
Authors: Fei Tao , Ren Kangzi , Wang Tong
Published: August 2020

Quantitative analyses on the coefficient of friction of common coating waxes are necessary and essential for designing systems for coating, conveying, packaging operations, transporting, and storing of papers and paperboards, while analyses on wear behavior can be helpful for predicting performance durability of the coating surface. In this study, we investigated the friction and wear behaviors of six waxes including four commercial waxes and two soybean oil‐based wax developed in our lab for bulk corrugated coating. The effect of normal load, sliding velocity, and environmental temperature was evaluated. The friction coefficient of different waxes varies with sliding conditions. Higher normal load, sliding velocity, and environmental temperature resulted in significantly greater wear loss. Crystalline morphology and crystallinity of waxes were affected by the environmental temperature, and they correlate to the variations in friction coefficient and wear loss of these materials.
Pincer‐Type Ligand‐Assisted Catalysis and Small‐Molecule Activation by non‐VSEPR Main‐Group Compounds
Authors: Kundu Subrata
Published: August 2020

In 2005, a facile dihydrogen activation was reported by the Power group using an alkyne analog of germanium [ArGe≡GeAr; Ar=2,6‐Trip2‐C6H3 (Trip=2,4,6‐iPr3‐C6H2)]. After that, a significant progress has been made in the activation of various small molecules by main‐group compounds, and a variety of stoichiometric and catalytic processes have been formulated using the p‐block elements. In this regard, compounds containing low‐valent main‐group elements with a frontier orbitals of relatively small energy gaps or compounds forming frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) became quite successful. In spite of these promising stoichiometric and catalytic transformations, redox‐cycling catalysts based on main‐group elements remain extremely rare. Recently, it has been observed that pincer type ligands supported geometry constrained main‐group compounds are capable of acting as redox catalysts similar to those of the transition metals. In this review, we focus on the synthesis and the structural aspects of the geometry constrained main‐group compounds using pincer ligands. Emphasis has been placed on their applications on catalytic activity and small molecules activation.
Identification of the absorptive constituents and their metabolites in vivo of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen by UPLC–ESI–Q‐TOF–MS/MS
Authors: Shang Jing , Chen Xia‐Lin , Li Lu , Zhang Hong , Yang Li , Yang Biao , Cao Liang , Wang Zhen‐Zhong , Xiao Wei
Published: August 2020

In this research, ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–ESI–Q‐TOF–MS/MS) was used for detection and identification of the absorptive constituents and their metabolites in rat plasma, urine and feces following oral administration of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen alcohol extract. After structure elucidation, a total of 12 compounds in rat plasma, comprising seven prototypes and five metabolites, 28 compounds in urine, comprising 17 prototypes and 11 metabolites, and 23 compounds in feces, comrpising 17 prototypes and six metabolites, have been tentatively identified by comparison with standard compounds and reference literature information. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive and systematical metabolic study on the seed. Mostly importantly, we propose that gastric acid could convert jujubosides into an absorbable form of ebelin lactone oligosaccharides, which may be responsible for the low bioavailability and specific bioactivities of these compounds. Additionally, we deduced that the absorption site of ebelin lactone oligosaccharides is located in the stomach, and that the ebelin lactone form of jujubosides may be more suitable for absorption than its hydrolysis product. Our investigation will be helpful to narrow the scope for potentially active ingredients of the seed, and pave the way for determination of the pharmacological mechanism of the seed.
The effectiveness of rituximab and HIV on the survival of Ontario patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Habbous Steven , Guo Helen , Beca Jaclyn , Dai Wei Fang , Isaranuwatchai Wanrudee , Cheung Matthew , Chan Kelvin K. W.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

For patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), standard‐care is rituximab administered with CHOP or CHOP‐like chemotherapy (R‐CHOP). However, the effectiveness and safety of R‐CHOP among DLBCL patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is less clear, as HIV+ patients were omitted from most clinical trials and population‐level data from unselected patients are limited. R‐CHOP was funded for HIV‐associated DLBCL patients with CD4 >50/mm3 in Ontario in February 2015.

Methods

Patients with a new diagnosis of DLBCL were identified from the Ontario Cancer Registry between April 2010 and March 2018. HIV diagnosis and chemotherapy regimen were ascertained using administrative databases at Ontario Health. The effect of rituximab and HIV on overall survival was assessed in the HIV+ subgroup (R‐CHOP vs CHOP) and in the R‐CHOP subgroup (HIV+ vs HIV−).

Results

Among HIV+ patients, receipt of R‐CHOP was associated with a fivefold improvement in overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.29 (0.13‐0.66) compared with CHOP), after adjustment. Among patients who received R‐CHOP (n = 6106), older age, male sex, lower neighborhood income, and higher comorbidity were associated with worse overall survival, after adjustment (P < .001 for all), but HIV positivity was not prognostic (HR 1.12 (0.60‐2.10)). Within 1‐year after diagnosis, HIV+ patients receiving R‐CHOP had a similar proportion of patients who visited the emergency department (67% vs 66% P = .43) or admitted to hospital (58% vs 52%, P = .43) and as HIV− patients receiving R‐CHOP.

Conclusion

HIV status did not affect prognosis for patients with DLBCL receiving R‐CHOP in an unselected general population when rituximab was used according to funding criteria. R‐CHOP was safe and effective for DLBCL treatment, regardless of HIV status.
Ethnic delineation of primary glioblastoma genome
Authors: Koo Harim , Choi Seung Won , Cho Hee Jin , Lee In‐Hee , Kong Doo‐Sik , Seol Ho Jun , Lee Jung‐Il , Choi Jung‐Won , Sa Jason K. , Nam Do‐Hyun
Published: August 2020

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor in adults with substantial genomic alterations. The median survival is approximately 14.6 months, despite aggressive therapeutic intervention, which comprised of surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Recent studies on cancer genomic have revealed crucial insights into dynamic molecular subgroups within GBM, which govern distinct clinical response and sensitivity of each individual to therapy. In the present study, we analyzed genomic composition of primary GBMs between two ethnic groups [IRCR (Institute of Refractory Cancer Research), and TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlats)] to explore genomic and molecular features that constitute malignant behavior of glioblastoma based on distinct ethnicity. We identified enrichments of MAPK and p53 pathways in IRCR patients, while aberrant activation of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) were predominant in TCGA cohort. We also discovered differential clinical prognosis between two groups and explored essential features that present such diversity.
Examining differences in minority versus majority preschoolers on social categorization and perceived intergroup distance
Authors: Gedeon Cassandra , Esseily Rana , Badea Constantina
Published: August 2020

We examined the differences between majority and minority children (i.e., group membership) on racial categorization and perceived cultural distance, among 4‐ to 6‐year‐old children, in low diversified schools. We used a spontaneous social categorization task using pictures of children from three different racial groups broadly represented in France (Europeans, Black‐, and North‐Africans), and an evaluation of the perceived cultural distance between participants' in‐group and the racial group represented in the picture, adapted to children and based on three factors (language, eating habits, and music). Results revealed an effect of age on racial categorization: the older the children, the more successful they are in this task. They showed a significant effect of the racial group represented in the photos on perceived cultural distance: members of minority groups (i.e., Black‐ and North‐Africans) were evaluated as more different compared to those of the majority group on each of the factors. Finally, we got an interaction between participants' in‐group and the racial group represented in the pictures, for the language factor: members of the majority group perceived as more different photographs representing minorities peers than those representing majority peers, while participants belonging to minority groups perceived no differences between photographs, according to the racial criteria.
Can regenerated inner‐city areas remain sites of public‐place sociability? Psycho‐social processes predicting public sociability in a changing neighbourhood
Authors: Bettencourt Leonor , Castro Paula , Dixon John
Published: August 2020

The processes of urban regeneration of long‐disinvested inner‐city neighbourhoods today happening in many European cities sometimes dramatically transform residents' traditional uses of their public places. Focusing on a neighbourhood renowned for its traditional public place sociability – Mouraria, in Lisbon – this study explored the psychosocial processes that may shape the maintenance of that sociability in the face of increasing social diversification and small‐scale gentrification brought about by a mixed/bottom‐up regeneration plan. A questionnaire survey (n = 201) with two types of residents (“traditional residents” and “new gentrifiers”) indicated that: (a) both types report using Mouraria's public places for socializing, although traditional residents do so to a greater degree; (b) perceived cultural continuity of the neighbourhood is positively related to public place sociability for both groups; and (c) this relationship is mediated by both place identification and place knowledge; but (d) it is not moderated by type of resident. By implication, we argue that regenerated inner‐city neighbourhoods may remain as places of lively public sociability and companionship if residents are able to forge and/or retain a sense of identification with, and intimate knowledge of, the neighbourhood, and view it as maintaining continuity with the past.
19F NMR‐Based Fragment Screening for 14 Different Biologically Active RNAs and 10 DNA and Protein Counter‐Screens
Authors: Binas Oliver , de Jesus Vanessa , Landgraf Tom , Völklein Albrecht Eduard , Martins Jason , Hymon Daniel , Kaur Bains Jasleen , Berg Hannes , Biedenbänder Thomas , Fürtig Boris , Lakshmi Gande Santosh , Niesteruk Anna , Oxenfarth Andreas , Shahin Qureshi Nusrat , Schamber Tatjana , Schnieders Robbin , Tröster Alix , Wacker Anna , Wirmer‐Bartoschek Julia , Wirtz Martin Maria Alexandra , Stirnal Elke , Azzaoui Kamal , Richter Christian , Sreeramulu Sridhar , José Blommers Marcel Jules , Schwalbe Harald
Published: August 2020

We report here the nuclear magnetic resonance 19F screening of 14 RNA targets with different secondary and tertiary structure to systematically assess the druggability of RNAs. Our RNA targets include representative bacterial riboswitches that naturally bind with nanomolar affinity and high specificity to cellular metabolites of low molecular weight. Based on counter‐screens against five DNAs and five proteins, we can show that RNA can be specifically targeted. To demonstrate the quality of the initial fragment library that has been designed for easy follow‐up chemistry, we further show how to increase binding affinity from an initial fragment hit by chemistry that links the identified fragment to the intercalator acridine. Thus, we achieve low‐micromolar binding affinity without losing binding specificity between two different terminator structures.
Self‐Supported Electrocatalysts Derived from Nickel‐Cobalt Modified Polyaniline Polymer for H2‐Evolution and O2‐Evolution Reactions
Authors: Djara Razik , Masquelez Nathalie , Lacour Marie‐Agnès , Merzouki Abdelhafid , Cambedouzou Julien , Cornu David , Tingry Sophie , Holade Yaovi
Published: August 2020

The water splitting aims to produce H2 for fuel cells and a number of industrial processes such as the ammonia synthesis and the metals refining. There is actually a major limitation about the development of cost‐effective and efficient electrocatalysts to lower the cell voltage that must be overcome to perform sequentially the overall reaction that is 2H2O →2H2+O2. In the present study, we combined Ni and Co as the promising alternative catalytic metals to Pt‐group metals as well as N and S as the doping elements to fabricate self‐supported electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution (HER) and oxygen evolution (OER) in alkaline media. To these ends, the polymerization of the aniline into polyaniline (PANI) in the presence of Ni(II) and Co(II) followed by calcination in air resulted in the formation of heterogeneous catalytic materials self‐supported onto a matrix made of C, N, S, Ni and Co. Enhanced activity and durability were recorded for the hybrid and bimetallic PANI‐NiCo composite.
Design and Implementation of a Gas Generating System for Complex Gas Mixtures and Calibration Gases
Authors: Gómez Jorge Iván Salazar , Takhtehfouladi Elham Safaei , Schlögl Robert , Ruland Holger
Published: August 2020

A test gas generation system for complex gas mixtures designed to mimic real industrial gas matrices with traces raging from low pptv to high ppmv level and minor and main components ranging from low to high percentage levels with variable relative humidity levels (0–80 % RH) is presented. It combines different gas generation methods to study fragmentation patterns under controlled conditions by means of a proton transfer reaction time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer, the application of alternative feedstocks in catalytic processes as well as the performance of gas purification and conditioning processes.
Overview of GaAs und CdTe Pixel Detectors Using Medipix Electronics
Authors: Fiederle Michael , Procz Simon , Hamann Elias , Fauler Alex , Fröjdh Christer
Published: August 2020

GaAs and CdTe pixel detectors have been developed over the last few decades. The applications of these detectors include X‐ and gamma‐ray detectors working at room temperature. Fundamental properties such as detection efficiency and noise are determined by the material properties of the sensor material. Different materials have been evaluated over the years in search of the best choice for different types of radiation. This article describes the properties of GaAs and CdTe materials for single photon processing pixel detectors using the Medipix electronics.
Magma mixing in Early Jurassic granites in the Lesser Xing'an Range, NE China: Evidence from petrology, geochronology, and Lu–Hf isotopes
Authors: Fan Zhengzhe , Chen Xian , Zhang Dehui
Published: August 2020

The contribution of the mantle to the formation of granites with mantle‐like or juvenile crustal properties having positive εHf(t) and εNd(t) values remains ambiguous. We have carried out petrologic, geochemical, and zircon U–Pb–Hf–O isotope composition analyses on the Woniuhe and Yuantoupiao granites and associated enclaves with such properties in the northern and southern Lesser Xing'an Range, NE China to determine the crust–mantle interactions involved in the petrogenesis of these host granites and enclaves. The two host granites and their enclaves have identical crystallization ages of ~180–175 Ma within analytical error. The petrological, mineral microstructural, geochronological, Hf–O isotopic, and whole‐rock geochemical data imply that mixing between felsic and mafic magmas occurred in both the Woniuhe and Yuantoupiao plutons. The primary magmas of the enclaves in the two plutons most likely are both mantle‐derived. Hence, mantle materials were directly involved in the genesis of both the Woniuhe and Yuantoupiao host granites through the emplacement of mantle magmas. Combined with the published petro‐geochemical data, our data indicate that large‐scale underplating and emplacement of mantle magmas following crustal growth can occur and may be responsible for the magmatism in the region in the Early Jurassic. This underplating and emplacement might be related to the subduction of the oceanic plate between the Songliao and Jiamusi Massifs beneath the former.
Ownership identity and firm performance: Pre‐ and post‐crisis evidence from an African emerging market
Authors: Jabbouri Imad , Jabbouri Rachid
Published: August 2020

This paper attempts to document the value relevance of the largest shareholders' identity across the recent financial crisis of 2008 in Morocco, one of the most important emerging markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). To examine the impact of ownership identity on firm performance, this study employs panel data analysis. It uses data of non‐financial firms listed on Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) between 2004 and 2017. To uncover the hidden facets of the aforementioned relationship and examine how it is shaped by the financial crisis, a pre‐ and post‐crisis analysis is performed. The findings reveal that institutional ownership affects positively firm performance in both, pre‐ and post‐crisis periods. Compared to the pre‐crisis period, investors further recognize and reward the value‐enhancing role of institutional ownership during post‐crisis period. Our analysis suggests that the incentives to expropriate minority shareholders within family‐controlled firms increase during financial market turmoil. Family‐owners switched from protecting to misusing the firm's resources for the sake of preserving their private interests. This research raises awareness for managers of family‐controlled firms to review their corporate governance practices and align them with shareholders' value maximization. Our study suggests that Moroccan authorities must strengthen country‐level governance mechanisms. The failure to accomplish this objective could have severe implications ranging from the inefficient allocation of resources in the economy to the destruction of shareholders' value.
Securitization and CDS in U.S. bank lending
Authors: Di Tommaso Caterina
Published: August 2020

Using a sample of quarterly observations of U.S. bank holding companies (BHCs), we investigate the effect of securitization and CDS on credit supply. Furthermore, we test the hypothesis that securitization and CDS have a different effect on the U.S. bank's lending. The use of CDS and securitization boosts lending cyclicality, reduces the credit supply and amplifies the cyclicality of bank credit supply, particularly in period of financial stress. Furthermore, the worst effect on U.S. bank lending is caused by the use of CDS. We find empirical evidence of effects of CDS and securitization on the bank lending channel following changes in monetary policy.
Infection risk in autoimmune hematological disorders with low‐dose rituximab treatment
Authors: Wang Honglei , Yan Siyang , Liu Hui , Li Lijuan , Song Jia , Wang Guojin , Wang Huaquan , Wu Yuhong , Shao Zonghong , Fu Rong
Published: August 2020

Background

Rituximab has been widely used in many autoimmune diseases.

Aim

To evaluate the infection risk of rituximab in autoimmune hematological disorders.

Methods

Retrospectively studied and compared the clinical data of 89 patients in our hospital who used low‐dose rituximab (group R) or pulse cyclophosphamide (group C) for their refractory/relapsed autoimmune hematological diseases from January 2011 to January 2017. The kinds of their diseases included autoimmune hemolytic disease (AIHA), Evans syndrome, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). All patients chose either rituximab treatment or cyclophosphamide treatment on their own considerations.

Findings

The median follow‐up time was six months in group R and four months in group C. After treatments, the patients in group R showed higher white blood cell (WBC) count and neutrophil count than group C (P = .020, P = .037). CD20‐positive B cells in group R remained at a very low level after rituximab treatment and need about 15 months to return to normal level, which was longer than group C (six months). The incidence of infection in these two groups has no significant difference, which was 34.7% (17/30) in group R and 32.5% (13/28) in group C (P = .976). Tuberculosis infections after rituximab treatment were found in three patients for the first time.

Conclusion

The G‐CSF, nadir WBC count, and IgA level were protective factors of infection during rituximab treatment. Low‐dose rituximab therapy in autoimmune hematological diseases does not increase infection risk compared with cyclophosphamide.
Immature neutrophil signature associated with the sexual dimorphism of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Prada-Medina Cesar Augusto , Peron Jean Pierre Schatzmann , Nakaya Helder I
Published: August 2020

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a group of inflammatory conditions of unknown etiology whose incidence is sex dependent. Although several studies have attempted to identify JIA-related gene signatures, none have systematically assessed the impact of sex on the whole blood transcriptomes of JIA patients. By analyzing over 400 unique pediatric gene expression profiles, we characterized the sexual differences in leukocyte composition of systemic JIA patients and identified sex-specific gene signatures that were related to immature neutrophils. Female systemic JIA patients presented higher activation of immature neutrophil-related genes compared to males, and these genes were associated with the response to IL-1 receptor blockade treatment. Also, we found that this immature neutrophil signature is sexually dimorphic across human lifespan and in adults with rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. These results suggest that neutrophil maturation is sexually dimorphic in rheumatic inflammation, and that this may impact disease progression and treatment.
Obtaining molecular imagings of pesticide residues on strawberry surfaces with probe sampling followed by ambient ionization mass spectrometric analysis
Authors: Jeng Jing‐Yueh , Jiang Zong‐Han , Cho Yi‐Tzu , Su Hung , Lee Chi‐Wei , Shiea Jentaie
Published: August 2020

Thermal desorption‐electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (TD‐ESI/MS/MS) was used to rapidly characterize the residual pesticides collected on the surface of a strawberry with a metallic probe. Twelve pesticides, including nine fungicides and three miticides, were detected; the results were validated by comparison with results that used solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analyses. The distribution of pesticide residues on a strawberry's surface was explored by collecting multiple samples using probes from 40 positions on the strawberry, with the collected samples being analyzed with TD‐ESI/MS/MS. The obtained molecular information was used to construct mass spectrometry imaging of the strawberry's pesticide residues.
Survival outcomes after isolated local recurrence of rectal cancer and risk analysis affecting its resectability
Authors: Park Youn Young , Lee Jaeim , Han Yoon Dae , Cho Min Soo , Hur Hyuk , Min Byung Soh , Lee Kang Young , Oh Seong Taek , Kim Nam Kyu
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the clinical course and prognostic factors after isolated local recurrence (iLR) and to identify the predictive factors for R0 resection of locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 76 patients with iLR who had undergone radical surgery for a primary tumor from 2003 to 2015.

Results

The iLR rate was 2.5%. From 76 patients, 39 patients underwent R0 resection for iLR. Multivariate analysis revealed that initial open surgery, neoadjuvant chemoradiation, and p/ypT ≥ 3 were poor prognostic factors after iLR as regard to the variables related to the primary tumor; and symptom presence at the time of iLR diagnosis, higher fixity, and no chemotherapy after iLR were associated with shorter overall survival after iLR, and R0 resection of LRRC was the only favorable prognostic factor for progression‐free survival after iLR as regard to the variables related to LRRC. Higher tumor level, negative pathologic circumferential margin of the primary tumor, and low fixity of LRRC were favorable factors in achieving R0 resection of LRRC.

Conclusions

Early detection of iLR before symptom development, use of chemotherapy after iLR and R0 resection of LRRC should be considered to improve survival outcomes after iLR.
Impact of body mass index on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing radical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Zhou Tian , Liu Li , Dai Hai‐Su , Zhang Cheng‐Cheng , He Yu , Zhang Lei‐Da , Li Da‐Jiang , Bie Ping , Ding Jun , Chen Zhi‐Yu ,   other members of the Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma Study Group
Published: August 2020

Background

Body mass index (BMI) has been widely used as a prognostic indicator. The association between preoperative BMI and postoperative morbidity in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) has not been proved. This study aimed to identify the association between preoperative BMI and postoperative morbidity following radical resection of HCCA.

Methods

Patients were divided into three groups according to preoperative BMI: low BMI (≤18.4 kg/m2), normal BMI (18.4‐24.9 kg/m2), and high BMI (≥24.9 kg/m2). Baseline characteristics, operative variables, postoperative 30‐day mortality, and morbidity were compared. Risk factors associated with postoperative morbidity were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic analyses.

Results

Among 260 patients, 183 (70.4%) had normal BMI, 32 (12.3%) had low BMI, and 45 (17.3%) had high BMI. Compared to the patients with normal‐BMI, both low and high BMI patients exhibited a significantly higher postoperative morbidity (87.5% and 82.2% vs 63.9%, P = .019 and P = .025, respectively). Additionally, the multivariable analysis revealed that both low and high BMI patients remained independently associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity. (OR: 3.707, 95% CI: 1.080‐12.725, P = .037; and OR: 2.858, 95% CI: 1.167‐7.002, P = .022, respectively).

Conclusion

BMI is an independent risk factor for higher postoperative morbidity in patients who undergo surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
Hot‐Lithography SLA‐3D Printing of Epoxy Resin
Authors: Dall'Argine Corrado , Hochwallner Alexander , Klikovits Nicolas , Liska Robert , Stampf Jürgen , Sangermano Marco
Published: August 2020

The hot‐lithography stereolithography 3D printing technology is used to print epoxy resins with high reactivity in order to achieve 3D printed structures. Different hydroxyl containing compounds are investigated as chain transfer agents and the viscoelastic properties of UV‐cured materials are fully characterized. The most promising formulations are studied at a high temperature, the 3D printing process parameters are defined and the printed object is fully characterized. By combining the suitable precursor materials in the photocurable formulation with the advanced hot‐lithography process, it is possible to produce 3D printed structures that are characterized by outstanding thermomechanical properties and good printability precision.
Older is better: Consumers prefer older drugs
Authors: Jie Yun
Published: August 2020

Despite increasing research attention to healthcare marketing in academia and the concerted effort of the pharmaceutical industry to market its latest products, limited research has explored the effect of launch time on individuals' drug choices. Building upon findings in medical literature that many newly launched drugs are indeed no better than existing ones, this study found that the majority of consumers consistently prefer older drugs when both options are claimed equally safe and/or effective. The reason is that consumers disregard declarative information and, instead, make their own inferences. Although there is a small segment that chooses the newer option for what they infer to be its higher efficacy, most consumers believe that an older drug is both safer and more efficacious. Further, promotion‐focused consumers are more likely to choose newer drugs. The underlying mechanism for how promotion focus affects choice is identified. A sample of practicing doctors cross‐validated our findings, which have implications for practitioners in the pharmaceutical industry.
Uniform attractors of nonclassical diffusion equations on ℝN with memory and singularly oscillating external forces
Authors: Le Thi Thuy , Nguyen Duong Toan
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we consider a class of nonclassical diffusion equations on
with hereditary memory, in presence of singularly oscillating external forces depending on a positive parameter ε and a new class of nonlinearities, which have no restriction on the upper growth of the nonlinearity. Under a general assumption on the memory kernel κ and for a very large class of nonlinearities, we prove the existence of uniform attractors in
. The uniform boundedness (w.r.t. ε) and the convergence of uniform attractors
as ε tends to 0 are also studied. Our results extend and improve some results in Anh and Toan.
Feasibility and characterization of a safe susceptibility‐matched endorectal coil for MR spectroscopy
Authors: Saniour Isabelle , Verret Jean‐Marie , Rabrait‐Lerman Cécile , Pilleul Frank , Beuf Olivier
Published: August 2020

When using endorectal coils, local radiofrequency (RF) heating may occur in the surrounding tissue. Furthermore, most endorectal coils create a susceptibility artifact detrimental to both anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) acquisitions. We aimed at assessing the safety and MRS performance of a susceptibility‐matched endorectal coil for further rectal wall analysis. Experiments were performed on a General Electric MR750 3 T scanner. A variable number of miniaturized passive RF traps were incorporated in the reception cable. The assessment of RF heating and coil sensitivity was conducted on a 1.5% agar‐agar phantom doped with NaCl. Several susceptibility‐matched materials such as Ultem, perfluorocarbon and barium sulfate were then compared with an external coil. Finally, Ultem was used as a solid support for an endorectal coil and compared with a reference coil. Phantom experiments exhibited a complete suppression of both the RF heating phenomenon and the coil sensitivity artifact. Ultem was the material that produced the smallest image distortion. The full width at half maximum of MR spectra acquired using the susceptibility‐matched endorectal coil showed at least 30% narrowing compared with a reference endorectal coil. A susceptibility‐matched endorectal coil with RF traps incorporated was validated on phantoms. This coil appears to be a promising device for future in vivo experiments.
Behaviour analysis of Amazon customer using novel POS–NEG composition‐based Pythagorean fuzzy relation
Authors: Sundaram Ajith
Published: August 2020

Uncertainty and vagueness are the important factors in any decision‐making process. Different tools and approaches had been introduced to handle the uncertainty and vagueness environment of behaviour analysis. One of the latest tools in dealing with uncertainty and vagueness is Pythagorean fuzzy sets which are the generalized form of intuitionistic fuzzy set. In this paper, we explore the concept of Pythagorean fuzzy sets and introduce POS–NEG composition to determine the behaviour of customers in Amazon E‐commerce website. The role of this enhanced composition is to gather the sentiment of customers about the Amazon products. Our proposed work handles multi‐attribute, reduces complexity of the analysis and it is compared and proved to be accurate than fuzzy set and intuitionistic fuzzy set. The main feature of Pythagorean fuzzy sets is its relatively novel mathematical framework in the fuzzy family with higher ability to cope imprecision imbedded in decision‐making.
Urban tourism and population change: Gentrification in the age of mobilities
Authors: López‐Gay Antonio , Cocola‐Gant Agustin , Russo Antonio Paolo
Published: August 2020

The prepandemic unbridled growth of tourism has triggered a significant debate regarding the future of cities; several authors suggest that neighbourhood change produced by tourism should be conceived as a form of gentrification. Yet research on population shifts—a fundamental dimension of gentrification—in such neighbourhoods is scarce. Our exploration of theGòticarea in Barcelona, using quantitative and qualitative techniques, reveals a process of population restructuring characterised by a decrease of long‐term residents and inhabited dwellings, and the arrival of young and transnational gentrifiers that are increasingly mobile and form a transient population. We then use some insights from the mobilities literature to make sense of these results. In the gentrification of the Gòtic, the attractiveness of the area for visitors and for a wider palette of transnational dwellers feeds one another, resulting in an uneven negotiation whereby more wealthy and ‘footloose’ individuals gain access and control of space and housing over less mobile and more dependent populations.
Understanding Negative Photoconductivity Observed in c‐Orientated InN Epitaxial Layer
Authors: Barick Barun Kumar , Yadav Santosh Kumar , Dhar Subhabrata
Published: August 2020

The effect of temperature, environmental conditions, and the applied bias on the phototransport properties of InN epitaxial films grown on c‐sapphire substrates is investigated. The study reveals the coexistence of surface photo‐electromotive force (photo‐EMF) and negative photoconductivity (NPC) effects that result in a unique photoresponse, in which not only the magnitude but also the sign of the photoconductivity becomes bias dependent. Like surface photo‐EMF effect, which has been extensively studied in our earlier article [Appl. Phys. A 2019, 125, 84], NPC can also be attributed to the accumulation of electrons in a thin layer just below the surface. A theory has been proposed to explain the effect. According to the model, the accumulation layer is ascribed to the electrons stemming from the donor‐like surface states that arise from the attachment of certain adsorbates. Upon illumination, the natural urge to align the quasi‐Fermi level at the two sides of the boundary leads to the rearrangement of the electrons between the accumulation layer and the donor‐like surface states. This rearrangement process can lead to a reduction of the electron concentration in the accumulation layer. It should be noted that the accumulation layer, which can offer high electron mobility due to reduced dimensionality, is expected to dominate the conducting property of the entire film. Photoinduced reduction of electron concentration in the accumulation channel can thus explain the NPC effect observed in these films.
Thermal treatment of (TiZr)N coatings on CO2‐controlled atmosphere
Authors: Rincón‐Ortiz Sergio A. , Ospina Rogelio , Paez Carlos J. , García‐Castro Andres C. , Quintero‐Orozco Jorge H.
Published: August 2020

Currently, studies about the CO2 gas injection improve the production efficiency of crude oil. The surface interaction between CO2 and thin films is a large area of research in the scientific community. In this work, we are showing that The TiZrN (coating) + Si (substrate) system immersed on environments of fully CO2 can interact to below 400°C temperature, because the TiZrN (coating) + Si (substrate) system is broken to temperatures above of the 400°C. The Ti2p, Zr3d, N1s, O1s, and C1s narrow spectra are shown, which illustrate the evolution of TiZrN to TiNx, TiOx, and TiONx compounds and afterwards to TiO2 and ZrO2 phases. TiNx, TiOx, and TiONx compounds are responsible for the increase of the micro‐hardness (measured through Vickers Hardness Testing) of the system (TiZrN [coating] + Si [substrate]) due to that are found at 400°C thermal treatment. Topographical images obtained by atomic force microscopy showed an increase of the surface roughness due to the thermal treatment. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that sample submit to 600°C temperature suffered fracture with small indentations.
Developing biomarker combinations in multicenter studies via direct maximization and penalization
Authors: Meisner Allison , Parikh Chirag R. , Kerr Kathleen F.
Published: August 2020

Motivated by a study of acute kidney injury, we consider the setting of biomarker studies involving patients at multiple centers where the goal is to develop a biomarker combination for diagnosis, prognosis, or screening. As biomarker studies become larger, this type of data structure will be encountered more frequently. In the presence of multiple centers, one way to assess the predictive capacity of a given combination is to consider the center‐adjusted area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (aAUC), a summary of the ability of the combination to discriminate between cases and controls in each center. Rather than using a general method, such as logistic regression, to construct the biomarker combination, we propose directly maximizing the aAUC. Furthermore, it may be desirable to have a biomarker combination with similar performance across centers. To that end, we allow for penalization of the variability in the center‐specific AUCs. We demonstrate desirable asymptotic properties of the resulting combinations. Simulations provide small‐sample evidence that maximizing the aAUC can lead to combinations with improved performance. We also use simulated data to illustrate the utility of constructing combinations by maximizing the aAUC while penalizing variability. Finally, we apply these methods to data from the study of acute kidney injury.
A Single Chiral Nanoparticle Induced Valley Polarization Enhancement
Authors: Kim Sejeong , Lim Yae‐Chan , Kim Ryeong Myeong , Fröch Johannes E. , Tran Thinh N. , Nam Ki Tae , Aharonovich Igor
Published: August 2020

Valley polarization is among the most critical attributes of atomically thin materials. However, increasing contrast from monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) has so far been challenging. In this work, a large degree of circular polarization up to 45% from a monolayer WS2 is achieved at room temperature by using a single chiral plasmonic nanoparticle. The increased contrast is attributed to the selective enhancement of both the excitation and the emission rate having one particular handedness of the circular polarization, together with accelerated radiative recombination of valley excitons due to the Purcell effect. The experimental results are corroborated by the optical simulation using the finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method. Additionally, the single chiral nanoparticle enables the observation of valley‐polarized luminescence with a linear excitation. The results provide a promising pathway to enhance valley contrast from monolayer TMDs and utilize them for nanophotonic devices.
Recognition Method for Speed Limit Signs and its Applicability in Recognition of Vehicle Entry Prohibition Signs at Night
Authors: Suzuki Takuya , Kageyama Yoichi , Ishizawa Chikako
Published: August 2020

Recently, cameras with sensing technology have been used in vehicles to prevent traffic accidents. Although vehicle drivers can visually notice road signs, a recent study developed a recognition system for road signs to prevent traffic accidents. However, this system does not always perform the intended operation and encounters issues if the vehicle is driven at night, the road environment is bad, or the sign is discolored due to aging. Furthermore, the death rate due to speed violations at night is higher compared with that due to other traffic violations. The drivers and existing systems may have difficulties recognizing these signs as they are susceptible to other lights on the roads, such as traffic lights, streetlights, and vehicle headlights at night. Therefore, we propose a recognition method for speed limit signs that are difficult for drivers to recognize at night. In addition, the proposed method is applied to recognize vehicle entry prohibition signs at night. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.