bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neugeborenes mit Nasenagenesie: Neonatologische Herausforderungen bei
der Versorgung eines Neugeborenen mit Bosma-Arhinie-Mikrophthalmie-Syndrom
(BAMS)
Authors: Stromiedel Helen , Van Quekelberghe Chantal , Yigit Gökhan , Naimi Ammar Al , Bahlmann Franz , Sader Robert , Guchlerner Marina , Lüchtenberg Marc , Latta Kay , Cho Chie Hee , Wollnik Bernd , Kunzmann Steffen
Published: September 2020

Anhand eines weiblichen Neugeborenen soll das seltene Krankheitsbild der
konnatalen Nasenagenesie vorgestellt werden. In der Schwangerschaft fielen
eine intrauterine Wachstumsrestriktion mit Polyhydramnion und eine
Mittelgesichtshypoplasie auf. Das Atemwegsmanagement nach primärer
Sectio in der 38+4 SSW gelang mittels Schienung durch einen
Güdel- bzw. im Verlauf Rachentubus ohne Zeichen einer
respiratorischen Insuffizienz. Neben der vollständigen Nasenagenesie
zeigten sich bei unauffälligen zerebralen Strukturen ein
Hypertelorismus, ein gotischer Gaumen, ein beidseitiger Mikrophthalmus und
Iriskolobom. Die Nahrungsaufnahme wurde mit einer orogastralen Sonde
sichergestellt, durch Trinktraining und einen speziellen Schnuller konnten
eine bessere Koordination und Trinkleistung erzielt werden. Der sich bei
assoziierten Fehlbildungen ergebende Verdacht auf ein
Bosma-Arhinie-Mikrophthalmie-Syndrom (BAMS) wurde humangenetisch durch den
Nachweis einer heterozygoten de novo Mutation im SMCHD1-Gen, welches eine
Schlüsselfunktion in der Embryogenese der menschlichen Nase spielt,
bestätigt (c.1043A>G; pHis348Arg). Aus neonatologischer
Sicht ist oftmals die initiale Kreißsaal-Versorgung eine
Herausforderung: Patienten mit Nasenagenesie werden häufig
postpartal intubiert und elektiv tracheotomiert. Bei fehlender
respiratorischer Problematik und Nahrungsaufnahme mit perzentilengerechtem
Wachstum besteht jedoch keine dringliche Indikation zur frühzeitigen
plastisch-chirurgischen Versorgung, insbesondere da diese mit Gefahren wie
Sepsis und Wachstumsstörungen im Mittelgesicht behaftet ist.
Impact of sedation on the Performance Indicator of Colonic Intubation
Authors: Nass Karlijn J. , van Doorn Sascha C. , van der Vlugt Manon , Fockens Paul , Dekker Evelien
Published: September 2020

Background The Performance Indicator of Colonic Intubation (PICI) is a new measure of high-quality colonic intubation. Adequate PICI was defined as cecal intubation without significant discomfort and use of minimal sedation. This study assessed achievement of PICI within the Dutch colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program, and determined the association between PICI and adenoma detection rate (ADR). PICI achievement when using the Dutch median midazolam dose was also assessed.

Methods This retrospective study was conducted within the Dutch fecal immunochemical test-based CRC screening program. Colonoscopy and pathology data were prospectively collected in a national database. Data between January 2016 through January 2018
were analyzed. Adequate PICI was defined as successful cecal intubation, Gloucester Comfort Scale (GCS) of 1 – 3, and use of ≤ 2.5 mg midazolam.

Results 107 328 colonoscopies were performed during the study period. Adequate PICI was achieved in 49 500 colonoscopies (46.1 %). In colonoscopies with inadequate PICI, inadequacy was due to higher sedation doses in 87.8 %. Adequate PICI was associated with higher ADR (odds ratio 1.16, 95 % confidence interval 1.12 – 1.20). When using a cutoff of 5 mg midazolam, median dose in this Dutch population, adequate PICI was achieved in 95 410 colonoscopies (88.9  %).

Conclusion PICI appeared to be heavily dependent on sedation practice. Because of wide variation in sedation practice between individual endoscopists and countries, the benefit of PICI as a quality indicator is limited.
Pbx1, Meis1, and Runx1 Expression Is Decreased in the Diaphragmatic and Pulmonary Mesenchyme of Rats with Nitrofen-Induced Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Takahashi Toshiaki , Friedmacher Florian , Zimmer Julia , Puri Prem
Published: August 2020

Introduction Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and associated pulmonary hypoplasia (PH) are thought to originate from mesenchymal defects in pleuroperitoneal folds (PPFs) and primordial lungs. Pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox 1 (Pbx1), its binding partner myeloid ecotropic integration site 1 (Meis1), and runt-related transcription factor 1 (Runx1) are expressed in diaphragmatic and lung mesenchyme, functioning as transcription cofactors that modulate mesenchymal cell proliferation. Furthermore, Pbx1 −/− mice develop diaphragmatic defects and PH similar to human CDH. We hypothesized that diaphragmatic and pulmonary Pbx1, Meis1, and Runx1 expression is decreased in the nitrofen-induced CDH model.

Materials and Methods Time-mated rats were exposed to nitrofen or vehicle on gestational day 9 (D9). Fetal diaphragms (n = 72) and lungs (n = 48) were microdissected on D13, D15, and D18, and were divided into control and nitrofen-exposed specimens. Diaphragmatic and pulmonary gene expression levels of Pbx1, Meis1, and Runx1 were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunofluorescence-double-staining for Pbx1, Meis1, and Runx1 was combined with mesenchymal/myogenic markers Gata4 and myogenin to evaluate protein expression.

Results Relative mRNA expression of Pbx1, Meis1, and Runx1 was significantly decreased in PPFs (D13), developing diaphragms/lungs (D15), and muscularized diaphragms/differentiated lungs (D18) of nitrofen-exposed fetuses compared with controls. Confocal-laser-scanning-microscopy revealed markedly diminished Pbx1, Meis1, and Runx1 immunofluorescence in diaphragmatic and pulmonary mesenchyme, associated with less proliferating mesenchymal cells in nitrofen-exposed fetuses on D13, D15, and D18 compared with controls.

Conclusion Decreased Pbx1, Meis1, and Runx1 expression during diaphragmatic development and lung branching morphogenesis may reduce mesenchymal cell proliferation, causing malformed PPFs and disrupted airway branching, thus leading to diaphragmatic defects and PH in the nitrofen-induced CDH model.
Effect of Feeding Strategies on the Development of Fulminant Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Hartman Heather A. , Pennell Christopher , Aronoff Stephen , Arthur L. Grier
Published: August 2020

Introduction Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) causes significant neonatal morbidity. A subset of infants experience precipitous decline and death from fulminant-NEC (F-NEC). We sought to determine the effect of feeding practices on the development of this more virulent form of NEC.

Materials and Methods Premature neonates developing Bell's stage II or III NEC between May 2011 and June 2017 were reviewed. Infants were stratified as having NEC or F-NEC, defined as NEC-totalis or NEC causing rapid decline and death within 72 hours. Risk factors extracted included demographics, gestational age, and weight at NEC diagnosis. Feeding data extracted included age at first feed, caloric density, type of feed (breast milk or formula), and whether full volume feeds were reached. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were performed.

Results A total of 98 patients were identified, of which 80 were included. In total, 57 patients had NEC and 23 had F-NEC. Reaching full volume feeds was associated with F-NEC on both univariate and multivariate analysis (37.9 vs. 4.5%; odds ratio: 67, 95% confidence interval: 6.606–2041, p = 0.003). Infants developing F-NEC achieved full feeds earlier (22.5 vs. 19.8 days, p = 0.025) on univariate but not multivariate analysis. There was no difference in the rates of NEC and F-NEC among infants receiving breast milk (standard or fortified) or formula (standard or increased caloric density; p = 0.235).

Conclusion Among premature neonates with NEC, reaching full volume feedings was associated with a nearly 70-fold increased risk of F-NEC. Assuming it was possible to predict an infant's development of NEC, alternative feeding regimens might reduce the risk of F-NEC in this population.
The Effect of Age and the Delay before Surgery on the Outcomes of Intercostal Nerve Transfers to the Musculocutaneous Nerve: A Retrospective Study of 232 Cases of Posttraumatic Total and Near-total Brachial Plexus Injuries
Authors: Bhatia Anil , Kulkarni Aditi , Zancolli Pablo , Martinez Raul Rodriguez , Clifton Jorge , El-Gammal Tarek , Muset Alex
Published: August 2020

Introduction Posttraumatic brachial plexus injuries are devastating, as the brain and spinal cord are disconnected from the upper limb. Restoration of elbow flexion has been widely recognized as the primary objective of nerve reconstruction. In the absence of utilizable (ruptured) root stumps in the neck, one has recourse only to nerve transfers. The direct transfer of intercostal nerves to the musculocutaneous nerve is one of the techniques that has been commonly employed over the past four decades. However, the outcomes of this procedure cited in the literature have varied considerably. The patient’s age and the delay from the accident to surgery have been known to affect the results of nerve reconstruction operations. The authors present a study of the effect of these parameters on intercostal nerve transfers.

Methods The data of 232 patients with total and near-total brachial plexus injuries treated by the senior author between April 1995 and December 2015 was examined. Intercostal nerve transfers were used for the restoration of biceps function in each of these patients. The outcomes were tabulated, and the correlation with the age and the delay before surgery was examined.

Results The strength of the biceps regained was better in patients younger than 30 years old and those operated upon earlier than 6 months from the accident. The differences in outcomes were found to be statistically significant (p = 0.001 for preoperative delay and p < 0.005 for the patient’s age).

Conclusion The results give clear proof of the significant effect of the age and preoperative delay on the outcomes of intercostal nerve transfers for restoration of biceps function. These findings can serve as pointers to help the surgeon in choosing the method of nerve reconstruction in a given case.
Oral Ulceration and Indian Herbs: A Scoping Review
Authors: Agnihotri Archna , Kaur Antervir , Arora Rosy
Published: August 2020

Oral ulcers are one of the most prevalent oral mucosal diseases. The etiology of oral mucosal ulcers still has to be discerned as a variety of precipitating factors and causes have been implicated. Unless associated with some underlying systemic component, the condition generally takes 10 to 14 days to resolve, sometimes to recur soon. During the active disease phase, it affects eating, drinking and swallowing, thus affecting the quality of life. The treatment is generally symptomatic and is limited to the use of analgesics, antibiotics and topical application of steroids. The use of these over-the-counter drugs can sometimes lead to severe adverse effects. Herbal medicaments provide a safer and efficacious alternative to synthetic drugs. This article aims to review the most commonly used herbal medicines and investigate their efficacy in treating oral ulcers.
The Impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown on Plastic Surgery Training and Practice in India
Authors: Kumar Shalabh , More Amrita , Harikar Mandara ,   Dharini
Published: August 2020

Background A nationwide lockdown due to the outbreak of COVID-19 has posed unforeseen challenges. Lockdown, physical distancing, and restrictions on medical practice have affected the training of residents and the professional and personal life of plastic surgeons. An online survey was conducted to assess this impact.

Methods A questionnaire was circulated on Whatsapp groups from 15 to 21 of May and snowball sampling was done. The survey was designed to have a separate set of questions for residents and practitioners. The obtained results were analyzed, according to SPSS software version 25.

Results A total of 206 responses were obtained (107 residents and 96 consultants) from across the country. The average age of consultants was 38.10 years, with mean experience of 4 years (range 0.5–33 years). As much as 56.3% of practitioners and 87.8% of residents were working in hospitals treating COVID-19. Average fall in number of OPD cases and elective surgeries was 75%. This led to financial strain on 86.5% of consultants and adversely affected training of 86% residents. As much as 86.9% of residents and 67.7% of consultants hoped that the online teaching pattern continued after the pandemic.

Conclusion Universities need to recognize the loss in training for residents due to the pandemic and formulate plans to overcome it. Institutions and associations conducting webinars can streamline and archive them for future use.
Competitiveness of the wind power industry in China: An analysis based on the extended Diamond Model
Authors: He Zhengxia , Drozdov Dmitrii , Wang Jianming , Shen Wenxing , Li Cunfang , Li Wenbo
Published: September 2020

Over more than 30 years of development, China has become the unquestionable leader in the global wind power industry. Despite the fact that China has outperformed other countries in terms of installed capacity, it currently faces a number of challenges, such as the low utilization rate of onshore wind power and the inability to smoothly connect large-scale wind power to the power grid, which represents the industry's biggest bottleneck. This study employs the extended Diamond Model to examine the competitiveness of China's wind power industry as well as to identify its weaknesses and areas for improvement. The results suggest that digitalization, smart technology, and the Belt and Road initiative have brought new opportunities to China's wind-power producers. China's wind power industry has strong competitiveness in the basic factors of resource endowment, demand, enterprise strategy, related and supporting industry, and government policy support, but it needs to be improved and perfected with regard to market-oriented systems and mechanisms, core technology research and development, grid connection technology, and power grid construction. Then, a series of policy implications have been proposed, which will help China to realize the transition from a “big wind-power producer” to a “strong wind-power producer.”
PHYSICS CONTEST EVENTS
Authors: Morse Robert A.
Published: September 2020

The variability of electrostatic phenomena and the expense of accurate measuring devices for electrostatic voltages and charges limit contest events in electrostatics. Engineering competitions in which the objective is to build a better device are likely to be the best competitions. Care must be taken to standardize conditions as much as possible to make competitions fair. For safety reasons, any capacitors involved in such devices should have strict limits on the area of the plates. (See the calculations in Section Three, Lab Activity 8) With these constraints, the following suggestions are given for electrostatic competitions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Authors: Morse Robert A.
Published: September 2020

This workshop grew out of an attempt to design some quick electrostatics materials for a Saturday morning session for teachers which Charlie Toth and I were giving as a result of the AAPT Physics Teaching Resource Agent program, and Charlie was a major co-conspirator in the development of the first versions of this workshop. John Layman attended that session and encouraged us to develop our ideas further, and I would like to especially thank John for his support of this project over several years. My original interest in electrostatics was stimulated by the wonderful book by A. D. Moore (Electrostatics, Doubleday, 1968), and my first designs of electrostatic motors were inspired by the article by Jefimenko and Walker in the March 1971 Physics Teacher, and built with the assistance of Richard Copithorne, a student at Masconomet Regional High School in Topsfield, MA. The design philosophy of the experiments owes much to Ronald Edge and his String and Sticky Tape column in The Physics Teacher. William Beaty of the Boston Museum of Science has kindly shared ideas and notes with me. Bruce Sherwood at Carnegie-Mellon has asked good questions and made suggestions. Lillian McDermott at the University of Washington and Melvin Steinberg at Smith College have provided encouragement, support and inspiration. Bob Clark and Jim Nelson gave excellent help and suggestions for reshaping and extending the earlier versions, and I especially thank Mario Iona, who was intrepid enough to wade through the draft and provided valuable suggestions for refining this project. I also wish to thank the AAPT and NSF for developing and funding the PTRA project which got me involved in this work. Finally, I would like to thank the many teachers, PTRAs and students who used the materials and made suggestions for improvements.
Quadratic and Higher Power Equations
Authors: Swartz Clifford E.
Published: September 2020

It often becomes necessary in solving problems to find the roots of simple algebraic equations. Although general solutions exist for equations up to the fourth degree, the solutions are so complicated that for equations higher than degree two, people generally turn to iteration methods applicable to high-speed computers (e.g., Newton’s or Horner’s method). The second-degree equation or quadratic has a simple solution with widespread applica tions and we shall go into it here.
Women in Physics: Today and Looking Toward the Future
Authors: Garmon Lucille B.
Published: September 2020

Unlike the other articles in this booklet, this one has little to say about individuals. Most of it is concerned with women scientists as a group, and the extent to which women today are participating in the scientific enterprise. While the main emphasis is on physics, there is also material dealing with women and the physical sciences in general, or even women and all sciences.
Role of the Laboratory in Teaching Introductory Physics
Authors: Nelson Jim , Nelson Jane Bray
Published: September 2020

This publication contains an introduction to the philosophy and rationale for including a laboratory component in an introductory physics course. Camera-ready student directions are enclosed for more than 30 sample laboratory activities. Topics include: speed, centripetal force, motion of a pendulum, heating and cooling, Ohm’s law, magnetic fields, induced EMF, and more.
Physics Laboratory Activity #2a Average Speed versus Final Speed for a Cart on an Inclined Plane
Authors: Nelson Jim , Nelson Jane Bray
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this laboratory activity is to compare the average speed of a toy car or cart to the final speed of the same cart at the end of an inclined plane.
Physics Laboratory Activity #3a Speed and Acceleration
Authors: Nelson Jim , Nelson Jane Bray
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this laboratory activity is to determine the speed and acceleration of a toy car or cart as it travels down an incline.
Physics Laboratory Activity #5a Static Equilibrium Newton’s First Law (Forces as Vectors) << The Dead Parrot Rule >>
Authors: Nelson Jim , Nelson Jane Bray
Published: September 2020

1. Based on the demonstrations that were done in class as an introduction to this laboratory activity, answer the following questions about tension force (e.g., the force exerted by a string). The mass of the string is assumed to be insignificant.
Physics Laboratory Activity #6a Speed of a Projectile
Authors: Nelson Jim , Nelson Jane Bray
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this laboratory activity is to use kinematics equation and the behavior of projectiles to find the initial speed of a projectile.
Physics Laboratory Activity #7a Cart and the “Falling” Object or << The Elephant and the Peanut Experiment >>
Authors: Nelson Jim , Nelson Jane Bray
Published: September 2020

Set up the apparatus as diagrammed below. You will need a table mounted pulley, a dynamics cart and a vibrating recorder (60 hertz). Make sure that the wheels of the cart rotate with minimum frictional force. The mass of the pulling object should be adjusted until it is about equal to the mass of the cart. To make a measurement the cart is released so that it will be accelerated by the pulling object.
Physics Laboratory Activity #10a Simple Pendulum
Authors: Nelson Jim , Nelson Jane Bray
Published: September 2020

A simple pendulum is a pendulum whose mass is concentrated at a point at the end of a massless string. For this laboratory activity set up an approximate simple pendulum as shown in the diagram below. You will need two ring stands, two three finger clamps, two right angle clamps, a pendulum bob, and a meter stick. Mount the pendulum string with a thumb tack on one side of the meter stick and the protractor on the other side of the meter stick. Some meter sticks are made of soft wood. If you find one of these meter sticks, the pins will be easier to put into the wood. Be sure that the center of the protractor is aligned so that the angle of the pendulum is measured correctly.
Physics Laboratory Activity #14a The Application of Newton’s Law of Cooling to the Problem of Caloric Caffeine
Authors: Nelson Jim , Nelson Jane Bray
Published: September 2020

Assume you are served a cup of coffee and a hamburger at the local “greasy spoon.” You realize that it will take you ten (10) minutes to consume your hamburger (allowing several minutes for determining whether it is sanitary). After you eat your hamburger you plan to drink your coffee. Since you would like your coffee to be as HOT as possible when you drink it, you are faced with the problem of when to add the cream to your coffee. Should you add the cream when the coffee is served or should you wait until you are ready to drink your coffee? Determine the answer to this question by doing a controlled experiment with two cups of coffee.
Physics Laboratory Activity #28a Determination of Planck’s Constant
Authors: Nelson Jim , Nelson Jane Bray
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this laboratory activity is to use an LED (i.e., Light Emitting Diode) to determine the value of Planck’s constant.
Physics Olympiad Event
Authors: Davids Mark , Rea R. Stephen , Zitzewitz Paul W.
Published: September 2020

Participants will be given glass triangular boxes into which liquids of different indexes of refraction have been added. They will attempt to shoot a laser beam through the box and hit a target. The beam must enter through one side, be internally reflected from a second side, and exit the third side on its way to the target. Refraction will occur at the first and third sides.
Physics Olympics or Contest Events
Authors: Franklin Bill
Published: September 2020

Using the various letters from the following passage about Newton’s theory of light and color (this passage can be replaced by any passage so desired) one half of the team member will make a secret message for the other team members to later decode. The first half of the team will have 30 minutes (or half the total time allowed) to write the message. (The other half of the team is in another room waiting for the message to be finished or perhaps writing a message for another team.) The passage must be decoded while being illuminated with a light covered by a filter, a maximum a three consecutive filters can be used. Students must write the passage as given, choosing the appropriate colors of crayon for the various letters in their message so the message will appear and the other letters not used in the passage will disappear when illuminated with filtered light. Entire words from the passage may not used, only letters from various words. The words in the secret message must be spelled correctly. The message must make grammatical sense, meet standards for a General Audiences rating, and contain no profanity
Modern Physics Ideas or Contemporary Applications
Authors: Franklin Bill
Published: September 2020

The color addition scheme which we have been using in this unit is based on the existence of three color receptors in the human eye. It has three primary colors of light and three anti-primary colors, or subtractive primary colors, that are the opposites, or complements, of the primary colors of light. This scheme contains a three-fold symmetry that shows up elsewhere in nature. In particular, it arose in the physics of fundamental particles. Because you have learned about color, you are in a position to better understand modern physics. Without trying to explain all of modern physics, I will try to show how your knowledge of color fits in.
Assessment Ideas
Authors: Franklin Bill
Published: September 2020

Why are black and white not considered to be colors of the spectrum? [no light, entire spectrum]
Invertebrate World of Australia's Subtropical Rainforests
Authors: Williams Geoff
Published: August 2020

The Invertebrate World of Australia’s Subtropical Rainforests is a comprehensive review of Australia’s Gondwanan rainforest invertebrate fauna, covering its taxonomy, distribution, biogeography, fossil history, plant community and insect–plant relationships. This is the first work to document the invertebrate diversity of this biologically important region, as well as explain the uniqueness and importance of the organisms.
This book examines invertebrates within the context of the plant world that they are dependent on and offers an understanding of Australia’s outstanding (but still largely unknown) subtropical rainforests. All major, and many minor, invertebrate taxa are described and the book includes a section of colour photos of distinctive species. There is also a strong emphasis on plant and habitat associations and fragmentation impacts, as well as a focus on the regionally inclusive Gondwana Rainforests (Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia) World Heritage Area.
The Invertebrate World of Australia’s Subtropical Rainforests will be of value to professional biologists and ecologists, as well as amateur entomologists and naturalists in Australia and abroad.
Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria derived from infant intestines may activate macrophages and lead to different IL-10 secretion
Authors: Liang Huijing , Luo Zihao , Miao Zhonghua , Shen Xi , Li Ming , Zhang Xuguang , Chen Jiehua , Ze Xiaolei , Chen Qiwei , He Fang
Published: August 2020

In this study, three strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria originally isolated from healthy infants, were tested for their abilities to activate RAW264.7 cells. Gene expression and cytokine production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) of RAW264.7 cells were evaluated. The activation of extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, and nuclear factor-κB (NK-κB) were also assessed. These results suggest lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in infants may promote production of IL-10 in macrophages, conferring a protective effect in hosts suffering from inflammation. Dimerization of TLR2 and MyD88 and subsequent phosphorylation of the key downstream signaling molecules, such as MAPKs and NK-κB, may be one of the key underlying mechanisms of activation of macrophages by these microbes. Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli induced macrophages to secrete IL-10 in a different manner, which may relate to their abilities to activate key signaling pathways mediated by TLR2 and MyD88.
X(2239) and

as hidden-strange molecular states from

interaction *
Authors: Zhu Jun-Tao , Liu Yi , Chen Dian-Yong , Jiang Longyu , He Jun
Published: September 2020

In this work, we propose the possible assignment of the newly observed

, as well as

, as a molecular state from the interaction of a baryon

and an antibaryon

. With the help of effective Lagrangians, the

interaction is described within the one-boson-exchange model with

,

,

,

, and

exchanges considered. After inserting the potential kernel into the quasipotential Bethe-Salpeter equation, the bound states from the

interaction can be studied by searching for the pole of the scattering amplitude. Two loosely bound states with spin parities

and

appear near the threshold with almost the same parameter. The

state can be assigned to

observed at BESIII, which is very close to the

threshold. The scalar meson

can be interpreted as a

state from the

interaction. The annihilation effect is also discussed through a coupled-channel calculation plus a phenomenological optical potential. It provides large widths to two bound states produced from the

interaction. The mass of the

state is slightly larger than the mass of the

state after including the annihilation effect, which is consistent with our assignment of these two states as

and

, respectively. The results suggest that further investigation is required to understand the structures near the

threshold, such as

,

, and

.
Alpha decay of heavy and super heavy nuclei with a generalized electrostatic potential
Authors: Budaca R. , Budaca A. I.
Published: September 2020

Half-lives of α decay for Z≥ 84 nuclei are calculated based on the WKB theory applied for a phenomenological potential barrier composed of a centrifugal contribution and a screened electrostatic interaction represented by a Hulthen potential. For favored decays, the model has a single adjustable parameter associated with the screening of the electrostatic potential. The description of half lives for unfavored decays requires an additional hindrance term. A good agreement with experimental data is obtained in all considered cases. The evolution of the screening parameter for each nucleus revealed its dependence on shell filling. The model is also used for theoretical predictions on a few nuclei with uncertain or incomplete decay information.
Constraints on anomalous quartic gauge couplings via Wγjj production at the LHC *
Authors: Guo Yu-Chen , Wang Ying-Ying , Yang Ji-Chong , Yue Chong-Xing
Published: September 2020

Vector boson scattering at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is sensitive to anomalous quartic gauge couplings (aQGCs). In this study, we investigate the aQGC contribution to Wγjj production at the LHC with

TeV in the context of an effective field theory (EFT). The unitarity bound is applied as a cut on the energy scale of this production process, which is found to have significant suppressive effects on signals. To enhance the statistical significance, we analyze the kinematic and polarization features of the aQGC signals in detail. We find that the polarization effects induced by aQGCs are unique and can discriminate the signals from the SM backgrounds well. With the proposed event selection strategy, we obtain the constraints on the coefficients of dimension-8 operators with current luminosity. The results indicate that the process

is powerful for searching for the

and

operators.
Cross section measurements on zirconium isotopes for ~14 MeV neutrons and their theoretical calculations of excitation functions *
Authors: Li Yong , Song Yueli , Zhou Fengqun , Chang Xinyi , Zhang Xiaopeng , Tian Mingli , Yuan Shuqing
Published: September 2020

The cross sections for the 94Zr(n,d*)93m+gY, 96Zr(n,γ)97Z, 96Zr(n,2n)95Zr, 90Zr(n,α)87mSr, 94Zr(n,α)91Sr,90Zr(n,p)90mY, 92Zr(n,p)92Y, and 94Zr(n,p)94Y reactions have been measured in the neutron energy range of 13.5-14.8 MeV by means of the activation technique. The neutrons were produced via the D-T reaction. A high-purity germanium detector with high energy resolution was used to measure the induced γ activities. In combination with the nuclear reaction theoretical models, the excitation curves of the above-mentioned eight nuclear reactions within the incident neutron energy range from the threshold to 20 MeV were obtained by adopting the nuclear theoretical model program system Talys-1.9. The resulting experimental cross sections were analyzed and compared with the experimental data from published studies. Calculations were performed using Talys-1.9 and are in agreement with our experimental results, previous experimental values, as well as results of the theoretical excitation curves at the corresponding energies. The theoretical excitation curves generally match the experimental data well.
Search for invisible decays of the Higgs boson produced at the CEPC *
Authors: Tan Yuhang , Shi Xin , Kiuchi Ryuta , Ruan Manqi , Jing Maoqiang , Yu Dan , Zhang Kaili , Lou Xinchou , Mo Xin , Li Gang , Jyotishmati Susmita
Published: September 2020

The Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC), proposed as a future Higgs boson factory, will operate at a center-of-mass energy of 240 GeV and will accumulate 5.6 ab−1 of integrated luminosity in 7 years. In this study, we estimate the upper limit of BR(

inv) for three independent channels, including two leptonic channels and one hadronic channel, at the CEPC. Based on the full simulation analysis, the upper limit of BR(

inv) could reach 0.26% at the 95% confidence level. In the Stand Model (SM), the Higgs boson can only decay invisibly via

, so any evidence of invisible Higgs decays that exceed BR(

inv) of the SM will indicate a phenomenon that is beyond the SM (BSM). The invariant mass resolution of the visible hadronic decay system

,

inv) is simulated, and the physics requirement at the CEPC detector for reaching this is given.
Successful clean energy technology transitions in emerging economies: learning from India, China, and Brazil
Authors: Khosla Radhika , Kamat Ajinkya Shrish , Narayanamurti Venkatesh
Published: September 2020

Technological innovation and widespread deployment of clean-energy technologies in emerging economies are critical for a global clean energy transition. Success or failure in this endeavour will have long-term energy and carbon consequences. A fundamental question exists about whether, and how, emerging economies can accelerate clean-energy transitions, given the unprecedented scales of their impending socio-economic and infrastructure transitions, and often-underdeveloped technological innovation capabilities and supporting finances. We reflect on this question by undertaking a retrospective analysis of past and recent large-scale rapid clean-energy technology transitions in the three largest emerging economies—of light emitting diodes in India, solar photovoltaics in China, and sugarcane ethanol fuel in Brazil—each of which grew out of an unexpected set of initial technological conditions and resulted in dramatic changes to the global technological landscape. In examining how each country overcame its conventional technological lag, we discuss synthetic lessons for accelerated clean-energy transitions in emerging economy contexts: the essential role of PSEs in leveraging economies of scale; complementarities between domestic policies and global value chains; and the continued importance of domestic R&D and academia-industry linkages. We argue that forging clean-energy pathways requires a holistic systems approach, with a shift from isolated policy approaches to a portfolio of coordinated innovation policies where demand, research and development, and manufacturing are all strategically developed.
Ethics and Privacy Considerations Before Deploying Sensor Technologies for Exposure Assessment in the Workplace: Results of a Structured Discussion Amongst Dutch Stakeholders
Authors: le Feber Maaike , Jadoenathmisier Trishala , Goede Henk , Kuijpers Eelco , Pronk Anjoeka
Published: September 2020

Will sensor-based exposure assessment be the future in workplace settings? Static instruments with embedded sensors are already applied to monitor levels of dangerous substances—in the context of acute health effects—at critical locations. However, with wearable, lightweight, miniaturized (low-cost) sensors developing quickly, much more is possible with sensors in relation to exposure assessment. Sensors can be applied in the work environment, on machines, or on employees and may include sensors that measure chemical exposures, but also sensors or other technologies that collect contextual information to support the exposure measurements. Like every technology it also has downsides. Sensors collect data on individuals that, depending on the purpose, need to be shared with others (e.g. health, safety and environment manager). One can imagine that people are afraid of misuse. To explore possible ethical and privacy issues that may come along with the introduction of sensors in the workplace, we organized a workshop with stakeholders (n = 32) to discuss three possible sensor-based scenarios in a structured way around five themes: purpose, efficacy, intrusiveness, proportionality, and fairness. The main conclusion of the discussions was that stakeholders currently see benefits in using sensors for applied targeted studies (short periods, clear reasons). In order to find acceptance for the implementation of sensors, all individuals affected by the sensors or its data need to be involved in the decisions on the purpose and application of sensors. Possible negative side effects need to be discussed and addressed. Continuous sensor-based monitoring of workers currently appears to be a bridge too far for the participants of this workshop.
Ultra-Sensitive Serial Profiling of SARS-CoV-2 Antigens and Antibodies in Plasma to Understand Disease Progression in COVID-19 Patients with Severe Disease
Authors: Ogata Alana F , Maley Adam M , Wu Connie , Gilboa Tal , Norman Maia , Lazarovits Roey , Mao Chih-Ping , Newton Gail , Chang Matthew , Nguyen Katrina , Kamkaew Maliwan , Zhu Quan , Gibson Travis E , Ryan Edward T , Charles Richelle C , Marasco Wayne A , Walt David R
Published: September 2020

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected over 21 million people worldwide since August 16, 2020. Compared to PCR and serology tests, SARS-CoV-2 antigen assays are underdeveloped, despite their potential to identify active infection and monitor disease progression.

Methods

We used Single Molecule Array (Simoa) assays to quantitatively detect SARS-CoV-2 spike, S1 subunit, and nucleocapsid antigens in the plasma of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We studied plasma from 64 patients who were COVID-19 positive, 17 who were COVID-19 negative, and 34 prepandemic patients. Combined with Simoa anti-SARS-CoV-2 serological assays, we quantified changes in 31 SARS-CoV-2 biomarkers in 272 longitudinal plasma samples obtained for 39 patients with COVID-19. Data were analyzed by hierarchical clustering and were compared to longitudinal RT-PCR test results and clinical outcomes.

Results

SARS-CoV-2 S1 and N antigens were detectable in 41 out of 64 COVID-19 positive patients. In these patients, full antigen clearance in plasma was observed a mean ± 95% CI of 5 ± 1 days after seroconversion and nasopharyngeal RT-PCR tests reported positive results for 15 ± 5 days after viral-antigen clearance. Correlation between patients with high concentrations of S1 antigen and ICU admission (77%) and time to intubation (within 1 day) was statistically significant.

Conclusions

The reported SARS-CoV-2 Simoa antigen assay is the first to detect viral antigens in the plasma of patients who were COVID-19 positive to date. These data show that SARS-CoV-2 viral antigens in the blood are associated with disease progression, such as respiratory failure, in COVID-19 cases with severe disease.
Asymmetric reinforcement inLucaniakillifish: assessing reproductive isolation when both sexes choose
Authors: St. John Michelle E , Fuller Rebecca C
Published: September 2020

Reinforcement can occur when maladaptive hybridization in sympatry favors the evolution of conspecific preferences and target traits that promote behavioral isolation (BI). In many systems, enhanced BI is due to increased female preference for conspecifics. In others, BI is driven by male preference, and in other systems both sexes exert preferences. Some of these patterns can be attributed to classic sex-specific costs and benefits of preference. Alternatively, sex differences in conspecific preference can emerge due to asymmetric postzygotic isolation (e.g., hybrid offspring from female A × male B have lower fitness than hybrid offspring from female B × male A), which can lead to asymmetric BI (e.g., female A and male B are less likely to mate than female B and male A). Understanding reinforcement requires understanding how conspecific preferences evolve in sympatry. Yet, estimating conspecific preferences can be difficult when both sexes are choosy. In this study, we use Lucania killifish to test the hypothesis that patterns of reinforcement are driven by asymmetric postzygotic isolation between species. If true, we predicted that sympatric female Lucania goodei and sympatric male L. parva should have lower levels of BI compared with their sympatric counterparts, as they produce hybrid offspring with the highest fitness. To address the problem of measuring BI when both sexes are choosy, we inferred the contribution to BI of each partner using assays where one sex in the mating pair comes from an allopatric population with potentially low preference, whereas the other comes from a sympatric population with high preference. For one hybrid cross direction, we found that both female L. parva and male L. goodei have high contributions to BI in sympatry. In the other hybrid cross direction, we found that only female L. goodei contribute to BI. Sympatric male L. parva readily engaged in hybrid spawnings with allopatric L. goodei females. These results indicate that both asymmetric postzygotic isolation and the traditional sex-specific costs to preference likely affect the nature of selection on conspecific preferences and target traits.
Unravelling the puzzle of antithrombotic therapies for complex percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: De Luca Leonardo , Valgimigli Marco
Published: September 2020

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has remarkably evolved in the last decades. This has resulted in a larger number of patients treated with PCI, including those with more complex anatomic lesions. Several studies demonstrated that PCI involving complex lesions is associated with increased rate of procedural complications and adverse clinical outcomes. In this setting, optimal adjunctive antithrombotic regimens still need to be defined. In this review, we sought to summarize and discuss the recent evidence deriving from analyses appraising antithrombotic therapies in patients undergoing complex PCI.
Editor and peer reviewer financial conflict of interest policies in public health journals
Authors: Ralph Alyssa , Petticrew Mark , Hutchings Andrew
Published: September 2020

The influence of harmful commodity industries on health research has heightened concerns around author financial conflicts of interest (FCOIs) in public health journals (PHJs), with little discussion of potential editorial, i.e., editor and reviewer, FCOIs. In this analysis of 20 prominent PHJs, detailed disclosure requirements, the inclusion of timeframes, and policy accessibility were found lacking in editorial, compared with author, FCOI policies. Disclosure forms were employed in 32% of PHJs for authors but not for editors or reviewers. Recusal policies were similar for reviewers (68%) and editors (60%). Strengthening editorial FCOI policies will increase the integrity of PHJs’ editorial processes.
Evaluation of a Functional Restoration Program at Fort Bliss Interdisciplinary Pain Management Clinic
Authors: Nguyen Khan T , Beauchamp Daniel W , Lovett Ursel , Tillman Demitris , Janze Aeneas , Ruiz Alberto , Romero Rocio , Ting Wen Chun , Wilson Eric B , Wright Damedrist , Edlin Christina
Published: August 2020

Introduction

In partnership with the Veterans Health Administration, in 2010, the Department of Defense/Veterans Health Administration Pain Management Task Force Final Report recommended a comprehensive pain management plan. Consequently, each Army medical center established an Interdisciplinary Pain Management Clinic (IPMC) for pain treatment, and each IPMC implements a multidisciplinary outpatient functional restoration program (FRP) as an alternative to or in addition to pharmacological therapy. This article reports our first-year FRP results at William Beaumont Army Medical Center IPMC.

Materials and Methods

The FRP is designed to improve the participants’ functionality and quality of life, both personally and professionally. Service members with chronic pain were evaluated for psychological and physical clearance before enrollment in an intense and structured FRP for 8 hours a day over 3 weeks. The program focused on physical and occupational exercises, yoga, acupuncture, and educational classes regarding pain medications, nutrition, and coping skills. The resulting data were analyzed using paired two-tailed t-tests with a predetermined significance level of 0.05 to examine the participants’ mean changes upon completion of the FRP.

Results

The pre-post comparison indicated significant improvement after completion of the FRP. The fear-avoidance of physical activities and the fear of movement scores were reduced significantly (P < 0.05); the Canadian occupational performance and satisfaction, physical strength and endurance were improved significantly (P < 0.0001) in sit-to-stand, plank balance, lifting and carrying, and 10-minute 7-to-1 Pyramid tests; however, fear-avoidance of work was not significantly reduced (P = 0.2319).

Conclusions

Because of the lack of randomization and the small number of subjects (N = 32, 7 cohorts), unknown sources of bias may have influenced the results. Despite these limitations, the results from this report support the program’s effectiveness and are consistent with the outcomes from FRP programs in other military facilities and in civilian studies.
Hearing Problems Among the Members of the Defence Forces in Relation to Personal and Occupational Risk Factors
Authors: Luha Assar , Kaart Tanel , Merisalu Eda , Indermitte Ene , Orru Hans
Published: September 2020

Introduction

The Defence Forces’ members are exposed to high-level noise that increases their risk of hearing loss (HL). Besides military noise, the other risk factors include age and gender, ototoxic chemicals, vibration, and chronic stress. The current study was designed to study the effects of personal, work conditions-related risk factors, and other health-related traits on the presence of hearing problems.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study among active military service members was carried out. Altogether, 807 respondents completed a questionnaire about their health and personal and work-related risk factors in indoor and outdoor environments. The statistical analysis was performed using statistical package of social sciences (descriptive statistics) and R (correlation and regression analysis) software.

Results

Almost half of the active service members reported HL during their service period. The most important risk factors predicting HL in the military appeared to be age, gender, and service duration. Also, working in a noisy environment with exposure to technological, vehicle, and impulse noise shows a statistically significant effect on hearing health. Moreover, we could identify the effect of stress on tinnitus and HL during the service period. Most importantly, active service members not using hearing protectors, tend to have more tinnitus than those who use it.

Conclusions

The members of the Defence Forces experience noise from various sources, most of it resulting from outdoor activities. Personal and work conditions-related risk factors as well as stress increase the risk of hearing problems.
A fully integrated machine learning scan of selection in the chimpanzee genome
Authors: Nye Jessica , Mondal Mayukh , Bertranpetit Jaume , Laayouni Hafid
Published: September 2020

After diverging, each chimpanzee subspecies has been the target of unique selective pressures. Here, we employ a machine learning approach to classify regions as under positive selection or neutrality genome-wide. The regions determined to be under selection reflect the unique demographic and adaptive history of each subspecies. The results indicate that effective population size is important for determining the proportion of the genome under positive selection. The chimpanzee subspecies share signals of selection in genes associated with immunity and gene regulation. With these results, we have created a selection map for each population that can be displayed in a genome browser (www.hsb.upf.edu/chimp_browser). This study is the first to use a detailed demographic history and machine learning to map selection genome-wide in chimpanzee. The chimpanzee selection map will improve our understanding of the impact of selection on closely related subspecies and will empower future studies of chimpanzee.