bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in prevalence and incidence of chronic respiratory diseases from 1990 to 2017
Authors: Xie Min , Liu Xiansheng , Cao Xiaopei , Guo Mingzhou , Li Xiaochen
Published: February 2020

Background

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are leading causes of morbidity worldwide. However, the spatial and temporal trends in prevalence and incidence of CRDs have not been estimated.

Methods

Based on data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017, we analyzed the prevalence and incidence trends of CRDs from 1990 to 2017 according to age, sex, region and disease pattern. Furthermore, the correlations between the incidence and the World Bank income levels, sociodemographic index (SDI), and human development index (HDI) levels were analyzed to assess the factors affecting incidence.

Result

The total number of CRD cases increased by 39.5% from 1990 to 2017, nevertheless, the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) showed decreasing trends. The ASIRs of CRD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumoconiosis, and asthma decreased, whereas the ASIR of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis increased during the past 27 years. Significant differences between males and females in the incidence rates of pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis were observed. Elderly people especially suffered from CRDs, except for asthma. For COPD, the ASIR decreased from low-SDI regions to high-SDI regions. The ASIR of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis in the high-SDI region was highest and have increased mostly. The ASIRs for pneumoconiosis and asthma were inversely related to the HDI.

Conclusions

In 2017, CRDs were still the leading causes of morbidity worldwide. A large proportion of the disease burden was attributed to asthma and COPD. The incidence rates of all four types of CRDs varied greatly across the world. Statistically significant correlation was found between the ASIR and SDI/HDI.
Degenerative findings in lumbar spine MRI: an inter-rater reliability study involving three raters
Authors: Doktor Klaus , Jensen Tue Secher , Christensen Henrik Wulff , Fredberg Ulrich , Kindt Morten , Boyle Eleanor , Hartvigsen Jan
Published: February 2020

Background

For diagnostic procedures to be clinically useful, they must be reliable. The interpretation of lumbar spine MRI scans is subject to variability and there is a lack of studies where reliability of multiple degenerative pathologies are rated simultaneously. The objective of our study was to determine the inter-rater reliability of three independent raters evaluating degenerative pathologies seen with lumbar spine MRI.

Methods

Fifty-nine people, 35 patients with low back pain (LBP) or LBP and leg pain and 24 people without LBP or leg pain, received an MRI of the lumbar spine. Three raters (one radiologist and two chiropractors) evaluated the MRIs for the presence and severity of eight degenerative spinal pathologies using a standardized format: Spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, annular fissure, disc degeneration, disc contour, nerve root compromise, spinal stenosis and facet joint degeneration. Findings were identified and classified at disc level according to type and severity. Raters were instructed to evaluate all study sample persons once to assess inter-rater reliability (fully crossed design). Reliability was calculated using Gwet’s Agreement Coefficients (AC1 and AC2) and Cohen’s Kappa (κ) and Conger’s extension of Cohen’s. Gwet’s probabilistic benchmarking method to the Landis and Koch scale was used. MRI-findings achieving substantial reliability was considered acceptable.

Results

Inter-rater reliability for all raters combined, ranged from (Gwet’s AC1 or AC2): 0.64–0.99 and according to probabilistic benchmarking to the Landis and Koch scale equivalent to moderate to almost perfect reliability. Overall reliability level for individual pathologies was almost perfect reliability for spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, scoliosis and annular fissure, substantial for nerve root compromise and disc degeneration, and moderate for facet joint degeneration and disc contour.

Conclusion

Inter-rater reliability for 3 raters, evaluating 177 disc levels, was found to be overall acceptable for 6 out of 8 degenerative MRI-findings in the lumbar spine. Ratings of facet joint degeneration and disc contour achieved moderate reliability and was considered unacceptable.
Biomechanical efficacy of four different dual screws fixations in treatment of talus neck fracture: a three-dimensional finite element analysis
Authors: Fan Zhengrui , Ma Jianxiong , Chen Jian , Yang Baocheng , Wang Ying , Bai Haohao , Sun Lei , Wang Yan , Lu Bin , Dong Ben-chao , Tian Aixian , Ma Xinlong
Published: February 2020

Background

Current there are different screws fixation methods used for fixation of the talar neck fracture. However, the best method of screws internal fixation is still controversial. Few relevant studies have focused on this issue, especially by finite element analysis. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanical stability of dual screws internal fixation methods with different approaches and the best biomechanical environment of the fracture section, so as to provide reliable mechanical evidence for the selection of clinical internal fixation.

Methods

The computed tomography (CT) image of the healthy adult male ankle joint was used for three-dimensional reconstruction of the ankle model. Talus neck fracture and screws were constructed by computer-aided design (CAD). Then, 3D model of talar neck fracture which fixed with antero-posterior (AP) parallel dual screws, antero-posterior (AP) cross dual screws, postero-anterior (PA) parallel dual screws, and postero-anterior (PA) cross dual screws were simulated. Finally, under the condition of 2400N vertical load, finite element analysis (FEA) were carried out to compare the outcome of the four different internal fixation methods. The results of Von Mises stress, displacement of four groups which contain talus fracture fragments and screws internal fixations were analyzed.

Results

Compared with the other three groups, postero-anterior (PA) parallel dual screws had better results in the stress peak, stress distribution, and displacement of talus and internal fixation.

Conclusions

To sum up, the Von Mises stress of fracture section was the smallest, the stress distribution of screws were the most scattered, and the peak value was the smallest in posterior to anterior parallel double screws fixation, which was obviously better than that in the other three groups. When using screws internal fixation, the method of posterior to anterior screws fixation is better than that of anterior to posterior screws fixation, and the peak value and stress distribution of parallel double screws fixation is better than that of cross double screws fixation. Thus, for the talar neck fracture, the use of posterior to anterior parallel double screws fixation is recommended in clinical surgery.
Mechanism of increased risk of insulin resistance in aging skeletal muscle
Authors: Shou Jian , Chen Pei-Jie , Xiao Wei-Hua
Published: February 2020

As age increases, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases, which is associated with senile skeletal muscle dysfunction. During skeletal muscle aging, mitochondrial dysfunction, intramyocellular lipid accumulation, increased inflammation, oxidative stress, modified activity of insulin sensitivity regulatory enzymes, endoplasmic reticulum stress, decreased autophagy, sarcopenia and over-activated renin-angiotensin system may occur. These changes can impair skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and increase the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes during skeletal muscle aging. This review of the mechanism of the increased risk of insulin resistance during skeletal muscle aging will provide a more comprehensive explanation for the increased incidence of type 2 diabetes in elderly individuals, and will also provide a more comprehensive perspective for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes in elderly populations.
Accumulation of DNA methylation alterations in paediatric glioma stem cells following fractionated dose irradiation
Authors: Danielsson Anna , Barreau Kristell , Kling Teresia , Tisell Magnus , Carén Helena
Published: February 2020

Background

Radiation is an important therapeutic tool. However, radiotherapy has the potential to promote co-evolution of genetic and epigenetic changes that can drive tumour heterogeneity, formation of radioresistant cells and tumour relapse. There is a clinical need for a better understanding of DNA methylation alterations that may follow radiotherapy to be able to prevent the development of radiation-resistant cells.

Methods

We examined radiation-induced changes in DNA methylation profiles of paediatric glioma stem cells (GSCs) in vitro. Five GSC cultures were irradiated in vitro with repeated doses of 2 or 4 Gy. Radiation was given in 3 or 15 fractions. DNA methylation profiling using Illumina DNA methylation arrays was performed at 14 days post-radiation. The cellular characteristics were studied in parallel.

Results

Few fractions of radiation did not result in significant accumulation of DNA methylation alterations. However, extended dose fractionations changed DNA methylation profiles and induced thousands of differentially methylated positions, specifically in enhancer regions, sites involved in alternative splicing and in repetitive regions. Radiation induced dose-dependent morphological and proliferative alterations of the cells as a consequence of the radiation exposure.

Conclusions

DNA methylation alterations of sites with regulatory functions in proliferation and differentiation were identified, which may reflect cellular response to radiation stress through epigenetic reprogramming and differentiation cues.
Methylation silencing of TGF-β receptor type II is involved in malignant transformation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ma Yarui , He Siyuan , Gao Aiai , Zhang Ying , Zhu Qing , Wang Pei , Yang Beibei , Yin Huihui , Li Yifei , Song Jinge , Yue Pinli , Li Mo , Zhang Dandan , Liu Yun , Wang Xiaobing , Guo Mingzhou , Jiao Yuchen
Published: February 2020

Background

Although massive studies have been conducted to investigate the mechanisms of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) carcinogenesis, the understanding of molecular alterations during the malignant transformation of epithelial dysplasia is still lacking, especially regarding epigenetic changes.

Results

To better characterize the methylation changes during the malignant transformation of epithelial dysplasia, a whole-genome bisulfite sequencing analysis was performed on a series of tumor, dysplastic, and non-neoplastic epithelial tissue samples from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. Promoter hypermethylation in TGF-β receptor type II (TGFBR2), an important mediator of TGF-β signaling, was identified. Further, we evaluated the methylation and expression of TGFBR2 in tumor samples through The Cancer Genome Atlas multiplatform data as well as immunohistochemistry. Moreover, treatment of ESCC cell lines with5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, reactivated the expression of TGFBR2. The lentiviral mediating the overexpression of TGFBR2 inhibited the proliferation of ESCC cell line by inducing cell cycle G2/M arrest. Furthermore, the overexpression of TGFBR2 inhibited the tumor growth obviously in vivo.

Conclusions

The characterization of methylation silencing of TGFBR2 in ESCC will enable us to further explore whether this epigenetic change could be considered as a predictor of malignant transformation in esophageal epithelial dysplasia and whether use of a TGFBR2 agonist may lead to a new therapeutic strategy in patients with ESCC.
Replication study of susceptibility variants associated with allergic rhinitis and allergy in Han Chinese
Authors: Gao Yunbo , Li Jingyun , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Luo
Published: February 2020

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is believed to be a complex genetic disease. The last decade has been marked by the publication of more than 20 genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of AR and associated allergic phenotypes and allergic diseases, which have shown allergic diseases and traits to share a large number of genetic susceptibility loci. The aim of present study was therefore to investigate the highly replicated allergy related genes and variants as candidates for AR in Han Chinese subjects.

Methods

A total of 762 AR patients and 760 control subjects were recruited, and a total of 58 susceptible variants previously reported to be associated with allergic traits were choose for replication.

Results

Logistic regression analyses revealed that in the co-dominant-effect model as assessed by the AIC, compared with wild-type carriers, significant AR risk were associated with rs9865818 in LPP (P = 0.029, OR = 1.469 for GG vs. AA); rs6554809 in DNAH5 (P = 0.000, OR = 1.597 for TC vs. CC); rs1438673 in WDR36-CAMK4 loci (P = 0.037, OR = 1.396 for CC vs.TT), rs7775228 in HLA region (P = 0.000, OR = 1.589 for TC vs.TT), rs7203459 in CLEC16A (P = 0.025, OR = 0.731 for TC vs. TT).

Conclusion

We replicated Han Chinese AR-specific susceptibility loci in LPP, DNAH5, HLA, CLEC16A and WDR36-CAMK4. Further understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations may provide new insights into the etiology of allergic disease.
Risk factors for fecal carriage of drug-resistant Escherichia coli: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Yuan , Matsui Yusuke , W. Riley Lee
Published: February 2020

Background

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious public health problem. Fecal carriage of drug-resistant bacteria has been suggested as an important source of antimicrobial resistant genes (ARGs). We aimed to identify risk factors associated with fecal carriage of drug-resistant commensal Escherichia coli among healthy adult population.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guideline. We identified observational studies published from 2014 to 2019 through PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies were eligible if they investigated and reported risk factors and accompanying measure of associations for fecal carriage of drug-resistant E. coli for healthy population aged 18-65. Data on risk factors assessed in three or more studies were extracted.

Results

Fifteen of 395 studies involving 11480 healthy individuals were included. The pooled prevalence of drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae was 14% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8-23%). Antimicrobial use within the 12 months prior to stool culture (odds ratio [OR] 1.84 [95%CI 1.35-2.51]), diarrhea symptoms (OR 1.56 [95%CI 1.09-2.25]), travel to India (OR 4.15 [95%CI 2.54-6.78]), and vegetarian diet (OR 1.60 [95%CI 1.00(1.0043)-2.56(2.5587)]) were associated with increased risk of fecal carriage of drug-resistant E. coli. Among travellers, antimicrobial use (OR 2.81 [95%CI 1.47-5.36]), diarrhea symptoms (OR 1.65 [95%CI 1.02-2.68]), travel to India (OR 3.80 [95%CI 2.23-6.47]), and vegetarian diet (OR 1.92 [95%CI 1.13-3.26]) were associated with increased risk. Among general adult population, antimicrobial use (OR 1.51 [95%CI 1.17-1.94]), diarrhea symptoms (OR 1.53 [95%CI 1.27-1.84]), and travel to Southeast Asia (OR 1.67 [95%CI 1.02-2.73]) were associated with the increased risk of drug-resistant E. coli carriage.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that dietary habit as well as past antimicrobial use and travel to high-risk country are associated with the risk of fecal carriage of drug-resistant commensal E. coli.
Economic evaluation of AbobotulinumtoxinA vs OnabotulinumtoxinA in real-life clinical management of cervical dystonia
Authors: Misra V. P. , Danchenko N. , Maisonobe P. , Lundkvist J. , Hunger M.
Published: February 2020

Background

Botulinum neurotoxins type A (BoNT-As) are commonly used treatments for cervical dystonia (CD). Clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of them in these patients, but data from real-life clinical practice as well as comparative data on the cost and outcome of different BoNT-A formulations are limited. The aim of this study was to compare abobotulinumtoxinA (aboBoNT-A) and onabotulinumtoxinA (onaBoNT-A) on their clinical outcomes and drug costs in real-life clinical practice.

Methods

This analysis included 356 adult patients with idiopathic CD treated with aboBoNT-A (n = 253) or onaBoNT-A (n = 103) from 38 centres across Europe and Australia (NCT00833196). The clinical outcome measures were treatment responses, changes in TWSTRS scores and changes in health utility scores from baseline to study visit 2 and 3. Health utility score was mapped from the TWSTRS total scale, using a previous publication. Costs included drug cost for France.

Results

The aboBoNT-A treated group had 2.06 (95% CI: 1.15 to 3.69) times higher odds of achieving treatment response than the onaBoNT-A treated group. The adjusted mean change in TWSTRS total score from baseline to visit 3 were − 6.42 (95% CI: − 7.52 to − 5.33) for aboBoNT-A and − 3.94 (95% CI: − 5.68 to − 2.2) for onaBoNT-A, with a difference of − 2.48 (95% CI: − 4.57 to − 0.39). The corresponding difference in the adjusted mean change for health utility score was 0.008 (95% CI: 0.001 to 0.014). Mean treatment costs for aboBoNT-A and onaBoNT-A were 314.1 (95% CI: 299.1 to 329.0) and 346.6 (95% CI: 322.9 to 370.4) Euros, respectively.

Conclusions

This comparative analysis indicated that treatment with aboBoNT-A may be less costly and lead to improved clinical outcomes when compared with onaBoNT-A, from a French healthcare system perspective. Additional comparative clinical data from larger patient cohorts, as well as more information about cost consequences of an improvement in clinical outcome would be of value to further confirm the findings.
Intensive support for adults with intellectual disability and behaviours that challenge: a survey of provision and service typologies in England
Authors: Hassiotis Angela , Walsh Amy , Budgett Jessica , Harrison Isobel , Jones Rebecca , Morant Nicola , Courtenay Ken , Crossey Elisabeth Victoria , Hall Ian , Romeo Renee , Taggart Laurence George , Langdon Peter E. , Ratti Victoria , Kirchner Vincent , Lloyd-Evans Brynmor
Published: February 2020

Background

Approximately 18% of adults with intellectual disabilities living in the community display behaviours that challenge. Intensive support teams (ISTs) have been recommended to provide high-quality responsive care aimed at avoiding unnecessary admissions and reducing lengthy in-patient stays.

Aims

To identify and describe the geographical distribution and characteristics of ISTs, and to develop a typology of IST service models in England.

Method

We undertook a national cross-sectional survey of 73 ISTs. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed based on six prespecified grouping factors (mode of referrals, size of case-load, use of outcome measures, staff composition, hours of operation and setting of service). A simplified form of thematic analysis was used to explore free-text responses.

Results

Cluster analysis identified two models of IST provision: (a) independent and (b) enhanced provision based around a community intellectual disability service. ISTs aspire to adopt person-centred care, mostly use the framework of positive behaviour support for behaviour that challenges, and report concerns about organisational and wider context issues.

Conclusions

This is the first study to examine the delivery of intensive support to people with intellectual disability and behaviour that challenges. A two-cluster model of ISTs was found to have statistical validity and clinical utility. The clinical heterogeneity indicates that further evaluation of these service models is needed to establish their clinical and cost-effectiveness.
Best Practices Guideline for the Pathologic Diagnosis of Breast Implant–Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Jaffe Elaine S. , Ashar Binita S. , Clemens Mark W. , Feldman Andrew L. , Gaulard Philippe , Miranda Roberto N. , Sohani Aliyah R. , Stenzel Timothy , Yoon Sung W.
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE

To provide guidelines for the accurate pathologic diagnosis of breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), the preoperative evaluation of the patient with suspected BIA-ALCL, and the pathologic evaluation of the capsulectomy specimen.

METHODS

To better inform patients and healthcare providers about BIA-ALCL, we convened to review diagnostic procedures used in the evaluation of patients with suspected BIA-ALCL. We focused on the processing of the seroma fluid/effusion surrounding the implant, the handling of capsulectomy specimens following removal of implant(s), and the preoperative evaluation of the patient with suspected BIA-ALCL. Recommendations were based on the published literature and our experience to optimize procedures to obtain an accurate diagnosis and assess for tumor invasion and the extent of the disease.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Early diagnosis of BIA-ALCL is important as the disease can progress and deaths have been reported. Because the most common presentation of BIA-ALCL is swelling of the breast with fluid collection, an accurate diagnosis requires cytologic evaluation of the effusion fluid surrounding the affected implant. The first priority is cytocentrifugation and filtration of fresh, unfixed effusion fluid to produce air-dried smears that are stained with Wright-Giemsa or other Romanowsky-type stains. Preparation of a cell block is desirable to allow for hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded histologic sections. Cell block sections can be used for polymerase chain reaction–based investigation of T-cell receptor gene rearrangement to detect clonality. Fixation and mapping of the capsulectomy specimen to select multiple representative sections are advised to assess for microscopic tumor involvement and capsular invasion. It is appropriate to assess lymph node involvement by excisional biopsy material rather than fine needle aspiration, due to propensity for focal involvement.
Cost Effectiveness of Trastuzumab for Management of Breast Cancer in India
Authors: Gupta Nidhi , Verma Rohan Kumar , Gupta Sudeep , Prinja Shankar
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE

We undertook this study to evaluate the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained with use of adjuvant trastuzumab as compared with chemotherapy alone among patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer in India.

METHODS

We used a Markov model to estimate the incremental cost of using trastuzumab (for 1 year, 6 months, or 9 weeks) as compared with chemotherapy alone using a societal perspective, excluding indirect productivity losses. Although the outcomes (QALYs) in the standard chemotherapy arm were estimated after calibrating the model as per survival data from 2 Indian cancer registries, effectiveness estimates from the HERA trial and a joint analysis of the NSABP B-31 and NCCTG N9831 trials were used to estimate the consequences of 1-year trastuzumab use. The cost of treatment was estimated using national standard treatment guidelines and real-world use estimates for different treatment modalities as per data from Indian cancer registries. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was undertaken to evaluate parameter uncertainty.

RESULTS

For 1 year of trastuzumab use, the incremental benefit per patient, incremental cost per QALY gained, and probability of being cost effective using HERA trial estimates were 1.29 QALYs, 178,877 Indian national rupees (INRs; US$2,558), and 4%, respectively, whereas the corresponding figures using joint analysis estimates were 1.69 QALYs, INR 134,413 (US$1,922), and 57.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Use of trastuzumab for 1 year is not cost effective in India at the current price. However, trastuzumab use for 9 weeks is cost effective and should be included in clinical guidelines and reimbursement policies. A price reduction of 15% to 35% increases the probability of 1-year trastuzumab use being cost effective, to 90%.
Image Reconstruction in the Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Zioga M. , Nikopoulou A. , Alexandridi M. , Maintas D. , Mikeli M. , Rapsomanikis A.-N. , Stiliaris E.
Published: February 2020

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has become a valuable tool with a broad spectrum of clinical applications in nuclear imaging. PET scanners can collect in vivo information from positron radiotracer distributions, which is further recon- structed to a tomographic image with the help of well established analytical or iterative algorithms. In this current work, an innovative PET image reconstruction method from raw data based on a simple mathematical model is presented. The developed technique utilizes the accumulated density distribution in a predefined voxelized volume of interest. This distribution is calculated by intersecting and weighting the two-gamma annihilation line with the specified voxels. In order to test the efficiency of the new algorithm, GEANT4/GATE simulation studies were performed. In these studies, a cylindrical PET scanner was modeled and the photon interaction points are validated on an accurate physical basis. An appropriate cylin- drical phantom with different positron radiotracers was used and the reconstructed results were compared to the original phantom.
Electron-capture and beta-decay modes with realistic nuclear structure calculations
Authors: Giannaka P. G. , Kosmas T. S.
Published: February 2020

In this work, we concentrate on the e-capture and β-decay processes in isotopes that are important for searching the explosive nucleosynthesis in massive stars. To this aim, we improved our codes which use compact analytical expressions for the required reduced matrix elements of all basic multipole operators (isospin repre- sentation). The ground state of the nuclear isotopes chosen, is constructed in the context of the BCS method while their excited states are calculated by solving the QRPA equations, using as residual two-body interactions that of the Bonn C-D one-meson exchange potential. We focus on the role of the charged Gamow-Teller and Fermi transitions in Fe group nuclei that are the main constituents of the core in presupernovae formation.
128Xe: Test for E(5) Symmetry through DDCM and GOSIA Analysis
Authors: Konstantinopoulos T. , Et al. ...
Published: February 2020

Lifetime measurements in 128Xe have been undertaken at the JYFL accelerator facility using the novel Coulex-plunger in inverse kinematics technique [1], [2]. Excited states in 128Xe were populated by the natFe(128Xe, 128Xe*) reaction at E(128Xe)=525 MeV and the subsequent de-excitations were detected in the JUROGAM γ-ray array. Two independent analyses of the data were performed. Firstly the Differential Decay Curve Method (DDCM) [3] was applied to determine lifetimes of the excited states. Secondly, matrix elements and their corresponding B(E2) values, were extracted using the computer code GOSIA [4]. The results are presented and compared with the adopted values. Also, B(E2) values obtained from this work are compared to the values predicted by the E(5) critical-point symmetry, since 128Xe has been proposed as a candidate for E(5) symmetry [5].
Inelastic cross sections of relativistic protons on Lead
Authors: Zamani M. , Stoulos S. , Fragopoulou M. , Manolopoulou M. , Sosnin N. A. , Krivopustov M.
Published: February 2020

The inelastic cross section of relativistic protons in Lead was determined indirectly by measuring the neutron distribution along a Lead spallation neutron source. The spallation neutron source was irradiated by 1, 1.5 and 2 GeV protons. The experimental results were taken using passive methods. A fitting procedure has been applied to the experimental data and the results have been compared with analytical calculation of the produced hadrons’ spatial distribution based on High Energy Physics concepts. Using the beam attenuation coefficient the inelastic cross section of protons in Pb was estimated.
Equation of state for β-stable hot nuclear matter
Authors: Moustakidis Ch. C.
Published: February 2020

We provide an equation of state for hot nuclear matter in β-equilibrium by applying a momentum-dependent effective interaction. We focus on the study of the equation of state of high-density and high-temperature nuclear matter, containing leptons (electrons and muons) under the chemical equilibrium condition in which neutrinos have left the system. Special attention is dedicated to the study of the contribution of the components of β-stable nuclear matter to the entropy per particle, a quantity of great interest for the study of structure and collapse of supernova.
Strong transfer channels for reactions with weakly bound projectiles at near and sub-barrier energies and implications to fusion
Authors: Pakou A. , Et al. ...
Published: February 2020

N/A
Barrier curvatures and positions for weakly and strongly bound nuclei
Authors: Zerva K. , Pakou A.
Published: February 2020

N/A
Feasibility study of the use of antiprotons and other heavy particles in therapeutic and diagnostic applications
Authors: Kantemiris I. , Angelopoulos A. , Giokaris N. , Kalogeropoulos T. , Sakelliou L. , Dubnicka S. , Dubnickova A. Z. , Fulop M. , Ruzicka J.
Published: February 2020

N/A
Identification of unknown nuclear material
Authors: Fantidis J. G. , Nikolaou G. E. , Tsagas F. N.
Published: February 2020

The identification of spent PWR nuclear fuel in terms of its initial enrichment and final burnup is demonstrated. Spent UO2 fuel from a PWR power station was used as the nuclear material of supposed unknown irradiation history. The identification procedure was based on determining the U and Pu isotopic composition of the fuel by chemical analyses, simulation calculations of fuel evolution and statistical analysis. The procedures followed and associated limitations are discussed.
Differential Cross Section Measurements of the $^{12}C(d,p_{1,2,3})^{13}C$ Reaction, in the Energy Range E$_{d,lab}$= 900-2000 keV, Suitable for NRA
Authors: Kokkoris M. , Vlastou R. , Papadopoulos C. T. , Kontos A. , Misaelides P. , Lagoyannis A. , Harrisopulos S.
Published: February 2020

Absolute differential cross section measurements of the $^{12}C(d,p_{1,2,3})^{13}C$ reaction were performed in the projectile energy region Ed,lab = 900-2000 keV (in steps of 25 keV) and for detector angles between 145° and 170° (in steps of 5°) using as targets 99.9% purity self-supported natural carbon (98.9% 12C – 1.1% 13C) foils of nominal thickness ca. 1×10$^{18}$ at/cm2. The overall error in the absolute differential cross section measurements varied between ~8-30%. The results, presented in both graphical and tabular form, are compared with already published data and an attempt is made to explain the occurring differences. The strong influence of the resonance mechanism is presented and discussed.
Connecting the X(5)-β2, X(5)-β4, and X(3) models to the shape/phase transition region of the Interacting Boson Model
Authors: McCutchan E. A. , Bonatsos D. , Casten R. F.
Published: February 2020

The parameter independent (up to overall scale factors) predictions of the X(5)-β2, X(5)-β4, and X(3) models, which are variants of the X(5) critical point symmetry developed within the framework of the geometric collective model, are compared to two- parameter calculations in the framework of the interacting boson approximation (IBA) model. The results show that these geometric models coincide with IBA parameters consistent with the phase/shape transition region of the IBA for boson numbers of physical interest (close to 10). 186Pt and 172Os are identified as good examples of X(3), while 146Ce, 174Os and 158Er, 176Os are identified as good examples of X(5)-β2 and X(5)-β4 behavior respectively.
Parameter-free solution of the Bohr Hamiltonian for actinides in the octupole mode
Authors: Lenis D. , Bonatsos D.
Published: February 2020

An analytic, parameter-free (up to overall scale factors) solution of the Bohr Hamil- tonian involving axially symmetric quadrupole and octupole deformations, as well as an infinite well potential, is obtained, after separating variables in a way reminiscent of the Variable Moment of Inertia (VMI) concept. Normalized spectra and B(EL) ratios are found to agree with experimental data for 226Ra and 226Th, the nuclei known to lie closest to the border between octupole deformation and octupole vibrations in the light actinide region
Cross section calculations for neutrino-nucleus reactions at low and intermediate energies.
Authors: Chasioti V. Ch. , Kosmas T. S. , Divari P.
Published: February 2020

Inelastic neutrino-nucleus reaction cross sections are studied focusing on the neutral current processes. Particularly, we investigate the angular and initial neutrino-energy dependence of the differential and integrated cross sections for low and intermediate energies of the incoming neutrino (or antineutrino). Contributions coming from both, the vector and axial-vector components of the corresponding hadronic currents have been included. The initial and final state nuclear wave-functions have been calculated in the context of the Quasi-particle Random Phase Approximation (QRPA) tested on the reproducibility of the low-lying energy spectrum (up to about 5 MeV) of the studied nuclei. The results presented here refer to the nuclear isotopes 16O and 98Mo. As it is well known, O plays a significant role in supernova evolution phenomena and Mo is used as a target in the MOON neutrino experiment at Japan.
Πόλεμος και ειρήνη στον Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Authors: Κουκουζέλης Κώστας Ν.
Published: February 2020

Η σχέση του Ρουσσώ με τις διεθνείς σχέσεις, αν και γνωστή σε αυτούς που ασχολούνται με την πολιτική του σκέψη, σπάνια αποτέλεσε αντικείμενο πραγμάτευσης στην ελληνική βιβλιογραφία. Αποτελεί πεποίθηση του Rousseau ότι η οργάνωση της πολιτείας σε τοπικό επίπεδο δεν μπορεί να ολοκληρωθεί δίχως την ταυτόχρονη ενασχόληση με την οργάνωση της διεθνούς κοινωνίας κρατών, η οποία, αν παραμείνει αρρύθμιστη οδηγεί μάλιστα στην χειρότερη κατάσταση από όλες. Αν η ηθική ολοκλήρωση του ατόμου είναι το πρώτιστο καθήκον εντός μιας συγκεκριμένης πολιτείας, η επίτευξη της ειρήνης σε διεθνές επίπεδο αποτελεί άρρηκτα συνδεδεμένο στόχο με αυτή, καθώς η πρώτη δεν μπορεί να επιτευχθεί δίχως τη δεύτερη. Μέσα από μια ανασυγκρότηση των επιχειρημάτων του για τον πόλεμο, την ειρήνη και την φύση των κρατών η παρούσα μελέτη θα υποστηρίξει ότι ο Rousseau δεν είναι ούτε πολιτικός ρεαλιστής, ούτε όμως και ουτοπικός πασιφιστής.
Κοινωνικές διαστάσεις της πολιτικής για την κλιματική αλλαγή στην Ελλάδα της κρίσης: Περιβαλλοντική Φορολογία και Ενεργειακή Φτώχεια
Authors: Αβράμη Λυδία
Published: February 2020

Η μελέτη αυτή αποσκοπεί στη διερεύνηση των κοινωνικών διαστάσεων και επιπτώσεων της πολιτικής για την κλιματική αλλαγή στην Ελλάδα την περίοδο της οικονομικής κρίσης. Προς το σκοπό αυτό, διεξάγεται η συγκριτική αποτύπωση της συμβολής των ελληνικών περιφερειών στην κλιματική αλλαγή και επιχειρείται η χαρτογράφηση της τρωτότητάς τους στους περιβαλλοντικούς κινδύνους, αλλά και στις επιπτώσεις των περιβαλλοντικών πολιτικών. Από την παρουσίαση και συζήτηση όσον αφορά την εξέλιξη της ελληνικής περιβαλλοντικής φορολογίας αναδεικνύεται το κοινωνικό και περιβαλλοντικό αντίκτυπο της στρεβλής εφαρμογής αυτών των οικονομικών εργαλείων πολιτικής, με χαρακτηριστικό παράδειγμα το φαινόμενο της ενεργειακής φτώχειας.
Neuronal subset-specific Pten-deficient mice do not exhibit deficits in sensorimotor gating processes
Authors: Binder Matthew S. , Nolan Suzanne O. , Lugo Joaquin N.
Published: February 2020

Background: Deficits in sensorimotor gating have been reported in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as in ASD murine models. However, this behavior has not been examined in the neuronal subset-specific (NS)-Pten knockout (KO) model of ASD. NS-Pten KO mice exhibit hyperactivity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway which is implicated in the onset of autistic deficits. This study investigates the potential relationship between PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and deficits in sensorimotor gating.   

Methods: To assess sensorimotor gating in NS-Pten KO mice we utilized a three-day paradigm. On day 1 (habituation) the mice were administered 80 repetitions of a 120-dB startle stimulus. On day 2, prepulse inhibition was measured with 90 trials of the startle stimulus that was paired with a smaller (2, 7, or 12 dB) prepulse stimulus. Day 3 was assessed one week later, consisting of randomized startle trials and trials with no stimulus and was used to determine the startle threshold.

Results: No significant difference between NS-Pten KO or wildtype (WT) mice was found for habituation (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups when assessing the percentage of prepulse inhibition at 2, 7, and 12 dB (p > 0.05). There was also no difference in startle threshold between groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Our study found that the NS-Pten KO model does not display significant deficits in sensorimotor gating processes. The present findings help to elucidate the relationship between PI3K/AKT/mTOR hyperactivation and sensory reactivity.
4K ultra HD technology reduces operative time and intraoperative blood loss in colorectal laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Mari Giulio M. , Crippa Jacopo , Achilli Pietro , Miranda Angelo , Santurro Letizia , Riggio Valentina , Gerosa Martino , Ascheri Pietro , Cordaro Giuseppe , Costanzi Andrea T.M. , Maggioni Dario
Published: February 2020

Background: HD systems are routinely used in laparoscopic surgery, 4K ultra HD monitors are mainly available within specialized, high-volume laparoscopic centers. The higher resolution of 4K ultra HD video could upgrade the surgical performance improving intraoperative and post-operative outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective comparative analysis of intraoperative parameters and post-operative outcomes in a cohort of patients operated on for elective laparoscopic procedures for colo-rectal cancer during two different time frames: 2017 procedures performed using the Visera Elite full HD technology (® Olympus America, Medical) and the 2018 procedures performed the Visera 4K Ultra HD System (® Olympus America, Medical).

Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in operative time in patients operated on with the 4K ultra HD technology compared to HD technology (p < 0.05). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly reduced in patients operated in 2018 (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in complication rate and postoperative outcomes between the two groups.
Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) infesting neem trees (Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Meliaceae) in Bahia, Brazil
Authors: De Castro Marcelo Tavares , Montalvão Sandro Coelho Linhares , Wolff Vera Regina dos Santos
Published: February 2020

Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), a highly polyphagous scale insect and a known pest of various crops, is reported for the first time infesting neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Meliaceae) in Brazil. Infestations of this diaspidid were observed on the trunks, branches, and leaves of neem trees in Barreiras, Bahia, Brazil.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Consumer Protection
Authors: Goldfarb Avi , Jin Ginger , Sudhir K.
Published: February 2020

This article introduces the Marketing Science Special Issue on Consumer Protection. This special issue and an accompanying conference were conceived as a partnership with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. We outline the potential areas and opportunities for academic scholarship in marketing to inform regulation on consumer protection. We group the areas of potential research and the papers in the special issue into three broad buckets: (1) what consumers need protection from, especially the need for regulations in new industries; (2) the impact of existing regulations; and (3) the distributional impact of regulations. The article concludes with a call for ongoing policy-relevant research on consumer protection.
Cascading Losses in Reinsurance Networks
Authors: Klages-Mundt Ariah , Minca Andreea
Published: February 2020

We develop a model for contagion in reinsurance networks by which primary insurers’ losses are spread through the network. Our model handles general reinsurance contracts, such as typical excess of loss contracts. We show that simpler models existing in the literature—namely proportional reinsurance—greatly underestimate contagion risk. We characterize the fixed points of our model and develop efficient algorithms to compute contagion with guarantees on convergence and speed under conditions on network structure. We characterize exotic cases of problematic graph structure and nonlinearities, which cause network effects to dominate the overall payments in the system. Last, we apply our model to data on real-world reinsurance networks. Our simulations demonstrate the following. (1) Reinsurance networks face extreme sensitivity to parameters. A firm can be wildly uncertain about its losses even under small network uncertainty. (2) Our sensitivity results reveal a new incentive for firms to cooperate to prevent fraud, because even small cases of fraud can have outsized effect on the losses across the network. (3) Nonlinearities from excess of loss contracts obfuscate risks and can cause excess costs in a real-world system.

This paper was accepted by Baris Ata, stochastic models and simulation.
Adaptation of New Organizations to Legitimacy Shocks: Postbellum Firearms Firms in the U.S. South, 1866–1914
Authors: Kasbekar Chirag
Published: February 2020

In the wake of exogenous institutional change, organizational populations often experience a legitimacy shock. As a new institutional logic becomes dominant, old symbols and practices are delegitimated and new ones legitimated. Old symbols and practices persist into the postshock period, however, forming an ecology of diverse cohorts and audience schemas, some divergent and others convergent with the new institutional logic. Because new organizations look to their rivals for knowledge of how to cope, I examine how the shifting alignment of a rival cohort to changing audience schemas influences a new organization’s own alignment and, thus, mortality. I propose that density at founding of divergent preshock organizational cohorts early in the postshock period reduces a new organization’s mortality due to an initial endowment effect and then becomes more mortality-increasing over time as maladaptive imprints take over. Density at founding of convergent postshock organizational cohorts has a U-shaped effect on mortality—similar to that caused by a legitimacy vacuum—but this effect emerges after a delay as legitimation processes begin to dominate delegitimation processes. Also, following Red Queen theory, I argue that competitive experience with divergent organizational cohorts increases mortality, but competitive experience with convergent organizational cohorts decreases mortality. To test these arguments, I use the institutional shock of the American Civil War—during which the firearms industry of the U.S. South underwent a period of government-led command-and-control centralization—as a natural experiment. The findings are consistent with the main arguments, though the overall postshock effect of density at founding appears to be dominated by early stage endowment effects, contrary to assumptions.
Green shame: the next moral revolution?
Authors: Claeys Martha
Published: February 2020

In this paper, I examine the phenomenon of what I call ‘green shame’, the shame one feels when knowingly behaving in ways that have a severe negative impact on the environment, like flying or eating meat, while other options are available at a financially and socially non-debilitating cost. I argue that individual green shame can contribute to the greening of society. I do so by first setting out my understanding of shame and distinguishing it from other significant feelings like guilt or embarrassment. I understand shame as the emotion one feels when one believes to have sunk below the standards of what dignity requires. I then draw out my account of green shame and distinguish it from green guilt. I raise three possible objections: the objection that green shame does not change behaviour, the objection that green shame does change behaviour but does not change it for the better, and the objection that (individual) shame is not the most efficient strategy in pursuing the greening of society. I argue that these objections can be met and show how that can be done. I conclude that green shame can contribute to the greening of society because, apart from its effect on individual choice, the sting of green shame urges people to demand action at an institutional level and creates a support base for much-needed institutional change.
Relationship of F-Be mineralization to granites and syenites at the Ermakovka deposit (Western Transbaikalia)
Authors: Ripp G.S. , Izbrodin I.A. , Rampilov M.O. , Tomilenko A.A. , Lastochkin E.A. , Posokhov V.F.
Published: February 2020

The paper presents the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of two groups of hydrothermal rocks and their relation with subalkaline granites of the Ermakovskoe deposit. The first group includes fluorite-phenakite-bertrandite ore bodies, occurring outside the granite massif. The second group is presented by silicification bodies with sulfates, phosphates, kaolinite, muscovite and hematite. It bears REE (rare earth elements) mineralization (monazite, florencite, xenotime) and occurs within the massif. Our research included isotopic analyses of Sr, Nd and O, studies of trace, including rare-earth element compositions and age determination (U-Pb) of apatite from F-Be ores. Geochemical and isotopic studies are not according with relation between F-Be ores and granites. This is proven by the absence of Be-mineralization in granites and schlieren pegmatites, and a sharp difference in composition of their fluid phases. A reductive fluid specification forming F-Be ores (containing CH4, H2, N2, CO2 and H2S), contrasts sharply with fluid specification of granites. The granites are characterized by high oxygen fugacity, due to ferrous iron, sulfates and phosphates. Besides isotopic composition of oxygen in quartz (7.4 and 5.1‰ δ18О V-SMOW respectively), initial Sr ratios (0.7056-0.7065 and 0.707-0.709 respectively) and REE compositions are different.
Polarization-independent guided-mode resonance filtering by all-dielectric gratings in the terahertz region
Authors: Zhan Zhongqiu , Wang Danyan , Sun Guotao , Wang Qinkang
Published: February 2020

We propose an angular-dependent polarization-insensitive filter in the
terahertz (THz) region, based on the guided-mode resonance of
one-dimensional zero-contrast grating architectural design. Particle
swarm optimization combined with the rigorous coupled-wave analysis
method is used to design the filter and investigate the influences of
the planes of incidence on the characteristics of the proposed
all-dielectric THz filter. With the planes of incidence set at 0°,
30°, 45°, and 60°, the polarization-independent resonances occur at
0.458 THz, 0.459 THz, 0.461 THz, and 0.465 THz under oblique
incidences of 9.3°, 10.8°, 13.3°, and 19.2°, respectively, which means
the oblique incident angle of the polarization-independent THz filter
increases with the rotation of the planes of incidence from classic
mounting to fully conical mounting. In addition, for the fully conical
mounting case, the resonance has high angular stability and is no
longer split, compared with classic incidence; meanwhile, there is
only a tiny blue shift in resonance of less than 3 GHz when changing
the incident angle from 0° to 10°. The physical mechanism of the
spectral characteristics is also analyzed in detail. The spectral
properties proposed herein enable significant potential application in
the fields of spectroscopy, image sensors, communication, etc., in
the THz region.