bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heat Transfer Efficiency Enhancement of Lithium-Ion Battery Packs by Using Novel Design of Herringbone Fins
Authors: Li Wei , Jishnu A.K. , Garg Akhil , Xiao Mi , Peng Xiongbin , Gao Liang 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Battery thermal management system (BTMS) is a hot research area for electric vehicles (EVs). Common BTMS schemes include air cooling, liquid cooling, and phase-change materials (PCMs). Air cooling BTMS is widely used in EVs because of its simplicity, high efficiency, and low cost. However, past air cooling BTMS research focused on inlet flow, air channel design, and battery layout. Few studies have focused on improving the heat transfer efficiency of battery packs. This paper aimed to improve the heat transfer efficiency of air cooling BTMS by using herringbone fins. Both inline and staggered arrangements of lithium-ion cells were considered. Moreover, the effects of transverse pitch, longitudinal pitch, fin height, fin number, and inlet velocity were examined. Installation of herringbone fins with optimal values of parameters caused a decrease in average temperature of cells by 3.687 K in the inline arrangement and 4.15 K in the staggered arrangement. Furthermore, a significant improvement in temperature uniformity was also observed. The simulation results will be helpful for the design of air cooling BTMS.
Rapidly progressing HELLP syndrome and massive liver destruction in a 22-year-old female pregnant with monochorionic diamniotic gemelli
Authors: Brøsen Julie , Stærk Dorte , Feldthusen Anne-Dorthe , Rasmussen Allan , Damholt Mette Brimnes 
Published: January 2020

Haemolysis Elevated Liver parameters and Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome can present with abdominal pain as the only symptom. It can be rapid with failure of multiple organs and is a cause of maternal death. A 22-year-old female pregnant with twins contacted her local hospital due to abdominal pain. Within 20 hours of the debut of the abdominal pain, a caesarean section was performed, the patient was re-operated due to the suspicion of abdominal bleeding. Bescause she was hypotensive and blood tests showed signs of liver destruction and acidosis, she was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). During an admission of 40 days, the patient received 5 plasmapheresis treatments and 10 courses of haemodialysis. CT scans showed massive liver haematomas intraparenchymal and subcapsular. The CT scan images are very interesting and included in the case report.This case presents a good prognosis after a rapid progression of HELLP in spite of a dramatic clinical presentation. This topic is of great interest to a wide spectre of clinicians, as an early multidisciplinary approach is necessary.
The multi-sectorial emergency response to a cholera outbreak in Internally Displaced Persons camps in Borno State, Nigeria, 2017
Authors: Ngwa Moise Chi , Wondimagegnehu Alemu , Okudo Ifeanyi , Owili Collins , Ugochukwu Uzoma , Clement Peter , Devaux Isabelle , Pezzoli Lorenzo , Ihekweazu Chikwe , Jimme Mohammed Abba , Winch Peter , Sack David A 
Published: January 2020

IntroductionIn August 2017, a cholera outbreak started in Muna Garage Internally Displaced Persons camp, Borno state, Nigeria and >5000 cases occurred in six local government areas. This qualitative study evaluated perspectives about the emergency response to this outbreak.MethodsWe conducted 39 key informant interviews and focus group discussions, and reviewed 21 documents with participants involved with surveillance, water, sanitation, hygiene, case management, oral cholera vaccine (OCV), communications, logistics and coordination. Qualitative data analysis used thematic techniques comprising key words in context, word repetition and key sector terms.ResultsAuthorities were alerted quickly, but outbreak declaration took 12 days due to a 10-day delay waiting for culture confirmation. Outbreak investigation revealed several potential transmission channels, but a leaking latrine around the index cases’ house was not repaired for more than 7 days. Chlorine was initially not accepted by the community due to rumours that it would sterilise women. Key messages were in Hausa, although Kanuri was the primary local language; later this was corrected. Planning would have benefited using exercise drills to identify weaknesses, and inventory sharing to avoid stock outs. The response by the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency was perceived to be slow and an increased risk from a religious festival was not recognised. Case management was provided at treatment centres, but some partners were concerned that their work was not recognised asking, ‘Who gets the glory and the data?’ Nearly one million people received OCV and its distribution benefited from a robust infrastructure for polio vaccination. There was initial anxiety, rumour and reluctance about OCV, attributed by many to lack of formative research prior to vaccine implementation. Coordination was slow initially, but improved with activation of an emergency operations centre (EOC) that enabled implementation of incident management system to coordinate multisectoral activities and meetings held at 16:00 hours daily. The synergy between partners and government improved when each recognised the government’s leadership role.ConclusionDespite a timely alert of the outbreak, delayed laboratory confirmation slowed initial response. Initial responses to the outbreak were not well coordinated but improved with the EOC. Understanding behaviours and community norms through rapid formative research should improve the effectiveness of the emergency response to a cholera outbreak. OCV distribution was efficient and benefited from the polio vaccine infrastructure.
Alcohol and drug use disorders in patients with cancer and caregivers: effects on caregiver burden
Authors: Webber Kath , Davies Andrew Neil , Leach Charlotte , Bradley Anna 
Published: January 2020

BackgroundThe estimated prevalence of alcohol use disorders in patients with advanced cancer is reported as 4%–38%. There are limited data regarding alcohol and drug use disorders in caregivers of patients with cancer and the effects on other issues.AimTo establish the prevalence of alcohol and drug use disorders in a large cohort of patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.To evaluate the relationship between alcohol and drug use disorders and patient symptoms and caregiver burden.DesignThe patient with cancer and caregiver completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tool, CAGE questionnaire and Drug Abuse Screening Test. The patient completed the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale–Short Form, and the caregiver completed the Zarit Burden Questionnaire.Statistical analysis compared cases and non-cases of alcohol and drug use disorders with symptom and burden score.Setting/participantsPatients with cancer, and their caregivers, were recruited from 11 UK sites, 6 hospices and 5 hospitals.ResultsFive hundred and seven patients and their caregivers were recruited. Twenty-seven patients (5%) and 44 caregivers (9%) screened positively for alcohol use disorders on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tool. Thirty patients (6%), and 16 caregivers (3%), screened positively for drug abuse problems on the Drug Abuse Screening Test.There was a significantly higher carer burden score in caregivers screening positively for alcohol and drug abuse problems.ConclusionsThe prevalence of alcohol use disorders in patients with cancer and caregivers was lower than reported in previous studies. Caregiver burden scores were significantly higher in carers screening positively for alcohol and drug use disorders.Trial registration numberTrial registered National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network Portfolio (CPMS ID 30723) IRAS ID 198753.
Growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Mongolian lambs fed native grass or hay with or without concentrate on the Inner Mongolian Plateau
Authors: Du Shuai , You Sihan , Bao Jian , Ge Gentu , Jia Yushan , Cai Yimin 
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of native grass on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Mongolian lambs fed Inner Mongolia native grass in three forms: grass, hay, and hay with concentrate (HC). Sixty Mongolian noncastrated male lambs, in good health and with the same age (6 mo) and similar body weights (mean, 28.63 ± 0.19 kg), were randomly divided into three treatments. There were four replicates in each treatment, with five lambs in one pen as a replicate. Compared with the HC group, the intake of the grass group was higher (P < 0.05) and that of the hay group was lower (P < 0.05). The hay group had a gain of −58.67 g d−1, compared with 42.33 g d−1 for the HC group and 80.00 g d−1 for the grass group. The carcass weight, net meat mass, loin muscle area, and fat thickness (a measure of fat tissue thickness) were greater in the grass and HC groups than in the hay group (P < 0.05). Compared with the hay group, the protein and calcium contents, marbling score, and water loss rate were greater in the grass and HC groups (P < 0.05), whereas the fat, phosphorus, cholesterol contents, and b* score were lower for the latter groups (P < 0.05). These results suggest that feeding of native grass hay with concentrate could improve the growth performance and meat quality of Mongolian lambs and achieve results similar to those observed in grass-fed lambs.
Age-related changes in sound onset and offset intensity coding in auditory cortical fields A1 and CL of rhesus macaques
Authors: Ramamurthy Deepa L. , Recanzone Gregg H. 
Published: January 2020

Inhibition plays a key role in shaping sensory processing in the central auditory system and has been implicated in sculpting receptive field properties such as sound intensity coding and also in shaping temporal patterns of neuronal firing such as onset- or offset-evoked responses. There is substantial evidence supporting a decrease in inhibition throughout the ascending auditory pathway in geriatric animals. We therefore examined intensity coding of onset (ON) and offset (OFF) responses in auditory cortex of aged and young monkeys. A large proportion of cells in the primary auditory cortex (A1) and the caudolateral field (CL) displayed nonmonotonic rate-level functions for OFF responses in addition to nonmonotonic coding of ON responses. Aging differentially affected ON and OFF responses; the magnitude of effects was generally greater for ON responses. In addition to higher firing rates, neurons in old monkeys exhibited a significant increase in the proportion of monotonic rate-level functions and had higher best intensities than those in young monkeys. OFF responses in young monkeys displayed a range of intensity coding relationships with ON responses of the same cells, ranging from highly similar to highly dissimilar. Dissimilarity in ON/OFF coding was greater in CL and was reduced with aging, which was largely explained by a preferential decrease in the percentage of cells with nonmonotonic coding of ON and OFF responses. The changes we observed are consistent with previously demonstrated alterations in inhibition in the ascending auditory pathway of primates and could be involved in age-related deficits in the temporal processing of sounds. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Aging has a major impact on intensity coding of neurons in auditory cortex of rhesus macaques. Neural responses to sound onset and offset were affected to different extents, and their rate-level functions became more mutually similar, which could be accounted for by the loss of nonmonotonic intensity coding in geriatric monkeys. These findings were consistent with weakened inhibition in the central auditory system and could contribute to auditory processing deficits in elderly subjects.
Microstimulation of dorsal premotor and primary motor cortex delays the volitional commitment to an action choice
Authors: Thura David , Cisek Paul 
Published: January 2020

Humans and other animals are faced with decisions about actions on a daily basis. These typically include a period of deliberation that ends with the commitment to a choice, which then leads to the overt expression of that choice through action. Previous studies with monkeys have demonstrated that neural activity in sensorimotor areas correlates with the deliberation process and reflects the moment of commitment before movement initiation, but the causal roles of these regions are challenging to establish. Here, we tested whether dorsal premotor (PMd) and primary motor cortex (M1) are causally involved in the volitional commitment to a reaching choice. We found that brief subthreshold microstimulation in PMd or M1 delayed commitment to an action but not the initiation of the action itself. Importantly, microstimulation only had a significant effect when it was delivered close to and before commitment time. These results are consistent with the proposal that PMd and M1 participate in the commitment process, which occurs when a critical firing rate difference is reached between cells voting for the selected option and those voting for the competing one. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The neural substrates of decisions between actions are typically investigated by correlating neural activity and subjects’ decision behavior, but this does not establish causality. In a reaching decision task, we demonstrate that subthreshold microstimulation of the monkey dorsal premotor cortex or primary motor cortex delays the deliberation duration if applied shortly before choice commitment. This result suggests a causal role of the sensorimotor cortex in the determination of decisions between actions.
Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Combination with Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xie Changqing , Duffy Austin G. , Brar Gagandeep , Fioravanti Suzanne , Mabry-Hrones Donna , Walker Melissa , Bonilla Cecilia Monge , Wood Bradford J. , Citrin Deborah E. , Gil Ramirez Elizabeth M. , Escorcia Freddy E. , Redd Bernadette , Hernandez Jonathan M. , Davis Jeremy L. , Gasmi Billel , Kleiner David , Steinberg Seth M. , Jones Jennifer C. , Greten Tim F. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPurpose:The effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is limited in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We conducted a phase I study to evaluate the safety of ICI with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with metastatic PDAC.Patients and Methods:Patients enrolled must have received at least one line of prior systemic chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Cohorts A1 and A2 received durvalumab every 2 weeks plus either 8 Gy in one fraction of SBRT on day 1 or 25 Gy in five fractions on day −3 to +1. Cohorts B1 and B2 received durvalumab plus tremelimumab every 4 weeks and either 8 Gy in one fraction of SBRT on day 1 or 25 Gy in five fractions on day −3 to +1. ICIs were continued until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. The primary objective was the safety and feasibility of treatment. Objective response was assessed in lesions not subjected to SBRT.Results:Fifty-nine patients were enrolled and 39 were evaluable for efficacy. No dose-limiting toxicities were seen. The most common adverse event was lymphopenia. Two patients achieved a partial response (one confirmed and the other unconfirmed). The overall response rate was 5.1%. Median PFS and OS was 1.7 months [95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.8–2.0 months] and 3.3 months (95% CI, 1.2–6.6 months) in cohort A1; 2.5 months (95% CI, 0.1–3.7 months) and 9.0 months (95% CI, 0.5–18.4 months) in A2; 0.9 months (95% CI, 0.7–2.1 months) and 2.1 months (95% CI, 1.1–4.3 months) in B1; and 2.3 months (95% CI, 1.9–3.4 months) and 4.2 months (95% CI, 2.9–9.3 months) in B2.Conclusions:The combination of ICI and SBRT has an acceptable safety profile and demonstrates a modest treatment benefit in patients with metastatic PDAC.
Insulin-like Growth Factor-1, Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 and the Incidence of Malignant Neoplasms in a Nested Case–Control Study
Authors: Adachi Yasushi , Nojima Masanori , Mori Mitsuru , Himori Ryogo , Kubo Toshiyuki , Yamano Hiro-o. , Lin Yingsong , Wakai Kenji , Tamakoshi Akiko 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 is a potent mitogen, but IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 inhibits IGF1. To elucidate the relationship between both IGF1 and IGFBP and the risk of tumorigenesis, the association between IGF1 and IGFBP3 serum levels and of malignant tumor incidence was investigated in a prospective case–control study nested in the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study. A baseline survey was started in 1988–1990, 110,585 subjects were enrolled, and 35% of participants donated blood samples. Those who had been diagnosed with malignant tumors by 1997 were considered cases. The analysis involved 1,349 cases and 4,012 controls. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate ORs for cancer incidence associated with IGF-related molecules. After controlling for alcohol intake, body mass index (BMI), and smoking, participants with high total-IGFBP3 and free-IGFBP3, which is estimated by the molar difference of (IGFBP3 − IGF1), had a risk of future neoplasms (Ptrend = 0.014 and 0.009, respectively), but those with IGF1 did not. People in the second to fifth quintiles had a lower risk than those in the first quintile (ORs 0.676–0.736 and 0.657–0.870, respectively). Limiting subjects to those followed for 3 years weakened the negative associations of total- and free-IGFBP3, whereas a positive relationship of free-IGF1, which was estimated by the molar ratio of IGF1/IGFBP3, was seen (Ptrend = 0.004, 0.002, and 0.013, respectively). After controlling for alcohol intake, smoking, BMI, and diabetes mellitus, the results were confirmed. These findings suggest that serum IGF1 and IGFBP3 are related to future risk of malignant neoplasms.
Prevalence, Mortality, and Cause of Death in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease in Korea: A Nationwide, Population-Based Study
Authors: Park Hyung Jun , Choi Young-Chul , Oh Ji Won , Yi Sang-Wook 
Published: January 2020

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders that primarily affect the peripheral nervous system. Epidemiological studies of CMT have not yet been performed in Korea. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> This study was performed to estimate the prevalence of CMT in Korea and the socioeconomic status, mortality, and causes of death of Korean patients with CMT. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Data on patients with CMT were obtained from the rare intractable disease registry and the National Health Insurance Service for the years 2005–2018. <b><i>Results:</i></b> During the study period, 2,885 CMT patients were enrolled. The prevalence per 100,000 persons in 2018 was 5.2 (6.1 for men and 4.4 for women), peaking at ages 15–39 years, with almost twice as many men (<i>n</i> = 714) as women (<i>n</i> = 402) in this age group. Of the CMT patients, 226 (7.8%) were receiving medical aid, a public assistance program targeting poor individuals, at the time of diagnosis and 253 (8.8%) at last follow-up or death. From 2005 to 2017, 170 patients died, including 118 men and 52 women. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 1.57 (95% CI 1.34–1.83) for all patients and did not differ in men and women. Age-specific SMR was highest in patients aged under 9 years, gradually declining thereafter. Neurologic disease as a cause of death was significantly more frequent in CMT patients than in the general population. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> This was the first nationwide epidemiologic study of CMT patients in Korea. This study confirmed the characteristics associated with the prevalence of and mortality from CMT by age and is the first to report the socioeconomic status and causes of death of CMT patients.
Altering Sphingolipid Metabolism Attenuates Cell Death and Inflammatory Response After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Hadas Yoav , Vincek Adam S. , Youssef Elias , Żak Magdalena M. , Chepurko Elena , Sultana Nishat , Sharkar Mohammad Tofael Kabir , Guo Ningning , Komargodski Rinat , Kurian Ann Anu , Kaur Keerat , Magadum Ajit , Fargnoli Anthony , Katz Michael G. , Hossain Nadia , Kenigsberg Ephraim , Dubois Nicole C. , Schadt Eric , Hajjar Roger , Eliyahu Efrat , Zangi Lior 
Published: January 2020

Background:
Sphingolipids have recently emerged as a biomarker of recurrence and mortality after myocardial infarction (MI). The increased ceramide levels in mammalian heart tissues during acute MI, as demonstrated by several groups, is associated with higher cell death rates in the left ventricle and deteriorated cardiac function. Ceramidase, the only enzyme known to hydrolyze proapoptotic ceramide, generates sphingosine, which is then phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase to produce the prosurvival molecule sphingosine-1-phosphate. We hypothesized that Acid Ceramidase (AC) overexpression would counteract the negative effects of elevated ceramide and promote cell survival, thereby providing cardioprotection after MI.

Methods:
We performed transcriptomic, sphingolipid, and protein analyses to evaluate sphingolipid metabolism and signaling post-MI. We investigated the effect of altering ceramide metabolism through a loss (chemical inhibitors) or gain (modified mRNA [modRNA]) of AC function post hypoxia or MI.

Results:
We found that several genes involved in de novo ceramide synthesis were upregulated and that ceramide (C16, C20, C20:1, and C24) levels had significantly increased 24 hours after MI. AC inhibition after hypoxia or MI resulted in reduced AC activity and increased cell death. By contrast, enhancing AC activity via AC modRNA treatment increased cell survival after hypoxia or MI. AC modRNA-treated mice had significantly better heart function, longer survival, and smaller scar size than control mice 28 days post-MI. We attributed the improvement in heart function post-MI after AC modRNA delivery to decreased ceramide levels, lower cell death rates, and changes in the composition of the immune cell population in the left ventricle manifested by lowered abundance of proinflammatory detrimental neutrophils.

Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that transiently altering sphingolipid metabolism through AC overexpression is sufficient and necessary to induce cardioprotection post-MI, thereby highlighting the therapeutic potential of AC modRNA in ischemic heart disease.