bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Design of a Low-Impedance 6-Degree-of-Freedom Displacement Sensor for Intuitive Physical Human–Robot Interaction
Authors: Boucher Gabriel , Laliberté Thierry , Gosselin Clément 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
This paper presents the mechanical design of a six-degree-of-freedom low-impedance displacement sensor. The sensor is mounted around a link of a serial robot and used as an interface for physical human–robot interaction. The motivation for the use of a low-impedance sensor is first discussed. The mechanical design of each of the elastic components of the sensor is then presented. The kinematic architecture of the mechanism is introduced, and the inverse and forward kinematic problems are solved. The kinematic sensitivity is then used to characterize the accuracy of the mechanism. Finally, the design of a prototype is presented and experimental results are provided.
Advances in the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Katzka David A , Kahrilas Peter J 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a multifaceted disorder encompassing a family of syndromes attributable to, or exacerbated by, gastroesophageal reflux that impart morbidity, mainly through troublesome symptoms. Major GERD phenotypes are non-erosive reflux disease, GERD hypersensitivity, low or high grade esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, reflux chest pain, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and regurgitation dominant reflux. GERD is common throughout the world, and its epidemiology is linked to the Western lifestyle, obesity, and the demise ofHelicobacter pylori.Because of its prevalence and chronicity, GERD is a substantial economic burden measured in physician visits, diagnostics, cancer surveillance protocols, and therapeutics. An individual with typical symptoms has a fivefold risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma, but mortality from GERD is otherwise rare. The principles of management are to provide symptomatic relief and to minimize potential health risks through some combination of lifestyle modifications, diagnostic testing, pharmaceuticals (mainly to suppress or counteract gastric acid secretion), and surgery. However, it is usually a chronic recurring condition and management needs to be personalized to each case. While escalating proton pump inhibitor therapy may be pertinent to healing high grade esophagitis, its applicability to other GERD phenotypes wherein the modulating effects of anxiety, motility, hypersensitivity, and non-esophageal factors may dominate is highly questionable.
Reducing the waiting time to initiation of infertility treatment at a tertiary care centre in India
Authors: Sharma K Aparna , Yadav Anshu , Sridhar Chithira , Malhotra Neena , Biji Siby , Kumari Kusum 
Published: November 2020

BackgroundIn a low-resource and high-volume setting, it is often felt that patient care cannot be improved within the limitations of existing infrastructure and resources. However, the use of a systematic problem-solving method can bring about significant improvement even in these settings.AimTo decrease the mean waiting time from first visit to initiation of infertility treatment by 70% within 4 weeks (1–30 June 2019) for patients coming to the gynaecological outpatient department (OPD).MethodsWe constructed a multidisciplinary quality improvement team consisting of an academic consultant, a senior resident physician, a junior resident physician and a nurse to address the problem of long waiting times to initiation of fertility treatment. We collected baseline data from 10 consecutive women presenting to gynaecological OPD with complaints of infertility by calculating the time between their first visit to the facility and the day of performance of hysterosalpingography (HSG). The average waiting time was found to be 6 months and 25 days (mean=6.85 months; 3.5–10 months). The team used process flow diagrams and fishbone analysis to identify various causes of these long waiting times. The main reason for the delay in starting infertility treatment was that the date for HSG was given only after seeing the endometrial aspiration report (ie, after ruling out endometrial tuberculosis as there is a risk of dissemination of tuberculosis during HSG). Also, HSG was done only once a week during a short 2-hour slot in the fluoroscopy room.ResultsAfter the implementation of change ideas, there was significant reduction in the waiting period to starting treatment in patients with infertility. After the first change idea, the average waiting period seen in 10 consecutive patients with infertility reduced to 3.25 months, that is, by 51.8% from baseline within a 2-week interval, and there is shift in the run chart diagram. After the second change idea, the waiting time reduced to 2 months, that is, by 70%, seen in the next 10 consecutive patients with infertility within the next 2 weeks’ time. The results were sustained to the average waiting time of 2 months for 6 months without any additional resources.ConclusionWith a well-organised and conducted quality improvement project and team efforts, the required changes can be brought about in an established conventional healthcare delivery system and improvements can be sustained over a long period of time.
Spatial profiling of gastric cancer patient-matched primary and locoregional metastases reveals principles of tumour dissemination
Authors: Sundar Raghav , Liu Drolaiz HW , Hutchins Gordon GA , Slaney Hayley L , Silva Arnaldo NS , Oosting Jan , Hayden Jeremy D , Hewitt Lindsay C , Ng Cedric CY , Mangalvedhekar Amrita , Ng Sarah B , Tan Iain BH , Tan Patrick , Grabsch Heike I 
Published: November 2020

ObjectiveEndoscopic mucosal biopsies of primary gastric cancers (GCs) are used to guide diagnosis, biomarker testing and treatment. Spatial intratumoural heterogeneity (ITH) may influence biopsy-derived information. We aimed to study ITH of primary GCs and matched lymph node metastasis (LNmet).DesignGC resection samples were annotated to identify primary tumour superficial (PTsup), primary tumour deep (PTdeep) and LNmet subregions. For each subregion, we determined (1) transcriptomic profiles (NanoString ‘PanCancer Progression Panel’, 770 genes); (2) next-generation sequencing (NGS, 225 gastrointestinal cancer-related genes); (3) DNA copy number profiles by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA, 16 genes); and (4) histomorphological phenotypes.ResultsNanoString profiling of 64 GCs revealed no differences between PTsup1 and PTsup2, while 43% of genes were differentially expressed between PTsup versus PTdeep and 38% in PTsup versus LNmet. Only 16% of genes were differently expressed between PTdeep and LNmet. Several genes with therapeutic potential (eg IGF1, PIK3CD and TGFB1) were overexpressed in LNmet and PTdeep compared with PTsup. NGS data revealed orthogonal support of NanoString results with 40% mutations present in PTdeep and/or LNmet, but not in PTsup. Conversely, only 6% of mutations were present in PTsup and were absent in PTdeep and LNmet. MLPA demonstrated significant ITH between subregions and progressive genomic changes from PTsup to PTdeep/LNmet.ConclusionIn GC, regional lymph node metastases are likely to originate from deeper subregions of the primary tumour. Future clinical trials of novel targeted therapies must consider assessment of deeper subregions of the primary tumour and/or metastases as several therapeutically relevant genes are only mutated, overexpressed or amplified in these regions.
Modelling the expected impact of cigarette tax and price increases under Vietnam’s excise tax law 2015–2020
Authors: Goodchild Mark , Thu Le Thi , The Son Dao , Nguyen Tuan Lam , Totanes Robert , Paul Jeremias , Park Kidong 
Published: November 2020

BackgroundVietnam’s national tobacco control strategy aims to reduce the rate of smoking among male adults from 45% in 2015 to 39% by 2020. The aim of this paper is to assess what contribution cigarette tax increases under Vietnam’s current excise tax plan can be expected to make to this target, and to discuss what additional measures might be implemented accordingly.MethodsThis study uses a mix of administrative datasets and predictive modelling techniques to assess the expected impact of tax and price increases on cigarette consumption, tobacco tax revenues and the rate of smoking between 2015 and 2020.FindingsThe average retail price of cigarettes is estimated to have increased by 16% (sensitivity analysis: 14%–18%) in inflation-adjusted terms between 2015 and 2020, while cigarette consumption is projected to decrease by 5.1% (4.5%–5.5%). The rate of smoking among males is projected to decrease to 42.8% (42.1%–43.6%) compared with the target of 39%. Total tax revenues from cigarettes are projected to increase by 21% (19%–23%), reflecting an extra ₫3300 billion in inflation-adjusted revenues for the government.ConclusionThe current excise tax law is expected to have only a modest impact on the rate of smoking in Vietnam, though it has generated tax revenues. If Vietnam is to achieve its tobacco control targets, the government should implement a mixed excise system with a high-specific component to promote public health by raising the price of cigarettes more significantly.
Treatment-related weight gain and metabolic complications in children with mental health disorders: potential role for lifestyle interventions
Authors: Wiedeman Alejandra M. , Panagiotopoulos Constadina , Devlin Angela M. 
Published: November 2020

Over 1 million Canadian children are estimated to have a mental health disorder, which are commonly treated with medications, such as second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). Estimates suggest that SGA prescriptions to children are increasing in Canada. Although these medications are important and lifesaving components of psychiatric treatment, they are not without side effects. For some children, SGA treatment is associated with adverse metabolic complications including rapid weight gain, dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, and risk for type 2 diabetes. It is not clear why these complications develop, but it is assumed that SGAs stimulate appetite and food intake, and reduce resting energy expenditure leading to weight gain and that the metabolic complications occur secondary to the weight gain. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these complications is key to being able to identify children at risk and prevent and optimize treatment. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of the literature pertaining to the weight gain and metabolic complications in children treated with SGAs, highlighting the scope of the problem and the current limited research on how diet and physical activity can be used to prevent or lessen the severity of the metabolic complications and improve the long-term health trajectories of SGA-treated children.Novelty: Children are increasingly being treated with second-generation antipsychotics for mental health disorders. Dietary and physical activity assessments are not commonly considered in clinical settings. Randomized controlled trials of lifestyle interventions are needed to determine the effectiveness of mitigating the cardiometabolic complications in second-generation antipsychotic-treated children.
Strain improvement of Trichoderma spp. through two-step protoplast fusion for cellulase production enhancement
Authors: Papzan Zahra , Kowsari Mojegan , Javan-Nikkhah Mohammad , Gohari Amir Mirzadi , Limón M. Carmen 
Published: November 2020

Fungal protoplast fusion is an approach to introduce novel characteristics into industrially important strains. Cellulases, essential enzymes with a wide range of biotechnological applications, are produced by many species of the filamentous fungi Trichoderma. In this study, a collection of 60 natural isolates were screened for Avicel and carboxymethyl cellulose degradation, and two cellulase producers of Trichoderma virens and Trichoderma harzianum were used for protoplast fusion. One of the resulting hybrids with improved cellulase activity, C1-3, was fused with the hyperproducer Trichoderma reesei Rut-C30. A new selected hybrid, F7, was increased in cellulase activity 1.8 and 5 times in comparison with Rut-C30 and C1-3, respectively. The increases in enzyme activity correlated with an upregulation of the cellulolytic genes cbh1, cbh2, egl3, and bgl1 in the parents. The amount of mRNA of cbh1 and cbh2 in F7 resembled that of Rut-C30 while the bgl1 mRNA level was similar to that of C1-3. AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) fingerprinting and GC–MS (gas chromatography – mass spectrometry) analysis represented variations in parental strains and fusants. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that a 3-interspecific hybrid strain was isolated, with improved characteristics for cellulase degradation and showing genetic polymorphisms and differences in the volatile profile, suggesting reorganizations at the genetic level.
Dirichlet boundary condition for the Lee–Wick-like scalar model
Authors: Borges L. H. C. , Nogueira A. A. , Rodrigues E. H. , Barone F. A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLee–Wick-like scalar model near a Dirichlet plate is considered in this work. The modified propagator for the scalar field due to the presence of a Dirichlet boundary is computed, and the interaction between the plate and a point-like scalar charge is analysed. The non-validity of the image method is investigated and the results are compared with the corresponding ones obtained for the Lee–Wick gauge field and for the standard Klein–Gordon field.
IR-improved DGLAP parton shower effects for associated production of a W boson and jets in pp collisions at s = 8 and 13 TeV
Authors: Shakerin B. , Ward B. F. L. 
Published: November 2020

In a previous paper, hereafter referred to as I, we have analyzed the 7 TeV LHC data on [Formula: see text] events from the standpoint of IR-improved DGLAP parton shower effects, using the IR-improved Herwiri1.031 parton shower MC in comparison with the Herwig6.5 parton shower MC in the context of the exact [Formula: see text] matrix element matched parton shower framework provided by MG5_aMC@NLO. In this paper, we extend this analysis to the LHC 8 and 13 TeV data to investigate the energy dependence of the results obtained in I. Specifically, [Formula: see text] events are generated in the MADGRAPH5_aMC@NLO framework and showered by HERWIG6.521 and HERWIRI1.031 with [Formula: see text] and 0 GeV, respectively. The differential cross sections are reported as functions of jet multiplicity, transverse linear momenta [Formula: see text], the jet pseudorapidity [Formula: see text] and the scalar sum of jet transverse momenta [Formula: see text] for different jet multiplicities 1–3. The dijet cross sections as functions of transverse linear momenta, invariant mass of the dijet and the jet separation are shown as well. Distributions of angular correlations between the jets and the muon are examined as well and the corresponding cross sections are presented. The respective measured cross sections are compared with the exact next-to-leading-order (NLO) matrix element matched parton shower theoretical predictions provided by MADGRAPH5_aMC@NLO/HERWIRI1.031 [Formula: see text] and MADGRAPH5_aMC@NLO/HERWIG6.521 [Formula: see text] and the phenomenological consequences are discussed with an eye toward their energy dependence.
Can neutron disappearance/reappearance experiments definitively rule out the existence of hidden braneworlds endowed with a copy of the Standard Model?
Authors: Stasser Coraline , Sarrazin Michaël 
Published: November 2020

Many works, aiming to explain the origin of dark matter or dark energy, consider the existence of hidden (brane)worlds parallel to our own visible world — our usual Universe — in a multidimensional bulk. Hidden braneworlds allow for hidden copies of the Standard Model. For instance, atoms hidden in a hidden brane could exist as dark matter candidates. As a way to constrain such hypotheses, the possibility for neutron–hidden neutron swapping can be tested thanks to disappearance-reappearance experiments also known as passing-through-walls neutron experiments. The neutron-hidden neutron coupling [Formula: see text] can be constrained from those experiments. While [Formula: see text] could be arbitrarily small, previous works involving a [Formula: see text] bulk, with DGP branes, show that [Formula: see text] then possesses a value which is reachable experimentally. It is of crucial interest to know if a reachable value for [Formula: see text] is universal or not and to estimate its magnitude. Indeed, it would allow, in a near future, to reject definitively — or not — the existence of hidden braneworlds from experiments. In the present paper, we explore this issue by calculating [Formula: see text] for DGP branes, for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] bulks. As a major result, no disappearance-reappearance experiment would definitively universally rules out the existence of hidden worlds endowed with their own copy of Standard Model particles, except for specific scenarios with conditions reachable in future experiments.
Transcranial Doppler for Early Prediction of Cognitive Impairment after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and the Associated Clinical Biomarkers
Authors: Esmael Ahmed , Belal Tamer , Eltoukhy Khaled 
Published: November 2020

Background and Aim. Cognitive impairment after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) stays under investigation. This study is aimed at predicting the cognitive impairment by transcranial Doppler (TCD) and detecting the associated clinical biomarkers of impaired cognition after aSAH after 3 months from the onset. Methods. Prospective study included 40 cases with acute aSAH. Initial evaluation by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the severity of aSAH was detected by both the clinical Hunt and Hess and radiological Fisher’s grading scales. TCD was done for all patients five times within 10 days measuring the mean flow velocities (MFVs) of cerebral arteries. At the 3-month follow-up, patients were classified into two groups according to Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale: the first group was 31 cases (77.5%) with intact cognitive functions and the other group was 9 cases (22.5%) with impaired cognition. Results. Patients with impaired cognitive functions showed significantly lower mean GCS (

p
=
0.03

), significantly higher mean Hunt and Hess scale grades (

p
=
0.04

), significantly higher mean diabetes mellitus (DM) (

p
=
0.03

), significantly higher mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (

p
=
0.02

and

p
=
0.005

, respectively), and significantly higher MFVs measured within the first 10 days. The patients with cognitive impairment were accompanied by a higher incidence of hydrocephalus (

p
=
0.01

) and a higher incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) (

p
<
0.001

). Logistic regression analysis detected that

MFV
≥
86

cm
/
s

in the middle cerebral artery (MCA),

MFV
≥
68

cm
/
s

in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), and

MFV
≥
45

cm
/
s

in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) were significantly associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment. Conclusion. Cognitive impairment after the 3-month follow-up phase in aSAH patients was 22.5%. Acute hydrocephalus and DCI are highly associated with poor cognitive function in aSAH. Increased MFV is a strong predictor for poor cognitive function in aSAH. This trial is registered with NCT04329208.
Glutamine-Directed Migration of Cancer-Activated Fibroblasts Facilitates Epithelial Tumor Invasion
Authors: Mestre-Farrera Aida , Bruch-Oms Marina , Peña Raúl , Rodríguez-Morató José , Alba-Castellón Lorena , Comerma Laura , Quintela-Fandino Miguel , Duñach Mireia , Baulida Josep , Pozo Óscar J. , García de Herreros Antonio 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Tumors are complex tissues composed of transformed epithelial cells as well as cancer-activated fibroblasts (CAF) that facilitate epithelial tumor cell invasion. We show here that CAFs and other mesenchymal cells rely much more on glutamine than epithelial tumor cells; consequently, they are more sensitive to inhibition of glutaminase. Glutamine dependence drove CAF migration toward this amino acid when cultured in low glutamine conditions. CAFs also invaded a Matrigel matrix following a glutamine concentration gradient and enhanced the invasion of tumor cells when both cells were cocultured. Accordingly, glutamine directed invasion of xenografted tumors in immunocompromised mice. Stimulation of glutamine-driven epithelial tumor invasion by fibroblasts required previous CAF activation, which involved the TGFβ/Snail1 signaling axis. CAFs moving toward Gln presented a polarized Akt2 distribution that was modulated by the Gln-dependent activity of TRAF6 and p62 in the migrating front, and depletion of these proteins prevented Akt2 polarization and Gln-driven CAF invasion. Our results demonstrate that glutamine deprivation promotes CAF migration and invasion, which in turn facilitates the movement of tumor epithelial cells toward nutrient-rich territories. These results provide a novel molecular mechanism for how metabolic stress enhances invasion and metastasis.

Significance:
Cancer-associated fibroblasts migrate and invade toward free glutamine and facilitate invasion of tumor epithelial cells, accounting for their movement away from the hostile conditions of the tumor towards nutrient-rich adjacent tissues.
Clinical Evaluation of DNA Ploidy for the Triage of HPV-Positive Chinese Women During Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: Cang Wei , Li Qing , Gu Liying , Hong Zubei , Hu Yuan , Di Wen , Qiu Lihua 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Quantification of DNA aneuploidy has great potential as a prognostic marker of cervical precancerous lesions. We aim to evaluate the performance of DNA ploidy analysis for the triage of HPV-positive women. 523 HPV-positive women ages 25–64 undergoing HPV and pap cytology testing with valid cervical biopsies in Renji Hospital were enrolled in a prospective observational study from June 2018 to June 2019. The clinical performances of DNA ploidy, with or without HPV16/18 genotyping, were evaluated for all HPV-positive women to detect histologic high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (HSIL+). For HSIL+ detection, DNA ploidy had statistically higher specificity (83.89%) than Pap cytology (75.50%, P = 0.002) and HPV16/18 genotyping (77.92%, P = 0.023). Although the sensitivity of DNA ploidy (58.57%) remained similar with pap cytology (65.71%, P = 0.461) and HPV16/18 genotyping (55.71%, P = 0.734). A comparable sensitivity (84.29% vs. 84.29%, P = 1.000) and a higher specificity (66.00% vs. 58.94%, P &lt; 0.001) compared with combination with Pap cytology. DNA ploidy triage strategy required fewer colposcopies per detection of HSIL+ compared with pap cytologic testing, with a 13.1% (34 of 258) reduction of colposcopies compared with routine triage strategy of HPV screening with Pap cytologic testing. HPV16/18-negative women with negative DNA ploidy results had the lowest risk of HSIL+ among HPV-positive women (3.55%). Automated DNA ploidy analysis, alone or in combination with HPV16/18 genotyping, shows the potential as a triage strategy of cervical cancer screening for HPV-positive women.

Prevention Relevance:
Results from this study indicate that DNA ploidy analysis has good performance in early detection of high-grade precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix. This strategy could be used in the triage of HPV-positive women in cervical cancer screening.