bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin‐4 repairs wear particle induced osteolysis by modulating macrophage polarization and bone turnover
Authors: Pajarinen Jukka , Lin Tzuhua , Nabeshima Akira , Sato Taishi , Gibon Emmanuel , Jämsen Eemeli , Khan Tahsin N. , Yao Zhenyu , Goodman Stuart B. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPeriprosthetic osteolysis remains as a major complication of total joint replacement surgery. Modulation of macrophage polarization with interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) has emerged as an effective means to limit wear particle‐induced osteolysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of local IL‐4 delivery in treating preexisting particle‐induced osteolysis. To this end, recently established 8 week modification of murine continuous femoral intramedullary particle infusion model was utilized. Subcutaneous infusion pumps were used to deliver polyethylene (PE) particles into mouse distal femur for 4 weeks to induce osteolysis. IL‐4 was then added to the particle infusion for another 4 weeks. This delayed IL‐4 treatment (IL‐4 Del) was compared to IL‐4 delivered continuously (IL‐4 Cont) with PE particles from the beginning and to the infusion of particles alone for 8 weeks. Both IL‐4 treatments were highly effective in preventing and repairing preexisting particle‐induced bone loss as assessed by μCT. Immunofluorescence indicated a significant reduction in the number of F4/80 + iNOS + M1 macrophages and increase in the number of F4/80 + CD206 + M2 macrophages with both IL‐4 treatments. Reduction in the number of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase + osteoclasts and increase in the amount of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) + osteoblasts was also observed with both IL‐4 treatments likely explaining the regeneration of bone in these samples. Interesting, slightly more bone formation and ALP + osteoblasts were seen in the IL‐4 Del group than in the IL‐4 Cont group although these differences were not statistically significant. The study is a proof of principle that osteolytic lesions can be repaired via modulation of macrophage polarization.
Therapeutic plasma exchange with albumin as a valuable method of preparing thyrotoxic patients for a life‐saving thyroidectomy
Authors: Tańska Kamila , Leszczyńska Dorota , Glinicki Piotr , Kapuścińska Renata , Szczepkowski Marek , Dedecjus Marek , Stachlewska‐Nasfeter Elżbieta , Brym Izabela , Żelek Tomasz , Daniewska Dorota , Gietka‐Czernel Małgorzata 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHyperthyroidism affects approximately 1.2% of the population and its routine treatment includes antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioiodine and surgery. Management of patients with resistance or contraindications to ATDs who require thyroidectomy may be challenging. We present the experience of our department in preparing thyrotoxic patients for life‐saving thyroidectomy by using therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) with albumin: one patient with Graves' disease and previous history of agranulocytosis and cholestatic jaundice after ATDs and two patients with amiodarone‐induced thyrotoxicosis. Five to six TPEs were applied to each patient resulting in a decrease of fT3 by 57% to 83%, fT4 by 21% to 60% and decrease/normalization of total thyroid hormones. All patients underwent surgery successfully. In case of drug‐resistant thyrotoxicosis or contraindications to ATDs, TPE can be a valuable tool in preparing patients for surgery. Albumin used as a replacement fluid appears to be effective in ameliorating clinical and laboratory symptoms of thyrotoxicosis.
Implementing a human factors approach to RCA2: Tools, processes and strategies
Authors: Wiegmann Douglas A. , Wood Laura J. , Solomon Demetrius B. , Shappell Scott A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRoot Cause Analysis and Action (RCA2) guidelines offer fundamental improvements to traditional RCA. Yet, these guidelines lack robust methods to support a human factors analysis of patient harm events and development of systems‐level interventions. We recently integrated a complement of human factors tools into the RCA2process to address this gap. These tools include the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), the Human Factors Intervention Matrix (HFIX), and a multiple‐criterion decision tool called FACES, for selecting effective HFIX solutions. We describe each of these tools and illustrate how they can be integrated into RCA2to create a robust human factors RCA process called HFACS‐RCA2. We also present qualitative results from an 18‐month implementation study within a large academic health center. Results demonstrate how HFACS‐RCA2can foster a more comprehensive, human factors analysis of serious patient harm events and the identification of broader system interventions. Following HFACS‐RCA2implementation, RCA team members (risk managers and quality improvement advisors) also experienced greater satisfaction in their work, leadership gained more trust in RCA findings and recommendations, and the transparency of the RCA process increased. Effective strategies for overcoming implementation barriers, including changes in roles, responsibilities and workload will also be presented.
Biogeochemical characteristics and hydroperiod affect carbon dioxide flux rates from exposed high‐elevation pond sediments
Authors: DelVecchia Amanda Gay , Gougherty Steven , Taylor Brad W. , Wissinger Scott A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWhile inundated, small ponds (< 1000 m2 area) account for disproportionately large contributions of CO2 efflux to the global carbon budget and also store carbon in anoxic sediments. However, pond hydrology is shifting toward increasingly dry conditions in alpine and temperate zones, which might lead to increased exposure of shallow pond sediments. We analyzed sediment CO2 efflux rates in dried sediments of multiple ponds of varying hydrology and sediment characteristics at montane and subalpine elevations near the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado. Average CO2 efflux rates from exposed sediments, 331.5 ± 11.5 mmol m−2 d−1 at the montane sites and 142.8 ± 45.1 mmol m−2 d−1 at the subalpine sites, were 10 times higher than average CO2 efflux rates from pond water. Principal components analysis to reduce dimensionality of sediment characteristics revealed that random inter‐pond differences rather than exposure timing or hydroperiod drove variation among sediments. In linear mixed effects models of CO2 flux rates, significant predictors included sediment moisture and temperature, pH, total organic carbon, and organic matter content at all pond hydroperiod classifications and sites. However, the sediment characteristics explaining the most variance differed among sites and hydroperiods and included nitrate concentrations, pH, bulk density, and temperature. We conclude that pond sediments are heterogeneous both within and among ponds in close proximity, and drivers of relatively high CO2 efflux rates differ among pond hydroperiods and elevations. This work emphasizes that local differences can impact predictions of CO2 flux from lentic sediments which are becoming increasingly exposed.
Existence and controllability of nonlocal mixedVolterra‐Fredholmtype fractional delay integro‐differential equations of order 1 < r < 2
Authors: Kavitha Williams W. , Vijayakumar V. , Udhayakumar R. , Panda Sumati Kumari , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn our article, we are primarily concentrating on existence and controllability of nonlocal mixed Volterra‐Fredholm type fractional delay integro‐differential equations of order 1 < r < 2. By applying the results and facts belongs to the cosine function of operators, fractional calculus, the measure of noncompactness and fixed point approach, the main results are established. Initially, we focus the existence of mild solution, and later we establish the controllability of the considered fractional system. Finally, we present an example to demonstrate the theory.
Simultaneous detection of fetal aneuploidy, de novoFGFR3 mutations and paternally derived β‐thalassemia by a novel method of noninvasive prenatal testing
Authors: Yang Lin , Wu Yujing , Hu Zhiyang , Zhang Haiping , Pu Dandan , Yan Huijuan , Zhang Sijia , Jiang Hui , Liu Qiang , Yuan Yuying , Zhang Yanyan , Chen Fang , Lu Yanping , Pan Silin , Lin Linhua , Gao Ya 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe aim is to develop a novel noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) method that simultaneously performs fetal aneuploidy screening and the detection of de novo and paternally derived mutations.MethodsA total of 68 pregnancies, including 26 normal pregnancies, 7 cases with fetal aneuploidies, 7 cases with fetal achondroplasia or thanatophoric dysplasia, 18 cases with fetal skeletal abnormalities, and 10 cases with β‐thalassemia high risk were recruited. Plasma cell‐free DNA was amplified by Targeted And Genome‐wide simultaneous sequencing (TAGs‐seq) to generate around 99% of total reads covering the whole‐genome region and around 1% covering the target genes. The reads on the whole‐genome region were analyzed for fetal aneuploidy using a binary hypothesis T‐score and the reads on target genes were analyzed for point mutations by calculating the minor allelic frequency of loci on FGFR3 and HBB. TAGs‐seq results were compared with conventional NIPT and diagnostic results.ResultsIn each sample, TAGs‐seq generated 44.7–54 million sequencing reads covering the whole‐genome region of 0.1–3× and the target genes of >1000×depth. All cases of fetal aneuploidy and de novo mutations of achondroplasia/thanatophoric dysplasia were identified with high sensitivities and specificities except for one false‐negative paternal mutation of β‐thalassemia.ConclusionsTAGs‐seq is a novel NIPT method that combines the fetal aneuploidy screening and the detection of de novo FGFR3 mutations and paternal HBB mutations.
Interlaminar strength in large‐scale additive manufacturing of slow crystallizing polyaryletherketone carbon composites
Authors: Consul Patrick , Chaplin Adam , Tagscherer Nevine , Zaremba Swen , Drechsler Klaus 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFusion bonding theory is applied to the additive manufacturing process to predict the strength developed across the interface between the deposited layers in material extrusion based large‐scale additive manufacturing. Relaxation times were determined through rheology investigations of the neat polymers and were extrapolated across the entire process temperature range to estimate the required welding times for optimal bond formation. For the calculation of bond formation during cooling from the melt, the semicrystalline polyaryletherketone is considered amorphous until the onset of crystallization which is determined by recreating the process thermal history in DSC measurements. A significant improvement in bond development during additive manufacturing is achieved through the use of specifically designed polymers with slower crystallization kinetics. Both in small‐scale additive manufacturing, achieving full bonding, and in large‐scale additive manufacturing, they achieve significantly higher interlaminar strength than the reference material, validated by three‐point bending. A very good match between the estimated degree of bonding and the tested strength of upright printed specimens in three‐point bending was found. While the fusion bonding model calculates a degree of bonding of 42.07%, mechanical testing showed 42.54% of the bulk flexural strength. The study outlines a procedure to evaluate materials for additive manufacturing by material extrusion based on small material samples to shorten and improve the process development. © 2020 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry
The Impact of an Ultrasound Curriculum on the Accuracy of Resident Joint Line Palpation
Authors: Bowers Robert , Neuberger David , Williams Christopher , Kneer Lee , Sussman Walter 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundUltrasound education has been used as a tool to help improve physical examination skills. However, its utility in increasing accuracy of joint line palpation has yet to be investigated.ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy of resident palpation and identification of the lateral knee joint line before and after introducing a musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) curriculum.DesignCohort study.SettingA physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) residency program at an academic institution.ParticipantsSeventeen PM&R residents.InterventionsResidents underwent a knee‐focused MSUS workshop.Main Outcome MeasuresDistance from needle placement to joint line confirmed with ultrasound.ResultsAll residents demonstrated improved accuracy in lateral knee joint line palpation after completing a knee‐focused MSUS workshop, with statistically significant (P < .05) improvement in postgraduate year (PGY) 2 (P = .02), PGY‐3 (P = .04), and across all residents (P = .001).ConclusionsMSUS education significantly improved lateral knee joint line palpation accuracy in resident physicians.
Polyphosphonates as ionic conducting polymers
Authors: Totsch Timothy R. , Popov Ivan , Stanford Victoria L. , Lucius Aaron L. , Foulger Stephen H. , Gray Gary M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPolyphosphonates, a class of polymers with the generic formula –[P(R)(X)–OR'O]n–, exhibit a high degree of modularity due to the range of R, R', and X groups that can be incorporated. As such, these polymers may be designed with a polyethylene oxide (PEO) backbone (R' group) and employed as solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). Two PEO‐containing polyphosphonate analogs (R = Ph; X = S or Se) were doped with LiPF6 and their conductivities were measured. Conductivities were similar (X = S) to or exceeding (X = Se) those of standard PEO systems (just below 10−4 S/cm at 100°C). Binding models for Li+ were generated using 31P{1H}NMR titration experiments. Binding of Li+ by these polyphosphonates followed a positive cooperativity model, and varying the X group (S or Se) affected the observed cooperativity (Hill coefficient = 1.73 and 4.16, respectively). The presence of Se also leads to an increase in conductivity as temperature is raised above the Tg, which is likely an effect of reduced Columbic interactions. Because of their modularity and ease with which cation binding can be evaluated using 31P{1H} NMR titration experiments, polyphosphonates offer a unique approach for the modification of Li+ ion battery technology.
Patients receiving a high burden of antibiotics in the community in Spain: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Fernández‐Urrusuno Rocío , Meseguer Barros Carmen Marina , Anaya‐Ordóñez Sonia , Borrego Izquierdo Yolanda , Lallana‐Álvarez María Jesús , Madridejos Rosa , Tejón Esther Marco , Sánchez Raquel Prieto , Pérez Rodríguez Olatz , García Gil María , Escudero Vilaplana Belén , Riádigos Genma M. Silva , López‐Fando M. Sagrario Pardo , Olmo Quintana Vicente , Pina Gadea M. Belén , García Alvarez Angel , Martorell M. Llüisa Sastre , Jiménez Arce Jorge I. , Aguilella Vizcaíno Rafael , Pérez Martín Joaquín , Alzueta Isturiz Natalia ,   the Infectious Diseases SEFAP team
Published: December 2020

AbstractSome patients in the community receive a high burden of antibiotics. We aimed at describing the characteristics of these patients, antibiotics used, and conditions for which they received antibiotics. We carried out a cross‐sectional study. Setting: Thirty Health Primary Care Areas from 12 regions in Spain, covering 5,960,191 inhabitants. Patients having at least 30 packages of antibacterials for systemic use dispensed in 2017 were considered. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of antibiotic use, conditions for which antibiotics were prescribed, clinical characteristics of patients, comorbidities, concomitant treatments, and microbiological isolates. Patient’s average age was 70 years; 52% were men; 60% smokers/ex‐smokers; 54% obese. Overall, 93% of patients had, at least, one chronic condition, and four comorbidities on average. Most common comorbidities were cardiovascular and/or hypertension (67%), respiratory diseases (62%), neurological/mental conditions (32%), diabetes (23%), and urological diseases (21%); 29% were immunosuppressed, 10% were dead at the time of data collection. Patients received three antibiotic treatments per year, mainly fluoroquinolones (28%), macrolides (21%), penicillins (19%), or cephalosporins (12%). Most frequently treated conditions were lower respiratory tract (infections or prophylaxis) (48%), urinary (27%), and skin/soft tissue infections (11%). Thirty‐five percent have been guided by a microbiological diagnosis, being Pseudomonas aeruginosa (30%) and Escherichia coli (16%) the most frequent isolates. In conclusion, high antibiotic consumers in the community were basically elder, with multimorbidity and polymedication. They frequently received broad‐spectrum antibiotics for long periods of time. The approach to infections in high consumers should be differentiated from healthy patients receiving antibiotics occasionally.
Uncommonly accurate energies for the general quartic oscillator
Authors: Okun Pavel , Burke Kieron 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRecent advances in the asymptotic analysis of energy levels of potentials produce relative errors in eigenvalue sums of order 10−34, but few non‐trivial potentials have been solved numerically to such accuracy. We solve the general quartic potential (arbitrary linear combination of x2 and x4) beyond this level of accuracy using a basis of several hundred oscillator states. We list the lowest 20 eigenvalues for 9 such potentials. We confirm the known asymptotic expansion for the levels of the pure quartic oscillator, and extract the next two terms in the asymptotic expansion. We give analytic formulas for expansion in up to three even basis states. We confirm the virial theorem for the various energy components to similar accuracy. The sextic oscillator levels are also given. These benchmark results should be useful for extreme tests of approximations in several areas of chemical physics and beyond.
Comparison of concentrated fresh mononuclear cells and cultured mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow for bone regeneration
Authors: Du Fengzhou , Wang Qian , Ouyang Long , Wu Huanhuan , Yang Zhigang , Fu Xin , Liu Xia , Yan Li , Cao Yilin , Xiao Ran 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMNC) transplantation has been widely studied in recent years. The fresh cell cocktail in BMMNCs, without going through the in vitro culture process, helps to establish a stable microenvironment for osteogenesis, and each cell type may play a unique role in bone regeneration. Our study compared the efficacy of concentrated fresh BMMNCs and cultured bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in Beagle dogs for the first time. Fifteen-millimeter segmental bone defects were created in the animals' tibia bones. In BMMNCs group, the defects were repaired with concentrated fresh BMMNCs combined with β-TCP (n = 5); in cultured BMSC group, with in vitro cultured and osteo-induced BMSCs combined with β-TCP (n = 5); in scaffold-only group, with a β-TCP graft alone (n = 5); and in blank group, nothing was grafted (n = 3). The healing process was monitored by X-rays and single photon emission computed tomography. The animals were sacrificed 12 months after surgery and their tibias were harvested and analyzed by microcomputed tomography and hard tissue histology. Moreover, the microstructure, chemical components, and microbiomechanical properties of the regenerated bone tissue were explored by multiphoton microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and nanoindentation. The results showed that BMMNCs group promoted much more bone regeneration than cultured BMSC group. The grafts in BMMNCs group were better mineralized, and they had collagen arrangement and microbiomechanical properties similar to the contralateral native tibia bone. These results indicate that concentrated fresh bone marrow mononuclear cells may be superior to in vitro expanded stem cells in segmental bone defect repair.
R&D investment around the world: Effects of ownership and performance‐based cultural contexts
Authors: Lewellyn Krista B. , Bao Rosey ‘Shuji’ 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study examines how ownership by different types of shareholders affects firm‐level research and development (R&D) investment. Integrating agency and resource dependence theories, we predict that up to a certain level, firm ownership by banks, corporations, governments, and insiders will positively relate to R&D investment. However, as ownership continues to increase, these shareholders shift their focus to personal wealth concerns, which makes owners more conservative towards R&D investment, resulting in reductions of R&D investment. Applying an institution‐based view, we expect the norms associated with performance‐based national cultures to moderate the curvilinear relationships between ownership and R&D investment. We test our hypotheses with a sample of 11,262 firms from 35 countries and find that ownership by banks, corporations, and governments has a curvilinear inverted U‐shaped relationship with R&D investment. Further, operating in a performance‐based culture enhances the effects for corporation and government ownership. Our findings contribute unique insights about what drives the important strategic activity of investing in R&D.
Hydraulic structures engineering: An evolving science in a changing world
Authors: Erpicum Sebastien , Crookston Brian M. , Bombardelli Fabian , Bung Daniel B. , Felder Stefan , Mulligan Sean , Oertel Mario , Palermo Michele 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHydraulic structures are critical for water management. Yet many structures continue to be neglected, in poor condition, and inadequate in adapting to evolving societal challenges associated with shifting climatic events and population growth. In this context, hydraulic structures engineering should be moving from traditional design considerations toward sustainability, that is, continuing to meet current and future social, environmental, and economic needs. This requires this community to embrace and help advance global and multidisciplinary perspectives. Therefore, this article presents the authors' point of view on current trends, concerns, and needs related to hydraulic structures engineering. Furthermore, the authors propose a new, forward‐looking framework for the consideration of the hydraulic structures community that is grounded on the evolution of interconnected research tools and methodologies in addition to emphasizing and bolstering strong links between academia and industry. The evolution of this framework has naturally originated from the pervasive challenge of validating the design and operation of hydraulic structures in the field for frequent and extreme conditions. The authors suggest that future developments of hydraulic structures engineering require (a) continuous updating of complementary tools and methodologies following technological developments, (b) addressing the lack of detailed field observations, (c) increasing interactions of hydraulic specialists with other scientific disciplines and water experts, and (d) restoring a strong collaboration between academia and industry. It is anticipated that in this way the hydraulic structures community, and all of society, will make a new step toward more sustainable and resilient interactions with nature and between communities in water management.This article is categorized under:
Engineering Water > Engineering Water