bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tide‐induced head fluctuations in coastal aquifers of variable thickness
Authors: Cuello Julián Eduardo , Guarracino Luis 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this work, a new analytical solution to describe tide‐induced head fluctuations in aquifers of variable thickness is presented. The proposed model assumes a finite and confined aquifer with a thickness that increases or decreases quadratically with the distance to the coast. A closed‐form analytical solution is obtained by solving a boundary‐value problem with both a separation of variables method and a change of variables method. This solution is a generalization of the solution obtained by Cuello et al., Hydrogeological Journal, 2017, 25, 1509–1515. The analytical solution is expressed in terms of the wedging parameter, a parameter that depends on the length and thicknesses at the coast and at the inland edge of the aquifer. Positive values of the wedging parameter describe aquifers with increasing thickness towards land and negative values describe aquifers with a decreasing thickness in the inland direction. The comparison of the new solution and the solution for a finite aquifer with constant thickness indicates that the sign of the wedging parameter enhances or decreases the amplitude of the tide‐induced signal. However, the differences in time‐lag between both solutions are negligible near the coast. The slope factor, which quantifies the inconsistencies between aquifer diffusivities estimated from attenuation and time‐lag data, is computed and analysed. Near the coast, slope factor values greater than one are obtained for negative wedging parameters while slope factor values less than one are obtained for positive wedging parameters. The analysis of the new solution also indicates that more reliable estimates of the hydraulic diffusivity can be obtained from time‐lag data.
In vivo dynamic characterization of the human tympanic membrane using pneumatic optical coherence tomography
Authors: Won Jungeun , Porter Ryan G. , Novak Michael A. , Youakim Jon , Sum Ada , Barkalifa Ronit , Aksamitiene Edita , Zhang Anqi , Nolan Ryan , Shelton Ryan , Boppart Stephen A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDecreased mobility of the human eardrum, the tympanic membrane (TM), is an essential indicator of a prevalent middle ear infection. The current diagnostic method to assess TM mobility is via pneumatic otoscopy, which provides subjective and qualitative information of subtle motion. In this study, a handheld spectral‐domain pneumatic optical coherence tomography system was developed to simultaneously measure the displacement of the TM, air pressure inputs applied to a sealed ear canal, and to perform digital pneumatic otoscopy. A novel approach based on quantitative parameters is presented to characterize spatial and temporal variations of the dynamic TM motion. Furthermore, the TM motions of normal middle ears are compared with those of ears with middle ear infections. The capability of noninvasively measuring the rapid motion of the TM is beneficial to understand the complex dynamics of the human TM, and can ultimately lead to improved diagnosis and management of middle ear infections.
Ambient air pollution, meteorology, and COVID‐19 infection in Korea
Authors: Hoang Tung , Tran Tho Thi Anh 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe outbreak of novel pneumonia coronavirus disease has become a public health concern worldwide. Here, for the first time, the association between Korean meteorological factors and air pollutants and the COVID‐19 infection was investigated. Data of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and daily COVID‐19 confirmed cases of seven metropolitan cities and nine provinces were obtained from 3 February 2020 to 5 May 2020 during the first wave of pandemic across Korea. We applied the generalized additive model to investigate the temporal relationship. There was a significantly nonlinear association between daily temperature and COVID‐19 confirmed cases. Each 1°C increase in temperature was associated with 9% (lag 0‐14; OR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.03‐1.15) increase of COVID‐19 confirmed cases when the temperature was below 8°C. A 0.01 ppm increase in NO2 (lag 0‐7, lag 0.14, and lag 0‐21) was significantly associated with increases of COVID‐19 confirmed cases, with ORs (95% CIs) of 1.13 (1.02‐1.25), 1.19 (1.09‐1.30), and 1.30 (1.19‐1.41), respectively. A 0.1 ppm increase in CO (lag 0‐21) was associated with the increase in COVID‐19 confirmed cases (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.04‐1.16). There was a positive association between per 0.001 ppm of SO2 concentration (lag 0, lag 0‐7, and lag 0‐14) and COVID‐19 confirmed cases, with ORs (95% CIs) of 1.13 (1.04‐1.22), 1.20 (1.11‐1.31), and 1.15 (1.07‐1.25), respectively. There were significantly temporal associations between temperature, NO2, CO, and SO2 concentrations and daily COVID‐19 confirmed cases in Korea.
Proportion of asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: He Jingjing , Guo Yifei , Mao Richeng , Zhang Jiming 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe aim to systematically review the characteristics of asymptomatic infection in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). PubMed and EMBASE were electronically searched to identify original studies containing the rate of asymptomatic infection in COVID‐19 patients before 20 May 2020. Then mate‐analysis was conducted using R version 3.6.2. A total of 50 155 patients from 41 studies with confirmed COVID‐19 were included. The pooled percentage of asymptomatic infection is 15.6% (95% CI, 10.1%‐23.0%). Ten included studies contain the number of presymptomatic patients, who were asymptomatic at screening point and developed symptoms during follow‐up. The pooled percentage of presymptomatic infection among 180 initially asymptomatic patients is 48.9% (95% CI, 31.6%‐66.2%). The pooled proportion of asymptomatic infection among 1152 COVID‐19 children from 11 studies is 27.7% (95% CI, 16.4%‐42.7%), which is much higher than patients from all aged groups. Abnormal CT features are common in asymptomatic COVID‐19 infection. For 36 patients from 4 studies that CT results were available, 15 (41.7%) patients had bilateral involvement and 14 (38.9%) had unilateral involvement in CT results. Reduced white blood cell count, increased lactate dehydrogenase, and increased C‐reactive protein were also recorded. About 15.6% of confirmed COVID‐19 patients are asymptomatic. Nearly half of the patients with no symptoms at detection time will develop symptoms later. Children are likely to have a higher proportion of asymptomatic infection than adults. Asymptomatic COVID‐19 patients could have abnormal laboratory and radiational manifestations, which can be used as screening strategies to identify asymptomatic infection.
Implantation of a Cardiac resynchronization therapy system in a patient with an unroofed coronary sinus
Authors: Groudeva Violeta , Iovev Svetoslav 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe unroofed coronary sinus (URCS) is a spectrum of cardiac anomalies in which part or all of the common wall between the coronary sinus and the left atrium is absent. Rarely, it is associated with coronary sinus atresia. The diagnosis of this lesion is important for the prognosis of the patient, especially in cases when cardiac interventions such as CRT implantation needs to be performed. It is found incidentally because of nonspecific clinical features. We report a case of a complete URCS and CS atresia during a computed tomographic investigation performed following prior impossibility of LV lead to be implanted.
Projections of tropical cyclone rainfall over land with an Eulerian approach: Case study of three islands in the West Indies
Authors: Cantet Philippe , Belmadani Ali , Chauvin Fabrice , Palany Philippe 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe latest version of the atmospheric general circulation model ARPEGE‐Climat was used to perform 5‐member ensemble simulations for both present and RCP8.5 scenario climates (mid‐21st century). The rotated/stretched configuration enables a local horizontal resolution of less than 15 km over the tropical North Atlantic basin. Moreover, a tracking algorithm was used to extract tropical cyclones (TCs) simulated by the model. Through an Eulerian approach, this paper focuses on the relationships between TCs and rainfall over three French islands in the West Indies. Although the model underestimates the occurrence of TCs over this latitude band, especially in September, precipitation rates during TC days are realistic. Indeed, the model shows a good capacity to reproduce different relationships between island rainfall and TC characteristics such as proximity and intensity. In addition to rainfall distribution, the TC contribution to annual cumulative rainfall is also well captured by the model. We used three different series characterizing precipitation at the island scale to underline that the model overestimates the area that is impacted by TC rainfall. According to the simulations, the number of minor TCs tends to decrease in the future (about −15%) over the study domain (50–70°W × 10–25°N) despite a +1.6°C over ocean warming. In contrast, no trend was detected in the number of major hurricanes. Except for annual precipitation that decreases significantly in the future (about −15%), no significant change was detected in the relationships between TC properties and island rainfall.
Defining a textbook surgical outcome for patients undergoing surgical resection of intermediate and high‐grade soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities
Authors: Lazarides Alexander L. , Cerullo Marcelo , Moris Dimitrios , Brigman Brian E. , Blazer Dan G. , Eward William C. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundQuality measures for the surgical management soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity are limited. The purpose of this study was to define a textbook surgical outcome (TO) for soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities (STS‐E) and to examine its associations with hospital volume and overall survival.MethodsAll patients in the National Cancer Database undergoing resection of primary STS‐E between 2004 and 2015 were identified. The primary outcome was a TO, defined as: hospital length of stay (LOS) <75th percentile, survival >90 days from the date of surgery, no readmission within 30 days of discharge, and negative surgical margins (R0 resection).ResultsOverall, 7658 patients met criteria for inclusion; a TO was achieved in 4291 (56%) patients. Of patients who did not achieve TOs, 51.9% (n = 1748) had an extended LOS, and 47.3% (n = 1591) did not have negative margins. Older age, more medical comorbidities, and non‐white or black race were independently associated with not receiving a TO (P = .034). With respect to tumor and treatment characteristics, larger tumor size, lower extremity location and higher grade were independently associated with not receiving a TO (P < .001). Hospital volume was not associated with a TO. TOs conferred a significant survival benefit (hazrds ratio = 0.71 [0.65‐0.78], P < .001). A TO was associated with a 27.5% longer survival time (P < .001).ConclusionsThis study defined a TO in intermediate and high‐grade STS‐E and demonstrated that this outcome measure is associated with overall survival. Facility volume was not associated with a TO.
Borage Oil Treated with Immobilized Lipase Inhibits Melanogenesis
Authors: Shin Jin A. , Sun Meixiang , Jeong Jong‐Moon 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn the present study, we demonstrated that borage (Borago officinalis L.) seed oil subjected to immobilized lipase pretreatment are enriched with linoleic acid (LNA, 18:2n‐6), γ‐linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n‐6), and oleic acid (OLA, 18:1n‐9). We further showed that lipase‐treated borage oil (LT‐BOL) regulates the activity and degradation of tyrosinase, an important enzyme implicated in the synthesis of melanin in murine melanocytes, B16F10. LT‐BOL and its free fatty acid components reduced the levels of melanin and tyrosinase in melanocytes with GLA exerting similar or stronger effects compared with LNA and OLA. The brightening efficacy of LT‐BOL on melanin metabolism in humans was tested by an 8‐week, double‐blind, randomized clinical trial, which enrolled 21 Korean female adults (mean age 48.57 ± 3.28). Visual evaluation showed that cream containing 1% LT‐BOL significantly decreased (p < 0.05) melasma on the treated skin area after 6 and 8 weeks. The analysis of the skin brightness using Chromameter CR‐400 confirmed that the brightness of the treated area was significantly increased (p < 0.01) after 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Together, our results suggest that LT‐BOL may be suitable as a natural skin whitening cosmeceutical product.
Control the Mechanical Properties and Degradation of Poly(Glycerol Sebacate) by Substitution of the Hydroxyl Groups with Palmitates
Authors: Ding Xiaochu , Chen Ying , Chao Corson Andrew , Wu Yen‐Lin , Wang Yadong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMechanical properties and degradation profile are important parameters for the applications of biodegradable polyester such as poly(glycerol sebacate) in biomedical engineering. Here, a strategy is reported to make palmitate functionalized poly(glycerol sebacate) (PPGS) to alter the polymer hydrophobicity, crystallinity, microstructures and thermal properties. The changes of these intrinsic properties impart tunable degradation profiles and mechanical properties to the resultant elastomers depending on the palmitate contents. When the palmitates reach up to 16 mol%, the elastic modulus is tuned from initially 838 ± 55 kPa for the PGS to 333 ± 21 kPa for the PPGS under the same crosslinking conditions. The elastomer undergoes reversible elastic deformations for at least 1000 cycles within 20% strain without failure and shows enhanced elasticity. The polymer degradation is simultaneously inhibited because of the increased hydrophobicity. This strategy is different with other PGS modifications which could form a softer elastomer with less crosslinks but typically lead to a quicker degradation. Because the materials are made from endogenous molecules, they possess good cytocompatibility similar to the PGS control. Although these materials are designed specifically for small arteries, it is expected that they will be useful for other soft tissues too.
Gum Acacia‐cl‐poly(acrylamide)@carbon nitride Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Adsorption of Ciprofloxacin and its Sustained Release in Artificial Ocular Solution
Authors: Sharma Gaurav , Thakur Bharti , Kumar Amit , Sharma Shweta , Naushad Mu. , Stadler Florian J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn the present work, a nanocomposite hydrogel is designed consisting of gum acacia, poly(acrylamide) and carbon nitride by facile microwave approach. This nanocomposite hydrogel is sensitive to environmental stimuli which is essential for its application in environmental remediation and as a drug delivery system. The effects of carbon nitride percentage and microwave Watt variation on swelling capacity of gum acacia‐cl‐poly(acrylamide)@carbon nitride (Ga‐cl‐PAM@C3N4) nanocomposite hydrogel are analyzed. The structural characterizations are considered by numerous techniques such as FTIR (Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy), X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental mapping. Batch experiment is performed for remediation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) drug from water. Various parameters such as effect of ciprofloxacin doses, Ga‐cl‐PAM@C3N4 nanocomposite hydrogel dosage, pH, time and temperature for adsorption of CIP on gum acacia‐cl‐poly(acrylamide)@carbon nitride nanocomposite hydrogel is examined. Maximum adsorption capacity of Ga‐cl‐PAM@C3N4 nanocomposite hydrogel observed is 169.49 mg g−1 at pH 6.4. The drug loading and drug release capacity of Ga‐cl‐PAM@C3N4 nanocomposite hydrogel is investigated for ciprofloxacin. Drug release is monitored in artificial ocular solution (pH 8), saline (pH 5.5), acetate buffer (pH 2.2), and distilled water. Maximum drug release is observed in artificial ocular solution.
Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of PA6 Blending with Talcum for Fused Deposition Modeling
Authors: Guo Zhengchuan , Peng Xingshuang , Sang Lin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe objective of this work is to fabricate polyamide 6 (PA6) composite filament with enhanced mechanical properties and low cost for fused deposition modeling (FDM). The composite filaments are obtained by compounding PA6 and talcum fillers and then single screw extruding. Virgin PA6 and commercial e‐PA6 are set as controls. First, the rheological behaviors and thermal properties of PA6/talc, PA6, and e‐PA6 pellet materials are investigated, including viscosity, melting temperature, crystallinity, and decomposition temperature, which are important parameters for fabricating filament feedstocks. The results show that 10 wt% addition of talcum content accelerates the increase of the viscosity among the processing temperature. Accordingly, virgin PA6 and PA6/talc5 with good flowability are produced and subsequently evaluated by tensile and flexural tests. It is notable that the introduction of talcum increases the diameter constant and shape stability of PA6‐based filament. Also, it is found that both PA6 and Pa6/talc5 filaments exhibit superior tensile properties to the commercial e‐PA6 counterparts. Especially, PA6/talc5 filaments achieve the maximum tensile yield strength of 67.1 MPa and modulus of 3.10 GPa. Finally, auxetic lattice parts are successfully printed via FDM using lab‐made PA6, PA6/talc5, and commercial e‐PA6 filaments, and PA6/talc5 exhibits remarkable loading and energy absorption capability.
A novel CACNA1A variant in a child with early stroke and intractable epilepsy
Authors: Gudenkauf Franciska J. , Azamian Mahshid S. , Hunter Jill V. , Nayak Anuranjita , Lalani Seema R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundCACNA1A variants have been described in several disorders that encompass a wide range of neurologic phenotypes, including hemiplegic migraine, ataxia, cognitive delay, and epilepsy. To date, ischemic stroke caused by a CACNA1A variant has only been reported once in the literature.MethodsWe describe a 4‐year‐old female with recurrent ischemic strokes beginning at 6 weeks of age, intractable epilepsy, and significant global developmental delay. Exome sequencing (ES) was completed for her evaluation.ResultsWe found a novel de novo, likely pathogenic variant, p.Leu1692Gln in CACNA1A by ES. The substitution affects a leucine residue that is highly conserved in species from fish to primates.ConclusionWe present the second case of recurrent ischemic strokes in a patient with CACNA1A mutation. Our findings expand the phenotypic heterogeneity related to Cav2.1 (P/Q‐type) calcium channel dysfunction and suggest consideration of CACNA1A disorder in evaluation of pediatric strokes.
Bisphenol A‐induced mechanistic impairment of decidualization
Authors: Nelson William , Adu‐Gyamfi Enoch Appiah , Czika Armin , Wang Ying‐Xiong , Ding Yu‐Bin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDecidualization is a crucial precedent to embryo implantation, as its impairment is a major contributor to female infertility and pregnancy complications. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms involved in the impairment of decidualization has been a subject of interest in the field of reproductive medicine. Evidence from several experimental settings show that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine‐disrupting chemical, affects the expression of several molecules that are involved in decidualization. Both low and high doses of BPA impair decidualization through the dysregulation of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors. Exposure to low doses of BPA leads to decreased levels and activities of several antioxidant enzymes, increased activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and increased production of nitric oxide (NO) via the upregulation of ER and PR. Consequently, oxidative stress is induced and decidualization becomes impaired. On the other hand, exposure to high doses of BPA downregulates ER and PR and impairs decidualization through two distinct pathways. One is through the upregulation of early growth response‐1 (EGR1) via increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinases 1 and 2; and the other is through a reduced serum glucocorticoid‐induced kinase‐1 (SGK1)‐mediated downregulation of epithelial sodium channel‐α and the induction of oxidative stress. Thus, regardless of the dose, BPA can impair decidualization to trigger infertility and pregnancy complications. This warrants the need to adopt lifestyles that will decrease the tendency of getting exposed to BPA.
Cerebrospinal fluid pulse wave velocity measurements: In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a novel multiband cine phase‐contrast MRI sequence
Authors: Sonnabend Kristina , Brinker Gerrit , Maintz David , Bunck Alexander C. , Weiss Kilian 
Published: July 2020

PurposeIntracranial and intraspinal compliance are parameters of interest in the diagnosis and prediction of treatment outcome in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus and other forms of communicating hydrocephalus. A noninvasive method to estimate the spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulse wave velocity (PWV) as a measure of compliance was developed using a multiband cine phase‐contrast MRI sequence and a foot‐to‐foot algorithm.MethodsWe used computational simulations to estimate the accuracy of the MRI acquisition and transit‐time algorithm. In vitro measurements were performed to investigate the reproducibility and accuracy of the measurements under controlled conditions. In vivo measurements in 20 healthy subjects and 2 patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus were acquired to show the technical feasibility in a clinical setting.ResultsSimulations showed a mean deviation of the calculated CSF PWV of 3.41% ± 2.68%. In vitro results were in line with theory, showing a square‐root relation between PWV and transmural pressure and a good reproducibility with SDs of repeated measurements below 5%. Mean CSF PWV over all healthy subjects was 5.83 ± 3.36 m/s. The CSF PWV measurements in the patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus were distinctly higher before CSF shunt surgery (33.80 ± 6.75 m/s and 31.31 ± 7.82 m/s), with a decrease 5 days after CSF shunt surgery (15.69 ± 3.37 m/s).ConclusionThis study evaluates the feasibility of CSF PWV measurements using a multiband cine phase‐contrast MRI sequence. In vitro and in vivo measurements showed that this method is a potential tool for the noninvasive estimation of intraspinal compliance.