bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vortex arrays directly generated from an efficient diode-pumped microchip laser
Authors: Chen Dimeng , Miao Yujie , Wang Hanjie , Dong Jun 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Optical vortex arrays with multiple singularities arranged in distinct lattice structures provide more flexibility in trapping or manipulating microparticles, large-capacity optical communications and high-security information processing, and optical modulation. An efficient high-power compact laser with singularity-tunable vortex-array distribution is crucial for practical applications. Here, we directly generate various vortex arrays with tunable singularities from 1 to 10 in a microchip laser pumped with a tilted annular beam. Formation of vortex arrays in the microchip laser is achieved by manipulating the gain distribution in an Yb:YAG crystal by controlling the tilt angles and pump power. Efficient high-power laser operation with output power of 2.01 W and optical efficiency of 24.5% is obtained for a vortex array with 10 singularities. The pump-power-dependent saturated population inversion distribution plays a key role in generating vortex arrays formed with multi-transverse modes oscillating simultaneously in transverse-mode locking. The good agreement between theoretically simulated transverse patterns, phases and interference patterns for the vortex arrays and experimentally obtained results provides a solid foundation for developing efficient compact microchip lasers for generating vortex arrays by manipulating gain distribution in a thin medium pumped with a tilted annular beam.
Asbestos Exposure of Chrysotile Miners and Millers in Balangero, Italy
Authors: Silvestri Stefano , Ferrante Daniela , Giovannini Andrea , Grassi Francesco , Carofalo Stefania , Ferrara Rita , Magnani Corrado , Mirabelli Dario 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The largest chrysotile mine in Western Europe was active in Balangero (Italy) from 1917 to 1990. We quantitatively assessed exposure to asbestos in the framework of a cohort study on mortality of Balangero miners and millers. Using documents filed at the Italian State Archive we reconstructed the job-histories of cohort members. The concentration of asbestos fibres by work-area was derived from industrial hygiene surveys since 1968 and monitoring programs since 1975. Earlier exposures had been estimated based on the experimental reconstruction of past working conditions. In the mine concentrations of about 20 fibres per millilitre (f/ml) were initially present, decreasing to 5 in the mid-1950s and to &lt;1 in late 1970s. In milling areas higher levels were present and did not fall below 1 f/ml until the mid-1980s. Cumulative exposure of cohort members, as the sum over their job-history of their year- and area-specific exposures, were &lt;10 fibre/millilitre years (f/ml-y) in 18% of workers, 10–100 in 32%, 100–1000 in 37%, and &gt;1000 in 13%. Compared with recently published estimates for the Russian chrysotile mine in Asbest, fibre concentrations in Balangero were higher during the 1950s and 1960s. Such difference may be partly accounted for by difficulties in converting dust measurements to fibre concentrations in the Russian study and the need to rely on the experimental reconstruction of exposures before 1968 in our study.
Contrasting size-dependent life history strategies of an insular lizard
Authors: Rotger Andreu , Igual José Manuel , Tavecchia Giacomo 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn many species with continuous growth, body size is an important driver of life-history tactics and its relative importance is thought to reflect the spatio-temporal variability of selective pressures. We developed a deterministic size-dependent integral projection model for 3 insular neighboring lizard populations with contrasting adult body sizes to investigate how size-related selective pressures can influence lizard life-history tactics. For each population, we broke down differences in population growth rates into contributions from size-dependent body growth, survival, and fecundity. A life table response experiment (LTRE) was used to compare the population dynamics of the 3 populations and quantify the contributions of intrinsic demographic coefficients of each population to the population growth rate (λ). Perturbation analyses revealed that the largest adults contributed the most to the population growth rate, but this was not true in the population with the smallest adults and size-independent fertility. Although we were not able to identify a single factor responsible for this difference, the combination of the demographic model on a continuous trait coupled with an LTRE analysis revealed how individuals from sister populations of the same species follow different life strategies and showed different compensatory mechanisms among survival, individual body growth, and fertility. Our results indicate that body size can play a contrasting role even in closely-related and closely-spaced populations.
Adaptive development of concomitant secondary mitral and tricuspid regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Winter Max-Paul , Bartko Philipp E. , Krickl Annika , Gatterer Constantin , Donà Carolina , Nitsche Christian , Koschutnik Matthias , Spinka Georg , Siller-Matula Jolanta M. , Lang Irene M. , Mascherbauer Julia , Hengstenberg Christian , Goliasch Georg 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Aims
Concomitant secondary atrioventricular regurgitation is frequent in patients with severe aortic stenosis scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The future implications of leaving associated valve lesions untreated after TAVR remain unknown. Aim of the present study was to characterize the evolution of concomitant secondary atrioventricular regurgitations and to evaluate their impact on long-term prognosis.

Methods and results
We prospectively enrolled 429 consecutive TAVR patients. All patients underwent comprehensive clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic assessments prior to TAVR, at discharge, and yearly thereafter. All-cause mortality was chosen as primary study endpoint. At baseline, severe concomitant secondary mitral regurgitation (sMR) was present in 54 (13%) and severe concomitant secondary tricuspid regurgitation (sTR) in 75 patients (17%). After TAVR 59% of patients with severe sMR at baseline experienced sMR regression, whereas analogously sTR regressed in 43% of patients with severe sTR. Persistence of sTR and sMR were associated with excess mortality after adjustment for our bootstrap-selected confounder model with an adjusted HR of 2.44 (95% CI 1.15–5.20, P = 0.021) for sMR and of 2.09 (95% CI 1.20–3.66, P = 0.01) for sTR. Patients showing regression of atrioventricular regurgitation exhibited survival rates indistinguishable to those seen in patients without concomitant atrioventricular regurgitation (sMR: P = 0.83; sTR: P = 0.74).

Conclusion
Concomitant secondary atrioventricular regurgitation in patients with severe AS is a highly dynamic process with up to half of all patients showing regression of associated valvular regurgitation after TAVR and subsequent favourable post-interventional outcome. Persistent atrioventricular regurgitation is a major determinant of unfavourable outcome after TAVR and proposes a window of early sequel intervention.
Relating Stocking and Density for Natural Regeneration of Conifers in Northern California
Authors: Ritchie Martin W 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Natural regeneration cannot be effectively evaluated by tree density because of spatial heterogeneity typically observed. A proper interpretation of natural regeneration will consider some evaluation of area stocked. However, stocking estimates for natural regeneration are plot-size-dependent. Stocking at the 1-milacre scale is not generally comparable to that on a 4-milacre scale unless a generalized relation with stand density can be established. A generalized relation was first suggested to hold in a paper by Lynch and Schumacher (1941), but this has not been confirmed in subsequent studies. The Lynch and Schumacher hypothesis of a generalized regeneration density-stocking relation across plot size was tested using observations on 60 stands. Results were consistent with Lynch and Schumacher (1941). With evidence of a well-defined relation for plots ranging from 1 to 10 milacres, it appears possible to approximate, for ponderosa pine and associated species, the natural regeneration stocking percentage for a range of stocking standards based solely on observations of regeneration density. Confidence intervals were derived for a range of stocking standards in English units from 1 to 10 milacre and for metric units from 0.0005 hectares to 0.0040 hectares.
State feedback observer-based control design for linear descriptor systems with multiple time-varying delays
Authors: Phat V N , Niamsup P , Muoi N H 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
In this paper, we propose an linear matrix inequality (LMI)-based design method to observer-based control problem of linear descriptor systems with multiple time-varying delays. The delay function can be continuous and bounded but not necessarily differentiable. First, by introducing a new set of improved Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals that avoid calculating the derivative of the delay function, we obtain new delay-dependent sufficient conditions for guaranteeing the system to be regular, impulse-free and asymptotically stable. Then, based on the derived stability conditions, we design state feedback controllers and observer gains via LMIs, which can be solved numerically in standard computational algorithms. A numerical example with simulation is given to demonstrate the efficiency and validity of the proposed deign.
Representativeness of Black Patients in Cancer Clinical Trials Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute Compared With Pharmaceutical Companies
Authors: Unger Joseph M , Hershman Dawn L , Osarogiagbon Raymond U , Gothwal Anirudh , Anand Seerat , Dasari Arvind , Overman Michael , Loree Jonathan M , Raghav Kanwal 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background
Many clinical trials supporting new drug applications underrepresent minority patients. Trials conducted by the National Cancer Institute’s National Clinical Trial’s Network (NCTN) have greater outreach to community sites, potentially allowing better representation. We compared the representation of Black patients in pharmaceutical company–sponsored cancer clinical trials with NCTN trials and with the US cancer population.

Methods
We established a large cohort of study publications representing the results of trials that supported new US Food and Drug Administration drug approvals from 2008 to 2018. NCTN trial data were from the SWOG Cancer Research Network. US cancer population rates were estimated using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results survey data. We compared the proportion of Black patients by enrollment year for each cancer type and overall. Tests of proportions were used. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results
A total 358 trials (pharmaceutical company–sponsored trials, 85; SWOG trials, 273) comprised of 93 825 patients (pharmaceutical company–sponsored trials, 46 313; SWOG trials, 47 512) for 15 cancer types were analyzed. Overall, the proportion of Black patients was 2.9% for pharmaceutical company–sponsored trials, 9.0% for SWOG trials, and 12.1% for the US cancer population (P &lt; .001 for each pairwise comparison). These findings were generally consistent across individual cancer types.

Conclusions
The poor representation of Black patients in pharmaceutical company–sponsored trials supporting new drug applications could result in the use of new drugs with little data about efficacy or side effects in this key population. Moreover, because pharmaceutical company–sponsored trials test the newest available therapies, limited access to these trials represents a disparity in access to potential breakthrough therapies.
Transplacental Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Virus Antibody Transfer in Alaska Native and Seattle Mother–Infant Pairs
Authors: Chu Helen Y , Newman Kira L , Englund Janet A , Cho Shari , Bull Catherine , Lacombe Kirsten , Carlin Kristen , Bulkow Lisa R , Rudolph Karen , DeByle Carolynn , Berner James , Klejka Joseph , Singleton Rosalyn 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background
Alaska Native (AN) infants are at risk for severe disease due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza. Maternal immunization protects young infants through transplacental antibody transfer. RSV- and influenza-specific transplacental antibody transfer in mother–infant pairs has not previously been evaluated in the AN population.

Methods
Serum samples collected during pregnancy and at birth from AN mother–infant pairs in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region (YKD) of Alaska (2000–2011; n = 75) and predominantly white pairs in Seattle, Washington (2014–2016; n = 57), were tested for RSV and influenza antibody using a microneutralization and hemagglutination inhibition assay, respectively, and compared between sites.

Results
Mean RSV antibody concentrations in pregnant women in YKD and Seattle were similar (log2 RSV antibody 10.6 vs 10.7, P = .86), but cord blood RSV antibody concentrations were significantly lower in infants born to mothers in YKD compared with Seattle (log2 RSV antibody 11.0 vs 12.2, P &lt; .001). Maternal and cord blood influenza antibody concentrations were lower for women and infants in YKD compared with Seattle for all 4 influenza antigens tested (all P &lt; .05). The mean cord to maternal RSV antibody transfer ratio was 1.15 (standard deviation [SD], 0.13) in mother–infant pairs in Seattle compared with 1.04 (SD, 0.08) in YKD. Mean cord blood to maternal antibody transfer ratios for influenza antigens ranged from 1.22 to 1.42 in Seattle and from 1.05 to 1.59 in YKD.

Conclusions
Though the transplacental antibody transfer ratio was high (&gt;1.0) for both groups, transfer ratios for RSV antibody were significantly lower in AN mother–infant pairs. Further studies are needed to elucidate the impact of lower transplacental antibody transfer on infant disease risk in rural Alaska.
Alaska Native and continental US mother-infant pairs have high transplacental antibody transfer ratios (&gt;1.0) for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, but anti-respiratory syncytial virus antibody levels are significantly lower in Alaska Native pairs than in those from the continental US.
Belief, Faith, and Hope: On the Rationality of Long-Term Commitment
Authors: Jackson Elizabeth 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
I examine three attitudes: belief, faith, and hope. I argue that all three attitudes play the same role in rationalizing action. First, I explain two models of rational action—the decision-theory model and the belief-desire model. Both models entail there are two components of rational action: an epistemic component and a conative component. Then, using this framework, I show how belief, faith, and hope that p can all make it rational to accept, or act as if, p. I conclude by showing how my picture can explain how action-oriented commitments can be rational over time, both in the face of counterevidence and in the face of waning affections.
Perceptions of prognosis and goal of treatment in patients with malignant gliomas and their caregivers
Authors: Forst Deborah A , Quain Kit , Landay Sophia L , Anand Maya , Kaslow-Zieve Emilia , Mesa Michelle M , Jacobs Jamie M , Dietrich Jorg , Parsons Michael W , Horick Nora , Greer Joseph A , Batchelor Tracy T , Jackson Vicki A , El-Jawahri Areej , Temel Jennifer S 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background
Patients with malignant gliomas have a poor prognosis. However, little is known about patients’ and caregivers’ understanding of the prognosis and the primary treatment goal.

Methods
We conducted a prospective study in patients with newly diagnosed malignant gliomas (N = 72) and their caregivers (N = 55). At 12 weeks after diagnosis, we administered the Prognosis and Treatment Perceptions Questionnaire to assess understanding of prognosis and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to evaluate mood. We used multivariable regression analyses to explore associations between prognostic understanding and mood and McNemar tests to compare prognostic perceptions among patient-caregiver dyads (N = 48).

Results
A total of 87.1% (61/70) of patients and 79.6% (43/54) of caregivers reported that it was “very” or “extremely” important to know about the patient’s prognosis. The majority of patients (72.7%, [48/66]) reported that their cancer was curable. Patients who reported that their illness was incurable had greater depressive symptoms (B = 3.01, 95% CI, 0.89-5.14, P = .01). There was no association between caregivers’ prognostic understanding and mood. Among patient-caregiver dyads, patients were more likely than caregivers to report that their primary treatment goal was cure (43.8% [21/48] vs 25.0% [12/48], P = .04) and that the oncologist’s primary goal was cure (29.2% [14/48] vs 8.3% [4/48], P = .02).

Conclusions
Patients with malignant gliomas frequently hold inaccurate perceptions of the prognosis and treatment goal. Although caregivers more often report an accurate assessment of these metrics, many still report an overly optimistic perception of prognosis. Interventions are needed to enhance prognostic communication and to help patients cope with the associated distress.
In Full Flow: Left Ventricular Assist Device Infections in the Modern Era
Authors: Zinoviev Radoslav , Lippincott Christopher K , Keller Sara C , Gilotra Nisha A 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
With the rising prevalence of heart disease in the United States, there is increasing reliance on durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) to treat patients with end-stage heart failure. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), the most common form of durable MCS, are implanted mechanical pumps that connect to an external power source through a transcutaneous driveline. First-generation LVADs were bulky, pulsatile pumps that were frequently complicated by infection. Second-generation LVADs have an improved design, though infection remains a common and serious complication due to the inherent nature of implanted MCS. Infections can affect any component of the LVAD, with driveline infections being the most common. LVAD infections carry significant morbidity and mortality for LVAD patients. Therefore, it is paramount for the multidisciplinary team of clinicians caring for these patients to be familiar with this complication. We review the epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of LVAD infections.
Darboux transformation and multi-soliton solutions of the discrete sine-Gordon equation
Authors: Hanif Y , Saleem U 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe study the discrete Darboux transformation and construct multi-soliton solutions in terms of the ratio of determinants for the integrable discrete sine-Gordon equation. We also calculate explicit expressions of single-, double-, triple-, and quadruple-soliton solutions as well as single- and double-breather solutions of the discrete sine-Gordon equation. The dynamical features of discrete kinks and breathers are also illustrated.
Increased Muscle Mass Restores a Healthy Vascular Endothelial Cell Phenotype in Obesity
Authors: Padgett Caleb A. , Butcher Joshua T. , Corley Zachary L. , Mintz James D. , Fulton David J. , Stepp David W. 
Published: April 2020

ObjectiveInvestigate the effects of hypermuscularity on expression of genes vital to healthy endothelial function in a model of obesity‐driven cardiovascular disease.Methodsdb/db mice, a well characterized model of human obesity, were crossed with mice lacking myostatin, a myokine that inhibits muscle growth, to generate lean, obese, and hypermuscular obese mice. Using a column separation technique, fresh endothelial cells were isolated from the aortic and mesenteric arteries and mRNA expression of genes vital to endothelial health were assessed by qPCR.ResultsThe current study found that obesity significantly (p<0.05) increases expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1) by 15 to 25‐fold in both aortic and mesenteric endothelial cells in comparison to lean controls. Interestingly, expression of galectin‐3 (Gal‐3) in obesity increased significantly by 50‐fold in aortic endothelial cells, but 150‐fold in mesenteric endothelial cells. However, in endothelial cells from hypermuscular obese mice, overexpression of both NOX1 and Gal‐3 was ameliorated in both the aortic and mesenteric endothelium. These data indicate that hypermuscularity beneficially alters Gal‐3 overexpression, thereby decreasing injurious effects of NOX1 overexpression and restoring the endothelium to a favorable balance of eNOS and NOX1.ConclusionHypermuscularity improves endothelial NOS/NOX balance by decreasing levels of galectin‐3, an upstream contributor of NOX1 expression. Inhibition of galectin‐3 may prove to be a viable therapeutic target to ameliorate obesity‐driven cardiovascular disease.
Effects of oral heat shock protein 60 on serum matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in atherosclerosis rats
Authors: Hao Chunyan , Duan Hubin , Zhang Huaping , Xi Ling , Zheng Xiaojun , Gong Yuhong 
Published: April 2020

Objectiveto study the effect of oral heat shock protein 60(HSP60) on serum matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) in atherosclerosis (AS) rats.Methods40 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (group C), atherosclerosis intervention group (AS group), oral HSP60 group before building AS model (H1 group), oral HSP60 group after building AS model (H2 group), 10 rats in each group, weight 100 + 10 g. AS model was made by high fat feed. At 180 days of age, the rats were executed after obtaining the rats blood. MMP‐9 content in rats serum of each group were detected by enzyme‐linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsThe MMP‐9 content in rats serum of group C, AS group, H1group and H2 group respectively are 0.43±0.15μg/mL,3.83±0.64μg/mL,0.91±0.20μg/mL,1.91±0.70μg/mLConclusionThe content of MMP‐9 in serum of atherosclerosis rats was higher than that of normal control group. Oral administration of HSP60 could reduce the content of MMP‐9 in serum, which had certain effect on maintaining the stability of fibrous plaque. The earlier oral administration of HSP60, the better the effect.Support or Funding InformationThis study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation Youth Fund (30600637), China Postdoctral Foundation(2014M561207), the Shanxi Province Basic Research Program Youth Science and Technology Research Fund (2010021034‐4, 201601D011119), the Shanxi Scholarship Council of China (2011‐096 and Key Projects No. 4), Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Shanxi province, The science and technology research projects of health department of Shanxi Province(2016D011119), Science and technology development project of colleges of Shanxi Province, Innovation fund for college students in Shanxi Province, The Teaching Reform Program of Shanxi Higher Education, The Education Reform Project of Postgraduate Students in Shanxi Province. The Education Reform Project of Shanxi Medical University.