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ACS Omega Apr 2022Increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases due to industrial activity have led to concerning levels of global warming. Reducing carbon dioxide (CO)... (Review)
Review
Increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases due to industrial activity have led to concerning levels of global warming. Reducing carbon dioxide (CO) emissions, one of the main contributors to the greenhouse effect, is key to mitigating further warming and its negative effects on the planet. CO capture solvent systems are currently the only available technology deployable at scales commensurate with industrial processes. Nonetheless, designing these solvents for a given application is a daunting task requiring the optimization of both thermodynamic and transport properties. Here, we discuss the use of atomic scale modeling for computing reaction energetics and transport properties of these chemically complex solvents. Theoretical studies have shown that in many cases, one is dealing with a rich ensemble of chemical species in a coupled equilibrium that is often difficult to characterize and quantify by experiment alone. As a result, solvent design is a balancing act between multiple parameters which have optimal zones of effectiveness depending on the operating conditions of the application. Simulation of reaction mechanisms has shown that CO binding and proton transfer reactions create chemical equilibrium between multiple species and that the agglomeration of resulting ions and zwitterions can have profound effects on bulk solvent properties such as viscosity. This is balanced against the solvent systems needing to perform different functions (e.g., CO uptake and release) depending on the thermodynamic conditions (e.g., temperature and pressure swings). The latter constraint imposes a "Goldilocks" range of effective parameters, such as binding enthalpy and p , which need to be tuned at the molecular level. The resulting picture is that solvent development requires an integrated approach where theory and simulation can provide the necessary ingredients to balance competing factors.
PubMed: 35465123
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c07398 -
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.) Jul 2022We expand upon a simulation study that compared three promising methods for estimating weights for assessing the average treatment effect on the treated for binary...
We expand upon a simulation study that compared three promising methods for estimating weights for assessing the average treatment effect on the treated for binary treatments: generalized boosted models, covariate-balancing propensity scores, and entropy balance. The original study showed that generalized boosted models can outperform covariate-balancing propensity scores, and entropy balance when there are likely to be nonlinear associations in both the treatment assignment and outcome models and when the other two models are fine-tuned to obtain balance only on first-order moments. We explore the potential benefit of using higher-order moments in the balancing conditions for covariate-balancing propensity scores and entropy balance. Our findings showcase that these two models should, by default, include higher-order moments and focusing only on first moments can result in substantial bias in estimated treatment effect estimates from both models that could be avoided using higher moments.
Topics: Bias; Causality; Computer Simulation; Humans; Propensity Score
PubMed: 35439772
DOI: 10.1097/EDE.0000000000001481 -
EFORT Open Reviews Dec 2018For multifactorial reasons an estimated 20% of patients remain unsatisfied after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Appropriate tension of the soft tissue envelope...
For multifactorial reasons an estimated 20% of patients remain unsatisfied after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Appropriate tension of the soft tissue envelope encompassing the knee is important in total knee arthroplasty and soft tissue imbalance contributes to several of the foremost reasons for revision TKA, including instability, stiffness and aseptic loosening.There is debate in the literature surrounding the optimum way to achieve balancing of a total knee arthroplasty and there is also a lack of an accepted definition of what a balanced knee replacement is.It may be intuitive to use the native knee as a model for balancing; however, there are many difficulties with translating this into a successful prosthesis.One of the foundations of TKA, as described by Insall, was that although the native knee has more weight transmitted through the medial compartment this was to be avoided in a TKA as it would lead to uneven wear and early failure. There is a focus on achieving symmetrical tension and pressure and subsequent 'balance' in TKA, but the evidence from cadaveric studies is that the native knee is not symmetrically balanced.As we are currently trying to design an implant that is not based on its anatomical counterpart, is it possible to create a truly balanced prosthesis or to even to define what that balance is? The authors have reviewed the current evidence surrounding TKA balancing and its relationship with the native knee. Cite this article: 2018;3:614-619. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.180008.
PubMed: 30697441
DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.180008 -
European Journal of Psychotraumatology Mar 2021: British Armed Forces' and Police Forces' personnel are trained to operate in potentially traumatic conditions. Consequently, they may experience post-traumatic stress...
: British Armed Forces' and Police Forces' personnel are trained to operate in potentially traumatic conditions. Consequently, they may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is often comorbid with harmful alcohol use. : We aimed to assess the proportions, and associations, of probable PTSD and harmful alcohol use among a covariate-balanced sample of male military personnel and police employees. : Proportions of probable PTSD, harmful alcohol use, and daily binge drinking, were explored using data from the police Airwave Health Monitoring Study (2007-2015) ( = 23,826) and the military Health and Wellbeing Cohort Study (phase 2: 2007-2009, phase 3: 2014-2016) ( = 7,399). Entropy balancing weights were applied to the larger police sample to make them comparable to the military sample on a range of pre-specified variables (i.e. year of data collection, age and education attainment). Multinomial and logistic regression analyses determined sample differences in outcome variables, and associated factors (stratified by sample). : Proportions of probable PTSD were similar in military personnel and police employees (3.67% vs 3.95%), although the large sample size made these borderline significant (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 0.84; 95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 0.72 to 0.99). Clear differences were found in harmful alcohol use among military personnel, compared to police employees (9.59% vs 2.87%; AOR: 2.79; 95% CI: 2.42 to 3.21). Current smoking, which was more prevalent in military personnel, was associated with harmful drinking and binge drinking in both samples but was associated with PTSD in military personnel only. : It is generally assumed that both groups have high rates of PTSD from traumatic exposures, however, low proportions of PTSD were observed in both samples, possibly reflecting protective effects of unit cohesion or resilience. The higher level of harmful drinking in military personnel may relate to more prominent drinking cultures or unique operational experiences.
PubMed: 33968324
DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1891734 -
PloS One 2017Static balancing assessment is often complemented with dynamic balancing tasks. Numerous dynamic balancing assessment methods have been developed in recent decades with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Static balancing assessment is often complemented with dynamic balancing tasks. Numerous dynamic balancing assessment methods have been developed in recent decades with their corresponding balancing devices and tasks.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic literature review is to identify and categorize existing objective methods of standing dynamic balancing ability assessment with an emphasis on the balancing devices and tasks being used.
DATA SOURCES
Three major scientific literature databases (Science Direct, Web of Science, PLoS ONE) and additional sources were used.
STUDY SELECTION
Studies had to use a dynamic balancing device and a task described in detail. Evaluation had to be based on objectively measureable parameters. Functional tests without instrumentation evaluated exclusively by a clinician were excluded. A total of 63 articles were included.
DATA EXTRACTION
The data extracted during full-text assessment were: author and date; the balancing device with the balancing task and the measured parameters; the health conditions, size, age and sex of participant groups; and follow-up measurements.
DATA SYNTHESIS
A variety of dynamic balancing assessment devices were identified and categorized as 1) Solid ground, 2) Balance board, 3) Rotating platform, 4) Horizontal translational platform, 5) Treadmill, 6) Computerized Dynamic Posturography, and 7) Other devices. The group discrimination ability of the methods was explored and the conclusions of the studies were briefly summarized.
LIMITATIONS
Due to the wide scope of this search, it provides an overview of balancing devices and do not represent the state-of-the-art of any single method.
CONCLUSIONS
The identified dynamic balancing assessment methods are offered as a catalogue of candidate methods to complement static assessments used in studies involving postural control.
Topics: Equipment and Supplies; Humans; Postural Balance; Posture
PubMed: 28934308
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185188 -
Nutrition & Metabolism Sep 2022This study aimed to examine the effect of lunches with different caloric contents (Study 1) and nutrient balances (Study 2) on dinner-induced postprandial glucose...
AIM
This study aimed to examine the effect of lunches with different caloric contents (Study 1) and nutrient balances (Study 2) on dinner-induced postprandial glucose fluctuation.
METHODS
Energy trial (Study 1): Thirteen healthy young participants (n = 10 men, n = 3 women) were investigated to determine the effects of different caloric intakes at lunch on glucose level variability. The study was comprised of four trials (no lunch, low lunch, standard lunch, and high-energy lunch). Energy balance trial (Study 2): Fourteen healthy young adults (n = 8 men, n = 6 women) were investigated to determine the effect of different nutrient balances during lunch on glucose level variability. The study consisted of four trials (standard, protein-rich, fat-rich, and carbohydrate-rich). In studies 1 and 2, each trial was spaced at least 24 full hours apart, and breakfast and dinner were tested as meals. The mealtimes for each trial were then aligned. Continuous glucose monitoring was used to assess the blood glucose fluctuations.
RESULTS
Study 1: The no-lunch (95% CI 95.5-149.7) and low-energy lunch (95% CI 90.8-143.1) trials had significantly higher values in the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of postprandial blood glucose at dinner compared to the standard (95% CI 55.4-90.0) and high-energy lunch (95% CI 29.3-54.6) trials (P = 0.006, P = 0.001 vs. none), (P = 0.004, P = 0.001 vs. low-energy trial). Study 2: A significantly higher postprandial blood glucose iAUC for dinner was found in the fat-rich trial (95% CI 58.5-114.0) than that in the protein-rich (95% CI 25.6-63.9) and standard (95% CI 25.6-112.4) trials, (P = 0.006, P = 0.035 vs. fat-rich trial).
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that skipping lunch and low-calorie or high-lipid intake increased postprandial blood glucose levels after dinner.
PubMed: 36153548
DOI: 10.1186/s12986-022-00704-1 -
Ecology and Evolution Aug 2021At northern latitudes, large spatial and temporal variation in the nutritional composition of available foods poses challenges to wild herbivores trying to satisfy their...
At northern latitudes, large spatial and temporal variation in the nutritional composition of available foods poses challenges to wild herbivores trying to satisfy their nutrient requirements. Studies conducted in mostly captive settings have shown that animals from a variety of taxonomic groups deal with this challenge by adjusting the amounts and proportions of available food combinations to achieve a target nutrient balance. In this study, we used proportions-based nutritional geometry to analyze the nutritional composition of rumen samples collected in winter from 481 moose () in southern Sweden and examine whether free-ranging moose show comparable patterns of nutrient balancing. Our main hypothesis was that wild moose actively regulate their rumen nutrient composition to offset ecologically imposed variation in the nutritional composition of available foods. To test this, we assessed the macronutritional composition (protein, carbohydrates, and lipids) of rumen contents and commonly eaten foods, including supplementary feed, across populations with contrasting winter diets, spanning an area of approximately 10,000 km. Our results suggest that moose balanced the macronutrient composition of their rumen, with the rumen contents having consistently similar proportional relationship between protein and nonstructural carbohydrates, despite differences in available (and eaten) foods. Furthermore, we found that rumen macronutrient balance was tightly related to ingested levels of dietary fiber (cellulose and hemicellulose), such that the greater the fiber content, the less protein was present in the rumen compared with nonstructural carbohydrates. Our results also suggest that moose benefit from access to a greater variety of trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses, which provides them with a larger nutritional space to maneuver within. Our findings provide novel theoretical insights into a model species for ungulate nutritional ecology, while also generating data of direct relevance to wildlife and forest management, such as silvicultural or supplementary feeding practices.
PubMed: 34429914
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7909 -
Arthroplasty Today Feb 2021Robot-assisted surgery was developed to improve accuracy and outcomes in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). One important determinant of TKA success is a well-balanced knee...
BACKGROUND
Robot-assisted surgery was developed to improve accuracy and outcomes in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). One important determinant of TKA success is a well-balanced knee throughout the range of motion. The purpose of this study is to determine if robot-assisted TKA (RA-TKA) results in improved intracompartmental ligament balance compared with conventional jig-based instrumentation (CM-TKA).
METHODS
This retrospective cohort study included 2 cohorts-a CM-TKA (n = 49) vs RA-TKA (n = 37) cohort. Demographic and intraoperative data, including intraoperative compartment loads, were measured after final implant implantation in extension (10°), mid-flexion (45°), and full flexion (90°), using an intraoperative compartment pressure sensor. An a priori power analysis revealed our study exhibited >80% power in detecting a 5-pound (lb) difference in compartment loads in the 2 cohorts.
RESULTS
There was no difference between medial and lateral compartment loads in extension, mid-flexion, and full flexion for the conventional (15.1 lbs, 15.9 lbs, and 13.4 lbs, respectively) vs RA-TKA (14.2 lbs, 15.1 lbs, and 10.3 lbs, respectively). The percentage of patients with high load compartment pressure in flexion (>40 lbs) by the conclusion of the surgery was significantly greater for the conventional (18%) vs the robotic TKA cohort (3%, = .025). The percentage of patients with unbalanced knees (>20 lbs differential between medial and lateral compartments) in flexion was significantly greater in the conventional (24%) vs robotic TKA cohort (5%, = .018).
CONCLUSIONS
In this series, RA-TKA resulted in improved intraoperative compartment balancing in flexion with no observed difference in mid-flexion and extension compared with CM-TKA.
PubMed: 33553538
DOI: 10.1016/j.artd.2020.12.022 -
PloS One 2022Despite its high and direct impact on nearly all biological processes, the underlying structure of gene-gene interaction networks is investigated so far according to...
Despite its high and direct impact on nearly all biological processes, the underlying structure of gene-gene interaction networks is investigated so far according to pair connections. To address this, we explore the gene interaction networks of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae beyond pairwise interaction using the structural balance theory (SBT). Specifically, we ask whether essential and nonessential gene interaction networks are structurally balanced. We study triadic interactions in the weighted signed undirected gene networks and observe that balanced and unbalanced triads are over and underrepresented in both networks, thus beautifully in line with the strong notion of balance. Moreover, we note that the energy distribution of triads is significantly different in both essential and nonessential networks compared to the shuffled networks. Yet, this difference is greater in the essential network regarding the frequency as well as the energy of triads. Additionally, results demonstrate that triads in the essential gene network are more interconnected through sharing common links, while in the nonessential network they tend to be isolated. Last but not least, we investigate the contribution of all-length signed walks and its impact on the degree of balance. Our findings reveal that interestingly when considering longer cycles, not only, both essential and nonessential gene networks are more balanced compared to their corresponding shuffled networks, but also, the nonessential gene network is more balanced compared to the essential network.
Topics: Gene Regulatory Networks; Genes, Essential; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
PubMed: 35353818
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258596 -
JCI Insight Aug 2022NK cell exhaustion is caused by chronic exposure to activating stimuli during viral infection, tumorigenesis, and prolonged cytokine treatment. Evidence suggests that...
NK cell exhaustion is caused by chronic exposure to activating stimuli during viral infection, tumorigenesis, and prolonged cytokine treatment. Evidence suggests that exhaustion may play a role in disease progression. However, relative to T cell exhaustion, the mechanisms underlying NK cell exhaustion and methods of reversing it are poorly understood. Here, we describe a potentially novel in vitro model of exhaustion that uses plate-bound agonists of the NK cell activating receptors NKp46 and NKG2D to induce canonical exhaustion phenotypes. In this model, prolonged activation resulted in downregulation of activating receptors, upregulation of checkpoint markers, decreased cytokine production and cytotoxicity in vitro, weakened glycolytic capacity, and decreased persistence, function, and tumor control in vivo. Furthermore, we discovered a beneficial effect of NK cell inhibitory receptor signaling during exhaustion. By simultaneously engaging the inhibitory receptor NKG2A during activation in our model, cytokine production and cytotoxicity defects were mitigated, suggesting that balancing positive and negative signals integrated by effector NK cells can be beneficial for antitumor immunity. Together, these data uncover some of the mechanisms underlying NK cell exhaustion in humans and establish our in vitro model as a valuable tool for studying the processes regulating exhaustion.
Topics: Carrier Proteins; Cytokines; Humans; Killer Cells, Natural; Neoplasms
PubMed: 35727627
DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.150079