bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic performance of high‐rise building with a rock‐slip isolation system with cables
Authors: Zhang Wenxue , Yin Xiaoxi , Chen Ying , Fei Kai
Published: January 2020

To avoid the overturning hazard of high‐rise buildings with traditional isolation technology, a rock‐slip structure with cables (RSSC) was proposed to improve their seismic performance. The mechanical model was established, and the motion behaviour equation of the RSSC was derived. Shake‐table tests of the RSSC were performed, and the results were compared with the corresponding finite‐element model simulations. The influences of key structural parameters and earthquake motion characteristics were analysed. The study results showed that the RSSC could effectively reduce the internal seismic force response and interlayer deformation under a severe earthquake, as well as decrease the overturning probability. The seismic reduction effect was influenced by the prestressed force, the aspect ratio of the structure, and the friction coefficient between the superstructure and foundation as well as seismic site type. The motion equation derived in this paper can be used to theoretically predict the motion behaviour of RSSC.
Temperature fields for fire resistance analysis of structures exposed to natural fires in large space buildings
Authors: Zhang Guowei , Li Huaxiang , Zhu Guoqing , Li Junyi
Published: January 2020

Temperature fields analysis is an essential work to evaluate the behavior of structures in fires. Large space buildings are mostly highly populated or high‐fire load places with high fire risks. So it is a research focus to predict the temperature fields of large space fires accurately. In this study, a full‐scale physical experiment on fires in large spaces has been conducted. The results show that the temperature distribution of natural fires in large spaces is nonuniform. With regard to the evolution laws of the temperature fields of natural fires in large spaces, the author developed a new temperature field prediction model for large spaces. The new model has been compared with the well‐known Li G Q model and the Xue S D model. Based on the comparative analysis, the new model can predict the change laws of the temperature fields with time in the whole fire process and reflect the gradual attenuation of temperature fields in the fire during the decay phase better. In the meantime, this new model developed by the authors can be used to structural analysis exposed to fires in large space buildings.
$$ \mathcal{N} $$ -extended D = 4 supergravity, unconventional SUSY and graphene
Authors: Andrianopoli L. , Cerchiai B.L. , D’Auria R. , Gallerati A. , Noris R. , Trigiante M. , Zanelli J.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We derive a 2+1 dimensional model with unconventional supersymmetry at the boundary of an AdS4

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

-extended supergravity, generalizing previous results. The (unconventional) extended supersymmetry of the boundary model is instrumental in describing, within a top-down approach, the electronic properties of graphene-like 2D materials at the two Dirac points, K and K
′. The two valleys correspond to the two independent sectors of the OSp(p|2) × OSp(q|2) boundary model in the p = q case, which are related by a parity transformation. The Semenoff and Haldane-type masses entering the corresponding Dirac equations are identified with the torsion parameters of the substrate in the model.
Resolving the ϕ2 (α) ambiguity in $$ {\mathrm{B}}^0\to {\mathrm{a}}_1^{\pm }{\uppi}^{\mp } $$
Authors: Dalseno J.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

I propose an alternative method for measuring the CP violating phase ϕ2(α) without ambiguity in an extended SU (3) flavour symmetry analysis, which can ultimately be achieved by exploiting interference effects between B → AP and B → VV decay channels, where A, V, P indicates an axial-vector, vector and pseudo-scalar meson, respectively. Under certain assumptions on the relevant decays based on current experimental results and minimal theoretical input, I demonstrate with an idealised amplitude model that a programme to extract a single solution for ϕ2 in the range [0, π], with the added possibility to simultaneously constrain non-factorisable SU(3)-breaking effects, could be executed to similar precision using Run 3 data at LHCb and the final Belle II sample.
Use of antidepressants and mood stabilizers in persons with first-episode schizophrenia
Authors: Puranen Arto , Koponen Marjaana , Tanskanen Antti , Tiihonen Jari , Taipale Heidi
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Antipsychotics are first-line treatment of schizophrenia. They are often accompanied by adjunctive treatments, such as antidepressant (AD) or mood stabilizer (MS), although there is only limited information of their use in first-episode schizophrenia. This study aimed to investigate AD and MS initiation and factors associated with initiation in persons with first-episode schizophrenia.

Methods

Register-based data was utilized to identify persons who received inpatient care due to schizophrenia during 1996–2014 in Finland and who did not use AD or MS at the time of first inpatient care diagnosis of schizophrenia (N = 7667, mean age 40.2, SD 18.2). Drug purchase data (1995–2017) was obtained from the National Prescription register and modelled with PRE2DUP method. Initiations of AD and MS use were followed up 3 years from first schizophrenia diagnoses. Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate factors associated with AD or MS initiation.

Results

Among persons with first-episode schizophrenia, 35.4% initiated AD and 14.1% initiated MS use within three years from diagnoses. Female gender, younger age, and benzodiazepine use were associated with higher risk of AD and MS initiation. The number of previous psychoses was associated with decreased risk of AD and increased risk of MS initiation.

Conclusion

Clinical guidelines rarely recommend the use of AD or MS as adjunctive treatment in persons with schizophrenia. However, this population is often treated with AD or MS. More studies are needed to evaluate benefits and risks of these medications as adjunctive treatment of schizophrenia.
POLR3A variants with striatal involvement and extrapyramidal movement disorder
Authors: Harting Inga , Al-Saady Murtadha , Krägeloh-Mann Ingeborg , Bley Annette , Hempel Maja , Bierhals Tatjana , Karch Stephanie , Moog Ute , Bernard Geneviève , Huntsman Richard , van Spaendonk Rosalina M. L. , Vreeburg Maaike , Rodríguez-Palmero Agustí , Pujol Aurora , van der Knaap Marjo S. , Pouwels Petra J. W. , Wolf Nicole I.
Published: January 2020

Biallelic variants in POLR3A cause 4H leukodystrophy, characterized by hypomyelination in combination with cerebellar and pyramidal signs and variable non-neurological manifestations. Basal ganglia are spared in 4H leukodystrophy, and dystonia is not prominent. Three patients with variants in POLR3A, an atypical presentation with dystonia, and MR involvement of putamen and caudate nucleus (striatum) and red nucleus have previously been reported. Genetic, clinical findings and 18 MRI scans from nine patients with homozygous or compound heterozygous POLR3A variants and predominant striatal changes were retrospectively reviewed in order to characterize the striatal variant of POLR3A-associated disease. Prominent extrapyramidal involvement was the predominant clinical sign in all patients. The three youngest children were severely affected with muscle hypotonia, impaired head control, and choreic movements. Presentation of the six older patients was milder. Two brothers diagnosed with juvenile parkinsonism were homozygous for the c.1771-6C > G variant in POLR3A; the other seven either carried c.1771-6C > G (n = 1) or c.1771-7C > G (n = 7) together with another variant (missense, synonymous, or intronic). Striatal T2-hyperintensity and atrophy together with involvement of the superior cerebellar peduncles were characteristic. Additional MRI findings were involvement of dentate nuclei, hila, or peridentate white matter (3, 6, and 4/9), inferior cerebellar peduncles (6/9), red nuclei (2/9), and abnormal myelination of pyramidal and visual tracts (6/9) but no frank hypomyelination. Clinical and MRI findings in patients with a striatal variant of POLR3A-related disease are distinct from 4H leukodystrophy and associated with one of two intronic variants, c.1771-6C > G or c.1771-7C > G, in combination with another POLR3A variant.
Molecular characterization of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens in three tertiary hospitals in Cairo, Egypt
Authors: El-Kholy Amani A. , Girgis Samia A. , Shetta Mervat A. F. , Abdel-Hamid Dalia H. , Elmanakhly Arwa R.
Published: January 2020

High rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among Gram-negative pathogens (GNP) have been reported in Egypt. Antimicrobial surveillance and identifying the genetic basis of AMR provide important information to optimize patient care. In this study, we aimed to identify the beta-lactam resistance phenotypes and genotypes of multidrug-resistant (MDR) non-repetitive GNP from 3 tertiary hospitals in Egypt. WZe studied 495 non-repetitive MDR Gram-negative isolates from patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI), complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI), and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), collected as part of the “Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends” (SMART) conducted in 3 tertiary hospitals in Cairo, Egypt, from 2015 to 2016. Identification and susceptibility testing of GNP to antimicrobials were tested in each hospital laboratory and confirmed in a reference laboratory (International Health Management Associates (IHMA), Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA). Molecular identification of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESΒLs), AmpC, and carbapenem resistance genes was conducted in IHMA. Among the 495 MDR isolates, Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were the most common (52.7% and 44.2%). K. pneumoniae was most susceptible to colistin, amikacin, ertapenem, and imipenem (92.7%, 72.7%, 69.3%, and 64%, respectively). E. coli was most susceptible to colistin (100%), amikacin (94.1%), imipenem (90.4%), and ertapenem (83.6%). ESBL was detected in 96.2% and ESBL genotypes included blaCTX-M-15 (70.1%), blaTEM-OSBL (48.5%), blaSHV-OSBL (27.9%), and blaCTX-M-14 (10.7%). AmpC resistance genes were identified in 9.7% of the isolates, dominated by blaCMY-2 (5.7%). Carbapenem resistance genes were detected in 45.3% of the isolates. In K. pneumoniae, blaOXA-48 dominated (40.6%), followed by blaNDM-1 (23.7%) and blaOXA-232 (4.5%). In E. coli, the most frequent genes were blaNDM-5 (9.6%), blaOXA-181 (5.5%), blaOXA-244 (3.7%), and blaNDM-1 (3.7%). blaKPC-2 was identified in 0.4% of isolates. Notably, 32.3% of isolates carried more than one resistance gene. Our findings emphasize the continued need for molecular surveillance of MDR pathogens, implementation of strict infection control measures, and antimicrobial stewardship policies in our hospitals.
Correction to: Artificial neural networks based techniques for anomaly detection in Apache Spark
Authors: Alnafessah Ahmad , Casale Giuliano
Published: January 2020

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a graphical mistake in Table 4. Table 4 shows a list of performance metrics associated to the DSM1, DSM2, DSM3, and DSM4 methods proposed in the paper. Due to a production problem, this table does not display the necessary vertical dividing lines required to distinguish the four methods. The original table intended for publication is given in this erratum. The original article has been corrected.
When Do those “Risk-Taking Adolescents” Take Risks? The Combined Effects of Risk Encouragement by Peers, Mild-to-Borderline Intellectual Disability and Sex
Authors: Wagemaker Eline , Huizenga Hilde M. , Dekkers Tycho J. , Collot d’Escury-Koenigs Annematt L. , Salemink Elske , Bexkens Anika
Published: January 2020

Adolescents with mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) show more daily life risk taking than typically developing adolescents. To obtain insight in when these “risk-taking adolescents” especially take risks, we investigated main and interaction effects of (a) MBID, (b) sex, and (c) type of peer influence on risk taking. The Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) was used as a proxy of real-life risk taking. 356 adolescents (12–19 years, 51.7% MBID, 63.4% boys) were randomly assigned to one of three BART peer-influence conditions: solo (no peers), positive risk encouragement (e.g., ‘You are cool if you continue’) or negative risk encouragement (e.g., ‘You are a softy if you do not continue’). The main finding was that boys with MBID took more risks than typically developing boys in the negative risk encouragement condition. Boys with MBID also took more risks in the negative risk encouragement condition compared to the solo condition, whereas typically developing boys did not. There were no such effects for girls. Surprisingly, boys with MBID took less risks in the solo condition than typically developing boys. We conclude that boys with MBID especially show high risk taking when peers belittle or threat with exclusion from the peer group. Prevention and intervention programs should specifically target boys with MBID to teach them to resist negative risk encouragement by peers.
Residual Thermal Strain Distribution Measurement of Underfills in Flip Chip Electronic Packages by an Inverse Approach Based on the Sampling Moiré Method
Authors: Wang Q. , Ri S. , Enomoto T.
Published: January 2020

Residual deformation evaluation of underfill (UF) materials in flip chips is crucial to improve the reliability of electronic packages. In this study, we propose to evaluate the residual thermal strain distributions using an inverse method based on the sampling moiré technique. Even if a grid pattern is fabricated on the specimen at room temperature, the residual strain distributions at an arbitrary temperature relative to the specimen formation temperature can be successfully calculated. The residual strain distributions relative to the free contraction state at an arbitrary temperature can also be measured when the coefficient of thermal expansion is available. A thermal chamber for flip chips was designed under a laser scanning microscope. Using the proposed method, the normal, shear and principal internal strain distributions and deformation characteristics of two kinds of UFs in flip chips were investigated relative to 150 °C. The strains of the UF with low glass transition temperature (UF-A) concentrate near the die material, especially at the die corner, while the strain concentration of the underfill with high glass transition temperature (UF-B) mainly occurs at the die corner and the buffer layer. The maximum principal strain of UF-A is greater than that of UF-B around the die corner. The residual maximum principal strain distributions relative to the free contraction state at 25 °C were compared with the simulation results by the finite element method. The residual strain distribution trends from experiments are consistent with those from simulations.
Energy efficiency in SMEs: overcoming the communication barrier
Authors: Palm Jenny , Backman Fredrik
Published: January 2020

This article discusses ineffective knowledge and information communication as an important barrier to improving energy efficiency in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and considers how to make functional communication an enabler of future SME energy-efficiency programmes. Energy audits – important tools when addressing energy efficiency in companies – are often performed by professionals with an engineering background, which does not reflect the backgrounds of those receiving the audit, inhibiting the interpretation of those audits. SMEs must actively process the information, and their employees must be able to connect the information to existing knowledge.

We analysed two methods used by Swedish municipal energy-efficiency programmes to improve energy efficiency in SMEs. The results indicate that in the programme providing SMEs with third-party information, but without any possibility to process the information, the energy-efficiency results were poor, while in the programme in which SMEs were actively engaged in all stages and could discuss problems and results with peers, the energy-efficiency results were better.

In implementing SME energy-efficiency programmes, municipalities should avoid simply offering audits. Instead, they should find methods that facilitate knowledge creation among the participants, allowing the participating SMEs to share experience and knowledge with one another and with experts, and to take home ideas, testing them in their own contexts, and communicating their experiences. This would be a way to make communication an enabler rather than a barrier.
Modellvalidierung mit Hilfe von Quantil-Quantil-Plots unter Solvency II
Authors: Pfeifer Dietmar
Published: January 2020

Nach etlichen Jahren Vorarbeit ist das Projekt Solvency II Anfang 2016 in den Ländern der Europäischen Union legislativ umgesetzt worden. Damit verbunden sind einige wesentliche Änderungen der jeweiligen nationalen Versicherungsaufsichtsgesetze. Ein neuer Aspekt hierbei ist die Vorschrift, potenzielle Abweichungen des Risikoprofils des Unternehmens von den Annahmen, die der Standardformel zur Berechnung des Solvency Capital Requirements (SCR) zugrunde liegen, zu analysieren und zu beurteilen. Für das Prämien- und Reserve-Risiko bzw. die zugehörigen Schaden-Kosten-Quoten wird dabei stillschweigend eine Lognormalverteilung unterstellt. In dieser Arbeit wird ein einfaches, aber dennoch mathematisch korrektes Verfahren auf der Basis von Quantil-Quantil-Plots vorgestellt, mit dem eine solche Analyse durchgeführt werden kann.
Detection of Subtle Sensor Errors in Mineral Processing Circuits Using Data-Mining Techniques
Authors: Pothina Rambabu , Ganguli Rajive
Published: January 2020

The economics of a mineral processing circuit is dependent on the numerous sensors that are critical to optimization and control systems. The sheer volume of sensors results in mines not being able to keep the sensors calibrated. When a sensor goes off calibration, it results in errors which can severely impact plant economics. Normally, these errors are not detected until the error grows and becomes a large (“gross”) error. Undetected errors are not remedied until the next calibration, which on average are a year apart Beamex (2019) [1] across all industries. Classical statistical methods that depend on linear relationships between input and response variables are typically used to find gross errors, but are not effective for highly non-linear and non-stationary operations in mining and mineral processing industries. Calibration of sensors is time-consuming and generally requires physical intervention that results in equipment downtimes causing production losses. Therefore, in situ detection methods are warranted that do not require physical removal of sensors to compare with standard measurements or well-calibrated sensors. Data-mining based techniques and algorithms have high success rate in tackling such problems. This paper presents results from a groundbreaking multi-year big data research project whose goal was to develop data-mining-based original techniques in a multi-sensor environment to identify when sensors start to stray, rather than wait for errors to grow. The carbon stripping (gold) circuit in the Pogo Mine of Alaska was selected for this project. Maintaining strip vessel temperatures at optimum levels is crucial for maximizing gold recoveries at Pogo, and hence the focus was on the temperature sensors of the two strip vessels. An automated algorithm to detect errors in strip vessel temperature sensors was developed that exploited data from multiple sensors in the strip circuit. This algorithm was able to detect with a high success rate when bias errors of magnitude as low as ± 2% were artificially induced into strip vessel temperature data streams. The detection times of about 1 month were much less than the industry average calibration frequency of 1 year. Thus, the algorithm helps detect errors early, without stopping the circuit. The algorithm alarms can serve as triggers when calibrations are done. Experimental methodology along with results, limitations of algorithms, and future research are also presented in this paper.
The Creation of a Review Mechanism for the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and Its Protocols
Authors: Rose Cecily
Published: January 2020

In November 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC or Convention) and its three protocols on human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and firearms. These instruments are the product of three years of diplomatic negotiations, and they represent a substantial contribution to international lawmaking in the area of transnational criminal law. UNTOC has attracted almost universal participation, with 190 states parties at present. Nearly two decades after the adoption of these instruments, however, remarkably little is known about whether states parties have implemented UNTOC and its protocols in their national legislation, whether they enforce such legislation, and whether they make use of UNTOC's provisions concerning international cooperation (e.g., extradition and mutual legal assistance). In other words, the influence of these instruments in practice remains largely unknown.
The Courtauld’s Witt and Conway Photographic Libraries: Two approaches to digitisation
Authors: Bilson Tom
Published: January 2020

The Courtauld Institute of Art is two years into a digitisation project of the Witt and Conway photograph archives (in addition to other, smaller collections) – a massive project that will make accessible over three million images of works of art from these internationally important photo collections. This article looks closely at the digitisation project and in particular, at the small army of volunteers assembled to carry out the digitisation and how this element of public engagement is essential to the success of the project.
Residents’ perspective of quality improvement and patient safety education in Canadian emergency medicine residency programs
Authors: Trivedi Sachin V. , Hartmann Riley J. , Hall Justin N. , Nasser Laila , Porplycia Danielle , Kwok Edmund S. H. , Chartier Lucas B.
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Quality improvement and patient safety (QIPS) competencies are increasingly important in emergency medicine (EM) and are now included in the CanMEDS framework. We conducted a survey aimed at determining the Canadian EM residents’ perspectives on the level of QIPS education and support available to them.

Methods

An electronic survey was distributed to all Canadian EM residents from the Royal College and Family Medicine training streams. The survey consisted of multiple-choice, Likert, and free-text entry questions aimed at understanding familiarity with QIPS, local opportunities for QIPS projects and mentorship, and the desire for further QIPS education and involvement.

Results

Of 535 EM residents, 189 (35.3%) completed the survey, representing all 17 medical schools; 77.2% of respondents were from the Royal College stream; 17.5% of respondents reported that QIPS methodologies were formally taught in their residency program; 54.7% of respondents reported being “somewhat” or “very” familiar with QIPS; 47.2% and 51.5% of respondents reported either “not knowing” or “not having readily available” opportunities for QIPS projects and QIPS mentorship, respectively; 66.9% of respondents indicated a desire for increased QIPS teaching; and 70.4% were interested in becoming involved with QIPS training and initiatives.

Conclusions

Many Canadian EM residents perceive a lack of QIPS educational opportunities and support in their local setting. They are interested in receiving more QIPS education, as well as project and mentorship opportunities. Supporting residents with a robust QIPS educational and mentorship framework may build a cohort of providers who can enhance the local delivery of care.
POLICING, ‘SCIENCE’, AND THE CURIOUS CASE OF PHOTO-FIT
Authors: LAWRENCE PAUL
Published: January 2020

This article analyses the curious development and subsequent refinement of the Photo-FIT system for the identification of criminal suspects, used by police forces around the world from the 1970s. Situating Photo-FIT in a succession of other technologies of identification, it demonstrates that, far from representing the onward march of science and technology (and the way in which both were harnessed to the power of the state in the twentieth century), Photo-FIT was the brainchild of an idiosyncratic entrepreneur wedded to increasingly outmoded notions of physiognomy. Its adoption by the Home Office was primarily determined by the particular context of the later 1960s, and its continued use owed more to vested interest and energetic promotion than to scientific underpinnings or proven efficacy. It did, however, in the longer term, provide the impetus for the development of a new sub-field of psychology and pave the way for the development of increasingly sophisticated facial identification technologies still used today. Overall, the article demonstrates the long persistence of physiognomic thinking in twentieth-century Britain, the way in which new technology is socially constructed, and the persuasive power of ‘pseudo-science’.
AZTEC-PERIOD POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION OF WESTERN MORELOS, MEXICO
Authors: Mason Roger D. , Earle David D.
Published: January 2020

The Tlahuica, a Nahua ethnic group, arrived in what is now western Morelos and conquered several preexisting towns circaa.d.1100. Members of Tlahuica elite lineages took control of irrigable land and foundedaltepeme(small city-states). As population increased, segmentation occurred until there were 32altepeme. The elite's control of the irrigable land was the basis for collecting tribute consisting of cotton cloth. The 32altepemein western Morelos became part of threeseñoríos(regional centers) comprised of multiplealtepemebya.d.1400: Cuauhnahuac, Tlaquiltenango, and Xiutepec. Coatlan, located in the southwestern part of western Morelos, remained an independent polity separate from the threeseñoríos. The 32altepemewere conquered by the Triple Alliance in the 1430s and 1450s, putting a halt to further conquests by theseseñoríosand leaving Coatlan as an independent buffer state between the Tlahuicaseñoríosand Chontal polities to the southwest. The Triple Alliance did not displace the local population in western Morelos or send colonists from the Basin of Mexico, as they did in non-Nahua provinces of the empire.
Evidence for Cognitive Deficits in X-Linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
Authors: Kasselimis Dimitrios , Karadima Georgia , Angelopoulou Georgia , Breza Marianthi , Tsolakopoulos Dimitrios , Potagas Constantin , Panas Marios , Koutsis Georgios
Published: January 2020

Objective:

X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTX) is an hereditary neuropathy caused by mutations inGJB1coding for connexin-32, found in Schwann cells, but also expressed in oligodendrocytes. Reports have identified CNS involvement in CMTX, but no systematic study of cognitive function has been published.

Methods:

We assessed 24 CMTX patients (13 males; 9GJB1mutations) with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, including tests of memory, language, and executive functions.

Results:

No differences in cognitive performance were observed between males and females. A case-by-case investigation revealed selective deficits in individual patients. One subgroup (29%) demonstrated executive abnormalities; and a non-overlapping subgroup (29%), prominent reading (decoding) abnormalities.

Conclusions:

The present data provide evidence for cognitive deficits in CMTX. Emerging neuropsychological patterns are also discussed.
What is the quality of hydrogel spacer insertions? and which patients will benefit? A literature review
Authors: Drabble Joseph , Drury-Smith Heather
Published: January 2020

Aim:

To evaluate the quality of rectal hydrogel spacer (HS) insertions from literature in patients undergoing radical radiotherapy for prostate cancer. The secondary aim is to assess the benefit of HSs in patients with risk factors more likely to have rectal complications, such as non-conventional radiotherapy dose fractionations and high-risk disease.

Method and materials:

A literature search of peer-reviewed electronic articles was carried out using Boolean connectors and Medical Subject Headings in the databases. Databases searched included ScienceDirect, Medline and Cinahl. The articles were assessed using relevant critical appraisal skills programme tools.

Results:

From the 26 studies used, HS showed a clinically significant relative reduction in rectal planning dose volumes for both high- and low-risk prostate cancer patients in a range of radiotherapy treatment modalities including volumetric modulated arc therapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, intensity-modulated proton therapy, stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Spacer placements were successfully inserted in 99% of patients. However, rectal wall infiltration occurrence was 6% and ≥2 cm unsymmetrical placements in 2%.

Findings:

A spacer scoring system based on the HS symmetry has provided evidence of the quality of the position inserted, which was visually aided by T2-wieghted MRIs. Despite optimal HS placements ranging from 62 to 72%, HS had a clinically significant reduction of ≥25% in planned rectal V70 dose in 97% of patients.
Pitching Opera: Innovating New Music Theater at Banff and Stratford, 1970–1990
Authors: RENIHAN COLLEEN
Published: January 2020

The Banff Summer Festival of the Arts and the Stratford Summer Music Festival have been unrecognized sites of operatic innovation in Canada. Indeed, the flourishing of what might be termed “new music theater” in Canada is imbricated with the history of these two festivals. Archival research reveals that the inventive, often revolutionary, approaches to music theater honed at Stratford and Banff from 1970–1990 ultimately defined the course of Canadian new music theatre in the decades that followed. Founded in 1953 as a Shakespeare festival, the Stratford Festival eventually became renowned for its (nearly exclusive) focus on musical theater. At Banff, discussions about generic innovation occurred regularly, producing what I suggest was one of the foremost centers in the world for innovation in music theater. Charting the development of opera in Canada through conversations that took part at the Banff and Stratford festivals during the period 1970–1990 reveals the unique possibilities that the peripheral positioning of these festivals—aesthetically, critically, and geographically—offered to the development, dissemination, and innovation of so-called new music theater in Canada.
Observations of Aerosol‐Cloud Interactions During the North Atlantic Aerosol and Marine Ecosystem Study
Authors: Sinclair Kenneth , van Diedenhoven Bastiaan , Cairns Brian , Alexandrov Mikhail , Moore Richard , Ziemba Luke D. , Crosbie Ewan
Published: January 2020

Clouds and their response to aerosols constitute the largest uncertainty in our understanding of 20th‐century climate change. We present an investigation that determines linkages between remotely sensed marine cloud properties with in situ measurements of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and meteorological properties obtained during the North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study. The first two deployments of this campaign have geographically similar domains but occur in different seasons allowing the response of clouds to a range of CCN concentrations and meteorological conditions to be investigated. Well‐defined connections between CCN and cloud microphysical properties consistent with the indirect effect are observed, as well as complex, nonlinear secondary effects that are partially supported by previously proposed mechanisms. Using the Research Scanning Polarimeter's remotely sensed effective variance parameter, correlation is found with liquid water path. In general, cloud macrophysical properties are found to better correlate with atmospheric state parameters than changes in CCN concentrations.
Channel‐Trapped Convergence and Divergence of Lateral Velocity in the Pearl River Estuary: Influence of Along‐Estuary Variations of Channel Depth and Width
Authors: Pan Jiayi , Lai Wenfeng , Devlin Adam T.
Published: January 2020

A cruise survey was conducted in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) in May 2014. In situ observations during this cruise reveal that at the surface in the central channel of the PRE there was a strong convergence of lateral velocity during an ebb tide and a divergence during a flood tide. The ebb tide convergence was also observed in satellite synthetic aperture radar imagery. The Finite‐Volume Coastal Ocean Model was executed in the PRE domain to accurately simulate the convergence and divergence of the cross‐estuary velocity during ebb and flood tides, respectively. Numerical experiments in an idealized estuary domain are implemented with three distinct forcing scenarios: tide, river discharge, and a combination of both. Model results show that the cross‐estuary momentum balance plays a significant role in the dynamics of the velocity convergence and divergence in the PRE. Additionally, the interaction between tide and river discharge enhances the surface convergence on ebb tide and generates the surface divergence on flood tide. The model results reveal that the along‐estuary variation of channel depth and width is responsible for the tide‐induced lateral velocity convergence and divergence in the channel, supported by the fact that when the channel depth and width are set to constant values in the model, the channel‐trapped ebb convergence substantially weakens, and the flood divergence disappears. This study provides an indication for other wide estuaries.
A Diagnosis of Anisotropic Eddy Diffusion From a High‐Resolution Global Ocean Model
Authors: Bachman Scott D. , Fox‐Kemper Baylor , Bryan Frank O.
Published: January 2020

Oceanic mesoscale eddies are known to diffuse and stir tracers, and the development of skillful eddy closures is aided considerably by the accurate diagnosis of these processes from eddy‐resolving model statistics. In this work a multiple‐tracers inversion method is applied to a global mesoscale eddy‐resolving simulation, with the intent to solve for the eddy transport tensor that describes the eddy diffusion (symmetric part) and stirring (antisymmetric part). Special emphasis is placed on diagnosing the anisotropy of the horizontal transport, which is described by the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the
horizontal symmetric subtensor. Global diagnoses of these quantities, along with an examination of their vertical structures, are used to recommend an algorithm for extending the Gent and McWilliams and Redi parameterizations to include anisotropic effects.
Evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex lineages and their role in an emerging threat of multidrug resistant tuberculosis in Bamako, Mali
Authors: Senghore Madikay , Diarra Bassirou , Gehre Florian , Otu Jacob , Worwui Archibald , Muhammad Abdul Khalie , Kwambana-Adams Brenda , Kay Gemma L. , Sanogo Moumine , Baya Bocar , Orsega Susan , Doumbia Seydou , Diallo Souleymane , de Jong Bouke C. , Pallen Mark J. , Antonio Martin
Published: January 2020

In recent years Bamako has been faced with an emerging threat from multidrug resistant TB (MDR-TB). Whole genome sequence analysis was performed on a subset of 76 isolates from a total of 208 isolates recovered from tuberculosis patients in Bamako, Mali between 2006 and 2012. Among the 76 patients, 61(80.3%) new cases and 15(19.7%) retreatment cases, 12 (16%) were infected by MDR-TB. The dominant lineage was the Euro-American lineage, Lineage 4. Within Lineage 4, the Cameroon genotype was the most prevalent genotype (n = 20, 26%), followed by the Ghana genotype (n = 16, 21%). A sub-clade of the Cameroon genotype, which emerged ~22 years ago was likely to be involved in community transmission. A sub-clade of the Ghana genotype that arose approximately 30 years ago was an important cause of MDR-TB in Bamako. The Ghana genotype isolates appeared more likely to be MDR than other genotypes after controlling for treatment history. We identified a clade of four related Beijing isolates that included one MDR-TB isolate. It is a major concern to find the Cameroon and Ghana genotypes involved in community transmission and MDR-TB respectively. The presence of the Beijing genotype in Bamako remains worrying, given its high transmissibility and virulence.
Structural insights into the promiscuous DNA binding and broad substrate selectivity of fowlpox virus resolvase
Authors: Li Na , Shi Ke , Rao Timsi , Banerjee Surajit , Aihara Hideki
Published: January 2020

Fowlpox virus resolvase (Fpr) is an endonuclease that cleaves a broad range of branched DNA structures, including the Holliday junction (HJ), with little sequence-specificity. To better understand the mechanisms underlying its relaxed substrate specificity, we determined the crystal structures of Fpr and that in a novel complex with HJ at 3.1-Å resolution. In the Fpr-HJ complex, two Fpr dimers use several distinct regions to interact with different DNA structural motifs, showing versatility in DNA-binding. Biochemical and solution NMR data support the existence of non-canonical modes of HJ interaction in solution. The binding of Fpr to various DNA motifs are mediated by its flat DNA-binding surface, which is centered on a short loop spanning K61 to I72 and flanked by longer α-helices at the outer edges, and basic side grooves near the dimer interface. Replacing the Fpr loop K61~I72 with a longer loop from Thermus thermophilus RuvC (E71~A87) endows Fpr with an enhanced selectivity toward HJ cleavage but with a target sequence preference distinct from that of RuvC, highlighting a unique role of this loop region in Fpr-HJ interaction. Our work helps explain the broad substrate selectivity of Fpr and suggests a possible mode of its association with poxvirus hairpin telomeres.
Unsupervised class discovery in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma reveals cell-intrinsic mesenchymal features and high concordance between existing classification systems
Authors: Dijk Frederike , Veenstra Veronique L. , Soer Eline C. , Dings Mark P. G. , Zhao Lan , Halfwerk Johannes B. , Hooijer Gerrit K. , Damhofer Helene , Marzano Marco , Steins Anne , Waasdorp Cynthia , Busch Olivier R. , Besselink Marc G. , Tol Johanna A. , Welling Lieke , van Rijssen Lennart B. , Klompmaker Sjors , Wilmink Hanneke W. , van Laarhoven Hanneke W. , Medema Jan Paul , Vermeulen Louis , van Hooff Sander R. , Koster Jan , Verheij Joanne , van de Vijver Marc J. , Wang Xin , Bijlsma Maarten F.
Published: January 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has the worst prognosis of all common cancers. However, divergent outcomes exist between patients, suggesting distinct underlying tumor biology. Here, we delineated this heterogeneity, compared interconnectivity between classification systems, and experimentally addressed the tumor biology that drives poor outcome. RNA-sequencing of 90 resected specimens and unsupervised classification revealed four subgroups associated with distinct outcomes. The worst-prognosis subtype was characterized by mesenchymal gene signatures. Comparative (network) analysis showed high interconnectivity with previously identified classification schemes and high robustness of the mesenchymal subtype. From species-specific transcript analysis of matching patient-derived xenografts we constructed dedicated classifiers for experimental models. Detailed assessments of tumor growth in subtyped experimental models revealed that a highly invasive growth pattern of mesenchymal subtype tumor cells is responsible for its poor outcome. Concluding, by developing a classification system tailored to experimental models, we have uncovered subtype-specific biology that should be further explored to improve treatment of a group of PDAC patients that currently has little therapeutic benefit from surgical treatment.
SOX9 promotes tumor progression through the axis BMI1-p21CIP
Authors: Aldaz Paula , Otaegi-Ugartemendia Maddalen , Saenz-Antoñanzas Ander , Garcia-Puga Mikel , Moreno-Valladares Manuel , Flores Juana M. , Gerovska Daniela , Arauzo-Bravo Marcos J. , Samprón Nicolas , Matheu Ander , Carrasco-Garcia Estefania
Published: January 2020

The developmental regulator SOX9 is linked to cancer progression mainly as a result of its role in the regulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, its activity in the differentiated cells that constitute the heterogeneous tumor bulk has not been extensively studied. In this work, we addressed this aspect in gastric cancer, glioblastoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. SOX9 silencing studies revealed that SOX9 is required for cancer cell survival, proliferation and evasion of senescence in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Gain of-SOX9 function showed that high levels of SOX9 promote tumor cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the modulation of SOX9 changed the expression of the transcriptional repressor BMI1 in the same direction in the three types of cancer, and the expression of the tumor suppressor p21CIP in the opposite direction. In agreement with this, SOX9 expression positively correlated with BMI1 levels and inversely with p21CIP in clinical samples of the different cancers. Moreover, BMI1 re-establishment in SOX9-silenced tumor cells restored cell viability and proliferation as well as decreased p21CIPin vitro and tumor growth in vivo. These results indicate that BMI1 is a critical effector of the pro-tumoral activity of SOX9 in tumor bulk cells through the repression of p21CIP. Our results highlight the relevance of the SOX9-BMI1-p21CIP axis in tumor progression, shedding novel opportunities for therapeutic development.
Anticipatory Control of Momentum for Bipedal Walking on Uneven Terrain
Authors: Darici Osman , Temeltas Hakan , Kuo Arthur D.
Published: January 2020

Humans and other walking bipeds often encounter and compensate for uneven terrain. They might, for example, regulate the body’s momentum when stepping on stones to cross a stream. We examined what to do and how far to look, as a simple optimal control problem, where forward momentum is controlled to compensate for a step change in terrain height, and steady gait regained with no loss of time relative to nominal walking. We modeled planar, human-like walking with pendulum-like legs, and found the most economical control to be quite stereotypical. It starts by gaining momentum several footfalls ahead of an upward step, in anticipation of the momentum lost atop that step, and then ends with another speed-up to regain momentum thereafter. A similar pattern can be scaled to a variety of conditions, including both upward or downward steps, yet allow for considerably reduced overall energy and peak power demands, compared to compensation without anticipation. We define a “persistence time” metric from the transient decay response after a disturbance, to describe how momentum is retained between steps, and how far ahead a disturbance should be planned for. Anticipatory control of momentum can help to economically negotiate uneven terrain.
Choroidal spatial distribution indexes as novel parameters for topographic features of the choroid
Authors: Hwang Sungsoon , Kong Mingui , Song Yun-Mi , Ham Don-Il
Published: January 2020

The purpose of the study is to propose choroidal spatial distribution indexes (CSDIs) to represent choroidal topographic features, establish a normative database for CSDIs, and identify factors associated with CSDIs in healthy eyes. Retrospective data analysis of 363 healthy eyes from a single-center, prospective, cross-sectional, non-interventional study. Subjects were evaluated using spectral domain OCT with enhanced depth imaging. Choroidal volume and average thickness were measured with OCT in nine macular subfields defined by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study. Vertical CSDI was defined as the natural logarithm of superior choroidal volume divided by inferior choroidal volume. Horizontal CSDI was defined as the natural logarithm of temporal choroidal volume divided by nasal choroidal volume. The overall distributions of vertical and horizontal CSDIs was analyzed. Linear regression analyses were used to identify ocular and systemic factors associated with vertical and horizontal CSDIs. The average vertical CSDI was 0.062 ± 0.206, and average horizontal CSDI was 0.138 ± 0.226. Both vertical and horizontal CSDIs followed normal distribution. Increasing age was significantly associated with greater vertical CSDI (choroidal volume distribution tilted toward the superior region), and longer axial length and thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness were significantly associated with greater horizontal CSDI (choroidal volume distribution tilted toward the temporal region).
Infection Prevention Measures for Surgical Procedures during a Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Outbreak in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South Korea
Authors: Park Jiyeon , Yoo Seung Yeon , Ko Jae-Hoon , Lee Sangmin M. , Chung Yoon Joo , Lee Jong-Hwan , Peck Kyong Ran , Min Jeong Jin
Published: January 2020

In 2015, we experienced the largest in-hospital Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak outside the Arabian Peninsula. We share the infection prevention measures for surgical procedures during the unexpected outbreak at our hospital. We reviewed all forms of related documents and collected information through interviews with healthcare workers of our hospital. After the onset of outbreak, a multidisciplinary team devised institutional MERS-control guidelines. Two standard operating rooms were converted to temporary negative-pressure rooms by physically decreasing the inflow air volume (−4.7 Pa in the main room and −1.2 Pa in the anteroom). Healthcare workers were equipped with standard or enhanced personal protective equipment according to the MERS-related patient’s profile and symptoms. Six MERS-related patients underwent emergency surgery, including four MERS-exposed and two MERS-confirmed patients. Negative conversion of MERS-CoV polymerase chain reaction tests was noticed for MERS-confirmed patients before surgery. MERS-exposed patients were also tested twice preoperatively, all of which were negative. All operative procedures in MERS-related patients were performed without specific adverse events or perioperative MERS transmission. Our experience with setting up a temporary negative-pressure operation room and our conservative approach for managing MERS-related patients can be referred in cases of future unexpected MERS outbreaks in non-endemic countries.
Adipophilin and perilipin 3 positively correlate with total lipid content in human breast milk
Authors: Pavlova Tereza , Spacil Zdenek , Vidova Veronika , Zlamal Filip , Cechova Eliska , Hodicka Zuzana , Bienertova-Vasku Julie
Published: January 2020

Lipids are secreted into milk as bilayer-coated structures: milk fat globules (MFGs). Adipophilin (ADRP) and perilipin 3 (TIP47) are associated with MFGs in human breast milk; however, the role of these proteins in milk lipid secretion is not fully understood. The study aimed to investigate levels of ADRP, TIP47 and total lipid content in human breast milk, their mutual correlations, and dynamics during lactation. Milk samples from 22 healthy lactating women (Caucasian, Central European) were collected at five time points during lactation (1–3, 12–14, 29–30, 88–90 and 178–180 days postpartum). Mass spectrometry-based method was used for quantification of ADRP and TIP47 in the samples. The gravimetric method was used to determine milk total lipid content. We observed distinctive trends in ADRP, TIP47 levels and lipid content in human breast milk during the first six months of lactation. We also found a significant association between lipid content and ADRP, lipid content and TIP47, and ADRP and TIP47 concentrations in breast milk at all sampling points. A mass spectrometry-based method was developed for quantifying ADRP and TIP47 in human breast milk. Strong mutual correlations were found between ADRP, TIP47 and total lipid content in human breast milk.