bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological and evolutionary responses of an arctic plant to variation in microclimate and soil
Authors: Wickander Niklas J. , Rasmussen Pil U. , Marteinsdóttir Bryndís , Ehrlén Johan , Tack Ayco J. M.
Published: October 2020

The arctic and alpine regions are predicted to experience some of the highest rates of climate change, and the arctic vegetation is expected to be especially sensitive to such changes. Understanding the ecological and evolutionary responses of arctic plant species to changes in climate is therefore a key objective. Geothermal areas, where natural temperature gradients occur over small spatial scales, and without many of the confounding environmental factors present in latitudinal and other gradient studies, provide a natural experimental setting in which to examine the response of arctic–alpine plants to increasing temperatures. To test the ecological and evolutionary response of the circumpolar alpine bistort Persicaria vivipara to temperature, we collected plant material and soil from areas with low, intermediate and high soil temperatures and grew them at three different temperatures in a three‐factorial growth chamber experiment. At higher experimental soil temperatures, sprouting was earlier and plants had more leaves. Sprouting was earlier in soil originating from intermediate temperature and plants had more leaves when grown in soil originating from low temperatures. We did not find evidence of local adaptation or genetic variation in reaction norms among plants originating from areas with low, intermediate and high soil temperature. Our findings suggest that the alpine bistort has a strong plastic response to warming, but that differences in soil temperature have not resulted in genetic differentiation. The lack of an observed evolutionary response may, for example, be due to the absence of temperature‐mediated selection on P. vivipara, the low rate of sexual recombination, or high levels of gene flow balancing differences in selection. When placed within the context of other studies, we conclude that arctic–alpine plant species often show strong plastic responses to spring warming, while evidence of evolutionary responses varies among species.
Association of serum lipid parameters with the SCORAD index and onset of atopic dermatitis in children
Authors: Kim Ju Hee , Lee Seung Won , Yon Dong Keon , Ha Eun Kyo , Jee Hye Mi , Sung Myongsoon , Sim Hyeon Jeong , Yoon Jung Won , Choi Sun‐Hee , Shin Youn Ho , Seo Seung In , Baek Hey‐Sung , Han Man Yong
Published: October 2020

Background

The association between dyslipidemia and atopic dermatitis in children is unclear. This study investigated the association between dyslipidemia and atopic dermatitis in children by analysis of disease onset, risk factors, and disease severity.

Methods

Subset I examined 7‐year‐old children in elementary school (n = 248), and Subset II was a retrospective long‐term follow‐up hospital‐based study (n = 52 725) conducted from 1986 to 2016 that used propensity score matching. In the Subset I study, total cholesterol (TC), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and triglycerides (TG) were determined, and the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index was determined. In the Subset II study, the time of atopic dermatitis onset was determined for asymptomatic subjects whose TC levels were below or above 170 mg/dL.

Results

Our Subset I study indicated that children with atopic dermatitis (n = 69, 27.8%) had significantly higher levels of TC and TG, and that the SCORAD index had significant associations with high levels of TC and TG, and a low level of HDL‐C. Our Subset II study (1722 with high TC and 6735 with normal TC after propensity score matching) indicated the high TC group had a greater hazard ratio (HR) for the onset of atopic dermatitis (consensus‐based HR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.23, 5.06, P = .012) during 5 years.

Conclusion

An abnormal blood lipid profile in children is associated with the presence of atopic dermatitis and the SCORAD index. The risk of atopic dermatitis onset was significantly greater with high levels of TC.
Type I interferon signaling limits viral vector priming of CD8+ T cells during initiation of vitiligo and melanoma immunotherapy
Authors: Riding Rebecca L. , Richmond Jillian M. , Fukuda Keitaro , Harris John E.
Published: October 2020

Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disease in which epidermal melanocytes are targeted for destruction by CD8+ T cells specific for melanocyte/melanoma‐shared antigens. IFNγ is the central cytokine driving disease, but the role of type I IFN in vitiligo remains unclear. We investigated the functional role of type I IFN during vitiligo progression using two different mouse models: one induced with a vaccinia virus (VV) vaccine and one induced with dendritic cells to prime autoimmune T cells. Induction of vitiligo by VV in IFNaR‐deficient mice led to the development of severe vitiligo compared with wild‐type (WT) mice and was characterized by a significantly enhanced effector CD8+ T‐cell response. Severe vitiligo in this model was a result of VV persistence, because exacerbation of disease in IFNaR‐deficient mice was not observed when antigen‐pulsed dendritic cells were used to induce vitiligo instead of virus. Treatment of B16F10 melanoma‐inoculated mice with VV vaccine therapy also induced a significantly enhanced anti‐tumor response in IFNaR‐deficient mice compared with WT. These results not only help define the pathways responsible for vitiligo progression but also suggest that blockade of type I IFNs following administration of a VV vaccine may provide increased immunogenicity and efficacy for melanoma immunotherapy.
Current status of the anger superiority hypothesis: A meta‐analytic review of N2pc studies
Authors: Liu Yanci , Wang Yang , Gozli Davood G. , Xiang Yu‐Tao , Jackson Todd
Published: October 2020

Numerous investigators have tested contentions that angry faces capture early attention more completely than happy faces do in the context of other faces. However, syntheses of studies on early event‐related potentials related to the anger superiority hypothesis have yet to be conducted, particularly in relation to the N200 posterior‐contralateral (N2pc) component which provides a reliable electrophysiological index related to orienting of attention suitable for testing this hypothesis. Fifteen samples (N = 534) from 13 studies featuring the assessment of N2pc amplitudes during exposure to angry‐neutral and/or happy‐neutral facial expression arrays were included for meta‐analysis. Moderating effects of study design features and sample characteristics on effect size variability were also assessed. N2pc amplitudes elicited by affectively valenced expressions (angry and happy) were significantly more pronounced than those elicited by neutral expressions. However, the mean effect size difference between angry and happy expressions was ns. N2pc effect sizes were moderated by sample age, number of trials, and nature of facial images used (schematic vs. real) with larger effect sizes observed when samples were comparatively younger, more task trials were presented and schematic face arrays were used. N2pc results did not support anger superiority hypothesis. Instead, attentional resources allocated to angry versus happy facial expressions were similar in early stages of processing. As such, possible adaptive advantages of biases in orienting toward both anger and happy expressions warrant consideration in revisions of related theory.
The Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived: A Trojan horse dilemma?
Authors: Greiss Johanna , Cantillon Bea , Penne Tess
Published: October 2020

Although the ‘Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived’ (FEAD) is a peripheral financing instrument with respect to European cohesion policy, it is a concrete case of a redistributive and highly targeted European anti‐poverty programme. In this sense, it is a unique supranational instrument providing social protection to European citizens, playing on the necessity of food aid in most European Union (EU) countries. With this in mind, we shed light on the Fund's budgetary scope in relation to national welfare state efforts. Also, we argue that there is some indication that FEAD could potentially contribute to shifting responsibilities from the national to the European level. For a better understanding of this phenomenon, we draw parallels to the case of the United States' Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program. We conclude that FEAD bears resemblance to a contemporary ‘Trojan horse’: it is welcomed by the Member States as a deceptively innocent EU gift but it might in the long run support the role of the EU as an agent that plugs gaps within national social protection schemes.
Contextualised resistance: The mediating power of paradigmatic frameworks
Authors: Timor‐Shlevin Shachar
Published: October 2020

An examination of resistance to the neoliberal dominance over public welfare organisations' operation reveals a situation of stagnation, with the call for critical resistance translated into either sporadic minor practices of isolated professionals or theoretical manifestos that demand major change, but have inadequate effect on policy. Drawing from Sanford Schram's framework of radical incrementalism as a possible challenge to neoliberal hegemony, this study traces the implementation of the Poverty‐Aware Social Work paradigm in the Israeli welfare system. Building on 16 interviews with senior agents at the Israeli Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, this study demonstrates the significance of this critical framework in allowing different agents to challenge the hegemonic standpoint of the Ministry. Thus, it offers a preliminary conceptualisation of contextualised resistance, which operates in the mediated sphere of power exertion, granting minor practices sufficient presence to pave the way for new opportunities for major policy change.
Thrombocytopenia and platelet transfusion in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Bowen David , Karakantza Marina
Published: October 2020

See article on page 2192–2198, in this issue
Lean Operation of a Pulse Detonation Combustor by Fuel Stratification
Authors: Habicht Fabian E. , Yücel Fatma C. , Hanraths Niclas , Djordjevic Neda , Paschereit Christian Oliver
Published: October 2020

Pressure gain combustion is a promising concept to substantially increase the thermal efficiency of gas turbines. One possible implementation that has been frequently investigated is pulse detonation combustors (PDCs), as they permit stable and reliable operation. At the same time, the need for part-load operation and low NOx emissions requires combustion concepts in the lean regime. However, realizing lean combustion is still very challenging in PDCs since the deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) is very sensitive to the reactant composition. This work investigates an approach to realize lean combustion in PDC by applying fuel stratification experimentally. The scope is to find the necessary increase of fuel concentration inside the predetonation chamber to provide reliable DDT with respect to the overall equivalence ratio. Emission measurements in the exhaust of the PDC allow for a quantification of the NOx emissions as a function of the injected fuel profile. A valveless PDC test rig is used, which contains a shock focusing geometry for detonation initiation and is ignited by a spark plug close to the upstream end wall. The subsequent expansion of the burned gas and interaction of the flame front with turbulence leads to the formation of a leading shock inside the predetonation chamber, which is then focused inside a converging-diverging geometry. The successful initiation of a detonation wave by shock focusing is very sensitive to the pressure ratio across the leading shock, which can be influenced by initial pressure, reactant composition and flow velocity. Results reveal that fuel stratification allows for reliable detonation initiation at a global equivalence ratio of φglob=0.65, whereas repeatable successful operation with nonstratified fuel injection is limited to φglob≥0.85.
Robust Hierarchical Hovering Control of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles via Variable Ballast System
Authors: Bi Anyuan , Feng Zhengping , He Chenlu
Published: October 2020

Hovering control of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) via a variable ballast system (VBS) is challenging owing to the difficulty in precisely estimating related hydrodynamic coefficients and vertical disturbance. In this work, a hierarchical control strategy is proposed which comprises an upper layer—the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) type ballast water mass planner generating the desired ballast mass, and a lower layer—the continuous mass flowrate controller adjusting the actual ballast mass. The resulting flowrate algorithm endows the system with local uniform asymptotic stability and robustness to both modeling errors and vertical disturbance. Numerical results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed hierarchical hovering control strategy.
Performance of a Shore Fixed Oscillating Water Column Device for Different Bottom Slopes and Front Wall Drafts: A Study Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics and BIEM
Authors: Mohapatra Piyush , Vijay K. G. , Bhattacharyya Anirban , Sahoo Trilochan
Published: October 2020

Oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converters are one of the most widely researched devices for ocean wave energy harvesting. This study investigates the hydrodynamic performance of a shore-fixed OWC device for different bottom slopes using two numerical approaches, namely, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and boundary integral equation method (BIEM). In the BIEM method, the boundary value problem is solved in two-dimensional Cartesian coordinates using the linear water wave theory. The CFD model uses a numerical wave tank (NWT) built using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. Numerical computations are carried out for different sloped bottom geometries and front wall drafts to analyze the hydrodynamic efficiency. There is a general agreement between CFD and BIEM results in terms of resonating behavior of the device. It is observed that the front wall draft has a more significant effect, a lower draft leading to a wider frequency band for optimum conversion at high efficiency. While the BIEM-based analysis resulted in improved performance curve for few of the steeper slopes, the CFD study predicted a lower peak efficiency for the same slopes due to the consideration of real fluid characteristics. Detailed performance comparisons are presented using the time histories of free surface elevation, chamber pressure, and streamlines at different time instants within the OWC chamber.
First record of intertidal oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) from the Canaries – a new species and its complete ontogeny

Authors: Pfingstl Tobias , De La Paz Juan Carlos , Hernández‐teixidor David
Published: October 2020

A new species of intertidal oribatid mites from Tenerife is described and its full ontogenetic development is given in detail. Thalassozetes canariensis sp. nov. can easily be distinguished from its congeners by its characteristic notogastral cuticular pattern showing loosely distributed irregular elevations, and its rectangular median sternal cavity. Based on morphology, Thalassozetes canariensis sp. nov. is most closely related to the Mediterranean T. riparius; both species share a small transversal band-like notogastral light spot and the longitudinal orientation of lyrifissure iad. The juvenile morphology of T. canariensis sp. nov. conforms basically to those of known Thalassozetes juveniles but there are discrepancies in certain aspects that require further research into all known species. This report of T. canariensis sp. nov. from Tenerife is the first record of an intertidal mite for the Canaries, and also for the Eastern Atlantic area. Further records of this species within the area may be expected.
Chip-scale nonlinear photonics for quantum light generation
Authors: Moody Galan , Chang Lin , Steiner Trevor J. , Bowers John E.
Published: October 2020

Nonclassical states of light are an essential resource for many emerging quantum technologies and applications ranging from information processing, encrypted communications, and networking to sensing, metrology, and imaging. Nonlinear optical processes in solid-state materials are widely used for generating quantum light, including single photons, entangled-photon pairs, and quadrature-squeezed states. Recent advances in nonlinear photonics have enabled the functionality of benchtop nonlinear instruments to be scaled down to a single chip without sacrificing efficiency or degrading the key performance metrics. The dramatic improvement in the size, weight, power, cost, and stability enabled by photonic integrated circuits has been essential for enabling the chip-scale generation, manipulation, and detection of quantum light at a steadily increasing degree of complexity and scale. Within the last decade, the authors have seen the progression from few-component photonic circuits operating on two photons to arrays of 18 identical heralded single-photon sources and reconfigurable devices operating with more than 650 components for multidimensional entanglement and arbitrary two-photon quantum gates. In this review, the authors summarize the history and recent key technological developments of chip-scale nonlinear quantum light generation based on integrated nonlinear photonics, recent advances in heterogeneous integrated methods, and approaches for system-level integration and demonstrated applications.
Blind estimation of the direct-to-reverberant ratio using a beta distribution fit to binaural coherence
Authors: Calamia Paul , Balsam Nava , Robinson Philip
Published: October 2020

Knowledge of the direct-to-reverberant ratio (DRR) can be useful in various acoustic and audio applications. While the DRR can be computed easily from a room impulse response (RIR), blind estimation using sources of opportunity is necessary when such RIRs are not available. This paper describes a method for blind estimation of the DRR which involves fitting a beta distribution to the magnitude-squared coherence between two binaural audio signals, aggregated over time and frequency. Validation experiments utilizing speech convolved with binaural RIRs yield DRR estimates that are within the just-noticeable difference for DRRs in the range −15 to +18 dB.
Azimuthal decomposition of the radiated noise from supersonic shock-containing jets
Authors: Wong Marcus H. , Kirby Rhiannon , Jordan Peter , Edgington-Mitchell Daniel
Published: October 2020

Acoustic measurements of unheated supersonic underexpanded jets with ideally expanded Mach numbers of 1.14, 1.38, and 1.50 are presented. Of the three components of supersonic jet noise, the focus is on the broadband shock-associated noise (BBSAN) component. Motivated by the modelling of BBSAN using the wavepacket framework, a traversable microphone ring is used to decompose the acoustic pressure into azimuthal Fourier modes. Unlike noise radiated downstream, BBSAN is dominated by azimuthal modes 1–3, which are approximately 3–4 dB/St stronger than the axisymmetric component. Crucially, the relative contribution of successive modes to BBSAN is sensitive to the observer angle and jet operating condition. Four azimuthal modes are necessary to reconstruct the total BBSAN signal to within 1 dB/St accuracy for the conditions presented here. The analysis suggests, however, that the number of modes required to maintain this accuracy increases as the peak frequency shifts upward. The results demonstrate the need to carefully consider the azimuthal content of BBSAN when comparing acoustic measurements to predictions made by jet noise models built on instability theory.
Sonar target representation using two-dimensional Gabor wavelet features
Authors: Kubicek Bernice , Sen Gupta Ananya , Kirsteins Ivars
Published: October 2020

This paper introduces a feature extraction technique that identifies highly informative features from sonar magnitude spectra for automated target classification. The approach involves creating feature representations through convolution of a two-dimensional Gabor wavelet and acoustic color magnitudes to capture elastic waves. This feature representation contains extracted localized features in the form of Gabor stripes, which are representative of unique targets and are invariant of target aspect angle. Further processing removes non-informative features through a threshold-based culling. This paper presents an approach that begins connecting model-based domain knowledge with machine learning techniques to allow interpretation of the extracted features while simultaneously enabling robust target classification. The relative performance of three supervised machine learning classifiers, specifically a support vector machine, random forest, and feed-forward neural network are used to quantitatively demonstrate the representations' informationally rich extracted features. Classifiers are trained and tested with acoustic color spectrograms and features extracted using the algorithm, interpreted as stripes, from two public domain field datasets. An increase in classification performance is generally seen, with the largest being a 47% increase from the random forest tree trained on the 1–31 kHz PondEx10 data, suggesting relatively small datasets can achieve high classification accuracy if model-cognizant feature extraction is utilized.
The effect of word class on speaker-dependent information in the Standard Dutch vowel /aː/
Authors: Heeren Willemijn F. L.
Published: October 2020

Linguistic structure co-determines how a speech sound is produced. This study therefore investigated whether the speaker-dependent information in the vowel [aː] varies when uttered in different word classes. From two spontaneous speech corpora, [aː] tokens were sampled and annotated for word class (content, function word). This was done for 50 male adult speakers of Standard Dutch in face-to-face speech (N = 3128 tokens), and another 50 male adult speakers in telephone speech (N = 3136 tokens). First, the effect of word class on various acoustic variables in spontaneous speech was tested. Results showed that [aː]'s were shorter and more centralized in function than content words. Next, tokens were used to assess their speaker-dependent information as a function of word class, by using acoustic-phonetic variables to (a) build speaker classification models and (b) compute the strength-of-evidence, a technique from forensic phonetics. Speaker-classification performance was somewhat better for content than function words, whereas forensic strength-of-evidence was comparable between the word classes. This seems explained by how these methods weigh between- and within-speaker variation. Because these two sources of variation co-varied in size with word class, acoustic word-class variation is not expected to affect the sampling of tokens in forensic speaker comparisons.
Color-pure red light-emitting diodes based on two-dimensional lead-free perovskites
Authors: Yuan Fanglong , Zheng Xiaopeng , Johnston Andrew , Wang Ya-Kun , Zhou Chun , Dong Yitong , Chen Bin , Chen Haijie , Fan James Z. , Sharma Geetu , Li Peicheng , Gao Yuan , Voznyy Oleksandr , Kung Hao-Ting , Lu Zheng-Hong , Bakr Osman M. , Sargent Edward H.
Published: October 2020

Efficient lead-free perovskite light-emitting diodes with color coordinates that fulfill Rec. 2100 requirements are demonstrated.
Evidence for a pressure-induced antiferromagnetic quantum critical point in intermediate-valence UTe
2
Authors: Thomas S. M. , Santos F. B. , Christensen M. H. , Asaba T. , Ronning F. , Thompson J. D. , Bauer E. D. , Fernandes R. M. , Fabbris G. , Rosa P. F. S.
Published: October 2020

Multicomponent superconductivity in intermediate-valence UTe
2
emerges from an antiferromagnetic quantum critical point.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Novel Picornavirus Isolated from Japanese Eel (
Anguilla japonica
)
Authors: Terashima Sachiko , Suzuki Motoo , Takano Tomokazu , Yasuike Motoshige , Matsuyama Tomomasa , Matsuura Yuta , Nakayasu Chihaya
Published: October 2020

We report the draft genome sequence of a novel member of the order
Picornavirales
that was obtained from the gills of farmed Japanese eel (
Anguilla japonica
). A putative polyprotein encoded by the genome was similar to that of other picornaviruses and shared 31% amino acid identity with eel picornavirus 1.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Acetic Acid Bacterium, Acetobacter aceti JCM20276
Authors: Hirose Yuu , Kumsab Jakkaphan , Tobe Ryuta , Mihara Hisaaki
Published: October 2020

Acetobacter aceti
is used in industry to produce vinegar by converting ethanol into acetic acid. We determined the complete genome sequence of
A
.
aceti
JCM20276, which is composed of one chromosome and four plasmids. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the genes necessary for acetic acid production.
Transcriptome Sequencing Data Sets of Human Lung Epithelial Cells in the Course of Francisella tularensis Infection
Authors: Bercovich-Kinori Adi , Israeli Ma’ayan , Chitlaru Theodor , Cohen-Gihon Inbar , Israeli Ofir , Cohen Ofer
Published: October 2020

Francisella tularensis
is a highly infectious intracellular bacterium representing the causative agent of tularemia, a severe disease which requires prompt antibacterial intervention for mitigating its potential high mortality. Inhaled bacteria interact with lung cells belonging to various subpopulations, including those of the epithelium.
Nearly Complete Genome Assembly of the Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Strain Ka4C1
Authors: Dayi Mehmet , Sun Simo , Maeda Yasunobu , Tanaka Ryusei , Yoshida Akemi , Tsai Isheng Jason , Kikuchi Taisei
Published: October 2020

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
has been destroying pine forests in East Asia and western Europe. Here, we report its nearly complete genomic sequence containing five ∼12-Mb scaffolds and one ∼15-Mb scaffold representing six chromosomes. Large repeat regions that were previously unidentified are now reasonably integrated, particularly in the ∼15-Mb scaffold.
Damage Repair versus Aging in an Individual-Based Model of Biofilms
Authors: Wright Robyn J. , Clegg Robert J. , Coker Timothy L. R. , Kreft Jan-Ulrich
Published: October 2020

Damage is an inevitable consequence of life. For unicellular organisms, this leads to a trade-off between allocating resources into damage repair or into growth coupled with segregation of damage upon cell division, i.e., aging and senescence. Few studies considered repair as an alternative to senescence. None considered biofilms, where the majority of unicellular organisms live, although fitness advantages in well-mixed systems often turn into disadvantages in spatially structured systems such as biofilms. We compared the fitness consequences of aging versus an adaptive repair mechanism based on sensing damage, using an individual-based model of a generic unicellular organism growing in biofilms. We found that senescence is not beneficial provided that growth is limited by substrate availability. Instead, it is useful as a stress response to deal with damage that failed to be repaired when (i) extrinsic mortality was high; (ii) a degree of multicellularity was present; and (iii) damage segregation was effective.
Pellucid marginal degeneration versus keratoconus: distinction with wide-field SD-OCT corneal sublayer pachymetry
Authors: Mohr Niklas , Shajari Mehdi , Krause Daniel , Kassumeh Stefan , Siedlecki Jakob , Priglinger Siegfried G , Mayer Wolfgang J , Luft Nikolaus
Published: October 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the capability of wide-field spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) corneal sublayer pachymetry to distinguish between keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD).

Methods

This prospective cross-sectional study included 69 eyes (59 with keratoconus and 10 with PMD) of 69 patients. All patients were examined three subsequent times with the RTVue XR system. Pachymetry maps of the total cornea (CT), the epithelium (ET) and the stroma were generated using the onboard software. For analysis of reliability, the coefficients of variation and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to elaborate the most accurate pachymetric parameters for distinguishing between PMD and keratoconus.

Results

Overall repeatability of (sublayer) pachymetry was comparably good in both keratoconus (ICC ranging between 0.827 and 0.986) and PMD (ICC ranging between 0.753 and 0.998). Measurement reliability in keratoconic eyes was a negative function of Kmax (p<0.05). As compared with keratoconus, PMD exhibited higher CT (526±31 µm vs 503±30 µm; p=0.02) and ET (56±7 µm vs 51±5 µm; p=0.02) in the inferotemporal 2–5 mm sector as well as lower ET in the inferior 7–9 mm sector (52±5 µm vs 57±5 µm; p<0.01). The calculated ratio between CT in the inferotemporal 2–5 mm and in the inferior 7–9 mm sector yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing between PMD and keratoconus with an area under the curve of 0.977 and an optimal cut-off value of 0.90.

Conclusion

Wide-field SD-OCT corneal sublayer pachymetry showed good reliability in PMD and keratoconus and may be useful to differentiate between the two ectatic diseases.
Mid-term prognosis of type I Boston keratoprosthesis reimplantation
Authors: Bouhout Soumaya , Robert Marie-Claude , Harissi-Dagher Mona
Published: October 2020

Aim

To examine the mid-term visual and anatomical prognosis of patients who require reimplantation of a second Boston keratoprosthesis type 1 (B-KPro).

Methods

Retrospective observational case series of 122 patients (141 eyes) who received a B-KPro at a single institution were reviewed. Eyes that underwent a second B-KPro were included in the study. Primary endpoints were B-KPro retention, final visual acuity 20/200 and loss of light perception. Secondary endpoints included the occurrence of postoperative complications.

Results

Seventeen eyes (12%) required a B-KPro reimplantation. Corneal melt was the most common indication for replacement (88%). Mean follow-up time after the second B-KPro was 4.4±2.1 years. The Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated the second B-KPro retention rate at 79% over 8 years. Retroprosthetic membrane (RPM, 53%) was the most common complication. Forty-one per cent of the eyes suffered from corneal melt following their second B-KPro. One year after the second B-KPro, 47% of the patients retained a vision 20/200. Seven eyes (41.2%) lost light perception, which was secondary to an inoperable retinal detachment in five cases. Four eyes (24%) developed phthisis following inoperable retinal detachment (n=3) or endophthalmitis (n=1).

Conclusion

B-KPro reimplantation is a potentially sight- and globe-saving procedure for eyes with B-KPro failure, but the prognosis is guarded. B-KPro reimplantation can salvage ambulatory vision in a third of patients while another third of patients progress to loss of light perception. RPM and retinal detachment were important obstacles to visual rehabilitation while recurrent corneal melt was responsible for most cases of anatomical failure.
Injury incidence and characteristics for elite, male, artistic USA gymnastics competitions from 2008 to 2018
Authors: Kruse David William , Nobe Andrew Seiji , Billimek John
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To determine the injury incidence and characteristics for elite, male, artistic USA gymnasts during gymnastics competitions, held in the USA, from 2008 to 2018.

Methods

Injury documentation performed by lead physician and certified athletic trainers at elite junior and senior USA Gymnastics competitions from 2008 to 2018 were reviewed and compiled into an excel database. Injury incidence was computed per 1000 registered gymnasts by competition setting as well as injury location, type, cause, severity, and setting.

Results

From 2008 to 2018, 180 injuries were reported in a total of 2102 gymnasts with injury incidence of 85.6 per 1000 gymnasts (95% CI 73.4 to 97.8). The most common injury site was at the ankle (16.7 per 1000 gymnasts, 95% CI 10.9 to 22.4), and muscle strain/rupture/tear was the most common type of injury (28.5 per 1000 gymnasts, 95% CI 21.2 to 35.9). The most common cause was contact with surface (56.1 per 1000 gymnasts, 95% CI 46.1 to 66.2), and the event where most injuries were sustained was the vault (21.9 per 1000 gymnasts, 95% CI 15.4 to 28.4). Incidence of time loss injuries was 38.5 per 1000 gymnasts (95% CI 30.1 to 47.0). Injury incidence was higher during competition (58.5 per 1000 gymnasts, 95% CI 48.2 to 68.8) than during training (27.1 per 1000 RG, 95% CI 19.9 to 34.3; RR 2.16, 95% CI 1.59 to 2.94, p<0.001); injury incidence was greater at Olympic Trials (RR 3.23, 95% CI 1.24 to 8.47, p=0.017) than at National Qualifier meets. We report concussion incidence in gymnastics (5.7 per 1000 gymnasts, 95% CI 2.3 to 9.2).

Conclusions

This is the largest injury study to date for male artistic gymnasts (180 injuries, 2102 gymnasts, 11 years).
Hope and therapeutic privilege: time for shared prognosis communication
Authors: Grignoli Nicola , Wullschleger Roberta , Di Bernardo Valentina , Amati Mirjam , Zanini Claudia , Malacrida Roberto , Rubinelli Sara
Published: October 2020

Communicating an unfavourable prognosis while maintaining patient hope represents a critical challenge for healthcare professionals (HPs). Duty requires respect for the right to patient autonomy while at the same time not doing harm by causing hopelessness and demoralisation. In some cases, the need for therapeutic privilege is discussed. The primary objectives of this study were to explore HPs’ perceptions of hope in the prognosis communication and investigate how they interpret and operationalise key ethical principles. Sixteen qualitative semistructured interviews with HPs from different positions and experience, including doctors and nurses in four different departments (intensive care, oncology, palliative care, rehabilitation), were conducted in the Ticino Cantonal Hospital, Switzerland. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. HPs defined prognosis and patient hope as interdependent concepts related to future perspectives for subjective quality of life. Two main factors allow HPs to maximise the benefits and minimise the harm of their communication: respecting the patient’s timing and sharing the patient’s wishes. Time is required to reframe needs and expectations. Furthermore, communication needs to be shared by HPs, patients and their relatives to build common awareness and promote a person-centred approach to prognosis. In this process, interprofessional collaboration is key: doctors and nurses are complementary and can together guarantee that patients and relatives receive information in the most appropriate form when they need it. Organisational aspects and the HPs’ emotional difficulties, particularly in coping with their own despair, are barriers to effective communication that need further investigation.
Work participation and physicality of work in young adulthood and the development of unhealthy lifestyle habits and obesity later in life: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Shiri Rahman , Halonen Jaana , Serlachius Anna , Hutri-Kähönen Nina , Raitakari Olli T , Vahtera Jussi , Viikari Jorma , Lallukka Tea
Published: October 2020

Objective

To determine the effects of early entry into the labour market and physicality of work in young adulthood on the development of obesity and unhealthy lifestyle habits later in life.

Methods

This study is a part of the Young Finns Study. Entry into the labour market and physicality of work were measured at baseline, when participants were aged 18, 21, or 24 years in 1986 or 18 years in 1989. Follow-up of lifestyle habits were conducted in 2001, 2007 and 2011. The outcomes were obesity (n=5558 observations), abdominal obesity (n=4060 observations), daily smoking (n=5628) and leisure time physical activity (n=5946) and analysed with generalised estimating equation.

Results

Compared with sedentary work, physicality of work in young adulthood increased the odds of future obesity (adjusted OR=1.32, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.74 for light/moderate work and OR=1.44, 95% CI 0.99 to 2.08 for heavy manual work (particularly in women OR=2.03, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.84)) and future smoking (OR=1.79, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.30 for light/moderate work and OR=2.01, 95% CI 1.47 to 2.76 for heavy manual work (particularly in women OR=2.81, 95% CI 1.60 to 4.91)). For those who entered the labour market at ages 18–21 or younger, the odds of smoking was 1.85 times (95% CI 1.26 to 2.73) and that of obesity 1.45 times (95% CI 1.01 to 2.10) higher, and the rate of leisure time physical activity was 0.73 times (95% CI 0.58 to 0.93) lower compared with those who entered the labour market at ages 22–24 years.

Conclusion

Early entry into the labour market and physicality of work in young adulthood shape the development of obesity and unhealthy behaviours in later adulthood.
Distribution of Relaxation Times: A Tool for Measuring Oxygen Transport Resistivity of a Low–Pt PEM Fuel Cell Cathode
Authors: Reshetenko Tatyana , Kulikovsky Andrei
Published: October 2020

Oxygen transport resistivity of the cathode catalyst layer in a low–Pt PEM fuel cell has been determined using two methods: the first one is fitting of our recent physics–based impedance model to the experimental impedance spectra of the cell, and the second is calculation of distribution of relaxation times (DRT) using the same spectra. Comparison of the two methods shows that the DRT peak with the characteristic frequency on the order of 500 to 1000 Hz describes oxygen transport in the open pore and in Nafion film covering Pt/C agglomerates in the catalyst layer. This result makes it possible using experimental impedance spectroscopy and DRT calculation for routine measurements of cathode transport resistivity in low–Pt PEMFCs.
Research on Management of Doctor-Patient Risk and Status of the Perceived Behaviors of Physician Trust in the Patient in China: New Perspective of Management of Doctor-Patient Risk
Authors: Sun Jiang Jie , Zheng Zhi Bo , Jiang Xue Li , Hu Wei Wei , Liu Jun , Ma Nan Zhen , Li Meng Ying , Yan Xiao-Zhe , He Cheng sen , Zhang Li Ping
Published: October 2020

Based on the situation of physician trust in the patient (PTP), we explored the differences in perceived behaviors of physician trust in the patient (PBPTP). We used the PTP scale as a research tool, taking physicians of the hospitals in Anhui region as the research object to carry out the investigation of PTP, Python software was applied to explore the status of PTP, and the differences of PBPTP distribution rate with different demographic characteristic variables were compared by testing based on theory of planned behavior. We get six results as follows: (1) the overall PTP level was low, and nearly 50% of doctors doubt the integrity of patients. “Patients will not be driven by improper interests” becomes the most reluctant problem or the most distrustful option for doctors. (2) In terms of patients’ participation in disease management and regular follow-up visits, PTP rate in male was higher than that in female (Ps < 0.018). (3) PBPTP was affected by age (Ps < 0.017). (4) In terms of the behavior of patients who did not follow the treatment plans, the PTP rate of postgraduates and above physicians was higher than that of undergraduates and below (P=0.017). (5) In terms of providing diagnosis and treatment information, timely notification of illness, medication information, doctor-patient communication behaviors, and compliance with doctors’ treatment plans, PBPTP was affected by doctors’ professional titles and annual income levels (Ps ≤ 0.001), At the same time, PTP levels of different professional titles showed differences in patients’ respect for doctors’ time and bottom line (Ps ≤ 0.001). (6) In terms of doctor-patient communication behaviors, PBPTP was affected by physician departments (P≤0.001). Hence, demographic characteristics variable may be one of the factors affecting PBPTP, and PBPTP is associated with doctor-patient risk. It makes sense for us to propose a new model of physician-patient risk management from the perspective of PTP about “official-individual-social” triple action.
Traditional Herbal Medicine Candidates as Complementary Treatments for COVID‐19: A Review of Their Mechanisms, Pros and Cons
Authors: Nugraha Rhea Veda , Ridwansyah Hastono , Ghozali Mohammad , Khairani Astrid Feinisa , Atik Nur
Published: October 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a new infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) that belongs to the coronavirus family. The first case was reported in December 2019, and the disease has become a pandemic. Impaired immune regulation is one of the factors that play a role in its pathogenesis and results in poor outcomes of COVID‐19 patients. There have been many studies with drug candidates used as antivirals or immunomodulators. However, the results of these investigations showed that the drug candidates were not significantly effective against the disease. Meanwhile, people believe that consuming herbal immunomodulators can prevent or even cure COVID‐19. Unfortunately, specific preclinical and clinical trials to evaluate the effects of herbal immunoregulators have not been conducted. Certain natural compounds might be effective for the treatment of COVID‐19 based on general concepts from previous experiments. This review discusses some herbal agents extracted from various plants, including Echinacea, Cinchona, Curcuma longa, and Curcuma xanthorrhiza, which are considered for the treatment of COVID‐19. In addition, we discuss the pros and cons of utilising herbal medicine during the COVID‐19 pandemic, draw some conclusions, and make recommendations at the end of the session.
Correlation between Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Zhu Li , Chen Zhigang , Han Keli , Zhao Yilin , Li Yan , Li Dongxu , Wang Xiulong , Li Xuefang , Sun Siyu , Lin Fei , Zhao Guoan
Published: October 2020

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one threat that seriously endangers human health. However, the mechanism of their occurrence is not completely clear. Increasing studies showed that mitochondrial dysfunction is closely related to CVD. Possible causes of mitochondrial dysfunction include oxidative stress, Ca2+ disorder, mitochondrial DNA mutations, and reduction of mitochondrial biosynthesis, all of which are closely related to the development of CVD. At present, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used in the treatment of CVD. TCM has the therapeutic characteristics of multitargets and multipathways. Studies have shown that TCM can treat CVD by protecting mitochondrial function. Via systematic literature review, the results show that the specific mechanisms include antioxidant stress, regulation of calcium homeostasis, antiapoptosis, and regulation of mitochondrial biosynthesis. This article describes the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and CVD, summarizes the TCM commonly used for the treatment of CVD in recent years, and focuses on the regulatory effect of TCM on mitochondrial function.
Analysis of Acrolein Exposure Induced Pulmonary Response in Seven Inbred Mouse Strains and Human Primary Bronchial Epithelial Cells Cultured at Air‐Liquid Interface
Authors: Johanson Gunnar , Dwivedi Aishwarya Mishra , Ernstgård Lena , Palmberg Lena , Ganguly Koustav , Chen Lung Chi , Galdanes Karen , Gordon Terry , Upadhyay Swapna
Published: October 2020

Background. Acrolein is a major component of environmental pollutants, cigarette smoke, and is also formed by heating cooking oil. We evaluated the interstrain variability of response to subchronic inhalation exposure to acrolein among inbred mouse strains for inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue injury responses. Furthermore, we studied the response to acrolein vapor in the lung mucosa model using human primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) cultured at an air‐liquid interface (ALI) to evaluate the findings of mouse studies. Methods. Female 129S1/SvlmJ, A/J, BALB/cByJ, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, and FVB/NJ mice were exposed to 1 part per million (ppm) acrolein or filtered air for 11 weeks. Total cell counts and protein concentrations were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid to assess airway inflammation and membrane integrity. PBEC‐ALI models were exposed to acrolein vapor (0.1 and 0.2 ppm) for 30 minutes. Gene expression of proinflammatory, oxidative stress, and tissue injury‐repair markers was assessed (cut off: ≥2 folds; p < 0.05) in the lung models. Results. Total BAL cell numbers and protein concentrations remained unchanged following acrolein exposure in all mouse strains. BALB/cByJ, C57BL/6J, and 129S1/SvlmJ strains were the most affected with an increased expression of proinflammatory, oxidative stress, and/or tissue injury markers. DBA/2J, C3H/HeJ, A/J, and FVB/NJ were affected to a lesser extent. Both matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Mmp9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1) were upregulated in the strains DBA/2J, C3H/HeJ, and FVB/NJ indicating altered protease/antiprotease balance. Upregulation of lung interleukin‐ (IL‐) 17b transcript in the susceptible strains led us to investigate the IL‐17 pathway genes in the PBEC‐ALI model. Acrolein exposure resulted in an increased expression of IL-17A, C, and D; IL-1B; IL-22; and RAR-related orphan receptor A in the PBEC‐ALI model. Conclusion. The interstrain differences in response to subchronic acrolein exposure in mouse suggest a genetic predisposition. Altered expression of IL‐17 pathway genes following acrolein exposure in the PBEC‐ALI models indicates that it has a central role in chemical irritant toxicity. The findings also indicate that genetically determined differences in IL‐17 signaling pathway genes in the different mouse strains may explain their susceptibility to different chemical irritants.
Silicon and Aluminum Mobility in Soils of Jeju Island, Korea
Authors: Park Won-Pyo , Koo Bon-Jun
Published: October 2020

The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of released silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al) during the formation of volcanic ash soil on the content of Si in groundwater on Jeju Island. Volcanic ash soils in Jeju Island were formed from pyroclastic materials that originated from basalt. We sampled four profiles, including basaltic bedrock of each soil series with large variations in elevation (160–320 m) and mean annual precipitation (MAP; 1,800–2,600 mm). The soil and bedrock minerals were analyzed for weathering of volcanic ash soils related to mineralogical transformations and mobility of Si and Al. Andisols (above 2,000 mm MAP) were dominantly composed of allophane and gibbsite. In Andisols used in the study, 10–70% of Si was lost, whereas the amount of Al was relatively conserved. This is because Al forms Al-humus complex and Andisols contain allophane. In contrast, non-Andisols located at low altitude with lower than 1,800 mm MAP were enriched with considerable amounts of Si and Al, because non-Andisols have crystalline clay minerals and quartz. These results indicate that Andisols, which are widely distributed in Jeju Island, may play an important role in contributing to the high concentration of dissolved Si in the groundwater.