bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Lump Examination (RLE) – a bedside 3‐dimensional microscopy of tumor specimens
Authors: Peters Nina , Schubert Melanie , Bauer Juergen , Ghoreschi Franziska C. , Moehrle Matthias
Published: September 2019

Background

Due to rising skin cancer incidence rates there is an urgent need for a quick, reliable and cost‐effective therapy. Previous studies showed that fresh tumor tissue and margins could be directly examined microscopically with high sensitivity and specificity.

Objective

Comparing the accuracy of rapid lump examination (RLE) for the detection of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) during micrographic surgery with formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded hematoxylin and eosin (HE)‐stained sections.

Methods and Materials

382 specimens of 118 excised samples with suspected BCC were examined with RLE and compared with formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded HE‐stained sections. For RLE, following a standardized 60 sec staining protocol, the fresh tissue samples were observed directly with a stereomicroscope.

Results

For BCC, RLE had a high but insufficient diagnostic accuracy compared to the gold standard of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded HE‐stained sections. The sensitivity was 76 % (95 % CI = [66.18 %; 84.5 %]) and specificity was 91 % (95 % CI = [86.73 %; 93.75 %]).

Conclusions

RLE is a fast and simple technique for microscopically controlled surgery (MCS) of basal cell carcinomas that requires training. The experience of the examiner has a major influence on the results. RLE has great potential to speed up the workflow in Mohs surgery but should be improved in the future.
Validity and reliability of a self‐assessment scale for Dental and Oral Health student's perception of transferable skills in Australia
Authors: Sun Jing , Adegbosin Adeyinka Emmanuel , Reher Vanessa , Rehbein Gail , Evans Jane
Published: September 2019

Background

The Australian Dental Council's (ADC) competency framework requires graduating dental practitioners to be competent in a number of transferable skills, which includes: being scientifically versed, technically skilled and capable of safe independent work and teamwork, whilst adhering to high ethical standards (Australian Dental Council. Professional Competencies of the Newly Qualified Dentist. Melbourne, Australia: ADC; 2016). Part of the role of dental educators is to ensure graduating students acquire requisite transferable skills, in line with regulatory requirements (Chuenjitwongsa et al. Eur J Dent Educ. 2018;22:1). In order to achieve this, it is imperative to assess students' own understanding or perception of transferable skill requirement upon graduation. The objective of this study was to develop a valid and reliable scale for this assessment.

Method

A cohort of students drawn across three different dental programmes: undergraduate dentistry (years 1‐3); post‐graduate dentistry (years 4‐5); and Bachelor of Dental Technology/Prosthesis, participated in this study. A self‐assessment questionnaire containing relevant open‐ and closed‐ended questions was administered. The questionnaire assessed students' perception of transferable skills for their future career and attitude towards learning and developing transferable skills.

Result

In total, we successfully assessed 388 of the 391 students sampled (99.2% response rate), their mean age was 24.3 years (SD ± 5.7), and 53.3% were females, whilst 46.7% were males. Overall, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) extracted five factors for students' perception of current skill level, and four factors for future skill requirements. The factor structures were confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the structure had a good model fit and high levels of reliability, with respect to individual dimension and content validity.

Conclusions

The structure derived from the transferable skill survey administered to a cohort of dental students suggests that the transferable skill survey can be utilised as a valid and reliable screening tool to test students' perception of transferable skill requirements.
Voriconazole enhances UV‐induced DNA damage by inhibiting catalase and promoting oxidative stress
Authors: Lee Vivian , Gober Michael D. , Bashir Hasan , O'Day Conor , Blair Ian A. , Mesaros Clementina , Weng Liwei , Huang Andrew , Chen Aaron , Tang Rachel , Anagnos Vince , Li JiLon , Roling Sophie , Sagaityte Emilija , Wang Andrew , Lin Chenyan , Yeh Christopher , Atillasoy Cem , Marshall Christine , Dentchev Tzvete , Ridky Todd , Seykora John T.
Published: September 2019

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer and is associated with cumulative UV exposure. Studies have shown that prolonged voriconazole use promotes cSCC formation; however, the biological mechanisms responsible for the increased incidence remain unclear. Here, we show that voriconazole directly increases oxidative stress in human keratinocytes and promotes UV‐induced DNA damage as determined by comet assay, 8‐oxoguanine immunofluorescence and mass spectrometry. Voriconazole treatment of human keratinocytes potentiates UV‐induced apoptosis and activation of the p38 MAP kinase and 53BP1 UV stress response pathways. The p38 MAP kinase activation promoted by voriconazole exposure can be mitigated by pretreating keratinocytes with N‐acetylcysteine. Voriconazole increases oxidative stress in keratinocytes by directly inhibiting catalase leading to lower intracellular NADPH levels and the triazole moieties in voriconazole are critical for inhibiting catalase. Furthermore, voriconazole is shown to promote UV‐induced dysplasia in an in vivo model. Together, these data demonstrate that voriconazole potentiates oxidative stress in UV‐irradiated keratinocytes through catalase inhibition. Use of antioxidants may mitigate the pro‐oncogenic effects of voriconazole.
Biogeographic variation in temperature sensitivity of decomposition in forest soils
Authors: Li Jinquan , Nie Ming , Pendall Elise , Reich Peter B. , Pei Junmin , Noh Nam Jin , Zhu Ting , Li Bo , Fang Changming
Published: September 2019

Determining soil carbon (C) responses to rising temperature is critical for projections of the feedbacks between terrestrial ecosystems, C cycle, and climate change. However, the direction and magnitude of this feedback remain highly uncertain due largely to our limited understanding of the spatial heterogeneity of soil C decomposition and its temperature sensitivity. Here we quantified C decomposition and its response to temperature change with an incubation study of soils from 203 sites across tropical to boreal forests in China spanning a wide range of latitudes (18°16′ to 51°37′N) and longitudes (81°01′ to 129°28′E). Mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation primarily explained the biogeographic variation in the decomposition rate and temperature sensitivity of soils: soil C decomposition rate decreased from warm and wet forests to cold and dry forests, while Q10‐MAT (standardized to the MAT of each site) values displayed the opposite pattern. In contrast, biological factors (i.e. plant productivity and soil bacterial diversity) and soil factors (e.g. clay, pH, and C availability of microbial biomass C and dissolved organic C) played relatively small roles in the biogeographic patterns. Moreover, no significant relationship was found between Q10‐MAT and soil C quality, challenging the current C quality–temperature hypothesis. Using a single, fixed Q10‐MAT value (the mean across all forests), as is usually done in model predictions, would bias the estimated soil CO2 emissions at a temperature increase of 3.0°C. This would lead to overestimation of emissions in warm biomes, underestimation in cold biomes, and likely significant overestimation of overall C release from soil to the atmosphere. Our results highlight that climate‐related biogeographic variation in soil C responses to temperature needs to be included in next‐generation C cycle models to improve predictions of C‐climate feedbacks.
Bariatric surgery for Prader‐Willi syndrome was ineffective in producing sustainable weight loss: Long term results for up to 10 years
Authors: Liu Shirley Yuk‐Wah , Wong Simon Kin‐Hung , Lam Candice Chuen‐Hing , Ng Enders Kwok‐Wai
Published: September 2019

Background

Obesity control in Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS) is notoriously difficult. The role of bariatric surgery in PWS remains controversial as long‐term data are lacking.

Objectives

To evaluate the 10‐year outcomes of bariatric surgery in PWS.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study on PWS patients who received bariatric surgery and multidisciplinary follow‐up programmes for obesity control. Outcomes on weight reduction and comorbidity resolution were evaluated.

Results

Between 2008 and 2013, five PWS patients (two males, mean age 19.2 ± 3.0 years) with body mass index of 47.3 ± 6.9 kg m−2 received sleeve gastrectomy (n = 2), one anastomosis gastric bypass (n = 2), and Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (n = 1) after failing all non‐operative weight loss programmes. The median follow‐up was 8.4 ± 2.2 years. The best mean percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) was achieved at 2 years (24.7%). %TWL dropped to 23.3% at 3 years, 11.9% at 5 years, 4.1% at 8 years, and 0% at 10 years. Each patient had at least three comorbidities preoperatively, but none of them had resolution of any one of the comorbidities at the last follow‐up.

Conclusions

Bariatric surgery could not produce sustainable long‐term weight loss or comorbidity resolution in PWS. This study suggests that bariatric surgery cannot be recommended to PWS patients as a standard treatment.
When mother knows best: A population genetic model of transgenerational versus intragenerational plasticity
Authors: Dury Guillaume J. , Wade Michael J.
Published: September 2019

Many organisms exhibit phenotypic plasticity; producing alternate phenotypes depending on the environment. Individuals can be plastic (intragenerational or direct plasticity), wherein individuals of the same genotype produce different phenotypes in response to the environments they experience. Alternatively, an individual's phenotype may be under the control of its parents, usually the mother (transgenerational or indirect plasticity), so that mother's genotype determines the phenotype produced by a given genotype of her offspring. Under what conditions does plasticity evolve to have intragenerational as opposed to transgenerational genetic control? To explore this question, we present a population genetic model for the evolution of transgenerational and intragenerational plasticity. We hypothesize that the capacity for plasticity incurs a fitness cost, which is borne either by the individual developing the plastic phenotype or by its mother. We also hypothesize that individuals are imperfect predictors of future environments and their capacity for plasticity can lead them occasionally to make a low‐fitness phenotype for a particular environment. When the cost, benefit and error parameters are equal, we show that there is no evolutionary advantage to intragenerational over transgenerational plasticity, although the rate of evolution of transgenerational plasticity is half the rate for intragenerational plasticity, as predicted by theory on indirect genetic effects. We find that transgenerational plasticity evolves when mothers are better predictors of future environments than offspring or when the fitness cost of the capacity for plasticity is more readily borne by a mother than by her developing offspring. We discuss different natural systems with either direct intragenerational plasticity or indirect transgenerational plasticity and find a pattern qualitatively in accord with the predictions of our model.
A byproduct of uvaia (Eugenia pyriformis) processing as a natural source for coloring sugar hard‐panning confections
Authors: de Avelar Matheus H. M. , da Silva Lidiane B. , de Azevedo Fábio B. , Efraim Priscilla
Published: September 2019

Due to the increased demand for healthier confectionery products and the great importance of finding environmentally appropriate destinations for fruit processing byproducts, this study evaluated the performance of a Brazilian fruit (uvaia, Eugenia pyriformis) byproduct in coloring sugar hard‐panning confections compared to synthetic caramel color and a natural fruit/plant‐based concentrate. The obtained products were characterized according to their sensory acceptance, instrumental texture and color, water activity, moisture content, glass transition temperature, and sorption isotherm. A strong influence of the coloring agents was observed on the coatings' physical and chemical parameters. Comparatively, the uvaia byproduct induced a significant increase in the hardness and glass transition temperature of the confection, which may result in better stability concerning the maintenance of crunchiness. A sensory preference for naturally colored confections compared to a synthetically colored confection was observed. The uvaia byproduct presents technological potential as a sustainable coloring agent with low cost for confections.

Practical applications

Panned products account for a considerable portion of the total confectionery volume consumed worldwide. The inclusion of fruit processing byproducts in panned confections, specifically for the uvaia byproduct, is presented as a viable alternative for the natural coloring of a confectionery using a sustainable and low‐cost ingredient. The methodology developed in this study has the potential to replace the conventional coloring additive for hard sugar‐panned confectionery products, and it may be applicable in several types of confectionery products. The use of fruit byproducts with ability to impact color to the coating of panned confections may allow the removal of synthetic color additives, reducing the consumption of artificially colored products, and the occurrence of adverse reactions in consumer health.
The role of personality in retirement adjustment: Longitudinal evidence for the effects on life satisfaction
Authors: Hansson Isabelle , Henning Georg , Buratti Sandra , Lindwall Magnus , Kivi Marie , Johansson Boo , Berg Anne Ingeborg
Published: September 2019

Objective

Research on retirement suggests that personality can influence the adjustment process, but the mechanisms involved remain still largely unknown. In the present study, we investigate direct and indirect associations between the Big Five personality traits and life satisfaction over the retirement transition. Indirect effects were evaluated through the role of personality for levels and changes in self‐esteem, autonomy, social support, self‐rated physical health, self‐rated cognitive ability, and financial satisfaction.

Method

Our sample consisted of 796 older adults (age 60–66) and four annual measurement waves from the longitudinal population‐based HEalth, Ageing, and Retirement Transitions in Sweden (HEARTS) study, including individuals retiring during the study period.

Results

Results from multivariate latent growth curve analysis revealed multiple indirect associations between personality and life satisfaction. Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness were positively related to life satisfaction through higher levels of self‐esteem, autonomy, and social support. Neuroticism was negatively associated with life satisfaction through lower levels of self‐esteem and lower levels and negative changes in autonomy and social support.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that retirees with higher levels of Neuroticism are more vulnerable in the transition process and they are also more likely to experience adjustment problems resulting from negative changes in key resources.
The Escherichia coli MarA protein regulates the ycgZ‐ymgABC operon to inhibit biofilm formation
Authors: Kettles Rachel A. , Tschowri Natalia , Lyons Kevin J. , Sharma Prateek , Hengge Regine , Webber Mark A. , Grainger David C.
Published: September 2019

The Escherichia coli marRAB operon is a paradigm for chromosomally encoded antibiotic resistance. The operon exerts its effect via an encoded transcription factor called MarA that modulates efflux pump and porin expression. In this work, we show that MarA is also a regulator of biofilm formation. Control is mediated by binding of MarA to the intergenic region upstream of the ycgZ‐ymgABC operon. The operon, known to influence the formation of curli fibres and colanic acid, is usually expressed during periods of starvation. Hence, the ycgZ‐ymgABC promoter is recognised by σ38 (RpoS)‐associated RNA polymerase (RNAP). Surprisingly, MarA does not influence σ38‐dependent transcription. Instead, MarA drives transcription by the housekeeping σ70‐associated RNAP. The effects of MarA on ycgZ‐ymgABC expression are coupled with biofilm formation by the rcsCDB phosphorelay system, with YcgZ, YmgA and YmgB forming a complex that directly interacts with the histidine kinase domain of RcsC.
Colonic mast cell numbers, symptom profile, and mucosal expression of elements of the epithelial barrier in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Sundin Johanna , Nordlander Sofia , Eutamene Helene , Alquier‐Bacquie Valerie , Cartier Christel , Theodorou Vassilia , Le Nevé Boris , Törnblom Hans , Simrén Magnus , Öhman Lena
Published: September 2019

Background

This study aimed to determine whether patients with IBS displayed altered mucosal mast cell (MC) numbers and proportions of MCs co‐localizing with nerves compared with healthy subjects (HS) and whether these MC characteristics correlated with IBS symptoms, elements of the epithelial barrier, or visceral sensitivity.

Methods

Mucosal MC characteristics were determined using immunoassay. IBS symptoms, gene expression of elements of the epithelial barrier, fecal serine protease activity, and visceral sensitivity were assessed.

Key Results

The MC numbers per mm2 were 2.0 (0.0‐6.0) in patients with IBS (n = 43) and 3.5 (1.1‐9.1) in HS (n = 20, P = .26). Of these, MCs were 0.0 (0.0‐20) % vs 3.1 (0.0‐18) % (P = .76) in IBS and HS, respectively, in co‐localization with nerve fibers. MC characteristics were equivalent in the different IBS subtypes. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified two distinct groups among patients with IBS: MC high (higher MC numbers and proportions of MCs co‐localizing with nerves) and MC low (lower MC numbers and proportions of MCs co‐localizing with nerves). The MC high and MC low groups could not be discriminated with regard to IBS symptoms, parameters of visceral sensitivity, gene expression of elements of the epithelial barrier, and fecal protease activity.

Conclusion and Inferences

There was no evidence of increased infiltration or altered localization of MCs in the colonic mucosa of patients with IBS. These MC characteristics were not linked to global IBS symptoms or mucosal expression of elements of the epithelial barrier. These findings indicate that quantity and location of mucosal MCs are factors not involved in the pathophysiology of IBS.
Nurses’ experiences of delivering acute orthopaedic care to patients with dementia
Authors: Jensen Anders Møller , Pedersen Birthe D. , Wilson Rhonda L. , Bang Olsen Rolf , Hounsgaard Lise
Published: September 2019

Background

Nurses who care for acute patients with dementia in a hospital setting report a variety of challenges in regard to meeting the complex needs of their patients. In particular, known barriers to optimal care include a lack of knowledge about dementia, lack of dementia‐friendly acute clinical environments, lack of time to care for the individual patient and a prioritised focus on the medical issues that triggered the hospitalisation. Research to date has not specifically focused on nurses’ experiences of caring for people with dementia in orthopaedic wards.

Aim

This study investigates nurses’ experiences of caring for people with dementia, in an acute orthopaedic hospital ward setting.

Design

Qualitative interviews.

Methods

This qualitative study employs hermeneutic phenomenological research methods. Eight Danish nurses were interviewed in an orthopaedic ward about their experiences in caring for orthopaedic patients with dementia. Nurses with various levels of expertise were selected for interview so that a full range of nursing experiences could inform the research study.

Results

The results of the study revealed two major themes: “Nurse communication and patient information” and “Care compromise”, with three and four sub‐themes, respectively. These findings are used to illustrate how, and why, nurses’ experiences of caring for patients with dementia contribute a discontentment and negative preconceived perception by some nurses towards their acute care of patients with chronic dementia. The results are discussed in the context of Interactional Nursing Practice theory and describe the challenges experienced by acute care orthopaedic nurses who care for patients with dementia.

Conclusion

Orthopaedic nurses find it challenging and professionally difficult to provide person‐centred care for patients with dementia during an acute orthopaedic hospital admission.

Implications for practice

Orthopaedic nurses should work to adopt a positive attitude, and person‐centred approach, towards dementia care. It is also recommended that the electronic patient record should be supplemented by oral dissemination to some extent, as information, plans of action and knowledge about the care situation for patients with dementia has a tendency to drown in chronological data presentation.
Impact of standardized protocols for cytomegalovirus disease prevention in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Ganapathi Lakshmi , Blumenthal Jennifer , Alawdah Laila , Lewis Lynne , Gilarde Jennifer , Jones Sarah , Milliren Carly , Kim Heung Bae , Sharma Tanvi S.
Published: September 2019

End‐organ disease caused by CMV is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric SOT recipients. Pediatric transplant centers have adopted various approaches for CMV disease prevention in this patient population. We observed significant practice variation in CMV testing, prophylaxis, and surveillance across SOT groups in our center. To address this, we implemented evidence‐based standardized protocols and measured outcomes pre‐ and post‐implementation of these protocols. We performed retrospective chart review for SOT recipients from 2009 to 2014 at Boston Children's Hospital. Using descriptive statistics, we measured practice improvement in provision of appropriate prophylaxis, occurrence of neutropenia and associated complications, and occurrence of CMV DNAemia and CMV disease pre‐ and post‐intervention. The pre‐ and post‐intervention periods included 141 and 109 patients, respectively. With the exception of kidney transplant recipients, provision of appropriate valganciclovir prophylaxis improved across SOT groups post‐intervention (P < .01). Occurrence of >1 episode of neutropenia was greater in the preintervention period (30% vs 10%, P < .001). In both periods, neutropenia was associated with few episodes of invasive infections. The occurrence of CMV disease did not differ and was overall low. However, due to routine surveillance a significantly greater number of asymptomatic CMV DNAemia episodes were identified and treated in the post‐intervention period. Implementation of standardized prevention protocols helped to improve the provision of appropriate prophylaxis to patients at risk for CMV acquisition, increased the diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic CMV DNAemia, and decreased episodes of recurrent neutropenia in patients receiving prophylaxis.
Radical moral encroachment: The moral stakes of racist beliefs
Authors: Basu Rima
Published: September 2019

Historical patterns of discrimination seem to present us with conflicts between what morality requires and what we epistemically ought to believe. I will argue that these cases lend support to the following nagging suspicion: that the epistemic standards governing belief are not independent of moral considerations. We can resolve these seeming conflicts by adopting a framework wherein standards of evidence for our beliefs to count as justified can shift according to the moral stakes. On this account, believing a paradigmatically racist belief reflects a failure to not only attend to the epistemic risk of being wrong, but also a failure to attend to the distinctively moral risk of wronging others given what we believe.
Phototherapy achieves significant cost savings by the delay of drug‐based treatment in psoriasis
Authors: Foerster John , Dawe Robert
Published: September 2019

Background

Although used for decades in psoriasis, access to phototherapy is becoming increasingly restricted. Besides patient inconvenience, this is in large part to do with a perception of “high cost.” We previously reported a comprehensive analysis of direct and indirect phototherapy treatment cost. However, no robust data exist on the actual savings associated with providing phototherapy in the treatment pathway.

Objectives

To quantify the cost savings achieved by phototherapy by delaying alternative treatments.

Methods

Costs accruing through the UK‐wide established treatment pathway with and without phototherapy were analysed. Direct and indirectly incurred drug treatment costs were calculated using drug tariff, laboratory cost, estate rates and clinic review costs. To enhance reliability, ranges of cost scenarios were calculated by varying parameters such as drug dosing.

Results

Medium annual cost savings per patient were £2200 [range: £1800‐£2900] for NB‐UVB, and £3700 [range: £2500‐£5300] if both NB‐UVB and PUVA courses were administered, respectively. As the provider treated 656 ± 76 patients per year during the 6‐year observational window, this amounted to savings of £Mio 2.4 [range: £Mio 1.6‐£Mio 3.4], even excluding additional non‐modelled drug‐associated costs (eg diagnostics, adverse event management). Since we only consider cost savings by delay of drug treatment for the duration of phototherapy, drug price reductions through biosimilar introduction only have a small effect. We provide spreadsheets allowing adaptation cost savings projections by varying input variables.

Conclusions

Healthcare providers may achieve significant cost savings by implementing and/or widening access to phototherapy.
Self‐compatibility and autonomous selfing of plants in meadow communities
Authors: Bartoš M. , Janeček Š. , Janečková P. , Padyšáková E. , Tropek R. , Götzenberger L. , Klomberg Y. , Jersáková J.
Published: September 2019

One of the most fundamental, although controversial, questions related to the evolution of plant mating systems is the distribution of outcrossing rates. Self‐compatibility, and especially autonomous self‐pollination, can become particularly beneficial in anthropogenically degraded habitats with impoverished pollinator assemblages and increased pollen limitation.

In a hand‐pollination experiment with 46 meadow plants from the Železné hory Mts., Czech Republic, we evaluated the species' ability to adopt different mating systems. For a subset of the species, we also tested seed germination for inbreeding depression. Subsequently, we analysed relationships between the species' mating systems and 12 floral and life‐history traits.

We found a relatively discrete distribution of the studied species into four groups. Fully and partially self‐incompatible species formed the largest group, followed by self‐compatible non‐selfers and mixed mating species. The germination experiment showed an absence of inbreeding depression in 19 out of 22 examined species. Nectar sugar per flower, nectar sugar per shoot and dichogamy were significant associated with the mating system.

Spontaneous selfing ability and self‐incompatibility in species of the meadow communities had a discrete distribution, conforming to the general distribution of mating and breeding systems in angiosperms. The low frequency of spontaneous selfers and the lack of inbreeding depression at germination suggest the existence of a selection against selfing at the later ontogenetic stages. Some floral traits, such as the level of dichogamy and amount of nectar reward, may strongly impact the balance between selfing and outcrossing rates in the self‐compatible species and thus shape the evolution of mating systems.
Introduction: Resistance in the Twenty‐First Century
Authors: Cerulo Karen A.
Published: September 2019

This essay introduces the articles that comprise a special issue of Sociological Forum titled “Resistance in the Twenty‐First Century.”
Integrative species delimitation in Nearctic ambush bugs (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Phymatinae): insights from molecules, geometric morphometrics and ecological associations
Authors: Masonick Paul , Weirauch Christiane
Published: September 2019

Ambush bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Phymatinae) are sit‐and‐wait predators of flower‐visiting insects including pollinators. Broad species distribution ranges, intraspecific polymorphism, sexual dimorphism and subtle interspecific differences all contribute to making species delimitation especially difficult in this group, which is used as a model in the study of interactions between sexual dimorphism and sexual selection. Species boundaries among Nearctic ambush bugs in the common and frequently collected erosa species group (11 species, nine subspecies) have therefore remained unclear, resulting in a complex and poorly justified taxonomy. Recent molecular phylogenetic research suggested that several widespread Nearctic species are para‐ or polyphyletic. We here build on this research, integrating geometric morphometrics, molecular species delimitation approaches and host plant association data to provide a comprehensive dataset with respect to both taxon and character sampling with the goal of teasing apart evolutionary lineages of Nearctic Phymata Latreille. Although molecular‐based species delimitation analyses suggested a variety of species hypotheses, probably as a result of striking discordance between mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal genes, the combination of these with geometric morphometric data enabled us to confidently delimit several of these problematic taxa. In addition, geometric morphometric analysis of pronotal shape revealed undocumented morphological patterns that appear to be useful in the diagnosis of many of the surveyed taxa. The results from this study provide an objective foundation for the much‐needed taxonomic revision of the most ubiquitous ambush bugs in North America.
Effect of CO2 Dilution on the Laminar Burning Velocities of Premixed Methane/Air Flames at Elevated Temperature
Authors: Duva B. C. , Chance L. E. , Toulson E.
Published: September 2019

With increased interest in reducing emissions, the staged combustion concept for gas turbine combustors is gaining in popularity. For this work, the effect of CO2 dilution on laminar burning velocities of premixed methane/air flames was investigated at elevated temperature through both experiments and numerical simulations. Validation of the experimental setup and methodology was completed through experimental testing of methane/air mixtures at 1 bar and 298 K. Following validation, high temperature experiments were conducted in an optically accessible constant volume combustion chamber at 1 bar and 473 K. Laminar burning velocities of premixed methane/air flames with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% CO2 dilution were determined using the constant pressure method enabled via schlieren visualization of the spherically propagating flame front. Results show that laminar burning velocities of methane/air mixtures at 1 bar increase by 106–145% with initial temperature increases from 298 K to 473 K. Additions of 5%, 10%, and 15% CO2 dilution at 1 bar and 473 K cause a 30–35%, 51–54%, and 66–68% decrease in the laminar burning velocity, respectively. Numerical results were obtained with CHEMKIN (Kee et al., 1985, “PREMIX: A Fortran Program for Modeling Steady Laminar One-Dimensional Premixed Flames,”) using the GRI-Mech 3.0 (Smith et al., 2019) and the San Diego (“Chemical-Kinetic Mechanisms for Combustion Applications,” San Diego Mechanism Web Page, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Combustion Research), University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA) mechanisms. It is concluded that the GRI-Mech 3.0 (Smith et al.., 2019) better captures the general overall trend of the experimental laminar flame speeds of methane/air/CO2 mixtures at 1 bar and 473 K. Additionally, the dilution, thermal-diffusion, and chemical effects of CO2 on the laminar burning velocities of methane/air mixtures were investigated numerically by diluting the mixtures with both chemically active and inactive CO2 following the determination of the most important elementary reactions on the burning rate through sensitivity analysis. Finally, it was shown that CO2 dilution suppresses the flame instabilities during combustion, which is attributable to the increase in the burned gas Markstein length (Lb) with the addition of diluent.
Probabilistic Response of a Bladed Disk With Uncertain Geometry
Authors: Carassale Luigi , Cavicchi Andrea , Bruzzone Silvia , Marrè Brunenghi Michela
Published: September 2019

Geometric uncertainties in the blade manufacturing process have important consequences in terms of dynamical properties of bladed disks. In this paper, we address the problem of modeling a full bladed disk composed by blades having uncertain geometry. The geometric imperfection of the blades is represented and analyzed according to a procedure previously presented by the authors, based on the principal component analysis (PCA) and the mesh morphing. The dynamical model of the full disk is constructed following the component mode synthesis (CMS) approach. The blade geometry is represented using a probabilistic model constructed from an experimental dataset. The effect of the geometric uncertainties is assessed using a linear uncertainty propagation approach, leading to a procedure that is fast enough to be embedded into a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) loop.
Development of Adaptive Feed-Forward Cancellation With Frequency Estimation Algorithm for Compensation of Periodic Disturbance at Arbitrary Frequency
Authors: Yabui Shota , Inoue Tsuyoshi
Published: September 2019

In this study, an adaptive feed-forward cancellation (AFC) with frequency estimation algorithm has been developed to compensate for periodic disturbance at an arbitrary frequency. Conventional AFC was developed to compensate for periodic disturbance at a fixed frequency and cannot compensate for the disturbance in which the frequency varies in real-time. The proposed method can estimate the frequency of the disturbance in real-time by using the input and output signals of the AFC. It can compensate for the periodic disturbance at an arbitrary frequency. In addition, the stability of the feedback control system with the proposed AFC can be optimized at any frequency based on the vector locus of the open-loop characteristic on the Nyquist diagram. The effectiveness of the proposed AFC was confirmed in experiments compensating for whirling vibration, whose frequency varies in real-time in rotating machinery. The proposed AFC can estimate the frequency of the disturbance automatically and compensate for this adequately.
A Review of Molten Salt Reactor Xenon Analysis Literature
Authors: Price T. J. , Chvala O.
Published: September 2019

This paper presents a review of xenon analyses literature related to molten salt reactors (MSRs). A brief primer of reactor xenon theory is presented for fluid fueled reactors. A review of xenon analysis literature is presented for both the work done by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the later work in academia. A review of experimental work is presented. The paper concludes with describing some of the difficulties in establishing a priori xenon models and includes a commentary on the sensitive dependence of the molten salt reactor xenon behavior on the circulating void fraction.
Analysis of hygroscopic self-shaping wood at large scale for curved mass timber structures
Authors: Grönquist Philippe , Wood Dylan , Hassani Mohammad M. , Wittel Falk K. , Menges Achim , Rüggeberg Markus
Published: September 2019

Insight into mechanics of biomimetic self-shaping wood leads to revolutionizing manufacturing of curved structural timber.
Broad Cross-Species Infection of Cultured Cells by Bat HKU2-Related Swine Acute Diarrhea Syndrome Coronavirus and Identification of Its Replication in Murine Dendritic Cells
In Vivo
Highlight Its Potential for Diverse Interspecies Transmission
Authors: Yang Yong-Le , Qin Pan , Wang Bin , Liu Yan , Xu Guo-Han , Peng Lei , Zhou Jiyong , Zhu Shu Jeffrey , Huang Yao-Wei
Published: September 2019

Infections with bat-origin coronaviruses (CoVs) (severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV [SARS-CoV] and Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV [MERS-CoV]) have caused severe illness in humans after “host jump” events. Recently, a novel bat-HKU2-like CoV named swine acute diarrhea syndrome CoV (SADS-CoV) has emerged in southern China, causing lethal diarrhea in newborn piglets. It is important to assess the species barriers of SADS-CoV infection since the animal hosts (other than pigs and bats) and zoonotic potential are still unknown. An
in vitro
susceptibility study revealed a broad species tropism of SADS-CoV, including various rodent and human cell lines. We established a mouse model of SADS-CoV infection, identifying its active replication in splenic dendritic cells, which suggests that SADS-CoV has the potential to infect rodents. These findings highlight the potential cross-species transmissibility of SADS-CoV, although further surveillance in other animal populations is needed to fully understand the ecology of this bat-HKU2-origin CoV.
Unknown Risk on the Farm: Does Agricultural Use of Ionophores Contribute to the Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance?
Authors: Wong Alex
Published: September 2019

Ionophores are the second most widely used class of antibiotic in agriculture, with over 4 million kilograms sold in the United States in 2016. Because ionophores are not used in humans, it is widely assumed that their agricultural use will not impact human health. Consequently, these drugs have not been subject to the same regulations as medically important antibiotics.
Biological Diagnosis of Ocular Toxoplasmosis: a Nine-Year Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Greigert Valentin , Pfaff Alexander W. , Sauer Arnaud , Filisetti Denis , Candolfi Ermanno , Villard Odile
Published: September 2019

Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT), a parasitic infection of the eye, is considered to be the most important infectious cause of posterior uveitis worldwide. Its prevalence is particularly high in South America, where aggressive
Toxoplasma gondii
strains are responsible for more-severe presentations. The particular pathophysiology of this infection leads, from recurrence to recurrence, to potentially severe vision impairment. The diagnosis of this infection is usually exclusively based on the clinical examination. However, the symptoms may be misleading and are not always sufficient to confirm a diagnosis of OT. In such cases, biological tests performed by means of several techniques on blood and ocular samples may facilitate the diagnosis. In this study, we analyzed the tests that were performed in our laboratory over a 9-year period every time OT was suspected. Our report highlights that the quality of ocular sampling by ophthalmologists and combinations of several techniques are critical for a reliable biological OT diagnosis.
Vitamin K deficiency bleeding in Australian infants 1993–2017: an Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit study
Authors: Zurynski Yvonne , Grover Cameron J , Jalaludin Bin , Elliott Elizabeth J
Published: September 2019

Objective

To undertake surveillance of vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in Australia from 1993 to 2017, during a time of change to national recommendations and available vitamin K formulations.

Methods

Paediatricians reported cases of VKDB in infants aged <6 months and provided demographic, clinical and biochemical information via the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit.

Results

58 cases were reported, of which 5 (9%) were early, 11 (19%) classic and 42 (72%) late VKDB. 53 (91%) were exclusively breast fed. Seven (12%) received oral prophylaxis, the majority (86%) of whom did not receive all three recommended doses. The overall reported incidence was 0.84 per 100 000 live births (95% CI: 0.64 to 1.08) and the incidence of late VKDB was 0.61 per 100 000 live births (95% CI: 0.44 to 0.82), which are similar to rates reported by other countries where intramuscular vitamin K is recommended. VKDB rates were significantly higher (2.46 per 100 000 live births; 95% CI: 1.06 to 4.85) between 1993 and March 1994 when oral prophylaxis was recommended (p<0.05). Vitamin K was not given to 33 (57%) cases, primarily due to parental refusal, and the number of parental refusals increased significantly after 2006 (p<0.05). There were six deaths, all due to intracranial haemorrhage, and three associated with home delivery and parental refusal of vitamin K.

Conclusions

Incidence rates of VKDB in Australia are among the lowest in the world; however, we have identified an increasing trend of parental refusal. Ongoing surveillance and educational campaigns for health professionals and parents are needed to prevent VKDB.
Acute mesenteric ischaemia secondary to portal, splenic and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis
Authors: Burch Jacob , Enofe Ikponmwosa
Published: September 2019

Mesenteric ischaemia represents an uncommon complication of splanchnic vein thrombosis which requires a high level of suspicion to diagnose in a timely manner. This report discusses a case of portal, splenic and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis leading to mesenteric ischaemia and infarct in a 79-year-old man. The diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischaemia and splanchnic vein thrombosis remains difficult due to the non-specific symptoms of these conditions. As diagnosis does continue to improve, treatment of acute mesenteric ischaemia using medical management has become increasingly possible before ischaemia advances to the point at which surgical resection is required.
Diagnostic challenge of rapidly progressing sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Authors: Kwon Gi Tae , Kwon Min Sung
Published: September 2019

Antemortem assessment of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) can be significantly hampered due to its rarity, low index of clinical suspicion and its non-specific clinical features. We present an atypical case of definitive sCJD. The patient died within 5 weeks of the disease onset. This unusually short duration of disease presented a significant diagnostic dilemma. The patient presented with 2-week history of sudden-onset cognitive decline, memory loss, aphasia and ataxia. MRI Diffusion-weighted sequences revealed cortical ribboning sign without cerebral atrophy. Protein 14-3-3 from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was detected, and postmortem brain autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of sCJD. This case underscores the importance of considering CJD as a potential diagnosis for rapidly progressive dementia. Serology tests, EEG, MRI and CSF study are invaluable diagnostic tools when assessing for sCJD. Appropriate use of those diagnostic tests, along with a detailed clinical examination, can successfully and promptly exclude other differential diagnoses and confirm sCJD.
Atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome secondary to acute pancreatitis: a unique presentation
Authors: Barish Jacob , Kopparthy Pallavi , Fletcher Bradley
Published: September 2019

Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) is a disease of complement dysregulation and can be fatal if not treated in a timely manner. Although normally associated with triggers such as infection or pregnancy, this case demonstrates acute pancreatitis as the triggering event. The patient’s initial presentation of thrombocytopaenia and acute renal failure was first attributed to a systemic inflammatory response syndrome due to pancreatitis, but with detailed history and further laboratory investigation, we were able to show that patient was having symptoms associated with aHUS. On early recognition of aHUS, this patient was able to receive the proper standard of care with eculizumab and had a full recovery while preventing renal failure. When patients present with thrombocytopaenia and renal failure in acute pancreatitis, we want to ensure physicians keep aHUS on the differential.
Renal vein and vena caval thrombus: a rare presentation of emphysematous pyelonephritis
Authors: Jain Amit , Mehra Ketan , Manikandan Ramanitharan , Dorairajan Lalgudi Narayanan
Published: September 2019

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) can present with symptoms due to infection or sepsis. EPN presenting with renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus is very rare. We report a case of EPN with renal vein and IVC thrombus and its management.
Upside-down position leads to choroidal expansion and anterior chamber shallowing: OCT study
Authors: Li Fei , Li Hao , Yang Jianlong , Liu Jiang , Aung Tin , Zhang Xiulan
Published: September 2019

Background

To determine whether dynamic changes in choroidal thickness (CT) cause shallowing of the anterior chamber.

Methods

34 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The participants in our study adopted the upside-down position for 1.5 min, which was the model we used to study the dynamic changes in CT. Intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation, optical coherence tomography images of the choroid and anterior chamber were obtained at baseline, after being in an upside-down position in an inversion machine and after 15 min of rest. The changes in IOP, anterior chamber and choroidal blood flow between the baseline and the upside-down position were compared.

Results

Sixty-eight eyes from 34 subjects were analysed. After being in upside-down position for 1.5 min, there was a significant increase in CT from 226.39±52.44 µm to 238.34±54.84 µm (p<0.001). Choroidal flow index decreased from 0.3357±0.0251 to 0.3004±0.0190 in upside-down position, and there was a decrease in anterior chamber depth (3.21±0.22 mm to 3.13±0.21 mm, p<0.001) and angle opening distance at 500 µm from the scleral spur (0.65±0.24 mm to 0.58±0.20 mm, p=0.007). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the increase in CT was positively related with CT at baseline CT (p=0.001).

Conclusion

When the body position changed from sitting to upside-down position, there was choroidal thickening, anterior chamber shallowing and IOP elevation with reduced choroidal blood flow. The data provide evidence about the relationship between choroid expansion and shallowing of the anterior chamber, which may be of relevance for the pathogenesis of angle closure.