bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between modified wet suction and dry suction technique for endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle biopsy in pancreatic solid lesions
Authors: Tong Ting , Tian Li , Deng Minzi , Liu Yang , Yang Yening , Yin Hua , Long Xiuyan , Pan Shiyu , Yang Zhenyu , Luo Weiwei , Nie Kai , Meng Xiangrui , Xiao Mengwei , Wu Xing , Zhang Chao , Wang Xiaoyan
Published: December 2020

Background and Aim

Although endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle biopsy is widely applied, there is no clear consensus on the optimal biopsy technique. We described a modified wet suction technique (MWEST) with the aim to compare the efficacy and safety between MWEST and the dry suction technique (DST).

Methods

In this prospective, randomized, crossover, single‐blinded study, patients with suspected pancreatic malignancy were randomized to the DST (group A) or MWEST (group B) for the first pass, and the two techniques were performed alternately. The primary outcome was the comparison of specimen adequacy and diagnostic yield between the techniques. Secondary outcomes included the macroscopic visible core length, blood contamination of specimens, and adverse events of both techniques.

Results

From January 2019 to September 2019, 216 passes were performed in 50 patients. The specimen adequacy was significantly higher in “per‐lesion” (P = 0.026), “per‐pass” (cytology: P = 0.034; histology: P = 0.042), and first‐pass analysis (P = 0.034) for MWEST than for DST. In diagnostic yield, MWEST showed significantly superior histological yield (P = 0.014) and first‐pass analysis (κ: MWEST: 0.743 and DST: 0.519) compared with DST. The median macroscopic visible core lengths were 8 mm (interquartile range: 3.25–15 mm) and 10 mm (interquartile range: 5.25–15 mm) for DST and MWEST, respectively (P = 0.036). Blood contamination was significantly more serious in DST than in MWEST (cytology: P = 0.021; histology: P = 0.042).

Conclusions

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle biopsy with MWEST resulted in significantly better quality of specimen, histological, and first‐pass diagnostic yields and comparable safety compared with the DST. MWEST is preferred for endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle biopsy in pancreatic solid lesions.
Alpha‐synuclein oligomerization and aggregation: A model will always be a model
Authors: Outeiro Tiago Fleming
Published: December 2020

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Sensory acceptability, consumption frequency, and factors associated with consumption of fruits and vegetables among low and medium income consumers in Argentina
Authors: Arce Soledad , Gugole Ottaviano Fernanda , Sosa Miriam
Published: December 2020

The acceptability, consumption frequency of fruits and vegetables (F&V), and the reasons for consuming these foods were studied. A total of 370 housewives carried out different tests: Sensory Acceptability, Consumption Frequency, Free Listing (FL), and Check All That Apply (CATA). In these tests, the household income (HI) of the housewives was considered. Of the 25 fruits and 27 vegetables included in the acceptability test, more than 40% had average values greater than or equal to 7 for both HI, low income (LI) and middle income (MI). In general, F&V had more mentions in low consumption frequency categories. Only the consumption frequency of three fruits and two vegetables was influenced by HI. The acceptability patterns in both foods do not always correspond to their frequency of consumption. CATA question showed that factors related to habits, practicality and availability, in addition to sensory acceptability, influenced the consumption of these foods in LI and MI populations.

Practical applications

The use of questionnaires and CATA methodology permitted to know about F&V consumption in the LI and MI Argentinian population. The information about the reasons for the low consumption of F&V in both incomes sectors could complement data obtained through existing surveys and provide insight to motivate consumption through changes in current consumer promotion campaigns.
Physiological and biochemical responses of tomato plants to white mold affected by manganese phosphite
Authors: Chaves Joicy Aparecida Alves , Oliveira Lillian Matias , Silva Leandro Castro , Silva Bruno Nascimento , Dias Carla Silva , Rios Jonas Alberto , Rodrigues Fabrício Ávila
Published: December 2020

Considering the potential of white mold, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, to reduce tomato production, this study aimed to determinate the effect of manganese (Mn) phosphite on the resistance of tomato plants to this disease by assessing the photosynthetic performance (gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence), the activities of defence enzymes and those related to the antioxidant metabolism as well as the concentrations of photosynthetic pigments, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O2−). The in vitro assays showed that S. sclerotiorum mycelial growth was inhibited by Mn phosphite in a dose‐response manner. The spray of Mn phosphite reduced white mold severity on the leaves of tomato plants. Additionally, there was a higher foliar Mn concentration for plants sprayed with Mn phosphite. The negative effects of S. sclerotiorum infection in the photosynthetic process were mitigated by Mn phosphite application as noticed by the net carbon assimilation rate, stomatal conductance to water vapour, transpiration rate, maximal photosystem II quantum yield values and concentration of photosynthetic pigments. The concentrations of MDA, H2O2 and O2‐ on inoculated leaves were lower upon Mn phosphite spray. In general, the activities of defence enzymes and those related to the antioxidant metabolism were higher for water‐sprayed plants inoculated with S. sclerotiorum in comparison to those inoculated and sprayed with Mn phosphite. Based on the present study results, the application of Mn phosphite may represent a feasible alternative for white mold management in tomato plants.
Renal alterations caused by ligature‐induced periodontitis persist after ligature removal in rats
Authors: Galeno Juliana Gomes , França Luiz Felipe de Carvalho , da Silva Felipe Rodolfo Pereira , Alves Even Herlany Pereira , Di Lenardo David , Nascimento Hélio Mateus Silva , Cardoso Guimarães Vasconcelos Any Carolina , Carneiro Gomes Paulo Roberto , Dias de Souza Filho Manoel , Caetano Vinícius da Silva , de Oliveira Ana Patrícia , de Alencar Marcus Vinícius Oliveira Barros , Barbosa André Luiz dos Reis , Medeiros Jand‐Venes Rolim , Fahimipou Farahnaz , Barros Silvana Pereira , Alves Diniz Ivana Márcia , Vasconcelos Daniel Fernando Pereira
Published: December 2020

Background and Objective

Periodontitis may crosstalk with renal diseases, yet that remains unclear. We investigated whether the renal alterations caused by induced periodontitis are reversible after removal of the ligatures in experimental ligature‐induced periodontitis.

Material and methods

Twenty‐four female rats were divided into three groups: control (without periodontitis), periodontitis (20 days of ligature‐induced periodontitis), and P20‐20 (20 days of ligature‐induced periodontitis and 20 days after ligature removal). The following periodontal parameters were assessed: gingival bleeding index, probing pocket depth, myeloperoxidase activity, and alveolar bone height. For renal tissues, histopathology, malonaldehyde (MDA) levels, glutathione (GSH) content, and renal weight were evaluated. In the blood, creatinine, uric acid, albumin, total cholesterol, total protein, and glucose levels were assessed. Total protein and creatinine levels in urine were also investigated.

Results

Rat renal tissues did not demonstrate reversal of periodontitis‐related changes in the P20‐20 group in terms of MDA, GSH, and histopathological evaluations when compared to the periodontitis group. Accordingly, only total cholesterol levels were reversible in the P20‐20.

Conclusion

Renal alterations caused by ligature‐induced periodontitis persisted even after removal of ligatures in rats.
Bone mineral density of the common bottlenose dolphin radius: A primary skeletal site for clinical bone densitometry and preliminary descriptive data set using archival specimens
Authors: Powell James W. B. , Duffield Deborah A. , Kaufman Jonathan J. , Luo Gangming , Lovewell Gretchen N. , McFee Wayne E.
Published: December 2020

We examined bone mineral density (BMD) in the pectoral flipper of the common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. These data addressed the need to define a comprehensive target site for osteodensitometric assessment and to provide a descriptive bone density data set for this species. We analyzed 388 radii from 279 bottlenose dolphins using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), the accepted standard in human medical studies. Radii were examined for differences based on sex, age, total body length, handedness, geographical affinity, and nutritional status at death. BMD increased with age and body length (R2 = 0.58, p < .05). No statistically significant differences were observed in BMD measurements for male and female dolphins (t = −1.60, p > .05) or right and left flippers (t = −1.76, p > .05). Additionally, no statistically significant differences were observed based on geographical region (t = −0.190, p > .05) or nutritional status (F = 0.83, p > .05). These results support the use of these findings as a preliminary descriptive data set for BMD in bottlenose dolphins and detail a primary skeletal site for clinical assessment of bone density for the species. As this study relies on archived museum specimens collected from dolphins at time of death, further studies regarding bone density may be better addressed using live dolphins with known health status.
Gastric emptying in healthy children using the Spirulina breath test: The impact of gender, body size, and pubertal development
Authors: Kovacic Katja , Zhang Liyun , Nugent Liegl Melodee , Pawela Louis , Simpson Pippa , Sood Manu R.
Published: December 2020

Background

There are no pediatric norms for gastric emptying (GE) measured by nuclear scintigraphy. The 13C‐labeled, stable isotope GE breath test (GEBT) is a non‐radioactive alternative. We aimed to determine normative GEBT ranges in a cohort of healthy children and examine the influence of age, gender, puberty, and body surface area (BSA).

Methods

Healthy children ages 8–18 years completed the [13C]‐Spirulina platensis GEBT after an overnight fast. Breath samples were collected at baseline, every 15 min × 1 h, then every 30 min for 4 h total. The 13CO2 excretion rate was determined by the change in 13CO2/12CO2 over time in each breath sample, expressed as kPCD (Percent 13C Dose excreted/min). A mixed model with random time was used for multivariable analysis and outcome fit into a quadratic model.

Key Results

The 100 subjects completed the test meal within allotted time. Median (IQR) age was 13.5 (11.3–15.5) years; 51% were female. Females had lower 13CO2 excretion rates (slower GE) than males across time (p < 0.001) while decreased excretion rates correlated with higher BSA (p = 0.015). Gender differences were also noted within pubertal stages with females showing slower GE. Multivariable analysis suggested that pre‐pubertal children have faster GE than both peri‐ and post‐pubertal groups (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions & Inferences

Gender, puberty, and BSA influence GE rates in healthy children more than age. Although further data are needed, pubertal stage and hormonal influences may be unique factors to consider when assessing GE in children.
Effect of Multiple Doses of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid on Perioperative Blood Loss in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Kang Bing‐xin , Li Yu‐lin , Xu Hui , Gao Chen‐xin , Zhong Sheng , Zhang Jing , Xie Jun , Sun Song‐tao , Xu Xi‐rui , Zhao Chi , Ma Ying‐hui , Zhai Wei‐tao , Xiao Lian‐bo , Hu Xiao‐xue
Published: December 2020

Objective

To identify the efficacy and safety of multiple doses of intravenous tranexamic acid (IV‐TXA) following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a tourniquet.

Methods

This is a single‐blind randomized controlled study that recruited osteoarthritis patients who had undergone primary unilateral TKA from May 2019 to May 2020 at our medical center. A total of 300 patients were randomly divided into three groups to receive: one dose (1 g) of IV‐TXA before skin incision combined with one dose (1.5 g) of intra‐articular tranexamic acid（IA‐TXA) followed by a single dose of IV‐TXA (1 g) for 3 h (group A); two doses of IV‐TXA (1 g) for 3 and 6 h (group B); or three doses of IV‐TXA (1 g) for 3, 6, and 12 h (group C) postoperatively. TKA with a tourniquet was performed by the same surgical team. The primary outcomes were total blood cell loss (TBL), hidden blood loss (HBL), maximum hemoglobin (Hb) drop, and transfusion rate. Secondary outcomes were levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and D‐dimer, and the incidence of postoperative complications. One‐way analysis of variance, subgroup analysis, and multivariate correlation analysis were used to calculate the differences among the three groups.

Results

The study included 56 male and 244 female patients aged 60–80 years. The mean TBL, the mean HBL, and the maximum Hb drop in group C (471.2 ± 190.6 mL, 428.4 ± 190.3 mL, and 21.2 ± 3.8 g/L, respectively) were significantly lower than those in groups B (563.4 ± 224.6 mL, P = 0.030; 519.9 ± 226.4 mL, P = 0.033; and 23.2 ± 4.1 g/L, P = 0.001, respectively), and A (651.6 ± 254.1 mL, P < 0.001; 607.1 ± 254.3 mL, P < 0.001; and 25.1 ± 4.3 g/L, P < 0.001, respectively). No transfusions were required. The postoperative acute inflammatory reaction was less problematic for patients in Group C, and the incidence of thromboembolic events was similar among the groups (P > 0.05). In addition, there were positive correlations between the HBL and the tourniquet inflation time (r = 0.844, P < 0.001). Similarly, the level of CRP on POD1 (r = 0.393, P < 0.001) and POD3 (r = 0.149, P = 0.010), and the level of D‐dimer on POD1 (r = 0.382, P < 0.001) were positively correlated with the HBL.

Conclusion

Three doses of postoperative IV‐TXA decreased blood loss and diminished the postoperative inflammatory and fibrinolytic response more than a single dose or two doses in elderly patients following TKA without increasing the incidence of adverse events.
Use of Pulsed Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Discogenic Back Pain: A Narrative Review
Authors: Yang Seoyon , Boudier‐Revéret Mathieu , Chang Min Cheol
Published: December 2020

Background

Low‐back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequently reported symptoms of patients who visit pain clinics, and a significant proportion of them have discogenic pain. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) stimulation is an effective treatment for various types of pain.

Purpose

We reviewed articles which investigated the effectiveness of intradiscal PRF for controlling discogenic LBP.

Methods and Materials

We searched PubMed for papers published prior to August 7, 2020, in which intradiscal PRF was used for treating discogenic LBP. The key search phrase was (intradiscal PRF) for identifying potentially relevant articles. We included articles in which intradiscal PRF was used for controlling LBP. Review articles were excluded.

Results

Nine publications were included in this review. Except for one study, all other studies showed positive therapeutic outcomes after treating discogenic LBP using intradiscal PRF. However, the quality of these studies was not high.

Conclusions

This review showed that intradiscal PRF appears to be a helpful treatment method for patients with discogenic LBP. Our review provides insights into the degree of evidence of the therapeutic effects of intradiscal PRF for alleviating discogenic LBP. For confirmation of the effectiveness of intradiscal PRF on discogenic LBP, more high‐quality studies are necessary.
l‐Tryptophan Interactions with the Horseradish Peroxidase‐Catalyzed Generation of Triplet Acetone
Authors: Ramos Luiz D. , Prado Fernanda M. , Stevani Cassius V. , Di Mascio Paolo , Bechara Etelvino J. H.
Published: December 2020

Triplet carbonyls generated by chemiexcitation are involved in typical photobiochemical processes in the absence of light. Due to their biradical nature, ultraweak light emission and long lifetime, electronically excited triplet species display typical radical reactions such as isomerization, fragmentation, cycloaddition and hydrogen abstraction. In this paper, we report chemical reactions in a set of amino acid residues induced by the isobutanal/horseradish peroxidase (IBAL/HRP) system, a well‐known source of excited triplet acetone (Ac3*). Accordingly, quenching of Ac3* by tryptophan (Trp) unveiled parallel enzyme damage and inactivation, likely explained by scavenging of IBAL tertiary radical reaction intermediate and Ac3*‐derived 2‐hydroxy‐i‐propyl radical. Quenching constants were calculated from Stern–Volmer plots, and the structure of radical adducts was revealed by mass spectrometry. As expected, a concurrent Schiff‐type adduct was found to be one of the reaction by‐products. These findings draw attention to potential structural and functional changes in enzymes involved in the electronic chemiexcitation of their products.
Do Threats Galvanize Authoritarians or Mobilize Nonauthoritarians? Experimental Tests from 19 European Societies
Authors: Claassen Christopher , McLaren Lauren
Published: December 2020

Authoritarian predispositions and contextual threats are both thought to result in intolerance and prejudice towards immigrants and other minorities. Yet there is considerable dispute as to how authoritarianism and threat interact to produce an “authoritarian dynamic.” Some scholars argue that threats increase intolerance by “galvanizing” authoritarians. Others claim that authoritarians are always intolerant toward outgroups, with threat instead “mobilizing” nonauthoritarians. Using experimental manipulations of immigrant cultural threat embedded in nationally representative samples from 19 European societies, this study offers a test of these competing hypotheses. While we find some evidence for the “galvanizing” hypothesis, we find no evidence for the “mobilizing” hypothesis. The effects vary considerably across national samples however, with immigrants from Muslim societies being particularly likely to activate authoritarian predispositions. These findings show how the migration of culturally distinctive groups has the potential to activate authoritarian dispositions, thereby pushing the issue of immigration to the center of political debates.
Identification of fungal pathogens and analysis of genetic diversity of Fusarium tricinctum causing root rots of alfalfa in north‐east China
Authors: Jiang Dan , Xu Chuzhen , Han Wenbo , Harris‐Shultz Karen , Ji Pingsheng , Li Yonggang , Zhao Tongxue
Published: December 2020

Alfalfa root rot is a devastating disease complex found worldwide. Population structure and genetic diversity of fungal pathogens causing alfalfa root rot in north‐east China are not well understood. In this study, 480 fungal isolates were collected from six major alfalfa‐growing regions in Heilongjiang province, China. They were identified as Fusarium tricinctum, F. oxysporum, F. acuminatum, F. solani, F. equiseti, Phoma medicaginis, Plectosphaerella cucumerina, Alternaria alternata, and Chaetomium globosum and caused root rot on alfalfa in greenhouse studies. F. tricinctum was the predominant species among the isolates, and P. medicaginis and C. globosum had not previously been reported causing alfalfa root rot in north‐east China. Of the 73 F. tricinctum isolates identified, the majority were moderately or highly aggressive on alfalfa. No isolate of F. tricinctum was sensitive to carbendazim (1 and 10 μg/ml), indicating that, although commonly used, it is not suitable for management of the disease in this area. F. tricinctum isolates were analysed using AFLP markers and divided into eight genetic groups with 28 pairs of primers. Analysis of molecular variance indicated significant correlation between genetic groups of F. tricinctum isolates and their geographical locations or aggressiveness. Pairwise comparison and STRUCTURE analysis also indicated that geographical locations and aggressiveness of isolates had a significant effect on population differentiation. This study provides insight into the genetic diversity and reproductive biology of F. tricinctum, enhances understanding of the population diversity of alfalfa root rot pathogens in north‐east China, and facilitates development of effective strategies for managing this destructive disease complex.
Long‐term follow‐up of children with protracted bacterial bronchitis: Some answers, and more questions
Authors: Armstrong David
Published: December 2020

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Accounting for Precision Uncertainty of Toxicity Testing: Methods to Define Borderline Ranges and Implications for Hazard Assessment of Chemicals
Authors: Gabbert Silke , Mathea Miriam , Kolle Susanne N. , Landsiedel Robert
Published: December 2020

For hazard classifications of chemicals, continuous data from animal‐ or nonanimal testing methods are often dichotomized into binary positive/negative outcomes by defining classification thresholds (CT). Experimental data are, however, subject to biological and technical variability. Each test method's precision is limited resulting in uncertainty of the positive/negative outcome if the experimental result is close to the CT. Borderline ranges (BR) around the CT were suggested, which represent ranges in which the study result is ambiguous, that is, positive or negative results are equally likely. The BR reflects a method's precision uncertainty. This article explores and compares different approaches to quantify the BR. Besides using the pooled standard deviation, we determine the BR by means of the median absolute deviation (MAD), with a sequential combination of both methods, and by using nonparametric bootstrapping. Furthermore, we quantify the BR for different hazardous effects, including nonanimal tests for skin corrosion, eye irritation, skin irritation, and skin sensitization as well as for an animal test on skin sensitization (the local lymph node assay, LLNA). Additionally, for one method (direct peptide reactivity assay) the BR was determined experimentally and compared to calculated BRs. Our results demonstrate that (i) the precision of the methods is determining the size of their BRs, (ii) there is no “perfect” method to derive a BR, alas, (iii) a consensus on BR is needed to account for the limited precision of testing methods.
Sociological conceptualizations of compassion fatigue: Expanding our understanding
Authors: Vaccaro Christian , Swauger Melissa , Morrison Shayna , Heckert Alex
Published: December 2020

Compassion fatigue has been primarily studied at the micro level and framed as a psychological “personal trouble” that results from one's personality traits, demographic characteristics, or life and work stressors. In addition, compassion fatigue is used to predict other psychological outcomes such as burnout, depersonalization, and stress. This literature on compassion fatigue has been reviewed, in order to illustrate areas where sociologists can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the phenomenon. In this article we conceptualize compassion fatigue as a sociological concept and overview the potential ways that sociological approaches can enhance our understanding. We draw on the literatures of emotion work, social exchange theory, and macrolevel sociological theories to facilitate the use of compassion fatigue from a sociological perspective. For example, we use concepts such as social integration and anomie to stimulate thinking about rates of compassion fatigue.
Effects of Intercept pathogen reduction treatment on extended cold storage of apheresis platelets
Authors: Agey Alisa , Reddoch‐Cardenas Kristin , McIntosh Colby , Sharma Umang , Cantu Carolina , Cap Andrew , Bynum James
Published: December 2020

Background

Platelets pose the greatest transfusion‐transmitted infectious risk among blood products. Refrigeration of platelets can mitigate bacterial contamination and extend platelet shelf life. Implementation of pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs) at blood banks has become increasingly popular to protect against emerging and reemerging infectious diseases. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effects of Intercept PRT on platelets collected on different platforms and cold‐stored for up to 21 days in plasma and platelet additive solution (PAS).

Methods

Double‐dose apheresis platelets were collected with use of a Trima or Amicus system into either 100% plasma or 65% InterSol PAS/35% plasma and split equally between two bags. One bag served as control, while the other received Intercept PRT treatment. Bags were stored unagitated in the cold and evaluated on Days 1, 7, 14, and 21 to assess platelet metabolism, activation, aggregation, and clot formation and retraction.

Results

By Day 14 of storage, lactate levels reached approximately 13 mmol/L for all samples irrespective of Intercept treatment. Mean clot firmness dropped from the 62.2‐ to 67.5‐mm range (Day 1) to the 28.4‐ to 51.3‐mm range (Day 21), with no differences observed between groups. Clot weights of Intercept‐treated Trima/plasma samples were significantly higher than control by Day 14 of storage (P = .004), indicating a reduced clot retraction function. Intercept treatment caused a higher incidence of plasma membrane breakdown in plasma‐stored platelets (P = .0013; Trima/plasma Day 14 Control vs Intercept).

Conclusions

Intercept treatment of platelets and subsequent cold storage, in plasma or PAS, results in comparable platelet metabolism platelets for up to 14 days of storage but altered clotting dynamics. Pathogen‐reduced platelets with an extended shelf life would be beneficial for the deployed setting and would greatly impact transfusion practice among civilian transfusion centers.
Batch Assignment of Parallel Machines in an Automotive Safety Glass Manufacturing Facility
Authors: Mora Felipe , Nait Abdallah Rabie , Lozano Alvaro J. , Montoya Carlos , Otero-Caicedo Ricardo
Published: December 2020

In this paper, optimization algorithms are used to solve a batch assignment problem of parallel processing furnaces in American Glass Products (AGP), a world leader company in the design and manufacturing of curved armored glass for transportation purposes. The problem consists in optimizing the bending process, which is considered to be the bottleneck workstation in the armored glasses production line in AGP. The objective is to maximize the efficiency of the furnaces and minimize the tardiness delivery of orders. Due to the complexity and constraints of the problem, we developed a proper dispatch algorithm and a Tabu search technique. The results are encouraging: the indicators of furnace usage hours and tardiness delivery improved by 32 % and 7 %, respectively compared to the decisions made in the plant during an actual production week. This work was the winner of an operation research challenge between around 100 graduate students. The challenge was organized by Javeriana University and AGP.
Cleaning With UV Light
Authors: González Carlos M.
Published: December 2020

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in China in early 2020, the autonomous disinfecting robots from UVD Robots saw massive interest from companies looking to sanitize and sterilize their places of business.
Education from a Distance
Authors: González Carlos M.
Published: December 2020

When the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic caused schools across the country to close their classrooms, colleges and universities shifted to online education. Just as many professional spaces had to adjust to working from home, so did students and professors. Many higher education institutions had to find novel solutions to tackle the challenge of hands-on education and rethink what the classroom could be in a virtual and digital environment.
Is there a future for additive manufactured titanium bioglass composites in biomedical application? A perspective
Authors: Mani Nour , Sola Antonella , Trinchi Adrian , Fox Kate
Published: December 2020

Additive manufacturing (AM) of orthopedic implants is growing in popularity as it offers almost complete design flexibility and freedom, meaning complex geometries mimicking specific body parts can be easily produced. Novel composite materials with optimized functionalities present opportunities for 3D printing osteoconductive implants with desirable mechanical properties. Standard metals for bone implants, such as titanium and its alloys, are durable and nontoxic but lack bioactivity. Bioactive glasses promote strong bone formation but are susceptible to brittle failure. Metal-bioactive glass composites, however, may combine the mechanical reliability of metals with the bone-bonding ability of bioactive glasses, potentially reducing the incidence of implant failure. Processing such composites by AM paves the way for producing unprecedented bespoke parts with highly porous lattices, whose stiffness can be tailored to meet the mechanical properties of natural bone tissue. This Perspective focuses on titanium-bioactive glass composites, critically discussing their processability by AM and highlighting their potential as a next-generation implantable biomaterial.
Sound power of vibrating cylinders using the radiation resistance matrix and a laser vibrometer
Authors: Goates Caleb B. , Jones Cameron B. , Sommerfeldt Scott D. , Blotter Jonathan D.
Published: December 2020

Research has shown that using acoustic radiation modes combined with surface velocity measurements provide an accurate method of measuring the radiated sound power from vibrating plates. This paper investigates the extension of this method to acoustically radiating cylindrical structures. The mathematical formulations of the radiation resistance matrix and the accompanying acoustic radiation modes of a baffled cylinder are developed. Computational sound power calculations using the vibration-based radiation mode (VBRM) method and the boundary element method are then compared and shown to have good agreement. Experimental surface velocity measurements of a cylinder are taken using a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer and the VBRM method is used to calculate sound power. The results are compared to sound power measurements taken using ISO 3741.
Spare a thought for the teeming ecosystem beneath your feet
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Global review of soil biodiversity calls for protecting often overlooked subterranean life.
Tasmanian devils claw their way back from extinction
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Genomes show spread of deadly cancer is slowing.
Ecologists push for more reliable research
Authors: O'Grady Cathleen
Published: December 2020

Psychology's replication crisis inspires efforts to expand samples and stick to a research plan.
Social capital's value in the courtroom
Privilege and Punishment: How Race and Class Matter in Criminal Court
Matthew Clair
Princeton University Press, 2020. 283 pp.
Authors: Seamster Louise
Published: December 2020

Inequalities are reinforced during court proceedings and deliberations, finds a sociologist
Using genetics to reveal protein structure
Authors: Wang Dong
Published: December 2020

Measurements of genetic interactions in vivo can be used to determine protein structure
Angelika Amon (1967–2020)
Authors: Sheltzer Jason M. , Visintin Rosella
Published: December 2020

Trailblazing cell cycle biologist
Stabilizing the HIV-1 Envelope Glycoprotein State 2A Conformation
Authors: Vézina Dani , Gong Shang Yu , Tolbert William D. , Ding Shilei , Nguyen Dung , Richard Jonathan , Gendron-Lepage Gabrielle , Melillo Bruno , Smith Amos B. , Pazgier Marzena , Finzi Andrés
Published: December 2020

Stabilization of HIV-1 Env state 2A has been shown to sensitize infected cells to ADCC. State 2A can be stabilized by a “cocktail” composed of CD4mc, anti-CoRBS, and anti-cluster A Abs.
Identification of Two Critical Neutralizing Epitopes in the Receptor Binding Domain of Hepatitis B Virus preS1
Authors: Yato Keigo , Onodera Taishi , Matsuda Mami , Moriyama Saya , Fujimoto Akira , Watashi Koichi , Aizaki Hideki , Tanaka Tomohisa , Moriishi Kohji , Nishitsuji Hironori , Shimotohno Kunitada , Tamura Koji , Takahashi Yoshimasa , Wakita Takaji , Muramatsu Masamichi , Kato Takanobu , Suzuki Ryosuke
Published: December 2020

The HBV preS1 amino acid 2 to 47 region (preS1/2–47) is essential for virus binding to sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide. Several MAbs targeting preS1/2–47 have been reported to neutralize HBV infection; however, which region in preS1/2–47 contains the critical neutralizing epitope(s) for HBV infection is unclear.
Role of the DNA Binding Activity of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 VP22 in Evading AIM2-Dependent Inflammasome Activation Induced by the Virus
Authors: Maruzuru Yuhei , Koyanagi Naoto , Kato Akihisa , Kawaguchi Yasushi
Published: December 2020

VP22, a major component of the HSV-1 virion tegument, is conserved in alphaherpesviruses and has structural similarity to ORF52, a component of the virion tegument that is well conserved in gammaherpesviruses. Although the potential DNA binding activity of VP22 was discovered decades ago, its significance in the HSV-1 life cycle is poorly understood.
The role and significance of juvenile sediments in the formation of A-type granites, West Junggar oceanic arc (NW China): Zircon Hf-O isotopic perspectives
Authors: Yin Jiyuan , Xiao Wenjiao , Spencer Christopher J. , Sun Min , Chen Wen , Huang Huiqing , Yuan Chao , Zhang Yunying , Huang He , Xia Xiaoping , Tao Zaili
Published: December 2020

Oceanic arc subduction systems are the loci of substantial recycling of oceanic crust and production of juvenile arc crust that differentiates to more evolved felsic crust. Inevitably, some juvenile sediments are subducted with the oceanic crust. However, distinguishing the incorporation of juvenile sediments in oceanic arcs is not always straightforward, because they may not measurably shift many geochemical signatures, such as Sr and Nd isotopes, of oceanic arcs. Nevertheless, combined zircon U-Pb, Hf, and O isotope data can provide a powerful tool to decipher sedimentary flux into oceanic arc magmas, and here we report a case study for the late Paleozoic A-type granites from the West Junggar oceanic arc in the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. These plutons contain hastingsite and iron biotite diagnostic minerals and have high alkali, FeOT/MgO, Zr, and Ga/Al, but possess low CaO contents, and strongly negative Eu, Sr, and Ba anomalies, demonstrating their close affinity with A-type granites. Zircon U-Pb analyses indicate that these A-type granites emplaced in the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian (ca. 307−298 Ma). Their high zircon εHf(t) values (+12.4 to +15.5), suggest that the magmas were derived from a mantle or juvenile crustal source. However, their δ18Ozrn (+7.2‰ to +11.9‰) values are significantly higher than that of the mantle, and modeling using Hf-O isotope and rare earth element data indicate the assimilation of sedimentary materials at a proportion of ∼50%. Our data suggest that juvenile sediments (e.g., greywacke) played an important role in the formation of the studied A-type granites. The re-melting of sedimentary material induced by the late Carboniferous ridge subduction can promote the transition from an intra-oceanic arc to continental crust. Our results show that the subduction and re-melting of juvenile sediments in oceanic arc systems could be an important mechanism for the maturation of oceanic arc crust.
From blocked flows to suppressed emotions: the life of a trope
Authors: Justman Stewart
Published: December 2020

Internal blockages and build-ups cause disease: traditionally, this principle seemed intuitive both to professionals and the laity, explained conditions as diverse as melancholy and scurvy (among many others), and justified the use of evacuative treatments to get rid of noxious matter. With the collapse of humoral medicine and the establishment of the concept of specific causation, one might have expected time-honoured tropes of obstruction to die off. They did not die off, but moved with the times and adapted to new conditions. Emphasis swung from the noxious character of retained substances to the harms of suppressed urges and emotions—harms including disabling maladjustments as a result of sexual inhibition, and cancer as a result of emotional inhibition. In both cases the causal mechanisms resemble traditional blockages. Theories of noxious inhibitions or psychological blocks, which have a familiar and perhaps even intuitive sound because they have so much history behind them, can easily lead patients into fanciful methods of prevention and treatment.
Variability of GPS-derived ionospheric TEC over Nigeria during a year of low solar activity
Authors: Akinyemi G.A. , Kolawole L.B. , Willoughby A.A. , Dairo O.F. , Abdulrahim R.B. , Rabiu A.B.
Published: December 2020

An investigation of the diurnal and seasonal variability of ionospheric total electron content (TEC) over Nigeria is carried out in this study using the global positioning system (GPS) observable. Nigeria coordinates fall within the trough of the equatorial ionisation anomaly region of the African sector. The TEC data used were obtained from the ground-based GPS receiver stations of the Nigerian GNSS network of stations (NIGNET). The stations with their respective geomagnetic latitudes are: Abuja (–1.64°), Yola (–1.32°), Zaria (–0.13°), Kebbi (0.72°). The results of the diurnal analysis of the relative variability index (VD) revealed higher nighttime values than daytime values. The diurnal variation of VD also showed two conspicuous peaks: post-midnight and post-sunset. The diurnal–seasonal variation does not reveal any consistent pattern (no particular season leads the others throughout). On average, considering all the seasons together, maximum TEC variability occurred in Zaria (62%) and minimum in Yola (54%). Seasonally, maximum VD was recorded during the March equinox and the lowest was recorded during the December equinox.
Independent Period-2 Motions to Chaos in a van der Pol–Duffing Oscillator
Authors: Xu Yeyin , Luo Albert C. J.
Published: December 2020

In this paper, an independent bifurcation tree of period-2 motions to chaos coexisting with period-1 motions in a periodically driven van der Pol–Duffing oscillator is presented semi-analytically. Symmetric and asymmetric period-1 motions without period-doubling are obtained first, and a bifurcation tree of independent period-2 to period-8 motions is presented. The bifurcations and stability of the corresponding periodic motions on the bifurcation tree are determined through eigenvalue analysis. The symmetry breaks of symmetric period-1 motions is determined by the saddle-node bifurcations, and the appearance of the independent bifurcation tree of period-2 motions to chaos is also due to the saddle-node bifurcations. Period-doubling cascaded scenario of period-2 to period-8 motions are predicted analytically, and unstable periodic motions are also obtained. Numerical simulations are performed to illustrate motion complexity in such a van der Pol–Duffing oscillator. Such nonlinear systems can be applied in nonlinear circuit design and fluid-induced oscillations.
Effect of a Constant Bias on the Nonlinear Dynamics of a Biharmonically Driven Sinusoidal Potential System
Authors: Sawkmie Ivan Skhem , Mahato Mangal C.
Published: December 2020

The nonlinear dynamics of an underdamped sinusoidal potential system is experimentally and numerically studied. The system shows regular (nonchaotic) periodic motion when driven by a small amplitude ([Formula: see text]) sinusoidal force (frequency [Formula: see text]). However, when the system is driven by a similarly small amplitude biharmonic force (frequencies [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with amplitudes [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively) chaotic motion appear as a function of amplitude ([Formula: see text]) of the [Formula: see text]-frequency component for a fixed [Formula: see text]. We investigate the effect of an additional constant force [Formula: see text] on the dynamics of the system in the ([Formula: see text]) space. We find that [Formula: see text] can cause chaotic motion to move to regular motion and regular motion can also become chaotic in certain ([Formula: see text]) domains.
Cryptanalysis of a Chaotic Block Cryptographic System Against Template Attacks
Authors: Luo Yuling , Zhang Shunsheng , Liu Junxiu , Cao Lvchen
Published: December 2020

The security of chaotic cryptographic system can be theoretically evaluated by using conventional statistical tests and numerical simulations, such as the character frequency test, entropy test, avalanche test and SP 800-22 tests. However, when the cryptographic algorithm operates on a cryptosystem, the leakage information such as power dissipation, electromagnetic emission and time-consuming can be used by attackers to analyze the secret keys, namely the Side Channel Analysis (SCA) attack. In this paper, a cryptanalysis method is proposed for evaluating the security of a chaotic block cryptographic system from a hardware perspective by utilizing the Template Attacks (TAs). Firstly, a chaotic block cryptographic system is described briefly and implemented based on an Atmel XMEGA microcontroller. Then the TA using a multivariate Gaussian model is introduced. In order to reduce computational complexity and improve the efficiency of TA, the Hamming weight is used in this work to model power consumption traces. The proposed TA method has the following advantages including (a) using the sum of difference to select points of interest of traces, (b) using a data processing method to minimize the influences on power information modeling from the redundant sampling points, and (c) all the traces are aligned precisely before establishing the templates. Experimental results show that the TA can be used to attack the chaotic cryptographic systems and is more efficient, i.e. [Formula: see text]32% less attack traces than correlation power analysis, when the templates are properly built.
A Diffusive One-Prey and Two-Cooperative-Predators Model with C–M Functional Response
Authors: Yan Xiao , Li Yanling , Wang Yan’e
Published: December 2020

This paper is dedicated to a study of a diffusive one-prey and two-cooperative-predators model with C–M functional response subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions. We first discuss the existence of positive steady states by the fixed point index theory and the degree theory. In the meantime, we analyze the uniqueness and stability of coexistence states under conditions that one predator’s consumer rate is small and the effect of interference intensity of another predator is large. Then, steady-state bifurcations from two strong semi-trivial steady states (provided that they uniquely exist under some conditions) and from one weak semi-trivial steady state are investigated in detail by the Crandall–Rabinowitz bifurcation theorem, the technique of space decomposition and the implicit function theorem. In addition, we study the asymptotic behaviors including the extinction and permanence of the time-dependent system by the comparison principle, upper-lower solution method and monotone iteration scheme. Finally, numerical simulations are done not only to validate the theoretical conclusions, but also to further clarify the impacts of parameters on the three species.
Weak Predation Strength Promotes Stable Coexistence of Predators and Prey in the Same Chain and Across Chains
Authors: Wang Lin , Liu Yan-Ping , Wang Rui-Wu
Published: December 2020

The mechanisms of species coexistence make ecologists fascinated, although theoretical work shows that omnivory can promote coexistence of species and food web stability, it is still a lack of the general mechanisms for species coexistence in the real food webs, and is unknown how omnivory affects the interactions between competitor and predator. In this work, we first establish an omnivorous food web model with a competitor based on two natural ecosystems (the plankton community and fig–fig wasp system). We analyze the changes of both food web structure and stability under the different resource levels and predation preference of the generalist/top predator. The results of model analyses show that weak predation strength can promote stable coexistence of predators and prey. Moreover, the evolutionary trend of food web structure changes with the relative predation strength is more diverse than the relative competition strength, and an integration of both omnivory, increased competition, top-down control and bottom-up control can promote species diversity and food web stability. Our theoretical predictions are consistent with empirical data in the plankton community: the lower concentration of nutrient results in a more stable population dynamics. Our theoretical work could enrich the general omnivorous theory on species coexistence and system stability in the real food webs.
Canard Limit Cycles for Piecewise Linear Liénard Systems with Three Zones
Authors: Li Shimin , Llibre Jaume
Published: December 2020

This paper deals with planar piecewise linear slow–fast Liénard differential systems with three zones separated by two vertical lines. We show the existence and uniqueness of canard limit cycles for systems with a unique singular point located in the middle zone.
Visualization of Four Limit Cycles in Near-Integrable Quadratic Polynomial Systems
Authors: Yu Pei , Zeng Yanni
Published: December 2020

It has been known for almost 40 years that general planar quadratic polynomial systems can have four limit cycles. Recently, four limit cycles were also found in near-integrable quadratic polynomial systems. To help more people to understand limit cycles theory, the visualization of such four numerically simulated limit cycles in quadratic systems has attracted researchers’ attention. However, for near-integral systems, such visualization becomes much more difficult due to limitation on choosing parameter values. In this paper, we start from the simulation of the well-known quadratic systems constructed around the end of 1979, then reconsider the simulation of a recently published quadratic system which exhibits four big size limit cycles, and finally provide a concrete near-integral quadratic polynomial system to show four normal size limit cycles.
Belief-Based Best Worst Method
Authors: Liang Fuqi , Brunelli Matteo , Septian Kevin , Rezaei Jafar
Published: December 2020

The Best-Worst Method (BWM) is a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method that has recently been introduced. The original BWM assumes that decision-makers are always certain about their judgments even if, in reality, decision-makers often express uncertain preferences. To deal with uncertainty, we introduce a belief structure in the BWM, a concept involving the preference degree adopted via Dempster-Shafer theory. A new approach is proposed to allow BWM to cope with this kind of information, where the level of belief in preferences being expressed is taken into account. In addition, an inconsistency measurement and an uncertainty measurement are proposed for the belief-based BWM, providing the foundation for a reliability degree of the decision-makers, after which the belief-based BWM is extended to include a group of decision-makers. Based on their reliability degrees and the weights of the criteria obtained from the various individuals, the overall criteria weights can be aggregated accordingly. Finally, a case study on the assessment of the infrastructure project criteria system in Indonesia is provided to demonstrate the applicability and feasibility of the proposed method.