bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behaviour-specific habitat selection patterns of breeding barn owls
Authors: Séchaud Robin , Schalcher Kim , Machado Ana Paula , Almasi Bettina , Massa Carolina , Safi Kamran , Roulin Alexandre
Published: April 2021

Background

The intensification of agricultural practices over the twentieth century led to a cascade of detrimental effects on ecosystems. In Europe, agri-environment schemes (AES) have since been adopted to counter the decrease in farmland biodiversity, with the promotion of extensive habitats such as wildflower strips and extensive meadows. Despite having beneficial effects documented for multiple taxa, their profitability for top farmland predators, like raptors, is still debated. Such species with high movement capabilities have large home ranges with fluctuation in habitat use depending on specific needs.

Methods

Using GPS devices, we recorded positions for 134 barn owls (Tyto alba) breeding in Swiss farmland and distinguished three main behavioural modes with the Expectation-Maximization binary Clustering (EMbC) method: perching, hunting and commuting. We described barn owl habitat use at different levels during the breeding season by combining step and path selection functions. In particular, we examined the association between behavioural modes and habitat type, with special consideration for AES habitat structures.

Results

Despite a preference for the most common habitats at the home range level, behaviour-specific analyses revealed more specific habitat use depending on the behavioural mode. During the day, owls roosted almost exclusively in buildings, while pastures, meadows and forest edges were preferred as nocturnal perching sites. For hunting, barn owls preferentially used AES habitat structures though without neglecting more intensively exploited areas. For commuting, open habitats were preferred over wooded areas.

Conclusions

The behaviour-specific approach used here provides a comprehensive breakdown of barn owl habitat selection during the reproductive season and highlights its importance to understand complex animal habitat preferences. Our results highlight the importance of AES in restoring and maintaining functional trophic chains in farmland.
Testing coverage criteria for optimized deep belief network with search and rescue
Authors: Jammalamadaka Kiran , Parveen Nikhat
Published: April 2021

A new data-driven programming model is defined by the deep learning (DL) that makes the internal structure of a created neuron system over a fixed of training data. DL testing structure only depends on the data labeling and manual group. Nowadays, a lot of coverage criteria have been developed, but these criteria basically count the neurons' quantity whose activation during the implementation of a DL structure fulfilled certain properties. Also, existing criteria are not adequately fine-grained to capture delicate behaviors. This paper develops an optimized deep belief network (DBN) with a search and rescue (SAR) algorithm for testing coverage criteria. For an optimal selection of DBN structure, the SAR algorithm is introduced. The main objective is to test the DL structure using different criteria to enhance the coverage accuracy. The different coverage criteria such as KMNC, NBC, SNAC, TKNC, and TKNP are used for the testing of DBN. Using the generated test inputs, the criteria is validated and the developed criteria are capable to capture undesired behaviors in the DBN structure. The developed approach is implemented by Python platform using three standard datasets like MNIST, CIFAR-10, and ImageNet. For analysis, the developed approach is compared with the three LeNet models like LeNet-1, LeNet-4 and LeNet-5 for the MNIST dataset, the VGG-16, and ResNet-20 models for the CIFAR-10 dataset, and the VGG-19 and ResNet-50 models for the ImageNet dataset. These models are tested on the four adversarial test input generation approaches like BIM, JSMA, FGSM, and CW, and one DL testing method like DeepGauge to validate the efficiency of the suggested approach. The simulation results proved that the proposed approach obtained high coverage accuracy for each criterion on four adversarial test inputs and one DL testing method as compared to other models.
Enhancement of photo-driven biomethanation under visible light by nano-engineering of Rhodopseudomonas palustris
Authors: Chen Meng-Yuan , Fang Zhen , Xu Li-Xia , Zhou Dao , Yang Xue-Jin , Zhu Hu-Jie , Yong Yang-Chun
Published: April 2021

Biomethanation is of great interest as it can transform CO2 to methane under ambient conditions. In particular, genetically engineered bacterium of Rhodopseudomonas palustris showed great promise for one-step biomethanation powered by solar energy, which is attractive for CO2 fixation as well as solar energy storage. However, biomethanation with R. palustris under visible light is inefficient due to its poor visible light response. In this study, CdS quantum dots with excellent visible light response were prepared and R. palustris/CdS hybrid cells were constructed. Interestingly, this bio-nano-hybrid cells showed high cell viability without significant cell damage, and the biomethanation performance of was enhanced about ~ 79% compared to that of the bare R. palustris cells. Moreover, the effects of different parameters on the methane production of this bio-nano-hybrid cells were determined, and the methane production rate was further improved by parameter optimization. This work demonstrated an efficient approach to reinforce the biomethanation of bacteria under unfavorable light wavelength, which would be helpful to extend the light spectra for photo-driven biomethanation.
Biosilicated collagen/β-tricalcium phosphate composites as a BMP-2-delivering bone‐graft substitute for accelerated craniofacial bone regeneration
Authors: Lee Dong Keon , Ki Mi-Ran , Kim Euy Hyun , Park Chang-Joo , Ryu Jae Jun , Jang Hyon Seok , Pack Seung Pil , Jo Yun Kee , Jun Sang Ho
Published: April 2021

Background

Bioceramic β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is used as a bone-grafting material and a therapeutic drug carrier for treatment of bone defects in the oral and maxillofacial regions due to the osteoconductivity and biocompatibility. However, the low mechanical strength and limited osteoinductivity of β-TCP agglomerate restrict bone regenerating performance in clinical settings.

Methods

Herein, a biomimetic composite is proposed as a bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-delivering bone graft substitute to achieve a robust bone grafting and augmented bone regeneration.

Results

The sequential processes of brown algae-inspired biosilicification and collagen coating on the surface of β-TCP enable the effective incorporation of BMP-2 into the coating layer without losing its bioactivity. The sustained delivery of BMP-2 from the biosilicated collagen and β-TCP composites promoted
in vitro
osteogenic behaviors of pre-osteoblasts and remarkedly accelerated
in vivo
bone regeneration within a rat calvarial bone defect.

Conclusions

Our multicomposite bone substitutes can be practically applied to improve bone tissue growth in bone grafting applications with further expansion to general bone tissue engineering.
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 DNA methylation in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hafez Sally M. , Abou-youssef Hazem. El-Sayed , Awad Mona Abdel-Kader , Kamel Solaf Ahmed , Youssef Rasha N. , Elshiekh Suzan Mahrous , Raslan Hala , Salah Nehal
Published: April 2021

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex trait in humans. Several environmental and hereditary factors contribute to the overall pathogenesis of this disease. The association between genes, environment, and T2D was unknown for decades until epigenetics was discovered. Epigenetics affects gene transcription, which, in turn, influences organ function. One of the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms is DNA methylation. This mechanism permits modification of gene function without changes in the DNA sequence.

There are several risk factors for type 2 diabetes such as harmful intrauterine environment, obesity, poor physical activity, increasing age, a family history of the disease, and an unhealthy diet. All these factors have been proven to influence the DNA methylation sequence in target tissues for insulin resistance in humans. We aimed to evaluate insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP1) gene methylation levels in T2D. In all, 100 Egyptian individuals were included in this study: 50 patients with T2D versus 50 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and IGFBP1 methylation levels were analyzed using pyrosequencing.

Results

DNA methylation levels in the IGFBP1 gene at each of the six CpG sites were significantly higher in the T2D patients than in the controls at P values of 0.001, 0.002, 0.010, 0.007, 0.014, and 0.001, respectively.

Conclusion

According to this study, T2D is due to interactions between genetics, epigenetics, and lifestyle. This study also revealed that DNA methylation levels of the IGFBP-1 gene are higher in T2D patients than in healthy control.
Systemic AL amyloidosis presenting with diffuse alveolar septal involvement and respiratory failure: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Mohammadien Hamdy Ali , Morsi Shimaa Nour , Al Shahat Moaz Atef
Published: April 2021

Background

Amyloidosis is the extracellular deposition of amyloid fibril protein in any tissue or organ. The clinical manifestations of pulmonary amyloidosis are variable and without specific symptoms. We report a rare case of diffuse alveolar septal amyloidosis which is an extremely rare pattern of involvement, with a very poor prognosis, to improve our understanding of the disease.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old man complained of shortness of breath and cyanosis. High-resolution computed tomography revealed diffuse ground-glass opacifications with interlobular septal thickening in both lungs. The immune-histochemistry showed monoclonal lambda light chains. This case also showed nephrotic syndrome and cardiac arrhythmia, suggesting an involvement of the kidney and the heart. Diagnosis: The diagnosis was finally established by tru-cut transthoracic sonar guided lung biopsy (TSLB), and histological examination revealed Congo red-positive amorphous eosinophilic deposits in the alveolar sept. Interventions: The patient was admitted to a respiratory intensive care unit and put on non-invasive ventilation, then discharged on domiciliary oxygen therapy, and started treatment with chemotherapy melphalan 2 mg daily plus prednisone 60 mg daily immediately after the result of histopathology. Outcomes: Three months after treatment, dyspnea and hypoxemia improved, and he continued treatment. The patient was in a good clinical condition after 10 months of follow-up, but he died suddenly.

Conclusion

As it is difficult to distinguish diffuse alveolar septal amyloidosis from other interstitial and granulomatous lung diseases because of their similar symptoms and imaging findings, thus, transthoracic sonar guided lung biopsy and histological examination is very important in the diagnosis of diffuse alveolar septal amyloidosis.
Nonstationary deconvolutive Radon transform
Authors: Haghshenas Lari Hojjat , Gholami Ali
Published: April 2021

Different versions of the Radon transform (RT) are widely used in seismic data processing to focus the recorded seismic events. Multiple separation, data interpolation, and noise attenuation are some of the RT applications in seismic processing workflows. Unfortunately, conventional RT methods cannot focus events perfectly in the RT domain. This problem arises due to the blurring effects of the source wavelet and the nonstationary nature of the seismic data. Sometimes, the distortion results in a big difference between the original data and its inverse transform. We have developed a nonstationary deconvolutive RT (DecRT) to handle these two issues. Our algorithm takes advantage of a nonstationary convolution technique that builds on the concept of block convolution and the overlap method, in which the convolution operation is defined separately for overlapping blocks. Therefore, it allows the Radon basis function to take arbitrary shapes in the time and space directions. In addition, we introduce a nonstationary wavelet estimation method to determine time-space-varying wavelets. The wavelets and the Radon panel are estimated simultaneously and in an alternating way. Numerical examples demonstrate that our nonstationary DecRT method can significantly improve the sparsity of Radon panels. Hence, inverse RT does not suffer from the distortion caused by unfocused seismic events.
Marchenko multiple elimination and full-wavefield migration in a resonant pinch-out model
Authors: Slob Evert , Zhang Lele , Verschuur Eric
Published: April 2021

Marchenko multiple elimination schemes are able to attenuate all internal multiple reflections in acoustic reflection data. These can be implemented with and without compensation for two-way transmission effects in the resulting primary reflection data set. The methods are fully automated and run without human intervention, but they require the data to be properly sampled and preprocessed. Even when several primary reflections are invisible in the data because they are masked by overlapping multiples, such as in the resonant wedge model, all missing primary reflections are restored and recovered with the proper amplitudes. Investigating the amplitudes in the primary reflections after multiple elimination with and without compensation for transmission effects shows that transmission effects are properly accounted for in a constant-velocity model. When the layer thickness is one quarter of the wavelength at the dominant frequency of the source wavelet, the methods cease to work properly. Full-wavefield migration relies on a velocity model and runs a nonlinear inversion to obtain a reflectivity model, which results in the migration image. The primary reflections that are masked by interference with multiples in the resonant wedge model are not recovered. In this case, minimizing the data misfit function leads to the incorrect reflector model even though the data fit is optimal. This method has much lower demands on data sampling than the multiple elimination schemes, but it is prone to getting stuck in a local minimum even when the correct velocity model is available. A hybrid method that exploits the strengths of each of these methods could be worth investigating.
Identification of polygonal faulting from legacy 3D seismic data in vintage Gulf of Mexico data using seismic attributes
Authors: Leopoldino Oliveira Karen M. , Bedle Heather , La Marca Molina Karelia
Published: April 2021

Geological feature: Polygonal faults Seismic appearance: Variable-amplitude plane-parallel horizons without clear discontinuities Features with similar appearance: Seismic noise in stratigraphic sequences without brittle deformation Age: Cenozoic Location: Northern Gulf of Mexico Seismic data: Survey B-01-91-MS obtained by the U.S. National Archive of Marine Seismic Surveys Analysis tools: Geometric seismic attributes
NAFLD and Liver Fibrosis Are Not Associated With Reduced Femoral Bone Mineral Density in the General US Population
Authors: Ciardullo Stefano , Muraca Emanuele , Zerbini Francesca , Manzoni Giuseppina , Perseghin Gianluca
Published: April 2021

Context

It is still debated whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may be a risk factor for reduced bone mineral density (BMD), and it is not known whether liver fibrosis, the major predictor of future development of liver-related events in NAFLD, has an influence on BMD.

Objective

To assess whether liver steatosis and fibrosis are associated with reduced BMD in the general US population.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the population-based 2017–2018 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), in which vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the femoral neck were simultaneously available. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) ≥ 274 dB/m was considered indicative of liver steatosis, while a median liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥ 8 kPa indicated the presence of significant liver fibrosis. We included all participants older than 50 years with reliable VCTE and femoral neck DXA results (925 men and 859 women). The main outcome measures were femoral neck BMD values indicative of osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Results

Steatosis and significant fibrosis were highly prevalent in the studied population, being present in 53.1% and 9.6% of men and 44.2% and 8.0% of women, respectively. In univariate analysis, liver steatosis was associated with a lower prevalence of osteoporosis in both men and women, while no difference was noted according to the degree of liver fibrosis. After adjustment for potential confounders, including age, BMI, race/ethnicity, cigarette smoking, and diabetes, neither CAP nor LSM were significantly associated with reduced BMD in both sexes.

Conclusion

Liver steatosis and fibrosis are not associated with femoral DXA-based diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis in the US population older than 50 years.
X-Ray Methods in Histochemistry
Authors: Engström Arne
Published: April 2021

The aim of histo- and cytochemical studies is to identify and eventually to quantitate substances on a microscopic level. This necessitates isolating extremely small areas for analysis, preferably in the intact biological tissue. Physical methods have proven to be of value in this respect, in particular the radiant energy micro-absorption techniques (Fitzgerald & Engström, 1952).
Cyclic AMP waves during aggregation of Dictyostelium amoebae
Authors: Tyson John J. , Murray J. D.
Published: April 2021

During the aggregation phase of their life cycle, Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae communicate with each other by traveling waves of cyclic AMP. These waves are generated by an interplay between random diffusion of cyclic AMP in the extracellular milieu and the signal-reception/signal-relaying capabilities of individual amoebae. Kinetic properties of the enzymes, transport proteins and cell-surface receptor proteins involved in the cyclic AMP signaling system have been painstakingly worked out over the past fifteen years in many laboratories. Recently Martiel & Goldbeter (1987) incorporated this biochemical information into a unified mathematical model of communication among Dictyostelium amoebae. Numerical simulations of the mathematical model, carried out by Tyson et al. (1989), agree in quantitative detail with experimental observations of cyclic AMP traveling waves in Dictyostelium cultures. Such mathematical modeling and numerical experimentation provide a necessary link between detailed studies of the molecular control mechanism and experimental observations of the intact developmental system.
Xenopus mesoderm induction: evidence for early size control and partial autonomy for pattern development by onset of gastrulation
Authors: Cooke Jonathan
Published: April 2021

Experiments are described that examine the state of organisation of the presumptive mesoderm and ectoderm of the Xenopus embryo at stages up to the onset of gastrulation. It is shown that a process during blastula stages, establishing the normal proportions in which this cell population is partitioned to found the two outer ‘germ layers’, has a positive regulative property. An operation has been performed to excise the yolky endodermal core, at the beginning of gastrulation, leaving only the presumptive territories of mesoderm, neural tissue, epidermis and supra-blastoporal endoderm. This reveals that by this time a stable capacity exists within the induced tissue to express the craniocaudal sequence of the normal pattern, including the proper numbers of somite segments. The mediolateral organisation of such body patterns is however abnormal. The relevance of the observations to understanding mechanisms of axial pattern control is discussed.
Studies on Amphibian Metamorphosis
Authors: Helff O. M.
Published: April 2021

The writer has previously shown that fully developed anuran dermal plicae undergo complete regression following heteroplastic transplantation to the larva. Subsequent retransplantation to the ear region of metamorphosing larvae results in the development of normal tympanic membranes. Whether such transformation will occur following direct transplantation of dermal plicae to the ear region was tested in the present work by the following operations :

Autoplastic R. clamitans and R. palustris transplantations resulted, in general, in little or no regression of dermal plicae.

Homoplastic transplantations resulted in complete regression in R. clamitans and partial regression in R. palustris. In the former species, partial, and in the latter, no tympanic membrane development occurred.

Heteroplastic transplantations from R. clamitans to R. palustris and R. catesbeiana resulted in complete regression in both cases, with the development of well-formed tympanic membranes.

Heteroplastic transplantations from R. palustris resulted in partial regression on R. clamitans hosts and usually no tympanic membrane development. Transplants on R. catesbeiana hosts underwent complete regression and tympanic membrane formation.

The conclusions are reached that autoplastic transplantations usually do not result in dermal plicae regression ; homoplastic transplantations result in partial to complete regression but without tympanic membrane formation; while heteroplastic transplantations usually involve complete regression and full tympanic membrane development.

Initial heteroplastic transplantation to larval hosts is thus not essential, in that direct heteroplastic transplantation from young frogs to the ear region of metamorphosing larvae will result in total regression of dermal plicae structure and complete membrane formation.
Behavioral Thermoregulation in the American Lobster Homarus Americanus
Authors: Crossin Glenn T. , Al-Ayoub Saud Abdulazziz , Jury Steven H. , Howell W. Huntting , Watson Winsor H.
Published: April 2021

It is generally accepted that water temperature has a strong influence on the behavior of the American lobster Homarus americanus. However, there is surprisingly little behavioral evidence to support this view. To characterize the behavioral responses of lobsters to thermal gradients, three different experiments were conducted. In the first, 40 lobsters acclimated to summer water temperatures (summer-acclimated, 15.5±0.2 °C, mean ± S.E.M.) were placed individually in an experimental shelter, and the temperature in the shelter was gradually raised until the lobster moved out. Lobsters avoided water warmer than 23.5±0.4 °C, which was an increase of 8.0±0.4 °C from ambient summer temperatures. When this experiment was repeated with lobsters acclimated to winter temperatures (winter-acclimated, 4.3±0.1 °C), the lobsters (N=30) did not find temperature increases of the same magnitude (ΔT=8.0±0.4 °C) aversive.

The second experiment was designed to allow individual summer-acclimated lobsters (N=22) to select one of five shelters, ranging in temperature from 8.5 to 25.5 °C. After 24 h, 68 % of the lobsters occupied the 12.5 °C shelter, which was slightly above the ambient temperature (approximately 11 °C). In a similar experiment, winter-acclimated lobsters (N=30) were given a choice between two shelters, one at ambient temperature (4.6±0.2 °C) and one at a higher temperature (9.7±0.3 °C). Winter-acclimated lobsters showed a strong preference (90 %) for the heated shelter.

In the final experiment, summer-acclimated lobsters (N=9) were allowed to move freely in a tank having a thermal gradient of approximately 10 °C from one end to the other. Lobsters preferred a thermal niche of 16.5±0.4 °C and avoided water that was warmer than 19 °C or colder than 13 °C. When standardized for acclimation temperature, lobsters preferred water 1.2±0.4 °C above their previous ambient temperature. Collectively, the results of these studies indicate that lobsters are capable of sensing water temperature and use this information to thermoregulate behaviorally. The implications of these findings for lobster behavior and distribution in their natural habitat are discussed.
Pleuropulmonary blastoma, a rare entity in childhood
Authors: Gbande Pihou , Abukeshek Tawfiq , Bensari Fouad , El-Kamel Safa
Published: April 2021

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare malignant intrathoracic mesenchymal tumour with a variable aggressiveness. It is the most common primary malignancy in the lung during childhood. In this study, we present a case of a 3-year-old male child who complained of persistent dry cough. Radiographs suggested the diagnosis of PPB, which was been confirmed by the histo-pathological examination of a biopsy taken from the tumour under CT guidance. This case was reported to emphasise the importance of radiology, whether diagnotic or interventional, in diagnosing rare cases such as PPB.
Spatiotemporal Data Set for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests
Authors: Custodio Janiele E. S. C. , Lejeune Miguel A.
Published: April 2021

We present a spatiotemporal data set of all out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests (OHCA) dispatches for the City of Virginia Beach. We also develop a modular toolkit that can be used to process the data and generate problem instances based on user-defined input. The data were collected from multiple sources, and our analysis process was validated by Virginia Beach officials. The data set consists of detailed information about each dispatch made in response to an OHCA; it includes the time the call for service arrived, the response time of the first unit on scene, the address, and the coordinates of each OHCA incident. It also contains detailed spatial information for all existing first-responder stations and both the great-circle and the road distances between all first-responder stations and OHCA incidents. The raw data files were very large in size and were processed using SAS®, MATLAB, and QGIS. In conjunction with the database, we provide a MATLAB code that allows generating multiple random test instances based on user-defined input. The library of problems can be used in healthcare emergency problems and also for facility location models, bilocation problems, and drone studies. The data set was organized such that it can be readily used by researchers in the field of healthcare operations research and those studying the spatiotemporal distribution of OHCAs. Given the difficulty to access OHCA data at the level of detail we provide, the data set will facilitate the implementation of data-driven models to design emergency medical response networks and to study the distribution of OHCAs. Additionally, the provision of data and the toolkit will be very useful in benchmarking algorithms and solvers, which is valuable to the data-driven optimization community in general.

Summary of Contribution: The paper provides a data set of spatiotemporal information out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) for the City of Virginia Beach. The complete data set also includes spatial information about all fire, emergency medical services, and police stations in the city and both the road and haversine distances between each pair of stations and OHCA incident. Additionally, we provide a toolkit to generate random instances based on user input. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that an OHCA database is made publicly available in such level of detail, and there is no precedent of such in IJOC. OHCAs are a leading cause of death worldwide, and emergency medical services still encounter difficulties in providing care in a timely manner. Given the criticality of OHCAs, we believe that making this data set publicly available can help the implementation of data-driven models by researchers in the field of operations research.
Mean Field Analysis of Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Sirignano Justin , Spiliopoulos Konstantinos
Published: April 2021

We analyze multilayer neural networks in the asymptotic regime of simultaneously (a) large network sizes and (b) large numbers of stochastic gradient descent training iterations. We rigorously establish the limiting behavior of the multilayer neural network output. The limit procedure is valid for any number of hidden layers, and it naturally also describes the limiting behavior of the training loss. The ideas that we explore are to (a) take the limits of each hidden layer sequentially and (b) characterize the evolution of parameters in terms of their initialization. The limit satisfies a system of deterministic integro-differential equations. The proof uses methods from weak convergence and stochastic analysis. We show that, under suitable assumptions on the activation functions and the behavior for large times, the limit neural network recovers a global minimum (with zero loss for the objective function).
The first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Tuscany (Italy): A SI2R2D compartmental model with uncertainty evaluation
Authors: Baccini Michela , Cereda Giulia , Viscardi Cecilia
Published: April 2021

With the aim of studying the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Tuscany region of Italy during the first epidemic wave (February-June 2020), we define a compartmental model that accounts for both detected and undetected infections and assumes that only notified cases can die. We estimate the infection fatality rate, the case fatality rate, and the basic reproduction number, modeled as a time-varying function, by calibrating on the cumulative daily number of observed deaths and notified infected, after fixing to plausible values the other model parameters to assure identifiability. The confidence intervals are estimated by a parametric bootstrap procedure and a Global Sensitivity Analysis is performed to assess the sensitivity of the estimates to changes in the values of the fixed parameters. According to our results, the basic reproduction number drops from an initial value of 6.055 to 0 at the end of the national lockdown, then it grows again, but remaining under 1. At the beginning of the epidemic, the case and the infection fatality rates are estimated to be 13.1% and 2.3%, respectively. Among the parameters considered as fixed, the average time from infection to recovery for the not notified infected appears to be the most impacting one on the model estimates. The probability for an infected to be notified has a relevant impact on the infection fatality rate and on the shape of the epidemic curve. This stresses the need of collecting information on these parameters to better understand the phenomenon and get reliable predictions.
Use of hemoglobin A1c to identify dysglycemia in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Darukhanavala Amy , Van Dessel Filia , Ho Jannifer , Hansen Megan , Kremer Ted , Alfego David
Published: April 2021

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) leads to pancreatic endocrine dysfunction with progressive glycemic disturbance. Approximately 30%–50% of people with CF eventually develop CF–related diabetes (CFRD). Pre-CFRD states progress from indeterminant glycemia (INDET) to impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Screening guidelines recommend inconvenient annual 2-hour oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs), beginning at age 10 years. More efficient methods, such as hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), have been evaluated, but only limited, relatively small studies have evaluated the association between HbA1c and pre-CFRD dysglycemic states.

Objective

To determine whether HbA1c is an appropriate screening tool for identifying patients with pre-CFRD dysglycemia to minimize the burden of annual OGTTs.

Methods

This retrospective review evaluated medical records data of all University of Massachusetts Memorial Health System CF patients with an HbA1c result within 90 days of an OGTT between 1997 and 2019. Exclusion criteria were uncertain CF diagnosis, other forms of diabetes, or incomplete OGTT. In total, 56 patients were included and categorized according to OGTT results (American Diabetes Association criteria): normal glucose tolerance, INDET, IFG, or IGT. Associations were evaluated between HbA1c and OGTT results and between HbA1c and pre-CFRD dysglycemic states.

Results

Mean HbA1c was not significantly different between patients with normal glucose tolerance and those in the INDET (p = 0.987), IFG (p = 0.690), and IGT (p = 0.874) groups. Analysis of variance confirmed the lack of association between HbA1c and glycemia, as mean HbA1c was not significantly different amongst the four categories (p = 0.250).

Conclusion

There is increasing awareness of the impact of pre-CFRD states, including reduced pulmonary function and nutritional status. Unfortunately, our results do not support using HbA1c as a screening tool for pre-CFRD dysglycemia, specifically INDET, IFG, and IGT. Further studies are warranted to evaluate more efficient screening methods to reduce the burden of annual OGTTs.
Comparing the effectiveness of negative-pressure barrier devices in providing air clearance to prevent aerosol transmission
Authors: Hung Tzu-Yao , Chen Wei-Lun , Su Yung-Cheng , Wu Chih-Chieh , Chueh Tzu-Yao , Chen Hsin-Ling , Hu Shih-Cheng , Lin Tee
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To investigate the effectiveness of aerosol clearance using an aerosol box, aerosol bag, wall suction, and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter evacuator to prevent aerosol transmission.

Methods

The flow field was visualized using three protective device settings (an aerosol box, and an aerosol bag with and without sealed working channels) and four suction settings (no suction, wall suction, and a HEPA filter evacuator at flow rates of 415 liters per minute [LPM] and 530 LPM). All 12 subgroups were compared with a no intervention group. The primary outcome, aerosol concentration, was measured at the head, trunk, and foot of a mannequin.

Results

The mean aerosol concentration was reduced at the head (p < 0.001) but increased at the feet (p = 0.005) with an aerosol box compared with no intervention. Non-sealed aerosol bags increased exposure at the head and trunk (both, p < 0.001). Sealed aerosol bags reduced aerosol concentration at the head, trunk, and foot of the mannequin (p < 0.001). A sealed aerosol bag alone, with wall suction, or with a HEPA filter evacuator reduced the aerosol concentration at the head by 7.15%, 36.61%, and 84.70%, respectively (99.9% confidence interval [CI]: -4.51–18.81, 27.48–45.73, and 78.99–90.40); trunk by 70.95%, 73.99%, and 91.59%, respectively (99.9% CI: 59.83–82.07, 52.64–95.33, and 87.51–95.66); and feet by 69.16%, 75.57%, and 92.30%, respectively (99.9% CI: 63.18–75.15, 69.76–81.37, and 88.18–96.42), compared with an aerosol box alone.

Conclusions

As aerosols spread, an airtight container with sealed working channels is effective when combined with suction devices.
Mesophotic fish communities of the ancient coastline in Western Australia
Authors: Currey-Randall Leanne M. , Galaiduk Ronen , Stowar Marcus , Vaughan Brigit I. , Miller Karen J.
Published: April 2021

Marine diversity across the Australian continental shelf is shaped by characteristic benthic habitats which are determined by geomorphic features such as paleoshorelines. In north-western Australia there has been little attention on the fish communities that inhabit an ancient coastline at ~125 m depth (the designated AC125), which is specified as a key ecological feature (KEF) of the region and is thought to comprise hard substrate and support enhanced diversity. We investigated drivers of fish species richness and assemblage composition spanning six degrees of latitude along sections of the ancient coastline, categorised as ‘on’ and ‘off’ the AC125 based on depth, across a range of habitats and seafloor complexity (~60–180 m depth). While some surveyed sections of the AC125 had hard bottom substrate and supported enhanced fish diversity, including over half of the total species observed, species richness and abundance overall were not greater on the AC125 than immediately adjacent to the AC125. Instead, depth, seafloor complexity and habitat type explained patterns in richness and abundance, and structured fish assemblages at both local and broad spatial scales. Fewer fishes were associated with deep sites characterized by negligible complexity and soft-bottom habitats, in contrast to shallower depths that featured benthic biota and pockets of complex substrate. Drivers of abundance of common species were species-specific and primarily related to sampling Areas, depth and substrate. Fishes of the ancient coastline and adjacent habitats are representative of mesophotic fish communities of the region, included species important to fisheries and conservation, and several species were observed deeper than their currently known distribution. This study provides the first assessment of fish biodiversity associated with an ancient coastline feature, improving our understanding of the function it plays in regional spatial patterns in abundance of mesophotic fishes. Management decisions that incorporate the broader variety of depths and habitats surrounding the designated AC125 could enhance the ecological role of this KEF, contributing to effective conservation of fish biodiversity on Australia’s north west shelf.
Crossing over: Choreographing audiences over borders – Forms and problematics
Authors: Munro Jane
Published: April 2021

This article considers the potential of participatory artistic practice that debates borders through dance. It also asks why so many dance artists choose this form to debate borders, and what practices are typical of participatory dance investigations of borders. I discuss the range of border debates in works investigating dance and borders, and I begin to consider how privilege is dealt with by the work. I examine how dance works with participation and, alongside, look at the choreographic embodied invitation concerned. Particularly, I examine these questions through the dance work Rope Piece and consider how this dance practice as research generates a collective and participatory process in relation to borders and privilege.
The artistic practice of exorcism: Shabnam Shabazi (in conversation with Simon Ellis)
Authors: Shabazi Shabnam
Published: April 2021

This is a conversation between artist Shabnam Shabazi and choreographer (and Choreographic Practices co-editor) Simon Ellis. They discuss Shabazi’s practice and focus on her interest in the archive as a creative resource, the role of the concept of home in her creative work and in the ways in which our bodies are sites of transformation for artists and participants.
Warren Lett: Reflections on an enduring legacy of companioning and making sense of living experiencing
Authors: Bush Stacey
Published: April 2021

This article aims to offer an experience of collaborative and collective reflections on Emeritus Professor Warren Lett and his approach to companioning and making sense of living experiencing. Warren Lett founded MIECAT to collaboratively teach and to grow this approach. Many friends, colleagues and students who knew and worked with Warren in a variety of contexts over the years have kindly offered direct reflections on their experiences of Warren. These reflections are presented here in a pastiche, presented just as they are, in the hope of creating an evocative picture of Warren Lett the person, the counselling companion and creative arts psychologist, the scholar, the teacher.
The Handbook of Art Therapy and Digital Technology, Cathy Malchiodi (ed.) (2018)
Authors: Woolf Anna
Published: April 2021

Review of: The Handbook of Art Therapy and Digital Technology, Cathy Malchiodi (ed.) (2018)

London and Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 416 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-78592-792-8, p/bk, £24.99
A vállalatvezetés versenye és a vezetők szerepe a makro- és mikrogazdaság „párbeszédében”
Authors: Hoványi Gábor
Published: April 2021

A kiteljesedő globalizáció és az egyre növekvő tőkekoncentráció hatására – melyet a kutatás-fejlesztés mind nagyobb ráfordításigénye és a termelés globalizációval lépést tartó kapacitáskövetelménye egyaránt sarkall – sok szó esik napjainkban versenyről, versenyképességről, versenyelőnyökről.1 Ezek új kérdéseit épp úgy felvetik a vállalatok szintjén, mint az országok (sôt, egyes gazdasági régiók) vonatkozásában. Kevesebbet emlegetik viszont a menedzsment versenyét – pontosabban ennek a globalizálódás új kihívásaira válaszoló nemzetközi versenyképességét.2 A szerző dolgozatában ennek bemutatására vállalkozott.
Válságdöntések és a jövő előrejelzése
Authors: Mezey Gyula
Published: April 2021

Válsághelyzetben a döntéshozóknak gyorsan kell dönteniük, hogy lépést tudjanak tartani a gyorsan változó és általában sok bizonytalanságot (információhiány, illetve ellentmondó információk tömege) tartalmazó helyzettel. Ezek a döntések azonban kockázatosak. Ezeknek a kockázatoknak a mérsékléséhez és a konfliktusok minél gyorsabb és kielégítőbb kezeléséhez ad elméleti és gyakorlati segítséget a szerző.
Determinação do fator de retardamento da uranina em sedimentos quaternários do aquífero São Paulo
Authors: Ferreira Otávio Barbosa , Suhogusoff Alexandra Vieira , Tavares Tatiana Luiz dos Santos
Published: April 2021

A aplicação de substâncias fluorescentes como traçadores hidrogeológicos pode fornecer informações relevantes acerca da dinâmica das águas subterrâneas. Para um melhor controle na aplicação dos traçadores in situ, é pertinente definir possíveis interações dessas substâncias nos solos e sedimentos através de experimentos de bancada, a fim de prever seu comportamento durante a injeção no aquífero. O objetivo do trabalho corresponde à quantificação da adsorção e determinação do fator de retardamento do traçador fluorescente uranina em sedimentos quaternários da porção rasa do aquífero São Paulo. Os coeficientes de partição água/sedimento para uranina foram obtidos por meio de ensaios do tipo batch-test. Os experimentos consistiram em misturar sedimento orgânico, argiloso e grosso (arenoso) com soluções contendo uranina em cinco concentrações iniciais (5, 10, 50, 100 e 150 µg/L) em água deionizada e água do aquífero. Etapas de agitação, repouso e centrifugação precederam as medições de fluorescência. Através do ajuste de isotermas lineares, os valores do coeficiente de partição e fator de retardamento calculados para o sedimento grosso foram, respectivamente: 2,60x10-3 L/g ± 0,22x10-3 e 1,51 ± 0,13 (água deionizada), e 1,80x10-3 L/g ± 0,12x10-3  e 1,35 ± 0,09 (água do aquífero). Para o sedimento orgânico e argiloso, a fluorescência aparente gerada pelas partículas em suspensão nas soluções contendo uranina se sobrepôs à fluorescência real do traçador, impossibilitando a aferição dos coeficientes de partição e dos fatores de retardamento. Em meio sólido poroso com alto conteúdo de matéria orgânica e argilominerais, a uranina exibe alta susceptibilidade aos fenômenos de sorção. Contudo, sua utilização é indicada para a aferição de propriedades hidráulicas em aquíferos francamente quartzosos, uma vez nestes sedimentos a uranina apresentou um baixo fator de retardamento.
Modeling Folding Zone in Kedungsari Compassionate Area Kulon Progo Yogyakarta with Gravity Method
Authors: Luthfiya Maya , Niyartama Thaqibul Fikri
Published: April 2021

This study aims to determine the condition of subsurface by doing interpretation quantitatively. Quantitative interpretation is done by modeling to determine the shape and boundary of the anomaly. The gravity data reduction is done up to Complete Bouguer Anomaly (CBA) value is obtained. The complete Bouguer anomaly is brought to horizontal plane reduction and separation of local and regional anomalies using the upward continuation method. 2.5 modelling has been made from local anomaly data to illustrate the subsurface condition of the research area more clearly. The result shows R1 density value of 2.55 g / m3 which is a limestone and R2 2,8902 g/m3 which is andesitic rock. The position of the anticline axis is at coordinates 49 S 9128700 N 409844.9 E, while the syncline axis is at coordinates 9129037 N 408694,1 E.
Checklist of Macroalgae at Krakal and Drini Beach, Gunungkidul
Authors: Suryandari Retno
Published: April 2021

Macroalgae are multicellular plants that do not produce seeds or flowers. All macroalgae are multicellular and do not have a specialized body structure and do not have reproductive mechanism like terrestrial plants. Macroalgae is divided into 3 groups namely Chlorophyta (green algae), Rhodophyta (red algae), and Phaeophyceae (brown algae). Green algae and red algae belong to the Plantae kingdom with green algae (Chlorophyta) and included in the Subkingdom Viridiplantae and red algae (Rhodophyta) into the Biliphyta subkingdom. Brown algae (Phaeophyta) belong to the Chromista kingdom. Based on the research, macroalgae found in Drini and Krakal Gunungkidul are green algae, red algae and brown algae. Green algae found and identified are Anadyomene plicata C. Agardh, Chaetomorpha antennina (Bory) Kṻtzing, Chaetomorpha linum (O.F. Mṻller) Kṻtzing, Boergesenia forbesii (Hardvey) Feldmann, Cladophoropsis herpestica (Montagne) M. Howe, Boodlea composita (Harvey) F. Brand, Caulerpa peltata J.V. Lamoroux, Enteromorpha intestinalis (Linnaeus) Nees, Ulva lactuca Linnaeus. Red algae species found and successfully identified are Acrocystis nana Zanardini, Acanthophora spicifera (M. Vahl) Børgesen, Laurencia papilosa (C. Agardh) Greville, Actinotrichia fragilis (Forsskål) Børgesen, Galaxaura rugosa (J. Ellis & Solander) J.V. Lamoroux, Amphiora anceps (Lamark) Decaisne, Gelidiela acerosa (Forsskål) Feldmann & Hamel, Gracilaria canaliculata Sonder, Gelidiopsis intricata (C.Agardh) Vickers. Brown algae species found and identified are Lobophora variegata (J.V.Lamouroux) Womersley ex E.C.Oliveira, Padina minor Yamada, Sargassum crassifolium J. Agardh, Turbinaria ornata (Turner) J. Agardh. The species that classified as a new record in Indonesia are Cladophoropsis herpestica (Montagne) M. Howe and Gracilaria spinulosa (Okamura) Chang & B.M.Xia.
Rediscovery of Premna lucidula Miq (Lamiaceae) in Mount Nglanggeran Gunungkidul
Authors: Widodo Widodo , Luthfi Muhammad Jafar
Published: April 2021

Premna lucidula Miq (Lamiaceae) were found at S 07o 50’ 29.4”; E 110o 32’ 10.2” about 497 meter above sea levelin mount Nglanggeran, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta. Identification was based on literature and herbarium specimen. The research was conduct using exploration method, morphological observation, and specimen collection. Premna lucidula is a shrub or small scandent tree. The specific character for its identification was inflorescence, leaf, fruit and stem structure. This paper described the important character of leaf, stem, flower, and fruit of Premna lucidula in mount Nglanggeran Gunungkidul Yogyakarta for support Backer & Bakhuizen (1965) description. Premna lucidula were recorded in Pacitan (Central Java) by Horsefied hundred years ago. The lack of subsequent report on this species was due to misidentification or ignorance of the importance of taxonomic research. Accurate description and examination of any plant species were needed for its conservation and awareness of public to local biodiversity.