bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface Characterization of Virulent
Treponema pallidum
Authors: Alderete John F. , Baseman Joel B.
Published: June 2021

Characterization of the surface of
Treponema pallidum
was accomplished by [
125
I]lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination of intact organisms and sensitive radioimmunoprecipitation and gel electrophoresis technology. At least 11 outer membrane proteins with molecular weights ranging from 89,000 (89K) to 20K were identified, and all elicited high titers of antibody in experimentally infected rabbits. Proteins of 89.5K, 29.5K, and 25.5K previously implicated as ligands involved in attachment (J. B. Baseman and E. C. Hayes, J. Exp. Med.
151:
573-586, 1980) were found to reside on the treponemal surface. Low levels of the 89.5K treponemal protein were released by high salt concentrations, whereas the remaining comigrating material was neither radioiodinated nor released with selective detergents. Other lower-molecular-weight (60K, 45K, and 30K) surface proteins were extracted with octyl glucoside detergent, suggesting their hydrophobic interaction with the external membrane. The molecular organization of surface proteins was studied by employing the cross-linker dithiobis(succinimidyl)-propionate, and data suggested the presence of a highly fluid envelope resulting in random collisions by the surface proteins. The biological function of the treponemal outer envelope proteins was evaluated using, as the indicator system, adherence of
T. pallidum
to monolayer cultures of eucaryotic cells. Trypsin treatment of motile, freshly harvested organisms decreased the extent of surface parasitism to normal rabbit testicular cells, reinforcing the idea of the proteinaceous nature and role of treponemal ligands for attachment. Other data supported functional and antigenic relatedness among the implicated ligands. Finally, brief periodate treatment of human epithelial (HEp-2) and normal rat testicular cells as well as casein-elicited rabbit peritoneal macrophages significantly reduced the extent of treponemal parasitism, suggesting a role of specific host membrane molecules as mediators of attachment.
Modulation of particle uptake in Trichinella spiralis-infected mice
Authors: Barriga O O
Published: June 2021

Mice were infected with 170 Trichinella spiralis larvae, and their blood clearance of carbon particles was studied 4, 7, 13, 32, and 135 days later and compared with that of noninfected control mice. Clearance in mice with a 4-day-old infection was comparable to that in the controls; clearances in mice with 7- and 13-day-old infections were increasingly accelerated and significantly different from that in the controls; clearances in mice with 32- and 135-day old infections were proportionally inhibited. Trichinellosis in mice does not modulate phagocytosis during the intestinal stage, but causes enhancement during the migratory period and inhibition during the muscle phase.
Ontogeny of murine cellular cytotoxicity to herpes simplex virus-infected cells
Authors: Kohl S , Loo L S
Published: June 2021

Mice infected with herpes simplex virus either orally or intraperitoneally had a markedly age-related mortality. All animals under 3 weeks of age died, whereas all those over 3 weeks of age survived. The ability of murine peritoneal cells to kill herpes simplex virus-infected target cells in the absence (natural killer cytotoxicity) or presence (antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity) of antiviral antibody was similarly correlated with age and survival. This correlation is further support for the relevance of these antiviral defense mechanisms, and it may help explain the profound susceptibility of neonatal mice to herpes simplex virus infection.
Extracellular antigens of serotype III group B streptococci
Authors: Doran T I , Straus D C , Mattingly S J
Published: June 2021

Two sialic acid-containing type III group B streptococcal antigens were obtained from a supernatant growth medium, purified by anion exchange or gel filtration, and found to be free of group B reactivity. Quantitation of the high-molecular-weight extracellular type III antigen indicated that approximately 20-fold more antigen was recoverable from the growth medium than could be obtained by neutral buffer extraction of whole cells.
Survival of Streptococcus pneumoniae in sputum from patients with pneumonia
Authors: Williams S G , Kauffman C A
Published: June 2021

The isolation rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae in sputum cultures from patients with pneumococcal pneumonia is low. An investigation was made to determine whether this low yield might be due to loss of pneumocci and/or overgrowth by pharyngeal flora before the specimen is plated. Pneumococcal survival times and pharyngeal overgrowth at 4 degrees C and at room temperature were determined in sputum obtained from 42 patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. It was found that pneumococci survived for long periods in sputum--2.2 +/- 1.4 days at room temperature and 9.5 +/- 3.6 days at 4 degrees C. Overgrowth by pharyngeal flora occurred in only 6 of 42 specimens kept at 4 degrees C and 31 of 42 specimens kept at room temperature. The low yield of S. pneumoniae in sputum from patients with pneumococcal pneumonia is not explained by decreased viability of the organism.
Practical colorimeter for direct measurement of microplates in enzyme immunoassay systems
Authors: Clem T R , Yolken R H
Published: June 2021

A colorimeter capable of measuring results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reactions directly in the wells of a microtiter plate is described. This colorimeter proved to be as accurate as a conventional spectrophotometer in assessing ELISA reactions, but had the advantage of not requiring transfer of the specimen to a separate chamber. With this colorimeter, 96 specimens can be read in approximately 5 min. A practical colorimeter such as this can make the use of ELISA tests more feasible for many laboratories.
Modified culture technique for Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolation from desiccated swabs
Authors: Facklam R R , Lawrence D N , Sottnek F O
Published: June 2021

Corynebacterium diphtheriae was isolated from pyoderma and ulcerative skin lesions with a modified delayed culture procedure as late as 9 weeks after field collection of silica gel-desiccated swabs. Biotypes gravis and mitis were identified. Most isolates were nontoxigenic. Todd-Hewitt broth enrichment enhanced recovery of C. diphtheriae by 70%.
Survey for positive Limulus amoebocyte lysate test in plasma from humans and common research animals
Authors: DuBose D , Lemaire M , Brown J , Wolfe D , Hamlet M
Published: June 2021

A survey for positive Limulus amoebocyte lysate tests was conducted on apparently healthy humans, mongrel dogs, rats, mice, rabbits, and squirrel monkeys. Only mongrel dog (45.8%) and human (32.8%) plasma samples gave positive tests. In dogs, a significant correlation between positive Limulus amoebocyte lysate tests and the presence of intestinal parasites was found. Positives found in human plasma samples were thought to be due to the presence of background levels of endotoxin or some possible mimicker substance found in the plasma after chloroform extraction. It was concluded that there was a need to distinguish between these positive Limulus tests and those which represent significant endotoxemia.
Hemolytic mutants of group A Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Owens W , Henley F , Barridge B D
Published: June 2021

Hemolytic mutants of Lancefield strain SS-95 and ATCC 19615 Streptococcus pyogenes were produced by treatment with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. These mutants contained the same levels of streptolysin O, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidase, deoxyribonuclease, and hyaluronidase. The mutants were deficient in streptolysin S, as was the naturally occurring nonhemolytic Lowry strain. The mutants retained their pathogenicity for mice and, when reisolated from the dead animals, produced the mutant hemolytic pattern.
Evaluation of a semiautomated prestandardized immunofluorescence test system for detection of anti-native deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies
Authors: Tourville D R , Benn V
Published: June 2021

An immunofluorescence-native deoxyribonucleic acid (nDNA) antibody test system (Zeus Scientific, Inc.) was compared with a radioimmunoassay procedure (FARR assay) for detecting anti-nDNA antibodies in human serum. Double-blind studies of split samples obtained from 236 patients showed an 80% correlation between the immunofluorescence-nDNA antibody test system and the radioimmunoassay procedure. Studies of sera from patients with known diagnoses showed positive nDNA antibody findings in biopsy-prove n systemic lupus erythematosus only. The immunofluorescence-nDNA antibody test system provides a reliable, simple, and economically feasible alternative method for detecting nDNA antibodies that can be employed in any laboratory equipped with a fluorescence microscope.
Multiple-Inocula (Replicator) CAMP Test for Presumptive Identification of Group B Streptococci
Authors: Fuchs Peter C. , Christy Carol , Jones Ronald N.
Published: June 2021

A replicator method for performing the CAMP test is described. Of 304 group B streptococci tested, 303 (99.7%) were CAMP positive. None of 1,093 non-group B streptococci was CAMP positive.
Rose Bengal plate agglutination and counterimmunoelectrophoresis tests on spinal fluid in the diagnosis of Brucella meningitis
Authors: Díaz R , Maraví-Poma E , Delgado G , Rivero A
Published: June 2021

Rose Bengal and counterimmunoelectrophoresis, two tests that detect antibodies against different structural antigens, when carried out on spinal fluid permitted rapid diagnosis of human Brucella meningitis. The Rose Bengal test was positive in five out of five patients studied, and counterimmunoelectrophoresis was positive in all but one. The Brucella meningitis was characterized by an increase of immunoglobulin G in the cerebrospinal fluid.
L-Arabinose-ornithine-Irgasan medium for differentiating Serratia species
Authors: Gibson S , Friedman H
Published: June 2021

A semisolid medium (designated Serratia differentiation medium) containing L-arabinose, ornithine, and selective inhibitor was used to differentiate three clinically encountered Serratia species. The inhibitor, Irgasan DP-300, was incorporated to eliminate false-positive reactions from most remaining Enterobacteriaceae. The suspected Serratia colony was inoculated as a stab into the medium. Serratia marcescens was indicated by a change in color from olive to purple following 18 h of incubation, whereas S. rubidaea (not listed in Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology) was indicated by a change to bright yellow. S. liquefaciens (described in Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology [8th ed., 1974] as Enterobacter liquefaciens) produced a small purple band at the top of the medium and a yellow or yellow-green butt. Absence of growth and color change following incubation indicates that the suspected colony is a non-Serratia. Thirty-six Serratia strains and 97 other Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae strains were tested. Two strains of the non-Serratia Enterobacteriaceae (one each of Citrobacter freundii and Proteus morganii) and two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa produced a color change in the medium. All of the Serratia strains tested were correctly identified using this medium, while 96% of the other species tested were inhibited.
Immune adherence hemagglutination: alternative to complement-fixation serology
Authors: Lennette E T , Lennette D A
Published: June 2021

Immune adherence hemagglutination (IAHA) was compared to complement fixation (CF), using standard procedures, for serological testing of human sera with a number of commercially available antigens. The antigens included herpes simplex, measles, cytomegalo-, and influenza (type B) viruses, as well as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia psittaci (Chlamydia group). The IAHA test was found to be as specific as the CF test, but 4 to 20 times as sensitive with all antigens tested. Antigen titers were also higher with the IAHA method, and the time required to complete the test was only 4 h for the IAHA method, compared with 20 h for the CF method. The increased sensitivity of the IAHA test should permit its use for determination of immunity, as well as for serodiagnosis of recent infections.
Detection of antibodies to legionnaires disease organism by microagglutination and micro-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests
Authors: Farshy C E , Klein G C , Feeley J C
Published: June 2021

Microagglutination and micro-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests with easily prepared, safe, heat-killed antigens for detecting antibodies to the legionnaires disease organism have been developed. A safranin-stained whole-cell antigen is used in the microagglutination test, and a simply prepared soluble antigen is used in the micro-ELISA tests. The microagglutination test detected elevated titers in 97.2% of the sera from patients with legionnaires disease. Three variations of the micro-ELISA test with anti-human immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and Fab peroxidase-labeled conjugates revealed elevated titers with 74.3, 82.9, and 88.6% of the sera, respectively. The microagglutination and the micro-ELISA tests used in combination detected 100% of the elevated titers.
Evaluation of a simplified Guizotia abyssinica seed medium for differentiation of Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Paliwal D K , Randhawa H S
Published: June 2021

A simplified Guizotia abyssinica seed medium, eliminating glucose, creatinine, and phosphate, was evaluated for the isolation and presumptive identification of Cryptococcus neoformans. Of 80 isolates of C. neoformans tested, 69 (86%) developed the characteristic brown pigment within 12 h on this medium as against only 5 isolates (6%) on the complete medium. In primary cultures of experimentally seeded specimens of sputum, bronchial aspirate, soil, and pigeon excreta, C. neoformans was recognizable within 3 to 5 days on the modified medium in contrast to the 3 to 8 days required on the complete medium. The results demonstrated that the simplified G. abyssinica seed agar, with or without diphenyl, is superior to the complete medium for the rapid development of the brown pigment by C. neoformans.
Clinical Evaluation of the Uni-Yeast-Tek System for Rapid Presumptive Identification of Medically Important Yeasts
Authors: Cooper B. H. , Johnson J. B. , Thaxton E. S.
Published: June 2021

The results of over 400 tests for identification of clinical yeast isolates as to species using the Uni-Yeast-Tek (UYT) system in comparison with a more conventional system are reported. The conventional system utilized a total of 23 individual tests, including both fermentation and assimilation tests, whereas the UYT system included only 11 separate tests. In the initial phase of the study, coded unknown isolates were evaluated by each of two technologists using both methods independently. After this initial evaluation, the two methods were used in parallel for routine testing of yeast isolates as they were obtained from clinical specimens. A further evaluation of the UYT system was carried out by retrospectively analyzing the species reported from a clinical mycology laboratory during two separate time periods in which different approaches to yeast identification were employed. A total of 92% of the isolates tested with the UYT system were correctly reported within 72 h, 96% were correctly named after 1 week of incubation, and 97% were correctly reported after 2 weeks of incubation of UYT plates at 30°C when results of the two phases of the study were analyzed together. With the conventional system, 88% of the isolates were correctly reported at 72 h, 96% at 1 week, and 98% after 2 weeks of incubation of biochemical tests. Retrospective analysis of laboratory records revealed no major changes in species reported after adoption of the UYT system for routine testing of clinical isolates. The data presented in this report suggest that the UYT system can be expected to yield rapid presumptive identification of clinical yeast isolates with reasonable confidence when certain minor limitations that are discussed in the text are taken into account.
Outer membrane protein antigens in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Salmonella enteric fever and meningococcal meningitis
Authors: Sippel J E , Mamay H K , Weiss E , Joseph S W , Beasley W J
Published: June 2021

Outer membrane protein preparations were obtained from strains of Salmonella and Neisseria meningitidis. Solubilized cell envelope (CE) fractions from S. typhi and Salmonella groups A, B, C, and E had very similar electrophoretic mobilities on polyacrylamide gel, and common antigens were demonstrated by immunodiffusion. CE appeared to be a more satisfactory antigen than the more purified preparation (T/TEI) in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with sera from typhoid and paratyphoid patients. With either antigen, however, the presence of antibodies was demonstrated in acute- and vonvalescent-phase sera. In the case of N. meningitidis infections, the crude (STA) and the more purified antigens (T/TEI) were equally satisfactory, and a rise in antibody titer could easily be demonstrated with paired acute- and convalescent-phase sera. The ELISA appears to be a simple but highly sensitive test for the detection of antibodies by using outer membrane protein antigens.
Reference preparation to standardize results of serological tests for rheumatoid factor
Authors: Fulford K M , Taylor R N , Przybyszewski V A
Published: June 2021

The variance of between-laboratory results for rheumatoid factor tests was reduced through the use of a reference serum preparation. Two separate proficiency testing surveys have shown reduction of 58 to 81% in variance with samples of differing levels and composition. Reduction of variance was seen in data from laboratories in which the same methods and reagents were used, but greater reduction in variance was seen in results from laboratories using different methods and reagents. This study demonstrates that comparability of results of rheumatoid factor tests can be significantly improved through the use of a standard reference serum preparation and that confidence in such results can therefore be increased. A serum rheumatoid factor level of approximately 50 IU/ml is equivalent to a titer of 160 in the Singer-Plotz latex test, which has traditionally been accepted as evidence of rheumatoid arthritis.
Modification of methods used in bacteriophage typing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates
Authors: Jones W D , Greenberg J
Published: June 2021

A procedure in which soft agar overlays were used in bacteriophage-typing Mycobacterium tuberculosis is presented. This safer method uses commercially available media, whereas media presently used must be prepared in the laboratory. Single plaque isolations of the phage BG-1 specifying phage type A and B of M. tuberculosis were readily made by using the modified procedures. This purification and the use of prototype strain Myc 1415 as the indicator host strain have significantly enhanced the ability to discriminate among strains of phage types A and B.
Use of isolated nuclei in the indirect fluorescent-antibody test for human cytomegalovirus infection: comparison with microneutralization, anticomplement, and conventional indirect fluorescent-antibody assays
Authors: Stagno S , Reynolds D W , Smith R J
Published: June 2021

Use of an antigen consisting of purified isolated nuclei from a mixture of human cytomegalovirus-infected and uninfected fibroblasts in a 2:1 ratio is a simple and reliable method for eliminating nonspecific fluorescence associated with the presence of Fc-immunoglobulin G receptors in the cytoplasm of infected cells. The specificity obtained with this antigen on 100 normal human sera was 99, 100, and 98% when compared with microneutralization, anticomplement immunofluorescence, and conventional indirect fluorescent-antibody assays, respectively. Also, 95% of the antibody titers obtained with the nuclear antigen had a perfect correlation with or were within a fourfold-dilution difference of the antibody levels obtained by anticomplement immunofluorescence and the conventional indirect fluorescent-antibody test.
Comparison of Micro-ID, API 20E, and Conventional Media Systems in Identification of
Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Aldridge Kenneth E. , Gardner Becky B. , Clark Stephen J. , Matsen John M.
Published: June 2021

The Micro-ID, a new identification kit for
Enterobacteriaceae
, consists of 15 biochemical tests, with substrates and reagents impregnated in filter paper disks. A 0.2-ml amount of an organism suspension equal to a 0.5 McFarland standard is pipetted into each of the compartments. After 4 h of incubation and addition of potassium-hydroxide (KOH) to the Voges-Proskauer test, the color reactions are read according to the recommendations of the manufacturer. A five-digit octal code number is derived from each set of reactions from which an identification is derived by using a code book. In a single-blind, comparative study of the Micro-ID system with the API 20E system (Analytab Products Inc.) and conventional biochemical tube media, we found that the Micro-ID and the API 20E systems gave a 90% identification correlation when each was compared with the conventional tube media. A comparison of all three systems gave an 82% overall identification correlation. When the common tests of Micro-ID and API 20E were compared with conventional tube media, we found that the tests in the Micro-ID performed as well as or better than those of the API 20E. Certain groups of organisms, i.e.,
Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Proteus, Salmonella
, and
Serratia
genera, were found to give low correlation on certain common tests. When using primary isolation MacConkey plates from the clinical laboratory, only 74% of the plates with
Enterobacteriaceae
had sufficient numbers of colonies of each enteric organism to produce the 0.5 McFarland inoculum density required. Problems concerning the misidentification of some organisms are discussed.
Immune electron microscopy of avian infectious bronchitis virus serotypes
Authors: Odenwald W F , Johnson R B , Marquardt W W , Hetrick F M
Published: June 2021

An immune electron microscopy agglutination technique in which emphasis is placed upon the importance of antigen-antibody equivalence has been developed as a possible method for the serotyping of avian infectious bronchitis viruses. The Connecticut and Massachusetts 41 serotypes were used as a model system. Stock virus concentrations were standardized by physical particle counts of virions sedimented directly onto electron microscope specimen grids. Suspensions containing approximately 150 virions per grid square were allowed to react with dilutions of homologous and heterologous antisera. Virions in these constant virus-variable serum mixtures were sedimented directly onto electron microscope specimen grids, and the relative degree of aggregation per grid was determined from the mean percent aggregation of five randomly selected grid squares. In homologous assays, regions of relative antibody excess, of equivalence, and of relative antigen excess were clearly evident. At equivalence, the mean percent aggregation was significantly higher than in the regions of relative antibody or antigen excess. In the heterologous systems, the degree of aggregation differed little from that of the virus controls containing no antiserum.
Modified method for serological identification of group B streptococci
Authors: Dillon H C , Pass M A , Buchanan B
Published: June 2021

Extracts from 10- and 40-ml cultures compared favorably for serological identification of group B streptococci. Typing by gel diffusion proved reliable and efficient. These modifications save time, media, and antisera.
Linear and Branched Lactide Polymers for Targeted Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Gomzyak V. I. , Sedush N. G. , Puchkov A. A. , Polyakov D. K. , Chvalun S. N.
Published: June 2021

The review presents modern advances in the synthesis of biodegradable polymers based on lactide of various topologies and also analyzes the main methods for preparation of nanoparticles that show promise for the creation of targeted drug delivery systems.
Perioperative challenges in managing a morbidly obese patient with COVID-19 undergoing an elective tracheostomy
Authors: Teah Kai Ming , Tsen Serena Shu Ying , Fong Kean Khang , Yeap Tat Boon
Published: June 2021

Tracheostomy is an aerosol-generating procedure and performing it in patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation raises significant concerns of infection risk to healthcare workers. We herein report a case of tracheostomy in a critically ill patient with severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome. This article depicts the use of personal protective equipment, highlighting the common challenges it presents and ways to address them.
Protocol for the Project SAVE randomised controlled trial examining CBT for insomnia among veterans in treatment for alcohol use disorder
Authors: Miller Mary Beth , Metrik Jane , McGeary John E , Borsari Brian , McCrae Christina S , Maddoux John , Arnedt J Todd , Merrill Jennifer E , Carey Kate B
Published: June 2021

Introduction

As many as 74% of veterans with alcohol use disorders (AUDS) report symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia represents a barrier to alcohol treatment because insomnia symptoms (1) may lead to relapse among those who use alcohol to help them sleep and may negatively impact (2) executive functions and (3) emotion regulation skills. Cognitive–behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is an efficacious first-line treatment for insomnia; however, no research has examined the impact of CBT-I on individuals’ response to alcohol treatment. In the Sleep and Alcohol for Veterans (Project SAVE) randomised controlled trial, we hypothesise that CBT-I will enhance the efficacy of alcohol treatment among Veterans with insomnia by enhancing their abilities to attend to treatment, regulate emotions and initiate sleep without alcohol.

Methods and analysis

Eighty Veterans enrolled in alcohol treatment at the Veterans Administration (VA) hospital will be randomly assigned to receive either CBT-I or single-session sleep hygiene (SH) education. Individuals will be eligible to participate if they meetDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for moderate to severe AUD and Insomnia Disorder of at least 1-month duration. Participants will complete assessments at baseline, post-treatment and 6-week follow-up. Preliminary process outcomes include retention/recruitment rates and treatment satisfaction (feasibility and acceptability, respectively). Primary outcomes are insomnia severity, percentage of heavy-drinking days and alcohol-related problems. We will assess a variety of secondary clinical and mechanistic outcomes (eg, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, attention and working memory).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained in October 2018. Data collection began in July 2019 and is planned for completion by July 2021. Trial results will be disseminated at local and national conferences, in peer-reviewed publications and through media outlets, as available. Results will also be shared with interested participants and clinical collaborators at the end of the trial.

Trial registration number

clinicaltrials.gov identifierNCT03806491(pre-results).
Incidence of collagenous colitis in NHS Lothian: a population-based study
Authors: Grant Rebecca K , Brindle William M , Robertson Andrew J , Robertson Alexander R , Jones Gareth-Rhys , Kirkwood Kathryn J , Fineron Paul W , Arnott Ian D R
Published: June 2021

Objective

Increases in incidence of collagenous colitis (CC) have been documented across Europe; however, previous data from NHS Lothian (1998–2003) demonstrated this to be a low-prevalence area. We aimed to assess incidence of CC in NHS Lothian over time by comparing a more recent cohort (2013–2018) with our existing cohort.

Methods

All histologically confirmed diagnoses of CC between 2013 and 2018 were obtained from the NHS Lothian colorectal pathology department (Western General Hospital, Edinburgh). Case record review was performed to obtain relevant demographic and clinical data. Data were also collected regarding the availability of colonoscopy in NHS Lothian.

Results

224 cases of CC were diagnosed between 2013 and 2018, compared with 25 between 1998 and 2003. Mean annual incidence rose from 0.5/100 000 population to 4.3/100 000 population. Incidence in females ≥60 years old rose from 2.3/100 000 population to 22.4/100 000 population (p<0.001). The total number of colonoscopies performed increased by 179.1% from 15 262 (1998–2003) to 42 600 (2013–2018), with the number of CC cases per 1000 colonoscopies performed rising from 1.7 to 5.3 (p<0.001).

Conclusion

We describe the increasing incidence of CC in Southeast Scotland, with temporal trends comparable to other European countries. The increase is particularly marked in older females and parallels increasing numbers of colonoscopies being performed.
Prioritisation of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic: outcomes of a novel triage pathway
Authors: Archer Thomas , Aziz Imran , Kurien Matthew , Knott Victoria , Ball Alex
Published: June 2021

Objective

The 2-week-wait (2ww) referral pathway is used in England to fast-track patients with suspected colorectal cancer (CRC). A two-stage triage pathway was used to prioritise lower gastrointestinal (LGI) endoscopy for suspected CRC during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

All patients referred for an LGI endoscopy via a 2ww referral pathway between March 2020 and July 2020 were assessed. The first stage triaged patients to high, standard or low risk of CRC based on symptoms and faecal immunochemical test (FIT), and offered CT scans to those at high risk. The second stage, endoscopy prioritisation (EP), incorporated the CT results, FIT and symptoms to triage into four groups, EP1–EP4; with EP1 being the most urgent and EP4 the least. The primary outcome measure was CRC detection.

Results

514 patients were included. The risk of CRC was triaged as high in 190/514 patients (37%), standard in 274/514 patients (53%) and low in 50/514 (10%) patients. 422/514 patients (82%) underwent endoscopy with triage to EP1 in 52/422 (12%), EP2 in 105/422 (25%), EP3 in 210/422 (50%) and EP4 in 55/422 (13%). CRC was detected in 23 patients (5.4%). CRC was significantly more frequent in the EP1 group (23.1%, relative risk (RR)=16.2) and EP2 group (6.7%, RR=4.7) compared with EP3 group (1.4%). All CRC lesions were identified by CT imaging when performed prior to LGI endoscopy.

Conclusion

This triage pathway designated 83% of patients with CRC to either EP1 or EP2. During a period of limited endoscopy provision, this pathway effectively prioritises endoscopy for those at greatest risk of CRC.
Phase transition at high supersymmetry breaking scale in heterotic string theory
Authors: Partouche Hervé , de Vaulchier Balthazar
Published: June 2021

When supersymmetry is spontaneously broken at the tree level, the spectrum of the heterotic string compactified on orbifolds of tori contains an infinite number of potentially tachyonic modes. We show that this implies instabilities of Minkowski space–time, when the scale of supersymmetry breaking is of the order of the string scale. We derive the phase space structure of vacua in the case where the tachyonic spectrum contains a mode with trivial momenta and winding numbers along the internal directions not involved in the supersymmetry breaking.
Crystal and surface structures of Y2O3 nanoparticles at room temperature
Authors: Rzayev R. F.
Published: June 2021

In this work, the crystal and surface structures of Y2O3 nanoparticles were explored. The exploration of crystal structure was carried out by X-ray diffraction method at room temperature and under normal conditions. It was found that the crystal structure of the Y2O3 compound has a cubic symmetry with an Ia-3 space group. The lattice parameters have the values: [Formula: see text] Å. The surface structure was studied at room temperature and under normal conditions on Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) microscope. It was found that the nanoparticles of the Y2O3 compound being in the range 20–40 nm are of [Formula: see text] nm size.
Analysis of Brain Tumor Using MR Images: A Brief Survey
Authors: Shivaprasad B. J. , Ravikumar M. , Guru D. S.
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we have discussed in detail about detection and extraction of brain tumor from MRI technique, where the importance of using MRI is also highlighted. Various features extraction methods and classifiers are explained in brain tumor segmentation. This paper mainly focuses on challenges involved in brain tumor analysis, which is helpful for researchers and those who are interested to carry out their research on this topic.
Evaluation of Cyclic Loading Effects on Residual Stress Relaxation in Offshore Wind Welded Structures
Authors: Statti Giuseppe , Mehmanparast Ali , Biswal Romali , Rizzo Cesare Mario
Published: June 2021

Monopile foundations contain welding residual stresses and are widely used in industry to support offshore wind turbines (OWTs). The monopiles are subjected to hammering loads during installation and cyclic loads during operation, therefore the influence of residual stress redistribution as a result of fatigue cycles must be evaluated in these structures. The existing empirical models to predict the residual stress redistribution in the presence of cyclic loading conditions are strongly dependent on the material, welding process and loading conditions. Hence, there is a need to predict the residual stress redistribution using finite element simulations. In this study numerical analyses have been conducted to predict the initial state of residual stress in a simplified weld geometry and examine the influence of subsequent cyclic loads on the relaxation behavior in residual stress profiles. The results have shown that fatigue cycles have a severe effect on residual stress relaxation with the greatest reduction in residual stress values observed in the first cycle. Moreover, the numerical prediction results have shown that the stress amplitude plays a key role in the extent of residual stress relaxation in welded structures.
Free Vibration Analysis of Cylindrical Micro/Nano-Shell Reinforced with CNTRC Patches
Authors: Heidari Yaser , Arefi Mohammad , Irani-Rahaghi Mohsen
Published: June 2021

This paper studies free vibration analysis of cylindrical micro/nano shell made from a mixture of ceramic/metal, reinforced with some carbon-nanotube-reinforced (CNTRC) patches, based on shear deformation theory and nonlocal elasticity theory. Extended rule of mixture and power law model are utilized to find effective properties of composite patches and the ceramic/metal core, respectively. The main aim of this work is to investigate the effect of characteristics of attached CNTRC patches on the free vibration responses. It is concluded that some important parameters such as number and angle of composite patches as well as their volume fraction, and some geometric parameters have significant influence on the free vibration responses.
Stochastic Dynamic Response Analysis and Probability Evaluation of Subway Station Considering Subjected to Stochastic Earthquake Excitation
Authors: Fan Qunying , Pang Rui , Xu Bin , Jing Mingyuan
Published: June 2021

As a relatively new means of transportation, the subway has become an important tool for the sustainable development of many cities. Being buried deep in soil under the weight of vital infrastructure, subway stations can be vulnerable to seismic excitations. Considering the high randomness of ground motions, it is important to research the failure probability and seismic performance of the subway station based on stochastic dynamic analysis. In this paper, a probability density evolution method (PDEM) coupled with a spectral representation random function is used to analyze the stochastic dynamic response and seismic probability of a subway station. First, according to the improved power spectral density model and the seismic design code of urban rail transit structures in China (GB 50909-2014), a set of nonstationary ground motions consistent with the code spectrum are obtained. Then, a great deal of deterministic dynamic calculations for Daikai subway station considering soil–structure interaction based on elastic–plastic methods are performed. In addition, the nonlinear stochastic response analysis and the dynamic probability analysis are obtained for the subway station by solving the PDEM equation. Finally, the probability density function (PDF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the subway station under stochastic earthquake excitations are obtained based on three performance indices, including drift angle in the middle column, relative vertical displacement between floor and roof, and damage area ratio (DAR). The results show that the stochastic dynamic analysis and the probability density evolution method can analyze seismic response and evaluate seismic performance of subway stations effectively. The proposed method will serve as an effective tool for the seismic design of underground structures.
On the square coloring of comparability graphs
Authors: Yetim Mehmet Akif
Published: June 2021

We find sufficient conditions for the square of a comparability graph [Formula: see text] of a poset [Formula: see text] to be [Formula: see text]-colorable when [Formula: see text] lacks [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we show that the problem of coloring the square of the comparability graph of a poset of height at least four can be reduced to the case of height three, where the height of a poset is the size of a maximum chain.
Evaluation and prediction of the status of COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control based on the SEIR+CAQ model
Authors: Chen Xingzhi , Tian Baodan , Huang Feixiang , Wang Daiwen , Fu Linyan , Xu Haoying
Published: June 2021

This paper analyzes the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in China, establishes a [Formula: see text] epidemiologic model that classifies the diagnosed population into asymptomatic, mild, and severe, and considers the condition of an isolated population. First of all, we theoretically analyzed the key problems of the disease-free equilibrium, stability, and basic reproduction number of the model. Then, combined with the actual data, the development trend of the epidemic situation is simulated and compared, and the influence of some important parameters is discussed in the model evaluation part. Finally, based on the theoretical analysis and numerical simulation results, we forecast the future development of the COVID-19 epidemic and put forward some reasonable scientific suggestions for the government to formulate a future epidemic prevention policy.
About this title - Geoethics: Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Di Capua G. , Bobrowsky P. T. , Kieffer S. W. , Palinkas C.
Published: June 2021

This is the second volume focused on geoethics published by the Geological Society of London. This is a significant step forward in which authors address the maturation of geoethics. The field of geoethics is now ready to be introduced outside the geoscience community as a logical platform for global ethics that addresses anthropogenic changes. Geoethics has a distinction in the geoscientific community for discussing ethical, social and cultural implications of geoscience knowledge, research, practice, education and communication. This provides a common ground for confronting ideas, experiences and proposals on how geosciences can supply additional service to society in order to improve the way humans interact responsibly with the Earth system. This book provides new messages to geoscientists, social scientists, intellectuals, law- and decision-makers, and laypeople. Motivations and actions for facing global anthropogenic changes and their intense impacts on the planet need to be governed by an ethical framework capable of merging a solid conceptual structure with pragmatic approaches based on geoscientific knowledge. This philosophy defines geoethics.
Characteristics of the chalk groundwater along the Picardy coast and its relationship with wetlands
Authors: Bault Violaine , Gourcy Laurence , Cary Lise , Winckel Anne , Bourgine Bernard
Published: June 2021

Water resource management is a major concern in Marquenterre, a maritime plain located in the western part of the Somme department. Water management is particularly indispensable for protecting wetlands in Marquenterre, regulating water usage and avoiding saline intrusion into aquifers. Various approaches including geological modelling and hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical studies were used to prepare a conceptual model of the Marquenterre hydrosystem and to provide better water management in this sector. The conceptual model shows that the chalk aquifer and the various Quaternary deposit aquifers are in hydrogeological continuity. No seawater intrusion has been discovered in groundwater. Salinization discovered at depth is a result of the most recent marine transgressions. Finally, wetlands are primarily supplied by the chalk groundwater or by rainfall. The study results are used to direct policies for surface and subsurface water resource management. The proposed conceptual model may be useful for other coastal aquifers along the English Channel in order to address challenges of managing the chalk groundwater and backshore swamps.
A Camera Identity-guided Distribution Consistency Method for Unsupervised Multi-target Domain Person Re-identification
Authors: Tian Jiajie , Tang Qihao , Li Rui , Teng Zhu , Zhang Baopeng , Fan Jianping
Published: June 2021

Unsupervised domain adaptation (UDA) for person re-identification (re-ID) is a challenging task due to large variations in human classes, illuminations, camera views, and so on. Currently, existing UDA methods focus on two-domain adaptation and are generally trained on one labeled source set and adapted on the other unlabeled target set. In this article, we put forward a new issue on person re-ID, namely, unsupervised multi-target domain adaptation (UMDA). It involves one labeled source set and multiple unlabeled target sets, which is more reasonable for practical real-world applications. Enabling UMDA has to learn the consistency for multiple domains, which is significantly different from the UDA problem. To ensure distribution consistency and learn the discriminative embedding, we further propose the Camera Identity-guided Distribution Consistency method that performs an alignment operation for multiple domains. The camera identities are encoded into the image semantic information to facilitate the adaptation of features. According to our knowledge, this is the first attempt on the unsupervised multi-target domain adaptation learning. Extensive experiments are executed on Market-1501, DukeMTMC-reID, MSMT17, PersonX, and CUHK03, and our method has achieved very competitive re-ID accuracy in multi-target domains against numerous state-of-the-art methods.
Early Address Prediction
Authors: Alves Ricardo , Kaxiras Stefanos , Black-Schaffer David
Published: June 2021

Achieving low load-to-use latency with low energy and storage overheads is critical for performance. Existing techniques either prefetch into the pipeline (via address prediction and validation) or provide data reuse in the pipeline (via register sharing or L0 caches). These techniques provide a range of tradeoffs between latency, reuse, and overhead.

In this work, we present a pipeline prefetching technique that achieves state-of-the-art performance and data reuse without additional data storage, data movement, or validation overheads by adding address tags to the register file. Our addition of register file tags allows us to forward (reuse) load data from the register file with no additional data movement, keep the data alive in the register file beyond the instruction’s lifetime to increase temporal reuse, and coalesce prefetch requests to achieve spatial reuse. Further, we show that we can use the existing memory order violation detection hardware to validate prefetches and data forwards without additional overhead.

Our design achieves the performance of existing pipeline prefetching while also forwarding 32% of the loads from the register file (compared to 15% in state-of-the-art register sharing), delivering a 16% reduction in L1 dynamic energy (1.6% total processor energy), with an area overhead of less than 0.5%.
Statistical Inference for the Heteroscedastic Partially Linear Varying-Coefficient Errors-in-Variables Model with Missing Censoring Indicators
Authors: Zou Yuye , Wu Chengxin
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we focus on heteroscedastic partially linear varying-coefficient errors-in-variables models under right-censored data with censoring indicators missing at random. Based on regression calibration, imputation, and inverse probability weighted methods, we define a class of modified profile least square estimators of the parameter and local linear estimators of the coefficient function, which are applied to constructing estimators of the error variance function. In order to improve the estimation accuracy and take into account the heteroscedastic error, reweighted estimators of the parameter and coefficient function are developed. At the same time, we apply the empirical likelihood method to construct confidence regions and maximum empirical likelihood estimators of the parameter. Under appropriate assumptions, the asymptotic normality of the proposed estimators is studied. The strong uniform convergence rate for the estimators of the error variance function is considered. Also, the asymptotic chi-squared distribution of the empirical log-likelihood ratio statistics is proved. A simulation study is conducted to evaluate the finite sample performance of the proposed estimators. Meanwhile, one real data example is provided to illustrate our methods.
Research on the Risk Assessment of New Energy Automobile Industry Based on Entropy Weight-Cloud Model in China’s Jiangsu Province
Authors: Cao Yanqiu , Bian Yijie , Wang Rong , Wang Lingjun
Published: June 2021

The development of the new energy vehicle industry is necessary for its advantages of saving energy and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. However, the industry is currently facing risks with regard to, for example, technology, market, and the policy. Most existing studies of industry risk focused on analyzing and evaluating risk factors and summarizing and interpreting risk phenomena. In this study, systematic classification and quantitative analysis for the risk of the new energy vehicle industry were investigated, in which the entropy weight method and cloud model were combined to evaluate and quantify the industry risk. The formation mechanism of the industry risk from endogenous and exogenous perspectives was analyzed to screen out risk-evaluation factors. Combining the expert-investigation and fuzzy-statistics methods, a risk-evaluation index system with six primary indicators and twenty-four secondary indicators was constructed. On the basis of the entropy weight-cloud model, the risk of the new energy automobile industry of Jiangsu province in July 2019 was evaluated. Results indicated that the impact of exogenous risk on the industry was greater than that of endogenous risk, and industry risk was higher than medium risk, which was close to a higher medium level. A series of suggestions are given for preventing industry risk, such as improving the industry’s own ability to resist risk and building the industry’s soft environment.