bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leveraging nurse practitioner capacities to achieve global health for all: COVID‐19 and beyond
Authors: Rosa W.E. , Fitzgerald M. , Davis S. , Farley J.E. , Khanyola J. , Kwong J. , Moreland P.J. , Rogers M. , Sibanda B. , Turale S.
Published: October 2020

Aim

To argue that nurse practitioners have been under‐utilized generally in the current global health environment, creating barriers to achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Background

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses possessing expert knowledge and leadership skills that can be optimized to narrow disparities and ensure access to high‐quality health care globally. Nurses worldwide have been challenged to meet global public health needs in the context of COVID‐19 (SARS‐CoV‐2 virus), and there are early indications that nurse practitioners are being called upon to the full extent of their capabilities in the current pandemic.

Sources of evidence

PubMed; Google Scholar; the International Council of Nurses; World Health Organization; United Nations; and the experiences of the authors.

Discussion

Several international reports, nursing and health organizations have called for continued investment in and development of nursing to improve mechanisms that promote cost‐effective and universally accessible care. Expanding nurse practitioner scopes of practice across nations will leverage their clinical capacities, policy and advocacy skills, and talents to lead at all levels.

Conclusion

Ongoing empirical data and policy change is needed to enable the full scope and strategic utilization of nurse practitioners across healthcare systems and contexts.

Implications for nursing practice, and nursing and health policy

Widespread education regarding nurse practitioner capacities for interdisciplinary partners, policymakers and the public is needed. Policies that safely expand their roles are critical. Role titles and remuneration reflective of their scope and service are required to lead, sustain and grow the workforce internationally.
Surgical Site Infections and their economic significance in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery: A retrospective incidence, cost, and reimbursement analysis in a German centre of the highest level of care
Authors: Brennfleck Frank Werner , Bachmeier Tanja , Simet Wolfgang , Zeman Florian , Junger Henrik Horst Gerhard , Schlitt Hans Jürgen , Dahlke Marc‐Hendrik , Brunner Stefan Martin
Published: October 2020

Surgical site infections (SSI) in open Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery are common complications. They worsen patients’ outcomes and prolong hospital stays. Their economic significance in the German diagnosis related groups (DRG) system is mostly unknown. To investigate their economic importance, we evaluated all cases for SSIs as well as clinical and financial parameters undergoing surgery in our centre from 2015 and 2016. Subsequently, we carried out a cost‐revenue calculation by assessing our billing data and the cost matrix of the InEK (German Institute for the Payment System in Hospitals). A total of 13.5% of the patients developed a superficial, 9% a deep incisional, and 2.4% of the patients an organ space SSI. Compared with Patients without SSI, Patients with SSI had more comorbidities, were older, and their average length of stay was extended by 19 days (P < .001). The financial loss per SSI‐case was €‐7035.65 despite increased reimbursement, which resulted in a calculated total loss for the hospital of €‐802 064.62 in 2015 and 2016. Surgical site infections are common complications of open HPB surgery, which lead to a significant increase in the cost per case. Further prevention strategies need to be developed. Besides, an adjustment of revenues must be demanded.
Nurses' protocol‐based care decision‐making: a multiple case study
Authors: Vázquez‐Calatayud Mónica , Oroviogoicoechea Cristina , Pittiglio Laura , Pumar‐Méndez María Jesús
Published: October 2020

Aim

To describe and explain nurses' protocol‐based care decision‐making.

Background

Protocol‐based care is a strategy to reduce variability in clinical practice. There are no studies looking at protocol‐based care decision‐making. Understand this process is key to successful implementation.

Method

A multiple embedded case study was carried out. Nurses' protocol‐based care decision‐making was studied in three inpatient wards (medical, surgical and medical‐surgical) of a university hospital in northern Spain. Data collection was performed between 2015 and 2016 including documentary analysis, non‐participant observations, participant observations and interviews. Analysis of quantitative data involved descriptive statistics and qualitative data was submitted to Burnard's method of content analysis (1996). The data integration comprised the integration of the data set of each case separately and the integration of the findings resulting from the comparison of the cases. Thefollowing the threadmethod of data integration was used for this purpose. The SRQR guideline was used for reporting.

Results

The multiple embedded case study revealed protocol‐based care decision‐making as a linear and variable process that depends on the context and consists of multiple interrelated elements, among which the risk perception is foremost.

Conclusion

This study has allowed progress in protocol‐based care decision‐making characterisation. This knowledge is crucial to support the design of educational and management strategies aimed at implementing protocol‐based care.

Relevance to clinical practice

Strategies to promote protocol‐based care should address the contexts of practice and the ability of professionals' to accurately assess the degree of risk of clinical activity. Hence, it will promote quality of care, patient safety and efficiency in healthcare cost.
Relationship between age at menarche and chromosome numerical abnormalities in chorionic villus among missed abortions: A cross‐sectional study of 459 women in China
Authors: Zhao Lu , Yang Hua , Liu Guoyan
Published: October 2020

Aims

To assess the relationship between age at menarche and the numerical abnormalities of chorionic villi chromosomes in patients with missed abortion.

Methods

Unexplained miscarriage patients were admitted to an outpatient clinic in Tianjin Central Hospital of Gynecology Obstetrics, China. Embryonic villi tissues were collected aseptically after curettage. Chromosome analysis was performed subsequently using multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification method.

Results

Among 459 cases of missed abortion, chromosome numerical abnormalities were found in 231 cases (50.33%). Autosomal trisomy occurs most frequently, with 16‐trisomy being most common. Patients (age more than 35 years old) had more frequent miscarriages compared with those who were less than 35 years old. However, there was no statistically significant difference in chromosome numerical abnormalities. In addition, compared with patients less than 30 years old, women with age ≥ 30 years old had higher abortions frequency (P = 0.002), and the proportion of chromosome numeric abnormalities increased (P = 0.000). The number of patients with abnormal chromosomes is higher among patients whose age of menarche are less than 12 years old than that of patients whose age of menarche was over 12 years old (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Chromosome numerical abnormalities are important cause of missed abortion. The incidence of chromosome numeric abnormalities increases among patients ≥30 years old. Besides, age of menarche is an important risk factor for chromosome numerical abnormalities.
Male genitalia's evolutionary rate is higher than those of body traits: the case of two Liolaemus lizards' group
Authors: Quipildor A. M. , Ruiz‐Monachesi M. R. , Ruiz S. , Hibbard T. N. , Valdecantos S. , Lobo F.
Published: October 2020

Different studies suggest that reproductive characters evolve faster than non‐reproductive characters. Males in the order Squamata have paired copulatory organs called hemipenes, with high morphological diversity, including differences in size, shape, and ornamentation. Some studies in the species‐rich lizard genus, Anolis suggest that genital traits evolve faster than the rest of the body. However, these studies were made considering only a few traits, across a wide phylogeny, without considering species relatedness, which may inflate differences in evolutionary rates. Here, we study two phylogenetic distantly related lizard groups, which differ in the number of species, but have similar divergence times. We evaluate as follows: (1) evolutionary rate, models of evolution and phylogenetic signal among the different genital and non‐genital traits; (2) which kind of traits (genital and non‐genital) are divergent across sister species and (3) whether the species‐rich group shows a faster rate of trait change. We studied 24 Liolaemus lizard species, belonging to two monophyletic groups that differ in species number: L. elongatus' clade, which has more species than L. lineomaculatus' clade. We studied 20 different traits (9 genital and 11 non‐genital) and calculated their phylogenetic signal, evolutionary rate of change and models that best explain the evolutionary change. Our results show that: (1) in general, genital traits evolve faster than non‐genital ones in both groups, and both phylogenetic signal and best evolutionary model vary depending on the trait. (2) Genital traits diverged more among sister species within the L. lineomaculatus group, but within the L. elongatus group, both sets of traits show similar degrees of divergence. Finally, (3) the species‐rich group (L. elongatus), has the highest genital evolutionary rate but also the highest non‐genital evolutionary rate.
Reduced stress defence responses contribute to the higher toxicity of a pesticide under warming
Authors: Delnat Vienna , Swaegers Janne , Asselman Jana , Stoks Robby
Published: October 2020

There is a pressing need to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the, often magnifying, interactive effects between contaminants and natural stressors. Here we test our hypothesis that lower general stress defence responses contribute to synergistic interactions between stressors. We focus on the widespread pattern that many contaminants are more toxic at higher temperatures. Specifically, we tested the effects of an environmentally realistic low‐effect and high‐effect concentration of the pesticide chlorpyrifos under warming at the gene expression level in the northern house mosquito Culex pipiens molestus (Forskal, 1775). By applying the independent action model for combined stressors on RNA‐sequencing data, we identified interactive gene expression patterns under combined exposure to chlorpyrifos and warming for general stress defence responses: protection of macromolecules, antioxidant processes, detoxification and energy metabolism/allocation. Most of these general stress defence response genes showed upregulated antagonistic interactions (i.e., were less upregulated than expected under the independent action model). This indicates that when pesticide exposure was combined with warming, the general stress defence responses were no longer buffering increased stress levels, which may contribute to a higher sensitivity to toxicants under warming. These upregulated antagonistic interactions were stronger for the high‐effect chlorpyrifos concentration, indicating that exposure to this concentration under warming was most stressful. Our results highlight that quantitative analysis of the frequency and strength of the interaction types of general stress defence response genes, specifically focusing on antagonistic upregulations and synergistic downregulations, may advance our understanding of how natural stressors modify the toxicity of contaminants.
Application of a novel straight leg raise test during high‐resolution manometry can predict esophageal contractile reserve in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Lei Wei‐Yi , Gyawali C. Prakash , Chang Wei‐Chuan , Roman Sabine , Wong Ming Wun , Yi Chih‐Hsun , Liu Tso‐Tsai , Hung Jui‐Sheng , Liang Shu‐Wei , Chen Chien‐Lin
Published: October 2020

Background/aim

Increased intra‐abdominal pressure from abdominal compression augments esophageal peristalsis during high‐resolution manometry (HRM), and straight leg raise (SLR) while supine increases intra‐abdominal pressure. We determined if water swallows performed during SLR can mimic contraction reserve seen with multiple rapid swallows (MRS).

Methods

Consecutive patients evaluated for GERD symptoms completed validated GERD questionnaires, esophageal HRM, and upper endoscopy. Distal contractile integral (DCI) was analyzed during single water swallows (10 × 5 mL), MRS (5 × 2 mL), and during SLR (5x5 mL). Peristaltic breaks were measured using software tools with a 20 mm Hg isobaric contour. Univariate correlational analyses were performed to compare esophageal motor patterns and DCI values during single water swallows, MRS, and SLR.

Results

Of 103 study patients (mean age: 46.7 ± 12.3 years, 56.3% female), 50 (48.5%) had ineffective esophageal motility (IEM). Contraction reserve was observed on MRS in 62% with IEM, and 35.8% with normal motility (p = 0.008). DCI was significantly higher during SLR compared to mean single swallow DCI in both IEM and normal motility patients (p < 0.001 for each comparison). In IEM patients, SLR significantly reduced swallows with peristaltic breaks (6.1 ± 3.7 vs 3.6 ± 3.6;p < 0.001) and shortened the length of the largest break (4.8 ± 3.4 vs 3.0 ± 3.0 cm;p < 0.001). DCI response following MRS correlated with DCI with swallows during SLR, with a correlational coefficient (Pearson'sr) of 0.70 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Swallowing against the resistance of increased intra‐abdominal pressure from SLR improves esophageal body peristaltic performance and predicts esophageal body contraction reserve.
NEOLITHIC ENGAGEMENTS WITH THE DEAD: MORTUARY PROCESSING ON BENGORM MOUNTAIN IN THE NORTH‐WEST OF IRELAND
Authors: Dowd Marion , Lynch Linda G. , Cassidy Lara , Bonsall James , Kahlert Thorsten , Reimer Paula , Svyatko Svetlana , OCarroll Ellen , Reilly Eileen , Noonan Alice , Beglane Fiona
Published: October 2020

Archaeological excavation of a natural boulder chamber on the upper slopes of Bengorm Mountain, County Mayo, in the north‐west of Ireland revealed evidence for complex Neolithic funerary rituals spanning several centuries. With virtually no subsequent evidence of animal or human disturbance, the site presents an exceptional insight into well‐preserved engagements with the dead at a remote mountain location where themes of secrecy, continuity and ritual grammar are highlighted. The chamber was used for processing individuals of all ages but there is a tentative suggestion that the space was reserved predominantly for males. Ancient genomic analysis reveals kinship between at least two adult males, both of whom were almost certainly intermediate to dark skinned, with brown eyes and dark brown or black hair. Both individuals were also lactose intolerant.
Disparities in regional productivity, capital accumulation, and efficiency across Indonesia: A club convergence approach
Authors: Mendez Carlos , Kataoka Mitsuhiko
Published: October 2020

This paper studies the evolution of regional disparities in labor productivity, capital accumulation, and efficiency across Indonesian provinces over the 1990–2010 period. Through the lens of a nonlinear dynamic factor model, we first test the hypothesis that all provinces would eventually converge to a common steady‐state path. We reject this hypothesis and find that the provincial dynamics of labor productivity are characterized by two convergence clubs. We next evaluate the dynamics of the proximate sources of labor productivity and find some mixed results. On the one hand, physical and human capital accumulation are characterized by three and two convergence clubs, respectively. On the other hand, efficiency is characterized by a unique convergence club. The paper concludes by suggesting that, based on the provincial composition of each club and the common low level of efficiency across Indonesia, considerable improvements in both capital accumulation and efficiency are still needed to reduce regional disparities and accelerate productivity growth.
Eligible blood donors’ decisions about donating stool for fecal microbiota transplantation: Does ambivalence play a role?
Authors: Hyde Melissa K. , Masser Barbara M.
Published: October 2020

Background

Blood collection agencies (BCAs) are expanding core business by inviting blood donors to donate stool for fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). However, whether blood donors also want to donate stool is unclear since, despite its benefits, stool donation is viewed by many as unpleasant. This study examined the prevalence, contributors to, and role of these mixed feelings (ambivalence) in stool donation intentions.

Study Design and Methods

This cross‐sectional study surveyed Australian residents aged 18 years or more who believed themselves eligible to donate blood and met broad criteria for prescreening as a stool donor (eg, healthy, not taking medication). Survey questions assessed attitude, norms, self‐efficacy, motives, disgust, ambivalence, and intentions to donate stool.

Results

A total of 382 eligible blood donors aged not more than 50 years (mean, 28.71 years; 48% female, 62% “healthy” body mass index) participated. Six percent indicated no ambivalence about donating stool. In regression, significant determinants of ambivalence were less awareness of FMT, lower self‐efficacy, motivated by ensuring that stool is available for loved ones, and more disgust about stool donation. Higher ambivalence contributed to decreased donation intention. Self‐efficacy and disgust differentiated participants with moderate ambivalence, a group likely responsive to intervention, from those with low or high ambivalence.

Conclusion

Ambivalence about donating stool was common among eligible blood donors. BCAs should raise awareness about stool donation and FMT before requesting donation. BCAs may increase cost savings and donor retention by giving clear guidance about donation requirements and implementing processes that build confidence. Early screening of potential donors for ambivalence and disgust will enable BCAs to provide decision support.
Human immune cell mobilization during exercise: effect of IL‐6 receptor blockade
Authors: Bay Marie Lund , Heywood Sarah , Wedell‐Neergaard Anne‐Sophie , Schauer Tim , Lehrskov Louise Lang , Christensen Regitse Højgaard , Legård Grit Elster , Jensen Peter Østrup , Krogh‐Madsen Rikke , Ellingsgaard Helga
Published: October 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does blockade of the IL‐6 receptor by tocilizumab inhibit immune cell mobilization to the blood stream in humans during an acute bout of exercise?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Blockade of IL‐6 receptor signalling by tocilizumab attenuates mobilization of NK cells and dendritic cells to the blood stream during exercise. This implies an inhibitory effect of tocilizumab on the innate immune response to physical stress, which could be considered in clinical settings.

Immune cells are recruited from their storage organs and the endothelial walls to the blood stream in response to physiological stress. This is essential for the recognition and clearing of infected, transformed or damaged cells. One of the most potent stimuli to recruit immune cells to the circulation is exercise. Accordingly, exercise has proven beneficial in disease settings, such as cancer and diabetes. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is released from contracting skeletal muscle in response to exercise, and rodent studies have established a link between exercise‐induced IL‐6 and recruitment of natural killer (NK) cells. Whether exercise‐induced IL‐6 is involved in regulating NK cell mobilization in humans is unclear. This study explored the effect of IL‐6 receptor blockade on immune cell mobilization during an acute bout of exercise in humans. In a randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical study, abdominally obese humans receiving placebo infusions or tocilizumab infusions performed an acute bout of exercise before and after the intervention. Immune cell recruitment was measured by flow cytometry. IL‐6 receptor blockade attenuated the increase of NK cells by 53% (mean difference −0.49 (95% CI: −0.89 to −0.08) × 109 cells L−1, P < 0.001) and dendritic cells by 66% (mean difference −0.14 (95% CI: −0.28 to 0.010) × 109 cells L−1, P < 0.001) induced by an acute bout of exercises. No changes were observed for T cells, monocytes and neutrophils. Treatments which interact with the exercise‐mediated immune surveillance provide relevant clinical information in pursuing the ‘exercise as medicine’ concept.
Kinesthetic Metaphors for Precise Spatial Manipulation: A Study of Object Rotation
Authors: Mohanty Ronak R. , Krishnamurthy Vinayak R.
Published: October 2020

In this article, we report on our investigation of kinesthetic feedback as a means to provide precision, accuracy, and mitigation of arm fatigue in spatial manipulation tasks. Most works on spatial manipulation discuss the use of haptics (kinesthetic/force and tactile) primarily as a means to offer physical realism in spatial user interfaces (SUIs). Our work offers a new perspective in terms of how force-feedback can promote precise manipulations in spatial interactions to aid manual labor, controllability, and precision. To demonstrate this, we develop, implement, and evaluate three new haptics-enabled interaction techniques (kinesthetic metaphors) for precise rotation of 3D objects. The quantitative and qualitative analyses of experiments reveal that the addition of force-feedback improves precision for each of the rotation techniques. Self-reported user feedback further exposes a novel aspect of kinesthetic manipulation in its ability to mitigate arm fatigue for close-range spatial manipulation tasks.
An examination of electrophysiological release from masking in young and older adults
Authors: Faucette Sarah P. , Stuart Andrew
Published: October 2020

The effect of age on release from masking (RFM) was examined using cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs). Two speech-in-noise paradigms [i.e., fixed speech with varying signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and fixed noise with varying speech levels], similar to those used in behavioral measures of RFM, were employed with competing continuous and interrupted noises. Young and older normal-hearing adults participated (N = 36). Cortical responses were evoked in the fixed speech paradigm at SNRs of −10, 0, and 10 dB. In the fixed noise paradigm, the CAEP SNR threshold was determined in both noises as the lowest SNR that yielded a measurable response. RFM was demonstrated in the fixed speech paradigm with a significant amount of missing responses, longer P1 and N1 latencies, and smaller N1 response amplitudes in continuous noise at the poorest −10 dB SNR. In the fixed noise paradigm, RFM was demonstrated with significantly lower CAEP SNR thresholds in interrupted noise. Older participants demonstrated significantly longer P2 latencies and reduced P1 and N1 amplitudes. There was no evidence of a group difference in RFM in either paradigm.
Victimization rates and traits of sexual and gender minorities in the United States: Results from the National Crime Victimization Survey, 2017
Authors: Flores Andrew R. , Langton Lynn , Meyer Ilan H. , Romero Adam P.
Published: October 2020

The primary source of crime data in the United States shows sexual and gender minorities are disproportionately victimized.
Full-color fluorescent carbon quantum dots
Authors: Wang Liang , Li Weitao , Yin Luqiao , Liu Yijian , Guo Huazhang , Lai Jiawei , Han Yu , Li Gao , Li Ming , Zhang Jianhua , Vajtai Robert , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Wu Minghong
Published: October 2020

Efficient full-color fluorescent carbon quantum dots are synthesized by acid reagent engineering for white light–emitting devices.
Direct visualization of electromagnetic wave dynamics by laser-free ultrafast electron microscopy
Authors: Fu Xuewen , Wang Erdong , Zhao Yubin , Liu Ao , Montgomery Eric , Gokhale Vikrant J. , Gorman Jason J. , Jing Chunguang , Lau June W. , Zhu Yimei
Published: October 2020

A laser-free hack for ultrafast electron microscopy reveals electromagnetic wave dynamics at picosecond time scale.
Integrative glycoproteomics reveals protein N-glycosylation aberrations and glycoproteomic network alterations in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhang Qi , Ma Cheng , Chin Lih-Shen , Li Lian
Published: October 2020

Disease-associated glycoproteome changes identified in human brain provide new insights into Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis.
Seasonal dietary changes increase the abundances of savanna herbivore species
Authors: Staver A. Carla , Hempson Gareth P.
Published: October 2020

African savanna herbivores that migrate or change diets seasonally are more populous than their specialist counterparts.
IL-22–induced cell extrusion and IL-18–induced cell death prevent and cure rotavirus infection
Authors: Zhang Zhan , Zou Jun , Shi Zhenda , Zhang Benyue , Etienne-Mesmin Lucie , Wang Yanling , Shi Xuyan , Shao Feng , Chassaing Benoit , Gewirtz Andrew T.
Published: October 2020

IL-22 drives intestinal epithelial cell extrusion and can impede rotavirus infection when combined with IL-18.
Aging T
regs
need DCAFinating
Authors: Dong Dachuan , Maltzman Jonathan S.
Published: October 2020

Loss of DCAF1 and resulting ROS leads to T
reg
aging and inflammation.
Stability of the Virome in Lab- and Field-Collected Aedes albopictus Mosquitoes across Different Developmental Stages and Possible Core Viruses in the Publicly Available Virome Data of
Aedes
Mosquitoes
Authors: Shi Chenyan , Zhao Lu , Atoni Evans , Zeng Weifeng , Hu Xiaomin , Matthijnssens Jelle , Yuan Zhiming , Xia Han
Published: October 2020

Our study revealed that the virome was very stable across all developmental stages of both lab-derived and field-collected
Aedes albopictus
. The data representing the core virome in lab
A. albopictus
proved the vertical transmission route of these viruses, forming a “vertically transmitted core virome.” Field mosquitoes also contained this stable vertically transmitted core virome as well as additional viruses, which probably represented “environment-derived core virome” and which therefore were less stable over time and geography. By further screening publicly available SRA viral metagenomic data sets from mosquitoes belonging to the genus
Aedes
, some of the identified core ISVs were shown to be present in the majority of SRAs, such as Phasi Charoen-like phasivirus and Guadeloupe mosquito virus. How these core ISVs influence the biology of the mosquito host and arbovirus infection and evolution deserves to be further explored.
The Gut Microbiome and Individual-Specific Responses to Diet
Authors: Leshem Avner , Segal Eran , Elinav Eran
Published: October 2020

Nutritional content and timing are increasingly appreciated to constitute important human variables collectively impacting all aspects of human physiology and disease. However, person-specific mechanisms driving nutritional impacts on the human host remain incompletely understood, while current dietary recommendations remain empirical and nonpersonalized. Precision nutrition aims to harness individualized bodies of data, including the human gut microbiome, in predicting person-specific physiological responses (such as glycemic responses) to food.
A clinician's guide to managing atopic dermatitis in dogs
Authors: Barnard Natalie
Published: October 2020

Background

Atopic dermatitis is a complex condition in dogs that requires lifelong management. As such, veterinarians and owners must work together to manage these difficult cases to get the best clinical outcome for the animal.

Aim of the article

This article provides a guide to the different management options available for dealing with cases of atopic dermatitis in dogs, and things to consider when deciding on the best course of action.
Soil water dynamics over 12 seasons on irrigated dry bean–potato–wheat–sugar beet rotations
Authors: Larney Francis J. , Pearson Drusilla C. , Dill Gregg H. , Schwinghamer Timothy D. , Zvomuya Francis , Blackshaw Robert E. , Lupwayi Newton Z.
Published: October 2020

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) are mainstays of irrigated crop production in southern Alberta. Concerns about soil quality and sustainability instigated a 12 yr (2000–2011) rotation study to compare conventional (CONV) with conservation (CONS) management practices (reduced tillage, narrow-row dry bean, compost addition, and cover cropping). Plant-available water (PAW) was measured using a neutron probe (10–16 count days·season−1, n = 148) on all phases of 4 yr (dry bean–potato–wheat–sugar beet) rotations under CONS and CONV management. A visual monitoring approach was used for irrigation scheduling. For dry bean and sugar beet, management allowable depletion (MAD) was exceeded on only 11%–15% of neutron probe count days over 12 yr. However, MAD was exceeded on 30% of count days for wheat and 43% for potato. Significant crop × management interactions showed that PAW was higher with CONS management most frequently on potato, followed by dry bean, wheat, and sugar beet. This order reflected the prevalence of CONS practices directly impacting each crop. Regression analyses showed that potato, wheat, and sugar beet yield increased significantly as mean growing season water table depth (WTD) increased. This was explained by yield suppression due to excessive soil wetness in seasons with high rainfall and shallow WTD. This study provided comparative soil water dynamics for four major irrigated crops in southern Alberta, over a 12 yr period, which included record high and low growing season precipitation.
Visual spectrogram scanning paired with an observation–confirmation occupancy model improves the efficiency and accuracy of bioacoustic anuran data
Authors: Cameron J. , Crosby A. , Paszkowski C. , Bayne E.
Published: October 2020

Passive acoustic monitoring using autonomous recording units has improved anuran amphibian call survey data collection. A challenge associated with this approach is the time required for audio data processing. Our objective was to develop a more efficient method of processing and analyzing acoustic data through visual spectrogram scanning and the application of an observation–confirmation occupancy model. We compared detection rates between methods of standard recording listening and visually scanning spectrogram images using different spectrogram parameters. Relative to listening, we found that 1 min spectrograms in two 30 s frames yield the best time efficiency–accuracy trade-off. A standard occupancy model applied to visual scanning data underestimated occupancy estimates relative to listening data for three species and overestimated occupancy for one species. The observation–confirmation model used a subset of listening data to improve the estimates of detection probability from visual scanning and therefore reduced bias in occupancy estimates when compared with using visual scanning data alone. Overall, the combination of the visual scanning method and the observation–confirmation model allowed us to maintain the accuracy of occupancy estimates while greatly increasing the efficiency of anuran data processing. These methods are widely applicable and can increase sample size and precision for acoustic monitoring programs using autonomous recording units.
Strong-coupling character of superconducting phase in compressed selenium hydride
Authors: Drzazga-Szczȩśniak Ewa A. , Kaczmarek Adam Z.
Published: October 2020

At present, metal hydrides are considered highly promising materials for phonon-mediated superconductors that exhibit high values of the critical temperature. In the present study, the superconducting properties of the compressed selenium hydride in its simplest form (HSe) are analyzed, toward quantitative characterization of this phase. By using the state-of-art Migdal-Eliashberg formalism, it is shown that the critical temperature in this material is relatively high ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]K) and surpasses the level of magnesium diboride superconductor, assuming that the Coulomb pseudopotential takes value of [Formula: see text]. Moreover, the employed theoretical model allows us to characterize other pivotal thermodynamic properties such as the superconducting band gap, the free energy, the specific heat, and the critical magnetic field. In what follows, it is shown that the characteristic thermodynamic ratios for the aforementioned parameters differ from the predictions of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory. As a result, we argue that strong-coupling and retardation effects play important role in the discussed superconducting state, which cannot be described within the weak-coupling regime.
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE WEYL FRACTIONAL INTEGRAL ON THE HÖLDER CONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS?
Authors: CUI X. X. , XIAO W.
Published: October 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be [Formula: see text]-Hölder continuous on [Formula: see text] and well-defined about the Weyl fractional integral. Then, [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. This estimation shows that the Box dimension of [Formula: see text] leads to some similar linear dimension decrease like the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral [Y. S. Liang and W. Y. Su, Fractal dimensions of fractional integral of continuous functions, Acta Math. Sin. 32 (2016) 1494–1508].
EQUIVALENT POWER-FORM REPRESENTATION OF THE FRACTAL TODA OSCILLATOR
Authors: ELÍAS-ZÚÑIGA ALEX , PALACIOS-PINEDA LUIS MANUEL , JIMÉNEZ-CEDEÑO ISAAC H. , MARTÍNEZ-ROMERO OSCAR , TREJO DANIEL OLVERA
Published: October 2020

This paper aims to derive the equivalent power-form representation for the Toda oscillator, which describes the intensity fluctuations of Nd:YAG lasers. A two-scale dimension transform is introduced to study the transient fractal response of Toda oscillator. Numerical simulations indicate that for increasing values of the fractal exponent [Formula: see text], the frequency of the Toda oscillator increases.
INTERNET OF THINGS EXPERT SYSTEM FOR SMART CITIES USING THE BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
Authors: AGUILERA R. CARREÑO , ORTIZ M. PATIÑO , ORTIZ J. PATIÑO , BANDA A. ACOSTA
Published: October 2020

Blockchain technology apparently is a trivial innovation, but this technology has attracted huge investors in a very short period compared to other technologies, and it is still having a lot of potential applications. Smart contracts are making possible execution in an automated and safe way by using blockchain technology. Therefore, smart contracts are applied in this research for the expert system. This paper is about an expert system working with smart contracts and neural networks as the inference machine to decide on the sensors optimal distribution and taking actions when sensor readings are out of range: control lights, activating fire alarms, temperature alarms, etc. for all spaces (parks, schools, hospitals, etc.) in a smart city based on the needs, and likes of the expert system user. This expert system works using a blockchain structure on the EOSIO ecosystem with all data gathered by the sensors being saved in cloud online making internet of things environment and essential data saved in a blockchain node.
Impact of COVID-19 on ASEAN-China Cooperation and Its Prospects
Authors: YANG Yue , LI Fujian
Published: October 2020

Against the backdrop of COVID-19 outbreak, the people-centred, mutual-assistance cultural commonality, the resilience of economic and trade relations, and the determination to adhere to multilateralism held by people in China and ASEAN countries are valuable assets for the future development of bilateral relations. While a normalised mechanism for the prevention of pandemics is being established, ASEAN-China relations urgently need to be optimised, particularly in terms of combing through what is important under such a new circumstance.
Hong Kong’s COVID-19 Politics Amid Deteriorating China-US Relations
Authors: TEO Victor
Published: October 2020

The 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome experience had readied Hong Kong well for the COVID-19 outbreak. The epidemic provided the Hong Kong government with a respite from the political protests and an opportunity to return to governing. This respite does not spell the end of Hong Kong’s political troubles. With the passage of the National Security Law, Hong Kong might be able to endear itself once more to the Mainland and position itself for greater integration and development.
Japan and Korea: A Fragile Relationship
Authors: SATOH Haruko
Published: October 2020

Japan-South Korea relations are vital to the maintenance of the liberal order in Asia, and yet they are also beset by bitter contest over past history of Japanese colonisation of the Korean Peninsula. Mutual suspicion that has deepened in recent years threatens to undermine the US hub-and-spokes system. There needs to be a shared sense of urgency between the two to improve relations for regional and global security amidst intensifying China-US rivalry.
Lithostratigraphic and structural data from Hardangervidda, southern Norway supporting extended interaction between Avalonia and Baltica
Authors: Andresen Arild
Published: October 2020

Lithostratigraphic and structural data from the Early Paleozoic Hardangervidda Group in southern Norway indicate that SW Baltica was affected several hundred kilometres NE of the inferred collision zone with Avalonia (Thor Suture). The first sign of plate interaction was the deposition of a 50–60 m-thick quartz arenite (Holberg Formation) of Floian/Dapingian age in an otherwise mud- and carbonate-dominated shelf. An overlying 5–6 m-thick marble unit of Dapingian–Darriwilian age (‘Orthoceratite Limestone’) marks a change into greenish-grey, calcareous phyllite, locally with beds of impure marble and poorly sorted metasandstone (Solnut Formation).

A series of décollement folds (D
2
structures) with axes orientated NW–SE (cross-folds) which superimposed a thin-skinned fold thrust with a NE–SW trend (D
1
structures) are interpreted as having developed during the progressive underthrusting of Baltica underneath Avalonia. Support for this model is seen in detrital zircon populations: with the Holberg and underlying formations having a Baltican signature, in contrast to the overlying Solnut Formation with a peri-Gondwana signature, including a distinct Late Neoproterozoic zircon population. It is further speculated that the
c.
471–458 Ma Garborg eclogite and surrounding paragneisses in the Stavanger area are related to the suture zone between Baltica and Avalonia rather than being related to the Iapetus Ocean and Laurentia, as generally thought.
Quantum Algorithms for Feedforward Neural Networks
Authors: Allcock Jonathan , Hsieh Chang-Yu , Kerenidis Iordanis , Zhang Shengyu
Published: October 2020

Quantum machine learning has the potential for broad industrial applications, and the development of quantum algorithms for improving the performance of neural networks is of particular interest given the central role they play in machine learning today. We present quantum algorithms for training and evaluating feedforward neural networks based on the canonical classical feedforward and backpropagation algorithms. Our algorithms rely on an efficient quantum subroutine for approximating inner products between vectors in a robust way, and on implicitly storing intermediate values in quantum random access memory for fast retrieval at later stages. The running times of our algorithms can be quadratically faster in the size of the network than their standard classical counterparts since they depend linearly on the number of neurons in the network, and not on the number of connections between neurons. Furthermore, networks trained by our quantum algorithm may have an intrinsic resilience to overfitting, as the algorithm naturally mimics the effects of classical techniques used to regularize networks. Our algorithms can also be used as the basis for new quantum-inspired classical algorithms with the same dependence on the network dimensions as their quantum counterparts but with quadratic overhead in other parameters that makes them relatively impractical.
Blood pressure changes PVAT function and transcriptome: use of the mid-thoracic aorta coarcted rat
Authors: Contreras G. Andres , Yang Yongliang , Flood Emma D , Garver Hannah , Bhattacharya Sudin , Fink Gregory D. , Watts Stephanie W.
Published: October 2020

A mid-thoracic aorta coarcted rat was created to generate a stable pressure difference above versus below the coarctation ligature. This study determined that the PVAT around the thoracic aorta exposed to a higher pressure has a significantly reduced ability to assist stress relaxation versus that below the ligature and appears to retain the ability to be anticontractile. At the same time, the PVAT around the thoracic aorta exposed to higher pressure had a reduced adipogenic potential versus that below the ligature. Transcriptomics analyses indicated that PVAT below the coarctation showed the greatest number of DEGs with an increased profile of the synaptic neurotransmitter gene network.
Congrong Shujing Granule‐Induced GRP78 Expression Reduced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Neuronal Apoptosis in the Midbrain in a Parkinson’s Disease Rat Model
Authors: Xu Qian , Yang Shasha , Wu Fangzhen , Lin Yao , Zhong Jianan , Tang Lanfang , Hu Xuefeng , Cai Jing
Published: October 2020

The main pathological changes inherent in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are degeneration and loss of dopamine neurons in the midbrain and formation of Lewy bodies. Many studies have shown that the pathogenesis of PD is closely related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) oxidative stress. This study combined various traditional Chinese medicines to prepare Congrong Shujing granules (CSGs). The optimal dose combination of the ingredients was identified by experimental intervention in SH‐SY5Y cells in vitro. A PD rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of rotenone sunflower oil emulsion. The suspension tests were performed on the 14th day after modeling and also on the 14th day after CSG intervention (5.88 g/kg, 11.76 g/kg, and 23.52 g/kg). We evaluated the changes in motor function and the expression of neuronal cell functional marker proteins, ER stress (ERS) marker proteins, and apoptosis‐related pathway proteins of neuronal cells. Changes in cellular ultrastructure were observed by electron microscopy. Our results showed that CSG treatment lengthened the duration of PD rats’ gripping to the wire. 78 kDa glucose‐regulated protein (GRP78) expression in the substantia nigra was significantly upregulated in the middle‐ and high‐dose CSG groups after 14 days of treatment compared with the model group. The expression of the key dopaminergic neuron functional enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) was elevated. The expression of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphorylated c‐Jun decreased, and cell apoptosis was significantly reduced. Compared with the model group, the treatment groups had fewer ER fragmentation and degranulation (ribosome shedding) and abundant ER and mitochondria suggesting that CSG reduced ER stress and neuronal apoptosis in the midbrain of a PD rat model by inducing the expression of molecular chaperone GRP78.
Retrospective Analysis of Adoptive TIL Therapy plus Anti-PD1 Therapy in Patients with Chemotherapy-Resistant Metastatic Osteosarcoma
Authors: Zhou Xiang , Wu Junlong , Duan Chunguang , Liu Yingjie
Published: October 2020

Background. The pathological subtype of osteosarcoma is one of the most common malignant bone tumors. Notably, chemotherapy-resistant metastatic osteosarcoma has been reported to cause significant mortality and shows poor prognosis with the currently available multidisciplinary treatments. This study investigated whether combined adoptive TIL and anti-PD1 therapy improves the prognosis of patients with chemotherapy-resistant metastatic osteosarcoma. Methods. A total of 60 patients with chemotherapy-resistant metastatic osteosarcoma between June 2016 and March 2018 were enrolled. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the safety and adverse effects (AEs) of infusions of TIL and anti-PD1 therapy in the patients. Besides, secondary endpoints included assessing the objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival time (PFS), and overall survival time (OS). Results. We reported that combined TIL therapy and anti-PD1 therapy is safe and all treatment-related AEs were reversible or manageable. The ORR of all the patients is 36.67%, and patients with more infusions of TIL and CD8+TIL, less infusions of CD8+PD1+TIL, and less infusion of CD4+FoxP3+TIL exhibited increased PFS and OS. Conclusion. This study determined that combined TIL and anti-PD1 therapy is safe and effective in metastatic osteosarcoma patients with chemotherapy resistance.
Development of High-Order Infinite Element Method for Bending Analysis of Mindlin–Reissner Plates
Authors: Liu D. S. , Chen Y. W. , Lu C. J.
Published: October 2020

An approach is presented for solving plate bending problems using a high-order infinite element method (IEM) based on Mindlin–Reissner plate theory. In the proposed approach, the computational domain is partitioned into multiple layers of geometrically similar virtual elements which use only the data of the boundary nodes. Based on the similarity, a reduction process is developed to eliminate virtual elements and overcome the problem that the conventional reduction process cannot be directly applied. Several examples of plate bending problems with complicated geometries are reported to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach and the results are compared with those obtained using ABAQUS software. Finally, the bending behavior of a rectangular plate with a central crack is analyzed to demonstrate that the stress intensity factor (SIF) obtained using the high-order PIEM converges faster and closer than low-order PIEM to the analytical solution.
Area-Level Variation and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review
Authors: Do Elizabeth K. , Rossi Brianna , Miller Carrie A. , Ksinan Albert J. , Wheeler David C. , Chukmaitov Askar , Cyrus John W. , Fuemmeler Bernard F.
Published: October 2020

Understanding how human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage varies by geography can help to identify areas of need for prevention and control efforts. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using a combination of keywords (HPV vaccination, geography, neighborhoods, and sociodemographic factors) on Medline and Embase databases. Studies had to provide information on HPV vaccination by area-level variables, be conducted in the United States, and be published in English (analyzing data from January 2006 to February 2020). Conference abstracts and opinion pieces were excluded. Of 733 records identified, 25 were included for systematic review. Across studies, the average initiation rate was 40.5% (range, 6.3%–78.0%). The average rate of completion was 23.4% (range, 1.7%–55.2%). Geographic regions and area-level factors were associated with HPV vaccination, including zip code tabulation area-level poverty, urbanicity/rurality, racial/ethnic composition, and health service region characteristics. Only three studies utilized geospatial approaches. None accounted for geospatial–temporal associations. Individual-level and area-level factors and their interactions are important for characterizing HPV vaccination. Results demonstrate the need to move beyond existing multilevel methods and toward the adoption of geospatial approaches that allow for the mapping and detection of geographic areas with low HPV vaccination coverage.