bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does color matter? Molecular and ecological divergence in four sympatric color morphs of a coral reef fish
Authors: Gaither Michelle R. , Coker Darren J. , Greaves Samuel , Sarigol Fatih , Payet Samuel D. , Chaidez Veronica , Sinclair‐Taylor Tane H. , DiBattista Joseph D. , Berumen Michael L.
Published: September 2020

Non‐sex‐linked color polymorphism is common in animals and can be maintained in populations via balancing selection or, when under diversifying selection, can promote divergence. Despite their potential importance in ecological interactions and the evolution of biodiversity, their function and the mechanisms by which these polymorphisms are maintained are still poorly understood. Here, we combine field observations with life history and molecular data to compare four sympatric color morphs of the coral reef fish Paracirrhites forsteri (family Cirrhitidae) in the central Red Sea. Our findings verify that the color morphs are not sex‐limited, inhabit the same reefs, and do not show clear signs of avoidance or aggression among them. A barcoding approach based on 1,276 bp of mitochondrial DNA could not differentiate the color morphs. However, when 36,769 SNPs were considered, we found low but significant population structure. Focusing on 1,121 FST outliers, we recovered distinct population clusters that corresponded to shifts in allele frequencies with each color morph harboring unique alleles. Genetic divergence at these outlier loci is accompanied by differences in growth and marginal variation in microhabitat preference. Together, life history and molecular analysis suggest subtle divergence between the color morphs in this population, the causes for which remain elusive.
Hare's affairs: Lessons learnt from a noninvasive genetic monitoring for tracking mountain hare individuals
Authors: Schenker Laura , Bollmann Kurt , Rehnus Maik , Brodbeck Sabine , Gugerli Felix
Published: September 2020

Systematic monitoring of individuals and their abundance over time has become an important tool to provide information for conservation. For genetic monitoring studies, noninvasive sampling has emerged as a valuable approach, particularly so for elusive or rare animals. Here, we present the 5‐year results of an ongoing noninvasive genetic monitoring of mountain hares (Lepus timidus) in a protected area in the Swiss Alps. We used nuclear microsatellites and a sex marker to identify individuals and assign species to noninvasively collected feces samples. Through including a marker for sex identification, we were able to assess sex ratio changes and sex‐specific demographic parameters over time. Male abundance in the area showed high fluctuations and apparent survival for males was lower than for females. Generally, males and females showed only little temporary migration into and out of the study area. Additionally, using genotyped tissue samples from mountain hares, European hares (Lepus europaeus) and their hybrids, we were able to provide evidence for the first occurrence of a European hare in the study area at an elevation of 2,300 m a.s.l. in spring 2016. For future monitoring studies, we suggest to include complementary analysis methods to reliably infer species identities of the individuals analyzed and, thus, not only monitor mountain hare individual abundance, but also assess the potential threats given through competitive exclusion by and hybridization with the European hare.
Requirements for the spatial storage effect are weakly evident for common species in natural annual plant assemblages
Authors: Towers Isaac R. , Bowler Catherine H. , Mayfield Margaret M. , Dwyer John M.
Published: September 2020

Coexistence in spatially varying environments is theorized to be promoted by a variety of mechanisms including the spatial storage effect. The spatial storage effect promotes coexistence when (1) species have unique vital rate responses to their spatial environment and, when abundant, (2) experience stronger competition in the environmental patches where they perform better. In a naturally occurring southwest Western Australian annual plant system, we conducted a neighbor removal experiment involving eleven focal species growing in high‐abundance populations. Specifically, we measured species’ fecundity across a variety of environmental gradients in both the presence and absence of neighbors. For the environmental variables that we measured, there was only limited evidence for species‐specific responses to the environment, with a composite variable describing overstory cover and leaf litter cover being the best predictor of fecundity for a subset of focal species. In addition, although we found strong evidence for intraspecific competition, positive environment–competition covariance was only detected for one species. Thus, positive environment–competition covariance may not be as common as expected in populations of species growing at high abundance, at least when tested in natural assemblages. Our findings highlight the inherent limitations of using natural assemblages to study spatial coexistence mechanisms, and we urge empirical ecologists to take these limitations into account when designing future experiments.
Takotsubo syndrome as a complication in a critically ill COVID‐19 patient
Authors: Bottiroli Maurizio , De Caria Daniele , Belli Oriana , Calini Angelo , Andreoni Patrizia , Siragusa Antonio , Moreo Antonella , Ammirati Enrico , Mondino Michele , Fumagalli Roberto
Published: September 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients with cardiac injury have an increased risk of mortality. It remains to be determined the mechanism of cardiac injury and the identification of specific conditions that affect the heart during COVID‐19. We present the case of a 76‐year‐old woman with COVID‐19 pneumonia that developed a takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Although the patient presented normal left ventricular ejection fraction and normal levels of troponin on admission, after 16 days in intensive care unit due to respiratory distress, she suddenly developed cardiogenic shock. Shock occurred few hours after a spontaneous breathing trial through her tracheostomy. Bed‐side echocardiographic revealed apical ballooning promptly supporting the diagnosis of TTS. She was successfully treated with deep sedation and low dosage of epinephrine. The relevance of this case is that TTS can occur in the late phase of COVID‐19. Awareness of late TTS and bed‐side echocardiographic evaluation can lead to prompt identification and treatment.
A novel design methodology for the compliance of single phase induction motors with recent industrial premium efficiency standards
Authors: Chasiotis Ioannis D. , Karnavas Yannis L.
Published: September 2020

The single‐phase induction motors (SPIMs) are widely used in several household and industrial applications and thus millions of them are produced every year. Despite the fact that their output power is low, their efficiency enhancement could lead to significant energy savings. The SPIMs are included to the new industrial efficiency standards for commercial motors. Consequently, the minimum efficiency that the SPIMs have to present is that of IE3 (premium‐efficiency). The already conducted research efforts have not provided a robust and acceptable—from economical and manufacturing point of view—design procedure toward their efficiency improvement. For this purpose, a novel design methodology is proposed here. It is proven that the required efficiency ratings are achievable with the increment of the motor's axial length, the proper design of the rotor bar slot and the careful selection of the auxiliary to main winding turns ratio along with the value of the used capacitor. Aiming to verify its effectiveness, the presented methodology has been applied to SPIMs with different output power ratings. Moreover, the derived results are compared to the corresponding ones obtained from other design strategies. The motor's nominal performance and its behavior during the start‐up phase have been determined through finite element analysis.
Recent Advances in Human Motion Excited Energy Harvesting Systems for Wearables
Authors: Cai Mingjing , Yang Zhaoshu , Cao Junyi , Liao Wei-Hsin
Published: September 2020

The development of wearable electronics and sensors is constrained by the limited capacity of their batteries. Therefore, energy harvesting from human motion is explored to provide a promising embedded sustainable power supply for wearable devices. Herein, the principles, development, and applications of human motion excited energy harvesters are reviewed. The energy harvesters are classified based on the human motions with distinguished characteristics: center of mass motion (COM), joint motion, foot strike, and limb swing motion. According to the motion characteristics, the principles, features, and limitations of different energy harvesters are discussed, and the power generation performances are compared. Finally, various self‐powered applications enabled by embedded energy harvesters are introduced, so as to show the great potential of embedded energy harvesting systems in boosting the development of the wearables.
Integrating encryption techniques for secure data storage in the cloud
Authors: Seth Bijeta , Dalal Surjeet , Jaglan Vivek , Le Dac‐Nhuong , Mohan Senthilkumar , Srivastava Gautam
Published: September 2020

Cloud computing has emerged as one of the most groundbreaking technologies to have redefined the bounds of conventional computing techniques. It has ushered in a paradigm shift and pushed the frontiers of how computing assets, inclusive of infrastructure resources, software, and applications can be used, adopted, and purchased. The economic benefits or rather the fundamental economic shift offered by cloud computing in reducing capital expenditure and converting it to operational expenditure has been a primary motivating factor for early adopters. However, despite its inherent advantages that include better access and control, there exist several reservations around cloud computing that have impeded its growth. The control, elasticity, and ease of use that cloud computing is associated with also engender many security issues. Security is considered to be the topmost hurdle out of the nine identified challenges of cloud computing as underlined by the study conducted by the International Data Corporation. It therefore follows that an exceedingly secure system is essential for the safeguarding of an organizational entity, its resources, and assets. In this article, it is our endeavor to offer insights into the implementation of a novel architecture that can deliver an enhanced degree of security for outsourcing information in a cloud computing environment while involving numerous independent cloud providers. The framework comprises of dual encryption and data fragmentation techniques that envision the secure distribution of information in a multicloud environment. The various concerns surrounding this area, specifically, the challenges of integrity, security, confidentiality, and authentication have been addressed. All simulations and scrutiny have been accomplished on an Oracle virtual machine Virtual‐Box and a Fog environment on an Ubuntu 16.04 platform. Extensive safety measures and performance analysis that take into account diverse parameters, especially execution time, integrity, throughput, entropy, transfer rate, and delay demonstrate that our projected proposal is vastly proficient and satisfies the security prerequisites of secure data sharing and can efficiently withstand security attacks.
High‐gamma oscillations precede visual steady‐state responses: A human electrocorticography study
Authors: Wittevrongel Benjamin , Khachatryan Elvira , Carrette Evelien , Boon Paul , Meurs Alfred , Van Roost Dirk , Van Hulle Marc M.
Published: September 2020

The robust steady‐state cortical activation elicited by flickering visual stimulation has been exploited by a wide range of scientific studies. As the fundamental neural response inherits the spectral properties of the gazed flickering, the paradigm has been used to chart cortical characteristics and their relation to pathologies. However, despite its widespread adoption, the underlying neural mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we show that the fundamental response is preceded by high‐gamma (55–125 Hz) oscillations which are also synchronised to the gazed frequency. Using a subdural recording of the primary and associative visual cortices of one human subject, we demonstrate that the latencies of the high‐gamma and fundamental components are highly correlated on a single‐trial basis albeit that the latter is consistently delayed by approximately 55 ms. These results corroborate previous reports that top‐down feedback projections are involved in the generation of the fundamental response, but, in addition, we show that trial‐to‐trial variability in fundamental latency is paralleled by a highly similar variability in high‐gamma latency. Pathology‐ or paradigm‐induced alterations in steady‐state responses could thus originate either from deviating visual gamma responses or from aberrations in the neural feedback mechanism. Experiments designed to tease apart the two processes are expected to provide deeper insights into the studied paradigm.
Metformin and silymarin afford protection in cyclosporine A induced hepatorenal toxicity in rat by modulating redox status and inflammation
Authors: Vangaveti Sneha , Das Prasenjit , Kumar Vijay L.
Published: September 2020

The use of cyclosporine A (CsA) as an immunosuppressive agent is often limited owing to its hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic properties. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of metformin and silymarin in a rat model of CsA induced hepatorenal toxicity. The study included seven groups of Wistar albino rats (n = 6 per group): normal control, experimental control (CsA alone, 25 mg/kg), CsA + metformin (50 and 500 mg/kg), CsA + silymarin (50 and 200 mg/kg) and CsA + vitamin E (100 mg/kg). All the drugs were given daily for a period of 21 days by oral gavage and their effect was evaluated on serum levels of organ function markers (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, bilirubin, urea/blood urea nitrogen, creatinine), markers of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, glutathione, superoxide dismutase), inflammation (nitrite, myeloperoxidase, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, prostaglandin E2), apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling positivity) in addition to tissue histology, cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) immunoreactivity. Administration of metformin and silymarin along with CsA ameliorated functional damage to liver and kidneys in a dose‐dependent manner. Significant and comparable improvement in the tissue levels of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptotic markers was also observed following treatment with both the test drugs. Normalization of histology scores, as well as COX‐2 and iNOS immunoreactivity scores, further strengthened these findings. The hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of metformin and silymarin were comparable and matched with that of reference drug, vitamin E. The findings of the present study suggest that both metformin and silymarin have a potential for clinical use in patients receiving long‐term CsA treatment to maintain their liver and kidney functions.
A latent profile analysis of borderline personality features and externalizing problems in youth
Authors: Babinski Dara E. , McQuade Julia D. , Waschbusch Daniel A.
Published: September 2020

Objective

This study investigated the co‐occurrence of borderline personality disorder (BPD), attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) features in elementary‐aged youth.

Method

Latent profile analysis characterized subgroups of youth based on the presence of BPD, ADHD, and ODD features, and subgroups were compared on academic, social, and emotional impairment.

Results

Seven subgroups were identified, including subgroups with slight, subclinical, clinical, and severe levels of co‐occurring BPD, ADHD, and ODD features, and a subgroup of youth with no elevations in these symptom domains. Subgroups of youth with only clinical elevations in ADHD and only clinical levels in BPD features were also identified. Groups differed on level and type of impairment.

Conclusion

Youth with ADHD and ODD represent a high‐risk group likely to also show early prodromal clinical elevations in BPD. Future work is needed to examine the longitudinal outcomes of these subgroups to inform prevention and treatment.
The net benefit of thrombolysis in the management of intermediate risk pulmonary embolism: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Alcedo Pedro E. , García‐Perdomo Herney Andrés , Rojas‐Hernandez Cristhiam M.
Published: September 2020

Background

Benefit of thrombolytic therapy in patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is evident. However, evidence supporting benefit in clinical outcomes of this approach in intermediate risk PE is lacking.

Objective

To determine the impact of thrombolysis on overall survival in intermediate risk PE patients.

Methods

We searched in MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, LILACS, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from present day. We also searched in other databases and unpublished literature. We included clinical trials without language restrictions. The risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes were adverse events, including major bleeding, and all‐cause mortality. The measure of the effect was the risk ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

We included 11 studies in the qualitative and quantitative analysis, with a total of 1855 patients. Risk of bias was variable among the study items. There were no results reported about overall survival in any of the studies. The risk ratio (RR) for all‐cause mortality was 0.68 95% CI (0.40 to 1.16). The RR of overall bleeding, major bleeding and stroke were 2.72 95% CI (1.58 to 4.69), 2.17 95% CI (1.03 to 4.55), and 2.22 95% CI (0.17 to 28.73), respectively. Additionally, the RR for recurrent PE was 0.56 95% CI (0.23 to 1.37).

Conclusions

In patients with intermediate risk PE, the risk of bleeding is higher when thrombolysis is used. There was no significant difference between thrombolysis and anticoagulation in recurrence of PE, stroke, and all‐cause mortality.
Impact of MnSOD and GPx1 Genotype at Different Levels of Enteral Nutrition Exposure on Oxidative Stress and Mortality: A Post hoc Analysis From the FeDOx Trial
Authors: McKeever Liam , Peterson Sarah J. , Lateef Omar , Freels Sally , Diamond Alan M. , Braunschweig Carol A.
Published: September 2020

Background

Converting nutrition support to energy results in mitochondrial free radical production, possibly increasing oxidative stress. Highly prevalent single nucleotide variants (SNV) exist for the genes encoding antioxidant enzymes responsible for the detoxification of reactive oxygen species. Our objective was to explore the interaction between nutrition support and genetic SNV’s for two anti‐oxidant proteins (rs4880 SNV for manganese superoxide dismutase and rs1050450 SNV for glutathione peroxidase 1) on oxidative stress and secondarily on intensive care unit (ICU) mortality.

Methods

We performed a post‐hoc analysis on 34 mechanically ventilated sepsis patients from a randomized control feeding trial. Participants were dichotomized into those who carried both the rs4880 and the rs1050450 at‐risk alleles (Risk Group) versus all others (Nonrisk Group). We explored the interaction between genotype and percent time spent in the upper median of energy exposure on oxidative stress and ICU mortality.

Results

Adjusting for confounders, the slope of log F2‐isoprostane levels across percentage of days spent in the upper median of daily kilocalories per kilogram (kcal/kg) was 0.01 higher in the Risk Group compared to the Non‐Risk Group (p=0.01). Every 1 percent increase in days spent in the upper median of daily kcal/kg was associated with an adjusted 10.3 percent increased odds of ICU mortality amongst participants in the Risk Group (odds ratio [OR]=1.103, p=0.06) but was highly insignificant in the Nonrisk group (OR=0.991, P=0.79).

Conclusion

Nutrition support may lead to increased oxidative stress and worse clinical outcomes in a large percent of ICU patients with an at‐risk genotype.
Dual‐agent fluorescent labeling of soft‐tissue sarcomas improves the contrast based upon targeting both interstitial and cellular components of the tumor milieu
Authors: Sardar Hira S. , Zai Qais , Xu Xiaochun , Gunn Jason R. , Pogue Brian W. , Paulsen Keith D. , Henderson Eric R. , Samkoe Kimberley S.
Published: September 2020

Background

Current practices for fluorescence‐guided cancer surgery utilize a single fluorescent agent, but homogeneous distribution throughout the tumor is difficult to achieve. We hypothesize that administering a perfusion and a molecular‐targeted agent at their optimal administration‐to‐imaging time will improve whole‐tumor contrast.

Experimental Design

Mice bearing subcutaneous xenograft human synovial sarcomas were administered indocyanine green (ICG) (3 mg/kg) or ABY‐029 (48.7 μg/kg)—an epidermal growth factor receptor‐targeted Affibody molecule—alone or in combination. Fluorescence contrast and signal distribution were compared between treatment groups. Two commercial fluorescence imaging systems were tested for simultaneous imaging of ICG and ABY‐029.

Results

ABY‐029 has a moderate positive correlation with viable tumor (ρ = 0.2 ± 0.4), while ICG demonstrated a strong negative correlation (ρ = −0.6 ± 0.1). The contrast‐to‐variance ratio was highest in the ABY‐029 +ICG (2.5 ± 0.8), compared to animals that received ABY‐029 (2.3 ± 0.8) or ICG (2.0 ± 0.5) alone. Moreover, the combination of ABY‐029 + ICG minimizes the correlation between viable tumor and fluorescence intensity (ρ = −0.1 ± 0.2) indicating the fluorescence signal distribution is more homogeneous throughout the tumor milieu.

Conclusion

Dual‐agent imaging utilizing a single channel in a commercial fluorescence‐guided imaging system tailored for IRDye 800CW is a promising method to increase tumor contrast in a clinical setting.
Large CO2 release and tidal flushing in salt marsh crab burrows reduce the potential for blue carbon sequestration
Authors: Xiao Kai , Wilson Alicia M. , Li Hailong , Santos Isaac R. , Tamborski Joseph , Smith Erik , Lang Susan Q. , Zheng Chunmiao , Luo Xin , Lu Meiqing , Correa Rogger E.
Published: September 2020

Abundant crab burrows in carbon‐rich, muddy salt marsh soils act as preferential water flow conduits, potentially enhancing carbon transport across the soil–water interface. With increasing recognition of blue carbon systems (salt marshes, mangroves, and seagrass) as hotspots of soil carbon sequestration, it is important to understand drivers of soil carbon cycling and fluxes. We conducted field observations and flow modeling to assess how crab burrows drive carbon exchange over time scales of minutes to weeks in an intertidal marsh in South Carolina. Results showed that continuous advective porewater exchange between the crab burrows and the surrounding soil matrix occurs because of tidally driven hydraulic gradients. The concentrations of dissolved inorganic (DIC) and organic (DOC) carbon in crab burrow porewater differ with that in the surrounding soil matrix, implying a diffusive C flux in the low‐permeability marsh soil. Gas‐phase concentrations of CO2 in ∼ 300 crab burrows were approximately six times greater than ambient air. The estimated total C export rate via porewater exchange (1.0 ± 0.7 g C m−2 d−1) was much greater than via passive diffusion transport (6.7 ± 2 mg C m−2 d−1) and gas‐phase CO2 release (0.93 mg C m−2 d−1). The burrow‐related carbon export was comparable to the regional salt marsh DIC export, groundwater‐derived DIC export, and the net primary production previously estimated using ecosystem‐scale approaches. These insights reveal how crab burrows modify blue carbon sequestration in salt marshes and contribute to coastal carbon budgets.
Tracking Cortical Changes Throughout Cognitive Decline in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Filippi Massimo , Canu Elisa , Donzuso Giulia , Stojkovic Tanja , Basaia Silvia , Stankovic Iva , Tomic Aleksandra , Markovic Vladana , Petrovic Igor , Stefanova Elka , Kostic Vladimir S. , Agosta Federica
Published: September 2020

Background

The objectives of this study were to investigate progressive cortical thinning and volume loss in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with different longitudinal patterns of cognitive decline: with stable normal cognition, with stable mild cognitive impairment, with conversion to mild cognitive impairment, and with conversion to dementia.

Methods

We recruited 112 patients (37 Parkinson's disease with stable normal cognition, 20 Parkinson's disease with stable mild cognitive impairment, 36 Parkinson's disease with conversion to mild cognitive impairment, 19 Parkinson's disease with conversion to dementia) and 38 healthy controls. All patients underwent at least 2 visits within 4 years including clinical/cognitive assessments and structural MRI (total visits, 393). Baseline cortical thickness and gray matter volumetry were compared between groups. In PD, gray matter changes over time were investigated and compared between groups.

Results

At baseline, compared with Parkinson's disease with stable normal cognition cases, Parkinson's disease with conversion to mild cognitive impairment patients showed cortical atrophy of the parietal and occipital lobes, similar to Parkinson's disease with stable mild cognitive impairment and Parkinson's disease with conversion to dementia patients. The latter groups (ie, patients with cognitive impairment from the study entry) showed additional involvement of the frontotemporal cortices. No baseline volumetric differences among groups were detected. The longitudinal analysis (group‐by‐time interaction) showed that, versus the other patient groups, Parkinson's disease with stable mild cognitive impairment and Parkinson's disease with conversion to dementia cases accumulated the least cortical damage, with Parkinson's disease with conversion to dementia showing unique progression of right thalamic and hippocampal volume loss; Parkinson's disease with conversion to mild cognitive impairment patients showing specific cortical thinning accumulation in the medial and superior frontal gyri, inferior temporal, precuneus, posterior cingulum, and supramarginal gyri bilaterally; and Parkinson's disease with stable normal cognition patients showing cortical thinning progression, mainly in the occipital and parietal regions bilaterally.

Conclusions

Cortical thinning progression is more prominent in the initial stages of PD cognitive decline. The involvement of frontotemporoparietal regions, the hippocampus, and the thalamus is associated with conversion to a more severe stage of cognitive impairment. In PD, gray matter alterations of critical brain regions may be an MRI signature for the identification of patients at risk of developing dementia. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Cystoscopy with antibiotic irrigation during pelvic reconstruction and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery: A double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Slopnick Emily A. , Welles Henderson J. , Chapman Graham , Sheyn David D. , El‐Nashar Sherif A. , Petrikovets Andrey , Pollard Robert , Mangel Jeffrey M.
Published: September 2020

Aims

After pelvic reconstructive surgery, the risk of postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI) is significant; intraoperative cystoscopy may contribute to this risk. Intravesical antibiotics are used in the ambulatory setting and may be applied to the surgical arena. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic irrigation during intraoperative cystoscopy to prevent postoperative UTI.

Methods

This double‐blind randomized controlled trial enrolled 216 women undergoing cystoscopy with elective surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, stress urinary incontinence, or laparoscopic gynecologic surgery at an academic medical center 2016–2019. Participants were randomized to cystoscopic irrigation fluid type: normal saline (control) or 200,000 U polymyxin B + 40 mg neomycin solution in normal saline (antibiotic). Patients and providers who treated UTIs were blinded. The primary outcome was treatment of UTI within 6 weeks postoperatively, defined as positive culture or treatment for a symptomatic UTI. χ2 and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

We enrolled 216 women: 111 control (51.4%) and 105 antibiotic (48.6%). Mean age was 51.6 years. Groups were well matched in medical comorbidities and surgery type. Primary vaginal surgery was most common (n = 127, 58.8%). Overall, 10.7% of patients developed a postoperative UTI with no difference in incidence between groups: 9.9% of control (n = 11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.0%–16.0%) versus 11.4% of antibiotic subjects (n = 12, 95% CI: 5.0%–18.0%), on χ2 (p = .718) and logistic regression analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; CI: 0.53–3.16; p = .569).

Conclusion

When cystoscopy is performed during elective pelvic surgery, use of antibiotic irrigation does not impact the rate of postoperative UTI.
Assessing knowledge and skills gap for construction 4.0 in a developing economy
Authors: Adepoju Omoseni Oyindamola , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis
Published: September 2020

Most developing economies are plagued by a low supply of skilled human capital, which is a known driver of economic growth and development. The introduction of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) concept to the construction industry referred to as Construction 4.0 has introduced new technologies that require an increase in knowledge and skills requirement for workers. This comes with a host of challenges for developing countries. To this end, the current study focuses on Nigeria, which is the largest economy in Africa and a fast developing country. The study therefore seeks to explore the knowledge and skills gap among professionals within the Nigerian construction industry. This was achieved via a structured survey research design to elicit information from professionals in the construction industry. A convenience sampling technique was used to select 136 respondents. Data collected from the questionnaire were analysed using mean score, Pearson chi‐square and t test of SPSS V23. The findings revealed a moderate knowledge level of Construction 4.0 technologies and a low level of training among professionals. Also, the result shows a high skills gap in human machine communication, data analytics and cyber security. The study recommends the promotion of human capital development to enhance the implementation of Construction 4.0. This can be achieved via a review and redesign of existing curricula in educational institutions and commitment on the part of management and professional bodies to training and re‐skilling of the workforce.
Aluminum phosphate modified brucite and its flame retardant and smoke suppression performance on ethylene‐vinyl acetate resin
Authors: Peng Hui , Zhao Wei , Wang Yiliang
Published: September 2020

A novel halogen‐free flame retardant (FR) consisting of brucite, aluminum phosphate (AlP), and silane coupling agent (B/AlP/A) was prepared via co‐precipitation assembly technique. The morphology, chemical compositions, size distribution, and thermal stability of B/AlP/A were investigated. When used in ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) resin, the B/AlP/A could significantly enhance the flame retardant and smoke suppression performance of the EVA composites, which is mainly attributed to the AIP. With 50 wt% FR loading, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) of EVA‐B/AlP/A (299.2 kW · m−2) is much lower than that of EVA‐B/A (387.4 kW · m−2). Moreover, B/AlP/A shows an excellent smoke suppression performance. For example, the smoke production rate is 0.017 m2 · g−1 that has been decreased by 72.1%, compared with B/A. The improvement arises from the amorphous AlP layer on brucite, which helps to create a firm and porous protective char layers on the burning EVA composites. Meanwhile, better mechanical property could be simultaneously obtained with the large FR amount. The fluffy surface of B/AlP/A has good compatibility with EVA and tangle more polymer chains, enhancing the mechanical properties. In a word, this simple and convenient method could pave the way for developing a more efficient and cost‐effective brucite‐based FR.
Attempts to optimize postinduction treatment in childhood acute myeloid leukemia without core‐binding factors: A report from the Japanese Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group (JPLSG)
Authors: Hasegawa Daiichiro , Tawa Akio , Tomizawa Daisuke , Watanabe Tomoyuki , Saito Akiko Moriya , Kudo Kazuko , Taga Takashi , Iwamoto Shotaro , Shimada Akira , Terui Kiminori , Moritake Hiroshi , Kinoshita Akitoshi , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Nakayama Hideki , Koh Katsuyoshi , Goto Hiroaki , Kosaka Yoshiyuki , Miyachi Hayato , Horibe Keizo , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , Adachi Souichi
Published: September 2020

We previously reported that risk‐stratified therapy and intensive postremission chemotherapy (PRC) contributed to the improved survival of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the AML99 study, which led us to consider a reduction in the number of PRC courses with more restrictive indications for stem cell transplantation (SCT) in the successor AML‐05 study. We here report the outcome of AML patients without core‐binding factor mutation (non‐CBF AML) in the AML‐05 study. Two‐hundred eighty‐nine children (age < 18 years old) with non‐CBF AML were eligible. Patients with unfavorable cytogenetics and/or poor bone marrow response to the first induction course were candidates for SCT in the AML‐05 study. After two courses of induction, a further three courses of PRC were given in AML‐05, while four courses were given in the AML99 study. The 3‐year event‐free survival (EFS) rate in the AML‐05 study (46.7%, 95% CI: 40.6‐52.6%) was comparable to that of non‐CBF AML in the AML99 study (51.5%, 95% CI: 42.7‐59.6%) (P = .16). However, the 3‐year overall survival (OS) rate in the AML‐05 study (62.9%, 95% CI: 56.3‐68.8%) was slightly lower than that in the AML99 study (71.6%, 95% CI: 63.2‐78.5%) (P = .060), mainly due to decreased remission induction rate and increased nonrelapsed mortality. In conclusion, reductions in the number of PRC courses from four to three, together with repetitive cycles of high‐dose cytarabine, were acceptable for non‐CBF childhood AML.
Synthesis of a novel Zn‐MOF/PVA nanofibrous composite as bioorganic material: Design, systematic study and an efficient arsenic removal
Authors: Shahryari Taher , Vahidipour Fateme , Chauhan Narendra Pal Singh , Sargazi Ghasem
Published: September 2020

Metal organic framework (Zn‐MOF)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous composite new material has been fabricated using electrospinning and is characterized by a variety of physicochemical analyses, including Fourier transmitting infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption surface, and thermo gravimetric‐derivative of thermogravimetry. In this study, the effects of a systematic study including a fractional factorial design were studied for arsenic removal. The results showed that although conventional methods have a high level of arsenic removal, the fractional factor method results in a relatively high level of absorption of arsenic. This high level of arsenic removal allows the potential use of nano adsorbents in various environmental fields. The systematic study developed in this study can be used as a novel protocol to eradicate pollution from different areas, including water, air, and soil.
Poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel microparticles fabricated with silver nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, and catalytic applications
Authors: Ajmal Muhammad , Anwar Saad , Naeem Hina , Zia Muhammad Abid , Siddiq Muhammad
Published: September 2020

This work narrates the synthesis of poly (acrylic acid) hydrogel microparticles (PAAHMPs), fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) inside the structure of the prepared PAAHMPs and catalytic applications of PAAHMPs fabricated with AgNPs (PAAHMPs/AgNPs). The PAAHMPs were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization technique while fabrication of AgNPs was carried out by chemical reduction method using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as reducing agent. The identification of functional groups in bare PAAHMPs and in the PAAHMPs/AgNPs composite system was carried out by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The size and morphology of the prepared hydrogel and its composite was studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. X‐ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analyzer was also used to characterize the bare PAAHMPs and PAAHMPs/AgNPs composite. The prepared PAAHMPs/AgNPs composite was used as catalyst for the reduction of nitro aromatic pollutants and an industrial dye, that is, 4‐Nitrophenol (4‐NP), 2‐Nitrophenol (2‐NP) and methyl orange. No loss in catalytic activity was noted in seven consecutive cycles of recycling process while only 37.5% loss in catalytic activity was observed upon storing the catalyst for 90 days.
Spatial and stratigraphic variation of near‐surface ground ice in discontinuous permafrost of the taiga shield
Authors: Paul Jason R. , Kokelj Steven V. , Baltzer Jennifer L.
Published: September 2020

The acceleration of permafrost thaw due to warming, wetting, and disturbance is altering circumpolar landscapes. The effect of thaw is largely determined by ground ice content in near‐surface permafrost, making the characterization and prediction of ground ice content critical. Here we evaluate the spatial and stratigraphic variation of near‐surface ground ice characteristics in the dominant forest types in the North Slave region near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Physical variation in the permafrost was assessed through cryostructure, soil properties, and volumetric ice content, and relationships between these parameters were determined. Near‐surface ground ice characteristics were contrasted between forest types. In black spruce forests the top of the permafrost was ice‐rich and characterized by lenticular and ataxitic cryostructures, indicating the presence of an intermediate layer. Most white spruce/birch forests showed similar patterns; however, an increase in the active layer thickness and permafrost thaw at some sites have eradicated the transition zone, and the large ice lenses encountered at depth reflect segregated ground ice developed during initial downward aggradation of permafrost. Our findings indicate that white spruce/birch terrain will be less sensitive than black spruce forests to near‐surface permafrost thaw. However, if permafrost thaws completely, white spruce/birch terrain will probably be transformed into wetland–thaw lake complexes due to high ground ice content at depth.
Parametric Lyapunov equation based event‐triggered and self‐triggered control of input constrained linear systems
Authors: Zhang Kai , Zhou Bin , Jiang Huaiyuan
Published: September 2020

This article studies semiglobal stabilization of input constrained linear systems based on the static and dynamic event‐triggered control (ETC) and self‐triggered control (STC). First, a static ETC based on the parametric Lyapunov equation (PLE) is designed. Then the corresponding dynamic ETC is also proposed. The main advantage of the proposed static and dynamic ETC algorithms is that the minimum interexecution time (MIET) as a decreasing function of the parameter in the PLE is given, which allows us to find easily a trade‐off between the interexecution times (IETs) and the control performance. The fact that the MIET of the dynamic ETC is never less than that of the static ETC is also guaranteed. Next, in order to avoid continuous monitoring of the states, both static and dynamic STC are designed. The influence of the parameters on IETs of the static and dynamic STC is analyzed in detail. The nonoccurrence of the Zeno phenomenon is proved in all the control algorithms. Finally, the proposed algorithms are applied to the design of spacecraft rendezvous. Numerical simulations on the original nonlinear model of the spacecraft rendezvous control system show the control system effectiveness of the algorithms.
What Constitutes a Science of Reading Instruction?
Authors: Shanahan Timothy
Published: September 2020

Recently, the term science of reading has been used in public debate to promote policies and instructional practices based on research on the basic cognitive mechanisms of reading, the neural processes involved in reading, computational models of learning to read, and the like. According to those views, such data provide convincing evidence that explicit decoding instruction (e.g., phonological awareness, phonics) should be beneficial to reading success. Nevertheless, there has been pushback against such policies, the use of the term science of reading by “phonics‐centric people”, and their lack of instructional knowledge and experience. In this article, although the author supports pedagogical decision making on the basis of a confluence of evidence from a variety of sources, he cautions against instructional overgeneralizations based on various kinds of basic research without an adequate consideration of instructional experiments. The author provides several examples of the premature translation of basic research findings into wide‐scale pedagogical application.
Removal of Mercury Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Crosslinked Chitosan‐based Adsorbents: A Mini Review
Authors: Zhang Dan , Crini Grégorio , Lichtfouse Eric , Rhimi Baker , Wang Chuanyi
Published: September 2020

Abatement of mercury emissions in air and waters has become a global challenge due to the toxicity of mercury species for life, yet actual remediation techniques are limited. In particular, adsorption of mercury ions onto solids is widely used but most adsorption techniques are not specific, and in turn, removal efficiency is lower. Adsorbents developed so far include activated carbon, clay, bentonite, cellulose and chitosan. Chitosan derivatives have recently attracted research attention for water purification because their molecular frames contain a large amount of −NH2 and −OH groups that can chelate with metal ions specifically. This manuscript reviews recent advances in chitosan‐based adsorbents designed to remove mercury ions from wastewater. Focus is placed on their design, synthesis, characterization, adsorption properties, adsorption mechanisms and applications.
Stability of Poiseuille flow in an anisotropic porous layer with oblique principal axes: More accurate solution
Authors: Shankar B.M. , Shivakumara I.S.
Published: September 2020

The stability of fluid flow in an anisotropic porous medium of Brinkman type is investigated. Anisotropy in the permeability is considered such that its longitudinal principal axis is oriented arbitrarily with the horizontal, while transversely it is isotropic. A fourth‐order eigenvalue problem obtained by performing a linear stability analysis is solved numerically using the Chebyshev collocation and the compound matrix methods. The critical Reynolds number and the critical wave number are computed for different values of porous parameter, orientation angle of the principal axis and the mechanical anisotropy parameter. The porous and the mechanical anisotropy parameters disclose contrasting contributions to the stability of fluid flow. The orientation angle instills either stabilizing or destabilizing effects on the fluid flow depending on the value of anisotropy parameter. Besides, the streamlines of the perturbation modes are presented for various values of orientation angle and anisotropy parameter. For the Darcy case, a simple analytical method is employed and established that the flow is stable for all infinitesimal perturbations.
Integrated Water Resource Management: Principles and Applications
Authors: Meran Georg , Siehlow Markus , von Hirschhausen Christian
Published: September 2020

The concept of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) was established, back in the 1930s, to address “optimal” water management, mainly from a technical perspective, but also taking into account social goals, such as the fulfillment of basic needs and the total welfare of the population. The chapter provides a comprehensive overview of issues related to IWRM. After a discussion of the various economic dimensions of water, we establish a basic model to analyze the value of water under different social welfare objective functions, including the human right to water. The technical-economic model also addresses questions of eco-hydrology, water recycling, groundwater management, and water quality management. The chapter also addresses water allocation along rivers and water transfers between watersheds. The chapter includes exercises and suggestions for further reading.
The EmojiGrid as a Rating Tool for the Affective Appraisal of Touch
Authors: Toet Alexander , van Erp Jan B. F.
Published: September 2020

We evaluated the convergent validity of the new language-independent EmojiGrid rating tool for the affective appraisal of perceived touch events. The EmojiGrid is a rectangular response grid, labeled with facial icons (emoji) that express different degrees of valence and arousal. We previously showed that participants can intuitively and reliably report their affective appraisal of different sensory stimuli (e.g., images, sounds, smells) by clicking on the EmojiGrid, without additional verbal instructions. However, because touch events can be bidirectional and are a dynamic expression of action, we cannot generalize previous results to the touch domain. In this study, participants (N = 65) used the EmojiGrid to report their own emotions when looking at video clips showing different touch events. The video clips were part of a validated database that provided corresponding normative ratings (obtained with a 9-point SAM scale) for each clip. The affective ratings for inter-human touch obtained with the EmojiGrid show excellent agreement with the data provided in the literature (intraclass correlations of .99 for valence and .79 for arousal). For object touch events, these values are .81 and .18, respectively. This may indicate that the EmojiGrid is more sensitive to perspective (sender versus receiver) than classic tools. Also, the relation between valence and arousal shows the classic U-shape at the group level. Thus, the EmojiGrid appears to be a valid graphical self-report instrument for the affective appraisal of perceived touch events, especially for inter-human touch.
Haptic Feedback in a Teleoperated Box & Blocks Task
Authors: Kuling Irene A. , Gijsbertse Kaj , Krom Bouke N. , van Teeffelen Kees J. , van Erp Jan B. F.
Published: September 2020

Haptic feedback is a desired feature in teleoperation as it can improve dexterous manipulation. Direct force feedback to the operator’s hand and fingers requires complex hardware and therefore substituting force by for instance vibration is a relevant topic. In this experiment, we tested performance on a Box & Blocks task in a teleoperation set-up with no feedback, direct force feedback and substituted vibration feedback. Objective performance was the same in all conditions as was the learning effect over three sessions, but participants had a clear preference for haptic feedback over no haptic feedback. The preferred type of feedback (force or vibration or both) varied over participants. In general, this study showed that haptic feedback is preferred in teleoperation, the Box & Blocks task seems not sensitive enough for our (and most) current teleoperation set-up(s), and vibration feedback as substitute for direct force feedback works well and can be used intuitively.