bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis and forecasting strategies of attacks on game resources for distributed cybersecurity training games
Authors: Safonov K V , Zolotarev V V , Derben A M
Published: May 2020

Game tasks are vulnerable to methods of obtaining benefits based on the results of attacks on game resources. In such conditions, it is critical to determine, monitor and evaluate the possibility of such attacks. It is also advisable to select methods to prevent them in advance, constructing the gaming environment accordingly.

The paper describes various types of attacks on the gaming environment, its vulnerable components. Some possibilities for building gaming environment were shown. To improve the architecture of the gaming environment, identify possible channels of key information leakage, game theory methods were chosen. The analysis was performed and the possibility of predicting the attack on game resources for a certain type of gaming environment was shown.

For a distributed multiplayer security awareness game based on a real case, the estimates for the selected types of attacks are shown, the attacker’s selection criteria for the attack are calculated, and countermeasures are proposed. The article presents the results of two computational experiments with minor differences in the network infrastructure and the stored amount of game key information.

The results of the modelling of the main types of threats completely coincided with the obtained empirical data. The results shown can be used to evaluate various types of information security strategies in case of limited resources. The application of the approach is possible in various gamified media, including additional restrictions.
Symmetries and conservation laws in the theory of plasticity
Authors: Senashov S I , Gomonova O V , Savostyanova I L , Cherepanova O N
Published: May 2020

This article is a review of the main results that were obtained by the authors while studying equations of plasticity using symmetries and conservation laws from the year 1975 to the present day.
Improving the process of anodic abrasive polishing of small-section channels
Authors: Trifanov V I , Sutyagin A V , Sukhanova O A , Strekaleva T V , Trifanov I V
Published: May 2020

The article studies the issues of increasing the quality of the surface and structure of a current-carrying skin layer in the small-section waveguide channels. We offer a promising technique of anodic abrasive polishing, which allows to remove anodic films from a machinable surface, activate and polish microroughnesses. We have developed the flow-chart of anodic abrasive polishing of small-section channels and undertaken a study. The process of anodic abrasive polishing can ensure the high quality of soft materials without impregnation of a machinable surface, as well as the high quality of hard materials with fine finish to Ra 0,04 micrometers keeping the original accuracy and structure of a current-carrying skin layer. We have presented a model and some recommendations how to perform anodic abrasive polishing.
Evaluation of the porous structure in polymer tooth implants and its effect of the transport processes
Authors: Pen V R , Chijov Y V , Levchenko S I , Pen O V , Mascadynov L E
Published: May 2020

the study focuses on the dynamics of the leaching of the low-molecular fragments from the volume of the polymer composition used in tooth implants. The saturation curves exhibit two characteristic time periods, leading to an assumption that the various transport mechanisms caused by the topology of the microporous structure might be the reason.
Ecological issues of space industry
Authors: Piskorskaya S Yu
Published: May 2020

The article deals with the negative impact on the ecological situation in the areas of rocket and space activities. It turns out that the fallen modules of carrier rockets and the remaining fuel in them (heptyl) which enters the environment by toxic dispersing in the atmosphere and gets in contact on the ground having a negative effect on the environment. The article presents a comparison of functioning spaceports, especially the advantages and disadvantages of the Baikonur and the Vostochny cosmodromes. As a proposal, a system of permanent monitoring is considered, which allows identifying the parameters of the environment in an open approach to reduce social stress in the areas of activity of the rocket and space industry.
Demand for satellite reconfigurability
Authors: Andreev A S , Leonova A V , Popov A M
Published: May 2020

This article analyzes several approaches to in-orbit satellite reconfiguration: rapid launch, reconfigurable satellite constellations, modular satellites and software defined radio. A number of significant projects are studied under each category. Software defined satellites is selected as the most promising technology.
Using the Raspberry Pi single-board computer for solving problems in MATLAB when developing an underwater vehicle
Authors: Volkov D A , Kuznetsov A A , Sayapin A V
Published: May 2020

This article represents description of the developed concept of an underwater remotely controlled vehicle (URCV). Explains the steps required to establish a connection between the MATLAB computational environment and the Raspberry Pi single-board computer. The ways of using the Raspberry Pi hardware in MATLAB are considered. Using the Raspberry Pi hardware resources allows you to establish a connection between the computer environment and the outside world.
A GIS for the Yenisei: an overview of maritime industrial archaeology on the Yenisei River and prospects for its development
Authors: Goncharov A E
Published: May 2020

In 2018, Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology launched the Geographic Information System Yenisei – Arctic Project with the objective of creating a digital cartographic system of the Yenisei River and its basin. Among the primary tasks is visualizing the riverbed using side-scan sonar and locating and cataloging submerged man-made objects, including those with certain historical value. In this report, the author addresses some issues relevant to maritime archaeology on the Yenisei River in connection with the project.
An assessment of the condition of the Igarskaia Protoka on the Yenisei in 2018: side-scan sonar imagery interpretations and bathymetry
Authors: Goncharov A E
Published: May 2020

For almost eighty years, the town of Igarka on the Yenisei River had been an important timber industry center and seaport on the Northern Sea Route. Since the early 2000s, however, the town and its economy fell into decline resulting in the termination of timber export and, consequently, maritime navigation. In September 2018, a team of researchers from Reshetnev Siberian State University of Science and Technology, headed by the author of this paper conducted a side-scan survey of the Igarskaia Protoka, which had been the port’s harbor, in order to access the current state of its aquatic environment. This paper describes some preliminary results of this investigation, which is the first study of the underwater environment of this particular body of water.
An underwater research drone for the Yenisei
Authors: Derben A M , Kuznetsov A A
Published: May 2020

The study of the rivers and lakes of Eastern Siberia has its own peculiarities. Fast currents, small depths, silt, algae, and the abundance of small non-ferrous artifacts on the riverbed are all factors, which make such investigations complicated. In this report, the authors discuss a software and hardware complex for a proposed remotely operated underwater vehicle, which is specially developed for operating in the rivers of northern Siberia.
Synthesis, DFT calculation, DNA-binding, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and molecular docking studies on new complexes VO(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) of pyridine Schiff base ligand
Authors: AlZamil Noura O
Published: May 2020

A new H2L ligand (6, 6′-(pyridine-2, 6-diylbis(azan-1-yl-1-ylidene))bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)bis(2-ethoxyphenol) was obtained from the reaction of 2, 6- diamino pyridine and 3- ethoxy salicyaldehyde in 1:2 molar ratio and fully characterized using elemental analyses and spectroscopic tools. The reaction of a ligand with the different metal salts yields five new complexes CuL, CoL, NiL, FeL, and VOL. The new complexes were identified according to the results of elemental analyses, IR and UV–vis spectra, magnetic moment, molar conductance and thermal analyses (TGA). From the conductivity data, it is deduced that all complexes are non-electrolytes. FT-IR spectra displayed that the Schiff base ligand coordinated to the metal ions in a manner with ONNO donor sites, the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring, the nitrogen of one azomethine group and two oxygen atoms of the two phenolic OH groups. The results of electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility confirmed octahedral geometry of FeL complex and square pyramidal geometry for CoL, CuL and VOL and square planar for NiL. The electronic structure of H2L ligand and its complexes were investigated theoretically at the DFT-B3LYP-311 G** level of the theory. FT-IR spectra established the involvement of pyridine nitrogen in the coordination process. The presence of coordinated water molecules inside the coordination sphere of the complexes CoL, CuL and FeL are supported by TGA studies. The antimicrobial activities of the ligand and its complexes were determined against two Gram-positive bacteria (B. subtitles and S. aureus) and two Gram-negative (E. coli and P. vulgaris) and two fungus (Candida albicans and Aspergilla’s fumigates). The results showed that the complexes behaved as better antimicrobial agents than the ligand, VOL complex shows exceptional antimicrobial efficacy. The order of increasing the antibacterial and antifungal potency is H2L < NiL < CuL < CoL < FeL < VOL. The binding of the complexes with CT-DNA was followed using electronic absorption, viscosity and gel-electrophoresis measurements. These studies confirmed that the complexes bind to CT-DNA through a groove binding mode with certain affinities (Kb = 6.25 × 105, 5.50 × 105, 3.20 × 105, 2.50 × 105 and 1.52 × 105 for CuL, FeL, VOL, NiL, and CoL respectively). Moreover, cytotoxic effect against hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HEP-G2) was screened. The IC50 values of the ligand and complexes suggest that the compounds possess very good cytotoxic activity and follow the order: CuL >FeL>VOL>NiL>CoL > H2L. These results strongly agree with results of binding constant of CT-DNA with different metal complexes.
CARLA, the career launch hub to promote careers in photonics
Authors: Sanmartí-Vila Lydia , Tognetti Silvia , Beduini Federica , Carrasco Silvia
Published: May 2020

Europe faces a situation in which the photonics industry is growing and needs more well-prepared
professionals to support its growth and innovation potential. Addressing this
pressing need requires engaging all photonics stakeholders to increase the visibility of the
outstanding professional opportunities of photonics and provide the future workforce with
tools to increase their employability.

CARLA, a new European funded project, aims to create a novel, rigorous and tested
instrument to address this need at the source. It will develop a model for European photonics
career camp −a reproducible 2-day intense, multi-format event− that 1) obtains coordinated
input from all stakeholders, 2) encourages STEM university students, PhD students and
young postdocs to pursue a career in photonics and 3) can be replicated by other
organisations. CARLA will create a robust, competitive and sustainable career camp that will
be tested on 11 occasions during the 2020–21 period, solidifying a ready-to-replicate camp
model. It will incorporate the dimensions of industry, academia, innovation, entrepreneurship,
and employability, putting special attention on empowering diversity, both within the camps
and in the future photonics workforce.

Sustainability of the model will be ensured through the creation of a virtual careers in
photonics hub that will support the photonics community at large during and beyond
CARLA, and develop a comprehensive handbook to facilitate camp replication. With the
promotion of diversity serving as one of the cornerstones in the design and implementation of
CARLA, the project will furthermore translate lessons learned in the camps into an
“Empowering Diversity in Photonics” guide applicable to future camps and the photonics
community in general.
Facile fabrication of nanocomposites by modified carbon black loading with magnetite nanoparticles for fast removal of cadmium ions
Authors: Xiao Wangchuan , Li Meiyong , Su Zhizhong , Zhao Yan
Published: May 2020

Magnetic nanomaterials have unique advantages in heavy metal ions absorption because of their large specific surface area and easy magnetic manipulation. Carbon nanotube or graphene loaded with magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) have been utilized to fabricate absorbents with both high absorption capacity and fast magnetic capture. Herein, cheap commercial carbon black was used as a substitute for expensive carbon nanotube or graphene to fabricate nanocomposites (CB-MNP) by modified carbon black loaded with superparamagnetic MNPs. The fabrication process is accomplished by two steps. Carbon blacks (CB) were modified by nitric acid to produce a large number of carboxyl groups on the surface and make stable aqueous dispersion. Subsequently, CB-MNPs with high water stability and fast magnetic response were facilely prepared by iron precursors (the ratio of ferrous to ferric is 1:2) added into the above CB dispersion and tuned pH = 10, finally added polyacrylic acid solution under sonication. Modified CB and CB-MNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic laser scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis and so on. Water stability and magnetic response can be controlled by changing the proportion of CB and iron precursor. As a proof-of-concept, CB-MNPs were used for absorption removal of cadmium ions. Excellent performance was demonstrated with the removal efficiency of 71.41% and removal capacity of 39.99 mg · g−1 at the initial concentration of Cd2+ as 5 × 10−5 mol · l−1. The effects of initial concentration of Cd2+, pH value and interfering anion ions were also investigated and the results indicate the potential application of CB-MNP in fast removal of heavy metal ions.
Superior and tunable gas sensing properties of Janus PtSSe monolayer
Authors: Wu Qingyun , Cao Liemao , Ang Yee Sin , Ang Lay Kee
Published: May 2020

Inspired by superior gas sensing properties of PtSe2 monolayer and tunable gas sensing properties of Janus MoSSe monolayer, we study the gas sensing properties of the Janus PtSSe monolayer for CO, CO2, H2O, NH3, NO and NO2 gas molecules using first-principles density functional calculations. We calculate adsorption height and adsorption energies of the gas molecules to assess the adsorption strength of the gas molecules. Then the charge transfer from PtSSe to gas molecules is evaluated. We also investigate the effects of strain and external electric field on the gas sensing properties of Janus PtSSe monolayer. We finally reveal the origin of the superior gas sensing properties from projected density of states analysis. Our results suggest that the Janus PtSSe monolayer is a promising gas sensor with superior and tunable sensing properties.
Acute Bidirectional Relations Between Affect, Physical Feeling States, and Activity-Related Behaviors Among Older Adults: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study
Authors: Hevel Derek J , Dunton Genevieve F , Maher Jaclyn P
Published: May 2020

Background

The majority of older adults are physically inactive; therefore, strategies are needed to effectively promote sustained engagement in physical activity.

Purpose

This study was designed to investigate acute bidirectional relationships between affective and physical feeling states and activity-related behaviors among older adults in the context of everyday life using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA).

Methods

Older adults (n = 103, Mage = 72, Range: 60–98) participated in a 10-day study where they completed up to 6 smartphone-based EMA prompts/day. At each EMA prompt, participants reported their current positive and negative affect and physical feeling states. Participants wore an activPAL accelerometer to measure time spent standing and time spent stepping before and after the prompt. Separate multilevel random coefficient linear and logistic regression models examined these bidirectional relationships.

Results

On occasions when older adults engaged in more standing and more stepping than was typical for them in the 15 and 30 min prior to the EMA prompt, they tended to report greater feelings of energy at the prompt. On occasions when older adults reported greater feelings of energy than was typical for them, they engaged in more standing and more stepping in the 15 and 30 min following the EMA prompt. Positive and negative affect was unrelated to activity-related behaviors.

Conclusions

Feelings of energy appear to be strongly linked to activity-related behaviors in older adults; however, this was not the case for positive or negative affect. These findings may have implications for optimal delivery of just-in-time intervention context based on affective states or current behaviors.
Establishing clinical pharmacist telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Segal Eve M , Alwan Laura , Pitney Caroline , Taketa Cathy , Indorf Amy , Held Lauren , Lee Kathyrn S , Son Matthew , Chi Mary , Diamantides Erica , Gosser Rena
Published: May 2020

Purpose

After community transmission of the novel virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was detected in the State of Washington in February 2020, innovative measures, such as telehealth appointments, were needed to safely continue to provide optimal pharmaceutical care for patients with chronic conditions and cancer.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, federal regulations limited the scope of telehealth pharmacist services. However, enactment of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, followed by guidance by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services, allowed currently credentialed providers (including pharmacists) to continue to provide patient care services via telehealth with fewer restrictions. Our health system has numerous credentialed pharmacists across multiple ambulatory care clinics. In this article, we highlight our process of expediting the implementation of telehealth services. This process included obtaining authorization for the credentialed pharmacists to provide telehealth services, completion of training modules, implementation of new technology platforms, development of new workflows, and utilization of resources for providers and patients to facilitate successful completion of telehealth visits. We also highlight the consent and documentation components crucially important to the telehealth visit and share some of our successes, as well as identified limitations, in providing pharmacist services via telehealth.

Conclusion

In the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, our institution was able to swiftly implement clinical pharmacist telehealth services for many patients, offering a safe and effective way to continue providing a high level of care. This article discusses our experience with and potential limitations of telehealth to assist other pharmacists seeking to implement and/or expand their telehealth services.
DeepCDA: deep cross-domain compound–protein affinity prediction through LSTM and convolutional neural networks
Authors: Abbasi Karim , Razzaghi Parvin , Poso Antti , Amanlou Massoud , Ghasemi Jahan B , Masoudi-Nejad Ali
Published: May 2020

Motivation

An essential part of drug discovery is the accurate prediction of the binding affinity of new compound–protein pairs. Most of the standard computational methods assume that compounds or proteins of the test data are observed during the training phase. However, in real-world situations, the test and training data are sampled from different domains with different distributions. To cope with this challenge, we propose a deep learning-based approach that consists of three steps. In the first step, the training encoder network learns a novel representation of compounds and proteins. To this end, we combine convolutional layers and long-short-term memory layers so that the occurrence patterns of local substructures through a protein and a compound sequence are learned. Also, to encode the interaction strength of the protein and compound substructures, we propose a two-sided attention mechanism. In the second phase, to deal with the different distributions of the training and test domains, a feature encoder network is learned for the test domain by utilizing an adversarial domain adaptation approach. In the third phase, the learned test encoder network is applied to new compound–protein pairs to predict their binding affinity.

Results

To evaluate the proposed approach, we applied it to KIBA, Davis and BindingDB datasets. The results show that the proposed method learns a more reliable model for the test domain in more challenging situations.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/LBBSoft/DeepCDA.
Prognostic Value of C-Reactive Protein in Patients With Coronavirus 2019
Authors: Luo Xiaomin , Zhou Wei , Yan Xiaojie , Guo Tangxi , Wang Benchao , Xia Hongxia , Ye Lu , Xiong Jun , Jiang Zongping , Liu Yu , Zhang Bicheng , Yang Weize
Published: May 2020

Background

An elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level was observed in most patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods

Data for COVID-19 patients with clinical outcome in a designated hospital in Wuhan, China, were retrospectively collected and analyzed from 30 January 2020 to 20 February 2020. The prognostic value of admission CRP was evaluated in patients with COVID-19.

Results

Of 298 patients enrolled, 84 died and 214 recovered. Most nonsurvivors were male, older, or with chronic diseases. Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors showed significantly elevated white blood cell and neutrophil counts, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune inflammation index (defined by platelet count multiplied by NLR), CRP, procalcitonin, and D-dimer and showed decreased red blood cell, lymphocyte, and platelet counts. Age, neutrophil count, platelet count, and CRP were identified as independent predictors of adverse outcome. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of CRP (0.896) was significantly higher than that of age (0.833), neutrophil count (0.820), and platelet count (0.678) in outcome prediction (all P < .05). With a cutoff value of 41.4, CRP exhibited sensitivity of 90.5%, specificity of 77.6%, positive predictive value of 61.3%, and negative predictive value of 95.4%. CRP was also an independent discriminator of severe/critical illness on admission with an AUC (0.783) comparable to age (0.828) and neutrophil count (0.729) (both P > .05).

Conclusions

In patients with COVID-19, admission CRP correlated with disease severity and tended to be a good predictor of adverse outcome.
One Confirmed and 2 Suspected Cases of Heartland Virus Disease
Authors: Decker Michael D , Morton Colleen T , Moncayo Abelardo C
Published: May 2020

Heartland virus is a tickborne phlebovirus first identified in Missouri in 2009; 11 human cases have been reported in the literature. Reported hallmarks of infection have included fever, malaise, anorexia, gastrointestinal complaints, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and aminotransferase elevations. We report 1 confirmed and 2 suspected cases and discuss implications for case-finding.
Highlights of the 12th InternationalBordetellaSymposium
Authors: Locht Camille , Carbonetti Nicholas H , Cherry James D , Damron F Heath , Edwards Kathryn M , Fernandez Rachel , Harvill Eric T , Hozbor Daniela , Mills Kingston H G , Rodriguez Maria Eugenia , Mascart Françoise
Published: May 2020

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Nobel prize being awarded to Jules Bordet, the discoverer of Bordetella pertussis, the 12th International Bordetella Symposium was held from 9 to 12 April 2019 at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, where Jules Bordet studied and was Professor of Microbiology. The symposium attracted more than 300 Bordetella experts from 34 countries. They discussed the latest epidemiologic data and clinical aspects of pertussis, Bordetella biology and pathogenesis, immunology and vaccine development, and genomics and evolution. Advanced technological and methodological tools provided novel insights into the genomic diversity of Bordetella and a better understanding of pertussis disease and vaccine performance. New molecular approaches revealed previously unrecognized complexity of virulence gene regulation. Innovative insights into the immune responses to infection by Bordetella resulted in the development of new vaccine candidates. Such discoveries will aid in the design of more effective approaches to control pertussis and other Bordetella-related diseases.
National trends in healthcare outcomes and utilization of endoscopic and surgical interventions in patients hospitalized with esophageal foreign body and food impaction
Authors: Parikh Malav P , Garg Rajat , Gupta Niyati , Sarvepalli Shashank , Singhal Akhil , Lopez Rocio , Thota Prashanthi N , Sanaka Madhusudhan R
Published: May 2020

The incidence and number of emergency room visits for esophageal foreign body and food impaction (EFB) are on the rise. However, its impact on the rate of inpatient admissions, utilization of endoscopic and surgical interventions, and healthcare outcomes is poorly understood. We conducted a study to analyze these outcomes using the national inpatient sample (NIS) database. Data on all adult patients (≥18 years) admitted with EFB was extracted from the NIS database from 1998 to 2013. The temporal trends in discharge rates as well as in length of stay (LOS), hospital charges, and in-hospital mortality rates were assessed by linear and polynomial regression. Average age, gender, and race of inpatients with EFB were not significantly different between 1998 and 2013. The rate of EFB admissions increased significantly from 1998 to 2005 followed by a decline thereafter (p = 0.01). LOS and hospital charges significantly increased by 0.02 days/year (p = 0.015) and $1,547/year (p < 0.001), respectively. There was a trend towards less utilization of overall esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) over the last decade with significant lower use of EGD within 24 hours in 2013 as compared to 1998 (p = 0.026). The rates of surgical intervention and inpatient mortality did not change significantly over the study period. The rate of inpatient admissions for EFB is on the decline in recent years, suggesting the modern-day practice of cost-effective medicine. Hospitalization costs for EFB have increased, whereas rates of surgical intervention and inpatient mortality have not changed significantly over the study period.
Transdiaphragmatic herniation after transthoracic esophagectomy: an underestimated problem
Authors: Fuchs Hans F , Knepper Laura , Müller Dolores T , Bartella Isabel , Bruns Christiane J , Leers Jessica M , Schröder Wolfgang
Published: May 2020

Diaphragmatic transposition of intestinal organs is a major complication after esophagectomy and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aims of to analyze a large series of patients with this condition in a single high-volume center for esophageal surgery and to suggest a novel treatment algorithm. Patients who received surgery for postesophagectomy diaphragmatic herniation between October 2003 and December 2017 were included. Retrospective analysis of demographic, clinical and surgical data was performed. Outcomes of measure were initial clinical presentation, postoperative complications, in-hospital mortality and herniation recurrence. A total of 39 patients who had surgery for postesophagectomy diaphragmatic herniation were identified. Diaphragmatic herniation occurred after a median time of 259 days following esophagectomy with the highest prevalence between 1 and 12 months. A total of 84.6% of the patients had neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy prior to esophagectomy. The predominantly effected organ was the transverse colon (87.2%) prolapsing into the left hemithorax (81.6%). A total of 20 patients required emergency surgery. Surgery always consisted of reposition of the intestinal organs and closure of the hiatal orifice; a laparoscopic approach was used in 25.6%. Major complications (Dindo–Clavien ≥ IIIb) were observed in 35.9%, hospital mortality rate was 7.7%. Three patients developed recurrent diaphragmatic herniation during follow-up. Postesophagectomy diaphragmatic herniation is a functional complication of the late postoperative course and predominantly occurs in patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma having chemoradiation before Ivor–Lewis esophagectomy. Due to a high rate of emergency surgery with life-threatening complications not a ‘wait-and-see’ strategy but early surgical repair may be indicated.
Subtypes of Late-Life Depression: A Data-Driven Approach on Cognitive Domains and Physical Frailty
Authors: Lugtenburg Astrid , Zuidersma Marij , Wardenaar Klaas J , Aprahamian Ivan , Rhebergen Didi , Schoevers Robert A , Oude Voshaar Richard C
Published: May 2020

Background

With increasing age, symptoms of depression may increasingly overlap with age-related physical frailty and cognitive decline. We aim to identify late-life-related subtypes of depression based on measures of depressive symptom dimensions, cognitive performance, and physical frailty.

Methods

A clinical cohort study of 375 depressed older patients with a DSM-IV depressive disorder (acronym NESDO). A latent profile analysis was applied on the three subscales of the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, as well as performance in five cognitive domains and two proxies for physical frailty. For each class, we investigated remission, dropout, and mortality at 2-year follow-up as well as change over time of depressive symptom severity, cognitive performance, and physical frailty.

Results

A latent profile analysis model with five classes best described the data, yielding two subgroups suffering from pure depression (“mild” and “severe” depression, 55% of all patients) and three subgroups characterized by a specific profile of cognitive and physical frailty features, labeled as “amnestic depression,” “frail-depressed, physically dominated,” and “frail-depressed, cognitively dominated.” The prospective analyses showed that patients in the subgroup of “mild depression” and “amnestic depression” had the highest remission rates, whereas patients in both frail-depressed subgroups had the highest mortality rates.

Conclusions

Late-life depression can be subtyped by specific combinations of age-related clinical features, which seems to have prospective relevance. Subtyping according to the cognitive profile and physical frailty may be relevant for studies examining underlying disease processes as well as to stratify treatment studies on the effectiveness of antidepressants, psychotherapy, and augmentation with geriatric rehabilitation.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Subjective Age and the Association With Cognition, Subjective Well-Being, and Depression
Authors: Alonso Debreczeni Felicia , Bailey Phoebe E
Published: May 2020

Objectives

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to quantify the degree to which subjective age is associated with cognition, subjective well-being, and depression.

Method

A systematic search was performed in three electronic social scientific databases, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science in May 2018. A manual forward and backward citation search of articles meeting the criteria for inclusion, including a mean participant age of 40+ years, was conducted in November 2019. Twenty-four independent data sets were included in the meta-analysis.

Results

Overall, a younger subjective age was related to enhanced subjective well-being and cognitive performance, and reduced depressive symptoms (r = .18). This association was stronger among collectivist (r = .24) than individualist (r = .16) cultures. Mean chronological age across samples (ranging from 55 to 83 years), type of subjective age scoring, and gender did not influence the strength of the overall association. Further analysis revealed that subjective age was individually associated with depressive symptoms (r = .20), subjective well-being (r = .17), and cognition (r = .14), and none had a stronger association with subjective age than the other.

Discussion

The results indicate a small yet significant association between subjective age and important developmental outcomes.
Effect of wet/dry, fresh liquid, fermented whole diet liquid, and fermented cereal liquid feeding on feed microbial quality and growth in grow-finisher pigs
Authors: O’ Meara Fiona M , Gardiner Gillian E , O’ Doherty John V , Clarke David , Cummins Wayne , Lawlor Peadar G
Published: May 2020

Fermented liquid feeding has proved beneficial for weaner pigs; however, there is limited research on its effect on the growth and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of grow-finisher pigs. Microbial decarboxylation of amino acids is associated with whole diet fermentation, while wet/dry and liquid feeding reportedly improve growth compared with dry feeding. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of wet/dry feeding and fresh, fermented whole diet, and fermented cereal liquid feeding on pig growth, feed efficiency, and carcass quality in grow-finisher pigs. Pigs were allocated to one of four dietary treatments in two experiments: 1) Single-space wet/dry feeders (WET/DRY), 2) Fresh liquid feeding (FRESH), 3) Fermented cereal liquid feeding where the cereal fraction (38% barley, 40% wheat) of the diet was fermented prior to feeding (FERM-CER), and 4) Fermented whole diet liquid feeding where the whole diet was fermented prior to feeding (FERM-WH). In exp. 1, pigs were fed the experimental diets for 68 d prior to slaughter (29.8 kg ± 0.92 SE to 102.3 kg ± 0.76 SE). Overall, average daily gain (ADG) was 1,094, 1,088, 1,110, and 955 g/d (SE = 13.0; P < 0.001) and FCE was 2.26, 2.37, 2.40, and 2.88 (SE = 0.031; P < 0.001) for treatments one through four, respectively. Pigs fed FERM-WH were lighter at slaughter than pigs fed the other three treatments (P < 0.001). In exp. 2, pigs were on treatment for 26 d prior to slaughter (85.3 kg ± 1.69 SE to 117.5 kg ± 0.72 SE). Overall, ADG in exp. 2 was 1,103, 1,217, 1,284, and 1,140 g/d (SE = 27.9; P < 0.01) and FCE was 2.78, 2.99, 2.95, and 3.09 g/g (SE = 0.071; P = 0.05), for treatments one through four, respectively. There were no significant differences observed between treatments for apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, gross energy, or ash. Higher lactic acid bacteria counts and lower Enterobacteriaceae counts and pH were observed in FERM-CER and FERM-WH compared with WET/DRY and FRESH. Ethanol concentrations were almost 4-fold higher in FERM-CER troughs than FRESH troughs and 5-fold higher in FERM-WH than FRESH troughs. To conclude, FERM-WH resulted in poorer growth and FCE compared with WET/DRY, FRESH, and FERM-CER, probably due to amino acid degradation and a loss in gross energy found in FERM-WH.
Review of Mites Found on Various Animal Hosts and at Different Localities in Malaysia
Authors: Azmiera N , Mariana A , Pimsler M L , Heo C C
Published: May 2020

Mite biodiversity and distribution in Malaysia is currently understudied. Most previous works on Malaysian Acari have focused on pest organisms of medical, veterinary, and agricultural concern, with a few recent studies centered on mites in forensic contexts. Previous literatures have targeted collection sites in forest reserves and/or mountains in either Peninsular or Malaysian Borneo, though the state of Sarawak had the least publications related to mite species descriptions despite having the highest number of nature parks of any state in the country. Most publications focused on the three states Selangor, Pahang and Sabah. Most of the mite species reported were from mammals (66.3%), with fewer species from birds (21.7%), arthropods (11.2%), and reptiles (0.8%). We believe that further work on the systematic documentation of mite species throughout Malaysia is necessary as it could generate useful tools, such as the use of mites as biogeographical markers or as forensic indicators. Therefore, this review catalogs mite species that have been documented in or on animal hosts in Malaysia and serves as a foundation for future work.
Standardization of a Culture Medium for Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae) for Entomotoxicological Studies
Authors: Castillo-Alanis Luz Alejandra , González-Hernández Ana Edith , Quijano-Mateos Alejandra , Pedraza-Lara Carlos Salvador , Villavicencio-Queijeiro Alexa , Bravo-Gómez María Elena
Published: May 2020

One of the problems faced by entomotoxicological studies is the large variability of experimental set-ups and the absence of harmonized protocols to compare the data and results obtained by different research groups. Among the wide range of influencing factors on the development and growth of insects, food substrates are remarkably relevant. This article proposes a standardized growth medium to be employed in future entomotoxicological studies on the scuttle fly Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866), (Diptera: Phoridae). This species plays an important role in forensic cases related to the decomposition of human remains found indoors and/or in concealed environments, because of their small size and ability to enter these locations at an earlier time than many other insects. Because of these traits, it can be used for the estimation of the minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). We achieved the formulation of a medium that overcomes two traditional disadvantages of culture media used to raise necrophagous Diptera, the unknown media composition and different growth rates from those reared in tissue. The proposed medium is a known composition formulation, free of xenobiotics, in which M. scalaris shows growth rates and development times similar to those obtained when it is reared in tissue. This new diet might be used in future studies to test the effect of substances of forensic interest (prescription or illicit drugs, poisons, etc.) on the larval development time, helping to adjust the estimation of mPMI based on the presence of such substances. Additionally, the formulation revealed some interesting data about nutritional requirements of this species.
Carbon-loud SDSS BOSS type II quasars at z > 2: high-density gas or secondary production of carbon?
Authors: Silva M , Humphrey A , Lagos P , Morais S G
Published: May 2020

We study the ultraviolet (UV) emission-line ratios of a sample of 145 type II quasars (QSO2s) from Sloan Digital Sky Survey iii Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey, and compare against a grid of active galactic nucleus (AGN) photoionization models with a range in gas density, gas chemical abundances, and ionization parameter. Most of the quasars are ‘carbon-loud’, with C  iv/He ii ratios that are unusually high for the narrow-line region, implying higher than expected gas density (>106 cm−3) and/or significantly supersolar-relative carbon abundance. We also find that solar or supersolar nitrogen abundance and metallicity are required in the majority of our sample, with potentially significant variation between objects. Compared to radio galaxies at similar redshifts (HzRGs; z > 2), the QSO2s are offset to higher N  v/He ii, C  iv/He ii, and C iii]/He ii, suggesting systematically higher gas density and/or systematically higher C and N abundances. We find no evidence for a systematic difference in the N/C abundance ratio between the two types of objects. Scatter in the N  iv]/C  iv ratio implies a significant scatter in the N/C abundance ratio among the QSO2s and HzRGs, consistent with differences in the chemical enrichment histories between objects. Interestingly, we find that adopting secondary behaviour for both N and C alleviates the long-standing ‘N  iv] problem’. A subset of the QSO2s and HzRGs also appear to be ‘silicon-loud’, with Si iii] relative fluxes suggesting Si/C and Si/O are an order of magnitude above their solar values. Finally, we propose new UV-line criteria to select genuine QSO2s with low-density narrow-line regions.
The MOSDEF-LRIS Survey: The Interplay Between Massive Stars and Ionized Gas in High-Redshift Star-Forming Galaxies1
Authors: Topping Michael W , Shapley Alice E , Reddy Naveen A , Sanders Ryan L , Coil Alison L , Kriek Mariska , Mobasher Bahram , Siana Brian
Published: May 2020

We present a joint analysis of rest-UV and rest-optical spectra obtained using Keck/LRIS and Keck/MOSFIRE for a sample of 62 star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 2.3. We divide our sample into two bins based on their location in the [OIII]5007/Hβ vs. [NII]6584/Hα BPT diagram, and perform the first differential study of the rest-UV properties of massive ionizing stars as a function of rest-optical emission-line ratios. Fitting BPASS stellar population synthesis models, including nebular continuum emission, to our rest-UV composite spectra, we find that high-redshift galaxies offset towards higher [OIII]λ5007/Hβ and [NII]λ6584/Hα have younger ages ($\log (\textrm {~Age/yr})=7.20^{+0.57}_{-0.20}$) and lower stellar metallicities ($Z_*=0.0010^{+0.0011}_{-0.0003}$) resulting in a harder ionizing spectrum, compared to the galaxies in our sample that lie on the local BPT star-forming sequence ($\log (\textrm {Age/yr})=8.57^{+0.88}_{-0.84}$, $Z_*=0.0019^{+0.0006}_{-0.0006}$). Additionally, we find that the offset galaxies have an ionization parameter of $\log (U)=-3.04^{+0.06}_{-0.11}$ and nebular metallicity of ($12+\log (\textrm {~O/H})=8.40^{+0.06}_{-0.07}$), and the non-offset galaxies have an ionization parameter of $\log (U)=-3.11^{+0.08}_{-0.08}$ and nebular metallicity of $12+\log (\textrm {~O/H})=8.30^{+0.05}_{-0.06}$. The stellar and nebular metallicities derived for our sample imply that the galaxies offset from the local BPT relation are more α-enhanced ($7.28^{+2.52}_{-2.82}\textrm {~O/Fe}_{\odot }$) compared to those consistent with the local sequence ($3.04^{+0.95}_{-0.54}\textrm {~O/Fe}_{\odot }$). However, even galaxies that are entirely consistent with the local nebular excitation sequence appear to be α-enhanced – in contrast with typical local systems. Such differences must be considered when estimating gas-phase oxygen abundances at high redshift based on strong emission-line ratios. Specifically, a similarity in the location of high-redshift and local galaxies in the BPT diagram may not be indicative of a similarity in their physical properties.
Resonant damping and instability of propagating kink waves in flowing and twisted magnetic flux tubes
Authors: Bahari K , Petrukhin N S , Ruderman M S
Published: May 2020

We study the propagation and stability of kink waves in a twisted magnetic tube with the flow. The flow velocity is assumed to be parallel to the magnetic field, and the magnetic field lines are straight outside the tube. The density is constant inside and outside of the tube, and it monotonically decreases from its value inside the tube to that outside in the transitional or boundary layer. The flow speed and magnetic twist monotonically decrease in the transitional layer from their values inside the tube to zero outside. Using the thin tube and thin boundary layer (TTTB) approximation, we derived the dispersion equation determining the dependence of the wave frequency and decrement/increment on the wavenumber. When the kink wave frequency coincides with the local Alfvén frequency at a resonant surface inside the transitional layer, the kink wave is subjected to either resonant damping or resonant instability. We study the properties of kink waves in a particular unperturbed state where there is no flow and magnetic twist in the transitional layer. It is shown that in a tube with flow, the kink waves can propagate without damping for particular values of the flow speed. Kink waves propagating in the flow direction either damp or propagate without damping. Waves propagating in the opposite direction can either propagate without damping, or damp, or become unstable. The theoretical results are applied to the problem of excitation of kink waves in spicules and filaments in the solar atmosphere.
miRNet 2.0: network-based visual analytics for miRNA functional analysis and systems biology
Authors: Chang Le , Zhou Guangyan , Soufan Othman , Xia Jianguo
Published: May 2020

miRNet is an easy-to-use, web-based platform designed to help elucidate microRNA (miRNA) functions by integrating users' data with existing knowledge via network-based visual analytics. Since its first release in 2016, miRNet has been accessed by >20 000 researchers worldwide, with ∼100 users on a daily basis. While version 1.0 was focused primarily on miRNA-target gene interactions, it has become clear that in order to obtain a global view of miRNA functions, it is necessary to bring other important players into the context during analysis. Driven by this concept, in miRNet version 2.0, we have (i) added support for transcription factors (TFs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect miRNAs, miRNA-binding sites or target genes, whilst also greatly increased (>5-fold) the underlying knowledgebases of miRNAs, ncRNAs and disease associations; (ii) implemented new functions to allow creation and visual exploration of multipartite networks, with enhanced support for in situ functional analysis and (iii) revamped the web interface, optimized the workflow, and introduced microservices and web application programming interface (API) to sustain high-performance, real-time data analysis. The underlying R package is also released in tandem with version 2.0 to allow more flexible data analysis for R programmers. The miRNet 2.0 website is freely available at https://www.mirnet.ca.
A report of two challenging cases of bone infection: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. How to manage?
Authors: Elghoul Naoufal , Benchakroun Mohammed , Zaddoug Omar , Bennis Azzelarab , Zine Ali , Tanane Mansour , Jaafar Abdeloihab
Published: May 2020

The incidence of bone tuberculosis is less than 5% of all tuberculosis cases. Furthermore, multifocal bone tuberculosis is uncommon, which rarely occurs without primary foci. It is difficult to diagnose, particularly if it is localized in both humeral heads. On the other hand, the isolated iliac bone tuberculosis is exceptional; it constitutes, also, a challenging diagnosis, which requires a high index of clinical suspicion and advanced investigations. Herein, we first report a case of multifocal tuberculosis of both humeral heads with no primary foci, and we secondarily report a case of isolated iliac bone tuberculosis. At last, however, the histological exam and polymerase chain reaction for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are not always positives; they are mandatory as tests to ascertain the diagnosis.
Testicular vasculitis: a diagnostic conundrum
Authors: Malpas Alice M , Ball Richard Y , Mukhtyar Chetan , MacKay James W , Omer Mohammed
Published: May 2020

Vasculitis is rare in the context of testicular lesions but, when found, can be classified as a single organ vasculitis or part of a multi-organ inflammatory process. In the context of a patient with a pre-existing autoimmune disorder, this finding might cause diagnostic confusion and preferentially bias a physician towards attributing the condition to the known diagnosis or its treatment. This diagnostic bias can interfere with patient care and lead to over caution, resulting in a worse outcome for the patient involved. We describe such a patient with rheumatoid arthritis on biologic therapy.