bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problems of environmental and economic sustainability assessments of specially protected natural areas
Authors: Fokina N A , Yachmenev E F , Ivanova V A
Published: October 2020

We discuss the key factors affecting the environmental and economic sustainability of specially protected natural areas (SPNA). Those are: regulatory and legislative; managerial; economic; environmental; and scientific and educational factors. We carried out an analysis of the factors to establish the main prerequisites and problems of assessing the environmental and economic sustainability of protected areas. We established that the factors can have both positive and negative effects on the development of protected areas. The negative influence of the factors can result in various threats to environmental and economic sustainability. A system of indicators for assessing the environmental and economic sustainability of protected areas has been proposed, consisting of two blocks: economic and environmental. The economic component of sustainability is characterized by the following indicators: the importance of environmental services, cost-effectiveness of recreational services, and the level of recreational development of protected areas. The environmental component is characterized by the following indicators: the level of compliance with the norms of the recreational load, the level of compliance with the rules and norms of hunting (fishing), the level of threat of anthropogenic impact, and the level of negative impact of natural factors. Criteria for evaluating the relevant indicators have been proposed.
Predicting Forest Land Cover Changesin Ba Be National Park of Vietnam
Authors: Kovyazin V F , Yu Romanchikov A , Thi Lan Anh Dang , Viet Hung Dang , Hung Vu Van
Published: October 2020

The study is conducted in Ba Be National Park which is the specially protected natural area (SPNA) of Vietnam. The paper analyzes changes and makes prediction of forest land cover in National Park. For these purposes satellite images (Landsat-5 and Landsat-8) acquired for the year of 1992, 2003 and 2019 were used. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to identify vegetation quality. Forest land cover was classified by 5 categories using maximum likelihood classifier algorithm. In order to detect and evaluate forest land cover change, supervised classification and image differencing method are applied. Then, Cellular Automata and Markov Chain model is employed predict of forest land cover in this area. The results of the study indicate that forest land cover change is being transformed in Ba Be National Park. According to our estimate, from 1992 to 2019, the area covered by woody vegetation increased by 1.1%. By 2035, the area of broad-leaved forests will increase by 9.7%, due to a decrease in areas of meadows and shrubs. The increase in forest cover protected areas is explained by the measures taken by the Vietnamese government to expand the forest area in the country.
Species composition dynamics of woody plants by the example of gardens and squares of the historical center of St. Petersburg
Authors: Melnichuk I , Trubacheva T , Tsymbal G , Dvatsatova T
Published: October 2020

Preserving the historical appearance of objects of landscape architecture is one of the most important tasks of protecting historical heritage. This task would not be feasible without studying the species composition and dynamics of the historical range of ornamental plants. A change in the species composition during the operation and restoration of such objects naturally leads to a serious change in their historical appearance. An analysis of the species composition of the vegetation in historical gardens, monitoring its state in harsh urban environment, and finding solutions to preserve the appearance of historical objects without violating historically defined features of the area are relevant today.
Modeling the dynamics of forest inventory indicators and building growth tables for sprout-origin oak stands of the Voronezh region by type of forest growing conditions
Authors: Musievsky A
Published: October 2020

In the Voronezh region, sprout-origin oak forests currently occupy an area of 94.7 thousand ha; these forests are a major element of the region’s forests after the wild fires of 2010. For evaluation of sprout-origin oak forests, forest managers use growth tables based on yield classes; those tables reflect neither forest growing conditions nor the diversity of the region’s sprout-origin oak forest stands and have an industrial focus. Based on the data of a mass forest inventory of more than 2,000 forest plots established in 11 types of forest growing conditions characterised by a variety of soil richness and moisture content, multidimensional equations have been derived and growth rate tables built for sprout-origin oak forests of the Voronezh region. The resulting growth tables demonstrate the dynamics of forest inventory indicators of the forest stands studied in the age range 10-160 years, basal area range 0.3-1.0 and the share of oak in the forest composition from 1 to 10 units. The tables allow evaluation of modal tree stands to be based on the measurements of average heights, diameters and areas of cross-sections and can be used in assessments of forest stands during forest inventory.
Assessment of the possibility of using wastes from pulp and paper industry in mechanical engineering
Authors: Rakovskaya E G , Zanko N G
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of using wastes from pulp and paper industry as metal corrosion inhibitors. We studied protective properties of various systems, including the primers with rust modifiers developed on the basis of sulfite spent liquors and an upper coating layer of PF-115 enamel applied to a rusty surface. Using the gravimetric method and the method of polarization curves, we found that sulfite spent liquors inhibit steel corrosion in an acidic environment. We found that the P-2 rust modifier with an addition of lye + piperidine is the most effective inhibitor of steel rusting.
Physical and mechanical characteristics of a composite material made of birch wood hydrolyzed in the presence of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Skurydin Yu G , Skuridina E M
Published: October 2020

The results of research of physical and mechanical characteristics of the plate composite material obtained from birch wood after its processing by the method of explosive autohydrolysis are shown. Before barothermal treatment, the wood was impregnated with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. The composite material is made from hydrolyzed wood pulp by hot pressing without adding binders. It was found that the properties of the composite material depend on the amount of hydrogen peroxide and the rigidity of the barothermal treatment conditions. Each of the modes of barothermal treatment corresponds to a certain value of the amount of hydrogen peroxide, when using which the density of the material reaches the maximum value. The dependence of the bending strength of a composite material obtained using different amounts of hydrogen peroxide is characterized by the presence of an extremum point. At this point, the strength value is the maximum. Further increase in the amount of hydrogen peroxide is accompanied by a deterioration in strength characteristics. It is suggested that the effect is a consequence of the dominance of destructive processes over the processes of intermolecular crosslinking when using a large amount of hydrogen peroxide.
Decision support system for energy wood production
Authors: Sokolov A
Published: October 2020

An approach to the application of modern information technologies and mathematical methods to solve the problem of energy woodproduction and logistics technologies selection is described in the article. The general statement of the problem, the methodology, methodsand models used are given.A decision support system for energy wood production can evaluate and compare various technological schemes for the harvesting and processing of woody biomass to energy woodand identify the most effective choice At the operational level, the approach allows to optimize the current plans for the harvesting, initial processing and transportation of the energy wood for available production capacities, taking into account the commercial roundwood production providing at the same time. Proposed approach isa practical tool for ensuring profitability and sustainable growth of the energy wood production, which, will stimulate the development of bioenergy in Russia.
System analysis of technological efficiency of forestry equipment module compositions
Authors: Svoykin F , Svoykin V , Bazarov S , Alexandrov V , Gasimov G
Published: October 2020

One of the perspective directions of increasing productivity in forestry production is the application of a modular approach to the formation of forestry machine systems. The modular approach makes it possible to form coherent and flexible technological processes, the technological efficiency of which depends on the extent to which the basis of system analysis is used in the formation of the forestry equipment fleet. The system analysis provides an analytical view of the effective capacity and performance at the functional time of the production process. The article explores the energy and production efficiency of several of the most typical compositions of formation of modules and submodules of timber harvesting operations: trees (feller-buncher module, energy module, skidding module), fuel wood (cutting module, energy module, chipper module, chipper-transporting module), logs with sub-sorting in the cutting areas (technological modules of cutting, delimbing and cut-to-length, energy module, skidding module), three-length (feller-buncher module, delimber module, energy module, skidding module).
Parameterization of the “alpha” type stirling engine mechanism for use in the timber industry
Authors: Tihonov E , Bazykin V , Mukhanov N , Gerasimova O , Soloviev S
Published: October 2020

This article discusses the parameterization of the crank-slider group of the Stirling engine to use in timber industry. Parametrization means involves into the equations a lot of variables: lengths of connecting rods of piston and displacer, positions of the axis of the cylinders The dependences of the piston and displacer movements are obtained for a free layout of the X-type Stirling engine mechanism. The boundary conditions of the lengths of the connecting rods are determined, taking into account the displacement of the cylinders’ axes in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the crankshaft. The resulting system of equations for the displacement of the piston from the displacement of the displacer will allow you to obtain a numerical model without modeling the crank and connecting rods, which will significantly reduce the resource intensity of numerical calculations. Further studies will aim to investigate the operation of the Stirling engine in compressor mode. This will allow determining the temperature difference between the cold and hot parts, which will allow you to indirectly evaluate the efficiency of operation in the engine mode. This study will eventually determine the optimal parameters of the designed engine, depending on the power and type of fuel used.
What is a possible response of forest biomass to changes in Eurasian air temperature and precipitation? A special case for the genus Betula spp
Authors: Usoltsev V , Kovyazin V , Tsepordey I , Chasovskikh V
Published: October 2020

Forest ecosystems, as sinks of atmospheric carbon, play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas release and preventing air temperatures from rising. Simultaneously, climate change entails changes in forest cover. We describe the change of Betula spp. stand biomass (tha-1) along the trans-Eurasian gradients of rainfall and temperature using the harvest data from 650 forest stands and climate data. Birch stand biomass increased with growing rainfall within the evaluated range from 200 to 800 mm per year, as well as with increasing the mean winter temperature from -40°C to + 10°C regardless of the rainfall level. The comparison of our results for birches with analogous results for coniferous species shows that forest responses to changes in climate indices are species-specific.
Modular system-based urban equipment design
Authors: Dembich N D , Streltsov A V , Zyrina M A , Marchenko A A
Published: October 2020

The article examines the problem of abundant squares of the administrative centers of town, typical for the Soviet period, and its solution by using the design of modular systems for creating urban equipment. The organization of a comfortable space under constantly changing conditions, the ability to quickly adapt to the needs of the consumer makes the development of modular architectural structures increasingly acute. The article considers basic principles of designing modular systems for organizing urban spaces for various public events. The main principles for optimizing the design of such modular systems have been formulated, such as multifunctionality and versatility, flexibility and adaptability, reusability, transportability and mobility. The main design features, units, parts and materials of the modular system are described. Based on the study of trends in the design of such systems, a conceptual project of modular open structures and universal pavilions for the city of Rubtsovsk, Altai Territory, is proposed. In addition to the module, a planning solution for the central square was proposed. The proposed modular system allows to improve the ergonomic and aesthetic properties of urban spaces, taking into account the climatic conditions of the region. The system has good adaptive characteristics, as it easily adapts to the needs of consumers. The cost-effective, flexible and growing structure of the modular system allows to quickly create a new image of the center of the settlement and contribute to its natural development. Design tools have become key elements in organizing the squares. The offered modular objects can form a single environment complex and perfectly decorate the shopping area. The created space can be used for theatrical events and festivals, since a stage, seats for spectators and recreational areas can be built from the elements of the modules.
A new approach to the design of street furniture in Krasnoyarsk
Authors: Zvonareva P P , Filipskaya I V , Yangulova I V
Published: October 2020

The article describes the trends in the field of small architectural forms and outdoor furniture in the public environment of Krasnoyarsk. The objects of study are outdoor furniture located in central and popular public places that shape the image of the urban environment. The article contains a study of street improvement in the city of Krasnoyarsk, which made it possible to assess the current state of furniture used in the city. The research methodology consists in conducting an Internet survey of respondents in the social network “VKontakte”. The survey showed the advantages and disadvantages of existing furniture objects according to ergonomic, artistic, aesthetic, environmental and economic criteria. The collected material made it possible to determine changes in the approach to the design of outdoor furniture for public urban spaces, made it clear the feasibility of an integrated solution for environmental objects. The article demonstrates the design concepts of products with progressive design and improved qualities. The authors-developers propose a modern approach to the organization of public spaces and the design of products, taking into account the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of the population. They explain the use of modern materials in terms of ergonomics and ecology, such as wood-polymer composites, plywood, modified wood. The recommendations of the expert in the person of the chief architect of the city, in the design and implementation of such objects, were taken into account. The results of the analysis have both theoretical and practical significance and will be used in the improvement of urban spaces within the framework of the “Comfortable Urban Environment” program in Krasnoyarsk.
Humanistic approach to environmental design: modern principles of organizing an accessible environment
Authors: Naidenova I V
Published: October 2020

The article deals with certain design trends that characterize the humanistic approach to environmental design, as well as ways of interaction between urban planners and designers within this approach. The theoretical basis of the article is the results of research by specialists in Russia and abroad of social urban planning conflicts that arise in the process of creating public spaces and their use by various groups of residents, including those with limited mobility.
The concept of sustainability management of the ecosystem of cities and small settlements
Authors: Sevryugina N , Apatenko A , Voitovich E , Kozhukhova N
Published: October 2020

Critical risks of ecosystem identity violation in the structure of landscape-recreational formation of the environment of cities and small settlements are identified. The dependence of the functional load of urban areas with industrial and civil facilities and the ability to restore the ecosystems of the adjacent small rivers and reservoirs is established. The necessity of modeling urban areas based on the “attraction zone” and “exclusion zone”, the verification of technical solutions for engineering systems of water protection complex harmonized with the natural environment is substantiated. A conceptual model for controlling of the risks of developing urban areas is proposed, that is focused on the mechanism for managing water body renovation programs taking into account risk factor analysis. A technique has been developed for restoring water bodies to the level of harmonized functioning by means of anticipatory diagnosis of risk-failures of the danger of environmental disruption. The introduction of digital indicator that determines the level of harmonized stability of functioning of engineering systems of water protection complex in the environment as an additional indicator of the economic and environmental activities of the regions will improve the accuracy of assessing environmental benefits and losses in planned projects.
Neural priming of adipose-derived stem cells by cell-imprinted substrates*
Authors: Ghazali Zahra Sadat , Eskandari Mahnaz , Bonakdar Shahin , Renaud Philippe , Mashinchian Omid , Shalileh Shahriar , Bonini Fabien , Uckay Ilker , Preynat-Seauve Olivier , Braschler Thomas
Published: October 2020

Cell-imprinting technology is a novel method for directing stem cell fate using substrates molded from target cells. Here, we fabricated and studied cell-imprinted substrates for neural priming in human adipose-derived stem cells in the absence of chemical cues. We molded polydimethylsiloxane silicone substrates on fixed differentiated neural progenitor cells (ReNcellTMVM). The ReNcellTMcell line consists of immortalized human neural progenitor cells that are capable to differentiate into neural cells. The fabricated cell-imprinted silicone substrates represent the geometrical micro- and nanotopology of the target cell morphology. During the molding procedure, no transfer of cellular proteins was detectable. In the first test with undifferentiated ReNcellTMVM cells, the cell-imprinted substrates could accelerate neural differentiation. With adipose-derived stem cells cultivated on the imprinted substrates, we observed modifications of cell morphology, shifting from spread to elongated shape. Both immunofluorescence and quantitative gene expression analysis showed upregulation of neural stem cell and early neuronal markers. Our study, for the first time, demonstrated the effectiveness of cell-imprinted substrates for neural priming of adipose-derived stem cells for regenerative medicine applications.
Magnetic molding of tumor spheroids: emerging model for cancer screening
Authors: Perez Jose E , Nagle Irène , Wilhelm Claire
Published: October 2020

Three-dimensional tissue culture, and particularly spheroid models, have recently been recognized as highly relevant in drug screening, toxicity assessment and tissue engineering due to their superior complexity and heterogeneity akin to the in vivo microenvironment. However, limitations in size control, shape reproducibility and long maturation times hinder their full applicability. Here, we report a spheroid formation technique based on the magnetic aggregation of cells with internalized magnetic nanoparticles. The method yields magnetic spheroids with high sphericity and allows fine-tuning the final spheroid diameter. Moreover, cohesive spheroids can be obtained in less than 24 h. We show the proof of concept of the method using the CT26 murine colon carcinoma cell line and how different cell proliferation and invasion potentials can be attained by varying the spheroid size. Additionally, we show how the spheroid maturation impacts cell invasion and doxorubicin penetrability, highlighting the importance of this parameter in drug screening and therapeutic applications. Finally, we demonstrate the capability of the method to allow the measurement of the surface tension of spheroids, a relevant output parameter in the context of cancer cell invasion and metastasis. The method can accommodate other cell lines able to be magnetically labeled, as we demonstrate using the U-87 MG human glioblastoma cell line, and shows promise in the therapeutic screening at early time points of tissue formation, as well as in studies of drug and nanoparticle tumor penetration.
Characterisation of Time-of-Flight (ToF) imaging system for application in monitoring deep inspiration breath-hold radiotherapy (DIBH-RT)
Authors: Abubakar Auwal , Zin Hafiz M
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study is to develop a method for characterisation of time-of-flight (ToF) imaging system for application in deep inspiration breath-hold radiotherapy (DIBH-RT). The performance of an Argos 3D P330 ToF camera (Bluetechnix, Austria) was studied for patient surface monitoring during DIBH-RT using a phantom to simulate the intra-patient and inter-patient stability of the camera. Patient setup error was also simulated by positioning the phantom at predefined shift positions (2, 5 and 10 mm) from the isocentre. The localisation accuracy of the phantom was measured using ToF imaging system and repeated using CBCT imaging alone (CBCT) and simultaneously using ToF imaging during CBCT imaging (ToF-CBCT). The mean and SD of the setup errors obtained from each of the imaging methods were calculated. Student t-test was used to compare the mean setup errors. Correlation and Bland-Altman analysis were also performed. The intra-and inter-patient stability of the camera were within 0.31 mm and 0.74 mm, respectively. The localisation accuracy in terms of the mean ±SD of the measured setup errors were 0.34 ± 0.98 mm, 0.12 ± 0.34 mm, and −0.24 ± 1.42 mm for ToF, CBCT and ToF-CBCT imaging, respectively. A strong correlation was seen between the phantom position and the measured position using ToF (r = 0.96), CBCT (r = 0.99) as well as ToF-CBCT (r = 0.92) imaging. The limits of agreement from Bland Altman analysis between the phantom position and ToF, CBCT and ToF-CBCT measured positions were −1.52, 2.31 mm, −0.55, 0.78 mm; and −3.03, 2.55 mm, respectively. The sensor shows good stability and high accuracy comparable to similar sensors in the market. The method developed is useful for characterisation of an optical surface imaging system for application in monitoring DIBH-RT.
Modulational instability of the coupled waves between fast magnetosonic wave and slow Alfvén wave in the laser–plasma interaction
Authors: WANG Fangping , 王 芳平 , HAN Juanfang , DUAN Wenshan
Published: October 2020

By performing modulational instability analysis of the the nonlinear coupled dimensionless equations between a fast magnetosonic wave (FMSW) propagating obliquely with the magnetic field and a low-frequency slow Alfvén wave (SAW), we obtain the dispersion relation of the perturbation wave. The growth rate of the perturbation wave is obtained. It is found that the growth rate increases as background magnetic field increases, which is in agreement with that reported by Tiwary et al (2016 Phys. Plasmas
23 122307). A critical perturbation wave number is found. When the perturbation wave number is greater than or equal to the critical value, the growth rate is positive and it increases as the perturbation wave number increases, while the wave is stable. The maximum growth rate is reached when the frequency of the FMSW is half of the ion cyclotron frequency. The minimum growth rate is reached when the propagation direction of the perturbation wave is the same as that of the FMSW.
Unraveling the Importance of Triatomine (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) Feeding Sources in the Chagas Disease Context
Authors: Antonio-Campos Alberto , Alejandre-Aguilar Ricardo , Rivas Nancy
Published: October 2020

The triatomines are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas, 1909), the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. All species are strictly hematophagous, and the hosts used by vector species are important to understand the transmission dynamics of T. cruzi, and eventually, for the development of effective control strategies in endemic countries. In the current review, we gather a comprehensively number of literature reporting triatomine feeding sources, using rigorous targeted search of scientific publications, which includes research papers and reviews to put together the most recent findings of the feeding behavior in triatomines and their applications for vector control of Chagas disease. Our main findings suggest that the main feeding source in triatomines is the human blood (22.75%), T. dimidiata (Latreille, 1811) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is the most frequent (13.68%) triatomine species in this type of study, and most of the studies on feeding sources (47.5%) are conducted in the domestic and peri-domestic environment.
Assessment of efficacy of postinfusion tubing flushing in reducing risk of cytotoxic contamination
Authors: Claraz Pauline , Riff Isabelle , Vert Charlotte , Wolff Elina , Perriat Sophie , Grand Anaïs , Cretu Yann , Hennebelle Isabelle , Canonge Jean-Marie , Puisset Florent
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Infusion of cytotoxic drugs carries the risk of occupational exposure of healthcare workers. Since disconnecting an infusion line is a source of contamination, flushing of tubing after infusion of cytotoxic agents is recommended, but the optimal volume of rinsing solution is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess whether postinfusion line flushing completely eliminates cytotoxics.

Methods

Infusions were simulated with 3 cytotoxics (gemcitabine, cytarabine, and paclitaxel) diluted in 5% dextrose injection or 0.9% sodium chloride injection in 250-mL infusion bags. Infusion lines were flushed using 5% dextrose injection or 0.9% sodium chloride solution at 2 different flow rates. The remaining concentration of cytotoxics in the infusion line was measured by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method after passage of every 10 mL of flushing volume until a total of 100 mL had been flushed through.

Results

All cytotoxics remained detectable even after line flushing with 80 mL of flushing solution (a volume 3-fold greater than the dead space volume within the infusion set). Gemcitabine and cytarabine were still quantifiable via HPLC even after flushing with 100 mL of solution. Efficacy of flushing was influenced by the lipophilicity of drugs but not by either the flushing solvent used or the flushing flow rate. After 2-fold dead space volume flushing, the estimated amount of drug remaining in the infusion set was within 0.19% to 0.56% of the prescribed dose for all 3 cytotoxics evaluated.

Conclusion

Complete elimination of cytotoxics from an infusion line is an unrealistic objective. Two-fold dead space volume flushing could be considered optimal in terms of administered dose but not from an environmental contamination point of view. Even when flushed, the infusion set should still be considered a source of cytotoxic contamination.
Social Workers’ Management of Child Interpreting: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Lucas Siân E
Published: October 2020

Spoken language interpreters are commonly used to facilitate communication for emergent bilingual service users in social work. Children often have greater English language proficiency than their parents and may interpret for family members in a variety of contexts, including social work. This article approaches the topic of child interpreting from social workers’ perspectives and presents findings from in-depth interviews about child interpreting. Social constructionist theories are used to examine the way social workers manage child interpreting. The findings indicate that social workers manage child interpreting by monitoring, scaffolding or stopping encounters. Through talking about child interpreting, the social workers conceptualise children as passive, vulnerable or untrustworthy. Social workers recognised the potential contributions that child interpreters offered but remained concerned about their ability to translate technical and emotionally laden messages. Given that child interpreting was found to be unavoidable in social work, there is scope to develop a framework for safe and effective child-interpreting practice. Future research directions include an exploration of children’s perceptions about interpreting in social work contexts.
Abnormalities of Cortical Sources of Resting State Alpha Electroencephalographic Rhythms are Related to Education Attainment in Cognitively Unimpaired Seniors and Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Babiloni Claudio , Ferri Raffaele , Noce Giuseppe , Lizio Roberta , Lopez Susanna , Lorenzo Ivan , Panzavolta Andrea , Soricelli Andrea , Nobili Flavio , Arnaldi Dario , Famà Francesco , Orzi Francesco , Buttinelli Carla , Giubilei Franco , Cipollini Virginia , Marizzoni Moira , Güntekin Bahar , Aktürk Tuba , Hanoğlu Lutfu , Yener Görsev , Özbek Yağmur , Stocchi Fabrizio , Vacca Laura , Frisoni Giovanni B , Del Percio Claudio
Published: October 2020

In normal old (Nold) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) persons, a high cognitive reserve (CR) makes them more resistant and resilient to brain neuropathology and neurodegeneration. Here, we tested whether these effects may affect neurophysiological oscillatory mechanisms generating dominant resting state electroencephalographic (rsEEG) alpha rhythms in Nold and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD (ADMCI). Data in 60 Nold and 70 ADMCI participants, stratified in higher (Edu+) and lower (Edu–) educational attainment subgroups, were available in an Italian–Turkish archive. The subgroups were matched for age, gender, and education. RsEEG cortical sources were estimated by eLORETA freeware. As compared to the Nold-Edu– subgroup, the Nold-Edu+ subgroup showed greater alpha source activations topographically widespread. On the contrary, in relation to the ADMCI-Edu– subgroup, the ADMCI-Edu+ subgroup displayed lower alpha source activations topographically widespread. Furthermore, the 2 ADMCI subgroups had matched cerebrospinal AD diagnostic biomarkers, brain gray–white matter measures, and neuropsychological scores. The current findings suggest that a high CR may be related to changes in rsEEG alpha rhythms in Nold and ADMCI persons. These changes may underlie neuroprotective effects in Nold seniors and subtend functional compensatory mechanisms unrelated to brain structure alterations in ADMCI patients.
Development and Internal Validation of a Prediction Model to Risk Stratify Children With Suspected Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Florin Todd A , Ambroggio Lilliam , Lorenz Douglas , Kachelmeyer Andrea , Ruddy Richard M , Kuppermann Nathan , Shah Samir S
Published: October 2020

Background

Although community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common infections in children, no tools exist to risk stratify children with suspected CAP. We developed and validated a prediction model to risk stratify and inform hospitalization decisions in children with suspected CAP.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study of children aged 3 months to 18 years with suspected CAP in a pediatric emergency department. Primary outcome was disease severity, defined as mild (discharge home or hospitalization for <24 hours with no oxygen or intravenous [IV] fluids), moderate (hospitalization <24 hours with oxygen or IV fluids, or hospitalization >24 hours), or severe (intensive care unit stay for >24 hours, septic shock, vasoactive agents, positive-pressure ventilation, chest drainage, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or death). Ordinal logistic regression and bootstrapped backwards selection were used to derive and internally validate our model.

Results

Of 1128 children, 371 (32.9%) developed moderate disease and 48 (4.3%) severe disease. Severity models demonstrated excellent discrimination (optimism-corrected c-indices of 0.81) and outstanding calibration. Severity predictors in the final model included respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, oxygenation, retractions, capillary refill, atelectasis or pneumonia on chest radiograph, and pleural effusion.

Conclusions

We derived and internally validated a score that accurately predicts disease severity in children with suspected CAP. Once externally validated, this score has potential to facilitate management decisions by providing individualized risk estimates that can be used in conjunction with clinical judgment to improve the care of children with suspected CAP.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections Among Children in the Biospecimens from Respiratory Virus-Exposed Kids (BRAVE Kids) Study
Authors: Hurst Jillian H , Heston Sarah M , Chambers Hailey N , Cunningham Hannah M , Price Meghan J , Suarez Lilianna , Crew Carter G , Bose Shree , Aquino Jhoanna N , Carr Stuart T , Griffin S Michelle , Smith Stephanie H , Jenkins Kirsten , Pfeiffer Trevor S , Rodriguez Javier , DeMarco C Todd , De Naeyer Nicole A , Gurley Thaddeus C , Louzao Raul , Zhao Congwen , Cunningham Coleen K , Steinbach William J , Denny Thomas N , Lugo Debra J , Moody M Anthony , Permar Sallie R , Rotta Alexandre T , Turner Nicholas A , Walter Emmanuel B , Woods Christopher W , Kelly Matthew S
Published: October 2020

Background

Child with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection typically have mild symptoms that do not require medical attention, leaving a gap in our understanding of the spectrum of SARS-CoV-2-related illnesses that the viruses causes in children.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of children and adolescents (aged <21 years) with a SARS-CoV-2-infected close contact. We collected nasopharyngeal or nasal swabs at enrollment and tested for SARS-CoV-2 using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay.

Results

Of 382 children, 293 (77%) were SARS-CoV-2-infected. SARS-CoV-2-infected children were more likely to be Hispanic (P < .0001), less likely to have asthma (P = .005), and more likely to have an infected sibling contact (P = .001) than uninfected children. Children aged 6-13 years were frequently asymptomatic (39%) and had respiratory symptoms less often than younger children (29% vs 48%; P = .01) or adolescents (29% vs 60%; P < .001). Compared with children aged 6-13 years, adolescents more frequently reported influenza-like (61% vs 39%; P < .001) , and gastrointestinal (27% vs 9%; P = .002), and sensory symptoms (42% vs 9%; P < .0001) and had more prolonged illnesses (median [interquartile range] duration: 7 [4-12] vs 4 [3-8] days; P = 0.01). Despite the age-related variability in symptoms, wWe found no difference in nasopharyngeal viral load by age or between symptomatic and asymptomatic children.

Conclusions

Hispanic ethnicity and an infected sibling close contact are associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 infection risk among children, while asthma is associated with decreased risk. Age-related differences in clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection must be considered when evaluating children for coronavirus disease 2019 and in developing screening strategies for schools and childcare settings.
Myopericarditis and myositis in a patient with COVID-19: a case report
Authors: Shabbir Asad , Camm Christian Fielder , Elkington Andrew , Tilling Lindsey , Stirrup James , Chan Antoni , Bull Sacha
Published: October 2020

Background

Concurrent myopericarditis and myositis can present in patients with pre-existing systemic inflammatory diseases. Here we present a case of myopericarditis and myositis associated with COVID-19, in the absence of respiratory symptoms.

Case summary

We present a middle-aged female with a history of hypertension and previous myopericarditis. The patient was admitted with symptoms of central chest pain, and ECG and echocardiographic features of myopericarditis. Her symptoms did not improve, and CT thorax suggested possible SARS-CoV-2 infection for which she tested positive, despite no respiratory symptoms. Whilst on the ward, she developed bilateral leg weakness and a raised creatine kinase (CK), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of her thighs confirmed myositis. A cardiac MRI confirmed myopericarditis. She was treated with colchicine 500 μg twice daily, ibuprofen 400 mg three times day, and prednisolone 30 mg per day, and her symptoms and weakness improved.

Discussion

We describe the first reported case of concurrent myopericarditis, and myositis associated with COVID-19. Conventional therapy with colchicine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and glucocorticoids improved her symptoms, and reduced biochemical markers of myocardial and skeletal muscle inflammation.
Ascertainment of Delirium Status Using Natural Language Processing From Electronic Health Records
Authors: Fu Sunyang , Lopes Guilherme S , Pagali Sandeep R , Thorsteinsdottir Bjoerg , LeBrasseur Nathan K , Wen Andrew , Liu Hongfang , Rocca Walter A , Olson Janet E , St. Sauver Jennifer , Sohn Sunghwan
Published: October 2020

Background

Delirium is underdiagnosed in clinical practice and is not routinely coded for billing. Manual chart review can be used to identify the occurrence of delirium; however, it is labor-intensive and impractical for large-scale studies. Natural language processing (NLP) has the capability to process raw text in electronic health records (EHRs) and determine the meaning of the information. We developed and validated NLP algorithms to automatically identify the occurrence of delirium from EHRs.

Methods

This study used a randomly selected cohort from the population-based Mayo Clinic Biobank (N = 300, age ≥65). We adopted the standardized evidence-based framework confusion assessment method (CAM) to develop and evaluate NLP algorithms to identify the occurrence of delirium using clinical notes in EHRs. Two NLP algorithms were developed based on CAM criteria: one based on the original CAM (NLP-CAM; delirium vs no delirium) and another based on our modified CAM (NLP-mCAM; definite, possible, and no delirium). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were used for concordance in delirium status between NLP algorithms and manual chart review as the gold standard. The prevalence of delirium cases was examined using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9), NLP-CAM, and NLP-mCAM.

Results

NLP-CAM demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.919, 1.000, and 0.967, respectively. NLP-mCAM demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.827, 0.913, and 0.827, respectively. The prevalence analysis of delirium showed that the NLP-CAM algorithm identified 12 651 (9.4%) delirium patients, the NLP-mCAM algorithm identified 20 611 (15.3%) definite delirium cases, and 10 762 (8.0%) possible cases.

Conclusions

NLP algorithms based on the standardized evidence-based CAM framework demonstrated high performance in delineating delirium status in an expeditious and cost-effective manner.
Association Between Social Pensions With Depression, Social, and Health Behaviors Among Poor Older Individuals in Colombia
Authors: Hessel Philipp , Bermeo López Lina María , López Franco Laura Cristina , Ham Andrés , Pinilla-Roncancio Mónica , González-Uribe Catalina
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Many low- and middle-income countries have introduced social pensions to alleviate extreme poverty and improve the well-being of older individuals. However, evidence remains inconclusive about the potential effects of such programs on mental health, social, and health behaviors.

Methods

Data for individuals aged 60 or older came from the nationally representative Encuesta Nacional de Salud, Bienestar y Envejeciamiento survey in Colombia 2015 (N = 9,456). We used propensity score matching to estimate the association between the country’s social pension program (Colombia Mayor) with depression, self-rated health, food insecurity, alcohol consumption, social participation, and labor force participation.

Results

Results show that receiving the program does not significantly affect the likelihood of suffering from depression or self-rated health among either men or women. However, receiving the program is associated with significant reductions in the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity and significant increases in the likelihood of participating socially. Among women, receiving the program is associated with significant reduction in the likelihood of participating in the labor force.

Discussion

The absence of a measurable effect on depression and self-rated health may be explained, at least partly, by the program’s comparatively small cash benefit and the sharing of resources with other family members. Policymakers should assess possibilities to maximize the health and social benefits of social pensions.
A molecular map of lung neuroendocrine neoplasms
Authors: Gabriel Aurélie A G , Mathian Emilie , Mangiante Lise , Voegele Catherine , Cahais Vincent , Ghantous Akram , McKay James D , Alcala Nicolas , Fernandez-Cuesta Lynnette , Foll Matthieu
Published: October 2020

Background

Lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (LNENs) are rare solid cancers, with most genomic studies including a limited number of samples. Recently, generating the first multi-omic dataset for atypical pulmonary carcinoids and the first methylation dataset for large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas led us to the discovery of clinically relevant molecular groups, as well as a new entity of pulmonary carcinoids (supra-carcinoids).

Results

To promote the integration of LNENs molecular data, we provide here detailed information on data generation and quality control for whole-genome/exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and EPIC 850K methylation arrays for a total of 84 patients with LNENs. We integrate the transcriptomic data with other previously published data and generate the first comprehensive molecular map of LNENs using the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) dimension reduction technique. We show that this map captures the main biological findings of previous studies and can be used as reference to integrate datasets for which RNA sequencing is available. The generated map can be interactively explored and interrogated on the UCSC TumorMap portal (https://tumormap.ucsc.edu/?p=RCG_lungNENomics/LNEN). The data, source code, and compute environments used to generate and evaluate the map as well as the raw data are available, respectively, in a Nextjournal interactive notebook (https://nextjournal.com/rarecancersgenomics/a-molecular-map-of-lung-neuroendocrine-neoplasms/) and at the EMBL-EBI European Genome-phenome Archive and Gene Expression Omnibus data repositories.

Conclusions

We provide data and all resources needed to integrate them with future LNENs transcriptomic studies, allowing meaningful conclusions to be drawn that will eventually lead to a better understanding of this rare understudied disease.
Comprehensive characterization of N- and O- glycosylation of SARS-CoV-2 human receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2
Authors: Shajahan Asif , Archer-Hartmann Stephanie , Supekar Nitin T , Gleinich Anne S , Heiss Christian , Azadi Parastoo
Published: October 2020

The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created the need for development of new therapeutic strategies. Understanding the mode of viral attachment, entry and replication has become a key aspect of such interventions. The coronavirus surface features a trimeric spike (S) protein that is essential for viral attachment, entry and membrane fusion. The S protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) for entry. Herein, we describe glycomic and glycoproteomic analysis of hACE2 expressed in HEK293 cells. We observed high glycan occupancy (73.2 to 100%) at all seven possible N-glycosylation sites and surprisingly detected one novel O-glycosylation site. To deduce the detailed structure of glycan epitopes on hACE2 that may be involved in viral binding, we have characterized the terminal sialic acid linkages, the presence of bisecting GlcNAc and the pattern of N-glycan fucosylation. We have conducted extensive manual interpretation of each glycopeptide and glycan spectrum, in addition to using bioinformatics tools to validate the hACE2 glycosylation. Our elucidation of the site-specific glycosylation and its terminal orientations on the hACE2 receptor, along with the modeling of hACE2 glycosylation sites can aid in understanding the intriguing virus-receptor interactions and assist in the development of novel therapeutics to prevent viral entry. The relevance of studying the role of ACE2 is further increased due to some recent reports about the varying ACE2 dependent complications with regard to age, sex, race and pre-existing conditions of COVID-19 patients.
Sustainable design of bagasse biomass flow reclamation control using bifurcated chute
Authors: Eloka-Eboka Andrew C , Onunka Chiemela
Published: October 2020

In existing ethanol factories across Southern Africa, the optimization of bagasse flow reclamation is of critical importance to optimum performance of ethanol factories. One of the key strategies in optimization is the addition of a recirculation system to the current bagasse conveying system, which feeds a 120 t/h steam-generating boiler. The focus of this paper is to propose the use of a mechanical diverting chute, which will integrate into the upgraded bagasse conveying system. The chute will enable automated variable flow control of bagasse, through the existing distributed control system, between the recirculation conveyors and discharge to ground for stock piling. The variation in flow will be controlled by monitoring the feed rate of sugar cane, measured by a belt scale, to the crushing mills. The purpose of this upgraded system is to reduce the required operating hours of a front-end loader, which currently performs the recirculating function, but also allows surplus bagasse to be stock piled for future use in the factory outside of the crushing season.
Hepatitis B Vaccines
Authors: Pattyn Jade , Hendrickx Greet , Vorsters Alex , Van Damme Pierre
Published: October 2020

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which infects the liver and may lead to chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV represents a worldwide public health problem, causing major morbidity and mortality. Affordable, safe, and effective, hepatitis B vaccines are the best tools we have to control and prevent hepatitis B. In 2019, coverage of 3 doses of the hepatitis B vaccine reached 85% worldwide compared to around 30% in 2000. The effective implementation of hepatitis B vaccination programs has resulted in a substantial decrease in the HBV carrier rate and hepatitis B-related morbidity and mortality. This article summarizes the great triumphs of the hepatitis B vaccine, the first anticancer and virus-like-particle–based vaccine. In addition, existing unresolved issues and future perspectives on hepatitis B vaccination required for global prevention of HBV infection are discussed.