bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accounting for heterogeneity in the θ–σ relationship: Application to wheat phenotyping using EMI
Authors: Blanchy Guillaume , Watts Christopher W. , Ashton Rhys W. , Webster Colin P. , Hawkesford Malcolm J. , Whalley William R. , Binley Andrew
Published: May 2020

Geophysical methods, such as electromagnetic induction (EMI), can be effective for monitoring changes in soil moisture at the field scale, particularly in agricultural applications. The electrical conductivity (σ) inferred from EMI needs to be converted to soil moisture content (θ) using an appropriate relationship. Typically, a single global relationship is applied to an entire agricultural field; however, soil heterogeneity at the field scale may limit the effectiveness of such an approach. One application area that may suffer from such an effect is crop phenotyping. Selecting crop varieties based on their root traits is important for crop breeding and maximizing yield. Hence, high‐throughput tools for phenotyping the root system architecture and activity at the field scale are needed. Water uptake is a major root activity and, under appropriate conditions, can be approximated by measuring changes in soil moisture from time‐lapse geophysical surveys. We examine here the effect of heterogeneity in the θ–σ relationship using a crop phenotyping study for illustration. In this study, the θ–σ relationship was found to vary substantially across a field site. To account for this, we propose a range of local (plot specific) θ–σ models. We show that the large number of parameters required for these models can be estimated from baseline σ and θ measurements. Finally, we compare the use of global (field scale) and local (plot scale) models with respect to ranking varieties based on the estimated soil moisture content change.
Evaporation from undulating soil surfaces under turbulent airflow through numerical and experimental approaches
Authors: Gao Bo , Farnsworth John , Smits Kathleen M.
Published: May 2020

Evaporation from undulating soil surfaces is rarely studied due to limited modeling theory and inadequate experimental data linking dynamic soil and atmospheric interactions. The goal of this paper is to provide exploratory insights into evaporation behavior from undulating soil surfaces under turbulent conditions through numerical and experimental approaches. A previously developed and verified coupled free flow and porous media flow model was extended by incorporating turbulent airflow through Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes equations. The model explicitly describes the relevant physical processes and the key properties in the free flow, porous media, and at the interface, allowing for the analysis of coupled exchange fluxes. An experiment aiming to simultaneously collect the data of the boundary layer and soil evaporation in the area around the soil–atmosphere interface was conducted using a wind tunnel integrated with a soil tank. The turbulent boundary layer above the undulating soil surface was captured using high‐resolution hot‐wire anemometry, confirming the presence of recirculation zones in the undulating valleys and locally low evaporative flux. Experimental data were used to validate the extended model, and modeling results demonstrate that turbulent airflow enhances evaporation and shortens the duration of Stage I. The surface geometry significantly affects the local evaporative flux by influencing the vapor distribution, concentration gradient, and water availability at the soil surface, especially when recirculation zones form in the valleys. As a joint result of turbulence and surface undulations, the influence of wind speed on both the local and system‐level evaporation rate is restricted.
Seasonal and Regional Differences in Economic Benefits of Turkey Hunting
Authors: Chapagain Binod P. , Poudyal Neelam C. , Joshi Omkar , Watkins Cristina , Applegate Roger D.
Published: May 2020

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris; hereafter, turkey) hunting is a popular outdoor recreation activity in many states, including Tennessee, USA. Despite its cultural and social significance, economic benefits associated with turkey hunting are largely unknown. Past economic studies either focused on other big game species or provided generic value for big game, and do not offer benefit estimates specific to turkey. We estimated a demand model for turkey hunting trips in Tennessee and quantified per‐trip and statewide aggregate value of turkey hunting. We compared the net economic value of turkey hunting trips between hunting seasons (autumn and spring) and wildlife management regions that differ in many aspects including turkey population, hunting regulations, etc. Per person per trip value of turkey hunting ranged between US$34 and US$90 depending on the modeling assumption regarding hunters’ opportunity cost of time. Moreover, estimated value differed among regions and between hunting seasons, with the value of a turkey‐hunting trip in the spring season being twice that of the autumn season. Many states in southern United States, including Tennessee, have recently experienced declines in turkey populations and are in need of economic justifications for investment in research and management. Our results are useful to wildlife agencies in characterizing economic benefits of turkey hunting and evaluating the welfare implications of regulations (e.g., closure, reduction in season length) restricting or expanding hunting opportunities. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Probing exotic triple Higgs couplings at the LHC
Authors: Gao Christina , Neill Nicolás A.
Published: May 2020

Abstract

In extended Higgs sectors that exhibit alignment without decoupling, the additional scalars are allowed to have large couplings to the Standard Model Higgs. We show that current nonresonant di-Higgs searches can be straightforwardly adapted to look for additional Higgses in these scenarios, where pair production of non-SM Higgses can be enhanced. For concreteness, we study pair production of exotic Higgses in the context of an almost inert two Higgs doublet model, where alignment is explained through an approximate ℤ2 symmetry under which the additional scalars are odd. In this context, the smallness of the ℤ2 violating parameter suppresses single production of exotic Higgses, but it does not prevent a sizeable trilinear coupling hHH between the SM Higgs (h) and the additional states (H). We study the process pp → h

*
→ HH in the final states

$$ b\overline{b}b\overline{b},b\overline{b}\gamma \gamma $$

b

b
¯

b

b
¯

,
b

b
¯

γγ

, and multi-leptons. We find that at the HL-LHC these modes could be sensitive to masses of the additional neutral scalars in the range 130 GeV ≲ m

H
≲ 290 GeV.
Age-, sex- and ethnicity-related differences in body weight, blood pressure, HbA1c and lipid levels at the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes relative to people without diabetes
Authors: Wright Alison K. , Welsh Paul , Gill Jason M. R. , Kontopantelis Evangelos , Emsley Richard , Buchan Iain , Ashcroft Darren M. , Rutter Martin K. , Sattar Naveed
Published: May 2020

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of this work was to determine how weight patterns together with blood glucose, BP and lipids vary at diagnosis of diabetes by age, sex and ethnicity.

Methods

Using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, we identified people with type 2 diabetes (n = 187,601) diagnosed in 1998–2015 and compared their weights, HbA1c, BP and lipid levels at diagnosis with age-matched people without diabetes (n = 906,182), by sex and ethnic group.

Results

Younger age at diagnosis was associated with greater adjusted mean difference (95% CI) in weight between those with vs without type 2 diabetes: 18.7 (18.3, 19.1) kg at age 20–39 years and 5.3 (5.0, 5.5) kg at age ≥ 80 years. Weight differentials were maximal in white women, and were around double in white people compared with South Asian and black people. Despite lower absolute values, BP differences were also greater at younger age of diabetes onset: 7 (6, 7) mmHg at age 20–39 years vs −0.5 (−0.9, −0.2) at age ≥ 80 years. BP differences were greatest in white people, and especially in women. Triacylglycerol level differences were greatest in younger men. Finally, HbA1clevels were also higher with younger onset diabetes, particularly in black people.

Conclusions/interpretation

At diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, when compared with people without diabetes, weight and BP differentials were greater in younger vs older people, in women vs men and in white vs South Asian and black people. These differences were observed even though South Asian and black people tend to develop diabetes a decade earlier with either similar or greater dysglycaemia. These striking patterns may have implications for management and prevention.
Approximation theorems for spaces of localities
Authors: Anscombe Sylvy , Dittmann Philip , Fehm Arno
Published: May 2020

The classical Artin–Whaples approximation theorem allows to simultaneously approximate finitely many different elements of a field with respect to finitely many pairwise inequivalent absolute values. Several variants and generalizations exist, for example for finitely many (Krull) valuations, where one usually requires that these are independent, i.e. induce different topologies on the field. Ribenboim proved a generalization for finitely many valuations where the condition of independence is relaxed for a natural compatibility condition, and Ershov proved a statement about simultaneously approximating finitely many different elements with respect to finitely many possibly infinite sets of pairwise independent valuations. We prove approximation theorems for infinite sets of valuations and orderings without requiring pairwise independence.
Identifying, Prioritizing and Visually Mapping Barriers to Injury Care in Rwanda: A Multi‐disciplinary Stakeholder Exercise
Authors: Odland Maria Lisa , Whitaker John , Nepogodiev Dmitri , Aling’ Carolyn Achieng’ , Bagahirwa Irene , Dushime Theophile , Erlangga Darius , Mpirimbanyi Christophe , Muneza Severien , Nkeshimana Menelas , Nyundo Martin , Umuhoza Christian , Uwitonze Eric , Steans Jill , Rushton Alison , Belli Antonio , Byiringiro Jean Claude , Bekele Abebe , Davies Justine
Published: May 2020

Background

Whilst injuries are a major cause of disability and death worldwide, a large proportion of people in low‐ and middle‐income countries lack timely access to injury care. Barriers to accessing care from the point of injury to return to function have not been delineated.

Methods

A two‐day workshop was held in Kigali, Rwanda in May 2019 with representation from health providers, academia, and government. A four delays model (delays to seeking, reaching, receiving, and remaining in care) was applied to injury care. Participants identified barriers at each delay and graded, through consensus, their relative importance. Following an iterative voting process, the four highest priority barriers were identified. Based on workshop findings and a scoping review, a map was created to visually represent injury care access as a complex health‐system problem.

Results

Initially, 42 barriers were identified by the 34 participants. 19 barriers across all four delays were assigned high priority; highest‐priority barriers were “Training and retention of specialist staff”, “Health education/awareness of injury severity”, “Geographical coverage of referral trauma centres”, and “Lack of protocol for bypass to referral centres”. The literature review identified evidence relating to 14 of 19 high‐priority barriers. Most barriers were mapped to more than one of the four delays, visually represented in a complex health‐system map.

Conclusion

Overcoming barriers to ensure access to quality injury care requires a multifaceted approach which considers the whole patient journey from injury to rehabilitation. Our results can guide researchers and policymakers planning future interventions.
Non‐mesh Desarda Technique Versus Standard Mesh‐Based Lichtenstein Technique for Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Mohamedahmed Ali Yasen Y. , Ahmad Hasham , Abdelmabod Areeg A. N. , Sillah Abdul Karim
Published: May 2020

Background

The aims of the present systematic review and meta‐analysis were to compare non‐mesh Desarda technique with standard mesh‐based Lichtenstein technique for inguinal hernia repair.

Methods

A systematic literature search for RCTs comparing between DT and LT was conducted using electronic databases and Google scholar service. Studies were evaluated for recurrence and post‐operative complications. We pooled the data using fixed effects model and random effects model after assessing the heterogeneity among the included studies.

Results

A total number of 8 RCTs studies were included in this meta‐analysis with total number of 3177 patients divided between Desarda group and Lichtenstein group as follows: 1551 patients and 1,626 patients, respectively. There was no difference in terms of recurrence between the Desarda repair and Lichtenstein repair groups [P = 0.44]. There was a lower rate of overall post‐operative complications [P = 0.003], seroma [P = 0.0004] and surgical site infections (SSIs) [P = 0.04] in the Desarda group.

Conclusion

DT and LT were found to have comparable results in terms of recurrence rate, haematoma formation, testicular atrophy and time to return to normal daily activity/work. DT is superior to LT in terms of reducing post‐operative mesh‐attributed complications, such as SSI and Seroma formation.
Middle and Distal Common Carotid Artery Stenting: Long-Term Patency Rates and Risk Factors for In-Stent Restenosis
Authors: Vértes Miklós , Nguyen Dat T. , Székely György , Bérczi Ákos , Dósa Edit
Published: May 2020

Purpose

In the absence of literature data, we aimed to determine the long-term patency rates of middle/distal common carotid artery (CCA) stenting and to investigate predisposing factors in the development of in-stent restenosis (ISR).

Materials and Methods

Fifty-one patients (30 males, median age 63.5 years), who underwent stenting with 51 self-expandable stents for significant (≥ 60%) stenosis of the middle/distal CCA, were analyzed retrospectively. Patient (atherosclerotic risk factors, comorbidities, medications), vessel (elongation), lesion (stenosis grade, length, calcification, location), and stent characteristics (material, diameter, length, fracture) were examined. Duplex ultrasonography was used to monitor stent patency. The Mann–Whitney U and Fisher’s exact tests, Kaplan–Meier analyses, and a log-rank test were used statistically.

Results

The median follow-up time was 35 months (interquartile range, 20–102 months). Significant (≥ 70%) ISR developed in 14 patients (27.5%; stenosis, N = 10; entire CCA occlusion, N = 4). Primary patency rates were 98%, 92%, 83%, 73%, and 61% at 6, 12, 24, 60, and 96 months, respectively. Reintervention was performed in six patients (11.8%) with nonocclusive ISR. Secondary patency rates were 100% at 6 and 12 months and 96% at 24, 60, and 96 months. In-stent restenosis developed more frequently (P < .001) in patients with hyperlipidemia; primary patency rates were also significantly worse (Chi-square, 11.08; degrees of freedom, 1; P < .001) in patients with hyperlipidemia compared to those without.

Conclusion

Stenting of the middle/distal CCA can be performed with acceptable patency rates. If intervention is unequivocally needed, patients with hyperlipidemia will require closer follow-up care.

Level of Evidence

Level 3, Local non-random sample.
New fat-tail normality test based on conditional second moments with applications to finance
Authors: Jelito Damian , Pitera Marcin
Published: May 2020

In this paper we introduce an efficient fat-tail measurement framework that is based on the conditional second moments. We construct a goodness-of-fit statistic that has a direct interpretation and can be used to assess the impact of fat-tails on central data conditional dispersion. Next, we show how to use this framework to construct a powerful normality test. In particular, we compare our methodology to various popular normality tests, including the Jarque–Bera test that is based on third and fourth moments, and show that in many cases our framework outperforms all others, both on simulated and market stock data. Finally, we derive asymptotic distributions for conditional mean and variance estimators, and use this to show asymptotic normality of the proposed test statistic.
Tetraspanin CD53: an overlooked regulator of immune cell function
Authors: Dunlock V. E.
Published: May 2020

Tetraspanins are membrane organizing proteins that play a role in organizing the cell surface through the formation of subcellular domains consisting of tetraspanins and their partner proteins. These complexes are referred to as tetraspanin enriched microdomains (TEMs) or the tetraspanin web. The formation of TEMs allows for the regulation of a variety of cellular processes such as adhesion, migration, signaling, and cell fusion. Tetraspanin CD53 is a member of the tetraspanin superfamily expressed exclusively within the immune compartment. Amongst others, B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells have all been found to express high levels of this protein on their surface. Almost three decades ago it was reported that patients who lacked CD53 suffered from an increased susceptibility to pathogens resulting in the clinical manifestation of recurrent viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. This clearly suggests a vital and non-redundant role for CD53 in immune function. Yet, despite this striking finding, the specific functional roles of CD53 within the immune system have remained elusive. This review aims to provide a concise overview of the published literature concerning CD53 and reflect on the underappreciated role of this protein in immune cell regulation and function.
Cell fusing agent virus (Flavivirus) infection in Aedes aegypti in Texas: seasonality, comparison by trap type, and individual viral loads
Authors: Martin Estelle , Tang Wendy , Briggs Cierra , Hopson Helena , Juarez Jose G. , Garcia-Luna Selene M. , de Valdez Megan Wise , Badillo-Vargas Ismael E. , Borucki Monica K. , Frank Matthias , Hamer Gabriel L.
Published: May 2020

South Texas has experienced local transmission of Zika virus and of other mosquito-borne viruses such as chikungunya virus and dengue virus in the last decades. Using a mosquito surveillance program in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) and San Antonio, TX, from 2016 to 2018, we detected the presence of an insect-specific virus, cell fusing agent virus (CFAV), in the Aedes aegypti mosquito population. We tested 6,326 females and 1,249 males from the LRGV and 659 females from San Antonio for CFAV by RT-PCR using specific primers. Infection rates varied from 0 to 261 per 1,000 mosquitoes in the LRGV and 115 to 208 per 1,000 in San Antonio depending on the month of collection. Infection rates per 1,000 individuals appeared higher in females collected from BG Sentinel 2 traps compared to Autocidal Gravid Ovitraps, but the ratio of the percentage of infected pools did not differ by trap type. The natural viral load in individual males ranged from 1.25 x 102 to 5.50 x 106 RNA copies and in unfed females from 5.42 x 103 to 8.70 x 106 RNA copies. Gravid females were found to harbor fewer viral particles than males and unfed females.
Predictors of voluntary and compulsory admissions after psychiatric emergency consultation in youth
Authors: So Pety , Wierdsma André I. , Kasius Marianne C. , Cornelis Jurgen , Lommerse Marion , Vermeiren Robert R. J. M. , Mulder Cornelis L.
Published: May 2020

As hospital beds are scarce, and emergency admissions to a psychiatric ward are major life-events for children and adolescents, it is essential to have insight into the decision-making process that leads to them. To identify potentially modifiable factors, we, therefore, studied the contextual and clinical characteristics associated with the voluntary and compulsory emergency admission of minors. We used registry data (2008–2017) on 1194 outpatient emergencies involving children aged 6–18 who had been referred to the mobile psychiatric emergency service in two city areas in The Netherlands. Demographic and contextual factors were collected, as well as clinical characteristics including diagnoses, psychiatric history, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and the Severity of Psychiatric Illness (SPI) scale. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors that predict voluntary or compulsory admission. Of 1194 consultations, 227 (19.0%) resulted in an admission, with 137 patients (11.5%) being admitted voluntarily and 90 (7.5%) compulsorily. Independently of legal status, the following characteristics were associated with admission: severity of psychiatric symptoms, consultation outside the patient’s home, and high levels of family disruption. Relative to voluntary admission, compulsory admission was associated with more severe psychiatric problems, higher suicide risk, and prior emergency compulsory admission. Two potentially modifiable factors were associated with psychiatric emergency admission: the place where patients were seen for consultation, and the presence of family problems. Psychiatric emergency admissions may be reduced if, whenever possible, minors are seen in their homes and if a system-oriented approach is used.
Heterogeneity and chimerism of endothelial cells revealed by single-cell transcriptome in orthotopic liver tumors
Authors: Zhao Qi , Molina-Portela Maria del Pilar , Parveen Asma , Adler Alexander , Adler Christina , E Hock , Wang Wei , Ni Min , Wei Yi , Atwal Gurinder , Mohrs Markus , Thurston Gavin , Eichten Alexandra
Published: May 2020

The liver is a common host organ for cancer, either through lesions that arise in liver epithelial cells [e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)] or as a site of metastasis by tumors arising in other organs (e.g., colorectal cancer). However, the changes that occur in liver stromal cells in response to cancer have not been fully characterized, nor has it been determined whether the different sources of liver cancer induce distinct stromal changes. Here, we performed single-cell profiling of liver stromal cells from mouse models of induced spontaneous liver cancer or implanted colorectal liver metastases, with a focus on tumor endothelial cells (ECs). While ECs in liver tissue adjacent to cancerous lesions (so-called adjacent normal) corresponded to liver zonation phenotypes, their transcriptomes were also clearly altered by the presence of a tumor. In comparison, tumor EC transcriptomes show stronger similarities to venous than sinusoidal ECs. Further, tumor ECs, independent of tumor origin, formed distinct clusters displaying conserved “tip-like” or “stalk-like” characteristics, similar to ECs from subcutaneous tumors. However, they also carried liver-specific signatures found in normal liver ECs, suggesting an influence of the host organ on tumor ECs. Our results document gene expression signatures in ECs in liver cancer and show that the host organ, and not the site of tumor origin (liver versus colorectal), is a primary determinant of EC phenotype. In addition, primarily in tumors, we further defined a cluster of chimeric cells that expressed both myeloid and endothelial cell markers and might play a role in tumor angiogenesis.
Long-term prognosis after kidney donation: a propensity score matched comparison of living donors and non-donors from two population cohorts
Authors: Janki Shiromani , Dehghan Abbas , van de Wetering Jacqueline , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Klop Karel W. J. , Kimenai Hendrikus J. A. N. , Rizopoulos Dimitris , Hoorn Ewout J. , Stracke Sylvia , Weimar Willem , Völzke Henry , Hofman Albert , Ijzermans Jan N. M.
Published: May 2020

Background

Live donor nephrectomy is a safe procedure. However, long-term donor prognosis is debated, necessitating high-quality studies.

Methods

A follow-up study of 761 living kidney donors was conducted, who visited the outpatient clinic and were propensity score matched and compared to 1522 non-donors from population-based cohort studies. Primary outcome was kidney function. Secondary outcomes were BMI (kg/m2), incidences of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular events, cardiovascular and overall mortality, and quality of life.

Results

Median follow-up after donation was 8.0 years. Donors had an increase in serum creatinine of 26 μmol/l (95% CI 24–28), a decrease in eGFR of 27 ml/min/1.73 m2 (95% CI − 29 to − 26), and an eGFR decline of 32% (95% CI 30–33) as compared to non-donors. There was no difference in outcomes between the groups for ESRD, microalbuminuria, BMI, incidence of diabetes or cardiovascular events, and mortality. A lower risk of new-onset hypertension (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.33–0.62) was found among donors. The EQ-5D health-related scores were higher among donors, whereas the SF-12 physical and mental component scores were lower.

Conclusion

Loss of kidney mass after live donation does not translate into negative long-term outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality compared to non-donors.

Trial registration

Dutch Trial Register NTR3795.
Rejuvenating experienced teachers through Quality Teaching Rounds professional development
Authors: Gore Jennifer , Rickards Bernadette
Published: May 2020

The key premise of professional development (PD) is that learning to teach continues throughout teachers’ careers. And yet, experienced teachers are often portrayed in media and public policy as resistant to such learning and afraid of change. This paper seeks a more nuanced understanding of why experienced teachers might resist the prospect of PD by investigating their responses to an innovative research-based collaborative approach known as Quality Teaching Rounds (QTR). We chronicle a story of change, from initial reservations to deep engagement and professional renewal. Analysis of before-and-after interviews with 25 mid-to-late career teachers from 20 primary and secondary schools in New South Wales, Australia, revealed that three features of QTR were critical to teacher turnaround: the time afforded teachers to refocus on quality teaching; time to observe teaching and learning and be observed; and processes founded on trust in and respect for teachers. In essence, QTR inspired teachers to embrace the opportunity to enhance their individual and collective practice, and they were rejuvenated in the process. Accordingly, we argue that the problem of professional development uptake among experienced teachers may lie less in ageist assumptions about their resistance to change than in the nature of the PD on offer. When PD is meaningful, intellectually engaging, safe, and collegial, experienced teachers are eager to participate.
The Health Benefits of Autobiographical Writing: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Authors: Valtonen Jussi
Published: May 2020

A large body of experimental evidence in the empirical sciences shows that writing about life experiences can be beneficial for mental and physical health. While empirical data regarding the health benefits of writing interventions have been collected in numerous studies in psychology and biomedicine, this literature has remained almost entirely disconnected from scholarship in the humanities and cognitive neuropsychology. In this paper, I review the literature from psychological and biomedical writing interventions, connect these findings to views from philosophy, cognitive neuropsychology and narratology and argue that examining established regularities in how narratives are structured can shed further light on the psychological processes engaged during writing interventions. In particular, I argue that the narratological concept of conflict can be applied to resolve patterns of seemingly conflicting empirical findings in psychological studies. More generally, I propose that an interdisciplinary perspective can provide a broader theoretical basis for understanding the psychological processes underlying the health benefits of autobiographical writing and provide directions for future research in psychology and biomedicine.
Suppression of friction-induced-vibration in MDoF systems using tangential harmonic excitation
Authors: Liu Ningyu , Ouyang Huajiang
Published: May 2020

This paper investigates the effects of tangential harmonic excitation on the friction-induced-vibration in multi-degree-of-freedom systems that are coupled in the tangential and normal directions. A minimal two-degree-of-freedom system and a more complicated slider-on-disc system are considered. It is observed the friction-induced-vibration of the systems can be suppressed with the tangential harmonic excitation when the amplitude and frequency of the excitation are in certain ranges. The analytical method to determine the ranges where the systems are stabilized by the tangential excitation is established. To verify the analytical results, a great amount of computational effort is also made to simulate the time responses of systems in various combinations of values of the amplitude and frequency, by which the parameter ranges where the friction-induced vibration is suppressed can also be obtained. This research can provide theoretical guidance for the suppression of friction-induced-vibration in a real disc brake system by application of a tangential harmonic excitation.
Fukunaga–Koontz Convolutional Network with Applications on Character Classification
Authors: Gatto Bernardo B. , dos Santos Eulanda M. , Fukui Kazuhiro , Júnior Waldir S. S. , dos Santos Kenny V.
Published: May 2020

Several convolutional neural network architectures have been proposed for handwritten character recognition. However, most of the conventional architectures demand large scale training data and long training time to obtain satisfactory results. These requirements prevent the use of these methods in a broader range of applications. As an alternative to cope with these problems, we present a new convolutional network for handwritten character recognition based on the Fukunaga–Koontz transform (FKT). Our approach lies in the assumption that Fukunaga–Koontz convolutional kernels can be efficiently learned from subspaces and directly employed to produce high discriminant features in a shallow network architecture. When representing image classes by subspaces, the within-class separability is reduced, since the subspaces form clusters in a low-dimensional space. To increase the between-class separability, we compute a discriminative space from the training subspaces using FKT. By learning convolutional kernels from subspaces, it is possible to extract representative and discriminative features from an image with only a few parameters. Another contribution of the proposed network is the use of pooling layers, which further improves its performance. The proposed method, called Fukunaga–Koontz Network (FKNet), is suitable for solving practical problems, especially when training and processing times are constraints. Four publicly available handwritten character datasets are employed to evaluate the advantages of FKNet. In addition, we demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed method by experiments on LFW dataset.
Measurement-induced geometric measures of correlations based on the trace distance for two-qubit X states
Authors: Walczak Zbigniew , Bauer Jarosław H.
Published: May 2020

We apply the modified Brodutch and Modi method of constructing geometric measures of correlations to obtain analytical expressions for measurement-induced geometric classical and quantum correlations based on the trace distance for two-qubit X states. Moreover, we study continuity of the classical and quantum correlations for these states. In particular, we show that these correlations may not be continuous.
i3PosNet: instrument pose estimation from X-ray in temporal bone surgery
Authors: Kügler David , Sehring Jannik , Stefanov Andrei , Stenin Igor , Kristin Julia , Klenzner Thomas , Schipper Jörg , Mukhopadhyay Anirban
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Accurate estimation of the position and orientation (pose) of surgical instruments is crucial for delicate minimally invasive temporal bone surgery. Current techniques lack in accuracy and/or line-of-sight constraints (conventional tracking systems) or expose the patient to prohibitive ionizing radiation (intra-operative CT). A possible solution is to capture the instrument with a c-arm at irregular intervals and recover the pose from the image.

Methods

i3PosNet infers the position and orientation of instruments from images using a pose estimation network. Said framework considers localized patches and outputs pseudo-landmarks. The pose is reconstructed from pseudo-landmarks by geometric considerations.

Results

We show i3PosNet reaches errors $$<\,0.05$$<0.05 mm. It outperforms conventional image registration-based approaches reducing average and maximum errors by at least two thirds. i3PosNet trained on synthetic images generalizes to real X-rays without any further adaptation.

Conclusion

The translation of deep learning-based methods to surgical applications is difficult, because large representative datasets for training and testing are not available. This work empirically shows sub-millimeter pose estimation trained solely based on synthetic training data.
Multi-locus phylogeny of the genus Curvularia and description of ten new species
Authors: Marin-Felix Y. , Hernández-Restrepo M. , Crous P. W.
Published: May 2020

Curvulariais a cosmopolitan genus that includes species associated with plants, animals and humans, several of which are of clinical significance. Some of these species are important pathogens of grasses, causing devastating diseases on cereal crops in the family Poaceae. In the present multi-locus study, ex-type and reference strains ofCurvularia, as well as several strains deposited in the CBS culture collection of the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, were included. Based on ITS,GAPDHandTEF1sequences, as well as phenotypic data, ten new species are described and illustrated:C. arcana,C. austriaca,C. canadensis,C. ellisii,C. pseudoclavata,C. pseudoellisii,C. pseudointermedia,C. pseudoprotuberata,C. siddiquiiandC. tribuli. Moreover, the new combinationsC. cactivoraandC. patereaeare proposed, and an epitype forC. oryzae-sativaeis designated. In addition, illustrations and descriptions are provided forC. cactivora,C. ellisii,C. crassiseptata,C. neergaardii,C. oryzae,C. oryzae-sativae,C. protuberataandC. verruciformis. The description ofC. pseudobrachysporais emended, and its host and distribution records are updated.
A Toolbox of Potential Immune-Related Therapies for Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Elsanhoury Ahmed , Tschöpe Carsten , Van Linthout Sophie
Published: May 2020

Myocarditis is a multifactorial disorder, characterized by an inflammatory reaction in the myocardium, predominantly triggered by infectious agents, but also by antigen mimicry or autoimmunity in susceptible individuals. Unless spontaneously resolved, a chronic inflammatory course concludes with cardiac muscle dysfunction portrayed by ventricular dilatation, clinically termed inflammatory cardiomyopathy (Infl-CM). Treatment strategies aim to resolve chronic inflammation and preserve cardiac function. Beside standard heart failure treatments, which only play a supportive role in this condition, systemic immunosuppressants are used to diminish inflammatory cell function at the cost of noxious side effects. To date, the treatment protocols are expert-based without large clinical evidence. This review describes concept and contemporary strategies to alleviate myocardial inflammation and sheds light on potential inflammatory targets in an evidence-based order.
lncRNA-NRF is a Potential Biomarker of Heart Failure After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Yan Li , Zhang Yu , Zhang Wei , Deng Sheng-Qiong , Ge Zhi-Ru
Published: May 2020

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a new focus in cardiovascular diseases. The necrosis-related factor (NRF) is a newly discovered lncRNA, which is increased in myocardial injury. We investigated the role of lncRNA-NRF in heart failure (HF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to find a biomarker for early HF detection. This was a cross-sectional study of 76 AMI patients with HF and 58 AMI patients without HF. lncRNA-NRF was shown to be increased in AMI patients with HF compared with AMI patients without HF and had predictive value for diagnosis of HF. It had a high diagnostic value for HF (AUC, 0.975), while the AUC for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide was 0.720. Our findings suggest that lncRNA-NRF may represent a marker of risk for development of HF post-AMI.
Tailoring the morphology, crystalline structure, and electrochemical properties of nanostructured Bi2S3 using various solvent mixtures
Authors: Moyseowicz Adam , Moyseowicz Agata
Published: May 2020

Among novel nanostructured materials, transition metal chalcogenides (i.e., sulfides and selenides) emerged as promising candidates due to their unique electrochemical properties. The following study presents a facile synthesis approach of Bi2S3 nanostructures using solvent mixtures of ethanol and water with different volume ratios and ammonium sulfide as a sulfur precursor. The resultant bismuth sulfides were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and nitrogen sorption at 77 K. The adjustment of the solvent mixture revealed the possibility of customizing the crystalline structure from amorphous to fully crystalline, as well as the morphology of the Bi2S3, which subsequently influenced on their electrochemical properties. Bi2S3 synthesized in a solvent mixture of ethanol-to-water volume ratio 1:2 (Bi2S3-EW12) exhibited almost fully crystalline structure and nanoplatelet-like morphology, which translated to the best electrochemical performance. Bi2S3-EW12 achieved specific capacity of 748 C g−1 in an aqueous 6 mol L−1 KOH electrolyte and maintained the highest capacity value at a large current density of 20 A g−1.
Cognitive Correlates in Gaming Disorder and Social Networks Use Disorder: a Comparison
Authors: Wegmann Elisa , Brand Matthias
Published: May 2020

Purpose of Review

This overview aims at summarizing studies, which investigated cognitive correlates of gaming disorder and of a problematic use of social networks by using behavioral experimental paradigms and brain imaging techniques.

Recent Findings

Based on theoretical models, inhibition/inhibitory control, attentional bias, executive functions, decision-making, and working memory capabilities have been identified as cognitive components, which are assumed to play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of an addictive behavior. A systematic search shows that various studies have already examined the involvement of different cognitive components in both types of potential addictive behaviors. However, the number of studies addressing cognitive correlates of social networks use disorder is very much lower compared with gaming disorder, even if there is a positive trend in terms of new publications in recent years.

Cognitive correlates have been frequently investigated in gaming disorder, as in many other disorders due to substance use or addictive behaviors. Studies on cognitive aspects involved in a problematic social networks use are still rare, but they are needed in order to further show if this phenomenon may also deserve a classification as addictive disorder. Interactions between different cognitive and affective processes are still understudied in both gaming disorder and problematic social networks use.
Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Reprogramming to Induced Pluripotency
Authors: Kanwal Shahzina , Guo Xiangpeng , Ward Carl , Volpe Giacomo , Qin Baoming , Esteban Miguel A. , Bao Xichen
Published: May 2020

The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells through somatic cell reprogramming requires a global reorganization of cellular functions. This reorganization occurs in a multi-phased manner and involves a gradual revision of both the epigenome and transcriptome. Recent studies have shown that the large-scale transcriptional changes observed during reprogramming also apply to long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a type of traditionally neglected RNA species that are increasingly viewed as critical regulators of cellular function. Deeper understanding of lncRNAs in reprogramming may not only help to improve this process but also have implications for studying cell plasticity in other contexts, such as development, aging, and cancer. In this review, we summarize the current progress made in profiling and analyzing the role of lncRNAs in various phases of somatic cell reprogramming, with emphasis on the re-establishment of the pluripotency gene network and X chromosome reactivation.
Earliest Utilization of Chicken in Upper California: The Zooarchaeology of Avian Remains from the San Diego Royal Presidio
Authors: Sasson Aharon , Arter Susan
Published: May 2020

The San Diego Presidio, established in AD 1769, was the first European settlement in Upper California. Very little is known about chicken husbandry in colonial America, which makes this study the first comprehensive analysis of chicken remains in North America. Chickens are scarcely mentioned in historical accounts describing early California, and information on their sex, age, or management is rare. The faunal assemblage from the San Diego Presidio yielded 20 avian and 14 mammalian species. Chicken remains were studied through a wide range of zooarchaeological methods, including taphonomy, biometry, medullary bone, epiphyseal fusion, butchering, and body-part representation. Taphonomic analysis indicates good preservation of the bone assemblage. The biometric study points to two breeds of chickens: a smaller (bantam) breed alongside a standard-size chicken. The percentage of juvenile chickens (23%), the rooster/hen ratio (1:8.5), and high proportion of medullary bone point to on-site chicken husbandry focusing on meat and egg production. The historical record suggests that California presidios were not self-sufficient and that they relied on food provisioned from Mexico and nearby missions. We argue that small-scale poultry production, likely managed by women and children, provided California presidios with a form of subsistence independence.
Regional anesthesia in Canadian emergency departments: Emergency physician practices, perspectives, and barriers to use
Authors: Wiercigroch David , Ben-Yakov Maxim , Porplycia Danielle , Friedman Steven Marc
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Regional anesthesia has many applications in the emergency department (ED). It has been shown to reduce general anesthetic dose, requirement for post-procedural opioids, and recovery time. We sought to characterize the use of regional anesthesia by Canadian emergency physicians, including practices, perspectives and barriers to use in the ED.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was administered to members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP), consisting of sixteen multiple choice and numerical response questions. Responses were summarized descriptively as percentages and as the median and inter quartile range (IQR) for quantitative variables.

Results

The survey was completed by 149/1144 staff emergency physicians, with a response rate of 13%. Respondents used regional anesthesia a median of 2 (IQR 0–4) times in the past ten shifts. The most broadly used applications were soft tissue repair (84.5% of respondents, n = 126), fracture pain management (79.2%, n = 118) and orthopedic reduction (72.5%, n = 108). Respondents agreed that regional anesthesia is safe to use in the ED (98.7%) and were interested in using it more frequently (78.5%). Almost all (98.0%) respondents had point of care ultrasound available, however less than half (49.0%) felt comfortable using it for RA. Respondents indicated that they required more training (76.5%), a departmental protocol (47.0%), and nursing assistance (30.2%) to increase their use of RA.

Conclusion

Canadian emergency physicians use regional anesthesia infrequently but express an interest in expanding their use. While equipment is available, additional training, protocols, and increased support from nursing staff are modifiable factors that could facilitate uptake.
The need for early intervention for psychosis to persist throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
Authors: O’Donoghue B. , O’Connor K. , Thompson A. , McGorry P.
Published: May 2020

In the last three decades, early intervention for psychosis (EIP) services have been established worldwide and have resulted in superior symptomatic and functional outcomes for people affected by psychotic disorders. These improved outcomes are a result of reducing delays to treatment and the provision of specialised, holistic interventions. The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant challenges to the delivery of these services, such as undetected cases or long delays to treatment. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic will likely increase the mental health needs of communities, including the incidence of psychotic disorders. In this perspective piece, we provide suggestions as to how EIP services can adapt within this environment, such as utilising novel technologies. Finally, we argue that despite the economic consequences of the pandemic, the funding for mental health services, including EI services, should be increased in line with the need for these services during and beyond the pandemic.
COVID-19 from the perspective of urban and rural general adult mental health services
Authors: Lyne J. , Roche E. , Kamali M. , Feeney L.
Published: May 2020

COVID-19 has presented society with one of the greatest challenges in living memory. Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs)have needed to adapt quickly to a rapidly developing situation which has had a dramatic impact on society. In this piece, we describe some of the early challenges for CMHTs within two mental health services based in Dublin and Wicklow. We also discuss ongoing developments and anticipate the need for further vigilance as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.
COVID-19 pandemic: mental health and beyond – the Indian perspective
Authors: Mukherjee A. , Bandopadhyay G. , Chatterjee S. S.
Published: May 2020

India is ade factocontinent in the garb of a country. COVID-19 is an unprecedented global pandemic spanning continents. Being the second most populous country in the world, experts regard how India deals with the outbreak will have enormous impact on the world’s ability to deal with it. The country has been in lockdown since March 25, 2020 until the current time of early May 2020, and despite several challenges, there has been early success. The major conflict now is the health benefits weighed up against the deleterious social and economic consequences of prolonged lockdown, that is, life versus livelihood. This unprecedented calamity could potentially cause or exacerbate various psychiatric disorders. It is recognized that lifestyle changes and limited screen time may help reduce mental health difficulties. Considering the physical barriers to consultation, development of telemedicine services is needed. This pandemic, like other previous pandemics, will pass, and until this happens, we must remain extremely vigilant.
THE POLITICAL THEOLOGY OF JUSTICE HUGO BLACK
Authors: Bertucio Brett
Published: May 2020

Associate Justice Hugo Black is often considered one of the giants of twentieth-century American religion clause jurisprudence. Especially regarding the Establishment Clause, Black sought to leave his mark on precedent. Previous biographers and legal scholars have noted the influence of his own religious convictions on his legal reasoning. I extend this line of inquiry but argue that Black's decisions enshrine a more concrete, substantive view of religion and political life than has previously been acknowledged. By drawing primarily on archival research regarding Justice Black's reading, correspondence, and religious membership, I argue that we can best understand his religious thought as a species of political theology, one I termsyncretic civic moralism. In brief, Justice Black viewed the ideal religion as one free of doctrinal claims and primarily supporting prosocial behavior and civic loyalty. After outlining the impact of his theology on his landmark opinions, I conclude by suggesting some of the consequences of Black's theo-political jurisprudence for contemporary American establishment debates.