bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bleb grading by photographs versus bleb grading by slit‐lamp examination
Authors: Hoffmann Esther M. , Herzog Daniel , Wasielica‐Poslednik Joanna , Butsch Christina , Schuster Alexander K.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Using a bleb‐grading system clinically facilitates long‐term follow‐up of patients with previous glaucoma surgery. Clinical evaluation of these patients can be challenging for untrained ophthalmologists. Morphological bleb configuration might influence planning of follow‐up visits in glaucoma patients due to different and individual prognosis after trabeculectomy. In this study, we compared the MaBAGS (Mainz Bleb Appearance Grading System), a classification system for filtering blebs with other classification systems (MBGS/Moorfields Bleb Grading System, IBAGS/Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading Scale) in reference to usability and reliability and compare it to grading by bleb photographs.

Methods

Forty‐two eyes of 31 patients after trabeculectomy were included. Three observers, two senior and one junior observer, graded all blebs using MaBAGS, MBGS and IBAGS during slit‐lamp examination. Bleb photographs were reviewed at least 4 weeks after clinical examination. Statistical analysis was performed to determine agreement between the observers using intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results

With MaBAGS, excellent and good levels of agreement were found for vascularity indices, Seidel test and transparency. Parameters for area and height yielded moderate agreement, while indices for conjunctival mobility and microcysts failed to show satisfying levels of agreement. Using MBGS resulted in excellent and good interobserver consistency for parameters regarding subconjunctival blood, Seidel test, and central and peripheral vascularity. Height and nonbleb vascularity reached moderate levels of agreement. Agreement for area parameters was low. With IBAGS, good levels of agreement were found for height and vascularity, and moderate for extent. In all grading systems, consistency was considerably better between the two experienced observers compared to the inexperienced grader.

Conclusions

MaBAGS shows good reproducibility. Using such a grading system improves precision of the description of a highly variable clinical finding. The reliability of grading by slit‐lamp examination exceeds that of grading on photographs.
Uncontrolled trial of specialized, multi‐component care for individuals with first‐episode psychosis: Effects on motivation orientations
Authors: Breitborde Nicholas J. K. , Pine Jacob G. , Moe Aubrey M.
Published: December 2019

Aim

Deficits in motivation are present early in the course of psychotic disorders. However, growing data have highlighted important heterogeneity in motivation among individuals with psychosis, suggesting that this variable may not be a unitary concept. Outside of the psychosis literature, research on self‐determination theory has identified three motivational orientations that guide the initiation and regulation of behaviour: autonomous, controlled and impersonal. Thus, our study goal is to investigate the longitudinal course of motivational orientations among individuals participating in a specialized clinical service for individuals with first‐episode psychosis (ie, coordinated specialty care: CSC).

Methods

Forty‐one individuals with first‐episode psychosis participating in CSC completed assessments of motivation orientations at enrolment and after 6 months of care.

Results

Whereas there were no changes in controlled or impersonal orientations over the first 6‐months of care, individuals with first‐episode psychosis reported an increase in autonomous orientations. Moreover, while individuals with first‐episode psychosis reported lower autonomous orientations at enrolment as compared to individuals without psychosis, after 6 months of care, ratings of autonomous orientations among individuals with first‐episode psychosis were equivalent to those of individuals without psychosis.

Conclusions

Although the results should be interpreted cautiously given the uncontrolled study design, the results suggest that the benefits of participation in early intervention services for psychosis may extend to improvements in motivation.
Effects of traumatic life events, cognitive biases and variation in dopaminergic genes on psychosis proneness
Authors: Kotowicz Kamila , Frydecka Dorota , Gawęda Łukasz , Prochwicz Katarzyna , Kłosowska Joanna , Rymaszewska Joanna , Samochowiec Agnieszka , Samochowiec Jerzy , Szczygieł Krzysztof , Pawlak‐Adamska Edyta , Szmida Elżbieta , Cechnicki Andrzej , Misiak Błażej
Published: December 2019

Aims

Recent studies have provided evidence that interactions between variation in dopaminergic genes and stressful experiences might impact risk of psychosis. However, it remains unknown whether these interactions impact the development of subclinical symptoms, including psychotic‐like experiences (PLEs). In this study, we aimed to test the effects of interactions between variation in dopaminergic genes and traumatic life events (TLEs) on a severity of PLEs.

Methods

We assessed TLEs, cognitive biases, PLEs as well as the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) rs4680 and the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) rs6277 gene polymorphisms in 445 university students at three urban areas.

Results

There was a significant effect of the interaction between the COMT rs4680 and a history of any type of TLEs on a severity of PLEs. Among the COMT rs4680 Met allele carriers, a severity of PLEs was higher in individuals with a history of any type of TLEs. Further stratification of the sample revealed that this effect appears only in the group of participants with a high level of cognitive biases. The DRD2 rs6277 C allele was independently associated with a higher level of PLEs.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that decreased dopamine catabolism related to the COMT gene polymorphism might increase psychosis proneness in individuals with a history of TLEs and high levels of cognitive biases. Variation in the DRD2 gene might exert independent effects on psychosis proneness. These findings imply that there are various levels of complexity in the models of interactions between genetic and environmental factors explaining the mechanisms underlying psychosis proneness.
Cyclic nucleotides, gut physiology and inflammation
Authors: Prasad Hari , Shenoy Avinash Ravindranath , Visweswariah Sandhya Srikant
Published: December 2019

Misregulation of gut function and homeostasis impinges on the overall well‐being of the entire organism. Diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age, and globally, 1.7 billion cases of childhood diarrhea are reported every year. Accompanying diarrheal episodes are a number of secondary effects in gut physiology and structure, such as erosion of the mucosal barrier that lines the gut, facilitating further inflammation of the gut in response to the normal microbiome. Here, we focus on pathogenic bacteria‐mediated diarrhea, emphasizing the role of cyclic adenosine 3',5'‐monophosphate and cyclic guanosine 3′,5′‐monophosphate in driving signaling outputs that result in the secretion of water and ions from the epithelial cells of the gut. We also speculate on how this aberrant efflux and influx of ions could modulate inflammasome signaling, and therefore cell survival and maintenance of gut architecture and function.
Big data analytics in health: an overview and bibliometric study of research activity
Authors: Galetsi Panagiota , Katsaliaki Korina
Published: December 2019

Objective

The study presents an overview of the research activity in Big Data Analytics (BDA) in the field of health and demonstrates the existing knowledge through related examples. The objective is to inform health librarians about the nature and magnitude of the technological innovations in health information analysis tools, its influence, and where and how further material could be searched.

Methods

We performed a bibliometric and co‐citation analysis within a total of 804 papers published between 2000 and 2016 and retrieved from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Using the NVivo text analysis software, we identified the stakeholders of BDA in health and innovative decision support systems in the field.

Results

Our findings show a tremendous increase in published papers after 2014. Most of them are relevant to neurology and medical oncology. The stakeholders are clinicians, researchers, patients, administrators, IT specialists, vendors and policymakers. New BDA tools in medicine are mostly developed for disease monitoring purposes while they utilise visualisation to identify disease patterns and statistical analysis of past data for making predictions.

Conclusions

Health analytics provide a unique opportunity for advancing health information research and medical decision making. It provides health information professionals with new tools in problem‐solving offering new perspectives in prognosis and diagnosis of diseases.
What happens to global health research: analysis of the full‐length publication rates of research abstracts presented at two major global health conferences
Authors: Rajaguru Praveen P. , Premkumar Ajay , Sheth Neil P.
Published: December 2019

Background

Global health research has been expanding rapidly. The Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) and Global Health and Innovation Conference (GHIC) are the two major conferences for global health research. It is unclear how much of the presented research goes on to full‐length publication.

Objectives

This study sought to determine publication rates and journals of CUGH and GHIC research.

Methods

A total of 1449 abstracts from CUGH and GHIC from 2014 to 2015 were searched by title, author and keywords using Google Scholar and PubMed. Publications were categorised according to WHO Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) categories.

Results

Research was published in 293 journals at a rate of 34.0%, within an average of 15.1 months. The 15 MEDLINE indexed global health journals accounted for just 5.5% of publications.

Discussion

Despite growth in global health research, publication rates from the two major conferences are low. The majority of publications in journals are not MEDLINE indexed global health journals. Improved publication and consolidation of global health research is critical.

Conclusion

Global health conference publication rates are low. Effective dissemination is critical as the field grows. This may require increased publishing support, improved indexing and consolidation of global health research.
Age‐ and gender‐related reference ranges for thromboelastography from a healthy Indian population
Authors: Ahammad Javed , Kurien Annamma , Shastry Shamee , Shah Hitesh H. , Nayak Dinesh , Kamath Asha , Badagabettu Sulochana
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Thromboelastography (TEG) is a whole blood clotting assay largely used in major surgeries and trauma to monitor patients' in vivo hemostatic status. Standardization of kaolin‐activated citrated whole blood thromboelastography is not done in the Indian population. This study primarily aims to derive reference ranges of kaolin‐activated TEG for healthy volunteers in the Indian population. Secondarily, it aims to study the age‐ and gender‐related hemostatic changes in the study population.

Methods

A total of 120 healthy volunteers were enrolled (55 adult males, 32 adult females, and 33 children). The volunteers were interviewed for any bleeding history or drug intake which affects coagulation. Kaolin‐activated TEG was performed on citrated whole blood, and parameters including R‐time, K‐time, angle, MA, LY30, and CI were analyzed.

Results

Derived reference range for total volunteers irrespective of age and sex were as follows: R‐time: 3.8‐10.6, K‐time: 1.2‐3.1, angle: 44.9‐72.0, MA: 41.2‐64.5, LY30: 0‐9.9, and CI: −3.7 to 3.4. Statistically significant difference was observed in different age and sex groups for R‐time, K‐time, and angle. About 40% of the volunteers had at least one abnormal parameter according to the manufacturer's reference range which decreased to 12.5% when the derived reference ranges were considered.

Conclusion

Gender‐ and age‐related variances were observed in reference ranges of our population and which was also differed from the other ethnic population. Many of our healthy volunteers were categorized as coagulopathic when manufacturer's reference range was considered. So, it is important to derive the reference range of the target population before using the TEG into clinical practice.
Crystal structure, phonon modes, and bond characteristics of AgPb2B2V3O12 (B = Mg, Zn) microwave ceramics
Authors: Madhuri Rakhi , Ganesanpotti Subodh
Published: December 2019

AgPb2B2V3O12 (B = Mg, Zn) ceramics with low sintering temperature were synthesized via the conventional solid‐state reaction route. Rietveld refinements of the X‐ray diffraction patterns confirm cubic symmetry with space group . The number of observed vibrational modes and those predicted by group theoretical calculations also confirm the space group. At the optimum sintering temperature of 750°C/4 hours, AgPb2Mg2V3O12 has a relative permittivity of 23.3 ± 0.2, unloaded quality factor () of 26 900 ± 500 GHz (), and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of 19.3 ± 1 ppm/°C, while AgPb2Zn2V3O12 has the corresponding values of 26.4 ± 0.2, 28 400 ± 500 GHz () and –18.4 ± 1 ppm/°C at 590°C/4 hours. Microwave dielectric properties of a few reported garnets and Pb2AgB2V3O12 (B = Mg, Zn) ceramics were correlated with their intrinsic characteristics such as the Raman shifts as well as width of A1g Raman bands. Higher quality factor was obtained for lower full width at half‐maxima (FWHMs) values of A1g modes. The increase in B‐site bond valence contributes to high and low |τf| with the substitution of Zn2+ by Mg2+. Furthermore, the high ionic polarizability and unit cell volume with Zn2+substitution contribute to increased relative permittivity.
Unveiling the food webs of tetrapods across Europe through the prism of the Eltonian niche
Authors: O’Connor Louise M. J. , Pollock Laura J. , Braga João , Ficetola Gentile Francesco , Maiorano Luigi , Martinez‐Almoyna Camille , Montemaggiori Alessandro , Ohlmann Marc , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: December 2019

Aim

Despite recent calls for integrating interaction networks into the study of large‐scale biodiversity patterns, we still lack a basic understanding of the functional characteristics of large interaction networks and how they are structured across environments. Here, building on recent advances in network science around the Eltonian niche concept, we aim to characterize the trophic groups in a large food web, and understand how these trophic groups vary across space.

Location

Europe and Anatolia.

Taxon

Tetrapods (1,136 species).

Methods

We combined an expert‐based metaweb of all European tetrapods with their spatial distributions and biological traits. To understand the functional structure of the metaweb, we first used a stochastic block model to group species with similar Eltonian niches, and then analysed these groups with species’ functional traits and network metrics. We then combined these groups with species distributions to understand how trophic diversity varies across space, in function of the environment, and between the European ecoregions.

Results

We summarized the 1,136 interacting species within the metaweb into 46 meaningful trophic groups of species with a similar role in the metaweb. Specific aspects of the ecology of species, such as their activity time, nesting habitat and diet explained these trophic groups. Across space, trophic diversity was driven by both biotic and abiotic factors (species richness, climate and primary productivity), and the representation of trophic groups differed among European ecoregions.

Main conclusions

We have characterized the Eltonian niche of species in a large food web, both in terms of species interactions and functional traits, and then used this to understand the spatial variation of food webs at a functional level, thus bringing together network science, functional ecology and biogeography. Our results highlight the need to integrate multiple aspects of species ecology in global change research. Further, our approach is strongly relevant for conservation biology as it could help predict the impact of species translocations on trophic diversity.
Subgingival instrumentation for treatment of periodontitis. A systematic review
Authors: Suvan Jeanie , Leira Yago , Moreno Sancho Federico Manuel , Graziani Filippo , Derks Jan , Tomasi Cristiano
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of subgingival instrumentation (PICOS‐1), sonic/ultrasonic/hand instruments (PICOS‐2) and different subgingival instrumentation delivery protocols (PICOS‐3) to treat periodontitis.

Methods

Systematic electronic search (CENTRAL/MEDLINE/EMBASE/SCOPUS/LILACS) to March 2019 was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) reporting on subgingival instrumentation. Duplicate screening and data extraction were performed to formulate evidence tables and meta‐analysis as appropriate.

Results

As only one RCT addressed the efficacy of subgingival instrumentation compared with supragingival cleaning alone (PICOS‐1), baseline and final measures from 9 studies were considered. The weighted pocket depth (PD) reduction was 1.4 mm (95%CI: 1.0 1.7) at 6/8 months, and the proportion of pocket closure was estimated at 74% (95%CI: 64–85). Six RCTs compared hand and sonic/ultrasonic instruments for subgingival instrumentation (PICOS‐2). No significant differences were observed between groups by follow‐up time point or category of initial PD. Thirteen RCTs evaluated quadrant‐wise versus full‐mouth approaches (PICOS‐3). No significant differences were observed between groups irrespective of time‐points or initial PD. Five studies reported patient‐reported outcomes, reporting no differences between groups.

Conclusions

Nonsurgical periodontal therapy by mechanical subgingival instrumentation is an efficacious means to achieve infection control in periodontitis patients irrespective of the type of instrument or mode of delivery. Prospero ID: CRD42019124887.
Gray Matter Regions Associated With Functional Mobility in Community‐Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: DiSalvio Nikki L. , Rosano Caterina , Aizenstein Howard J. , Redfern Mark S. , Furman Joseph M. , Jennings J. Richard , Whitney Susan L. , Sparto Patrick J.
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Neuroimaging indicators of reduced brain health in the form of lower gray matter volume (GMV), lower fractional anisotropy (FA), and higher white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) have been related to global mobility measures, such as gait speed, in older adults. The purpose was to identify associations between brain regions and specific mobility functions to provide a greater understanding of the contribution of the central nervous system to independent living.

DESIGN

Cross‐sectional study.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventy community‐ambulating healthy older adults (mean age = 76 ± 5 years).

MEASUREMENTS

Participants performed the following tests: gait speed, Five Times Sit to Stand, Four Square Step Test (FSST), and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). Structural magnetic resonance imaging of each participantʼs brain was collected. Measures of regional GMV, tract‐specific WMHV, and FA were extracted. Correlational analyses between the mobility measures and neuroimaging measures were conducted using whole brain and regional and tract‐specific measures. This was followed by linear regression models relating the mobility measures to regions or tracts identified in the correlation analysis, and adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index.

RESULTS

Significant associations were found between higher GMV in multiple regions, primarily the parietal and temporal lobes, and better performance in gait speed, DGI, and FSST. After adjusting for personal factors, greater parahippocampus GMV was independently associated with greater gait speed. Greater inferior parietal lobe, supramarginal gyrus, and superior temporal gyrus GMVs were associated with gait function. Greater postcentral gyrus, parahippocampus, and superior temporal gyrus GMVs were associated with faster FSST performance. The WMHV and FA were not significantly correlated with the mobility measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Gray matter regions associated with higher performance in mobility measures serving gait function and multidirectional stepping were those structures related to vestibular sensation, spatial navigation, and somatosensation.J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1023–1028, 2020
Exploring the relationship between nursing identity and advanced nursing practice: An ethnographic study
Authors: Anderson Helen , Birks Yvonne , Adamson Joy
Published: December 2019

Aims and objectives

To consider the relationship between professional nursing identity and advanced practice by exploring intra‐professional relationships between advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) and nursing colleagues.

Background

Advanced nursing practice continues to develop internationally. Previous studies suggest advanced practice may lack support within nursing, which may lead to underutilisation, retention and patient safety issues. However, the relationship between the wider nursing profession and advanced practice is poorly understood and the theory that professional identity creates cultural barriers to advanced practice has received little empirical attention.

Design

Ethnographic methodology was used.

Methods

Fieldwork methods were participant observation and semi‐structured interviews. Participants were ANPs (n = 9) and nursing colleagues (n = 5) across two primary care general practice organisations. Data were analysed thematically using framework analysis, underpinned a priori by professional identity theories. Reporting was guided by COREQ.

Results

Three themes were identified which indicated how intra‐professional relationships were conducted: Conciliating Nursing, where ANPs took responsibility for developing positive relationships with other nurses; Vertical Discounting, where nursing colleagues were dismissive and undermined ANPs, who themselves behaved similarly towards other nurses; and Lateral Othering, where ANPs undermined other ANPs. Vertical Discounting and Lateral Othering destabilised advanced practice.

Conclusion

Intra‐professional relationships, and the broader nursing profession, shape advanced practice. We theorise this is underpinned by threats to professional identity, while weak professional identity amongst even established advanced practitioners exacerbates lack of support. Highlighting these issues allows space to develop alternative strategies to negotiate intra‐professional relationships, informed by professional identity theories, which support rather than inhibit advanced practice.

Relevance to clinical practice

As advanced practice expands throughout primary and secondary care, and across allied health professions, the impact of professional identity and relationships on health care will likely increase and the importance of strong advanced practice identity will become increasingly relevant.
A 3D‐Printed Guide to Assist in Sinus Slot Preparation for the Optimization of Zygomatic Implant Axis Trajectory
Authors: Wang Christina I. , Cho Seok‐Hwan , Cho David , Ducote Colten , Reddy Likith V. , Sinada Naif
Published: December 2019

Zygomatic implants have become a predictable treatment modality for the rehabilitation of the severely atrophic maxilla. Due to differing anatomic variations, proximity to vital anatomic structures and limited intraoperative visibility, the placement of zygomatic implants can be a difficult task; compromised implant positioning may ultimately lead to postoperative surgical and prosthetic complications. The purpose of this report is to demonstrate a technique that allows for the transfer of the sinus slot position. Ultimately, this optimizes zygomatic implant axis trajectory from preoperative prosthetic planning by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 3‐dimensional (3D) planning software to fabricate a stereolithographic 3D‐printed surgical guide.
Substitution of leguminous forage for oat hay improves nitrogen utilization efficiency of crossbred Simmental calves
Authors: Du Wuchen , Hou Fujiang , Tsunekawa Atsushi , Kobayashi Nobuyuki , Peng Fei , Ichinohe Toshiyoshi
Published: December 2019

Low nitrogen (N) utilization efficiency (NUE, the ratio of retained N to N intake [NI]) of ruminants is always a potential dietary protein wastage as well as a global environmental problem, and dietary N manipulation is the most effective way to improve NUE. We conducted 2 experiments to investigate the effects of replacing oat hay by leguminous forages (alfalfa hay [AH] in experiment [Exp] 1 and common vetch hay [CVH] in Exp 2) with 4 levels (0%, 8%, 16% or 24% AH and 0%, 10%, 20% or 30% CVH on dry matter [DM] basis) at the same crude protein (135 g/kg DM) and metabolizable energy (10.1 MJ/kg DM) on feed intake, N metabolism, NUE and blood composition of crossbred Simmental calves. Sixteen calves of each Exp were assigned to the four diets in a randomized block design. Faecal N (FN) output and the ratio of FN to NI increased with increasing AH/CVH proportions, whereas urinary N (UN) output, the ratio of UN to NI, and the ruminal ammonia N concentration gradually decreased in both experiments. Nutrient digestibility (DM, organic matter [OM] and neutral detergent fibre [NDF]) of calves showed a parabolic trend with gradually increasing AH/CVH proportions. The highest values of nutrient digestibility (DM, OM and NDF) of calves were observed in 16% AH in Exp 1 and 20% CVH in Exp 2. Our findings suggest that 16% and 20% substitution (as a percentage of the total DM allowance) of AH and CVH, respectively, for oat hay are optimal diets to improve NUE and reduce the potential impact of N excretion from livestock farming on the environment through shifting routes of N from urine to faeces without negative effects on live weight gain and nutrient digestibility of crossbred Simmental calves in dryland environments.
Correlation between longitudinal strain analysis and coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Sucato Vincenzo , Galassi Alfredo Ruggero , Novo Salvatore , Saladino Antonino , Evola Salvatore , Novo Giuseppina
Published: December 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate in patients with microvascular angina and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the speckle‐tracking echocardiography, and longitudinal myocardial strain to evaluate the possible presence of alterations in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients compared with a control population. We also investigated the correlation between the longitudinal strain analysis and the TIMI frame count after coronary angiography.

Methods

Our study was performed on a population 41 patients with microvascular angina that underwent coronary angiography and speckle‐tracking echocardiography. We divided the sample into two categories: patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (n‐21) and patients without heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (n‐20). We calculated TIMI frame count indices for each patient based on angiographic images.

Results

Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction had reduced global longitudinal strain values (−17.88) compared with the total control population, and this reduction was statistically significant (P = .028). This reduction was more marked in patients who had a significantly increased TIMI frame count. Therefore, a statistically significant correlation was observed between TIMI frame count and global longitudinal strain.

Conclusion

Our results show that cardiac contractile mechanics are altered in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction at a subclinical level hard to identifiable with conventional echocardiography. The dysfunction of the microcirculation and the consequent alteration of the TIMI frame count probably results in a reduction of myocardial performance.
A simple and efficient workflow for generation of knock‐in mutations in Jurkat T cells using CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Borowicz Paweł , Chan Hanna , Medina Daniel , Gumpelmair Simon , Kjelstrup Hanna , Spurkland Anne
Published: December 2019

CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful gene‐editing tool allowing for specific gene manipulation at targeted sites in the genome. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing to introduce single amino acid mutations into proteins involved in T cell receptor signalling pathways. Knock‐in mutations were introduced in Jurkat T cells by homologous directed repair using single‐stranded oligodeoxynucleotides. Specifically, we aimed to create targeted mutations at two loci within LCK, a constitutively expressed gene, and at three loci within SH2D2A, whose expression is induced upon T cell activation. Here, we present a simple workflow that can be applied by any laboratory equipped for cell culture work, utilizing basic flow cytometry, Western blotting and PCR techniques. Our data reveal that gene editing may be locus‐dependent and can vary between target sites, also within a gene. In our two targeted genes, on average 2% of the clones harboured homozygous mutations as assessed by allele‐specific PCR and subsequent sequencing. We highlight the importance of decreasing the clonal heterogeneity and developing robust screening methods to accurately select for correct knock‐in mutations. Our workflow may be employed in other immune cell lines and acts as a useful approach for decoding functional mechanisms of proteins of interest.
School-Related Gender Based Violence (SRGBV) and Its Consequences on Secondary School Students: Implications for Counselling
Authors: Onoyase Anna
Published: December 2019

This investigation was directed to find out the causes and consequences of School – Related Gender Based Violence (SRGBV) in Ivo local Government area of Ebonyi State, South East, Nigeria. The researcher formulated two research questions and one hypothesis to guide the investigation. The instrument used to elicit information from the respondents is, “School – Related Gender Based Violence and Consequences among Secondary School Students Questionnaire” (SRGBVACASSSQ). The instrument was made up of 9 items on the causes of School related gender based violence and 11 on the consequences. The instrument had a reliability coefficient of 0.87, language appropriateness, content and facial validity. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 384 respondents that participated in the research. The researcher and two research assistants retrieved 346 copies of the questionnaire from the respondents. The data from the field work were collated by the researcher, the mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while the t-test was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The researcher used 2.50 as benchmark to find out if respondents agreed or disagreed with the 20 items in the questionnaire. The research revealed in table one a mean score of 3.04 as an indication that many teachers flog students in schools to demonstrate their power over them (students), a mean of 3.00 in table one shows that when bullies are not frequently punished, they continue to bully others in schools, a mean score of 3.07 in table one revealed that boys beat up girls in the secondary schools to show that men are more powerful than women and a mean score of 3.04 in table one revealed that promise of good grades can make some female students to go into sexual relationship with some male teachers.
Blade Vibration Stress Determination Method Based on Blade Tip Timing Simulator and Finite Element Method
Authors: Zhang Xiaojie , Wang Yanrong , Jiang Xianghua , Gao Shimin
Published: December 2019

Blade tip timing (BTT) measurement technology is more widely used to determine the vibrational stress of rotating blades and play an important role for blade service life prediction. The dynamic blade displacements can be measured by tip timing sensors, and then be converted to blade stress by the modal shape information from finite element method (FEM) analysis. However, there are always two uncertainties between the measured displacements by BTT and the modal shape by FEM analysis. First, the effective positions detected by sensors may shift from where they expected due to the deformation of the blade. This deviation may yield calibration factors with deceptions, which will present an inaccurate correlation for the blade stress level and the tip displacement. Second, when vibrating, blade tip would actually oscillate around the equilibrium position both in circumferential and axial direction, while the sensors can only detect the movements along the circumference direction and neglect the other. This causes the measured displacements to be different from the actual displacements. To deal with these two problems, a novel method based on the vibration amplitudes of blade tip along axial direction is proposed to identify the effective detected position. The vibration stress of the whole blade then can be determined by linking the modified displacements to the mode shape information from finite element (FE) predictions. This method is validated by a numerical BTT simulator, which is trying to simulate the actual testing process of BTT measurement. Both synchronous and asynchronous vibrations are discussed to illustrate the applicability of this method. Moreover, sensitivity analysis is performed to identify the uncertainties from the vibration amplitude and mode shape inaccuracies. Results demonstrate the great potential of the method for vibration stress determination.
Effect of Runner Blade Thickness on Flow Characteristics of a Francis Turbine Model at Low Flowrates
Authors: Kim Seung-Jun , Choi Young-Seok , Cho Yong , Choi Jong-Woong , Kim Jin-Hyuk
Published: December 2019

Francis turbines are often used for generating hydroelectric power, but their performance characteristics significantly depend on the operating conditions. In particular, interblade vortices in the passages between runner blades can occur at low flowrates, which can degrade performance, and increase vibrations and instability during operation. In a previous study, we showed that the hydraulic performance and flow characteristics depend on the flow passage area of runner blades under low-flowrate conditions. Under such operating conditions, the runner blade thickness can affect the interblade vortex characteristics, and in turn, affect the performance of the turbine. In this study, we investigated the effect of runner blade thicknesses in the presence of interblade vortices under low flowrates; steady- and unsteady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations were solved using a shear stress transport as a turbulence model. The interblade vortices were described well at the near leading and trailing edges near the hub. These vortex regions showed flow separation and stagnation flow, and the interblade vortex characteristics were dependent on the high-magnitude unsteady pressures at the low-frequency region. For the same guide vane opening, at lower flowrates, higher blockage ratios reduced interblade vortex formation and unsteady pressure.
Non-axis-Symmetric Transport Characteristics of an Evaporating Water Droplet Sessile on Heated Horizontal Superhydrophobic Substrates
Authors: Peng Yikun , Li Shanshan , Pan Zhenhai
Published: December 2019

Evaporation of sessile droplets is an important fundamental problem. The present three-dimensional numerical model considers various effects including vapor diffusion, buoyancy-driven flow, and evaporative cooling, with conjugate heat and mass transfer solved throughout the computational domain. Evaporation of a sessile water droplet with an initial volume of 3 μL is investigated on heated horizontal superhydrophobic substrates. A non-axis-symmetric rolling flow is presented inside the droplet rather than the axis-symmetric recirculation flow predicted by a two-dimensional axisymmetric model. This is because the axis-symmetric flow is not stable on heated superhydrophobic substrate and sensitive to any perturbations. The evaporative cooling along the droplet interface is observed, but the coolest point appears on the one side of the droplet instead of the droplet top owing to the rolling flow inside the droplet. Influence of relative humidity is also discussed and it indicates a stronger impact on substrates with relatively lower temperature. The present numerical study reveals the important underlying transport characteristics, which provides new insights into evaporation of water droplets resting on heated horizontal superhydrophobic substrates.
A robust sequential hypothesis testing method for brake squeal localisation
Authors: Madhu Nilesh , Gergen Sebastian , Martin Rainer
Published: December 2019

This contribution deals with the in situ detection and localisation of brake squeal in an automobile. As brake squeal is emitted from regions known a priori, i.e., near the wheels, the localisation is treated as a hypothesis testing problem. Distributed microphone arrays, situated under the automobile, are used to capture the directional properties of the sound field generated by a squealing brake. The spatial characteristics of the sampled sound field is then used to formulate the hypothesis tests. However, in contrast to standard hypothesis testing approaches of this kind, the propagation environment is complex and time-varying. Coupled with inaccuracies in the knowledge of the sensor and source positions as well as sensor gain mismatches, modelling the sound field is difficult and standard approaches fail in this case. A previously proposed approach implicitly tried to account for such incomplete system knowledge and was based on ad hoc likelihood formulations. The current paper builds upon this approach and proposes a second approach, based on more solid theoretical foundations, that can systematically account for the model uncertainties. Results from tests in a real setting show that the proposed approach is more consistent than the prior state-of-the-art. In both approaches, the tasks of detection and localisation are decoupled for complexity reasons. The localisation (hypothesis testing) is subject to a prior detection of brake squeal and identification of the squeal frequencies. The approaches used for the detection and identification of squeal frequencies are also presented. The paper, further, briefly addresses some practical issues related to array design and placement.
Mapping uncertainties involved in sound source reconstruction with a cross-spectral-matrix-based Gibbs sampler
Authors: Antoni Jérôme , Vanwynsberghe Charles , Le Magueresse Thibaut , Bouley Simon , Gilquin Laurent
Published: December 2019

The reconstruction of sound sources by using inverse methods is known to be prone to estimation errors due to measurement noise, model mismatch, and poor conditioning of the inverse problem. This paper introduces a solution to map the estimation errors together with the reconstructed sound sources. From a Bayesian perspective, it initializes a Gibbs sampler with the Bayesian focusing method. The proposed Gibbs sampler is shown to converge within a few iterations, which makes it realistic for practical purposes. It also turns out to be very flexible in various scenarios. One peculiarity is the capability to directly operate on the cross-spectral matrix. Another one is to easily accommodate sparse priors. Eventually, it can also account for uncertainties in the microphone positions, which reinforces the regularization of the inverse problem.
Localization of sparse and coherent sources by orthogonal least squares
Authors: Chardon Gilles , Ollivier François , Picheral José
Published: December 2019

This paper proposes an efficient method for the joint localization of sources and estimation of the covariance of their signals. In practice, such an estimation is useful to study correlated sources existing, for instance, in the presence of spatially distributed sources or reflections, but is confronted with the challenge of computational complexity due to a large number of required estimates. The proposed method is called covariance matrix fitting by orthogonal least squares. It is based on a greedy dictionary based approach exploiting the orthogonal least squares algorithm in order to reduce the computational complexity of the estimation. Compared to existing methods for sources correlation matrix estimation, its lower computational complexity allows one to deal with high dimensional problems (i.e., fine discretization of the source space) and to explore large regions of possible sources positions. As shown by numerical results, it is more accurate than existing methods and does not require the tuning of any regularization parameter. Experiments in an anechoic chamber involving correlated sources or reflectors show the ability of the method to locate and identify physical and mirror sources as well.
Acoustic localization of vehicular sources using distributed sensors
Authors: Azimi-Sadjadi Mahmood R. , Srinivasan Saravana Kumar , Ahmadinia Saeid
Published: December 2019

This paper considers the problem of locating ground vehicles using their acoustic signatures recorded by unattended passive acoustic sensors. Acoustic signatures of the ground sources captured by different sensors within a cluster are used to generate direction of arrival (DoA) of the propagating wavefronts. Using the estimated DoAs of disparate distributed sensor node clusters, this paper introduced and compared several different existing target localization methods that provide the location and velocity estimates of a moving source. A robust source localization method is then proposed to account for large DoA errors and outliers which often occur in realistic settings. This method does not use any prior knowledge of the dynamical model of the moving source. The effectiveness and complexity of these methods are compared using synthesized and real acoustic signature data sets.
Some Nutritional Characteristics of a Naturally Occurring Alga (
Microcystis
sp.) in a Guatemalan Lake
Authors: de la Fuente Gabriel , Flores Antonio , Molina Mario R. , Almengor Leticia , Bressani Ricardo
Published: December 2019

The nutritional characteristics of an alga (
Microcystis
sp.) that occurs naturally in a Guatemalan lake were determined. The sun-dried material proved to have a high protein content (55.6%) and to be a possible good source of calcium and phosphorus (1, 169.1 and 633.4 mg/100 mg, respectively). Amino acid analysis showed that total sulfur amino acids were the most deficient ones, giving a protein score of 42 to the material. The in vitro protein digestibility of the material was 69.5%. Biological trials demonstrated that when the material was offered as the only protein source, very low consumption and a high mortality rate were obtained whether or not the diet was supplemented with 0.4%
dl
-methionine. However, when the material supplied 25% of the total protein of a corn-algae diet, the protein quality of the cereal was significantly improved (
P
< 0.05).
Effect of Temperature on Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) in Lake Mendota
Authors: Konopka Allan , Brock Thomas D.
Published: December 2019

The temperature optimum for photosynthesis of natural populations of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) from Lake Mendota was determined during the period of June to November 1976. In the spring, when temperatures ranged from 0 to 20°C, there were insignificant amounts of blue-green algae in the lake (less than 1% of the biomass). During the summer and fall, when the dominant phytoplankton was blue-green algae, the optimum temperature for photosynthesis was usually between 20 and 30°C, whereas the environmental temperatures during this period ranged from 24°C in August to 12°C in November. In general, the optimum temperature for photosynthesis was higher than the environmental temperature. More importantly, significant photosynthesis also occurred at low temperature in these samples, which suggests that the low temperature alone is not responsible for the absence of blue-green algae in Lake Mendota during the spring. Temperature optima for growth and photosynthesis of laboratory cultures of the three dominant blue-green algae in Lake Mendota were determined. The responses of the two parameters to changes in temperature were similar; thus, photosynthesis appears to be a valid index of growth. However, there was little photosynthesis by laboratory cultures at low temperatures, in contrast to the natural samples. Evidence for an interaction between temperature and low light intensities in their effect on photosynthesis of natural samples is presented.
Rotavirus concentration from cell culture harvests: trypsin treatment followed by hydroextraction
Authors: Ramia S , Sattar S A
Published: December 2019

An 80- to 150-ml amount of calf or simian rotavirus-containing cell culture harvests of MA-104 cells were treated with 50 microgram of trypsin per ml and hydroextracted overnight (4 degrees C) with polyethylene glycol 6,000. The concentrate was resuspended in 8 to 10 ml of tryptose phosphate broth and plaque assayed. Between 85 and 97% of the input virus could be recovered with a concentration of up to 15-fold.
Effects of Nitrogen Sources on Cellulose and Synthetic Lignin Degradation by
Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Reid Ian D.
Published: December 2019

Phanerochaete chrysosporium
degraded cellulose faster with organic nitrogen sources than with NH
4
Cl. Simple and complex nitrogen sources added at the time of inoculation to N-limited cultures of
P. chrysosporium
, with glucose as carbon/energy source, transiently stimulated degradation of synthetic [
14
C]lignin to
14
CO
2
. The same nitrogen sources added 5 days after inoculation, when the cultures were entering secondary metabolism, delayed
14
CO
2
production. The various N sources affected synthetic lignin degradation in defined medium differently than lignin degradation in aspen wood.
Selective Isolation of Acidophilic
Streptomyces
Strains for Glucose Isomerase Production
Authors: Bok Song H. , Seidman Martin , Wopat Paula W.
Published: December 2019

Approximately 260
Streptomyces
strains were isolated from neutral pH farmland soil and evaluated for their ability to produce glucose isomerase. The number of acidophilic
Streptomyces
organisms growing at pH 4.0 was low, i.e., 10
3
organisms per g of soil. All of the isolates showed glucose isomerase activity when they were grown in a medium containing
d
-xylose, an inducer for glucose isomerase. More than half of the strains tested developed heavy growth in 24 h, and many produced high titers of glucose isomerase after 24 h of growth in a medium buffered at pH 5.0.
Gibberella fujikuroi mutants obtained with UV radiation and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine
Authors: Avalos J , Casadesús J , Cerdá-Olmedo E
Published: December 2019

N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (nitrosoguanidine) and to a lesser extent UV radiation are very mutagenic for Gibberella microconidia. The recommended nitrosoguanidine doses lead to much higher frequencies of mutants than are found in other microorganisms. The frequency of mutants among the survivors increases linearly with the nitrosoguanidine dose (molar concentration X time); the absolute number of viable mutants in a given population reaches a maximum for a dose of ca. 0.7 M X s. The microconidia are uninucleate. The onset of germination brings about increased lethality of nitrosoguanidine, but it does not modify the action of UV radiation. Mycelia are more resistant than spores to both agents. Visible illumination effectively prevents lethality when given immediately after UV radiation. Auxotrophs and color mutants are very easily obtained. Pink adenine auxotrophs and several classes of color mutants are affected in the biosynthesis of the carotenoid pigment, neurosporaxanthin.