bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data-Oriented State Space Discretization for Crowdsourced Robot Learning of Physical Skills
Authors: Zhao Leidi , Lu Lu , Wang Cong
Published: August 2020

This work discusses a crowdsourced learning scheme for robot physical intelligence. Using a large amount of data from crowdsourced mentors, the scheme allows robots to synthesize new physical skills that are never demonstrated or only partially demonstrated without heavy re-training. The learning scheme features a data management method to sustainably manage continuously collected data and a growing knowledge library. The method is validated using a simulated challenge of solving a bottle puzzle. The learning scheme aims at realizing ubiquitous robot learning of physical skills and has the potential of automating many demanding tasks that are currently hard to robotize.
International social work placements: What happens when your government tells you to come home?
Authors: Henley Lee John , Deverick Kora , Hay Kathryn
Published: August 2020

This article focuses on an international social work placement undertaken in Battambang, Cambodia. The article demonstrates the importance of joint work between university, student and host agency in designing clear tasks to be completed. The student and field educator returned home during this placement due to the impact of Covid-19. The article describes what changes were made to ensure the placement was able to continue, resulting in successful outcomes and learning achieved. Learning and reflections are provided by the student, Massey University and the field educator.
Pulsed laser annealing of amorphous two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Rai Rachel H. , Pérez-Pacheco Argelia , Quispe-Siccha Rosa , Glavin Nicholas R. , Muratore Christopher
Published: August 2020

Large-area, flexible, two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide semiconductor materials (MoS2 and WSe2) were synthesized via magnetron sputtering of amorphous stoichiometric precursor materials on polydimethylsiloxane polymer substrates. Purely amorphous precursor materials and amorphous materials with pre-existing nanocrystalline regions observed via transmission electron microscopy were grown for the studies presented here. The MoS2 and WSe2 material precursors were then illuminated with a pulsed 532 nm laser to induce crystallization to their semiconducting hexagonal phases. The laser optics included an axicon lens to shape the Gaussian pulsed laser into a “Bessel beam” characterized by annular ring geometry. The pattern of the beam, with its rings of high-intensity laser light around a higher-intensity core, produced crystalline rings of the material around an ablation zone on the polymer substrate for MoS2 and WSe2 materials. The crystalline structure and density of atomic defects over the crystalline regions decreased as the same sample area was illuminated with additional pulses. The lateral coherence of the crystal lattice increased with the first 4 pulses but decreased with each subsequent pulse. The impact of preexisting nanocrystalline nanoinclusions in an amorphous film on the crystallization rate for WSe2 precursor materials was examined. The presence of nanocrystalline regions in the amorphous materials increased the crystallization rate under the photonic annealing conditions examined here. This approach of direct synthesis and patterning of materials is a route toward the fabrication of inexpensive flexible electronic devices.
Intercellular communication controls agonist-induced calcium oscillations independently of gap junctions in smooth muscle cells
Authors: Stasiak S. E. , Jamieson R. R. , Bouffard J. , Cram E. J. , Parameswaran H.
Published: August 2020

Extracellular matrix rigidity regulates how smooth muscle cells perceive contractile agonist concentration.
Nematicity with a twist: Rotational symmetry breaking in a moiré superlattice
Authors: Fernandes Rafael M. , Venderbos Jörn W. F.
Published: August 2020

Twisted 2D materials realize a unique electronic nematic state, quite different from its counterpart in bulk quantum materials.
Molecular recognition of human islet amyloid polypeptide assembly by selective oligomerization of thioflavin T
Authors: Yu Lanlan , Zhang Wenbo , Luo Wendi , Dupont Robert L. , Xu Yang , Wang Yibing , Tu Bin , Xu Haiyan , Wang Xiaoguang , Fang Qiaojun , Yang Yanlian , Wang Chen , Wang Chenxuan
Published: August 2020

Single-molecule imaging reveals the oligomerization state specificity of drug on its protein receptor.
Generation of charge current from magnetization oscillation via the inverse of voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy effect
Authors: Shukla Ambika Shanker , Chouhan Akanksha , Pandey Rachit , Raghupathi M. , Yamamoto Tatsuya , Kubota Hitoshi , Fukushima Akio , Yuasa Shinji , Nozaki Takayuki , Tulapurkar Ashwin A.
Published: August 2020

We show that magnetic energy can be converted into electrical energy via inverse of voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy effect.
Draft Genome Sequence of Escherichia marmotae E690, Isolated from Beef Cattle
Authors: Ocejo Medelin , Tello Maitane , Oporto Beatriz , Lavín José Luis , Hurtado Ana
Published: August 2020

We report here the draft genome sequence of an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Escherichia
species isolated from rectal feces collected from beef cattle in northern Spain. Analysis of the draft genome identified the strain as a member of the newly described species
Escherichia marmotae
.
Complete Genome Sequence of Cellulase-Producing
Microbulbifer
sp. Strain GL-2, Isolated from Marine Fish Intestine
Authors: Sugimoto Yuta , Ohnishi Ken-ichiro , Suzuki Satoru
Published: August 2020

Microbulbifer
sp. strain GL-2 was isolated from the intestine of a teleost,
Girella melanichthys.
Here, we report the complete genome sequence of this strain, which produces cellulase(s). Twelve cellulase candidate genes were found on the chromosome.
Genome Sequences of Six SARS-CoV-2 Strains Isolated in Morocco, Obtained Using Oxford Nanopore MinION Technology
Authors: Laamarti Meriem , Chemao-Elfihri M. W. , Kartti Souad , Laamarti Rokia , Allam Loubna , Ouadghiri Mouna , Smyej Imane , Rahoui Jalila , Benrahma Houda , Diawara Idrissa , Alouane Tarek , Essabbar Abdelomunim , Siah Samir , Karra Mohammed , El Hafidi Naima , El Jaoudi Rachid , Sbabou Laila , Nejjari Chakib , Amzazi Saaid , Mentag Rachid , Belyamani Lahcen , Ibrahimi Azeddine
Published: August 2020

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of six severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains. SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, which started at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China. The isolates were obtained from nasopharyngeal swabs from Moroccan patients with COVID-19. Mutation analysis revealed the presence of the spike D614G mutation in all six genomes, which is widely present in several genomes around the world.
Supplemental Material: The remarkable volcanism of Shastina, a stratocone segment of Mount Shasta, California
Authors: Christiansen R.L. , al. et
Published: August 2020

Figure 5 is interactive. To view map colors, hover cursor over any of the blocks below the right map corner labelled “All units”, “All units, locations,” or “All units, unit labels”; to view distributions of specific units, hover over a color block in the explanation panel. Geologic map of Shastina and adjacent parts of Mount Shasta and stratigraphic sequence of identified units that form the Shastina cone and Black Butte. Units shown side-by-side in the explanation with a space between have unknown age relations to each other; those without a space between are age equivalent. 14C ages (rounded to 100 yr) for three units are shown in red. To view map colors, hover cursor over any of the blocks below the right map corner labelled “All units”, “All units, locations,” or “All units, unit labels”; to view distributions of specific units, hover over a color block in the explanation panel. 14C ages (rounded to 100 yr) for Red Banks, Shastina, and Black Butte pyroclastic units are shown in red; ages in black are approximate age ranges for the major categories of Mount Shasta units from both 14C and 40Ar/39Ar dates.
Continuous improvement in healthcare support on NATO operations
Authors: Frassini Jacopo
Published: August 2020

An unprecedented characteristic of modern healthcare is the progressive increase in information that is available to provide optimal services to patients. Healthcare organisations need to effectively process information, by identifying proper sources and relevance of evidence in order to outline a credible management system. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee advocates the provision of evidence-based practices in medical support to deployed forces. Moreover, the changing and adapting requirements to deliver up-to-date medical solutions in NATO must also be balanced against the difficult marriage between warfare and healthcare that demands a strong coordination between medical and non-medical multinational players. Continuous Improvement in Healthcare Support to Operations (CIHSO), originally shaped as part of the plan-refine-execute operational planning process to bring best standards of care to troops in a well-defined combat scenario, represents a powerful transformational opportunity to translate evolving knowledge into best military medical practices. The aim of this paper is to discuss areas of possible intervention where CIHSO can enhance quality and safety in allied healthcare systems by progressing from an operational application of clinical governance into a strategic evidence-based decision-making medical tool of the Alliance.
Hypercalcaemia in a dog with lymphoma without increases in parathyroid hormone, parathyroid hormone‐related protein and vitamin D metabolites concentrations
Authors: Mullany Alex , Waddington Abigail , Mellanby Richard J
Published: August 2020

Lymphoma is one of the most common causes of hypercalcaemia in dogs. Typically, the hypercalcaemic state is driven by ectopic production of parathyroid hormone‐related protein by the malignant lymphoma cells. In this case report, the authors describe the diagnosis of lymphoma in a dog with hypercalcaemia which had a plasma parathyroid hormone‐related protein concentration within the reference range. Furthermore, circulating concentrations of the two other main hormones which are known to increase serum calcium concentrations, namely parathyroid hormone and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, were also below the upper limits of their respective reference ranges. This case report highlights that hypercalcaemia is not invariably mediated by increases in circulating concentrations of parathyroid hormone‐related protein. In addition, it emphasises the need to further investigate the pathophysiology of malignancy‐related hypercalcaemia in dogs.
Hydrazone derivative of 2-hydroxyquinoline-3-carbaldehyde: an efficient anionic and cationic sensor
Authors: Chakraborty Nilanjan , Chakraborty Arijit , Das Suman
Published: August 2020

A hydrazone (1) based on 2-hydroxyquinoline-3-carbaldehyde was synthesized and its anion and cation detection ability were studied. It could detect both fluoride in acetonitrile selectively among anions and copper ions in semiaqueous medium among cations. The addition of fluoride ion to the acetonitrile solution of the receptor produced a sharp colour change from light yellow to bluish green. The corresponding UV–vis measurements showed a red shift of the band of receptor 1 for fluoride and a blue shift of the band for copper ions. The fluorescence intensity of the receptor 1 got quenched with both fluoride and copper ions. The detection limits for both the ions are in order of micromolar level. The practical applications of fluoride detection were extended to oral care products.
Effect of static liquid Galinstan on common metals and non-metals at temperatures up to 200 °C
Authors: Geddis Philip , Wu Lijun , McDonald Andrew , Chen Steven , Clements Bruce
Published: August 2020

Liquid metal Galinstan (GaInSn) is corrosive in nature against other solid metals as its base component is gallium. This study experimentally investigated the compatibility of GaInSn with eight common metals at temperatures up to 200 °C for 2000 h, including aluminum, copper, brass, ferritic and austenitic stainless steels (E-brite, SS304L, SS316L), and nickel-chromium alloys (Inconel and Hastelloy). This assessment aims to assist in design and material selection of a liquid metal magnetohydrodynamics system that houses Galinstan for power generation by low temperature natural heat sources or industrial waste heat. Design and fabrication of this renewable power system required assurance of material compatibility with common construction and instrumentation materials. The most severe corrosion effects of GaInSn on the metal alloys were observed on aluminum, copper, and brass, which confirms the results of previously conducted studies. No obvious corrosion on stainless steel or nickel–chromium alloys were observed by this study, which reveals that stainless steel has a good resistance to attack by GaInSn up to 200 °C. Six non-metals were also evaluated, including acronitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylic, nitrile rubber (Buna N), nylon, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and Teflon, which were deemed to be compatible with GaInSn up to the temperatures tested.
Real and imaginary edge states in stacked Floquet honeycomb lattices
Authors: Fritzsche Alexander , Höckendorf Bastian , Alvermann Andreas , Fehske Holger
Published: August 2020

We present a non-Hermitian Floquet model with topological edge states in real and imaginary band gaps. The model utilizes two stacked honeycomb lattices which can be related via four different types of non-Hermitian time-reversal symmetry. Implementing the correct time-reversal symmetry provides us with either two counterpropagating edge states in a real gap, or a single edge state in an imaginary gap. The counterpropagating edge states allow for either helical or chiral transport along the lattice perimeter. In stark contrast, we find that the edge state in the imaginary gap does not propagate. Instead, it remains spatially localized while its amplitude continuously increases. Our model is well-suited for realizing these edge states in photonic waveguide lattices.

Graphical abstract
Isospin-breaking in $$\varepsilon '/\varepsilon $$: impact of $$\eta _0$$ at the dawn of the 2020s
Authors: Buras Andrzej J. , Gérard Jean-Marc
Published: August 2020

For direct CP-violation in $$K\rightarrow \pi \pi $$K→ππ decays, the usual isospin-breaking effects at the percent level are amplified by the dynamics behind the $$\Delta I=1/2$$ΔI=1/2 rule and conventionally encoded in $$\Omega _\mathrm{IB}$$ΩIB parameters. The updated prediction $$\Omega _\mathrm{IB}^{(8)}=(15.9\pm 8.2)\times 10^{-2}$$ΩIB(8)=(15.9±8.2)×10-2 of the Chiral Perturbation Theory for the strong isospin-breaking due to $$\pi _3-\eta _8$$π3-η8 mixing confirms such a tendency but is quite sensitive to the theoretical input value of the low-energy constant corresponding to the flavour-singlet $$\eta _0$$η0 exchange contribution in this truncated octet scheme. We rather exploit the phenomenological $$\eta _8-\eta _0$$η8-η0 mixing as a probe for the non-negligible flavour-singlet component of the physical $$\eta $$η pole to find $$\Omega _\mathrm{IB}^{(9)}=(35\pm 7)\times 10^{-2}$$ΩIB(9)=(35±7)×10-2 in a complete nonet scheme. A large central value in the nonet scheme is thus substituted for a large uncertainty in the octet one. Including the experimental $$\pi ^+-\pi ^0$$π+-π0 mass difference as the dominant electromagnetic isospin-breaking, we obtain for the effective parameter entering the ratio $$\varepsilon '/\varepsilon $$ε′/ε an improved result $$\hat{\Omega }_\mathrm{eff}^{(9)}=(29\pm 7)\times 10^{-2}$$Ω^eff(9)=(29±7)×10-2 to be compared with $$\hat{\Omega }_\mathrm{eff}^{(8)}=(17\pm 9)\times 10^{-2}$$Ω^eff(8)=(17±9)×10-2 used in recent analyses of $$\varepsilon '/\varepsilon $$ε′/ε. Accordingly, we get a reduction from $$(\varepsilon '/\varepsilon )_\text {SM}^{(8)}=(17.4\pm 6.1)\times 10^{-4}$$(ε′/ε)SM(8)=(17.4±6.1)×10-4 to $$(\varepsilon '/\varepsilon )_\text {SM}^{(9)}=(13.9\pm 5.2)\times 10^{-4}$$(ε′/ε)SM(9)=(13.9±5.2)×10-4 and thereby an effective suppression of $$(\varepsilon '/\varepsilon )_\text {SM}$$(ε′/ε)SM by isospin-breaking corrections as large as $$40\%$$40% relative to the recent RBC-UKQCD value.
The vecro hypothesis
Authors: Mathur Samir D.
Published: August 2020

We consider three fundamental issues in quantum gravity: (a) the black hole information paradox (b) the unboundedness of entropy that can be stored inside a black hole horizon (c) the relation between the black hole horizon and the cosmological horizon. With help from the small corrections theorem, we convert each of these issues into a sharp conflict. We then argue that all three conflicts can be resolved by the following hypothesis: the vacuum wave functional of quantum gravity contains a “vecro” component made of virtual fluctuations of configurations of the same type that arise in the fuzzball structure of black hole microstates. Further, if we assume that causality holds to leading order in gently curved spacetime, then we must have such a vecro component in order to resolve the above conflicts. The term vecro stands for “Virtual Extended Compression-Resistant Object”, and characterizes the nature of the vacuum fluctuations that resolve the puzzles. It is interesting that puzzle (c) may relate the role of quantum gravity in black holes to observations in the sky.
Discrete Laplace operator of 3-cochains
Authors: Baalal Azeddine , Hatim Khalid
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we use the Nelson lemma to give a new proof for the essential self-adjointness of the discrete Laplace operator acting on 3-cochains, which we are defined in our previous paper [A. Baalal and K. Hatim, The discrete Laplacian of a 3-simplicial complex (2019), https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02105789 ]. Moreover, we establish on the infimum of the essential spectrum an upper bound.
Characterizations of gallium nitride films grown on epitaxial sapphire templates
Authors: Fong Dong
Published: August 2020

High-quality GaN films were grown on AlN/c-sapphire templates by MOVPE with Hall mobility of 802 cm2/V.s and carrier concentration of 8.1x1016/cm3 at 300K have achieved. The film low dislocation density of 5x107 cm-2 and X-ray rocking curve FWHM of 101 and 250 arcsec for the (0004) and (20-24) reflections were also obtained, respectively.
Determination of Inorganic Ion in Biomaterials Using Capillary Ion Chromatography
Authors: Ningsih Syukrya
Published: August 2020

Ion Chromatography is widely used analytical technique for determination of anionic and cationic analytes in various sample matrices. Columns of flexible fused-silica tubing packed with commercially available materials have been prepared. The microcolumns were prepared in the laboratory from fused silica tubing TSKgel IC-Anion-PWXL (100 mm long x 0,320 I.D). The parameters which affect the chromatographic retention behavior have been examined. For investigation of the optimum concentration of the eluent, the NaCl and KCl concentration was varied from 50 to 25 mM and operated at eluent flow rate 3 µL/min. The developed technique was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of inorganic anions in real samples
Synergistic effects of low-level stress and a Western diet on metabolic homeostasis, mood, and myocardial ischemic tolerance
Authors: Du Toit Eugene F. , Tai Wei Shan , Cox Amanda , O’Connor Dylan , Griffith Tia A. , Helman Tessa , Wendt Lauren , Peart Jason N. , Stapelberg Nicolas J. C. , Headrick John P.
Published: August 2020

How low-level psychological stress and overnutrition interact in influencing cardiometabolic disease is unclear. Mechanistic overlaps suggest potential synergies; however, findings are contradictory. We test whether low-level stress and Western diet (WD) feeding synergistically influence homeostasis, mood, and myocardial ischemic tolerance. Male C57BL6/J mice were fed a control diet or WD (32%/57%/11% calories from fat/carbohydrates/protein) for 12 wk, with subgroups restrained for 30 min/day over the final 3 wk. Metabolism, behavior, tolerance of perfused hearts to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), and cardiac “death proteins” were assessed. The WD resulted in insignificant trends toward increased body weight (+5%), glucose (+40%), insulin (+40%), triglycerides (+15%), and cholesterol (+20%) and reduced leptin (−20%) while significantly reducing insulin sensitivity [100% rise in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), P < 0.05]. Restraint did not independently influence metabolism while increasing HOMA-IR a further 50% (and resulting in significant elevations in insulin and glucose to 60–90% above control) in WD mice ( P < 0.05), despite blunting weight gain in control and WD mice. Anxiogenesis with restraint or WD was nonadditive, whereas anhedonia (reduced sucrose consumption) only arose with their combination. Neuroinflammation markers (hippocampal TNF-α, Il-1b) were unchanged. Myocardial I/R tolerance was unaltered with stress or WD alone, whereas the combination worsened dysfunction and oncosis [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) efflux]. Apoptosis (nucleosome accumulation) and death protein expression (BAK, BAX, BCL-2, RIP-1, TNF-α, cleaved caspase-3, and PARP) were unchanged. We conclude that mild, anxiogenic yet cardio-metabolically “benign” stress interacts synergistically with a WD to disrupt homeostasis, promote anhedonia (independently of neuroinflammation), and impair myocardial ischemic tolerance (independently of apoptosis and death protein levels).
Lyapunov Stability Analysis of a Delayed Foot-and-Mouth Disease Model with Animal Vaccination
Authors: Gashirai Tinashe B. , Hove-Musekwa Senelani D. , Mushayabasa Steady
Published: August 2020

Foot-and-mouth disease virus remains one of the most important livestock diseases in sub-Saharan Africa and several Southeast Asian countries. Vaccination of livestock has been recognized as an important tool for the control of foot-and-mouth disease virus. However, this intervention strategy has some limitations. Generally, vaccine production is a complex multistep process which involves development, manufacturing, and delivery processes, and through this extensive process, some challenges such as poor vaccine storage often arise. More often, these challenges alter the validity of the vaccination. Foot-and-mouth disease virus epidemic dynamics have been extensively explored, but understanding the role of vaccination validity on virus endemicity is lacking. We present a time-delayed foot-and-mouth disease model that incorporates relevant biological and ecological factors, vaccination effects, and disease carriers. We determined the basic reproduction number and demonstrated that it is an important metric for persistence and extinction of the disease in the community. Numerical illustrations were utilised to support some of the analytical results.
Does Luteal Phase Support Effect Pregnancy Rates in Intrauterine Insemination Cycles? A Prospective Randomised Controlled Study in a Tertiary Center
Authors: Keskin Müge , Aytaç Ruşen
Published: August 2020

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a common treatment for couples with subfertility. Clomiphene citrate, gonadotropins, and letrozole are used for ovulation induction in IUI cycles. It has been well documented that luteal support with exogenous progesterone after in vitro fertilization is associated with higher pregnancy and live birth rates. Yet, luteal phase support in IUI cycles has become a debatable issue. The aim of this prospective controlled study was to assess the effect of luteal phase vaginal progesterone supplementation on β-hCG positivity and clinical pregnancy rates in women undergoing IUI. This prospective controlled randomised study was conducted at a tertiary infertility center. 87 patients with unexplained infertility or male subfertility who were treated with IUI using gonadotropins were enrolled. Patients in the study group (n = 44) received luteal phase vaginal progesterone supplementation. Patients in the control group (n = 43) did not receive any luteal phase support. There was no statistical difference between two groups in terms of β-hCG positivity and clinical pregnancy rates. Our findings do not show any beneficial effect of luteal phase support in IUI cycles stimulated with gonadotropins. Although luteal phase support in IUI cycles stimulated with gonadotropins is widely adopted, there is a lack of robust evidence.
Stability, Neimark–Sacker Bifurcation, and Approximation of the Invariant Curve of Certain Homogeneous Second-Order Fractional Difference Equation
Authors: Garić-Demirović Mirela , Moranjkić Samra , Nurkanović Mehmed , Nurkanović Zehra
Published: August 2020

We investigate the local and global character of the unique equilibrium point and boundedness of the solutions of certain homogeneous fractional difference equation with quadratic terms. Also, we consider Neimark–Sacker bifurcations and give the asymptotic approximation of the invariant curve.
Importance of Extraintestinal Manifestations in Early Diagnosis of Gardner Syndrome
Authors: Besteiro Bruno , Gomes Filipa , Costa Cláudia , Portugal Raquel , Garrido Isabel , Almeida Jorge
Published: August 2020

Gardner’s syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease caused by a mutation in the APC gene with 20–30% of cases presenting de novo. This entity is a variant of familial adenomatous polyposis, with a prevalence of 3/100,000 habitants. It may present as early as 2 months of age with a variety of both colonic and extracolonic symptoms. We report a case of a 21-year-old man, without any known family history, presenting with microcytic hypochromic anemia and constitutional symptoms for two months. Ultimately, after the etiological study, Gardner syndrome diagnosis was established as an index primary familiar case. Gardner syndrome is a clinical challenge which requires a prompt suspicion in order to reach its diagnosis. Given the malignant evolution of adenomas in 100% of untreated patients, early identification of extraintestinal manifestations (identifiable prior to colonic symptoms) is of the essence. A consequent endoscopic study to confirm gastrointestinal involvement is essential for a more favorable prognosis.
Hyponormality on a Weighted Bergman Space
Authors: Sadraoui Houcine , Halouani Borhen , Garayev Mubariz T. , AlShehri Adel
Published: August 2020

A bounded Hilbert space operatorTis hyponormal ifT∗T−TT∗is a positive operator. We consider the hyponormality of Toeplitz operators on a weighted Bergman space. We find a necessary condition for hyponormality in the case of a symbol of the formf+g¯wherefandgare bounded analytic functions on the unit disk. We then find sufficient conditions whenfis a monomial.
Evaluation of Precipitation Forecast of System: Numerical Tools for Hurricane Forecast
Authors: Fernández-Alvarez José C. , Pérez-Alarcon Albenis , Batista-Leyva Alfo J. , Díaz-Rodríguez Oscar
Published: August 2020

Heavy rainfall events, typically associated with tropical cyclones (TCs), provoke intense flooding, consequently causing severe losses to life and property. Therefore, the amount and distribution of rain associated with TCs must be forecasted precisely within a reasonable time to guarantee the protection of lives and goods. In this study, the skill of the Numerical Tool for Hurricane Forecast (NTHF) for determining rainfall pattern, average rainfall, rainfall volume, and extreme amounts of rain observed during TCs is evaluated against Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data. A sample comprising nine systems formed in the North Atlantic basin from 2016 to 2018 is used, where the analysis begins 24 h before landfall. Several statistical indices characterising the abilities of the NTHF and climatology and persistence model for rainfalls (R-CLIPER) for forecasting rain as measured by the TRMM are calculated at 24, 48, and 72 h forecasts for each TC and averaged. The model under consideration presents better forecasting skills than the R-CLIPER for all the attributes evaluated and demonstrates similar performances compared with models reported in the literature. The proposed model predicts the average rainfall well and presents a good description of the rain pattern. However, its forecast of extreme rain is only applicable for 24 h.
Cross-dressing of CD8α+ Dendritic Cells with Antigens from Live Mouse Tumor Cells Is a Major Mechanism of Cross-priming
Authors: Das Mohapatra Alok , Tirrell Isaac , Bénéchet Alexandre P. , Pattnayak Shashmita , Khanna Kamal M. , Srivastava Pramod K.
Published: August 2020

Live cells are the most abundant sources of antigen in a tumor-bearing host. Here, we used live tumor cells as source of antigens to investigate the mechanism underlying their immunogenicity in murine tumor models. The live tumor cells were significantly more immunogenic than irradiated or apoptotic tumor cells. We examined the interaction of live and apoptotic tumor cells with major subsets of antigen-presenting cells, i.e., CD8α+ dendritic cells (DC), CD8α− DCs, plasmacytoid DCs, and CD169+ macrophages at skin draining lymph nodes. The CD8α+ DCs captured cell-associated antigens from both live and apoptotic tumor cells, whereas CD169+ macrophages picked up cell-associated antigens mostly from apoptotic tumor cells. Trogocytosis and cross-dressing of membrane-associated antigenic material from live tumor cells to CD8α+ DCs was the primary mechanism for cross-priming of tumor antigens upon immunization with live cells. Phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells was the primary mechanism for cross-priming of tumor antigens upon immunization with apoptotic or irradiated cells. These findings clarify the mechanism of cross-priming of cancer antigens by DCs, allowing for a greater understanding of antitumor immune responses.
Analysis of Oncological Second Opinions in a Certified University Breast and Gynecological Cancer Center Regarding Consensus between the First and Second Opinion and Conformity with the Guidelines
Authors: Lux Michael P. , Wasner Sonja , Meyer Julia , Häberle Lothar , Hack Carolin C. , Jud Sebastian , Hein Alexander , Wunderle Marius , Emons Julius , Gass Paul , Fasching Peter A. , Egloffstein Sainab , Krebs Jessica , Erim Yesim , Beckmann Matthias W. , Loehberg Christian R.
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Oncological second opinions are becoming increasingly important in the era of complex treatments and established certified cancer centers. Oncological guidelines with the highest levels of evidence are available, but these can only be effective to the extent that they are implemented. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of second opinions with regard to their agreement with first opinions and conformity with guidelines. Methods: In 164 patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer or gynecological malignancy who requested a second opinion, the first and second opinions, established at the interdisciplinary tumor conference, and conformity with the guidelines were evaluated. Results: The first opinion was not in agreement with the guidelines in 34.8% (15.2% diagnosis, 12.8% surgical therapy, 13.4% systemic therapy, and 5.5% radiotherapy), and the recommendations were optimized in the second opinion in 56.7% (28.7% diagnosis, 15.9% surgical therapy, 30.5% systemic therapy, and 8.5% radiotherapy). Conclusions: Oncological second opinions showed significant effects and one-third of first opinions were not in conformity with the guidelines. In a significant proportion of cases, the existing treatment plan was changed or supplemented to allow modern and individualized treatment approaches.
A Water Slide Accident Resulting in an Open Book Pelvic Injury and Subsequent Pulmonary Embolus: A Case Report
Authors: Fletcher Cary , Lambert Fletcher Kaye
Published: August 2020

Obesity and pelvic injuries are well-known independent risk factors for developing a pulmonary embolus; however, there is minimal literature with regard to obesity being a risk factor for suffering a pelvic injury from descending a water slide. We believe that obese patients are potentially at increased risk of receiving open book pelvic injuries on modern-day high-velocity water slides. To our knowledge, there are no other reports of a patient suffering an open book pelvic injury and a subsequent pulmonary embolus due to a water slide accident. We also propose a mechanism of injury for an obese person developing an open book pelvic injury from a water slide. An obese 46-year-old female descended on a thrill ride at a popular water park and sustained an open book pelvic injury. She subsequently developed a pulmonary embolus while awaiting open reduction and internal fixation of the anterior pelvic ring. One month post-injury, she had uneventful open reduction and internal fixation and went on to have an uneventful postoperative course. Patrons and amusement park owners should be aware of the increased risk an obese person is at when using a high-velocity water slide. There should be appropriate emergency personnel and equipment on site in anticipation of a possible high-energy injury.
Crossmodal Visuospatial Effects on Auditory Perception of Musical Contour
Authors: Lacey Simon , Nguyen James , Schneider Peter , Sathian K.
Published: August 2020

The crossmodal correspondence between auditory pitch and visuospatial elevation (in which high- and low-pitched tones are associated with high and low spatial elevation respectively) has been proposed as the basis for Western musical notation. One implication of this is that music perception engages visuospatial processes and may not be exclusively auditory. Here, we investigated how music perception is influenced by concurrent visual stimuli. Participants listened to unfamiliar five-note musical phrases with four kinds of pitch contour (rising, falling, rising–falling, or falling–rising), accompanied by incidental visual contours that were either congruent (e.g., auditory rising/visual rising) or incongruent (e.g., auditory rising/visual falling) and judged whether the final note of the musical phrase was higher or lower in pitch than the first. Response times for the auditory judgment were significantly slower for incongruent compared to congruent trials, i.e., there was a congruency effect, even though the visual contours were incidental to the auditory task. These results suggest that music perception, although generally regarded as an auditory experience, may actually be multisensory in nature.
Novelties in Lippia (Verbenaceae) from Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Authors: CARDOSO PEDRO HENRIQUE , VALÉRIO VANESSA IMACULADA DOS REIS , NETO LUIZ MENINI , TROVÓ MARCELO , SALIMENA FÁTIMA REGINA GONÇALVES
Published: August 2020

We describe Lippia krenakiana, a new species of Verbenaceae endemic to the campos rupestres of Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The species is mainly distinguished by the combination of ovate-deltoid leaf blades and sericeous-villous indument with sessile and pedicellate glandular trichomes. We provide a diagnosis, a morphological comparison with the most similar species, a distribution map, preliminary conservation assessment, and photos of live specimens. Additional notes on Lippia are also provided, as we designate lectotypes for L. glazioviana and L. diamantinensis, and L. violacea is proposed as a new synonym for L. rubella.
Lectotypification and taxonomic reinstatement of Syzygium benthamianum (Myrtaceae)

Authors: SHAREEF S.M. , BEEGAM A. RASIYA , BYNG JAMES W
Published: August 2020

The species status of Syzygium benthamianum is reinstated and a lectotype is designated.
A new genus and species of cave-dwelling terrestrial isopod (Crustacea: Oniscidea: Trichoniscidae) from Southern Spain
Authors: GARCIA LLUC , MIRALLES-NÚÑEZ ADRIÀ , PÉREZ-FERNÁNDEZ TONI
Published: August 2020

A new genus of terrestrial isopod (Oniscidea) belonging to the family Trichoniscidae, subfamily Haplophthalminae, Baeticoniscus n. gen., is described. We discuss its affinities and differences with the other genera of the same subfamily, which are characterized by presenting a completely smooth third pleonite. Baeticoniscus bullonorum n. sp. is described and designated as a type species of the new genus. The specimens of this new isopod come from the Cueva de la Pileta of Benaoján in the province of Málaga (Andalusia, Spain).
Comparative genomic analysis of eutherian fibroblast growth factor genes
Authors: Premzl Marko
Published: August 2020

Background

The eutherian fibroblast growth factors were implicated as key regulators in developmental processes. However, there were major disagreements in descriptions of comprehensive eutherian fibroblast growth factors gene data sets including either 18 or 22 homologues. The present analysis attempted to revise and update comprehensive eutherian fibroblast growth factor gene data sets, and address and resolve major discrepancies in their descriptions using eutherian comparative genomic analysis protocol and 35 public eutherian reference genomic sequence data sets.

Results

Among 577 potential coding sequences, the tests of reliability of eutherian public genomic sequences annotated most comprehensive curated eutherian third-party data gene data set of fibroblast growth factor genes including 267 complete coding sequences. The present study first described 8 superclusters including 22 eutherian fibroblast growth factor major gene clusters, proposing their updated classification and nomenclature.

Conclusions

The integrated gene annotations, phylogenetic analysis and protein molecular evolution analysis argued that comprehensive eutherian fibroblast growth factor gene data set classifications included 22 rather than 18 homologues.
Plasma Ephrin-A1 level in a cohort of diabetic retinopathy patients
Authors: Mao Danna , Hu Ying , Bao Qi , Wu Kewei , Zheng Yaoding , Yang Yukun , Lei Bo , Jiang Ying
Published: August 2020

Background

To determine plasma ephrin-A1 and VEGF165 levels in a cohort of diabetic retinopathy patients.

Methods

Plasma ephrin-A1 and VEGF165 levels in fifty-five subjects including 19 individuals without diabetes (non-DM), 16 patients with diabetes (DM) but without diabetic retinopathy, and 20 patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), were determined by ELISA. Serum creatinine, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were also measured. One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis Test, Mann-Whitney U Test corrected by Bonferroni, Pearson Correlation Analysis and Spearman Correlation Coefficient Analysis were used for data analysis.

Results

Ephrin-A1 expression could be detected in human plasma with an average of 1.52 ± 0.43 (mean ± SEM) ng/ml. In DR subjects, the plasma ephrin-A1concentration was 3.63 ± 4.63 ng/ml, which was significantly higher than that of the other two groups (non-DM: 0.27 ± 0.13 ng/ml, DM: 0.35 ± 0.34 ng/ml). The expression of VEGF165 in human plasma was 34.00 ± 42.55 pg/ml, with no statistical difference among the three groups. There was no correlation between ephrin-A1 and VEGF165 in human plasma, but there was a correlation between plasma ephrin-A1 and duration of diabetes.

Conclusions

Plasma ephrin-A1 was highly expressed in patients with diabetic retinopathy, and there was no difference of plasma VEGF165 expression in patients with diabetic retinopathy compared to the other two groups, suggesting that changes of plasma ephrin-A1 may be a more sensitive biomarker than plasma VEGF165 in detecting diabetic retinopathy.
Dimensionality and psychometric analysis of DLQI in a Brazilian population
Authors: Jorge Marilia F. S. , Sousa Ticiane D. , Pollo Camila F. , Paiva Bianca S. R. , Ianhez Mayra , Boza Juliana C. , Meneguin Silmara , Schmitt Juliano V. , Nunes Daniel Holthausen , Lastoria Joel C. , Miot Hélio A.
Published: August 2020

Background

The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is the most commonly used instrument for clinical evaluation of the impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in dermatological research protocols. The DLQI’s classical psychometric properties have been considered adequate in validation studies from several countries. However, the structure of the DLQI is a matter of discussion, especially concerning the dimensionality and informative properties of its questions according to the item response theory (IRT).

Methods

Pooled data from studies in Brazil that utilized the DLQI to assess HRQOL in 14 dermatoses were reanalyzed. Classical psychometrical analysis, dimensionality assessment through parallel analysis and IRT (Samejima’s ordinal model) analysis were performed.

Results

The sample consisted of 1286 patients with a mean age of 47 years (SD = 16), and the proportion of women was 59% (765). The DLQI scores ranged from 0 to 29, with a median (p25–p75) of 5 (2–11). All items indicated significant correlations with the total DLQI score (rho > 0.54). The Cronbach’s alpha result was 0.90 (CI 95% 0.89–0.91). Parallel analysis indicated a unidimensional factor structure. According to IRT analysis, items q6 (sports) and q7 (work/study) exhibited insufficient fit to the model (p < 0.01), while the items that indicated the best discrimination and information functions were q2 (embarrassment), q3 (shopping/gardening), q4 (clothing) and q5 (social/leisure). The ordination of the scores was confirmed for all items. Most items revealed non-uniform behavior according to sex, age and type of disease.

Conclusions

The DLQI exhibits adequate psychometric reliability and a unidimensional structure for assessing HRQOL in Brazilian dermatological patients. The DLQI’s performance varies in the assessment of HRQOL in heterogeneous samples.
International variation in the management of severe COVID-19 patients
Authors: Azoulay Elie , de Waele Jan , Ferrer Ricard , Staudinger Thomas , Borkowska Marta , Povoa Pedro , Iliopoulou Katerina , Artigas Antonio , Schaller Stefan J. , Shankar-Hari Manu , Pellegrini Mariangela , Darmon Michael , Kesecioglu Jozef , Cecconi Maurizio
Published: August 2020

Background

There is little evidence to support the management of severe COVID-19 patients.

Methods

To document this variation in practices, we performed an online survey (April 30–May 25, 2020) on behalf of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM). A case vignette was sent to ESICM members. Questions investigated practices for a previously healthy 39-year-old patient presenting with severe hypoxemia from COVID-19 infection.

Results

A total of 1132 ICU specialists (response rate 20%) from 85 countries (12 regions) responded to the survey. The survey provides information on the heterogeneity in patient’s management, more particularly regarding the timing of ICU admission, the first line oxygenation strategy, optimization of management, and ventilatory settings in case of refractory hypoxemia. Practices related to antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory therapies are also investigated.

Conclusions

There are important practice variations in the management of severe COVID-19 patients, including differences at regional and individual levels. Large outcome studies based on multinational registries are warranted.
Existence result for a Kirchhoff elliptic system with variable parameters and additive right-hand side via sub- and supersolution method
Authors: Haiour Mohamed , Boulaaras Salah , Bouizem Youcef , Guefaifia Rafik
Published: August 2020

The paper deals with the study of the existence result for a Kirchhoff elliptic system with additive right-hand side and variable parameters by using the sub-/supersolution method. Our study is a natural extension result of our previous one in (Boulaaras and Guefaifia in Math. Methods Appl. Sci. 41:5203–5210, 2018), where we discussed only the simple case when the parameters are constant.
Primary chemoradiation with cisplatin versus cetuximab for locally advanced head and neck cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jeong Il Seok Daniel , Mo Huan , Nguyen Anthony , Chong Esther G. , Tsai Hsin Hsiang Clarence , Moyers Justin , Kim Matthew , Lacy Curtis , Shah Vivek , Lau Eric , Xu Yi , Cao Huynh
Published: August 2020

Objective

To explore the efficacy of primary chemoradiation with cisplatin versus cetuximab with respect to HPV/p16 and smoking statuses.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients from our center with locally advanced non-nasopharyngeal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who received primary chemoradiation with cisplatin or cetuximab between 2006 and 2018.

Results

The median OS for cisplatin (n = 66) was not reached versus 132 months when treated with cetuximab (n = 55) (p = 0.03). For HPV/p16-positive patients, we found the median OS for cisplatin (n = 34) was not reached versus 60 months with cetuximab (n = 21) (p = 0.036). In the smoking group, the median OS was not reached in the cisplatin group (n = 44) versus 60 months when treated with cetuximab (n = 32) (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

HPV/p16-positive and smoking cohorts treated with cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy had a significantly better OS versus cetuximab.
Distinct tissue injury patterns in juvenile dermatomyositis auto-antibody subgroups
Authors: Nguyen Mailan , Do Vy , Yell Paul C. , Jo Chanhee , Liu Jie , Burns Dennis K. , Wright Tracey , Cai Chunyu
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) can be classified into clinical serological subgroups by distinct myositis-specific antibodies (MSAs). It is incompletely understood whether different MSAs are associated with distinct pathological characteristics, clinical disease activities, or response to treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed clinicopathological data from consecutive JDM patients followed in the pediatric rheumatology clinic at a single center between October 2016 and November 2018. Demographics, clinical data, and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. Detailed muscle biopsy evaluation of four domains (inflammation, myofiber, vessels, and connective tissue) was performed, followed by statistical analysis.

Results

Of 43 subjects included in the study, 26 (60.5%) had a detectable MSA. The most common MSAs were anti-NXP-2 (13, 30.2%), anti-Mi-2 (7, 16.3%), and anti-MDA-5 (5, 11.6%). High titer anti-Mi-2 positively correlated with serum CK > 10,000 at initial visit (r = 0.96, p = 0.002). Muscle biopsied from subjects with high titer anti-Mi-2 had prominent perifascicular myofiber necrosis and perimysial connective tissue damage that resembled perifascicular necrotizing myopathy, but very little capillary C5b-9 deposition. Conversely, there was no positive correlation between the levels of the anti-NXP-2 titer and serum CK (r = − 0.21, p = 0.49). Muscle biopsies from patients with anti-NXP-2 showed prominent capillary C5b-9 deposition; but limited myofiber necrosis. Only one patient had anti-TIF1γ autoantibody, whose muscle pathology was similar as those with anti-NXP2. All patients with anti-MDA-5 had normal CK and near normal muscle histology.

Conclusions

Muscle biopsy from JDM patients had MSA specific tissue injury patterns. These findings may help improve muscle biopsy diagnosis accuracy and inform personalized treatment of JDM.
How should researchers cope with the ethical demands of discovering research misconduct? Going beyond reporting and whistleblowing
Authors: Vie Knut Jørgen
Published: August 2020

In this paper, I will argue that making it mandatory to report research misconduct is too demanding, as this kind of intervention can at times be self-destructive for the researcher reporting the misconduct. I will also argue that posing the question as a binary dilemma masks important ethical aspects of such situations. In situations that are too demanding for individual researchers to rectify through reporting, there can be other forms of social control available. I will argue that researchers should explore these. Finally, framing the issue as a question about the responsibilities of individual researchers masks the responsibilities of research institutions. Until institutions introduce measures that make this safe and effective, we should not consider reporting research misconduct mandatory. I will discuss this in light of both quantitative and qualitative data gathered as part of a survey in the PRINTEGER-project.