bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collective Behavior of Social Foraging Swarm with Disturbance
Authors: Miswanto  , Pranoto Iwan , Muhammad Hari
Published: June 2020

In this paper, a multi-agent system that models Social Foraging Swarm with Disturbance is proposed. The model is an extension of the model proposed by Wang et al., in which disturbance is introduced to the system. Under conditions on the size of the disturbance, it was shown that the new system was similar to the behavior of conventional models. The first similar behavior is stationarity by the swarm center. Here to obtain this result a notion of ρ-annulus will be introduced. The second similar behavior will also be presented in this paper that the agents aggregate and enter a certain ρ-annulus. The radius of the ball when the agents entering ρ-annulus will also be calculated. Numerical simulation demonstrate that the agents aggregate and enter a certain ρ-annulus around the swarm center.
Dynamics of Two Preys – One Predator System with Competition between Preys
Authors: Savitri Dian , Suryanto Agus , Kusumawinahyu Wuryansari M. , Abadi
Published: June 2020

We study the dynamics of two preys – one predator interaction with competition between prey populations. The proposed model is developed from the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model. We first discuss some fundamental issues such as equilibrium points and the stability of each equilibrium point. The analysis shows that there are seven equilibrium points and some of them are conditionally locally asymptotically stable. The dynamical behavior of the proposed model is then verified numerically. We also observe numerically the occurrence of bistability, as well as a Hopf bifurcation which is driven by the conversion rate of predation into the predator growth rate.
Analysis of grouping ABC – VED and predicting the number of requests
Authors: Andawaningtyas Kwardiniya , Karim Corina
Published: June 2020

Market competition is required for company to optimize the management, which are appropriate, effective and efficient, since it is used for a company to satisfy a demand. ABC analysis is used for sorting some items which is dominating in sales based on investment value. Meanwhile, VED analysis aims to classify commodity based on the level of importance of store owner’s sales. The result of classification using ABC – VED analysis is a matrix that differentiates into three categories, namely category I is composed of AV, AE, AD, BV and CV; category II consists of BE, CE, and BD; and the third category consists of CD. The results of the ABC-VED analysis are then predicted the number of requests for commodity with the Double Exponential Smoothing method from Brown. This forecasting method is used when the data indicate a trend. Trend is a smoothed estimate of average growth at the end of each period. Forecasting results are expected to help plan inventory for the coming year at TB. Bina Usaha Temanggung Indonesia to prioritize sales.
Innovative Method to Evaluate Halal Assurance System (HAS 23000) Audit Results using Single Value Neutrosophic Number
Authors: Feri
Published: June 2020

The Halal food industry in Indonesia has became an alternative and trend in the global market. The quality management system plays a role in maintaining company consistency in implementing a quality management system which continue to develop in the food industry such as the Halal Assurance System (HAS 23000) LPPOM MUI. Internal audit is a part of the verification tools carries out internally by the company to meet the eleven criteria such as procedures, work instructions and documentation has been implemented with consistency and integrity. However, there are many problems in assessing consistency and integrity, among others, expertise auditor factor and also the auditor’s assessment as a human being tends to be doubtful related to standard interpretation, using a general impression in his assessment, incorrectly determining the classification/grading of findings, so the audit results has not produced a quantitative assessment. The research aims to use of the Neutrosophic Quality Audit (NQA) model. The proposed model uses Single Value Neutrosophic Numbers (SVNN). Simplified Neutrosophic Weighted Geometric Average Operator (SNWGAO) and cosine similarity degree. The result an innovative model will be reliable solution in improving the halal assurance system audit in the food industry. An illustrative example is provided to validate the proposed model.
Dynamical Analysis of a Rotavirus Infection Model with Vaccination and Saturation Incidence Rate
Authors: Ilmi Noraniza Bahrotul , Darti Isnani , Suryanto Agus
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we present and analyze a SVIR epidemic mathematical model for rotavirus infection with vaccination and saturated incidence rate. Dynamical analysis of this model is done by determining the equilibrium point and stability of the equibrilium point. The model exhibits two equilibrium points, i.e. disease free and endemic equilibrium. The basic reproduction number Rv
and R
0 has been obtained. The stability of the disease free and endemic equilibrium exists when the basic reproduction number less or greater than unity, respectively. Analytical result shows that those equilibrium points are locally asymptotically stable under certain condition. It is proved that the disease free equilibrium is globally stable when the value of basic reproduction number Rv
< 1 and R
0 < 1, respectively. Numerical simulations are presented to support and complement the theoretical results.
Long-term forest health implications of roadlessness
Authors: Healey Sean P
Published: June 2020

The 2001 Forest Service Roadless Rule prohibits roadbuilding in forests across an area equivalent to the combined states of New York and Maine (236 000 km2). There have been recent assertions that roads are needed to prevent fire and to keep forests healthy. Despite twenty years of ongoing forest health monitoring and the unique scope and ecological significance of this network of roadless areas, there has to date been no integrated assessment of the relationship between roads and forest health. Here, this question was addressed by synthesizing different sources of nationally consistent, longitudinal monitoring data. Agency management records show that a lack of roads has not stopped fire prevention measures; fuel management activities in roadless areas have actually been more numerous on a per-square kilometer basis than elsewhere in the National Forest System, although activities in areas with roads cover larger areas. Historical fire maps indicate that forests with and without roads have burned at similar rates since the Rule took effect. The apparent neutrality of roads with respect to fire occurrence may be due to higher rates of human caused ignition near roads offsetting advantages related to more agile positioning of fire-fighting assets. Beyond the fire dimension of forest health, analysis of over 15 000 inventory plots showed that while tree root disease is only weakly correlated with proximity to roads, roads are strongly associated with the spread of invasive plant species in national forests. Non-native plants are twice as common within 152 meters (500 feet) of a road as farther away. Speculation that eliminating road prohibitions would improve forest health is not supported by nearly twenty years of monitoring data.
Fabrication and magnetic properties of Co based thin films synthesized by physical vapor deposition under vacuum
Authors: Kharmouche A
Published: June 2020

We used thermal heating process, under a pressure of 10−7 mbar, to fabricate thin films of cobalt on monocrystalline silicon Si (100) substrates. The incident beam strikes the substrates under normal and oblique incidences within a home-made evaporation chamber. The thickness of the deposited films ranges from 18 to 400 nm. Microscopic characterizations of the films are performed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and infer that all the samples are polycrystalline, with an hexagonal close packed (h.c.p.) structure and exhibit a <0001> preferred orientation, for the perpendicularly evaporated films. The grain size is found to increase with the thickness of the magnetic layer. The values of the computed parameters allow concluding to a compressive stress for the thinnest films. The static magnetic properties have been performed by means of magnetic force microscopy (M.F.M.) and Alternating Gradient Field Magnetometer (A.G.F.M.) tools. The dynamic magnetic properties have been investigated using Brillouin Light Scattering (B.L.S.) measurements. The M.F.M. observations were performed after in-plane ac demagnetization, and stripe patterns are only observed for the thickest films, showing the weaker perpendicular anisotropies. We used the experimental results provided by these tools to compute the effective magnetic anisotropy factors Ku
. Values of Ku
anisotropy constants, higher than 13 × 106 erg.cm−3, have been found.
Photocatalytic activity of transition metals (Mn, Fe, Ag and Ni doped ZnO) nanomaterials synthesised via sol-gel method: Active sites over band gap
Authors: Darman A K A , Ibrahim M L , Rafaie H A , Mastuli M S , Kasim M F
Published: June 2020

Dopants with varied stoichiometry values were examined to determine their performances on photocatalysis. The sol-gel method was successfully synthesised using transition metals, namely manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), silver (Ag) and nickel (Ni), as dopants in ZnO nanostructure. Zn(1-x)Mn(x)O, Zn(1-x)Fe(x)O, Zn(1-x)Ag(x)O and Zn(1-x)Ni(x)O (x=10%) were characterised by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area analysis, temperature-programmed desorption of carbon dioxide (TPD–CO2) and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. A phase study on Mn- and Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticles confirmed that both the dopants experienced exceptional crystallinity with single-phase but Ag- and Ni- produced a multi-phases structures. Active sites of catalyst is proven to be an additional factor contributing towards photocatalysis in this work besides band gap and surface area. Temperature-programmed desorption of carbon dioxide (TPD–CO2) showed that the incorporation of Ag into ZnO lattice has enhanced the number of active sites on the surface of the catalyst whereas incorporation of Mn, Fe and Ni in ZnO has reduced it as compared to pure ZnO. Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange for all stoichiometry of Ag-doped ZnO nanoparticles resulted in lower degradation time. Interestingly, 10% of Ag-doped ZnO achieved the highest degradation rate as much as 97.47 % at 160 minutes, hence emerging as the best amongst all other compositions.
The optimisation of fabrication process for various chemically treated kenaf fibres in epoxy matrix composites
Authors: Ghaztar M M M , Ibrahim N N I N , Zakaria S , Romli A Z
Published: June 2020

The fabrication process is crucial since it determines the overall performance of the bio-composites. This study draws from the drawbacks of the natural fibre reinforced composites that are high voids content, low in surface interaction as well as low-stress distribution property especially using a simple mould-press process. The study explores the correlation between various fabrication processes of thermoset matrix towards the composites density, voids content, tensile and morphological properties. The study was carried out by mould pressed only 10 percent (%) filled composites by varying its curing temperatures, moulds type, fibres size and fibres chemical treatments afflicted. The results showed that 50 ˚C of curing temperature, in plunger mould-type, using 0.25 mm mesh size fibre are the optimised parameters. The coated 1:6 composite showing the optimum properties since it improves 6.5% density, 99.95% voids content, 38.1% water uptake and 33.2-50.6% of tensile properties. The suitable processing parameters and high coating penetration might contribute to the total improvement of the coated fibre composites properties. Since it influences the fibres compact-ability that leads to low voids formation as analysed on its fractured surfaces. In summary, a better understanding of the materials characteristic and fabrication processes are needed to obtain the optimum bio-composites performance.
Attoclock and the quest for tunnelling time in strong-field physics
Authors: Satya Sainadh U , Sang R T , Litvinyuk I V
Published: June 2020

The debate on tunnelling times have always been full of contradictions and the attoclock experiments that measure tunnelling delays in strong-field ionization are no exception. The current review presents the debate and discussions concerning the studies of tunnelling times based only on the attoclock technique. We review them with their implications and pitfalls identified due to lack of accurate strong field models that validate the observations in interpreting the measurements performed on noble gases. In order to provide a complete picture, the review begins with a background on some of the popular tunnelling time definitions, most of them conceived during the late 1980s debate, which are often cited in the attoclock literature. We then discuss various attoclock experiments on noble gas atoms and their interpretations in context of the tunneling time debate. The recently performed attoclock experiment and numerical modelling using atomic hydrogen are also presented as an attempt at resolving the controversy. We conclude with the current status of the debate.
Dini derivatives and regularity for exchangeable increment processes
Authors: Angtuncio Hernández Osvaldo , Uribe Bravo Gerónimo
Published: June 2020

Let

X
X

be an exchangeable increment (EI) process whose sample paths are of infinite variation. We prove that for any fixed

t
t

almost surely,
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="limit sup left-parenthesis upper X Subscript t plus h Baseline minus upper X Subscript t Baseline right-parenthesis slash h equals normal infinity and limit sup left-parenthesis upper X Subscript t plus h Baseline minus upper X Subscript t Baseline right-parenthesis slash h equals negative normal infinity period">

lim sup

h
→
0
±

(

X

t
+
h

−

X
t

)

/

h
=
∞

and

lim sup

h
→
0
±

(

X

t
+
h

−

X
t

)

/

h
=
−
∞
.

\begin{equation*} \limsup _{h\to 0 \pm } \left (X_{t+h}-X_t\right )/h=\infty \quad \text {and}\quad \limsup _{h\to 0\pm } \left (X_{t+h}-X_t\right )/h=-\infty . \end{equation*}

This extends a celebrated result of Rogozin for Lévy processes obtained in 1968 and completes the known picture for finite-variation EI processes. Applications are numerous. For example, we deduce that both half-lines

(
−
∞
,
0
)

(-\infty , 0)

and

(
0
,
∞
)

(0,\infty )

are visited immediately for infinite variation EI processes (called upward and downward regularity). We also generalize the zero-one law of Millar for Lévy processes by showing continuity of

X
X

when it reaches its minimum in the infinite variation EI case; an analogous result for all EI processes links right and left continuity at the minimum with upward and downward regularity. We also consider results of Durrett, Iglehart, and Miller on the weak convergence of conditioned Brownian bridges to the normalized Brownian excursion considered in \cite{MR0436353} and broadened to a subclass of Lévy processes and EI processes by Chaumont and the second author. We prove it here for all infinite variation EI processes. We furthermore obtain a description of the convex minorant known for Lévy processes found in [Ann. Prob. 40 (2012), pp. 1636–1674] and extend it to non-piecewise linear EI processes. Our main tool to study the Dini derivatives is a change of measure for EI processes which extends the Esscher transform for Lévy processes.
The justices
Authors: Greenhouse Linda
Published: June 2020

There are no formal requirements for becoming a Supreme Court justice. “The justices” explains that the role of justice is open to anyone who can be nominated by the president and confirmed by a majority vote. The current Supreme Court consists of nine justices. The first membership was entirely Protestant, and there were no women until 1981. The modern court lacks diversity of professional backgrounds; many of the justices were formerly judges. Some appointments, both historical and recent, have been controversial. It is not unheard of for a justice’s ideology to drift after his or her appointment, in some cases amounting to considerable changes in outlook during that justice’s time in the Court.
The Court and the other branches
Authors: Greenhouse Linda
Published: June 2020

Is the phrase separation of powers misleading? “The Court and the other branches” looks at the Court in relation to the president and Congress. A more accurate description of the relationship between the branches might be “dynamic interaction” with tensions arising between them. Sometimes these tensions cause limited disagreements. Some developments are more ominous, such as Congress’s attempts to limit the Supreme Court’s power or the power of federal courts in general. This ingrained and constitutionally based struggle about law-making authority is expressed in a cycle of interaction and reaction that shows no sign of ending and may be hard-wired into the system.
The Court and the public
Authors: Greenhouse Linda
Published: June 2020

“The court and the public” argues that a judge’s awareness of public opinion is not only inevitable, but also necessary. Can the Court also influence the public? The long tenures of the justices do not seem to affect the equilibrium in which the Court and the public exist. Public polls show some approval for the Supreme Court in general, rather than its specific actions. However, famously contentious cases such as Roe v. Wade reveal the intersection of public opinion and Court judgment, showing what happens when the Court feels its legitimacy is threatened. Has the Court aligned itself with public opinion over time?
British Politics: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Wright Tony
Published: June 2020

British Politics: A Very Short Introduction explores the history of British politics, looking at whether the present instability is an aberration, the result of long-standing fault lines, or both. Current events are placed within a longer, larger perspective, focusing on Britain’s constitution, its polarized political culture of debates and disagreements, the importance of party politics, and the meaning of representative democracy now. Following the financial crisis, a peacetime coalition government, and the fallout from the 2016 referendum, Britain’s political future is uncertain. However, even after the momentous changes leading up to and including the 2019 general election, it remains uncertain whether the character of British politics will fundamentally change.
1. The Britishness of British politics
Authors: Wright Tony
Published: June 2020

What makes the British political system distinctive? ‘The Britishness of British politics’ explains Britain’s long and remarkable history of stability. Despite relatively late universal suffrage in 1918; the bitterly adversarial politics of the 1970s and 1980s; and ongoing reluctance to engage with the legacies of Empire, immigration, and Northern Ireland, Britain has ‘muddled through’. This may no longer be enough in the face of demands for greater government accountability. Since the 2008 financial crash, British politics have been ‘wild and unruly’ including a peacetime coalition, elections without majorities, leaders ousted by their own parties, and rising nationalism and populism, culminating in the 2016 referendum.
6. Accounting
Authors: Wright Tony
Published: June 2020

‘Accounting: parliament and politicians’ looks at the ways in which ministers are held accountable through parliament, the media and select committees, and not least by the electorate. Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to hold governments to account on a continuous basis. However, it can be argued that this leads to a ritualized kind of accountability, with synthetic debates and large numbers of watchdogs and amendments but no shared commitment to improving legislation. As power passes to new places and new bodies, government must now explain its diminished role, and much of what determines the lives of citizens now seems beyond the control of democratic politics.
7. Whither British politics?
Authors: Wright Tony
Published: June 2020

The future shape of British politics is impossible to predict. ‘Whither British politics?’ explores what happens when representative democracy collides with direct democracy and parliamentary sovereignty with popular sovereignty. While the recent turbulence has led some MPs to discover that they have more in common with each other than their respective parties, no cross-party collaboration has taken place and unresolved questions about Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales are back on the table. Despite the erosion of some of its foundations, the party system survives. Following the 2019 election of a Conservative government with a majority, it remains to be seen whether the crisis will lead to meaningful political reinvention.
2. The deep history of fire
Authors: Scott Andrew C.
Published: June 2020

‘The deep history of fire’ looks at how fire data can be preserved in nature, such as charcoal deposits and scars on the rings of trees. The history of fire is linked to changes in vegetation and the atmosphere over millennia, like the increasing size of plants and the atmosphere’s changing oxygen content. Wildfires are currently affected by climate in the form of temperature, rainfall, topography, and the length of dry and wet periods. As human intervention increases and the distinction between natural and human-started fires becomes blurred, an understanding of pyrogeography (the study of past, present, and projected wildfire) and pyrodiversity (its varying effects on biodiversity) is increasingly important.
6. Fire and climate change
Authors: Scott Andrew C.
Published: June 2020

Are rising global temperatures affecting the frequency and size of wildfires? ‘Fire and climate change’ distinguishes between wildfires that might be expected and those that may have been affected by a warmer climate’s impact on vegetation and weather patterns. ‘Plant invasives’—plants that have been introduced from other regions—have had a chaotic effect, exacerbating fires that would otherwise not have spread. There are various options available, including the experimental approach, the modelling approach, and the pragmatic approach, to predict and pre-empt outbreaks of fire. Improving the understanding of fire is a priority among both policy makers and the wider public throughout the world.
2. Ethics East and West
Authors: Keown Damien
Published: June 2020

To what extent does Buddhism resemble or differ from Western ethics, and does it constitute an ethical system in itself? ‘Ethics East and West’ looks at Buddhism through the lens of three influential Western theories of ethics: deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics. Some thinkers have classified Buddhism as a form of ‘ethical particularism’, or a pluralist system in which the agent is guided by the demands of each unique situation. Others again see it as a form of ‘perfectionism’ because self-development is an overarching theme in Buddhist teachings. There may also be parallels between Buddhism and classical Western philosophical schools such as Stoicism. In modern times we have seen the emergence of ‘socially engaged Buddhism’ as a movement campaigning for social justice and human rights. But does the idea of individual rights contradict the Buddhist doctrine of ‘no-self’?
Transitioning From Conventional Textured to Nanotextured Breast Implants: Our Early Experience and Modifications for Optimal Breast Augmentation Outcomes
Authors: Montemurro Paolo , Tay Vincent K S
Published: June 2020

Background

Nanotextured breast implants were hailed as an innovation that may address capsular contracture and breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma and may provide the sweet spot between smooth and conventional textured implants.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the introduction of nanotextured implants alongside conventional textured implants and to compare early complications.

Methods

Patients who underwent breast augmentation from the introduction of nanotextured implants in the author’s practice with at least 1 year of follow-up were included. They were divided into nanotextured and conventional textured implant groups and then into 3 chronological subgroups. Patient characteristics, implant specifications, operative factors, and complication rates were compared.

Results

A total 415 cases with a mean follow-up of 26.9 months were identified, of which 38.8% utilized nanotextured implants and 61.2% conventional textured implants. Utilization of nanotextured implants increased from 26.9% in period 1 to 54.5% in period 3. Complication rates for the conventional textured group were 0.8% at 1 year and 3.5% on overall follow-up, with mostly capsular contractures; for the nanotextured group, complication rates were 6.8% and 8.7%, respectively, and “bottoming out” was most common. When analyzed across chronological subgroups, complication rates decreased for nanotextured implants by period 3.

Conclusions

A learning curve and associated complications are expected for early adopters of new implants. In our series, nanotextured implants were associated with higher complication rates at 1 year and on overall follow-up. Modifications in patient selection, intraoperative techniques, and postoperative care reduced complications in the later period.

Level of Evidence: 4
Phosphorylation of Yes-associated protein impairs trophoblast invasion and migration: implications for the pathogenesis of fetal growth restriction†
Authors: Wang Hao , Xu Ping , Luo Xiaofang , Hu Mingyu , Liu Yamin , Yang Yike , Peng Wei , Bai Yuxiang , Chen Xuehai , Tan Bin , Wu Yue , Wen Li , Gao Rufei , Tong Chao , Qi Hongbo , Kilby Mark D , Saffery Richard , Baker Philip N
Published: June 2020

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition in which a newborn fails to achieve his or her prospective hereditary growth potential. This condition is associated with high newborn mortality, second only to that associated with premature birth. FGR is associated with maternal, fetal, and placental abnormalities. Although the placenta is considered to be an important organ for supplying nutrition for fetal growth, research on FGR is limited, and treatment through the placenta remains challenging, as neither proper uterine intervention nor its pathogenesis have been fully elucidated. Yes-associated protein (YAP), as the effector of the Hippo pathway, is widely known to regulate organ growth and cancer development. Therefore, the correlation of the placenta and YAP was investigated to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of FGR. Placental samples from humans and mice were collected for histological and biomechanical analysis. After investigating the location and role of YAP in the placenta by immunohistochemistry, we observed that YAP and cytokeratin 7 have corresponding locations in human and mouse placentas. Moreover, phosphorylated YAP (p-YAP) was upregulated in FGR and gradually increased as gestational age increased during pregnancy. Cell function experiments and mRNA-Seq demonstrated impaired YAP activity mediated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibition. Established FGR-like mice also recapitulated a number of the features of human FGR. The results of this study may help to elucidate the association of FGR development with YAP and provide an intrauterine target that may be helpful in alleviating placental dysfunction.
Plastome sequencing of a 167-year-old herbarium specimen and classical morphology resolve the systematics of two potentially extinct grass species
Authors: Hardion Laurent , Verlaque Régine , Kaymak Esra , Vila Bruno , Haan-Archipoff Gisèle , Martinez Martin Marion , Tournay Frédéric , Migliore Jérémy
Published: June 2020

The systematics of Arundinoideae (Poaceae), a subfamily long considered as a dustbin group, has been progressively resolved in recent decades. The last members incertae sedis of Arundinoideae are two African species not observed for > 150 years and currently studied only on the basis of old herbarium specimens. Based on the sequencing of its whole plastid genome, Leptagrostis schimperiana was placed in the monophyletic Crinipedeae (Arundinoideae) in the grass plastome phylogenetic tree. To date, whole plastome sequencing based on a 167-year-old herbarium specimen is a new record. Using a morphological cladistic approach based on 51 morphological and anatomical characters, we confirmed the position of Leptagrostis schimperiana and showed that Piptophyllum welwitschii is also a member of Crinipedeae.
Subcortical contributions to higher cognitive function in tumour patients undergoing awake craniotomy
Authors: Jung Rex E , Wertz Christopher J , Ramey Shannan J , Mims Ron L , Flores Ranee A , Chohan Muhammad O
Published: June 2020

Primary brain tumours often occur near eloquent regions, affecting language, motor and memory capacity, with awake mapping and tailored resection designed to preserve higher cognitive functioning. The effects of such tumours on subcortical structures, including the thalamus and basal ganglia, have been largely unexplored, in spite of the known importance of such structures to higher cognitive functioning. We sought to explore the effects of volume changes of subcortical structures on cognition, in 62 consecutive patients diagnosed with primary brain tumour and cavernous malformations, referred to our neurosurgical practice. We found right caudate to be highly predictive of intelligence, left pallidum of total neuropsychological function and right hippocampus of mood. Our study is the largest of its kind in exploring subcortical substrates of higher cognition in consecutive patients with brain tumours. This research supports prior literature, showing subcortical structures to be related to higher cognitive functioning, particularly measures of memory and executive functioning implicated in fronto-subcortical circuits. Furthermore, involvement of right mesial temporal structures in mood, further strengthens the central role of Papez circuit in emotional quality of cognition. Attention to subcortical integrity is likely to be important in discussing postsurgical cognitive outcome with patients and their families.
Development and Delivery of a Real-time Hospital-onset COVID-19 Surveillance System Using Network Analysis
Authors: Price James Richard , Mookerjee Siddharth , Dyakova Eleonora , Myall Ashleigh , Leung Wendy , Weiße Andrea Yeong , Shersing Yeeshika , Brannigan Eimear Therese , Galletly Tracey , Muir David , Randell Paul , Davies Frances , Bolt Frances , Barahona Mauricio , Otter Jonathan Ashley , Holmes Alison H
Published: June 2020

Background

Understanding nosocomial acquisition, outbreaks, and transmission chains in real time will be fundamental to ensuring infection-prevention measures are effective in controlling coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in healthcare. We report the design and implementation of a hospital-onset COVID-19 infection (HOCI) surveillance system for an acute healthcare setting to target prevention interventions.

Methods

The study took place in a large teaching hospital group in London, United Kingdom. All patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 between 4 March and 14 April 2020 were included. Utilizing data routinely collected through electronic healthcare systems we developed a novel surveillance system for determining and reporting HOCI incidence and providing real-time network analysis. We provided daily reports on incidence and trends over time to support HOCI investigation and generated geotemporal reports using network analysis to interrogate admission pathways for common epidemiological links to infer transmission chains. By working with stakeholders the reports were co-designed for end users.

Results

Real-time surveillance reports revealed changing rates of HOCI throughout the course of the COVID-19 epidemic, key wards fueling probable transmission events, HOCIs overrepresented in particular specialties managing high-risk patients, the importance of integrating analysis of individual prior pathways, and the value of co-design in producing data visualization. Our surveillance system can effectively support national surveillance.

Conclusions

Through early analysis of the novel surveillance system we have provided a description of HOCI rates and trends over time using real-time shifting denominator data. We demonstrate the importance of including the analysis of patient pathways and networks in characterizing risk of transmission and targeting infection-control interventions.
MicroNiche: an R package for assessing microbial niche breadth and overlap from amplicon sequencing data
Authors: Finn D R , Yu J , Ilhan Z E , Fernandes V M C , Penton C R , Krajmalnik-Brown R , Garcia-Pichel F , Vogel T M
Published: June 2020

Niche is a fundamental concept in ecology. It integrates the sum of biotic and abiotic environmental requirements that determines a taxon's distribution. Microbiologists currently lack quantitative approaches to address niche-related hypotheses. We tested four approaches for the quantification of niche breadth and overlap of taxa in amplicon sequencing datasets, with the goal of determining generalists, specialists and environmental-dependent distributions of community members. We applied these indices to in silico training datasets first, and then to real human gut and desert biological soil crust (biocrust) case studies, assessing the agreement of the indices with previous findings. Implementation of each approach successfully identified a priori conditions within in silico training data, and we found that by including a limit of quantification based on species rank, one could identify taxa falsely classified as specialists because of their low, sparse counts. Analysis of the human gut study offered quantitative support for Bacilli, Gammaproteobacteria and Fusobacteria specialists enriched after bariatric surgery. We could quantitatively characterise differential niche distributions of cyanobacterial taxa with respect to precipitation gradients in biocrusts. We conclude that these approaches, made publicly available as an R package (MicroNiche), represent useful tools to assess microbial environment-taxon and taxon-taxon relationships in a quantitative manner.
In Memoriam Geoffrey Burnstock: Creator of Purinergic Signaling
Authors: Verkhratsky Alexei , Zimmermann Herbert , Abbracchio Maria P , Illes Peter , DiVirgilio Francesco
Published: June 2020

Geoff Burnstock (1929–2020) discovered purinergic signaling in a fastidious research that started in early 1960 and culminated in a concept of purinergic nerves in 1972. Subsequently, Geoff developed the concept of purinergic transmission and demonstrated ATP storage, release, and degradation in the context of cotransmission, which was another fundamental concept developed by him. Purinergic transmission contributes to the most fundamental physiological functions such as sensory transduction, regulation of heart rate, smooth muscle contraction, bile secretion, endocrine regulation, immune responses, as well as to various pathophysiological conditions, including inflammation, cancer, neuropathic pain, diabetes, and kidney failure.
Reduced Neural Excitability and Activation Contribute to Clinically Meaningful Weakness in Older Adults
Authors: Clark Leatha A , Manini Todd M , Wages Nathan P , Simon Janet E , Russ David W , Clark Brian C
Published: June 2020

Background

Weakness is a risk factor for physical limitations and death in older adults (OAs). We sought to determine whether OAs with clinically meaningful leg extensor weakness exhibit differences in voluntary inactivation (VIA) and measures of corticospinal excitability when compared to young adults (YAs) and OAs without clinically meaningful weakness. We also sought to estimate the relative contribution of indices of neural excitability and thigh lean mass in explaining the between-subject variability in OAs leg extensor strength.

Methods

In 66 OAs (75.1 ± 7.0 years) and 20 YAs (22.0 ± 1.9 years), we quantified leg extensor strength, thigh lean mass, VIA, and motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude and silent period (SP) duration. OAs were classified into weakness groups based on previously established strength/body weight (BW) cut points (Weak, Modestly Weak, or Not Weak).

Results

The OAs had 63% less strength/BW when compared to YAs. Weak OAs exhibited higher levels of leg extensor VIA than Not Weak OAs (14.2 ± 7.5% vs 6.1 ± 7.5%). Weak OAs exhibited 24% longer SPs compared to Not Weak OAs, although this difference was insignificant (p = .06). The Weak OAs MEPs were half the amplitude of the Not Weak OAs. Regression analysis indicated that MEP amplitude, SP duration, and thigh lean mass explained ~62% of the variance in strength, with the neural excitability variables explaining ~33% of the variance and thigh lean mass explaining ~29%.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that neurotherapeutic interventions targeting excitability could be a viable approach to increase muscle strength in order to reduce the risk of physical impairments in late life.
Are non-radiation-based imaging modalities effective for objectively assessing and monitoring patients with pectus deformities?
Authors: Hussain Azhar , Patel Akshay , Hunt Ian
Published: June 2020

A best evidence topic in thoracic surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was ‘What is the role of non-radiation-based imaging modalities in the management of pectus deformities?’. Altogether 29 papers were found using the reported search, of which 8 represented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes and results of these papers are tabulated. We conclude that non-radiation-based imaging modalities provide a safe and easily implemented alternative to traditional computed tomography scan assessment for pectus deformities. This is particularly true for deformities on the more severe end of the spectrum and as an aid in providing an on-going assessment tool particularly in treatment modalities requiring a high degree of compliance (external bracing or vacuum bell therapy).
The Russell-Prawitz embedding and the atomization of universal instantiation
Authors: Santo José Espírito , Ferreira Gilda
Published: June 2020

Given the recent interest in the fragment of system $\mathbf{F}$ where universal instantiation is restricted to atomic formulas, a fragment nowadays named system ${\mathbf{F}}_{\textbf{at}}$, we study directly in system $\mathbf{F}$ new conversions whose purpose is to enforce that restriction. We show some benefits of these new atomization conversions: (i) they help achieving strict simulation of proof reduction by means of the Russell–Prawitz embedding of $\textbf{IPC}$ into system $\mathbf{F}$, (ii) they are not stronger than a certain ‘dinaturality’ conversion known to generate a consistent equality of proofs, (iii) they provide the bridge between the Russell–Prawitz embedding and another translation, due to the authors, of $\textbf{IPC}$ directly into system ${\mathbf{F}}_{\textbf{at}}$ and (iv) they give means for explaining why the Russell–Prawitz translation achieves strict simulation whereas the translation into ${\mathbf{F}}_{\textbf{at}}$ does not.
Khālid b. al-Wālid’s Treaty with the People of Damascus: Identifying the Source Document through Shared and Competing Historical Memories
Authors: Zein Ibrahim , El-Wakil Ahmed
Published: June 2020

This article examines the different versions of the Treaty which Khālid b. al-Wālid granted to the people of Damascus and notes the variations and textual discrepancies between them by examining both Muslim and non-Muslim sources. We demonstrate how the accounts share a common historical memory in recalling the issuance of treaties in the era of ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb. We argue that the original Treaty with the People of Damascus represented in all likelihood the template for all other treaties given to the inhabitants of Greater Syria, Jordan and Palestine, whose echoes can also be found resonating in Egypt and Iraq. Most important of all, by navigating through the competing and shared historical memories, we conclude that the original Treaty stipulated that the indigenous population’s churches neither be destroyed nor inhabited. We conclude by proposing that this standard policy was not just based on mere pragmatism, but also on some sort of written ordinance that originated with the Prophet Muḥammad.
What motivated medical students and residents to become radiation oncologists in Japan?—Questionnaire report by the radiotherapy promotion committee of JASTRO
Authors: Murakami Yuji , Noda Shin-ei , Hatayama Yoshiomi , Maebayashi Toshiya , Jingu Keiichi , Nagata Yasushi , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: June 2020

This study aimed to clarify the motivations and timing of the decision to become radiation oncologists. Materials and methods: We conducted an online survey for new members of the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology (JASTRO). Results: The response rate was 43.3%. Data of the 79 respondents who wanted to obtain a board-certification of JASTRO were analysed. We divided the respondents into two groups: Group A, those who entered a single radiation oncology department, and Group B, those who joined a radiology department in which the radiation oncology department and diagnostic radiology department were integrated. The most common period when respondents were most attracted to radiation oncology was “5th year of university” in Group A and “2nd year of junior residency” and “senior residency” in Group B. Furthermore, 79.5% of Group A and 40% of Group B chose periods before graduation from a university with a significant difference. The most common period when respondents made up their minds to become radiation oncologists was “2nd year of junior residency” in both groups. Internal medicine was the most common department to consider if they did not join the radiation oncology or radiology department. Conclusion: To increase the radiation oncologists, it is crucial to enhance clinical training in the fifth year of university for Group A and to continue an active approach to maintain interest in radiation oncology until the end of junior residency. In Group B facilities, it is desirable to provide undergraduates more opportunities to come in contact with radiation oncology.
Sublattices and Δ-blocks of orthomodular posets
Authors: Chajda Ivan , Länger Helmut
Published: June 2020

States of quantum systems correspond to vectors in a Hilbert space and observations to closed subspaces. Hence, this logic corresponds to the algebra of closed subspaces of a Hilbert space. This can be considered as a complete lattice with orthocomplementation, but it is not distributive. It satisfies a weaker condition, the so-called orthomodularity. Later on, it was recognized that joins in this structure need not exist provided the subspaces are not orthogonal. Hence, the resulting structure need not be a lattice but a so-called orthomodular poset, more generally an orthoposet only. For orthoposets, we introduce a binary relation $\mathrel \Delta$ and a binary operator $d(x,y)$ that are generalizations of the binary relation $\textrm{C}$ and the commutator $c(x,y)$, respectively, known for orthomodular lattices. We characterize orthomodular posets among orthogonal posets. Moreover, we describe connections between the relations $\mathrel \Delta$ and $\leftrightarrow$ (the latter was introduced by P. Pták and S. Pulmannová) and the operator $d(x,y)$. In addition, we investigate certain orthomodular posets of subsets of a finite set. In particular, we describe maximal orthomodular sublattices and Boolean subalgebras of such orthomodular posets. Finally, we study properties of $\Delta$-blocks with respect to Boolean subalgebras and distributive subposets they include.
Every Word is a Name: Autonymy and Quotation in Augustine
Authors: Nawar Tamer
Published: June 2020

Augustine famously claims every word is a name. Some readers take Augustine to thereby maintain a purely referentialist semantic account according to which every word is a referential expression whose meaning is its extension. Other readers think that Augustine is no referentialist and is merely claiming that every word has some meaning. In this paper, I clarify Augustine’s arguments to the effect that every word is a name and argue that ‘every word is a name’ amounts to the claim that for any word, there exist tokens of that word which are autonymous nouns. Augustine takes this to be the result of universal lexical ambiguity or equivocity (that is, the fact that every word has more than one literal meaning) and I clarify how Augustine’s account of metalinguistic discourse, which is one of the most detailed to have survived from antiquity, differs from some ancient and modern theories.
Predictions of Gaia’s prize microlensing events are flawed
Authors: McGill Peter , Everall Andrew , Boubert Douglas , Smith Leigh C
Published: June 2020

Precision astrometry from the second Gaia data release has allowed astronomers to predict 5787 microlensing events, with 528 of these having maximums within the extended Gaia mission (J2014.5–J2026.5). Future analysis of the Gaiatime-series astrometry of these events will, in some cases, lead to precise gravitational mass measurements of the lens. We find that 61 per cent of events predicted during the extended Gaia mission with sources brighter than G  = 18 are likely to be spurious, with the background source in these cases commonly being either a duplicate detection or a binary companion of the lens. We present quality cuts to identify these spurious events and a revised list of microlensing event candidates. Our findings imply that half of the predictable astrometric microlensing events during the Gaiamission have yet to be identified.
Mechanistic models of signaling pathways deconvolute the glioblastoma single-cell functional landscape
Authors: Falco Matías M , Peña-Chilet María , Loucera Carlos , Hidalgo Marta R , Dopazo Joaquín
Published: June 2020

Single-cell RNA sequencing is revealing an unexpectedly large degree of heterogeneity in gene expression levels across cell populations. However, little is known on the functional consequences of this heterogeneity and the contribution of individual cell fate decisions to the collective behavior of the tissues these cells are part of. Here, we use mechanistic modeling of signaling circuits, which reveals a complex functional landscape at single-cell level. Different clusters of neoplastic glioblastoma cells have been defined according to their differences in signaling circuit activity profiles triggering specific cancer hallmarks, which suggest different functional strategies with distinct degrees of aggressiveness. Moreover, mechanistic modeling of effects of targeted drug inhibitions at single-cell level revealed, how in some cells, the substitution of VEGFA, the target of bevacizumab, by other expressed proteins, like PDGFD, KITLG and FGF2, keeps the VEGF pathway active, insensitive to the VEGFA inhibition by the drug. Here, we describe for the first time mechanisms that individual cells use to avoid the effect of a targeted therapy, providing an explanation for the innate resistance to the treatment displayed by some cells. Our results suggest that mechanistic modeling could become an important asset for the definition of personalized therapeutic interventions.