bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An accurate 3D edge measurement method for guided precise modification
Authors: Hou Dongxiang , Mei Xuesong , Wang Gaocai , Li Jiang , Wang Chunjie , Huang Wang , Chen Cheng , Liu Rui
Published: August 2020

This paper describes an accurate and adaptive edge measurement method for deformed complex components (DCCs). The edges of these components are irregular, spatially gradual curves. Furthermore, measured edges are used to guide precise modification, which requires the measurement to have high accuracy and integrity. The existing methods for edge detection cannot meet the above two requirements for DCCs. The proposed method is based on optimizing the template edge to reduce the errors caused by deformation, which mainly includes two steps: (1) extraction and preprocessing of the edge template; (2) optimizing the sub-edge poses (pose and position). In the first step, an edge template is extracted using a 3D design model and divided based on structural discontinuities. In the second step, the edge is divided into sub-edges, then support regions are adaptively searched for sub-edges and the sub-edge poses are optimized. The sub-edge transition area is interpolated to achieve smoothness of the entire edge. This approach was experimentally validated using DCCs and achieves a higher accuracy than conventional approaches. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method performs well in terms of accuracy (0.06 mm) and efficiency (within 85 s), and there is no local missing at the edge.
A new algorithm for a multi-baseline solution based on the equivalence principle
Authors: Wang Jian , Xu Tianhe , Nie Wenfeng , Xu Guochang
Published: August 2020

A new algorithm of a multi-baseline solution (MBS) based on the equivalence principle for precise relative positioning is proposed in this paper. The objective of the solution is to keep the observations independent when eliminating the satellite and receiver’s clock errors. The equivalent differenced observation equations are developed through the equivalent transform. Because of the high-dimension characteristics of the MBS ambiguity, a modified partial ambiguity resolution of the MBS (PAR-MBS) strategy is developed to determine an ambiguity subset. Compared with the traditional single-baseline solution (SBS), the zero and short baseline experiments are carried out to validate and evaluate the proposed algorithm. The results show that the MBS can enhance the strength of the relative positioning model and improve positioning accuracy and availability. The PAR-MBS can shorten the convergence time for the epoch to first fix by on average 41.7% with all 80 observation segments. Moreover, the difference of the positioning errors between the MBS and SBS is indistinguishable for the 45 and 60 min schemes. However, for the 30 min scheme, there is a significant performance improvement by approximately 11%, 10% and 14% in the N, E, and U components, respectively. The closure errors of the repeated baselines and triangle closed loops can also deliver similar results for the 45 and 60 min schemes; however, for the 30 min scheme, there is a remarkable performance improvement by approximately 48%, 59%, and 12%, and 54%, 65%, and 10% in the N, E, and U components, respectively.
Key questions for the quantum machine learner to ask themselves
Authors: Wiebe Nathan
Published: August 2020

Within the last several years quantum machine learning (QML) has begun to mature; however, many open questions remain. Rather than review open questions, in this perspective piece I will discuss my view about how we should approach problems in QML. In particular I will list a series of questions that I think we should ask ourselves when developing quantum algorithms for machine learning. These questions focus on what the definition of quantum ML is, what is the proper quantum analogue of QML algorithms is, how one should compare QML to traditional ML and what fundamental limitations emerge when trying to build QML protocols. As an illustration of this process I also provide information theoretic arguments that show that amplitude encoding can require exponentially more queries to a quantum model to determine membership of a vector in a concept class than classical bit-encodings would require; however, if the correct analogue is chosen then both the quantum and classical complexities become polynomially equivalent. This example underscores the importance of asking ourselves the right questions when developing and benchmarking QML algorithms.
The Developing Mathematics-Teaching Learning Devices Based on CORE to Increase Students’ Ability to Communicate Mathematics
Authors: Winda Marhayani Wijaya Putu , Wayan Puja Astawa I , Gusti Putu Suharta I
Published: August 2020

This study was aimed to obtained mathematics-teaching learning devices (lesson plan, student’s book, and teacher’s guidance book) in focus on the subject of functions in X Grade that was made based on CORE. This study was a design research by Plomp (preliminary research, prototyping phase, and assessment phase). Data were collected by using validation sheets (validity assessment), learning process observation sheet, student’s response questionnaire, teacher’s response questionnaire (practicality assessment), and mathematical communication test (effectiveness assessment). The collected data were analyzed descriptively. The result of this research showed that developing mathematics-teaching learning devices are categorized: (1) valid, with average scores equal to 3.48; (2) practice, with average scores equal to 2.87, (3) effective, with average scores equal to 76.05. The student’s book contained: (1) student’s activity based on CORE; (2) real problem in daily life; (3) open ended questions and tasks to cultivate mathematical communication; (4) motivation text in every topic to support the students. The teacher’s guidance book contained: (1) substance of lesson plan, student’s book and its alternative solutions, (2) instruction in CORE learning. Based on these results, the developing mathematics-teaching learning devices is expected to increase students’ ability to communicate mathematics
Classification of Students’ Non-Routine Problem Solving Skills
Authors: Sita Pramayudi A A A , Sudiarta IGP , Astawa IWP
Published: August 2020

Non-routine mathematical problems are complex problems that require a level of creativity and uniqueness in solving them. Classification students’ characteristics of solving non-routine problems have not been many researchers who provide an overview. This study aims to classify the characteristics of students’ problem solving skills. This type of research is a qualitative study involving five students of class VIII at SMP Negeri 1 Kintamani. Five students were selected through a purposive sampling technique on the condition that students of class VIII have high, medium and low mathematical skills. Data regarding non-routine mathematical problem solving students are collected through problem solving tests and supported by interview tests to obtain a picture of students’ ability to understand the questions along with an understanding of the answers that have been done. Data were analyzed with data reduction, data presentation, and data verification steps. Data that has been verified are analyzed using the constant comparison method. Characteristics of non-routine mathematical problem solving students can be classified into 4 levels, namely Level 1 (students’ understanding of problems along with mathematical problem solving is very lacking), Level 2 (Students’ understanding of problems less and students’ problem solving is lacking but able to plan problem solving), Level 3 (students ‘understanding of problems takes a long time and students’ problem solving is good), and Level 4 (students ‘understanding of problems is good and students’ problem solving is very good). Classification is obtained based on reference to problem solving according to Polya.
Havy Metal Cations Adsorption by Cinnamoyl C-methylcalix [4] Resorcinarene
Authors: Ngurah Budiana I Gusti M.
Published: August 2020

Adsorption has been extensively studied as a costeffectivemethod for removing a wide variety of hazardous materials, such as dyes and heavy metals, from aqueous solutions. The aim of this research is to synthesized and applicated of CinnamoylC-methylcalix[4]resorcinarene (CCMCR) as the Cr(III) and Cd(II) adsorbent. The cinnamoyl C-metylcalix[4]resorcinarene was synthesized in 4 steps. They were synthesis of C-methylcalix[4]resorcinarene via acid-catalyzed condensation of resorcinol and acetaldehyde, followed by O-acetylation, Friedel-Craft cinnamoylation and hydrolysis. The characterization of the target compound was performed by IR and1H-NMR. The adsorption of Cr(III) and Cd(II) was carried out in batch system. The effect of operating parameter conditions on capacity adsorption were investigated including acidity, interaction time, and the metal ion concentration. Most parameters in batch system confirm that CCMCR is a good adsorbent for Cr(III) but not good enough for Cd(II). The Cr(III) uptake was bigger than that of Cd(II), and also Cr(III) adsorption rate was faster than Cd(II). The adsorption kinetic both of Cr(III) and Cd(II) adsorptions in batch followed pseudo 2nd order kinetics model. It is mean that the adsorption process depend on concentration and the quantity of active site. The results of adsorption equilibirium study showed that in adsorption Cr(III) and Cd(II) onto CCMCR, Langmuir isoterm model was more applicable than Freundlich model.
The Effect of Problem Based Learning Learning Model on Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Ability of Class Viii Students in Smpn 1 Singaraja of Science
Authors: Santuthi P C P , Suardana N , Wijana N
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to describe and explain the effect of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) model on students’ problem solving and critical thinking skills. The study used a quasi-experimental research method with a non-equivalent pre-test post-test control group design. The population of the eighth grade students of SMP N 1 Singaraja were 222 students. The research sample was taken 2 classes using cluster random sampling techniques, namely Eighth grade A3 as the experimental class and Eighth grade A4 as the control class. Data collection used tests of problem solving abilities and critical thinking skills. the data were analyzed using MANCOVA (Multicovariate Analysis of Variance) with a significance level of 5%. The results of the study showed that there are differences in problem solving abilities and simultaneous critical thinking skills between students who follow the Problem Based Learning (PBL) model and students who follow the Guided Discovery Learning (GDL) model. There are differences in problem solving skills between students who follow the PBL learning model and students who follow the GDL learning model. There are differences in critical thinking skills between students who follow the PBL model and students who follow the GDL model. The average score of problem solving ability in PBL is higher, namely 83.06 compare to the average score of problem solving ability on GDL, which is 74.34. The average score of critical thinking skills in PBL is higher at 82.56 compare to the average score of critical thinking skills on GDL, which is 73.28.
Implementation of Tri Hita Karana with Socio-Cultural Ergonomic Oriented on the Kecak Dance Performance to Improve Community Health and Supporting Cultural Tourism in Peliatan Ubud Gianyar
Authors: Sutajaya I M , Sukra Warpala W , Oka Riawan I M , Sri Ratna Dewi N P
Published: August 2020

The development of cultural tourism is an innovative activity carried out by the community in anticipation of the deterioration of tourism in Bali. The community empowerment model which is oriented to the concept of socio-cultural ergonomics combined with Tri Hita Karana’s as a local wisdom is believed to be able to support the development of cultural tourism while at the same time able to nourish the community. The research objective is to find out the successful implementation of Tri Hita Karana program with the Socio-Cultural Ergonomic oriented which is realized in regular Kecak dance performances in overcoming the health conditions and healthy living habits of the people. This quasi-experimental study with treatment by subject design involved 32 subjects and selected by simple randomly. The data obtained were analyzed by paired t test at a significance level of 5%. The results showed that there was a significant increase in: (a) public awareness of their health conditions by 31.09%, (b) clean and healthy living behavior by 27.39, and (c) public awareness of the development of cultural tourism by 21.65% (p<0.05). The conclusion is that the implementation of Tri Hita Karana with socio-cultural ergonomic oriented in the performance of kecak dance, which can improve public health and support cultural tourism.
A thermal radiation exchange model of whole-body UV phototherapy
Authors: Coleman A J , Aneju G A , Freeman P , Fedele F
Published: August 2020

A novel model of the skin dose in whole-body UV phototherapy treatment cabins is presented. The model is based on an analysis of the thermal radiation exchange between two surfaces, in this case the UV source and the patient. It is shown to allow analytical treatment of the multiple internal reflections in a treatment cabin that account for around 40% of the skin irradiance. The model provides predictions of the absolute irradiance at the skin and shielding factors in seven different UVA and NB-UVB cabins that are within 6% of those measured using a calibrated radiometer and within 12% for all nine cabins. The model predicts reducing skin irradiances with increasingly patient size, a trend demonstrated in clinical measurements. The exact sensitivity to patient size in automated cabin dosimetry systems, however, varies with in-built sensor positioning. The potential to extend the use of the model to investigate improved design of automated dosimetry systems is discussed.
Broadband multi-longitudinal-mode Yb:YAG/YVO4 coupled Raman microchip laser
Authors: Qiao Xihao , Sun Peng , Wang Xiaolei , Wang Hanjie , Dong Jun
Published: August 2020

Broadband lasers oscillating in multiple longitudinal modes have potential applications on high resolution interferometer, optical communication and laser spectroscopy. However, the bandwidth of the laser spectrum is limited by the spectral range of laser materials. Here, a broadband multi-longitudinal-mode laser with bandwidth of 22.4 nm at first-order Stokes wavelength has been achieved in a Yb:YAG/YVO4 Raman microchip laser pumped with a quasi-continuous-wave laser-diode. The output energy is 11.6 mJ at pump energy of 34.4 mJ, and the optical efficiency is 34%. Dramatically expanding multi-longitudinal-mode laser spectrum has been achieved by forming Yb:YAG/YVO4 coupled Raman microchip laser with an external Fabry–Perot mirror to manipulate the output coupling losses at different frequencies for fundamental, first-order and second-order Stokes lasers. The bandwidth of the broadband multi-longitudinal-mode laser is 55.4 nm, which covers from 1041 nm to 1096.4 nm and includes 118 longitudinal modes. This enables compact coupled Raman microchip solid-state lasers for generating broadband multi-longitudinal-mode laser.
High gravity-assisted green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles via Allium ursinum: Conjoining nanochemistry to neuroscience
Authors: Rabiee Navid , Bagherzadeh Mojtaba , Kiani Mahsa , Ghadiri Amir Mohammad , Zhang Kaiqiang , Jin Zhong , Ramakrishna Seeram , Shokouhimehr Mohammadreza
Published: August 2020

This study aims to investigate the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using high-gravity technique and mediated by novel Allium ursinum leaves’ extract, which is derived for the first time. The synthesized NPs were fully characterized, and the potential biological activities were evaluated in the context of neuroscience. The size of the nanoparticles was found in range of 20 to 60 nm’s, with a considerable size distribution of 30 nm; and their morphology are semi-spherical. More specifically the potential antibacterial activity against gram positive (S. aureus) and gram negative (E. coli) bacteria were screened. To the best of our knowledge, this study could be considered as the first investigation in the world, and the first comprehensive study on synthesizing ZnO NPs using high-gravity technique mediated by this plant extract. The experimental results were found to be very promising to the nano-chemistry, green chemistry and also the applied neuroscience. In addition, the mentioned green synthesis procedure leads to the formation of NPs with considerable antibacterial, cellular proliferation and mitochondrial membrane potential as well as minimum apoptosis index and acceptable relative cell viability that are all independent with the morphology and texture of the media of these NPs. The green synthesized nanoparticles showed considerable antioxidant activity in comparison with the standard drug, more than 80%, and low cytotoxicity, more than 60% cellular viability in most of the concentrations, as well as proliferation inhibition of up to 84% in the maximum concentration. Along with those results, the mitochondrial membrane potential showed also promising absorption of over 1.6. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the green synthesized ZnO NPs was recorded above 82% which is greater than the standard BHT as well as the leaf extract
Population Trends of Monarch Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) Migrating From the Core of Canada’s Eastern Breeding Population
Authors: Ethier Danielle M
Published: August 2020

The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) (Linnaeus 1758) is being considered for up-listing to Endangered under the Canadian federal Species-at-Risk Act due to population declines recorded throughout the annual life cycle. Understanding local population dynamics is therefore necessary to assess the effect of environmental and human induced stressors, and to establish a benchmark from which management success can be measured through time. Using fall count data collected along the Lake Erie shoreline, which captures migrants moving south from the core eastern breeding population in Canada, monarch abundance trends are quantified. Count data from three migration count sites and one roost site were analyzed following similar methods as Crewe and McCracken (2015) to make findings comparable. Two of these datasets are newly compiled and are analyzed here for the first time. Results suggest that during the past 10 yr, the number of migrating monarchs along the north shore of Lake Erie has been stable [mean: −3.05% per year, credibility interval (CI): −13.15, 9.97], which is consistent with changes being observed on the wintering grounds. Only migration counts collected between 1995 and 2018 at the Long Point sites demonstrated significant abundance declines (5.25% per year, CI: −8.60, −1.39), which is a similar results to previous analysis of this dataset. Opportunities for future research are discussed within the context of using monarch count data for future conservation efforts.
The OSPE
Authors: Belovarac Brendan J , Zabar Sondra R , Warfield Dana , Bannan Michael A , Rapkiewicz Amy V
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Resident assessment tends to consist of multiple-choice examinations, even in nuanced areas, such as quality assurance. Internal medicine and many other specialties use objective structured clinical examinations, or OSCEs, to evaluate residents. We adapted the OSCE for pathology, termed the Objective Structured Pathology Examination (OSPE).

Methods

The OSPE was used to evaluate first- and second-year residents over 2 years. The simulation included an anatomic pathology sign-out session, where the resident could be evaluated on diagnostic skills and knowledge of key information for cancer staging reports, as well as simulated frozen-section analysis, where the resident could be evaluated on communication skills with a “surgeon.” The OSPE also included smaller cases with challenging quality issues, such as mismatched slides or gross description irregularities. All cases were scored based on the Pathology Milestones created by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Results

Using this OSPE, we were able to demonstrate that simulated experiences can be an appropriate tool for standardized evaluation of pathology residents.

Conclusions

Yearly evaluation using the OSPE could be used to track the progress of both individual residents and the residency program as a whole, identifying problem areas for which further educational content can be developed.
Improvement of Pediatric Liver Core Biopsy Adequacy by Reducing Laboratory-Related Tissue Fragmentation and Increasing Portal Tract Yield
Authors: Liang Jiancong , Abbuhl Mary F , Wang Huiying , Prasad Vinay , Coogan Alice
Published: August 2020

Objectives

We aimed to identify potential laboratory causes of suboptimal liver biopsy quality and sought to implement corresponding measures to improve biopsy adequacy.

Methods

We prospectively measured the number and size of tissue fragments and the amount of portal tracts in 200 consecutive pediatric medical liver biopsies before and after quality improvement processes were initiated.

Results

We identified laboratory-related tissue fragmentation as a significant cause of low biopsy adequacy. The principal approaches to reduce fragmentation included establishment of multistep monitoring of tissue integrity, adjustment of specimen-processing conditions, and laboratory staff education and awareness. These adjustments collectively led to lower overall tissue fragmentation (decreasing from 59% to 24%, P < .01) and higher biopsy adequacy rates (increasing from 32% to 56%, P < .01). The number of evaluable portal tracts increased from 4.4 to 5.7 portal tracts per centimeter of core biopsy tissue (P < .01).

Conclusions

We demonstrated a sustainable improvement in the overall quality of pediatric needle core liver biopsies by reducing tissue fragmentation. Effective laboratory adjustments included monitoring of tissue integrity, modifications of processing conditions, and laboratory staff education.
The microRNA target site landscape is a novel molecular feature associating alternative polyadenylation with immune evasion activity in breast cancer
Authors: Kim Soyeon , Bai YuLong , Fan Zhenjiang , Diergaarde Brenda , Tseng George C , Park Hyun Jung
Published: August 2020

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) in breast tumor samples results in the removal/addition of cis-regulatory elements such as microRNA (miRNA) target sites in the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTRs) of genes. Although previous computational APA studies focused on a subset of genes strongly affected by APA (APA genes), we identify miRNAs of which widespread APA events collectively increase or decrease the number of target sites [probabilistic inference of microRNA target site modification through APA (PRIMATA-APA)]. Using PRIMATA-APA on the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) breast cancer data, we found that the global APA events change the number of the target sites of particular microRNAs [target sites modified miRNA (tamoMiRNA)] enriched for cancer development and treatments. We also found that when knockdown (KD) of NUDT21 in HeLa cells induces a different set of widespread 3′-UTR shortening than TCGA breast cancer data, it changes the target sites of the common tamoMiRNAs. Since the NUDT21 KD experiment previously demonstrated the tumorigenic role of APA events in a miRNA dependent fashion, this result suggests that the APA-initiated tumorigenesis is attributable to the miRNA target site changes, not the APA events themselves. Further, we found that the miRNA target site changes identify tumor cell proliferation and immune cell infiltration to the tumor microenvironment better than the miRNA expression levels or the APA events themselves. Altogether, our computational analyses provide a proof-of-concept demonstration that the miRNA target site information indicates the effect of global APA events with a potential as predictive biomarker.
CRAFT: Compact genome Representation toward large-scale Alignment-Free daTabase
Authors: Lu Yang Young , Bai Jiaxing , Wang Yiwen , Wang Ying , Sun Fengzhu
Published: August 2020

Motivation

Rapid developments in sequencing technologies have boosted generating high volumes of sequence data. To archive and analyze those data, one primary step is sequence comparison. Alignment-free sequence comparison based on k-mer frequencies offers a computationally efficient solution, yet in practice, the k-mer frequency vectors for large k of practical interest lead to excessive memory and storage consumption.

Results

We report CRAFT, a general genomic/metagenomic search engine to learn compact representations of sequences and perform fast comparison between DNA sequences. Specifically, given genome or high throughput sequencing data as input, CRAFT maps the data into a much smaller embedding space and locates the best matching genome in the archived massive sequence repositories. With 102−104-fold reduction of storage space, CRAFT performs fast query for gigabytes of data within seconds or minutes, achieving comparable performance as six state-of-the-art alignment-free measures.

Availability and implementation

CRAFT offers a user-friendly graphical user interface with one-click installation on Windows and Linux operating systems, freely available at https://github.com/jiaxingbai/CRAFT.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
iCarPS: a computational tool for identifying protein carbonylation sites by novel encoded features
Authors: Zhang Dan , Xu Zhao-Chun , Su Wei , Yang Yu-He , Lv Hao , Yang Hui , Lin Hao
Published: August 2020

Motivation

Protein carbonylation is one of the most important oxidative stress-induced post-translational modifications, which is generally characterized as stability, irreversibility and relative early formation. It plays a significant role in orchestrating various biological processes and has been already demonstrated to be related to many diseases. However, the experimental technologies for carbonylation sites identification are not only costly and time consuming, but also unable of processing a large number of proteins at a time. Thus, rapidly and effectively identifying carbonylation sites by computational methods will provide key clues for the analysis of occurrence and development of diseases.

Results

In this study, we developed a predictor called iCarPS to identify carbonylation sites based on sequence information. A novel feature encoding scheme called residues conical coordinates combined with their physicochemical properties was proposed to formulate carbonylated protein and non-carbonylated protein samples. To remove potential redundant features and improve the prediction performance, a feature selection technique was used. The accuracy and robustness of iCarPS were proved by experiments on training and independent datasets. Comparison with other published methods demonstrated that the proposed method is powerful and could provide powerful performance for carbonylation sites identification.

Availability and implementation

Based on the proposed model, a user-friendly webserver and a software package were constructed, which can be freely accessed at http://lin-group.cn/server/iCarPS.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A public website for the automated assessment and validation of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic PCR assays
Authors: Li Po-E , Myers y Gutiérrez Adán , Davenport Karen , Flynn Mark , Hu Bin , Lo Chien-Chi , Player Jackson Elais , Shakya Migun , Xu Yan , Gans Jason D , Chain Patrick S G
Published: August 2020

Polymerase chain reaction-based assays are the current gold standard for detecting and diagnosing SARS-CoV-2. However, as SARS-CoV-2 mutates, we need to constantly assess whether existing PCR-based assays will continue to detect all known viral strains. To enable the continuous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 assays, we have developed a web-based assay validation algorithm that checks existing PCR-based assays against the ever-expanding genome databases for SARS-CoV-2 using both thermodynamic and edit-distance metrics. The assay-screening results are displayed as a heatmap, showing the number of mismatches between each detection and each SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence. Using a mismatch threshold to define detection failure, assay performance is summarized with the true-positive rate (recall) to simplify assay comparisons.

Availability and implementation

The assay evaluation website and supporting software are Open Source and freely available at https://covid19.edgebioinformatics.org/#/assayValidation, https://github.com/jgans/thermonucleotide BLAST and https://github.com/LANL-Bioinformatics/assay_validation.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Copulatory behaviour increases sperm viability in female spiders
Authors: Cargnelutti Franco , Calbacho-Rosa Lucia , Uñates Diego , Costa-Schmidt Luiz Ernesto , Córdoba-Aguilar Alex , Peretti Alfredo Vicente
Published: August 2020

One remarkable reproductive feature in animals with internal fertilization is a reduction in sperm viability over time in females. Whether this reduction is driven by male–male competition and/or cryptic female choice is unclear. From the perspective of cryptic female choice, we postulated that sperm viability is affected by a particular male copulatory behaviour. In this study, we investigated the following aspects: (1) sperm viability in mated females vs. males; (2) whether sperm viability varies temporally after mating; and (3) whether male copulatory behaviour covaries positively with sperm viability within females. We used the spider Holocnemus pluchei, whose males use several copulatory behaviours to court females. We found that females that stored sperm for 4 or 15 days showed no difference in sperm viability but had lower sperm viability compared with males, and males that performed a longer post-insemination behaviour had higher sperm viability inside the female. It is unclear how sperm viability is reduced and how male post-insemination behaviour affects this. It is possible that extending copulation allows males to induce females to keep sperm alive for longer. This result is predicted by theory whereby males induce females to facilitate sperm to reach and fertilize eggs based on male postcopulatory behaviour.
Sulcal Depth in the Medial Ventral Temporal Cortex Predicts the Location of a Place-Selective Region in Macaques, Children, and Adults
Authors: Natu Vaidehi S , Arcaro Michael J , Barnett Michael A , Gomez Jesse , Livingstone Margaret , Grill-Spector Kalanit , Weiner Kevin S
Published: August 2020

The evolution and development of anatomical–functional relationships in the cerebral cortex is of major interest in neuroscience. Here, we leveraged the fact that a functional region selective for visual scenes is located within a sulcus in the medial ventral temporal cortex (VTC) in both humans and macaques to examine the relationship between sulcal depth and place selectivity in the medial VTC across species and age groups. To do so, we acquired anatomical and functional magnetic resonance imaging scans in 9 macaques, 26 human children, and 28 human adults. Our results revealed a strong structural–functional coupling between sulcal depth and place selectivity across age groups and species in which selectivity was strongest near the deepest sulcal point (the sulcal pit). Interestingly, this coupling between sulcal depth and place selectivity strengthens from childhood to adulthood in humans. Morphological analyses suggest that the stabilization of sulcal–functional coupling in adulthood may be due to sulcal deepening and areal expansion with age as well as developmental differences in cortical curvature at the pial, but not the white matter surfaces. Our results implicate sulcal features as functional landmarks in high-level visual cortex and highlight that sulcal–functional relationships in the medial VTC are preserved between macaques and humans despite differences in cortical folding.
Management of Asymptomatic Terminal Ileitis
Authors: Donet Jean A , Charabaty Aline , Moss Alan C
Published: August 2020

Ileal intubation is often performed during screening colonoscopies. This had led to the recognition of mild ileitis in many asymptomatic patients. The natural history and clinical significance of this finding are not well established, and there are no guidelines on whether these patients merit further work-up or an interval surveillance colonoscopy. This conundrum was presented and discussed on @MondayNightIBD. In this article, we review the specific literature on the topic and make reference to the informed opinions of the convo participants. We propose an #IBDAlgorithm for management of asymptomatic ileitis.
The Impact of Rectal Stump Inflammation After Subtotal Colectomy on Pouch Outcomes in Ulcerative Colitis Patients
Authors: Wasmann Karin A , van der Does de Willebois Eline M , Koens Lianne , Duijvestein Marjolijn , Bemelman Willem A , Buskens Christianne J
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims

Proctitis after subtotal colectomy with ileostomy for ulcerative colitis [UC] is common, but its impact on short- and long-term outcome after pouch surgery is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of proctitis after subtotal colectomy and its impact on postoperative morbidity and pouchitis.

Methods

The distal margin of the rectal stump of all consecutive patients undergoing completion proctectomy and pouch procedure for UC, between 1999 and 2017, was revised and scored for active inflammation according to the validated Geboes score, and for diversion proctitis. Pathological findings were correlated to complications after pouch surgery and pouchitis [including therapy-refractory] using multivariate analyses.

Results

Out of 204 included patients, 167 [82%] had active inflammation in the rectal stump and diversion colitis was found in 170 specimens [83%]. Overall postoperative complications and anastomotic leakage rates were not significantly different between patients with and without active inflammation in the rectal stump [34.7% vs 32.4%, p = 0.79, and 10.2% vs 5.4%, p = 0.54, respectively]. Active inflammation of the rectal stump was significantly associated with the development of pouchitis [54.3% vs 25.5%, plog = 0.02], as well as with therapy refractory pouchitis [14% vs 0%, plog = 0.05]. Following multivariate analysis, active inflammation was an independent predictor for the development of pouchitis. Diversion proctitis showed no association with these outcome parameters.

Conclusions

Active inflammation in the rectal stump after subtotal colectomy occurs in 80% of UC patients and is a predictor for the development of pouchitis and therapy-refractory pouchitis.
Sampling Flower Chafer Beetles (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) in the Amazon Rainforest: The Role of Bait Types and Trap Installation Heights
Authors: Puker Anderson , Ferreira Kleyton R , Correa César M A
Published: August 2020

The role of different bait types and trap installation heights for an accurate trapping of flower chafer beetles (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) is still poorly understand worldwide, especially in the Neotropical region. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated how the type of bait and trap installation height can influence flower chafer beetle sampling in the Amazon rainforest. For this, we sampled flower chafer beetles monthly from June to December 2019 in five Amazon forest fragments, in Juína, Mato Grosso, Brazil. In each collecting fragment, we installed aerial traps at different heights (i.e., 1.5, 4.5, 7.5, and 10.5 m above ground) and randomly baited with 300 ml of each of the following bait types: banana + sugarcane juice mixture; pineapple + sugarcane juice mixture; beer; or red wine. We collected 412 individuals belonging to 12 species of Cetoniidae beetles. Traps baited with pineapple + sugarcane juice mixture captured greater abundance and species richness of flower chafer beetles. Moreover, traps at 4.5, 7.5, and 10.5 m caught a similar number of individuals and species, and significantly more than traps at 1.5 m. Thus, our results provide evidence that for an accurate sampling of flower chafer beetle assemblages in tropical forests, traps baited preferably with a ripe fruit (e.g., pineapple) and sugarcane juice mixture should are installed at least 4.5 m above ground.
Optimization of atrial fibrillation care: management strategies and quality measures
Authors: Ritchie Leona A , Lip Gregory Y H , Lane Deirdre A
Published: August 2020

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Optimal management of AF is paramount to improve quality of life and reduce the impact on health and social care services. Owing to its strong associations with other cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular comorbidities, a holistic management approach to AF care is advocated but this is yet to be clearly defined by international clinical guidelines. This ambiguity has prompted us to review the available clinical evidence on different management strategies to optimize AF care in the context of performance and quality measures, which can be used to objectively assess standards of care.
Beyond Naming and Shaming: Accusations and International Law in Cybersecurity
Authors: Finnemore Martha , Hollis Duncan B
Published: August 2020

Accusations of bad state behaviour in cyberspace are proliferating, yet this increase in naming has not obviously produced much shame. Accused states uniformly deny the accusation or decline to comment, without changing behaviour. For international lawyers, the problem is compounded by the absence of international law in these charges. States are not invoking international law when they complain of other states’ behaviour, suggesting the law is weak – or worse, irrelevant – in holding states accountable for their cyber operations. In lieu of ‘naming and shaming’, we introduce and examine the broader concept of ‘accusation’ as a social, political and legal practice with diverse uses in cyberspace and beyond. Accusers must make strategic choices about how they frame their accusations, and we unpack various elements accusers may manipulate to their advantage. Accusations also have many purposes. They may seek to ‘name and shame’ an accused into conforming to certain behavioural expectations, but they may also aim at defensive or deterrent effects on both the accused and, crucially, on third parties. Particularly important, accusations may play a constitutive role, constructing new norms, including customary international law, within the international community. In short, accusations offer states and other stakeholders a menu of strategic options beyond those identified by the extant literature on naming and shaming.
Dental arch changes comparison between expander with differential opening and fan-type expander: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Massaro Camila , Janson Guilherme , Miranda Felicia , Aliaga-Del Castillo Aron , Pugliese Fernando , Lauris José Roberto Pereira , Garib Daniela
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To compare posterior crossbite correction frequency and dentoalveolar changes of the expander with differential opening (EDO) and the fan-type expander (FE).

Trial design

Two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Forty-eight patients from 7 to 11 years of age were allocated into two groups. Twenty-four patients were treated with the EDO and 24 patients were treated with the FE. Block randomization was performed. The study was single blind. Digital dental models were acquired before treatment and 6 months after rapid maxillary expansion. The primary outcomes were crossbite correction rate and maxillary arch width changes. Secondary outcomes were interincisal diastema, arch perimeter, length, size and shape, and mandibular dental arch changes.

Results

The final sample comprised 24 patients (13 female and 11 male; mean initial age of 7.62 years) in the EDO group and 24 patients (14 female and 10 male; mean initial age of 7.83 years) in the FE group. The crossbites were corrected in 100 per cent of subjects from EDO group and in 75 per cent of patients in FE group. EDO showed greater increases in maxillary intermolar region (P < 0.001), while the FE demonstrated greater increases in the intercanine distance (P = 0.008). Increase in mandibular inter-first permanent molar distance was slightly greater in the EDO group (mean difference of 0.8 mm). Changes in arch length and perimeter were similar in both groups. Both expanders changed the maxillary arch shape. The post-treatment arch shape was larger in the anterior region for FE and in the posterior region in the EDO group.

Harms

Discomfort during activation was reported by 54 per cent of the participants. A temporary change in the nasal bridge was reported by one patient from FE group.

Conclusions

Maxillary arch width and shape changes were distinct between the EDO and the FE. Greater transversal increases of the anterior and posterior regions were observed for the FE and the EDO, respectively. A slightly greater mandibular spontaneous expansion was observed for the EDO only at the molar region.

Trial registration

NCT03705871.
The win ratio approach for composite endpoints: practical guidance based on previous experience
Authors: Redfors Björn , Gregson John , Crowley Aaron , McAndrew Thomas , Ben-Yehuda Ori , Stone Gregg W , Pocock Stuart J
Published: August 2020

The win ratio was introduced in 2012 as a new method for examining composite endpoints and has since been widely adopted in cardiovascular (CV) trials. Improving upon conventional methods for analysing composite endpoints, the win ratio accounts for relative priorities of the components and allows the components to be different types of outcomes. For example, the win ratio can combine the time to death with the number of occurrences of a non-fatal outcome such as CV-related hospitalizations (CVHs) in a single hierarchical composite endpoint. The win ratio can provide greater statistical power to detect and quantify a treatment difference by using all available information contained in the component outcomes. The win ratio can also incorporate quantitative outcomes such as exercise tests or quality-of-life scores. There is a need for more practical guidance on how best to design trials using the win ratio approach. This manuscript provides an overview of the principles behind the win ratio and provides insights into how to implement the win ratio in CV trial design and reporting, including how to determine trial size.
Electrocardiographic predictors of infrahissian conduction disturbances in myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Joosten Isis B T , van Lohuizen Romy , den Uijl Dennis W , Evertz Reinder , de Greef Bianca T A , van Engelen Baziel G M , Faber Catharina G , Vernooy Kevin
Published: August 2020

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria predicting abnormal infrahissian conduction in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), as these criteria could be used to identify the need for an electrophysiological study (EPS).

Methods and results

A retrospective multicentre study was conducted including DM1-affected individuals who underwent EPS between 2007 and 2018. For each individual, EPS indication, His-ventricle (HV) interval, resting ECG parameters prior to EPS, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), neurological status, and DM1 DNA analysis results were collected. Electrocardiographic parameters of patients with a normal HV interval were compared with ECG parameters of patients with a prolonged HV interval. Logistic regression was performed to determine predictors for a prolonged HV interval of ≥70 ms on EPS and diagnostic accuracy of ECG parameters was ascertained. Among 100 DM1-affected individuals undergoing EPS, 47 had a prolonged HV interval. The sole presence of a PR interval >200 ms [odds ratio (OR) 8.45, confidence interval (CI) 2.64–27.04] or a QRS complex >120 ms (OR 9.91, CI 3.53–27.80) on ECG were independent predictors of a prolonged HV interval. The combination of both parameters had a positive predictive value of 78% for delayed infrahissian conduction on EPS. His-ventricle interval was independent of DM1 genetic mutation size, neuromuscular status, and LVEF.

Conclusion

The combination of a prolonged PR interval and widened QRS complex on ECG accurately predicts abnormal infrahissian conduction on EPS in patients with DM1. These ECG parameters could be used as a screening tool to determine the need for referral to a specialized multidisciplinary neuromuscular team with EPS capacity.
Economic evaluation of ‘Men on the Move’, a ‘real world’ community-based physical activity programme for men
Authors: Kelly Liam , Harrison Michael , Richardson Noel , Carroll Paula , Egan Tom , Ormond Gillian , Robertson Steve
Published: August 2020

Background

Physical activity (PA) interventions capable of producing health benefits cost effectively are a public health priority across the Western world. ‘Men on the Move’ (MOM), a community-based PA intervention for men, demonstrated significant health benefits up to 52-weeks (W) post-baseline. This article details the economic evaluation of MOM with a view to determining its cost-effectiveness as a public health intervention to be rolled out nationally in Ireland.

Methods

Cost-effectiveness was determined by comparing the costs (direct and indirect) of the programme to its benefits, which were captured as the impact on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). For the benefits, cost–utility analysis was conducted by retrospectively adapting various health-related measures of participants to generate health states using Brazier et al.’s (2002) short form-6D algorithm. This in turn allowed for ‘utility measures’ to be generated, from which QALYs were derived.

Results

Findings show MOM to be cost-effective in supporting an ‘at risk’ cohort of men achieves significant improvements in aerobic fitness, weight loss and waist reduction. The total cost per participant (€125.82 for each of the 501 intervention participants), the QALYs gained (11.98 post-12-W intervention, or 5.3% health improvement per participant) and estimated QALYs ratio costs of €3723 represents a cost-effective improvement when compared to known QALY guidelines.

Conclusions

The analysis shows that the cost per QALY achieved by MOM is significantly less than the existing benchmarks of £20 000 and €45 000 in the UK and Ireland respectively, demonstrating MOM to be cost-effective.