bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tree Planting and its effects on biodiversity in Opak-Oya River basin: One year after the plantation
Authors: Adi T B , Guntur D R , Okryreza A , Muhammad B , Rosyadi Irfan , Fernadi  , Erry K W , Fahmi Fajrin , Rudiyanto Arif
Published: August 2019

Opak River watershed is one of the river watershed in special region of Yogyakarta Province which has important role as water reserve for the community. The eruption of Merapi volcano that often occurs has damaged riparian ecosystem of the rivers in Opak river watershed. To restore Ecosystems in Opak river watershed Conservation during 2016-2018. Tree planting have been conducted five times in riparian ecosystem and Mangrove ecosystem during 2016-2018, At least 17000 individuals have been planted in tree area comprising ( 5000 individual of 25 species in upstream, 2000 individuals of six species and 10000 individuals of Rhizophora spp. Biodiversity survey have been conducted two time in July-August 2017 and April 2018 at three area in Opak river watershed (up stream, middle stream and down stream). The results shows a total of 291 species of plants, 84 birds species, 18 species of herpetofauna, 10 species of mammals, 35 species of fish, 206 species of insects, 26 species of macrozoobentos (mollusca), and 113 species of plankton in three study areas has been identified in Opak Watershed during 2017-2018. The presence of species in each study area as well as the composition of the number of individuals per species is shows difference between the survey in 2017 and 2018 .This is also showed in the number of those diversity indexes. This Biodiversity monitoring is planned to be continued least 5 times which will be conducted in every years.
Interaction model of sustainable urban and hinterland growth in KTM Telang Banyuasin District, Indonesia
Authors: Idrus Z , Mulyana A , Armanto M E , Susetyo D , Wildayana E , Radiatmoko I A , Umar S A , Nuryamsasni
Published: August 2019

The objective of the study was to formulate a sustainable growth model of city center interaction and hinterland KTM Telang. This research was carried out at KTM Telang which its area was determined based on Banyuasin Regency Regulation Number 22 Year 2008 about Formation of Area of KTM covering three districts namely Tanjung Lago Subdistrict, Muara Telang Subdistrict, and Sumber Marga Telang Subdistrict, and SK of Bupati Number 341 Year 2008 dated 17 July 2008 on Stipulation of Location of Center KTM Telang Mulya Sari Village. The research was conducted in Mulya Sari Village as the Center of KTM and 6 (six) other selected villages representing the hinterland of KTM Telang. Data collection techniques in this study include structured interviews, indepth interview, observation, and focus group discussion. The analysis was done by using SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) method. The result of the research shows both of infrastructure development and economic growth in the center of KTM Telang have no effect on economic growth in hinterland. But for social conditions in the center of KTM Telang affected the economic growth in hinterland.
Stakeholders Collaborations Process Towards Community Empowerment: The Success Story West Java CSR Forum
Authors: Hendrayani Yani , Hashim Nor Hazlina , Zen Irina Safitri , Titisari Prima Wahyu
Published: August 2019

Complex issues in sustainable development require partnership and collaboration between governments and local communities. Long process require in building partnerships and collaboration is one of the key strategy of social change process which also crucial to establish continuum cooperation and partnership. The study aims to examine and understand the CSR forum where collaboration and community participation are the main activities involve.by studying the success of the West Java CSR Forum as a case study. The study employs the qualitative approach that includes in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. In addition, focus group discussions are conducted with members of the community, who are the beneficiaries of the programme besides, the group consisted of opinion leaders and members from non-governmental organization (NGO). Furthermore, the data process by using the NVivo programme in order to manage, analyse and interpret data collected from various sources.. Finally, the study found the government as the main driving force to facilitate the CSR partnership This study also found the ongoing dialogue is crucial as a useful strategic tool in the Forum’s communication system among the member in order to achieve mutual trust and understanding to creates a strong synergi in achieving sustainable development.
Management of swamp buffalo farms in forest areas to preserve forest ecosystem and sustainability of community livelihoods
Authors: Rahmat M , Premono B T , Ulya N A , Waluyo E A , Sumadi A , Azwar F , Kurniawan A , Muhakka
Published: August 2019

The swamp buffalo of Pampangan (swamp buffalo) is one of South Sumatran germplasm that has the potential to be developed as one of the livelihoods of the people in peat swamp land. Currently, its farming extends from the farm area of origin in Pampangan area to the development area in Riding Village, Pangkalan Lampam Subdistrict, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency. Its expansion is mostly located within production forest area which is adjacent to Wildlife Sanctuary (WS) of Padang Sugihan. In the last decade, its population has increased both by birth and displacement. This phenomenon may cause competition in obtaining food and trigger damage to Padang Sugihan WS ecosystem. In order to support the sustainability of its business and to maintain the preservation of Padang Sugihan WS ecosystem, the optimum management of buffalo farming is required. Biophysical analysis of optimum grazing area, optimization studies and livestock business analysis are the methods used in this study. The results show that the total area of grazing area outside Padang Sugihan WS area is 1,646 ha and optimum population per ha is 3 buffalos. Analysis of its business analysis showed that financial feasibility was feasible. They indicate that buffalo farm business is potential developed as an alternative to community livelihoods in peat lands. In order to maintain the preservation of forest ecosystems and sustainability of community livelihoods, it is necessary to improve the grazing pattern and management of grazing areas. Hence the fodder is fulfilled without damaging the area of Padang Sugihan WS. Introduction.
3D bioprinting of mature bacterial biofilms for antimicrobial resistance drug testing
Authors: Ning Evita , Turnbull Gareth , Clarke Jon , Picard Fred , Riches Philip , Vendrell Marc , Graham Duncan , Wark Alastair W , Faulds Karen , Shu Wenmiao
Published: August 2019

The potential to bioprint and study 3D bacterial biofilm constructs could have great clinical significance at a time when antimicrobial resistance is rising to dangerously high levels worldwide. In this study, clinically relevant bacterial species including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 3D bioprinted using a double-crosslinked alginate bioink to form mature bacteria biofilms, characterized by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and fluorescent staining. Solid and porous bacteria-laden constructs were reproducibly bioprinted with thicknesses ranging from 0.25 to 4 mm. We demonstrated 3D bioprinting of thicker biofilms (>4 mm) than found in currently available in vitro models. Bacterial viability was excellent in the bioprinted constructs, with CLSM observation of bacterial biofilm production and maturation possible for at least 28 d in culture. Importantly, we observed the complete five-step biofilm life cycle in vitro following 3D bioprinting for the first time, suggesting the formation of mature 3D bioprinted biofilms. Bacterial growth was faster in thinner, more porous constructs whilst constructs crosslinked with BaCl2 concentrations of above 10 mM had denser biofilm formation. 3D MRSA and MSSA biofilm constructs were found to show greater resistance to antimicrobials than corresponding two-dimensional (2D) cultures. Thicker 3D E. coli biofilms had greater resistance to tetracycline than thinner constructs over 7 d of treatment. Our methodology allowed for the precise 3D bioprinting of self-supporting 3D bacterial biofilm structures that developed biofilms during extended culture. 3D biofilm constructs containing bacterial biofilms produce a model with much greater clinical relevance compared to 2D culture models and we have demonstrated their use in antimicrobial testing.
Using L-band radar data for soil salinity mapping—a case study in Central Iraq
Authors: Wu Weicheng , Muhaimeed Ahmad S , Al-Shafie Waleed M , Al-Quraishi Ayad M F
Published: August 2019

Soil salinization is a critical environmental problem for dryland agriculture. Mapping its distribution and severity in space and time is essential for agricultural management and development. Recently, remote sensing technology has been widely applied in such mapping but mostly using optical remote sensing data. In conjunction with the field surveys, this case study was aimed at developing an operational approach for this purpose by employing ALOS (Advanced Land Observing Satellite) L-band radar data with support of Landsat 5 TM (Thematic Mapper) imagery acquired at almost the same time. The test was conducted in the Mussaib site in Central Iraq. The innovative procedure involved was the removal or minimization of the impact of vegetation cover and moisture on the backscattering coefficients by Water Cloud Model. The results revealed a strong correlation between the corrected backscattering coefficients of soil and the measured soil salinity (R
2 = 0.565–0.677). The radar-based salinity models developed through multivariate linear regression (MLR) analysis were able to predict salinity with reliability of 70.05%. In conclusion, it is possible to use radar data for soil salinity prediction and mapping in dry environment.
Adult Reproductive Tract Morphology and Spermatogenesis in the Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)
Authors: Malawey Aline S , Mercati David , Love Charles C , Tomberlin Jeffery K
Published: August 2019

Large-scale production of the black soldier fly [Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)] for use as aquaculture and poultry feed has developed into a global industry. Successful commercialization of the black soldier fly relies on optimizing the production of fecund adults. However, current mass-rearing protocols result in variable production of fertile eggs. To help lay a foundation for a better understanding of factors that may play a role in this variability, the morphology of the black soldier fly male reproductive tract and spermatozoa, associated spermatogenesis process, impact of age on the process, and the female spermatheca morphology were examined with various microscopic techniques (e.g., scanning electron microscope, transition electron microscope, and dissecting scope). The gross morphology of the male reproductive tract and female spermatheca appear to be similar to those found in other brachyceran flies. Male spermatozoa are long (~860 µm overall, ~8 µm head), apparently motile, and possess flagella with a typical 9 + 9 + 2 axoneme triplets. Germ cells go through incomplete mitotic divisions surrounded by somatic cyst cells in the testes. Spermatogenesis appears to be initiated during immature development (cryptocephalic pupa stage). From <24 h to 7 d post-emergence, male aging appeared to impact sperm production.
External validation of the electronic Frailty Index using the population of Wales within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank
Authors: Hollinghurst Joe , Fry Richard , Akbari Ashley , Clegg Andy , Lyons Ronan A , Watkins Alan , Rodgers Sarah E
Published: August 2019

Background

frailty has major implications for health and social care services internationally. The development, validation and national implementation of the electronic Frailty Index (eFI) using routine primary care data has enabled change in the care of older people living with frailty in England.

Aims

to externally validate the eFI in Wales and assess new frailty-related outcomes.

Study design and setting

retrospective cohort study using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank, comprising 469,000 people aged 65–95, registered with a SAIL contributing general practice on 1 January 2010.

Methods

four categories (fit; mild; moderate and severe) of frailty were constructed using recognised cut points from the eFI. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) from Cox regression models for validation of existing outcomes: 1-, 3- and 5-year mortality, hospitalisation, and care home admission for validation. We also analysed, as novel outcomes, 1-year mortality following hospitalisation and frailty transition times.

Results

HR trends for the validation outcomes in SAIL followed the original results from ResearchOne and THIN databases. Relative to the fit category, adjusted HRs in SAIL (95% CI) for 1-year mortality following hospitalisation were 1.05 (95% CI 1.03-1.08) for mild frailty, 1.24 (95% CI 1.21-1.28) for moderate frailty and 1.51 (95% CI 1.45-1.57) for severe frailty. The median time (lower and upper quartile) between frailty categories was 2,165 days (lower and upper quartiles: 1,510 and 2,831) from fit to mild, 1,155 days (lower and upper quartiles: 756 and 1,610) from mild to moderate and 898 days (lower and upper quartiles: 584 and 1,275) from moderate to severe.

Conclusions

further validation of the eFI showed robust predictive validity and utility for new outcomes.
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors for the management of advanced or metastatic breast cancer in women
Authors: Cersosimo Robert J
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The pharmacology, clinical activity, safety, and place in therapy of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib are reviewed.

CDK 4 and CDK 6 are downstream agents in the estrogen signaling pathway that control entry into the cell cycle. CDK4/6 inhibition may prevent tumor cell progression in the cell cycle. Three CDK4/6 inhibitors (palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib) are available for women with hormone receptor–positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2–) advanced or metastatic breast cancer. These medications’ indications in the treatment of HR+/HER2– advanced breast cancer include use with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) as initial therapy in postmenopausal women and with fulvestrant in women whose disease progressed during endocrine therapy. Ribociclib is also indicated as initial therapy with an AI in premenopausal or perimenopausal women and as initial therapy with fulvestrant in postmenopausal women. Abemaciclib is also indicated as monotherapy in women with disease progression after endocrine therapy and prior chemotherapy. A significant increase in progression-free survival (PFS) was seen with use of all 3 agents as initial therapy with an AI in controlled trials. Each agent also was demonstrated to produce a significant increase in PFS when used with fulvestrant in women whose disease progressed with prior endocrine therapy. Neutropenia is a dose-limiting adverse effect of palbociclib and ribociclib. Fatigue is more common with use of palbociclib and abemaciclib, and gastrointestinal effects are more common with abemaciclib use.

Conclusion

CDK4/6 inhibitors have significant demonstrated clinical activity in combination with AIs or fulvestrant in women with HR+/HER2– advanced or metastatic breast cancer and are becoming a standard of care in these patients.
Pharmacist involvement in trauma resuscitation across the United States: A 10-year follow-up survey
Authors: Porter Blake A , Zaeem Maryam , Hewes Philip D , Hale LaDonna S , Jones Courtney M C , Gestring Mark L , Acquisto Nicole M
Published: August 2019

Purpose

A national survey performed in 2007 found that only 23% of American College of Surgeons (ACS) trauma centers involved pharmacists in trauma resuscitation. This study describes interval change in use, perceptions, and responsibilities from 2007 to 2017.

Methods

Of the 419 trauma centers identified from the ACS website, contact information was available for 335. In March 2017, a survey assessing hospital demographics, pharmacist coverage and services, and perception of pharmacist value and use was emailed to the identified trauma representatives. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis, as appropriate.

Results

The response rate was 33% (110/335). Pharmacist involvement with trauma resuscitation increased significantly from 23% in 2007 to 70% (p < 0.001) and in 71% of trauma centers was provided by pharmacists practicing within the emergency department. Pharmacist involvement was greatest in the Midwest (p < 0.01), but with similar distribution with regards to ACS designation, institution type, and patient volume. Common bedside responsibilities include calculating dosages (96%), preparing medications (89%), and providing medication information (79%), while trauma program/administrative responsibilities (45%) include trauma team education, pharmacy operations, medication safety, quality improvement data collection, research, review of quality assurance cases, ACS accreditation preparation, and others. The primary reason for not considering pharmacist involvement was unfamiliarity with these roles/benefits.

Conclusion

Pharmacists are an increasingly important component of the trauma team, as evidenced by growth over the last decade. In addition to clinical benefit at the bedside, pharmacists can support the regular activities of a trauma program in many meaningful ways.
A lever action hypothesis for pendulous hummingbird flowers: experimental evidence from a columbine
Authors: LoPresti E F , Goidell J , Mola J M , Page M L , Specht C D , Stuligross C , Weber M G , Williams N M , Karban R
Published: August 2019

Background and Aims

Pendulous flowers (due to a flexible pedicel) are a common, convergent trait of hummingbird-pollinated flowers. However, the role of flexible pedicels remains uncertain despite several functional hypotheses. Here we present and test the ‘lever action hypothesis’: flexible pedicels allow pendulous flowers to move upwards from all sides, pushing the stigma and anthers against the underside of the feeding hummingbird regardless of which nectary is being visited.

Methods

To test whether this lever action increased pollination success, we wired emasculated flowers of serpentine columbine, Aquilegia eximia, to prevent levering and compared pollination success of immobilized flowers with emasculated unwired and wire controls.

Key Results

Seed set was significantly lower in wire-immobilized flowers than unwired control and wire control flowers. Video analysis of visits to wire-immobilized and unwired flowers demonstrated that birds contacted the stigmas and anthers of immobilized flowers less often than those of flowers with flexible pedicels.

Conclusions

We conclude that flexible pedicels permit the levering of reproductive structures onto a hovering bird. Hummingbirds, as uniquely large, hovering pollinators, differ from flies or bees which are too small to cause levering of flowers while hovering. Thus, flexible pedicels may be an adaptation to hummingbird pollination, in particular due to hummingbird size. We further speculate that this mechanism is effective only in radially symmetric flowers; in contrast, zygomorphic hummingbird-pollinated flowers are usually more or less horizontally oriented rather than having pendulous flowers and flexible pedicels.
Genotype imputation and reference panel: a systematic evaluation on haplotype size and diversity
Authors: Bai Wei-Yang , Zhu Xiao-Wei , Cong Pei-Kuan , Zhang Xue-Jun , Richards J Brent , Zheng Hou-Feng
Published: August 2019

Here, 622 imputations were conducted with 394 customized reference panels for Han Chinese and European populations. Besides validating the fact that imputation accuracy could always benefit from the increased panel size when the reference panel was population specific, the results brought two new thoughts. First, when the haplotype size of the reference panel was fixed, the imputation accuracy of common and low-frequency variants (Minor Allele Frequency (MAF) > 0.5%) decreased while the population diversity of the reference panel increased, but for rare variants (MAF < 0.5%), a small fraction of diversity in panel could improve imputation accuracy. Second, when the haplotype size of the reference panel was increased with extra population-diverse samples, the imputation accuracy of common variants (MAF > 5%) for the European population could always benefit from the expanding sample size. However, for the Han Chinese population, the accuracy of all imputed variants reached the highest when reference panel contained a fraction of an extra diverse sample (8–21%). In addition, we evaluated the imputation performances in the existing reference panels, such as the Haplotype Reference Consortium (HRC), 1000 Genomes Project Phase 3 and the China, Oxford and Virginia Commonwealth University Experimental Research on Genetic Epidemiology (CONVERGE). For the European population, the HRC panel showed the best performance in our analysis. For the Han Chinese population, we proposed an optimum imputation reference panel constituent ratio if researchers would like to customize their own sequenced reference panel, but a high-quality and large-scale Chinese reference panel was still needed. Our findings could be generalized to the other populations with conservative genome; a tool was provided to investigate other populations of interest (https://github.com/Abyss-bai/reference-panel-reconstruction).
Predicting the effects of SNPs on transcription factor binding affinity
Authors: Nishizaki Sierra S , Ng Natalie , Dong Shengcheng , Porter Robert S , Morterud Cody , Williams Colten , Asman Courtney , Switzenberg Jessica A , Boyle Alan P
Published: August 2019

Motivation

Genome-wide association studies have revealed that 88% of disease-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reside in noncoding regions. However, noncoding SNPs remain understudied, partly because they are challenging to prioritize for experimental validation. To address this deficiency, we developed the SNP effect matrix pipeline (SEMpl).

Results

SEMpl estimates transcription factor-binding affinity by observing differences in chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing signal intensity for SNPs within functional transcription factor-binding sites (TFBSs) genome-wide. By cataloging the effects of every possible mutation within the TFBS motif, SEMpl can predict the consequences of SNPs to transcription factor binding. This knowledge can be used to identify potential disease-causing regulatory loci.

Availability and implementation

SEMpl is available from https://github.com/Boyle-Lab/SEM_CPP.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Target enrichment from a DNA mixture by oligoribonucleotide interference-PCR (ORNi-PCR)
Authors: Fujita Toshitsugu , Motooka Daisuke , Fujii Hodaka
Published: August 2019

Oligoribonucleotide (ORN) interference-PCR (ORNi-PCR) is a method that suppresses PCR amplification of target DNA in an ORN-specific manner. In this study, we examined whether ORNi-PCR can be used to enrich desirable DNA sequences from a DNA mixture by suppressing undesirable DNA amplification. ORNi-PCR enriched edited DNA sequences from a mixture of genomic DNA subjected to genome editing. ORNi-PCR enabled more efficient analysis of the types of insertion/deletion mutations introduced by genome editing. In addition, ORNi-PCR reduced the detection of 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) genes in 16S rRNA gene-based microbiome profiling, which might permit a more detailed assessment of populations of other 16S rRNA genes. Enrichment of desirable DNA sequences by ORNi-PCR may be useful in molecular biology, medical diagnosis, and other fields.
Long-term Impact of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines on Invasive Disease and Pneumonia Hospitalizations in Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians
Authors: Meder Kelley N , Jayasinghe Sanjay , Beard Frank , Dey Aditi , Kirk Martyn , Cook Heather , Strachan Janet , Sintchenko Vitali , Smith Helen , Giele Carolien , Howden Benjamin , Krause Vicki , Mcintyre Peter
Published: August 2019

Background

Universal pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) programs began in Indigenous Australian children in 2001 and all children in 2005, changing to 13-valent PCV (PCV13) in 2011. We used laboratory data for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and coded hospitalizations for noninvasive pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia (PnCAP) to evaluate long-term impact.

Methods

Annual incidence (per 100 000 population) was calculated for age-specific total IPD, PCV13 non–7-valent PCV (PCV7) serotypes, and PnCAP by Indigenous status. Incidence in the pre–universal PCV7 (2002–2004), early PCV7 (2005–2007), pre-PCV13 (2008 to mid-2011), and post-PCV13 (mid-2011 to 2016) periods was used to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRRs).

Results

In the total population, all-age incidence of IPD declined from 11.8 pre-PCV7 to 7.1 post-PCV13 (IRR, 0.61 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .59–.63]) but for PnCAP declined among ages <1 year (IRR, 0.34 [95% CI, .25–.45]) and 1–4 years (IRR, 0.50 [95% CI, .43–.57]) but increased significantly among age ≥5 years (IRRs, 1.08–1.14). In Indigenous people, baseline PCV13 non-PCV7 IPD incidence was 3-fold higher, amplified by a serotype 1 epidemic in 2011. By 2015–2016, although incidence of IPD and PnCAP in children aged <5 years decreased by 38%, neither decreased in people aged ≥5 years.

Conclusions

Fifteen years post-PCV and 5 years post-PCV13, direct and indirect impact on IPD and PnCAP differed by age and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, with potential implications for long-term PCV impact in comparable settings.

Fifteen years after pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) introduction and 5 years post-PCV13, direct and indirect impact on invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia differed by age and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, with potential implications for long-term PCV impact in comparable settings.
Safety and Immunogenicity of a Second Dose of an Investigational Maternal Trivalent Group B Streptococcus Vaccine in Nonpregnant Women 4–6 Years After a First Dose: Results From a Phase 2 Trial
Authors: Leroux-Roels Geert , Bebia Zourab , Maes Cathy , Aerssens Annelies , De Boever Fien , Grassano Luca , Buffi Giada , Margarit Immaculada , Karsten Annette , Cho Stephen , Slobod Karen , Corsaro Bartholomew , Henry Ouzama
Published: August 2019

Background

Maternal immunization against group B streptococcus (GBS) could protect infants from invasive GBS disease. Additional doses in subsequent pregnancies may be needed. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a second dose of an investigational trivalent CRM197-glycoconjugate GBS vaccine (targeting serotypes Ia/Ib/III), administered to nonpregnant women 4–6 years postdose 1.

Methods

Healthy women either previously vaccinated with 1 dose of trivalent GBS vaccine 4–6 years before enrollment (n = 53) or never GBS vaccinated (n = 27) received a single trivalent GBS vaccine injection. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded. Serotype-specific (Ia/Ib/III) anti-GBS antibodies were measured by multiplex immunoassay prevaccination and 30/60 days postvaccination.

Results

AEs were reported with similar rates after a first or second dose; none were serious. Of previously GBS-vaccinated women, 92%–98% had anti-GBS concentrations that exceeded an arbitrary threshold (8 µg/mL) for each serotype 60 days postdose 2 vs 36%–56% postdose 1 in previously non–GBS-vaccinated women. Of previously GBS-vaccinated women with undetectable baseline (predose 1) anti-GBS levels, 90%–98% reached this threshold postdose 2. For each serotype, anti-GBS geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) 30/60 days postdose 2 in previously GBS-vaccinated women were ≥200-fold higher than baseline GMCs. Among women with undetectable baseline anti-GBS levels, postdose 2 GMCs in previously GBS-vaccinated women exceeded postdose 1 GMCs in previously non–GBS-vaccinated women (≥7-fold).

Conclusions

A second trivalent GBS vaccine dose administered 4–6 years postdose 1 was immunogenic with a favorable safety profile. Women with undetectable preexisting anti-GBS concentrations may benefit from a sufficiently spaced second vaccine dose.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02690181
Serologic Markers of Previous Malaria Exposure and Functional Antibodies Inhibiting Parasite Growth Are Associated With Parasite Kinetics Following a Plasmodium falciparum Controlled Human Infection
Authors: Achan Jane , Reuling Isaie J , Yap Xi Zen , Dabira Edgard , Ahmad Abdullahi , Cox Momodou , Nwakanma Davis , Tetteh Kevin , Wu Lindsey , Bastiaens Guido J H , Abebe Yonas , Manoj Anita , Kaur Harparkash , Miura Kazutoyo , Long Carole , Billingsley Peter F , Sim B Kim Lee , Hoffman Stephen L , Drakeley Chris , Bousema Teun , D’Alessandro Umberto
Published: August 2019

Background

We assessed the impact of exposure to Plasmodium falciparum on parasite kinetics, clinical symptoms, and functional immunity after controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) in 2 cohorts with different levels of previous malarial exposure.

Methods

Nine adult males with high (sero-high) and 10 with low (sero-low) previous exposure received 3200 P. falciparum sporozoites (PfSPZ) of PfSPZ Challenge by direct venous inoculation and were followed for 35 days for parasitemia by thick blood smear (TBS) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Endpoints were time to parasitemia, adverse events, and immune responses.

Results

Ten of 10 (100%) volunteers in the sero-low and 7 of 9 (77.8%) in the sero-high group developed parasitemia detected by TBS in the first 28 days (P = .125). The median time to parasitemia was significantly shorter in the sero-low group than the sero-high group (9 days [interquartile range {IQR} 7.5–11.0] vs 11.0 days [IQR 7.5–18.0], respectively; log-rank test, P = .005). Antibody recognition of sporozoites was significantly higher in the sero-high (median, 17.93 [IQR 12.95–24] arbitrary units [AU]) than the sero-low volunteers (median, 10.54 [IQR, 8.36–12.12] AU) (P = .006). Growth inhibitory activity was significantly higher in the sero-high (median, 21.8% [IQR, 8.15%–29.65%]) than in the sero-low group (median, 8.3% [IQR, 5.6%–10.23%]) (P = .025).

Conclusions

CHMI was safe and well tolerated in this population. Individuals with serological evidence of higher malaria exposure were able to better control infection and had higher parasite growth inhibitory activity.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03496454.
Chronology of Gloomy Scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) Infestations on Urban Trees
Authors: Backe Kristi M , Frank Steven D
Published: August 2019

Pest abundance on urban trees often increases with surrounding impervious surface. Gloomy scale (Melanaspis tenebricosa Comstock; Hemiptera: Diaspididae), a pest of red maples (Acer rubrum L.; Sapindales: Sapindaceae) in the southeast United States, reaches injurious levels in cities and reduces tree condition. Here, we use a chronosequence field study in Raleigh, NC, to investigate patterns in gloomy scale densities over time from the nursery to 13 yr after tree planting, with a goal of informing more efficient management of gloomy scale on urban trees. We examine how impervious surfaces affect the progression of infestations and how infestations affect tree condition. We find that gloomy scale densities remain low on trees until at least seven seasons after tree planting, providing a key timepoint for starting scouting efforts. Scouting should focus on tree branches, not tree trunks. Scale density on tree branches increases with impervious surface across the entire studied tree age range and increases faster on individual trees that are planted in areas with high impervious surface cover. There is a lag between the onset of pest infestations and a decline in tree condition, indicating that gloomy scale management should begin prior to a visible decline in tree condition. Our results inform management of gloomy scale in cities.
Comparison of the conventional frozen elephant trunk implantation technique with a modified implantation technique in zone 1
Authors: Gottardi Roman , Voetsch Andreas , Krombholz-Reindl Philip , Winkler Andreas , Steindl Johannes , Dinges Christian , Kirnbauer Michael , Neuner Matthias , Berger Tim , Seitelberger Rainald
Published: August 2019

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to compare the conventional frozen elephant trunk implantation technique with a modified implantation technique with an aortic anastomosis in zone 1 and extra-anatomic revascularization of the left subclavian artery during reperfusion.

METHODS

Between May 2014 and March 2018, 40 patients (26 male; mean age 60.2 ± 11.2 years) underwent complete aortic arch replacement with the Thoraflex Hybrid prosthesis™ (Vascutek, Inchinnan, Scotland) at our institution. Seventeen patients underwent conventional arch replacement (group 1) and 23 patients the modified procedure (group 2). Indication for arch replacement included all types of acute and chronic diseases.

RESULTS

Cardiopulmonary bypass time (213.1 ± 53.5 vs 243.8 ± 67.0 min, P = 0.13) and aortic cross-clamp time (114.4 ± 40.7 vs 117.3 ± 56.6 min, P = 0.86) did not differ significantly between group 1 and 2. There was a trend towards a shorter circulatory arrest time (50.72 ± 9.6 vs 44.7 ± 15.5 min; P = 0.20) in group 2. Perioperative mortality was 10% (5.9% vs 13%; P = 0.62). Stroke occurred in 10% (5.9% vs 13%; P = 0.62) of patients. Spinal cord injury occurred in 7.5% of patients (11.8% vs 4.3% P = 0.57). Due to the a proximal aortic anastomosis, there was a significantly shorter coverage of the descending aorta with the prosthesis ending at vertebral level Th7.5 (6.75–8) in group 1 versus Th6.0 (5.0–6.0) in group 2 (P-value = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Implantation of the frozen elephant trunk prosthesis in zone 1 allows for a more proximal aortic anastomosis that could make the procedure more feasible especially in patients with difficult anatomies or in an acute setting.
Influence of 16S rRNA variable region on perceived diversity of marine microbial communities of the Northern North Atlantic
Authors: Willis Ciara , Desai Dhwani , LaRoche Julie
Published: August 2019

Marine microbes play essential roles in global energy and nutrient cycles. A primary method of determining their diversity and distribution is through sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA genes from environmental samples. However, the perceived community composition may vary significantly based on differences in methodology, including choice of 16S variable region(s). This study investigated the influence of 16S variable region selection (V4-V5 or V6-V8) on perceived community composition and diversity for bacteria, Archaea and chloroplasts by tag-Illumina sequencing. We used 24 samples from the photic zone of the Scotian Shelf, northwest Atlantic, collected during a spring phytoplankton bloom. Taxonomic assignment and community composition varied greatly depending on the choice of variable regions while observed patterns of beta diversity were reproducible between variable regions. V4-V5 was considered the preferred variable region for future studies based on its superior recognition of Archaea, which has received little attention in bloom dynamics. The V6-V8 region captured more of the bacterial diversity, including the abundant SAR11 clades and, to a lesser extent, that of chloroplasts. However, the magnitude of difference between variable regions for bacteria and chloroplast was less than for Archaea.
Quick determination of earthquake source parameters from GPS measurements: a study of suitability for Taiwan
Authors: Lin Jiun-Ting , Chang Wu-Lung , Melgar Diego , Thomas Amanda , Chiu Chi-Yu
Published: August 2019

We test the feasibility of GPS-based rapid centroid moment tensor (GPS CMT) methods for Taiwan, one of the most earthquake prone areas in the world. In recent years, Taiwan has become a leading developer of seismometer-based earthquake early warning systems, which have successfully been applied to several large events. The rapid determination of earthquake magnitude and focal mechanism, important for a number of rapid response applications, including tsunami warning, is still challenging because of the limitations of near-field inertial recordings. This instrumental issue can be solved by an entirely different observation system: a GPS network. Taiwan is well posed to take advantage of GPS because in the last decade it has developed a very dense network. Thus, in this research, we explore the suitability of the GPS CMT inversion for Taiwan. We retrospectively investigate six moderate to large (Mw6.0 ∼ 7.0) earthquakes and propose a resolution test for our model, we find that the minimum resolvable earthquake magnitude of this system is ∼Mw5.5 (at 5 km depth). Our tests also suggest that the finite fault complexity, often challenging for the near-field methodology, can be ignored under such good station coverage and thus, can provide a fast and robust solution for large earthquake directly from the near field. Our findings help to understand and quantify how the proposed methodology could be implemented in real time and what its contributions could be to the overall earthquake monitoring system.
Receiver function mapping of mantle transition zone discontinuities beneath Alaska using scaled 3-D velocity corrections
Authors: van Stiphout A M , Cottaar S , Deuss A
Published: August 2019

The mantle transition zone is the region between the globally observed major seismic velocity discontinuities around depths of 410 and 660 km and is important for determining the style of convection and mixing between the upper and the lower mantle. In this study, P-to-S converted waves, or receiver functions, are used to study these discontinuities beneath the Alaskan subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate subducts underneath the North American Plate. Previous tomographic models do not agree on the depth extent of the subducting slab, therefore improved imaging of the Earth structure underneath Alaska is required. We use 27 800 high quality radial receiver functions to make common conversion point stacks. Upper mantle velocity anomalies are accounted for by two recently published regional tomographic S-wave velocity models. Using these two tomographic models, we show that the discontinuity depths within our CCP stacks are highly dependent on the choice of velocity model, between which velocity anomaly magnitudes vary greatly. We design a quantitative test to show whether the anomalies in the velocity models are too strong or too weak, leading to over- or undercorrected discontinuity depths. We also show how this test can be used to rescale the 3-D velocity corrections in order to improve the discontinuity topography maps.

After applying the appropriate corrections, we find a localized thicker mantle transition zone and an uplifted 410 discontinuity, which show that the slab has clearly penetrated into the mantle transition zone. Little topography is seen on the 660 discontinuity, indicating that the slab has probably not reached the lower mantle. In the southwest, P410s arrivals have very small amplitudes or no significant arrival at all. This could be caused by water or basalt in the subducting slab, reducing the strength at the 410, or by topography on the 410 discontinuity, preventing coherent stacking. In the southeast of Alaska, a thinner mantle transition zone is observed. This area corresponds to the location of a slab window, and thinning of the mantle transition zone may be caused by hot mantle upwellings.
Portomesenteric Venous Thrombosis in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Medically Refractory Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Kayal Maia , Radcliffe Marlana , Plietz Michael , Rosman Alan , Greenstein Alexander , Khaitov Sergey , Sylla Patricia , Dubinsky Marla C
Published: August 2019

Portomesenteric venous thrombosis (PMVT) occurred in 8% of postoperative ulcerative colitis patients despite the administration of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain. Preoperative C-reaction protein values >45 mg/L were significantly associated with PMVT development.
Playing with Power: Mechanisms of Energy Flow in Organismal Movement
Authors: Rosario Michael V , Olberding Jeffrey P , Deban Stephen M
Published: August 2019

Across multiple evolutionary clades and size scales, organismal movement requires controlling the flow of energy through the body to enhance certain functions. Whether energy is released or absorbed by the organism, proper function hinges on the ability to manipulate both where and when energy is transferred. For example, both power amplification and power attenuation rely on the use of springs for the intermediate storage of energy between the body and the environment; but variation in function is the result of the path and timing of energy flow. In this symposium, we have invited speakers that demonstrate the diversity of mechanisms used to control the flow of energy through the body and into the environment. By bringing together researchers investigating movements in the context of power and energy flow, the major goal of this symposium is to facilitate fresh perspectives on the unifying mechanical themes of energy transfer in organismal movement.
Fault diagnosis of air-conditioning refrigeration system based on sparse autoencoder
Authors: Wang Zhiyi , Zhong Jiachen , Li Jingfan , Xia Cui
Published: August 2019

To overcome the drawbacks of using supervised learning to extract fault features for classification and low nonlinearity of the features in most of current fault diagnosis of air-conditioning refrigeration system, sparse autoencoder (SAE) is presented to extract fault features that are used as the input to the classifier and to achieve fault diagnosis for air-conditioning refrigeration system. The SAE structure is tuned by adjusting the number of hidden layers and nodes to build the optimal model, which is compared with the fault diagnosis model based on support vector machine. Results indicate that the indexes of the model combined with SAE, such as accuracy, precision and recall, are all improved, especially for the faults with high complexity. Besides, SAE shows high generalization ability with small-scale sample data and high efficiency with large-scale data. Obviously, the use of SAE can effectively optimize the diagnosis performance of the classifier.
Toward energy-efficient governmental buildings in Egypt: investigating the impact of nano aerogel glazing on energy performance
Authors: Hegazy Ibrahim Rizk
Published: August 2019

The application of advanced materials in energy conservation is mostly among the urgent issues worldwide. In this context, nanosilica aerogel has received growing attention in the last decade due to its remarkably lower thermal conductivity. Aerogel panels laminated to drywall boards initiated to be used in substantially the energy sufficient buildings. Nevertheless, the greatest and most promising application of silica aerogel appears to be in substantially insulating glazing systems. The present research has concentrated on evaluating the energy performance of the nano aerogel glazing if implemented to the El-Dakahliya governmental headquarters building located in Mansoura city in Egypt, compared with single-glazed windows (base case) and double-glazed windows. The modeling was carried out in Autodesk Revit, and the process of energy performance simulation was carried out by Autodesk Ecotect Analysis by adopting the weather data of Mansoura. The results show that the nano aerogel glazing system succeeds in conserving approximately 19% in the annual energy consumption for a set-point temperature band of 19–27°C. The paper attempts to present significant research especially in studied country. Selected category of buildings may add more originality in term of implementation scope.
Safety and Immunogenicity of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion (F) Protein Nanoparticle Vaccine in Healthy Third-Trimester Pregnant Women and Their Infants
Authors: Muňoz Flor M , Swamy Geeta K , Hickman Somia P , Agrawal Sapeckshita , Piedra Pedro A , Glenn Gregory M , Patel Nita , August Allison M , Cho Iksung , Fries Louis
Published: August 2019

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of infant lower respiratory tract disease and hospitalization worldwide.

Methods

Safety and immunogenicity of RSV fusion (F) protein nanoparticle vaccine or placebo were evaluated in 50 healthy third-trimester pregnant women. Assessments included vaccine tolerability and safety in women and infants, and RSV-specific antibody measures in women before and after vaccination, at delivery and post partum.

Results

The vaccine was well tolerated; no meaningful differences in pregnancy or infant outcomes were observed between study groups. RSV-specific antibody levels increased significantly among vaccine recipients, including responses competitive with well-described monoclonal antibodies specific for multiple RSV neutralizing epitopes. No significant antibody increase was seen among placebo recipients, although a shallow upward trend across the RSV season was noted. Transplacental antibody transfer was 90%–120% across assays for infants of vaccinated women. Women with an interval of ≥30 days between vaccination and delivery demonstrated higher placental antibody transfer rates than women with an interval <30 days. Half-lives of RSV-specific antibodies in infants approximated 40 days. There was no evidence of severe RSV disease in infants of vaccinated mothers.

Conclusions

Data from this phase 2 study support a maternal immunization strategy to protect infants from RSV disease.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02247726.