bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Securing property management systems
Authors: Newhouse William , Ekstrom Michael , Finke Jeff , Harriston Marisa
Published: March 2021

Hotels have become targets for malicious actors wishing to exfiltrate sensitive data, deliver malware, or profit from undetected fraud. Property management systems, which are central to hotel operations, present attractive attack surfaces. This example implementation strives to increase the cybersecurity of the Property Management System (PMS) and offer privacy protections for the data in the PMS. The objective of this guide was to build a standards-based example implementation that utilizes readily available commercial off-the-shelf components that enhance the security of a PMS. The NCCoE at NIST built a PMS reference design in a laboratory environment to demonstrate methods to improve the cybersecurity of a PMS. The PMS reference design included the PMS, a credit card payment platform, and an analogous ancillary hotel system. In this example implementation, a physical access control system was used as the ancillary system. The principal capabilities include protecting sensitive data, enforcing role-based access control, and monitoring for anomalies. The principal recommendations include implementing cybersecurity concepts such as zero trust architecture, moving target defense, tokenization of credit card data, and role-based authentication. The PMS environment outlined in this guide encourages hoteliers and similar stakeholders to adopt effective cybersecurity and privacy concepts by using standard components that are composed of open-source and commercially available components.
Barriers to and Benefits of the Use of Smart Farming Technologies for Small and Medium Winemakers, Specifically Sensors and Weather Stations: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kaňovská Lucie
Published: March 2021

Digitization is becoming part of agriculture. Winemakers can use monitoring technologies to map land or control the quality of grapes, and telematics, e.g., in tractors, or use entire autonomous machines. The aim of this paper is to find out the barriers to and benefits of the use of smart farming technologies by small and medium winemakers, specifically sensors and weather stations, which allow the collection of site-specific data for subsequent application in viticulture. Therefore, the pilot study analyses how winemakers in traditional industry are able to employ smart farming technologies (SFT) to gain some benefits and also describe possible barriers. The primary method of data collection was through 27 semi-structured interviews with relevant wine industry actors, accessing documents created by SFT providers and an academic literature review. Three groups of actors were researched: 1) 22 winemakers including the Ekovin Association, 2) three SFT providers and, 3) one supplier of hardware for soil and temperature sensors. According to the information of winemakers, it is clear that SFT are used by some of them and they are clearly aware of their benefits, which is also confirmed by SFT providers. The findings revealed that the main STF benefits are adjustment of the product portfolio, savings, consulting and organization of activities. However, respondents also mentioned barriers to SFT implementation, such as low need for information, another source of information, conservative approaches, ignorance of SFT, financial demands, low state support and age of winemakers. The novelty of this paper is in providing an analysis of the issue of SFT, specifically sensors and weather stations, for winemakers from three different perspectives, that of winemakers, suppliers of SFT and HW manufacturer for SFT.
Identité et éducation
Authors: Arrighi Laurence
Published: March 2021

L’objectif de ce texte est de proposer une analyse critique d’un guide pédagogique,En préparation pour le prochain CMA, saisi dans son contexte sociopolitique et discursif. Dans la mesure où ce guide vise à faire de l’éducation identitaire auprès d’une population scolaire dans un environnement minoritaire où s’actualisent des définitions identitaires différentes, dont certaines construites comme incompatibles, on comprend que le terrain est miné. Il l’est d’autant plus que le guide en question est produit dans le giron d’une activité, le Congrès mondial acadien (CMA), qui d’édition en édition suscite de vives oppositions et essuie d’acerbes critiques1soulevantin finedeux questions : « Qu’est-ce qu’un Acadien? », et « Qui a le droit de le définir? ». Dans ce cadre, a-t-on affaire à une énième manifestation de discours en concurrence ou, en dépit des embuches,En préparation pour le prochain CMAarrive-t-il finalement à tirer son épingle du jeu? C’est cette dernière lecture que je défendrai dans la présente contribution.
Classification and clinical evaluation of the types of angiokeratoma
Authors: Sharquie Khalifa , Jabbar Raed I
Published: March 2021

Background: Angiokeratoma is a group of benign vascular telangiectasias in the superficial dermis associated with hyperkeratosis of the epidermis. There are different types of angiokeratoma and the color of the lesions—pink, red, dusky red, blue-red—depends on their age. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients with different varieties of angiokeratoma were collected from April 2013 through March 2020 and classified according to well-defined types. Each patient gave their formal consent after the nature of the disease was explained to them. Full medical history taking and clinical examination were performed on all patients. Skin biopsies were taken from 12 cases and processed for histopathology with H&E stain. As for therapy, diathermy was used for the treatment of selected localized cases, especially those on the scrotum. Results: Twenty-four cases with different types of angiokeratoma were evaluated, 19 (79.16%) males and 5 (20.83%) females, with ages ranging from 13 to 25 years and a mean age of 19 years. The age of onset was most commonly around adolescence and early adulthood. The lesions were classified into the following: 11 (45.83%) cases of Fordyce, 5 (20.83%) cases solitary, 4 (16.66%) cases circumscriptum, 3 (12.5%) cases oral (on the tongue), and one (4.16%) corporis diffusum (Fabry disease). All patients displayed warty red, blue, or black papules, nodules, or plaques, with the exception of isolated angiokeratoma. Their histopathology revealed hyperkeratosis of the epidermis, which could have been mild or marked acanthosis, as seen in the form of pseudoepithelial hyperplasia with marked elongation of rete ridges. As a dermal change, markedly dilated blood vessels occupied the papillary and reticular dermis. Diathermy was an effective mode of therapy in selected patients with satisfactory cosmetic and therapeutic results. Conclusion: All types of angiokeratoma were recognized but the most common were angiokeratoma of Fordyce, mainly affecting male genitalia, followed by solitary angiokeratoma, affecting mainly the limbs, and angiokeratoma circumscriptum linearly along the limbs. Oral angiokeratoma of the tongue appeared in three patients. All these types have a characteristic presentation that is easy to recognize: warty dusky-red lesions.
Nodular vasculitis or erythema induratum without cutaneous tuberculosis: An unusual presentation in an uncommon site
Authors: Mofarrah Ramin , Jallab Nafiseh , Mofarrah Ramina , Amiri Kousar Jahani , Jallab Naghmeh
Published: March 2021

Erythema induratum (EI) is a rare chronic disease, which occurs with cutaneous tuberculosis (TB). Nodular vasculitis, much rarer than erythema induratum, describes the same condition but without cutaneous TB, with lesions usually in the lower legs and rarely on the breasts. We report the case of a 46-year-old female with a history of crusted skin and necrotic lesions two years before, which, once self-limited, multiplied one month before and transferred to uncommon sites of the body, such as the breast. There was no evidence of other clinical presentations, and a chest X-ray gave no pathological findings. A biopsy was taken from the lesions, and the patient was diagnosed with erythema induratum without cutaneous tuberculosis, that is, nodular vasculitis. After treatment with calcineurin-inhibiting tacrolimus ointment, topical corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive oral azathioprine, the lesions improved.
Louvred Noise Barrier for Traffic Noise Reduction
Authors: Astrauskas Tomas , Baltrėnas Pranas , Januševičius Tomas , Grubliauskas Raimondas
Published: March 2021

Environmental issues near roads become more and more important in our society daily life. One of the most critical environmental issues is traffic noise. The present paper study louvred noise barrier designed by authors. The louvred noise barrier provides sound attenuation while allowing airflow and sunlight through it. Since the airflow resistance of the barrier is low, it requires a shallow foundation compared to conventional noise barriers. The sound attenuation performance of the louvred noise barrier was tested experimentally in a sound transmission chamber. Airflow resistance simulated using a computational fluid dynamics model. The simulation and experimental study were done with different louvred noise barrier setup: change of louvre blade angle and sound-absorbing material thickness. The results showed potential for future development for the field testing. Sound attenuation was highest in 2500 Hz and 3150 Hz octave frequency bands. Depending on the louvred barrier setup, sound attenuation was up to 28 dB(A) in mentioned frequency bands. The equivalent sound pressure level reduced up to 17 dB(A). The results showed that an increase in the louvre blade angle increases sound attenuation and increases airflow resistance.
THE EFFECTS OF CHANGING FORMS OF WATCHING TV SERIES AS A RESULT OF BINGE-WATCHING ON THE VIEWERS
Authors: ÇAYCI Berk
Published: March 2021

Binge-watching or marathon watching is a new form of watching TV series/documentaries that has become widespread on a global scale as of 2013. With the developments in media and communication technologies, more and more viewers are watching more than one episode of a series through digital platforms more frequently by sparing longer periods of time. This situation creates some effects on the viewers. The purpose of this research was to identify the viewers' motivations behind binge-watching decisions and the effects of binge-watching on the viewers. For this purpose, data were collected using an in-depth interview method, one of the qualitative data collection methods, and analyzed with descriptive analysis method. As a result of the research, it was determined that the viewers' motivations for binge-watching were divided into two; individual and environmental factors. It was concluded that binge-watching caused some positive and negative feelings on the participants, that it oriented the participants towards individuality and isolation, and that this situation had some effects on family, social relations, work, and academic achievement.
USER EXPECTATIONS ON SMART TV; AN EMPIRIC STUDY ON USER EMOTIONS TOWARDS SMART TV
Authors: TALUĞ Deniz Yeşim
Published: March 2021

As a result of the introduction of new technologies in consumer electronics, analog TV shifted from a mere viewing experience to a personalized digital TV experience where users are encouraged to interact. The application of these new technologies not only create changes in physical appearance and adding more functionalities to TVs but it also shifts user expectations, which are mainly emotionally driven. The initial attempt of this study is to determine which emotions are involved in smart TV preference and why those particular emotions are aroused. In other words, this study aims to discover the link among contents, activities and user interaction as well as the relationship between triggered emotions and user expectations. By doing so, it analyses user emotions and expectations towards a dream TV. The primary data is collected towards semi-structured in-depth interviews. The results show that Smartness, High quality, Personalization, Functionality and Appearance are the key features that meet the expectations towards TV experience. User-friendliness, compatibleness, enjoyableness, awareness, novel-interactions, self-defense smart software and voice remote are the consequent expectations. All these expectations arise from different underlying emotional tendencies. With its initial attempt to propose guidelines for designers, this study suggests that for designing a smart TV that meets user expectations, its design should enable smart interaction that simplifies managing task (Smartness), high quality of picture and sound to enable innovative continuous experience (High quality), supporting not missing any content of interest and filter unwanted ones (Personalization), utilize all kinds of usage comfortably (Functionality), and should have an aesthetic look, even seamless design that fits any possible environment (Appearance).
ÇİTARİ FABRIC
Authors: ÇATALKAYA GÖK Ebru
Published: March 2021

Çitari is a type of fabric that emerged with new fabrics that began to appear after the eighteenth century. In çitari fabrics, was used silk in warp and cotton in weft. The characteristic feature of this fine fabric is that it is woven in stripes. However, there are many traditional fabric types woven as striped fabric. Çitari fabrics can be distinguished from other striped fabrics by their characteristics such as weaving weave, warp color pattern, raw material, and quality. It is known that çitari fabrics were woven in regions such as Bursa, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Tunceli, Diyarbakır, Tokat, Antalya, Harput, Yalvaç, İzmir, Denizli, India and Damascus. This type of fabric, which was widely used by the public in the past, is no longer produced today. It is thought that it is important to consider this fabric, which has the same name as a fish and a stringed musical instrument, in terms of its striped feature. In this context, çitari fabrics; with emphasis on historical development, word origin, types, usage areas and structural fabric properties, it is aimed to bring identity information to the literature. The technical analysis of 9 çitari fabric samples in the Kenan Özbel collection was made and presented in charts. In this respect, the study is important in order to can be re-weave çitari fabrics with the same characteristics and to can be compare them with similar fabric types in terms of technical information. Scanning and description, one of the research methods, was used in the study. As a result of the written literature reviews, it was seen that the çitari fabric was compared to the striped fabrics Kutnu, Alaca, Altıparmak, Diba, Selimiye, Manusa, Keremsut, and it was discussed by contrasting it with the fabric identity information in the evaluation part.
ANOTHER FACE OF THE NETWORK SOCIETY: AVATAR ACTIVISM AND JOKER (2019) IMAGERY
Authors: KURT Gözde , CEYHAN Ahmet İlkay
Published: March 2021

Joker which was released in 2019 is a popular movie that has reached the global audience. In the same year, the face paint, mask and costume of the Joker character who is in the leading role of the movie Joker (2019) was used by the activists in the protests that took place in different countries. In the theoretical part of this study, by adopting Manuel Castells’ approach which is named as the Network Society, the local and global communication dimensions and influence of Avatar activism are discussed and examined through the character of Joker (2019). In this study, it is revealed that, by using Avatar Activism as a communication tactic, the activists aim to make their neglected problems more visible, to make their voices heard by local and global masses, and to keep the media’s interest in the protests alive for longer. In this context, the statements made by the activists who participated to protests in Lebanon, Chile and China with Joker face paint, mask or costume within the scope of Avatar activism to newspapers and media outlets on the reasons and purposes of their preference for this appearance were subjected to examination by document analysis, which is a qualitative data analysis method, and the theoretical and conceptual infrastructure of the study was supported by direct quotations from related explanations. As a result of this study, it is revealed that in 2019, activists participating in protests in Lebanon, Chile and China made similar statements about the reasons and purposes of preferring the Joker appearance, and within the scope of Avatar activism, they aim to express their neglected problems and make them more visible through the Joker appearance.
DIGITAL STORAGE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE DATA: OPENHERITAGE3D EXAMPLE
Authors: HALAÇ Hicran Hanım , ÖĞÜLMÜŞ Veli
Published: March 2021

In the preservation and sustainability of cultural heritage, digital data has an essential role in the architectural conservation process in terms of serving as documents. For all kinds of protection actions to be taken in this process to be reliable, interactive, efficient, and up-to-date, the acquired digital heritage data should be made accessible to everyone. Openheritage3D, a cultural heritage digital data storage and sharing site, which is an organization that emerged for this purpose, was selected as the sample. The digital cultural heritage data sets available on this site have been examined and analyzed separately for each parameter using the total population sampling method. With the pieces of information obtained from the data tables, comparative graphs and tables were made both continentally and in which all heritages were analyzed together. In order to test the validity of the relationships between these parameters acquired during the evaluation process, cross tables were created and passed through the Pearson Chi-Square test processes. As a result of the statistical evaluations, it was revealed whether the associations of the parameters on Openheritage3D are meaningful or not. Thus, the conditions of carrying the parameters that should be in a sample open access digital heritage application were evaluated. In the architectural conservation aspect, suggestions regarding the digital heritage production process have been expressed. As a result of the analysis and evaluations, the status and potentials of open access applications were conveyed, and the issue of digitization of heritage data, and sustainability of cultural heritage were emphasized. Also, by testing the suitability of the databases and digital documentation parameters of the open heritage examined, it contributed to the decision-making mechanism for a possible open cultural heritage application or platform to be designed on a national and international scale.
EXAMINATION THE TRANSFERRING PROCESS OF MAIN IDEA TO SPACE DESIGN
Authors: SAKARYA Kemal , CANBOLAT Tülay
Published: March 2021

The study, which examines the position of the main idea in interior design and the development process of the main idea, aims to emphasize the importance of the main idea in terms of the space design. The main idea is an important design decision that can be defined as the core of the design, guides the designer at every stage of the design process. There are some data that need to be analyzed at the beginning of the design process. Various notions are reached based on these data, which are called as main idea components within the scope of the study. With the determination of the notions, the main idea is developed as a solution proposal to the design problem. Subsequently, the main idea is transferred to the design by adopting design approaches focusing on different aspects. The process diagram of transferring the main idea to the design is prepared with the data obtained in the theoretical parts of the study, which main idea components, design approaches and the development process of the main idea are examined. The validity of this diagram was questioned in a field study conducted with the students of Çukurova University, Department of Interior Architecture. The design processes in the analyzed applications were evaluated in accordance with this diagram, and in the light of the findings, the study was concluded with suggestions for future studies on the subject.
RESEARCH ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PERCEPTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING ACTIVITIES AND THE FEAR OF COVID19
Authors: SEYFİ Murat , ŞIVGIN Zeynep Merve
Published: March 2021

While Covid19 and its effects are spreading fast around the world, it is important to understand the effects of this period in order to create a sustainable community. During the epidemic, daily life has rapidly become digital and social media has increased its effectiveness as an important interaction area. The interaction skills and tendencies of both consumers and business owners have started to change in the meantime. Social media users' perceptions of marketing activities in this platform begin to have interaction with the fear of Covid19. This study differs from other studies in terms of examining social media marketing activities from the perspective of Covid19 fear. In this respect, it is expected that the study will contribute to the field. In this context, the purpose of the research is to investigate the relationship between the fear of Covid19 and the perception of social media marketing activities, and identify the relationship between the low/high fear of Covid19 and the perception of social media marketing activities. Therefore online questionnaire method is selected as the data collection method in this study. The sample of the questionnaire consists of 757 (N=757) people. As a result of the research, it has been identified that there is a meaningful relationship between the fear of Covid19 and the perception of social media marketing activities. The obtained data is examined within the relevant literature.
RE-READING MUSTANG IN THE CONTEXT OF THE IDEOLOGICAL COMPONENTS OF NARRATIVE
Authors: ORTA Nermin
Published: March 2021

Representation of the female body has been one of the most emphasized issues in gender debates. To refrain from reproducing the patriarchal ideology, it is important to be careful with the distinction between the body being tabooed and covered or transformed into an object of consumption under the name of freedom. The sexualization and objectification of the female body has taken place in the historical process. In many products from works of art to mass media, the woman, who is a passive object in front of the man who is the active/subject, is presented to the consumption of the male gaze. In almost every branch of art, from photography to cinema, the female body has been the object of the gaze and has been turned into an object of desire by being removed from the subject identity. Even in films that are claimed to be made with a woman's point of view and against gender discourses, the female body is sometimes objectified with elements such as the stage order, lighting, and perspective preferences. In this study, which aims to reveal how cinematographic elements can change the world of meaning, the first film of Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Mustang (2015), was discussed with feminist criticism in the axis of object-body by giving examples from various art branches in terms of cinematographic preferences. As a result of the study, it has been determined that the film, which claims to have set out with critical point of view, reproduces the discourses it tries to criticize. The reason for this is that the film falls into the traps of patriarchal ideology.
A STUDY ON A COMPARATIVE SPATIAL EXAMINATION OF ATATÜRK UNIVERSITY STUDENT LIFE CENTER
Authors: İSMAİLOĞLU Semiha , SİPAHİ Serkan , TORUN Alper
Published: March 2021

The campus is the living space used by students for four years or more for undergraduate education. In addition to educational buildings and administrative units, there are public spaces to meet social needs in the campus area. Having various places in campus life where students can socialize is very important for their versatile development. In this sense, student life centers, which include areas where students can both have fun and work in different disciplines, draw attention. There are student life centers with various functions in university campuses in our country. However, there is no standard in student centers, which raises the question of how much these centers meet the social needs or what functions they should have. In the study, within the scope of the transformation of the bowling alley in the Atatürk University campus into the Student Living Center, Dr. Lecturer Serkan Sipahi, Res. See. Alper Torun and Res. See. Semiha interior design by İsmailoğlu, application and implementation of projects made structure created and hosted by local functions, are examined with examples from Turkey and the world. With the examination, it was discussed which functions and the spaces belonging to these functions can take place in student living centers. Situation analysis was used in the study, which is a qualitative research. In the first step, student living center projects in Turkey and abroad were researched; Functions of six projects and spatial information about these functions have been reached. Then, information was given about the selected projects and the implementation project. In the third step, the functions and dimensions in the project made with a total of twelve examples are tabulated. While tabulating the places, they are discussed under three sub-titles: entertainment, education and service. As a result, the functional and dimensional nature of the implemented project was revealed. In this context, the study has been compared with the domestic and foreign examples of the student living center application at Atatürk University; As a result, a proposal was made for the required function program in student centers to meet social needs.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Serum Iron Status as Diagnostic Tools for Pituitary Iron Overload in Children with Beta Thalassemia
Authors: Morad Lamia M. , EL-Shanshory Mohamed R. , Hablas Nahed M. , El-Bendary Amal S. , El-Shafey Rasha A. , Hagag Adel A.
Published: March 2021

Background: Thalassemia is a common genetic disorder associated with endocrine disorders. Iron deposition may start in the anterior pituitary gland, but clinical signs are usually not evident until puberty. Aim of the study was to evaluate pituitary iron overload in children with β thalassemia using MRI T2* and correlate MRI T2* and biochemical markers of iron overload with pituitary hormones.

Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on 30 children with β-thalassemia major (19 females and 11 males ) with their age ranging from 10 - 18 years and mean age value of 12.8 ± 2.4 and 30 healthy children of matched age and sex as controls in the period from September 2018 to September 2019. For all patients the following were done: complete clinical evaluation including anthropometric data and Tanner staging, laboratory investigations including serum iron status, thyroid function, basal and growth hormone provocation test by clonidine, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) , Luteinizing hormone (LH) , and pituitary MRI T2*.

Results: Weight, Z score of weight, height, Z score of height and Body mass index (BMI) were found significantly lower in patients compared with controls. Patients had delayed puberty compared with controls. Pituitary MRI T2* was found significantly lower in patients compared with controls (P=0.001). FSH, LH, and provocative growth hormone levels were found significantly lower in patients compared to controls (p <0.001). Serum ferritin & iron were found significantly higher in patients than controls (P<0.001). Significant negative correlations were found between serum ferritin and Weight, Height, Z score of Weight, Z score of Height, BMI and pituitary hormones. Significant negative correlations were found between Pituitary MRI T2* and serum ferritin. Significant positive correlations were found between Pituitary MRI T2* and Weight, Height, Z score of Weight, Z score of Height and pituitary hormons. The pituitary T2* carried the sensitivity of 80% ,100% and 100% and specificity of 70% ,83.3% and 100% for predicting GH hormone abnormality, LH and FSH respecetively.

Conclusions: There were a significant positive correlations between pituitary MRI T2*and anthropometric measurement and pituitary hormones of studied patients. There was a significant negative correlation between Pituitary T2* and serum ferritin. Pituitary iron overload can be detected by MRI T2* which is a diagnostic tool in detecting pituitary iron overload with subsequent effect on hormonal secretion especially growth hormone.

Recommendations: Children with thalassemia should undergo meticulous follow up regarding regular blood transfusion, regular iron chelators in a proper manner and doses and routine use of MRI T2* in the evaluation of pituitary iron overload before irreversible damage occur in the pituitary gland.
Factorial Design of Concrete Production in Hot and Warm Humid Zones in South East Nigeria
Authors: Ndubuisi M. Odoanyanwu , Ifeanyichukwu H. Ivoke , Uzodimma C. Odom
Published: March 2021

This study narrates the quality of concrete production as slump wet in warm and hot zones. The quality of concrete mixture is of inevitable concern to all stakeholders in the construction industry in the zones when the climatic conditions of the zones are considered. Absence of National standards, environmental and climatic conditions and other factors are the main factors that affect the quality of concrete produced in the area. The affected mix ratio is examined and all the prevailing construction/production practices are considered. All necessary measures for improving the quality of concrete produced are surveyed considering the relationships between various variables used in the mixture. Three major factors (variables) that are found to be influencing the quality of concrete in the south east, Nigeria. The absence or lack of implementing the existing building code, climatic conditions in the zones and types of construction materials available, all remain the major variable influencing the quality of present concrete production in the zones of south east, Nigeria.
Mycobacterium salmoniphilum and M. chelonae in Captive Populations of Chinook Salmon
Authors: Nguyen Diem Thu , Marancik David , Ware Cynthia , Griffin Matt J. , Soto Esteban
Published: March 2021

Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha is a keystone fish species in the Pacific Northwest. In 2019, unusual mortalities occurred in two different populations of cultured fingerlings from the same facility in California, USA. The systems consist of outdoor, enclosed, flow-through freshwater tanks that are maintained at 18 ± 1°C. Clinical signs and gross findings were only observed in one population and included abnormal swimming, inappetence, lethargy, skin discoloration, and the presence of multifocal nodular and ulcerative skin lesions. Microscopic lesions were infrequent and consisted of severe, locally extensive granulomatous dermatitis and myositis and mild, multifocal, granulomatous branchitis, myocarditis, and hepatitis. Intracellular acid-fast organisms were observed within areas of granulomatous myositis. Posterior kidney swabs were collected and inoculated in nutrient-rich and selective agar media and incubated at 25°C for 2 weeks. Visibly pure bacterial colonies were observed 7–10 d postinoculation. Partial sequences of 16S rRNA initially identified the recovered bacteria as members of the genus Mycobacterium. However, marked variability was observed among Mycobacterium spp. isolates by using repetitive extragenic palindromic polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting. Amplification and sequencing of the ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer, 65-kDa heat shock protein, and RNA polymerase β-subunit gene of the cultured isolates identified M. salmoniphilum and M. chelonae, discrete members of the M. chelonae-abscessus complex, isolated from diseased Chinook Salmon fingerlings.
Impact of slice thickness, pixel size, and CT dose on the performance of automatic contouring algorithms
Authors: Huang Kai , Rhee Dong Joo , Ger Rachel , Layman Rick , Yang Jinzhong , Cardenas Carlos E. , Court Laurence E.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To investigate the impact of computed tomography (CT) image acquisition and reconstruction parameters, including slice thickness, pixel size, and dose, on automatic contouring algorithms.

Methods

Eleven scans from patients with head‐and‐neck cancer were reconstructed with varying slice thicknesses and pixel sizes. CT dose was varied by adding noise using low‐dose simulation software. The impact of these imaging parameters on two in‐house auto‐contouring algorithms, one convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based and one multiatlas‐based system (MACS) was investigated for 183 reconstructed scans. For each algorithm, auto‐contours for organs‐at‐risk were compared with auto‐contours from scans with 3 mm slice thickness, 0.977 mm pixel size, and 100% CT dose using Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), Hausdorff distance (HD), and mean surface distance (MSD).

Results

Increasing the slice thickness from baseline value of 3 mm gave a progressive reduction in DSC and an increase in HD and MSD on average for all structures. Reducing the CT dose only had a relatively minimal effect on DSC and HD. The rate of change with respect to dose for both auto‐contouring methods is approximately 0. Changes in pixel size had a small effect on DSC and HD for CNN‐based auto‐contouring with differences in DSC being within 0.07. Small structures had larger deviations from the baseline values than large structures for DSC. The relative differences in HD and MSD between the large and small structures were small.

Conclusions

Auto‐contours can deviate substantially with changes in CT acquisition and reconstruction parameters, especially slice thickness and pixel size. The CNN was less sensitive to changes in pixel size, and dose levels than the MACS. The results contraindicated more restrictive values for the parameters should be used than a typical imaging protocol for head‐and‐neck.
Dose reduction in digital radiography based on the significance of marginal contrast detectability
Authors: Scott Alexander W. , Zhou Yifang , Zhang Di , Binesh Nader , Lee Christina , Bosteder Mark
Published: March 2021

The performance of three digital detectors was measured at two exposure index (EI) levels in terms of the effect on features at the borderline of detectability. The null hypothesis was that there would be no statistically significant difference in the CNR of marginally visible features of a baseline‐ (2.2 µGy) and reduced dose (1.4 µGy) images. The experiment used three digital detectors and a phantom composed of an aluminum contrast‐recovery plate, with features of varying diameters and hole depths, which was placed between the detector/grid and 5–20 cm Lucite. Exposures were made using a kVp between 55 and 110 corresponding to the Lucite thickness and a mAs producing an EI of approximately 220 or 140. Images were acquired for all detectors, EI values, and all Lucite thicknesses, then scored by a team of physicists and technologists in terms of feature visibility for each feature size. Contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) was calculated for each feature using an ROI over the feature and a local background annulus. The uncertainty in the CNR was determined by sampling the background at each feature size, finding residuals from an overall background fit, and then calculating a standard deviation in the noise for each size. The marginal feature pair for each feature size bracketed the reader score. The difference between the CNR values of corresponding marginal features in EI‐paired images was significant (P < 0.05) for one detector and not significant (P > 0.05) for marginal features of the other two. Based on both reader scoring and CNR measurements of phantoms, patient doses can be lowered by 30% for those two detectors without a statistically significant difference in lesion perceptibility of the marginally visible feature, while for the other detector there was a statistically significant change in marginal feature detectability and dose reduction was not recommended.
Use of an Integrated Care Management Program to Uncover and Address Social Determinants of Health for Individuals With Lupus
Authors: Taber Kreager A. , Williams Jessica N. , Huang Weixing , McLaughlin Katherine , Vogeli Christine , Cunningham Rebecca , Wichmann Lisa , Feldman Candace H.
Published: March 2021

Objective

We studied patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) enrolled in a nurse‐led, multihospital, primary care–based integrated care management program (iCMP) for complex patients with chronic conditions to understand whether social determinants of health (SDoH), including food insecurity, housing instability, and financial constraints, were prevalent in this population.

Methods

The academic hospital‐based iCMP enrolls the top 2% of medically and psychosocially complex patients identified on the basis of clinical complexity health care use, and primary care provider referral. A nurse conducts needs assessments and coordinates care. We reviewed the electronic medical records of enrolled patients with SLE to identify SDoH needs and corresponding actions taken 1 year prior to iCMP enrollment using physicians’ and social workers’ notes, and during enrollment using iCMP team members’ notes.

Results

Among 69 patients with SLE in the iCMP, in the year prior to enrollment, 57% had documentation of one or more SDoH challenges, compared with 94% during enrollment. iCMP nurses discussed and addressed one or more SDoH issues for 81% of the patients; transportation challenges, medication access, mental health care access, and financial insecurity were the most prevalent. Nurses connected 75% of these patients with related resources and support.

Conclusion

Although SDoH‐related issues were not used to identify patients for the iCMP, the vast majority of enrolled medically and psychosocially complex patients with SLE had these needs. The iCMP team uncovered and addressed SDoH‐related concerns not documented prior to iCMP participation. Expansion of care management programs like the iCMP would help identify, document, and address these barriers that contribute to disparities in chronic disease care and outcomes.
Discovery of New Carbonyl Reductases Using Functional Metagenomics and Applications in Biocatalysis
Authors: Newgas Sophie A. , Jeffries Jack W. E. , Moody Thomas S. , Ward John M. , Hailes Helen C.
Published: March 2021

Enzyme discovery for use in the manufacture of chemicals, requiring high stereoselectivities, continues to be an important avenue of research. Here, a sequence directed metagenomics approach is described to identify short chain carbonyl reductases. PCR from a metagenomic template generated 37 enzymes, with an average 25% sequence identity, twelve of which showed interesting activities in initial screens. Six of the most productive enzymes were then tested against a panel of 21 substrates, including bulkier substrates that have been noted as challenging in biocatalytic reductions. Two enzymes were selected for further studies with the Wieland Miescher ketone. Notably, enzyme SDR‐17, when co‐expressed with a co‐factor recycling system produced the anti‐(4aR,5S) isomer in excellent isolated yields of 89% and 99% e.e. These results demonstrate the viability of a sequence directed metagenomics approach for the identification of multiple homologous sequences with low similarity, that can yield highly stereoselective enzymes with applicability in industrial biocatalysis.

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Beyond Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status: Exploring the Role of Neighborhood Resources for Preschool Classroom Quality and Early Childhood Development
Authors: Wei Wendy S. , McCoy Dana C. , Busby Andrea Kinghorn , Hanno Emily C. , Sabol Terri J.
Published: March 2021

The neighborhood literature consistently documents associations between neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and child development. Yet, this approach may miss important heterogeneity in neighborhood resources (e.g., libraries, doctors’ offices) that have important implications for children. Moreover, the mechanisms that explain the relation between neighborhood characteristics and child outcomes are poorly understood. Using a sample of 955 children situated in preschool neighborhoods across nine United States cities, the present study aimed to (1) describe the relation between neighborhood SES and resources among our sample neighborhoods and (2) explore whether neighborhood SES and resources may be (a) independently and (b) jointly associated with young children’s gains in language/literacy and executive function skills via differences in preschool classroom process quality. Our results suggested that neighborhoods were heterogeneous in both SES and resources, thereby indicating a diverse range of resource availability among lower SES neighborhoods. Moreover, we found that both neighborhood SES and resources were individually associated with benefits to children’s development through levels of classroom process quality and that these associations were magnified in communities that were particularly high in both SES and resources. These findings point to potential policy levers at both neighborhood and classroom levels to support children’s development.
Who is analysing what? The opportunities, risks and implications of using predictive risk modelling with Indigenous Australians in child protection: A scoping review
Authors: Krakouer Jacynta , Wu Tan Wei , Parolini Arno
Published: March 2021

Predictive risk modelling using administrative data is increasingly being promoted to tackle complex social policy issues, including the risk of child maltreatment and recurring involvement with child protection systems. This paper discusses opportunities and risks concerning predictive risk modelling with administrative datasets to address Indigenous Australian overrepresentation in Australian child protection systems. A scoping review using five databases, and the Google search engine, examined peer‐reviewed and grey literature on risks associated with predictive risk models (PRMs) for racial and ethnic populations in child protection systems, such as Indigenous Australians. The findings revealed a dearth of research, especially considering Indigenous populations. Although PRMs have been developed for Australian child protection systems, no empirical research was found in relation to Indigenous Australians. The implications for utilising administrative data to address Indigenous Australian overrepresentation are discussed, focusing on methodological limitations of predictive analytics, and notions of fairness and bias. Participatory model development, transparency and Indigenous data sovereignty are crucial to ensure the development of fair and unbiased PRMs in Australian child protection systems. Yet, while PRMs may offer substantial benefits as decision support tools, significant developments – which fully include Indigenous Australians – are needed before they can be used with Indigenous Australians.
High‐Contrast Fluorescence Diagnosis of Cancer Cells/Tissues Based on β‐Lapachone‐Triggered ROS Amplification Specific in Cancer Cells
Authors: Liu Jing , Liu Mengxing , Zhang Hongxing , Guo Wei
Published: March 2021

Discrimination of cancer cells/tissues from normal ones is of critical importance for early diagnosis and treatment of cancers. Herein, we present a new strategy for high‐contrast fluorescence diagnosis of cancer cells/tissues based on β‐Lapachone (β‐Lap, an anticancer agent) triggered ROS (reactive oxygen species) amplification specific in cancer cells/tissues. With the strategy, a wide range of cancer cells/tissues, including surgical tissue specimens harvested from patients, were distinguished from normal ones by using a combination of β‐Lap and a Si‐rhodamine‐based NIR fluorescent ROS probe PSiR3 developed in this work with average tumor‐to‐normal (T/N) ratios up to 15 in cell level and 24 in tissue level, far exceeding the clinically acceptable threshold of 2.0. What's more, the strategy allowed the fluorescence discrimination of tumor tissues from inflammatory ones based on whether a marked fluorescence enhancement could be induced when treated with PSiR3 and β‐Lap/PSiR3 combination, respectively.
Fabrication of imprinted photonic films via predesigned multiple UV‐polymerizations and their ability to detect solvents and metal ions in aqueous solution
Authors: Hung Yi‐Hua , Liu Chun‐Yen , Chang Kai‐Ti , Chen Yi‐Ho , Liu Jui‐Hsiang
Published: March 2021

To synthesize photonic films without a chiral dopant, a predesigned multiple photopolymerization process was carried out. The photonic films were prepared by the photopolymerization of a mixture of chiral nematic liquid crystals. After polymerization, the chiral dopant, CB15, was removed and recycled. The imprinted photonic polymer films showed Bragg reflection without the presence of the chiral dopant. Upon the sensing of solvents in aqueous solution, significant color changes and peak shifts were observed by the naked eye and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, respectively. A linear calibration curve between the central wavelength of the reflection band of the fabricated imprinting film and the volume ratio of 1,4‐dioxane in water was observed. Furthermore, the sensing of chloroform content in methanol, ethanol, and acetone via the imprinted film were also investigated. The results suggest that the synthesized imprinted photonic films can detect different kinds of mixed solvents. The sensing properties of the photonic films were further improved by copolymerization with a rhodamine‐derived monomer. The synthesized modified photonic films can detect heavy metal ions in aqueous solution. This study reports a novel, recyclable, and easy approach to detect organic solvents and copper ions in aqueous solution.
Natural Triterpenoids Isolated from Akebia trifoliata Stem Explants Exert a Hypoglycemic Effect via α‐Glucosidase Inhibition and Glucose Uptake Stimulation in Insulin‐Resistant HepG2 Cells
Authors: Bian Guoyong , Yang Jinbo , Elango Jeevithan , Wu Wenhui , Bao Bin , Bao Chunling
Published: March 2021

The inhibition of α‐glucosidase activity is a prospective approach to attenuate postprandial hyperglycemia in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Herein, the inhibition of α‐glucosidase by three compounds T1–T3 of Akebia trifoliata stem, namely hederagenin (T1), 3‐epiakebonoic acid (T2), and arjunolic acid (T3) were investigated using enzyme kinetics and molecular docking analysis. The three triterpenoids exhibited excellent inhibitory activities against α‐glucosidase. T1–T3 showed the strongest inhibition with IC50 values of 42.1±5.4, 19.6±3.2, and 11.2±2.3 μM, respectively, compared to the acarbose positive control (IC50=106.3±8.2). Enzyme inhibition kinetics showed that triterpenoids T1–T3 demonstrated competitive, mixed, and noncompetitive‐type inhibition against α‐glucosidase, respectively. The inhibition constant (Ki) values were 21.21, 7.70, and 3.18 μM, respectively. Docking analysis determined that the interaction of ligands T1–T3 and α‐glucosidase was mainly forced by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, which could result in improved binding to the active site of the target enzyme. The insulin resistant (IR)‐HepG2 cell model used in this study (HepG2 cells exposed to 10−7 M insulin for 24 h) and glucose uptake assays showed that compounds T1–T3 had no cytotoxicity with concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 25 μM and displayed significant stimulation of glucose uptake in IR‐HepG2 cells. Thus, triterpenoids T1–T3 showed dual therapeutic effects of α‐glucosidase inhibition and glucose uptake stimulation and could be used as potential medicinal resources to investigate new antidiabetic agents for the prevention or treatment of diabetes.