bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microstructural, Microhardness and tribological analysis of cooling-assisted friction stir processing of high-entropy alloy particles reinforced aluminum alloy surface composites
Authors: Yang Xiao , Zhang Hongxia , Cheng Buyun , Liu Yongquan , Yan Zhifeng , Dong Peng , Wang Wenxian
Published: August 2020

High-entropy alloy (HEA) is a promising reinforcing material for aluminium alloys. In this work, cooling-assisted friction stir processing was applied to produce aluminium alloy surface composites reinforced with HEA particles. The effects of the volume fraction of HEA particles on the microstructure, microhardness and tribological properties were studied. The fabricated composites had uniformly distributed HEA particles and showed an excellent interfacial bonding between HEA particles and the matrix. The grain size of the fabricated composites was more refined than that of the base metal, and the grain sizes of the composites with 5 vol.%, 10 vol.% and 15 vol.% HEA particles were refined from a range of 2–15 μm of aluminium matrix to 1.8, 1.4 and 1.1 μm, respectively. The increased volume fraction of HEA particles caused an improvement in hardness and wear resistance. The composites reinforced with 15 vol.% HEA particles showed a 65.9% increase in hardness, a 43.0% reduction in wear rate and a 57.8% reduction in wear loss compared with those of the base metal. The wear mechanism was transformed from adhesive wear in the base metal to abrasive wear in Al–15 vol.% HEA surface composites.
Mechanical properties and tribological behaviors of yttria-zirconia ceramics with additions of graphene oxide by hot-press sintering for dental implants
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Jiang Zhaoliang , Zhao Li
Published: August 2020

Yttria-zirconia (3Y-ZrO2) ceramics are widely used in orthopedic implants and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) attract the public attention due to their unique properties. To investigate the effect of graphene oxide (GO) concentrations on the mechanical properties and tribological behaviors of 3Y-ZrO2 for dental implants, 3Y-ZrO2/GO composites were prepared by hot-press sintering. GO was uniformly distributed in 3Y-ZrO2 and the composites showed good mechanical properties and tribological behaviors with suitable GO concentration. A moderate content in ZG3 and ZG2 (the ceramic with 0.15 wt.% and 0.1 wt.% GO) improved the flexural strength and fracture toughness up to 200% and 40.9%, respectively, compared to 3Y-ZrO2. Microstructural surfaces presented crack deflection, crack bridging, and GO put-out in the composites. In addition, a lower or higher proportion of GO destroyed overall structures of ZG1 (the ceramic with 0.05 wt.% GO) and ZG4 (the ceramic with 0.2 wt.% GO). These not only reduced the mechanical performances, but also resulted to an increase in surface roughness. Besides, Worn surfaces showed micro-ploughing and plastic deformation were dominant wear mechanisms in the ZG0 (the ceramic without GO), however, the addition of GO transformed the wear from a severe state to mild owing to self-lubricating property. Thus, friction coefficient, wear rate and surface roughness of ZG3 were reduced to the least among all the composites.
Implementation of optical OR and NOR gates using Mach-Zehnder interferometers
Authors: Alizadeh Amir Hamid , Rashidi Attena
Published: August 2020

The ever increasing growth of data and the need for data transmission emphasizes the requirement of full-optical telecommunication. Therefore, it seems critical to utilize optical integrated circuits, including optical gates, optical dividers, optical converters, etc. In this regard, we introduce a new structure for OR/NOR logical gate. The OR/NOR logical gate is simulated by applying Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) where switching between bar and cross states is implemented by using the electro-optic properties of Lithium Niobate and coupling mode theory. Two different designs for the OR/NOR basic gate are simulated by OptiBPM software. Simulation results show that designed gates implement OR/NOR logical gate completely acceptable. The advantage of these designed gates is that waveguides have smaller length and do not pass above each other; thereby it would be possible to do layering by using fewer layers. Also, results show that output intensity in ‘1’ logic state is more than 95% of input light and in ‘0’ logic state, is less than 5% of the input light.
Numerical simulation of CIGS, CISSe and CZTS-based solar cells with In2S3 as buffer layer and Au as back contact using SCAPS 1D
Authors: Ashraf Md Ali , Alam Intekhab
Published: August 2020

A solar cell capacitance simulator named SCAPS 1D was used in the prediction study of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS), CuIn(S, Se)2 (CISSe) and Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) based solar cells where indium sulphide (In2S3), fluorine-doped tin oxide/FTO (SnO2:F) and gold (Au) were used as buffer layer, window layer and back contact respectively. We investigated the effect of thickness, defect density and carrier density of the different absorber layers, thickness of the buffer layer and at 300 K temperature and standard illumination, the optimum devices revealed highest efficiencies of 18.08%, 22.50%, 16.94% for CIGS, CISSe, CZTS-based cells respectively. Effect of operating temperature, wavelength of light and electron affinity of the buffer layer on the optimized solar cell performance was also observed. Moreover, simulations were run with tin (Sn) doped In2S3 buffer layer to see the change in electrical measurements in comparison with undoped condition and also, investigation was carried out by replacing In2S3 buffer layer with traditional cadmium sulphide (CdS) buffer layer with the aim of comparing their respective output parameters. All these simulation results will provide some vital guidelines for fabricating higher efficiency solar cells.
Effects of herbivory and its timing on reproductive success of a tropical deciduous tree
Authors: Quiroz-Pacheco Enya N , Mora Francisco , Boege Karina , Domínguez César A , del-Val Ek
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims

The implications of herbivory for plant reproduction have been widely studied; however, the relationship of defoliation and reproductive success is not linear, as there are many interacting factors that may influence reproductive responses to herbivore damage. In this study we aimed to disentangle how the timing of foliar damage impacts both male and female components of fitness, and to assess when it has greater impacts on plant reproductive success.

Methods

We measured herbivore damage and its effects on floral production, male and female floral attributes as well as fruit yield in three different phenological phases of Casearia nitida (Salicaceae) over the course of two consecutive years. Then we tested two models of multiple causal links among herbivory and reproductive success using piecewise structural equation models.

Key Results

The effects of leaf damage differed between reproductive seasons and between male and female components of fitness. Moreover, the impact of herbivory extended beyond the year when it was exerted. The previous season’s cumulated foliar damage had the largest impact on reproductive characters, in particular a negative effect on the numbers of inflorescences, flowers and pollen grains, indirectly affecting the numbers of infructescences and fruits, and a positive one on the amount of foliar damage during flowering.

Conclusions

For perennial and proleptic species, the dynamics of resource acquisition and allocation patterns for reproduction promote and extend the effects of herbivore damage to longer periods than a single reproductive event and growing season, through the interactions among different components of female and male fitness.
C-ECi: a CUBIC-ECi combined clearing method for three-dimensional follicular content analysis in the fish ovary†
Authors: Lesage Manon , Thomas Manon , Bugeon Jérôme , Branthonne Adèle , Gay Stéphanie , Cardona Emilie , Haghebaert Marie , Mahé Fabrice , Bobe Julien , Thermes Violette
Published: August 2020

Deciphering mechanisms of oocyte development in the fish ovary still remain challenging, and a comprehensive overview of this process at the level of the organ is still needed. The recent development of optical tissue clearing methods has tremendously boosted the three-dimensional (3D) imaging of large size biological samples that are naturally opaque. However, no attempt of clearing on fish ovary that accumulates extremely high concentration of lipids within oocytes has been reported to date. To face with this ovarian-specific challenge, we combined two existing clearing methods, the nontoxic solvent-based ethyl cinnamate (ECi) method for efficient clearing and the Clear Unobstructed Brain Imaging Cocktails and Computational (CUBIC) method to enhance lipid removal and reduce nonspecific staining. The methyl green fluorescent dye was used to stain nuclei and delineate the follicular structures that include oocytes. Using this procedure (named CUBIC-ECi [C-ECi]), ovaries of both medaka and trout could be imaged in 3D and follicles analyzed. To our knowledge, this is the first procedure elaborated for clearing and imaging fish ovary in 3D. The C-ECi method thus provides an interesting tool for getting precise quantitative data on follicular content in fish ovary and promises to be useful for further developmental and morphological studies.
The Emergence of Social Work Research Between Professionalisation and Nation-Building: A Transnational Case Study
Authors: Mazursky Nofar , Lau Dayana
Published: August 2020

This study explores the transnational history of social work and, as a case study, examines the movement of social work research between Germany and Mandatory Palestine in the 1930s and 1940s. This transnational circulation of knowledge and ideas was driven by a group of German-Jewish social workers who migrated to Palestine and helped establish the profession in the new country. Particular attention is paid to early professional schools of social work, which served as hubs for knowledge circulation and laid the academic foundations of social work long before the discipline found its final form. To study this translation process, this article analyses research activities at Alice Salomon’s Academy for Social and Educational Women's Work in Berlin and Siddy Wronsky’s School of Social Services in Jerusalem. Both institutes were influential in establishing the profession in their countries and closely linked the emerging social work training and research. As a transnational research team, we approached and analysed these activities through archival files and documents in Israel and Germany. This analysis is framed by assumptions about the transnational translation of knowledge and, to add context, presents findings on the origins of social work in both countries and its societal embeddedness.
Slo-Mo anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated renal vasculitis
Authors: Avello Alejandro , Fernandez-Prado Raul , Santos-Sanchez-Rey Begoña , Rojas-Rivera Jorge , Ortiz Alberto
Published: August 2020

Nephrologists are familiar with severe cases of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis (AAV) presenting as rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. However, less is known about AAV with slowly progressive renal involvement. While its existence is acknowledged in textbooks, much remains unknown regarding its relative frequency versus more aggressive cases as well as about the optimal therapeutic approach and response to therapy. Moreover, this uncommon presentation may be underdiagnosed, given the scarce familiarity of physicians. In this issue of Clinical Kidney Journal, Trivioli et al. report the largest series to date and first systematic assessment of patients with AAV and slowly progressive renal involvement, defined as a reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 25–50% in the 6 months prior to diagnosis after excluding secondary causes. Key findings are that slowly progressive AAV may be less common than previously thought, although it still represents the second most common presentation of renal AAV, it usually has a microscopic polyangiitis, anti-myeloperoxidase, mainly renal phenotype in elderly individuals, diagnosis may be late (over one-third of patients had end-stage kidney disease at diagnosis), clearly identifying an unmet need for physician awareness about this presentation, but those not needing renal replacement therapy at diagnosis still responded to immunosuppression.
School Choice Design, Risk Aversion and Cardinal Segregation
Authors: Calsamiglia Caterina , Martínez-Mora Francisco , Miralles Antonio
Published: August 2020

We embed the problem of public school choice design in a model of local provision of education. We define cardinal (student) segregation as that emerging when families with identical ordinal preferences submit different rankings of schools in a centralised school choice procedure. With the Boston Mechanism (BM), when higher types are less risk-averse, and there is sufficient vertical differentiation of schools, any equilibrium presents cardinal segregation. Transportation costs facilitate the emergence of cardinal segregation as does competition from private schools. Furthermore, the latter renders the best public schools more elitist. The Deferred Acceptance mechanism is resilient to cardinal segregation.
Supersized Ribosomal RNA Expansion Segments in Asgard Archaea
Authors: Penev Petar I , Fakhretaha-Aval Sara , Patel Vaishnavi J , Cannone Jamie J , Gutell Robin R , Petrov Anton S , Williams Loren Dean , Glass Jennifer B
Published: August 2020

The ribosome’s common core, comprised of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and universal ribosomal proteins, connects all life back to a common ancestor and serves as a window to relationships among organisms. The rRNA of the common core is similar to rRNA of extant bacteria. In eukaryotes, the rRNA of the common core is decorated by expansion segments (ESs) that vastly increase its size. Supersized ESs have not been observed previously in Archaea, and the origin of eukaryotic ESs remains enigmatic. We discovered that the large ribosomal subunit (LSU) rRNA of two Asgard phyla, Lokiarchaeota and Heimdallarchaeota, considered to be the closest modern archaeal cell lineages to Eukarya, bridge the gap in size between prokaryotic and eukaryotic LSU rRNAs. The elongated LSU rRNAs in Lokiarchaeota and Heimdallarchaeota stem from two supersized ESs, called ES9 and ES39. We applied chemical footprinting experiments to study the structure of Lokiarchaeota ES39. Furthermore, we used covariation and sequence analysis to study the evolution of Asgard ES39s and ES9s. By defining the common eukaryotic ES39 signature fold, we found that Asgard ES39s have more and longer helices than eukaryotic ES39s. Although Asgard ES39s have sequences and structures distinct from eukaryotic ES39s, we found overall conservation of a three-way junction across the Asgard species that matches eukaryotic ES39 topology, a result consistent with the accretion model of ribosomal evolution.
Comparison of first-line tuberculosis treatment outcomes between previously treated and new patients: a retrospective study in Machakos subcounty, Kenya
Authors: Ndambuki Johannes , Nzomo Joseph , Muregi Lucy , Mutuku Chris , Makokha Francis , Nthusi Jonathan , Ambale Clarice , Lynen Lutgarde , Decroo Tom
Published: August 2020

Background

Since 2016, patients with rifampicin-susceptible tuberculosis (TB) have been treated with the 6-month first-line regimen, regardless of treatment history. We assessed treatment outcomes of previously treated and new patients in Machakos subcounty, Kenya.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients started on first-line treatment between 2016 and 2017. Firth's logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of previous treatment on having a programmatic adverse outcome (either lost to follow-up, death, failure) and treatment failure vs treatment success (either cure or completion).

Results

Of 1024 new and 79 previously treated patients, 88.1% and 74.7% were treated successfully, 6.5% and 7.6% died, 4.2% and 10.1% were lost to follow-up and 1.2% and 7.6% had treatment failure, respectively. Previous treatment predicted having a programmatic adverse outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.4 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.4 to 4.2]) and treatment failure (aOR 7.3 [95% CI 2.6 to 20.4]) but not mortality. Similar correlations were found in 334 new and previously treated patients with confirmed baseline rifampicin susceptibility.

Conclusion

Previously treated patients were more at risk of experiencing a poor treatment outcome, mainly lost to follow-up and treatment failure. Adherence support may reduce lost to follow-up. Rifampicin drug susceptibility testing coverage should increase. More robust retreatment regimens may reduce treatment failure.
Bacterial pneumonia coinfection and antimicrobial therapy duration in SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection
Authors: Townsend Liam , Hughes Gerry , Kerr Colm , Kelly Mary , O’Connor Roisin , Sweeney Eileen , Doyle Catriona , O’Riordan Ruth , Martin-Loeches Ignacio , Bergin Colm , Bannan Ciaran
Published: August 2020

Background

Bacterial respiratory coinfection in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains poorly described. A description of coinfection and antimicrobial usage is needed to guide ongoing antimicrobial stewardship.

Objectives

To assess the rate of empirical antimicrobial treatment in COVID-19 cases, assess the rate and methods of microbiological sampling, assess the rate of bacterial respiratory coinfections and evaluate the factors associated with antimicrobial therapy in this cohort.

Methods

Inpatients with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR were recruited. Antibiotic prescription, choice and duration were recorded. Taking of microbiological samples (sputum culture, blood culture, urinary antigens) and culture positivity rate was also recorded. Linear regression was performed to determine factors associated with prolonged antimicrobial administration.

Results

A total of 117 patients were recruited; 84 (72%) were prescribed antimicrobial therapy for lower respiratory tract infections. Respiratory pathogens were identified in seven (6%) patients. The median duration of antimicrobial therapy was 7 days. C-reactive protein level, oxygen requirement and positive cultures were associated with prolonged duration of therapy.

Conclusions

The rate of bacterial coinfection in SARS-CoV-2 is low. Despite this, prolonged courses of antimicrobial therapy were prescribed in our cohort. We recommend active antimicrobial stewardship in COVID-19 cases to ensure appropriate antimicrobial prescribing.
An Ecological and Miniaturized Biological Method for the Analysis of Daptomycin Potency
Authors: Richardi Jessica Freitas , Kogawa Ana Carolina , Belavenuto Eliane Gandolpho Tótoli , Chorilli Marlus , Salgado Hérida Regina Nunes
Published: August 2020

Background

Physicochemical and microbiological methods are found in the literature for the analysis of daptomycin, an antimicrobial.

Objective

This paper brings a miniaturized turbidimetric microbiological method for analysis of daptomycin in lyophilized powder.

Methods

The method was performed using 96-well microplates, 4-h incubation, 2, 4 and 8 μg/mL, 7% Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 IAL 2082, and BHI broth.

Results

Linearity was proven by obtaining analytical curves with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.99 and statistical evaluation by ANOVA. The method was also selective, since the standard and sample analytical curves were parallel, proving that the excipient does not interfere with daptomycin analysis. Intraday, interday and inter-analyst precision presented RSDs of 2, 2.27, and 1.08%, respectively. Accuracy was assessed by the recovery test, where known quantities of standard solution are added to the sample and an average recovery value of 100.73% (RSD = 0.71%) was obtained. The present method was robust when minor changes were made in the parameters of used antimicrobial volume, inoculum volume and incubation time.

Conclusions

This work is an innovative and ecological proposal and has advantages such as (i) less waste generation, (ii) miniaturized quantities of sample, culture media and inoculum, (iii) no need to use formaldehyde as in the traditional turbidimetric method, (iv) lower volume of glassware used and (v) shorter incubation time compared to other methods as agar diffusion requiring approximately 24 h.

Highlights

This work is focuses on a current, innovative and sustainable theme for pharmaceutical analysis around the world.
Effects of antibiotic growth promoter and dietary protease on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility, intestinal morphology, meat quality, and intestinal gene expression in broiler chickens: a comparison
Authors: Lu Peng , Choi Janghan , Yang Chongwu , Mogire Marion , Liu Shangxi , Lahaye Ludovic , Adewole Deborah , Rodas-Gonzalez Argenis , Yang Chengbo
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementing broiler diets with a dietary protease on growth performance, digestive function, intestinal morphology, and meat quality as compared with feeding diets with or without an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP). A total of 240 1-day-old male chicks (Cobb 500, 48.3 ± 3.3 g) were distributed to three treatments with eight replicates (10 birds per replicate). Three treatments were: 1) corn–soybean meal basal diets (CTRL), 2) basal diets with 0.003% avilamycin (AB), and 3) basal diets with 0.0125% protease (PRT). The diets were provided as mash form, and birds were fed ad libitum during the whole experimental period. On day 45, birds were euthanized, and tissue and digesta samples were collected. On day 46, the remaining birds were processed in a commercial slaughterhouse, and breast muscle samples were collected. Despite a trend for a decreased feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the AB group during the whole phase (P = 0.071), no significant differences in growth performance parameters and relative weights of organs were observed (P > 0.05) among the groups. The AB and PRT groups showed significantly greater apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids (AA) compared with the CTRL group (P < 0.05). The PRT group significantly improved the morphology of duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05). No differences were detected for meat quality, white striping, and woody breast among the groups (P > 0.05). For the gene expressions, the AB group showed a greater level of B0-system neutral amino acid co-transporter 1 and excitatory amino acid transporter 1 mRNA abundance compared with PRT group, while a significantly lesser level of cationic amino acid transporter 1 mRNA abundance was observed in the AB group compared with CTRL group (P < 0.05). The PRT group had a lesser level of peptide transporter 1 mRNA abundance in the jejunum than the CTRL group (P < 0.05). The highest mRNA abundances of zonula occludens-1 and cadherin 1 were observed in the CTRL group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of avilamycin tended to reduce FCR and significantly improved AA utilization, and supplementation of dietary protease significantly enhanced intestinal morphology and AA utilization in broilers. In that respect, exogenous protease use appears to be an interesting tool to be considered in AGP reduction strategies.
Evaluation of ruminal degradability and metabolism of feedlot finishing diets with or without cotton byproducts
Authors: Warner Andrea L , Beck Paul A , Foote Andrew P , Pierce Kaitlyn N , Robison Colton A , Stevens Nicole E , Wilson Blake K
Published: August 2020

Cotton byproducts can be an economical source of protein, fat, and fiber in cattle finishing diets. The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the effects of including whole cottonseed (WCS) and cotton gin trash (CGT) in finishing diets on in situ ruminal degradability and 2) to determine the effects of including cotton byproducts in a finishing diet on rumen fluid pH, lactate, and volatile fatty acid concentrations. Six ruminally cannulated steers were used in a crossover design. Treatments included a control diet (CON; 7% prairie hay [PH], 15% Sweet Bran, 67.25% rolled corn, and 5% liquid supplement) and a cotton byproduct diet (CTN; 7% CGT, 15% WCS, 72.25% rolled corn, and 5% water). Both diets included 0.75% urea and 5% dry supplement. In situ bags containing individual diet ingredients and whole diet samples were incubated in the rumen for up to 96 h. Rumen fluid samples were collected over a 24-h period. No treatment × substrate interactions were detected for any fraction of dry matter (DM) or organic matter (OM) degradability for individual ingredients or whole diets (P ≥ 0.14). The A, B, and C fractions, disappearance rate (Kd), and effective degradability of DM and OM differed between diet ingredients (P ≤ 0.04) but were not different between CON and CTN substrates (P ≥ 0.25). A treatment × substrate interaction (P = 0.04) was detected for the effective degradability of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of CGT and PH but there was no interaction for other fractions (P ≥ 0.27). The A fraction of NDF was greater (P < 0.001) for CGT than PH; however, the B fraction of NDF tended to be greater (P = 0.08) for PH than CGT. No differences (P ≥ 0.37) were detected for the % NDF disappearance at 48 h between CON and CTN substrates. A tendency for a treatment × substrate interaction (P = 0.10) was observed for the effective degradability of starch among diets; however, when the CON substrate was incubated in steers consuming the CON diet, effective degradability of starch was not different (P = 0.84) from when the CTN diet was incubated in steers consuming the CTN diet. There was no treatment × time interaction or treatment effect for rumen pH; however, there was a time effect (P = 0.03). Steers consuming the CTN diet had greater molar proportions of acetate and decreased molar proportions of propionate compared with CON steers (P < 0.01). This experiment suggests that there are minimal differences between the digestibility of finishing diets containing cotton byproducts and those comprised of traditional finishing diet ingredients.
EML4-ALK, a potential therapeutic target that responds to alectinib in ovarian cancer
Authors: Hui Beina , Zhang Jingping , Shi Xiaobo , Xing Fangfang , Shao Yang W , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhang Xiaozhi , Wang Shuwen
Published: August 2020

Ovarian cancer is prone to recurrence and chemotherapy resistance. Ovarian tumours of some patients have been positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion gene expression (ALK+). Preclinical studies indicate that anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor can suppress the growth of ovarian cancer cells and transplantation tumours. Here, we present a patient with metastatic ALK+ high-grade serous ovarian cancer that testing positive for EML4-ALK (microtubule-associated protein-like 4 gene, fused to the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene), experienced dramatic benefit after administration of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor alectinib. This is the first clinical evidence that treatment with alectinib may provide a personalized maximum benefit for patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer who are positive for EML4-ALK.
Upper limb phlegmasia cerulea dolens treated with single-session suction thrombectomy: a case report
Authors: Ghaly Paul , Schlaphoff Glen , Crozier John , Ahmad Mehtab
Published: August 2020

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) of the lower limbs is a rare condition. PCD of the upper limbs is extremely uncommon, with only a select few cases documented in the literature. A complication of severe deep venous thrombosis, PCD, is characterized by the clinical triad of oedema, pain and limb cyanosis. Delays in treatment are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. We present a case of sudden-onset upper limb PCD in a 68-year-old man following haemodialysis through a long-term arteriovenous fistula. Prompt diagnosis and rapid initiation of intravenous anticoagulation followed by urgent single-session suction thrombectomy resulted in the successful restoration of vessel patency without any significant adverse sequelae on 3-month follow-up.
Can we plan for urban cultural ecosystem services?
Authors: Tandarić Neven , Ives Christopher D , Watkins Charles
Published: August 2020

Despite being intangible, subjective and difficult to measure, cultural ecosystem services (CES) are more comprehensible and meaningful to people than many other services. They contribute greatly to the quality of urban life and achieving sustainability. Yet, little attention has been paid to how CES might practically be incorporated into urban planning. This paper addresses this gap by examining the challenges planners might face when handling CES, establishing strategies for addressing the challenges and highlighting key factors planners should consider when planning for CES. CES differ greatly from other ecosystem services—they are definitionally vague, difficult to measure, often bundled with other services and depend on users’ perceptions and situational factors. Therefore, rather than adopting a deterministic approach to generating CES, we suggest that urban planners should seek to create opportunities for CES to ‘hatch’ and ‘grow’ as people encounter nature in cities. This paper draws from diverse theoretical considerations of the CES concept as well as greenspace planning scholarship and practice. We identify five factors that need to be considered when planning for CES: place, people, past, practices and purpose. We see the proposed ‘5P’ framework as a useful heuristic for planners when implementing CES in urban planning.
The state factor model and urban forest restoration
Authors: Smith Jason , Hallett Richard , Groffman Peter M
Published: August 2020

A ‘state factor’ model of ecosystems can serve as a conceptual framework for researching and managing urban ecosystems. This approach provides alternative goals and narratives to those derived from historically grounded dichotomies between nature and culture, which can reify constructions of human influence as inherently destructive. The integration of human behaviour and state factors is critical to the application of a state factor model to urban ecosystems. We emphasize the role of culture in co-producing urban ecosystems and the importance of feedbacks between urban ecosystems and state factors. We advocate for ecosystem models that encourage local agency and actions that enhance the capacity of cities to constructively adapt to environmental change. We contrast this approach to efforts intended to minimize human impacts on ecosystems. The usefulness of the state factor model for informing such efforts is assessed through a consideration of the norms and practices of urban forest restoration in New York City. Despite the limitations and challenges of applying a state factor model to urban ecosystems, it can inform comparative research within and between cities and offers an intuitive framework for understanding the ecological conditions created in cities by human behaviour.
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy as a Cause of Palpitations and Syncope in an Otherwise Healthy Active Duty Female
Authors: Blickle John , Venkataraman Ramesh , McLeroy Robert D
Published: August 2020

Identifying the cause of palpitations and syncope in the healthy, active duty military population is important. Most often, the causes are benign, but more malignant etiologies should not be overlooked. In this case, we present a 22-year-old active duty female soldier who developed exercise intolerance, palpitations, and ultimately one episode of exercise-induced syncope. Outpatient evaluation with Holter monitor revealed sustained ventricular tachycardia while exercising. Electrocardiogram revealed findings concerning for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy based on the 2010 Revised Task Force Criteria. Further investigation with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging helped confirm the diagnosis. Sotalol was used as an antiarrhythmic therapy and an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator was implanted to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death. This case represents an uncommon cause of palpitations and syncope. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy should be on the differential diagnosis in the active duty population who present with exercise-induced syncope.
m6A-Atlas: a comprehensive knowledgebase for unraveling theN6-methyladenosine (m6A) epitranscriptome
Authors: Tang Yujiao , Chen Kunqi , Song Bowen , Ma Jiongming , Wu Xiangyu , Xu Qingru , Wei Zhen , Su Jionglong , Liu Gang , Rong Rong , Lu Zhiliang , de Magalhães João Pedro , Rigden Daniel J , Meng Jia
Published: August 2020

N 6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent RNA modification on mRNAs and lncRNAs. It plays a pivotal role during various biological processes and disease pathogenesis. We present here a comprehensive knowledgebase, m6A-Atlas, for unraveling the m6A epitranscriptome. Compared to existing databases, m6A-Atlas features a high-confidence collection of 442 162 reliable m6A sites identified from seven base-resolution technologies and the quantitative (rather than binary) epitranscriptome profiles estimated from 1363 high-throughput sequencing samples. It also offers novel features, such as; the conservation of m6A sites among seven vertebrate species (including human, mouse and chimp), the m6A epitranscriptomes of 10 virus species (including HIV, KSHV and DENV), the putative biological functions of individual m6A sites predicted from epitranscriptome data, and the potential pathogenesis of m6A sites inferred from disease-associated genetic mutations that can directly destroy m6A directing sequence motifs. A user-friendly graphical user interface was constructed to support the query, visualization and sharing of the m6A epitranscriptomes annotated with sites specifying their interaction with post-transcriptional machinery (RBP-binding, microRNA interaction and splicing sites) and interactively display the landscape of multiple RNA modifications. These resources provide fresh opportunities for unraveling the m6A epitranscriptomes. m6A-Atlas is freely accessible at: www.xjtlu.edu.cn/biologicalsciences/atlas.
Measures of agency
Authors: Grünbaum Thor , Christensen Mark Schram
Published: August 2020

The sense of agency is typically defined as the experience of controlling one’s own actions, and through them, changes in the external environment. It is often assumed that this experience is a single, unified construct that can be experimentally manipulated and measured in a variety of ways. In this article, we challenge this assumption. We argue that we should acknowledge four possible agency-related psychological constructs. Having a clear grasp of the possible constructs is important since experimental procedures are only able to target some but not all the possible constructs. The unacknowledged misalignment of the possible constructs of a sense of agency and the experimental procedures is a major theoretical and methodological obstacle to studying the sense of agency. Only if we recognize the nature of this obstacle will we be able to design the experimental paradigms that would enable us to study the responsible computational mechanisms.
Epidemiology of Inappropriate Empiric Antibiotic Therapy for Bacteremia Based on Discordant In vitro Susceptibilities: Risk factors and Taxon-level Variation in Burden and Outcome in 156 US hospitals, 2000–2014
Authors: Kadri Sameer S , Lai Yi Ling , Ricotta Emily , Strich Jeffrey , Babiker Ahmed , Dekker John P , Palmore Tara N , Rhee Chanu , Klompas Michael , Hooper David C , Powers John H , Danner Robert L , Adjemian Jennifer ,   NIH Antimicrobial Resistance Outcomes Research Initiative (ARORI)
Published: August 2020

Background

Discordance between in vitro susceptibility and empiric antibiotic therapy is inextricably linked to antibiotic resistance and decreased survival in bloodstream infections (BSI). However, its prevalence, patient- and hospital-level risk factors, and impact on outcome in a large cohort and across different pathogens remain unclear.

Methods

We examined in vitro susceptibility interpretations for bacterial BSI and corresponding antibiotic therapy among inpatient encounters across 156 hospitals from 2000 to 2014 in the Cerner Healthfacts database. Discordance was defined as nonsusceptibility to initial therapy administered from 2 days before pathogen isolation to 1 day before final susceptibility reporting. Discordance prevalence was compared across taxa; risk factors and its association with in-hospital mortality were evaluated by logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were estimated for pathogen-, patient- and facility-level factors.

Results

Of 33,161 unique encounters with BSIs, 4,219 (13%) at 123 hospitals met criteria for discordant antibiotic therapy, ranging from 3% for pneumococci to 55% for E. faecium. Discordance was higher in recent years (2010–2014 vs. 2005–2009) and was associated with older age, lower baseline SOFA score, urinary (vs. abdominal) source and hospital-onset BSI, as well as ≥500-bed, Midwestern, non-teaching, and rural hospitals. Discordant antibiotic therapy increased the risk of death [aOR = 1.3 [95% CI 1.1–1.4]). Among Gram-negative taxa, discordant therapy increased risk of mortality associated with Enterobacteriaceae (aOR = 1.3 [1.0–1.6]) and non-fermenters (aOR = 1.7 [1.1–2.5]). Among Gram-positive taxa, risk of mortality from discordant therapy was significantly higher for S. aureus (aOR = 1.3 [1.1–1.6]) but unchanged for streptococcal or enterococcal BSIs.

Conclusion

The prevalence of discordant antibiotic therapy displayed extensive taxon-level variability and was associated with patient and institutional factors. Discordance detrimentally impacted survival in Gram-negative and S. aureus BSIs. Understanding reasons behind observed differences in discordance risk and their impact on outcomes could inform stewardship efforts and guidelines for empiric therapy in sepsis.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.
HIV Testing After a First Positive Rapid Diagnostic Test: A Role for Nucleic Acid Testing?
Authors: Neilan Anne M , Cohn Jennifer E , Lemaire Jean-Francois , Sacks Emma , Alban Rebecca , Freedberg Kenneth A , Walensky Rochelle P , Ciaranello Andrea L
Published: August 2020

We developed an open-access, Excel-based model simulating currently recommended and alternative algorithms for adult HIV testing as a preliminary investigation of trade-offs between accuracy and costs. Despite higher costs, simpler HIV testing algorithms incorporating point of care nucleic acid testing may improve outcomes and thus merit additional research and field testing.
EVALUATION OF INDOOR/OUTDOOR GAMMA EXPOSURE RATES AND EXCESS LIFE TIME CANCER RISK IN DIFFERENT CITIES OF PAKISTAN
Authors: Zeb Jahan , Wasim Mohammad , Awais Muhammad , Ullah Asad , Iqbal Talat , Akhtar Sheraz
Published: August 2020

This study presents a detailed measurement of indoor and outdoor terrestrial gamma radiation levels in different cities of Pakistan. The measurements covered dwellings in 27 cities, covering all provinces and region of Azad Kashmir. Most of the houses were of attached type, made of brick walls and concrete roofs. The measurements were made by a handheld radiation survey meter containing Geiger–Muller tube. The average absorbed dose rate in air was 100 ± 32 nGy h−1 for indoor and 74 ± 30 nGy h−1 for outdoor. The population-weighted mean terrestrial dose rates were 90 nGy h−1 for indoor and 78 nGyh−1 for outdoor. The ratio of indoor to outdoor absorbed dose rate was 1.5 as compared to 1.3 for the world average. The estimated average annual effective dose rate was 0.58 ± 0.18 mSv a−1 and the mean excess life time cancer risk was 2.0 × 10−3.
Cyclic alternating pattern in children with obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship with adenotonsillectomy, behavior, cognition, and quality of life
Authors: Hartmann Simon , Bruni Oliviero , Ferri Raffaele , Redline Susan , Baumert Mathias
Published: August 2020

Study Objectives

To determine in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) the effect of adenotonsillectomy (AT) on the cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) and the relationship between CAP and behavioral, cognitive, and quality-of-life measures.

Methods

CAP parameters were analyzed in 365 overnight polysomnographic recordings of children with mild-to-moderate OSA enrolled in the Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial (CHAT), randomized to either early AT (eAT) or watchful waiting with supportive care (WWSC). We also analyzed CAP in a subgroup of 72 children with moderate OSA (apnea–hypopnea index > 10) that were part of the CHAT sample. Causal mediation analysis was performed to determine the independent effect of changes in CAP on selected outcome measures.

Results

At baseline, a higher number of A1 phases per hour of sleep was significantly associated with worse behavioral functioning (caregiver Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) Global Executive Composite (GEC): ρ = 0.24, p = 0.042; caregiver Conners’ Rating Scale Global Index: ρ = 0.25, p = 0.036) and lower quality of life (OSA-18: ρ = 0.27, p = 0.022; PedsQL: ρ = −0.29, p = 0.015) in the subgroup of children with moderate OSA, but not across the entire sample. At 7-months follow-up, changes in CAP parameters were comparable between the eAT and WWSC arms. CAP changes did not account for significant proportions of variations in behavioral, cognitive, and quality-of-life performance measures at follow-up.

Conclusions

We show a significant association between the frequency of slow, high-amplitude waves with behavioral functioning, as well as the quality of life in children with moderate OSA. Early AT in children with mild-to-moderate OSA does not alter the microstructure of nonrapid eye movement sleep compared with watchful waiting after an approximately 7-month period of follow-up.

Clinical Trial

The study “A Randomized Controlled Study of Adenotonsillectomy for Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome” was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (#NCT00560859).
Formal Links between Feature Diversity and Phylogenetic Diversity
Authors: Wicke Kristina , Mooers Arne , Steel Mike
Published: August 2020

The extent to which phylogenetic diversity (PD) captures feature diversity (FD) is a topical and controversial question in biodiversity conservation. In this short paper, we formalize this question and establish a precise mathematical condition for FD (based on discrete characters) to coincide with PD. In this way, we make explicit the two main reasons why the two diversity measures might disagree for given data; namely, the presence of certain patterns of feature evolution and loss, and using temporal branch lengths for PD in settings that may not be appropriate (e.g., due to rapid evolution of certain features over short periods of time). Our article also explores the relationship between the “Fair Proportion” index of PD and a simple index of FD (both of which correspond to Shapley values in cooperative game theory). In a second mathematical result, we show that the two indices can take identical values for any phylogenetic tree, provided the branch lengths in the tree are chosen appropriately. [Evolutionary distinctiveness; feature diversity; phylogenetic diversity; shapley value.]
Analysis of the virome associated to grapevine downy mildew lesions reveals new mycovirus lineages
Authors: Chiapello M , Rodríguez-Romero J , Ayllón M A , Turina M
Published: August 2020

The obligatory biotrophic oomycetes Plasmopara viticola is the causal agent of downy mildew, a destructive disease of grapevine worldwide. So far, chemical fungicides are widely employed to limit this pathogen, but their adverse effects are stimulating the quest for environmentally friendly alternative approaches. Here, we report on the search for mycoviruses that might be later developed as biocontrol agents for this pathogen. Symptomatic leaves were collected from various regions in Spain and Italy and mycelia associated to leaf lesions was harvested. Total RNA extractions were depleted of rRNA and metatranscriptomes were generated using a high-throughput sequencing approach. The virome associated to leaf lesions was then characterized through a bioinformatic pipeline relying on blast searches against current viral databases. Here, we present an inventory of 283 new RNA viruses: 222 positive strand RNA viruses, 29 negative strand RNA viruses, 27 double-stranded RNA viruses and 5 ORFan virus RdRP segments, which could not be reliably assigned to any existing group in the Riboviria. In addition to ORFan viruses, we found other surprising new evolutionary trajectories in this wide inventory of viruses. The most represented viruses in our collection are those in phylum Lenarviricota, and, among them, a group of mycovirus segments distantly related to narnaviruses, but characterized by a polymerase palm domain lacking subdomain C, with the putative GDD catalytic triad. We also provided evidence of a strict association between two RNA segments that form a new mycovirus clade of positive strand RNA in the phylum Kitrinoviricota, order Martellivirales. In the phylum Negarnaviricota, we report for the first time in the order Mononegavirales a clade of viruses that is ambisense, a feature that so far was present only in the order Bunyavirales. Furthermore, in the same phylum we detected the widespread occurrence and abundant accumulation in our libraries of a distinct mycovirus clade distantly related to the Muvirales and Goujanvirales orders, which so far include only viruses infecting invertebrates. Possible new oomycetes-specific virus clades are also described in the phylum Duplornaviricota. These data greatly expand the evolutionary history of mycoviruses adding new layers of diversity to the realm Riboviria.
Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Cardiovascular Function and Heart Failure Outcomes
Authors: Mottel Beth Hillary , Lindsay David Allen , Frishman William H.
Published: August 2020

In this article, we explore the influence of obesity on cardiovascular health and the role of bariatric surgery in reducing cardiovascular comorbidities, preventing the onset of heart failure and improving mortality and quality of life in those with cardiac dysfunction. We highlight the mechanisms by which obesity leads to cardiovascular remodeling, diastolic dysfunction, and eventual heart failure. These mechanisms include systemic inflammation, local lipotoxicity by way of ectopic fat deposition, and hemodynamic alterations that have significant effects on cardiac structure and function. Bariatric surgery has been shown to reverse these mechanisms, thereby leading to the reversal of adverse cardiac remodeling, improved diastolic function, and in some cases, improved systolic function in patients with systolic heart failure. Most importantly, bariatric surgery leads to significant improvements in cardiovascular outcomes, including the risks of myocardial infarction and stroke, heart failure incidence, and mortality. In patients with heart failure, bariatric surgery has been shown to decrease heart failure exacerbations and admissions and improve quality of life. Furthermore, in advanced heart failure patients, including those requiring mechanical circulatory support, bariatric surgery has been successfully and safely used for weight loss, as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. Therefore, bariatric surgery should be considered as a treatment for conditions ranging from subclinical cardiac dysfunction to symptomatic, advanced heart failure.