bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular and physiological characterization of the chitin synthase B gene isolated from Culex pipiens pallens (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Yang Xiaoshan , Yin Qi , Xu Yang , Li Xixi , Sun Yan , Ma Lei , Zhou Dan , Shen Bo
Published: December 2019

Background

The growth and development of insects is strictly dependent on the precise regulation of chitin synthase (CHS), which is absent in vertebrates and plants. Therefore, CHS represents an attractive target for insecticides. At present, the research on the CHS gene in mosquitoes, especially its biological functions, remains limited.

Results

The full-length cDNA of the chitin synthase B gene in Culex pipiens pallens (CpCHSB) was prepared and consists of 5158 nucleotides with an open reading frame (ORF) of 4722 nucleotides encoding a protein of 1573 amino acid residues. Among different tissues, CpCHSB gene is mainly expressed in the midgut tissue with the highest expression in adult mosquitoes. Knockdown of CpCHSB in the larval stage significantly lowered the chitin content (16.5%) decreased body size (reduced by 25.6% in the larval stage and by 25.6% in the adult stage), and diminished reproduction (20%). Injecting siCHSB into adult mosquito mainly decreased reproduction (27%).

Conclusions

CpCHSB plays essential roles in growth and development, by severely reducing larval chitin content, midgut permeability, and reducing the number of female mosquito offspring. These results indicate that CHSB may serve as a potential novel target for exploring biosafe insecticides.
Rule-based and machine learning algorithms identify patients with systemic sclerosis accurately in the electronic health record
Authors: Jamian Lia , Wheless Lee , Crofford Leslie J. , Barnado April
Published: December 2019

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare disease with studies limited by small sample sizes. Electronic health records (EHRs) represent a powerful tool to study patients with rare diseases such as SSc, but validated methods are needed. We developed and validated EHR-based algorithms that incorporate billing codes and clinical data to identify SSc patients in the EHR.

Methods

We used a de-identified EHR with over 3 million subjects and identified 1899 potential SSc subjects with at least 1 count of the SSc ICD-9 (710.1) or ICD-10-CM (M34*) codes. We randomly selected 200 as a training set for chart review. A subject was a case if diagnosed with SSc by a rheumatologist, dermatologist, or pulmonologist. We selected the following algorithm components based on clinical knowledge and available data: SSc ICD-9 and ICD-10-CM codes, positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) (titer ≥ 1:80), and a keyword of Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP). We performed both rule-based and machine learning techniques for algorithm development. Positive predictive values (PPVs), sensitivities, and F-scores (which account for PPVs and sensitivities) were calculated for the algorithms.

Results

PPVs were low for algorithms using only 1 count of the SSc ICD-9 code. As code counts increased, the PPVs increased. PPVs were higher for algorithms using ICD-10-CM codes versus the ICD-9 code. Adding a positive ANA and RP keyword increased the PPVs of algorithms only using ICD billing codes. Algorithms using ≥ 3 or ≥ 4 counts of the SSc ICD-9 or ICD-10-CM codes and ANA positivity had the highest PPV at 100% but a low sensitivity at 50%. The algorithm with the highest F-score of 91% was ≥ 4 counts of the ICD-9 or ICD-10-CM codes with an internally validated PPV of 90%. A machine learning method using random forests yielded an algorithm with a PPV of 84%, sensitivity of 92%, and F-score of 88%. The most important feature was RP keyword.

Conclusions

Algorithms using only ICD-9 codes did not perform well to identify SSc patients. The highest performing algorithms incorporated clinical data with billing codes. EHR-based algorithms can identify SSc patients across a healthcare system, enabling researchers to examine important outcomes.
Train-the-Trainers in hand hygiene: a standardized approach to guide education in infection prevention and control
Authors: Tartari Ermira , Fankhauser Carolina , Masson-Roy Sarah , Márquez-Villarreal Hilda , Fernández Moreno Inmaculada , Rodriguez Navas Ma Luisa , Sarabia Odet , Bellissimo-Rodrigues Fernando , Hernández-de Mezerville Marcela , Lee Yew Fong , Aelami Mohammad Hassan , Mehtar Shaheen , Agostinho Américo , Camilleri Liberato , Allegranzi Benedetta , Pires Daniela , Pittet Didier
Published: December 2019

Background

Harmonization in hand hygiene training for infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals is lacking. We describe a standardized approach to training, using a “Train-the-Trainers” (TTT) concept for IPC professionals and assess its impact on hand hygiene knowledge in six countries.

Methods

We developed a three-day simulation-based TTT course based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Multimodal Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy. To evaluate its impact, we have performed a pre-and post-course knowledge questionnaire. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the results before and after training.

Results

Between June 2016 and January 2018 we conducted seven TTT courses in six countries: Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, Spain and Thailand. A total of 305 IPC professionals completed the programme. Participants included nurses (n = 196; 64.2%), physicians (n = 53; 17.3%) and other health professionals (n = 56; 18.3%). In total, participants from more than 20 countries were trained. A significant (p < 0.05) improvement in knowledge between the pre- and post-TTT training phases was observed in all countries. Puebla (Mexico) had the highest improvement (22.3%; p < 0.001), followed by Malaysia (21.2%; p < 0.001), Jalisco (Mexico; 20.2%; p < 0.001), Thailand (18.8%; p < 0.001), South Africa (18.3%; p < 0.001), Iran (17.5%; p < 0.001) and Spain (9.7%; p = 0.047). Spain had the highest overall test scores, while Thailand had the lowest pre- and post-scores. Positive aspects reported included: unique learning environment, sharing experiences, hands-on practices on a secure environment and networking among IPC professionals. Sustainability was assessed through follow-up evaluations conducted in three original TTT course sites in Mexico (Jalisco and Puebla) and in Spain: improvement was sustained in the last follow-up phase when assessed 5 months, 1 year and 2 years after the first TTT course, respectively.

Conclusions

The TTT in hand hygiene model proved to be effective in enhancing participant’s knowledge, sharing experiences and networking. IPC professionals can use this reference training method worldwide to further disseminate knowledge to other health care workers.
Bacterial pathogens and resistance causing community acquired paediatric bloodstream infections in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Droz Nina , Hsia Yingfen , Ellis Sally , Dramowski Angela , Sharland Mike , Basmaci Romain
Published: December 2019

Background

Despite a high mortality rate in childhood, there is limited evidence on the causes and outcomes of paediatric bloodstream infections from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize the bacterial causes of paediatric bloodstream infections in LMICs and their resistance profile.

Methods

We searched Pubmed and Embase databases between January 1st 1990 and October 30th 2019, combining MeSH and free-text terms for “sepsis” and “low-middle-income countries” in children. Two reviewers screened articles and performed data extraction to identify studies investigating children (1 month-18 years), with at least one blood culture. The main outcomes of interests were the rate of positive blood cultures, the distribution of bacterial pathogens, the resistance patterns and the case-fatality rate. The proportions obtained from each study were pooled using the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation, and a random-effect meta-analysis model was used.

Results

We identified 2403 eligible studies, 17 were included in the final review including 52,915 children (11 in Africa and 6 in Asia). The overall percentage of positive blood culture was 19.1% [95% CI: 12.0–27.5%]; 15.5% [8.4–24.4%] in Africa and 28.0% [13.2–45.8%] in Asia. A total of 4836 bacterial isolates were included in the studies; 2974 were Gram-negative (63.9% [52.2–74.9]) and 1858 were Gram-positive (35.8% [24.9–47.5]). In Asia, Salmonella typhi (26.2%) was the most commonly isolated pathogen, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (7.7%) whereas in Africa, S. aureus (17.8%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (16.8%) were predominant followed by Escherichia coli (10.7%). S. aureus was more likely resistant to methicillin in Africa (29.5% vs. 7.9%), whereas E. coli was more frequently resistant to third-generation cephalosporins (31.2% vs. 21.2%), amikacin (29.6% vs. 0%) and ciprofloxacin (36.7% vs. 0%) in Asia. The overall estimate for case-fatality rate among 8 studies was 12.7% [6.6–20.2%]. Underlying conditions, such as malnutrition or HIV infection were assessed as a factor associated with bacteraemia in 4 studies each.

Conclusions

We observed a marked variation in pathogen distribution and their resistance profiles between Asia and Africa. Very limited data is available on underlying risk factors for bacteraemia, patterns of treatment of multidrug-resistant infections and predictors of adverse outcomes.
On the simple calculation of walking efficiency without kinematic information for its convenient use
Authors: Abe Daijiro , Fukuoka Yoshiyuki , Horiuchi Masahiro
Published: December 2019

Background

Since walking is a daily activity not to require the maximal effort in healthy populations, a very few universal bio-parameters and/or methods have been defined to evaluate individual walking characteristics in those populations. A concept of “economy” is a potential candidate; however, walking economy highly depends on speed, so direct comparisons of economy values are difficult between studies. We investigated whether the vertical component of net walking “efficiency” (Effvert; %) is constant across speed. In that case, direct comparisons of Effvertwill be possible between studies or individuals at any voluntary speed.

Methods

Thirty young male participants walked at eight speeds on the level or ± 5% gradients, providing vertical speeds (vvert). Differences in energy expenditure between level and uphill or downhill gradients (ΔEE) were calculated. The metabolic rate for vertical component (MRvert) was calculated by multiplying ΔEE with body mass (BM). The mechanical power output for vertical component (Pmech) was calculated by multiplying BM, gravitational acceleration, andvvert. Effvertwas obtained from the ratio of Pmechto MRvertat eachvvert. Delta efficiency (Delta-E; %) was also calculated from the inverse slope of the regression line representing the relationship of Pmechto MRvert.

Results

Upward Effvertwas nearly constant at around 35% and downward Effvertranged widely (49–80%). No significant differences were observed between upward Delta-E (35.5 ± 8.8%) and Effvertat any speeds, but not between downward Delta-E (44.9 ± 12.8%) and Effvert.

Conclusions

Upward ΔEE could be proportional tovvert. Upward, but not downward, Effvertshould be useful not only for healthy populations but also for clinical patients to evaluate individual gait characteristics, because it requires only two metabolic measurements on the level and uphill gradients without kinematic information at any voluntary speed.

Trial registration

UMIN000017690 (R000020501; registered May 26th, 2015, before the first trial) and UMIN000031456 (R000035911; registered Feb. 23rd, 2018, before the first trial).
Feasibility study of using high‐throughput drug sensitivity testing to target recurrent glioblastoma stem cells for individualized treatment
Authors: Skaga Erlend , Kulesskiy Evgeny , Brynjulvsen Marit , Sandberg Cecilie J. , Potdar Swapnil , Langmoen Iver A. , Laakso Aki , Gaál‐Paavola Emília , Perola Markus , Wennerberg Krister , Vik‐Mo Einar O.
Published: December 2019

Background

Despite the well described heterogeneity in glioblastoma (GBM), treatment is standardized, and clinical trials investigate treatment effects at population level. Genomics‐driven oncology for stratified treatments allow clinical decision making in only a small minority of screened patients. Addressing tumor heterogeneity, we aimed to establish a clinical translational protocol in recurrent GBM (recGBM) utilizing autologous glioblastoma stem cell (GSC) cultures and automated high‐throughput drug sensitivity and resistance testing (DSRT) for individualized treatment within the time available for clinical application.

Results

From ten patients undergoing surgery for recGBM, we established individual cell cultures and characterized the GSCs by functional assays. 7/10 GSC cultures could be serially expanded. The individual GSCs displayed intertumoral differences in their proliferative capacity, expression of stem cell markers and variation in their in vitro and in vivo morphology. We defined a time frame of 10 weeks from surgery to complete the entire pre‐clinical work‐up; establish individualized GSC cultures, evaluate drug sensitivity patterns of 525 anticancer drugs, and identify options for individualized treatment. Within the time frame for clinical translation 5/7 cultures reached sufficient cell yield for complete drug screening. The DSRT revealed significant intertumoral heterogeneity to anticancer drugs (p < 0.0001). Using curated reference databases of drug sensitivity in GBM and healthy bone marrow cells, we identified individualized treatment options in all patients. Individualized treatment options could be selected from FDA‐approved drugs from a variety of different drug classes in all cases.

Conclusions

In recGBM, GSC cultures could successfully be established in the majority of patients. The individual cultures displayed intertumoral heterogeneity in their in vitro and in vivo behavior. Within a time frame for clinical application, we could perform DSRT in 50% of recGBM patients. The DSRT revealed a remarkable intertumoral heterogeneity in sensitivity to anticancer drugs in recGBM that could allow tailored therapeutic options for functional precision medicine.
Cysteine catabolism and the serine biosynthesis pathway support pyruvate production during pyruvate kinase knockdown in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Yu Lei , Teoh Shao Thing , Ensink Elliot , Ogrodzinski Martin P. , Yang Che , Vazquez Ana I. , Lunt Sophia Y.
Published: December 2019

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options. Pyruvate kinase, especially the M2 isoform (PKM2), is highly expressed in PDAC cells, but its role in pancreatic cancer remains controversial. To investigate the role of pyruvate kinase in pancreatic cancer, we knocked down PKM2 individually as well as both PKM1 and PKM2 concurrently (PKM1/2) in cell lines derived from aKrasG12D/-; p53-/-pancreatic mouse model.

Methods

We used liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine metabolic profiles of wildtype and PKM1/2 knockdown PDAC cells. We further used stable isotope-labeled metabolic precursors and LC-MS/MS to determine metabolic pathways upregulated in PKM1/2 knockdown cells. We then targeted metabolic pathways upregulated in PKM1/2 knockdown cells using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology.

Results

PDAC cells are able to proliferate and continue to produce pyruvate despite PKM1/2 knockdown. The serine biosynthesis pathway partially contributed to pyruvate production during PKM1/2 knockdown: knockout of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase in this pathway decreased pyruvate production from glucose. In addition, cysteine catabolism generated ~ 20% of intracellular pyruvate in PDAC cells. Other potential sources of pyruvate include the sialic acid pathway and catabolism of glutamine, serine, tryptophan, and threonine. However, these sources did not provide significant levels of pyruvate in PKM1/2 knockdown cells.

Conclusion

PKM1/2 knockdown does not impact the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. The serine biosynthesis pathway supports conversion of glucose to pyruvate during pyruvate kinase knockdown. However, direct conversion of serine to pyruvate was not observed during PKM1/2 knockdown. Investigating several alternative sources of pyruvate identified cysteine catabolism for pyruvate production during PKM1/2 knockdown. Surprisingly, we find that a large percentage of intracellular pyruvate comes from cysteine. Our results highlight the ability of PDAC cells to adaptively rewire their metabolic pathways during knockdown of a key metabolic enzyme.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of malaria rapid diagnostic tests: a systematic review
Authors: Ling Xiao-Xiao , Jin Jia-Jie , Zhu Guo-Ding , Wang Wei-Ming , Cao Yuan-Yuan , Yang Meng-Meng , Zhou Hua-Yun , Cao Jun , Huang Jia-Yan
Published: December 2019

Background

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) can effectively manage malaria cases and reduce excess costs brought by misdiagnosis. However, few studies have evaluated the economic value of this technology. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the economic value of RDT in malaria diagnosis.

Main text

A detailed search strategy was developed to identify published economic evaluations that provide evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of malaria RDT. Electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Biosis Previews, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched from Jan 2007 to July 2018. Two researchers screened studies independently based on pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist was applied to evaluate the quality of the studies. Then cost and effectiveness data were extracted and summarized in a narrative way.

Fifteen economic evaluations of RDT compared to other diagnostic methods were identified. The overall quality of studies varied greatly but most of them were scored to be of high or moderate quality. Ten of the fifteen studies reported that RDT was likely to be a cost-effective approach compared to its comparisons, but the results could be influenced by the alternatives, study perspectives, malaria prevalence, and the types of RDT.

Conclusions

Based on available evidence, RDT had the potential to be more cost-effective than either microscopy or presumptive diagnosis. Further research is also required to draw a more robust conclusion.
Trust and respect in the patient-clinician relationship: preliminary development of a new scale
Authors: Crits-Christoph Paul , Rieger Agnes , Gaines Averi , Gibbons Mary Beth Connolly
Published: December 2019

Background

Trust and respect may be an important component of client-provider relationships. This study aimed to develop and report preliminary psychometric analyses of a new brief measure to evaluate a patient’s level of trust and respect for their clinician. The scale was designed to be applicable in multiple healthcare contexts, with a particular focus on mental healthcare.

Methods

Adult patients completed the study survey in an academic outpatient psychiatric clinic waiting room. Classical and Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses were utilized to examine the adequacy of scale items. Validity was examined in relation to the patient-therapist alliance and to willingness to share private information (social media content) with one’s clinician.

Results

Beginning with 10 items, a final 8-item version of the measure was created with an internal consistency reliability of .91. Principal components analysis indicated that the scale was best viewed as capturing one overall dimension. A Graded Response Model IRT model indicated that all items contributed information on the latent dimension, and all item curves were not flat at any region. The correlation of the trust/respect total score with the alliance was .53 when respect-related items were deleted from the alliance score. The trust/respect scale was significantly associated with patient willingness to share social media posts with their clinician but the alliance was not.

Conclusions

The brief measure of patient trust and respect towards their clinician was unidimensional, showed good internal consistency, and was not redundant with existing measures of the alliance. The scale has the potential to be used in a wide variety of healthcare settings.
Synapse alterations precede neuronal damage and storage pathology in a human cerebral organoid model of CLN3-juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis
Authors: Gomez-Giro Gemma , Arias-Fuenzalida Jonathan , Jarazo Javier , Zeuschner Dagmar , Ali Muhammad , Possemis Nina , Bolognin Silvia , Halder Rashi , Jäger Christian , Kuper Willemijn F. E. , van Hasselt Peter M. , Zaehres Holm , del Sol Antonio , van der Putten Herman , Schöler Hans R. , Schwamborn Jens C.
Published: December 2019

The juvenile form of neuronal ceroid Lipofuscinosis (JNCL) is the most common form within this group of rare lysosomal storage disorders, causing pediatric neurodegeneration. The genetic disorder, which is caused by recessive mutations affecting the CLN3 gene, features progressive vision loss, cognitive and motor decline and other psychiatric conditions, seizure episodes, leading to premature death. Animal models have traditionally aid the understanding of the disease mechanisms and pathology and are very relevant for biomarker research and therapeutic testing. Nevertheless, there is a need for establishing reliable and predictive human cellular models to study the disease. Since patient material, particularly from children, is scarce and difficult to obtain, we generated an engineered a CLN3-mutant isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line carrying the c.1054C → T pathologic variant, using state of the art CRISPR/Cas9 technology. To prove the suitability of the isogenic pair to model JNCL, we screened for disease-specific phenotypes in non-neuronal two-dimensional cell culture models as well as in cerebral brain organoids. Our data demonstrates that the sole introduction of the pathogenic variant gives rise to classical hallmarks of JNCL in vitro. Additionally, we discovered an alteration of the splicing caused by this particular mutation. Next, we derived cerebral organoids and used them as a neurodevelopmental model to study the particular effects of the CLN3Q352X mutation during brain formation in the disease context. About half of the mutation -carrying cerebral organoids completely failed to develop normally. The other half, which escaped this severe defect were used for the analysis of more subtle alterations. In these escapers, whole-transcriptome analysis demonstrated early disease signatures, affecting pathways related to development, corticogenesis and synapses. Complementary metabolomics analysis confirmed decreased levels of cerebral tissue metabolites, some particularly relevant for synapse formation and neurotransmission, such as gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). Our data suggests that a mutation in CLN3 severely affects brain development. Furthermore, before disease onset, disease -associated neurodevelopmental changes, particular concerning synapse formation and function, occur.
IDC theory: creation and the creation loop
Authors: Chan Tak-Wai , Looi Chee-Kit , Chang Ben , Chen Wenli , Wong Lung-Hsiang , Wong Su Luan , Yu Fu-Yun , Mason Jon , Liu Chen-Chung , Shih Ju-Ling , Wu Ying-Tien , Kong Siu-Cheung , Wu Longkai , Chien Tzu-Chao , Liao Calvin C. Y. , Cheng Hercy , Chen Zhi-Hong , Chou Chih-Yueh
Published: December 2019

The interest-driven creator (IDC) theory is being developed as a group endeavor by Asian researchers to articulate a holistic learning design theory for future education in Asia. The theory hypothesizes that students, driven by interest, can be engaged in the creation of knowledge (generating ideas and artifacts). By repeating this creation process in their daily learning routines, they will excel in learning performance, develop twenty-first-century competencies, and form creation habits. We hope that with such practices in education, our future generations will ultimately become lifelong interest-driven creators. In IDC Theory, there are three anchored concepts, namely, interest, creation, and habit. Each anchored concept comprises three component concepts which form a concept loop. For example, the creation loop consists of three component concepts—imitating, combining, and staging. Imitating is concerned with taking in (or inputting) an abundant amount of existing knowledge from the outside world to form one’s background knowledge. Combining refers to delivering (or outputting) new ideas or artifacts prolifically by synthesizing existing information encountered in the world and thoughts arising from the students’ background knowledge. Staging relates to frequently demonstrating the generated ideas or artifacts to the relevant communities and receiving feedback from these communities to improve the novelty and value of the demonstrated outcomes while gaining social recognition and nurturing positive social emotions. This paper focuses on describing the three components of the creation loop. We provide three case studies to illustrate the creation loop at work, as well as how it intertwines with both the interest and habit loops in supporting students to develop their creation capabilities. In presenting this iteration of the creation concept, an anchored concept in IDC theory, we acknowledge the roles played of imitation, combination, and staging in different learning and education contexts—indeed, there are multiple theories that inform and intersect with it.
Population genetic structure based on mitochondrial DNA analysis of Ikonnikov’s whiskered bat (Myotis ikonnikovi—Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Korea
Authors: Park Soyeon , Noh Pureum , Choi Yu-Seong , Joo Sungbae , Jeong Gilsang , Kim Sun-Sook
Published: December 2019

Background

Ikonnikov’s whiskered bat (Myotis ikonnikovi) is found throughout the Korean Peninsula, as well as in Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan. It is small-sized and primarily inhabits old-growth forests. The decrease and fragmentation of habitats due to increased human activity may influence the genetic structure of bat populations. This study was designed to elucidate the population genetic structure of M. ikonnikovi using mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome b).

Results

The results showed that M. ikonnikovi populations from Korea have high genetic diversity. Although genetic differentiation was not detected for the COI gene, strong genetic differentiation of the Cytb gene between Mt. Jeombong and Mt. Jiri populations was observed. Moreover, the results indicated that the gene flow of the maternal lineage may be limited.

Conclusions

This study is the first to identify the genetic population structure of M. ikonnikovi. We suggest that conservation of local populations is important for sustaining the genetic diversity of the bat, and comprehensive studies on factors causing habitat fragmentation are required.
Elastic full-waveform inversion with probabilistic petrophysical model constraints
Authors: Aragao Odette , Sava Paul
Published: December 2019

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) based on the minimization of data residuals may not enhance our understanding of the subsurface and can at times lead to misleading subsurface models. Additionally, unconstrained multiparameter FWI may also lead to models that do not represent realistic lithology for independently derived parameters. We have developed a method for elastic FWI that explicitly imposes petrophysical restrictions to guide models toward realistic and feasible lithology, that is, to subsurface models consistent with the seismic data and with the underlying petrophysics. We exploit petrophysical information, such as that provided by well logs, to constrain the inversion and to avoid implausible models. We achieve this goal by confining the inverted models to a feasible region defined by a probability density function instead of imposing lithologic facies as a function of position. Inside this feasible petrophysical regime, the inverted models do not need to obey a specific trend, that is, we do not link the parameters with explicit and potentially inaccurate petrophysical relations. Instead, we define a petrophysical basin of attraction that confines models to a feasible region validated by regional lithologic and petrophysical information. We find through elastic models that incorporating probabilistic petrophysical constraints into the inversion objective function leads to models that are superior to models obtained either without constraints or with approximate analytic constraints. In addition, we discover that these constraints can help in mitigating common issues affecting elastic FWI, such as the artifacts produced by interparameter crosstalk and limited acquisition coverage.
“Fog-Shaped Men”: The Remnant Figure in Postbellum American Regionalism
Authors: Evron Nir
Published: December 2019

This essay isolates, analyzes, and contextualizes a prevalent character type in nineteenth-century American fiction that it calls (following Ina Ferris) the “remnant.” Although remnants appear in the earliest American experiments in fiction, the type becomes truly ubiquitous in postbellum regionalist writing. Depicted as living relics or belated leftovers from superseded cultural epochs, remnants, the essay claims, project the distinctly modern modalities of displacement and ontological insecurity into the regionalist texts they inhabit, thus unsettling the conventional critical readings of the genre as a backward-looking nostalgic form while also opening anew the question of regionalism’s complicated appeal for its contemporary readers. While beginning and ending with Sarah Orne Jewett’s representative remnant figure, Captain Littlepage, the essay also surveys several lesser-known examples, discusses the type’s peculiar characteristics, and speculates on the reactions it drew from its original audiences.
Endangered Vampires of the Anthropocene: Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive and the Ecology of Romance
Authors: Mansbridge Joanna
Published: December 2019

Among the recent spate of independent vampire films, Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive uniquely depicts vampires whose immortality is under threat in a world tainted by environmental toxins. Facing their mortality as we humans face our own extinction, Adam and Eve are vampires of the Anthropocene. Only Lovers was often dismissed by critics as easy on substantial ideas and heavy on seductive sheen, and yet the film deftly deploys the vampire trope to explore enduring attachments, as well as endangered and endangering ways of life. Set in Detroit and Tangier, Jarmusch’s film tracks the roaming romance of his vampires, Adam and Eve, who are both cultured cosmopolitans and endangered species seeking refuge in an increasingly uninhabitable world. Adam and Eve keep alive forms of intimacy and aesthetic appreciation on the verge of extinction even as they adapt to ecological crises by adopting twenty-first-century modes of global consumption. Jarmusch strikes a careful balance between his characters’ complicity with and critique of the world they feed on. In the end the film is about survival and a white Euro-American hegemony that refuses to die.
Positive Long-Run Capital Taxation: Chamley-Judd Revisited
Authors: Straub Ludwig , Werning Iván
Published: December 2019

According to the Chamley-Judd result, capital should not be taxed in the long run. In this paper, we overturn this conclusion, showing that it does not follow from the very models used to derive it. For the main model in Judd (1985), we prove that the long-run tax on capital is positive and significant, whenever the intertemporal elasticity of substitution is below one. For higher elasticities, the tax converges to zero but may do so at a slow rate, after centuries of high tax rates. The main model in Chamley (1986) imposes an upper bound on capital taxes. We provide conditions under which these constraints bind forever, implying positive long-run taxes. When this is not the case, the long-run tax may be zero. However, if preferences are recursive and discounting is locally nonconstant (e.g., not additively separable over time), a zero long-run capital tax limit must be accompanied by zero private wealth (zero tax base) or by zero labor taxes (first-best). Finally, we explain why the equivalence of a positive capital tax with ever-increasing consumption taxes does not provide a firm rationale against capital taxation. (JEL H21, H25)
Case Report: Large ileal intramural hematoma presenting as an intestinal obstruction in a patient on Warfarin with incidental breast cancer
Authors: Alizadeh Forutan Maryam , Mojarad Fereshteh Araghian , Rahmani Nasrin
Published: December 2019

Intramural hematoma of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which can present as abdominal pain or obstruction, can be a rare complication of oral anticoagulants, in particular Warfarin. In this case report, we describe an 81-year-old female patient presenting with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting with a previous history of rectorrhagia. The patient was receiving Warfarin therapy due to cardiac valve replacement for the past 8 years. Laboratory workup revealed elevated INR and anemia. Diagnosis of ileal intramural hematoma was based on ultrasound and CT scan findings. The patient was treated by conservative approaches including administration of fresh frozen plasma, cessation of oral intake, and fluid resuscitation. In CT images, a mass on the left breast and lymphadenopathy on the left axilla were also noticed. Given that most GI intramural hematomas caused by over-anticoagulation are treated non-surgically, considering a patient's drug history, especially in older patients with abdominal pain and obstruction symptoms, is of particular importance.
Desmosomes: Essential contributors to an integrated intercellular junction network
Authors: Green Kathleen J , Jaiganesh Avinash , Broussard Joshua A
Published: December 2019

The development of adhesive connections between cells was critical for the evolution of multicellularity and for organizing cells into complex organs with discrete compartments. Four types of intercellular junction are present in vertebrates: desmosomes, adherens junctions, tight junctions, and gap junctions. All are essential for the development of the embryonic layers and organs as well as adult tissue homeostasis. While each junction type is defined as a distinct entity, it is now clear that they cooperate physically and functionally to create a robust and functionally diverse system. During evolution, desmosomes first appeared in vertebrates as highly specialized regions at the plasma membrane that couple the intermediate filament cytoskeleton at points of strong cell–cell adhesion. Here, we review how desmosomes conferred new mechanical and signaling properties to vertebrate cells and tissues through their interactions with the existing junctional and cytoskeletal network.
Variant calling on the GRCh38 assembly with the data from phase three of the 1000 Genomes Project
Authors: Lowy-Gallego Ernesto , Fairley Susan , Zheng-Bradley Xiangqun , Ruffier Magali , Clarke Laura , Flicek Paul ,   The 1000 Genomes Project Consortium
Published: December 2019

We present a set of biallelic SNVs and INDELs, from 2,548 samples spanning 26 populations from the 1000 Genomes Project, called de novo on GRCh38. We believe this will be a useful reference resource for those using GRCh38. It represents an improvement over the “lift-overs” of the 1000 Genomes Project data that have been available to date by encompassing all of the GRCh38 primary assembly autosomes and pseudo-autosomal regions, including novel, medically relevant loci. Here, we describe how the data set was created and benchmark our call set against that produced by the final phase of the 1000 Genomes Project on GRCh37 and the lift-over of that data to GRCh38.
Rancang Bangun Mesin Pengecat Otomatis Berbasis PLC CP1E NA20DR A
Authors: Aziz Fahmi Abdul , Puriyanto Riky Dwi
Published: December 2019

Dalam hal mengecat tidak semua orang dapat melakukan pengecatan dengan sempurna, banyak hasil cat yang tidak merata atau lapisan yang terlalu tebal dan terlalu tipis. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah membuat sebuah alat yang membantu manusia untuk mengecat objek di permukaan datar secara otomatis. Komponen yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu motor DC PG28, sensor encoder, sensor limit switch dan PLC Omron CP1E-NA20DR-A. Alat ini bergerak berdasarkan sumbu x dan y yaitu bergerak ke atas-bawah dan ke kanan-kiri, kemudian untuk pengecatanya menggunakan roll cat. Setiap pergerakan alat di program menggunakan ladder diagram di software CX-Programmer. Untuk memonitor pergerakan mesin peneliti membuat HMI dari software CX-Designer. Pada pembuatan program ladder diagram peneliti menggunakan metode state diagram karena metode ini dapat menyusun program ladder dengan baik. Pengujian pembacaan RPM motor peneliti membandingkan data dari PLC dengan tachometer dan didapat error sebesar 0,52%. Pergerakan alat pada sumbu x didapat dengan mengendalikan pulsa putaran per rotasi yang terbaca 1380 pulsa per 10 cm oleh sensor encoder. Jarak 10 cm mengacu pada lebar dari roll cat yang dipakai. Kemudian dengan tegangan luar sebesar 12V didapat kecepatan maksimun pada motor DCPG28 sebesar 379 RPM.In the case of painting not everyone can paint perfectly, many paints are not evenly distributed or layers that are too thick and too thin. The purpose of this research is to create a tool that helps humans to paint objects on a flat surface automatically. The components used in this study are the PG28 DC motor, encoder sensor, limit switch sensor and PLC Omron CP1E-NA20DR-A. This tool moves based on the x and y axis that is moving up-down and right-left, then for painting using a paint roll. Every movement of tools in the program uses ladder diagrams in the CX-Programmer software. To monitor the movement of the engine the researcher made an HMI from the CX-Designer software. In making ladder diagram programs researchers use the state diagram method because this method can arrange ladder programs well. Testing the RPM reads the motorbike comparing the data from the PLC with the tachometer and obtained an error of 0.52%. The movement of the tool on the x-axis is obtained by controlling the rotational pulses per rotation which reads 1380 pulses per 10 cm by the encoder sensor. A distance of 10 cm refers to the width of the paint roll used. Then with an outside voltage of 12V, the maximum speed of the DCPG28 motor is 379 RPM.
Prototipe Perancangan Control System of Corn Dryer Machine Dengan Mikrokontroler
Authors: Hasan Syaiful , Herlina Amalia , Basri Muhammad Hasan
Published: December 2019

Selama ini masyarakat di Indonesia melakukan pengeringan jagung dengan cara konvensional, yaitu dengan cara menjemur langsung di bawah sinar matahari. Selain tidak efektif cara tersebut juga sangat bergantung pada cahaya matahari. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini mengusulkan tentang mesin pengering jagung dengan menggunakan mikrokontroler dan pengendali PID agar pengeringan dapat berjalan dengan maksimal. Selain itu alasan pembuatan alat ini adalah agar pengeringan biji jagung dapat terus berjalan tidak bergantung pada cahaya matahari. Untuk mencapai kondisi jagung yang sesuai standar pengeringan yaitu 14%, diperlukan sensor SHT11 untuk mendeteksi kadar air yang ada pada jagung. Untuk pemanas menggunakan 5 elemen pemanas serta exhaust fan sebagai penghantar panas. Pengaturan kelembaban menggunakan set point yang ada pada mikrokontroler. Berdasarkan pengujian, alat dapat berjalan dengan baik dan memiliki keunggulan waktu yang pengeringan yang lebih pendek daripada metode konvensional. Hasil pengujian diperoleh hasil bahwa nilai rata-rata MEA (Mean Absolute Error) adalah 0,611% dan rata-rata RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) adalah 0,687%, Time Constan = 55 detik, Rise Time = 6,95 detik dan Setting Time = 164,45 detik pada set point RH 21,5%.So far, people in Indonesia are drying corn in a conventional way, namely by drying directly in the sun. Besides being ineffective, this method is also very dependent on sunlight. Therefore, this study proposes a corn drying machine using a microcontroller and PID controller so that drying can run optimally. Besides that, the reason for making this tool is that the drying of corn kernels can continue without dependence on sunlight. To achieve the conditions of corn in accordance with the drying standard of 14%, the SHT11 sensor is needed to detect the moisture content in corn. For heaters use 5 heating elements and exhaust fans as heat conductors. Humidity regulation using the setpoint that is on the microcontroller. Based on testing, the tool can run well and has the advantage of shorter drying time than conventional methods. The test results obtained that the average value of the MEA (Mean Absolute Error) is 0.611% and the average RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) is 0.687%, Time Constant = 55 seconds, Rise Time = 6.95 seconds and Setting Time = 164.45 seconds at 21.5% RH setpoint.
Traffic Shaping Menggunakan Metode HTB (Hierarchical Token Bucket) pada Jaringan Nirkabel
Authors: Budin Shiha , Riadi Imam
Published: December 2019

Perkembangan zaman yang semakin pesat menuntut adanya layanan informasi yang lebih cepat, tepat, dan akurat menjadikan jaringan komputer sebagai kebutuhan utama. Traffic Shaping dengan Quality of Service (QoS) dapat digunakan dalam mengoptimalkan bandwidth suatu jaringan untuk menentukan jenis-jenis lalu lintas jaringan. Metode Hierarchical Token Bucket (HTB) dapat mengimplementasi pembagian trafik yang lebih akurat, dengan bandwidth yang tidak digunakan dapat dioptimalkan oleh pengguna lain. Hasil traffic shaping menggunakan metode HTB menghasilkan rata-rata indeks QoS yaitu 3,75 dan dapat dikategorikan Baik, dibandingkan sebelum menerapkan traffic shaping yaitu rata-rata 2,25 yang dikategorikan Kurang Baik. Berdasarkan hasil pengujian dapat disimpulkan bahwa kinerja jaringan hotspot dengan Traffic Shaping dan Quality of Service (QoS)  dapat meningkatkan kualitas jaringan daripada sebelumnya.The development of an increasingly rapid era requires the existence of information services that are faster, more precise, and accurate, making computer networks a primary need. Traffic Shaping with Quality of Service (QoS) can be used in optimizing the bandwidth of a network to determine the types of network traffic. The Hierarchical Token Bucket (HTB) method can implement more accurate traffic sharing, with unused bandwidth being optimized by other users. The results of traffic shaping using the HTB method produces an average QoS index of 3.75 and can be categorized Good, compared to before applying traffic shaping which is an average of 2.25 which is categorized as Poor. Based on the test results it can be concluded that the performance of hotspot networks with Traffic Shaping and Quality of Service (QoS) can improve network quality than before.
Implementasi PID Navigasi Pelacakan Titik Api dengan Sensor Flame Array pada Robot Hexapod untuk Kontes Robot Pemadam Api Indonesia
Authors: Dzulfiqar Muhammad Dhia , Widodo Nuryono Satya
Published: December 2019

Robot Hexapod Pemadam Api merupakan robot berkaki 6 yang bertugas menyusuri ruangan labirin untuk menemukan dan memadamkan api dalam waktu yang singkat. Dalam menjalankan tugasnya dibutuhkan 2 buah sensor untuk menjalankan tugas ini yaitu sensor flame array dan sensor Sharp GP. Sensor flame array terdiri dari 16 buah sensor flame yang digunakan untuk mengetahui nilai error berdasarkan letak keberadaan api yang mampu dijangkau dalam rentang horisontal 180 derajat. Sementara sensor Sharp GP berfungsi untuk mengetahui jarak antara robot dengan lilin sebagai sumber api. Kedua sensor ini berperan sebagai pelengkap dalam bernavigasi light following agar robot mampu menemukan, menghampiri, dan memposisikan bagian tengah muka robot berhadapan dengan api tanpa menabraknya. Dalam bernavigasi robot dikontrol oleh Pengendali PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative). Hasil pengujian menunjukan bahwa pengendali proportional berperan mempercepat robot mengarah ke api. Pengendali derivative berperan dalam meredam terjadinya osilasi yang disebabkan kontrol proportional dalam mengejar titik api. Sementara kontrol integral berperan dalam merevisi kekeliruan robot pada set point. Hasil pengujian lain menunjukan keberhasilan dari implementasi pada robot hexapod untuk memadamkan api membutuhkan waktu rata-rata 5,5 detik. Sementara nilai parameter PID terbaik adalah Kp=35, Ki=20, dan Kd=20.Fire Extinguisher Hexapod Robot is a 6-legged robot whose job is to navigate the labyrinth room to find and extinguish the fire in a short time. In carrying out their duties, two sensors are needed to carry out this task, namely the flame array sensor and the Sharp GP sensor. Flame array sensor consists of 16 flame sensors that are used to determine the error value based on the location of the existence of a fire that can be reached within the horizontal range of 180 degrees. While the Sharp GP sensor functions to determine the distance between the robot and the candle as a source of the fire. Both of these sensors act as a complement in navigating the light following so that the robot is able to find, approach, and position the centre of the face of the robot facing the fire without crashing into it. In navigating the robot is controlled by PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) Controller. The test results show that the proportional controller has the role of accelerating the robot to fire. The derivative controller plays a role in reducing the occurrence of oscillations caused by proportional control in the pursuit of hotspots. While integral control plays a role in revising the errors of the robot at the set point. Other test results show the success of the implementation of the hexapod robot to extinguish the fire takes an average of 5.5 seconds. While the best PID parameter values are Kp = 35, Ki = 20, and Kd = 20.
Klasifikasi Jenis Pencabutan Layanan oleh Pelanggan Indihome Menggunakan Metode Chi-Square Automatic Interaction Detection
Authors: Khodijatunnuriyah Siti , Pratiwi Hasih
Published: December 2019

Market segmentation is a classic topic in marketing which is never loss its attractiveness. In addition to market segmentation, customer satisfaction is important in the field of marketing. Customer satisfaction is a person's feelings after using goods or services produced by a company. High customer satisfaction shows a company's success in producing goods or services. Statistics provides many tools for segmentation research. One of statistical tool for segmentation research which takes the dependency method as an approach is Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) analysis. CHAID analysis would provide decision tree like diagram which provide information about degree of association from dependent variable to the independent variables and the information about segments characteristic. In this case, the CHAID analysis is used to determine the type of service revocation segmentation by Indihome customers. Based on CHAID analysis, 25 segmentations were obtained, which consisted of revocation of the downgrade category of 45314 customers and the number of revocation of the Churn Out category by 11137 customers.
Keywords : market segmentation, customer satisfaction, CHAID, Indihome