bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Droxidopa as an effective treatment for refractory neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and reflex bradycardia in amyloid light-chain amyloidosis: a case report
Authors: Ho Annie H. , Kinter Christopher W. , Wight John , Neelam Anudeep R. , Krakow David
Published: June 2020

Background

Droxidopa is an oral treatment for the stepwise treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension from autonomic dysfunction. It has been shown to be useful predominantly with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension secondary to Parkinson’s disease, but only a few cases have documented its usefulness in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension due to amyloidosis, which is often severe and refractory. In addition, only one source in the literature reports the concomitant use of midodrine and droxidopa for such patients. Finally, we argue that droxidopa seems to have a protective effect against episodes of reflex bradycardia, which is not previously reported.

Case presentation

A 64-year-old white man was admitted for 1 year of worsening syncopal episodes, diarrhea, failure to thrive, heart failure, and neuropathy. Medical emergencies were called five times on the overhead hospital intercom over a 4-day period in the beginning of his admission due to severe hypotension and bradycardia. He was eventually diagnosed as having amyloid light-chain amyloidosis and myeloma. After starting droxidopa, both his systolic blood pressure and reflex bradycardia improved, and no more medical emergency events were called during the remaining 30 days of admission. He felt much better subjectively and was able to sit upright and engage in physical therapy.

Conclusions

We show that droxidopa is effective when used with midodrine to treat refractory neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in patients with amyloidosis. There are very few cases reporting the use of droxidopa in amyloidosis, with only one study that uses droxidopa and midodrine concomitantly. In addition, our patient’s reflex bradycardia improved drastically after starting droxidopa, which we believe is mediated by increased systemic norepinephrine. There were no side effects to droxidopa, and the benefits lasted well beyond the reported duration of 1–2 weeks that was noted to be a limitation in some studies.
The effects of pre- and post-partum depression on child behavior and psychological development from birth to pre-school age: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Takács Lea , Kandrnal Vít , Kaňková Šárka , Bartoš František , Mudrák Jiří
Published: June 2020

Background

Pre- and post-partum depression is a common mood disorder with detrimental effects on both mother and child. The aim of the proposed review is to summarize evidence related to the effects of both pre- and post-partum depression on child behavior and development from birth to preschool age. In particular, our review will address mutual relations between pre- and post-partum depression in order to determine whether pre- and post-partum depression predict child psychological outcomes independently, whether there is an effect of timing of depression on child outcomes, whether pre- and post-partum depression interact to affect child outcomes, and whether the effect of pre-partum depression is mediated by depression after child’s birth.

Methods

We will include prospective longitudinal studies that report data about the effects of both pre- and post-partum depression on child psychological outcomes as published in peer-reviewed academic journals since January 1998. We will search EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Wiley Online databases to identify original research articles written in English. Two independent reviewers will screen search results in two stages: (i) titles and abstracts and (ii) full text. The first one will extract data into tables, while the latter will verify whether the data extracted are correct. We will assess the risk of bias in the selected studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP), Cohort Study Checklist. The results of the review will be reported in a narrative form. If there are sufficient data available, a meta-analysis will be conducted using metaSEM package in R.

Discussion

The proposed review will be the first systematic review summarizing the effects of both pre- and post-partum depression on child psychological development and behavior from birth to preschool age. The results of such a review may contribute to a better understanding of mutual relations between pre- and post-partum depression in their effects on child outcomes. They may also shed light on what periods in early human development are most vulnerable to the effects of maternal depression.

Trial registration

PROSPERO CRD42018106269
Existence of solution for a resonant p-Laplacian second-order m-point boundary value problem on the half-line with two dimensional kernel
Authors: Imaga O. F. , Iyase S. A.
Published: June 2020

The existence of a solution for a second-order p-Laplacian boundary value problem at resonance with two dimensional kernel will be considered in this paper. A semi-projector, the Ge and Ren extension of Mawhin’s coincidence degree theory, and algebraic processes will be used to establish existence results, while an example will be given to validate our result.
On stability analysis and existence of positive solutions for a general non-linear fractional differential equations
Authors: Devi Amita , Kumar Anoop , Baleanu Dumitru , Khan Aziz
Published: June 2020

In this article, we deals with the existence and uniqueness of positive solutions of general non-linear fractional differential equations (FDEs) having fractional derivative of different orders involving p-Laplacian operator. Also we investigate the Hyers–Ulam (HU) stability of solutions. For the existence result, we establish the integral form of the FDE by using the Green function and then the existence of a solution is obtained by applying Guo–Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem. For our purpose, we also check the properties of the Green function. The uniqueness of the result is established by applying the Banach contraction mapping principle. An example is offered to ensure the validity of our results.
Parametric Gevrey asymptotics in two complex time variables through truncated Laplace transforms
Authors: Chen G. , Lastra A. , Malek S.
Published: June 2020

This work is devoted to the study of a family of linear initial value problems of partial differential equations in the complex domain, dealing with two complex time variables. The use of a truncated Laplace-like transformation in the construction of the analytic solution allows one to overcome a small divisor phenomenon arising from the geometry of the problem and represents an alternative approach to the one proposed in a recent work (Lastra and Malek in Adv. Differ. Equ. 2020:20, 2020) by the last two authors. The result leans on the application of a fixed point argument and the classical Ramis–Sibuya theorem.
Near real-time optimization of fog service placement for responsive edge computing
Authors: Goethals Tom , De Turck Filip , Volckaert Bruno
Published: June 2020

In recent years, computing workloads have shifted from the cloud to the fog, and IoT devices are becoming powerful enough to run containerized services. While the combination of IoT devices and fog computing has many advantages, such as increased efficiency, reduced network traffic and better end user experience, the scale and volatility of the fog and edge also present new problems for service deployment scheduling.Fog and edge networks contain orders of magnitude more devices than cloud data centers, and they are often less stable and slower. Additionally, frequent changes in network topology and the number of connected devices are the norm in edge networks, rather than the exception as in cloud data centers.This article presents a service scheduling algorithm, labeled “Swirly”, for fog and edge networks containing hundreds of thousands of devices, which is capable of incorporating changes in network conditions and connected devices. The theoretical performance is explored, and a model of the behaviour and limits of fog nodes is constructed. An evaluation of Swirly is performed, showing that it is capable of managing service meshes for at least 300.000 devices in near real-time.
Aggregate-related microbial communities and nutrient stoichiometry under different croplands
Authors: Cui Hu , Ou Yang , Lv Duian , Wang Lixia , Liang Aizhen , Yan Baixing , Li Yingxin
Published: June 2020

Ecological stoichiometry is an important indicator presenting multiple elements balance in agro-ecosystems. However, information on microbial communities and nutrient stoichiometry in soil aggregate fractions under different croplands (rice, maize, and soybean fields) remains limited. Thus, this study investigated water-stable aggregate structure and their internal nutrient stoichiometry under different croplands and ascertain their interaction mechanism with microbial communities. The results showed that no significant difference on the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N) in soil aggregate fractions was observed, while the carbon-to-phosphorus ratio (C:P) and the nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio (N:P) were ranked as rice field > maize field > soybean field, and were higher in mega-aggregates (ME, > 1 mm). General fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), Gram-positive bacteria (G+), and Gram-negative bacteria (G−) were predominant microbial communities in all croplands and tented to condense into coarse-aggregates. Redundancy analysis (RDA) demonstrated that N:P ratio was primary environmental controls on the distribution of soil microorganisms. In the Sanjiang Plain, N was the nutrient element limiting agro-ecosystem productivity, and rice cultivation is expected to improve the N-limited nutrient status.
The epidemiology of carbapenem-non-susceptible Acinetobacter species in Europe: analysis of EARS-Net data from 2013 to 2017
Authors: Ayobami Olaniyi , Willrich Niklas , Suwono Beneditta , Eckmanns Tim , Markwart Robby
Published: June 2020

Background

Due to limited therapeutic options and their association with high mortality and morbidity, carbapenem-non-susceptible Acinetobacter spp. (CNA) are of significant public health importance. This study aimed to describe current epidemiological trends of CNA proportions in Europe and to identify factors that are associated with carbapenem non-susceptibility of isolates from patients with invasive Acinetobacter spp. infections.

Methods

Data from routine carbapenem susceptibility testing of 18,412 invasive clinical Acinetobacter spp. isolates from 30 European countries in 2013–2017 were analysed using descriptive statistical analyses and uni- and multivariable regression analyses. These data were obtained from the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net).

Results

The population-weighted mean proportion of carbapenem-non-susceptible Acinetobacter spp. in Europe is 35.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 29.7–42.0%). With CNA proportions of 75.5% (95% CI 71.2–79.4%) and 71.5% (95% CI 66.7–75.9%) the burden of CNA is particularly high in Southern and Eastern European regions. In contrast, Northern and Western European regions recorded CNA proportions of 2.8% (95% CI 1.2–6.0%) and 6.3% (95% CI 4.5–8.9%), respectively. Population-weighted mean CNA proportions are especially high in Acinetobacter spp. isolates from intensive care units (54.0% [95% CI 47.6–60.3%]). Male gender, age above 20 years and ICU admission were identified as independent factors associated with an increased likelihood of CNA.

Conclusion

The burden of carbapenem-non-susceptible Acinetobacter spp. is particularly high in Southern and Eastern Europe. There is a risk that resistance could spread to other parts of Europe. Therefore, increased efforts in infection control and antibiotic stewardship, particularly in Intensive Care Units, are necessary to combat the spread of CNA in Europe.
Dried fruit pomace inclusion in poultry diet: growth performance, intestinal morphology and physiology
Authors: Colombino Elena , Ferrocino Ilario , Biasato Ilaria , Cocolin Luca Simone , Prieto-Botella Daniel , Zduńczyk Zenon , Jankowski Jan , Milala Joanna , Kosmala Monika , Fotschki Bartosz , Capucchio Maria Teresa , Juśkiewicz Jerzy
Published: June 2020

Background

Fruit pomaces are by-products rich in polyphenol compounds and dietary fiber. They seem to play an important role in regulating the gut microbiota, morphology and physiology. The aim of this study was to assess whether apple (A), blackurrant (B) or strawberry (S) pomaces could be suitable ingredients in broiler diets and their effect on gut health. A total of 480 male broilers were randomly allotted to 8 dietary treatments with lower (3%-L) or higher (6%-H) dietary fiber content: two control groups (CL/CH), two A diets (AL/AH), two B diets (BL/BH), two S diets (SL/SH). Diet and fruit pomaces were chemically analyzed to assess polyphenol concentration and fibre fraction content. After the evaluation of growth performance, 6 birds/group were slaughtered at 35 days of age. Morphometric and histopathological investigations were performed on duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Excreta were collected to perform microbiota evaluation by 16S DNA sequencing. Weight, viscosity, enzymatic activity, short chain fatty acid (SCFAs) and ammonia concentration were determined in ileum and/or ceca content.

Results

A pomace and A diets showed the lowest polyphenol content and the highest content of soluble fibre fraction. No significant differences were observed for growth performance, gut morphometry and histopathology (P > 0.05). Dietary fruit pomace inclusion increased the weight of ileum and ceca and the ileum digesta viscosity (P < 0.05). In the ileum, A and S groups showed lower bacterial α-glucosidase activity than C groups. Moreover, small intestine SCFAs concentration was higher in fruit pomaces diets (P < 0.05). In ceca, B and S groups showed lower ammonia concentration and higher SCFAs than C. Dietary treatments also influenced the activity of α-glucosidase, α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase β-glucuronidase and xylase. Regarding microbiota, at phylum level, Firmicutes were differentially abundant across treatment (maximum for C and minimum in S, FDR > 0.05). At genus level, an increase ofWeissellain AH andErwiniain S/B diets, as well as a decrease ofLactobacillusin all fruit pomace groups were recorded (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Fruit pomaces could be suitable ingredients in poultry nutrition even if further studies are needed to better understand which doses is more recommended to avoid negative effects on gut microbiota.
Leukemia incidence trends at the global, regional, and national level between 1990 and 2017
Authors: Dong Ying , Shi Oumin , Zeng Quanxiang , Lu Xiaoqin , Wang Wei , Li Yong , Wang Qi
Published: June 2020

Background

Leukemias are a group of life-threatening malignant disorders of the blood and bone marrow. The incidence of leukemia varies by pathological types and among different populations.

Methods

We retrieved the incidence data for leukemia by sex, age, location, calendar year, and type from the Global Burden of Disease online database. The estimated average percentage change (EAPC) was used to quantify the trends of the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of leukemia from 1990 to 2017.

Results

Globally, while the number of newly diagnosed leukemia cases increased from 354.5 thousand in 1990 to 518.5 thousand in 2017, the ASIR decreased by 0.43% per year. The number of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases worldwide increased from 49.1 thousand in 1990 to 64.2 thousand in 2017, whereas the ASIR experienced a decrease (EAPC = − 0.08, 95% CI − 0.15, − 0.02). Between 1990 and 2017, there were 55, 29, and 111 countries or territories that experienced a significant increase, remained stable, and experienced a significant decrease in ASIR of ALL, respectively. The case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has increased more than twice between 1990 and 2017. The ASIR of CLL increased by 0.46% per year from 1990 to 2017. More than 85% of all countries saw an increase in ASIR of CLL. In 1990, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) accounted for 18.0% of the total leukemia cases worldwide. This proportion increased to 23.1% in 2017. The ASIR of AML increased from 1.35/100,000 to 1.54/100,000, with an EAPC of 0.56 (95% CI 0.49, 0.62). A total of 127 countries or territories experienced a significant increase in the ASIR of AML. The number of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cases increased from 31.8 thousand in 1990 to 34.2 thousand in 2017. The ASIR of CML decreased from 0.75/100,000 to 0.43/100,000. A total of 141 countries or territories saw a decrease in ASIR of CML.

Conclusions

A significant decrease in leukemia incidence was observed between 1990 and 2017. However, in the same period, the incidence rates of AML and CLL significantly increased in most countries, suggesting that both types of leukemia might become a major global public health concern.
Critical medical ecology and SARS-COV-2 in the urban environment: a pragmatic, dynamic approach to explaining and planning for research and practice
Authors: De Ver Dye Timothy , Muir Erin , Farovitch Lorne , Siddiqi Shazia , Sharma Saloni
Published: June 2020

Background

Practitioners and researchers in the midst of overwhelming coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks are calling for new ways of looking at such pandemics, with an emphasis on human behavior and holistic considerations. Viral outbreaks are characterized by socio-behaviorally-oriented public health efforts aimed at reducing exposure and prevention of morbidity/mortality once infected. These efforts involve different points-of-view, generally, than do those aimed to understand the virus’ natural history. Rampant spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cities clearly signals that urban areas contain conditions favorable for rapid transmission of the virus.

Main text

The Critical Medical Ecology model is a multidimensional, multilevel way of viewing pandemics comprehensively, rooted simultaneously in microbiology and in anthropology, with shared priority for evolution, context, stressors, homeostasis, adaptation, and power relationships. Viewing COVID-19 with a Critical Medical Ecological lens suggests three important interpretations: 1) COVID-19 is equally — if not more — a socially-driven disease as much as a biomedical disease, 2) the present interventions available for primary prevention of transmission are social and behavioral interventions, and 3) wide variation in COVID-19 hospitalization/death rates is not expected to significantly be attributable to a more virulent and rapidly-evolving virus, but rather to differences in social and behavioral factors — and power dynamics — rather than (solely) biological and clinical factors. Cities especially are challenged due to logistics and volume of patients, and lack of access to sustaining products and services for many residents living in isolation.

Conclusions

In the end, SARS-CoV-2 is acting upon dynamic social human beings, entangled within structures and relationships that include but extend far beyond their cells, and in fact beyond their own individual behavior. As a comprehensive way of thinking, the Critical Medical Ecology model helps identify these elements and dynamics in the context of ecological processes that create, shape, and sustain people in their multidimensional, intersecting environments.
Efficient structural reliability analysis by using a PGD model in an adaptive importance sampling schema
Authors: Robens-Radermacher Annika , Unger Jörg F.
Published: June 2020

One of the most important goals in civil engineering is to guarantee the safety of the construction. Standards prescribe a required failure probability in the order of $$10^{-4}$$10-4 to $$10^{-6}$$10-6. Generally, it is not possible to compute the failure probability analytically. Therefore, many approximation methods have been developed to estimate the failure probability. Nevertheless, these methods still require a large number of evaluations of the investigated structure, usually finite element (FE) simulations, making full probabilistic design studies not feasible for relevant applications. The aim of this paper is to increase the efficiency of structural reliability analysis by means of reduced order models. The developed method paves the way for using full probabilistic approaches in industrial applications. In the proposed PGD reliability analysis, the solution of the structural computation is directly obtained from evaluating the PGD solution for a specific parameter set without computing a full FE simulation. Additionally, an adaptive importance sampling scheme is used to minimize the total number of required samples. The accuracy of the failure probability depends on the accuracy of the PGD model (mainly influenced on mesh discretization and mode truncation) as well as the number of samples in the sampling algorithm. Therefore, a general iterative PGD reliability procedure is developed to automatically verify the accuracy of the computed failure probability. It is based on a goal-oriented refinement of the PGD model around the adaptively approximated design point. The methodology is applied and evaluated for 1D and 2D examples. The computational savings compared to the method based on a FE model is shown and the influence of the accuracy of the PGD model on the failure probability is studied.
Quantification of formic acid and acetic acid emissions from heritage collections under indoor room conditions. Part I: laboratory and field measurements
Authors: Smedemark Signe Hjerrild , Ryhl-Svendsen Morten , Schieweck Alexandra
Published: June 2020

The area-specific emission rates of formic acid and acetic acid from heritage objects made of wood and paper were quantified for normal indoor room conditions (23 °C, 50% RH) as well as for cooler (10 °C) and drier (20% RH) conditions. At normal indoor conditions, the emission rate of formic acid and acetic acid together were in the range of 10 to 300 µg m−2 h−1. The emission rate decreased by a factor of 2–4 from wood and paper when lowering the temperature from 23 to 10 °C. The emission rate decreased by more than a factor of 2 when reducing the relative humidity (RH) from 50% to 20%. This corresponds well with field measurements in real storage rooms containing heritage collections. In addition, 36 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified to be released by four paper samples. All the VOCs detected can in general originate from several sources. Therefore, these substances cannot be used as unique degradation markers for paper but rather as an indication of emission sources present in the indoor environment.
Anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of cordycepin-rich Cordyceps militaris in a Sprague–Dawley rat model of alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress
Authors: Ahn Hee-Young , Cho Hyun-Dong , Cho Young-Su
Published: June 2020

Hyperlipidemia is involved in serious cardiovascular disease, however, synthetic drugs to reduce lipid contents in blood stream have been found to induce serious side effects. In the current study, we compared anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of Paecilomyces japonica (PJ), Cordyceps militaris (CM) and cordycepin-rich Cordyceps militaris (CMα) in rats induced alcoholic hyperlipidemia (AIH) and oxidative stress. The experimental groups were divided in N (water), C (30% alcohol), PJ (30% alcohol + 3% PJ powder), CM (30% alcohol + 3% CM powder), CMα (30% alcohol + 3% CMα powder) and SM [30% alcohol + 0.1% silymarin (SM)]. Compared to C group, supplementation of PJ, CM, CMα and SM slightly alleviated the increased weight ratio of liver and kidney in the alcohol-treated rats. In addition, a significant or slight reduction was identified in total lipid, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels in the rats receiving PJ, CM and CMα as compared with C group. Administration of PJ, CM and CMα also blocked alcohol-induced lipid peroxidation via a decrease of malondialdehyde (MDA), and activated anti-oxidant enzyme, glutathione (GSH), in serum and various organ tissues. Overall, cordycepin-rich CMα showed highest anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemia effect under chronic alcoholic damage. Our results indicate that CMα might be useful in inhibiting the oxidation and hyperlipidemia in alcohol-induced hepatic disease possibly because of potential anti-oxidative and anti-hyperlipidemic activities of cordycepin.
Understanding the traditional customary law of the Yi people via ethnographic film – collaborative ethnographic film making process
Authors: Pang Tao
Published: June 2020

This paper will take the film The Rules from Ancestors as the basis to discuss the “writing” process of ethnographic film, addressing how a contemporary visual ethnography can be realized through the presentation of a film on ethnic culture.

The Rules from Ancestors is an anthropological film about the Traditional Customary Law of the Yi people in China, produced by the author of this paper in 2006. As an integrated anthropological film, its theoretical basis is the “holism” and “legal pluralism” of legal anthropology, and its stories are narrated through objective observation and interactive collaboration. The author attempted to construct an “intermediary context” within the film’s narrative structure. The aim was to establish an experimental visual ethnographic expression that progresses from “complicity” to “sharing”, to replace the traditional ethnographic mode of expression, localized fieldwork. In so doing, I hoped to explore the possibilities of collaborative knowledge production between the photographer, the subject, and the audience, as well as a non-unidirectional methodology for the flow and transfer of knowledge.

Through the exploration described above, this paper attempts to respond to the ongoing debate on the relationship between visual anthropology and written anthropology. Is anthropological film a “self-contained system reaching the same goal with different methods”, or simply an “auxiliary tool” of written anthropology? Based on an ethnographic introspection on anthropological filmmaking practices, this paper will provide explicit support to the former standpoint, as well as a discussion on methodology.
Identification of FERONIA-like receptor genes involved in rice-Magnaporthe oryzae interaction
Authors: Huang Yan-Yan , Liu Xin-Xian , Xie Ying , Lin Xiao-Yu , Hu Zi-Jin , Wang He , Wang Liang-Fang , Dang Wen-Qiang , Zhang Ling-Li , Zhu Yong , Feng Hui , Pu Mei , Zhao Ji-Qun , Zhang Ji-Wei , Li Yan , Fan Jing , Wang Wen-Ming
Published: June 2020

The receptor-like kinase (RLK) FERONIA functions in immunity in Arabidopsis. Here, we systemically screened rice RLK genes encoding FERONIA-like receptor (FLRs) that may be involved in rice-Magnaporthe oryzae interaction. The expression of 16 FLR genes was examined in response to the infection of M. oryzae in different rice varieties. For each FLR gene, at least two independent mutants were generated by CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology in rice variety Zhonghua 11 (ZH11). Blast disease assay identified that the mutants of FLR1 and FLR13 showed increased susceptibility, whereas the mutants of FLR2 and FLR11 displayed enhanced resistance. Consistently, the mutant of FLR1 enhanced, but the mutant of FLR2 delayed the M. oryzae infection progress, which might be associated with the altered expression of defense-related genes. Together, these data indicate that at least 4 FLR genes are involved in rice-M. oryzae interaction and thus are potentially valuable in blast disease resistance.
Effects of aspect ratio and inclination angle on aerodynamic loads of a flat plate
Authors: Shademan Mehrdad , Naghib-Lahouti Arash
Published: June 2020

Large Eddy Simulations are carried out to analyze flow past flat plate in different configurations and inclinations. A thin flat plate is considered at three inclination angles (α = 30°, 60° and 90°) and three aspect ratios (AR = 0.5, 2 and 5). The Reynolds number based on the free stream velocity and chord length of the plate at different inclination angles varies between 75,000 to 150,000. An increase in the inclination angle while the aspect ratio (span to chord) is constant results in higher drag and lower lift on the plate. Increasing the aspect ratio at a constant inclination angle increases the mean aerodynamic loading except for the α = 30° and AR = 0.5 case where the mean forces are larger than the other aspect ratios for this specific inclination angle. The small aspect ratio suppresses and blocks the separation of the flow from the top and bottom edges causing larger aerodynamic forces relative to AR = 2, 5. Visualization of the flow structures shows the tip vortices have a significant role in controlling the shedding vortices from the top and bottom edges. At α = 30° and AR = 0.5, the two tip vortcies control and suppress the flow separation from the top and bottom edges. A stable wake was found for this case with no fluctuation. As the aspect ratio increases, the influence of the tip vortices on flow separation from the top and bottom edges reduces. As a result, larger fluctuations were found for cases with higher aspect ratios.
Highlighting Prosocial Affordances of Science in Textbooks to Promote Science Interest
Authors: Zambrano Jeanette , Lee Garam Ann , Leal Christina C. , Thoman Dustin B.
Published: June 2020

Science stereotypes include robust beliefs that science fields lack opportunities to fulfill prosocial goals. These beliefs reduce student interest in science-especially for racial/ethnic minorities. Highlighting the prosocial utility value of science in textbooks can change these beliefs to promote undergraduate student interest.
A Hierarchical Mentoring Program Increases Confidence and Effectiveness in Data Analysis and Interpretation for Undergraduate Biology Students
Authors: Sorte Cascade J. B. , Aguilar-Roca Nancy M. , Henry Amy K. , Pratt Jessica D.
Published: June 2020

A hierarchical mentoring program incorporated into an upper-level ecology course led to improvements in perceived and demonstrated ability in data analysis and interpretation. Such a program contributes to career readiness by building core competencies in critical thinking and science communication.
Using the Q factor to detect closed microfractures
Authors: Blake Oshaine Omar , Faulkner Daniel Roy , Bascombe Renelle
Published: June 2020

Fractures are ubiquitous within the subsurface and play an important role in the fluid flow, elasticity, and strength of rocks. Because they are essential to geologic systems such as hydrocarbon and geothermal systems, they need to be properly imaged and monitored. We used the spectral-ratio technique to measure the P-wave Q factor ([Formula: see text]) and the S-wave Q factor ([Formula: see text]) of dry and water-saturated crystalline rock samples that were thermally fractured by heating to 250, 450, 650, and 850°C. Increasing the temperature during thermal treatment produces an increased fracture density that is isotropically distributed. The samples were subjected to hydrostatic pressures up to the pressure at which all fractures are closed, and they were axially loaded to 25% of the failure strength. Axial loading of the samples further closes fractures that are oriented perpendicular to the loading direction, but it opens those that are oriented parallel and oblique to the loading direction. Attenuation measurements were made in the frequency range of 0.8 to 1.7 MHz. At the fracture closure pressure, the sample with the highest fracture density showed a reduction in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] when compared to the sample with the lowest fracture density of 84% and 24%, respectively, under dry conditions and by 33% and 5%, respectively, under saturated conditions. The [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] increase as the samples were axially loaded. The increase is more pronounced in [Formula: see text] because it is less influenced by the opening of parallel and obliquely oriented fractures. The opening of these fractures mostly affects the propagation of the S-wave and therefore reduces the increase in [Formula: see text]. The results suggest that [Formula: see text] is very sensitive to fracture closure at intermediate and high effective mean stresses. We determine that [Formula: see text] is a useful measure of the fracture density even at high pressures at which fractures might be expected to be fully closed.
Defining Nonfunctioning Adrenal Adenomas on the Basis of the Occurrence of Hypocortisolism after Adrenalectomy
Authors: Eller-Vainicher Cristina , Morelli Valentina , Aresta Carmen , Salcuni Antonio Stefano , Falchetti Alberto , Carnevale Vincenzo , Persani Luca , Scillitani Alfredo , Chiodini Iacopo
Published: June 2020

Background

In patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AIs), there is uncertainty on how to rule out hypercortisolism. The occurrence of postsurgical (unilateral adrenalectomy) hypocortisolism (PSH) has been proposed as a proof of the presence of presurgical hypercortisolism in AI patients. The aim of this study was to define the thresholds of cortisol level after the 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (F-1mgDST), urinary free cortisol (UFC), midnight serum cortisol (MSC), and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) to predict the absence of PSH in AI patients undergoing surgery.

Methods

In 60 patients who underwent AI excision, cortisol secretion was assessed by a low-dose corticotropin stimulation test or insulin tolerance test when needed. We searched for the lowest presurgical value of F-1mgDST, UFC, and MSC and the highest value for ACTH in AI patients with PSH as indexes of normal cortisol secretion.

Results

The lowest values of F-1mgDST, UFC, and MSC and the highest value for ACTH in PSH patients were 1.2 µg/dL (33 nmol/L), 10.4 µg/24 hours (29 nmol/24 hours), 1.2 µg/dL (33 nmol/L), and 26.9 pg/mL (6 pmol/L), respectively, but only F-1mgDST <1.2 µg/dL (33 nmol/L) was able to predict the absence of PSH. Among AI patients with F-1mgDST <1.2 µg/dL (33 nmol/L) no subjects had diabetes mellitus and/or metabolic syndrome, and these subjects tended to have a better metabolic profile than those with F-1mgDST ≥1.2 µg/dL (33 nmol/L)

Conclusion

In AI patients a F-1mgDST <1.2 µg/dL (33 nmol/L) rules out PSH and could be used to exclude hypercortisolism in AI patients.
The influence of training-induced sarcomerogenesis on the history dependence of force
Authors: Chen Jackey , Mashouri Parastoo , Fontyn Stephanie , Valvano Mikella , Elliott-Mohamed Shakeap , Noonan Alex M. , Brown Stephen H. M. , Power Geoffrey A.
Published: June 2020

The increase or decrease in isometric force following active muscle lengthening or shortening, relative to a reference isometric contraction at the same muscle length and level of activation, are referred to as residual force enhancement (rFE) and residual force depression (rFD), respectively. The purpose of these experiments was to investigate the trainability of rFE and rFD on the basis of serial sarcomere number (SSN) alterations to history-dependent force properties. Maximal rFE/rFD measures from the soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) of rats were compared after 4 weeks of uphill/downhill running to a no-running control. SSN adapted to the training: soleus SSN was greater with downhill compared to uphill running, while EDL demonstrated a trend towards more SSN for downhill compared to no running. In contrast, rFE and rFD did not differ across training groups for either muscle. As such, it appears that training-induced SSN adaptations do not modify rFE/rFD at the whole-muscle level.
Morphology and performance of the “trap-jaw” cheliceral strikes in spiders (Araneae, Mecysmaucheniidae)
Authors: Wood Hannah M.
Published: June 2020

Mecysmaucheniidae spiders have evolved ultra-fast cheliceral strikes four times independently. The mechanism for producing these high-speed strikes is likely due to a latch/spring system that allows for stored energy to be rapidly released. This study examines two different sister-lineages: Zearchaea has ultra-fast cheliceral strikes and Aotearoa, based on external morphology, is hypothesized to have slower strikes. Using high-speed videography, I gather kinematic data on each taxon and test the hypothesis that external morphology predicts cheliceral strike performance. Then, using histology and data from µ-Computed-Technology scanning I ask whether internal muscle morphologies also correspond to performance differences. Results from high-speed video analysis reveal that Zearchaea sp. achieves peak angular velocities of 25.0±4.8 x 103 rad s−1 (mean±standard deviation) in durations of 0.0843±0.017 ms. The fastest recorded strike had a peak angular and linear velocity of 30.8 x 103 rad s−1 and 18.2 m s−1, respectively. The slower striking sister-species, Aotearoa magna, was three orders of magnitude slower in velocity and longer in duration. Histology revealed sarcomere length differences, with some muscles specialized to be slow and forceful, and others to be fast and non-forceful. 3D printed models reveal structural differences that explain how the chelicerae hinge open and closed. Combining all of this evidence I put forth a hypothesis for the ultra-fast trap-jaw mechanism. This research documents the morphological shifts that accompany ultra-fast movements and result in increased rotation in joints and increased muscle specialization.
A field study of auditory sensitivity of the Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica
Authors: Mooney T. Aran , Smith Adam , Larsen Ole Næsbye , Hansen Kirstin Anderson , Rasmussen Marianne
Published: June 2020

Hearing is vital for birds as they rely on acoustic communication with parents, mates, chicks, and conspecifics. Amphibious seabirds face many ecological pressures, having to sense cues in air and underwater. Natural noise conditions have helped shape this sensory modality but anthropogenic noise is increasingly impacting seabirds. Surprisingly little is known about their hearing, despite their imperiled status. Understanding sound sensitivity is vital when we seek to manage manmade noise impacts. We measured the auditory sensitivity of nine wild Atlantic puffins, Fratercula arctica, in a capture-and-release setting in an effort to define their audiogram and compare these data to the hearing of other birds and natural rookery noise. Auditory sensitivity was tested using auditory evoked potential (AEP) methods. Responses were detected from 0.5 to 6 kHz. Mean thresholds were below 40 dB re 20 µPa from 0.75 to 3 kHz indicating that these were the most sensitive auditory frequencies, similar to other seabirds. Thresholds in the ‘middle’ frequency range 1-2.5 kHz were often down to 10-20 dB re 20 µPa. Lowest thresholds were typically at 2.5 kHz. These are the first in-air auditory sensitivity data from multiple wild-caught individuals of a deep-diving Alcid seabird. The audiogram was comparable to other birds of similar size, thereby indicating that puffins have fully functioning aerial hearing despite the constraints of their deep-diving, amphibious lifestyles. There was some variation in thresholds, yet animals generally had sensitive ears suggesting aerial hearing is an important sensory modality for this taxon.
Ultrafast Reaction Imaging and Control by Ultrashort Intense Laser Pulses
Authors: Hishikawa Akiyoshi , Matsuda Akitaka , Fushitani Mizuho
Published: June 2020

Molecules irradiated with intense laser pulses (field intensity ∼1015 W/cm2) exhibit a variety of characteristic processes, such as tunneling ionization, electron rescattering, high-order harmonics generation and Coulomb explosion, that cannot be seen in a weak light field. These features have attracted attention in the last decades as they provide unique approaches to visualize and manipulate ultrafast dynamics of atoms and molecules. Here we discuss molecular processes in intense laser fields, with focuses on the applications to ultrafast imaging and control of reaction dynamics.
Visual Understanding of Vibronic Coupling and Quantitative Rate Expression for Singlet Fission in Molecular Aggregates
Authors: Shizu Katsuyuki , Adachi Chihaya , Kaji Hironori
Published: June 2020

Singlet fission (SF) is an exciton dissociation process that generates two triplet excitons from one singlet exciton. Because the exciton dissociation process involves internal conversion between multiexcitonic states, it is necessary to calculate multiexcitonic vibronic couplings (VCs) and identify what kinds of vibrational modes activate internal conversion to fully understand the SF mechanism. In this study, we developed a method of visually understanding “interstate” vibronic couplings and “quantitatively” evaluating SF rates for dimers in molecular aggregates. We applied the method to tetracene dimers in crystals by computing and visually analyzing interstate VCs between the multiexcitonic states within a configuration interaction scheme. From the calculated VCs, a low-frequency mode (62 cm−1) was found to strongly promote the generation of correlated triplet pairs from a photoexcited singlet state. The spatial overlap between the wave functions of the correlated triplet pairs and singlet state has a large distribution, leading to the large VC of the low-frequency mode. From the calculated VCs, we estimated SF rates in the temperature range from 50 to 300 K. The calculated SF rate was quantitatively in good agreement with an experimental result, which validated our method of calculating VCs and SF rates for dimers in molecular aggregates.
Orofacial manifestations of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis: a case series from Brazil
Authors: Falcão Gleicy Gabriela Vitória Spinola Carneiro , Lins-Kusterer Liliane , Leite-Ribeiro Patricia Miranda , Sarmento Viviane Almeida
Published: June 2020

Dentists play a fundamental role in the early diagnosis of oral leishmaniasis. Although these lesions are rare at oral mucosa, this is one of the manifestations sites of the disease This study reports seven clinical cases of orofacial mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. All had leishmaniasis diagnosis confirmed by laboratory tests, with orofacial involvement. Five out of the seven cases were males, and in four cases, patients had associated comorbidities. Late diagnosis was observed, resulting in treatment delay and increased hospitalization stay. One patient had severe psychological consequences due to facial deformity. The lack of differential diagnosis due the great variability of clinical presentation of the lesions and frequent unspecific histopathology represent a challenge for the dentist. In two reported cases, there were unspecific biopsy results. This series of cases highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis and treatment of oral and perioral leishmaniasis. Patients with atypical lesions, originating from or living in endemic regions, should be investigated for leishmaniasis. These procedures could avoid delays in diagnosis and decrease the risk of disease dissemination.
Lessons learned from recent randomized controlled trials comparing the immunogenicity of different infant vaccination schedules of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Authors: Pieciak Rachel C. , Gill Christopher J.
Published: June 2020

Background: The technically complex pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is arguably one of the most important and widely studied vaccines since the Hib vaccine. Given the complexity of its design, the cost of administering the PCV is tremendous. While we cannot make adjustments to the vaccine itself post licensure, we can manipulate the dosing schedule. And yet little work has been done to understand the differences in immune responses across different dosing schedules.

Methods: Accordingly, we conducted a review of three recently published randomized control trials that compared immune responses across commonly used vaccine schedules in both high- and low-income countries.

Results: Each of these studies assessed how changes to the number of doses, spacing between doses and the use/timing of a booster dose affected ELISA geometric mean concentrations post-primary and post-booster dose. If the goal is to administer vaccinations in the most immunologically efficient manner as possible, evidence from these studies would suggest that several commonly used vaccine schedules are missing the mark.

Conclusions: In order to deliver the most “bang for its buck”, PCV dosing schedules should not only leverage convenience but also immunological data. Without the reexamination of PCV schedules the status quo will remain inefficient, ineffective and needlessly expensive, threatening the sustainability of its implementation long-term.
Cigarette consumption in adult dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes: a review of the evidence, including new results from the PATH study
Authors: Lee Peter N. , Fry John S. , Forey Barbara A. , Coombs Katharine J. , Thornton Alison J.
Published: June 2020

Background:  Modelling disease risk from e-cigarette use requires knowing how much e-cigarette uptake affects a smoker’s cigarette consumption.  From Waves 1-3 of the US PATH study and other evidence, we sought answers to three questions: (Q1) Does consumption differ between dual users and exclusive smokers?  (Q2) Does initiating e-cigarettes affect cigarette consumption?  (Q3) Is baseline consumption related to later initiation of e-cigarettes?

Methods:  Consumption data from PATH were corrected for clear recording errors, with e-cigarette use classified as established or every day, and adjustment made for demographics, use of alcohol, drugs and other tobacco products, and age of starting smoking.  Searches identified other studies published since 2008, with Q1 answered from cross-sectional studies, and Q2 and Q3 also from prospective studies. 

Results: (Q1) In PATH, consumption in current every day e-cigarette users was 2-3 cigarettes per day lower in dual users, with no difference seen in established users.  From 31 published studies, consumption was no lower in dual users for current or ever e-cigarette users.  (Q2) In PATH study consistent decreases in consumption occurred in those becoming every day dual users with increases seen in those reverting to exclusive smoking.  Thirteen published studies consistently showed reduced consumption in those becoming dual users.  (Q3) Three studies consistently showed greater consumption in smokers subsequently initiating e-cigarettes, but no significant difference was seen for PATH. 

Conclusions:  Assessment is complicated by the few every day e-cigarette users in PATH, and between-study variability in quantifying e-cigarette use and presentation of results. As taking up e-cigarettes is associated with reducing consumption, finding no clear cross-sectional difference between dual users and exclusive smokers suggests smokers taking up e-cigarettes had higher consumption initially, limited evidence supporting this.  Given the much lower disease risk of e-cigarettes vs. cigarettes, smokers becoming dual users should somewhat reduce their disease risk.
MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIA
Authors: Belyaeva Elena
Published: June 2020

The clinical lecture presents information on the diagnosis and treatment of megaloblastic anemia. The lecture is ntended for practitioners of therapeutic profile.