bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The 3D annotated scans method: a new approach to ship timber recording
Authors: Van Damme Thomas , Auer Jens , Ditta Massimiliano , Grabowski Michał , Couwenberg Marie
Published: July 2020

Every year, maritime archaeologists around the globe are faced with the daunting task of recording hundreds, if not thousands, of individual ship timbers. The in-depth recording of ship timbers is a process which is both challenging and laborious, but it is an indispensable step in order to fully understand the construction of the ship the timbers formed a part of, and as archaeologists it is our duty to document all the information these complex artefacts hold to the best of our abilities. In this article, the authors first provide an overview of the methods currently in use for ship timber recording, namely 2D scaled drawing, 2D tracing, 3D contact digitising and 3D scanning. The respective advantages and limitations of these methods are then discussed in light of the various scientific and practical considerations that go into choosing a recording method for a project. Next, a new approach to ship timber recording, termed the “3D annotated scans method”, is introduced and discussed using a recent case study in northern Germany. At its core the method consists of two phases; a 3D scanning phase in which the timber is scanned in 3D, followed by a 3D annotation phase in which the recorder interprets the timber by tracing diagnostic features such as fasteners and toolmarks directly onto the timber’s digital model. The authors conclude that this new approach represents an improvement over current methods—both in terms of the quality of the scientific outputs and in terms of recording efficiency—and that, besides being implemented for the recording of ship timbers, the same method can also be used for a wide range of other heritage applications.
The diagnostic potential of low-field MRI in problematic total knee arthroplasties - a feasibility study
Authors: Schröder Femke F. , Post Corine E. , van Raak Sjoerd M. , Simonis Frank F. J. , Wagenaar Frank-Christiaan B. M. , Huis in’t Veld Rianne M. H. A. , Verdonschot Nico
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Low-field MRI, allowing imaging in supine and weight-bearing position, may be utilized as a non-invasive and affordable tool to differentiate between causes of dissatisfaction after TKA (‘problematic TKA’). However, it remains unclear whether low-field MRI results in sufficient image quality with limited metal artefacts. Therefore, this feasibility study explored the diagnostic value of low-field MRI concerning pathologies associated with problematic TKA’s’ by comparing low-field MRI findings with CT and surgical findings. Secondly, differences in patellofemoral parameters between supine and weight-bearing low-field MRI were evaluated.

Methods

Eight patients with a problematic TKA were scanned using low-field MRI in weight-bearing and supine conditions. Six of these patients underwent revision surgery. Scans were analysed by a radiologist for pathologies associated with a problematic TKA. Additional patellofemoral and alignment parameters were measured by an imaging expert. MRI observations were compared to those obtained with CT, the diagnosis based on the clinical work-up, and findings during revision surgery.

Results

MRI observations of rotational malalignment, component loosening and patellofemoral arthrosis were comparable with the clinical diagnosis (six out of eight) and were confirmed during surgery (four out of six). All MRI observations were in line with CT findings (seven out of seven). Clinical diagnosis and surgical findings of collateral excessive laxity could not be confirmed with MRI (two out of eight).

Conclusion

Low-field MRI shows comparable diagnostic value as CT and might be a future low cost and ionizing radiation free alternative. Differences between supine and weight-bearing MRI did not yield clinically relevant information.

The study was approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committees of Twente (Netherlands Trial Register: Trial NL7009 (NTR7207). Registered 5 March 2018, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/7009).
Multimodal therapy with surgery and adjuvant nivolumab for late-onset multiple liver metastases of choroidal malignant melanoma: a case report
Authors: Muraki Ryuta , Morita Yoshifumi , Ida Shinya , Kitajima Ryo , Furuhashi Satoru , Kiuchi Ryota , Takeda Makoto , Kikuchi Hirotoshi , Hiramatsu Yoshihiro , Sakaguchi Takanori , Kasuya Akira , Hotta Yoshihiro , Takeuchi Hiroya
Published: July 2020

Background

Choroidal malignant melanoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the eye in adults. Prognosis after recurrence of this disease has been dismal because of the absence of an effective therapy. However, resection of recurrent foci and a subsequent treatment with immune-checkpoint inhibitor may improve the prognosis after recurrence of this disease. This study presents a case of late-onset liver metastases of choroidal malignant melanoma, successfully treated with hepatectomy and postoperative adjuvant nivolumab.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old woman had undergone left ocular enucleation because of choroidal malignant melanoma 13 years prior to admission. She visited a nearby clinic with complaints of epigastric pain. She was referred to our hospital because a giant liver tumor was observed on abdominal ultrasonography. Enhanced computed tomography revealed multiple liver tumors in the right lobe, 49 mm in diameter with ring enhancement in subsegment (S) 5/6, and 14 and 8 mm without any enhancement in S7 and S5, respectively. On magnetic resonance imaging, the main tumor showed high intensity on T1-weighted with fat suppression, suggesting melanin deposition. Based on the diagnosis of multiple liver metastases of choroidal malignant melanoma, right hepatectomy and regional lymphadenectomy were performed. She was discharged without postoperative complications. Histological examination revealed that all tumors were metastatic malignant melanoma. She was treated with nivolumab postoperatively, and no recurrences were observed during 22 months of follow-up.

Conclusions

Aggressive surgery plus adjuvant nivolumab appears to be a promising treatment for choroidal malignant melanoma with late-onset liver metastases.
Effects of live and video simulation on clinical reasoning performance and reflection
Authors: Cleary Timothy J. , Battista Alexis , Konopasky Abigail , Ramani Divya , Durning Steven J. , Artino Anthony R.
Published: July 2020

Introduction

In recent years, researchers have recognized the need to examine the relative effectiveness of different simulation approaches and the experiences of physicians operating within such environments. The current study experimentally examined the reflective judgments, cognitive processing, and clinical reasoning performance of physicians across live and video simulation environments.

Methods

Thirty-eight physicians were randomly assigned to a live scenario or video case condition. Both conditions encompassed two components: (a) patient encounter and (b) video reflection activity. Following the condition-specific patient encounter (i.e., live scenario or video), the participants completed a Post Encounter Form (PEF), microanalytic questions, and a mental effort question. Participants were then instructed to re-watch the video (i.e., video condition) or a video recording of their live patient encounter (i.e., live scenario) while thinking aloud about how they came to the diagnosis and management plan.

Results

Although significant differences did not emerge across all measures, physicians in the live scenario condition exhibited superior performance in clinical reasoning (i.e., PEF) and a distinct profile of reflective judgments and cognitive processing. Generally, the live condition participants focused more attention on aspects of the clinical reasoning process and demonstrated higher level cognitive processing than the video group.

Conclusions

The current study sheds light on the differential effects of live scenario and video simulation approaches. Physicians who engaged in live scenario simulations outperformed and showed a distinct pattern of cognitive reactions and judgments compared to physicians who practiced their clinical reasoning via video simulation. Additionally, the current study points to the potential advantages of video self-reflection following live scenarios while also shedding some light on the debate regarding whether video-guided reflection, specifically, is advantageous. The utility of context-specific, micro-level assessments that incorporate multiple methods as physicians complete different parts of clinical tasks is also discussed.
Impact of maternal diabetes and obesity on fetal cardiac functions
Authors: Bayoumy Suzan , Habib Marwa , Abdelmageed Randa
Published: July 2020

Background

In several developing industrial countries, the incidence of obesity among populations is spreading quickly and dramatically; also, the frequency of maternal obesity is in continuous elevation, which represents a considerable public health problem. Maternal hyperglycemia is a common gestational risk factor for the fetus. Several studies proposed that maternal DM and obesity lead to intrauterine impacts which induce changes in the fetal myocardium, and the pre-pregnancy obesity and diabetes are accompanied with development of cardiovascular alterations in the offspring and subsequent pathological changes in their early life. The aim of this study is to assess the cardiac function in fetuses of obese pregnant women (FOW) and fetuses of diabetic women (FDW) in comparison with fetuses of normal pregnant women (FNW) using tissue Doppler imaging.

Results

There was impairment in systolic and diastolic cardiac function in both fetuses of obese and diabetic women with decreased global longitudinal strain tissue Doppler velocities at 30 weeks of gestation compared to fetuses of normal women.

Conclusion

Imaging of the fetus of pregnant women by Echo Doppler at about 30 weeks of gestations showed a reduced cardiac function of fetuses of obese and diabetic women matched with fetuses of normal BMI women. Our finding proposed that early subclinical alterations in the fetal cardiac output can arise from maternal obesity alone. This explains the predilection of children of obese mothers at advanced ages to cardiovascular disorder.
A new bonded silica based on an amino acid derivative as a TLC stationary phase to solve nitrophenol structural isomerism and ibuprofen stereoisomerism
Authors: Abu Rasheed Mouhammad , Alshaghel Ahmad , Sakur Amir Alhaj
Published: July 2020

Background

Many amino acids and their derivatives have been used previously as chiral selectors in thin layer chromatography. Herein, we reported the synthesis, characterization, and chromatographic evaluation of a new modified stationary phase based on (S)-3-(aminomethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid (also known as pregabalin) as an amino acid ligand bonded to the silica surface via triazine attachment.

Results

SC-2P (silica-cyanuric-2-pregabalin) is a bonded silica stationary phase prepared by direct binding of the pre-synthesized cyanuric-2-pregabalin organic ligand on the chlorinated silica surface. FT-IR and UV diffuse reflection spectroscopy (UV-DRS) were used to characterize the synthesized bonded phase, and the specific surface area was determined using the methylene blue Langmuir isotherm method to be 147.04 m2/g. TLC plates were prepared from a slurry of this synthesized material with 2 mM of Cu2+ as a selector additive, and the chromatographic characteristics of these plates were investigated to separate a ternary mixture of o-, m-, and p-nitrophenol as structural isomers, and a racemic mixture of (±)-ibuprofen as stereoisomers. Solvent systems of n-hexane:dichloroethane:n-propanol (75:20:5, v/v/v) and Dichloroethane:acetonitrile (90:10, v/v) were selected as mobile phases for nitrophenol and ibuprofen mixtures, respectively. The successful separation was densitometrically confirmed, and retardation factors (Rf) were determined for o-, m-, and p-nitrophenol at 320 nm to be 0.83, 0.45, and 0.28, and for R(−)-, S(+)-ibuprofen at 220 nm to be 0.43 and 0.63, respectively.

Conclusion

The synthesis, characterization, and chromatographic evaluation of SC-2P were reported in this article. SC-2P was used with copper ions to form in situ ligand exchange reagent (LER), which was successfully employed to solve an isomeric mixture of nitrophenol and a racemic mixture of (±)-ibuprofen. The synthesized stationary phase showed high repeatability with minimum Rf shifts between batches.
Successful Implementation of a Quality Improvement Intervention Toward a QOPI-Certified Breast Cancer Center in Mexico
Authors: Peña-Curiel Omar , Villarreal-Garza Cynthia , Canavati Mauricio , Velazquez-Ayala Karen Marlene , Castro-Carrasco Janeth , Garza-Ledezma María Alejandra , Zarzar-Handal Katia , Díaz-Pérez Héctor Marcelino , De la Garza-Ramos Cynthia , Ferrigno Ana S. , Martínez Enrique Francisco , Guerrier Vedner
Published: July 2020

INTRODUCTION:

As part of a quality improvement (QI) project undertaken during the 2018 edition of the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Quality Training Program (QTP), we evaluated our practice’s compliance to 70 measures regarding the Core, Symptom/Toxicity and Breast Cancer modules from the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) database. Thirteen measures were identified as being consistently low in documentation rate in our medical records (MR).

METHODS:

After establishing a multidisciplinary QI team, we defined to accomplish 100% documentation rate of these 13 QOPI measures in ≥ 80% of the monthly new patient MRs during the 6-month QTP. We designed a Microsoft Word MR template and implemented a new pre-consultation process. Monthly Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were conducted to assess the performance of the intervention.

RESULTS:

After the 6-month QI intervention, > 80% of our monthly MRs achieved 100% compliance to the aimed-for 13 QOPI measures. Furthermore, our new pre-consultation process proved to be valuable in facilitating the documentation of data without interfering with the oncology appointment.

CONCLUSION:

The development of a systematic QI approach effectively enhanced our compliance to 13 QOPI measures over a 6-month period. These results led to the standardization of the current model of care at our institution. To our knowledge, Hospital Zambrano Hellion’s Breast Cancer Center is the first Mexican cancer center to pursue a QOPI certified practice.
Role of Ovarian Hormones in the Modulation of Sleep in Females Across the Adult Lifespan
Authors: Brown Alana M C , Gervais Nicole J
Published: July 2020

Ovarian hormones, including 17β-estradiol, are implicated in numerous physiological processes, including sleep. Beginning at puberty, girls report more sleep complaints than boys, which is maintained throughout the reproductive life stage. Sleep problems are exacerbated during the menopausal transition, evidenced by greater risk for sleep disorders. There is emerging evidence that menopause-associated hormone loss contributes to this elevated risk, but age is also an important factor. The extent to which menopause-associated sleep disturbance persists into postmenopause above and beyond the effects of age remains unknown. Untreated sleep disturbances have important implications for cognitive health, as they are emerging as risk factors for dementia. Given that sleep loss impairs memory, an important knowledge gap concerns the role played by menopause-associated hormone loss in exacerbating sleep disturbance and, ultimately, cognitive function in aging women. In this review, we take a translational approach to illustrate the contribution of ovarian hormones in maintaining the sleep–wake cycle in younger and middle-aged females, with evidence implicating 17β-estradiol in supporting the memory-promoting effects of sleep. Sleep physiology is briefly reviewed before turning to behavioral and neural evidence from young females linking 17β-estradiol to sleep–wake cycle maintenance. Implications of menopause-associated 17β-estradiol loss is also reviewed before discussing how ovarian hormones may support the memory-promoting effects of sleep, and why menopause may exacerbate pathological aging via effects on sleep. While still in its infancy, this research area offers a new sex-based perspective on aging research, with a focus on a modifiable risk factor for pathological aging.
Trends and Outcomes in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Scoliosis Repair: A Population-Based Study
Authors: DelPizzo Kathryn , Wilson Lauren A. , Fiasconaro Megan , Liu Jiabin , Bekeris Janis , Poeran Jashvant , Memtsoudis Stavros G.
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND:

Although surgery represents the only definitive treatment for congenital scoliosis, comprehensive information regarding trends in perioperative complications, particularly in the pediatric setting, is lacking. We sought to identify trends in and factors associated with perioperative complications following pediatric scoliosis surgery.

METHODS:

In this retrospective cohort study, patients below the age of 21 years undergoing a scoliosis repair procedure were identified from the Premier Healthcare database (2006–2016). The primary outcomes of interest were any complication, cardiopulmonary complications, blood transfusions, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of stay (LOS), and cost of hospitalization. Trends in these outcomes over time were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were run to identify factors associated with each of the perioperative outcomes.

RESULTS:

In the full cohort of 9351 scoliosis patients, 17% experienced any complication, 12% of which were cardiopulmonary in nature, 42% required blood transfusions, and 62% were admitted to the ICU. Median LOS was 5 days (interquartile range [IQR], 4–6) and median cost was $56,375 (IQR, $40,053–$76,311). Annual incidence of complications and blood transfusions as well as LOS and cost decreased significantly throughout the study period. The most consistently observed factors associated with complications were younger age, high comorbidity burden, low institutional case volume, and hospital teaching status.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although the incidence of the studied adverse outcomes in scoliosis surgery has decreased over time, this study shows it remains relatively high (17%). The associations demonstrated help clarify factors associated with complications and may be useful in guiding interventions to improve outcomes.
Focused Cardiac Ultrasound and the Periresuscitative Period: A Case Series of Resident-Performed Echocardiographic Assessment Using Subcostal-Only View in Advanced Life Support
Authors: Bughrara Nibras , Herrick Susan L. , Leimer Elizabeth , Sirigaddi Krishnaveni , Roberts Kevin , Pustavoitau Aliaksei
Published: July 2020

When incorporated into the 10-second pulse/rhythm check of the advanced life support (ALS) protocol, focused cardiac ultrasound is a useful adjunct to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In this case series, we demonstrated the feasibility of echocardiographic assessment using subcostal-only view in ALS (EASy-ALS) performed by anesthesiology residents during the periresuscitative period after structured training. Residents obtained diagnostic quality images in 100% of the self-reported cases, which enabled them to identify cardiac motion and potentially reversible causes of hemodynamic instability. Implementation of EASy-ALS into practice requires system-wide changes in cardiac arrest management for consistency, quality, and further evaluation of patient outcomes.
Creolizing Transylvania
Authors: Boatcă Manuela , Parvulescu Anca
Published: July 2020

This article analyzes the differences and overlaps between the dynamics of coloniality and inter-imperiality that have shaped Transylvania since the sixteenth century vis-à-vis neighboring European peripheries and shifting cores, zooming in on how the tensions between different modes of colonial and imperial rule play out in rural settings. We foreground the vantage point of the rural by focusing on a Transylvanian village in 1920 as a global countryside.
“A Strange Industrial Order”
Authors: Tilley Lisa
Published: July 2020

The plantation continues to expand across contemporary frontiers, remaking social orders and ravaging ecologies in the service of value extraction through commodity production. This article revisits the “strange industrial order” of the plantation in 1950s Indonesia at a time of deep contestation in which estate workers were organizing to reinvigorate the unfulfilled goals of anticolonial struggles. Reading this moment through the anxieties of European planters in the British archive, this article argues that these struggles deeply disturbed the localized racial labor order of the plantation, while also working against the extractive tributaries of the international order. Further, the article suggests that keeping alive a historical consciousness around how industrial racial regimes are produced, disturbed, and fractured is vital to countering the harms of our plantation present.
The lncRNA MEG3 mediates renal cell cancer progression by regulating ST3Gal1 transcription and EGFR sialylation
Authors: Gong Aihong , Zhao Xinyu , Pan Yue , Qi Yu , Li Shuangda , Huang Yiran , Guo Yanru , Qi Xia , Zheng Wei , Jia Li
Published: July 2020

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of cancer progression. Abnormal sialylation leads to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) malignancy. However, the mechanism by which the lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) mediates RCC progression by regulating ST3Gal1 transcription and EGFR sialylation is still unrevealed. Here, we found that the expression of MEG3 was higher in adjacent tissues than in RCC tissues, as well as downregulated in RCC cell lines compared to expression in normal renal cells. The proliferation, migration and invasion of RCC cells transfected with MEG3 was decreased, whereas knockdown of MEG3 had the opposite effect. The proliferative and metastatic abilities of RCC cells in vivo were concordant with their behavior in vitro. ST3Gal1 expression was dysregulated in RCC and was positively correlated with MEG3. By applying bioinformatics, c-Jun (also known as JUN) was identified as a transcription factor predicted to bind the promoter of ST3Gal1, and altered MEG3 levels resulted in changes to c-Jun expression. Furthermore, ST3Gal1 modulated EGFR sialylation to inhibit EGFR phosphorylation, which affected activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)–AKT pathway. Taken together, our findings provide a novel mechanism to elucidate the role of the MEG3–ST3Gal1–EGFR axis in RCC progression.
Intersection of two key signal integrators in the cell: activator of G-protein signaling 3 and dishevelled-2
Authors: Vural Ali , Lanier Stephen M.
Published: July 2020

Activator of G-protein signaling 3 (AGS3, encoded by GPSM1) was discovered as a one of several receptor-independent activators of G-protein signaling, which are postulated to provide a platform for divergence between canonical and noncanonical G-protein signaling pathways. Similarly, Dishevelled (DVL) proteins serve as a point of divergence for β-catenin-dependent and -independent signaling pathways involving the family of Frizzled (FZD) ligands and cell-surface WNT receptors. We recently discovered the apparent regulated localization of dishevelled-2 (DVL2) and AGS3 to distinct cellular puncta, suggesting that the two proteins interact as part of various cell signaling systems. To address this hypothesis, we asked the following questions: (1) do AGS3 signaling pathways influence the activation of β-catenin (CTNNB1)-regulated transcription through the WNT–Frizzled–Dishevelled axis, and (2) is the AGS3 and DVL2 interaction regulated? The interaction of AGS3 and DVL2 was regulated by protein phosphorylation, subcellular distribution, and a cell-surface G-protein-coupled receptor. These data, and the commonality of functional system impacts observed for AGS3 and DVL2, suggest that the AGS3–DVL2 complex presents an unexpected path for functional integration within the cell.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Drinking made easier: honey bee tongues dip faster into warmer and/or less viscous artificial nectar
Authors: Shi Lianhui , Nicolson Susan W. , Yang Yunqiang , Wu Jianing , Yan Shaoze , Wu Zhigang
Published: July 2020

Optimal concentrations for nectar drinking are limited by the steep increase in the viscosity of sugar solutions with concentration. However, nectar viscosity is inversely related to temperature, which suggests advantages to foraging from flowers that are warmer than the surrounding air. The honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) dips nectar by a hairy tongue. However, microscopic dynamics of the tongue while the bee ingests nectar of varying concentration, viscosity and temperature are unknown. In this study, we find that honey bees respond to variation of nectar properties by regulating dipping frequency. Through high-speed imaging, we discovered that the honey bee traps warmer sucrose solutions with a quicker tongue. The honey bee dips the warmest and most dilute solution (40°C and 25% w/w sucrose) 1.57 times as fast as the coldest and thickest solution (20°C and 45% w/w sucrose). When the viscosity of different sucrose concentrations was kept constant by adding the inert polysaccharide Tylose, honey bees dipped nectar at constant frequency. We propose a fluid mechanism model to elucidate potential effects on sucrose intake and show that higher dipping frequency can increase the volumetric and energetic intake rates by 125% and 15%, respectively. Our findings broaden insights into how honey bees adapt to foraging constraints from the perspective of tongue dynamics, and demonstrate that elevated intrafloral temperatures and lower nectar viscosity can improve the volumetric and energetic intake rates of pollinators.
Bio-electrosprayed human neural stem cells are viable and maintain their differentiation potential
Authors: Helenes González Citlali , Jayasinghe Suwan N. , Ferretti Patrizia
Published: July 2020

Background: Bio-electrospray (BES) is a jet-based delivery system driven by an electric field that has the ability to form micro to nano-sized droplets. It holds great potential as a tissue engineering tool as it can be used to place cells into specific patterns. As the human central nervous system (CNS) cannot be studied in vivo at the cellular and molecular level, in vitro CNS models are needed. Human neural stem cells (hNSCs) are the CNS building block as they can generate both neurones and glial cells.

Methods: Here we assessed for the first time how hNSCs respond to BES. To this purpose, different hNSC lines were sprayed at 10 kV and their ability to survive, grow and differentiate was assessed at different time points.

Results: BES induced only a small and transient decrease in hNSC metabolic activity, from which the cells recovered by day 6, and no significant increase in cell death was observed, as assessed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, bio-electrosprayed hNSCs differentiated as efficiently as controls into neurones, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, as shown by morphological, protein and gene expression analysis.

Conclusions: This study highlights the robustness of hNSCs and identifies BES as a suitable technology that could be developed for the direct deposition of these cells in specific locations and configurations.
Transcranial direct current stimulation and attention skills in burnout patients: a randomized blinded sham-controlled pilot study
Authors: Van Noppen Pia , van Dun Kim , Depestele Siel , Verstraelen Stefanie , Meesen Raf , Manto Mario
Published: July 2020

Background: Burnout is characterized by deficiencies in attention and several components of the working memory. It has been shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can have a positive effect on burnout and depressive symptoms, however, the lingering effects of impaired attention and executive functions are the most frustrating. We hypothesized that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (atDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can improve the executive control of attention and possibly several other components of working memory in patients with burnout.

Methods: This was a randomized double-blind sham-controlled pilot study with two groups. Patients with burnout received three weeks of daily sessions (15 sessions in total) of atDCS or sham stimulation in addition to three weekly sessions of standard behavioral therapy. The primary outcome measure was attention and the central executive of the working memory. Secondary, the effect of atDCS was measured on other components of working memory, on burnout and depression scores, and on quality of life (QoL).

Results: We enrolled and randomly assigned 16 patients to a sham or real stimulation group, 15 (7 sham, 8 real) were included in the analysis. atDCS had a significant impact on attention. Post-hoc comparisons also revealed a trend towards more improvement after real tDCS for inhibition and shifting, updating and control, and encoding. Both groups improved on burnout and depression scores.

Conclusion: These data provide preliminary evidence for the value of atDCS over the left DLPFC in rehabilitating attention deficits, and possibly also central executive and encoding deficits, in burnout. However, the current study has some limitations, including the sample size and heterogeneous patient population. More elaborate studies are needed to elucidate the specific impact of atDCS over the left DLPFC on burnout.

Trial registration: ISRCTN.com ( ISRCTN94275121) 17/11/19
Estimation of time-varying reproduction numbers of COVID-19 in American countries with regards to non-pharmacological interventions
Authors: Manrique-Abril Fred G. , Téllez-Piñerez Cristian , Pacheco-López Mario
Published: July 2020

This study aimed to estimate the basic reproduction number and the time-varying estimate of effective reproductive number  of COVID-19 in American countries as they implemented non-pharmacological strategies for the containment of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Data sources included COVID-19 epidemic data from Johns Hopkins University’ data repository and official websites of countries with a relatively high incidence of COVID-19. The maximum likelihood method was used to estimate the and . The results showed that El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Peru have the lowest, while the USA and Canada have the highest. Other American countries have an around 1.4. Countries could be divided into three groups based on the varied behavior of  over time. The first group (Mexico, USA, Colombia and Brazil) started with a high, which decreased post-intervention. In the second group, the intervention was performed at the moment when the, is high and it decreased slowly post-intervention (Canada, Argentina, Chile Peru, Panama and Dominican Republic). In the third group (Bolivia, Peru and Guatemala), the, was erratic and could not be attributable to the intervention.

There is a close relationship between  and non-pharmacological interventions decreed by governments of countries for the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also immediate changes in the behavior of the indicator, and therefore the progression of the outbreak, when the interventions were implemented closer to the index case for each country.
Conscious prone positioning during non-invasive ventilation in COVID-19 patients: experience from a single centre
Authors: Burton-Papp Helmi C. , Jackson Alexander I. R. , Beecham Ryan , Ferrari Matteo , Nasim-Mohi Myra , Grocott Michael P. W. , Chambers Robert , Dushianthan Ahilanandan ,   University Hospital Southampton Critical Care Team,   REACT COVID Investigators
Published: July 2020

Critically ill patients admitted to hospital following SARS-CoV-2 infection often experience hypoxic respiratory failure and a proportion require invasive mechanical ventilation to maintain adequate oxygenation. The combination of prone positioning and non-invasive ventilation in conscious patients may have a role in improving oxygenation. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of prone positioning in spontaneously ventilating patients receiving non-invasive ventilation admitted to the intensive care.  Clinical data of 81 patients admitted with COVID 19 pneumonia and acute hypoxic respiratory failure were retrieved from electronic medical records and examined. Patients who had received prone positioning in combination with non-invasive ventilation were identified.

A total of 20 patients received prone positioning in conjunction with non-invasive ventilation. This resulted in improved oxygenation as measured by a change in PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio of 28.7 mmHg while prone, without significant change in heart rate or respiratory rate. Patients on average underwent 5 cycles with a median duration of 3 hours. There were no reported deaths, 7 of the 20 patients (35%) failed non-invasive ventilation and subsequently required intubation and mechanical ventilation. In our cohort of 20 COVID-19 patients with moderate acute hypoxic respiratory failure, prone positioning with non-invasive ventilation resulted in improved oxygenation. Prone positioning with non-invasive ventilation may be considered as an early therapeutic intervention in COVID-19 patients with moderate acute hypoxic respiratory failure.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Molecular Structure, FT-IR, NMR, HOMO, LUMO, MESP, and Reactivity Descriptors of (E)-1-(2,3-Dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Ashok Shinde Rahul , shok Adole Vishnu A , Sonu Jagdale Bapu , Bhavsing Pawar Thansing
Published: July 2020

The present research deals with the synthesis, characterization and density functional theory (DFT) study of (E)-1-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (DTMPP). For the computational investigation, DFT method at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) basis set has been used. Herein, structural properties like molecular structure, bond lengths, and bond angles of the DTMPP have been explored. The all-important examination of the electronic properties; HOMO and LUMO energies were studied by the time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) method. The experimental and theoretical spectroscopic Investigation on FT-IR, 1HNMR, 13C NMR has been unveiled in the present research. To study the chemical behaviour of the DTMPP, Mulliken atomic charges, molecular electrostatic surface potential, and reactivity descriptors have been explored. The dipole moment of the DTMPP is 1.27 Debye with C1 point group symmetry and -1225.77 a.u. E(B3LYP) energy. The most electropositive carbon and hydrogen atoms in the DTMPP are C14 and H27 respectively. The C1-C6 bond is the longest (1.4089 Å) C=C bond in the DTMPP. The oxygen atom O33 is having short contact interaction with the hydrogen atom H44 with a distance of 3.3258 Å. The molecular electrostatic potential plot predicts the positive electrostatic potential is around hydrogen atoms. The FT-IR assignments were made by comparing the experimental FT-IR absorption peaks with the scaled frequencies obtained using DFT method. Furthermore, some valuable insights on thermochemical data are obtained using the harmonic frequencies at same basis set.
The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of superficial soft-tissue sarcomas
Authors: Fujiwara Tomohiro , Tsuda Yusuke , Le Nail Louis-Romée , Evans Scott , Gregory Jonathan , Tillman Roger , Abudu Adesegun
Published: July 2020

Aims

The existing clinical guidelines do not describe a clear indication for adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of superficial soft tissue sarcomas (STSs). We aimed to determine the efficacy of adjuvant RT for superficial STSs.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 304 patients with superficial STS of the limbs and trunk who underwent surgical resection at a tertiary sarcoma centre. The efficacy of RT was investigated according to the tumour size and grade: group 1, ≤ 5 cm, low grade; group 2, ≤ 5cm, high grade; group 3, > 5 cm, low grade; group 4, > 5 cm, high grade.

Results

The five- and ten-year local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) for all patients was 88% and 81%, respectively. While the efficacy of adjuvant RT was not proven in local control of all patients (five-year LRFS; RT+, 90% versus RT-, 83%; p = 0.074), the LRFS was significantly improved by adjuvant RT in group 2 (five-year LRFS; RT+, 96% versus RT-, 82%; p = 0.019), and group 4 (five-year LRFS; RT+, 87% versus RT-, 73%; p = 0.027). In groups 2 and 4, adjuvant RT significantly reduced the LR risk if the resection margin was clear but less than 5 mm; the LR rate was 7% with adjuvant RT compared with 26% with surgery alone (p = 0.003). There was no statistical relationship with the use of adjuvant RT and survival in every group.

Conclusion

Adjuvant RT reduces the risk of local recurrence in patients with superficial high-grade STS regardless of tumour size, especially when resection margin is less than 5 mm. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(8):1088–1094.
Multimode entanglement generation with dual-pumped four-wave-mixing of Rubidium Atoms
Authors: Cai Yin , Hao Ling , Zhang Da , Liu Yang , Luo Binshuo , Zheng Zhan , Li Feng , Zhang Yanpeng
Published: July 2020

Multimode entanglement is essential for the generation of quantum networks, which plays a central role in quantum information processing and quantum metrology. Here, we study the spatial multimode entanglement characteristics of the large scale quantum states via a dual-pumped four-wave-mixing (FWM) process of Rubidium atomics vapors. A linear mode transform approach is applied to solve the four- and six-mode Gaussian states and the analytical input-output relations are presented. Moreover, via reconstructing the full covariance matrix of the produced states, versatile entanglement with from two up to six modes is analyzed. The results show that most of the 1 versus n-mode and m versus n-mode states are entangled, and the amount of entanglement can be regulated due to the competitions of mode components caused by different interaction strengths of co-existing FWMs. Our study could be applied for any multimode Gaussian states with a quadratic Hamiltonian.
Fabrication and evaluation of negative axicons for ultrashort pulsed laser applications
Authors: Schwarz Simon , Roth Gian-Luca , Rung Stefan , Esen Cemal , Hellmann Ralf
Published: July 2020

We report on the fabrication and evaluation of a sharp tip negative axicon paving the way for applications in high-power ultrashort pulsed laser systems. The negative axicon is manufactured by applying a two-step all laser-based process chain consisting of ultrashort pulsed laser ablation and CO2 laser polishing finishing the component in less than 5 minutes. The finalized negative axicon reveals a surface roughness of 18 nm, fulfilling optical quality. Two measurement setups, including the ultrashort pulsed laser itself, are used to evaluate the formation of Bessel beams in detail. By applying a focusing lens behind the negative axicon, well-developed Bessel beams are generated while their lengths depend on the distance between the negative axicon and the lens. Furthermore, the diameter of the Bessel beams increase strongly with the propagation distance. By adding a second focusing lens, Bessel beams are generated at its focal position, being almost invariant of its position. Hence, the typical Bessel beam intensity distribution is observed over an entire moving range of this second lens of 300 mm. While these Bessel beams show superior quality in terms of sharp peaks with homogeneous concentric rings, only minor deviations in intensity and diameter are observed over the moving range.
Visible emission studies of melt-grown Dy-doped CsPbCl3 and KPb2Cl5 crystals
Authors: Hommerich Uwe , Uba Samuel , Kabir A. , Trivedi Sudhir B. , Yang Clayton , Brown Ei Ei
Published: July 2020

We report results of the optical properties of Dy-doped CsPbCl3 and KPb2Cl5 bulk crystals for potential applications in yellow solid-state laser development. The crystals were synthesized from purified starting materials and melt-grown by vertical Bridgman technique. Optical transmission measurements revealed characteristic absorption bands from intra-4f transitions of Dy3+ ions. Direct optical excitation at 455 nm (6H15/2 → 4I15/2) resulted in dominant yellow emission bands at ∼575 nm from the 4F9/2 excited state of Dy3+ ions. In addition, both crystals exhibited weaker emission lines in the blue (∼483 nm) and red (∼670 nm) regions. The peak emission-cross sections for the yellow transition (4F9/2 → 6H13/2) were determined to be ∼0.22 × 10−20 cm2 for Dy: CsPbCl3 (λpeak = 576.5 nm) and ∼0.59 × 10−20 cm2 for Dy: KPb2Cl5 (λpeak = 574.5 nm). The spectral properties and decay dynamics of the 4F9/2 excited state were evaluated within the Judd-Ofelt theory to predict total radiative decay rates, branching ratios, and emission quantum efficiencies.
Inventário Obsessivo de Coimbra – versão reduzida (IOC-R)
Authors: Galhardo Ana , Anastácio Susana Paulina Correia , Cunha Marina , Massano Cardoso Ilda , Pinto Goveia José
Published: July 2020

O Inventário Obsessivo de Coimbra (IOC) é um instrumento de autorresposta que integra duas escalas de 50 itens cada, que avaliam a frequência e o grau de perturbação emocional de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos. Dado que se trata de um instrumento longo, a criação de uma versão reduzida (IOC-R) e estudo das suas características psicométricas constituíram os objetivos do presente estudo. Após alcançada uma versão do IOC-R composta por 19 itens, repartidos por cinco subescalas – “Contaminação/Lavagem”, “Indecisão/Lentidão”, “Verificação repetida/Acumulação”, “Conteúdos imorais” e “Pensamento mágico” –, realizou-se a análise fatorial confirmatória do modelo pentafatorial numa amostra de 338 sujeitos da população geral. O modelo testado revelou uma boa qualidade de ajustamento. A análise da sua consistência interna mostrou-se excelente. A fidedignidade teste-reteste foi indicadora de uma estabilidade temporal adequada. O IOC-R apresentou uma correlação forte com o Inventário de Pádua, que também avalia a sintomatologia obsessivo-compulsiva, e correlações moderadas com as Escalas de Ansiedade, Depressão e Stress. Como tal, o IOC-R apresenta-se como um instrumento de autorresposta válido e fidedigno, de administração rápida, podendo ser utilizado, quer em contextos clínicos, quer de investigação.
Swarm control of an unmanned quadrotor model with LQR weighting matrix optimization using genetic algorithm
Authors: Joelianto Endra , Christian Daniel , Samsi Agus
Published: July 2020

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) quadrotors have developed rapidly and continue to advance together with the development of new supporting technologies. However, the use of one quadrotor has many obstacles and compromises the ability of a UAV to complete complex missions that require the cooperation of more than one quadrotor. In nature, one interesting phenomenon is the behaviour of several organisms to always move in flocks (swarm), which allows them to find food more quickly and sustain life compared with when they move independently. In this paper, the swarm behaviour is applied to drive a system consisting of six UAV quadrotors as agents for flocking while tracking a swarm trajectory. The swarm control system is expected to minimize the objective function of the energy used and tracking errors. The considered swarm control system consists of two levels. The first higher level is a proportional – derivative type controller that produces the swarm trajectory to be followed by UAV quadrotor agents in swarming. In the second lower level, a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) is used by each UAV quadrotor agent to follow a tracking path well with the minimal objective function. A genetic algorithm is applied to find the optimal LQR weighting matrices as it is able to solve complex optimization problems. Simulation results indicate that the quadrotors' tracking performance improved by 36.00 %, whereas their swarming performance improved by 17.17 %.
A study effects of injection pressure and wall temperature on the mixing process of NOx and NH3 in Selective Catalytic Reduction system
Authors: Aditya Wardana Muhammad Khristamto , Lim Ocktaeck
Published: July 2020

Diesel engines are commonly used for public transportation on-road and off-road applications. Growth production of the diesel engine is very significant from year to year. Nitride Oxide (NOx) from diesel engine was one of the major sources of air pollution. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) has been successfully used to reduce NOx from a diesel engine with a chemical reaction from ammonia (NH3). The mixing reaction between NOx and NH3 reaction can produce steam (H2O) and Nitrogen (N2). However, ammonia uniformity pattern usually not homogenization and the ammonia was difficult to mix with NOx. The constant air flows incomplete to assist the spray injector to spread NH3 to all corners of SCR. The impact study of turbulent phenomena and standard k-epsilon Low-Reynolds Number model to the mixing process in the SCR system using STARCCM+. The simulation studies are conducted under different pressure (4 to 6 bars), the injection rate (0.04 g/s) and temperature (338 K – 553 K) and the high pressure and high velocity magnitude creating turbulent swirl flow. The ammonia decomposition process and mixing process with NOx were investigated using a box with optical access. The simulation and numerical study results validated using back pressure value and the distribution of NOx concentration value from the catalyst outlet. The wall temperature will increase the urea evaporation to generate ammonia and gas pressure will increase the mixing process and chemical process in the SCR system. These reactions enable to optimize the SCR system technology which eventually able to reduce the NOx quantity from a diesel engine.
Continuing Medical Education Questions: August 2020
Authors: Vega Kenneth J.
Published: July 2020

Article Title: State Of The Science On Quality Indicators For Colonoscopy And How To Achieve Them
Problemas sanitarios de las majadas caprinas en los sistemas familiares de los valles calchaquies (Payogasta, Salta)
Authors: SUAREZ Víctor H. , MARTÍNEZ Gabriela M. , OLMOS Leandro H. , ARAPA Cristian , CORTEZ Héctor S. , ROJAS María Del Carmen , BRIHUEGA Bibiana F. , SANTILLÁN Graciela , ÁLVAREZ Irene Martín , GOS María L.
Published: July 2020

Una encuesta transversal se llevó a cabo en 35 unidades productivas familiares (UPF) del Municipio de Payogasta (Salta) con el objetivo de describir los problemas sanitarios de las majadas. Se recabaron datos del manejo y sanidad de los animales. Se procesaron sueros caprinos para diagnóstico de brucelosis por BPA y FA, de artritis-encefalitis (CAEV) y clamidiosis por ELISA indirecto, toxoplasmosis y neosporosis por IFI, leptospirosis por microaglutinación. En heces caninas se diagnosticó echinococcosis por coproELISA. Se determinaron valores de Cu, Zn, Mg y Ca sérico por espectofotometría de absorción atómica. Se realizó recuento de huevos de helmintos en heces (hpg) y su diferenciación por coprocultivo. En el 80,6% de las UPF se registró la ocurrencia de abortos y en el 73,3% la de ectima contagioso. El 84,8% de las UPF declararon problemas de mastitis y el 42,9% disturbios respiratorios graves en sus cabras. El porcentaje de UPF con seroprevalencia positiva a brucelosis fue de 2,9%, leptospirosis de 20%, clamidiosis de 66,7%, toxoplasmosis de76,9%, neosporosis de 100% y CAEV de 26,7%. Los promedios de los hpg fueron en junio, julio y octubre de 318, 54 y 46 respectivamente, con Trichostrongylus y Haemonchus como nematodes predominantes. En el 51,4% de las majadas se recuperaron huevos de Fasciola hepatica. El 41,6% de las UPF tuvieron perros positivos a Echinococcus. Los promedios generales de cobre, zinc, magnesio y calcio séricos fueron respectivamente 0,78±0,13 ppm, 0,63±0,23 ppm, 1,96±0,25 mg/d y 12,2±0,9 mg/dl. Estos resultados, además de generar los primeros antecedentes, muestran la importancia de profundizar los estudios para incrementar la producción caprina y el bienestar de las familias productoras.