bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous measurement of surface shape and pressure using structured illumination
Authors: Quinn Mark K , Fisher Tom B
Published: September 2020

This article describes the successful implementation of a structured UV light field, generated from a modified LCD projector, to excite pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) and measure surface shape simultaneously without the need to compromise the PSP by mechanical degradation of the coating. Using commercially available hardware, results were gathered in a Mach 5 wind tunnel, showing the expected pressure distribution around a cone model with a flare and the surface geometry without any prior knowledge or information. The demonstrated methodology can be used to measure aerodynamic models exhibiting elastic deformation under load during a wind tunnel measurement campaign, providing out-of-plane motions are small. The captured deformation and pressure results can be used to support validation of structural models and correct numerical simulation meshes to the actual shape investigated in the wind tunnel.
Preparation of ultrathin carbon-coated CdS nanobelts for advanced Li and Na storage
Authors: Lu Cai , Sun Jinlei , Peng Jinfeng , Pang Huaji , Ding Yanhuai , Jiang Yunhong , Li Feng , Jiang Yong
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we report a simple hydrothermal method for preparation of ultrathin carbon-coated CdS (CdS@C) nanobelts. The CdS@C nanobelts show superior electrochemical properties as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. The optimized CdS@C composites deliver a reversible capacity around 910 mAhg−1 and 48 mAhg−1 at 0.1 Ag−1 and 30.0 Ag−1, respectively. Moreover, the optimized nanobelts are also potential materials for Na storage. A stable capacity around 240 mAhg−1 is obtained at 0.1 Ag−1, even after 100 cycles.
Impact of local geometrical irregularities on critical currents of REBCO tapes in round cables
Authors: Kujovič Tomáš , Gömöry Fedor
Published: September 2020

REBa2Cu3O7-x (RE—rare earth, Ba—barium, Cu—copper, O—oxygen) tapes used in common multilayer superconducting cables, such as Roebel cable, twisted stacked tape cable or vonductor on round core/tube (CORC
®
/CORT), undergo shape modifications during the cable production. In particular, the tapes edges are regularly raised due to the Poisson effect during bending of tapes in the cable assembling process. This kind of deformation amplifies the local strain in subsequent layers, endangering the capability to transport electrical current. We explore such deformation by numerical and analytical calculations validated by experiments. Three-point bending device submerged in liquid nitrogen was developed for this purpose. We found that, if the orientation of Poisson effect deformations is along the tape length, the local strain is reduced and performance of the cable remains unaffected. In contrary, the local deformations at the crossings of tapes from subsequent layers represent a serious threat towards reaching a satisfactory critical current retention.
Phase cycling of extreme ultraviolet pulse sequences generated in rare gases
Authors: Wituschek Andreas , Kornilov Oleg , Witting Tobias , Maikowski Laura , Stienkemeier Frank , Vrakking Marc J J , Bruder Lukas
Published: September 2020

The development of schemes for coherent nonlinear time-domain spectroscopy in the extreme-ultraviolet regime (XUV) has so far been impeded by experimental difficulties that arise at these short wavelengths. In this work we present a novel experimental approach, which facilitates the timing control and phase cycling of XUV pulse sequences produced by harmonic generation in rare gases. The method is demonstrated for the generation and high spectral resolution characterization of narrow-bandwidth harmonics (≈14  eV) in argon and krypton. Our technique simultaneously provides high phase stability and a pathway-selective detection scheme for nonlinear signals—both necessary prerequisites for all types of coherent nonlinear spectroscopy.
Testing generalised uncertainty principles through quantum noise
Authors: Girdhar Parth , Doherty Andrew C
Published: September 2020

Motivated by several approaches to quantum gravity, there is a considerable literature on generalised uncertainty principles particularly through modification of the canonical position–momentum commutation relations. Some of these modified relations are also consistent with general principles that may be supposed of any physical theory. Such modified commutators have significant observable consequences. Here we study the noisy behaviour of an optomechanical system assuming a certain commonly studied modified commutator. From recent observations of radiation pressure noise in tabletop optomechanical experiments as well as the position noise spectrum of advanced LIGO we derive bounds on the modified commutator. We find how such experiments can be adjusted to provide significant improvements in such bounds, potentially surpassing those from sub-atomic measurements.
Correlations in multithermostat Brownian systems with Lorentz force
Authors: Abdoli Iman , Kalz Erik , Vuijk Hidde D , Wittmann René , Sommer Jens-Uwe , Brader Joseph M , Sharma Abhinav
Published: September 2020

We study the motion of a Brownian particle subjected to Lorentz force due to an external magnetic field. Each spatial degree of freedom of the particle is coupled to a different thermostat. We show that the magnetic field results in correlation between different velocity components in the stationary state. Integrating the velocity autocorrelation matrix, we obtain the diffusion matrix that enters the Fokker–Planck equation for the probability density. The eigenvectors of the diffusion matrix do not align with the temperature axes. As a consequence the Brownian particle performs spatially correlated diffusion. We further show that in the presence of an isotropic confining potential, an unusual, flux-free steady state emerges which is characterized by a non-Boltzmann density distribution, which can be rotated by reversing the magnetic field. The nontrivial steady state properties of our system result from the Lorentz force induced coupling of the spatial degrees of freedom which cease to exist in equilibrium corresponding to a single-temperature system.
Nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulation of

C2H22+

in a strong laser field*
Authors: Chen Ji-Gen , Zhang Gang-Tai , Bai Ting-Ting , Wang Jun , Chen Ping-Ping , Yu Wei-Wei , Zhao Xi
Published: September 2020

We investigate the alignment dependence of the strong laser dissociation dynamics of molecule

C
2

H
2

2
+

in the frame of real-time and real-space time-dependent density function theory coupled with nonadiabatic quantum molecular dynamics (TDDFT-MD) simulation. This work is based on a recent experiment study “ultrafast electron diffraction imaging of bond breaking in di-ionized acetylene” [Wolter et al, Science
354, 308–312 (2016)]. Our simulations are in excellent agreement with the experimental data and the analysis confirms that the alignment dependence of the proton dissociation dynamics comes from the electron response of the driving laser pulse. Our results validate the ability of the TDDFT-MD method to reveal the underlying mechanism of experimentally observed and control molecular dissociation dynamics.
The (3+1)-dimensional generalized mKdV-ZK equation for ion-acoustic waves in quantum plasmas as well as its non-resonant multiwave solution*
Authors: Cheng Xiang-Wen , Zhang Zong-Guo , Yang Hong-Wei
Published: September 2020

The quantum hydrodynamic model for ion-acoustic waves in plasmas is studied. First, we design a new disturbance expansion to describe the ion fluid velocity and electric field potential. It should be emphasized that the piecewise function perturbation form is new with great difference from the previous perturbation. Then, based on the piecewise function perturbation, a (3+1)-dimensional generalized modified Korteweg–de Vries Zakharov–Kuznetsov (mKdV-ZK) equation is derived for the first time, which is an extended form of the classical mKdV equation and the ZK equation. The (3+1)-dimensional generalized time-space fractional mKdV-ZK equation is constructed using the semi-inverse method and the fractional variational principle. Obviously, it is more accurate to depict some complex plasma processes and phenomena. Further, the conservation laws of the generalized time-space fractional mKdV-ZK equation are discussed. Finally, using the multi-exponential function method, the non-resonant multiwave solutions are constructed, and the characteristics of ion-acoustic waves are well described.
Gravity-capillary waves modulated by linear shear flow in arbitrary water depth*
Authors: Li Shaofeng , Song Jinbao , Cao Anzhou
Published: September 2020

Considering that the fluid is inviscid and incompressible and the flow is irrotational in a fixed frame of reference and using the multiple scale analysis method, we derive a nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) describing the evolution dynamics of gravity-capillary wavetrains in arbitrary constant depth. The gravity-capillary waves (GCWs) are influenced by a linear shear flow (LSF) which consists of a uniform flow and a shear flow with constant vorticity. The modulational instability (MI) of GCWs with the LSF is analyzed using the NLSE. The MI is effectively modified by the LSF. In infinite depth, there are four asymptotes which are the boundaries between MI and modulational stability (MS) in the instability diagram. In addition, the dimensionless free surface elevation as a function of time for different dimensionless water depth, surface tension, uniform flow and vorticity is exhibited. It is found that the decay of free surface elevation and the steepness of free surface amplitude change over time, which are greatly affected by the water depth, surface tension, uniform flow and vorticity.
Compressive imaging based on multi-scale modulation and reconstruction in spatial frequency domain*
Authors: Liu Fan , Liu Xue-Feng , Lan Ruo-Ming , Yao Xu-Ri , Dou Shen-Cheng , Wang Xiao-Qing , Zhai Guang-Jie
Published: September 2020

Imaging quality is a critical component of compressive imaging in real applications. In this study, we propose a compressive imaging method based on multi-scale modulation and reconstruction in the spatial frequency domain. Theoretical analysis and simulation show the relation between the measurement matrix resolution and compressive sensing (CS) imaging quality. The matrix design is improved to provide multi-scale modulations, followed by individual reconstruction of images of different spatial frequencies. Compared with traditional single-scale CS imaging, the multi-scale method provides high quality imaging in both high and low frequencies, and effectively decreases the overall reconstruction error. Experimental results confirm the feasibility of this technique, especially at low sampling rate. The method may thus be helpful in promoting the implementation of compressive imaging in real applications.
Effect of the distance between focusing lens and target surface on quantitative analysis of Mn element in aluminum alloys by using filament-induced breakdown spectroscopy*
Authors: Lu Xue-Tong , Zhao Shang-Yong , Gao Xun , Guo Kai-Min , Lin Jing-Quan
Published: September 2020

Ultrafast laser filament-induced breakdown spectroscopy (FIBS) is a potential technique for quantitative analysis of trace elements. In this work, we investigate the effect of the distance between focusing lens and target surface on the FIBS quantitative analysis of Mn element in aluminum alloys, and several major parameters are calculated such as the linear correlation coefficient (R
2), limits of detection (LOD), relative standard deviation (RSD), and root-mean-square error of cross-validations (RMSECV). The results show that the quantitative analysis parameter values before and after filament position are different. The optimal value can be obtained at the filament region, the average values of total 23 positions of R
2, LOD, RSD, and RMAECV were 99.45%, 1.41 mg/kg, 7.12%, and 0.56%, respectively. Besides, the spatial distributions of quantitative analysis parameter values in filament region are noticeable, and this is essentially due to intensity clamping effect in a filament.
Jeans gravitational instability with κ-deformed Kaniadakis distribution in Eddington-inspired Born–Infield gravity*
Authors: Yang Wei-Heng , Xiong Yu-Zhen , Chen Hui , Liu San-Qiu
Published: September 2020

Based on the framework of Kaniadakis’ statistics and its related kinetic theory, the Jeans instability for self-gravitational systems in the background of Eddington-inspired Born–Infield (EiBI) gravity is revisited. A dispersion relation generalizing the Jeans modes is derived by modifying the Maxwellian distribution to a family of power law distributions parameterized by the κ parameter. It is established that the κ-deformed Kaniadakis distribution has significant effects on the Jeans modes of the collisionless EiBI-gravitational systems. And as expected, in the limitation κ → 0, the corresponding results for Maxwellian case are recovered. The related result in the present work is valuable for the investigations involving the fields of astrophysics such as neutron stars, accretion disks, and relevant plasma physics, etc.
Vertical pullout tests of orchard trees for bio-inspired engineering of anchorage and foundation systems
Authors: Burrall Matthew , DeJong Jason T , Martinez Alejandro , Wilson Daniel W
Published: September 2020

Application of bio-inspired design in geotechnical engineering shows promise for improving the energy and material efficiency of several processes in infrastructure construction and site characterization. This project examines tree root systems for use in future bio-inspired design to improve the capacity of foundations used to support, for example, buildings and bridges. Foundation and anchorage elements used in industry are comprised almost solely of linear elements with a constant cross-sectional geometry. This functional form has remained the same for more than a century, primarily due to material availability and installation simplicity. Knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms that contribute to capacity development of natural nonlinear or branched foundation systems, such as tree root systems, could make foundation design more sustainable. The experiments described herein show that the root systems studied are 6–10 times as efficient as a conventional micropile system in developing tensile capacity on a per volume basis, with some systems displaying nearly 100 times efficiency in comparison to a conventional shallow footings. This paper explores the relationship between root system architecture and force–displacement behavior of tree root systems to better understand how to improve foundation capacity and demonstrates the potential for a more efficient use of materials and energy as compared to conventional pile and footing approaches.
Airports and environmental sustainability: a comprehensive review
Authors: Greer Fiona , Rakas Jasenka , Horvath Arpad
Published: September 2020

Over 2500 airports worldwide provide critical infrastructure that supports 4 billion annual passengers. To meet changes in capacity and post-COVID-19 passenger processing, airport infrastructure such as terminal buildings, airfields, and ground service equipment require substantial upgrades. Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but that estimate excludes airport construction and operation. Metrics that assess an airport’s sustainability, in addition to environmental impacts that are sometimes unaccounted for (e.g. water consumption), are necessary for a more complete environmental accounting of the entire aviation sector. This review synthesizes the current state of environmental sustainability metrics and methods (e.g. life-cycle assessment, Scope GHG emissions) for airports as identified in 108 peer-reviewed journal articles and technical reports. Articles are grouped according to six categories (Energy and Atmosphere, Comfort and Health, Water and Wastewater, Site and Habitat, Material and Resources, Multidimensional) of an existing airport sustainability assessment framework. A case study application of the framework is evaluated for its efficacy in yielding performance objectives. Research interest in airport environmental sustainability is steadily increasing, but there is ample need for more systematic assessment that accounts for a variety of emissions and regional variation. Prominent research themes include analyzing the GHG emissions from airfield pavements and energy management strategies for airport buildings. Research on water conservation, climate change resilience, and waste management is more limited, indicating that airport environmental accounting requires more analysis. A disconnect exists between research efforts and practices implemented by airports. Effective practices such as sourcing low-emission electricity and electrifying ground transportation and gate equipment can in the short term aid airports in moving towards sustainability goals. Future research must emphasize stakeholder involvement, life-cycle assessment, linking environmental impacts with operational outcomes, and global challenges (e.g. resilience, climate change adaptation, mitigation of infectious diseases).
A gridded inventory of anthropogenic methane emissions from Mexico based on Mexico’s national inventory of greenhouse gases and compounds
Authors: Scarpelli Tia R , Jacob Daniel J , Octaviano Villasana Claudia A , Ramírez Hernández Irma F , Cárdenas Moreno Paulina R , Cortés Alfaro Eunice A , García García Miguel Á , Zavala-Araiza Daniel
Published: September 2020

We present a gridded inventory of Mexico’s anthropogenic methane emissions for 2015 with 0.1° × 0.1° resolution (≈10 × 10 km2) and detailed sectoral breakdown. The inventory is constructed by spatially allocating national emission estimates from the National Inventory of Greenhouse Gases and Compounds constructed by the Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio Climático (INECC). We provide additional breakdown for oil/gas emissions. Spatial allocation is done using an ensemble of national datasets for methane-emitting activities resolving individual municipalities and point sources. We find that emissions are highest in central Mexico and along the east coast, with substantial spatial overlap between major emission sectors (livestock, fugitive emissions from fuels, solid waste, and wastewater). Offshore oil/gas activities, primarily oil production, account for 51% of national oil/gas emissions. We identify 16 hotspots on the 0.1° × 0.1° grid with individual emissions higher than 20 Gg a−1 (2.3 tons h−1) including large landfills, offshore oil production, coal mines in northern Mexico, a gas processing complex, and a cattle processing facility. We find large differences between our inventory and previous gridded emission inventories for Mexico, in particular EDGAR v5, reflecting our use of more detailed geospatial databases. Although uncertainties in methane emissions remain large, the spatially explicit emissions presented here can provide the basis for inversions of atmospheric methane observations to guide improvements in the national inventory. Gridded inventory files are openly available at (https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/5FUTWM).
Changes in volatile organic compounds provoked by lipopolysaccharide- or alpha toxin-induced inflammation in ventilated rats
Authors: Lorenz Dominik , Maurer Felix , Philipp Dietmar , Albrecht Fréderic , Hüppe Tobias , Sessler Daniel I , Wolf Beate , Volk Thomas , Kreuer Sascha , Fink Tobias
Published: September 2020

Inflammation may alter volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath. We therefore used ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) to evaluate exhaled breath components in two non-infectious inflammatory models.

Fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were anesthetized and ventilated for 24 h. Five treatments were randomly assigned: (1) lipopolysaccharide low dose [5 mg/kg]; (2) lipopolysaccharide high dose [10 mg/kg]; (3) alpha toxin low dose [40 µg/kg]; (4) alpha toxin high dose [80 µg/kg]; and, (5) NaCl 0.9% as control group. Gas was sampled from the expiratory line of the ventilator every 20 min and analyzed with IMS combined with a multi-capillary column. VOCs were identified by comparison with an established database. Survival analysis was performed by log-rank test, other analyses by one-way or paired ANOVA-tests and post-hoc analysis according to Holm–Sidak.

Rats given NaCl and low-dose alpha toxin survived 24 h. The median survival time in alpha toxin high-dose group was 23 (95%-confidence interval (CI): 21, 24) h. In contrast, the median survival time in rats given high-dose lipopolysaccharide was 12 (95% CI: 9, 14) and only 13 (95% CI: 10, 16) h in those given high-dose lipopolysaccharide. 73 different VOCs were detected, of which 35 were observed only in the rats, 38 could be found both in the blank measurements of ventilator air and in the exhaled air of the rats. Forty-nine of the VOCs were identifiable from a registry of compounds. Exhaled volatile compounds were comparable in each group before injection of lipopolysaccharide and alpha toxin. In the LPS groups, 1-pentanol increased and 2-propanol decreased. After alpha toxin treatment, 1-butanol and 1-pentanol increased whereas butanal and isopropylamine decreased.

Induction of a non-infectious systemic inflammation (niSI) by lipopolysaccharide and alpha toxin changes VOCs in exhaled breath. Exhalome analysis may help identify niSI.
C. aromaticus leaf extract mediated synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles and their antimicrobial activity towards clinically multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from pneumonia patients in nursing care
Authors: Hou Yan , Hou Yong , Ren Yan , Shi Yan , Jin Xiaoping , Dong Yuanling , Zhang Haixian
Published: September 2020

Current study examined the potential of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) fabricated using the Caryophyllus aromaticus (C. aromaticus) leaf extract to inhibit multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii infection. Analytical results confirmed the stable ZnO-NPs fabrication with mean particle size of about 18 nm. Zeta potential and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) findings proved the ZnO-NPs capping with polyphenols of phyto-extract. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) studies displayed the synthesized ZnO-NPs crystalline nature. The findings revealed that ZnO-NPs fabricated by leaf extract of C. aromaticus induced-bacterial cell-death, triggered DNA condensation of MDR A. baumannii and showed an obvious effect on the production of biofilm, cells grown in biofilm, microbial cell attachment as well as invading human lung cells depending on the concentration. The ZnO-NPs fabricated using C. aromaticus plant leaf extract did not show any obvious effect on the human lung cell viability. Furthermore, approximately 90% MDR A. baumannii infection was inhibited by the fabricated ZnO-NPs without cytotoxic effect at 0.028 μg ml−1 EC50. Thus, fabricated ZnO-NPs were considered as potent anti-MDR A. baumannii agent for efficient therapy and further lead to advancement of various efficient biomedical applications in nursing care.
Upper bounds for relative entropy of entanglement based on active learning
Authors: Hou Shi-Yao , Cao Chenfeng , Zhou D L , Zeng Bei
Published: September 2020

Quantifying entanglement for multipartite quantum state is a crucial task in many aspects of quantum information theory. Among all the entanglement measures, relative entropy of entanglement E
R is an outstanding quantity due to its clear geometric meaning, easy compatibility with different system sizes, and various applications in many other related quantity calculations. Lower bounds of E
R were previously found based on distance to the set of positive partial transpose states. We propose a method to calculate upper bounds of E
R based on active learning, a subfield in machine learning, to generate an approximation of the set of separable states. We apply our method to calculate E
R for composite systems of various sizes, and compare with the previous known lower bounds, obtaining promising results. Our method adds a reliable tool for entanglement measure calculation and deepens our understanding for the structure of separable states.
Do Case-Control Studies Always Estimate Odds Ratios?
Authors: Labrecque Jeremy A , Hunink Myriam M G , Ikram M Arfan , Ikram M Kamran
Published: September 2020

Case-control studies are an important part of the epidemiologic literature, yet confusion remains about how to interpret estimates from different case-control study designs. We demonstrate that not all case-control study designs estimate odds ratios. On the contrary, case-control studies in the literature often report odds ratios as their main parameter even when using designs that do not estimate odds ratios. Only studies using specific case-control designs should report odds ratios, whereas the case-cohort and incidence-density sampled case-control studies must report risk ratio and incidence rate ratios, respectively. This also applies to case-control studies conducted in open cohorts, which often estimate incidence rate ratios. We also demonstrate the misinterpretation of case-control study estimates in a small sample of highly cited case-control studies in general epidemiologic and medical journals. We therefore suggest that greater care be taken when considering which parameter is to be reported from a case-control study.
EpiDope: a deep neural network for linear B-cell epitope prediction
Authors: Collatz Maximilian , Mock Florian , Barth Emanuel , Hölzer Martin , Sachse Konrad , Marz Manja
Published: September 2020

Motivation

By binding to specific structures on antigenic proteins, the so-called epitopes, B-cell antibodies can neutralize pathogens. The identification of B-cell epitopes is of great value for the development of specific serodiagnostic assays and the optimization of medical therapy. However, identifying diagnostically or therapeutically relevant epitopes is a challenging task that usually involves extensive laboratory work. In this study, we show that the time, cost and labor-intensive process of epitope detection in the lab can be significantly reduced using in silico prediction.

Results

Here, we present EpiDope, a python tool which uses a deep neural network to detect linear B-cell epitope regions on individual protein sequences. With an area under the curve between 0.67 ± 0.07 in the receiver operating characteristic curve, EpiDope exceeds all other currently used linear B-cell epitope prediction tools. Our software is shown to reliably predict linear B-cell epitopes of a given protein sequence, thus contributing to a significant reduction of laboratory experiments and costs required for the conventional approach.

Availabilityand implementation

EpiDope is available on GitHub (http://github.com/mcollatz/EpiDope).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Incorporating prior knowledge into regularized regression
Authors: Zeng Chubing , Thomas Duncan Campbell , Lewinger Juan Pablo
Published: September 2020

Motivation

Associated with genomic features like gene expression, methylation and genotypes, used in statistical modeling of health outcomes, there is a rich set of meta-features like functional annotations, pathway information and knowledge from previous studies, that can be used post hoc to facilitate the interpretation of a model. However, using this meta-feature information a priori rather than post hoc can yield improved prediction performance as well as enhanced model interpretation.

Results

We propose a new penalized regression approach that allows a priori integration of external meta-features. The method extends LASSO regression by incorporating individualized penalty parameters for each regression coefficient. The penalty parameters are, in turn, modeled as a log-linear function of the meta-features and are estimated from the data using an approximate empirical Bayes approach. Optimization of the marginal likelihood on which the empirical Bayes estimation is performed using a fast and stable majorization–minimization procedure. Through simulations, we show that the proposed regression with individualized penalties can outperform the standard LASSO in terms of both parameters estimation and prediction performance when the external data is informative. We further demonstrate our approach with applications to gene expression studies of bone density and breast cancer.

Availability and implementation

The methods have been implemented in the R package xtune freely available for download from https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/xtune/index.html.
Social Work in the Digital Era: Theoretical, Ethical and Practical Considerations
Authors: Steiner Olivier
Published: September 2020

Social work, its fields of practice, institutions, professionals and client groups are affected by the digital transformations taking place across society in many ways. In different fields of practice, digitalisation opens up new potentials, but also poses challenges and problems. To date, theoretical approaches and ethical principles for social work, which should lay the foundations for professional concepts and action, have only marginally addressed the digital era. Robust theoretical and ethical foundations should make it possible to position social work in relation to accelerated technological development. In the following article, different theoretical approaches will be discussed in a comparative way and proposals for the theoretical understanding of digital transformation in social work will be made. Building on this, ethical substantiations for the integration of digital technologies into social work will be presented along the lines of Hans Jonas' theory of responsibility. Finally, conclusions for the innovation, implementation and use of digital media in social work will be discussed.
Developing the Child Protection Workforce: Collaborative Development of Somalia’s Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor Degrees in Social Work
Authors: Sloan Lacey , Ross Brendan , Rotabi Karen S , Barise Abdullahi
Published: September 2020

Due to decades of conflict and instability, mechanisms for child protection in Somalia are limited. One key activity of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund’s (UNICEF) strategy to address structural gaps in capacity to implement an effective child protection system is to establish a network of social work schools throughout Somalia. To this end, UNICEF brought together experts in social work curriculum development in Islamic countries, social work faculty and administrators from six Somali universities, government social work staff and ministers, and staff from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). To identify the knowledge, values and skills needed for the local context, interviews and focus groups were conducted in Hargeisa and Mogadishu with many of the stakeholders noted above. These stakeholders also came together for two, four-day gatherings to design and approve the curricula developed by two social work curriculum development experts. The final result was a one-year certificate in social work, a two-year diploma in social work and a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. This article describes the highly participatory and collaborative process used to create social work curricula that would meet workforce development needs for child protection in Somalia.
Ozone injection therapy for intervertebral disc herniation
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Maffulli Nicola , Eschweiler Jörg , Bestch Marcel , Tingart Markus , Baroncini Alice
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common cause of low back pain (LBP). Recently, in the setting of LBP caused by LDH, a growing interest in ozone therapies has been observed.

Source of data

Recent published literatures.

Areas of agreement

Being low back pain more common in the elderlies, exploring conservative alternatives to the surgical intervention is of especial interest.

Areas of controversy

Efficacy and feasibility of ozone injections for LDH is debated. Several clinical studies showed controversial results, and the true benefit has not yet been clarified.

Growing points

Systematically summarize current evidences, analyze the quantitative available data and investigate the role of percutaneous ozone therapy for LDH.

Areas timely for developing research

Current evidence encourage the use of ozone therapy for LBP from LDH. These conclusions should be interpret in light of the limitations of the present study.
Carcinogenesis and lung cancer: 70 years of progress and more to come
Authors: Samet Jonathan M
Published: September 2020

This commentary celebrates the 40th year of Carcinogenesis, spanning 1980–2020 with a focus on lung cancer. For lung cancer, these 40 years come toward the end of a century of scientific inquiry that began with descriptions of this highly fatal malignancy and that closes with emphasis on molecular processes and genomics. This commentary gives a historical perspective of lung cancer research as well as a look into the questions that remain to be addressed. Over the 20th century and into the first two decades of the 21st, a series of issues have more or less sequentially been the focus of epidemiological investigation of lung cancer, as questions have been answered and methodologies have evolved. These questions began with whether an epidemic was occurring and continue now with exploration of causal mechanisms and molecular risk predictors. With tobacco smoking firmly established decades ago as a cause of lung cancer, the evidence has long been sufficient to motivate tobacco prevention and control. There is unfinished business as tobacco smoking remains widespread and the industry continues to market new, addicting, products.
Swab-yourself Trial With Economic Monitoring and Testing for Infections Collectively (SYSTEMATIC): Part 1. A Diagnostic Accuracy and Cost-effectiveness Study Comparing Clinician-taken vs Self-taken Rectal and Pharyngeal Samples for the Diagnosis of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
Authors: Wilson Janet D , Wallace Harriet E , Loftus-Keeling Michelle , Ward Helen , Davies Bethan , Vargas-Palacios Armando , Hulme Claire , Wilcox Mark H
Published: September 2020

Background

Urogenital testing misses extragenital Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). Extragenital self-sampling is frequently undertaken despite no robust randomized, controlled trial evidence of efficacy. We compared clinician-taken rectal and pharyngeal samples with self-taken samples for diagnostic accuracy and cost in men who have sex with men (MSM) and in females.

Methods

This was a prospective convenience sample from a UK sexual health clinic. We randomized the order of clinician- and self-taken samples from the pharynx and rectum, plus first catch urine (MSM) and vulvovaginal swabs (females), for NG/CT detection.

Results

Of 1793 participants (1284 females, 509 MSM), 116 had NG detected (75 urogenital, 83 rectum, 72 pharynx); 9.4% infected females and 67.3% MSM were urogenital-negative. A total of 276 had CT detected (217 urogenital, 249 rectum, 63 pharynx); 13.1% infected females and 71.8% MSM were urogenital-negative. Sexual history did not identify those with rectal infections. There was no difference in diagnostic accuracy between clinician- and self-taken samples from the rectum or pharynx. Clinicians took swabs more quickly than participants, so costs were lower. However, in asymptomatic people, nonqualified clinicians would oversee self-swabbing making these costs lower.

Conclusions

There was no difference in the diagnostic accuracy of clinician-taken compared with self-taken extragenital samples. Sexual history did not identify those with rectal infections, so individuals should have extragenital clinician- or self-taken samples. Clinician-taken swabs cost less than self-taken swabs; however, in asymptomatic people or those who perform home testing, the costs would be lower than for clinician-taken swabs.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02371109.
Increased Body Mass Index and Type 2 Diabetes Are the Main Predictors of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Advanced Fibrosis in Liver Biopsies of Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Monoinfection
Authors: Maurice James B , Goldin Robert , Hall Andrew , Price Jennifer C , Sebastiani Giada , Morse Caryn G , Prat Laura Iogna , Perazzo Hugo , Garvey Lucy , Ingiliz Patrick , Guaraldi Giovanni , Tsochatzis Emmanouil , Lemoine Maud
Published: September 2020

Background

Liver disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH), of which nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly recognized cause. There are limited data investigating NAFLD in HIV monoinfection and histologically defined disease. We aimed to identify who is at risk of fibrosis, NAFLD, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) among PLWH and explore the diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive markers of fibrosis.

Methods

This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, international, multicenter study including patients with HIV monoinfection, without chronic viral hepatitis or other known causes of chronic liver disease, who underwent liver biopsy for abnormal liver biochemistry and/or clinical suspicion of liver fibrosis.

Results

A total of 116 patients from 5 centers were included. Sixty-three (54%) had NAFLD, of whom 57 (92%) had NASH. Overall, 36 (31%) had advanced fibrosis (≥F3) and 3 (3%) had cirrhosis. Of the 53 cases without NAFLD, 15 (28%) had advanced fibrosis. Collagen proportionate area was similar between cases with and without NAFLD (3% vs 2%). Body mass index was independently associated with NAFLD (aOR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.08–1.34), and type 2 diabetes was independently associated with advanced fibrosis (aOR, 3.42; 95% CI, 1.00–11.71). The area under the curve for advanced fibrosis was 0.65 and 0.66 for both NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS) and FIB-4. Cutoff values of −1.455 (NFS) and 1.3 (FIB-4) have negative-predictive values of 0.80 and 0.82, respectively.

Conclusions

Advanced fibrosis is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes in PLWH. Serological markers require further optimization.
High Frequency of Antibiotic Prescription in Children With Undifferentiated Febrile Illness in Kenya
Authors: Hooft Anneka M , Ndenga Bryson , Mutuku Francis , Otuka Victoria , Ronga Charles , Chebii Philip K , Maina Priscillah W , Jembe Zainab , Lee Justin , Vu David M , Mukoko Dunstan , LaBeaud A Desiree
Published: September 2020

Background

In low-resource, malaria-endemic settings, accurate diagnosis of febrile illness in children is challenging. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of malaria prior to starting treatment in stable children. Factors guiding management of children with undifferentiated febrile illness outside of malaria are not well understood.

Methods

This study examined clinical presentation and management of a cohort of febrile Kenyan children at 5 hospital/clinic sites from January 2014 to December 2017. Chi-squared and multivariate regression analyses were used to compare frequencies and correlate demographic, environmental, and clinical factors with patient diagnosis and prescription of antibiotics.

Results

Of 5735 total participants, 68% were prescribed antibiotic treatment (n = 3902), despite only 28% given a diagnosis of bacterial illness (n = 1589). Factors associated with prescription of antibiotic therapy included: negative malaria testing, reporting head, ears, eyes, nose and throat (HEENT) symptoms (ie, cough, runny nose), HEENT findings on exam (ie, nasal discharge, red throat), and having a flush toilet in the home (likely a surrogate for higher socioeconomic status).

Conclusion

In a cohort of acutely ill Kenyan children, prescription of antimalarial therapy and malaria test results were well correlated, whereas antibiotic treatment was prescribed empirically to most of those who tested malaria negative. Clinical management of febrile children in these settings is difficult, given the lack of diagnostic testing. Providers may benefit from improved clinical education and implementation of enhanced guidelines in this era of malaria testing, as their management strategies must rely primarily on critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Spatial Heterogeneity of Enteric Fever in 2 Diverse Communities in Nepal
Authors: Tamrakar Dipesh , Vaidya Krista , Yu Alexander T , Aiemjoy Kristen , Naga Shiva Ram , Cao Yanjia , Bern Caryn , Shrestha Rajeev , Karmacharya Biraj M , Pradhan Sailesh , Qamar Farah Naz , Saha Samir , Date Kashmira , Longley Ashley T , Hemlock Caitlin , Luby Stephen , Garrett Denise O , Bogoch Isaac I , Andrews Jason R
Published: September 2020

Background

Typhoid fever is endemic in the urban Kathmandu Valley of Nepal; however, there have been no population-based studies of typhoid outside of this community in the past 3 decades. Whether typhoid immunization should be prioritized in periurban and rural communities has been unclear.

Methods

We performed population-based surveillance for enteric fever in 1 urban catchment (Kathmandu) and 1 periurban and rural catchment (Kavrepalanchok) as part of the Surveillance for Enteric Fever in Asia Project (SEAP). We recruited individuals presenting to outpatient and emergency departments at 2 study hospitals with suspected enteric fever and performed blood cultures. Additionally, we conducted a household survey in each catchment area to characterize care seeking for febrile illness. We evaluated spatial heterogeneity in febrile illness, care seeking, and enteric fever incidence.

Results

Between September 2016 and September 2019, we enrolled 5736 participants with suspected enteric fever at 2 study hospitals. Among these, 304 (5.3%) were culture positive for Salmonella Typhi (249 [81.9%]) or Paratyphi A (55 [18.1%]). Adjusted typhoid incidence in Kathmandu was 484 per 100 000 person-years and in Kavrepalanchok was 615 per 100 000 person-years. While all geographic areas for which estimates could be made had incidence >200 per 100 000 person-years, we observed spatial heterogeneity with up to 10-fold variation in incidence between communities.

Conclusions

In urban, periurban, and rural communities in and around Kathmandu, we measured a high but heterogenous incidence of typhoid. These findings provide some support for the introduction of conjugate vaccines in Nepal, including outside urban areas, alongside other measures to prevent enteric fever.
A community-based topological distance for brain-connectome classification
Authors: Villareal–Haro Juan Luis , Ramirez–Manzanares Alonso , Pichardo-Corpus Juan Antonio
Published: September 2020

Measuring differences among complex networks is a well-studied research topic. Particularly, in the context of brain networks, there are several proposals. Nevertheless, most of them address the problem considering unweighted networks. Here, we propose a metric based on modularity and Jaccard index to measure differences among brain-connectivity weighted networks built from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance data. We use a large dataset to test our metric: a synthetic Ground Truth network (GT) and a set of networks available from a tractography challenge, three sets computed from GT perturbations, and a set of classic random graphs. We compare the performance of our proposal with the most used methods as Euclidean distance between matrices and a kernel-based distance. Our results indicate that the proposed metric outperforms those previously published distances. More importantly, this work provides a methodology that allows differentiating diverse groups of graphs based on their differences in topological structure.
Habitat ecology of Nearctic–Neotropical migratory landbirds on the nonbreeding grounds
Authors: Albert Steven , Wolfe Jared D , Kellerman Jherime , Sherry Thomas , Stutchbury Bridget J M , Bayly Nicholas J , Ruiz-Sánchez Angelina
Published: September 2020

Of the approximately 716 bird species that breed in North America, 386 (54%) are considered Nearctic–Neotropical migrants by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In the past 50 yr, scores of these migratory species, including some once considered common, have declined dramatically. Nearctic–Neotropical migrants normally spend 6–8 months in tropical habitats, making the identification, availability, and management of Neotropical habitats critical issues for their conservation. Yet, for most species, complete and nuanced information about their use of tropical habitats and the relative effects of breeding vs. wintering conditions on survival, productivity, and population trends is not available, though many studies point to Neotropical overwintering habitats as being a strong driver of population change. Particularly important for long-distance Nearctic–Neotropical migrants is an understanding of how “carry-over effects” arise and influence population trends when conditions on wintering grounds and tropical stopover areas affect subsequent reproductive performance on breeding grounds. For example, why some species show strong carry-over effects from tropical habitats while others do not is not fully understood. In recent years, many studies have offered insights into these issues by taking advantage of new scientific methods and technological innovations. In this review, we explore threats facing North American breeding birds that migrate to the Neotropics, summarize knowledge of habitat selection and use on the wintering grounds, describe how conditions at one point in the annual cycle may manifest in subsequent seasons or life history stages, and discuss conservation concerns such as climate change and the potential for phenological mismatch.
MicroRNA Levels in Exhaled Breath Condensate of Patients with Esophageal Atresia
Authors: Soyer T , Birben E , Türer Ö B , Kahveci M , Tuğcu G D , Soyer Ö U , Yalçın E , Doğru D , Özçelik U , Kiper N , Şekerel B E , Tanyel F C
Published: September 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that play an important role in the regulation of inflammation and have not been evaluated in exhaled breath condensates (EBC) of patients with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA–TEF). It is aimed to evaluate the levels of miRNA-21 and miRNA-24 in EBC of patients with EA–TEF.

Patients who received surgery for EA–TEF (EA) were assessed for age, sex, types of anomaly, surgical treatments, and respiratory problems. A 500–1000 mL of EBC was obtained from each participant with EcoScreen. The levels of miRNA-21 and miRNA-24 in the EBC were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and compared between the EA group and the control group consisting of healthy children with no history of respiratory problems (n = 17). The levels of miRNAs in relation to respiratory problems and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) were also assessed. A total of 19 patients were enrolled in the EA group with a mean age of 7.8 ± 3.2 years and a male-to-female ratio of 10:9 EA cases had significantly lower levels of miRNA-21 (P < 0.05) compared to that in control group. The miRNA-24 levels did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). EA patients with positive pH testing for GER (n = 6) and fundoplication (n = 6) had higher levels of miRNA-21 than those with normal pH testing and without fundoplication, respectively (n = 13, P < 0.05). The levels of miRNA-21 and miRNA-24 did not differ between patients with and without proton pump inhibitor treatment (P > 0.05).

The lower levels of miRNA-21 in the EBC of EA patients suggest a hyperreactive airway problem, which may be associated with GER and its surgical treatment.