bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-resolution habitat suitability model for Phlebotomus pedifer, the vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Pareyn Myrthe , Rutten Anneleen , Merdekios Behailu , Wedegärtner Ronja E. M. , Girma Nigatu , Regelbrugge Leo , Shibru Simon , Leirs Herwig
Published: September 2020

Background

Phlebotomus pediferis the vector forLeishmania aethiopicacausing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in southwestern Ethiopia. Previous research on the transmission dynamics of CL resulted in recommendations for vector control. In order to target these interventions towards affected areas, a comprehensive understanding of the spatial distribution ofP. pediferat high spatial resolution is required. Therefore, this study determined the environmental predictors that facilitate the distribution ofP. pediferand created a map indicating the areas where conditions are suitable for survival of the vector in southwestern Ethiopia with high spatial resolution.

Methods

Phlebotomus pediferpresence points were collected during two entomological surveys. Climate, vegetation and topographic variables were assembled. Climate variables were interpolated with variables derived from high-resolution digital elevation models to generate topoclimatic layers representing the climate conditions in the highlands. A Maximum Entropy model was run with the presence points, predicting variables and background points, which were selected based on a bias file.

Results

Phlebotomus pediferwas the only capturedPhlebotomusspecies in the study area and was collected at altitudes ranging between 1685 and 2892 m. Model projections indicated areas with suitable conditions in a ‘belt’ surrounding the high mountain peaks. Model performance was high, with train and test AUC values being 0.93 and 0.90, respectively. A multivariate environmental similarity surface (MESS) analysis showed that the model projection was only slightly extrapolated for some of the variables. The mean annual temperature was the environmental variable, which contributed most to the model predictions (60.0%) followed by the seasonality in rainfall (13.2%). Variables representing steep slopes showed very low importance to model predictions.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the suitable habitats forP. pedifercorrespond well with the altitudes at which CL was reported previously, but the predictions are more widely distributed, in contrast with the description of CL to occur in particular foci. Moreover, we confirm that vector distribution is driven by climate factors, suggesting inclusion of topoclimate in sand fly distribution models. Overall, our model provides a map with a high spatial resolution that can be used to target sand fly control measures in southwestern Ethiopia.
Role for ovarian hormones in purinoceptor-dependent natriuresis
Authors: Gohar Eman Y. , Kasztan Malgorzata , Zhang Shali , Inscho Edward W. , Pollock David M.
Published: September 2020

Background

Premenopausal women have a lower risk of hypertension compared to age-matched men and postmenopausal women. P2Y2 and P2Y4 purinoceptor can be considered potential contributors to hypertension due to their emerging roles in regulating renal tubular Na+ transport. Activation of these receptors inhibits epithelial Na+ channel activity (ENaC) via a phospholipase C (PLC)-dependent pathway resulting in natriuresis. We recently reported that activation of P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptors in the renal medulla by UTP promotes natriuresis in male and ovariectomized (OVX) rats, but not in ovary-intact females. This led us to hypothesize that ovary-intact females have greater basal renal medullary activity of P2 (P2Y2 and P2Y4) receptors regulating Na+ excretion compared to male and OVX rats.

Methods

To test our hypothesis, we determined (i) the effect of inhibiting medullary P2 receptors by suramin (750 μg/kg/min) on urinary Na+ excretion in anesthetized male, ovary-intact female, and OVX Sprague Dawley rats, (ii) mRNA expression and protein abundance of P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptors, and (iii) mRNA expression of their downstream effectors (PLC-1δ and ENaCα) in renal inner medullary tissues obtained from these three groups. We also subjected cultured mouse inner medullary collecting duct cells (segment 3, mIMCD3) to different concentrations of 17ß-estradiol (E2, 0, 10, 100, and 1000 nM) to test whether E2 increases mRNA expression of P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptors.

Results

Acute P2 inhibition attenuated urinary Na+ excretion in ovary-intact females, but not in male or OVX rats. We found that P2Y2 and P2Y4 mRNA expression was higher in the inner medulla from females compared to males or OVX. Inner medullary lysates showed that ovary-intact females have higher P2Y2 receptor protein abundance, compared to males; however, OVX did not eliminate this sex difference. We also found that E2 dose-dependently upregulated P2Y2 and P2Y4 mRNA expression in mIMCD3.

Conclusion

These data suggest that ovary-intact females have enhanced P2Y2 and P2Y4-dependent regulation of Na+ handling in the renal medulla, compared to male and OVX rats. We speculate that the P2 pathway contributes to facilitated renal Na+ handling in premenopausal females.
A study on the AH1N1/09 influenza transmission model with the fractional Caputo–Fabrizio derivative
Authors: Rezapour Shahram , Mohammadi Hakimeh
Published: September 2020

We study the SEIR epidemic model for the spread of AH1N1 influenza using the Caputo–Fabrizio fractional-order derivative. The reproduction number of system and equilibrium points are calculated, and the stability of the disease-free equilibrium point is investigated. We prove the existence of solution for the model by using fixed point theory. Using the fractional Euler method, we get an approximate solution to the model. In the numerical section, we present a simulation to examine the system, in which we calculate equilibrium points of the system and examine the behavior of the resulting functions at the equilibrium points. By calculating the results of the model for different fractional order, we examine the effect of the derivative order on the behavior of the resulting functions and obtained numerical values. We also calculate the results of the integer-order model and examine their differences with the results of the fractional-order model.
Moonlight is a key entrainer of lunar clock in the brain of the tropical grouper with full moon preference
Authors: Fukunaga Kodai , Yamashina Fumika , Takeuchi Yuki , Yamauchi Chihiro , Takemura Akihiro
Published: September 2020

Background

Many animals in coral reefs exhibit lunar cycles in their reproduction, showing synchronous gametogenesis and spawning at a particular moon phase. How these lunar reproductive cycles are endogenously regulated remains unknown, although changes in moonlight between the new moon and full moon are likely involved in this rhythmic event.

Results

This study evaluated the possible role of cryptochrome (cry1, cry2, cry3) in phase shifting and setting in the honeycomb grouper Epinephelus merra, which is a typical lunar spawner with full moon preference. qPCR analysis revealed that when fish were reared under alternating light-dark conditions, the transcript levels of cry1 and cry2, but not of cry3, in the diencephalon and pituitary gland showed daily variations. Weekly collection at midnight showed increases in the transcript levels of cry1 and cry2 in the diencephalon, but not the pituitary gland, from the first quarter moon through the last quarter moon. In comparison to the new moon, these transcript levels were significantly lower at all other sampling times. The artificial full moon conditions for 1 month resulted in increased cry transcript levels in both tissues at 2 (cry1) or 2 and 4 (cry2) weeks after the initiation of full moon conditions.

Conclusions

These results indicate the importance of transient changes in “brightness at night” in the response to moonlight for the phase shift and of “darkness at night” during the new moon for the phase set to the determined moon phase. We concluded that the moon phase-dependent oscillation of clock genes plays a role in lunar cycle-dependent behaviors in fish.
Theorizing interactions of migrant transnationalism and integration through a multiscalar approach
Authors: Erdal Marta Bivand
Published: September 2020

The aim of this article is to theorize interactions between migrant transnationalism and integration using a multiscalar approach. For migrant transnationalism scholars, attention to simultaneity in transnational social fields is given. However, much migration research in Europe continues to suffer from an ‘integration bias’, which under-appreciates the salience of simultaneity within transnational social fields in many migrants’ lives, and implicitly assumes a zero-sum approach to societal membership. Drawing on interviews with migrants in Oslo (Norway) a multiscalar analytical approach is adopted. The salience of where things happen and how they are understood, depending on the perspective of involved actors, across time, space and position, emerges when using this multiscalar approach. Identifying the roles of nested, taxonomical, but also emergent and perspective scales allows a fresh theoretical engagement with interactions between migrant transnationalism and integration, showing how simultaneity and (productive) friction result from additive, synergistic and even apparently antagonistic interactions.
Effects of smoking cessation on biological monitoring markers in urine
Authors: Kawasaki Yuya , Li Yun-Shan , Ootsuyama Yuko , Nagata Kazuhiko , Yamato Hiroshi , Kawai Kazuaki
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Urinary nicotine and cotinine levels are often measured as biomarkers for tobacco smoke exposure. However, these biomarkers are not appropriate to evaluate the effects of quitting smoking for several days, because of their short half-lives. In this study, we focused on the changes in the urinary 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL) levels of 55 patients in a smoking cessation program, because of the long half-life. At the same time, urinary 7-methylguanine (m7Gua) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), as DNA damage markers of cigarette smoking, were also measured.

Results

In the subjects who completed the quit-smoking program (18 subjects out of 55), the urinary nicotine and cotinine levels decreased to 1.7 and 0.2% at 8 weeks after the first visit to the clinic. By contrast, the NNAL levels decreased to 12.3% at 8 weeks after quitting smoking. During the same period, the urinary m7Gua levels significantly decreased, from 27.32 μg/mg creatinine to 14.17 μg/mg creatinine by the elimination of subjects who showed increased levels of NNAL during the smoking cessation program. The 8-OHdG levels were also reduced within the same period, but were not significantly different. From the all data analysis, the urinary levels of cotinine and NNAL positively correlated with the level of m7Gua.

Conclusions

NNAL may be an appropriate exposure marker for evaluating the smoking status of patients in a smoking cessation program. The urinary cotinine and NNAL levels positively correlated with the m7Gua levels.
Impact of iodine concentration and scan parameters on image quality, contrast enhancement and radiation dose in thoracic CT
Authors: Solbak Marian S. , Henning Mette K. , England Andrew , Martinsen Anne C. , Aaløkken Trond M. , Johansen Safora
Published: September 2020

Background

We investigated the impact of varying contrast medium (CM) densities and x-ray tube potentials on contrast enhancement (CE), image quality and radiation dose in thoracic computed tomography (CT) using two different scanning techniques.

Methods

Seven plastic tubes containing seven different CM densities ranging from of 0 to 600 HU were positioned inside a commercial chest phantom with padding, representing three different patient sizes. Helical scans of the phantom in single-source mode were obtained with varying tube potentials from 70 to 140 kVp. A constant volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) depending on phantom size and automatic dose modulation was tested. CE (HU) and image quality (contrast-to-noise ratio, CNR) were measured for all combinations of CM density and tube potential. A reference threshold of CE and kVp was defined as ≥ 200 HU and 120 kVp.

Results

For the medium-sized phantom, with a specific CE of 100–600 HU, the diagnostic CE (200 HU) at 70 kVp was ~ 90% higher than at 120 kVp, for both scan techniques (p < 0.001). Changes in CM density/specific HU together with lower kVp resulted in significantly higher CE and CNR (p < 0.001). When changing only the kVp, no statistically significant differences were observed in CE or CNR (p ≥ 0.094), using both dose modulation and constant CTDIvol.

Conclusions

For thoracic CT, diagnostic CE (≥ 200 HU) and maintained CNR were achieved by using lower CM density in combination with lower tube potential (< 120 kVp), independently of phantom size.
COVID-19 outbreak and beyond: the information content of registered short-time workers for GDP now- and forecasting
Authors: Kaufmann Sylvia
Published: September 2020

The number of short-time workers from January to April 2020 is used to now- and forecast quarterly GDP growth. We purge the monthly log level series from the systematic component to extract unexpected changes or shocks to log short-time workers. These monthly shocks are included in a univariate model for quarterly GDP growth to capture timely, current-quarter unexpected changes in growth dynamics. Included shocks additionally explain 24% in GDP growth variation. The model is able to forecast quite precisely the decrease in GDP during the financial crisis. It predicts a mean decline in GDP of 5.7% over the next two quarters. Without additional growth stimulus, the GDP level forecast remains persistently 4% lower in the long run. The uncertainty is large, as the 95% highest forecast density interval includes a decrease in GDP as large as 9%. A recovery to pre-crisis GDP level in 2021 lies only in the upper tail of the 95% highest forecast density interval.
Clinical and chest CT presentations from 27 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Mogadishu, Somalia: a descriptive study
Authors: Mohamed Yahye Garad , Mohamud Mohamed Farah Yusuf , Medişoğlu M. Sabri , Atamaca Ihsan Yavuz , Ali Ibrahim Hussein
Published: September 2020

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute viral pneumonia that had recently been found in humans. The first case was discovered in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019. In this article, we aimed to demonstrate the clinical and radiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients in Somalia from 20 March 2020 to 20 April 2020.

Results

Twenty-seven patients that had a positive RT-PCR test between 20 March 2020 and 20 April 2020 were retrospectively observed. This study included 19 (70.4%) males and 8 (29.6%) females, and the mean age and range were 43 years (SD ± 14.0) and 27–70 years, respectively. The majority (59.3%) of COVID-19-infected patients had no obvious history of exposure to infected patients. The participants of our study mostly presented with dry cough 24 (88.9%) patients, fever 19 (70.4%), myalgia 18 (66.6%), and sore throat 16 (59.3%). Twenty-five of 27 patients had abnormal chest CT, while 2 (7.4%) patients had normal chest CT. The most common patterns of abnormality seen on chest CT in patients with COVID-19 were ground-glass opacity (GGO) 74.1%, crazy paving pattern 18.5%, consolidation 14.8%, and mixed GCO 11.1%. Also, the most common predominant lesion distributions were bilateral lung involvement (88.9%), peripheral distribution (77.8%), and lower lung predominance (63%). Particularly, lung cavitation, discrete pulmonary nodules, pleural effusion, and underlying pulmonary fibrosis or emphysema had not been observed.

Conclusion

Dry cough, fever, myalgia, and sore throat were the most clinical presentations. GGO, crazy paving pattern, patchy consolidation, and mixed GCO were the typical chest CT manifestations.
A Human Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Metabolic Responses to Single and Repeated Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Bengtsen Mads Bisgaard , Støy Julie , Rittig Nikolaj Fibiger , Voss Thomas Schmidt , Magnusson Nils Erik , Svart Mads Vadsted , Jessen Niels , Møller Niels
Published: September 2020

Aims

Hypoglycemia hinders optimal glycemic management in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Long diabetes duration and hypoglycemia impair hormonal counter-regulatory responses to hypoglycemia. Our study was designed to test whether (1) the metabolic responses and insulin sensitivity are impaired, and (2) whether they are affected by short-lived antecedent hypoglycemia in participants with T1D.

Materials and Methods

In a randomized, crossover, 2x2 factorial design, 9 male participants with T1D and 9 comparable control participants underwent 30 minutes of hypoglycemia (p-glucose < 2.9 mmol/L) followed by a euglycemic clamp on 2 separate interventions: with and without 30 minutes of hypoglycemia the day before the study day.

Results

During both interventions insulin sensitivity was consistently lower, while counter-regulatory hormones were reduced, with 75% lower glucagon and 50% lower epinephrine during hypoglycemia in participants with T1D, who also displayed 40% lower lactate and 5- to 10-fold increased ketone body concentrations following hypoglycemia, whereas palmitate and glucose turnover, forearm glucose uptake, and substrate oxidation did not differ between the groups. In participants with T1D, adipose tissue phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) content, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) phosphorylation, and muscle glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) content were decreased compared with controls. And antecedent hypoglycemic episodes lasting 30 minutes did not affect counter-regulation or insulin sensitivity.

Conclusions

Participants with T1D displayed insulin resistance and impaired hormonal counter-regulation during hypoglycemia, whereas glucose and fatty acid fluxes were intact and ketogenic responses were amplified. We observed subtle alterations of intracellular signaling and no effect of short-lived antecedent hypoglycemia on subsequent counter-regulation. This plausibly reflects the presence of insulin resistance and implies that T1D is a condition with defective hormonal but preserved metabolic responsiveness to short-lived hypoglycemia.
Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation Lead Fracture Within the Superficial Fascial Layers in 4 Cases
Authors: Chapman Kenneth B. , Patel Kiran V. , van Helmond Noud , Chien George C. Chang
Published: September 2020

We present 4 cases of dorsal root ganglion stimulation lead fracture. In these cases, the surgical technique involved (1) traversing fascial layers for placement of leads via a Tuohy needle in the upper low back, (2) subcutaneous tunneling from the implantable pulse generator site to the lead puncture site without dissecting below the superficial fascial plane at the puncture site, and (3) connection of the lead/extension with the generator. All fractures occurred adjacent to the original lead puncture site. These cases suggest lead entrapment within the membranous fascial plane, with tension on a thin lead, is a mechanism underlying lead fracture.
Establishment of a relationship between blastomere geometry and YAP localisation during compaction
Authors: Royer Christophe , Leonavicius Karolis , Kip Annemarie , Fortin Deborah , Nandi Kirtirupa , Vincent Anna , Jones Celine , Child Tim , Coward Kevin , Graham Chris , Srinivas Shankar
Published: September 2020

Precise patterning within the 3-dimensional context of tissues, organs and embryos implies that cells can sense their relative position. During preimplantation development, outside and inside cells rely on apicobasal polarity and the Hippo pathway to choose their fate. Despite recent findings suggesting that mechanosensing may be central to this process, the relationship between blastomere geometry (i.e. shape and position) and the Hippo pathway effector YAP remains unknown. We used a highly quantitative approach to analyse information on the geometry and YAP localisation of individual blastomeres of mouse and human embryos. We identify proportion of exposed cell surface area as most closely correlating with nuclear localisation of YAP. To test this relationship, we developed several hydrogel-based approaches to alter blastomere geometry in cultured embryos. Unbiased clustering analyses of blastomeres from such embryos reveal that this relationship emerges during compaction. Our results therefore pinpoint when during early embryogenesis cells acquire the ability to sense changes in geometry and provide a new framework for how cells might integrate signals from different membrane domains to assess their relative position within the embryo.
Orchestrating morphogenesis: building the body plan by cell shape changes and movements
Authors: Perez-Vale Kia Z. , Peifer Mark
Published: September 2020

During embryonic development, a simple ball of cells re-shapes itself into the elaborate body plan of an animal. This requires dramatic cell shape changes and cell movements, powered by the contractile force generated by actin and myosin linked to the plasma membrane at cell-cell and cell-matrix junctions. Here, we review three morphogenetic events common to most animals: apical constriction, convergent extension and collective cell migration. Using the fruit fly Drosophila as an example, we discuss recent work that has revealed exciting new insights into the molecular mechanisms that allow cells to change shape and move without tearing tissues apart. We also point out parallel events at work in other animals, which suggest that the mechanisms underlying these morphogenetic processes are conserved.
Endurance and sprint training affect immune function differently in green anole lizards (Anolis carolinensis)
Authors: Wang Andrew Z. , Husak Jerry F.
Published: September 2020

Limited resources must be partitioned among traits that enhance fitness. Although survival-related traits often trade off with reproduction, survival-related traits themselves may trade off with each other under energy limitation. Whole-organism performance and the immune system both enhance survival, yet are costly, but it is unclear how the two might trade off with each other under energy-limited conditions. Resources may be allocated to very different types of performance (e.g., aerobic endurance versus anaerobic sprinting) just as they may be allocated to different components of the immune system (e.g., innate versus acquired) to maximize survival. We forced allocation to different performance traits in green anole lizards (Anolis carolinensis), using specialized exercise training, to determine how different components of the immune system would be impacted by shifts in energy use. We measured immunocompetence in endurance trained, sprint trained, and untrained control lizards with the swelling response to phytohemagglutinin (cell-mediated), antibody response to sheep red blood cells (acquired humoral), and wound healing (integrated). Endurance-trained lizards had reduced cell-mediated immunity, whereas sprint-trained lizards had reduced rates of wound healing. The acquired immune response was not affected by either type of training. Because each immune measure responded differently to the different types of training, our results do not support the hypothesis that simple energy limitation determines overall investment in immunity. Instead, different components of the immune system appear to be affected in ways specific to how energy is invested in performance.
Gestão de carteiras sob múltiplos regimes: Performance fora da amostra
Authors: Lewin Marcelo , Campani Carlos Heitor
Published: September 2020

Propomos uma estratégia de alocação dinâmica para um investidor que considera três regimes econômicos latentes, estimados através dos retornos de cinco classes de ativos brasileiros. A estratégia de alocação é definida a partir de uma solução analítica aproximada numa configuração realista, porém a ponto de não permitir solução analítica exata. Testamos a performance da carteira fora da amostra e o resultado superou o retorno de todos os benchmarks analisados em 6 dos 10 anos em tela, tendo apresentado média de retorno semanal superior a qualquer dos benchmarks com significância estatística. De 2009 a 2019, nossa estratégia alcançou um retorno médio igual a 21,6% ao ano contra, por exemplo, 9,8% a.a. do CDI e 4,7% a.a. do Ibovespa. Concluímos que a solução proposta pode interessar a gestores de investimentos e objetivamos fomentar a aplicação de modelos de múltiplos regimes no mercado brasileiro de gestão de carteiras de investimentos.
Hedging the Brazilian stock index in the era of low interest rates: What has changed?
Authors: Aiube Fernando Antonio Lucena , Faquieri Winicius Botelho
Published: September 2020

In this paper we analyze the ability of different asset classes to hedge the Brazilian stock index in periods of high and low interest rates in the Brazilian economy, using two multivariate GARCH models. Our analysis includes two categories of assets: those traded in domestic currency and those traded in U.S. dollars. From the perspective of a local investor, we find that the exchange rate (R$/US$) and gold are the assets least correlated with equities. From the standpoint of a foreign investor, commodity index and fixed-income assets are the most useful. These results prevail in the low- and high-interest-rate periods. Moreover, in the period of low interest rates, the standard deviation of the estimated conditional correlation time series decreases, suggesting that in this period investors are more confident about macroeconomic policies.
Relações entre índices preço-lucro e retornos dos títulos públicos
Authors: Amorim Daniel Penido de Lima , Camargos Marcos Antônio de
Published: September 2020

Os índices P/E1 e P/E10 ou Índice Preço-lucro Ciclicamente Ajustado foram amplamente disseminados na literatura que tem como contexto o mercado de ações americano. Este artigo traz um método de construção de índices P/E para o mercado de ações brasileiro. Seu objetivo é analisar as relações de longo prazo entre tanto o P/E1 quanto o P/E10 e as taxas de juros correspondentes aos retornos de títulos públicos, de modo a testar a relação referente ao Modelo Fed. No geral, o período considerado foi de dezembro de 2004 a junho de 2018. Foram estimados modelos Autorregressivos de Defasagens Distribuídas, os quais podem ser representados como Modelos de Correção de Erros Condicionais. Os resultados evidenciaram relações de longo prazo significativas entre tanto o P/E1 quanto P/E10 e as referidas taxas de juros, sugerindo que o Modelo Fed está em linha com o comportamento do mercado financeiro brasileiro.
É possível viver de day-trade em ações?
Authors: Chague Fernando , Giovannetti Bruno
Published: September 2020

O número de pessoas que tem tentado usar o day-trade como fonte de renda regular vem aumentando. Nesta nota analisamos os resultados de day-trade em ações. Partindo de todos os 98.378 indivíduos que começaram a fazer day-trade em ações no Brasil entre 2013 e 2016, encontramos que apenas 127 indivíduos foram capazes de apresentar lucro bruto diário médio acima de 100 reais por mais de 300 pregões.
Ζητήματα Βιοηθικής της Βιοαστροναυτικής
Authors: Profitiliotis (Γεώργιος Προφητηλιώτης) George
Published: September 2020

The rise of emergent space initiatives -especially of private ones- has begun to push the boundaries of the space industry, thanks to technological innovations that will soon be able to significantly facilitate the development of previously neglected pioneering fields, such as, for example, space research and exploration, space resources utilization, and human access to space. The invigoration and the forthcoming growth of this new space economy in the aforementioned pioneering fields are expected to bring forward important bioethical issues. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the most important of these issues, after a review of a significant number of relevant publications in the international academic literature. In particular, this paper will present bioethical issues in the field of bioastronautics -especially in light of future missions to Mars- that refer to both life on Earth, i.e. microorganisms, plants, animals and humans, and to potential extraterrestrial life. Given the accelerating rate of developments, the best time to discuss these issues, in order to inform policymaking, is now.
The CIPAZ study protocol: an open label randomised controlled trial of azithromycin versus ciprofloxacin for the treatment of children hospitalised with dysentery in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Darton Thomas C. , Thi Hong Chau Tran , Parry Christopher M. , Campbell James I. , Minh Ngoc Nguyen , Le Chau Ngoc Tang , Thanh Tuyen Ha , Thuy Duong Vu , Thanh Hoang Nhat Le , van Minh Pham , Kestelyn Evelyne , Thwaites Guy E. , Huu Tung Trinh , Baker Stephen
Published: September 2020

Background: Diarrhoeal disease remains a common cause of illness and death in children <5 years of age. Faecal-oral infection by Shigella spp. causing bacillary dysentery is a leading cause of moderate-to-severe diarrhoea, particularly in low and middle-income countries. In Southeast Asia, S. sonnei predominates and infections are frequently resistant to first-line treatment with the fluoroquinolone, ciprofloxacin. While resistance to all antimicrobials is increasing, there may be theoretical and clinical benefits to prioritizing treatment of bacillary dysentery with the azalide, azithromycin. In this study we aim to measure the efficacy of treatment with azithromycin compared with ciprofloxacin, the current standard of care, for the treatment of children with bacillary dysentery.

Methods and analysis: We will perform a multicentre, open-label, randomized controlled trial of two therapeutic options for the antimicrobial treatment of children hospitalised with dysentery. Children (6–60 months of age) presenting with symptoms and signs of dysentery at Children’s Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City will be randomised (1:1) to treatment with either oral ciprofloxacin (15mg/kg/twice daily for 3 days, standard-of-care) or oral azithromycin (10mg/kg/daily for 3 days). The primary endpoint will be the proportion of treatment failure (defined by clinical and microbiological parameters) by day 28 (+3 days) and will be compared between study arms by logistic regression modelling using treatment allocation as the main variable.

Ethics and dissemination: The study protocol (version 1.2 dated 27th December 2018) has been approved by the Oxford Tropical Research Ethics Committee (47–18) and the ethical review boards of Children's Hospital 2 (1341/NĐ2-CĐT). The study has also been approved by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health (5044/QĐ-BYT).

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03854929 (February 26th 2019).
Terror as a Linguopragmatic Phenomenon
Authors: Paremuzashvili E.
Published: September 2020

In this article, we consider the linguopragmatic essence of terror, explain its communicative potential as an element of a sign system, and present both the sociopolitical and linguistic typology of this concept. The author analyzes the «terror» lexeme from the positions of syntagmatics, pragmatics and derivatives.
Human Being as an Object of Ethical Evaluation in Russian Linguage Culture
Authors: Klubnichkina D.
Published: September 2020

The article is devoted to the study of language units usage related to the axiological concept of “beauty”, using the example of evaluating the properties of character, actions and behavior of people, that are, manifestations of the human inner world. Based on the material of phraseological units, including paremias, the analysis of stereotypical representations of human behavior norms typical for Russian language culture is carried out. The data obtained during the analysis are compared with modern ideas, collected on the basis of units of the Russian National Corpus.
Means of Realization of the Speech Act of Disagreement on the Material of the Russian and Persian Languages
Authors: Gholami Hosein , Vafai Azade
Published: September 2020

This article is devoted to the analysis of the speech act of disagreement and the ways of its expression in the Russian language. The relevance of this study is due to the increasing role of the study of speech acts of disagreement in the communication process and the necessity and importance of the study of means of implementation. Students studying a foreign language acquire a broad theoretical knowledge of the foreign language, but in practice they face many difficulties. In communication interference occurs. Interference inhibits the assimilation of a foreign language. In order to overcome the interference in learning a second language, it is necessary to pay attention to the pragmatic aspects of the language. This study shows that there are different direct and indirect ways of expressing disagreement.
Dry cow environment management and mastitis control in dairy herds
Authors: Breen James
Published: September 2020

Advice regarding the management and importance of the dry cow environment can be difficult to offer in many dairy herds for several reasons. These may include a perception that dry cow therapy (both internal teat sealant and antibiotic) is extremely effective at preventing infection, a lack of milk recording and/or mastitis data to enable analysis of mastitis epidemiology, suboptimal housing, a fundamental lack of focus on the dry period in favour of continued focus on milking hygiene and lactating cow management, or a combination of several of these reasons. However, for many herds that struggle to control mastitis, improving the dry cow environment will pay huge dividends in terms of reducing dry period new infection and improving apparent dry period cure rate. This article sets out those areas of dry cow environment management which appear particularly important for herds and their veterinary advisors to consider, and gives examples of improved control of mastitis following dry cow interventions for a spring calving, autumn calving and all year round calving herd.
Equine Review
Authors: Rendle David
Published: September 2020

Introduction:

this edition of the Equine Review has a focus on strangles, looking at serological testing, the possibility of an insect vector, issues of contamination of equipment used for diagnosis and the effect of penicillin on the immune response.
CPD article: Quality improvement, checklists and systems of work: why do we need them?
Authors: Mosedale Pam
Published: September 2020

Missing out one small step in a complex procedure can lead to an error. A checklist is a list of actions that can identify the small but crucial steps which may be missed out. Checklists are just one of the tools used to form a culture of continuous quality improvement (QI) in veterinary practice. QI is about understanding the level of care practices provide and implementing interventions to try to improve it. Checklists have been used in aviation and in human healthcare to reduce errors. The use of a surgical safety checklist can be very effective both in human healthcare and in veterinary practice. Checklists can be used in many other areas of practice too. They are a patient safety system, not just a piece of paper, they encourage teamwork, communication and situational awareness and can help to reduce errors
Can the results of a randomized controlled trial change the treatment preferences of orthopaedic surgeons?
Authors: Sonntag Jesper , Landale Keith , Brorson Stig , Harris Ian A
Published: September 2020

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate surgeons’ reported change of treatment preference in response to the results and conclusion from a randomized contolled trial (RCT) and to study patterns of change between subspecialties and nationalities.

Methods

Two questionnaires were developed through the Delphi process for this cross-sectional survey of surgical preference. The first questionnaire was sent out before the publication of a RCT and the second questionnaire was sent out after publication. The RCT investigated repair or non-repair of the pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle during volar locked plating of distal radial fractures (DRFs). Overall, 380 orthopaedic surgeons were invited to participate in the first questionnaire, of whom 115 replied. One hundred surgeons were invited to participate in the second questionnaire. The primary outcome was the proportion of surgeons for whom a treatment change was warranted, who then reported a change of treatment preference following the RCT. Secondary outcomes included the reasons for repair or non-repair, reasons for and against following the RCT results, and difference of preferred treatment of the PQ muscle between surgeons of different nationalities, qualifications, years of training, and number of procedures performed per year.

Results

Of the 100 surgeons invited for the second questionnaire, 74 replied. For the primary outcome, six of 32 surgeons (19%), who usually repaired the PQ muscle and therefore a change of treatment preference was warranted, reported a change of treatment preference based on the RCT publication. Of the secondary outcomes, restoring anatomy was the most common response for repairing the PQ muscle.

Conclusion

The majority of the orthopaedic surgeons, where a change of treatment preference was warranted based on the results and conclusion of a RCT, did not report willingness to change their treatment preference. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-9:549–555.
Actively Simulated Floating Lossless Inductor for Short Range Wireless Communication
Authors: Moonmuang Pitchayanin , Pukkalanun Tattaya , Unhavanich Sumalee , Tangsrirat Worapong
Published: September 2020

This communication describes the resistorless simulation of the floating lossless inductor using three voltage differencing buffered amplifiers (VDBAs) and one grounded capacitor. The circuit employs only a grounded capacitor, and no other extra resistor element is employed. Thus, it is suitable for further communication integrated front-end circuit design in short-range wireless and application. The realized equivalent inductance value of the simulated inductor can be changed electronically via the external biasing currents of the VDBAs. Sufficient simulation results with the PSPICE program are provided to validate the functionality of the realized inductor. In addition to establishing the practical operation of the simulator, the measured test results obtained from hardware implementation using readily available integrated chips (ICs) are also included.
Analysis of Variance and Correlation Study of Chlorophyll-a in North and South Coast of Lombok Island Using Aqua MODIS Image Data
Authors: Wibisana Hendrata , Zainab Siti , Kamandang Zetta Rasullia , Rusdi Muhammad
Published: September 2020

Chlorophyll-a mapping is widely used in the coastal environment. The mapping results can be utilized as guidance for fishing activities. The presence of chlorophyll-a in phytoplankton is much investigated concerning the existence of fish as a source of livelihood for fishermen around the globe.  One method extensively developed is the use of satellite imagery to map the chlorophyll-content in the coastal region from a small area to a global scale, such as Aqua MODIS image data. This study aims to monitor the distribution of chlorophyll-a on the north coast and south coast of Lombok island.  Analysis of variance and parametric statistical tests with t-distribution was utilized to examine the correlation between the two types of chlorophyll-a distribution of the coast area, Lombok Island. The result shows that the distribution of chlorophyll-a concentrations on the north coast and the south of the coast is not the same abundance; the south coast of Lombok island has smaller variances, with the concentration distribution is relatively the same. It differs from the north part; the distribution shows less diversity. This result indicates that a reasonably wide interval wherein some coordinates has a relatively diffuse chlorophyll-a concentration with a sufficiently high distribution level. Analysis of variance result also shows that both the north and south coasts have different fertility levels for their coastal waters, which are characterized by the growth rate of chlorophyll-a on the surface water along the coastal region examined
Evaluation of forward reflectance models and empirical algorithms for
chlorophyll concentration of stratified waters
Authors: Lee Zhongping , Wang Yongchao , Yu Xiaolong , Shang Shaoling , Luis Kelly
Published: September 2020

For waters with stratified chlorophyll concentration (Chl), numerical
simulations were carried out to gain insight into the forward models
of subsurface reflectance and empirical algorithms for Chl from the
ocean color. It is found that the Gordon and Clark (1980) forward
model for reflectance using an equivalent homogeneous water with a
weighted average Chl (

⟨

C
h
l

⟩

) as the input works well, but
depending on the contribution of gelbstoff, the difference in
reflectance between stratified and the equivalent homogeneous water
can be more than 10%. Further, the attenuation of upward light is
better approximated as

∼

1.5

t
i
m
e
s

that of the diffuse attenuation
coefficient of downwelling irradiance. On the other hand, although the
forward model for reflectance developed in Zaneveld et al. [Opt.
Express 13, 9052 (2005)] using equivalent
homogeneous water with a weighted average of the backscattering to
absorption ratio as the input also works well, this model cannot be
used to obtain equivalent

⟨

C
h
l

⟩

for reflectance. Further, for
empirical Chl algorithms designed for “Case 1” waters, it has been
discovered that, for surface Chl in a range of

∼

0.06

−

22.0

m
g

/

m

3

, the predictability of surface Chl is
basically the same as that of

⟨

C
h
l

⟩

from the blue-green band ratio or the
band difference of reflectance. Because

⟨

C
h
l

⟩

is wavelength and weighting-formula
dependent, and it is required to have profiles of both Chl and the
optical properties, these results emphasize that for empirical Chl
algorithms, it is easier, less ambiguous, and certainly more
straightforward and simple to use surface Chl for algorithm
development and then its evaluation, rather than to use 

⟨

C
h
l

⟩

, regardless of whether or not the
water is stratified.
X-ray attenuation models to account for beam hardening in computed tomography
Authors: Yang Q. , Fullagar W. K. , Myers G. R. , Latham S. J. , Varslot T. , Sheppard A. P. , Kingston A. M.
Published: September 2020

We introduce a beam-hardening correction method for lab-based X-ray computed tomography (CT) by modifying existing iterative tomographic reconstruction algorithms. Our method simplifies the standard Alvarez–Macovski X-ray attenuation model [Phys. Med. Biol. 21, 733 (1976)] and is compatible with conventional (i.e., single-spectrum) CT scans. The sole modification involves a polychromatic projection operation, which is equivalent to applying a weighting that more closely matches the attenuation of polychromatic X-rays. Practicality is a priority, so we only require information about the X-ray spectrum and some constants relating to material properties. No other changes to the experimental setup or the iterative algorithms are necessary. Using reconstructions of simulations and several large experimental datasets, we show that this method is able to remove or reduce cupping, streaking, and other artefacts from X-ray beam hardening and improve the self-consistency of projected attenuation in CT. When the assumptions made in the simplifications are valid, the reconstructed tomogram can even be quantitative.
Fabrication of a micro-lens array for improving depth-of-field of integral imaging 3D display
Authors: Peng Yuyan , Zhou Xiongtu , Zhang Yongai , Guo Tailiang
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we present a new, to the best of our knowledge, structure of double pinhole/micro-lens array (DP/MLA) with two center-depth planes, used for improving the depth-of-field (DOF) of integral imaging (II), which can be fabricated by a combination of lithography and inkjet printing. The results show that a black circular groove array prepared by lithography can be used for micro-lens location and reduce the stray light for II. By controlling the parameters of the inkjet printing system, DP/MLA with high precision, high alignment, and good focusing ability can be achieved. When the fabricated DP/MLA is applied in the II system, the reconstructed image has a better three-dimensional (3D) image with higher DOF than that by traditional MLA and higher quality than that by ordinary double-layer MLA.
Cost-effective demonstration of fiber-optic frequency transfer
Authors: Zhang Hao
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we demonstrate a cost-effective solution for fiber-optic
frequency transfer. By employing the commercially available small form
pluggable (SFP) transceivers and other components for telecom, the
scheme is compatible with the existing telecom networks. An experiment
testbed based on the common round trip frequency
transfer is carried out to investigate the corresponding performance
in detail. Compared with the conventional analog electro-optic
interconversion scheme, the optical modulation and demodulation
employing SFP transceiver has an inferior performance in terms of
additive phase noise. However, the scheme enables a much larger
operation range of receiving optical power for an optimal system
performance, which indicates the certain capability of adapting to
different fiber transmission links. On the basis of the established
testbed, fiber-optic frequency transfer with a frequency of 1 GHz is
demonstrated over a 50 km dispersion-compensated fiber link.
Furthermore, the additive phase noise of

−

84

d
B
c

/

H
z

@1 Hz and

−

130

d
B
c

/

H
z

@10 kHz is achieved. Simultaneously,
the Allan deviation (ADEV) of

9.6

×

1

0

−
14

/

s

and

8.4

×

1

0

−
17

/

10

4

s

is reached, respectively. The scheme
can provide a relatively feasible solution to implement fiber-optic
frequency transfer over the existing telecom network
infrastructure.
Spherical Glass Based Fiber Optic Fabry-Perot Interferometric Probe for Refractive Index Sensing
Authors: Ali Muhammad Mahmood , Memon Sanober Farheen , McGuinness Fintan , Lewis Elfed , Leen Gabriel
Published: September 2020

A novel Fabry-Perot sensor, comprised a glass sphere bonded to a capillary and singlemode fiber, is proposed for refractive index sensing. It is characterized in air, water, ethanol, isopropanol, and glycerol.
Field-deployable mid-infrared quantum cascade laser dualcomb spectrometer with multi-pass cell module
Authors: Liu Jie , Westberg Jonas , Shen Linhan , Teng Chu C. , Chen Yifeng , Wysocki Gerard
Published: September 2020

Multi-pass cell extractive sensing function is integrated into a field-deployable midinfrared quantum-cascade-laser based dual comb stand-off spectrometer. The multi-pass cell allows for field-deployable high-sensitivity extractive point sensing and for conducting controlled experiments for system calibration.
100,000 frames-per-second compressive imaging with a conventional rolling-shutter camera by random point-spread-function engineering
Authors: Weinberg Gil , Katz Ori
Published: September 2020

We demonstrate an approach that allows taking videos at very high frame-rates of over 100,000 frames per second by exploiting the fast sampling rate of the standard rolling-shutter readout mechanism, common to most conventional sensors, and a compressive-sampling acquisition scheme. Our approach is directly applied to a conventional imaging system by the simple addition of a diffuser to the pupil plane that randomly encodes the entire field-of-view to each camera row, while maintaining diffraction-limited resolution. A short video is reconstructed from a single camera frame via a compressed-sensing reconstruction algorithm, exploiting the inherent sparsity of the imaged scene.