bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model of phase synchronization system operating under conditions of violent ionospheric disturbances
Authors: Tsimbal V A , Shimanov S N , Mokrinskiy D V , Toiskin V E
Published: July 2020

A model of the phase synchronization system based on the circuit of digital phase-locked-loop frequency control, adaptive equalizer, and a system of frequency-matched filters is proposed. This model provides the required value of the bit error probability at the output of the digital demodulator under the influence of strong ionospheric disturbances in the decameter communication channel.
Development of a model for detecting security incidents in event flows from various components in a network of telecommunication service providers
Authors: Parfenov D I , Bolodurina I P , Lapina M A
Published: July 2020

In the framework of this study, a technical solution was developed that makes it possible to detect network security incidents with a high probability using data arrays about device statuses, network events, and information stored in system logs. A model for identifying attacks on a network has been developed, using behavioral analysis and allowing the identification of suspicious network activity An algorithmic solution has also been built that allows aggregating data in a single store based on Cassandra and correlating events from specified sources using gradient boosting of decision trees in the CatBoost implementation. During the computational experiment, the study of the proposed hybrid solution for the accuracy of identification of individual types of attacks was conducted. It is proved that the proposed approach can effectively detect and repel attacks by reducing the response time to security incidents.
Design of a fuzzy controller for a membrane gas separation process control system
Authors: Koldaev A I , Koldaeva Zh M , Evdokimov A A , Boldyrev D V , Kuzmenko I P
Published: July 2020

The production of nitrogen from the air through membrane gas separation processes is widely used in many industries. The problem of controlling the gas separation process, it is connected with multi-loop control using the control of several variables. This article proposes an intelligent controller for matching fluctuations in pressure and airflow of the gas separator. The intelligent controller is based on a fuzzy logic algorithm. Applying fuzzy logic in the proposed solution allows you to increase the speed of the control system. The effectiveness of the proposed controller was evaluated in comparison with the PID controller. The proposed fuzzy controller can improve the accuracy of the control system of gas separation, reduce the process transient duration and increase the service life of technological equipment.
Development and testing of hardware-software complex for diagnostics of freight vehicles energy parameters
Authors: Kazakov D V , Kuzmenko I P , Moskvitin A A , Abelyan A S
Published: July 2020

Proposed method of energy parameters control of freight vehicles in a non-brake way is based on evaluation of their dynamic properties. An algorithm has been developed for calculating all the necessary energy parameters, on the basis of which analysis and correct technical and production operation of freight vehicles (FV) are carried out. The method of measuring speed and acceleration of FV was tested using a set of GPS and/or GLONASS sensors which showed its effectiveness.
The selection of parameters and control points in the geotechnical monitoring system
Authors: Dorofeev N V , Grecheneva A V , Romanov R V , Pankina E S
Published: July 2020

This article proposes an approach to the organization of the monitoring of geotechnical systems, which allows to increase the effectiveness of the automated control of destructive processes in geotechnical systems. The effectiveness of control is achieved by optimizing economic costs and technical constraints. The technical parameters of an automated geotechnical monitoring system are determined by the cost and importance of controlled objects. The criterion of optimality is the criterion of minimizing costs when implementing a geotechnical monitoring system with a constant value of possible damage. Possible damage in the geotechnical system during the development of destructive processes is expressed in monetary terms. The costs of implementing a geotechnical monitoring system are determined based on its cost, fixed costs for its maintenance, as well as technical parameters. The technical parameters in assessing the cost of implementing a geotechnical monitoring system are: the cost of measuring one controlled parameter, the number of measurement points, the cost of skipping the development of destructive geotechnical processes, the cost of a false alarm system. The proposed approach to optimizing the cost of implementing a geotechnical monitoring system is based on the monitoring method at key control points with a choice of bifurcation parameters. The proposed approach for optimizing the geotechnical monitoring system was tested in the city of Murom, Vladimir Region, and the Russian Federation while observing the development of suffusion processes of technogenic origin. The results of practical testing showed the possibility of reducing the cost of monitoring organization while maintaining control accuracy.
Security methods for a group of mobile robots according to the requirements of Russian and foreign legislation
Authors: Basan A S , Basan E S , Lapina M A , Kormakova V N , Lapin V G
Published: July 2020

This paper is devoted to the problem of creating security methods for mobile robotic systems. The urgency of the problem of ensuring the security of mobile robotic systems is associated with the presence of a contradiction between the growing popularity of the mobile robotic systems and the presence of many vulnerabilities. Development of a universal security system which should provide protection not only against an malicious attack, but also allow the system to cope with unintentional errors, interference or changes in the external environment, thereby improving the operation of group control algorithms for robots, and increasing the reliability and stability of the mobile robotic systems.
Measurement of Strain Induced on a Deep Placement Fertilizer Applicator by Static load and Finite Element Simulation
Authors: Patuk I , Hasegawa H , Borodin I , Pavlyuk R
Published: July 2020

This paper briefly reveals study results performed on a deep placement fertilizer applicator (DPFA) in order to measure strain gage resistances and calibrate a strain gage piece of equipment in laboratory conditions. The finite element method (FEM) simulation was performed in order to identify stress concentrated areas by strain gage attachments, and to determine optimum material properties for a DPFA prototype fabrication. New laboratory arrangements and theories of resistance force determination of a DPFA were developed in order to simulate different soil depths (0.15, 0.20, 0.25m) and apply a static load (5000N) in laboratory conditions. Unique practical knowledge was obtained in terms of different strain gage applications on the DPFA in its rigid form to obtain strain gage resistances. It was found that the strain sensitivity of the strain gages depended on the work dimensions of strain gage characteristics.
Improvement of the process of dosing sugar beet seeds using a cone-shaped sowing apparatus
Authors: Kulaev E V , Danilov M V , Vysochkina L I , Kalugin D S , Maliev V K
Published: July 2020

To improve the quality of sowing seeds of sugar beets, the constructive and regime parameters of the high-speed cone-shaped device, which ensures the transportation of seeds with a cone-shaped dispenser, the increase in the grasping capacity of cells, the process of sowing seeds into cells and laying seeds in cells. As a result of analytical studies, regularities in the change in the supply of sugar beet seeds by a cone-shaped sowing device are revealed depending on the linear velocity, the angle of inclination of the cells and the thickness of the sowing ring. The high-speed seeder provides high accuracy of seed dosing, high uniformity of seeding and seed distribution without damage in the seed bed. This contributes to the survival and stability of the culture in the first days after sowing, which ultimately will ensure a reduction in the cost of growing sugar beet and increase yield. The analytical dependencies obtained and the calculation procedure can be used in the design of mechanical precision seeding machines. Empirical regression models are used to adjust the sowing apparatus to optimal operating conditions.
About one transportation technology of construction cargo
Authors: Malafeyev O A , Redinskikh N D , Zaitseva I V , Orel Yu V , Shlaev D V
Published: July 2020

The model of shipping construction cargo from initial point to the destination point is formalized and studied in this paper. The possible shipping routes are represented as network. Each edge of such network is possible mode of cargo shipping (by rail transport, air transport). These edges compose the full route from the initial point to the final point. In the network there are several possible routes of cargo transportation from the initial point to the destination point. The choice of route by transportation organizer depends on the cost of cargo transportation. The transportation organizer chooses the optimal route according to the optimality principle, compromise solution.
Simulation of multi-agent interaction between mobile operators and users
Authors: Zaitseva I V , Malafeyev O A , Kefeli I F , Poddubnaya N V , Shuvaev A V
Published: July 2020

Game-theoretic models for two classes of players are considered in this paper. The first class will consist of mobile operators, who, based on information about competitors’ actions, will plan changes in prices for services. The second class will consist of dedicated user cohorts who, depending on the current situation, will plan their actions, namely, change or not change the operator. The presented models solve the problem of maximizing the income of mobile operators and minimizing the cost of communication by users. A turn-based game is considered where a possible strategy for a first-class player will be considered a non-zero price vector for the provided communication services. A possible strategy for a second-class player will be considered the sequence of choosing a mobile operator for each of the services. The payoff function of both classes players will be built at each stage. According to the winnings, there is a compromise solution for different classes of players.
Epigenetic mechanisms in Tendon Ageing
Authors: Riasat Kiran , Bardell David , Goljanek-Whysall Katarzyna , Clegg Peter D , Peffers Mandy J
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Tendon is a composite material with a well-ordered hierarchical structure exhibiting viscoelastic properties designed to transfer force. It is recognized that the incidence of tendon injury increases with age, suggesting a deterioration in homeostatic mechanisms or reparative processes. This review summarizes epigenetic mechanisms identified in ageing healthy tendon.

Sources of data

We searched multiple databases to produce a systematic review on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in tendon ageing.

Areas of agreement

Epigenetic mechanisms are important in predisposing ageing tendon to injury.

Areas of controversy

The relative importance of epigenetic mechanisms are unknown in terms of promoting healthy ageing. It is also unknown whether these changes represent protective mechanisms to function or predispose to pathology.

Growing point

Epigenetic markers in ageing tendon, which are under-researched including genome-wide chromatin accessibility, should be investigated.

Areas timely for developing research

Metanalysis through integration of multiple datasets and platforms will enable a holistic understanding of the epigenome in ageing and its relevance to disease.
Smell-Based Memory Training: Evidence of Olfactory Learning and Transfer to the Visual Domain
Authors: Olofsson Jonas K , Ekström Ingrid , Lindström Joanna , Syrjänen Elmeri , Stigsdotter-Neely Anna , Nyberg Lars , Jonsson Sara , Larsson Maria
Published: July 2020

Human and non-human animal research converge to suggest that the sense of smell, olfaction, has a high level of plasticity and is intimately associated with visual-spatial orientation and memory encoding networks. We investigated whether olfactory memory (OM) training would lead to transfer to an untrained visual memory (VM) task, as well as untrained olfactory tasks. We devised a memory intervention to compare transfer effects generated by olfactory and non-olfactory (visual) memory training. Adult participants were randomly assigned to daily memory training for about 40 days with either olfactory or visual tasks that had a similar difficulty level. Results showed that while visual training did not produce transfer to the OM task, olfactory training produced transfer to the untrained VM task. Olfactory training also improved participants’ performance on odor discrimination and naming tasks, such that they reached the same performance level as a high-performing group of wine professionals. Our results indicate that the olfactory system is highly responsive to training, and we speculate that the sense of smell may facilitate transfer of learning to other sensory domains. Further research is however needed in order to replicate and extend our findings.
Development and Validation of a Nomogram for Assessing Survival in Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia
Authors: Dong Yi-Min , Sun Jia , Li Yi-Xin , Chen Qian , Liu Qing-Quan , Sun Zhou , Pang Ran , Chen Fei , Xu Bing-Yang , Manyande Anne , Clark Taane G , Li Jin-Ping , Orhan Ilkay Erdogan , Tian Yu-Ke , Wang Tao , Wu Wei , Ye Da-Wei
Published: July 2020

Background

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide and continues to threaten peoples’ health as well as put pressure on the accessibility of medical systems. Early prediction of survival of hospitalized patients will help in the clinical management of COVID-19, but a prediction model that is reliable and valid is still lacking.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 628 confirmed cases of COVID-19 using positive RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 in Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, China. These patients were randomly grouped into a training (60%) and a validation (40%) cohort. In the training cohort, LASSO regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were utilized to identify prognostic factors for in-hospital survival of patients with COVID-19. A nomogram based on the 3 variables was built for clinical use. AUCs, concordance indexes (C-index), and calibration curves were used to evaluate the efficiency of the nomogram in both training and validation cohorts.

Results

Hypertension, higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and increased NT-proBNP values were found to be significantly associated with poorer prognosis in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The 3 predictors were further used to build a prediction nomogram. The C-indexes of the nomogram in the training and validation cohorts were 0.901 and 0.892, respectively. The AUC in the training cohort was 0.922 for 14-day and 0.919 for 21-day probability of in-hospital survival, while in the validation cohort this was 0.922 and 0.881, respectively. Moreover, the calibration curve for 14- and 21-day survival also showed high coherence between the predicted and actual probability of survival.

Conclusions

We built a predictive model and constructed a nomogram for predicting in-hospital survival of patients with COVID-19. This model has good performance and might be utilized clinically in management of COVID-19.
CerealsDB—new tools for the analysis of the wheat genome: update 2020
Authors: Wilkinson Paul A , Allen Alexandra M , Tyrrell Simon , Wingen Luzie U , Bian Xingdong , Winfield Mark O , Burridge Amanda , Shaw Daniel S , Zaucha Jan , Griffiths Simon , Davey Robert P , Edwards Keith J , Barker Gary L A
Published: July 2020

CerealsDB (www.cerealsdb.uk.net) is an online repository of mainly hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genotyping data. The CerealsDB website has been designed to enable wheat breeders and scientists to select the appropriate markers for research breeding tasks, such as marker-assisted selection. We report a large update of genotyping information for over 6000 wheat accessions and describe new webtools for exploring and visualizing the data. We also describe a new database of quantitative trait loci that links phenotypic traits to CerealsDB SNP markers and allelic scores for each of those markers. CerealsDB is an open-access website that hosts information on wheat SNPs considered useful for both plant breeders and research scientists. The latest CerealsDB database is available at https://www.cerealsdb.uk.net/cerealgenomics/CerealsDB/indexNEW.php.
Unicuspid aortic valve repair with bicuspidization in the paediatric population
Authors: Matsushima Shunsuke , Heß Alexander , Lämmerzahl Julia Renata , Karliova Irem , Abdul-Khaliq Hashim , Schäfers Hans-Joachim
Published: July 2020

OBJECTIVES

Aortic stenosis or regurgitation that requires operations in children often results from unicuspid valve morphology. In all paediatric patients with this anomaly, we have performed unicuspid valve repair by bicuspidization, creating a new commissure via adding patch material. This study reviewed our experience with this procedure.

METHODS

All patients with a unicuspid aortic valve who underwent bicuspidization at ≤18 years of age between 2003 and 2018 were evaluated. Autologous pericardium had initially been used for cusp augmentation. Since 2014, decellularized xenogeneic tissue or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane has been applied.

RESULTS

There were 60 consecutive patients. The median operative age was 13 (1–18) years. Thirty patients had prior surgical or catheter valvuloplasties. Aortic regurgitation, aortic stenosis and their combination were present in 22, 11 and 27 patients, respectively. Autologous pericardium decellularized tissue and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene were used in 45, 11 and 4 patients, respectively, without intraoperative conversion to valve replacement. The overall survival was 96% at 10 years with 2 late deaths. Twenty patients underwent aortic valve reoperation due to patch degeneration (n = 11), suture dehiscence of the patch (n = 3), subaortic stenosis (n = 3) or other reasons (n = 3). Freedom from aortic valve reoperation was 73% and 50% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Fifteen patients (25%) required valve replacement with pulmonary autograft (n = 14) or prosthesis (n = 1) 5.2 (0.2–13) years after bicuspidization at the age of 19 (10–32) years.

CONCLUSIONS

Bicuspidization is a safe and reproducible alternative to valve replacement with acceptable freedom from reoperation. It can serve as a bridge to valve replacement providing superior outcomes in adults.
Social support and postpartum adherence to HIV treatment: a community-based participatory research study in Russia
Authors: King Elizabeth J , Yakovleva Anna , Lisecki Shelbi R , Shastina Elena , Sukhova Natalia , Titina Elena , Legchilova Daria , Evdokimova Irina , Godunova Julia
Published: July 2020

Background

There are over 1 million people living with HIV in Russia, and less than half of them are on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Earlier in the epidemic, Russia was successful in implementing prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes; however, there is a gap in knowledge about postpartum adherence to ART among women living with HIV (WLHIV). The objective of our research study was to identify which factors are associated with postpartum engagement in HIV care and treatment in Russia.

Methods

We conducted a community-based participatory research study in five Russian cities. We surveyed 200 WLHIV who had given birth within the previous 24 months about their use of ART. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine which types of social support are associated with adherence to ART in the postpartum period.

Results

Less than half (40%) of mothers reported being adherent to ART. Multivariable analysis showed that having a supportive family environment [aOR = 2.64, 95% CI (1.91–5.83)], and active engagement with other HIV-positive mothers [aOR = 2.20, 95% CI (1.04–4.66)] were positively associated with postpartum adherence to ART. WLHIV who had more than one child were less likely to be adherent then WLHIV with just one child [aOR = 0.44, 95% CI (0.22–0.91)].

Conclusion

The support that new mothers have or do not have can play an important role in WLHIV adherence to ART. The findings from our study provide ideas for improving the likelihood that women will continue to engage in HIV treatment and care after pregnancy.
On QZ steps with perfect shifts and computing the index of a differential-algebraic equation
Authors: Mastronardi Nicola , Van Dooren Paul
Published: July 2020

In this paper we revisit the problem of performing a $QZ$ step with a so-called ‘perfect shift’, which is an ‘exact’ eigenvalue of a given regular pencil $\lambda B-A$ in unreduced Hessenberg triangular form. In exact arithmetic, the $QZ$ step moves that eigenvalue to the bottom of the pencil, while the rest of the pencil is maintained in Hessenberg triangular form, which then yields a deflation of the given eigenvalue. But in finite precision the $QZ$ step gets ‘blurred’ and precludes the deflation of the given eigenvalue. In this paper we show that when we first compute the corresponding eigenvector to sufficient accuracy, then the $QZ$ step can be constructed using this eigenvector, so that the deflation is also obtained in finite precision. An important application of this technique is the computation of the index of a system of differential algebraic equations, since an exact deflation of the infinite eigenvalues is needed to impose correctly the algebraic constraints of such differential equations.
Improved Sample Quality and Decreased Turnaround Time When Using Plasma Blood Collection Tubes with a Mechanical Separator in a Large University Hospital
Authors: Hétu Pierre-Olivier , Hobeila Sacha , Larivière François , Bélanger Marie-Claire
Published: July 2020

Background

Serum is commonly used for clinical chemistry testing but many conditions can affect the clotting process, leading to poor sample quality and impaired workflow. With serum gel tubes, we found a high proportion of sample probe aspiration errors on our Beckman AU5800 analyzers. We decided to implement the BD Barricor™ plasma tubes, and we validated an off-specification centrifugation scheme and verified that results obtained for 65 chemistry and immunochemistry tests were comparable to those obtained in serum gel tubes. Finally, we evaluated the impact of this new tube on sample error rate and laboratory turnaround time.

Methods

To validate centrifugation settings, 50 paired samples were collected in Barricor tubes and centrifuged at 1912 × g for 10 min or 5 min (off-specification). To compare serum gel tubes with Barricor plasma tubes, 119 paired samples were collected from volunteers and results were analyzed using weighed Deming regression. Finally, the proportion of aspiration errors and laboratory TAT for potassium were measured before and after implementing Barricor tubes.

Results

Barricor tubes showed clinically acceptable equivalence to serum gel tubes for the studied analytes, and the off-specification centrifugation scheme did not affect the results. Implementing Barricor tubes improved the laboratory workflow by decreasing the aspiration error rates (2.01% to 0.77%, P < 0.001) and lowering hemolysis (P < 0.001). The laboratory TAT for potassium were also significantly lowered (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Use of Barricor tubes instead of serum gel tubes leads to better sample quality, shorter more reproducible laboratory TAT, and decreases costs associated with error management.
Evaluation of the Online-Presence of ABA-Verified Burn Centers
Authors: Tapking Christian , Popp Daniel , Hundeshagen Gabriel , Houschyar Khosrow S , Haug Valentin , Boson Alexis L , Benedikt Stefan , Branski Ludwik Krzysztof
Published: July 2020

Currently, patients seek healthcare information online. An up-to-date online presence is vital for success among the competition amid hospitals. Hospital websites have become an important medium to communicate with patients, provide information about certain diseases/conditions, and advertise healthcare services. This study aims to evaluate burn centers websites verified by the American Burn Association (ABA). The online presence of the 73 ABA-verified burn centers was evaluated according to criteria previously published by Benedikt et al. This included general information on burns, first aid, treatment at the burn unit, research, and education. ABA-verified burn centers were then compared with 48 German-speaking burn centers evaluated by Benedikt et al. Online information about patient care including treatment options and techniques was more often present in ABA-verified burn centers. However, this information was still provided in only half of the websites. Furthermore, ABA-verified burn centers more often used multimedia-based elements and social media platforms. On the other hand, German-speaking burn centers more often provided translations, general information (eg, staff and ward) about the burn center, as well as research and education. This study demonstrates that although many burn centers have well-designed websites, relevant burn-related information on patient care, research, and education is often missing or sparse. Today, most patients look for healthcare information online. Also, applicants for residency or fellowship programs tend to get a first picture of their potential employer on websites or social media. Keeping websites and social media up-to-date and informative can improve recruitment of patients and employees.
Cold Nights, City Lights: Artificial Light at Night Reduces Photoperiodically Induced Diapause in Urban and Rural Populations ofAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Westby Katie M , Medley Kim A
Published: July 2020

As the planet becomes increasingly urbanized, it is imperative that we understand the ecological and evolutionary consequences of urbanization on species. One common attribute of urbanization that differs from rural areas is the prevalence of artificial light at night (ALAN). For many species, light is one of the most important and reliable environmental cues, largely governing the timing of daily and seasonal activity patterns. Recently, it has been shown that ALAN can alter behavioral, phenological, and physiological traits in diverse taxa. For temperate insects, diapause is an essential trait for winter survival and commences in response to declining daylight hours in the fall. Diapause is under strong selection pressure in the mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse); local adaptation and rapid evolution has been observed along a latitudinal cline. It is unknown how ALAN affects this photosensitive trait or if local adaptation has occurred along an urbanization gradient. Using a common garden experiment, we experimentally demonstrated that simulated ALAN reduces diapause incidence in this species by as much as 40%. There was no difference, however, between urban and rural demes. We also calculated diapause incidence from wild demes in urban areas to determine whether wild populations exhibited lower than predicted incidence compared to estimates from total nocturnal darkness. In early fall, lower than predicted diapause incidence was recorded, but all demes reached nearly 100% diapause before terminating egg laying. It is possible that nocturnal resting behavior in vegetation limits the amount of ALAN exposure this species experiences potentially limiting local adaptation.
Using Time Series Models to Understand Survey Costs
Authors: Wagner James , Guyer Heidi , Evanchek Chrissy
Published: July 2020

Survey costs are an understudied area. However, understanding survey costs is critical for making efficient decisions about cost-error trade-offs, as well as to accurately project future costs. In this article, we examine a measure of survey costs—per interview costs—over time in a repeated cross-sectional survey. We examine both measurement issues and variability in costs. The measurement issues relate to the classification of various costs into the appropriate time period. We explore several issues that make this process of classification difficult. A time series analysis is then utilized to examine the trends and seasonality in per interview costs. Under the assumptions of our model, after removing the trend and seasonality components, the remainder is variation in costs. This approach allows us to treat survey cost estimates in a manner similar to any other survey estimate.
Detecting isolated stellar-mass black holes in the absence of microlensing parallax effect
Authors: Karolinski Numa , Zhu(祝伟) Wei
Published: July 2020

Gravitational microlensing can detect isolated stellar-mass black holes (BHs), which are believed to be the dominant form of Galactic BHs according to population synthesis models. Previous searches for BH events in microlensing data focused on long time-scale events with significant microlensing parallax detections. Here we show that, although BH events preferentially have long time-scales, the microlensing parallax amplitudes are so small that in most cases the parallax signals cannot be detected statistically significantly. We then identify OGLE-2006-BLG-044 to be a candidate BH event because of its long time-scale and small microlensing parallax. Our findings have implications to future BH searches in microlensing data.
Viral CpG Deficiency Provides No Evidence That Dogs Were Intermediate Hosts for SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Pollock David D , Castoe Todd A , Perry Blair W , Lytras Spyros , Wade Kristen J , Robertson David L , Holmes Edward C , Boni Maciej F , Kosakovsky Pond Sergei L , Parry Rhys , Carlton Elizabeth J , Wood James L N , Pennings Pleuni S , Goldstein Richard A
Published: July 2020

Due to the scope and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic there exists a strong desire to understand where the SARS-CoV-2 virus came from and how it jumped species boundaries to humans. Molecular evolutionary analyses can trace viral origins by establishing relatedness and divergence times of viruses and identifying past selective pressures. However, we must uphold rigorous standards of inference and interpretation on this topic because of the ramifications of being wrong. Here, we dispute the conclusions of Xia (2020. Extreme genomic CpG deficiency in SARS-CoV-2 and evasion of host antiviral defense. Mol Biol Evol. doi:10.1093/molbev/masa095) that dogs are a likely intermediate host of a SARS-CoV-2 ancestor. We highlight major flaws in Xia’s inference process and his analysis of CpG deficiencies, and conclude that there is no direct evidence for the role of dogs as intermediate hosts. Bats and pangolins currently have the greatest support as ancestral hosts of SARS-CoV-2, with the strong caveat that sampling of wildlife species for coronaviruses has been limited.
THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF SUBGROUPS OF ELLIPTIC CURVES OVER FINITE FIELDS
Authors: Perret-Gentil Corentin
Published: July 2020

By adapting the technique of David, Koukoulopoulos and Smith for computing sums of Euler products, and using their interpretation of results of Schoof à la Gekeler, we determine the average number of subgroups (or cyclic subgroups) of an elliptic curve over a fixed finite field of prime size. This is in line with previous works computing the average number of (cyclic) subgroups of finite abelian groups of rank at most $2$. A required input is a good estimate for the divisor function in both short interval and arithmetic progressions, that we obtain by combining ideas of Ivić–Zhai and Blomer. With the same tools, an asymptotic for the average of the number of divisors of the number of rational points could also be given.
Leveraging the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database to Fill in Knowledge Gaps for Environmental Health: A Test Case for Air Pollution-induced Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Davis Allan Peter , Wiegers Thomas C , Grondin Cynthia J , Johnson Robin J , Sciaky Daniela , Wiegers Jolene , Mattingly Carolyn J
Published: July 2020

Environmental health studies relate how exposures (eg, chemicals) affect human health and disease; however, in most cases, the molecular and biological mechanisms connecting an exposure with a disease remain unknown. To help fill in these knowledge gaps, we sought to leverage content from the public Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) to identify potential intermediary steps. In a proof-of-concept study, we systematically compute the genes, molecular mechanisms, and biological events for the environmental health association linking air pollution toxicants with 2 cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction and hypertension) as a test case. Our approach integrates 5 types of curated interactions in CTD to build sets of “CGPD-tetramers,” computationally constructed information blocks relating a Chemical- Gene interaction with a Phenotype and Disease. This bioinformatics strategy generates 653 CGPD-tetramers for air pollution-associated myocardial infarction (involving 5 pollutants, 58 genes, and 117 phenotypes) and 701 CGPD-tetramers for air pollution-associated hypertension (involving 3 pollutants, 96 genes, and 142 phenotypes). Collectively, we identify 19 genes and 96 phenotypes shared between these 2 air pollutant-induced outcomes, and suggest important roles for oxidative stress, inflammation, immune responses, cell death, and circulatory system processes. Moreover, CGPD-tetramers can be assembled into extensive chemical-induced disease pathways involving multiple gene products and sequential biological events, and many of these computed intermediary steps are validated in the literature. Our method does not require a priori knowledge of the toxicant, interacting gene, or biological system, and can be used to analyze any environmental chemical-induced disease curated within the public CTD framework. This bioinformatics strategy links and interrelates chemicals, genes, phenotypes, and diseases to fill in knowledge gaps for environmental health studies, as demonstrated for air pollution-associated cardiovascular disease, but can be adapted by researchers for any environmentally influenced disease-of-interest.
II Old English
Authors: Burns Rachel , Curran Colleen , Hardie Rebecca , Yang Kaifan , Kehoe Niamh , Knowles Emma , Ponirakis Eleni , Tedford Margaret
Published: July 2020

This chapter has eleven sections: 1. Bibliography; 2. Manuscript Studies, Palaeography, and Facsimiles; 3. Cultural and Intellectual Contexts; 4. Literature: General; 5. The Poems of the Exeter Book; 6. The Poems of the Vercelli Book; 7. The Poems of the Junius Manuscript; 8. Beowulf and the Beowulf Manuscript; 9. Other Poems; 10. Prose; 11. Reception. Sections 1, 9, and 11 are by Eleni Ponirakis; section 2 is by Rachel Burns and Colleen Curran, with contributions by Eleni Ponirakis; sections 3, 4, and 10 are by Margaret Tedford, with contributions from Eleni Ponirakis in section 3; section 5 is by Niamh Kehoe; section 6 is by Rebecca Hardie; section 7 is by Emma Knowles; section 8 is by Kaifan Yang.
Surgical Dislocation or the Modified Heuter Anterior Approach for Pipkin I and II Femoral Head Fracture Dislocations
Authors: Gavaskar Ashok S. , Srinivasan Parthasarathy , Jeyakumar Balamurugan , Raj Rufus V. , Sharath Vijay , Narayan, D Ananthkrishnan
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

To compare outcomes after surgical treatment of Pipkin I and II femoral head fractures treated with either a surgical dislocation (SD) or a direct anterior approach (the modified Heuter approach).

Study Design:

Retrospective, multicentre.

Setting:

Three Level I trauma care centers.

Patients:

Fourty-nine patients operated for Pipkin types I or II femoral head fractures. Twenty-seven using SD and 22 using the modified Heuter approach.

Interventions:

Initial closed reduction of the joint followed by open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture/fragment excision. Fixation was performed using headless or countersunk mini fragment screws.

Outcome Measurements:

The 2 groups were compared for (1) perioperative measures: blood loss, surgical time, pain [visual analog scale (VAS)], and length of hospital stay; (2) radiological outcome in terms of fracture union, occurrence of posttraumatic hip arthritis, and femoral head osteonecrosis; and (3) functional outcome using the modified Merle d' Aubigne score and Oxford hip scores.

Results:

Surgical time, blood loss, and VAS at 24 hours were significantly lower in the modified Heuter group. The VAS at discharge and length of stay were similar in both groups. All fractures had united. No cases of osteonecrosis were observed. Functional outcome and complications were similar in both groups.

Conclusions:

Both SD and the modified Heuter approach are effective in treating patients with Pipkin I and II femoral head fractures with comparable radiological and functional outcomes.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The Influence of Sagittal Proximal Tibial Anatomy in Tibial Intramedullary Nailing
Authors: Cinats David J. , Viskontas Darius , Boyer Dory , Perey Bertrand , Stone Trevor
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

To quantify anatomic variation in sagittal proximal tibial anatomy and determine if anatomy or nail insertion method influences the radiographic nail position.

Design:

Retrospective cohort of prospectively collected data.

Setting:

Level 1 trauma center.

Patients/Participants:

Forty-five patients with 46 tibia fractures (OTA/AO 41A, 42, and 43) treated with infrapatellar (IP) or suprapatellar (SP) nailing. The average patient age was 40.6 years (range 19–62 years).

Intervention:

Patients received IP or SP nailing. Cohorts were analyzed based on the nailing technique and proximal tibial anatomy.

Main Outcome Measurements:

Proximal tibial radiographic anatomy was quantified using novel measurements [anterior tubercle angle (ATA) and entry point position (EPP)]. Nail entry point, entry point displacement after reaming, nail position, and quality of reduction was measured and compared between groups.

Results:

ATA was highly variable between patients. ATA was strongly correlated with EPP with a higher ATA associated with EPP more colinear with the intramedullary canal. Patients with low ATA treated with IP nailing had significantly longer operative times (60.0 vs. 45.7 minutes). Low ATA tibias had a higher incidence of entry point displacement due to eccentric reaming compared with high ATA tibias (70% vs. 38%) with the highest incidence of entry point displacement and absolute displacement in low ATA tibias treated with IP nailing (86%, 2.8 mm). SP nailing demonstrated shorter operative times relative to IP nailing (45.5 vs. 55.6 minutes).

Conclusions:

There is considerable variability in proximal tibial anatomy and these features influences the nail position within the tibia. These differences in anatomy should be considered to potentially reduce operative times, entry point displacement and anteriorization of tibial nails.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Dysfunction of Empathy and Related Processes in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Systematic Review
Authors: Salgado Rui M. , Pedrosa Raquel , Bastos-Leite António J.
Published: July 2020

Learning objectives

After participating in this activity, learners should be better able to:

• Assess differences between adult patients with the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and healthy control subjects in terms of empathy and related processes

• Evaluate the effects of empathy or related processes as factors contributing to abnormal social functioning in BPD

We reviewed 45 original research studies, published between 2000 and 2019, to assess differences between adult patients with the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and healthy control subjects in terms of empathy and related processes (i.e., theory of mind, mentalizing, social cognition, and emotional intelligence). Thirty-six studies reported deficits of empathy or related processes in patients with BPD. Enhanced emotional empathy in BPD was also reported in eight studies, all of which revealed that patients had increased scores of personal distress on the Interpersonal Reactivity Index self-report questionnaire. Six studies did not find significant differences between patients with BPD and healthy control subjects in terms of empathy or related processes. No study reported enhanced cognitive empathy, social cognition, or emotional intelligence in patients with BPD. We postulate that deficits of empathy or related processes contribute to preempting the formation of stable interpersonal relationships, whereas enhanced emotional empathy might lead to personal (and interpersonal) distress, further contributing to abnormal social functioning in BPD.
The Personality Inventory for DSM-5: Psychometric Evidence of Validity and Reliability—Updates
Authors: Barchi-Ferreira, Bel Ana Maria , Osório Flávia L.
Published: July 2020

Objective

To perform a systematic review of the literature on the psychometric characteristics of different versions of the Personality Inventory for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (PID-5) and to integrate the current findings with those of previous reviews by Al Dajani and colleagues (2015) and Watters and Bagby (2018).

Methods

This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses protocol. PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO, Web of Science, and LILACS were searched using two keywords: personality AND DSM-5. Studies published from 2015 to 2018 were included.

Results

Sixty-four new studies were evaluated. The PID-5-self-report form (SRF) was concluded to have a factorial structure consisting of five factors and 25 facets, as well as excellent indicators of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity with different personality instruments and with other clinical constructs. The form also has predictive and discriminative potential, warranting further exploration in studies with samples of personality disorders in relation to different parameters and not only the diagnostic algorithm of DSM-5 Section III. The brief and informant versions, although less studied, also showed good psychometric indicators, comparable to the original version.

Conclusions

The PID-5 showed psychometric suitability for use in different cultures and contexts. The form’s use in clinical practice and as a means of operationalizing the diagnostic evaluation of the DSM-5 dimensional model is promising and should be encouraged.
Final Results of a Phase I/II Trial of the Combination Bendamustine and Rituximab With Temsirolimus (BeRT) in Relapsed Mantle Cell Lymphoma and Follicular Lymphoma
Authors: Hess Georg , Wagner Karola , Keller Ulrich , La Rosee Paul , Atta Johannes , Hübel Kai , Lerchenmueller Christian , Schoendube Daniel , Witzens‐Harig Mathias , Ruckes Christian , Medler Christoph , van Oordt Christina , Klapper Wolfram , Theobald Matthias , Dreyling Martin
Published: July 2020

In this phase I/II study, we explored the combination of Temsirolimus with Bendamustine and Rituximab (BeRT) in patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) follicular lymphoma (FL) or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Patients with 1 to 3 previous therapies received Bendamustine (90 mg/m2, day 1 + 2) and Rituximab (375 mg/m2, day 1) with Temsirolimus in doses from 25 to 75 mg in phase I and 50 mg Temsirolimus in phase II, added on day 1, 8, 15 of a 28 days cycle. The primary endpoint of the phase II was ORR at the end of treatment. Overall, 39 (29 MCL, 10 FL) patients were included. Median age was 71 years and median pretreatment number was 2. Grade 3/4 non‐hematologic adverse events were rare and included hyperglycemia in 3 patients (7%) and angioedema in 2 patients (5%). Infectious complications grade 3/4 were observed in 9 patients (23%). Hematologic grade 3/4 events included leukopenia in 22 (56%), neutropenia in 18 (46%), lymphopenia in 16 (41%) and thrombocytopenia in 14 patients (36%). An objective response (best response) was observed in 33/39 patients (89%; 24 MCL (89%) and 9 FL (90%)), including 14 CR (38%; 12 MCL (36%) and 2 FL (20%)). Median PFS is 1.5y for MCL and 1.82 years for FL, and median OS has not been reached for either entity. This data demonstrates promising efficacy of Temsirolimus in r/r MCL and FL with acceptable toxicity. The BeRT regimen may be used as a treatment option for both entities.
A Study of Safety and Efficacy of Nivolumab and Bendamustine (NB) in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma After Nivolumab Monotherapy Failure
Authors: Lepik Kirill V. , Mikhailova Natalia B. , Kondakova Elena V. , Zalyalov Yuri R. , Fedorova Liudmila V. , Tsvetkova Luibov A. , Kotselyabina Polina V. , Borzenkova Evgeniya S. , Babenko Elena V. , Popova Marina O. , Darskaya Elena I. , Baykov Vadim V. , Moiseev Ivan S. , Afanasyev Boris V.
Published: July 2020

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text
Lower Corneal Haze and Aberrations in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Versus Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty in Fellow Eyes for Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
Authors: Waldrop William H. , Gillings Matthew J. , Robertson Danielle M. , Petroll W. Matthew , Mootha V. Vinod
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

To investigate the long-term corneal changes in patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy contributing to superior postoperative visual outcomes after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) compared with Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).

Methods:

Using retrospective analysis, we evaluated 9 patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy who underwent DSAEK in 1 eye and DMEK in the fellow eye. Patients were genotyped for the triplet repeat expansion in the TCF4 gene and imaged using optical coherence tomography, Scheimpflug imaging, and in vivo confocal microscopy through focusing.

Results:

Eight of 9 subjects were genotyped, and all were found to harbor the triplet repeat expansion. The average time between endothelial keratoplasty and imaging was 76 ± 22 and 37 ± 9 months after DSAEK and DMEK, respectively. The mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) was 0.04 ± 0.05 and 0.11 ± 0.03 in the DMEK eyes versus DSAEK eyes (P = 0.02), respectively. Posterior corneal higher order aberrations were less in the DMEK eyes compared with fellow DSAEK eyes (0.25 ± 0.06 and 0.66 ± 0.25, respectively, P ≤ 0.01). Using confocal microscopy through focusing, we found that the persistent anterior stromal haze was correlated between the right and left eyes (R = 0.73, P ≤ 0.05), but total stromal backscattering was higher for the DSAEK eyes (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions:

DSAEK inherently results in higher total stromal backscattering (haze) compared with DMEK because of the addition of stromal tissue. Lower higher order aberrations of the posterior cornea and lower total stromal backscattering (haze) may both contribute to superior visual outcomes after DMEK compared with DSAEK.