bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Site testing campaign for the Large Optical Telescope at the Ali site
Authors: Liu Li-Yong , Yao Yong-Qiang , Yin Jia , Wang Hong-Shuai , Li Jun-Rong , Zhou Yun-He , You Xian-Long , Tang Peng , Zhao Xi-Yu , Ma De-Qiang , Dong Jian
Published: June 2020

The Large Optical/infrared Telescope (LOT) is a ground-based 12 m diameter telescope which is proposed to be built in western China. The site selection for LOT in China began in 2016, and Ali was listed as one of the three candidate sites. Remote studies and local surveys have been carried out for more than 15 years in western China, and the results show that Ali is a promising site with comprehensive quality in terms of atmospheric and supporting conditions. An overview of the site testing campaign at the Ali site from 2016 to 2019 is presented. After the two years of data collection, the overall median seeing value is found to be 1.17 arcsec, the observable nights are 81.71% and the good observable nights are 71.76%. The weather conditions as follows, the median night temperature value is –5.18°C, the median night relative humidity value is 41.25%, the median night atmospheric pressure value is 540.92 hPa, the median night wind speed value is 7.41 m s–1 and the mainly wind direction is southwestern (SW). The median night sky background value is 22.07 magV. We also discuss the wind speed at different locations on-site, the possibility of light pollution and the effect of wind speed on differential image motion monitor (DIMM) seeing measurements.
Site testing at Muztagh-ata site II: seeing statistics
Authors: Xu Jing , Esamdin Ali , Hao Jin-Xin , Bai Jin-Min , Yang Ji , Zhou Xu , Yao Yong-Qiang , Hou Jin-Liang , Pu Guang-Xin , Feng Guo-Jie , Bai Chun-Hai , Wei Peng , Ma Shu-Guo , Yisikandee Abudusaimaitijiang , Wang Le-Tian , Zhang Xuan , Ming Liang , Ma Lu , Liu Jin-Zhong , Cao Zi-Huang , Zhao Yong-Heng , Feng Lu , Shi Jian-Rong , Chen Hua-Lin , Pei Chong , Jiang Xiao-Jun , Wang Jian-Feng , Tian Jian-Feng , Xue Yan-Jie , Hu Jing-Yao , Jiang Yun-Ying
Published: June 2020

In this article, we present a detailed analysis of the statistical properties of seeing for the Muztagh-ata site which is a candidate site for hosting the future Chinese Large Optical/infrared Telescope (LOT) project. The measurements were obtained with differential image motion monitors (DIMMs) from April 2017 to November 2018 at different heights during different periods. The median seeings at 11m and 6m are very close but significantly different from that on the ground. We mainly analyzed the seeing at 11m monthly and hourly, having found that the best season for observing was from late autumn to early winter and seeing tended to improve during the night only in autumn. The analysis of the dependence on temperature inversion, wind speed and direction also was made and the best meteorological conditions for seeing are given.
Photometric redshift estimation of galaxies with Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Mu Yong-Huan , Qiu Bo , Zhang Jian-Nan , Ma Jun-Cheng , Fan Xiao-Dong
Published: June 2020

The abundant photometric data collected from multiple large-scale sky surveys give important opportunities for photometric redshift estimation. However, low accuracy is still a serious issue in the current photometric redshift estimation methods. In this paper, we propose a novel two-stage approach by integration of Self Organizing Map (SOM) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) methods together. The SOM-CNN method is tested on the dataset of 150 000 galaxies from Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 13 (SDSS-DR13). In the first stage, we apply the SOM algorithm to photometric data clustering and divide the samples into early-type and late-type. In the second stage, the SOM-CNN model is established to estimate the photometric redshifts of galaxies. Next, the precision rate and recall rate curves (PRC) are given to evaluate the models of SOM-CNN and Back Propagation (BP). It can been seen from the PRC that the SOM-CNN model is better than BP, and the area of SOM-CNN is 0.94, while the BP is 0.91. Finally, we provide two key error indicators: mean square error (MSE) and Outliers. Our results show that the MSE of early-type is 0.0014 while late-type is 0.0019, which are better than the BP algorithm 22.2% and 26%, respectively. When compared with Outliers, our result is optimally 1.32%, while the K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm has 3.93%. In addition, we also provide the error visualization figures about ΔZ and δ. According to the statistical calculations, the early-type with an error of less than 0.1 accounts for 98.86%, while the late-type is 99.03%. This result is better than those reported in the literature.
Magnetic gradient: a natural driver of solar eruptions
Authors: Tan Bao-Lin , Yan Yan , Li Ting , Zhang Yin , Chen Xing-Yao
Published: June 2020

It is well-known that a gradient will inevitably drive a flow. For example, a density-gradient may drive a diffusion flow, an electrical potential-gradient may drive an electric current in plasmas, and so on. What flow will be driven when a magnetic-gradient occurs in solar atmospheric plasmas? Considering the ubiquitous distribution of magnetic-gradient in solar plasma loops, this work demonstrates that the magnetic-gradient pumping (MGP) mechanism is valid, even in the partial ionized solar photosphere and chromosphere as well as in the corona. The magnetic gradient drives energetic particle upflows that carry and convey kinetic energy fromthe underlying atmosphere tomove upwards, accumulate around the looptop and increase the temperature and pressure, produce ballooning instabilities, and finally it leads to magnetic reconnections and eruptions around the looptop. This mechanism may explain the formation of the hot cusp-structures that can be observed above flaring loops in most preflare phases; therefore, the magneticgradient should be a natural driver of solar eruptions. Furthermore, we may also apply this mechanism to explain many other astrophysical phenomena, such as the cold of sunspot and the hot above it, the formation of solar plasma jets, type-II spicule, and fast solar wind above coronal holes, and also the fast plasma jets related to white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes.
The NTSC VLBI System and its application in UT1 measurement
Authors: Yao Dang , Wu Yuan-Wei , Zhang Bo , Sun Jing , Sun Yan , Xu Shuang-Jing , Liu Jia , Ma Lang-Ming , Gong Jian-Jun , Yang Ying , Yang Xu-Hai
Published: June 2020

In order to measure the Universal Time (UT1) in real time, National Time Service Center (NTSC) has built a VGOS-like (VLBI Global Observing System) broadband VLBI network, which includes three 13-m radio telescopes located in Jilin, Sanya and Kashi, and a data analysis center in Xi’an. Each station is equipped with a highly stable hydrogen atomic clock and a self-developed VLBI backend, and is colocated with two GPS receivers. This VGOS-like VLBI network may play an important role in improving the Chinese broadband VLBI technology and making valuable contributions to domestic VLBI measurements of UT1. In this paper, we introduce the specifications of this VLBI network, and present the UT1 measurements at C-band conducted in 2018 using the Jilin-Kashi baseline of this network. The comparisons between our UT1 estimates and those provided by IERS suggest that the NTSC VLBI network is capable to determine UT1 accurate at the level of 58.8 μs.
Identification of temperature anomaly RR Lyrae stars in LAMOST survey, misclassification and binarities
Authors: Li Lin-Jia , Qian Sheng-Bang , Zhang Jia , He Jia-Jia , Zhu Li-Ying
Published: June 2020

RR Lyrae stars, a well-known type of pulsating variable stars, have been known about for more than a century. A large amount of photometric data on RR Lyrae stars has been accumulated by space- and ground-based sky surveys, but the spectral data are relatively poor. Fortunately, the LAMOST sky survey project provides an opportunity to view them from the point of view of spectra. We collect the atmospheric parameters of 1685 RR Lyrae stars provided by the LAMOST catalog, and carry out research by using the reliable T
eff. We find that there is a clear correlation between their T
eff and pulsation periods, which is consistent with the pulsation and evolution theories of RR Lyrae stars. In addition, we focus on those RR Lyrae stars with abnormal temperatures. After analyzing the data from several photometric surveys, we find that some of these temperature anomalies are misclassified variable stars (e.g., eclipsing binaries, pulsating stars on main sequence), and some are RR Lyrae binary candidates. For the latter, the temperatures of potential companions should be lower and their luminosities should not be neglected (e.g., red giant stars). We obtain that the ratio of temperature anomaly stars to all the sample stars is 4%, which means that the impact on the further analysis (e.g., kinematics analysis) is low. We also present the catalogs of spectral anomaly RR Lyrae stars.
The temperature of IGM at high redshifts: shock heating and high mach problem
Authors: Jia Jun-Yi , Zhu Wei-Shan , Gao Liang , Feng Long-Long
Published: June 2020

The thermal history of cosmic gas in the dark ages remains largely unknown. It is important to quantify the impact of relevant physics on the IGM temperature between z = 10 and z ∼ 30, in order to interpret recent and oncoming observations, including results reported by EDGES. We revisit the gas heating due to structure formation shocks in this era, using a set of fixed grid cosmological hydrodynamical simulations performed by three different codes. In all our simulations, the cosmic gas is predicted to be in multiphase state since z > 30. The gas surrounding high density peaks gradually develops a relation more sharp than T ∝ ρ
2/3, approximately T ∝ ρ
2, from z = 30 to z = 11, might be due to shock heating. Meanwhile, the gas in void region tends to have a large local Mach number, and their thermal state varies significantly from code to code. In the redshift range 11 – 20, the mass fraction of gas shock heated above the CMB temperature in our simulations is larger than previous semi-analytical results by a factor of 2 to 8. At z = 15, the fraction varies from ∼ 19% to 52% among different codes. Between z = 11 and z = 20, the gas temperature

〈

1
/

T
K

〉

M

−
1

is predicted to be ∼ 10 – 20 K by two codes, much higher than the adiabatic cooling model and some previous works. However, in our simulations performed by RAMSES,

〈

1
/

T
K

〉

M

−
1

is predicted to be even below the temperature required to explain result of the EDGES. Given the fact that different codes give different predictions, currently, it seems a challenge to make solid prediction on the temperature of gas at z ∼ 17 in simulations.
Benchmarking near-term devices with quantum error correction
Authors: Wootton James R
Published: June 2020

Now that ever more sophisticated devices for quantum computing are being developed, we require ever more sophisticated benchmarks. This includes a need to determine how well these devices support the techniques required for quantum error correction. In this paper we introduce the topological_codes module of Qiskit-Ignis, which is designed to provide the tools necessary to perform such tests. Specifically, we use the RepetitionCode and GraphDecoder classes to run tests based on the repetition code and process the results. As an example, data from a 43 qubit code running on IBM’s Rochester device is presented.
Caplacizumab: an anti–von Willebrand factor antibody for the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Hollifield Alyssa L , Arnall Justin R , Moore Donald C
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, dosing and administration, and place in therapy of caplacizumab, a novel antibody fragment that inhibits von Willebrand factor, for the treatment of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are summarized.

Caplacizumab is a humanized anti–von Willebrand factor monoclonal antibody fragment that inhibits the interaction between ultralarge von Willebrand factor multimers and platelets. Caplacizumab is indicated for use in combination with standard-of-care modalities such as plasma exchange and immunosuppressive therapy for the treatment of adults with acquired TTP. By inhibiting von Willebrand factor, caplacizumab offers a new approach to the management of TTP by preventing the development of potentially life-threatening microvascular thrombosis that can occur in the disease process. In a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial, patients with acquired TTP treated with caplacizumab had more rapid platelet level normalization than placebo users; caplacizumab use also resulted in lower rates of disease recurrence and TTP-related death. The most common adverse events associated with caplacizumab use are bleeding-related events. In a phase 3 trial, serious bleeding-related adverse events were reported in 8 patients (11%) in the caplacizumab group and 1 patient (1%) in the placebo group. Caplacizumab is administered as an 11-mg intravenous loading dose 15 minutes prior to plasma exchange, followed by administration of 11 mg subcutaneously daily after plasma exchange. Once-daily caplacizumab administration can be continued for 30 days after the last plasma exchange. The medication and supplies for administration are provided as a single-use kit; patients should be trained on proper reconstitution and self-administration technique prior to the use of caplacizumab in the ambulatory setting.

Conclusion

Caplacizumab is a first-in-class von Willebrand factor inhibitor approved for the treatment of adults with acquired TTP.
Advancing from protein interactomes and gene co-expression networks towards multi-omics-based composite networks: approaches for predicting and extracting biological knowledge
Authors: Randhawa Vinay , Pathania Shivalika
Published: June 2020

Prediction of biological interaction networks from single-omics data has been extensively implemented to understand various aspects of biological systems. However, more recently, there is a growing interest in integrating multi-omics datasets for the prediction of interactomes that provide a global view of biological systems with higher descriptive capability, as compared to single omics. In this review, we have discussed various computational approaches implemented to infer and analyze two of the most important and well studied interactomes: protein–protein interaction networks and gene co-expression networks. We have explicitly focused on recent methods and pipelines implemented to infer and extract biologically important information from these interactomes, starting from utilizing single-omics data and then progressing towards multi-omics data. Accordingly, recent examples and case studies are also briefly discussed. Overall, this review will provide a proper understanding of the latest developments in protein and gene network modelling and will also help in extracting practical knowledge from them.
ABIN3 Negatively Regulates Necroptosis-induced Intestinal Inflammation Through Recruiting A20 and Restricting the Ubiquitination of RIPK3 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Zhou Mingxia , He Jing , Shi Yingying , Liu Xiaoman , Luo Shangjian , Cheng Cheng , Ge Wensong , Qu Chunying , Du Peng , Chen Yingwei
Published: June 2020

Background and Aims

There is evidence for a disturbed necroptosis function in many inflammatory diseases, but its role in inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we studied the functional significance and molecular mechanisms of ABIN3, a ubiquitin-binding protein, in regulating the ubiquitination and activation of necroptosis in IBD.

Methods

The expression of necroptosis hallmarks and ABIN3 were assessed in inflamed samples of IBD patients, dextran sodium sulphate [DSS]-induced colitis models, and azoxymethane [AOM]/DSS models in mice. ABIN3 was overexpressed and silenced to explore its function in regulating necroptosis, inflammation, and intestinal barrier function. Immuoprecipitiation [IP] and co-IP assays were performed to investigate the cross-talk between ABIN3 and deubiquitinating enzyme A20, and the mechanisms of coordinating ubiquitination modification to regulate necroptosis.

Results

Excessive necroptosis is an important contributory factor towards the uncontrolled inflammation and intestinal barrier defects in IBD and experimental colitis. Blocking necroptosis by Nec-1s or GSK’872 significantly prevented cell death and alleviated DSS-induced colitis in vivo, whereas in the AOM/DSS model, necroptosis inhibitors aggravated the severity of colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis [CAC]. Mechanistically, ABIN3 is rapidly recruited to the TNF-RSC complex, which interacts and coordinates with deubiquitinating enzyme A20 to control the K63 deubiquitination modification and subsequent activation of the critical necroptosis kinase, RIPK3, to suppress necroptosis.

Conclusions

ABIN3 regulates inflammatory response and intestinal barrier function by interacting with A20 and coordinating the K63 deubiquitination modification of necroptosis in IBD.
Relationship of salt added during preparation and salt intake of cooks
Authors: Santos D , Lima J , Figueiredo JP , Rocha A
Published: June 2020

Introduction The excessive consumption of sodium is one of the main problems in public health and responsible for the loss of years of a healthy life. The salt added to the meals represents a large part of the salt ingested, and the collaborators/cooks responsible for its addition need careful analysis, and intervention adjusted to the analysed reality, its salt consumption and its perception of saltiness may influence the amount of salt added.

Objectives This study had as main objective to perceive the relationship between the perception of salt of the employees of the Food and Nutrition Unit and the amount of salt added in the meals that were confectioned.

Methodology An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted, in which 6 selected cooks from the IPSS’s of Águeda participated. In order to estimate the amount of salt added to the meals, 20 samples of meals prepared by the cooks were taken, and a quantitative assessment of average salt per meal was made using Flame Photometry. The cooks were also subjected to two taste sensitivity tests. The data treatment was performed using the statistical software SPSS, and a statistical significance level of 5% was considered.

Results A better perception of the salty taste was observed in the cooks of Institution B. Although there were no differences with statistical significance in the quantity of salt of the meals between the two institutions, the mean and maximum addition of salt in the cooked meals was higher in institution B, regardless of the cook evaluated.

Conclusion The perception of the salty taste of the cooks does not seem to determine the amount of salt added to the meals.
New perspectives for physiotherapy education concerning assistive technology solutions as valid options to enhance functioning and quality of life
Authors: Martins A C , Francisco P
Published: June 2020

Introduction Recognizing that AT service characteristics, including knowledge and reasoning of providers, play a potential role in the appropriated selection and training, with impact on the psychosocial domains of QoL. In Portugal, AT services are detected to be ineffective concerning evaluation, recommendation, advocacy, training and outcome measuring, what could be a reason for these findings.

Objectives To investigate the relationship between AT services characteristics and psychosocial impact of the wheelchairs on users QoL to get insights to new approach models in physiotherapy.

Methodology Procedures included answering to self-administered questionnaires at their own. The dependent variable was the psychosocial impact of assistive devices (PIADS) and the independent variables were satisfaction with AT (QUEST) and AT service characteristics.

Results Participants were 184 wheelchair users for more than one year with diverse diagnosis; age M = 37.3 years, recruited at physiotherapy/rehabilitation settings in Portugal. Wheelchair users are more satisfied with devices than with AT services. Correlations between psychosocial impact of wheelchair are moderate regarding the satisfaction of device dimension, measured by QUEST. No corrections were found to satisfaction with service dimension Manual wheelchair users scored lower psychosocial impact than motorized wheelchair users and that difference was statistically significant.

Conclusion PT should be aware of the newest high technology devices introduced on the market, payment sources and state AT programs as well as destigmatize dependence associated to AT. We got significant insights to AT field and to the development of PT curriculum; PT students need more than the basic level of knowledge and training they achieved at school to feel prepared to provide AT services. After graduation, PTs need continuing education on AT. Strategies are discussed on this report.
Relationship between lower limb asymmetries, impulsion and balance in senior football players
Authors: Domingues J , Castro M
Published: June 2020

Introduction Football is the most popular sport in the world and there are over 38 million players practicing it worldwide. In this sport, players usually have a prefered lower limb over other. This preference can lead to bilateral asymmetries and improve the risk of injury in the players. It is important to understand if asymmetries have an influence on athletes’ performance, on balance or impulsion.

Objectives The main objective of this study is to evaluate the bilateral and unilateral asymmetries related to the lower limb muscle strength of individuals who practice senior football, and relate them to eventual impulse and balance deficits.

Methodology 11 soccer players (age 21.91 ± 3.14 years; weight: 73.45 ± 7.59 Kg; height: 178.91 ± 8.02; BMI: 22.97 ± 2,12) were evaluated. The protocol defined in this study consisted of collecting data on maximum concentric torque at 60o/s, 180o/s and 300o/s in Biodex System 3. Both lower limbs were tested. Then the Y-balance test was performed on a force platform and the athletes’ flight time were recorded. We also calculated the bilateral deficit between the dominant lower limb and the non-dominant lower limb for the quadriceps and hamstrings and the hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio for each lower limb

Results There were no statistically significant differences between the maximum torque produced by the dominant lower limb and the maximum force torque produced by the dominant lower limb (p < 0.05). The conventional I / Q ratio has values similar to those described in the literature. The relationship between bilateral asymmetry of lower limb strength, balance and impulsion was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) at any angular velocity.

Conclusion There are no statistically significant differences between bilateral and unilateral asymmetries of lower limb strength, balance and impulsion.
Twelve-week multimodal programs can improve dual-task performance in risk factors for falls in community-dwelling older adults: a pilot study
Authors: Rosado H , Bravo J , Raimundo A , Mendes F , Pereira C
Published: June 2020

Introduction Performing a dual-task (DT), mainly while walking and performing another task simultaneously, is seen as determinants factors for falls and injuries in older adults. A psychomotor intervention relying on the prevention of sensorimotor and neurocognitive deterioration may prevent falls. The whole-body vibration (WBV) promotes the increase of agility, reducing the risk of falling. However, an intervention that combines both methods can lead to additional benefits, particularly as regards DT.

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility and the effect of two multimodal programs designed for community-dwelling older adults, fallers or at high risk of falling, on DT performance ability.

Methodology Thirty-seven participants (74.3±5.2 years) were randomly assigned into experimental group 1 [EG1] (psychomotor intervention); or experimental group 2 [EG2] (psychomotor intervention + WBV). DT performance (TUGcog) was assessed by the Timed Up and Go Test (s) performed simultaneously with the counting backward cognitive task.

Results Adherence rate was 86.3%. Wilcoxon test comparisons showed improvements from baseline to post-intervention on EG1 (time (s): 10.1±2.7 vs. 9.0±2.7, p = 0.001; cognitive stops (n): 0.9±1.0 vs. 0.2±0.4, p = 0.012; motor stops (n): 0.3±0.5 vs. 0.0±0.0, p = 0.025), corresponding to an effect size (cohen’s d) ranging from 0.41 (small) to 0.92 (medium) and on EG2 (time (s): 9.9±2.5 vs. 8.5±1.8, p = 0.010; cognitive stops (n): 1.1±0.7 vs. 0.4±0.5, p = 0.004), corresponding to a d ranging from 0.64 (medium) to 1.15 (medium). There were no significant differences between groups.

Conclusion These preliminary results suggested that the multimodal programs were feasible and effective in reducing the risk of falling by improving the determinant risk factor DT performance. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03446352. Funding: This study was funded by ESACA Project (Grant ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-000007) and by FCT (SFRH/BD/147398/2019).
Prevalence of self-medication in adolescents
Authors: Almeida I , Rocha C , Balteiro J
Published: June 2020

Introduction Self-medication by definition is the use of over-the-counter medications, in which the patient or his / her caregiver decides which drug to use, in order to treat or relieve symptoms. Self-medication is considered one of the health risk behaviours found among adolescents.

Objectives The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-medication for adolescents enrolled in the 10th and 12th year of the High School/3 Dra Maria Cândida - Mira and the Lima-de-Faria High School – Cantanhede in the 2018/2019 school year.

Methodology A questionnaire was handled and processed with statistical program, version 24.0 SPSS. This study is based on the correlational descriptive type with cross cohort. The study took place on the school year of 2018/2019 and the data acquisition took place over the course of 2 months.

Results The sample comprised 421 adolescents, of whom 344 (81.7%) already tried self-medication in some way or form and 278 (66.0%) did that in the last 6 months. The main health problems that motivated self-medication were headache (62.5%), the flu (57.5%), sore throat (45.6%) and fever (44.4%). Analgesics/antipyretics were the most consumed drugs (71%) followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (66.0%). The Pharmacy (71.7%) was the preferred place to purchase drugs; however, 222 adolescents (52.7%) reported having medicines at home. Of the adolescents who resort to self-medication, 59.6% sought additional information or clarification of the drug, referring to the package leaflet as the main source (43.2%). Of these, 59.9% revealed that they are aware of the risks that the drugs taking may cause.

Conclusion It was observed that self-medication is very common in adolescents, making it important to carry out more studies in Portugal and its population, on this practice, due to studies scarcity. These data can be used to define strategies for the dissemination of the rational use of the drug in adolescent population.
Exergaming as a tool to enhance strength, balance, gait, mobility, participation, self-efficacy for exercise and adherence in older adults
Authors: Martins A C , Quatorze J , Guia D
Published: June 2020

Introduction It is projected that the number of adults aged 60 or above will be 1.4 billion in 2030 and 2.1 billion in 2050. With aging, mobility limitations can cause severe difficulties on being independent during activities of daily living. Exercise has been shown as effective to counteract the impact of aging, although it is hard to create adherence. Exergames, as they increase the appeal of exercise, show promising results in terms of participation and promotion of healthy behaviours.

Objectives This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the Otago Exercise Program incorporated in FallSensing Exergames.

Methodology Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 or over, were recruited from facilities in Coimbra, Portugal and randomized in two groups, 27 allocated to the intervention (IG) and 34 to the control (CG). Regular activities of daily living (CG) were compared to an Exergame program (IG). Assessments were made at baseline and re-assessments at 8 weeks/16 sessions, regarding strength, balance, walking speed, participation and self-efficacy for exercise.

Results 61 older adults (77% female), mean ages were 82.22 (IG) and 87.26 (CG) years. After 8 weeks, CG demonstrated a decrease in functional ability. IG got improvement in Step test (p = 0.001), 4 Stage Balance Modified test (p = 0.001), Self-Efficacy for Exercise (p = 0.009) and Activities and Participation Profile Related to Mobility (p < 0.001) questionnaires.

Conclusion Exergaming was safe and effective in improving functional ability, participation and self-efficacy. Nevertheless, some considerations are necessary when prescribing an Exergames, mainly concerning frequency and intensity of the exercise program and participants’ age.
Evaluation of Health Literacy and Therapy Adherence Levels in the Mealhada Municipality Population
Authors: Luís J , Rocha C , Balteiro J
Published: June 2020

Introduction In order to ensure self-care, the individual must be able to decide, for example, on the lifestyle to adopt. These capacities and the capacities to take their share of responsibility in public health issues are called health literacy. In the same way, your attitude towards the treatments imposed on you is also crucial to the successful treatment and / or prevention of pathologies. In this case we talk about adherence to therapy.

Objectives To clarify the concepts Health Literacy and Therapy Adherence and identify measurement measures of each concept. In addition to measuring these variables, the study also aimed at investigating the existence of a relationship between health literacy levels and levels of adherence to therapy.

Methodology Through the application of a measurement tool, consisting of three validated instruments, in a pharmacy in the municipality of Mealhada, to 377 individuals residing there. To evaluate the levels of Health Literacy, two tests were applied: HLS-EU-PT (European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire - Portugal) and METER (Medical Term Recognition Test). The first, quite comprehensive and previously applied at European level, of self-perception, and the second more objective. The third measurement instrument used was the MAT (Treatment Adherence Measure) to assess adherence to therapy.

Results 59.2% of individuals from Mealhada County have a problematic or inadequate index of health literacy. Compliance rates correspond to 67.9%. In the sample studied, as regards non-adherents, it is the individuals with limited literacy that present the highest non-adherence rate (HLS-EU-PT 71.1%; METER 61.2%). In each of the three domains assessed by the HLS-EU-PT, in the individuals with adequate levels of literacy, the percentage of adherents is always higher than non-adherents.

Conclusion There is a correlation between health literacy levels and adherence levels. Low levels of health literacy had a negative impact on treatment adherence.
Healthy Cities to Healthy People: a Grid Application to Assess the Potential of Ecosystems Services of Public Urban Green Spaces in Porto, Portugal
Authors: Vidal D , Fernandes C , Viterbo L , Barros N , Maia R
Published: June 2020

Introduction Contemporary cities face multiple socioenvironmental and health challenges that undermine the efforts to promote healthy environments. The 11th goal – Sustainable cities and communities – of United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development states that the presence of nature in cities plays a vital role for its sustainability through public urban green spaces (PUGS) accessible and with quality for all.

Objectives This work describes the application of a grid to evaluate the potential of the ecosystems services (ES) of PUGS.

Methodology The grid was applied in 25 PUGS in the city of Porto, divided into 5 clusters of socioeconomic and environmental deprivation (SED), ranging from very high to very low), and is composed by 6 sections with 37 domains assessed: i) identification; ii) description of the activities; iii) activities that take place; iv) assessment of the environment quality; v) existence of infrastructure and facilities; and vi) security. Dimensions iii, iv, v and vi are filled in the grid by a dichotomous answer: No = 0; Yes = 1. All data calculation and statistical analyses were performed using IBM® SPSS® Statistics vs.25.0. The grid was applied in January 2019 and each PUGS visit lasted 20-25 minutes.

Results The highest total score (33) corresponds to 2 parks located in a low and medium SED clusters. The lowest score (9) corresponds to 2 gardens located in a very high and high SED clusters. The most critical dimension assessed of the PUGS has to do with the activities it offers (Median = 2). On the other hand, the dimension with the highest scores relates to the PUGS environmental quality (Median = 8). Regarding results by SED clusters, it is observed that lowest scores, in all assessed domains, are from PUGS located in high and very high SED clusters.

Conclusion This work presents useful information regarding the importance of promoting PUGS with quality and accessible from all, especially to socioeconomic vulnerable groups, which should be the major goal of public policies designers.
TESty – Typing Easier: an innovate device to characterize blood samples
Authors: Mourato C , Martins D , Teixo R , Mendes F
Published: June 2020

Introduction In Portugal there are over 130,000 regular donors (2 to 4 blood donations/year), data from 2017. These data lead us to approximately 500,000 donations per year just in Portugal. In addition, we have over 300,000 transfusions per year that may require more than one unit of blood. All of these units, prior to administration, and all patients before a blood transfusion or even a transplant, must be properly classified regarding their blood type. Currently, the standard (tube) technique requires that at least 8 tubes be used per individual and the card, a device widely used today, requires the use of 1,5 per individual. It also requires the purchase of expensive laboratory equipment specifically for this purpose. The complex protocol, requiring access to laboratories with specific equipment without any other use (eg card centrifuges) and need to be performed by professionals specialized healthcare providers are the main disadvantages.

Objectives Our main goal was to develop a new cost effective and efficient device- TESTy which could allow the evaluation of a higher number of samples discarding the need of any supplementary device or equipment.

Methodology A 96-well V-bottom microplate was used as support device. After, an agarose gel and the antibodies serums were soaked in each well according to the specifications of the blood determination test.

Results After a six month evaluation, TESty provide the same results as expected and previously tested with the other two techniques available at the market.

Conclusion TESty can be revolutionary in the science transfusion world once it allows the screening of 12 samples simultaneously and this fact can save time and resources daily in our laboratories and blood banks. Also, for being a cost-effective product, it can be extended to undeveloped countries and contribute to assure the transfusion safety required.
Old-Field Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustrisMill.) Long-Term Growth and Yield Response to Midrotation Fertilization
Authors: Clabo David C , Dickens E David , Moorhead David J
Published: June 2020

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) is frequently planted on former agricultural fields throughout the southeastern United States. Limited information is available on the long-term growth and yield as well as stem quality of longleaf pine growing on these sites with and without midrotation fertilization. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the growth rates, wood yields, and stem quality of old-field longleaf pine and (2) to quantify growth improvements provided by midrotation fertilization. Study sites were established on former agricultural fields in Screven and Tift County, Georgia in unthinned longleaf pine stands planted during December 1986. Three treatments including a control, single full dose, and split dose of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were applied prior to thinning. Assessments of diameter at breast height, height growth, volume, green weight, and basal area at both sites were conducted at ages 21, 23, 27, 30, and 32. After 32 years, results indicated no statistically significant improvements of any growth parameters compared to the control in relation to midrotation fertilization treatments, and stem defects occurred in approximately 29–35 percent of trees. The fast growth rate and low nutrient demand of longleaf pine on these sites obviate the need for midrotation fertilization.
Mathematical modelling of fungi-initiated siderophore–iron interactions
Authors: Choudhury M Jabed A , Trevelyan Philip M J , Boswell Graeme P
Published: June 2020

Nearly all life forms require iron to survive and function. Microorganisms utilize a number of mechanisms to acquire iron including the production of siderophores, which are organic compounds that combine with ferric iron into forms that are easily absorbed by the microorganism. There has been significant experimental investigation into the role, distribution and function of siderophores in fungi but until now no predictive tools have been developed to qualify or quantify fungi-initiated siderophore–iron interactions. In this investigation, we construct the first mathematical models of siderophore function related to fungi. Initially, a set of partial differential equations are calibrated and integrated numerically to generate quantitative predictions on the spatio-temporal distributions of siderophores and related populations. This model is then reduced to a simpler set of equations that are solved algebraically giving rise to solutions that predict the distributions of siderophores and resultant compounds. These algebraic results require the calculation of zeros of cross products of Bessel functions and thus new algebraic expansions are derived for a variety of different cases that are in agreement with numerically computed values. The results of the modelling are consistent with experimental data while the analysis provides new quantitative predictions on the time scales involved between siderophore production and iron uptake along with how the total amount of iron acquired by the fungus depends on its environment. The implications to bio-technological applications are briefly discussed.
Triage and Transfer to a Regional Burn Center—Impact of a Mobile Phone App
Authors: Carmichael Heather , Dyamenahalli Kiran , Duffy Patrick S , Lambert Wagner Anne , Wiktor Arek J
Published: June 2020

Telemedicine technology can be used to facilitate consultations from nonburn-trained referring providers. However, there is a paucity of evidence indicating these technologies influence transfer decisions and follow-up care. In 2016, our regional burn center implemented a mobile phone app, which allows a referring provider to send photos of the wound along with basic demographic and clinical data to the burn specialist. A retrospective review was performed on consults to our regional burn center from a Level I trauma center approximately 70 miles away with a shared electronic medical record. Patients were considered to be “down-triaged” if they could be managed locally or if the transfer could occur via personal vehicle instead of ground or air ambulance transport. During the 2-year study period, 126 consultations were made for thermal injuries. Eighty-seven patients (69%) were referred using the Burn App. Overall, 49 patients (39%) were transferred. When the subset of intermediate size (1–10% TBSA) burns were considered (n = 48), the Burn App allowed for successful “down-triage” of 12 patients (33%) referred through the app. No patient referred without the app could be “down-triaged” (P = .02). Although 57 patients (44%) were recommended for outpatient follow-up, only 42% followed up. A mobile app can be used to successfully triage patients with intermediate size burn injuries to a lower acuity of follow-up and transfer mode. However, only a minority of patients triaged to outpatient management actually follow up with a regional burn center. Telemedicine efforts should focus on improving not only initial triage, but also aftercare.
Rare Cancer on the Rise: An Educational Review of Breast Implant-associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Mitry Maria A , Sogani Julie , Sutton Elizabeth J , Kumar Priyadarshini , Horwitz Steven , Elmi Azadeh , Patel Sejal N , Gallagher Katherine , Dashevsky Brittany Z , Mango Victoria
Published: June 2020

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare but increasingly important diagnosis as the incidence of breast implant placement, both elective and reconstructive, continues to rise. When detected and treated early, this indolent disease carries an excellent prognosis. However, because the clinical presentation is often nonspecific, it is crucial for radiologists to accurately identify the imaging findings associated with BIA-ALCL to facilitate a timely diagnosis. This article will provide radiologists with an overview of the diagnosis, imaging findings, and management of BIA-ALCL.
Reputation With Opportunities for Coasting
Authors: Bar-Isaac Heski , Deb Joyee
Published: June 2020

Reputation concerns can discipline agents and generate good outcomes. But what if outcomes are not always observed? Infrequent observation can strengthen reputation incentives and encourage effort. By exerting effort when outcomes are more likely observed, an agent can improve her reputation and gain by “coasting” on this reputation by shirking when the audience is less likely to be observing her actions. Opportunities to coast can in fact lead to greater overall effort than constant observation. We consider Markov information structures and characterize the observability structure that maximizes efficient effort.
Consequences of Single-Locus and Tightly Linked Genomic Architectures for Evolutionary Responses to Environmental Change
Authors: Oomen Rebekah A , Kuparinen Anna , Hutchings Jeffrey A
Published: June 2020

Genetic and genomic architectures of traits under selection are key factors influencing evolutionary responses. Yet, knowledge of their impacts has been limited by a widespread assumption that most traits are controlled by unlinked polygenic architectures. Recent advances in genome sequencing and eco-evolutionary modeling are unlocking the potential for integrating genomic information into predictions of population responses to environmental change. Using eco-evolutionary simulations, we demonstrate that hypothetical single-locus control of a life history trait produces highly variable and unpredictable harvesting-induced evolution relative to the classically applied multilocus model. Single-locus control of complex traits is thought to be uncommon, yet blocks of linked genes, such as those associated with some types of structural genomic variation, have emerged as taxonomically widespread phenomena. Inheritance of linked architectures resembles that of single loci, thus enabling single-locus-like modeling of polygenic adaptation. Yet, the number of loci, their effect sizes, and the degree of linkage among them all occur along a continuum. We review how linked architectures are often associated, directly or indirectly, with traits expected to be under selection from anthropogenic stressors and are likely to play a large role in adaptation to environmental disturbance. We suggest using single-locus models to explore evolutionary extremes and uncertainties when the trait architecture is unknown, refining parameters as genomic information becomes available, and explicitly incorporating linkage among loci when possible. By overestimating the complexity (e.g., number of independent loci) of the genomic architecture of traits under selection, we risk underestimating the complexity (e.g., nonlinearity) of their evolutionary dynamics.
Integrated Management of Important Soybean Pathogens of the United States in Changing Climate
Authors: Roth Mitchell G , Webster Richard W , Mueller Daren S , Chilvers Martin I , Faske Travis R , Mathew Febina M , Bradley Carl A , Damicone John P , Kabbage Mehdi , Smith Damon L
Published: June 2020

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a major crop grown in the United States but is susceptible to many diseases that cause significant yield losses each year. Consistent threats exist across both northern and southern production regions and include the soybean cyst nematode, charcoal rot, and seedling diseases. In contrast, significant soybean diseases like Phytophthora stem and root rot, sudden death syndrome, and Sclerotinia stem rot (white mold) are intermittent threats that can be heavily influenced by environmental factors. Additional threats to soybean production that have emerged in recent years as more common problems in soybean production include root-knot and reniform nematodes, frogeye leaf spot, and Diaporthe diseases. Disease in any crop will only occur when the three components of the disease triangle are present: a susceptible host, a virulent pathogen, and a conducive environment. If an environment is becoming more conducive for a particular disease, it is important that farmers and practitioners are prepared to manage the problem. The information in this review was compiled to help assist agriculturalists in being proactive in managing new soybean diseases that may be emerging in new areas. To do this, we provide: 1) an overview of the impact and disease cycle for major soybean diseases currently causing significant yield losses in the United States, 2) a comprehensive review of the current management strategies for each soybean disease, and 3) insights into the epidemiology of each pathogen, including the likelihood of outbreaks and expansion to additional geographic regions based on current trends in climate change.
Bigger, Faster, Stronger: Implications of Inter-Species Interactions for IRM of Lepidopteran Pests of Bt Maize in Africa
Authors: Visser Andri , Van den Berg Johnnie
Published: June 2020

A hypothetical scenario of mixed populations of Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was used as a model to investigate the potential effects of mixed populations of lepidopteran pests, on the design and implementation of insect resistance management (IRM) strategies for Bt maize (L.) (Poaceae) on smallholder farms in Africa. To predict the structure of such mixed populations in different agroecological zones, the biological and behavioral characteristics that affect the competitiveness of these species were identified and analyzed. Additionally, the validity of the assumptions that underlie the high-dose/refuge strategy was compared among the three species. Differences between the species, and the influence thereof on the choice of IRM strategy for a specific environment, were explored through analysis of three hypothetical scenarios. We suggest that the use of separate refuges as a component of an IRM strategy against mixed pest populations in smallholder Bt maize fields may be unwise. A seed mixture approach, coupled with an effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategy, would be more practical and sensible since it could limit the opportunity for a single species to dominate the species complex. The dynamic interactions in a multi-species community and domination of the species complex by a single species may influence moth and larval response to maize plants, which could lead to an increased infestation of Bt plants, and subsequent increased selection pressure for resistance evolution. This article provides insights into the unique challenges that face the deployment of Bt maize in Africa.