bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Staphylococcus aureus in wound infection on the skin surface
Authors: Ekawati E R , Darmanto W , Wahyuningsih S P A
Published: April 2020

Wound infection on the skin surface is colonized a wide variety of microorganisms. Microorganisms that cause inflammation of the skin surface is group of pyogenic bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the class of pyogenic bacteria that produce β-lactamase enzyme and eliminate the antibacterial activity, especially penicillin. The existence of this enzyme will destroy β-lactam ring, so that antibiotics become inactive. This study aimed to detect presence of Staphylococcus aureus on pus from wound infection on the skin surface. This study was descriptive qualitative. Three samples of pus was isolated and identified by culture and biochemical testing using RapID STAPH PLUS. The results of the study identified two isolates of Staphylococcus aureus with a probability >99.9% and 1 isolate of Staphylococcus hyicus with a probability 86.92%.
Comparison between chemical and natural treatments for bamboo as building material towards sustainable construction method
Authors: Setiyowati E , Mappaturi A B
Published: April 2020

This paper aims to compare these two different methods, which one is better yet easier to be used by the local community. This paper adopts a content analysis method in order to achieve the research objectives on bamboo as a sustainable construction material. The variables are determine better ways with low cost, short period of time, and the procedure of the treatment. This paper shows that the natural treatment for bamboo is better and much more friendlier to be practised by the local communities. Results of this study also inform that the procedures are complicated as compared to the chemical treatment but, it can be done easily by the local people who has more understanding of how to work with bamboo. The time needed for this natural process is the same as the chemical treatment, but the cost is cheaper. This study highlighted the importance of using the natural bamboo treatment for construction industry in Indonesia.
Productivity of soybean under palm oil plantation on tidal swamps due to several packages of technology
Authors: Harsono A , Wijanarko A , Lestari S A D
Published: April 2020

The research was aimed to determine soybean productivity in various technological packages for soybean cultivation under palm oil plantations on tidal swamps. The research was conducted in Barito Kuala, South Kalimantan, using a randomized block design with four replications. The treatment consists of six technological packages, namely: (1) farmer’s technology, (2) recommendation, (3) improvement-1, (4) improvement-2, (5) improvement-3, and (6) improvement-4. The results indicate that plantations of oil palm on type C tidal swamps is suitable for soybean development. On the tidal swamps with pH soils 4.30, low of K and Ca, recommendation technology can increase pH soils from 4.30 to 5.15; availability of P, Ca and Mg; N and K uptake; plant weight; filled pods and increase seed yields 86% from farmer’s technology 1.00 to 1.86 t/ha. Improvement-1 technology increase pH soils from 4.30 to 6.05; nutrient availability (N, P, K, Ca and Mg); K uptake; plant weight; root nodules; filled pods and increase seed yields 100% from farmer’s technology 1.00 to 2.00 t/ha. Increased doses of dolomite, organic, N and P fertilizers from improvement-1 technological packages did not significantly increase seeds yield. This finding suggest that for developing soybean on tidal swamps, recommendation or improvements-1 technological packages could be recommended.
Screening of antagonistic fungi against web blight disease and identification of volatile metabolites produced by Trichoderma
Authors: Yusnawan E , Inayati A , Baliadi Y
Published: April 2020

Aerial web blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani is one of the main soil borne pathogens which infects soybean crops. Biological control using antagonistic fungi has been reported promising to reduce the incidence of this disease. This study aimed to determine antagonistic activity of Trichoderma virens and T. asperellum against R. solani and to investigate total phenolic changes in soybean plants which interact with those Trichoderma in infected soil. Volatile metabolites produced by Trichoderma were also detected and identified. Antagonistic activity of five isolates of T. virens and five isolates of T. asperellum were comparable; the ranges of in vitro antagonistic activities were 88.7-99.6% and 85.7-91.3%, respectively. Both Trichoderma were able to reduce R. solani infection. Disease intensities of 22-40% and 24-40% for T. virens and T. asperellum were observed lower than that of control (> 50%). The increase of total phenolic and flavonoid contents depended on Trichoderma isolates. Volatile compounds were detected in both Trichoderma. Isolates of T. asperellum (F isolate) and T. virens (E isolate) triggered the increase of total phenolic contents which could be potential for biological control agents to induce systemic resistance in soybean.
Effect fix drag-reducing on blades to performance of savonius wind turbine
Authors: Siregar I H , Effendy M , Rasyid A H A
Published: April 2020

This article proposes a design model for vertical axis wind turbines based on drag forces by adding fix drag-reducing to the blades tested by subsonic wind tunnel with wind speeds of 3-6 m/s and opening angle variations of fix drag-reducing from 0, 15, 30 and 45°. The research explained that at the opening angle of 15° can improve the performance of the wind turbine model significantly at high wind speeds on the contrary for larger angle openings. The addition of fix drag-reducing instead reduces the performance of the wind turbine model considerably on all variations of wind speed tested.
The effect of additional skim and fermentation time on the amount of lactic acid bacteria and the pH of soyghurt
Authors: Guntiyastutik E , Sugiarto  , Nuhrawangsa A M P
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to determine the effect of 5% skim and fermentation time on the number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of soyghurt. This study used completely randomized factorial design with 2 factors: skim addition and fermentation time. Standard soyghurt consisted of soybean juice, granulated sugar (5%), and starter (2%) containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Streptococcus thermophilus, fermented at 37oC for 10, 12, and 14 h. LAB were cultured in deMann Rogossa and Sharp (MRS) medium and then calculated by total plate count. The number of LAB in soyghurt with 5% skim addition is higher (1.76 x 108 CFU/ml) than soyghurt without 5% skim addition (5.9 x 106 CFU/ml). The number of LAB increased along with the length of fermentation. However, a significant difference in the average number of soyghurt lactic acid bacteria (p >0.05) are not found in 10 h, 12 h, and 14 h fermentation in both treatments. The longer fermentation time indicated that the pH of soyghurt was smaller. These results suggested that the addition of 5% skim and 14 h fermentation resulted in soyghurt with the highest number of LAB with pH of 3.25.
Performance Evaluation of PV Plant at Al-Ahliyya Amman University in Jordan
Authors: Hamzeh Ali , Awwad Mahmoud
Published: April 2020

The objective of the paper is to analyse the technical performance over 2018 of the grid-tied 1MWp solar PV plant installed on the roofs of eight buildings at the campus of Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) in Jordan. The plant comprises 3869 modules of 260 Wp each, oriented due south with mixed tilt angles of 5° and10°. The structure of the plant is configured as eight PV units connected in parallel to the main distribution substation 11 kV/0.4 kV. The plant SCADA system is designed using Internet of Things and programmable logic controllers. According to the conditions of the electricity utility, the SCADA system controls the output of inverters to prevent any injection of PV power in the grid. This utility restriction is found to lead to bad evaluation indicators. According to the evaluation results, the measured specific yield (1203 kWh/kWp) is less than the estimated one without restriction (1727 kWh/kWp) by about 30%. Whereas the annual yield as computed by software PVSYST V5.71 amounts 1737362 kWh, the measured yield considering the utility limitations is 1203380 kWh. Accordingly, the capacity factor (13.7%) and the performance ratio (62.5%) are found to be significantly reduced.
Thermoeconomic Analysis of a Mobile Air Conditioning Unit Using the Specific Exergy Cost (SPECO) Method
Authors: Hepbasli A , Ozcan HG , Gunerhan H
Published: April 2020

In recent years, many researchers have used exergy-based analysis and assessment methods such as exergy, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental as powerful tools to solve practical problems in the design and to improve energy-related systems. The main objectives of this contribution are to analyse and assess the performance of a mobile air conditioning (MAC) system from the thermoeconomic point of view that combines energy quality and economic issues. We used the specific exergy cost (SPECO) method to calculate exergy-related parameters and display cost flows for all streams and components in the whole system. In this context, we considered a vapour compressed MAC unit (utilizing R134a as a refrigerant) of a public bus with a capacity of 99 passengers and a volume of 69 m3. In the analysis, we utilized the real data obtained from the measurements. Based on the exergetic analysis, while the highest exergy destruction rate was determined to be 3.7 kW for the compressor, with a minimum value of 0.15 kW due to the condenser unit. Furthermore, through the SPECO method, the highest and lowest exergoeconomic factors belonged to the condenser with 0.63 and the expansion valve with 0.05, respectively.
Degenerate squeezing in waveguides: a unified theoretical approach
Authors: Helt L G , Quesada N
Published: April 2020

We consider pulsed-pump spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC) as well as pulsed single- and dual-pump spontaneous four-wave mixing processes in waveguides within a unified Hamiltonian theoretical framework. Working with linear operator equations in k-space, our approach allows inclusion of linear losses, self- and cross-phase modulation, and dispersion to any order. We describe state evolution in terms of second-order moments, for which we develop explicit expressions. We use our approach to calculate the joint spectral amplitude of degenerate squeezing using SPDC analytically in the perturbative limit, benchmark our theory against well-known results in the limit of negligible group velocity dispersion, and study the suitability of recently proposed sources for quantum sampling experiments.
Effects of pulse rise time and repetition frequency on nanosecond pulsed plasma ignition for combustion
Authors: Alderman David , Tremble Christopher , Singleton Dan , Sanders Jason , Jiang Chunqi
Published: April 2020

Transient plasma ignition (TPI) employs highly non-equilibrium plasmas driven by nanosecond high-voltage pulses for combustion ignition. The effects of rise time and pulse repetition frequency (PRF) on combustion ignition are evaluated when transient plasmas, powered by 10-ns, kilovolt pulses, are employed to initiate combustion of lean, stoichiometric, or rich methane-dry air mixtures at atmospheric pressure. It was found that the plasmas driven by high voltage pulses with a faster rise time and PRF between 6–10 kHz enhanced combustion with higher peak pressure and/or shorter ignition delay. A mode transition in the plasma, corresponding to the combustion initiation, was observed based on voltage and current waveforms of four consecutive pulsed plasmas driven by a pulse burst at kilohertz PRFs. Although benefits in combustion ignition from a shorter rise time and optimal PRF were observed for all three equivalence mixture ratios, the highest peak pressure and shortest ignition delay were associated with the stoichiometric mixtures. In addition, the gas temperature of the transient plasma was measured by determining the rotational temperature of the 2nd positive system of nitrogen to be ∼1000 K for the first pulse and increased up to 2000 K after the application of the 4th pulse in a four-pulse burst TPI.
Renewal theory for transient Markov chains with asymptotically zero drift
Authors: Denisov Denis , Korshunov Dmitry , Wachtel Vitali
Published: April 2020

We solve the problem of asymptotic behaviour of the renewal measure (Green function) generated by a transient Lamperti’s Markov chain

X
n

X_n

in

R

\mathbb {R}

, that is, when the drift of the chain tends to zero at infinity. Under this setting, the average time spent by

X
n

X_n

in the interval

(
x
,
x
+
1
]

(x,x+1]

is roughly speaking the reciprocal of the drift and tends to infinity as

x
x

grows.

For the first time we present a general approach relying on a diffusion approximation to prove renewal theorems for Markov chains. We apply a martingale-type technique and show that the asymptotic behaviour of the renewal measure heavily depends on the rate at which the drift vanishes. The two main cases are distinguished, either the drift of the chain decreases as

1

/

x

1/x

or much slower than that, say as

1

/

x
α

1/x^\alpha

for some

α
∈
(
0
,
1
)

\alpha \in (0,1)

.

The intuition behind how the renewal measure behaves in these two cases is totally different. While in the first case

X
n
2

/

n

X_n^2/n

converges weakly to a

Γ
\Gamma

-distribution and there is no law of large numbers available, in the second case a strong law of large numbers holds true for

X
n

1
+
α

/

n

X_n^{1+\alpha }/n

and further normal approximation is available.
A conditional test with demonstrated insensitivity to unmeasured bias in matched observational studies
Authors: Rosenbaum P R
Published: April 2020

In an observational study matched for observed covariates, an association between treatment received and outcome exhibited may indicate not an effect caused by the treatment, but merely some bias in the allocation of treatments to individuals within matched pairs. The evidence that distinguishes moderate biases from causal effects is unevenly dispersed among possible comparisons in an observational study: some comparisons are insensitive to larger biases than others. Intuitively, larger treatment effects tend to be insensitive to larger unmeasured biases, and perhaps matched pairs can be grouped using covariates, doses or response patterns so that groups of pairs with larger treatment effects may be identified. Even if an investigator has a reasoned conjecture about where to look for insensitive comparisons, that conjecture might prove mistaken, or, when not mistaken, it might be received sceptically by other scientists who doubt the conjecture or judge it to be too convenient in light of its success with the data at hand. In this article a test is proposed that searches for insensitive findings over many comparisons, but controls the probability of falsely rejecting a true null hypothesis of no treatment effect in the presence of a bias of specified magnitude. An example is studied in which the test considers many comparisons and locates an interpretable comparison that is insensitive to larger biases than a conventional comparison based on Wilcoxon’s signed rank statistic applied to all pairs. A simulation examines the power of the proposed test. The method is implemented in the R package dstat, which contains the example and reproduces the analysis.
Developing Cross-Border Blockchain Financial Transactions under the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Zhang Yaolin
Published: April 2020

This article sets out a regulatory framework that facilitates blockchain cross-border financial transactions and examines how this framework can be implemented in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With increasing globalization and international trade, cross-border financial transactions are set to grow rapidly, especially across the Eurasian region.1 There are currently many challenges facing such transactions, from slow payment systems and different technical standards to varying legal and compliance systems.2 These challenges may be redressed by blockchain, which offers an efficient solution to the current mechanisms adopted in cross-border financial transactions. Currently, there are many experimental initiatives that seek to implement this technology to multiple fields, including remittances, clearance, and settlements.3 However, few researchers have considered in detail how this technology should be regulated in the BRI context. This article will be one of the first in-depth analyses of how laws and regulations can be applied to facilitate cross-border blockchain payments in the BRI context.
Paradox of modelling curved faults revisited with general non-hypersingular stress Green’s functions
Authors: Sato Dye S K , Romanet Pierre , Ando Ryosuke
Published: April 2020

In a dislocation problem, a paradoxical discordance is known to occur between an original smooth curve and an infinitesimally discretized curve. To solve this paradox, we have investigated a non-hypersingular expression for the integral kernel (called the stress Green’s function) which describes the stress field caused by the displacement discontinuity. We first develop a compact alternative expression of the non-hypersingular stress Green’s function for general 2-D and 3-D infinite homogeneous elastic media. We next compute the stress Green’s functions on a curved fault and revisit the paradox. We find that previously obtained non-hypersingular stress Green’s functions are incorrect for curved faults, and that smooth and infinitesimally segmented faults are equivalent. Their compatibility bridges the gap between analytical methods featuring curved faults and numerical methods using subdivided flat patches.
Multiplier bootstrap for quantile regression: non-asymptotic theory under random design
Authors: Pan Xiaoou , Zhou Wen-Xin
Published: April 2020

This paper establishes non-asymptotic concentration bound and Bahadur representation for the quantile regression estimator and its multiplier bootstrap counterpart in the random design setting. The non-asymptotic analysis keeps track of the impact of the parameter dimension $d$ and sample size $n$ in the rate of convergence, as well as in normal and bootstrap approximation errors. These results represent a useful complement to the asymptotic results under fixed design and provide theoretical guarantees for the validity of Rademacher multiplier bootstrap in the problems of confidence construction and goodness-of-fit testing. Numerical studies lend strong support to our theory and highlight the effectiveness of Rademacher bootstrap in terms of accuracy, reliability and computational efficiency.
Current status of genomic evaluation
Authors: Misztal Ignacy , Lourenco Daniela , Legarra Andres
Published: April 2020

Early application of genomic selection relied on SNP estimation with phenotypes or de-regressed proofs (DRP). Chips of 50k SNP seemed sufficient for an accurate estimation of SNP effects. Genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) were composed of an index with parent average, direct genomic value, and deduction of a parental index to eliminate double counting. Use of SNP selection or weighting increased accuracy with small data sets but had minimal to no impact with large data sets. Efforts to include potentially causative SNP derived from sequence data or high-density chips showed limited or no gain in accuracy. After the implementation of genomic selection, EBV by BLUP became biased because of genomic preselection and DRP computed based on EBV required adjustments, and the creation of DRP for females is hard and subject to double counting. Genomic selection was greatly simplified by single-step genomic BLUP (ssGBLUP). This method based on combining genomic and pedigree relationships automatically creates an index with all sources of information, can use any combination of male and female genotypes, and accounts for preselection. To avoid biases, especially under strong selection, ssGBLUP requires that pedigree and genomic relationships are compatible. Because the inversion of the genomic relationship matrix (G) becomes costly with more than 100k genotyped animals, large data computations in ssGBLUP were solved by exploiting limited dimensionality of genomic data due to limited effective population size. With such dimensionality ranging from 4k in chickens to about 15k in cattle, the inverse of G can be created directly (e.g., by the algorithm for proven and young) at a linear cost. Due to its simplicity and accuracy, ssGBLUP is routinely used for genomic selection by the major chicken, pig, and beef industries. Single step can be used to derive SNP effects for indirect prediction and for genome-wide association studies, including computations of the P-values. Alternative single-step formulations exist that use SNP effects for genotyped or for all animals. Although genomics is the new standard in breeding and genetics, there are still some problems that need to be solved. This involves new validation procedures that are unaffected by selection, parameter estimation that accounts for all the genomic data used in selection, and strategies to address reduction in genetic variances after genomic selection was implemented.
Meeting the Challenge of Analgesia in a Pregnant Woman With Burn Injury Using Subanesthetic Ketamine: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Roy Akshay B , Hughes Liam P , West Lindsay A , Schwenk Eric S , Elkhashab Yasmin , Hughes Michelle K , Hughes William B , Viscusi Eugene R
Published: April 2020

Pain management guidelines for burn injury in pregnant women are scarce. Maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in pregnant burn patients have been shown to be higher than that of the general population, especially in severe burns. Early intervention and interdisciplinary treatment are critical to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes. Proper pain management is central to wound treatment, as poor control of pain can contribute to delayed healing, re-epithelialization, as well as persistent neuropathic pain. We present this case of a 34-year-old female patient who suffered an 18% total body surface area burn during the third trimester of pregnancy to demonstrate that ketamine can be considered as an adjunct for procedural and background analgesia during the third trimester, as part of a multimodal strategy in a short-term, monitored setting after a thorough and complete analysis of risks and benefits and careful patient selection.
Magnetic activity based on LAMOST medium-resolution spectra and the Kepler survey
Authors: Zhang Li-yun , Long Liu , Shi Jianrong , Lu Hong-peng , Gao Qi , Han Xianming L , Wang Haifeng , Prabhakar Misra ,   LAMOST MRS Collaboration
Published: April 2020

Stellar magnetic activity is an interesting phenomenon in late-type stars. We use the medium-resolution spectroscopic observations of 406 069 late-type stars from LAMOST to explore their properties. We perform a statistical analysis on the magnetic activity of the stars and their associated physical parameters. Our samples are cross-matched with other data bases (LAMOST DR5, VSX, and SDSS DR12) to obtain additional observational properties. The equivalent widths (EWs) of Hα lines, an indicator of chromospheric activity, are calculated. According to the EWs of the Hα line, we detect 8816 spectra with apparent Hα emission for a total of 2115 stars among the 2 108 565 spectra analysed. Furthermore, 1521 of these stars show variability in their Hα lines. In addition, we detect 2132 flare events associated with 41 542 stars from the catalogue by cross-matching our LAMOST medium-resolution samples and the Kepler and K2 data bases. We also confirm a weak relationship of the flare amplitude with increasing Rossby number. There is a clear decease in the strength of chromospheric activity (LHα/Lbol) with increasing rotation period. Moreover, the ratio of the flare energy and stellar luminosity is found to decrease with the stellar mass.
Quantifying EoR delay spectrum contamination from diffuse radio emission
Authors: Lanman Adam E , Pober Jonathan C , Kern Nicholas S , de Lera Acedo Eloy , DeBoer David R , Fagnoni Nicolas
Published: April 2020

The 21 cm hyperfine transition of neutral hydrogen offers a promising probe of the large-scale structure of the universe before and during the Epoch of Reionization (EoR), when the first ionizing sources formed. Bright radio emission from foreground sources remains the biggest obstacle to detecting the faint 21 cm signal. However, the expected smoothness of foreground power leaves a clean window in Fourier space where the EoR signal can potentially be seen over thermal noise. Though the boundary of this window is well defined in principle, spectral structure in foreground sources, instrumental chromaticity, and choice of spectral weighting in analysis all affect how much foreground power spills over into the EoR window. In this paper, we run a suite of numerical simulations of wide-field visibility measurements, with a variety of diffuse foreground models and instrument configurations, and measure the extent of contaminated Fourier modes in the EoR window using a delay-transform approach to estimate power spectra. We also test these effects with a model of the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) antenna beam generated from electromagnetic simulations, to take into account further chromatic effects in the real instrument. We find that foreground power spillover is dominated by the so-called pitchfork effect, in which diffuse foreground power is brightened near the horizon due to the shortening of baselines. As a result, the extent of contaminated modes in the EoR window is largely constant over time, except when the Galaxy is near the pointing centre.
The Use of Alternative Routes for the Delivery of Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy for Retinoblastoma
Authors: Sweid Ahmad , Hammoud Batoul , Texakalidis Pavlos , Xu Vivian , Shivashankar Kavya , Baldassari Michael P , Das Somnath , Tjoumakaris Stavropoula , Shields Carol L , Ancona-Lezama David , Lim Li-Anne S , Dalvin Lauren A , Maamari Dimitri J , Jabbour Pascal
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

The introduction of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for treatment of retinoblastoma considerably changed the paradigm by which this disease is managed, with event-free survival rates being above 70%.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze efficacy of IAC treatment using alternative approaches to ophthalmic artery catheterization (OAC), such as external carotid artery approach or balloon-assisted drug delivery.

METHODS

This is a retrospective chart review for subjects receiving IAC for retinoblastoma. The primary approach was OAC. In cases in which selective OAC was not feasible, alternative routes including catheterization of the external carotid artery or use of a balloon-assisted drug infusion were used.

RESULTS

This study included 197 consecutive patients with 207 retinoblastomas who underwent 658 IAC procedures overall. The mean age at diagnosis was 24 mo, and 54.5% of the study population was male. Success rate with IAC was 97% (639). Alternative approaches to OAC were, in total, 42 cases (6.4%)—external carotid artery catheterization and use of ICA balloon were performed in 22 (3.3%) and 20 (3%) cases, respectively. A mean of 3.1 IAC cycles were performed for each patient. In total, there were 23 technical failures of the primary OAC technique (3.4%). Periprocedural adverse events occurred in 4 procedures (0.6%). Use of an alternative technique for chemotherapy delivery other than selective OAC in at least one IAC cycle was not a predictor of enucleation.

CONCLUSION

IAC is a safe and effective treatment option for retinoblastoma. Chemotherapy delivery using alternative techniques is as effective as selective OAC.
How Can Embedded Criminologists, Police Pracademics, and Crime Analysts Help Increase Police-Led Program Evaluations? A Survey of Authors Cited in the Evidence-Based Policing Matrix
Authors: Piza Eric L , Szkola Jason , Blount-Hill Kwan-Lamar
Published: April 2020

Evidence-based policing emphasizes the evaluation of interventions to create a catalogue of effective programs and practices. Program evaluation has primarily been considered the purview of academic researchers, with police agencies typically uninvolved in the evaluation of their own interventions. Scholars have recently advocated for police to take more ownership over program evaluation, often arguing for an increased role of three primary entities: embedded criminologists, police pracademics, and crime analysts. While an emerging body of literature has explored these entities individually, research has yet to explore the unique contributions each can make to police-led science. The current study is a survey of scholars who authored or co-authored one or more studies included in the evidence-based policing matrix. The authors explore four distinct research questions pertaining to police-led science. Findings suggest that embedded criminologists, police pracademics, and crime analysts may each have a unique role to play in promoting police-led science.
As Good As ‘Enough and As Good’
Authors: van der Vossen Bas
Published: April 2020

The Lockean theory of property licenses unilateral appropriation on the condition that there be ‘enough, and as good left in common for others’. However, the meaning of this proviso is all but clear. This article argues that the proviso is centered around the Lockean theory of freedom. To be free, I argue, we must be ‘non-subjected’ in the exercise of our rights, including our rights to appropriate. We enjoy such freedom only when the ability to exercise our rights does not depend on others. That can obtain if literally enough and as good is left in common. But it can also obtain in other ways, for example through competitive labour markets. The latter offer something as good as ‘enough and as good’.
A Plum Marbling Conundrum: Identification of a New Viroid Associated with Marbling and Corky Flesh in Japanese Plums
Authors: Bester Rachelle , Malan Sophia S. , Maree Hans J
Published: April 2020

Over the past 2 decades, fruit symptoms resembling a marbling pattern on the fruit skin or corking of the fruit flesh were observed on Japanese plums in South Africa, resulting in unmarketable fruit. The ability of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to detect known and unknown pathogens was exploited by assaying affected and unaffected fruit tree accessions to identify the potential aetiological agent of marbling and/or corky flesh disease. In this study, it is shown that the disease is associated with a previously undescribed small RNA with typical viroid structural features. The potential viroid was the only pathological agent consistently detected in all symptomatic trees by HTS, and the association with the symptoms was confirmed in field surveys over two seasons. To date, this RNA was not detectable by RT-PCR in seedlings raised from seeds collected from infected trees. Although the autonomous replication of this viroid-like RNA was not proven, it was shown to be transmissible by grafting and associated with a range of symptoms that include marbling on the fruit skin, corky flesh, reduced fruit size, irregular shape, and uneven fruit surface depending on the cultivar. Moreover, the circular RNA genome, consisting of 317 nucleotides, strongly supports that this viroid-like RNA is most likely a viroid for which the name plum viroid I (PVd-I) is proposed. The primary structure of this viroid showed a less than 90% nucleotide sequence identity to viroids of the genus Apscaviroid, with which it has close phylogenetic relationships and shares conserved structural motifs.
Acoustically advertising male harbour seals in southeast Alaska do not make biologically relevant acoustic adjustments in the presence of vessel noise
Authors: Matthews Leanna P. , Fournet Michelle E. H. , Gabriele Christine , Klinck Holger , Parks Susan E.
Published: April 2020

Aquatically breeding harbour seal (
Phoca vitulina
) males use underwater vocalizations during the breeding season to establish underwater territories, defend territories against intruder males, and possibly to attract females. Vessel noise overlaps in frequency with these vocalizations and could negatively impact breeding success by limiting communication space. In this study, we investigated whether harbour seals employed anti-masking strategies to maintain communication in the presence of vessel noise in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Harbour seals in this location did not sufficiently adjust source levels or acoustic parameters of vocalizations to compensate for acoustic masking. Instead, for every 1 dB increase in ambient noise, signal excess decreased by 0.84 dB, indicating a reduction in communication space when vessels passed. We suggest that harbour seals may already be acoustically advertising at or near a biologically maximal sound level and therefore lack the ability to increase call amplitude to adjust to changes in their acoustic environment. This may have significant implications for this aquatically breeding pinniped, particularly for populations in high noise regions.
Tuna locomotion: a computational hydrodynamic analysis of finlet function
Authors: Wang Junshi , Wainwright Dylan K. , Lindengren Royce E. , Lauder George V. , Dong Haibo
Published: April 2020

Finlets are a series of small non-retractable fins common to scombrid fishes (mackerels, bonitos and tunas), which are known for their high swimming speed. It is hypothesized that these small fins could potentially affect propulsive performance. Here, we combine experimental and computational approaches to investigate the hydrodynamics of finlets in yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) during steady swimming. High-speed videos were obtained to provide kinematic data on thein vivomotion of finlets. High-fidelity simulations were then carried out to examine the hydrodynamic performance and vortex dynamics of a biologically realistic multiple-finlet model with reconstructed kinematics. It was found that finlets undergo both heaving and pitching motion and are delayed in phase from anterior to posterior along the body. Simulation results show that finlets were drag producing and did not produce thrust. The interactions among finlets helped reduce total finlet drag by 21.5%. Pitching motions of finlets helped reduce the power consumed by finlets during swimming by 20.8% compared with non-pitching finlets. Moreover, the pitching finlets created constructive forces to facilitate posterior body flapping. Wake dynamics analysis revealed a unique vortex tube matrix structure and cross-flow streams redirected by the pitching finlets, which supports their hydrodynamic function in scombrid fishes. Limitations on modelling and the generality of results are also discussed.
Dielectric-induced surface wave radiation loss
Authors: Schaich Tobias , Al Rawi Anas , Morsman Trevor , Payne Mike
Published: April 2020

We investigate a model which shows how the introduction of a perturbing dielectric close to an electromagnetic surface wave leads to radiation away from the surface through the dielectric. This resembles a surface waveguide passing through a wall or being deployed underground. Our theory, which is based on the mode-matching technique, allows quantitative determination of losses from a bound surface wave mode up to the point of its complete extinction. For a surface wave supported by a coated, conducting sheet the attenuation due to the perturbing dielectric is calculated for a number of frequencies, permittivities of the perturbation and separations between the sheet and the perturbing dielectric. The accuracy of our results is verified by simulation of the system with a full-wave numerical solution. Finally, we report experimental data of perturbed surface waves on a cable, which are in qualitative agreement with our model.
Modeling Covid-19 dynamics for real-time estimates and projections: an application to Albanian data
Authors: Gjini Erida
Published: April 2020

The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic is one of the biggest challenges healthcare systems worldwide have ever had to face. To curb transmission many countries have adopted social distancing measures and travel restrictions. Estimating the effect of these measures in each context is challenging and requires mathematical models of the transmission dynamics. Projections for the future course of the epidemic strongly rely on model predictions and accurate representation of real-time data as they accumulate. Here I develop an SEIR modeling framework for Covid-19, to evaluate reported cases and fatalities, and to enable forecasting using evidence-based Bayesian parameter estimation. This Bayesian framework offers a tool to parametrize real-time dynamics of Covid-19 cases, and explore the effect of control as it unfolds in any setting. I apply the model to Covid-19 data from Albania, where drastic control measures were put in place already on the day of the first confirmed case. Evaluating the dynamics of reported cases 9-31 March 2020, I estimate parameters and make preliminary projections. Three weeks into the measures, Albanian data already indicate a strong signature of more than 40% transmission reduction, and lend support to a progressively increasing effect of control measures rather than a static one. In the Albanian setting, the model and data match well, projecting the peak of the outbreak may be around 5-15 April, and be contained within 300 active confirmed cases if control continues with the same trend. This framework can be used to understand the quantitative effects of different control measures in real-time, and inform adaptive intervention for success in other settings.
First-in-class matrix anti-assembly peptide prevents staphylococcal biofilmin vitroandin vivo
Authors: Von Borowski Rafael Gomes , Chat Sophie , Schneider Rafael , Nonin-Lecomte Sylvie , Bouaziz Serge , Giudice Emmanuel , Zimmer Aline Rigon , Gnoatto Simone Cristina Baggio , Macedo Alexandre José , Gillet Reynald
Published: April 2020

Staphylococci are pathogenic biofilm-forming bacteria, source of multidrug-resistance and/or – tolerance causing a broad spectrum of infections. These bacteria are enclosed in a matrix that allows them to colonize medical devices such as catheters and tissue, and which protects against antibiotics and immune systems. Advances in antibiofilm strategies for targeting this matrix are therefore extremely relevant. Plants are constantly attacked by a wide range of pathogens, and have protective factors such as peptides to defend themselves. These peptides are common components inCapsicumpeppers (CP). Here, we describe the development of CP bioinspired peptide “capsicumicine”. We demonstrate that capsicumicine strongly prevents methicillin-resistantS. epidermidisbiofilmviaa new extracellular “matrix anti-assembly” mechanism of action. Catheters pre-coated with capsicumicine decreasedS. aureuscolonization leading to the attenuation of infection, decreasing mice systemic infection. Capsicumicine is the first-in-class non-antibiotic, carbohydrate-binding peptide.
Neural Anomalies during Vigilance in Schizophrenia: Diagnostic Specificity and Genetic Associations
Authors: Klein Samuel D. , Shekels Laurie L. , McGuire Kathryn A. , Sponheim Scott R.
Published: April 2020

Impaired vigilance is a core cognitive deficit in schizophrenia and may serve as an endophenotype (i.e., mark genetic liability). We used a continuous performance task with perceptually degraded stimuli in schizophrenia patients (N=48), bipolar disorder patients (N=26), and first-degree biological relatives of schizophrenia patients (N=55) and bipolar disorder patients (N =28) and healthy controls (N=68) to clarify whether previously reported vigilance deficits and abnormal neural functions were indicative of genetic liability for schizophrenia as opposed to a generalized liability for severe psychopathology. We also examined variation in the Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene to evaluate whether brain responses were related to genetic variation associated with higher-order cognition. Relatives of schizophrenia patients had an increased rate of misidentification of nontarget stimuli as targets when they were perceptually similar, possibly reflecting difficulties with contour perception. Larger early visual responses (i.e., N1) were associated with better task performance, while reduced N2 augmentation to target stimuli was specific to schizophrenia patients. Both schizophrenia patients and relatives of schizophrenia patients displayed reduced late cognitive responses (P3b) that predicted worse performance. Bipolar patients and their relatives exhibited performance deficits and some aberrant neural responses that were milder and dependent on sex. Variation in the Catechol-O-methyltransferase gene was differentially associated with P3b in schizophrenia and bipolar groups. Poor vigilance in schizophrenia is specifically predicted by a failure to enhance early visual responses, weak augmentation of mid-latency brain responses to targets, and limited engagement of late cognitive responses that may be tied to genetic variation associated with prefrontal dopaminergic availability.
Use Crow-AMSAA Method to predict the cases of the Coronavirus 19 in Michigan and U.S.A
Authors: Wang Yanshuo
Published: April 2020

The Crow-AMSAA method is used in engineering reliability world to predict the failures and evaluate the reliability growth. The author intents to use this model in the prediction of the Coronavirus 19 (COVID19) cases by using the daily reported data from Michigan, New York City, U.S.A and other countries. The piece wise Crow-AMSAA (CA) model fits the data very well for the infected cases and deaths at different phases while the COVID19 outbreak starting. The slope β of the Crow-AMSAA line indicates the speed of the transmission or death rate. The traditional epidemiological model is based on the exponential distribution, but the Crow-AMSAA is the Non Homogeneous Poisson Process (NHPP) which can be used to modeling the complex problem like COVID19, especially when the various mitigation strategies such as social distance, isolation and locking down were implemented by the government at different places.

This paper is to use piece wise Crow-AMSAA method to fit the COVID19 confirmed cases in Michigan, New York City, U.S.A and other countries.
The basic reproduction number and prediction of the epidemic size of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Shahroud, Iran
Authors: Khosravi Ahmad , Chaman Reza , Rohani-Rasaf Marzieh , Zare Fariba , Mehravaran Shiva , Emamian Mohammad Hassan
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To estimate the basic reproduction number (R0) of COVID-19 in the early stage of the epidemic and predict the expected number of new cases in Shahroud, Northeast of Iran.

Methods

The R0of COVID-19 was estimated using the serial interval distribution and the number of incidence cases. The serial interval was fit with a gamma distribution. The probable incidence and cumulative incidence in the next 30 days were predicted using the assumption that daily incidence follows a Poisson distribution determined by daily infectiousness. Data analysis was done using “earlyR” and “projections” packages in R software.

Results

The maximum-likelihood value of R0was 2.7 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1 to 3.4) for the COVID-19 epidemic in the early 14 days and decreased to 1.13 (95% CI: 1.03 to 1.25) by the end of the day 41. The expected average number of new cases in Shahroud is 9.0±3.8 case/day, which means an estimated total of 271 (95% CI: 178-383) new cases in the next 30 days.

Conclusions

It is essential to reduce the R0to values below one. Therefore, we strongly recommend enforcing and continuing the current preventive measures, restricting travel, and providing screening tests for a larger proportion of the population.
Genomic determinants of pathogenicity in SARS-CoV-2 and other human coronaviruses
Authors: Gussow Ayal B. , Auslander Noam , Faure Guilhem , Wolf Yuri I. , Zhang Feng , Koonin Eugene V.
Published: April 2020

SARS-CoV-2 poses an immediate, major threat to public health across the globe. Here we report an in-depth molecular analysis to reconstruct the evolutionary origins of the enhanced pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses that are severe human pathogens. Using integrated comparative genomics and machine learning techniques, we identify key genomic features that differentiate SARS-CoV-2 and the viruses behind the two previous deadly coronavirus outbreaks, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, from less pathogenic coronaviruses. These features include enhancement of the nuclear localization signals in the nucleocapsid protein and distinct inserts in the spike glycoprotein that appear to be associated with high case fatality rate of these coronaviruses as well as the host switch from animals to humans. The identified features could be crucial elements of coronavirus pathogenicity and possible targets for diagnostics, prognostication and interventions.
Population-level COVID-19 mortality risk for non-elderly individuals overall and for non-elderly individuals without underlying diseases in pandemic epicenters
Authors: Ioannidis John P.A. , Axfors Cathrine , Contopoulos-Ioannidis Despina G.
Published: April 2020

OBJECTIVE

To provide estimates of the relative risk of COVID-19 death in people <65 years old versus older individuals in the general population, the absolute risk of COVID-19 death at the population level during the first epidemic wave, and the proportion of COVID-19 deaths in non-elderly people without underlying diseases in epicenters of the pandemic.

ELIGIBLE DATA

Countries and US states with at least 800 COVID-19 deaths as of April 24, 2020 and with information on the number of deaths in people with age <65. Data were available for 11 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK), Canada, and 12 US states (California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and New York) We also examined available data on COVID-19 deaths in people with age <65 and no underlying diseases.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Proportion of COVID-19 deaths in people <65 years old; relative risk of COVID-19 death in people <65 versus ≥65 years old; absolute risk of COVID-19 death in people <65 and in those ≥80 years old in the general population as of May 1, 2020; absolute COVID-19 death risk expressed as equivalent of death risk from driving a motor vehicle.

RESULTS

Individuals with age <65 account for 4.8-9.3% of all COVID-19 deaths in 10 European countries and Canada, 13.0% in the UK, and 7.8-23.9% in the US locations. People <65 years old had 36- to 84-fold lower risk of COVID-19 death than those ≥65 years old in 10 European countries and Canada and 14- to 56-fold lower risk in UK and US locations. The absolute risk of COVID-19 death as of May 1, 2020 for people <65 years old ranged from 6 (Canada) to 249 per million (New York City). The absolute risk of COVID-19 death for people ≥80 years old ranged from 0.3 (Florida) to 10.6 per thousand (New York). The COVID-19 death risk in people <65 years old during the period of fatalities from the epidemic was equivalent to the death risk from driving between 13 and 101 miles per day for 11 countries and 6 states, and was higher (equivalent to the death risk from driving 143-668 miles per day) for 6 other states and the UK. People <65 years old without underlying predisposing conditions accounted for only 0.7-2.6% of all COVID-19 deaths (data available from France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Georgia, and New York City).

CONCLUSIONS

People <65 years old have very small risks of COVID-19 death even in pandemic epicenters and deaths for people <65 years without underlying predisposing conditions are remarkably uncommon. Strategies focusing specifically on protecting high-risk elderly individuals should be considered in managing the pandemic.