bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlations in rotational energy transfer for NO–D2 inelastic collisions
Authors: Tang Guoqiang , Besemer Matthieu , de Jongh Tim , Shuai Quan , van der Avoird Ad , Groenenboom Gerrit C. , van de Meerakker Sebastiaan Y. T.
Published: August 2020

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of state-to-state inelastic collisions between NO (X 2Π1/2, j = 1/2, f) radicals and D2 (j = 0, 1, 2, 3) molecules at collision energies of 100 cm−1 and 750 cm−1. Using the combination of Stark deceleration and velocity map imaging, we fully resolve pair-correlated excitations in the scattered molecules. Both spin–orbit conserving and spin–orbit changing transitions in the NO radical are measured, while the coincident rotational excitation (j = 0 → j = 2) and rotational de-excitation (j = 2 → j = 0 and j = 3 → j = 1) in D2 are observed. De-excitation of D2 shows a strong dependence on the spin–orbit excitation of NO. We observe translation-to-rotation energy transfer as well as direct rotation-to-rotation energy transfer at the lowest collision energy probed. The experimental results are in good agreement with cross sections obtained from quantum coupled-channels calculations based on recent NO–D2 potential energy surfaces. The observed trends in the correlated scattering cross sections are understood in terms of the NO–D2 quadrupole–quadrupole interaction.
The relationship between biosecurity surveillance and risk analysis.
Authors: MacLeod A.
Published: August 2020

National authorities that seek to protect plant and animal health and welfare follow international agreements and guidelines designed to inhibit the introduction and spread of pests and diseases harmful to animals and plants by conducting formal risk analyses. Analyses are generally initiated by: (i) new information about a pest or disease; (ii) discovery of a pathway for pest or disease introduction (e.g. through pre-border, border and post-border biosecurity surveillance); or (iii) review of a relevant pest or disease management policy. Quantitative and qualitative techniques are used in risk analyses whose conclusions can form the basis of sanitary and phytosanitary regulations and inform biosecurity surveillance strategies generating data that helps narrow uncertainties within risk analyses.
Surveillance for soilborne microbial biocontrol agents and plant pathogens.
Authors: Whittle P. , Sundh I. , Neate S.
Published: August 2020

Soilborne microbes are well known in agriculture as biological control agents and plant pathogens. Methods for their detection or diagnosis have been studied extensively over decades in order to identify the organisms, elucidate their biology, detect their presence and estimate their prevalence in environments, manipulate and control their populations, and answer questions about risk. The high importance of microbial biocontrol agents and soilborne plant pathogens in agriculture and the environment has given rise to needs to undertake surveillance on them. The appropriate design of surveillance (the deployment of detection methods in practice in order to create surveillance information) is driven by the questions that need to be answered, which depend on the context. This chapter will discuss the reasons for surveillance for these two groups of soilborne microbes and the methods used for their detection, to see whether there are opportunities, or needs, to improve the design of soilborne microbe surveillance.
Inference and prediction with individual-based stochastic models of epidemics.
Authors: Gibson G. , Gilligan C. A.
Published: August 2020

Stochastic models for the spread of epidemics in space and time are increasingly being used as predictive tools to help in the control of emergent pests and pathogens and as tools for the interpretation of observations of epidemics as they occur. This chapter provides an introduction to a particular class of stochastic model - the individual-based, spatio-temporal compartment model - that is frequently applied in this context. An overview of the techniques used to implement these models and to fit them to observations is provided. The main implications of different model formulations for biosecurity and the design of control strategies are given. The chapter aims to provide the reader, who already has some knowledge of mathematical and statistical approaches to modelling infectious diseases, with a technical overview of the Bayesian computational approach.
Statistical emulators of simulation models to inform surveillance and response to new biological invasions.
Authors: Renton M. , Savage D.
Published: August 2020

When a new biosecurity incursion is detected, rapid response is critical to maximize the chance of containment and eradication and minimize the threat to important industries. However, inappropriate response can be extremely costly. For example, we might waste resources on trying to eradicate a pest that has already spread too far to be contained, or use a management strategy that has a lower chance of success than another possibility, and thus allow the pest to escape and establish permanently. Simulation modelling is a tool that can be used to evaluate different management options in the light of available knowledge about the pest's dispersal and population dynamics and its new environment, but simulation models typically take a long time to develop, parameterize, test, run and analyse. How can modelling be used to provide valuable predictions when rapid response is critical? Emulators, or meta-models, are relatively simple and empirical models that capture the important characteristics of more complex and realistic process-based simulation models, and thus 'emulate' their predictions. However, the meta-model is much simpler than the simulation model, making it much quicker to run and analyse. It can also be used to make predictions for a wide range of organisms, environments and management options, and to evaluate which characteristics of these organisms and environments are most important to the final outcome, thus focusing expensive and time-consuming collection of new data where it is most needed.
Animal, vegetable, or ...? A case study in using animal-health monitoring design tools to solve a plant-health surveillance problem.
Authors: Hester S. , Sergeant E. , Robinson A. P. , Schult G.
Published: August 2020

Biosecurity managers are often responsible for designing the surveys that are used to demonstrate pest absence from a region or country. This design process involves determining the number of locations to measure and choosing the locations from which survey information is collected (the sampling plan) as well as the number of units within each location that will be sampled (sample size). The choice of sampling plan may be influenced by prior information about the locations and by their spatial distribution. Sample size is influenced by the effectiveness of the testing method, the confidence interval required and the available budget. Biosecurity managers who do not have the time or skills to design appropriate surveys would benefit from applying pre-existing tools or templates to determine the sampling plan, the sample size and the level of resources needed to meet the survey requirements to ensure market access. Unfortunately such tools have not been developed specifically for plant-health applications, despite their development and widespread use in animal health surveillance. We show how EpiTools, a set of web-based tools developed to support survey designs for estimating disease prevalence or demonstrating free dom from diseases in animal herds, is equally applicable in the plant-health context. In this chapter we demonstrate the use of several of the statistical functions provided in EpiTools by designing a citrus canker surveillance strategy for the Northern Territory.
Agent-based Bayesian spread model applied to red imported fire ants in Brisbane.
Authors: Keith J. M. , Spring D.
Published: August 2020

Red imported fire ants were first detected in Brisbane in February 2001. Since then, the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program has been collecting data on the locations of detected nests and keeping a record of the areas searched and treated with baits. The result is an exceptionally large and detailed record of both the spread of the ant and the effects of human intervention on the invasion. In recent work, these data have been used to reconstruct the history of the invasion in terms of the trajectories of nest abundance and geographic range. A novel feature of the method is that it explicitly models individual nests and can thus reconstruct the invasion to a high level of spatial and temporal detail. Some important lessons have been learned from this reconstruction. One is that an invasion can continue to expand its geographic range despite a drop in the number of invaders. Another is that immature nests - those not yet able to found new nests and generally too small to be detected - outnumbered mature nests at every stage of the invasion. Both of these lessons highlight the importance of sophisticated models to assist in monitoring an invasion and managing an eradication programme.
Anthropometric and physical performance profiling does not predict professional contracts awarded in an elite Scottish soccer academy over a 10‐year period
Authors: Craig Thomas P. , Swinton Paul
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this long‐term retrospective analysis was to determine whether anthropometric and physical performance data could predict success in elite youth Scottish soccer players. Stature, body mass, sprint, jump and aerobic performance were collected from 512 players (U10 to U17) across a 10‐year period. Players participated in an average of four profiling sessions (range: 1–14) and up to a maximum of three per year (August, December, and May) with standardisation applied to the surface, test order, time and protocols. One hundred players were awarded professional contracts. Associations between variables were quantified with mixed‐effects linear models. Prediction was assessed with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression developed on a training set (2/3 data) and tested with proportion of error on a leave‐out (1/3 data) test set. Confidence intervals were obtained through bootstrap LASSO samples. A strong relative age bias was identified with 50% of successful players born in the first quarter of the year. Successful players were on average taller and performed better in sprint and jump tests (p < 0.05). However, effects were small and even when variables were combined, proportion of errors identified were similar to random guessing (0.45[95%CI:0.41–0.49]). The results indicate that whilst successful players as youths demonstrate on average distinct anthropometric and physical profiles, these differences are unlikely to provide a reliable source to predict success within an already talented group. Practitioners should use data collected to guide exercise prescription but be aware of its substantive limitations in predicting success in isolation.
Discerning excellence from mediocrity in swimming: New insights using Bayesian quantile regression
Authors: Myers Tony D. , Negra Yassine , Sammoud Senda , Chaabene Helmi , Nevill Alan M.
Published: August 2020

Purpose: Previous research has captured point estimates for population means of somatic variables associated with swimming speed across strokes, but have not determined if predictors of swimming speed operate the same at the upper tails of the distribution (τ = 0.9) as they do at the median levels (τ = 0.5) and lower levels (τ = 0.1). Method: Three hundred sixty‐three competitive‐level swimmers (male [n = 202]; female [n = 161]) participated in the study. To identify key somatic variables associated with 100‐m swimming across and between strokes controlling for age, we used a Bayesian allometric quantile regression model, refined using Bayes Factors and Leave‐one‐out cross validation. Results: High probabilities (>99%) were found for arm‐span, seated‐height and shoulder‐breadth being the strongest somatic predictors across strokes. For individual strokes, Bayesian quantile regression demonstrated that the relative importance of predictors differs across quantiles. For swimmers in the 0.9 quartile, shoulder‐breadth is a more important than height for front‐crawl, wide shoulders are important for breaststroke swimmers but can be detrimental when combined with narrow hips, seated‐height and hip‐width are important for backstroke swimming speed, and calf girth for butterfly. Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of considering key somatic variables for talent identification in swimming and ensure young swimmers focus on strokes compatible with their somatic structure. The most important new insight is that predictors differ for the best swimmers compared to average or poorer swimmers. This has implications beyond swimming, pointing to the importance of considering the upper tails of distributions in performance and talent identification contexts.
NiTi shape memory alloy cellular meshes: manufacturing by investment casting and characterization
Authors: Montenegro E O S , Grassi E N D , Simões J B , Sales da Silva P C , de Araújo C J
Published: August 2020

Recent studies have shown that conventional meshes comprising pure titanium and its alloys can be used to assist the recovery of bone fractures in various parts of the human body, such as the face, jaw, skull and knee. In anticipation of an improved efficiency for these applications and other applications, this work analyses the thermomechanical behaviour of a type of metallic mesh that is fabricated with NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs), which are smart metals that exhibit functional properties, such as the shape memory effect (SME) and superelasticity (SE). The development of NiTi SMA meshes with different cell designs, good mechanical strength and recoverable deformation to replace titanium meshes and enhance biomedical applications (as well as applications in other fields) can be considered a current technological challenge. In this framework, this study aims to perform the fabrication and mechanical characterization of NiTi SMA meshes produced by investment casting with three different cell geometries (circular, hexagonal and square) in two states (as cast and heat treated). The obtained results show that the manufactured meshes present functional properties even in the as-cast state, as thermoelastic phase transformation and deformation recovery on the order of 6% is demonstrated. The results show that between the heat treatment and mesh cell geometry, the latter factor is the most influential factor in the mechanical behaviour of the meshes. A brief numerical simulation of the tensile behaviour of the meshes is used to deepen the analysis of the influence of cell geometry on their mechanical behaviour. Overall, as-cast meshes with circular and square cells present a high stiffness under tension and bending. The produced meshes show enough thermomechanical features to enhance biomedical applications. These results support the replacement of conventional titanium alloys, which do not possess functional properties, with NiTi SMAs.
A low-power, jamming, magnetorheological valve using electropermanent magnets suitable for distributed control in soft robots
Authors: Leps T , Glick P E , Ruffatto III D , Parness A , Tolley M T , Hartzell C
Published: August 2020

Magnetorheological (MR) valves are an attractive way to make reliable valves with no moving parts. MR fluid valves operate by powering an electromagnet positioned near a constriction through which MR fluid is flowing. However, these valves are high-power devices, consuming on the order of watts of power while closed, and the electromagnets and flow paths are relatively bulky. Due to their power draw and size, they are unsuitable for many miniaturized and portable applications which would otherwise benefit from a solid state valve. In this paper, we introduce a low power, jamming MR valve that makes use of an electropermanent magnet, which can provide either a strong magnetic field or no field, with no continuous power draw and no moving parts. The resulting valve has overall dimensions of 4× 4×6mm, a mass of 0.476g, material costs of $7.32 per valve USD at quantity 100, holds over 415 kPa of pressure, and leaks only 0.02g of fluid over a 24h period when held at 105 kPa. These valves are well suited for use in soft robots, e.g. robots composed of stretchable elastomers and may allow for increased degrees of freedom in soft robotic designs. We discuss the design considerations for making MR valves, study the effect of different fluids and valve sizes, develop a numerical framework for simulation and further valve design, and demonstrate the use of a MR valve to control the actuation of a soft robotic appendage.
Trade-off between filtering and symmetry breaking mean-field coupling in inducing macroscopic dynamical states
Authors: Singh Uday , Sathiyadevi K , Chandrasekar V K , Zou W , Kurths J , Senthilkumar D V
Published: August 2020

We study the manifestation of the competing interaction between the mean-field intensity and the symmetry breaking coupling on the phenomenon of aging transition in an ensemble of limit-cycle oscillators comprising of active and inactive oscillators. Further, we also introduce filtering in both the intrinsic and extrinsic variables of the mean-field diffusive coupling to investigate the counter-intuitive effect of both filterings. We find that large values of the mean-field intensity near unity favor the oscillatory nature of the ensemble, whereas low values favor the onset of the aging transition and heterogeneous dynamical states such as cluster oscillation death and chimera death states even at low values of the symmetry breaking coupling strength. Heterogeneous dynamical states predominates at large values of the coupling strength in all available parameter spaces. We also uncover that even a weak intrinsic filtering favors the aging transition and heterogeneous dynamical states, while a feeble extrinsic filtering favors the oscillatory state. Chimera death state is observed among the active oscillators for the first time in the aging literature. Our results can lead to engineering the dynamical states as desired by an appropriate choice of the control parameters. Further, the transition from the oscillatory to the aging state occurs via an inverse Hopf bifurcation, while the transition from the aging state to the cluster oscillation death states emerges through a supercritical pitch-fork bifurcation. The deduced analytical bifurcation curves are in good agreement with the numerical boundaries of the observed dynamical states.
Resolidification-controlled melt dynamics under fast transient tokamak plasma loads
Authors: Ratynskaia S. , Thorén E. , Tolias P. , Pitts R. A. , Krieger K. , Vignitchouk L. , Iglesias D.
Published: August 2020

Studies of macroscopic melt motion induced by fast transient power loads and the ensuing damage to plasma-facing components are critical for ITER. Based on state-of-the-art experiments, heat transfer is argued to be strongly entangled with fluid dynamics. The physics model of the MEMOS-U code is introduced. Simulations are reported of recent tokamak experiments concerning deliberate transient melting of beryllium main chamber tiles (JET) and tungsten divertor components (ASDEX Upgrade, JET). MEMOS-U is demonstrated to capture the main physics responsible for melt dynamics and to reproduce the observed surface deformation. The intricate role of resolidification is elucidated.
Future climate impacts on global agricultural yields over the 21st century
Authors: Waldhoff Stephanie T , Wing Ian Sue , Edmonds James , Leng Guoyong , Zhang Xuesong
Published: August 2020

Analyses of the future impacts of changing crop yields on agricultural production, prices, food security, and GDP growth using Integrated Assessment models require country-level yield shocks due to changing weather conditions, for a wide range of crops and warming scenarios. We characterize impacts of different climate futures on crop yields for individual countries and years. We use historical crop yield and weather data to empirically estimate annual crop yield responses to temperature and precipitation, constructing reduced-form statistical models that are then coupled with earth system model outputs for the same variables to project future yields. Our main result is a panel of annual shocks to yields of 12 crops (cassava, cotton, maize, potatoes, rice, sorghum, soybean, sugar beet, sugarcane, sunflower, and winter and spring wheat) for 58–136 countries, depending on the crop, through 2099, under moderate and vigorous warming scenarios. We find that global yield impacts by century’s end (2086–2095) are − 2%, − 19%, − 14%, and − 1%, without the CO2 fertilization effect (CFE), for maize, rice, soybean, and wheat, respectively, with similar global values with CFE. However, the global and decadal averages mask regional and year-to-year differences that may have large economic consequences, which IAMs could more fully address by representing agricultural yield impacts through the parameters supplied by our study.
Molten pool structure, temperature and velocity flow in selective laser melting AlCu5MnCdVA alloy
Authors: Lu Pan , Cheng-Lin Zhang , Liang Wang , Tong Liu , Jiang-lin Liu
Published: August 2020

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) has become one of the most promising technologies in Metal Additive Manufacturing (MAM), which is a complex dynamic non-equilibrium process involving heat transfer, melting, phase transition, vaporization and mass transfer. The characteristics of the molten pool (structure, temperature flow and velocity flow) have a decisive influence on the final forming quality of SLM. In this study, both numerical simulation and experiments were employed to study molten pool structure, temperature flow and velocity field in Selective Laser Melting AlCu5MnCdVA alloy. The results showed the structure of molten pool showed different forms (deep-concave structure, double-concave structure, plane structure, protruding structure and ideal planar structure), and the size of the molten pool was approximately 132 μm × 107 μm × 50 μm: in the early stage, molten pool was in a state of deep-concave shape with a depth of 15 μm due to multiple driving forces, while a protruding shape with a height of 10 μm duo to tension gradient in the later stages of forming. The metal flow inside the molten pool was mainly driven by laser impact force, metal liquid gravity, surface tension and recoil pressure. For AlCu5MnCdVA alloy, metal liquid solidification speed was extremely fast (3.5 × 10−4 S), the heating rate and cooling rate reached 6.5 × 107 K S−1 and 1.6 × 106 K S−1, respectively. Choosing surface roughness as a visual standard, low-laser energy AlCu5MnCdVA alloy optimum process parameters window was obtained by numerical simulation: laser power 250 W, hatching space 0.11 mm, layer thickness 0.03 mm, laser scanning velocity 1.5 m s−1. In addition, compared with experimental printing and numerical simulation, the width of the molten pool was about 205 um and about 210 um, respectively, and overlapping between two adjacent molten tracks was all about 65 um. The results showed that the numerical simulation results were basically consistent with the experimental print results, which proved the correctness of the numerical simulation model.
Measuring Precarious Employment: Type of Contract Can Lead to Serious Misclassification Error
Authors: Vives Alejandra , Gonzalez Lopez Francisca , Benach Joan
Published: August 2020

This study aims to assess the accuracy of temporary employment as indicator or proxy measure of precarious employment. Using sensitivity and specificity analysis, we compared type of contract (temporary versus permanent) with the Chilean version of the multidimensional Employment Precariousness Scale. Temporary employment exhibited very low sensitivity (<30%) (specificity >90%), resulting in roughly 38% of false negative results. Different EPRES-Ch cut-off scores produced similar results. The main implication of these findings is that the public health relevance of precarious employment is being underestimated both in terms of prevalence and of its association with health, making it critical that valid multidimensional measures of precarious employment be implemented.
Peripheral action of kisspeptin at reproductive tissues—role in ovarian function and embryo implantation and relevance to assisted reproductive technology in livestock: a review
Authors: D’Occhio Michael J , Campanile Giuseppe , Baruselli Pietro S
Published: August 2020

Kisspeptin (KISS1) is encoded by the KISS1 gene and was initially found to be a repressor of metastasis. Natural mutations in the KISS1 receptor gene (KISS1R) were subsequently shown to be associated with idiopathic hypothalamic hypogonadism and impaired puberty. This led to interest in the role of KISS1 in reproduction. It was established that KISS1 had a fundamental role in the control of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. KISS1 neurons have receptors for leptin and estrogen receptor α (ERα), which places KISS1 at the gateway of metabolic (leptin) and gonadal (ERα) regulation of GnRH secretion. More recently, KISS1 has been shown to act at peripheral reproductive tissues. KISS1 and KISS1R genes are expressed in follicles (granulosa, theca, oocyte), trophoblast, and uterus. KISS1 and KISS1R proteins are found in the same tissues. KISS1 appears to have autocrine and paracrine actions in follicle and oocyte maturation, trophoblast development, and implantation and placentation. In some studies, KISS1 was beneficial to in vitro oocyte maturation and blastocyst development. The next phase of KISS1 research will explore potential benefits on embryo survival and pregnancy. This will likely involve longer-term KISS1 treatments during proestrus, early embryo development, trophoblast attachment, and implantation and pregnancy. A deeper understanding of the direct action of KISS1 at reproductive tissues could help to achieve the next step change in embryo survival and improvement in the efficiency of assisted reproductive technology.
Powassan Virus Encephalitis Following Brief Attachment of Connecticut Deer Ticks
Authors: Feder Henry M , Telford Sam , Goethert Heidi K , Wormser Gary P
Published: August 2020

Background

Powassan virus (POWV) is a tick-transmitted pathogen that may cause severe encephalitis; experimentally, it can be transmitted within just 15 minutes following a tick bite. The deer tick virus subtype of POWV (DTV) is transmitted by the deer tick and is the likely cause of the increase in the number of POWV cases reported in the United States. However, DTV has only been definitively documented in 6 patients by molecular analysis of the virus.

Methods

Two patients from Connecticut with encephalitis, who had a recent deer tick bite, were evaluated by the relevant serologic tests to determine if they had been infected with POWV. Evaluation also included molecular testing of an adult deer tick that had been removed from one of the patients.

Results

We documented neuroinvasive POWV infection in 2 children from Connecticut. Based on the results of testing the tick removed from case 2, this patient was infected by DTV, representing the 7th reported case and the first documented case of DTV infection in a child. Of note, the duration of the tick bites in both cases was very short.

Conclusions

We provide the first clinical and epidemiologic evidence that POWV/DTV can be rapidly transmitted to a human host, that is, within hours of tick attachment, which is distinctive when compared to other deer tick-transmitted infections such as Lyme disease.
Significantly Lower Case-fatality Ratio of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) than Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong—A Territory-Wide Cohort Study
Authors: Lui Grace Chung-Yan , Yip Terry Cheuk-Fung , Wong Vincent Wai-Sun , Chow Viola Chi-Ying , Ho Tracy Hang-Yee , Li Timothy Chun-Man , Tse Yee-Kit , Chan Henry Lik-Yuen , Hui David Shu-Cheong , Wong Grace Lai-Hung
Published: August 2020

Background

The case-fatality ratios (CFR) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) appeared to differ substantially. We aimed to compare the CFR and its predictors of COVID-19 and SARS patients using a territory-wide cohort in Hong Kong.

Methods

This was a territory-wide retrospective cohort study using data captured from all public hospitals in Hong Kong. Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and SARS patients were identified. The primary endpoint was a composite endpoint of intensive care unit admission, use of mechanical ventilation, and/or death.

Results

We identified 1013 COVID-19 patients (mean age, 38.4 years; 53.9% male) diagnosed from 23 January to 14 April 2020 and 1670 SARS patients (mean age, 44.4 years; 44.0% male) from March to June 2003. Fifty-five (5.4%) COVID-19 patients and 432 (25.9%) SARS patients had reached the primary endpoint in 30 days. By 30 June 2003, 286 SARS patients had died (CFR, 17.1%). By 7 June 2020, 4 COVID-19 patients had died (CFR, 0.4%). After adjusting for demographic and clinical parameters, COVID-19 was associated with a 71% lower risk of primary endpoint compared with SARS (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.29; 95% confidence interval, .21–.40; P < .0001). Age, diabetes mellitus, and laboratory parameters (high lactate dehydrogenase, high C-reactive protein, and low platelet count) were independent predictors of the primary endpoint in COVID-19 patients, whereas use of antiviral treatments was not associated with primary endpoint.

Conclusions

The CFR of COVID-19 was 0.4%. Age and diabetes were associated with worse outcomes, whereas antiviral treatments were not.
Fake News is Not a Virus: On Platforms and Their Effects
Authors: Anderson C W
Published: August 2020

This article attempts to uncover the intellectual, economic, and methodological structures that have led to the recent emergence of a particular notion of digital communication on social media platforms, one that emphasizes the power of (false) media messages to cause irrational political behavior and combines individual level understanding of media effects with a networked notion of society and information diffusion. After pointing out some of the real political-economic forces at work in setting the contours of this intellectual turn, I discuss how spaces between mutually constructed but overlapping paradigmatic understandings of media behavior lead to theories that serve as boundary objects, linking (and misunderstanding) older fields in order to advance new agendas. I then turn to the consequences of particular methodological choices, drawing on key works in Science and Technology Studies (STS) to make the point that these methodological choices not only establish scientific fields, they construct certain types of human subjects as well. The article concludes with a call for a more humanistic and interpretive approach to the understanding of political behavior and communication.
Evaluating and engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae promoters for increased amylase expression and bioethanol production from raw starch
Authors: Myburgh Marthinus W , Rose Shaunita H , Viljoen-Bloom Marinda
Published: August 2020

Bioethanol production from starchy biomass via consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) will benefit from amylolytic Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that produce high levels of recombinant amylases. This could be achieved by using strong promoters and modification thereof to improve gene expression under industrial conditions. This study evaluated eight endogenous S. cerevisiae promoters for the expression of a starch-hydrolysing α-amylase gene. A total of six of the native promoters were modified to contain a promoter-proximal intron directly downstream of the full-length promoter. Varying results were obtained; four native promoters outperformed the ENO1P benchmark under aerobic conditions and two promoters showed better expression under simulated CBP conditions. The addition of the RPS25A intron significantly improved the expression from most promoters, displaying increased transcript levels, protein concentrations and amylase activities. Raw starch-utilising strains were constructed through co-expression of selected α-amylase cassettes and a glucoamylase gene. The amylolytic strains displayed improved fermentation vigour on raw corn starch and broken rice, reaching 97% of the theoretical ethanol yield and converting 100% of the available carbon to products within 120 h in small-scale CBP fermentations on broken rice. This study showed that enhanced amylolytic strains for the conversion of raw starch to ethanol can be achieved through turnkey promoter selection and/or engineering.
Making effective referrals happen: a theory-informed policy analysis
Authors: Kane Sumit , Jiang Hong , Tian Yuan , Mukhopadhyay Maitrayee , Qian Xu
Published: August 2020

Effective referral is a critical element of a well-functioning health system. While having a good referral policy in place is important, equally important is its effective implementation. Using the implementation of a policy on referral of obstetric emergencies in Shanghai as a case, we illustrate the application of the ‘Inhabited Institutions’ analytical approach for studying policy implementation. In doing so, our study highlights how ‘referral’ is a quintessential systems process embedded in institutional, social and historical contexts. We show that multiple institutional logics, in the form of explicit and tacit organizing principles and assumptions, intersect to influence and shape actors’ actions, sometimes with good outcomes and sometimes with poor outcomes. We reveal the embedded agency of frontline healthcare managers and providers across different levels of care. We show how frontline managers and providers, operating under conditions of uncertainties and ambiguities in organizational processes, actively draw upon their experience and network capital to creatively adapt to get referrals done in a timely manner to save lives of critically ill pregnant women. From our findings, two sets of linked implications emerge for strengthening referral systems. Given that referral often involves ill and complicated cases, getting referrals right depends on the exercise of discretion and judgement by those at the frontline to arrive at timely and workable solutions—health systems need to recognize this. We also conclude that to get referrals right, while one needs clearly defined policies and implementation processes that are locally appropriate, well understood by all concerned and easy to follow, this is not enough. In addition, explicit measures that enable the exercise of discretion and judgement at the frontline need to be locally identified and adopted.
Engaging Pathology Residents in Clinical Chemistry: The Essential Ingredient Is a Committed Teacher
Authors: Singh Gurmukh , Bollag Roni J , Savage Natasha M
Published: August 2020

Background

Pathology residents are thought to show a lack of interest in clinical chemistry, therefore potentially graduating from training programs unprepared to function as laboratory directors and clinical consultants.

Methods

A structured program of tutorials based primarily on Henry’s textbook, supplemented by recent review articles; a question bank of about 600 questions to emphasize key concepts; requirement for performing and presenting quality improvement projects; participation in on-site CAP inspections; review of reference laboratory test requests; and involving residents in scholarly activity have resulted in sustained, transferable, and significant improvements in engagement, knowledge, competence, and examination scores.

Results

The primary parameter for measuring change in resident competence and engagement were improvements in resident in-service examination (RISE) scores, publications in peer-reviewed journals, and receipt of awards. The revised program produced significant improvement in RISE scores in clinical chemistry, over and above the improvements in the general residency program. The residents were authors on 12 publications in peer-reviewed PubMed listed journals in the 5-year period since revision in the clinical chemistry curriculum compared to no publications in clinical chemistry in the 5-year period before the new curriculum. Over the past 2 years, 6 of the 11 publications by graduating residents were in clinical chemistry, and 6 of 7 awards for research were garnered by residents engaged in clinical chemistry investigations. All of the residents passed their clinical pathology boards on first attempt since the change compared to 2 failures in the prior 5-year period.

Conclusions

The structured program described here is important as a template that could be adopted by any pathology training program. The question bank developed by this program is a valuable and transferable aid. However, success of such a program is dependent on the commitment of a knowledgeable, dedicated, and passionate teacher.
Genetic variance and covariance components for carbon dioxide production and postweaning traits in Angus cattle
Authors: Donoghue Kath A , Bird-Gardiner Tracie , Herd Robert M , Hegarty Roger S , Arthur Paul F
Published: August 2020

This experiment investigated phenotypic and genetic relationships between carbon dioxide production, methane emission, feed intake, and postweaning traits in Angus cattle. Respiration chamber data on 1096 young bulls and heifers from 2 performance recording research herds of Angus cattle were analyzed to provide phenotypic and genetic parameters for carbon dioxide production rate (CPR; n = 425, mean 3,010 ± SD 589 g/d) and methane production rate (MPR; n = 1,096, mean 132.8 ± SD 25.2 g/d) and their relationships with dry matter intake (DMI; n = 1,096, mean 6.15 ± SD 1.33 kg/d), body weight (BW) and body composition traits. Heritability estimates were moderate to high for CPR (0.53 [SE 0.17]), MPR (0.31 [SE 0.07]), DMI (0.49 [SE 0.08]), yearling BW (0.46 [SE 0.08]), and scanned rib fat depth (0.42 [SE 0.07]). There was a strong phenotypic (0.83 [SE 0.02]) and genetic (0.75 [SE 0.10]) correlation between CPR and MPR. The correlations obtained for DMI with CPR and with MPR were high, both phenotypically (rp) and genetically (rg) (rp: 0.85 [SE 0.01] and 0.71 [SE 0.02]; rg (0.95 [SE 0.03] and 0.83 [SE 0.05], respectively). Yearling BW was strongly correlated phenotypically (rp ≥ 0.60) and genetically (rg > 0.80) with CPR, MPR, and DMI, whereas scanned rib fat was weakly correlated phenotypically (rp < 0.20) and genetically (rg ≤ 0.20) with CPR, MPR, and DMI. The strong correlation between both CPR and MPR with DMI confirms their potential use as proxies for DMI in situations where direct DMI recording is not possible such as on pasture.
Evaluation of a decision support system for precision feeding of gestating sows
Authors: Gaillard Charlotte , Quiniou Nathalie , Gauthier Raphaël , Cloutier Laetitia , Dourmad Jean-Yves
Published: August 2020

Precision feeding (PF) with the daily mixing of 2 diets with different lysine content (high (H) or low (L)) was previously reported for growing pigs to reduce protein intake and N excretion compared with a conventional feeding (CF) based on a single diet (C). Using a simulation approach based on farm data, the objective of the present paper was to describe and evaluate a decision support system for the PF of gestating sows allowing the daily distribution of a tailored ration to each sow. Two datasets, 1 of 2,511 gestations (farm A) and 1 of 2,528 gestations (farm B), reporting sows’ characteristics at insemination and objectives at farrowing were used as inputs for a Python model. This model, mainly based on InraPorc, calculates the nutrient requirements of each sow over gestation and simulates the impact of PF in comparison to CF. Simulated diets L, H, and C contained 3.0, 6.5, and 4.8 g/kg of standardized ileal digestible lysine (SID Lys) and 2.0, 3.3, and 2.5 g/kg of standardized total tract digestible phosphorus (STTD-P), respectively. The influence of farm, parity, gestation week, and their interactions, on calculated SID Lys and STTD-P requirements was analyzed applying a mixed model. The calculated SID Lys and STTD-P requirements increased markedly in the last third of gestation (P < 0.01) and were higher for primiparous than for multiparous sows, unless after week 14 for STTD-P requirement. The calculated SID AA and mineral requirements were lower for farm B than farm A (respectively, 2.94 vs. 3.08 g/kg for SID Lys and 1.30 vs. 1.35 g/kg for STTD-P, P < 0.01). On average, feed L represented 86% and 92% of the feed projected to be delivered by the PF strategy in farms A and B, respectively. Compared to CF, average calculated dietary SID Lys content was lowered by 27% and 32% with PF, for farms A and B, respectively, while average calculated dietary phosphorus content was lowered by 13% and 16%. The simulated proportions of sows in excess and deficient in SID Lys were reduced with PF. Compared to CF, the PF strategy allowed for a 3.6% reduction in simulated feed cost per sow during gestation, and reduced nitrogen and phosphorus intake (by 11.0% and 13.8%, respectively) and excretion (by 16.7% and 15.4%, respectively). To conclude, these simulations indicate that PF of gestating sow appears to be relevant to meet the amino acid requirement while reducing feed cost, and supplies and excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Adherence and Self-Management
Authors: Plevinsky Jill M , Young Melissa A , Carmody Julia K , Durkin Lindsay K , Gamwell Kaitlyn L , Klages Kimberly L , Ghosh Shweta , Hommel Kevin A
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique circumstances that have the potential to both positively and negatively affect pediatric adherence and self-management in youth with chronic medical conditions. The following paper discusses how these circumstances (e.g., stay-at-home orders, school closures, changes in pediatric healthcare delivery) impact disease management at the individual, family, community, and healthcare system levels. We also discuss how barriers to pediatric adherence and self-management exacerbated by the pandemic may disproportionately affect underserved and vulnerable populations, potentially resulting in greater health disparities. Given the potential for widespread challenges to pediatric disease management during the pandemic, ongoing monitoring and promotion of adherence and self-management is critical. Technology offers several opportunities for this via telemedicine, electronic monitoring, and mobile apps. Moreover, pediatric psychologists are uniquely equipped to develop and implement adherence-promotion efforts to support youth and their families in achieving and sustaining optimal disease management as the current public health situation continues to evolve. Research efforts addressing the short- and long-term impact of the pandemic on pediatric adherence and self-management are needed to identify both risk and resilience factors affecting disease management and subsequent health outcomes during this unprecedented time.
Burden of Illness in Households With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2–Infected Children
Authors: Teherani Mehgan F , Kao Carol M , Camacho-Gonzalez Andres , Banskota Samridhi , Shane Andi L , Linam William M , Jaggi Preeti
Published: August 2020

We investigated of illness among household members of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–infected children receiving medical care (n = 32). We identified 144 household contacts (HCs): 58 children and 86 adults. Forty-six percent of HCs developed symptoms consistent with coronavirus disease. Child-to-adult transmission was suspected in 7 cases.
Idiopathic small bowel diaphragm disease: a case report
Authors: Marghich Omar , Maubert Alexandre , Amouzou Efoé-Ga Yawod Olivier , Denimal Louis , Benizri Emmanuel , Rahili Mohammed Amine
Published: August 2020

Small bowel diaphragm disease is a rare condition usually associated with the prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and that can be mistaken and treated as other pathologies. We describe a case of a 64-year-old man with a prolonged course of pain and subacute bowel obstructions, without any history of NSAID usage, found to have a multiple diaphragmatic stricture in the small bowel.
Hybrid Surgical Simulator: A Temporal Bone Simulator Validation Study of the Stryker Surgical Simulator (S3)
Authors: Meyer Charles , Noda Francine , Folsom Craig R
Published: August 2020

Introduction

The Stryker Surgical Simulator is a hybrid, temporal bone simulator that uses both tactile and haptic feedback combined with a computer interface. We sought to validate this simulator as an otolaryngology resident training tool for performing tympanomastoidectomy.

Materials and Methods

15 residents and staff performed five basic cortical mastoidectomies. Staff surgeons comprised the “expert” cohort and resident surgeons comprised the “trainee” cohort. Subjective evaluation of the face validity and content validity was assessed via pre- and postquestionnaires. Objective evaluation of content validity was assessed through grading of each temporal bone dissection specimen, comparing time to task completion, and calculating the rate of injury to critical structures. Study approved by the Institutional Review Board (2013.0001).

Results

Post hoc questionnaires showed that both staff and residents subjectively rated the simulator favorably on face validity, content validity, and all global assessment categories, though there were no significant distinctions between groups (P > 0.05). The resident group had a significantly longer drilling time compared with the staff group throughout the series of tympanomastoidectomies (P = 0.008), and both groups showed a decrease in time to task completion with repetitive drilling. However, there were no significant differences in surgical performance as evaluated by a blinded senior neurotologist (P = 0.52). There were also no critical injuries recorded by the simulator in any of the 75 trials, preventing any evaluation on this measure.

Conclusions

Despite favorable subjective evaluations by both staff and residents, objective discrimination between experienced and novice participants was not achieved. This was likely in part due to inherent design flaws of the simulator. This emphasizes the potential shortcomings of surgical simulation models for highly technical procedures and points to the importance of intensive study and validation prior to incorporation of commercial training models into surgical training programs.
Optimal 1D Ly α forest power spectrum estimation – I. DESI-lite spectra
Authors: Karaçaylı Naim Göksel , Font-Ribera Andreu , Padmanabhan Nikhil
Published: August 2020

The 1D Ly α forest flux power spectrum P1D is sensitive to scales smaller than a typical galaxy survey, and hence ties to the intergalactic medium’s thermal state, suppression from neutrino masses, and new dark matter models. It has emerged as a competitive framework to study new physics, but also has come with various challenges and systematic errors in analysis. In this work, we revisit the optimal quadratic estimator for P1D, which is robust against the relevant problems such as pixel masking, time evolution within spectrum, and quasar continuum errors. We further improve the estimator by introducing a fiducial power spectrum, which enables us to extract more information by alleviating the discreteness of band powers. We meticulously apply our method to synthetic Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) spectra and demonstrate how the estimator overcomes each challenge. We further apply an optimization scheme that approximates the Fisher matrix to three elements per row and reduces computation time by 60 per cent. We show that we can achieve per cent precision in P1D with 5-yr DESI data in the absence of systematics and provide forecasts for different spectral qualities.