bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
824 Burn Strong Initiative: A Burn Center’s Response to Fire Department Needs
Authors: Sabatino Brent , Salinas Reuben , Lam Loc H , Cancio Leopoldo C
Published: March 2020

Introduction

The purpose of this project is to enhance burn education, both inside and outside the Burn Center. The project was motivated by a perceived gap in burn education for the city’s Fire Department (FD). Here, we describe the progress made in closing this gap. In a combined effort between both institutions, a partnership has been developed to help new paramedic firefighters and existing firefighters understand the burn-care process and improve patient outcomes. Since its inception in August 2018, the Burn Strong Initiative has had 3 focuses: 1) train burn center personnel; 2) train FD personnel; and 3) conduct further community outreach.

Methods

Aim 1 – Burn Center Staff Training. To improve our clinical skills and to enhance our ability to serve as educators in the community, we committed to achieving Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) certification for > 90% of our Burn Center clinical staff. Aim 2 – Firefighter Training. The city requested that we develop and implement a new 2-hour Thermal Injury Update class delivered weekly for a total of 36 weeks to EMTs and paramedics, starting January 2018 thru December 2019. Aim 3 – FD Medical Staff Training. The city requested that the Burn Center provide an ABLS course for the FD’s physician staff.

Results

Aim 1 – To date, we trained 104 Burn Center staff in ABLS, 22 of whom became ABLS instructors. Aim 2 – Burn Strong has completed 28 Thermal Injury Update classes for 615 FD paramedics. There are 10 classes remaining through the end of this year. Total paramedics to be trained is expected to be > 1000. The paramedics receiving 2 CEUs for this course. Aim 3 – We trained 19 FD physicians in ABLS, 4 of whom have become ABLS instructors. We trained an additional 15 personnel at our Regional Advisory Council conference.

Conclusions

This training effort has better prepared us to treat these complex patients, and has become the initial point of entry into an immersive partnership between the burn center and the city FD. Training firefighters requires ongoing commitment and an understanding of the pre-hospital environment. We plan to continue and expand our partnership with the city and the region to improve burn care.

Applicability of Research to Practice

This project demonstrates how burn center personnel, through training tailored to local requirements, can collaborate with their FD, improve burn care, and build strong partnerships.
836 Custom Fabricated Open Anterior Ankle Foot Orthosis to Promote Early Mobility with Lower Extremity Grafts
Authors: LePage Lisa
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Distal lower extremity STSG’s present a challenge with the balance of early mobility and immobilization of the ankle. Traditional commercially available ambulation boots or pre-fabricated orthotics may impose circumferential compression endangering graft integrity. Custom fabricated posterior AFO’s comprised of thermoplastic, scotch cast or fiberglass materials are not recommended for weight-bearing of the lower extremity during mobility/ambulation. What may also hinder promotion of early mobility is having a multitude of injuries or advanced age with decreased ability to adhere to a LE NWB status. An anterior approach to immobilization of the ankle was thought of to free the plantar surface of the foot for weight-bearing. The open concept of the orthosis itself minimizes direct contact with the involved LE graft. This promotes graft integrity during mobility with ankle immobilization.

Methods

Materials: Thermoplastic material, scissors, strapping, dense adhesive foam, adhesive Velcro and a heat gun. Fabrication: Measure the point of distance between where the desired proximal end of the orthosis would be to the patient’s metatarsal heads on the dorsal aspect of the foot; double it to calculate the amount of material needed. The width of the material should be approx. 3 to 4 inches. Warm material and tri-fold it together reducing width to approx. 1 ½ to 2 inches to increase stability. Shape the folded material into a continuous oval and place on the patient’s distal LE. As the material cools, shape the oval away from the medial/ lateral aspects of the distal LE restricting the points of contact to the anterior most proximal and distal aspect of the desired splint parameters. Remove once cooled and add dense adhesive foam to the 2 points of contact that will rest against the patient. This will allow for a slight area of “give” against the patient during weight-bearing of the LE/foot. Velcro and straps are added to the proximal/distal ends of the oval; heating the adhesive side will imbed the Velcro allowing increased durability with repeated donning/doffing.

Results

The open construction of this orthosis allows different degrees of weight-bearing eliminating contact with the distal LE STSG. The forefoot and heel are available to weight bear safely within the confines of the open anterior ankle foot orthosis.

Conclusions

Patients have been trialed with/without an AD with success in the achievement of ankle immobilization with mobility. Weight-bearing instructions that accompany this splint wear is foot placement rather than a normal heel strike cadence to avoid undue pressure at the proximal aspect of the splint on the lower extremity.

Applicability of Research to Practice

This splint has been successfully utilized for immobilization without compromise to STSG integrity due to the anterior open support it offers the ankle. Perhaps this concept could be applied to other joints to avoid direct contact of the splint with STSG during the initial stages of healing.
853 Microblading in Patients with Facial Burn Injuries
Authors: Brown Melissa , Turgeon Lori , Bojovic Branko
Published: March 2020

Introduction

The experience of a burn injury is devastating. Physical and emotional recovery can be lengthy and often difficult. Many patients tire of constant surgical interventions required to achieve optimal functional and cosmetic outcomes. Identifying non-invasive interventions for patients with extensive facial burns that positively affect quality of life is appealing. Microblading, semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing, is one such option. Little research exists on the durability and longevity of microblading in burns, or its impact on body-image and self-esteem. The purpose of this case review is to identify possible benefits microblading may have physically and psychologically.

Methods

Case report looking at the impact of microblading on a young adult female over 18 years, who sustained a facial burn injury at age one year. Following consultation with her plastic surgeon, she was referred to a licensed body art facility to assess the viability of microblading over scar tissue. First treatment occurred at the facility in March of 2019 with a second session in May, as is standard practice. Patient photos obtained before and after procedures assessed longevity of microblading over scar tissue. Self-reported patient outcomes obtained following the procedure addressed the impact on perceived self-esteem and body-image.

Results

Photos were taken pre-treatment, directly post-treatment, 2 months, and 6 months post-treatment. Comparisons of photos immediately post treatment to those 6 months out showed appearance of tattooing remains the same. Eyebrows did not fade with time and continue to hold the same color and shape. Assessment of psychological impact was conducted through patient interview and self-report. Patient reported satisfaction with the procedure and cosmetic appearance following initial treatment. Over time, patient noted feeling more positive about body image and improvement in self-esteem.

Conclusions

Eyebrows are a critically important part of facial expression, which can be lost following a devastating facial burn. Initial data demonstrate the effectiveness of tattooing in recreating the appearance and function of eyebrows over scar tissue. Over time, the eyebrows maintained color without fading and shape did not change, demonstrating durability and longevity in this patient population. Early reports of improved self-image also remained unchanged over time. Microblading presents a possible low risk, inexpensive, effective alternative to expensive or potentially ineffective cosmetic surgery. This case establishes a need for further research on efficacy of microblading over scar tissue, with the hope of incorporating it into burn reconstruction as an alternative therapy and advocate for insurance coverage for qualifying patients.

Applicability of Research to Practice

Research supports microblading as a potential non-invasive, inexpensive treatment modality for loss of eyebrows.
Thomas Carlyle, Scotland’s Migrant Philosophers, and Australasian Idealism
Authors: Jordan Alexander
Published: March 2020

That the great Scottish man of letters Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) exercised a formative influence over late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century ‘British Idealism’ has long been recognized by historians. Through works such as Sartor Resartus (1833–1834), Heroes and Hero-Worship (1841), Past and Present (1843), and Latter-Day Pamphlets (1850), Carlyle transmitted his ideas regarding the immanence of the divine in nature and man, the infinite character of duty, and the ethical role of the state to a generation of subsequent philosophers. The following article will extend this insight, arguing that through the agency of an array of migrant Scottish intellectuals, Carlyle’s writings made an equally significant contribution to the development of Idealism in Australia and New Zealand. In doing so, the article draws upon not only published treatises and monographs, but also speeches as reported in the local press, unpublished doctoral dissertations, and, in one notable case, archival sources. Together, these demonstrate beyond doubt the important and enduring contribution of Thomas Carlyle to Australasian Idealism.
The emergence of expanding space–time and intersecting D-branes from classical solutions in the Lorentzian type IIB matrix model
Authors: Hatakeyama Kohta , Matsumoto Akira , Nishimura Jun , Tsuchiya Asato , Yosprakob Atis
Published: March 2020

The type IIB matrix model is a promising candidate for a nonperturbative formulation of superstring theory. As such, it is expected to explain the origin of space–time and matter at the same time. This has been partially demonstrated by the previous Monte Carlo studies on the Lorentzian version of the model, which suggested the emergence of (3+1)-dimensional expanding space–time. Here we investigate the same model by solving numerically the classical equation of motion, which is expected to be valid at late times since the action becomes large due to the expansion of space. Many solutions are obtained by the gradient descent method starting from random matrix configurations, assuming a quasi-direct-product structure for the (3+1)-dimensions and the extra 6 dimensions. We find that these solutions generally admit the emergence of expanding space–time and a block-diagonal structure in the extra dimensions, the latter being important for the emergence of intersecting D-branes. For solutions corresponding to D-branes with appropriate dimensionality, the Dirac operator is shown to acquire a zero mode in the limit of infinite matrix size.
Optimizing Cercospora Leaf Spot Control in Table Beet Using Action Thresholds and Disease Forecasting
Authors: Pethybridge Sarah J. , Sharma Sandeep , Hansen Zachariah , Kikkert Julie R. , Olmstead Daniel L. , Hanson Linda E.
Published: March 2020

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola, is the dominant foliar disease affecting table-beet production in New York. CLS epidemics occur annually and, if uncontrolled, will rapidly lead to defoliation. In broad-acre production, season-long maintenance of healthy leaves is important to facilitate harvest by top-pulling. Fungicides are the dominant means of CLS control and applications are initiated at an action threshold of 1 CLS lesion/leaf. Regular fungicide application occurs thereafter without regard for scheduling based on weather-based risk. The current action threshold was evaluated with selected fungicides in two replicated field trials. Copper oxychloride + copper hydroxide and propiconazole significantly improved CLS control if initiated prior to infection. Pydiflumetofen + difenoconazole significantly reduced area under the disease progress stairs compared with other fungicides tested and was most efficacious when applications began at 1 CLS lesion/leaf. Six replicated field trials also evaluated the utility of scheduling fungicides on weather-based risk rather than a calendar approach. Two risk thresholds (moderate and high) integrating the accumulation of daily infection values based on temperature and relative humidity from a forecaster for CLS in sugar beet were evaluated. Applications of pydiflumetofen + difenoconazole were reduced from three to two by using the forecaster at either risk threshold compared with calendar applications without affecting CLS control. For propiconazole, the moderate risk threshold provided CLS control equivalent to calendar applications and saved one spray per season. Thus, there was substantial scope to reduce spray frequency by scheduling based on weather-based risk rather than calendar applications. The optimal risk thresholds for pydiflumetofen + difenoconazole and propiconazole were high and moderate, respectively. In these trials, periods of high risk occurred less frequently than moderate risk, increasing the reapplication intervals and, hence, represented a less conservative approach to disease management.
Interspecific Competition for Colonization of Maize Plants Between Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium verticillioides
Authors: Gaige A. Reyes , Todd T. , Stack J. P.
Published: March 2020

Fusarium proliferatum and F. verticillioides are mycotoxin-producing, seedborne pathogens of maize. They are often asymptomatic in seed, eluding symptom-based detection. Experiments were conducted in nonsterile soil to determine whether interspecific competition influenced establishment in maize plants of an introduced isolate of F. proliferatum or F. verticillioides. Hygromycin-resistant, green fluorescent protein (GFP) transformed (GFP-tagged) F. proliferatum (F. proliferatum-green) and hygromycin-resistant, monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP) transformed (mRFP-tagged) F. verticillioides (F. verticillioides-red) strains were developed to provide molecular markers to track fungal establishment. Heat-killed Fusarium-free maize seed, colonized with F. proliferatum-green or F. verticillioides-red by immersion in a spore suspension for 16 h, served as the source of inoculum. The ability of F. proliferatum-green and F. verticillioides-red to colonize viable maize plants already colonized by the other species was determined. Maize plants were retrieved from soil after 14 days and DNA was extracted from three consecutive root segments and three consecutive stem segments. A TaqMan multiplex real-time quantitative PCR protocol was developed to identify and quantify F. proliferatum-green and F. verticillioides-red from each plant segment from each treatment; the experiment was repeated three times. This experiment confirmed that F. proliferatum-green and F. verticillioides-red effectively colonized roots and stems of the maize plant already colonized with the other species. Prior colonization of maize tissues by F. verticillioides-red (P = 0.6749) and other seedborne microorganisms (P = 0.1910) reduced but did not prevent subsequent colonization by F. proliferatum-green. Similarly, prior colonization of maize tissues by F. proliferatum-green (P = 0.7032) and other seedborne microorganisms (P = 0.1447) reduced but did not prevent subsequent colonization by F. verticillioides-red.
Temporal Dispersal Patterns ofPhaeomoniella chlamydospora, Causal Agent of Petri Disease and Esca, in Vineyards
Authors: González-Domínguez Elisa , Berlanas Carmen , Gramaje David , Armengol Josep , Rossi Vittorio , Berbegal Mónica
Published: March 2020

Although the fungus Phaeomoniella chlamydospora is the most commonly detected causal agent of Petri disease and esca, two important fungal grapevine trunk diseases, little is known about the dispersal patterns of P. chlamydospora inoculum. In this work, we studied the dispersal of P. chlamydospora airborne inoculum from 2016 to 2018 in two viticultural areas of eastern (Ontinyent) and northern (Logroño) Spain. The vineyards were monitored weekly from November to April using microscope slide traps, and P. chlamydospora was detected and quantified by a specific real-time quantitative (qPCR) method set up in this work. The method was found to be sensitive, and a good correlation was observed between numbers of P. chlamydospora conidia (counted by microscope) and DNA copy numbers (quantified by qPCR). We consistently detected DNA of P. chlamydospora at both locations and in all seasons but in different quantities. In most cases, DNA was first detected in the last half of November, and most of the DNA was detected from December to early April. When rain was used as a predictor of P. chlamydospora DNA detection in traps, false-negative detections were observed, but these involved only 4% of the total. The dispersal pattern of P. chlamydospora DNA over time was best described (R2= 0.765 and concordance correlation coefficient = 0.870) by a Gompertz equation, with time expressed as hydrothermal time (a physiological time accounting for the effects of temperature and rain). This equation could be used to predict periods with a high risk of dispersal of P. chlamydospora.
The mark of captivity: plastic responses in the ankle bone of a wild ungulate (
Sus scrofa
)
Authors: Harbers Hugo , Neaux Dimitri , Ortiz Katia , Blanc Barbara , Laurens Flavie , Baly Isabelle , Callou Cécile , Schafberg Renate , Haruda Ashleigh , Lecompte François , Casabianca François , Studer Jacqueline , Renaud Sabrina , Cornette Raphael , Locatelli Yann , Vigne Jean-Denis , Herrel Anthony , Cucchi Thomas
Published: March 2020

Deciphering the plastic (non-heritable) changes induced by human control over wild animals in the archaeological record is challenging. We hypothesized that changes in locomotor behaviour in a wild ungulate due to mobility control could be quantified in the bone anatomy. To test this, we experimented with the effect of mobility reduction on the skeleton of wild boar (
Sus scrofa
), using the calcaneus shape as a possible phenotypic marker. We first assessed differences in shape variation and covariation in captive-reared and wild-caught wild boars, taking into account differences in sex, body mass, available space for movement and muscle force. This plastic signal was then contrasted with the phenotypic changes induced by selective breeding in domestic pigs. We found that mobility reduction induces a plastic response beyond the shape variation of wild boars in their natural habitat, associated with a reduction in the range of locomotor behaviours and muscle loads. This plastic signal of captivity in the calcaneus shape differs from the main changes induced by selective breeding for larger muscle and earlier development that impacted the pigs' calcaneus shape in a much greater extent than the mobility reduction during the domestication process of their wild ancestors.
Analytic resolution of time-domain half-space Green's functions for internal loads by a displacement potential-Laplace-Hankel-Cagniard transform method
Authors: Pak Ronald Y. S. , Bai Xiaoyong
Published: March 2020

A refined yet compact analytical formulation is presented for the time-domain elastodynamic response of a three-dimensional half-space subject to an arbitrary internal or surface force distribution. By integrating Laplace and Hankel transforms into a method of displacement potentials and Cagniard's inversion concept, it is shown that the solution can be derived in a straightforward manner for the generalized classical wave propagation problem. For the canonical case of a buried point load with a step time function, the response is proved to be naturally reducible with the aid of a parametrized Bessel function integral representation to six wave-group integrals on finite contours in the complex plane that stay away from all branch points and the Rayleigh pole except possibly at the starting point of the contours. On the latter occasions, the possible singularities of the integrals can be rigorously extracted by an extended method of asymptotic decomposition, rendering the residual numerical computation a simple exercise. With the new solution format, the arrival time of each wave group is derivable by simple criteria on the contour. Typical results for the time-domain response for an internal point force as well as the degenerate case of a surface point source are included for comparison and illustrations.
Onset and limiting amplitude of yaw instability of a submerged three-tethered buoy
Authors: Orszaghova J. , Wolgamot H. , Draper S. , Taylor P. H. , Rafiee A.
Published: March 2020

In this paper the dynamics of a submerged axi-symmetric wave energy converter are studied, through mathematical models and wave basin experiments. The device is disk-shaped and taut-moored via three inclined tethers which also act as a power take-off. We focus on parasitic yaw motion, which is excited parametrically due to coupling with heave. Assuming linear hydrodynamics throughout, but considering both linear and nonlinear tether geometry, governing equations are derived in 6 degrees of freedom (DOF). From the linearized equations, all motions, apart from yaw, are shown to be contributing to the overall power absorption. At higher orders, the yaw governing equation can be recast into a classical Mathieu equation (linear in yaw), or a nonlinear Mathieu equation with cubic damping and stiffness terms. The well-known stability diagram for the classical Mathieu equation allows prediction of onset/occurrence of yaw instability. From the nonlinear Mathieu equation, we develop an approximate analytical solution for the amplitude of the unstable motions. Comparison with regular wave experiments confirms the utility of both models for making relevant predictions. Additionally, irregular wave tests are analysed whereby yaw instability is successfully correlated to the amount of parametric excitation and linear damping. This study demonstrates the importance of considering all modes of motion in design, not just the power-producing ones. Our simplified 1 DOF yaw model provides fundamental understanding of the presence and severity of the instability. The methodology could be applied to other wave-activated devices.
Coriolis effect on thermal convection in a rotating bidispersive porous layer
Authors: Capone F. , De Luca R. , Gentile M.
Published: March 2020

We obtain the linear instability and nonlinear stability thresholds for a problem of thermal convection in a rotating bidispersive porous medium with a single temperature. We show that the linear instability threshold is the same as the nonlinear stability one. This means that the linear theory is capturing completely the physics of the onset of thermal convection.
Rethinking megafauna
Authors: Moleón Marcos , Sánchez-Zapata José A. , Donázar José A. , Revilla Eloy , Martín-López Berta , Gutiérrez-Cánovas Cayetano , Getz Wayne M. , Morales-Reyes Zebensui , Campos-Arceiz Ahimsa , Crowder Larry B. , Galetti Mauro , González-Suárez Manuela , He Fengzhi , Jordano Pedro , Lewison Rebecca , Naidoo Robin , Owen-Smith Norman , Selva Nuria , Svenning Jens-Christian , Tella José L. , Zarfl Christiane , Jähnig Sonja C. , Hayward Matt W. , Faurby Søren , García Nuria , Barnosky Anthony D. , Tockner Klement
Published: March 2020

Concern for megafauna is increasing among scientists and non-scientists. Many studies have emphasized that megafauna play prominent ecological roles and provide important ecosystem services to humanity. But, what precisely are ‘megafauna’? Here, we critically assess the concept of megafauna and propose a goal-oriented framework for megafaunal research. First, we review definitions of megafauna and analyse associated terminology in the scientific literature. Second, we conduct a survey among ecologists and palaeontologists to assess the species traits used to identify and define megafauna. Our review indicates that definitions are highly dependent on the study ecosystem and research question, and primarily rely on
ad hoc
size-related criteria. Our survey suggests that body size is crucial, but not necessarily sufficient, for addressing the different applications of the term megafauna. Thus, after discussing the pros and cons of existing definitions, we propose an additional approach by defining two function-oriented megafaunal concepts: ‘keystone megafauna’ and ‘functional megafauna’, with its variant ‘apex megafauna’. Assessing megafauna from a functional perspective could challenge the perception that there may not be a unifying definition of megafauna that can be applied to all eco-evolutionary narratives. In addition, using functional definitions of megafauna could be especially conducive to cross-disciplinary understanding and cooperation, improvement of conservation policy and practice, and strengthening of public perception. As megafaunal research advances, we encourage scientists to unambiguously define how they use the term ‘megafauna’ and to present the logic underpinning their definition.
An introduction to phylosymbiosis
Authors: Lim Shen Jean , Bordenstein Seth R.
Published: March 2020

Phylosymbiosis was recently formulated to support a hypothesis-driven framework for the characterization of a new, cross-system trend in host-associated microbiomes. Defining phylosymbiosis as ‘microbial community relationships that recapitulate the phylogeny of their host’, we review the relevant literature and data in the last decade, emphasizing frequently used methods and regular patterns observed in analyses. Quantitative support for phylosymbiosis is provided by statistical methods evaluating higher microbiome variation between host species than within host species, topological similarities between the host phylogeny and microbiome dendrogram, and a positive association between host genetic relationships and microbiome beta diversity. Significant degrees of phylosymbiosis are prevalent, but not universal, in microbiomes of plants and animals from terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Consistent with natural selection shaping phylosymbiosis, microbiome transplant experiments demonstrate reduced host performance and/or fitness upon host–microbiome mismatches. Hybridization can also disrupt phylosymbiotic microbiomes and cause hybrid pathologies. The pervasiveness of phylosymbiosis carries several important implications for advancing knowledge of eco-evolutionary processes that impact host–microbiome interactions and future applications of precision microbiology. Important future steps will be to examine phylosymbiosis beyond bacterial communities, apply evolutionary modelling for an increasingly sophisticated understanding of phylosymbiosis, and unravel the host and microbial mechanisms that contribute to the pattern. This review serves as a gateway to experimental, conceptual and quantitative themes of phylosymbiosis and outlines opportunities ripe for investigation from a diversity of disciplines.
Isotopic and genetic methods reveal the role of the gut microbiome in mammalian host essential amino acid metabolism
Authors: Newsome Seth D. , Feeser Kelli L. , Bradley Christina J. , Wolf Caitlin , Takacs-Vesbach Cristina , Fogel Marilyn L.
Published: March 2020

Intestinal microbiota perform many functions for their host, but among the most important is their role in metabolism, especially the conversion of recalcitrant biomass that the host is unable to digest into bioavailable compounds. Most studies have focused on the assistance gut microbiota provide in the metabolism of carbohydrates, however, their role in host amino acid metabolism is poorly understood. We conducted an experiment on
Mus musculus
using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and carbon isotope analysis of essential amino acids (AA
ESS
) to quantify the community composition of gut microbiota and the contribution of carbohydrate carbon used by the gut microbiome to synthesize AA
ESS
that are assimilated by mice to build skeletal muscle tissue. The relative abundances of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes inversely varied as a function of dietary macromolecular content, with Firmicutes dominating when mice were fed low-protein diets that contained the highest proportions of simple carbohydrates (sucrose). Mixing models estimated that the microbial contribution of AA
ESS
to mouse muscle varied from less than 5% (threonine, lysine, and phenylalanine) to approximately 60% (valine) across diet treatments, with the Firmicute-dominated microbiome associated with the greatest contribution. Our results show that intestinal microbes can provide a significant source of the AA
ESS
their host uses to synthesize structural tissues. The role that gut microbiota play in the amino acid metabolism of animals that consume protein-deficient diets is likely a significant but under-recognized aspect of foraging ecology and physiology.
Intracellular competition for nitrogen controls dinoflagellate population density in corals
Authors: Krueger Thomas , Horwitz Noa , Bodin Julia , Giovani Maria-Evangelia , Escrig Stéphane , Fine Maoz , Meibom Anders
Published: March 2020

The density of dinoflagellate microalgae in the tissue of symbiotic corals is an important determinant for health and productivity of the coral animal. Yet, the specific mechanism for their regulation and the consequence for coral nutrition are insufficiently understood due to past methodological limitations to resolve the fine-scale metabolic consequences of fluctuating densities. Here, we characterized the physiological and nutritional consequences of symbiont density variations on the colony and tissue level inStylophora pistillatafrom the Red Sea. Alterations in symbiont photophysiology maintained coral productivity and host nutrition across a broad range of symbiont densities. However, we demonstrate that density-dependent nutrient competition between individual symbiont cells, manifested as reduced nitrogen assimilation and cell biomass, probably creates the negative feedback mechanism for symbiont population growth that ultimately defines the steady-state density. Despite fundamental changes in symbiont nitrogen assimilation, we found no density-related metabolic optimum beyond which host nutrient assimilation or tissue biomass declined, indicating that host nutrient demand is sufficiently met across the typically observed range of symbiont densities under ambient conditions.
Analysis of epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus 2019 infection and preventive measures in Shenzhen China—a heavy population city
Authors: Yang Kai , Wang Lingwei , Li Furong , Chen Dandan , Li Xi , Qiu Chen , Chen Rongchang
Published: March 2020

Coronavirus 2019 infection (COVID-19) outbroke in Wuhan, Hubei and spread to all provinces in China and other countries. Shenzhen ranked the top cities outside Wuhan with reported 416 confirmed cases by February 20, 2020. Here, we analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in Shenzhen and potential link to the preventive strategies for the whole city and inside hospitals. Based on the daily new cases, the epidemic of COVID-19 in Shenzhen can be classified into three phases: the slow increase phase from January 19 to January 28, the rapid increase and plateau phase from January 29 to February 5 and the decline phase since February 6. In the three phases, the number of patients from Hubei decreased, and the number of familial clustering cases increased. The newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases reached its peak around January 31, which was 7 days after the peak date of cases arrival at Shenzhen. A series of early preventive strategies were implemented since January 19, which included detection of body temperature at all entrances of main traffic and buildings, outpatients service specially for patients with fever in all main hospitals in Shenzhen. All the patients with fever were screened with nasal or throat swab PCR detection of coronavirus 2019, Chest CT and blood lymphocyte counting in order to find out early case of COVID-19. Observation wards were established in every main hospital and a designated hospital was responsible for admission and medical care of all confirmed cases. Protection procedure was established for all medical staff involved in the screening and care of suspected and confirmed cases. 14 days isolated observation of all subjects arrived at Shenzhen from Hubei was implemented in February 2. After the implementation of all these strategies and measures, the COVID-19 cases started to decline since February 6. There were almost no community transmission and nosocomial infection occurred in Shenzhen.

In conclusion, in situation of major outbreak of respiratory infectious disease, such as COVID-19, in nearby province of Hubei, Shenzhen, a high population density, high proportion of external population and high mobility city, has to face the imported cases and risk of spreading the outbreak into Shenzhen city. The implementation of early preventive strategies and measures in Shenzhen were successful in early identification of COVID-19 cases and prevented major outbreak occurred in Shenzhen. Early identification of imported cases, prevention of family clustering transmission, preventive measures in the public area and very strict infection control procedure in hospital setting are crucial for the successful control of outbreak in Shenzhen.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Medical Treatment of Chinese Children with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) : A Multicenter Cross-section Study in the Context of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
Authors: Zhang Gaofu , Yang Haiping , Zhang Aihua , Shen Qian , Wang Li , Li Zhijuan , Li Yuhong , Zhao Lijun , Du Yue , Sun Liangzhong , Zhao Bo , Zhu Hongtao , Fu Haidong , Li Xiaoyan , Gao Xiaojie , Hao Sheng , Ding Juanjuan , Chen Zongwen , Xu Zhiquan , Liu Xiaorong , Wu Daoqi , Gao Mingsi , Wang Mo , Li Qiu
Published: March 2020

Objective

To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the medical advice seeking of Chinese children with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Materials and Methods

An anonymous online questionnaire survey was conducted in 17 pediatric nephropathy diagnosis and treatment centers in China. The questions collected basic information on the patients and their parents and data on changes in the approach to medical treatment and their needs in the context of the outbreak etc. This is a Multicenter Cross-section Study.

Results

A total of 735 valid questionnaires were collected. 555 patients (75.5%) and their parents said that the outbreak had a significant influence on their medical treatment: 264 patients (47.6%) said that it would be delayed by 2 to 4 weeks and 199 patients (35.9%) by 4 to 8 weeks. 510 patients (84.16%) hoped to get in touch with specialists through online consultation, and 528 patients (84.5%) hoped that online consultation could be implemented and that medication could be delivered to them.. A total of 458 patients (62.3%) said that their greatest concern was that the CKD would be aggravated or that they would experience a relapse; only 203 patients were infected by 2019-nCoV. A total of 313 patients (42.5%) experienced anxiety and thus required the intervention of psychologists.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 outbreak has affected the medical treatment of children with CKD. Online consultation, medication delivery and psychological counselling are the greatest needs reported by patients and their families and could especially provide solutions for the management of low income children with CKD in remote rural areas in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Strengths and limitations of this study

The study is a Multicenter Cross-section Study in the Context of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The study can well explore the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the medical treatment of CKD children in China and the needs of current patients.

The study explored ways to meet the medical needs of CKD children in the context of a public health emergency of international concern, which provides a method support for all countries in the world experiencing COVID-19 outbreak.

The study is an exploration of the coping strategies for CKD management in China.

The limitations of this study is that it is quite simple and descriptive, and many studies need to be further carried out.
A Sensory Memory to Preserve Visual Representations Across Eye Movements
Authors: Akbarian Amir , Niknam Kaiser , Clark Kelsey , Noudoost Behrad , Nategh Neda
Published: March 2020

During eye movements, the continuous flow of visual information is frequently disrupted due to abrupt changes of the retinal image, yet our perception of the visual world is uninterrupted. In order to identify the neuronal response components necessary for the integration of perception across eye movements, we developed a computational model to trace the changes in the visuospatial sensitivity of neurons in the extrastriate cortex of macaque monkeys with high temporal precision. Employing the model, we examined the perceptual implications of these changes and found that by maintaining a memory of the visual scene, extrastriate neurons produce an uninterrupted representation of the visual world. These results reveal how our brain exploits available information to maintain the sense of vision in the absence of visual information.
Treating symptomatic infections and the co-evolution of virulence and drug resistance
Authors: Alizon Samuel
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Antimicrobial therapeutic treatments are by definition applied after the onset of symptoms, which tend to correlate with infection severity. Using mathematical epidemiology models, I explore how this link affects the coevolutionary dynamics between the virulence of an infection, measured via host mortality rate, and its susceptibility to chemotherapy. I show that unless resistance pre-exists in the population, drug-resistant infections are initially more virulent than drug-sensitive ones. As the epidemic unfolds, virulence is more counter-selected in drug-sensitive than in drug-resistant infections. This difference decreases over time and, eventually, the exact shape of genetic trade-offs govern long-term evolutionary dynamics. Using adaptive dynamics, I show that two types of evolutionary stable strategies (ESS) may be reached in the context of this simple model and that, depending on the parameter values, an ESS may only be locally stable. In general, the more the treatment rate increases with virulence, the lower the ESS value. Overall, both on the short-term and long-term, having treatment rate depend on infection virulence tend to favour less virulent strains in drug-sensitive infections. These results highlight the importance of the feedbacks between epidemiology, public health policies and parasite evolution, and have implications for the monitoring of virulence evolution.
GeneMates: an R package for Detecting Horizontal Gene Co-transfer between Bacteria Using Gene-gene Associations Controlled for Population Structure
Authors: Wan Yu , Wick Ryan R. , Zobel Justin , Ingle Danielle J. , Inouye Michael , Holt Kathryn E.
Published: March 2020

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria has been a global threat to public health for decades. A well-known driving force for the emergence, evolution and dissemination of genetic AMR determinants in bacterial populations is horizontal gene transfer, which is frequently mediated by mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Some MGEs can capture, maintain, and rearrange multiple AMR genes in a donor bacterium before moving them into recipients, giving rise to a phenomenon called horizontal gene co-transfer (HGcoT). This physical linkage or co-localisation between mobile AMR genes is of particular concern because it facilitates rapid dissemination of multidrug resistance within and across bacterial populations, providing opportunities for co-selection of AMR genes and limiting our therapeutic options. The study of HGcoT can be benefited from large-scale whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data, however, by far most published studies of HGcoT only consider simple co-occurrence measures, which can be confounded by strong bacterial population structure due to clonal reproduction, leading to spurious associations. To address this issue, we present GeneMates, an R package implementing a network approach to identification of HGcoT using WGS data. The package enables users to test for associations between presence-absence of bacterial genes using univariate linear mixed models controlling for population structure based on core-genome variation. Furthermore, when physical distances between genes of interest are measurable in bacterial genomes, users can evaluate distance consistency to further support their inference of putative horizontally co-transferred genes, whose co-occurrence cannot be completely explained by the population structure. We demonstrate how this package can be used to identify co-transferred AMR genes and recover known MGEs fromEscherichia coliandSalmonellaTyphimurium WGS data. GeneMates is accessible atgithub.com/wanyuac/GeneMates.
Poly dispersed acid-functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes target activated T and B cells to suppress GVHD in mouse model
Authors: Mia Md. Babu , Saxena Rajiv K.
Published: March 2020

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) results from hyper-activation of transplanted lymphocytes against the host antigens. Bone marrow transplantation in humans as well as some cases of blood transfusion and organ transplantation are associated with a strong GVH reaction resulting in GVHD that in many cases may be fatal. We had previously shown that poly-dispersed acid-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (AF-SWCNTs) specifically target activated T and B lymphocytes and kill them. In the present study, efficacy of AF-SWCNTs to suppress the GVH reaction was tested in the mouse model. Acute GVHD was induced in mice by administering intravenously 30 or 60 million spleen cells from a parental strain (C57bl/6 mouse, MHC haplotype H-2b) to host (C57bl/6 × Balb/c) F1 mice (MHC haplotype H-2b/d) and waiting for 8-10 days. Chronic GVHD was similarly induced by administration of 30 million parent spleen cells to F1 mice and waiting for a period of 60 days. Our results demonstrate a marked decline in splenomegaly and recovery of spleen T (both CD4 and CD8) and B cells in GVHD mice treated with AF-SWCNTs. AF-SWCNTs treatment also limited T and B cell proliferation by restricting S-phage of cell cycle. Generation of anti-host cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) was also markedly suppressed by AF-SWCNT treatment of acute GVHD mice, and a significant reduction in the generation of anti-host antibodies could also be demonstrated. Taken together, our results suggest that the AF-SWCNTs can be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for treating GVHD.
A transferrable and interpretable multiple instance learning model for microsatellite instability prediction based on histopathology images
Authors: Cao Rui , Yang Fan , Ma Si-Cong , Liu Li , Li Yan , Wu De-Hua , Zhao Yu , Wang Tong-Xin , Lu Wei-Jia , Cai Wei-Jing , Zhu Hong-Bo , Guo Xue-Jun , Lu Yu-Wen , Kuang Jun-Jie , Huan Wen-Jing , Tang Wei-Min , Huang Junzhou , Yao Jianhua , Dong Zhong-Yi
Published: March 2020

Background

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a negative prognostic factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) and can be used as a predictor of success for immunotherapy in pan-cancer. However, current MSI identification methods are not available for all patients. We propose an ensemble multiple instance learning (MIL)-based deep learning model to predict MSI status directly from histopathology images.

Design

Two cohorts of patients were collected, including 429 from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-COAD) and 785 from a self-collected Asian data set (Asian-CRC). The initial model was developed and validated in TCGA-COAD, and then generalized in Asian-CRC through transfer learning. The pathological signatures extracted from the model are associated with genotypes for model interpretation.

Results

A model called Ensembled Patch Likelihood Aggregation (EPLA) was developed in the TCGA-COAD training set based on two consecutive stages: patch-level prediction and WSI-level prediction. The EPLA model achieved an area-under-the -curve (AUC) of 0.8848 in the TCGA-COAD test set, which outperformed the state-of-the-art approach, and an AUC of 0.8504 in the Asian-CRC after transfer learning. Furthermore, the five pathological imaging signatures identified using the model are associated with genomic and transcriptomic profiles, which makes the MIL model interpretable. Results show that our model recognizes pathological signatures related to mutation burden, DNA repair pathways, and immunity.

Conclusion

Our MIL-based deep learning model can effectively predict MSI from histopathology images and are transferable to a new patient cohort. The interpretability of our model by association with genomic and transcriptomic biomarkers lays the foundation for prospective clinical research.
Parasitism of trees by marmosets (Primates: Callitrichidae) enhance tree turnover
Authors: Souza-Alves João Pedro , Barbosa Guilherme V. , Hilário Renato Richard
Published: March 2020

We tested if gouging byCallithrix jacchusaffects tree survival. The proportion of dead gouged trees in forest fragments was higher than the proportion of dead non-gouged trees, with larger effect on smaller trees. The number of holes did not affect tree survival. Parasitism of trees by marmosets may enhance forest turnover.
Intracranial recordings demonstrate medial temporal lobe engagement in visual search in humans
Authors: Slama S. J. Katarina , Jimenez Richard , Saha Sujayam , King-Stephens David , Laxer Kenneth D. , Weber Peter B. , Endestad Tor , Larsson Pål G. , Solbakk Anne-Kristin , Lin Jack J. , Knight Robert T.
Published: March 2020

Visual search is a fundamental human behavior, which has been proposed to include two component processes: inefficient search (Search) and efficient search (Pop-out). According to extant research, these two processes map onto two separable neural systems located in the frontal and parietal association cortices. In the present study, we use intracranial recordings from 23 participants to delineate the neural correlates of Search and Pop-out with an unprecedented combination of spatiotemporal resolution and coverage across cortical and subcortical structures. First, we demonstrate a role for the medial temporal lobe in visual search, on par with engagement in frontal and parietal association cortex. Second, we show a gradient of increasing engagement over anatomical space from dorsal to ventral lateral frontal cortex. Third, we confirm previous work demonstrating nearly complete overlap in neural engagement across cortical regions in Search and Pop-out. We further demonstrate Pop-out selectivity manifesting as activity increase in Pop-out as compared to Search in a distributed set of sites including frontal cortex. This result is at odds with the view that Pop-out is implemented in low-level visual cortex or parietal cortex alone. Finally, we affirm a central role for the right lateral frontal cortex in Search.