bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ROSE-X: an annotated data set for evaluation of 3D plant organ segmentation methods
Authors: Dutagaci Helin , Rasti Pejman , Galopin Gilles , Rousseau David
Published: March 2020

Background

The production and availability of annotated data sets are indispensable for training and evaluation of automatic phenotyping methods. The need for complete 3D models of real plants with organ-level labeling is even more pronounced due to the advances in 3D vision-based phenotyping techniques and the difficulty of full annotation of the intricate 3D plant structure.

Results

We introduce the ROSE-X data set of 11 annotated 3D models of real rosebush plants acquired through X-ray tomography and presented both in volumetric form and as point clouds. The annotation is performed manually to provide ground truth data in the form of organ labels for the voxels corresponding to the plant shoot. This data set is constructed to serve both as training data for supervised learning methods performing organ-level segmentation and as a benchmark to evaluate their performance. The rosebush models in the data set are of high quality and complex architecture with organs frequently touching each other posing a challenge for the current plant organ segmentation methods. We report leaf/stem segmentation results obtained using four baseline methods. The best performance is achieved by the volumetric approach where local features are trained with a random forest classifier, giving Intersection of Union (IoU) values of 97.93% and 86.23% for leaf and stem classes, respectively.

Conclusion

We provided an annotated 3D data set of 11 rosebush plants for training and evaluation of organ segmentation methods. We also reported leaf/stem segmentation results of baseline methods, which are open to improvement. The data set, together with the baseline results, has the potential of becoming a significant resource for future studies on automatic plant phenotyping.
Risk factors for metastasis and poor prognosis of Ewing sarcoma: a population based study
Authors: Shi Jiaqi , Yang Jianing , Ma Xin , Wang Xu
Published: March 2020

Background

This study is to determine the risk factors for metastasis of Ewing sarcoma (ES) patients in SEER database. Then explore clinicopathological factors associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, develop the nomogram to predict the probability of overall survival and cancer-specific survival

Methods

Thus, we collected clinicopathological data of ES patients in SEER database, and then used chi-square test and logistic regression to determine risk factors associated to metastasis. We also did survival analysis including Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox proportional hazard model to explore the risk factors associated to overall survival and cancer-specific survival, and then developed the nomogram to visualize and quantify the probability of survival.

Results

After statistics, we find that patients with older ages (11–20 years old: OR = 1.517, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.033–2.228, p = 0.034; 21–30 years old: OR = 1.659. 95%CI 1.054–2.610, p = 0.029), larger tumor size (> 8 cm: OR = 1.914, 95%CI 1.251–2.928, p = 0.003), and pelvic lesions (OR = 2.492, 95%CI 1.829–3.395, p < 0.001) had a higher risk of metastasis. ROC curves showed higher AUC (0.65) of combined model which incorporate these three factors to predict the presence of metastasis at diagnosis. In survival analysis, patients with older ages (11–20 years: HR = 1.549, 95%CI 1.144–2.099, p = 0.005; 21–30 years: HR = 1.808, 95%CI 1.278–2.556, p = 0.001; 31–49 years: HR = 3.481, 95%CI 2.379–5.094, p < 0.001; ≥ 50 years: HR = 4.307, 95%CI 2.648–7.006, p < 0.001) , larger tumor size (5–8 cm: HR = 1.386, 95%CI 1.005–1.991, p = 0.046; > 8 cm: HR = 1.877, 95%CI 1.376–2.561, p < 0.001), black race (HR = 2.104, 95%CI 1.296–3.416, p = 0.003), and wider extension (regional: HR = 1.373, 95%CI 1.033–1.823, p = 0.029; metastatic: HR = 3.259, 95%CI 2.425–4.379, p < 0.001) were associated with worse prognosis. Chemotherapy was associated with better prognosis (HR = 0.466, 95%CI 0.290–0.685, p < 0.001). The nomogram which developed by training set and aimed to predict OS and CSS showed good consistency with actual observed outcomes internally and externally.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tumor size and primary site were associated with distant metastasis at diagnosis. Age, tumor size, primary site, tumor extent, and chemotherapy were associated with overall survival and cancer-specific survival. Nomogram could predict the probability of OS and CSS and showed good consistency with actual observed outcomes internally and externally.
Genome-based classification of Burkholderia cepacia complex provides new insight into its taxonomic status
Authors: Jin Yuan , Zhou Jianglin , Zhou Jing , Hu Mingda , Zhang Qi , Kong Na , Ren Hongguang , Liang Long , Yue Junjie
Published: March 2020

Background

Accurate classification of different Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) species is essential for therapy, prognosis assessment and research. The taxonomic status of BCC remains problematic and an improved knowledge about the classification of BCC is in particular needed.

Methods

We compared phylogenetic trees of BCC based on 16S rRNA, recA, hisA and MLSA (multilocus sequence analysis). Using the available whole genome sequences of BCC, we inferred a species tree based on estimated single-copy orthologous genes and demarcated species of BCC using dDDH/ANI clustering.

Results

We showed that 16S rRNA, recA, hisA and MLSA have limited resolutions in the taxonomic study of closely related bacteria such as BCC. Our estimated species tree and dDDH/ANI clustering clearly separated 116 BCC strains into 36 clusters. With the appropriate reclassification of misidentified strains, these clusters corresponded to 22 known species as well as 14 putative novel species.

Conclusions

This is the first large-scale and systematic study of the taxonomic status of the BCC and could contribute to further insights into BCC taxonomy. Our study suggested that conjunctive use of core phylogeny based on single-copy orthologous genes, as well as pangenome-based dDDH/ANI clustering would provide a preferable framework for demarcating closely related species.

Reviewer

This article was reviewed by Dr. Xianwen Ren.
Core Rehabilitation Outcome Set for Single Sided Deafness (CROSSSD) study: protocol for an international consensus on outcome measures for single sided deafness interventions using a modified Delphi survey
Authors: Katiri Roulla , Hall Deborah A. , Buggy Nora , Hogan Nicholas , Horobin Adele , van de Heyning Paul , Firszt Jill B. , Bruce Iain A. , Kitterick Pádraig T.
Published: March 2020

Background

Single-sided deafness (SSD) describes the presence of a unilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. SSD disrupts spatial hearing and understanding speech in background noise. It has functional, psychological and social consequences. Potential options for rehabilitation include hearing aids and auditory implants. Benefits and harms of these interventions are documented inconsistently in the literature, using a variety of outcomes ranging from tests of speech perception to quality of life questionnaires. It is therefore difficult to compare interventions when rehabilitating SSD. The Core Rehabilitation Outcome Set for Single Sided Deafness (CROSSSD) study is an international initiative that aims to develop a minimum set of core outcomes for use in future trials of SSD interventions.

Methods/design

The CROSSSD study adopts an international two-round online modified Delphi survey followed by a stakeholder consensus meeting to identify a patient-centred core outcome domain set for SSD based on what is considered critical and important for assessing whether an intervention for SSD has worked.

Discussion

The resulting core outcome domain set will act as a minimum standard for reporting in future clinical trials and could have further applications in guiding the use of outcome measures in clinical practice. Standardisation will facilitate comparison of research findings.
Diabetes mellitus and its associated risk factors in patients with human immunodeficiency virus on anti-retroviral therapy at referral hospitals of Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Gebrie Alemu , Tesfaye Bekele , Gebru Tensae , Adane Fentahun , Abie Worku , Sisay Mekonnen
Published: March 2020

Background

The use of highly active anti- retroviral therapy (HAART) as well as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) per se have been shown to be related with diabetes among patients living with HIV. There is limited evidence on the prevalence of diabetes among HIV-infected patients in developing countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of diabetes among patients living with HIV/AIDS at referral hospitals of Northwest Ethiopia.

Materials and methods

a hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at referral hospitals of Northwest Ethiopia between February 2019 and April 2019. Using WHO stepwise approach, sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical data were collected from 407 included adult patients. Simple random sampling methods was used to select the study participants. Lipid profiles, fasting blood sugar as well as anthropometric indicators were also measured. SPSS version 25 was used for analysis of data; bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed.

Result

From a total of 415 patients living with HIV deemed eligible for inclusion, 407 with complete data were included in the final analysis giving a response rate of 98%. From 407 study subjects included in the analysis, 161 (39.6%) were men. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found to be 8.8% (95% CI 6.05, 11.55). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age [AOR (95% CI) 1.04 (1.001,1.084), p < 0.05], educational status [AOR (95% CI) 6.27 (1.72, 22.85), p < 0.05, diploma; AOR (95% CI) 9.64 (2.57, 36.12), p < 0.05, degree and above], triglyceride level [AOR (95% CI) 1.007 (1.003, 1.010), p < 0.01] have shown statistically significant association with odds of diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion

The prevalence of diabetes was notably high in patients living with HIV/AIDS. Factors such as increased age, educational status and higher level of serum triglyceride were found to contribute to this high prevalence of diabetes.
A comparison of three column agglutination tests for red blood cell alloantibody identification
Authors: Blomme Siska , De Maertelaere Emilie , Verhoye Eline
Published: March 2020

Objective

Commercial kits of column tests for pre-transfusion testing have progressively replaced conventional tube tests in most laboratories. Aim of this study was to compare three commercial test cell panels for the identification of irregular red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies. Overall, 44 samples with a positive indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) by routine testing were used for comparison of following panels: Ortho RESOLVE®panelC (Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (OCD), Milan, Italy), ID-DiaPanel(-P) (Bio-Rad Laboratories, CA, USA) and Identisera Diana(P) (Grifols, Barcelona, Spain). Column agglutination techniques were used, with microtubes containing either microgel (Bio-Rad/Grifols) or glass bead microparticles (Ortho).

Results

Alloantibody identification was possible in 38 samples, of which identical identification was shown in 33 samples by all methods. The remaining samples showed differences between certain methods, with the gel card system being superior to the glass card system for analyzing stored samples Considering that not all samples were evaluated in all three methods, the concordance rate reached 100% between Bio-Rad and Grifols, 90.5% between Bio-Rad and OCD, 86.5% between OCD and Grifols and 90.5% between all methods. Although differences in sensitivities were seen for specific antibodies, the three methods showed comparable performance for the identification of RBC alloantibodies.
Obstacle detection in fluid flow using asymptotic analysis technique
Authors: Malek Rakia , Abdelwahed Mohamed , Chorfi Nejmeddine , Hassine Maatoug
Published: March 2020

We consider the geometric inverse problem of determining an immersed obstacle in a two-dimensional non-stationary Stokes fluid flow. We use the topological gradient method to solve this problem. The unknown obstacle is located and reconstructed using the leading term of the Khon–Vogelius shape function variation. We propose a simple and fast detection algorithm. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed approach are illustrated by some numerical examples.
Rhythmic movements in sleep disorders and in epileptic seizures during sleep
Authors: Silvestri Rosalia , Walters Arthur Scott
Published: March 2020

Rhythmic movements during sleep may occur in the context of physiological sleep-related motor activity or be part of sleep-related movement disorders such as bruxism, periodic limb movement disorder, restless legs syndrome, and sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder. They may also characterize some frontal or temporal nocturnal seizures of sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy, or be considered as part of NREM parasomnias, especially sleepwalking, sexsomnia or sleep-related eating disorder, or REM-related behaviors such as REM behavior disorder or complex movements associated with pediatric narcolepsy type I.

In most cases rhythmic movements, especially when complex and long in duration, are related to different levels of arousal from sleep with recurrence of ancestral motor sequences promoted by central pattern generators in the brainstem, generally activated by the arousal process.

A differential diagnosis between physiological events and pathological movement disorders, and between the latter and sleep-related epilepsy is critical to provide optimal treatment and an accurate prognosis. Specific treatment options for the aforementioned disorders are beyond the scope of this article.
Quantitative imaging: systematic review of perfusion/flow phantoms
Authors: Kamphuis Marije E. , Greuter Marcel J. W. , Slart Riemer H. J. A. , Slump Cornelis H.
Published: March 2020

Background

We aimed at reviewing design and realisation of perfusion/flow phantoms for validating quantitative perfusion imaging (PI) applications to encourage best practices.

Methods

A systematic search was performed on the Scopus database for “perfusion”, “flow”, and “phantom”, limited to articles written in English published between January 1999 and December 2018. Information on phantom design, used PI and phantom applications was extracted.

Results

Of 463 retrieved articles, 397 were rejected after abstract screening and 32 after full-text reading. The 37 accepted articles resulted to address PI simulation in brain (n = 11), myocardial (n = 8), liver (n = 2), tumour (n = 1), finger (n = 1), and non-specific tissue (n = 14), with diverse modalities: ultrasound (n = 11), computed tomography (n = 11), magnetic resonance imaging (n = 17), and positron emission tomography (n = 2). Three phantom designs were described: basic (n = 6), aligned capillary (n = 22), and tissue-filled (n = 12). Microvasculature and tissue perfusion were combined in one compartment (n = 23) or in two separated compartments (n = 17). With the only exception of one study, inter-compartmental fluid exchange could not be controlled. Nine studies compared phantom results with human or animal perfusion data. Only one commercially available perfusion phantom was identified.

Conclusion

We provided insights into contemporary phantom approaches to PI, which can be used for ground truth evaluation of quantitative PI applications. Investigators are recommended to verify and validate whether assumptions underlying PI phantom modelling are justified for their intended phantom application.
Nutritional and antioxidant significance of selenium-enriched mushrooms
Authors: Kora Aruna Jyothi
Published: March 2020

Background

The element selenium (Se) acts as a double-edged sword for humans and animals by being a nutrient at trace level and a toxin at elevated concentrations. It is needed for the biosynthesis of selenoenzymes and selenoproteins which mediate an array of activities such as antioxidant defense, detoxification, immunomodulation, carcinogenesis prevention, thyroid functioning, and sperm motility and maturation. Because of their culinary, nutritional, and health benefits, the demand for mushroom cultivation is increasing in India. The mushrooms are enriched with proteins, phenolics, antioxidants, vitamins, and microelements. Most of the edible and cultivated mushrooms show an array of biological properties. However, they are Se deficient, and it mandates the cultivation of Se-fortified edible mushrooms.

Aim of work

This review focuses on Se forms, distribution, dietary importance, mushroom cultivation, need of Se-enriched mushrooms, enrichment methods, nutritional and antioxidant significance, and anticancer activity of Se-biofortified mushrooms.

Methodology and results

Se-enriched mushrooms are produced by cultivation on substrates enriched with either inorganic or organic forms of Se and Se-hyperaccumulated agricultural residues. Edible mushrooms accumulate Se from substrate into selenoproteins and selenoenzymes as selenomethionine and selenocysteine, the organic and most bioavailable forms of Se. Without affecting the biological efficiency, the enrichment process enhances the total protein and total phenolic content and bioaccessibility of trace elements. The antioxidant action was higher for Se-fortified mushrooms in terms of total phenolics, total antioxidant, 1, 1-diphenyl-dipicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, metal chelating, and lipid peroxidation inhibition activities in comparison with unfortified mushrooms. Also, Se-enriched mushrooms are known to retard chemically induced mammary tumors and proliferation of lung cancer cell lines.

Conclusions

Se-biofortified mushrooms act as potential functional food, nutraceutical, and diet supplements. Dietary intake of Se-fortified mushrooms aids in treatment and prevention of various conditions such as HIV infection, cancer, aging, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and immunological diseases. The cultivation of Se-enriched mushrooms leads to sustainable empowerment of marginal, landless farmers; rural women; unemployed youth; and self-help groups. However, the technology development for Se enrichment is needed for commercial scale production. Other studies on volatile Se compound release during cultivation, safe disposal of spent compost, and Se leaching into ground water are warranted. The impact of cooking and traditional preservation methods on Se availability from mushroom meal to humans has to be evaluated.
Once versus twice daily antihypertensive medications for the control of nocturnal blood pressure: a comparative study
Authors: Youssef Ghada , Nagy Sherif , El-gengehe Ahmed , Abdel Hamid Magdy , Abdel Aal Amr
Published: March 2020

Background

Blood pressure (BP) shows short-term variability within the 24 h, which can only be assessed with 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). It is of utmost importance to control BP throughout the night to reduce incidence of hypertension complications. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of timing and frequency of antihypertensive medications on the average nighttime and 24-h blood pressure control.

Results

The study enrolled 199 hypertensive patients with controlled office blood pressure; 135 (67.8%) patients were on once daily antihypertensive medication (group 1) while 64 (32.2%) patients were on twice daily doses (group 2). The mean office SBP was 128.7 ± 7.8 mmHg in group 1 vs 129.6 ± 6.6 mmHg in group 2, (p = 0.421). ABPM readings for both groups were as follows: mean daytime SBP was 125.4 ± 11.6 mmHg vs 130.1 ± 12.9, p = 0.011; mean nighttime SBP was 117.0 ± 12.4 mmHg vs 123.1 ± 13.9 mmHg, p = 0.002, and mean 24-h SBP was 122.7 ± 10.6 mmHg vs 127.5 ± 12.0, p = 0.005. The prevalence of non-dipping was 68.9% in group 1 vs 70.3% in group 2 patients, p = 0.8 (the mean dipping ratio was 0.93 ± 0.08 in group 1 vs 0.95 ± 0.07 in group 2, p = 0.198). The prevalence of masked hypertension was higher in group 2 (28.1% vs 43.8%, p = 0.029).

Conclusion

Taking an extra antihypertensive pill at night did not show a decrease in the nighttime or the average 24H blood pressure in hypertensive patients with controlled office BP. On the contrary, patients who used twice daily antihypertensive medications seem to have higher nighttime and 24-h SBP, although the dipping ratio was comparable in both groups.
Implications of the 21-gene recurrence score assay (Oncotype DX) on adjuvant treatment decisions in ER-positive early-stage breast cancer patients: experience of Kuwait Cancer Control Center
Authors: Fayaz Salah , Eissa Heba El-Sayed , Demian Gerges Attia
Published: March 2020

Background

The Oncotype DX is a quantitative assay of the expression of 16 tumor-related genes and 5 reference genes that predicts the potential of adjuvant chemotherapy benefit in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive early breast cancer patients. The study aims to evaluate the impact of Oncotype DX as a tool for adjuvant treatment decision of ER-positive, HER2-negative, N0/N1 early-stage breast cancer patients and to determine which clinicopathological criteria derived the greatest advantage.

Results

A hundred patients at a median age of 50 years were included. TNM stage distribution was 34, 63, and 3 patients for stages I, II, and IIIA respectively. Fifty-four patients had luminal A and 46 had luminal B tumors. The recurrence score (RS) results were low, intermediate, and high risk in 54, 34, and 12 patients respectively. Before the test results, adjuvant chemoendocrine therapy (CET) was recommended for 46 patients while 54 were advised for endocrine therapy (ET). After getting the test results, 25 patients received CET (1, 12, and12 patients in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups respectively) and 75 received ET. Treatment change was documented in 37 patients (8 patients from ET to CET and 29 from CET to ET; p = 0.001, McNemar test). Treatment change was significant among patients ≤ 50 years, luminal B tumors, stage II and IIIA disease, and node-positive disease.

Conclusion

Oncotype DX testing resulted in significant changes in the adjuvant treatment decisions in ER-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer particularly in the case of young, luminal B, N1, and stage II–IIIA disease.
Opportunity Costs of Receiving Palliative Chemotherapy for Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Bange Erin M. , Doucette Abigail , Gabriel Peter E. , Porterfield Florence , Harrigan James J. , Wang Robin , Wojcieszynski Andrzej P. , Boursi Ben , Mooney Bethany I. , Reiss Kim A. , Mamtani Ronac
Published: March 2020

PURPOSE:

The median overall survival (OS) for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) is < 1 year. Factors that contribute to quality of life during treatment are critical to quantify. One factor—time spent obtaining clinical services—is understudied. We quantified total outpatient time among patients with mPDAC receiving palliative systemic chemotherapy.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective analysis using four patient-level time measures calculated from the medical record of patients with mPDAC receiving 5-fluorouracil infusion, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan; gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel; or gemcitabine within the University of Pennsylvania Health System between January 1, 2011 and January 15, 2019. These included the total number of health care encounter days (any day with at least one visit) and total visit time. Total visit time represented the time spent receiving care (care time) plus time spent commuting and waiting for care (noncare time). We performed descriptive statistics on these outpatient time metrics and compared the number of encounter days to OS.

RESULTS:

A total of 362 patients were identified (median age, 65 years; 52% male; 78% white; 62% received gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel). Median OS was 230.5 days (7.6 months), with 79% of patients deceased at the end of follow-up. On average, patients had 22 health care encounter days, accounting for 10% of their total days survived. Median visit time was 4.6 hours, of which 2.5 hours was spent commuting or waiting for care.

CONCLUSION:

On average, patients receiving palliative chemotherapy for mPDAC spend 10% of survival time on outpatient health care. More than half of this time is spent commuting and waiting for care. These findings provide an important snapshot of the patient experience during ambulatory care, and efforts to enhance efficiency of care delivery may be warranted.
Clinically available reinforcing materials for soft tissue reconstruction
Authors: Cornwell Kevin G , Jessee Charles Bret , Adelman David M
Published: March 2020

Navigating the rapidly evolving field of materials for soft tissue reinforcement is challenging given the volume of clinically available options. Additionally, the current generally accepted classifications of these mesh materials confound the understanding of their utility by grouping disparate materials that have attributes overlapping category boundaries and that do not fully consider their clinically functionality. This review article highlights, from a materials science perspective, the most important attributes of these materials to improve the clinical decision-making process in the selection of the most appropriate features and design for the patient, surgery and clinical need. These characteristics include the physical attributes that directly impact the surgical procedure and immediate postoperative mechanical requirements as well as the post-implantation properties such as an adequate reinforcement time, strength of the resulting tissue and infection risk profile.
Iteratively reweighted ℓ1−ℓ2 norm minimization using wavelets in inverse scattering
Authors: Sanghvi Yash , Bisht Hrishitosh , Khankhoje Uday K. , Gadre V. M. , Kulkarni S. V.
Published: March 2020

Recently, many techniques have been employed to solve inverse
scattering problems by exploiting the sparsity of the scatterer in the
wavelet basis. In this paper, we propose an iteratively reweighted

norm regularization scheme within the
settings of the Born iterative method (BIM) to effectively leverage
the sparsity of the wavelet coefficients. This “iteratively reweighted

minimization” method is then used
along with

norm minimization in order to achieve
solutions that are not over-smoothened at the discontinuities. The
proposed method is an expansion of a well-known joint

norm minimization technique. The
advantage offered by the algorithm is that the reconstruction is now
independent of the initial choice of weights. This technique accounts
for the fact that sparsity is concentrated more in the detail wavelet
coefficients rather than their coarse counterpart. The effectiveness
of the method is demonstrated using several 2D inverse scattering
examples by employing it in each iteration of the BIM.
1550 nm infrared/visible light switchable liquid optical switch
Authors: Liu Chao , Wang Di , Wang Guang-Xu , Jiang Zhao , Wang Qiong-Hua
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a liquid optical switch is proposed, and the 1550 nm infrared/visible switching function based on hydraulic control can be realized. An infrared light switch cavity, a visible light cavity and a liquid control cavity are stacked to form the main framework of the device. The glycerol, dyed liquid, and transparent liquid are filled in the cavities, respectively. Two elastic films are fabricated between the cavities for controlling the liquid volume of the cavities. With such a structure, in the initial state, the 1550 nm infrared light and visible light are absorbed by the glycerol and dyed liquid, respectively. The device shows infrared light-off and visible light-off states. When the elastic film is actuated by the liquid pressure, the shape of the elastic film can be changed. Once the elastic film touches to the substrate, a light channel can be formed so that the infrared light or visible light can pass through it. It shows infrared light-on or visible light-on states. In this way, the device can be worked as an infrared light and visible light switchable optical switch. The experiments show that the device can obtain the optical attenuation from ∼1.02 dB to ∼18.24 dB for 1550 nm infrared light optical switch and ∼0.66 dB to ∼8.70 dB @ λ=450 nm; ∼0.62 dB to ∼8.74 dB @ λ=532 nm; ∼0.77 dB to ∼9.00 dB @ λ=633 nm for visible light optical switch. The device has potential applications in the fields of optical fiber communications, variable optical attenuators, and light shutters.
Terahertz-frequency dielectric anisotropy in three-dimensional polymethacrylates fabricated by stereolithography
Authors: Park S. , Li Y. , Fullager D. B. , Schöche S. , Herzinger C. M. , Lee S. , Hofmann T.
Published: March 2020

The anisotropic optical dielectric functions of slanted columnar layers fabricated using polymethacrylate based stereolithography are reported for the terahertz-frequency domain using generalized spectroscopic ellipsometry. The slanted columnar layers are composed of spatially coherent columnar structures with a diameter of 100 µm and a length of 700 µm that are tilted by 45° with respect to the surface normal of the substrates. A simple biaxial (orthorhombic) layer homogenization approach is used to analyze the terahertz ellipsometric data obtained at three different sample azimuthal orientations. The permittivity along the major polarizability directions varies by almost 25%. Our results demonstrate that stereolithography allows tailoring of the polarizability and anisotropy of the host material, and provides a flexible alternative metamaterials fabrication method for the terahertz spectral range.
High-power passively mode-locked cryogenic Yb:YLF laser
Authors: Demirbas Umit , Thesinga Jelto , Cankaya Huseyin , Kellert Martin , Kärtner Franz X. , Pergament Mikhail
Published: March 2020

We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first mode-locked operation of Yb:YLF gain media at cryogenic temperatures. A saturable Bragg reflector was used for initiating and sustaining mode locking. Once aligned, the system was self-starting and quite robust. Using output couplers in the 10–40% range, 3–5 ps long pulses with an average power as high as 28 W were achieved. The repetition rate was 46.45 MHz, and the corresponding pulse energy and peak power were as high as 602 nJ and 126.5 kW, respectively. The central wavelength of the mode-locked pulses could be tuned in the 1013.5–1019 nm range using an intracavity birefringent filter. The achieved output power performance is two to three orders of magnitude higher than previous room-temperature Yb:YLF systems.
Timber extraction by cable yarding on flat and wet terrain: a survey of cable yarder manufacturer’s experience
Authors: Erber Gernot , Spinelli Raffaele
Published: March 2020

Cable yarding is a general solution for load handling on sites not accessible to ground-based machinery, and is typically associated with steep terrain. On flat terrain, such conditions can primarily be found on soft or wet soils, most frequently encountered in Central and Northern European countries. Today, changed environmental and market conditions may offer an unprecedented opportunity to the actual implementation of cable yarding on flat terrain in commercial operations. The study goal was to collect cable yarder manufacturers experience regarding the use and adaption of cable yarding technology on flat terrain. European manufacturers of cable yarding technology were interviewed about customer experience, particular challenges, adaptation potential, future potential and main hurdles for the expansion of cable yarding on flat terrain. Almost all manufacturers have received requests for flat-terrain yarding technology solutions, primarily from Germany. Temporal or permanent inaccessibility, regulatory or environmental reasons were the most frequent motivation for considering cable yarding technology. Installation was considered particularly challenging (clearance, stable anchoring). Potential adaptations included higher towers, artificial anchors, mechanized bunching before extraction and un-guyed yarder-systems. An artificial, highly mobile, self-anchoring tail spar was considered the most useful adaptation. While concerned about limited profitability and qualified labour shortage, most manufacturers demonstrated a positive or neutral view concerning the expansion of cable yarding on flat terrain. However, cable yarding is not considered to be cost-competitive wherever ground-based systems can be employed and cable yarding is not subsidized.
Bigámia nászajándékba: Samuel Spillenberger nászéneke Máriássy János és Palugyay Zsófia esküvőjére (1635)
Authors: Máté Ágnes
Published: March 2020

The present article discusses a set of poems registered in print nr. 1620 of the Régi Magyarországi Nyomtatványok catalogue. The poem was dedicated by a doctor of medicine from Levoča, Samuel Spillenberger to his alleged godson, the nobleman János Máriássy. Spillenberger wrote three poems in the name of each married brothers of Máriássy. The second poem, allegedly sang by Máriássy’s youngest brother, András, tells a story about a bigamist crusader from the 12th century. After presenting the family backgrounds of both the author and the addressees, the paper sheds light on the origin and possible sources of the story. Pointing out some specific textual properties of Spillenberger’s poem, the paper tries to trace down its exact source. It also offers a panoramic picture about the presence of the bigamist figure in German neo-Latin Literature and culture from the 16th to the 19th century. Finally, the article closes with some remarks about the position of the poem in its own literary context of seventeenth-century neo-Latin wedding poetry in Hungary.
Laboratório de Tradução da Unila
Authors: Macedo de Oliveira Bruna
Published: March 2020

O projeto de extensão "Laboratório de Tradução da Unila” surge de um vazio institucional: a inexistência de uma instância para pensar a tradução coletivamente no contexto singular de uma universidade brasileira cujos princípios filosóficos e metodológicos são o bilinguismo português-espanhol, o multilinguismo, a interdisciplinaridade e a interculturalidade. Caracterizada como um espaço formativo para discentes de diferentes áreas do conhecimento interessados em desenvolver uma reflexão mais aprofundada sobre o traduzir e o papel das línguas d/na instituição, esta ação tem como desafio promover o estudo da tradução como um fazer especializado e o desenvolvimento da competência tradutória através de uma perspectiva socioconstrutivista (KIRALY, 2000). Neste artigo apresentaremos alguns aspectos teórico-metodológicos adotados no projeto e, a partir da descrição de um dos trabalhos concluídos pelo grupo no âmbito da tradução audiovisual, discutiremos como se desenvolve a experiência de tradução colaborativa que defendemos e na qual baseamos nossa prática de formação e avaliação.
Rilke: um "francês" entre os franceses
Authors: Moreira Camila
Published: March 2020

Rainer Maria Rilke é um dos poetas alemães com ampla recepção no Brasil e um dos mais traduzidos, embora ainda não integralmente. Fala-se muito de sua relação de aprendiz de Rodin e, daí derivado, do poema-coisa. Entretanto, a importância da poesia simbolista francesa ao longo da produção do poeta alemão carece de uma análise mais cuidadosa, especialmente quando se parte também de uma leitura a partir da filosofia nietzcheana, outra leitura de intensa influência nas suas composições. Pretende-se, então, a partir da seleção e análise de alguns poemas, justificar por que Rilke deve ser considerado um “francês” entre os franceses.
Entrevista con la Profa. Dra. Martha Lucía Pulido Correa
Authors: Esqueda Marileide Dias
Published: March 2020

Esta entrevista se realizó en noviembre de 2019, vía correo electrónico, con Martha Lucía Pulido Correa, profesora del Programa de Traducción de la Universidad de Antioquia, ubicada en la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia. Profesora Martha Pulido es doctora en Ciencias Literarias y Humanidades por la Universidad de París y obtuvo maestría en Literatura Comparada por la misma universidad. Con amplia experiencia como traductora y profesora de traducción, profesora Martha Pulido es también fundadora y editora de Mutatis Mutandis, una de las principales revistas científicas en el campo de la traducción en Latinoamérica. Con varias publicaciones en el área de la traducción, su trabajo más reciente es la organización del libro At Translation's Edge (2019). Sus idiomas de trabajo son el español, el inglés, el francés y el portugués.
Avaliação de roteiros de audiodescrição
Authors: Lima Praxedes Filho Pedro Henrique , Santiago Araújo Vera Lúcia , De Almeida Claudino Kethleen
Published: March 2020

A audiodescrição-AD, tradução de imagens em palavras, torna acessível produtos (audio)visuais a pessoas com deficiência visual via roteiro e narração/locução. Pensava-se ser possível a neutralidade em ambos. Para abordar essa questão com audiodescritores em formação, elaboramos uma proposta de avaliação de roteiros de AD que demonstrasse a existência e tipo de avaliação neles e as implicações em sua formação. A proposta baseia-se no Sistema de Avaliatividade-SA, parte da Linguística Sistêmico-Funcional hallidayana. O SA contempla três grandes áreas de significados avaliativos que evidenciam como audiodescritores avaliam. Este artigo objetiva compartilhar os resultados de aplicação piloto da proposta via análise dos roteiros de um filme, uma peça e uma pintura. A proposta revelou-se efetiva para informar a formação, indicando: os tipos de avaliação a serem enfatizadas dependendo dos aspectos do texto visual a serem priorizados na descrição; a necessidade de que desvios e inferências descritivos expressos categoricamente sejam evitados e como fazê-lo.
Skopostheorie na sala de aula
Authors: Benchimol-Barros Silvia Helena
Published: March 2020

Este artigo descreve uma atividade didática realizada em contexto formativo em nível superior na Universidade Federal do Pará, município de Bragança. A ambiência do estudo é a disciplina de Tradução e Interpretação em Língua Inglesa e os objetivos do estudo são apresentar os pressupostos da tradução funcional por meio do modelo proposto pela Skopostheory (VERMEER; REISS, 2013; NORD, 2006) e refletir sobre questões atinentes à tecnologia e a utilização de aplicativos digitais de design gráfico como suporte às transposições interlinguísticas e intersemióticas, viabilizando a elaboração de textos multimodais, criativos e de diferentes escopos. São revisitadas algumas concepções sobre competência tradutória, com ênfase na subcompetência instrumental (RISKU, 1998, 2010; WEINERT, 2001; HURTADO ALBIR, 2015; ALCINA 2008; EMT, 2009). Os resultados apontaram para a preferencia pelos aplicativos digitais Canva, Prezi, Flipsnack, Storyboard na elaboração de textos traduzidos em dupla direcionalidade e gêneros diversificados.
Conhecimento de domínio e subcompetências bilíngue, instrumental e conhecimento sobre tradução na avaliação de qualidade de traduções de manuais de instrução
Authors: Paiva de Araujo Sofia , Barbosa de Lima Fonseca Norma
Published: March 2020

Este estudo investiga o impacto do conhecimento de domínio (SCARDAMALIA; BEREITER, 1991) e das subcompetências bilíngue, instrumental e conhecimento sobre tradução (PACTE, 2003) na avaliação da qualidade de textos traduzidos. Trechos de um manual de instrução traduzidos do inglês para o português por tradutores profissionais (LIPARINI CAMPOS, 2010) foram avaliados por informantes brasileiros, divididos em quatro grupos: bilíngues, de outras ocupações; tradutores profissionais; profissionais da área de saúde; pós-graduados e pós-graduandos em tradução, os quais deveriam informar os critérios utilizados na avaliação da qualidade. O critério mais informado pelos quatro grupos foi a equivalência de sentido com o texto-fonte, confirmando ser este o principal critério para avaliação da qualidade do texto traduzido (HOUSE, 2015). O segundo critério mais importante para os avaliadores com conhecimento de domínio da área de saúde foi o uso de vocabulário específico. Além disso, as traduções mais explícitas geralmente foram as mais bem avaliadas pelos quatro grupos.
O uso da autoavaliação no desenvolvimento da expertise em interpretação
Authors: Sanches do Valle Silva Christiano
Published: March 2020

A adoção de um modelo baseado no desenvolvimento da expertise e na capacitação para a aprendizagem autônoma e a educação continuada geram a necessidade de os alunos serem capazes de se autoavaliar, de forma a determinar em que elementos investir. O uso de ficha de autoavaliação proposto pela Formação de Intérpretes da PUC-Rio é apresentado, após uma reflexão teórica, e seus efeitos são discutidos. A ferramenta de autoavaliação mostrou-se eficaz não somente no tocante à avaliação em si, mas na consolidação de uma linguagem comum clara e objetiva que estrutura a relação entre alunos e professores e entre os próprios alunos, além de oferecer outros benefícios.
An overview of assessment in interpreting
Authors: Pagura Reynaldo J
Published: March 2020

This article suggests that the interpreter education community would benefit from cross-fertilization with the language testing community, which has been around much longer. The main principles used in testing speaking (or communicative competence) developed along the last decades by language testing experts and institutions can – and should – be applied to the testing of interpreter performance, mainly in high stakes examinations, such as those used for certification, employment at an international institution, or graduation from an educational program. The concept and some relevant studies concerning the notion of quality in professional interpretation are also discussed and suggested as ancillary help to build the constructs used in said examinations.
LOAD BEARING STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLY
Authors: Russell Bradford
Published: March 2020

This article is based on an invention focused on absorbing and redirecting forces two dimensionally or three dimensionally in any mechanism that relies on force resolving members, so more benefits of the mechanism can be achieved. This Assembly is focused on new ideas for framing and connections to resolve forces so the rigidity between members can be minimized and the Assembly can sustain performance under longer durations and more unique loadings, i.e., seismic loading on structure. The Assembly uses several techniques and fundamentals for efficient force dissipation with, or without deflection while creating a controlled rotation when loaded. The allowable arrangement of the Assembly within itself (web members within outer and inner rings and arcs), and as an assortment of assemblies, can be limitless. This arrangement, configuration of web members, numbering, width and flexibility, can be arranged for a predictable and controlled deflection or rotation in any direction, due to loading from any direction and type, thus creating a load bearing and load dissipating Assembly with greater efficiency, and advance the life of interacting parts under loadings, i.e., seismic loading of structures. This Assembly, in particular the web members, can be an arrangement and properties of arcs to offer a desired response, as well as create a rotation when loaded.
LOAD PATH REFORMULATION AROUND MULTIPLE RESTRICTIONS FOR AN INDUSTRIAL RETROFIT
Authors: Hogue Tim
Published: March 2020

Process, operational, and electrical restrictions inherent in the design of a regulatory compliance upgrade for an industrial plant, and overburdened existing structure, required an unusual structural retrofit. There were multiple restrictions on placement of structural members and multiple needs for additional strength in the existing members. To manage the constraints, the load path was reformulated to bypass problem areas and focus upgrade work on just a few locations. The key in selecting upgrade locations was determining where there was reserve capacity in the existing foundation. Two such locations were identified and super-bents were formed there using existing moment frames. Horizontal trusses were built to bridge between the super-bents. A super-bent included a new grade beam, with end bulbs surrounding existing column pedestals, column section augmentation, new heavy anchor bolts and new diagonals to convert two parallel beams into a deep truss. Embedded structural steel was utilized in the grade beam end bulbs to distribute anchorage forces and develop reliable load paths around obstructed columns. Unusual uses of structural steel, work in obscured areas, unconventional structural systems and construction schedule interruptions led to an increase in construction management and inspection scope and complexity. CM lessons learned from the project involved better interaction of disciplines during design and greater input from engineering just prior to and during construction.
MODEL ANALYSIS OF HIGH-RISE STRUCTURES FOR WIND AND EARTHQUAKE FORCES
Authors: Bhikshma Vankudothu , Hamraj Mohammed , Tejaswini Ruttal
Published: March 2020

The objective of the present work is to study and analyze the effect of wind and earthquake loads on a chosen symmetrical plan of a multi-storied building to assess the behavior of the structure in all the seismic zones based on IS 1893 and subjected to different wind velocities based on IS 875 codes. For the present study, six cases (6 floors, 9 floors and 12 floors each for earthquake and wind) are considered under which 30 structures are modelled in ETABSv16.0 software and static analysis is carried out. Structural parameters like story drifts, story displacements and story shears are studied. Finally, it is found that story drifts are found to be maximum at 2nd floor (i.e., at 6 m) and 40% increase is observed in parameters when wind speed is increased from 33 to 39 m/s and by 21% when wind speed is increased from 50 to 55 m/s. With increase in wind speed on moving to higher seismic zones, with increase in number of stories from 6 to 9 story drifts increased by 109%, story displacements increased by 185% and increased by 15% and 62% on moving to higher seismic zones. Also, wind forces on the structure subjected to variation in increasing wind speeds and increasing heights in zone II and zone III but in no case are they greater than the earthquake forces in zone IV and V.
PRACTICE EXPERIENCE IN ASSESSING THE PROJECT MANAGERS' LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Authors: Mazzetto Silvia
Published: March 2020

In construction, the achievement of a project is mainly due to the work of the project manager and the contribution they make, as team leader, of knowledge, experience, and coordination skills. This paper presents a practical approach in assessing the students' leadership skills at the College of Engineering at Qatar University, by running a multidisciplinary collaborative project. The students acted as the project managers, involved in leading several working groups. The main aim of the exercise was to propose a practical approach to assessing the extent to which the knowledge and skills of a leader are important for ensuring that a project is completed successfully. The project manager's ability to lead a team through the different work stages of a project is seen as a fundamental contributor to its success. This practical approach to the appraisal of leadership brings the theoretical teaching of Project Management closer to its practical applications, by encouraging students to learn the leadership techniques and tools commonly used in the professional setting. The paper concludes by suggesting that there is a need to focus more attentively on assessing leadership skills when selecting a project manager, in either an academic or a professional context.