bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concernee-Concern constructions
Authors: Velde Mark L. O. Van de
Published: February 2020

This paper provides an analysis of the phenomenon commonly known as external possession in the Bantu languages. On
the basis of comparative data, I argue for a prototype approach to the intricate problem of determining the conditions of use of
such constructions, which I rename Concernee-Concern constructions, introducing two new terms for the thematic
roles involved. Situations can be expressed by means of Concernee-Concern construction if they correspond to the prototypical
situation that involves somebody’s body part being affected by an action, or if they show a family resemblance to this situation.
I argue against the relevance of alienability. The paper also provides a formal typology of Concernee-Concern constructions in the
Bantu languages.
TORC1 regulates vacuole membrane composition through ubiquitin- and ESCRT-dependent microautophagy
Authors: Yang Xi , Zhang Weichao , Wen Xin , Bulinski Patrick J. , Chomchai Dominic A. , Arines Felichi Mae , Liu Yun-Yu , Sprenger Simon , Teis David , Klionsky Daniel J. , Li Ming
Published: February 2020

Cellular adaptation in response to nutrient limitation requires the induction of autophagy and lysosome biogenesis for the efficient recycling of macromolecules. Here, we discovered that starvation and TORC1 inactivation not only lead to the up-regulation of autophagy and vacuole proteins involved in recycling but also result in the down-regulation of many vacuole membrane proteins to supply amino acids as part of a vacuole remodeling process. Down-regulation of vacuole membrane proteins is initiated by ubiquitination, which is accomplished by the coordination of multiple E3 ubiquitin ligases, including Rsp5, the Dsc complex, and a newly characterized E3 ligase, Pib1. The Dsc complex is negatively regulated by TORC1 through the Rim15-Ume6 signaling cascade. After ubiquitination, vacuole membrane proteins are sorted into the lumen for degradation by ESCRT-dependent microautophagy. Thus, our study uncovered a complex relationship between TORC1 inactivation and vacuole biogenesis.
Towards automated in vivo tracheal mucociliary transport measurement: Detecting and tracking particle movement in synchrotron phase-contrast x-ray images
Authors: Gardner Mark , Parsons David , Morgan Kaye , McCarron Alexandra , Cmielewski Patricia , Gradl Regine , Donnelley Martin
Published: February 2020

Accurate in vivo quantification of airway mucociliary transport (MCT) in animal models is important for understanding diseases such as cystic fibrosis, as well as for developing therapies. A non-invasive method of measuring MCT behaviour, based on tracking the position of micron sized particles using synchrotron x-ray imaging, has previously been described. In previous studies, the location (and path) of each particle was tracked manually, which is a time consuming and subjective process.

Here we describe particle tracking methods that were developed to reduce the need for manual particle tracking. The MCT marker particles were detected in the synchrotron x-ray images using cascade classifiers. The particle trajectories along the airway surface were generated by linking the detected locations between frames using a modified particle linking algorithm. The developed methods were compared with the manual tracking method on simulated x-ray images, as well as on in vivo images of rat airways acquired at the SPring-8 Synchrotron.

The results for the simulated and in vivo images showed that the semi-automatic algorithm reduced the time required for particle tracking when compared with the manual tracking method, and was able to detect MCT marker particle locations and measure particle speeds more accurately than the manual tracking method. Future work will examine the modification of methods to improve particle detection and particle linking algorithms to allow for more accurate fully-automatic particle tracking.
Passive advection of fractional Brownian motion by random layered flows
Authors: Squarcini Alessio , Marinari Enzo , Oshanin Gleb
Published: February 2020

We study statistical properties of the processY(t) of a passive advection by quenched random layered flows in situations when the inter-layer transfer is governed by a fractional Brownian motionX(t) with the Hurst indexH∈ (0,1). We show that the disorder-averaged mean-squared displacement of the passive advection grows in the large timetlimit in proportion tot2−H, which defines a family of anomalous super-diffusions. We evaluate the disorder-averaged Wigner–Ville spectrum of the advection processY(t) and demonstrate that it has a rather unusual power-law form1/f3−Hwith a characteristic exponent which exceed the value 2. Our results also suggest that sample-to-sample fluctuations of the spectrum can be very important.
Laboratory scale ozone-based post-treatment from textile wastewater treatment plant effluent for water reuse
Authors: Suryawan I W K , Helmy Q , Notodarmojo S
Published: February 2020

Conventional treatment such as sedimentation, aeration and activated sludge are only capable to remove organic matter. The color removal in the waste water treatment required as post-treatment at the end of the process. Dye can reduce the aesthetic value of a water body. Dye containing are not included in the textile industry’s quality standards in Indonesia. The subjective of this study is to improve the quality of waste water for textile waste water treatment plants using the ozone oxidation process. Real waste water from the waste water treatment plant were used and treated by biological processes. The ozone treatment reactor has 2 L volume and flowed with ozone at a dose 0.05 and 0.5 mg/minute. The main parameters that is removed in this study are color and COD. Efficiency of colors removal reached 92% and 93%, whilst efficiency of COD removal reached 78% and 83.5%. Based on the quality standards of textile waste water in Minister of Environment Regulation No. 51/2014 and Government Regulation of Republic of Indonesia No. 82/2001 (Class 4 designation) parameters COD, BOD5, total phenol, and total ammonia (NH3-N) have met the quality standards.
The flexural strength of retrofitting tectona grandis wood’s beam structures
Authors: Yasin I , Sulhan M A , Chan E , Salim A
Published: February 2020

Indonesia has thousands of ethnic groups with a variety of traditional buildings. Traditional buildings made of wood almost all experienced problems of material damage due to insect attacks and weathering due to weather influences.The community tends to dismantle building elements that have been damaged by hoisting insects. This happens because of the lack of knowledge about techniques in repairing or retrofitting wood structures. Wood material is susceptible to problems with elemental damage due to weathering and insect attacks. Damage to the structural elements of the wooden beam does not occur as a whole but only in certain areas. To maintain the strength of the wood in order to carry the burden, it is necessary to strengthen only the damaged area. So the structural elements of the wooden block do not need to be replaced in total but only on the damaged part. Testing the tensile strength of the flexural strength of the whole Tectona grandis wood block as many as 6 pieces, 6 pieces of Teak wood without adhesive, Tectona grandis using 6 pieces of adhesive with a size of 120 x 8 x 6 cm, and Tectona grandis wood as 6 pieces of adhesive with the size 10 x 4 x 6 cm, and the adhesive used is epoxy glue. The results of the study stated that the maximum flexural strength is occurring in Teak wood beams with adhesive (D-1, D-2, D-3) able to have stronger flexural strength of 59.8455 N/mm2, 52.22533594 N/mm2, 54.54848438 N/mm2, compared to solid beams (F-1, F-2, F-3) of 39.72684375 N/m2, 53.01527344 N/mm2, 60.58877344 N/mm2. This research also shows that the connection of Teak wood blocks with adhesives has better flexural strength.
Attadance system in the teaching and learning process using RFID smart cards
Authors: Khairudin M , Syarif D Y
Published: February 2020

The use of Electronic Cards for Student Attadance ’aims to design and build a system based on Arduino Uno microcontrollers and RFID modules. The system is expected to be able to facilitate lecturers in conducting attendance, reduce the attendance habits carried out by students, and increase the intensity of the use of student sign cards. The Attadance System based on the Arduino Uno microcontroller and RFID module is designed and built through several stages, namely: (1) analysis along with identification of the needs of components and other auxiliary equipment that support the success of system design; (2) designing components and mechanical design as component containers; (3) system implementation; (4) system testing and overall system evaluation. System testing shows the results in the form of a system performance that shows the student’s name, student’s master number, time of entry and when the student exits from the room. This system is equipped with a person counting device in the room, so it can be ascertained that there will not be an incident entrusted because the number of cards scanned can be matched with the number of students in the room.
Biomechanics, visual and carrying discomfort: The role of ergonomics among technology education professionals on the use of laptop in no-desk settings
Authors: Chedi J M , Mustapha R
Published: February 2020

The use of laptop computer in our daily activities due to rapid changes in technology and industries has a great role in the fourth industrial revolution and directly or indirectly affect the way we learn, live and work. The research study intends to investigate the role of ergonomics and the impact of the use of laptop computer on biomechanics, visual and carrying discomfort among technology education professionals in Nigeria. The study used questionnaires, in order to collect data and empirical data were used for the descriptive analysis. The objectives are to examine how the use of laptop computer affect the biomechanics, visualization and carrying discomfort of the technology educators. The research so far discovered how laptop computer users faced problems like back pains, muscular pains, visual and carrying discomfort and lack of ergonomic knowledge and awareness among technical and vocational education professionals.
Prediction of XYZ coordinates from an image using mono camera
Authors: Muslikhin  , Irmawati D , Arifin F , Nasuha A , Hasanah N , Indrihapsari Y
Published: February 2020

Estimating the position of a homogeneous object from an image for XY position is quite simple because it has the same dimensions XY. However, determining the XYZ position requires a unique approach. Generally, for estimating 3D position, stereo camera or expensive cameras are used with complicated computer vision algorithms. In this paper, we classify the position of an object using a mono camera. The image is divided into 3185 classes and five layers as a machine learning algorithm references. The k-nearest neighbors (kNN) approach usually is to find the closest point of the centroids to the closest class. Thus, this approach can be used as a three-axis prediction method that can afford the best performance solution.
Personality test social application system construction - the influence of community platform on personality trait extroversion, real and virtual interpersonal relationship
Authors: Yang S-C , Hsu C-W
Published: February 2020

The rapid change of the times. A smartphone is a part of socialization. Social is a product of the collective society. Different from the social model of the past. The popularity of social software in recent years has also brought about tremendous changes. A social application such as Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, etc. All bring a new definition of social style to human society. Since different social software has the same mode of making friends, the face of friends is in appearance or interest. Do we think that dating mode can make changes? There are differences in ’people’. Differences create different individuality, personalities, and traits. Therefore, we use personality traits as the theme to design a mobile-oriented mobile application that allows users to complete the personality test. The topic, whether or not it does not meet its personality traits, has a standard existence. We use the user personality test to test the user’s nine personality scale and can chat and interact with other users through personality matching. Different from general social software, this paper will explore the application value of social software user personality traits, and will have the opportunity to change the interaction mode of today’s social software with different dating experiences, so that the social experience generated by users can be further improved.
Badminton player scouting analysis using Frequent Pattern growth (FP-growth) algorithm
Authors: Ardiantoro L , Sunarmi N
Published: February 2020

FP Growth algorithm is widely used to analyze patterns from a huge amount of data with (frequent) repeated items. The objective of this research is to analyze playing pattern a badminton player, one of a popular sport in Indonesia. The data set was generated from a technical stroke during the game. The model used in this study was Jonathan Christie a top Indonesian badminton player. The method of data collection was done by dividing the playing field into various areas of the game. Observations were made by using the software, to calculate and classify the types of stroke that carried out by the athlete. The result of this research; the tactical approach of Jonathan Christie during this match was described. The data obtained would be very useful for the coach to improve the athlete’s performance. Another advantage obtained was the analysis of the athlete’s performance can be done with a quantitative approach so that it can enrich the current methods. As the conclusion, the FP Growth algorithms were able to describe the game pattern of a badminton athlete, JC by using PHP and MySQL. Sport science has become a necessity to develop to increase athletes’ competitiveness.
Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) to analyze the online shop networking in Instagram
Authors: Bekti R D , Pratiwi N , Niami Y , Sutanta E , Nurnawati E K
Published: February 2020

Social media is one of the important media for entrepreneurs in marketing their products, one of the popular is Instagram. Account activity on Instagram greatly influences marketing and sales levels, such as network, number of follower, following or posting. This study applies the Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) to analyze how the network structure, follower, following, and total posts were affect to the online shop network accounts on Instagram. The data analyzed were 28 samples Instagram accounts which domiciled in DIY and Central Java Province. The predictor variables are non-directed network structure (edges, 2-star) and individual activeness (number of followers, number of following, and total post). The network structure graph constructed a directed network with 41 nodes and 104 edges. Based on ERGMs and significance test with α=5%, the network structure and characteristic of account have a significant influence on the networks between the online shop. The parameter estimation results can be interpreted as follows, an online shop does not take the initiative to make friends or network with another account, because focused on making network with the consumers. If there are more followers, then there is a high probability to get a connection between accounts. This result can be used as a marketing strategy through social media.
Classification methods performance on human activity recognition
Authors: Bustoni I A , Hidayatulloh I , Ningtyas A M , Purwaningsih A , Azhari S N
Published: February 2020

There are around 650 million people from all over the world who lived with disabilities. One of the fundamental rights of people with disabilities is the existence of a companion to supervise his activity. Meanwhile, the use of mobile phones for monitoring the activities of people with disabilities has been widely carried out. The human activity monitoring mobile application requires human activity recognition methods that provide high accuracy, precision, and recall to reduce the error rate of the activity estimation. Some researches use machine learning algorithms like K-Nearest Neighbour (k-NN) algorithm, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest for human activity recognition methods. However, the results of these studies have not been compared apples to apples. Therefore, this study presents a performance comparison of SVM, KNN, and Random Forest machine learning methods. Based on our findings, the SVM method with Support Vector Classifier (SVC) and Radial Basis Function (RBF) kernels can achieve the highest precision and recall, 87% and 85% respectively. The fastest processing time is obtained using the SVM method with the Stochastic Gradient Descent. However, in general, the best performance is shown by Random Forest. The Random Forest method with a depth of 100 and 300 trees can reach an accuracy of 96% within 0.45 minutes.
The application of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) within lightweight concrete in passive air conditioning system
Authors: Laila L , Darma A Y
Published: February 2020

Air conditioner (AC) as an active conditioning system is commonly used to absorb heat inside the room or building. However, AC requires relatively large electrical energy. Passive air conditioning system could be seen as an alternative solution to alter the issues mentioned above. Phase Change Material-PCM is able to absorb heat as latent heat that change its form without increasing the temperature. In applications, PCM can be used as mixture on concrete in order to hold the thermal energy from the environment so the temperature inside building can be lower and stable. PCM can decrease thermal conductivity of concrete. Crude Palm Oil (CPO) that can be applied as PCM is added within concrete so that it can have insulating behaviour, decrease the cooling load and electricity energy consumption. In this study, CPO is injected into lightweight concrete with some variation volume to represent its insulating behaviour. Thermal conductivities of lightweight concrete when used CPO volume 0 ml (as control), 2.5 ml, 5 ml, and 7.5 ml are 0,12 W/mK, 0,06 W/mK, 0.07W/mK, and 0.08 W/mK. Thus, the lightweight concrete has better insulating behaviour. This research is expected to be a solution for decreasing cost of electricity energy consumption in buildings.
The development of a Thurstone scale for identifying teacher ability in using information and communication technology
Authors: Arfandi A , Purnamawati  , Nurfaedah
Published: February 2020

Teachers in Indonesia should not only mastery the four competencies (pedagogy, professional, personality, and social). They also must be able to use information technology in the learning process especially in the 4.0 industrial revolution. An instrument to measure the capability of the teacher in using information technology was developed. This article uses the Thurstone Scale as a methodological basis for identifying what capabilities are approved by experts in measuring the ability of teachers in use information and communication technology (ICT) in the learning process in vocational high schools. There are 30 (thirty) statements has analysed, 26 items were Valid in 0.01 significant level, and 4 items were Valid in 0.05 significant level. The instrument developed has good characteristics and all of the statement items meet the valid category with a very good level of reliability. Therefore, all instrument has met the validity and reliability criteria, the instrument will use to measure the ability of teacher in using information and communication technology.
Virtual reality teaching material - virtual reality game with education
Authors: Peng L , Yen Y , Siswanto I
Published: February 2020

This study aims to explore the combination of virtual reality and school education, Recent years, Virtual Reality (VR) is a popular issue. The basic concept of virtual reality is to use an immersive device to isolate. Isolate the user from the real world. compare the situation of virtual reality education and traditional education to students’ learning, and explore whether virtual reality is suitable for use and promotion in schools. Can people generally accept digital technology to replace traditional education, use the convenience brought by virtual reality education and the growth of students.
Development of cooperative learning based electric circuit kit trainer for basic electrical and electronics practice
Authors: Hamid M A , Permata E , Aribowo D , Darmawan I A , Nurtanto M , Laraswati S
Published: February 2020

This study aims to develop an electric circuit trainer kit learning media, study the feasibility of trainer kit learning media, study the feasibility of worksheets for electric circuit learning media, and determine the effectiveness of electric circuit learning media. This study refers to the ADDIE model (Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation). The results showed that the learning media feasibility of the electric Circuit trainer kit-based cooperative learning was included in the category very decent with an average score of 102. Job sheet Media learning is in a very decent category, with an average score of 93.5. Electric circuit trainer-based Cooperative learning is rated very useful for basic electrical and electronics practice with an average n-gain score of 0.77.
Constructive learning through experiments utilization of pandan leaf fiber as a strengthening of composite material
Authors: Johan A B , Ratnawati D , Purnomo S
Published: February 2020

This research was aimed at examining constructivist learning through experiments examining the feasibility of pandan leaf fibers as reinforcement of composite materials. The method used in the study was an experiment, namely conducting an experimental activity of the tensile strength of pandan leaf fibers compared to glass fiber, to obtain new knowledge as an alternative material for reinforcing composite materials. In this case, the pandan leaves studied were taken from the Kepuharjo area of Cangkringan Sleman DIY. Data analysis techniques used were qualitative descriptive, and quantitative descriptive. The results of this research indicated that; (1) constructivist methods were feasible as alternative paradigms for learning science and technology built through the Input-Process-Output pattern; (2) tensile fiber strength was 1.5 times the tensile strength of glass fiber. The tensile strength of pandan fiber was 39,036 kg / mm2 while the tensile strength of glass fiber was 21,65 kg / mm2; (3) the tensile strength of natural composites was lower than synthetic composites. Natural composite tensile strength was 3.03 kg / mm2 while tensile strength of synthetic composite was 3.77 kg / mm2; (4) the increase in formalin concentration for pandan fiber immersion media in the range 0 - 35% had an effect on decreasing tensile strength with the equation y = -640.05x3 + 285,12x2 - 36,358x + 39,105 and R2 = 0.9641. In conclusion, fiber from pandan leaves is suitable to be used as a composite material, but a suitable matrix and suitable treatment have not been found.
Analysis of E-learning implementation using Human Organization Technology approach (HOT) Fit Models
Authors: Alfina  , Irfan Rahmatul
Published: February 2020

B-Smart E-Learning system is used to support the learning process in educational institutions to improve the quality of learning. The analysis conducted on the implementation of the UNY B-Smart E-Learning aims to measure the benefits gained from the use of E-Leraning. Previously, B-Smart E- Learning has not been known to provide good analysis inof bo term of Human, Organisation, Technology and users. This study aims to deepen, prove again and give meaning to the results of quantitative and quantitative research on the analysis of elearning implementation using the Human Organisation Technology approach. This research is a combination of research ( mixed methods) with sequential explanatory research type. The measure of elearning implementation at UNY uses a questionnaire arranged according to the Likert scale model with a population of 25,273 people and a sample of 100 people. Based on research that has been done, the overall reliability value obtained is 0.820 with a very strong reliable interpretation.
Dynamically tunable Fano resonance with high Q factor based on asymmetric Dirac semimetal split-ring structure
Authors: Yan Shuai , Song Shijie , Zhang Huiyun , Zhang Yuping
Published: February 2020

We propose an asymmetric split-ring (ASR) structure based on Dirac semimetal, which has Fano resonance with a high quality (Q) factor in the terahertz (THz) band, the Q factor can reach a maximum value of 20.19. Amplitude modulation can be achieved by increasing the degree of asymmetry Δθ of the asymmetric split ring. As a result, in this study, an amplitude modulation of 27.19% has been achieved by increasing the asymmetry from 10° to 40°. Furthermore, our full-wave electromagnetic simulations show that the frequency sensitivity values of Fano and quadrupole resonance are as high as 0.6 THz/refractive index unit (RIU) and 0.933 THz/RIU, respectively. In addition, the sensing range can be adjusted by changing the Fermi levels of Dirac semimetal. Our study can guide the practical application of ultrasensitive THz sensors.
Glass depolymerization in the process of long-term corrosion: A study of deteriorating semiopaque turquoise glass beads using micro-FTIR spectroscopy
Authors: Kadikova Irina F , Morozova Ekaterina A , Yuryeva Tatyana V , Grigorieva Irina A , Yuryev Vladimir A
Published: February 2020

Nowadays, a problem of historical beadworks conservation in museum collections is actual more than ever because of fatal corrosion of the 19th century glass beads. Study of the beads at different stages of glass corrosion using FTIR was carried out in the attenuated total reflection mode in the range from 200 to 4000 cm−1. We have observed glass depolymerization in the degraded beads, which is exhibited in domination of the band peaked at ∼1000 cm−1. We conclude that the simplification of the glass structure during its long-term degradation at room temperature may be explained within the thermal-fluctuation theory of materials fracture. We consider glass depolymerization, caused by the internal stress and decreasing the glass strength, as an essential corrosion mechanism of strongly stressed glass. We have also revealed shifts of two major absorption bands to low-frequency range (∼1000 and ∼775 cm−1) compared to ones typical for amorphous SiO2 (∼1100 and 800 cm−1, respectively) connected with Pb2+ and K+ appending to the glass network. The presence of a weak band at ∼1630 cm−1 in all the spectra is attributed to the adsorption of H2O. After annealing of the beads, the latter band disappeared completely in less deteriorated samples and significantly weakened in more degraded ones. Based on that we conclude that there is molecular water adsorbed on the beads. However, products of corrosion (e.g., alkali in the form of white crystals or droplets of liquid alkali) were not observed on the surface.
High correlation but high scale-dependent variance between satellite measured night lights and terrestrial exposure
Authors: Simons Ariel Levi , Yin Xiaozhe , Longcore Travis
Published: February 2020

Exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) is a significant factor in ecological and epidemiological research. Although levels of exposure are frequently estimated from satellite-based measurements of upward radiance, and the correlation between upward radiance and zenith sky brightness is established, the correlation between upward radiance and the biologically relevant exposure to light experienced from all directions on the ground has not been investigated. Because ground-based exposure to ALAN can depend on local glare sources and atmospheric scattering, ecological and epidemiological studies using upward radiance have relied on an untested relationship. To establish the nature of the relationship between upward radiance and hemispherical scalar illuminance (SI) on the ground and to calibrate future experimental studies of ALAN, we used hemispheric digital photography to measure SI at 515 locations in coastal southern California, and compared those values to co-located satellite-based measures of upward radiance as described by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) satellite’s Day-Night Band (DNB) sensor and zenith downwards radiance as estimated by the World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness (WA). We found significant variations in SI within the geographic scale defined by the resolutions of both the DNB and WA, as well as in both luminance and color correlated temperature (CCT) across individual image hemispheres. We observed up to two or more orders of magnitude in ALAN exposure within any given satellite-measured unit. Notwithstanding this variation, a linear model of log(SI) (log(SImodeled)), dependent only on the percent of the image hemisphere obscured by structures along the horizon (percent horizon) and log(WA) accounted for 76% of the variation in observed log(SI). DNB does not perform as well in alternative models and consequently future studies seeking to characterize the light environment should be built on WA data when the high temporal resolution of DNB measurements are not needed.
Adiposity, Depression Symptoms and Inflammation in Hispanic/Latino Youth: Results From HCHS/SOL Youth
Authors: Nguyen-Rodriguez Selena T , Gallo Linda C , Isasi Carmen R , Buxton Orfeu M , Thomas KaMala S , Sotres-Alvarez Daniela , Redline Susan , Castañeda Sheila F , Carnethon Mercedes R , Daviglus Martha L , Perreira Krista M
Published: February 2020

Background

Inflammation is implicated as one of many factors related to the development of chronic disease; thus, identifying its modifiable risk factors offers potential intervention targets to reduce risk.

Purpose

To investigate whether depression and anxiety symptoms may indirectly affect high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) through sleep duration and adiposity (i.e., percentage body fat and waist circumference).

Methods

Multiple regression analyses were performed on Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Youth (ages 8–16 years) cross-sectional baseline data, which were weighted to adjust for sampling design. Data were collected at a clinical assessment, including fasting blood samples, self-report surveys, and objectively measured anthropometrics.

Results

Adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, depression symptoms were associated with log hs-CRP (β = .011, p = .047) but not PAI-1 (p = .285). Percentage body fat and waist circumference were positively related to depression symptoms (p = .026 and p = .028, respectively) and log hs-CRP (p < .001 for both). When including adiposity in the hs-CRP model, the associations of depression symptoms with hs-CRP were attenuated and became nonsignificant. Monte Carlo confidence intervals (CIs) showed that the indirect effects from depression symptoms to CRP through percentage body fat (95% CI: .0006, .0119) and waist circumference (95% CI: .0004, .0109) were statistically significant.

Conclusions

Results indicate that the association between psychological distress and inflammation may occur indirectly through adiposity in Hispanic/Latino children. If findings are replicated in causal designs, reducing depression symptoms and adiposity among Hispanic/Latino children may be avenues for primary prevention of inflammation in later years.
Investment Case for a Comprehensive Package of Interventions Against Hepatitis B in China: Applied Modeling to Help National Strategy Planning
Authors: Nayagam Shevanthi , Chan Polin , Zhao Kun , Sicuri Elisa , Wang Xiaochun , Jia Jidong , Wei Lai , Walsh Nick , Rodewald Lance E , Zhang Guomin , Ailing Wang , Zhang Lan , Chang Joo H , Hou WeiWei , Qiu Yingpeng , Sui Binyan , Xiao Yue , Zhuang Hui , Thursz M R , Scano Fabio , Low-Beer Daniel , Schwartländer Bernhard , Wang Yu , Hallett Timothy B
Published: February 2020

Background

In 2016, the first global viral hepatitis elimination targets were endorsed. An estimated one-third of the world’s population of individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection live in China and liver cancer is the sixth leading cause of mortality, but coverage of first-line antiviral treatment was low. In 2015, China was one of the first countries to initiate a consultative process for a renewed approach to viral hepatitis. We present the investment case for the scale-up of a comprehensive package of HBV interventions.

Methods

A dynamic simulation model of HBV was developed and used to simulate the Chinese HBV epidemic. We evaluated the impact, costs, and return on investment of a comprehensive package of prevention and treatment interventions from a societal perspective, incorporating costs of management of end-stage liver disease and lost productivity costs.

Results

Despite the successes of historical vaccination scale-up since 1992, there will be a projected 60 million people still living with HBV in 2030 and 10 million HBV-related deaths, including 5.7 million HBV-related cancer deaths between 2015 and 2030. This could be reduced by 2.1 million by highly active case-finding and optimal antiviral treatment regimens. The package of interventions is likely to have a positive return on investment to society of US$1.57 per US dollar invested.

Conclusions

Increases in HBV-related deaths for the next few decades pose a major public health threat in China. Active case-finding and access to optimal antiviral treatment are required to mitigate this risk. This investment case approach provides a real-world example of how applied modeling can support national dialog and inform policy planning.
Detection of ctDNA from Dried Blood Spots after DNA Size Selection
Authors: Heider Katrin , Wan Jonathan C M , Hall James , Belic Jelena , Boyle Samantha , Hudecova Irena , Gale Davina , Cooper Wendy N , Corrie Pippa G , Brenton James D , Smith Christopher G , Rosenfeld Nitzan
Published: February 2020

Background

Recent advances in the study and clinical applications of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are limited by practical considerations of sample collection. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is increasingly used for analysis of ctDNA, identifying copy-number alterations and fragmentation patterns. We hypothesized that low-depth/shallow WGS (sWGS) data may be generated from minute amounts of cell-free DNA, and that fragment-size selection may remove contaminating genomic DNA from small blood volumes. Dried blood spots have practical advantages for sample collection, may facilitate serial sampling, and could support novel study designs in humans and animal models.

Methods

We developed a protocol for the isolation and analysis of cell-free DNA from dried blood spots using filter paper cards and bead-based size selection. DNA extracted and size-selected from dried spots was analyzed using sWGS and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

Analyzing a 50 μL dried blood spot from frozen whole blood of a patient with melanoma, we identified ctDNA based on the presence of tumor-specific somatic copy-number alterations, and found a fragment-size profile similar to that observed in plasma DNA. We found alterations in different chromosomes in blood spots from 2 patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Extending this approach to serial dried blood spots from mouse xenograft models, we detect tumor-derived cell-free DNA and identified ctDNA from the originally grafted ascites.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that ctDNA can be detected and monitored in dried blood spots from archived and fresh blood samples, enabling new approaches for sample collection and novel study/trial designs for both patients and in vivo models.
All-cause mortality, stroke, and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease
Authors: Strange Jarl Emanuel , Sindet-Pedersen Caroline , Staerk Laila , Grove Erik Lerkevang , Gerds Thomas Alexander , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Gislason Gunnar H , Olesen Jonas Bjerring
Published: February 2020

Aims 

To compare the risk of all-cause mortality, stroke, and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and valvular heart disease (VHD) treated with vitamin K antagonist (VKA) or factor Xa-inhibitors (FXa-I; rivaroxaban and apixaban).

Methods and results 

We cross-linked data from Danish nationwide registries identifying patients with AF and VHD (aortic stenosis/insufficiency, mitral insufficiency, bioprosthetic heart valves, mitral-, and aortic valve repair) initiating VKA or FXa-I between January 2014 and June 2017. Outcomes were all-cause mortality, stroke, and bleeding. Using cause-specific Cox regression, we reported the standardized absolute 2-year risk of the outcomes and absolute risk differences (ARD). We identified 1115 (41.7%), 620 (23.1%), and 942 (35.2%) patients initiating treatment with VKA, rivaroxaban, and apixaban, respectively. The standardized absolute risk (95% confidence interval) of all-cause mortality associated with VKA treatment was 34.1% (30.4–37.8%) with corresponding ARD for FXa-I of −2.7% (−6.7% to 1.4%). The standardized absolute risk of stroke for VKA was 3.8% (2.2–5.4%) with corresponding ARD for FXa-I of –0.1% (−2.0% to 1.8%). The standardized risk of bleeding for VKA was 10.4% (7.2–12.9%) with corresponding ARD for FXa-I of –2.0% (−5.1% to 1.1%). The risk of bleeding was significantly reduced in subgroup analyses of apixaban compared with VKA [ARD: −3.9% (−7.0% to −0.9%)] and rivaroxaban [ARD: −5.6% (−9.5% to −1.7%)].

Conclusion 

In this nationwide cohort study, there were no significant differences in the risks of all-cause mortality, stroke, and bleeding in patients with AF and VHD treated with VKA compared with FXa-I.
Simultaneous visualization of pulmonary nodules and intersegmental planes on fluorescent images in pulmonary segmentectomy
Authors: Kim Yeasul , Rho Jiyun , Quan Yu Hua , Choi Byeong Hyeon , Han Kook Nam , Kim Hyun Koo , Choi Young Ho
Published: February 2020

OBJECTIVES

The technique of simultaneously visualizing pulmonary nodules and the intersegmental plane using fluorescent images was developed to measure the distance between them intraoperatively.

METHODS

Patients who underwent pulmonary segmentectomy were consecutively included in this study between March 2016 and July 2019. Computed tomography or electromagnetic bronchoscopy-guided localization with indocyanine green–lipiodol emulsion was performed on the day of surgery. In the middle of the surgery, after dividing the segmental artery, vein and bronchus to a targeted segment, 0.3–0.5 mg/kg of indocyanine green was injected intravenously.

RESULTS

In total, 31 patients (17 men and 14 women with a mean age of 63.2 ± 9.8 years) were included in this study. The mean size and depth of the nodules were 1.2 ± 0.5 (range 0.3–2.5) cm and 16.4 ± 9.9 (range 1.0–42.0) mm, respectively. Pulmonary nodules and intersegmental plane of all the patients were visualized using a fluorescent thoracoscope. The resection margins were more than the size of the tumour or were 2 (mean 2.4 ± 1.2) cm in size in all patients except one. The resection margin of this patient looked sufficient on the intraoperative view. However, adenocarcinoma in situ at the resection margin was identified based on the pathological report. The mean duration of the operation was 168.7 ± 53.3 min, and the chest tube was removed on an average of 4.7 ± 1.8 days after surgery in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The dual visualization technique using indocyanine green could facilitate an easier measurement of the distance between pulmonary nodules and the intersegmental plane during pulmonary segmentectomy.
Inferring putative ancient whole-genome duplications in the 1000 Plants (1KP) initiative: access to gene family phylogenies and age distributions
Authors: Li Zheng , Barker Michael S
Published: February 2020

Background

Polyploidy, or whole-genome duplications (WGDs), repeatedly occurred during green plant evolution. To examine the evolutionary history of green plants in a phylogenomic framework, the 1KP project sequenced >1,000 transcriptomes across the Viridiplantae. The 1KP project provided a unique opportunity to study the distribution and occurrence of WGDs across the green plants. As an accompaniment to the capstone publication, this article provides expanded methodological details, results validation, and descriptions of newly released datasets that will aid researchers who wish to use the extended data generated by the 1KP project.

Results

In the 1KP capstone analyses, we used a total evidence approach that combined inferences of WGDs from Ks and phylogenomic methods to infer and place 244 putative ancient WGDs across the Viridiplantae. Here, we provide an expanded explanation of our approach by describing our methodology and walk-through examples. We also evaluated the consistency of our WGD inferences by comparing them to evidence from published syntenic analyses of plant genome assemblies. We find that our inferences are consistent with whole-genome synteny analyses and our total evidence approach may minimize the false-positive rate throughout the dataset.

Conclusions

We release 383,679 nuclear gene family phylogenies and 2,306 gene age distributions with Ks plots from the 1KP capstone paper. These resources will be useful for many future analyses on gene and genome evolution in green plants.
On formulations of compressible mantle convection
Authors: Gassmöller Rene , Dannberg Juliane , Bangerth Wolfgang , Heister Timo , Myhill Robert
Published: February 2020

Mantle convection and long-term lithosphere dynamics in the Earth and other planets can be treated as the slow deformation of a highly viscous fluid, and as such can be described using the compressible Navier–Stokes equations. Since on Earth-sized planets the influence of compressibility is not a dominant effect, density deviations from a reference profile are at most on the order of a few percent and using the full governing equations poses numerical challenges, most modelling studies have simplified the governing equations. Common approximations assume a temporally constant, but depth-dependent reference profile for the density (the anelastic liquid approximation), or drop compressibility altogether and use a constant reference density (the Boussinesq approximation). In most previous studies of mantle convection and crustal dynamics, one can assume that the error introduced by these approximations was small compared to the errors that resulted from poorly constrained material behaviour and limited numerical accuracy. However, as model parametrizations have become more realistic, and model resolution has improved, this may no longer be the case and the error due to using simplified conservation equations might no longer be negligible: while such approximations may be reasonable for models of mantle plumes or slabs traversing the whole mantle, they may be unsatisfactory for layered materials experiencing phase transitions or materials undergoing significant heating or cooling. For example, at boundary layers or close to dynamically changing density gradients, the error arising from the use of the aforementioned compressibility approximations can be the dominant error source, and common approximations may fail to capture the physical behaviour of interest. In this paper, we discuss new formulations of the continuity equation that include dynamic density variations due to temperature, pressure and composition without using a reference profile for the density. We quantify the improvement in accuracy relative to existing formulations in a number of benchmark models and evaluate for which practical applications these effects are important. Finally, we consider numerical aspects of the new formulations. We implement and test these formulations in the freely available community software aspect, and use this code for our numerical experiments.
A decade of sun protection in Australian early-childhood services: analysis of cross-sectional and repeated-measures data
Authors: Hunkin Hugh , Morris Julia�N
Published: February 2020

Limiting ultraviolet radiation exposure during early childhood can significantly reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, making early childhood a critical time for sun protection strategies. This study aimed to measure sun protection practices utilized in Australian early-childhood services over the past decade and evaluate the impact of Cancer Council Australia’s SunSmart Early-Childhood Program. Results are presented from cross-sectional and repeated-measures survey data, completed by directors or other staff at randomly sampled early-childhood services in 2008, 2013 and 2018 (N�=�3243). Most sun protection practices were used by a significantly greater proportion of services in 2018 relative to earlier years, such as requiring the use of sunscreen (98.4%), and sun-protective hats (99.7%) and clothing (88.8%). However, only a small and declining proportion of services (16.3%–22.4%) required the use of specific items of sun-protective clothing. SunSmart program members reported enacting significantly more sun protection practices compared to non-members, while new members showed an increase in the use of those practices relative to services whose status did not change (d�=�0.48). The results demonstrate improvements in sun protection in Australian early-childhood settings, and highlight the benefits and limitations of the SunSmart program.
Use of Dacron as an Alternative Carrier for Evaluating Oxidizing Sterilants in the AOAC Sporicidal Test
Authors: McDonnell Gerald , Amato Rasa , Malchesky Paul S , Harrington Stephanie , Muzic David S , Marchant Roger E
Published: February 2020

The AOAC sporicidal method (966.04) recommends the use of porcelain penicylinders and black waxed silk sutures as carriers for demonstrating the sporicidal activity of sterilants. However, the silk carriers are not suitable for evaluating the sporicidal efficacy of oxidizing agents, and an inert polyester material (Dacron) is recommended as an alternative. Dacron provides an equivalent microbial and physical challenge to silk. Microbiologically, both materials demonstrated similar HCl resistance, which is required by the AOAC test, as well as equivalent spore loading and spore wash-off. Electron microscopy showed that both materials present the same braided microstructure, providing an equivalent physical challenge to the test sterilant. Dacron was more consistent than silk, and did not require extraction prior to spore loading. The extraction method for black waxed silk was variable and incomplete, which may compromise the activity of oxidizing sterilants and add to method variability. Silk was also structurally altered in the presence of oxidizing sterilants and increased sterilant degradation. Dacron did not affect the sterilant and was inert in the presence of oxidizing agents. Dacron sutures are proposed as inert alternatives to silk for evaluating the sporicidal efficacy of oxidizing agents.