bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Solids Concentration on the Kinetic of Biogas Production from Goat Droppings
Authors: Luboya K. Eden , Kusisakana Mélissa , Luhata W. Gaston , Mukuna K. Balthazar , Monga M. Justine , Luhata L. Pierre
Published: June 2020

This experiment was conducted at the Bioenergy laboratory of Groupe de Génies Congolais (GGC) at the Université Loyola du Congo in Kinshasa, D.R.Congo. The experiment started on May 23, 2019 and ended on July 17, 2019. The study focused on the relationship between solids concentration and the kinetic of anaerobic digestion of goat droppings in the methanation process. The feedstock consisted of goat droppings waste made into slurry of four solids concentration (SC); A=50%, B=38%, C=30% and D=25%. Each SC was repeated three times. Feedstocks were inserted in laboratory scale anaerobic digesters constructed from 5L plastic containers. The results revealed clearly that the time required for the production of biogas depends on SCs. The ratio D (1/3), i.g. 75% of water and 25% of biomass produced the biogas in 3 weeks (±22 days) and the ratio A (1/1), 50% of water and 50% of biomass, in 7 weeks and a few days (±53 days). The ratio C (1/2), 66.6% of water in the mixture, provided the biogas in ± 26 days (approximately 4 weeks) and finally, it took ±30 days (4 weeks and a few days) for ratio B to produce biogas rich in CH4 (<50%). The equation f(x)= 1.1x + 1 can be used to predict the approximative number of days to produce a biogas containing more than 50% of CH4.

The average temperature inside the reactors was found to be 28.5 ± 0.8°C during the combustion testing process implying that the reactors designed at the GGC were operating in a mesophilic regime. Finally, the pH of the digestates obtained from reactors had an average of 9.0 ± 0.2.
Bacteria Counts and Fungal Loads on Eggshells Collected from Isa-Brown Hens Raised under Different Systems
Authors: Adegbenro M. , Adelegan G. F. , Onibi G. E. , Adesida J. A.
Published: June 2020

Aims: To assess bacteria and fungi loads on eggs collected from laying birds under three different rearing systems.

Study Design: Completely Randomized Design with a 3×3 factorial arrangement.

Place and Duration of Study: Field trial was done at Oluade Farms, Ilara-Mokin, while Laboratory assessment of eggs was done at Microbiology Laboratory of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure. The whole study lasted for 90 days.

Methodology: Collection of eggs for assessments was done at the end of each phase and was collected three times a day for the different housing systems. The eggs collected were labelled and sealed up in transparent white polythene nylon before assessments. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. 

Results: Highest bacteria count (43.56± 7.48×10-3cfu/ml) was observed in egg collected from deep litter system, while the lowest bacteria count (13.11±7.4×10-3cfu/ml) was observed in egg collected from the outdoor system. Highest bacteria count (75.00±12.95×10-3cfu/ml) was recorded in egg collected from deep litter system in the morning while lowest bacteria count (2.67±12.95×10-3cfu/ml) was recorded in egg collected from battery cage system in the evening. Highest fungi count (10.89±4.77×10-3cfu/ml) was observed in egg collected from battery cage system, while lowest fungi count (2.56±4.77×10-3cfu/ml) was observed in egg collected from deep litter system. Escherichia coli was isolated in all eggs collected from the rearing systems and collection periods except battery cage system in the morning and outdoor system in the morning. Staphilococcus aureus was isolated in eggs collected from all the housing systems and collection periods except in outdoor system in the afternoon. Aspergillus niger was isolated across all the housing systems and collection periods.

Conclusion: From the results, it shows that the different eggshells from the three rearing systems were contaminated with bacteria and fungi loads at varying levels.
Bryozoa,
Cristatella Mucedo
: Sensory Structures
Authors: Schwaha Thomas F.
Published: June 2020

This contribution describes sensory structures of the freshwater bryozoans
Cristatella mucedo
.
Eukoenenia spelaea, Palpigradi: Introduction
Authors: Franz‐Guess Sandra , Starck J. Matthias
Published: June 2020

Palpigradi are small chelicerates reaching a maximum body length of 3 mm without the characteristic terminal flagellum. Approximately 100 species have been described from Africa and Europe where they inhabit the upper soil layers as well as caves. They lack eyes and breathing organs, but have unique sensory organs, i.e. frontal organ and lateral organs.Eukoenenia spelaeais a troglobiont palpigrade found in caves of the European Alps. Individuals are small, reaching a maximum body length of 1.5 mm without the characteristic terminal flagellum.
Eukoenenia spelaea
, Palpigradi: Nervous System
Authors: Franz‐Guess Sandra , Starck J. Matthias
Published: June 2020

The nervous system of Palpigradi is characterized by a large synganglion (divided in supra‐ and subesophageal ganglia) and an opithosomal nerve chord connecting ganglia in segments 11–14. The synganglion fills the entire prosoma and reaches into the opisthosoma as typical for miniaturized arthropods. The opisthosomal ganglia contain only a small number of perikarya of type B neurons.
Eukoenenia spelaea
, Palpigradi: Intestinal System
Authors: Franz‐Guess Sandra , Starck J. Matthias
Published: June 2020

The digestive trat of Eukoenenia spelaea shows a ectodermal pharynx and esophagus, a mesodermal midgut with a pair of midgut diverticula in the prosoma and the rectal sac. An ectodermal hindgut is missing. A precerebral suction pump attaches to the pharyx, a postcerebral suction pump is not developed.
Eukoenenia spelaea
, Palpigradi: Respiratory System
Authors: Franz‐Guess Sandra , Starck J. Matthias
Published: June 2020

Eukeonenia spelaea
has no respiratory structures. All gas exchanges must be diffusive and occurs through the cuticle and epidermis. With a diffusion distance of less than 1 μm this a functionally effective respiratory system.
Eukoenenia spelaea
, Palpigradi: Excretory System
Authors: Franz‐Guess Sandra , Starck J. Matthias
Published: June 2020

Eukoenenia spelaea
has coxal glands associated with the first pair of walking legs as exclusive excretory organs. The coxal glands are differntiated into sacculus, proxomal and distal tubulus, and excretory duct. The excretory opening is posterior to the coxa of leg 1.
Does exposure to facial composites damage eyewitness memory? A comprehensive review
Authors: Sporer Siegfried L. , Tredoux Colin G. , Vredeveldt Annelies , Kempen Kate , Nortje Alicia
Published: June 2020

Eyewitnesses often create face likenesses, which are published in the hope that potential suspects will be reported to the police. Witnesses exposed to another witness's composite, however, may be positively or negatively influenced by such composites. A good likeness may facilitate identification, but a bad likeness that resembles an innocent suspect may lead to a misidentification (“mix‐up”). We offer a theoretical review, and comprehensively summarize extant studies descriptively because most studies did not report enough statistical details to warrant a formal meta‐analysis. Some studies showed negative exposure effects, particularly when the innocent suspect and composite shared misleading features. Studies that exposed witnesses to “good” composites reported positive or no effects on lineup performance, and some highly powered studies also showed no effect. We outline suggestions for further investigations under ecologically valid conditions. We also make recommendations for investigative practice, and the evaluation of identification evidence by fact finders or courts.
Spider‐Web‐Inspired PM0.3 Filters Based on Self‐Sustained Electrostatic Nanostructured Networks
Authors: Zhang Shichao , Liu Hui , Tang Ning , Zhou Sheng , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: June 2020

Particulate matter (PM) pollution has become a serious public health issue, especially with outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases. However, most present filters are bulky, opaque, and show low‐efficiency PM0.3/pathogen interception and inevitable trade‐off between PM removal and air permeability. Here, a unique electrospraying–netting technique is used to create spider‐web‐inspired network generator (SWING) air filters. Manipulation of the dynamic of the Taylor cone and phase separation of its ejected droplets enable the generation of 2D self‐charging nanostructured networks on a large scale. The resultant SWING filters show exceptional long‐range electrostatic property driven by aeolian vibration, enabling self‐sustained PM adhesion. Combined with their Steiner‐tree‐structured pores (size 200–300 nm) consisting of nanowires (diameter 12 nm), the SWING filters exhibit high efficiency (>99.995% PM0.3 removal), low air resistance (<0.09% atmosphere pressure), high transparency (>82%), and remarkable bioprotective activity for biohazard pathogens. This work may shed light on designing new fibrous materials for environmental and energy applications.
A Scalable Hybrid Fiber and Its Textile with Pore and Wrinkle Structures for Passive Personal Cooling
Authors: Song Ying‐Nan , Lei Mao‐Qin , Lei Jun , Li Zhong‐Ming
Published: June 2020

A radiative cooling garment is proposed as a promising strategy for ordinary people to attain high thermal comfort indoors and outdoors. However, low production and poor cooling capability restrict its wide applications. Herein, a high‐performance fiber and its textile with pore and wrinkle structures are fabricated that consist of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene oxide. This specific structure endows the fiber and textile with high IR absorbance/emissivity (90.97%) and sunlight reflectance (93.77%). Therefore, the hybrid porous PE fiber and textile show good cooling capabilities and avoid the human body overheating by 6.8 °C under direct solar irradiation. The inner temperature of the transparent house with a roof covered by the textile decreases by 20.3 and 12.5 °C compared to the states of no extra cover and cotton cover, respectively. Apart from that, the results of the simulating and real human body measurements demonstrate that the porous PE textile enables the human body to acquire the same thermal comfort as the bare state. More importantly, the porous PE fiber and textile are superlight, flexible, moisture‐permeable, and waterproof, and meanwhile, have excellent tensile strength and UV protection properties. The good comprehensive performance indicates that the textile is appealing for fabricating summer clothes.
Tuning Electrical and Optical Properties of MoSe2 Transistors via Elemental Doping
Authors: Xia Yin , Wei Lujun , Deng Jie , Zong Lingyi , Wang Chaolun , Chen Xinyu , Liang Fang , Luo Chen , Bao Wenzhong , Xu Zihan , Zhou Jing , Pu Yong , Wu Xing
Published: June 2020

Controlled doping of transition‐metal dichalcogenide (TMDC)‐layered materials is of great importance for practical device application. Doping of TMDCs and tuning of the bandgap properties remain challenging owing to the difficulty of breaking covalent bonds. In this work, the doping of V, Fe, and Nb atoms into MoSe2 is successfully synthesized using the chemical vapor transport method. By the absorption of V or Nb dopants, the intrinsic n‐type MoSe2 is tuned to be of p type. A p‐n diode based on a homojunction is fabricated by stacking the n‐ and p‐type MoSe2 vertically. The photoresponse range of intrinsic MoSe2 is only up to 785 nm. However, the photodetector based on the doped MoSe2 flake with V, Fe, and Nb can be used up to the near‐infrared (1550 nm) region at room temperature. Furthermore, the photoresponse wavelength of a V‐doped MoSe2 could reach up to 10 µm. The results indicate that the elemental doping methods could enrich the electrical and optical application prospects of MoSe2.
Selective and Effective Cancer Treatments using Target‐Switchable Intracellular Bacterial Toxin Delivery Systems
Authors: Park Seong Guk , Choi Bongseo , Bae Yoonji , Lee Yu Geon , Park Soo Ah , Chae Young Chan , Kang Sebyung
Published: June 2020

Targeted cancer therapies have been extensively tested with the purpose to selectively suppress tumor growth and to avoid harming healthy tissue. However, failure to escape endosomes upon receptor‐mediated endocytosis is a major obstacle limiting the efficacy of targeted cancer therapeutics. Here, novel target‐switchable intracellular toxin delivery systems (TiTDS) are presented which use the catalytic and translocation domain of diphtheria toxin (dtA‐T) as an intracellular toxin delivery platform and affibody molecules targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 or epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2Afb or EGFRAfb) as target‐specific ligands. The intracellular toxin delivery platform and the affibody molecules are genetically fused with SpyCatcher (SC) protein and SpyTag (ST) peptide, respectively, to generate dtA‐T‐SC and ST‐HER2Afb or ST‐EGFRAfb modules. These modules can be individually purified and post‐translationally ligated to produce dtA‐T/HER2Afb or dtA‐T/EGFRAf. dtA‐T/HER2Afb and dtA‐T/EGFRAfb can selectively bind to their corresponding target cancer cells, efficiently enter the cells through receptor‐mediated endocytosis, successfully escape endosomes, and release toxins into the cytosol. They exhibit high target‐specific cytotoxicity in vitro and can significantly reduce tumor masses in vivo. TiTDS is a promising targeted cancer therapy platform because of its high target specificity, effective intracellular delivery of active toxins with improved therapeutic efficacy, and target switchability.
In Vivo Optofluidic Switch for Controlling Blood Microflow
Authors: Liu Xiaoshuai , Gao Qing , Zhang Yao , Li Yuchao , Li Baojun
Published: June 2020

Control of blood microflow is crucial for the prevention and therapy of blood disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases and their complications. Conventional control strategies generally implant exogenous synthetic materials into blood vessels as labeling markers or actuating sources, which are invasive and incompatible with biological systems. Here, a label‐free, noninvasive, and biocompatible device constructed from natural red blood cells (RBCs) for controlling blood microflow in vivo is reported. The RBCs, optically manipulated, arranged, and rotated using scanning optical tweezers, can function as an optofluidic switch for targeted switching, directional enrichment, dynamic redirecting, and rotary actuation of blood microflow inside zebrafish. The regulation precision of the switch is determined to be at the single‐cell level, and the response time is measured as ≈200 ms using a streamline tracking method. This in vivo optofluidic switch may provide a biofriendly device for exploring blood microenvironments in a noncontact and noninvasive manner.
Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of the novel coronavirus pneumonia in the elderly in China
Authors: Chen Qiong , Wang Lijing , Yu Weiwei , Xi Huan , Zhang Qiang , Chen Xinyu , Huang Kui , Lu Xiang , Liu Xinmin , Zhang CunTai , Wang Jianye ,   Chinese Geriatrics Society,   National Center of Gerontology
Published: June 2020

The population is commonly susceptible to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019‐nCoV), especially the elderly with comorbidities. Elderly patients infected with 2019‐nCoV tend to have higher rates of severe illness and mortality. Immunosenescence is an important cause of severe novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) in the elderly. Due to the combination of underlying diseases, elderly patients may exhibit atypical manifestations in clinical symptoms, supplementary examinations, and pulmonary imaging, deserving particular attention. The general condition of the elderly should be considered during diagnosis and treatment. In addition to routine care and measures—such as oxygen therapy, antiviral therapy, and respiratory support—treatment of underlying disease, nutritional support, sputum expectoration complication prevention, and psychological support should also be considered for elderly patients. Based on a literature review and expert panel discussion, we drafted the "Recommendations for the Prevention and Treatment of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia in the elderly in China," aiming to provide help with the prevention and treatment of NCP and the reduction of harm to the elderly population.
Precautions for avoiding pulmonary morbidity after esophagectomy
Authors: Yoshida Naoya , Harada Kazuto , Iwatsuki Masaaki , Baba Yoshifumi , Baba Hideo
Published: June 2020

Pulmonary morbidity is the most common complication after esophagectomy. Importantly, it is the main cause of surgery‐related mortality and possibly adversely affects the long‐term outcome after surgery in patients with esophageal cancer. There is considerable accumulated evidence on multidisciplinary approaches to reduce post‐operative pulmonary morbidity. A comprehensive review of the precautionary measures that have so far been shown to be effective in previous literature is of utmost importance. We herein update and summarize the perioperative and surgical approaches to diminish pulmonary morbidity. Pre‐operative smoking cessation, respiratory rehabilitation, maintaining oral hygiene, perioperative nutritional intervention, enforcement of less invasive surgery, perioperative administration of steroid, and total management by a multidisciplinary team could be the key factors contributing to reduction in pulmonary morbidity.
Influence of boat tourism on the behaviour of Solovetskiy beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Onega Bay, the White Sea
Authors: Krasnova Vera V. , Prasolova Ekaterina A. , Belikov Roman A. , Chernetsky Anton D. , Panova Elena M.
Published: June 2020

The influence of boat tourism on the beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas in the White Sea, Russia, was studied based on regular observations of belugas near the Solovetskiy Islands from 1995 to 2015.

Changes in beluga behaviour, which were affected both by the distance between the boats and the whales and the character of boat activity (e.g. anchoring, drifting, or moving with the engine running) were observed.

Boats following the belugas caused the greatest impact on the whales. This negative reaction was observed throughout all periods of observations.

The results indicate the need to evaluate the potential long‐term, cumulative anthropogenic impact on beluga behaviour and the development of appropriate mitigation measures.
Querkraftmodell für bestehende Stahlbetonbauteile mit aufgebogenen Längsstäben
Authors: Huber Tobias , Huber Patrick , Kollegger Johann
Published: June 2020

Die historische Ausführungsform der aufgebogenen Längsstäbe zur Schubsicherung ist nach den heutigen Regelwerken nur bedingt vorgesehen. Bei der Bewertung von bestehenden Tragwerken steht der Ingenieur nun vor der Herausforderung, dass die Anwendung der Querkraftmodelle nach Eurocode 2 aufgrund von konstruktiven Regeln in vielen Fällen nicht möglich ist. An der TU Wien wurde deshalb ein Nachweiskonzept entwickelt, welches eine realistische Bewertung dieser Situation ermöglicht. Das Modell des potenziellen Schubrisses (PSC‐Modell) gründet auf detaillierten Analysen der Rissbilder von Versuchen und wurde mit Versuchsdatenbanken evaluiert. Das Potenzial des vorgestellten Modells konnte anhand der Nachrechnung einer realen Stahlbetonplattenbrücke aufgezeigt werden. Die neuen Erkenntnisse werden bereits in der neuen ÖNORM B4002‐8 zur Bewertung der Tragfähigkeit bestehender Tragwerke berücksichtigt, wodurch ein Bogen von der Grundlagenforschung in die Anwenderpraxis gespannt wurde.
Left hypoplastic lung and hemoptysis—rare familial unilateral pulmonary vein atresia
Authors: Har‐Even Cohn Ronly , Hicks Matthew , Lacson Atilano , Hicks Anne
Published: June 2020

Unilateral pulmonary vein atresia (UPVA) is a rare congenital vascular malformation with obliteration of the pulmonary vein. We present a case series of three siblings with variable presentation of UPVA. We suggest a dominant genetic cause based on different paternity. Identifying genetic etiology would contribute to early diagnosis and screening.
Real‐Time Impedance Analysis for the On‐Road Monitoring of Automotive Fuel Cells
Authors: Lochner Tim , Perchthaler Markus , Binder Janko T. , Sabawa Jarek P. , Dao Tuan Anh , Bandarenka Aliaksandr S.
Published: June 2020

The on‐road monitoring of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) in automotive systems optimizes their efficiency and fuel consumption in addition to increasing their lifetime. In this work, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements and special EIS data analysis algorithms were used to quickly identify fuel cell operational modes and failures during cell operation. The approach developed enables the measurement and analysis time of only a few seconds and allows the accurate extraction of information about the membrane and charge transfer resistance. The data analysis procedures show similar accuracy to that of the complex non‐linear least square fitting algorithms. As a result, typical operational failures like air and hydrogen starvation were able to be easily distinguished, and different operational states (membrane humidification, air stoichiometry) of the PEMFCs could be identified.
Hierarchical Anodic TiO2 Nanostructures Formed in Ethylene Glycol/o‐H3PO4 Electrolytes for Direct Photocatalysis
Authors: Razzaboni Laura , Altomare Marco , Pedeferri Mariapia , Diamanti Maria Vittoria , Schmuki Patrik
Published: June 2020

In this work, we describe a simple anodization process of titanium in a hot phosphoric acid/ethylene glycol electrolyte that forms a hierarchically structured photocatalytically active TiO2 layer that consists directly of anatase nanocrystallites. Such anodic layers show, without any annealing, a high photocatalytic degradation activity for AO7 (an azo‐dye used as model pollutant) that is higher than the activity of comparable fully crystallized TiO2 nanotube layers. Furthermore, the hierarchically structured layers have a remarkable mechanical bending stability. These features make these novel anodic layers highly promising for applications in flexible substrate based photocatalytic devices.
Recent Advances in Coordination‐Insertion Copolymerization of Ethylene with Polar Functionalized Comonomers
Authors: Liu Guixia , Huang Zheng
Published: June 2020

Increasing demand for polar functionalized polyolefins has motivated the development of new polymerization chemistry to introduce functional groups into polyolefins, which is industrially important but scientifically challenging. Coordination‐insertion copolymerization of ethylene and polar comonomers offers a direct and economic way to synthesize functionalized polyethylenes and great achievements have been gained by employing catalytic systems based on transition metals and rare earth metals. Continuous efforts have been devoted to developing novel catalytic systems and strategies to introduce chemically diverse functionalities at specific positions, control over the microstructures and get high molecular weight functionalized polyethylenes with high activity and good enchainment capacity. This article summarizes some important advances in the past three years in this field, focusing on the studies using chemically diverse polar comonomers to afford functionalized polyethylenes with novel microstructures.
Randomized trial of a hospice video educational tool for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers
Authors: El‐Jawahri Areej , Traeger Lara , Greer Joseph A. , Vanbenschoten Olivia , Markovitz Netana , Cashavelly Barbara , Tata Lee Ann , Nipp Ryan D. , Reynolds Kerry L. , Goyal Lipika , Bhatt Sunil , Fishman Sarah , Horick Nora , Li Zhigang , Volandes Angelo , Temel Jennifer S.
Published: June 2020

Background

Patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers have substantial misperceptions regarding hospice, which contributes to its underuse.

Methods

The authors conducted a single‐site randomized trial of a video educational tool versus a verbal description of hospice in 150 hospitalized patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. Patients without a caregiver were eligible. Intervention participants (75 patients and 18 caregivers) viewed a 6‐minute video depicting hospice. Control participants (75 patients and 26 caregivers) received a verbal description identical to the video narrative. The primary outcome was patient preference for hospice. Secondary outcomes included patient and/or caregiver knowledge and perceptions of hospice, and hospice use.

Results

Between February 2017 and January 2019, approximately 55.7% of eligible patients (150 of 269 eligible patients) and 44 caregivers were enrolled. After the intervention, there was no difference noted with regard to patients' preferences for hospice (86.7% vs 82.7%; P = .651). Patients in the video group reported greater knowledge regarding hospice (9.0 vs 8.4; P = .049) and were less likely to endorse that hospice is only about death (6.7% vs 21.6%; P = .010). Among deceased patients, those assigned to the intervention were more likely to have used hospice (85.2% vs 63.6%; P = .01) and to have had a longer hospice length of stay (median, 12 days vs 3 days; P < .001). After the intervention, caregivers assigned to view the video were more likely to prefer hospice for their loved ones (94.4% vs 65.4%; P = .031), reported greater knowledge concerning hospice (9.7% vs 8.0%; P = .001), and were less likely to endorse that hospice is only about death (0.0% vs 23.1%; P = .066).

Conclusions

A hospice video did not significantly impact patients' preferences for hospice care. Patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers who were assigned to view the video were more informed regarding hospice and reported more favorable perceptions of hospice. Patients were more likely to use hospice and to have a longer hospice length of stay.
Personalizing preoperative risk stratification and refining patient selection for cytoreductive nephrectomy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Psutka Sarah P.
Published: June 2020

The decision to proceed with cytoreductive nephrectomy should be undertaken after a careful assessment of competing threats and in the context of thoughtful shared decision making that accounts for patient priorities. Future prospective work should build on insights gained by retrospective analyses to determine how multidimensional characterization of patients’ function and vulnerabilities can further inform patient selection for cytoreductive nephrectomy by using validated, objective assessments.
Nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus pembrolizumab as chemotherapy‐free, first‐line treatment for PD‐L1‐positive non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhou Yixin , Zhang Yaqiong , Guo Guifang , Cai Xiuyu , Yu Hui , Cai Yanyu , Zhang Bei , Hong Shaodong , Zhang Li
Published: June 2020

Background

Nivolumab plus ipilimumab (N‐I) or pembrolizumab (PEM) is associated with survival improvement as chemotherapy‐free, first‐line treatment for patients with advanced non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and positive programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1). However, no direct comparison data exist between these two regimens to inform clinical decisions. Therefore, we performed indirect comparison for N‐I versus PEM using frequentist methods.

Results

Three randomized trials (KEYNOTE‐024, KEYNOTE‐042, and CheckMate 227) involving 2372 patients were included. For patients with tumor PD‐L1 level of ≥1%, pooled meta‐analyses showed that both N‐I and PEM improved overall survival (OS) relative to chemotherapy (N‐I: hazard ratio [HR] 0.82, 95% CI 0.69‐0.97; PEM: HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.71‐0.93); whereas only N‐I significantly improved progression‐free survival (PFS) (N‐I: HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65‐0.96; PEM: HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.94‐1.21). Neither N‐I nor PEM was associated with improved objective response rate (ORR) compared with chemotherapy (N‐I: relative risk [RR] 1.20, 95% CI 0.98‐1.46; PEM: RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.86‐1.23). Indirect comparisons showed that N‐I was associated with longer PFS than PEM (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62‐0.95). However, N‐I was not superior to PEM in terms of OS (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.77‐1.24) and ORR (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.89‐1.52). N‐I showed a less favorable toxicity profile relative to PEM (all grade adverse events: RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.17‐1.40).

Conclusions

N‐I and PEM provide comparable OS benefit for PD‐L1‐positive NSCLC. N‐I further improves PFS relative to PEM but at meaningful cost of toxicities.
Competition for safe real estate, not food, drives density‐dependent juvenile survival in a large herbivore
Authors: Hurley Mark A. , Hebblewhite Mark , Gaillard Jean‐Michel
Published: June 2020

Density‐dependent competition for food reduces vital rates, with juvenile survival often the first to decline. A clear prediction of food‐based, density‐dependent competition for large herbivores is decreasing juvenile survival with increasing density. However, competition for enemy‐free space could also be a significant mechanism for density dependence in territorial species. How juvenile survival is predicted to change across density depends critically on the nature of predator–prey dynamics and spatial overlap among predator and prey, especially in multiple‐predator systems. Here, we used a management experiment that reduced densities of a generalist predator, coyotes, and specialist predator, mountain lions, over a 5‐year period to test for spatial density dependence mediated by predation on juvenile mule deer in Idaho, USA. We tested the spatial density‐dependence hypothesis by tracking the fate of 251 juvenile mule deer, estimating cause‐specific mortality, and testing responses to changes in deer density and predator abundance. Overall juvenile mortality did not increase with deer density, but generalist coyote‐caused mortality did, but not when coyote density was reduced experimentally. Mountain lion‐caused mortality did not change with deer density in the reference area in contradiction of the food‐based competition hypothesis, but declined in the treatment area, opposite to the pattern of coyotes. These observations clearly reject the food‐based density‐dependence hypothesis for juvenile mule deer. Instead, our results provide support for the spatial density‐dependence hypothesis that competition for enemy‐free space increases predation by generalist predators on juvenile large herbivores.
Reversible myocardial oedema due to acute myocardial infarction as differential diagnosis of cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis
Authors: Makivic Nina , Stöllberger Claudia , Nakuz Thomas , Schneider Birke , Schmid Christine , Hasun Matthias , Weidinger Franz
Published: June 2020

Using bone‐avid radiotracers, cardiac transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis can be diagnosed by scintigraphy, thus obviating endomyocardial biopsy. Radiotracer accumulation, however, may also be due to other causes. A 68‐year‐old male with acute myocardial infarction underwent recanalization of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Postinterventionally, transthoracic echocardiography showed hypokinesia of the septum and anterior wall and a thickened myocardium with granular sparkling appearance. Cardiac amyloidosis was suspected. A 99mTc‐3,3‐diphosphono‐1,2‐propanodicarboxylic acid whole‐body scan 4 days after LAD recanalization showed Perugini 2 myocardial tracer uptake. Monoclonal gammopathy was excluded, and cardiac TTR amyloidosis was diagnosed. Three months later, 99m‐Tc‐hydroxydiphosphate scan showed no myocardial tracer uptake. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed late gadolinium enhancement within the LAD supply area. No mutation of the TTR gene was found. Suspicion of amyloidosis should consider not only echocardiography but also history and clinical findings. Myocardial oedema due to reperfusion should be acknowledged as a differential diagnosis for cardiac uptake of bone‐avid radiotracers.
Improved perturbation technique privacy‐preserving rotation‐based condensation algorithm for privacy preserving in big data stream using Internet of Things
Authors: N Gayathri Devi , K Manikandan
Published: June 2020

Several concerns are raised due to the widespread technology of Internet of Things and big data, which possess private and protection of information. Several researchers have analyzed different privacy preserving techniques, which still cannot provide equal stability between the data privacy and the utility and improvement in the scalability and efficiency. Data mining is one of the prominent technologies, which extracts reliable and useful knowledge from vast amount of information. Henceforth, mining of data stream have become a most popular and important research issue. Due to fast growth in the data generation, the mechanism of privacy preserving with high utility and security becomes more necessary. In this research, an improved efficient perturbation method for data stream named privacy‐preserving rotation‐based condensation algorithm with geometric transformation is proposed that delivers high data utility when compared with other existing techniques. This improved method gives high resilience against the attacks during the process of data reconstruction. Simulation result shows that the proposed method can acquire data privacy and improves accuracy during mining of data streams in which the analysis is performed for different datasets in which the proposed technique obtains more than 95% when compared with original dataset.
Research on application of dynamic threshold least squares Beidou positioning algorithm in Beidou geological disaster monitoring in Three Gorges Reservoir Area
Authors: Lei Guoping , Luo Xiuying , Liu Zhiyuan , Xiao Ke , Dai Minlu
Published: June 2020

At present, China's Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has been successfully applied in all walks of life and entered a period of rapid development. The least squares algorithm is often used to solve problems in the application of BDS, while the quaternary nonlinear equation set is used for solving the BDS PVT positioning and timing issues. The solution of least squares is an iterative process, but if the convergence threshold is too small in the iterative process, it may lead to continuous iteration without convergence. Therefore, a least squares algorithm based on dynamic threshold was proposed in this paper. The proposed algorithm could continue iteration until convergence by increasing the system's dynamic threshold. At the same time, the proposed algorithm could also change the satellite combination in time, so as to conduct the positioning and calculation again over the threshold value that increases to a fixed value but fails to converge. Also, the BDS computation process was programmed and simulated. Simulation results show that even if the threshold is set too small, it converges well. During the operation of Beidou‐based geological disaster monitoring system in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region, the algorithm not only effectively prevents the program failure in Beidou satellite positioning caused by the convergence failure of algorithm iteration but also greatly improves the stability and reliability of the system program operation.
Improved third‐order weighted essentially nonoscillatory schemes with new smoothness indicators
Authors: Li Chen , Guo Qilong , Sun Dong , Liu Pengxin , Zhang Hanxin
Published: June 2020

In this article, we present two improved third‐order weighted essentially nonoscillatory (WENO) schemes for recovering their design‐order near first‐order critical points. The schemes are constructed in the framework of third‐order WENO‐Z scheme. Two new global smoothness indicators, τL3 and τL4, are devised by a nonlinear combination of local smoothness indicators (ISk) and reference values (ISG) based on Lagrangian interpolation polynomial. The performances of the proposed schemes are evaluated on several numerical tests governed by one‐dimensional linear advection equation or one‐ and two‐dimensional Euler equations. Numerical results indicate that the presented schemes provide less dissipation and higher resolution than the original WENO3‐JS and subsequent WENO3‐N scheme.
Cost‐effectiveness of fiberoptic laryngoscopy prior to total thyroidectomy for low‐risk thyroid cancer patients
Authors: Walgama Evan , Randolph Gregory W. , Lewis Carol , Tolley Neil , Sacks Wendy , Chen Yufei , Ho Allen S.
Published: June 2020

Background

Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy is performed prior to thyroid surgery to evaluate the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. We assess the cost‐effectiveness of preoperative laryngoscopy prior to total thyroidectomy for a low‐risk thyroid cancer patient without dysphonia.

Methods

A decision tree analysis was performed from a third‐party payer perspective. We assessed the cost‐effectiveness of fiberoptic laryngoscopy prior to total thyroidectomy for T2N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma, such that an ipsilateral vocal fold paralysis alters the surgical plan to hemi‐thyroidectomy, when permissible, to avoid the risk of bilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Results

Performing preoperative laryngoscopy to assess vocal fold function has an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 45 193 USD/QALY compared to no laryngoscopy. At a willingness‐to‐pay of 100 K/QALY, the intervention is cost‐effective if the incidence of vocal fold paralysis is at least 0.57%, or when the permissible rate of hemithyroidectomy in cases of incidental paralysis is at least 41%. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis shows that laryngoscopy is cost‐effective in 90.9% of cases.

Conclusions

Fiberoptic laryngoscopy is a cost‐effective prior to total thyroidectomy in asymptomatic, low‐risk thyroid cancer patients.
Carrying the Burden: Counselors of Color’s Experiences of Microaggressions in Counseling
Authors: Branco Susan F. , Bayne Hannah B.
Published: June 2020

In this secondary analysis using a previous dataset, the authors explored, via a phenomenological research tradition, how 8 counselors of color responded to clients’ microaggressive behaviors. Researchers identified 3 major themes in the data: (a) buffering and bracing for racial microaggressions, (b) experiencing the intrusions of racial microaggressions, and (c) strategizing and responding in session. The authors apply the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (Ratts, Singh, Nassar‐McMillan, Butler, & McCullough, 2015) to their findings as a framework for considering practice and training implications.
Solvent effect on excited state potential energy surfaces of Thioflavin T. Qualitatively different results by TDDFT and SA‐2‐CASSCF methods
Authors: Stsiapura Vitali I.
Published: June 2020

Thioflavin T (ThT) is a viscosity‐sensitive fluorescent dye and its emission intensity undergoes a significant enhancement upon binding to DNA or amyloid fibrils. This fluorescence light‐up feature has been attributed earlier to restriction of structural rearrangements in the excited state that are coupled to an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) reaction. In this work TDDFT (using B3LYP and CAM‐B3LYP functionals) and SA‐2‐CASSCF calculations were carried out to obtain relaxed excited‐state potential energy surfaces (PES) along twisting φ and wagging δ angles that describe mutual orientation of benzothiazole (BTZ) and dimethylaniline (DMA) fragments in ThT. For isolated ThT molecule both methods predict that during structural rearrangements of the initially excited Franck‐Condon state, besides twisting along CC bond which connects BTZ and DMA fragments, a considerable wagging motion is expected to occur. Account for solvent effect using polarized continuum model showed qualitative differences in the excited state PES features calculated by SA‐2‐CASSCF and TDDFT methods. Single‐reference TDDFT calculations failed to describe solvation of TICT state and predicted increase of its energy in more polar media.
Investigation of intact mouse cochleae using two‐photon laser scanning microscopy
Authors: Bae Seong Hoon , Kwak Sang Hyun , Choe Young Ho , Hyun Young‐Min , Choi Jae Young , Jung Jinsei
Published: June 2020

Objectives

The investigation of cochlear hair cells and lateral wall is a time‐consuming and labor‐intensive process. However, it is a mandatory experiment in audiology research. Here we suggest a novel method for investigating the inner ear microstructures from intact cochleae using two‐photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM). This technique guarantees fewer artifacts and technical simplicity.

Methods

Using TPLSM, we investigated the whole mount cochleae, decalcified cochleae, and cleared cochleae of wild type C57BL/6 mice. CX3CR1+/GFP mice were used to investigate the feasibility of visualizing cellular structures in the cochlear spiral ligament. All samples were investigated without staining.

Results

Endogenous fluorescence emission from the outer hair cells was strong enough to be distinguished from the other structures in all samples. From the single apical view, 50 and 90% of the whole hair cells of the decalcified cochleae and cleared cochleae, respectively, could be visualized without staining using TPLSM. Capillary structure of stria vascularis and spiral ligament could be visualized by endogenous fluorescence without staining.

Conclusion

We successfully investigated the hair cells and lateral wall of mouse cochleae using TPLSM without using staining or any destructive procedures. This method is easier, faster, and more reliable than conventional methods.
Active stylus‐touch discrimination scheme based on anomaly detection algorithm
Authors: Seol Ki‐Hyuk , Park Seungjun , Lee Junhee , Nam Hyoungsik
Published: June 2020

This paper proposes an anomaly detection (AD) algorithm that can discriminate stylus‐touch based on capacitive touch screen panel. The digital value acquired from an analog‐to‐digital converter (ADC) are transferred to an autoencoder including an encoder and a decoder. While the encoder classifies only two classes of a no‐touch and a finger‐touch, the decoder reconstructs the similar sequence to the input one according to the encoder's decision. Because the touch sequences caused by the stylus are not trained, the large difference between input and output sequences is used to discriminate the stylus‐touch from finger‐touch and no‐touch. The proposed method is evaluated by means of an 8‐inch capacitive touch panel, an AD touch detection board, and a stylus board. At the sequence length of 16 touch samples, the measured bit error rate (BER) of less than 10−6 for each touch case is equivalent to the previous support vector machine (SVM) scheme whereas the number of multipliers is dramatically reduced to 16, compared with 400 of the previous SVM method.
Saliva Pepsin Concentration of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Patients Is Influenced by Meals Consumed Before the Samples
Authors: Lechien Jerome R. , Bobin Francois , Muls Vinciane , Horoi Mihaela , Thill Marie‐Paule , Dequanter Didier , Finck Camille , Rodriguez Alexandra , Saussez Sven
Published: June 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

To assess the impact of diet on the saliva pepsin concentration of patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Study Design

Non‐controlled Prospective Study.

Methods

Patients with positive LPR regarding hypopharyngeal–esophageal impedance‐pH monitoring (HEMII‐pH) were enrolled from three European Hospitals. Patients collected three saliva samples, respectively, in the morning (fasting), and 1 to 2 hour after lunch and dinner. Patients carefully detailed foods and beverages consumed during meals and before the pepsin samples. The 3‐month treatment was based on the association of diet, proton pump inhibitors, alginate, or magaldrate regarding the HEMII‐pH characteristics. Reflux Symptom Score (RSS) and Reflux Sign Assessment (RSA) were used for assessing the pre‐ to posttreatment clinical evolution. The Refluxogenic Diet Score and the Refluxogenic Score of a Dish (RESDI) were used to assess the refluxogenic potential of foods and beverages. The relationship between saliva pepsin concentration, HEMII‐pH, RESDI, RSS, and RSA was investigated through multiple linear regression.

Results

Forty‐two patients were included. The saliva pepsin concentration of the 24‐hour period of testing was significantly associated with foods and beverages consumed during the testing period and the evening dinner (rs = 0.973, P < .001). RSS and RSA significantly improved throughout treatment. The level of saliva pepsin in the morning was a negative predictive factor of the therapeutic response regarding RSA and RSS (P < .036).

Conclusions

Foods and beverages may significantly impact the saliva pepsin concentration of patients with LPR. Patients with high‐level saliva pepsin in the morning had lower therapeutic response compared with those with low‐level saliva pepsin.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:350–359, 2021
Ap‐adic analogue of Siegel's theorem on sums of squares
Authors: Anscombe Sylvy , Dittmann Philip , Fehm Arno
Published: June 2020

Siegel proved that every totally positive element of a number fieldKis the sum of four squares, so in particular the Pythagoras number is uniformly bounded across number fields. Thep‐adic Kochen operator provides ap‐adic analogue of squaring, and a certain localisation of the ring generated by this operator consists of precisely the totallyp‐integral elements ofK. We use this to formulate and prove ap‐adic analogue of Siegel's theorem, by introducing thep‐Pythagoras number of a general field, and showing that this number is uniformly bounded across number fields. We also generally study fields with finitep‐Pythagoras number and show that the growth of thep‐Pythagoras number in finite extensions is bounded.
Symmetry degradation of differential circuits induced by uneven gold plating of high‐speed connectors in extreme environment
Authors: Wang Ziren , Gao Jinchun , Tian Puxuan , Xie Gang
Published: June 2020

High‐speed connectors are widely used in digital differential circuits. Because of the uneven gold plating, the thin gold plating area on the contact surface of the connector will form corrosion films in extreme environment, which may not only deteriorate the reflection and transmission performance of electromagnetic wave in differential circuits but also affects its symmetry, which results in poor communication quality. In this work, considering the influence of differential circuit symmetry on the signal transmission, reflection and crosstalk, the d parameter was defined for measuring the circuit symmetry. The impact of high‐speed connector degradation on symmetry of differential circuits was studied by both experimental investigation and electromagnetic numerical calculation model analysis. These results are helpful in developing a better understanding of impact of connector degradation on symmetry of high‐speed differential circuits and in identifying failure features in fault diagnosis.
Nonprofit governance and outside corruption: The role of accountability, stakeholder participation, and management systems
Authors: López‐Arceiz Francisco J. , Bellostas Ana J.
Published: June 2020

Outside corruption implies that a nonprofit organization is used to commit an infraction or crime. In Spain, this type of corruption has been detected in the context of public nonprofits as a result of the legal reform that enabled the judgment of the criminal responsibility of legal entities. A large percentage of these entities were affected by the reform, but little is known about the possible practices that can altogether prevent this behavior. In particular, there are few studies that consider nonprofit governance as a possible measure to avoid corruption in this context. For this reason, our aim is to analyze the role of certain nonprofit governance practices in fighting corruption. Using structural equation modeling, our results reveal that nonprofit governance is a key tool for mitigating corruption, although the weights of the different practices are not the same.