bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A demodulation algorithm for processing rotational inertia signals using a torsion pendulum method based on differentiation and resonance frequency analysis
Authors: Zhang Lieshan , Wang Meibao , Lin Jiejun , Liu Pu
Published: August 2020

Sensor noise, such as low-frequency drift and white noise, often causes large measurement errors when an oscillation method is used to determine rotational inertia of a rigid body. A demodulation algorithm based on differentiation and resonance frequency analysis of torsional oscillation signals is proposed in this paper to eliminate the influence of sensor noise on inertia measurement. By using a torsion pendulum method as an example, a measurement approach involving a kinetics differential equation of damped torsional oscillation movement is developed and, on this basis, a rotational inertia measurement function in relation to the amplitude modulation parameter and oscillation frequency is derived. In the proposed algorithm, oscillation detection signals are first differentiated to extract local extremum points and calculate the amplitude modulation parameter. Next, with a certain frequency step, a series of reference signals are constructed and mixed with the original signals. The maximum product sum is calculated to determine the resonance frequency that is exactly equal to the oscillation frequency. Finally, the measurand can be determined by the measurement function. The simulation and experimental results show that this algorithm can effectively reduce the influence of sensor noise on measurement. The comparison of measurement results with other signal processing methods and other measurement systems is carried out, which verifies better effectiveness of the proposed method.
On the interpretability and uncertainty propagation of polarimetric measurements in thermonuclear plasmas as a function of the input polarisation and laser wavelength
Authors: Rossi Riccardo , Orsitto Francesco Paolo , Spolladore Luca , Wyss Ivan , Gaudio Pasquale
Published: August 2020

Plasma polarimetry is a diagnostic technique used in nuclear fusion reactors to measure the line integral of some plasma parameters, such as the electron density and the magnetic field, and constrain, analyse and validate the equilibrium models. Despite the strong link between the plasma properties and light polarisation propagation, the interpretation of plasma polarimetry remains complex and sometimes uncertain. The type 1 approximation is the most common hypothesis used to link the polarisation effects, such as the Faraday rotation and the Cotton Mouton phase shift, with the plasma properties (electron density and magnetic fields). However, this approximation is valid only in specific conditions, which depend on both the plasma configuration and initial polarisation of the electromagnetic wave. Moreover, the uncertainty propagations of these measurements are affected by regions where their values are too high to guarantee accurate values, making the measurement unsuitable. The need to measure an unsteady physical environment, which goes from the condition of no plasma to the flat top of the discharge, makes the setting of the measurement more constrained. The aim of this work is to analyse, both analytically and numerically, the behaviours of the interpretability and uncertainty propagation of polarisation measurements, in order to give a detailed and the most general as possible description of these issues, ensuring an easier, more performant and reliable understanding and design of plasma polarimetry. The results will show that an input linear polarisation around 45° degree is the most suitable for plasma polarimetry when type 1 approximation is adopted and which the choice of the laser wavelength governs the performances of the polarimeter.
An aluminium nitride based multilayer structure for Love mode surface acoustic wave devices
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Zubair , Jeoti Varun , Manzoor Shahid , Hanif Mehwish , Junaid Muhammad
Published: August 2020

Love mode surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are very useful for sensing in liquid environments. Earlier work on such devices mainly made use of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films on silicon (Si) or silicon dioxide (

Si

O

2

). However, using them for sensing still required protection from contamination from zinc (Zn) in the form of some additional passivation layer. In this work, the objective has been to study an aluminium nitride (AlN)-based multilayer structure that is able to generate SAW Love modes very efficiently. A layer of

Si

O

2

on top of the AlN layer does the trick. A 3D finite element method simulation analysis of the proposed structure (

Si

O

2

/

AlN

11

2
ˉ

0

/

Si

O

2

/

Si 

100

) is accordingly performed, and phase velocities, electromechanical coupling coefficients and frequency shift due to mass loading are simulated as a function of the normalized thicknesses of AlN and

Si

O

2

films. It is shown that the optimal normalized thickness identified to be

h

s
2

/

λ

= 0.18,

h

AlN

/

λ

= 0.45 with AlN c-axis orientation of

30

o

,

and the maximum value of the electromechanical coupling coefficient

k
2

= 0.58% can be achieved. Even though the value of

k
2

is comparable to ZnO-based Love mode devices, the phase velocity is 1.5 times higher (5530 m s−1 compared to 3652 m s−1). Equally importantly, it is seen that the frequency shift due to mass loading of deionized water (the AlN-based multilayer Love mode sensor) is much higher for that using the ZnO-based multilayer Love mode sensor.
Magnetic breakdown spectrum of a Kramers–Weyl semimetal
Authors: Lemut G , Vela A Donís , Pacholski M J , Tworzydło J , Beenakker C W J
Published: August 2020

We calculate the Landau levels of a Kramers–Weyl semimetal thin slab in a perpendicular magnetic field B. The coupling of Fermi arcs on opposite surfaces broadens the Landau levels with a band width that oscillates periodically in 1/B. We interpret the spectrum in terms of a one-dimensional superlattice induced by magnetic breakdown at Weyl points. The band width oscillations may be observed as 1/B-periodic magnetoconductance oscillations, at weaker fields and higher temperatures than the Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations due to Landau level quantization. No such spectrum appears in a generic Weyl semimetal, the Kramers degeneracy at time-reversally invariant momenta is essential.
ANNIE: Neutron multiplicity in neutrino interactions and new technologies
Authors: Fischer V. , Weinstein A.
Published: August 2020

The Accelerator Neutrino Neutron Interaction Experiment (ANNIE) aims at measuring the neutron abundance in the final state of neutrino-nucleus interactions. This measurement will have a direct impact on our understanding of neutrino interactions and will lead to a better reduction of systematic errors and an improvement of signal-background discrimination in future large neutrino detectors, thus impacting long baseline oscillation experiments as well as proton decay searches and supernova detection. With a volume of about 26 tons of pure water doped with gadolinium to enhance neutron tagging efficiency, ANNIE will provide a measurement of the neutron yield of neutrino interactions as a function of the neutrino energy in the well-characterized Booster Neutrino Beam at Fermilab. The modularity of ANNIE will allow it to perform several fundamental tests of new technologies to be used in neutrino detectors, such as a novel kind of photodetectors called Large Area Picosecond Photodetectors and Water-based Liquid Scintillator, a newly-developed detection medium. The technology behind the ANNIE detector will have a noticeable impact on the development of future large water Cherenkov detectors as well as on detection techniques for neutrino physics.
Airborne observations of arctic-boreal water surface elevations from AirSWOT Ka-Band InSAR and LVIS LiDAR
Authors: Fayne Jessica V , Smith Laurence C , Pitcher Lincoln H , Kyzivat Ethan D , Cooley Sarah W , Cooper Matthew G , Denbina Michael W. , Chen Albert C. , Chen Curtis W. , Pavelsky Tamlin M.
Published: August 2020

AirSWOT is an experimental airborne Ka-band radar interferometer developed by NASA-JPL as a validation instrument for the forthcoming NASA Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite mission. In 2017, AirSWOT was deployed as part of the NASA Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE) to map surface water elevations across Alaska and western Canada. The result is the most extensive known collection of near-nadir airborne Ka-band interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data and derivative high-resolution (3.6 m pixel) digital elevation models to produce water surface elevation (WSE) maps. This research provides a synoptic assessment of the 2017 AirSWOT ABoVE dataset to quantify regional WSE errors relative to coincident in situ field surveys and LiDAR data acquired from the NASA Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor (LVIS) airborne platform. Results show that AirSWOT WSE data can penetrate cloud cover and have nearly twice the swath-width of LVIS as flown for ABoVE (3.2 km vs. 1.8 km nominal swath-width). Despite noise and biases, spatially averaged AirSWOT WSEs can be used to estimate sub-seasonal hydrologic variability, as confirmed with field GPS surveys and in situ pressure transducers. This analysis informs AirSWOT ABoVE data users of known sources of measurement error in the WSEs as influenced by radar parameters including incidence angle, magnitude, coherence, and elevation uncertainty. The analysis also provides recommended best practices for extracting information from the dataset by using filters for these four parameters. Improvements to data handing would significantly increase the accuracy and spatial coverage of future AirSWOT WSE data collections, aiding scientific surface water studies, and improving the platform’s capability as an airborne validation instrument for SWOT.
The relationship between nuclear energy consumption and economic growth: evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Magazzino Cosimo , Mele Marco , Schneider Nicolas , Vallet Guillaume
Published: August 2020

This study aims to investigate the relationship between nuclear energy consumption and economic growth in Switzerland over the period 1970–2018. We use data on capital, labour, and exports within a multivariate framework. Starting from the consideration that Switzerland has decided to phase out nuclear energy by 2034, we examine the effect of this structural economic-energy change in the country. To do so, two distinct estimation tools are performed. The first model, using a time-series approach, analyze the relationship between bivariate and multivariate causality. The second, using a Machine Learning methodology, test the results of the econometric modelling through an Artificial Neural Networks process. This last empirical procedure represents our original contribution with respect to the previous energy-GDP papers. The results, in the logarithmic propagation of neural networks, suggest a careful analysis of the process that will lead to the abandonment of nuclear energy in Switzerland to avoid adverse effects on economic growth.
Fast fabrication of silicone-modified polyurethane/SiO2 composite superhydrophobic coating with excellent anti-icing and self-cleaning behaviour
Authors: Liu Hua , Li Xiang , Lv Lina , Liu Zuozhen , Chen Jianding
Published: August 2020

The superhydrophobic coating has many excellent properties, but due to the limitation of poor surface mechanical stability and sophisticated preparation engineering, it is challenging to realize large-area application. In this study, a robust superhydrophobic coating with excellent performance was prepared by a simple and fast method. The modified silica nanoparticles was sprayed on the hydrophobic polyurethane coating, and the superhydrophobic surface with a water contact angle of 160° and sliding angle of 2° was successfully prepared after curing under UV lamp for 3 min. The coating can be applied to the surface of all kinds of substrates, and it still has a static water contact angle of 150° after 400 cycles of friction on 500 mesh sandpaper. Furthermore, the coating with verified self-cleaning and anti-icing properties exhibits superhydrophobicity to strong acid and alkali solutions. This simple, fast and environmentally friendly preparation method is expected to realize the wide application of superhydrophobic coatings.
Structural and morphological characterization of YBa2Cu3O7-x films deposited by screen printing from YBa2Cu3O6.962 superconductor in bulk
Authors: Juárez-Lopez J M , Guillén-Cervantes A , Quiñones-Galván J G , Nieto-Zepeda K E , Zelaya-Angel O , Santos-Cruz J , Díaz-Valdés E , Contreras-Puente G , de Moure-Flores F
Published: August 2020

YBa2Cu3O7-x films were deposited onto flexible copper substrates by screen printing technique. YBa2Cu3O7-x films were prepared from a YBa2Cu3O7-x superconductor powder with ethylene glycol. The mixtures were screen printed and then sintered in air at different temperatures: 373, 473, and 573 K. The structural characterization showed the presence of different phases; the proportion of phases in films depends on sintering temperature. Scanning electron microscope images showed that an annealing temperature increase leads to an increase in grain size due to a coalescence process, which promotes the growth of superconductor phases with higher oxygen content.
Multi-layer Trajectory Clustering: a Network Algorithm for Disease Subtyping
Authors: Krishnagopal Sanjukta
Published: August 2020

Many diseases display heterogeneity in clinical features and their progression, indicative of the existence of disease subtypes. Extracting patterns of disease variable progression for subtypes has tremendous application in medicine, for example, in early prognosis and personalized medical therapy. This work presents a novel, data-driven, network-based Trajectory Clustering (TC) algorithm for identifying Parkinson’s subtypes based on disease trajectory. Modeling patient-variable interactions as a bipartite network, TC first extracts communities of co-expressing disease variables at different stages of progression. Then, it identifies Parkinson’s subtypes by clustering similar patient trajectories that are characterized by severity of disease variables through a multi-layer network. Determination of trajectory similarity accounts for direct overlaps between trajectories as well as second-order similarities, i.e., common overlap with a third set of trajectories. This work clusters trajectories across two types of layers: (a) temporal, and (b) ranges of independent outcome variable (representative of disease severity), both of which yield four distinct subtypes. The former subtypes exhibit differences in progression of disease domains (Cognitive, Mental Health etc.), whereas the latter subtypes exhibit different degrees of progression, i.e., some remain mild, whereas others show significant deterioration after 5 years. The TC approach is validated through statistical analyses and consistency of the identified subtypes with medical literature. This generalizable and robust method can easily be extended to other progressive multi-variate disease datasets, and can effectively assist in targeted subtype-specific treatment in the field of personalized medicine.
Graphene modulated LiMn1.5Ni0.4Cr0.1O4 spinel cathode for lithium ion battery
Authors: Katiyar Rajesh K , Tripathi Balram , Palomino Javier , Tiwari Atul , Adireddy Shiva , Dixit Ambesh , Weiner Brad R , Morell Gerardo , Katiyar Ram S
Published: August 2020

We report the development of a rechargeable lithium ion battery with homogeneous mixing of 10% of graphene oxide in active LiMn1.5Ni0.4Cr0.1O4 cathode material for enhanced electrochemical performance. The redox behavior of the cell, which is normally too slow for practical applications, is accelerated with highly conductive graphene. Intimate mixing of the two materials is achieved by a slurry maker using an organic solution for a cathode paste. The fabricated electrode is repeatedly charged/discharge at C/10 and C/2 rates without any significant degradation in the electrochemical capacity. The gravimetric energy density of the composite cathode material exceeds that of the LiMn1.5Ni0.4Cr0.1O4 oxide electrode in lithium-ion batteries, and the addition of graphene in active material is likely to prove advantageous in applications where weight, rather than volume, is a critical factor.
Preclinical and clinical development of therapeutic antibodies targeting functions of CD47 in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Kaur Sukhbir , Cicalese Kyle V , Banerjee Rajdeep , Roberts David D
Published: August 2020

CD47 is a ubiquitously expressed cell surface glycoprotein that functions as a signaling receptor for thrombospondin-1 and as the counter-receptor for signal regulatory protein-α (SIRPα). Engaging SIRPα on macrophages inhibits phagocytosis, and CD47 thereby serves as a physiological marker of self. However, elevated CD47 expression on some cancer cells also protects tumors from innate immune surveillance and limits adaptive antitumor immunity via inhibitory SIRPα signaling in antigen-presenting cells. CD47 also mediates inhibitory thrombospondin-1 signaling in vascular cells, T cells, and NK cells, and blocking inhibitory CD47 signaling on cytotoxic T cells directly increases tumor cell killing. Therefore, CD47 functions as an innate and adaptive immune checkpoint. These findings have led to the development of antibodies and other therapeutic approaches to block CD47 functions in the tumor microenvironment. Preclinical studies in mice demonstrated that blocking CD47 can limit the growth of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors and enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and some targeted cancer therapies. Humanized CD47 antibodies are showing promise in early clinical trials, but side effects related to enhanced phagocytic clearance of circulating blood cells remain a concern. Approaches to circumvent these include antibody preloading strategies and development of antibodies that recognize tumor-specific epitopes of CD47, SIRPα antibodies, and bivalent antibodies that restrict CD47 blockade to specific tumor cells. Preclinical and clinical development of antibodies and related biologics that inhibit CD47/SIRPα signaling are reviewed, including strategies to combine these agents with various conventional and targeted therapeutics to improve patient outcome for various cancers.
Rethinking Role Realism
Authors: Glavaničová Daniela
Published: August 2020

Role realism is a promising realist theory of fictional names. Different versions of this theory have been suggested by Gregory Currie, Peter Lamarque, Stein Haugom Olsen, and Nicholas Wolterstorff. The general idea behind the approach is that fictional characters are to be analysed in terms of roles, which in turn can be understood as sets of properties (or alternatively as kinds or functions from possible worlds to individuals). I will discuss several advantages and disadvantages of this approach. I will then propose a novel hyperintensional version of role realism (which I will call impossibilism), according to which fictional names are analysed in terms of individual concepts that cannot be matched by a reference (a full-blooded individual). I will argue that this account avoids the main disadvantages of standard role realism.
Specialist alcohol inpatient treatment admissions and non-specialist hospital admissions for alcohol withdrawal in England: an inverse relationship
Authors: Phillips Thomas , Huang Chao , Roberts Emmert , Drummond Colin
Published: August 2020

Aims

We assessed the relationship between specialist and non-specialist admissions for alcohol withdrawal since the introduction of the UK government Health and Social Care Act in 2012.

Methods

Using publicly available national data sets from 2009 to 2019, we compared the number of alcohol withdrawal admissions and estimated costs in specialist and non-specialist treatment settings.

Results

A significant negative correlation providing strong evidence of an association was observed between the fall in specialist and rise in non-specialist admissions. Significant cost reductions within specialist services were displaced to non-specialist settings.

Conclusions

The shift in demand from specialist to non-specialist alcohol admissions due to policy changes in England should be reversed by specialist workforce investment to improve outcomes. In the meantime, non-specialist services and staff must be resourced and equipped to meet the complex needs of these service users.
Functional principles of baobab fruit pedicels – anatomy and biomechanics
Authors: Lautenschläger Thea , Rüggeberg Markus , Noack Niclas , Bunk Katharina , Mawunu Monizi , Speck Thomas , Neinhuis Christoph
Published: August 2020

Background and Aims

Fruit pedicels have to deal with increasing loads after pollination due to continuous growth of the fruits. Thus, they represent interesting tissues from a mechanical as well as a developmental point of view. However, only a few studies exist on fruit pedicels. In this study, we unravel the anatomy and structural–mechanical relationships of the pedicel of Adansonia digitata, reaching up to 90 cm in length.

Methods

Morphological and anatomical analyses included examination of stained cross-sections from various positions along the stalk as well as X-ray microtomography and scanning electron microscopy. For mechanical testing, fibre bundles derived from the mature pedicels were examined via tension tests. For establishing the structural–mechanical relationships, the density of the fibre bundles as well as their cellulose microfibril distribution and chemical composition were analysed.

Key Results

While in the peduncle the vascular tissue and the fibres are arranged in a concentric ring-like way, this organization shifts to the polystelic structure of separate fibre bundles in the pedicel. The polystelic pedicel possesses five vascular strands that consist of strong bast fibre bundles. The fibre bundles have a Young’s modulus of up to 5 GPa, a tensile strength of up to 400 MPa, a high density (>1 g cm−3) and a high microfibril angle of around 20°.

Conclusions

The structural arrangement as well as the combination of high density and high microfibril angle of the bast fibre bundles are probably optimized for bearing considerable strain in torsion and bending while at the same time allowing for carrying high-tension loads.
The functional determinants in the organization of bacterial genomes
Authors: Liu Zhaoqian , Feng Jingtong , Yu Bin , Ma Qin , Liu Bingqiang
Published: August 2020

Bacterial genomes are now recognized as interacting intimately with cellular processes. Uncovering organizational mechanisms of bacterial genomes has been a primary focus of researchers to reveal the potential cellular activities. The advances in both experimental techniques and computational models provide a tremendous opportunity for understanding these mechanisms, and various studies have been proposed to explore the organization rules of bacterial genomes associated with functions recently. This review focuses mainly on the principles that shape the organization of bacterial genomes, both locally and globally. We first illustrate local structures as operons/transcription units for facilitating co-transcription and horizontal transfer of genes. We then clarify the constraints that globally shape bacterial genomes, such as metabolism, transcription and replication. Finally, we highlight challenges and opportunities to advance bacterial genomic studies and provide application perspectives of genome organization, including pathway hole assignment and genome assembly and understanding disease mechanisms.
NetSets.js: a JavaScript framework for compositional assessment and comparison of biological networks through Venn-integrated network diagrams
Authors: Nagpal Sunil , Kuntal Bhusan K , Mande Sharmila S
Published: August 2020

Motivation

Venn diagrams are frequently used to compare composition of datasets (e.g. datasets containing list of proteins and genes). Network diagram constructed using such datasets are usually generated using ‘list of edges’, popularly known as edge-lists. An edge-list and the corresponding generated network are, however, composed of two elements, namely, edges (e.g. protein–protein interactions) and nodes (e.g. proteins). Researchers often use individual lists of edges and nodes to compare composition of biological networks using existing Venn diagram tools. However, specialized analysis workflows are required for comparison of nodes as well as edges. Apart from this, different tools or graph libraries are needed for visualizing any specific edges of interest (e.g. protein–protein interactions which are present across all networks or are shared between subset of networks or are exclusively present in a selected network). Further, these results are required to be exported in the form of publication worthy network diagram(s), particularly for small networks.

Results

We introduce a (server independent) JavaScript framework (called NetSets.js) that integrates popular Venn and network diagrams in a single application. A free to use intuitive web application (utilizing NetSets.js), specifically designed to perform both compositional comparisons (e.g. for identifying common/exclusive edges or nodes) and interactive user defined visualizations of network (for the identified common/exclusive interactions across multiple networks) using simple edge-lists is also presented. The tool also enables connection to Cytoscape desktop application using the Netsets-Cyapp. We demonstrate the utility of our tool using real world biological networks (microbiome, gene interaction, multiplex and protein–protein interaction networks).

Availabilityand implementation

http://web.rniapps.net/netsets (freely available for academic use).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
minMLST: machine learning for optimization of bacterial strain typing
Authors: Cohen Shani , Rokach Lior , Motro Yair , Moran-Gilad Jacob , Veksler-Lublinsky Isana
Published: August 2020

Motivation

High-resolution microbial strain typing is essential for various clinical purposes, including disease outbreak investigation, tracking of microbial transmission events and epidemiological surveillance of bacterial infections. The widely used approach for multilocus sequence typing (MLST) that is based on the core genome, cgMLST, has the advantage of a high level of typeability and maximal discriminatory power. Yet, the transition from a seven loci-based scheme to cgMLST involves several challenges, that include the need by some users to maintain backward compatibility, growing difficulties in the day-to-day communication within the microbiology community with respect to nomenclature and ontology, issues with typeability, especially if a more stringent approach to loci presence is used, and computational requirements concerning laboratory data management and sharing with end-users. Hence, methods for optimizing cgMLST schemes through careful reduction of the number of loci are expected to be beneficial for practical needs in different settings.

Results

We present a new machine learning-based methodology, minMLST, for minimizing the number of genes in cgMLST schemes by identifying subsets of informative genes and analyzing the trade-off between gene reduction and typing performance. The results achieved with minMLST over eight bacterial species show that despite the reduction in the number of genes up to a factor of 10, the typing performance remains very high and significant with an Adjusted Rand Index that ranges between 0.4 and 0.93 in different species and a P-value < 10-3. The identification of such optimized MLST schemes for bacterial strain typing is expected to improve the implementation of cgMLST by improving interlaboratory agreement and communication.

Availability and implementation

The python package minMLST is available at https://PyPi.org/project/minmlst/PyPI and supported on Linux and Windows.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Pachymic acid protects oocyte by improving the ovarian microenvironment in polycystic ovary syndrome mice†
Authors: Fu Xian-Pei , Xu Lin , Fu Bin-Bin , Wei Kang-Na , Liu Yu , Liao Bao-Qiong , He Shu-Wen , Wang Ya-Long , Chen Ming-Huang , Lin Yan-Hong , Li Fei-Ping , Hong Zi-Wei , Huang Xiao-Hua , Xu Chang-Long , Wang Hai-Long
Published: August 2020

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are characterized by endocrine disorders accompanied by a decline in oocyte quality. In this study, we generated a PCOS mice model by hypodermic injection of dehydroepiandrosterone, and metformin was used as a positive control drug to study the effect of pachymic acid (PA) on endocrine and oocyte quality in PCOS mice. Compared with the model group, the mice treated with PA showed the following changes (slower weight gain, improved abnormal metabolism; increased development potential of GV oocytes, reduced number of abnormal MII oocytes, and damaged embryos; lower expression of ovarian-related genes in ovarian tissue and pro-inflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue). All these aspects show similar effects on metformin. Most notably, PA is superior to metformin in improving inflammation of adipose tissue and mitochondrial abnormalities. It is suggested that PA has the similar effect with metformin, which can improve the endocrine environment and oocyte quality of PCOS mice. These findings suggest that PA has the similar effect with metformin, which can improve the endocrine environment and oocyte quality of PCOS mice.
Perpetration of Violence by Female Sex Workers in Papua New Guinea: ‘We will Crush their Bones’
Authors: Kelly-Hanku Angela , Worth H , Redman-MacLaren M , Nosi S , Boli-Neo R , Ase S , Hou P , Aeno H , Kupul M , Amos A , Badman S G , Vallely A J , Hakim A J ,   Kauntim mi tu Study Team
Published: August 2020

There is a small but important body of literature on female sex workers’ (FSWs) violence towards others, but little of that focused on low- and middle-income countries. Drawn from a larger biobehavioural study of FSWs in three cities in Papua New Guinea, we analyse the interviews from 19 FSWs who reported having perpetrated physical violence towards four major groups: (1) ex-husbands; (2) clients; (3) other sex workers and (4) other people (mainly women). Our study demonstrates that FSWs’ use of violence arises from a complex set of social, material and gendered circumstances and cannot be addressed in isolation from other aspects of their lives.
The Art of Community Social Work in the Ultra-Orthodox Community
Authors: Itzhaki-Braun Yael
Published: August 2020

The matter of the role of the social worker within religious communities has occupied researchers and professionals during the last several years. One of the religious communities discussed in the literature is the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, as a result of its insular nature, the distance it keeps from society at large and the growing need for professional treatment within this sector. To date, the literature regarding religious communities has focused mainly on individual and group interventions. The current article, however, focuses on the unique task of community social workers in the ultra-Orthodox community and the challenges of conducting macro-level interventions. Focusing on core issues of community social work, the current study aims to shed light on community development (including building trusting and cooperative relationship, empowerment and leadership) and promoting social change. The article focuses on challenges and opportunities in community social work in a closed religious community and provides principles for each of the above points of intervention. Finally, with reference to community social work’s goals, the article conceptualises the main goal of the community social worker in these kinds of communities.
Mechanism of Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation in Synaptic Pathology in the Prefrontal Cortex in an Antidepressant-Resistant Depression Rat Model
Authors: Lee Chi-Wei , Wu Han-Fang , Chu Ming-Chia , Chung Yueh-Jung , Mao Wei-Chang , Li Cheng-Ta , Lin Hui-Ching
Published: August 2020

Intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, is considered a potential therapy for treatment-resistant depression. The synaptic mechanism of iTBS has long been known to be an effective method to induce long-term potentiation (LTP)-like plasticity in humans. However, there is limited evidence as to whether the antidepressant effect of iTBS is associated with change in synaptic function in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in preclinical study. Hence, we applied an antidepressant (i.e., fluoxetine)-resistant depression rat model induced by severe foot-shocks to investigate the antidepressant efficacy of iTBS in the synaptic pathology. The results showed that iTBS treatment improved not only the impaired LTP, but also the aberrant long-term depression in the PFC of antidepressant-resistant depression model rats. Moreover, the mechanism of LTP improvement by iTBS involved downstream molecules of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, while the mechanism of long-term depression improvement by iTBS involved downstream molecules of proBDNF. The aberrant spine morphology was also improved by iTBS treatment. This study demonstrated that the mechanism of the iTBS paradigm is complex and may regulate not only excitatory but also inhibitory synaptic effects in the PFC.
Cross Referencing 2D-LC Determination of Intact Gliptins in Urine
Authors: Mohamad Amal M , Andac Cenk A , Andac Sena Caglar
Published: August 2020

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, so-called gliptins, constitute a fairly novel class of oral hypoglycemic agents. The development and validation of an automated online SPE-LC-UV method to determine intact sitagliptin, saxagliptin, vildagliptin and metformin simultaneously in human urine samples were performed. For the two-dimensional chromatographic separation, a Gemini C18 (250.0 × 4.6 mm i.d., 110 A0, 5.0 μ) analytical column and a gradient elution with 10.0 mM o-phosphoric acid and methanol and for the online SPE analysis of urine samples, a LiChrospher® ADS SPE-column (20.0 mm × 2.0 mm i.d., 25.0 μm) were used through the study. The fractionation, transfer, elution and separation of the spiked urine samples were achieved in just 9.57 min runtime with 12.0 mL of solvent consumption which was green and economical compared to other sample preparation methods. The calibration curves were determined to be linear in a wide range of 0.10–100.00 μg/mL with satisfactory regression coefficients. Method developed for two-dimensional determination of gliptins would be useful as a reference in therapeutic drug monitoring and screening for forensic medical cases which involve the abuse, unintentional or misuse of multiple gliptins in terms of its practical use, easy detection and reliable results.
Herpes Zoster and Postherpetic Neuralgia: Changing Incidence Rates From 1994 to 2018 in the United States
Authors: Thompson Ryan R , Kong Christina L , Porco Travis C , Kim Eric , Ebert Caleb D , Acharya Nisha R
Published: August 2020

Background

The incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) has been increasing in recent decades. Although 2 vaccines for HZ are available, there have been few studies on the incidence rates of HZ and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) since their introduction. This study examined the incidence rates of HZ and PHN from 1994 to 2018 in the United States to determine if they have continued to increase since introduction of the HZ vaccines.

Methods

A de-identified longitudinal administrative claims database, the OptumLabs Data Warehouse, was used to assess incidence rates among individuals continuously enrolled in the database for ≥365 days with no prior history of HZ or PHN. Unstandardized and standardized incidence rates were calculated by year, 10-year age groups, sex, and race/ethnicity.

Results

There were 610 766 individuals with HZ (median age, 56.3; interquartile range, 43.0–68.7 years; 59.8% women; 70.6% white). From 1994 to 2018, the incidence of HZ increased from 286.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 259.1–312.8) to 579.6 (95% CI, 554.2–605.0) cases per 100 000 person-years, an annual increase of 3.1% (95% CI, 2.5–3.6%). Since 2007, annual HZ incidence rates have decreased in individuals ≤20 and >60 years old. The overall incidence rate of PHN was 57.5 (95% CI, 56.0–59.0) cases per 100 000 person-years. The proportion of individuals with HZ who developed PHN was higher from 2007 to 2018 than from 1994 to 2006.

Conclusions

HZ incidence rates have continued to increase in age groups for which HZ vaccines are not currently recommended, warranting a review of current vaccine recommendations.
Epidemiological, Virological and Serological Features of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Cases in People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Wuhan: A Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Huang Jiao , Xie Nianhua , Hu Xuejiao , Yan Han , Ding Jie , Liu Pulin , Ma Hongfei , Ruan Lianguo , Li Gang , He Na , Wei Sheng , Wang Xia
Published: August 2020

Background

We aimed to describe the epidemiological, virological, and serological features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLWH).

Methods

This population-based cohort study identified all COVID-19 cases among all PLWH in Wuhan, China, by 16 April 2020. The epidemiological, virological, and serological features were analyzed based on the demographic data, temporal profile of nucleic acid test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the disease, and SARS-CoV-2–specific immunoglobin (Ig) M and G after recovery.

Results

From 1 January to 16 April 2020, 35 of 6001 PLWH experienced COVID-19, with a cumulative incidence of COVID-19 of 0.58% (95% confidence interval [CI], .42–.81%). Among the COVID-19 cases, 15 (42.86) had severe illness, with 2 deaths. The incidence, case-severity, and case-fatality rates of COVID-19 in PLWH were comparable to those in the entire population in Wuhan. There were 197 PLWH who had discontinued combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), 4 of whom experienced COVID-19. Risk factors for COVID-19 were age ≥50 years old and cART discontinuation. The median duration of SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding among confirmed COVID-19 cases in PLWH was 30 days (interquartile range, 20–46). Cases with high HIV viral loads (≥20 copies/mL) had lower IgM and IgG levels than those with low HIV viral loads (<20 copies/ml; median signal value divided by the cutoff value [S/CO] for IgM, 0.03 vs 0.11, respectively [P < .001]; median S/CO for IgG, 10.16 vs 17.04, respectively [P = .069]).

Conclusions

Efforts are needed to maintain the persistent supply of antiretroviral treatment to elderly PLWH aged 50 years or above during the COVID-19 epidemic. The coinfection of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 might change the progression and prognosis of COVID-19 patients in PLWH.
Epidemiology, Outcomes, and Associated Factors of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction–Confirmed Cases in the San Pedro Sula Metropolitan Area, Honduras
Authors: Zuniga-Moya Julio C , Norwood Dalton Argean , Romero Reyes Luis Enrique , Barrueto Saavedra Emilio , Diaz Roxana , Fajardo Wendy Carolina , Pineda Allan , Torres Diana , Barahona Rodolfo , Leiva Said Omar , Hernandez Pastora X , Silva Hector , Leiva Carlos Raul , Estrada Lourdes , Barahona-Campos Alma , Gordon Aubree
Published: August 2020

Background

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has caused substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Few reports exist in Latin America, a current epicenter of transmission. Here, we aim to describe the epidemiology and outcomes associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Honduras.

Methods

Baseline clinical and epidemiological information of SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction–confirmed cases detected between 17 March–4 May in the San Pedro Sula Metropolitan area was collected; for hospitalized cases, clinical data were abstracted. Logistic regression models were fit to determine the factors associated with hospitalization.

Results

We identified 877 COVID-19 cases, of which 25% (n = 220) were hospitalized. The 19–44-year age group (57.8%) and males (61.3%) were predominant in overall COVID-19 cases. Of the cases, 34% (n = 299) had at least 1 preexisting medical condition. Individuals aged 45–69 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.85–5.76) or ≥70 years (aOR = 9.12; 95% CI, 5.24–15.86), of male sex (aOR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.21–2.44), and those with a preexisting condition (aOR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.43–3.14) had higher odds of hospitalization. Of inpatients, 50% were hospitalized more than 7 days. The median length of hospitalization was 13 days (interquartile range [IQR], 8–29) among individuals aged 19–44 years, and 17 days (IQR, 11–24.6) among those aged 45–69. Of the fatal cases, 42% occurred among adults under 60 years old.

Conclusions

Our findings show that a high proportion of COVID-19 cases in Honduras occurred among younger adults, who also constituted a significant proportion of severe and fatal cases. Preexisting conditions were associated with severe outcomes independently from age and were highly prevalent in Honduran COVID-19 cases.
Immunosuppressive Agents and Infectious Risk in Transplantation: Managing the “Net State of Immunosuppression”
Authors: Roberts Matthew B , Fishman Jay A
Published: August 2020

Successful solid organ transplantation reflects meticulous attention to the details of immunosuppression, balancing risks for graft rejection against risks for infection. The “net state of immune suppression” is a conceptual framework of all factors contributing to infectious risk. Assays that measure immune function in the immunosuppressed transplant recipient relative to infectious risk and allograft function are lacking. The best measures of integrated immune function may be quantitative viral loads to assess the individual’s ability to control latent viral infections. Few studies address adjustment of immunosuppression during active infections; thus, confronted with infection in solid organ recipients, the management of immunosuppression is based largely on clinical experience. This review examines known measures of immune function and the immunologic effects of common immunosuppressive drugs and available studies reporting modification of drug regimens for specific infections. These data provide a conceptual framework for the management of immunosuppression during infection in organ recipients.
Mixed evidence for effects of stewardship on Least Tern reproductive success in coastal Mississippi
Authors: Darrah Abigail J
Published: August 2020

Disturbance from human activity can cause reduced productivity of coastal birds that nest on sandy beaches. A common method to protect coastal birds from human disturbance is the use of signs and fencing to close off a section of beach used for breeding. This management action requires public compliance and might require enforcement, such as in the use of volunteer stewards stationed at protected colonies that provide education and enforcement. I assessed the effectiveness of active stewardship as a conservation measure to protect nesting Least Terns (Sternula antillarum) in coastal Mississippi by determining if colony-level productivity (fledglings produced per nest) was correlated with stewardship effort (hours that stewards protected each colony), the rate of disturbance from human and natural sources, and additional factors. Observers surveyed 24 Least Tern colonies in Harrison County, Mississippi, twice weekly during the 2017–2019 breeding seasons to record the number of nests present, the fate of marked nests, predator tracks within the colony, and the number of fledglings produced per colony. Concurrently, during their work shifts, stewards recorded all sources and durations of disturbance events that caused the terns to flush or respond with defense. Least Tern daily nest survival increased with colony size and stewardship effort, and was lower during intervals that included weekends and evidence of owl presence. Total productivity was negatively associated with avian predator disturbance rate and the total time adults spent flushed, but was not associated with stewardship effort. The results of this study demonstrate that active stewardship can have a positive effect on Least Tern productivity by increasing nest success, whereas current stewardship practices were not sufficient to increase chick survival, even in a system with a paucity of ground predators.
The Other Side of Mediatization: Expanding the Concept to Defensive Strategies
Authors: Nölleke Daniel , Scheu Andreas M , Birkner Thomas
Published: August 2020

Most research on mediatization focuses on media-related actions and structural adaptations that aim to increase media attention. However, social actors may also opt for defensive strategies and try to avoid media publicity. In this article, we conceptualize defensive and offensive mediatization strategies as complementary methods that social actors use to deal with media publicity and public attention as well as to proactively shape mediatization processes. We employ an exploratory approach to identify and systematize defensive mediatization strategies. Consequently, we contribute to a more complete understanding of mediatization and provide starting points for further empirical analyses of media-related strategies used by social actors. A secondary analysis of the data from previous research projects suggests establishing three categories of defensive mediatization strategies—persistence, shielding, and immunization—with regard to the levels of individual actors, organizations, and social systems’ routines and norms.