bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Smart Embedded System for Humid Air Condensation and Water Harvesting
Authors: Mohammad M A , Abid A J , Farhood A D
Published: August 2020

The people in the south of Iraq in the coastal region of the Arabian Gulf, especially in the Basra government, are suffering from waves of high humidity throughout the year, average annual humidity of 60.6 %. The increment of salinity of the Shatt-Al-Arab river, the main source of the drinking water in this city, effected by the gulf water caused a lack of drinking water. What made matters worse is the frequent power outages caused by many reasons, one of these reasons that Basra considers one of the highest temperature cities in the world. For that, it is required to design an efficient device to harvest the water from the air to reduce the humidity and consider as a source for drinking water, taking into consideration it’s adopting a renewable source of energy. This article is presenting a low cost, portable, power-efficient, multi-purpose device that able to harvest water from the air efficiently. The results show a promising prototype that able to reduce significantly the relative humidity (RH), produce water, and consumed low power, with overall efficiency 40%-60%.
Characteristics of Selected Off-Street Parking in AL-Mansour Neighborhood / Baghdad
Authors: Al-Tamimi Ali M , Asmael Noor Moutaz
Published: August 2020

Car Parking is an important problem occurs in attracted zones in Baghdad city. Al-Mansour neighborhood is a commercial center in Baghdad city, which highly attract people from various zones. Limited parking spaces are provided in this area leads to appearance of traffic problems. Al-Mansour neighborhood is the study area that was chosen for surveying its parking (off-street parking). The purpose of the study is evaluating of characteristics of off street parking in Al-Mansour city. Four parking was selected, three located nearby AL-Mansour Mall and the others nearby Babylon Mall. From the results showed that PI of P4 is 103.33%, that mean demand is more than supply. The license plate method is used for collected data that used in assessing characteristics of parking in area such as parking duration, peak hours and parking turnover. Two kinds of data are collected, first about site characteristics, and the second is about parking vehicles accumulation sketch. Collected data in this study is from surveying each park for two days at PM period, all the data collected manually.
Developing a pavement maintenance management system of multi-lane highway in Iraq
Authors: Hasan M A , Jrew B K , Abed F H , Msallam M S
Published: August 2020

Roads and highways are a major part of the transportation infrastructure in Iraq and play a substantial role in the local economy and community development. This research aims to develop a pavement maintenance management system (PMMS) for the highway which provides a systematic process of maintaining and upgrading the pavement and tools to facilitate a more flexible approach that can enable us to perform better tasks, more economically, effectively and of higher quality. The research study was conducted on a section of the main multi-lane highway in Baghdad, from Al-Dora intersection to Al-Mahmudiya district. The study area was divided into (20) sections. Each section divided into (40) sample units with size (250) m2. This highway is considered as a major highway with high traffic volume in Iraq. The updating Micro PAVER v.7.0.8 software was used for assessment and prediction of the condition of highway pavement and maintenance cost for existing conditions (Time of the study survey has occurred in 2018), the maintenance plan has been for short-term conditions (2018-2023) and medium-term conditions (2018-2027). The study shows that the PCI of the existing conditions was rating as (poor) with 90,434.00$ maintenance cost. The PCI of short-term condition was the rating (satisfactory) with 13, 497, 448, 00$ maintenance cost. The PCI of medium-term condition was the rating (good) with 18, 756, 142, 00$ maintenance cost. All highways in Iraq needs to be reconsidered for future maintenance plans to improve the quality of service of these facilities.
Enhanced asphalt mixture behavior by using khawa clay to resist deformation
Authors: Abedali Abdulhaq Hadi , Hameed Ebtehal Khalid
Published: August 2020

This paper aims to investigate the effect of adding bentonite (khawa clay) on the asphalt mixture response represented by reducing total accumulative deformation. Asphalt cement with penetration grade of (40-50) and optimum asphalt content of 4.9 was used. Bentonite with different percentages of (0%, 3%, 6%, and 9% by total weight of asphalt cement) was used. The asphalt mixtures were tested by uniaxial creep test under static load at two test temperature (40°C and,60°C) and the applied stress used 600 KPa. From the experimental result of rotational viscosity after and before the addition of bentonite at two temperatures 135°C and 165°C, it can be seen that the viscosity of the asphalt cement was enhanced when adding 9% of Khawa clay to around 126% percent of improvement in viscosity at 135°C and about 195% at 165°C. The improvement in the viscosity of asphalt leads to a decrease in the accumulative strain.
Prediction the Strength of Fibered Reinforced Concrete Pavement Using Response Surface Methodology: Parametric Study
Authors: Abdulridha Mundher A. , Salman Mohamed M. , Banyhussan Qais Sahib
Published: August 2020

Due to the pattern of load distribution in terms of load-carrying capacity, strength considered the major factor in design of pavement. For design the thickness of the rigid pavement, modulus of rupture (flexural strength) values used in the design procedure. The main purpose of the present study is to design optimum Eco-friendly concrete mixtures containing different amount of Fibers used in rigid pavement matching Iraqi requirements by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The experiments were designed using a thirty mixtures with four factors, namely, the cement content 300,400 and 500 kg/m3, Steel fiber (0,0.075, and 0.15 Vol.%), three different volume of Polypropylene fiber (0,0.35 and 0.7 Vol.%), and 0, 5, and 10% Silica fume by weight of cement. The results stated that cement amount and steel fiber volume are the higher factors affecting the mechanical properties flowed by pp fiber and silica. Furthermore, a good correlation between the adopted variables and mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength) was found through statistical models, where the correlation coefficients (R2) for all models were greater than 0.90. Optimal components to design concrete mixtures used in pavement that having compressive strength of (>30 Mpa) and flexural; strength of (> 4.1 Mpa) are cement 375 kg/m3, silica fume 0.002%, steel fiber 1.44e-005 (Vol.%), and PP fiber 4.53e-006(Vol.%).
Oxide films resistance to hydrogen penetration in VT6 titanium alloy
Authors: Gvozdeva O N , Shalin A V , Stepushin A S
Published: August 2020

The ability of hydrogen to penetrate through the oxide film formed during air-atmosphere annealing at elevated temperatures on VT6 titanium alloy samples was studied in this paper. It was investigated that oxide film prevents the penetration of up to 0.4 wt.% hydrogen. It was shown that it is possible to change the depth of hydrogen penetration and the surface layer structure by varying the amount of added hydrogen. It was determined that the formation of a finely dispersed surface structure after the thermal hydrogen treatment allows to increase the surface hardness by 8-10 HRC, compared to the center of material.
Thermal transformations in polymineral technogenic cement raw
Authors: Miryuk O A
Published: August 2020

The results of physicochemical studies of composition and thermal transformations of large-tonnage wastes of skarn-magnetite ore dressing in Kazakhstan are presented. To determine materials’ composition of the following methods were used: X-ray, differential and thermal, Mössbauer and infrared spectroscopy. The stepwise nature of transformation of anthropogenic material during firing, due to polymineral composition of ore dressing wastes is revealed. Provides information on the chemical and mineral composition, thermal transformations of ore dressing wastes. It has been established that the chemical-mineral characteristics of natural silicates determine formation processes and properties of clinker phases. The features of the formation of clinker phases with the participation of the technogenic component of the raw mix, which consist in the activity of low-temperature interactions, the variety of intermediate phases are revealed. It has been established that the staging of belite formation with the participation of actinolite, albite, andradite, grossular, diopside, chlorite, epidote is due to gradual transformations of minerals into intermediate phases C2AS, C3MS2, of which C2S is formed at temperatures of 1000-1300oC. Alite formation is intensified due to high-temperature belite formation and doping impurities. Skarn-magnetite ores wastes are an effective cement raw material, providing high-quality portland cement clinker using low-energy and resource-saving technology.
Hopping conduction in single crystals of the diluted magnetic semiconductor (Zn1-xFex)3As2 (x=0.005)
Authors: Zakhvalinskii V S , Pilyuk E A , Nikulicheva T B
Published: August 2020

Single crystals of the diluted magnetic semiconductor (Zn1-x
Fe
x
)3As2 (x = 0.005) were obtained by modified Bridgman method. According to the results of the X-ray powder diffractometry, the material was single-phased and isomorphic and corresponded to the pure Zn3As2 (x = 0.0). The research of the electroconductivity and the magnetoresistance was carried out at the temperature range from 10 to 300 K. It was found out that the electroconductivity in the temperature range 11 ÷ 19 K corresponded to the mechanism of the Mott type variable-range hopping conductivity. The microparameters, characterizing electroconductivity (Zn1-x
Fe
x
)3As2 (x = 0.005) at the temperature range of 11 ÷ 19 K, were defined.
Berry Phase in single crystals of the dilute magnetic semiconductor (Cd0.7Zn0.28Mn0.02)3As2
Authors: Zakhvalinskii V S , Nikulicheva T B , Pilyuk EA
Published: August 2020

Investigations of transverse magnetoresistance have been performed on single crystals of diluted magnetic sem iconductor (Cd0.7Zn0.28Mn0.02)3As2 (CZMA). Based on analysis of the Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations, observed in the temperature range T = 4.2 ÷ 30 K and at transverse magnetic field B = 0 ÷ 11 T, the phase shift, β, indicating the presence of the Berry phase was determined.
Protocols for long-distance quantum communication with single 167Er ions
Authors: Asadi F Kimiaee , Wein S C , Simon C
Published: August 2020

We design a quantum repeater architecture using individual 167Er ions doped into Y2SiO5 crystal. This ion is a promising candidate for a repeater protocol because of its long hyperfine coherence time in addition to its ability to emit photons within the telecommunication wavelength range. To distribute entanglement over a long distance, we propose two different swapping gates between nearby ions using the exchange of virtual cavity photons and the electric dipole–dipole interaction. We analyze their expected performance, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. Then, we show that a post-selection approach can be implemented to improve the gate fidelity of the virtual photon exchange scheme by monitoring cavity emission. Finally, we use our results for the swapping gates to estimate the end-to-end fidelity and distribution rate for the protocol.
Validation of projected length of the rotating gliding arc plasma using ‘regionprops’ function
Authors: Ananthanarasimhan J , Leelesh P , Anand M S , Lakshminarayana R
Published: August 2020

This work investigates the reliability of the function called ‘regionprops’ which is used for measuring the 2D length of the plasma discharge. Work was conducted in a Rotating Gliding Arc (RGA) reactor, using air as plasma forming gas. Arc rotational images at three different gas flow rates i.e. 5, 25 and 50 litres per minute

LPM

were captured using high speed camera with an exposure of 100 μs. A total of 6799 images from all the three flow rates were considered for analysis. The 2D length of the discharge was measured by two methods namely, (a) ‘regionprops’ function (Python) and (b) manual tracing (ImageJ). The 2D arclength measured using ‘regionprops’ function matched very closely to that measured by manual hand tracing technique using ImageJ tool. A linear relation between both the methods was observed for all the three flow rates, with the coefficient of determination i.e. R
2 > 0.9 . The validation of ‘regionprops’ function shown in this work marks an important step as the function is simple to use and adapt compared to any other techniques such as shortest–path algorithm.
Dimensionless parameter-based numerical model for double conical dielectric elastomer actuators
Authors: Farmer Carson , Medina Hector
Published: August 2020

As the development of soft actuators progresses, new methods for more agile actuator control are required. While there are hardware technologies that can provide such agility (e.g. field-programmable-gate-array electronics), mathematical models tend to slow the controlling processes. For the case of double conical dielectric elastomer actuators (DCDEAs), complex material and physical models are often utilized; however, such models require extended computational time which limits real-time control and prediction, especially in small, portable applications. The foregoing problem is augmented, if agile applications require reprogramming on the fly. In this work, a parameter-based dimensionless model applicable to DCDEAs was developed. The proposed model: (a) relates a dimensionless displacement with a characteristic dimensionless voltage via a power-law equation; (b) is robust enough to accurately describe 5-Degree-of-Freedom motion; (c) is scalable (at least within the range of geometries and parameters used in this study); (d) due to its mathematical simplicity, it could be used for more agile controls. For the development of the model, multiple DCDEAs were manufactured by varying design parameters such as pre-stretch, thickness, dielectric constant, shear modulus, electrode area, and inner and outer radii. By applying the Levenberg-Marquardt best-fit algorithm to experimental data sets containing voltage and (translational and rotational) displacements, a general relationship was found between parameter-based dimensionless quantities and a general dimensionless displacement. The relationship was further simplified via a single dimensionless number related to the actuator design. The model was found to be accurately predictive for VHB4910 and VHB4905. The resulting model is simple and has potential to be used for a wide range of dielectric-elastomer materials.
Development of pulmonary embolism in a nonhospitalized patient with COVID-19 who did not receive venous thromboembolism prophylaxis
Authors: Uppuluri Ellen M , Shapiro Nancy L
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with thrombotic complications such as stroke and venous thromboembolism (VTE), and VTE prophylaxis for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is recommended. However, extended postdischarge VTE prophylaxis and VTE prophylaxis for nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19 are not routinely recommended due to uncertain benefit in these populations.

Here we report development of a pulmonary embolism (PE) in a young patient without other VTE risk factors who was treated for COVID-19 in an emergency department (ED) and discharged home without VTE prophylaxis, which was consistent with current recommendations. The patient presented to the ED 12 days later with complaints of chest pain for 1 day and was found to have a PE within the segmental and subsegmental branches of the left lower lobe.

Conclusion

This case suggests that nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19 may be at higher risk for VTE than patients with other medical illnesses and warrants further research into the risk of VTE in outpatients with COVID-19.
unCOVERApp: an interactive graphical application for clinical assessment of sequence coverage at the base-pair level
Authors: Iovino Emanuela , Seri Marco , Pippucci Tommaso
Published: August 2020

Motivation

Next-generation sequencing is increasingly adopted in the clinical practice largely thanks to concurrent advancements in bioinformatic tools for variant detection and annotation. However, the need to assess sequencing quality at the base-pair level still poses challenges for diagnostic accuracy. One of the most popular quality parameters is the percentage of targeted bases characterized by low depth of coverage (DoC). These regions potentially ‘hide’ clinically relevant variants, but no annotation is usually returned with them. However, visualizing low-DoC data with their potential functional and clinical consequences may be useful to prioritize inspection of specific regions before re-sequencing all coverage gaps or making assertions about completeness of the diagnostic test. To meet this need, we have developed unCOVERApp, an interactive application for graphical inspection and clinical annotation of low-DoC genomic regions containing genes.

Results

unCOVERApp interactive plots allow to display gene sequence coverage down to the base-pair level, and functional and clinical annotations of sites below a user-defined DoC threshold can be downloaded in a user-friendly spreadsheet format. Moreover, unCOVERApp provides a simple statistical framework to evaluate if DoC is sufficient for the detection of somatic variants. A maximum credible allele frequency calculator is also available allowing users to set allele frequency cut-offs based on assumptions about the genetic architecture of the disease. In conclusion, unCOVERApp is an original tool designed to identify sites of potential clinical interest that may be ‘hidden’ in diagnostic sequencing data.

Availabilityand implementation

unCOVERApp is a free application developed with Shiny packages and available in GitHub (https://github.com/Manuelaio/uncoverappLib).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Machine Learning Model for Multi-View Visualization of Medical Images
Authors: Pradhan Nitesh , Singh Dhaka Vijaypal , Rani Geeta , Chaudhary Himanshu
Published: August 2020

Imaging techniques such as X-ray, computerized tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging are useful in the correct diagnosis of a disease or deformity in the organ. Two-dimensional imaging techniques such as X-ray give a clear picture of simple bone deformity but fail in visualizing multiple fractures in a bone. Moreover, these lack in providing a multi-angle view of a bone. Three-dimensional techniques such as computerized tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging present a correct orientation of fracture geometry. Computerized tomography scan is a collection of multiple slices of an image. These slices provide a fair idea about a fracture but fail in the measurement of correct dimensions of a fractured fragment and to observe its geometry. It also exposes a patient with carcinogenic radiations. Magnetic resonance imaging induces a strong magnetic field. So, it becomes ineffective for organs containing metallic implants. The high cost of three-dimensional imaging techniques makes them inaccessible for economic weaker section of society. The limitations of two- and three-dimensional imaging techniques motivate researchers to propose an innovative machine learning model ‘CT slices to $3$-D convertor’ that accepts multiple slices of an image and yields a multi-dimensional view at all possible angles from 0 degree to 360 degree for an input image.
CamRegBase: a gene regulation database for the biofuel crop, Camelina sativa
Authors: Gomez-Cano Fabio , Carey Lisa , Lucas Kevin , García Navarrete Tatiana , Mukundi Eric , Lundback Steve , Schnell Danny , Grotewold Erich
Published: August 2020

Camelina is an annual oilseed plant from the Brassicaceae family that is gaining momentum as a biofuel winter cover crop. However, a significant limitation in further enhancing its utility as a producer of oils that can be used as biofuels, jet fuels or bio-based products is the absence of a repository for all the gene expression and regulatory information that is being rapidly generated by the community. Here, we provide CamRegBase (https://camregbase.org/) as a one-stop resource to access Camelina information on gene expression and co-expression, transcription factors, lipid associated genes and genome-wide orthologs in the close-relative reference plant Arabidopsis. We envision this as a resource of curated information for users, as well as a repository of new gene regulation information.
Integrative genomics approach identifies conserved transcriptomic networks in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Morabito Samuel , Miyoshi Emily , Michael Neethu , Swarup Vivek
Published: August 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurological disorder characterized by changes in cell-type proportions and consequently marked alterations of the transcriptome. Here we use a data-driven systems biology meta-analytical approach across three human AD cohorts, encompassing six cortical brain regions, and integrate with multi-scale datasets comprising of DNA methylation, histone acetylation, transcriptome- and genome-wide association studies and quantitative trait loci to further characterize the genetic architecture of AD. We perform co-expression network analysis across more than 1200 human brain samples, identifying robust AD-associated dysregulation of the transcriptome, unaltered in normal human aging. We assess the cell-type specificity of AD gene co-expression changes and estimate cell-type proportion changes in human AD by integrating co-expression modules with single-cell transcriptome data generated from 27 321 nuclei from human postmortem prefrontal cortical tissue. We also show that genetic variants of AD are enriched in a microglial AD-associated module and identify key transcription factors regulating co-expressed modules. Additionally, we validate our results in multiple published human AD gene expression datasets, which can be easily accessed using our online resource (https://swaruplab.bio.uci.edu/consensusAD).
An experimental investigation into a novel small-scale device for energy harvesting using vortex-induced vibration
Authors: Moradi Gharghani Farshad , Bijarchi Mohamad Ali , Mohammadi Omid , Shafii Mohammad Behshad
Published: August 2020

Renewable energies could be a good solution to the problems associated with fossil fuels. The storage of wind energy by means of small-scale devices rather than large-scale turbines is a topic that has gained lots of interest. In this study, a compact device is proposed to harvest wind energy and transform it into electrical energy, by means of oscillations of a magnet into a coil, using the concept of vortex-induced vibration (VIV) behind a barrier. For a more comprehensive investigation, this system is studied from two viewpoints of fluid mechanics (without magnet) and power generation (with the magnet). For this purpose, an oscillating plate hinging on one side and three barriers with different geometrical shapes including cylindrical, triangular and rectangular barriers are used. In addition to the effect of barrier geometry, the impacts of various barriers dimensions, the distance between the plate and the barriers as well as inclination angle of the plate with respect to the horizon on the amplitude of oscillations and generated power are investigated. Results showed that in each case, there is a unique Reynolds number in which the frequency of vortex shedding equals to the frequency of plate oscillation and the output power from the energy harvester device is maximum. Besides, by increasing the barrier dimensions, the amplitude of oscillations increases up to three times, which leads to a higher generated power. Finally, by considering the studied parameters, the best conditions for generating energy using the VIV method are presented for design purposes. Among all the considered cases, the cylindrical barrier with the highest diameter and nearest distance to the plate led to the highest efficiency (0.21%) in comparison with other barriers.
Bias reduction in the estimation of diffusion processes from discrete observations
Authors: Carlos Jimenez Juan
Published: August 2020

This work deals with the bias reduction of approximations to two known estimators of diffusion processes from discrete observations: the innovation and quasi-maximum likelihood estimators. The bias reduction is obtained by means of convergent approximations to the predictions for the first two moments of the innovation process associated to a continuous-discrete filter of minimum variance. For finite samples, the convergence of the approximate estimators to the exact one is proved when the error between the predictions and their approximations decreases no matter the time distance between observations. For an increasing number of observations, these approximate estimators are asymptotically normal distributed and their bias decreases when the above-mentioned error does it. A simulation study shows that, with respect to the conventional approximate estimators, the new ones significantly enhance the parameter estimation of the test equations. The new approximate estimators are intended for the recurrent practical situation in which a diffusion process should be identified from a reduced number of observations distant in time.
A Random Matrix Approach to Absorption in Free Products
Authors: Hayes Ben , Jekel David , Nelson Brent , Sinclair Thomas
Published: August 2020

This paper gives a free entropy theoretic perspective on amenable absorption results for free products of tracial von Neumann algebras. In particular, we give the 1st free entropy proof of Popa’s famous result that the generator MASA in a free group factor is maximal amenable, and we partially recover Houdayer’s results on amenable absorption and Gamma stability. Moreover, we give a unified approach to all these results using $1$-bounded entropy. We show that if ${\mathcal{M}} = {\mathcal{P}} * {\mathcal{Q}}$, then ${\mathcal{P}}$ absorbs any subalgebra of ${\mathcal{M}}$ that intersects it diffusely and that has $1$-bounded entropy zero (which includes amenable and property Gamma algebras as well as many others). In fact, for a subalgebra ${\mathcal{P}} \leq{\mathcal{M}}$ to have this absorption property, it suffices for ${\mathcal{M}}$ to admit random matrix models that have exponential concentration of measure and that “simulate” the conditional expectation onto ${\mathcal{P}}$.
Lebesgue Decomposition of Non-Commutative Measures
Authors: Jury Michael T , Martin Robert T W
Published: August 2020

We extend the Lebesgue decomposition of positive measures with respect to Lebesgue measure on the complex unit circle to the non-commutative (NC) multi-variable setting of (positive) NC measures. These are positive linear functionals on a certain self-adjoint subspace of the Cuntz–Toeplitz $C^{\ast }-$algebra, the $C^{\ast }-$algebra of the left creation operators on the full Fock space. This theory is fundamentally connected to the representation theory of the Cuntz and Cuntz–Toeplitz $C^{\ast }-$algebras; any *−representation of the Cuntz–Toeplitz $C^{\ast }-$algebra is obtained (up to unitary equivalence), by applying a Gelfand–Naimark–Segal construction to a positive NC measure. Our approach combines the theory of Lebesgue decomposition of sesquilinear forms in Hilbert space, Lebesgue decomposition of row isometries, free semigroup algebra theory, NC reproducing kernel Hilbert space theory, and NC Hardy space theory.
Upregulation of Superoxide Dismutase 2 by Astrocytes in the SIV/Macaque Model of HIV-Associated Neurologic Disease
Authors: Sullivan Michelle N , Brill Samuel A , Mangus Lisa M , Jeong Yea Ji , Solis Clarisse V , Knight Audrey C , Colantuoni Carlo , Keceli Gizem , Paolocci Nazareno , Queen Suzanne E , Mankowski Joseph L
Published: August 2020

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent despite implementation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Development of HAND is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the brain; therefore, upregulation of antioxidant defenses is critical to curtail neuronal damage. Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) is a mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme essential for maintaining cellular viability. We hypothesized that SOD2 was upregulated during retroviral infection. Using a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected macaque model of HIV, quantitative PCR showed elevated SOD2 mRNA in cortical gray ([GM], 7.6-fold for SIV vs uninfected) and white matter ([WM], 77-fold for SIV vs uninfected) during SIV infection. Further, SOD2 immunostaining was enhanced in GM and WM from SIV-infected animals. Double immunofluorescence labeling illustrated that SOD2 primarily colocalized with astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in SIV-infected animals. Interestingly, in ART-treated SIV-infected animals, brain SOD2 RNA levels were similar to uninfected animals. Additionally, using principal component analysis in a transcriptomic approach, SOD2 and GFAP expression separated SIV-infected from uninfected brain tissue. Projection of these data into a HIV dataset revealed similar expression changes, thereby validating the clinical relevance. Together, our findings suggest that novel SOD2-enhancing therapies may reduce neuroinflammation in ART-treated HIV-infected patients.
Caracal caracal(Carnivora: Felidae)
Authors: Veals Amanda M , Burnett Alexandra D , Morandini Marina , Drouilly Marine , Koprowski John L
Published: August 2020

Caracal caracal (Schreber, 1776) is a felid commonly called the caracal. It is a slender, medium-sized cat (5.8–22 kg) characterized by a short tail and long ear tufts. C. caracal has a wide distribution and is found throughout Africa, north to the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, central and southwest Asia into India; its habitat includes arid woodlands, savanna, scrublands, hilly steppes, and arid mountainous regions. It is globally listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as “Least Concern” despite population trends unknown across most of its geographic distribution. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora lists Asian populations under Appendix I and African populations under Appendix II.
Predicting the Future: Art and Algorithms
Authors: Rona-Tas Akos
Published: August 2020

Predictive algorithms are replacing the art of human judgement in rapidly growing areas of social life. By offering pattern recognition as forecast, predictive algorithms mechanically project the past onto the future, embracing a peculiar notion of time where the future is different in no radical way from the past and present, and a peculiar world where human agency is absent. Yet, prediction is about agency, we predict the future to change it. At the individual level, the psychological literature has concluded that in the realm of predictions, human judgement is inferior to algorithmic methods. At the sociological level, however, human judgement is often preferred over algorthms. We show how human and algorithmic predictions work in three social contexts—consumer credit, college admissions and criminal justice—and why people have good reasons to rely on human judgement. We argue that mechanical and overly successful local predictions can result in self-fulfilling prophecies and, eventually, global polarization and chaos. Finally, we look at algorithmic prediction as a form of societal and political governance and discuss how it is currently being constructed as a wide net of control by market processes in the USA and by government fiat in China.
Aggressiveness of Diverse French Aphanomyces euteiches Isolates on Pea Near Isogenic Lines Differing in Resistance Quantitative Trait Loci
Authors: Quillévéré-Hamard Anne , Le Roy Gwenola , Lesné Angélique , Le May Christophe , Pilet-Nayel Marie-Laure
Published: August 2020

Aphanomyces root rot is a major disease in many pea growing regions worldwide. Development of resistant varieties is necessary to manage the disease. Near isogenic lines (NILs) carrying resistance alleles at main quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were developed by marker-assisted backcrossing. This study aimed to evaluate the aggressiveness of diverse French isolates of Aphanomyces euteiches on NILs carrying different resistance QTLs. Forty-three A. euteiches isolates from different French pea growing regions were tested for aggressiveness on eight NILs carrying single or combinations of resistance QTLs and two susceptible or resistant control lines, in controlled conditions. Three clusters of isolates, unrelated to geographical origin, were identified, including 37, 56, and 7% of isolates with high, moderate, and low average levels of aggressiveness, respectively. Three groups of pea lines were also identified. The first group consisted of a pea resistant control line, moderately to highly resistant to all of the isolates. The second group included five NILs carrying a major-effect resistance allele at QTL Ae-Ps7.6, with a medium to broad range of effects on the isolates. The third group consisted of three NILs carrying minor-effect resistance alleles, with a narrow range of effects on the isolates. The results suggest that highly aggressive isolates occur naturally, which may be selected by future partially resistant pea varieties carrying QTLs and increase the risk of erosion of QTL effect. QTL pyramiding strategies for a higher level and a broader range of effect of quantitative resistance on A. euteiches populations will be required for breeding for durable pea resistant varieties.
Preoperative Factors Predict Postoperative Trajectories of Pain and Disability Following Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Authors: Hébert Jeffrey J. , Abraham Edward , Wedderkopp Niels , Bigney Erin , Richardson Eden , Darling Mariah , Hall Hamilton , Fisher Charles G. , Rampersaud Y. Raja , Thomas Kenneth C. , Jacobs W. Bradley , Johnson Michael , Paquet Jérôme , Attabib Najmedden , Jarzem Peter , Wai Eugene K. , Rasoulinejad Parham , Ahn Henry , Nataraj Andrew , Stratton Alexandra , Manson Neil
Published: August 2020

Study Design.

Longitudinal analysis of prospectively collected data.

Objective.

Investigate potential predictors of poor outcome following surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Summary of Background Data.

LSS is the most common reason for an older person to undergo spinal surgery, yet little information is available to inform patient selection.

Methods.

We recruited LSS surgical candidates from 13 orthopedic and neurological surgery centers. Potential outcome predictors included demographic, health, clinical, and surgery-related variables. Outcome measures were leg and back numeric pain rating scales and Oswestry disability index scores obtained before surgery and after 3, 12, and 24 postoperative months. We classified surgical outcomes based on trajectories of leg pain and a composite measure of overall outcome (leg pain, back pain, and disability).

Results.

Data from 529 patients (mean [SD] age = 66.5 [9.1] yrs; 46% female) were included. In total, 36.1% and 27.6% of patients were classified as experiencing a poor leg pain outcome and overall outcome, respectively. For both outcomes, patients receiving compensation or with depression/depression risk were more likely, and patients participating in regular exercise were less likely to have poor outcomes. Lower health-related quality of life, previous spine surgery, and preoperative anticonvulsant medication use were associated with poor leg pain outcome. Patients with ASA scores more than two, greater preoperative disability, and longer pain duration or surgical waits were more likely to have a poor overall outcome. Patients who received preoperative chiropractic or physiotherapy treatment were less likely to report a poor overall outcome. Multivariable models demonstrated poor-to acceptable (leg pain) and excellent (overall outcome) discrimination.

Conclusion.

Approximately one in three patients with LSS experience a poor clinical outcome consistent with surgical non-response. Demographic, health, and clinical factors were more predictive of clinical outcome than surgery-related factors. These predictors may assist surgeons with patient selection and inform shared decision-making for patients with symptomatic LSS.

Level of Evidence: 2
How Osmoviscoelastic Coupling Affects Recovery of Cyclically Compressed Intervertebral Disc
Authors: Feki Faten , Taktak Rym , Kandil Karim , Derrouiche Amil , Moulart Melissa , Haddar Nader , Zaïri Fahmi , Zaïri Fahed
Published: August 2020

Study Design.

Osmoviscoelastic behavior of cyclically loaded cervical intervertebral disc.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effects of physiologic compressive cyclic loading on the viscoelastic properties of cervical intervertebral disc and, examine how the osmoviscoelastic coupling affects time-dependent recovery of these properties following a long period of unloading.

Summary of Background Data.

The human neck supports repetitive loadings during daily activities and recovery of disc mechanics is essential for normal mechanical function. However, the response of cervical intervertebral disc to cyclic loading is still not very well defined. Moreover, how loading history conditions could affect the time-dependent recovery is still unclear.

Methods.

Ten thousand cycles of compressive loading, with different magnitudes and saline concentrations of the surrounding fluid bath, are applied to 8 motion segments (composed by 2 adjacent vertebrae and the intervening disc) extracted from the cervical spines of mature sheep. Subsequently, specimens are hydrated during 18 hours of unloading. The viscoelastic disc responses, after cyclic loading and recovery phase, are characterized by relaxation tests.

Results.

Viscoelastic behaviors are significantly altered following large number of cyclic loads. Moreover, after 18-hour recovery period in saline solution at reference concentration (0.15 mol/L), relaxation behaviors were fully restored. Nonetheless, full recovery is not obtained whether the concentration of the surrounding fluid, that is, hypo-, iso-, or hyper-osmotic conditions.

Conclusion.

Cyclic loading effects and full recovery of viscoelastic behavior after hydration at iso-osmotic condition (0.15 mol/L) are governed by osmotic attraction of fluid content in the disc due to imbalance between the external load and the swelling pressure of the disc. After removal of the load, the disc recovers its viscoelastic properties following period of rest. Nevertheless, the viscoelastic recovery is a chemically activated process and its dependency on saline concentration is governed by fluid flow due to imbalance of ions between the disc tissues and the surrounding fluid.

Level of Evidence: 3
Preoperative Parameters for Predicting the Loss of Lordosis After Cervical Laminoplasty
Authors: Kim Kwang-Ryeol , Lee Chang-Kyu , Park Jeong-Yoon , Kim In-Soo
Published: August 2020

Study Design.

Retrospective study.

Objective.

The preoperative parameters for predicting the loss of lordosis after cervical laminoplasty were investigated in the present study.

Summary of Background Data.

Cervical laminoplasty is an effective surgical method to decompress the cervical spinal cord. Maintaining cervical lordosis after laminoplasty is an important factor to ensure the successful surgical treatment. To know the preoperative parameters for predicting loss of lordosis after cervical laminoplasty is important for better outcome after laminoplasty.

Methods.

In this retrospective study, 106 patients who underwent cervical laminoplasty from 2011 to 2015 were reviewed. The preoperative parameters; T1 slope (TS), Cobb lordotic angle (CLA) and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) at C2–C7, relative cross-sectional area (RCSA), and fatty degeneration of deep extensor muscles (DEMs) were measured. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scores were used for clinical assessment. Correlation analysis was performed between the postoperative CLA change and preoperative parameters. The patients were divided into the decreased- or maintained-lordosis groups based on the difference between postoperative and preoperative CLA. All preoperative parameters were compared between groups.

Results.

Based on correlation analysis, preoperative TS (P = 0.001), TS–CLA (P = 0.046), RCSA at C7–T1 (P < 0.001), and fatty degeneration of DEMs (P < 0.001) were correlated with loss of lordosis. Among the 106 patients, 68 showed decreased-lordosis and 38 maintained-lordosis. Preoperative TS (P = 0.003), SVA (P = 0.014), TS–CLA (P = 0.015), and RCSA at C7–T1 (P = 0.005) were significantly different between groups. In both correlation and comparative analyses, higher TS and TS–CLA and less RCSA at C7–T1 were associated with loss of lordosis. Neck pain VAS (P < 0.001) and mJOA scores (P < 0.001) were significantly improved in the maintained-lordosis group.

Conclusion.

Maintaining cervical lordosis is important for clinical outcomes after laminoplasty. Preoperative higher TS, TS–CLA, and less RCSA at C7–T1 were considered as predictors for loss of lordosis. These characteristics should be considered when choosing the surgical method to help maintain cervical lordosis.

Level of Evidence: 3
Lumbar Facet Tropism on Different Facet Portions and Asymmetry Between Ipsilateral Cephalad and Caudad Portions
Authors: Wang Yu , Li Daoyou , Zhu Minyu , Wang Jing , Li Chi , Lin Chaowei , Wang Jianhong , Teng Honglin
Published: August 2020

Study Design.

A retrospective case-control study.

Objective.

To investigate the correlation between lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar facet tropism (FT) on cephalad and caudad facet portions, respectively; to investigate the asymmetry between ipsilateral cephalad and caudad facet portions and its correlation with LDH.

Summary of Background Data.

There are still heavy debates on the exact correlation between lumbar FT and LDH. However, no study ever focused on the FT on different facet portions and asymmetry between ipsilateral cephalad and caudad portions in patients with LDH.

Methods.

One hundred patients with L4/5 LDH, 100 patients with L5/S1 LDH, and 100 participants without LDH (control group) were age and sex matched and included in this study. Participants in each group were further divided into two subgroups based on age (≥ or < 50 yr old). Bilateral facet joint angles on both cephalad and caudad portions were measured. FT and asymmetry between ipsilateral cephalad and caudad portions in each LDH group were compared with those in corresponding control group.

Results.

Comparing with control participants, the mean difference of bilateral facet angles in older patients with L4/5 LDH was significantly greater either on cephalad portion and caudad portion, whereas significantly higher frequency of FT was only exhibited on cephalad portion. In older patients with L4/5 LDH, the mean difference of facet angle between ipsilateral cephalad and caudad portions was significantly greater than that of control participants, the frequency of ipsilateral cephalad, and caudad facet asymmetry was also significantly higher.

Conclusions.

Only the FT on cephalad portion but not caudad portion of facet joint is associated with L4/5 LDH of older patients. The measurement on different portions of facet joint may result in discrepancy on FT identification. Asymmetry between ipsilateral cephalad and caudad facet portions is also associated with L4/5 LDH in older patients.

Level of Evidence: 3
Are Modic Changes Associated With Health-related Quality of Life After Discectomy
Authors: Udby Peter Muhareb , Ohrt-Nissen Søren , Bendix Tom , Paulsen Rune , Støttrup Christian , Andresen Andreas , Brorson Stig , Carreon Leah Y. , Andersen Mikkel Østerheden
Published: August 2020

Study Design.

A registry-based comparative cohort study with 2-year follow-up.

Objective.

To assess whether Modic changes (MCs) are associated with health-related quality of life, long-term physical disability, back- or leg pain after discectomy.

Summary of Background Data.

Previous studies have failed to show a clinically significant association between MCs and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after discectomy.

Methods.

Data from the Danish National Spine Registry on patients undergoing first-time lumbar discectomy at a single institution from 2014 to 2017 with an accessible preoperative lumbar magnetic resonance imaging, complete preoperative, and 2-year follow-up questionnaires were obtained. PROs including Oswestry disability index (ODI), European Quality of Life—Five Dimensions (EQ-5D), visual analogue scale (VAS) back and leg pain, and patient satisfaction were collected. Patients were stratified based on the presence (+MC) or absence (−MC) of MCs on the preoperative MRI.

Results.

Of 620 patients included, MCs were present in 290 patients (47%). Of these, MC type 1 (MC-1) was present in 73 (25%) and MC type 2 (MC-2) in 217 (75%) patients. Preoperative data for ODI, EQ-5D, VAS-BP, and VAS-LP were comparable for the +MC and −MC groups. Both groups had a statistically significant improvement in PROs from baseline compared with 2-year follow-up (P < 0.001). At 2-year follow-up, both groups had improved with no significant difference between them in regards to ODI (15.5 vs. 17.2, P = 0.208); EQ-5D (0.75 vs. 0.72, P = 0.167); VAS-BP (27.1 vs. 28.3, P = 0.617); VAS-LP (26.8 vs. 25.0, P = 0.446); and patient satisfaction (74% vs. 76%, P = 0.878).

Conclusion.

MCs were not found to be associated with health-related quality of life, disability, back- or leg pain, or patient satisfaction 2 years after discectomy.

Level of Evidence: 2
The Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Spine Surgeons
Authors: Chan Chris Yin Wei , Chiu Chee Kidd , Cheung Jason Pui Yin , Cheung Prudence Wing Hang , Gani Siti Mariam Abd , Kwan Mun Keong
Published: August 2020

Study Design.

Cross-sectional survey.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical practices of spine surgeons within the Asia Pacific region.

Summary of Background Data.

COVID-19 pandemic had changed spine surgeons’ clinical practices and their concerns toward personal and family risk of infection.

Methods.

This cross-sectional survey was carried out from May 4, 2020 to June 4, 2020. The questionnaire was administered using REDCAP. The online questionnaire includes four sections. First section includes surgeon's demographics, background, type of clinical practice, and status of pandemic in their country. Second section includes volume and the type of spine surgery practice before the COVID pandemic. Third section includes changes of clinical practice during the pandemic and the last section was regarding their concern on COVID transmission.

Results.

Total of 222 respondents from 19 countries completed the questionnaire. During the pandemic, 92.3% of the respondents felt their clinical practice was affected. 58.5% respondents reported reduced outpatient clinic hours and 74.6% respondents reported reduced operation theatre hours due to the enforcement by the hospital administration. The mean reduction of clinic volume for all countries was 48.1%. There was a significant reduction in the number of surgeries performed in Japan, Malaysia, India, Philippines, and South Korea. This was due to reduced patient load. More than 60% of respondents were worried being infected by COVID-19 virus and >68% were worried of transmission to their family members.

Conclusion.

COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the clinical and surgical practice of spine surgeons in the Asia Pacific region. Clinics were closed or the practice hours reduced. Similarly, surgical theaters were closed, reduced, or limited to semi-emergency and emergency surgeries. Spine surgeons were moderately concerned of contracting COVID-19 during their clinical practice but were extremely concerned to transmit this disease to their family members.

Level of Evidence: 4.