bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of passive surveillance and citizen science in plant health
Authors: Brown Nathan , Pérez-Sierra Ana , Crow Peter , Parnell Stephen
Published: October 2020

The early detection of plant pests and diseases is vital to the success of any eradication or control programme, but the resources for surveillance are often limited. Plant health authorities can however make use of observations from individuals and stakeholder groups who are monitoring for signs of ill health. Volunteered data is most often discussed in relation to citizen science groups, however these groups are only part of a wider network of professional agents, land-users and owners who can all contribute to significantly increase surveillance efforts through “passive surveillance”. These ad-hoc reports represent chance observations by individuals who may not necessarily be looking for signs of pests and diseases when they are discovered. Passive surveillance contributes vital observations in support of national and international surveillance programs, detecting potentially unknown issues in the wider landscape, beyond points of entry and the plant trade. This review sets out to describe various forms of passive surveillance, identify analytical methods that can be applied to these “messy” unstructured data, and indicate how new programs can be established and maintained. Case studies discuss two tree health projects from Great Britain (TreeAlert and Observatree) to illustrate the challenges and successes of existing passive surveillance programmes. When analysing passive surveillance reports it is important to understand the observers’ probability to detect and report each plant health issue, which will vary depending on how distinctive the symptoms are and the experience of the observer. It is also vital to assess how representative the reports are and whether they occur more frequently in certain locations. Methods are increasingly available to predict species distributions from large datasets, but more work is needed to understand how these apply to rare events such as new introductions. One solution for general surveillance is to develop and maintain a network of tree health volunteers, but this requires a large investment in training, feedback and engagement to maintain motivation. There are already many working examples of passive surveillance programmes and the suite of options to interpret the resulting datasets is growing rapidly.
Review of annual progress of bridge engineering in 2019
Authors: Zhao Renda , Yuan Yuan , Wei Xing , Shen Ruili , Zheng Kaifeng , Qian Yongjiu , Pu Qianhui , Zhang Qinghua , Liao Haili , Li Xiaozhen , Zhao Canhui , Xu Guoji , Gou Hongye , Zhang Ziyang , Yu Chuanjin
Published: October 2020

Bridge construction is one of the cores of traffic infrastructure construction. To better develop relevant bridge science, this paper introduces the main research progress in China and abroad in 2019 from 13 aspects, including concrete bridges and the high-performance materials, the latest research on steel-concrete composite girders, advances in box girder and cable-supported bridge analysis theories, advance in steel bridges, the theory of bridge evaluation and reinforcement, bridge model tests and new testing techniques, steel bridge fatigue, wind resistance of bridges, vehicle-bridge interactions, progress in seismic design of bridges, bridge hydrodynamics, bridge informatization and intelligent bridge and prefabricated concrete bridge structures.
Central-difference time-lapse 4D seismic full-waveform inversion
Authors: Zhou Wei , Lumley David
Published: October 2020

Repeated seismic surveys contain valuable information regarding time-lapse (4D) changes in the subsurface. Full-waveform inversion (FWI) of seismic data can provide high-resolution estimates of 4D change. We have adopted a new time-domain 2D acoustic time-lapse FWI method based on the central-difference scheme with higher order mathematical accuracy and reasonable computational cost. The method is rigorously tested on the SEG Advanced Modeling 4D time-lapse model and ocean-bottom-node data set. High-resolution 4D velocity estimates are obtained, which show strong (approximately 25%) velocity increases in a 75 m thick gas layer, as well as weaker (5%) changes due to geomechanical effects, the latter of which are poorly recovered by the conventional parallel 4D FWI method. We also perform the bootstrap 4D FWI method, and the result is contaminated by strong artifacts in the underburden, whereas the proposed central-difference method has fewer underburden artifacts allowing more reliable interpretations. In this realistic case study, acoustic FWI erroneously overfits some of the elastic scattered waves, and it cannot fit the strong elastic 4D coda waves well. The results show that the proposed central-difference 4D FWI method within the acoustic approximation may be a practical solution for time-lapse seismic velocity inversion.
Attenuation and dispersion of P-waves in fluid-saturated porous rocks with a distribution of coplanar cracks — Scattering approach
Authors: Song Yongjia , Wang Jun , Hu Hengshan , Han Bo
Published: October 2020

Wave-induced fluid flow (WIFF) between cracks and micropores is one of the major mechanisms causing attenuation and dispersion within seismic frequency ranges. Previous non-interaction-approximation (NIA) models often assume that the distribution of cracks is dilute, neglecting the influences of interacting cracks on dispersion and attenuation. To overcome this restriction, we have investigated the interaction between coplanar cracks and their influences on seismic dispersion and attenuation. First, a scattering problem for a longitudinal (P) wave normally impinging on a plane with equally distributed coplanar cracks in a porous medium is solved using an integral transform approach. Then, based on the solution, an effective wavenumber is derived for P-wave propagation in a porous material with coplanar cracks. It is found that the magnitude of dispersion and attenuation can significantly increase when the spacing between adjacent cracks decreases even if the crack density is unchanged. Moreover, frequency-dependent asymptotic behavior of inverse quality factor is also different from that of the NIA models at frequencies lower than the WIFF relaxation frequency. Specifically, the inverse quality factor scales with the square root of the frequency at low frequencies. When the spacing between adjacent cracks is large, an additional frequency-dependent scale occurs at relatively higher frequencies (but still lower than the WIFF relaxation frequency) with inverse quality factor scales with the first power of frequency. When the spacing becomes much larger so that the interaction between the adjacent cracks is negligible, the present model exactly reduces to an NIA model for the distribution of aligned slit cracks and the first power scale can maintain attenuation within low frequencies.
Timing of hydrocarbon entrapment in the eastern foothills of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia
Authors: Sánchez Nelson , Pacheco Jael , Guzman-Vega Mario Alberto , Mora Andrés , Horton Brian
Published: October 2020

The eastern foothills in the Colombian Eastern Cordillera have been an important oil-producing region since the discovery of the Cupiagua and Cusiana fields. Three organic-rich units are considered to be the main source rocks. The Aptian Fómeque and the Cenomanian-Coniacian Chipaque Formations comprise a siliciclastic to locally carbonate shallow marine shelf succession with type-II kerogen, whereas the Paleocene Los Cuervos Formation consists of marginal marine to nonmarine siliciclastic rocks with type-III kerogen. We modeled the petroleum systems of these three source units to characterize the hydrocarbon generation-accumulation processes within the basin. The structural record of the Eastern Cordillera shows that the most important tectonic event began in early Oligocene with contractional deformation along the Soapaga through Guaicaramo faults during early Miocene, culminating during the Pliocene with the Cusiana and Yopal faults. These variable rates of burial and exhumation resulted in contrasting time-temperature histories for each of the source rocks. The Fómeque Formation reached the oil window during the Paleocene in the south and the Eocene to the north. In contrast, the Chipaque Formation generation started during Early Oligocene in the south and by Late Oligocene to the north. Conversely, maturation for the Los Cuervos Formation was uniform along the foothills, reaching the oil window during Late Oligocene. Charge history modeling suggested that the Albian sandstones reservoirs were filled between Oligocene to Miocene. In contrast, the proven reservoirs in the area (the Upper Cretaceous, Paleocene, and Eocene sandstones) were filled by late Miocene, with a second episode of recent charge in the Eocene reservoirs, and perhaps active, from the Los Cuervos Formation. The results of this work proved that petroleum system modeling is useful not only to characterize generation-migration processes but it also can be used as a prediction tool in structurally complex areas such as the Colombian foothills.
Role of cognitive reserve in cognitive variability in euthymic individuals with bipolar disorder: cross-sectional cluster analysis
Authors: Tsapekos Dimosthenis , Strawbridge Rebecca , Mantingh Tim , Cella Matteo , Wykes Til , Young Allan H.
Published: October 2020

Background

People with bipolar disorder have moderate cognitive difficulties that tend to be more pronounced during mood episodes but persist after clinical remission and affect recovery. Recent evidence suggests heterogeneity in these difficulties, but the factors underlying cognitive heterogeneity are unclear.

Aims

To examine whether distinct cognitive profiles can be identified in a sample of euthymic individuals with bipolar disorder and examine potential differences between subgroups.

Method

Cognitive performance was assessed across four domains (i.e. processing speed, verbal learning/memory, working memory, executive functioning) in 80 participants. We conducted a hierarchical cluster analysis and a discriminant function analysis to identify cognitive profiles and considered differences in cognitive reserve, estimated cognitive decline from premorbid cognitive functioning, and clinical characteristics among subgroups.

Results

Four discrete cognitive profiles were identified: cognitively intact (n = 25; 31.3%); selective deficits in verbal learning and memory (n = 15; 18.8%); intermediate deficits across all cognitive domains (n = 30; 37.5%); and severe deficits across all domains (n = 10; 12.5%). Cognitive decline after illness onset was greater for the intermediate and severe subgroups. Cognitive reserve scores were increasingly lower for subgroups with greater impairments. A smaller proportion of cognitively intact participants were using antipsychotic medications compared with all other subgroups.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that individuals with cognitively impaired profiles demonstrate more cognitive decline after illness onset. Cognitive reserve may be one of the factors underlying cognitive variability across people with bipolar disorder. Patients in the intermediate and severe subgroups may be in greater need of interventions targeting cognitive difficulties.
The Plasma Metabolomic Profile is Differently Associated with Liver Fat, Visceral Adipose Tissue, and Pancreatic Fat
Authors: Lind Lars , Salihovic Samira , Risérus Ulf , Kullberg Joel , Johansson Lars , Ahlström Håkan , Eriksson Jan W , Oscarsson Jan
Published: October 2020

Context

Metabolic differences between ectopic fat depots may provide novel insights to obesity-related diseases.

Objective

To investigate the plasma metabolomic profiles in relation to visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume and liver and pancreas fat percentages.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Multicenter at academic research laboratories.

Patients

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess VAT volume, the percentage of fat in the liver and pancreas (proton density fat fraction [PDFF]) at baseline in 310 individuals with a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 and with serum triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/l and/or type 2 diabetes screened for inclusion in the 2 effect of omega-3 carboxylic acid on liver fat content studies.

Intervention

None.

Main Outcome Measure

Metabolomic profiling with mass spectroscopy enabled the determination of 1063 plasma metabolites.

Results

Thirty metabolites were associated with VAT volume, 31 with liver PDFF, and 2 with pancreas PDFF when adjusting for age, sex, total body fat mass, and fasting glucose. Liver PDFF and VAT shared 4 metabolites, while the 2 metabolites related to pancreas PDFF were unique. The top metabolites associated with liver PDFF were palmitoyl-palmitoleoyl-GPC (16:0/16:1), dihydrosphingomyelin (d18:0/22:0), and betaine. The addition of these metabolites to the Liver Fat Score improved C-statistics significantly (from 0.776 to 0.861, P = 0.0004), regarding discrimination of liver steatosis.

Conclusion

Liver PDFF and VAT adipose tissue shared several metabolic associations, while those were not shared with pancreatic PDFF, indicating partly distinct metabolic profiles associated with different ectopic fat depots. The addition of 3 metabolites to the Liver Fat Score improved the prediction of liver steatosis.
Targeting Corticotroph HDAC and PI3-Kinase in Cushing Disease
Authors: Zhang Dongyun , Damoiseaux Robert , Babayan Lilit , Rivera-Meza Everett Kanediel , Yang Yingying , Bergsneider Marvin , Wang Marilene B , Yong William H , Kelly Kathleen , Heaney Anthony P
Published: October 2020

Context

Cushing disease (CD) is a life-threatening disorder. Therapeutic goals include symptom relief, biochemical control, and tumor growth inhibition. Current medical therapies for CD by and large exert no action on tumor growth.

Objective

To identify drugs that inhibit corticotroph tumor adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion and growth.

Design

High throughput screen employing a novel “gain of signal” ACTH AlphaLISA assay.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Patients

Corticotroph tumor tissues from patients with CD.

Interventions

None.

Main outcome measures

Potent inhibitors of corticotroph tumor ACTH secretion and growth.

Results

From a kinase inhibitor library, we identified the dual PI3K/HDAC inhibitor CUDC-907 as a potent inhibitor of murine and human corticotroph tumor ACTH secretion (median effective concentration 1-5 nM), and cell proliferation (median inhibitory concentration 5 nM). In an in vivo murine corticotroph tumor xenograft model, orally administered CUDC-907 (300 mg/kg) reduced corticotroph tumor volume (TV [cm3], control 0.17 ± 0.05 vs CUDC-907 0.07 ± 0.02, P < .05) by 65% and suppressed plasma ACTH (ACTH [pg/mL] control 206 ± 27 vs CUDC-907 47 ± 7, P < .05) and corticosterone (corticosterone [ng/mL] control 180 ± 87 vs CUDC-907 27 ± 5, P < .05) levels by 77% and 85% respectively compared with controls. We also demonstrated that CUDC-907 acts through HDAC1/2 inhibition at the proopiomelanocortin transcriptional level combined with its PI3K-mediated inhibition of corticotroph cell viability to reduce ACTH secretion.

Conclusions

Given its potent efficacy in in vitro and in vivo models of CD, combined with proven safety and tolerance in clinical trials, we propose CUDC-907 may be a promising therapy for CD.
Relationship of IGF-1 and IGF-Binding Proteins to Disease Severity and Glycemia in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Stanley Takara L , Fourman Lindsay T , Zheng Isabel , McClure Colin M , Feldpausch Meghan N , Torriani Martin , Corey Kathleen E , Chung Raymond T , Lee Hang , Kleiner David E , Hadigan Colleen M , Grinspoon Steven K
Published: October 2020

Context

Growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1 help regulate hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, and reductions in these hormones may contribute to development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Objective

To assess relationships between hepatic expression of IGF1 and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) and measures of glycemia and liver disease in adults with NAFLD. Secondarily to assess effects of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) on circulating IGFBPs.

Design

Analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial of GHRH.

Setting

Two US academic medical centers.

Participants

Participants were 61 men and women 18 to 70 years of age with HIV-infection, ≥5% hepatic fat fraction, including 39 with RNA-Seq data from liver biopsy.

Main Outcome Measures

Hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis by histopathology and measures of glucose homeostasis.

Results

Hepatic IGF1 mRNA was significantly lower in individuals with higher steatosis and NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) and was inversely related to glucose parameters, independent of circulating IGF-1. Among the IGFBPs, IGFBP2 and IGFBP4 were lower and IGFBP6 and IGFBP7 (also known as IGFBP-related protein 1) were higher with increasing steatosis. Hepatic IGFBP6 and IGFBP7 mRNA levels were positively associated with NAS. IGFBP7 mRNA increased with increasing fibrosis. Hepatic IGFBP1 mRNA was inversely associated with glycemia and insulin resistance, with opposite relationships present for IGFBP3 and IGFBP7. GHRH increased circulating IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3, but decreased IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-6.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate novel relationships of IGF-1 and IGFBPs with NAFLD severity and glucose control, with divergent roles seen for different IGFBPs. Moreover, the data provide new information on the complex effects of GHRH on IGFBPs.
Blood platelet formation at a glance
Authors: Boscher Julie , Guinard Ines , Eckly Anita , Lanza François , Léon Catherine
Published: October 2020

The main function of blood platelets is to ensure hemostasis and prevent hemorrhages. The 1011 platelets needed daily are produced in a well-orchestrated process. However, this process is not yet fully understood and in vitro platelet production is still inefficient. Platelets are produced in the bone marrow by megakaryocytes, highly specialized precursor cells that extend cytoplasmic projections called proplatelets (PPTs) through the endothelial barrier of sinusoid vessels. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster we discuss the mechanisms and pathways involved in megakaryopoiesis and platelet formation processes. We especially address the – still underestimated – role of the microenvironment of the bone marrow, and present recent findings on how PPT extension in vivo differs from that in vitro and entails different mechanisms. Finally, we recapitulate old but recently revisited evidence that – although bone marrow does produce megakaryocytes and PPTs – remodeling and the release of bona fide platelets, mainly occur in the downstream microcirculation.
Long-Term Outcomes of Local Excision Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: D’Alimonte Lucrezia , Bao Quoc Riccardo , Spolverato Gaya , Capelli Giulia , Del Bianco Paola , Albertoni Laura , De Paoli Antonino , Guerrieri Mario , Mantello Giovanna , Gambacorta Maria Antonietta , Canzonieri Vincenzo , Valentini Vincenzo , Coco Claudio , Pucciarelli Salvatore
Published: October 2020

Background

Local excision might represent an alternative to total mesorectal excision for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who achieve a major or complete clinical response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Methods

Between August 2005 and July 2011, 63 patients with mid-low rectal adenocarcinoma who had a major/complete clinical response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were enrolled in a multicenter prospective phase 2 trial and underwent transanal full thickness local excision. The main endpoint of this study was to evaluate the 5- and 10-year overall, relapse-free, local, and distant relapse-free survival, which were calculated by applying the Kaplan–Meier method. The rate of patients with rectum preserved and without stoma were also calculated.

Results

Of 63 patients, 38 (60%) were male and 25 (40%) were female, with a median (range) age of 64 (25–82) years. At baseline, the following clinical stages were found: cT2, n = 21 (33.3%); cT3, n = 42 (66.6%), 39 (61.9%) patients were cN+. At a median (range) follow-up of 108 (32–166) months, the estimated cumulative 5- and 10-year overall survival, relapse-free survival, local recurrence-free survival, and distant recurrence-free survival were 87% (95% CI 76–93) and 79% (95% CI 66–87), 89% (95% CI 78–94) and 82% (95% CI 66–91), both 91% (95% CI 81–96), and 90% (95% CI 80–95) and 86% (95% CI 73–93), respectively. Overall, 49 (77.8%) patients had their rectum preserved, and 54 (84.1%) were stoma-free.

Conclusion

In highly selected patients, the local excision approach after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is associated with excellent long-term outcomes, high rates of rectum preservation and absence of permanent stoma.
Can Rationing Increase Welfare? Theory and an Application to India’s Ration Shop System
Authors: Gadenne Lucie
Published: October 2020

In many developing countries, households can purchase limited quantities of goods at a fixed subsidized price through ration shops. This paper asks whether the characteristics of developing countries explain why governments use such systems. I find an equity-efficiency trade-off: an efficiency-maximizing government will never use ration shops, but a welfare-maximizing one might to redistribute and provide insurance. Welfare gains of ration shops will be highest for necessity goods and goods with high price risk. I calibrate the model for India and find that ration shops are welfare improving for three of the four goods sold through the system today. (JEL D12, H23, H25, O12)
Quantification and correction of the scattered X-rays from a megavoltage photon beam to a linac-mounted kilovoltage imaging subsystem
Authors: Iramina Hiraku , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Miyabe Yuki , Mukumoto Nobutaka , Ono Tomohiro , Hirashima Hideaki , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: October 2020

Objective:

To quantify and correct megavoltage (MV) scattered X-rays (MV-scatter) on an image acquired using a linac-mounted kilovoltage (kV) imaging subsystem.

Methods and materials:

A linac-mounted flat-panel detector (FPD) was used to acquire an image containing MV-scatter by activating the FPD only during MV beam irradiation. 6-, 10-, and 15 MV with a flattening-filter (FF; 6X-FF, 10X-FF, 15X-FF), and 6- and 10 MV without an FF (6X-FFF, 10X-FFF) were used. The maps were acquired by changing one of the irradiation parameters while the others remained fixed. The mean pixel values of the MV-scatter were normalized to the 6X-FF reference condition (MV-scatter value). An MV-scatter database was constructed using these values. An MV-scatter correction experiment with one full arc image acquisition and two square field sizes (FSs) was conducted. Measurement- and estimation-based corrections were performed using the database. The image contrast was calculated at each angle.

Results:

The MV-scatter increased with a larger FS and dose rate. The MV-scatter value factor varied substantially depending on the FPD position or collimator rotation. The median relative error ranges of the contrast for the image without, and with the measurement- and estimation-based correction were −10.9 to −2.9, and −1.5 to 4.8 and −7.4 to 2.6, respectively, for an FS of 10.0 × 10.0 cm2.

Conclusions:

The MV-scatter was strongly dependent on the FS, dose rate, and FPD position. The MV-scatter correction improved the image contrast.

Advances in knowledge:

The MV-scatters on the TrueBeam linac kV imaging subsystem were quantified with various MV beam parameters, and strongly depended on the fieldsize, dose rate, and flat panel detector position. The MV-scatter correction using the constructed database improved the image quality.
Repeatability and reproducibility of MRI apparent diffusion coefficient applied on four different regions of interest for patients with axial spondyloarthritis and healthy volunteers scanned twice within a week
Authors: Møller Jakob Møllenbach , Østergaard Mikkel , Thomsen Henrik S , Hangaard Stine , Sørensen Inge J , Madsen Ole Rintek , Pedersen Susanne J
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) may be used as a biomarker for diagnosis and/or monitoring treatment response in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), but this requires reliable ADC measurements. This study assessed test–retest repeatability and reproducibility of ADC measurements using four different region of interest (ROI) settings.

Methods:

In this prospective study, the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) of 25 patients with axSpA and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were imaged twice at a mean interval of 6.8 days in a 1.5 T scanner using, multishot echoplanar diffusion-weighted sequences. ADCs at four ROI settings were assessed: 5 mm and 10 mm anatomic band-shaped, 15 mm linear, and 40 mm2 circular.

Results:

Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) assessments showed that the interstudy repeatability was good for median ADC (ADCmed) and 95th-percentile ADC (ADC95) measurements in patients with axSpA (0.77–0.83 and 0.75–0.83, respectively), but poor-to-moderate in healthy subjects (0.27–0.55 and 0.13–0.37, respectively). For all ROI settings, intrareader reproducibility was excellent for ADCmed-measurements (ICC:0.85–0.99) and moderate-to-excellent for ADC95 measurements (ICC:0.68–0.96). The 5 mm ROI had the least estimated bias and highest level of agreement on Bland–Altman plots. The interreader reproducibility was moderate (ICC:0.71). The 15 mm linear ROI produced significantly greater ADCmed and ADC95 measurements than all other ROI settings (p < 0.01–0.02), except for the circular ROI ADC95 measurements.

Conclusion:

ROI settings influence ADC measurements. Interstudy repeatability of SIJ ADC measurements is independent of ROI settings. However, the 5 mm ROI showed the least bias and random error and seems preferable.

Advances in knowledge:

ADC measurements are affected by ROI settings, and this should be taken into account when assessing ADC maps.
Plan quality assessment of modern radiotherapy delivery techniques in left-sided breast cancer: an analysis stratified by target delineation guidelines
Authors: Ahmad Irfan , Chufal Kundan Singh , Bhatt Chandi Prasad , Miller Alexis Andrew , Bajpai Ram , Chhabra Akanksha , Chowdhary Rahul Lal , Pahuja Anjali Kakria , Gairola Munish
Published: October 2020

Objective:

This study compares planning techniques stratified by consensus delineation guidelines in patients undergoing whole-breast radiotherapy based on an objective plan quality assessment scale.

Methods:

10 patients with left-sided breast cancer were randomly selected, and target delineation for intact breast was performed using Tangent (RTOG 0413), ESTRO, and RTOG guidelines. Consensus Plan Quality Metric (PQM) scoring was defined and communicated to the physicist before commencing treatment planning. Field-in-field IMRT (FiF), inverse IMRT (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans were created for each delineation. Statistical analyses utilised a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance, after applying a Bonferroni correction.

Results:

Total PQM score of plans for Tangent and ESTRO were comparable for FiF and IMRT techniques (FiF vs IMRT for Tangent, p = 0.637; FiF vs IMRT for ESTRO, p = 0.304), and were also significantly higher compared to VMAT. Total PQM score of plans for RTOG revealed that IMRT planning achieved a significantly higher score compared to both FiF and VMAT (IMRT vs FiF, p < 0.001; IMRT vs VMAT, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Total PQM scores were equivalent for FiF and IMRT for both Tangent and ESTRO delineations, whereas IMRT was best suited for RTOG delineation.

Advances in knowledge:

FiF and IMRT planning techniques are best suited for ESTRO or Tangent delineations. IMRT also yields better results with RTOG delineation.
Artificial intelligence in radiology: does it impact medical students preference for radiology as their future career?
Authors: Bin Dahmash Abdulmajeed , Alabdulkareem Mohammed , Alfutais Aljabriyah , Kamel Ahmed M , Alkholaiwi Feras , Alshehri Shaker , Al Zahrani Yousof , Almoaiqel Mohammed
Published: October 2020

Objective:

To test medical students’ perceptions of the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on radiology and the influence of these perceptions on their choice of radiology as a lifetime career.

Methods:

A cross-sectional multicenter survey of medical students in Saudi Arabia was conducted in April 2019.

Results:

Of the 476 respondents, 34 considered radiology their first specialty choice, 26 considered it their second choice, and 65 considered it their third choice. Only 31% believed that AI would replace radiologists in their lifetime, while 44.8% believed that AI would minimize the number of radiologists needed in the future. Approximately 50% believed they had a good understanding of AI; however, when knowledge of AI was tested using five questions, on average, only 22% of the questions were answered correctly. Among the respondents who ranked radiology as their first choice, 58.8% were anxious about the uncertain impact of AI on radiology. The number of respondents who ranked radiology as one of their top three choices increased by 14 when AI was not a consideration. Radiology conferences and the opinions of radiologists had the most influence on the respondents’ preferences for radiology.

Conclusion:

The worry that AI might displace radiologists in the future had a negative influence on medical students’ consideration of radiology as a career. Academic radiologists are encouraged to educate their students about AI and its potential impact when students are considering radiology as a lifetime career choice.

Advances in knowledge:

Rapid advances of AI in radiology will certainly impact the specialty, the concern of AI impact on radiology had negative influence in our participants and investing in AI education and is highly recommended.
Mentoring in Professional Education
Authors: Pahnevskaya O. , Romanchenko A. , Romanchenko M.
Published: October 2020

The article reveals the main problems of organizing mentoring in a secondary vocational educational institution, suggests ways to solve these shortcomings on the example of the Novosibirsk College of Food Industry and Processing. The situation of staffing of regional enterprises is highlighted, mentoring is analyzed as the activity of educational institutions and enterprises in solving problematic issues related to providing enterprises with in-demand specialists. The promising areas of activity and efforts of employers and educational institutions in terms of introducing the institution of mentoring are determined and evaluated. The potential for improving the efficiency of the educational process as a priority task of modern society is analyzed.
Network technologies in preparing high school students for database management
Authors: Zubrilin Andrey , Pronchatova Anna , Zubrilina Mariya
Published: October 2020

The article shows the importance of network technologies in teaching schoolchildren. The analysis of textbooks of informatics on the subject of teaching a topic related to the maintenance of databases is given, and the features of its presentation are highlighted. On the example of the implementation of the project “Entering the University”, it is shown how students of grade 11 can be taught to work with network databases. In particular, create and maintain them, use them in professional activities. A step-by-step description of the actions of schoolchildren when creating a network database is given (creating a table structure, fi lling the database with information, selecting information through the formation of a query, working with reports). A business game through which students better understand the purpose of database management systems is described. Examples of a possible violation of information security when working with documents of applicants in the university selection committee are given.
Analysis of Outcomes of Tamai Zone I Digital Replantation in Cases of Severe Crushing Injury
Authors: Hong Min Ki , Park Jinha , Koh Sung Hoon , Lee Dong Chul , Roh Si Young , Lee Kyung Jin , Kim Jin Soo
Published: October 2020

Purpose: Digital replantation has dramatically changed the fate of mutilated injuries of hand. But in case of severe crushing injury in Tamai zone I, it is a contraindication of replantation. This study aims to determine the replantation survival rate in cases with crushing injury.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients’ charts and photos from January 2015 to December 2019. There were 294 patients (331 fingers) with digital amputation who underwent surgery. Cases with crushing were divided into petechiae-in-skin group and red-line-sign group and compared with the group without crushing. The relationship of survival rate with factors was evaluated using chi-square analysis.Results: Of these, 199 fingers were defined as severe crushed, and 140 cases with petechiae in skin and 59 cases with red line sign. There was no statistically significant difference in survival rate compared with the group without crushing (p=0.227). Additional surgery was performed more in crushed injury. However, necrotized soft tissue was mainly on margin of amputation, not on crushed area.Conclusion: The presence of crushing did not affect survival rate in Tamai zone I replantation. However, as the degree of crushing was severe, the need for additional surgery increased. We found that the number of anastomosed arteries and veins influences the survival rate. According to our analysis, even if it’s difficult, finding and doing anastomosis as many vessels as possible can make good results.
Fuentes de información, credibilidad y publicidad: perspectivas para el desarrollo de la comunicación regional
Authors: Quadros Cynthia Morgana Boos de , Zucco Fabricia Durieux , Fiuza Thamires Foletto , Farias Fernanda de Souza
Published: October 2020

Este artículo analiza las fuentes de información sobre la vida cotidiana de los habitantes de Blumenau (Santa Catarina, Brasil) y su credibilidad. Por medio de un análisis exploratorio y descriptivo con perspectiva cuantitativa, el estudio de encuesta se centró en la identificación de las fuentes de información más utilizadas y en el análisis de la credibilidad atribuida a los medios de comunicación y los vehículos más usados para los receptores de información, es decir, aquellos que investigan contenidos en fuentes de información. La investigación demostró que internet y medios de comunicación tradicionales (TV, radio y periódicos) son la fuente principal de información de temas cotidianos para los blumenauenses y, al mismo tiempo, gozan de mayor credibilidad. Tales resultados proporcionan pistas sobre oportunidades y perspectivas para el desarrollo de la publicidad regional.
Prevalência de hiperfosfatemia e consumo de fósforo em portadores de doença renal crônica em tratamento hemodialítico em um município brasileiro de médio porte
Authors: De Almeida Joice Natielle Mariano , Silva Danielle Cristina Guimarães da , Dos Santos Thailane Carvalho , Da Cunha Marcela De Sá Barreto , Souza Mônica Karine Vieira de Almeida
Published: October 2020

Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de hiperfosfatemia e sua correlação com o consumo alimentar de fósforo em indivíduos submetidos ao tratamento de hemodiálise em um município brasileiro de médio porte. Métodos: Estudo transversal, realizado com pacientes adultos e idosos, de ambos os sexos, cadastrados em uma unidade hemodialítica de um município brasileiro de médio porte. Foi aplicado um questionário estruturado que continha questões relativas a variáveis sociodemográficas, exame bioquímico e um inquérito dietético por meio de três recordatórios alimentares de 24h. Resultados: O estudo foi realizado com 75 participantes, de ambos os sexos, sendo a maioria do sexo masculino (54,7%), predominantemente na faixa etária de 36-59 anos (56%). A prevalência de hiperfosfatemia na amostra foi de 45,9%, e 21,3% dos participantes apresentaram consumo alimentar de fósforo acima das recomendações nutricionais. Entretanto, verificou-se correlação negativa e significativa (p = 0,01) entre o consumo de fósforo e a concentração sérica deste nutriente. Conclusão: Pode-se concluir que a prevalência de hiperfosfatemia nesses pacientes em hemodiálise foi alta, porém com baixa correlação com a ingestão alimentar do nutriente, podendo estar associada a fatores não dietéticos como ineficácia do tratamento de hemodiálise e baixa adesão ao uso de quelantes.
Fatores associados à alteração da taxa de filtração glomerular em praticantes de atividade física em São Luís, MA
Authors: Aguiar Paula Francinette Fernandes , Silveira Victor Nogueira da Cruz , Messias Letícia Cecília de Nazaré Rocha da Luz , Martins Isabelle Christine Vieira da Silva , Reis Andréa Dias , Dos Santos Alexsandro Ferreira , Rocha Amanda Negrão da , Castro Ahirlan Silva de , Veloso Helma Jane Ferreira
Published: October 2020

Introdução: A doença renal crônica é caracterizada como sendo uma anormalidade da estrutura ou função renal, que se mantêm por 43 meses ou mais, e que apresenta implicações para a saúde e, tradicionalmente, a taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) é considerada como o melhor marcador de função renal. Objetivou-se avaliar os fatores associados a alterações na TFG em praticantes de atividade física de São Luís, Maranhão. Método: Estudo transversal com amostra de 84 indivíduos praticantes de atividade física. Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos, bioquímicos, de consumo alimentar e antropométricos. A análise estatística contemplou o teste de Shapiro Wilk para verificação da normalidade e, confirmada a normalidade, foi utilizado o teste t de Student para avaliar a diferença entre as variáveis explanatórias com o desfecho (redução da função renal, ou seja: TGF reduzida < 60 ml/min, calculada pela equação de CKD-EPI). A significância estatística foi estabelecida em p < 0,05. Resultados: A TFG reduzida (< 60 ml/min) foi observada em 2,4% dos indivíduos e sua média foi de 89,5 ± 19 ml/min/1,73m2.  Associaram-se ao desfecho: idade (32,4 ± 9,4 anos); o sexo feminino  (53,6%) e o consumo de proteína. Conclusão: A média de TFG encontrada foi elevada e a maioria dos indivíduos avaliados estavam com valores dentro da normalidade.
Aplicação de uma planilha de controle de estoque em uma unidade de alimentação e nutrição
Authors: Da Silva Franciane Pereira , Galdino Alyne Batista da Silva , Goes Pryscila Araújo de
Published: October 2020

Introdução: O profissional nutricionista tem, entre suas atribuições, o planejamento de cardápios e o controle de estoque. Dentre as inúmeras atividades inerentes ao setor de alimentação coletiva, a importância da gestão de suprimentos pode passar despercebida e acarretar problemas na execução dos cardápios, gerando monotonia nos mesmos. Assim, ferramentas de controle são necessárias, visto que a monotonia alimentar pode acarretar problemas à saúde dos usuários. Objetivo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo apresentar a elaboração e implantação de uma planilha de controle de estoque em uma unidade de alimentação e nutrição (UAN) de uma instituição de ensino superior pública. Métodos: O trabalho foi desenvolvido e executado no Restaurante Universitário da Escola Agrícola de Jundiaí, da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, localizada no distrito de Jundiaí, Macaíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, com levantamento das fichas de controle. Resultados: O produto deste trabalho foi uma planilha no formato Excel® para controle dos gêneros alimentícios secos do estoque. Observou-se que, além de controlar a entrada e a saída dos gêneros, a planilha auxiliou na tomada de decisão de compra e reabastecimento de suprimentos. Conclusão: Diante dos objetivos almejados, a planilha foi desenvolvida e aplicada com êxito, alcançando a finalidade esperada pelo serviço.Palavras-chave: Alimentação coletiva. Estoque de segurança. Gestão de suprimentos.
Prevalence of hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype and associated factors: cross-sectional study of bank workers in the metropolitan region of Vitória, ES, Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Júlia Rabelo Santos , Oliveira Rebeca Birro Marinho de , Cattafesta Monica , Salaroli Luciane Bresciani
Published: October 2020

Objetivo: Este artigo investiga a prevalência de cintura hipertrigliceridêmica em bancários e sua associação com fatores socioeconômicos, laborais, comportamentais, antropométricos e de condições de saúde. Método: trata-se de um estudo transversal com 525 bancários. Para avaliação do fenótipo cintura hipertrigliceridêmica foi considerada a associação de circunferência da cintura e hipertrigliceridemia. Resultados: A investigação resultou em uma prevalência de fenótipo de 19,4%, sendo maior em homens, pessoas em idades avançadas, que vivem maritalmente e que trabalham na agência há mais de cinco anos. O fenótipo também se associou ao excesso de peso, HDL-c (high density lipoprotein) baixo, hiperlipidemia mista, elevada relação triglicerídeos/HDL-c e hipertensão arterial. Ter mais de 50 anos e estar acima do peso aumentava as chances de os bancários apresentarem o fenótipo. Ser do sexo feminino e ter níveis adequados de HDL-c mostraram-se fatores de proteção contra o fenótipo. Conclusão: A prevalência de cintura hipertrigliceridêmica entre bancários é alta e associa-se principalmente ao excesso de peso e perfil lipídico desfavorável desta população.
ACESSIBILIDADE EDUCACIONAL, COMUNICACIONAL E SOCIAL EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA: DESAFIOS E PERSPECTIVAS
Authors: Fernandes Ediclea Mascarenhas , Monteiro Felipe Vieira , De Oliveira Aída Guerreiro
Published: October 2020

Devido à pandemia pelo Coronavírus (Covid-19), tornaram-se necessárias adequações, especialmente nos setores de trabalho e educação. Entretanto, pessoas que vivem em espaços periféricos subordinados aos grandes centros, além das pessoas com deficiência, percebem-se ainda mais invisibilizadas.Portanto, este artigo tem como objetivo abordar a importância dos recursos de tecnologia assistiva que promovem a autonomia e independência das pessoas com deficiência, especificamente no contexto educacional, formal ou informal.Os recursos como audiodescrição, Libras, pranchas de comunicação, pictogramas e linguagem simples são oferecidos de forma insuficiente, embora tenhamos a legislação brasileira específica vigente.Fundamentamos este estudo na importância da luta pelo coletivo e na influência dos conselhos de direitos na vida da sociedade.Palavras-chave: Pandemia. Acessibilidade. Pessoas com deficiência. Conselhos de direitos.
Changes in Revision Behaviours of L2 Writers in an Intensive English for Academic Purposes Program
Authors: Mazgutova Diana
Published: October 2020

Revision constitutes an important component of the writing process that integrates text interpretation, reflection, and production. Although previous studies have offered useful insights into the revision behaviour of L2 writers at different levels of proficiency using off-line measures, little is known about the online processes of revision. In this study, I used keystroke logging to investigate longitudinal changes in the revision processes of postgraduate and undergraduate students in the context of an intensive English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. Twenty-five postgraduate and 14 undergraduate students participated in this study. The keystroke logging program Inputlog was used during two essay writing sessions at the beginning and at the end of the course to observe how the participants revise their essays and to get insights into their on-line writing processes. Keystroke logging data were coded in terms of the orientation and location of revisions. The results revealed that postgraduates produced more content-oriented revisions at the end of the programme than at the beginning. The opposite trend was observed for the undergraduates, who revised their essays significantly less frequently at the end than at the beginning of the EAP program and made more mechanical revisions than postgraduate writers. The findings highlight fundamental differences in the developmental trajectories of revision processes between postgraduate and undergraduate students. These differences caused by previous academic writing experience and language proficiency should be considered in developing materials for EAP programs. In the paper, I also discuss benefits of using keystroke logging to investigate L2 writers’ revision processes.
Analysis and suppression of the polarization error for the optical rotation detection system in an atomic comagnetometer
Authors: Huang Jiong , Wang Zhuo , Fan Wenfeng , Xing Li , Zhang Weijia , Duan Lihong , Quan Wei
Published: October 2020

This paper investigates the laser polarization error in the optical rotation detection system (ORDS) of an atomic comagnetometer (ACM), which will seriously degrade the long-term performance of the ORDS. We first establish an optical transmission model of the ORDS by using Jones matrix concerning the optical imperfection of polarizers. Then, we analyze the polarization error based on this model and propose a novel error suppression method. Finally, we experimentally test the long-term performance of the ORDS and the ACM before and after the polarization error suppression to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the long-term performance of the ORDS and the ACM can be improved by approximately 3.4 times with the proposed polarization error suppression method.
Measuring phase errors in the presence of scintillation
Authors: Crepp Justin R. , Letchev Stanimir O. , Potier Sam J. , Follansbee Joshua H. , Tusay Nicholas T.
Published: October 2020

Strong turbulence conditions create amplitude aberrations through the effects of near-field diffraction. When integrated over long optical path lengths, amplitude aberrations (seen as scintillation) can nullify local areas in the recorded image of a coherent beam, complicating the wavefront reconstruction process. To estimate phase aberrations experienced by a telescope beam control system in the presence of strong turbulence, the wavefront sensor (WFS) of an adaptive optics must be robust to scintillation. We have designed and built a WFS, which we refer to as a “Fresnel sensor,” that uses near-field diffraction to measure phase errors under moderate to strong turbulent conditions. Systematic studies of its sensitivity were performed with laboratory experiments using a point source beacon. The results were then compared to a Shack-Hartmann WFS (SHWFS). When the SHWFS experiences irradiance fade in the presence of moderate turbulence, the Fresnel WFS continues to routinely extract phase information. For a scintillation index of S = 0.55, we show that the Fresnel WFS offers a factor of 9 × gain in sensitivity over the SHWFS. We find that the Fresnel WFS is capable of operating with extremely low light levels, corresponding to a signal-to-noise ratio of only

SNR

≈
2
−
3

per pixel. Such a device is well-suited for coherent beam propagation, laser communications, remote sensing, and applications involving long optical path-lengths, site-lines along the horizon, and faint signals.
Generation of high-energy, Gaussian laser pulses with tunable duration from 100 picoseconds to 1 millisecond
Authors: Miller Joseph D. , Slipchenko Mikhail N. , Felver Josef , Roy Sukesh
Published: October 2020

In this work, a variable-pulse-oscillator is developed and coupled with a burst-mode amplifier for generation of high-energy laser pulses with width of 100 ps to 1 ms and near-Gaussian temporal pulse shape. Pulse energy as high as 600 mJ is demonstrated at 1064 nm, with a super-Gaussian spatial profile and beam quality as good as 1.6 times the diffraction limit. A time-dependent pulse amplification model is developed and is in general agreement with experimentally measured values of output pulse energy and temporal pulse shape of the amplified pulses. Key performance parameters (pulse energy, temporal pulse shape, and spatial beam profile and quality) are analyzed as a function of pulse width across seven orders of magnitude. Additionally, the model is used to elucidate deviations between the simulated and experimental data, showing that the relationship between pulse width and output pulse energy is dominated by the variable-pulse-width oscillator performance, not the burst-mode amplifier.