bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attenuation methods for quantifying gas saturation in organic-rich shale and tight gas formations
Authors: Qi Qiaomu , Fu Li-Yun , Deng Jixin , Cao Junxin
Published: November 2020

Quantitative interpretation of waveform attenuation for determining petrophysical properties remains one of the most challenging problems associated with rock physics. In this study, two effective methods are proposed to compute gas saturation in organic-rich shale and tight gas formations from full-waveform sonic attenuations. We first extract compressional (P)- and shear (S)-wave attenuations from monopole and dipole waveforms by median frequency shift and multi-frequency inversion methods, respectively. Crossplots of the P- to S-wave attenuation ratio ([Formula: see text]) and core gas saturation show a positive linear correlation. The [Formula: see text] value and the neutron-density porosity difference exhibit an identical log trend across different formations. The coincidence of these two different hydrocarbon indicators implies that [Formula: see text] is most sensitive to pore-fluid saturation and is less affected by variations in lithology. In the first method, the core-calibrated [Formula: see text] yields an accurate estimate of gas saturation. The second method is suited for the absence of core saturation data, which use the probability distribution of [Formula: see text] for the evaluation of gas saturation. Compared to conventional resistivity methods, the proposed attenuation method, as a nonelectric approach, provides a more accurate gas saturation prediction for low-resistivity reservoir rocks. Finally, we analyze the characteristics of attenuation-saturation relations in low-porosity rocks and discover the possible attenuation mechanisms.
Drosophila Activin signaling promotes muscle growth through InR/dTORC1 dependent and independent processes
Authors: Kim Myung-Jun , O'Connor Michael B.
Published: November 2020

The Myostatin/Activin branch of the TGFβ superfamily acts as a negative regulator of vertebrate skeletal muscle size, in part, through downregulation of insulin/IGF-1 signaling. Surprisingly, recent studies in Drosophila indicate that motoneuron derived Activin signaling acts as a positive regulator of muscle size. Here we demonstrate that Drosophila Activin signaling promotes growth of the muscle cells along all three axes; width, thickness and length. Activin signaling positively regulates the InR/dTORC1 pathway and the level of Mhc, an essential sarcomeric protein, via increased Pdk1 and Akt1 expression. Enhancing InR/dTORC1 signaling in the muscle of Activin pathway mutants restores Mhc levels close to wild-type, but only increases muscle width. In contrast, hyperactivation of the Activin pathway in muscles increases overall larval body and muscle fiber length even when Mhc levels were lowered by suppression of dTORC1. Together, these results indicate that the Drosophila Activin pathway regulates larval muscle geometry and body size via promoting InR/dTORC1-dependent Mhc production and the differential assembly of sarcomeric components into either pre-existing or new sarcomeric units depending on the balance of InR/dTORC1 and Activin signals.
The visual ecology of Holocentridae, a nocturnal coral reef fish family with a deep-sea-like multibank retina
Authors: de Busserolles Fanny , Cortesi Fabio , Fogg Lily , Stieb Sara M. , Luehrmann Martin , Marshall N. Justin
Published: November 2020

The visual systems of teleost fishes usually match their habitats and lifestyles. Since coral reefs are bright and colourful environments, the visual systems of their diurnal inhabitants have been more extensively studied than those of nocturnal species. In order to fill this knowledge gap, we conducted a detailed investigation of the visual system of the nocturnal reef fish family Holocentridae. Results showed that the visual system of holocentrids is well adapted to their nocturnal lifestyle with a rod-dominated retina. Surprisingly, rods in all species were arranged into 6-17 well-defined banks, a feature most commonly found in deep-sea fishes, that may increase the light sensitivity of the eye and/or allow colour discrimination in dim-light. Holocentrids also have the potential for dichromatic colour vision during the day with the presence of at least two spectrally different cone types: single cones expressing the blue-sensitive SWS2A gene, and double cones expressing one or two green-sensitive RH2 genes. Some differences were observed between the two subfamilies, with Holocentrinae (squirrelfish) having a slightly more developed photopic visual system than Myripristinae (soldierfish). Moreover, retinal topography of both ganglion cells and cone photoreceptors showed specific patterns for each cell type, likely highlighting different visual demands at different times of the day, such as feeding. Overall, their well-developed scotopic visual systems and the ease of catching and maintaining holocentrids in aquaria, make them ideal models to investigate teleost dim-light vision and more particularly shed light on the function of the multibank retina and its potential for dim-light colour vision.
Development of touch and fine motor skills in children with visual impairments
Authors: Osipova Larisa
Published: November 2020

The training manual summarizes the scientific and theoretical issues of the study of compensation for visual impairment, reveals the role of touch in overcoming the shortcomings of sensory experience in visual disorders, identifies the features and conditions of the development of touch and fine motor skills as a means of compensating for visual impairment in preschool children with strabismus and amblyopia, and considers the main methodological approaches to the organization of correctional work in this direction. A program for the development of touch and fine motor skills is proposed, and the main organizational, methodological, and didactic aspects of its implementation are considered. Meets the requirements of the Federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation. For students of higher educational institutions enrolled in directions of preparation "Special (defectological) education" (qualification "bachelor" profiles "Preschool defectology", "management skills"), "Pedagogical education (profile-Preschool education), "Psychological and pedagogical education (profile Psychology and pedagogics of preschool education"), "Special (defectological) education" (qualification "master", master program "Psychological and pedagogical support of persons with disabilities", "Psychology-pedagogical support of persons with visual impairments»), as well as for students of advanced training and retraining courses in the field of special and inclusive education. It can be useful for teachers, postgraduates, students of defectology departments of pedagogical universities, teachers of special (correctional) educational institutions.
Modeling of innovative production development of oil and gas regions
Authors: Beilin Igor'
Published: November 2020

The monograph presents new and improved methodological approaches to modeling the economic efficiency of innovative production processes in oil and gas regions on the example of the Volga Federal district. The results of the study may be in demand in the professional activities of state authorities at both the regional and Federal levels, as well as top management of budget-forming oil and gas companies and companies interacting with them. The materials of the monograph are recommended for use in the educational process of bachelor's and master's degrees in the areas of "Economics", "Management", "State and municipal management", "innovation", as well as in research work in the scientific specialties "Economic theory", "Economics and management of national economy", "Mathematical and instrumental methods of Economics", etc.
Choosing Technology: An Entrepreneurial Strategy Approach
Authors: Gans Joshua S. , Kearney Michael , Scott Erin L. , Stern Scott
Published: November 2020

A central premise of research in the strategic management of innovation is that start-ups are able to leverage emerging technological trajectories as a source of competitive advantage. But, if the potential for a technology is given by the fundamental character of a given technological trajectory, then why does entrepreneurial strategy matter? Or, put another way, if the evolution of technology is largely shaped by the strategic choices entrepreneurs make, then why do technological trajectories exhibit systematic patterns such as the technology S-curve? Taking a choice-based perspective, this paper illuminates the choices confronting a start-up choosing their technology by resolving the paradox of the technology S-curve through a reformulation of the foundations of the technology S-curve. Specifically, we reconceptualize the technology S-curve not as a technological given but as an envelope of potential outcomes reflecting differing strategic choices by the entrepreneur in exploration versus exploitation. Taking this lens, we are able to clarify the role of technological uncertainty on start-up strategy, the impact of constraints on technological evolution, and how technology choice is shaped by the possibility of imitation. Our findings suggest that staged exploration may stall innovation as a result of the replacement effect, increasing the strategic importance of commitment.
Long COVID is a long-term issue for all nursing services
Authors: Harrison Penny
Published: November 2020

Penny Harrison, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at De Montfort University, Leicester, discusses the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
Entanglement protection of Ince-Gauss modes in atmospheric turbulence using adaptive optics
Authors: Zhu Kuntuo , Lin Zaisheng , Yin Liuguo , Wang Chuan , Long Guilu
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we describe the study of the faithful propagation of entangled orbital angular momentum states of light under atmospheric turbulence. The spatial mode is encoded in the Ince-Gauss modes that constitute a complete family of exact and orthogonal solutions of the paraxial wave equation in an elliptic coordinate system. Adaptive optics is employed to protect the entanglement from degradation, in which the threshold of turbulence strength could be enhanced for a reliable entanglement distribution. We find that the evolution of entanglements relies on ellipticity and shows the opposite trend when adopting adaptive optics. The turbulence strengths, at which the concurrences of various entangled states become zero, are different without adaptive optics but almost the same with adaptive optics. The trace of the density matrix is independent of the different ellipticity with or without adaptive optics. We believe that this investigation is useful for long-distance quantum communications and quantum networks using orbital angular momentum as information carriers.
Accurate non-linear calculation model for decoupling thermal and mechanical loading effects in the OBR measurements
Authors: Wang Shaoquan , Lasn Kaspar
Published: November 2020

Fiber optic sensors are increasingly used in several fast-growing industries. Aerospace, energy storage, and the medical sector consider new implementations of optical fibers mainly for condition monitoring purposes. Applications using optical fibers entail measurements of distributed strains and temperatures. However, the spectral shifts of transmitted and reflected light are simultaneously sensitive to both of these influences. This coupled sensitivity can introduce large errors for signal interpretation. An accurate calculation model for signal decoupling is necessary to distinguish pure mechanical strains from pure thermal loading. Approaches where the spectral shift is assumed to vary linearly with temperature give large errors when the temperature variation is high. This investigation derives and validates a new temperature formula that is used for high precision strain and temperature discrimination. The non-linear temperature formula is deduced from physics-based models and is validated with Rayleigh backscattering based OBR measurements. Our calculation approach demonstrates improved accuracy over an extended temperature range. The relationship between strain and temperature effects in the coupled mechanical and thermal loading environment is further studied in detail.
Second-harmonic generation divergence—a method for domain size
evaluation of 2D materials
Authors: Deng Jingwen , Xu Zihan , Yu Zhihao , Zheng Junrong
Published: November 2020

Single-atomic-layered materials are important for future electronics. They allow optoelectronic devices to be fabricated at the single-atomic layer level. A single-atomic-layered two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) film is usually composed of randomly orientated single-crystalline domains, and the size distribution of the domains on a large-area film has a significant impact on the applications of the film, but the impact is difficult to characterize. We report an approach to evaluate the size of the single-crystalline domains by measuring the second-harmonic generation divergence caused by the domains of different orientations. Using this method, domain size mapping on an

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region of a continuous

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film is achieved. This method provides a fast and efficient way of domain size characterization across a large area in a non-destructive and transfer-free manner for single-atomic-layered TMD films.
High-power, low-coherence laser driver facility
Authors: Gao Yanqi , Ji Lailin , Zhao Xiaohui , Cui Yong , Rao Daxing , Feng Wei , Xia Lan , Liu Dong , Wang Tao , Shi Haitao , Li Fujian , Liu Jia , Pengyuan Du , Li Xiaoli , Liu Jiani , Zhang Tianxiong , Shan Chong , Hua Yilin , Ma Weixin , Sui Zhan , Zhu Jian , Pei Wenbing , Fu Sizu , Sun Xun , Chen Xianfeng
Published: November 2020

We report the first (to the best of our knowledge) high-power, low-coherence Nd:glass laser delivering kilojoule pulses with a coherent time of 249 fs and a bandwidth of 13 nm, achieving the 63%-efficiency second-harmonic conversion of the large-aperture low-coherence pulse and good beam smoothing effect. It provides a new type of laser driver for laser plasma interaction and high energy density physics research.
Building resilience to mosquito-borne diseases in the Caribbean
Authors: Lowe Rachel , Ryan Sadie J. , Mahon Roché , Van Meerbeeck Cedric J. , Trotman Adrian R. , Boodram Laura-Lee G. , Borbor-Cordova Mercy J. , Stewart-Ibarra Anna M.
Published: November 2020

Small island developing states in the Caribbean are among the most vulnerable countries on the planet to climate variability and climate change. In the last 3 decades, the Caribbean region has undergone frequent and intense heat waves, storms, floods, and droughts. This has had a detrimental impact on population health and well-being, including an increase in infectious disease outbreaks. Recent advances in climate science have enhanced our ability to anticipate hydrometeorological hazards and associated public health challenges. Here, we discuss progress towards bridging the gap between climate science and public health decision-making in the Caribbean to build health system resilience to extreme climatic events. We focus on the development of climate services to help manage mosquito-transmitted disease epidemics. There are numerous areas of ongoing biological research aimed at better understanding the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. Here, we emphasise additional factors that affect our ability to operationalise this biological understanding. We highlight a lack of financial resources, technical expertise, data sharing, and formalised partnerships between climate and health communities as major limiting factors to developing sustainable climate services for health. Recommendations include investing in integrated climate, health and mosquito surveillance systems, building regional and local human resource capacities, and designing national and regional cross-sectoral policies and national action plans. This will contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and maximising regional development partnerships and co-benefits for improved health and well-being in the Caribbean.
Understanding how temperature shifts could impact infectious disease
Authors: Rohr Jason R. , Cohen Jeremy M.
Published: November 2020

Climate change is expected to have complex effects on infectious diseases, causing some to increase, others to decrease, and many to shift their distributions. There have been several important advances in understanding the role of climate and climate change on wildlife and human infectious disease dynamics over the past several years. This essay examines 3 major areas of advancement, which include improvements to mechanistic disease models, investigations into the importance of climate variability to disease dynamics, and understanding the consequences of thermal mismatches between host and parasites. Applying the new information derived from these advances to climate–disease models and addressing the pressing knowledge gaps that we identify should improve the capacity to predict how climate change will affect disease risk for both wildlife and humans.
Transforming the study of organisms: Phenomic data models and knowledge bases
Authors: Thessen Anne E. , Walls Ramona L. , Vogt Lars , Singer Jessica , Warren Robert , Buttigieg Pier Luigi , Balhoff James P. , Mungall Christopher J. , McGuinness Deborah L. , Stucky Brian J. , Yoder Matthew J. , Haendel Melissa A.
Published: November 2020

The rapidly decreasing cost of gene sequencing has resulted in a deluge of genomic data from across the tree of life; however, outside a few model organism databases, genomic data are limited in their scientific impact because they are not accompanied by computable phenomic data. The majority of phenomic data are contained in countless small, heterogeneous phenotypic data sets that are very difficult or impossible to integrate at scale because of variable formats, lack of digitization, and linguistic problems. One powerful solution is to represent phenotypic data using data models with precise, computable semantics, but adoption of semantic standards for representing phenotypic data has been slow, especially in biodiversity and ecology. Some phenotypic and trait data are available in a semantic language from knowledge bases, but these are often not interoperable. In this review, we will compare and contrast existing ontology and data models, focusing on nonhuman phenotypes and traits. We discuss barriers to integration of phenotypic data and make recommendations for developing an operationally useful, semantically interoperable phenotypic data ecosystem.
LncRNA MIR4435-2HG mediates cisplatin resistance in HCT116 cells by regulating Nrf2 and HO-1
Authors: Luo Ping , Wu Shugui , Ji Kaibao , Yuan Xia , Li Hongmi , Chen Jinping , Tian Yunfei , Qiu Yang , Zhong Xiaoming
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Cisplatin resistance is still a serious problem in the clinic. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In our study, we investigated cisplatin resistance by using the cisplatin-resistant cell line HCT116R.

Methods

The HCT116 cell line, a colon cancer cell line, was purchased. Cell viability was determined using CCK-8 Assay Kit. The gene expression levels of MIR4435-2HG, Nrf2, and HO-1, and caspase activity were determined using qRT-PCR and Caspase 3 Assay Kit, respectively.

Results

In this study, we found that the levels of the lncRNA MIR4435-2HG were dramatically increased in the cisplatin-resistant cell line HCT116R. Knockdown of MIR4435-2HG in HCT116R cells significantly restored the sensitivity to cisplatin, inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. Furthermore, Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA levels, as critical molecules in the oxidative stress pathway, were inhibited by siRNAs targeting MIR4435-2HG, suggesting that MIR4435-2HG-mediated cisplatin resistance occurs through the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that the lncRNA MIR4435-2HG is a main factor driving the cisplatin resistance of HCT116 cells.
Direct and indirect effects of land-use intensity on plant communities across elevation in semi-natural grasslands
Authors: Buzhdygan Oksana Y. , Tietjen Britta , Rudenko Svitlana S. , Nikorych Volodymyr A. , Petermann Jana S.
Published: November 2020

Grassland biodiversity is vulnerable to land use change. How to best manage semi-natural grasslands for maintaining biodiversity is still unclear in many cases because land-use processes may depend on environmental conditions and the indirect effects of land-use on biodiversity mediated by altered abiotic and biotic factors are rarely considered. Here we evaluate the relative importance of the direct and indirect effects of grazing intensity on plant communities along an elevational gradient on a large topographic scale in the Eastern Carpathians in Ukraine. We sampled for two years 31 semi-natural grasslands exposed to cattle grazing. Within each grassland site we measured plant community properties such as the number of species, functional groups, and the proportion of species undesirable for grazing. In addition, we recorded cattle density (as a proxy for grazing intensity), soil properties (bare soil exposure, soil organic carbon, and soil pH) and densities of soil decomposers (earthworms and soil microorganisms). We used structural equation modelling to explore the direct and indirect effects of grazing intensity on plant communities along the elevation gradient. We found that cattle density decreased plant species and functional diversity but increased the proportion of undesirable species. Some of these effects were directly linked to grazing intensity (i.e., species richness), while others (i.e., functional diversity and proportion of undesirable species) were mediated via bare soil exposure. Although grazing intensity decreased with elevation, the effects of grazing on the plant community did not change along the elevation gradient. Generally, elevation had a strong positive direct effect on plant species richness as well as a negative indirect effect, mediated via altered soil acidity and decreased decomposer density. Our results indicate that plant diversity and composition are controlled by the complex interplay among grazing intensity and changing environmental conditions along an elevation gradient. Furthermore, we found lower soil pH, organic carbon and decomposer density with elevation, indicating that the effects of grazing on soil and related ecosystem functions and services in semi-natural grasslands may be more pronounced with elevation. This demonstrates that we need to account for environmental gradients when attempting to generalize effects of land-use intensity on biodiversity.
3 versus 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging for parcellations of subcortical brain structures in clinical settings
Authors: Isaacs Bethany R. , Mulder Martijn J. , Groot Josephine M. , van Berendonk Nikita , Lute Nicky , Bazin Pierre-Louis , Forstmann Birte U. , Alkemade Anneke
Published: November 2020

7 Tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging holds great promise for improved visualization of the human brain for clinical purposes. To assess whether 7T is superior regarding localization procedures of small brain structures, we compared manual parcellations of the red nucleus, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra, globus pallidus interna and externa. These parcellations were created on a commonly used clinical anisotropic clinical 3T with an optimized isotropic (o)3T and standard 7T scan. The clinical 3T MRI scans did not allow delineation of an anatomically plausible structure due to its limited spatial resolution. o3T and 7T parcellations were directly compared. We found that 7T outperformed the o3T MRI as reflected by higher Dice scores, which were used as a measurement of interrater agreement for manual parcellations on quantitative susceptibility maps. This increase in agreement was associated with higher contrast to noise ratios for smaller structures, but not for the larger globus pallidus segments. Additionally, control-analyses were performed to account for potential biases in manual parcellations by assessing semi-automatic parcellations. These results showed a higher consistency for structure volumes for 7T compared to optimized 3T which illustrates the importance of the use of isotropic voxels for 3D visualization of the surgical target area. Together these results indicate that 7T outperforms c3T as well as o3T given the constraints of a clinical setting.
Trends in the prevalence and incidence of orphanhood in children and adolescents <20 years in rural KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, 2000-2014
Authors: Mejia-Pailles Gabriela , Berrington Ann , McGrath Nuala , Hosegood Victoria
Published: November 2020

Background

In South Africa, large increases in early adult mortality during the 1990s and early 2000s have reversed since public HIV treatment rollout in 2004. In a rural population in KwaZulu-Natal, we investigate trends in parental mortality and orphanhood from 2000–2014.

Methods

Using longitudinal demographic surveillance data for a population of approximately 90,000, we calculated annual incidence and prevalence of maternal, paternal and double orphanhood in children and adolescents (<20 years) and, overall and cause-specific mortality of parents by age.

Results

The proportion of children and adolescents (<20 years) for whom one or both parents had died rose from 26% in 2000 to peak at 36% in 2010, followed by a decline to 32% in 2014. The burden of orphanhood remains high especially in the oldest age group: in 2014, 53% of adolescents 15–19 years had experienced the death of one or both parents. In all age groups and years, paternal orphan prevalence was three-five times higher than maternal orphan prevalence. Maternal and paternal orphan incidence peaked in 2005 at 17 and 27 per 1,000 person years respectively (<20 years) before declining by half through 2014. The leading cause of parental death throughout the period, HIV/AIDS and TB cause-specific mortality rates declined substantially in mothers and fathers from 2007 and 2009 respectively.

Conclusions

The survival of parents with children and adolescents <20 years has improved in tandem with earlier initiation and higher coverage of HIV treatment. However, comparatively high levels of parental deaths persist in this rural population in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly among fathers. Community-level surveillance to estimate levels of orphanhood remains important for monitoring and evaluation of targeted state welfare support for orphans and their guardians.
Year-round water management for desert bighorn sheep corresponds with visits by predators not bighorn sheep
Authors: Harris Grant M. , Stewart David R. , Brown David , Johnson Lacrecia , Sanderson Jim , Alvidrez Aaron , Waddell Tom , Thompson Ron
Published: November 2020

Managing water (e.g., catchments) to increase the abundance and distribution of game is popular in arid regions, especially throughout the southwest United States, where biologists often manage water year-round for desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni). Bighorn may visit water when predators (e.g., mountain lions [Puma concolor], coyotes [Canis latrans]) do not, suggesting that differences in species ecology or their surface water requirements influence visit timing. Alternatively, visits by desert bighorn sheep and predators may align. The former outcome identifies opportunities to improve water management by providing water when desert bighorn sheep visit most, which hypothetically may reduce predator presence, range expansion and predation, thereby supporting objectives to increase sheep abundances. Since advancing water management hinges on understanding the patterns of species visits, we identified when these three species and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) visited managed waters in three North American deserts (Chihuahuan, Sonoran, Mojave). We unraveled the ecological basis describing why visits occurred by associating species visits with four weather variables using multi-site, multi-species models within a Bayesian hierarchical framework (3.4 million images; 105 locations; 7/2009-12/2016). Desert bighorn sheep concentrated visits to water within 4–5 contiguous months. Mountain lions visited water essentially year-round within all deserts. Higher maximum temperature influenced visits to water, especially for desert bighorn sheep. Less long-term precipitation (prior 6-week total) raised visits for all species, and influenced mountain lion visits 3–20 times more than mule deer and 3–37 times more than sheep visits. Visits to water by prey were inconsistent predictors of visits to water by mountain lions. Our results suggest improvements to water management by aligning water provision with the patterns and ecological explanations of desert bighorn sheep visits. We exemplify a scientific approach to water management for enhancing stewardship of desert mammals, be it the southwest United States or arid regions elsewhere.
On the production of ancient Egyptian blue: Multi-modal characterization and micron-scale luminescence mapping
Authors: Seymour Linda M. , Nicola Marco , Kessler Max I. , Yost Claire L. , Bazzacco Alessandro , Marello Alessandro , Ferraris Enrico , Gobetto Roberto , Masic Admir
Published: November 2020

The ancient pigment Egyptian blue has long been studied for its historical significance; however, recent work has shown that its unique visible induced luminescent property can be used both to identify the pigment and to inspire new materials with this characteristic. In this study, a multi-modal characterization approach is used to explore variations in ancient production of Egyptian blue from shabti statuettes found in the village of Deir el-Medina in Egypt (Luxor, West Bank) dating back to the New Kingdom (18th-20th Dynasties; about 1550–1077 BCE). Using quantitative SEM-EDS analysis, we identify two possible production groups of the Egyptian blue and demonstrate the presence of multiple phases within samples using cluster analysis and ternary diagram representations. Using both macro-scale non-invasive (X-rays fluorescence and multi-spectral imaging) and micro-sampling (SEM-EDS and Raman confocal microspectroscopy) techniques, we correlate photoluminescence and chemical composition of the ancient samples. We introduce Raman spectroscopic imaging as a means to capture simultaneously visible-induced luminesce and crystal structure and utilize it to identify two classes of luminescing and non-luminescing silicate phases in the pigment that may be connected to production technologies. The results presented here provide a new framework through which Egyptian blue can be studied and inform the design of new materials based on its luminescent property.
Deep-learning algorithms for the interpretation of chest radiographs to aid in the triage of COVID-19 patients: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Jang Se Bum , Lee Suk Hee , Lee Dong Eun , Park Sin-Youl , Kim Jong Kun , Cho Jae Wan , Cho Jaekyung , Kim Ki Beom , Park Byunggeon , Park Jongmin , Lim Jae-Kwang
Published: November 2020

The recent medical applications of deep-learning (DL) algorithms have demonstrated their clinical efficacy in improving speed and accuracy of image interpretation. If the DL algorithm achieves a performance equivalent to that achieved by physicians in chest radiography (CR) diagnoses with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, the automatic interpretation of the CR with DL algorithms can significantly reduce the burden on clinicians and radiologists in sudden surges of suspected COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the DL algorithm for detecting COVID-19 pneumonia on CR compared with formal radiology reports. This is a retrospective study of adult patients that were diagnosed as positive COVID-19 cases based on the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction among all the patients who were admitted to five emergency departments and one community treatment center in Korea from February 18, 2020 to May 1, 2020. The CR images were evaluated with a publicly available DL algorithm. For reference, CR images without chest computed tomography (CT) scans classified as positive for COVID-19 pneumonia were used given that the radiologist identified ground-glass opacity, consolidation, or other infiltration in retrospectively reviewed CR images. Patients with evidence of pneumonia on chest CT scans were also classified as COVID-19 pneumonia positive outcomes. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the DL algorithm for detecting COVID-19 pneumonia on CR were 95.6%, and 88.7%, respectively. The area under the curve value of the DL algorithm for the detection of COVID-19 with pneumonia was 0.921. The DL algorithm demonstrated a satisfactory diagnostic performance comparable with that of formal radiology reports in the CR-based diagnosis of pneumonia in COVID-19 patients. The DL algorithm may offer fast and reliable examinations that can facilitate patient screening and isolation decisions, which can reduce the medical staff workload during COVID-19 pandemic situations.
Modeling and interpreting the COVID-19 intervention strategy of China: A human mobility view
Authors: Chen Haonan , He Jing , Song Wenhui , Wang Lianchao , Wang Jiabao , Chen Yijin
Published: November 2020

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has proved a globally prevalent outbreak since December 2019. As a focused country to alleviate the epidemic impact, China implemented a range of public health interventions to prevent the disease from further transmission, including the pandemic lockdown in Wuhan and other cities. This paper establishes China’s mobility network by a flight dataset and proposes a model without epidemiological parameters to indicate the spread risks through the network, which is termed as epidemic strength. By simply adjusting an intervention parameter, traffic volumes under different travel-restriction levels can be simulated to analyze how the containment strategy can mitigate the virus dissemination through traffic. This approach is successfully applied to a network of Chinese provinces and the epidemic strength is smoothly interpreted by flow maps. Through this node-to-node interpretation of transmission risks, both overall and detailed epidemic hazards are properly analyzed, which can provide valuable intervention advice during public health emergencies.
Emotional health concerns of oncology physicians in the United States: Fallout during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Thomaier Lauren , Teoh Deanna , Jewett Patricia , Beckwith Heather , Parsons Helen , Yuan Jianling , Blaes Anne H. , Lou Emil , Hui Jane Yuet Ching , Vogel Rachel I.
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Cancer care is significantly impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our objective was to evaluate the early effects of the pandemic on the emotional well-being of oncology providers across the United States and explore factors associated with anxiety and depression symptoms.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional survey was administered to United States cancer-care physicians recruited over a two-week period (3/27/2020–4/10/2020) using snowball-convenience sampling through social media. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4).

Results

Of 486 participants, 374 (77.0%) completed the PHQ-4: median age was 43 years; 63.2% female; all oncologic specialties were represented. The rates of anxiety and depression symptoms were 62.0% and 23.5%, respectively. Demographic factors associated with anxiety included female sex, younger age, and less time in clinical practice. Perception of inadequate personal protective equipment (68.6% vs. 57.4%, p = 0.03) and practicing in a state with more COVID-19 cases (65.8% vs. 51.1%, p = 0.01) were associated with anxiety symptoms. Factors significantly associated with both anxiety and depression included the degree to which COVID-19 has interfered with the ability to provide treatment to cancer patients and concern that patients will not receive the level of care needed for non-COVID-19 illness (all p-values <0.01).

Conclusion

The perceived degree of interference with clinical practice along with personal concerns about COVID-19 were significantly associated with both anxiety and depression among oncology physicians in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight factors associated with and sources of psychological distress to be addressed to protect the well-being of oncology physicians.
Discovering novel driver mutations from pan-cancer analysis of mutational and gene expression profiles
Authors: Tegally Houriiyah , Kensler Kevin H. , Mungloo-Dilmohamud Zahra , Ghoorah Anisah W. , Rebbeck Timothy R. , Baichoo Shakuntala
Published: November 2020

As the genomic profile across cancers varies from person to person, patient prognosis and treatment may differ based on the mutational signature of each tumour. Thus, it is critical to understand genomic drivers of cancer and identify potential mutational commonalities across tumors originating at diverse anatomical sites. Large-scale cancer genomics initiatives, such as TCGA, ICGC and GENIE have enabled the analysis of thousands of tumour genomes. Our goal was to identify new cancer-causing mutations that may be common across tumour sites using mutational and gene expression profiles. Genomic and transcriptomic data from breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers were aggregated and analysed using differential gene expression methods to identify the effect of specific mutations on the expression of multiple genes. Mutated genes associated with the most differentially expressed genes were considered to be novel candidates for driver mutations, and were validated through literature mining, pathway analysis and clinical data investigation. Our driver selection method successfully identified 116 probable novel cancer-causing genes, with 4 discovered in patients having no alterations in any known driver genes: MXRA5, OBSCN, RYR1, and TG. The candidate genes previously not officially classified as cancer-causing showed enrichment in cancer pathways and in cancer diseases. They also matched expectations pertaining to properties of cancer genes, for instance, showing larger gene and protein lengths, and having mutation patterns suggesting oncogenic or tumor suppressor properties. Our approach allows for the identification of novel putative driver genes that are common across cancer sites using an unbiased approach without any a priori knowledge on pathways or gene interactions and is therefore an agnostic approach to the identification of putative common driver genes acting at multiple cancer sites.
Abnormal birth weight in urban Nigeria: An examination of related factors
Authors: Fayehun Olufunke , Asa Soladoye
Published: November 2020

There is a knowledge gap on abnormal birth weight in urban Nigeria where specific community contexts can have a significant impact on a child’s health. Abnormal birth weight, classified into low birth weight and high birth weight, is often associated with adverse health outcomes and a leading risk for neonatal morbidity and mortality. The study used datasets from the birth recode file of 2013 and 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS); a weighted sample of pooled 9,244 live births by 7,951 mothers within ten years (2008–2018) in urban Nigeria. The effects of individual, healthcare utilization and community-level variables on the two abnormal birth weight categories were explored with a multinomial logistic regression models using normal birth weight as a reference group. In urban Nigeria, the overall prevalence of ABW was 18.3%; high birth weight accounted for the majority (10.7%) of infants who were outside the normal birth weight range. Predictors of LBW were community (region), child characteristic (the type of birth) and household (wealth index) while that of HBW were community (regions), child characteristics (birth intervals and sex), maternal characteristic (education) and healthcare utilization (ANC registration). LBW was significantly more prevalent in the northern part while HBW was more common in the southern part of urban Nigeria. This pattern conforms to the expected north-south dichotomy in health indicators and outcomes. These differences can be linked to suggested variation in regional exposure to urbanization in Nigeria.
Alcohol use and viral suppression in HIV-positive Kenyan female sex workers on antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Long Jessica E. , Richardson Barbra A. , Wanje George , Wilson Kate S. , Shafi Juma , Mandaliya Kishorchandra , Simoni Jane M. , Kinuthia John , Jaoko Walter , McClelland R. Scott
Published: November 2020

Background

Excessive alcohol intake has been associated with poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). The impact of alcohol on viral suppression is particularly important among groups at high risk of HIV transmission, such as female sex workers (FSWs). Few studies have directly evaluated the association between alcohol use and HIV viral load. We hypothesized that hazardous or harmful alcohol use is associated with detectable plasma viral load among HIV-positive FSWs.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted among HIV-positive FSWs in Mombasa, Kenya. Hazardous or harmful alcohol use was assessed yearly and defined as an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score ≥7. Detectable viral load was assessed every six months and defined as ≥180 c/mL. Adherence measures were collected monthly and included late ART refill (>48 hours) and self-reported adherence, using both a validated self-rating scale of ability to take medication and visual analog scale (VAS) of ART use in the last month. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate adjusted relative risks (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

This analysis included 366 participants followed monthly between October 2012 and March 2018. At baseline, AUDIT scores indicated hazardous alcohol use (AUDIT 7–15) in 14.3%, harmful alcohol use (AUDIT 16–19) in 1.4%, and alcohol dependency (AUDIT ≥20) in 1.4% of participants. After adjusting for potential confounders, a combined exposure including hazardous, harmful, and dependent alcohol use was not associated with detectable viral load (aRR 1.10, 95%CI 0.63–1.92) or late ART refill (aRR 1.13, 95%CI 0.82–1.56), but was associated with lower self-rated ability to take medication (aRR 2.38, 95%CI 1.42–3.99) and a lower rate of self-reported perfect ART adherence by VAS (aRR 2.62, 95%CI 1.84–3.71).

Conclusions

In this FSW cohort, while participants reporting hazardous, harmful, or dependent alcohol use were not more likely to have a detectable viral load, they were more likely to report lower ART adherence. These results suggest that interventions targeting alcohol use among this population of FSWs may not have a large impact on viral suppression.
Search engine marketing and social media marketing predictive trends
Authors: Nyagadza Brighton
Published: November 2020

The research purpose of this article was to analyse the search engine marketing and social media marketing predictive trends that are occurring both regionally in Africa and on a global scale. The motivation for the study was to offer pragmatic advice to business practitioners in crafting digital marketing strategies by leveraging search engine marketing and social media marketing trends. In terms of research methodology, a systematic literature survey method and an inductive research approach were applied. Social media concepts were critically analysed and evaluated to determine their link to the current research focus area. The main literature findings showed that the main trends include the use of Accelerated Mobile Pages, micro-vlogging, voice search, blogging and social messaging. In the continuous dynamic digital landscape, marketers need to embrace the art of doing business by adopting new search engine marketing and social media marketing techniques. With this in mind, it is important for corporations to utilize social media for the development of marketing strategies. The viral power of social media makes it more attractive to businesses promoting their products to target markets. The article also provides an intuitive apprehension of the predictive trends in digital marketing, which are vital for developing an agile stance to outwit rivals in blue oceans.
From state-controlled media to video-on-demand platforms: Rethinking global cultural flows and television viewers’ changing habits in the case of Turkey
Authors: Kaymas Serhat
Published: November 2020

This study aims to open a discussion on the changing face of cultural imperialism within the context of contemporary capitalism’s conditions and the changing habits of Turkish television viewers. Although the past two decades have witnessed a growing interest in both the changing patterns of television viewing habits and viewers’ class status, this process has focused almost exclusively on the West and specifically Euro-American metropolitan viewers’ experiences. By contrast, very few studies have directly addressed other contexts, specifically, television viewers in non-western countries. Based on cultural proximity and cultural discount theories, this study analyses the reasons and outcomes behind Turkish television viewers’ ongoing tendency towards the video-on-demand platforms, such as Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video or their domestic counterparts, like Puhu or Blu TV, under Turkey’s ongoing modernization process. The results suggest that video-on-demand platforms provide particular interest for television viewers while offering relative freedom from state-controlled public media or strictly regulated private channels. Nevertheless, these platforms have appealed to both Turkish upper-middle-class viewers and younger viewers who have the cultural background to enjoy and appreciate the content on offer. This study also indicates how access to streaming platforms in Turkey mainly relies on the class status of television viewers, and that this kind of cultural flow, to some extent, creates a digital divide in Turkey.
Paisajes del viñedo, turismo y sostenibilidad: interrelaciones teóricas y aplicadas
Authors: Cañizares Ruiz Mª Carmen , Ruíz Pulpón Ángel Raúl
Published: November 2020

Los paisajes del viñedo, como paisajes culturales agrarios, aportan gran potencial para impulsar diversas fórmulas de turismo sostenible, entendido como aquél que vela por un equilibrio entre los condicionantes ambientales, sociales y económicos que rodean a dicha actividad. En estos paisajes se define el estado de conservación de los recursos naturales, se expresa la autenticidad sociocultural de las comunidades locales y se favorece el mantenimiento de las actividades económicas, bien a partir de su propia finalidad productiva, bien como recurso cultural y escénico en base a su viabilidad turística. Partimos, en este caso, de distintas aproximaciones teóricas que revelan la importancia de estos paisajes en relación con el territorio entendido como patrimonio, con la filosofía de la sostenibilidad y con su atractivo turístico a partir de los beneficios que aportan al visitante. Desde un punto de vista aplicado, consideramos que las explotaciones vitivinícolas certificadas con Denominación de Origen propia, comúnmente conocidas como “Vinos de Pago”, presentan una importante potencialidad para planificar y promover fórmulas de turismo sostenible