bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing ultrastructure and density properties to predict wood hardness of young fast grown plantation teak
Authors: Damayanti R , Dewi L M , Ozarska B , Illic J , Pari G , Krisdianto
Published: September 2020

The use of plantation timber has been increasing to supply raw material for timber manufacturing. Super teak (Tectona grandisLinn. f), a fast grown teak planted in Indonesia was successfully harvested in very young age (5 years old). This frequently rises queries whether the young super teak could meet the minimum quality criteria for wood working. Investigation on wood properties should be undertaken to measure the required wood properties. However, physical and mechanical testings require a long time process and large size samples. Therefore, a non-destructive method to predict wood properties of standing trees need to be developed. This study aims to assess ultrastructure and density properties to predict wood hardness of young fast grown plantation teak. Samples were collected from super teak plantation in East and West Java. Crystallinity and its quantifiers were measured using X-Ray Diffraction. The hardness was determined using an Instron® universal strength testing machine. The result showed that wood density was significantly related to wood hardness for all structural directions; the power relationship explained 52-56% of the variation. Degree of crystallinity (DC) and crystallite width were found as parameters affecting wood hardness. DC was positively correlated to wood hardness for all structural directions (r=0.2; r2=0.04), whereas crystallite width was negatively correlated to radial and end-grain hardness (r=0.2; r2=0.04). The power of prediction increased only by 1-5% when crystallinity factors were included with density, thus the extra effort of using XRD is not warranted for non-destructive prediction of wood hardness.
Chemical components content of seven Indonesian bamboo species
Authors: Maulana M I , Marwanto M , Nawawi D S , Nikmatin S , Febrianto F , Kim N H
Published: September 2020

Chemical components content of seven Indonesian bamboo species were investigated. Bamboo species used in this study including Andong bamboo (Gigantochloa pseudoarundinacea), Tali bamboo (G.apus), Hitam bamboo (G. artoviolacea), Betung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper), Sembilang bamboo (D. giganteus), Ampel bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris var. vulgaris), and Kuning bamboo (B. vulgaris var. striata). Holocellulose, alphacellulose, Klason lignin, acid-soluble lignin, extractives content, and pH value were determined. The highest holocellulose and alphacellulose content were found in Ampel and Hitam bamboo, respectively. Sembilang bamboo has the highest lignin content. Generally, Ampel bamboo has the highest extractives content. The pH value of the seven bamboo species showed that all bamboo species tend to be acidic.
Sound damping and sound absorption of Acacia mangium from various diameter
Authors: Rangga A , Salmia  , Yunianti A D , Putranto B
Published: September 2020

Previous studies recommend acacia wood to be used as an acoustic component of the panel (sound dampening). This study wanted to obtain optimal diameter information in the use of Acacia mangium as raw material for acoustic panels. Given the diameter of the wood related with the development of cells that occur in trees that affect the other basic properties of the wood. The research tree of the acacia wood with diameter of 17 cm, 25 cm and 35 cm. The basic properties of the wood being tested are vessel diameter, density and MOE. While the acoustic properties are sound damping and sound absorption. The results showed the acoustic properties of acacia wood were not influenced by diameter, but related to the basic properties of wood such as vessel diameter, density and MOE.
Effect of ethanol polarity on extraction yield, antioxidant, and sunscreen activities of phytochemicals from Gyrinops versteegii leaves
Authors: Sari R K , Wahyuningrum M , Rafi M , Wientarsih I
Published: September 2020

Gyrinops versteegiiis one of the agarwood-producing species that is popularly cultivated in Indonesia. This research aimed to determine the yield, in vitro antioxidant and sunscreen activities ofG. versteegiileaf phytochemicals (extracts) from the maceration with ethanol solvents at various polarities (E100%, E50%, E0%) and to analyze the total phenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the extracts. The result shows that the polarity of ethanol affects the yield, antioxidant and sunscreen activities, and TPC of the extract. The E50% dissolved extract is the highest yield (19.14%), antioxidant activity (DPPH and CUPRAC test value are 35.82 and 389.52 μmol trolox/g sample), sunscreen activity (sun protection value is 14.9) and TPC (89.35 mg/g AGE) with TFC 0.485%.
Characterization of ball-milled sago pith waste-based activated carbon treated with KOH and KMnO4 as activating agent
Authors: Qanytah  , Syamsu K , Fahma F , Pari G
Published: September 2020

The potential use of sago pith waste to produce activated carbon were studied. This study examined the effect of KOH or KMnO4 as activating agent on producing ball milled sago pith waste-based activated carbon. Activation was done using KOH or KMnO4 at 2.5% and 5% concentration, heated in a reactor to reach 800°C for 1 hour, and then continue steamed for 1 hour. Sample size was reduced to <500 nm using high-energy ball-milling at 500 rpm for 150 min. Analysis included the yield, water content, ash content, volatile matter, burnt-off weight percentage, morphology analysis, functional groups analysis (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, FTIR), crystallinity analysis (X-ray diffraction, XRD), and surface area analysis (Brunauer, Emmelt, and Teller/BET). Ball-milling treatment produced sago pith waste activated carbon of 585.40 nm and a particle distribution index (PDI) score of 0.673. The activated carbon that met the criteria of SNI 06-3730-1995 for moisture content and volatile matter were sago pith waste with activating agent KMnO4 5%, and sago pith waste with activating agent KMnO4 5% & milling. The study showed the activated carbon that had the best Iodine number was sago pith waste with activating agent KOH 2.5% (619.40 mg/g). The activated carbon that met the criteria of SNI 06-3730-1995 for methylene blue adsorbtion capacity was sago pith waste with activating agent KOH 2.5% & milling and sago pith waste with activating agent KOH 5% & milling. The activated carbon with the highest surface area was sago pith waste with activating agent KOH 2.5% & milling. The best activated carbon based on all parameters was sago pith waste with activating agent KOH 2.5% & milling.
Fuel substitution by wood gasification for diesel electricity generator
Authors: Siregar U J , Lestari A , Rusniarsyah L , Siregar C A
Published: September 2020

Gasification is a technology for converting biomass into energy in the form of gas. The gas produced can be used as fuel in a diesel generator with dual fuel system. The purposes of this study were to identify the gasification characteristics of sengon, pine, and caliandra woods, as well as wood pellet to produce burnable gas and to analyze the role of burnable gas produced in reducing diesel input in a dual system generator engine. In this study, a locally designed downdraft gasifier and a commercially available diesel engine generator with 12 kW maximum power output were used. The study investigated wood consumption rate, color of fire, and percentage of diesel savings from each wood type. Gasification process was running well, of which burned woods and wood pellet produced an orange-stable flame. The consumption rate of wood was 18 kg/hour for sengon, 15 kg/hour for calliandra, 8 kg/hour for Pine, while wood pellet was 6 kg/hour. Diesel savings with gas co-firing was 33%, 50% and 95% for sengon, calliandra and pine respectively. The low efficiency of diesel savings may due to heat radiation in the reactor and heat loss in the gas purification process or a decrease in efficiency of the diesel generator engine.
High translucent of polymeric membrane reinforced by nanocellulose from oil palm empty fruit bunches
Authors: Hastuti N , Kanomata K , Kitaoka T
Published: September 2020

Polymeric membranes have gained high interest since they provide great potential to be used as functional products in energy, electronics and remediation applications. In this study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNs) extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) cross-linked with poly(methyl vinyl ether co-maleic acid)/PMVEMA and poly(ethylene glycol)/(PEG) by insitu polymerization to produce polymeric membranes. Characterization of resultant polymeric membranes was employed by microscopic observation to evaluate membrane morphology. UV-Vis analysis and mechanical testing were conducted to observe the effect of nanocellulose addition towards membrane translucent and mechanical properties. Results indicated that the presence of nanocellulose improved membrane translucent and mechanical properties by only 5 weight (wt)% of addition. CNCs addition has higher translucent improvement on polymeric membrane compared to TOCNs. However, TOCNs addition has higher improvement in mechanical properties than CNCs. Polymeric membrane reinforced by nanocellulose has potential utilization for thin film-based composite.
Shear strength and subterranean termite resistance of polystyrene impregnated sengon (Falcataria moluccana) glulam
Authors: Nurhanifah  , Hermawan D , Hadi Y S , Arsyad W O M , Abdillah I B
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study is to evaluate shear strength and improve the resistance of glulam from sengon(Falcataria moluccana)wood through the preliminary treatment of polystyrene impregnation. Sengon laminas were impregnated with polystyrene and made into two-layer glulam using isocyanate adhesives. The glulam was tested for shear strength according to American Standard for Testing Materials D-905-98, and exposed to subterranean termite attack in the laboratory scale according to Indonesian standard SNI 7207-2014. The untreated glulam and solid wood were used as a comparison purposes, and the tested samples were six replicas. The polymer loading of polystyrene glulam was 28.7%. The results showed that shear strength of solid wood was not significantly different from glulam, it means that impregnation process of the styrene on sengon wood does not affect the gluing process. The polystyrene impregnated glulam had better resistant to termite attack than solid wood, but it was not significantly different from the untreated glulam. To get better resistance it could be further study for higher polymer loading in glulam manufacturing.
Microfibrillated cellulose from sweet sorghum (Shorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench) fiber by twin screw extruder and its charateristics on polylactic acid biocomposites
Authors: Suryanegara L , Kusumaningrum W B , Zalesti J
Published: September 2020

High tensile strength and modulus could be obtained by microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) addition into PLA matric. MFC production from sweet sorghum fiber with twin screw extruder (TSE) could be an effective mechanical treatment. The objective of this research is to study the effectivity of twin screw extruders for MFC production from sweet sorghum fiber and to analyze its effect on PLA biocomposites properties. Sorghum fiber was firstly delignificated with alkaline treatments and bleached with sodium peroxide solution to produce high cellulose content of fiber. Bleached sorghum fiber was then passed through into TSE for 1, 3, and 5 passes. Afterward, PLA biocomposites with MFC from TSE process were produced by the solvent casting method. Twin screw extruder with co-rotating intermeshing flow is effective for defibrillation and size reduction of cellulose fibers which could achieve 1-10 μm in diameter and millimeters in length.. The tensile strength of PLAM_TSE5 increase 4.54% in 50.60 Mpa and modulus of elasticity increase 40.36% in 2.82 Gpa. Storage modulus of PLAM_TSE5 also increases 10.64% in 3.088 Mpa compare to pure PLA.
Properties of fibreboard (FBs) and recycle fibreboard (rFBs) and analysis of their wastage after recycling
Authors: Nuryawan A , Risnasari I , Pohan A P , Husna A U , Nasution T I , Banurea R , Hartini K S
Published: September 2020

Fibreboards (FBs) bonded by urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin derived from industry were intended to undergo cyclist test, a simulation of recycling activity. Objective of this study was to compare quality of FBs before and after recycling including analyse its wastage. Methods of this study were consisted of evaluation physical and mechanical properties of FBs before recycling, cyclist test, remanufacturing FBs, evaluation recycle FBs (rFBs), comparing the properties between FBs and rFBs and analysing the wastage of recycling activity both solid residue and liquid disposal. Results of this study showed physical and mechanical properties of FBs changed after recycling presumably because of the difference in reproduction method. Some physical properties showed better quality, while the mechanical properties performed decrease drastically. Cyclist test predicted that FBs were more resistant in 3 (three) cyclist compared to that of rFBs. There was wastage of recycling consisting of macro solid fibre with length dimension of 1000.51±339.21 μm and micro solid fibre with variation in distribution size. Liquid disposal (LD) contained nitrogen (N) with amount 0.05% presumably from sol fraction of UF resin. These findings suggested that remanufacturing of rFBs was feasible even though wastage of recycling activity was inevitable. Fortunately, LD can be utilized further for example for fertilizer because the N content exists.
Dielectric properties of heat treated teak wood (Tectona grandis Linn. F)
Authors: Karlinasari L , Adzkia U , Tang R A , Irzaman
Published: September 2020

Heat treatment is a modification method that uses modification of drying temperature or other heat treatment to improve wood quality. Heat treatment with a temperature of 150°C and 180°C for 0, 2, and 6 hours carried out on 8 years old teak wood can improve its quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat treatment on the dielectric properties of teak wood. The parameters in this study are the capacitance and dielectric constant or relative permittivity. The results showed that heat treatment affected the physical and dielectric properties of wood. Moisture content and wood density decrease after heat treatment. The changes on those physical properties influenced dielectric properties. Heat treated wood have decreased the dielectric wood properties significantly. The capacitance and the dielectric constant decrease on the sample which applied in higher temperature and time. Frequencies below 10 kHz have affected on dielectric properties or both capacitance and dielectric contant Based on the study, the heat treatment was decreasing the ability of electrical insulator properties of wood.
Natural weathering on coated tropical woods
Authors: Lestari A T , Darmawan W , Nandika D
Published: September 2020

Teak and pine are common wood species in Indonesia. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the performance of the coating layer in these wood species after six months natural weathering. The durability on natural weathering is evaluated due to microbial disfigurement (fungi or algae), checking and cracking, whereas microbial disfigurement (fungi or algae) is evaluated using ASTM D 3274-95, checking with ASTM D660-93, and cracking with ASTM D 661-93. Wood samples of 30 (l) × 15 (w) × 2 (t) cm are sanded before painted, then preservatives, water repellents, and its combinations are applied on the surface of the samples. The results showed that the coating layer of the combination of paint and preservatives and the combination of paint and water repellents could provide better protection of the surface on long rotation teak, short rotation teak, and pine boards against microbial disfigurement, checking and cracking compared to the other coating layers after 24 weeks of natural weathering. The coating layers on long rotation teak and short rotation teak gave better protection against microbial disfigurement, checking and cracking than pine wood. The coating layer on the radial section gave better protection compared to the tangential section. However, the durability of the coating layer on the radial and tangential section is not significantly different.
The suitability of forest tree species for enrichment planting at PT Semitau Region, West Kalimantan
Authors: Vinton A A , Yudana A , Puspoyo S , Wijaya A , Siregar I Z
Published: September 2020

Forest tree enrichment can improve biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Tree enrichment planting in the riverside rehabilitation area of palm oil plantation needs to be monitored to prevent the risk of erosion and sedimentation. However, regular monitoring of enrichment planting is not yet optimally carried out including the benefits and identified suitable species through field observations. This study was aimed to determine the three most suitable tree species to be recommended for enrichment planting in the riverside rehabilitation areas at PT Semitau Region oil palm plantation. Samples were determined through a combination of linear systematic sampling methods. The measured variables included the survival percentage, health, diameter, height, light intensity, and soil analysis. The results showed that the three species had the best adaptability, namely kawi (Shorea balangeran), pulai (Alstonia spp.), and ubah (Syzygium darifolium) with 21%, 15%, and 10% dominance frequency, respectively. Total dominance frequency of 45 % for all three species are expected to be useful information for increasing successfully riverside rehabilitation area of oil palm plantation.
Transport abnormity and its modulations via gating effect and light illumination at the SrNbO3/SrTiO3 interface
Authors: Yan Xi , Zhang Hui , Shen Baogen , Hu Fengxia , Sun Jirong
Published: September 2020

LaAlO3/SrTiO3-based two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) has been extensively studied because of its intriguing physical properties and potential application prospect. However, seldom researches have related their extraordinary macroscopic transport phenomena to the microscopic domain structure of SrTiO3. This requires some unique technique like scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) microscopy. In this work, we developed a different 2DEG system at the interface of SrNbO3 thin film and SrTiO3. Using only the electrical methods, we found a pronounced hysteresis behavior in the resistance versus temperature curves, marked by the appearance/disappearance of two resistance peaks in the heating/cooling process. In sharp contrast to the conventional gate effect, the resistance peak grows under positive electric biases applied to backgate with conducting interface being grounded. In addition, a weak light (0.04 mW, 405 nm) can completely eliminate the two resistance anomalies. After a systematic analysis, we attribute the resistance anomaly to the cubic-tetragonal transition of bulk SrTiO3 and surface SrTiO3. The present work presents a promising demonstration to get mesoscopic information on oxide interface via transport behaviors.
Mass ratio definition of vortex-induced vibration systems with added mass consideration
Authors: Lee Yin Jen , Zhou Guangya , Lua Kim Boon
Published: September 2020

This study proposes an alternative mass ratio definition for vortex-induced vibration (VIV) systems. The proposed definition, henceforth known as ‘total mass ratio’, differs from the conventionally used mass ratio definition (i.e. the ratio of the mass of the oscillating body to the mass of the displaced fluid) in that the added mass of the fluid is taken into account. Two-dimensional numerical simulations are conducted to compare the effect of mass ratio on the VIV response of two cylinders with different cross sections, namely, a fully-filled solid cylinder and a hollow cylinder with fluid-filled cavities; both are designed to generate identical flow characteristics. When plotted against the conventional mass ratio, VIV response amplitudes of the fully-filled and hollow cylinders are different despite the similarity in flow characteristics. Conversely, the trends of VIV response amplitude against total mass ratio for both cylinders overlap almost perfectly. Results therefore suggest that the total mass ratio definition yields a more complete representation of the mass property of the VIV system, especially when comparing cylinders of different cross-sectional geometries.
Extra-group paternity varies with proxies of relatedness in a social mammal with high inbreeding risk
Authors: Wells David A , Cant Michael A , Thompson Faye J , Marshall Harry H , Vitikainen Emma I K , Hoffman Joseph I , Nichols Hazel J
Published: September 2020

Behavioral mechanisms for avoiding inbreeding are common in the natural world and are believed to have evolved as a response to the negative consequences of inbreeding. However, despite a fundamental role in fitness, we have a limited understanding of the cues that individuals use to assess inbreeding risk, as well as the extent to which individual inbreeding behavior is repeatable. We used piecewise structural equation modeling of 24 years of data to investigate the causes and consequences of within- versus extra-group paternity in banded mongooses. This cooperatively breeding mammal lives in tight-knit social groups that often contain closely related opposite-sex breeders, so inbreeding can be avoided through extra-group mating. We used molecular parentage assignments to show that, despite extra-group paternity resulting in outbred offspring, within-group inbreeding occurs frequently, with around 16% litters being moderately or highly inbred. Additionally, extra-group paternity appears to be plastic, with females mating outside of their social group according to individual proxies (age and immigration status) and societal proxies (group size and age) of within-group inbreeding risk but not in direct response to levels of within-group relatedness. While individual repeatability in extra-group paternity was relatively low, female cobreeders showed high repeatability, suggesting a strong constraint arising from the opportunities for extra-group mating. The use of extra-group paternity as an inbreeding avoidance strategy is, therefore, limited by high costs, opportunity constraints, and the limited reliability of proxies of inbreeding risk.
A machine learning-based method for prediction of macrocyclization patterns of polyketides and non-ribosomal peptides
Authors: Agrawal Priyesh , Mohanty Debasisa
Published: September 2020

Motivation

Even though genome mining tools have successfully identified large numbers of non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in bacterial genomes, currently no tool can predict the chemical structure of the secondary metabolites biosynthesized by these BGCs. Lack of algorithms for predicting complex macrocyclization patterns of linear PK/NRP biosynthetic intermediates has been the major bottleneck in deciphering the final bioactive chemical structures of PKs/NRPs by genome mining.

Results

Using a large dataset of known chemical structures of macrocyclized PKs/NRPs, we have developed a machine learning (ML) algorithm for distinguishing the correct macrocyclization pattern of PKs/NRPs from the library of all theoretically possible cyclization patterns. Benchmarking of this ML classifier on completely independent datasets has revealed ROC–AUC and PR–AUC values of 0.82 and 0.81, respectively. This cyclization prediction algorithm has been used to develop SBSPKSv3, a genome mining tool for completely automated prediction of macrocyclized structures of NRPs/PKs. SBSPKSv3 has been extensively benchmarked on a dataset of over 100 BGCs with known PKs/NRPs products.

Availability and implementation

The macrocyclization prediction pipeline and all the datasets used in this study are freely available at http://www.nii.ac.in/sbspks3.html.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Detection of epileptic activity in presumably normal EEG
Authors: Baldini Sara , Pittau Francesca , Birot Gwenael , Rochas Vincent , Tomescu Miralena I , Vulliémoz Serge , Seeck Margitta
Published: September 2020

Monitoring epileptic activity in the absence of interictal discharges is a major need given the well-established lack of reliability of patients’ reports of their seizures. Up to now, there are no other tools than reviewing the seizure diary; however, seizures may not be remembered or dismissed voluntarily. In the present study, we set out to determine if EEG voltage maps of epileptogenic activity in individual patients can help to identify disease activity, even if their scalp EEG appears normal. Twenty-five patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy were included. For each patient, 6 min of EEG with spikes (yes-spike) and without visually detectable epileptogenic discharges (no-spike) were selected from long-term monitoring recordings (EEG 31–37 channels). For each patient, we identified typical discharges, calculated their average and the corresponding scalp voltage map (‘spike-map’). We then fitted the spike-map for each patient on their (i) EEG epochs with visible spikes, (ii) epochs without any visible spike and (iii) EEGs of 48 controls. The global explained variance was used to estimate the presence of the spike-maps. The individual spike-map occurred more often in the spike-free EEGs of patients compared to EEGs of healthy controls (P = 0.001). Not surprisingly, this difference was higher if the EEGs contained spikes (P < 0.001). In patients, spike-maps were more frequent per second (P < 0.001) but with a shorter mean duration (P < 0.001) than in controls, for both no-spike and yes-spike EEGs. The amount of spike-maps was unrelated to clinical variables, like epilepsy severity, drug load or vigilance state. Voltage maps of spike activity are present very frequently in the scalp EEG of patients, even in presumably normal EEG. We conclude that spike-maps are a robust and potentially powerful marker to monitor subtle epileptogenic activity.
HPLC Gradient Retention of Tryptophan and its Metabolites on Three Stationary Phases in Context of Lipophilicity Assessment
Authors: Wicha-Komsta Katarzyna , Skibiński Robert , Kocki Tomasz , Turski Waldemar A , Komsta Łukasz
Published: September 2020

This paper is a continuation of lipophilicity research on 14 compounds (tryptophan, kynurenine pathway products, auxin pathway products, serotonin pathway products, tryptamine, as well as two synthetic auxin analogs): indole-2-acetic acid sodium salt (IAA), serotonin, 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, tryptamine, L-tryptophan, L-kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYA), 3-hydroxy-DL-kynurenine, naphtyl-1-acetamide, indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), naphthalene-1-acetic acid (NAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPV), as well as melatonin. They were chromatographed in high performance liquid chromatography gradient conditions on tree stationary phases (C18, CN, DIOL) using three modifiers on each phase (methanol, acetonitrile and acetone). The resulting retention data was correlated with computational lipophilicity indices. Six compounds were proven to be ionized in neutral pH physiological conditions (IAA, KYA, IPA, NAA, IBA and IPV) and they were rechromatographed with acidic mobile phase to enhance the resulting dataset. It can be concluded that the retention times are highly correlated with lipophilicity regardless of used modifier and column and the main differentiating trend can be only connected to presence of naphthalene or indole ring. The principal component analysis, additive linear modeling, as well as multiplicative trilinear parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) modeling helped to understand the internal structure of the obtained results.
Early Rule-Out Strategies in the Emergency Department Utilizing High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Assays
Authors: Lopez-Ayala Pedro , Boeddinghaus Jasper , Koechlin Luca , Nestelberger Thomas , Mueller Christian
Published: September 2020

Background

Over the past decade, intense collaboration between academic investigators and the diagnostic industry have allowed the integration of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays into clinical practice worldwide. The hs-cTn assays, with their increased diagnostic accuracy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), have facilitated the maturation of early rule-out strategies. The first iteration was complex and required the combination of a biomarker panel, the electrocardiogram, and a clinical risk score and allowed the safe rule-out of AMI in only 10% of patients with acute chest pain. In contrast, the latest iterations, including the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 0/1-h algorithm, are simple. They are based on hs-cTn concentrations only and allow the safe rule-out or rule-in of AMI in up to 75% of patients.

Content

The purposes of this minireview are (a) to describe the best validated hs-cTn–based strategies for early rule-out of AMI, (b) to discuss the advantages and limitations of the different strategies, (c) to identify patient subgroups requiring particular attention, (d) to recognize challenges for widespread clinical implementation, and (e) to provide guidance on strategies for their safe and effective clinical implementation.

Physicians and institutions may choose among several well-validated rule-out algorithms. The ESC 0/1-h algorithm for hs-cTnT or hs-cTnI seems to be the most attractive option today. It best balances safety and efficacy, and it has been derived and validated for all currently available hs-cTnT/I assays, facilitating widespread clinical implementation.
Media Ethics, Moral Controversies, and the Sociology of Critique
Authors: Hove Thomas
Published: September 2020

Communication scholars have begun to investigate various links between empirical research and normative theory. In that vein, this article explores how Boltanski and Thévenot’s sociology of critique can enhance our empirical and normative understanding of controversies in media ethics. The sociology of critique and its justification model provide a comprehensive descriptive framework for studying practices of moral evaluation and the social goods at stake in them. First, I discuss some prevailing approaches in media ethics. Second, I explicate how the sociology of critique defines situations of normative justification and supplies a model of their basic requirements. Third, I show how this model can be used to analyze the social background of a media ethics controversy. Last, I suggest how the descriptive approach of the sociology of critique can identify conditions in morally pluralistic social settings that pose challenges to normative theories.
Stress myocardial perfusion with qualitative magnetic resonance and quantitative dynamic computed tomography: comparison of diagnostic performance and incremental value over coronary computed tomography angiography
Authors: de Knegt Martina C , Rossi Alexia , Petersen Steffen E , Wragg Andrew , Khurram Ruhaid , Westwood Mark , Saberwal Bunny , Mathur Anthony , Nieman Koen , Bamberg Fabian , Jensen Magnus T , Pugliese Francesca
Published: September 2020

Aims

Assessment of haemodynamically significant coronary artery disease (CAD) using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging perfusion or dynamic stress myocardial perfusion imaging by computed tomography (CT perfusion) may aid patient selection for invasive coronary angiography (ICA). We evaluated the diagnostic performance and incremental value of qualitative CMR perfusion and quantitative CT perfusion complementary to cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for the diagnosis of haemodynamically significant CAD using fractional flow reserve (FFR) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) as reference standard.

Methods and results

CCTA, qualitative visual CMR perfusion, visual CT perfusion, and quantitative relative myocardial blood flow (CT-MBF) were performed in patients with stable angina pectoris. FFR was measured in coronary vessels with stenosis visually estimated between 30% and 90% diameter reduction on ICA. Haemodynamically significant CAD was defined as FFR <0.80, or QCA ≥80% in those cases where FFR could not be performed. A total of 218 vessels from 93 patients were assessed. An optimal cut-off of 0.72 for relative CT-MBF was determined. The diagnostic performances (area under the receiver-operating characteristics curves, 95% CI) of visual CMR perfusion (0.84, 0.77–0.90) and relative CT-MBF (0.86, 0.81–0.92) were comparable and outperformed visual CT perfusion (0.64, 0.57–0.71). In combination with CCTA ≥50%, CCTA + visual CMR perfusion (0.91, 0.86–0.96), CCTA + relative CT-MBF (0.92, 0.88–0.96), and CCTA + visual CT perfusion (0.82, 0.75–0.90) improved discrimination compared with CCTA alone (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Visual CMR perfusion and relative CT-MBF outperformed visual CT perfusion and provided incremental discrimination compared with CCTA alone for the diagnosis of haemodynamically significant CAD.
External elastic lamina vs. luminal diameter measurement for determining stent diameter by optical coherence tomography: an ILUMIEN III substudy
Authors: Shlofmitz Evan , Jeremias Allen , Parviz Yasir , Karimi Galougahi Keyvan , Redfors Björn , Petrossian Gregory , Edens Madison , Matsumura Mitsuaki , Maehara Akiko , Mintz Gary S , Stone Gregg W , Shlofmitz Richard A , Ali Ziad A
Published: September 2020

Aims

Optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided external elastic lamina (EEL)-based stent sizing is safe and as effective as intravascular ultrasound in achieving post-procedural lumen dimensions. However, when compared with automated lumen diameter (LD) measurements, this approach is time-consuming. We aimed to compare vessel diameter measurements and stent diameter selection using either of these approaches and examined whether applying a correction factor to automated LD measurements could result in selecting similar stent diameters to the EEL-based approach.

Methods and results

We retrospectively compared EEL-based measurements vs. automated LD in reference segments in 154 OCT acquisitions and derived a correction factor for stent sizing using the ratio of EEL to LD measurements. We then prospectively applied the correction factor in 119 OCT acquisitions. EEL could be adequately identified in 100 acquisitions (84%) at the distal reference to allow vessel diameter measurement. Vessel diameters were larger with EEL-based vs. LD measurements at both proximal (4.12 ± 0.74 vs. 3.14 ± 0.67 mm, P < 0.0001) and distal reference segments (3.34 ± 0.75 vs. 2.64 ± 0.65 mm, P < 0.0001). EEL-based downsizing led to selection of larger stents vs. an LD-based upsizing approach (3.33 ± 0.47 vs. 2.70 ± 0.44, P < 0.0001). Application of correction factors to LD [proximal 1.32 (IQR 1.23–1.37) and distal 1.25 (IQR 1.19–1.36)] resulted in discordance in stent sizing by >0.25 mm in 63% and potentially hazardous stent oversizing in 41% of cases.

Conclusion

EEL-based stent downsizing led to selection of larger stent diameters vs. LD upsizing. While applying a correction factor to automated LD measurements resulted in similar mean diameters to EEL-based measurements, this approach cannot be used clinically due to frequent and potentially hazardous stent over-sizing.
How to build a multi-arterial coronary artery bypass programme: a stepwise approach
Authors: Gaudino Mario F L , Sandner Sigrid , Bonalumi Giorgia , Lawton Jennifer S , Fremes Stephen E ,   in collaboration with the Coronary Task Force of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
Published: September 2020

Observational evidence shows that the use of multiple arterial grafts (MAG) is associated with longer postoperative survival and improved clinical outcomes. The current European Society of Cardiology/European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Guidelines on myocardial revascularization recommend the use of MAG in appropriate patients. However, a significant volume-to-outcome relationship exists for MAG, and lack of sufficient experience is associated with increased operative risk. A stepwise approach to building experience with MAG allows successful implementation of this technique into routine coronary surgery practice.
Modeling Self-Thinning Patterns in Loblolly Pine with Provenance and Family Effects
Authors: Walker Trevor D , Bullock Bronson P , Smith Benjamin C , McKeand Steven E
Published: September 2020

Size-density trajectories and self-thinning boundary lines were modeled for two diverse provenances of Pinus taeda L. and five open-pollinated families within each provenance. The data used come from a single site with replicated 64-tree block plots measured through age 25 years. The effects of provenance and family were tested using linear and nonlinear mixed-effects self-thinning models. The drought-hardy Lost Pines of Texas provenance displayed a greater predicted carrying capacity (almost 200 more trees per hectare at reference diameter 25.4 cm) and had a more abrupt approach to the self-thinning line than the widely planted Atlantic Coastal Plain provenance. However, the growth rate of the Lost Pines of Texas provenance was considerably slower and stem form was unacceptable for timber production. Families from the Atlantic Coastal Plain differed in their maximum stand density index predictions (from 1,118 to 1,282 trees per hectare at the reference diameter), suggesting there is an opportunity for artificial selection to change maximum stand density index in this breeding population of loblolly pine. A novel method for predicting the self-thinning boundary line using random effects inherent to the experimental design is presented and recommended for repeated measures data. Experimental design considerations for evaluating genetic differences in self-thinning are discussed.

Study Implications

Genetic improvement of growth rate in forest trees has resulted in large gains in plantation productivity, but the effect on carrying capacity has not been addressed. This study indicated that artificial selection on tolerance to competition in the widely planted Atlantic Coastal Plain provenance of loblolly pine can potentially increase harvest yield without sacrificing growth rate. The drought-hardy Lost Pines of Texas provenance displayed greater carrying capacity but had poor stem form and slow growth. The Lost Pines provenance may be attractive for aboveground carbon sequestration, since it sustained substantially more biomass because of greater maximum stand density and denser wood.
Automatic anatomical classification of colonoscopic images using deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Saito Hiroaki , Tanimoto Tetsuya , Ozawa Tsuyoshi , Ishihara Soichiro , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Shichijo Satoki , Hirasawa Dai , Matsuda Tomoki , Endo Yuma , Tada Tomohiro
Published: September 2020

Background

A colonoscopy can detect colorectal diseases, including cancers, polyps, and inflammatory bowel diseases. A computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system using deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that can recognize anatomical locations during a colonoscopy could efficiently assist practitioners. We aimed to construct a CAD system using a CNN to distinguish colorectal images from parts of the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum.

Method

We constructed a CNN by training of 9,995 colonoscopy images and tested its performance by 5,121 independent colonoscopy images that were categorized according to seven anatomical locations: the terminal ileum, the cecum, ascending colon to transverse colon, descending colon to sigmoid colon, the rectum, the anus, and indistinguishable parts. We examined images taken during total colonoscopy performed between January 2017 and November 2017 at a single center. We evaluated the concordance between the diagnosis by endoscopists and those by the CNN. The main outcomes of the study were the sensitivity and specificity of the CNN for the anatomical categorization of colonoscopy images.

Results

The constructed CNN recognized anatomical locations of colonoscopy images with the following areas under the curves: 0.979 for the terminal ileum; 0.940 for the cecum; 0.875 for ascending colon to transverse colon; 0.846 for descending colon to sigmoid colon; 0.835 for the rectum; and 0.992 for the anus. During the test process, the CNN system correctly recognized 66.6% of images.

Conclusion

We constructed the new CNN system with clinically relevant performance for recognizing anatomical locations of colonoscopy images, which is the first step in constructing a CAD system that will support us during colonoscopy and provide an assurance of the quality of the colonoscopy procedure.
Examining Community-Based Housing Models to Support Aging in Place: A Scoping Review
Authors: Chum Karen , Fitzhenry Griffin , Robinson Kali , Murphy Michelle , Phan Delyth , Alvarez Jacob , Hand Carri , Laliberte Rudman Debbie , McGrath Colleen
Published: September 2020

Background and Objectives

With the global population aging, there is a demand for older adults to age in place, that is, to live and age well in their home and community with some level of independence. Community-based housing models exist and may support this process. This scoping review aimed to describe and synthesize the ways in which community-based housing models relate to older adults’ aging in place and identify strengths and gaps in the literature.

Research Design and Methods

The housing models explored were villages, naturally occurring retirement communities, congregate housing and cohousing, sheltered housing, and continuing care retirement communities. This exploratory scoping review examined international peer-reviewed literature published from 2004 to 2019. Six databases were searched using terms related to housing models and older adults. Forty-six articles met the inclusion criteria. Descriptive numerical summary and thematic analysis were used to synthesize study characteristics and findings.

Results

Our analysis revealed 4 themes relating to aging in place in the housing models: Social Relations, Health and Well-being, Sense of Self and Autonomy, and Activity Participation. Further analysis identified housing-specific characteristics that appeared to pose barriers to, or enable, aging in place.

Discussion and Implications

To best support aging in place, the findings of the review suggest multiple characteristics worth considering when developing or relocating to a community-based housing model. Further research is required to understand how facilitating characteristics can promote aging in place for community-dwelling older adults.
Efficacy of Canadian health warning statements on caffeinated energy drinks: an experimental study among young Canadians
Authors: Wiggers Danielle , Reid Jessica L , Hammond David
Published: September 2020

The current study examined the efficacy of health warnings on caffeinated energy drinks (CEDs). Participants aged 12–24 years (n = 2040) completed an online survey where they were asked to recall any existing warning statements on CED products and were randomized to one of 29 experimental warning conditions. Regression models were fitted to examine differences between conditions in product appeal, perceived safety and message recall. Overall, fewer than 30% of participants were able to accurately describe an existing CED product warning. Experimental findings indicated that exposure to CEDs with warning labels resulted in greater recall. Warnings on the back of CED cans featuring large font, a border, and a ‘caution’ heading resulted in significantly greater recall (P < 0.05 for all). Front-of-package ‘High source of caffeine’ labels resulted in greater recall than a quantitative description (P < 0.001); caffeine labels generally elicited lower product appeal (P < 0.001) and perceived safety (P = 0.002) ratings vs. no caffeine labels, and the qualitative caffeine statement elicited lower perceived safety ratings than the quantitative statement (P = 0.02). Existing warning statements in Canada have low levels of awareness. Warnings on CEDs could be enhanced to increase the salience of messages, with greater impact from clear, descriptive, front-of-package ‘High source of caffeine’ labels.
First-in-children epicardial mapping of the heart: unravelling arrhythmogenesis in congenital heart disease
Authors: Kharbanda Rohit K , van Schie Mathijs S , van Leeuwen Wouter J , Taverne Yannick J.H.J , Houck Charlotte A , Kammeraad Janneke A.E , Bogers Ad J.J.C , de Groot Natasja M.S
Published: September 2020

Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are prone to develop atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Multiple factors throughout life contribute to arrhythmogenicity substrate such as (i) (longstanding) volume and/or pressure overload, (ii) scar tissue, (iii) ageing-related structural remodelling, (iv) cardiovascular risk factors and (v) tachycardia-induced remodelling. At present, it is unknown whether, and to what extent, paediatric patients with CHD have atrial or ventricular conduction disorders early in life and whether there is a correlation between duration of volume/pressure overload and extensiveness of conduction disorders. To investigate this, we initiated high-resolution intraoperative epicardial mapping in paediatric patients with CHD undergoing primary open-heart surgery.
Semi-abelian Spectral Data for Singular Fibres of the 𝖲𝖫(2,ℂ)-Hitchin System
Authors: Horn Johannes
Published: September 2020

We describe spectral data for singular fibres of the $\textsf{SL}(2,{\mathbb{C}})$-Hitchin fibration with irreducible and reduced spectral curve. Using Hecke transformations, we give a stratification of these singular spaces by fibre bundles over Prym varieties. By analysing the parameter spaces of Hecke transformations, this describes the singular Hitchin fibres as compactifications of abelian group bundles over abelian torsors. We prove that a large class of singular fibres are themselves fibre bundles over Prym varieties. As applications, we study irreducible components of singular Hitchin fibres and give a description of $\textsf{SL}(2,{\mathbb{R}})$-Higgs bundles in terms of these semi-abelian spectral data.
Microbial contamination in the communal-use Lao tobacco waterpipe
Authors: Sinclair Ryan G , Somsamouth Khamphithoun , Sahar Demetria , Englert Robyn , Singh Pramil
Published: September 2020

Background

The use of the Asian tobacco waterpipe (TWP) in the Lao People's Democratic Republic represents a potential communal source of infectious disease. This practice of smoking can lead to weakened defences of a smoker's respiratory epithelium, making the smoker vulnerable to respiratory diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019, tuberculosis and others.

Methods

This study evaluated the water quality and hygiene factors among 43 smokers of five villages in rural Luang Namtha Province. Water samples were collected from participant's TWPs and assessed for the presence of Escherichia coli, coliforms and aerobic plate count (APC) bacteria using the 3M Petrifilm.

Results

The microbial indicator testing results were 95% positive for the APC, 38% positive for coliforms and 17% positive for the E. coli indicator. The concentrations were highest for the APC, with an average of 106 colony forming units (cfu)/ml, followed by coliforms with <100 cfu/ml and lowest for E. coli with <10 cfu/ml. Most TWPs were infrequently cleaned, heavily used and contained a warm, brown-coloured water.

Conclusions

The warm, dark and moist internal water container may facilitate microbial survival and growth. The use of a TWP adds several unstudied modes of transmission to a complex and common biobehavioural and environmental pathogen exposure. Future TWP cessation activities should be tailored to consider risks of infectious disease transmission.