bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of foot dimensions measured from 3‐dimensional foot scans in children and adolescents with Down syndrome
Authors: Hassan Nirmeen M. , Buldt Andrew K. , Shields Nora , Landorf Karl B. , Menz Hylton B. , Munteanu Shannon E.
Published: June 2020

Background

Children and adolescents with Down syndrome have a distinctive foot shape (such as wide and flat feet) that often leads to difficulty with footwear fitting. 3‐dimensional (3D) scanning can accurately measure the foot dimensions of individuals with Down syndrome, which may assist shoe fit. However, the reproducibility of measuring foot dimensions using 3D scans in children and adolescents with Down syndrome is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the intra‐ and inter‐rater reproducibility of measuring foot dimensions of children and adolescents with Down syndrome using 3D scanning.

Methods

3D foot scans of 30 participants with Down syndrome aged 5 to 17 years were obtained using the FotoScan 3D scanner. Foot dimensions assessed were foot length, ball of foot length, outside ball of foot length, diagonal foot width, horizontal foot width, heel width, ball girth, instep girth, first and fifth toe height, and instep height. Additionally, the Wesjflog Index and forefoot shape were determined. Measurements were completed by two raters independently on two separate occasions, 2 weeks apart. Intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability were assessed using intra‐class coefficients (ICCs) and Gwet's AC1 statistics with 95% confidence intervals. Agreement was determined by calculating limits of agreement (LOA) and percentage agreement.

Results

Eighteen participants were female and 12 were male (mean age 10.6 [3.9] years). Intra‐rater reproducibility (ICCs ranged from 0.74 to 0.99, 95% LOA from − 13.7 mm to 16.3 mm) and inter‐rater reproducibility (ICCs ranging from 0.73 to 0.99, 95% LOA from − 18.8 mm to 12.7 mm) was good to excellent, although some measurements (ball of foot length, outside ball of foot length, heel width and girth measurements) displayed wider LOAs indicating relatively poorer agreement. Forefoot shape displayed substantial to almost perfect reliability (Gwet's AC1 0.68 to 0.85) and percentage agreement ranged from 73 to 87%, indicating acceptable agreement.

Conclusions

The measurement of specific foot dimensions of children and adolescents with Down syndrome using 3D scans is reproducible. Findings of this study may be used to support future research measuring specific foot dimensions of children and adolescents with Down syndrome using 3D foot scans.
ESR Statement on the Validation of Imaging Biomarkers
Authors:   European Society of Radiology (ESR), Alberich-Bayarri Angel , Sourbron Steven , Golay Xavier , deSouza Nandita , Smits Marion , van der Lugt Aad , Boellard Ronald
Published: June 2020

Medical imaging capable of generating imaging biomarkers, specifically radiology and nuclear medicine image acquisition and analysis processes, differs from frequently used comparators like blood or urine biomarkers. This difference arises from the sample acquisition methodology. While different analysis methodologies and equipment provide slightly different results in any analytical domain, unlike blood or urine analysis where the samples are obtained by simple extraction or excretion, in radiology the acquisition of the sample is heterogeneous by design, since complex equipment from different vendors is used. Therefore, with this additional degree of freedom in medical imaging, there is still risk of persistent heterogeneity of image quality through time, due to different technological implementations across vendors and protocols used in different centres. Quantitative imaging biomarkers have yet to demonstrate an impact on clinical practice due to this lack of comprehensive standardisation in terms of technical aspects of image acquisition, analysis algorithms, processes and clinical validation.

The aim is establishing a standard methodology based on metrology for the validation of image acquisition and analysis methods used in the extraction of biomarkers and radiomics data. The appropriate implementation of the guidelines herein proposed by radiology departments, research institutes and industry will allow for a significant reduction in inter-vendor & inter-centre variability in imaging biomarkers and determine the measurement error obtained, enabling them to be used in imaging-based criteria for diagnosis, prognosis or treatment response, ultimately improving clinical workflows and patient care. The validation of developed analytical methods must be based on a technical performance validation and clinical validation.
Review of Crossing boundaries: Legal and policy arrangements for cross-border pastoralism by Jonathan Davies, Claire Ogali, Lydia Slobodian, Guyo Roba, Razingrim Ouedraogo
Authors: Semplici Greta , Nori Michele
Published: June 2020

Book details

Jonathan Davies, Claire Ogali, Lydia Slobodian, Guyo Roba, Razingrim Ouedraogo

Crossing boundaries: legal and policy arrangements for cross-border pastoralism

FAO, IUCN, Rome, 2019

110 pp.

Editors: Gregorio Velasco-Gil and Natasha Maru (Pastoralist Knowledge Hub of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

ISBN 978-92-5-131112-7
Some fractional calculus findings associated with the incomplete I-functions
Authors: Jangid Kamlesh , Bhatter Sanjay , Meena Sapna , Baleanu Dumitru , Al Qurashi Maysaa , Purohit Sunil Dutt
Published: June 2020

In this article, several interesting properties of the incomplete I-functions associated with the Marichev–Saigo–Maeda (MSM) fractional operators are studied and investigated. It is presented that the order of the incomplete I-functions increases about the utilization of the above-mentioned operators toward the power multiple of the incomplete I-functions. Further, the Caputo-type MSM fractional order differentiation for the incomplete I-functions is studied and investigated. Saigo, Riemann–Liouville, and Erdélyi–Kober fractional operators are also discussed as specific cases.
Dysregulation of miR-210 is involved in the development of diabetic retinopathy and serves a regulatory role in retinal vascular endothelial cell proliferation
Authors: Yin Chengyu , Lin Xiangqiang , Sun Yafei , Ji Xinli
Published: June 2020

Background

Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and clinical significance of miR-210 in DR patients and explore the regulatory effect of miR-210 on vascular endothelial cell function under high-glucose condition.

Methods

Quantitative real-time PCR was used to estimate miR-210 expression. A receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-210. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used and treated with high glucose (30 mM), and the cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay.

Results

Serum expression of miR-210 was upregulated in DR patients compared with DM without DR patients and healthy controls. The expression of miR-210 in proliferative DR (PDR) patients was higher than non-proliferative DR (NPDR) patients. The increased serum miR-210 could be used to distinguish DR cases from healthy individuals and also simple DM patients, and can screen PDR cases from NPDR cases. The overexpression of miR-210 promoted HUVEC proliferation, while the knockdown of miR-210 resulted in the opposite effect under a high-glucose condition.

Conclusion

The data of this study demonstrated that serum increased miR-210 serves as a diagnostic biomarker in DR patients and may have the ability to predict DR development and severity. The regulatory effect of miR-210 on vascular endothelial cell proliferation under high-glucose condition, indicating its therapeutic potential in the treatment of diabetic vascular diseases.
Alkenone surface hydrographic changes of the subarctic Northwestern Pacific since the last glacial: proxy limitations and implications of non-thermal environmental influences
Authors: Yu Pai-Sen , Liao Chia-Ju , Chen Min-Te , Zou Jian-Jun , Shi Xuefa , Bosin A. A. , Gorbarenko Sergey A. , Yokoyama Yusuke
Published: June 2020

We investigated an alkenone-based sea surface temperature (SST) and the hydrographic change records of the subarctic Northwestern (NW) Pacific from the last glacial to interglacial. The core we investigated is a piston core (LV 63-41-2, 52.56° N, 160.00° E; water depth 1924 m) retrieved from the southern offshore east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, which is a location of high sedimentation rate, with highly dynamic interactions with the cold/warm water masses of the Bering Sea/the NW Pacific. Based on our alkenone analysis with a previously well-established chronology of the core, we found high glacial C37:4 contents suggesting larger freshwater influences prior to the last deglacial in approximately 27–16 ka BP. The most significant features of what we found are alkenone indicative of “warming” intervals with minimum alkenone productions that occurred prior to the stadial Heinrich event 1 and the Younger Dryas. In contrast, for the interval corresponding to the Bølling–Allerød period, our alkenone analysis shows relatively “colder” but maximum alkenone productions. We conclude that this particular subarctic alkenone SST proxy record is mainly masked by non-thermal environmental influences, such as strong shifts of timing and duration of the sea ice retreat and/or salinity changes in surface water at this site, which could cause changes in water stratification that affect nutrient supplies of the upper ocean that modulate growth durations of phytoplankton/coccolithophore productions. Our studies suggest that this subarctic alkenone “SST” proxy record is indicative of the changes of seasonality that control the timing and duration of the blooming seasons of coccolithophores. The alkenone “SST” proxy is also dominantly driven by water stratification effects that, instead of SSTs, reflect most likely a combination of the following local to regional climate and ocean current patterns: (1) the amount of meltwater inputs from high mountain glaciers at Kamchatka; (2) less saline, nutrient-rich Alaskan Stream waters from the Cordilleran Ice Sheet in the Gulf of Alaska; (3) downwelling waters associated with the interactions between the southward Eastern Kamchatka Current and the spinning-up of the North Pacific Subarctic Gyre; and (4) the strength of the Kuroshio Current since the last glacial.
Fibre supply for breeding sows and its effects on social behaviour in group-housed sows and performance during lactation
Authors: Priester Miriam , Visscher Christian , Fels Michaela , Rohn Karl , Dusel Georg
Published: June 2020

Background

Fibre sources as feed components with specific physical characteristics like a high swelling capacity (SC), viscosity and water-binding capacity (WBC) have been discussed to affect sow behaviour and to have long-term effects on lactational performance. The present studies aim to analyse the effects of different fibre sources in diets for sows on behaviour in gestation, reproductive performance as well as piglet development.

Methods

Twenty-eight feedingstuffs (four grain varieties, 16 by-products, three oilseeds and five leguminous plants) were compared concerning swelling capacity, viscosity and water binding capacity to select fibre sources with optimal physical characteristics. Following this a digestibility study was carried out with eight castrates for determining digestibilities of gross energy, crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat and crude ash. Additionally, a practical feeding experiment during gestation was performed with 96 sows of Danish genetics. Two supplements for sows with different fibre sources were composed, namely a control diet (based on wheat bran and lignocellulose) and a test diet containing sugar beet pulp, alfalfa, rapeseed meal, soybean hulls, grape pomace and lignocellulose. Six pens with eight sows each were video-monitored for 2 weeks (evaluation of interactions and fights). Furthermore, the animals were subjected to weekly scoring to count skin injuries. To check the fibre effect on reproductive performance and piglet development, the body condition development of the sows as well as the number and weight of live and stillborn piglets, litter weight- and weaning weight of the litters were recorded.

Results

Digestibility of crude fibre increased significantly in the experimental group (58.8% ± 3.3 vs. 49.0% ± 4.3, p = 0.01). At the sow trial, there was a tendency to observe less aggressive interactions and fewer fights in sows in the fibre group without significance. No significant differences could be measured between the two groups concerning performance parameters of sows and piglets.

Conclusion

Only changing the fibre source in a gestational diet does not have significant effects on the sows´ behaviour and performance of sows and piglets in lactation. It should be investigated how the amount of fibre can be increased without having any negatives effects on the performance so that the positive effects on the behaviour of the sows become more obvious.
Performance of the native predatory bug, Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), on the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and its limitation under field condition
Authors: Keerthi M. C. , Sravika A. , Mahesha H. S. , Gupta Ankita , Bhargavi H. A. , Ahmed Shahid
Published: June 2020

The invasive fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was reported recently in India, in 2018, destroying food and fodder crops. Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), the native pentatomid predatory bug, expanded its host range by predating on larvae of FAW. The incidence of E. furcellata started during the 36th meteorological standard week and reached its peak population (3.4 adult and 2.4 egg mass/m2) during the 40th MSW. The predator adult female was capable of feeding on 126 ± 4.76, 88 ± 1.37, and 69 ± 1.32 larvae of II, IV, and VI instars of S. frugiperda, respectively. The field performance of E. furcellata was narrowed due to the presence of platygastroid secondary parasitoids viz., Gryon sp., Telenomus sp., and Trissolcus sp. where rate of parasitism due to respective parasitoids reached up to 100, 91.80, and 77.68% Autumn 2019.
The scope of mental health research during the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath
Authors: Hotopf Matthew , Bullmore Ed , O'Connor Rory C. , Holmes Emily A.
Published: June 2020

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on population mental health are unknown. We need to understand the scale of any such impact in different sections of the population, who is most affected and how best to mitigate, prevent and treat any excess morbidity. We propose a coordinated and interdisciplinary mental health science response.
Impact of Intrathecal Triple Therapy Versus Intrathecal Methotrexate on Disease-Free Survival for High-Risk B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Children’s Oncology Group Study AALL1131
Authors: Salzer Wanda L. , Burke Michael J. , Devidas Meenakshi , Dai Yunfeng , Hardy Kristina K. , Kairalla John A. , Gore Lia , Hilden Joanne M. , Larsen Eric , Rabin Karen R. , Zweidler-McKay Patrick A. , Borowitz Michael J. , Wood Brent , Heerema Nyla A. , Carroll Andrew J. , Winick Naomi , Carroll William L. , Raetz Elizabeth A. , Loh Mignon L. , Hunger Stephen P.
Published: June 2020

PURPOSE

The high-risk stratum of Children’s Oncology Group Study AALL1131 was designed to test the hypothesis that postinduction CNS prophylaxis with intrathecal triple therapy (ITT) including methotrexate, hydrocortisone, and cytarabine would improve the postinduction 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) compared with intrathecal methotrexate (IT MTX), when given on a modified augmented Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster backbone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Children with newly diagnosed National Cancer Institute (NCI) high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HR B-ALL) or NCI standard-risk B-ALL with defined minimal residual disease thresholds during induction were randomly assigned to receive postinduction IT MTX or ITT. Patients with CNS3-status disease were not eligible. Postinduction IT therapy was given for a total of 21 to 26 doses. Neurocognitive assessments were performed during therapy and during 1 year off therapy.

RESULTS

Random assignment was closed to accrual in March 2018 after a futility boundary had been crossed, concluding that ITT could not be shown to be superior to IT MTX. The 5-year postinduction DFS and overall survival rates (± SE) of children randomly assigned to IT MTX versus ITT were 93.2% ± 2.1% v 90.6% ± 2.3% ( P = .85), and 96.3% ± 1.5% v 96.7% ± 1.4% ( P = .77), respectively. There were no differences in the cumulative incidence of isolated bone marrow relapse, isolated CNS relapse, or combined bone marrow and CNS relapse rates, or in toxicities observed for patients receiving IT MTX compared with ITT. There were no significant differences in neurocognitive outcomes for patients receiving IT MTX compared with ITT.

CONCLUSION

Postinduction CNS prophylaxis with ITT did not improve 5-year DFS for children with HR B-ALL. The standard of care for CNS prophylaxis for children with B-ALL and no overt CNS involvement remains IT MTX.
Real-World Nivolumab Wastage and Leftover Drug Stability Assessment to Facilitate Drug Vial Optimization for Cost Savings
Authors: Fukudo Masahide , Ishikawa Ryota , Mishima Kazuto , Ono Takashi , Matsumoto Seiji , Tasaki Yoshikazu
Published: June 2020

PURPOSE:

Nivolumab dosage was initially selected on the basis of body weight, often resulting in leftover drug after sterile compounding. This study sought to investigate the real-world wastage of nivolumab and assess the long-term stability of leftover nivolumab within vials to facilitate drug vial optimization (DVO).

METHODS:

We collected all discarded vials after preparation from 17 regional hospitals in Japan over a 6-month period preceding the adoption of a fixed dose of 240 mg per administration. The actual amount of waste was measured for each preparation. Stability assessment was performed under different storage conditions.

RESULTS:

A total of 2,789 100-mg vials and 4,069 20-mg vials were collected. Overall, the drug cost associated with the expenditure of nivolumab alone was $12.1 million, whereas the total cost due to drug wastage was $0.735 million (rate of wastage, 6.1%). Furthermore, the immunoglobulin G concentrations of nivolumab remaining within vials, as well as binding activity to programmed death-1 protein, did not change significantly over 4 weeks of storage at either 4°C or room temperature.

CONCLUSION:

Significant drug wastage occurs during sterile preparation of nivolumab according to body weight–based dosing. Although nivolumab dosing has been changed to a fixed dose in Japan, body weight–based dosing is still applied in some other countries, as well as in combination therapy with ipilimumab. Our findings regarding the long-term stability of leftover nivolumab within the vials should motivate hospitals to implement DVO for cost savings.
LXRα Phosphorylation in Cardiometabolic Disease: Insight From Mouse Models
Authors: Voisin Maud , Gage Matthew C , Becares Natalia , Shrestha Elina , Fisher Edward A , Pineda-Torra Ines , Garabedian Michael J
Published: June 2020

Posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation, are a powerful means by which the activity and function of nuclear receptors such as LXRα can be altered. However, despite the established importance of nuclear receptors in maintaining metabolic homeostasis, our understanding of how phosphorylation affects metabolic diseases is limited. The physiological consequences of LXRα phosphorylation have, until recently, been studied only in vitro or nonspecifically in animal models by pharmacologically or genetically altering the enzymes enhancing or inhibiting these modifications. Here we review recent reports on the physiological consequences of modifying LXRα phosphorylation at serine 196 (S196) in cardiometabolic disease, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, and obesity. A unifying theme from these studies is that LXRα S196 phosphorylation rewires the LXR-modulated transcriptome, which in turn alters physiological response to environmental signals, and that this is largely distinct from the LXR-ligand–dependent action.
Factors associated with health facility delivery in Kitui County: a cross sectional study
Authors: Mutiiria Mathew Munyamaara , Mbugua Gabriel Gatimu , Marwanga Doris
Published: June 2020

Background: High maternal mortality rate is a major public health concern in developing countries.  Skilled birth delivery is central to reducing maternal mortality, yet health facility delivery remains low in Kitui County, Kenya. Our study estimated prevalence of unskilled delivery and identified factors associated with health facility delivery in Kitui County.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted December 2017-February 2018. 245 women from five administrative wards were interviewed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Variables that had p value ≤0.05 in bivariate analysis were included in multivariable regression model to assess for confounders. Variables with a p value of ≤0.05 in multivariate analysis were considered statistically significant at 95% CI. 

Results: We interviewed 245 (240 analyzed) women from the five wards; the majority were 16-25 years age group (45.5%; 110/240).  Mean age was 27±6.6 years. Prevalence of health facility delivery was 50.4%. Distance from a health facility, number of children in a household, occupation of the respondent’s partner, number of antenatal clinic (ANC) visits and means of transport were significant factors for not delivering in a health facility. On multivariate analysis, women who lived >5km from health facility were less likely to deliver in a health facility (AOR =0.36; 95% CI 0.15- 0.86). Women who attended ≥ 4 ANC visits were 4 times more likely to deliver in a health facility (95% CI 2.01-8.79).

Conclusions: More than half of the respondents delivered in a health facility. A long distance from the health facility is a hindrance to accessing ANC services. Inadequate ANC visits was associated with home delivery. Improving accessibility of health care services and health education on family planning would increase delivery at a health facility. We recommend Kitui County introduce five satellite clinics/ambulatory services for expectant women to access ANC and maternal services.
Measuring the outcome and impact of research capacity strengthening initiatives: A review of indicators used or described in the published and grey literature
Authors: Pulford Justin , Price Natasha , Amegee Quach Jessica , Bates Imelda
Published: June 2020

Background: Development partners and research councils are increasingly investing in research capacity strengthening initiatives in low- and middle-income countries to support sustainable research systems. However, there are few reported evaluations of research capacity strengthening initiatives and no agreed evaluation metrics.

Methods: To advance progress towards a standardised set of outcome and impact indicators, this paper presents a structured review of research capacity strengthening indicators described in the published and grey literature.

Results: We identified a total of 668 indicators of which 40% measured output, 59.5% outcome and 0.5% impact. Only 1% of outcome and impact indicators met all four quality criteria applied. A majority (63%) of reported outcome indicators clustered in four focal areas, including: research management and support (97/400), the attainment and application of new research skills and knowledge (62/400), research collaboration (53/400), and knowledge transfer (39/400).

Conclusions: Whilst this review identified few examples of quality research capacity strengthening indicators, it has identified priority focal areas in which outcome and impact indicators could be developed as well as a small set of ‘candidate’ indicators that could form the basis of development efforts.
Participación política, compromiso y carrera militante. Una propuesta para el estudio de la militancia en el contexto del activismo global
Authors: Berardi Spairani Adrián Pablo
Published: June 2020

Este artículo se propone analizar la participación y el compromiso político por medio del estudio de la carrera militante. El objetivo es dar cuenta de cómo se construye una trayectoria militante exitosa que persiste más allá del tiempo, y que se diferencia de un tipo de militancia parcial o puntual. De esta manera, el presente trabajo estudia las formas de militancia contemporánea, con el objetivo de responder si es posible pensar la participación política como una militancia sostenida en el tiempo y cuáles son los recursos que poseen las ciencias sociales para diferenciar los distintos tipos de militancias dentro de un periodo marcado por la globalización. Para dar respuesta a los interrogantes planteados se desarrolló un estudio longitudinal de trayectorias militantes al examinar los aspectos objetivos y subjetivos, a partir del relato de los propios militantes, bajo la perspectiva de carrera desarrollada por Howard Becker. En la metodología se describe la utilización de una perspectiva cualitativa a partir del uso de la técnica del relato de vida.
Enumeration of the Nondominated Set of Multiobjective Discrete Optimization Problems
Authors: Tamby Satya , Vanderpooten Daniel
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we propose a generic algorithm to compute exactly the set of nondominated points for multiobjective discrete optimization problems. Our algorithm extends the ε-constraint method, originally designed for the biobjective case only, to solve problems with two or more objectives. For this purpose, our algorithm splits the search space into zones that can be investigated separately by solving an integer program. We also propose refinements, which provide extra information on several zones, allowing us to detect, and discard, empty parts of the search space without checking them by solving the associated integer programs. This results in a limited number of calls to the integer solver. Moreover, we can provide a feasible starting solution before solving every program, which significantly reduces the time spent for each resolution. The resulting algorithm is fast and simple to implement. It is compared with previous state-of-the-art algorithms and is seen to outperform them significantly on the experimented problem instances.
Flexible and Committed Advertising Contracts in Electronic Retailing
Authors: Liu Dengpan , Kumar Subodha , Mookerjee Vijay S.
Published: June 2020

Many advertising agents offer flexible advertising contracts wherein firms have the flexibility of adjusting their level of advertising during the advertising campaign, whereas some agents also offer committed contracts wherein firms do not have this flexibility. Based on our analysis, we would recommend that e-retailing firms choose the flexible contracts, which give them the flexibility of adjusting their advertising spending during the advertising campaign and make them better off. We also send a clear message to e-retailers that their leverage of engaging in flexible competition is contingent on the size of their operational costs. In particular, as operational costs decrease, they should be more mindful of engaging in the flexible competition. However, from the standpoint of advertising agents (e.g., Facebook.com ), because firms’ advertising efforts are lower in flexible than committed competition, we would recommend that the advertising agents adopt differential pricing schemes under the two modes of competition. In particular, the agents need to offer discounts to the e-retailers signing flexible advertising contracts so as to step up the advertising competition. In addition, our findings also provide the advertising agents with guidance on how to determine the optimal value for the discounts to be offered.
From Lurkers to Workers: Predicting Voluntary Contribution and Community Welfare
Authors: Kokkodis Marios , Lappas Theodoros , Ransbotham Sam
Published: June 2020

In an online community, users can interact with fellow community members by voluntarily contributing to existing discussion threads or by starting new threads. In practice, however, the vast majority of a community’s users (∼90%) remain inactive (lurk), simply observing contributions made by intermittent (∼9%) and heavy (∼1%) contributors. Our research examines increases and decreases of types of user engagement in online communities, characterizing user engagement based on trace user activity or lack of activity. Some lurkers later become workers (i.e., engaged in the community), but some will not. Differentiating lurkers who can be engaged from those who cannot enables managers to anticipate and proactively direct their resources toward the users who are most likely to become or remain workers (i.e., heavy contributors), thereby promoting community welfare. Our research, based on analysis of 533,714 posts from an online diabetes community, can thus guide managerial interventions to increase online community welfare.
Ad-Blockers: A Blessing or a Curse?
Authors: Aseri Manmohan , Dawande Milind , Janakiraman Ganesh , S. Mookerjee Vijay
Published: June 2020

Practice- and Policy-Oriented Abstract
What is the return on investment for laboratory medicine? The antidote to silo budgeting in diagnostics
Authors: Price Christopher P , McGinley Patrick , John Andrew St
Published: June 2020

Procuring and managing diagnostic services, such as laboratory medicine, is generally based on cost and activity. Improving productivity of laboratory services therefore tends to focus on reducing the cost per test. However, this approach fails to recognise the impact of the test result on the other stakeholders involved in delivering care to the patient across the care pathway. Any assessment of the return on investment from a diagnostic service therefore needs to be undertaken together with a value proposition established for the service. This will enable the clinical, process and economic impact for all stakeholders to be assessed, which can then be used to develop an implementation plan that ensures the expectations of all stakeholders can be addressed.
Hard x-ray phase-contrast microscopy using a Gabor hologram without a zero-order term
Authors: Matsuda Kiyofumi , Yasumoto Masato , Akter Nahida , Misawa Masaki , Aguilar Juan C. , Suzuki Yoshio , Takeuchi Akihisa , Hibino Kenichi , Rehman Shakil , Roy Maitreyee
Published: June 2020

In order to achieve a nanometer-scale resolution in an x-ray microscopy system, a Gabor-type hologram was produced by eliminating the zero-order term of the object diffraction pattern. In this system, a Fresnel zone plate was used for strong illumination of an object, and the zero-order diffraction was physically eliminated by a center stop. An accurate phase plate of

π

/

2

in the Zernike method was numerically created, and the phase-contrast image was realized. The theoretical resolution was 19.8 nm. We proved that a gold nanocube with a size of 50 nm can be reconstructed with the predicted resolution.
UAV assisted landing guided by UV LEDs
Authors: Zhao Taifei , Liu Ping , Zhang Shuang , Ma Qianwen
Published: June 2020

Ultraviolet (UV) light communication has several advantages, including strong anti-interference ability, all-weather operation, and covert communications. In this paper, we built a landing assistance system for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In addition, we derived the formula of Lambertian power for UV LED. This formula is compared to the traditional line-of-sight (LOS) UV power formula in consideration of not only the area of the receiving aperture, but also the divergence angle of the UV LED. The simulation results show that with the increase of the receiver angle, the larger the divergence angle of the UV LED, the faster the UV power attenuation. When the receiver is not in the direction of the light source normal and the angle is fixed, there will be an optimal Lambertian order to make the receiver receive the maximum optical power at this angle. Finally, we did a set of outdoor experiments, which verified the correctness of the theoretical results.
Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry theory using stochastic representation of spontaneous Brillouin scattering light
Authors: Okawa Youhei , Hotate Kazuo
Published: June 2020

Brillouin correlation-domain techniques used for fiber optic distributed sensing have been widely studied owing to their unique feature in which the spatial resolution is not limited by the phonon lifetime, unlike with time-resolved methods. This approach can be divided into two main classes according to the scattering type, i.e., spontaneous or stimulated Brillouin scattering. In this study, we derived a formula for the measurement spectrum of the correlation-domain reflectometry using spontaneous Brillouin scattering by considering its stochastic properties. The derived formula is equivalent to the formula of the system using stimulated Brillouin scattering. Our results indicate that the methods developed thus far for improving the system’s performance can be commonly applied.
Generation of narrowband counterpropagating polarization-entangled photon pairs based on thin-film lithium niobate on insulator
Authors: Duan Jia-Chen , Zhang Ji-Ning , Zhu Yin-Jun , Sun Chang-Wei , Liu Yi-Chen , Xu Ping , Xie Zhenda , Gong Yan-Xiao , Zhu Shi-Ning
Published: June 2020

We propose a scheme for the generation of counterpropagating polarization-entangled photon pairs from a periodically poled lithium niobate on insulator waveguide. The waveguide is designed to enable a special dispersion relationship between the

T
M

00

and

T
E

00

modes that allows two concurrent counterpropagating quasi-phase-matching type-II spontaneous parametric downconversion processes with a single reciprocal wave vector. Due to the counterpropagating phase-matching geometry, the source has a narrow bandwidth in the order of several gigahertz. The compact source opens up a new method for integrated photonic technologies.
Theoretical analysis of mode conversion by refractive-index perturbation based on a single tilted slot on a silicon waveguide
Authors: Huang Chia-Chih , Huang Chia-Chien
Published: June 2020

We propose a compact mode converter operating at the mid-infrared wavelength of 3.4 µm, comprising an etched parallelogram slot filled with silicon nitride on a silicon-on-calcium fluoride platform. The tilted slot introduces transverse and longitudinal index perturbations on the waveguide eigenmodes, achieving mode conversion in the propagation direction. Differing from previous reports using massive parameter sweep, we provide analytical formulas to determine geometry parameters by considering the modified phase-matching condition and the profiles of coupling coefficient of coupled-mode theory. Rigorous 3D numerical examples demonstrate the transverse electric (TE)0-to-TE1, TE0-to-TE2, TE0-to-TE3, and TE0-to-TE4 converters to achieve conversion efficiencies (inter-modal crosstalk [CT] values) of >92.7% (<−27 dB), >91.7% (<−16 dB), >88.2% (<−13 dB), and >75.8% (<−10 dB), respectively, with a total transmitted power of >93%. Converter device lengths range from 16.84 to 24.61 µm for TE0-to-TE1 to TE0-to-TE4, respectively. Over a broadband wavelength of 100 nm, the conversion efficiency, power transmission, and maximum inter-modal CT are almost >80%, >90%, and <−10 dB, respectively. Also, the fabrication tolerance of the proposed structure is addressed. The proposed model can not only realize arbitrary mode-order conversion but extend to other wavelength bands. To validate the feasibility of our model, the numerical results of our device operating at the wavelength of 1.55 µm are also offered and compared with those of other reports. The proposed idea may pave a new approach to designing mode converters with arbitrary geometries.
On the importance of frequency-dependent beam parameters for vacuum acceleration with few-cycle radially polarized laser beams
Authors: Jolly Spencer W.
Published: June 2020

Tightly focused, ultrashort radially polarized laser beams have a large longitudinal field, which provides a strong motivation for direct particle acceleration and manipulation in a vacuum. The broadband nature of these beams means that chromatic properties of propagation and focusing are important to consider. We show via single-particle simulations that using the correct frequency-dependent beam parameters is imperative, especially as the pulse duration decreases to the few-cycle regime. The results with different spatio-spectral amplitude profiles show either a drastic increase or decrease of the final accelerated electron energy depending on the shape, motivating both proper characterization and potentially a route to optimization.
Subchannel drop and add operation by using silicon photonic all-optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing demultiplexers
Authors: Shimosawa Kohei , Uenohara Hiroyuki
Published: June 2020

This study investigates the subchannel drop and add operation of a silicon photonic all-optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing demultiplexer (O-OFDM-DEMUX) circuit. The proposed device consists of two O-OFDM-DEMUX circuits with four subchannels at a frequency spacing of 10 GHz and four

2
×
2

Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI)-type optical switches for drop and through operations, with another four

2
×
2

MZI-type optical switches for add and through operations. A subchannel on–off ratio of over 20 dB was achieved. In addition, a new subchannel was successfully added to the target subchannel, although the shape of the transmissivity spectrum was slightly degraded through the detuning of the spectrum.
Polymer-encapsulated organic nanocrystals for single photon emission
Authors: Schofield Ross C. , Bogusz Dominika P. , Hoggarth Rowan A. , Nur Salahuddin , Major Kyle D. , Clark Alex S.
Published: June 2020

We demonstrate an emulsion-polymerisation technique to embed dibenzoterrylene-doped anthracene nanocrystals in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanocapsules. The nanocapsules require no further protection after fabrication and are resistant to sublimation compared to unprotected anthracene. The room temperature emission from single dibenzoterrylene molecules is stable and when cooled to cryogenic temperatures we see no change in their excellent optical properties compared to existing growth methods. We also show emission from nanocapsules embedded in a thin layer of titanium dioxide, highlighting their potential for integration into hybrid nanophotonic devices.
Identification of Autophagy-related Proteins in Lungs From Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Patients
Authors: Cabrera Sandra , Rodríguez-Bobadilla Carolina , Vázquez-Morales Dulce , Gaxiola Miguel , Maciel Mariana , Selman Moisés , Pardo Annie
Published: June 2020

Autophagy has been involved in the pathogenesis of various lung diseases. However, it is not yet known whether autophagy plays a role in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). HP is an interstitial lung disease resulting from exposure to a wide variety of antigens that provoke an exaggerated immune response in susceptible individuals. The aim of this study was to explore the localization of autophagy key proteins in lungs from HP patients and controls by immunohistochemistry and analyze their expression levels by immunoblot. Macrophages and epithelial cells were strongly positive for the autophagosome biomarker LC3B (microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 beta) in HP lungs compared with controls. A similar pattern was found for the autophagy receptor p62 and the enzyme ATG4B. Unexpectedly, nuclear p62 signal was also noticed in macrophages from HP lungs. Regarding ATG5 and ATG7 localization, we observed positive staining in neutrophils, vascular smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. Our findings provide for the first time evidence that proteins from the autophagy machinery are highly expressed in the lungs of HP patients and describe the specific cellular and subcellular localization of LC3B, p62, ATG4B, ATG5, and ATG7 in HP lungs:
A formação de professores em Pedagogia na região do Pontal do Triângulo Mineiro após a LDB 9394/96 /The teacher training in Pedagogy in Pontal do Triangulo Mineiro after LDB 9394/96
Authors: Quillici Neto Armindo , Siquelli Sônia Aparecida , Calixto Jaqueline Andrade
Published: June 2020

O presente trabalho refere-se ao resultado de uma pesquisa sobre a formação do pedagogo que atua como professor da educação infantil e do ensino fundamental (1º ao 5º ano), realizada em três cidades da Região do Pontal do Triângulo Mineiro. Questionários foram aplicados e os dados tabulados analisando-se os índices de formação dos professores, o tempo de formação, uma avaliação sobre o curso que realizaram na educação superior e a contribuição para sua formação. Verificou-se que os professores ainda têm boas impressões sobre sua formação, mas revelaram certa insegurança no que diz respeito à aplicação do que viram na faculdade com seus alunos. O objetivo do presente artigo é estabelecer um debate sobre a formação de professores da educação infantil e do ensino fundamental, com vistas à formação no curso de Pedagogia. A formação do pedagogo tem atingido seus objetivos? O texto remonta às questões sobre o ensino no campo da formação desses profissionais, assuntos relativos à História da Educação e à própria Filosofia da Educação, apontando para o pensamento educacional em determinadas épocas da educação brasileira. As preocupações que mo- tivaram este trabalho surgem de indagações sobre as indicações da LDB de 1996, em que se propôs repensar o lugar da formação de professores no Brasil. Os resultados demonstrados na pesquisa deixam uma questão fundamental: os professores estão satisfeitos com a formação realizada nos cursos de Pedagogia? A maioria diz que sim, mas uma parte significativa dos entrevistados optou por respostas intermediárias, respostas que colocam a formação atual em dúvida, sinalizando para a necessidade de se repensar o projeto de formação de professores no país.
Nuevas herramientas pedagógicas: laboratorio virtual
Authors: Luengas Lely A. , Sánchez Giovanni , Cárdenas Sandra M.
Published: June 2020

en éste artículo se describe el diseño y desarrollo de una herramienta informática para el laboratorio de química, específicamente para el proceso de destilación. Esta herramienta pedagógica ha sido diseñada para permitir a los estudiantes simular un proceso estándar; las interacciones incluidas y su manipulación se asemejan a un verdadero laboratorio. Aquí los estudiantes encontrarán muchos elementos del laboratorio de destilación: podría inclusive permitir hasta incorporarse y ensamblar el proceso. Es una eficiente e interesante herramienta para la enseñanza de química en ingeniería
Manejo de potencia para un vehículo con acople fotovoltaico en motor híbrido
Authors: Amaya H. Darío , Marrugo Nicolás F , Ospina J. Jorge M
Published: June 2020

Actualmente, la visión de la industria en todo el mundo se está enfocando en desarrollar y realizar soluciones nuevas que sean amigables con el medio ambiente; una de estas son los motores híbridos y eléctricos. Este artículo propone realizar la simulacón de un algoritmo de manejo de potencias para un motor híbrido, cuya parte eléctrica será abastecida mediante un sistema fotovoltaico; con ello se busca analizar la batería del carro en función de la aceleración y desaceleración de este. Se obtiene como resultado un estudio del comportamiento de un sistema fotovoltaico en conjunto con un motor híbrido, donde se analiza el comportamiento de la batería según las condiciones meteorológicas que afecten al sistema.
Origen de la vida basada en la complejidad biológica de los organismos: una revisión
Authors: García C Diego , Casas P Bony , Regalia Marco
Published: June 2020

El origen de la vida es un problema científico abierto, y tal vez la incógnita de mayor envergadura que se ha formulado el ser humano. Acercarse a respuestas alternativas aportaría información relevante para la evolución de las ciencias modernas, la industria biotecnológica e incluso la medicina molecular. Se han planteado plausibles teorías evolutivas que resuelven el problema; no obstante se han encontrado otras como la del trabajo de A. Sharov y R. Gordon denominado Life Before Earth, cuya principal hipótesis indica que la vida surgió antes de la formación del planeta tierra, basada en la ley de Moore y en la complejidad biológica de los organismos. El presente artículo presenta una revisión a dicho trabajo y, bajo los mismos fundamentos pero calculando la complejidad biológica a partir de la información proteínica de los organismos alejada del contexto del mundo del RNA pues no es compatible con el, se calcula una fecha aproximada para el origen de la vida en la tierra. Con propósitos referenciales, los resultados muestran que esta surgió años después de la formación del planeta y no antes como se sugiere en Life Before Earth, evidenciando que encaja en la escala temporal geológica escogida, y ofreciendo una reflexión alternativa que contrasta lo que se sabe del funcionamiento de la vida terrestre y su evolución.
Development of mechanism for entertainment device
Authors: Bonilla-Ramírez Maria Katalina , Torres-Pachón Karol Geraldinne , Puentes-Cantor Stefany , Forero-Rubio Karen Juliette , Torres-Pérez Yolanda , Gómez-Pachón Edwin Yesid
Published: June 2020

The objective of this project is based on the design and manufacture of a mechanism for a didactic product, awakening the interest of those who have affinity to horses and their skills. It is intended for people between 20 and 50 years old.

Ergonomic, functional, use, aesthetic, structural and mechanical aspects were taken into account. In addition, the mechanisms were verified through the Working Model and SolidWorks software, with their corresponding static and kinematic calculations of the mechanism.

The purpose of the project was to design a toy in the shape of a racecourse where there were two horses in competition, these displacements being generated by a crank movement exercised by the user, which was determined by kinematic calculations with the use of polar coordinates, finally we developed a prototype in scale 1-1 where we observed the speed of movement, the trajectory and the time it takes to carry out the activity.

We conclude that for the development of competitiveness it is necessary to use a train of gears, which allowed the reduction of speed and the linear movement of the horse
Determinants of the urban environmental quality: UEQI for colombian cities
Authors: Cerquera-Losada Oscar Hernán , Campos-Fajardo Luisa Fernanda , Cuéllar-Torrecillas Laura Sofía , Durán-Vargas Luisa Alejandra , López-Tovar María Camila , Perea-Rodríguez Elizabeth , Valero-Nieto Erika Andrea , Villate-Montañez Delcy Angélica
Published: June 2020

The present inquiry arises as a result of a constant search of problems that affect cities of the country, by the Hotbed of Investigation of Surcolombian Socioeconomic Studies HISSS, of the Surcolombiana University of Neiva (Colombia) -.In this way, we found those factors and actions that contribute to making Bogotá, Medellin, Barranquilla, Neiva, Tunja and Cúcuta, cities that the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development through the urban environmental quality indexes (UEQUI) categorizes, at medium, low and very low levels. A methodology was developed that projects positivist and qualitative investigation, corresponding to a descriptive and explanatory study of the environmental sustainability of the cities is obtained from factors such as: public space; green areas; environmental pollution; mobility, public transport. The results obtained are of a relevant nature because they show old direct effects on the quality of life of the inhabitants, so that from them, alternative solutions are interpreted and proposed