bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research and Application of Nelson Concentrator in Beneficiation Test of Quartz Vein Type Gold Ore
Authors: Zhang Wenping , Cai Mingming , Li Guangsheng , Huang Fabo , Zhu Xingfu , Xu Chao , Zhao Jianjun
Published: August 2020

A gold deposit in Shandong belongs to Quartz vein type gold-bearing deposit, the main gold minerals are natural gold and silver-gold minerals, there are a few metallic minerals such as pyrite, the main gangue minerals are quartz, feldspar, sericite and so on, the average size of gold minerals is 62.37 microns, the particle size of the cloth is coarse. As a kind of gravity separation equipment, Nelson concentrator is more and more favored by mines because of its high enrichment ratio, high recovery rate and extremely friendly to environment, the experimental research of Nelson concentrator was carried out, and the gold concentrate with gold grade of 385.06 G / T and recovery of 62.21% was obtained.
Effects of different puffing measures on the fruit quality of ‘summer black’ grapes
Authors: Peng Ting , Liu Chao , Wu San-Lin , Li Jing Bai , Liu Fang
Published: August 2020

In this experiment, the effect of GA3 + CPPU on the quality of ‘summer black’ grape was studied. The results showed that the combination of GA3 and CPPU (1-2d: 40ppm GA3 + 2ppm CPPU, 12-14d: 50ppm GA3 + 6ppm CPPU) was better than the combination of GA3 and CPPU (12-14d: 50ppm GA3 + 6ppm CPPU), which could increase the weight of ear and single fruit, increase the vertical and horizontal diameter of fruit grain and fruit shape index, and had better coloring, but decreased the fruit shape index Solid acid ratio.
Study on fracturing fluid filtration fracturing technology
Authors: Bin Sun , Wenting Zeng , Shuling Zhang , Dong Chen , Hongzhao Peng
Published: August 2020

The filtration of fracturing fluid is one of the important factors that affect the effect of fracturing construction. Therefore, it is of great significance to study fracturing fluid loss for fracturing technology. Based on the fracturing fluid filtration theory, the fluid loss coefficient is used to describe the loss of the fracturing fluid in the formation. At the same time, according to the different formation conditions, the corresponding pressure drop analysis model is used to describe the pressure falling process. According to a target area, the filter loss parameter is calculated by combining the filtration mechanism and the pressure drop pressure drop analysis model. It is necessary to study the fracturing fluid technology and optimize the fracturing fluid with the concentration of 4% of the filtrate reducer, which is compared with the original formula with the concentration of 1% of the original filtrate loss agent. The loss coefficient is reduced by 44.13% on average, which can better meet the actual demand.
Study on a solid slow dissolution sphere with corrosion inhibition
Authors: Guo Ruhui , Zhang Lihui , Yan Meifang , Liu Zhan , Sun Lijing
Published: August 2020

Many substances with excellent corrosion inhibition can’t be dissolved into aqueous solution according to the amount required by the formulation due to poor solubility, thus reducing the corrosion inhibition effect of the agent. Therefore, a spherical solid corrosion inhibitor has been developed. The effect of dosage and temperature on the corrosion inhibition rate was studied by corrosion test. The results showed that the best dosage of corrosion inhibition ball was 28.5mg/l, and the corrosion inhibition rate decreased with the increase of temperature. When the water temperature was 35 °C, 45 °C and 55 °C, the corrosion rates of carbon steel were 0.0243mm/a, 0.0306mm/a and 0.0559mm/a, which were lower than the national standard 0.075 mm / a indicating that the inhibitor has good corrosion resistance.
Failure analysis and revamping methods for loading threaded joints of raiseboring machine
Authors: Jing Guoye , Hu Fuwen , Chen Yun
Published: August 2020

The process of raise boring (or back reaming) has been successfully employed for vertical mine development. The technology has successfully evolved from early small borehole diameter less than 2m to large diameter greater than 8m without incident. However, in our developed raise boring machines, the threaded joints connecting reamers and drill rods suffered several fracture accidents during reaming in different geological and geotechnical conditions. Under this background, it is undoubtedly of great engineering value to explore the failure mechanisms and put forward systematic quality control and risk control measures.

The fractured threaded joints were visually examined on-site, and then examined in the laboratory using fractographic and metallographic examination, mechanical testing and chemical composition analysis. Firstly, the end faces of threaded joints could not to be installed to fit the end faces of spindles due to over-specified tolerances or insufficient preload. Secondly, it was found that the manganese (Mn) contents in material samples are higher than the national standards values. Thirdly, the heat treatment of water-quenching of workpieces perhaps caused a certain degree of residual stresses. Clearly this systematic inspection suggested we should take overall improvements to eliminate the potential failure mechanisms. After check and measurement of product and process performance, the cause-and-effect relationships undoubtedly were complex and multifaceted. Therefore, the component was redesigned using revamping methods including material compositions upgrade, fitting tolerances control, optimization of heat treatment process. Moreover, a systems approach and the institution of quality management system including increasing the preload, adding anti-dropping device and executing a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle were implemented. Through this investigation and recommendations, the device has been in operation for more than two years without any problems.
Machine learning reveals complex behaviours in optically trapped particles
Authors: Lenton Isaac C D , Volpe Giovanni , Stilgoe Alexander B , Nieminen Timo A , Rubinsztein-Dunlop Halina
Published: August 2020

Since their invention in the 1980s, optical tweezers have found a wide range of applications, from biophotonics and mechanobiology to microscopy and optomechanics. Simulations of the motion of microscopic particles held by optical tweezers are often required to explore complex phenomena and to interpret experimental data. For the sake of computational efficiency, these simulations usually model the optical tweezers as an harmonic potential. However, more physically-accurate optical-scattering models are required to accurately model more onerous systems; this is especially true for optical traps generated with complex fields. Although accurate, these models tend to be prohibitively slow for problems with more than one or two degrees of freedom (DoF), which has limited their broad adoption. Here, we demonstrate that machine learning permits one to combine the speed of the harmonic model with the accuracy of optical-scattering models. Specifically, we show that a neural network can be trained to rapidly and accurately predict the optical forces acting on a microscopic particle. We demonstrate the utility of this approach on two phenomena that are prohibitively slow to accurately simulate otherwise: the escape dynamics of swelling microparticles in an optical trap, and the rotation rates of particles in a superposition of beams with opposite orbital angular momenta. Thanks to its high speed and accuracy, this method can greatly enhance the range of phenomena that can be efficiently simulated and studied.
Using molecular dynamic simulations to describe the solid-liquid phase transition of lead nanoparticles with different nano-geometries
Authors: Sun Ruochen , Feng Zhichao , Gao Song , Liu Pingan , Qi Hui , Song Naimeng
Published: August 2020

In this study, three lead (Pb) nanoparticles, including cone, sphere and cylinder, are modeled and melted using molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The choice of initial geometries mainly affects the initial and middle stages of phase transition. Initially, the melting point of the cone model is much lower than other two models. This is because the transition of the cone model is induced by its sharp edge, which is prone to be melted. Then, the transition of all models keeps toward the centre of mass. Meanwhile, cone and cylinder models are deformed into spheres. The deforming rate is higher than transition. Finally, all three models were fully melted into the shape of the spheres. Therefore, initial Pb nano-geometries do not affect the final stage of the phase transition.
Borel reducibility and symmetric models
Authors: Shani Assaf
Published: August 2020

We develop a correspondence between Borel equivalence relations induced by closed subgroups of

S
∞

S_\infty

and weak choice principles, and apply it to prove a conjecture of Hjorth-Kechris-Louveau (1998).

For example, we show that the equivalence relation

≅

ω
+
1
,
0

∗

\cong ^\ast _{\omega +1,0}

is strictly below

≅

ω
+
1
,
>
ω

∗

\cong ^\ast _{\omega +1,>\omega }

in Borel reducibility. By results of Hjorth-Kechris-Louveau,

≅

ω
+
1
,
>
ω

∗

\cong ^\ast _{\omega +1,>\omega }

provides invariants for

Σ

ω
+
1

0

\Sigma ^0_{\omega +1}

equivalence relations induced by actions of

S
∞

S_\infty

, while

≅

ω
+
1
,
0

∗

\cong ^\ast _{\omega +1,0}

provides invariants for

Σ

ω
+
1

0

\Sigma ^0_{\omega +1}

equivalence relations induced by actions of abelian closed subgroups of

S
∞

S_\infty

.

We further apply these techniques to study the Friedman-Stanley jumps. For example, we find an equivalence relation

F
F

, Borel bireducible with

=

+
+

=^{++}

, so that

F
↾
C

F\restriction C

is not Borel reducible to

=

+

=^{+}

for any non-meager set

C
C

. This answers a question of Zapletal, arising from the results of Kanovei-Sabok-Zapletal (2013).

For these proofs we analyze the symmetric models

M
n

M_n

,

n
>
ω

n>\omega

, developed by Monro (1973), and extend the construction past

ω
\omega

, through all countable ordinals. This answers a question of Karagila (2019).
Thrombolysis and use of argatroban for the treatment of massive pulmonary embolism following anticoagulation failure in a patient with COVID-19
Authors: Sagardia Lisa M , Daniels Lisa M
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Successful use of alteplase and argatroban to treat a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–associated massive pulmonary embolism with cardiac arrest is reported.

This case report describes a 42-year-old male with COVID-19 who developed a massive pulmonary embolism resulting in cardiac arrest after suspected failure of low-molecular-weight heparin therapy for a deep venous thrombosis. Administration of two 50-mg doses of intravenous alteplase resulted in return of spontaneous circulation, and low-dose argatroban was used as follow-up anticoagulation therapy without complications. This is the first case report of use of argatroban in a patient with COVID-19 with cardiac arrest–associated massive pulmonary embolism after failure of previous anticoagulation efforts.

Conclusion

Argatroban may be used as an alternate anticoagulation strategy in COVID-19 patients who fail low-molecular weight therapy. A risk versus benefit discussion should be had regarding appropriateness of therapy as well as dosing. More data is needed to understand the unique hypercoagulable condition in COVID-19 patients as well as research that further highlights the role of argatroban and bivalirudin therapy in this patient population.
Decontamination Strategies for Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs) in Healthcare Organizations: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Jena Ashok Kumar , Sharan Jitendra
Published: August 2020

Filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) are made for one-time use. A massive shortage of FFRs is widespread during pandemic events and has forced many healthcare organizations to decontaminate them and re-use for a limited time. Many decontamination methods have been proposed for the decontamination of FFRs. This review highlights various aspects of decontamination methods available in the literature. Among various methods available, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet irradiation, and dry heat seem to be the most promising decontaminants for FFRs. On the other hand, microwave, bleach, ethylene oxide, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide liquid, sanitizing wipes, and soap and water are not recommended methods for FFR decontamination.
MCPeSe: Monte Carlo penalty selection for graphical lasso
Authors: Kuismin Markku , Sillanpää Mikko J
Published: August 2020

Motivation

Graphical lasso (Glasso) is a widely used tool for identifying gene regulatory networks in systems biology. However, its computational efficiency depends on the choice of regularization parameter (tuning parameter), and selecting this parameter can be highly time consuming. Although fully Bayesian implementations of Glasso alleviate this problem somewhat by specifying a priori distribution for the parameter, these approaches lack the scalability of their frequentist counterparts.

Results

Here, we present a new Monte Carlo Penalty Selection method (MCPeSe), a computationally efficient approach to regularization parameter selection for Glasso. MCPeSe combines the scalability and low computational cost of the frequentist Glasso with the ability to automatically choose the regularization by Bayesian Glasso modeling. MCPeSe provides a state-of-the-art ‘tuning-free’ model selection criterion for Glasso and allows exploration of the posterior probability distribution of the tuning parameter.

Availability and implementation

R source code of MCPeSe, a step by step example showing how to apply MCPeSe and a collection of scripts used to prepare the material in this article are publicly available at GitHub under GPL (https://github.com/markkukuismin/MCPeSe/).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
CoV-AbDab: the coronavirus antibody database
Authors: Raybould Matthew I J , Kovaltsuk Aleksandr , Marks Claire , Deane Charlotte M
Published: August 2020

Motivation

The emergence of a novel strain of betacoronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has led to a pandemic that has been associated with over 700 000 deaths as of August 5, 2020. Research is ongoing around the world to create vaccines and therapies to minimize rates of disease spread and mortality. Crucial to these efforts are molecular characterizations of neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Such antibodies would be valuable for measuring vaccine efficacy, diagnosing exposure and developing effective biotherapeutics. Here, we describe our new database, CoV-AbDab, which already contains data on over 1400 published/patented antibodies and nanobodies known to bind to at least one betacoronavirus. This database is the first consolidation of antibodies known to bind SARS-CoV-2 as well as other betacoronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. It contains relevant metadata including evidence of cross-neutralization, antibody/nanobody origin, full variable domain sequence (where available) and germline assignments, epitope region, links to relevant PDB entries, homology models and source literature.

Results

On August 5, 2020, CoV-AbDab referenced sequence information on 1402 anti-coronavirus antibodies and nanobodies, spanning 66 papers and 21 patents. Of these, 1131 bind to SARS-CoV-2.

Availabilityand implementation

CoV-AbDab is free to access and download without registration at http://opig.stats.ox.ac.uk/webapps/coronavirus. Community submissions are encouraged.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Experiences of Domestic Violence among Newly Arrived Afghan Women in Australia, a Qualitative Study
Authors: Afrouz Rojan , Crisp Beth R , Taket Ann
Published: August 2020

The voice of Afghan women has been little heard, particularly in Australia and other western societies, despite the considerable number living in those societies. The main aim of this study was to understand Afghan women’s experiences of domestic violence and their perceptions about the extent of domestic violence among the Afghan community in Australia. The study involved semi-structured interviews with twenty-one Afghan women who had been living in Australia between six months and ten years. The interviews were conducted in either Farsi (Persian) or English according to participant’s preferences. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive analysis of the data was used to explore details and build main themes. Some women spoke about their experiences of domestic violence, mainly psychological and emotional violence. Although women insisted that domestic violence was prevalent and widespread in both contexts, many remarked that Afghan women were less vulnerable to physical violence in Australia than in Afghanistan. This article concludes with a number of implications for social work practice based on the study findings.
Mechanisms of Gatekeeping in the Social Work Profession: Lessons Learned from Canada, Hong Kong and South Korea
Authors: Yan Miu Chung , Lee Jinah , Chan Edward Ko Ling
Published: August 2020

Striving to be a full-fledged profession with statutorily delegated self-regulatory authority has been a goal of the social work profession in many countries since Abraham Flexner’s (1915 ‘Is social work a profession?’, Paper presented at the Forty-Second Annual Session of The National Conference of Charities and Correction, Baltimore, MD, pp. 581, 584–8, 590. denial of its professional status in the USA. A full self-regulation requires two gatekeeping mechanisms: professional education and registration. Whereas professional social work education has been in place in many parts of the world, the establishment of a mandatory registration system is still limited to a few countries. Although two mechanisms share the same mandate and function as self-regulation, they tend to be discussed separately in the literature. How they connect and work with each other is seldom explored. In this article, by examining the development of these two mechanisms in Canada, Hong Kong and South Korea, we present three different ways of how these mechanisms are connected and discuss observations of those connections.
Propagated α-synucleinopathy recapitulates REM sleep behaviour disorder followed by parkinsonian phenotypes in mice
Authors: Shen Yan , Yu Wen-Bo , Shen Bo , Dong Hui , Zhao Jue , Tang Yi-Lin , Fan Yun , Yang Yan-Fei , Sun Yi-Min , Luo Su-Shan , Chen Chen , Liu Feng-Tao , Wu Jian-Jun , Xiao Bao-Guo , Yu Huan , Koprich James B , Huang Zhi-Li , Wang Jian
Published: August 2020

Idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is now recognized as an early manifestation of α-synucleinopathies. Increasing experimental studies demonstrate that manipulative lesion or inactivation of the neurons within the sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus (also known as the subcoeruleus nucleus in humans) can induce RBD-like behaviours in animals. As current RBD animal models are not established on the basis of α-synucleinopathy, they do not represent the pathological substrate of idiopathic RBD and thus cannot model the phenoconversion to Parkinson’s disease. The purpose of this study was therefore to establish an α-synucleinopathy-based RBD animal model with the potential to convert to parkinsonian disorder. To this end, we first determined the functional neuroanatomical location of the sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus in wild-type C57BL/6J mice and then validated its function by recapitulating RBD-like behaviours based on this determined nucleus. Next, we injected preformed α-synuclein fibrils into the sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus and performed regular polysomnographic recordings and parkinsonian behavioural and histopathological studies in these mice. As a result, we recapitulated RBD-like behaviours in the mice and further showed that the α-synucleinopathy and neuron degeneration identified within the sublaterodorsal tegmental nucleus acted as the neuropathological substrates. Subsequent parkinsonian behavioural studies indicated that the α-synucleinopathy-based RBD mouse model were not stationary, but could further progress to display parkinsonian locomotor dysfunction, depression-like disorder, olfactory dysfunction and gastrointestinal dysmotility. Corresponding to that, we determined α-synuclein pathology in the substantia nigra pars compacta, olfactory bulb, enteral neuroplexus and dorsal motor nucleus of vagus nerve, which could underlie the parkinsonian manifestations in mice. In conclusion, we established a novel α-synucleinopathy-based RBD mouse model and further demonstrated the phenoconversion of RBD to Parkinson’s disease in this animal model.
Acute Myocardial Infarction and Community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infection: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: McNamara John F , Harris Patrick N A , Chatfield Mark D , Paterson David L
Published: August 2020

Background

The relationship between acute myocardial infarction and infection was recognized in the early 20th century during influenza epidemics. Most recently, a case control study and a self-control design study have identified an association between Staphylococcus aureus infection and acute myocardial infarction. We assessed the association of community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (CA-SABSI) and myocardial infarction in the 365 days following blood culture.

Methods

This was a cohort study assessing the incidence of myocardial infarction 365 days after blood culture for Staphylococcus aureus. Culture-negative patients had blood cultures collected at hospital attendance and were matched to the CA-SABSI participants by sex, 5-year age strata, and year of culture collection. Pathology information was linked to hospital administrative data and index of relative socioeconomic advantage and disadvantage (ISRAD).

Results

The study included 5157 CA-SABSI cases matched to 10 146 blood culture–negative cases. The mortality rate was significantly higher in the CA-SABSI group (10.9%; 562/5157) than in culture-negative cases (5.1%; 521/10 146) at 365 days (P < .0001). In the 7 days following the index blood culture, excluding recurrent events, there were 89 (1.7%) and 37 (.4%) myocardial infarction diagnoses in the CA-SABSI and culture-negative cases, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression for myocardial infarction demonstrated a significant association with CA-SABSI after adjusting for known risk factors (odds ratio [OR], 5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3–7.5; P < .0001). Myocardial infarctions occurring in this short-term risk period were associated with all-cause mortality in a Cox proportional hazard model (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2–2.4; P < .005).

Conclusions

CA-SABSI is associated with an increased short-term risk of myocardial infarction, which is associated with subsequent mortality.
Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in England, 1999–2017
Authors: Kirwan Peter D , Amin-Chowdhury Zahin , Croxford Sara E , Sheppard Carmen , Fry Norman , Delpech Valerie C , Ladhani Shamez N
Published: August 2020

Background

The 7-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) were introduced into the UK childhood immunization program in 2006 and 2010, respectively, with high effectiveness and resulting in both direct and indirect protection. We describe the epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in England following the introduction of both PCVs.

Methods

Data on a national cohort of people with HIV were linked to confirmed IPD cases in adults aged ≥ 15 years during 1999–2017. Date of HIV infection was estimated using a CD4 slope decline algorithm.

Results

Among 133 994 adults with HIV, 1453 developed IPD during 1999–2017, with 70% (1016/1453) developing IPD ≥ 3 months after their HIV diagnosis. IPD and HIV were codiagnosed within 90 days in 345 (24%) individuals. A missed opportunity for earlier HIV diagnosis was identified in 6% (89/1453), mostly in earlier years. IPD incidence in people with HIV increased from 147/100 000 in 1999 to 284/100 000 in 2007 before declining and stabilizing between 92 and 113/100 000 during 2014–2017. Mean annual IPD incidence was lower among those receiving antiretroviral therapy during 2014–17 (68 vs 720/100 000; incidence rate ratio [IRR] 9.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.3–11.8; P < .001) and was markedly lower in those with a suppressed viral load (50 vs 523/100 000; IRR 10.4; 95% CI, 7.6–14.1; P < .001). The latter group still had 4.5-fold higher (95% CI, 3.8–5.3; P < .001) IPD incidence compared to the general population (11.2/100 000).

Conclusions

IPD incidence among people with HIV reduced after PCV13 introduction and has remained stable. Adults presenting with IPD should continue to be tested for HIV infection.
Can kidney parenchyma metabolites serve as prognostic biomarkers for long-term kidney function after nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma? A preliminary study
Authors: Rosenzweig Barak , Recabal Pedro , Gluck Caroline , Coleman Jonathan A , Susztak Katalin , Hakimi A Ari , Jaimes Edgar A , Weiss Robert H
Published: August 2020

Objective

Nephrectomy, the standard of care for localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC), may lead to kidney function loss. Our goal was to identify prognostic biomarkers of postoperative renal function using metabolomics.

Methods

Metabolomics data from benign kidney parenchyma were collected prospectively from 138 patients with RCC who underwent nephrectomy at a single institution. The primary endpoint was the difference between the postoperative and preoperative estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate divided by the elapsed time (eGFR slope). eGFR slope was calculated ∼2 years post-nephrectomy (GFR1), and at last follow-up (GFR2). A multivariate regularized regression model identified clinical characteristics and abundance of metabolites in baseline benign kidney parenchyma that were significantly associated with eGFR slope. Findings were validated by associating gene expression data with eGFR slope in an independent cohort (n = 58).

Results

Data were compiled on 78 patients (median age 62.6 years, 65.4% males). The mean follow-up was 25 ± 3.4 months for GFR1 and 69.5 ± 23.5 months for GFR2 and 17 (22%) and 32 (41%) patients showed eGFR recovery, respectively. Nephrectomy type, blood lipids, gender and 23 metabolites from benign parenchyma were significantly associated with eGFR slope. Some metabolites associated with eGFR slope overlapped with previously reported chronic kidney disease-related processes. Subgroup analysis identified unique ‘metabolite signatures’ by older age, nephrectomy type and preoperative eGFR.

Conclusions

Nephrectomy type, gender, blood lipids and benign parenchyma metabolites at nephrectomy were associated with long-term kidney function. On further study, these metabolites may be useful as potential biomarkers and to identify novel therapeutic targets for malignancy-associated renal disease.
Sibling Spillovers
Authors: Black Sandra E , Breining Sanni , Figlio David N , Guryan Jonathan , Karbownik Krzysztof , Nielsen Helena Skyt , Roth Jeffrey , Simonsen Marianne
Published: August 2020

It is notoriously difficult to identify peer effects within the family. Using administrative data on children from both Florida and Denmark, the paper examines the effects of having a disabled younger sibling. To address the identification challenge, the paper compares the differential effects for first- and second-born children in three-plus-child families, taking advantage of the fact that birth order influences the amount of time that a child spends in early childhood with their younger siblings, disabled or not. The paper finds evidence that, relative to the first born, the second child in a family is differentially affected when the third child is disabled.
Bacterial community assembly in Atlantic cod larvae (Gadus morhua): contributions of ecological processes and metacommunity structure
Authors: Vestrum Ragnhild I , Attramadal Kari J K , Vadstein Olav , Gundersen Madeleine Stenshorne , Bakke Ingrid
Published: August 2020

Many studies demonstrate the importance of the commensal microbiomes to animal health and development. However, the initial community assembly process is poorly understood. It is unclear to what extent the hosts select for their commensal microbiota, whether stochastic processes contribute, and how environmental conditions affect the community assembly. We investigated community assembly in Atlantic cod larvae exposed to distinct microbial metacommunities. We aimed to quantify ecological processes influencing community assembly in cod larvae and to elucidate the complex relationship between the bacteria of the environment and the fish. Selection within the fish was the major determinant for community assembly, but drift resulted in inter-individual variation. The environmental bacterial communities were highly dissimilar from those associated with the fish. Still, differences in the environmental bacterial communities strongly influenced the fish communities. The most striking difference was an excessive dominance of a single OTU (Arcobacter) for larvae reared in two of the three systems. These larvae were exposed to environments with higher fractions of opportunistic bacteria, and we hypothesise that detrimental host–microbe interactions might have made the fish susceptible to Arcobacter colonisation. Despite strong selection within the host, this points to a possibility to steer the metacommunity towards mutualistic host–microbe interactions and improved fish health and survival.
Synergistic Effects of Cognitive Training and Physical Exercise on Dual-Task Performance in Older Adults
Authors: Bherer Louis , Gagnon Christine , Langeard Antoine , Lussier Maxime , Desjardins-Crépeau Laurence , Berryman Nicolas , Bosquet Laurent , Vu Thien Tuong Minh , Fraser Sarah , Li Karen Z H , Kramer Arthur F
Published: August 2020

Background

Studies report benefits of physical exercise and cognitive training to enhance cognition in older adults. However, most studies did not compare these interventions to appropriate active controls. Moreover, physical exercise and cognitive training seem to involve different mechanisms of brain plasticity, suggesting a potential synergistic effect on cognition.

Objective

This study investigated the synergistic effect of cognitive training and aerobic/resistance physical exercise on dual-task performance in older adults. Intervention effects were compared to active controls for both the cognitive and the exercise domain.

Method

Eighty-seven older adults completed one of 4 different combinations of interventions, in which computer lessons was active control for cognitive training and stretching/toning exercise control for aerobic/resistance training: (a) cognitive dual-task training and aerobic/resistance training (COG+/AER+), (b) computer lessons and aerobic/resistance training (COG−/AER+), (c) cognitive dual-task training and stretching/toning exercises (COG+/AER−), and (d) computer lessons and stretching/toning exercises (COG−/AER−). The primary outcome was performance in an untrained transfer dual task. Stepwise backward removal regression analyses were used to predict pre- versus post-test changes in groups that have completed the dual-task training, aerobic/resistance or both interventions.

Results

Participation in AER+ did not predict improvement in any dual-task outcomes. Participation in COG+ predicted reduction in dual-task cost and participation in COG+/AER+ predicted reduction in task-set cost.

Discussion

Results suggest that the combination of cognitive and physical training protocols exerted a synergistic effect on task-set cost which reflects the cost of maintaining multiple response alternatives, whereas cognitive training specifically improved dual-task cost, which reflects the ability of synchronizing concurrent tasks.
Stress, Burden, and Well-Being in Dementia and Nondementia Caregivers: Insights From the Caregiving Transitions Study
Authors: Sheehan Orla C , Haley William E , Howard Virginia J , Huang Jin , Rhodes J David , Roth David L
Published: August 2020

Background and Objectives

Few population-based studies have directly compared caregivers of persons with dementia to caregivers of persons with other disabilities (nondementia caregivers). We enrolled dementia and nondementia caregivers who were providing substantial and sustained care and compared these groups on measures of caregiver stressors, appraisals of burden, and well-being.

Research Design and Methods

Caregivers (N = 251) who provided continuous care for at least 1 year and at least 5 h per week were recruited from the population-based REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Caregivers reported on dementia caregiving status, stressors, burden, and well-being.

Results

Forty-seven percent (n = 117) reported caring for a person with dementia. Dementia caregivers reported more stressors, providing more care for self-care and behavioral problems than nondementia caregivers. Dementia caregivers also reported higher appraisals of stress and burden, and more depressive symptoms, but did not differ from nondementia caregivers on mental and physical health quality of life. In multivariable-adjusted models, adjustment for the total number of care recipient problems attenuated differences between dementia and nondementia caregivers on burden and depression measures.

Discussion and Implications

Dementia and nondementia caregivers showed relatively few differences in indicators of overall well-being in this population-based sample, perhaps because both groups of caregivers in this study were providing substantial care. Dementia caregivers may require special assistance with dementia-specific problems such as behavioral problems. Clinical interventions and policy changes targeting highly burdened caregivers are needed to support them in allowing their care recipients to age in place at home.
Exact closed-form solutions for Lamb’s problem—II: a moving point load
Authors: Feng Xi , Zhang Haiming
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we report on an exact closed-form solution for the displacement in an elastic homogeneous half-space elicited by a downward vertical point source moving with constant velocity over the surface of the medium. The problem considered here is an extension to Lamb’s problem. Starting with the integral solutions of Bakker et al., we followed the method developed by Feng and Zhang, which focuses on the displacement triggered by a fixed point source observed on the free surface, to obtain the final solution in terms of elementary algebraic functions as well as elliptic integrals of the first, second and third kind. Our closed-form results agree perfectly with the numerical results of Bakker et al., which confirms the correctness of our formulae. The solution obtained in this paper may lay a solid foundation for further consideration of the response of an actual physical moving load, such as a high-speed rail train.
Effects of seismogenic width and low-velocity zones on estimating slip-weakening distance from near-fault ground deformation
Authors: Chen Xiang , Yang Hongfeng
Published: August 2020

Fault weakening process controls earthquake rupture propagation and is of great significance to impact the final earthquake size and seismic hazard. Critical slip-weakening distance (${D_c}$) is one of the key parameters, which however is of difficult endeavours to be determined on natural faults, mainly due to its strong trade-off with the fault strength drop. An estimation method of ${D_c}$ proposed by Fukuyama et al. provides a simple and direct reference of ${D_c}$ on real faults from the near-fault ground displacement at the peak of ground velocity (${D_c}^{\prime\prime}$). However, multiple factors may affect the observed near-fault ground velocity and thus need to be considered when estimating ${D_c}.$ In this work we conduct 3-D finite element numerical simulations to examine the effects of finite seismogenic width and near-fault low velocity zones (LVZs) on the results of ${D_c}^{\prime\prime}$. In uniform models with constant prescribed ${D_c}$, the derived ${D_c}^{\prime\prime}$ values increase with seismogenic width. Furthermore, the scaling between ${D_c}^{\prime\prime}$ and final slip in models with a constant ${D_c}$ indicates that the scale-dependent feature of ${D_c}^{\prime\prime}$ might not be related to variation in friction properties. With a near-fault LVZ, ${D_c}^{\prime\prime}$ values show significant magnification. The width of the LVZ plays a more important role in enlarging ${D_c}$ estimation compared to the depth of the LVZ. Complex wavefields and multiple wiggles introduced by the LVZ could lead to delay pick and then cause large deviation. The value of ${D_c}$ on the fault may be overestimated through ${D_c}^{\prime\prime}$ from limited stations only.
Characteristics of White Matter Structural Networks in Chronic Schizophrenia Treated With Clozapine or Risperidone and Those Never Treated
Authors: Luo Chunyan , Lencer Rebekka , Hu Na , Xiao Yuan , Zhang Wenjing , Li Siyi , Lui Su , Gong Qiyong
Published: August 2020

Background

Despite its benefits, a major concern regarding antipsychotic treatment is its possible impact on the brain’s structure and function. This study sought to explore the characteristics of white matter structural networks in chronic never-treated schizophrenia and those treated with clozapine or risperidone, and its potential association with cognitive function.

Methods

Diffusion tensor imaging was performed on a unique sample of 34 schizophrenia patients treated with antipsychotic monotherapy for over 5 years (17 treated with clozapine and 17 treated with risperidone), 17 never-treated schizophrenia patients with illness duration over 5 years, and 27 healthy control participants. Graph theory and network-based statistic approaches were employed.

Results

We observed a disrupted organization of white matter structural networks as well as decreased nodal and connectivity characteristics across the schizophrenia groups, mainly involving thalamus, prefrontal, and occipital regions. Alterations in nodal and connectivity characteristics were relatively milder in risperidone-treated patients than clozapine-treated patients and never-treated patients. Altered global network measures were significantly associated with cognitive performance levels. Structural connectivity as reflected by network-based statistic mediated the difference in cognitive performance levels between clozapine-treated and risperidone-treated patients.

Limitations

These results are constrained by the lack of random assignment to different types of antipsychotic treatment.

Conclusion

These findings provide insight into the white matter structural network deficits in patients with chronic schizophrenia, either being treated or untreated, and suggest white matter structural networks supporting cognitive function may benefit from antipsychotic treatment, especially in those treated with risperidone.
Concurrent and Concordant Oral and Genital High-Risk Human Papillomavirus in the United States: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Custer James , Patel Riddhi , Delclos George L , DeSantis Stacia M
Published: August 2020

Background

Oropharyngeal cancers associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection are increasing in the United States, especially among men. We evaluated the prevalence and predictors of concurrent (genital and oral) and concordant (same-type) HR-HPV infections in the United States.

Methods

We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2009 to 2016. Predictors were assessed via multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Among 10 334 respondents, 172 (2.1%) had concurrent infections (109 [3.5%] men and 63 [0.76%] women]. Ninety-three (1.0%) had concordant infections (54 [1.6%] men and 39 [0.5%] women). Predictors of concurrence in men included the following: no longer married versus married (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3–4.9), living with a partner versus married (3.0; 1.2–7.5), and having 2–5 lifetime oral sex partners (3.0; 1.2–7.5). In women they included the following: no longer married versus married (3.6; 1.3–10.3), ≥2 recent sex partners (4.6; 1.4–15.6 for 2–5 partners and 3.9; 1.1–14.3 for ≥6 partners), and marijuana use (2.2; 1.0–4.5). The predictor of concordance in men and women was no longer married versus married (3.5; 1.2–9.9 in men and 3.2; 1.1–9.4 in women).

Conclusions

Concurrent and concordant HR-HPV infections occur at a high rate, especially among men, and are associated with behavioral factors. This underscores the importance of HPV vaccination, screening, and education in men.
Microgeographic Epidemiology of Malaria Parasites in an Irrigated Area of Western Kenya by Deep Amplicon Sequencing
Authors: Hemming-Schroeder Elizabeth , Zhong Daibin , Kibret Solomon , Chie Amanda , Lee Ming-Chieh , Zhou Guofa , Atieli Harrysone , Githeko Andrew , Kazura James W , Yan Guiyun
Published: August 2020

To improve food security, investments in irrigated agriculture are anticipated to increase throughout Africa. However, the extent to which environmental changes from water resource development will impact malaria epidemiology remains unclear. This study was designed to compare the sensitivity of molecular markers used in deep amplicon sequencing for evaluating malaria transmission intensities and to assess malaria transmission intensity at various proximities to an irrigation scheme. Compared to ama1, csp, and msp1 amplicons, cpmp required the smallest sample size to detect differences in infection complexity between transmission risk zones. Transmission intensity was highest within 5 km of the irrigation scheme by polymerase chain reaction positivity rate, infection complexity, and linkage disequilibrium. The irrigated area provided a source of parasite infections for the surrounding 2- to 10-km area. This study highlights the suitability of the cpmp amplicon as a measure for transmission intensities and the impact of irrigation on microgeographic epidemiology of malaria parasites.
Healthcare-associated bacterial infections in the paediatric ICU
Authors: Akinkugbe Olugbenga , Cooke Fiona J , Pathan Nazima
Published: August 2020

Background

An estimated 3.2 million patients annually develop healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) in Europe alone amid the major challenge of increasing antimicrobial resistance. Critically ill children warrant specific evaluation because of differences in epidemiology, causative organisms and infection sites.

Objectives

To examine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of three types of HCAI in critically ill children and determine the effect on their disease course.

Materials and methods

Retrospective cohort review of critically ill children admitted to a general paediatric ICU (PICU) at a regional academic tertiary referral centre over a 3 year period.

Results

There were 1930 admissions with a median age of 38 months. Children with HCAIs had a higher incidence of comorbidities (74% versus 24%) and a longer median length of stay (8 days versus 3 days). We identified 26 positive isolates (blood, lower respiratory and urine) taken 48 h or more after admission. The combined incidence was 1.34%. Hospital-acquired pneumonia accounted for 58% of HCAIs, urinary tract infections for 31% and bloodstream infections for 11%. The majority (61.5%) of HCAIs were caused by Gram-negative organisms. Seven isolates were resistant to antimicrobials used to treat HCAI. All of these were Gram-negative organisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella oxytoca and Escherichia coli).

Conclusions

These data revealed a low incidence of HCAIs, 27% of which were resistant Gram-negative organisms. Critically ill children with HCAIs were more likely to have comorbidities and an increased length of stay. These factors may increasingly impact on PICU bed availability, an already limited resource.
Integrity of clinical information in radiology reports documenting pulmonary nodules
Authors: Lacson Ronilda , Cochon Laila , Ching Patrick R , Odigie Eseosa , Kapoor Neena , Gagne Staci , Hammer Mark M , Khorasani Ramin
Published: August 2020

Objective

Quantify the integrity, measured as completeness and concordance with a thoracic radiologist, of documenting pulmonary nodule characteristics in CT reports and assess impact on making follow-up recommendations.

Materials and Methods

This Institutional Review Board-approved, retrospective cohort study was performed at an academic medical center. Natural language processing was performed on radiology reports of CT scans of chest, abdomen, or spine completed in 2016 to assess presence of pulmonary nodules, excluding patients with lung cancer, of which 300 reports were randomly sampled to form the study cohort. Documentation of nodule characteristics were manually extracted from reports by 2 authors with 20% overlap. CT images corresponding to 60 randomly selected reports were further reviewed by a thoracic radiologist to record nodule characteristics. Documentation completeness for all characteristics were reported in percentage and compared using χ2 analysis. Concordance with a thoracic radiologist was reported as percentage agreement; impact on making follow-up recommendations was assessed using kappa.

Results

Documentation completeness for pulmonary nodule characteristics differed across variables (range = 2%–90%, P < .001). Concordance with a thoracic radiologist was 75% for documenting nodule laterality and 29% for size. Follow-up recommendations were in agreement in 67% and 49% of reports when there was lack of completeness and concordance in documenting nodule size, respectively.

Discussion

Essential pulmonary nodule characteristics were under-reported, potentially impacting recommendations for pulmonary nodule follow-up.

Conclusion

Lack of documentation of pulmonary nodule characteristics in radiology reports is common, with potential for compromising patient care and clinical decision support tools.
A review on the woody breast condition, detection methods, and product utilization in the contemporary poultry industry
Authors: Caldas-Cueva Juan P , Owens Casey M
Published: August 2020

In recent years, the global poultry industry has been facing increasing and challenging myopathies such as the woody breast (WB) condition that has caused significant economic losses. Even though the etiological causes of WB myopathy are still unknown or partially understood, the intensive genetic selection for rapid-growth rates and high yields in broilers may be the main factor associated with the development of this abnormality. The severity of this anomaly and its incidence rates are associated with fast-growing and heavier broilers, especially with those from high breast yielding strains. Such WB myopathy is primarily characterized by a notorious hardness in broiler breast muscles, which exhibit morphometric and histopathological alterations coupled with physicochemical abnormalities that result in undesired sensory, nutritional, and technological properties. In this negative context, although scientists are trying to solve or reduce the prevalence of this meat quality problem, the poultry industry needs noncontact and rapid in-line methods for WB detection at the fillet and/or carcass level that could help to establish automated objective grading or sorting systems according to its severity. Another need is the development and selection of profitable alternatives for the utilization of WB meat once poultry carcasses or deboned fillets affected by this abnormality are objectively detected and sorted. Indeed, there is a need for studies to expand the industrial applications of WB meat in further processed products, optimizing the incorporation of this affected chicken meat based on sensorial, technological, and nutritional profile evaluations. Even though a better understanding of the contribution of genetic and nongenetic factors to the development of growth-related myopathies can be the main strategy to mitigate their negative effects, the poultry industry could benefit from meeting the aforementioned needs.