bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility analysis of substituting gutters in NFT system network for horticulture production with corrugated roof sheet
Authors: Pertiwi Setyo , Prastya Andika
Published: August 2020

Hydroponic cultivation with nutrient film technique (NFT) is an alternative solution for problems in horticulture production, especially those related with land limitations and climate problems. However, high investment requirements often become obstacles in applying the technique. This paper discusses the feasibility analysis of substituting the commonly used gutters in NFT system network for horticulture production with corrugated roof sheet, i.e. tarpaulin-covered corrugated asbestos roof sheet. The technical feasibility analysis was carried out based on a number of parameters, i.e. the uniformity of nutrients solution flow rate at the inlet and outlet, the uniformity of nutrients solution depth in the NFT network, the uniformity of nutrients solution concentration in the network, and the uniformity of produced plant weights. Meanwhile the financial feasibility analysis was carried out by Net Present Value (NPV) analysis, Net B/C analysis, and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) analysis of horticulture production. The results of the analysis were compared with those of NFT network system using gutters. The results indicated that uniformity of flow rate, the uniformity of nutrients solution concentration in terms of electrical conductivity and degrees of acidity, the uniformity of depth of flow and plant weight were close to 90%. This means that the proposed hydroponic technique can be applied. Using assumptions derived from productivity of tested horticulture commodities and the actual market prices of inputs as well as output, hydroponic techniques with NFT networks using tarpaulin-covered corrugated asbestos roof sheet was also financially feasible.
Study of the physical properties of liquid smoke from cocoa rind on moisture content and different pyrolysis temperature
Authors: Ketut Budaraga I , Putra Dian Pramana
Published: August 2020

Cocoa is one of the flagship commodity of West Sumatera from plantation sector. Cocoa skin waste is still little in utilization. One of the utilization of cocoa fruit skin is made raw material for liquid smoke making. The purpose of this research is to know the physical properties of liquid smoke of cocoa fruit skin with different levels of water content of raw materials and the temperature of pyrolysis differently. This research has been conducted in April – May 2019. The results showed that the liquid smoke of the cocoa fruit skin at different levels of water and the temperature of pyrolysis resulted in a brownish-yellow liquid smoke color and no turbidity. The liquid smoke color is calculated based on Hue degree values. Water content of 10% at 200, 300 and 400°C temperature obtained 4.3374; 4.2635 and 4, 2169 °Hue. Water content of 15% at 200, 300 and 400°C temperature obtained 4.3878; 4.3561 and 4, 3342 °Hue. Moisture content of 20% at temperatures 200, 300 and 400°C obtained 4.4776; 4.4537 and 4, 3342oHue. Water content of 25% at 200, 300 and 400°C temperature obtained 4.5730; 4.5134 and 4, 4829°Hue. The analysis of liquid smoke type weights are generally above the water. The weight of 10% cocoa water content in the temperature of 200, 300 and 400°C obtained 1.000963; 1.000953 dan1,00148. The weight of the cocoa content type is 15% at a temperature of 200, 300 and 400°C obtained 1.001401; 1.001677 and 1.002753. The weight of the type of cocoa skin moisture content is 20% at 200, 300 and 400°C obtained 1.004195; 1.004629 and 1,004754. The weight of the type of cocoa skin moisture content is 25% at 200, 300 and 400°C obtained 1.004288; 1.004735 and 1.005341.
Implementation of crop growth monitoring system based on depth perception using stereo camera in plant factory
Authors: Nugroho A P , Fadilah M A N , Wiratmoko A , Azis Y A , Efendi A W , Sutiarso L , Okayasu T
Published: August 2020

The plant factory is extensive cultivation to produce a high quality of vegetables under a controllable environment. The concept of Precision Agriculture (PA) was introduced to improve the plant factory production by the implementation of a crop growth monitoring system. Crop growth can be estimated by monitoring of crop height and canopy foliage by the use of computer vision technology. In our previous study, we have introduced a plant height monitoring system based on depth perception using a stereo camera. However, the validity of the various type of leave is necessary to be tested. The objective of this study was to implement the crop growth monitoring system to monitor plant development with various type of leave for system validation and evaluation. The crop growth monitoring system composed of a stereo camera implementing the depth perception for estimating the distance from camera to highest point in the crop. The implementation of the system with various types of leaves and characteristics has been conducted for (a) Samhon, (b) Lettuce, and (c) Pagoda. The developed crop growth monitoring system could perform the time series estimation of crop height with a maximum error of RMSE 0.875 cm on Pagoda, and MAPE of 5.56% on Lettuce. The system demonstrates better estimation on Samhong with minimum error RMSE of 0.408cm and 2.27 % of MAPE. Overall validation for the estimated height vs actual measurement indicates that the coefficient of determination higher than 0.7 means that it has substantial features for estimating the plant height.
Problems of Conservation of Biodiversity of Relict Oak Groves of the Boreal Zone of the South Urals
Authors: Getmanets I A , Serebrennikova Yu A , Levchenko P V
Published: August 2020

An assessment of the phytodiversity of oak groves in the forest zone and forest-steppe of the Urals is presented. Ecological-coenotic analysis of the vegetation cover was carried out, as well as the structure of tree coenopopulations using the express method was evaluated. The categories of the status of individuals of the edificator Quercus robur L. are determined, its allelopathic properties are studied. Assessment of the ecological state of the communities revealed the prospects for their development and the need to preserve relict oak groves.
The Subgrouping Structure of Newborns with Heterogenous Brain–Behavior Relationships
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Liu Shuxin , Salzwedel Andrew , Stephens Rebecca , Cornea Emil , Goldman Barbara D , Gilmore John H , Gao Wei
Published: August 2020

The presence of heterogeneity/subgroups in infants and older populations against single-domain brain or behavioral measures has been previously characterized. However, few attempts have been made to explore heterogeneity at the brain–behavior relationship level. Such a hypothesis posits that different subgroups of infants may possess qualitatively different brain–behavior relationships that could ultimately contribute to divergent developmental outcomes even with relatively similar brain phenotypes. In this study, we aimed to explore such relationship-level heterogeneity and delineate the subgrouping structure of newborns with differential brain–behavior associations based on a typically developing sample of 81 infants with 3-week resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans and 4-year intelligence quotient (IQ) measures. Our results not only confirmed the existence of relationship-level heterogeneity in newborns but also revealed divergent developmental outcomes associated with two subgroups showing similar brain functional connectivity but contrasting brain–behavior relationships. Importantly, further analyses unveiled an intriguing pattern that the subgroup with higher 4-year IQ outcomes possessed brain–behavior relationships that were congruent to their functional connectivity pattern in neonates while the subgroup with lower 4-year IQ not, providing potential explanations for the observed IQ differences. The characterization of heterogeneity at the brain–behavior relationship level may not only improve our understanding of the patterned intersubject variability during infancy but could also pave the way for future development of heterogeneity-inspired, personalized, subgroup-specific models for better prediction.
AVIFAVIR for Treatment of Patients With Moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Interim Results of a Phase II/III Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Ivashchenko Andrey A , Dmitriev Kirill A , Vostokova Natalia V , Azarova Valeria N , Blinow Andrew A , Egorova Alina N , Gordeev Ivan G , Ilin Alexey P , Karapetian Ruben N , Kravchenko Dmitry V , Lomakin Nikita V , Merkulova Elena A , Papazova Natalia A , Pavlikova Elena P , Savchuk Nikolay P , Simakina Elena N , Sitdekov Tagir A , Smolyarchuk Elena A , Tikhomolova Elena G , Yakubova Elena V , Ivachtchenko Alexandre V
Published: August 2020

In May 2020 the Russian Ministry of Health granted fast-track marketing authorization to RNA polymerase inhibitor AVIFAVIR (favipiravir) for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. In the pilot stage of Phase II/III clinical trial, AVIFAVIR enabled SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance in 62.5% of patients within 4 days, and was safe and well-tolerated.

Clinical Trials Registration. NCT04434248.
A Positive Relationship Between Sign Language Comprehension and Mental Rotation Abilities
Authors: Kubicek Emily , Quandt Lorna C
Published: August 2020

Past work investigating spatial cognition suggests better mental rotation abilities for those who are fluent in a signed language. However, no prior work has assessed whether fluency is needed to achieve this performance benefit or what it may look like on the neurobiological level. We conducted an electroencephalography experiment and assessed accuracy on a classic mental rotation task given to deaf fluent signers, hearing fluent signers, hearing non-fluent signers, and hearing non-signers. Two of the main findings of the study are as follows: (1) Sign language comprehension and mental rotation abilities are positively correlated and (2) Behavioral performance differences between signers and non-signers are not clearly reflected in brain activity typically associated with mental rotation. In addition, we propose that the robust impact sign language appears to have on mental rotation abilities strongly suggests that “sign language use” should be added to future measures of spatial experiences.
Location and characteristics of the X-discontinuity beneath SW Morocco and the adjacent shelf area usingP-wave receiver functions
Authors: Rein Theresa , Hannemann Katrin , Thomas Christine , Korn Michael
Published: August 2020

Receiver function approaches have proven to be valuable for the investigation of crustal and upper mantle discontinuities whose sharp changes in seismic velocities cause wave conversions. While the crustal and mantle transition zone discontinuities are largely understood, the X-discontinuity at 250–350 km depth is still an object of controversial debate. The origin and global distribution of this structure with a velocity jump of 1.5–4.8 % for compressional and shear waves is still unexplained. Although the crustal and mantle transition zone discontinuities beneath SW Morocco and surroundings have been investigated, only a few studies observed the X-discontinuity and place the depth at 260–370 km beneath the region of western Morocco. In order to better locate and characterize the X-discontinuity beneath southwest Morocco, we create P-wave receiver functions using data recorded by the Morocco–Münster array and detect the X-discontinuity at apparent depths of 285–350 km. In the western part of our study region we find apparent depths of ∼ 310–340 km. The eastern part of the study area appears more complex: we locate two velocity jumps at apparent depths of around 285–295 km and 330–350 km in the northeast, and in the southeast we find a discontinuity at apparent depths of 340–350 km. Due to the large depth range and the twofold appearance of the X-discontinuity, we suggest that two different phase transitions cause the X-discontinuity beneath SW Morocco. The velocity contrasts at larger depths likely point to the coesite–stishovite phase transition occurring in deep eclogitic pools. The shallower depths can be explained by the transition from orthoenstatite to high-pressure clinoenstatite which requires the reaction between eclogite and peridotite to form orthopyroxene-rich peridotite. This reaction is likely related to previously proposed small-scale mantle upwellings beneath SW Morocco. Since both phase transitions require eclogite occurrence, the location of the X-discontinuity in this region can be used to indicate the location of recycled oceanic crust.
Prevalence of Flavored e-Cigarette Use Among Subpopulations of Adults in the United States
Authors: Leventhal Adam M , Dai Hongying
Published: August 2020

Background

Evidence of US adult flavored e-cigarette use prevalence stratified by age, smoking status, and purpose for vaping (ie, quitting smoking, to use when or where smoking is not allowed) can inform policies that reduce the tobacco-related cancer burden.

Methods

Current flavored e-cigarette use (use 1 or more nontobacco flavors) prevalence estimates were compared across subpopulation groups using 2-sided statistical significance tests in the July 2018 Current Population Survey Tobacco Use Supplement, a nationally representative cross-sectional adult survey (n = 46 759).

Results

Current flavored e-cigarette use was reported by 1.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.47% to 1.69%) of all respondents. Among current vapers, the percentage of those who used flavored e-cigarettes was higher for adults aged 18-24 years (89.6%), 25-34 years (86.7%), and 35-44 years (76.0%) than for adults aged 45 years and older (60.4%, Ps < .001); was higher in never smokers (89.8%) than current (72.9%), long-term former (73.9%), and recent former (80.4%) smokers (Ps ≤ .009); was higher in smokers who reportedly did (78.9%) vs did not (71.1%) use e-cigarettes to vape where or when smoking is not allowed (P = .005); and did not differ between smokers who reportedly did (75.0%) vs did not (73.9%) vape to quit smoking (P = .71). Individuals who vaped to quit smoking and currently used flavored e-cigarettes constituted 0.9% (95% CI = 0.82% to 0.99%) of all adults (weighted N = 2 251 000, 95% CI = 2 046 000 to 2 476 000) and 57.2% of current flavored e-cigarette users.

Conclusions

Flavored e-cigarette use prevalence was low among US adults overall but common for current vapers. Flavored e-cigarette use was disproportionately prevalent among never smokers and other subpopulations that might experience harm from vaping.
The discovery of lambda Bootis stars - the Southern Survey II
Authors: Murphy Simon J , Gray Richard O , Corbally Christopher J , Kuehn Charles , Bedding Timothy R , Killam Josiah
Published: August 2020

The λ Boo stars are chemically peculiar A-type stars whose abundance anomalies are associated with the accretion of metal-poor material. We searched for λ Boo stars in the Southern hemisphere in a targeted spectroscopic survey of metal-weak and emission-line stars. Obtaining spectra for 308 stars and classifying them on the MK system, we found or co-discovered 24 new λ Boo stars. We also revised the classifications of 11 known λ Boo stars, one of which turned out to be a chemically normal rapid rotator. We show that stars previously classified in the literature as blue horizontal branch stars or emission-line A stars have a high probability of being λ Boo stars, although this conclusion is based on small-number statistics. Using WISE infrared fluxes, we searched our targets for infrared excesses that might be attributable to protoplanetary or debris discs as the source of the accreted material. Of the 34 λ Boo stars in our sample, 21 at various main-sequence ages have infrared excesses, confirming that not all λ Boo stars are young.
Conformational flexibility and oligomerization of BRCA2 regions induced by RAD51 interaction
Authors: Sidhu Arshdeep , Grosbart Małgorzata , Sánchez Humberto , Verhagen Bram , van der Zon Nick L L , Ristić Dejan , van Rossum-Fikkert Sarah E , Wyman Claire
Published: August 2020

BRCA2 is a key breast cancer associated protein that is predicted to have interspersed regions of intrinsic disorder. Intrinsic disorder coupled with large size likely allows BRCA2 to sample a broad range of conformational space. We expect that the resulting dynamic arrangements of BRCA2 domains are a functionally important aspect of its role in homologous recombination DNA repair. To determine the architectural organization and the associated conformational landscape of BRCA2, we used scanning force microscopy based single molecule analyses to map the flexible regions of the protein and characterize which regions influence oligomerization. We show that the N- and the C-terminal regions are the main flexible regions. Both of these regions also influence BRCA2 oligomerization and interaction with RAD51. In the central Brc repeat region, Brc 1–4 and Brc 5–8 contribute synergistically to BRCA2 interaction with RAD51. We also analysed several single amino acid changes that are potentially clinically relevant and found one, the variant of F1524V, which disrupts key interactions and alters the conformational landscape of the protein. We describe the overall conformation spectrum of BRCA2, which suggests that dynamic structural transitions are key features of its biological function, maintaining genomic stability.
TIF-Seq2 disentangles overlapping isoforms in complex human transcriptomes
Authors: Wang Jingwen , Li Bingnan , Marques Sueli , Steinmetz Lars M , Wei Wu , Pelechano Vicent
Published: August 2020

Eukaryotic transcriptomes are complex, involving thousands of overlapping transcripts. The interleaved nature of the transcriptomes limits our ability to identify regulatory regions, and in some cases can lead to misinterpretation of gene expression. To improve the understanding of the overlapping transcriptomes, we have developed an optimized method, TIF-Seq2, able to sequence simultaneously the 5′ and 3′ ends of individual RNA molecules at single-nucleotide resolution. We investigated the transcriptome of a well characterized human cell line (K562) and identified thousands of unannotated transcript isoforms. By focusing on transcripts which are challenging to be investigated with RNA-Seq, we accurately defined boundaries of lowly expressed unannotated and read-through transcripts putatively encoding fusion genes. We validated our results by targeted long-read sequencing and standard RNA-Seq for chronic myeloid leukaemia patient samples. Taking the advantage of TIF-Seq2, we explored transcription regulation among overlapping units and investigated their crosstalk. We show that most overlapping upstream transcripts use poly(A) sites within the first 2 kb of the downstream transcription units. Our work shows that, by paring the 5′ and 3′ end of each RNA, TIF-Seq2 can improve the annotation of complex genomes, facilitate accurate assignment of promoters to genes and easily identify transcriptionally fused genes.
Ingestion of a THC-Rich Cannabis Oil in People with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Chaves Carolina , Bittencourt Paulo Cesar T , Pelegrini Andreia
Published: August 2020

Objective

To determine the benefit of a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-rich cannabis oil on symptoms and quality of life of fibromyalgia patients.

Methods

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted for eight weeks to determine the benefit of a THC-rich cannabis oil (24.44 mg/mL of THC and 0.51 mg/mL of cannabidiol [CBD]) on symptoms and quality of life of 17 women with fibromyalgia, residents of a neighborhood with a low socioeconomic profile and a high incidence of violence in the city of Florianopolis, Brazil. The initial dose was one drop (∼1.22 mg of THC and 0.02 mg of CBD) a day with subsequent increases according to symptoms. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was applied at pre- and postintervention moments and in five visits over eight weeks.

Results

There were no significant differences on baseline FIQ score between groups. However, after the intervention, the cannabis group presented a significant decrease in FIQ score in comparison with the placebo group (P = 0.005) and in comparison with cannabis group baseline score. (P < 0.001). Analyzing isolated items on the FIQ, the cannabis group presented significant improvement on the “feel good,” “pain,” “do work,” and “fatigue” scores. The placebo group presented significant improvement on the “depression” score after intervention. There were no intolerable adverse effects.

Conclusions

Phytocannabinoids can be a low-cost and well-tolerated therapy to reduce symptoms and increase the quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia. Future studies are still needed to assess long-term benefits, and studies with different varieties of cannabinoids associated with a washout period must be done to enhance our knowledge of cannabis action in this health condition.
Religions in action: the role of interreligious dialogue in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Corpuz Jeff Clyde G
Published: August 2020

Recent correspondence letters to the editor of this journal pointed on the praxis of faith in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The #ChurchinAction presents the role of religious interventions in times of COVID-19. However, a question is raised: how to promote interreligious dialogue in the context of COVID-19 pandemic? To address this question, people of different faiths/religions should come together in promoting the life and dignity of the human person, a sense of community, and participation, respecting the rights and responsibilities of each person, helping the poor and vulnerable sectors of the society, respecting the dignity of work and the rights of the workers, solidarity and caring for the whole creation. In this perspective, interreligious dialogue highlighted the importance of world religions in order to provide a spiritual intervention. The dialogue of life, dialogue of action, dialogue of theological exchange, and dialogue of religious experiences promote interreligious dialogue in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.
Defining heart disease risk for death in COVID-19 infection
Authors: Li J , Guo T , Dong D , Zhang X , Chen X , Feng Y , Wei B , Zhang W , Zhao M , Wan J
Published: August 2020

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was in common in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and associated with unfavorable outcomes. We aimed to compare the clinical observations and outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected patients with or without CVD.

Methods

Patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were clinically evaluated at Wuhan Seventh People’s Hospital, Wuhan, China, from 23 January to 14 March 2020. Demographic data, laboratory findings, comorbidities, treatments and outcomes were collected and analyzed in COVID-19 patients with and without CVD.

Results

Among 596 patients with COVID-19, 215 (36.1%) of them with CVD. Compared with patients without CVD, these patients were significantly older (66 vs. 52 years) and had higher proportion of men (52.5% vs. 43.8%). Complications in the course of disease were more common in patients with CVD, included acute respiratory distress syndrome (22.8% vs. 8.1%), malignant arrhythmias (3.7% vs. 1.0%) including ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, acute coagulopathy(7.9% vs. 1.8%) and acute kidney injury (11.6% vs. 3.4%). The rate of glucocorticoid therapy (36.7% vs. 25.5%), Vitamin C (23.3% vs. 11.8%), mechanical ventilation (21.9% vs. 7.6%), intensive care unit admission (12.6% vs. 3.7%) and mortality (16.7% vs. 4.7%) were higher in patients with CVD (both P < 0.05). The multivariable Cox regression models showed that older age (≥65 years old) (HR 3.165, 95% CI 1.722–5.817) and patients with CVD (HR 2.166, 95% CI 1.189–3.948) were independent risk factors for death.

Conclusions

CVD are independent risk factors for COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 patients with CVD were more severe and had higher mortality rate, early intervention and vigilance should be taken.
The Benefits of Tying Yourself in Knots: Unraveling the Learning Mechanisms of Guided Discovery Learning in an Open Surgical Skills Course
Authors: Aagesen Andreas H. , Jensen Rune D. , Cheung Jeffrey J.H. , Christensen John B. , Konge Lars , Brydges Ryan , Thinggaard Ebbe , Kulasegaram Kulamakan M.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Teaching technical skills through the use of guided discovery learning (GDL) is an ongoing topic of research. In this approach, learners practice and struggle before receiving formal instruction. This has shown promise in other domains of learning, yet in the realm of procedural skills, clarity is still needed. This study seeks to address these gaps by investigating efficacy and mechanisms relating to application for a GDL approach in teaching basic surgical skills.

Method

In 2018, young surgical trainees (N = 16) undertook a 6-week open surgical course applying the principles of GDL, each lesson beginning with a discovery phase before subsequent instruction and practice. A concurrent triangulation mixed-methods approach was used with direct observation and collection of semistructured interviews using a framework designed from productive failure literature. At the end of the course, all participants took a conceptual knowledge test and a performance-based skills test. Performance on the skills test was rated using global ratings and checklists.

Results

The GDL cohort outperformed the historical cohort on the written exam (F [1,65] = 4.96, P = .029, d = .62), as well as on the summative suturing test (F [1,65] = 6.23, P = .015, d = .68). Furthermore, 3 main themes that highlight the mechanisms and mediators of efficient GDL were: (1) building conceptual knowledge, (2) motivating self-regulated learning, and (3) the type of skill and psychological safety.

Conclusions

GDL can be an efficient approach to teaching procedural skills. Implications for future research and curricular design are discussed.
Anxiety Sensitivity Moderates the Association Between Peritraumatic Distress and Bereavement Outcomes Among Sudden Loss Survivors
Authors: Williams Joah L. , Hardt Madeleine M. , Henschel Aisling V. , Jobe-Shields Lisa
Published: August 2020

Peritraumatic distress and anxiety sensitivity are associated with complications in bereavement, including posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief reactions. The extent to which these factors interact to contribute to bereavement-related distress, however, remains unclear. This study investigates whether anxiety sensitivity moderates the association between peritraumatic reactions and posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief symptoms in a sample of young adults with a history of bereavement due to sudden, unexpected deaths. Participants were 606 undergraduate students recruited from two US universities. Results suggest that peritraumatic emotional and physical distress and anxiety sensitivity are all independently associated with both posttraumatic stress and prolonged grief reactions. Furthermore, the association between peritraumatic distress and prolonged grief, but not posttraumatic stress, is moderated by anxiety sensitivity. These findings point to several potentially important, clinically modifiable factors associated with a variety of bereavement-related mental health problems among a vulnerable group of grievers.
Conjunctival Carcinomas Arising in the Anophthalmic Socket
Authors: Bonavolontà Paola , Fossataro Federica , Tranfa Fausto , Iuliano Adriana , Bonavolontà Giulio , Califano Luigi
Published: August 2020

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to report management and outcomes of patients in which conjunctival carcinomas arose in the anophthalmic socket.

Methods:

The authors retrospectively analyzed the data of patients which presented the anophthalmic socket after surgery. The clinical records of 4 patients with histological diagnosis of conjunctival carcinoma in the anophthalmic socket, referred to our Department, between January 2014 and December 2019 was collected.

Results:

The study included 4 men (median age 58 years). A previous enucleation surgery had been performed in all patients due to previous ocular trauma for three patients (Case 1, 3, and 4) and due to a retinoblastoma for 1 patient (Case 2). All patients underwent surgical excision of the lesion and only 1 patient (case 3) underwent orbital exenteration due to the high-grade of the cancer. The most common tumor was the squamous cell carcinoma (2 cases) followed by 1 case of high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma and 1 case of carcinoma in situ. Systemic work-up was performed for all the patients. Conjunctival TNM, according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system was used to stage the lesions. The median follow-up time was 15 months.

Conclusion:

Considering the severity and rarity of these tumors, a careful ophthalmological examination of the cavity and a correct revision of the prosthesis should be mandatory in order to ensure the elimination of any macro and microscopic irregularities that can then in the long-term cause chronic inflammation of the tissues and consequently promote the growth of carcinomas.
The Prevalence of Blood-Borne Pathogens in Maxillofacial Trauma Patients
Authors: Gebran Selim G. , Wasicek Philip J. , Wu Yinglun , Lopez Joseph , Ngaage Ledibabari M. , Rasko Yvonne M. , Nam Arthur J. , Grant Michael P. , Steinberg Jordan P. , Liang Fan
Published: August 2020

Background:

Blood-borne pathogen infections (BPIs), caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C and hepatitis B viruses pose an occupational hazard to healthcare workers. Facial trauma reconstruction surgeons may be at elevated risk because of routine use of sharps, and a higher than average incidence of BPIs in the trauma patient population.

Methods:

The authors retrospectively reviewed health records of patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center with a facial fracture between January 2010 and December 2015. Patient demographics, medical history, mechanism of injury, type of fracture, and procedures performed were documented. The authors detemined the frequency of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C diagnosis and utilized univariable/multivariable analyses to identify risk factors associated with infection in this population.

Results:

In total, 4608 consecutive patients were included. Infections were found in 4.8% (n = 219) of patients (human immunodeficiency virus 1.6%, hepatitis C 3.3%, hepatitis B 0.8%). 76.3% of BPI patients in this cohort were identified by medical history, while 23.7% were diagnosed by serology following initiation of care. 39.0% of all patients received surgical treatment during initial hospitalization, of whom 4.3% had a diagnosed BPI. History of intravenous drug use (odds ratio [OR] 6.79, P < 0.001), assault-related injury (OR 1.61, P = 0.003), positive toxicology screen (OR 1.56, P = 0.004), and male gender (OR 1.53, P = 0.037) were significantly associated with a BPI diagnosis.

Conclusion:

Patients presenting with facial fractures commonly harbor a BPI. The benefit of early diagnosis and risk to surgical staff may justify routine screening for BPI in high risk facial trauma patients (male, assault-related injury, and history of intravenous drug use).
Presurgical Orthopedic Intervention Prior to Cleft Lip and Palate Repair: Nasoalveolar Molding Versus Passive Molding Appliance Therapy
Authors: Gibson Ella , Pfeifauf Kristin D. , Skolnick Gary B. , Kim Andrew , Naidoo Sybill D. , Snyder-Warwick Alison , Huebener Donald V. , Patel Kamlesh B.
Published: August 2020

Background:

Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a widely used presurgical orthopedic device, despite disputes over its effectiveness. This study compares the outcomes after cleft lip and nose repair in patients who received NAM versus those who underwent passive alveolar molding with lip taping.

Methods:

A retrospective review of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate who received either NAM (n = 16) or passive molding (n = 10) treatments was conducted. Alveolar gap width was measured on maxillary casts until time of palatoplasty. Nasolabial symmetry was assessed by examining anthropometric ratios on post-operative three-dimensional photographs. Burden of care was evaluated by analyzing the number of patient appointments attended, treatment costs, and caregiver satisfaction surveys.

Results:

No statistically significant difference existed in alveolar gap at time of initial appointment or palatoplasty, however the gap was smaller in the NAM cohort at time of lip and nose repair. No statistically significant difference existed in postsurgical heminasal width, nostril width, nostril height, labial height or nasal ala projection asymmetry between the NAM and the passive molding cohort. Patients in the NAM group attended more dental appointments and incurred higher treatment costs compared to the passive molding group. Caregivers reported high satisfaction with treatment outcomes in both cohorts.

Conclusions:

There were no differences between NAM and passive molding regarding postsurgical nasolabial appearance and patient satisfaction. Both treatments narrow the alveolar gap. However, NAM places a higher burden of care on families.
Agrococcus sediminis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from lake sediment
Authors: Qu Jian-Hang , Yue Yi-Fei , Tian Hai-Long , Zhou Jia , Yang Bang-Bang , Deng Lei , Qu Ling-Bo , Wang Lin-Feng
Published: August 2020

A novel strain, designated NS18T, was isolated from sediment sampled at Taihu Lake, PR China. Cells of the isolate were spherical, aerobic, non-motile, Gram-stain-positive and non-endospore-forming. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain NS18T clustered in a clade of the genus

Agrococcus

. Its closest phylogenetic neighbour was

Agrococcus lahaulensis

DSM 17612T with 98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The complete genome of NS18T was 2 736 037 bp and its genomic DNA G+C content was 72.8 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain NS18T and

A. lahaulensis

DSM 17612T based on their whole genomes were 85.1 and 28.7 %, respectively. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The predominant menaquinones were MK11 and MK12. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified lipids. The components of the peptidoglycan were Ala, Gly, Asp, Thr and DAB. The whole-cell sugars contained rhamnose, ribose, xylose and glucose. According to the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain NS18T (=NBRC 113859T=MCCC 1K03759T) represents a novel species, for which the name Agrococcus sediminis sp. nov is proposed.
Dynamic Analysis of Social Distancing Ratio, Isolation Rate and Transmission Coefficient in COVID-19 Epidemic for Many Countries by SIQR Model
Authors: Hashiguchi Koichi
Published: August 2020

Recently SIQR model was proposed by Odagaki as the modification of conventional SIR model by adding the term for isolation of infected persons, Q(Quarantined). The exponent λ of the exponential function expressing the number of newly tested positive persons was defined as an linear equation explicitly with three important parameters, transmission coefficient, social distancing ratio x and isolation rate q. In this study, applying this model to the number of positive persons in publicly available database, daily λ values are regression analyzed, and social distancing ratio and isolation rate are derived. Analyses for 7 countries including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and western countries are performed and determine the dynamic locus of q-x relation on the q-x plane during epidemic propagation. Finally, the remaining parameter, the transmission coefficient is shown to closely relate to the maximum λ, λmax, and λmax (transmission coefficient) is characterized as a specific value for each country. Then, the magnitude of λmax is combined with the value of λmin to influence the total number of new cases until the convergence stage.
Vorinostat corrects cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome
Authors: Ding Qi , Wu Xueting , Li Xuan , Wang Hongbing
Published: August 2020

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by mutations in theFMR1(fragile X mental retardation 1) gene. It is a significant form of heritable intellectual disability with comorbidity of other symptoms such as autism. Due to the lack of efficacious medication, repurposing the existing FDA-approved drugs may offer an opportunity to advance clinical intervention for FXS. Analysis of the whole-genome transcription signatures predicts new therapeutic action of vorinostat to correct pathological alterations associated with FXS. We further find that the administration of vorinostat restores object location memory and passive avoidance memory in theFmr1knockout (KO) mice. For the non-cognitive behavioral symptoms, vorinostat corrects the autism-associated alterations, including repetitive behavior and social interaction deficits. In the open field test, vorinostat dampens hyperactivity in the center area of the arena. Surprisingly, vorinostat does not affect the abnormally elevated protein synthesis inFmr1KO neurons, suggesting different outcomes from correcting behavioral symptoms and specific aspects of cellular pathology. Our data reveal the therapeutic effects of the FDA-approved drug vorinostat in a mouse model of FXS and advocate efficacy testing with human patients.
A hybrid algorithm for dental artifact detection in large computed tomography datasets
Authors: Arrowsmith Colin , Reiazi Reza , Welch Mattea L. , Kazmierski Michal , Patel Tirth , Rezaie Aria , Tadic Tony , Bratman Scott , Haibe-Kains Benjamin
Published: August 2020

Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most common medical imaging modalities and the main technology used in radiomics research, the computational voxel-level analysis of medical images. Analysis of CT images is vulnerable to the effects of dental artifacts (DA) caused by metal implants or fillings. Running automated analysis pipelines with uncurated datasets can reduce performance and hamper future reproducibility on new datasets. This work introduces a new tool to detect the location and magnitude of DAs in CT images based on a combination of deep learning and conventional image processing algorithms. We show the utility of this new DA detector through an analysis of the correlations between radiomic features and the location of DAs in 2,319 CT axial volumes. We were able to predict the correct DA magnitude (no, weak or strong artifacts) yielding a Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.73 (p-value=0.0002), achieving the same level of agreement as human labellers. The algorithm was able to identify the location of the DAs in the CT volumes with performance on par with human labellers. Finally, our analysis of radiomic features showed that only when strong DAs were present, the proximity of the tumour to the mouth was highly correlated with specific radiomic features. Our results suggest that removing these features, or removing CT slices containing the DAs, could reduce these unwanted correlations.
Prediction of Covid-19 Infections Through December 2020 for 10 US States Using a Two Parameter Transmission Model Incorporating Outdoor Temperature and School Re-Opening Effects
Authors: Newell Ty
Published: August 2020

Covid-19 infection case predictions (total cases) are made for August through December 2020 for 10 US States (NY, WA, GA, IL, MN, FL, OH, MI, CA, and NC). A two-parameter model based on social distance index (SDI) and disease transmission efficiency (G) parameters is used to characterize SARS-CoV-2 disease spread. Current lack of coherent and coordinated US policy causes the US to follow a linear infection growth path with a limit cycle behavior that modulates the US between accelerating and decaying infection growth on either side of a linear growth path boundary.

Four prediction cases are presented:

No school re-openings; fall season temperature effect

No school re-openings; no fall season temperature effect

School re-openings; fall season temperature effect

School re-openings; no fall season temperature effect

Fall outdoor temperatures, in contrast to the 1918 pandemic, are predicted to be beneficial for dampening SARS-CoV-2 transmission in States as they pass through “swing season” temperature range of 70F to 50F. Physical re-opening of schools in September are predicted to accelerate infections.

States with low current infectious case numbers (eg, NY) are predicted to be minimally impacted while States with high current infectious case numbers (eg, CA and FL) will be significantly impacted by school re-openings.

Updated infection predictions will be posted monthly (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec) with adjustments based on actual trends in SDI and G. Assessments related to outdoor temperature impact, school re-openings, and other public gathering re-openings will be discussed in updated reports.
Common synaptic phenotypes arising from diverse mutations in the human NMDA receptor subunit GluN2A
Authors: Elmasri M. , Hunter D. , Winchester G. , Bates E. , Aziz W. , Moolenaar Van Der Does D. , Karachaliou E. , Sakimura K. , Penn A.C.
Published: August 2020

Dominant mutations in the human geneGRIN2A, encoding NMDA receptor (NMDAR) subunit GluN2A, make a significant and growing contribution to the catalogue of published single-gene epilepsies. Understanding the disease mechanism in these epilepsy patients is complicated by the surprising diversity of effects that the mutations have on NMDARs. We have examined the cell-autonomous effect of five GluN2A mutations, 3 loss-of-function and 2 gain-of-function, on evoked NMDAR-mediated synaptic currents (NMDA-EPSCs) in CA1 pyramidal neurons in cultured hippocampal slices. Despite the mutants differing in their functional incorporation at synapses, prolonged NMDA-EPSC current decays (with only marginal changes in charge transfer) were a common effect for both gain- and loss-of-function mutants. Modelling NMDA-EPSCs with mutant properties in a CA1 neuron revealed that the effect ofGRIN2Amutations can lead to abnormal temporal integration and spine calcium dynamics during trains of concerted synaptic activity. Investigations beyond establishing the molecular defects of GluN2A mutants are much needed to understand their impact on synaptic transmission.
If the organization is a mess, do employees explain or exploit the situation?
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Azeem Muhammad Umer , Haq Inam Ul
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the connection between employees' dissatisfaction with the organizational status quo and their job performance, with a particular focus on the mediating role of their problem-focused voice behavior – through which they pinpoint possible causes of organizational problem situations – and the moderating role of their Machiavellianism.

Design/methodology/approach

Three-wave survey data were collected from employees and their supervisors in Pakistani organizations.

Findings

An important reason that employees' beliefs about organizational underperformance spur their own performance, as rated by supervisors, is that they spend significant energy expressing their concerns about shortcomings. The mediating role of such constructive voice behaviors is mitigated though, to the extent that employees have stronger Machiavellian tendencies.

Practical implications

For human resource managers, the findings reveal problem-focused voice as a key mechanism by which employees' negative perceptions about how well their organization fares can be channeled into higher job performance. They also elucidate how this process is less likely among employees who are self-centered and less concerned about their organization' well-being, such that they hold back pertinent information about organizational failures from others.

Originality/value

The study pinpoints problem-focused voice as an unexplored behavioral response by which employees' beliefs about organizational underperformance can enhance their job performance. It also details how the tendency of Machiavellian employees to stay away from such voice activities may backfire in the form of lower performance evaluations.
Reducing the number of passing links in the 2D-NoC for performance and reliability improvement
Authors: Seyyed Mahdavi Chabok Seyyed Javad , Alavi Seyed Amin
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The routing algorithm is one of the most important components in designing a network-on-chip (NoC). An effective routing algorithm can cause better performance and throughput, and thus, have less latency, lower power consumption and high reliability. Considering the high scalability in networks and fault occurrence on links, the more the packet reaches the destination (i.e. to cross the number of fewer links), the less the loss of packets and information would be. Accordingly, the proposed algorithm is based on reducing the number of passed links to reach the destination.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a high-performance NoC that increases telecommunication network reliability by passing fewer links to destination. A large NoC is divided into small districts with central routers. In such a system, routing in large routes is performed through these central routers district by district.

Findings

By reducing the number of links, the number of routers also decreases. As a result, the power consumption is reduced, the performance of the NoC is improved, and the probability of collision with a faulty link and network latency is decreased.

Originality/value

The simulation is performed using the Noxim simulator because of its ability to manage and inject faults. The proposed algorithm, XY routing, as a conventional algorithm for the NoC, was simulated in a 14 × 14 network size, as the typical network size in the recent works.
The ‘normality’ of living as a gay serodiscordant couple in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Philpot Steven P. , Persson Asha , Prestage Garrett , Bavinton Benjamin R. , Ellard Jeanne
Published: August 2020

Serodiscordant couples are often understood through a discourse of HIV‐risk or researched in terms of the psychological stressors they face. However, due to antiretroviral treatments people living with HIV can achieve undetectable viral loads, which not only make them non‐infectious to partners, but allow them to think of their lives and relationships as safe and viable. These realisations mean that serodiscordant couples often embrace an HIV ‘normalisation’ discourse. In this article, we argue that this discourse of HIV ‘normalisation’ can overlook the more nuanced complexity of issues still faced by couples today, which reveal how their experiences of ‘normal’ are sometimes challenged and are not necessarily ‘normal’. Utilising semi‐structured interviews with 21 gay men in serodiscordant relationships in Sydney, Australia, we draw on the concept of ‘home’ life to explore how men engage with discourses of normalisation to describe and enact their relationships. We argue that although HIV is managed well enough to be insignificant in the context of home life, experiences or anticipation of stigma in public often remind couples that they are yet to be considered ‘normal’ socially.