bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transient response analysis of anisotropic solids with nano‐cavities by BEM
Authors: Parvanova Sonia , Dineva Petia
Published: November 2020

Тwo‐dimensional in‐plane transient elasto‐dynamic problem for isotropic/anisotropic, finite/infinite solids with nano‐cavities is formulated. The mechanical model combines: (a) classical elastodynamic theory for the bulk anisotropic solid; (b) non‐classical boundary conditions and localized constitutive equation for the interface between nano‐cavities and anisotropic matrix within the frame of the Gurtin‐Murdoch surface elasticity theory. The computational approach uses Fourier‐domain BEM (boundary element method) in conjunction with closed form frequency dependent fundamental solution. Accuracy and convergence of the numerical solutions for dynamic stress concentration factor (DSCF) and scattered wave field displacements is studied by comparison with available solutions. In addition a parametric study for the transient wave field sensitivity in bounded and unbounded solids to the type and characteristics of the transient disturbance, to the surface elasticity phenomena, to the nano‐cavities interaction and to the type of the material anisotropy is presented.
Feed intake and dietary composition of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), vitamin E, and tannic acid of five captive black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in a UK collection
Authors: Ricketts Victoria , Dierenfeld Ellen S. , Sauer Cathrine , Whitehouse‐Tedd Katherine
Published: November 2020

The black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is a critically endangered species facing multiple anthropogenic pressures in its natural home range across Africa. Black rhinoceros are difficult to maintain ex situ and subject to diseases that are linked with captive dietary factors. Hemochromatosis is of particular concern, as it is a common finding at necropsy of captive adults, and has been linked to excessive dietary iron intake. This intake study investigates the select nutrient composition of the diets offered to and consumed by five captive black rhinoceros in a UK zoo to evaluate, ensure adequacy, and/or make adjustments if necessary. Alfalfa hay, pellets and six browse species offered were analyzed for iron (Fe), copper (Cu), vitamin E, and tannic acid content. Intakes were quantified and evaluated against levels found in wild diets and the currently available feeding guidelines for black rhinoceros. Diets eaten by five individual rhinoceros (1.4%–2.3% of bodyweight dry matter [DM] intake), comprising 68%–82% hay, 6%–13% pellets, and 13%–27% browse, contained 76–98 mg/kg Fe (on a DM basis), fell within the ranges of plants eaten by free‐ranging rhinoceros (45–140 mg/kg DM), as well as values recommended for captive‐fed browsing rhinoceros (50–100 mg/kg DM). Consumed diets were found to be marginal to adequate in Cu (9–11 mg/kg DM) compared with the recommended 10 mg/kg DM; dietary vitamin E ranged from 54 to 79 IU/kg DM, and tannic acid measured 13–14 g/kg DM. Commercial pellets were the primary contributor of dietary Fe, Cu, and vitamin E, containing up to 10 times more of each of those nutrients than the forages. Native browses were important sources of lower Fe ingredients, as well as appropriate levels of dietary Cu and vitamin E (dependent on species). Interestingly, pellets (23 g/kg) and alfalfa hay (14 g/kg) contained higher concentrations of tannic acid compared with any of the browses fed (4–13 g/kg). All nutritional parameters evaluated were close to recommended dietary levels, diets resembled values consumed in the wild, and the animals remained clinically healthy throughout the study. Overall, diets were considered nutritionally adequate for captive feeding of black rhinoceros; evaluating the nutrient composition of all ingredients, including browse plants in diets, provides important information for achieving optimal nutrient balance.
Inert sextuplet scalar dark matter at the LHC and future colliders
Authors: Liu Dan-Yang , Cai Chengfeng , Yu Zhao-Huan , Zeng Yu-Pan , Zhang Hong-Hao
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We study a dark matter model constructed by extending the standard model with an inert SU(2)L sextuplet scalar of hypercharge 1/2. The sextuplet components are split by the quartic couplings between the sextuplet and the Higgs doublet after electroweak symmetry breaking, resulting in a dark sector with one triply charged, two doubly charged, two singly charged, and two neutral scalars. The lighter neutral scalar boson acts as a dark matter particle. We investigate the constraints on this model from the monojet + "Image missing" and soft-dilepton + jets + "Image missing" searches at the 13 TeV Large Hadron Collider, as well as from the current electroweak precision test. Furthermore, we estimate the projected sensitivities of a 100 TeV pp collider and of a future e+e− collider, and find that such future projects could probe TeV mass scales. Nonetheless, such mass scales only correspond to a subdominant component of the observed relic abundance if the dark matter particles solely originate from thermal production.
Immuntherapien von Allergien: Aktueller Stand
Authors: Mahler Vera , Kleine-Tebbe Jörg , Vieths Stefan
Published: November 2020

Die Allergenimmuntherapie (AIT) wirkt als einzige kausale, krankheitsmodifizierende Therapieform neben einer Symptomlinderung der Progression allergischer Erkrankungen entgegen. Dieser Beitrag liefert einen Überblick zu aktuellen immunologischen, regulatorischen und praxisbezogenen Aspekten der AIT. Die neueste Fachliteratur wurde einbezogen. Zudem werden konzeptionelle regulatorische Entwicklungen aus der Abteilung Allergologie der zuständigen Bundesoberbehörde Paul-Ehrlich-Institut dargestellt.

Die derzeit in Deutschland zugelassenen 62 und die weiteren 61 AIT-Produkte, die sich im Entwicklungsprogramm der Therapieallergene-Verordnung (TAV) befinden, umfassen 95 Produkte zur subkutanen (SCIT) und 28 zur sublingualen Behandlung (SLIT) von Allergien gegen Birken‑/Erlen‑/Haselpollen, Gräser- und Kräuterpollen sowie Hausstaubmilben und Insektengifte. Als Wirkstoffe kommen native und chemisch modifizierte Allergenextrakte (Allergoide), adsorbiert an Aluminium, Tyrosin (z. T. Monophosphoryl-Lipid-A-adjuvantiert) oder Laktose, oder als Lyophilisate zum Einsatz.

Die 123 AIT-Produkte unterliegen der staatlichen Chargenprüfung. Individualrezepturen zur Behandlung weniger prävalenter Allergien (z. B. gegen Olivenpollen, Tierhaare, Speichermilben oder Schimmelpilze) unterliegen nicht der behördlichen Chargenprüfung. Besonderer Entwicklungsbedarf besteht für AIT-Produkte zur Behandlung von Kindern.

Als neue Wirkstoffklasse befinden sich Nahrungsmittelallergene in klinischen Phase-II- und Phase-III-Studien. Ein erstes Präparat zur oralen AIT der Erdnussallergie bei Kindern ist derzeit in einem zentralen europäischen Zulassungsverfahren. Die Zulassung kann nur bei positiver Nutzen-Risiko-Bilanz erfolgen. Wissenschaft und Regulation stehen in kontinuierlichem Austausch über die Entwicklung von AIT-Produkten, die dem aktuellen Stand der klinischen Forschung und Regulation in der Europäischen Union entsprechen und eine frühzeitige Kausalbehandlung weitverbreiteter Allergien ermöglichen.
Liver Parenchyma Transection‐First Approach for Laparoscopic Left Hemihepatectomy: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Liu Qinqin , Li Jing , Zhou Ledu , Gu Huiying , Wu Ke , You Nan , Wang Zheng , Wang Liang , Zhu Yinan , Gan Hui , Zheng Lu
Published: November 2020

Background

Laparoscopic major liver resection, such as laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy (LLH), is still perceived as a complicated procedure due to technical difficulties and slow learning curve. The study introduced an optimized procedure using the liver parenchyma transection‐first approach and investigated its advantages on surgical outcomes by comparison with the conventional hilar dissection approach for LLH.

Methods

Between January 2015 and May 2019, 96 patients who underwent laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were enrolled in the study. Among these, 41 patients underwent the liver parenchyma transection‐first approach (LP‐first group) and the other 55 underwent the conventional hilar dissection approach (conventional group). A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to compare the perioperative and long‐term oncological outcomes of the two groups.

Results

After 1:1 PSM, 37 patients in each group were selected for further analysis. The LP‐first group was associated with shorter median operative time (210 vs 235 min, P = 0.035) and less blood loss (200 vs 300 mL, P = 0.410). In addition, no statistical differences were found in overall complications between the two groups (8.1% vs 24.3%, P = 0.058). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of 1‐year and 3‐year disease‐free survival (DFS, P = 0.608) and overall survival (OS, P = 0.414).

Conclusion

The prior liver parenchyma approach for LLH is safe and reproducible in selected patients, which showed improved perioperative outcomes and comparable long‐term oncological outcomes compared with the conventional approach.
A drug-induced hypotensive challenge to verify catheter-based radiofrequency renal denervation in an obese hypertensive swine model
Authors: Lauder Lucas , Moon L. Boyce , Pipenhagen Catherine A. , Ewen Sebastian , Fish Jeffrey M. , Virmani Renu , Jensen James A. , Böhm Michael , Mahfoud Felix
Published: November 2020

Objective

Sham-controlled trials provided proof-of-principle for the blood pressure-lowering effect of catheter-based renal denervation (RDN). However, indicators for the immediate assessment of treatment success are lacking. This study sought to investigate the impact of RDN on renal renin arteriovenous difference (renal renin AV-Δ) following a hypotensive challenge (HC).

Methods

Twelve hypertensive Ossabaw swine underwent either combined surgical and chemical (n = 3) or catheter-based RDN (n = 9). A telemetry monitor was implanted to acquire hemodynamic data continuously. Before and after RDN, a sodium nitroprusside-induced HC was performed. Renal renin AV-Δ was calculated as the difference of plasma renin concentrations drawn from the renal artery and vein.

Results

In total, complete renal renin AV data were obtained in eight animals at baseline and six animals at baseline and 3 months of follow-up. Baseline renal renin AV-Δ correlated inversely with change in 24-h minimum systolic (− 0.764, p = 0.02), diastolic (r = − 0.679, p = 0.04), and mean (r = − 0.663, p = 0.05) blood pressure. In the animals with complete renin secretion data at baseline and follow-up, the HC increased renal renin AV-Δ at baseline, while this effect was attenuated following RDN (0.55 ± 0.34 pg/ml versus − 0.10 ± 0.16 pg/ml, p = 0.003). Renin urinary excretion remained unchanged throughout the study (baseline 0.286 ± 0.187 pg/ml versus termination 0.305 ± 0.072 pg/ml, p = 0.789).

Conclusion

Renin secretion induced by HC was attenuated following RDN and may serve as an indicator for patient selection and guide successful RDN procedures.
A Blueprint for Inclusion: Talcott Parsons, the Societal Community and the Future of Universalistic Solidarities
Authors: Sciortino Giuseppe
Published: November 2020

In the last decades of his life, Talcott Parsons was often indicted as conservative. More recently, his analyses of contemporary society have been perceived as obsolete. In the present paper, I argue that both these accounts are wrong. Parsons’s biographical and intellectual profile is clearly – and rather consistently – that of a New Deal liberal. His “ate” works, moreover, articulate an original view of the integrative processes in modern societies that is still both theoretically compelling and politically relevant. Parsons’s view of modernity has made possible the development of a sophisticated theory of societal pluralism, able to deal analytically with the astonishing variety of structural strains (and resources) arising from an increasingly diverse – in racial, religious, ethnic, sexual and moral terms - membership in contemporary societies. His sociological enthusiasm for inclusion has never been blind to the likelihood of backlashes and the strength of discontent such inclusion may bring. His work provides thus some important directions in the current storm.
Effectiveness of a Brief Teaching Scenario in a Phantom-Based Learning Model for Students to Achieve Ultrasound-Guided Vascular Access—a Prospective Study
Authors: Jagoda Philippe , Stroeder Jonas , Buecker Arno , Gawlitza Joshua , Frenzel Felix , Raczeck Paul
Published: November 2020

For students, early hands-on experience is very limited and often non-existent during study time. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the progress of inexperienced medical students in successfully establishing an ultrasound-guided vessel access. One brief, condensed single teaching lesson in a prior to post-teaching scenario was performed using an inexpensive, self-made phantom model. In this prospective study, medical students (n = 11) with no experience in ultrasound imaging performed an ultrasound-guided vessel access simulated by a gelatin-based phantom model. Success rates and time of procedures were measured. Afterwards, participants underwent dedicated supervised teaching in a single lesson (duration 30 min) with both theoretical information given and practical training skills shown. Then, every student performed the very same procedure again and results were compared with paired t test. Success rate of guide wire placement rose from 36.4 (4/11) to 100%. Mean number of attempts significantly decreased with 2.5 SD1.3 before and 1.2 SD0.4 after teaching (p < 0.05). Overall time to successful guide wire placement improved from 291 SD8 to 151 SD37 s (p < 0.05). With already limited training time and opportunities available during medical education, short and simple, but highly effective training tools are invaluable. With the help of an inexpensive, self-made gelatin-based phantom model for ultrasound-guided vascular access, medical students demonstrate significantly improved practical puncture skills after only one brief, condensed teaching lesson and thus an important progress with regard to their future clinical routine. The performance of ultrasound-guided vascular access can be highly improved for inexperienced medical students by applying one short teaching session using an inexpensive, self-made phantom model.
Total Umwelten Create Shared Meaning the Emergent Properties of Animal Groups as a Result of Social Signalling
Authors: Lewis Amelia
Published: November 2020

In this paper, I discuss the concept of ‘shared meaning’, and the relationship between a shared understanding of signs within an animal social group and the Umwelten of individuals within the group. I explore the concept of the ‘Total Umwelt’, as described by Tønnesen, (2003), and use examples from the traditional ethology literature to demonstrate how semiotic principles can not only be applied, but underpin the observations made in animal social biology. Traditionally, neo-Darwinian theories of evolution concentrate on ‘fitness’ or an organism’s capacity to survive and reproduce in its own environmental niche. However, this process also relies on underlying signs and sign processes, which are often over-looked in traditional ethology and behavioural ecology. Biosemiotics, however, places the emphasis on sign process, with signs and signals comprising a semiosphere. Significantly, whilst the semiosphere is formulated as physical phenomena, specifically energetic and material signs which can be detected and transmitted as signals from one individual to another, it is the Umwelten of living organisms which give those signals meaning. Further, two or more Umwelten can merge, giving rise to a ‘Total Umwelt’, which facilitates shared meaning of signs between two or more individuals. Across and within generations, this gives rise to cultural interpretation of signs within populations. I argue this is the fundamental basis for emergent group properties in social species, or indeed in solitary living species where individuals interact to mate, defend territories or resources, or in raising altricial young. I therefore discuss a fusion of traditional behavioural ecology- based theory with semiotics, to examine the phenomenon of ‘shared meaning’ in animal social groups.
Applying software-defined networking to support telemedicine health consultation during and post Covid-19 era
Authors: Jnr. Bokolo Anthony , Nweke Livinus Obiora , Al-Sharafi Mohammed A.
Published: November 2020

The novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection has altered the society, economy, and entire healthcare system. Whilst this pandemic has presented the healthcare system with unprecedented challenges, it has rapidly promoted the adoption of telemedicine to deliver healthcare at a distance. Telemedicine is the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for collecting, organizing, storing, retrieving, and exchanging medical information. But it is faced with the limitations of conventional IP-based protocols which makes it challenging to provide Quality of Service (QoS) for telemedicine due to issues arising from network congestion. Likewise, medical professionals adopting telemedicine are affected with low QoS during health consultations with outpatients due to increased internet usage. Therefore, this study proposes a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) based telemedicine architecture to provide QoS during telemedicine health consultations. This study utilizes secondary data from existing research works in the literature to provide a roadmap for the application of SDN to improve QoS in telemedicine during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from this study present a practical approach for applying SDN in telemedicine to provide appropriate bandwidth and facilitate real time transmission of medical data.
Overcoming Fear by Recollecting the Buddha: His Role in Early Buddhist Texts
Authors: Anālayo Bhikkhu
Published: November 2020

The employment of mindfulness in a traditional setting includes the practice of recollection, which can serve to counter fear. In the early discourses, the role of the Buddha as the object of such recollection is not to embody some kind of cosmic principle, as has recently been suggested by Eviatar Shulman. Instead, the inspiration to be gained from recollecting the Buddha springs in particular from his having become totally free from defilements and teaching others how to do the same.
Drilling data quality improvement and information extraction with case studies
Authors: Geekiyanage Suranga C. H. , Tunkiel Andrzej , Sui Dan
Published: November 2020

Data analytics is a process of data acquiring, transforming, interpreting, modelling, displaying and storing data with an aim of extracting useful information, so that decision-making, actions executing, events detecting and incidents managing can be handled in an efficient and certain manner. However, data analytics also meets some challenges, for instance, data corruption due to noises, time delays, missing and external disturbances, etc. This paper focuses on data quality improvement to cleanse, improve and interpret the post-well or real-time data to preserve and enhance data features, like accuracy, consistency, reliability and validity. In this study, laboratory data and field data are used to illustrate data issues and show data quality improvements with using different data processing methods. Case study clearly demonstrates that the proper data quality management process and information extraction methods are essential to carry out an intelligent digitalization in oil and gas industry.
Utility of phrenic nerve ultrasound in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Suratos Cezar Thomas , Takamatsu Naoko , Yamazaki Hiroki , Osaki Yusuke , Fukumoto Tatsuya , Nodera Hiroyuki , Izumi Yuishin
Published: November 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the upper and lower motor neurons causing progressive weakness. It eventually involves the diaphragm which leads to respiratory paralysis and subsequently death. Phrenic nerve (PN) conduction studies and diaphragm ultrasound has been studied and correlated with pulmonary function tests in ALS patients. However, PN ultrasonography has not been employed in ALS. This study aims to sonographically evaluate the morphologic appearance of the PN of ALS patients. Thirty-eight ALS patients and 28 normal controls referred to the neurophysiology laboratory of two institutions were retrospectively included in the study. Baseline demographic and clinical variables such as disease duration, ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised score, and ALS region of onset were collected. Ultrasound was used to evaluate the PN cross-sectional area (CSA) of ALS and control subjects. The mean PN CSA of ALS patients were 1.08 ± 0.39 mm on the right and 1.02 ± 0.34 mm on the left. The PN CSA of ALS patients were significantly decreased compared to controls (p value < 0.00001). The PN CSA of ALS patients was not correlated to any of the demographic and clinical parameters tested. This study demonstrates that ALS patients have a smaller PN size compared to controls using ultrasonography.
A pareto ensemble based spectral clustering framework
Authors: Luo Juanjuan , Ma Huadong , Zhou Dongqing
Published: November 2020

Similarity matrix has a significant effect on the performance of the spectral clustering, and how to determine the neighborhood in the similarity matrix effectively is one of its main difficulties. In this paper, a “divide and conquer” strategy is proposed to model the similarity matrix construction task by adopting Multiobjective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA). The whole procedure is divided into two phases, phase I aims to determine the nonzero entries of the similarity matrix, and Phase II aims to determine the value of the nonzero entries of the similarity matrix. In phase I, the main contribution is that we model the task as a biobjective dynamic optimization problem, which optimizes the diversity and the similarity at the same time. It makes each individual determine one nonzero entry for each sample, and the encoding length decreases toO(N) in contrast with the non-ensemble multiobjective spectral clustering. In addition, a specific initialization operator and diversity preservation strategy are proposed during this phase. In phase II, three ensemble strategies are designed to determine the value of the nonzero value of the similarity matrix. Furthermore, this Pareto ensemble framework is extended to semi-supervised clustering by transforming the semi-supervised information to constraints. In contrast with the previous multiobjective evolutionary-based spectral clustering algorithms, the proposed Pareto ensemble-based framework makes a balance between time cost and the clustering accuracy, which is demonstrated in the experiments section.
Investigating the flexural strength of recycled cast glass
Authors: Bristogianni Telesilla , Oikonomopoulou Faidra , Yu Rong , Veer Fred A. , Nijsse Rob
Published: November 2020

Currently, tons of high quality commercial glass are down-cycled or landfilled due to contaminants that prevent close-loop recycling. Yet, this glass is potentially a valuable resource for casting robust and aesthetically unique building components. Exploring the potential of this idea, different types of non-recyclable silicate glasses are kiln-cast into$$30\times 30\times 240$$30×30×240 mm beams, at relatively low temperatures (820–1120$$\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$∘C). The defects occurring in the glass specimens due to cullet contamination and the high viscosity of the glass melt, are documented and correlated to the casting parameters. Then, the kiln-cast specimens and industrially manufactured reference beams are tested in four-point bending, obtaining a flexural strength range of 9–72 MPa. The results are analysed according to the role of the chemical composition, level of contamination and followed casting parameters, in determining the flexural strength, the Young’s modulus and the prevailing strength-limiting flaw. Chemical compositions of favourable performance are highlighted, so as critical flaws responsible for a dramatic decrease in strength, up to 75%. The defects situated in the glass bulk, however, are tolerated by the glass network and have minor impact on flexural strength and Young’s modulus. The prerequisites for good quality recycled cast glass building components are identified and an outline for future research is provided.
In vitro vs in vivo: does the study’s interface design influence crowdsourced video QoE?
Authors: Borchert Kathrin , Seufert Anika , Gamboa Edwin , Hirth Matthias , Hoßfeld Tobias
Published: November 2020

Evaluating the Quality of Experience (QoE) of video streaming and its influence factors has become paramount for streaming providers, as they want to maintain high satisfaction for their customers. In this context, crowdsourced user studies became a valuable tool to evaluate different factors which can affect the perceived user experience on a large scale. In general, most of these crowdsourcing studies either use, what we refer to, as an in vivo or an in vitro interface design. In vivo design means that the study participant has to rate the QoE of a video that is embedded in an application similar to a real streaming service, e.g., YouTube or Netflix. In vitro design refers to a setting, in which the video stream is separated from a specific service and thus, the video plays on a plain background. Although these interface designs vary widely, the results are often compared and generalized. In this work, we use a crowdsourcing study to investigate the influence of three interface design alternatives, an in vitro and two in vivo designs with different levels of interactiveness, on the perceived video QoE. Contrary to our expectations, the results indicate that there is no significant influence of the study’s interface design in general on the video experience. Furthermore, we found that the in vivo design does not reduce the test takers’ attentiveness. However, we observed that participants who interacted with the test interface reported a higher video QoE than other groups.
A systematic review of the physical activity levels of acutely ill older adults in Hospital At Home settings: an under-researched field
Authors: Scott Jennifer , Abaraogu Ukachukwu O. , Ellis Graham , Giné-Garriga Maria , Skelton Dawn A.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this review was to identify, evaluate and synthesise existing evidence reporting the physical activity levels of acutely ill older patients in a ‘Hospital At Home’ setting and compare this to patients with similar characteristics treated in a traditional hospital inpatient setting. Functional changes and any adverse outcomes due to physical activity (e.g. falls) in both settings where PA was reported or recorded were also evaluated as secondary outcomes.

Methods

A search strategy was devised for the MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMed, PEDRO, OT Seeker and Cochrane databases. Search results were title, abstract and full-text reviewed by two independent researchers. Data were extracted from included articles using a custom form and assessed for quality and risk of bias using the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies.

Results

No studies set in the Hospital at Home environments were identified. 16 hospital inpatient studies met the criteria for inclusion. Older patients managed in inpatient settings that would be eligible for Hospital at Home services spent 6.6% of their day active and undertook only 881.8 daily steps. Functional change was reported in four studies with both improvement and decline during admission reported.

Conclusion

There is a lack of published research on the physical activity levels of acutely-ill older adults in Hospital at Home settings. This review has identified a baseline level of activity for older acutely ill patients that would be suitable for Hospital at Home treatment. This data could be used as a basis of comparison in future hospital at home studies, which should also include functional change outcomes to further explore the relationship between physical inactivity and functional decline.
Inference and Search on Graph-Structured Spaces
Authors: Wu Charley M. , Schulz Eric , Gershman Samuel J.
Published: November 2020

How do people learn functions on structured spaces? And how do they use this knowledge to guide their search for rewards in situations where the number of options is large? We study human behavior on structures with graph-correlated values and propose a Bayesian model of function learning to describe and predict their behavior. Across two experiments, one assessing function learning and one assessing the search for rewards, we find that our model captures human predictions and sampling behavior better than several alternatives, generates human-like learning curves, and also captures participants’ confidence judgements. Our results extend past models of human function learning and reward learning to more complex, graph-structured domains.
Structural and functional characterization of proteins from the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora. A review on the state of the art
Authors: Benini Stefano
Published: November 2020

Together with genome analysis and knock-out mutants, structural and functional characterization of proteins provide valuable hints on the biology of the organism under investigation. Structural characterization can be achieved by techniques such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, Cryo-EM. The information derived from the structure are a good starting point to comprehend the details of the proteins molecular function for a better understanding of their biological role. This review aims at describing the progress in the structural and functional characterization of proteins from the plant pathogen Erwinia amylovora obtained by structural biology and currently deposited in the Protein Data Bank.
Sea-Level Rise in Northern Germany: A GIS-Based Simulation and Visualization
Authors: Schuldt Caroline , Schiewe Jochen , Kröger Johannes
Published: November 2020

The future sea-level rise caused by climate change will lead to coastal regions being flooded and ecological and socio-economic systems being disrupted. This study examines the question of how the sea-level rise in Northern Germany can be simulated on a regional level and visualized as a media map. The simulation is based on the TanDEM-X digital elevation model, IDW interpolated current measurements of the sea level and the vertical land movement, as well as regional sea surface elevation projections for the year 2100. Two different climate scenarios were applied based on IPCC forecasts. Particular attention was paid to transforming elevation systems into orthometric heights. In addition, the uncertainties existing in the simulation of future developments were quantified and visualized. Depending on the applied scenario, an area between 1061 and 9004 km2 will be inundated. Accordingly, the affected population varies between 5477 and 626,880 people. The calculation of the inundated areas reveals serious differences; between the various climate scenarios, as well as between the North and Baltic coasts, but above all between the assumption of a stable coastal protection on the one hand and a dike breach on the other. Based on the requirements of journalistic cartography and the specific requirements of the German broadcasting company Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), static maps were developed, which will be shown as a sequence starting with the least and ending with the most severe possible impact.
Health status and willingness-to-pay estimates for the benefits of improved recycling rates: evidence from Great Britain
Authors: Giovanis Eleftherios , Ozdamar Oznur , Samuk Sahizer
Published: November 2020

Waste management is a challenging task around the globe. Waste disposal and recycling have important implications, not only for environmental preservation, but also for the public health, well-being, the economy and sustainable development. However, little is known about the impact of the recycling rates on public health and the willingness to pay to increase recycling. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship among household income, recycling rates and health status and to estimate the marginal willingness-to-pay (MWTP) in Great Britain. The empirical analysis relied on data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) over the period 1999–2009. We estimated the impact of recycling rates and income on health status and we calculated the monetary value for a unit increase in recycling. To solve for the endogeneity issues, coming from possible reverse causality and omitted-variable bias, we implemented two instrumental variables (IV) approaches. First, we applied the Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) and second, we estimated a Pooled Ordered Probit model. We found that for one percent increase in recycling rates, the average MWTP was estimated between £290 and £340 per annum. Furthermore, our results show that other determinants play an additional significant role on health status, such as the employment and marital status, the age, education level and meteorological conditions. While the study provides insights about the MWTP, future studies regarding the costs of providing recycling services may offer additional useful information to help the policy makers in the decision-making process.
Allowing for unemployment in productivity measurement
Authors: Gandy Rob , Mulhearn Chris
Published: November 2020

The labour productivity index is a mainstay measure for comparing countries’ relative economic performance, but the Covid-19 pandemic could expose some of its inherent limitations: it focuses on people in work and ignores unemployment, and it is not standardised. In theory, a country’s index value could increase, even though its GDP might fall, because of significant increased unemployment in low-productivity sectors such as tourism and retail. It follows that the index value could fall when these sectors recover. Also, high-performing countries could see their index value fall because of the pandemic’s impact in high-value sectors, such as demand for oil.Consequently, a wider perspective of productivity is necessary. This paper, therefore, proposes a complementary index which adjusts labour productivity for levels of unemployment—the social labour productivity index (SLPI)—and recommends that the labour productivity index itself should be standardised. The relationship between employment and productivity is complex. For example, the UK’s economic performance, involving comparatively low labour productivity and low unemployment, has been deemed a ‘productivity puzzle’. A literature review discusses this relationship, but it is clear that econometric worldwide evaluation requires very large data sets, that are unlikely to be routinely available in practice to monitor international performance. By contrast, data sets on national productivity are small and already available, although they contain little or no data on causal factors. SLPI values were calculated for differing levels of unemployment and relative labour productivity for newly employed workers for countries where data was available; with patterns over the period 1986–2016 established for the G7 countries, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, and Spain. There were marked variations between the two indices for countries with high unemployment. The SLPI presents a practicable measure which can be utilised quickly in these unprecedented times. Using available data to compare countries’ GDP with their total workforce, it arguably provides a better measure of their overall economic and social health. Sensitivity analyses varying assumptions can model differing potential scenarios to sit alongside GDP and labour productivity index predictions.
The Nature of Intelligence and Its Development in Childhood
Authors: Sternberg Robert J.
Published: November 2020

In this Element, I first introduce intelligence in terms of historical definitions. I show that intelligence, as conceived even by the originators of the first intelligence tests, Alfred Binet and David Wechsler, is a much broader construct than just scores on narrow tests of intelligence and their proxies. I then review the major approaches to understanding intelligence and its development: the psychometric (test-based), cognitive and neurocognitive (intelligence as a set of brain-based cognitive representations and processes), systems, cultural, and developmental. These approaches, taken together, present a much more complex portrait of intelligence and its development than the one that would be ascertained just from scores on intelligence tests. Finally, I draw some take-away conclusions.
Reporting Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) Using Different Surveillance Systems— Complexity of Infection Matters
Authors: Ellison Jennifer , Control  , Chakravorty David , Conly John , Kim Joseph , Litvinchuk Stacey , Pokhrel Arun , Shen Ye , Control  , Smith Christopher , Bush Kathryn , Control
Published: November 2020

Background: In Alberta, Canada, surgical site infections (SSIs) following total hip (THR) and knee replacements (TKR) are reported using 2 data sources: infection prevention and control (IPC), which surveys all THR and TKR using NHSN definitions and the Canadian International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision (ICD-10-CA) codes, and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), which uses a systematic sampling process that involves an 8-day cycle schedule, modified NHSN definitions and current procedural terminology (CPT) codes. We compared the similarities and discrepancies in THR/TKR SSI reporting. Methods: A retrospective multisite cohort study of IPC and NSQIP THR/TKR SSI data at 4 hospitals was performed. SSI data were collected between September 1, 2015, and March 31, 2018. Demographic information and complex and total SSIs reported by IPC and NSQIP were compared for both THR and TKR surgeries. To determine whether both data sources reported similar trends over time, total SSIs by quarter were compared. Univariate analyses using a t test for age and the χ2 test for gender for complex SSIs and total SSIs was performed. The Pearson correlation and the Shapiro-Wilk test were used to assess the THR and TKR trends between the 2 data sources. A P value of <.05 was considered significant. Results: Following the removal of duplicates and missing data, 7,549 IPC and 2,037 NSQIP patients, respectively, were compared. Age, gender, and other demographic parameters were not significantly different. Total THR and TKR SSIs per 100 procedures using NSQIP data were significantly higher than the same rates using IPC data: THR, 2.25 versus 0.92 (P < .05) and TKR, 3.43 versus 1.26 (P < .05). Both IPC and NSQIP data indicated increasing total THR SSI rates over time, but with different magnitudes (r = 0.658). For total TKR SSI, the IPC rate decreased, whereas the NSQIP rate increased over the same period (r = 0.374). When superficial SSIs were excluded, the rates reported between IPC and NSQIP data by hospital and by procedure type were more comparable, with trends toward higher rates reported by NSQIP for THR than for TKR: THR, 1.19 versus 0.68 (P = 0.15) and TKR, 0.92 versus 0.80 (P = .68). Conclusions: Different approaches used to monitor SSIs following surgeries may lead to different results and trend patterns. NSQIP reports total SSI rates that are significantly higher than the IPC Alberta orthopedic population predominantly as a result of increased identification of superficial SSIs. Because the diagnosis of superficial SSIs may be less reliable, SSI reporting should focus on complex infections.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None
Risk Factors Associated With Hospital-Onset MRSA Proportion—National Healthcare Safety Network, 2017–2018
Authors: Zhou Liang , Wu Hsiu , Soe Minn , Pollock Daniel , Edwards Jonathan
Published: November 2020

Background:Staphylococcus aureus is frequently implicated in healthcare-associated infections in the United States, and a substantial proportion of these infections are attributed to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although MRSA infections have decreased in health care settings, accurate estimates of the rate of decline call for risk-adjusted methods for calculating the resistant proportion (%R), that is, the proportion of S. aureus resistant to cefoxitin or oxacillin. Risk-adjusted %R also enables more accurate interhospital comparisons and can serve as a quantitative guide and evaluation metric for prevention efforts. Methods: To develop a risk-adjusted %R for S. aureus, we analyzed the antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) results for S. aureus isolates reported to the CDC NHSN Antimicrobial Resistance Option during 2017–2018. Isolates were reported for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, lower respiratory tract (LRT), and urine. Isolates without cefoxitin and oxacillin test results, or from the facilities that had >10% missing test results were excluded. Test results were differentiated between those associated with community-onset and hospital-onset (HO) infections by defining the latter group as test results for isolates obtained 3 days or more after hospital admission. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the factors associated with oxacillin/cefoxitin resistance. Hospital, patient and isolate-level variables from NHSN annual survey and AR option were assessed as covariates. Variable entry into the models is based on significance level P < .05. Results: Among 9,992 hospital-onset SA isolates from 9,019 patients in 315 facilities, 5,488 (54.9%) were MRSA. Logistic regression showed that a higher proportion of HO-MRSA was significantly associated with older age, female, particular sources of specimen (urine and LRT), and selected hospital characteristics: hospitals not serving as major teaching hospitals, hospitals with a higher proportion of MRSA among community-onset SA isolates, hospitals with lower percentage of beds in intensive care units, and hospitals outsourcing AST service (Table 1). Conclusions: HO-MRSA is independently associated with community burden of MRSA, older and female patient populations, and hospital teaching status and AST practices, which highlights the importance of public health engagement and regional collaborations to prevent MRSA. To provide a standardized MRSA proportion for public health surveillance, taking some of these factors into account in MRSA proportion standardization should be considered.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None
Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection After Orthopedic Trauma Surgery: A Two-Year Prospective Multicenter Analysis
Authors: Abreu Milena Reis , Paiva Larissa , Mendes Tamires Costa , Maia Barbara Cristiny , Rodrigues Ana Luiza , Moreira cia , Souza Victor de , Couto Braulio , Starling Carlos
Published: November 2020

Background: Trauma is defined by the NHSN as “blunt or penetrating traumatic injury.” Therefore, if the surgery was performed because of a recent fall, for example, then it is a trauma surgery. Here, we investigated which preoperative and operative parameters are associated with surgical site infection (SSI) after orthopedic trauma surgery. Objective: We aimed to answer 3 main questions: What is the risk of wound infection for patients undergoing trauma surgery? What are the main etiologic agents of SSI after trauma surgery? And what are the risk factors associated with SSI after trauma surgery? Methods: This prospective multicenter cohort study included 2,035 patients undergoing trauma surgery between July 2016 and June 2018 in 4 hospitals in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Outcome variables were SSI, hospital mortality, and length of hospital stay. The following preoperative and operative parameters were evaluated: age, length of hospital stay before surgery, duration of surgery, number of professionals at surgery, number of hospital admissions, surgical wound classification, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) preoperative assessment score, type of surgery (elective, emergency), general anesthesia (yes, no), trauma surgery (yes, no), and the 3-point prediction Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) risk index. Results: The overall estimated SSI risk was 2.8% (95% CI, 2.0%–3.6%). Hospital mortality risk after trauma surgery was 3.4% (95% CI, 2.8%–4.4%). Hospital length of stay parameters in noninfected patients were as follows: mean, 8 days; median, 3 days; SD, 12 days. Hospital length of stay parameters in infected patients were mean, 30 days; median, 23 days; with SD, 31 days. The parameters for hospital stay in infected patients were mean, 10 days; median, 3 days, and SD, 15.9 (P < .001). Trauma orthopedic surgery lasting >2 hours was associated with approximately twice the risk (RR, 2.2) of developing an SSI compared to ≤2 hours of surgery: 27 of 739 (3.7%) versus 21 of 1,290 (1.6%), respectively, (P = .005) (Fig. 1). The NNIS risk index predicts the risk of SSI after trauma surgery (P = .003): 13 of 737 SSIs (1.8%) had an NNIS risk index of 0; 20 of 736 SSIs (2.7%) had an NNIS risk index of 1; 8 of 211 SSIs (3.8%) had an NNIS risk index of 2; and 2 of 11 SSIs (18.2%) had an NNIS risk index of 3 (Fig. 2). Conclusions: We identified intrinsic risk factors for SSI after orthopedic trauma surgery. The identification of the actual SSI incidence after trauma surgery in developing country hospitals and associated risk factors may support actions to minimize the complications caused by SSI.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None
The Microbiome Analysis of Hospital Mobile Phones: Hidden Contaminants Revealed
Authors: Simmonds Rebecca
Published: November 2020

Background: The undisputed versatility of smart devices makes them integral to modern-day society, especially within our National Health System. Despite the benefits, there are increasing concerns regarding their contamination and the associated infection risk. Bacteria under antimicrobial selective pressure can rapidly acquire resistant mechanisms leading to the assumption; mobile phones used within clinical environments may harbor bacteria associated with a higher infection mortality rate. Using next-generation sequencing technology, we characterized the true extent of bacterial contamination on mobile devices of hospital staff to determine the level of antimicrobial resistance within Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Smart phones of 250 hospital staff and 191 control group participants were swabbed over a 6-month period. The microbiome of devices were characterized using Illinima MiSeq metabarcoding pipeline. Cultured isolates were quantified and underwent Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion. Primer version 6 and SPSS version 23 software were used to analyze the statistics. Nearly all mobile devices were contaminated with potential pathogens regardless of environment. Metabarcoding revealed far greater bacterial diversity and abundance of gram-negative bacterial contamination than did culture-based methods. In total, 198 bacterial genera of were discovered across both groups, of which 34 were unique to the hospital. Bacillus was significantly higher within the hospital group (P = .036). Differences were also detected within the hospital (high-risk vs low-risk areas, P = .048). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcusfaecalis were only isolated from hospital mobile phones (P < .001 and P = .038, respectively). Our results indicate that traditional culture-dependent swabbing methods do not provide an accurate picture of contamination. Metabarcoding reinforces the need for mobile phone infection control practices to mitigate the risks associated with the increase use of smart device technology in clinical environments. These devices are currently exposing immunocompromised patients to unknown levels of pathogenic and multidrug-resistant bacteria. Departmental differences may suggest that the mobile phone is not just an extension to its owners but to their environment and that routine decontamination should be required to prevent the undermining of hand hygiene and the transmission of pathogenic bacteria.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None