bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A conceptual map of invasion biology: Integrating hypotheses into a consensus network
Authors: Enders Martin , Havemann Frank , Ruland Florian , Bernard‐Verdier Maud , Catford Jane A. , Gómez‐Aparicio Lorena , Haider Sylvia , Heger Tina , Kueffer Christoph , Kühn Ingolf , Meyerson Laura A. , Musseau Camille , Novoa Ana , Ricciardi Anthony , Sagouis Alban , Schittko Conrad , Strayer David L. , Vilà Montserrat , Essl Franz , Hulme Philip E. , van Kleunen Mark , Kumschick Sabrina , Lockwood Julie L. , Mabey Abigail L. , McGeoch Melodie A. , Palma Estíbaliz , Pyšek Petr , Saul Wolf‐Christian , Yannelli Florencia A. , Jeschke Jonathan M.
Published: March 2020

Background and aims

Since its emergence in the mid‐20th century, invasion biology has matured into a productive research field addressing questions of fundamental and applied importance. Not only has the number of empirical studies increased through time, but also has the number of competing, overlapping and, in some cases, contradictory hypotheses about biological invasions. To make these contradictions and redundancies explicit, and to gain insight into the field’s current theoretical structure, we developed and applied a Delphi approach to create a consensus network of 39 existing invasion hypotheses.

Results

The resulting network was analysed with a link‐clustering algorithm that revealed five concept clusters (resource availability, biotic interaction, propagule, trait and Darwin’s clusters) representing complementary areas in the theory of invasion biology. The network also displays hypotheses that link two or more clusters, called connecting hypotheses, which are important in determining network structure. The network indicates hypotheses that are logically linked either positively (77 connections of support) or negatively (that is, they contradict each other; 6 connections).

Significance

The network visually synthesizes how invasion biology’s predominant hypotheses are conceptually related to each other, and thus, reveals an emergent structure – a conceptual map – that can serve as a navigation tool for scholars, practitioners and students, both inside and outside of the field of invasion biology, and guide the development of a more coherent foundation of theory. Additionally, the outlined approach can be more widely applied to create a conceptual map for the larger fields of ecology and biogeography.
Muslim minorities versus Mudejars: From the margins to the central stage of Iberian history
Authors: Echevarría Ana
Published: March 2020

This article shows the extraordinary liveliness of debate in the field of Muslim minorities in the Middle Ages, more precisely in the Iberian Peninsula. In the past years, the field has changed from a local understanding of Mudejar as a specific Iberian category to a more comprehensive approach as one of many Muslim minorities. In this respect, a reassessment of the questions of distribution of population and languages used in communication was necessary, especially the emergence of Aljamiado and its use in combination with Arabic and the Romance vernaculars. Going forward, the field will continue to draw on new methodologies and findings to understand the phenomenon of Mudejar acculturation and resistances to assimilation.
Thermal expansion of silicate glass‐forming systems at high temperatures from topological pruning of ring structures
Authors: Yang Yongjian , Tokunaga Hirofumi , Ono Madoka , Hayashi Kazutaka , Mauro John C.
Published: March 2020

The thermal expansion of a silicate glass system containing four types of modifiers at temperatures above the glass transition can be correlated with changes in medium range order (viz., the ring size distribution) without significant modifications in short range order such as Si coordination and Q‐speciation. An empirical linear relation between the network densities of the two groups of silicate glass‐forming systems and their characteristic ring size has been found using the topological pruning picture proposed by Stixrude and Bukowinski (Am Mineral, 1990, 75:1159‐69). Although variation in thermal expansion among different samples exists, for individual composition of the glass‐forming liquids, a strong linear correlation exists between the ring size distribution and the thermal expansion contributed by both configurational change and thermal vibration. The ring evolution of the glass‐forming liquid driven by temperature has been modeled by assuming an Arrhenius‐like activation picture for small member rings and treated as constant numbers for large rings. The compositional dependence of the ring structure can be reflected in the mixed‐alkali or alkaline‐earth effect on the small ring activation energy.
A Practical Approach to Using Adjuvant Analgesics in Older Adults
Authors: Portenoy Russell K.
Published: March 2020

The adjuvant analgesics are a large and diverse group of drugs that were developed for primary indications other than pain and are potentially useful analgesics for one or more painful conditions. The “adjuvant” designation reflects their early use as opioid co‐analgesics for cancer pain. During the past 3 decades, their role in pain management has changed with the advent of many new entities, emerging data from numerous analgesic trials, and growing clinical experience. Many of these drugs are now used as primary analgesics for specific types of chronic pain. With proper patient selection and cautious administration, they can potentially contribute meaningfully to the management of chronic pain in older adults. A practical approach categorizes the many adjuvant analgesics by broad indications: multipurpose drugs and drugs that target neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal pain, and cancer pain, respectively. This article reviews the status of the evidence supporting the analgesic potential of the adjuvant analgesics and discusses best practices in terms of drug selection and dosing. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:691–698, 2020
Biopsychosocial factors associated with depression and anxiety in older adults with intellectual disability: results of the wave 3 Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing
Authors: Bond L. , Carroll R. , Mulryan N. , O'Dwyer M. , O'Connell J. , Monaghan R. , Sheerin F. , McCallion P. , McCarron M.
Published: March 2020

Background

Depression and anxiety are amongst the most prevalent mental health disorders in the older population with intellectual disability (ID). There is a paucity of research that pertains to associative biopsychosocial factors for depression and anxiety in this population. The aim of this study is to determine the biopsychosocial factors associated with depression and anxiety in a population of older adults with ID in Ireland.

Methods

The study was part of ‘The Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing’. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Glasgow Depression Scale for people with a Learning Disability. Anxiety symptoms were measured using the Glasgow Anxiety Scale for people with a Learning Disability. The cross‐sectional associations of depression and anxiety with biopsychosocial parameters were measured using a variety of self‐report and proxy‐completed questionnaires.

Results

For the study population, 9.97% met the criteria for depression, and 15.12% met the criteria for an anxiety disorder. Participants meeting criteria for depression were more likely to be taking regular mood stabiliser medications and to exhibit aggressive challenging behaviour. Participants meeting criteria for anxiety were more likely to have sleep difficulties and report loneliness. Participants meeting criteria for either/both depression and anxiety were more likely to report loneliness.

Conclusions

This study identified both treatable and modifiable, as well as unmodifiable, biopsychosocial factors associated with depression and/or anxiety in older adults with ID. A longitudinal study follow‐up will further develop our knowledge on the causality and direction of associated biopsychosocial factors with depression and anxiety in older adults with ID and better inform management strategies, prevention policies and funding of services.
Entecavir‐resistant hepatitis B virus decreases surface antigenicity: A full genome and functional characterization
Authors: Park Soree , Park Eun‐Sook , Koo Ja Eun , Park Yong Kwang , Lee Ah Ram , Dezhbord Mehrangiz , Cho Eun Sook , Ahn Sung Hyun , Kim Doo Hyun , Lee Jeong‐Hoon , Lee Han Chu , Kim Kyun‐Hwan
Published: March 2020

Background and Aim

Since polymerase and surface genes overlap in hepatitis B virus (HBV), an antiviral‐induced mutation in the polymerase gene may alter the surface antigenicity in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but this possibility has not been clearly confirmed. This study aimed to determine the drug susceptibility and surface antigenicity of the patient‐derived mutants.

Patients and Methods

Full‐length HBV genomes isolated from four entecavir‐resistant CHB patients were cloned and sequenced. Around 10 clones of full‐length HBV obtained from each patient were analysed and registered in the NCBI GenBank. Representative clones were further characterized by in vitro drug susceptibility and surface antigenicity assays.

Results

The rtL180M + rtM204V mutations were common among all the clones analysed. Additionally, the ETV resistance mutations rtT184A/L, rtS202G and rtM250V were found among three patients. Most of the ETV‐resistant mutants had amino acid alterations within the known epitopes recognized by T‐ and B‐cells in the HBV surface and core antigens. The in vitro drug susceptibility assay showed that all tested clones were resistant to ETV treatment. However, they were all susceptible to ADV and TDF. More importantly, the rtI169T mutation in the RT domain, led to the sF161L mutation in the overlapping S gene, which decreased in surface antigenicity.

Conclusions

The ETV resistance mutations can affect the antigenicity of the HBsAg proteins due to changes in the overlapping sequence of this surface antigen. Thus, the apparent decline or disappearance of HBsAg needs to be interpreted cautiously in patients with previous or current antiviral resistance mutations.
Automated crack evaluation of a high‐rise bridge pier using a ring‐type climbing robot
Authors: Jang Keunyoung , An Yun‐Kyu , Kim Byunghyun , Cho Soojin
Published: March 2020

This article proposes a deep learning‐based automated crack evaluation technique for a high‐rise bridge pier using a ring‐type climbing robot. First, a ring‐type climbing robot system composed of multiple vision cameras, climbing robot, and control computer is developed. By spatially moving the climbing robot system along a target bridge pier with close‐up scanning condition, high‐quality raw vision images are continuously obtained. The raw vision images are then processed through feature control‐based image stitching, deep learning‐based semantic segmentation, and Euclidean distance transform–based crack quantification algorithms. Finally, a digital crack map on the region of interest (ROI) of the target bridge pier can be automatically established. The proposed technique is experimentally validated using in situ test data obtained from Jang–Duck bridge in South Korea. The test results reveal that the proposed technique successfully evaluates cracks on the entire ROI of the bridge pier with precision of 90.92% and recall of 97.47%.
Citizen science in ecology: a place for humans in nature
Authors: Adler Frederick R. , Green Austin M. , Şekercioğlu Çağan H.
Published: March 2020

By involving the public, citizen science runs against the grain of an idealized science that leaves out the human element, and thus provides new opportunities for ecological research and society. We classify the goals of citizen science in ecology and environment into four broad categories: (1) scientific, (2) participant benefits, (3) community, and (4) policy. Although none of these goals have been well studied, we review the literature showing that these projects are most effective in tracking ecological trends over large swaths of space and time, and discuss the challenges of recruiting, training, retaining, and educating participants, maintaining and disseminating high‐quality data, and connecting with the larger community and policy. Biomedical studies, where patients participate in their own treatment in randomized trials, provide an interesting comparison with citizen science in ecology, sharing challenges in recruitment and involvement of nonscientists and ethical conduct of research. Future study will help address the ethical difficulties and enhance ways for citizen science in ecology and the environment to complement scientific discovery, involve and educate the public, and guide policy founded in science and the local community.
Microtubule organization defects in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Ma D. , Han R.
Published: March 2020

Microtubules (MT) are critical cytoskeletal filaments that have several functions in cell morphogenesis, cell division, vesicle transport and cytoplasmic separation in the spatiotemporal regulation of eukaryotic cells. Formation of MT requires the co‐interaction of MT nucleation and α–β‐tubulins, as well as MT‐associated proteins (MAP). Many key MAP contributing to MT nucleation and elongation are essential for MT nucleation and regulation of MT dynamics, and are conserved in the plant kingdom. Therefore, the deletion or decrease of γ‐tubulin ring complex (γTuRC) components and related MAP, such as the augmin complex, NEDD1, MZT1, EB1, MAP65, etc., in Arabidopsis thaliana results in MT organizational defects in the spindle and phragmoplast MT, as well as in chromosome defects. In addition, similar defects in MT organization and chromosome structure have been observed in plants under abiotic stress conditions, such as under high UV‐B radiation. The MT can sense the signal from UV‐B radiation, resulting in abnormal MT arrangement. Further studies are required to determine whether the abnormal chromosomes induced by UV‐B radiation can be attributed to the involvement of abnormal MT arrays in chromosome migration after DNA damage.
The role of international organizations in preventing conflicts between the SPS Agreement and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Authors: Zhao Jingjing
Published: March 2020

This article analyses how conflicts between the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety – a typical example of the relationship between trade and environmental treaties – are dealt with at the institutional level. It systematically explores the role that the WTO and Protocol organs (may) play in preventing treaty conflicts. Through a theoretical analysis, the article studies how relevant international organizations could contribute to the avoidance of treaty conflicts through actions taken at the institutional level. The doctrinal assertions made in this article are supported by complementary empirical research. The article highlights the extent to which institutional cooperation and coordination between the WTO and Protocol organs are actually happening, and offers suggestions on how conflicts between the treaties can effectively be avoided at the institutional level.
Daptomycin perioperative prophylaxis for the prevention of vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus infection in colonized liver transplant recipients
Authors: Sarwar Sajed , Koff Alan , Malinis Maricar , Azar Marwan M.
Published: March 2020

Background

Vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus (VRE)‐colonized liver transplantation (LT) recipients have increased post‐LT morbidity, mortality, and higher rates of VRE infections compared with their non‐colonized counterparts. Pre‐LT screening for VRE colonization and inclusion of daptomycin in the perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis regimen may mitigate this risk.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of liver transplant recipients aged ≥ 18 years between 2013 and August 2019 to identify pre‐LT VRE‐colonized recipients and whether they received daptomycin perioperative prophylaxis (DPP). Demographic and clinical characteristics, including risk factors for VRE infection, were collected. Outcomes measured were VRE‐related infection and all‐cause mortality within 90 days of LT.

Results

Of the 27 VRE‐colonized liver transplant recipients within the study period, 25 received DPP. All recipients were admitted to the intensive care unit postoperatively, six (24%) required reoperation, fifteen (60%) required renal replacement therapy, and eight (32%) experienced postoperative hemorrhage within 90 days post‐transplant. Two recipients (8%) experienced acute cellular rejection, but no primary graft failure was seen within 90 days. Among those who received DPP, no infections related to VRE or death was seen within 90 days of LT. The two VRE‐colonized recipients who did not receive DPP both developed VRE bacteremia in the early post‐LT period.

Conclusion

Despite having multiple risk factors for post‐LT VRE infection, VRE‐colonized recipients who received DPP did not develop VRE‐related infections in the first 90 days post‐LT. Our experience demonstrates that pre‐LT VRE screening and DPP may be associated with a reduction in VRE infection in the early post‐LT period, but this strategy warrants further evaluation in prospective studies.
The multivariate predictive model to estimate ionized calcium concentration from serum biochemical results in dogs: External validation
Authors: Robin Elisabeth , Cuq Benoît , Sharman Mellora J. , Le Boedec Kevin
Published: March 2020

Background

Predicted ionized calcium (piCa) can be calculated from routine biochemistry variables using a recently developed predictive model in dogs. However, it has not been evaluated with variables measured from multiple laboratories.

Objectives

We aimed to (a) externally validate piCa in dogs where biochemistry results were obtained from different analyzers, and (b) compare the diagnostic performances of piCa and total calcium (tCa).

Methods

A cross‐sectional multicentric study on 138 dogs from three different hospitals was performed. The sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), and diagnostic discordance of piCa and tCa were calculated using logistic regression for ionized hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia. Diagnostic performance fluctuations across hospitals were also assessed.

Results

For ionized hypercalcemia, the Sen (81.8%), Spe (96.1%), PPV (69.2%), NPV (97.7%), and diagnostic discordance (5.1%) of piCa were not significantly different among hospitals or from those of tCa. For ionized hypocalcemia, the Sen (range: 9.7%‐53.8%) and Spe (range: 95.6%‐99.6%) of piCa and tCa (Sen range: 16.2%‐87.8%; Spe range: 58.3%‐98.1%) varied across hospitals, although to a lesser extent for piCa. The diagnostic discordances of piCa (20.3%) and tCa (25.4%) were close. The prediction interval (PI) of piCa demonstrated high Sen to screen for ionized hypercalcemia (100%) and hypocalcemia (range: 75%‐93.3%), and high Spe to diagnose ionized hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia (100% for both).

Conclusions

These results support the external validation of piCa in dogs. Its PI represents a notable advantage over tCa to help clinicians explore calcium‐related disorders when ionized calcium cannot be readily measured.
Digital Twins: State-of-the-Art and Future Directions for Modeling and Simulation in Engineering Dynamics Applications
Authors: Wagg D. J. , Worden K. , Barthorpe R. J. , Gardner P.
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a review of the state of the art for digital twins in the application domain of engineering dynamics. The focus on applications in dynamics is because: (i) they offer some of the most challenging aspects of creating an effective digital twin, and (ii) they are relevant to important industrial applications such as energy generation and transport systems. The history of the digital twin is discussed first, along with a review of the associated literature; the process of synthesizing a digital twin is then considered, including definition of the aims and objectives of the digital twin. An example of the asset management phase for a wind turbine is included in order to demonstrate how the synthesis process might be applied in practice. In order to illustrate modeling issues arising in the construction of a digital twin, a detailed case study is presented, based on a physical twin, which is a small-scale three-story structure. This case study shows the progression toward a digital twin highlighting key processes including system identification, data-augmented modeling, and verification and validation. Finally, a discussion of some open research problems and technological challenges is given, including workflow, joints, uncertainty management, and the quantification of trust. In a companion paper, as part of this special issue, a mathematical framework for digital twin applications is developed, and together the authors believe this represents a firm framework for developing digital twin applications in the area of engineering dynamics.
Developing “Design by Analysis” Methodology for Windows for Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy
Authors: Kemper Bart , Cross Linda
Published: March 2020

The ASME pressure vessels for human occupancy (PVHO) codes and standards are engineering standards developed to provide a reliable design method for pressure vessel windows. This empirical method is based primarily on years of government-sponsored testing and development and does not directly use engineering theory. This empirical algorithm makes it challenging to revise without additional large-scale physical testing. The industries using the PVHO code need a way to incorporate advances in material science, manufacturing technology, and overall engineering advances without spending years in code case review. Verification and validation techniques, coupled with stochastic finite element analysis (FEA) to address operational variables, can be the basis for a “design by analysis” method to complement the existing testing requirements to produce a full engineering package consistent with other pressure vessel and pressure vessel component design. A design method sufficiently reliable for PVHO could be used in other applications.
New mercury compound spotted in mass poisoning
Authors: Sokol Joshua
Published: March 2020

Chemical found in 60-year-old cat brain reopens debate over Minamata disaster.
Steps needed to keep immigrant scientists welcome
Authors: Ham Becky
Published: March 2020

Experts discuss importance of foreign-born researchers at AAAS Annual Meeting
Deciphering cancer clues from blood
Authors: Ma Ning , Jeffrey Stefanie S.
Published: March 2020

Circulating tumor cells are accessible indicators of real-time cancer biology
Enterococcus faecalis Manganese Exporter MntE Alleviates Manganese Toxicity and Is Required for Mouse Gastrointestinal Colonization
Authors: Lam Ling Ning , Wong Jun Jie , Chong Kelvin Kian Long , Kline Kimberly A.
Published: March 2020

Bacterial pathogens encounter a variety of nutritional environments in the human host, including nutrient metal restriction and overload. Uptake of manganese (Mn) is essential for
Enterococcus faecalis
growth and virulence; however, it is not known how this organism prevents Mn toxicity. In this study, we examine the role of the highly conserved MntE transporter in
E. faecalis
Mn homeostasis and virulence. We show that inactivation of
mntE
results in growth restriction in the presence of excess Mn, but not other metals, demonstrating its specific role in Mn detoxification.
Manual acupuncture versus sham acupuncture and usual care for prophylaxis of episodic migraine without aura: multicentre, randomised clinical trial
Authors: Xu Shabei , Yu Lingling , Luo Xiang , Wang Minghuan , Chen Guohua , Zhang Qing , Liu Wenhua , Zhou Zhongyu , Song Jinhui , Jing Huitao , Huang Guangying , Liang Fengxia , Wang Hua , Wang Wei
Published: March 2020

Objective

To assess the efficacy of manual acupuncture as prophylactic treatment for acupuncture naive patients with episodic migraine without aura.

Design

Multicentre, randomised, controlled clinical trial with blinded participants, outcome assessment, and statistician.

Setting

Seven hospitals in China, 5 June 2016 to 15 November 2018.

Participants

150 acupuncture naive patients with episodic migraine without aura.

Interventions

20 sessions of manual acupuncture at true acupuncture points plus usual care, 20 sessions of non-penetrating sham acupuncture at heterosegmental non-acupuncture points plus usual care, or usual care alone over 8 weeks.

Main outcome measures

Change in migraine days and migraine attacks per four weeks during weeks 1-20 after randomisation compared with baseline (four weeks before randomisation).

Results

Among 150 randomised patients (mean age 36.5 (SD 11.4) years; 123 (82%) women), 147 were included in the full analysis set. Compared with sham acupuncture, manual acupuncture resulted in a significantly greater reduction in migraine days at weeks 13 to 20 and a significantly greater reduction in migraine attacks at weeks 17 to 20. The reduction in mean number of migraine days was 3.5 (SD 2.5) for manual versus 2.4 (3.4) for sham (adjusted difference −1.4, 95% confidence interval −2.4 to −0.3; P=0.005) at weeks 13 to 16 and 3.9 (3.0) for manual versus 2.2 (3.2) for sham (adjusted difference −2.1, −2.9 to −1.2; P<0.001) at weeks 17 to 20. At weeks 17 to 20, the reduction in mean number of attacks was 2.3 (1.7) for manual versus 1.6 (2.5) for sham (adjusted difference −1.0, −1.5 to −0.5; P<0.001). No severe adverse events were reported. No significant difference was seen in the proportion of patients perceiving needle penetration between manual acupuncture and sham acupuncture (79%
v
75%; P=0.891).

Conclusions

Twenty sessions of manual acupuncture was superior to sham acupuncture and usual care for the prophylaxis of episodic migraine without aura. These results support the use of manual acupuncture in patients who are reluctant to use prophylactic drugs or when prophylactic drugs are ineffective, and it should be considered in future guidelines.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov
NCT02765581
.
Sources of occupational stress among the military musicians of the Royal Air Force
Authors: Davison Dermott
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Occupational stress has been studied in the military and among professional musicians but not yet among military musicians. We may speculate that military musicians are subject to military occupational stresses as well as those of the professional musician, but we do not know what the stresses of the role actually are. This study is the first to identify sources of occupational stress and measure the prevalence of music performance anxiety (MPA) among a group of military musicians.

Methods

Volunteer musicians were recruited from the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Music Services and invited to take part in an anonymous online survey that captured demographic information, incorporated the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI) and asked an open, free-text question: ‘Thinking about your occupation as an RAF Musician, what causes you to feel stressed?’. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS. Qualitative data were coded, collated and analysed for themes.

Results

57 musicians (38% of those eligible) completed the survey. A prevalence of 46% for significant MPA was found. Females scored significantly higher than males. Other stressors were time constraints, the negative judgement of others, musical and military challenges, tensions between musical and military values, issues relating to promotion and existential concerns.

Conclusions

Military musicians share MPA, career development stressors and conflicts between career and social life as sources of occupational stress with their civilian colleagues. Military stressors include being posted/deployed or compulsory fitness testing. The hierarchical structure of the military brings additional stress when rank and promotion may not be talent based.
International mixed methods study protocol to develop a patient-reported outcome measure for all types of chronic wounds (the WOUND-Q)
Authors: Klassen Anne , van Haren Emiel LWG , Cross Karen , Fan Kenneth L , Gibbons Chris , Hoogbergen Maarten M , Longmire Natasha M , Poulsen Lotte , Sorensen Jens Ahm , Squitieri Lee , Tsangaris Elena , van Alphen Tert C , van Dishoeck Anne-Margreet , Vasilic Dali , Pusic Andrea L
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Most patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) for chronic wounds are specific to a single wound type (eg, pressure ulcer) or part of the body. A barrier to outcome assessment in wound care and research is the lack of a rigorously designed PROM that can be used across wound types and locations. This mixed method study describes the protocol for an international collaboration to develop and validate a new PROM called the WOUND-Q for adults with chronic wounds.

Methods and analysis

In phase I, the qualitative approach of interpretive description is used to elicit concepts important to people with wounds regarding outcome. Participants from Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the USA are aged 18 years and older and have a wound that has lasted 3 months or longer. Interviews are digitally recorded, transcribed and coded. A conceptual framework and preliminary item pool are developed from the qualitative dataset. Draft scales are formed to cover important themes in the conceptual framework. These scales are refined using feedback from people with chronic wounds and wound care experts. After refinement, the scales are translated into Danish and Dutch, following rigorous methods, to prepare for an international field-test study. In phase II, data are collected in Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the USA. An international sample of people with a large variety of chronic wounds complete the WOUND-Q. Rasch Measurement Theory analysis is used to identify the best subset of items to retain for each scale and to examine reliability and validity.

Ethics and dissemination

This study is coordinated at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston, USA). Ethics board approval was received at each participating site for both study phases. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences and meetings.
Migration patterns of Atlantic halibut captured in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence as assessed with pop-up satellite archival and Floy tags
Authors: James Travis L. , Landsman Sean J. , Ramsay Laura L. , Giffin Melanie D. , Le Bris Arnault , van den Heuvel Michael R.
Published: March 2020

This study provides evidence of two subpopulations of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The migrations of 20 Atlantic halibut captured in the coastal waters of Prince Edward Island, Canada, were evaluated using pop-up satellite archival tags (PSAT). Geolocation data showed that Atlantic halibut migrated north to the Laurentian Channel via distinct eastern or western routes. Floy tagging and recapture (recapture of 18.4%) showed that less than 7.0% of Atlantic halibut exhibited dispersive behaviour outside of their annual migratory route. Overwintering occurred on the slope and in the deepest waters of the Laurentian Channel. Atlantic halibut in the deepest waters of the Laurentian Channel exhibited rapid, ∼100 m rises, presumed to be associated with spawning from January to March. The eastern and western migratory cohorts exhibited this behaviour ∼350 km apart, suggesting reproductive isolation as the basis of subpopulations. The results of this study indicate a need to reconsider the management of Gulf of St. Lawrence Atlantic halibut as one continuous population.
Functional renormalization group flow of massive gravity
Authors: Binder Maximiliano , Schmidt Iván
Published: March 2020

We apply the functional renormalization group equation to a massive Fierz–Pauli action in curved space and find that, even though a massive term is a modification in the infrared sector, the mass term modifies the value of the non-gaussian fixed point in the UV sector. We obtained the beta function for the scale dependent mass parameter and found that the massive Fierz–Pauli case still seems to be an asymptotically safe theory.
The physical states of a boundary conformal field theory
Authors: Davis Simon
Published: March 2020

The path integral of a conformal field theory on a bordered Riemann surface defines a state in a Hilbert space on this boundary. Over the ideal boundary, the Hausdorff dimension may be less than one. The integral representing the flux over the ideal boundary is evaluated through a generalization of the residue theorem. The identification of the state for infinite-genus surfaces with the vacuum state with a perturbative vacuum is distinguished from the Hilbert space on ideal boundaries of nonzero linear measure. This nonperturbative effect is identified as an instanton in a separate quantum theory.
Mechanism for nonlocal information flow from black holes
Authors: Kandhadai Adithya , Valentini Antony
Published: March 2020

We show that quantum nonequilibrium (or deviations from the Born rule) can propagate nonlocally across space. Such phenomena are allowed in the de Broglie–Bohm pilot-wave formulation of quantum mechanics. We show that an entangled state can act as a channel whereby quantum nonequilibrium can be transferred nonlocally from one region to another without any classical interaction. This suggests a novel mechanism whereby information can escape from behind the classical event horizon of an evaporating black hole.
Symplectic Schrödinger equation for many-body systems
Authors: Amorim R. G. G. , Fernandes M. C. B. , Khanna F. C. , Santana A. E. , Vianna J. D. M.
Published: March 2020

Using elements of symmetry, as gauge invariance, many aspects of a Schrödinger equation in phase space are analyzed. The number (Fock space) representation is constructed in phase space and the Green function, directly associated with the Wigner function, is introduced as a basic element of perturbative procedure. This phase space representation is applied to the Landau problem and the Liouville potential.
Effects of nanoparticles on properties and interface reaction of Sn solder for microelectronic packaging
Authors: Zhao Meng , Zhang Liang , Sun Lei , Xiong Ming-yue , Jiang Nan , Xu Kai-kai
Published: March 2020

In this study, the effects of Cu nanoparticles on the melting characteristics, wettability, interfacial reaction and mechanical properties of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] composite solders were investigated. Results show that the properties of the composite solder containing Cu nanoparticles were improved effectively. With the addition of Cu nanoparticles, the melting point of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] solder decreased significantly, and the spreading area and the shear strength were increased by 10.3% and 23.2%, respectively. For the performance, the optimal addition of Cu nanoparticles was 0.7%. In addition, the growth of interfacial intermetallic compounds in [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] solder joints was inhibited by adding Cu nanoparticles.
Efficient Distributed Workload (Re-)Embedding
Authors: Henzinger Monika , Neumann Stefan , Schmid Stefan
Published: March 2020

Modern networked systems are increasingly reconfigurable, enabling demand-aware infrastructures whose resources can be adjusted according to the workload they currently serve. Such dynamic adjustments can be exploited to improve network utilization and hence performance, by moving frequently interacting communication partners closer, e.g., collocating them in the same server or datacenter. However, dynamically changing the embedding of workloads is algorithmically challenging: communication patterns are often not known ahead of time, but must be learned. During the learning process, overheads related to unnecessary moves (i.e., re-embeddings) should be minimized. This paper studies a fundamental model which captures the tradeoff between the benefits and costs of dynamically collocating communication partners on $\ell$ servers, in an online manner. Our main contribution is a distributed online algorithm which is asymptotically almost optimal, i.e., almost matches the lower bound (also derived in this paper) on the competitive ratio of any (distributed or centralized) online algorithm. As an application, we show that our algorithm can be used to solve a distributed union find problem in which the sets are stored across multiple servers.
Random Walk Based Sampling for Load Balancing in Multi-Server Systems
Authors: Tang Dengwang , Subramanian Vijay G.
Published: March 2020

In multi-server systems, a classical job assignment algorithm works as follows: at the arrival of each job, pick d servers independently and uniformly at random and send the job to the least loaded server among the d servers. This model is known as the power-of-d choices algorithm. In this paper, we analyze a variant of this algorithm, where d servers are sampled through d independent non-backtracking random walks on a k -regular graph. The random walkers are periodically reset to independent uniform random positions. Under some assumptions on the underlying graph, we show that the system dynamics under this new algorithm converges to the solution of a deterministic ordinary differential equation (ODE), which is the same ODE as the classical power-of-d choices. We also show that the new algorithm stablizes the system, and the stationary distribution of the system converges to the stationary solution of the ODE. The new scheme can be considered as a derandomized version of power-of- d choices as it reduces the use of randomness while maintaining the performance of power-of- d choices.
Non-Markovian Monte Carlo on Directed Graphs
Authors: Lee Chul-Ho , Kang Min , Eun Do Young
Published: March 2020

Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) has been the de facto technique for sampling and inference of large graphs such as online social networks. At the heart of MCMC lies the ability to construct an ergodic Markov chain that attains any given stationary distribution $\boldsymbolπ $, often in the form of random walks or crawling agents on the graph. Most of the works around MCMC, however, presume that the graph is undirected or has reciprocal edges, and become inapplicable when the graph is directed and non-reciprocal. Here we develop a similar framework for directed graphs, which we call Non-Markovian Monte Carlo (NMMC), by establishing a mapping to convert $\boldsymbolπ into the quasi-stationary distribution of a carefully constructed transient Markov chain on an extended state space. As applications, we demonstrate how to achieve any given distribution $\boldsymbolπ $ on a directed graph and estimate the eigenvector centrality using a set of non-Markovian, history-dependent random walks on the same graph in a distributed manner. We also provide numerical results on various real-world directed graphs to confirm our theoretical findings, and present several practical enhancements to make our NMMC method ready for practical use in most directed graphs. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed NMMC framework for directed graphs is the first of its kind, unlocking all the limitations set by the standard MCMC methods for undirected graphs.
Effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise on the contractile properties of human type I and type II skeletal muscle fibers
Authors: Lamboley Cedric. R. , Rouffet David M. , Dutka Travis L. , McKenna Michael J. , Lamb Graham D.
Published: March 2020

This study identified important cellular changes occurring in human skeletal muscle fibers following high-intensity intermittent exercise: 1) a decrease in contractile apparatus Ca2+sensitivity in type I but not type II fibers, 2) a decrease in specific force only in type II muscle fibers, and 3) a redox-dependent increase in Ca2+sensitivity occurring only in type II fibers, which would help maintain muscle performance by countering the normal metabolite-induced decline in Ca2+sensitivity.
Vascular resistance arm of the baroreflex: methodology and comparison with the cardiac chronotropic arm
Authors: Krohova J. , Faes L. , Czippelova B. , Pernice R. , Turianikova Z. , Wiszt R. , Mazgutova N. , Busacca A. , Javorka M.
Published: March 2020

Baroreflex response consists of several arms, but the cardiac chronotropic arm (blood pressure changes evoking heart rate response) is usually analyzed. This study introduces a method to assess the vascular baroreflex arm with the continuous noninvasive measurement of peripheral vascular resistance as an output considering causality in the interaction between oscillations and slower dynamics of vascular tone changes. We conclude that although vascular baroreflex arm involvement becomes dominant during orthostasis, gain of this interaction is relatively stable.
Performance evaluation of a portable bioimpedance cardiac output monitor for measuring hemodynamic changes in athletes during a head-up tilt test
Authors: Cheung Cara H. Y. , Khaw May L. , Tam Victor C. W. , Ying Michael T. C. , Lee Shara W. Y.
Published: March 2020

The use of impedance cardiography to monitor physiological changes in sports is rarely reported. Using head-up tilt test, we evaluated a portable noninvasive impedance cardiography device (PhysioFlow) by comparing it with a reference Doppler monitor (USCOM). Accuracy in tracking hemodynamic changes deteriorated with higher tilt, implying a gravitational influence on its performance. Stroke volume measurements were overestimated, but the changes were underestimated. Despite its convenient physical features, the suitability of PhysioFlow for sports use is questionable.
Early hours in the development of high-altitude pulmonary edema: time course and mechanisms
Authors: Swenson Erik R.
Published: March 2020

Clinically evident high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is characterized by severe cyanosis, dyspnea, cough, and difficulty with physical exertion. This usually occurs within 1–2 days of ascent often with the additional stresses of any exercise and hypoventilation of sleep. The earliest events in evolving HAPE progress through clinically silent and then minimally recognized problems. The most important of these events involves an exaggerated elevation of pulmonary artery (PA) pressure in response to the ambient hypoxia. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is a rapid response with several phases. The first phase in both resistance arterioles and venules occurs within 5–10 min. This is followed by a second phase that further raises PA pressure by another 100% over the next 2–8 h. Combined with vasoconstriction and likely an unevenness in the regional strength of HPV, pressures in some microvascular regions with lesser arterial constriction rise to a level that initiates greater filtration of fluid into the interstitium. As pressures continue to rise local lymphatic clearance rates are exceeded and interstitial fluid begins to accumulate. Beyond elevation of transmural pressure gradients there is a dynamic noninjurious relaxation of microvascular and epithelial cell-cell contacts and an increase in transcellular vesicular transport which accelerate leakage. At some point with further pressure elevation, damage occurs with breaks of the barrier and bleeding into the alveolar space, a late-stage situation termed capillary stress failure. Earlier before there is fluid accumulation, alveolar hypoxia and hyperventilation-induced hypocapnia reduce the capacity of the alveolar epithelium to reabsorb sodium and water back into the interstitial space. More modest ascent which slows the rate of rise in PA pressure and allows for adaptive remodeling of the microvasculature, drugs which lower PA pressure, and those that can enhance fluid reabsorption will all forestall the deleterious early rise of microvascular pressures and diminished active alveolar fluid reabsorption that precede and underlie the development of HAPE.
Temporal Arteritis and Vision Loss in Microscopic Polyangiitis: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Goglia Alexander G. , Makar Michael , Vanuitert Craig , Finkelstein Vadim
Published: March 2020

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is an idiopathic autoimmune disease characterized by systemic vasculitis. While the lungs and kidneys are the major organs affected by MPA, it is known to involve multiple organ systems throughout the body. Temporal artery involvement is a very rare finding in MPA. This report presents a patient whose initial presentation was consistent with giant cell arteritis but was ultimately found to have microscopic polyangiitis. It highlights the importance of considering alternative types of vasculitis in the differential diagnosis for patients with atypical temporal artery biopsy findings.
Multiagent Task Allocation in Complementary Teams: A Hunter-and-Gatherer Approach
Authors: Dadvar Mehdi , Moazami Saeed , Myler Harley R. , Zargarzadeh Hassan
Published: March 2020

Consider a dynamic task allocation problem, where tasks are unknowingly distributed over an environment. This paper considers each task comprising two sequential subtasks: detection and completion, where each subtask can only be carried out by a certain type of agent. We address this problem using a novel nature-inspired approach called “hunter and gatherer.” The proposed method employs two complementary teams of agents: one agile in detecting (hunters) and another skillful in completing (gatherers) the tasks. To minimize the collective cost of task accomplishments in a distributed manner, a game-theoretic solution is introduced to couple agents from complementary teams. We utilize market-based negotiation models to develop incentive-based decision-making algorithms relying on innovative notions of “certainty and uncertainty profit margins.” The simulation results demonstrate that employing two complementary teams of hunters and gatherers can effectually improve the number of tasks completed by agents compared to conventional methods, while the collective cost of accomplishments is minimized. In addition, the stability and efficacy of the proposed solutions are studied using Nash equilibrium analysis and statistical analysis, respectively. It is also numerically shown that the proposed solutions function fairly; that is, for each type of agent, the overall workload is distributed equally.
Composite Adaptive Fuzzy Prescribed Performance Control of Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Cao Xudong , Wang Jianjun , Xiang Wei
Published: March 2020

This paper proposes an adaptive fuzzy prescribed performance control (PPC) method of a class of uncertain nonlinear systems. Different from the traditional PPC approach that requires the exact values of the initial conditions, by using a new type of performance function, the proposed PPC scheme together with a composite adaptation law works effectively even without the knowledge of initial conditions. Meanwhile, the constructed disturbance observer and fuzzy logic systems can estimate system uncertainties including external disturbances and fuzzy approximation errors. Under the proposed tracking controller, the boundedness of all involved signals is guaranteed, and the tracking errors satisfy the prescribed performance bounds all the time. Finally, simulation results show the efficacy of the proposed method.