bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrostatic and electromagnetic waves driven by current free electron beam instability: Effects of positron, background composition, and ion-to-electron mass ratio
Authors: Jao C.-S. , Hau L.-N.
Published: July 2020

Counterstreaming electron beams drifting along the magnetic field in electron–proton plasmas may lead to the generation of electrostatic (ES) waves and structures widely observed in planetary magnetospheres. In electron–positron plasmas, streaming electron/positron beams along the background magnetic field may first result in ES waves followed by the electromagnetic (EM) waves with substantial magnetic field perturbations, as shown by Jao and Hau [Phys. Rev. E 98, 013203 (2018)]. In this study, we examine the formation of ES and EM waves driven by current free counterstreaming electron beams in electron–ion background plasmas and current free electron–positron beams in electron–proton–positron background plasmas based on one-dimensional EM particle-in-cell simulations with the drift velocity being along the background magnetic field. For the former cases, the effects of ion-to-electron mass ratios are examined, which have implications for two- and three-dimensional particle in cell simulations with reduced mass ratios. For the latter cases, the effects of positrons are examined, which have applications to astrophysical plasma environments and laboratory experiments. It is shown that the presence of positrons or light ions may shorten the occurrence times between the ES and EM waves driven by current free electron beam instability. The EM waves have relatively longer wavelengths as compared to the ES waves and the magnetic field evolution resembles parallel proton firehose instability. The effects of positrons, background compositions, and ion-to-electron mass ratios on the occurrence of ES and EM waves are consistent with the linear fluid theory.
Denning behaviour of female spotted-tailed quolls during the breeding season
Authors: Körtner Gerhard , Claridge Andrew , Ballard Guy
Published: July 2020

We monitored some aspects of maternal care in Australia’s second largest extant marsupial predator, the spotted-tailed quoll. We radio-collared six females carrying young at an early pouch stage in the Byadbo Wilderness in southern New South Wales in August–September 2016. When these young were deposited at a maternity den at a still altricial state we monitored den activity of the female and her young with motion-triggered camera traps. Lactating females remained in the same den for up to 39 days before moving to a new den, usually only a few hundred metres away. Females furnished dens with nesting material, but were never observed to carry prey nor were the young seen consuming solid food. They were also surprisingly tolerant towards visits and den use by wombats, rabbits, possums and male quolls. Females showed predominantly nocturnal activity, but usually returned at least once per night. Short daytime activity was also common. In contrast, juveniles were initially exclusively diurnal, probably to facilitate behavioural thermoregulation, and only later extended their playing and exploring towards dawn and dusk. Hence interactions between mother and young were rarely observed. Apparently, the young received little training from their mother and simply ventured further and for longer periods away from the den until independence.
Comparative Risk of Victimization for Adolescent Boys Processed through the Juvenile and Adult Criminal Justice Systems in Lagos Nigeria
Authors: Atilola Olayinka , Abiri Gbonjubola , Ola Bolanle , Ogun Oluwayemi
Published: July 2020

One of the main rationales for the separation of the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems, is the need to protect young people from victimization. It is assumed that, by separating adolescents from adults, the risk of victimization in the former system will be reduced. However, there is still global scarcity of comparative data on the experience of victimization among youth processed through these two justice systems, from which such conclusions can be reached. This study compares self-reported victimization among fifty (50) boys who were processed through the juvenile justice system with an equal number who were processed through the general adult criminal justice system in Lagos (mean age = 16.3 ± 2.0 years). Results showed that the odds of forced confessions (OR = 7.9, CI = 2.7- 37.2 p < 0.001) and torture (OR = 17.0; 4.6 − 63.1) was significantly higher when arrested by the regular police compared with the juvenile police. In the course of detention, however, there was no statistically significant difference in the odds of reporting most other forms of victimization between the two groups. The study concludes that, as far as victimization of young inmates is concerned, boys detained in juvenile institutions did not fare better than those detained in adult prison.
2D range modulator for high-precision water calorimetry in scanned carbon-ion beams
Authors: Holm Kim Marina , Weber Ulrich , Simeonov Yuri , Krauss Achim , Jäkel Oliver , Greilich Steffen
Published: July 2020

Ionization chamber-based dosimetry for carbon-ion beams still shows a significantly higher standard uncertainty than high-energy photon dosimetry. This is mainly caused by the high standard uncertainty of the correction factor for beam quality

k

Q
,

Q
0

. Due to a lack of experimental data, the given values for

k

Q
,

Q
0

are based on theoretical calculations. To reduce this standard uncertainty,

k

Q
,

Q
0

factors for different irradiation conditions and ionization chambers (ICs) can be determined experimentally by means of water calorimetry. To perform such measurements in a spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) for a scanned carbon-ion beam, we describe the process of creating an almost cubic dose distribution of about 6 × 6 × 6 cm3 using a 2D range modulator. The aim is to achieve a field homogeneity with a standard deviation of measured dose values in the middle of the SOBP (over a lateral range and a depth of about 4 cm) below 2% within a scanning time of under 100 s, applying a dose larger than 1 Gy. This paper describes the optimization and characterization of the dose distribution in detail.
Anode spots of low current gliding arc plasmatron
Authors: Böddeker Simon , Bracht Vera , Hermanns Patrick , Gröger Sven , Kogelheide Friederike , Bibinov Nikita , Awakowicz Peter
Published: July 2020

In this work a gliding arc plasmatron consisting of a filamentary discharge rotating in a nitrogen vortex flow at low DC current (I = 100 mA) is investigated. The gas flow swirl of the plasmatron is produced by six tangential gas inlets. The Reynolds number of the nitrogen flow through these tubes at the flow rate of Q = 10 slm amounts to about 2400, which is in the intermediate range. Under these conditions, the formation of micro-vortices can be caused by small gas flow disturbances like e.g. a tube edge. The operation of the GA plasmatron at these conditions is accompanied by the production of plasma spots at the anode surface, namely near the gas inlets. Melted and solidified metal is found in erosion traces left by plasma spots at the anode surface. It is established that melting of stainless steel cannot be caused by an axial current of I = 100 mA of plasma spots and an helical current is supposed. This assumption is confirmed by microscope images of eroded traces with toroidal melting areas. These experimental results corroborate a hypothesis of previous studies, concerning the gliding arc physics, about the formation of plasma objects with an axial magnetic field by the interaction of micro-vortices with the plasma channel.
Insights in the A- and B-site’s Radii Influence in the Polar Character of ABF4
Authors: Espitia Juan S. , Paez Carlos J. , Garcia-Castro A. C.
Published: July 2020

Here, we present the study of the ferroelectricity in the ABF4materials with A = (Sr, Ba) and B = (Mg, Zn). This theoretical study was performed based-on first-principles calculations within the density-functional theory, DFT, formalism. We found that the geometric ferroelectricity in ABF4layered compounds can be tuned by changing the A-site with Sr and Ba cations and B-sites with Mg and Zn atoms. Additionally, we studied the stability of the phases as a function of the A and B cations’ occupation preference. We observed a layer-by-layer disposition, as a ground state, when the A-site has different compositions of Sr/Ba.
Non-periodic Noisy Signals Denoising Using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)
Authors: Santoso I , Warsito A , Prakoso T , Sofwan A , Zahra A A , Christyono Y , Riyadi M A
Published: July 2020

Signal always occurs with noise. Since noise acts as an unwanted signal, we must clear or reduce it with some denoising method. It is relatively easy to denoise the normal distribution noise-contaminated the periodic signal. The problem ascends if a non-Gaussian noise intrudes into a non-periodic signal. The standard filter, such as DWT (discrete wavelet transforms), cannot overcome this directly and blindly. In this research, we proposed ANFIS (Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System) as a non-periodic noisy signal denoising method. Foremost, the ANFIS trained to mimic or estimate the interfered noise, then this noise estimation used as a subtractive signal in a non-periodic noisy signal. As a result, the ANFIS can reduce the non-Gaussian noise in the various noisy non-periodic signals with minimum error better than standard DWT (Discrete Wavelet Transform).
Real Time Video Analytics Based on Deep Learning and Big Data for Smart Station
Authors: Hidayat F , Hamami F , Dahlan I A , Supangkat S H , Fadillah A , Hidayatuloh A
Published: July 2020

CCTV is a sophisticated tool for monitoring and surveillance. It was chosen because of the low price and ease of use. CCTV creates issues in monitoring because officers must always supervise every CCTV monitor to look for abnormal conditions. This research proposes the implementation of smart CCTV for surveillance in Bandung Station. It applied deep learning algorithm to create smart CCTV for sensing and understanding station environment such as passengers’ flow, crowded area, prohibited location and others. Big data technologies are also carried out to solve the complexity of data. The objective of this research is to improve the quality of services in Bandung Station and make the station safer, more secure and more convenient.
Collaborative Decision-Making for Human-Technology Interaction - A Case Study Using an Automated Water Bottling Plant
Authors: Coetzer J , Kuriakose R B , Vermaak H J
Published: July 2020

The Fourth Industrial Revolution places different rapidly advancing technologies at the centre of developing autonomous systems. Previous and current research focus on the developing and testing state-of-the-art technologies related to an autonomous environment. However, most industrial environments in the South Africa, and many other developing countries, are still making use of mixed environments. In mixed environments, automated systems and humans need to collaborate for the completion of a process. Currently, there exists very little research on how a collaborative decision-making process can be developed such that the worker’s acceptance and adaptation to the process is taken into cognizance. This research identifies the lack of collaborative decision-making processes as a research gap. This paper focuses on the research done in this field with an extensive literature review, followed by a review of potential models for human technology interaction. The paper then uses the case study of an automated water bottling plant to advance the study in collaborative decision making. The paper concludes by discussing the advantages of collaborative decision.
Generation of Synthetic Continuous Numerical Data Using Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Aziira A H , Setiawan N A , Soesanti I
Published: July 2020

Continuous numerical is a type of data which often used for unsupervised learning such as clustering. However, this valuable data often provided in a small amount because it is hard to obtain, expensive, required an expert to collect them, or not available because it contains confidential information that cannot be published. These limited data situations can be an obstacle for processing and analyzing data or restrain clustering related research in general. Therefore, there is a need to be an alternative that can replace or increase the amount of data. The proposed method is generating synthetic continuous numerical data using Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). This study used two GAN architectures (GAN and CGAN) and focused on unlabeled continuous numerical data to provide replacement or additional data for the clustering task. The Quality of synthetic data was measured using the accuracy of the xgboost algorithm in classifying real and synthetic data. When the xgboost accuracy of perfectly realistic data is 50%, synthetic data based on CGAN achieving 63%. The result of this study shows that GAN can generate data similar enough and not significantly different from the real data.
Self Adaptive and Simulated Annealing Hyper-Heuristics Approach for Post-Enrollment Course Timetabling
Authors: Kartika H M , Ahmad M
Published: July 2020

One of timetabling problem in education field is Post-Enrollment Course Timetabling (PE-CTT). The challenges faced in the PE-CTT are differences in type of problems, a number of limitations, and requirements that differ from one university to another. It is difficult to find common and effective solutions. State-of-art method that can develop more general systems by using cheaper methods and still being able to solve problems is Hyper-Heuristic approach.

The Self-Adaptive Strategy is used as a strategy for selecting Low-Level-Heuristics (LLH) and Simulated Annealing as a Move Acceptance (MA) strategy to solve the course timetabling problems. Self-adaptive can increase the level of convergence to the optimal value in the optimization process. Simulated Annealing can accept solutions that are no better so that the final solution is not trapped in the local optima solution.

The contributions of this paper are state-of-art hybridization of Self-Adaptive and Simulated Annealing Hyper-Heuristic approach to solve post-enrollment course timetabling problem. The Self Adaptive and Simulated Annealing Hyper-Heuristics then compared with Simple Random and Simulated Annealing Hyper-Heuristics. Tests will be carried out on Socha dataset. The hybridization of Self Adaptive and Simulated Annealing shows competitive results.
CFD Analysis of Airflow Through Prism Obstacles Inside Solar Air Heater Channel
Authors: Diana L , Safitra A G , Ichsani D , Nugroho S
Published: July 2020

This study presents an analysis of airflow through prism obstacles inside a trapezoidal solar air heater channel using a computational fluid dynamics method. The purpose is to now the best configuration of gap ratio (S/H) 0.7, 1, 1.3 for 30° obstacle folded angle. The air is 2.62 m/s and the air temperature is 299 K. The channel wall boundary condition is heat flux with a constant value of 620 W/m2 is attached alongside the wall of the channel. The equation is Pressure-velocity coupling performed with SIMPLE. Renormalization-group (RNG) k-ε is chosen as a turbulent model. The simulation result presents temperature distribution, airflow vector in the middle plane of a channel. The obstacle can create backflow. It can increase the air temperature in a channel.
Machine to Machine Communication Protocol for SMART Manufacturing Units
Authors: Gericke G A , Kuriakose R B , Vermaak H J , Madsen Ole
Published: July 2020

This paper explores the need for a true Machine-to-Machine communication protocol without the need of intermediate servers, to allow machines to communicate with one another in a decentralized manner, while offering a lower latency and transmission time than existing protocols. The communication protocol is developed with Siemens Siematic S7-1200 modules that will communicate within different networks and benchmarked against the existing protocols. The results show that a decentralized communication protocol can be implemented with reduced latency and transmission time, while offering critical characteristics needed to realize SMART Manufacturing within real-time for a production line.
PAMELA-CL: Partition Membership Based on Lazy Classifier for Neuromarketing
Authors: Yulita I N , Sholahuddin A , Emilliano  , Novita D
Published: July 2020

Neuromarketing is one of the business strategies that has developed lately. The strategy studies the effect of product promotion on the brain. If the impact analysis on the brain is successfully carried out, the company can find a good and effective marketing strategy for potential customers. This study used electroencephalography (EEG) as data. 30 respondents were involved in data recording. The final goal in this study was to classify the emotions of respondents to the video simulations that were displayed. The video contains a number of products. There were 14 electrodes used for the recording process. Then the EEG data were preprocessed, and its characteristics were extracted before being classified. This study proposed PAMELA-CL for the classification. The classifier was compared with lazy classifier. The result was obtained that this new classifier has higher accuracy than the lazy classifier. The difference in accuracy between the two was above 25%. All experiments involving PAMELA-CL had accuracy above 85%. It showed that this new classifier could be recommended in solving neuromarketing problems, especially for the dataset used in this study.
The Comparison of Cloud Migration Effort on Platform as a Service
Authors: Suryawan R B , Ferdiana R , Widyawan
Published: July 2020

Platform as a Service offers users to easily and quickly deploy applications in the cloud environment without thinking about the availability of supporting resources for developing the application. However, migrating on-premise applications to cloud vendors still has risks ranging from the compatibility of application technology with the cloud platform to the efforts needed. One obstacle in the adoption of cloud technology is the lack of visibility in planning migration efforts. So this study aims to measure and compare the feasibility of PaaS cloud vendors based on the calculation of the effort required during the migration process through an empirical approach. Specifically, an experiment was carried out by migrating on-premise application to Amazon Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service, and Google App Engine. Empirical results show that Azure App Service and Amazon Elastic Beanstalk have similar complexity of effort, while Google App Engine has the highest complexity of effort.
The potential of DNA origami to build multifunctional materials
Authors: Tapio Kosti , Bald Ilko
Published: July 2020

The development of the DNA origami technique has revolutionized the field of DNA nanotechnology as it allows to create virtually any arbitrarily shaped nanostructure out of DNA on a 10–100 nm length scale by a rather robust self-assembly process. Additionally, DNA origami nanostructures can be modified with chemical entities with nanometer precision, which allows to tune precisely their properties, their mutual interactions and interactions with their environment. The flexibility and modularity of DNA origami allows also for the creation of dynamic nanostructures, which opens up a plethora of possible functions and applications. Here we review the fundamental properties of DNA origami nanostructures, the wide range of functions that arise from these properties and finally present possible applications of DNA origami based multifunctional materials.
The association between an increased reimbursement cap for chronic disease coverage and healthcare utilization in China: an interrupted time series study
Authors: Shen Menghan , He Wen , Yeoh Eng-Kiong , Wu Yushan
Published: July 2020

Hypertension and diabetes are highly prevalent in China and pose significant health and economic burdens, but large gaps in care remain for people with such conditions. In this article, drawing on administrative insurance claim data from China’s Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI), we use an interrupted time series design to examine whether an increase in the monthly reimbursement cap for outpatient visits using chronic disease coverage affects healthcare utilization. The cap was increased by 50 yuan per chronic disease on 1 January 2016, in one of the largest cities in China. Compared with the year before the increase, patients with only hypertension increased their spending using chronic disease coverage by 17.8 yuan (P < 0.001) or 11.6%, and those with only diabetes increased their spending using chronic disease coverage by 19.5 yuan (P < 0.001) or 10.6%, with the differences almost entirely driven by spending on drugs. In addition, these two groups of patients reduced their spending using standard outpatient coverage by 13.9 yuan (P < 0.001) or 5.7% and 14.9 yuan (P = 0.03) or 5.2%, respectively, and thus had no changes in total outpatient spending. Patients with both hypertension and diabetes, meanwhile, increased their spending using chronic disease coverage by 54.8 yuan (P < 0.001) or 18.1% and decreased their spending using standard outpatient coverage by 16.1 yuan (P = 0.002) or 6.1%, with no changes in their probability of hospitalization. Among patients with both hypertension and diabetes who had fewer-than-average outpatient visits in 2015, the hospitalization rate decreased after the 2016 reimbursement cap increase (adjusted odds ratio = 0.702, P = 0.01). These findings suggest that increasing financial protection for patients with hypertension and diabetes may be an important strategy for reducing adverse health events, such as hospitalization, in China.
Practice-, provider- and patient-level facilitators of and barriers to HPV vaccine promotion and uptake in Georgia: a qualitative study of healthcare providers’ perspectives
Authors: Vu Milkie , King Adrian R , Jang Hyun Min , Bednarczyk Robert A
Published: July 2020

Georgia experiences higher human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancer burden and lower HPV vaccine uptake compared with national estimates. Using the P3 model that concomitantly assesses practice-, provider- and patient-level factors influencing health behaviors, we examined facilitators of and barriers to HPV vaccine promotion and uptake in Georgia. In 2018, we conducted six focus groups with 55 providers. Questions focused on multilevel facilitators of and barriers to HPV vaccine promotion and uptake. Our analysis was guided by the P3 model and a deductive coding approach. We found that practice-level influences included organizational priorities of vaccinations, appointment scheduling, immunization registries/records, vaccine availability and coordination with community resources. Provider-level influences included time constraints, role, vaccine knowledge, self-efficacy to discuss HPV vaccine and vaccine confidence. Patient-level influences included trust, experiences with vaccine-preventable diseases, perceived high costs, perceived side effects and concerns with sexual activity. Findings suggest that interventions include incentives to boost vaccine rates and incorporate appointment scheduling technology. An emphasis should be placed on the use of immunization registries, improving across-practice information exchange, and providing education for providers on HPV vaccine. Patient–provider communication and trust emerge as intervention targets. Providers should be trained in addressing patient concerns related to costs, side effects and sexual activity.
Demand-led catch-up: a history-friendly model of latecomer development in the global green economy
Authors: Landini Fabio , Lema Rasmus , Malerba Franco
Published: July 2020

This article examines the role played by demand in catching up and in leadership changes in green industries, motivated by the belief that demand-led catch-up is a prevalent pathway in such industries. The article first examines stylized cases of sectoral green catch-up by China in which the local market and domestic demand played an important role before the sector started expanding globally. In particular, the focus is on three industries: wind, biomass and hydropower. Then, it uses a history-friendly model to study the effects of a major increase in domestic demand (a “demand window”) in a green industry. The baseline simulation first examines the effects of a demand window in promoting learning and capability building by latecomers and in triggering a catch-up process. Then, the counterfactual simulations show that (i) a technological discontinuity which takes place after the demand window could reduce the effectiveness of the demand window in the catch-up process; (ii) the specific timing of the demand window could significantly alter the dynamic patterns of catch-up; (iii) protectionism is a necessary condition for the demand window to have its effect; and (iv) regimes of slow capability accumulation could turn out to be beneficial for the latecomer when a technological discontinuity follows the demand window. These results can help policymakers in identifying key conditions related to demand-led catch-up strategies.
To AB or Not to AB? Dispute Settlement in WTO Reform
Authors: Hoekman Bernard M , Mavroidis Petros C
Published: July 2020

Recent debates on the operation of the World Trade Organization’s dispute resolution mechanism have focused primarily on the appellate body. We argue that this neglects the first-order issue confronting the rules-based trading system: sustaining the principle of depoliticized conflict resolution that is reflected in the negative consensus rule for the adoption of dispute settlement findings. Improving the quality of the work of panels by appointing a roster of full-time professional adjudicators, complemented by reforms to World Trade Organization working practices that reduce incentives to resort to formal dispute settlement, can resolve the main issues that led to the appellate body crisis. Effective, coherent, and consistent World Trade Organization dispute resolution need not include an appellate body. An appropriately redesigned single-stage process can serve just as well, if not better.
Fully automated hybrid approach to predict theIDHmutation status of gliomas via deep learning and radiomics
Authors: Choi Yoon Seong , Bae Sohi , Chang Jong Hee , Kang Seok-Gu , Kim Se Hoon , Kim Jinna , Rim Tyler Hyungtaek , Choi Seung Hong , Jain Rajan , Lee Seung-Koo
Published: July 2020

Background

Glioma prognosis depends on isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status. We aimed to predict the IDH status of gliomas from preoperative MR images using a fully automated hybrid approach with convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and radiomics.

Methods

We reviewed 1166 preoperative MR images of gliomas (grades II–IV) from Severance Hospital (n = 856), Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH; n = 107), and The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA; n = 203). The Severance set was subdivided into the development (n = 727) and internal test (n = 129) sets. Based on T1 postcontrast, T2, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images, a fully automated model was developed that comprised a CNN for tumor segmentation (Model 1) and CNN-based classifier for IDH status prediction (Model 2) that uses a hybrid approach based on 2D tumor images and radiomic features from 3D tumor shape and loci guided by Model 1. The trained model was tested on internal (a subset of the Severance set) and external (SNUH and TCIA) test sets.

Results

The CNN for tumor segmentation (Model 1) achieved a dice coefficient of 0.86–0.92 across datasets. Our hybrid model achieved accuracies of 93.8%, 87.9%, and 78.8%, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.96, 0.94, and 0.86 and areas under the precision-recall curves of 0.88, 0.82, and 0.81 in the internal test, SNUH, and TCIA sets, respectively.

Conclusions

Our fully automated hybrid model demonstrated the potential to be a highly reproducible and generalizable tool across different datasets for the noninvasive prediction of the IDH status of gliomas.
Late effects of cancer treatment: consequences for long-term brain cancer survivors
Authors: Alemany Montse , Velasco Roser , Simó Marta , Bruna Jordi
Published: July 2020

Late adverse effects of cancer treatments represent a significant source of morbidity and also financial hardship among brain tumor patients. These effects can be produced by direct neurologic damage of the tumor and its removal, and/or by complementary treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, either alone or combined. Notably, young adults are the critical population that faces major consequences because the early onset of the disease may affect their development and socioeconomic status.

The spectrum of these late adverse effects is large and involves multiple domains. In this review we classify the main long-term adverse effects into 4 sections: CNS complications, peripheral nervous system complications, secondary neoplasms, and Economic impact. In addition, CNS main complications are divided into nonfocal and focal symptoms.

Owing to all the secondary effects mentioned, it is essential for physicians to have a high level of clinical suspicion to prevent and provide early intervention to minimize their impact.
Amplifying feedback loop between growth and wood anatomical characteristics ofFraxinus excelsiorexplains size-related susceptibility to ash dieback
Authors: Klesse Stefan , von Arx Georg , Gossner Martin M , Hug Christian , Rigling Andreas , Queloz Valentin
Published: July 2020

Since the 1990s the invasive fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus has caused severe crown dieback and high mortality rates in Fraxinus excelsior in Europe. In addition to a strong genetic control of tolerance to the fungus, previous studies have found landscape heterogeneity to be an additional driver of variability in the severity of dieback symptoms. However, apart from climatic conditions related to heat and humidity influencing fungal infection success, the mechanistic understanding of why smaller or slower-growing trees are more susceptible to dieback remains less well understood. Here, we analyzed three stands in Switzerland with a unique setting of 8 years of data availability of intra-annual diameter growth and annual crown health assessments. We complemented this by ring width and quantitative wood anatomical measurements extending back before the monitoring started to investigate if wood anatomical adjustments can help better explain the size-related dieback phenomenon. We found that slower-growing trees or trees with smaller crowns already before the arrival of the fungus were more susceptible to dieback and mortality. Defoliation directly reduced growth as well as maximum earlywood vessel size, and the positive relationship between vessel size and growth rate caused a positive feedback amplifying and accelerating crown dieback. Measured non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations in the outermost five rings did not significantly vary between healthy and weakened trees, which translate into large differences in absolute available amount of NSCs. Thus, we hypothesize that a lack of NSCs (mainly sugars) leads to lower turgor pressure and smaller earlywood vessels in the following year. This might impede efficient water transport and photosynthesis, and be responsible for stronger symptoms of dieback and higher mortality rates in smaller and slower-growing trees.
Foliar traits of sessile oak (Quercus petraea Liebl) seedlings are largely determined by site properties rather than seed origin
Authors: Arab Leila , Seegmueller Stefan , Dannenmann Michael , Eiblmeier Monika , Albasher Ghada , Alfarraj Saleh , Rennenberg Heinz
Published: July 2020

Due to climate change, sessile oak (Quercus petraea) seedlings experience an increasing risk of drought during regeneration of forest stands by management practices. The present study was aimed at elucidating the potential of sessile oak seedlings originating from sites with different aridity and nitrogen (N) supply to acclimate to contrasting water availability. For this purpose, a free-air cross-exchange experiment was conducted between a dry and a humid forest stand with high and low soil N contents, respectively, during two consecutive years differing in aridity before harvest. Almost all structural and physiological foliar traits analyzed did not differ consistently between seed origins during both years, when cultivated at the same site. As an exception, the arid provenance upregulated foliar ascorbate contents under drought, whereas the humid provenance accumulated the phenolic antioxidants vescalagin and castalagin (VC) under favorable weather conditions and consumed VC upon drought. Apparently, differences in long-term aridity at the forest sites resulted in only few genetically fixed differences in foliar traits between the provenances. However, structural and physiological traits strongly responded to soil N contents and weather conditions before harvest. Foliar N contents and their partitioning were mostly determined by the differences in soil N availability at the sites, but still were modulated by weather conditions before harvest. In the first year, differences in aridity before harvest resulted in differences between most foliar traits. In the second year, when weather conditions at both sites were considerably similar and more arid compared to the first year, differences in foliar traits were almost negligible. This pattern was observed irrespective of seed origin. These results support the view that leaves of sessile oak seedlings generally possess a high plasticity to cope with extreme differences in aridity by immediate acclimation responses that are even better developed in plants of arid origin.
BcSas2-Mediated Histone H4K16 Acetylation Is Critical for Virulence and Oxidative Stress Response of Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Wang Guangyuan , Song Limin , Bai Tingting , Liang Wenxing
Published: July 2020

Histone acetyltransferase plays a critical role in transcriptional regulation by increasing accessibility of target genes to transcriptional activators. Botrytis cinerea is an important necrotrophic fungal pathogen with worldwide distribution and a very wide host range, but little is known of how the fungus regulates the transition from saprophytic growth to infectious growth. Here, the function of BcSas2, a histone acetyltransferase of B. cinerea, was investigated. Deletion of the BcSAS2 gene resulted in significantly reduced acetylation levels of histone H4, particularly of H4K16ac. The deletion mutant ΔBcSas2.1 was not only less pathogenic but also more sensitive to oxidative stress than the wild-type strain. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that a total of 13 B. cinerea genes associated with pathogenicity were down-regulated in the ΔBcSas2.1 mutant. Independent knockouts of two of these genes, BcXYGA (xyloglucanase) and BcCAT (catalase), led to dramatically decreased virulence and hypersensitivity to oxidative stress, respectively. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by quantitative PCR confirmed that BcSas2 bound directly to the promoter regions of both these pathogenicity-related genes. These observations indicated that BcSas2 regulated the transcription of pathogenicity-related genes by controlling the acetylation level of H4K16, thereby affecting the virulence and oxidative sensitivity of B. cinerea.
Long-Term Outcomes of Fasciotomy for Acute Compartment Syndrome After a Fracture of the Tibial Diaphysis
Authors: MacKenzie Samuel A. , Carter Thomas H. , MacDonald Deborah , White Timothy O. , Duckworth Andrew D.
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

To evaluate the short- and long-term patient-reported outcomes of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) complicating a fracture of the tibial diaphysis.

Design:

A retrospective review.

Setting:

Academic orthopaedic trauma center.

Patients:

We retrospectively identified 559 patients from a trauma database over a 7-year period. Forty-one patients (7.3%) underwent fasciotomies for ACS and were included in the study. A matched cohort of 185 patients who did not develop ACS was used as controls.

Intervention:

Fasciotomy for ACS.

Main Outcome Measurements:

The primary short-term outcome measure was the development of complications, including infection, nonunion, and further surgery. The primary long-term outcome measure was the patient-reported EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D). Secondary long-term outcomes included the Oxford Knee Score, the Manchester–Oxford Foot Questionnaire, and satisfaction.

Results:

There was no significant difference between ACS and non-ACS groups in the overall rate of infection (17% vs. 9.2%, respectively; P = 0.14), deep infection (4.9% vs. 3.8%; P = 0.67), or nonunion (4.9% vs. 7.0%; P = 1.00). There were 206 patients (21 ACS) with long-term outcome data at a mean of 5 years (1–9). There was no significant difference between groups about the EQ-5D (P = 0.81), the Oxford Knee Score (P = 0.24), or the Manchester–Oxford Foot Questionnaire (P = 0.63). Patient satisfaction was reduced in patients who developed ACS (77 vs. 88; P = 0.039).

Conclusion:

These data suggest that when managed with urgent decompressive fasciotomies, ACS does not seem to have a significant impact on the long-term patient-reported outcome although patient satisfaction is reduced.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Scleral fixation of a 4-eyelet foldable intraocular lens in patients with aphakia using a 4-flanged technique
Authors: Canabrava Sergio , Andrade Newton , Henriques Pedro Rezende
Published: July 2020

A 29-gauge model test fine needle is used to create a beveled intrascleral tunnel; with microforceps, a 6-0 polypropylene suture is placed in the bore of the needle, which is used as a guide to pass and externalize the monofilament through the sclera. This maneuver is repeated by passing the suture ends through the intraocular lens (IOL) eyelets. The folded IOL is inserted and centered, the sutures are cut, and the flanges are created by thermocautery and inserted into the scleral tunnel. This technique was performed on 7 patients and visual acuity was recorded. The 4-flanged technique for scleral fixation using a 4-eyelet IOL was an effective and a safe treatment in the setting of aphakia.
Characterization of resting and exercise inter-arm differences in SBP to isometric handgrip exercise in males and females
Authors: Jensen Brock T. , Gordon Benjamin D.H. , Neuscheler Lance S. , Ace Stephanie N. , Borland Rachel K. , Holmstrup Michael E.
Published: July 2020

A large inter-arm difference (IAD; ≥10 mmHg) in SBP is linked to cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, and premature mortality. Exercise-induced IAD (eIAD) is related to resting IAD, and acute aerobic activity alters eIAD and reduces IAD in recovery. Isometric handgrip exercise (IHE) affects blood pressure (BP), though the eIAD response to IHE is unknown. Further, the eIAD response may differ between males and females.

Objectives

To characterize the eIAD response to IHE in males and females.

Methods

On visit 1, participants (16 females and 15 males, aged 18–35 years) completed three maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) per arm. On visit 2, before IHE, a series of three simultaneous, bilateral BP measures were averaged at rest. During IHE, participants maintained handgrip at 20% of MVIC for 2 minutes (arm randomly assigned), at which time bilateral BP was measured (IHE) during exercise and subsequent recovery (REC1 and REC2). Repeated-measures analysis of variance assessed eIAD and SBP (time × sex).

Results

IHE increased absolute eIAD (4 mmHg). Differences in relative eIAD were observed at IHE and REC2 based on resting IAD status (P < 0.05). Females only had an exaggerated SBP and pulse pressure response in the working arm.

Conclusion

Acute IHE was shown to augment eIAD. Further eIAD and resting IAD were related. Acute IHE induced different bilateral responses between males and females, though the impact of sex on eIAD warrants further investigation. Future studies should address the effects of repeated bouts of IHE, which may benefit individuals with a large resting IAD.
Combining Postmortem Cerebrospinal Fluid Biochemistry With Lung-to-Body Ratio to Aid the Diagnosis of Salt Water Drowning
Authors: Garland Jack , Ondruschka Benjamin , Palmiere Cristian , Hu Mindy , Philcox Winston , Hensby-Bennett Sarah , Stables Simon , Kesha Kilak , Glenn Charley , Morrow Paul , Tse Rexson
Published: July 2020

Diagnosing drowning as a cause of death can pose many challenges for the forensic pathologist and a number of ancillary tests have been proposed to assist in the diagnosis, whether the body was in salt water or fresh water. Although elevated vitreous humor sodium and chloride is a reliable marker, its limitation to prolonged immersion has resulted in the recent investigation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sodium and chloride as alternative matrix in cases of longer or unknown immersion times. This study investigated postmortem CSF from lumbar puncture (CSF_L_Na_Cl) and ventricular aspiration (CSF_Vent_Na_Cl), as well as lung/body (LB) ratio in the diagnosis of salt water drowning and performed comparison and combination testing of methods to improve diagnostic accuracy of the drowning diagnosis. This study found that CSF_L_Na_Cl was the most accurate method (89%) in the given cohort, but that CSF_Vent_Na_Cl and LB combined was the second most accurate method (83%), exceeding CSF_Vent_Na_Cl (77%) and LB (81%) used alone. These findings are useful for stratifying and prioritizing postmortem samples in the investigation of salt water drowning and also have significance for future studies using this methodology to combine and compare the accuracy of different investigations.
Assessment of a Nine-Item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity Instrument Among Individuals With Upper Limb Amputation
Authors: England Dwiesha L. , Miller Taavy A. , Stevens Phillip M. , Campbell James H. , Wurdeman Shane R.
Published: July 2020

Objective

The aim of the study was to assess the validity of a customized nine-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity instrument being used with individuals with upper extremity amputation to inform potential modifications for clinical efficiency.

Design

A sample of 239 adults with upper extremity amputation (mean age = 48 ± 16 yrs; female = 69; prosthesis users = 150) were included. After clinical implementation of the nine-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity, the following psychometric properties were examined: structural and known-groups validity, differential item functioning, and reliability.

Results

The nine-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity short form demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties. Convincing evidence of structural validity included no violation of unidimensionality, local independence (all local dependence χ2< 10), monotonicity (Hij > 0, Hi > 0.3, and H = 0.57), and adequate model fit (P> 0.006). Known-groups analysis demonstrated that the nine-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity instrument was able to discriminate between prosthesis users and nonprosthesis users and amputation level. The Cronbach’s α and item response theory reliability at the selected range ofTscores were greater than 0.9 indicating high reliability. No items were flagged for age in differential item functioning.

Conclusions

The customized nine-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Upper Extremity met the minimum criteria, according to the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System plan, for psychometric validity supporting its use within the population of individuals with upper extremity amputation.
Brief Report: Durable Suppression and Low Rate of Virologic Failure 3 Years After Switch to Dolutegravir + Rilpivirine 2-Drug Regimen: 148-Week Results From the SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: van Wyk Jean , Orkin Chloe , Rubio Rafael , Bogner Johannes , Baker David , Khuong-Josses Marie-Aude , Parks David , Angelis Konstantinos , Kahl Lesley P. , Matthews Jessica , Wang Ruolan , Underwood Mark , Wynne Brian , Nascimento Maria-Claudia , Vandermeulen Kati , Gartland Martin , Smith Kimberly Y.
Published: July 2020

Background:

The SWORD trials showed that in participants who achieved virologic suppression taking 3-drug or 4-drug regimens, switching to the 2-drug regimen dolutegravir plus rilpivirine was noninferior in maintaining HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL at the week 48 primary endpoint. We present pooled week 148 analysis results from both studies.

Setting:

SWORD-1: 65 centers, 13 countries; SWORD-2: 60 centers, 11 countries.

Methods:

SWORD-1 and SWORD-2 are identical, open-label, phase III studies. Participants with screening HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL for ≥6 months; no prior virologic failure; and no documented resistance-associated major protease inhibitor, integrase inhibitor, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), or non-NRTI mutations or integrase resistance-associated substitution R263K were randomly assigned 1:1 to switch to once-daily dolutegravir 50 mg plus rilpivirine 25 mg on day 1 (early-switch group) or to continue their current antiretroviral regimen and, if virologically suppressed at week 48, switch to dolutegravir plus rilpivirine at week 52 (late-switch group) until week 148.

Results:

Using snapshot algorithm at week 148, 432 of 513 (84%) early-switch participants (148 weeks of exposure) and 428 of 477 (90%) late-switch participants (96 weeks of exposure) maintained HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL. Eleven participants (1%) on dolutegravir plus rilpivirine met the confirmed virologic withdrawal criterion through week 148 (early-switch group, n = 8; late-switch group, n = 3) with no integrase resistance identified. Non-NRTI resistance-associated mutations were identified in 6 participants (<1%). Drug-related adverse events (grades 2–4) were observed in 31 (6%) early-switch and 16 (3%) late-switch participants. Significant improvements in bone biomarkers were observed. Significant improvements were observed in renal biomarkers in participants taking tenofovir disoproxil fumarate pre‐switch.

Conclusion:

Switching to the 2-drug regimen dolutegravir plus rilpivirine maintained virologic suppression for a high proportion of participants through 3 years, with low rates of virologic failure and a well-tolerated safety profile.
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Use of High-Fidelity Simulation in Obstetric Ultrasound
Authors: Dromey Brian P. , Peebles Donald M. , Stoyanov Danail V.
Published: July 2020

Summary Statement

There is little global consensus on how to train, assess, and evaluate skills in obstetric ultrasound. The outcomes of curricula, where present, are often based on the number of clinical cases completed, rather than objective outcomes. The central question in this review is whether simulation enhances training and prepares trainees for clinical practice. A systematic review was conducted of the currently available literature in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies considering the use of simulators in training or assessment of sonographers were eligible for inclusion. We conclude that simulation is best used for acquisition of technical skills and image optimization. Best outcomes are observed when simulation augments traditional learning, with a strong focus on specific, objective, and measurable skills. Integrating simulation into training curricula could allow trainees to contribute to clinical service while learning. How skills learned in a simulated environment translate to the clinic is poorly addressed by the literature.