bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical glass micro-fibre based transducers for dissolved oxygen sensing and monitoring: an overview
Authors: Shamsudin M S , Sapingi H H J , Aziz M S A
Published: June 2020

Every single day, a large amount of fish dies from infection such as hyperoxia-induced gas bubble disease consequences by unusual dissolved oxygen (DO) level due to the natural occurrences and human-caused processes of supersaturated water. We are concentrating on the issue of sustainability – an issue of great importance and where this interdisciplinary area has the potential to make a profound impact. We need to step up our game by introducing DO sensing and monitoring at a large scale to overcome this global environmental issue. DO is known as oxygen saturation, one of the most critical parameters in accessing water quality, and necessary to be kept at a sufficient level for the survival of many forms of aquatic biodiversity. Hence, this review article mainly focuses on the potential of optical glass micro-fibre transducers for DO sensing and monitoring, and its contribution toward water security impacts - as part of the Sustainable Goals Development blueprint. The growing body of literature associated with five main work packages i) research motivation of water security, ii) research market analysis discussing the perspective on size, share, growth, trends, and forecast, iii) typical approach on characterising DO level as compared to the optical glass micro-fibre based transducers, iv) conventional design of the optical glass micro-fibre based transducers and v) mechanism of light modulation characteristic in the optical glass micro-fibre based transducers, are highlighted in order to gain a better understanding on the development and progress of optical glass micro-fibre as a transducer for DO sensing and monitoring that can change our life for the better. Finally, several recommendations for future work are presented at the end of this study for the reference of future readers.
Fibre Bragg Grating and No-Core Fibre in Variation of SRI
Authors: Nur Aizatti Rohizad Siti , Daud Suzairi , Multar Esmafatinsyafiqa , Shuhada Tan Halid Nurul , Fakhrurrazi Ahmad Noorden Ahmad
Published: June 2020

In this work, Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) and no-core fibre (NCF) sensors been investigated in different surrounding refractive index (SRI). FBG with 1550 nm wavelength attached with 5 cm length of NCF is used as SRI sensing probe. The sensitivity of the system was evaluated in different types of solutions which are ethylene glycol (18 % EG, 40 % EG, 60 % EG, 80 % EG, 100 % EG) and glycerol at room temperature. The dependence of the FBG and NCF wavelengths shift in spectral response versus different SRI has shown a linear relationship. The sensitivities of the system were 14.02 nm/RIU and 84.10 pm/RIU for FBG and NCF respectively.
Functionalized Fiber Optics for Glucose Detection
Authors: Multar E. , Daud S. , Rohizad S. N. A. , Tan Halid N. S.
Published: June 2020

Tapered optical fiber immobilized with glucose oxidase (GOD) has been proposed for glucose recognition. Single mode fiber (SMF) is fabricated by tapering using flame-brushing technique to improve the sensitivity and limit of detection of optical fiber based glucose sensor. Taking the benefits from the free amine groups in 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), the enzyme, GOD are functionalized on the tapered region of SMF through covalent interaction. The pH value of the immobilized enzyme, GOD is the critical parameter for glucose sensing. The lower pH value of buffer solution, which is pH3 shows the highest intensity which is 2949.08 compared with intensity peak of pH5 and pH7 which is 2873.9 and 2700.43 respectively.
Power flux in five layers slab waveguide with metamaterials
Authors: Fenjan Dhiya A. , Yusr Hashem A. , Yasser Hassan A.
Published: June 2020

Five-layer slab a waveguide combined with a metamaterial has been studied. The central layers were the metamaterial and a normal material in the core of waveguide. The dispersion relation, field formulas, power formulas and the power flux formula has been derived. The waveguide property was controlled by changing the permittivity and permeability and thicknesses of the layers. The presence of metamaterial contributes to cut-off the mode TEo and other modes were propagated to backward. The stopping light was determined using the power flux value. However, the negative values of it refer to the backward direction of propagation. Furthermore the stopped light can be achieved in a certain value of power. Our results found it is good for different applications in communication and controlling.
Some aspects of granulated ceramic powder die compaction
Authors: Izak P , Mastalska-Popławska J , Wójcik Ł
Published: June 2020

Manufacturing of ceramic goods most often involves compaction of granulated powder. There are numerous phenomena that complicate rheological equations of densification during the compaction process and therefore render these equations practically useless without computer assist. We present a simple generalized model of densification of granulated ceramic powder based on Ballhausen-Gąsiorek’s, Messing’s and Pascal’s models. Experiments have proven a linear variation of density along the direction of compression and changes of dynamic and kinematical coefficients of friction. The variation of the dynamic coefficient of friction is in the range from 0.15 to 0.25.
Effect of Modification by Double Doping of Titanium Dioxide Particles on the Rheology of Dielectric Suspensions
Authors: Korobko Evguenia , Bedzik Natalia , Murashkevich Anna
Published: June 2020

The characteristic features of the rheological behavior of dielectric suspensions based on titanium dioxide modified by aluminum and phosphorus and the inter relation between the nature of modifiers and the modifiers-initiated polarization processes at the interface is shown. It has been established that ERFs based on titanium dioxide simultaneously modified by donor and acceptor impurities function stably in the temperature interval 20-80°C, which predetermines the possibility of using them in electrically controlled devices that heat up during operation. The participation of both modifying components in polarization processes proceeding on the titanium dioxide surface is confirmed by its dielectric spectrum. Thus, on the dependence of dielectric loss factor on frequency two maxima have been identified that correspond to the number of different-type inclusions in a sample.
Ductile failure viewed as a final stage of the autowave process of plastic flow localization
Authors: Zuev L B , Barannikova S A , Zharmukhambetova A M
Published: June 2020

The localized plasticity development was studied for a wide range of pure metals and alloys in single-crystal and polycrystalline state as well as nonmetallic materials, alkaline halide crystals, ceramics and rocks. Using photographic and digital versions of speckle photography, the localization of plastic flow in the test samples was investigated on specially designed units having high spatial and temporal resolution. According to the analysis given here, the different stages of plastic flow are related both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Molar mass determination of microwave initiated polycondensation produced PLLA by capillary viscometry method
Authors: Horváth T , Szabó T J , Marossy K
Published: June 2020

The microwave initiated polycondensation is a new approach for polylactic acid production. The time need of this process is quite less compared to the standard polycondensation process, but the progress and improvement of the molar mass is the most important basic factor.

In my earlier work the standard polycondensation has already been investigated, so to be able to compare both methods PLLA has been produced by microwave initiated polycondensation too. The measurement of molar weights is a crucial point of polymer synthesis. According to my earlier work a rheology-based method was used again to define the molar masses during the polymerization process and make the comparison reliable.

During my experiments PLLA has been synthesized by microwave initiated polycondensation method. According to the relevant literature, by standard polycondensation 104-105 g·mol−1 molar mass can be reached, so the main question was that how long should be the microwave process run to result the same level of molar mass. During the experiments PLLA samples have been taken according to a special time plan, then solved in chloroform prepared samples with different concentrations for further analysis. To measure the flow-times Ubbelohde capillary viscometer was applied at this time too. Based on the data of viscometry measurements the intrinsic viscosities have been graphically defined then the molar masses of polylactic acid polymers were calculated according to the correlation of Mark – Houwink relation.
Characterization of foam glass produced from waste CRT glass and aluminium dross
Authors: Sassi M , Ibrahim J F M , Simon A
Published: June 2020

Increasing the energy efficiency of buildings has become very pertinent currently. This will be implemented by employing eco-friendly materials such as foam glass. Glass foaming is a process that depends strongly on the foaming mechanism and the initial composition of the mixture. This study deals with the investigation of foam glass properties consisting of recycled bottle glass material, CRT glass and aluminium dross. Experiments were carried out to investigate the thermal behaviour, optimal foaming temperature, density, water absorption, thermal conductivity and compressive strength of the foams. Microstructure and cell size distribution was analyzed as well. Effect of the CRT glass and the aluminium dross on the properties of the foams was evaluated in this paper. Adding aluminium dross decreased the foaming temperature, increased the foaming height and enhanced the compressive strength of the foam glass.
Laminar foam glass as a lightweight concrete aggregate
Authors: Asztalos Flóra , Kocserha István
Published: June 2020

In this study, 100% recycled glass foam granules obtained from waste glass were tested as a lightweight concrete aggregate (LWA). The characteristics of the raw materials used, grain-size distribution, bulk density, self-strength, frost resistance, chemical composition and the morphology of foam glass were examined. Subsequently, a series of concrete mixes were proportioned with water-to-cement ratios (w/c) of 0.4 with 0-30 wt%. Foam glass granules and probe cubes were formed. The mechanical and physical properties of concrete samples, such as compressive strength, density, water absorption, and thermal conductivity were tested. In addition, compressive strength values were compared with lightweight concrete specimens containing the same amount of Liapor aggregates. The results showed that foam glass increased concrete’s thermal insulation and density, and also decreased its water absorption. However, it significantly decreased its strength properties.
Study on the effect of Bi dopant on the structural and optical properties of BaTiO3 nanoceramics synthesized via sol-gel method
Authors: Tihtih M , Ibrahim J F M , Kurovics E , Abdelfattah M
Published: June 2020

In this study the preparation of pure and Bismuth (Bi) doped barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoceramics by sol-gel process is reported. The structural and optical properties of the samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-visible spectroscopy. XRD results show that the samples are crystallized in the pure perovskite structure when calcined at relatively low temperature (800 °C) for 3 h, without the presence of secondary phases. Both Bi doping (1%, 2%) decrease the lattice parameters, tetragonality and the crystallite size. The decrease of their sizes can be explained by the replacement of large ionic radii of Ba2+ (1.35Å) ion by smaller ionic radii Bi3+ (1.03 Å) ion. A close investigation of the results shows that BT is a tetragonal-phase ferroelectric. The band gap of the Bi-doped BaTiO3 nanopowders is lower compared to that of pure BaTiO3, as determined from the analysis of UV absorbance spectra.
Tracking societal concerns on pesticides – a Google Trends analysis
Authors: Schaub Sergei , Huber Robert , Finger Robert
Published: June 2020

We analyze public interest in pesticides and plant protection products over time utilizing Google Trends data for Switzerland from 2011 until 2019. We find that the aggregated public interest in pesticides and plant protection products has increased substantially in recent years, especially since 2017. This trend can be attributed to search terms related to pesticides, while the interest in search terms related to plant protection products remained stable. Since the term ‘pesticides’ has a more negative connotation than ‘plant protection products’, the increased public interest might be linked to a higher negative perception of environment and human health impacts of pesticides. We also find evidence which supports the hypothesis that growing public concerns on pesticide use contributed to the launches of two popular initiatives aiming to restrict pesticide use in Switzerland. At the same time, our results support that the launch of these initiatives amplified public concerns regarding pesticides. We conclude that Google Trends is a useful tool for the timely detection of ongoing environmental and agricultural discussions, which might otherwise be unobserved. Therefore, it can generate helpful insights and contribute to agricultural policy problem framing.
Potential pollen evidence for the 1933 M 7.5 Diexi earthquake and implications for post-seismic landscape recovery
Authors: Xu Hongyan , Jiang Hanchao , Liu Kam-biu , Zhong Ning
Published: June 2020

The relationships between strong earthquakes, landslides, and vegetation destruction and the process of post-seismic recovery in tectonically active alpine valley areas have not been adequately documented. Here we show detailed pollen study results from a swamp located near the epicenter of the 1933 M 7.5 Diexi earthquake in eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) to reveal the impact of earthquake on vegetation, and the post-seismic recovery process. Based on 210Pb-137Cs age model, the seismic event layer is well constrained. The earthquake event corresponds stratigraphically to a zone with the lowest pollen concentrations, the lowest pollen diversity, and a high frequency of non-arboreal pollen. Elaeagnaceae scrubs rapidly developed in post-seismic landscape recovery processes, which is important for reducing soil erosion and landslide activities. Natural ecological recovery is slow due to increasing human activities and historical climatic fluctuations.
The vertical profile of recent tropical temperature trends: Persistent model biases in the context of internal variability
Authors: Mitchell Dann M , Eunice Lo Y T , Seviour William J M , Haimberger Leopold , Polvani Lorenzo M
Published: June 2020

Tropospheric and stratospheric tropical temperature trends in recent decades have been notoriously hard to simulate using climate models, particularly in the upper troposphere. Aside from the warming trend itself, this has broader implications, e.g. atmospheric circulation trends depend on latitudinal temperature gradients. In this study, tropical temperature trends in the CMIP6 models are examined, from 1979 to 2014, and contrasted with trends from the RICH/RAOBCORE radiosondes, and the ERA5/5.1 reanalysis. As in earlier studies, we find considerable warming biases in the CMIP6 modeled trends, and we show that these biases are linked to biases in surface temperature. We also uncover previously undocumented biases in the lower-middle stratosphere: the CMIP6 models appear unable to capture the time evolution of stratospheric cooling, which is non-monotonic owing to the Montreal Protocol. Finally, using models with large ensembles, we show that their standard deviation in tropospheric temperature trends, which is due to internal variability alone, explains ∼ 50% (± 20%) of that from the CMIP6 models.
Secure multi-party computation with a quantum manner
Authors: Lu Changbin , Miao Fuyou , Hou Junpeng , Su Zhaofeng , Xiong Yan
Published: June 2020

Quantum information processing protocols have great advantages over their classical counterparts, especially on cryptography. Secure multi-party computation is one of the most important issues and has been extensively studied in cryptography. It is of both theoretical and practical significance to develop the quantum information processing protocols for secure multi-party computation. In this paper, we consider the secure multi-party computation for n-variable polynomial functions over the finite field GF(d). We propose two protocols using quantum resources to compute the function within a one-time execution. One is based on d-level mutually unbiased (orthonormal) bases with cyclic property and the other takes advantage of quantum Fourier transform. Analytical results show that the proposed protocols are secure against a passive adversary with unlimited computing power, including colluding attack mounted by n − 2 parties. We also implement the second protocol of the special case d = 2 on the IBM Q Experience. In principle, our proposals can be experimentally realized in the arbitrary d dimension with the advances in realizations and controls of high-dimensional quantum computation.
Large deviations of glassy effective potentials
Authors: Franz Silvio , Rocchi Jacopo
Published: June 2020

The theory of glassy fluctuations can be formulated in terms of disordered effective potentials. While the properties of the average potentials are well understood, the study of the fluctuations has been so far quite limited. Close to the MCT transition, fluctuations induced by the dynamical heterogeneities in supercooled liquids can be described by a cubic field theory in presence of a random field term. In this paper, we set up the general problem of the large deviations going beyond the assumption of the vicinity to T
MCT and analyze it in the paradigmatic case of spherical (p-spin) glass models. This tool can be applied to study the probability of the observation of dynamic trajectories with memory of the initial condition in regimes where, typically, the correlation C(t, 0) decays to zero at long times, at finite T and at T = 0.
PD-L1 Positivity Associated With Presence of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures and High-Stage Disease in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Smith Maria E , Farahani Sahar J , Chao Timothy , Palmer Matthew , Arriola Aileen , Lal Priti
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Persistent antigen exposure leads to the accumulation of lymphocytes and subsequent tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). We investigated the relationship of tumor microenvironment (TME) with respect to programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), its receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1), and TLS in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) cases and compared them with UTUC associated with urothelial bladder carcinoma (UTUC-BCa).

Methods

We retrospectively identified 72 patients with UTUC. Representative slides were reviewed, and TLS were counted. Immunohistochemical stains for PD-1 and PD-L1 were performed. PD-1–positive lymphocytes were counted and H-score for PD-L1–positive membranous staining was determined.

Results

PD-L1 expression in the tumor was present in 55.1% of the UTUC cases. Higher stage was associated with increased PD-L1 expression (P = .035). TLS were present in 33.3% and their presence was significantly associated with PD-L1 positivity (P = .024). This association remained significant after adjustment for UTUC-BCa. TLS were also associated with a greater number of infiltrating PD-1-positive lymphocytes (P = .013).

Conclusions

This study is one of the first comparative studies of the TME in UTUC and UTUC-BCa. PD-L1 is expressed in a subset of UTUC and is associated with TLS. The presence of TLS is an inherent characteristic of UTUC and not secondary to the presence of BCa.
Understanding Attentional Biases in Severe Alcohol Use Disorder: A Combined Behavioral and Eye-Tracking Perspective
Authors: Bollen Zoé , D'Hondt Fabien , Dormal Valérie , Lannoy Séverine , Masson Nicolas , Maurage Pierre
Published: June 2020

Rationale

Severe alcohol use disorder (SAUD) is a psychiatric condition linked to cerebral and cognitive consequences. SAUD is notably characterized by an overactivation of the reflexive/reward system when confronted with alcohol-related cues. Such overreactivity generates a preferential allocation of attentional resources toward these cues, labeled as attentional biases (AB). Theoretical assumptions have been made regarding the characteristics of AB and their underlying processes. While often considered as granted, these assumptions remain to be experimentally validated.

Aims

We first identify the theoretical assumptions made by previous studies exploring the nature and role of AB. We then discuss the current evidence available to establish their validity. We finally propose research avenues to experimentally test them.

Methods

Capitalizing on a narrative review of studies exploring AB in SAUD, the current limits of the behavioral measures used for their evaluation are highlighted as well as the benefits derived from the use of eye-tracking measures to obtain a deeper understanding of their underlying processes. We describe the issues related to the theoretical proposals on AB and propose research avenues to test them. Four experimental axes are proposed, respectively, related to the determination of (a) the genuine nature of the mechanisms underlying AB; (b) their stability over the disease course; (c) their specificity to alcohol-related stimuli and (d) their reflexive or controlled nature.

Conclusions

This in-depth exploration of the available knowledge related to AB in SAUD, and of its key limitations, highlights the theoretical and clinical interest of our innovative experimental perspectives capitalizing on eye-tracking measures.
Markers of life history traits: variation in morphology, molecular and amino acid sequences withinTyphlodromus(Anthoseius)reckiWainstein (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae)
Authors: Tixier Marie-Stéphane , Perez Martinez Sandra , Douin Martial
Published: June 2020

In this study we investigated morphological and molecular variation within the predatory mite Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) recki, and their relationships to ecological features. In total, 42 morphological characters were measured on 87 specimens from seven populations in the south of France and Sicily living on plants of four families. DNA sequences (two mitochondrial markers) and the amino acid sequences of the CytB protein were assessed. A relationship between morphological variation and plant families was observed. The 12S rRNA gene showed differentiation that appeared to be related to feeding habit, in agreement with the findings for two other Phytoseiidae species. CytB mitochondrial DNA showed variation related to geographical location. Four amino acid mutations separated the Sicilian and the French populations. CytB amino acid sequences were analysed for three other Phytoseiidae species, and again diagnostic mutations associated with geographical location were observed, as already shown for Phytoseiulus macropilis. The population differentiation observed for each marker (morphological, DNA fragments) appeared to be related to ecological/biological features, revealing new perspectives for forecasting functional characteristics based on morphotypes and genotypes. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these observations and to explain such functional relationships.
Early-infantile onset epilepsy and developmental delay caused by bi-allelic GAD1 variants
Authors: Neuray Caroline , Maroofian Reza , Scala Marcello , Sultan Tipu , Pai Gurpur S , Mojarrad Majid , Khashab Heba El , deHoll Leigh , Yue Wyatt , Alsaif Hessa S , Zanetti Maria N , Bello Oscar , Person Richard , Eslahi Atieh , Khazaei Zaynab , Feizabadi Masoumeh H , Efthymiou Stephanie ,   SYNaPS Study Group, Groppa Stanislav , Karashova Blagovesta Marinova , Nachbauer Wolfgang , Boesch Sylvia , Arning Larissa , Timmann Dagmar , Cormand Bru , Pérez-Dueñas Belen , Di Rosa Gabriella , Goraya Jatinder S , Sultan Tipu , Mine Jun , Avdjieva Daniela , Kathom Hadil , Tincheva Radka , Banu Selina , Pineda-Marfa Mercedes , Veggiotti Pierangelo , Ferrari Michel D , Verrotti Alberto , Marseglia Giangluigi , Savasta Salvatore , García-Silva Mayte , Macaya Ruiz Alfons , Garavaglia Barbara , Borgione Eugenia , Portaro Simona , Sanchez Benigno Monteagudo , Boles Richard , Papacostas Savvas , Vikelis Michail , Papanicolaou Eleni Zamba , Dardiotis Efthymios , Maqbool Shazia , Ibrahim Shahnaz , Kirmani Salman , Rana Nuzhat Noureen , Atawneh Osama , Koutsis George , Breza Marianthi , Mangano Salvatore , Scuderi Carmela , Borgione Eugenia , Morello Giovanna , Stojkovic Tanya , Zollo Massimi , Heimer Gali , Dauvilliers Yves A , Striano Pasquale , Al-Khawaja Issam , Al-Mutairi Fuad , Sherifa Hamed , El-Bassyouni Hala T , Soliman Doaa R , Tekes Selahattin , Ozer Leyla , Baltaci Volkan , Khan Suliman , Beetz Christian , Amr Khalda S , Salpietro Vincenzo , Jamshidi Yalda , Alkuraya Fowzan S , Houlden Henry
Published: June 2020

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate are the most abundant amino acid neurotransmitters in the brain. GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, is synthesized by glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). Its predominant isoform GAD67, contributes up to ∼90% of base-level GABA in the CNS, and is encoded by the GAD1 gene. Disruption of GAD1 results in an imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, and as Gad1−/− mice die neonatally of severe cleft palate, it has not been possible to determine any potential neurological dysfunction. Furthermore, little is known about the consequence of GAD1 disruption in humans. Here we present six affected individuals from six unrelated families, carrying bi-allelic GAD1 variants, presenting with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, characterized by early-infantile onset epilepsy and hypotonia with additional variable non-CNS manifestations such as skeletal abnormalities, dysmorphic features and cleft palate. Our findings highlight an important role for GAD1 in seizure induction, neuronal and extraneuronal development, and introduce GAD1 as a new gene associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.
Mapping Human Laryngeal Motor Cortex during Vocalization
Authors: Eichert Nicole , Papp Daniel , Mars Rogier B , Watkins Kate E
Published: June 2020

The representations of the articulators involved in human speech production are organized somatotopically in primary motor cortex. The neural representation of the larynx, however, remains debated. Both a dorsal and a ventral larynx representation have been previously described. It is unknown, however, whether both representations are located in primary motor cortex. Here, we mapped the motor representations of the human larynx using functional magnetic resonance imaging and characterized the cortical microstructure underlying the activated regions. We isolated brain activity related to laryngeal activity during vocalization while controlling for breathing. We also mapped the articulators (the lips and tongue) and the hand area. We found two separate activations during vocalization—a dorsal and a ventral larynx representation. Structural and quantitative neuroimaging revealed that myelin content and cortical thickness underlying the dorsal, but not the ventral larynx representation, are similar to those of other primary motor representations. This finding confirms that the dorsal larynx representation is located in primary motor cortex and that the ventral one is not. We further speculate that the location of the ventral larynx representation is in premotor cortex, as seen in other primates. It remains unclear, however, whether and how these two representations differentially contribute to laryngeal motor control.
Acute kidney disease and long-term outcomes in critically ill acute kidney injury patients with sepsis: a cohort analysis
Authors: Gameiro Joana , Carreiro Carolina , Fonseca José Agapito , Pereira Marta , Jorge Sofia , Gouveia João , Lopes José António
Published: June 2020

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent during hospitalization and may contribute to adverse short- and long-term consequences. Acute kidney disease (AKD) reflects the continuing pathological processes and adverse events developing after AKI. We aimed to evaluate the association of AKD, long-term adverse renal function and mortality in a cohort of patients with sepsis.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients with septic AKI admitted to the Division of Intensive Medicine of the Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte (Lisbon, Portugal) between January 2008 and December 2014. Patients were categorized according to the development of AKI using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classification. AKI was defined as an increase in absolute serum creatinine (SCr) ≥0.3 mg/dL or by a percentage increase in SCr ≥50% and/or by a decrease in urine output to <0.5 mL/kg/h for >6 h. AKD was defined as presenting at least KDIGO Stage 1 criteria for >7 days after an AKI initiating event. Adverse renal outcomes (need for long-term dialysis and/or a 25% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate after hospital discharge) and mortality after discharge were evaluated.

Results

From 256 selected patients with septic AKI, 53.9% developed AKD. The 30-day mortality rate was 24.5% (n = 55). The mean long-term follow-up was 45.9 ± 43.3 months. The majority of patients experience an adverse renal outcome [n = 158 (61.7%)] and 44.1% (n = 113) of patients died during follow-up. Adverse renal outcomes, 30-day mortality and long-term mortality after hospital discharge were more frequent among AKD patients [77.5 versus 43.2% (P < 0.001), 34.1 versus 6.8% (P < 0.001) and 64.8 versus 49.1% (P = 0.025), respectively]. The 5-year cumulative probability of survival was 23.2% for AKD patients, while it was 47.5% for patients with no AKD (log-rank test, P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, AKD was independently associated with adverse renal outcomes {adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–4.1]; P < 0.001} and long-term mortality [adjusted HR 1.51 (95% CI 1.0–2.2); P = 0.040].

Conclusions

AKD after septic AKI was independently associated with the risk of long-term need for dialysis and/or renal function decline and with the risk of death after hospital discharge.
Combined effect of anthropogenic noise and artificial night lighting negatively affect Western Bluebird chick development
Authors: Ferraro Danielle M , Le My-Lan T , Francis Clinton D
Published: June 2020

Sensory pollutants such as anthropogenic noise and night lighting now expose much of the world to evolutionarily novel sound and night lighting conditions. An emerging body of literature has reported a variety of deleterious effects caused by these stimuli, spanning behavioral, physiological, population, and community-level responses. However, the combined influence of noise and light has received almost no attention despite the co-occurrence of these stimuli in many landscapes. Here we evaluated the singular and combined effects of these stimuli on Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) reproductive success using a field-based manipulation. Nests exposed to noise and light together experienced less predation than control and light-exposed nests, and noise-exposed nests experienced less predation than control nests, yet overall nest success was only higher in noise-exposed nests compared to light-exposed nests. Although exposure to light decreased nestling body condition and evidence was mixed for the singular effects of noise or light on nestling size, those nestlings exposed to noise and light together were smaller across several metrics than nestlings in control nests. Our results support previous research on the singular effects of either stimuli, including potential benefits, such as reduced nest predation with noise exposure. However, our results also suggest that noise and light together can negatively affect some aspects of reproduction more strongly than either sensory pollutant alone. This finding is especially important given that these stimuli tend to covary and are projected to increase dramatically in the next several decades.
Sociodemographic and gender determinants of late-life suicide in users and non-users of antidepressants
Authors: Hedna Khedidja , Hensing Gunnel , Skoog Ingmar , Fastbom Johan , Waern Margda
Published: June 2020

Background

The treatment of depression is a main strategy for suicide prevention in older adults. Our aim was to examine factors related to suicide in older adults (75+) with and without antidepressant (AD) therapy.

Methods

A national population-based register study, including all Swedish residents aged ≥75 years between 2006 and 2014 (N = 1 413 806). A nested case–control design was used to investigate sociodemographic factors associated with suicide among users and non-users of ADs. Risk estimates were calculated in adjusted conditional logistic regression models for the entire cohort and by gender.

Results

In all, 1305 individuals died by suicide (70% men). The suicide rate in men who used ADs was over four times higher than women with such treatment. Being unmarried was a risk factor for suicide in men but not in women. Being born outside of Nordic countries was associated with increased suicide risk; a 3-fold risk increase was observed in non-Nordic women without AD treatment. Lower suicide risk was observed in blue-collar women who used ADs, whereas a higher risk was found in blue-collar men who did not.

Conclusions

Our differential findings on factors associated with suicide can offer clues for gender-specific preventive strategies that go beyond the healthcare sphere.
Breast cancer in Thailand: policy and health system challenges to universal healthcare
Authors: Lakha Fatim , Suriyawongpaisul Paibul , Sangrajrang Suleeporn , Leerapan Borwornsom , Coker Richard
Published: June 2020

Thailand has successfully implemented Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and embedded the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development into its Thailand 4.0 policy. Breast cancer is a growing challenge in Thailand, as it is globally. It serves as a perfect medium through which to interrogate UHC and demonstrate areas of the health system which require further strengthening if UHC is to be sustainable in the longer term. We conducted a situation analysis and used a Systemic Rapid Assessment (SYSRA) framework to examine the challenges posed to UHC through the lens of breast cancer. We identified a number of challenges facing UHC including (1) continued political commitment; (2) the need for coordinated scale-up of strategic investments involving increased financing and fine-tuning of the allocation of resources according to health needs; (3) reducing inequities between health insurance schemes; (4) investing in innovation of technologies, and more critically, in technology transfer and capacity building; (5) increasing capacity, quality and confidence in the whole primary healthcare team but especially family medicine doctors. This would subsequently increase both efficiency and effectiveness of the patient pathway, as well as allow patients wherever possible to be treated close to their homes, work and family; (6) developing and connecting information systems to facilitate understanding of what is working, where needs are and track trends to monitor improvements in patient care. Our findings add to an existing body of evidence which suggest, in light of changing disease burden and increasing costs of care, a need for broader health system reforms to create a more enabling platform for integrated healthcare as opposed to addressing individual challenging elements one vertical system at a time. As low- and middle-income countries look to realize the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals and sustainable UHC this analysis may provide input for policy discussion at national, regional and community levels and have applicability beyond breast cancer services alone and beyond Thailand.
Inclusive innovation policy as social capital accumulation strategy
Authors: Klingler-Vidra Robyn , Liu Ye
Published: June 2020

Governments deploy policies that strive to increase the participation rates of under-represented demographic groups (according to gender, ethnicity, sexuality and disability status) in innovative activities. A growing thrust of these policies focuses on accumulating non-financial resources, particularly social capital, as the strategy for improving inclusion. Such policies include mentoring and networking schemes, role model campaigns, competitions and prizes. In contrast to the policies' growing prevalence, only a handful of studies have empirically analysed them, and fewer still offered analytical conceptualizations. In this article, we contribute by applying insights from the extant scholarship on social capital, innovation and entrepreneurship to conceptualize the policies in bonding and bridging social capital terms. We find that bonding strategies foster in-group connections, with the primary aim of encouraging under-represented groups to want to participate, thus focusing on increasing the supply of labour. Bridging strategies, in contrast, strive to link under-represented groups with finance and other centres of power, and to update societal preferences, in order to increase the demand for labour from under-represented groups. Our novel conceptualization emphasizes that policies should be studied according to their bonding or bridging social capital aims, as even the same policy instrument (i.e., mentorship scheme or campaign) can differ significantly in how it is employed.
Building Bridges from Genome to Phenome: Molecules, Methods and Models—An Introduction to the Symposium
Authors: Burnett Karen G , Durica David S , Mykles Donald L , Stillman Jonathon H
Published: June 2020

Synopsis

How stable genotypes interact with their environment to generate phenotypic variation that can be acted upon by evolutionary and ecological forces is a central focus of research across many scientific disciplines represented within SICB. The Building Bridges Symposium brought together scientists using a variety of organisms, methods, and levels of biological organization to study the emergent properties of genomes. Workshops associated with the Symposium aimed to identify the leading edges and major barriers to research in this field, and to recommend future directions that might accelerate the pace of progress. The papers included in this Symposium volume draw attention to the strength of using comparative approaches in non-model organisms to study the many aspects of genotype–environment interaction that drive phenotype variation. These contributions and the concluding white paper also illustrate the need for novel conceptual frameworks that can bridge and accommodate data and conclusions from the broad range of study systems employed by comparative and integrative biologists to address genome-to-phenome questions.
Impact of delayed acceleration feedback on the classical car-following model
Authors: Kamath Gopal Krishna , Jagannathan Krishna , Raina Gaurav
Published: June 2020

Delayed acceleration feedback (DAF) is known to have a positive impact on the stability properties of dynamical models in several applications. Motivated by this, we study the impact of DAF on the classical car-following model (CCFM). First, we show that DAF shrinks the locally stable region. We then show that the resulting model, similar to the CCFM, loses local stability via a Hopf bifurcation. However, DAF decreases the amplitude and increases the frequency of the resulting limit cycles. Additionally, we show that DAF is detrimental to the CCFM due to $(i)$ destruction of the non-oscillatory property of its solutions, $(ii)$ increased risk of string instability and $(iii)$ reduced resilience towards parametric uncertainty. Thus, we report a relevant application wherein DAF degrades the performance across several metrics of practical interest. Thus, our work motivates a systematic study of controllers that can guarantee performance enhancement. We complement our analytical results with stability charts and a bifurcation diagram.
Persistent low-level viraemia in antiretroviral treatment-experienced patients is not linked to viral resistance or inadequate drug concentrations
Authors: Palich R , Wirden M , Peytavin G , Lê M -P , Seang S , Abdi B , Schneider L , Tubiana R , Valantin M -A , Paccoud O , Soulié C , Calvez V , Katlama C , Marcelin A -G
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To assess genotypic sensitivity scores (GSSs), plasma antiretroviral concentrations (PACs) and immunovirological outcomes at Week 96 (W96) in patients with persistent low-level viraemia (LLV).

Methods

On 1 January 2017, we analysed data from patients on three-drug regimens with persistent LLV defined as at least two consecutive plasma viral loads (pVLs) between 21 and 200 copies/mL (including one pVL of ≥50 copies/mL), at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. Outcomes were: GSS, PACs and HIV-DNA load at study entry; and virological status and proportion of patients with resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) at W96.

Results

Fifty-seven patients were included, with median age of 52.6 years (IQR 45.2–57.9), last CD4 count of 658 cells/mm3 (IQR 462–909) and total ART duration of 10.2 years (IQR 5.7–15.2). LLV duration was 14.0 months (IQR 5.5–22.3). GSS was 3 in 46/57 (81%) patients and PACs were adequate in 53/57 (93%) patients. Median total HIV-DNA was 2.65 log10 copies/106 cells (IQR 2.44–2.86). During follow-up, 26/57 (46%) had experienced ART modifications. At W96, 38/57 (67%) patients remained with LLV, 15/60 (26%) had achieved confirmed pVL of <20 copies/mL and 4/57 (7%) had virological failure. The four virological failures were due to three ART interruptions and one incomplete adherence (selection of Y181C RAM). No factors (patient characteristics at study entry, GSS, PACs, total HIV-DNA load and ART modification) were associated with W96 viral outcome, except for time from HIV diagnosis and the LLV duration at study entry.

Conclusions

A substantial number of patients harbouring LLV had no resistance to ART and adequate PACs. Two-thirds of these patients remained with this LLV status.
A Study to Evaluate the Need for Comminution in the Preparation of Food Materials for Testing of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus Species, and Generic Escherichia coli
Authors: Hanson Patricia , Mitchell Nicole , Caudle S Brian , Caulkins Lyndsey , Owens Cameron , Lewandowski Patty , Pickett Diane
Published: June 2020

Background

Comminution reduces the sampling error arising from distributional heterogeneity of the target contaminant/target analyte in the material, facilitating the selection of a more representative test portion. A laboratory sampling method incorporating comminution prior to selection of the test portion (Sampling Method B) was compared to current sampling methods that used no comminution step (Sampling Method A).

Objective

This required the development of an efficient process for comminution of food samples prior to removal of the test portion for the detection and isolation of Listeria monocytogenes and the enumeration of Staphylococcus species and Escherichia coli.

Method

From December 2016 to December 2017, 2742 tests were conducted on 778 unique food samples. For all food samples, a test portion (TPA) was first removed using Sampling Method A, and then the remainder of the material was comminuted and a second test portion (TPB) was removed using Sampling Method B and tested alongside the first portion.

Results

Across all food matrices and microbial targets, 17 additional targets were detected using only Sampling Method B, and positive detections of target analytes increased by 77% using Sampling Method B from the test portions taken using Sampling Method A.

Conclusion

Utilizing a sample preparation method that includes a comminution step resulted in an increased number of pathogen detections.

Highlights

The introduction of a comminution step in the preparation of food samples for detection of three common microbial contaminants resulted in an increase in the rate of detection of natural contaminates in a variety of ready to eat foods. An efficient aseptic process for commutation that can be adapted to a wide range of laboratory settings was identified.
Increasing the content of physically effective fiber in high-concentrate diets fed to beef heifers affects intake, sorting behavior, time spent ruminating, and rumen pH
Authors: Llonch Lourdes , Castillejos Lorena , Ferret Alfred
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe importance of fiber particle size in ruminal health is well known, but there are fewer studies to assess the requirements of physically effective NDF (peNDF) in beef cattle than in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to establish the optimal peNDF proportion in high-concentrate diets fed to beef cattle, to reduce the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis. The experimental design was a replicated Latin Square 4 × 4, with four periods of 21 d. Treatments consisted of four diets with different peNDF proportions: 6.4%, 10.4%, 13.6%, and 15.4%, offered ad libitum as total mixed ration, and containing 15% barley straw and 85% concentrate. Diets, which differed in proportions of straw > 4 mm (considered peNDF) and straw < 4 mm, were manually mixed with concentrate. This concentrate was the same for all diets. A ruminal bolus was orally administered to each heifer for pH measurement. Intake, water consumption, intake by particle size, feed sorting, feeding behavior, behavioral activities, and rumen pH were recorded. Chemical composition and particle sizes of diets offered were assessed in the last week of each period. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Orthogonal contrasts determined the linear and quadratic effects of increasing peNDF proportion. T-test procedure determined whether heifers carried out sorting behavior. Particles >4 mm linearly increased (P = 0.001), and particles <4 mm linearly decreased (P = 0.001) as peNDF increased. Water consumption and feeding behavior were unaffected by treatment. As peNDF increased, intakes of DM and NDF linearly decreased (P = 0.001), whereas peNDF intake increased (P = 0.001). Intake of particles > 4 mm linearly increased, whereas intake of particles < 4 mm linearly decreased (P = 0.001) as peNDF increased. Diet 6.4% performed sorting for particles > 4 mm (P < 0.01), and diets 13.6% and 15.4% against particles > 4 mm (P < 0.01). Diet 10.4% tended to sort against particles > 4 mm (P < 0.10). Time spent ruminating linearly increased (P = 0.001) as peNDF increased. Diets did not differ in mean and minimum rumen pH, but time under rumen pH thresholds (5.8, 5.7, 5.6, and 5.5) linearly decreased as peNDF increased (P < 0.05). The results suggested that the diet that best met the requirements of not compromising intake, limiting sorting behavior, and promoting time spent ruminating to reduce the number of hours under rumen pH thresholds, was the 10.4% diet.