bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microlearning to improve CPD learning objectives
Authors: Prior Filipe Helena , Paton Morag , Tipping Jane , Schneeweiss Suzan , Mack Heather G
Published: July 2020

Background

Despite active involvement in teaching, clinical educators facilitating the continuing professional development (CPD) of their fellow specialists may not have formal training in medical education. Although required to write focused, measurable, topic‐relevant, attainable and time‐bound learning objectives to clearly inform learners on their learning intentions, CPD educators often receive no training on how to develop them. Microlearning is an online learning format occurring without real‐time or interpersonal interaction, aiming to deliver easily accessible small units of focused information that are readily applicable for professionals. We hypothesised that Portuguese ophthalmologist educators lecturing to their fellow specialists would benefit from a microlearning experience (MLE) to improve the quality of their learning objectives.

Methods

We created an MLE about writing effective learning objectives. In phase 1, 25 clinical educators, scheduled to lecture at an ophthalmology conference in Portugal, were invited to watch the MLE, write and classify their learning objectives according to Bloom's modified taxonomy, and complete an evaluation survey. In phase 2, 86 clinical educators were invited to view the MLE and complete the survey.

Results

In phase 1, 20% of participants completed the exercise and survey. They categorised their objectives high on Bloom's taxonomy, considered the MLE useful and stated their intent to apply the principles learned in practice. In phase 2, 29% of participants provided feedback. All agreed that the intervention was clear and useful and 87% expressed an intent to use this information in their educational practice.

Conclusions

The majority of participants found the MLE clear and useful. Further studies are necessary to measure the impact of the MLEs used by clinical educators.
Spatial patterns and temporal tendency of mortality related to Chagas disease in an endemic area of northeastern Brazil
Authors: Góes José Augusto Passos , Andrade Lucas Almeida , Carvalho Mylena Simões , Araújo Damião da Conceição , Santos Márcio Bezerra , Tanajura Diego Moura , de Menezes Andreia Freire , de Araújo Karina Conceição Gomes Machado , dos Santos Allan Dantas
Published: July 2020

Objective

To analyse spatial patterns and the temporal tendency of mortality related to Chagas disease, in order to identify priority control areas in the state of Sergipe, Northeast Brazil.

Methods

We conducted an ecological and time‐series study with spatial analysis techniques on deaths from Chagas disease in the state of Sergipe (1996–2016). We used data from the Mortality Information System (SIM). The temporal analysis was performed using a statistical technique capable of describing changes in the trend pattern for the period. Thematic maps were elaborated from point and polygonal analyses.

Results

There were 247 deaths related to Chagas disease, with a mean of 11.7 deaths/year, most of them male (64%), and aged 50–59 years (21%) and 60–69 years (26%). Two segments with increasing, non‐constant and significant trends were identified: 1996–2005 (APC = 21.6%; P = 0.01) and 2005–2016 (APC = 4.4%; P = 0.01), with APPC = 11.8% (P = 0.01). A positive and significant spatial autocorrelation with areas of higher risk of death was found in the southern region of the state.

Conclusions

The trend of mortality related to Chagas disease in the state of Sergipe was increasing during the period analysed, with a heterogeneous distribution of cases. A main risk area was identified in the southern region of the state.
STRENGTH CHARACTERIZATION AND GRADING OF LESS-USED NIGERIAN GROWN TIMBER SPECIES FOR STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: R.O. Rahmon, , A.A. Jimoh,
Published: July 2020

The demand for timber is unlimited as it continues to increase rapidly in Nigeria. There is problem of undocumented properties of unpopular timber species used locally, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. This research therefore aimed at characterizing and grading of three (3) less-used timber species in Nigeria for structural uses. Ayunre (Albizia zygia), Eku (Brachystegia eurycoma) and Ire (Funtunia elastica) timber species were obtained from different sawmills in Ilorin, Nigeria and preparation of various test specimens are in accordance with British Standards BS 373: 1957. A total of 300 specimens were used in determining the strength characteristics of the timber species a 300 kN capacity Testometric Universal Testing Machine (UTM) at Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Laboratory, University of Ilorin. Twenty (20) specimens for each timber species were tested for structural/strength properties according to the British Standard. Results show that the timber species had average moisture contents of 12.47, 11.78 and 12.71% for Ayunre, Eku and Ire, respectively. For density classification, Ayunre and Eku were classified as heavy wood and Ire as light wood. The results obtained provided quantitative details of the strength properties of selected timber species which can be used in determining the application of these timber species for structural applications. The timber species were, therefore graded according to NCP 2 (1973), EN 338 (2009) and BS 5268 (2002).
PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE CONTAINING BLENDED CEMENT AND LIGHTWEIGHT ARTIFICIAL AGGREGATE
Authors: Tanaka Chandra Junedy , Mohd. Sam Abdul Rahman , Abdul Shukor Lim Norhasanah , Awang Abdullah Zawawi , Hamzah Norhaliza , Loo Peter
Published: July 2020

The limitation of natural resources and the increase in industrial waste materials have been being the main concern in many developing countries. Therefore, many studies have been conducted to investigate the feasibility of industrial by-products to be used as artificial aggregate in concrete manufacturing. This study examined the influences of using artificial materials as aggregate replacement of natural aggregate and active pozzolana cement as a binder in concrete. Numbers of tests were performed to investigate the fresh and hardened concrete properties in terms of workability, density, expansion and shrinkage, ultrasonic pulse velocity, flexural strength, compressive strength and mode of failure. The specimens consist of cube and prism were prepared and tested after 3, 7 and 28 days of water curing and air curing. Results of concrete with artificial aggregates recorded lower workability due to the high water absorption, lower density of concrete, lower drying shrinkage due to the reduced free water content and lower pulse velocity in concrete. However, the compressive and flexural strengths were improved by 10% and 38% as of normal concrete, respectively. Therefore, the results obtained from this study indicated that the artificial aggregates and pozzolan cement used have positive effects on concrete properties.
A Control Solution for a Tethered Kite Trajectory Tracking With Application to Ship Propulsion
Authors: Cadalen Baptiste , Sabatier Jocelyn , Lanusse Patrick , Griffon Fabien , Parlier Yves
Published: July 2020

In the field of clean and green energy production systems, airborne wind energy (AWE) systems are really promising technologies. Replacing lightweight tethers with expensive towers, is an innovative solution to get energy from higher altitudes than classical wind turbines. But AWE systems can also be used to produce a traction force through a fast-flying airfoil, or kite. In this paper, the traction force is supposed to be used for ship propulsion. Such an application is permitted if the kite is kept on an appropriate trajectory. This paper thus considers the design of an automatic pilot for trajectory tracking. Its design requires a path-planning and a control strategies that are described here. In terms of control strategy, a robust CRONE controller is designed based on a family of linear models that stands for the nonlinear model of the kite and obtained numerically around several trajectories and for various flight conditions. Efficient trajectories for ship traction being periodic, a method involving tools dedicated to time-varying periodic systems is then used to validate the approach used for CRONE controller design.
Assessment of Rectus Abdominis muscle thickness during isometric trunk and leg lifting exercises using extended field of view (EFOV) ultrasound
Authors: Dafkou Konstantinos , Kellis Eleftherios , Ellinoudis Athanasios , Sahinis Chrysostomos , Galanis Nikiforos
Published: July 2020

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to establish which type of exercise is optimal for Rectus Abdominis (RA) muscle, by measuring thickness and length changes using the extended field of view ultrasonography (EFOV US) during different conditions. The second purpose was to estimate the reliability of EFOV US as a muscle morphology assessment tool.Material and methods: Segmental muscle thickness and length of 11 young healthy adults was assessed during 1) rest and isometric 2) trunk lifting, 3) leg lifting and 4) combined trunk and leg lifting exercises with the use of EFOV US.Results: RA muscle thickness was significantly greater during exercises compared to rest (p<0.05). It was also observed that proximal and proximal-middle segments showed significantly less thickness and length compared to distal-middle and distal segments (p<0.05). Even though no differences in thickness were observed between the exercises, leg lifting and combined trunk and leg lifting exercises affected more the distal segment of RA muscle (p<0.05). Moreover, no significant differences in length between exercises was found (p>0.05). Further, EFOV US displayed excellent reliability as the ICC values ranged from 0.82 to 0.97.Conclusions: According to our observations it seems that exercises that induce lifting of the legs might be more effective for the distal parts of RA muscle. EFOV appears to be a reliable diagnostic tool for measuring RA muscle thickness during rest and contracting states.
Synthesis and up-conversion properties of Er3+ doped ZnTiO3-Zn2TiO4 composite phosphor
Authors: Mofokeng Sefako J. , Noto Luyanda L. , Obodo Kingsly O. , Ntwaeaborwa Odireleng M. , Kroon Robin E. , Dhlamini Mkhotjwa S.
Published: July 2020

The conventional solid state reaction method was used to prepare Er3+ activated ZnTiO3-Zn2TiO4 composite phosphor. The structure, particle morphology, absorption, and photoluminescent properties were analyzed using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectrometer, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, respectively. The XRD confirmed the crystallization of mixed hexagonal ZnTiO3 and cubic spinel Zn2TiO4 phases. The SEM data showed that the prepared phosphor was made up of faceted hexagons. Furthermore, the phosphor was excited in the near-infrared (NIR) region using a laser diode with a wavelength of 980 nm, and the corresponding up-conversion emission lines were observed in the visible range at 543, 553, and 650–670 nm, associated with the 2H11/2 → 4I15/2, 4S1/2 → 4I15/2, and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions, respectively. The interaction mechanisms involved in the up-conversion process of ZnTiO3-Zn2TiO4:Er3+ phosphor are discussed with the help of an energy-level schematic diagram, and the number of the photons involved in the up-conversion luminescence process was estimated.
An acoustic comparison of German tense and lax vowels produced by German native speakers and Mandarin Chinese learners
Authors: Gao Yingming , Ding Hongwei , Birkholz Peter
Published: July 2020

This study analyzed the durational and spectral differences and their interaction in the production of seven German tense-lax vowel pairs between 30 German native speakers and 30 Mandarin learners of German. The results showed that Mandarin speakers differed significantly from the German speakers in producing the German tense-lax contrast. The general pattern was that Mandarin learners employed temporal features more strongly than spectral features to indicate the tense-lax contrast as compared to German speakers. The phonetic influences of the Mandarin language on the production of German tense and lax vowels are discussed.
Oscillatory strain with superposed steady shearing in noncolloidal suspensions
Authors: Mahmud Arif , Dai Shaocong , Tanner Roger I.
Published: July 2020

The rheology of noncolloidal suspensions in superposed simple shearing and oscillatory shearing was explored. With a Newtonian matrix fluid, one would expect that G′ would be zero in an oscillatory flow, but this was not found; the action of Coulomb friction between the particles appears to cause an increment of G′ at lower frequencies. To understand this frictional effect, measurements of small and medium strain oscillatory flows, up to 10% strain magnitude, were made. The matrix fluid was 12 Pa s silicone oil, and the polystyrene spheres were on average 40.3 μm in diameter. Hysteresis during tests with varying strain amplitudes was more dominant in the storage modulus than in the loss modulus, and, at a 50% volume fraction, the effect was severe. Because of the observed tendency to hysteresis, the oscillatory flow was then combined with a parallel steady shear flow to try to control or eliminate hysteresis. The hysteresis appears to be a frictional effect, and it was reduced under superposed shearing. The effect of variable oscillatory shear stress and steady shear stress was studied, and a model was proposed for the superposed storage modulus, loss modulus, and shear viscosity responses. Frictional effects are considered in the proposed model, and one observes a generally satisfactory fit to the experimental data. From the model, the average friction coefficient is shown to be less at higher frequencies due to higher relative rubbing speeds and better lubrication between the particles. Clearly, suspension rheology is dominated by friction and is essentially a study in tribology.
Atomically deviated Pd-Te nanoplates boost methanol-tolerant fuel cells
Authors: Zhang Ying , Huang Bolong , Luo Gan , Sun Tu , Feng Yonggang , Wang Yucheng , Ma Yanhang , Shao Qi , Li Yafei , Zhou Zhiyou , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: July 2020

Methanol-tolerant oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalyst for fuel cells was enabled by an atomically deviated Pd-Te nanoplate.
Breaking the absorption limit of Si toward SWIR wavelength range via strain engineering
Authors: Katiyar Ajit K. , Thai Kean You , Yun Won Seok , Lee JaeDong , Ahn Jong-Hyun
Published: July 2020

The absorption range of Si is extended to essential wavelength range of lidar sensor for self-driving car via strain engineering.
Thermally assisted nanotransfer printing with sub–20-nm resolution and 8-inch wafer scalability
Authors: Park Tae Wan , Byun Myunghwan , Jung Hyunsung , Lee Gyu Rac , Park Jae Hong , Jang Hyun-Ik , Lee Jung Woo , Kwon Se Hun , Hong Seungbum , Lee Jong-Heun , Jung Yeon Sik , Kim Kwang Ho , Park Woon Ik
Published: July 2020

Thermally assisted nanotransfer printing process enables nanopattern formation at an 8-inch wafer.
A dielectric metasurface optical chip for the generation of cold atoms
Authors: Zhu Lingxiao , Liu Xuan , Sain Basudeb , Wang Mengyao , Schlickriede Christian , Tang Yutao , Deng Junhong , Li Kingfai , Yang Jun , Holynski Michael , Zhang Shuang , Zentgraf Thomas , Bongs Kai , Lien Yu-Hung , Li Guixin
Published: July 2020

A metasurface optical chip allows the generation of cold atoms with a single-beam magneto-optical trap (MOT) system.
Origins of the sarsen megaliths at Stonehenge
Authors: Nash David J. , Ciborowski T. Jake R. , Ullyott J. Stewart , Pearson Mike Parker , Darvill Timothy , Greaney Susan , Maniatis Georgios , Whitaker Katy A.
Published: July 2020

Geochemical evidence suggests the large sarsen stones at Stonehenge originate from the vicinity of West Woods, Wiltshire.
The safety and clinical effects of administering a multiantigen-targeted T cell therapy to patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Lulla Premal D. , Tzannou Ifigeneia , Vasileiou Spyridoula , Carrum George , Ramos Carlos A. , Kamble Rammurti , Wang Tao , Wu Mengfen , Bilgi Mrinalini , Gee Adrian P. , Mukhi Shivani , Chung Betty , Wang Linghua , Watanabe Ayumi , Kuvalekar Manik , Jeong Mira , Li Yumei , Ketkar Shamika , French-Kim Matthew , Grilley Bambi , Brenner Malcolm K. , Heslop Helen E. , Vera Juan F. , Leen Ann M.
Published: July 2020

Infusions of autologous T cells specific for multiple tumor antigens were safe and induced responses in some patients with multiple myeloma.
Stimulated bone growth and metal-infused skeletons: From comic books to commonplace
Authors: Baca Justin T.
Published: July 2020

Three-dimensional titanium surfaces patterned with nanometer-sized features demonstrate accelerated bone growth and mineralization in mice.
Salmonella enterica Serovar Hvittingfoss in Bar-Tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) from Roebuck Bay, Northwestern Australia
Authors: Smith Hannah G. , Bean David C. , Hawkey Jane , Clarke Rohan H. , Loyn Richard , Larkins Jo-Ann , Hassell Chris , Valcanis Mary , Pitchers William , Greenhill Andrew R.
Published: July 2020

Salmonella
is a zoonotic pathogen that causes gastroenteritis and other disease presentations in both humans and animals. Serovars of
S. enterica
commonly cause foodborne disease in Australia and globally. In 2016-2017,
S
. Hvittingfoss was responsible for an outbreak that resulted in 110 clinically confirmed human cases throughout Australia. The origin of the contamination that led to the outbreak was never definitively established. Here, we identify a migratory shorebird, the bar-tailed godwit, as an animal reservoir of
S
. Hvittingfoss. These birds were sampled in northwestern Australia during their nonbreeding period. The presence of a genetically similar
S
. Hvittingfoss strain circulating in a wild bird population, 2 years after the 2016-2017 outbreak and ∼1,500 km from the suspected source of the outbreak, demonstrates a potentially unidentified environmental reservoir of
S
. Hvittingfoss. While the birds cannot be implicated in the outbreak that occurred 2 years prior, this study does demonstrate the potential role for wild birds in the transmission of this important foodborne pathogen.
Structural Insights into 6-Hydroxypseudooxynicotine Amine Oxidase from
Pseudomonas geniculata
N1, the Key Enzyme Involved in Nicotine Degradation
Authors: Liu Gongquan , Wang Weiwei , He Fangyuan , Zhang Peng , Xu Ping , Tang Hongzhi
Published: July 2020

Nicotine is a major tobacco alkaloid in tobacco waste. Pyridine and pyrrolidine pathways are the two best-elucidated nicotine metabolic pathways;
Pseudomonas geniculata
N1 catabolizes nicotine via a hybrid between the pyridine and pyrrolidine pathways. The crucial enzyme, 6-hydroxypseudooxynicotine amine oxidase (HisD), links the upstream and downstream portions of the VPP pathway; however, there is little structural information about this important enzyme. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of HisD from
Pseudomonas geniculata
N1. Its basic insights about the structure may help us to guide the engineering of such enzymes for bioremediation and bioconversion applications.
Genome-Wide Assessment of Streptococcus agalactiae Genes Required for Survival in Human Whole Blood and Plasma
Authors: Zhu Luchang , Yerramilli Prasanti , Pruitt Layne , Ojeda Saavedra Matthew , Cantu Concepcion C. , Olsen Randall J. , Beres Stephen B. , Waller Andrew S. , Musser James M.
Published: July 2020

Streptococcus agalactiae
(group B streptococcus, or GBS) is a common cause of bacteremia and sepsis in newborns, pregnant women, and immunocompromised patients. The molecular mechanisms used by GBS to survive and proliferate in blood are not well understood. Here, using a highly virulent GBS strain and transposon-directed insertion site sequencing (TraDIS), we performed genome-wide screens to discover novel GBS genes required for bacterial survival in human whole blood and plasma.
Draft Genome Sequence of an Extensively Drug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi Strain from a Returned Traveler from Pakistan
Authors: Hao Samantha , Veuthey Tess , Caldera Saharai , Serpa Paula Hayakawa , Haller Barbara , Tan Michelle , Neff Norma , Madera Sharline , Langelier Charles
Published: July 2020

We report a draft genome sequence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR)
Salmonella enterica
serotype Typhi isolated from a returned traveler from Pakistan who developed sepsis. Whole-genome sequencing revealed relatedness to a previously reported outbreak in Pakistan and identified the
bla
CTX-M-15
and
qnrS
resistance genes.
Draft Genome Sequences of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Strains Isolated from the International Space Station
Authors: Daudu Robert , Parker Ceth W. , Singh Nitin K. , Wood Jason M. , Debieu Marilyne , O’Hara Niamh B. , Mason Christopher E. , Venkateswaran Kasthuri
Published: July 2020

The whole-genome sequences (WGS) of 28 isolates from the International Space Station were generated and identified as
Rhodotorula mucilaginosa
, a pigmented yeast that has been classified as an emerging human pathogen in recent times. These WGS enable the identification of genes responsible for synthesizing compounds with biological implications.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Bacillus
sp. Strain RZ2MS9, a Multitrait Plant Growth Promoter
Authors: Bonatelli Maria Leticia , Li Jie , Dumaresq Aline , Quecine Maria Carolina , Settles Matthew L.
Published: July 2020

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Bacillus
sp. strain RZ2MS9, a plant growth-promoting bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of guarana, a native crop from Amazonas, Brazil. The assembled genome comprises 5.35 Mbp, no plasmids, and a GC content of 35.22%.
Genome Sequences of SARS-CoV-2 Strains Detected in Hong Kong
Authors: Au Chun Hang , Chan Wai Sing , Lam Ho Yin , Ho Dona N. , Lam Simon Y. M. , Zee Jonpaul S. T. , Chan Tsun Leung , Ma Edmond S. K.
Published: July 2020

We sequenced severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes from deep throat saliva samples of three imported cases in Hong Kong by Nanopore sequencing. Epidemiological and clinical features of these coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases were presented for genomic epidemiology studies.
Dilution as a Solution: Targeting Microbial Populations with a Simplified Dilution Strategy
Authors: Bhattacharjee Disha , Seekatz Anna M.
Published: July 2020

The gut microbiota is an integral part of maintaining resistance against infection by
Clostridioides
(
Clostridium
)
difficile
, a pathogen of increasing concern in both health care and community settings. The recent article by J. M. Auchtung, E. C. Preisner, J. Collins, A. I. Lerma, and R. A. Britton (mSphere 5:e00387-20, 2020,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00387-20
) demonstrates an innovative approach to identify microbes that inhibit
C. difficile
by employing a dilution scheme to test different microbial mixtures
in vitro
and
in vivo
.
Estimating direct medical costs of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Philippines: a protocol
Authors: Ng Junice Yi Siu , Clement Ivan John , Jimeno Cecilia , Sy Rosa Allyn , Mirasol Roberto , De La Pena Pepito , Panelo Araceli , Tan Rima , Santillan Melanie , Bayani Dana , Wiebols Erik
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Diabetes and its complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines. The prevalence of diabetes in the Philippines has increased from 3.4 million in 2010 to 3.7 million in 2017. The government has formulated strategies to control this increase, for example, through its non-communicable disease prevention and control plan. However, there is scarce research on the financial burden of diabetes. Filling this gap may further help policymakers to make informed decisions while developing and implementing resource planning for relevant interventions. The primary objective of the current study is to estimate the direct medical costs associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods and analysis

This is a 1-year retrospective cohort study of patients with T2DM in 2016. Data will be collected from: (1) hospital databases from public institutions to estimate the cost of diabetes treatment and (2) physician interviews to estimate the cost of management of diabetes in outpatient care. We will perform descriptive and comparative analyses on direct medical costs and healthcare resource utilisation, stratified by the presence of diabetes-associated complications.

Ethics and dissemination

Research ethics board approval has been obtained from the Department of Health Single Joint Research Ethics Board and Cardinal Santos Medical Center Research Ethics Review Committee. Findings from the study will be reported in peer-reviewed scientific journals and local researcher meetings.
CT diagnosis and management of mesenteric torsion in a dog
Authors: Carbonell Rossello Gabriel , Guillem Gallach Ricardo , Jimenez Pelaez Manuel
Published: July 2020

An eight‐year‐old, 35 kg, female spayed Doberman Pincher dog was presented with peracute abdominal distention and severe abdominal pain associated with vomiting. Radiographs showed segmental gas and fluid‐distended small intestines and loss of serosal detail. Abdominal ultrasound revealed segmental hypomotile, fluid distended small intestines and high amount of gas in the intestinal lumen. CT showed signs consistent with a segmental mesenteric torsion. Exploratory laparotomy and en bloc enterectomy of the torsioned necrotic segment of the jejunum (50 per cent approximately) was performed. The patient was discharged 1 week after surgery with some sporadic vomiting and diarrhoea, which resolved with medical treatment within a week.
Effects of fentanyl on intraocular pressure and pupil size in medetomidine‐methadone premedicated dogs: a pilot study
Authors: Gomez‐Martinez Maria Isabel , Varela‐Lopez Oscar , Fontalba‐Navas Jose Luis , González‐Cantalapiedra Antonio
Published: July 2020

Background

This is a pilot study to evaluate the effects of fentanyl on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil size (PS) in dogs premedicated with medetomidine and methadone.

Methods

Sixteen dogs with a median (first quartile–third quartile) age of 3.5 (1.25–6) years and a mean (sd) weight of 18.6 (9.2) kg were included. Baseline readings of IOP and PS were recorded before all dogs were premedicated intramuscularly with medetomidine (10 µg/kg) and methadone (0.5 mg/kg). Both measurements were repeated 15 and 30 minutes later. Following this, the dogs were randomly assigned into two groups. The fentanyl group received intravenous fentanyl (10 µg/kg), while the control group received the same volume of saline solution intravenously. IOP and PS measurements were measured and recorded in both groups at one, five and ten minutes after intravenous injection. Data were analysed with one‐way and two‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance or their non‐parametric equivalents.

Results

PS was significantly decreased 15 and 30 minutes following intramuscular premedication and IOP was significantly increased in the fentanyl group at all time points following intravenous administration.

Conclusions

Medetomidine, methadone and fentanyl combinations are not recommended for use in patients where an increase in IOP or decrease in PS is undesirable.
Geomorphological controls over carbon distribution in permafrost soils: the case of the Narsajuaq river valley, Nunavik (Canada)
Authors: Gagnon Samuel , Allard Michel
Published: July 2020

Soils in the northern circumpolar region play a central role in the global carbon cycle because the release of carbon through permafrost thaw and geomorphological disturbances can potentially cause a feedback on climate. However, large uncertainties in estimates of permafrost carbon stocks remain, mainly because of wide gaps in the spatial coverage of soil carbon sampling sites and the large mapping polygons used to upscale data. By combining mapping of landforms and knowledge of surficial geology to upscale soil carbon content measurements, we provide an assessment of soil total carbon content in the region of the Narsajuaq river valley (Nunavik, Canada) to generate the first high-resolution soil carbon estimate confirmed by field measurements in Nunavik. We estimate that the Narsajuaq river valley and the surrounding uplands have a weighted average of 3.4 kg C m−2 (0–100 cm), with 73% of the total carbon content stored in the top 30 cm. The results also indicate that the valley is a carbon hotspot in the region, containing 76% of the total carbon content (0–100 cm) of the study area. Although soil carbon estimates will always require field sampling, the geomorphological mapping approach can significantly improve carbon content estimates and provide better inputs for models.
Comprehensive profiling and identification of bioactive components from methanolic leaves extract of Juniperus deppeana and its in vitro antidiabetic activity
Authors: Monribot-Villanueva Juan L. , Rodríguez-Fuentes Jonathan S. , Landa-Cansigno Cristina , Infante-Rodríguez Dennis A. , Díaz-Abad Juan P. , Guerrero-Analco José A.
Published: July 2020

Juniperus plant species are rich sources of bioactive secondary metabolites and are traditionally used for the treatment of several illnesses, including those related to hyperglycemia and diabetes. The major bioactive compounds identified in certain species of this genus are terpenes and phenolics. Juniperus deppeana Steud. is mainly used as a wood resource and its chemical composition has been partially established. Our goal was to perform a comprehensive profiling of a methanolic extract of leaves of J. deppeana and determine its potential as a source of α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors. Terpene and phenolic compounds were putatively identified based on their accurate mass spectrometric data. Regarding terpenes, we found mainly diterpenes, specifically dehydroabietic acid-like, hinokiol-like, agathic acid-like, and dihydroxyabietatrienoic acid-like compounds. Isopimaric acid was also identified and its identity was confirmed by coelution with an authentic standard via comparing retention time, mass spectrum, and collisional cross section values. For phenolic compounds, we identified mainly compounds with a chemical structure similar to the biflavonoids amentoflavone and bilobetin. Besides, the methanolic extract of J. deppeana leaves show inhibition of α-amylase (IC50 = 85.11 ± 11.91 μg mL−1) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 32.50 ± 3.40 μg mL−1) enzymes, demonstrating a potential alternative for the search of antidiabetic natural products.
p75NTR silencing inhibits proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts by activating autophagy through inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway
Authors: Shi Wen , Wu Yan , Bian Donghui
Published: July 2020

Hypertrophic scar (HS) results from abnormal wound healing, accompanied by excessive hypercellularity, migration, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Autophagy dysregulation plays crucial roles during HS formation. The overexpressed p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) in injured skin tissue after wound healing becomes a factor aggravating scar. This study was designed to investigate the role of p75NTR and p75NTR-mediated autophagy in the process of HS. The results revealed that p75NTR expression was significantly upregulated while that of autophagy proteins was downregulated in cicatrix at 3 and 6 months after a burn, which was recovered at 12 months. p75NTR silencing inhibited proliferation, migration, and ECM deposition of hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSF), whereas p75NTR overexpression presented the opposite results. Silencing of p75NTR reduced the expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling molecules while enhancing that of autophagy proteins. Importantly, PI3K agonist (IGF-1) intervention notably decreased the levels of LC3B II/I and Beclin-1 and restored the inhibitory effects of p75NTR silencing on proliferation, migration, and ECM deposition of HSF. Concurrently, autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) treatment exhibited the same variation trends with IGF-1. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that p75NTR silencing inhibits proliferation, migration, and ECM deposition of HSF by activating autophagy by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Radiating-collapsing models satisfying Karmarkar condition
Authors: Jaryal Suresh C.
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a class of exact spherical symmetric solutions of the Einstein equations admitting heat-conducting anisotropic fluid as a collapsing matter. The exterior spacetime is assumed to be the Vaidya metric. This class of solutions is shown to satisfy all the energy conditions throughout the interior of the star, and the luminosity is time independent, radiating uniformly throughout the collapse.
Mapping socioeconomic indicators using social media advertising data
Authors: Fatehkia Masoomali , Tingzon Isabelle , Orden Ardie , Sy Stephanie , Sekara Vedran , Garcia-Herranz Manuel , Weber Ingmar
Published: July 2020

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global consensus on the world’s most pressing challenges. They come with a set of 232 indicators against which countries should regularly monitor their progress, ensuring that everyone is represented in up-to-date data that can be used to make decisions to improve people’s lives. However, existing data sources to measure progress on the SDGs are often outdated or lacking appropriate disaggregation. We evaluate the value that anonymous, publicly accessible advertising data from Facebook can provide in mapping socio-economic development in two low and middle income countries, the Philippines and India. Concretely, we show that audience estimates of how many Facebook users in a given location use particular device types, such as Android vs. iOS devices, or particular connection types, such as 2G vs. 4G, provide strong signals for modeling regional variation in the Wealth Index (WI), derived from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). We further show that, surprisingly, the predictive power of these digital connectivity features is roughly equal at both the high and low ends of the WI spectrum. Finally we show how such data can be used to create gender-disaggregated predictions, but that these predictions only appear plausible in contexts with gender equal Facebook usage, such as the Philippines, but not in contexts with large gender Facebook gaps, such as India.
Ruppeiner geometry, phase transitions and microstructures of black holes in massive gravity
Authors: Yerra Pavan Kumar , Bhamidipati Chandrasekhar
Published: July 2020

Using the new normalized thermodynamic scalar curvature, we investigate the microstructures and phase transitions of black holes in massive gravity for horizons of various topologies. We find that the graviton mass enhances the repulsive interactions of small black holes and weakens the attractive interactions of large black holes, with possibility of new repulsive regions for microstructures in phase space. In addition, the repulsive interactions of small black hole are strong for spherical topology, followed by flat and hyperbolic topology; while, the attractive interactions of large black hole are strong for hyperbolic topology, followed by flat and weakest for spherical topology.
Simulation and process optimization for laser marking of submillimetre rasterizing 2D code on stainless steel
Authors: Li Xiashuang , Yang Lijun , Chang Bo , Li Tiren , Li Chen , Zhang Dongxu , Yan Bobo
Published: July 2020

The simulation and process optimization for laser marking of submillimetre rasterizing 2D code on stainless steel are investigated. For 50CrVA stainless steel, the temperature field of material during laser marking is obtained by numerical modeling. The results show that temperature change in the depth direction and oxidation degree of laser radiation region are the fundamental reasons for the contrast of 2D code, but the temperature change occurs in the radius direction for the print growth. The threshold of laser average power and [Formula: see text] frequency for an identifiable submillimetre 2D code are, respectively, 3.0 W and 100 KHz, which matches the simulation well within normal operating conditions. It is also found that an increase of the pulses number effectively improves the contrast and the appearance consistency of modules in DM code. Besides, corrosion tests show that the corrosion resistance of submillimetre 2D code is greatly improved by covering a layer of transparent polyurethane coating. Finally, a sample of submillimetre 2D code marked on cylindrical tool with diameter of 1 mm is obtained. In conclusion, the method could obtain submillimetre code with high reading quality and corrosion resistance by minimizing the characteristic edge over-burn effects, which provides theoretical basis and experimental method for identification of small parts.
Filament damage and channel waveguide fabrication in Yb-doped phosphate glass
Authors: Lv Jing , Wang Kedian , Cheng Guanghua
Published: July 2020

We report on the fabrication of filament damages in Yb-doped phosphate glass by femtosecond laser pulses. The uneven index modification was obtained using a 20× optical microscope objective with 0.4 numerical apertures. The multimode fields of original channel waveguides were investigated and in good agreement with the simulation results, whose structures can be regarded as a kind of beam splitters. Under the optical pump at 976 nm, the end region of the original filament shows continuous wave laser oscillation. The elongated and uniform filaments were fabricated by introducing a circular aperture, so that the guiding performance of tradition-channel single mode was achieved. Both large-mode-area waveguides are expected to find applications in optical communications and high-power lasers and amplifiers.
How black holes store information in high-order correlations
Authors: Anastopoulos Charis , Savvidou Konstantina
Published: July 2020

We explain how Hawking radiation stores significant amount of information in high-order correlations of quantum fields. This information can be retrieved by multi-time measurements on the quantum fields close to the black hole horizon. This result requires no assumptions about quantum gravity, it takes into account the differences between Gibbs’s and Boltzmann’s accounts of thermodynamics, and it clarifies misconceptions about key aspects of Hawking radiation and about informational notions in QFT.
The Casimir elements of the Racah algebra
Authors: Huang Hau-Wen , Bockting-Conrad Sarah
Published: July 2020

Let [Formula: see text] denote a field with [Formula: see text]. The Racah algebra [Formula: see text] is the unital associative [Formula: see text]-algebra defined by generators and relations in the following way. The generators are [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. The relations assert that [Formula: see text] and each of the elements [Formula: see text] is central in [Formula: see text]. Additionally, the element [Formula: see text] is central in [Formula: see text]. We call each element in [Formula: see text] a Casimir element of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the commutative subalgebra of [Formula: see text] generated by [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. The main results of this paper are as follows. Each of the following distinct elements is a Casimir element of [Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]

The set [Formula: see text] is invariant under a faithful [Formula: see text]-action on [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we show that any Casimir element [Formula: see text] is algebraically independent over [Formula: see text]; if [Formula: see text], then the center of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text].
Quasi-central Armendariz rings
Authors: Liu Yufeng , Chen Weixing
Published: July 2020

A ring [Formula: see text] is said to be quasi-central Armendariz if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] satisfy [Formula: see text] then [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. It is proved that if [Formula: see text] is a quasi-central Armendariz ring then [Formula: see text] implies that all [Formula: see text] are in its Wedderburn radical [Formula: see text], generalizing and improving the existing result in the literature.
Applications of Machine Learning Algorithms in Processing Terahertz Spectroscopic Data
Authors: Seo Young Min , Goldsmith Paul F. , Tolls Volker , Shipman Russell , Kulesa Craig , Peters William , Walker Christopher , Melnick Gary
Published: July 2020

We present the data reduction software and the distribution of Level 1 and Level 2 products of the Stratospheric Terahertz Observatory 2 (STO2). STO2, a balloon-borne Terahertz telescope, surveyed star-forming regions and the Galactic plane and produced approximately 300,000 spectra. The data are largely similar to spectra typically produced by single-dish radio telescopes. However, a fraction of the data contained rapidly varying fringe/baseline features and drift noise, which could not be adequately corrected using conventional data reduction software. To process the entire science data of the STO2 mission, we have adopted a new method to find proper off-source spectra to reduce large amplitude fringes and new algorithms including Asymmetric Least Square (ALS), Independent Component Analysis (ICA), and Density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN). The STO2 data reduction software efficiently reduced the amplitude of fringes from a few hundred to 10[Formula: see text]K and resulted in baselines of amplitude down to a few K. The Level 1 products typically have noise of a few K in [CII] spectra and [Formula: see text]1[Formula: see text]K in [NII] spectra. Using a regridding algorithm, we made spectral maps of star-forming regions and the Galactic plane survey using an algorithm employing a Bessel–Gaussian kernel. The level 1 and level 2 products are available to the astronomical community through the STO2 data server and the DataVerse. The software is also accessible to the public through Github. The detailed addresses are given in Sec.  4 of this paper on data distribution.
Examination of the Dorsal Finger Vein Anatomy Using a Vein Visualization Device
Authors: Tsumura Takuya , Matsumoto Taiichi , Matsushita Mutsumi , Kishimoto Katsuma , Shiode Hayao
Published: July 2020

Background: The vein anatomy of the dorsal finger is often difficult to identify suitable veins for anastomosis when treating digital amputations, but it has not been well studied to date. The aim of our study was to determine the vein anatomy of the dorsal finger using a vein visualization device.

Methods: The study sample consisted of 20 volunteers (11 men and 9 women; 148 fingers and 37 thumbs). The number and location of veins, the distance from the finger midline to the most central vein, and the distance from the central vein to the adjacent vein were examined using a vein visualization device, Stat Vein®, at the eponychial level, distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints, and proximal interphalangeal joints.

Results: In the finger, the distance from the nail lunula edge to the vein at the eponychial level was about 5 mm and that from the central vein to the adjacent vein at the DIP joints was about 8 mm. In the thumb, the distance from the nail lunula margin to the vein at the eponychial level was about 5 mm and that from the central vein to the adjacent vein at the interphalangeal joints was about 6 mm.

Conclusions: Treatment of DIP joint-level finger amputation requires identification of the central vein at first and then the site about 8 mm away from the central vein. In the treatment of eponychial-level finger amputation, the vein is found about 5 mm away from the nail lunula edge.
The Effect of Ring Finger Distal Interphalangeal Joint Stiffness on Grip Strength: A Simulated Study in Normal Participants
Authors: Lambert Robert J. , Yeoman Thomas FM. , Wang Chaoyang , Grant Jaime , Rust Philippa A.
Published: July 2020

Background: Pain of the hand distal interphalangeal joints may result from trauma, osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis. When symptoms are not controlled by non-operative means, surgical arthrodesis may be performed, resulting in complete stiffness of the joint and possible weakening of grip strength. This study aims to quantify the effect of a stiff ring finger distal interphalangeal joint on overall grip strength.

Methods: One hundred participants were screened to exclude upper limb pathology. A Jamar dynamometer was used to assess overall hand grip strength. A splint was used to prevent distal interphalangeal joint flexion, thus replicating a fused distal interphalangeal joint. Participants were tested with and without the splint and the results compared. The mean of three grip strength tests was taken.

Results: The participants included 55 females. Mean age was 31 (18–60 years). 76 participants had a reduction in grip strength with splinting, with a significant difference seen (p < 0.05) on Wilcoxon signed rank test. The median reduction in grip strength with splinting was 1.67 kg. However only 10 participants (10%) had a grip strength loss of greater than 6.5 kg, which is the minimal clinically important difference.

Conclusions: This study found a significant loss in overall hand grip strength when the ring finger distal interphalangeal joint was stiffened. However, despite this significant change, only 10 (10%) participants experienced a reduction of greater than 6.5 kg. This is the level of weakness felt to be required to reduce function. Thus our results suggest that 90% of patients with a stiff ring finger distal interphalangeal joint are unlikely to have a clinically identifiable functional reduction in grip strength as a result.
Evaluation of Patient-Reported and Clinician-Reported Outcomes of Volar Locking Plate Fixation for Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: Nagura Nana , Naito Kiyohito , Sugiyama Yoichi , Obata Hiroyuki , Goto Kenji , Kaneko Ayaka , Kawakita So , Kaneko Kazuo
Published: July 2020

Background: Postoperative evaluation of wrist joint trauma is divided into patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and clinician-reported outcomes (CROs). We investigated the association of the Q-DASH score as the postoperative PROs and the Mayo wrist score as the postoperative CROs with clinical evaluation in patients with distal radius fractures surgically treated using a volar locking plate (VLP). Moreover, whether PROs and CROs are correlated to the clinical evaluation was investigated.

Methods: The subjects were 109 patients surgically treated for distal radius fractures at our hospital between June 2013 and May 2017. Forty-one patients were male, 68 patients were female, and the mean age was 61.4 (19–86) years old. The fracture type was AO classification A type in 30 patients (A2: 25, A3: 5), B type in 5 (B2: 1, B3: 4), and C type in 74 (C1: 50, C2: 11, C3: 13). All patients were surgically treated using VLP. The range of motion of the wrist, grip strength the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Q-DASH score (PROs), and the Mayo wrist score (CROs) were investigated. Each evaluation was compared as the clinical outcome between at 3 months after surgery and the final follow-up. In addition, the correlations of the postoperative PROs and CROs with the clinical evaluation were analyzed.

Results: Each evaluation was significantly improved compared with that at 3 months after surgery. There was a significant correlation between PROs and CROs at 3 months after surgery and the final follow-up. However, the range of motion of the wrists was not significantly correlated with PROs or CROs at 3 months after surgery or at the final follow-up.

Conclusions: On evaluation after surgery for distal radius fractures, PROs and CROs improved early after surgery (3 months after surgery) before the final follow-up, and an inverse correlation was present between these scores.