bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flight and bounce of spinning sports balls
Authors: Mencke Jacob Emil , Salewski Mirko , Trinhammer Ole L. , Adler Andreas T.
Published: October 2020

Standard university or high-school physics teaching material on projectile motion is usually based on Newton's second law in vacuum, neglecting aerodynamics. We present a low-cost experiment for teaching projectile motion using the students' cell phones and sports equipment, which allows the students to test theory and numerical simulation against experimental data in the real world. For a shot put, theoretical predictions assuming projectile motion in vacuum agree with experimentally obtained trajectories in air to within a few centimeters. However, for a table tennis ball, vacuum trajectories can be almost three times as long as experimentally obtained trajectories. An equation of motion including the aerodynamic drag force has no analytic solution, but it is straightforward to integrate numerically for high-school or first-year university students. Accounting for aerodynamic drag substantially improves the match with experimental data for any ball. In a second experiment, balls are shot with spin resulting in curveball trajectories. Numerical simulations including the Magnus force can give accurate predictions of 3D curveball trajectories, both curving according to the normal and the inverse Magnus effect. Balls shot with topspin and backspin are also accurately modelled. Finally, we model the bounce of an arbitrarily spinning ball using linear and angular impulse-momentum theorems and coefficients of restitution in vertical and horizontal directions. We find agreement with experimental data to within centimeters.
A LEGOTM dynamic force “macroscope”
Authors: Taylor D. , Smaje H. , Moriarty P.
Published: October 2020

We describe the design, construction, and operation of a LEGOTM model of a dynamic force microscope, using magnetic forces as an analog of interatomic interactions. The macroscope provides key insights into the operating principles of frequency modulated non-contact atomic force microscopy—currently the scanning probe technique of choice for maximal (i.e., submolecular) spatial resolution—and is, therefore, particularly suited as a project or demonstration for nanoscience education at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.
The spatial structure of Phanerozoic marine animal diversity
Authors: Close R. A. , Benson R. B. J. , Saupe E. E. , Clapham M. E. , Butler R. J.
Published: October 2020

Across time, but also across space

Fossils, especially those from marine systems, have long been used to estimate changes in patterns of diversity over time. However, fossils are patchy in their occurrence, so such temporal estimates generally have not included variations due to space. Such a singular examination has the potential to simplify, or even misrepresent, patterns. Closeet al.used a spatially explicit approach to measure diversity changes in marine fossils across time and space. They found that, like modern systems, diversity varies considerably across space, with reefs increasing diversity levels. Accounting for this spatial-environmental variation will shed new light on the study of diversity over time.

Science, this issue p.420
Nuanced changes in insect abundance
Authors: Dornelas Maria , Daskalova Gergana N.
Published: October 2020

Trends in insect abundance vary across time, ecosystems, and continents
Achieving healthy human longevity: A global grand challenge
Authors: Dzau Victor J. , Finkelman Elizabeth M. , Balatbat Celynne A. , Verdin Eric M. , Pettigrew Roderic I.
Published: October 2020

With continued advances in science and technology, there is great potential to extend our healthspan as we age.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Green Microalga
Chlorella
sp. Strain BAC9706, Isolated from Lake Baikal, Russia
Authors: Petrushin Ivan S. , Belikov Sergei I. , Belykh Olga I. , Tikhonova Irina , Chernogor Lubov I.
Published: October 2020

Green algae of the phylum
Chlorophyta
are the most widespread autotrophic picoplankton in Lake Baikal (Russia). To expand our molecular biological knowledge of these microalgae and compare them in the future with an endosymbiotic strain, we present here the draft genome sequence of
Chlorella
sp. strain BAC9706.
Experiences of medical practitioners in the Australian Defence Force on live tissue trauma training
Authors: Mahoney Adam , Reade M C , Moffat M
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Care of battle casualties is a central role of military medical practitioners. Historically, certain trauma procedural skills have been learnt through live tissue training. However, faced with opposition from community members and academics, who argue equivalence of non-animal alternatives, this is now being phased out. This study explores Australian military medical practitioners’ experiences of and attitudes towards live tissue training.

Method

We performed a phenomenologically driven qualitative exploration of individuals’ experiences of live tissue trauma training. 32 medical officers volunteered for the study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 practitioners (60% Army, 20% Air Force, 20% Navy; 33% surgical, 53% critical care, 13% general practice). Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis, with key themes identified using manual and computer-assisted coding.

Results

Live tissue training was valued by military medical practitioners, particularly because of the realistic feel of tissues and physiological responsiveness to treatment. Learner-perceived value of live tissue training was higher for complex skills and those requiring delicate tissue handling. 100% of surgeons and critical care doctors regarded live tissue as the only suitable model for learning repair of penetrating cardiac injury. Live tissue training was felt to enhance self-efficacy, particularly for rarely applied skills. Though conscious of the social and ethical context of live tissue training, >90% of participants reported positive emotional responses to live tissue training.

Conclusion

In contrast to published research, live tissue training was thought by participants to possess characteristics that are not yet replicable using alternative learning aids. The experienced positive values of live tissue training should inform the decision to move towards non-animal alternatives.
Evaluation of a state law on opioid-prescribing behaviour and the void affecting codeine-containing antitussive syrup
Authors: Perry Warren M. , Agala Chris B. , Agala Erika M.
Published: October 2020

Background

Government opioid policies—such as the North Carolina Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act—have aided in lowering the days’ supply of opioid prescriptions. However, what effect do these laws have on codeine-containing antitussive syrup? We aimed to assess the effect of the North Carolina STOP Act on ED opioid prescriptions written for >5 days for acute pain/non-pain diagnoses and whether it had an effect on the prescribing of codeine-containing antitussive syrup.

Methods

A retrospective study of two emergency departments, with an average annual census of 70 000 and 22 000 patients, from January to August of 2017 and 2018. We applied logistic regression techniques to calculate the odds of an opioid prescription for >5 days. Opioid medication categories were formed to determine relational proportions. Two-tailed z-tests were used to test the difference in proportions.

Results

Our study included 5366 verifiable opioid prescriptions. The percentage of an opioid prescription for >5 days decreased by 3.3% (95% CI −1.8% to −4.7%, p<0.05) after the North Carolina STOP Act (9.8% to 6.5%; 95% CI 5.5% to 7.5%, p<0.05). There was no statistically significant change in the prescribing of codeine syrup for >5 days pre-STOP and post- STOP Act, respectively (91.5% and 90.4%; difference=−1.1%, p=0.83).

Conclusion

The North Carolina STOP Act was associated with a reduction in the overall percentage of opioid prescriptions for >5 days for acute pain/non-pain diagnoses. However, there was no statistically significant effect on the prescribing of codeine-containing antitussive syrup.
Late-onset riboflavin transporter deficiency: a treatable mimic of various motor neuropathy aetiologies
Authors: Carreau Christophe , Benoit Charline , Ahle Guido , Cauquil Cécile , Roubertie Agathe , Lenglet Timothée , Cosgrove Jeremy , Meunier Isabelle , Veauville-Merllié Alice , Acquaviva-Bourdain Cécile , Nadjar Yann
Published: October 2020

Objective

Riboflavin transporter deficiencies (RTDs), involving SLC52A3 and SLC52A2 genes, have recently been related to Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere (BVVL) syndrome, a hereditary paediatric condition associating motor neuropathy (MN) and deafness. BVVL/RTD has rarely been reported in adult patients, but is probably underdiagnosed due to poor knowledge and lack of awareness of this form of disease among neurologists. In this study, we aimed to investigate the phenotype and prognosis of RTD patients with late-onset MN.

Methods

We retrospectively collected clinical, biological and electrophysiological data from all French RTD patients with MN onset after 10 years of age (n=6) and extracted data from 19 other similar RTD patients from the literature.

Results

Adult RTD patients with MN had heterogeneous clinical presentations, potentially mimicking amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or distal hereditary motor neuropathy (56%), multinevritis with cranial nerve involvement (16%), Guillain-Barré syndrome (8%) and mixed motor and sensory neuronopathy syndromes (20%, only in SLC52A2 patients). Deafness was often diagnosed before MN (in 44%), but in some patients, onset began only with MN (16%). The pattern of weakness varied widely, and the classic pontobulbar palsy described in BVVL was not constant. Biochemical tests were often normal. The majority of patients improved under riboflavin supplementation (86%).

Interpretation

Whereas late-onset RTD may mimic different acquired or genetic causes of motor neuropathies, it is a diagnosis not to be missed since high-dose riboflavin per oral supplementation is often highly efficient.
Mesothelioma risk among those exposed to chrysotile asbestos only and mixtures that include amphibole: a case–control study in the USA, 1975–1980
Authors: Wong Jason Y Y , Rice Carol , Blair Aaron , Silverman Debra T
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Occupational asbestos exposure is causally linked to mesothelioma. However, whether exposure to only chrysotile asbestos is associated with mesothelioma risk, and the heterogeneity in risk by different fibre types/lengths remains unclear. We investigated whether mesothelioma risk differs among workers exposed to only chrysotile asbestos compared with chrysotile and ≥1 amphibole (ie, amosite, tremolite, anthophyllite and crocidolite) over the working lifetime.

Methods

We analysed next-of-kin interview data including occupational histories for 580 white men (176 cases and 404 controls) from a case–control study of mesothelioma conducted in the USA in 1975–1980. Asbestos exposure was determined by an occupational hygienist using a job-exposure matrix and exposure categories included chrysotile only and nine chrysotile–amphibole mixtures. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the ORs and 95% CIs of mesothelioma, comparing each asbestos category to the unexposed group, adjusted for age at death and data source. Analysis of contrasts was used to assess overall heterogeneity and pair-wise differences in risk.

Results

Exposure to long and short chrysotile only was associated with increased mesothelioma risk compared with the unexposed (OR=3.8 (95% CI 1.3 to 11.2)). The complex mixture of extra-long amosite, short and long chrysotile, tremolite and anthophyllite was associated with the highest risk (OR=12.8 (95% CI 4.1 to 40.2)). There was evidence for overall heterogeneity among the asbestos exposure categories (p heterogeneity=0.02). However, the lower risk observed for exposure to chrysotile only compared with the complex mixture was not significant (p difference=0.10).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that policies aimed at regulating asbestos should target both pure chrysotile and mixtures that include amphibole.
Decay widths of $$^3 P_J$$ charmonium to $$DD,DD^*,D^*D^*$$ and corresponding mass shifts of $$^3 P_J$$ charmonium
Authors: Cao Hui-Yun , Zhou Hai-Qing
Published: October 2020

In this work, we calculate the amplitudes of the processes$$c{{\bar{c}}}({^3P_J}) \rightarrow DD,DD^*, D^*D^* \rightarrow c\bar{c}({^3P_J})$$cc¯(3PJ)→DD,DD∗,D∗D∗→cc¯(3PJ)in the leading order of the nonrelativistic expansion. The imaginary parts of the amplitudes are corresponding to the branch decay widths of the charmonium$$c{{\bar{c}}}({^3P_J}) \rightarrow DD,DD^*, D^*D^*$$cc¯(3PJ)→DD,DD∗,D∗D∗and the real parts are corresponding to the mass shifts of the charmonium$$c{{\bar{c}}}({^3P_J})$$cc¯(3PJ)due to these decay channels. After absorbing the polynomial contributions which are pure real, the ratios between the branch decay widths and the corresponding mass shifts are only dependent on the center-of-mass energy. We find the decay widths and the mass shifts of the$$^3P_2$$3P2states are exact zero in the leading order. The ratios between the branch decay widths and the mass shifts for the$$^3P_0, {^3P_1}$$3P0,3P1states are larger than 5 when the center-of-mass energy is above the$$DD,DD^*, D^*D^*$$DD,DD∗,D∗D∗threshold. The dependence of the mass shifts on the center-of-mass energy is nontrivial especially when the center-of-mass energy is below the threshold. The analytic results can be extended to thebquark sector directly.
Strong coupling constants of doubly heavy baryons with vector mesons in QCD
Authors: Aliev T. M. , Şimşek K.
Published: October 2020

Using the most general form of the interpolating current for baryons, the strong electric and magnetic coupling constants of light vector mesons $$ \rho $$
ρ
and $$ K^* $$

K
∗

with doubly heavy baryons are computed within the light-cone sum rules. We consider 2- and 3-particle distribution amplitudes of the aforementioned vector mesons. The obtained results can be useful in the analysis of experimental data on the properties of doubly heavy baryons conducted at LHC.
High n-gram occurrence probability in baroque, classical and romantic melodies
Authors: Hernández-Fuentes Alejandro , del Castillo-Mussot M. , Hernández-Gómez Candelario
Published: October 2020

An [Formula: see text]-gram in music is defined as an ordered sequence of [Formula: see text] notes of a melodic sequence [Formula: see text]. [Formula: see text] is calculated as the average of the occurrence probability without self-matches of all [Formula: see text]-grams in [Formula: see text]. Then, [Formula: see text] is compared to the averages Shuff[Formula: see text] and Equip[Formula: see text], calculated from random sequences constructed with the same length and set of symbols in [Formula: see text] either by shuffling a given sequence or by distributing the set of symbols equiprobably. For all [Formula: see text], both [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and this differences increases with [Formula: see text] and the number of notes, which proves that notes in musical melodic sequences are chosen and arranged in very repetitive ways, in contrast to random music. For instance, for [Formula: see text] and for all analyzed genres we found that [Formula: see text], while [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. [Formula: see text] of baroque and classical genres are larger than the romantic genre one. [Formula: see text] vs [Formula: see text] is very well fitted to stretched exponentials for all songs. This simple method can be applied to any musical genre and generalized to polyphonic sequences.
ABMMRS Eradicator: Improving Accuracy in Recommending Move Methods for Web-based MVC Projects and Libraries Using Method’s External Dependencies
Authors: Dipongkor Atish Kumar , Ahmed Iftekhar , Islam Rayhanul , Nahar Nadia , Satter Abdus , Siddik Md. Saeed
Published: October 2020

Move Method Refactoring (MMR) is used to place highly coupled methods in appropriate classes for making source code more cohesive. Like other refactoring techniques, it is mandatory that applying MMR will preserve applications’ behaviors. However, traditional MMR techniques failed to meet this essential precondition for Action methods in web-based application and API methods in libraries projects. The reason is that applying MMR on these methods changes the behaviors of the projects by raising Application-breaking issues, for instance, failure of browser requests and compilation errors in client projects. To resolve this problem, developers are suggested to manually check Action and API methods while applying MMR. However, manually inspecting thousands of lines of code for these issues is a time-consuming and hectic task. In this paper, an advanced MMR technique is proposed which automatically identifies Application-breaking MMR suggestions. This technique first takes the initial move method suggestions from the existing prominent MMR techniques e.g. JDeodorant. For each of the suggestions, it parses the source code and construct Abstract Syntax Tree to examine two types of usage. One is whether a suggestion has not been used in any unit test and Regular Class, and another is whether the suggestion has been used in unit test classes only. If any MMR suggestion is found having one of these two types of usage or both, the respective suggestion is marked as Application-breaking. In order to evaluate the proposed technique, several experiments have been conducted on open source projects. The experimental results show that the proposed technique achieved 96.4% Precision, 90% Recall and 93.1% F-score in detecting Application-breaking MMR suggestions, because of considering external dependencies of the MMR suggestions.
New Therapeutics for Hepatitis B: The Road to Cure
Authors: Naggie Susanna , Lok Anna S.
Published: October 2020

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection impacts an estimated 257–291 million people globally. The current approach to treatment for chronic HBV infection is complex, reflecting a risk:benefit approach driven by the lack of an effective curative regimen. This complexity and the lack of a durable treatment response, necessitating indefinite treatment in the majority of cases, have resulted in low uptake of testing and treatment, particularly in regions where comprehensive primary care is lacking and access to affordable testing and treatment is limited. Multiple targeted therapies are now in early human study with the primary goal to achieve persistent HBV DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen suppression after a finite course of treatment, which is referred to as functional cure. This article summarizes the current therapies for HBV infection and discusses the limitations of these therapies, novel approaches to HBV cure, and therapeutic endpoints of clinical trials aimed to cure hepatitis B.
A Thermoelectric Temperature Control Module for a Portable Fluorescent Sensing Platform
Authors: Robertson Brianna I. , Shin Young-Ho , Choi Jin-Woo
Published: October 2020

Fluorescent portable monitoring systems provide real-time and on-site analysis of a sample solution, avoiding transportation delays and solution degradation. However, some applications, such as environmental monitoring of bodies of water with algae pollution, rely on the temperature control that off-site systems provide for adequate solution results. The goal of this research is the development of a temperature stabilization module for a portable fluorescent sensing platform, which is necessary to prevent inaccurate results. Using a Peltier device-based system, the module heats/cools a solution through digital-to-analog control of the current, using three surface-mounted temperature modules attached to a copper cuvette holder, which is directly attached to the Peltier device. This system utilizes an in-house algorithm for control, which effectively minimizes temperature overshooting when a change is enacted. Finally, with the use of a sample fluorescent dye, Rhodamine B, the system’s controllability is highlighted through the monitoring of Rhodamine B’s fluorescence emission decrease as the solution temperature increases.
Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Herbal Formula Granules in Treating Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3: A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled, Double‐Blind Clinical Trial
Authors: Zhao Jing , Sun Wei , Chen Jihong , Sun Zhuxing , Chen Dai , Cao Chunhua , Yang Min , Ma Jipei , Wang Ling , Xing Changying , Chen Yan , Sheng Meixiao , Zhou Enchao , Xu Lingdong , Gao Kun , Liu Lihua , Liu Qiong , Yi Lan , He Weiming , Zhu Yuanyuan
Published: October 2020

Background. It is generally considered that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy postpones the progression of some chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Chinese medicine herbs are widely applied in TCM therapy. We aimed to evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal formula granules in patients with CKD stage 3 through a prospective randomized controlled study. Methods. A total of 343 participants with CKD stage 3 were recruited from 9 hospitals in Jiangsu Province between April 2014 and October 2016. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. Patients in the treatment group orally took Chinese herbal formula granules twice a day, while controls received placebo granules. The duration of intervention was 24 weeks. Primary outcomes were 24‐hour proteinuria, serum creatinine, and eGFR, which were measured every 4 weeks. Results. There was no statistical difference in 24‐hour proteinuria between the two groups (0.97 ± 1.14 g/d vs. 0.97 ± 1.25 g/d). Patients in the treatment group had significantly lower serum creatinine level (130.78 ± 32.55 μmol/L versus 149.12 ± 41.27 μmol/L) and significantly higher eGFR level (55.74 ± 50.82 ml/min/1.73·m2 versus 44.46 ± 12.60 ml/min/1.73·m2) than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups in the incidence of adverse events. Conclusion. The treatment adopting Chinese herbal formula granules for 24 weeks improved kidney function of patients with CKD stage 3.
An Assessment of Usual Salt Intake among Older Normotensive Adults in Atonsu, a Suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana
Authors: Safianu Rufai , Plange-Rhule Jacob
Published: October 2020

Background. Globally, sodium intake has been found to be far above the normal level required by the body. Within countries, variations in salt intake exist between rural communities and urban communities. Experimental and epidemiological studies as well as studies involving clinical trials show the existence of adverse effect of salt consumption on the blood pressure of adults. The study evaluated salt intake among older normotensive adults in Atonsu, a suburb of Kumasi in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Methods. Participants were randomly selected from five churches which constituted cluster samples. A questionnaire was administered to participants for demographic information and dietary and lifestyle assessments. The study targeted 100 participants, twenty from each of the five churches. Eighty-two individuals gave their informed consent. Out of the 82 who gave their informed consent, 15 withdrew and 67 completed the course. The 67 participants comprised 36 (53.7%) men and 31 (46.3%) women. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI, urinary sodium, urinary potassium, serum creatinine, serum sodium, and serum potassium concentrations were also measured. Results. Participants’ mean age was 52.3 ± 8.7 years. Participants had 24 hr urinary sodium excretion of 153.0 ± 26.9 mmol/day. All participants indicated that they consume foods high in salt even though none of them added salt to their diet at table. Mean 24 hr urinary potassium was 52.5 ± 12.9 mmol/day. Mean systolic blood pressure was 119.9 ± 10.8 mmHg and mean diastolic blood pressure was 72.5 ± 7.3 mmHg. Their mean BMI was 23.7 ± 3.5 kg/m2. Conclusion. The participants who can be described as quite old and normotensive were high salt consumers, indicated by their dietary assessment and urinary sodium excretion, even though they had normal blood pressure.
Cause Analysis and Prevention of Hole Collapse by Water Injection and Dust Removal in Qi Panjing Coal Mine
Authors: Guo Hua , Wang Hai-Qiao , Chen Shi-Qiang , Wu Zhi-Rong
Published: October 2020

To solve the “special coal seam” with complex coal seam structure, fault phenomenon, and many gangue layers and complex gangue lithology in Qi Panjing coal mine, the problems such as hole collapse and blockage of coal seam water injection dust removal drilling are caused. From the aspects of drilling layout, drilling technology, and gangue material consolidation, a complete set of key technologies for prevention and control of water injection and dust removal in “special coal seam,” have been formed. Seven boreholes have been drilled in I020902 return air roadway of Qi Panjing coal mine, and field comparative test has been carried out. The results show that: after adopting the complete set of key technologies of drilling prevention and control, the drilling depth is 85-100 m, the average depth is 98 m, and the drilling depth of coal seam water injection can reach 170-185 m; the footage per cycle is greatly improved, with the minimum increase of 30.86%, the maximum increase of 46.38%, and the average increase of 36.77%, to save drilling time and bring good economic benefits, and there is no collapse in the borehole hole, to ensure the safety of production. It has a good reference, and practical guiding significance for other coal mining faces, especially for “special coal seam” working face.
Gradenigo’s Syndrome and Bacterial Meningitis in a Patient with a Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granuloma
Authors: Hodges Jacqueline , Matsumoto Julie , Jaeger Nicholas , Wispelwey Brian
Published: October 2020

Gradenigo’s syndrome (GS) classically involves a triad of ear pain due to acute or chronic otitis media (OM), facial or retro-orbital pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve, and an abducens nerve palsy. The simultaneous presentation of all three components has become less common in cases of GS reported in the literature, particularly in the era of antibiotics effective against typical organisms attributed to OM and petrous apicitis. In addition to infectious petrous apicitis arising directly from OM, more recent cases of GS are attributed to the compression of the same traversing cranial nerves in the presence of various expansile petrous apex (PA) lesions, both benign and malignant. We report a case of a 24-year-old male who presented initially with nausea, fever, photophobia, left-sided retro-orbital pain, and headache. He was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis by lumbar puncture and treated with empiric antibiotics, with CSF eventually revealing nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Several days into his course, he developed diplopia with leftward gaze. Brain imaging revealed an expansile, erosive PA cholesterol granuloma with associated contiguous dural and leptomeningeal enhancement. The patient improved with antibiotics and eventually underwent surgical intervention. This atypical presentation of GS with a rare complication of meningitis in the setting of a PA granuloma demonstrates the importance of early recognition of this syndrome, as well as consideration of added surgical intervention in patients with pre-existing petrous lesions at potentially higher risk of dangerous complications of GS.
Iterative Sensor Clustering and Mobile Sink Trajectory Optimization for Wireless Sensor Network with Nonuniform Density
Authors: Park Joohan , Kim Soohyeong , Youn Jiseung , Ahn Seyoung , Cho Sunghyun
Published: October 2020

Sensor clustering and trajectory optimization are a hot topic for last decade to improve energy efficiency of wireless sensor network (WSN). Most of existing studies assume that the sensor is uniformly deployed or all regions in the WSN coverage have the same level of interest. However, even in the same WSN, areas with high probability of disaster will have to form a “hotspot” with more sensors densely placed in order to be sensitive to environmental changes. The energy hole can be serious if sensor clustering and trajectory optimization are formulated without considering the hotspot. Therefore, we need to devise a sensor clustering and trajectory optimization algorithm considering the hotspots of WSN. In this paper, we propose an iterative algorithm to minimize the amount of energy consumed by components of WSN named ISCTO. The ISCTO algorithm consists of two phases. The first phase is a sensor clustering phase used to find the suitable number of clusters and cluster headers by considering the density of sensor and residual battery of sensors. The second phase is a trajectory optimization phase used to formulate suitable trajectory of multiple mobile sinks to minimize the amount of energy consumed by mobile sinks. The ISCTO algorithm performs two phases repeatedly until the amount of energy consumed by the WSN is not reduced. In addition, we show the performance of the proposed algorithm in terms of the total amount of energy consumed by sensors and mobile sinks.
PP-VCA: A Privacy-Preserving and Verifiable Combinatorial Auction Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Mingwu , Zhou Bingruolan
Published: October 2020

Combinatorial auctions can be employed in the fields such as spectrum auction, network routing, railroad segment, and energy auction, which allow multiple goods to be sold simultaneously and any combination of goods to be bid and the maximum sum of combinations of bidding prices to be calculated. However, in traditional combinatorial auction mechanisms, data concerning bidders’ price and bundle might reveal sensitive information, such as personal preference and competitive relation since the winner determination problem needs to be resolved in terms of sensitive data as above. In order to solve this issue, this paper exploits a privacy-preserving and verifiable combinatorial auction protocol (PP-VCA) to protect bidders’ privacy and ensure the correct auction price in a secure manner, in which we design a one-way and monotonically increasing function to protect a bidder’s bid to enable the auctioneer to pick out the largest bid without revealing any information about bids. Moreover, we design and employ three subprotocols, namely, privacy-preserving winner determination protocol, privacy-preserving scalar protocol, and privacy-preserving verifiable payment determination protocol, to implement the combinatorial auction with bidder privacy and payment verifiability. The results of comprehensive experimental evaluations indicate that our proposed scheme provides a better efficiency and flexibility to meet different types of data volume in terms of the number of goods and bidders.
Outcomes of Children and Adolescents Admitted with Diabetic Ketoacidosis at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenya
Authors: Musoma Sophie Nyaombe , Omar Anjumanara , Mutai Beatrice Chepngeno , Laigong Paul
Published: October 2020

Background. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, major, life-threatening complication that mainly occurs in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and is the foremost cause of death in these children. Overall mortality in children with DKA varies from 3.4% to 13.4% in developing countries. There is a need to understand outcomes among children with DKA in sub-Saharan African countries. Objective. To determine the death rate and clinical outcomes of children and adolescents aged 0-18 years managed for DKA at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Study Methods. This was a retrospective study carried out among children aged 0–18 years admitted with DKA at KNH between February 2013 and February 2018. The study site was the central records department at KNH. The inclusion criteria were children aged 0-18 years admitted with a diagnosis of DKA based on the ISPAD guidelines biochemical criteria. Results. Out of the 159 files reviewed, the median age of children was 13 years (IQR 10-15). 41.1% of patients had severe DKA while 35.7% had moderate DKA. We reported a mortality of 6.9% while 93.1% of children recovered and were discharged home. The median duration of hospital stay was 8 days. High risk of mortality was reported among children who had high serum creatinine (OR 5.8 (95% CI 1.6-21.2)), decreased urine output (OR 9.0 (95% CI 2.2-37.3)), and altered level of consciousness (OR 5.2 (95% CI 1.1-25.1)). Conclusion. DKA-associated mortality in our study was low at 6.9%. High serum creatinine, decreased urine output, and altered level of consciousness were associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality.
A Rare Case of Diffuse Subependymal Periventricular Metastases from Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Trinh Cong Thao , Nguyen Thanh Tam Thi , Van Hoang Anh Thi , Hoang Van Trung
Published: October 2020

Small cell lung cancer, whose essence is neuroendocrine tumors, makes up proximately 14–20% of all lung cancer circumstances. Compared to non-small cell lung cancer, its clinical manifestation seems more positive and has a tendency to disseminate earlier in the process of its natural past. About 10% of patients present with brain metastases at the time of provisional diagnosis and sometimes all along the course of their disease, there will be 40–50% of developed brain metastases in addition. Although metastases in the brain parenchyma are often found in patients with advanced lung cancer, periventricular metastases are rare. We report one case of diffuse subependymal periventricular metastases from small cell carcinoma of the lung.
Comparison of Quality of Life among Patients with Oro-Hypopharyngeal Cancer after Tonsillectomy and Panscopy Using Transoral Robotic Surgery: A Pilot Study
Authors: Salehi Amir M. , Norberg-Spaak Lena , Wilms Torben , Vallin Simon , Boldrup Linda , Sgaramella Nicola , Majlesi Morad , Nezafat Shahram , Nylander Karin
Published: October 2020

Studies have shown lower treatment-related morbidity when using transoral robotic surgery (TORS) compared to conventional surgery. Patients investigated for oro- and hypopharyngeal cancer (T1, T2) were compared concerning quality of life (QoL) after tonsillectomy and TORS using validated QoL questionnaires: QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35. The patients treated with TORS showed a higher pain score and thus also a higher need for painkillers, whereas they had lower values on self-assessment of anxiety/depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score. The pre- and postoperative information given did not meet the expectations of the patients treated with conventional surgery. The present data show advantages of the TORS technique from the patients’ perspective. Even if patients treated with TORS are in need of more painkilling treatment, they cope better with the long-term effects of treatment, as judged by self-assessment of anxiety and depression.
Changing Paradigms: Islam and Muslims in Spain
Authors: Mijares Laura
Published: October 2020

Based on a selection of four recent publications, this article addresses the question of Islam and Muslims in Spanish society within the framework of the peripheral position of Spanish Orientalism. These publications discuss Islam in Spain from perspectives that differ in objectives and methodology. The first book, by anthropologist Josep Lluís Mateo Dieste deals with the image of “the Moorish” over the course of Spanish history. The second, written by sociologist Salvatore Madonia is representative of a new line of research specifically interested in young Muslims in Spanish societies. The third publication, by anthropologist Jordi Moreras focuses on “radicalisation” as a new trend to study Muslim populations. The last volume, coordinated by arabist Luz Gómez-García, includes a significant number of articles, which analyze the relationship between the legitimacy and authority of Islam from a transnational perspective.
Orthodox Churches and the ‘Othering’ of Islam and Muslims in Today’s Balkans
Authors: Račius Egdūnas
Published: October 2020

The article focuses on the relation between the socio-legal status of national Orthodox Churches and their role in the legal, institutional and social ‘othering’ of Islam and ethnic groups of Muslims in three Balkans countries, namely, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Serbia. The research reveals that the state-pursued construction of national identity and politics of belonging are expressly permeated by ethno-confessional nationalism, which is at the core of the deep-running tensions between the dominant ethnic group and the marginalized Muslims. There is an alliance between the political and the Church elites to keep ethnic groups of Muslim background either altogether outside the ‘national Us’ or at least at its outer margins.
Integration, Enlightenment or Rights?
Authors: Flyvholm Anne-Mai
Published: October 2020

This article examines how Danish Muslim organisations ascribe meaning to hate crimes against Muslims in Denmark. The study is a maximum variation case study of three Muslim organisations. Drawing on intersectional theory, organisations were included that vary on identity markers. While there are great similarities in how the organisations define hate crime, the article argues that they articulate the concept as part of very different socio-political contexts. This suggests that while the organisations in general agree on what hate crime is, the organisations’ intersectional identities affect which socio-political contexts they articulate as relevant in relation to hate crime.
Geodesic Distance as Metric of Cross-Group Networks in Migration History
Authors: Langrognet Fabrice
Published: October 2020

This article is based on a longitudinal study of migrants living in a tenement block of the Paris area during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It argues that the geodesic distance between spouses’ and witnesses’ exact birthplaces, which are easier to retrieve than ever before, is a valuable metric for a quantitative analysis of marriages and friendships, with a view to assessing the salience of ethnicity. In that particular case, the analysis results in a general exogamy increase over time, which only partially corresponds to a greater demographic diversity. It also suggests that if and when identifications based on origin were given relevance in people’s affinities, local solidarity was generally more operative than a broadly conceived ethnicity. However, differences emerge between various groups of inhabitants. When looking out of their micro-community, only the Spanish occupants seemed inclined to choose a spouse or a witness among their fellow nationals over someone from another origin entirely.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and VEGF-A165b are associated with time to remission of granulomatosis with polyangiitis in a nationwide Japanese prospective cohort study
Authors: Kikuchi Ryosuke , Tsuboi Naotake , Sada Ken-Ei , Nakatochi Masahiro , Yokoe Yuki , Suzuki Atsuo , Maruyama Shoichi , Murohara Toyoaki , Matsushita Tadashi ,   Research Committee of Intractable Vasculitis Syndrome and Research Committee of Intractable Renal Disease of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, Amano Koichi , Atsumi Tatsuya , Takasaki Yoshinari , Ito Satoshi , Hasegawa Hitoshi , Dobashi Hiroaki , Ito Takafumi , Makino Hirofumi , Matsuo Seiichi
Published: October 2020

Background

Effective prognostic markers are needed for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). This study evaluated the clinical associations of serum vascular endothelial growth factor-A (sVEGF-A) and sVEGF-A165b (an antiangiogenic isoform of VEGF-A) concentrations with time to remission of AAV in a nationwide Japanese prospective follow-up cohort.

Methods

We collected samples from patients with AAV who were enrolled in the nationwide Japanese cohort study (RemIT-JAV-RPGN). We measured sVEGF-A and sVEGF-A165b concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 57 serum samples collected 6 months before and after initiation of AAV treatment. Patients were classified based on AAV disease subtypes: microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

Results

Results revealed significant reductions in sVEGF-A and sVEGF-A165b concentrations in patients with microscopic polyangiitis and EGPA, respectively. However, despite the comparable concentrations of sVEGF-A and sVEGF-A165b during the 6 months of treatment in granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients, correlation analysis revealed that the differences in log2-transformed concentrations of sVEGF-A and sVEGF-A165b were inversely correlated with time to remission in granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients.

Conclusion

These results suggest that sVEGF-A and -A165b can serve as potential markers of time to remission in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
A Severe Case of Idiosyncratic Hepatotoxicity with Unfractionated Heparin
Authors: Haney Jason Samuel , Carter Cassandra Tatum , Downey Jacklyn , Ilic Romina
Published: October 2020

The authors describe a case of clinically apparent idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity in association with unfractionated heparin (UFH). A 52-year-old woman with increasingly symptomatic rheumatic mitral valvular disease and severe pulmonary hypertension underwent elective minimally-invasive bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement. The patient received 42 000 units of UFH intraoperatively 10 days after receiving 3100 units during a left heart catheterization. Standard prophylactic doses of unfractionated heparin were started on POD 2 for prevention of venous thromboembolism. On the evening of postoperative day (POD) 3, the patient was lethargic, encephalopathic, and hypoglycemic with an acute liver injury and hyperlactatemia. Similar events occurred on POD 7 after clinical improvement from the initial injury and an unintentional rechallenge with UFH. Heparins are usually not suspected of idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity due to their widespread utilization and reports of milder episodes of hepatotoxicity. This case highlights the need to consider UFH in the differential of drug-induced liver injury, including severe cases.
Path planning for automated guided vehicle systems with time constraints using timed Petri nets
Authors: He Zhou , Dong Yuying , Ren Gongchang , Gu Chan , Li Zhiwu
Published: October 2020

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are extensively used in many applications such as intelligent transportation, logistics, and industrial factories. In this paper, we address the path planning problem for an AGV system (i.e. a team of identical AGVs) with logic and time constraints using Petri nets. We propose a method to model an AGV system and its static environment by timed Petri nets. Combining the structural characteristics of Petri nets and integer linear programming technique, a path planning method is developed to ensure that all task regions are visited by AGVs in time and forbidden regions are always avoided. Finally, simulation studies are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed path planning methodology.
A novel flexible two-step method for eye-to-hand calibration for robot assembly system
Authors: Cui Haihua , Sun Ruichao , Fang Zhou , Lou Huacheng , Tian Wei , Liao Wenhe
Published: October 2020

In the visual robot system, the calibration of the hand-eye system is very important, which has a great influence on the positioning accuracy of the robot. Traditional methods are either complicated or require advanced external equipment. This paper proposes a new flexible method for hand-eye calibration, which is simple and flexible. Firstly, the robot carries the target to perform two transformation motions to solve the rotation relationship, and then the robot tool coordinate system performs several rotation motions to solve the transformation relationship. The paper provides empirical insights about how the robot hand-eye system is calibrated by controlling the robot to perform the specified motion without expensive and complicated 3D measurement equipment. The experiment and analysis indicate that the developed hand-eye calibration has high precision in 6-DOF industrial robot assembly application.
Co-ordinated and real time voltage control of DSTS-biomass based isolated hybrid power system using Grey Wolf optimization
Authors: Mynavathi M , Devi Shree J , Saranya K
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes a co-ordinated reactive power control strategy analysis in Line Side Converter (LSC) of Doubly Fed induction generator (DFIG) and in the Automatic voltage regulator (AVR) of synchronous generator (SG) in isolated Dish Stirling solar Thermal(DSTS) – Biomass hybrid power system. This co-ordinated control strategy greatly maintains the autonomous hybrid power system voltage deviation by adjusting the reactive power imbalance caused due to the impulsive reactive power nature of DFIG coupled with the DSTS and load. Gain values of Integral Order Proportional Integral (IO-PI) controller in LSC and AVR are optimized to maintain the system voltage stability. Modern and simple Grey wolf optimization algorithm has been used to extract the superior PI gain values to maintain system stability with less reaction time. The proposed co-ordinated control strategy has been tested with various load disturbance and with dynamic input power feed from DSTS to validate the system robustness. Also, the optimized gain value based voltage deviation values are validated in real time with dSPACE.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Loneliness Among National Samples of In-School Adolescents in Four Caribbean Countries
Authors: Pengpid Supa , Peltzer Karl
Published: October 2020

Background

The goal of the study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of loneliness among adolescent school children in four Caribbean countries.

Methods

Nationally representative cross-sectional data were analysed from 9,143 adolescents (15 years=median age) that took part in the “2016 Dominican Republic, 2016 Suriname, 2017 Jamaica and 2017 Trinidad and Tobago “Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS).”

Results

The prevalence of loneliness was 15.3% in four Caribbean countries, ranging from 12.1% in Dominican Republic to 18.6% in Jamaica. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, female sex, having no close friends, older age, anxiety induced sleep disturbance, frequent bullying victimization (≥3 days/month), having been physically attacked, parental emotional neglect, having sustained multiple serious injuries (past year) and not eating fruit and vegetables were associated with loneliness. In addition, in sex stratified adjusted logistic regression analysis, among boys, daily exposure to passive smoking, and being from Suriname, and among girls, frequent experience of hunger, low peer support, trouble from drinking alcohol and high leisure-time sedentary behaviour (≥8 hrs/day) were associated with loneliness. Moreover, in addition to above results, in unadjusted analysis, involvement in physical fight, parents never check on homework, parental disrespect of privacy, frequent school truancy (≥3 days/month), current tobacco use, having no physical education and drinking frequently soft drinks (≥3/day) were associated with loneliness.

Conclusion

Almost one in six students reported loneliness and several associated factors were identified which can aid intervention strategies.