bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exact upper bound for sorting Rn with LE
Authors: Kuppili Sai Satwik , Chitturi Bhadrachalam
Published: February 2020

A permutation over alphabet [Formula: see text] is a sequence over [Formula: see text], where every element occurs exactly once. [Formula: see text] denotes symmetric group defined over [Formula: see text]. [Formula: see text] denotes the Identity permutation. [Formula: see text] is the reverse permutation i.e., [Formula: see text]. An operation, that we call as an LE operation, has been defined which consists of exactly two generators: set-rotate that we call Rotate and pair-exchange that we call Exchange (OEIS). At least two generators are the required to generate [Formula: see text]. Rotate rotates all elements to the left (moves leftmost element to the right end) and Exchange is the pair-wise exchange of the two leftmost elements. The optimum number of moves for transforming [Formula: see text] into [Formula: see text] with LE operation are known for [Formula: see text]; as listed in OEIS with identity A048200. However, no general upper bound is known. The contributions of this article are: (a) a novel upper bound for the number of moves required to sort [Formula: see text] with LE has been derived; (b) the optimum number of moves to sort the next larger [Formula: see text] i.e., [Formula: see text] has been computed; (c) an algorithm conjectured to compute the optimum number of moves to sort a given [Formula: see text] has been designed.
Responsibility, what's appropriate?
Authors: Blumenthal Richard
Published: February 2020

"Thus SIGCAS was born amidst controversy... And the work of the SIG, if done correctly, will undoubtedly invite controversy."
1

Whether intentional, Mark Zuckerberg's, Chief Executive Officer of Facebook, position on free expression and Internet platforms has undoubtedly invited controversy. As Mr. Zuckerberg is a recognized leading computing professional, I applaud him for taking a stand and "addressing concerns and raising awareness about the ethical and society impact of computers", which is the defined scope of SIGCAS' specialty [2]. As Editor-in-Chief, it is my honor to extend Mr. Zuckerberg an invitation to engage the SIGCAS community by contributing to
Computers and Society
, especially as our membership raises any concerns on his position. I understand Facebook is a commercial entity, but together "all people are stakeholders in computing" [1].
Contributing mechanisms underlying desensitization of cholecystokinin-induced activation of primary nodose ganglia neurons
Authors: Kowalski Cody W. , Lindberg Jonathan E. M. , Fowler Daniel K. , Simasko Steven M. , Peters James H.
Published: February 2020

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a gut-derived peptide that potently promotes satiety and facilitates gastric function in part by activating G protein-coupled CCK1 receptors on primary vagal afferent neurons. CCK signaling is dynamic and rapidly desensitizes, due to decreases in either receptor function and the resulting signal cascade, ion channel effectors, or both. Here we report a decay-time analytical approach using fluorescent calcium imaging that relates peak and steady-state calcium responses in dissociated vagal afferent neurons, enabling discrimination between receptor and ion channel effector functions. We found desensitization of CCK-induced activation was predictable, consistent across cells, and strongly concentration dependent. The decay-time constant (tau) was inversely proportional to CCK concentration, apparently reflecting the extent of receptor activation. To test this possibility, we directly manipulated the ion channel effector(s) with either decreased bath calcium or the broad-spectrum pore blocker ruthenium red. Conductance inhibition diminished the magnitude of the CCK responses without altering decay kinetics, confirming changes in tau reflect changes in receptor function selectively. Next, we investigated the contributions of the PKC and PKA signaling cascades on the magnitude and decay-time constants of CCK calcium responses. While inhibition of either PKC or PKA increased CCK calcium response magnitude, only general PKC inhibition significantly decreased the decay-time constant. These findings suggest that PKC alters CCK receptor signaling dynamics, while PKA alters the ion channel effector of the CCK response. This analytical approach should prove useful in understanding receptor/effector changes underlying acute desensitization of G-protein coupled signaling and provide insight into CCK receptor dynamics.
Silencing of ELK3 Induces S‐M Phase Arrest and Apoptosis and Upregulates SERPINE1 Expression Reducing Migration in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Mao Yuanshen , Li Wenfeng , Hua Bao , Gu Xin , Pan Weixin , Chen Qi , Xu Bin , Wang Zhong , Lu Chao
Published: February 2020

ELK3, an ETS domain‐containing transcription factor, participates in various physiological and pathological processes including cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and malignant progression. However, the role of ELK3 in prostate cancer cells and its mechanism are not fully understood. The contribution of ELK3 to prostate cancer progression was investigated in the present study. We showed that silencing of ELK3 by siRNA in prostate cancer cell DU145 induced S‐M phase arrest, promoted apoptosis, inhibited cell proliferation and migration in vitro, and suppressed xenograft growth in mice in vivo. In accordance with its ability to arrest cells in S‐M phase, the expression of cyclin A and cyclin B was downregulated. In addition, the expression of p53 was upregulated following ELK3 knockdown, while that of antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 was decreased. The migration inhibition may partly due to upregulation of SERPINE1 (a serine protease inhibitor) followed ELK3 knockdown. Consistently, downregulation of SERPINE1 resulted in a modest elimination of migration inhibition resulted from ELK3 knockdown. Furthermore, we found that the AKT signaling was activated in ELK3 knockdown cells, and treatment these cells with AKT inhibitor attenuated SERPINE1 expression induced by ELK3 silencing, suggesting that activation of AKT pathway may be one of the reasons for upregulation of SERPINE1 after ELK3 knockdown. In conclusion, modulation of ELK3 expression may control the progression of prostate cancer partly by regulating cell growth, apoptosis, and migration.
Porcupine Inhibitor LGK974 Downregulates the Wnt Signaling Pathway and Inhibits Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Li Jianyi , Wu Guangzhen , Xu Yingkun , Li Jiatong , Ruan Ningke , Chen Yougen , Zhang Qi , Xia Qinghua
Published: February 2020

Targeted therapy for kidney cancer has achieved significant clinical results. However, because most patients who use targeted therapy will develop drug resistance, we still need to constantly explore new therapeutic targets. Although porcupine (PORCN) as a palmitoyltransferase plays a crucial role in the activation and secretion of Wnt proteins and affects the activity of the Wnt signaling pathway, little is known about the role of PORCN in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). We found that PORCN is highly expressed in renal cancer cell lines and patients with renal cell carcinoma with high expression of PORCN have a poor prognosis. Pathway analysis of PORCN and its related proteins showed that PORCN played a role through the Wnt signaling pathway, and there was a strong coexpression relationship between PORCN and Wnt proteins. Therefore, PORCN may be a potential and effective target for ccRCC. In the present study, we found that LGK974 could inhibit proliferation and colony formation and induce apoptosis in ccRCC cells. We also found that LGK974 could inhibit the migration and invasion of renal cell carcinoma and reduce the expression of mesenchymal markers. After treatment with LGK974, the expression level of β‐catenin, a key protein in the classical Wnt pathway, was significantly decreased, and the expression levels of the target genes cyclin D1, c‐Myc, MMP9, and MMP2 in the Wnt signaling pathway were also significantly decreased, which represented a significant decrease in the activity of the Wnt signaling pathway. At the same time, the cycle of renal cancer cells was significantly blocked. In conclusion, our results indicate that LGK974 could significantly inhibit the progression of renal cancer cells in a safe concentration range, so PORCN may be a safe and effective target for patients with renal cancer.
Experimental Investigation of the Continuous Transition of Flame-Spreading near the Blow-Off Limit
Authors: Komizu K. , Saito Y. , Tsuji A. , Nagata H.
Published: February 2020

This study investigates the continuous transition from flame-spreading to stabilized combustion near the blow-off limit in opposed forced flow by using expanding solid fuel duct that makes distribution of oxidizer velocity in the axial direction. The stabilized combustion is a diffusion flame that appears in the Axial-Injection End-Burning Hybrid Rocket. The boundary between flame-spreading and stabilized combustion has not been investigated in detail. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) rectangular ducts were used as a fuel, and gaseous oxygen was used as an oxidizer. All firing tests were conducted at atmospheric pressure. The diffusion flame traveled in the opposed-flow field where the oxidizer velocity increases continuously in the upstream direction. The combustion mode changed when oxidizer velocity at the flame tip exceeded a certain value. The oxidizer velocity used in this experiment ranges from 0.6 to 32.8 m/s. Experimental results show that a threshold oxidizer velocity of the transition can be determined. In this study, the threshold velocity was 26.4 m/s.
Comparative Analysis of Travel Patterns from Cellular Network Data and an Urban Travel Demand Model
Authors: Breyer Nils , Rydergren Clas , Gundlegård David
Published: February 2020

Data on travel patterns and travel demand are an important input to today’s traffic models used for traffic planning. Traditionally, travel demand is modelled using census data, travel surveys, and traffic counts. Problems arise from the fact that the sample sizes are rather limited and that they are expensive to collect and update the data. Cellular network data are a promising large-scale data source to obtain a better understanding of human mobility. To infer travel demand, we propose a method that starts by extracting trips from cellular network data. To find out which types of trips can be extracted, we use a small-scale cellular network dataset collected from 20 mobile phones together with GPS tracks collected on the same device. Using a large-scale dataset of cellular network data from a Swedish operator for the municipality of Norrköping, we compare the travel demand inferred from cellular network data to the municipality’s existing urban travel demand model as well as public transit tap-ins. The results for the small-scale dataset show that, with the proposed trip extraction methods, the recall (trip detection rate) is about 50% for short trips of 1-2 km, while it is 75–80% for trips of more than 5 km. Similarly, the recall also differs by a travel mode with more than 80% for public transit, 74% for car, but only 53% for bicycle and walking. After aggregating trips into an origin-destination matrix, the correlation is weak (R2<0.2) using the original zoning used in the travel demand model with 189 zones, while it is significant with R2=0.82 when aggregating to 24 zones. We find that the choice of the trip extraction method is crucial for the travel demand estimation as we find systematic differences in the resulting travel demand matrices using two different methods.
Adaptive Control Design for Arneodo Chaotic System with Uncertain Parameters and Input Saturation
Authors: Cheng Chunhua , Gao Fengjuan , Xu Jingshuo , Wang Yuanxin , Yuan Tao
Published: February 2020

In this paper, tracking controller and synchronization controller of the Arneodo chaotic system with uncertain parameters and input saturation are considered. An adaptive tracking control law and an adaptive synchronization control law are proposed based on backstepping and Lyapunov stability theory. The adaptive laws of the unknown parameters are derived by using the Lyapunov stability theory. To handle the effect caused by the input saturation, an auxiliary system is used to compensate the tracking error and synchronization error. The proposed adaptive tracking control and synchronization schemes ensure the effects of tracking and synchronization. Several examples have been detailed to illuminate the design procedure.
Effects of Video-Game Based Therapy on Balance, Postural Control, Functionality, and Quality of Life of Patients with Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Cano-Mañas María José , Collado-Vázquez Susana , Rodríguez Hernández Javier , Muñoz Villena Antonio Jesús , Cano-de-la-Cuerda Roberto
Published: February 2020

Purpose. To determine the effects of a structured protocol using commercial video games on balance, postural control, functionality, quality of life, and level of motivation in patients with subacute stroke. Methods. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. A control group (n = 25) received eight weeks of conventional rehabilitation consisting of five weekly sessions based on an approach for task-oriented motor training. The experimental group (n = 23) received conventional rehabilitation + video-game based therapy for eight weeks with commercial video games using the Xbox 360° video games console and the Kinect® device with the same total treatment time for both groups. The Modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index, Tinetti scale, Functional Reach test, Get Up and Go test, Baropodometry, EuroQoL 5D (EQ-5D), satisfaction, adherence, and motivation were used as outcome measures. Results. In the between-group comparison, statistically significant differences were observed in the Modified Rankin scores (p<0.01), the Barthel Index (p=0.05), the Tinetti gait assessment (p=0.02), the Functional Reach test (p<0.01), the Get Up and Go test (p=0.05), the pain/discomfort dimension (p<0.01), and anxiety/depression dimension (p<0.01) of the EQ-5D and the VAS (visual analog scale) (p<0.01) on the perceived health status based on the EQ-5D questionnaire. Regarding the scale of motivation, self-esteem, and adherence, statistically significant differences were achieved in motivation (p<0.01), self-esteem (p<0.01), and adherence (p<0.01) variables. Conclusion. A protocol of semi-immersive video-game based therapy, combined with conventional therapy, may be effective for improving balance, functionality, quality of life, and motivation in patients with subacute stroke. This trial is registered with NCT03528395.
Human Uterine Decidual NK Cells in Women with a History of Early Pregnancy Enhance Angiogenesis and Trophoblast Invasion
Authors: Jia Ningyi , Li Jian
Published: February 2020

Objective. The present study aimed to identify changes in decidual natural killer (dNK) cells and related cytokines in women who have undergone induced abortions (IAs). The effects of dNK cells on subsequent pregnancies remain unknown. Accordingly, we sought to investigate whether a history of early pregnancy can change dNK cells and facilitate their role in the regulation of angiogenesis and trophoblast invasion. Materials and Methods. dNK cells were obtained from primiparous women who had undergone IA(s) prior to this study and primiparous women who had never been pregnant before this IA (control). Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to measure the mRNA levels of IFN‐γ, IP‐10, VEGF, and PLGF in dNK cells. The levels of these cytokines were quantified using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. HUVEC and HTR‐8/SVneo cells were used to evaluate the angiogenesis, migration, and invasion activities influenced by dNK cells. Results. In dNK cells, the mRNA level of IFN‐γ was higher in the control group than that in the IA group. The secretion of IP‐10 and VEGF was higher in the IA group compared to the control group. After coculturing with the dNK supernatant, the HTR‐8/SVneo cells exhibited better invasiveness and migration in the IA group than those in the control group. Angiogenesis assay demonstrated that dNK cells from IA group might help HUVEC attain better tube formation ability. Conclusion. The findings of this study suggest that a history of early pregnancy has an impact on dNK cells. These trained dNK cells can regulate angiogenesis and trophoblast invasion and migration by promoting the production of certain cytokines.
Multivariate Analysis of the Failure of Removal of the Urinary Catheter within 48 Hours after Transurethral Enucleation and Resection of the Prostate
Authors: Wu Yukun , Chen Binshen , Liu Chunxiao
Published: February 2020

Objective. To assess the value of clinically relevant data for predicting the failure of removal of the urinary catheter within 48 hours after TUERP. Materials and Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 357 patients who underwent TUERP between January 2015 and July 2018, all of whom stopped bladder irrigation and removed urinary catheter within 48 hours after the operation. According to whether the removal of the catheter was successful, the patients were classified into 2 groups: Group A was successful and group B was a failure. Univariate analysis was performed to determine the association between the failure of removal of the catheter and the patients’ preoperative clinical characteristics. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC) were conducted to establish the prediction model. Then the area under the curve (AUC) and the cut‐off value were calculated. Results. 357 patients were divided into group A (n = 305, 85.4%) and group B (n = 52, 14.6%). The patients’ drug medication (P = 0.006), history of acute urinary retention (AUR) (P ≤ 0.001), smoke (P = 0.045), IPSS (P ≤ 0.001), IPP (P = 0.006), PSA (P = 0.047), residual urine volume (P ≤ 0.001), QoL (P ≤ 0.001), and TPV (P = 0.043) were significantly different between the 2 groups. A predictive model using logistic regression was defined as follows: INDEX = 10.862–1.376 × (IPSS) − 1.185 × (QoL) − 1.062 × (drug medication) + 1.079 × (history of AUR) + 0.030 × (TPV) − 0.867 × (IPP) with area under the curve of 0.860 obtained from the ROC curve analysis. The predictive model had a cut‐off value of 1.7725, and the sensitivity for predicting the failure of removal of the urethra was 74.1% and the specificity was 84.6%. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that IPSS, QoL, drug medication, history of AUR, TPV, and IPP are independent factors associated with the failure of removal of the urethral catheter within 48 hours after TUERP.
Platelet RNA as Pan-Tumor Biomarker for Cancer Detection
Authors: Wurdinger Thomas , In ‘t Veld Sjors G.J.G. , Best Myron G.
Published: February 2020

Blood-based liquid biopsies are considered a screening approach for early cancer detection. Sequencing technologies enable in-depth analyses of nucleic acids, including mutant cell-free (cf) DNA in the plasma. However, in the blood of patients with early-stage cancer the detection level of mutant cfDNA is relatively low, and complicated by the natural presence of noncancer cfDNA mutants attributed to aging-related processes. Consequently, analysis of methylated cfDNA patterns and alternative approaches such as tumor-educated platelets are gaining traction for the detection of early-stage tumors. Here, we dissect the use of platelet RNA as a potential biomarker for the development of early-stage, pan-cancer blood tests.
Uma investigação sobre automutilação em um grupo da rede social virtual Facebook
Authors: Silva Aline Conceição , Botti Nadja Cristiane Lappann
Published: February 2020

Com o objetivo de identificar a composição e estrutura de um grupo de automutilação em rede social virtual foi realizada pesquisa qualitativa, descritiva e exploratória. Foram analisadas 103 postagens textuais e imagéticas, a partir da análise de conteúdo de Bardin, de um grupo sobre automutilação no Facebook no período de 2014-2015. As categorias, composição e estrutura do grupo de automutilação no Facebook, que emergiram abordam características identitárias que permeiam os participantes do grupo e contexto da prática de automutilação e atitudes de engajamento ao grupo. Ressalta-se que as características identitárias e estruturais encontradas que operacionalizam a funcionalidade de um grupo de automutilação na internet colaboram para a compreensão do comportamento e contribuem para prática profissional infanto-juvenil.
Association Between Palliative Care and Death at Home in Adults With Heart Failure
Authors: Quinn Kieran L. , Hsu Amy T. , Smith Glenys , Stall Nathan , Detsky Allan S. , Kavalieratos Dio , Lee Douglas S. , Bell Chaim M. , Tanuseputro Peter
Published: February 2020

Background

Palliative care is associated with improved symptom control and quality of life in people with heart failure. There is conflicting evidence as to whether it is associated with a greater likelihood of death at home in this population. The objective of this study was to describe the delivery of newly initiated palliative care services in adults who die with heart failure and measure the association between receipt of palliative care and death at home compared with those who did not receive palliative care.

Methods and Results

We performed a population‐based cohort study using linked health administrative data in Ontario, Canada of 74 986 community‐dwelling adults with heart failure who died between 2010 and 2015. Seventy‐five percent of community‐dwelling adults with heart failure died in a hospital. Patients who received any palliative care were twice as likely to die at home compared with those who did not receive it (adjusted odds ratio 2.12 [95%
CI
, 2.03–2.20];
P
<0.01). Delivery of home‐based palliative care had a higher association with death at home (adjusted odds ratio 11.88 [95%
CI
, 9.34–15.11];
P
<0.01), as did delivery during transitions of care between inpatient and outpatient care settings (adjusted odds ratio 8.12 [95%
CI
, 6.41–10.27];
P
<0.01). Palliative care was most commonly initiated late in the course of a person's disease (≤30 days before death, 45.2% of subjects) and led by nonspecialist palliative care physicians 61% of the time.

Conclusions

Most adults with heart failure die in a hospital. Providing palliative care near the end‐of‐life was associated with an increased likelihood of dying at home. These findings suggest that scaling existing palliative care programs to increase access may improve end‐of‐life care in people dying with chronic noncancer illness.
Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury After Computed Tomography Angiography±Computed Tomography Perfusion Followed by Thrombectomy in Patients With Stroke Using a Postprocedural Hydration Protocol
Authors: Weber Ralph , van Hal Robert , Stracke Paul , Hadisurya Jeffrie , Nordmeyer Hannes , Chapot René
Published: February 2020

Background

The risk of contrast‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with stroke receiving both computed tomography (CT) angiography and mechanical thrombectomy has been investigated only in small case series. No studies have investigated whether additional CT perfusion or chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with higher rates of AKI.

Methods and Results

Retrospective analysis of the AKI incidence in 1089 consecutive patients receiving CT angiography and mechanical thrombectomy from 2015 to 2017 and in subgroups with CKD (n=99) and CT perfusion (n=104) was performed. Patients received a standardized hydration protocol. Data on kidney function after mechanical thrombectomy were available in 1017 patients. A total of 59 (5.8%) patients developed AKI, and only 4 (6.8%) patients needed hemodialysis, all with known CKD. Patients with AKI significantly more often had known CKD (20.3% versus 8.4%,
P
=0.002), diabetes mellitus (33.9% versus 20.9%,
P
=0.018), and tandem occlusion (32.2% versus 16.2%,
P
=0.003) and a significantly higher in‐hospital mortality (20.3% versus 7.0%,
P
<0.001) compared with patients without AKI. However, there were no significant independent predictors for AKI in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.03; 95% CI, 1.17–3.52 [
P
=0.012]), higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05–1.14 [
P
<0.001]), AKI (OR, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.63–7.64 [
P
=0.001]), diuretic use (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.02–3.19), futile or incomplete recanalization (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.09–0.40 [
P
<0.001]), and total volume of contrast agent volume (OR, 1.007; 95% CI, 1.002–1.011 [
P
=0.004]) were independently associated with in‐hospital death. Two thirds of the patients with AKI died of severe brain damage and not AKI itself.

Conclusions

Post‐contrast AKI rarely occurs in patients with stroke receiving a contrast agent for CT angiography/CT perfusion and subsequent mechanical thrombectomy. Patients with known CKD had higher rates of AKI and only these patients needed hemodialysis, but CKD was not independently associated with AKI or in‐hospital mortality.
Number-related Brain Potentials Are Differentially Affected by Mapping Novel Symbols on Small versus Large Quantities in a Number Learning Task
Authors: van den Berg Fabian C. G. , de Weerd Peter , Jonkman Lisa M.
Published: February 2020

The nature of the mapping process that imbues number symbols with their numerical meaning—known as the “symbol-grounding process”—remains poorly understood and the topic of much debate. The aim of this study was to enhance insight into how the nonsymbolic–symbolic number mapping process and its neurocognitive correlates might differ between small (1–4; subitizing range) and larger (6–9) numerical ranges. Hereto, 22 young adults performed a learning task in which novel symbols acquired numerical meaning by mapping them onto nonsymbolic magnitudes presented as dot arrays (range 1–9). Learning-dependent changes in accuracy and RT provided evidence for successful novel symbol quantity mapping in the subitizing (1–4) range only. Corroborating these behavioral results, the number processing related P2p component was only modulated by the learning/mapping of symbols representing small numbers 1–4. The symbolic N1 amplitude increased with learning independent of symbolic numerical range but dependent on the set size of the preceding dot array; it only occurred when mapping on one to four item dot arrays that allow for quick retrieval of a numeric value, on the basis of which, with learning, one could predict the upcoming symbol causing perceptual expectancy violation when observing a different symbol. These combined results suggest that exact nonsymbolic–symbolic mapping is only successful for small quantities 1–4 from which one can readily extract cardinality. Furthermore, we suggest that the P2p reflects the processing stage of first access to or retrieval of numeric codes and might in future studies be used as a neural correlate of nonsymbolic–symbolic mapping/symbol learning.
Iphinoe indenticulata sp. nov. (Crustacea: Cumacea: Bodotriidae), a new Korean cumacean
Authors: KIM SUNG-HYUN , KIM YOUNG-HYO
Published: February 2020

A new species of Cumacea belonging to the genus Iphinoe Bate was collected from the Yellow Sea in Korea. The new speices Iphinoe indenticulata sp. nov. resembles I. sagamiensis Gamô, 1962 in the shape of carapace and the type of setae on the uropod peduncle. However, the new species is distinguished from congeners by having only setules on dorso-median carina of carapace. Also, the number of setae of uropodal peduncle and endopod is different from the I. sagamiensis. The new species is described with full illustration including mouthparts. A key to the Korean Iphinoe species is also provided.
First record of the dobsonfly genus Protohermes van der Weele, 1907 from Pakistan (Megaloptera: Corydalidae)
Authors: HASSAN MUHAMMAD ASGHAR , HAYASHI FUMIO , LIU XINGYUE
Published: February 2020

The dobsonfly genus Protohermes van der Weele, 1907 is recorded from Pakistan for the first time. Two species, i.e. Protohermes motuoensis Liu & Yang, 2006 and Protohermes walkeri Navás, 1929 are herein re-described based on new materials from Pakistan.
Mother Earth
Authors: McGregor Deborah
Published: February 2020

The first Earth Day in 1970 represented the awakening of the modern world to the perils faced by the planet. Indigenous communities, however, have long attended to our relationship with the Earth and the absolute necessity of making that relationship sustainable. McGregor notes that it has taken the international community far too long to recognize the deep and comprehensive well-spring of knowledge contained in the collective memories of Indigenous peoples. This is being recognized by scientific establishments under varying terms – from 'folk knowledge' to 'ethnoscience' – encapsulating the diverse history, experiences and knowledge of native groups. McGregor notes the importance of appreciating this valuable Indigenous knowledge as a resource that works in conjunction with establishment (and colonial) notions of science, and goes beyond simply gathering information. The slow awakening of the rest of the world to the value of embracing Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) reflects the profound devastation, genocide and cultural destruction wrought on Indigenous peoples by colonial societies. Today, tentative steps are being made to incorporate Indigenous perspectives in international accords to fight the loss of biodiversity and climate change. In 1992, the UN Earth summit recognized the 'wealth of traditional ecological knowledge developed over many generations', and this was reinforced at the 2012 Rio +20 conference. Still, Indigenous communities all over the world fight to make their voices heard as more than simply artefacts of an obsolete philosophy. They represent a living tradition, both ancient and innovative – one that has the power to create an expanded dialogue of sustainability underpinned by an understanding of our relationship with, and obligations to, the Earth.
Oceans 2020
Authors: Karl David M.
Published: February 2020

This chapter charts the rise of oceanography as a discipline, from the first European-led age of discovery in the fifteenth century, to the scientific expeditions typified by HMS Challenger’s four-year voyage of 1872. Progress continued into the twentieth century with the increase of laboratories, research vessels and funding programs, such as the International Decade of Ocean Exploration (IDOE). Regional sites in key locations – including Hawaii, Bermuda and Ocean Station Papa in the Gulf of Alaska – have been complemented by satellite imagery of ocean statistics and marine life, starting with the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS), launched on the Nimbus-7 satellite, in 1978. As our ability to measure and analyze has increased, we are gaining a greater appreciation of the highly complex, interconnected nature of our oceans and the damage we are causing them. Rising sea levels have a profound effect on marine ecosystems, dramatically altering the physiology of organisms (e.g., coral reefs) that are unable to migrate or evolve to adapt to the changes. Such organisms face extinction. Meanwhile, loss of sea ice is altering pathways of ocean circulation, in addition to habitat loss. The sinking waters of subpolar Greenland are significant in the formation of the warm Gulf Stream Current; further disruption to this could alter Europe’s climate irrevocably. Increases in atmospheric CO2 levels are also affecting ocean acidity and salinity. This especially impacts the thousands of species that have evolved with calcified structures, and has potential ramifications for the physiology of all marine inhabitants. The chapter ends on a reflection that, whilst a change in plastic production and consumption may be a relatively easy change to make, there are increasingly significant threats to marine ecosystems. Not least of these is deep sea mineral exploration, to which microorganisms, which have survived for billions of years, may adapt, but we most certainly will not if the current changes continue unabated.
Media
Authors: Callison Candis
Published: February 2020

In 1968, two years before the first Earth Day, the Apollo 8 mission captured Earthrise, the first color image of earth. Four years later, the Apollo 17 mission took the now iconic image, The Blue Marble, the first to encompass the whole Earth. These photographs have become the most recognizable images of our planet, broadcast across the globe through our media, marking the beginnings of a shift in our conceptualization of the planet. In this chapter, Callison charts the relationship between the media and the environment, highlighting the roles played by different media (television, radio, newspapers, etc.) in the development of new environmental policies, and exploring the different ways in which climate change, and the Earth, has been represented – for example, in its 1989 issue, Time magazine replaced its ‘Person of the Year’ with our ‘Planet of the Year’, beneath the headline, ‘Endangered Earth’. However, in the 1990s, media outlets began to shift their coverage away from environmental issues and science topics more generally, with some national media outlets questioning the legitimacy of climate change, despite progressively more urgent scientific reports being published. In this chapter, Callison examines media coverage of climate change through the last fifty years, addressing, among other themes, the slippery character of climate change as a news story, and the failure of media coverage to represent diversity in human experience and relations. In 2020, our myriad of handheld devices connect us globally in ways that weren’t imaginable fifty years ago; yet, despite this digital infrastructure, how connected we feel to each other, and how informed we are, is still equivocal.
Space Junk
Authors: Gorman Alice
Published: February 2020

Sputnik 1’s launch in 1957 transformed Earth’s orbit into a buffer zone between humans and the solar system. Since then, orbital space has accumulated a population of robotic satellites and junk generated by their decay. Gorman explores the three levels of Earth’s orbit, the types of machinery inhabiting these levels, and the debris left behind by these human objects. She highlights the potential damage of space junk colliding, following Kessler and Cour-Palais’ 1978 paper which proposed the worst-case scenario for orbital space – continued debris collisions could result in debris being created without new objects being launched (the Kessler syndrome). With over 30,000 pieces of debris larger than 10 cm in Earth’s orbit today, and many millions of fragments below that size, this is fast becoming reality. Gorman proposes potential solutions to minimize the creation of debris, such as shielding spacecraft against collisions, and discusses the challenges – economic, geopolitical and epistemological – involved in removing old debris from orbit. Indeed, it may be too easy to characterize space debris as a problem that needs to be fixed, and one alternative approach sees Earth’s near space environment as a cultural landscape with its own intrinsic values.
Saving the Boat
Authors: Craig-Sparrow Zoe , Nosek-Sparrow Grace
Published: February 2020

It is fitting that the closing essay of Earth 2020 offers a youth perspective, looking to the future of our planet. Together, Craig-Sparrow and Nosek are grappling with the peril our world and our future faces. Our rapidly warming planet is pushing strained social and ecological systems to the brink, threatening all life on earth. This pressure is increased by powerful society forces, such as the fossil fuel industry and its allies, who have spent millions of dollars undermining climate science and action, leaving many people unaware of the true dangers we face and sowing doubt about whether climate change is real and human-caused. As a result, governments have been slow to act, with very few politicians demonstrating the courage to speak out on behalf of our planet. However daunting this situation is, Craig-Sparrow and Nosek assert that we must take our cue from youth climate strikers and Indigenous-led organizations, both groups which are developing creative, collaborative solutions to the climate crisis. This chapter is a rallying cry to action: despite the fact we face an uncertain future, we must still show up and fight for our planet.
Lumber Lordosis Motions Monitor Using Formetric Imaging Analysis
Authors: Chen Xianjian , Biro Istvan
Published: February 2020

Purpose: The objective of this research was to investigate the body posture in basketball players to compare the differences of three positions of the single-handed shoot, which include squatting, taking off and shooting, to state how spine changes in basketball movement. Method:
12 young male basketball players who aged 21–23 years old were recruited in this research, the angle of thoracic kyphotic, lumbar lordosis angle and torso inclination angle while symmetry of the shoulders and pelvic lateral inclination were evaluated with the DIERS for matric 3D device,
the data collection was carried out during the movement of single-handed shoot. The statistical analysis was measured by SPSS 20.0 and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of repeated measures was used to analyze differences in three positions. Results: in the squatting position has
a significantly greater value of TK than taking off and shooting position, the position of squatting has presented dramatically differences values of LL when compare with taking off and shooting position, the position of shooting has a largest torso inclination angle than squatting and taking
off, while had a smallest angle in squatting. It was also indicated that the shoulder of left-side was always lowered than right-side. Conclusions: it has been noted that more frequently practice basketball may contribute to an asymmetrical postural of people’s body, have a negative
influence on the spine’s placement in a basketball player. One the basis of this result, the postural training should be included in the training to prevent deformation of body posture.
Automatic Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy with Statistical Method and Bayesian Classifier
Authors: Kang Yafen , Fang Ying , Lai Xiaobo
Published: February 2020

Currently, the underlying medical conditions in China lag behind those in urban areas. There are some problems such as lack of resources of primary ophthalmologists and insufficient fundus image of diabetic retinopathy (DR) with markers. To solve the above questions, an automated detection
model of diabetic retinopathy based on the statistical method and Naïve Bayesian (NB) classifier is proposed in this paper. Firstly, three sets of texture features are extracted, which are gray-level co-occurrence matrix texture features, different statistical texture features, and gray-level
run-length matrix texture features. Secondly, the extracted texture features are used as input of the Naïve Bayesian classifier to classify the fundus images of diabetic retinopathy into three categories. The proposed automatic detection model for diabetic retinopathy is validated by
a data set consisting of 568 images from China diabetic retinopathy screening project. The positive predictive accuracy of the system is 93.44%, the sensitivity and specificity are 91.94% and 88.24%, respectively.
Acetylene Sensing by ZnO/TiO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhong Zhi-Cheng , Jing Zhao-Jun , Liu Kui-Yuan , Liu Tong
Published: February 2020

We adopted the sol–gel and hydrothermal methods to prepare the TiO2 nanomaterials doped with ZnO. We adopted X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method to investigate the materials’ structures and morphologies.
The results showed that the prepared TiO2 nanomaterials had uniform size and good dispersibility. Gas sensors were fabricated and their performances in acetylene sensing were assessed. The results show that the sensor prepared with the ZnO/TiO2 nanomaterial doped with
10 wt% ZnO gave fast response and recovery times for acetylene gas at different concentrations. When the operating temperature was 280 °C, the gas sensor detected 200 ppm acetylene gas with a response sensitivity of 9.9, a response time of 5 s, and a recovery time of 2 s.
Synergy of Satellite- and Ground-Based Observations for Continuous Monitoring of Atmospheric Stability, Liquid Water Path, and Integrated Water Vapor: Theoretical Evaluations Using Reanalysis and Neural Networks
Authors: Toporov Maria , Löhnert Ulrich
Published: February 2020

Atmospheric stability plays an essential role in the evolution of weather events. While the upper troposphere is sampled by satellite sensors, and in situ sensors measure the atmospheric state close to the surface, only sporadic information from radiosondes or aircraft observations is available in the planetary boundary layer. Ground-based remote sensing offers the possibility to continuously and automatically monitor the atmospheric state in the boundary layer. Microwave radiometers (MWR) provide temporally resolved temperature and humidity profiles in the boundary layer and accurate values of integrated water vapor and liquid water path, and the differential absorption lidar (DIAL) measures humidity profiles with high vertical and temporal resolution up to 3000-m height. Both instruments have the potential to complement satellite observations by additional information from the lowest atmospheric layers, particularly under cloudy conditions. This study presents a neural network retrieval for stability indices, integrated water vapor, and liquid water path from simulated satellite- and ground-based measurements based on the COSMO regional reanalysis (COSMO-REA2). Focusing on the temporal resolution, the satellite-based instruments considered in the study are the currently operational Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) and the future Infrared Sounder (IRS), both in geostationary orbit. Relative to the retrieval based on satellite observations, the additional ground-based MWR/DIAL measurements provide valuable improvements not only in the presence of clouds, which represent a limiting factor for infrared SEVIRI/IRS, but also under clear-sky conditions. The root-mean-square error for convective available potential energy, for instance, is reduced by 24% if IRS observations are complemented by ground-based MWR measurements.
Reducing Violent Incidents between Police Officers and People with Psychiatric or Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Pollack Harold A. , Humphreys Keith
Published: February 2020

This article describes evidence-based strategies designed to reduce the prevalence of police encounters with people in behavioral crisis (PBCs) and to make such encounters less dangerous for all parties when they do occur. Some of these strategies are implemented by law enforcement, including gun violence restraining orders and the training of officers to provide time, distance, and cover during encounters with PBCs. Other strategies involve broader systems of community care, including assertive community treatment for people with serious psychiatric disorders, and critical time interventions for individuals leaving incarceration or inpatient psychiatric care. Broader adoption of such strategies should both reduce the risk of police shootings of PBCs as well as improve the effectiveness and well-being of police officers.
What drives social responsibility commitment? An empirical analysis of public enterprises in South Korea
Authors: Kim Seok Eun , Kim You Hyun
Published: February 2020

This study examines factors affecting the social responsibility commitment of public enterprises in South Korea. A panel regression analysis of 70 public enterprises found that the social responsibility commitment appears to increase when organizations are financially healthy and strategically oriented. However, the relationship between ethical behavior and social responsibility was negligible. These results have three management implications: first, the conventional social responsibility assumption that economic efficiency neutralizes societal goals is not necessarily true; second, public enterprises with commitments to strategic social responsibility appear to be more socially responsible than those without commitments to strategic social responsibility; and, third, ethical behavior may not be a reliable indicator of the social responsibility commitment, especially if it is mandated by the government.

Points for practitioners

Public enterprises have increasingly been under pressure to share the burden of social and economic problems in society. However, many practitioners still have little knowledge about under what conditions they can do good and benefit society. The results of this article suggest that profit making embodied in ethical rules and a dedicated governance structure to communicate with stakeholders create conditions that are more conducive to doing socially responsible activity.
Phytoestrogen-containing diets offer benefits for mouse embryology but lead to fewer offspring being produced
Authors: Helppi Jussi , Naumann Ronald , Zierau Oliver
Published: February 2020

One of the most commonly used protein sources in rodent diets is soy, which is naturally rich in phytoestrogens. Although phytoestrogens have shown potential health benefits in humans, they may also have the ability to disrupt reproduction. Consequently, there has been a tendency to try to exclude them from rodent diets. In the current study, we investigated whether phytoestrogen content in the mouse diet could affect reproduction in mice used as embryo donors. Donor mice (C57BL/6JOlaHsd) were maintained with three different diets: high phytoestrogen (ca. 400 mg/kg genistein), low phytoestrogen (ca. 10 mg/kg genistein) and standard breeding diet (ca. 120 mg/kg genistein). Mice fed a high phytoestrogen diet had a high yield of plugs, embryos, and injectable embryos, as well as producing good quality embryos. Results from donor mice fed a low phytoestrogen diet were consistently but only slightly inferior, whereas mice fed a standard diet performed the poorest. Interestingly, the largest number of born and weaned offspring were observed when recipient females received embryos from the standard diet group. Sperm yield and quality of stud males did not differ between the groups. We surmize that for experimental endpoints requiring fertilized embryos it may be more beneficial to feed mice a diet containing phytoestrogen, but if the goal is to produce transgenic mice, a diet high in phytoestrogen may be inadvisable. In conclusion, care should be taken when selecting a diet for experimental mouse colonies as phytoestrogen could influence the study outcome.
PANAS Models of Positive and Negative Affectivity for Adolescent Boys
Authors: Heubeck Bernd G. , Boulter Erica
Published: February 2020

The measurement of affect is often of central interest in adolescent research. Very few studies have investigated the factor structure underlying adolescent responses to the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, with mixed results. Only two studies reported on the trait version: one in Florida, the other in Chile. This study compared a range of prominent models to capture responses from adolescent boys from grades 7 to 12 in Australia (N = 1431) employing confirmatory factor analyses. Models included two, three, and a recently proposed bifactor model. While most models showed reasonable fit compared to a one-factor solution, cross-loading of the item feeling “strong” enhanced fit to the data. In the end, interpretation and parsimony advocate for the adoption of the uncorrelated two-factor Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) model for representing general positive and negative affectivity in boys.