bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting the severity of the apnea hypoapnea index: a retrospective study on 838 Egyptian patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Gharib Ahmed , Loza Shahira
Published: October 2020

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition in the general population that is highly correlated to obesity, and it is associated with major cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In Egypt, obesity rates are known to be high; however, OSA remains largely under-diagnosed, and data on its current magnitude is very scarce. Thus, the aims of the study were to identify the percentage of OSA in a large sample of patients referred for polysomnography and to determine the effect of different demographic data on the severity of the disease.

Results

This retrospective study included 1012 patients. Medical data were reviewed by sleep specialists. The correlation between age, body mass index (BMI), and neck circumference (NC) with apnea hypoapnea index (AHI) was explored. Also, gender differences were analyzed. A total of 838 patients (81% males, 19% females) were diagnosed with OSA. Patients with mild, moderate, and severe OSA were 204 (24%), 146 (17%), and 488 (58%), respectively. Females were older than males (58.87 ± 10.25 versus 54.39 ± 22.96, p = 0.001) and BMI was not significantly different between both sexes (34.18 ± 13.53 versus 36.73 ± 23.25, p = 0.07), but NC was higher in men (43.56 ± 5.3 versus 39.34 ± 4.41, p = 0.001). AHI was significantly increased in men compared to women (47.97 ± 31.22 versus 37.95 ± 31.72, p = 0.001) and severe OSA was commonly diagnosed in men than women (p = 0.001). A positive significant correlation was found between BMI, NC with AHI, arousal index, average SpO2, and desaturation index.

Conclusion

OSA is highly prevalent among our patients. Additionally, BMI and NC independently affected the severity of their disease.
BioSkills Guide: Development and National Validation of a Tool for Interpreting theVision and ChangeCore Competencies
Authors: Clemmons Alexa W. , Timbrook Jerry , Herron Jon C. , Crowe Alison J.
Published: October 2020

This article presents the BioSkills Guide, a resource enumerating program- and course-level learning outcomes aligned with the six core competencies of Vision and Change. The learning outcomes were developed and then nationally validated using input from more than 600 college biology educators from a range of biology fields and institution types.
The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences’ Intramural Training Program and Fellow Career Outcomes
Authors: Haynes Brittany , Brimacombe Kyle , Hare Christy , Faupel-Badger Jessica
Published: October 2020

The translational scientist skill sets are consistent with those currently being emphasized in biomedical research to prepare trainees for various career options. The framework of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences intramural research program and the career outcomes of its alumni will be of interest to those involved in the career preparedness of early-career scientists.
Ground-truth uncertainty-aware metrics for machine learning applications on seismic image interpretation: Application to faults and horizon extraction
Authors: Guillon Sébastien , Joncour Frédéric , Barrallon Pierre-Emmanuel , Castanié Laurent
Published: October 2020

We propose new metrics to measure the performance of a deep learning model applied to seismic interpretation tasks such as fault and horizon extraction. Faults and horizons are thin geologic boundaries (1 pixel thick on the image) for which a small prediction error could lead to inappropriately large variations in common metrics (precision, recall, and intersection over union). Through two examples, we show how classical metrics could fail to indicate the true quality of fault or horizon extraction. Measuring the accuracy of reconstruction of thin objects or boundaries requires introducing a tolerance distance between ground truth and prediction images to manage the uncertainties inherent in their delineation. We therefore adapt our metrics by introducing a tolerance function and illustrate their ability to manage uncertainties in seismic interpretation. We compare classical and new metrics through different examples and demonstrate the robustness of our metrics. Finally, we show on a 3D West African data set how our metrics are used to tune an optimal deep learning model.
Is mindfulness for psychosis harmful? Deconstructing a myth
Authors: Böge Kerem , Thomas Neil , Jacobsen Pamela
Published: October 2020

Mindfulness-based therapies are increasingly available for a range of mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. However, there remain concerns that mindfulness has the potential to exacerbate psychosis, despite a growing body of literature demonstrating effectiveness. These concerns may relate to long-standing perceptions about the suitability of offering psychological therapies to people with psychosis.
Disease burden and direct medical costs of incident adult ADHD: A retrospective longitudinal analysis based on German statutory health insurance claims data
Authors: Libutzki Berit , May Melanie , Gleitz Markus , Karus Michael , Neukirch Benno , Hartman Catharina A. , Reif Andreas
Published: October 2020

Background.

Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (aADHD) is still a largely unrecognized psychiatric condition despite its strong impact on individuals’ well-being. Here, we describe the healthcare situation of individuals with incident aADHD over 4 years before and 4 years after initial administrative diagnosis.

Methods.

A retrospective, longitudinal cohort analysis was conducted using German claims data. The InGef database contained approximately 5 million member-records from over 60 nationwide statutory health insurances (SHI). Individuals were indexed upon initial diagnosis of aADHD.

Results.

Average age at diagnosis of aADHD was 35 years, and 60% of individuals were male. Comorbidities, resource use, and healthcare costs were substantial before initial diagnosis and decreased within the 4 years thereafter. Only 32% of individuals received initial ADHD medication and adherence was low. The majority received psychotherapy. Individuals with initial ADHD medication showed the highest share in comorbidities, physician visits, medication use for comorbidities, psychotherapy, and costs. Overall, healthcare costs were at over €4,000 per individual within the year of aADHD diagnosis.

Conclusions.

We conclude that earlier recognition of aADHD could prevent the development and aggravation of comorbid mental illnesses. At the same time, comorbid conditions may have masked (“over-shadowed”) aADHD and delayed diagnosis. The burden of disease in aADHD is high, which was noticeable especially among individuals who received initial ADHD-medication, suggesting that psychopharmacological treatment was mainly considered for the most severely ill. We conclude that measures to facilitate access of aADHD patients to clinical experts are required to improve reality of care in the outpatient setting.
Hybrid Forces Molecular Dynamics on the Lability, Dynamics and “Structure Breaking Effect” of Cs+ in Liquid Ammonia
Authors: Hidayat Yuniawan , Rahmawati Fitria , Nurcahyo IF , Prasetyo Niko , Pranowo Harno Dwi
Published: September 2020

The lability, dynamics of the first solvation shell, and structure breaking effect properties of Cs+ in liquid ammonia have been evaluated using Quantum Mechanical Charge Field Molecular Dynamics (QMCF-MD) simulation. The system was conducted in a simulation box containing 593 ammonia molecules with a density of 0.690 g/cm3. The Hartree-Fock level of theory was employed to calculate the interaction of the particles in the QM region using LANL2DZ-ECP and DZP (Dunning) basis set for ion and ligands, respectively. The two solvation regions were observed, and the non-single coordination number confirmed a labile solvation structure. The first solvation shell predominantly by [Cs(NH3)9]+ and the angular distribution function (ADF) confirmed a distorted capped square antiprism geometry. The mean residence time of 1.57 ps and reverse sustainability of 3.1 are more dynamic than the “self-solvation” of ammonia, indicating structure breaking effect by Cs+.
The Muscle Morphology of Elite Sprint Running
Authors: Miller Robert , Balshaw Thomas G. , Massey Garry J. , Maeo Sumiaki , Lanza Marcel B. , Johnston Michael , Allen Sam J. , Folland Jonathan P.
Published: October 2020

The influence of muscle morphology and strength characteristics on sprint running performance, especially at elite level, is unclear.

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the differences in muscle volumes and strength between male elite sprinters, sub-elite sprinters, and untrained controls and to assess the relationships of muscle volumes and strength with sprint performance.

Methods

Five elite sprinters (100-m season’s best equivalent [SBE100], 10.10 ± 0.07 s), 26 sub-elite sprinters (SBE100, 10.80 ± 0.30 s), and 11 untrained control participants underwent 1) 3-T magnetic resonance imaging scans to determine the volume of 23 individual lower limb muscles/compartments and 5 functional muscle groups and 2) isometric strength assessment of lower body muscle groups.

Results

Total lower body muscularity was distinct between the groups (controls < sub-elite +20% < elite +48%). The hip extensors exhibited the largest muscle group differences/relationships (elite, +32% absolute and +15% relative [per kg] volume, vs sub-elite explaining 31%–48% of the variability in SBE100), whereas the plantarflexors showed no differences between sprint groups. Individual muscle differences showed pronounced anatomical specificity (elite vs sub-elite absolute volume range, +57% to −9%). Three hip muscles were consistently larger in elite vs sub-elite (tensor fasciae latae, sartorius, and gluteus maximus; absolute, +45%–57%; relative volume, +25%–37%), and gluteus maximus volume alone explained 34%–44% of the variance in SBE100. The isometric strength of several muscle groups was greater in both sprint groups than controls but similar for the sprint groups and not related to SBE100.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate the pronounced inhomogeneity and anatomically specific muscularity required for fast sprinting and provides novel, robust evidence that greater hip extensor and gluteus maximus volumes discriminate between elite and sub-elite sprinters and are strongly associated with sprinting performance.
Greater Hamstrings Muscle Hypertrophy but Similar Damage Protection after Training at Long versus Short Muscle Lengths
Authors: Maeo Sumiaki , Huang Meng , Wu Yuhang , Sakurai Hikaru , Kusagawa Yuki , Sugiyama Takashi , Kanehisa Hiroaki , Isaka Tadao
Published: October 2020

The biarticular hamstrings are lengthened more in a seated (hip-flexed) than prone (hip-extended) position.

Purpose

We investigated the effects of seated versus prone leg curl training on hamstrings muscle hypertrophy and susceptibility to eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage.

Methods

Part 1: Twenty healthy adults conducted seated leg curl training with one leg (Seated-Leg) and prone with the other (Prone-Leg), at 70% one-repetition maximum (1RM), 10 repetitions per set, 5 sets per session, 2 sessions per week for 12 wk. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–measured muscle volume of the individual and whole hamstrings was assessed pre- and posttraining. Part 2: Nineteen participants from part 1 and another 12 untrained controls (Control-Leg) performed eccentric phase-only leg curl exercise at 90% 1RM, 10 repetitions per set, 3 sets for each of the seated/prone conditions with each leg. MRI-measured transverse relaxation time (T2) and 1RM of seated/prone leg curl were assessed before, 24, 48, and 72 h after exercise.

Results

Part 1: Training-induced increases in muscle volume were greater in Seated-Leg versus Prone-Leg for the whole hamstrings (+14% vs +9%) and each biarticular (+8%–24% vs +4%–19%), but not monoarticular (+10% vs +9%), hamstring muscle. Part 2: After eccentric exercise, Control-Leg had greater increases in T2 in each hamstring muscle (e.g., semitendinosus at 72 h: +52%) than Seated-Leg (+4%) and Prone-Leg (+6%). Decreases in 1RM were also greater in Control-Leg (e.g., seated/prone 1RM at 24 h: −12%/−24%) than Seated-Leg (0%/−3%) and Prone-Leg (+2%/−5%). None of the changes significantly differed between Seated-Leg and Prone-Leg at any time points.

Conclusion

Hamstrings muscle size can be more effectively increased by seated than prone leg curl training, suggesting that training at long muscle lengths promotes muscle hypertrophy, but both are similarly effective in reducing susceptibility to muscle damage.
The Migration Accelerator: Labor Mobility, Housing, and Demand
Authors: Howard Greg
Published: September 2020

What is the role of migration in regional evolutions? I document that within-US migration causes a reduction in the unemployment rate of the receiving city over several years. To establish this causal effect, I construct an instrument using out-migration of other places and predict its destination from historical patterns. The decline in unemployment is due to housing. Housing is durable, so increased demand causes a surge of new houses and construction jobs. Additionally, migrants’ housing demand raises prices, increasing borrowing and nontradable employment. This finding implies the endogenous response of migration amplifies local labor demand shocks by about a third. (JEL J61, J64, R21, R23, R31)
Comparison of virtual non-contrast dual-energy CT and a true non-contrast CT for contouring in radiotherapy of 3D printed lung tumour models in motion: a phantom study
Authors: Hering Dominik Alexander , Kröger Kai , Bauer Ralf W. , Eich Hans Theodor , Haverkamp Uwe
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

This work aims to investigate whether virtual non-contrast (VNC) dual-energy CT(DECT) of contrasted lung tumours can be used as an alternative for true non-contrast (TNC) images in radiotherapy. Two DECT techniques and a TNC CT were compared and influences on gross tumour volume (GTV) volume and CT number from motion artefacts in three-dimensional printed lung tumour models (LTM) in amotion phantom were examined.

Methods:

Two spherical LTMs (diameter 3.0 cm) with different inner shapes were created in a three-dimensional printer. The inner shapes contained water or iodine (concentration 5 mg ml−1) and were scanned with a dual-source DECT (ds-DECT), single-source sequential DECT (ss-DECT) and TNC CT in a respiratory motion phantom (15 breaths/min, amplitude 1.5 cm). CT number and volume of LTMs were measured. Therefore, two GTVs were contoured.

Results:

Deviations in GTV volume (outer shape) of LTMs in motion for contrast-enhanced ss-DECT and ds-DECT VNC images compared to TNC images are not significant (p > 0.05). Relative GTV volume and CT number deviations (inner shapes) of LTMs in motion were 6.6 ± 0.6% and 104.4 ± 71.2 HU between ss-DECT and TNC CT and −8.4 ± 10.6% and 25.5 ± 58.5 HU between ds-DECT and TNC, respectively.

Conclusion:

ss-DECT VNC images could not sufficiently subtract iodine from water in LTMs inmotion, whereas ds-DECT VNC images might be a valid alternative to a TNC CT.

Advances in knowledge:

ds-DECT provides a contrasted image for contouring and a non-contrasted image for radiotherapy treatment planning for LTM in motion.
Lesions of the heel fat pad
Authors: Saad Ahmed , Kho James , Almeer Ghassan , Azzopardi Christine , Botchu Rajesh
Published: October 2020

Objective:

The heel fat pad (HFP) is a specialized soft tissue structure formed of adipose tissue that overlies the inferior and posterior aspect of the calcaneus and provides the cushioning effect of the heel. Lesions of the HFP are rare and can be a cause of debilitating heel pain that may often pose a challenge to clinicians. This study provides a series of lesions identified within the HFP.

Methods and materials:

A retrospective review of heel pad lesions over a 12 year period was conducted at our tertiary orthopaedic oncology centre. All lesions of the heel fat pad were included in the study. Plantar fasciitis was excluded.

Results:

There were 17 heel pad lesions identified, of which the majority (n = 15) were benign.

Conclusion:

We highlight a wide spectrum of pathologies that can occur in the HFP. Although rare, clinicians should be aware of these lesions, to initiate appropriate management.
CT-detected extramural venous invasion is corelated with presence of lymph node metastasis and progression-free survival in gastric cancer
Authors: Yang Yu-Tao , Dong San-Yuan , Zhao Jue , Wang Wen-Tao , Zeng Meng-Su , Rao Sheng-Xiang
Published: October 2020

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate if CT-detected extramural venous invasion (ctEMVI) was associated with the presence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) and survival outcomes in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 105 patients with pathologically proved gastric cancer who underwent pre-operative CT examinations and received radical gastrectomy with extended lymphadenectomy. Differences in CT characteristics between the LNM-positive and -negative groups were assessed by two observers. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. Progression-free survival analysis was performed by Kaplan–Meier method.

Results:

Two observers reached good inter-reader agreements in ctEMVI and ctN status with κ values of 0.711 and 0.751, respectively. The frequency of ctEMVI-positive status was 58.1% (61/105) in patients with gastric cancer. The LNM-positive group showed higher possibility of ctEMVI-positive status (81.7% vs 26.7%, p＜0.001), larger tumor volume (mean volume, 40.77 vs 22.09 mL, p＜0.001), poor tumor margin (45.0% vs 26.7% , p = 0.054) and high enhancement on arterial phase (43.3% vs 26.7%, p = 0.023) and venous phase (60.0% vs 44.4%, p = 0.048), than LNM-negative group. In multivariate analysis, ctEMVI status and tumor volume were identified as independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis with odds ratio (OR) of 9.804 (95% CI, 3.076－31.246; p＜0.001) and 1.030 (95% CI, 1.001－1.060; p = 0.044). CT-detected EMVI presented better diagnostic efficiency for lymph node metastasis than CT-defined N status, with sensitivity (81.7% vs 70.0%), specificity (73.3% vs 71.1%), accuracy (78.1% vs 70.5), PPV (80.3% vs 76.4%), and NPV (75.0% vs 64.0%), respectively. Kaplan–Meier curves showed that patients with positive ctEMVI findings has lower PFS rate than patients with negative ctEMVI findings (Log-rank test, p = 0.007).

Conclusion:

CT-detected EMVI was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and progression free survival in patients with gastric cancer. Compared to CT-defined N status, ctEMVI provided superior diagnostic performance to predict pathologic Nstatus.

Advances in knowledge:

Our study proved that CT-detected EMVI is a promising imaging marker to predict lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis, which may contribute to the precise evaluation of gastric cancer before surgery.
Quantitative analysis of metal artefacts of dental implant in CBCT image by correlation analysis to micro-CT: A microstructural study
Authors: Min Chang-Ki , Kim Kyoung-A
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

Quantification of dental implant metal artefacts in CBCT images using correlation analysis of trabecular microstructural parameters from CBCT and micro-CT, and analysis of the effect of varying the angular position of the subject.

Methods:

Polyurethane synthetic bone blocks were first scanned without implants by micro-CT and CBCT. Two dental implants were then placed parallel in the bone blocks and these specimens were scanned by CBCT with different alpha angles. Three volumes of interest (VOI) were set for further analysis. Six microstructural parameters were measured: trabecular thickness (TbTh), trabecular spacing (ThSp), bone volume per total volume (BV/TV), bone surface per total volume (BS/TV), connectivity density (CD) andfractal dimension (FD). Micro-CT measurements were used as a gold standard for CBCT. Spearman correlation coefficients for each microstructural parameter from CBCT and micro-CT were calculated and compared using Steiger’s Z test.

Results:

Without the implants, in VOI1, the Spearman correlation coefficients of TbTh, TbSp, BV/TV, BS/TV, CD and FD were 0.599, 0.76, 0.552, 0.566, 0.664 and 0.607, respectively. With the implants, the correlation coefficients decreased sharply in VOI1. As the alpha angle increased from zero to 90°, the correlation coefficients increased and became significant. Similar results appeared in VOI2. In contrast, in VOI3, the correlation coefficient decreased as the alpha angle increased.

Conclusions:

Metal artefacts were successfully quantified using microstructural parameters in terms of the image quality of the CBCT. Changes in alpha angle affected the quality of the CBCT image.
Evidence of initial success for China exiting COVID-19 social distancing policy after achieving containment
Authors: Ainslie Kylie E. C. , Walters Caroline E. , Fu Han , Bhatia Sangeeta , Wang Haowei , Xi Xiaoyue , Baguelin Marc , Bhatt Samir , Boonyasiri Adhiratha , Boyd Olivia , Cattarino Lorenzo , Ciavarella Constanze , Cucunuba Zulma , Cuomo-Dannenburg Gina , Dighe Amy , Dorigatti Ilaria , van Elsland Sabine L , FitzJohn Rich , Gaythorpe Katy , Ghani Azra C , Green Will , Hamlet Arran , Hinsley Wes , Imai Natsuko , Jorgensen David , Knock Edward , Laydon Daniel , Nedjati-Gilani Gemma , Okell Lucy C , Siveroni Igor , Thompson Hayley A , Unwin H. Juliette T. , Verity Robert , Vollmer Michaela , Walker Patrick G T , Wang Yuanrong , Watson Oliver J , Whittaker Charles , Winskill Peter , Donnelly Christl A , Ferguson Neil M , Riley Steven
Published: October 2020

Background: The COVID-19 epidemic was declared a Global Pandemic by WHO on 11 March 2020. By 24 March 2020, over 440,000 cases and almost 20,000 deaths had been reported worldwide. In response to the fast-growing epidemic, which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Hubei, China imposed strict social distancing in Wuhan on 23 January 2020 followed closely by similar measures in other provinces. These interventions have impacted economic productivity in China, and the ability of the Chinese economy to resume without restarting the epidemic was not clear.

Methods: Using daily reported cases from mainland China and Hong Kong SAR, we estimated transmissibility over time and compared it to daily within-city movement, as a proxy for economic activity.

Results: Initially, within-city movement and transmission were very strongly correlated in the five mainland provinces most affected by the epidemic and Beijing. However, that correlation decreased rapidly after the initial sharp fall in transmissibility. In general, towards the end of the study period, the correlation was no longer apparent, despite substantial increases in within-city movement. A similar analysis for Hong Kong shows that intermediate levels of local activity were maintained while avoiding a large outbreak. At the very end of the study period, when China began to experience the re-introduction of a small number of cases from Europe and the United States, there is an apparent up-tick in transmission.

Conclusions: Although these results do not preclude future substantial increases in incidence, they suggest that after very intense social distancing (which resulted in containment), China successfully exited its lockdown to some degree. Elsewhere, movement data are being used as proxies for economic activity to assess the impact of interventions. The results presented here illustrate how the eventual decorrelation between transmission and movement is likely a key feature of successful COVID-19 exit strategies.
Practical and ethical complexities of MAiD: Examples from Quebec
Authors: Koksvik Gitte
Published: October 2020

Background: Legally practiced assisted dying is an ethically complex area in need of empirical and conceptual work. International research suggests that providing assisted dying may be experienced as rewarding and meaningful but also emotionally and psychologically taxing, associated with feelings of loss and loneliness. Yet little research has been published to date, which attends to the long-term effects of providing assisted dying. In this article, I contribute to filling this gap in the literature using the Canadian province Quebec as an illustrative case. Medical aid in dying (MAiD) in the form of physician provided euthanasia has been a lawful end of life healthcare option in Quebec since December 2015 and significant research is currently emerging from this jurisdiction.

Methods: In this article, I draw on nine in-depth interviews with Quebec physicians, all of whom engaged with end of life care in different ways.

Results: Four of the interviewed physicians provided medical aid in dying (MAiD) and five did not. The major themes of MAiD in relation to aggressive treatment, conscientious objection and uneven distribution of work emerge, and it appeared clearly that MAiD was experienced and thought of as qualitatively different to other end of life procedures.

Conclusions: Our findings expose a complexity and contentiousness within the practice, which remains under researched and underreported and indicate avenues where more research is needed.
Accretion, Soft and Hard Collision: Similarities, Differences and an Application from the Newfoundland Appalachian Orogen
Authors: Van Staal Cees , Zagorevski Alexandre
Published: September 2020

We argue there is no distinction between accretion and collision as a process, except when accretion is used in the sense of incorporating small bodies of sedimentary and/or volcanic rocks into an accretionary wedge by off-scraping or underplating. There is also a distinction when these terms are used in classifying mountain belts into accretionary and collisional orogens, although such classifications are commonly based on a qualitative assessment of the scale and nature of the accreted terranes and continents involved in formation of mountain belts. Soft collisions occur when contractional deformation and associated metamorphism are principally concentrated in rocks of the leading edge of the partially pulled-down buoyant plate and the upper plate forearc terrane. Several young arc-continent collisions show evidence for partial or wholesale subduction of the forearc such that the arc is structurally juxtaposed directly against lower plate rocks. This process may explain the poor preservation of forearcs in the geological record. Soft collisions generally change into hard collisions over time, except if the collision is rapidly followed by formation of a new subduction zone due to step-back or polarity reversal. Thickening and metamorphism of the arc's suprastructure and retro-arc part of upper plate due to contractional deformation and burial are the characteristics of a hard collision or an advancing Andean-type margin. Strong rheological coupling of the converging plates and lower and upper crust in the down-going continental margin promotes a hard collision. Application of the soft–hard terminology supports a structural juxtaposition of the Taconic soft collision recorded in the Humber margin of western Newfoundland with a hard collision recorded in the adjacent Dashwoods block. It is postulated that Dashwoods was translated dextrally along the Cabot-Baie Verte fault system from a position to the north of Newfoundland where the Notre Dame arc collided ca. 10 m.y. earlier with a wide promontory in a hyperextended segment of the Laurentian margin.
Price Fairness and Strategic Obfuscation
Authors: Allender William J. , Liaukonyte Jura , Nasser Sherif , Richards Timothy J.
Published: October 2020

Personalized prices affect fairness concerns, and firms have incentive to invest in technology that obfuscates prices and mitigates consumers’ fairness concerns.
Competition Between Two-Sided Platforms Under Demand and Supply Congestion Effects
Authors: Bernstein Fernando , DeCroix Gregory A. , Keskin N. Bora
Published: October 2020

Problem definition : This paper explores the impact of competition between platforms in the sharing economy. Examples include the cases of Uber and Lyft in the context of ride-sharing platforms. In particular, we consider competition between two platforms that offer a common service (e.g., rides) through a set of independent service providers (e.g., drivers) to a market of customers. Each platform sets a price that is charged to customers for obtaining the service provided by a driver. A portion of that price is paid to the driver who delivers the service. Both customers’ and drivers’ utilities are sensitive to the payment terms set by the platform and are also sensitive to congestion in the system (given by the relative number of customers and drivers in the market). We consider two possible settings. The first one, termed “single-homing,” assumes that drivers work through a single platform. In the second setting, termed “multihoming” (or “multiapping,” as it is known in practice), drivers deliver their service through both platforms. Academic/practical relevance : This is one of the first papers to study competition and multihoming in the presence of congestion effects typically observed in the sharing economy. We leverage the model to study some practical questions that have received significant press attention (and stirred some controversies) in the ride-sharing industry. The first involves the issue of surge pricing. The second involves the increasingly common practice of drivers choosing to operate on multiple platforms (multihoming). Methodology : We formulate our problem as a pricing game between two platforms and employ the concept of a Nash equilibrium to analyze equilibrium outcomes in various settings. Results : In both the single-homing and multihoming settings, we study the equilibrium prices that emerge from the competitive interaction between the platforms and explore the supply and demand outcomes that can arise at equilibrium. We build on these equilibrium results to study the impact of surge pricing in response to a surge in demand and to examine the incentives at play when drivers engage in multihoming. Managerial implications : We find that raising prices in response to a surge in demand makes drivers and customers better off than if platforms were constrained to charge the same prices that would arise under normal demand levels. We also compare drivers’ and customers’ performance when all drivers either single-home or multihome. We find that although individual drivers may have an incentive to multihome, all players are worse off when all drivers multihome. We conclude by proposing an incentive mechanism to discourage multihoming.
Modeling and Engineering Constrained Shortest Path Algorithms for Battery Electric Vehicles
Authors: Baum Moritz , Dibbelt Julian , Wagner Dorothea , Zündorf Tobias
Published: October 2020

We study the problem of computing constrained shortest paths for battery electric vehicles. Because battery capacities are limited, fastest routes are often infeasible. Instead, users are interested in fast routes on which the energy consumption does not exceed the battery capacity. For that, drivers can deliberately reduce speed to save energy. Hence, route planning should provide both path and speed recommendations. To tackle the resulting [Formula: see text]-hard optimization problem, previous work trades correctness or accuracy of the underlying model for practical running times. We present a novel framework to compute optimal constrained shortest paths (without charging stops) for electric vehicles that uses more realistic physical models, while taking speed adaptation into account. Careful algorithm engineering makes the approach practical even on large, realistic road networks: We compute optimal solutions in less than a second for typical battery capacities, matching the performance of previous inexact methods. For even faster query times, the approach can easily be extended with heuristics that provide high quality solutions within milliseconds.
Lappet moths (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) of Manipur, north east India: an updated checklist

Authors: IRUNGBAM JATISHWOR SINGH , GURULE SACHIN ARJUN , FRIC ZDENĚK FALTÝNEK
Published: September 2020

An updated checklist of 35 species of Lasiocampidae from Manipur is presented in this report. The survey has been carried out for assessment of Lasiocampidae fauna of Shirui Mountains and surrounding areas of Manipur during 2016 to 2019. The materials collected during the survey were identified from 15 genera containing 24 species. 17 species were reported for the first time from Manipur. The 5 species viz. Euthrix improvisa, Eteinopla narcissus, Kunugia burmensis, Kunugia xichangensis, and Arguda viettei are new addition to known Indian Lasiocampidae fauna. Key words: Lasiocampidae, Moth, Manipur, North East India, New record, Shirui Mountain
A ATRATIVIDADE NO VAREJO EM CLUSTERS COMERCIAIS ESPONTÂNEOS NA VISÃO DE CONSUMIDORES E VAREJISTAS
Authors: Fittipaldi Marco Aurélio Sanches , Donaire Denis
Published: September 2020

O agrupamento de lojas espontâneo, conhecido como cluster comercial espontâneo, tem se apresentado como tendência em grandes centros comerciais ou ruas de grande movimento. O presente estudo buscou analisar a atratividade de três clusters comerciais espontâneos de automóveis da cidade de São Paulo, por meio de uma pesquisa quantitativa descritiva, com questionário estruturado a 104 consumidores e 104 varejistas, permitindo comparar as diferentes visões. Os resultados indicaram que a atratividade apresentou forte correlação entre as intenções de compra e venda nos clusters comerciais espontâneos pesquisados. Em relação ao marketing mix, verificou-se que há convergência na visão de consumidores e varejistas sobre a importância dos fatores de atratividade: apresentação, pessoal e serviços, mix de produtos e promoção. A observância desses resultados pode trazer úteis contribuições para a competição entre clusters comerciais espontâneos, que se apresentam como formas de organização cada vez mais comuns nos negócios, notadamente nos países em desenvolvimento.
REFLEXÃO SOBRE A APLICABILIDADE DA TEORIA DOS JOGOS EM MODELOS DE ESCOLHAS CONTÁBIL-FINANCEIRAS
Authors: Santos Marco Aurélio dos , Fávero Luiz Paulo Lopes
Published: September 2020

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver uma análise teórico-empírica da aplicabilidade da teoria dos jogos em casos de escolhas contábil-financeiras. A teoria dos jogos tem como objetivo analisar um processo de tomada de decisão estratégica, considerando características de ambos os jogadores e seus payoffs, assim como da iteração entre os mesmos, com o objetivo de atingir possíveis escolhas realizadas em seu ponto ótimo, dados determinados pressupostos sobre os jogadores. Observa-se, em contabilidade e finanças, que muitas situações em que ocorrem conflitos de interesse entre agente e principal podem ser analisadas e modeladas em formas de jogo, conforme discutido neste trabalho.
Nesting Behaviour of a Neotropical Social Wasp Mischocyttarus saussurei Zikán, 1949 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)
Authors: Milani Lucas Rocha , Prezoto Fabio , Clemente Mateus Aparecido , Gomes Patrícia Pereira , Souza Marcos Magalhães de
Published: October 2020

Mischocyttarus saussurei nests show a curious architectural pattern which could be related to colony camouflage. Since information on that species is scarce in literature, this study aimed to record ecological data on M. saussurei, as well as morphometric data on its nests. Data was collected at the Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca state park and at the municipalities of Barroso and Inconfidentes, Minas Gerais state, Southeastern Brazil. Seven colonies were located, exclusively in conserved environments. Five nests were dissected for morphometric analysis and for the assessment of the vegetal matter incorporated to comb walls. Nests showed comb cells opening towards the substrate and covered by vegetal layers, in which three families of mosses and three of liverworts could be identified. We deduct that the nests’ morphometry and the incorporation of vegetal layers to the combs are related to the camouflaging of colonies amidst their substrate.
Ruderal Plants Providing Bees Diversity on Rural Properties
Authors: Montagnana Paula Carolina , Campos Maria José de Oliveira
Published: October 2020

Many  are  the  anthropogenic  drivers  of  pollinator  decline,  but  the  loss  of  suitable  habitats, among other effects caused by agricultural intensification, deserves special attention.  Reduction  in  the  availability  of  floral  resources  negatively  affects  bee communities, compromising bee species composition, foraging behavior, corporal size, and fitness. Our study aims to understand whether the presence of herbaceous plants, acting as foraging sites, next to crops contributes to bee species richness in smallholder rural properties. Bee sampling was performed on smallholder rural properties in the municipality of Guapiara, southern São Paulo state. Individuals who visited the flowers of ruderal plants and crops were collected, using an entomological net, for ten months. A total of 61 bee species were identified, with the highest species richness being sampled in ruderal plant flowers in the three properties studied. Only in one property, ruderal plants hosted a more diverse bee assemblage (Shannon-Weiner and taxonomic diversity indices), but species composition differed from that sampled in crop plants (Jaccard index) in all properties. Thirty-two species were sampled exclusively in ruderal plants, versus 9 only in crops and 20 species in both types of plants. Pollen analysis showed that of the 22 species of bees that were sampled only on flowers of ruderal plants, 9 species carried pollen of tomato and one species of bee carried pollen of kabocha squash. Ruderal plants can provide an alternative food resource for pollinators, enabling these insects to remain in or be attracted to crop areas, where, in addition to visiting such plants, they also visit the cultivated plant flowers. Allowing coexistence between crops and ruderal plants, provided that the issues of plant health are observed, is a simple and low-cost measure for farmers and will provide both economic and environmental benefits.
The Nominal Species of the Bee Genus Centris Described by Johan Christian Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Vivallo Felipe
Published: October 2020

In this paper the primary types of Centris bees described by the Danish entomologist Johan Christian Fabricius were studied. The primary types of C. flavifrons, C. analis, C. furcata, C. haemorrhoidalis, C. lanipes, C. longimana, C. similis, C. tabaniformis,  and  C. versicolor were analyzed, providing notes on their current status and depository. In addition, some photographs of selected species as well as morphological characteristics to recognize all Fabricius’ Centris bees are also provided.
Optical coherence tomography-based tissue dynamics imaging for longitudinal and drug response evaluation of tumor spheroids
Authors: Abd El-Sadek Ibrahim , Miyazawa Arata , Tzu-Wei Shen Larina , Makita Shuichi , Fukuda Shinichi , Yamashita Toshiharu , Oka Yuki , Mukherjee Pradipta , Matsusaka Satoshi , Oshika Tetsuro , Kano Hideaki , Yasuno Yoshiaki
Published: October 2020

We present optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based tissue dynamics imaging method to visualize and quantify tissue dynamics such as subcellular motion based on statistical analysis of rapid-time-sequence OCT signals at the same location. The analyses include logarithmic intensity variance (LIV) method and two types of OCT correlation decay speed analysis (OCDS). LIV is sensitive to the magnitude of the signal fluctuations, while OCDSs including early- and late-OCDS (OCDS
e
and OCDS
l
, respectively) are sensitive to the fast and slow tissue dynamics, respectively. These methods were able to visualize and quantify the longitudinal necrotic process of a human breast adenocarcinoma spheroid and its anti-cancer drug response. Additionally, the effects of the number of OCT signals and the total acquisition time on dynamics imaging are examined. Small number of OCT signals, e.g., five or nine suffice for dynamics imaging when the total acquisition time is suitably long.
Robust inertial sensing with point-source atom interferometry for interferograms spanning a partial period
Authors: Chen Yun-Jhih , Hansen Azure , Shuker Moshe , Boudot Rodolphe , Kitching John , Donley Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2020

Point source atom interferometry (PSI) uses the velocity distribution in a cold atom cloud to simultaneously measure one axis of acceleration and two axes of rotation from the spatial distribution of interferometer phase in an expanded cloud of atoms. Previously, the interferometer phase has been found from the phase, orientation, and period of the resulting spatial atomic interference fringe images. For practical applications in inertial sensing and precision measurement, it is important to be able to measure a wide range of system rotation rates, corresponding to interferograms with far less than one full interference fringe to very many fringes. Interferogram analysis techniques based on image processing used previously for PSI are challenging to implement for low rotation rates that generate less than one full interference fringe across the cloud. We introduce a new experimental method that is closely related to optical phase-shifting interferometry that is effective in extracting rotation values from signals consisting of fractional fringes as well as many fringes without prior knowledge of the rotation rate. The method finds the interferometer phase for each pixel in the image from four interferograms, each with a controlled Raman laser phase shift, to reconstruct the underlying atomic interferometer phase map without image processing.
High pulse energy fibre laser as an excitation source for photoacoustic tomography
Authors: Allen Thomas J. , Berendt Martin , Lin Di , Alam Shaiful U. , Huynh Nam T. , Zhang Edward , Richardson David J. , Beard Paul C.
Published: October 2020

A custom fibre laser designed as an excitation source for biomedical photoacoustic tomography has been developed. It is based on a custom-drawn large core diameter fibre (200 µm) that enables high pulse energies (∼10 mJ) to be achieved. The system can provide variable pulse durations (10 - 500 ns) and pulse repetition frequencies (100 Hz - 1 kHz), as well as arbitrary pulse bursts according to specific user defined sequences. The system is also compact and does not require external water cooling. This, along with the flexibility in the temporal characteristics of its output that it offers, will aid the translation of photoacoustic imaging to practical application in medicine and biology.
Coherent combination of two intracavity eigenmodes producing linearly polarized emission in an isotropic laser
Authors: Tang Kaifei , Liao Wenbin , Li Ke , Li Bingxuan , Chen Weidong , Ge Zhang
Published: October 2020

The behavior of directly linearly polarized emission was investigated in an isotropic Nd:YAG laser with a weakly anisotropic Fabry-Perot cavity. In order to explore the polarization mechanism, the intracavity eigenmodes were analyzed theoretically. A theoretical model was developed and shown to be suitable for describing the orientation-dependent beam profiles of the polarizer-specific features observed in experiments. This model indicates that the linear polarization emission results from the coherently combined state of intracavity eigenmodes as opposed to an intrinsic polarization state. The coherent combination is attributed to the frequency degeneracy and spontaneous phase locking of polarized eigenmodes. For the first time, the polarization coupling mechanism based on the coherent combination of eigenmodes in an isotropic solid-state laser was demonstrated. Moreover, this study also contributes an effective method to judge different types of linear polarization states.
Peak-power enhancement of a cavity-dumped cesium-vapor laser by using dual longitudinal-mode oscillations
Authors: Endo Masamori
Published: October 2020

We have performed cavity dumping of a diode-pumped alkali laser (DPAL) and have observed a saw-like structure in the pulse waveform that appears to be caused by interference between two or more longitudinal modes. We have confirmed that multimode oscillations are caused by spatial hole burning, and the largest peak was seen when only two oscillation modes were present. This phenomenon may be useful for enhancing the cavity dumping of the DPAL, but it was not always observed. Therefore, we developed a numerical simulation to predict the number of longitudinal modes excited under a given set of conditions and provides guidelines to facilitate dual-mode oscillation. Using these guidelines, we have obtained a pulse with a peak power of 250 W, which is higher than the average power circulating in the cavity and is a 38-fold enhancement of the continuous-wave (CW) output.
Single-pixel fluorescent diffraction tomography
Authors: Stockton Patrick A. , Field Jeffrey J. , Squier Jeff , Pezeshki Ali , Bartels Randy A.
Published: September 2020

Optical diffraction tomography (ODT) is an indispensable tool for
studying objects in three dimensions. Until now, ODT has been limited
to coherent light because spatial phase information is required to
solve the inverse scattering problem. We introduce a method that
enables ODT to be applied to imaging incoherent contrast mechanisms
such as fluorescent emission. Our strategy mimics the coherent
scattering process with two spatially coherent illumination beams. The
interferometric illumination pattern encodes spatial phase in temporal
variations of the fluorescent emission, thereby allowing incoherent
fluorescent emission to mimic the behavior of coherent illumination.
The temporal variations permit recovery of the spatial distribution of
fluorescent emission with an inverse scattering model. Simulations and
experiments demonstrate isotropic resolution in the 3D reconstruction
of a fluorescent object.
Boosting a sub-10  nm nanogap array by plasmon-triggered waveguide resonance
Authors: Tian Yu , Wang Hailong , Geng Yijia , Cong Lili , Liu Yu , Xu Weiqing , Xu Shuping
Published: October 2020

Gap-type metallic nanostructures are widely used in catalytic reactions, sensors, and photonics because the hotspot effect on these nanostructures supports giant local electromagnetic field enhancement. To achieve hotspots, researchers devote themselves to reducing gap distances, even to 1 nm. However, current techniques to fabricate such narrow gaps in large areas are still challenging. Herein, a new coupling way to boost the sub-10 nm plasmonic nanogap array is developed, based on the plasmon-triggered optical waveguide resonance via near-field coupling. This effect leads to an amplified local electromagnetic field within the gap regions equivalent to narrower gaps, which is evidenced experimentally by the surface-enhanced Raman scattering intensity of probed molecules located in the gap and the finite-difference time-domain numerical simulation results. This study provides a universal strategy to promote the performance of the existing hotspot configurations without changing their geometries.