bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compound heterozygous mutations inKCNJ2andKCNH2in a patient with severe Andersen-Tawil syndrome
Authors: Polyak Margarita E , Shestak Anna , Podolyak Dmitriy , Zaklyazminskaya Elena
Published: August 2020

Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS) is a rare channelopathy, sometimes referred to as long QT syndrome type 7. ATS is an autosomal dominant disease predominantly caused by mutations in theKCNJ2gene. Patients with ATS present with episodes of muscle weakness, arrythmias, including prolonged QT intervals, and various skeletal abnormalities. Unlike other channelopathies, ATS has a relatively mild clinical course and low risk of sudden cardiac death. In this study, we describe a female patient with typical symptoms of ATS with the addition of unusually severe arrhythmias. Extensive DNA testing was performed to find the possible cause of this unique presentation. In addition to a known mutation inKCNJ2, the patient carried a variant inKCNH2. The combination of genetic variants may lead to the severe clinical manifestation of ATS. Additional genetic information allowed accurate genetic counselling to be provided to the patient.
Use of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5) in professional hockey, part 2: which components differentiate concussed and non-concussed players?
Authors: Bruce Jared M , Thelen Joanie , Meeuwisse Willem , Hutchison Michael G , Rizos John , Comper Paul , Echemendia Ruben J
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To examine the utility of Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT5) subcomponents in differentiating physician diagnosed concussed players from controls.

Methods

We evaluated 1924 professional hockey players at training camp using the National Hockey League (NHL) Modified SCAT5 prior to the 2018–2019 season. Over the course of the season, 314 English-speaking players received SCAT5 evaluations within 1 day of a suspected concussive event. Of these players, 140 (45%) were subsequently diagnosed with concussion by their team physicians.

Results

Concussed players reported more symptoms (Concussed M=8.52, SD=4.78; Control M=3.32, SD=3.97), and recalled fewer words than Controls on both the Immediate Memory (Concussed M=19.34, SD=4.06; Control M=21.53, SD=2.94) and Delayed Recall (Concussed z=−0.91; Control z=−0.09) tasks during the acute evaluation. Concussed players also made more errors than Controls on the mBESS and were more likely to report double vision and exhibit clinician-observed balance problems than controls. There were no between-group differences on the Concentration component of the SCAT5. Stepwise regression revealed that symptom report and list learning tasks both accounted for independent variance in identifying players diagnosed with concussion.

Conclusions

These findings provide support for use of the SCAT5 to assist in identifying concussed professional hockey players. When examining SCAT5 subtests, both symptom report and the 10-item word list accounted for independent variance in identifying concussion status in this sample of professional hockey players. The mBESS also differentiated Concussed players and Controls. The Concentration component of the SCAT5 did not significantly differentiate Concussed players and Controls.
International consensus statement: methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injuries and illnesses in golf
Authors: Murray Andrew , Junge Astrid , Robinson Patrick Gordon , Bizzini Mario , Bossert Andre , Clarsen Benjamin , Coughlan Daniel , Cunningham Corey , Drobny Tomas , Gazzano Francois , Gill Lance , Hawkes Roger , Hospel Tom , Neal Robert , Lavelle Jonathan , Scanlon Antony , Schamash Patrick , Thomas Bruce , Voight Mike , Wotherspoon Mark , Dvorak Jiri
Published: August 2020

Epidemiological studies of injury in elite and recreational golfers have lacked consistency in methods and definitions employed and this limits comparison of results across studies. In their sports-generic statement, the Consensus Group recruited by the IOC (2020) called for sport-specific consensus statements. On invitation by International Golf Federation, a group of international experts in sport and exercise medicine, golf research and sports injury/illness epidemiology was selected to prepare a golf-specific consensus statement. Methodological stages included literature review and initial drafting, online feedback from the consensus group, revision and second draft, virtual consensus meetings and completion of final version. This consensus statement provides golf-specific recommendations for data collection and research reporting including: (i) injury and illness definitions, and characteristics with golf-specific examples, (ii) definitions of golf-specific exposure measurements and recommendations for the calculation of prevalence and incidence, (iii) injury, illness and exposure report forms for medical staff and for golfers, and (iv) a baseline questionnaire. Implementation of the consensus methodology will enable comparison among golf studies and with other sports. It facilitates analysis of causative factors for injuries and illness in golf, and can also be used to evaluate the effects of prevention programmes to support the health of golfers.
Items for consideration in a reporting guideline for mediation analyses: a Delphi study
Authors: Cashin Aidan G , McAuley James H , Lamb Sallie , Hopewell Sally , Kamper Steven J , Williams Christopher M , Henschke Nicholas , Lee Hopin
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Mediation analysis is a widely used quantitative method for investigating how interventions and exposures in randomised controlled trials and observational studies have an effect on healthcare outcomes. This study aimed to assess the importance of items that should be considered in a consensus meeting aimed at developing a guideline for reporting mediation analyses.

Design

International online Delphi study.

Participants

International experts in the development and application of mediation analysis.

Main outcome measures

The Delphi panel were asked to rate the importance of a list of items for inclusion in a guideline for reporting mediation analyses. Thresholds for disagreement and consensus on importance for inclusion were specified a priori. We used the Research ANd Development/University of California Los Angeles appropriateness method to quantitatively assess the importance for inclusion and panel agreement.

Results

Nineteen expert panellists (10 female) from seven countries agreed to participate. All panellists contributed to all three rounds conducted between 10 June 2019 and 6 November 2019. The panel reached consensus on 34 unique reporting items for study design, analytic procedures and effect estimates, with three items rated ‘optional’. Panellists added one extra item and provided 60 qualitative comments for item refinement and prioritisation.

Conclusion

This Delphi study used a rigorous consensus process to reach consensus on 34 reporting items for studies that use mediation analysis. These results will inform a consensus meeting that will consolidate a core set of recommended items for reporting mediation analyses.
Which mechanisms explain the motivation of primary health workers? Insights from the realist evaluation of a maternal and child health programme in Nigeria
Authors: Ebenso Bassey , Mbachu Chinyere , Etiaba Enyi , Huss Reinhard , Manzano Ana , Onwujekwe Obinna , Uzochukwu Benjamin , Ezumah Nkoli , Ensor Timothy , Hicks Joseph Paul , Mirzoev Tolib
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Well-trained, adequately skilled and motivated primary healthcare (PHC) workers are essential for attaining universal health coverage (UHC). While there is abundant literature on the drivers of workforce motivation, published knowledge on the mechanisms of motivation within different contexts is limited, particularly in resource-limited countries. This paper contributes to health workforce literature by reporting on how motivation works among PHC workers in a maternal and child health (MCH) programme in Nigeria.

Methods

We adopted a realist evaluation design combining document review with 56 in-depth interviews of PHC workers, facility managers and policy-makers to assess the impact of the MCH programme in Anambra State, Nigeria. A realist process of theory development, testing and consolidation was used to understand how and under what circumstances the MCH programme impacted on workers’ motivation and which mechanisms explain how motivation works. We drew on Herzberg’s two-factor and Adam’s equity theories to unpack how context shapes worker motivation.

Results

A complex and dynamic interaction between the MCH programme and organisational and wider contexts triggered five mechanisms which explain PHC worker motivation: (1) feeling supported, (2) feeling comfortable with work environment, (3) feeling valued, (4) morale and confidence to perform tasks and (5) companionship. Some mechanisms were mutually reinforcing while others operated in parallel. Other conditions that enabled worker motivation were organisational values of fairness, recognition of workers’ contributions and culture of task-sharing and teamwork.

Conclusions

Policy designs and management strategies for improving workforce performance, particularly in resource-constrained settings should create working environments that foster feelings of being valued and supported while enabling workers to apply their knowledge and skills to improve healthcare delivery and promote UHC. Future research can test the explanatory framework generated by this study and explore differences in motivational mechanisms among different cadres of PHC workers to inform cadre-related motivational interventions.
Factors influencing undernutrition among children under 5 years from cocoa-growing communities in Bougainville
Authors: Hall Jessica , Walton Merrilyn , Van Ogtrop Floris , Guest David , Black Kirsten , Beardsley Justin
Published: August 2020

Half the children under the age of 5 years in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are undernourished, more than double the global average with rural areas disproportionately affected. This study examines factors associated with stunting, wasting and underweight in cocoa growers’ children (<5 years) in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB), using data from a comprehensive 2017 cross-sectional livelihoods survey. Sixteen independent predictors for stunting, wasting and underweight were selected based on the UNICEF Conceptual Framework of Determinants of Undernutrition. We used multilevel logistic mixed regression models to measure the association of the explanatory variables with stunting, wasting and underweight. At the household level, the adjusted OR (aOR) of stunting (aOR=1.71,95% CI 1.14 to 2.55) and underweight (aOR=2.11, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.82) increased significantly among children from households with unimproved toilet facilities. The aOR for underweight also increased among children from households without access to clean drinking water (aOR=1.97, 95% CI 1.19 to 3.29). Short maternal stature was significantly associated with child stunting, the odds increased as maternal height decreased (from 150 to <155 cm, aOR=1.52, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.26) (<150 cm, aOR=2.37, 95% CI 1.29 to 4.35). At the individual level, the odds of a child being underweight increased with birth order (second born, aOR=1.92, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.36; third born, aOR=6.77, 95% CI 2.00 to 22.82). Compared with children less than 6 months, children aged 6–23 months and 24–59 months had a higher odds of being stunted (aOR=3.27, 95% CI 1.57 to 6.78 and aOR=2.82, 95% CI 1.40 to 5.67) and underweight (aOR=4.83, 95% CI 1.36 to 17.24 and aOR=4.59, 95% CI 1.29 to 16.26). No variables were found to be significant for wasting. Interventions that simultaneously target key life stages for women and children and the underlying social and environmental determinants are required for sustained improvements to undernutrition.
Adiponectin and adiponectin receptor 1 expression proteins levels are modified in breast cancer in postmenopausal women with obesity
Authors: Orozco-Arguelles Leticia , De los Santos Sergio , Tenorio-Torres Alberto , Méndez Juan Pablo , Leal-García Marcela , Coral-Vázquez Ramón , Vega-García Claudia , Bautista-Piña Verónica , Tejeda María Elena , Cárdenas-Cárdenas Eduardo , Canto Patricia
Published: August 2020

Aim

To analyse the expression of adiponectin (ADIPOQ), and its receptors ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2, in breast cancer tissue of postmenopausal women with different body mass indexes (BMIs).

Subjects and methods

One hundred and fifty postmenopausal Mexican-Mestizo women with breast cancer were included. BMI was determined in each case. To carry out qualitative and semiquantitative assessments of protein expression by immunohistochemistry, the H-Score method was used, through ImageJ's IHC Profiler software. Statistical power of the study was >80% with a p<0.05.

Results

Fifty women had a normal BMI, 50 presented overweight and 50 had obesity. The expression of ADIPOQ in breast cancer tissue of postmenopausal woman with normal BMI was higher in comparison to women with overweight or with obesity (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, the expression of ADIPOR1 in breast cancer tissue of postmenopausal women with normal BMI was significantly lower when compared with women with overweight or with obesity (p=0.005 and p<0.001, respectively). Meanwhile, the expression of ADIPOR2 in breast cancer tissue, in the cytoplasm, was similar in all groups studied.

Conclusions

We found that women with overweight or obesity had a lower expression of ADIPOQ and a higher ADIPOR1 expression in breast cancer tissue, when compared with women with a normal BMI.
Violent crime, police presence and poor sleep in two low-income urban predominantly Black American neighbourhoods
Authors: Richardson Andrea S , Troxel Wendy M , Ghosh-Dastidar Madhumita , Hunter Gerald P , Beckman Robin , Collins Rebecca , Brooks Holliday Stephanie , Nugroho Alvin , Hale Lauren , Buysse Daniel J , Buman Matthew P , Dubowitz Tamara
Published: August 2020

Objective

To examine violent crime in relation to sleep and explore pathways, including psychological distress, safety perceptions and perceived police presence, that may account for associations.

Methods

In 2018, 515 predominantly Black American (94%) adults (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA) provided survey data: actigraphy-assessed sleep duration and wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO). We estimated pathways from violent crime (2016–2018) to sleep through psychological distress, perceptions of safety and perceived adequacy of police presence.

Results

WASO was most strongly associated with violent crimes that were within 1/10 mile of the participant’s home and within the month preceding the interview. Violent crimes were associated with lower perceived safety (β=−0.13 (0.03), p<0.001) and greater WASO (β=5.96 (2.80), p=0.03). We observed no indirect associations between crime and either WASO or sleep duration through any of the tested mediators. Crime was not associated with sleep duration.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that more proximal and more recent violent crimes were associated with reduced perceived safety and worse WASO. Differential exposure to violent crime among Black Americans may contribute to health disparities by reducing residents’ perceived safety and sleep health.
Exome sequencing of 112 trios identifies recessive genetic variants in brain arteriovenous malformations
Authors: Zhang Mingqi , Ding Xinghuan , Zhang Qianqian , Liu Jian , Zhang Yisen , Zhang Ying , Tian Zhongbin , Li Wenqiang , Zhu Wei , Kang Huibin , Wang Zhongxiao , Wu Xinzhi , Wang Chao , Yang Xinjian , Wang Kun
Published: August 2020

Background

Brain arteriovenous malformation (BAVM) is a main cause of cerebral hemorrhage and hemorrhagic stroke in adolescents. Morphologically, a BAVM is an abnormal connection between cerebrovascular arteries and veins. The genetic etiology of BAVMs has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aim to investigate potential recessive genetic variants in BAVMs by interrogation of rare compound heterozygous variants.

Methods

We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on 112 BAVM trios and analyzed the data for rare and deleterious compound heterozygous mutations associated with the disease.

Results

We identified 16 genes with compound heterozygous variants that were recurrent in more than one trio. Two genes (
LRP2, MUC5B
) were recurrently mutated in three trios.
LRP2
has been previously associated with BAVM pathogenesis. Fourteen genes (
MYLK
,
HSPG2
,
PEAK1
,
PIEZO1
,
PRUNE2
,
DNAH14
,
DNAH5
,
FCGBP
,
HERC2
,
HMCN1
,
MYH1
,
NHSL1
,
PLEC
,
RP1L1
) were recurrently mutated in two trios, and five of these genes (
MYLK
,
HSPG2
,
PEAK1
,
PIEZO1
,
PRUNE2
) have been reported to play a role in angiogenesis or vascular diseases. Additionally, abnormal expression of the MYLK protein is related to spinal arteriovenous malformations.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that rare recessive compound heterozygous variants may underlie cases of BAVM. These findings improve our understanding of BAVM pathology and indicate genes for functional validation.
Arthritis-related work outcomes experienced by younger to middle-aged adults: a systematic review
Authors: Berkovic Danielle , Briggs Andrew M , Ayton Darshini , Parker Catriona , Ackerman Ilana
Published: August 2020

Objective

The aim of this review was to systematically identify, appraise and synthesise evidence on work-related outcomes experienced by younger to middle-aged adults (aged 16–50 years) with arthritis.

Methods

Eligible studies were identified in Medline, PsycINFO, Embase and CINAHL in January 2020. Quantitative and qualitative studies containing self-reported data on work-related outcomes on younger/middle-aged adults with arthritis were included. Quality assessment was undertaken using validated quality appraisal tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute.

Results

Thirty-four studies were identified for inclusion. Work outcomes were organised around five themes: (1) arthritis-related work productivity outcomes, (2) arthritis-related work participation outcomes, (3) other arthritis-related workplace outcomes, (4) barriers to work participation associated with arthritis and (5) enablers to work participation associated with arthritis. Arthritis was associated with work limitations on the Workplace Activity Limitations Scale (average scores ranging from 5.9 (indicating moderate workplace difficulty) to 9.8 (considerable workplace difficulty)), and higher work disability prevalence rates (range: 6%–80%) relative to healthy populations. Arthritis was not associated with decreased absenteeism on the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (mean (SD) 7.9% (14.0%)), indicating low levels of absenteeism, similar to healthy populations. As work outcomes were commonly binary, person-centred (qualitative) perspectives on barriers and enablers augmented the quantitative findings.

Conclusion

Arthritis is commonly associated with poorer work outcomes for younger/middle-aged adults relative to healthy populations. Additional research focusing solely on the workplace needs of younger/middle-aged population groups is required to inform tailored interventions and workplace support initiatives to maximise productive working years.
Genital HSV-1 DNA detection is associated with a low inflammatory profile in HIV-uninfected South African women
Authors: Mtshali Andile , Ngcapu Sinaye , Osman Farzana , Garrett Nigel , Singh Ravesh , Rompalo Anne , Mindel Adrian , Liebenberg Lenine J P
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are common in South Africa and worldwide. While HSV-2 is known to cause genital lesions, HSV-1 is better known to cause oral infections. Due to the global rise in genital HSV-1 infections, we aimed to compare the genital cytokine environment associated with HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections and their relation to the proinflammatory genital immune environment associated with HIV risk in African women.

Methods

HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA were detected by quantitative real-time PCR in menstrual cup specimens collected from 251 HIV-negative women participating in the CAPRISA 083 study in Durban, South Africa. HSV shedding was defined as detection at >150 copies/mL. Forty-eight cytokines were measured in genital fluid by multiplexed ELISA, and multivariable regression models determined associations between genital cytokines and HSV DNA detection.

Results

HSV-1 DNA detection (24/251 (9.6%)) and shedding (13/24 (54.2%)) was more common than HSV-2 (detection in 14/251 (5.6%), shedding in 0/14). None of the women with detectable HSV had evidence of genital lesions. HSV-2 DNA detection was associated with increased interleukin (IL)−18 and decreased cutaneous T-cell attracting chemokine concentrations, but only in univariable analysis. By contrast, in both univariable and multivariable analyses, the detection of HSV-1 DNA was associated with reduced concentrations of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, IL-7, IL-4, platelet-derived growth factor-ββ and five proinflammatory cytokines associated with HIV risk: IL-6, IL-1β, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)−1α, MIP-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α.

Conclusions

That HSV-1 DNA was more commonly detected and shed than HSV-2 emphasises the need for clinical screening of both viruses, not just HSV-2 in young women. Efforts to reduce genital inflammation may need to consider implementing additional strategies to mitigate a rise in HSV replication.
Spin response function technique in spin-transparent synchrotrons
Authors: Filatov Y. N. , Kondratenko A. M. , Kondratenko M. A. , Derbenev Y. S. , Morozov V. S. , Kovalenko A. D.
Published: August 2020

Small perturbative fields in a synchrotron influence both the spin and orbital motion of a stored beam. Their effect on the beam polarization consists of two contributions, a direct kick and an effect of the ring lattice due to orbit perturbation. Spin response function is an analytic technique to account for both contributions. We develop such a technique for the spin-transparent synchrotrons where the design spin motion is degenerate. Several perspective applications are illustrated or discussed. In particular, we consider the questions of the influence of lattice imperfections on the spin dynamics and spin manipulation during an experiment. The presented results are of a direct relevance to NICA (JINR), RHIC (BNL), EIC (BNL) and other existing and future colliders when they arranged with polarization control in the spin-transparent mode.
Thermal features of Barrow corrected-entropy black hole formulation
Authors: Abreu Everton M. C. , Neto Jorge Ananias
Published: August 2020

Through the last years, it was demonstrated that quantum corrections of entropy, represented by logarithmic and power law corrections terms, constituted an association between semi-classical entropic areas and the curvature correction in Einstein–Hilbert’s Lagrangian and vice-versa. Loop quantum gravity approach provided the logarithmic corrections, which arises from quantum and thermal equilibrium fluctuations. On the other hand, Barrow’s entropy was introduced from the fact that the black hole surface can be modified due to quantum gravitational effects. The new exponent $$\Delta $$Δ that appears in Barrow’s entropy is a measure of this perturbation. In this letter we have analyzed the thermodynamical effects of the quantum fluctuations upon the geometry of a Barrow’s black hole. We demonstrated that new formulations of the equipartition law, which corresponds to the horizon energy, can be constructed from both entropic formalisms. Besides, we have calculated the heat capacity for both formulations and we discussed their thermal viability. We have also establish a condition on one of the constant pre-factors of the logarithmic correction.
Efficient Identification of k-Closed Strings
Authors: Alamro Hayam , Alzamel Mai , Iliopoulos Costas S. , Pissis Solon P. , Sung Wing-Kin , Watts Steven
Published: August 2020

A closed string contains a proper factor occurring as both a prefix and a suffix but not elsewhere in the string. Closed strings were introduced by Fici (WORDS 2011) as objects of combinatorial interest. This paper addresses a new problem by extending the closed string problem to the [Formula: see text]-closed string problem, for which a level of approximation is permitted up to a number of Hamming distance errors, set by the parameter [Formula: see text].

We address the problem of deciding whether or not a given string of length [Formula: see text] over an integer alphabet is [Formula: see text]-closed and additionally specifying the border resulting in the string being [Formula: see text]-closed. Specifically, we present an [Formula: see text]-time and [Formula: see text]-space algorithm to achieve this along with the pseudocode of an implementation and proof-of-concept experimental results.
Almost Every n-Vertex Graph is Determined by Its 3log2n-Vertex Subgraphs
Authors: Farhadian Ameneh
Published: August 2020

This paper proves that almost every [Formula: see text]-vertex graph has the property that the multiset of its induced subgraphs on [Formula: see text] vertices is sufficient to determine it up to isomorphism. That is, the probability that there exists two [Formula: see text]-vertex graphs with the same multiset of [Formula: see text]-vertex induced subgraphs goes to zero as [Formula: see text] goes to infinity.
Effects of removing temperature of reduction gas on the luminescence characteristics of Li2BaSiO4:0.003EU2+ green phosphor
Authors: Li Jie , Lu Yang-Ming , Yang Qing-Hao , Yang Cheng-Fu
Published: August 2020

We had successfully synthesized green-emitting phosphors based on Li2BaSiO4 material activated by bivalent europium ions (Eu[Formula: see text]) using a solid-state reaction method in a reducing gas environment and investigated their luminescence properties. The Li2BaSiO4:0.003Eu[Formula: see text] (LSB-Eu) phosphors were synthesized at 850[Formula: see text]C for 1 h, and the reduction gas was removed at 500[Formula: see text]C, 600[Formula: see text]C, 700[Formula: see text]C and 800[Formula: see text]C, respectively. XRD pattern showed that the Li2BaSiO4, Ba2SiO4 and Li4SiO4 phases were observed in the synthesized Li2BaSiO4 composition. As the reduction gas was removed at 800[Formula: see text]C, the LSB-Eu phosphor emitted a weak red light rather than a green light. Two weak emission peaks were found at about 588 nm and 613 nm corresponding to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] transitions. As temperature to remove the reduction gas was lower than 800[Formula: see text]C, the emission spectra of LSB-Eu phosphors reveled a broad peak centered at 501 nm, which emitted a green color. The intensity of photoluminescence excitation (PLE) photoluminescence emission (PL) spectra increased as the removing temperature was decreased from 700[Formula: see text]C to 500[Formula: see text]C and saturated at 500[Formula: see text]C. These results show that LSB-Eu can be a noteworthy candidate of green-emitting phosphor for the investigation of white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs).
The Big Hack Explained
Authors: Mehta Dhwani , Lu Hangwei , Paradis Olivia P. , M. S. Mukhil Azhagan , Rahman M. Tanjidur , Iskander Yousef , Chawla Praveen , Woodard Damon L. , Tehranipoor Mark , Asadizanjani Navid
Published: August 2020

Over the past two decades, globalized outsourcing in the semiconductor supply chain has lowered manufacturing costs and shortened the time-to-market for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). However, such outsourcing has rendered the printed circuit boards (PCBs) vulnerable to malicious activities and alterations on a global scale. In this article, we take an in-depth look into one such attack, called the “Big Hack,” that was recently reported by Bloomberg Buisnessweek. The article provides background on the Big Hack from three perspectives: an attacker, a security investigator, and the societal impacts. This study provides details on vulnerabilities in the modern PCB supply chain, the possible attacks, and the existing and emerging countermeasures. The necessity for novel visual inspection techniques for PCB assurance is emphasized throughout the article. Further, a review of various imaging modalities, image analysis algorithms, and open research challenges are provided for automated visual inspection.
A Proof of the CSP Dichotomy Conjecture
Authors: Zhuk Dmitriy
Published: August 2020

Many natural combinatorial problems can be expressed as constraint satisfaction problems. This class of problems is known to be NP-complete in general, but certain restrictions on the form of the constraints can ensure tractability. The standard way to parameterize interesting subclasses of the constraint satisfaction problem is via finite constraint languages. The main problem is to classify those subclasses that are solvable in polynomial time and those that are NP-complete. It was conjectured that if a constraint language has a weak near-unanimity polymorphism then the corresponding constraint satisfaction problem is tractable; otherwise, it is NP-complete.

In the article, we present an algorithm that solves Constraint Satisfaction Problem in polynomial time for constraint languages having a weak near unanimity polymorphism, which proves the remaining part of the conjecture.
1
Reimagining (Women’s) Health
Authors: Keyes Os , Peil Burren , Williams Rua M. , Spiel Katta
Published: August 2020

An ever-increasing body of work within HCI investigates questions of around “Women’s Health” with the aim to disrupt the status quo of defaulting to an implicit norm of cis-male bodies. This laudable and feminist project has the potential to drastically improve the inclusivity and availability of health care. To explore how this research attends to gender, embodiment and identity, we conducted a critical discourse analysis of 17 publications explicitly positioning themselves as works concerned with “Women’s Health”. We find essentialised articulations of embodiment and gender, though little discussion on the intersections of race, class, sexuality and cultural contexts. Through two speculative designs, we illustrate potential responses to our analysis: The Shadow Zine, a reflection of self and the Compass, a token for community care.
1
Our work provides an opportunity to develop a broader frame of gender and health, one that centers
(gendered) marginalised health
by attending to the power structures of existing medical practices and norms.
Emotions Behind Drive-by Download Propagation on Twitter
Authors: Javed Amir , Burnap Pete , Williams Matthew L. , Rana Omer F.
Published: August 2020

Twitter has emerged as one of the most popular platforms to get updates on entertainment and current events. However, due to its 280-character restriction and automatic shortening of URLs, it is continuously targeted by cybercriminals to carry out drive-by download attacks, where a user’s system is infected by merely visiting a Web page. Popular events that attract a large number of users are used by cybercriminals to infect and propagate malware by using popular hashtags and creating misleading tweets to lure users to malicious Web pages. A drive-by download attack is carried out by obfuscating a malicious URL in an enticing tweet and used as clickbait to lure users to a malicious Web page. In this article, we answer the following two questions: Why are certain malicious tweets retweeted more than others? Do emotions reflecting in a tweet drive virality? We gathered tweets from seven different sporting events over 3 years and identified those tweets that were used to carry to out a drive-by download attack. From the malicious (N= 105, 642) and benign (N= 169, 178) data sample identified, we built models to predict information flow size and survival. We define size as the number of retweets of an original tweet, and survival as the duration of the original tweet’s presence in the study window. We selected the zero-truncated negative binomial (ZTNB) regression method for our analysis based on the distribution exhibited by our dependent size measure and the comparison of results with other predictive models. We used the Cox regression technique to model the survival of information flows as it estimates proportional hazard rates for independent measures. Our results show that both social and content factors are statistically significant for the size and survival of information flows for both malicious and benign tweets. In the benign data sample, positive emotions and positive sentiment reflected in the tweet significantly predict size and survival. In contrast, for the malicious data sample, negative emotions, especially fear, are associated with both size and survival of information flows.
Blind Image Quality Assessment by Natural Scene Statistics and Perceptual Characteristics
Authors: Liu Yutao , Gu Ke , Li Xiu , Zhang Yongbing
Published: August 2020

Opinion-unaware blind image quality assessment (OU BIQA) refers to establishing a blind quality prediction model without using the expensive subjective quality scores, which is a highly promising direction in the BIQA research. In this article, we focus on OU BIQA and propose a novel OU BIQA method. Specifically, in our proposed method, we deeply investigate the natural scene statistics (NSS) and the perceptual characteristics of the human brain for visual perception. Accordingly, a set of quality-aware NSS and perceptual characteristics-related features are designed to characterize the image quality effectively. For inferring the image quality, we learn a pristine multivariate Gaussian (MVG) model on a collection of pristine images, which serves as the reference information for quality evaluation. At last, the quality of a new given image is defined by measuring the divergence between its MVG model and the learned pristine MVG model. Thorough experiments performed on seven popular image databases demonstrate that the proposed OU BIQA method delivers superior performance to the state-of-the-art OU BIQA methods. The Matlab source code of the proposed method will be made publicly available at https://github.com/YT2015?tab=;repositories.
Coordinate adaptations of skeletal muscle and kidney to maintain extracellular [K+] during K+-deficient diet
Authors: McFarlin Brandon E. , Chen Yuhan , Priver Taylor S. , Ralph Donna L. , Mercado Adriana , Gamba Gerardo , Madhur Meena S. , McDonough Alicia A.
Published: August 2020

Extracellular fluid (ECF) potassium concentration ([K+]) is maintained by adaptations of kidney and skeletal muscle, responses heretofore studied separately. We aimed to determine how these organ systems work in concert to preserve ECF [K+] in male C57BL/6J mice fed a K+-deficient diet (0K) versus 1% K+ diet (1K) for 10 days ( n = 5–6/group). During 0K feeding, plasma [K+] fell from 4.5 to 2 mM; hindlimb muscle (gastrocnemius and soleus) lost 28 mM K+ (from 115 ± 2 to 87 ± 2 mM) and gained 27 mM Na+ (from 27 ± 0.4 to 54 ± 2 mM). Doubling of muscle tissue [Na+] was not associated with inflammation, cytokine production or hypertension as reported by others. Muscle transporter adaptations in 0K- versus 1K-fed mice, assessed by immunoblot, included decreased sodium pump α2-β2 subunits, decreased K+-Cl− cotransporter isoform 3, and increased phosphorylated (p) Na+,K+,2Cl− cotransporter isoform 1 (NKCC1p), Ste20/SPS-1-related proline-alanine rich kinase (SPAKp), and oxidative stress-responsive kinase 1 (OSR1p) consistent with intracellular fluid (ICF) K+ loss and Na+ gain. Renal transporters’ adaptations, effecting a 98% reduction in K+ excretion, included two- to threefold increased phosphorylated Na+-Cl− cotransporter (NCCp), SPAKp, and OSR1p abundance, limiting Na+ delivery to epithelial Na+ channels where Na+ reabsorption drives K+ secretion; and renal K sensor Kir 4.1 abundance fell 25%. Mass balance estimations indicate that over 10 days of 0K feeding, mice lose ~48 μmol K+ into the urine and muscle shifts ~47 μmol K+ from ICF to ECF, illustrating the importance of the concerted responses during K+ deficiency.
Specific loss of neural sensitivity to interaural time difference of unmodulated noise stimuli following noise-induced hearing loss
Authors: Haragopal Hariprakash , Dorkoski Ryan , Pollard Austin R. , Whaley Gareth A. , Wohl Timothy R. , Stroud Noelle C. , Day Mitchell L.
Published: August 2020

Sensorineural hearing loss compromises perceptual abilities that arise from hearing with two ears, yet its effects on binaural aspects of neural responses are largely unknown. We found that, following severe hearing loss because of acoustic trauma, auditory midbrain neurons specifically lost the ability to encode time differences between the arrival of a broadband noise stimulus to the two ears, whereas the encoding of sound level differences between the two ears remained uncompromised.
A Mathematical Model to Study the Coupling Effect of Deformation-Seepage-Heat Transfer on Coalbed Methane Transport and Its Simulative Application
Authors: Xie Jianlin , Zhao Yangsheng
Published: August 2020

Injection of high-temperature water or steam into low-permeability coalbed for efficient and rapid extraction of coalbed methane has been studied by our university for many years and will soon be implemented in the field. With comprehensive consideration of coupling of heat transfer, water seepage, desorption of coalbed methane, and coal-rock mass deformation, the paper establishes a more comprehensive mathematical model of the coupling effect of deformation-seepage-heat transfer on coalbed methane transport. Compared with the previous studies, this theoretical model considers the change of adsorbed and free coalbed methane at high temperature and the coalbed methane transport caused by a high-temperature gradient. Using the Tunlan Coal Mine of Shanxi Coking Coal Group to conduct the numerical simulations on the coalbed methane extraction project using heat injection technology, results show that (1) high-temperature water flowed towards the extraction hole along fractured fissures, with seepage towards the coal mass on both sides of the fissure at the same time, gradually heating the coalbed and forming an arcuate distribution of temperature from high to low for an area from the fractured fissure to the coalbed upper and lower boundaries. On the thirtieth day of heat injection, the temperature of the coalbed in the heat injection area ranged from 140°C to 260°C. (2) Under high temperatures, desorption of the coalbed gas was quick, and the adsorption gas content formed an oval funnel from the heat injection hole towards the extraction hole, centered by the fractured fissure, and migrating towards the coalbed upper and lower boundaries. Along with heat injection and extraction, the absorbed gas content rapidly decreased, and on the thirtieth day of injection, the absorbed gas content of the entire heat injection area decreased to 1.5 m3/t, only 7% of the original. (3) During heat injection, the coalbed gas pore pressure rapidly increased and reached 5.5 MPa on the tenth day, about 4.5 times the original, and the pore pressure steadied at 3.5 MPa on the thirtieth day of extraction. Such a high gas pressure gradient promoted the rapid flow and drainage of the gas.
On Variable Sum Exdeg Indices of Quasi-Tree Graphs and Unicyclic Graphs
Authors: Sun Xiaoling , Du Jianwei
Published: August 2020

In this work, by using the properties of the variable sum exdeg indices and analyzing the structure of the quasi-tree graphs and unicyclic graphs, the minimum and maximum variable sum exdeg indices of quasi-tree graphs and quasi-tree graphs with perfect matchings were presented; the minimum and maximum variable sum exdeg indices of unicyclic graphs with given pendant vertices and cycle length were determined.
Optimal Design of the Sealing Structure of a Hydraulic Cylinder on the Basis of a Surrogate Model
Authors: Zhang Hong , Sun Yu , Li Chenchen , Wang Haoran
Published: August 2020

In this study, a finite‐element simulation model was established for a two‐dimensional hydraulic cylinder seal structure with highly nonlinear materials and contacts for achieving the optimal sealing effect with the structure. The effects of gaps as well as single and double O‐rings on the sealing effect were examined. On the basis of this examination, a parametric model was developed for double‐O‐rings without gaps, which are suitable for hydraulic cylinder sealing. Suitable design variables, objective functions, and constraint conditions were determined for the parametric model. Then, a surrogate model was fitted and optimised through a constrained Latin hypercube method, an interpolating recmultiquadric radial basis function method, and the genetic algorithm. The results indicate that the seal and seal groove structures obtained through optimisation with the surrogate model provide a superior sealing effect to unoptimised structures. Therefore, the combination of the developed surrogate model and finite‐element method can provide a theoretical reference for the design of the sealing structure of hydraulic cylinders.
Potential Trend for Online Shopping Data Based on the Linear Regression and Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Dong Jian , Chen Yu , Gu Aihua , Chen Jingwei , Li Lili , Chen Qinling , Li Shujun , Xun Qifeng
Published: August 2020

How to reduce the cost of competition in the industry, identify effective customers, and understand the emotional needs and consumer preferences of customers, so as to carry out fast and accurate commercial marketing, is an important research topic. In this paper, we discussed the method for the analysis of three product data which represent the customer-supplied ratings and reviews for microwave ovens, baby pacifiers, and hair dryers sold in the Amazon marketplace over the time period. The sentiment analysis, linear regression analysis, and descriptive statistics were implemented to analyze the three datasets. Based on the sentiment analysis given by the naive Bayesian classification algorithm, we found that the star rating is positively correlated with the reviews, while the helpfulness ratings have no specific relationship with the star rating and reviews. We use multiple regression analysis and clustering algorithm analysis to get the relationship between the 4 indexes such as time, star rating, reviews, and helpfulness rating. We find that there is a positive correlation between the 4 indexes, and the reputation of the product online market is improving as time grows. Based on the analysis of the positive reviews and star ratings, we suggested indicating a potentially successful or failing product by the positive reviews. We also discussed the relations between the star ratings and number of reviews. Finally, we selected the words from the Amazon sentiment dictionary as candidate words. By counting the candidate words’ appearance in the review, the keywords that can reflect the star rating were found.
Riddled Attraction Basin and Multistability in Three-Element-Based Memristive Circuit
Authors: Xu Quan , Tan Xiao , Zhang Yunzhen , Bao Han , Hu Yihua , Bao Bocheng , Chen Mo
Published: August 2020

By coupling a diode bridge-based second-order memristor and an active voltage-controlled memristor with a capacitor, a three-element-based memristive circuit is synthesized and its system model is then built. The boundedness of the three-element-based memristive circuit is theoretically proved by employing the contraction mapping principle. Besides, the stability distributions of equilibrium points are theoretically and numerically expounded in a 2D parameter plane. The results imply the memristive circuit has a zero unstable saddle focus and a pair of nonzero stable node-foci or unstable saddle-foci depending on the considered parameters. The dynamical behaviors include point attractor, period, chaos, coexisting bifurcation mode, period-doubling bifurcation route, and crisis scenarios, which are explored using some common dynamical methods. Of particular concern, riddled attraction basins and multistability are uncovered under two sets of specified model parameters nearing the tiny neighborhood of crisis scenarios by local attraction basins and phase plane plots. The riddled attraction basins with island-like structure demonstrate that their dynamical behaviors are extremely sensitive to the initial conditions, resulting in the coexistence of limit cycles with period-2 and period-6, as well as the coexistence of period-1 limit cycles and single-scroll chaotic attractors. Moreover, a feasible on-breadboard hardware circuit is manually made and the experimental measurements are executed, upon which phase plane trajectories for some discrete model parameters are captured to further confirm the numerically simulated ones.
Study on Energy Release of Surrounding Rock under the Multiple Unloading Disturbance during Tunnel Excavation
Authors: Fan Yong , Zheng Junwei , Hu Xinyi , Cui Xianze , He Weiping
Published: August 2020

During excavation of deep rock, the release of strain energy plays an important role in geologic hazards caused by excavation. However, in the previous studies, the influence of transient unloading of in situ stress caused by blasting excavation has been ignored, and the blasting excavation of a tunnel is regarded as a single blast process. In this paper, the dynamic adjustment process of strain energy and the energy storage limit of surrounding rocks caused by transient unloading of in situ stress under elastic conditions were firstly analyzed. Then, the brittle-ductile-plastic transition model based on the Hoek–Brown strength criterion was simulated in FLAC3D. Finally, the dynamic release process of strain energy of surrounding rocks caused by multiple unloading disturbances was analyzed during the excavation of 2# Underground Laboratory of Jinping II Hydropower Station employing the newly proposed index, energy release coefficient (ERC). Results show that the strain energy of surrounding rock masses firstly decreases, then increases, next reduces, and finally stabilizes under the transient unloading of in situ stress. In the process of dynamic change of strain energy, when the strain energy exceeds its storage limit, a large amount of strain energy will be released and thus will lead to damage of the surrounding rock masses. Because the cut holes and the first circle of breaking holes are far away from the final excavation boundary, the unloading disturbance to the strain energy of surrounding rock masses is small. Furthermore, the energy release of surrounding rock masses is mainly caused by the unloading of the last circle of breaking holes and perimeter holes, and the closer to the final excavation boundary, the more intense the energy release.
A Gradient Projection Algorithm with a New Stepsize for Nonnegative Sparsity-Constrained Optimization
Authors: Li Ye , Sun Jun , Qu Biao
Published: August 2020

Nonnegative sparsity-constrained optimization problem arises in many fields, such as the linear compressing sensing problem and the regularized logistic regression cost function. In this paper, we introduce a new stepsize rule and establish a gradient projection algorithm. We also obtain some convergence results under milder conditions.