bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Activity of Reasoning: How Reasoning Can Constitute Epistemic Agency
Authors: Jenkins David
Published: May 2021

We naturally see ourselves as capable of being active with respect to the matter of what we believe – as capable of epistemic agency. A natural view is that we can exercise such agency by engaging in reasoning. Sceptics contend that such a view cannot be maintained in light of the fact that reasoning involves judgements, which are not decided upon or the products of prior intentions. In response, I argue that reasoning in fact can amount to epistemic agency in virtue of its being aim‐directed in a way that cannot be reconciled with the sceptics' conception of it.
Nonlinear spillover and portfolio allocation characteristics of energy equity sectors: Evidence from the United States and Canada
Authors: Arreola Hernandez Jose , Kang Sang Hoon , Yoon Seong‐Min
Published: May 2021

We investigate the nonlinear spillover and portfolio allocation characteristics of the US and Canadian energy equity portfolios. Our empirical study based on directional spillover index and non‐convex portfolio optimization show that the spillover effects in the aggregate are smaller for the US portfolio across time. However, when only the largest spillover transmitters and receivers are considered, the total spillover effects are lower for the Canadian portfolio relative to the US portfolio. These portfolio optimization results indicate lower portfolio allocation risk for the Canadian energy equities during the global financial crisis of 2008 and for the full sample period.
An Electromagnetic Energy Harvester of Large-Scale Bistable Motion by Application of Stochastic Resonance
Authors: Zhao Wei , Zheng Rencheng , Yin Xiangran , Zhao Xilu , Nakano Kimihiko
Published: May 2021

Vibrational energy harvesting has attracted considerable research attention for electrical power collection from ambient vibrations. Thereby, this study first developed an electromagnetic energy harvester of large-scale bistable motion by application of stochastic resonance, to enhance energy harvesting efficiency at a broadly low frequency. The electromagnetic energy harvester is fabricated by a magnet-coil generator and an oblique-supported spring-mass system. In the beginning, a weighting function is originally proposed considering mutual position relationship of the magnet and coil, and a motion equation and an electromagnetic induction equation are simultaneously established considering both elastic spring recovery force and electromagnetic induction Lorentz force. Subsequently, numerical analysis is processed to resolve the simultaneous equations to obtain systematic response displacement and the induced voltage, and the numerical solutions are accurately consistent with the measuring results in validation experiments. Furthermore, a damping coefficient is identified considering the mutual effectiveness of the damping forces from the normal friction and electromagnetic induction, and the influence of electromagnetic induction damping on systematic response displacement is carefully discussed. Eventually, experimental results clarified that the stochastic resonance phenomenon actually occurred as a large-scale bistable motion, and it is further validated that power generation efficiency can be noticeably enhanced following amplitude amplifications of systematic response displacement.
Precursor Abundance Influences Divergent Antigen-Specific CD8
+
T Cell Responses after Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Foodborne Infection
Authors: Zhang Yue , Qiu Zhijuan , Sheridan Brian S. , Bliska James B.
Published: May 2021

Primary infection of C57BL/6 mice with the bacterial pathogen
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
elicits an unusually large H-2K
b
-restricted CD8
+
T cell response to the endogenous and protective bacterial epitope YopE
69–77
. To better understand the basis for this large response, the model OVA
257–264
epitope was inserted into YopE in
Y. pseudotuberculosis
and antigen-specific CD8
+
T cells in mice were characterized after foodborne infection with the resulting strain.
Restructured Mitochondrial-Nuclear Interaction in Plasmodium falciparum Dormancy and Persister Survival after Artemisinin Exposure
Authors: Connelly Sean V. , Manzella-Lapeira Javier , Levine Zoë C. , Brzostowski Joseph , Krymskaya Ludmila , Rahman Rifat S. , Ellis Angela C. , Amin Shuchi N. , Sá Juliana M. , Wellems Thomas E.
Published: May 2021

The major first-line treatment for malaria, especially the deadliest form caused by
Plasmodium falciparum
, is combination therapy with an artemisinin-based drug (ART) plus a partner drug to assure complete cure. Without an effective partner drug, ART administration alone can fail because of the ability of small populations of blood-stage malaria parasites to enter into a dormant state and survive repeated treatments for a week or more.
Dot/Icm-Dependent Restriction of Legionella pneumophila within Neutrophils
Authors: Price Christopher T. D. , Hanford Hannah E. , Vashishta Aruna , Ozanic Mateja , Santic Marina , Uriarte Silvia , Kwaik Yousef Abu
Published: May 2021

Legionella pneumophila
is commonly found in aquatic environments and resides within a wide variety of amoebal hosts. Upon aerosol transmission to humans,
L. pneumophila
invades and replicates with alveolar macrophages, causing pneumonia designated Legionnaires’ disease.
Supplemental Material: Unraveling the link between mantle upwelling and formation of Sn-bearing granitic rocks in the world-class Dachang tin district, South China
Authors: Guo Jia , Zhang Rongqing , al. et
Published: May 2021

Additional figures (Figs. S1–S3), tables (Tables S1–S7), and methodology.
Prognostic nomogram for the severity of acute organophosphate insecticide self-poisoning: a retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Dong Ning , Wang Shaokun , Li Xingliang , Li Wei , Gao Nan , Pang Li , Xing Jihong
Published: May 2021

Objective

To develop a convenient nomogram for the bedside evaluation of patients with acute organophosphorus poisoning (AOPP).

Design

This was a retrospective study.

Setting

Two independent hospitals in northern China, the First Hospital of Jilin University and the Lequn Hospital of the First Hospital of Jilin University.

Participants

A total of 1657 consecutive patients admitted for the deliberate oral intake of AOPP within 24 hours from exposure and aged >18 years were enrolled between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2018. The exclusion criteria were: normal range of plasma cholinesterase, exposure to any other type of poisonous drug(s), severe chronic comorbidities including symptomatic heart failure (New York Heart Association III or IV) or any other kidney, liver and pulmonary diseases. Eight hundred and thirty-four patients were included.

Primary outcome measure

The existence of severely poisoned cases, defined as patients with any of the following complications: cardiac arrest, respiratory failure requiring ventilator support, hypotension or in-hospital death.

Results

440 patients from one hospital were included in the study to develop a nomogram of severe AOPP, whereas 394 patients from the other hospital were used for the validation. Associated risk factors were identified by multivariate logistic regression. The nomogram was validated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). A nomogram was developed with age, white cells, albumin, cholinesterase, blood pH and lactic acid levels. The AUC was 0.875 (95% CI 0.837 to 0.913) and 0.855 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.9) in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The calibration plot for the probability of severe AOPP showed an optimal agreement between the prediction by nomogram and actual observation in both derivation and validation cohorts.

Conclusion

A convenient severity evaluation nomogram for patients with AOPP was developed, which could be used by physicians in making clinical decisions and predicting patients’ prognosis.
Could COVID-19 pandemic be stopped with joint efforts of travel restrictions and public health countermeasures? A modelling study
Authors: Kong Lingcai , Hu Yi , Wang Qiang , Chen Xinda , Yao Tong , Wang Yu , Jin Hui , Fan Lijun , Du Wei
Published: May 2021

Objective

We aim to explore and compare the effect of global travel restrictions and public health countermeasures in response to COVID-19 outbreak.

Design

A data-driven spatio-temporal modelling to simulate the spread of COVID-19 worldwide for 150 days since 1 January 2020 under different scenarios.

Setting

Worldwide.

Interventions

Travel restrictions and public health countermeasures.

Main outcome

The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases.

Results

The cumulative number of COVID-19 cases could reach more than 420 million around the world without any countermeasures taken. Under timely and intensive global interventions, 99.97% of infections could be avoided comparing with non-interventions. The scenario of carrying out domestic travel restriction and public health countermeasures in China only could contribute to a significant decrease of the cumulative number of infected cases worldwide. Without global travel restriction in the study setting, 98.62% of COVID-19 cases could be avoided by public health countermeasures in China only compared with non-interventions at all.

Conclusions

Public health countermeasures were generally more effective than travel restrictions in many countries, suggesting multinational collaborations in the public health communities in response to this novel global health challenge.
Mediation role of low birth weight on the factors associated with newborn mortality and the moderation role of institutional delivery in the association of low birth weight with newborn mortality in a resource-poor setting
Authors: Kananura Rornald Muhumuza
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To assess low birth weight’s (LBW) mediation role on the factors associated with newborn mortality (NM), including stillbirth and the role of institutional delivery in the association between LBW and NM.

Design and participants

I used the 2011–2015 event histories health demographic data collected by Iganga-Mayuge Health Demographic and Surveillance Site (HDSS). The dataset consisted of 10 758 registered women whose birth occurred at least 22 weeks of the gestation period and records of newborns’ living status 28 days after delivery.

Setting

The Iganga-Mayuge HDSS is in Eastern Uganda, which routinely collects health and demographic data from a registered population of at least 100 000 people.

Outcome measure

The study’s key outcomes or endogenous factors were perinatal mortality (PM), late NM and LBW (mediating factor).

Results

The factors that were directly associated with PM were LBW (OR=2.55, 95% CI 1.15 to 5.67)), maternal age of 30+ years (OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.33), rural residence (OR=1.38, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.85), mothers with previous experience of NM (OR=3.95, 95% CI 2.86 to 5.46) and mothers with no education level (OR=1.63, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.18). Multiple births and mother’s prior experience of NM were positively associated with NM at a later age. Institutional delivery had a modest inverse role in the association of LBW with PM. LBW mediated the association of PM with residence status, mothers’ previous NM experience, multiple births, adolescent mothers and mothers’ marital status. Of the total effect attributable to each of these factors, LBW mediated +47%, +15%, +100%, +54% and −45% of rural resident mothers, mothers with previous experience of newborn or pregnancy loss, multiple births, adolescent mothers and mothers with partners, respectively.

Conclusion

LBW mediated multiple factors in the NM pathways, and the effect of institutional delivery in reducing mortality among LBW newborns was insignificant. The findings demonstrate the need for a holistic life course approach that gears the health systems to tackle NM.
War of conscience: antivaccination and the battle for medical freedom during World War I
Authors: McPherson Susan
Published: May 2021

The nineteenth century British antivaccination movement attracted popular and parliamentary support and ultimately saw the 1853 law which had made smallpox vaccination compulsory nullified by the 1898 ‘conscientious objector’ clause. In keeping with popular public health discourse of the time, the movement had employed rhetoric associated with sanitary science and liberalism. In the early twentieth century new discoveries in bacteriology were fuelling advances in vaccination and the medical establishment was increasingly pushing for public health to move towards more interventionist medical approaches. With the onset of war in 1914, the medical establishment hoped to persuade the government to introduce compulsory typhoid inoculation for soldiers. This article analyses antivaccination literature, mainstream newspapers and medical press along with parliamentary debates to examine how the British antivaccination movement engaged with this new threat of compulsion by expanding the rhetoric of ‘conscience’ and emphasising medical freedom while also asserting scientific critique concerning the effectiveness of vaccines and the new laboratory based diagnostic practices. In spite of ‘conscience’ fitting well with an emerging public health discourse of individual subjectivity, the mainstream press ridiculed the idea of working-class soldiers having a conscience, coalescing around the idea that ‘conscientious objection’ be reserved for spiritual, philosophical and educated men who objected to military service. Moreover, in spite of engaging in reasoned scientific critique, parliament and press consorted in the demarcation of scientific knowledge as exclusive to medical scientists, reflecting a growing allegiance between the state and the medical establishment during the war. Any scientific arguments critical of medical orthodoxy were subjugated, labelled as ‘crank’ or ‘faddist’ as well as unpatriotic. The antivaccination narratives around conscience contributed to or were part of an evolving discourse on consent and ethics in medicine. Potential parallels are drawn with current and likely future debates around vaccination and counterhegemonic scientific approaches.
Promoting convergence and closing gaps: a blueprint for the revision of the European Union Tobacco Tax Directive
Authors: López-Nicolás Ángel , Branston J Robert
Published: May 2021

Background and aims

Despite the European Union (EU) Tobacco Tax Directive (TTD), a lack of convergence in EU tobacco prices promotes high levels of cross-border shopping and down-trading from factory-made (FM) to roll-your-own tobacco (RYO) cigarettes. This study presents a blueprint for reform, whereby minimum taxes are related to the overall price level in the EU and where taxation of RYO is related to that of FM.

Methods

Longitudinal data on prices and taxes on FM and RYO in 25 member states over 2011–2019 are used to estimate econometric models for their weighted average prices as a function of taxes. Two scenarios are simulated with the models’ estimates: a baseline scenario for the actual tax stance pertaining to 2020 and a reform scenario implementing the blueprint.

Results

The baseline results show that, while the prices of both products have experienced a slight increase since 2016 in real terms, the dispersion in the prices of FM across countries has increased and the difference in the prices of RYO within countries has widened. The results for the reform scenario show dispersion would diminish both EU-wide and in hotspots for cross-border sales of FM. The reform would also lead to a substantial reduction in the price gap between FM and RYO.

Conclusion

To promote price convergence and close the price gap between FM and RYO, the revised TTD should ensure minimum FM taxes track a measure of their average EU price, and RYO taxes are related to FM taxes.
Asymmetrical influence promotes cooperation in the spatial social dilemmas
Authors: Zhang Hong-Bin , Wang Hong
Published: May 2021

Asymmetrical influence of population is ubiquitous in human and animal societies. Based on this fact, we construct a setup of asymmetric influence of structured population, which is often put with the combination mechanism of tolerance and punishment when the dispute of unfair outcome happens, to investigate the evolution of cooperation. In detail, the structured populations are classified into two types: A-type players (strong players) and B-type players (weak players). A-type players are capable to decide whether or not to lower the fitness of B-type neighbors with punitive action due to the tolerance limits. This action affects the behavior of B-type neighbors in the evolutionary game. Based on our simulations, it is noted that the mechanism of punishment combining with tolerance in an asymmetrical environment can promote the evolution of cooperation. Furthermore, the lower threshold of tolerance with the looser punishment, the higher the level of cooperation; and the higher degree of tolerance with the stricter punishment will maintain the survival of cooperators. It is also worth mentioning that if A-type population is the key minority impacting the majority of B-type, they can favor affecting and further promoting the evolution of cooperation in the evolutionary game.
Using an Experimental Framework to Support Variables Selection: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Scatalon Lilian Passos , Garcia Rogério Eduardo , Barbosa Ellen Francine
Published: May 2021

The selection of variables in a given experiment is crucial, since it is the theoretical foundation that guides how data should be collected and analyzed. However, selecting variables is an intricate activity, especially considering areas such as Software Engineering and Education, whose studies should also consider human-related variables in the design. In this scenario, we aim to investigate how a support mechanism helps in the variables selection activity of the experiment process. To do so, we conducted a preliminary study on the use of an experimental framework composed of a catalog of variables. We explored the domain of the integration of software testing into programming education. Participants were divided into two groups (ad hoc and framework support) and asked to select variables for a given experiment goal. We analyzed the results by identifying threats to validity in their experimental design drafts. Results show a significant number of threats of type inadequate explication of constructs for both groups. Nonetheless, the framework helped to increase the clarity of concepts selected as variables. The cause of most raised threats, even with the framework support, was an inaccuracy in selecting the values of such variables (i.e. treatments and fixed values).
Functional Assessment of 3D Printed Prosthesis in Children with Congenital Hand Differences-A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Bhat Anil K. , M Vamsikrishna , Acharya Ashwath M.
Published: May 2021

Background: Children with congenital differences who require prosthesis, have special needs due to their growth and psychosocial factors. Cosmetic or body-powered prosthesis provides basic functional needs but poses a financial burden on the family. Prostheses with advanced functions need to be deferred until adulthood. 3D printed prosthesis is a novel alternative being cost-effective for children. Since limited literature is available on the functionality of 3D printed prosthesis and none in the South Asian population, this study was done to assess its utility in congenital hand amputations.

Methods: Fourteen children with congenital hand amputations were selected for a prospective observational study. Unilateral below Elbow test (UBET), Box and Block test and ABILHAND questionnaire were used for assessment with and without prosthesis after six months.

Results: Eleven patients completed the follow-up. Box and Block test improved from a mean score of 24 to 35 with the prosthesis implying an improvement in manual gross dexterity (p −0.049). UBET (p −0.002) and ABILHAND questionnaire (p < 0.001) showed a decrease in score with the use of a prosthesis which suggested a lack of lateral and tripod pinch in the current design of a prosthesis. Patients with below elbow prosthesis performed better.

Conclusions: 3D printed prostheses are an excellent option for use as a transitional prosthesis as they are inexpensive, serves to improve needs with respect to grasping activities at both wrist and elbow level amputation and customizable according to patients’ need and limb deficiency and replaceable as the child grows with age. Current designs are useful with respect to grasping activities.
Securing internet applications from routing attacks
Authors: Sun Yixin , Apostolaki Maria , Birge-Lee Henry , Vanbever Laurent , Rexford Jennifer , Chiang Mung , Mittal Prateek
Published: May 2021

Application-layer and network-layer defenses are critical for fortifying routing attacks.
A vision to compute like nature
Authors: Hylton Todd , Conte Thomas M. , Hill Mark D.
Published: May 2021

Advocating a new, physically grounded, computational paradigm centered on thermodynamics and an emerging understanding of using thermodynamics to solve problems.
Toward confidential cloud computing
Authors: Russinovich Mark , Costa Manuel , Fournet Cédric , Chisnall David , Delignat-Lavaud Antoine , Clebsch Sylvan , Vaswani Kapil , Bhatia Vikas
Published: May 2021

Extending hardware-enforced cryptographic protection to data while in use.
Seismic Performance Assessment of a Multistorey Building Designed with an Alternative Capacity Design Approach
Authors: Bovo Marco , Savoia Marco , Praticò Lucia
Published: May 2021

The actual seismic building codes have a prescriptive nature, and they are principally aimed to guarantee a prescribed life‐safety level against a design‐level earthquake even if some methods have been proposed to evaluate the seismic performance of a building along its entire service life. Among these, the performance‐based seismic design method permits the design of buildings with a more realistic understanding of both risk of life for occupants and economic losses that may occur in future earthquakes. On the other side, the capacity design method, providing criteria to properly spread the inelastic deformation demand between the different structural elements, allows to establish a ductile collapse mechanism avoiding undesired brittle failures. In this context, modern building codes consider the adoption of a single value for the behaviour factor q to be used in the design process. All this should be argued since, especially for buildings characterized by storeys with different uses and occupancy ratios, the adoption of a single value for q could guide the design process to a solution not minimizing the seismic loss. With reference to these aspects, the paper shows the comparison of the seismic responses of a multistorey framed building designed following two different approaches. The first approach, suggested by many international codes, follows the capacity design rules and considers a single value for the behaviour factor valid for the whole building. In this first case, the damage mechanisms could affect, theoretically, every storey of the building. The second approach, proposed here, considers instead the possibility to adopt different behaviour factors to attribute to different storeys. In this way, it is possible to concentrate and localize the most severe earthquake‐induced structural damage on (few) storeys, selected by the designers. By means of the seismic performance assessment methodology, the comparison between the two building responses is provided in terms of expected losses during the whole building service life and is reported in terms of both economical loss and human life loss. The results in the paper show that, if different behaviour factors are properly selected for different storeys, the design process can provide a solution characterized by lower values of seismic loss with respect to the case of the design assuming a single‐q value.
Contactless Distribution Path Optimization Based on Improved Ant Colony Algorithm
Authors: Wu Feng
Published: May 2021

In the context of the normalization of the epidemic, contactless delivery is becoming one of the most concerned research areas. In the severe epidemic environment, due to the frequent encounter of bayonet temperature measurement, road closure, and other factors, the real-time change frequency of each traffic information is high. In order to improve the efficiency of contactless distribution and enhance user satisfaction, this paper proposes a contactless distribution path optimization algorithm based on improved ant colony algorithm. First of all, the possible traffic factors in the epidemic environment were analyzed, and the cost of each link in the distribution process was modeled. Then, the customer satisfaction is analyzed according to the customer service time window and transformed into a cost model. Finally, the total delivery cost and user satisfaction cost were taken as the optimization objectives, and a new pheromone updating method was adopted and the traditional ant colony algorithm was improved. In the experiment, the effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm is verified through the simulation optimization and comparative analysis of an example.
Ordering Policy of Two-Stage Newsvendor Model for Fresh Retailer under RFID Investment
Authors: Fu Na
Published: May 2021

Fresh products have a strong dependence on time and a large loss rate in the circulation process. Applying RFID technology to the supply chain of fresh products, through the real-time tracking technology, can not only reduce the products’ time dependence but also realize the second order within the whole sales period. This paper takes a two-echelon fresh supply chain of a single fresh retailer as the research object, constructs a two-stage Newsvendor model with or without RFID technology, compares the difference in profits, and provides decision-making reference for fresh retailers whether to invest in RFID or not.
Hydraulic Fracture Propagation and Permeability Evolution in the Composite Thin Coal Seam
Authors: Liu Shenglong , Huang Bingxiang , Lu Weiyong , Li Haoze , Li Ding , Zhang Xin , Li Binghong
Published: May 2021

Hydraulic fracturing can improve the permeability of composite thin coal seam. Recently, characterizing hydraulic fracture (HF) propagation inside the coal seam and evaluating the permeability enhancement with HF extension remain challenging and crucial. In this work, based on the geological characteristics of the coal seam in a coal mine of the southwest China, the RFPA2D-Flow software is employed to simulate the HF propagation and its permeability-increasing effect in the composite thin coal seam, and a couple of outcomes were obtained. (1) Continuous propagation of the hydraulic microcrack-band is the prominent characteristic of HF propagation. With the increment of the injection-water pressure, HF generation in the composite thin coal seam can be divided into three stages: stress accumulation, stable fracture propagation, and unstable fracture propagation. (2) The hydraulic microcrack-band propagates continuously driven by the fluid-injection pressure. The microcrack-band not only cracks the coal seam but also fractures the gangue sandwiched between the coal seams. (3) The permeability in the composite thin coal seam increases significantly with the propagation of hydraulic microcrack-band. The permeability increases by 1~2 magnitudes after hydraulic fracturing. This study provides references to the field applications of hydraulic fracturing in the composite thin coal seam, such as optimizing hydraulic fracturing parameters, improving gas drainage, and safe-efficient mining.
Micropore Characteristics and Gas-Bearing Characteristics of Marine-Continental Transitional Shale Reservoirs in the East Margin of Ordos Basin
Authors: Ma Yuanzhen , Wang Meng , Ma Ruying , Li Jiamin , Bake Asiya , Shan Yadi
Published: May 2021

In order to deeply study the exploration potential of Carboniferous-Permian marine-continental transitional shale reservoirs in the Ordos Basin, the shale samples from well Y1 in the central-southern part of the Hedong Coalfield were used as the research object. The organic geochemical test, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and high pressure mercury injection and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption experiments have studied the microscopic characteristics and gas content characteristics of shale reservoirs. The results show that the organic matter type of the sample is type III; the TOC content ranges from 0.28% to 16.87%, with an average of 2.15%; [Formula: see text] is from 2.45% to 3.36%, with an average value of 2.86%; the shale pores in the study area are well developed, containing more organic pores and intergranular pores of clay minerals. Based on the two-dimensional SEM image fractal theory to study different types of pores, the fractal dimension of shale pore fracture morphology is between 2.34 and 2.50, and the heterogeneity is moderate. The high-pressure mercury intrusion experiment characterizes the pore size distribution of shale macropores and transition pores. The pore diameters are mostly nm-scale. Transition pores are the main pores of the shale in the study area. Based on the characteristics of the pore structure, the adsorption capacity and gas content of CH4 in shale reservoir were analyzed by methane isothermal adsorption and gas content experiments. The results showed that the pore volume and specific surface area were positively correlated with clay mineral content, TOC, and RO, but negatively correlated with the quartz content. In clay minerals and brittle minerals, pore volume and specific surface area are positively correlated with illite content and negatively correlated with the quartz and kaolinite content. The measured total gas content and desorbed gas content are significantly positively correlated with TOC, but are weakly positively correlated with the quartz and illite content. This study finely characterizes the physical properties, micropore characteristics, gas-bearing characteristics, and influencing factors of shale reservoirs, which has certain theoretical guiding significance for the research and development of coal-measure shale in the Ordos Basin.
Transient Temperature Impact on Deep Reservoir Fracturing
Authors: Jiang Yu , Killough John E. , Wu Xingru , Cui Yongzheng
Published: May 2021

Hydraulic fracturing enables the commercial development of unconventional resources in shales and tight formations. The conductivity and complexity of created fractures are critically dependent on the rheology of fracking fluid and the mechanics properties of rocks. Literatures show that both the rheology of fracturing fluid and fracture propagation dynamics are affected by the temperature of fracturing fluid. Neglecting the temperature transient behaviour may defeat the purpose of fracturing optimization during fracture initiation, propagation, and sand packing. The objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of temperature on fracturing design by studying the transient temperature behaviour across a complex wellbore using numerical modelling by coupling a finite difference heat transfer model with a dynamic fracture propagation model. The study results show that with the injection of cold fracturing fluid, hydraulic fracture propagation is decelerated, and production prediction is thus lessened compared with the case ignoring temperature effect. For multistage fractured wells, fracture geometry enlarges along the fluid flow direction in a horizontal segment. This potentially lowers the cost of hydraulic fracturing designs.
Henoch–Schönlein Purpura (IgA Vasculitis) in Association with Thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Sanjari Mojgan , Shakibi Mohammadreza , Safavi Moeinadin
Published: May 2021

Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, which is characterized by thyroid antibodies and the following clinical manifestations: goiter, ophthalmopathy, and pretibial myxedema. On the other hand, Henoch–Schönlein purpura is an IgA-mediated small-vessel vasculitis. Review of the literature showed a relationship between propylthiouracil overdose and the following Henoch–Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis) as a side effect. The patient was a 31-year-old woman with a chief complaint of tremor and significant weight loss who contracted pruritic palpable purpura during her disease course. Then, she underwent the treatment of hyperthyroidism by methimazole which intensified her cutaneous lesions. The diagnosis of Henoch–Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis) was confirmed after skin biopsy. Finally, she was treated with colchicine, prednisolone, and radioiodine ablation, which caused her lesions to disappear. The temporal priority of pruritic palpable skin lesions to hyperthyroidism treatment with methimazole suggested that Henoch–Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis) was related to hyperthyroidism and was intensified by antithyroid agents in this patient.
HER2 Testing Characteristics Can Predict Residual Cancer Burden following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Lillemoe Tamera J. , Rendi Mara , Tsai Michaela L. , Knaack Monica , Yarosh Rina , Grimm Erin , Susnik Barbara , Krueger Janet , Olet Susan , Swenson Karen K.
Published: May 2021

Objectives. The response to HER2-targeted neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in HER2-positive (+) breast cancer can be quantified using residual cancer burden (RCB) pathologic evaluation to predict relapse free/overall survival. However, more information is needed to characterize the relationship between patterns of HER2 testing results and response to NAC. We evaluated clinicopathologic characteristics associated with RCB categories in HER2+ patients who underwent HER2-directed NAC. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted with Stage I–III HER2+ breast cancer cases following NAC and surgical resection. HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), histologic/clinical characteristics, hormone receptor status, and RCB scores (RCB-0, RCB-I, RCB-II, and RCB-III) were evaluated. Results. 64/151 (42.4%) patients with HER2+ disease had pathologic complete response (pCR). Tumors with suboptimal response (RCB-II and RCB-III) were more likely to demonstrate less than 100% HER2 IHC 3+ staining (

p
<
0.0001

), lower HER2 FISH copies (

p
<
0.0001

), and lower HER2/CEP17 ratios (

p
=
0.0015

) compared to RCB-I and RCB-II responses. Estrogen receptor classification using ≥10% versus ≥1% staining showed greater association with higher RCB categories. Conclusions. HER2+ characteristics show differing response to therapy despite all being categorized as positive; tumors with less than 100% IHC 3+ staining, lower HER2 FISH copies, and lower HER2/CEP17 ratios resulted in higher RCB scores.
The Value Cocreation Influence Mechanism of Network Freight Transport Platform in IoT‐Based Environments: Under the Service‐Dominant Logic
Authors: Bai Pengxia , Wu Qunqi , Li Qian , Zhang Lei , Jiang Yahong , Chen Bo
Published: May 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) has brought many benefits to the development of industries, from manufacturing to services. In the context of IoT, the network freight transport platform is equivalent to an integrator, integrating the scattered resources such as carriers and shippers in the supply chain, providing a solution, improving the use efficiency of vehicles, effectively reducing logistics cost, and creating value for the freight transport platform and bilateral customers. The purpose of this research is to explain the influence mechanism of transport demand subjects’ participation in value cocreation (VCC) under the service‐dominant logic (SDL). We proposed a conceptual framework and 10 hypotheses and used SEM to measure the direct and mediating relationship among SDL, transport demand subject (TDS) participation, relational embeddedness (RE), platform VCC, and TDS value in the online business environment. The findings show that (1) SDL, TDS participation, and RE do not directly affect the TDS value, but indirectly through platform VCC; (2) SDL affects platform VCC not only directly but also indirectly through TDS participation and RE; (3) TDS participation affects platform VCC not only directly but also indirectly through RE; (4) RE indirectly affects TDS value by affecting platform VCC; and (5) platform VCC plays a mediating role in SDL, TDS participation, RE, and TDS value. Hence, transport enterprises should pay attention to the innovation concept, guide TDS participation, jointly improve platform VCC, give play to the network effect of the freight transport platform, and achieve TDS value through the deepening of TDS relationship embedding.
Genetic Algorithms and Particle Swarm Optimization Mechanisms for Through-Silicon Via (TSV) Noise Coupling
Authors: Ait Belaid Khaoula , Belahrach H. , Ayad H.
Published: May 2021

In this paper, two intelligent methods which are GAs and PSO are used to model noise coupling in a Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuit (3D-IC) based on TSVs. These techniques are rarely used in this type of structure. They allow computing all the elements of the noise model, which helps to estimate the noise transfer function in the frequency and time domain in 3D complicated systems. Noise models include TSVs, active circuits, and substrate, which make them difficult to model and to estimate. Indeed, the proposed approaches based on GA and PSO are robust and powerful. To validate the method, comparisons among the results found by GA, PSO, measurements, and the 3D-TLM method, which presents an analytical technique, are made. According to the obtained simulation and experimental results, it is found that the proposed methods are valid, efficient, precise, and robust.
Antimicrobial Resistance Trends in Staphylococcus aureus Strains Carried by Poultry in North of Morocco: A Preliminary Analysis
Authors: Mourabit Nadira , Arakrak Abdelhay , Bakkali Mohammed , Zian Zeineb , Bakkach Joaira , Laglaoui Amin
Published: May 2021

The transmission of antibiotic resistance to human population through food consumption is a global public health threat. This study aimed to assess the nasopharyngeal carriage of S. aureus in poultry and to investigate antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence-associated genes. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from chickens at the slaughterhouse of Tangier and immediately transported to the microbiological laboratory for phenotypic identification and assessment of antibiotic susceptibility. The presence of 16S rRNA, nuc, mecA, mecC, Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL), and the toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) genes were detected by PCR analysis for all isolates. Overall, 548 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected, of which 17 (3.4%) were S. aureus positive. More than half of the strains (54%) were resistant to penicillin, 29.4% to tetracycline, 23.5% to erythromycin, and 17% showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. The mecA and mecC were not identified in any of the recovered isolates. Of the S. aureus recovered, 29.41% of the isolates were found to be toxinogenic; 17.64% and 11.76% were positive for PVL and TSST-1 encoding genes, respectively. The trends of antibiotic resistance and the toxinogenic S. aureus carried by the poultry intended for consumption in Tangier present a huge concern. Preventive and containment measures should be implemented in order to limit the dissemination of resistance genes through the food chain and to reduce their increased rate.
Radiologic Mimics of Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis: A Pictorial Essay
Authors: Lim Wanyin , Barras Christen D. , Zadow Steven
Published: May 2021

Various imaging techniques may be employed in the investigation of suspected bone and joint infections. These include ultrasound, radiography, functional imaging such as positron emission tomography (PET) and nuclear scintigraphy, and cross-sectional imaging, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The cross-sectional modalities represent the imaging workhorse in routine practice. The role of imaging also extends to include assessment of the anatomical extent of infection, potentially associated complications, and treatment response. The imaging appearances of bone and joint infections are heterogeneous and depend on the duration of infection, an individual patient’s immune status, and virulence of culprit organisms. To add to the complexity of radiodiagnosis, one of the pitfalls of imaging musculoskeletal infection is the presence of other conditions that can share overlapping imaging features. This includes osteoarthritis, vasculopathy, inflammatory, and even neoplastic processes. Different pathologies may also coexist, for example, diabetic neuropathy and osteomyelitis. This pictorial review aims to highlight potential mimics of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis that are regularly encountered, with emphasis on specific imaging features that may aid the radiologist and clinician in distinguishing an infective from a noninfective aetiology.
First-Line Afatinib plus Cetuximab for EGFR-Mutant Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: Results from the Randomized Phase II IFCT-1503 ACE-Lung Study
Authors: Cortot Alexis B. , Madroszyk Anne , Giroux-Leprieur Etienne , Molinier Olivier , Quoix Elisabeth , Bérard Henri , Otto Josiane , Rault Isabelle , Moro-Sibilot Denis , Raimbourg Judith , Amour Elodie , Morin Franck , Hureaux José , Moreau Lionel , Debieuvre Didier , Morel Hugues , Renault Aldo , Pichon Eric , Huret Benjamin , Charpentier Sandrine , Denis Marc G. , Cadranel Jacques
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

Double inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) using a tyrosine kinase inhibitor plus a monoclonal antibody may be a novel treatment strategy for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We assessed the efficacy and toxicity of afatinib + cetuximab versus afatinib alone in the first-line treatment of advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

Patients and Methods:

In this phase II, randomized, open-label study, patients with stage III/IV EGFR-positive NSCLC were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive afatinib (group A) or afatinib + cetuximab (group A + C). Oral afatinib 40 mg was given once daily; cetuximab 250 mg/m² was administered intravenously on day 15 of cycle 1, then every 2 weeks at 500 mg/m² for 6 months. The primary endpoint was time to treatment failure (TTF) rate at 9 months. Exploratory analysis of EGFR circulating tumor DNA in plasma was performed.

Results:

Between June 2016 and November 2018, 59 patients were included in group A and 58 in group A + C. The study was ended early after a futility analysis was performed. The percentage of patients without treatment failure at 9 months was similar for both groups (59.3% for group A vs. 64.9% for group A + C), and median TTF was 11.1 (95% CI, 8.5–14.1) and 12.9 (9.2–14.5) months, respectively. Other endpoints, including progression-free survival and overall survival, also showed no improvement with the combination versus afatinib alone. There was a slight numerical increase in grade ≥3 adverse events in group A + C. Allele frequency of the EGFR gene mutation in circulating tumor DNA at baseline was associated with shorter PFS, regardless of the treatment received.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that addition of cetuximab to afatinib does not warrant further investigation in treatment-naïve advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC.
Arrhythmia Mechanism and Dynamics in a Humanized Mouse Model of Inherited Cardiomyopathy Caused by Phospholamban R14del Mutation
Authors: Raad Nour , Bittihn Philip , Cacheux Marine , Jeong Dongtak , Ilkan Zeki , Ceholski Delaine , Kohlbrenner Erik , Zhang Lu , Cai Chen-Leng , Kranias Evangelia G. , Hajjar Roger J. , Stillitano Francesca , Akar Fadi G.
Published: May 2021

Background:

Arginine (Arg) 14 deletion (R14del) in the calcium regulatory protein phospholamban (hPLN
R14del
) has been identified as a disease-causing mutation in patients with an inherited cardiomyopathy. Mechanisms underlying the early arrhythmogenic phenotype that predisposes carriers of this mutation to sudden death with no apparent structural remodeling remain unclear.

Methods:

To address this, we performed high spatiotemporal resolution optical mapping of intact hearts from adult knock-in mice harboring the human PLN
WT
(wildtype [WT], n=12) or the heterozygous human PLN
R14del
mutation (R14del, n=12) before and after ex vivo challenge with isoproterenol and rapid pacing.

Results:

Adverse electrophysiological remodeling was evident in the absence of significant structural or hemodynamic changes. R14del hearts exhibited increased arrhythmia susceptibility compared with wildtype. Underlying this susceptibility was preferential right ventricular action potential prolongation that was unresponsive to β-adrenergic stimulation. A steep repolarization gradient at the left ventricular/right ventricular interface provided the substrate for interventricular activation delays and ultimately local conduction block during rapid pacing. This was followed by the initiation of macroreentrant circuits supporting the onset of ventricular tachycardia. Once sustained, these circuits evolved into high-frequency rotors, which in their majority were pinned to the right ventricle. These rotors exhibited unique spatiotemporal dynamics that promoted their increased stability in R14del compared with wildtype hearts.

Conclusions:

Our findings highlight the crucial role of primary electric remodeling caused by the hPLN
R14del
mutation. These inherently arrhythmogenic features form the substrate for adrenergic-mediated VT at early stages of PLN
R14del
induced cardiomyopathy.
Thalictrum minshanicum and T. pseudoramosum (Ranunculaceae), two new species from China
Authors: ZENG YOU-PAI , YUAN QIONG , YANG QIN-ER
Published: May 2021

Thalictrum minshanicum and T. pseudoramosum (Ranunculaceae), two new species from southern Gansu and northwestern Sichuan, China, are illustrated and described. Thalictrum minshanicum is somewhat similar to T. brevisericeum in habit and in having puberulent stem and leaves, but differs by having conspicuously 3-lobate (vs. slightly 3-lobate) leaflets, glabrous (vs. puberulent abaxially) sepals, longer (ca. 7 mm vs. ca. 4 mm) and clavate (vs. oblanceolate-linear) filaments, conspicuous (vs. inconspicuous) stigmas, and persistent styles slightly recurved (vs. circinate) at apex. Thalictrum pseudoramosum is closely similar to T. ramosum in habit and in having slightly recurved styles at apex, but differs by having subcoriaceous (vs. herbaceous) leaflets, more numerous stamens (40‒60 vs. 16‒24), and elliptic-fusiform (vs. lanceolate-fusiform) achenes.
Review and contribution to the stonefly (Insecta: Plecoptera) fauna of Azerbaijan
Authors: MURÁNYI DÁVID , MANKO PETER , KOVÁCS TIBOR , VINÇON GILLES , ŽIAK MATEJ , KERIMOVA ILHAMA G. , SNEGOVAYA NATALY YURIEVNA , OBOŇA JOZEF
Published: May 2021

Known Plecoptera data published from Azerbaijan are critically reviewed. New records of 28 species are enumerated on the basis of specimens collected between 2017 and 2019, among them 16 are new for the fauna of Azerbaijan. Nemoura irani Aubert, 1964 is new for the whole Caucasian region, Leuctra sanainica Zhiltzova, 1960 and Plesioperla sakartvella (Zhiltzova, 1956) are new for the Greater Caucasus. The female and larva of an unknown Protonemura Kempny, 1898 species, collected in the Talysh Mts, are illustrated and described under temporary name Protonemura sp. AZE-1. A new species of Protonemura, collected both in the Azerbaijan and Georgian areas of the Greater Caucasus, will be formally described in a further paper. A male Protonemura specimen was found to be infected by mermithid worms, morphological lesions are illustrated and commented; this is the second documented case of mermithid infection in stoneflies. Subspecies level identity of Azerbaijani populations of Leuctra fusca (Linnaeus, 1758) proved to be problematic, morphological characters of the specimens are illustrated. Synonymy of Isoperla caucasica Balinsky, 1950 and I. pulchra Balinsky, 1950 under I. bithynica (Kempny, 1908) is disputed, the two names are combined under I. grammatica (Poda, 1761) sensu lato.