bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Periodontal Pathogens’ strategies disarm neutrophils to promote dysregulated inflammation
Authors: Miralda Irina , Uriarte Silvia M.
Published: October 2020

Periodontitis is an irreversible, chronic inflammatory disease where inflammophilic pathogenic microbial communities accumulate in the gingival crevice. Neutrophils are a major component of the innate host response against bacterial challenge, and under homeostatic conditions, their microbicidal functions typically protect the host against periodontitis. However, a number of periodontal pathogens developed survival strategies to evade neutrophil microbicidal functions while promoting inflammation, which provides a source of nutrients for bacterial growth. Research on periodontal pathogens has largely focused on a few established species: Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. However, advances in culture‐independent techniques have facilitated the identification of new bacterial species in periodontal lesions, such as the two Gram‐positive anaerobes, Filifactor alocis and Peptoanaerobacter stomatis, whose characterization of pathogenic potential has not been fully described. Additionally, there is not a full understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms used against neutrophils by organisms that are abundant in periodontal lesions. This presents a substantial barrier to the development of new approaches to prevent or ameliorate the disease. In this review, we first summarize the neutrophil functions affected by the established periodontal pathogens listed above, denoting unknown areas that still merit a closer look. Then, we review the literature on neutrophil functions and the emerging periodontal pathogens, F. alocis and P. stomatis, comparing the effects of the emerging microbes to that of established pathogens, and speculate on the contribution of these putative pathogens to the progression of periodontal disease.
An Improvised Patchwork: Success and Failure in Cybersecurity Policy for Critical Infrastructure
Authors: Atkins Sean , Lawson Chappell
Published: October 2020

The last two decades have revealed the vulnerability of privately owned “critical infrastructure”—the power grid, pipelines, financial networks, and other vital systems—to cyberattack. The central U.S. response to this challenge has been a series of sectoral “partnerships” with private owner‐operators of critical infrastructure, involving varying degrees of regulation. Qualitative analysis based on in‐depth interviews with over 40 policymakers and senior private sector managers, as well as public documents, reveals considerable variation in how well this approach has worked in practice. The main predictors of policy success appear to be (a) the nature of the cyber threat to firms’ operations and (b) regulatory pressure on firms. However, other factors—such as the nature of intra‐industry competition—also affect how well the current regime works in specific sectors. Our findings have implications for public administration on civilian cybersecurity, as well as ramifications for regulation in other policy domains.
Managing Public Museums Appropriately and Consequentially: The Distinctiveness and Diversity of Leading Organizations
Authors: Brenton Scott , Bouckaert Geert
Published: October 2020

While public museums in advanced economies operate in constrained funding environments after public sector efficiency drives, there has not been a common, sector‐wide response. Museums cope differently with tensions between the two logics of consequences and of appropriateness, which are mapped in this study based on annual reports. A “logic of appropriateness” in adapting traditional curatorial missions to include social and political objectives, expanding access, fostering an ethical and inclusive climate, pursuing broader policy objectives, sustainability, and innovation, and providing a forum for contradictory debate and non‐nationalistic expression, varies substantially across organizations. There has been a wider embrace of a “logic of consequences” with targets to increase nongovernment income, ambitious renovation and expansion projects, digitalization and interactive audience engagement, and greater consideration given to resource allocation. Many museums now favor temporary “blockbuster” exhibitions to attract financial sponsors and ticket sales, which also appeals to more privileged constituencies and philanthropic supporters.
Associations Between Logistics and Economic Growth in Africa
Authors: Chakamera Chengete , Pisa Noleen M.
Published: October 2020

Despite macro‐economic predictions of economic catch‐up and steady‐state economic growth for all countries, in the long run, the gap between advanced and developing African countries is widening. This study investigates the association between logistics and economic growth in 32 African countries from 2007 to 2018. The results show that five of the six logistics performance indicators, under review, have weak positive economic growth effects, ranging between 0.01 and 0.03. Relatively high economic growth effects emerge from the “competence and quality of logistics” indicator. This research highlights that the growth potential in African countries depends on improvements in logistics performance and that prioritising investments to improve logistics efficiency can improve long term growth and development in Africa. Practitioners and policymakers can use the results of this study to target and prioritise specific logistics indicators based on the magnitude of their impact on economic growth.
Older person’s experiences of benefits gained from the support and advice given during preventive home visits
Authors: Nivestam Anna , Petersson Pia , Westergren Albert , Haak Maria
Published: October 2020

Background

Life expectancy is increasing all over the world. To be able to support this positive development, health interventions focusing on promotion and prevention are crucial. Preventive home visits represent one example of a health intervention which addresses both promotion through a supportive dialogue and prevention by giving advice. However, to give support and advice that older persons experience as beneficial, there is a need for more research.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore older person’s experiences of the benefits gained from the support and advice given during the preventive home visit.

Method

Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 13 older persons, median age 77 years old, living at home, who had received a preventive home visit. The interviews were analysed with content analysis.

Findings

The overarching theme Becoming empowered and recognised as a person was experienced as the major benefit of the support and advice given during the preventive home visit. The support and advice generated conditions for the person to become empowered, by contributing to a feeling of control and preparedness for the future. Furthermore, the support and advice given contributed to a feeling of becoming recognised as a person, as an outcome of the supportive dialogue and the assessment of their health, behaviour and their surrounding environment.

Conclusion

The support and advice given during the preventive home visit were experienced as person‐centred, and conditions for becoming empowered were created. In order to create a positive outcome from the support and advice given during the preventive home visit, it seems important to focus on providing both a supportive dialogue and a structured assessment.
A planned but vulnerable pathway towards self‐management following day surgery. Orthopaedic patients’ experiences
Authors: Halding Anne‐Grethe , Hovland Gro , Johansen Venke A. , Hege Eide Petrin , Åslaug Kringeland Tone
Published: October 2020

Introduction

An increasing share of surgical activity is organised as day surgery, thus giving more responsibility for care to patients and their next of kin.

Purpose

To obtain increased understanding of orthopaedic day surgery patients’ experiences with self‐management.

Methods

A descriptive interview study. Eleven men and five women aged 18–78 years, who had undergone arthroscopic knee surgery in rural Norway participated in qualitative individual interviews during autumn 2018. Systematic text condensation was used as analysis strategy.

Results

The main theme a planned but vulnerable pathway towards self‐management and five subthemes were highlighted. The interviewees were satisfied with most aspects of the day surgery. However, challenges in adapting oral and written information to self‐management postdischarge, a need for further self‐management support at home, and strenuous travel increased the strain.

Conclusion

The written and oral information and support that was planned and provided by the hospital did not meet the patients’ needs for self‐management support postdischarge. The day surgery care pathway seemed to lack effective educational interventions for strengthening the patients’ self‐efficacy and control and to have potential for improvements.
Fragmentation of care as a barrier to optimal ESKD management
Authors: Sloan Caroline E. , Zhong Judy , Mohottige Dinushika , Hall Rasheeda , Diamantidis Clarissa J. , Boulware Leight E. , Wang Virginia
Published: October 2020

Caring for patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the United States is challenging, due in part to the complex epidemiology of the disease's progression as well as the ways in which care is delivered. As CKD progresses toward ESKD, the number of comorbidities increases and care involves multiple healthcare providers from multiple subspecialties. This occurs in the context of a fragmented US healthcare delivery system that is traditionally siloed by provider specialty, organization, as well as systems of payment and administration. This article describes the role of care fragmentation in the delivery of optimal ESKD care and identifies research gaps in the evidence across the continuum of care. We then consider the impact of care fragmentation on ESKD care from the patient and health system perspectives and explore opportunities for system‐level interventions aimed at improving care for patients with ESKD.
OsbHLH6 interacts with OsSPX4 and regulates the phosphate starvation response in rice
Authors: He Qiuju , Lu Hong , Guo Huaxing , Wang Yan , Zhao Peng , Li Yong , Wang Fei , Xu Jiming , Mo Xiaorong , Mao Chuanzao
Published: October 2020

Low soil phosphorus (P) availability is a major limitation for crop production. The molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses and adaptation to phosphate (Pi) deficiency are unclear. OsbHLH6 (hereafter bHLH6), an uncharacterized rice (Oryza sativa) Pi starvation response gene encoding a basic helix‐loop‐helix protein, was identified by yeast two‐hybrid screening using the phosphate response repressor OsSPX4 (hereafter SPX4) as bait. bHLH6 is expressed in shoots and roots, and its expression is significantly induced in shoots by Pi deficiency. bHLH6 overexpression lines showed Pi accumulation and enhanced Pi starvation responses, including upregulation of Pi starvation‐induced genes and longer root hairs. A bhlh6 mutant showed no significant phenotype variation at the seedling stage. A pull‐down assay indicated that bHLH6 had higher binding affinity with SPX4 compared to OsPHR2; therefore, bHLH6 competitively inhibited the interaction of SPX4 and OsPHR2. SPX4 overexpression rescued the Pi accumulation caused by bHLH6 overexpression under high‐ and low‐P conditions. Moreover, overexpression of bHLH6 in an spx4 background did not affect the Pi content of spx4 under high‐ and low‐P conditions. The bhlh6 spx4 double mutant showed lower shoot Pi concentrations and transcript levels of OsPT3 and OsPT10 compared with the spx4 mutant under high‐P conditions. RNA sequencing results indicated that bHLH6 overexpression and spx4 mutant lines share many differentially expressed Pi‐responsive genes. Therefore, bHLH6 is an important regulator for Pi signaling and homeostasis which antagonizes SPX4. This knowledge helps elucidate the molecular regulation of plant adaptation to Pi deficiency and will promote efforts toward the creation of low Pi‐tolerant crops.
Principled action
Authors: Eketone Anaru
Published: November 2020

Editorial
Neoseiulus kikuyu sp. nov. (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae): descriptions of all life stages from New Zealand

Authors: Ma Min , Fan Qing-hai , Zhang Zhi-qiang
Published: November 2020

Neoseiulus kikuyu sp. nov. of Neoseiulus paspalivorus species-group was discovered from kikuyu grass, Pennisetum clandestinus (Poaceae) in Auckland, New Zealand. All life stages of this new species were described and illustrated.
Reversal of diabetic tractional retinal detachment attributed to keto diet
Authors: Chandrasekaran Priya , Rani Padmaja Kumari
Published: October 2020

A 40-year-old woman, known type 2 diabetes mellitus, obese (100 kg), on insulin (80 units), was under treatment for unstable proliferative diabetic retinopathy with extramacular tractional retinal detachment (TRD) in the left eye. At 1-year follow-up, she developed progression of TRD involving the macula in the left eye for which she was advised surgery. She did not follow-up for 6 months during which time she had adopted a coconut oil-rich ketogenic diet. She reported losing 25 kg body weight along with reversal of diabetes (Glycosylated Haemglobin (HbA1C) of 5.3% without insulin) in the interim. During this 2-year follow-up visit, it was found that there was complete resolution of macular detachment due to TRD in the left eye with stable vision. This was attributed to the impactful ketogenic diet.
Takotsubo syndrome in bipolar affective disorder with alcohol withdrawal syndrome
Authors: Sidhu Deshwinder Singh , Farrelly Richard , Lally John
Published: October 2020

A 40-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with epigastric pain and agitation. She recently separated from her husband and was consuming 30 units of alcohol daily for 5 days. She had a history of bipolar affective disorder, borderline personality disorder and alcohol dependence syndrome. Investigations revealed the following: elevated troponin I levels, ST elevation, early Q waves and prolonged QTc. Emergency angiogram confirmed Takotsubo’s appearance. Medications with QTc prolongation propensity were held. A multidisciplinary apporach was required. She was discharged 10 days later when medically stabilised. It was later discovered that she died unexpectedly the following month. Takotsubo syndrome is a rare but unique cause of cardiac failure. This case highlights the need to consider the differential of Takotsubo syndrome in people presenting with possible acute ischaemic events, particularly in those with a history of combined emotional and physical stressors and a background history of mood disorder.
Clinical course of COVID-19 among immunocompromised children: a clinical case series
Authors: El Dannan Huda , Al Hassani Moza , Ramsi Musaab
Published: October 2020

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 represents a great source of concern and a new threat for immunocompromised patients. Limited studies are available on COVID-19 in immunocompromised children. This case series aimed to evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics, management and outcomes of COVID-19 in five children immunocompromised due to different underlying conditions. All had mild symptoms or were asymptomatic at presentation. All had a benign course of illness. No changes or delays in their treatment regimens occurred, and none experienced a relapse of the original disease, developed severe COVID-19 or died. However, these cases showed a prolonged duration of virus shedding. This report suggests that immunocompromised paediatric patients may not be at a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. However, further studies are required to elaborate on the pathogenesis of COVID-19 in this vulnerable group.
Severe psychiatric disturbance and attempted suicide in a patient with COVID-19 and no psychiatric history
Authors: Gillett George , Jordan Iain
Published: October 2020

A previously fit and well 37-year-old male healthcare worker presented with confusion, psychotic symptoms and a suicide attempt in the context of a new COVID-19 diagnosis. Following surgical interventions and an extended admission to the intensive care unit, he made a good recovery in terms of both his physical and mental health. A number of factors likely contributed to his presentation, including SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe insomnia, worry, healthcare worker-related stress, and the unique social and psychological stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This case highlights the need to further characterise the specific psychiatric sequelae of COVID-19 in community settings, and should remind general medical clinicians to be mindful of comorbid psychiatric symptoms when assessing patients with newly diagnosed COVID-19.
Vascular findings in primarily affected and fellow eyes of middle-aged patients with Coats’ disease using multimodal imaging
Authors: Brockmann Claudia , Löwen Julia , Schönfeld Shideh , Rossel-Zemkouo Mirjam , Seibel Ira , Winterhalter Sibylle , Müller Bert , Joussen Antonia M
Published: October 2020

Aims

To investigate the retinal vascular structure and capillary anomalies of affected and fellow eyes of patients with unilateral Coats’ disease using multimodal imaging.

Methods

Clinical investigation of both eyes of each patient with diagnosed Coats’ disease using ultra-widefield (UWF) fundus imaging, including UWF fluorescein angiography (UWFFA), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A).

Results

We analysed 38 eyes of 19 patients with unilateral Coats’ disease and found that all fellow eyes (19/19; 100%) revealed vascular alterations, detected by UWFFA, predominantly located in the temporal periphery. Thereby, 89% of the fellow eyes (17/19) presented capillary bed abnormalities, that did not exceed the capillary level; 58% (11/19) presented tortuous abnormalities and 26% (5/19) presented microaneurysmatic abnormalities, exceeding the capillary level. If primarily affected eyes presented central Coats’ specific vascular abnormalities, fellow eyes revealed tortuous vascular abnormalities twice as often (78% (7/9) vs 40% (4/10); P=0.096). In primarily affected eyes, a tendency towards larger foveal avascular zones was revealed, compared to fellow eyes (0.28±0.16 mm2 vs 0.20±0.10 mm2; P=0.123).

Conclusion

The use of modern multimodal imaging allows the detection of even subtle vascular changes in fellow eyes of patients with Coats’ disease. Coats’ disease appears to be a bilateral ocular disease with a predominant manifestation in one eye of the affected patients.
Evolution of treatment paradigms in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a review of real-world evidence
Authors: Daien Vincent , Finger Robert P , Talks James S , Mitchell Paul , Wong Tien Y , Sakamoto Taiji , Eldem Bora M , Korobelnik Jean-François
Published: October 2020

The aim of this work was to evaluate the contribution of real-world evidence (RWE) in changing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy treatment practices and improving real-world treatment strategies for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

A PubMed literature search was performed to review the large number of English-language studies conducted to investigate the real-world effectiveness of anti-VEGF (aflibercept and ranibizumab) treatment paradigms available for nAMD.

The evidence for pro re nata (PRN), treat-and-extend (T&E) and fixed bimonthly dosing regimens for anti-VEGF treatment of nAMD were reviewed and findings are summarised. RWE demonstrated that T&E regimens optimise visual outcomes while reducing burden on patients, clinics and physicians, compared with both fixed-dose and PRN regimens.

RWE has helped to develop and improve real-world treatment strategies in nAMD, with the aim of optimising visual outcomes and reducing treatment burden in clinical practice. Of the various regimens, a T&E regimen is most likely to adequately balance clinical outcomes and treatment burden for patients with nAMD.
Can non-invasive features including limited joint mobility be used to predict glucose control?
Authors: Ramroach Sterling , Dhanoo Andrew , Cockburn Brian , Joshi Ajay
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Limited joint mobility (LJM) has been linked to deficient glycaemic control but is an understudied area of type 2 diabetes research. We set out to investigate the correlation between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and the quantification of LJM of finger joints and non-invasive anthropometrics.

Methods

Blood samples were taken from 170 participants at diabetes awareness drives in Trinidad. These participants were aged 59.61 ± 15.46, with a body mass index (BMI) of 29.73 ± 7.65 and HbA1c levels of 8.42 ± 2.22. There were 110 women and 60 men. Finger joint angles were recorded using a goniometer.

Results

The K-Nearest Neighbour machine learning model was tested via 10-fold cross validation to differentiate good from poor glycaemic control (HbA1c ≤ 6.5%) using non-invasive features. There is some correlation between LJM and HbA1c. Our model scored a mean accuracy of 74.71% ± 1.81 (p=0.01) classifying the full dataset, 82.14% ± 2.20 (p=0.01) and 72.76% ± 1.41 (p=0.059) on the male/female subsets, respectively.

Discussion

The time since diagnosis, age and BMI were important features linked to glucose control. Our results support the notion that the first signs of LJM in the fingers occur in the first and fifth fingers as these particular angles were ranked highly in the list of most important features.

Conclusion

Our results show that LJM has some role to play in monitoring HbA1c, although not as important as more conventional anthropometrics. Our results support the idea that there should be a separate test for each sex.
Intimate partner violence and breastfeeding: a systematic review
Authors: Normann Anne Katrine , Bakiewicz Aleksandra , Kjerulff Madsen Frederikke , Khan Khalid Saeed , Rasch Vibeke , Linde Ditte Søndergaard
Published: October 2020

Objective

The association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and breastfeeding is unclear. We conducted a systematic review to summarise the evidence of breastfeeding outcomes following exposure to IPV.

Design

Systematic review.

Methods

We searched for published studies without study design or language restrictions (up to July 2019) in the following databases: PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS and The Global Health Library. Studies assessing various breastfeeding outcomes (initiation, duration and exclusive breastfeeding) in women exposed to IPV in any form (physical, psychological or sexual) and at any stage (1 year pre-pregnancy, during or post-pregnancy) were included. Two authors independently selected the studies and conducted the quality appraisal by use of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results were summarised taking precision and quality into account.

Results

A total of 16 studies (participants n=414 393) were included and they adjusted for a total of 48 different confounders. The majority of studies were cross-sectional (n=11) and most studies were judged to be fair/low quality. Four out of seven studies found that IPV exposure shortened breastfeeding duration (adjusted ORs/aORs=0.22 (95% CI: 0.05–0.85), 1.18 (95% CI: 1.01–1.37), 5.92 (95% CI: 1.72–27.98), 1.28 (95% CI: 1.18–1.39)). Further, 5/10 studies found that IPV led to early termination of exclusive breastfeeding (aORs=1.53 (95% CI: 1.01–23.1), 0.83 (95% CI: 0.71–0.96), 1.35 (95% CI: 1.07–1.71), 0.17 (95% CI: 0.07–0.4), 1839 (95% CI: 1.61–2911)) and 2/6 studies found that IPV significantly reduced breastfeeding initiation (aORs=2.00 (95% CI: 1.2–3.3), 0.81 (95% CI: 0.7–0.93)).

Conclusion

IPV exposure appears to associate negatively with some breastfeeding outcomes. Individual patient data meta-analysis is required to quantify the magnitude of the association for specific IPV-outcome combinations. More high-quality studies and definition of core confounders are warranted.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019129353.
Preoperative iron treatment in anaemic patients undergoing elective total hip or knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Scrimshire Ashley B , Booth Alison , Fairhurst Caroline , Kotze Alwyn , Reed Mike , McDaid Catriona
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Preoperative anaemia is associated with increased risks of postoperative complications, blood transfusion and mortality. This meta-analysis aims to review the best available evidence on the clinical effectiveness of preoperative iron in anaemic patients undergoing elective total hip (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR).

Design

Electronic databases and handsearching were used to identify randomised and non-randomised studies of interventions (NRSI) reporting perioperative blood transfusion rates for anaemic participants receiving iron before elective THR or TKR. Searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed and other databases were conducted on 17 April 2019 and updated on 15 July 2020. Two investigators independently reviewed studies for eligibility and evaluated risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and a modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale for NRSIs. Data extraction was performed by ABS and checked by AB. Meta-analysis used the Mantel-Haenszel method and random-effects models.

Results

807 records were identified: 12 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 10 were eligible for meta-analyses (one RCT and nine NRSIs). Five of the NRSIs were of high-quality while there were some concerns of bias in the RCT. Meta-analysis of 10 studies (n=2178 participants) showed a 39% reduction in risk of receiving a perioperative blood transfusion with iron compared with no iron (risk ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.73, p<0.001, I2=0%). There was a significant reduction in the number of red blood cell units transfused with iron compared with no iron (mean difference −0.37units, 95% CI −0.47 to -0.27, p<0.001, I2=40%); six studies (n=1496). Length of stay was significantly reduced with iron, by an average of 2.08 days (95% CI −2.64 to −1.51, p<0.001, I2=40%); five studies (n=1140).

Conclusions

Preoperative iron in anaemic, elective THR or TKR patients, significantly reduces the number of patients and number of units transfused and length of stay. However, high-quality, randomised trials are lacking.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019129035.
A Positive Resampler for Monte Carlo events with negative weights
Authors: Andersen Jeppe R. , Gütschow Christian , Maier Andreas , Prestel Stefan
Published: October 2020

We propose the Positive Resampler to solve the problem associated with event samples from state-of-the-art predictions for scattering processes at hadron colliders typically involving a sizeable number of events contributing with negative weight. The proposed method guarantees positive weights for all physical distributions, and a correct description of all observables. A desirable side product of the method is the possibility to reduce the size of event samples produced by General Purpose Event Generators, thus lowering the resource demands for subsequent computing-intensive event processing steps. We demonstrate the viability and efficiency of our approach by considering its application to a next-to-leading order + parton shower merged prediction for the production of a W boson in association with multiple jets.
Lense–Thirring precession and gravito–gyromagnetic ratio
Authors: Stepanian A. , Khlghatyan Sh. , Gurzadyan V. G.
Published: November 2020

The geodesics of bound spherical orbits i.e. of orbits performing Lense–Thirring precession, are obtained in the case of the$$\varLambda $$Λterm within the gravito-electromagnetic formalism. It is shown that the presence of the$$\varLambda $$Λ-term in the equations of gravity leads to both relativistic and non-relativistic corrections in the equations of motion. The contribution of the$$\varLambda $$Λ-term in the Lense–Thirring precession is interpreted as an additional relativistic correction and the gravito–gyromagnetic ratio is defined.
Studying the arrangement of submerged vanes group in a straight alluvial channel using numerical modeling of flow and bed topography around a single vane
Authors: Rostamabadi M. , Montaseri H. , Neyshabouri Seyed Ali Akbar Salehi , Zarrati A. R.
Published: November 2020

Submerged vanes are installed in waterways bed. These structures are usually used in groups and their main performance is to create an eddy current which leads to change in stream flow pattern and the bed topography in waterways. Performance of submerged vanes group depends on their arrangement and size. In this study using SSIIM numerical model, hydrodynamic analysis of flow pattern and bed topography around a single submerged vane in a straight channel was done and tried to estimate proper arrangement of submerged vanes group. The geometry of arrangement consisted of longitudinal distance between consecutive vanes, transverse distance of two adjacent vanes, and transverse distance of submerged vanes from the outer wall. Therefore, after verification of the results of numerical model with experimental data, flow pattern and topography of the bed around a vane with different dimensions and angles (in suggested domain) were investigated and analyzed. In this order, values of transverse and longitudinal distances of scouring hole at high-pressure and low-pressure sides of the vane from center of the vane were measured. Also values of transverse and longitudinal locations of the maximum scouring hole and maximum sedimentation downstream of the vane were determined. The results of these parameters were used to estimate the location of adjacent vanes. To reduce number of modes, the Taguchi method is used in design of simulations. Finally, mathematical relations are derived for geometry of arrangement versus vanes dimensions and angles. Comparison of the results of this research with the results of previous researchers, who have studied submerged vanes groups, showed that accuracy of the method used in this study is acceptable. The numerical results showed that the values obtained for the transverse and longitudinal distances of vanes are almost in the same range of previous laboratory studies.
Machine Learning Techniques for Corneal Diseases Diagnosis: A Survey
Authors: Jameel Samer Kais , Aydin Sezgin , Ghaeb Nebras H.
Published: October 2020

Machine learning techniques become more related to medical researches by using medical images as a dataset. It is categorized and analyzed for ultimate effectiveness in diagnosis or decision-making for diseases. Machine learning techniques have been exploited in numerous researches related to corneal diseases, contribution to ophthalmologists for diagnosing the diseases and comprehending the way automated learning techniques act. Nevertheless, confusion still exists in the type of data used, whether it is images, data extracted from images or clinical data, the course reliant on the type of device for obtaining them. In this study, the researches that used machine learning were reviewed and classified in terms of the kind of utilized machine for capturing data, along with the latest updates in sophisticated approaches for corneal disease diagnostic techniques.
Infrared and Visible Image Fusion Based on Sparse Representation and Spatial Frequency in DTCWT Domain
Authors: Budhiraja Sumit , Rummy Iftisam , Agrawal Sunil , Sohi Balwinder Singh
Published: October 2020

Infrared and visible image fusion is a key area of research in multi-sensor image fusion. The main purpose of this fusion is to combine thermal information of the infrared image and texture information of the visible image. This paper presents an image fusion framework, based on parallel arrangement of sparse representation (SR) and spatial frequency (SF). In the proposed framework, an efficient edge-aware filter, i.e. guided filter, is first employed on the visible image. Then dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DTCWT) is used to obtain low-pass and high-pass coefficients of images, as it is shift-invariant and has high directional selectivity. The low-pass coefficients are fused using the SR- and SF-based fusion rules in parallel, which enhances the regional features of the images. The simulation results show that the proposed technique has better performance when compared with conventional techniques in both subjective and objective evaluations.
Multimodal Biometric-Based Authentication with Secured Templates
Authors: Choudhary Swati K. , Naik Ameya K.
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes a multimodal biometric based authentication (verification and identification) with secured templates. Multimodal biometric systems provide improved authentication rate over unimodal systems at the cost of increased concern for memory requirement and template security. The proposed framework performs person authentication using face and fingerprint. Biometric templates are protected by hiding fingerprint into face at secret locations, through blind and key-based watermarking. Face features are extracted from approximation sub-band of Discrete Wavelet Transform, which reduces the overall working plane. The proposed method also shows high robustness of biometric templates against common channel attacks. Verification and identification performances are evaluated using two chimeric and one real multimodal dataset. The same systems, working with compressed templates provides considerable reduction in overall memory requirement with negligible loss of authentication accuracies. Thus, the proposed framework offers positive balance between authentication performance, template robustness and memory resource utilization.
Design of Matched Wavelet Using Improved Genetic Algorithm for Heart Rate Variability Analysis of the Menstrual Cycle
Authors: Rawal Kirti , Sethi Gaurav
Published: October 2020

The matched wavelet is designed in this paper using an improved genetic algorithm for detecting the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) variations within phases of the menstrual cycle accurately. The idea of an improved genetic algorithm is to use an optimization technique like least mean square (LMS) before the genetic algorithm. The advantage of using the LMS prior to the genetic algorithm is to optimize the data before giving to the genetic algorithm, thereby limiting the area of the search for an optimal solution. The results show that matched wavelets created using an improved genetic algorithm can detect the HRV variations accurately in the standing and laying postures.
Dewarping Document Image Techniques: Survey and Comparative Study
Authors: Wagdy Marian , Amin Khaild , Ibrahim Mina
Published: October 2020

In recent years, everyone has his/her own handheld digital devices such as PDAs and camera phones which are used to capture any documents, for example, posters, magazine and books. This is the simplest way to disseminating and collecting information. Unfortunately, the snapshot of this document in an uncontrolled environment has been suffering from different perspectives and geometric distortions, especially when a picture is taken from rolled document, page of thick book, multi-folded documents and crumpled pages. In such cases, the most common distortion appeared is warping text lines. In this paper, we present a survey and a comparative study of document image dewarping techniques which aim to solve the curled lines and geometric distortion problems. We introduce a new classification of the available dewarping document image techniques and investigate their available datasets. Finally, we present the evaluation metric to test these techniques.
The edge signal number of a graph
Authors: Balamurugan S. , Antony Doss R.
Published: October 2020

For two vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in a connected graph [Formula: see text], the signal distance [Formula: see text] from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] is defined by [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a path connecting [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is the length of the path [Formula: see text] and in the sum [Formula: see text] runs over all the internal vertices between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in the path [Formula: see text]. A path between the vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of length [Formula: see text] is called a [Formula: see text] geosig path. A set [Formula: see text] is called a signal set, if every vertex [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] lies on a geosig path joining a pair of vertices of [Formula: see text]. The signal number [Formula: see text] is the minimum order of a signal set of a graph [Formula: see text]. An edge signal cover of [Formula: see text] is a set [Formula: see text] such that every edge of [Formula: see text] is contained in a geosig path joining some pair of vertices of [Formula: see text]. The edge signal number [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is the minimum order of an edge signal cover and any edge signal cover of order [Formula: see text] is an edge signal basis of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we initiate a study on the edge signal number of a graph [Formula: see text].
Alternatives to Traditional Mortgage Financing in Residential Real Estate: Rent to Own and Contract for Deed Sales
Authors: Park Min
Published: November 2020

Due to the tightening of conditions required to obtain a mortgage loan following the recent financial crisis, the rent-to-own contract and contract for deed sales for residential real estate have become increasingly popular among potential home buyers and sellers. In this study, after analyzing the embedded options in the contracts, I use option-theoretic methods to develop models for valuing both contracts for deed sale and rent-to-own contracts, which can be used to determine equilibrium monthly payments and the equilibrium down payment.
Fabrication and Reliability Analysis of Nanoscale Magnetic Tunnel Junctions
Authors: Wang Yubo , Zhao Dongyan , Chen Yanning , Fu Zhen , Zhang Haifeng , Zhou Zhimei , Wan Yong , Pan Cheng , Liu Fang , Yuan Yuandong , Cao Kaihua
Published: November 2020

Magnetic tunnel junction with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (p-MTJ) is the core component in spintronics-based memory, logic and sense devices, the synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) has been used to fix the reference layer and cancel the stray field in free layer and few works report the SAF-based reliability analysis of p-MTJ nanopillars. Here, we developed a complete set of method for single p-MTJ devices using CMOS compatible process, and manufactured 80-nm diameter p-MTJs with lower performance degrade. The results of our p-MTJs also revealed that anomalous transitions in major resistance versus external magnetic field ([Formula: see text]) curves can be assisted with the uncompensated SAF flipping after nanofabrication, even though well magnetostatic matched during film stack design. We have also given a reliability analysis of magnetization states in anomalous major [Formula: see text] curves and implied that SAF parameters must be designed for etched nanopillars.
Galactic Evolution Showing a Constant Circulating Speed of Stars in a Galactic Disc without Requiring Dark Matter
Authors: Nagao Shigeto
Published: October 2020

It is an unsolved mystery that the rotation velocity of a galactic disc is same at any radial distances. The presence of dark matter is expected, but not observed. Here we propose a novel scheme for the evolution of the initial cosmic energy to current galaxies. According to the energy circulation theory, which we previously reported, the fundamental force works based on momentums. Antiparallel movements of energy pieces form a circulation. Due to the space expansion, the initial energy circulations separate and decompose to smaller level circulations; to galactic seeds, stellar seeds, and smallest energy circulations. The internal circulating velocity of a galactic seed is inherited to the circulating speed of stellar seeds in a ring. The intra-circulation interaction by the fundamental force keeps the stellar seeds to circulate at the initial speed, which does not alter by the space expansion. The new scheme meets the galaxy rotation curve without requiring dark matter.
Development of glomerular hyperfiltration, a multiphasic phenomenon
Authors: Shimada Yasuho , Nakasone Yasuto , Hirabayashi Kazuko , Sakuma Takahiro , Koike Hideo , Oguchi Tomomasa , Yamashita Koh , Uchimido Ryo , Moriya Tatsumi , Komatsu Mitsuhisa , Aizawa Toru
Published: November 2020

The trajectory of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in relation to glomerular hyperfiltration (GHF) has been unknown. It was evaluated retrospectively in 23,982 GHF-free health examinees who were followed for 2−10 yr (mean: 5.1 yr). GFR was estimated by the serum creatinine concentration, and GHF was defined as age- and sex-specific estimated GFR (eGFR) ≥ 95% of the Japanese general population. The temporal profile of eGFR was plotted in a GHF-centered way, which was fitted to a random coefficient linear mixed model. Of the 23,982 subjects, 797 and 23,185 subjects developed or did not develop GHF, respectively, so that they were termed as the GHF(+)and GHF(−)groups. At baseline, median eGFR was significantly elevated in the GHF(+)group compared with in the GHF(−)group: 94.1 versus 77.3 mL/min/1.73 m2( P < 0.001). Elevation of basal eGFR lasted for a mean (SD) of 3.3 (1.9) yr in the GHF(+)group; mean eGFR then rose to the GHF range, which was 108.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. The eGFR decline after the peak was steeper in the GHF(+)group than in the GHF(−)group: −0.984 versus −0.497 mL/min/1.73 m2/yr ( P < 0.001). Baseline eGFR, but no other variable, well predicted incident GHF, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.87 (95% confidence interval: 0.86–0.88). In conclusion, GHF occurs as a chronic, multiphasic phenomenon: initially with a sustained GFR elevation for years, followed by a GFR surge to the GHF range, which was accompanied by accelerated GFR declining.
Objective Evaluation of Drivability in Passenger Cars with Dual-Clutch Transmission: A Case Study of Static Gearshift Condition
Authors: Zhou Wei , Guo Xuexun , Pei Xiaofei , Zhang Chengcai , Yan Jun , Xia Jialei
Published: October 2020

This paper is aimed at the problem that the subjective drivability evaluation by experienced test drivers is limited in time efficiency and is of high cost and poor repeatability. In this article, an intelligent drivability objective evaluation tool (I-DOET) for passenger cars with dual-clutch transmission (DCT) is developed and verified by real vehicle testing. First, the signal denoising method and its key parameters, which are suitable for drivability evaluation, are selected based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). Besides, combined with the uncertainty characteristics of subjective judgment, a mathematical model of the objective drivability evaluation FARODE (fuzzy AHP-RS based on objective drivability evaluation) is proposed by using the fuzzy comprehensive assessment (FCA) method. The AHP and rough set (RS) method are used to calculate the subjective and objective weights of the drivability evaluation, respectively, and the proportion of subjective and objective weights is determined by the principle of minimum relative information entropy. The fuzzy matrix is built by membership function of the evaluation indexes. Finally, the static gearshift condition focused on by the subjective evaluation experts is taken as a case study. The predictability score is obtained by combining the drivability quantization lever vector, comprehensive weight, and fuzzy matrix. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method is applicable for objective drivability evaluation in passenger cars with DCT.
Universal Walking Control Framework of Biped Robot Based on Dynamic Model and Quadratic Programming
Authors: Leng Xiaokun , Piao Songhao , Chang Lin , He Zhicheng , Zhu Zheng
Published: October 2020

Biped robot research has always been a research focus in the field of robot research. Among them, the motion control system, as the core content of the biped robot research, directly determines the stability of the robot walking. Traditional biped robot control methods suffer from low model accuracy, poor dynamic characteristics of motion controllers, and poor motion robustness. In order to improve the walking robustness of the biped robot, this paper solves the problem from three aspects: planning method, mathematical model, and control method, forming a robot motion control framework based on the whole-body dynamics model and quadratic planning. The robot uses divergent component of motion for trajectory planning and introduces the friction cone contact model into the control frame to improve the accuracy of the model. A complete constraint equation system can ensure that the solution of the controller meets the dynamic characteristics of the biped robot. An optimal controller is designed based on the control framework, and starting from the Lyapunov function, the convergence of the optimal controller is proved. Finally, the experimental results show that the method is robust and has certain anti-interference ability.
[Retracted] ERK1/2 Pathway Is Involved in the Enhancement of Fatty Acids from Phaeodactylum tricornutum Extract (PTE) on Hair Follicle Cell Proliferation
Authors: Xiao Lei , Zhang Xia , Chen Zhiyi , Li Yuting , Li Bing , Li Lin
Published: October 2020

Extractions from Phaeodactylum tricornutum have been widely studied and evaluated to various biological effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the promotional effect of P. tricornutum extract (PTE) on the ERK1/2 signaling pathway involved in hair follicle cell proliferation. In order to illuminate the enhancement of PTE on hair growth by promoting proliferation of hair follicle cells, the activities of human hair follicle outer root sheath cell (HFORSC), human hair follicle germinal matrix cells (HFGMC), and hair epithelial melanocytes (HEM) were observed under PET treatment. Levels of keratins, PKCζ, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK in hair follicle cells were determined by Western blotting to illustrate the mechanisms of PTE effects on hair growth. Analyzed by GC‐MS, the main polyunsaturated fatty acids which were 9.43% of total fatty acids in PTE were linolenic acid, linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. Melanin content and tyrosinase activity in HEM were measured. The results showed that PTE exhibited remarkable enhancement on cell proliferation. Melanin production was inhibited by PTE treatment, while keratin‐14, keratin‐15, and keratin‐17 levels on hair follicle cells were elevated at different concentrations. The promotions of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK levels indicated that the ERK1/2 signaling pathway is involved in the proliferation of hair follicle cells. These results are the evidence that PTE potentially deserves further study as a new natural candidate for hair care applications.
Schedule-Allocate and Robust Sequencing in Three-Machine Robotic Cell under Breakdowns
Authors: Vaisi Bahareh , Farughi Hiwa , Raissi Sadigh
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this paper is to model two problems comprising schedule-allocate (in case of producing identical parts) and sequencing of parts (in case of producing different parts). The first model is used for minimizing the cycle time and operational cost, and the second one for minimizing both the mean and standard deviation of the total production cost as well the cycle time, in an unreliable three-machine robotic cell which confronted with many uncertainty factors. In the current article, mathematical modelling and simulation-based optimization method have been presented to schedule-allocate similar parts and trace the optimal sequence of different parts. Several solution procedures, including epsilon-constraint method and multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm, for identical parts case and response surface methodology for different parts case are applied. The results derived from solving numerical examples revealed some advantages in terms of time to attain the optimal solution.