bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensors with Digital Output – A Metrological Challenge
Authors: Mende Michael , Begoff Philipp
Published: September 2019

The Internet of Things (IoT) as well as many other new applications require sensors that can already process data inside the sensor and exchange the pre-processed data more or less directly with their environment. Such sensors typically have a digital output and thus challenge current calibration systems which usually have analogue input channels. Furthermore most calibration standards were written for an analogue world and do not fit to sensors with internal A/D converters and data pre-processing. Based on experiences of the authors with the calibration of accelerometers with digital output, the paper will give an overview over the challenges that we will face in a digital sensor world. How will calibration systems for such transducers will look like? How do I calculate a measurement uncertainty if the signal processing inside a sensor is a black box? The paper addresses the challenges and tries to give an outlook how to meet them.
Response time measurement of hygrometers at LNE-CETIAT
Authors: Georgin Eric
Published: September 2019

LNE-CETIAT has been involved in European project JRP HIT – EMPIR (www.empir-hit.eu). The objectives of this project were to improve the accuracy of industrial humidity measurements, to provide new traceability capabilities and to develop new calibration techniques at high temperatures up to 180 °C and under transient conditions. Considering the last aspect, LNE-CETIAT has worked on the development of a humidity step generator for studying response time of hygrometers. Indeed, classical calibrations are performed under quasi-static conditions whilst the end users measurement conditions are, most of the time, non-static or dynamic. In order to tackle this situation, LNE-CETIAT has started to developed dynamic humidity generator which enables response time measurement by applying humidity step to the device under test. In this article the test rig is presented as well as results obtained with chilled mirror hygrometers. A discussion about response time of chilled mirror concludes this work.
Os efeitos do exercício físico sobre o manejo da dor em pacientes com osteoartrose de joelho: Uma revisão sistemática com meta-análise
Authors: Rocha Thiago Casali , Ramos Plínio dos Santos , Dias Alessandra Germano , Martins Elaine Angélica
Published: September 2019

Objetivo O presente estudo verificou por meio de uma revisão sistemática com metanálise os efeitos de um programa de reabilitação, através de um programa de treinamento físico, para o tratamento da dor e força muscular na osteoartrose (OA) de joelho.

Métodos Foram analisados os estudos publicados entre 2008 e 2018, tendo como referência a base de dados Medline (National Library of Medicine), da qual foram selecionados 7 ensaios clínicos controlados randomizados que pontuaram acima de 8 na escala Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PeDro, na sigla em inglês), sobre programas de exercícios na melhora da dor e força muscular em paciente com OA de joelho. Foi usada a sistematização Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA, na sigla em inglês) para a elaboração desta revisão e a realização de uma metanálise com o objetivo de evidenciar matematicamente os resultados do exercício físico sobre a dor.

Resultados Os estudos incluídos na análise continham um total de 934 participantes com idade entre 40 a 73 anos, sendo que 34,90% desses eram do sexo masculino. A maioria dos conjuntos de exercícios oferecidos no tratamento da OA tiveram resultado significativamente positivo em ambos os quesitos, mas principalmente para o alívio da dor (estatisticamente significativo p < 0, 003).

Conclusão Inferimos que houve uma melhora da dor em todos os artigos que realizaram fortalecimento muscular, porém ainda há um óbice sobre os protocolos utilizados.
Avaliação clínica do tratamento cirúrgico das fraturas do terço médio da clavícula em um hospital do sul de Santa Catarina
Authors: Hehn Fernando H.S. , Bonavides Paola S.G. , Oliveira Júnior Aloir N. , Silva Helena C.G. , Back Neto Martins , Stipp Willian N.
Published: September 2019

Objetivo Avaliar o resultado do tratamento cirúrgico de fraturas do terço médio da clavícula.

Métodos Estudo transversal retrospectivo, em que foram avaliados 36 pacientes que sofreram fratura do terço médio da clavícula, que foram tratados cirurgicamente no período de janeiro de 2012 a fevereiro de 2017. Eles foram avaliados quanto aos tipos de fratura, idade, tabagismo, material de síntese, e escores de Constant-Murley e Modified-University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale (UCLA-M).

Resultados As médias dos escores de Constant-Murley e UCLA-M foram de 91,59 e 31,29, respectivamente. A idade média foi de 37,62 anos, e apresentou relação estatística com o tipo de síntese (p < 0,05), mas o material de síntese não apresentou significância com a melhora de pontuação dos escores funcionais.

Conclusão O tratamento cirúrgico ocasiona bons resultados funcionais após a fratura diafisária de clavícula, independente do traço da fratura, com baixa taxa de pseudoartrose.
Follow-up of Toxoplasmosis during Pregnancy: Ten-Year Experience in a University Hospital in Southern Brazil
Authors: Diesel Amanda Andrade , Zachia Suzana de Azevedo , Müller Ana Lúcia Letti , Perez Amanda Vilaverde , Uberti Flavio Antonio de Freitas , Magalhães José Antônio de Azevedo
Published: September 2019

Objective To describe a population of pregnant women diagnosed with toxoplasmosis and their respective newborns, describing the hospital protocol for treatment and follow-up.

Methods Retrospective cohort of pregnant women with acute toxoplasmosis infection and risk of transplacental transmission who were sent to the Fetal Medicine Group of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) between - January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2016. All patients with confirmed disease were included. The diagnostic protocol and treatment were applied; a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of the amniotic fluid was used to diagnose toxoplasmosis and determine the treatment. The newborns were followed up at the pediatric outpatient clinic specializing in congenital infection. The patients who were not followed up or were not born in the HCPA were excluded.

Results A total of 65 patients were confirmed to have gestational toxoplasmosis; 40 performed amniocentesis, and 6 (15%) were identified as having positive PCR in the amniotic fluid. In five of those cases, this result associated with the gestational age defined the triple therapy during pregnancy, and in one case, it defined the monotherapy (advanced gestational age). A total of 4 of these newborns were treated from birth with triple therapy for 10 months, 1 was not treated (due to maternal refusal), and 1 progressed to death within the first 54 hours of life due to complications of congenital toxoplasmosis. Of the 34 remaining cases with a negative PCR, 33 were treated with monotherapy and 1 was treated with triple therapy (ultrasound findings); of these children, 9 (26.5%) presented negative immunoglobulin G (IgG), 24 (70.6%) presented positive IgG (but none presented positive immunoglobulin M [IgM]), and 1 (2,9%) presented alterations compatible with congenital disease and started treatment with the triple therapy soon after birth. Out of the total sample of 60 patients, among the 25 who did not perform amniotic fluid PCR, 5 were treated with triple therapy (ultrasound findings/prior treatment) and 20 patients were submitted to monotherapy; only two newborns underwent treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis. Among the 65 cases of gestational toxoplasmosis, 6 (9,2%) children had a diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis, and 2 patients with triple therapy felt severe adverse effects of the medications.

Conclusions The present study suggests that research on PCR screening of the amniotic fluid may be useful to identify patients with a higher potential for fetal complications, who may benefit from the poly-antimicrobial treatment. Patients with negative PCR results must continue to prevent fetal infection with monotherapy, without risk of fetal or maternal impairment.
Focal Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis in Brachydactyly Mental Retardation Syndrome (2q37 Deletion Syndrome)
Authors: Akyol Onder Esra Nagehan , Ozkol Mine , Nese Nalan , Taneli Can , Cankorur Osman Orkun , Ozunan Ipek
Published: September 2019

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is characterized by destruction of the renal parenchyma and granulomatous inflammation with lipid-laden foamy macrophages as well as inflammatory infiltration and intensive renal fibrosis. It generally occurs in adults, especially those in the fifth and sixth decades of life, but is occasionally seen in children as well. Brachydactyly mental retardation (BDMR) syndrome (OMIM 600430) is caused by a small deletion of chromosome 2q37 and is a rare condition, with roughly 100 cases reported worldwide. Here, we describe the case of a patient with deletion of chromosome 2q37, which is known as the BDMR syndrome, and XGP.
The Accuracy of Group Beta Streptococcus Rectovaginal Cultures at 35 to 37 Weeks of Gestation in Predicting Colonization Intrapartum
Authors: Hussain Farrah N. , Al-Ibraheemi Zainab , Pan Stephanie , Francis Antonia P. , Taylor Dyese , Lam Melissa Chu , Lewis Dawnette
Published: September 2019

Objective This study aims to investigate accuracy of group beta Streptococcus (GBS) rectovaginal cultures at 35 to 37 weeks in predicting intrapartum colonization.

Study Design Institutional review board (IRB) approved prospective cohort study of 302 women from October 2015 to May 2017. Patients had the following tests for GBS: first trimester urine culture, rectovaginal culture at 35 to 37 weeks, and intrapartum rectovaginal culture. Outcomes included accuracy of 35- to 37-week GBS rectovaginal culture in detecting results intrapartum, and accuracy of first trimester urine culture in comparison to intrapartum rectovaginal cultures.

Results There was sufficient evidence of agreement between results at 35 to 37 weeks with intrapartum cultures (p = 0.001). However, agreement was weak, 11 patients (3.7%) were GBS positive intrapartum but negative at 35 to 37 weeks; and 33 patients (11%) were initially GBS positive but were negative intrapartum. Sensitivity and specificity of the 35- to 37-week culture was 69% (95% confidence interval [CI]:54–84%) and 87% (95% CI: 83–91%), respectively. There was also weak agreement between first trimester urine culture and intrapartum rectovaginal culture. Specificity for this assessment was 98% (95% CI: 97–100%) and was significantly different compared with antepartum GBS culture (p < 0.001). Accuracy between antepartum GBS rectovaginal culture and urine culture was similar (85 vs. 87%, p = 0.47).

Conclusion The 35- to 37-week GBS rectovaginal culture might be a poor predictor for intrapartum colonization.
Electronic transmission in the lateral heterostructure of semiconducting and metallic transition-metal dichalcogenide monolayers
Authors: Habe Tetsuro
Published: September 2019

We investigate the electronic transport property of lateral heterojunctions of semiconducting and metallic transition-metal dichalcogenide monolayers, MoSe2 and NbSe2, respectively. We calculate the electronic transmission probability by using a multiorbital tight-binding model based on the first-principles band structure. The transmission probability depends on the spin and valley degrees of freedom. This dependence qualitatively changes by the interface structure. The heterostructure with a zigzag interface preserves the spin and the valley of electrons in the transmission process. On the other hand, the armchair interface enables conduction electrons to transmit with changing the valley and increases the conductance in the hole-doped junctions due to the valley-flip transmission. We also discuss the spin and valley polarizations of electronic current in the heterojunctions.
Electrostatic subframing and compressive-sensing video in transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Reed B. W. , Moghadam A. A. , Bloom R. S. , Park S. T. , Monterrosa A. M. , Price P. M. , Barr C. M. , Briggs S. A. , Hattar K. , McKeown J. T. , Masiel D. J.
Published: September 2019

We present kilohertz-scale video capture rates in a transmission electron microscope, using a camera normally limited to hertz-scale acquisition. An electrostatic deflector rasters a discrete array of images over a large camera, decoupling the acquisition time per subframe from the camera readout time. Total-variation regularization allows features in overlapping subframes to be correctly placed in each frame. Moreover, the system can be operated in a compressive-sensing video mode, whereby the deflections are performed in a known pseudorandom sequence. Compressive sensing in effect performs data compression before the readout, such that the video resulting from the reconstruction can have substantially more total pixels than that were read from the camera. This allows, for example, 100 frames of video to be encoded and reconstructed using only 15 captured subframes in a single camera exposure. We demonstrate experimental tests including laser-driven melting/dewetting, sintering, and grain coarsening of nanostructured gold, with reconstructed video rates up to 10 kHz. The results exemplify the power of the technique by showing that it can be used to study the fundamentally different temporal behavior for the three different physical processes. Both sintering and coarsening exhibited self-limiting behavior, whereby the process essentially stopped even while the heating laser continued to strike the material. We attribute this to changes in laser absorption and to processes inherent to thin-film coarsening. In contrast, the dewetting proceeded at a relatively uniform rate after an initial incubation time consistent with the establishment of a steady-state temperature profile.
Anatomical root responses of rice to combined phosphorus and water stress – relations to tolerance and breeding opportunities
Authors: De Bauw Pieterjan , Vandamme Elke , Lupembe Allen , Mwakasege Leah , Senthilkumar Kalimuthu , Dramé Khady N. , Merckx Roel
Published: September 2019

Drought and low P availability are major limitations for rainfed rice (Oryza spp.) production. Root anatomy plays a key role in resource acquisition and tolerance to P and water limitations. Root anatomical responses of three contrasting rice varieties to combinations of different levels of P (deficient to non-limiting) and water availability (water stress to submergence) were evaluated in two pot trials. P availability was the dominant growth-limiting factor, but anatomical root responses to water availability were more prominent than responses to P availability. Cortical cell file number and number of xylem vessels decreased as a response to water stress, but stele and xylem diameter increased. Low P availability induced thinner xylem vessels and a thinner stele. Drought tolerance related to an overall thicker root stele, thicker xylem vessels and a larger water conductance. Some root traits were observed to be more responsive to water and P availability, whereas other traits were more robust to these environmental factors but highly determined by variety. The observed genotypic variation in root anatomy provides opportunities for trait-based breeding. The plasticity of several traits to multiple environmental factors highlights the need for strategic trait selection or breeding adapted to specific target environments.
Inferring vascular architecture of the wheat spikelet based on resource allocation in the branched headt (bht-A1) near isogenic lines
Authors: Wolde Gizaw M. , Schnurbusch Thorsten
Published: September 2019

Substantial genetic and physiological efforts were made to understand the causal factors of floral abortion and grain filling problem in wheat. However, the vascular architecture during wheat spikelet development is surprisingly under-researched. We used the branched headt near-isogenic lines, FL-bht-A1-NILs, to visualise the dynamics of spikelet fertility and dry matter accumulation in spikelets sharing the same rachis node (henceforth Primary Spikelet, PSt, and Secondary Spikelet, SSt). The experiment was conducted after grouping FL-bht-A1-NILs into two groups, where tillers were consistently removed from one group. Our results show differential spikelet fertility and dry matter accumulation between the PSt and SSt, but also showed a concomitant improvement after de-tillering. This suggests a tight regulation of assimilate supply and dry matter accumulation in wheat spikelets. Since PSt and SSt share the same rachis node, the main vascular bundle in the rachis/rachilla is expected to bifurcate to connect each spikelet/floret to the vascular system. We postulate that the vascular structure in the wheat spikelet might even follow Murray’s law, where the wide conduits assigned at the base of the spikelet feed the narrower conduits of the distal florets. We discuss our results based on the two modalities of the vascular network systems in plants.
The Jewish Communities of Central Asia in the Medieval and Early Modern Periods
Authors: Kaganovitch Albert
Published: September 2019

When the Jews first settled in Central Asia is uncertain, but circumstantial evidence clearly indicates that this happened at least two and a half thousand years ago. In the first millenniumAD, the Jews lived only in cities no farther than 750 km east of the Caspian sea (in the eighth–eleventh centuries the sea was called Khazarian). Only later did they migrate to the central part of the region, to cities like Samarkand and Bukhara. It is possible that Jews from Khazaria joined them, since they already had tight trade connections with Central Asia and China. There is no trace of evidence regarding the existence of Jews in the entirety of Central Asia in the early sixteenth century. At the very end of the sixteenth century Bukhara became the new ethnoreligious center of the Jews in that region. In the first half of the nineteenth century, thanks to European travelers visiting Central Asia at that time, the term “Bukharan Jews” was assigned to this sub-ethnic Jewish group. Drawing on a wide range of primary and secondary source materials, this article aims to prove that the presence of Jews in Central Asia was not continuous, and therefore the modern Bukharan Jews are not descendants of the first Jewish settlers there. It also attempts to determine where Central Asia’s first Jewish population disappeared to.
Environmental and genetic assessment of different versions of crossing of maple and elm in the conditions of the southeast of European part Russian Federation
Authors: Iozus A P , Yu Boyko S , Zavyalov A A
Published: September 2019

Annotation

At present, in world science and practice, hybridization is considered to be one of the promising areas, which allows obtaining material with planned and properties. There was a need to use modern methods of mathematical processing to evaluate the prospects of some variants of crossing, dividing the total phenotypic variability into genetic and ecological. The results suggest the need to continue work on hybridization, taking into account the results obtained over the past 50 years of work on breeding, seed production and for crosses to use created from the offspring of plus trees in the region of maple, elm, which have been tested by natural selection in artificial and natural plantations of the South-East of the European part of Russia in recent decades. For reproduction of the obtained high-value breeding material to use breeding greenhouses and technology «in vitro». We believe that population selection can also be promising, and both natural and artificial populations can be used, in the biocenosis of which two or three seed generations of this species are present. At the final stage, it is necessary to create hybrid forest seed plantations from the material obtained.
Structural analysis and formalization of continuous flow technologies in timber harvesting
Authors: Lozovoy V , Nikonchuk A , Nikonchuk M
Published: September 2019

Currently, cross-cutting continuous flow lines with longitudinal or transverse feeding of tree-length are used in the forest industry. The currently used equipment requires improvement or replacement due to the rapid development of automation and increased quality requirements for roundwood assortments. We propose a method for modelling technological movements performed when bucking tree-lengths, using lines with a longitudinal feed as an example; the method is based on matrix transformations of coordinates. The modelling process is preceded by a structural analysis. We suggest that such analysis should be carried out for each structural unit of the bucking line due to the specificity of the subject of labour and equipment created with the special properties of the object of labour (tree-lengths, whole trees) in mind. This will allow us to demonstrate the influence of the properties of the object of labour (tree-lengths, whole trees) on the technological process model.
Dynamic model of contact of grain with the surface of wood
Authors: Sergeevichev A , Onegin V , Sokolova E , Kushnerev V , Sergeevichev V
Published: September 2019

Grinding holds the specific place among other types of machining of wood caused by specific features of the occurring physical phenomena and features of the tool. When processing the mechanical, chemical, thermal, electric and accompanying those phenomena arise a multiple-point cutting tool of preparations from wood or wood materials, naturally. The mechanical phenomena are shown owing to repeated contact of an abrasive paper from the preparation processed by a surface, that is, the fissile sliding friction. These phenomena are followed by a pollution of a cutting tool, including consolidation of space between abrasive grains that reduces operability of an abrasive paper. On the basis of the conducted theoretical researches and the analysis of the removed equations for determination of critical sizes of front corner, thickness of cut and speed of cutting, it is possible to draw conclusion that all listed parameters have significant effect on the size of bearing of the processed material abrasive grain, therefore, and on intensity of emergence of contact collapses. Increase in critical thickness of a cut leads to increase in deformation of near-surface layers of the processed material, and, therefore, and to increase in depth and the number of contact destructions.
The structure of the regulatory framework for the assessment of forest resources in Yenisei Siberia and the ways to improve it
Authors: Shevelev S , Vais A , Kulakova N
Published: September 2019

Yenisei Siberia lies within the administrative borders of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, and the republics of Khakassia and Tyva; this helps to link forest inventory standards to specific forest areas. Significant variation in environmental conditions across the Yenisei Siberia is caused by the zonal affiliation of its different parts; they fall into one of the following zones: the near-tundra, taiga, forest-steppe, northern and southern mountain ranges. The variety of environmental conditions has resulted in a variety of forest stands that not only supply timber, but also provide environmental services. Despite the almost century-long history of the existence of standards for the valuation of forest resources in Yenisei Siberia, they cannot be considered as complete and perfect.
Opportunity of external combustion engines usage in forestry complex
Authors: Tihonov E , Bazykin V , Mukhanov N
Published: September 2019

Considered problem of forest industry enterprises energy supply. Are taking in account following: energy communications remoteness, high cost of accessing to energy networks if they are near to logging site. Most of remoteness logging sites are energy supplied by diesel power plants. This situation leads to problems: high price for 1 kW, expenses fuel transportation. Observed possibility of Stirling engine usage in forest industry. First of all – electric generator based on Stirling engine, which allow to use biofuel. Considered possible schemes of Stirling engine usage. Co-generation scheme – secondary heat utilization. Direct generation with different biofuel usage. Defined the range of required Stirling power stations powers for forest industry. Was analyzed Stirling engine kinematic schemes: α, β and γ-type. Are defined more suitable type to use in logging sites - α-type. Air was selected like working body. Were analyzed mail difficulties of Stirling engine construction. The absence of calculation technique and experimental experience are show necessarily of construction parameters and heat-mass transfer analysis. Further issues of investigations were defined: complex and multiparameter numeric modeling of Stirling engine operational process with different power ranges and optimal construction parameters finding out for successful introduction of Stirling engine in forest industry were defined.
The Predictor for Urban Buildings’ Hourly Electricity Consumption
Authors: Shan Shubing , Cao Buyang , Wu Zhiqiang
Published: September 2019

The accurate prediction approach of urban buildings’ electricity consumption is an important foundation for smart urban energy management. It provides the decision basis for electricity deployment at peak times. This paper presents a knowledge graph of urban building electricity consumption called ECKG. It provides an effective way to obtain the influencing factors of buildings’ electricity consumption. In addition, in order to improve the accuracy of prediction, this paper proposes the logarithmic electricity consumption gravity model and error correction model based on data selection. We use 17520 hours’ electricity consumption of a five-star hotel building in Shanghai, China as the study case, and 8 common models as benchmarks to conduct the comparisons. Our approach outperforms all benchmarks in terms of average accuracy.
A Study on Modeling of Effective Series Resistance for Lithium-ion Batteries under Life Cycle Consideration
Authors: Somakettarin N , Pichetjamroen A
Published: September 2019

This paper presents a modeling of effective series resistance for Lithium-ion batteries, which is focusing on the effect of life cycles in aging cells during operations. A computer-based sequential control system is developed to prepare aging cells and automatically characterize the information of testing batteries. Several aspects of testing parameters during the charge and discharge, such as characteristics of the effective series resistance, amplitudes of the pulse current, changes of the increasing resistance, state of charge, capacity and operating cycles, are considered and analyzed to implement in the effective series resistance model. A methodology based on the experiment of pulse tests is applied as sequential steps for modeling the effective series resistance with life cycle consideration. Comparison results between the proposed model and measured values over the life cycle of the battery show the satisfactory verification with the maximum error lower than 4%.
Identifying Malware on Cyber Physical Systems by incorporating Semi-Supervised Approach and Deep Learning
Authors: Sharmeen Shaila , Huda Shamsul , Abawajy Jemal
Published: September 2019

Malicious applications can be a security threat to Cyber-physical systems as the Cyber-physical systems are composed of heterogeneous distributed systems and mostly depends on the internet, ICT services and products. The usage of ICT products and the services gives the opportunity of less expensive data collection, intelligent control and decision systems using automated data mining tools. Cyber-physical systems become exposed to the internet and the public networks as it has integrated to the ICT networks for easy automated options. Cyber-attacks can lead functional failure, blackouts, energy theft, data theft etc. and this will be critical security concern of Cyber-physical systems. At present, the mobile devices are replacing the pc environment and become a key element of Internet of Things. Therefore, it is essential to develop such a malware detection engine that will identify the mobile malware and reduce the spreading of the malicious code through mobile devices. This research work will identify the malware by incorporating semi-supervised approach and deep learning. The original and significant contributions are to propose an effective malware detection model by incorporating semi-supervised approach and deep learning, to implement the model using parallel processing and to evaluate the performance of the model using recent dataset. Here we have used the permission and the API call as the features. The proposed method has been tested on the real mobile malware data set and it shows improvement in accuracy. The Experimental results show that the deep learning along with semi-supervised method will be an effective way to identify the malware and it outperforms other detection methods.
Wind speed forecasting using First Order Markov Transition with Regime Switch and Time Duration
Authors: Elwan A A , Habibuddin H M
Published: September 2019

Due to the dynamic nature of time series, it is common to deploy varying models in predicting behavior of the inherent characteristics in time series. The growing need in nonlinear series prediction and the limitations of linear models in predicting the behaviors of such, lead to the quest of models capable of predicting both dynamic and non-linear behaviors in time series. Markov Regime switching model commonly referred to as the regime switching model is used to forecast wind speed taking into account variation of speed with time. Eviews, a statistical, econometric and economic modelling package is used for the Markov regime switch estimation, simulation and forecasting of A 24-hour period real wind speed data measurement from NREL. Values obtained from forecast accuracy evaluation are Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) is at 0.242, the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) is 0.17 and the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) is 31.38. The statistics showed that the forecast is closely related to the actual values.
Numerical Study for Open Reactor Design Using Salt Hydrate
Authors: Hawwash A A , Mori Shinsuke , Feky Khalid El , Hassan Hamdy
Published: September 2019

There are various methods to store thermal energy from season to season. Because the density of energy storage in thermochemical materials is higher than the latent and sensible heat storage method, the thermochemical heat storage is considered the sufficient type. This paper provides a mathematical model of thermochemical storage process for thermochemical materials; potassium aluminum sulfate 12-hydrate (KAl(SO4)2.12H2O). The software used is COMSOL Multiphysics Modelling Software. The model data is validated and compared with the previous experimental result. Furthermore, the temperature difference and the pressure over the material inside the reactor are investigated. There are seven designs for the bed. However, the inlet and outlet diameter of the bed is changed; there is any change in the volume and height of the bed. The model results present that the rise in entrance area decreases the charging time and rises the pressure drop inside the material. Case 4 is the best design from the charge time.
Astronomers behaving badly
Authors: Hockey Thomas
Published: September 2019

Thomas Hockey has a little list of awful astronomers through history.
How well do we forecast the aurora?
Authors: Mooney Michaela K , Forsyth Colin , Marsh Mike , Sharpe Michael , Hughes Teresa , Bingham Suzy , Jackson David
Published: September 2019

Michaela K Mooney and co-authors evaluate a space weather forecast model in the same way that weather forecasts are assessed, work that won the 2019 Rishbeth Prize for best poster.
Industrial strategy and the UK regions: sectorally narrow and spatially blind
Authors: Fothergill Steve , Gore Tony , Wells Peter
Published: September 2019

The UK government’s new Industrial Strategy could have a significant impact on the country’s regions and localities. However, this has received little attention to date. The analysis presented here examines the existing location of the sectors targeted by the first phase of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and the location of the R&D laboratories likely to be first in line for funding. In focusing on an extremely narrow range of sectors, the Fund is likely to have limited impact on the UK’s persistent regional inequalities. The activities eligible for support account for relatively little of manufacturing or the rest of the economy and the basis of this targeting and its potential distributional consequences are spatially blind. As such, it runs the risk of widening regional divides in prosperity.
Prognostic value of right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain in a large cohort of outpatients with left-side heart disease
Authors: Gavazzoni Mara , Badano Luigi P , Vizzardi Enrico , Raddino Riccardo , Genovese Davide , Taramasso Maurizio , Sciatti Edoardo , Palermo Chiara , Metra Marco , Muraru Denisa
Published: September 2019

Aims

Right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) has been proposed as an accurate and sensitive measure of right ventricular function that could integrate other conventional parameters such as tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and fractional area change (FAC%). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between RVFWLS and outcomes in stable asymptomatic outpatients with left-sided structural heart disease.

Methods and results

We enrolled 458 asymptomatic patients with left-side heart diseases and any ejection fraction who were referred for echocardiography to two Italian centres. The composite endpoint of death for any cause and heart failure hospitalization was used as primary outcome of this analysis. After a mean follow-up of 5.4 ± 1.2 years, 145 patients (31%) reached the combined endpoint. Most of echocardiographic parameters were related to outcomes, including right ventricular functional parameters. Mean value of RVFWLS in our cohort was −21 ± 8% and it was significantly related to the combined endpoint and in multivariable Cox-regression model; when tested with other echocardiographic parameters that were significantly related to outcome at univariate analysis, RVFWLS maintained its independent association with outcome (hazard ratio 0.963, 95% confidence interval 0.948–0.978; P = 0.0001). The best cut-off value of RVFWLS to predict outcome was −22% (area under the curve 0.677; P < 0.001; sensitivity 70%; 65% specificity).

Conclusion

RVFWLS may help clinicians to identify patients with left-sided structural heart disease at higher risk for first heart failure hospitalization and death for any cause.
A field guide for the compositional analysis of any-omics data
Authors: Quinn Thomas P , Erb Ionas , Gloor Greg , Notredame Cedric , Richardson Mark F , Crowley Tamsyn M
Published: September 2019

Background

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has made it possible to determine the sequence and relative abundance of all nucleotides in a biological or environmental sample. A cornerstone of NGS is the quantification of RNA or DNA presence as counts. However, these counts are not counts per se: their magnitude is determined arbitrarily by the sequencing depth, not by the input material. Consequently, counts must undergo normalization prior to use. Conventional normalization methods require a set of assumptions: they assume that the majority of features are unchanged and that all environments under study have the same carrying capacity for nucleotide synthesis. These assumptions are often untestable and may not hold when heterogeneous samples are compared.

Results

Methods developed within the field of compositional data analysis offer a general solution that is assumption-free and valid for all data. Herein, we synthesize the extant literature to provide a concise guide on how to apply compositional data analysis to NGS count data.

Conclusions

In highlighting the limitations of total library size, effective library size, and spike-in normalizations, we propose the log-ratio transformation as a general solution to answer the question, “Relative to some important activity of the cell, what is changing?”
Chromosome-level assembly of the mustache toad genome using third-generation DNA sequencing and Hi-C analysis
Authors: Li Yongxin , Ren Yandong , Zhang Dongru , Jiang Hui , Wang Zhongkai , Li Xueyan , Rao Dingqi
Published: September 2019

Background

The mustache toad, Vibrissaphora ailaonica, is endemic to China and belongs to the Megophryidae family. Like other mustache toad species, V. ailaonica males temporarily develop keratinized nuptial spines on their upper jaw during each breeding season, which fall off at the end of the breeding season. This feature is likely result of the reversal of sexual dimorphism in body size, with males being larger than females. A high-quality reference genome for the mustache toad would be invaluable to investigate the genetic mechanism underlying these repeatedly developing keratinized spines.

Findings

To construct the mustache toad genome, we generated 225 Gb of short reads and 277 Gb of long reads using Illumina and Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) sequencing technologies, respectively. Sequencing data were assembled into a 3.53-Gb genome assembly, with a contig N50 length of 821 kb. We also used high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) technology to identify contacts between contigs, then assembled contigs into scaffolds and assembled a genome with 13 chromosomes and a scaffold N50 length of 412.42 Mb. Based on the 26,227 protein-coding genes annotated in the genome, we analyzed phylogenetic relationships between the mustache toad and other chordate species. The mustache toad has a relatively higher evolutionary rate and separated from a common ancestor of the marine toad, bullfrog, and Tibetan frog 206.1 million years ago. Furthermore, we identified 201 expanded gene families in the mustache toad, which were mainly enriched in immune pathway, keratin filament, and metabolic processes.

Conclusions

Using Illumina, PacBio, and Hi-C technologies, we constructed the first high-quality chromosome-level mustache toad genome. This work not only offers a valuable reference genome for functional studies of mustache toad traits but also provides important chromosomal information for wider genome comparisons.
Cold numbers: Superconducting supercomputers and presumptive anomaly
Authors: De Liso Nicola , Filatrella Giovanni , Gagliardi Dimitri , Napoli Claudia
Published: September 2019

In February 2014 Time magazine announced to the world that the first quantum computer had been put in use. One key component of this computer is the “Josephson-junction,” a superconducting device, based on completely different scientific and technological principles with respect to semiconductors. The origin of superconductors dates back to the 1960s, to a large-scale 20-year long IBM project aimed at building ultrafast computers. We present a detailed study of the relationship between Science and Technology making use of the theoretical tools of presumptive anomaly and technological paradigms: superconductors were developed while the semiconductors revolution was in full swing. We adopt a historiographical approach—using a snowballing technique to sift through the relevant literature from various epistemological domains and technical publications—to extract theoretically robust insights from a narrative which concerns great scientific advancements, technological leaps forward and business-driven innovation. The study we present shows how technological advancements, business dynamics, and policy intertwine.
Absorptive capacity in a two-sector neo-Schumpeterian model: a new role for innovation policy
Authors: Almudi Isabel , Fatas-Villafranca Francisco , Fernández-Márquez Carlos M , Potts Jason , Vazquez Francisco J
Published: September 2019

We propose a new co-evolutionary computational two-sector approach to the design of national innovation policy that recognizes the importance of intersectoral absorptive capacity constraints in innovation linkages between sectors in an economy. We show how the innovative capacity of an upstream producer sector can be constrained by the absorptive capacity of the downstream-user sector. This suggests that the low productivity performance of modern innovation policy might in part be understood as a consequence of sectorally unbalanced knowledge evolution, where the problem lies in underinvestment in innovative capabilities in the downstream sector. Our computational two-sector model suggests an important role for innovation policy to create a balanced, sectorally targeted approach.
International cooperation in merger control in Japan
Authors: Tahira Megumi , Arai Koki
Published: September 2019

This article discusses international cooperation in merger control enforcement under competition law. It describes the framework of merger control in Japan, recent developments in international agreements, merger cases involving international cooperation and the relevant governing authorities’ standard process, including waiver considerations. This article offers three contributions. First, it comments on international cooperation in merger control, including the necessity of confidentiality waivers. Second, it provides basic information for assessing the appropriateness and transparency of merger control policies. Finally, it encourages cooperation between young and advanced competition authorities. The article’s deep understanding of merger activity is based on a detailed analysis of the Japan Fair Trade Commission’s guidelines for international cooperation in merger control.
Technical note: novel delivery methods for an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection model in MUC4-locus sequenced weaner pigs1
Authors: Sterndale Samantha O , Miller David W , Mansfield Josie P , Kim Jae C , O’Dea Mark , Pluske John R
Published: September 2019

An infection model with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) harboring the F4 fimbriae can be used to assess the impacts that various challenges associated with weaning (e.g., dietary, psychological, environmental) have on the expression of postweaning diarrhea. The objective of this study was to develop a novel inoculation method for administering an ETEC culture that would induce a higher proportion of ETEC-F4 diarrhea, in pigs that genetically showed ETEC-F4 susceptibility or resistance. The study was designed as a factorial arrangement of treatments with the factors being 1) partially susceptible or resistant to ETEC-F4 based on genetic testing, and 2) 4 challenge treatments, being a) a conventional liquid broth method using a drenching gun [Positive control (PC)], b) a Syringe method, c) a Capsule method, and d) Negative control [pigs not challenged (NC)]. At 21 ± 3 d of age (mean ± SEM), 48 male castrate pigs (Large White × Landrace) weighing approximately 7.0 ± 1.18 kg were allocated to 4 treatment groups in 2 replicate pens (6 pigs per pen). Initial ETEC-F4 susceptibility was based on a DNA marker test and each treatment group had 9 partially susceptible and 3 resistant pigs. On days 7 and 8 after weaning, pigs were challenged with ETEC (serotype O149:K88; toxins LT1, ST1, ST2, and EAST). On each inoculation day the PC pigs were orally dosed with 9 mL 7.12 × 109 colony-forming unit (CFU), the Syringe pigs with 0.8 mL 6.72 × 109 CFU, the Capsule pigs were orally administered 2 capsules containing 0.8 mL 3.28 × 109 CFU, and the NC pigs 1 mL of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. Approximately 72 h after infection, 44, 22, 78, and 0% of partially susceptible pigs in the PC, the Syringe, the Capsule, and the NC group had developed ETEC-F4 diarrhea (P = 0.007). Partially susceptible pigs had a higher diarrhea index (DI) compared to resistant pigs (31.5 vs. 4.8, P < 0.001). The NC group had a lower DI compared to the PC and Capsule pigs (3.9, 38.1, and 40.3, respectively, P < 0.005). Following infection, genetically resistant pigs in the Capsule group had a DI of zero and the partially susceptible pigs had a DI of 55.6 (P = 0.014). This study showed that genetically screening pigs and using a Capsule to deliver ETEC-F4 can increase cases of diarrhea and the efficiency of the challenge model. Taken together, these methods have the potential to reduce the number of pigs needed in future experimental infection studies.
Rare Primary Embryonal Carcinoma in the Brachial Plexus: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Chen Huihao , Yin Gang , Cui Na , Lin Haodong
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Primary tumors of the brachial plexus are rare. Most are benign and characterized as Schwannoma and neurofibroma, whereas malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are less common. Here, we report a rare case of primary embryonal carcinoma in the brachial plexus.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 17-yr-old male presented with a 3-mo history of a mass growing in the left supraclavicular region over the middle part of the clavicle. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined mass (diameter 2.5 cm) straddling the brachial plexus. After surgical resection, and the mass was histologically confirmed to be an embryonal carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Primary embryonal carcinoma in the brachial plexus has not been reported previously. This case highlights the importance of considering the possibility that some primary brachial plexus tumors may be malignant and should be treated promptly.
Money, Banking, and Financial Markets
Authors: Andolfatto David , Berentsen Aleksander , Martin Fernando M
Published: September 2019

The fact that money, banking, and financial markets interact in important ways seems self-evident. The theoretical nature of this interaction, however, has not been fully explored. To this end, we integrate the Diamond (1997, Journal of Political Economy105, 928–956) model of banking and financial markets with the Lagos and Wright (2005, Journal of Political Economy113, 463–484) dynamic model of monetary exchange—a union that bears a framework in which fractional reserve banks emerge in equilibrium, where bank assets are funded with liabilities made demandable in government money, where the terms of bank deposit contracts are affected by the liquidity insurance available in financial markets, where banks are subject to runs, and where a central bank has a meaningful role to play, both in terms of inflation policy and as a lender of last resort. Among other things, the model provides a rationale for nominal deposit contracts combined with a central bank lender-of-last-resort facility to promote efficient liquidity insurance and a panic-free banking system.
Neonatal platelet count trends during inhaled nitric oxide therapy
Authors: Thom Christopher S , Devine Matthew , Kleinman Stacey , Jensen Erik A , Lambert Michele P , Padula Michael A
Published: September 2019

Recent debate has focused on the significance of platelets generated in lung tissue. Here, we retrospectively analyzed platelet count changes in neonates requiring inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) pulmonary vasodilation therapy for pulmonary hypertension. There were no clinically significant changes in platelet count upon iNO initiation or during iNO therapy. Unexpectedly, platelet counts increased after iNO cessation. These findings argue against a clinically meaningful untapped pulmonary repository of megakaryocytes and platelets in this context, although acute platelet count increases might be expected after discontinuing iNO in some patients. Further work is needed to clarify the underlying etiology for these observations, and to better delineate the mechanisms for platelet count increases after recovery from lung injury.