bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in arts and humanities across time: an exploratory scientometric analysis based on the WoS database
Authors: Xu Zhichao , Feng Yuan , Liao Han-Teng , Jiang Xiaolin
Published: May 2020

The ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data shape the work and the role of artists and humanities scholars have been at the forefront discussions among advanced universities and institutions, including examples such as computer-generated artwork, ethics, and philosophy, etc. With the aim to systematically review the related literature in arts and humanities, it is important to examine the discipline dynamics across time, thereby exploring both historical and current status. Based on the bibliographic data of 2,707 articles collected from Web of Science from 1956 to 2020, this paper has identified main disciplines and publications across three time periods, using various clustering and visualization methods. Based on the analytical and visualization findings, this article provides both a roadmap and data processes for artists, researchers, and policy-makers to understand how AI and Big Data have been discussed in arts and humanities disciplines.
Comparison of Machine Learning Models for Sentimental Analysis of Hotel Reviews
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Liu Cai
Published: May 2020

It is widely acknowledged that the enormous boost of Internet technology has greatly changed tourism industry, especially for hotel booking. A plenty of research have addressed that most tourists do decision-making based on online hotel reviews. With the goal of predicting satisfaction of hotel customers precisely and efficiently, in this study ten thousand hotel reviews across US with one to five stars are collected from TripAdvisor, and the performance of a variety of machine learning models, namely Logistic Regression, Naive Bayesian, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Neural Network, are compared through two 10-folder-cross-validation experiments. The result indicates that models directly trained on review titles which have only 25.7 byte lengths on average could achieve promising classification accuracies ranging from 84% to 87%, and with review contents and irrelevant word filtering, the SVM model is able to reach maximal predictive accuracy nearly 92%. Furthermore, this paper demonstrates that classical machine learning models, such as SVM and Naive Bayesian, are computationally efficient and perform well in terms of accuracy, recall and precision, while neural network requires careful structure design as well as parameter tuning.
Business Model, Lock-in Effect and Network Effect of Virtual Community
Authors: Chang Shih-Feng , Wu Guo-An , Liu Jia
Published: May 2020

As progress of era and technology and development of internet, many firms make big change which occurring on communication and interaction among people differing from before. Especially in recent years, virtual community which has characteristics of social networking services appears and grows up, and it make the related topics of network effect more and more attraction between academics and industry. In other words, social network which has multiple functions can fully utilize the powers of these new and popular virtual community to prototype and develop rapidly on internet, even more, to make general interest users to expand human network, interact and exchange information through these internet tools. In view of this, we take Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Plurk, Wretch and PTT as research subjects, through qualitative analysis, and finally we discover significant relationships among business model, lock-in effect and network effect.
The possibility of evolution from non-strategic risk to strategic risk: The role of strategic assets
Authors: Chen Daoping
Published: May 2020

It is of great importance for the survival and development of an enterprise to effectively manage the risks based on the strategy. On the basis of combing the relevant literature, this paper redefines strategic risk and non-strategic risk, discusses the measurement of the possibility of non-strategic risk evolving into strategic risk by introducing strategic assets, and puts forward the opportune moment of management for strategic risk. The study suggests that strategic assets play an important role in the evolution of non-strategic risk into strategic risk. In order to improve the effectiveness of management, enterprises should start strategic risk management when the risk is still non-strategic rather than has evolved into strategic risk. Big data analysis method and artificial intelligence technology can help enterprises calculate the probability of non-strategic risk evolving into strategic risk and grasp the opportunity of strategic risk management.
Research on the Construction and Application of Knowledge Graph in Military Domain
Authors: Xing Meng , Yang Chao-Hong , Jin Li-Ya , Bi Jian-Quan
Published: May 2020

Construction of military domain knowledge graph is the foundation of military application intelligence development, current research hotspots and development situation of domain knowledge graph at home and abroad are introduced, application scenarios of military domain knowledge graph is given in the state of peacetime and wartime respectively, points out the problems needing attention and corresponding countermeasures in each life cycle.
Current Research in Powder Mixed Electric Discharge Machining: A Review
Authors: Chaudhari Sachin S , Nikalje A M , Chaudhari G E
Published: May 2020

Electric Discharge Machining (EDM) is a recognized and commonly used non-conventional machining method for the manufacture of complicated shapes and the processing of particularly hard materials, which are very difficult to machine by any standard machining processes. In this process, there is no direct contact between the electrode and the work-piece, this non-contact machining technique is constantly rising from the press tool and dies the process creation Process for apps for micro-level machining. In the latest decades, several researchers have focused on enhancing machining process capability such as enhanced rates of material removal with improved surface topography. Powder mixed electrical discharge machining (PMEDM) may be a newly developed technique for improving the EDM process capabilities of the EDM process in this trend. In this paper, a broad history, mechanism of PWEDM method, and literature review are presented.
Effect of Aluminium oxide Nano filler in Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) Refrigerant
Authors: Ambhore Dhairysheel , Tiwari Akash , Patel Ujval , Patil Jishnu , Ramachandran M.
Published: May 2020

In today’s world, refrigeration plays an important role to satisfy human needs. People are doing several researches to enhance the performance of Refrigeration systems. Aiming to improve the characteristics of the old refrigerants by introducing nano particles in it, nano refrigerant is a process of combination of nano particle with the refrigerant for the sake of better refrigeration process. To study the thermal conductivity and viscosity at different volume concentration, this paper presents a review on mechanism for improvement in VCRS performance by using Nano refrigerants. We are using eco-friendly refrigerant that is R134a and nano particle Al2O3, comparing coefficient of performance (COP) of pure refrigerant and Nano refrigerant. In general, with the increment of nanoparticle concentration the viscosity is increased and instantaneous enhancement of thermo physical properties such as thermal conductivity is seen. The viscosity of Nano refrigerant has been influenced by the viscosity of the conventional refrigerant.
Development of CNC Micro-milled Leaf-Pattern Micro-channel Heat Sink (LP-MCHS) and Testing Using Nanofluids
Authors: Itankar S R , Mohite S S , Gaikwad V P , Parmar H
Published: May 2020

Micro-channel heat sinks (MCHS) have attracted the attention of researchers because of their compact design and wide range of applications. MCHS is mostly used to dissipate heat where large amount of heat is generated in a confined space. In this work, leaf pattern MCHS is fabricated on pure copper block by micro-milling on CNC machining center and is tested for its thermal performance and fluid flow behaviour using pure water as well as various nanofluids such as Copper Oxide(CuO), Aluminium Oxide(Al2O3)and Silicon Oxide(SiO2). The volume concentration of nanofluids was kept constant, i.e., 0.3% volume fraction and the experiments were carried out for heat flux ranging from 65 W/cm2 to 200 W/cm2 and flow rate from 100 ml/min to 900 ml/min. The results of experiments indicate that these nanofluids, as a working fluid, enhance the heat transfer by 35% and Nusselt Number by up to 37%, however, increases the pressure drop by 18% which increases the pumping power. From the performance evaluation analysis, it was found that the SiO2 nanofluid with leaf pattern MCHS gives optimal performance.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of a Class Room for Effective Utilization of Position of Air Conditioning System
Authors: Mogra Ashish , Pandey Pankaj Kumar , Gupta Krishna Kumar
Published: May 2020

The productivity of an individual person affected to a great extent by indoor quality of air and the condition of thermal comfort. Students as well as professors spend almost half of their day in classrooms; hence the distribution of air flow from the air-conditioning systems plays a crucial role in determining whether the students will receive the proper velocity and temperature of air upto the comfortable accepted range. In present paper a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulation is performed on the overhead air-conditioning system of a classroom. A CFD model has been developed for position of air conditioner in class room. Originally the position of air conditioner is centrally located. A comparison has been made in between two model placed centrally and proposed diagonally position. It is found the better air flow distribution when air conditioner is placed diagonally.
Experimental Investigation of Effect of Preheating of Air and Exhaust Gas Recirculation on Four Stroke Diesel Engine
Authors: Thakar Ram , Bhosle Santosh , Lahane Subhash
Published: May 2020

This paper is concerned with means for heating the inlet air passed to the cylinder by using specifically designed and manufactured heat exchanger and also use of exhaust gas recirculation to investigate its effect on performance, combustion and emission characteristics of four stroke single cylinder diesel engine. A diesel engine having a cylinder, 3.5 KW power, constant speed of 1500 RPM, water cooled, Kirloskar make, diesel engine was selected as base engine and the experiments were conducted at part load and full load conditions. The diesel engine setup was modified with (i) incorporation of heat exchanger which was designed on the basis of availability of waste heat at the engine exhaust for preheating of air and (ii) exhaust gas recirculation for waste heat recovery and reduction in the NOx. The Experiments were conducted for six setups viz. i. Basic diesel engine setup ii. Basic diesel engine setup with 6 % EGR iii. Basic diesel engine setup with 12 % EGR iv. Modified setup with heat exchanger v. Modified setup with heat exchanger and 6% EGR and vi. Modified setup with heat exchanger and 12% EGR. The experimental results obtained with modified engine setup with use of heat exchanger and EGR. The results obtained indicate thermal efficiency is decreased with heat exchanger and 12 % EGR compared to base diesel with 12% EGR. The volumetric efficiency is decreased from base diesel by 16.87 % with heat exchanger and 6% EGR at 75% load. The NOx emission is increased with increase in load for all the configurations.
Investigation of material removal rate on Ti-6Al-4V super alloy
Authors: Sharma Kaustab , Goyal Ashish , Sharma Ashok Kumar
Published: May 2020

The machining of hard material is a challenging task by the conventional machining process. The present experimental study on machining of titanium alloy by the Wire cur electric discharge machining process (WEDM). Experimental has been performed by using the pulse on- time, pulse off-time, peak current, servo voltage and wire tension as input parameters and effect of these input parameters identified on the material removal rate. The design of experimental methodology has used to perform the experiment. Total 27 experiments were performed to identify the optimum material removal rate. The analysis of variance has also applied to process parameters to investigate the significant and non-significant parameters. The experimental results show that the peak current and wire tension has the most significant parameters to influence the material removal rate.
Mapping & Analyzing Mechanical Properties of Dental Restorations with Product Composition
Authors: Sonwane Savita Ranba , Ramachandran M.
Published: May 2020

This study compares the compressive strength, flexural strength and micro-hardness of three types of dental composite materials {Nano-filled, Nano-hybrid, Micro-hybrid} by respective filler fraction-composition. SEM, EDS technique is used for analysis of obtained results. These days, dental restorations play a very vital role considering the dental health. Esthetically, reliably composite resins are much more superior to ancient tooth filling materials. Hence it is necessity of today’s research is to study and map the mechanical properties of different brands of composite resins and hence provide fruitful results to doctors utilizing these dental composites for satisfactory results. By this, research will be beneficiary to the society. The findings of this study indicates that for Compressive strength, Brilliant NG < Tetric N Ceram < Polofil NHT <Z 350 < Charisma. Flexural Strength, Brilliant NG < Tetric N Ceram < Charisma < Z 350 < Polofil NHT. Micro- hardness, Charisma < Tetric N Ceram < < Z 350 < Brilliant NG < Polofil NHT. In other words, Micro-hybrid- Have highest compressive strength than Nano-filled and Nano-hybrid. Nano- Hybrid- Highest flexural strength & micro-hardness than Nano-filled and Micro-hybrid.
Numerical analysis of microwave heating: Fundamentals and applications
Authors: Loharkar P K , Ingle A
Published: May 2020

In recent years, microwave-assisted materials processing applications are on the rise in terms of novel processes being developed and increased coverage of materials that can be processed. In general, the studies have been of experimental nature. Since microwave heating has extensive application in food processing at an industrial scale, literature on the research involving numerical studies is available in this domain. It is primarily focussed on determination of the distribution of temperature and the rate of heating of a food sample. The evolution in materials processing applications using microwaves has paved the way for exploring numerical analysis to predict and control the response parameters required for efficient material processing. This paper presents the theoretical background of electromagnetic wave propagation along with the heat transfer mechanism required in the numerical studies of microwave heating. The steps for this multiphysics-based numerical analysis are also discussed. An account of the state of microwave heating simulation research is presented as well. The unpredictability of microwave heating mechanisms coupled with fast-developing novel applications makes microwave heating simulation quite challenging. In addition, the merits of such numerical analysis present a case for extensive future research.
Quantification of the phase fraction in multiphase steel and 2D design using mini CNC plotter
Authors: Sarkar Bikram , Khan Asif Iqbal , Rana Amit Kumar , Kundu Sanjib
Published: May 2020

This present experimental setup is about designing a low cost three axis Mini CNC plotter using stepper motor, Arduino microcontroller and motor control software. This present experimental plotter deals with a low cost CNC plotter which can be further modified into small - medium size or an open structure as per the requirement. The demand for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) plotter machines in educational institutions and laboratories are rapidly rising with the advancement of technology. Current investigation will present an affordable model of a CNC plotter machine which is able to draw different microstructural phase fraction identification layout for further FE analysis of multiphase steel, automotive layout and any other solid surface using simple algorithm. First of all, image file or text file is converted into G code using Inkscape software and then feed it to the machine using processing software. The microcontroller converts G-code into a set of machine language instruction to be sent to the motor driver of the CNC plotter. L293D Motor Shield accordingly instructs the stepper motor how to move, combine, and synchronize motions of stepper motor ends in a good image.
Static structural and thermal analysis of disc brake pad model
Authors: Chouhan Yashvardhan singh , Tiwari Sudhir
Published: May 2020

This paper attempts to present a study of the automotive disk brake’s thermo-mechanical behaviour during the braking period using the Static Structural and Transient Thermal analysis for vehicle disk brake pad system using finite elemental analysis. In this work Thermal and static analysis was performed on solid and ventilated disc for two configurations of pads using ANSYS 15. Two pad Profiles with pure and single slot along with both discs have been studied. The analysis is conducted on the model that lacks thermal properties first. It is predicted for structural performance such as deformation and von-mises stress. After that, with the introduction of heat flux, convection and adiabetic components, thermo-mechanical analysis is performed on the same model. The estimate results of temperature distribution, total deformation and von-mises stress are presented. The software tools CATIA and ANSYS Workbench have been selected for modelling and analysis. CATIA is a widely used 3D modelling technology in the design process. ANSYS is a software package for general purpose finite element analysis (FEA). The outcome of this investigation assists brake engineers in choosing appropriate research to determine the disk brake assembly in structural and contact behaviour.
Study and analysis of WO-CO Turning Tool Using Finite Element Method
Authors: Dhengre Nishant , Pradhan M. K. , Katarne Rajnish
Published: May 2020

Machining is the most vital operation, widely used in the manufacturing industry to remove materials and to achieve the desired geometry. As with most engineering problems we want to get the uppermost return, with the least investment. In this case we want to minimize costs, while increasing cutting speeds. But the major challenge faced is about understanding the mechanics of machining and significant influence of tool geometry, cutting velocity, depth and feed for cut that can be iterated to bring the best in the process. In this study, emphasizes will be made on range of speed causing stress on turning tool during metal cutting. A model has been developed using ANSYS software that can help in understanding the machining process. A different approach is proposed which will lead to the minimization of the damage to work material as well as tool material and to increase the profit or minimizing manufacturing cost per unit. In cutting operation, the region near the tool tip is the most important region and conditions at the tool tip is examined with precision so that improvements in tool performance can be achieved.

In the present work, study of tool wear caused by the change in cutting depth, feeding rate and speed of cutting of single point cutting tool for a turning operation to predict the tool life in orthogonal cutting using Finite Element Method (FEM) is carried out. A simulation model was developed using ANSYS software in order to estimate the magnitude of the von-misses and residual stresses evolved during the machining process.

The result shows the influence of depth during cut in the machining and influence of induced stresses on carbide tool. The result obtained have been verified by the available results from the literature for the variation of x-y stress, von-misses stress with the temperature, on carbide tool and was found to be in good agreement.
A review on straightening of bars and application of probabilistic approach on Moment-curvature relationship
Authors: Roy Sanjib , Pal Arun Kiran , Rawal Shannay
Published: May 2020

Bar straightening is a significant process in the value stream of bar manufacturing processes. Any improvement in the process has a substantial impact on quality and productivity as a whole. This paper presents the outline of the fundamentals of the straightening process from a material science perspective and discusses the state of art in terms of process analysis and development. It has been inferred that the major aspect of the process is to understand the moment-curvature relationship in bars subjected to re-rolling. The process is governed by several parameters such as bar speed, the angle between osculating plane and loading plane, bar size or radius of bar, applied reverse bending moment, initial and final curvature, etc. It has also been observed that the research in this domain has seldom applied a statistical approach to enhance process capability. A brief account of the potential use of statistical process control has been presented. Use of statistics shall enable a better understanding of various process parameters. This, in turn, will help in deciding whether the process is in control and therein to assist in deciding the acceptance or rejection of lot.
Left ventricular myocardial deformation pattern, mechanical dispersion, and their relation with electrocardiogram markers in the large population-based STANISLAS cohort: insights into electromechanical coupling
Authors: Verdugo-Marchese Mario , Coiro Stefano , Selton-Suty Christine , Kobayashi Masatake , Bozec Erwan , Lamiral Zohra , Venner Clément , Zannad Faiez , Rossignol Patrick , Girerd Nicolas , Huttin Olivier
Published: May 2020

Aims 

Mechanical alterations in patients with electrical conduction abnormalities are reported to have prognostic value in patients with left ventricular asynchrony or long QT syndrome beyond electrocardiogram (ECG) variables. Whether conduction and repolarization patterns derived from ECG are associated with speckle tracking echocardiography parameters in subjects without overt cardiac disease is yet to be investigated. To report ranges of longitudinal deformation according to conduction and repolarization values in a population-based cohort.

Methods and results 

One thousand, one hundred, and forty subjects (48.6 ± 14.0 years, 47.7% men) enrolled in the fourth visit of the STANISLAS cohort (Lorraine, France) were studied. Echocardiography strain was performed in all subjects. RR, PR, QRS, and QT intervals were retrieved from digitalized 12-lead ECG. Echocardiographic data were stratified according to quartiles of QRS and QTc duration values. Full-wall global longitudinal strain (GLS) was −21.1 ± 2.5% with a mechanical dispersion (MD) value of 34 ± 12 ms. Absolute GLS value was lower in the longest QRS quartile and shortest QTc quartile (both P < 0.001). Time-to-peak of strain was not significantly different according to QRS duration although significantly higher in patients with higher QTc (P < 0.001). MD was significantly greater in patients with longer QTc (32 ± 12 ms for QTc < 396 ms vs. 36 ± 12 ms for QTc > 421 ms; P = 0.002).

Conclusion 

Longer QTc is related to increased MD and better longitudinal strain values. In a population-based setting, QRS is not associated with MD, suggesting that echocardiography-based dyssynchrony does not largely overlap with ECG-based dyssynchrony.
Upper airway volumetric changes of obstructive sleep apnoea patients treated with oral appliances: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dontsos Vasileios K , Chatzigianni Athina , Papadopoulos Moschos A , Nena Evangelia , Steiropoulos Paschalis
Published: May 2020

Background

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder, attributed to the collapse of the pharyngeal walls and the subsequent complete or partial upper airway obstruction. Among different treatment options for OSA, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, and oral appliances (OAs) have been used, with various outcomes and side effects.

Objective

The aim of this study was to summarize current knowledge in an evidence-based manner regarding the upper airway volume increase of OSA patients while treated with OAs.

Search methods

Electronic search was conducted in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus, up to May 2020.

Selection criteria

Studies were selected after the application of predetermined eligibility criteria.

Data collection and analysis

Mean airway volume differences and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated, using the random effects model. Sensitivity, exploratory, and meta-regression analyses were also implemented.

Results

Eleven studies filled the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review, while 10 of them were suitable for meta-analysis. In total, 291 patients were included, with mean upper airway volume increase of 1.95 cm3 (95% CI, 1.37–2.53; P < 0.001) with Mandibular Advancement Devices in place. In all studies, post-treatment Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) was either <10 events/hour or was reduced by more than 50% from baseline levels. A greater increase of the velopharynx volume was observed, regarding airway compartments.

Conclusions

Treatment with OAs in OSA may lead to a significant increase of the upper airway volume with a subsequent decrease of AHI. The velopharynx seems to be affected the most from OA therapy.
Completing the Banking Union with a European deposit insurance scheme: who is afraid of cross-subsidization?
Authors: Carmassi Jacopo , Dobkowitz Sonja , Evrard Johanne , Parisi Laura , Silva André F , Wedow Michael
Published: May 2020

This paper investigates the impact and appropriateness of establishing a fully mutualized European deposit insurance scheme (EDIS) using a unique supervisory micro-level data set on euro area banks’ covered deposits and their other liabilities. We find that an ex-ante funded deposit insurance fund (DIF) with a target size of 0.8% of euro area covered deposits would be sufficient to cover losses even in a severe banking crisis. We then derive risk-based contributions to the DIF based on the different bank- and country-specific factors, showing that they can take into account the relative riskiness of banks and banking systems to tackle moral hazard. We also find that smaller and larger banks would not excessively contribute to EDIS relative to the amount of covered deposits in their balance sheet. Finally, we show that there would be no unwarranted systematic cross-subsidization within EDIS in the sense of some banking systems systematically contributing less than they would benefit from the DIF.
Komagataella phaffii YPS1-5 encodes the alpha-factor degrading protease Bar1
Authors: Heistinger Lina , Gasser Brigitte , Mattanovich Diethard
Published: May 2020

Yeast mating pheromones are small secreted peptides required for efficient mating between cells of opposite mating type. Pheromone gradients allow the cells to detect potential mating partners. Secreted pheromone degrading proteases steepen local gradients and allow fast recovery from the pheromone signal. The methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii is a preferentially haploid species. Only under nitrogen starvation, mating genes are activated and the cells are able to undergo a full sexual cycle of mating and sporulation. It has been shown that, similar to other yeasts, K. phaffii requires the mating pheromone and pheromone surface receptor genes for efficient mating. The analysis of so far uncharacterized mating-type-specific genes allowed us to identify the K. phaffii α-factor protease gene YPS1–5. It encodes an aspartic protease of the yapsin family and is upregulated only in a-type cells under mating conditions. The phenotype of K. phaffiia-type strains with a deletion in the protease gene was found to be highly similar to the phenotype of Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-factor protease BAR1 deletion strains. They are highly sensitive to α-factor pheromone in pheromone sensitivity assays and were found to mate with reduced efficiency. Based on our results, we propose to rename the gene into K. phaffii BAR1.
The Lives of Merchant Capital: The Frères Monneron and the Legacy of Old Regime Empire
Authors: Cussen Oliver
Published: May 2020

This article scrutinizes the nineteenth-century legacy of the old regime’s commercial empire through the ambiguous case of the Monneron brothers. Having gained fortune and recognition in Indian Ocean trade, the brothers sat as deputies in the National Assembly, but by the end of the 1790s their affairs and reputations had been destroyed. Their experiences reveal how the politics of commerce fundamentally changed during the Revolution. But the Monnerons also draw our attention to structural developments in French commercial imperialism that preceded and transcended the Revolution. They helped facilitate French investment in the Indian Ocean in the final decades of the old regime, a ‘spatial fix’ in merchant capital that was carried out in anticipation of crisis in the Atlantic, and that was consolidated around the turn of the century through the introduction of sugar cultivation in the Mascarene islands. By reading the biographies of the Monnerons alongside the life of their capital, this article attempts to acknowledge the undeniable ruptures of revolutionary politics without losing sight of broader developments in the global history of capitalism.
Application of hierarchical clustering to identify high risk pests to Sitka spruce: Ireland as a case study
Authors: Duffy Catriona , Tuffen Melanie G , Fealy Rowan , Griffin Christine T
Published: May 2020

Invertebrate forest pests and pathogens can cause considerable economic losses and modern patterns of trade have facilitated the international movement of pest species on an unprecedented level. This upsurge in trade has increased the pathways available to high risk species, facilitating entry and potential establishment in nations where they were previously absent. To support policy and pest prioritization, pest risk analyses are conducted to decide ‘if’ and ‘how’ pests should be regulated in order to prevent entry or establishment; however, they cannot be carried out for every potential pest. This paper utilizes a hierarchical clustering (HC) approach to analyse distribution data for pests of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) in order to identify species of high risk to Ireland, as well as potential source regions of these pests. The presence and absence of almost a 1000 pests across 386 regions globally are clustered based on their similarity of pest assemblages, to provide an objective examination of the highest risk pests to Irish forestry. Regional clusters were produced for each taxon analysed including the Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Nematoda, Lepidoptera and the Fungi. The results produced by the HC analysis were interpreted with regard to biological realism and climate. Biologically meaningful clusters were produced for each of the groups, except for the Diptera and Nematoda, and each of the species analysed were ranked within their group by a quantitative risk index specific to the island of Ireland. The impact of uncertainty in the distribution data is also examined, in order to assess its influence over the final groupings produced. The outputs from this analysis suggest that the highest risk pests for Ireland’s Sitka spruce plantations will originate from within Europe. Ultimately, Ireland could benefit from seeking regulation for some of the higher ranking pests identified in this analysis. This analysis provides the first of its type for Sitka spruce, as well as its application in Ireland. It also serves to highlight the potential utility of HC as a ‘first approach’ to assessing the risk posed by alien species to hitherto novel regions.
A Scoping Review of the Conceptual Differentiation of Technology for Healthy Aging
Authors: Kim Hansuk , Kelly Sarah , Lafortune Louise , Brayne Carol
Published: May 2020

Background and Objectives

With the emergence of healthy aging as a key societal issue in recent decades, technology has often been proposed as a solution to the challenges faced by aging societies. From a public health perspective, however, aging-related technologies have been inconsistently conceptualized and ill-defined. By examining how relevant concepts in “technology for aging” have been developed to date, we hope to identify gaps and begin clarifying the topic.

Research Design and Methods

We conducted a scoping review according to PRISMA-ScR, drawing on PubMed and Embase. We selected articles that directly reported concepts of technology for aging, or from which such concepts could be inferred.

Results

We identified 43 articles, most of which were narrative reviews (n = 31). Concepts of technology for aging were presented in diverse ways with some overlap. Most studies provided some terminology (n = 36), but with little conceptual uniformity. Conceptual discourse was often focused on the aging agenda; while technological aspects were poorly defined. A conceptual framework from a public health perspective was derived from 8 articles—it showed that technology strategies do not take a population approach.

Discussion and Implications

While the potential of “technology for aging” is vast, its real capacity to deliver a desirable life for older people remains underdeveloped. Clearer concepts and realistic goals at population level are lacking. Efficient investment must be made throughout the social system, and technology needs to be integrated via macro-level practices.
MaRe: Processing Big Data with application containers on Apache Spark
Authors: Capuccini Marco , Dahlö Martin , Toor Salman , Spjuth Ola
Published: May 2020

Background

Life science is increasingly driven by Big Data analytics, and the MapReduce programming model has been proven successful for data-intensive analyses. However, current MapReduce frameworks offer poor support for reusing existing processing tools in bioinformatics pipelines. Furthermore, these frameworks do not have native support for application containers, which are becoming popular in scientific data processing.

Results

Here we present MaRe, an open source programming library that introduces support for Docker containers in Apache Spark. Apache Spark and Docker are the MapReduce framework and container engine that have collected the largest open source community; thus, MaRe provides interoperability with the cutting-edge software ecosystem. We demonstrate MaRe on 2 data-intensive applications in life science, showing ease of use and scalability.

Conclusions

MaRe enables scalable data-intensive processing in life science with Apache Spark and application containers. When compared with current best practices, which involve the use of workflow systems, MaRe has the advantage of providing data locality, ingestion from heterogeneous storage systems, and interactive processing. MaRe is generally applicable and available as open source software.
Lowe syndrome patient cells display mTOR- and RhoGTPase-dependent phenotypes alleviated by rapamycin and statins
Authors: Madhivanan Kayalvizhi , Ramadesikan Swetha , Hsieh Wen-Chieh , Aguilar Mariana C , Hanna Claudia B , Bacallao Robert L , Aguilar R Claudio
Published: May 2020

Lowe syndrome (LS) is an X-linked developmental disease characterized by cognitive deficiencies, bilateral congenital cataracts and renal dysfunction. Unfortunately, this disease leads to the early death of affected children often due to kidney failure. Although this condition was first described in the early 1950s and the affected gene (OCRL1) was identified in the early 1990s, its pathophysiological mechanism is not fully understood and there is no LS-specific cure available to patients. Here we report two important signaling pathways affected in LS patient cells. While RhoGTPase signaling abnormalities led to adhesion and spreading defects as compared to normal controls, PI3K/mTOR hyperactivation interfered with primary cilia assembly (scenario also observed in other ciliopathies with compromised kidney function). Importantly, we identified two FDA-approved drugs able to ameliorate these phenotypes. Specifically, statins mitigated adhesion and spreading abnormalities while rapamycin facilitated ciliogenesis in LS patient cells. However, no single drug was able to alleviate both phenotypes. Based on these and other observations, we speculate that Ocrl1 has dual, independent functions supporting proper RhoGTPase and PI3K/mTOR signaling. Therefore, this study suggest that Ocrl1-deficiency leads to signaling defects likely to require combinatorial drug treatment to suppress patient phenotypes and symptoms.
Aorto-carotid bypass for type A acute aortic dissection complicated with carotid artery occlusion: no touch until circulatory arrest
Authors: Sasaki Hideki , Harada Takashi , Ishitoya Hiroshi , Sasaki Osamu
Published: May 2020

The surgical management for type A acute aortic dissection complicated with carotid artery occlusion remains controversial. Between December 2012 and June 2017, 127 patients who presented with type A acute aortic dissection were operated on in our hospital. Of this group, nine (7.08%) patients had cerebral malperfusion due to carotid artery occlusion. The site of occlusion was innominate artery (n = 5) or right carotid artery (n = 4). Preoperative neurological symptoms were left hemiplegia (n = 1), left hemiparesis (n = 3) and seizure (n = 2). Preoperative consciousness level was Japan Coma Scale 2 (n = 6), 20 (n = 2), or 200 (n = 1). The procedure consisted of hemiarch replacement (n = 4) or total arch replacement (n = 5). Aorto-carotid bypass was performed in all patients under hypothermic circulatory arrest. The time from onset of symptoms to operating room was 7.2 ± 2.4 h. Hospital mortality was 0%. Left hemiplegia and left hemiparesis improved significantly. Japan Coma Scale was 0 in all patients at discharge. Overall survival at 24 months after operation was 100%. Aorto-carotid artery bypass for type A acute aortic dissection with carotid artery occlusion is the treatment of choice in these high-risk patients. Our strategy of ‘no touch until circulatory arrest’ may contribute to neurological improvement.
The Trace Field of Hyperbolic Gluings
Authors: Mila Olivier
Published: May 2020

We determine the adjoint trace field of gluings of general hyperbolic manifolds. This provides a new method to prove the nonarithmeticity of gluings, which can be applied to the classical construction of Gromov and Piatetski-Shapiro (and generalizations) as well as certain gluings of pieces of commensurable arithmetic manifolds. As an application, we give many new examples of nonarithmetic gluings and prove that the unique nonarithmetic Coxeter 5-simplex is not commensurable to any gluing of arithmetic pieces.
On theK-Theoretic Hall Algebra of a Surface
Authors: Zhao Yu
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we define the $K$-theoretic Hall algebra for dimension $0$ coherent sheaves on a smooth projective surface, prove that the algebra is associative, and construct a homomorphism to a shuffle algebra introduced by Negut [ 10].
Comparison of gentamicin MICs by agar dilution and Etest for clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Kularatne Ranmini , Kufa Tendesayi , Gumede Lindy , Maseko Venessa
Published: May 2020

Background

In South Africa, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is the predominant cause of male urethritis syndrome (MUS). The national MUS treatment guidelines recommend gentamicin as salvage therapy for ceftriaxone treatment failures. We ascertained and compared gentamicin MICs obtained by agar dilution and Etest for clinical isolates of NG.

Methods

Gentamicin MICs for NG culture isolates obtained from 272 MUS cases in 2017 were determined using agar dilution, as per CLSI agar dilution methods, and Etest® (bioMérieux, Marcy-l’Étoile, France). Previously published interpretive criteria were used: MIC ≤4 mg/L, susceptible (S); MIC 8–16 mg/L, intermediately resistant (IR); and MIC ≥32 mg/L, resistant (R). WHO 2008 NG reference strains were used as comparison standards.

Results

Gentamicin agar dilution versus Etest MIC results (mg/L) were as follows: MIC50 = 16 versus 4; MIC90 = 16 versus 8; minimum MIC = 4 versus 1; and maximum MIC = 32 versus 16. Interpretive categories for agar dilution versus Etest were as follows: S, 4.4% versus 86.8%; IR, 86.0% versus 13.4%; and R, 9.6% versus 0%. The gentamicin MIC50 by agar dilution was significantly higher than by Etest (sign test P value <0.001); overall MIC agreement was 7.4% [kappa statistic (κ) = −0.014 (95% CI −0.039 to 0.010)]. Correlation with expected MICs for WHO reference strains was consistently better with Etest than with agar dilution.

Conclusions

There was a significant discordance between NG gentamicin MICs by agar dilution versus Etest. NG gentamicin AST methodology must be standardized and interpretive criteria established to optimize the monitoring of susceptibility trends.
Dissemination of the blaCTX-M-15 gene among Enterobacteriaceae via outer membrane vesicles
Authors: Bielaszewska Martina , Daniel Ondřej , Karch Helge , Mellmann Alexander
Published: May 2020

Background

Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are an emerging source of antibiotic resistance transfer but their role in the spread of the blaCTX-M-15 gene encoding the most frequent CTX-M ESBL in Enterobacteriaceae is unknown.

Objectives

To determine the presence of blaCTX-M-15 and other antibiotic resistance genes in OMVs of the CTX-M-15-producing MDR Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak strain and the ability of these OMVs to spread these genes among Enterobacteriaceae under different conditions.

Methods

OMV-borne antibiotic resistance genes were detected by PCR; OMV-mediated transfer of blaCTX-M-15 and the associated blaTEM-1 was quantified under laboratory conditions, simulated intraintestinal conditions and under ciprofloxacin stress; resistance to antibiotics and the ESBL phenotype were determined by the CLSI disc diffusion methods and the presence of pESBL by plasmid profiling and Southern blot hybridization.

Results

E. coli O104:H4 OMVs carried blaCTX-M-15 and blaTEM-1 located on the pESBL plasmid, but not chromosomal antibiotic resistance genes. The OMVs transferred blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM-1 and the associated pESBL into Enterobacteriaceae of different species. The frequencies of the OMV-mediated transfer were significantly increased under simulated intraintestinal conditions and under ciprofloxacin stress when compared with laboratory conditions. The ‘vesiculants’ (i.e. recipients that received the blaCTX-M-15- and blaTEM-1-harbouring pESBL via OMVs) acquired resistance to cefotaxime, ceftazidime and cefpodoxime and expressed the ESBL phenotype. They were able to further spread pESBL and the blaCTX-M-15 and blaTEM-1 genes via OMVs.

Conclusions

OMVs are efficient vehicles for dissemination of the blaCTX-M-15 gene among Enterobacteriaceae and may contribute to blaCTX-M-15 transfer in the human intestine.
Health, housing, and ‘direct threats’ during a pandemic
Authors: Wagner Jennifer K
Published: May 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic brought into stark relief the intimate nexus between health and housing. This extraordinary infectious disease outbreak combined with the astounding lack of a clear, coordinated, prompt, and effective public health response in the U.S. created conditions and introduced practical challenges that left many disoriented-not only health care providers but also housing providers. Innumerable issues are worth examination, such as implications of moratoria on evictions and foreclosures, force majeure contract clauses, insurability of pandemic-related damages and disruptions, holdover tenancies and delayed occupancies, and possible abatement of rent or homeowner/condominium association dues in light of closed common facilities (such as fitness areas) or reduced benefits to be enjoyed with residential property; however, this article focuses on fair housing law and the ``direct threat'' exemption; finds it unlikely that COVID-19 is a disability, likely that the ``direct threat'' defense is available, and both determinations to be case-specific inquiries dependent upon rapidly-changing scientific understanding of this disease. By highlighting adequate housing as a human right for which the government has primary responsibility for ensuring its achievement, this article underscores the importance of finding a holistic solution to public health and housing problems before the next public health emergency arises.
Ontario, Canada’s LTSP Experience: Forging Lasting Research Partnerships and the Adaptive Management Cycle in Action
Authors: Morris Dave M , Fleming Rob L , Hazlett Paul W
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we summarize Ontario’s Long-term Soil Productivity (LTSP) experience focusing on our efforts to forge lasting research partnerships, highlight the approaches we feel were effective in getting emerging science into forest policy within an adaptive management (AM) framework, and describe the future direction of Ontario’s LTSP program as new policy issues are emerging as part of the continuous AM cycle. Fourteen installations were established on nutrient-poor, conifer-dominated sites, considered to be the most sensitive to increased biomass removals. From 1993 to 1995, all sites were clearcut-harvested, with replicated (three reps per site) biomass removal treatments that included: stem only, full-tree, and full-tree + forest floor removal. Routine (every 5 years) measurements have been carried out to track changes in soil carbon and nutrient levels, as well as stand- and individual-tree growth and development metrics and foliar nutrition. The published results from Ontario’s LTSP program, in combination with the North American-wide LTSP synthesis outputs, have suggested that these nutrient-poor, conifer-dominated sites are less sensitive to biomass (nutrient) removals than previously thought. The evidence provided through peer-reviewed publications, conference and workshop presentations, and field tours was substantive and led to a review and revision of the full-tree logging direction within Ontario’s guidelines. We conclude with a set of recommendations (lessons learned) for the successful delivery of any new long-term, interdisciplinary research projects examining the sustainability of forest-management practices.
Replaced right hepatic artery arising from the gastroduodenal artery: a rare and challenging anatomical variant of the Whipple procedure
Authors: Pueyo-Périz Eva María , Sánchez-Velázquez Patricia , De Miguel Maite , Radosevic Aleksandar , Petrowsky Henrik , Burdío Fernando
Published: May 2020

Accurate assessment of the vascular anatomy is a prerequisite of any pancreatic resection, since an unnoticed arterial injury in the context of a complex resection such as Whipple procedure, can seriously jeopardize patient’s safety. This article aims to describe an infrequent anatomic variant of a replaced right hepatic artery originating directly from the gastroduodenal artery and its potential implications for duodenopancreatectomy, as the gastroduodenal artery is routinely divided. We present here two different cases of this arterial abnormality identified during a Whipple procedure and its implications in each different setting. Preoperative identification of anatomical variations is essential for proficient surgical planning. Nevertheless, when detected during surgery, an meticulous dissection of the hepatoduodenal ligament is required to identify all the vascular relations in order to avoid irreversible damage.