bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase states and electrophysical properties of multicomponent perovskite solid solutions on the base of PMN-PT and PZT systems
Authors: Pavelko Aleksey , Shilkina Lidiya , Reznichenko Larisa
Published: April 2020

Phase diagrams were constructed (at room temperature), the dielectric, piezoelectric, elastic and reversible properties of the Ge-modified [Formula: see text]PbTiO3–[Formula: see text]PbZrO3–[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]O3 multicomponent system ceramics were studied. The data obtained are compared with the results of studies of solid solutions of basic binary systems, as well as with the results obtained previously for other sections of the system under consideration. A significant increase in the width of the morphotropic region, diffusion of the concentration dependences of the electrophysical characteristics, and an increase in stability under the influence of constant bias fields in the solid solutions of the studied system were established.
T-Dagum: A Way of Generalizing Dagum Distribution Using Lomax Quantile Function
Authors: Ekum Matthew I. , Adamu Muminu O. , Akarawak Eno E.
Published: April 2020

Recently, different distributions have been generalized using the T-R {Y} framework but the possibility of using Dagum distribution has not been assessed. The T-R {Y} combines three distributions, with one as a baseline distribution, with the strength of each distribution combined to produce greater effect on the new generated distribution. The new generated distributions would have more parameters but would have high flexibility in handling bimodality in datasets and it is a weighted hazard function of the baseline distribution. This paper therefore generalized the Dagum distribution using the quantile function of Lomax distribution. A member of T-Dagum class of distribution called exponentiated-exponential-Dagum {Lomax} (EEDL) distribution was proposed. The distribution will be useful in survival analysis and reliability studies. Different characterizations of the distribution are derived, such as the asymptotes, stochastic ordering, stress-strength analysis, moment, Shannon entropy, and quantile function. Simulated and real data are used and compared favourably with existing distributions in the literature.
A Visible-NIR Responsive Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Based on Diatom Frustules and Cosensitization of Photopigments from Diatom and Purple Bacteria
Authors: Xiao Xixiang , Zhang Xiaobo , Su Haiyang , Chen Shicheng , He Zhihui , Zhao Chungui , Yang Suping
Published: April 2020

Diatoms exhibit high solar energy harvesting efficiency due to their remarkably organized, hierarchical micro/nanoporous, light-trapping, and scattering frustules. At present, few studies focus on cosensitization of natural near-infrared dye to expand the spectral response of dye-sensitized solar cells. In this study, the diatom frustule-TiO2 (12 : 5) composite film was prepared and assembled it on the TiO2 electrode. Compared to the single TiO2 layer film, diatom frustule-TiO2 (12 : 5) composite film sensitized by diatom’s dye showed the conversion efficiency of 0.719%. To expand the light-harvesting response to near-infrared region spectra, the cosensitized dyes were used to fabricate the visible-near-infrared responsive dye-sensitized solar cells. The cosensitization diatom frustule-TiO2 (12 : 5) composite film exhibited two distinct absorption bands in the near-infrared region and reached a higher conversion efficiency of 1.321%, which was approximately 1.4 or 1.7 folds higher than that of cosensitization double-TiO2 film or single TiO2 layer film, respectively, and approximately 3.7 or 1.7 folds higher than that of the single TiO2 layer film sensitized by diatom dye or purple bacterial dye, respectively. The results showed that the combination between diatom frustule-TiO2 with cosensitization natural dyes could significantly improve the photoelectric performance of visible-near-infrared responsive dye-sensitized solar cells.
Circulating miR-34a and Bone Mineral Density of Brazilian Very-Old Adults
Authors: Nóbrega Otávio T. , Morais-Junior Gilberto S. , Viana Nayara I. , Reis Sabrina T. , Perez Diego I. V. , Freitas Wladimir M. , Sposito Andrei C. , Leite Kátia R. M. , Srougi Miguel
Published: April 2020

The human aging is marked by several body changes, including in bone mineral density (BMD). Research shows that microRNAs are important modulators of bone metabolism. The present research aims to analyze the whole blood concentration of 10 selected microRNAs (miRs) and their association with absolute and relative scores of BMD in specific osseous site of Brazilian very-old adults. Forty noninstitutionalized and apparently healthy, very old (≥80 years) outpatients were eligible for research. Anthropometry, biochemistry, and densitometry measurements were performed along with coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores and tested across total circulating levels of microRNAs. As expected, the relative BMD scores for the lumbosacral region (L1 to S5) and for the femoral head and neck observed in the sample denote weakened bone architecture, compatible with prevalent osteopenia and osteoporosis. In this context, one single significant association was found, and negatively implicated the miR-34a-5p with both absolute (β = −0.36, P=0.001 for BMD) and relative (β = −0.43, P=0.001 for T-score) densitometry indexes of the femoral head (adjusted to sex and physical activity practice), but not with the other sites. No difference in total blood concentrations of the miRs was found according to CAC scores. Our findings indicate greater circulating levels for miR-34a-5p among very-old adults who display the lowest scores of BMD, being a finding consistent with a modest contribution of the miR (along with co-variables) to the mineralization of that site. Attesting clinical relevance of our findings demands forthcoming studies.
Effect of Probiotics and Herbal Products on Intestinal Histomorphological and Immunological Development in Piglets
Authors: Gāliņa Daiga , Ansonska Līga , Valdovska Anda
Published: April 2020

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of probiotics and herbal products on the intestinal histomorphological and immunological development in piglets. Accordingly, 2-week-old piglets were allocated in 4 groups: C (basal diet), Pro (basal diet + probiotics), Pro+B (basal diet + probiotics + buckwheat bran), and H (powder of herbs). After 6 weeks of the experiment, 4 piglets from each experimental group were randomly selected and slaughtered at a slaughterhouse. Samples of tissue and digestive content from the jejunum and colon were collected for bacteriological, histological, and immunohistochemical examination. The results showed that probiotics increased the number of Lactobacillus spp. in the small p<0.05 and large intestines. The intestinal histomorphology was improved p<0.05 in all experimental groups by an increased villus height, VH : CD ration, colon crypt depth, and number of Ki-67+ epithelial cells. A higher number p<0.05 of goblet cells and their acidification were observed in group Pro, while the density of goblet cells was decreased by the herbs. Probiotics increased p<0.05 the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), density of CD3+ cells in Peyer’s patches (PPs), and lamina propria (LP). In group H, a dual effect on the CD3+ cell distribution was observed. The herbs reduced p<0.05 the number of IELs and CD3+ in LP but increased the distribution of CD3+ cells in PPs. In the colon, herbs increased CD3+ cells in LP as well. It suggests that probiotics and herbs had influence on the intestinal histomorphology and the ability to modulate the mucosal immune system; however, the combination of probiotics and buckwheat bran was not so convincing, probably due to the inhibitory effect of the buckwheat bran on the probiotics used.
Classification and Fractal Characteristics of Limestone Fragments Obtained in Conventional Compression and Cyclic Loading Tests under Uniaxial and Triaxial Conditions
Authors: Yang Rui , Wang Xiaodi , Zha Hao , Yang Xiuzhang , Zhang Yang , Huang Gang , Yang Yongjie
Published: April 2020

The mechanical response characteristics of rocks under cyclic loading conditions are crucial factors for evaluating and analyzing the stability of rock mass during underground excavation. In this study, based on fractal theory and a series of tests using the MTS815.02 rock mechanics test system, the classification and fractal characteristics of limestone specimen fragments are investigated. The results show that limestone specimens subjected to cyclic loading can generate more small‐sized fragments than conventional compression, but the large‐fragment‐producing abilities of the two tests exhibit small difference. The mass fraction of the fragments in the cyclic loading test is obviously greater than that in the conventional test when the fragment size is less than 4.75 mm; however, only a small difference is observed between the cyclic loading tests with frequencies of 0.25 and 0.5 Hz. In the same type of test, a confining pressure is helpful in reducing the fragmentation of limestone specimen. As the size interval decreases, the shapes of limestone fragment transition from rectangular to long slice and then to square. The results also indicate that the confining pressure has a significant influence on the size‐quantity and size‐mass fractal dimensions of limestone fragments. The former has a positive correlation with the confining pressure, whereas the latter decreases with confining pressure. The conclusions obtained in this investigation can enrich the theoretical research on the failure response and mechanism of rock under cyclic loading conditions.
JNK Signaling Pathway Suppresses LPS-Mediated Apoptosis of HK-2 Cells by Upregulating NGAL
Authors: Han Mei , Pan Yuxia , Gao Mengying , Zhang Junli , Wang Fan
Published: April 2020

Objective. To explore the role of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway in upregulated NGAL expression and its antiapoptotic mechanism in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated renal tubular epithelial cell injury. Methods. In vitro, HK-2 cells were divided into five groups (Con, LPS 1 h, LPS 3 h, LPS 6 h, and LPS 12 h groups) based on the time of LPS (10 μM) treatment. NGAL and caspase-3 gene expression levels were detected by RT-PCR to assess dynamic changes. HK-2 cells were pretreated with SP600125 (20 μM) for 2 hours, followed by LPS (10 μM) stimulation for 3 hours. NGAL and caspase-3 gene expression levels were then determined. Results. NGAL mRNA was increased significantly within 6 hours, and caspase-3 mRNA was increased within 3 hours after treatment (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed a high correlation between their expression (r = 0.448, P<0.05). After pretreatment with SP600125, mRNA expression of NGAL in the LPS group was inhibited, while that of caspase-3 was increased significantly. The NGAL mRNA expression level in the SB + LPS group was decreased significantly compared with that in the LPS group, but it was slightly higher than that in the SP group (∼1.5 times of that in the Con group). However, caspase-3 mRNA expression was increased significantly in the SB + LPS group (P<0.001) (3.5 times of that in the Con group). It also showed a significant increase compared with SP and LPS groups (P<0.001 vs. SB group; P<0.05 vs. LPS group). We also found that NGAL and caspase 3 proteins were increased significantly in LPS and SP + LPS groups, but SP600125 decreased the NGAL level by almost 35% and increased the caspase 3 level by 50% in the SP + LPS group compared with the LPS group (P<0.05). Conclusions. The JNK signaling pathway inhibits LPS-mediated apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells by upregulating NGAL.
Posttraumatic Pseudoarthrosis of a Clavicle Fracture in an 11-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report and Analysis
Authors: Odorizzi Marco , FitzGerald Maurice , Gonzalez Jorge , Giunchi Dario , Hamitaga Flurim , De Rosa Vincenzo
Published: April 2020

Clavicular fractures are some of the most common bone injuries in the paediatric population, yet the rates of nonunion are very low under 18 years. To the best of our knowledge, posttraumatic nonunion of the clavicle in a paediatric population is rarely reported. We report the case of an 11-year-old girl who presented with a nondislocated fracture of the midshaft to the proximal third of the right clavicle. Initial conservative treatment by sling immobilization demonstrated radiologically confirmed healing at 3 months. However, at 1-year follow-up, she presented with painful nonunion. Diagnostic MRI and CT exams confirmed a pseudoarthrosis, requiring elective open reduction and internal fixation with the aid of an ipsilateral iliac crest bone graft.
A Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between Early Cervical Spine Stabilizer Training and Usual Care in Individuals following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Authors: McFarland Carol , Wang-Price Sharon , Gordon Charles R. , Danielson Guy Otis , Crutchfield J. Stuart , Medley Ann , Roddey Toni
Published: April 2020

Study Design. Randomized clinical trial. Objectives. Early physical therapy (PT) with specific stabilization training has been shown to benefit individuals after lumbar spinal surgery but has not been studied in patients after cervical spine surgery. The primary purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between early cervical spine stabilizer (ECS) training and usual care (UC) in patients after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. The secondary purpose was to determine test-retest reliability of strength and endurance tests of cervical spinal stabilizers in this patient population. Methods. Forty participants who were scheduled for ACDF surgery were randomized into either the ECS group or the UC group. After surgery, participants received their assigned group intervention during their hospital stay and continued their assigned intervention for 12 weeks. All participants had phone follow-ups twice during the first 6 weeks to address questions or problems. Clinical outcome measures including pain level using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), disability level using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Craniocervical Flexor Strength (CCF-S), and Craniocervical Flexor Endurance (CCF-E) were collected three times: before surgery and 6 and 12 weeks after surgery. Test-retest reliability was assessed in the first 10 participants. Results. There was no significant interaction between the groups over time for any of the outcome measures. However, all participants made significant improvements in all four outcome measures at 6 and 12 weeks post surgery. The results showed good-to-excellent test-retest reliability for the CCF-S and CCF-E tests. Conclusions. Both ECS training and UC resulted in the same amount of improvement at 6 and 12 weeks; therefore, both therapy approaches appear to have similar and positive effects on patients in their first 3 months of recovery after ACDF. Both the CCF-S and CCF-E tests can be used reliably to assess the strength and endurance of the cervical spinal stabilizers for patients after ACDF surgery. The study was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov (NIH, U.S. National Library of Medicine, identifier # NCT01519115) Protocol Registration system.
Finite Element Analysis of the Nanomechanics of Hard Coatings on a Soft Polymer Substrate by a Spherical Indenter
Authors: Tian Chunlai , Duan Pengfei
Published: April 2020

Composite has been widely used in various fields due to its advanced performance. To reveal the relation between the mechanical properties of the composite and that of each individual component, finite element analysis (FEA) has usually been adopted. In this study, in order to predict the mechanical properties of hard coating on a soft polymer, the response of this coating system during nanoindentation was modelled. Various models, such as a viscoelastic model and fitting model, were adopted to analyse the indentation response of this coating system. By varying the substrate properties (i.e., Young’s modulus, viscoelasticity, and Poisson’s ratio), Young’s modulus, energy loss, and the viscoelastic model of the coating system were analysed, and how the mechanical properties of the substrate will affect the indentation response of the coating system was discussed.
Underwater Acoustic Signal Prediction Based on MVMD and Optimized Kernel Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Yang Hong , Gao Lipeng , Li Guohui
Published: April 2020

Aiming at the chaotic characteristics of underwater acoustic signal, a prediction model of grey wolf-optimized kernel extreme learning machine (OKELM) based on MVMD is proposed in this paper for short-term prediction of underwater acoustic signals. To solve the problem of K value selection in variational mode decomposition, a new K value selection method MVMD is proposed from the perspective of mutual information, which avoids the blindness of variational mode decomposition (VMD) in the preset modal number. Based on the prediction model of kernel extreme learning machine (KELM), this paper uses grey wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm to optimize and select its regularization parameters and kernel parameters and proposes an optimized kernel extreme learning machine OKELM. To further improve the prediction performance of the model, combined with MVMD, an underwater acoustic signal prediction model based on MVMD-OKELM is established. MVMD-OKELM prediction model is applied to Mackey–Glass chaotic time series prediction and underwater acoustic signal prediction and is compared with ARIMA, EMD-OKELM, and other prediction models. The experimental results show that the proposed MVMD-OKELM prediction model has a higher prediction accuracy and can be effectively applied to the prediction of underwater acoustic signal series.
Evolution of the Knowledge of Free Radicals and Other Oxidants
Authors: Di Meo Sergio , Venditti Paola
Published: April 2020

Free radicals are chemical species (atoms, molecules, or ions) containing one or more unpaired electrons in their external orbitals and generally display a remarkable reactivity. The evidence of their existence was obtained only at the beginning of the 20th century. Chemists gradually ascertained the involvement of free radicals in organic reactions and, in the middle of the 20th century, their production in biological systems. For several decades, free radicals were thought to cause exclusively damaging effects . This idea was mainly supported by the finding that oxygen free radicals readily react with all biological macromolecules inducing their oxidative modification and loss of function. Moreover, evidence was obtained that when, in the living organism, free radicals are not neutralized by systems of biochemical defences, many pathological conditions develop. However, after some time, it became clear that the living systems not only had adapted to the coexistence with free radicals but also developed methods to turn these toxic substances to their advantage by using them in critical physiological processes. Therefore, free radicals play a dual role in living systems: they are toxic by-products of aerobic metabolism, causing oxidative damage and tissue dysfunction, and serve as molecular signals activating beneficial stress responses. This discovery also changed the way we consider antioxidants. Their use is usually regarded as helpful to counteract the damaging effects of free radicals but sometimes is harmful as it can block adaptive responses induced by low levels of radicals.
Sex Differences in the Regulation of Vasopressin and Oxytocin Secretion in Bile Duct-Ligated Rats
Authors: Balapattabi Kirthikaa , Little Joel T. , Bachelor Martha E. , Cunningham Rebecca L. , Cunningham J. Thomas
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Hyponatremia due to elevated arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion increases mortality in liver failure patients. No previous studies have addressed sex differences in hyponatremia in liver failure animal models. Objective: This study addressed this gap in our understanding of the potential sex differences in hyponatremia associated with increased AVP secretion. Methods: This study tested the role of sex in the development of hyponatremia using adult male, female, and ovariectomized (OVX) female bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats. Results: All BDL rats had significantly increased liver to body weight ratios compared to sham controls. Male BDL rats had hyponatremia with significant increases in plasma copeptin and FosB expression in supraoptic AVP neurons compared to male shams (all p < 0.05; 5–7). Female BDL rats did not become hyponatremic or demonstrate increased supraoptic AVP neuron activation and copeptin secretion compared to female shams. Plasma oxytocin was significantly higher in female BDL rats compared to female sham (p < 0.05; 6–10). This increase was not observed in male BDL rats. Ovariectomy significantly decreased plasma estradiol in sham rats compared to intact female sham (p < 0.05; 6–10). However, circulating estradiol was significantly elevated in OVX BDL rats compared to the OVX and female shams (p < 0.05; 6–10). Adrenal estradiol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were measured to identify a possible source of circulating estradiol in OVX BDL rats. The OVX BDL rats had significantly increased adrenal estradiol along with significantly decreased adrenal testosterone and DHEA compared to OVX shams (all p < 0.05; 6–7). Plasma osmolality, hematocrit, copeptin, and AVP neuron activation were not significantly different between OVX BDL and OVX shams. Plasma oxytocin was significantly higher in OVX BDL rats compared to OVX sham. Conclusions: Our results show that unlike male BDL rats, female and OVX BDL rats did not develop hyponatremia, supraoptic AVP neuron activation, or increased copeptin secretion compared to female shams. Adrenal estradiol might have compensated for the lack of ovarian estrogens in OVX BDL rats.
Use of Low‐Density Lipoprotein–Lowering Therapies Before and After PCSK9 Inhibitor Initiation
Authors: Rymer Jennifer A. , Mues Katherine E. , Monda Keri L. , Bratton Emily W. , Wirtz Heidi S. , Okerson Ted , Overman Robert A. , Brookhart M. Alan , Muntner Paul , Wang Tracy Y.
Published: April 2020

Background

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (
PCSK
9i) are used to reduce low‐density lipoprotein (
LDL
) cholesterol.
PCSK
9i use after initiation, as well as persistence with or alterations to other
LDL
‐lowering therapy after
PCSK
9i initiation, is not well understood.

Methods and Results

We conducted a retrospective study of alirocumab or evolocumab (
PCSK
9i) new users from July 2015 to December 2017 in the MarketScan Early View database of US commercial insurance beneficiaries. We determined the prevalence of
PCSK
9i interruption (≥30‐day gap in supply) and
LDL
‐lowering therapy use in the year after
PCSK
9i initiation. The average age of 6151 patients initiating
PCSK
9i therapy was 63 years, 44.4% were women, and 76.8% had atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Overall, 52.2% (95%
CI
, 50.8%–53.7%) of patients had an interruption in
PCSK
9i therapy in the first year after treatment initiation and 62.5% remained on
PCSK
9i therapy at 1‐year postinitiation. Also, 27.7% of patients were taking a statin at the time of
PCSK
9i initiation, with only 22.4% on statin therapy at 1 year after
PCSK
9i initiation. Ezetimibe use decreased from 20.9% at the time of
PCSK
9i initiation to 12.0% a year later. By 1 year after
PCSK
9i initiation, 44.0% of patients had experienced an interruption in all
LDL
‐lowering therapies, and 26.6% were no longer on any
LDL
‐lowering therapies.

Conclusions

After
PCSK
9i initiation, statins were often discontinued, whereas more than half of patients experienced an interruption in
PCSK
9i therapy. These results suggest that many new
PCSK
9i users may remain at high risk for cardiovascular events because of interruptions in
LDL
‐lowering therapy.
Review of the genus Bubaces (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhyparochromidae: Lethaeini) with descriptions of three new species, new distributional records, and key to species
Authors: BRAILOVSKY HARRY , BARRERA ERNESTO
Published: April 2020

The genus Bubaces Distant, 1893 is reviewed and three new species are described: B. gloriosus sp. nov., from Costa Rica (Puntarenas Province) and Mexico (Campeche, Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Veracruz), B. occidentalis sp. nov., from Mexico (Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, and Michoacan) and B. rostralis sp. nov., from Mexico (Quintana Roo). Additional state faunistic records of the previously described species B. castaneus, B. convergens, B. enatus and B. uhleri are provided. Photographs of the dorsal habitus, the male genital capsule, and the parameres are included, as well as close up photos of the metathoracic scent glands of both sexes. A key to species of the genus is provided.
First record of the black twig borer, Xylosandrus compactus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) in Spain
Authors: LEZA MAR , NUÑEZ LUIS , RIBA JOSEP MARIA , COMPARINI CLAUDIA , ROCA ÁLVARO , GALLEGO DIEGO
Published: April 2020

We present the first record for Spain of the black twig borer, Xylosandrus compactus, an ambrosia beetle of Asian origin, collected from an infested carob tree located in Calvià (Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain). X. compactus is included in the EPPO Alert List, and it has been recently reported causing damages in a Mediterranean maquis ecosystem in Italy and Southern France. Here, we discuss about the first steps of management of this Invasive Alien species (IAS), the eradication plan and the hypothesis of the path of introduction in this Western Mediterranean island.
Intensive Family Observations: A Methodological Guide
Authors: Lareau Annette , Rao Aliya Hamid
Published: April 2020

There is a dearth of methodological guidance on how to conduct participant observation in private spaces such as family homes. Yet, participant observations can provide deep and valuable data about family processes. This article draws on two ethnographic studies of family life in which researchers conduct in-depth interviews, recruit families, and ultimately enter the family as a quasi-stranger for daily observations lasting a fixed period (e.g., three weeks). We term this approach “intensive family observations.” Here, we provide concrete methodological advice for this method, beginning with guidelines for recruitment and gaining consent. We also discuss logistics of conducting family observation (e.g., scheduling, spatial positionality in the home, role in the field, among other issues). We elaborate on the key challenges, specifically issues of intrusion, power, and positionality. Last, we reflect on how this method provides opportunities for accurately capturing deeply intimate moments as well as unexpected insights.
An Empirical Study to Analyse Indian Cricketers’ Career Progression in View of Current Cricket Explosion
Authors: Ray Subhasis
Published: April 2020

Sports career is brief and sport career transition (SCT) is a well-researched topic to see how players deal with it. Cricket is the most popular sport in India and the game is evolving thick and fast. Cricket has become an all season sport barring rainy and snowy conditions. Plethora of options are now available to the players which includes test cricket, one day international (ODI), twenty 20 international (T20I), Indian Premier League (IPL) and similar franchise-based leagues on T20 and T10 along with first-class domestic cricket. With this deluge in cricket, it is pertinent to study career progression of cricketers. IPL, despite a brand value of US$6.3 billion, is often criticized for bringing players into limelight too soon, paving way for playing test matches and fading even sooner into oblivion being unable to cope with volume and variety of cricket. The present article analyses Indian cricketers’ career progression pattern using hierarchical clustering analysis, and it also investigates if cricketers are graduating faster from domestic to test cricket using two-sample t-test.
An Instance Data Repository for the Round-robin Sports Timetabling Problem
Authors: Van Bulck David , Goossens Dries , Scho¨nberger Jo¨rn , Guajardo Mario
Published: April 2020

The sports timetabling problem is a combinatorial optimization problem that consists of creating a timetable that defines against whom, when and where teams play games. This is a complex matter, since real-life sports timetabling applications are typically highly constrained. The vast amount and variety of constraints and the lack of generally accepted benchmark problem instances make that timetable algorithms proposed in the literature are often tested on just one or two specific seasons of the competition under consideration. This is problematic since only a few algorithmic insights are gained. To mitigate this issue, this article provides a problem instance repository containing over 40 different types of instances covering artificial and real-life problem instances. The construction of such a repository is not trivial, since there are dozens of constraints that need to be expressed in a standardized format. For this, our repository relies on RobinX, an XML-supported classification framework. The resulting repository provides a (non-exhaustive) overview of most real-life sports timetabling applications published over the last five decades. For every problem, a short description highlights the most distinguishing characteristics of the problem. The repository is publicly available and will be continuously updated as new instances or better solutions become available.
Novel Performance Metrics to Evaluate the Duel Between a Batsman and a Bowler
Authors: Nekkanti Yamini , Bhattacharjee Dibyojyoti
Published: April 2020

In the current system of cricket, the most commonly used measures to evaluate players’ performance are batting and bowling averages, strike rate and economy rate. While these measures are easy to compute and understand, they fail to reflect a complete picture of the players’ performance as they do not consider the context of the match. Various factors, such as balls faced and left, wickets remaining, the skill level of the opponent, etc., are not being considered while evaluating the players’ performance. In addition, these conventional measures fail to compare a batsman’s performance against that of a bowler or vice versa. The objective of this article is to arrive at a measure that will better explain the performance of the players while incorporating some of the factors as stated above. In this article, we use strike rate for the batsman and economy rate for the bowler to arrive at a common scale for ratings. Furthermore, we use the concept of Elo ratings in order to evaluate the duel between a batsman and a bowler. Based on the developed methodology, we evaluate the duels between the players in the Indian Premier League 2018 finals.
Effect of sintering parameters on the microstructure and compressive mechanical properties of porous Fe scaffold fabricated using 3D printing and pressure less microwave sintering
Authors: Mishra Dipesh Kumar , Pandey Pulak Mohan
Published: April 2020

The demand for the porous scaffold has been increasing globally in the biomedical field due to numerous advantages over dense structures like high damping capacity, high specific strength, and improved cell integration growth. In the present study, porous iron scaffolds were fabricated using micro-extrusion-based three-dimensional printing and pressureless microwave sintering. For the preparation of samples, metal-based polymeric ink was developed. Thereafter, cylindrical samples were printed and then sintered in a microwave sintering furnace. The experimental investigations were performed to estimate the effect of sintering parameters such as sintering temperature, heating rate and soaking time on the compressive and microstructural property of the fabricated samples. Microstructural characterization was done using the electron backscatter diffraction technique. The experimental observations deduced that the compressive yield strength and apparent density of the sintered sample increased with the increase in sintering temperature and decreased with a further rise in temperature. Moreover, the electron backscatter diffraction analysis unveiled that the high heating rate resulted in the reduction of compressive yield strength due to rapid grain growth. Additionally, the significant effect of soaking time on the compressive mechanical properties was also noticed due to the increase in the grain size diameter. From the X-ray diffraction plot, it was found that there was no contamination present in the fabricated scaffold. In order to evaluate the process capability, a case study was performed wherein the topologically ordered porous structure of iron was fabricated at optimum sintering parameters.
Who’s watching the ‘eyes’? Parliamentary scrutiny of national identity matching laws
Authors: Moulds Sarah
Published: April 2020

Scrutiny of the federal government’s proposed new identity matching laws by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has revealed new insights into both the rights intrusive nature of these laws, and the potential impact and influence of this Committee as a component of Australia’s exclusively parliamentary model of rights protection. This Brief contains a short description of the nature of the proposed identity-matching regime – including the use of facial recognition technology – and a summary of the key concerns raised with the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
Invariance of the Bifactor Structure of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Symptoms on the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire Across Time, Demographic Characteristics, and Clinical Groups: A TRACK-TBI Study
Authors: Agtarap Stephanie , Kramer Mark D. , Campbell-Sills Laura , Yuh Esther , Mukherjee Pratik , Manley Geoffrey T. , McCrea Michael A. , Dikmen Sureyya , Giacino Joseph T. , Stein Murray B. , Nelson Lindsay D. , Adeoye Opeolu , Badjatia Neeraj , Boase Kim , Bodien Yelena , Bullock M. Ross , Chesnut Randall , Corrigan John D. , Crawford Karen , Diaz-Arrastia Ramon , Duhaime Ann-Christine , Ellenbogen Richard , Feeser V Ramana , Ferguson Adam R. , Foreman Brandon , Gardner Raquel , Gaudette Etienne , Goldman Dana , Gonzalez Luis , Gopinath Shankar , Gullapalli Rao , Hemphill J Claude , Hotz Gillian , Jain Sonia , Korley Frederick K. , Kramer Joel , Kreitzer Natalie , Levin Harvey , Lindsell Chris , Machamer Joan , Madden Christopher , Martin Alastair , McAllister Thomas , Merchant Randall , Ngwenya Laura B. , Noel Florence , Okonkwo David , Palacios Eva , Perl Daniel , Puccio Ava , Rabinowitz Miri , Robertson Claudia , Rosand Jonathan , Sander Angelle , Satris Gabriella , Schnyer David , Seabury Seth , Sherer Mark , Taylor Sabrina , Temkin Nancy , Toga Arthur , Valadka Alex , Vassar Mary , Vespa Paul , Wang Kevin , Yue John K. , Zafonte Ross
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to elucidate the structure of the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) and evaluate its longitudinal and group variance. Factor structures were developed and compared in 1,011 patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI; i.e., Glasgow Coma Scale score 13-15) from the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI study, using RPQ data collected at 2 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury. A bifactor model specifying a general factor and emotional, cognitive, and visual symptom factors best represented the latent structure of the RPQ. The model evinced strict measurement invariance over time and across sex, age, race, psychiatric history, and mTBI severity groups, indicating that differences in symptom endorsement were completely accounted for by these latent dimensions. While highly unidimensional, the RPQ has multidimensional features observable through a bifactor model, which may help differentiate symptom expression patterns in the future.
Microvascular Control Mechanism of the Plantar Foot in Response to Different Walking Speeds and Durations: Implication for the Prevention of Foot Ulcers
Authors: Wu Fu-Lien , Wang Wendy T. , Liao Fuyuan , Liu Yang , Li Jiacong , Jan Yih-Kuen
Published: April 2020

Physical activity has been recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) as a preventive intervention of diabetes complications. However, there is no study investigating how microvascular control mechanism respond to different walking intensities in people with and without diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess microvascular control mechanism of the plantar foot in response to various walking speeds and durations in 12 healthy people using spectral analysis of skin blood flow (SBF) oscillations. A 3×2 factorial design, including 3 speeds (3, 6, and 9 km/h) and 2 durations (10 and 20 minutes), was used in this study. Plantar SBF was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry over the first metatarsal head. Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale and heart rate maximum were used to assess the walking intensity. Wavelet analysis was used to quantify regulations of metabolic (0.0095-0.02 Hz), neurogenic (0.02-0.05 Hz), myogenic (0.05-0.15 Hz), respiratory (0.15-0.4 Hz), and cardiac (0.4-2 Hz) controls. For 10-minute walking, walking at 9 km/h significantly increased the ratio of wavelet amplitudes of metabolic, neurogenic, myogenic, respiratory, and cardiac mechanisms compared with 3 km/h ( P < .05). For 20-minute walking, walking at 6 km/h significantly increased the ratio of wavelet amplitudes of metabolic, myogenic, respiratory, and cardiac compared with 3 km/h ( P < .05). RPE showed a significant interaction between the speed and duration factors ( P < .01). This is the first study demonstrating that different walking speeds and durations caused different plantar microvascular regulations.
Inhibition of protein kinase C beta phosphorylation activates nuclear factor-kappa B and improves postischemic recovery in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Alleboina Satyanarayana , Wong Thomas , Singh Madhu V , Dokun Ayotunde O
Published: April 2020

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a major health problem and is caused by atherosclerosis in arteries outside the heart leading to impaired blood flow. The presence of diabetes significantly increases the likelihood of having worse outcomes in PAD, and the molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Hyperglycemia in diabetes activates the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, and chronic inflammation in diabetes is associated with vascular complications. Ischemia also activates NF-κB signaling that is important for perfusion recovery in experimental PAD. We hypothesized that prolonged exposure of endothelial cells to high glucose in diabetes impairs ischemic activation of the NF-κB pathway and contributes to poor perfusion recovery in experimental PAD. We assessed the effect of high glucose and ischemia on canonical and non-canonical NF-κB activation in endothelial cells and found both conditions activate both pathways. However, exposure of endothelial cells to high glucose impairs ischemia-induced activation of the canonical NF-κB pathway but not the non-canonical pathway. We probed an array of antibodies against signaling proteins in the NF-κB pathway to identify proteins whose phosphorylation status are altered in endothelial cells exposed to high glucose. Protein kinase C beta (PKCβ) was among the proteins identified, and its role in impaired ischemia-induced activation of NF-κB during hyperglycemia has not been previously described. Inhibition of PKCβ improves ischemia-induced NF-κB activation in vitroand in vivo. It also improves perfusion recovery in diabetic mice following experimental PAD. Thus, in diabetes, PKCβ phosphorylation contributes to impaired ischemic activation of NF-κB and likely a mechanism contributing to poor PAD outcomes.

Impact statement

Diabetes worsens the outcomes of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) likely in part through inducing chronic inflammation. However, in PAD, recovery requires the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation, a known contributor to inflammation. Our study shows that individually, both ischemia and high glucose activate the canonical and non-canonical arms of the NF-κB pathways. We show for the first time that prolonged high glucose specifically impairs ischemia-induced activation of the canonical NF-κB pathway through activation of protein kinase C beta (PKCβ). Accordingly, inhibition of PKCβ restores the ischemia-induced NF-κB activity both in vitroin endothelial cells and in vivoin hind limbs of type 1 diabetic mice and improves perfusion recovery after experimental PAD. Thus, this study provides a mechanistic insight into how diabetes contributes to poor outcomes in PAD and a potential translational approach to improve PAD outcomes.
Motion planner for a Tetris-inspired reconfigurable floor cleaning robot
Authors: Veerajagadheswar Prabakaran , Ping-Cheng Ku , Elara Mohan Rajesh , Le Anh Vu , Iwase Masami
Published: April 2020

Coverage path planning technique is an essential ingredient in every floor cleaning robotic systems. Even though numerous approaches demonstrate the benefits of conventional coverage motion planning techniques, they are mostly limited to fixed morphological platforms. In this article, we put forward a novel motion planning technique for a Tetris-inspired reconfigurable floor cleaning robot named “hTetro” that can reconfigure its morphology to any of the seven one-sided Tetris pieces. The proposed motion planning technique adapts polyomino tiling theory to tile a defined space, generates reference coordinates, and produces a navigation path to traverse on the generated tile-set with an objective of maximizing the area coverage. We have summarized all these aspects and concluded with experiments in a simulated environment that benchmarks the proposed technique with conventional approaches. The results show that the proposed motion planning technique achieves significantly higher performance in terms of area recovered than the traditional methods.
Arylsulfonamides From the Roots and Rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis Baker
Authors: Xu Yue , Liang Xiaofei , Li Yuze , Liang Zhuofei , Huang Wenli , Zhang Huawei , Jiang Yi , Cui Jiucheng , Song Xiaomei
Published: April 2020

One new arylsulfonamide (1) and a novel natural product (2) were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis Baker. Their structures were characterized by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic methods, as 2-[2-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylsulfonylamino)-benzoylamino]-benzoic acid methyl ester (1), 2-[([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylsulfonyl)amino]-benzoic acid (2), respectively. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity of 1-2 was evaluated on human HCT116, HT29, A549, and H1299 tumor cell lines in vitro, respectively. Whereas, the result showed that these compounds displayed weak cytotoxicity in the human cancer cell lines.
Medical Liability in Sinus Surgery: A Westlaw Database Analysis From 2000 to 2017
Authors: Shah Suparna N. , Ramirez Arianna V. , Haroun Kareem B. , Chaaban Mohamad R.
Published: April 2020

Background

Medical malpractice occurs when a hospital or health-care provider through negligent act or omission results in an injury to a patient. More than 50% of otolaryngologists have faced at least 1 claim, with rhinology being the most litigated subspecialty. This study aims to analyze medical litigation trends in Rhinology from 2000 to 2017 in the United States.

Methods

The Westlaw database was reviewed from 2000 to 2017. Data were compiled on the demographics of the plaintiffs, procedures, nature of damages, legal allegations, and the use of expert witnesses, physician demographics/practice characteristics, verdicts, indemnities, and county/state of case.

Results

There were 75 cases that met inclusion criteria after review of 125 cases. Majority of cases went to trial over settlement (80%) and were found in the Northeast region of the United States (36%). Most common cited legal allegations were improper performance and failure to follow standard of care. The most common nature of injuries were eye injury (29%) and intracranial complications (27%). The highest payouts were for progression of disease followed by intracranial injury. Of the 75 total cases analyzed, 37 (49.3%) used expert witnesses. When an expert witness was used at trial, the verdict statistically favored the defendant (62.5%).

Conclusions

Our analysis reveals the importance of meticulous surgical techniques and thorough preoperative evaluations.
The “How” Question of the Healthy Immigrant Paradox: Understanding Psychosocial Resources and Demands as Pathways Linking Migration to Mental Health Risks
Authors: Yang Fei-Ju
Published: April 2020

The current migrant health literature tends to focus on what determines immigrants’ mental health rather than how pathways such as psychosocial resources mediate the relationship between years since migration and mental health. Based on 4,282 foreign-born Canadian immigrant samples, this study includes both psychological distress and positive mental health as mental health measures because immigrants do not necessarily respond to stress by exhibiting distress. The correlation between psychological distress and positive mental health shows that these two measures are interrelated but distinctive concepts. Using piecewise regression models, this study finds that midterm immigrants have the highest levels of psychological distress and interpersonal strain. Guided by the stress process model, this study indicates that interpersonal strain acts as a major pathway to immigrants’ psychological distress but not positive mental health.
Hypersexual Behaviors and Personality Traits in Men with Substance Use Disorders in Iran
Authors: Hashemi Seyed Ghasem Seyed
Published: April 2020

The present study was conducted aiming to compare the five-factor model of personality in addicted men with and without hypersexual disorder (HD). The research method was causal-comparative, and the study population included all addicted men who were residents of addiction treatment centers in Tabriz city. 216 male addicts with HD and without HD were compared in 2 groups of 108 members through the Big Five Inventory (BFI-44). Data were analyzed using independent t test, chi-square, multivariate analysis of variance, and SPSS 22 version software for Windows (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). The results showed that 2 groups were significantly different in the five-factor model of personality. Addicted men with HD obtained lower scores in agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience; and obtained higher scores in neuroticism personality dimension in comparison to addicted men without HD. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in extraversion dimension. These findings indicated that there is a significant difference between the 2 groups in the five-factor model of personality, and addicted men with HD scored higher in neuroticism dimension. Therefore, this study illustrates the need to pay attention to the personality dimension of neuroticism (or emotional instability) as a variable comorbid with HD and substance-related disorders.