bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sickness absence and disability pension before and after first childbirth and in nulliparous women: longitudinal analyses of three cohorts in Sweden
Authors: Björkenstam Charlotte , Orellana Cecilia , László Krisztina D , Svedberg Pia , Voss Margaretha , Lidwall Ulrik , Lindfors Petra , Alexanderson Kristina
Published: September 2019

Objective

Childbirth is suggested to be associated with elevated levels of sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP). However, detailed knowledge about SA/DP patterns around childbirth is lacking. We aimed to compare SA/DP across different time periods among women according to their childbirth status.

Design

Register-based longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

Sweden.

Participants

Three population-based cohorts of nulliparous women aged 18–39 years, living in Sweden 31 December 1994, 1999 or 2004 (nearly 500 000/cohort).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Sum of SA >14 and DP net days/year.

Methods

We compared crude and standardised mean SA and DP days/year during the 3 years preceding and the 3 years after first childbirth date (Y−3to Y+3), among women having (1) their first and only birth during the subsequent 3 years (B1), (2) their first birth and at least another delivery (B1+), and (3) no childbirths during follow-up (B0).

Results

Despite an increase in SA in the year preceding the first childbirth, women in the B1 group, and especially in B1+, tended to have fewer SA/DP days throughout the years than women in the B0 group. For cohort 2005, the mean SA/DP days/year (95% CIs) in the B0, B1 and B1+ groups were for Y−3: 25.3 (24.9–25.7), 14.5 (13.6–15.5) and 8.5 (7.9–9.2); Y−2: 27.5 (27.1–27.9), 16.6 (15.5–17.6) and 9.6 (8.9–10.4); Y−1: 29.2 (28.8–29.6), 31.4 (30.2–32.6) and 22.0 (21.2–22.9); Y+1: 30.2 (29.8–30.7), 11.2 (10.4–12.1) and 5.5 (5.0–6.1); Y+2: 31.7 (31.3–32.1), 15.3 (14.2–16.3) and 10.9 (10.3–11.6); Y+3: 32.3 (31.9–32.7), 18.1 (17.0–19.3) and 12.4 (11.7–13.0), respectively. These patterns were the same in all three cohorts.

Conclusions

Women with more than one childbirth had fewer SA/DP days/year compared with women with one childbirth or with no births. Women who did not give birth had markedly more DP days than those giving birth, suggesting a health selection into childbirth.
Variation in the practice of discontinuing mechanical ventilation in critically ill adults: study protocol for an international prospective observational study
Authors: Burns Karen E A , Rizvi Leena , Cook Deborah J , Dodek Peter , Slutsky Arthur S , Jones Andrew , Villar Jesus , Kapadia Farhad N , Gattas David J , Epstein Scott K , Meade Maureen O
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Research supports the use of specific strategies to discontinue mechanical ventilation (MV) in critically ill patients. Little is known about how clinicians actually wean and discontinue MV in practice or the association between different discontinuation strategies and outcomes. The primary objective of this study is to describe international practices in the use of (1) daily screening for readiness to discontinue MV, (2) modes of MV used before initial discontinuation attempts, (3) weaning and spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) protocols, (4) SBT techniques and (5) sedation and mobilisation practices to facilitate weaning and discontinuation. The secondary objectives are to identify patient characteristics and time-dependent factors associated with use of selected strategies, investigate associations between SBT outcome (failure vs success) and outcomes, explore differences between patients who undergo an SBT early versus later in their intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and investigate the associations between different SBT techniques and humidification strategies on outcomes.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct an international, prospective, observational study of MV discontinuation practices among critically ill adults who receive invasive MV for at least 24 hours at approximately 150 ICUs in six geographic regions (Canada, USA, UK, Europe, India and Australia/New Zealand). Research personnel at participating ICUs will collect demographic data, data to characterise the initial strategy or event that facilitated discontinuation of MV (direct extubation, direct tracheostomy, initial successful SBT, initial failed SBT or death before any attempt could be made), clinical outcomes and site information. We aim to collect data on at least 10 non-death discontinuation events in each ICU (at least 1500 non-death discontinuation events).

Ethics and dissemination

This study received Research Ethics Approval from St. Michael’s Hospital (11-024) Research ethics approval will be sought from all participating sites. The results will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT03955874.
Prediction of adolescent subjective well-being: A machine learning approach
Authors: Zhang Naixin , Liu Chuanxin , Chen Zhixuan , An Lin , Ren Decheng , Yuan Fan , Yuan Ruixue , Ji Lei , Bi Yan , Guo Zhenming , Ma Gaini , Xu Fei , Yang Fengping , Zhu Liping , Robert Gabirel , Xu Yifeng , He Lin , Bai Bo , Yu Tao , He Guang
Published: September 2019

Background

Subjective well-being (SWB), also known as happiness, plays an important role in evaluating both mental and physical health. Adolescents deserve specific attention because they are under a great variety of stresses and are at risk for mental disorders during adulthood.

Aim

The present paper aims to predict undergraduate students’ SWB by machine learning method.

Methods

Gradient Boosting Classifier which was an innovative yet validated machine learning approach was used to analyse data from 10 518 Chinese adolescents. The online survey included 298 factors such as depression and personality. Quality control procedure was used to minimise biases due to online survey reports. We applied feature selection to achieve the balance between optimal prediction and result interpretation.

Results

The top 20 happiness risks and protective factors were finally brought into the predicting model. Approximately 90% individuals’ SWB can be predicted correctly, and the sensitivity and specificity were about 92% and 90%, respectively.

Conclusions

This result identifies at-risk individuals according to new characteristics and established the foundation for adolescent prevention strategies.
Genetic aetiology of early infant deaths in a neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Yang Lin , Liu Xu , Li Zixiu , Zhang Peng , Wu Bingbing , Wang Huijun , Hu Liyuan , Cheng Guoqiang , Wang Laishuan , Zhou Wenhao
Published: September 2019

Background

Congenital anomalies are the leading cause of early neonatal death in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), but the genetic causes are unclear. This study aims to investigate the genetic causes of infant deaths in a NICU in China.

Methods

Newborns who died in the hospital or died within 1 week of discharge were enrolled from Children’s Hospital of Fudan University between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017. Whole exome sequencing was performed in all patients after death.

Results

There were 223 deceased newborns with a median age at death of 13 days. In total, 44 (19.7%) infants were identified with a genetic finding, including 40 with single nucleotide variants (SNVs), two with CNVs and two with both SNVs and CNVs. Thirteen (31%, 13/42) patients with SNVs had medically actionable disorders based on genetic diagnosis, which included 10 genes. Multiple congenital malformation was identified as the leading genetic cause of death in NICUs with 13 newborns identified with variants in genes related to multiple congenital malformations. For newborns who died on the first day, the most common genetic cause of death was major heart defects, while metabolic disorders and respiratory failure were more common for newborns who died in the first 2 weeks.

Conclusion

Our study shows genetic findings among early infant deaths in NICUs and provides critical genetic information for precise genetic counselling for the families. Effective therapies enable the improvement of more than a quarter of newborns with molecular diagnoses if diagnosed in time.
Numerical assessment of vertical ground motion effects on highway bridges
Authors: Aryan Hadi , Ghassemieh Mehdi
Published: September 2019

Field evidence of recent earthquakes shows serious bridge damages due to the direct compression or tension in the columns and some flexural and shear failures caused by the variation in axial force of the columns. These damages could not be produced solely by the horizontal seismic excitations; the vertical component of the earthquake is involved. This paper presents a numerical study highlighting the presence of vertical seismic excitation. Nonlinear time history analyses are conducted on detailed three-dimensional models of multi-span simply supported and multi-span continuous bridges using a suite of representative ground motions. The results showed the significant influence of vertical excitation on the bridge responses. Therefore, it is imperative to include more efficient criteria to upgrade the design codes and extend practical techniques that consider and cope with the structural effects of vertical ground motion along with the horizontal excitations.
New embolomerous tetrapod material and a faunal overview of the Mississippian-aged Point Edward locality, Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Adams Gabrielle R. , Mann Arjan , Maddin Hillary C.
Published: September 2019

Embolomerous tetrapods, moderately-sized to large aquatic predators, form a major faunal constituent of Permo-Carboniferous tetrapod communities. Embolomeres are recognized by their distinct circular, bipartite vertebrae. Although traditionally classified as stem amniotes, the inclusion of embolomeres within the tetrapod crown group has recently been challenged. Despite the group’s phylogenetic uncertainty, embolomeres provide an important record of a long-lived tetrapod lineage, spanning “Romer’s Gap” through to the early Permian. Here, we describe embolomerous tetrapod material that was collected in 1915 by W.A. Bell (CMN 10015, herein divided into CMN 10015A, 10015B, and 10015C). The material, composed of numerous disarticulated cranial and postcranial elements, was discovered near Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, as ex situ beach-float pertaining to a horizon within the Mississippian-aged Point Edward Formation. Among this material, a single left lower jaw of a proterogyrinid is identified, differing from previous embolomere remains from this site identified as Pholiderpeton(?) bretonensis Romer, 1958. We also identify an anterior jaw fragment as a separate taxon from the proterogyrinid, indicating the presence of at least two embolomerous tetrapods in Bell’s collection. Other cranial and postcranial material cannot be directly associated with either jaw and are not diagnostic enough to assign to a specific taxon. Thus, the remaining material is referred to Embolomeri indet. until more information is available. Additionally, we summarize the fauna of the Point Edward locality revealing a diverse aquatic Late Mississippian ecosystem. Finally, the extensive embolomere material described here presents new data that can broadly address embolomere diversity throughout the Carboniferous.
Long-term trends in hypolimnetic volumes and dissolved oxygen concentrations in Boreal Shield lakes of south-central Ontario, Canada
Authors: Nelligan Clare , Jeziorski Adam , Rühland Kathleen M. , Paterson Andrew M. , Smol John P.
Published: September 2019

Temperature–oxygen profiles, collected biweekly to monthly for ∼40 years, were used to calculate end-of-summer volume-weighted hypolimnetic oxygen (VWHO) concentrations in six small lakes located in south-central Ontario, Canada. Coherent decreases in thermocline depth and increases in hypolimnetic volume, mean hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, and VWHO were observed in five of the six study lakes. All lakes underwent an abrupt increase in VWHO and mean hypolimnetic DO after 2010. In four of the six study lakes, the highest hypolimnetic DO concentrations were observed in years where chlorophyll a concentrations were low, whereas at five of the six study lakes the highest hypolimnetic volumes were observed when dissolved organic carbon concentrations were relatively high. Warmer spring or winter air temperatures were associated with higher hypolimnetic DO concentrations at two sites, and longer ice-free periods were associated with smaller hypolimnetic volumes at two sites. These results suggest that the recent VWHO increases in the studied south-central Ontario lakes may be a function of multiple drivers that include changes in primary production, lake water transparency, and regional climatic factors.
Icecube/DeepCore tests for novel explanations of the MiniBooNE anomaly
Authors: Coloma Pilar
Published: September 2019

While the low-energy excess observed at MiniBooNE remains unchallenged, it has become increasingly difficult to reconcile it with the results from other sterile neutrino searches and cosmology. Recently, it has been shown that non-minimal models with new particles in a hidden sector could provide a better fit to the data. As their main ingredients they require a GeV-scale $$Z'$$Z′, kinetically mixed with the photon, and an unstable heavy neutrino with a mass in the 150 MeV range that mixes with the light neutrinos. In this letter we point out that atmospheric neutrino experiments (and, in particular, IceCube/DeepCore) could probe a significant fraction of the parameter space of such models by looking for an excess of “double-bang” events at low energies, as proposed in our previous work (Coloma et al., Phys Rev Lett 119(20):201804, 10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.20180, 2017). Such a search would probe exactly the same production and decay mechanisms required to explain the anomaly.
FRICTIONS AND MISMATCHES IN THE LABOR MARKET
Authors: BINER BURHAN , GOKSEL TURKMEN
Published: September 2019

We develop an infinite-horizon dynamic search model to understand education–job mismatches in the labor markets where job seekers face three different types of labor markets based on their minimum educational requirements. Using a new dataset, we find that our model matches the US data well when we introduce heterogeneity through wage distributions. We use counterfactual experiments to show that even when the general unemployment level is kept constant, if the conditions within different job market types change, overeducation levels may increase or decrease dramatically. We find that regardless of the general unemployment level, frictions in the job market is the main reason for overeducation. However when unemployment is high, highly educated job seekers may settle for jobs below their education level at a higher level leading to a high degree of overeducation in the labor market and crowding out job seekers who have lower level of education.
ROOTING IN NANYANG: HOW EFFICIENT ARE CHINESE MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN MALAYSIA?
Authors: ZHANG MIAO , MIA MD ASLAM
Published: September 2019

While China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is widely considered as an attempt to reshape the global geo-political landscape through its massive investment/engagement in capital-intensive infrastructure, an often-neglected topic is the performance of Chinese-funded firms in manufacturing sector. Therefore, this paper sought to examine the efficiency levels of Chinese manufacturing firms in Malaysia. By using firm-level data supplied by Malaysia’s Department of Statistics, this study employs Data Envelopment Analysis to examine the efficiency levels of Chinese manufacturing firms in comparison with local and other foreign firms in 2010 and 2015. The results show that Chinese manufacturing firms show higher efficiency levels than local and foreign firms in 2010 and 2015, implying that these firms have the potential to transfer technology and share managerial skills to local firms. However, the efficiency levels of Chinese firms deteriorated from 2010 to 2015, suggesting that firms’ relocations decision may have been driven by distortions created by incentives and other supports provided by the Chinese government rather than by firms’ efforts to sustain or raise efficiency levels. The findings suggest that Chinese firms have to be careful in making strategic decision to relocate operations abroad to ensure that government initiatives are in sync with firm-level performance.
Single Machine Scheduling with Outsourcing Under Different Fill Rates or Quantity Discount Rates
Authors: Lu Lingfa , Zhang Liqi , Zhang Jie , Zuo Lili
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we consider two single machine scheduling problems with outsourcing under different fill rates or quantity discount rates. From the manufacturer point of view, to maintain a predefined high service level under limited production capacity, it is required that the number of outsourced jobs must belong to a given interval [Formula: see text]. We call this model “scheduling with outsourcing under different fill rates”. Meanwhile, from the outsourcers point of view, in order to encourage more outsourcing actions from the manufacturer, the outsourcers might provide an attractive discount scheme. Here, we assume that all discount rates depend only on the quantity (number) of the outsourced jobs. That is, the actual outsourcing cost equals to the original outsourcing cost multiplied by the corresponding discount rate. This model is called “scheduling with outsourcing under different quantity discount rates”. The objective is to minimize the sum of the makespan of the processed jobs and the (actual) outsourcing costs of the outsourced jobs. For the above two problems, some optimal algorithms, approximation algorithms and approximation schemes are proposed.
An Efficient Interface Circuit for Miniature Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting with P-SSHC
Authors: Liu Lianxi , Shang Yu , Cheng Jiangwei , Zhu Zhangming
Published: September 2019

A miniature and high-efficiency interface circuit based on parallel synchronous switch harvesting on capacitors (P-SSHC) for piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) is proposed in this paper. This interface circuit consists of a two-stage synchronous rectifier and the P-SSHC circuit. The two-stage synchronous rectifier, composed of a negative voltage converter (NVC) and an active diode (AD), achieves higher efficiency compared with the full-bridge rectifier (FBR). In addition, the two-stage synchronous rectifier detects the zero-crossing moment of the input current; therefore, an extra current zero-crossing detection circuit is eliminated, which simplifies the structure of the interface circuit, reduces power consumption and improves peak converting efficiency. The P-SSHC circuit aims to improve the power extraction capability of the rectifier. The P-SSHC achieves considerable voltage flipping efficiency with very small volume compared to the parallel synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (P-SSHI), which is more suitable for volume sensitive applications. The proposed interface circuit is designed in SMIC 0.35[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS process. Simulation results show that it achieves a [Formula: see text] output power improvement compared with FBR for the case of a 3.4[Formula: see text]V open-circuit voltage, the voltage flipping efficiency is as high as 83.6% and the peak power converting efficiency is up to 91.5%. The overall volume of the capacitors used in this paper is only 0.6[Formula: see text]mm3, which is much smaller than the inductor used by conventional P-SSHI interface circuit.
A criterion for Kolchin subgroups of Out(Fr)
Authors: Bering Edgar A.
Published: September 2019

This paper provides a decidable criterion for when a subgroup of [Formula: see text] generated by two Dehn twists consists entirely of polynomially growing elements, answering an earlier question of the author.
Simultaneous Resonances of Suspended Cables Subjected to Primary and Super-Harmonic Excitations in Thermal Environments
Authors: Zhao Yaobing , Lin Henghui , Chen Lincong , Wang Chenfei
Published: September 2019

This paper concerns with a suspended cable in thermal environments under bi-frequency harmonic excitations, with a focus placed on the effect of temperature changes on one type of simultaneous resonance. First, the nonlinear equation of motion in thermal environments is obtained for the in-plane displacement of the cable. Then, the Galerkin method is employed to reduce the partial differential equation to an ordinary one. Second, based on the discretized form of the governing equation, the method of multiple scales is employed to obtain the second-order approximate solutions, with the stability characteristics determined. Third, numerical results are presented by using the perturbation method, together with numerical integration by the following means: frequency-response curves, time-displacement curves, phase-plane diagrams, and Poincare sections. The direct integration method is utilized to verify the results obtained by the perturbation method, while revealing more nonlinear dynamic behaviors induced by temperature changes. Both the softening and/or hardening behaviors, and the switching between them are observed for the cable in thermal environments. The response amplitude of the cable is very sensitive to temperature changes, but the number of circles in the phase diagrams and the number of cluster points in Poincaré sections is independent of the thermal effects in most cases. Finally, the vibration characteristics of the cable for different thermal expansion coefficients and temperature-dependent Young’s moduli are also investigated.
A note on f-graphs
Authors: Mahmood Hasan , Ur Rehman Fazal , Binyamin M. A.
Published: September 2019

The notion of [Formula: see text]-ideal was introduced in [G. Q. Abbasi, S. Ahmad, I. Anwar and W. A. Baig, [Formula: see text]-Ideals of degree 2, Algebra Colloq. 19(1) (2012) 921–926] in 2012 and has been studied in many papers after that. In this paper, we have studied those graphs whose Stanley–Reisner ideals turn out to be [Formula: see text]-ideals. We give a characterization and construction of these graphs and show that, unlike [Formula: see text]-graphs, these graphs are always connected. We have also discussed when these graphs are complete bipartite graphs. Moreover, we classify those graphs for which both the facet ideal (the edge ideal) and the Stanley–Resiner ideal, are [Formula: see text]-ideals.
Novel Flower-Like CuO/N-rGO as Enhanced Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhang Lijuan , Lu Jinhua , Wei Jianfeng , Wang Yan
Published: September 2019

Flower-like copper oxide (CuO)/nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) was synthesized through a one-pot microwave hydrothermal method by using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as surfactant. In the process, in situ formation of nanomaterial CuO, reduction of graphene oxide and doping of nitrogen species occurred simultaneously in urea solution. The structural and surface properties of the material were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopies (TEM), the energy dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). This showed the flower-like CuO with an interconnected architecture was successfully uniformed and grown on the surface of N-rGO. Moreover, the surfactant PVP and urea were found to be the key factors to control the morphology of the CuO nanostructure. Electrochemical investigations indicated that the CuO/N-rGO composite exhibited a significantly enhanced ORR activity in comparison to pure CuO and N-rGO in an alkaline solution. The enhancement in ORR activity of CuO/N-rGO composite can be attributed to the synergistic effects of good electron transport from N-rGO as well as abundance of exposed catalytic sites and meso/macroporosity from CuO nanostructures.
Painlevé V, Painlevé XXXIV and the degenerate Laguerre unitary ensemble
Authors: Min Chao , Chen Yang
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we study the Hankel determinant associated with the degenerate Laguerre unitary ensemble (dLUE). This problem originates from the largest or smallest eigenvalue distribution of the dLUE. We derive the ladder operators and its compatibility condition with respect to a general perturbed weight function. By applying the ladder operators to our problem, we obtain two auxiliary quantities [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and show that they satisfy the coupled Riccati equations, from which we find that [Formula: see text] satisfies the Painlevé V equation. Furthermore, we prove that [Formula: see text], a quantity related to the logarithmic derivative of the Hankel determinant, satisfies both the continuous and discrete Jimbo–Miwa–Okamoto [Formula: see text]-form of the Painlevé V. In the end, by using Dyson’s Coulomb fluid approach, we consider the large [Formula: see text] asymptotic behavior of our problem at the soft edge, which gives rise to the Painlevé XXXIV equation.
Ordovician stratigraphy and benthic community replacements in the eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco
Authors: Álvaro J. Javier , Benharref Mohammed , Destombes Jacques , Gutiérrez-Marco Juan Carlos , Hunter Aaron W. , Lefebvre Bertrand , van Roy Peter , Zamora Samuel
Published: September 2019

The Anti-Atlas contains a thick, volcanic-free Ordovician succession that originally deposited in a passive-margin basin. Three main sedimentary packages are bounded by major unconformities: (i) the Tremadocian–Floian Lower Fezouata and Upper Fezouata formations, which unconformably overlie a palaeorelief of Cambrian rifting volcanosedimentary complexes, and are subsequently topped by a Dapingian paraconformable gap; (ii) the Darriwilian–Katian Tachilla Formation and First Bani and Ktaoua groups, the latter unconformably overlain by a Hirnantian glaciogenic succession; and (iii) the Second Bani Group, which subsequently infilled the former glaciogenic palaeorelief. Due to the scarcity of carbonate interbeds for etching analyses, leading to rare references of conodonts, the global Ordovician chart is interpolated on the basis of microphytoplancton (acritarchs and chitinozoans), regional graptolites and brachiopods. The Ordovician counter-clockwise rotation of Gondwana led its Moroccan margin from mid- to high-latitude positions, leading to the onset of a siliciclastic, wave- and storm-dominated platform. Flooding surfaces are marked by shelly silty carbonate interbeds that reflect the episodic development of echinoderm–bryozoan meadows during Katian times; in areas protected from siliciclastic input, they reached massive and bedded bioaccumulations (Khabt-el-Hajar Formation). The Hirnantian glaciation controlled the incision of numerous tunnel channels, infilled with both alluvial to fluvial sediments and glaciomarine diamictites. The Hirnantian palaeorelief was definitively sealed during Silurian times.
Preliminary Studies of Chemical and Physical Properties of Two Varieties of Avocado Seeds Grown in Chile
Authors: Flores Marcos , Ortiz-Viedma Jaime , Curaqueo Ayelen , Rodriguez Alicia , Dovale-Rosabal Gretel , Magaña Fernando , Vega Camila , Toro María , López Luis , Ferreyra Raúl , Defilippi Bruno G.
Published: September 2019

In Chile, the most cultivated avocado varieties are Hass and Negra de la Cruz. The increase in the production of fast food preparations, salads, and avocado oil has generated large amounts of seeds and husks as waste, which may constitute a possible new source of bioactive compounds, of great interest to the food and pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine different nutritional, biochemical, antimicrobial, and physical properties of the SH and SNC seeds grown in Chile. In SH and SNC, their nutritional composition, lipophilic components, and total phenols (PTs) were determined. The antioxidant and antibacterial activity of extracts were measured in different solvent combinations. In addition, the color change of seeds (ΔE) during the browning, the mechanical resistance to the cut, and their thermal transitions by differential calorimetry (DSC) were determined. The results indicated that SH has a higher protein content and lipophilic components. In the ethanol extract, SNC showed greater antiradical activity and is an inhibitor of Gram (+) bacteria. The SNC browning given by ΔEwas greater and adjusted well to kinetic and enzymatic models. The physical analyses of the seeds indicated that SNC presented higher cut resistance and lower transition temperature (Tg) with a lower thermal fusion of its lipids, which would be due to its higher unsaturated composition. These properties of SH and SNC can be useful for the agrifood, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.
Numerical Simulation and Experiment on Impulse Noise in a Small Caliber Rifle with Muzzle Brake
Authors: Zhao Xin Yi , Zhou Ke Dong , He Lei , Lu Ye , Wang Jia , Zheng Qiu
Published: September 2019

Blast waves generated from the muzzles of weapons may exert negative effects, such as shock waves and impulse noise. If the weapon is fired with a muzzle brake, these effects are recognized to be more severe. This paper discusses the influence of the muzzle brake on certain aeroacoustic noise characteristics based on numerical simulations and a corresponding experiment. The impulse noise, which is induced by complex jet flows discharging from small caliber rifles with muzzle brakes, is focused in this study. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational aeroacoustics (CAA) are combined to calculate the muzzle flow field and jet noise for cases with and without a muzzle brake, and then the data sets are carefully compared. The simulations indicate that the muzzle brake alters the muzzle flow field and directional distribution of the jet noise compared to a rifle sans muzzle brake. Deviations less than 7.6% between experimental data and simulation results validate the simulation model. The results presented in this paper may provide a workable reference for the prediction of muzzle noise and the optimization of muzzle brake designs.
Immunological Impacts of Diabetes on the Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Ayelign Birhanu , Negash Markos , Genetu Meaza , Wondmagegn Tadelo , Shibabaw Tewodros
Published: September 2019

The interaction between diabetes and major world infections like TB is a major public health concern because of rapidly rising levels of diabetes. The dual burden of tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) has become a major global public health problem. Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for the development of active and latent tuberculosis. Immune mechanisms contributing to the increased susceptibility of diabetic patients toTBare due to the defects in bacterial recognition, phagocytic activity, and cellular activation which results in impaired production of chemokines and cytokines. The initiation of adaptive immunity is delayed by impaired antigen-presenting cell (APC) recruitment and function in hyperglycemic host, which results in reduced frequencies of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells and its secretion of cytokines having a great role in activation of macrophage and inflammatory response of tuberculosis. In addition, impaired immune response and killing of intracellular bacteria potentially increase bacterial load, chronic inflammation, and central necrosis that facilitate bacterial dissemination and miliary tuberculosis. Understanding of the immunological and biochemical basis ofTBsusceptibility in diabetic patients will tell us the rational development of implementation and therapeutic strategies to alleviate the dual burden of the diseases. Therefore, the aim of this review was focused on the association between diabetes and tuberculosis, focusing on epidemiology, pathogenesis, and immune dysfunction in diabetes mellitus, and its association with susceptibility, severity, and treatment outcome failure to tuberculosis.
The Sirt1/P53 Axis in Diabetic Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Pathogenesis and Therapeutics
Authors: Zhang Zengjie , Lin Jialiang , Nisar Majid , Chen Tingting , Xu Tianzhen , Zheng Gang , Wang Chenggui , Jin Haiming , Chen Jiaoxiang , Gao Weiyang , Tian Naifeng , Wang Xiangyang , Zhang Xiaolei
Published: September 2019

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is one of the major causes of low back pain. Diabetes is a risk factor for IDD and may aggravate IDD in rats; however, the mechanism is poorly understood. Previously, we demonstrated that apoptosis and senescence were increased in diabetic nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues; in the current study, we found that hyperglycaemia may promote the incidence of apoptosis and senescence in NP cells in vitro. Meanwhile, the acetylation of P53, a master transcription factor of apoptosis and senescence, was also found increased in diabetic NP tissues in vivo as well as in hyperglycaemic NP cells in vitro. Sirt1 is an NAD+-dependent deacetylase, and we showed that the expression of Sirt1 was decreased in NP tissues, while hyperglycaemia could suppress the expression and activity of Sirt1 in NP cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that butein may inhibit acetylation of P53 and protect NP cells against hyperglycaemia-induced apoptosis and senescence through Sirt1 activation, as the Sirt1 inhibitor Ex527 may counteract the protective effect of butein in hyperglycaemic NP cells. An in vivo study showed that butein could ameliorate the IDD process in diabetic rats, while Sirt1 was increased and acetyl-p53 was decreased in NP tissues in butein-treated rats. These results indicate that the Sirt1/P53 axis is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic IDD and may serve as a therapeutic target for diabetic IDD.
Cancer Survival by Stage at Diagnosis in Kuwait: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Alawadhi E. , Al-Awadi A. , Elbasmi A. , Coleman M. P. , Allemani C.
Published: September 2019

Objective. To examine the distribution of stage at diagnosis for 12 cancers in Kuwait, to estimate stage-specific net survival at 1 and 5 years after diagnosis, and to assess differences in stage-specific survival between Kuwait and the United States. Material and Methods. Data were obtained from the Kuwait Cancer Registry, for Kuwaiti patients diagnosed during 2000–2013, with follow-up to 31 December 2015. The distribution of Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Summary Stage for 12 malignancies was examined. We estimated net survival by stage up to 5 years after diagnosis, controlling for background mortality with life tables of all-cause mortality in the general population by single year of age, sex, and calendar period. Survival estimates were age-standardised using the International Cancer Survival Standard (ICSS) weights. Results. Only 14.2% of patients were diagnosed at a localised stage and 38.9% at the regional stage. The proportion of patients with known stage was 88.9% during 2000–2004 but fell to 59.4% during 2010–2013. During 2005–2009, 1- and 5-year survival for colon, rectal, breast, cervical, and prostate cancer was about 90% or higher for patients diagnosed at the localised stage. During 2004–2009, the proportion of patients diagnosed at a localised stage was lower in Kuwait than in the US for colon, breast, and lung cancer. Age-standardised 5-year net survival for all stages combined was lower in Kuwait than the US for colon, lung, and breast cancer, but stage-specific survival was similar. Conclusion. Since stage-specific survival is similar in Kuwait and the US, late stage at diagnosis is likely to be a major contributing factor to the overall lower survival in Kuwait than in the US. Increasing public awareness of cancer risk factors and symptoms and investment in early detection will be vital to reduce the proportion of patients diagnosed at a late stage and to improve survival.
Evaluating the Impact of Name Resolution Dependence on the DNS
Authors: Xu Haiyan , Zhang Zhaoxin , Yan Jianen , Ma Xin
Published: September 2019

In the process of resolving domain names to IP addresses, there exist complex dependence relationships between domains and name servers. This paper studies the impact of the resolution dependence on the DNS through constructing a domain name resolution network based on large-scale actual data. The core nodes of the resolution network are mined from different perspectives by means of four methods. Then, both core attacks and random attacks on the network are simulated for further vulnerability analysis. The experimental results show that when the top 1% of the core nodes in the network are attacked, 46.19% of the domain names become unresolved, and the load of the residual network increases by nearly 195%, while only 0.01% of domain names fail to be resolved and the load increases with 18% in the same attack scale of the random mode. For these key nodes, we need to take effective security measures to prevent them from being attacked. The simulation experiment also proves that the resolution network is a scale-free network, which exhibits robustness against random failure and vulnerability against intentional attacks. These findings provide new references for the configuration of the DNS.
Dynamic Response of a Single‐Layer Reticulated Dome during Aircraft Impact Based on S‐J Modeling Method
Authors: Lin Li , Huang Bo , Sun Yunhui , Zhu Yu , Wang Duozhi
Published: September 2019

In previous numerical models developed for the impact dynamic responses of reticulated domes, mostly BEAM 161 elements and piecewise linear plastic material model have been employed and spherical joints have been simplified as intersection points of beams, which is called the B‐P method. The B‐P method can be employed in studying the dynamic responses of reticulated shells under low‐ to moderate‐speed impacts with no obvious temperature effect. However, the analysis of the dynamic responses of reticulated shells under moderate‐ and high‐speed impacts of missiles and other aircraft using this method had errors because it could not take into account the temperature effect. To accurately describe the mechanical responses of reticulated shells under aircraft impacts, the Johnson–Cook material model considering temperature effect with corresponding SHELL 163 element was selected for determining the members of the numerical model and the shell element was used to establish the spherical joints of reticulated shells; the whole process was called the S‐J modeling method. This modeling method was capable of considering the effects of high strain rates, high temperatures, large strains, stress state change, and loading history. S‐J and B‐P methods were used to model the reticulated shell structures. Comparing the numerical analysis results of the drop hammer impact of the two developed methods with experimental results verified the accuracy of the S‐J modeling method. In addition, based on the results obtained from the S‐J modeling method and LS‐DYNA finite element analysis software, a numerical model was established for small aircraft impact reticulated shells and the failure modes and dynamic responses of reticulated shell structures under aircraft impacts were studied. In terms of energy analysis, it was found that the effects of roof plates, spherical joints, and temperature softening could not be ignored in such studies.
Dynamic Analysis of Flexible Rotor Based on Transfer Symplectic Matrix
Authors: Deng Hao , Fang Xi , Wu Huachun , Ding Yiming , Yu Jinghu , Zhang Xiaoyu , Li Hong , Liu Chenwei
Published: September 2019

In view of the numerical instability and low accuracy of the traditional transfer matrix method in solving the high‐order critical speed of the rotor system, a new idea of incorporating the finite element method into the transfer matrix is proposed. Based on the variational principle, the transfer symplectic matrix of gyro rotors suitable for all kinds of boundary conditions and supporting conditions under the Hamilton system is derived by introducing dual variables. To verify the proposed method in rotor critical speed, a numerical analysis is adopted. The simulation experiment results show that, in the calculation of high‐order critical speed, especially when exceeding the sixth critical speed, the numerical accuracy of the transfer symplectic matrix method is obviously better than that of the reference method. The relative errors between the numerical solution and the exact solution are 0.0347% and 0.2228%, respectively, at the sixth critical speed. The numerical example indicates the feasibility and superiority of the method, which provides the basis for the optimal design of the rotor system.
Genetic Variants Implicate Dual Oxidase-2 in Familial and Sporadic Nonmedullary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Bann Darrin V. , Jin Qunyan , Sheldon Kathryn E. , Houser Kenneth R. , Nguyen Lan , Warrick Joshua I. , Baker Maria J. , Broach James R. , Gerhard Glenn S. , Goldenberg David
Published: September 2019

Highly penetrant hereditary thyroid cancer manifests as familial nonmedullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC), whereas low-penetrance hereditary thyroid cancer manifests as sporadic disease and is associated with common polymorphisms, including rs965513[A]. Whole-exome sequencing of an FNMTC kindred identified a novel Y1203H germline dual oxidase-2 (DUOX2) mutation. DUOX2Y1203H is enzymatically active, with increased production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, patients with sporadic thyroid cancer homozygous for rs965513[A] demonstrated higher DUOX2 expression than heterozygous rs965513[A/G] or homozygous rs965513[A]-negative patients. These data suggest that dysregulated hydrogen peroxide metabolism is a common mechanism by which high- and low-penetrance genetic factors increase thyroid cancer risk.

Significance:

This study provides novel insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying familial and sporadic thyroid cancers.
Serologic Profile of Antiparietal Cell Antibodies, Pepsinogens, and H. pylori and Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Nested Case–Control Study in China
Authors: Wang Shao-Ming , Roth Mark J. , Murphy Gwen A. , Dawsey Sanford M. , Fan Jin-Hu , Taylor Philip R. , Qiao You-Lin , Abnet Christian C.
Published: September 2019

Background:

Autoimmune gastritis is understudied and possibly associated with gastric noncardia adenocarcinoma (GNCA) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in Western populations when it presents as pernicious anemia.

Methods:

A nested case–control study within a Chinese cohort included 100 ESCC, 200 gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA), and 200 GNCA cases diagnosed between 1986 and 2001 and 400 controls. Serostatus of antiparietal cell antibodies (APCA), Helicobacter pylori antibodies, and pepsinogens were measured using commercial kits and serum collected at baseline. We used logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for associations between serologic biomarkers and cancer risk adjusted for numerous potential confounders.

Results:

There was an average interval of 8 years between baseline blood draw and cancer diagnosis. The baseline prevalence of APCA seropositivity was 10.0% and 14.5% in subjects who developed GCA and GNCA, respectively. APCA seropositivity was inversely associated with later development of GCA (OR = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.24–0.75), but not significantly associated with later development of GNCA (OR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.50–1.36) or ESCC (OR = 1.05; 95% CI, 0.58–1.88). APCA seropositivity was significantly associated with low pepsinogen I/II ratios (OR = 3.69; 95% CI, 1.66–8.21), and individuals with low pepsinogen I/II ratios who were seronegative for APCA had the highest risk of both GCA and GNCA.

Conclusions:

APCA seropositivity measured years prior to diagnosis was associated with prevalent atrophic gastritis but inversely associated with incident GCA in this Chinese population.

Impact:

APCA may contribute to a growing list of serologic markers that can improve risk stratification for gastric cancer.
Tendências e Ciclos Comuns entre as Inflações das Regiões Metropolitanas do Brasil
Authors: Silva Cristiano da Costa da , Trompieri Neto Nicolino , Castelar Luiz Ivan
Published: September 2019

O artigo utiliza a decomposição de tendências e ciclos comuns de Vahid e Engle (1993) para verificar a presença de co-movimentos de curto e longo prazo entre as taxas de inflação das regiões metropolitanas do Brasil, durante o período de outubro de 1995 até dezembro de 2014. Os testes comprovam a existência de duas tendências estocásticas comuns e seis ciclos comuns. Os resultados apontam inter-relações positivas de longo prazo entre a trajetória de inflação das regiões estudadas. As séries apresentaram também um comportamento similar de curto prazo, sendo caracterizadas como pró-cíclicas.
Déficits Gêmeos no Brasil: Qual a Relação de Causalidade?
Authors: Souza Túllio , Silva Cleomar
Published: September 2019

Este artigo analisa a causalidade na hipótese dos déficits gêmeos para o caso brasileiro, isto é, se o desempenho das contas públicas impacta as transações correntes, ou vice-versa. A metodologia utilizada envolve a estimação de Modelos Autorregressivos de Defasagens Distribuídas para dados trimestrais de 1999 a 2013. Os resultados mostram uma relação de longo prazo das transações correntes e do PIB para o resultado primário do setor público. Em relação ao curto prazo, o mecanismo de correção de erros indica causalidade das transações correntes para o resultado primário. Mas causalidade oposta não pode ser comprovada.
Propensity Score–Adjusted Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes Among Revascularization Strategies for Critical Limb Ischemia
Authors: Mustapha Jihad A. , Katzen Barry T. , Neville Richard F. , Lookstein Robert A. , Zeller Thomas , Miller Larry E. , Nelson Teresa R. , Jaff Michael R. ,   On behalf of the Board of the CLI Global Society
Published: September 2019

Background:

Few studies have compared long-term outcomes among specific treatment modalities for critical limb ischemia. The aim of this study was to compare long-term outcomes with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), stent placement, atherectomy, or surgical bypass in patients diagnosed with critical limb ischemia.

Methods:

In this observational study using Medicare claims data, we identified incident cases with a primary critical limb ischemia diagnosis who received PTA, stent placement, atherectomy, or surgical bypass. We used propensity score weighting to determine the association of treatment type with all-cause mortality and major (above ankle) amputation over 4 years follow-up.

Results:

Among 36 860 patients (10 904 PTA; 11 295 stent placement; 4422 atherectomy; 10 239 surgical bypass), all-cause mortality over 4 years was 49.3% with atherectomy, 51.4% with surgical bypass, 53.7% with stent placement, and 54.7% with PTA (
P
<0.05 for all pairwise comparisons). Major amputation rates over 4 years were 6.8% with atherectomy, 7.8% with stent placement, 8.1% with PTA, and 10.8% with surgical bypass (
P
<0.05 for all pairwise comparison except PTA versus stent).

Conclusions:

Among Medicare beneficiaries who received PTA, stent placement, atherectomy, or surgical bypass for critical limb ischemia, high mortality and major amputation rates were observed with minor differences among treatment groups. Statistically significant group differences of uncertain clinical importance were observed for several comparisons. Results from observational research may be susceptible to bias because of unmeasured confounders and, therefore, these comparative results should be interpreted with caution.