bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple Pathways To Avoid Beta Interferon Sensitivity of HIV-1 by Mutations in Capsid
Authors: Sultana Tahmina , Mamede João I. , Saito Akatsuki , Ode Hirotaka , Nohata Kyotaro , Cohen Romy , Nakayama Emi E. , Iwatani Yasumasa , Yamashita Masahiro , Hope Thomas J. , Shioda Tatsuo
Published: September 2019

HIV-1 infection causes robust innate immune activation in virus-infected patients. This immune activation is characterized by elevated levels of type I interferons (IFNs), which can block HIV-1 replication. Recent studies suggest that the viral capsid protein (CA) is a determinant for the sensitivity of HIV-1 to IFN-mediated restriction. Specifically, it was reported that the loss of CA interactions with CPSF6 or CypA leads to higher IFN sensitivity. However, the molecular mechanism of CA adaptation to IFN sensitivity is largely unknown. Here, we experimentally evolved an IFN-β-hypersensitive CA mutant which showed decreased binding to CPSF6 and CypA in IFN-β-treated cells. The CA mutations that emerged from this adaptation indeed conferred IFN-β resistance. Our genetic assays suggest a limited contribution of known host factors to IFN-β resistance. Strikingly, one of these mutations accelerated the kinetics of reverse transcription and uncoating. Our findings suggest that HIV-1 selected multiple, known host factor-independent pathways to avoid IFN-β-mediated restriction.
Within-Host Multiplication and Speed of Colonization as Infection Traits Associated with Plant Virus Vertical Transmission
Authors: Cobos Alberto , Montes Nuria , López-Herranz Marisa , Gil-Valle Miriam , Pagán Israel
Published: September 2019

One of the major factors contributing to plant virus long-distance dispersal is the global trade of seeds. This is because more than 25% of plant viruses can infect seeds, which are the main mode of germplasm exchange/storage, and start new epidemics in areas where they were not previously present. Despite the relevance of this process for virus epidemiology and disease emergence, the infection traits associated with the efficiency of virus seed transmission are largely unknown. Using turnip mosaic and cucumber mosaic viruses and their natural host
Arabidopsis thaliana
as model systems, we have identified the within-host speed of virus colonization and multiplication in the reproductive structures as the main determinants of the efficiency of seed transmission. These results contribute to shedding light on the mechanisms by which plant viruses disperse and optimize their fitness and may help in the design of more-efficient strategies to prevent seed infection.
Antibiotics: Combatting Tolerance To Stop Resistance
Authors: Windels Etthel M. , Michiels Joran E. , Van den Bergh Bram , Fauvart Maarten , Michiels Jan
Published: September 2019

Antibiotic resistance poses an alarming and ever-increasing threat to modern health care. Although the current antibiotic crisis is widely acknowledged, actions taken so far have proved insufficient to slow down the rampant spread of resistant pathogens. Problematically, routine screening methods and strategies to restrict therapy failure almost exclusively focus on genetic resistance, while evidence for dangers posed by other bacterial survival strategies is mounting.
Simultaneous presentation of parathyroid carcinoma, papillary thyroid cancer and ACTH-independent hypercortisolism due to benign cortical adenoma
Authors: Edafe Ovie , Debono Miguel , Tahir Fawzia , Balasubramanian Sabapathy P
Published: September 2019

A 46-year-old woman presented with hypertension and renal disease. Investigations showed severe hypercalcaemia due to primary hyperparathyroidism. Imaging demonstrated renal calculi and an incidental left adrenal lesion. Additional biochemistry confirmed adrenocorticotropic hormone-independent hypercortisolism. Ultrasound and sestamibi scan found an enlarged right-sided parathyroid gland and a suspicious right thyroid nodule, biopsy of which suggested papillary carcinoma. The right parathyroid mass, right thyroid lobe and right central compartment tissue along with a segment of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve was resecteden-bloc. Completion thyroidectomy and left adrenalectomy were performed 6 months later. Histology showed parathyroid cancer, multifocal papillary thyroid cancer and adrenal clear cell cortical adenoma. Genetic tests were normal. There was no evidence of recurrence at 12 months follow-up. Parathyroid cancer should be suspected in the presence of significant hypercalcaemia, very high parathyroid hormone and end organ damage. Suspicious thyroid nodules on imaging should be appropriately investigated.
High-pressure chemical injection injury to the hand: usually underestimated injury with major consequences
Authors: Sharma Raman , John Jerry R , Sharma Ramesh Kumar
Published: September 2019

The damages caused by high-pressure injuries are often underestimated. Such incidents are characterised by a small punctiform entry wound and the normal colour of skin. The internal damage caused by these injuries can be severely devastating in nature. These injuries required emergent surgical debridement and irrigation. Postoperatively intensive physiotherapy is required for the successful return of hand function. The final functional outcome depends on the initial latency to treatment, nature of injected material, location and volume of injection and postoperative physiotherapy.
Understanding diagnostic disagreement in angle closure assessment between anterior segment optical coherence tomography and gonioscopy
Authors: Porporato Natalia , Baskaran Mani , Tun Tin A , Sultana Rehena , Tan Marcus , Quah Joanne HuiMin , Allen John C , Perera Shamira , Friedman David S , Cheng Ching Yu , Aung Tin
Published: September 2019

Background/aims

Although being a more objective tool for assessment and follow-up of angle closure, reliability studies have reported a moderate diagnostic performance for anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) technologies when comparing with gonioscopy as the reference standard. We aim to determine factors associated with diagnostic disagreement in angle closure when assessed by anterior segment swept source OCT (SS-OCT, CASIA SS-1000; Tomey, Nagoya, Japan) and gonioscopy.

Methods

Cross-sectional study. A total of 2027 phakic subjects aged ≥50 years, with no relevant previous ophthalmic history, were consecutively recruited from a community polyclinic in Singapore. Gonioscopy and SS-OCT (128 radial scans) for the entire circumference of the angle were performed for each subject. A two-quadrant closed gonioscopic definition was used. On SS-OCT images, angle closure was defined as iridotrabecular contact (ITC) to the extent of ≥35%, ≥50% and ≥75% of the circumferential angle. Diagnostic disagreements between both methods, that is, false positives or overcalls and false negatives or undercalls were defined, respectively, as gonioscopic open/closed angles inversely assessed as closed/open by SS-OCT.

Results

Two hundred and seventy-two (14.7%) resulted in overcall results (false positives) when ≥50% of the angle circumference was closed using SS-OCT. These eyes had significantly wider (anterior chamber width, 11.7 vs 11.6 mm, p<0.001) and deeper (anterior chamber depth (ACD), 2.4 vs 2.2 mm, p<0.001) anterior chambers than eyes assessed by both methods as closed (true positives). Deeper ACD (OR 9.31) and lower lens vault (LV) (OR 0.04) were significantly associated with a false positive diagnosis in the multivariate analysis. Most of these cases had short (52.6%) or irregular (39%) ITC in SS-OCT images.

Conclusions

We found that anterior chamber dimensions, determined by ACD and LV, were factors significantly associated with diagnostic disagreement between anterior segment SS-OCT and gonioscopy in angle closure assessment.
Does disallowing body checking in non-elite 13- to 14-year-old ice hockey leagues reduce rates of injury and concussion? A cohort study in two Canadian provinces
Authors: Emery Carolyn , Galarneau Jean-Michel , Palacios-Derflingher Luz , Black Amanda Marie , Eliason Paul , Krolikowski Maciek , Spencer Nicole , Kozak Stacy , Schneider Kathryn J , Babul Shelina , Mrazik Martin , Lebrun Constance M , Goulet Claude , Macpherson Alison , Hagel Brent E
Published: September 2019

Objective

To compare rates of injury and concussion among non-elite (lowest 60% by division of play) Bantam (ages 13–14 years) ice hockey leagues that disallow body checking to non-elite Bantam leagues that allow body checking.

Methods

In this 2-year cohort study, Bantam non-elite ice hockey players were recruited from leagues where policy allowed body checking in games (Calgary/Edmonton 2014–2015, Edmonton 2015–2016) and where policy disallowed body checking (Kelowna/Vancouver 2014–2015, Calgary 2015–2016). All ice hockey game-related injuries resulting in medical attention, inability to complete a session and/or time loss from hockey were identified using valid injury surveillance methodology. Any player suspected of having concussion was referred to a study physician for diagnosis and management.

Results

49 body checking (608 players) and 33 non-body checking teams (396 players) participated. There were 129 injuries (incidence rate (IR)=5.52/1000 hours) and 54 concussions (IR=2.31/1000 hours) in the body checking teams in games. After policy change, there were 31 injuries (IR=2.50/1000 hours) and 17 concussions (IR=1.37/1000 hours) in games. Policy disallowing body checking was associated with a lower rate of all injury (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR)=0.45; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.76). The point estimate showed a lower rate of concussion (adjusted IRR=0.59; 95% CI: 0.30 to 1.17), but this was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Policy change disallowing body checking in non-elite Bantam ice hockey resulted in a 55% lower rate of injury. There is growing evidence that disallowing body checking in youth ice hockey is associated with fewer injuries.
Implementing primary palliative care best practices in critical care with the Care and Communication Bundle
Authors: Vuong Cristina , Kittelson Sheri , McCullough Lindsay , Yingwei Yao , Hartjes Tonja
Published: September 2019

Background

Clinician–family communication is a central component of medical decision-making in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the quality of this communication has a direct impact on decisions made regarding care for patients who are critically ill.

Aim

The purpose of the project was to emphasise the need for quality improvement in the medical ICU at the University of Florida Health Hospital in regard to communication between the patients, families and providers.

Method

Interventions included development of a more systemic approach to primary palliative care by using the nationally recognised and published Care and Communication Bundle tool. The Bundle is a standardised clinical pathway of palliative care best practices.

Results

During the project period, staff satisfaction/engagement increased from tier 3 to tier 1 level, the medical ICU length of stay decreased from 4.97 days in fiscal year (FY) 2016 to 4.22 days in FY2017. Moreover, the number of patients discharged directly to hospice increased from 21 in FY2016 to 42 in FY2017, representing a 100% increase. Additionally, palliative care consults decreased in the medical ICU (FY2016=108, FY2017=82), as a result of an increase in daily primary palliative care interventions. The findings demonstrate an improvement in outcome measures during the project.
Telemedicine is associated with rapid transfer and fewer involuntary holds among patients presenting with suicidal ideation in rural hospitals: a propensity matched cohort study
Authors: Vakkalanka Jayamalathi Priyanka , Harland Karisa K , Wittrock Amy , Schmidt Margaret , Mack Luke , Nipe Matthew , Himadi Elaine , Ward Marcia M , Mohr Nicholas M
Published: September 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of telemedicine in clinical management and patient outcomes of patients presenting to rural critical access hospital emergency departments (EDs) with suicidal ideation or attempt.

Methods

Retrospective propensity-matched cohort study of patients treated for suicidal attempt and ideation in 13 rural critical access hospital EDs participating in a telemedicine network. Patients for whom telemedicine was used were matched 1:1 to those who did not have telemedicine as an exposure (n=139 TM+, n=139 TM–) using optimal matching of propensity scores based on administrative data. Our primary outcome was ED length-of-stay (LOS), and secondary outcomes included admission proportion, use of chemical or physical restraint, 30 day ED return, involuntary detention orders, treatment/follow-up plan and 6-month mortality. Analyses for multivariable models were conducted using conditional linear and logistic regression clustered on matched pairs with purposeful selection of covariates.

Results

Mean ED LOS was not associated with telemedicine consultation among all patients, but was associated with a 29.3% decrease in transferred patients (95% CI 11.1 to 47.5). The adjusted odds of hospital admission (either local or through transfer) was 2.35 (95% CI 1.10 to 5.00) times greater among TM+ patients compared with TM– patients. Involuntary hold placement was lower in those exposed to telemedicine (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.48; 95% CI 0.23 to 0.97). We did not observe significant differences in other outcomes.

Conclusion

The role of telemedicine in influencing access, quality and efficiency of care in underserved rural hospitals is critically important as these networks become more prevalent in rural healthcare environments.
Variant type is associated with disease characteristics in SDHB, SDHC and SDHD-linked phaeochromocytoma–paraganglioma
Authors: Bayley Jean Pierre , Bausch Birke , Rijken Johannes Adriaan , van Hulsteijn Leonie Theresia , Jansen Jeroen C , Ascher David , Pires Douglas Eduardo Valente , Hes Frederik J , Hensen Erik F , Corssmit Eleonora P M , Devilee Peter , Neumann Hartmut P H
Published: September 2019

Background

Pathogenic germline variants in subunits of succinate dehydrogenase (SDHB, SDHC and SDHD) are broadly associated with disease subtypes of phaeochromocytoma–paraganglioma (PPGL) syndrome. Our objective was to investigate the role of variant type (ie, missense vs truncating) in determining tumour phenotype.

Methods

Three independent datasets comprising 950 PPGL and head and neck paraganglioma (HNPGL) patients were analysed for associations of variant type with tumour type and age-related tumour risk. All patients were carriers of pathogenic germline variants in the SDHB, SDHC or SDHD genes.

Results

Truncating SDH variants were significantly over-represented in clinical cases compared with missense variants, and carriers of SDHD truncating variants had a significantly higher risk for PPGL (p<0.001), an earlier age of diagnosis (p<0.0001) and a greater risk for PPGL/HNPGL comorbidity compared with carriers of missense variants. Carriers of SDHB truncating variants displayed a trend towards increased risk of PPGL, and all three SDH genes showed a trend towards over-representation of missense variants in HNPGL cases. Overall, variant types conferred PPGL risk in the (highest-to-lowest) sequence SDHB truncating, SDHB missense, SDHD truncating and SDHD missense, with the opposite pattern apparent for HNPGL (p<0.001).

Conclusions

SDHD truncating variants represent a distinct group, with a clinical phenotype reminiscent of but not identical to SDHB. We propose that surveillance and counselling of carriers of SDHD should be tailored by variant type. The clinical impact of truncating SDHx variants is distinct from missense variants and suggests that residual SDH protein subunit function determines risk and site of disease.
‘The Internet Both Reassures and Terrifies’: exploring the more-than-human worlds of health information using the story completion method
Authors: Lupton Deborah
Published: September 2019

Lay people are now encouraged to be active in seeking health and medical information and acting on it to engage in self-care and preventive health practices. Over the past three decades, digital media offering ready access to health information resources have rapidly expanded. In this article, I discuss findings from my study that sought to investigate health information practices by bringing together the social research method of story completion with more-than-human theory and postqualitative inquiry. Narratives of health, illness and embodiment are powerful ways to portray people’s experiences and identify the shared cultural norms and discourses that give meaning and context to these experiences. The research method of story completion is a novel approach to eliciting narratives that involve participants’ responses to hypothetical situations. Participants were asked to use an online questionnaire format to complete three stories involving characters faced with a different health problem. This approach sought to identify the human and non-human enabling resources with which the characters engaged as they tried to address and resolve their problem, with a particular interest in how both digital technologies and non-digital resources were used. This analysis highlighted the affective and relational dimensions of humans’ enactments of health, illness and embodiment. The stories surfaced the relations of sense-making, embodiment and care and how they are distributed between humans and non-humans. Agential capacities were closed off by elements such as too much information online creating confusion or anxiety, self-consciousness about the appearance of one’s body, feelings of embarrassment and shame, or not wanting to appear to be too weak or vulnerable. Capacities for change, wellness and recovery were opened by finding helpful information, making connections with others and finding therapeutic spaces and places.
Glycaemic control and excess risk of major coronary events in patients with type 2 diabetes: a population-based study
Authors: Tancredi Mauro , Rosengren Annika , Svensson Ann-Marie , Pivodic Aldina , Gudbjörnsdottir Soffia , Wedel Hans , Lind Marcus
Published: September 2019

Objective

The purpose of the study was to investigate the excess risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and death from coronary artery disease (coronary heart disease, CHD) in relation to age, level of glycaemic control and renal complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

A total of 431 579 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus registered in the Swedish National Diabetes Register from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2012, and 2 173 620 controls from the general population were included. Cox regression was used to study the excess risk of AMI and CHD.

Results

During follow-up of 5.1 years in the diabetes group and 5.4 years in the control group, 36 124 (8.4%) and 115 712 (5.3%) CHD events were registered, with corresponding incidence rates/1000 person-years of 14.64 (95% CI 14.49 to 14.79) and 8.73 (95% CI 8.68 to 8.78), respectively. The HR after adjustment for sex and age was 1.67 (1.65–1.69) which was reduced to 1.42 (1.41–1.44) with further adjustment for level of education, country of birth, diabetes duration and comorbidities. The multivariable-adjusted HR for AMI and CHD death with a time-updated glycated haemoglobin level of 6.9% or lower (≤52 mmol/mol) together with normoalbuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min for patients with diabetes compared with controls was 0.95 (95% CI 0.92 to 0.98, p<0.001).

Conclusions

In this study, the excess risk of AMI and CHD death was higher for patients with type 2 diabetes compared with controls but converged to that in the general population in patients with on-target HbA1c levels and without renal complications.
Racial disparities and the acute management of severe blunt traumatic brain injury
Authors: Sharma Rohit , Johnson Arianne , Li Jing , DeBoard Zach , Zikakis Isabella , Grotts Jonathan , Kaminski Stephen
Published: September 2019

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant source of morbidity and mortality. In patients with TBI, racial disparities have been shown to exist in patient outcomes. Identifying where disparities occur along the patient continuum of care will allow for targeted interventions. This study evaluated if racial disparity exists for neuromonitoring and neurointervention rates in patients with severe TBI due to blunt injury.

Methods

The National Trauma Data Bank was used to identify patients aged 18 to 55 years old from 2007 through 2016 with a blunt injury, an initial Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 to 8, a head Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 3 to 5, and all other anatomic Abbreviated Injury Scale scores less than 3. Coarsened exact matching (CEM) was used to balance covariates between white and non-white patients. Rates of neuromonitoring and neurosurgical interventions were compared between groups. Secondary outcomes were days spent in the intensive care unit (ICU), total hospital length of stay (LOS), and mortality.

Results

A total of 3692 patients with severe isolated TBI due to blunt injury were identified. After applying CEM, 1064 patients were analyzed (644 white, 420 non-white). No differences were observed between white and non-white patient groups for neuromonitoring, neurointervention, mortality, or ICU LOS. White patients had a shorter hospital LOS (8 days vs. 9 days, p<0.05) than non-white patients.

Discussion

For severe isolated blunt TBI, neuromonitoring, neurointervention, and mortality rates were similar for white and non-white patients. Although racial disparities in patient outcomes exist, these differences do not seem to be due to neuromonitoring and neurointervention rates for management of TBI.

Level of evidence

Level III.
The impacts of feeding milk with antibiotics on the fecal microbiome and antibiotic resistance genes in dairy calves
Authors: Feng Xin , Littier Heather M. , Knowlton Katharine F. , Garner Emily , Pruden Amy
Published: September 2019

The effects of ingestion of antibiotics on the microbiome of the young calf are not well understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding milk containing pirlimycin on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in the fecal microbiome of dairy calves using a metagenomic approach. In this study calves were assigned to either pasteurized whole milk (control; n = 5) or pasteurized whole milk containing 0.2 mg L−1 of pirlimycin (treatment; n = 5). Fecal samples were collected on days 1, 42, and 84. Functional analysis of DNA via metagenomic rapid annotations using subsystems technology revealed that pirlimycin had no effects on abundance of sequences coding for different cell functions except in the “phage, prophage, and transposable elements” category. Evaluation of the major antibiotic resistance types in samples via annotation against the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database analysis showed no difference between the two groups. The results of this study will help assess the risk of use of antibiotics in animal agriculture and increase our understanding of how antibiotics present in waste milk affects both calves and their manure, and will lay the groundwork for future research on manure treatment or other strategies to minimize any negative impacts.
Syn-accretionary multistage assembly of an Early Jurassic Alaskan-type intrusion in the Canadian Cordillera: U–Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of the Turnagain ultramafic–mafic intrusive complex, Yukon–Tanana terrane
Authors: Nixon Graham T. , Scheel J. Erik , Scoates James S. , Friedman Richard M. , Wall Corey J. , Gabites Janet , Jackson-Brown Sarah
Published: September 2019

The magmatic evolution of the Early Jurassic Turnagain Alaskan-type intrusion is inextricably linked to terrane accretionary events at the North American continental margin. We have calibrated the multistage assembly of the Turnagain ultramafic–mafic complex using high-precision air and chemical abrasion ID-TIMS U–Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology. Our results are the first published geochronological calibration of zoning in an Alaskan-type intrusion. Three of four intrusive phases (Stages 1–4, oldest to youngest) were successfully dated. Cooling ages obtained on Stage 2 dunite–wehrlite include statistically identical 40Ar/39Ar plateau dates of 187.4 ± 1.5 (2σ) Ma on hornblende and 188.6 ± 1.2 Ma on phlogopite, and a concordant 206Pb/238U date of 190.3 ± 4.6 Ma on titanite. Stage 3 diorite has a 206Pb/238U zircon crystallization age of 188.11 ± 0.13 Ma. Stage 4 wehrlite and leucodiorite yield 206Pb/238U zircon crystallization ages of 185.68 ± 0.19 and 185.30 ± 0.12 Ma, respectively. The ca. 189 Ma phlogopite date represents a minimum crystallization age for Stage 2, indicating that assembly of the Turnagain intrusion spanned at least ∼4 million years from ca. 189 Ma to 185 Ma. Regional progressive contractional deformation in the Early Jurassic is constrained by the geochronological results (>189 to <185 Ma) and initially generated northeast-vergent folds in the country rocks (>189 Ma), deformed Stage 1 wehrlite–clinopyroxenite prior to emplacement of Stages 2–4, and subsequently thrust the intrusion and its host rocks onto the ancient North American continental margin (<185 Ma). Contrary to previous interpretations, new geophysical data support an allochthonous origin for the host rocks of the Turnagain intrusion. The Turnagain host succession is correlated with late Paleozoic arc-related and basinal lithostratigraphic units developed at the inboard margin of the accreted Yukon–Tanana terrane and peripheral to the Slide Mountain marginal ocean basin. The geochronological results rigorously constrain the timing and style of Early Jurassic deformation attending the initial accretion of allochthonous arc terranes in the northern Cordillera.
3-Bromopyruvate potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human colon cancer cells through a reactive oxygen species- and caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway
Authors: Abbaszadeh Hassan , Valizadeh Armita , Mahdavinia Masoud , Teimoori Ali , Pipelzadeh Mohammad Hassan , Zeidooni Leila , Alboghobeish Soheila
Published: September 2019

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anticancer cytokine with minimal toxicity towards normal cells. Nevertheless, most primary cancers are often intrinsically TRAIL-resistant or can acquire resistance after TRAIL therapy. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of co-treatment of 3-bromopyruvate (3-BP) as a potent anticancer agent with TRAIL on colon cancer cells (HT-29). The results of present study indicated that combined treatment with 3-BP and TRAIL inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells to a greater extent (88.4%) compared with 3-BP (54%) or TRAIL (11%) treatment alone. In contrast, the combination of 3-BP and TRAIL had no significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of normal cells (HEK-293) (8.4%). At a cellular mechanistic level, the present study showed that 3-BP sensitized human colon cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis via reactive oxygen species generation, upregulation of Bax, downregulation of Bcl-2 and survivin, release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, and activation of caspase-3. In normal cells, 3-BP, TRAIL, or combination of both had no significant effect on the reactive oxygen species levels, release of cytochrome c, and caspase-3 activity. Therefore, the combination of 3-BP and TRAIL can be a promising therapeutic strategy for treatment of colon cancer.
Quasi-conformal models and the early
universe
Authors: Salvio Alberto
Published: September 2019

Extensions of the Standard Model and general relativity featuring a UV
fixed point can leave observable implications at accessible energies. Although mass
parameters such as the Planck scale can appear through dimensional transmutation,
all fundamental dimension-4 operators can (at least approximately) respect Weyl
invariance at finite energy. An example is the Weyl-squared term, whose consistency
and observational consequences are studied. This quasi-conformal scenario emerges
from the UV complete quadratic gravity and is a possible framework for inflation. We
find two realizations. In the first one the inflaton is a fundamental scalar with a
quasi-conformal non-minimal coupling to the Ricci scalar. In this case the field
excursion must not exceed the Planck mass by far. An example discussed in detail is
hilltop inflation. In the second realization the inflaton is a pseudo-Goldstone
boson (natural inflation). In this case we show how to obtain an elegant UV
completion within an asymptotically free QCD-like theory, in which the inflaton is a
composite scalar due to new strong dynamics. We also show how efficient reheating
can occur. Unlike the natural inflation based on Einstein gravity, the
tensor-to-scalar ratio is well below the current bound set by Planck. In both
realizations mentioned above, the basic inflationary formulæ  are computed
analytically and, therefore, these possibilities can be used as simple benchmark
models.
Neutrino mass creation via quintessence field interaction
Authors: Kisslinger Leonard S.
Published: September 2019

Neutrino matter and the quintessence field interacting with a fermion field are added to a MSSM EW Lagrangian previously used to calculate the magnetic field created during the Electroweak Phase Transition (EWPT). Flavor neutrinos are linear combinations of neutrinos with a definite mass. We estimate the mass of neutrinos using the value of the quintessence field during the EWPT with a modification of parameters used in a previous work on Dark Matter–Dark Energy interactions for a weak neutrino interaction. The possibility that sterile neutrinos might be Dark Matter is briefly reviewed.
Covert Electromagnetic Nanoscale Communication System in the Terahertz Channel
Authors: Ahmed Areeb , Savaci Ferit Acar
Published: September 2019

In this paper, an electromagnetic nano random communication system (EM-nRCS) has been proposed which ensures covert communication in the terahertz (THz) band. In the proposed system, the skewed alpha-stable noise shift keying method has been used to transmit random noise signals (RNSs) from the nano-transmitter (NT) by utilizing single-walled/carbon nanotubes-based true random number generator (SWCNTs-TRNG) and a graphene-based nano-antenna. A line-of-sight THz transparency window between 0.1[Formula: see text]THz and 0.5[Formula: see text]THz in the THz channel with spreading loss, molecular absorption loss and molecular absorption noise has been considered. Due to the broadband nature of the RNSs, the proposed EM-nRCS provides efficient transmission by overcoming the high path loss and intense channel noise arising from random fluctuations in the THz band. Non-coherent nano-receiver (NR) consisting of the modified extreme value method (MEVM) estimator has been proposed to extract the hidden binary information in the received RNSs. The bit error rate performance shows that the proposed EM-nRCS ensures high performance and covertness for future EM nanoscale communication devices.
The self-similar solutions to full compressible Navier–Stokes equations without heat conductivity
Authors: Liu Xin , Yuan Yuan
Published: September 2019

In this work, we establish a class of globally defined large solutions to the free boundary problem of compressible full Navier–Stokes equations with constant shear viscosity, vanishing bulk viscosity and heat conductivity. We establish such solutions with initial data perturbed around the self-similar solutions when [Formula: see text]. In the case when [Formula: see text], solutions with bounded entropy can be constructed. It should be pointed out that the solutions we obtain in this fashion do not in general keep being a small perturbation of the self-similar solution due to the second law of thermodynamics, i.e. the growth of entropy. If, in addition, in the case when [Formula: see text], we can construct a solution as a global-in-time small perturbation of the self-similar solution and the entropy is uniformly bounded in time. Our result extends the one of Hadžić and Jang [Expanding large global solutions of the equations of compressible fluid mechanics, J. Invent. Math. 214 (2018) 1205.] from the isentropic inviscid case to the non-isentropic viscous case.
DOUBLING PROPERTIES OF SELF-AFFINE MEASURES SUPPORTED ON GATZOURAS–LALLEY FRACTALS
Authors: HOU CHUANYAN , MIAO JUN JIE
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we study the doubling properties of self-affine measures supported on a class of self-affine sets named Gatzouras–Lalley sets. First, we show that every self-affine measure is doubling if the Gatzouras–Lalley sets satisfy “strong separation” in both horizontal and vertical directions. Then we provide a sufficient condition for self-affine measures supported on Gatzouras–Lalley sets to be doubling if the sets do not satisfy the “separation condition” in the horizontal direction. Finally, we investigate measures without “vertical separation”, and give sufficient conditions for them to be doubling.
EVOLUTION OF FRACTAL DIMENSIONS AND GAS TRANSPORT MODELS DURING THE GAS RECOVERY PROCESS FROM A FRACTURED SHALE RESERVOIR
Authors: HU BOWEN , WANG J. G. , LI ZHONGQIAN , WANG HUIMIN
Published: September 2019

Previous studies ignore the evolutions of pore microstructure parameters (pore diameter fractal dimension [Formula: see text] and tortuosity fractal dimension [Formula: see text]) but these evolutions may significantly impact the gas transport during gas extraction. In order to investigate these evolutions of fractal dimension properties during gas extraction, following four aspects are studied. Firstly, surface diffusion in adsorbed multilayer is modeled for fractal shale matrix. Our new matrix permeability model considers the slip flow, Knudsen diffusion and surface diffusion. This model is verified by experimental data. Secondly, a new fracture permeability model is proposed based on fractal theory and the coupling of viscous flow and Knudsen diffusion. Thirdly, the multilayer adsorption and these permeability models are introduced into the equations of gas flow and reservoir deformation. Finally, sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the key factors on fractal dimension evolution. The results show that the multilayer adsorption can accurately describe the adsorption properties of real shale reservoir. Shale reservoir deformation and gas desorption govern the evolutions of fractal dimensions. The multilayer adsorption and adsorbed gas porosity [Formula: see text] play an important role in the evolutions of fractal dimensions during gas extraction. The monolayer saturated adsorption volume [Formula: see text] is the most sensitive parameter affecting the evolution of fractal dimensions. Therefore, the effects of gas adsorption on the evolution of fractal dimensions cannot be neglected in shale reservoirs.
CONSISTENCY ANALYSIS OF WORN SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY AND FRICTION FORCE BASED ON PHASE TRAJECTORY AND RECURRENCE ANALYSIS
Authors: ZUO XUE , PENG MINGLONG , ZHOU YUANKAI
Published: September 2019

The dynamic evolutions of friction force and worn surface profile were qualitatively analyzed by phase trajectory and recurrence plots and quantitatively characterized by fractal dimension and percent determinism. The results show that phase trajectories first shrink to a small volume, then stabilize at a minimum volume, finally expand to a large volume in the wear process. The white areas on the recurrence plots increase with the wear time. The fractal dimension first increases, then stabilizes at a high value, and finally decreases rapidly. The percent determinism first decreases, then fluctuates in a certain range, and finally increases. It demonstrates that friction force and worn surface topography derived from one tribology system evolve in a similar but not exactly the same way. They have the consistent evolution law in the wear process. Specially, friction force is much more sensitive to the variation of wear states than the worn surface.
INTERIM ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL TRIALS: SIMULATION STUDIES OF CONDITIONAL POWER UNDER FRACTIONAL BROWNIAN MOTION
Authors: HUANG VIVIAN J. , LAI DEJIAN
Published: September 2019

Classical Brownian motion (BM) techniques for statistical monitoring of clinical trials have been widely used. The conditional power (CP) and [Formula: see text]-spending function-based boundary crossing probabilities are popular procedures for statistical hypothesis testing under the assumption of BM. However, in some clinical trials, the assumptions of BM may not be fully met for the design and data analysis. Therefore, a more general class of stochastic processes, fractional Brownian motion (FBM), was proposed in the literature to model the test statistics derived from interim analysis of clinical trials. To investigate the properties of FBM, in this paper, we simulated a wide range of FBM data, e.g. [Formula: see text] (BM) versus [Formula: see text] (FBM), with treatment effects versus without treatment effects. Then the performance of CP-based interim analysis was compared by assuming that the data follow BM or FBM. Our simulation study suggested that CP under the FBM assumptions was generally higher than that under the BM assumptions when [Formula: see text] and also matched well with the empirical results.
EXPONENTIAL ORTHONORMAL BASES OF CANTOR–MORAN MEASURES
Authors: WANG CONG , YIN FENG-LI
Published: September 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a Cantor–Moran measure given by the infinite convolution of finite measures with equal probability [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] In this paper, we present a complete characterization for maximal orthogonal sets of exponentials of [Formula: see text] in terms of maximal mappings. As its application, we give a sufficient condition for a maximal orthogonal set to be a basis.
Promoting Knowledge Sharing Amongst Academics: A Case Study from Vietnam
Authors: Phung Van Dong , Hawryszkiewycz Igor , Chandran Daniel , Ha Binh Minh
Published: September 2019

This study aims to examine the influences of environmental and personal factors on knowledge-sharing behaviour (KSB) of academics and whether more influence leads to superior innovative work behaviour (IWB) at the tertiary level in Vietnam. A questionnaire survey was conducted as part of the study, including 320 academic staff at Hanoi University, one of the leading public universities in Vietnam. This study applies the structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate the research model based on social cognitive theory (SCT). The results show that two environmental factors (subjective norms and trust) and two personal factors (knowledge self-efficacy and enjoyment in helping others) significantly influence KSB. The results also indicate that employee willingness to share knowledge enables the organisation to promote innovative work behaviour. The study context was limited to only one Vietnamese university. It appears that the part of a bigger picture of knowledge sharing (KS) in Vietnamese universities is likely to be lost. However, given the previous studies on knowledge sharing in both developed and developing countries, it could be expected that the results of this study can be taken forward by university leaderships, academic staff and researchers in other contexts as well. A clear understanding of the critical factors that influence KSB towards promoting innovative work behaviour may help university leaders to develop suitable and evolving strategies to address the challenges of knowledge sharing. This study contributes to the growing literature on the relationships among environmental and personal factors and KSB towards promoting innovative work behaviour.
Sensorless External Force Detection Method for Robot Arm Based on Error Compensation Using BP Neural Network
Authors: Zuo Guoyu , Qiu Yongkang , Liu Yuelei
Published: September 2019

This paper proposes an external force detection method for humanoid robot arm without using joint torque sensors, which can detect the external force of the joint space in real time during the operation of the robot. We first analyzed the structure of the humanoid robot arm we designed, and then established the external force detection model of the robot arm based on robot dynamics and motor dynamics. Subsequently, analyses were conducted on the error of the detection model and the dynamic model error of the robot arm is compensated by using the artificial neural network method to obtain more accurate external force value for the robot arm. In experiment, the accuracy test and the collision test were performed on the detected extern forces of the robot arm. The results show that the method can effectively improve the detection accuracy of the robot arm, and the robot arm can realize the real-time collision detection during its static and running states, which can ensure the safe operation of the robot.
Design and Development of a Security and Guidance Robot for Employment in a Mall
Authors: Trovato Gabriele , Lopez Alexander , Paredes Renato , Quiroz Diego , Cuellar Francisco
Published: September 2019

Among the possible fields in human society in which robotics can be applied, the possibility of a robotic guard has been imagined since long time. Human guards usually perform a range of tasks in which a robot can provide help. Security personnel not only perform security tasks and patrolling services, but also have to interact with people, providing additional information about the area they safeguard. In this paper, we present the design, development and preliminary tests of RobotMan, an anthropomorphic robot commissioned by a security company that should serve in security roles, such as patrolling large indoor areas and acting as a telepresence platform for the human guards, and guidance roles such as welcoming visitors and providing information. In the preliminary experiment, the new robot and a human guard were employed the roles of security and guidance in a manufacturing center. The results of the experiment collected from 96 participants highlighted differences in participants’ behavior when interacting with the robot rather than the human and a different perception of likeability and authority of the robot depending on subtle differences in its appearance and behavior. These results provide useful indication for the employment of robot guards in a real world situation.
Cosmology of viscous holographic f(G) gravity and consequences in the framework of quintessence scalar field
Authors: Sinha Swati , Chattopadhyay Surajit , Radinschi Irina
Published: September 2019

Work reported in this study demonstrates the reconstruction schemes for the [Formula: see text] gravity in the framework of bulk viscosity and holographic background evolution by considering the universe filled by the viscous fluid that is just special class of more general fluids as described in Nojiri and Odintsov [Inhomogeneous equation of state of the universe: Phantom era, future singularity, and crossing the phantom barrier, Phys. Rev. D 72 (2005) 023003]. The bulk viscous pressure has been considered as [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text]. Considering the scale factor in power law form and taking holographic dark energy (HDE) with density [Formula: see text] and generalized extended holographic dark energy (EGHRDE) with density [Formula: see text], a specific case of Nojiri–Odintsov holographic DE ([Unifying phantom inflation with late-time acceleration: Scalar phantom–non-phantom transition model and generalized holographic dark energy, Gen. Relativ. Gravit. 38 (2006) 1285]) we have derived solutions for [Formula: see text] and the subsequent effective equation of state parameters have been found to behave like quintom irrespective of the choice of [Formula: see text]. Finally, considering [Formula: see text] as quintessence scalar field we have explored the possibility of quasi-exponential expansion and warm inflation.
One-step hydrothermal synthesis and thermochromic properties of chlorine-doped VO2(M) for smart window application
Authors: Riapanitra Anung , Asakura Yusuke , Yin Shu
Published: September 2019

The monoclinic phase of VO2 has promising application as a smart window material because it possesses a reversible metal-to-semiconductor transformation with a critical temperature of [Formula: see text]C. The high critical temperature must be lowered to achieve a possible application. Anion doping has been widely researched as possible doping of VO2(M) with fluorine is the main option nowadays. However, other halogen elements such as chlorine have not been investigated albeit possessing possible advantages properties. In this work, we report the use of chlorine anion as doping for VO2(M) to lower its critical temperature and to enhance its thermochromic performance. The synthesis was performed using a facile one-step hydrothermal reduction of vanadium pentoxide by hydrazine at 350–[Formula: see text]C, using ammonium chloride as the source of the anion. The result showed that the optimum temperature to synthesize Cl-doped VO2(M) was [Formula: see text]C. The lowest critical temperature that can be achieved by chlorine-doped VO2(M) was at [Formula: see text]C. The thermochromic performance of Cl-doped VO2(M) was improved compared to pristine VO2(M) nanoparticle. This finding provides a novel use of chlorine-doped VO2(M) with a facile one-step hydrothermal method to synthesize chlorine-doped VO2(M) as well as the feasibility of chlorine-doped VO2(M) as a smart window material.
An Anonymous Delegatable Attribute-based Credential Scheme for a Collaborative E-health Environment
Authors: Pussewalage Harsha S. Gardiyawasam , Oleshchuk Vladimir A.
Published: September 2019

We propose an efficient anonymous, attribute-based credential scheme capable of provisioning multi-level credential delegations. It is integrated with a mechanism to revoke the anonymity of credentials for resolving access disputes and making users accountable for their actions. The proposed scheme has a lower end-user computational complexity in comparison to existing credential schemes with delegatability and has a comparable level of performance with the credential standards of U-Prove and Idemix. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the proposed scheme can be applied to a collaborative e-health environment to provide its users with the necessary anonymous access with delegation capabilities.
Two-Dimensional Quaternion Linear Canonical Transform: Properties, Convolution, Correlation, and Uncertainty Principle
Authors: Bahri Mawardi , Ashino Ryuichi
Published: September 2019

A definition of the two-dimensional quaternion linear canonical transform (QLCT) is proposed. The transform is constructed by substituting the Fourier transform kernel with the quaternion Fourier transform (QFT) kernel in the definition of the classical linear canonical transform (LCT). Several useful properties of the QLCT are obtained from the properties of the QLCT kernel. Based on the convolutions and correlations of the LCT and QFT, convolution and correlation theorems associated with the QLCT are studied. An uncertainty principle for the QLCT is established. It is shown that the localization of a quaternion-valued function and the localization of the QLCT are inversely proportional and that only modulated and shifted two-dimensional Gaussian functions minimize the uncertainty.