bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decision support system for selecting tourist attractions using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Bire Christa , Kasse Daniel , Bire Rio
Published: May 2021

The selection of tourist attractions is a multi-criteria decision making problem, which requires time and careful consideration to make the right decision. The proper destination selection based on human needs in a particular moment affects satisfaction in traveling. This research aims to create a decision support system for selecting tourist attractions (a case study in Kupang City) using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process method. Users can input the priority scale of 9 human need attributes and then be directed to the system’s recommendations of tourist attractions. This paper also compares fuzzy analytic hierarchy process method with the original analytic hierarchy process calculations. The result shows that both methods can be a solution for multi-criteria decision making, but the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process method performs a more optimal solution for cases with uncertainty in comparisons between elements.
Classification of handwritten Javanese script using random forest algorithm
Authors: Rasyidi Mohammad Arif , Bariyah Taufiqotul , Riskajaya Yohanes Indra , Septyani Ayunda Dwita
Published: May 2021

The ability to read and write Javanese scripts is one of the most important competencies for students to have in order to preserve the Javanese language as one of the Indonesian cultures. In this study, we developed a predictive model for 20 Javanese characters using the random forest algorithm as the basis for developing Javanese script learning media for students. In building the model, we used an extensive handwritten image dataset and experimented with several different preprocessing methods, including image conversion to black-and-white, cropping, resizing, thinning, and feature extraction using histogram of oriented gradients. From the experiment, it can be seen that the resulting random forest model is able to classify Javanese characters very accurately with accuracy, precision, and recall of 97.7%.
Estimation of the number of people in an indoor environment based onWiFi received signal strength indicator
Authors: Zaidan Hakam Marwan , Mohammed Emad Ahmed , Alhelal Dheyaa Hussein
Published: May 2021

WiFi access points are widely spread everywhere in all our daily life routines. Using these devices to provide services other than the Internet is becoming familiar nowadays.This paper conducts an experimental study to estimate the number of people in an indoor environment through two system setups, line of sight, and non-line of sight. Relationship modeling between WiFi received signal and the number of people uses polynomial regression. The experiment comprised of two stages: first is the data collection from a controlled number of people. Then, the collected data used to train the system through polynomial regression. The second is testing the system’s effectiveness by applying it to an uncontrolled environment. Testing results revealed efficiency in using WiFi received signal strength to do the people counting (up to 60) because of the accuracy achievements of 93.17% in the line of sight system. The non-line of sight system disclosed randomness in the received signal strength indicator regardless of the change in the number of people. The  randomness is mainly caused by the fading effect of the concrete wall. Therefore it is inefficient to use the non-line of sight system in concrete buildings.
Decreasing CCT deviation of white light emitting diodes by employing SiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Nguyen Thi My Hanh , That Phung Ton
Published: May 2021

In this research, the SiO2 nano-particles (NPs) usage in enhancing optical performances of InGaN/GaN-based white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) with remote phosphor structure. The research subject shows better lighting capacity than the white LEDs devices without the space between the layers. The adjustment in development process resulted in enhancements of internal quantum efficiency (IQE) and light extraction efficiency (LEE) that lead to 13.5% luminous efficacy improvement. From the experiments, it can be concluded that the LEE is affected by the trapped light and enhancing the light output with SiO2 scattering properties reduce the amount of trapped light. These results confirm that SiO2 nano-particles is effective in enhancing the optical performance of WLEDs and can be considered for production of higher quality devices.
Hybrid DSS for recommendations of halal culinary tourism West Sumatra
Authors: Mardison Mardison , Ramadhanu Agung , Rani Larissa Navia , Enggari Sofika
Published: May 2021

Decision support system (DSS) is a system that design to support managers in deciding on multiple criteria and multiple attributes. This study combines two methods in the DSS, that are analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method and simple additive weighting (SAW) method. This combination of two DSS method named hybrid DSS. The AHP method is using to find the weighting or priorities of criteria in DSS and then the value will use by SAW method using to find the decision. The decision of this DSS is the recommendation of halal culinary tourism in West Sumatra Indonesia. The purpose of this study is to provide updates from previous studies, related to adding indicators of halal culinary tourism and other information updates. The number of potential culinary tourism attractions and tourism, the problems that exist in the real field, is still lack of culinary information in West Sumatra. As a result, many tourists find it difficult to find the best and economical culinary. The SAW and AHP methods become the hybrid DSS method that will be able to classify and provide information on halal tourism in West Sumatra that is precise, accurate, consistent, and validated.
DDoS attack detection using deep learning
Authors: Khempetch Thapanarath , Wuttidittachotti Pongpisit
Published: May 2021

Nowadays, IoT devices are widely used both in daily life and in corporate and industrial environments. The use of these devices has increased dramatically and by 2030 it is estimated that their usage will rise to 125 billion devices causing enormous flow of information. It is likely that it will also increase distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack surface. As IoT devices have limited resources, it is impossible to add additional security structures to it. Therefore, the risk of DDoS attacks by malicious people who can take control of IoT devices, remain extremely high. In this paper, we use the CICDDoS2019 dataset as a dataset that has improved the bugs and introducing a new taxonomy for DDoS attacks, including new classification based on flows network. We propose DDoS attack detection using the deep neural network (DNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) algorithm. Our results show that it can detect more than 99.90% of all three types of DDoS attacks. The results indicate that deep learning is another option for detecting attacks that may cause disruptions in the future.
Long Noncoding RNA Cardiac Physiological Hypertrophy–Associated Regulator Induces Cardiac Physiological Hypertrophy and Promotes Functional Recovery After Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Gao Rongrong , Wang Lijun , Bei Yihua , Wu Xiaodong , Wang Jiaqi , Zhou Qiulian , Tao Lichan , Das Saumya , Li Xinli , Xiao Junjie
Published: May 2021

Background:

The benefits of exercise training in the cardiovascular system have been well accepted; however, the underlying mechanism remains to be explored. Here, we report the initial functional characterization of an exercise-induced cardiac physiological hypertrophy–associated novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA).

Methods:

Using lncRNA microarray profiling, we identified lncRNAs in contributing the modulation of exercise-induced cardiac growth that we termed cardiac physiological hypertrophy–associated regulator (CPhar). Mice with adeno-associated virus serotype 9 driving CPhar overexpression and knockdown were used in in vivo experiments. Swim training was used to induce physiological cardiac hypertrophy in mice, and ischemia reperfusion injury surgery was conducted to investigate the protective effects of CPhar in mice. To investigate the mechanisms of CPhar’s function, we performed various analyses including quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, histology, cardiac function (by echocardiography), functional rescue experiments, mass spectrometry, in vitro RNA transcription, RNA pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, luciferase reporter assay, and coimmunoprecipitation assays.

Results:

We screened the lncRNAs in contributing the modulation of exercise-induced cardiac growth through lncRNA microarray profiling and found that CPhar was increased with exercise and was necessary for exercise-induced physiological cardiac growth. The gain and loss of function of CPhar regulated the expression of proliferation markers, hypertrophy, and apoptosis in cultured neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of CPhar prevented myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury and cardiac dysfunction in vivo. We identified DDX17 (DEAD-Box Helicase 17) as a binding partner of CPhar in regulating CPhar downstream factor ATF7 (activating transcription factor 7) by sequestering C/EBPβ (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta).

Conclusions:

Our study of this lncRNA CPhar provides new insights into the regulation of exercise-induced cardiac physiological growth, demonstrating the cardioprotective role of CPhar in the heart, and expanding our mechanistic understanding of lncRNA function, as well.
Combined Omic Analyzes of Cerebral Thrombi: A New Molecular Approach to Identify Cardioembolic Stroke Origin
Authors: Suissa Laurent , Guigonis Jean-Marie , Graslin Fanny , Robinet-Borgomano Emmanuelle , Chau Yves , Sedat Jacques , Lindenthal Sabine , Pourcher Thierry
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose:

The diagnosis of cardioembolic stroke can be challenging for patient management in secondary stroke prevention, particularly in the case of covert paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The molecular composition of a cerebral thrombus is related to its origin. Therefore, proteomic and metabolomic analyses of the retrieved thrombotic material should allow the identification of biomarkers or signatures to improve the etiological diagnosis of stroke.

Methods:

In this pilot study, the proteome and metabolome of cerebral thrombi from atherothrombotic and cardioembolic stroke patients were studied according to ASCOD phenotyping (A: atherosclerosis; S: small-vessel disease; C: cardiac pathology; O: other causes; D: dissection), with the highest causality grade, from the ThrombiOMIC cohort (consecutive patients with stroke recanalized by mechanical thrombectomy in an acute phase). Proteomic and metabolomic results were used separately or combined, and the obtained omic signatures were compared with classical cardioembolic stroke predictors using pairwise comparisons of the area under receiver operating characteristics.

Results:

Among 59 patients of the ThrombiOMIC cohort, 34 patients with stroke showed a cardioembolic phenotype and 7 had an atherothrombotic phenotype. Two thousand four hundred fifty-six proteins and 5019 molecular features of the cerebral thrombi were identified using untargeted proteomic and metabolomic approaches, respectively. Area under receiver operating characteristics to predict the cardioembolic origin of stroke were calculated using the proteomic results (0.945 [95% CI, 0.871–1]), the metabolomic results (0.836 [95% CI, 0.714–0.958]), and combined signatures (0.996 [95% CI, 0.984–1]). The diagnostic performance of the combined signatures was significantly higher than that of classical predictors such as the plasmatic BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) level (area under receiver operating characteristics, 0.803 [95% CI, 0.629–0.976]).

Conclusions:

The combined proteomic and metabolomic analyses of retrieved cerebral thrombi is a very promising molecular approach to predict the cardioembolic cause of stroke and to improve secondary stroke prevention strategies.
An Ounce of Prevention—A Pound of Cure? The Reagan Administration's Nonproliferation Policy and the Osirak Raid
Authors: Pulcini Giordana , Rabinowitz Or
Published: May 2021

The Israeli raid in June 1981 against the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq has been extensively analyzed by scholars, especially in the context of debate about the efficacy of preemptive strikes against hostile nuclear programs. Yet surprisingly, some important historical questions have been left unanswered: how did the raid affect the Reagan administration’s nuclear nonproliferation policy, and how was the raid perceived by relevant administration officials? How did the United States design its political strategy of response to the raid, and how did this strategy play out at the International Atomic Energy Agency? What does this episode tell us about Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy priorities? By exploring recently declassified documents from several archives around the world, this article addresses all of these questions and, in the process, debunks revisionist myths relating to the raid.
The Neural Blending of Words and Movement: Event-Related Potential Signatures of Semantic and Action Processes during Motor–Language Coupling
Authors: Cervetto Sabrina , Díaz-Rivera Mariano , Petroni Agustín , Birba Agustina , Caro Miguel Martorell , Sedeño Lucas , Ibáñez Agustín , García Adolfo M.
Published: May 2021

Behavioral embodied research shows that words evoking limb-specific meanings can affect responses performed with the corresponding body part. However, no study has explored this phenomenon's neural dynamics under implicit processing conditions, let alone by disentangling its conceptual and motoric stages. Here, we examined whether the blending of hand actions and manual action verbs, relative to nonmanual action verbs and nonaction verbs, modulates electrophysiological markers of semantic integration (N400) and motor-related cortical potentials during a lexical decision task. Relative to both other categories, manual action verbs involved reduced posterior N400 amplitude and greater modulations of frontal motor-related cortical potentials. Such effects overlapped in a window of ∼380–440 msec after word presentation and ∼180 msec before response execution, revealing the possible time span in which both semantic and action-related stages reach maximal convergence. These results allow refining current models of motor–language coupling while affording new insights on embodied dynamics at large.
Monitoring of Self-Paced Action Timing and Sensory Outcomes After Lesions to the Orbitofrontal Cortex
Authors: Solbakk Anne-Kristin , Lubell James , Leske Sabine , Funderud Ingrid , Llorens Anaïs , Blenkmann Alejandro O. , Foldal Maja Dyhre , Meling Torstein R. , Knight Robert T. , Endestad Tor
Published: May 2021

Anticipation, monitoring, and evaluation of the outcome of one's actions are at the core of proactive control. Individuals with lesions to OFC often demonstrate behaviors that indicate a lack of recognition or concern for the negative effects of their actions. Altered action timing has also been reported in these patients. We investigated the role of OFC in predicting and monitoring the sensory outcomes of self-paced actions. We studied patients with focal OFC lesions (n = 15) and healthy controls (n = 20) while they produced actions that infrequently evoked unexpected outcomes. Participants performed a self-paced, random generation task where they repeatedly pressed right and left buttons that were associated with specific sensory outcomes: a 1- and 2-kHz tone, respectively. Occasional unexpected action outcomes occurred (mismatch) that inverted the learned button–tone association (match). We analyzed ERPs to the expected and unexpected outcomes as well as action timing. Neither group showed post-mismatch slowing of button presses, but OFC patients had a higher number of fast button presses, indicating that they were inferior to controls at producing regularly timed actions. Mismatch trials elicited enhanced N2b-P3a responses across groups as indicated by the significant main effect of task condition. Planned within-group analyses showed, however, that patients did not have a significant condition effect, suggesting that the result of the omnibus analysis was driven primarily by the controls. Altogether, our findings indicate that monitoring of action timing and the sensory outcomes of self-paced actions as indexed by ERPs is impacted by OFC damage.
Polyphasic taxonomy of Indian Trichoderma species

Authors: THOKALA PRAMEELADEVI , NARAYANASAMY PRABHAKARAN , KAMIL DEEBA , CHOUDHARY SHIV PRATAP
Published: May 2021

Trichoderma speies are known for their diverse applications as potent bio-control organisms. 34 isolates of Trichoderma were obtained from various geographical locations in India and were subjected to phenotypic evaluation. Species identification if based on only morphology, may lead to sometimes erroneous, uncertain or remains unclear due to overlapping characters. Therefore, molecular characterization was also performed based on ITS region sequence analysis for reliable identification using both morphological and molecular characters. The isolates were identified into 20 different species viz., T. aggressivum, T. asperellum, T. atroviride, T. brevicompactum, T. citrinoviride, T. crassum, T. erinaceum, T. ghanense, T. hamatum, T. harzianum, T. koningiopsis, T. longibrachiatum, T. longipile (Syn. Hypocrea longipilosa), T. minutisporum, T. pubscenes, T.reesei, T. saturnisporum, T. spirale, T. tomentosum and T. virens based on the integrated approach of both morphological and molecular characterisation. ß-tub gene sequence analysis was also performed to find out the phylogenetic relationship of these species. The ß-tub gene sequences differentiated all the 20 different species of Trichoderma better than the ITS region sequences. The morphological characters viz., colony, conidiophores, phialides, conidia and chlamydospores of all the twenty species of Trichoderma were described along with photomicrographs. The ITS and β-tub gene sequences of all the 20 species studied have been deposited in the Genbank.
The genus Casinaria Holmgren, 1859 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae) from China
Authors: HAN YUAN-YUAN , ACHTERBERG KEES VAN , CHEN XUE-XIN
Published: May 2021

The genus Casinaria Holmgren, 1859 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae) from China is revised. Nine new species are proposed (C. albifunda sp. nov., C. artivultis sp. nov., C. exilis sp. nov., C. exiloides sp. nov., C. hei sp. nov., C. melasoma sp. nov., C. partolstoyi sp. nov., C. remota sp. nov., and C. xui sp. nov.) and two species are recorded as new to China (C. ajanta Maheshwary & Gupta and C. varuni Maheshwary & Gupta). A key to the Chinese species of Casinaria is provided.
A checklist of bat-associated macronyssid mites (Acari: Gamasina: Macronyssidae) of Russia, with new host and geographical records
Authors: ORLOVA M.V. , KLIMOV P.B. , ORLOV O.L. , SMIRNOV D.G. , ZHIGALIN A.V. , BUDAEVA I.V. , EMELYANOVA A.A. , ANISIMOV N.V.
Published: May 2021

The family Macronyssidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) comprises mostly obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) and some other animals, such as small mammals, reptiles and birds. Here, we document and curate previously known data, and, based on our extensive survey, provide this article of bat-associated macronyssid mites of the Russian Federation. We record a total of 24 mite species belonging to 4 genera (Ichoronyssus, Macronyssus, Steatonyssus, and Cryptonyssus). Twenty-seven new host-parasite associations are reported. In addition, were provide data on five major Russian regions, for which bat-associated mite records were lacking.
A new species of Melanocryptus Cameron, 1902 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae: Cryptinae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: LIMA THALITA DA SILVA , PENTEADO-DIAS ANGÉLICA MARIA
Published: May 2021

Melanocryptus Cameron, 1902 is a neotropical genus with 11 described species (Yu et al. 2016). The first three species of the genus were originally placed in different genera: Melanocryptus Cameron (1902), Lobocryptus Schmiedeknecht (1904) and Hoplophorina Szépligeti (1916). Townes & Townes (1966) placed these species into a single taxon, Melanocryptus, and included the genus as part of the subtribe Mesostenina (apud Aguiar & Santos, 2015). Despite this original placement, in 1970, Townes created an exclusive subtribe Melanocryptina for the genus.
2. Situating Media Literacy
Authors: Lewis Richard S.
Published: May 2021

This chapter situates media literacy within the broader field of communications. An overview of media literacy is explored, examining issues of education, literacy, and agency. Ways of defining media literacy are discussed and four approaches to media literacy are looked at: protectionist, media arts-based, the literacy movement, and critical media literacy. The traditional lack of attention within media literacy on the impact of the medium itself is discussed, along with the importance of the broader context within which our media relations happen.
Evaluation of the Image Feature Analysis Techniques by Image Strength Fluctuation for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Yu Chang-Ching , Chan Hung-Pin , Ting Chien-Yi
Published: May 2021

This article compares the effectiveness of both image strength fluctuation (ISF) and statistical parametric mapping (SPM), which is used for analyzing cerebral blood flow traced by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This
is a retrospective study that uses the built-in SPECT template of the SPM software to analyze the differences in cerebral blood flow (CBF) between two groups after using the ISF and SPM software to normalize and smooth the data. Using Z score analysis, the ISF method revealed unusual fluctuations
in the range of image strength. The hot and cold areas were considered to be the difference between normal and abnormal images and the analysis of the gray intensities of cold and hot areas was used to show that cold and hot were in characteristic locations that correlate with brain functional
areas. The results of the SPM analysis revealed significantly reduced blood flow in the bilateral inferior parietal lobule, the middle or superior gyrus of the left temporal lobe, the superior gyrus and the sub-lobar insula of the right temporal lobe. The results from SPM were similar to those
obtained with the ISF and indicated the same regions (83.3%).
Multi-Dimensional Spiral CT Scan Assisted Recurrence Monitoring After Esophageal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Wang Lei , Hong Zhipeng
Published: May 2021

Esophageal cancer is a kind of malignant tumor, which is more common in clinic, and its etiology is more complicated. Many patients are in the middle and late stage when they are found. Patients with esophageal cancer are accompanied by dysphagia, which leads to malnutrition, which
has a serious impact on the normal life of the patients. In the results of this paper, the coincidence rate of the observation group was 95.00%, the missed diagnosis rate was 5.00%, the misdiagnosis rate was 0, the diagnosis time was (12.68 ± 2.09)% in the min, control group, the coincidence
rate was 50.005%, the missed diagnosis rate was 30.005%, the misdiagnosis rate was 20.00, and the diagnosis time was 19.55 ±2.48 min, (P < 0.05). Therefore, CT examination has more advantages in the diagnosis of patients with esophageal cancer to ensure that patients receive
treatment in time. It can improve the cure probability. Clinically, if patients feel discomfort in the esophagus, medical staff usually carry out X-ray examination to grasp the patient’s condition and etiology. Therefore, X-ray examination is widely used in clinic and is the main diagnostic
method of esophageal cancer. Therefore, the application of CT in the diagnosis of esophageal cancer can not only improve the diagnostic accuracy, but also reduce the examination time, and has the value of application and promotion in the clinical diagnosis of esophageal cancer.
Morphological Study of Color Doppler Ultrasound Imaging to Observe the Effect of Ocular Fundus Surgery
Authors: Wang Shilong , Han Xue
Published: May 2021

High myopia continues to progress and the eye axis continues to grow, resulting in mechanical dilatation of the eyeball wall, and with the increase of age, resulting in a variety of myopic fundus pathological changes. Considering that in the late stage of fundus disease, patients can
obviously feel the impact of the disease on vision, and ophthalmologists are needed for direct diagnosis, intervention and treatment. The impact of early lesions on vision is relatively weak, and patients can not detect the emergence of these lesions in time, which can only be found by fundus
survey. Therefore, the automatic detection of early lesions of fundus disease (especially microaneurysms) is not only of great significance for early diagnosis and early treatment of fundus disease, but also a good reference for the detection of other fundus diseases. In this paper, color
ultrasound can effectively analyze the origin of fundus diseases. The results showed that with the changes of age, eye axis and posterior sclera shape in high myopia, the area and range of myopic arc and choroidal atrophy arc expanded, the thickness of nerve fiber and choroid became thinner,
and the fovea of macula mainly shifted vertically. In addition, it was also found that myopic arc, choroidal atrophic arc area, retinal thickness, nerve fiber thickness, choroidal thickness, vertical distance from macular fovea to optic disc center were correlated with age and eye axis.
Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Value of CT Three-Dimensional Imaging of Gynecological Pelvic Blood Vessels
Authors: Qiao Li , Li Changxiao , Yu Qinde , Ma Li
Published: May 2021

For diseases of the abdominal and pelvic system, especially those of the blood duct system, the main examination methods of the transmission system are color Doppler ultrasound, enhanced CT angiography and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Among them, DSA is the gold standard of
angiography, but it is an invasive examination, which is complicated, time-consuming and laborious, and the skill of intubation is very high. Enhanced 3D-CT blood tube imaging has been gradually used in clinic because of its advantages such as fast imaging speed and wide imaging range. It
has good vascular imaging conditions and satisfactory vascular imaging results in all parts of the human body, but this examination is radioactive and is not beneficial to young women of childbearing age, children and frail patients. The purpose of this paper is to further illustrate the value
of magnetic resonance angiography (CTA) in displaying pelvic vessels by comparing the three-dimensional model of magnetic resonance angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in healthy young women. The results showed that for the venous system, CTA usually showed only the
internal and external iliac vein, but not for the uterine vein and other branches of the internal and external iliac vein, and almost no imaging for the anterior sacral vein. CE-MRA can not only display 1-4 grade arteries to the same extent, but also show more branches of superior and inferior
gluteal arteries, and show more abundant veins, especially presacral veins. For cases such as gynecological pelvic floor surgery, it is necessary to know the vascular network of presacral region before operation. In a word, for clinical diagnosis and treatment value, the 3D-CT imaging is the
first choice.
Using Machine Learning to Predict Five-Year Reintervention Risk in Type B Aortic Dissection Patients After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
Authors: Lin Weiyuan , Que Lifeng , Lin Guisen , Chen Rui , Lu Qiyang , Zhicheng Du M. D. , Hui Liu M. D. , Yu Zhuliang , Huang Meiping
Published: May 2021

Purpose: Type B aortic dissection (TBAD) is a high-risk disease, commonly treated with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). However, for the long-term follow-up, it is associated with a high 5-year reintervention rate for patients after TEVAR. There is no accurate definition
of prognostic risk factors for TBAD in medical guidelines, and there is no scientific judgment standard for patients’ quality of life or survival outcome in the next five years in clinical practice. A large amount of medical data features makes prognostic analysis difficult. However,
machine learning (ML) permits lots of objective data features to be considered for clinical risk stratification and patient management. We aimed to predict the 5-year prognosis in TBAD after TEVAR by Ml, based on baseline, stent characteristics and computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging
data, and provided a certain degree of scientific basis for prognostic risk score and stratification in medical guidelines. Materials and Methods: Dataset we recorded was obtained from 172 TBAD patients undergoing TEVAR. Totally 40 features were recorded, including 14 baseline, 5 stent
characteristics and 21 CTA imaging data. Information gain (IG) was used to select features highly associated with adverse outcome. Then, the Gradient Boost classifier was trained using grid search and stratified 5-fold cross-validation, and Its predictive performance was evaluated by the area
under the curve (AUC) in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Results: Totally 60 patients underwent reintervention during follow-up. Combing 24 features selected by IG, ML model predicted prognosis well in TBAD after TEVAR, with an AUC of 0.816 and a 95% confidence interval
of 0.797 to 0.837. Reintervention rate of prediction was slightly higher than the actual (48.2% vs. 34.8%). Conclusion: Machine learning, which combined with baseline, stent characteristics and CTA imaging data for personalized risk computations, effectively predicted reintervention
risk in TBAD patients after TEVAR in 5-year follow-up. The model could be used to efficiently assist the clinical management of TBAD patients and prompt high-risk factors.
Bay of Bengal Intraseasonal Oscillations and the 2018 Monsoon Onset
Authors: Shroyer Emily , Tandon Amit , Sengupta Debasis , Fernando Harindra J. S. , Lucas Andrew J. , Farrar J. Thomas , Chattopadhyay Rajib , de Szoeke Simon , Flatau Maria , Rydbeck Adam , Wijesekera Hemantha , McPhaden Michael , Seo Hyodae , Subramanian Aneesh , Venkatesan R , Joseph Jossia , Ramsundaram S. , Gordon Arnold L. , Bohman Shannon M. , Pérez Jaynise , Simoes-Sousa Iury T. , Jayne Steven R. , Todd Robert E. , Bhat G. S. , Lankhorst Matthias , Schlosser Tamara , Adams Katherine , Jinadasa S. U. P , Mathur Manikandan , Mohapatra M. , Rama Rao E. Pattabhi , Sahai A. K. , Sharma Rashmi , Lee Craig , Rainville Luc , Cherian Deepak , Cullen Kerstin , Centurioni Luca R. , Hormann Verena , MacKinnon Jennifer , Send Uwe , Anutaliya Arachaporn , Waterhouse Amy , Black Garrett S. , Dehart Jeremy A. , Woods Kaitlyn M. , Creegan Edward , Levy Gad , Kantha Lakshmi H. , Subrahmanyam Bulusu
Published: May 2021

In the Bay of Bengal, the warm, dry boreal spring concludes with the onset of the summer monsoon and accompanying southwesterly winds, heavy rains, and variable air–sea fluxes. Here, we summarize the 2018 monsoon onset using observations collected through the multinational Monsoon Intraseasonal Oscillations in the Bay of Bengal (MISO-BoB) program between the United States, India, and Sri Lanka. MISO-BoB aims to improve understanding of monsoon intraseasonal variability, and the 2018 field effort captured the coupled air–sea response during a transition from active-to-break conditions in the central BoB. The active phase of the ∼20-day research cruise was characterized by warm sea surface temperature (SST > 30°C), cold atmospheric outflows with intermittent heavy rainfall, and increasing winds (from 2 to 15 m s−1). Accumulated rainfall exceeded 200 mm with 90% of precipitation occurring during the first week. The following break period was both dry and clear, with persistent 10–12 m s−1 wind and evaporation of 0.2 mm h−1. The evolving environmental state included a deepening ocean mixed layer (from ∼20 to 50 m), cooling SST (by ∼1°C), and warming/drying of the lower to midtroposphere. Local atmospheric development was consistent with phasing of the large-scale intraseasonal oscillation. The upper ocean stores significant heat in the BoB, enough to maintain SST above 29°C despite cooling by surface fluxes and ocean mixing. Comparison with reanalysis indicates biases in air–sea fluxes, which may be related to overly cool prescribed SST. Resolution of such biases offers a path toward improved forecasting of transition periods in the monsoon.
Changes in the Relationship between Spring Precipitation in Southern China and Tropical Pacific–South Indian Ocean SST
Authors: Jia XiaoJing , Zhang Chao , Wu Renguang , Qian QiFeng
Published: May 2021

The present study explores the changed relationship between the interannual variations in spring (April–May) precipitation over southern China (SPSC) and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical Pacific and south Indian Oceans during the 1960–2017 period. Observational analysis shows that the relation between SPSC and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) was significant before the mid-1980s (P1) and after the early 2000s (P3) but insignificant in between, from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s (P2). In P2, positive anomalous SPSC was significantly correlated with negative anomalous SST in the south Indian Ocean. During this period, an anomalous anticyclone and intensified southwesterly winds tended to appear over tropical India accompanied by a negative anomalous south Indian Ocean SST, which caused anomalous low-level convergence over the western Pacific. As a result, the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) tended to weaken and retreat eastward. This resulted in anomalous moisture convergence in southern China, favoring enhanced SPSC. Further analysis shows that the negative south Indian Ocean SST anomalies tended to induce anomalous cross-equatorial vertical circulation where the south Indian Ocean and southern China are controlled by descending and ascending airflow. The ascending motion may also contribute to positive anomalous SPSC. The observed contribution of the south Indian Ocean SST anomalies to the SPSC variation is confirmed by numerical experiments using an atmospheric model. The intensified variance of SST in the south Indian Ocean and the eastward shift of the ENSO-related circulation anomalies over the western tropical Pacific may partly account for the changes in the SST–SPSC relationship.
Elevated procalcitonin concentrations in severe Covid-19 may not reflect bacterial co-infection
Authors: Heer Randeep S , Mandal Amit KJ , Kho Jason , Szawarski Piotr , Csabi Peter , Grenshaw Dawn , Walker Ian AL , Missouris Constantinos G
Published: May 2021

Background

The variability of Covid-19 severity between patients has driven efforts to identify prognosticating laboratory markers that could aid clinical decision-making. Procalcitonin is classically used as a diagnostic marker in bacterial infections, but its role in predicting Covid-19 disease severity is emerging. We aimed to identify the association between procalcitonin and Covid-19 disease severity in a critical care setting and whether bacterial co-infection is implicated.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed Covid-19 patients with procalcitonin concentrations measured in a critical care setting at our institution between February and September 2020. Laboratory markers including peak procalcitonin values and a range of bacterial culture results were analysed. Outcomes were the requirement and duration of invasive mechanical ventilation as well as inpatient mortality.

Results

In total, 60 patients were included; 68% required invasive mechanical ventilation and 45% died as inpatient. Univariate analysis identified higher peak procalcitonin concentrations significantly associated with both the requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation (OR: 3.2, 95% CI 1.3–9.0, P = 0.02) and inpatient mortality (OR: 2.6, 95% CI 1.1–6.6, P = 0.03). Higher peak procalcitonin concentrations was an independent predictor of mortality on multivariate analysis (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.1–12.4, P = 0.03). There was a significant positive correlation between increased peak procalcitonin concentrations and duration on invasive mechanical ventilation. No significant difference was found between peak procalcitonin concentrations of patients with positive and negative bacterial cultures.

Conclusions

Elevated procalcitonin concentrations in Covid-19 patients are associated with respiratory failure requiring prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation and inpatient mortality. This association may be independent of bacterial co-infection.
Mechanical benchmarking of additively manufactured continuous and short carbon fiber reinforced nylon
Authors: Mohammadizadeh Mahdi , Gupta Ankit , Fidan Ismail
Published: May 2021

Mechanical properties of fiber reinforced additive manufacturing (FRAM) parts are affected by the fiber size and orientation. Oriented fiber composite is most likely to produce better properties. The objective of this research is to perform a comparative analysis of the mechanical properties of short and continuous fiber reinforced nylon 6 produced with fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology. In this study, it was observed that tensile, compression and flexural properties are significantly affected by the change in the fiber length and orientation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed after mechanical testing to observe the influence of fiber on the final properties. From the testing, it was observed that continuous-FRAM (C-FRAM) parts show better properties in tensile loading and short-FRAM (S-FRAM) in bending. S-FRAM parts show better improvement in flexural and compression properties as compared to CFRAM parts. Morphological analysis of tested 3D-printed parts concluded that the fiber-pull out and fiber breakage are the main failure mechanisms.
Effects of ethanol-and choline-treated astrocytes on hippocampal neuron neurite outgrowth in vitro
Authors: Goeke Calla M , Hashimoto Joel G , Guizzetti Marina , Vitalone Annabella
Published: May 2021

Exposure to ethanol in utero can result in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, which may cause long-lasting cognitive and behavioral abnormalities. Preclinical studies indicate that choline ameliorates the behavioral effects of developmental alcohol exposure in rodents, and clinical studies on the effectiveness of choline, administered early in pregnancy, showed that the adverse effects of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure on postnatal growth, and cognition in human infants were mitigated. However, little is known on the mechanisms behind the effects of choline. We have previously reported that astrocyte pre-treatment with 75 mM ethanol, in vitro, reduces neurite outgrowth in hippocampal neurons co-cultured with the pre-treated astrocytes. Our in vitro system allows us to study the effects of chemicals on astrocyte functions, able to modulate neuronal development. The main objective was to test the hypothesis that choline can ameliorate the astrocyte-mediated effects of ethanol on neurite growth. In this study, we exposed primary rat cortical astrocytes to ethanol, choline, ethanol plus choline, or control conditions for 24 h. Culture media was then removed, replaced with fresh media containing no ethanol or choline treatments and primary rat hippocampal neurons were plated on top of the astrocyte monolayer and cultured for 16 h. Neurons were then stained for β-III Tubulin and neurite outgrowth was measured. Astrocyte exposure to ethanol (25, 50, and 75 mM) decreases neurite outgrowth in co-cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons, while astrocyte treatment with choline had no effect. Astrocyte treatment with ethanol and choline in combination, however, prevented the effect of ethanol, leading to levels of neurite outgrowth similar the control condition. Choline prevents the inhibitory effect of ethanol-treated astrocytes on neurite outgrowth while not altering normal neuronal development. These results suggest a new, astrocyte-mediated mechanism by which choline ameliorates the effects of developmental alcohol exposure.
Window operation behaviour and indoor air quality during lockdown: A monitoring-based simulation-assisted study in London
Authors: Tahmasebi Farhang , Wang Yan , Cooper Elizabeth , Godoy Shimizu Daniel , Stamp Samuel , Mumovic Dejan
Published: May 2021

The Covid-19 outbreak has resulted in new patterns of home occupancy, the implications of which for indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy use are not well-known. In this context, the present study investigates 8 flats in London to uncover if during a lockdown, (a) IAQ in the monitored flats deteriorated, (b) the patterns of window operation by occupants changed, and (c) more effective ventilation patterns could enhance IAQ without significant increases in heating energy demand. To this end, one-year’s worth of monitored data on indoor and outdoor environment along with occupant use of windows has been used to analyse the impact of lockdown on IAQ and infer probabilistic models of window operation behaviour. Moreover, using on-site CO2 data, monitored occupancy and operation of windows, the team has calibrated a thermal performance model of one of the flats to investigate the implications of alternative ventilation strategies. The results suggest that despite the extended occupancy during lockdown, occupants relied less on natural ventilation, which led to an increase of median CO2 concentration by up to 300 ppm. However, simple natural ventilation patterns or use of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery proves to be very effective to maintain acceptable IAQ.

Practical application: This study provides evidence on the deterioration of indoor air quality resulting from homeworking during imposed lockdowns. It also tests and recommends specific ventilation strategies to maintain acceptable indoor air quality at home despite the extended occupancy hours.
Rivaroxaban for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after radiofrequency ablation of saphenous veins concomitant with miniphlebectomy, sclerotherapy, or no treatment of varicose tributaries
Authors: Murzina Elena , Lobastov Kirill , Laberko Leonid , Dvornikov Anton , Popov Ivan
Published: May 2021

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of once-daily 10 mg rivaroxaban for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after ClosureFast radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of saphenous veins.

Method

The medical records of patients, who had a Caprini score of ≥3, underwent RFA, received prophylactic rivaroxaban for five days, and completed follow up at one month were reviewed for efficacy (a combination of endovenous heat-induced thrombosis [EHIT] grade of 2–4, any symptomatic or asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis [DVT], and symptomatic pulmonary embolism [PE]) and safety (a combination of major and clinically relevant non-major [CRNM] bleeding) outcomes.

Results

The results of RFA for 248 great saphenous and 24 small saphenous veins with the concomitant miniphlebectomy (63.8%) and sclerotherapy (16.5%) were analyzed. The primary efficacy outcome occurred in 5 of 218 (2.3%; 95%CI, 1.0–5.3%) patients: three EHITs and two symptomatic DVTs. The CRNM bleeding was reported in two patients (0.9%; 95% CI, 0.2–3.3%). No difference was observed in comparison with 79 similar patients who received 40 mg of subcutaneous enoxaparin during the same time period.

Conclusion

Once-daily 10 mg rivaroxaban is suitable for VTE prophylaxis after RFA of saphenous veins.
Relationship between serum vitamin D3 concentration and anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease in China
Authors: Li Meng , Xu Jun , Wan Qin , He Qiang , Ma Yan , Tang Ying-Qian , Peng Hong-Ying
Published: May 2021

Objective

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D3 concentration and anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in China, to assist understanding of the effects of vitamin D treatment in such patients.

Methods

A total of 225 patients with CKD were enrolled and a range of laboratory parameters were measured. The participants were allocated to three groups, according to their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration: a severe deficiency group, a deficiency group, and a sufficiency group. The prevalences of anaemia in the three groups were assessed, and the factors associated with anaemia in patients with CKD were analysed using logistic regression.

Results

The prevalences of anaemia were 79.5% in the severe deficiency group, 63.5% in the deficiency group, and 48.0% in the sufficiency group. The prevalence of anaemia gradually increased with the severity of vitamin D3 deficiency. The prevalences of anaemia in participants with stages 1 to 5 CKD were 21.1%, 30.4%, 39.5%, 78.7%, and 94.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

Vitamin D3 deficiency may increase the risk of anaemia in patients with CKD.
Are predictions and perceptions of post-traumatic growth a form of ultimate justice reasoning?
Authors: Harvey Annelie J , Blackie Laura ER
Published: May 2021

Researchers have questioned whether self-report questionnaires adequately assess post-traumatic growth as it was theorized (positive personality change after trauma), versus assessing a broader coping mechanism. Across four studies, we examine whether individuals report post-traumatic growth as a coping mechanism to restore a sense of justice. In Studies 1 and 2, participants predicted greater post-traumatic growth for a hypothetical victim after a severe accident that caused grave suffering (and disrupted one’s belief in a just world), compared to an accident that caused minimal suffering (and did not disrupt one’s belief in a just world). Both perceptions of deservingness of post-traumatic growth for the victim (a belief in a just world mechanism) and engagement in deliberative rumination (a post-traumatic growth mechanism) mediated the effect of suffering on the prediction of post-traumatic growth in Study 2. The same pattern of results held when participants considered their own imagined suffering (Study 3), and when participants reported post-traumatic growth from distressing events in their own lives (Study 4). As such, we conclude that following an episode of suffering, either occurring to another or to oneself, self-reports of post-traumatic growth on questionnaires can reflect two distinct motivations: (1) an attempt to cope with perceived injustices and (2) the will to search for meaning in one’s suffering.
What makes for a pleasant social experience in adolescence? The role of perceived social interaction behavior in associations between personality traits and momentary social satisfaction
Authors: Wieczorek Larissa L , Mueller Swantje , Lüdtke Oliver , Wagner Jenny
Published: May 2021

Whereas theory and research agree that social interactions are central mediators of the associations between personality traits and relationship outcomes, less is known about the mechanisms involved. This is particularly evident when looking at adolescence, when social networks restructure and expand. Drawing on experience sampling data from two adolescent samples (overall N > 200), we examined which self- and other-perceptions of real-life social interaction behaviors contribute to the links between personality traits (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) and momentary satisfaction with social interactions. Multilevel exploratory factor analyses revealed that most social perceptions could be represented by two factors, labeled expressive and communal behavior. As hypothesized, we found that higher extraversion and agreeableness and lower neuroticism predicted greater social satisfaction. These associations were mediated by perceptions of more expressive and communal behaviors in the case of agreeableness and extraversion and perceptions of less expressive behavior in the case of neuroticism. Contrary to our expectations, the results were the same no matter whether self- or other-perceptions were used as mediators. We discuss how our results provide information about the co-development of personality traits and social relationships from a microlevel perspective and outline directions for future research on perceived social interaction behavior.