bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Logistics at Sytel Company
Authors: Barua Samir K
Published: November 2020

Management decisions require concepts, frameworks, and techniques to be applied from several functions and disciplines simultaneously to find solutions. The case illustrates the application of optimization along with financial evaluation of investment decisions, to a decision on warehousing facing Sytel. The case identifies the elements of cash flows that are relevant for decisions pertaining to the setting up of warehouses. The instructor can make changes in the figures provided in the case to broaden the scope of understanding that can be imparted through the case.
Dr. Swati Bhargava: The Nepal Earthquake, Travel to Ahmedabad
Authors: Ravichandran N.
Published: November 2020

The case describes the hardships faced by Dr. Swati Bhargava, an academician when she was stranded in Kathmandu, Nepal after an earthquake in April 2015. The Kathmandu airport was closed for operations after the earthquake. Even though Dr. Bhargava had a confirmed ticket to Ahmedabad via Delhi from Kathmandu by an Indian Low Cost Airline (ILCA), she could not travel as per the schedule. The infrastructure had collapsed in Kathmandu. ILCA extended minimum courtesy to their stranded passengers. Dr. Bhargava had to fend herself in a challenging situation to return back to Ahmedabad. On arrival in Delhi, the airline was unable to help her due to the restrictions arising out of their processes. Consequently, Dr. Bhargava had to stay in for an additional night in Delhi and incur expenses related to the purchase of a new ticket and her stay in Delhi. While the teaching community in Kathmandu treated Dr. Bhargava with care and provided adequate support to facilitate her unexpected extended stay, an organized commercial airline (ILCA) did next to nothing to help the stranded passengers in Kathmandu. Dr. Bhargava was upset by the inconvenience caused to her and the insensitivity shown by the airline in the context of a natural calamity. Dr. Bhargava was considering multiple options to sensitize the system (airline) to be responsive and sensitive to such situations should they occur in future.
Bharat Footwear Limited Discount Coupons
Authors: Shah Bhavin. J. , Ravichandran N.
Published: November 2020

The case presents a customer's experience during the purchase of a pair of shoes in an upmarket retail outlet of Bharat Footwear Limited (BFL), in Ahmedabad, wherein he was offered a discount coupon meant for shareholders, at a shared consideration of 60 (buyer) and 40 (agent). The customer needs to decide on the acceptance or otherwise of the deal. Adequate data is provided to discuss this central issue in a business context along with an estimate of the secondary market of discount coupons. The analysis of the case leads to a debate on whether the discount policy should be continued or otherwise. While several sharing arrangements for the discount amount are considered, the key to the situation is not such arrangements but a robust system in dispensing these coupons.
Oral Agreements, Implied Terms and the Context: Wells v Devani
Authors: Patha Akhileshwar
Published: November 2020

Most business contracts are meant to be in writing, on standard terms. However, with the facilities of communications, businesspersons will talk business on the phone. With this, contentions will arise, whether they were only negotiating or had gone the distance and made a contract. If they have contracted, what are the terms of the contract? The case explores the judgement of the United Kingdom Supreme Court judgement, Wells v Devani, which is on the theme of oral contracts.
Competences development and turnover intentions: the serial mediation effect of perceived internal employability and affective commitment
Authors: Moreira Ana , Cesário Francisco , Chambel Maria José , Castanheira Filipa
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the serial mediation effect of perceived internal employability and affective commitment in the relationship between the organisational practices of competences development and turnover intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology was quantitative and is based on a survey with a sample of 313 participants, all of whom were employed in several organisations located in Portugal.

Findings

A significant and negative effect of organisational practices of competences development, perceived internal employability and affective commitment on turnover intentions was verified. A total serial mediation effect was also found from perceived internal employability and affective commitment in the relationship between organisational practices of competences development (i.e., training, individualised support and functional rotation) and turnover intentions.

Practical implications

These practices should be developed by leaders of organisations in order that employees feel that the organisation is investing in their development, which can lead to an increase in their emotional attachment towards the organisation and consequently increase their desire to stay in the organisation.

Originality/value

This study makes two important contributions. First, it confirms the existence of a significant and negative relationship between perceived internal employability and turnover intentions. Second, it proves the existence of a total serial mediation effect of perceived internal employability and affective commitment in the relationship between organisational practices of competences development and turnover intentions.
Disparities Old and New in US Mental Health during the COVID‐19 Pandemic*
Authors: Swaziek Zachary , Wozniak Abigail
Published: November 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has reduced well‐being and economic security on a number of dimensions, likely worsening mental health. In this paper, we assess how mental health in the US population has changed during the pandemic. We use three large, nationally representative survey sources to provide a picture of mental health prior to and during the pandemic. We find dramatic but broad‐based declines in the level of mental health from pre‐pandemic baseline measures across both people and places. Rates of poor mental health have jumped roughly 25 percentage points, from a base of roughly one‐third. We document substantial disparities in mental health but show that the pandemic has generally preserved, rather than widened, these. Significant worsening in relative mental health among Hispanics and respondents aged 30 and older are exceptions. Consistent with an important role for pandemic‐specific shocks, We find that income loss, food insecurity, COVID‐19 infection or death in one's close circle, and personal health symptoms are all associated with substantially worse mental health. If anything, the decline in mental health is worsening as the pandemic wears on and is becoming less related to local COVID‐19 case rates.
Violent behavior by involuntarily committed female offenders with mental disorders: A population‐based case series
Authors: Valença Alexandre M. , de Moraes Talvane M. , Meyer Leonardo F. , Petribú Kátia Cristina Lima de , Nardi Antonio E. , Mendlowicz Mauro V.
Published: November 2020

The goal of the current study was to investigate the socio‐demographic, psychiatric, and criminological characteristics of female violent offenders with mental disorders involuntarily committed to a forensic psychiatric hospital. The present study was a population‐based retrospective case series including all female offenders with mental disorders found not guilty by reason of insanity by the criminal courts in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and involuntarily committed to a forensic psychiatric facility (n = 27). Patients were assessed with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Axis I Disorders and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. We found that most offenders were Afro‐Brazilian, uneducated unmarried women. Schizophrenia with active psychotic symptoms was the most common clinical condition. Relatives were the frequent victims of aggressive behavior. Most patients had already been diagnosed with a mental disorder and placed under psychiatric treatment, but poor adherence and treatment dropout were common. Violent behavior in psychiatrically ill female patients is associated with a specific socio‐demographic and clinical profile and is thus potentially amenable to prevention particularly if the mental health and social services are to provide the much‐needed support for economically, socially, and psychologically vulnerable women.
Association of serum CXCL12 levels with arthropathy in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Ikawa Tetsuya , Miyagawa Takuya , Fukui Yuki , Toyama Satoshi , Omatsu Jun , Awaji Kentaro , Norimatsu Yuta , Watanabe Yusuke , Yoshizaki Ayumi , Sato Shinichi , Asano Yoshihide
Published: November 2020

Aim

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease, in which extensive fibrotic change and vasculopathy affect the skin and various internal organs. It also involves the joints, causing stiffness, arthralgia, and arthritis. Although arthropathy is commonly observed in SSc, its underlying mechanism remains unknown. CXCL12, also known as stromal cell derived factor 1, is associated with inflammation, mesenchymal cell recruitment, angiogenesis, and collagen production, and is implicated in the development of various joint diseases. To assess the potential contribution of CXCL12 to SSc development, we investigated the clinical association of serum CXCL12 levels in patients with SSc.

Method

We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of 68 patients with SSc and 20 healthy controls recruited in a single center over 9 years. Serum CXCL12 levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Serum CXCL12 levels were significantly higher in patients with SSc than in healthy controls (median 1554.0 pg/mL, 25th‐75th centiles 1313.0‐1914.0 pg/mL vs 967.4 pg/mL, 608.8‐1271.0 pg/mL, P < 0.001). Patients with SSc with elevated CXCL12 levels had significantly more cases of arthropathy than those with normal CXCL12 levels (85.7% vs 25.0%, P = 0.01). Furthermore, patients with SSc with elevated CXCL12 levels showed an increased trend in the prevalence of limited range of motion of the finger joints compared with those with normal CXCL12 levels (60.0% vs 18.6%, P =0 .07). Moreover, serum CXCL12 levels were significantly correlated with the titers of rheumatoid factor in patients with SSc (r = .41, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Elevated serum CXCL12 levels may be related to the development of SSc arthropathy.
Iron deficiency in colorectal cancer patients: a cohort study on prevalence and associations
Authors: Ploug Magnus , Kroijer Rasmus , Qvist Niels , Lindahl Charlotte Hass , Knudsen Torben
Published: November 2020

Aim

The aim of this work was to estimate the prevalence of iron deficiency in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) and to clarify its association with patient‐ and tumour‐related characteristics.

Method

This was a single‐centre registry‐based cohort study. Iron status was routinely evaluated upon diagnosis of CRC, and these data were coupled with patient‐ and tumour‐specific data from the Danish CRC Group Registry (2013–2018). Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Out of 846 patients, 543 (64%) were iron deficient. There was an association between increasing depth of invasion and iron deficiency, with odds ratios (ORs) of iron deficiency being 2.8 (p = 0.001, CI 1.5–5.1), 4.22 (p < 0.001, CI 2.48–7.18) and 4.63 (p < 0.001, CI 2.30–9.34) for T‐stages 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Right‐sided tumours had an OR of 3.54 (p < 0.001, CI 2.22–5.67) of iron deficiency compared with left‐sided tumours. Tumours diagnosed through the national CRC screening programme were less likely to be associated with iron deficiency (OR 0.34, CI 0.22–0.52), while female gender was associated with an increase in the odds for iron deficiency (OR 1.91, CI 1.33–2.76). Iron deficiency was prevalent in 88% of anaemic patients and 43% of nonanaemic patients.

Conclusion

Iron deficiency was highly prevalent in patients diagnosed with CRC. Increased depth of tumour invasion, right‐sided location and female gender were all associated with higher odds for iron deficiency, while patients diagnosed through the national screening programme were associated with lower odds for iron deficiency. A large proportion of patients with a normal haemoglobin were also iron deficient.
Echocardiography 2020: Toward deciphering the “Rosetta stone” of left ventricular diastolic function
Authors: Saha Samir K. , Kiotsekoglou Anatoli , Nanda Navin C.
Published: November 2020

In the year 1997, nearly a quarter‐century ago, Nishimura and Tajik (J Am Coll Cardiol. 1997;30:8) suggested that Doppler echocardiography was the “Rosetta stone” (a metaphor for decrypting secrets of diastole) of left ventricular diastole, based solely on transmitral E/A ratio and its progression from grade I through IV, supported by cardiac catheterization, as the filling pressure started to increase to over 15 mm Hg. Ten years later, in 2007, the same Mayo group (Nagueh et al, J Am Coll Cardiology. 2008;51:679) was searching to decipher the secrets of diastole using multiple measures such as left atrial (LA) volume, E/Eʹ ratio, pulmonary venous flow, and mitral inflow propagation velocity. This substantial leap from E/A ratio led to the more formal recommendation proposed by the American Society of Echocardiography in 2009 (Nagueh et al, J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2009;22:107) and, as an update, in the year 2016 (Nagueh et al, J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2016;29:277): the later version gained popularity for the simplified approach to identify diastolic dysfunction in healthy subjects as well as in those with poorly contracting left ventricle. Despite 30 years of continuous search, we are not sure if we have been able to decipher the hidden secrets of diastolic function. With this background, the Echocardiography Journal under the leadership of Dr Navin Nanda as the Editor‐in‐Chief has taken this initiative to publish a theme issue on left ventricular diastolic function and when this becomes dysfunctional to diminish life.
Treatment‐responsive primary autoimmune cerebellar ataxia in a patient with IgG and IgM anticerebellar antibodies
Authors: Jaffe Stephen L. , Carlson Noel G. , Peterson Lisa K. , Greenlee John E.
Published: November 2020

Background and purpose

Primary autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (PACA) in the absence of another triggering disease represents an emerging category of neurological illness. We report such a case whose ataxia was markedly responsive to plasma exchange. We analyzed patient serum for the presence of IgM or IgG anticerebellar neuronal antibodies.

Methods

Case presentation: rat cerebellar slice cultures incubated with patient sera were studied for IgG and IgM antibody uptake, intracellular binding, and neuronal death. Patient serum was evaluated for anti‐myelin associated glycoprotein (anti‐MAG) and associated anti‐glycolipid antibodies.

Results

Antibodies were taken up by viable cerebellar neurons and bound to intracellular antigens. Uptake and predominantly nuclear binding of IgG were seen in granule cells whereas cytoplasmic binding of IgM was observed predominantly in Purkinje cells. Intracellular antibody accumulation was not accompanied by neuronal death, consistent with the patient’s excellent clinical response to plasma exchange. Anti‐MAG or other associated anti‐glycolipid antibodies were not detected.

Conclusions

PACA may be associated with both IgG and IgM antibodies reactive with cerebellar neuronal antigens. Our patient’s response to plasma exchange supports a role for antineuronal antibodies in disease pathogenesis and emphasizes the need for rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Exploring a novel substrate‐borne vibratory signal in the wolf spider Schizocosa floridana
Authors: Rosenthal Malcolm F. , Hebets Eileen A. , McGinley Rowan , Raiza Cody , Starrett James , Yan Lin , Elias Damian O.
Published: November 2020

Animals communicate using a diversity of signals produced by a wide array of physical structures. Determining how a signal is produced provides key insights into signal evolution. Here, we examine a complex vibratory mating display produced by male Schizocosa floridana wolf spiders. This display contains three discrete substrate‐borne acoustic components (known as “thumps”, “taps”, and “chirps”), each of which is anecdotally associated with the movement of a different body part (the pedipalps, legs, and abdomen respectively). In order to determine the method of production, we employ a combination of high‐speed video/audio recordings and SEM imaging of possible sound‐producing structures. Previous work has suggested that the “chirp” component is tonal, a signal trait that would be potentially unique in the genus. We measured signal tonality for all courtship components, as well as for courtship components from sixteen other Schizocosa wolf spiders. Our results suggest that S. floridana produces courtship song using a combination of shared (palpal stridulation and foreleg percussion) and novel (abdominal movement) sound production mechanisms. Of particular interest, the “chirp”, which is produced using a novel abdominal production mechanism, is the only known tonal signal with acoustic properties that are unique within the genus. We argue that the potential evolution of a novel sound production mechanism has opened up a new axis of signaling trait space in this species, with important implications for how this signal is likely to function and evolve.
Diverse cellular players orchestrate regeneration after wounding
Authors: Williams Kaitlin L. , Garza Luis A.
Published: November 2020

Fibrosis is one of the largest sources of human morbidity. The skin is a complex organ where interplay between diverse cell types and signalling pathways is essential both in homeostasis and wound repair, which can result in fibrosis or regeneration. This makes skin a useful model to study fibrosis and regeneration. While fibrosis often occurs postinjury, both clinical and laboratory observations suggest skin regeneration, complete with reconstituted cell diversity and de novo hair follicles, is possible. Extensive research performed in pursuit of skin regeneration has elucidated the key players, both cellular and molecular. Interestingly, some cells known for their homeostatic function are not implicated in regeneration or wound‐induced hair neogenesis (WIHN), suggesting regeneration harnesses separate functional pathways from embryogenesis or other non‐homeostatic mechanisms. For example, classic bulge cells, noted for their role in normally cycling hair follicles, do not finally contribute to long‐lived cells in the regenerated tissue. During healing, multiple populations of cells, among them specific epithelial lineages, mesenchymal cells, and immune cells promote regenerative outcomes in the wounded skin. Ultimately, targeting specific populations of cells will be essential in manipulating a postwound environment to favour regeneration in lieu of fibrosis.
Functionally expressed bitter taste receptor TAS2R14 in human epidermal keratinocytes serves as a chemosensory receptor
Authors: Ho Hilary Kung‐Yu , Bigliardi Paul Lorenz , Stelmashenko Olga , Ramasamy Srinivas , Postlethwaite Michael , Bigliardi‐Qi Mei
Published: November 2020

Traditionally, it is theorized that skin sensation is initiated when cutaneous sensory afferents and Merkel cells receive sensory stimuli, while epidermal keratinocytes were deemed to have no role. However, mounting evidence has shown that keratinocytes can initiate skin sensation by receiving sensory stimuli and transmitting sensory information to sensory afferents. Knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which keratinocytes receive exogenous stimuli is limited, with TRP channels and olfactory receptors having been proposed to serve as receptors for exogenous stimuli in keratinocytes. Recently, expression analyses have demonstrated the expression of multiple TAS2R genes in human skin. TAS2Rs are chemosensory GPCRs employed by taste cells to detect bitter‐tasting substances. However, only subtypes TAS2R1 and TAS2R38 have been characterized in epidermal keratinocytes. We present evidence suggesting that subtype TAS2R14 is functionally expressed in epidermal keratinocytes. TAS2R14 transcripts and protein were detected in primary and N/TERT‐1 keratinocytes. Additionally, keratinocytes responded to α‐thujone, a TAS2R14 ligand, with an increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration. The tastant‐evoked Ca2+ signals were found to be mediated by wild‐type TAS2R14 and heterotrimeric G proteins. We conclude that TAS2R14 serves as a chemosensory receptor in epidermal keratinocytes and hypothesize that it enables the cells to recognize potentially harmful chemical substances.
Civil engineering meets geology: at the Panama Canal
Authors: Waltham Tony
Published: November 2020

The Panama Canal ranks high among the world's greatest feats of civil engineering. The sheer scales of its ground excavations, its concrete structures and its economic significance are truly spectacular. It is also remarkable for the geology of the massive landslides that developed within its Culebra Cut.
Inversion, chemical complexity, and interstitial transport in spinels
Authors: Uberuaga Blas P. , Pilania Ghanshyam
Published: November 2020

Spinels with the generic chemical formula AB2O4 have potential applications in nuclear energy and batteries. In both cases, their functionality is related to mass transport through the crystal. Here, using long‐time atomistic simulations, we examine the impact of the cation structure on interstitial transport in two spinel chemistries, inverse MgGa2O4 and double MgAlGaO4. We emphasize two aspects of the transport properties: the unit mechanisms that are described by individual barriers, for which we introduce pole‐figure‐like plots, and the aggregate behavior of those unit mechanisms. Compared to previous work on normal spinels, we find that inversion significantly reduces the rate of interstitial transport in these structures and has an impact on the stability of defects as they move through the lattice. In particular, B cation interstitials are found to be kinetically stable only in the inverse MgGa2O4. These results provide new insight into relationship between structure, chemistry, and transport in spinels.
Pre‐introduction introgression contributes to parallel differentiation and contrasting hybridization outcomes between invasive and native marine mussels
Authors: Popovic Iva , Bierne Nicolas , Gaiti Federico , Tanurdžić Miloš , Riginos Cynthia
Published: November 2020

Non‐native species experience novel selection pressures in introduced environments and may interbreed with native lineages. Species introductions therefore provide opportunities to investigate repeated patterns of adaptation and introgression across replicated contact zones. Here, we investigate genetic parallelism between multiple introduced populations of the invasive marine mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, in the absence (South Africa and California) and presence of hybridization with a native congener (Mytilus planulatus in Batemans Bay and Sydney Harbour, Australia). Repeatability in post‐introduction differentiation from native‐range populations varied between genetically distinct Atlantic and Mediterranean lineages, with Atlantic‐derived introductions displaying high differentiation (maxFST > 0.4) and parallelism at outlier loci. Identification of long noncoding RNA transcripts (lncRNA) additionally allowed us to clarify that parallel responses are largely limited to protein‐coding loci, with lncRNAs likely evolving under evolutionary constraints. Comparisons of independent hybrid zones revealed differential introgression most strongly in Batemans Bay, with an excess of M. galloprovincialis ancestry and resistance to introgression at loci differentiating parental lineages (M. planulatus and Atlantic M. galloprovincialis). Additionally, contigs putatively introgressed with divergent alleles from a closely related species, Mytilus edulis, showed stronger introgression asymmetries compared with genome‐wide trends and also diverged in parallel in both Atlantic‐derived introductions. These results suggest that divergent demographic histories experienced by introduced lineages, including pre‐introduction introgression, influence contemporary admixture dynamics. Our findings build on previous investigations reporting contributions of historical introgression to intrinsic reproductive architectures shared between marine lineages and illustrate that interspecific introgression history can shape differentiation between colonizing populations and their hybridization with native congeners.
The priest and the state: Clerical fascism in Slovakia and theory
Authors: Kubátová Hana , Kubát Michal
Published: November 2020

We introduce a novel definition of “clerical fascism.” Building on Griffin's only available conceptualization, we define “clerical fascism,” in its ideal type, as a political regime put forward or significantly shaped by a movement or factions within a movement dominated by clerics and theologians who advocate a symbiosis of Christian and fascist principles. Our definition of “clerical fascism” is derived from case‐based research into interwar and wartime Slovakia. We begin by following the etymological trail of the concept and its historical context. We then expand on Griffin's understanding of the term. Our definition of “clerical fascism” rests on the three aspects of the political—policy, politics and polity. We show the analytical potential of our model by applying it to the political praxis of 1939–45 Slovakia. Our essay concludes by extending on the larger implications of this model for the study of religion and political radicalism in the past and present.
National indeterminacies at the periphery of the Habsburg Monarchy: Nationalisms versus multi‐ethnic identities in Fiume/Rijeka and Trieste, 1848–1867
Authors: Maritan Mario
Published: November 2020

In the 1848–1867 period, the Habsburg Monarchy was shaken by the first waves of nationalism. Yet in the case of the Habsburg port cities of Fiume/Rijeka and Trieste, contended by several different opponents, Italian and Croatian nationalisms had to face centuries‐long traditions of municipal autonomy. In both cities, municipalism and attachment to the House of Habsburg were particularly strong and were coupled with local urban identities that defied national forms of identifications, insofar as they were ethnically and linguistically hybrid. Nationalist activists sought to exploit ethnic and linguistic elements as markers of defined national identities, yet without widespread success. The final demise of the Habsburg Monarchy in 1918 has been generally taken as proof of the cogency of nationalist discourse, especially the Italian, in the region. However, the northern Adriatic rim points to the forcefulness of Habsburg multinationalism and the existence of ethnic hybridity, which provided effective bulwarks against nationalisms for decades.
Endomicroscopy of the pleura highlights challenges and limitations of pleuroscopy
Authors: Lee Y.C. Gary , Creaney Jenette
Published: November 2020

See related article
Elucidation of DNA Repair Function of PfBlm and Potentiation of Artemisinin Action by a Small-Molecule Inhibitor of RecQ Helicase
Authors: Suthram Niranjan , Padhi Siladitya , Jha Payal , Bhattacharyya Sunanda , Bulusu Gopalakrishnan , Roy Arijit , Bhattacharyya Mrinal Kanti
Published: November 2020

Malaria continues to be a serious threat to humankind not only because of the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease but also due to the huge economic burden that it imparts. Resistance to all available drugs and the unavailability of an effective vaccine cry for an urgent discovery of newer drug targets.
Transmission of low-energy scalar waves through a traversable wormhole
Authors: Azad Bahareh , Loran Farhang , Mostafazadeh Ali
Published: November 2020

We study the scattering of low-energy massless and massive minimally coupled scalar fields by an asymptotically flat traversable wormhole. We provide a comprehensive treatment of this problem offering analytic expressions for the transmission and reflection amplitudes of the corresponding effective potential and the absorption cross section of the wormhole. Our results, which are based on a recently developed dynamical formulation of time-independent scattering theory, apply to a large class of wormhole spacetimes including a wormhole with a sharp transition, the Ellis wormhole, and a family of its generalizations.
Fixed-frequency Current Control Method of Islanding Micro-grid Based on Improved Neural Network
Authors: Kuang Cuizhe , Xiao Meng , Chen Zexing , Liu Zehuai , Wang Ziqi , Lv Baoqiang , Li Guoxin
Published: November 2020

In the islanding micro-grid operation mode, due to the lack of support from the large power grid, the voltage of the bus and each node in the network is completely supported by the cooperation of the micro-grid inverters in the grid. Therefore, the control performance of the micro-grid inverter determines the quality of the power supply voltage. This paper proposes an improved AC and DC islanding micro-grid fixed frequency current control method with variable topology. First, the neural network algorithm improved by particle swarm optimization is used as the basis to optimize the coordinated compensation control of the micro-grid to obtain the fitness value of the objective function under the positive and negative sequence potentials. Then, a control strategy for the improved AC/DC hybrid micro-grid is proposed, and the decoupling and coordinated control strategy for the output compensation of the dual filters in the islanding mode is designed. Finally, simulations and experiments verify the improved AC/DC hybrid microgrid with variable topology and achieve the goal of constant-frequency current control.
The Optimization of the Dynamic Mechanism of Jilin’s Economic Revitalization from the Perspective of Viterbi Algorithm’s Supply-Side Structural Reform
Authors: Jin Yuzi
Published: November 2020

Under the background of the rapid development of the Internet, the development information and social status that affect economic regeneration exist in the form of literal data in massive data information. The use of Viterbi algorithm can establish a digital model of information extraction, so as to quickly and accurately find the important content information in the Internet that influences the development of reform and economic rejuvenation. Therefore, based on the Viterbi algorithm, the use of mathematical models to help Jilin economic mechanism research from qualitative to quantitative, and continuously improve the scientific level of economic research. After deep analysis of the implementation principle and algorithm flow of Viterbi algorithm, and from the need of text information extraction, an optimization and update scheme is proposed to improve the effectiveness of the algorithm and the accuracy is calculated effectively based on the word feature detection. After simulation experiments show that Viterbi algorithm has a good application value in the field of Jilin economic reform research.
Antecedents of Entrepreneurial Intention: The Moderating Effect of the Family Entrepreneurial Background
Authors: Bouhalleb Arafet
Published: November 2020

This article extends the debate regarding entrepreneurial intention antecedents. It seeks to achieve an in-depth understanding of the direct influence of attitude, entrepreneurial education (EE), and gender on entrepreneurial intention (EI), but also of the moderator effect of family background on the EE–EI relationship in an international context. The study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) to test our hypotheses. Data analysis is based on the information of French and international postgraduate students in French business schools. The results suggest a positive and significant causal relationship between attitude and EI for both samples. However, the results also reveal that EE has a negative influence on EI development. As such, our results open interesting perspectives regarding EI antecedents, but also concerning the efficiency of the pedagogical approach adapted on EE.
Gauge equivalences for foliations and pre-symplectic structures
Authors: Schätz Florian , Zambon Marco
Published: November 2020

We consider the deformation theory of two kinds of geometric objects: foliations on one hand, pre-symplectic forms on the other. For each of them, we prove that the geometric notion of equivalence given by isotopies agrees with the algebraic notion of gauge equivalence obtained from the [Formula: see text]-algebras governing these deformation problems.
A Novel Approach for Mining Time and Space Proximity-based Frequent Sequential Patterns from Trajectory Data
Authors: Praneetha Sree Rayanoothala , Somayajulu D. V. L. N. , Ravichandra S.
Published: November 2020

Trajectory Data have been considered as a treasure for various hidden patterns which provide deeper understanding of the underlying moving objects. Several studies are focused to extract repetitive, frequent and group patterns. Conventional algorithms defined for Sequential Patterns Mining problems are not directly applicable for trajectory data. Space Partitioning strategies were proposed to capture space proximity first and then time proximity to discover the knowledge in the data. Our proposal addresses time proximity first by identifying trajectories which meet at a minimum of [Formula: see text] time stamps in sequence. A novel tree structure is proposed to ease the process. Our method investigates space proximity using Mahalanobis distance (MD). We have used the Manhattan distance to form prior knowledge that helps the supervised learning-based MD to derive the clusters of trajectories along the true spreads of the objects. With the help of minsup threshold, clusters of frequent trajectories are found and then in sequence they form [Formula: see text] length Sequential Patterns. Illustrative examples are provided to compare the MD metric with Euclidean distance metric, Synthetic dataset is generated and results are presented considering the various parameters such as number of objects, minsup, [Formula: see text] value, number of hops in any trajectory and computational time. Experiments are done on available real-time dataset, taxi dataset, too. Sequential Patterns are proved to be worthy of knowledge to understand dynamics of the moving objects and to recommend the movements in constrained networks.
Towards self-doping multimetal porphyrin systems
Authors: Lehmann Udo , Goddard Richard , Tonner Ralf , Reetz Manfred T.
Published: November 2020

An approach for the possible production of novel bimetallic self-doped porphyrin-based compounds of potential interest in material science is reported. Heating Cu(II)tetraphenylporphyrin (TPPCu) with chromocene at 120°C in benzonitrile affords the crystalline multimetal porphyrin system TPPCu/TPPCr in good yield. The X-ray single crystal structural analysis reveals a random distribution of TPPCu and TPPCr, with a Cu:Cr ratio of 71(2):29(2)%. Exploratory DFT calculations of TPPCu/TPPCr indicate little if any electron transfer. In contrast, calculations of a hypothetical cationic TPPCu/TPPRu system indicates the possibility of self-doping.
An Analytical Model for the Stiffness of Slotted Disk Springs
Authors: Wang Junshan , Jian Lei , Leng Weijie , She Chongmin , Sun Zhijun
Published: November 2020

The slotted disk spring is an important part of ultrasonic motors. Its mechanical properties directly affect the running stability of the motor. In this study, an analytical model is developed to solve the preload problem for slotted disk springs used in ultrasonic motors. The outer conical ring of the slotted disk spring is modeled using the conical shell theory. The inner separated teeth are modeled by the cantilever beam theory. An analytical mechanical model for the force-displacement relationship of the entire slotted disk spring is then developed. The results of the experiment based on a force-displacement transducer and the results from the analytical model, a finite element calculation, and the Schremmer formula are compared to validate the analytical model. The results show that the proposed model has the highest accuracy. Parameter-sensitivity analysis for the slotted disk spring is finally performed, and a new slotted disk spring with a long zero-stiffness interval is designed for a 40[Formula: see text]mm traveling wave rotary ultrasonic motor.
On strict strong coloring of graphs
Authors: Mohammed Abid A. , Ramesh Rao T. R.
Published: November 2020

A strict strong coloring of a graph [Formula: see text] is a proper coloring of [Formula: see text] in which every vertex of the graph is adjacent to every vertex of some color class. The minimum number of colors required for a strict strong coloring of [Formula: see text] is called the strict strong chromatic number of [Formula: see text] and is denoted by [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we characterize the results on strict strong coloring of Mycielskian graphs and iterated Mycielskian graphs.
On Pricing American Put Option on a Fixed Term: A Monte Carlo Approach
Authors: Boiquaye Perpetual Andam
Published: November 2020

This paper focuses primarily on pricing an American put option with a fixed term where the price process is geometric mean-reverting. The change of measure is assumed to be incorporated. Monte Carlo simulation was used to calculate the price of the option and the results obtained were analyzed. The option price was found to be $94.42 and the optimal stopping time was approximately one year after the option was sold which means that exercising early is the best for an American put option on a fixed term. Also, the seller of the put option should have sold $0.01 assets and bought $95.51 bonds to get the same payoff as the buyer at the end of one year for it to be a zero-sum game. In the simulation study, the parameters were varied to see the influence it had on the option price and the stopping time and it showed that it either increases or decreases the value of the option price and the optimal stopping time or it remained unchanged.
Certain Types of Covering-Based Multigranulation (
ℐ
,
T
)-Fuzzy Rough Sets with Application to Decision-Making
Authors: Ma Jue , Atef Mohammed , Nada Shokry , Nawar Ashraf
Published: November 2020

As a generalization of Zhan’s method (i.e., to increase the lower approximation and decrease the upper approximation), the present paper aims to define the family of complementary fuzzy

β

-neighborhoods and thus three kinds of covering-based multigranulation (

ℐ
,
T

)-fuzzy rough sets models are established. Their axiomatic properties are investigated. Also, six kinds of covering-based variable precision multigranulation (

ℐ
,
T

)-fuzzy rough sets are defined and some of their properties are studied. Furthermore, the relationships among our given types are discussed. Finally, a decision-making algorithm is presented based on the proposed operations and illustrates with a numerical example to describe its performance.
Investigating Tree Family Machine Learning Techniques for a Predictive System to Unveil Software Defects
Authors: Naseem Rashid , Khan Bilal , Ahmad Arshad , Almogren Ahmad , Jabeen Saima , Hayat Bashir , Shah Muhammad Arif
Published: November 2020

Software defects prediction at the initial period of the software development life cycle remains a critical and important assignment. Defect prediction and correctness leads to the assurance of the quality of software systems and has remained integral to study in the previous years. The quick forecast of imperfect or defective modules in software development can serve the development squad to use the existing assets competently and effectively to provide remarkable software products in a given short timeline. Hitherto, several researchers have industrialized defect prediction models by utilizing statistical and machine learning techniques that are operative and effective approaches to pinpoint the defective modules. Tree family machine learning techniques are well-thought-out to be one of the finest and ordinarily used supervised learning methods. In this study, different tree family machine learning techniques are employed for software defect prediction using ten benchmark datasets. These techniques include Credal Decision Tree (CDT), Cost-Sensitive Decision Forest (CS-Forest), Decision Stump (DS), Forest by Penalizing Attributes (Forest-PA), Hoeffding Tree (HT), Decision Tree (J48), Logistic Model Tree (LMT), Random Forest (RF), Random Tree (RT), and REP-Tree (REP-T). Performance of each technique is evaluated using different measures, i.e., mean absolute error (MAE), relative absolute error (RAE), root mean squared error (RMSE), root relative squared error (RRSE), specificity, precision, recall, F-measure (FM), G-measure (GM), Matthew’s correlation coefficient (MCC), and accuracy. The overall outcomes of this paper suggested RF technique by producing best results in terms of reducing error rates as well as increasing accuracy on five datasets, i.e., AR3, PC1, PC2, PC3, and PC4. The average accuracy achieved by RF is 90.2238%. The comprehensive outcomes of this study can be used as a reference point for other researchers. Any assertion concerning the enhancement in prediction through any new model, technique, or framework can be benchmarked and verified.
Effect of Freezing‐Thawing Cycle on the Mechanical Properties and Micromechanism of Red Mud‐Calcium‐Based Composite Cemented Soil
Authors: Wen Hao , Suo Chongxian , Hao Yafen , Fan Peige , Dong Xiaoqiang
Published: November 2020

The environmental issues caused by solid waste have become increasingly serious. Adding additive is considered as an effective measure to improve the performance of the cemented soil. Therefore, the feasibility study of solid waste such as red mud and desulfurization gypsum used in composite cemented soil is in urgent demand. In this study, the mechanical properties and durability to freezing‐thawing cycle of red mud‐calcium‐based composite cemented soil (RMCC) were analyzed through compressive strength test, resistivity test, and freezing‐thawing cycle test. The action mechanism of RMCC was revealed through a series of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) test. The results show that the optimal red mud content in RMCC is 12%. As the freezing‐thawing cycle progresses, the difference in resistivity and pressure sensitivity of RMCC gradually weakens. When the freezing‐thawing cycle reaches 7, the pressure sensitivity characteristic of RMCC is lost. The change in resistivity and pressure sensitivity can be used to characterize the damage caused by the freezing‐thawing cycle. Combined with XRD and SEM analysis, the presence of minerals such as K2Ca5(SO4)6·H2O and (Ca, Na)2(Si, Al)5O10·3H2O play a key role in fixation of alkali metal elements, and the coordination of CSH gel cementation effect and AFt filling effect has a significant impact on mechanical properties. The study provides an effective way to the utilization of red mud and desulfurization gypsum in subgrade strengthening.
Linear and Nonlinear Mendelian Randomization Analyses of the Association Between Diastolic Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Arvanitis Marios , Qi Guanghao , Bhatt Deepak L. , Post Wendy S. , Chatterjee Nilanjan , Battle Alexis , McEvoy John W.
Published: November 2020

Background:

Recent clinical guidelines support intensive blood pressure treatment targets. However, observational data suggest that excessive diastolic blood pressure (DBP) lowering might increase the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), reflecting a J- or U-shaped relationship.

Methods:

We analyzed 47 407 participants from 5 cohorts (median age, 60 years). First, to corroborate previous observational analyses, we used traditional statistical methods to test the shape of association between DBP and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Second, we created polygenic risk scores of DBP and systolic blood pressure and generated linear Mendelian randomization (MR) estimates for the effect of DBP on CVD. Third, using novel nonlinear MR approaches, we evaluated for nonlinearity in the genetic relationship between DBP and CVD events. Comprehensive MR interrogation of DBP required us to also model systolic blood pressure, given that the 2 are strongly correlated.

Results:

Traditional observational analysis of our cohorts suggested a J-shaped association between DBP and MI. By contrast, linear MR analyses demonstrated an adverse effect of increasing DBP increments on CVD outcomes, including MI (MI hazard ratio, 1.07 per unit mm Hg increase in DBP;
P
<0.001). Furthermore, nonlinear MR analyses found no evidence for a J-shaped relationship; instead confirming that MI risk decreases consistently per unit decrease in DBP, even among individuals with low values of baseline DBP.

Conclusions:

In this analysis of the genetic effect of DBP, we found no evidence for a nonlinear J- or U-shaped relationship between DBP and adverse CVD outcomes; including MI.
A taxonomic reassessment of Croton grandivelus, including recognition of a new species, C. insignis, and the redefinition of C. fulvus (Euphorbiaceae)

Authors: SODRÉ RODOLFO CARNEIRO , DA SILVA MARCOS JOSÉ
Published: November 2020

Croton is one of the largest genera of Angiosperms, with a pantropical distribution and a high diversity in South America, where 500 of its species occur. Croton sect. Adenophylli, its largest section, is characterized mainly by the fruit columella with three terminal ascending and inflated appendices and is distributed across the Neotropics, with the Cerrado as one of its centers of diversity. One of the binomials in the section, Croton grandivelus, has been applied to a broadly circumscribed entity that is here treated as including three species, C. grandivelus sensu stricto, C. fulvus and C. insignis, the latter described as a new species. We present a taxonomic treatment for these three species with descriptions, photographs, an illustration for the new species, an identification key, distribution maps, and commentary on the taxonomy, geographical distribution, environmental preferences, conservation status, flowering and fruiting times, morphological relationships and notes about the leaf anatomy and micromorphology of foliar trichomes. As part of this process, we propose 23 new synonyms and 15 lectotypifications.
A new species of Lophogyne s.l. (Podostemaceae) from the Amazonian savanna of Amapá, Brazil

Authors: BOVE CLAUDIA P. , PHILBRICK C. THOMAS , LOURENÇO ARTHUR R.
Published: November 2020

A new species of Lophogyne from a Brazilian Amazon savanna is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to the former Jenmaniella species, due to the presence of stems that arise from prostrate roots attached to the substratum, a gynophore at anthesis, and three prominent non-suture ribs per valve in the fruit, currently merged in Lophogyne s.l.. Lophogyne wilsonii can be distinguished from all others species of  Lophogyne s.l. by the apical region of the roots unattached from the substratum. The conservation status is discussed and an identification key is presented.
Taxonomy and host-plant relationships of the psyllid genus Mitrapsylla (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Psyllidae) in Brazil
Authors: RENDÓN-MERA DIANA ISABEL , BURCKHARDT DANIEL , CAVICHIOLI RODNEY R. , QUEIROZ DALVA L.
Published: November 2020

The Brazilian species of Mitrapsylla, a Neotropical genus of jumping plant-lice, are reviewed. Twenty-seven species are described as new, and one species originally described from Panama is recorded for the first time from Brazil. This brings the number of Brazilian species from 12 to 40 and for the Neotropical region to 51. The new species are illustrated and Mitrapsylla ceplaciensis (White & Hodkinson), M. cubana Crawford and M. itaparica (Crawford) are redescribed. A key for the identification of males is provided for the Brazilian species and information is given on host-plants, habitat and distribution. Host-plants, all Leguminosae, are confirmed for 15 of the new species. The genus is predominantly tropical but extends into the subtropical states in South Brazil.