bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of salinity on mixed microalgae grown in anaerobic liquid digestate
Authors: Ermis Hande , Altinbas Mahmut
Published: April 2020

In this study, mixed microalgal culture dominated by Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus armatus was grown in Anaerobic Liquid Digestate (ALD) at different NaCl concentrations ranging between 0 and 100 mM. Highest lipid and carbohydrate amounts were observed as 38.4 and 36.2%, respectively, when the salinity was 50 mM NaCl. However, the protein content was drastically decreased to 12.8% with increased NaCl concentration. Furthermore, the algal biomass was subsequently decreased along with the total chlorophyll amount with increased NaCl concentration. Algal species showed diverse response to salinity stress and demonstrated a cost‐effective approach towards the cultivation of mixed microalgae within digestate and provided insight that ALD and/or other wastewaters can be diluted with seawater instead of tap water in the future studies. This study could be further converted into biofuels because of an increase in lipid content along with the digestate treatment, which will help to valorize ALD and bring into economy.
Dietary supplement use by older adults with chronic venous leg ulcers: A retrospective, descriptive study
Authors: McDaniel Jodi C.
Published: April 2020

Nearly 70% of older adults in the U.S. report using ≥1 dietary supplements (DSs) daily. While DSs may have health benefits, there is risk for toxicity or harmful drug‐supplement interactions if not taken correctly. Older adults with chronic wounds who use DSs are at increased risk of adverse drug‐supplement interactions because they usually have comorbidities requiring polypharmacy management. However, no studies have evaluated DS use in this population. The aim of this retrospective pilot study was to describe DS use by a sample of older adults (n = 40) with chronic venous leg ulcers (CVLUs) who participated in a clinical trial testing the effects of fish oil supplementation on wound healing. At baseline, study personnel assisted all participants in completing an electronic questionnaire about DS use. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the data. Twenty‐five of the 40 participants (62.5%) reported taking ≥1 DS daily. On average, DS users were 65.16 years (SD = 8.51) and the majority were men (64.0%), white (68.0%), and had at least some college education (72.0%). Fifteen (60.0%) reported taking 1‐2 DSs/day, and 10 (40.0%) reported taking ≥3/day. The most frequently reported DSs used were multivitamin/mineral complex (60.0%), vitamin D (36.0%), vitamin B complex (28.0%) and calcium (28.0%). Reasons for using DSs were to maintain or improve health (44.0%), improve bone density (12%), and boost the immune system (12%). Supplement users reported consuming an average of 9.12 (SD = 6.46) prescription drugs daily and 21 (84.0%) reported ≥3 chronic health conditions. In summary, DS use in this sample of chronic wound patients was high. Moreover, DS users reported using multiple prescription drugs (2‐23/day) concomitantly with DSs. While older adults with CVLUs may benefit from targeted DS therapy, monitoring their DS use to reduce risk for adverse drug‐supplement interactions is best practice.
The Effect of Acupressure on Acute Pain During Venipuncture in Children: Implications for Evidence‐Based Practice
Authors: Koç Özkan Tuba , Balcı Serap
Published: April 2020

Aims

The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial in order to determine the effects of acupressure on acute pain during venipuncture in children.

Methods

The population of the study consisted of children, aged between 9 and 12 years, who received venipuncture between September 2015 and June 2016 at a university hospital in Istanbul. The sample consisted of a total of 90 children, including 45 children in the acupressure group and 45 children in the control group, who met the sample inclusion criteria. The results of the study were obtained by using an information form, the State Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), the visual analog scale (VAS), and the Faces Pain Scale‐Revised (FPS‐R). Acupressure was applied to the children in the acupressure group for 10 min before the venipuncture procedure. Pain, heart rate, and oxygen saturation levels of the children in the acupressure and control groups were evaluated both before and after the venipuncture procedure.

Results

The children in the acupressure and control groups were found to be similar in terms of age, gender, parents’ educational levels and working status, number of venipuncture procedures, and mean anxiety scores. In the evaluation that was conducted before the venipuncture procedure, no statistically significant differences were observed between the heat rates, oxygen saturation levels, and expected pain scores from the venipuncture procedure in the children in the acupressure and control groups. On the other hand, it was observed that the children in the acupressure group (VAS: 19.51 ± 4.98; FPS‐R: 2.08 ± 0.41) experienced less pain than the children in the control group (VAS: 47.37 ± 9.89; FPS‐R: 4.84 ± 1.08), and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p< .000).

Linking Evidence to Action

Acupressure administration is effective in reducing the pain that is experienced by children during a venipuncture procedure.
Building Cities on the Sea
Authors: Abrams Michael
Published: April 2020

As sea level rise threatens cities across the globe, engineers are looking at relocating giant pieces of infrastructure to buoyant buildings, or very large floating structures. What had once seemed like an exercise in extreme engineering now has taken on an edge of desperate necessity. Can the challenges be overcome in time?
Plasticity Correction on Stress Intensity Factor Evaluation for Underclad Cracks in Reactor Pressure Vessels
Authors: Lu Kai , Katsuyama Jinya , Li Yinsheng
Published: April 2020

Structural integrity assessment of reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) is essential for the safe operation of nuclear power plants. For RPVs in pressurized water reactors (PWRs), the assessment should be performed by considering neutron irradiation embrittlement and pressurized thermal shock (PTS) events. To assess the structural integrity of an RPV, a traditional method is usually employed by comparing fracture toughness of the RPV material with the stress intensity factor (KI) of a crack postulated near the RPV inner surface. When an underclad crack (i.e., a crack beneath the cladding of an RPV) is postulated, KI of this crack can be increased owing to the plasticity effect of cladding. This is because the yield stress of cladding is lower than that of base metal and the cladding may yield earlier than base metal. In this paper, detailed three-dimensional (3D) finite element analyses (FEAs) were performed in consideration of the plasticity effect of cladding for underclad cracks postulated in Japanese RPVs. Based on the 3D FEA results, a plasticity correction method was proposed on KI calculations of underclad cracks. In addition, the effects of RPV geometries and loading conditions were investigated using the proposed plasticity correction method. Moreover, the applicability of the proposed method to the case which considers the hardening effect of materials after neutron irradiation was also investigated. All of these results indicate that the proposed plasticity correction method can be used for KI calculations of underclad cracks and is applicable to structural integrity assessment of Japanese RPVs containing underclad cracks.
Thermal Solutions for a Plate With an Arbitrary Temperature Transient on One Surface and Convection on the Other: Direct and Inverse Formulations
Authors: Segall Albert E. , Schoof Craig C. , Yastishock Daniel E.
Published: April 2020

Thick plates that are thermally loaded on one surface with convection on the other are often encountered in engineering practice. Given this wide utility and the limitations of most existing solutions to an adiabatic boundary condition, generalized direct thermal solutions were first derived for an arbitrary surface loading as modeled by a polynomial and its coefficients on the loaded surface with convection on the other. Once formulated, the temperature solutions were then used with elasticity relationships to determine the resulting thermal stresses. Additionally, the inverse thermal problem was solved using a least-squares type determination of the aforementioned polynomial coefficients based on the direct-solution and temperatures measured at the surface with convection. Previously published relationships for a thick-walled cylinder with internal heating/cooling and external convection are also included for comparison. Given the versatility of the polynomial solutions advocated, the method appears well suited for complicated thermal scenarios provided the analysis is restricted to the time interval used to determine the polynomial and the thermophysical properties do not vary with temperature.
Magnetohydrodynamic and Heat Transfer Impacts on Ferrofluid Over a Rotating Disk: An Application to Hard Disk Drives
Authors: Loganayagi V. , Kameswaran Peri K.
Published: April 2020

The motivation behind this article is to explore the impacts of heat transfer, magnetohydrodynamic, and hall current on two-dimensional incompressible nanofluid flow over a rotating disk. The nanofluid model utilized in the present investigation comprises the nanoparticle fraction model. Two sorts of nanoparticles to be specific Hematite (Fe2O3) is the principal source of iron and Cobalt alloy (Co64 Cr30 W6) is generally used metal alloy that is primarily Cobalt and Chromium with base fluid Motor Oil 10W30 is taken into consideration. The Prandtl number identifying with motor oil is (Pr = 1531.92). The governing equations are reduced to a system of ordinary differential equations by using Von-Karman transformation and then solved numerically utilizing matlab bvp4c. Impacts of the magnetic field, hall current, and nanoparticle volume fraction on tangential, radial velocities, and temperature profiles have been examined. Numerical outcomes have been acquired for various physical parameters through graphical representation. We have demonstrated that a remarkable reconciliation exists among the current outcomes and those in the literature for various values of magnetic parameter and velocity slip parameters, in the absence of other parameters. It is also found that radial and tangential velocities increase more in the case of Fe2O3 nanoparticles when compared with Co64 Cr30 W6 because of density variations. It is discovered that enhancement in a nanoparticle volume fraction reduces the heat transfer rate. It can moreover be clarified such a way that as the nanoparticle volume fraction raise, the density of nanoparticles increases, temperature also increases subsequently heat transfer rate decreases. This result keeps more cooling for the hard disk drives and might be intrigued for engineers.
Abnormal Anatomical Etiology and the Resultant Bilateral Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Authors: Rizzo Jennifer L.
Published: April 2020

The diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is challenging and primarily determined by clinical examination. Symptoms such as numbness and tingling in the arms when raised above the head make the rehabilitation process difficult due to the various manifestations of TOS presented to the athletic trainer (AT). An AT should understand the intricate anatomical characteristics of the thoracic outlet and how various TOS presentations may impact treatment. In this clinical commentary, I provide my own insights for understanding TOS from my perspective as a patient and AT. These insights are valuable when making diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic clinical decisions.
Widespread loss of Caribbean acroporid corals was underway before coral bleaching and disease outbreaks
Authors: Cramer Katie L. , Jackson Jeremy B. C. , Donovan Mary K. , Greenstein Benjamin J. , Korpanty Chelsea A. , Cook Geoffrey M. , Pandolfi John M.
Published: April 2020

Endangered staghorn and elkhorn corals began disappearing from Caribbean reefs decades before climate change impacts.
Cellular contractile forces are nonmechanosensitive
Authors: Feld Lea , Kellerman Lior , Mukherjee Abhishek , Livne Ariel , Bouchbinder Eran , Wolfenson Haguy
Published: April 2020

Rigidity-dependent force generation involves no mechanosensing and is enslaved to a rigidity-independent contractile displacement.
Immune profiles provide insights into respiratory syncytial virus disease severity in young children
Authors: Heinonen Santtu , Velazquez Victoria M. , Ye Fang , Mertz Sara , Acero-Bedoya Santiago , Smith Bennett , Bunsow Eleonora , Garcia-Mauriño Cristina , Oliva Silvia , Cohen Daniel M. , Moore-Clingenpeel Melissa , Peeples Mark E. , Ramilo Octavio , Mejias Asuncion
Published: April 2020

The mild RSV disease phenotype is driven by robust IFN expression, adequate monocyte activation, and high viral loads.
Casting the development of iron-recycling macrophages
Authors: Giannarelli Chiara
Published: April 2020

Interleukin-33 signaling directs the maturation of iron-metabolizing macrophages.
Pathogenicity Genomic Island-Associated CrpP-Like Fluoroquinolone-Modifying Enzymes among Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates in Europe
Authors: Ortiz de la Rosa José Manuel , Nordmann Patrice , Poirel Laurent
Published: April 2020

Many transferable quinolone resistance mechanisms have been identified in Gram-negative bacteria. The plasmid-encoded 65-amino-acid-long ciprofloxacin-modifying enzyme CrpP was recently identified in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates. We analyzed a collection of 100 clonally unrelated and multidrug-resistant
P. aeruginosa
clinical isolates, among which 46 were positive for
crpP
-like genes, encoding five CrpP variants conferring variable levels of reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Fish Pathogen,
Edwardsiella piscicida
Isolate CK41
Authors: Baek Se-Won , Hwang Sungmin , Kang Ho Young , Bang Woo Young , Moon Ki Hwan
Published: April 2020

Edwardsiella piscicida
CK41 is a fish-pathogenic Gram-negative bacterium isolated from diseased flounder in the Republic of Korea. Here, we report the genome sequence of
E. piscicida
CK41, comprising one chromosome of 3.76 Mbp and one plasmid of 72.7 kbp. A total of 3,406 protein-coding genes, 98 tRNAs, and 25 rRNAs are predicted to be present in the genome.
Complete Genome Sequence of Blautia producta JCM 1471
T
Authors: Tourlousse Dieter M. , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Miura Takamasa , Narita Koji , Ohashi Akiko , Uchino Yoshihito , Yamazoe Atsushi , Kameyama Keishi , Terauchi Jun , Ohkuma Moriya , Kawasaki Hiroko , Sekiguchi Yuji
Published: April 2020

We report a complete genome sequence of
Blautia producta
JCM 1471
T
. The genome consists of a single circular chromosome of 6,197,116 bp with a G+C content of 45.7%. The genome was annotated as containing 5 complete sets of rRNA genes, 70 tRNA genes, and 5,516 protein-coding sequences.
Complete Genome Sequence of Thermophilic Bacterium Aeribacillus pallidus PI8
Authors: Kita Kyosuke , Ishida Atsushi , Tanaka Kosei , Ishikawa Shu , Yoshida Ken-ichi
Published: April 2020

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Aeribacillus pallidus
PI8, a thermophilic bacterium, isolated from soybean stem extract. The sequence was determined using Illumina and Nanopore sequencers. Bioinformatic analyses of the genome sequence revealed the presence of possible bacteriocin gene clusters.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Cutibacterium acnes Strains Isolated from an Orthopedic Surgical Site
Authors: Seo Kaito , Tanaka Kazuki , Fukuda Shinji , Arakawa Kazuharu
Published: April 2020

Cutibacterium acnes
was reported as one of the most frequently isolated opportunistic pathogens among the skin microbiota. Here, we report two complete genome sequences of
Cutibacterium acnes
strains that were isolated from surgical (strain SZ1) and nonsurgical (strain SZ2) sites on the back of an orthopedic surgery patient.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strain S7, Isolated from a Patient with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Meher Aparna , Guha Hritusree , Pemmadi Raghuveer Varma , Akram Subia , Faruquee Hossain M. , Arya Rakesh , Ghosh Hiren , Nikam Chaitali , Saha Sourav , Das Ranjit , Dasgupta Arunabha , Goswami Bidhan , Gupta Dinesh , Das Anjan , Nanda Ranjan Kumar
Published: April 2020

Over the past decades, drug-resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains have presented a significant challenge, with inadequate diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) cases. Here, we report the draft whole-genome sequence of drug-resistant
M. tuberculosis
strain S7, which was isolated from a patient from Tripura, India, who was diagnosed with pulmonary TB.
Design and implementation of the stacked, synchronised and iconographic timeline-structured electronic patient record in a UK NHS Global Digital Exemplar hospital
Authors: Hales Alan Arthur , Cable David , Crossley Eleanor , Findlay Callum , Rew David Anthony
Published: April 2020

Background

Conventional electronic screen visualisation formats, which use tabs, dropdown menus, lists and multiple windows, present huge navigation challenges to health professionals. A unifying and intuitive interface for the electronic patient record (EPR) has been an elusive goal for software developers for decades.

Methods

Since 2009, by working in an agile way, we have built and implemented a fully operational and dynamic system, the University Hospital Southampton Lifelines (UHSL), within our clinical data estate, in a UK university hospital. UHSL permits the continuously updated display of the EPR on a single desktop computer screen in an intuitive format. During this iterative evolution, we have resolved a number of practical challenges in data display, while maintaining our core aims of end-user optimisation and radical simplification of the interface. Concurrently, we have upcycled a significant volume of clinical e-content, some from as far back as 1991, into UHSL, and at a marginal cost.

Outcomes

UHSL went live in 2017 for all authorised staff at the hospital. It displays all e-records for 2.5 million patients and for more than 100 million documents and reports. It significantly reduces the screen time to navigate the individual EPR, and it offers substantial productivity gains in designated clinical services.

Conclusions

UHSL has considerable further development potential as a National Health Service EPR interface, for the integration, display and ease of understanding of medical records across primary, secondary and community care.
Investigation of wearable health tracker version updates
Authors: Woolley Sandra I , Collins Tim , Mitchell James , Fredericks David
Published: April 2020

Background

Wearable fitness trackers are increasingly used in healthcare applications; however, the frequent updating of these devices is at odds with traditional medical device practices.

Objective

Our objective was to explore the nature and frequency of wearable tracker updates recorded in device changelogs, to reveal the chronology of updates and to estimate the intervals where algorithm updates could impact device validations.

Method

Updates for devices meeting selection criteria (that included their use in clinical trials) were independently labelled by four researchers according to simple function and specificity schema.

Results

Device manufacturers have diverse approaches to update reporting and changelog practice. Visual representations of device changelogs reveal the nature and chronology of device iterations. 13% of update items were unspecified and 32% possibly affected validations with as few as 5 days between updates that may affect validation.

Conclusion

Manufacturers could aid researchers and health professionals by providing more informative device update changelogs.
Improved efficiency and patient safety through bespoke electronic thalassaemia care module
Authors: Naveed Mohamed , Al-Serkal Yousif , Al-Nuaimi Sumaya , Al-Blooshi Kalthoom , Majed Al-Mahiri Noor , Khan Yasir , Naqvi Sadaf Ahsan , Preman Neema
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To investigate the impact of electronic medical record (EMR) on improvement of healthcare parameters in a thalassaemia centre located at the Fujairah Hospital, Fujairah, UAE.

Materials and methods

A hospital-wide EMR system (Wareed) was implemented across the hospitals in the Ministry of Health and Prevention, UAE, including two major thalassaemia centres. We aim to investigate the impact of this intervention across a number of healthcare parameters over two quarters (before and after implementation of the system).

Results

Since preimplementation data were not available for one facility, comparisons were made between parameters in two quarters in Fujairah hospital only. After introduction of Wareed, we found an increase in number of appointments (12%) (p=0.00), decrease in the number of appointment cancellations due to non-availability of blood products (p=0.02), reduction in the time to cannulation (p=0.00), decrease in number of physician days (p=0.295) among other parameters observed.

Discussion

Research shows that EMR systems have a positive impact on reduction in medical expenditure, improvement of healthcare quality and overall health outcomes. thalassaemia is highly prevalent in the Middle Eastern countries and drains the medical, social and financial resources of these nations. Our study is an attempt to create an insight into the difference in healthcare parameters before and after introduction of the system.

Conclusion

Being the first of a kind in this region, our study created favourable evidence that introduction of an EMR has an overall positive impact on the healthcare delivery system for thalassaemia care.
Moderate to severe hyperphosphataemia as an independent prognostic factor for 28-day mortality in adult patients with sepsis
Authors: Jang Dong-Hyun , Jo You Hwan , Lee Jae Hyuk , Kim Joonghee , Park Seung Min , Hwang Ji Eun , Lee Dong Keon , Park Inwon , Lee Che Uk , Lee Sang-Min
Published: April 2020

Background

Ischaemic tissue injury caused by tissue hypoperfusion is one of the major consequences of sepsis. Phosphate concentrations are elevated in ischaemic tissue injury. This study was performed to investigate the association of phosphate concentrations with mortality in patients with sepsis.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with sepsis conducted at an urban, tertiary care emergency department (ED) in Korea. Patients with sepsis arriving between March 2010 and April 2017 were stratified into four groups according to the initial phosphate concentration at presentation to the ED: group I (hypophosphataemia, phosphate <2 mg/dL), group II (normophosphataemia, phosphate 2–4 mg/dL), group III (mild hyperphosphataemia, phosphate 4–6 mg/dL), group IV (moderate to severe hyperphosphataemia, phosphate ≥6 mg/dL). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed to evaluate the independent association of initial phosphate concentration with 28-day mortality.

Results

Of the 3034 participants in the study, the overall mortality rate was 21.9%. The 28-day mortality rates were group I (hypophosphataemia) 14.6%, group II 17.4% (normophosphataemia), group III (mild hyperphosphataemia) 29.2% and group IV (moderate to severe hyperphosphataemia) 51.4%, respectively (p<0.001). In the multivariable analyses, patients with severe hyperphosphataemia had a significantly higher risk of death than those with normal phosphate levels (HR 1.59; 95% CI 1.23 to 2.05). Mortality in the other groups was not significantly different from mortality in patients with normophosphataemia.

Conclusions

Moderate to severe hyperphosphataemia was associated with 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis. Phosphate level could be used as a prognostic indicator in sepsis.
Correlates of tobacco product cessation among youth and adults in the USA: findings from the PATH Study Waves 1–3 (2013–2016)
Authors: Kasza Karin A , Edwards Kathryn C , Tang Zhiqun , Stanton Cassandra A , Sharma Eva , Halenar Michael J , Taylor Kristie A , Donaldson Elisabeth A , Hull Lynn C , Bansal-Travers Maansi , Limpert Jean , Zandberg Izabella , Gardner Lisa D , Hammad Hoda T , Borek Nicolette , Kimmel Heather L , Compton Wilson M , Hyland Andrew
Published: April 2020

Objective

To report on demographic and tobacco use correlates of cessation behaviours across tobacco products (cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), cigars, hookah and smokeless tobacco) among the US population.

Design

Data were drawn from the first three waves (2013–2016) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal cohort study of US youth (ages 12–17) and adults (ages 18+) . Past 30-day (P30D) tobacco users at Wave 1 (W1) or Wave 2 (W2) were included (n=1374 youth; n=14 389 adults). Generalised estimating equations were used to evaluate the association between demographic and tobacco use characteristics at baseline, with cessation behaviours at follow-up (discontinuing use, attempting to quit, quitting), over two 1-year periods (W1–W2, W2–Wave 3).

Results

Among adult users of each type of tobacco product, frequency of use was negatively associated with discontinuing use. Among adult cigarette smokers, non-Hispanic white smokers, those with lower educational attainment and those with lower household income were less likely to discontinue cigarette use; ENDS use was positively associated with making quit attempts but was not associated with cigarette quitting among attempters; smokeless tobacco use was positively associated with quitting among attempters; tobacco dependence was negatively associated with quitting among attempters. Among youth cigarette smokers, tobacco dependence was negatively associated with making quit attempts.

Discussion

Demographic correlates of tobacco cessation behaviours underscore tobacco use disparities in the USA. Use of ENDS and use of smokeless tobacco products are positively associated with some adult cigarette cessation behaviours.
Lump, mixed lump-stripe, mixed rogue wave-stripe and breather wave solutions for a (3+1)-dimensional generalized Calogero–Bogoyavlenskii–Schiff equation
Authors: Liu Shao-Hua , Tian Bo , Qu Qi-Xing , Zhang Chen-Rong , Hu Cong-Cong , Wang Meng
Published: April 2020

In this paper, the investigation is made on a (3[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]1)-dimensional generalized Calogero–Bogoyavlenskii–Schiff equation. We obtain the lump, mixed lump-stripe, mixed rogue wave-stripe and breather wave solutions via the Hirota method and symbolic computation. Accordingly, we observe that the shape and amplitude of the lump keep unchanged, while the mixed lump-stripe solutions present that (1) the lump/stripe and one-stripe waves fuse into a one-stripe wave; (2) the one-stripe wave splits into a lump/stripe and a one-stripe wave. We graphically show the interaction between a rogue wave and a pair of stripe waves, and observe that the amplitude of the rogue wave reaches the maximum value at a certain position. Besides, the breather wave propagates steadily in a certain direction.
Effects of isospin and dissipation coefficient of the K coordinate in simulation of fission dynamics of excited compound nuclei
Authors: Eslamizadeh H. , Pirpour M.
Published: April 2020

A stochastic approach based on four-dimensional (4D) dynamical model has been used to simulate the fission process of the excited compound nuclei [Formula: see text]Fr, [Formula: see text]Fr and [Formula: see text]Fr produced in fusion reactions. Effects of isospin and dissipation coefficient of the [Formula: see text] coordinate, [Formula: see text], on estimation of the evaporation residue (ER) cross-section, the prescission neutron multiplicity, the variance of the mass and energy distributions of fission fragments and the anisotropy of fission fragments angular distribution have been investigated for the excited compound nuclei [Formula: see text]Fr, [Formula: see text]Fr and [Formula: see text]Fr. Three collective shape coordinates [Formula: see text] plus the projection of total spin of the compound nucleus to the symmetry axis, [Formula: see text], were considered in the 4D dynamical model. In the 4D dynamical model, the magnitude of the dissipation coefficient of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], was considered as a free parameter and its magnitude inferred by fitting measured data on the ER cross-section. Results of the extracted dissipation coefficients of [Formula: see text] for different isotopes of Fr were shown that the magnitude of the dissipation coefficient of [Formula: see text] increases with decreasing isospin of fissioning compound nucleus. It was also shown that the prescission neutron multiplicity and the anisotropy of fission fragments angular distribution increase with increasing isospin whereas the variance of the mass and energy distributions of fission fragments decrease with increasing isospin of fissioning compound nucleus. Furthermore, it was shown that the calculated values of prescission neutron multiplicity and the variance of the mass distribution of fission fragments for the excited compound nuclei [Formula: see text]Fr, [Formula: see text]Fr and [Formula: see text]Fr decrease with the dissipation strength of [Formula: see text], whereas the variance of the energy distribution of fission fragments and the anisotropy of fission fragments angular distribution increase with the dissipation strength of [Formula: see text].
Validating Service Quality (SERVQUAL) in Healthcare: Measuring Patient Satisfaction Using their Perceptions in Jordan
Authors: Ibrahim Mohammed Shaker
Published: April 2020

Patient satisfaction in the developing world has not received sufficient interest in the healthcare literature. More importantly, models predicting patient satisfaction seldom incorporates patient perspectives into their measurement providing ill-suited metrics for healthcare administrators to make decisive decisions concerning service quality improvements. The current analysis utilizes original data collected from 336 patients in Jordan. This paper tests whether service quality (SERVQUAL) is suitable to be used in the new context and concluded that SERVQUAL is reliable and valid in supplying stakeholders with reliable and valid information concerning patient satisfaction. Further, the analysis suggests a large gap between perceived and expected services performed by Jordanian hospitals signalling the need to service quality enhancement. The study calls for the adoption of agile and rapid patient screening models in emergency departments to reduce wait times and decrease the number of patients left without being seen. This study constitutes an emerging attempt at better understanding how service quality influences patient satisfaction, and more importantly, introduce affordable and cost-effective solutions capable of improving satisfaction in the short run.
Tectonic evolution of Anglesey and adjacent mainland North Wales
Authors: Schofield D. I. , Leslie A. G. , Wilby P. R. , Dartnall R. , Waldron J. W. F. , Kendall R. S.
Published: April 2020

The Appalachian–Caledonian Orogen preserves a complex record of piecemeal trans-oceanic terrane transfer and accretion during the early Paleozoic collision between West Gondwana and Laurentia, whilst the intervening Iapetus oceanic tracts were largely destroyed. The now preserved terranes include arc fragments of Laurentian and Gondwanan affinity, oceanic fragments incorporated into the Gondwanan continental margin, and remnants of the Gondwanan continental slope apron and adjacent platform (both Ganderia and Megumia). A new tectonostratigraphic synthesis for the island of Anglesey (and adjacent NW Wales) reveals a comprehensive record of the Appalachian orogenic cycle in the UK segment of the orogen of the peri-Gondwanan margin prior to amalgamation into the Laurentian margin. We identify elements of Late Neoproterozoic accretion forming the pre-Appalachian basement; Cambrian extension, deposition and continental margin growth; Early Ordovician accretion and renewed extension; and, finally, terminal Caledonian collision and continental foreland-basin development.
Reconciling Conflict and Cooperation in Environmental Governance: A Social Network Perspective
Authors: Bodin Örjan , Mancilla García María , Robins Garry
Published: April 2020

Most if not all environmental problems entail conflicts of interest. Yet, different actors and opposing coalitions often but certainly not always cooperate in solving these problems. Hence, processes of conflict and cooperation often work in tandem, albeit much of the scholarly literature tends to focus on either of these phenomena in isolation. Social network analysis (SNA) provides opportunities to study cooperation and conflict together. In this review, we demonstrate how SNA has increased our understanding of the promises and pitfalls of collaborative approaches in addressing environmental problems. The potential of SNA to investigate conflicts in environmental governance, however, remains largely underutilized. Furthermore, a network perspective is not restricted to the social domain. A multilevel social-ecological network perspective facilitates integration of social and environmental sciences in understanding how different patterns of resource access can trigger both cooperation and conflict.
Fifty Years Exploring the Visual System
Authors: Pokorny Joel , Smith Vivianne C.
Published: April 2020

We as a couple spent 50 years working in visual psychophysics of color vision, temporal vision, and luminance adaptation. We sought collaborations with ophthalmologists, anatomists, physiologists, physicists, and psychologists, aiming to relate visual psychophysics to the underlying physiology of the primate retina. This review describes our journey and reflections in exploring the visual system.
A common genetic variant in zinc transporter ZnT2 (Thr288Ser) is present in women with low milk volume and alters lysosome function and cell energetics
Authors: Rivera Olivia C. , Geddes Donna T. , Barber-Zucker Shiran , Zarivach Raz , Gagnon Annie , Soybel David I. , Kelleher Shannon L.
Published: April 2020

Suboptimal lactation is a common, yet underappreciated cause for early cessation of breastfeeding. Molecular regulation of mammary gland function is critical to the process lactation; however, physiological factors underlying insufficient milk production are poorly understood. The zinc (Zn) transporter ZnT2 is critical for regulation of mammary gland development and maturation during puberty, lactation, and postlactation gland remodeling. Numerous genetic variants in the gene encoding ZnT2 ( SLC30A2) are associated with low milk Zn concentration and result in severe Zn deficiency in exclusively breastfed infants. However, the functional impacts of genetic variation in ZnT2 on key mammary epithelial cell functions have not yet been systematically explored at the cellular level. Here we determined a common mutation in SLC30A2/ZnT2 substituting serine for threonine at amino acid 288 (Thr288Ser) was found in 20% of women producing low milk volume ( n = 2/10) but was not identified in women producing normal volume. Exploration of cellular consequences in vitro using phosphomimetics showed the serine substitution promoted preferential phosphorylation of ZnT2, driving localization to the lysosome and increasing lysosome biogenesis and acidification. While the substitution did not initiate lysosome-mediated cell death, cellular ATP levels were significantly reduced. Our findings demonstrate the Thr288Ser mutation in SLC30A2/ZnT2 impairs critical functions of mammary epithelial cells and suggest a role for genetic variation in the regulation of milk production and lactation performance.
Leucine improves α-amylase secretion through the general secretory signaling pathway in pancreatic acinar cells of dairy calves
Authors: Guo Long , Tian Huibin , Yao Junhu , Ren Hao , Yin Qinyan , Cao Yangchun
Published: April 2020

The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which leucine impacts the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, especially amylase, by studying the proteomics profiles of pancreatic acinar (PA) cells from dairy cows. PA cells, the experimental model, were treated with four concentrations of leucine (0, 0.23, 0.45, and 0.90 mM). The abundance of different proteins in the four leucine treatment groups was detected. Label-free proteomic analysis enabled the identification of 1,906 proteins in all four treatment groups, and 1,350 of these proteins showed common expression across the groups. The primary effects of leucine supplementation were increased ( P < 0.05) citrate synthase and ATPase activity, which enlarged the cytosolic ATP pool, and the upregulation of secretory protein 61 (Sec61) expression, which promoted protein secretion. In summary, these results suggest that leucine increases citrate synthase in the TCA cycle and ATPase activity and promotes the Sec signaling pathway to increase the exocrine function of PA cells.
Cortical processing of chemosensory and hedonic features of taste in active licking mice
Authors: Bouaichi Cecilia G. , Vincis Roberto
Published: April 2020

Relatively little information is available on the neural dynamics of taste processing in the mouse gustatory cortex (GC). In this study we investigate how the GC encodes chemosensory and palatability features of a wide panel of gustatory stimuli when actively sampled through licking. Our results show that GC neurons broadly encode basic taste qualities but also process taste hedonics and licking information in a temporally dynamic manner.
Prediction of Future Terrorist Activities Using Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Uddin M. Irfan , Zada Nazir , Aziz Furqan , Saeed Yousaf , Zeb Asim , Ali Shah Syed Atif , Al-Khasawneh Mahmoud Ahmad , Mahmoud Marwan
Published: April 2020

One of the most important threats to today’s civilization is terrorism. Terrorism not only disturbs the law and order situations in a society but also affects the quality of lives of humans and makes them suppressed physically and emotionally and deprives them of enjoying life. The more the civilizations have advanced, the more the people are working towards exploring different mechanisms to protect the mankind from terrorism. Different techniques have been used as counterterrorism to protect the lives of individuals in society and to improve the quality of life in general. Machine learning methods have been recently explored to develop techniques for counterterrorism based on artificial intelligence (AI). Since deep learning has recently gained more popularity in machine learning domain, in this paper, these techniques are explored to understand the behavior of terrorist activities. Five different models based on deep neural network (DNN) are created to understand the behavior of terrorist activities such as is the attack going to be successful or not? Or whether the attack is going to be suicide or not? Or what type of weapon is going to be used in the attack? Or what type of attack is going to be carried out? Or what region is going to be attacked? The models are implemented in single-layer neural network (NN), five-layer DNN, and three traditional machine learning algorithms, i.e., logistic regression, SVM, and Naïve Bayes. The performance of the DNN is compared with NN and the three machine learning algorithms, and it is demonstrated that the performance in DNN is more than 95% in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-Score, while ANN and traditional machine learning algorithms have achieved a maximum of 83% accuracy. This concludes that DNN is a suitable model to be used for predicting the behavior of terrorist activities. Our experiments also demonstrate that the dataset for terrorist activities is big data; therefore, a DNN is a suitable model to process big data and understand the underlying patterns in the dataset.
Effect of Huangqin Tang on Urine Metabolic Profile in Rats with Ulcerative Colitis Based on UPLC‐Q‐Exactive Orbitrap MS
Authors: Wang Dunfang , Ma Xuran , Guo Shanshan , Wang Yanli , Li Tao , Zou Dixin , Song Hongxin , Yang Weipeng , Ge Yongxiang
Published: April 2020

As a classic prescription, Huangqin Tang (HQT) has been widely applied to treat ulcerative colitis (UC), although its pharmacological mechanisms are not clear. In this study, urine metabolomics was first analysed to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of HQT in UC rats induced by TNBS. We identified 28 potential biomarkers affected by HQT that might cause changes in urine metabolism in UC rats, mapped the network of metabolic pathways, and revealed how HQT affects metabolism of UC rats. The results showed that UC affects amino acid metabolism and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and impairs the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle). UC induced inflammatory and gastrointestinal reactions by inhibiting the transport of fatty acids and disrupting amino acid metabolism. HQT plays key roles via regulating the level of biomarkers in the metabolism of amino acids, lipids, and so on, normalizing metabolic disorders. In addition, histopathology and other bioinformatics analysis further confirm that HQT altered UC rat physiology and pathology, ultimately affecting metabolic function of UC rats.
Epitope-Based Peptide Vaccine against Glycoprotein G of Nipah Henipavirus Using Immunoinformatics Approaches
Authors: Mohammed Arwa A. , Shantier Shaza W. , Mustafa Mujahed I. , Osman Hind K. , Elmansi Hashim E. , Osman Isam-Aldin A. , Mohammed Rawan A. , Abdelrhman Fatima A. , Elnnewery Mihad E. , Yousif Einas M. , Mustafa Marwa M. , Elfadol Nafisa M. , Abdalla Alaa I. , Mahmoud Eiman , Yagaub Ahmed A. , Ahmed Yassir A. , Hassan Mohamed A.
Published: April 2020

Background. Nipah belongs to the genus Henipavirus and the Paramyxoviridae family. It is an endemic most commonly found at South Asia and has first emerged in Malaysia in 1998. Bats are found to be the main reservoir for this virus, causing disease in both humans and animals. The last outbreak has occurred in May 2018 in Kerala. It is characterized by high pathogenicity and fatality rates which varies from 40% to 70% depending on the severity of the disease and on the availability of adequate healthcare facilities. Currently, there are no antiviral drugs available for NiV disease and the treatment is just supportive. Clinical presentations for this virus range from asymptomatic infection to fatal encephalitis. Objective. This study is aimed at predicting an effective epitope-based vaccine against glycoprotein G of Nipah henipavirus, using immunoinformatics approaches. Methods and Materials. Glycoprotein G of the Nipah virus sequence was retrieved from NCBI. Different prediction tools were used to analyze the epitopes, namely, BepiPred-2.0: Sequential B Cell Epitope Predictor for B cell and T cell MHC classes II and I. Then, the proposed peptides were docked using Autodock 4.0 software program. Results and Conclusions. The two peptides TVYHCSAVY and FLIDRINWI have showed a very strong binding affinity to MHC class I and MHC class II alleles. Furthermore, considering the conservancy, the affinity, and the population coverage, the peptide FLIDRINWIT is highly suitable to be utilized to formulate a new vaccine against glycoprotein G of Nipah henipavirus. An in vivo study for the proposed peptides is also highly recommended.
Two Types of Synchronization Problems in a New 5D Hyperchaotic System
Authors: Li Bin , Yang Xue , Liang Qixing , Li Zhi
Published: April 2020

This paper investigates the synchronization problem in a new 5D hyperchaotic system. Firstly, the existence of two types of synchronization problems in the new 5D hyperchaotic system is proved. Then, by the dynamic feedback control method, one complete synchronization problem and three coexistence of complete synchronization and antisynchronization problems in such system are realized. Finally, numerical simulations are used to verify the validity and effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Diagnosis of Overtraining Syndrome: Results of the Endocrine and Metabolic Responses on Overtraining Syndrome Study: EROS-DIAGNOSIS
Authors: Cadegiani Flavio Adsuara , da Silva Pedro Henrique Luiz , Abrao Tatiana Camargo Pereira , Kater Claudio Elias
Published: April 2020

Objectives. Overtraining syndrome (OTS), a common dysfunction among elite athletes, causes decreased performance and fatigue and has no standardized diagnostic criteria. The Endocrine and Metabolic Responses on Overtraining Syndrome (EROS) study identified more than 45 potential biomarkers of OTS. In the present study, we hypothesized that combinations of these biomarkers could be an accurate diagnostic tool for OTS. Methods. We selected parameters with largest difference and fewest overlapping results compared to healthy athletes and highest feasibility and reproducibility. Among the multiple combinations attempted, we chose those that did not show overlapping results, according to the objective. Results. We included 11 clinical parameters, 4 basal hormones, and 5 hormonal responses in Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT). The three selected diagnostic tools were the (i) EROS-CLINICAL, with only clinical parameters, which was suitable as an initial assessment for athletes suspected of OTS; (ii) EROS-SIMPLIFIED, with clinical parameters and basal hormones, when the EROS-CLINICAL was inconclusive; and (iii) EROS-COMPLETE, with basal and hormonal responses to stimulation tests, which was valuable for population-based screening, research purposes, and unusual presentations of OTS. Conclusion. We identified innovative tools with 100% accuracy for the diagnosis of OTS, without the need to exclude confounding disorders.
Adhesion Improvement between RAP and Emulsified Asphalt by Modifying the Surface Characteristics of RAP
Authors: Wang Zhenjun , Wang Pei , Guo Haoyan , Wang Xiaofeng , Li Gang
Published: April 2020

Recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) can be used in highway engineering again by cold recycled technology. Due to the aged asphalt on the surface of RAP, some problems such as poor adhesion between emulsified asphalt and RAP and the low properties of emulsified asphalt recycling mixture are easy to occur. This work aims at analyzing the aging degree of asphalt from RAP surface and improving the poor adhesion between RAP and emulsified asphalt by modifying the surface characteristics of RAP. In this work, a new device was designed to delaminate off the asphalt on the surface of RAP. The aging degree of asphalt at different layers was studied then by physical properties and molecular weight distribution. Slurry of hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2) (S‐Ca) and slurry of silane coupling agent (SCA) modified Ca(OH)2 (S‐Si‐Ca) were used to modify the asphalt on the surface of RAP, respectively. The adhesion between emulsified asphalt and RAP was studied by contact angle and boiling method. Results show that the asphalt on the RAP surface can be successfully stripped into four layers through the self‐designed RAP delaminating and stripping device. The aging degree of asphalt wrapped around the surface of the RAP showed a tendency to be gradually severe from outside to inside. However, asphalt at the innermost layer (L4) shows abnormal situation due to the fact that the light components are absorbed by the aggregate. In addition, reasonable dosage of SCA is determined as 3.0% in Ca(OH)2 powder mass. Both S‐Ca and S‐Si‐Ca can effectively reduce the contact angle and thus improve the adhesion between emulsified asphalt and RAP. Moreover, S‐Si‐Ca possesses the most obvious modification effect attributed to the formation of asphalt‐SCA‐Ca(OH)2 structure.