bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of botulinum toxin injection after corrective rhinoplasty for deviated nose and alar asymmetry
Authors: Lee Won , Ahn Tae‐Hwan , Cheon Gwahn‐Woo , Lee Min‐Ji , Yang Eun‐Jung
Published: June 2020

Background

Deviated noses and asymmetric nostrils can be corrected using corrective rhinoplasty. However, after proper correction, adjacent facial mimetic muscles can cause recurrence of asymmetry because of preoperative habits.

Objectives

We performed this study to investigate the effects on botulinum toxin on the prevention of recurrence of asymmetry after corrective rhinoplasty.

Methods

From January 2016 to December 2019, 60 patients underwent corrective rhinoplasty and 30 received botulinum toxin type A injection (Botulax; Hugel Co.) at the depressor septi nasi and levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscles, bilaterally. Vertical and horizontal deviations were compared preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results

Postoperative vertical deviation was 0.20° ± 0.65° in the botulinum toxin–injected group and 1.20° ± 0.53° in the control group (P < 0.0001). Horizontal deviation was 0.80° ± 0.52° in the botulinum toxin–injected group and 2.18° ± 0.42° in the control group (P < 0.005). Differences between preoperative and postoperative vertical deviations at 6 months were 2.30° ± 0.03° in patients who received botulinum toxin injection and 1.10° ± 0.22° in controls (P < 0.005).

Conclusions

Botulinum toxin effectively restricted the paranasal muscles without any significant adverse events. We recommend injecting botulinum toxin after corrective rhinoplasty to prevent recurrence of deviation by facial mimetic muscles.
Long noncoding RNA LINC00511 regulates the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and autophagy of trophoblast cells to mediate pre‐eclampsia progression through modulating the miR‐31‐5p/homeobox protein A7 axis
Authors: Dong Xiaorui , Zhang Yina , Chen Xixi , Xue Mengling
Published: June 2020

Aim

Pre‐eclampsia (PE) is the usual complication during pregnancy. Long noncoding RNAs are essential regulatory factors in many diseases. Nevertheless, the role of LINC00511 in the development of PE has not been fully elucidated.

Methods

The expression of LINC00511, homeobox protein A7 (HOXA7) and miR‐31‐5p was determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The levels of HOXA7 protein and autophagy‐related proteins were measured by western blot analysis. Besides, cell proliferation was evaluated using cell counting kit 8 and colony formation assays. The apoptosis and invasion of cells were detected via flow cytometry and transwell assay, respectively. Further, the interaction between miR‐31‐5p and LINC00511 or HOXA7 was confirmed by dual‐luciferase reporter assay.

Results

The LINC00511 and HOXA7 expression levels were decreased in placental tissues of PE patients, and the expression levels of both were positively correlated. LINC00511 knockdown suppressed proliferation, invasion and autophagy, while enhanced apoptosis in trophoblast cells. Meanwhile, the elevated HOXA7 expression promoted proliferation, invasion, autophagy, and inhibited the apoptosis of trophoblast cells. Besides, overexpression of HOXA7 also could reverse the effect of LINC00511 knockdown on the biological function of trophoblast cells. Further experiments confirmed that miR‐31‐5p could be sponged by LINC00511 and could target HOXA7. Also, miR‐31‐5p mimic could invert the promoting effect of LINC00511 overexpression on the biological function of trophoblast cells.

Conclusion

LINC00511 expression was crucial for maintaining the normal function of trophoblast cells, and the decreased its expression might promote the progress of PE, which might provide some theoretical strategies for reducing the development of PE.
Amyloid‐β plaques may be reduced in advanced stages of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in the elderly
Authors: Okamoto Koichi , Amari Masakuni , Fukuda Toshio , Suzuki Keiji , Takatama Masamitsu
Published: June 2020

We examined 29 cases in which cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) was detected among routine aged autopsies. Most cases with severe CAA had many amyloid‐β (Aβ) plaques in the occipital cortex. Nonetheless, two cases had few Aβ plaques with many small vessels and capillaries with CAA. In the two cases, severe CAA was widely distributed, except in the frontal lobes. Aβ deposits in capillaries often showed the characteristic pattern of dysphoric amyloid angiopathy. A few naked plaques were present. Although Aβ plaques were sparse near small vessels with CAA, there were many Aβ plaques distant from small vessels with CAA. Some of the remaining plaques had a moth‐eaten appearance. Based on Aβ‐positive star‐like appearance and results of double immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein and Aβ1–42, some astrocytes appeared to contain Aβ. Ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1)‐positive microglia were scattered within the neuropil, with some present around small vessels with CAA. Iba1‐positive microglia also seemed to phagocytose Aβ in several senile plaques by double immunostaining. Neurons and neurites identified with a monoclonal antibody against phosphorylated tau (clone AT8) were occasionally detected in sparse plaque areas, with AT8‐identified dot‐like structures present around capillaries with CAA. Accumulation of T lymphocytes was detected around vessels in the subarachnoid space in one case. The morphological changes detected in our two cases were similar to those of morphological markers of plaque clearance after Aβ immunotherapy. Nonetheless, our cases did not receive Aβ immunotherapy, but similar pathologies were observed. Overall, advanced CAA cases, including our two cases, may be examples of plaque clearance without Aβ immunotherapy. Further studies are needed to resolve the mechanism of Aβ plaque clearance using these cases.
Hydraulic Burst Test of X52 Pipes With Defects or Nozzle Repair Structure
Authors: Wu Xu , Shuai Jian , Shan Ke , Xu Kui , Di Yan
Published: June 2020

Hydrostatic blasting test can be used to verify the bearing capacity of the pipeline in service. Spiral weld cracks and dents are common defects of pipes, and nozzle repair is a common repair method of perforated pipes. In order to determine the carrying capacity of the X52 pipeline with the above defects and the repaired structure, the corresponding pipe specimens were tested by hydraulic experiment, the yield pressure and burst pressure were recorded for each case. The axial and circumferential strains of the defect and repaired structure were measured in detail, the wall thickness and perimeter of the specimen before and after the experiment were measured, and the failure mechanism was analyzed. According to the relative safety factor in the standard, the bearing capacity of the pipeline was determined.
Fabrication of crystal plane oriented trenches in gallium nitride using SF6 + Ar dry etching and wet etching post-treatment
Authors: Dannecker Kevin , Baringhaus Jens
Published: June 2020

During the last few years and with the commercialization of the gallium nitride based high electron mobility transistor, research effort on gallium nitride has been strongly increasing. Besides activities regarding lateral devices like the gallium nitride high electron mobility transistor, progress in the growth of native gallium nitride substrates encourages the development of vertical devices. In particular, for power electronics above 600 V, vertical architecture shows superior performance compared to lateral devices. This makes the vertical approach interesting for the use in traction inverters in the rising market of e-mobility. A key aspect in the fabrication of most vertical devices is the formation and optimization of trenches in the semiconductor. In this work, the fabrication of 1.5–2μm deep, crystal plane oriented trenches in gallium nitride with lateral dimension as small as 1μm is demonstrated. The trenches were produced by means of plasma etching based on sulfur hexafluoride and argon as well as a subsequent wet etching step in tetramethylammonium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. By accurately aligning the trenches along the [1¯010]- and [12¯10]-directions, the authors were able to evaluate the wet etching behavior of the respective crystal planes and achieved smooth vertical sidewalls.
Multi-parameter inversion with the aid of particle velocity field reconstruction
Authors: Taskin Ulas , van Dongen Koen W. A.
Published: June 2020

Multi-parameter inversion for medical ultrasound leads to an improved tissue classification. In general, simultaneous reconstruction of volume density of mass and compressibility would require knowledge of the particle velocity field along with the pressure field. However, in practice the particle velocity field is not measured. Here, the authors propose a method for multi-parameter inversion where the particle velocity field is reconstructed from the measured pressure field. To this end, the measured pressure field is described using outward propagating Hankel functions. For a synthetic setup, it is shown that the reconstructed particle velocity field matches the forward modelled particle velocity field. Next, the reconstructed particle velocity field is used together with the synthetically measured pressure field to reconstruct density and compressibility profiles with the aid of contrast source inversion. Finally, comparing the reconstructed speed of sound profiles obtained via single-parameter versus multi-parameter inversion shows that multi-parameter outperforms single-parameter inversion with respect to accuracy and stability.
Cooling and entangling ultracold atoms in optical lattices
Authors: Yang Bing , Sun Hui , Huang Chun-Jiong , Wang Han-Yi , Deng Youjin , Dai Han-Ning , Yuan Zhen-Sheng , Pan Jian-Wei
Published: June 2020

Lowering the entropy

Atoms loaded in an optical lattice can convincingly mimic the behavior of electrons in solids. However, reaching very low temperatures, where the most interesting quantum phases are expected to occur, is tricky. Yang
et al.
introduced a clever experimental technique to reduce the entropy of their sample. They created an array consisting of alternating rows of sample atoms and reservoirs. The entropy was transferred from the sample atoms to the adjacent reservoirs, which were then removed. The resulting low-entropy system can be used as a basis for quantum simulation and information.

Science
, this issue p.
550
Manipulating synthetic optogenetic odors reveals the coding logic of olfactory perception
Authors: Chong Edmund , Moroni Monica , Wilson Christopher , Shoham Shy , Panzeri Stefano , Rinberg Dmitry
Published: June 2020

Ensemble activity and perception

The mechanisms by which sensory percepts are encoded in neural ensembles are still incompletely understood. Chong
et al.
used single-spot optogenetic stimulation to control neuronal activity in mouse olfactory glomeruli in space and time. Animals were trained to recognize a learned activity pattern that was likely perceived as a specific odor. The authors then systematically varied the activity patterns by changing either the activated glomeruli or the timing between activation of glomeruli to evaluate their impact on odor recognition. Glomeruli that were activated early during the synthetic odor contributed more to odor recognition than glomeruli that were subsequently activated. This approach allows neuroscience to explain how features combine in complex patterns to generate perception.

Science
, this issue p.
eaba2357
Microfluidic electrochemistry for single-electron transfer redox-neutral reactions
Authors: Mo Yiming , Lu Zhaohong , Rughoobur Girish , Patil Prashant , Gershenfeld Neil , Akinwande Akintunde I. , Buchwald Stephen L. , Jensen Klavs F.
Published: June 2020

Cutting it close for radical coupling

In principle, electrochemistry is an ideal method for radical coupling: One precursor oxidized at the anode pairs up with a counterpart that has been reduced at the cathode. The trouble is that either or both coupling partners might not stay stable long enough to meet in the middle. Mo
et al.
resolved this issue by closely spacing the electrodes in a microfluidics platform (see the Perspective by Liu
et al.
). They showcase coupling of dicyanobenzene as the cathodic radical precursor with a variety of oxidatively generated partners.

Science
, this issue p.
1352
; see also p.
1312
Supplemental Material: Intermittent fracturing in the middle continental crust as evidence for transient switching of principal stress axes associated with the subduction zone earthquake cycle
Authors: Mancktelow Neil , Pennacchioni Giorgio
Published: June 2020

Study locations, stereoplots, detailed outcrop maps, and high resolution photographs.
Supplemental Material: Time-evolving surface and subsurface signatures of Quaternary volcanism in the Cascades Arc
Authors: O'Hara Daniel , al. et
Published: June 2020

Additional description of the datasets, analyses, and results presented in this study.
The paediatrician workforce and its role in addressing neonatal, child and adolescent healthcare in Kenya
Authors: English Mike , Strachan Brigid , Esamai Fabian , Ngwiri Thomas , Warfa Osman , Mburugu Patrick , Nalwa Grace , Gitaka Jesse , Ngugi John , Zhao Yingxi , Ouma Paul , Were Fred
Published: June 2020

Objective

To examine the availability of paediatricians in Kenya and plans for their development.

Design

Review of policies and data from multiple sources combined with local expert insight.

Setting

Kenya with a focus on the public, non-tertiary care sector as an example of a low-income and middle-income country aiming to improve the survival and long-term health of newborns, children and adolescents.

Results

There are 305 practising paediatricians, 1.33 per 100 000 individuals of the population aged <19 years which in total numbers approximately 25 million. Only 94 are in public sector, non-tertiary county hospitals. There is either no paediatrician at all or only one paediatrician in 21/47 Kenyan counties that are home to over a quarter of a million under 19 years of age. Government policy is to achieve employment of 1416 paediatricians in the public sector by 2030, however this remains aspirational as there is no comprehensive training or financing plan to reach this target and health workforce recruitment, financing and management is now devolved to 47 counties. The vast majority of paediatric care is therefore provided by non-specialist healthcare workers.

Discussion

The scale of the paediatric workforce challenge seriously undermines the ability of the Kenyan health system to deliver on the emerging survive, thrive and transform agenda that encompasses more complex health needs. Addressing this challenge may require innovative workforce solutions such as task-sharing, these may in turn require the role of paediatricians to be redefined. Professional paediatric communities in countries like Kenya could play a leadership role in developing such solutions.
Investigation of adverse reactions in healthcare personnel working in Level 3 barrier protection PPE to treat COVID-19
Authors: Yuan Niu , Yang Wei-Xia , Lu Jian-Li , Lv Zhang-Hong
Published: June 2020

Purpose of the study

The aim of our study was to investigate potential adverse reactions in healthcare professionals working in Level 3 barrier protection personal protective equipment (L3PPE) to treat patients with COVID-19.

Study design

By using a convenience sampling approach, 129 out of 205 randomly selected healthcare professionals from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were invited to take part in a WeChat messaging app survey, Questionnaire Star, via a survey link. Healthcare personnel details were collected, including profession, years of professional experience and adverse reactions while wearing L3PPE. Survey results were divided by profession and years of professional experience; differences in adverse reactions were compared.

Results

Among the 129 healthcare professionals surveyed, 21 (16.28%) were doctors and 108 (83.72%) were nurses. A total of 122 (94.57%) healthcare professionals experienced discomfort while wearing L3PPE to treat patients with COVID-19. The main reasons for adverse reactions and discomfort include varying degrees of adverse skin reactions, respiratory difficulties, heat stress, dizziness and nausea. Doctors had a lower incidence of rashes (χ2=4.519, p=0.034) and dizziness (χ2=4.123, p=0.042) when compared with nurses. Junior (8.5 years of experience or fewer) healthcare personnel also experienced a higher rate of heat stress when compared with senior personnel (more than 8.5 years greater) (χ2=5.228, p=0.022).

Conclusion

More attention should be offered to healthcare personnel wearing L3PPE to treat patients with COVID-19 because they are susceptible to developing adverse reactions.
First principles calculations of intersite disorder influence on the electronic structure and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism in CoFeMnSi Heusler alloy
Authors: Uba S. , Bonda A. , Uba L. , Bekenov L. V. , Antonov V. N.
Published: June 2020

Electronic structure, X-ray absorption, and magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectra in the CoFeMnSi Heusler alloy were studied from first principles. Fully relativistic Dirac linear muffin-tin orbital band structure method was implemented with various exchange–correlation functionals tested. The supercell approach was used to study the influence of intersite disorder, at the levels of 6.25%, 12.5%, and 25% within transition metal sites, on the XMCD spectra at [Formula: see text] edges and spin polarization (SP) at the Fermi level. It is found that most sensitive to Fe–Mn and Co–Fe disorder are XMCD spectra at [Formula: see text] edges of Fe, while the sensitivity decreases from Mn to Co. It is shown that magnetic moments estimated with the use of magneto-optical (MO) sum rules agree with the ab initio calculated ones to within [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], for Co, Fe, and Mn, respectively. The calculated SP decreases from 99% for ordered CoFeMnSi alloy, to 96% upon 25% Co–Fe disorder, to 83% for Fe–Mn disorder, and to 42% in the case of Co–Mn disorder. The calculated spectra agree well with the available experimental data. The rich XMCD spectral structures are predicted from first principles at Fe, Co, Mn and Si [Formula: see text] edges.
Stability and Stabilization of Heterogeneous Switched Systems with Mode-Dependent Average Dwell Time via Homogeneous Polynomial Lyapunov Functions Approach
Authors: Yu Shaohang , Wu Chengfu , Wang Liang , Wu Jia-Nan
Published: June 2020

This work researches the problem of searching for multiple homogeneous polynomial Lyapunov functions (HPLFs) for heterogeneous switched linear systems. First, a nonconvex optimization condition is constructed to study the stability property of heterogeneous switched systems, where each Lyapunov function candidate reduces dimension to their corresponding matrix eigenvalue. Based on the stability analysis condition, a controller-dependently multiple HPLFs condition is introduced to determine controllers and explores locally minimum mode-dependent average dwell time (LMMDADT). Additionally, the existing properties condition and solvable properties condition of controllers are given in the form of HPLFs. At last, a practical example and a contrast example are both presented to show feasibility of the proposed results.
PULSE ELECTRODEPOSITED NANO-SIZED Ni–AlN THIN FILMS: PREPARATION AND CORROSION RESISTANCE PREDICTION USING BACKWARD PROPAGATION NETWORK MODEL
Authors: ZENG LIANG , MA CHUNYANG , ZUO HANRUI , XIA FAFENG , LI QIANG
Published: June 2020

Nano-sized Ni–AlN thin films were prepared by pulse electrodeposition (PE) on A3 steel substrates. The microstructures, surface root-mean-square roughnesses, microhardness values, and corrosion performances of obtained nano-sized Ni–AlN thin films were investigated. Corrosion weight losses of Ni–AlN thin films were predicted by Backward propagation (BP) networks model. The results indicated that average diameters of Ni and AlN embedded in the films were evaluated to 57.9 and 29.2[Formula: see text]nm, respectively. Also, thin films were observed with uniform and compact surface structures, and Rq value was estimated to only 32.75[Formula: see text]nm.
MVPP-Based Materialized View Selection in Data Warehouses Using Simulated Annealing
Authors: Mohseni Mohsen , Sohrabi Mohammad Karim
Published: June 2020

The process of extracting data from different heterogeneous data sources, transforming them into an integrated, unified and cleaned repository, and storing the result as a single entity leads to the construction of a data warehouse (DW), which facilitates access to data for the users of information systems and decision support systems. Due to their enormous volumes of data, processing of analytical queries of decision support systems need to scan very large amounts of data, which has a negative effect on the systems’ response time. Because of the special importance of online analytical processing (OLAP) in these systems, to enhance the performance and improve the query response time of the system, an appropriate number of views of the DW are selected for materialization and will be utilized for responding to the analytical queries, instead of direct access to the base relations. Memory constraint and views maintenance overhead are two main limitations that make it impossible, in most cases, to materialize all views of the DW. Selecting a proper set of views of DW for materialization, called materialized view selection (MVS) problem, is an important research issue that has been focused in various papers. In this paper, we have proposed a method, called P-SA, to select an appropriate set of views using an improved version of simulated annealing (SA) algorithm that utilizes a proper neighborhood selection strategy. P-SA uses the multiple view processing plan (MVPP) structure for selecting the views. Data and queries of a benchmark DW have been used in experimental results for evaluating the introduced method. The experimental results show better performance of the P-SA compared to other SA-based MVS methods for increasing the number of queries, in terms of the total cost of view maintenance and query processing. Moreover, the total cost of queries in the P-SA is also better than the other important SA-based MVS methods of the literature when the size of the DW is increased.
Quantum Feller semigroup in terms of quantum Bernoulli noises
Authors: Chen Jinshu
Published: June 2020

Quantum Bernoulli noises (QBN) are the family of annihilation and creation operators acting on Bernoulli functionals, which satisfy a canonical anti-commutation relation in equal-time. In this paper, we aim to investigate quantum Feller semigroups in terms of QBN. We first investigate local structure of the algebra generated by identity operator and QBN. We then use our new results obtained here to construct a class of quantum Markov semigroups from QBN which enjoy Feller property. As an application of our results, we examine a special quantum Feller semigroup associated with QBN, when it reduced to a certain Abelian subalgebra, the semigroup gives rise to the semigroup generated by Ornstein–Uhlenbeck operator. Finally, we find a sufficient condition for the existence of faithful invariant states that are diagonal for the semigroup.
Symmetries and theu-condition in weak monoidal Hom–Yetter–Drinfeld categories
Authors: Liu Linlin , Wang Shuanhong
Published: June 2020

The aim of this paper is to introduce and study Yetter–Drinfeld category over a weak monoidal Hom–Hopf algebra [Formula: see text]. We first show that the category [Formula: see text] of Yetter–Drinfeld modules over [Formula: see text] with a bijective antipode is a braided monoidal category. Secondly, we discuss some properties on the symmetries of the category [Formula: see text]. Finally, we prove that the representation category of triangular weak monoidal Hom–Hopf algebra is a symmetric braided monoidal subcategory of [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, a class of weak monoidal Hom–Yetter–Drinfeld modules are constructed by a quasitriangular weak monoidal Hom–Hopf algebra.
Basement reservoir plumbing: fracture aperture, length and topology analysis of the Lewisian Complex, NW Scotland
Authors: McCaffrey K. J. W. , Holdsworth R. E. , Pless J. , Franklin B. S. G. , Hardman K.
Published: June 2020

Upfaulted ridges of Neoarchean crystalline basement rocks formed in the Faeroe-Shetland basin as a consequence of Mesozoic rift processes and are an active target for oil exploration. We carried out a comprehensive fault and fracture attribute study on the extensive exposures of geologically equivalent crystalline basement rocks onshore in NW Scotland (Lewisian Gneiss Complex) as an analogue for the offshore oil and gas reservoirs of the uplifted Rona Ridge basement high. Our analysis shows a power-law distribution for fracture sizes (aperture and length), with random to clustered spacing and high connectivity indices. Regional variations between the Scottish mainland and the Outer Hebrides are recognized that compare directly with variations observed along the Rona Ridge in the Faeroe-Shetland basin. Here we develop a model for the scaling properties of the fracture systems in which variations in the aperture attributes are a function of the depth of erosion beneath the top basement unconformity. More generally, the combination of size, spatial and connectivity attributes we found in these basement highs demonstrates that they can form highly effective, well-plumbed reservoir systems in their own right.

Supplementary material: Additional methods and results are available at:
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5017139

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the The Geology of Fractured Reservoirs collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/the-geology-of-fractured-reservoirs
Consumers vs. citizens in democracy's public sphere
Authors: Stanger Allison
Published: June 2020

Attempting to balance the challenging trade-offs between individual rights and our obligations to one another.
Evaluating an Interactive Memory Analysis Tool: Findings from a Cognitive Walkthrough and a User Study
Authors: Weninger Markus , Grünbacher Paul , Gander Elias , Schörgenhumer Andreas
Published: June 2020

Memory analysis tools are essential for finding and fixing anomalies in the memory usage of software systems (e.g., memory leaks). Although numerous tools are available, hardly any empirical studies exist on their usefulness for developers in typical usage scenarios. Instead, most evaluations are limited to reporting performance metrics. We thus conducted a study to empirically assess the usefulness of the interactive memory analysis tool AntTracks Analyzer. Specifically, we first report findings from assessing the tool using a cognitive walkthrough, guided by the Cognitive Dimensions of Notations Framework. We then present the results of a qualitative user study involving 14 subjects who used AntTracks to detect and resolve memory anomalies. We report lessons learned from the study and implications for developers of interactive memory analysis tools. We hope that our results will help researchers and developers of memory analysis tools in defining, selecting, and improving tool capabilities.
Ranibizumab for Macular Edema Secondary to Central and Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion in Patients Younger Than 50 Years of Age
Authors: Battaglia Parodi Maurizio , Romano Francesco , Arrigo Alessandro , Mercuri Stefano , Franceschi Alessandro , Bandello Francesco
Published: June 2020

Background. To determine the effectiveness of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) approach over 1‐year follow‐up in patients younger than 50 years old with central and branch retinal vein occlusion (RVO) complicated by macular edema (ME). Methods. Prospective, open‐label case series. Patients initiating IVR injections from January 2015 to May 2017 were consecutively recruited. Each patient underwent monthly ophthalmic examination and structural OCT over 12 months. A single IVR injection was administered at baseline, followed by a PRN regimen. Outcome measures are best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA); central foveal thickness (CFT); number of IVR injections; subretinal fluid (SRF); epiretinal membrane; and outer retinal layer (ORL) status. Results. Thirty‐eight patients (27 males) were included in the study. At follow‐up, mean BCVA improved from 0.40 ± 0.17 to 0.10 ± 0.10 LogMAR in patients with central RVO and from 0.39 ± 0.19 to 0.19 ± 0.07 LogMAR in those with branch RVO, with 20 eyes gaining ≥3 ETDRS lines. In addition, mean CFT significantly decreased in both subgroups at the end of follow‐up. All patients with SRF at baseline (9) disclosed complete resolution after 1 year. Likewise, ORL appeared reconstituted in most cases. At 12 months, 3.6 ± 2.4 and 4.4 ± 2.4 IVR injections were required for central and branch RVO, respectively, with only 5 eyes showing ME persistence. Conclusions. Our study indicates that IVR injections can be a valid therapeutic option in patients under 50 years of age with ME secondary to RVO.
Quantitative Analysis of Enhanced Computed Tomography in Differentiating Cystitis Glandularis and Bladder Cancer
Authors: Hua Hui , Gao Yuanxiang , Lin Jizheng , Hou Feng , Wang Jun wei , Zhang Yong , Yang Xuecheng , Wang Hexiang
Published: June 2020

Objective. This study was performed to assess the value of quantitative analysis of enhanced computed tomography (CT) values in the differential diagnosis of bladder cancer and cystitis glandularis (CG). Methods. Eighty patients with bladder masses (39 with CG and 41 with bladder cancer) who underwent enhanced CT were retrospectively reviewed. The CT enhancement values of the lesion and normal bladder wall in the arterial phase, venous phase, and delayed phase were measured. The relative enhancement CT values (relative enhancement CT value = enhancement CT value of lesion − enhancement CT value of normal bladder) in the arterial phase, venous phase, and delayed phase were also calculated. The pathological results were used as the gold standard, and the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated for the six groups of quantitative indicators (enhanced CT values and relative enhanced CT values of CG and bladder cancer in the arterial, venous, and delayed phases). We performed the leave‐group‐out cross‐validation method to validate the accuracy, AUC, sensitivity, and specificity. The differences in accuracy, AUC, sensitivity, and specificity among the six groups of quantitative indicators were compared by the t‐test. Results. In a combined analysis of the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity performance, the best indicator was the arterial‐phase relative enhancement CT value with a cut‐off of 25.85 HU (AUC, 0.966; sensitivity, 95.1%; specificity, 92.3%). We used the 100‐times leave‐group‐out cross‐validation method to validate the accuracy, AUC, sensitivity, and specificity. Arterial‐phase relative enhancement CT values showed the highest AUC and accuracy among the six groups, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Quantitative analysis of enhanced CT is of great clinical value in the differential diagnosis of CG and bladder cancer.
Speech enhancement using modified wiener filter based MMSE and speech presence probability estimation
Authors: Bolisetty V. Vijayasari , Yedukondalu U. , Santiprabha I.
Published: June 2020

In the present-day communications speech signals get contaminated due to various sorts of noises that degrade the speech quality and adversely impacts speech recognition performance. To overcome these issues, a novel approach for speech enhancement using Modified Wiener filtering is developed and power spectrum computation is applied for degraded signal to obtain the noise characteristics from a noisy spectrum. In next phase, MMSE technique is applied where Gaussian distribution of each signal i.e. original and noisy signal is analyzed. The Gaussian distribution provides spectrum estimation and spectral coefficient parameters which can be used for probabilistic model formulation. Moreover, a-priori-SNR computation is also incorporated for coefficient updation and noise presence estimation which operates similar to the conventional VAD. However, conventional VAD scheme is based on the hard threshold which is not capable to derive satisfactory performance and a soft-decision based threshold is developed for improving the performance of speech enhancement. An extensive simulation study is carried out using MATLAB simulation tool on NOIZEUS speech database and a comparative study is presented where proposed approach is proved better in comparison with existing technique.
Real power loss diminution by predestination of particles wavering search algorithm
Authors: Lenin Kanagasabai
Published: June 2020

In this work Predestination of Particles Wavering Search (PPS) algorithm has been applied to solve optimal reactive power problem. PPS algorithm has been modeled based on the motion of the particles in the exploration space. Normally the movement of the particle is based on gradient and swarming motion.  Particles are permitted to progress in steady velocity in gradient-based progress, but when the outcome is poor when compared to previous upshot, immediately particle rapidity will be upturned with semi of the magnitude and it will help to reach local optimal solution and it is expressed as wavering movement. In standard IEEE 14, 30, 57,118,300 bus systems Proposed Predestination of Particles Wavering Search (PPS) algorithm is evaluated and simulation results show the PPS reduced the power loss efficiently.
Improved ICHI square feature selection method for Arabic classifiers
Authors: Alshaer Hadeel N. , Otair Mohammed A. , Abualigah Laith
Published: June 2020

Feature selection problem is one of the main important problems in the text and data mining domain. This paper presents a comparative study of feature selection methods for Arabic text classification. Five of the feature selection methods were selected: ICHI square, CHI square, Information Gain, Mutual Information and Wrapper. It was tested with five classification algorithms: Bayes Net, Naive Bayes, Random Forest, Decision Tree and Artificial Neural Networks. In addition, Data Collection was used in Arabic consisting of 9055 documents, which were compared by four criteria: Precision, Recall, F-measure and Time to build model. The results showed that the improved ICHI feature selection got almost all the best results in comparison with other methods.
Computational solution of networks versus cluster grouping for social network contact recommender system
Authors: Ojugo Arnold Adimabua , Otakore Debby Oghenevwede
Published: June 2020

Graphs have become the dominant life-form of many tasks as they advance a structural system to represent many tasks and their corresponding relationships. A powerful role of networks and graphs is to bridge local feats that exist in vertices or nodal agents as they blossom into patterns that helps explain how nodes and their corresponding edges impacts a complex effect that ripple via a graph. User cluster are formed as a result of interactions between entities – such that many users today, hardly categorize their contacts into groups such as “family”, “friends”, “colleagues”. The need to analyze such user social graph via implicit clusters, enables the dynamism in contact management. Study seeks to implement this dynamism via a comparative study of the deep neural network and friend suggest algorithm. We analyze a user’s implicit social graph and seek to automatically create custom contact groups using metrics that classify such contacts based on a user’s affinity to contacts. Experimental results demonstrate the importance of both the implicit group relationships and the interaction-based affinity in suggesting friends.
A neuro fuzzy image fusion using block based feature level method
Authors: Praveena S. Mary , Kanmani R. , Kavitha A. K.
Published: June 2020

Image fusion is a sub field of image processing in which more than one images are fused to create an image where all the objects are in focus. The process of image fusion is performed for multi-sensor and multi-focus images of the same scene. Multi-sensor images of the same scene are captured by different sensors whereas multi-focus images are captured by the same sensor. In multi-focus images, the objects in the scene which are closer to the camera are in focus and the farther objects get blurred. Contrary to it, when the farther objects are focused then closer objects get blurred in the image. To achieve an image where all the objects are in focus, the process of images fusion is performed either in spatial domain or in transformed domain. In recent times, the applications of image processing have grown immensely. Usually due to limited depth of field of optical lenses especially with greater focal length, it becomes impossible to obtain an image where all the objects are in focus. Thus it plays an important role to perform other tasks of image processing such as image segmentation, edge detection, stereo matching and image enhancement. Hence, a novel feature-level multi-focus image fusion technique has been proposed which fuses multi-focus images. Thus the results of extensive experimentation performed to highlight the efficiency and utility of the proposed technique is presented.  The proposed work further explores comparison between fuzzy based image fusion and neuro fuzzy fusion technique along with quality evaluation indices.
método crítico de Antonio Candido
Authors: Pinto Lúcia Ricotta Vilela , Penna João Camillo
Published: June 2020

“O Método Crítico de Antonio Candido”, de João Camillo Penna, escrito e publicado originalmente em inglês no Santa Barbara Portugueses Studies, no volume IV em 1997, é uma longa especulação sobre o problema da diferenciação do estético e suas formas de superação no método candidiano de articular a exterioridade social ao texto.
Epigenetic and Transcriptional Networks Underlying Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: van Ouwerkerk Antoinette F. , Hall Amelia W. , Kadow Zachary A. , Lazarevic Sonja , Reyat Jasmeet S. , Tucker Nathan R. , Nadadur Rangarajan D. , Bosada Fernanda M. , Bianchi Valerio , Ellinor Patrick T. , Fabritz Larissa , Martin James F. , de Laat Wouter , Kirchhof Paulus , Moskowitz Ivan P. , Christoffels Vincent M.
Published: June 2020

Genome-wide association studies have uncovered over a 100 genetic loci associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia. Many of the top AF-associated loci harbor key cardiac transcription factors, including PITX2, TBX5, PRRX1, and ZFHX3. Moreover, the vast majority of the AF-associated variants lie within noncoding regions of the genome where causal variants affect gene expression by altering the activity of transcription factors and the epigenetic state of chromatin. In this review, we discuss a transcriptional regulatory network model for AF defined by effector genes in Genome-wide association studies loci. We describe the current state of the field regarding the identification and function of AF-relevant gene regulatory networks, including variant regulatory elements, dose-sensitive transcription factor functionality, target genes, and epigenetic states. We illustrate how altered transcriptional networks may impact cardiomyocyte function and ionic currents that impact AF risk. Last, we identify the need for improved tools to identify and functionally test transcriptional components to define the links between genetic variation, epigenetic gene regulation, and atrial function.
Genetic and pathogenic variation in Heterodera latipons populations from Turkey
Authors: Dababat Abdelfattah A. , İmren Mustafa , Özer Göksel , Mokrını Fouad , Duman Nagihan , Paulıtz Timothy
Published: June 2020

The cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera latipons, is an important plant parasite causing substantial yield losses in wheat throughout the world. This study aimed to determine genetic and pathogenic variation in H. latipons populations obtained from the southern part of Turkey. The populations were identified as H. latipons by sequencing the ITS-rDNA region and further sequence analysis showed an intraspecific genetic variation in H. latipons populations, which were clustered into different groups. The International Test Assortment materials were used to determine pathogenic variation (pathotypes) in these populations. The results showed that ‘Ortolan’, ‘Morocco’, ‘KVL191’, ‘Bajo Aragon 1-1’, ‘Herta’, ‘Martin 403-2’, ‘Sun II’ and ‘Pusa Hybrid Bsi’ cultivars were resistant or moderately resistant to the tested nematode populations. ‘Emir’, ‘Dalmatische’ and ‘Capa’ were susceptible to H. latipons populations. The Hatay population of H. latipons was detected as the most virulent nematode population because ten out of 20 cultivars were susceptible or moderately susceptible to this population. The least virulent population was the Kilis population, which caused susceptible reaction on six out of all cultivars with different levels. Based on this scheme, the Turkish populations were in the Ha1 group: the reactions of barley, oats and wheat classified them as either Ha41 or Ha51. Barley ‘KVL191’ was resistant to all nematode populations but susceptible to Ha51, and the reactions of the other barley cultivars were also consistent with the Turkish populations being Ha51. ‘AUS10894’ was susceptible to three nematode populations but resistant to Ha41, and the reaction of ‘Capa’ was also consistent with the Turkish populations being Ha51. However, the degree of susceptibility of all wheat differentials distinguishes the Turkish populations from other pathotypes in the Ha1 group.
The Historical Context of “A Westphalia for the Middle East?”
Authors: Croxton Derek
Published: June 2020

This article considers the fit of the “Westphalia for the Middle East” project with the historical Peace of Westphalia. It takes as its point of departure Proudhon’s distinction between the “judgment” and “reasons” of a treaty. The “reasons” behind the Peace of Westphalia include broad participation of interested parties, religious compromise, involvement of external powers in Imperial government, and ending a war. Of these, the involvement of external powers in another state’s government presents the greatest problem mapping to the Middle East, chiefly because the project proposes to treat the Middle East as a whole like the Holy Roman Empire in the Peace of Westphalia.
A Case Study in Police Militarization
Authors: Glasnovich Ryan S.
Published: June 2020

The militarization of civilian police forces has become a topic of increasing interest among policymakers and social scientists in contemporary societies. In light of this, researchers have debated how and why police forces become militarized. The historical case of Japan in the Meiji Period (1868–1912) provides one such answer. As the Meiji government Westernized Japan in the late-nineteenth century, it also developed a modern police system. Although initially civil in orientation, a combination of internal and external factors—factors shaped by a national crisis—led to a twentieth-century police institution steeped in militarism. Understanding the process whereby the Japanese police militarized can provide lessons for those interested in similar developments taking place in police organizations around the world in the present day.
Group Training in Basic Orientation, Mobility and Hearing Skills
Authors: Klee Kenneth , Klee Roswitha
Published: June 2020

The following program was originally devised to coordinate the development of skills in orientation, hearing and unaided mobility with small groups of clients, but quickly developed to encompass other basic and essential skills and techniques that are the goal of any comprehensive program of rehabilitation. The outcome was encouraging to all involved, and appeared to act as a stimulus for many to undertake a full mobility program with the long cane.
The Legal Necessity for Residential Schools Serving Deaf, Blind, and Multiply Impaired Children
Authors: Silverstein Robert
Published: June 2020

Under P.L. 94–142, sensorily impaired children must receive appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. This means, in practice, that some of them must be placed in residential schools; which means, in turn, that legally such schools must exist and be available. Here the requirements and difficulties are considered, with emphasis on the differing and varying needs of the children involved, and reference to several court cases and administrative decisions.
Building a Learning Readiness Program for the Mainstreamed Visually Impaired Child in Israel
Authors: Wohl Aryeh , Eshet Shari
Published: June 2020

The first two parts of a four-part program projected for the education of visually impaired children in a mainstreamed setting is here presented, with exposition of the overall purpose and the difficulties involved. The main object is the teaching of braille reading. Emphasis is placed on the individualized program for general reading-readiness skills, called, “I'm On My Way.”
The Effects of Cane-Tip Design on Three Aspects of Nonvisual Travel
Authors: LaGrow S.J. , Kjeldstad A. , Lewandowski E.
Published: June 2020

The study reported here investigated the effects of three cane tips (cylindrical, curved, round) on sticking, curb detection, and the percentage of time spent in continuous movement by 15 subjects who were students or professors in the Department of Blind Rehabilitation at Western Michigan University. A counterbalanced design was used to achieve experimental control. The results of this study indicate that although the subjects preferred the curved tip, and both the curved and round tips stuck less often than did the cylindrical tip, the observed differences did not prove to be significant, and no differences were noted in the other dependent measures.
Categorical Services in the Age of Integration: Paradox or Contradiction?
Authors: Gallagher W.F.
Published: June 2020

The author presents theoretical perspectives of the state of the field at present. The point that blindness is a singular and often traumatic phenomenon adds weight to the author's stance that: 1) categorical services are essential to fully help the blind and visually impaired population maintain what progress has been made; and 2) the rehabilitation system cannot disregard the fact that unique needs exist and must be addressed by specialized professionals.
Application of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Perioperative Period of Tympanoplasty and Mastoidectomy
Authors: Tan Jing-Qian , Chen Yu-Bin , Wang Wei-Hao , Zhou Shao-Li , Zhou Qi-Lin , Li Peng
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are a series of perioperative care to optimize preoperative preparation, prevent postoperative complications, minimize stress, and speedup recovery. Tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy are common surgical procedures for chronic suppurative otitis media.

Objective:

To compare the efficacy and safety between ERAS and conventional recovery after surgery in the perioperative period of chronic suppurative otitis media.

Methods:

From April 2018 to February 2019, a total of 84 patients scheduled for tympanoplasty and/or mastoidectomy due to chronic suppurative otitis media were involved and randomly divided into the ERAS group and the control group. The patients’ preoperative anxiety, postoperative pain, and comfort level were determined by comparing the results of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ). The postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, and hospitalization cost were calculated.

Results:

The ERAS group showed a lower SAS score (30 [28-31.5] vs 35 [30-43], P < .05], a higher GCQ score (88 [84-100] vs 83 [78.25-92.25], P < .05), and a lower VAS score (0 [0-0] vs 1 [0-2], P < .05] after surgery. No significant difference ( P > .05) was observed between the ERAS group and the control group in postoperative complications, postoperative hospitalization time, and hospitalization cost, respectively.

Conclusion:

Enhanced recovery after surgery can reduce pain and improve comfort in the perioperative period of chronic suppurative otitis media.