bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raft consensus mechanism and the applications
Authors: Hu Junjie , Liu Ke
Published: June 2020

Raft consensus algorithm is one of the commonly used consensus algorithms in distributed systems. It is mainly used to manage the consistency of log replication. It has the same function as Paxos, but compared to Paxos, Raft algorithm is easier to understand and easier to apply to actual systems. The Raft algorithm is a consensus algorithm adopted by the alliance chain. This article describes the details of Raft consensus algorithm and its application in detail.
Design and implementation of quality management system for cement enterprises
Authors: Dong Xin , Jing Shaohong , Lu Mengyao
Published: June 2020

The process of intellectualization, information and refinemention of cement quality management in China develops slowly. This paper aims at this problem, Taking Zhonglian* Company as an example,on the basis of careful investigation and analysis of system functional requirements, based on the thought of modern quality management, it conducts an in-depth study of it, from the entry of cement raw materials to the finished cement products. The detailed design of the comprehensive quality management system laid the foundation for China’s transition from a large cement country to a strong cement country.
Dynamic Simulation and Optimization of High Voltage Circuit Breaker Structure Based on Finite Element
Authors: Hou Yuqing , Feng Biao
Published: June 2020

the Main Cause of Substation Circuit Breaker Break Accidents Mainly in Post Insulator Accidents is That the Flexural Strength of the Insulators Does Not Meet the Design Requirements. At the Same Time, There Are Problems Such as Eccentricity of the Porcelain Column, Large Difference in the Thickness of the Cement Casting, No Asphalt Buffer Layer in the Pouring Part, and No Waterproof Silicone Rubber. as the Temperature Changes, a Break Occurs under the Mechanical Force of the Switch. This Paper is Based on the Dynamic Simulation and Optimization of the Structure of High Voltage Circuit Breaker Based on the Finite Element Partial Dynamic Characteristics of Mechanical Structure. through Experiments by Ansys, the Optimized Solution Helps Manufacturers to Improve the Manufacturing Process of Insulators. the Operating Unit Strengthens the Equipment Acceptance, Operation, and Maintenance, and Carries out Visual Inspection and Ultrasonic Flaw Detection in Strict Accordance with the Requirements of the Regulations, Which Can Prevent the Occurrence of Insulator Breakage Accidents.
Research on Optimization of Food Cold Chain Logistics Distribution Route Based on Internet of Things
Authors: Chen Jun , Xu Shiyan , Chen Hui , Zhao Chenyang , Xue Keer
Published: June 2020

with the Rapid Development of Social Economy and the Continuous Improvement of People’s Living Standards, People Pay More and More Attention to the Quality of Life, and Put Forward Higher Requirements for the Quality of Products, Especially the Quality of Cold Chain Products. as a Guarantee of the Quality of Cold Chain Products, Cold Chain Distribution Has Received the Attention of Enterprises. Based on the Technology of Internet of Things, This Paper Establishes a Path Optimization Model for Cold Chain Logistics by Adding Refrigeration Cost and Cargo Loss Cost to the Traditional Path Optimization Model. the Experimental Results Show That the Real-Time Route Optimization Method for Refrigerated Vehicles under the Internet of Things Environment is Effective. the Method Has Practical Significance in Achieving Fine Control of Cold Chain Logistics Distribution Costs and Improving Distribution Service Efficiency.
RETRACTED: Research on Humanization of Life Ceramics Design Based on VR Technology
Authors: Jing Chen
Published: June 2020

the Development of Design Has Been Accompanied by the Progress of Human Civilization and Culture. the Progress of Contemporary Society is Gradually Changing All Aspects of Human Production and Life. Living Ceramics is One of the Types of Ceramic Products, with Certain Practicality and Appreciation. It is a Relatively Traditional and Ancient Ceramic Product in Our Country. Life Ceramic Design Serves People, and Humanization Must Become the Core of All Designs. in the Contemporary Era, the Research on the Concept of Humanized Design Has Gone Deep into Many Fields and is Quite Mature. in Ceramic Modeling Design, the Attention of Humanized Design is Particularly Important. Virtual Reality (Vr) Technology Can Be Used as a Tool to Test the Performance of Ceramic Products, Which Can Be Evaluated and Corrected in All Aspects Before They Are Put into Production, So That Designers and Customers Can Feel and Identify the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Products through the Virtual Model on the Computer. in This Paper, Virtual Reality Technology is Applied in the Research of Life Ceramic Design, and the Application of Humanized Design in Life Ceramic Product Design is Analyzed.
Research on the Application of Virtual Simulation Technology and Vocational Education Teaching
Authors: Lin Jiaogang , Zhang Yanhua
Published: June 2020

Practical Teaching is Very Important to Vocational Education, But There Are Many Difficulties in Vocational Education Teaching. on the One Hand, It is Impossible for the School to Set Up Its Own Internship Factory for Its Own Major Due to the Restrictions of Capital Investment and Teaching Funds, Venues and Professionals. on the Other Hand, How to Find the Best Teaching Mode between the High Expectations of the Society for Vocational Education and the Students with Low General Scores?, Education Simulation Technology Can Meet the Requirements, the Simulation Technology in Vocational Education, the Author of This Paper How the Product Development, Design, Development Method and the Application of Simulation Technology in the Vocational Education Mode, Application Characteristic and Using Effect Were Discussed.
Xml and Its Application in Library and Information Retrieval
Authors: Lianghui Cai
Published: June 2020

the Extensible Mark-Up Language Xml is a Simple Data Storage Language, Using a Series of Simple Tags to Describe Data, and These Markers Can Be Used to Establish a Convenient Way, Although the Xml Space to Occupy More Space Than the Binary Data, But Xml is Extremely Simple and Easy to Master and Use. Xml Organized Management of Web Information Resources Distributed in Logic, Web Information Retrieval System Structure to Design a Professional Content, and Provides a Way for Users to Obtain the Special Contents Oriented Information Resources. a Good Data Storage Format, Scalable, Highly Structured and Easy for Network Transmission Characteristics So, and Xml is Determined by the Excellent Performance. the Paper Presents Xml and Its Application in Library and Information Retrieval.
An augmented reality image registration method based on improved ORB
Authors: Cheng Mingzhi , Zhang Luyue , Liu Long
Published: June 2020

In the process of Augmented Reality (AR) image registration, the traditional ORB (oriented FAST and rotated BRIEF) algorithm has low registration rate and poor real-time performance. In this paper, an improved AR image registration method based on improved ORB is proposed. Firstly, the calibration image and video frame image feature points are obtained by the improved FAST feature detection algorithm. Then, the binary descriptor of BRISK, which using the custom domain sampling pattern is used for feature description, and the scale invariance of the traditional ORB algorithm is improved. Finally, the random sampling consistency (RANSAC) algorithm is used to eliminate the wrong matching point pairs and optimize the feature matching. Experiments show that compared with the AR image registration method described by the traditional ORB algorithm and the FREAK feature, the registration rate of the proposed algorithm is increased by 1.1% and 8.4%, and the generation time is reduced by 0.13s and 0.12s, respectively. The experimental results show that the AR image registration method proposed in this paper can obtain higher feature point registration rate, and has better real-time performance, which can better meet the application needs of AR image registration.
Research Review of Feature Extraction and Classification Recognition of Rice Disease Images based on Computer Vision Technology
Authors: Li Hui
Published: June 2020

Diagnosis and recognition of rice diseases and pests, amongst others, are an essential research direction of precision agriculture, which help to effectively prevent and control diseases and pests as well as improve rice yield and quality. Starting with the basic principles and technical routes of feature extraction and classification recognition of rice disease images, this paper expounds characteristics, realization methods and applications of many current feature extraction and recognition methods in China and abroad, analyzes the advantages of and problems in applications of different methods and technologies into recognition of rice diseases and pests, analyzes problems to be solved, proposes corresponding solutions, and looks into the development future of this research.
A Spectrum Sensing Technology Exploiting Multiple Large Eigenvalues and Stochastic Resonance
Authors: Lu Jin
Published: June 2020

Cognitive radio (CR) is a hopeful technology to reduce the negative effect of spectrum scarcity caused by the enormous amount of wireless mobile device. Spectrum sensing could alleviate the interference and harm for primary user, and enhance the wireless access capability. This paper proposes a novel spectrum sensing method by using the summation of multiple large eigenvalues (SMLE) and stochastic resonance (SR). SR is used to enforce the detection signal of multiple antennas in low SNR condition. Then the sample covariance matrix of the enforcing detection signals and its multiple large eigenvalues are computed for constructing test statistic. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed detector based on SMLE and SR is superior than the existing detector based on SMLE, and is robust in strong noise background.
Insect Recognition Based on Complex Frequency Domain Transform and Multi-feature Fusion
Authors: Bao Wenxia , Qiu Xiang , Huang Linsheng , Liang Dong , Li Yongluo
Published: June 2020

The accurate recognition of insects is of great significance for the protection and treatment of crops, vegetables and fruit trees. In order to improve the accuracy of insect images classification at the order level, the insect recognition algorithm based on complex frequency domain transform and multi-feature fusion is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the color features and Histogram of Oriented Gradient features of the insect images were extracted in the spatial domain. Secondly, the multi-scale and multi-directional complex frequency domain transform was performed on the images using the Multi-directional Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform. The shape features and texture features were obtained from the low frequency sub-band images. Finally, the spatial domain features and the complex frequency domain features were fused using the Relief-F algorithm, and the Support Vector Machine was used to recognition the insect images at the order level. The results of insect images recognition at nine orders level showed that the proposed method of multi-feature fusion in complex frequency domain and spatial domain can significantly improve the accuracy of insect recognition.
An intrusion detection method based on behavior characteristics for business logic
Authors: Li Ru , Zhai Shu-Ying , Zhi Yong-Feng
Published: June 2020

In order to improve the detection efficiency and accuracy of business logic vulnerability, a test method based on behavior characteristics was proposed. It uses the test accountes to crawl url of business system, analyzes the characteristics of request sequence, parameter attributes, request parameters, response parameters, relationship between parameters, and digs out the vulnerability, and then uses the test elements to verify whether there is a vulnerability. Experimental and analytical results show that this method which is instead of manual method can effectively detect the vulnerability of invalid identity authentication, invalid access control and sensitive information leakage.
Design of Lane Departure Warning System Based on Fuzzy Control Mode of Android System
Authors: Deng Rukui , Fan Yi , Li Guangping
Published: June 2020

Aiming at the unconscious lane departure behavior in the process of driving, a design scheme of lane departure warning system based on Android is proposed. STM32F103C8T6 is selected as the main control chip and CAN bus communication technology is used to collect vehicle information such as vehicle speed, steering angle and steering signal. Then Bluetooth module is used to transmit the data to the mobile phone for real-time processing. Taking GB/T 26773-2011 (Performance Requirements and Test Methods for Lane Departure Alarm System) as the design standard, the lane departure rate ε and the time T when the right front wheel crosses the lane line are considered as the input of the two-dimensional fuzzy controller, and the early warning level W is considered as the output. When the driving deviation angle is 5°, the interval of the lane departure rate ε is [0.75,1.35], and the interval of T is [0,1.5]. After normalized parameter processing, a certain fuzzy interval is set according to the driving habits of different vehicle drivers, and the fuzzy control algorithm with improved membership function is adopted for control, so as to improve the recognition rate of lane lines, reduce the early warning misjudgement rate and reduce the incidence of traffic accidents.
The Deep Neural Network and Content Transcription-based Speech Recognition Algorithm in Keyword Detection
Authors: Zheng Lei
Published: June 2020

Objective: It is hoped that the DNN-Hidden Markov Model (HMM) acoustic model and the long-short-term memory neural network-Hidden Markov (LSTM-HMM) acoustic model can be used to improve the accuracy rate of speech recognition in keyword detection. Method: First, the principles of speech recognition and related algorithms are introduced. Then, a DNN algorithm is applied to the speech recognition system, and a keyword detection system is established based on the DNN-HMM acoustic model. As for the experimental comparison, the proposed DNN model is used for acoustic modeling, and the effect of the DNN algorithm on the performance of the recognition system is analyzed experimentally. Results: The size of the training parameters of the proposed LSTM model is 436570, the size of the training parameters of the deep neural network (DNN) is 698100, and the size of the training parameters of the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is 1226700. The accuracy of speech recognition based on the LSTM-HMM model and DNN-HMM model is 965% and 91.6%, respectively, which is significantly higher than 78.5% of the traditional speech recognition model (GMM-HMM). Conclusion: The speech recognition technology based on LSTM-HMM and DNN-HMM models has higher accuracy and is more suitable for speech keyword detection.
Development and Trend of Space Plug-and-Play Avionics
Authors: Lin Chuanwen , Chen Gang , Liu Zhenhua
Published: June 2020

The rapid construction of satellite systems has become a priority development direction of space technology. Space plug-and-play avionics (SPA) technology has the characteristics of short development cycle, low cost, strong pertinence, and quick results, so it has become a hot research topic in various countries today. This paper comprehensively summarizes the technical system and development trend of SPA. Firstly, the SPA hardware architecture and its three generations evolution process is analyzed; then, the application of SPA technology, including the development of PnP series satellites, OSR-1 satellite, panel extension satellite is introduced; finally, the development trend of SPA technology, including coordinated development of hardware and software technologies, and transforming traditional satellite test methods is also put forward.
Utility Analysis of Lip Features in Distinguishing Chinese Vowels and Lip Reading
Authors: Wang Jianrong , Zhang Yichao , Liu Wei , Chen Yu
Published: June 2020

The lip region provides the most direct visual information in the process of multi-sensory speech perception, which is applied to speech recognition and lip reading. In this paper, we extract eight lip features in articulating the basic vowels [a], [e], [i], [u], [ü] in standard Chinese, and analyze the efficiency in distinguishing the five vowels combined with articulatory phonetics. We use Dense Convolutional Network (DenseNet) to process two-dimensional lip images and fuse the lip features to identify the Chinese with consonants. The results show that the application of lip shape features in Chinese vowel recognition and Chinese consonant lip reading is consistent. Two-dimensional lip images can effectively improve the recognition rate by fusing lip features in lip reading.
Content Classification With Electroglottograph
Authors: Chen Pengfei , Chen Lijiang , Mao Xia
Published: June 2020

Electroglottograph(EGG) is a physiological signal collected from the throat which reflects the vocal cord movement. EGG signals can be still collected from patients without speaking ability or from the extremely noisy environments. Additionally, the trends of the vocal cord movement will be distinctive for long enough Chinese sentences with different contents. Therefore, it is valuable and possible to carry out the research of applying only the EGG signals for content classification or recognition. In this paper, a content classification method with EGG was proposed, which consists of an EGG feature extraction module and a classification network based on LSTM(Long Short-Term Memory) units. The EGG feature extraction module was composed of three parts: the voiced segments extraction, the feature extraction and the F
0 smoothing. The classification network was made of a three-layer bidirectional LSTM encoder. This method achieved 91.12% accuracy on the validation set in 20-class content classification experiment, which provides the reference for further study in content classification and recognition with EGG signals.
Development of bispecific antibodies in China: overview and prospects
Authors: Zhang Jing , Yi Jizu , Zhou Pengfei
Published: May 2020

A bispecific antibody (bsAb) can simultaneously bind two different epitopes or antigens, allowing for multiple mechanistic functions with synergistic effects. BsAbs have attracted significant scientific attentions and efforts towards their development as drugs for cancers. There are 21 bsAbs currently undergoing clinical trials in China. Here, we review their platform technologies, expression and production, and biological activities and bioassay of these bsAbs, and summarize their structural formats and mechanisms of actions. T-cell redirection and checkpoint inhibition are two main mechanisms of the bsAbs that we discuss in detail. Furthermore, we provide our perspective on the future of bsAb development in China, including CD3-bsAbs for solid tumors and related cytokine release syndromes, expression and chemistry, manufacturing and controls, clinical development, and immunogenicity.
Epidemiology and outcome of older patients presenting with dyspnoea to emergency departments
Authors: Kelly Anne-Maree , Keijzers Gerben , Klim Sharon , Craig Simon , Kuan Win Sen , Holdgate Anna , Graham Colin A , Jones Peter , Laribi Said
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To describe the epidemiology and outcomes of non-traumatic dyspnoea in patients aged 75 years or older presenting to emergency departments (EDs) in the Asia-Pacific region.

Methods

A substudy of a prospective interrupted time series cohort study conducted at three time points in EDs in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia of patients presenting to the ED with dyspnoea as a main symptom. Data were collected over three 72-h periods and included demographics, co-morbidities, mode of arrival, usual medications, ED investigations and treatment, ED diagnosis and disposition, and outcome. The primary outcomes of interest are the epidemiology and outcome of patients aged 75 years or older presenting to the ED with dyspnoea.

Results

1097 patients were included. Older patients with dyspnoea made up 1.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–1.9%] of ED presentations. The most common diagnoses were heart failure (25.3%), lower respiratory tract infection (25.2%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (17.6%). Hospital ward admission was required for 82.6% (95% CI 80.2–84.7%), with 2.5% (95% CI 1.7–3.6%) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. In-hospital mortality was 7.9% (95% CI 6.3–9.7%). Median length of stay was 5 days (interquartile range 2–8 days).

Conclusion

Older patients with dyspnoea make up a significant proportion of ED case load, and have a high admission rate and significant mortality. Exacerbations or worsening of pre-existing chronic disease account for a large proportion of cases which may be amenable to improved chronic disease management.
Attitudes and Knowledge of Australian Gastroenterologists Around the Use of Medicinal Cannabis for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Benson Melissa J , Abelev Sarah V , Corte Crispin J , Connor Susan J , McGregor Iain S
Published: May 2020

Background

Medicinal cannabis (MC) is being used for symptomatic relief by many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), often independently of clinical guidance. Such use presents challenges for supporting clinicians. The aim of this study was to determine the current attitudes, knowledge, and experience of gastroenterologists toward patient use of MC for symptom management in IBD.

Methods

Australian gastroenterologists (n = 70) and trainees (n = 23) completed an anonymous, 30-item questionnaire, probing their knowledge, attitudes, and experience with MC in managing IBD. Survey data were collected between April and August 2019.

Results

Thirty-nine percent of survey respondents reported having patients using MC; however, only a minority supported use of MC in IBD (21%) or expressed a desire to prescribe (28%). Only 6% claimed good understanding of current patient access pathways and only 31% felt comfortable discussing MC with their patients. Some respondents (20%) cited adverse side effects as a reason for not wanting to prescribe, with driving impairment (64%) and impacts on the developing brain (56%) cited as significant concerns. Nonetheless, MC was ranked as less hazardous than corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics by most respondents, and many (53%) were encouraging of patient participation in future clinical trials.

Conclusions

Specialist support for the use of MC in IBD patients is relatively low, potentially reflecting the lack of experience and knowledge with MC, uncertain evidence for efficacy, and the often-unorthodox nature of current MC use in patients. This situation may change rapidly with increased familiarity, evidence development, and education around MC prescribing.
Privacy threats in intimate relationships
Authors: Levy Karen , Schneier Bruce
Published: May 2020

This article provides an overview of intimate threats: a class of privacy threats that can arise within our families, romantic partnerships, close friendships, and caregiving relationships. Many common assumptions about privacy are upended in the context of these relationships, and many otherwise effective protective measures fail when applied to intimate threats. Those closest to us know the answers to our secret questions, have access to our devices, and can exercise coercive power over us. We survey a range of intimate relationships and describe their common features. Based on these features, we explore implications for both technical privacy design and policy, and offer design recommendations for ameliorating intimate privacy risks.
Segmental Colectomy for Ulcerative Colitis: Is There a Place in Selected Patients Without Active Colitis? An International Multicentric Retrospective Study in 72 Patients
Authors: Frontali A , Cohen L , Bridoux V , Myrelid P , Sica G , Poggioli Gilberto , Espin E , Beyer-Berjot L , Laharie D , Spinelli A , Zerbib P , Sampietro G , Frasson M , Louis E , Danese S , Fumery M , Denost Q , Altwegg R , Nancey S , Michelassi F , Treton X , Panis Y
Published: May 2020

Background and Aims

The aim of this study was to report a multicentric experience of segmental colectomy [SC] in ulcerative colitis [UC] patients without active colitis, in order to assess if SC can or cannot represent an alternative to ileal pouch-anal anastomosis [IPAA].

Methods

All UC patients undergoing SC were included. Postoperative complications according to ClavienDindo’s classification, long term results, and risk factors for postoperative colitis and reoperation for colitis on the remnant colon, were assessed.

Results: A total of

72 UC patients underwent: sigmoidectomy [n = 28], right colectomy [n = 24], proctectomy [n = 11], or left colectomy [n = 9] for colonic cancer [n = 27], ‘diverticulitis’ [n = 17], colonic stenosis [n = 5], dysplasia or polyps [n = 8], and miscellaneous [n = 15]. Three patients died postoperatively and 5/69 patients [7%] developed early flare of UC within 3 months after SC. After a median followup of 40 months, 24/69 patients [35%] were reoperated after a median delay after SC of 19 months [range, 2–158 months]: 22/24 [92%] underwent total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis [n = 9] or total coloproctectomy [TCP] [n = 13] and 2/24 [8%] an additional SC. Reasons for reoperation were: colitis [n = 14; 20%], cancer [n = 3] or dysplasia [n = 3], colonic stenosis [n = 1], and unknown reasons [n = 3]. Endoscopic score of colitis before SC was Mayo 23 in 5/5 [100%] patients with early flare vs 15/42 without early flare [36%; p = 0.0101] and in 9/12 [75%] patients with reoperation for colitis vs 11/35 without reoperation [31%; p = 0.016].

Conclusions

After segmental colectomy in UC patients, postoperative early colitis is rare [7%]. Segmental colectomy could possibly represent an alternative to IPAA in selected UC patients without active colitis.
Patient satisfaction after orthognathic surgery: a 3 year follow-up of 60 high-angle Class II individuals
Authors: Torgersbråten Nina , Stenvik Arild , Espeland Lisen
Published: May 2020

Background and objectives

High-angle Class II malocclusion is considered challenging to treat to a stable result and, although studies report treatment outcome in terms of morphology, patient satisfaction has not been addressed. The objectives of the present study were to examine patients’ motives for treatment and satisfaction with the results.

Material and methods

A structured questionnaire was distributed 3 years post-operatively to 93 consecutively treated patients with an initial diagnosis of mandibular-plane angle (ML/NSL) ≥34.0 degrees and ANB angle ≥4.0 degrees. Three surgical subsamples were defined: one-piece Le Fort I, bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, or a combination of the two (Bimax). Lateral cephalometric radiographs were used to assess morphological characteristics and post-treatment changes.

Results

Questionnaire participation was 69.8 per cent. The most frequently reported motives for seeking treatment were to improve oral function (85.0 per cent) and dental appearance (71.7 per cent). Thirty per cent were very satisfied, 53.3 per cent were satisfied, and 16.7 per cent were dissatisfied with the overall treatment result. Dissatisfaction was associated with a persisting post-treatment anterior open bite (AOB), horizontal relapse at B point, and with sensory impairment.

Conclusions and implications

A higher rate of dissatisfaction was found than what has usually been reported for othognathic surgical patients, and this was associated with a persisting AOB. In addition, mandibular relapse and impaired sensory function were related to dissatisfaction and are associated with mandibular surgery. Prospective high-angle Class II patients should be comprehensively informed about the unpredictability of treatment outcomes in terms of occlusion and facial appearance.
Using gravity gradients to estimate fault parameters in the Wichita Uplift region
Authors: Uzun Sibel , Erkan Kamil , Jekeli Christopher
Published: May 2020

The geological setting of southwestern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas is an ideal example of an aulacogen, the result of the tectonic evolution of a failed rift of the North American continent during the Palaeozoic era (540–360 Ma). The Wichita Province forms the uplifted basement portion of this Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen (SOA). The major fault zones to its north and south are clearly evident in gravity gradient maps produced by the recently constructed Earth Gravitational Model 2008 (EGM2008). Fault parameters, such as the dip angle, location and density contrasts have been estimated from profiles of seismic data and local gravimetry in the 1990s. On the other hand, gravitational gradients that are derived from EGM2008 and then combined to form the differential field curvature are particularly indicative of linear structures such as dip-slip faults. They are used here exclusively, that is, without additional geophysical constraints, in an optimal, least-squares estimation based on the Monte Carlo technique of simulated annealing to determine dip angle and location parameters of the major faults that border the Wichita Uplift region. Results show that these faults have small dip angles, in basic agreement with the low-angle faults inferred from seismic studies. The EGM2008 gradients also appear in some cases to provide an improved map of the major faults in the region, thus offering a strong constraint on their location.
Predictors of High Health Care Utilization in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Within 1 Year of Establishing Specialist Care
Authors: Chudy-Onwugaje Kenechukwu , Mamunes Alexander P , Schwartz David A , Horst Sara , Cross Raymond K
Published: June 2020

Background

A small proportion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consume a disproportionate amount of health care resources, with most of these spent on unplanned care in emergency room (ER) and hospital visits. Interventions in those at high risk in the outpatient setting could reduce the need for future inpatient care. We sought to describe the characteristics predictive of high health care utilization within 1 year after an initial IBD clinic encounter.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of new IBD patients seen at the outpatient clinics of 2 tertiary IBD centers in the United States. Baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected, and the number of IBD-related ER and hospital visits were recorded over the 1-year period after the initial clinic encounter. Patients with ≥2 visits (high utilizers) were compared with those with no visits.

Results

Of the 735 patients included in the final analysis, 106 (14.4%) were high utilizers, and they had a mean of 2.9 visits (maximum = 10) in the 1 year after their initial encounter. In multivariate analysis, insurance coverage through medical assistance (odds ratio [OR] 3.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38–9.20), steroid use (OR 1.83; 95% CI, 1.11–3.04), short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire score <50 (OR 2.29; 95% CI, 1.23–4.27), and current ostomy (OR 4.82; 95% CI, 1.51–15.37) were independently associated with high utilization.

Conclusions

Multidisciplinary care and resources should be preferentially channeled towards new clinic patients with severe disease and on medical assistance, as this could reduce future inpatient visits and result in cost savings.
Resource optimization for cancer pathways with aggregate diagnostic demand: a perishable inventory approach
Authors: Arruda Edilson F , Harper Paul , England Tracey , Gartner Daniel , Aspland Emma , Ourique Fabrício O , Crosby Tom
Published: June 2020

This work proposes a novel framework for planning the capacity of diagnostic tests in cancer pathways that considers the aggregate demand of referrals from multiple cancer specialties (sites). The framework includes an analytic tool that recursively assesses the overall daily demand for each diagnostic test and considers general distributions for both the incoming cancer referrals and the number of required specific tests for any given patient. By disaggregating the problem with respect to each diagnostic test, we are able to model the system as a perishable inventory problem that can be solved by means of generalized G/D/C queuing models, where the capacity $C$ is allowed to vary and can be seen as a random variable that is adjusted according to prescribed performance measures. The approach aims to provide public health and cancer services with recommendations to align capacity and demand for cancer diagnostic tests effectively and efficiently. Our case study illustrates the applicability of our methods on lung cancer referrals from UK’s National Health Service.
Impact of multiple hits with cognate antigen on memory CD8+ T-cell fate
Authors: Takamura Shiki
Published: June 2020

Antigen-driven activation of CD8+ T cells results in the development of a robust anti-pathogen response and ultimately leads to the establishment of long-lived memory T cells. During the primary response, CD8+ T cells interact multiple times with cognate antigen on distinct types of antigen-presenting cells. The timing, location and context of these antigen encounters significantly impact the differentiation programs initiated in the cells. Moderate re-activation in the periphery promotes the establishment of the tissue-resident memory T cells that serve as sentinels at the portal of pathogen entry. Under some circumstances, moderate re-activation of T cells in the periphery can result in the excessive expansion and accumulation of circulatory memory T cells, a process called memory inflation. In contrast, excessive re-activation stimuli generally impede conventional T-cell differentiation programs and can result in T-cell exhaustion. However, these conditions can also elicit a small population of exhausted T cells with a memory-like signature and self-renewal capability that are capable of responding to immunotherapy, and restoration of functional activity. Although it is clear that antigen re-encounter during the primary immune response has a significant impact on memory T-cell development, we still do not understand the molecular details that drive these fate decisions. Here, we review our understanding of how antigen encounters and re-activation events impact the array of memory CD8+ T-cell subsets subsequently generated. Identification of the molecular programs that drive memory T-cell generation will advance the development of new vaccine strategies that elicit high-quality CD8+ T-cell memory.
Substantial reduction of antibiotic-non-susceptible pneumococcal otitis media following PCV7/PCV13 sequential introduction
Authors: Ben-Shimol Shalom , Givon-Lavi Noga , Greenberg David , van der Beek Bart Adriaan , Leibovitz Eugene , Dagan Ron
Published: May 2020

Background

In the pre-pneumococcal conjugated vaccines (PCVs) era, serotypes included in the 7/13-valent PCVs (PCV7/PCV13) caused most pneumococcal otitis media (OM) and antibiotic-non-susceptible pneumococcal OM (ANSP-OM) episodes. In southern Israel, sequential PCV7/PCV13 introduction resulted in >90% reduction of vaccine-serotype OM.

Objectives

We assessed the dynamics of ANSP-OM necessitating middle ear fluid culture following PCV7/PCV13 sequential introduction in young children.

Methods

This was a prospective, population-based, active surveillance. All episodes in children <3 years old, during 2004–16, were included. Two subperiods were defined: (i) pre-PCV: 2004–08; and (ii) PCV13: 2014–16. ANSP was defined for the following antibiotics: penicillin (MIC ≥0.1 mg/L and ≥1.0 mg/L), macrolide, tetracycline, clindamycin, ceftriaxone, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol. MDR was defined as ANSP for ≥3 classes.

Results

Overall, 2270 pneumococcal OM episodes were identified. Annual overall pneumococcal, PCV13 and non-PCV13 serotype OM incidence declined by 86%, 97% and 33%, respectively, comparing pre-PCV with the PCV13 period. During 2004–08, 95% of ANSP was observed in vaccine serotypes. Incidence of penicillin (MIC ≥0.1 mg/L and ≥1.0 mg/L), macrolide, tetracycline, clindamycin, ceftriaxone and multidrug ANSP-OM declined by >90% in the PCV13 period. Rates of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol ANSP-OM declined by 85% and 79%, respectively. The proportions of ANSP of all pneumococcal isolates declined by ∼70% for penicillin, ceftriaxone and erythromycin; 53% for tetracycline; and 55% for MDR, versus no significant reductions observed for chloramphenicol, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and clindamycin.

Conclusions

PCV7/PCV13 sequential introduction resulted in rapid and substantial ANSP-OM reduction, in parallel with the near disappearance of PCV13-serotype OM and no increase in replacement disease.
Hospital adoption of electronic health record functions to support age-friendly care: results from a national survey
Authors: Adler-Milstein Julia , Raphael Katherine , Bonner Alice , Pelton Leslie , Fulmer Terry
Published: June 2020

Objective

To measure US hospitals’ adoption of electronic health record (EHR) functions that support care for older adults, focusing on structured documentation of the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) and electronic health information exchange/communication with patients, caregivers, and long-term care providers.

Materials and Methods

In an online survey of a national, random sample of 797 US acute-care hospitals in 2018–2019, 479 (60.1%) responded. We calculated nationally representative measures of the percentages of hospitals with EHRs that include structured documentation of the 4Ms and exchange/communications functions.

Results

Structured EHR documentation of the 4Ms was fully implemented in at least 1 unit in 64.0% of hospitals and across all units in 41.5% of hospitals. Of the 4Ms, structured documentation was the highest for medications (91.3% in at least 1 unit) and the lowest for mentation (70.3% in at least 1 unit). All exchange/communication functions had been implemented in at least 1 unit in 16.2% of facilities and across all units in 7.6% of hospitals. Less than half of the hospitals had an EHR portal for long-term care facilities to access hospital information (45.4% in at least 1 unit), sent information electronically to long-term care facilities (44.6%), and had training for adults/caregivers on the patient portal (32.1%).

Discussion

Despite significant national investment in EHRs, hospital EHRs do not yet include key documentation, exchange, and communication functions needed to support evidence-based care for the older adults who comprise the majority of the inpatient population. Additional policy efforts are likely needed to promote the expansion of EHR capabilities into these high-value domains.

Conclusions

US acute-care hospital EHRs are lacking key functions that support care for older adults.
Aphid Feeding on Plant Lectins Falling Virus Transmission Rates: A Multicase Study
Authors: Francis Frederic , Chen Julian , Yong Liu , Bosquee Emilie
Published: June 2020

Aphids are insect vectors that have piercing–sucking mouthparts supporting diversified patterns of virus–vector interactions. Aphids primarily retain circulative viruses in the midgut/hindgut, whereas noncirculative viruses tend to be retained in the stylet. Most viruses, and many proteins from animals, have carbohydrate or carbohydrate-binding sites. Lectins vary in their specificity, of which some are able to bind to viral glycoproteins. To assess the potential competition between lectins and viral particles in virus transmission by aphids, this study examined how feeding plant lectins to aphids affects the transmission efficiency of viruses. Sitobion avenae (F, 1794) (Homoptera: Aphididae) aphids fed with Pisum sativum lectin (PSL) transmitted Barley yellow dwarf virus with significantly lower efficiency (four-fold ratio). Pea enation mosaic virus was significantly reduced in Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Homoptera: Aphididae) aphids fed with the lectin Concanavalin A. In comparison, the transmission of Potato virus Y was significantly reduced when Myzus persicae Sultzer (Homoptera: Aphididae) aphids were fed with PSL. Thus, lectin could be used as a blocking agent of plant viruses, facilitating an alternative approach for crop protection.
Evaluation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Neural Networks for Integrated Mosquito Management of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Case Elizabeth , Shragai Talya , Harrington Laura , Ren Yue , Morreale Stephen , Erickson David
Published: May 2020

Aedes albopictus (Skuse), an invasive disease vector, poses a nuisance and public health threat to communities in the Northeastern United States. Climate change and ongoing adaptation are leading to range expansion of this mosquito into upstate New York and other northeastern states. Organized mosquito control can suppress populations, but it is time consuming, costly, and difficult as Ae. albopictus oviposits in small, artificial, water-holding containers. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with centimeter-resolution imaging capabilities, can aid surveillance efforts. In this work, we show that a convolutional neural network trained on images from a UAV is able to detect Ae. albopictus habitat in suburban communities, and the number of containers successfully imaged by UAV predicted the number of containers positive for mosquito larvae per home. The neural network was able to identify some, but not all, potential habitat, with up to 67% precision and 40% recall, and can classify whole properties as positive or negative for larvae 80% of the time. This combined approach of UAV imaging and neutral network analysis has the potential to dramatically increase capacity for surveillance, increasing the reach and reducing the time necessary for conventional on-the-ground surveillance methods.
Insecticidal Activity ofCommiphora erythraeaEssential Oil and Its Emulsions Against Larvae of Three Mosquito Species
Authors: Muturi Ephantus J , Hay William T , Doll Kenneth M , Ramirez Jose L , Selling Gordon
Published: May 2020

The use of essential oils as ecofriendly tools for vector management is one of the mainstreams for biopesticide research. We evaluated the larvicidal properties of Commiphora erythraea (opoponax) essential oil and its fractions against Culex restuans Theobald, Culex pipiens L., and Aedes aegypti L. The use of bio-based amylose–N-1-hexadecylammonium chloride inclusion complex (Hex-Am) and amylose–sodium palmitate inclusion complex (Na-Palm) as emulsifiers for C. erythraea essential oil was also investigated. Bisabolene was the most abundant chemical constituent in the whole essential oil (33.9%), fraction 2 (62.5%), and fraction 4 (23.8%) while curzerene (32.6%) and α-santalene (30.1%) were the dominant chemical constituents in fractions 1 and 3, respectively. LC50 values for the whole essential oil were 19.05 ppm for Cx. restuans, 22.61 ppm for Cx. pipiens, and 29.83 ppm for Ae. aegypti and differed significantly. None of the four C. erythraea essential oil fractions were active against mosquito larvae. Two CYP450 genes (CYP6M11 and CYP6N12) and one GST gene (GST-2) were significantly upregulated in Ae. aegypti larvae exposed to C. erythraea essential oil suggesting their potential involvement in metabolic pathways for C. erythraea essential oil. Essential oil emulsions produced with Hex-Am were more toxic than the whole essential oil while those produced with Na-Palm had similar toxicity as the whole essential oil. These findings demonstrate that C. erythraea essential oil is a promising source of mosquito larvicide and that the use of Hex-Am as an emulsifier can enhance the insecticidal properties of C. erythraea essential oil.
Validation of the Healthcare Transition Outcomes Inventory for Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Pierce Jessica , Hossain Jobayer , Gannon Anthony
Published: June 2020

Objective

We recently developed and content validated the Healthcare Transition Outcomes Inventory (HCTOI), a stakeholder vetted, multidimensional measure of the outcomes of the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare for young adults (YA) with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the HCTOI.

Methods

We collected and analyzed cross-sectional data from 128 YA (18–25 years old) with T1D to evaluate the psychometric properties of the HCTOI. We conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), item analysis, and examined reliability and validity in relation to measures of quality of life, diabetes distress, regimen adherence, and glycemic control.

Results

CFA supported a five-factor solution: integration of T1D into emerging adult roles, balance of parental support with T1D autonomy, establishing and maintaining continuity of care, forming a collaborative patient–provider relationship, and ownership of T1D. We reduced the HCTOI from 54 to 34 items. The HCTOI demonstrated adequate internal consistency (α’s = 0.62–0.87) and significant correlations demonstrated construct (quality of life, diabetes distress) and criterion validity (adherence, glycemic control).

Conclusions

The HCTOI demonstrated promising initial psychometric properties. As the first measure of the multiple dimensions of healthcare transition outcomes, the HCTOI provides a means to examine longitudinal relations between transition readiness and outcomes and to assess the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions and programs designed to improve the transition process for YA with T1D.
The nuclear region of NGC 613 – II. Kinematics and stellar archaeology
Authors: da Silva Patrícia , Menezes R B , Steiner J E , Fraga Luciano
Published: May 2020

In this work, we continue the study of the central region of NGC 613 by da Silva, Menezes & Steiner (Paper I), by analysing the stellar and gas kinematics and the stellar archaeology in optical and near-infrared data cubes. The high spatial resolution of the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) data cube allowed the detection, using spectral synthesis methods, of an inner circumnuclear ring, with a radius of ∼1 arcsec, composed of ∼109-yr stellar populations. Such a ring is located between the nucleus and the circumnuclear ring composed by H ii regions detected in previous works. Besides that, there is a stellar rotation around the nucleus and the rings follow the same direction of rotation with different velocities. The intensity-weighted average stellar velocity dispersion at the centre is 92 ± 3 km s−1. Three distinct gas outflow components were detected. The direction of the outflow observed with the H α emission line is compatible with the direction of the previously observed radio jet. The direction of one of the outflows detected in the [O iii]λ5007 emission coincides with the axis of the ionization cone. There is no difference regarding the stellar populations and the stellar kinematics along the double stellar emission, probably separated by a dust lane as mentioned in Paper I, confirming that they are part of the same structure.