bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal anxiety and diet quality among mothers and toddlers from low‐income households
Authors: Trude Angela C. B. , Black Maureen M. , Surkan Pamela J. , Hurley Kristen M. , Wang Yan
Published: March 2020

We evaluated the association between maternal anxiety score and diet quality over time among mothers and toddlers in low‐income families. Longitudinal data were collected from 267 mother–toddler dyads in an obesity prevention trial. Participants were recruited from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children and paediatric clinics between 2007 and 2010. Dyads were assessed at study enrolment (Time 1), 6‐month (Time 2), and 12‐month follow‐up (Time 3). On the basis of a 1‐day 24‐hr dietary recall, we estimated maternal and toddler diet quality using the Healthy Eating Index 2015. Anxiety, a time‐varying variable, was assessed via the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Associations between maternal anxiety score and maternal and toddler diet quality over time were assessed in adjusted mixed models. Maternal and toddler diet quality were positively correlated (r = .48, p < .001). Higher maternal anxiety scores were related to lower toddler Healthy Eating Index scores (b = −0.51, 95% confidence interval, CI [−0.87, −0.15]) with no significant variation over time. The relation between maternal diet quality and anxiety score varied over time (b = 0.28, p = .03, for time–anxiety interaction). Higher maternal anxiety scores were associated with lower maternal diet quality at Time 1 (b = −0.71, 95% CI [−1.09, 0.34]) and at Time 2 (b = −0.51, 95% CI [−0.97, −0.05]), but not at Time 3 (b = −0.14, 95% CI [−0.54, 0.26]). Findings suggest that mothers and toddlers exhibited similar low‐quality dietary patterns and that lower diet quality was associated with higher maternal anxiety scores. Approaches to enhance diet quality may consider incorporating anxiety‐reducing strategies into maternal and toddler care and feeding behaviour guidelines.
Relative Managerial Networking and Performance: The Moderating Role of Environmental Context
Authors: Rho Eunju , Han Sumin
Published: March 2020

This article examines how a dynamic view of managerial networking contributes to the cumulative knowledge of the study of managerial networking in the public sector. The current study contributes to our understanding of the relative influences of past and current networking relationships on current program performance by (1) exploring the nonlinear effects of relative levels of networking on performance and (2) investigating how relative networking influences may interact with organizational conditions characterized by different aspects of institutional and task environments. Employing a panel data set of U.S. local school districts from 1999 to 2015, the research finds that organizational performance improves at an increasing rate as the relative level of managerial networking increases and that the advantages of relative networking are leveraged more effectively when the organization meets its institutional requirements and when the environment is less complex, highly munificent, and highly turbulent.
Accommodation and sediment‐supply controls on clastic parasequences: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Colombera Luca , Mountney Nigel P.
Published: March 2020

This study combines data from many published case studies to undertake a quantitative characterization of clastic parasequences, with the aim to determine how accommodation, sediment supply and autogenic sediment‐storage dynamics are recorded in their sedimentary architecture and stacking patterns. Results of this study are used to critically evaluate the validity of paradigms and models that are routinely used to explain and predict trends in the anatomy and arrangement of parasequences. Data on 957 parasequences from 62 case studies of clastic, shallow‐water successions were coded in a relational database, which includes outcrop and subsurface datasets of ancient and Quaternary examples. These units cover the preserved records of both river‐dominated deltas and wave‐dominated coasts, representing shoreline transits over a breadth of timescales, likely of both local and regional extent. The role of extant accommodation, rates of creation of accommodation and rates of sediment supply in determining parasequence architecture is assessed through analysis of relationships between: (i) proxies of these variables at different scales (rates of aggradation and progradation, facies‐belt shoreline trajectories, systems‐tract type, parasequence‐set stacking patterns, parasequence progradation angle and stratigraphic rise, size of feeder rivers); and (ii) parameters that describe the geometry and stacking style of parasequences, and associated shallow‐water sand bodies. Statistical analyses of database outputs indicate which proxies of accommodation, sediment supply and accommodation/sediment‐supply ratio are significant as predictors of parasequence architecture, and allow for interpretations of the importance of allogenic and autogenic factors. The principal results of this study reveal the following: (i) parasequence thickness varies as a function of water depth, accommodation generation and erosional truncation, and these variations are also reflected across types of systems tracts and parasequence sets; (ii) the dip length of parasequence sand bodies demonstrates scaling with measures of accommodation/sediment‐supply ratio at multiple scales, partly in relation to the possible effect of sediment supply on progradation rates; (iii) in systems tracts, stratigraphic trends in parasequence stacking due to autogenic mechanisms or to acceleration or deceleration in relative sea‐level fluctuations are not revealed quantitatively; (iv) some association is seen between the abundance of deltaic or river‐dominated parasequences and progradational stacking; (v) positive but modest correlation is observed between measures of river‐system size and the dip length of shallow‐marine parasequence sand bodies. The resulting insights can be applied to guide sequence stratigraphic interpretations of the rock record and the characterization of sub‐seismic stratigraphic architectures of subsurface successions.
Imagining better societies: A social psychological framework for the study of utopian thinking and collective action
Authors: Badaan Vivienne , Jost John T. , Fernando Julian , Kashima Yoshihisa
Published: March 2020

We present an integrative theoretical model that specifies social psychological mechanisms by which utopian thinking, which activates the social imagination, may enhance collective action intentions oriented toward social change and human progress. The model synthesizes complementary insights from interdisciplinary research programs on utopianism, hope, construal level, and system justification to identify mechanisms by which imagining better societies: (a) increases social hope, (b) yields an abstract mindset that bridges the psychological distance between the status quo (“here and now”) and a better possible future, (c) decreases system justification motivation, and (d) promotes social justice‐oriented forms of collective action.
Teaching English through pedagogical translanguaging
Authors: Cenoz Jasone , Gorter Durk
Published: March 2020

Teaching English has traditionally been associated with a monolingual bias and the exclusive use of English in the classroom is highly recommended in different countries. Nowadays English is widely used to teach academic content and this strict separation of languages can be problematic because it prevents students from using resources they have previously acquired in other languages (Cenoz & Gorter, 2015; Kubota, 2018). In this article we discuss ‘pedagogical translanguaging’ understood as intentional instructional strategies that integrate two or more languages and aim at the development of the multilingual repertoire as well as metalinguistic and language awareness. Pedagogical translanguaging considers learners as emergent multilinguals who can use English and other languages depending on the social context. Their linguistic resources are valued and learners are not seen as deficient users of English but as multilingual speakers.
The Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Program on the Incidence of Injuries in Young Male Soccer Players
Authors: Naderi Aynollah , Shaabani Fatemeh , Gharayagh Zandi Hassan , Calmeiro Luís , Brewer Britton W.
Published: March 2020

The authors tested the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based program in reducing sport-injury incidence. A total of 168 young male elite soccer players were randomly assigned to mindfulness and control groups. The mindfulness group consisted of seven sessions based on the mindfulness-acceptance-commitment approach, while the control group consisted of seven presentations on sport-injury psychology. Athlete exposure and injury data were recorded during one season. State and trait mindfulness, sport anxiety, stress, and attention control of participants were assessed. Number of injuries, average of injuries per team, and days lost to injury in the mindfulness group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Mindfulness and attention control were lower and sport anxiety and stress were higher in injured players than in noninjured players. Psychological variables were associated with injury. Mindfulness training may reduce the injury risk of young soccer players due to improved mindfulness and attention control and reduced sport anxiety.
Development and Evaluation of the High-Intensity Interval Training Self-Efficacy Questionnaire
Authors: Eather Narelle , Beauchamp Mark R. , Rhodes Ryan E. , Diallo Thierno M.O. , Smith Jordan J. , Jung Mary E. , Plotnikoff Ronald C. , Noetel Michael , Harris Nigel , Graham Emily , Lubans David R.
Published: March 2020

This study involved the design and evaluation of the High-Intensity Interval Training Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (HIIT-SQ). Phase 1: Questionnaire items were developed. Phase 2: Australian adolescents (N = 389, 16.0 ± 0.4 years, 41.10% female) completed the HIIT-SQ, and factorial validity of the measurement model was explored. Phase 3: Adolescents (N = 100, age 12–14 years, 44% female) completed the HIIT-SQ twice (1 week apart) to evaluate test–retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis of the final six items (mean = 3.43–6.73, SD = 0.99–25.30) revealed adequate fit, χ2(21) = 21, p = .01, comparative fit index = .99, Tucker–Lewis index = .99, root mean square of approximation = .07, 90% confidence interval [.04, .11]. Factor loading estimates showed that all items were highly related to the factor (estimates range: 0.81–0.90). Intraclass coefficients and typical error values were .99 (95% confidence interval [.99, 1.00]) and .22, respectively. This study provides preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of scores derived from the HIIT-SQ in adolescents.
Genetic Influences of the Microbiota on the Life Span of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Matthews Melinda K. , Wilcox Hailey , Hughes Rachel , Veloz Madeline , Hammer Austin , Banks Bethany , Walters Amber , Schneider Kyle J. , Sexton Corinne E. , Chaston John M.
Published: March 2020

Associated microorganisms (“microbiota”) are intimately connected to the behavior and physiology of their animal hosts, and defining the mechanisms of these interactions is an urgent imperative. This study focuses on how microorganisms influence the life span of a model host, the fruit fly
Drosophila melanogaster
. First, we performed a screen that suggested a strong influence of bacterial methionine metabolism on host life span. Follow-up analyses of gene expression and metabolite abundance identified stronger roles for vitamin B
6
and glucose than methionine metabolism among the tested mutants, possibly suggesting a more limited role for bacterial methionine metabolism genes in host life span effects. In a parallel set of experiments, we created a distinct bacterial strain that expressed life span-extending methionine metabolism genes and showed that this strain can extend fly life span. Therefore, this work identifies specific bacterial genes that influence host life span, including in ways that are consistent with the expectations of methionine restriction.
NF-κB and Keap1 Interaction Represses Nrf2-Mediated Antioxidant Response in Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Infection
Authors: Hu Bo , Wei Houjun , Song Yanhua , Chen Mengmeng , Fan Zhiyu , Qiu Rulong , Zhu Weifeng , Xu Weizhong , Wang Fang
Published: March 2020

Recent studies have reported that rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) infection reduced Nrf2-related antioxidant function. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. The current study showed that the NF-κB p50 subunit partners with Keap1 to form the Keap1-NF-κB complex, which plays a key role in the inhibition of Nrf2 transcriptional activity. More importantly, upregulated Nrf2 activity delayed the death of RHDV-infected rabbits, strongly indicating the importance of oxidative damage during RHDV infection. These findings may provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of RHDV.
Vaccine-Induced Th1-Type Response Protects against Invasive Group A
Streptococcus
Infection in the Absence of Opsonizing Antibodies
Authors: Rivera-Hernandez Tania , Rhyme Mira Syahira , Cork Amanda J. , Jones Scott , Segui-Perez Celia , Brunner Livia , Richter Johanna , Petrovsky Nikolai , Lawrenz Maria , Goldblatt David , Collin Nicolas , Walker Mark J.
Published: March 2020

Availability of a group A
Streptococcus
vaccine remains an unmet public health need. Here, we tested different adjuvant formulations to improve the protective efficacy of non-M protein vaccine Combo5 in an invasive disease model. We show that novel adjuvants can dramatically shape the type of immune response developed following immunization with Combo5 and significantly improve protection. In addition, protection afforded by Combo5 is not mediated by opsonizing antibodies, believed to be the main correlate of protection against GAS infections. Overall, this report highlights the importance of adjuvant selection in raising protective immune responses against GAS invasive infection. Adjuvants that can provide a more balanced Th1/Th2-type response may be required to optimize protection of GAS vaccines, particularly those based on non-M protein antigens.
Carbon Assimilation Strategies in Ultrabasic Groundwater: Clues from the Integrated Study of a Serpentinization-Influenced Aquifer
Authors: Seyler Lauren M. , Brazelton William J. , McLean Craig , Putman Lindsay I. , Hyer Alex , Kubo Michael D. Y. , Hoehler Tori , Cardace Dawn , Schrenk Matthew O.
Published: March 2020

This study describes the potential metabolic pathways by which microbial communities in a serpentinite-influenced aquifer may produce biomass from the products of serpentinization. Serpentinization is a widespread geochemical process, taking place over large regions of the seafloor and at continental margins, where ancient seafloor has accreted onto the continents. Because of the difficulty in delineating abiotic and biotic processes in these environments, major questions remain related to microbial contributions to the carbon cycle and physiological adaptation to serpentinite habitats. This research explores multiple mechanisms of carbon fixation and assimilation in serpentinite-hosted microbial communities.
What types of dissemination of information occurred between researchers, providers and clinical staff while implementing an asthma shared decision-making intervention: a directed content analysis
Authors: Ludden Thomas , Shade Lindsay , Welch Madelyn , Halladay Jacqueline , Donahue Katrina E , Coyne-Beasley Tamera , Bray Paul , Tapp Hazel
Published: March 2020

Objective

To qualitatively analyse different types of dissemination of information during monthly group calls between researchers, providers and clinical staff used to establish best practices for implementing an asthma shared decision-making (SDM) intervention. Evaluating dissemination of information can provide a better understanding of how best practices are shared, informing implementation approaches to improve the uptake of new evidence and overcome barriers.

Setting

10 primary care practices in North Carolina.

Participants

Providers and clinical staff participated in monthly group phone calls with researchers to share best practices during implementation of a SDM intervention for asthma patients.

Design

The research team transcribed and coded statements using content analysis into three different knowledge types: Knowledge Position, Knowledge Form and Knowledge Object. Knowledge Objects were further classified using directed content analysis where the research team interpreted the content objects through a classification process of identifying themes or patterns to describe three different types of dissemination of information: (A) Confirmation of Existing Knowledge, (B) Generation of New Knowledge and (C) Spreading of New Knowledge.

Results

Across the 8 transcripts, 4 Knowledge Positions, 7 Knowledge Forms and 18 types of Knowledge Objects were identified. From the Knowledge Objects, Confirmation of Existing Knowledge occurred during the training of participating practices. The review also identified Generation of New Knowledge by providers and clinical staff raised in these calls. This Generation of New Knowledge was later documented being used by other practices with the identification of Spreading of New Knowledge.

Conclusion

The research team described the types of dissemination of information that occurred between researchers, providers and clinical staff during implementation of an asthma SDM intervention. Both Confirmation of Existing Knowledge and Generation of New Knowledge in response to barriers occurred. These exploratory dissemination of information results provide additional mechanisms for evaluating implementation science.

Trial registration number

NCT02047929; Post-results
Central Sensitisation and functioning in patients with chronic low back pain: protocol for a cross-sectional and cohort study
Authors: Ansuategui Echeita Jone , Schiphorst Preuper Henrica R , Dekker Rienk , Stuive Ilse , Timmerman Hans , Wolff Andre P , Reneman Michiel F
Published: March 2020

Introduction

A relevant subsample of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) have manifested augmented central pain processing, central sensitisation (CS). Patients with CLBP have limited functioning and participation. Theoretically, physical functioning in patients with CLBP can plausibly be linked to CS; however, evidence to explain such association is scarce. Moreover, there is no gold standard for CS diagnosis. The objectives of the study are: (1) to analyse the association between instruments assessing reference symptoms and signs attributed to CS; (2) to analyse whether reference symptoms and signs attributed to CS are associated with functioning measurement outcomes; and (3) to analyse whether changes (between baseline and discharge) in reference symptoms and signs attributed to CS are related to changes in each of the functioning measurement outcomes.

Methods and analysis

A cross-sectional and longitudinal observational study is performed with measurements taken at baseline and discharge of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme. A sample size of 110 adult patients with CLBP has been calculated for the study. CS measurements are: Central Sensitisation Inventory, quantitative sensory testing and heart rate variability. Functioning measurements are: lifting capacity, maximal aerobic capacity, accelerometry and reported functioning. Statistical analyses to be performed are: (1) correlation between CS measurements, (2) multiple regression between functioning (dependent variable) and CS measurements (independent variable), and (3) multiple regression between changes in scores of functioning (dependent variable) and CS measurements (independent variable), and corrected for sex and age.

Ethics and dissemination

The study obtained the clearance to its implementation from the Medical Research Ethics Committee of the University Medical Center Groningen in July 2017. The results will be disseminated through scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at relevant conferences, and reports to stakeholders.

Trial registration number

NTR7167/NL6980.
Circulating liver enzymes and risks of chronic diseases and mortality in the prospective EPIC-Heidelberg case-cohort study
Authors: Katzke Verena , Johnson Theron , Sookthai Disorn , Hüsing Anika , Kühn Tilman , Kaaks Rudolf
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Elevated liver enzyme concentrations in blood are indicative of liver diseases and may provide an early signal for being at risk for other chronic diseases. Our study aimed to assess the relationships of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and the De Ritis ratio (AST/ALT) with incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and the four most common cancers, that is, breast, prostate, colorectal and lung.

Setting, participants and outcome measures

We analysed a case-cohort sample of the prospective European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Heidelberg cohort, including cancer (n=1632), cancer mortality (n=761), CVD (n=1070), CVD mortality (n=381) and a random subcohort (n=2739) with an average follow-up duration of 15.6 years. Concentrations of liver enzymes were measured in prediagnostic blood samples and Prentice-weighted Cox regression models were used to estimate HRs with 95% CIs.

Results

High ALP levels were associated with increased risk for lung cancer and all-cause mortality (highest vs lowest quartile, multivariable adjusted HR=2.39 (95% CI 1.30 to 4.39), HR=1.31 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.67)), high AST levels with all-cause mortality (HR=1.45 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.82)), and a high De Ritis ratio with prostate cancer risk, all-cause and cancer mortality (HR=1.61 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.36), HR=1.60 (95% CI 1.25 to 2.04), HR=1.67 (95% CI 1.26 to 2.23)). Using cut-points for liver enzyme levels above normal, we observed positive associations for all-cause mortality with ALP, GGT and AST, and assigning a combined risk score resulted in positive associations with all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Conclusions

Measurements of serum liver enzymes, as routinely performed in health check-ups, may support the identification of individuals at increased risk for all-cause mortality. Further prospective studies are needed to verify our first results on individual cancers and on a combined risk score.
Observational stepped-wedge analysis of a community health worker-led intervention for diabetes and hypertension in rural Mexico
Authors: Worster Devin T , Franke Molly F , Bazúa Rodrigo , Flores Hugo , García Zulema , Krupp Joanna , Maza Jimena , Palazuelos Lindsay , Rodríguez Katia , Newman Patrick M , Palazuelos Daniel
Published: March 2020

Objectives

There is emerging interest and data supporting the effectiveness of community health workers (CHWs) in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low/middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to determine whether a CHW-led intervention targeting diabetes and hypertension could improve markers of clinical disease control in rural Mexico.

Design and setting

A prospective observational stepped-wedge study was conducted across seven communities in rural Chiapas, Mexico from March 2014 to April 2018.

Participants

149 adults with hypertension and/or diabetes.

Intervention

This study was conducted in the context of the programmatic roll-out of an accompaniment-based CHW-led intervention designed to complement comprehensive primary care for adults with diabetes and/or hypertension. Implementation occurred sequentially at 3-month intervals with point-of-care data collected at baseline and every 3 months thereafter for 12 months following roll-out in all communities.

Outcome measures

Primary outcomes were glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and systolic blood pressure (SBP), overall and stratified by baseline disease control. We conducted an individual-level analysis using mixed effects regression, adjusting for time, cohort and clustering at the individual and community levels.

Results

Among patients with diabetes, the CHW-led intervention was associated with a decrease in HbA1c of 0.35%; however, CIs were wide (95% CI −0.90% to 0.20%). In patients with hypertension, there was a 4.7 mm Hg decrease in SBP (95% CI −8.9 to −0.6). In diabetic patients with HbA1c ≥9%, HbA1c decreased by 0.96% (95% CI −1.69% to −0.23%), and in patients with uncontrolled hypertension, SBP decreased by 10.2 mm Hg (95% CI −17.7 to −2.8).

Conclusions

We found that a CHW-led intervention resulted in clinically meaningful improvement in disease markers for patients with diabetes and hypertension, most apparent among patients with hypertension and patients with uncontrolled disease at baseline. These findings suggest that CHWs can play a valuable role in supporting NCD management in LMICs.

Trial registration number

NCT02549495.
CCA-Secure and Revocable Certificateless Encryption with Ciphertext Evolution
Authors: Sun Yinxia , Zhang Futai , Fu Anmin , Xia Zhe
Published: March 2020

Certificateless cryptosystems have attracted great interests in cryptographic research since its invention. Because compared with traditional public key cryptosystems or identity-based cryptosystems, they could not only simplify the certificate management, but also alleviate the key escrow problem. In certificateless cryptosystems, user revocation is a challenging issue. To address this issue, one popular method is to update the key via public channels. However, most of the existing schemes in this approach are impractical because of the following two shortcomings. Firstly, the user needs to maintain a list of decryption keys, but the size of the list will keep increasing. Secondly, the revoked user can still recover the plaintexts of the encrypted data prior to revocation, and this is a particular threat in some applications. To solve these problems, this paper presents revocable certificateless encryption with ciphertext evolution. We give a generic construction and then describe how it can be initialized concretely. In our proposed scheme, the user only needs to keep one decryption key, and once a user is revoked, it can no longer decrypt any ciphertext in the server. Moreover, the IND-CCA security model is defined against three types of attacks. And our schemes are formally proved to satisfy these security requirements.
A computer code for topological quantum spin systems over triangulated surfaces
Authors: Liu Yingkai , Prodan Emil
Published: March 2020

We derive explicit closed-form matrix representations of Hamiltonians drawn from tensored algebras, such as quantum spin Hamiltonians. These formulas enable us to soft-code generic Hamiltonian systems and to systematize the input data for uniformly structured as well as for un-structured Hamiltonians. The result is an optimal computer code that can be used as a black box that takes in certain input files and returns spectral information about the Hamiltonian. The code is tested on Kitaev’s toric model deployed on triangulated surfaces of genus 0 and 1. The efficiency of our code enables these simulations to be performed on an ordinary laptop. The input file corresponding to the minimal triangulation of genus 2 is also supplied.
Cohomological dimension with respect to the linked ideals
Authors: Jahangiri Maryam , Sayyari Khadijeh
Published: March 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative Noetherian ring. Using the new concept of linkage of ideals over a module, we show that if [Formula: see text] is an ideal of [Formula: see text] which is linked by the ideal [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text]. Also, it is shown that for every ideal [Formula: see text] which is geometrically linked with [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] does not depend on [Formula: see text].
A graph with respect to idempotents of a ring
Authors: Razaghi Somayyeh , Sahebi Shervin
Published: March 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a ring with nonzero identity. The Idempotent graph of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], has its set of vertices equal to the set of all elements of [Formula: see text]; Distinct vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are adjacent if and only if [Formula: see text] is an idempotent of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we study some basic properties of [Formula: see text] such as connectedness, diameter and girth.
Fully Dynamic MIS in Uniformly Sparse Graphs
Authors: Onak Krzysztof , Schieber Baruch , Solomon Shay , Wein Nicole
Published: March 2020

We consider the problem of maintaining a maximal independent set in a dynamic graph subject to edge insertions and deletions. Recently, Assadi et al. (at STOC’18) showed that a maximal independent set can be maintained in
sublinear
(in the dynamically changing number of edges) amortized update time. In this article, we significantly improve the update time for
uniformly sparse graphs
. Specifically, for graphs with arboricity α, the amortized update time of our algorithm is
O
(α
2
⋅ log
2
n
), where
n
is the number of vertices. For low arboricity graphs, which include, for example, minor-free graphs and some classes of “real-world” graphs, our update time is polylogarithmic. Our update time improves the result of Assadi et al. for all graphs with arboricity bounded by
m
3/8−ϵ
, for any constant ϵ > 0. This covers much of the range of possible values for arboricity, as the arboricity of a general graph cannot exceed
m
1/2
.
A Unified PTAS for Prize Collecting TSP and Steiner Tree Problem in Doubling Metrics
Authors: Chan T.-H. Hubert , Jiang Haotian , Jiang Shaofeng H.-C.
Published: March 2020

We present a unified (randomized) polynomial-time approximation scheme (PTAS) for the prize collecting traveling salesman problem (PCTSP) and the prize collecting Steiner tree problem (PCSTP) in doubling metrics. Given a metric space and a penalty function on a subset of points known as terminals, a solution is a subgraph on points in the metric space whose cost is the weight of its edges plus the penalty due to terminals not covered by the subgraph. Under our unified framework, the solution subgraph needs to be Eulerian for PCTSP, while it needs to be a tree for PCSTP. Before our work, even a QPTAS for the problems in doubling metrics is not known.

Our unified PTAS is based on the previous dynamic programming frameworks proposed in Talwar (STOC 2004) and Bartal, Gottlieb, Krauthgamer (STOC 2012). However, since it is unknown which part of the optimal cost is due to edge lengths and which part is due to penalties of uncovered terminals, we need to develop new techniques to apply previous divide-and-conquer strategies and sparse instance decompositions.
Numb negatively regulates the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer through the Wnt signaling pathway
Authors: Cheng Chi , Huang Zhenfeng , Zhou Ruiyao , An Huimin , Cao Gaojian , Ye Jun , Huang Chaolin , Wu Daoyi
Published: March 2020

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors and is associated with a high mortality rate due to the lack of specific biomarkers available for early diagnosis, targeted therapies, and prognostic surveillance. In the present study, we investigated the function of Numb and its underlying mechanism in CRC. Immunohistochemical staining and clinicopathological analysis were used to assess the expression of Numb and its clinical significance in patients with CRC. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, cell proliferation, Western blot, wound healing, Transwell, and TOP/FOP flash reporter assays were used to investigate the function of Numb and its underlying mechanism in CRC. Numb expression was downregulated and negatively correlated with the depth of invasion, tumor size, metastasis, TNM stage, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in CRC specimens. Numb negatively regulates the EMT, proliferation, invasion, migration, and the Wnt signaling pathway in vitro, as well as tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, activation of the Wnt signaling pathway by Wnt-3A negated the effect of Numb overexpression, whereas inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway by IWR-1 impaired the effect of the Numb knockdown on the EMT. We concluded that Numb downregulation is a common event in patients with CRC and is closely correlated with cancer progression and a poor prognosis. Numb functions as a tumor suppressor in CRC, and its tumor suppressor function is mediated by negative regulation of the EMT through the Wnt signaling pathway.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We investigate the function of Numb and its underlying mechanism in colorectal cancer through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, cell proliferation, Western blot, wound healing, Transwell, and TOP/FOP flash reporter assays. We conclude that Numb can negatively regulate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through the Wnt signaling pathway to inhibit the development of colorectal cancer.
Facile Solvothermal Synthesis of Hollow BiOBr Submicrospheres with Enhanced Visible-Light-Responsive Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Hou Linrui , Niu Yawei , Yang Fan , Ge Fengyue , Yuan Changzhou
Published: March 2020

In this work, hierarchical hollow BiOBr submicrospheres (HBSMs) were successfully prepared via a facile yet efficient solvothermal strategy. Remarkable effects of solvents upon the crystallinities, morphologies, and microstructures of the BiOBr products were systematically investigated, which revealed that the glycerol/isopropanol volumetric ratio played a significant role in the formation of hollow architecture. Accordingly, the underlying formation mechanism of the hollow submicrospheres was tentatively put forward here. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activities of the resulting HBSMs were evaluated in detail with photocatalytic degradation of the organic methyl orange under visible light irradiation. Encouragingly, the as-obtained HBSMs with striking recyclability demonstrated excellent visible-light-responsive photocatalytic performance, which benefits from their large surface area, effective visible light absorption, and unique hollow feature, highlighting their promising commercial application in waste water treatment.
Study on Damage Model and Damage Evolution Characteristics of Backfill with Prefabricated Fracture under Seepage‐Stress Coupling
Authors: Hou Jifeng , Guo Zhongping , Liu Weizhen , Yang Hengze , Xie WenWu
Published: March 2020

Aiming at the backfill with prefabricated fracture under seepage‐stress coupling, the concepts of fracture macrodamage, loaded mesodamage, seepage mesodamage, and total damage of backfill were proposed. Based on the macroscopic statistical damage model, the coupling effect of seepage, stress, and initial fracture was considered comprehensively and the damage model of backfill with prefabricated fracture under seepage‐stress coupling was established. The mechanical properties of backfill with prefabricated fracture under different seepage water pressures and confining pressures were tested and the rationality of the model was verified. The research shows that the mechanical properties of backfill with prefabricated fracture under the seepage‐stress coupling are determined by the seepage water pressure, the load, the initial fracture, and the coupling effect. Fracture and seepage have significant effects on the damage of the backfill. When the seepage water pressure is low, the fracture damage dominates; however, when the seepage water pressure is high, the seepage damage dominates; the total damage under the coupling action is more serious than the single factor. The development laws of the total damage evolution curves under different seepage water pressures and confining pressures are basically the same, and they show the S‐shaped distribution law with the increase of the axial strain. With the increase of confining pressure, the damage effect of fracture and seepage on the backfill is weakened, indicating that the confining pressure has a certain inhibitory effect on the damage evolution of the backfill. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for the study of the stability of backfill with geological defects such as joints and fractures in deep high‐stress and high‐seepage water pressure coal mines.
Self-Reported Complications after Tonsillectomy: Comparison of Responders and Nonresponders to a Mailed Questionnaire
Authors: Haye Rolf , Døsen Liv Kari , Gay Caryl , TarAngen Magnus , Shiryaeva Olga
Published: March 2020

Some studies of tonsillectomy outcomes have low response rates to mailed quality control questionnaires. This study evaluated the effect of nonresponders to mailed questionnaires about posttonsillectomy complications by determining whether mail responders and nonresponders differ. Questionnaires were mailed to patients 3–6 weeks after tonsillectomy to assess postoperative complications, defined as contact with a private practitioner and/or hospital readmission related to postsurgical bleeding, pain, or infection. Nonresponders to the mailed questionnaire were interviewed by telephone 7–11 weeks postoperatively, and responses of mail and telephone responders were compared. Of 818 patients undergoing tonsillectomy during the study period, 66.3% responded by mail, and 29.5% were interviewed by telephone, for a total response rate of 95.7%. The mail response rate was significantly higher among parents of pediatric patients than among adult patients (71.4% versus 58.7%, p<0.001). In the pediatric group, overall complication rates were 65% higher among mail responders than telephone responders (20.9% versus 12.7%, p=0.049), likely due to their higher rates of both visits to private practitioners and infection, as there were no differences in rates of pediatric readmission, bleeding, or pain between the responder groups. Among adult patients, mail and telephone responders did not differ with respect to their overall complication rate (40.9% versus 34.1%, p=0.226) or their rates of readmission or bleeding. However, similar to the pediatric group, visits to a private practitioner were slightly more common among adult mail responders than telephone responders (30.6% versus 21.1%, p=0.065), as were reports of pain (p=0.001) and infection (p=0.006). Studies relying on mailed questionnaires with low response rates likely overestimate the rate of minor complications handled outside the hospital, but rates of major complications involving readmission are unlikely to be seriously biased by low response rates. Supplementing mailed questionnaires with telephone interviews may increase the validity of surgical outcome studies.
Preparation and Performance Evaluation of Polymeric Microspheres Used for Profile Control of Low-Permeability Reservoirs
Authors: Zhao Fajun , Zhang Hongbao , Wu Yanping , Wang Dawei , Zhang Yufei
Published: March 2020

To improve in-depth profile control in a low-permeability reservoir, polymeric microspheres were used. A distillation–precipitation polymerization method was adopted to prepare nanometer-sized polymeric microspheres, whose structure, apparent pattern, thermal endurance, particle size, hydration, and swelling capacity were tested and analyzed by a series of techniques, including infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, high-pressure and high-temperature rheometry, and dynamic light scattering. The prepared polymeric microspheres were copolymerization products of acrylamide, acrylic acid, and methyl methacrylate that were uniformly round with a centralized size distribution. The nanometer-sized microspheres had satisfactory hydration/swelling performance, indicating that they could act as oil displacement profile control agents. With the increase of shear rate, the apparent viscosity of the polymeric microspheres was significantly reduced, and the fluid possessed a pseudoplastic behavior. When the shear rate was 100–1000 s−1, the fluid demonstrated a Newtonian fluid behavior. After the polymeric microspheres were hydrated, the particle size distribution curve shows a normal distribution, reaching a maximum swelling size of 21.3 times that of the original microspheres. The plugging performance and deformability of the polymeric microspheres gradually enhanced with swelling time, which makes the microspheres effective pore channel plugging agents for delivering a better in-depth profile control effect in rock cores with lower permeability. The core flooding test showed that, for the heterogeneous core with a permeability of 10 μm2, polymer microspheres have good plugging effect.
A High-Order Numerical Method for a Nonlinear System of Second-Order Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Xu Minqiang , Niu Jing , Guo Li
Published: March 2020

This paper is concerned with a high-order numerical scheme for nonlinear systems of second-order boundary value problems (BVPs). First, by utilizing quasi-Newton’s method (QNM), the nonlinear system can be transformed into linear ones. Based on the standard Lobatto orthogonal polynomials, we introduce a high-order Lobatto reproducing kernel method (LRKM) to solve these linear equations. Numerical experiments are performed to investigate the reliability and efficiency of the presented method.
Some Topological Invariants of Graphs Associated with the Group of Symmetries
Authors: Wei Chang-Cheng , Salman Muhammad , Ali Usman , Rehman Masood Ur , Ahmad Khan Muhammad Aqeel , Chaudary Muhammad Hasanain , Ahmad Farooq
Published: March 2020

A topological index is a quantity that is somehow calculated from a graph (molecular structure), which reflects relevant structural features of the underlying molecule. It is, in fact, a numerical value associated with the chemical constitution for the correlation of chemical structures with various physical properties, chemical reactivity, or biological activity. A large number of properties like physicochemical properties, thermodynamic properties, chemical activity, and biological activity can be determined with the help of various topological indices such as atom-bond connectivity indices, Randić index, and geometric arithmetic indices. In this paper, we investigate topological properties of two graphs (commuting and noncommuting) associated with an algebraic structure by determining their Randić index, geometric arithmetic indices, atomic bond connectivity indices, harmonic index, Wiener index, reciprocal complementary Wiener index, Schultz molecular topological index, and Harary index.
Effects of Urbanization on Water Quality and the Macrobenthos Community Structure in the Fenhe River, Shanxi Province, China
Authors: Wang Linfang , Li Hua , Dang Jinhua , Zhao Ying , Zhu Yu’en , Qiao Pengming
Published: March 2020

The relationships between land use types, water and sediment parameters, and macrobenthos community structures in the upper and middle reaches of the Fenhe River and urbanization intensity were studied. Samples were collected from 23 sampling sites. Spearman rank correlation analyses were performed to assess the relationships between the percentages of impervious area or the proportions of four land uses and the water and sediment physicochemical properties, heavy metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in water and sediment, and biological indicators of the macrobenthos communities. Some water parameters (temperature, oxidation-reduction potential, electrical conductivity, total N concentration, total P concentration, ammonia-N concentration, and nitrate-N concentration), some sediment parameters (total N concentration, total P concentration, organic matter content, percentage of particles with diameters <2 mm, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni Pb, and Zn concentrations), and some macrobenthos parameters (Berger–Parker index and percentages of collectors, tolerant taxa, and Oligochaeta) significantly positively correlated with the percentage of impervious area. Some water parameters (pH and dissolved oxygen concentration), some sediment parameters (percentage of particles with diameters >2 mm), and some macrobenthos parameters (total biomass, total number of taxa, Shannon’s index, N diversity index, and percentages of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, filterers, scrapers, and sensitive taxa) significantly negatively correlated with the percentage of impervious area. The results indicate that intensification of urbanization has strongly affected the water, sediment, and macrobenthos in the Fenhe River watershed.
Performance evaluation of listwise deletion for impaired datasets in multiple regression-based prediction
Authors: Jittawiriyanukoon Chanintorn
Published: March 2020

Multiple Regression-Based Prediction (MRBP) is an emerging calculation to or analysis technique cope with the future by compiling the history of data. The MRBP characteristic will include an approximation for the associations between physical observations and predictions. MRBP is a predictive model, which will be an important source of knowledge in terms of an interesting trend to be followed in the future. However, there is impairment in the MRBP dataset, wherein each form of missing and noisy data has caused an error and is unavailable further analysis. To overcome this unavailability, so that the data analytics can be moved on, two treatment approaches are introduced. First, the given dataset is denoised; next, listwise deletion (LD) is proposed to handle the missing data. The performance of the proposed technique will be investigated by dealing with datasets that cannot be executed. Employing the Massive Online Analysis (MOA) software, the proposed model is investigated, and the results are summarized. Performance metrics, such as mean squared error (MSE), correlation coefficient (COEF), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean squared error (RMSE), and the average error percentage, are used to validate the proposed mechanism. The proposed LD projection is confirmed through actual values. The proposed LD outperforms other treatments as it only requires less state space, which reflects low computation cost, and proves its capability to overcome the limitation of analysis.
Real time object customization in CAD system
Authors: Z. Abidin Z. F. , Osman Zahid M. N.
Published: March 2020

Object customization in Computer Aided Design (CAD) is a method used to modify the sketch parameters and change the model geometries. This method is one of important features in part modelling which empowered CAD user to simply modify their product. The conventional method of modifying CAD model is usually relied on the manual editing. This paper outlines a development of program than can be integrated in CAD/CAM system for real time object customization. It uses Visual Basic (VB) programming with custom Graphical User Interface (GUI) generated in NX10 (CAD/CAM software) interface. The main contribution of this research is a tool for real time object customization that capable to assist the modification of 3D model. In order to develop the tool, 3D model modification instructions are translated into programming codes by using Journaling tools in NX interface. Editable parameters are identified based on the model shapes. The related codes are reconstructed, modified and linked to the functional GUI.  This allows user to simply modify the model shapes in real time with minimum process steps. The performance of the method is evaluated in terms of the reduction of process steps and time in modifying the 3D model in CAD system. All the findings and details of approach are presented.