bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Becoming a professional
Authors: Reddy Peter , Shaw Rachel
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Research into the experience of BSc Psychology students and graduates in the graduate transition was carried out to enquire if ontology is central to educational transformation; if professional work experience is important in the process of becoming; and how graduates experience the transition from student to professional. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this qualitative longitudinal in-depth interview investigation four one-year work placement students were interviewed twice and five graduates were interviewed at graduation and again two years later. Student transcriptions were analysed thematically and graduate transcriptions received interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Findings

Placement students became legitimate participants in professional life. Graduates thought that BSc Psychology should enable a career and were dissatisfied when it did not. Professional psychology dominated career aspiration. Relationships and participation in work communities of practice were highly significant for learning, personal and professional identity and growth.

Practical implications

Ontology may be central to educational transformation in BSc Psychology and is facilitated by integrated work experience. A more vocational focus is also advocated.

Originality/value

The UK Bachelor’s degree in psychology is increasingly concerned with employability however becoming a professional requires acting and being as well as knowledge and skills and Barnett and others have called for higher education to embrace an ontological turn. This is explored in the context of BSc Psychology student experience and reflection on work placements, graduation and early career development.
The impact of envy on brand preference: brand storytelling and psychological distance as moderators
Authors: Kao Danny Tengti
Published: February 2019

Purpose

While envy has been widely explored in psychology literature, theoretical understanding of the effects of envy on consumers’ emotional responses to brands is promising but under explored. Therefore, this study aims to apply cases of envy and psychological distance to consumers to examine whether the style of brand storytelling can moderate brand preference.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experimental studies were conducted to test the hypotheses. Experiment 1 investigated the effect of envy on consumer evaluations of an advocated brand, through viewing a series of advertisements that varied in brand storytelling styles. A total of 104 working students were randomly assigned to a 2 (brand storytelling: underdog vs top dog) single factorial design. Experiment 2 investigates the effect of envy on consumer evaluations of the advocated brand through viewing advertisements that varied in psychological distance. A total of 108 working students were randomly assigned to a 2 (psychological distance: proximal vs distant) single factorial design. Experiment 3 investigated the effect of envy on evaluations of the brand through viewing advertisements that varied in brand storytelling style and psychological distance. A total of 208 working students were randomly assigned to a 2 (underdog vs top dog) × 2 (proximal vs distant psychological distance) between-subject factorial design.

Findings

Results demonstrate that for consumers experiencing benign and malicious envy, advertisements characterized by brand storytelling (underdog vs top dog) and psychological distance (proximal vs distant) will elicit differential brand preferences.

Originality/value

This research takes up the call to address the limited attention given to envy in the context of brand advertising. Specifically, this research aims to explore how consumer envy influences brand preference and the role of moderating effects such as brand storytelling and psychological distance in this context.
Performance improvement of CSS over imperfect reporting using diversity reception in cognitive radio networks
Authors: Sharma Girraj , Sharma Ritu
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss over imperfect reporting channel the performance of cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS). It is investigated that imperfect reporting channel introduces some lower bound in false alarm probability (Pf). The lower bound of probability of false alarm linearly increases with the probability of reporting error.

Design/methodology/approach

To solve this problem, a transmit diversity-based CSS method is proposed, and to improve the detection performance, square law selection (SLS) diversity is used.

Findings

It is observed that detection probability increases up to 11.55 per cent when SLS diversity is applied, and lower bound Qf decreases up to 80 per cent when transmit diversity is applied.

Originality/value

No literature is available to the best of the authors’ knowledge that measures the performance of CSS with respect to parameters as reported in this paper.
Intervals and (non-)negative numbers
Authors: Markov Svetoslav Marinov
Published: February 2019

Intervals have a double nature: they can be considered as compact sets ofВ real numbers (set-intervals) or as approximate numbers. A set-interval isВ presented as an ordered pair of two real numbers (interval end-points), whereasВ an approximate number is an ordered pairВ consisting of a real ``exact'' number and a nonnegative error bound.В Thus, differently to the case withВ set-intervals, where both endpoints are real numbers, when operating with approximate numbers,В one should know the algebraic properties of the arithmetic operationsВ over error bounds, that is over nonnegative numbers. ThisВ work is devoted to the algebraic study ofВ the arithmetic operations addition and multiplication by scalars for approximate numbers, resp. forВ errors bounds. Such a setting leads to so-called quasilinear spaces. We formulate andВ prove several new properties of such spaces, which areВ important from computational aspect. In particular, we focus our study on theВ operation ``distance between two nonnegative numbers''.В We show that this operation plays an important role in the study of theВ concept of linear independence of interval vectors, the latter being correctly defined.
On the Development of an Efficient Surrogate Model for Predicting Long-Term Extreme Loads on a Wave Energy Converter
Authors: Nguyen Phong T. T. , Manuel Lance , Coe Ryan G.
Published: February 2019

Accurate prediction of long-term extreme loads is essential for the design of wave energy converters (WECs), but it is also computationally demanding due to the low probabilities associated with their occurrence. Although a full long-term probabilistic analysis using integration over all sea states or Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) may be used, these methods can be prohibitively expensive when individual response simulations are complex and time-consuming. The application of polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) schemes to allow the propagation of uncertainty from the environment through the stochastic sea surface elevation process and ultimately to WEC extreme load response prediction is the focus in this study. A novel approach that recognizes the role of long-term ocean climate uncertainty (in sea state variables such as significant wave height and spectral peak period) as well as short-term response uncertainty arising from the unique random phasing in irregular wave trains is presented and applied to a single-body point-absorber WEC device model. Stochastic simulation results in time series realizations of various response processes for the case-study WEC. We employ environmental data from a possible deployment site in Northern California (NDBC 46022) to assess long-term loads. MCS computations are also performed and represent the “truth” system against which the efficiency and accuracy of the PCE surrogate model are assessed. Results suggest that the PCE approach requires significantly less effort to obtain comparable estimates to MCS.
In Situ Verification of Numerical Model of Water Hammer in Slurries
Authors: Kodura Apoloniusz , Weinerowska-Bords Katarzyna , Artichowicz Wojciech , Kubrak Michał , Stefanek Paweł
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a numerical model of transient flow in a pressure slurry pipeline network with verification based on in situ measurements. The model, primarily verified in laboratory conditions, has been extended and applied to the case of a large and complex slurry pipeline network in Poland. In the model, the equivalent density concept was applied. In situ experiments were performed for various unsteady flow episodes, caused by different pump operation strategies in the industrial pipeline network. Based on the measurements of slurry concentration and pressure variations, the numerical model was tested and verified. A satisfactory coincidence between the calculated and the observed pressure characteristics was achieved. Additional numerical tests led to important conclusions concerning safe pump and valve operation and system security threats.
Effect of band power weighting on understanding sentences synthesized with temporal information
Authors: Ye Fuqiang , Zheng Dingchang , Chen Fei
Published: February 2019

This work examined the effect of band power weighting on understanding stimuli synthesized with temporal envelope or Hilbert-fine-structure (HFS) waveforms. The power of modulated carrier in a vocoder model or HFS waveform was level-matched to that of the bandpass filtered signal (matched condition) or equalized across bands (flat condition). The processed stimuli were played to normal-hearing listeners to recognize. For both vocoded and HFS stimuli, there was no significant performance difference between the matched and flat power-weighting conditions, suggesting that band power weighting did not notably influence the intelligibility of stimuli synthesized with temporal information from a few bands.
Yersinia pestis
Pla Protein Thwarts T Cell Defense against Plague
Authors: Smiley Stephen T. , Szaba Frank M. , Kummer Lawrence W. , Duso Debra K. , Lin Jr-Shiuan
Published: February 2019

Plague is a rapidly lethal human disease caused by the bacterium
Yersinia pestis
. This study demonstrated that the
Y. pestis
plasminogen activator Pla, a protease that promotes fibrin degradation, thwarts T cell-mediated defense against fully virulent
Y. pestis
.
Identification of the OXA-48 Carbapenemase Family by Use of Tryptic Peptides and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Strich Jeffrey R. , Wang Honghui , Cissé Ousmane H. , Youn Jung-Ho , Drake Steven K. , Chen Yong , Rosenberg Avi Z. , Gucek Marjan , McGann Patrick T. , Dekker John P. , Suffredini Anthony F.
Published: February 2019

Phenotypic detection of the OXA-48-type class D β-lactamases in
Enterobacteriaceae
is challenging. We describe a rapid (less than 90 min) assay for the identification of OXA-48 family carbapenemases in subcultured bacterial isolates based on a genoproteomic approach.
Hsp27 Responds to and Facilitates Enterovirus A71 Replication by Enhancing Viral Internal Ribosome Entry Site-Mediated Translation
Authors: Dan Xuelian , Wan Qianya , Yi Lina , Lu Jing , Jiao Yang , Li Huangcan , Song Dan , Chen Ying , Xu Hongxi , He Ming-Liang
Published: February 2019

Outbreaks of infections with EV-A71, which causes hand, foot, and mouth disease, severe neurological disorders, and even death, have been repeatedly reported worldwide in recent decades and are a great public health problem for which no approved treatments are available. We show that Hsp27, a heat shock protein, supports EV-A71 infection in two distinct ways to promote viral IRES-dependent translation. A small-molecule Hsp27 inhibitor isolated from a traditional Chinese medicinal herb effectively reduces virus yields. Together, our findings demonstrate that Hsp27 plays an important role in EV-A71 infection and may serve as an antiviral target.
Ancient Transcription Factors in the News
Authors: Artsimovitch Irina , Knauer Stefan H.
Published: February 2019

In every cell from bacteria to mammals, NusG-like proteins bind transcribing RNA polymerase to modulate the rate of nascent RNA synthesis and to coordinate it with numerous cotranscriptional processes that ultimately determine the transcript fate. Housekeeping NusG factors regulate expression of the bulk of the genome, whereas their highly specialized paralogs control just a few targets.
Longitudinal Microbiome Composition and Stability Correlate with Increased Weight and Length of Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants
Authors: Yee Alyson L. , Miller Elizabeth , Dishaw Larry J. , Gordon Jessica M. , Ji Ming , Dutra Samia , Ho Thao T. B. , Gilbert Jack A. , Groer Maureen
Published: February 2019

Preterm infants are at greater risk of microbial insult than full-term infants, including reduced exposure to maternal vaginal and enteric microbes, higher rates of formula feeding, invasive procedures, and administration of antibiotics and medications that alter gastrointestinal pH. This investigation of the VLBW infant microbiome over the course of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, and at ages 2 and 4 years, showed that the only clinical variables associated with significant differences in taxon abundance were weight gain during NICU stay (
Klebsiella
and
Staphylococcus
) and antibiotic administration (
Streptococcus
and
Bifidobacterium
). At 2 and 4 years of age, the microbiota of these VLBW infants became similar to the mothers’ microbiota. The number of microbial taxa shared between the infant or toddler and the mother varied, with least the overlap between infants and mothers. Overall, there was a significant association between the diversity and structure of the microbial community and infant weight and length gain in an at-risk childhood population.
Extrapulmonary uterine lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and dysfunctional uterine bleeding: the first presentation of LAM in a tuberous sclerosis complex patient
Authors: Grant Lucy , Chipwete Saliya , Soo Hoo San , Bhatnagar Anjali
Published: February 2019

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease that typically affects women of childbearing age. It most commonly affects the lungs (P-LAM) but can occasionally occur in extra-pulmonary sites (E-LAM). There is a strong association between LAM and the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). We report a case of a 42-year-old female TSC sufferer who presented with dysfunctional uterine bleeding. She was not known to have LAM. An endometrial biopsy revealed a spindled-cell lesion suspicious of leiomyosarcoma, which correlated with cross-sectional imaging. She underwent a hysterectomy that showed a bizarre (symplastic) leiomyomatous endometrial polyp with background uterine LAM. We discuss the clinical and pathological implications of this unusual case of E-LAM and the importance of clinicopathological correlation in TSC sufferers. The association of uterine LAM with TSC is important and LAM should be considered as a differential of dysfunctional uterine bleeding and a benign mimic to uterine leiomyosarcoma in patients with TSC.
Aspirin and heparin for the prevention of pre-eclampsia: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Jinzhu , Chen Xiaohong , Xing Haiyan , Chen Lin , Xie Zhaolu , He Shuangshuang , Wang Xiaofang , Li Yong , Cui Huanhuan , Chen Jianhong
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Pre-eclampsia is an important cause of death and complication for pregnant women and perinatal infant. Low-dose aspirin has been most commonly used to prevent pre-eclampsia in high-risk pregnant women. Recently, heparins have also been used alone or in combination with aspirin to prevent pre-eclampsia. However, the optimal doses and combination therapy of aspirin and heparins are not well established. Therefore, we aim to compare aspirin, heparins and their combination to prevent pre-eclampsia in a network meta-analysis.

Methods and analysis

We will search the following electronic databases from the date of database establishment to 8 January 2019: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and ProQuest. We will also search additional studies manually. There will be no restriction on the language of publications. Only randomised clinical trials will be eligible in our network meta-analysis. We will include pregnant women who have been recommended for aspirin according to the standard of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or were designated as high risk in some recent studies. We will include studies comparing the effects of any single or combination of aspirin and heparins with placebo or observation or another intervention in pregnancy. We will include studies that reported one of the following outcomes: pre-eclampsia, severe pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery, perinatal death and full-term pre-eclampsia with delivery at ≥37 weeks. Traditional pairwise meta-analysis will be performed initially, and then network meta-analysis will be performed using frequency analysis method. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses will be conducted to assess the robustness of the findings.

Ethics and dissemination

This network meta-analysis does not require ethical certification. An overview and information on the prevention of pre-eclampsia in high-risk pregnant women will be provided by this network meta-analysis.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018084248.
Environmental asbestos exposure in childhood and risk of mesothelioma later in life: a long-term follow-up register-based cohort study
Authors: Dalsgaard Sofie Bünemann , Würtz Else Toft , Hansen Johnni , Røe Oluf Dimitri , Omland Øyvind
Published: February 2019

Objective

To examine the risk of malignant mesothelioma (MM) in former pupils who attended primary school near an asbestos cement plant.

Methods

A cohort of 12 111 former pupils, born 1940–1970, was established from individual historical records from four primary schools located at a distance of 100–750 m in the prevailing wind direction from an asbestos cement plant operating from 1928 to 1984 in Aalborg, Denmark. The school cohort and a comparison cohort consisting of 108 987 gender and 5-year frequency-matched subjects were followed up (2015) for MM in the Danish Cancer Registry. Using Cox regression, HRs were estimated for the incidence of MM. Adjustments for occupational and familial asbestos exposure were made with a job exposure matrix. An SIR analysis including latency periods testing the cancer incidence rate was performed with the comparison cohort as the reference rate.

Results

The median person-years of follow-up were 62.5 years in the school cohort and 62.2 years in the comparison cohort. There were 32 males and 6 females of the former pupils who developed MM during the follow-up: HRmale7.01 (95% CI 4.24 to 11.57), HRfemale7.43 (95% CI 2.50 to 22.13). Those who attended school 250 m north of the plant had the highest HR for MM, 10.65 (95% Cl 5.82 to 19.48). No significant trend between school distance and risk of MM was established (p=0.35).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that boys and girls who attended schools and lived in the neighbourhood of an asbestos cement plant later in life have a significantly increased risk of MM.
Validity of Alvarado Score in predicting disease severity and postoperative complication in pediatric acute appendicitis
Authors: Chung Patrick H Y , Dai Kanglin , Yang Zhen , Wong Kenneth K Y
Published: February 2019

Background

This study evaluates the validity of Alvarado Score in predicting disease severity and the development of postoperative complications in pediatric appendicitis.

Methods

This is a retrospective, bicentered study on pediatric patients with emergency appendicectomy performed from 2006 to 2016. The relationship of Alvarado Score (low: 1–4, medium: 5–6, high: 7–10) and operative findings/complications was analyzed.

Results

A total of 316 patients were included and the median age on admission was 10.8 years. The overall median score was 8.0. 13.3%, 20.2%, and 66.5% of patients had low, medium, and high risk scores, respectively. 36.1% of patients had complicated appendicitis and the median score was comparable with that of the uncomplicated cases (7.0 vs 7.4, p=0.21). More complicated cases were found in the medium-risk group (high vs medium vs low=29.7% vs 61.4% vs 31.0%, p=0.01). Rebound tenderness had the highest positive predictive value (65%) for complicated appendicitis. Postoperative complications were found in 16.5% of patients with a higher median score (7.87 vs 5.8, p=0.01).

Conclusion

Alvarado Score does not predict disease severity but postoperative complication. Patients with medium risk score should also be treated promptly for the risk of having complicated disease. Rebound tenderness may be a signal for complicated appendicitis and should be properly examined.
Dorsal vertical island flap urethroplasty in children with hypospadias: a single center’s experience 75 patients
Authors: Chalapathi Gontumukkala , Sitha Ramaiah Kadiri , Veeraswamy Javvadi
Published: February 2019

Objective

To assess the results and complications of dorsal vertical island flap (DVIF) urethroplasty.

Methods

A total of 175 children were operated on for hypospadias. Out of these, 41 with proximal hypospadias with severe chordee required two-stage urethroplasty. In 18 babies with glanular hypospadias, a meatal advancement and glanuloplasty procedure was done. In 25 babies with mid-penile and distal penile hypospadias, tubularized incised urethral plate (TIP) urethroplasty was the option. 16 babies with unhealthy urethral plate and chordee were chosen for dorsal vertical tube urethroplasty after excision of the urethral plate. The rest of the 75 babies with proximal, mid-penile or distal penile hypospadias with no or minimal chordee after degloving and poor urethral plate were chosen for DVIF urethroplasty. These 75 babies with DVIF were followed up from 3 months to 5 years to assess complications such as urethrocutaneous fistula, meatal stenosis, glans dehiscence, megalourethra or urethral diverticulum, stricture, and penile torsion/rotation.

Results

A total of 75 patients with proximal, mid-penile, or distal penile hypospadias in whom DVIF was used during the study period were included. The mean age was 3.7 years, ranging from 8 months to 14 years. Fourteen patients developed complications (18.6%). The most common complication was urethrocutaneous fistula, which was seen in seven (9.3%) patients. Glans dehiscence was seen in five patients (6.6%), and one had meatal stenosis with diverticulum formation. Skin necrosis was observed in one patient. In 61 patients, stream was good, with no torsion, and good cosmetic appearance was observed.

Conclusions

DVIF is a good alternative to TIP in mid-penile and distal penile hypospadias. Our early experience with DVIF urethroplasty showed an acceptable rate of complications and good cosmetic results.
Effect of 8-h time-restricted feeding on sleep quality and duration in adults with obesity
Authors: Gabel Kelsey , Hoddy Kristin K. , Burgess Helen J. , Varady Krista A.
Published: February 2019

This study examined the effects of time-restricted feeding (TRF; 8-h feeding window/16-h fasting window daily) on sleep. Obese adults (n = 23) followed 8-h TRF for 12 weeks. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score was below 5 at week 1 (4.7 ± 0.5) and week 12 (4.8 ± 0.7), indicating good sleep quality throughout the trial. Subjective measures of wake time, bedtime, and sleep duration remained unchanged. Findings from this secondary analysis indicate that TRF does not alter sleep quality or duration in subjects with obesity.

Novelty This study is the first to show that TRF (8-h feeding window/16-h fasting window daily) does not alter sleep quality or duration in subjects with obesity.
The structure, elastic and thermodynamic properties of Ti2GaC from first-principles calculation
Authors: Pu Xiao-Xia , Long Xiao-Jiang , Zhang Lin , Zhu Jun
Published: February 2019

In this work, the structure, elastic and thermodynamic properties of Ti2GaC at high pressure (P) and high-temperature (T) are studied based on the density functional first-principles. The lattice parameters and elastic constants are well consistent with some theoretical data and experimental results. The elastic constant of Ti2GaC increase monotonously with the increase of pressure (P), which demonstrates the mechanical stability of Ti2GaC at the pressure (P) from 0 to 200 GPa. Mechanical properties including Poisson’s ratio ([Formula: see text]), Young’s modulus (E), shear modulus (G) and bulk modulus (B), which are obtained from elastic constants C[Formula: see text]. The ratio B/G value shows that Ti2GaC is a brittle material, but its enhancing ductility significantly with the elevate of pressure (P). The Grüneisen parameters ([Formula: see text]), thermal expansion coefficient ([Formula: see text]), heat capacity (C[Formula: see text]), elastic constant (C[Formula: see text]), bulk modulus (B), energy (E) and volume (V) with the change of temperature (T) or pressure (P) are calculated within the quasi-harmonic Debye model for pressure (P) and temperatures (T) range in 1600 K and 100 GPa. Besides, densities of states and energy band are also obtained and analyzed in comparison with available theoretical data.
Modification in structural, functional, thermal, dielectric, impedance and nonlinear optical properties of ammonium pentaborate crystal by addition of di-sodium sulphide nanoparticles
Authors: Kochuparampil A. P. , Joshi J. H. , Jethva H. O. , Joshi M. J.
Published: February 2019

Ammonium penataborate (APB) crystals are well known for their nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. Attempt is made to study the changes produced by addition of chalcogenide compound sodium sulphide in APB crystals. Di-sodium sulphide (Na2S) is soluble in water and its solubility is further increased for Na2S nanoparticles. The Na2S nanoparticles are synthesized by using co-precipitation method followed by microwave irradiation. The slow solvent evaporation method is used to grow pure and Na2S added APB crystals. Pure and Na2S added APB crystals possess orthorhombic crystal structure with the mixed phase nature for the Na2S added APB. The presence of sodium in APB is confirmed by AAS study. In FTIR spectra the absorption peak of S–H asymmetric stretching is observed for Na2S added APB indicating the presence of sulphur. The thermal stability of APB crystal is enhanced on doping the Na2S in it. The dielectric study is also carried out within this frequency range. The Jonscher’s power law is applied to AC conductivity data. The impedance spectroscopy study is carried out at room temperature within 100 Hz to 1 MHz frequency range. The complex impedance and modulus plots are drawn. The complex impedance plots indicate only the grain contribution. The Kurtz and Perry powder study indicates that all the crystals are exhibiting NLO properties with varying SHG efficiency.
QLSA: A Software Library for Spectral Estimation in Low-Frequency Noise Measurement Applications
Authors: Ciofi C. , Scandurra G. , Giusi G.
Published: February 2019

A public domain software library is introduced and discussed that aims at enabling the development of customized real-time spectral analysis applications in the field of Low-Frequency Noise Measurements. Besides allowing spectral and cross-spectral estimation on multiple channels, the library effortlessly enables the implementation of quasi-logarithmic frequency resolution for real-time spectral analysis over several decades of frequency. By exploiting the library, the burden of the selection of the proper spectral estimation parameters in any given application is virtually eliminated.
r-Identifying codes in binary Hamming space, q-ary Lee space and incomplete hypercube
Authors: Dhanalakshmi R. , Durairajan C.
Published: February 2019

We study about monotonicity of [Formula: see text]-identifying codes in binary Hamming space, q-ary Lee space and incomplete hypercube. Also, we give the lower bounds for [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the smallest cardinality among all [Formula: see text]-identifying codes in [Formula: see text] with respect to the Lee metric. We prove the existence of [Formula: see text]-identifying code in an incomplete hypercube. Also, we give the construction techniques for [Formula: see text]-identifying codes in the incomplete hypercubes in Secs. 4.1 and 4.2. Using these techniques, we give the tables (see Tables 1–6) of upper bounds for [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the smallest cardinality among all [Formula: see text]-identifying codes in an incomplete hypercube with [Formula: see text] processors. Also, we give the exact values of [Formula: see text] for small values of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] (see Sec. 4.3).
Mesoscopic damage evolution on bonding interface and its influence on macroscopic performance deterioration of reinforced concrete member
Authors: Wang Ying , Zheng Yuqian , Wang Xuan
Published: February 2019

Slip or debonding of bonding interface is the key cause of the performance degradation or failure of the reinforced concrete (RC) member. In this paper, based on Monte Carlo method, a mesoscopic finite element model composed of mortar, coarse aggregate and steel rebar was established to consider the mesoscopic damage on the bonding interface and its influence on macroscopic performance deterioration of RC specimen. The results show that the simulation results fit well with experimental data. Higher initial interfacial damage results in lower bonding strength and smaller final displacement. Higher mortar modulus could greatly improve the initial bonding property and bonding strength, but slightly increase the final damage. Compared with the RC specimen model with plain steel bar, the model with deformed steel bar shows a longer duration of nonlinear increase for drawing force and lower bonding strength. When confinement is applied, the coalescence of damage zones is prevented due to the effect of thread. Therefore, the application of confinement could increase the bonding strength and the initial bonding property.
Deep Learning Based Recommender System
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Yao Lina , Sun Aixin , Tay Yi
Published: February 2019

With the growing volume of online information, recommender systems have been an effective strategy to overcome information overload. The utility of recommender systems cannot be overstated, given their widespread adoption in many web applications, along with their potential impact to ameliorate many problems related to over-choice. In recent years, deep learning has garnered considerable interest in many research fields such as computer vision and natural language processing, owing not only to stellar performance but also to the attractive property of learning feature representations from scratch. The influence of deep learning is also pervasive, recently demonstrating its effectiveness when applied to information retrieval and recommender systems research. The field of deep learning in recommender system is flourishing. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of recent research efforts on deep learning-based recommender systems. More concretely, we provide and devise a taxonomy of deep learning-based recommendation models, along with a comprehensive summary of the state of the art. Finally, we expand on current trends and provide new perspectives pertaining to this new and exciting development of the field.
Computing the Braid Monodromy of Completely Reducible
n
-gonal Curves
Authors: Aktas Mehmet E. , Akbas Esra
Published: February 2019

Braid monodromy is an important tool for computing invariants of curves and surfaces. In this paper, the
rectangular braid diagram (RBD)
method is proposed to compute the braid monodromy of a completely reducible
n
-gonal curve, i.e., the curves in the form (
y
−
y
1
(
x
))…(
y
−
y
n
(
x
))=0, where
n
∈ Z
+
and
y

i

∈ C[
x
]. Also, an algorithm is presented to compute the Alexander polynomial of these curve complements using Burau representations of braid groups. Examples for each computation are provided.
Verified Newton–Raphson Iteration for Multiplicative Inverses Modulo Powers of Any Base
Authors: Walther Christoph
Published: February 2019

We identify two faults in a published algorithm for fast computation of multiplicative inverses modulo prime powers. We patch the algorithm and present machine-assisted proofs of correctness of the repair. Our formal proofs also reveal that being prime is an unnecessary demand for the power base, thus attributing a wider scope of applications to the repaired algorithm.
Assessment of Chaves Low-Temperature CO2-Rich Geothermal System (N-Portugal) Using an Interdisciplinary Geosciences Approach
Authors: Marques J. M. , Carreira P. M. , Aires-Barros L. A. , Monteiro Santos F. A. , Antunes da Silva M. , Represas P.
Published: February 2019

This paper reviews the results of a multi- and interdisciplinary approach, including geological, geomorphological, tectonic, geochemical, isotopic, and geophysical studies, on the assessment of a Chaves low-temperature (77°C) CO2-rich geothermal system, occurring in the northern part of the Portuguese mainland. This low-temperature geothermal system is ascribed to an important NNE-trending fault, and the geomorphology is dominated by the “Chaves Depression,” a graben whose axis is oriented NNE-SSW. The study region is situated in the tectonic unit of the Middle Galicia/Trás-os-Montes subzone of the Central Iberian Zone of the Hesperic Massif comprising mainly Variscan granites and Paleozoic metasediments. Chaves low-temperature CO2-rich geothermal waters belong to the Na-HCO3-CO2-rich-type waters, with pH≈7. Total dissolved solids range between 1600 and 1850 mg/L. Free CO2 is of about 500 mg/L. The results of SiO2 and K2/Mg geothermometers give estimations of reservoir temperature around 120°C. δ18O and δ2H values of Chaves low-temperature CO2-rich geothermal waters indicate a meteoric origin for these waters. No significant 18O-shift was observed, consistent with the results from the chemical geothermometry. δ13CCO2 values vary between −7.2 and −5.1‰ vs. V-PDB, and CO2/3He ratios range from 1×108 to 1×109, indicating a deep (upper mantle) source for the CO2. 3He/4He ratios are of about 0.9 (R/Ra). The Chaves low-temperature CO2-rich geothermal waters present similar 87Sr/86Sr ratios (between 0.728035 and 0.716713) to those of the plagioclases from granitic rocks (between 0.72087 and 0.71261) suggesting that water mineralization is strongly ascribed to Na-plagioclase hydrolysis. Geophysical methods (e.g., resistivity and AMT soundings) detected conductive zones concentrated in the central part of the Chaves graben as a result of temperature combined with the salinity of the Chaves low-temperature CO2-rich geothermal waters in fractured and permeable rock formations. This paper demonstrates the added value of an integrated and multi- and interdisciplinary approach for a given geothermal site characterization, which could be useful for other case studies linking the assessment of low-temperature CO2-rich geothermal waters and cold CO2-rich mineral waters emerging in a same region.
Genetic Mapping and Validation of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) for the Grain Appearance and Quality Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) by Using Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL) Population
Authors: Bazrkar-Khatibani Leila , Fakheri Barat-Ali , Hosseini-Chaleshtori Maryam , Mahender Anumalla , Mahdinejad Nafiseh , Ali Jauhar
Published: February 2019

Rice grain shape and nutritional quality traits have high economic value for commercial production of rice and largely determine the market price, besides influencing the global food demand for high-quality rice. In order to understand the genetic components of grain appearance traits in paddy, brown, and head rice, 15 traits were evaluated by using 157 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between two Iranian rice cultivars Ali-Kazemi (A) and Kadous (K). A significant variation was observed and showed transgressive segregation among the RILs. Correlations between the visual appearances of grain traits were studied. A linkage map with 65 polymorphic SSR markers was constructed, which covered 1517.32 cM of the rice genome. A total of seven QTLs were identified on four chromosomes, 1, 6, 9, and 12, associated with four traits, which are explained by the total phenotypic variation of 44.27% and LOD score of 32.77 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Among these, four QTLs for two traits were consistently flanked by RM23904 and RM24432 on chromosome 9. Single QTL for head grain length (HGL) expressed in both the years on chromosomes 1 and 9. A major QTL for seed weight was detected on chromosome 9, which explained 10.18% of the phenotypic variation. The additive effect of all the QTLs was positively contributed by Ali-Kazemi allele, except one QTL on chromosome 6 (qBGL_6) that showed a negative additive effect being contributed by the Kadous allele. The study also validated the identified QTLs with the polymorphic SSR markers that were previously reported. Novel QTLs were identified on chromosomes 6 and 9, and many of the polymorphic markers were found to be associated with milling processing of grain quality, cooking, and nutraceutical properties of rice by extensive literature and database analysis. Therefore, these validated QTLs and marker information could be utilized in the marker-assisted selection to improve grain appearance and nutritional grain quality traits in rice.
Maternal Hepatitis B Infection Burden, Comorbidity and Pregnancy Outcome in a Low-Income Population on the Myanmar-Thailand Border: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Bierhoff Marieke , Angkurawaranon Chaisiri , Myat Min Aung , Gilder Mary Ellen , Win Tun Nay , Keereevijitt Arunrot , Kyi Win Aye , Win Elsi , Carrara Verena Ilona , Brummaier Tobias , Chu Cindy S. , Thielemans Laurence , Sriprawat Kanlaya , Hanboonkunupakarn Borimas , Rijken Marcus , Nosten François , Vugt Michele van , McGready Rose
Published: February 2019

Objectives. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was believed to have minimal impact on pregnancy outcomes apart from the risk of perinatal transmission. In more recent years, there have been reports of adverse associations, most consistently preterm birth (PTB), but this is in the context of high rates of caesarean section. The aim of this study was to explore the association of HBV on pregnancy outcomes in marginalized, low-income populations on the Myanmar-Thailand border. Methods. HBsAg positive (+) point of care rapid detection tests results were confirmed by immunoassays. Women with a confirmed HBsAg status, HIV- and syphilis-negative at first antenatal care screening, singleton fetus and known pregnancy outcome (Aug-2012 to Dec-2016) were included. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between HBV group (controls HBsAg negative, HBsAg+/HBeAg-, or HBsAg+/HBeAg+) and pregnancy outcome and comorbidity. Results. Most women were tested, 15,046/15,114 (99.6%) for HBV. The inclusion criteria were not met for 4,089/15,046 (27.2%) women due mainly to unavailability of pregnancy outcome and nonconfirmation of HBsAg+. In evaluable women 687/11,025 (6.2%) were HBsAg+, with 476/11,025 (4.3%) HBsAg+/HBeAg- and 211/11,025 (1.9%) were HBsAg+/HBeAg+. The caesarean section rate was low at 522/8,963 (5.8%). No significant associations were observed between pregnancy comorbidities or adverse pregnancy outcomes and HBV status. Conclusions. The results highlight the disease burden of HBV in women on the Myanmar-Thailand border and support original reports of a lack of significant associations with HBsAg+ irrespective of HBeAg status, for comorbidity, and pregnancy outcomes in deliveries supervised by skilled birth attendants.
Design and Discovery of Novel 1,3,5-Triazines as Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor against Diabetes
Authors: Wang Yu , Tang Xialian , Yi Lianghong
Published: February 2019

This study aims at synthesizing novel di-morpholine 1,3,5-triazine derivatives as antidiabetic agent via inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). The molecules were developed via sequential nucleophilic reaction to afford target derivatives 5(a–f) and subsequently tested for inhibitory potency against DPP iso-enzymes, such as DPP-4, DPP-8, and DPP-9. The in vitro inhibition assay suggested that these derivatives prominently and selectively inhibit DPP-4 over ­DPP-8 and DPP-9. These molecules also showed no presence of cardiotoxicity, as confirmed by no activity against human Ether-à-go-go related gene channel. The study disclosed compound 5c as the most potent inhibitor of DPP-4 with IC50 of 1.10 nmol/L as compared to the standard. Compound 5c was further evaluated for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and antidiabetic activity in ICR mice and Wistar rats, respectively. In OGTT, compound 5c showed dose-dependent ­improvement of glucose tolerance with a maximum at 30 mg/kg. It also showed reduction in area under the curve from 0 to 120 min, similar to alogliptin (standard). In Wistar rats, compound 5c causes reduction in the blood glucose level, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very LDL level as compared to the diabetic control group, whereas the level of high-density lipoprotein was found to be increased. Compound 5c causes improvement in antioxidant defense mechanism, as confirmed via improving superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reducing the malondialdehyde level as compared to normal control group rats.
Predicting Mortality in Fournier Gangrene and Validating the Fournier Gangrene Severity Index: Our Experience with 50 Patients in a Tertiary Care Center in India
Authors: Arora Amandeep , Rege Sameer , Surpam Shrinivas , Gothwal Kalyansing , Narwade Anurag
Published: February 2019

Objective: To identify factors that dictate morbidity and mortality in patients with Fournier’s Gangrene and validate the Fournier gangrene severity index (FGSI). Materials and Methods: We prospectively studied 50 patients with FG from January 2016 to December 2016 pertaining to their presenting signs, intraoperative findings, and postoperative wound management and outcome. We also checked the power of the FGSI to predict the outcome of the patients in terms of mortality. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimum cutoff of FGSI score to predict mortality. Principle component analysis was performed to check for the possibility of reduction in the number of factors included in the FGSI. Results: The mean age at presentation was 53 ± 16 years with a mortality rate of 24%. Factors associated with mortality were increasing age (p = 0.0001), presence of diabetes (p = 0.002), bed-ridden status (p = 0.001), alcoholic liver disease (p = 0.005), altered international normalized ratio (p > 0.005), late presentation (p = 0.001), and a FGSI score of > 9 at admission (p = 0.004). The mean FGSI score among survivors was 4.39 ± 3.80 compared to 14.22 ± 3.93 among those who died. The area under the curve FGSI score to predict mortality at a cutoff of 9 was 0.961 (95% CI 0.910–1.000). Conclusion: Increasing age, diabetes, alcoholic liver disease, bed-ridden status, delayed hospital presentation, and an altered international normalized ratio at presentation are associated with higher mortality in FG. The FGSI at admission should be used to identify patients with serious prognosis requiring intensive care.
Red Blood Cells Derived from Whole Blood Treated with Riboflavin and UV Light Maintain Adequate Cell Quality through 21 Days of Storage
Authors: Dimberg Lina Y. , Doane Suzann K. , Yonemura Susan , Reddy Heather L. , Hovenga Nick , Gosney E. Jane , Tran Melissa  , Wilkinson Shilo , Goodrich Raymond P. , Marschner Susanne
Published: February 2019

Background: The Mirasol system for whole blood (WB) is a non-toxic, non-mutagenic pathogen reduction technology (PRT) that treats WB units with riboflavin (vitamin B2) and ultraviolet (UV) light to alter nucleic acids, thereby reducing pathogen infectivity and inactivating white blood cells. This study evaluates the quality of red blood cells (RBCs) derived from WB treated with the Mirasol system. Study Design and Methods: Paired units of WB were collected from 61 healthy donors. One unit per donor was treated with riboflavin and UV light and the other was used as an untreated control. RBCs were processed from the WB units and stored in AS-3 at 1–6°C for 21 days and sampled for in vitro analyses of RBC quality parameters. Results: Several statistically significant differences were observed between test and control units, but values were overall within normal clinical ranges. After leukoreduction, the residual leukocyte count and RBC recovery met FDA requirements. The RBC units derived from treated WB maintained haemolysis below 1% through 21 days of storage. Conclusion: RBCs derived from WB treated with the Mirasol system meet accepted FDA guidelines for RBC quality through 21 days of storage at 1–6°C.
Risk Factors for Low Bone Density in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Use of Glucocorticoids, Low Body Mass Index, and Smoking
Authors: Even Dar Razi , Mazor Yoav , Karban Amir , Ish-Shalom Sofia , Segal Elena
Published: February 2019

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are reported to have lower bone density compared to healthy controls. There is limited consensus regarding factors affecting bone density among these patients. Our aim, therefore, was to determine clinical and genetic variables that contribute to lower bone mineral density (BMD) in IBD patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study of IBD patients treated in a tertiary referral center was performed. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected, and genetic testing for the common mutations in Nucleotide-binding Oligomerization Domain-containing protein (NOD)2 was performed. We examined correlations between the different variables and BMD in the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine. Results: Eighty-nine patients (49% males, 67 Crohn’s disease [CD]) participated in the study. 42Forty-two (63%) of the CD and 13 (59%) of the ulcerative colitis patients met the criteria for osteoporosis/osteopenia. Factors associated with lower Z scores were low body mass index (BMI; r = –0.307, p = 0.005), use of glucocorticoids (likelihood ratio [LR] 5.1, p = 0.028), and a trend for male gender (LR = 3.4, p = 0.079). Among CD patients, low bone density showed borderline significance for association with gastrointestinal surgery (LR = 4.1, p = 0.07) and smoking (LR = 3.58, p = 0.06). Low levels of 25OHD were not associated with low BMD, nor were mutations in NOD2. No increased rate of fractures was seen among patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis. Conclusion: In addition to the generally accepted risk factors for osteoporosis (glucocorticoids, low BMI, smoking), male IBD patients had a trend toward lower BMD. Carrying a mutaticon in NOD2 did not confer a risk for bone loss.
Live Births after in vitro Fertilization with Fertility-Sparing Surgery for Borderline Ovarian Tumors: A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Li Song , Lin Haiyan , Xie Yanqiu , Jiao Xuedan , Qiu Qi , Zhang Qingxue
Published: February 2019

This is a case series reporting live births following in vitro fertilization (IVF) after fertility-sparing surgery in patients with borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs). Seventeen patients, in whom fertility-sparing surgery for BOTs followed by IVF was performed from July 1, 2011 to September 30, 2017, in our IVF center, were included. Here we retrospectively present their BOT characteristics and clinical outcomes of assisted reproduction technology (ART) and then discuss the literature on management of patients with BOTs after fertility-sparing surgery. The study sample of 17 patients started IVF-assisted reproduction within a median of 24 months after fertility-sparing surgery. Eight patients achieved live births after IVF followed by fresh or frozen-thawed embryo transfer, and one is currently pregnant after the second IVF treatment. Four of these 17 women experienced 6 recurrences of BOTs after IVF and delivery in a median of 29 months of follow-up. The literature reports a pooled estimate of 63.5% for pregnancy and 21.7% for recurrence of BOTs in patients with the same condition. Pregnancy outcomes of IVF in these women are usually better than those of generally infertile women. Moreover, our review of the literature suggests that ART has no negative impact on the prognosis of BOTs.