bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
9 Aberrant striatal value representation in Huntington’s disease gene carriers 25 years before onset
Authors: Nair Akshay , Johnson Eileanoir B , Gregory Sarah , Osborne-Crowley Katherine , Zeun Paul , Scahill Rachel I , Lowe Jessica , Papoutsi Marina , Palminteri Stefano , Rutledge Robb B , Rees Geraint , Tabrizi Sarah J
Published: July 2020

Aims

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a devastating genetic neurodegenerative condition typically manifesting clinically in the fourth or fifth decade. With the advent of genetic therapies there is increased need to identify the earliest changes associated with carrying the HD gene. In this study we sought to determine the earliest functional imaging differences between HD gene carriers and matched controls. Based on previous work, we hypothesised that as compared to controls, HD gene carriers decades from onset would show a neural ‘reward bias’ – an exaggerated striatal response to gains as compared to losses.

Methods

We recruited 35 HD gene carriers, estimated to be on average 26 years from motor onset, and 35 controls. Groups were well matched for age, gender and education level.

Participants completed a reinforcement learning task in a fMRI scanner using a sequence optimised for orbitofrontal and striatal signal. In this task participants were required to learn to choose between stimuli with the aim of maximise rewards and avoiding losses. Task behaviour was modelled using a computational model and computational variables from the best fitting model was used to probe fMRI data.

Results

As hypothesised, we found that, in comparison to matched controls, gene carriers over 25 years from motor onset showed exaggerated striatal responses to gain as compared to loss predicting stimuli (p=0.003) in a reinforcement learning task. Using computational analysis, we also found group differences in striatal representation of stimulus value (p=0.0007).

Conclusion

These represent the earliest functional imaging differences between HD gene carriers and controls. Behaviourally gene carriers, 9 years from predicted onset, have shown enhanced learning from gains as compared to losses. Importantly, we found no group differences in behaviour, or caudate volumes. Our data suggests a therapeutic window exists whereby HD- related functional neural changes are detectable 25 years before predicted onset.
Telomere shortening velocity of patients administered with hypnotics is accelerated in a gender-differential manner
Authors: Maeda Toyoki , Horiuchi Takahiko , Makino Naoki
Published: July 2020

The telomere length and its distribution were compared between patients administered with and without hypnotics to see if regular administration of hypnotics is associated with their aging-related somatic telomere shortening. Male patients presented significant shortening of telomere length of circulating leukocytes in association with age (–41.9 bp/year, p = 0.045) in contrast with controls (–18.3 kb/year, p = 0.155). On the other hand, female patients presented no significant shortening of telomere length with aging (–16.4 bp/year, p = 0.372) in contrast with controls (–55.9 bp/year, p = 0.00005). These results suggested that regular administration of hypnotics is associated with aging progression in a gender-related manner. The administration of hypnotics could be an indicator as the somatic aging status and for the screening of background lifestyle-associated diseases promoting biological aging.
Parallel-Based Techniques for Managing and Analyzing the Performance on Semantic Graph
Authors: Algosaibi Abdulelah , Ragab Khaled , Albahli Saleh
Published: July 2020

In recent years, data are generated rapidly that advanced the evolving of the linked data. Modern data are globally distributed over the semantically linked graphs. The nature of the distributed data over the semantic graph raised new demands on further investigation on improving performance on the semantic graphs. In this work, we analyzed the time latency as an important factor to be further investigated and improved. We evaluated the parallel computing on these distributed data in order to better utilize the parallelism approaches. A federation framework based on a multi-threaded environment supporting federated SPARQL query was introduced. In our experiments, we show the achievability and effectiveness of our model on a set of real-world quires through real-world Linked Open Data cloud. Significant performance improvement has noticed. Further, we highlight short-comings that could open an avenue in the research of federated queries. Keywords: Semantic web; distributed query processing; query federation; linked data; join methods.
Sufficient ensemble size for random matrix theory-based handling of singular covariance matrices
Authors: Kabán Ata
Published: July 2020

Singular covariance matrices are frequently encountered in both machine learning and optimization problems, most commonly due to high dimensionality of data and insufficient sample sizes. Among many methods of regularization, here we focus on a relatively recent random matrix-theoretic approach, the idea of which is to create well-conditioned approximations of a singular covariance matrix and its inverse by taking the expectation of its random projections. We are interested in the error of a Monte Carlo implementation of this approach, which allows subsequent parallel processing in low dimensions in practice. We find that [Formula: see text] random projections, where [Formula: see text] is the size of the original matrix, are sufficient for the Monte Carlo error to become negligible, in the sense of expected spectral norm difference, for both covariance and inverse covariance approximation, in the latter case under mild assumptions.
Directional spherical indicatrices of timelike space curve
Authors: Kaymanli Gul Ugur , Dede Mustafa , Ekici Cumali
Published: July 2020

In this work, the directional spherical indicatrices of a timelike space curve using tangent, quasi-normal and quasi-binormal vectors with q-frame are introduced. Then we work on the condition, that a timelike space curve to be slant helix, by using the geodesic curvature of the directional normal spherical indicatrix. Finally, an application of the results is given.
Characterization of the Solid-Electrolyte Interphase between a Cu Electrode and LiN(CF3SO2)2-triglyme Solvate Ionic Liquid
Authors: Serizawa Nobuyuki , Kitta Kazuki , Tachikawa Naoki , Katayama Yasushi
Published: July 2020

The formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on a Cu electrode was investigated in 50.0–50.0 mol% lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide (LiTFSA)-triglyme (G3, CH3(OCH2CH2)3OCH3) solvate ionic liquid, [Li(G3)]TFSA, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The Li+ conductive SEI was formed on a Cu electrode by keeping the potential at 0 V vs Li∣Li(I). The resistance and capacitance attributable to the SEI changed over a period of 24 h in EIS spectra, suggesting the sluggish SEI formation on the Cu electrode in [Li(G3)]TFSA. XPS and FT-IR spectra indicated the existence of G3, TFSA–, [Li(G3)]+, and/or their decomposition products in the SEI. In contrast, LiF was not found in the SEI, suggesting LiF was not formed by the cathodic decomposition of [Li(G3)]TFSA on the Cu electrode at 0 V. The whisker-like growth of Li on a Cu electrode was suppressed after the SEI formation at 0 V probably due to the formation of homogeneous and low-conductive SEI layer. The coulombic efficiency for deposition and dissolution of Li was improved with the SEI formation at 0 V prior to the measurements, suggesting the SEI on a Cu electrode affected the reversibility of the Li anode.
Inexpensive and Efficient Alkaline Water Electrolyzer with Robust Steel-Based Electrodes
Authors: Zayat Billal , Mitra Debanjan , Narayanan S. R.
Published: July 2020

Electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali is a promising approach for the production of pure hydrogen. For this approach to be economical on a large scale, the overpotentials for the electrode reactions and the high-cost of nickel-based electrode substrates must be reduced. We report here on the performance of an “all-iron” electrolyzer cell that uses inexpensive steel-based electrodes. This alkaline water electrolyzer uses a steel mesh coated with a thin catalytic coating of alpha-nickel hydroxide for the oxygen evolution electrode, and another steel mesh sputter-coated with nickel and molybdenum for the hydrogen electrode. An alkaline electrolyzer with these steel-based electrodes, a commercial Zirfon® separator, and a solution of 30% potassium hydroxide exhibited an electrolysis cell voltage of 1.83 V and 1.71 V at 100 mA cm−2 when operating at 23 °C and 70 °C, respectively. We show that the performance of the steel-based electrodes is comparable to commercial electrodes based on nickel substrates. When the cell was operated continuously for 100 h at 1 A cm−2 at 23 °C, there was no measurable loss in performance, providing a preliminary confirmation of the robustness of these iron-based electrodes and electrocatalysts. We conclude that cost-effective iron-based electrolyzers could be a promising route to low-cost hydrogen production.
Fabrication of the Au Nano-Aperture Array Platform for Single Molecule Analysis
Authors: Choi Seong Soo , Park Myoung Jin , Lee Yong Min , Bae Byung Seong , Kim Hyun Tae , Choi Soo Bong
Published: July 2020

We have fabricated the Au nano-aperture array platforms on the Au films for single molecule analysis. Previously, we reported fabrication of the 200 nm wide double slits with various separations between two nanoslits, and the optical characteristics. In this paper, we will address the optical characteristics of various Au aperture platfoms; the double slits with a 50 nm opening width, the nanoslit array with its opening width less than 100 nm, and the circular type nano-aperture by using 30 keV focused Ga ion beam techniques, along with Au nanopore formation under the high energy electron beam irradiations at 200 keV. For the slit width less than 100 nm, we observed the surface plasmon polariton (SPP)-mediated intraband transmission peak at ∼500 nm, and the SPP-coupled peak around ∼650 nm. The optical intensities are measured to be dependent upon the size of the nano-aperture, the opening width of the slit, and the thickness of the Au film. For a 30 nm slit width, the broadband emission ranging from ∼600 nm to 800 nm were also observed. The fabricated Au plasmonic platforms can be utilized as single molecule bio-sensor.
Cardiometabolic risk factors are associated with immune cell mitochondrial respiration in humans
Authors: DeConne Theodore M. , Muñoz Eric R. , Sanjana Faria , Hobson Joshua C. , Martens Christopher R.
Published: July 2020

Independent of other cardiometabolic risk factors, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure were found to be negatively associated with several parameters of mitochondrial respiration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy adults. These data suggest that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and systolic blood pressure may induce metabolic reprogramming of immune cells, contributing to increased cardiovascular disease risk and impaired immune health.
Improvement in Menopause‐Associated Hepatic Lipid Metabolic Disorders by Herbal Formula HPC03 on Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Chang BoYoon , Kim Dae Sung , Kim SungYeon
Published: July 2020

Postmenopausal women have an increased risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We formulated a combination of three herb mixtures (HPC03) and observed lipid‐lowering efficacy. HepG2 cells were treated with oleic acid to induce an NAFLD model (in vitro). Also, we investigated potential of HPC03 in an ovariectomize‐ (OVX‐) induced NAFLD model (in vivo). We separated the mice into six groups, as follows: SHAM, OVX, OVX + β‐estradiol, and OVX + HPC03 (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg). Rats were administered with/without HPC03 for 12 weeks. HPC03 dose dependently inhibited the lipid accumulation involved in lipogenesis in HepG2 cells. The body weight, fat mass, and weights of the liver were decreased in the OVX group than that in the other groups. HPC03 had decreased adiposity that was induced by OVX. HPC03 treatment reduced liver lipid deposition and prevented the increase in serum and liver triglyceride export when there was a deficiency in estradiol. HPC03 improves OVX‐induced fatty liver and lipid metabolism. These findings suggest that HPC03 from postmenopausal women has a protective effect during NAFLD conditions.
Sensing Fractional Power Spectrum of Nonstationary Signals with Coprime Filter Banks
Authors: Li Xiaomin , Wang Huali , Lv Wanghan , Luo Haichao
Published: July 2020

The coprime discrete Fourier transform (DFT) filter banks provide an effective scheme of spectral sensing for wide-sense stationary (WSS) signals in case that the sampling rate is far lower than the Nyquist sampling rate. And the resolution of the coprime DFT filter banks in the Fourier domain (FD) is 2π/MN, where M and N are coprime. In this work, a digital fractional Fourier transform- (DFrFT-) based coprime filter banks spectrum sensing method is suggested. Our proposed method has the same sampling principle as the coprime DFT filter banks but has some advantages compared to the coprime DFT filter banks. Firstly, the fractional power spectrum of the chirp-stationary signals which are nonstationary in the FD can be sensed effectively by the coprime DFrFT filter banks because of the linear time-invariant (LTI) property of the proposed system in discrete-time Fourier domain (DTFD), while the coprime DFT filter banks can only sense the power spectrum of the WSS signals. Secondly, the coprime DFrFT filter banks improve the resolution from 2π/MN to 2π sin α/MN by combining the fractional filter banks theory with the coprime theory. Simulation results confirm the obtained analytical results.
Impact of Acute Eccentric versus Concentric Running on Exercise‐Induced Fat Oxidation and Postexercise Physical Activity in Untrained Men
Authors: Alkahtani Shaea , Aljuhani Osama , Alkhalidi Nasser , Almasuod Naif , Hezam Omar , Aljaloud Ibrahim , Dawoud Haitham Abdel Hamid , Abdusalam Ahmed
Published: July 2020

Introduction. This study aimed at comparing the rate of exercise‐induced fat oxidation and postexercise free‐living physical activity after constant‐load flat running (FR) and downhill running (DHR) bouts at an intensity that elicited maximal fat oxidation. Methods. Participants were 11 healthy untrained men (mean age 25.6 ± 3.3 years; VO2max39.11 ± 8.05 ml/kg/min). The study included four visits. The first two visits determined the intensity of maximal fat oxidation during incremental FR and DHR tests. The second two visits involved constant‐load FR or DHR at the intensity that elicited maximal fat oxidation in a counterbalanced order separated by two weeks. Gas exchange analysis was used to measure substrate oxidation during all exercise sessions. Sedentary time and physical activity were measured using ActiGraph triaxial accelerometers for three days including the day of exercise tests (the second day). Results. During the incremental exercise tests, fat oxidation was significantly greater during the first stage of FR (P < 0.05) but started to increase during the fourth stage of DHR, although this did not reach significance. Of the 11 participants, 7 had greater fat oxidation during DHR. During continuous constant‐load running, fat oxidation was higher during DHR than FR but at only two stages was either significant or borderline significant, and the time/group interaction was not significant. There was no significant effect on sedentary time of time/group interaction (P = 0.769), but there was a significant effect of time (P = 0.005), and there was no significant effect on total physical activity of time/group interaction (P = 0.283) or time (P = 0.602). Conclusion. Acute aerobic eccentric exercise at an intensity eliciting maximal fat oxidation enhanced exercise‐induced fat oxidation without worsening postexercise free‐living physical activity, indicating it could be a useful training modality in weight management programs.
Comparing Maintainability Index, SIG Method, and SQALE for Technical Debt Identification
Authors: Strečanský Peter , Chren Stanislav , Rossi Bruno
Published: July 2020

There are many definitions of software Technical Debt (TD) that were proposed over time. While many techniques to measure TD emerged in recent times, there is still not a clear understanding about how different techniques compare when applied to software projects. The goal of this paper is to shed some light on this aspect, by comparing three techniques about TD identification that were proposed over time: (i) the Maintainability Index (MI), (ii) SIG TD models, and (iii) SQALE analysis. Considering 20 open source Python libraries, we compare the TD measurements time series in terms of trends and evolution according to different sets of releases (major, minor, and micro), to see if the perception of practitioners about TD evolution could be impacted. While all methods report generally growing trends of TD over time, there are different patterns. SQALE reports more periods of steady states compared to MI and SIG TD. MI is the method that reports more repayments of TD compared to the other methods. SIG TD and MI are the models that show more similarity in the way TD evolves, while SQALE and MI are less similar. The implications are that each method gives slightly a different perception about TD evolution.
Vibrational Energy Flow Model for a High Damping Beam with Constant Axial Force
Authors: Teng Xiaoyan , Liu Nan , Xudong Jiang
Published: July 2020

The energy flow analysis (EFA) method is developed to predict the energy density of a high damping beam with constant axial force in the high-frequency range. The energy density and intensity of the beam are associated with high structural damping loss factor and axial force and introduced to derive the energy transmission equation. For high damping situation, the energy loss equation is derived by considering the relationship between potential energy and total energy. Then, the energy density governing equation is obtained. Finally, the feasibility of the EFA approach is validated by comparing the EFA results with the modal solutions for various frequencies and structural damping loss factors. The effects of structural damping loss factor and axial force on the energy density distribution are also discussed in detail.
In Vitro Screening for Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition and Antioxidant Activity of Quercus suber Cork and Corkback Extracts
Authors: Ferreira Joana , Santos Sara , Pereira Helena
Published: July 2020

Purpose. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are used to treat Alzheimer’s patients because they enhance cholinergic neurotransmission. It is urgent to find new and efficient inhibitors from natural sources, highly bioavailable with low or no toxicity. The plant kingdom is extremely rich in a variety of compounds that are potent AChE inhibitors: flavonoids and other phenolic compounds have been recognized as promising Alzheimer’s treatment agents. In this study, in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antioxidant activities, and total flavonoid and phenolic contents of ethanol‐water extracts from Quercus suber cork and corkback were evaluated. Methods. The acetylcholinesterase activity was determined by a colorimetric assay based on Ellman’s methodology. The Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric method was used for total phenolic content determination and the aluminium chloride method for the determination of total flavonoid content. Antioxidant activity assays were performed using the DPPH and FRAP assays. Results. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity from Q. suber cork and corkback ethanol‐water extracts was as follows: 62% inhibition with corkback extracts over 0.5 mg/mL and around 49% inhibition in cork extracts over 1.0 mg/mL extracts’ concentration. Regarding the DPPH radical scavenging activity, the concentrations of cork and corkback ethanol‐water extracts required for 50% DPPH inhibition (IC50) were 3.2 μg/mL and 4.0–5.2 μg/mL. Corkback extracts are less effective than Trolox standard (3.2 μg/mL) but cork extracts showed the same free radical scavenging activity compared to Trolox. Cork and corkback extracts have antioxidant power of 750.9–775.4 mg TEAC/g extract and 1051.2–2052.4 mg TEAC/g extract, respectively, which are significantly higher than the ones obtained with Trolox: 19.6–21.0 mg TEAC/g extract (cork assays) and 57.4–66.3 mg TEAC/g extract (corkback assays). The amounts of total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) compounds were 8.7–32.3 mg GAE/g and 4.8–10.7 mg CE/g dry mass for cork and 5.4–5.7 mg GAE/g and 42.5 mg CE/g dry mass for corkback extracts, respectively, using catechin (CE) and GAE (gallic acid) as standards. Conclusion. These findings demonstrate the remarkable potential of these extracts as valuable source of antioxidants with interesting acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.
Effects of Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation on Facial Emotion Recognition in Parkinson’s Disease: A Critical Literature Review
Authors: Kalampokini S. , Lyros E. , Lochner P. , Fassbender K. , Unger M. M.
Published: July 2020

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an effective therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Nevertheless, DBS has been associated with certain nonmotor, neuropsychiatric effects such as worsening of emotion recognition from facial expressions. In order to investigate facial emotion recognition (FER) after STN DBS, we conducted a literature search of the electronic databases MEDLINE and Web of science. In this review, we analyze studies assessing FER after STN DBS in PD patients and summarize the current knowledge of the effects of STN DBS on FER. The majority of studies, which had clinical and methodological heterogeneity, showed that FER is worsening after STN DBS in PD patients, particularly for negative emotions (sadness, fear, anger, and tendency for disgust). FER worsening after STN DBS can be attributed to the functional role of the STN in limbic circuits and the interference of STN stimulation with neural networks involved in FER, including the connections of the STN with the limbic part of the basal ganglia and pre- and frontal areas. These outcomes improve our understanding of the role of the STN in the integration of motor, cognitive, and emotional aspects of behaviour in the growing field of affective neuroscience. Further studies using standardized neuropsychological measures of FER assessment and including larger cohorts are needed, in order to draw definite conclusions about the effect of STN DBS on emotional recognition and its impact on patients’ quality of life.
Using Eight Crops to Show the Correlation between Paucity Irrigation and Yield Reduction of Al-Hussainiyah Irrigation Project in Karbala, Iraq
Authors: Al-Shammari Musa Habib Jassim , Algretawee Hayder , Al-Aboodi Ali H.
Published: July 2020

Efficiency of water use in irrigation field always motivates researchers to find a way which could reduce irrigation quantity and obtain approximately the same crop yields. This study estimated the relationship between the paucity irrigation with the reduction in yield for eight crops (cotton, maize, alfalfa, small grain, summer vegetable, sesame, sunflower, and palms) by using various paucity irrigation stages from evapotranspiration of crops (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25%) as an indication of all crop outgrowth using medium soil. This study selected the project of Al-Hussainiyah irrigation that lies in Karbala province, which is close to Baghdad relative to the South. Also, the project has high importance because most dwellers have used the province for agriculture and drinking purposes. These are reasons of choosing it as a case study to implement paucity irrigation strategy on most crops (eight crops) within the project. The necessary records related to this study were obtained from specialized offices in Iraq, particularly water resources and agriculture ministries. Computer programs such as CROPWAT version 8.0, statistical program SPSS statistics version 20, and table curve 2D version 5.0 are considered the software for solving this model. This model was tested for its application and sensitivity by changing paucity levels for each crop. The comparison between the available and the estimated water demand showed that the paucity in irrigation water demand was very clear during the period from February to December for the average present state of agriculture. The correlation analysis gives a result that the paucity irrigation level with yield reduction manifested that the yield reduction rate of maize recorded higher than the other crops, while cotton recorded lower yield reduction rate than the other crops during all paucity stages.
Study on Grey Correlation Degree Decision-Making Model for Investment Scheme on High-Grade Highways in Western China
Authors: Feng Huihong , Tang Tian , Zhang Guohong , Lu Li
Published: July 2020

Under the impact of the government’s policies to expand domestic demand and maintain economic growth, the western area acquired a large amount of funding for infrastructure construction. The high-grade highways became the key project attracting investment because of its great development potential and strong transportation adaptability. However, the special geographical conditions in the western area created numerous barriers for the construction of high-grade highways, including many investment influencing factors, great investment risks and uncertainties, and high difficulty in defining the investment effect. In view of the goals in technical advancement and economic rationality for the investment scheme of high-grade highways, the possible influencing factors of the investment scheme decision-making of the high-grade highways in western China were first given comprehensive analysis. Through literature review and field investigation, 67 influencing factors of investment scheme decision-making were determined by the cost decomposition method and expert investigation method. Then, the influence degree of each factor was analyzed by using the Delphi method and entropy method. According to the sorting results, 49 important factors were reserved as the detailed index for investment scheme decision-making. Afterwards, the index system for investment scheme decision-making consisting of 2 target factors, 5 first-level indexes, 13 second-level indexes, and 49 third-level indexes was constructed. Based on this, the decision-making model of investment scheme for high-grade highways was established by combining Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and grey theory. Specially, the standardized index matrix of investment scheme was determined by AHP, and the relation degree of each scheme was calculated by grey correlation degree, and then the optimal scheme was shaped by the size of comprehensive relation degree. Finally, the grey correlation degree decision-making model of the investment scheme was applied to a highway project located in Gansu province, China. The results showed that the optimal investment scheme determined by the decision model was consistent with the scheme actually adopted, indicating that the model has good operability and practicability. In this paper, a grey correlation degree decision-making model of investment scheme for high-grade highways in western China was proposed, providing an effective theoretical basis and valuable practical experience for the investment scheme decision-making of transportation infrastructure under special environments.
A Novel Deep Convolutional Neural Network Model to Monitor People following Guidelines to Avoid COVID-19
Authors: Uddin M. Irfan , Shah Syed Atif Ali , Al-Khasawneh Mahmoud Ahmad
Published: July 2020

COVID-19, a deadly disease that originated in Wuhan, China, has resulted in a global outbreak. Patients infected with the causative virus SARS-CoV-2 are placed in quarantine, so the virus does not spread. The medical community has not discovered any vaccine that can be immediately used on patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The only method discovered so far to protect people from this virus is keeping a distance from other people, wearing masks and gloves, as well as regularly washing and sanitizing hands. Government and law enforcement agencies are involved in banning the movement of people in different cities, to control the spread and monitor people following the guidelines of the CDC. But it is not possible for the government to monitor all places, such as shopping malls, hospitals, government offices, and banks, and guide people to follow the safety guidelines. In this paper, a novel technique is developed that can guide people to protect themselves from someone who has high exposure to the virus or has symptoms of COVID-19, such as having fever and coughing. Different deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) models are implemented to test the proposed technique. The proposed intelligent monitoring system can be used as a complementary tool to be installed at different places and automatically monitor people adopting the safety guidelines. With these precautionary measurements, humans will be able to win this fight against COVID-19.
How Does Foreign Equity Right Impact Manufacturing Enterprise Innovation Behaviors? Mediation Test Based on Technology Introduction
Authors: Cen Shan , Li Lianshui , Cui Weijun
Published: July 2020

The impacts of FDI (foreign direct investment) on the innovation of Chinese local enterprises have always been the focus of attention, but few studies have explored the impacts of foreign shareholding on enterprise innovation behaviors through the micro level. Based on the survey data regarding the manufacturing sector of China enterprises conducted by the World Bank in 2012, this paper conducts an empirical study on the relationship between foreign shareholding and enterprise innovation behaviors. The research findings include two aspects; that is, (1) foreign shareholding has significantly positive impacts on enterprise innovation behaviors; (2) technology introduction plays a complete mediating effect in foreign shareholding and enterprise innovation behaviors. On the basis of considering sample selective bias and endogenous problems, the propensity score matching (PSM) method is further applied to evaluate the impacts of foreign shareholding on enterprise innovation behaviors. After putting the endogenous problems and sample selective bias under control, the above conclusions are still robust. Thus, under the current complicated international situation, enterprises should be encouraged to attract foreign investment under moderate control, with a view to accelerating the promotion of enterprise innovation activities through the technology introduction brought about by foreign shareholding.
A Recent Study of the Relationship between the Precipitation Rate over Saudi Arabia in the Fall and Climatic Indices
Authors: Hafez Yehia , Labban Abdulhaleem
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a recent study of the relationship between precipitation rate (PR) over Saudi Arabia (SA) within the months of the fall season and climatic indices. The fall monthly PR data spanning the study period between 1948 and 2018 is considered. In addition, the monthly climatic index records (arctic oscillation (AO), global surface air temperature (GSAT), multivariate ENSO index (MEI), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, Nino 3.4 index, and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)) for the fall months were also considered. The statistical trend, anomaly, and correlation analyses are applied in this study. The results reveal that the sweeping changes in PR show generally positive trends throughout the fall seasons of the past decades. Moreover, the climatic indices have an effect on the PR over SA within the fall months and season. During the study period, the most substantial relationship recorded, with an inverse correlation of −0.7, is between the PR over SA and the climatic index of GSAT for September and October. Moreover, there is a clear correlation of +0.5 between the PR over SA and the ENSO and Nino 3.4 index for October and November.
Patient Perception of Swallowing after Thyroidectomy in the Absence of Laryngeal Nerve Injury
Authors: Martins Nivia Maria da Silva , Novalo-Goto Elaine Shizue , Diz-Leme Isabel Cristina Maldonado , Goulart Tais , Ranzatti Rodrigo Perez , Leite Ana Kober Nogueira , Dedivitis Rogério Aparecido , Matos Leandro Luongo
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Swallowing and voice alterations may manifest in patients with thyroid disease, especially after thyroidectomy. Objective: To identify the prevalence of patients with complaints of swallowing disorders after thyroidectomy and to evaluate patients’ perceptions regarding swallowing before and after the procedure. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was performed with 26 consecutive patients undergoing a private service thyroidectomy, in which the presence of swallowing dysfunction was evaluated using validated questionnaires that addressed the perception of swallowing by patients before (on the day of surgery) and after the surgery (on the first postoperative day). Results: Of the 26 patients, 18 (69.2%) were subjected to total thyroidectomy and 8 to partial thyroidectomy. Analysis of the domains of the Swallowing Handicap Index questionnaire showed higher scores when evaluated on the first postoperative day, demonstrating a significant worsening in swallowing after the procedure. The same result was demonstrated for the final score of swallowing perception, with 15.3 and 30.8% of patients reporting moderate alterations before and after the thyroidectomy, respectively, and 11.5% reporting the alterations as severe. Swallowing and vocal symptoms on the first postoperative day were more prevalent in the procedure than previously mentioned. Eight patients (30.8%) noted swallowing alterations before the procedure, compared with 80.8% (21 cases) after thyroidectomy. Conclusion: There was a prevalence of 42.3% in swallowing complaints on the first postoperative day, regardless of the lesion in the laryngeal innervation, and this prevalence was significantly higher than that prior to the procedure.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Youth: An Important Marker of Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Raghuveer Geetha , Hartz Jacob , Lubans David R. , Takken Timothy , Wiltz Jennifer L. , Mietus-Snyder Michele , Perak Amanda M. , Baker-Smith Carissa , Pietris Nicholas , Edwards Nicholas M. ,   On behalf of the American Heart Association Young Hearts Athero, Hypertension and Obesity in the Young Committee of the Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young
Published: July 2020

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) refers to the capacity of the circulatory and respiratory systems to supply oxygen to skeletal muscle mitochondria for energy production needed during physical activity. CRF is an important marker of physical and mental health and academic achievement in youth. However, only 40% of US youth are currently believed to have healthy CRF. In this statement, we review the physiological principles that determine CRF, the tools that are available to assess CRF, the modifiable and nonmodifiable factors influencing CRF, the association of CRF with markers of health in otherwise healthy youth, and the temporal trends in CRF both in the United States and internationally. Development of a cost-effective CRF measurement process that could readily be incorporated into office visits and in field settings to screen all youth periodically could help identify those at increased risk.
Streamlining and Reimagining Prior Authorization Under Value-Based Contracts: A Call to Action From the Value in Healthcare Initiative’s Prior Authorization Learning Collaborative
Authors: Psotka Mitchell A. , Singletary Elizabeth A. , Bleser William K. , Roiland Rachel A. , Hamilton Lopez Marianne , Saunders Robert S. , Wang Tracy Y. , McClellan Mark B. , Brown Nancy ,   the American Heart Association Prior Authorization Learning Collaborative*
Published: July 2020

Utilization management strategies, including prior authorization, are commonly used to facilitate safe and guideline-adherent provision of new, individualized, and potentially costly cardiovascular therapies. However, as currently deployed, these approaches encumber multiple stakeholders. Patients are discouraged by barriers to appropriate access; clinicians are frustrated by the time, money, and resources required for prior authorizations, the frequent rejections, and the perception of being excluded from the decision-making process; and payers are weary of the intensive effort to design and administer increasingly complex prior authorization systems to balance value and appropriate use of these treatments. These issues highlight an opportunity to collectively reimagine utilization management as a transparent and collaborative system. This would benefit the entire healthcare ecosystem, especially in light of the shift to value-based payment. This article describes the efforts and vision of the multistakeholder Prior Authorization Learning Collaborative of the Value in Healthcare Initiative, a partnership between the American Heart Association and the Robert J. Margolis, MD, Center for Health Policy at Duke University. We outline how healthcare organizations can take greater utilization management responsibility under value-based contracting, especially under different state policies and local contexts. Even with reduced payer-mandated prior authorization in these arrangements, payers and healthcare organizations will have a continued shared need for utilization management. We present options for streamlining these programs, such as gold carding and electronic and automated prior authorization processes. Throughout the article, we weave in examples from cardiovascular care when possible. Although reimagining prior authorization requires collective action by all stakeholders, it may significantly reduce administrative burden for clinicians and payers while improving outcomes for patients.
Improving Cardiovascular Drug and Device Development and Evidence Through Patient-Centered Research and Clinical Trials
Authors: Warner John J. , Crook Hannah L. , Whelan Karley M. , Bleser William K. , Roiland Rachel A. , Hamilton Lopez Marianne , Saunders Robert S. , Wang Tracy Y. , Hernandez Adrian F. , McClellan Mark B. , Califf Robert M. , Brown Nancy ,   the American Heart Association Partnering with Regulators Learning Collaborative*
Published: July 2020

The pipeline of new cardiovascular drugs is relatively limited compared with many other clinical areas. Challenges causing lagging drug innovation include the duration and expense of cardiovascular clinical trials needed for regulatory evaluation and approvals, which generally must demonstrate noninferiority to existing standards of care and measure longer-term outcomes. By comparison, there has been substantial progress in cardiovascular device innovation. There has also been progress in cardiovascular trial participation equity in recent years, especially among women, due in part to important efforts by Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, and others. Yet women and especially racial and ethnic minority populations remain underrepresented in cardiovascular trials, indicating much work ahead to continue recent success. Given these challenges and opportunities, the multistakeholder Partnering with Regulators Learning Collaborative of the Value in Healthcare Initiative, a collaboration of the American Heart Association and the Robert J. Margolis, MD, Center for Health Policy at Duke University, identified how to improve the evidence generation process for cardiovascular drugs and devices. Drawing on a series of meetings, literature reviews, and analyses of regulatory options, the Collaborative makes recommendations across four identified areas for improvement. First, we offer strategies to enhance patient engagement in trial design, convenient participation, and meaningful end points and outcomes to improve patient recruitment and retention (major expenses in clinical trials). Second, new digital technologies expand the potential for real-world evidence to streamline data collection and reduce cost and time of trials. However, technical challenges must be overcome to routinely leverage real-world data, including standardizing data, managing data quality, understanding data comparability, and ensuring real-world evidence does not worsen inequities. Third, as trials are driven by evidence needs of regulators and payers, we recommend ways to improve their collaboration in trial design to streamline and standardize efficient and innovative trials, reducing costs and delays. Finally, we discuss creative ways to expand the minuscule proportion of sites involved in cardiovascular evidence generation and medical product development. These actions, paired with continued policy research into better ways to pay for and equitably develop therapies, will help reduce the cost and complexity of drug and device research, development, and trials.
Clot-Based Radiomics Predict a Mechanical Thrombectomy Strategy for Successful Recanalization in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Hofmeister Jeremy , Bernava Gianmarco , Rosi Andrea , Vargas Maria Isabel , Carrera Emmanuel , Montet Xavier , Burgermeister Simon , Poletti Pierre-Alexandre , Platon Alexandra , Lovblad Karl-Olof , Machi Paolo
Published: July 2020

Background and Purpose:

Mechanical thrombectomy (MTB) is a reference treatment for acute ischemic stroke, with several endovascular strategies currently available. However, no quantitative methods are available for the selection of the best endovascular strategy or to predict the difficulty of clot removal. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of an endovascular strategy based on radiomic features extracted from the clot on preinterventional, noncontrast computed tomography to identify patients with first-attempt recanalization with thromboaspiration and to predict the overall number of passages needed with an MTB device for successful recanalization.

Methods:

We performed a study including 2 cohorts of patients admitted to our hospital: a retrospective training cohort (n=109) and a prospective validation cohort (n=47). Thrombi were segmented on noncontrast computed tomography, followed by the automatic computation of 1485 thrombus-related radiomic features. After selection of the relevant features, 2 machine learning models were developed on the training cohort to predict (1) first-attempt recanalization with thromboaspiration and (2) the overall number of passages with MTB devices for successful recanalization. The performance of the models was evaluated on the prospective validation cohort.

Results:

A small subset of radiomic features (n=9) was predictive of first-attempt recanalization with thromboaspiration (receiver operating characteristic curve–area under the curve, 0.88). The same subset also predicted the overall number of passages required for successful recanalization (explained variance, 0.70; mean squared error, 0.76; Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.73;
P
<0.05).

Conclusions:

Clot-based radiomics have the ability to predict an MTB strategy for successful recanalization in acute ischemic stroke, thus allowing a potentially better selection of the MTB strategy, as well as patients who are most likely to benefit from the intervention.
The importance of the Brazilian Subtropical Highland Grasslands evidenced by a taxonomically verified endemic species list

Authors: PLÁ CÁSSIA , KÜLKAMP JOSIMAR , HEIDEN GUSTAVO , NIC LUGHADHA EIMEAR , IGANCI JOÃO R. V.
Published: July 2020

The Brazilian Subtropical Highland Grasslands (Campos de Cima da Serra) is one of the main areas of endemism in southern Brazil. The complex biogeographic history that resulted in the floristic composition of the region is directly linked to the high degree of plant endemism found there. Here we present a current checklist for the endemic plants – the first taxonomically verified endemic species list for the region. The list comprises 273 endemic taxa (23.5% of its flora) representing 40 families and 117 genera, highlighting fifty-seven taxa reported as endemic from the region for the first time in recent years. Voucher specimens, original publication, locality information and distribution data are provided for each endemic taxon. Botanical collections in the Brazilian Subtropical Highland Grasslands have increased exponentially during the last four decades. However, 41 taxa are known only from the original collection record reported in their protologue. Our results emphasize the importance of the Brazilian Subtropical Highland Grasslands in terms of conservation of its flora and the importance of providing complete information on botanical collection labels as source for a robust knowledge of the flora.
The genus Panzeria Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Japan
Authors: SHIMA HIROSHI
Published: July 2020

Japanese species of Panzeria Robineau-Desvoidy in the sense of Wood and Cerretti are revised. Eighteen species are recorded from Japan, five of which are described as new and illustrated: P. atriventris sp. nov., P. bisetosa sp. nov., P. japonica sp. nov., P. meridionalis sp. nov., and P. rufitibialis sp. nov. Panzeria tuberculata (Zimin) is removed from synonymy with P. emdeni (Mesnil) and is revived as a valid species, comb. nov. Panzeria mimetes (Zimin) is removed from the Japanese fauna. The male and female terminalia of 16 species are illustrated and a key to 18 species is provided. The new name Panzeria chaoi nom. nov. is proposed for Eurythia tuberculata Chao & Shi, 1981, because P. tuberculata (Zimin) is recognized as valid.
Bombardier beetles of genus Brachinus Weber, 1801 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from India
Authors: AKHIL S.V. , DIVYA M. , SABU K. THOMAS
Published: July 2020

Brachinus devagiriensis sp. nov. is described from the Western Ghats, a global hot spot of biodiversity in southwest India. Detailed diagnostic features of the 27 species of Indian Brachinus with a key to the species are provided.
1. The Round Dance Paradigm
Authors: Bakka Egil
Published: July 2020

This introductory chapter is the first of three sections exploring the context of the research of rotating couple dances or round dances. It gives the reader a brief survey of round dances as dance structures and forms while establishing the terminology that the other essays in the book will use. It situates the subject of these studies in its historical, social and geographical context. Finally, it describes the main dance types of the round dance paradigm, providing an overview of the dances featured in the essays.
3. A Survey of the Chapters in the Book
Authors: Bakka Egil
Published: July 2020

In the third introductory chapter, the reader is provided with a short summary of the rest of the book. The chapter situates these new studies in the wider context of dance history research, highlighting how they provide a novel, broader perspective by studying the dance traditions of smaller European countries. It divides the essays into two groups: the first focuses on the nineteenth century, while the second studies the twentieth century. This chapter also identifies common themes that run through all of the essays in the collection.
7. Reception of Nineteenth-Century Couple Dances in Hungary
Authors: Felföldi László
Published: July 2020

This essay offers a survey of the appearance and reception of round dances as they began to spread into Hungary from neighbouring countries in the nineteenth century. First, it identifies the dances within the broader Hungarian dance repertoire; then, it continues with a selected and annotated source catalogue in an effort to demonstrate the variability and richness of relevant sources, most of which are unavailable in other languages. The catalogue also serves as a useful reference point for the last part of this chapter, which discusses issues of reception, the rivalry between Hungarian and foreign dances, the national dance, the Csárdás, and the cultural climate within that context.