bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“School of hard knocks” – what can mental health researchers learn from the COVID‐19 crisis?
Authors: Sonuga‐Barke Edmund J.S.
Published: December 2020

Since the COVID‐19 pandemic took hold in the first quarter of 2020, children and their families across the world have experienced extraordinary changes to the way they live their lives – creating enormous practical and psychological challenges for them at many levels. While some of these effects are directly linked to COVID‐related morbidity and mortality, many are indirect – due rather to governmental public health responses designed to slow the spread of infection and minimise the numbers of deaths. These have often involved aggressive programmes of social distancing and quarantine, including extended periods of national social and economic lockdown, unprecedented in the modern age. Debates about the appropriateness of these measures have often referenced their potentially negative impact on people’s mental health and well‐being – impacts which both opponents and advocates appear to accept as being inevitable.
Factoring distribution and prevalence of Fall armyworm in southwest China
Authors: Fan Jingyu , Haseeb Muhammad , Ren Qilin , Tian Tianqi , Zhang Runzhi , Wu Pengxiang
Published: December 2020

Host plant growth changing with environmental conditions can impact the distribution of herbivores. The generalist herbivore fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an invasive pest rapidly spreading across the world and has recently invaded southern China. We studied effects of environmental factors on the distribution of the fall armyworm and its host (maize) plant growth in the tropical mountainous area of Huize County, province of Yunnan, southwest China. Moreover, the relationships among the FAW distribution, environmental factors (altitude, temperature and humidity) and plant growth (mean kernel weight, kernel number per ear and ear weight) were analysed. The results showed that FAW predominated at altitude 1,243.3 m, temperature 21.4°C and humidity 82.1%. The host plant grew best at 1,200–1,312 m, 21.0–21.7°C and 81.2%–82.0%. Environmental factors indirectly influenced the distribution of FAW via the host plant growth. Compared with environmental factors, the host plant growth had a simplistic positive linear relationship with the density of FAW. FAW is less impacted by abiotic factors rather it determined by host plant prevalence, and thus the locations where maize plants grow best are preferred by FAW and should be the focus of insecticide applications. Understanding the distribution of FAW under various environmental conditions provides a valuable reference for Chinese maize production and food security.
Effect of angiotensin receptor blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 on plasma equilibrium angiotensin peptide concentrations in dogs with heart disease
Authors: Larouche‐Lebel Éva , Loughran Kerry A. , Huh Terry , Oyama Mark A.
Published: December 2020

Background

The pathophysiology of heart failure involves maladaptive angiotensin peptides (APs) and enzymes, including angiotensin 2 (AT2) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), as well as recently described alternative components, such as angiotensin 1‐7 (Ang1‐7) and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The relative effects of different neurohormonal‐targeting drugs on balance of APs in dogs with heart disease are unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Plasma AP concentrations differ in dogs receiving angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) vs angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and recombinant human ACE2 (rhACE2) will further increase these differences.

Animals

Eight dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD).

Methods

Prospective open‐label trial. Equilibrium concentrations of APs from plasma during PO ACEI treatment and then after 14 days of PO ARB treatment using telmisartan were measured using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectroscopy before and after in vitro incubation with rhACE2.

Results

Concentration of Ang1‐7 was increased during ARB treatment (Ang1‐7: 443 pg/mL; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 247‐794 pg/mL) vs ACEI (Ang1‐7: 182 pg/mL; 95% CI = 66.2‐503 pg/mL;P= .01). Incubation with rhACE2 decreased traditional APs while increasing beneficial alternative APs, and Ang1‐7 was significantly higher in the ARB + rhACE2 (880 pg/mL; 95% CI = 560‐1383 pg/mL) vs ACEI + rhACE2 (455 pg/mL; 95% CI = 188‐1104 pg/mL;P= .03) group. The most favorable theoretical AP profile was achieved in the ARB + rhACE2 group.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The AP profile during telmisartan treatment is associated with higher plasma Ang1‐7 as compared with during ACEI. This favorable shift is potentiated in vitro by combination of ARB + rhACE2. These data support potential AP‐targeting strategies and drugs in dogs with DMVD.
Chloroplast immunity illuminated
Authors: Littlejohn George R. , Breen Susan , Smirnoff Nicholas , Grant Murray
Published: December 2020

The chloroplast has recently emerged as pivotal to co‐ordinating plant defence responses and as a target of plant pathogens. Beyond its central position in oxygenic photosynthesis and primary metabolism – key targets in the complex virulence strategies of diverse pathogens – the chloroplast integrates, decodes and responds to environmental signals. The capacity of chloroplasts to synthesize phytohormones and a diverse range of secondary metabolites, combined with retrograde and reactive oxygen signalling, provides exquisite flexibility to both perceive and respond to biotic stresses. These processes also represent a plethora of opportunities for pathogens to evolve strategies to directly or indirectly target ‘chloroplast immunity’. This review covers the contribution of the chloroplast to pathogen associated molecular pattern and effector triggered immunity as well as systemic acquired immunity. We address phytohormone modulation of immunity and surmise how chloroplast‐derived reactive oxygen species underpin chloroplast immunity through indirect evidence inferred from genetic modification of core chloroplast components and direct pathogen targeting of the chloroplast. We assess the impact of transcriptional reprogramming of nuclear‐encoded chloroplast genes during disease and defence and look at future research challenges.
Handling Uncertainty in Models of Seismic and Postseismic Hazards: Toward Robust Methods and Resilient Societies
Authors: MacGillivray Brian H.
Published: December 2020

Earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides take a devastating toll on human lives, critical infrastructure, and ecosystems. Harnessing the predictive capacities of hazard models is key to transitioning from reactive approaches to disaster management toward building resilient societies, yet the knowledge that these models produce involves multiple uncertainties. The failure to properly account for these uncertainties has at times had important implications, from the flawed safety measures at the Fukushima power plant, to the reliance on short‐term earthquake prediction models (reportedly at the expense of mitigation efforts) in modern China. This article provides an overview of methods for handling uncertainty in probabilistic seismic hazard assessment, tsunami hazard analysis, and debris flow modeling, considering best practices and areas for improvement. It covers sensitivity analysis, structured approaches to expert elicitation, methods for characterizing structural uncertainty (e.g., ensembles and logic trees), and the value of formal decision‐analytic frameworks even in situations of deep uncertainty.
Credible Empowerment and Deliberative Participation: A Comparative Study of Two Nuclear Energy Policy Deliberation Cases in Korea
Authors: Shin Sangbum , Lee Taedong
Published: December 2020

What factors make deliberative participation of public policy effective? Why, in some cases, are participants in deliberation more motivated than others, and reach their final judgment in a timely manner, based on systematic processes of opinion gathering and consensus building? By comparing and investigating two recent cases of public participation in energy policy deliberation in Korea, we argue that deliberative participation is more effective when the prospect that the outcome of their activities might be accepted by decision makers is high. The two cases, the public deliberation committee (PDC) on the nuclear waste issue which operated from 2013 to 2015, and the PDC on the nuclear power plant construction issue which operated in 2017, show that they went through similar courses of action, and used similar methods for deliberation. However, while the 2017 PDC has produced clear‐cut policy recommendations, and the government have accepted these, the 2013 PDC failed to reach conclusions on the given critical issues. We argue that the difference in the results is caused by credible empowerment along with two other factors––the sensitivity of issues and the learning effect. Participants of deliberation tend to judge the possibility of the government’s acceptance of their opinions based on either the government’s direct announcement or its inclusiveness in the past policy history. If governments are willing to consult the public to increase legitimacy and transparency, they should send explicit signals to the public on its inclusiveness in the short term, and also should increase credibility in the long term.
Acclimation in plants – the Green Hub consortium
Authors: Kleine Tatjana , Nägele Thomas , Neuhaus H. Ekkehard , Schmitz‐Linneweber Christian , Fernie Alisdair R. , Geigenberger Peter , Grimm Bernhard , Kaufmann Kerstin , Klipp Edda , Meurer Jörg , Möhlmann Torsten , Mühlhaus Timo , Naranjo Belen , Nickelsen Jörg , Richter Andreas , Ruwe Hannes , Schroda Michael , Schwenkert Serena , Trentmann Oliver , Willmund Felix , Zoschke Reimo , Leister Dario
Published: December 2020

Acclimation is the capacity to adapt to environmental changes within the lifetime of an individual. This ability allows plants to cope with the continuous variation in ambient conditions to which they are exposed as sessile organisms. Because environmental changes and extremes are becoming even more pronounced due to the current period of climate change, enhancing the efficacy of plant acclimation is a promising strategy for mitigating the consequences of global warming on crop yields. At the cellular level, the chloroplast plays a central role in many acclimation responses, acting both as a sensor of environmental change and as a target of cellular acclimation responses. In this Perspective article, we outline the activities of the Green Hub consortium funded by the German Science Foundation. The main aim of this research collaboration is to understand and strategically modify the cellular networks that mediate plant acclimation to adverse environments, employing Arabidopsis, tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and Chlamydomonas as model organisms. These efforts will contribute to ‘smart breeding’ methods designed to create crop plants with improved acclimation properties. To this end, the model oilseed crop Camelina sativa is being used to test modulators of acclimation for their potential to enhance crop yield under adverse environmental conditions. Here we highlight the current state of research on the role of gene expression, metabolism and signalling in acclimation, with a focus on chloroplast‐related processes. In addition, further approaches to uncovering acclimation mechanisms derived from systems and computational biology, as well as adaptive laboratory evolution with photosynthetic microbes, are highlighted.
Safety and benefits of automated red cell depletion‐exchange compared to standard exchange in patients with sickle cell disease undergoing chronic transfusion
Authors: Ziemba Yonah , Xu Cindy , Fomani Katayoun M. , Nandi Vijay , Yuan Tiejun , Rehmani Shiraz , Sachais Bruce S. , Appiah‐Kubi Abena O. , Aygun Banu , Louie James E. , Shi Patricia A.
Published: December 2020

Background

The Spectra Optia allows automated performance of red blood cell reduction and isovolemic hemodilution (IHD) prior to standard red cell exchange (RCE), and is primarily intended for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) undergoing chronic RCE. Data on the safety of inducing transient further anemia and the benefits of IHD‐RCE is limited and occasionally contradictory.

Study Design and Methods

In this retrospective crossover analysis of six patients with SCD who underwent chronic exchange with standard RCE (Cobe Spectra) followed by IHD‐RCE (Spectra Optia), we compared safety and benefit outcomes with IHD‐RCE vs standard RCE.

Results

There were statistically but not clinically significant drops in blood pressure in the post‐IHD phase. With IHD‐RCE, there were significant reductions in red blood cell (RBC) usage and/or lower fraction of cells and significant increases in postprocedure hematocrit (Hct) associated with increased preprocedure Hct. There were no differences achieved in the time interval between procedures or in the net RBC gain with IHD‐RCE. Overall, there were also no significant differences in pre‐ and postprocedure percentage of hemoglobin S, reticulocyte count, interval daily hemoglobin A decrement, or postprocedure white blood cell, neutrophil, or platelet counts.

Conclusions

Our study supports that IHD‐RCE can be safely used in patients with stroke risk and compared to standard RCE, results in benefits of lower RBC usage and/or fraction of cells remaining and higher postprocedure Hct associated with higher preprocedure Hct. These findings support wider use of IHD‐RCE, especially in the current environment with reduced availability of minority units.
CHRISTIANITY, SCIENCE, AND THREE PHASES OF BEING HUMAN
Authors: Reichenbach Bruce R.
Published: December 2020

The alleged conflict between religion and science most pointedly focuses on what it is to be human. Western philosophical thought regarding this has progressed through three broad stages: mind/body dualism, Neo‐Darwinism, and most recently strong artificial intelligence (AI). I trace these views with respect to their relation to Christian views of humans, suggesting that while the first two might be compatible with Christian thought, strong AI presents serious challenges to a Christian understanding of personhood, including our freedom to choose, moral choice itself, self‐consciousness, and the relevance of God to our beginning, being, and ending.
Hydrocracking of C5-Deasphalted Oil:
Effects of H2 and Dispersed Catalysts
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Thuy , Kang Ki Hyuk , Seo Pill Won , Kang Narae , Pham Duy Van , Kim Gyoo Tae , Park Sunyoung
Published: December 2020

Thermal cracking of C5-deasphalted oil
(C5-DAO) was performed in a batch reactor at 410°C in
the absence and presence of H2 gas and catalysts. Coke
was formed during the thermal cracking of C5-DAO even
though the feed contained no asphaltenes. Although H2
suppressed asphaltene formation and decreased the coke yield, coke was still
formed in the absence of a catalyst. A slurry-phase dispersed catalyst inhibited
the transformation of resins into heavier fractions and facilitated <1 wt %
asphaltene yield with no coke formation even under high conversion conditions.
The main function of the catalyst was the facilitation of hydrogenation
reactions and the stabilization of free radicals, leading to liquid production
by inhibiting coke formation. Consequently, the product quality, in terms of
hydrogen to carbon ratio and microcarbon residue and S contents, was enhanced by
catalytic hydrocracking.
Novel pathogenic variant c.2714C>A (p. Thr905Lys) in theHK1gene causing severe haemolytic anaemia with developmental delay in an Indian family
Authors: Dongerdiye Rashmi , Jagadeesh Sujatha , Suresh Beena , Rajendran Aruna , Devendra Rati , Warang Prashant , Kedar Prabhakar S
Published: December 2020

Hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1, Adenosine Tri Phosphate (ATP): D-hexose-6-phosphotransferase) is a crucial regulatory enzyme of the glycolytic pathway (Embden-Meyerhof pathway). Hexokinase deficiency is associated with chronic non-spherocytic haemolytic anaemia (HA) with some exceptional cases showing psychomotor/mental retardation and fetus death. The proband is a four-and-half-year-old female child born of a four-degree consanguineous marriage hailing from South India with autosomal recessive congenital HA associated with developmental delay. She was well till 3 months of her age post an episode of diarrhoea when she was noted to be severely anaemic and requiring regular transfusions. The common causes of HA, haemoglobinopathies, red cell membranopathies and common red cell enzymopathies (G6PD, GPI, PK and P5N) were ruled out. Targeted analysis of whole exome sequencing (WES) using an insilico gene panel for hereditary anaemia was performed to identify pathogenic variants in the patient. Next-generation sequencing revealed a novel homozygous variant in hexokinase gene c.2714C>A (p. Thr905Lys) in exon-18. The pathogenic nature of the variant p. Thr905Lys in theHK1gene was confirmed collectively by biochemical and molecular studies. Insilico analysis (PolyPhen-2, Provean, Mutation Taster) predicted the variant to be severe disease causing. Multiple sequence alignment demonstrated the conservation of p. Thr905 across the species. The impact of the mutation on the protein structure was studied by PyMOL and Swiss Protein databank viewer.
Azelaic Acid Exerts Antileukemia Effects against Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Regulating the Prdxs/ROS Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Luo Ziyi , Jin Yanxia , Chen Yanling , Yang Tian , Yang Qian , Wu Balu , Shang Yufeng , Liu Xiaoyan , Wei Yongchang , Zhou Fuling
Published: December 2020

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy with a poor prognosis attributed to elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Thus, agents that inhibit ROS generation in AML should be exploited. Azelaic acid (AZA), a small molecular compound, can scavenge ROS and other free radicals, exerting antitumor effects on various tumor cells. Herein, this study evaluated the antileukemic activity of AZA against AML via regulation of the ROS signaling pathway. We found that AZA reduced intracellular ROS levels and increased total antioxidant capacity in AML cell lines and AML patient cells. AZA suppressed the proliferation of AML cell lines and AML patient cells, expending minimal cytotoxicity on healthy cells. Laser confocal microscopy showed that AZA-treated AML cells surged and ruptured gradually on microfluidic chips. Additionally, AZA promoted AML cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at the G1 phase. Further analysis demonstrated that peroxiredoxin (Prdx) 2 and Prdx3 were upregulated in AZA-treated AML cells. In vivo, AZA prolonged survival and attenuated AML by decreasing CD33+ immunophenotyping in the bone marrow of a patient-derived xenograft AML model. Furthermore, mice in the AZA-treated group had an increased antioxidant capacity and Prdx2/Prdx3 upregulation. The findings indicate that AZA may be a potential agent against AML by regulating the Prdxs/ROS signaling pathway.
NLRC3 Delays the Progression of AD in APP/PS1 Mice via Inhibiting PI3K Activation
Authors: Zha Lihuang , Yu Zaixin , Fang Jian , Zhou Li , Guo Wen , Zhou Jun
Published: December 2020

NLRC3 inhibits inflammatory responses. Neuroinflammation induces and accelerates the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study is aimed at investigating whether NLRC3 plays a role in neuroinflammation, Aβ accumulation, and neuroprotection in AD mice. 12-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic and C57 mice were used for studies in vivo. In vitro, organotypic hippocampal slices were cultured. We found that the expression of NLRC3 was downregulated in the brain tissues of APP/PS1 mice. Mice in the APP/PS1 group had a significant attenuation of learning and memory ability compared to the control group, and the ability was improved in APP/PS1 + LV-NLRC3 mice. The expressions of 6E10, GFAP, Iba1, and PI3K in the hippocampus and brains of APP/PS1 mice were significantly higher than those of the control group, while the expressions of NeuN were lower than that of the control group. With the overexpression of NLRC3 in the APP/PS1 + LV-NLRC3 group, the expressions of 6e10, GFAP, Iba1, and PI3K were significantly lower, while the expression of NeuN was significantly higher compared to the APP/PS1 group. NLRC3 colocalized with NeuN. PI3K activation with 740YP increased the expression of GFAP and Iba-1 in the hippocampus with the exogenous NLRC3 protein. We conclude that NLRC3 may play an important role in the development and progression of AD. Downregulation of NLRC3 can lead to the activation of PI3K, resulting in abnormal plaque deposition, glial cell activation, and neuron loss during AD. NLRC3 delays the progression of AD in APP/PS1 mice via inhibiting PI3K activation.
Time Course of Changes in Serum Oxidative Stress Markers to Predict Outcomes for Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Disorders
Authors: Takahashi Hiroshi , Aoki Yasuchika , Saito Junya , Nakajima Arata , Sonobe Masato , Akatsu Yorikazu , Taniguchi Shinji , Yamada Manabu , Koyama Keita , Akiyama Yuki , Shiga Yasuhiro , Inage Kazuhide , Orita Sumihisa , Eguchi Yawara , Maki Satoshi , Furuya Takeo , Akazawa Tsutomu , Koda Masao , Yamazaki Masashi , Ohtori Seiji , Nakagawa Koichi
Published: December 2020

Recent reports indicate that oxidative stress is involved in the pathobiology of acute spinal cord injury or compression myelopathy. We conducted an observational study to determine levels of oxidative stress markers in serum from 80 patients who underwent spinal surgery to treat neurological symptoms related to lumbar degenerative disorders. Serum samples were collected before surgery and at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) in the serum samples were measured to gauge the level of oxidative stress. For preoperative neurological evaluation, patients were assessed for motor weakness in the lower extremities. We divided the patient samples into two groups: ROM decreasing at 1 year after surgery (G group) and ROM increasing at 1 year after surgery (W group). Then, we evaluated clinical outcomes using the visual analog scale and Oswestry disability index (ODI). Among the samples from the 80 enrolled patients, mean ROM levels before surgery increased to

388.5
±
92.0

, indicating the presence of moderate oxidative stress. The level of ROM gradually decreased after surgery and 1 year after surgery: the levels had significantly decreased to

367.6
±
83.3

(

p
<
0.05

). In patients who exhibited motor weakness, ROM values were significantly increased compared to those patients who had no motor weakness (

p
<
0.05

). In analyses of clinical outcomes, ODI values for the W group 1 year after surgery were significantly higher than those for the G group (

p
<
0.05

). Moderate oxidative stress was present in patients who had lumbar degenerative disorders and the degree of oxidative stress gradually improved within 1 year after surgery. The clinical results suggest that neurogenic oxidative stress can be mitigated by surgery for patients with lumbar degenerative disorders, and residual oxidative stress reflects poor surgical outcomes.
The Stability of a General Sextic Functional Equation by Fixed Point Theory
Authors: Roh Jaiok , Lee Yang-Hi , Jung Soon-Mo
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we will consider the generalized sextic functional equation∑i=07 7Ci−17−ifx+iy=0.And by applying the fixed point theorem in the sense of Ca˘dariu and Radu, we will discuss the stability of the solutions for this functional equation.
New Approaches to Identify Sepsis Biomarkers: The Importance of Model and Sample Source for Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Blangy-Letheule Angélique , Persello Antoine , Rozec Bertrand , Waard Michel De , Lauzier Benjamin
Published: December 2020

Septic shock is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome associated with circulatory failure leading to organ failure with a 40% mortality rate. Early diagnosis and prognosis of septic shock are necessary for specific and timely treatment. However, no predictive biomarker is available. In recent years, improvements in proteomics-based mass spectrometry have improved the detection of such biomarkers. This approach can be performed on different samples such as tissue or biological fluids. Working directly from human samples is complicated owing to interindividual variability. Indeed, patients are admitted at different stages of disease development and with signs of varying severity from one patient to another. All of these elements interfere with the identification of early, sensitive, and specific septic shock biomarkers. For these reasons, animal models of sepsis, although imperfect, are used to control the kinetics of the development of the pathology and to standardise experimentation, facilitating the identification of potential biomarkers. These elements underline the importance of the choice of animal model used and the sample to be studied during preclinical studies. The aim of this review is to discuss the relevance of different approaches to enable the identification of biomarkers that could indirectly be relevant to the clinical setting.
MFCFSiam: A Correlation-Filter-Guided Siamese Network with Multifeature for Visual Tracking
Authors: Li Chenpu , Xing Qianjian , Ma Zhenguo , Zang Ke
Published: December 2020

With the development of deep learning, trackers based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have made significant achievements in visual tracking over the years. The fully connected Siamese network (SiamFC) is a typical representation of those trackers. SiamFC designs a two-branch architecture of a CNN and models’ visual tracking as a general similarity-learning problem. However, the feature maps it uses for visual tracking are only from the last layer of the CNN. Those features contain high-level semantic information but lack sufficiently detailed texture information. This means that the SiamFC tracker tends to drift when there are other same-category objects or when the contrast between the target and the background is very low. Focusing on addressing this problem, we design a novel tracking algorithm that combines a correlation filter tracker and the SiamFC tracker into one framework. In this framework, the correlation filter tracker can use the Histograms of Oriented Gradients (HOG) and color name (CN) features to guide the SiamFC tracker. This framework also contains an evaluation criterion which we design to evaluate the tracking result of the two trackers. If this criterion finds the SiamFC tracker fails in some cases, our framework will use the tracking result from the correlation filter tracker to correct the SiamFC. In this way, the defects of SiamFC’s high-level semantic features are remedied by the HOG and CN features. So, our algorithm provides a framework which combines two trackers together and makes them complement each other in visual tracking. And to the best of our knowledge, our algorithm is also the first one which designs an evaluation criterion using correlation filter and zero padding to evaluate the tracking result. Comprehensive experiments are conducted on the Online Tracking Benchmark (OTB), Temple Color (TC128), Benchmark for UAV Tracking (UAV-123), and Visual Object Tracking (VOT) Benchmark. The results show that our algorithm achieves quite a competitive performance when compared with the baseline tracker and several other state-of-the-art trackers.
Prediction of Ultimate Load of Rectangular CFST Columns Using Interpretable Machine Learning Method
Authors: Le Tien-Thinh , Phan Hieu Chi
Published: December 2020

The ultimate compressive load of concrete‐filled steel tubular (CFST) structural members is recognized as one of the most important engineering parameters for the design of such composite structures. Therefore, this paper deals with the prediction of ultimate load of rectangular CFST structural members using the adaptive neurofuzzy inference system (ANFIS) surrogate model. To this end, compression test data on CFST members were extracted from the available literature, including: (i) the mechanical properties of the constituent materials (i.e., steel’s yield strength and concrete’s compressive strength) and (ii) the geometric parameters (i.e., column length, width and height of cross section, and steel tube thickness). The ultimate load is the output response of the problem. The ANFIS model was trained using a hybrid of the least‐squares and backpropagation gradient descent method. Quality assessment criteria such as coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and slope of linear regression were used for error measurements. A 11‐fold cross‐validation technique was employed to evaluate the performance of the model. Results showed that for the training process, the average performance was as follows: R2, RMSE, and slope were 0.9861, 89.83 kN, and 0.9861, respectively. For the validating process, the average performance was as follows: R2, RMSE, and slope were 0.9637, 140.242 kN, and 0.9806, respectively. Therefore, the ANFIS model may be considered valid because it performs well in predicting ultimate load using the validated data. Moreover, partial dependence (PD) analysis was employed to interpret the “black‐box” ANFIS model. It is observed that PD enabled us to locally track the influence of each input variable on the output response. Besides reliable prediction of ultimate load, ANFIS can also provide maps of ultimate load. Finally, the ANFIS model developed in this study was compared with other works in the literature, showing that the ANFIS model could improve the accuracy of ultimate load prediction, in comparison to previously published results.
Breaking and Instability Movement Characteristics of High-Position Double-Layer Hard Thick Strata due to Longwall Mining
Authors: Wang Pu , Jiang Jinquan , Xu Bin
Published: December 2020

With multilayer hard roof occurring above the mining area, the strata behaviors will be significantly affected by their special characteristics and interaction. In this paper, relying on the mining background of panel 1061 of a coalmine, the breaking instability of double-layer hard thick strata (DLHTS) and the precursory information of disasters are studied by using theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and physical simulation. Results show that the DLHTS have bearing, blocking, and controlling effects. Prior to DLHTS breaking, the horizontal development of stress concentration zone and plastic zone can be controlled, and the overburden movement is gentle, while during the breaking process, the stress drops abruptly, the plastic zone expands longitudinally rapidly, the overburden moves notably, and the energy release is sharp, which is likely to directly cause strong dynamic pressure. Moreover, the DLHTS can interact with and influence each other; that is to say, the breaking of lower magmatic rock (LMR) can provide sufficient space for that of upper magmatic rock (UMR), while the UMR breaking can promote the LMR periodic breaking in turn and cause its secondary instability, thereby easily causing complex or composite dynamic disasters’ formation. Hence, compared with single hard thick stratum occurrence, the strata behaviors affected by DLHTS breaking and instability are normal and more intense. Study results can provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of dynamic disaster with hard thick stratum occurrence and important guidance value for promoting safe and efficient production of coalmines.
Probiotic Properties of Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus plantarum Isolated from Traditional Pakistani Yoghurt
Authors: Hassan Mahreen Ul , Nayab Hina , Shafique Farheen , Williamson Mike P. , Almansouri Taghreed Saud , Asim Noreen , Shafi Nuzhat , Attacha Safira , Khalid Madiha , Ali Nasir , Akbar Nazia
Published: December 2020

Probiotic bacteria are of utmost importance owing to their extensive utilisation in dairy products and in the prevention of various intestinal diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the probiotic properties of bacteriocin‐producing isolates of Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from traditional Pakistani yoghurt. In this study, ten bacteriocin‐producing isolates were selected to screen for the probiotic property. The isolates showed resistance to acidic pH (6‐6.5), bile salt (0.01‐1%), and 1‐7% NaCl salt and showed good growth at acidic pH and antibacterial activity against ten different foodborne pathogens. Interestingly, these isolates were proved to be effective against Actinobacter baumannii but least effective against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A few isolates were found to be resistant to some antibiotics like vancomycim, gentamycin, erythromycin, streptomycin, and clindamycin. Our results provide strong evidence in favour of traditional Pakistani yoghurts as a potential source of bacteriocin‐producing bacteria with an added benefit of the probiotic property. Specifically, LBh5 was considered a good probiotic isolate as compared to other isolates used in the study. Further extensive research should be done on isolation and characterisation of probiotic isolates from local fermented foods, and then, these isolates should be used in the development of probiotic enriched food supplements in Pakistan.
The Supposed Material Cause in Posterior Analytics 2.11
Authors: Stein Nathanael
Published: December 2020

Aristotle presents four causes in Posterior Analytics 2.11, but where we expect matter we find instead the confusing formula, ‘what things being the case, necessarily this is the case’, and an equally confusing example. Some commentators infer that Aristotle is not referring to matter, others that he is but in a non-standard way. I argue that APo. 94a20-34 presents not matter, but determination by general features or facts, including facts about something’s genus. The closest connection to matter is Aristotle’s view that the relation between genus and species is analogous to that between matter and a hylomorphic compound.
Trojan Horses: The Counterintuitive Use of Dinah, Helen, and Goliath in Joseph and Aseneth
Authors: Kochenash Michael
Published: December 2020

A primary theme of the first story in Joseph and Aseneth (Jos. Asen. 1–21) is the conversion of an Egyptian to the worship of the living God, motivated by romantic attraction. In this respect, Joseph and Aseneth is one among many ancient novelistic writings to use a story about intermarriage, in this case the marriage of a Hebrew to an Egyptian, as a means to explore themes related to hybridity. Though different in tone, I propose that the second story (Jos. Asen. 22–29) is equally concerned with hybridity and that it can likewise be read as expressing an intercultural sensibility that is open to gentile incorporation and intermarriage through its imitation—and subversion—of literary models from two different cultural domains, the Jewish Scriptures (the rape of Dinah; the slaying of Goliath) and classical Greek literature (the abduction of Helen).
Scalable Storage Management Architecture for Common Information Model/Web-Based Enterprise Management Environments
Authors: Yang Jui-Pin
Published: December 2020

Web-Based Enterprise Management (WBEM) is independent of platforms and managed resources so that it can used to unify storage management. WBEM consists of three components. Common Information Model (CIM) is the main component which utilizes a common data format, language and methodology
for collecting and describing storage resources. xml CIM encoding defines the way that represents the CIM classes and instances by XML elements. CIM Operations over HTTP makes CIM operations in an open and standardized environment based on HTTP. In this paper, we propose a novel storage architecture
that enhances efficiency of storage management under CIM/WBEM environments namely Scalable Storage Management Architecture (SSMA). SSMA is developed based on OpenPegasus. In addition, SSMA has better delay performance than traditional proxy CIMOM.
Additive Manufacturing Sustainability in Industries
Authors: Prajapati Devendra Kumar , Kumar Ravinder
Published: December 2020

Additive manufacturing (AM) is an advanced technique to fabricate a three-dimensional object while utilizing materials with minimal wastage to produce complex shape geometries. This technique has escalated practically as well as academically, resulting in a wide range of utility in
the current global scenario to ease the manufacturing of complex and intricate objects with the use of various materials, depending upon the properties and availability of the same. Every industries wants to achieve the sustainability, easily can be possible through this manufacturing process.
Due to the scope for a large number of design, material and processing combinations, a detailed outlook to how additive manufacturing can be optimized for a highly sustainable and standardized manufacturing practice needs to be assessed and understood. This paper discusses the core knowledge
available regarding this manufacturing process and highlights the different processes related to this technique through review of various research papers. And also discuss the sustainability of important additive manufacturing process. Along with the fundamental analysis of this process, the
paper also discusses the various attributes of the process and the growth with respect to the latest trends and techniques currently used in industries.
Industry 4.0 A Smart Factory: An Overview
Authors: Sharma Akash , Dwivedi V. K. , Sharma Deepak
Published: December 2020

Industry 4.0 is an industrial transformation towards a smart factory. Industry 4.0 brings a revolution throughout the world in Industrial sector by integration of several processes together in manufacturing. A smart industry 4.0 is a bundled structure which comprises of data, people,
processes, services, systems. Industry 4.0 is a next level which makes the industry a smart factory by including the IOT (internet of things), Cloud Computing, Cyber-Physical Systems, System Integration, Big Data analytics, IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology) together.
In this paper, an overview of industry 4.0 a smart factory is presented that how industry 4.0 is implemented and also issues in implementing a smart industry 4.0 with the help of nine digital industrial technologies and its applications and to study the industrial transformation towards the
smart industry 4.0.
The Adaption of the Work Environment Survey for Public Health Nurses
Authors: Sha Shuying , Aloba Olatubosun , Watts-Isley Jaimee , McCoy Thomas
Published: December 2020

The study presents the iterative process of the adaption and psychometric properties evaluation of the Work Environment/Support/Encouragement section of the Revised Casey-Fink Nurse Retention Survey© (2009) to measure the work environment of public health nurses (PHNs). This secondary data analysis was based on data collected from a convenience sample of 596 PHNs across North Carolina that were originally used to study PHNs workforce retention. Classical test theory analyses were used to evaluate scale reliability and identify potential problematic items that were further examined from a substantive perspective using content validity survey. Confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis were performed to evaluate the construct validity and assist further development of the scale. Analyses suggest a three-factor structure for the retained 19-item scale including managerial support, professional nursing role, and recognition, with reliability ranging from alpha of .859 to .959.
Understanding Influential Factors in Turnover Within the Home Care Workforce
Authors: Carpenter Molly L. , Blaskewicz Boron Julie , Beadle Janelle , Potter Jane F.
Published: December 2020

By 2060, over 98 million Americans will be 65 years of age and older. As the population ages, there is a need to ensure sufficient resources are available to accommodate potential physical and cognitive limitations. The home care workforce is important in supporting older adults, and retaining the workforce is crucial to provide needed care. This workforce is primarily female, Caucasian, and has lower income and education levels. However, those demographics are changing. The purpose of this study was to understand factors influencing turnover within the non-medical home care industry. A survey was developed to examine factors that might influence turnover. Factors were based on prior research from the long-term care and home care industries. We surveyed workers who had resigned from a non-medical home care company and who consented to participate during two study periods. In both study periods “personal reasons” was the most common factor for leaving employment. There was a relationship between tenure and reason for leaving. Those that left after a year or more cited personal reasons more frequently than other factors. Understanding the needs of individuals at different points in time (ie, new employees compared to longer-term employees) may facilitate the design of retention strategies and reduce turnover.
Use of intracavitary-ECG for tip location of femorally inserted central catheters
Authors: Weber Mark D , Himebauch Adam S , Conlon Thomas
Published: December 2020

Femorally inserted central catheters (FICCs) are frequently required for central access in children. Ultrasound can accurately locate the catheter tip in most cases and its use is increasing in clinical vascular access practice. In patients with poor acoustic windows, intracavitary electrocardiogram (IC-ECG) is an alternative to ultrasound-guidance for FICC positioning. A case series of three patients demonstrate methods of FICC positioning in children. The first patient had excellent acoustic windows and ultrasound-guided FICC positioning is described in conjunction with IC-ECG measurements. The following two patients had poor acoustic windows, thus IC-ECG guided FICC tip position. The use of FICCs in children has increased in recent years. Ultrasound has emerged as a reliable method of assessing FICC tip location. IC-ECG is an accurate and complementary method of assessing FICC tip location, but can be a primary method when ultrasound is not available or cannot directly visualize the catheter. IC-ECG P-wave characteristics identify optimal tip position at the inferior cavoatrial junction and are different from characteristics at the superior cavoatrial junction.
Circadian tuning with metameric white light: Visual and non-visual aspects
Authors: Aderneuer T , Stefani O , Fernández O , Cajochen C , Ferrini R
Published: December 2020

The growing awareness of the biological effects of electric light on humans has stimulated ample research. New research has been devoted to lighting solutions that dynamically change their colour to mimic spectral changes of daylight. However, in some situations, the visual properties of light must be preserved, such as when working under standardised lighting conditions to do colour correction in post-production. We have investigated the possibility to tune circadian effects using white lights that are spectrally different but nonetheless appear as a similar white tone. Our simulation results, for example, sets of light-emitting diodes, indicate that it is possible to modulate circadian light effects from 0.20 to 0.41 circadian stimulus by combining light-emitting diodes to create neutral white (4000 K) light. However, the results also show that the solutions combining single-colour light-emitting diodes leading to similar range between maximum and minimum circadian stimulus (ΔCS > 0.20) have a CRI below 80. Combining narrowband light-emitting diodes with a broadband white light-emitting diode improves the colour-rendering quality, and we show how far circadian light effects can be tuned according to common theoretical models. The aim is to maintain the natural cycle of melatonin levels as much as possible with high light stimulus in the morning and low light stimulus in the evening. Therefore, we show what maximum and minimum circadian effects are possible with a given set of light-emitting diodes.
An Innovative Tai Chi and Qigong Telehealth Service in Supportive Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond
Authors: Oh Byeongsang , Van Der Saag Diana , Morgia Morita , Carroll Susan , Boyle Frances , Back Michael , Lamoury Gillian
Published: December 2020

Supportive cancer care services, including acupuncture and Tai Chi and Qigong (TQ), are offered to cancer patients to manage cancer symptoms and/or treatment-related adverse effects and improve quality of life during and after standard care. Normal face-to-face acupuncture and TQ group services were suspended during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to reduce the risk of transmission of infection and meet social distancing restriction guidelines. This led to a sudden shift from face-to-face sessions to telehealth sessions in the health care system. We report patients’ experiences of TQ telehealth services as a new initiative developed for cancer care. We found that delivery of TQ telehealth is feasible and resulted in increased overall patient satisfaction with cancer care services during the lockdown. The delivery of TQ telehealth experiences and challenges are discussed.
Multiple Endocrine Tumors Associated with Germline MAX Mutations: Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 5?
Authors: Seabrook Amanda J , Harris Jessica E , Velosa Sofia B , Kim Edward , McInerney-Leo Aideen M , Dwight Trisha , Hockings Jason I , Hockings Nicholas G , Kirk Judy , Leo Paul J , Love Amanda J , Luxford Catherine , Marshall Mhairi , Mete Ozgur , Pennisi David J , Brown Matthew A , Gill Anthony J , Hockings Gregory I , Clifton-Bligh Roderick J , Duncan Emma L
Published: December 2020

Context

Pathogenic germline MAX variants are associated with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL), pituitary neuroendocrine tumors and, possibly, other endocrine and nonendocrine tumors.

Objective

To report 2 families with germline MAX variants, pheochromocytomas (PCs) and multiple other tumors.

Methods

Clinical, genetic, immunohistochemical, and functional studies at University hospitals in Australia on 2 families with germline MAX variants undergoing usual clinical care. The main outcome measures were phenotyping; germline and tumor sequencing; immunohistochemistry of PC and other tumors; functional studies of MAX variants.

Results

Family A has multiple individuals with PC (including bilateral and metastatic disease) and 2 children (to date, without PC) with neuroendocrine tumors (paravertebral ganglioneuroma and abdominal neuroblastoma, respectively). One individual has acromegaly; immunohistochemistry of PC tissue showed positive growth hormone–releasing hormone staining. Another individual with previously resected PCs has pituitary enlargement and elevated insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). A germline MAX variant (c.200C>A, p.Ala67Asp) was identified in all individuals with PC and both children, with loss of heterozygosity in PC tissue. Immunohistochemistry showed loss of MAX staining in PCs and other neural crest tumors. In vitro studies confirmed the variant as loss of function. In Family B, the proband has bilateral and metastatic PC, prolactin-producing pituitary tumor, multigland parathyroid adenomas, chondrosarcoma, and multifocal pulmonary adenocarcinomas. A truncating germline MAX variant (c.22G>T, p.Glu8*) was identified.

Conclusion

Germline MAX mutations are associated with PCs, ganglioneuromas, neuroblastomas, pituitary neuroendocrine tumors, and, possibly, parathyroid adenomas, as well as nonendocrine tumors of chondrosarcoma and lung adenocarcinoma, suggesting MAX is a novel multiple endocrine neoplasia gene.