bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contact Printing Pressure Uniformization Control System in Roll-to-Roll Process Using 2-DOF Individual Drive System
Authors: Park Jimin , Kim Youngjin , Lee Byeongcheol , Kim Hyeongrae , Oh Dongho
Published: September 2020

Printed electronics is a technology in which conductive ink or functional materials are printed as a flexible material passes between rolls. It is possible to apply various applications such as solar cell, sensor, and display, and it is the next generation process that can mass-produce eco-friendly within a short time. However, if the printing pressure between rolls cannot be made uniform in a roll-to-roll process, it is difficult to commercialize printed electronics due to the deterioration of print quality. In our previous work, initial conditions were selected using pre-measured roll shape information to minimize printing pressure variations, and the printing pressure unevenness due to repeated runout was reduced. In order to equalize the contact printing pressure, this paper designs a controller model similar to the half car model considering the relationship between the two servomotors of the two degree of freedom individual drive system and the pressures at both ends of the impression roll. In addition, the control system to uniform the contact printing pressure using the roll-to-roll two degree of freedom individual drive system was confirmed by simulation and experiment.
Disk Protrusion Measurement in a Back-Heating Study for Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording
Authors: Xiong Shaomin , Smith Robert , Schreck Erhard
Published: September 2020

Heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) is a promising technology for the next generation hard disk drives (HDDs). Understanding the heat transfer at nanoscales and implementing a proper thermal management scheme become very critical as a few heat sources and energy delivery components are compactly integrated in a HAMR drive. Recently, a back-heating experimental setup is used to study heat transfer behavior. It is found that the detection of head disk contact and head disk spacing control become more complicated in this experimental setup because the local heating generates a protrusion on the media surface. In this paper, we demonstrate a method to enhance the contact detection sensitivity significantly by modulating the head disk spacing. It shows that a light contact between the head TFC protrusion and media protrusion can be effectively detected. Thereafter, the media protrusion can be measured and the head disk spacing can be well set.
Development of an Adaptive Prediction Time Horizon Based Model Predictive Steering Control Algorithm for Autonomous Vehicle With Disturbance Estimation
Authors: Oh Kwang-Seok , Song Tae-Jun
Published: September 2020

This paper proposes an adaptive prediction time horizon based model predictive steering control algorithm for autonomous vehicle with disturbance estimation. The model predictive control (MPC) requires relatively accurate system model to compute the reasonable control inputs. There exists model uncertainty between system model and actual system. And the uncertainty can be increased in the prediction step of MPC and that can have an influence on control performance. In order to address the issue, the uncertainty has been estimated using the sliding mode observer and predicted in the designed prediction algorithm based on gray prediction model. Using the predicted future uncertainties, the number of prediction steps has been determined with the uncertainty threshold value. The path tracking control algorithm for autonomous driving has been used to compute the steering angle of vehicle. The performance evaluation of the adaptive MPC has been conducted using the simplified bicycle model in Matlab/Simulink environment under the lane change scenario.
A Method for Characterizing the Head-Disk Interface Dynamics Near the Touchdown Conditions Using the Magnetic Fly-Height
Authors: Rai Rahul , Srivastava Abhishek , Knigge Bernhard , Murthy Aravind N.
Published: September 2020

Recent growth in the cloud storage industry has created a massive demand for higher capacity hard disk drives (HDD). A sub-nanometer head media spacing (HMS) remains the most critical pre-requisite to achieve the areal density needed to deliver the next generation of HDD products. Designing a robust head-disk interface (HDI) with small physical clearance requires the understanding of slider dynamics, especially when the head flies in proximity to the disk surface. In this paper, we describe a method using the magnetic read-back signal to characterize the head fly-height modulations as it undergoes a transition from a free-flying state to soft contact with the disk surface. A technique based on the magnetic fly-height sensitivity is introduced for the identification of the transition plane that corresponds to the onset of the touchdown process. Additionally, the proposed magnetic spacing based meteorology is used to study the effect of the air bearing stiffness on the magnitude of the slider vibrations induced by intermittent head-disk interactions. The information about the minimum spacing while maintaining the stable flying conditions can help in reducing the head-disk interaction risk that can enable a low clearance interface.
Investigation of Biofilm-Inhibiting Zinc-Silver Oxide Urinary Catheter Coatings
Authors: Vaitkus Simonas , Simoes-Torigoe Rafaela , Gotlib Oren , Morris Karcher , Spada Frederick E. , Alagiri Madhu , Talke Frank E.
Published: September 2020

Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a widespread complication within hospitals and nursing homes. A potential treatment is to use a biofilm-inhibiting catheter. In this paper, methods for creating a biofilm retardant catheter coating using silver, silver oxide, and/or zinc particles combined with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are described. The coating was first applied to the outside surface of the catheter and then tested for its antimicrobial properties with respect to preventing planktonic and biofilm growth of Escherichia coli. A comparison of our “in house” created catheters was then made with commercially available antimicrobial urinary catheters.
Changes in Physical Fitness Among Preschool Children From Kraków (Poland) From 2008 to 2018
Authors: Żegleń Magdalena , Kryst Łukasz , Kowal Małgorzata , Woronkowicz Agnieszka
Published: September 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the secular changes of the physical fitness of preschool children from Kraków, Poland between 2008 and 2018.Methods: The study group consisted of 2143 children (3- to 7-y-olds; 2008 cohort included 1037 children and the 2018 cohort included 1106 children). The following physical fitness tests were carried out: overhead medicine ball throw, standing broad jump, sit-and-reach test, and handgrip strength. Statistical differences between the cohorts were obtained using 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests.Results: Negative changes were noted for the standing broad jump and its relative results among boys. A negative trend was also observed for flexibility and ball throw. Positive changes were noted for the standing broad jump among girls, as well as the absolute and normalized results of handgrip strength in both sexes. Besides the flexibility, observed discrepancies were practically significant between the age groups. Differences between the cohorts reached practical significance in the case of absolute and normalized handgrip strength.Conclusions: There was at least partial progress in the children’s fitness. Physical fitness, in turn, is one of the most important health markers. Moreover, its low level is a predictor of diseases, including metabolic and cardiovascular ones, lower academic performance, and psychosocial problems.
PhenomeXcan: Mapping the genome to the phenome through the transcriptome
Authors: Pividori Milton , Rajagopal Padma S. , Barbeira Alvaro , Liang Yanyu , Melia Owen , Bastarache Lisa , Park YoSon , Consortium GTEx , Wen Xiaoquan , Im Hae K.
Published: September 2020

PhenomeXcan is a gene-based resource of gene-trait associations, providing biological contexts for translational research.
An excess of small-scale gravitational lenses observed in galaxy clusters
Authors: Meneghetti Massimo , Davoli Guido , Bergamini Pietro , Rosati Piero , Natarajan Priyamvada , Giocoli Carlo , Caminha Gabriel B. , Metcalf R. Benton , Rasia Elena , Borgani Stefano , Calura Francesco , Grillo Claudio , Mercurio Amata , Vanzella Eros
Published: September 2020

Galaxy clusters contain more small-scale gravitational lenses than expected from cosmological simulations.
Multiphase buffer theory explains contrasts in atmospheric aerosol acidity
Authors: Zheng Guangjie , Su Hang , Wang Siwen , Andreae Meinrat O. , Pöschl Ulrich , Cheng Yafang
Published: September 2020

Water content and mass matter more than composition for the acidity of atmospheric aerosols in ammonia-buffered regions.
Self-limiting directional nanoparticle bonding governed by reaction stoichiometry
Authors: Yi Chenglin , Liu Hong , Zhang Shaoyi , Yang Yiqun , Zhang Yan , Lu Zhongyuan , Kumacheva Eugenia , Nie Zhihong
Published: September 2020

A polymer ligand–based strategy enables assembly of nanoscale particles into configurations reminiscent of molecules.
Direct laser cooling of a symmetric top molecule
Authors: Mitra Debayan , Vilas Nathaniel B. , Hallas Christian , Anderegg Loïc , Augenbraun Benjamin L. , Baum Louis , Miller Calder , Raval Shivam , Doyle John M.
Published: September 2020

The symmetric top molecule CaOCH
3
is laser-cooled to submillikelvin temperatures.
Thermosensitive crystallization–boosted liquid thermocells for low-grade heat harvesting
Authors: Yu Boyang , Duan Jiangjiang , Cong Hengjiang , Xie Wenke , Liu Rong , Zhuang Xinyan , Wang Hui , Qi Bei , Xu Ming , Wang Zhong Lin , Zhou Jun
Published: September 2020

Recovering low-temperature heat

Low-temperature heat sources are both abundant and largely dissipated into the environment. Yu
et al.
discovered a way to boost the concentration gradient in a liquid thermogalvanic cell that allows low-temperature heat to be recovered. The authors added a component that boosts the concentration gradient by forcing crystallization of the electrolyte at the cold end, and these crystals then melt at the hot end. This process boosts efficiency and is a potential method for recovering low-grade heat.

Science
, this issue p.
342
Coronavirus dons a new crown
Authors: Unchwaniwala Nuruddin , Ahlquist Paul
Published: September 2020

A transmembrane pore reveals parallels with other viruses
Swine MicroRNAs
ssc-miR-221-3p
and
ssc-miR-222
Restrict the Cross-Species Infection of Avian Influenza Virus
Authors: Song Jingwei , Sun Honglei , Sun Haoran , Jiang Zhimin , Zhu Junda , Wang Chenxi , Gao Weihua , Wang Tong , Pu Juan , Sun Yipeng , Yuan Hsiang-Yu , Liu Jinhua
Published: September 2020

The host range of an influenza A virus is determined by species-specific interactions between virus and host cell factors. Host miRNAs can regulate influenza A virus replication; however, the role of miRNAs in host species specificity is unclear. Here, we show that the induced expression of
ssc-miR-221-3p
and
ssc-miR-222
in swine cells is modulated by NF-κB P65 phosphorylation in response to AIV infection but not swine influenza virus infection.
ssc-miR-221-3p
and
ssc-miR-222
exerted antiviral function via targeting viral RNAs and causing apoptosis by inhibiting the expression of HMBOX1 in host cells. These findings uncover miRNAs as a host range restriction factor that limits cross-species infection of influenza A virus.
Supplemental Material: Cretaceous to Recent net continental uplift from paleobiological data: Insights into sub-plate support
Authors: Fernandes Victoria M. , Roberts Gareth G.
Published: September 2020

Figures, tables, methods, and datasets.
Emphysematous gastritis after metastatic malignant melanoma: a radiological surprise
Authors: Ng Chiak Yot , Hayati Firdaus , Nadarajan Chandran
Published: September 2020

Malignant melanoma is cancer of the skin which commonly metastasises to the stomach. There have been no reported cases of emphysematous gastritis secondary to metastasis of malignant melanomas, to date. However, a 61-year-old woman with metastatic malignant melanoma of the left great toe presented to us with symptoms of severe left hypochondrium pain associated with high-grade fever, gross abdominal distension and recurrent vomiting. Two months earlier, metastasis was observed to have spread to the stomach and inguinal lymph nodes. At this stage, the patient opted for traditional medication instead of definitive surgery and chemotherapy. Radiological imaging revealed an emphysematous change to the stomach which was radiologically consistent with gastric malignant melanoma. Unfortunately, the patient succumbed to this rare condition.
Immune-related myositis resulting from combination therapy of ipilimumab and nivolumab in patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Okubo Naoya , Kijima Toshiki , Nukui Akinori , Kamai Takao
Published: September 2020

Immune-related myositis is one of the rare immune-related adverse events whose underlying precise mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we describe a case of immune-related myositis that developed after four cycles of combination therapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Negative results of autoimmune antibodies, including anti-acetylcholine receptor and anti-muscle-specific kinase antibodies suggested a T-cell-mediated mechanism. After recovery with steroid therapy, the patient resumed nivolumab monotherapy and survived without any evidence of disease progression or refractory of myositis. Differential diagnosis between T-cell-mediated and B-cell-mediated immune-related myositis and its impact on optimal management are discussed.
Predicted COVID-19 fatality rates based on age, sex, comorbidities and health system capacity
Authors: Ghisolfi Selene , Almås Ingvild , Sandefur Justin C , von Carnap Tillman , Heitner Jesse , Bold Tessa
Published: September 2020

Early reports suggest the fatality rate from COVID-19 varies greatly across countries, but non-random testing and incomplete vital registration systems render it impossible to directly estimate the infection fatality rate (IFR) in many low- and middle-income countries. To fill this gap, we estimate the adjustments required to extrapolate estimates of the IFR from high-income to lower-income regions. Accounting for differences in the distribution of age, sex and relevant comorbidities yields substantial differences in the predicted IFR across 21 world regions, ranging from 0.11% in Western Sub-Saharan Africa to 1.07% for high-income Asia Pacific. However, these predictions must be treated as lower bounds in low- and middle-income countries as they are grounded in fatality rates from countries with advanced health systems. To adjust for health system capacity, we incorporate regional differences in the relative odds of infection fatality from childhood respiratory syncytial virus. This adjustment greatly diminishes but does not entirely erase the demography-based advantage predicted in the lowest income settings, with regional estimates of the predicted COVID-19 IFR ranging from 0.37% in Western Sub-Saharan Africa to 1.45% for Eastern Europe.
PERSonalised Incentives for Supporting Tobacco cessation (PERSIST) among healthcare employees: a randomised controlled trial protocol
Authors: Boderie Nienke W , van Kippersluis Johannes LW , Ó Ceallaigh Diarmaid T , Radó Márta K , Burdorf Alex , van Lenthe Frank J , Been Jasper V
Published: September 2020

Background

Smoking is the primary preventable risk factor for disease and premature mortality. It is highly addictive and cessation attempts are often unsuccessful. Incentive-based programmes may be an effective method to reach sustained abstinence. Individualisation of incentives based on personal characteristics yields potential to further increase the effectiveness of incentive-based programmes.

Method

A randomised controlled trial among healthcare workers recruited through their employer and signed up for a group-based smoking cessation programme. The intervention under study is the provision of personalised incentives on validated smoking cessation at several time points after the smoking cessation programme. A total of 220 participants are required. Participants are randomised 1:1 into intervention (personalised incentives) or control (no incentives). All participants join the group-based programme. Incentives are provided on validated abstinence directly after the smoking cessation programme and after 3, 6 and 12 months.

Incentives are provided according to four schemes:

(1) Standard: total reward size €350, pay-out scheme: €50 (t=0), €50 (t=3 months), €50 (t=6 months) and €200 (t=12 months), (2) descending: total reward size €300, pay-out scheme: €150, €100, €50 and €0, (3) ascending: total reward size: €400, pay-out scheme: €0, €0, €50 and €350 and (4) deposit: total reward size €450, pay-out scheme: €50, €50, €150, €200; participants pay a €100 deposit, returned conditional on abstinence after 6 months.

Advice on which incentive scheme suits participants best is based on willingness to provide a deposit, readiness to quit, nicotine dependency and long-term or short-term reward preference. Participants are free to deviate from this advice. Abstinence is validated at each time point, with 15 months of total follow-up. The primary end point is validated abstinence at 12 months. Effectiveness will be determined by intention-to-treat analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

The Erasmus MC Medical Ethics Committee decided that according to the Dutch Human Research Law (WMO), the protocol required no formal ethical approval. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and communicated to the participants.

Trial registration number

Netherlands Trial Register NL7711.
Data sharing: experience of accessing individual patient data from completed randomised controlled trials in vascular and cognitive medicine
Authors: Scutt Polly , Woodhouse Lisa J , Montgomery Alan A , Bath Philip M
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Meta-analysis based on individual patient data (IPD) from randomised trials is superior to using published summary data since it facilitates subgroup and multiple variable analyses. Guidelines and funders expect that researchers share IPD for bona fide analyses, but in practice, this is done variably. Here, we report the experience of obtaining IPD for two collaborative analysis studies.

Setting

Two linked studies required IPD from published randomised trials. The leading researchers for eligible trials were approached and asked to share IPD including trial characteristics, patient demographics, baseline clinical data and outcome measures.

Participants

Participants in eligible randomised controlled trials included patients with or at risk of cognitive decline/vascular events.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Numbers (%) of trials where the leading researcher responded favourably/negatively or did not respond. If negative, reasons behind the response were collected. If positive, methods used to share IPD were recorded.

Results

Across the two studies, 391 completed trials were identified. Email addresses for researchers were found for 313 (80%) of the trials. One hundred and forty-eight (47%) researchers did not respond despite being sent multiple emails. Following contact, positive initial responses were received from 92 researchers, resulting in IPD being shared for 78 trials. Eighty-seven (28%) researchers declined to share data; justifications were recorded. The median time from first request to accessing data in one study was 241 (IQR 383.3) days. IPD sources included: direct from researcher, via academic trial funders repository and a website requiring remote analysis of commercial data. Where data were shared, a variety of methods were used to transfer data.

Conclusion

Sharing of IPD from trials is desirable and a requirement of many funding bodies. However, accessing IPD faces multiple challenges including refusals to share, delays in access to data and having to perform analyses on a remote website.

Trial registration

Not applicable.
Crisis clinical pathway for COVID-19
Authors: Suh Edward Hyun , Bodnar David J , Melville Laura D , Sharma Manish , Farmer Brenna M
Published: September 2020

The pandemic of COVID-19 has been particularly severe in the New York City area, which has had one of the highest concentrations of cases in the USA. In March 2020, the EDs of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, a 10-hospital health system in the region, began to experience a rapid surge in patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Emergency physicians were faced with a disease that they knew little about that quickly overwhelmed resources. A significant amount of attention has been placed on the problem of limited supply of ventilators and intensive care beds for critically ill patients in the setting of the ongoing global pandemic. Relatively less has been given to the issue that precedes it: the demand on resources posed by patients who are not yet critically ill but are unwell enough to seek care in the ED. We describe here how at one institution, a cross-campus ED physician working group produced a care pathway to guide clinicians and ensure the fair and effective allocation of resources in the setting of the developing public health crisis. This ‘crisis clinical pathway’ focused on using clinical evaluation for medical decision making and maximising benefit to patients throughout the system.
Motivations for firearm possession and storage practices among urban young adults: differences between parents and non-parents
Authors: Sokol Rebeccah Lyn , Schmidt Carissa , Miller Alison L , Walton Maureen A , Zimmerman Marc , Resnicow Kenneth , Cunningham Rebecca M , Carter Patrick M
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To evaluate motivations for firearm possession among urban young adults and determine if differences emerge between parents and non-parents, and to identify if storage practices differed according to motivation for firearm possession and parenting status.

Methods

We used cross-sectional data among young adults seeking urban emergency department treatment at Hurley Medical Center between 2017 and 2018. Our analyses, completed in 2020, included 194 firearm-possessing young adults, 95 of whom were young parents.

Results

Firearm-possessing parents were more likely to have a firearm for protection, than for any other motivation, compared with firearm-possessing non-parents (OR: 2.38, 95% CI 1.06 to 5.46). A significant interaction between parenting status and motivation for possession indicated the association between protective motivations and locked storage was significantly different between parents and non-parents, whereby there was a decreased odds of locked storage among non-parents who were motivated to possess a firearm for protection compared with any other motivation, but this association did not exist for parents (interaction OR=10.57, p<0.05).

Conclusion

Parental motivation for possessing a firearm most often lies in the desire to protect families. This motivation, however, does not necessitate unsafe storage.
Income inequality in life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy in Denmark
Authors: Brønnum-Hansen Henrik , Foverskov Else , Andersen Ingelise
Published: September 2020

Background

Income has seldom been used to study social differences in disability-free life expectancy (DFLE). This study investigates income inequalities in life expectancy and DFLE at age 50 and 65 and estimates the contributions from the mortality and disability effects on the differences between income groups.

Methods

Life tables by income quintile were constructed using Danish register data on equivalised disposable household income and mortality. Data on activity limitations from the Danish part of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) was linked to register data on income. For each income quintile, life table data and prevalence data of no activity limitations from SHARE were combined to estimate DFLE. Differences between income quintiles in DFLE were decomposed into contributions from mortality and disability effects.

Results

A clear social gradient was seen for life expectancy as well as DFLE. Life expectancy at age 50 differed between the highest and lowest income quintiles by 8.6 years for men and 5.5 years for women. The difference in DFLE was 12.8 and 11.0 years for men and women, respectively. The mortality effect from the decomposition contributed equally for men and slightly more for women to the difference in expected lifetime without than with activity limitations. The disability effect contributed by 8.5 years for men and 8.0 years for women.

Conclusion

The income inequality gradient was steeper for DFLE than life expectancy. Since income inequality increases, DFLE by income is an important indicator for monitoring social inequality in the growing share of elderly people.
Endocranial morphology of the petalichthyid placodermEllopetalichthys scheiifrom the Middle Devonian of Arctic Canada, with remarks on the inner ear and neck joint morphology of placoderms
Authors: Castiello Marco , Jerve Anna , Burton Maria Grace , Friedman Matt , Brazeau Martin D.
Published: September 2020

Petalichthyid and “acanthothoracid” placoderms have taken pivotal positions in the debate on placoderm — and, by extension, jawed vertebrate — relationships owing to perceived similarities with certain jawless vertebrates. Neurocranial characters are integral to current hypotheses of early gnathostome relationships. Here, we describe the three-dimensionally preserved neurocranial anatomy of the petalichthyid placoderm Ellopetalichthys scheii (Kiær, 1915), from the Middle Devonian (early Eifelian) of Ellesmere Island, Canada. Using X-ray computed microtomography, we generated three-dimensional reconstructions of the endocranial surfaces, orbital walls, and cranial endocavity. These reconstructions verify the absence of a crus commune of the skeletal labyrinth and the complex shape of the petalichthyid endolympathic duct. Details of the craniothoracic joint and occipital musculature fossae help resolve the problematic comparative anatomy of the occipital surface of petalichthyids. These new data highlight similarities with arthrodire placoderms, consistent with older hypotheses of a sister-group relationship between petalichthyids and that clade.
Application of Chinese Medicine in the Management of Critical Conditions: A Review on Sepsis
Authors: Fan Tian-Tian , Cheng Bao-Li , Fang Xiang-Ming , Chen Yong-Can , Su Fan
Published: September 2020

Critical care medicine is a medical specialty engaging the diagnosis and treatment of critically ill patients who have or are likely to have life-threatening organ failure. Sepsis, a life-threatening condition that arises when the body responds to infection, is currently the major cause of death in intensive care units (ICU). Although progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of sepsis, many drawbacks in sepsis treatment remains unresolved. For example, antimicrobial resistance, controversial of glucocorticoids use, prolonged duration of ICU care and the subsequent high cost of the treatment. Recent years have witnessed a growing trend of applying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in sepsis management. The TCM application emphasizes use of herbal formulation to balance immune responses to infection, which include clearing heat and toxin, promoting blood circulation and removing its stasis, enhancing gastrointestinal function, and strengthening body resistance. In this paper, we will provide an overview of the current status of Chinese herbal formulations, single herbs, and isolated compounds, as an add-on therapy to the standard Western treatment in the sepsis management. With the current trajectory of worldwide pandemic eruption of newly identified Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), the adjuvant TCM therapy can be used in the ICU to treat critically ill patients infected with the novel coronavirus.
Corni Fructus as a Natural Resource Can Treat Type 2 Diabetes by Regulating Gut Microbiota
Authors: Niu Dou , An Shujing , Chen Xue , Bi Huailong , Zhang Qiusheng , Wang Ting , Han Binkai , Zhang Huafeng , Kang Jiefang
Published: September 2020

Accumulating evidence suggests that gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the development of metabolic diseases, especially type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The nutrient-rich resource Cornus Fructus (CF) showed curative effects on diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanism underlying its hyperglycemic activity remains obscure. Herein, the antidiabetic potential of four extracts from CF, including saponin (CTS), iridoid glycoside (CIG), tannin (CT), and alcohol extract (CCA) was evaluated in vivo. The results showed that all four extracts could increase the body weight, decrease the blood glucose levels, and elevate the glucose tolerance. Moreover, insulin sensitivity and lipid profile were significantly improved in fed mice. In the [Formula: see text]-diversity index of samples, compared to the DM group, the diversity and richness of gut microbiota in mice to a certain extent were reduced in both CF extracts and Metformin (PC). Among them, there was statistical significance in PC (ACE, [Formula: see text]) and CCA (ACE, [Formula: see text]; chao1: [Formula: see text]). Beta diversity showed the same trend as the UPGMA clustering trees, which revealed that CF extracts could improve intestinal homeostasis in T2DM mice. Also, CF extracts could elevate the production of short-chain fatty acids, as well as regulate the composition of gut microbiota. The key bacteria related to T2DM including Firmicutes, Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Clostridium were modulated by metformin and CF. Altogether, CF is a potential nutrient-rich candidate that can be used in functional foods for the treatment of T2DM, and the change of gut microbiota might be a novel mechanism underlying its hyperglycemic activity.
Traversable wormhole modelling with exponential and hyperbolic shape functions in F(R,T) framework
Authors: Shweta  , Mishra Ambuj Kumar , Sharma Umesh Kumar
Published: September 2020

The concept of traversable wormhole, a hypothetical tunnel-like structure is initially proposed by Morris and Thorne (Am. J. Phys. 56, 395 (1988)) by using Einstein’s general relativity theory. Harko et al. (Phys. Rev. D 84, 024020 (2011)) defined [Formula: see text] gravity as an extended gravitational theory having terms [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] as Ricci scalar and trace of energy momentum respectively. In this article, we explore wormhole models for the framework of [Formula: see text] gravity by using two different shape functions. The first shape function is [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] (proposed by Mishra and Sharma, arXiv:2003.00298v1 , 2020) and second is a hyperbolic shape function which is of the form [Formula: see text]. Geometrical behavior of wormholes are discussed in anisotropic scenario by using equation of state [Formula: see text]. The stability of models are analyzed by using equilibrium condition and determining gravitational force, anisotropic force, hydrostatic force and force due to modified gravity. For the validation of null energy condition and weak energy condition, significant role of shape function is illustrated for the presence of nonexotic matter.
Light CP-odd Higgs boson production of the NMSSM in bottom-gluon fusion at the LHC
Authors: Almarashi M. M.
Published: September 2020

We study the [Formula: see text] decay mode of a light CP-odd Higgs boson of the NMSSM, [Formula: see text], produced in bottom-gluon fusion at the LHC. It is shown that for high luminosity of the LHC, there exist regions of the NMSSM parameter space that can be exploited to detect the [Formula: see text] through this channel.
BIFURCATION ANALYSIS OF A TWO-DIMENSIONAL PREDATOR–PREY MODEL WITH HOLLING TYPE IV FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE AND NONLINEAR PREDATOR HARVESTING
Authors: GHOSH UTTAM , MAJUMDAR PRAHLAD , GHOSH JAYANTA KUMAR
Published: September 2020

The aim of this paper is to investigate the dynamical behavior of a two-species predator–prey model with Holling type IV functional response and nonlinear predator harvesting. The positivity and boundedness of the solutions of the model have been established. The considered system contains three kinds of equilibrium points. Those are the trivial equilibrium point, axial equilibrium point and the interior equilibrium points. The trivial equilibrium point is always saddle and stability of the axial equilibrium point depends on critical value of the conversion efficiency. The interior equilibrium point changes its stability through various parametric conditions. The considered system experiences different types of bifurcations such as Saddle-node bifurcation, Hopf bifurcation, Transcritical bifurcation and Bogdanov–Taken bifurcation. It is clear from the numerical analysis that the predator harvesting rate and the conversion efficiency play an important role in stability of the system.
LINEAR STOCHASTIC DIVIDEND MODEL
Authors: WILLEMS SANDER
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we propose a new model for pricing stock and dividend derivatives. We jointly specify dynamics for the stock price and the dividend rate such that the stock price is positive and the dividend rate nonnegative. In its simplest form, the model features a dividend rate that is mean-reverting around a constant fraction of the stock price. The advantage of directly specifying dynamics for the dividend rate, as opposed to the more common approach of modeling the dividend yield, is that it is easier to keep the distribution of cumulative dividends tractable. The model is nonaffine but does belong to the more general class of polynomial processes, which allows us to compute all conditional moments of the stock price and the cumulative dividends explicitly. In particular, we have closed-form expressions for the prices of stock and dividend futures. Prices of stock and dividend options are accurately approximated using a moment matching technique based on the principle of maximal entropy.
Some problems and algorithms related to the weight order relation on the n-dimensional Boolean cube
Authors: Bakoev Valentin
Published: September 2020

The problem “Given a Boolean function [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] variables by its truth table vector. Find (if exists) a vector [Formula: see text] of maximal (or minimal) weight, such that [Formula: see text].” is considered here. It is closely related to the problem of computing the algebraic degree of Boolean functions which is an important cryptographic parameter. To solve this problem efficiently, we explore the orders of the vectors of the [Formula: see text]-dimensional Boolean cube [Formula: see text] according to their weights. The notion of “[Formula: see text]th layer” of [Formula: see text] is involved in the definition and examination of the “weight order” relation. It is compared with the known relation “precedes”. Several enumeration problems concerning these relations are solved and the relevant notes were added to three sequences in the on-line encyclopedia of integer sequences (OEIS). One special weight order is defined and examined in detail. In it, the lexicographic order is a second criterion for an ordinance of the vectors of equal weights. So a total order called weight-lexicographic order (WLO) is obtained. Two algorithms for generating the WLO sequence and two algorithms for generating the characteristic vectors of the layers are proposed. The results obtained by them were used in creating two new sequences: A294648 and A305860 in the OEIS. Two algorithms for solving the problem considered are developed — the first one works in a byte-wise manner and uses the WLO sequence, and the second one works in a bitwise manner and uses the characteristic vector as masks. The experimental results from numerous tests confirm the efficiency of these algorithms. Other applications of the obtained algorithms are also discussed — when representing, generating and ranking other combinatorial objects.
Ubiquity symposium: Evolutionary computation and the processes of life
Authors: Yao Xin
Published: September 2020

In this third article in the ACM Ubiquity symposium on evolutionary computation Xin Yao provides a deeper understanding of evolutionary algorithms in the context of classical computational paradigms. This article discusses some of the most important issues in evolutionary computation. Three major areas are identified. The first is the theoretical foundation of evolutionary computation, especially the computational time complexity analysis. The second is on algorithm design, especially on hybridization, memetic algorithms, algorithm portfolios and ensembles of algorithms. The third is co-evolution, which seems to be under studied in both theory and practice. The primary aim of this article is to stimulate further discussions, rather than to offer any solutions.
eLearning: From the enclosure to the global learning commons
Authors: Price David
Published: September 2020

In assessing the impact of eLearning, and the disruption of formal learning, David Price has devised six imperatives of social learning, which he describes as values, motivations, and actions that make social learning exciting. The challenge for eLearning is to incorporate these characteristics into online learning programs.
eLearning and Higher Education in Pakistan: What may hamper it
Authors: Ellahi Abida , Zaka Bilal
Published: September 2020

As part of higher education, universities have been increasing their efforts to promote learning growth and innovation. In Pakistan private and public institutions of higher educations have undertaken eLearning initiatives. This article draws from the research literature and a preliminary descriptive study to describe the current status of eLearning systems in a few universities within Pakistan, and discusses the challenges faced in implementing eLearning projects in Pakistan. In order to play an important role in democratizing education and contributing toward creating knowledge workers, higher education needs to play a more active role in promoting and supporting eLearning initiatives.
Mobile Learning in Higher education: Mobilizing staff to use technologies in their teaching
Authors: Schuck Sandy
Published: September 2020

Given the ubiquity of mobile devices being used by students in their university, a group of lecturers formed an action-learning group to learn collaboratively about enhancing their teaching with mobile pedagogies. The community of learners developed a process for setting goals for themselves, and for implementing action plans to do with integrating mobile technologies in teaching. The article discusses the processes used and the lessons learned through this project. These findings have informed work done with schools that are trying to integrate mobile learning into their classrooms.
Back to Cyber School?
Authors: Carr-Chellman Alison
Published: September 2020

When it comes to K-12 education, should public dollars be used to make individuals or investors rich? Cyber charters do fill an important role for certain students, but more sophisticated forms of oversight are needed to regulate this burgeoning industry.
Using Twitter in an Undergraduate Setting: Five recommendations from a foreign language class
Authors: Irvin Elizabeth , Taper Colin , Igoe Lizza , Pastore Raymond S.
Published: September 2020

Research has suggested Twitter can be a powerful learning tool when thoughtfully added as a support to course content. Before you choose to add or implement Twitter into an undergraduate course, we share five tips to get there.
Strategic Planning in e-Learning
Authors: Carr-Chellman Alison
Published: September 2020

As most in leadership know well, online learning, e-learning and other forms of distributed learning are increasingly important as parts of strategic plans for organizations, higher education, and k-12 schools. This article briefly takes up a few of the critical elements of strong strategic plans including the uses and importance of needs assessment, reflection, identifying organizational e-learning strengths, opportunities, and resources, seeing novel and unique program opportunities, and the importance of a core group of supporters for the programs forwarded in the strategic plan.
e-Learning in the Age of Betsy DeVos
Authors: Carr-Chellman Allison
Published: September 2020

Betsy DeVos is the new U.S. Secretary of Education, having been confirmed by not just a razor-thin measure, but rather by a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Mike Pence that was unprecedented for a presidential cabinet appointment. What are the likely potentials and possibilities for e-learning in the new era of Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos? It's worth exploring what we might be able to anticipate for e-learning in the coming era.
Getting Serious about eLearning
Authors: Quinn Clark N.
Published: September 2020

Are you ready to take eLearning to the next level? Do you want to be a part of meaningful eLearning? The Serious eLearning Manifesto is the first step forward. Clark Quinn provides an inside look at what led to the creation of the manifesto and how we can all be a part of the movement for serious eLearning.
Promoting Student Engagement with Smartphone Technology
Authors: Perkowski Caesar , McLeod Cortney
Published: September 2020

This article presents specific, tangible ways that professors can improve the success rate of their hybrid and online courses in rural settings in the state of Georgia, where the student populations are largely lower socio-economic and African-American. The goal is for this project to add to the overall discussion of pedagogical theory, as it relates to online and hybrid education.
Implementing Blended Learning the Right Way
Authors: Kessler Kevin E.
Published: September 2020

You may have read the quintessential texts on blended learning, the 'why', the need for disruption, the types of models, etc. However, you've never read a workbook like this. The Blended Course Design Workbook is the most important book any school (or teacher) should own in order to implement blended learning the right way. This book provides steps, checks, and explanations on how to build or improve a blended-learning program. This is not a book of theory or persuasive change, this is a how-to book that needs to be on every shelf of every school.
Predicting context aware computing performance
Authors: Rohn Eli
Published: September 2020

Computer systems will increasingly need to be sensitive to their context to serve their users better.In this paper we forecast the capabilities of context aware computing and relating it to a time frame.Our short-range analysis indicates such systems will become commercially available and common by 2007.Our mid-range analysis indicates that the development pace of Context Aware systems will start to slow down by 2020 and will reach maturity by 2035.
Inhalational delivery of induced pluripotent stem cell secretome improves postpneumonectomy lung structure and function
Authors: Dane D. Merrill , Cao Khoa , Zhang Yu-An , H. Kernstine Kemp , Gazdhar Amiq , Geiser Thomas , Hsia Connie C.W.
Published: September 2020

To examine whether the secreted products of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) facilitate innate adaptive responses following loss of lung tissue, adult dogs underwent surgical removal of one lung, then received repeated administration of iPSC secretory products via inhalational delivery compared with control treatment. Inhalation of iPSC secretory products enhanced capillary formation and beneficial structural remodeling in the remaining lung, leading to improved lung function.
Increased peak end-expiratory pressure in ventilated preterm lambs changes cerebral microvascular perfusion: direct synchrotron microangiography assessment
Authors: Inocencio Ishmael Miguel , Tran Nhi Thao , Nakamura Shinji , Khor Song J. , Wiersma Manon , Stoecker Katja , Polglase Graeme R. , Pearson James T. , Wong Flora Y.
Published: September 2020

An increase of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) from 5 to 10 cmH2O increased the diameter of small cerebral vessels (<150 µm) but decreased the diameter of larger cerebral vessels (>500 µm). This suggests increased intrathoracic pressure due to high PEEP can drive microvessel engorgement in the preterm brain, which may play a role in cerebrovascular injury.
The Impact of Hypertension and Metabolic Syndrome on Nitrosative Stress and Glutathione Metabolism in Patients with Morbid Obesity
Authors: Choromańska Barbara , Myśliwiec Piotr , Łuba Magdalena , Wojskowicz Piotr , Myśliwiec Hanna , Choromańska Katarzyna , Dadan Jacek , Zalewska Anna , Maciejczyk Mateusz
Published: September 2020

In this pathbreaking study, we evaluated nitrosative stress in morbidly obese patients with and without metabolic syndrome. 62 women with class 3 obesity (BMI>40 kg/m2) were divided into three subgroups: obese patients (OB), obese patients with hypertension (OB+HYP), and obese patients with metabolic syndrome (OB+MS). In comparison to the lean patients, OB had increased levels of serum myeloperoxidase (MPO), plasma nitric oxide (NO), S-nitrosothiols, and peroxynitrite (ONOO−), as well as nitrotyrosine, while oxidized glutathione (GSSG) rose only in OB+HYP group. Interestingly, ONOO− was significantly higher in OB+HYP and OB+MS as compared to OB group, while MPO only in OB+MS group. OB+MS had greater nitrotyrosine and S-nitrosothiol values than OB+HYP. Moreover, peroxynitrite could differentiate OB from OB+HYP and OB+MS (AUC 0.9292; p<0.0001; 87.5% sensitivity, 90% specificity) as well as between OB and OB+MS group (AUC 0.9125; p<0.0001; 81.25% sensitivity, 83.33%). In conclusion, we showed that MPO activity, NO formation, and nitrosative damage to proteins parallel the progression of metabolic disturbances of obesity. Evaluation of ONOO− concentrations may help predict the development of hypertension and metabolic syndrome in patients with morbid obesity; however, longer-term studies are required for larger numbers of patients.
Dynamic Analysis of a Tapered Composite Thin-Walled Rotating Shaft Embedded with SMA Wires Using the Generalized Differential Quadrature Method
Authors: Zhong Weiyan , Gao Feng , Ren Yongsheng , Wu Xiaoxiao , Ma Hongcan
Published: September 2020

A dynamical model is developed for the tapered composite thin-walled rotating shaft with shape memory alloy (SMA) wires embedded in. The SMA wires are embedded at an interlayer of the shaft and arranged along the conical surface of the tapered composite shaft. Recovery stresses generated during the phase transformation are calculated based on one-dimensional Brinson’s model. The governing equations are obtained based on a refined variational asymptotic method (VAM) and Hamilton’s principle. The partial differential equations of motion are reduced to the ordinary differential governing equations by using the generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM). Numerical results of natural frequencies and critical speeds are obtained. The effects of the fraction of SMA wires, the initial strain of SMA wires, temperature, ply angle, taper ratio, boundary conditions, and rotating speed on the frequency characteristics are investigated.