bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dysautonomia secondary to third ventriculostomy successfully managed with midodrine
Authors: Moreira Marques Torcato , Almeida André , Pinheiro Joana , Nascimento Paula Oliveira
Published: June 2020

Hypothalamic lesions can compromise its essential regulatory roles resulting in critical disruption of temperature and blood pressure homoeostasis. We present the case of a 55-year-old woman who had been previously submitted to several neurosurgical procedures aimed at treating idiopathic hydrocephalus. She presented to our department with recurring episodes of hypothermia and wide blood pressure variations, which had been worsening over the last few years. After extensive complementary workup, which excluded new neurological lesions or endocrinological conditions, hypothalamic dysfunction was assumed to be the cause of this syndrome. She was successfully treated with midodrine and on-demand captopril, which resulted in adequate control of her blood pressure. This case highlights the rare and unpredictable consequences of damage to the hypothalamus, depicting the favourable result of a heretofore unpublished medical approach.
Primary renal lymphoma: a comprehensive review of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, imaging features, management and prognosis
Authors: Bokhari Syed Rizwan A , Inayat Faisal , Bokhari Maria R , Mansoor Abeera
Published: June 2020

Primary renal lymphoma (PRL) is defined as a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma restricted to kidneys with the absence of extensive nodal disease. It is an exceedingly rare clinicopathological entity, accounting for 0.7% of extranodal lymphomas. Published medical literature regarding the natural history and clinical outcomes of PRL remains limited. We describe a case of a young patient who presented with left shoulder pain, continuous fever, and unexplained weight loss as atypical initial manifestations of bilateral PRL, confirmed with the standard set of investigations. Furthermore, this article reviews the literature and discusses various aspects of PRL, including pathophysiology, presentation patterns, imaging and pathological characteristics, management, and prognosis. This paper serves to provide an update and aims to enhance the understanding of PRL. Timely diagnosis and treatment are imperative to achieve improved outcomes. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in order to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with this serious disease.
Parent–child conversations associated with alcohol-related risk behaviours in young people (13–17 years) in the UK: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Jones Anna-Marie , Sawyer Alexandra , Huber Jörg W , Coleman Lester , Dunne Nina , Sherriff Nigel
Published: June 2020

Objective

To investigate different types of parent–child conversations associated with young people’s (13–17 years) alcohol-related risk behaviours.

Design

Secondary analysis of the 2016 Drinkaware Monitor Survey. This survey employed a cross-sectional design and collected data using self-completion questionnaires.

Setting

UK-wide.

Participants

561 parent–child pairs were included in the analysis. The nationally representative quota sample was weighted by reference to the UK population.

Methodology

Data were analysed using purposeful selection modelling (adjusted OR (AOR), 95% CIs).

Risk behaviours

‘Whether have ever drank’ and ‘whether vomited as a result of alcohol’.

Results

50% (277/553) of young people reported drinking a whole alcoholic drink, and 22% (60/277) of these experienced vomiting as a result. After adjusting for age and gender, the likelihood of ever having drank alcohol was significantly increased among the following young people: those whose parents believed they knew a little about how much they drink (AOR 1.80, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.13) or that some/most/all friends drink (AOR 3.82, 95% CI 2.40 to 6.08); those given gentle reminders about taking care when drinking alcohol (AOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.88), practical advice (AOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.20 to 3.64) or designated time, led by the parent, to instil care around alcohol through a formal sit-down (AOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.99). The likelihood was reduced for parents aged 40–49 years (AOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.89) and conversations providing information (AOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.98). Vomiting was significantly associated with some/most/all friends drinking alcohol (AOR 3.65, 95% CI 1.08 to 12.30), parent’s beliefs about child’s frequency of drinking alcohol (AOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.54), parental harmful/dependency drinking (AOR 3.75, 95% CI 1.13 to 12.50) and having a formal sit-down conversation (AOR 2.15, 95% CI 0.99 to 4.66).

Conclusions

We found evidence of mostly negative associations between young people’s risk behaviours and different types of parent–child conversations. Conversations providing information were linked to a reduced tendency to have ever drunk alcohol. All other types of conversations were negatively associated with risk behaviours. Psychological reactance and conversation quality possibly explain these findings.
Exploratory study of staff perceptions of shift safety in the critical care unit and routinely available data on workforce, patient and organisational factors
Authors: Leon-Villapalos Clare , Wells Mary , Brett Stephen
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To explore bedside professional reported (BPR) perceptions of safety in intensive care staff and the relationships between BPR safety, staffing, patient and work environment characteristics.

Design

An exploratory study of self-recorded staff perceptions of shift safety and routinely collected data.

Setting

A large teaching hospital comprising 70 critical care beds.

Participants

All clinical staff working in adult critical care.

Interventions

Staff recorded whether their shift felt ‘safe, unsafe or very unsafe’ for 29 consecutive days. We explored these perceptions and relationships between them and routine data on staffing, patient and environmental characteristics.

Outcome measures

Relationships between BPR safety and staffing, patient and work environment characteristics.

Results

2836 BPR scores were recorded over 29 consecutive days (response rate 57.7%). Perceptions of safety varied between staff, including within the same shift. There was no correlation between perceptions of safety and two measures of staffing: care hours per patient day (r=0.13 p=0.108) and Safecare Allocate (r=−0.19 p=0.013). We found a significant, positive relationship between perceptions of safety and the percentage of level 3 (most severely ill) patients (r=0.32, p=0.0001). There was a significant inverse relationship between perceptions of safety and the percentage of level 1 patients on a shift (r=−0.42, p<0.0001). Perceptions of safety correlated negatively with increased numbers of patients (r=−0.44, p=0.0006) and higher percentage of patients located side rooms (r=0.63, p<0.0001). We found a significant relationship between perceptions of safety and the percentage of staff with a specialist critical care course (r=0.42. p=0.0001).

Conclusion

Existing staffing models, which are primarily influenced by staff-to-patient ratios, may not be sensitive to patient need. Other factors may be important drivers of staff perceptions of safety and should be explored further.
Creating dementia-friendly and inclusive communities for social inclusion: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Hung Lillian , Leitch Sharon , Hung Ryan , Phinney Alison
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The number of people with dementia is increasing worldwide, with the majority of people with dementia living at home in the community. WHO calls for global action on the public health response to dementia. Social exclusion is commonly reported by people with dementia and their families. Dementia-friendly and inclusive community has emerged as an idea that holds potential to contribute to the mitigation of social exclusion. The objective of the scoping review is to answer two questions: What social inclusion strategies that have been reported in the dementia-friendly and inclusive communities’ literature? What strategies for developing dementia-friendly and inclusive communities that have shown to improve social inclusion?

Methods and analysis

This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology and will take place between April and September 2020. The proposed review will consider studies based in community settings with participants living at home with early to late stages of dementia and their families. This includes a three-step search strategy: (1) to identify keywords from MEDLINE and CINAHL; (2) to conduct a second search using all identified keywords and index terms across selected databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, AgeLine, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest and Google) and (3) to handsearch the reference lists of all included articles and reports for additional studies. Further, we will search Google for grey literature on published organisational reports. Two researchers will screen titles and abstracts independently and then assess the full text of selected citations against inclusion criteria. Extracted data will be presented in a narrative accompanied by tables that reflect the objective of the review.

Ethics and dissemination

As the methodology of this study consists of collecting data from publicly available articles, it does not require ethics approval. This scoping review provides an overview of current evidence on strategies that support dementia-friendly and inclusive communities for social inclusion. The findings will offer insights to inform strategies for education, practice, policy and future research. We will share the scoping review results through conference presentations and an open-access publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the core functions of primary care: will the cure be worse than the disease? A qualitative interview study in Flemish GPs
Authors: Verhoeven Veronique , Tsakitzidis Giannoula , Philips Hilde , Van Royen Paul
Published: June 2020

Objectives

The current COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the measures taken to control it, have a profound impact on healthcare. This study was set up to gain insights into the consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak on the core competencies of general practice, as they are experienced by general practitioners (GPs) on the frontline.

Design, setting, participants

We performed a descriptive study using semistructured interviews with 132 GPs in Flanders, using a topic list based on the WONCA definition of core competencies in general practice. Data were analysed qualitatively using framework analysis.

Results

Changes in practice management and in consultation strategies were quickly adopted. There was a major switch towards telephone triage and consults, for covid-related as well as for non-covid related problems. Patient-centred care is still a major objective. Clinical decision-making is largely focused on respiratory assessment and triage, and GPs feel that acute care is compromised, both by their own changed focus and by the fact that patients consult less frequently for non-covid problems. Chronic care is mostly postponed, and this will have consequences that will extend and become visible after the corona crisis. Through the holistic eyes of primary care, the current outbreak—as well as the measures taken to control it—will have a profound impact on psychological and socioeconomic well-being. This impact is already visible in vulnerable people and will continue to become clear in the medium and long terms. GPs think that they are at high risk of getting infected. Dropping out and being unable to contribute their part or becoming virus transmitters are reported to be greater concerns than getting ill themselves.

Conclusions

The current times have a profound impact on the core competences of primary care. Although the vast increase in patients soliciting medical help and the necessary separate covid and non-covid flows have been dealt with, GPs are worried about the continuity of regular care and the consequences of the anticovid measures. These may become a threat for the general health of the population and for the provision of primary healthcare in the near and distant future.
Role of the anatomic site in the association of HLA class I antigen expression level in metastases with clinical response to ipilimumab therapy in patients with melanoma
Authors: Ladányi Andrea , Papp Eszter , Mohos Anita , Balatoni Tímea , Liszkay Gabriella , Oláh Judit , Varga Anita , Lengyel Zsuzsanna , Emri Gabriella , Ferrone Soldano
Published: June 2020

Background

The clinical response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in only part of the treated patients, in conjunction with the potentially serious side effects associated with this type of therapy, has emphasized the need to identify biomarkers to select patients who may benefit from ICI treatment. The aim of our study was to test human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II expression in melanoma metastases as potential biomarkers of response to ipilimumab and survival in patients with metastatic melanoma, since these molecules play a crucial role in the interactions of malignant cells with host’s immune system.

Materials and methods

HLA class I and II antigen expression level in pretreatment surgical tissue samples (50 lymph node and 35 cutaneous or subcutaneous metastases) from 30 patients was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies. Expression levels were correlated to intratumoral density of lymphocytes expressing cluster of differentiation (CD)8, CD45RO, CD4, forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) and/or programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), to clinical response to treatment, and to patients’ survival.

Results

HLA class I antigen expression level in lymph node metastases, but not in cutaneous or subcutaneous metastases was significantly correlated to density of CD8+and CD45RO+T cells and of lymphocytes expressing PD-1, as well as to clinical response and to patients’ survival.

Conclusions

Our results corroborate the role of HLA class I expression level (alone or in combination with T-cell density values) as a predictive biomarker of response to ipilimumab in patients with melanoma. In addition, our results show that this association is influenced by the anatomic site of the metastasis used to measure the HLA class I antigen expression level.
Long-term intra-arterial shunt
Authors: Feliciano David V
Published: June 2020

This is a case report of a patient who sustained a stab wound to the right axilla with injuries to the right axillary artery and vein. The patient had near-exsanguination in the field and no recordable blood pressure upon admission to the trauma center. Resuscitation was performed with endotracheal intubation, a left anterolateral resuscitative thoracotomy with cross-clamping of the descending thoracic aorta, and the rapid infusion of crystalloid solutions and packed red cells. In the operating room, the third portion of the right axillary artery and the adjacent right axillary vein were found to be transected. As part of a ‘damage control’ procedure, the ends of the right axillary vein were ligated. A 14 French intra-arterial shunt was inserted into the transected ends of the right axillary artery to restore the flow to the right upper extremity. The patient’s postoperative course was complicated by a coagulopathy, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and anuria. The coagulopathy and anuria resolved within the first 48 hours, but the patient’s ARDS was slow to resolve. On the 10th postinjury day, the patient was returned to the operating room for a definitive repair of the right axillary artery. After the intra-arterial shunt was removed, a reversed greater saphenous vein graft was inserted between the ends of the right axillary artery in a medial intermuscular (extra-anatomic) tunnel. The patient made an uneventful recovery and was discharged home on the 16th postinjury day.

The following principles of advanced trauma care were part of the management of this patient: (1) occasional need for resuscitative thoracotomy with cross-clamping of the descending thoracic aorta in a patient without a thoracic injury; (2) ‘damage control’ operation with ligation of the right axillary vein and placement of a temporary intra-arterial shunt to restore the flow to the right upper extremity; and (3) vascular reconstruction with an extra-anatomic bypass in a previously contaminated field.
Phase stability of dispersions of hollow silica nanocubes mediated by non-adsorbing polymers
Authors: Dekker F. , González García Á. , Philipse A. P. , Tuinier R.
Published: June 2020

Although there are theoretical predictions (Eur. Phys. J. E 41, 110 (2018)) for the rich-phase behaviour of colloidal cubes mixed with non-adsorbing polymers, a thorough verification of this phase behaviour is still underway; experimental studies on mixtures of cubes and non-adsorbing polymers in bulk are scarce. In this paper, mixtures of hollow silica nanocubes and linear polystyrene in N,-N-dimethylformamide are used to measure the structure factor of the colloidal cubes as a function of non-adsorbing polymer concentration. Together with visual observations these structure factors enabled us to assess the depletion-mediated phase stability of cube-polymer mixtures. The theoretical and experimental phase boundaries for cube-depletant mixtures are in remarkable agreement, despite the simplifications underlying the theory employed.

Graphical abstract
Insect swarms can be bound together by repulsive forces
Authors: Reynolds A. M.
Published: June 2020

The cohesion of insect swarms has been attributed to the fact that the resultant internal interactions of the swarming insects produce, on the average, a centrally attractive force that acts on each individual. Here it is shown how insect swarms can also be bound together by centrally forces that on the average are repulsive (outwardly directed from the swarm centres). This is predicted to arise when velocity statistics are heterogeneous (position-dependent). Evidence for repulsive forces is found in laboratory swarms of Chironomus riparius midges. In homogeneous swarms, the net inward acceleration balances the tendency of diffusion (stochastic noise) to transport individuals away from the centre of the swarm. In heterogenous swarms, turbophoresis --the tendency for individuals to migrate in the direction of decreasing kinetic energy-- is operating. The new finding adds to the growing realization that insect swarms are analogous to self-gravitating systems. By acting in opposition to central attraction (gravity), the effects of heterogeneous velocities (energies) are analogous to the effects of dark energy. The emergence of resultant forces from collective behaviours would not be possible if individual flight patterns were themselves unstable. It is shown how individuals reduce the potential for the loose of flight control by minimizing the influence of jerks to which they are subjected.

Graphical abstract
Compensation of Non-linear Distortion Effects in MIMO-OFDM Systems Using Constant Envelope OFDM for 5G Applications
Authors: El Ghzaoui M. , Hmamou A. , Foshi J. , Mestoui J.
Published: June 2020

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a multicarrier transmission system that can achieve high data rate over wireless channels. At the same time, multiple input multiple output OFDM (MIMO-OFDM) in wireless communication systems has been exposed to offer significant improvement over wireless technology by providing transmit diversity. It has become a promising technique for high-performance 5G broadband wireless communications. However, the main problem associated with MIMO-OFDM is that its signal exhibits high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), which causes nonlinear distortion and consequently performance degradation. Besides, PAPR carries weaknesses such as an increase in power consumption of high power amplifier (HPA) and analog to digital converter (ADC). Thus, 5G base stations will push up power requirements because energy consumption grows with the number of transceiver elements. So, mobile operators must find the right compromise that, on the one hand, guarantees a certain level of performance to a data flow, and, on the other hand, the energy cost generated for the deployment of the network. For this, as part of the management of power consumption, we propose MIMO constant envelope OFDM (MIMO-CE-OFDM) technique. In this work, we used MIMO-CE-OFDM to mitigate the nonlinear effect of HPA and ADC. To perform practical simulations, we have used COST 2100 MIMO channel model. In this paper, a MIMO-CE-OFDM system has been presented and analyzed under COST 2100 channel model conditions. Simulation results are given to illustrate the performance of [Formula: see text] MIMO-CE-OFDM in the presence of both HPA and ADC nonlinearity. This work shows that the effect of nonlinearity is shown to be negligible on MIMO-CE-OFDM signal.
String-net models for nonspherical pivotal fusion categories
Authors: Runkel Ingo
Published: June 2020

A string-net model associates a vector space to a surface in terms of graphs decorated by objects and morphisms of a pivotal fusion category modulo local relations. String-net models are usually considered for spherical fusion categories, and in this case, the vector spaces agree with the state spaces of the corresponding Turaev–Viro topological quantum field theory.

In the present work, some effects of dropping the sphericality condition are investigated. In one example of nonspherical pivotal fusion categories, the string-net space counts the number of [Formula: see text]-spin structures on a surface and carries an isomorphic representation of the mapping class group. Another example concerns the string-net space of a sphere with one marked point labeled by a simple object [Formula: see text] of the Drinfeld center. This space is found to be nonzero iff [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to a nonunit simple object determined by the nonspherical pivotal structure.

The last example mirrors the effect of deforming the stress tensor of a two-dimensional conformal field theory, such as in the topological twist of a supersymmetric theory.
Baryonia with open and hidden bottom
Authors: Gerasyuta S. M. , Matskevich E. E.
Published: June 2020

The relativistic six-quark equations are found in the framework of the dispersion relation technique. The bottom baryonia are constructed without the mixing of the quarks and antiquarks. The relativistic six-quark amplitudes of the bottom baryonia with the open and hidden bottom are calculated. The poles of these amplitudes determine the masses of bottom baryonia. 19 masses of baryonia are predicted.
Controllability for impulsive neutral stochastic delay partial differential equations driven by fBm and Lévy noise
Authors: Huan Diem Dang , Agarwal Ravi P.
Published: June 2020

This paper aims to investigate the controllability for impulsive neutral stochastic delay partial differential equations (PDEs) driven by fractional Brownian motion (fBm) with Hurst index [Formula: see text] and Lévy noise in Hilbert spaces. By using a fixed point approach without imposing a severe compactness condition on the semigroup, a new set of sufficient conditions is derived. The results in this paper are generalization and continuation of the recent results on this issue. At the end, an application to the stochastic nonlinear heat equation with delays driven by a fBm and Lévy noise is given.
Lie commutator, solvability and nilpotency in multiplicative Lie algebras
Authors: Pandey Mani Shankar , Lal Ramji , Upadhyay Sumit Kumar
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a concept of commutator in a multiplicative Lie algebra which will be termed as a Lie commutator. Consequently, we develop the theory of Lie solvability and Lie nilpotency of multiplicative Lie algebras.
A partial order on subsets of Baer bimodules with applications to C∗-modules
Authors: Birkenmeier Gary F. , Kara Yeliz
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we introduce the concept of Baer [Formula: see text]-sets. Using this notion, we define Rickart, Baer, quasi-Baer and [Formula: see text]-Baer [Formula: see text]-bimodules, respectively. We show how these conditions relate to each other. We also develop new properties of the minus binary relation, [Formula: see text]-, we extend the relation [Formula: see text]- to [Formula: see text]-bimodules and use it to characterize the aforementioned Rickart, Baer, quasi-Baer, and [Formula: see text]-Baer [Formula: see text]-bimodules. Moreover, we specify subsets [Formula: see text] of the power set of a [Formula: see text]-bimodule for which [Formula: see text]- determines a partial order and for which [Formula: see text]- is a lattice. We analyze the relation [Formula: see text]- by examining the associated Baer [Formula: see text]-sets. Finally, we apply our results to [Formula: see text]-modules. Examples are provided to illustrate and delimit our results.
The Physical Microenvironment of Tumors: Characterization and Clinical Impact
Authors: Zanotelli Matthew R. , Chada Neil C. , Johnson C. Andrew , Reinhart-King Cynthia A.
Published: June 2020

The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and metastasis. As tightly controlled extracellular matrix homeostasis is lost during tumor progression, a dysregulated extracellular matrix can significantly alter cellular phenotype and drive malignancy. Altered physical properties of the tumor microenvironment alter cancer cell behavior, limit delivery and efficacy of therapies, and correlate with tumorigenesis and patient prognosis. The physical features of the extracellular matrix during tumor progression have been characterized; however, a wide range of methods have been used between studies and cancer types resulting in a large range of reported values. Here, we discuss the significant mechanical and structural properties of the tumor microenvironment, summarizing their reported values and clinical impact across cancer type and grade. We attempt to integrate the values in the literature to identify sources of reported differences and commonalities to better understand how aberrant extracellular matrix dynamics contribute to cancer progression. An intimate understanding of altered matrix properties during malignant transformation will be crucial in effectively detecting, monitoring, and treating cancer.
Preparation of Polyaniline/FeFe(CN)6 Composite and its Electrochemical Performance as Cathode Material of Lithium Ion Battery
Authors: Xu Lihuan , Sun Yue , Han Bing , Su Chang
Published: June 2020

In this paper, polyaniline/FeFe(CN)6(PANI-FeFe(CN)6) composites were prepared by a simple in-situ oxidation polymerization in perchloric acid (HClO4) solution in which the obtained polyaniline (PANI) self-assembled to form the tube-like morphology, while FeFe(CN)6 with perfect face-centered cubic lattice (FCC)-type structure was well-dispersed in the obtained PANI matrix. As the cathode of lithium ion battery, PANI-FeFe(CN)6 composite demonstrates the improved specific capacity, cycling stability and current rate performances. For PANI-FeFe(CN)6 composite prepared by feed mass ratio of FeFe(CN)[Formula: see text] Aniline to 80:100 (PANI-FeFe(CN)6(80%)), it still remained 95.7[Formula: see text]mAh/g of discharge capacity after 100 cycles, indicating its excellent cycling performances. Especially, its specific capacities were 95.9, 98.8, 91.4, 83.6 and 72[Formula: see text]mAh/g at the current density of 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500[Formula: see text]mA/g, which were obviously higher than that of PANI or FeFe(CN)6, respectively. The improved thermal stability and electrochemical performances for PANI-FeFe(CN)6 composites could be ascribed to the formed interaction between PANI and FeFe(CN)6 components and the enhanced electrical conductivity, which made it a potential candidate as the cathode of lithium battery.
Cooperative hunting in a discrete predator–prey system
Authors: Chow Yunshyong , Jang Sophia R.-J. , Wang Hua-Ming
Published: June 2020

We propose and investigate a discrete-time predator–prey system with cooperative hunting in the predator population. The model is constructed from the classical Nicholson–Bailey host-parasitoid system with density dependent growth rate. A sufficient condition based on the model parameters for which both populations can coexist is derived, namely that the predator’s maximal reproductive number exceeds one. We study existence of interior steady states and their stability in certain parameter regimes. It is shown that the system behaves asymptotically similar to the model with no cooperative hunting if the degree of cooperation is small. Large cooperative hunting, however, may promote persistence of the predator for which the predator would otherwise go extinct if there were no cooperation.
Modeling a stochastic avian influenza model under regime switching and with human-to-human transmission
Authors: Shi Zhenfeng , Zhang Xinhong
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we investigate the stochastic avian influenza model with human-to-human transmission, which is disturbed by both white and telegraph noises. First, we show that the solution of the stochastic system is positive and global. Furthermore, by using stochastic Lyapunov functions, we establish sufficient conditions for the existence of a unique ergodic stationary distribution. Then we obtain the conditions for extinction. Finally, numerical simulations are employed to demonstrate the analytical results.
Stochastic properties of solution for a chemostat model with a distributed delay and random disturbance
Authors: Zhang Xiaofeng , Yuan Rong
Published: June 2020

In this paper, stochastic properties of solution for a chemostat model with a distributed delay and random disturbance are studied, and we use distribution delay to simulate the delay in nutrient conversion. By the linear chain technique, we transform the stochastic chemostat model with weak kernel into an equivalent degenerate system which contains three equations. First, we state that this model has a unique global positive solution for any initial value, which is helpful to explore its stochastic properties. Furthermore, we prove the stochastic ultimate boundness of the solution of system. Then sufficient conditions for solution of the system tending toward the boundary equilibrium point at exponential rate are established, which means the microorganism will be extinct. Moreover, we also obtain some sufficient conditions for ergodicity of solution of this system by constructing some suitable stochastic Lyapunov functions. Finally, we provide some numerical examples to illustrate theoretical results, and some conclusions and analysis are given.
Bifurcation analysis of a fractional-order SIQR model with double time delays
Authors: Liu Shouzong , Yu Ling , Huang Mingzhan
Published: June 2020

In this paper, a fractional-order delayed SIQR model with nonlinear incidence rate is investigated. Two time delays are incorporated in the model to describe the incubation period and the time caused by the healing cycle. By analyzing the associated characteristic equations, the stability of the endemic equilibrium and the existence of Hopf bifurcation are obtained in three different cases. Besides, the critical values of time delays at which a Hopf bifurcation occurs are obtained, and the influence of the fractional order on the dynamics behavior of the system is also investigated. Numerically, it has been shown that when the endemic equilibrium is locally stable, the convergence rate of the system becomes slower with the increase of the fractional order. Besides, our studies also imply that the decline of the fractional order may convert a oscillatory system into a stable one. Furthermore, we find in all these three cases, the bifurcation values are very sensitive to the change of the fractional order, and they decrease with the increase of the order, which means the Hopf bifurcation gradually occurs in advance.
Conceptual Remote Distance Measurement with a Double-Slit Interference
Authors: Zou Yuan-Chuan
Published: June 2020

Distance measurement is crucial to astronomy. Here, we suggest a new conceptual method to measure the distance by using a local instrument. By engaging the double-slit interference and by considering the phase information of the light, the position of the intensity maximum is related to the distance of the source. Consequently, the precise measurement of the position can be used to measure the distance of the remote source.
Modeling and Control of Swing Oscillation of Underactuated Indoor Miniature Autonomous Blimps
Authors: Tao Qiuyang , Tan Tun Jian , Cha Jaeseok , Yuan Ye , Zhang Fumin
Published: June 2020

Swing oscillation is widely observed among indoor miniature autonomous blimps (MABs) due to their underactuated design and unique aerodynamic shape. This paper presents the modeling, identification and control system design that reduce the swing oscillation of an MAB during hovering flight. We establish a dynamic model to describe the swing motion of the MAB. The model parameters are identified from both physical measurements, computer modeling and experimental data captured during flight. A control system is designed to stabilize the swing motion with features including low latency and center-of-mass (CM) position estimation. The modeling and control methods are verified with the Georgia-Tech Miniature Autonomous Blimp (GT-MAB) during hovering flight. The experimental results show that the proposed methods can effectively reduce the swing oscillation of GT-MAB.
Nature and significance of rift-related, near-surface fissure-fill networks in fractured carbonates below regional unconformities
Authors: Hardman Kit , Holdsworth Robert E. , Dempsey Edward , McCaffrey Ken
Published: June 2020

Fissure-fill networks are a widely recognized, but relatively little described, near-surface phenomenon (<1–2 km) hosted in carbonate and crystalline basement rocks below regional unconformities. Faults and fractures in otherwise tight Devonian carbonate basement rocks of the Tor Bay region, Devon, SW England are associated with the development of millimetre- to decametre-wide fissures containing red-coloured early Permian sedimentary material, vuggy calcite mineralization and wall rock collapse breccia. These features preserve evidence about the style and history of fault deformation and reactivation in near-surface settings and on fluid-related processes, such as elutriation and/or mineralization. Field observations, palaeostress analysis and fracture topology analyses show that the rift-related faults and fractures created a network of long-lived open cavities during the development of the Portland–Wight Basin in the early Permian. Once formed, they were subjected to episodic, probably seismically induced, fluid fluxing events and local karstification. The large, well-connected networks of naturally propped fractures were (and possibly still are) important fluid migration pathways within otherwise low-permeability host rocks. These structures are probably equivalent to those observed in many other rift-related, near-surface tectonic settings and suggest that the Tor Bay outcrops can be used as a global analogue for sub-unconformity open fissure systems hosted in low-permeability basement rocks.

Supplementary material:
Appendix A is available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5023103
Some simple economics of the blockchain
Authors: Catalini Christian , Gans Joshua S.
Published: June 2020

Blockchain technology can shape innovation and competition in digital platforms, but under what conditions?
Domain-specific hardware accelerators
Authors: Dally William J. , Turakhia Yatish , Han Song
Published: June 2020

DSAs gain efficiency from specialization and performance from parallelism.
Efficient Holistic Control
Authors: Ma Yehan , Lu Chenyang , Wang Yebin
Published: June 2020

Industrial automation is embracing wireless sensor-actuator networks (WSANs). Despite the success of WSANs for monitoring applications, feedback control poses significant challenges due to data loss and stringent energy constraints in WSANs.
Holistic control
adopts a cyber-physical system approach to overcome the challenges by orchestrating network reconfiguration and process control at run time. Fundamentally, it leverages self-awareness across control and wireless boundaries to enhance the resiliency of wireless control systems. In this article, we explore efficient holistic control designs to maintain control performance while reducing the communication cost. The contributions of this work are five-fold: (1) We introduce a holistic control architecture that integrates Low-power Wireless Bus (LWB) and two control strategies,
rate adaptation
and
self-triggered control
; (2) We present heuristics-based and optimal rate selection algorithms for rate adaptation; (3) We design novel network adaptation mechanisms to support rate adaptation and self-triggered control in a multi-hop WSAN; (4) We build WCPS-RT, a real-time network-in-the-loop simulator that integrates MATLAB/Simulink and a physical WSAN testbed to evaluate wireless control systems; (5) We empirically explore the tradeoff between communication cost and control performance in holistic control approaches. Our studies show that rate adaptation and self-triggered control offer advantages in control performance and energy efficiency, respectively, in normal operating conditions. The advantage in energy efficiency of self-triggered control, however, may diminish under harsh physical and wireless conditions due to the cost of recovering from data loss and physical disturbances.
Demystifying stablecoins
Authors: Clark Jeremy , Demirag Didem , Moosavi Seyedehmahsa
Published: June 2020

Cryptography meets monetary policy.
VizSciFlow: A Visually Guided Scripting Framework for Supporting Complex Scientific Data Analysis
Authors: Hossain Muhammad M. , Roy Banani , Roy Chanchal K. , Schneider Kevin A.
Published: June 2020

Scientific workflow management systems such as Galaxy, Taverna and Workspace, have been developed to automate scientific workflow management and are increasingly being used to accelerate the specification, execution, visualization, and monitoring of data-intensive tasks. For example, the popular bioinformatics platform Galaxy is installed on over 168 servers around the world and the social networking space myExperiment shares almost 4,000 Galaxy scientific workflows among its 10,665 members. Most of these systems offer graphical interfaces for composing workflows. However, while graphical languages are considered easier to use, graphical workflow models are more difficult to comprehend and maintain as they become larger and more complex. Text-based languages are considered harder to use but have the potential to provide a clean and concise expression of workflow even for large and complex workflows. A recent study showed that some scientists prefer script/text-based environments to perform complex scientific analysis with workflows. Unfortunately, such environments are unable to meet the needs of scientists who prefer graphical workflows. In order to address the needs of both types of scientists and at the same time to have script-based workflow models because of their underlying benefits, we propose a visually guided workflow modeling framework that combines interactive graphical user interface elements in an integrated development environment with the power of a domain-specific language to compose independently developed and loosely coupled services into workflows. Our domain-specific language provides scientists with a clean, concise, and abstract view of workflow to better support workflow modeling. As a proof of concept, we developed VizSciFlow, a generalized scientific workflow management system that can be customized for use in a variety of scientific domains. As a first use case, we configured and customized VizSciFlow for the bioinformatics domain. We conducted three user studies to assess its usability, expressiveness, efficiency, and flexibility. Results are promising, and in particular, our user studies show that VizSciFlow is more desirable for users to use than either Python or Galaxy for solving complex scientific problems.
Learning Word-vector Quantization
Authors: Orhan Umut , Arslan Enıs
Published: June 2020

We introduced a new classifier named Learning Word-vector Quantization (LWQ) to solve morphological ambiguities in Turkish, which is an agglutinative language. First, a new and morphologically annotated corpus, and then its datasets are prepared with a series of processes. According to datasets, LWQ finds optimal word-vectors positions by moving them in the Euclidean space. LWQ does morphological disambiguation in two steps: First, it defines all solution candidates of an ambiguous word using a morphological analyzer; second, it chooses the best candidate according to its total distances to neighbor words that are not ambiguous. To show LWQ's performance, we have conducted many tests on the corpus by considering the consistency of classification. In the experiments, we achieve 98.4% correct classification ratio to choose correct parse output, which is an excellent level for the literature.
Spectre attacks
Authors: Kocher Paul , Horn Jann , Fogh Anders , Genkin Daniel , Gruss Daniel , Haas Werner , Hamburg Mike , Lipp Moritz , Mangard Stefan , Prescher Thomas , Schwarz Michael , Yarom Yuval
Published: June 2020

Modern processors use branch prediction and speculative execution to maximize performance. For example, if the destination of a branch depends on a memory value that is in the process of being read, CPUs will try to guess the destination and attempt to execute ahead. When the memory value finally arrives, the CPU either discards or commits the speculative computation. Speculative logic is unfaithful in how it executes, can access the victim's memory and registers, and can perform operations with measurable side effects.

Spectre attacks involve inducing a victim to speculatively perform operations that would not occur during correct program execution and which leak the victim's confidential information via a side channel to the adversary. This paper describes practical attacks that combine methodology from side-channel attacks, fault attacks, and return-oriented programming that can read arbitrary memory from the victim's process. More broadly, the paper shows that speculative execution implementations violate the security assumptions underpinning numerous software security mechanisms, such as operating system process separation, containerization, just-in-time (JIT) compilation, and countermeasures to cache timing and side-channel attacks. These attacks represent a serious threat to actual systems because vulnerable speculative execution capabilities are found in microprocessors from Intel, AMD, and ARM that are used in billions of devices.

Although makeshift processor-specific countermeasures are possible in some cases, sound solutions will require fixes to processor designs as well as updates to instruction set architectures (ISAs) to give hardware architects and software developers a common understanding as to what computation state CPU implementations are (and are not) permitted to leak.
AI authorship?
Authors: Samuelson Pamela
Published: June 2020

Considering the role of humans in copyright protection of outputs produced by artificial intelligence.
Solvothermally Synthesized Iron Phthalocyanine Nanostructure for High ORR Response: A Joint Experimental Investigation and DFT Analysis
Authors: Mukherjee Biswanath
Published: June 2020

In search for replacement of expensive, rare platinum (Pt) based electrocatalyst towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), transition metal-cored phthalocyanine (MPc) have been under current research focus. Among various MPc, iron phthalocyanine (FePc) gives best ORR performance, presumably because of its strong electron withdrawing capability. Herein, we report one pot solvothermal synthesis of 1 Dimensional FePc nanostructure and its possible application as ORR catalyst. The ORR performance of FePc nanostructure was carried out in 0.1 M KOH (pH = 13) via cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. The performance, which was comparable with commercially available Pt/C, measures a half wave potential (E1/2 = 0.64 V vs RHE), onset potential (Eonset = 0.87 V vs RHE) and electron transfer number (n) of 3.9 at 0.35 V (vs RHE), indicating that the synthesized nanostructure essentially promote 4-electron reduction pathway. Additionally, unlike Pt/C, the synthesized nanostructure showed good methanol tolerance. To elucidate the ORR performance from FePc, first principle based DFT calculation on two dimensional FePc monolayer has been carried out and presented here for deeper insight. The excellent ORR activity coupled with methanol tolerance favors the FePc nanostructure as a promising alternative to conventional Pt-based electrocatalyst for future energy storage and fuel cells.
Influence of Ring Contraction on the Electronic Structure of Nickel Tetrapyrrole Complexes: Corrole vs Porphyrin
Authors: Herritsch Jan , Luy Jan-Niclas , Rohlf Sebastian , Gruber Manuel , Klein Benedikt P. , Kalläne Matthias , Schweyen Peter , Bröring Martin , Rossnagel Kai , Tonner Ralf , Gottfried J. Michael
Published: June 2020

The influence of the contracted corrole macrocycle, in comparison to the larger porphyrin macrocycle, on the electronic structure of nickel was studied with X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. Synthesis and in situ characterization of the Ni complexes of octaethylporphyrin (NiOEP) and hexaethyldimethylcorrole (NiHEDMC) were performed in ultra-high vacuum. XPS and NEXAFS spectra reveal a +2 oxidation state and a low-spin d8 electron configuration of Ni in both complexes, despite the formal trianionic nature of the corrole ligand. UPS, in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, support the electronic structure of a Ni(II) corrole with a π-radical character of the ligand. The NEXAFS spectra also reveal differences in the valence electronic structure, which are attributed to the size mismatch between the small Ni(II) center and the larger central cavity of NiOEP. Analysis of the gas-phase structures shows that the Ni−N bonds in NiOEP are 4%–6% longer than those in NiHEDMC, even when NiOEP adopts a ruffled conformation. The individual interactions that constitute the Ni−ligand bond are altogether stronger in the corrole complex, according to bonding analysis within the energy decomposition analysis and the natural orbitals for chemical valence theory (EDA-NOCV).
Inspiratory flow-resistive breathing, respiratory muscle-induced systemic oxidative stress, and diaphragm fatigue in healthy humans
Authors: Briskey David R. , Vogel Kurt , Johnson Michael A. , Sharpe Graham R. , Coombes Jeff S. , Mills Dean E.
Published: June 2020

We examined whether the respiratory muscles of humans contribute to systemic oxidative stress following inspiratory flow-resistive breathing, whether the amount of oxidative stress is influenced by the level of resistive load, and whether the amount of oxidative stress is related to the degree of diaphragm fatigue incurred. It is only when sufficiently strenuous that inspiratory flow-resistive breathing elevates plasma F2-isoprostanes, and our novel data show that this is not related to a reduction in transdiaphragmatic twitch pressure.
Differential changes in muscle architecture and neuromuscular fatigability induced by isometric resistance training at short and long muscle-tendon unit lengths
Authors: Akagi Ryota , Hinks Avery , Power Geoffrey A.
Published: June 2020

Eight weeks of isometric training at a long or short muscle-tendon unit length increased and did not change fascicle length, respectively. The “width” of the torque-angle relationship plateau became broader following isometric training at the long length. Despite marked differences in muscle architecture and functional adaptations between the groups, there was only a small-magnitude improvement in neuromuscular fatigue resistance, which was surprisingly negatively related to increased fascicle length in the long length-training group.