bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feeding below the thermocline: implications for prey capture kinematics
Authors: Moran C. J. , Burgess E. , Gerry S. P.
Published: April 2021

Thermal stratification can significantly impact the distribution of species in aquatic systems. Organisms often travel between these thermoclines in order to locate prey and find optimal thermal condition. Since most aquatic animals are ectotherms, changes in ambient temperature can have immediate impacts on performance. We aimed to understand how prey capture kinematics change when bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) are exposed to brief acute temperature changes that represent foraging bouts below the thermocline. To do this, we exposed bluegills to either 21°C (above thermocline) or 17°C (below thermocline) and fed them a cloud of defrosted brine shrimp. After digitizing high‐speed videography, we found that performance increased at the below thermocline temperature contrary to our prediction. During these feeding bouts, we noticed high variability in prey capture behaviors as the fish encountered the first prey item and subsequent prey items. In these successive feeding events, they demonstrated a remarkable amount of modulation in close succession. We conclude that acute exposure to the thermocline temperature tested here does not negatively impact prey capture. Furthermore, feeding in rapid succession could be a way to maximize prey captured while reducing energy for searching and capture.
Out of Hospital Sudden Death in a Rural Population: Low Rates of ICD Underutilization Among Decedents
Authors: Eboh Oghenesuvwe , Mao Yuxuan , Lee Elisabeth , Okunrintemi Victor , Derbal Ouassim , Maxwell Hill Sharidan , Sears Samuel F. , Pursell Irion , Mounsey John P. , Burch Ashley
Published: April 2021

Background

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) reduce mortality in patients at risk for life‐threatening arrhythmias. Implantation of ICDs in rural or economically disadvantaged populations is suspected to be low. This study examined Out of Hospital Premature Natural Death (OHPND) and electronic medical record (EMR) data to identify rates of non‐implantation of ICDs among decedents in eastern North Carolina.

Methods

OHPND cases in 2016 were identified using mortality data and matched with EMRs. Those meeting criteria for ICD implantation based on chart review were adjudicated by two electrophysiologists to determine whether they qualified for implantation. Comorbidity burden was established using Charlson's Comorbidity Index (CCI).

Results

Out of 1316 OHPND cases, 967 (73.4%) had EMR records. Chart review identified 70 (7.2%) potential ICD candidates with a LVEF ≤35 of which 5 (7.1%) did not meet criteria because LVEF subsequently improved. Of the remaining 65 patients, 32 (49.2%) already received an ICD, and 33 patients (50.7%) met criteria but had not received one. Reasons for non‐implantation included: limited life expectancy secondary to comorbidities, principally chronic kidney disease (CKD) (N = 11, 17%), physician non‐adherence to guidelines (N = 9, 14%), loss to follow‐up (N = 7, 11%), patient refusal (N = 5, 8%), and death before commencing medical therapy (N = 1, 2%). Among our cohort of 967 individuals who died unexpectedly, nine (0.9%) patients may have avoided death with an ICD.

Conclusion

This study using decedent data shows low rates of ICD‐underutilization in a rural population and emphasizes the role of advanced comorbidities such as CKD in ICD‐underutilization.
Resiniferatoxin promotes adult worm expulsion in Trichinella spiralis‐infected rats by Th2 immune response modulation
Authors: Muñoz‐Carrillo José Luis , Gutiérrez‐Coronado Oscar , Muñoz‐Escobedo José Jesús , Contreras‐Cordero Juan Francisco , Maldonado‐Tapia Claudia , Moreno‐García María Alejandra
Published: April 2021

Background

The immune response during T spiralis infection is characterized by an increase in eosinophils and mast cells, as well as Th2 cytokine production, such as interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐13, promoting T spiralis expulsion from the host. However, this response damages the host, favouring the parasite survival. In the search for new pharmacological strategies that protect against T spiralis infection, a recent study showed that treatment with resiniferatoxin (RTX) modulates the Th1 cytokines production, reducing muscle parasite burden.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of RTX treatment on the Th2 cytokines production, the number of eosinophils, mast cells and the intestinal expulsion of T spiralis.

Methods

Serum levels of IL‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐13 were quantified by ELISA; the number of eosinophils, mast cells and the adult worms of T spiralis in the small intestine was quantified.

Results

RTX treatment increased serum levels of IL‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐13, and it decreases intestinal eosinophilia, however, favours the mastocytosis, promoting T spiralis intestinal expulsion.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that RTX is capable to modulate the Th2 immune response, promoting T spiralis expulsion, which contributes to the defence against T spiralis infection, placing the RTX as a potential immunomodulatory drug.
Effects of nitrogen on caesium allocation in rice plants (Oryzasativa)
Authors: Kinoshita N. , Irving L. J. , Lustig B. , Furukawa J.
Published: April 2021

After the nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, in 2011, 137Caesium (Cs) contaminated nearby agricultural regions. Studies in these rice fields found that low K and high N fertilizer application enhanced Cs uptake in rice shoots. However, the influence of root and soil physics on these findings, as well as precise nutrient levels, remain to be clarified.

We sought to analyse these relationships utilizing hydroponically grown rice plants. The rice plants were subjected to various concentrations of K and N nutrient solutions. We measured Cs allocation within the plants and performed transcript analyses using root tissues.

Under low‐K conditions, low‐N plants accumulated less Cs in shoots and more in roots when compared to control‐N conditions, even though overall Cs uptake remained unchanged. Expression analyses of root mRNAs showed that low‐N plants accumulated reduced levels of OsAKT1 mRNA, encoding a K transporter. We also found a negative relationship between shoot Cs and K status in control‐N but not in low‐N conditions.

Our results suggest that the application of N shifts Cs from roots into the shoots and that OsAKT1 in root vascular tissues influences Cs allocation. In practice, fine tuning N/K application and targeted breeding of K transporters might mitigate Cs contamination in rice plants.
The Development of Islamic Finance in Tunisia after the Arab Spring: Does Political Islam Matter?
Authors: Gazdar Kaouthar , Grassa Rihab , Hassan M. Kabir
Published: April 2021

This study examines the impact of political transformation in Tunisia and the rise of Islamic political parties on people's perceptions toward developing the Islamic finance sector in the country. We assess the extent to which the future of Islamic finance in Tunisia could be related to political Islam or if political orientation could be detrimental to the development of the country's Islamic finance. Based on a survey distributed to 1,158 Tunisian citizens, we offer an insight into how political Islam has affected the development of Islamic finance in Tunisia. We find that: (1) political orientation does not appear to be a significant determinant of the acceptance of Islamic finance; (2) religious beliefs appear to be a significant determinant of the acceptance of Islamic finance; and (3) the future development of Islamic finance in Tunisia can be linked more precisely to the country's social transformation rather than the rise to power of Islamic political parties since the Arab Spring.

Related Articles

Antwi‐Boateng, Osman. 2015. “No Spring in Africa: How Sub‐Saharan Africa has Avoided the Arab Spring Phenomenon.” Politics & Policy 43 (5): 754‐784. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12129

Khodair, Amany Ahmed, Mostafa E. AboElsoud, and Mahmoud Khalifa. 2019. “The Role of Regional Media in Shaping Political Awareness of Youth: Evidence from Egypt.” Politics & Policy 47 (6): 1095‐1124. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12335

Sarquís, David J. 2012. “Democratization after the Arab Spring: The Case of Egypt's Political Transition.” Politics & Policy 40 (5): 871‐903. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2012.00381.x
Molecular studies on oestrogen α and progesterone receptors and histomorphometric analysis of canine uteri following aglepristone treatment
Authors: Limmanont Chunsumon , Lertwatcharasarakul Preeda , Ponglowhapan Suppawiwat , Sirinarumitr Kaitkanoke
Published: April 2021

Aglepristone, a competitive progesterone antagonist, is successfully used in various progesterone‐dependent conditions. This study investigated uterine histomorphometric analysis, and expressions of the oestrogen α receptor (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) in uteri of bitches following the single dose of aglepristone treatment. Twelve client‐owned healthy diestrous bitches were used in the study. The single dose of aglepristone (Alizine®, 10 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously 5 days before ovariohysterectomy in the treatment group (n = 6); bitches without treatment served as a control group (n = 6). Uteri were collected for histomorphometric analysis, ERα and PR gene, and protein expressions studies. The mRNA expressions of ERα and PR were determined by RT‐qPCR. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate the ERα and PR protein expressions using an H‐score in five parts of the uterus. The results demonstrated glandular epithelium height significantly decreased (p < .05) and ERα mRNA increased (p < .01) in treated dogs. Of the treated bitches, lower expression levels of ERα were observed in the luminal epithelium, crypt and glandular epithelium, with higher expression in the endometrial stroma and myometrium (p < .05); however, PR expression decreased in the luminal epithelium, crypt and glandular epithelium (p < .01). In conclusion, reduction of the uterine glandular epithelium and ERα mRNA upregulation together with changes in ERα and PR expressions were observed in the treated bitches. However, changes in uterine ERα and PR expressions in the treated bitches depended on tissue layers. The treatment had no effect on serum oestradiol and progesterone levels.
Determinants of Risk Disparity Due to Infrastructure Service Losses in Disasters: A Household Service Gap Model
Authors: Esmalian Amir , Dong Shangjia , Coleman Natalie , Mostafavi Ali
Published: April 2021

The objective of this article is to systematically assess and identify factors affecting risk disparity due to infrastructure service disruptions in extreme weather events. We propose a household service gap model that characterizes societal risks at the household level by examining service disruptions as threats, level of tolerance of households to disruptions as susceptibility, and experienced hardship as an indicator for the realized impacts of risk. The concept of “zone of tolerance” for the service disruptions was encapsulated to account for different capabilities of the households to endure the adverse impacts. The model was tested and validated in the context of power outages through survey data from the residents of Harris County in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The results show that households’ need for utility service, preparedness level, the existence of substitutes, possession of social capital, previous experience with disasters, and risk communication affect the zone of tolerance within which households cope with service outages. In addition, sociodemographic characteristics, such as race and residence type, are shown to influence the zone of tolerance, and hence the level of hardship experienced by the affected households. The results reveal that population subgroups show variations in the tolerance level of service disruptions. The findings highlight the importance of integrating social dimensions into the resilience planning of infrastructure systems. The proposed model and results enable human‐centric hazards mitigation and resilience planning to effectively reduce the risk disparity of vulnerable populations to service disruptions in disasters.
Dyadic disruption theory
Authors: Cornelius Talea
Published: April 2021

Aspects of couples' romantic relationships are some of the most powerful psychosocial forces shaping mental and physical health, but even high‐quality relationships are not universally beneficial for patients. Dyadic health theories have largely focused on chronic illness management that occurs after the couple understands the disease and prognosis, rather than focusing on couples' interdependence in the days and weeks following a sudden and disruptive medical event (e.g., an acute coronary syndrome or a stroke). To address this gap, I propose dyadic disruption theory to guide research on couples' reactions to acute medical events and their consequences for individual and dyadic mental health, physical health, and behavior. I propose that dyadic processes of social support, shared reality, and corumination can precipitate harmful patient and partner dynamics when couples are distressed early post event and offer three propositions that inform testable hypotheses. Finally, I discuss implications for early dyadic intervention and future directions for research.
Keeping up with the digital natives: Using social media in an all‐girls science classroom
Authors: Serpagli Lauren Paola , Mensah Felicia Moore
Published: April 2021

This qualitative, ethnographic study focuses on how combining aspects of visual learning with a social media application (app)—Instagram—can be a useful learning tool for digital natives (DNs). Current students are classified as digital natives because they are inundated with technology, which has become an essential tool in their everyday lives. By combining learning with a social media app that relies heavily on virtual communication, a new educational tool can emerge that is both engaging and relevant. Using its Live feature, students incorporate an app they use regularly in their nonacademic lives and bring it into the educational setting of the science classroom. Thirty‐two female, high school biology students received permission to respond to a questionnaire and participate in a focus group or individual interview to further discuss their reactions to use Instagram in the biology classroom. Four students were asked additional questions regarding their reactions and understandings of how Instagram Live was used and how it enhanced their biology content understanding. The themes that emerged considered largely how Instagram as an educational tool brings science into the daily lives of digital natives. Implications from the study show how the use of Instagram specifically supported young women in science.
Deep learning for automatic segmentation of the nuclear envelope in electron microscopy data, trained with volunteer segmentations
Authors: Spiers Helen , Songhurst Harry , Nightingale Luke , de Folter Joost ,   The Zooniverse Volunteer Community, Hutchings Roger , Peddie Christopher J. , Weston Anne , Strange Amy , Hindmarsh Steve , Lintott Chris , Collinson Lucy M. , Jones Martin L.
Published: April 2021

Advancements in volume electron microscopy mean it is now possible to generate thousands of serial images at nanometre resolution overnight, yet the gold standard approach for data analysis remains manual segmentation by an expert microscopist, resulting in a critical research bottleneck. Although some machine learning approaches exist in this domain, we remain far from realizing the aspiration of a highly accurate, yet generic, automated analysis approach, with a major obstacle being lack of sufficient high‐quality ground‐truth data. To address this, we developed a novel citizen science project, Etch a Cell, to enable volunteers to manually segment the nuclear envelope (NE) of HeLa cells imaged with serial blockface scanning electron microscopy. We present our approach for aggregating multiple volunteer annotations to generate a high‐quality consensus segmentation and demonstrate that data produced exclusively by volunteers can be used to train a highly accurate machine learning algorithm for automatic segmentation of the NE, which we share here, in addition to our archived benchmark data.
Comparison of leakage pressures of vesicourethral anastomosis performed with intracorporeal suturing in a simulator and conventional suturing ex vivo in canine cadaveric tissue
Authors: Hafez Ahmed , Ragab Gamal A. , Monnet Eric
Published: April 2021

Objective

To compare conventional and intracorporeal vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA) in canine cadaveric tissue.

Study design

Cadaveric ex vivo study.

Study population

Twenty‐eight canine bladders with urethra.

Methods

Specimens after prostatectomy were randomly divided into intracorporeal (I) group or conventional (C) group. For the I group, VUA was performed in a simulator with laparoscopic needle holders and telescope. For the C group, the anastomosis was performed in vitro with standard instruments. The VUA was performed with 4–0 monofilament absorbable suture and was completed with two simple continuous sutures. Surgical time, leakage pressure, site of leakage, and number of suture bites were recorded.

Results

Fourteen samples were entered in each group. The dorsal side of the anastomosis was initially performed, followed by the ventral side. The median suturing time was 30.8 minutes (range, 19.3–39.2) for the I group and 17.3 minutes (range, 9.2–21.3) for the C group (P < .0001). The median leakage pressure was 10.9 mm Hg (range, 4.1–29.7) for the I group and 10.8 mm Hg (range, 6.2–18.5) for the C group (P = .94). The median number of stitches was 20 (range, 14–26) for the I group and 19 (range, 11–28) for the C group (P = .96). The distribution of the site of leakage was similar between groups (P = .381).

Conclusion

Vesicourethral anastomosis can be performed with leakage pressures similar to intracorporeal and conventional suturing.

Clinical significance

This study represents the first step toward laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in dogs.
Evaluation of the risk of patella fracture as the result of decreasing tibial plateau angle following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy
Authors: Geier Cindy M. , Frederick Steven W. , Cross Alan R.
Published: April 2021

Objective

To evaluate the effect of postoperative tibial plateau angle (TPA) following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) on the risk of patella fracture during the convalescent period.

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Sample Population

Fracture group: 20 stifles; reference group: 65 stifles.

Methods

Medical records were reviewed for stifles with patellar fractures after a TPLO procedure (fracture group) and stifles with >180 days radiographic examination with no complications following TPLO (reference group). Stifle radiographs were masked to group and final TPA (fTPA) was measured, at the time of fracture diagnosis (fracture group) and at last follow‐up (reference group), using PACS software. TPAs in the fracture and reference groups were compared using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test. Statistical significance was set at .05.

Results

Patellar fractures were diagnosed at a median of 69 days (range 31–189) after surgery. The median duration of follow‐up time for the reference group was 471 days (range 180–1868). Median fTPA for the fracture group was 1.4° (range [−10.3]–7.1). Median fTPA for the reference group was 4.1° (range [−3.9]–14.1). The odds of patellar fractures increased by 21.7% (95% CI: 8.6%–35.6%) for every 1° decrease in fTPA.

Conclusion

The risk of patella fractures increased as TPAs after TPLOs decreased.

Clinical Significance

Care should be taken to avoid excessive rotation during TPLO to decrease the likelihood of postoperative patellar fractures.
Total laryngectomy in a cat with a laryngeal peripheral nerve sheath tumor
Authors: Vincenti Simona , Betting Adeline , Durand Alexane , Campos Miguel , Scanziani Eugenio , Martin Sara Soto
Published: April 2021

Objective

To report the surgical technique and outcome of total laryngectomy in a single clinical case.

Study Design

Case report.

Animal

A 5‐year‐old female spayed domestic shorthair cat.

Methods

A cat presented for acute, severe respiratory distress caused by an invasive laryngeal mass. Incisional biopsy was indicative of sarcoma. Computed tomography of head, neck, and thorax was performed revealing no evidence of metastasis. A total laryngectomy and permanent tracheostomy were performed, and the cat could breathe without difficulties immediately postoperatively. Histopathology confirmed a laryngeal low‐grade peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST).

Results

Surgical margins were free of tumor cells. Surgical revision of the tracheostomy stoma due to obstructive granulation tissue was necessary 24 days after the initial surgery. Nine days after revision surgery, the cat was discharged from the hospital. No evidence of local recurrence or metastasis was detected on repeat computed tomography of the head, neck, and thorax at 6 months, nor on chest radiographs at 12 months postoperatively. At the time of writing (13 months postoperatively), the cat is still alive with a good quality of life.

Conclusion

Total laryngectomy with permanent tracheostomy allowed the complete removal of an obstructive laryngeal PNST and provided a good quality of life in a cat.

Clinical Significance

To the authors' knowledge, this case report represents the first detailed description of the surgical procedure and clinical outcome for a total laryngectomy in a cat.
Integrated Kinematic and Dynamic Optimal Synthesis of Spatial Mechanisms
Authors: Kakatsios A. J. , Tricamo S. J.
Published: April 2021

A novel integrated technique permitting the simultaneous optimization of kinematic and dynamic characteristics in the synthesis of spatial mechanisms is shown. The nonlinear programming formulation determines mechanism variables which simultaneously minimize the maximum values of bearing reactions, joint torques, driving torque, shaking moment, and shaking force while constraining the maximum kinematic structural error to a prescribed bound. The method is applied to the design of a path generating RRSS spatial mechanism with prescribed input link timing. Dynamic reactions in the mechanisms synthesized using the integrated technique were substantially reduced when compared to those of a mechanism synthesized to satisfy only the specified kinematic conditions.
Conceptual Design As Novel Combination of Existing Device Features
Authors: Ulrich K. , Seering W.
Published: April 2021

Conceptual design is the initial stage of the transformation between functional and structural descriptions of devices. Our primary aim is to develop ideas that will allow computer tools for conceptual design to be built. In this paper, we point out a fundamental trade-off between the expressiveness of design languages and the computational complexity of the resulting design problem. Research in computational conceptual design can therefore be viewed as the problem of defining a design language and then devising ways of controlling the size of the resulting design space. We propose that an effective means of controlling complexity is to use knowledge of existing designs to guide the synthesis of novel designs. We illustrate this concept with a program that designs novel mechanical fasteners from knowledge of existing fasteners. We analyze this experiment and highlight several areas for future work.
An Empirical Study of Compliant Assembly in Three Dimensions
Authors: Rivero J. A. , Seering W. P.
Published: April 2021

A five degree-of-freedom compliant parts mating machine, or PMM, is described. The PMM is capable of analyzing three dimensional assembly processes, regardless of part shape. It measures forces and moments during assembly and also records the linear displacement and rotation of the parts being assembled. The effects of positional errors, angular errors, ratio of rotary-to-linear stiffness, and the location of the center of rotation on maximum insertion forces during assembly are described. Experimental results for the three dimensional assembly of a compliantly supported peg-and-hole are presented.
Dynamic Analysis of Two Cooperating Robots
Authors: Pennock G. R. , Ryuh B. S.
Published: April 2021

The use of a computer-controlled multirobot system with sensors in batch manufacturing and assembly tasks offers a number of significant advantages. These include cost savings, reliability, tolerance of working environments unacceptable to humans, and an adaptability to both structured and unstructured environments through simple reprogramming. The end results are improved productivity, efficiency, and flexibility in manufacturing and automation. However, the use of two or more cooperating robots has not been fully exploited to date. Current industrial practice employs simple time-space coordination which does not allow more than one robot working in a common workspace, such coordination and control results in under-utilization of robots. With the increasing demand for high performance manipulators and efficient multirobot manufacturing cells, there is a vital need to develop theoretical and design methodologies that will solve the generic problems faced by industrial robots working cooperatively. If multirobot systems are to be used in manufacturing and assembly tasks, a thorough knowledge of the dynamics of such systems is essential. This paper formulates the dynamics of two robots cooperating to move a rigid body object. The analysis is based on Newtonian mechanics with screw calculus and dual transformation matrices.
Relief and worry for immune-suppressed people
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: April 2021

Early studies suggest COVID-19 vaccine protection varies by ailment and treatment.
Global policy for assisted colonization of species
Authors: Brodie Jedediah F. , Lieberman Susan , Moehrenschlager Axel , Redford Kent H. , Rodríguez Jon Paul , Schwartz Mark , Seddon Philip J. , Watson James E. M.
Published: April 2021

Coordinated policies are needed for the translocation of species for conservation
Higher risk of death from COVID-19 in low-income and non-White populations of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Li Sabrina L , Pereira Rafael H M , Prete Jr Carlos A , Zarebski Alexander E , Emanuel Lucas , Alves Pedro J H , Peixoto Pedro S , Braga Carlos K V , de Souza Santos Andreza Aruska , de Souza William M , Barbosa Rogerio J , Buss Lewis F , Mendrone Alfredo , de Almeida-Neto Cesar , Ferreira Suzete C , Salles Nanci A , Marcilio Izabel , Wu Chieh-Hsi , Gouveia Nelson , Nascimento Vitor H , Sabino Ester C , Faria Nuno R , Messina Jane P
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Little evidence exists on the differential health effects of COVID-19 on disadvantaged population groups. Here we characterise the differential risk of hospitalisation and death in São Paulo state, Brazil, and show how vulnerability to COVID-19 is shaped by socioeconomic inequalities.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study using hospitalised severe acute respiratory infections notified from March to August 2020 in theSistema de Monitoramento Inteligente de São Paulodatabase. We examined the risk of hospitalisation and death by race and socioeconomic status using multiple data sets for individual-level and spatiotemporal analyses. We explained these inequalities according to differences in daily mobility from mobile phone data, teleworking behaviour and comorbidities.

Results

Throughout the study period, patients living in the 40% poorest areas were more likely to die when compared with patients living in the 5% wealthiest areas (OR: 1.60, 95% CI 1.48 to 1.74) and were more likely to be hospitalised between April and July 2020 (OR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.12). Black andPardoindividuals were more likely to be hospitalised when compared with White individuals (OR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.46; OR: 1.26, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.28, respectively), and were more likely to die (OR: 1.13, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.19; 1.07, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.10, respectively) between April and July 2020. Once hospitalised, patients treated in public hospitals were more likely to die than patients in private hospitals (OR: 1.40%, 95% CI 1.34% to 1.46%). Black individuals and those with low education attainment were more likely to have one or more comorbidities, respectively (OR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.39; 1.36, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.45).

Conclusions

Low-income and Black andPardocommunities are more likely to die with COVID-19. This is associated with differential access to quality healthcare, ability to self-isolate and the higher prevalence of comorbidities.
Improving access to epilepsy care for homeless patients in the Dublin Inner City: a collaborative quality improvement project joining hospital and community care
Authors: Doran Elisabeth , Barron Enda , Healy Laura , O'Connor Lorraine , Synnott Cara , Ní Cheallaigh Clíona , Doherty Colin P
Published: April 2021

Homelessness is associated with significant psychosocial and health disparities. The rate of epilepsy among this cohort is eight times greater than that in the settled population, and the associated morbidity is higher due to lack of integrated care, difficulties with treatment adherence, substance abuse and poor social circumstances. There is a high rate of seizure-related death in homeless patients. Seizures are one of the most common neurological cause for emergency department presentation among this population. The aim of this quality improvement project was to use a multistakeholder co-production approach to design a new pathway of care for homeless patients with epilepsy to improve access to specialist epilepsy care and to strengthen the links between hospital and community teams who manage this population. After several years of observation, stakeholder engagement and numerous tests of change, we have created a new care pathway and developed bespoke tools for primary care providers and for physicians working in the emergency department to enable them to assess and manage patients as they present, as well as provide access to remote epilepsy specialist support.
STACKELBERG GAME, VERTICAL RELATIONS AND R&D INVESTMENTS: ARE THERE FIRST-MOVER ADVANTAGES?
Authors: PAVLOU APOSTOLIS
Published: April 2021

This paper studies a Stackelberg game among the downstream firms in a vertical industry where one-way R&D spillovers occur, from the leader to the follower. When the upstream market is perfectly competitive under certain conditions the standard first-mover advantages disappear. When we move to the upstream monopolistic case we find that despite the existence of spillovers in most of the cases, the leader gets higher profits and thus first-mover advantages are reinstated due to the price setting behavior of the upstream firm. It therefore challenges to some extent the “naive” idea that under one-way spillovers there are no incentives for early movers.
The Sino-Laos Railway and the Connectivity Potential for a Small State
Authors: Lim Tai Wei
Published: April 2021

The Laos National Railway network is a milestone in the country’s transportation history. From the Chinese perspective, the China–Laos Economic Corridor (CLEC) is a vital sub-component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). From the Laotian perspective, the Southeast Asian country intends to transform from a land-locked country (the only country within ASEAN or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) into a land-linked country with Chinese equipment and infrastructure inputs. Through the railway system, Laos will be connected to maritime ports in China, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, potentially benefiting its tourism industry, workforce mobility, land sales, services/retail outlets and intra- as well as extra-ASEAN trade and investments. Laos has proven to be the most politically stable, regime-reliable, perhaps complementary entity that has a stake in the success of the pan-Asian railway for the sake of its own economic development at the moment. At least, it does not require complicated diplomatic efforts, unlike the cases of Vietnam and Myanmar at this point of time. Thus, it may turn out to be a win–win situation for both the Laotians and the Chinese.
Synthesizing Indoor Scene Layouts in Complicated Architecture Using Dynamic Convolution Networks
Authors: Jiang Hao , Wang Siqi , Bi Huikun , Lv Xiaolei , Zhao Binqiang , Wang Zheng , Wang Zhaoqi
Published: April 2021

Synthesizing indoor scene layouts is challenging and critical, especially for digital design and gaming entertainment. Although there has been significant research on the indoor layout synthesis of rectangular-shaped or L-shaped architecture, there is little known about synthesizing plausible layouts for more complicated indoor architecture with both geometric and semantic information of indoor architecture being fully considered. In this paper, we propose an effective and novel framework to synthesize plausible indoor layouts in various and complicated architecture. The given indoor architecture is first encoded to our proposed representation, called InAiR, based on its geometric and semantic information. The indoor objects are grouped and then arranged by functional blocks, represented by oriented bounding boxes, using dynamic convolution networks based on their functionality and human activities. Through comparisons with other approaches as well as comparative user studies, we find that our generated indoor scene layouts for diverse, complicated indoor architecture are visually indistinguishable, which reach state-of-the-art performance.
Time-Dependent Lagrangian Energy Systems on Supermanifolds with Graph Bundles
Authors: Aycan Cansel , Şimşek Simge
Published: April 2021

The aim of this article is firstly to improve time-dependent Lagrangian energy equations using the super jet bundles on supermanifolds. Later, we adapted this study to the graph bundle. Thus, we created a graph bundle by examining the graph manifold structure in superspace. The geometric structures obtained for the mechanical energy system with superbundle coordinates were reexamined with the graph bundle coordinates. Thus, we were able to calculate the energy that occurs during the motion of a particle when we examine this motion with graph points. The supercoordinates on the superbundle structure of supermanifolds have been given for body and soul and also even and odd dimensions. We have given the geometric interpretation of this property in coordinates for the movement on graph points. Lagrangian energy equations have been applied to the presented example, and the advantage of examining the movement with graph points was presented. In this article, we will use the graph theory to determine the optimal motion, velocity, and energy of the particle, due to graph points. This study showed a physical application and interpretation of supervelocity and supertime dimensions in super-Lagrangian energy equations utilizing graph theory.
Incentive Contract Design for Supply Chain Enterprise’s Pollution Abatement with Carbon Tax
Authors: Yu Jing , Zhou Chi , Wang Yixin , Liu Zhibing
Published: April 2021

This paper applies mechanism design to the supply chain enterprise’s pollution abatement problem with carbon tax. To maximize the government’s expected utility, an uncertain contract model is presented in the framework of principal-agent theory, where the government’s assessment of the supply chain enterprise’s carbon emission level is described as an uncertain variable. Afterwards, the equivalent model is provided to obtain the optimal contract for the uncertain pollution abatement problem. The results demonstrate that the supply chain enterprise’s optimal output decreases with the carbon emission level. Furthermore, the government’s optimal transfer payment decreases with the carbon emission level if the carbon tax is low. In contrast, if the carbon tax is high, the optimal transfer payment increases with the carbon emission level. In addition, an increase in the carbon emission level decreases the optimal utilities of both the government and the supply chain enterprise and also leads to the supply chain enterprise’s incremental marginal utility. Finally, we provide a numerical example, which illustrates the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed model.
Source Reconstruction of Atmospheric Releases by Bayesian Inference and the Backward Atmospheric Dispersion Model: An Application to ETEX-I Data
Authors: Zhao Yungang , Liu Yuanyuan , Wang Li , Cheng Jianping , Wang Shilian , Li Qi
Published: April 2021

Source term reconstruction methods attempt to calculate the most likely source parameters of an atmospheric release given measurements, including both location and release amount. However, source term reconstruction is vulnerable to uncertainties. In this paper, a method combining Bayesian inference with the backward atmospheric dispersion model is developed for robust source term reconstruction. The backward model is used to quantify the relationship between the source and measurements and to reduce the search range of the Bayesian inference. A Markov chain Monte Carlo method is used to sample from the multidimensional parameter space of the source term. The source location and release rate are estimated simultaneously, and the posterior probability distribution is produced by applying Bayes’ theorem. The proposed method is applied to a set of real concentration data from the ETEX-I experiment. The results demonstrate that the source location is estimated to be −2.86° ± 1.01°E, 48.25° ± 0.33°N, and the release rate is estimated to be 20.16 ± 3.56 kg/h. The true source location is correctly estimated to be within a one standard deviation interval, and the release rate is correctly determined to be within a three standard deviation interval.
Microgravity, Stem Cells, and Cancer: A New Hope for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Topal Uğur , Zamur Cihan
Published: April 2021

Humans are integrated with the environment where they live. Gravitational force plays an important role in shaping the universe, lives, and even cellular biological processes. Research in the last 40 years has shown how exposure to microgravity changes biological processes. Microgravity has been shown to have significant effects on cellular proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, migration, and gene expression, specifically in tumor cells, and these effects may also exist in stem and cancer stem cells. It has also been shown that microgravity changes the effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Although studies have been carried out in a simulated microgravity environment in cell culture lines, there are few animal experiments or true microgravity studies. Cancer remains one of the most significant problems worldwide. Despite advances in medical science, no definitive strategies have been found for the prevention of cancer formation or to inform treatment. Thus, the microgravity environment is a potential new therapeutic strategy for future cancer treatment. This review will focus on current knowledge on the impact of the microgravity environment on cancer cells, stem cells, and the biological behavior of cancer stem cells.
Transition Effect on the Flow Dynamics in a Compressor Blade Passage
Authors: Szwaba Ryszard , Kaczynski Piotr , Telega Janusz
Published: April 2021

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the effect of the boundary layer transition on the flow dynamics in the blade passage of a compressor cascade. A model of a turbine compressor passage was designed and assembled in a transonic wind tunnel for this purpose. Two different flow control methods were used in the experiment to induce the transition upstream of the shock wave, one concerning the microstep application and the other using distributed roughness strips. Two locations of spanwise microsteps for the transition trigger were chosen, one at the leading edge and the other closer to the shock wave position. The distributed roughness in the form of standard sandpaper strips with different heights was applied in three various locations on the blade upstream of the shock. The main objective of investigations is to present the influence of the laminar and turbulent shock wave‐boundary layer interaction on the flow dynamics in a compressor fan passage, and the specific objective is to show how the parameters of particular transition control methods affect the flow dynamics in the investigated channel. The major challenge for this research was to minimize the disturbance caused by the microstep or roughness to the laminar boundary layer, while still ensuring a successful transition. Very interesting results were obtained in the flow control application for the boundary layer transition control, demonstrating a positive effect on the flow unsteadiness in changing the nature of the interaction.
Attribute‐Associated Neuron Modeling and Missing Value Imputation for Incomplete Data
Authors: Lai Xiaochen , Zhu Jinchong , Zhang Liyong , Zhang Zheng , Lu Wei
Published: April 2021

The imputation of missing values is an important research content in incomplete data analysis. Based on the auto associative neural network (AANN), this paper conducts regression modeling for incomplete data and imputes missing values. Since the AANN can estimate missing values in multiple missingness patterns efficiently, we introduce incomplete records into the modeling process and propose an attribute cross fitting model (ACFM) based on AANN. ACFM reconstructs the path of data transmission between output and input neurons and optimizes the model parameters by training errors of existing data, thereby improving its own ability to fit relations between attributes of incomplete data. Besides, for the problem of incomplete model input, this paper proposes a model training scheme, which sets missing values as variables and makes missing value variables update with model parameters iteratively. The method of local learning and global approximation increases the precision of model fitting and the imputation accuracy of missing values. Finally, experiments based on several datasets verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Incorporating Space-Time Correlation of Population Densities into the Design of a Candidate Rail Transit Line over Years
Authors: Ding Liu , Zhang Kunpeng , Xie Binglei
Published: April 2021

In contrast to private cars, rail transit systems are a more effective way to deal with the emerging challenges in cities with high population densities, such as congestion, air pollution, and traffic emissions. Rail transit systems, however, are commonly costly, due to substantial investments in construction and maintenance. It is thus necessary to design the candidate rail transit systems carefully to ensure public transport accessibility and sustainability, with consideration of the space-time correlation of population densities. In this paper, the space-time correlations of population densities are incorporated into the design of a candidate rail transit line over years. A closed-formed mathematical programming model is proposed, with an optimisation objective of social welfare budget maximisation. The social welfare budget is defined as the summation of the expected social welfare and social welfare margins. The model decision variables include rail line length, rail station number, and project start time of the candidate rail transit line. The analytical solutions for the proposed rail design model are given explicitly for different scenarios with various constraints.
A Physical‐Layer UHF RFID Tag Collision Resolution Based on Miller Code
Authors: Zeng Yu , Ding Hongwei
Published: April 2021

In an ultrahigh frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) system, the throughput can be greatly improved by collision resolution on a physical layer when tags collide, and high‐performance coding technology can improve the bit error rate (BER) performance of the physical‐layer separation. Most of the traditional physical collision resolutions focus on the code with a single subcarrier. This paper pays more attention to Miller code with multiple subcarriers and proposes a novel physical‐layer separation method based on the Miller code. In this method, the separated collision signals are multiplied by clock signals with the same frequency as the subcarrier to complete the frequency shift. And then, a coherent demodulation and a low‐pass filter are used to remove high‐frequency separation noise. In the simulation, the Miller code with more subcarriers has lower BER than FM0 code with a single carrier. Especially when Miller 8 is selected, the separation efficiency and BER performance of the proposed method are 4 dB higher than those of the traditional XOR method at lower SNR.
The Role of Cell Division Autoantigen 1 (CDA1) in Renal Fibrosis of Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Chen LinLin , Wu Jiao , Hu Bin , Liu Changbai , Wang Hu
Published: April 2021

The common kidney disease diabetic nephropathy (DN) accounts for significant morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes, and its effective diagnosis in incipient stages is still lacking. Renal fibrosis is the main pathological feature of DN. Cell division autoantigen 1 (CDA1), a phosphorylated protein encoded by TSPYL2 on the X chromosome, plays a fibrogenic role by modulating the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signaling, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. TGF‐β signaling has been recognized as the key factor in promoting the development and progression of DN. At present, strict control of blood sugar and blood pressure can significantly lower the development and progression of DN in the early stages, and many studies have shown that blocking TGF‐β signaling can delay the progress of DN. However, TGF‐β is a multifunctional cytokine. Its direct intervention may result in increased side effects. Therefore, the targeted intervention of CDA1 not only can block the TGF‐β signaling pathway but also can reduce these side effects. In this article, we review the main physiological roles of CDA1, with particular attention to its effect and potential mechanism in the renal fibrosis of DN.
Neuroprotective Phytochemicals in Experimental Ischemic Stroke: Mechanisms and Potential Clinical Applications
Authors: Xu Hui , Wang Emily , Chen Feng , Xiao Jianbo , Wang Mingfu
Published: April 2021

Ischemic stroke is a challenging disease with high mortality and disability rates, causing a great economic and social burden worldwide. During ischemic stroke, ionic imbalance and excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation are developed in a relatively certain order, which then activate the cell death pathways directly or indirectly via the promotion of organelle dysfunction. Neuroprotection, a therapy that is aimed at inhibiting this damaging cascade, is therefore an important therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke. Notably, phytochemicals showed great neuroprotective potential in preclinical research via various strategies including modulation of calcium levels and antiexcitotoxicity, antioxidation, anti‐inflammation and BBB protection, mitochondrial protection and antiapoptosis, autophagy/mitophagy regulation, and regulation of neurotrophin release. In this review, we summarize the research works that report the neuroprotective activity of phytochemicals in the past 10 years and discuss the neuroprotective mechanisms and potential clinical applications of 148 phytochemicals that belong to the categories of flavonoids, stilbenoids, other phenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Among them, scutellarin, pinocembrin, puerarin, hydroxysafflor yellow A, salvianolic acids, rosmarinic acid, borneol, bilobalide, ginkgolides, ginsenoside Rd, and vinpocetine show great potential in clinical ischemic stroke treatment. This review will serve as a powerful reference for the screening of phytochemicals with potential clinical applications in ischemic stroke or the synthesis of new neuroprotective agents that take phytochemicals as leading compounds.