bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphometric Trajectory Analysis for Occipital Condyle Screws
Authors: Du Yu‐kun , Li Si‐yuan , Yang Wen‐jiu , Wang Xiang‐yang , Bi Yi‐fang , Dong Jun , Huang Hui , Gao Feng , Li Gui‐zhi , Wei Hua‐wei , Yang Jian‐kun , Xi Yong‐ming
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Occipitocervical fusion (OCF) is an effective treatment for instability of occipitocervical junction (OCJ). The occipital condyle screw serves as a novel surgical technique for occipitocervical fixation. However, the intraoperative procedures for the occipital condyle screw technique have relied on surgeons’ experience, so the pool of surgeons who are able to perform this surgery safely is limited. The present study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the occipital condyle screw technique using human cadavers and to provide image anatomy for clinical application basis.

Methods

The scientific study comprised 10 fresh‐frozen cadaveric specimens from the anatomy department of Qingdao University. Placement of the occipital condyle screws (3.5 mm diameter and 20.0 mm length) was performed in the 10 fresh‐frozen cadaveric specimens with intact occipitocervical junctions, respectively. Occipitocervical CT was performed for all specimens and the DICOM data was obtained. Occipitocervical CT three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction was performed for the cadavers. Morphometric analysis was performed on the bilateral occipitocervical junction of 10 cadaveric specimens based on the 3D reconstruction CT images. Detailed morphometric measurements of the 20 occipital condyles screws were conducted including the average length of the screw trajectory, inside and upper tilting angles of screws, distance to the hypoglossal canal, and to the medial wall of occipital condyle.

Results

Placement of the occipital condyle screws into the 20 occipital condyles of the 10 cadaveric specimens was performed successfully and the trajectory of implantation was satisfactory according to 3D CT reconstruction images, respectively. There was no obvious injury to the spinal cord, nerve root, and vertebral artery. The length of the bilateral screw trajectory was, respectively, 20.96 ± 0.91 mm (left) and 20.59 ± 0.77 mm (right) (t = 1.306, P > 0.05). The upper tilting angle of bilateral screws was, respectively, 11.24° ± 0.74° (left) and 11.11° ± 0.64° (right) (t = 0.681, P > 0.05). The inside tilting angle of bilateral screws was, respectively, 31.00° ± 1.32° (left) and 30.85° ± 1.27° (right) (t = 0.307, P > 0.05). The screw's distance to the bilateral hypoglossal canal was, respectively, 4.84 ± 0.54 mm (left) and 4.70 ± 0.54 mm (right) (t = 0.685, P > 0.05). The screw's distance to the medial wall of the bilateral occipital condyle was, respectively, 5.13 ± 0.77 mm (left) and 5.04 ± 0.71 mm (right) (t = 0.384, P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The occipital condyle screw technique can serve as a feasible and safe treatment for instability of the occipitocervical junction with meticulous preoperative planning of the screw entry point and direction based on individual differences. Morphometric trajectory analysis is also an effective way to evaluate the surgical procedure.
Undokai and sports events in the Japanese school system
Authors: Akiyama Takeshi
Published: June 2020

Background

Japanese schools hold annual sports events in which all pupils participate. These events include activities such as walking, running, and swimming competitions.

Methods

We analyzed literature on school sports events in Japan.

Results

In addition to the physical education classes, which are part of the curriculum, Japanese schools hold annual sports events in which all pupils participate. These school events include activities such as walking, running, swimming, and ball game competitions, skiing, and climbing. School sports events offer participants an opportunity for holistic education as well as cultivating a variety of virtues such as cooperation, a sense of solidarity, teamwork, and responsibility. A popular sports event held countrywide is undokai. Undokai has a style that is unique to Japan. They usually take one day and include individual and group competitions. The pupils participate in a variety of activities including a foot race, relay race, group gymnastics, and group activities. The undokai is an important event in both the school and its surrounding community. The potential benefit of undokai is often considered in terms of social capital. However, the competitive nature of undokai may generate negative feelings in the children who participate.

Conclusions

Further research on the potential of sports events such as undokai is necessary.
A Comparison of Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure in Urban Canyons in Venice, Italy and Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Wright Caradee Y. , du Preez David Jean , Martincigh Bice S. , Allen Martin W. , Millar Danielle A. , Wernecke Bianca , Blesic Suzana
Published: June 2020

Urban environments can have high‐risk spaces that can provide excess personal sun exposure, such as urban or street canyons, and the spaces between buildings, among others. In these urban spaces, sun exposure can be high or low depending on several factors. Polysulphone film (PSF) was used to assess possible daily solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure in urban canyons in Venice, Italy and, for the first time in Africa, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The photodegradation of PSF upon solar exposure was monitored at a wavelength of 330 nm by ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometry, and the resultant change was converted to standard erythemal dose (SED) units (1 SED = 100 J m−2). Mean daily ambient solar UVR exposure measured for Venice and Johannesburg ranged between 20–28 SED and 33–43 SED, respectively. Canyon‐located PSF exposures were lower in Venice (1–9 SED) than those in Johannesburg (9–39 SED), depending mainly on the sky view factor and orientation to the sun. There was large variation in solar UVR exposure levels in different urban canyons. These preliminary results should be bolstered with additional studies for a better understanding of excess personal exposure risk in urban areas, especially in Africa.
Monitoring potato seed lots to control blackleg in fields in Switzerland and southern Germany
Authors: de Werra Patrice , Kopp Christoph , Häberli Martin , Stöcker Ingo , Keil Andrea , Debonneville Christophe , Oberhänsli Thomas , Altenbach Denise , Keiser Andreas
Published: June 2020

Potato blackleg is a seedborne disease that can cause significant economic losses for growers. Disease development depends mainly on two drivers, namely seed inoculum and local climatic conditions. To better establish the relationship between these two drivers, blackleg development was monitored in Swiss field trials at multiple locations from 2010 to 2013 involving three sets of naturally infected seed lots planted in each of three locations. The seed lot itself was thereby the most important factor explaining differences in disease development, rather than environmental factors. In a further on‐farm project conducted at various locations in Switzerland and southern Germany from 2013 to 2015, the implementation of a seed‐testing procedure was investigated. A total of 177 seed lots were tested for natural latent infection with soft rot Pectobacteriaceae and the corresponding blackleg incidence was tracked in 242 fields. The reliability of the relationship between latent infection and field incidence was found to be strongly linked to the bacterial species. Dickeya spp. field infection could be predicted with an acceptable reliability, whereas Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense, even when detected as latent tuber infection, was not consistently expressed as visual blackleg. Moreover, commonly found mixed latent infections with several bacterial species made it even harder to predict which bacteria would cause blackleg symptoms. Finally, variability in the reliability of seed testing may also be explained by differences in local farming practices. These trials over several years with naturally infected potato seed highlight the usefulness and limits of seed testing to manage blackleg.
The Slippery Slope: Struggling for Equity in the Academy in the Era of #MeToo
Authors: Knepper Hillary J. , Scutelnicu Gina , Tekula Rebecca
Published: June 2020

The complexity of the sexual harassment language of the #MeToo movement creates discontinuities that may muddy intended communications. Yet understanding this language provides a fuller picture of the experiences that women face. Gender harassment has persisted in the workplace despite long‐standing antidiscrimination policies, perhaps because of a universal failure to recognize all forms of it—some of which are more pervasive and common than sexual abuse. This article considers the ability of the academy to affect sexual harassment in public administration. It discusses the implications of gender harassment, the least recognized form of sexual harassment, and makes recommendations for overcoming gender barriers in the academy and in practice. Evidence‐based guidance for advancing women in the academy may create more equitable and just spaces for teaching and learning. Public administration classrooms and scholarship represent critical opportunities to recognize patterns of organizational practice and systematically redress gender harassment in the workplace.
Absence of Sirtuin 1 impairs the testicular development in cattleyak by inactivating SF‐1
Authors: Yin Shi , Qin Wenchang , Wang Bin , Zhou Jingwen , Yang Liuqing , Xiong Xianrong , Li Jian
Published: June 2020

Cattleyak, which are interspecific hybrids between cattle and yak, display much higher growth performances than yak. However, F1 male cattleyak are infertile due to defective testicular development. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a histone deacetylase that is essential for various biological processes, while the roles of testicular SIRT1 in yak and cattleyak are still poorly understood. Here, we found that SIRT1 was localized in various kinds of yak testicular cells except elongated spermatids while it was deficient in cattleyak testis. Further studies indicated that cattleyak testis exhibited decreased histone acetylation levels on H3 and H4. One of SIRT1 co‐factors, steroidogenic factor‐1 (SF‐1), was lost in cattleyak testis at protein level. Expressions of several SF‐1 target genes responsible for Sertoli cell development and steroidogenesis, including STAR, CYP11A1, CYP26B1, FDX1 and HSD3B, decreased significantly in cattleyak testis. In addition, SIRT1‐mediated P53 acetylation was not responsible for the cell apoptosis in cattleyak testis. Taken together, our results suggested the deficiency of SIRT1 in yak testis caused inactivation of SF‐1 and the impairment of testicular development. This research provides theoretical bases for understanding the mechanism of cattleyak sterility and gives new insights in revealing the roles of SIRT1 in regulating yak testicular development.
Experimental methodology on the serviceability behaviour of reinforced ultra‐high performance fibre reinforced concrete tensile elements
Authors: Khorami Majid , Navarro‐Gregori Juan , Serna Pedro
Published: June 2020

Design codes include serviceability limit state (SLS) provisions for stress, crack, and deflection control in concrete structures, which may limit the structural design. When drawing on reinforced ultra‐high performance fibre‐reinforced concrete (R‐UHPFRC), the process of cracking differs significantly from traditional concretes. Thus, it remains unclear whether the traditional provisions are applicable to R‐UHPFRC or should be reviewed. Uniaxial tensile tie test is an excellent option to analyse and review these criteria. This work proposes a novel test methodology to study the behaviour of R‐UHPFRC under serviceability conditions, which lets the study of the global and local deformation behaviour by using different measurement equipment. Two different types of R‐UHPFRC ties with variant fibre content were tested. The global average tensile stress–strain curve, cracking behaviour, number, and width of cracks were obtained. Promising preliminary results admitted that this methodology can be useful to propose design criteria of R‐UHPFRC under SLS.
HLA‐C*03:03:01:32 shows an alternative splicing producing a functional protein with an extended cytoplasmic tail
Authors: Balas Antonio , Moreno‐Hidalgo Miguel A. , Alenda Raquel , García‐Sánchez Félix , Vicario José L.
Published: June 2020

We identified a new HLA‐C allele, HLA‐C*03:03:01:32, with a splice site mutation in intron 5.
Direct‐acting antivirals ability to clear intestinal HCV‐RNA in liver transplant patients
Authors: Pietrosi Giada , Russelli Giovanna , Barbera Floriana , Curcio Gabriele , Tuzzolino Fabio , Gallo Alessia , Volpes Riccardo , Vizzini Giovanni , Conaldi Pier Giulio
Published: June 2020

The hepatitis C virus mainly infects the liver but is also able to infect and replicate in other body compartments by creating an extra‐hepatic reservoir that may influence the persistence of the infection after transplantation. It is unknown whether antiviral drugs affect the viral extra‐hepatic sites. We evaluated the ability of pegylated/interferon + ribavirin and sofosbuvir + ribavirin to clear the virus from the gastrointestinal mucosa of liver‐transplanted patients with HCV recurrence after transplantation.

A total of 51 liver‐transplanted patients, 30 treated with pegylated/interferon + ribavirin (ERA1) and 21 treated with sofosbuvir + ribavirin (ERA2), were enrolled, and blood serum and gastrointestinal tissues analyzed for the presence of HCV‐RNA.

In the ERA1 group, the 46.6% of patients had a sustained viral response to antiviral treatment, and gastrointestinal biopsies were positive for HCV in 73.3% of cases, 54.5% of responders, and 45.5% of non‐responders. In the ERA2 group, the 66.6% had a sustained viral response, and gastrointestinal HCV‐RNA was present in the 14.3% of patients, all relapsers. Sofosbuvir + ribavirin cleared the intestinal HCV in 85.7% of patients with recurrent HCV infection, while pegylated/interferon + ribavirin cleared it in 26.6% of treated patients, demonstrating the better effectiveness of new direct antiviral agents in clearing HCV intestinal reservoir.
Chronic antioxidant administration restores macrovascular function in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Bunsawat Kanokwan , Ratchford Stephen M. , Alpenglow Jeremy K. , Park Soung Hun , Jarrett Catherine L. , Stehlik Josef , Drakos Stavros G. , Richardson Russell S. , Wray D. Walter
Published: June 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

We aimed to examine oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity and macro‐ and microvascular function in response to 30 days of oral antioxidant administration in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

What is the main finding and its importance?

We observed an approximately twofold improvement in macrovascular function, assessed via brachial artery flow‐mediated dilatation, and a reduction in oxidative stress after antioxidant administration in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The improvement in macrovascular function was reversed 1 week after treatment cessation. These findings have identified the potential of oral antioxidant administration to optimize macrovascular health in this patient group.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is characterized by macrovascular dysfunction and elevated oxidative stress that may be mitigated by antioxidant (AOx) administration. In this prospective study, we assessed flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) and reactive hyperaemia responses in 14 healthy, older control participants and 14 patients with HFrEF, followed by 30 days of oral AOx administration (1 g vitamin C, 600 I.U. vitamin E and 0.6 g α‐lipoic acid) in the patient group. Blood biomarkers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde) and AOx capacity (ferric reducing ability of plasma) were also assessed. Patients with HFrEF had a lower %FMD (2.63 ± 1.57%) than control participants (5.62 ± 2.60%), and AOx administration improved %FMD in patients with HFrEF (30 days, 4.90 ± 2.38%), effectively restoring macrovascular function to that of control participants. In a subset of patients, we observed a progressive improvement in %FMD across the treatment period (2.62 ± 1.62, 4.23 ± 2.69, 4.33 ± 2.24 and 4.97 ± 2.56% at days 0, 10, 20 and 30, respectively, n = 12) that was abolished 7 days after treatment cessation (2.99 ± 1.78%, n = 9). No difference in reactive hyperaemia was evident between groups or as a consequence of the AOx treatment. Ferric reducing ability of plasma levels increased (from 6.08 ± 2.80 to 6.70 ± 1.59 mm, day 0 versus 30) and malondialdehyde levels decreased (from 6.81 ± 2.80 to 6.22 ± 2.84 μm, day 0 versus 30) after treatment. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of chronic AOx administration in attenuating oxidative stress, improving AOx capacity and restoring macrovascular function in patients with HFrEF.
Sensitivity to major versus minor musical modes is bimodally distributed in young infants
Authors: Adler Scott A. , Comishen Kyle J. , Wong-Kee-You Audrey M. B. , Chubb Charles
Published: June 2020

The difference between major and minor scales plays a central role in Western music. However, recent research using random tone sequences (“tone-scrambles”) has revealed a dramatically bimodal distribution in sensitivity to this difference: 30% of listeners are near perfect in classifying major versus minor tone-scrambles; the other 70% perform near chance. Here, whether or not infants show this same pattern is investigated. The anticipatory eye-movements of thirty 6-month-old infants were monitored during trials in which the infants heard a tone-scramble whose quality (major versus minor) signalled the location (right versus left) where a subsequent visual stimulus (the target) would appear. For 33% of infants, these anticipatory eye-movements predicted target location with near perfect accuracy; for the other 67%, the anticipatory eye-movements were unrelated to the target location. In conclusion, six-month-old infants show the same distribution as adults in sensitivity to the difference between major versus minor tone-scrambles.
What Occupational Socialization Factors Influence Preservice Teachers to Possess Fitness Orientations?
Authors: Parkes Craig , Hemphill Michael A.
Published: June 2020

Purpose: To investigate the existence of fitness orientations among preservice teachers (PTs) and to identify what has influenced these orientations. Methods: The participants were 14 undergraduate PTs enrolled in a physical education teacher education games methods course in the Northeast United States. Qualitative data were collected through autobiographical essays, orientation of self-identification diagrams, and semistructured interviews. NVivo 11 Pro (QSR International, Burlington, MA) software package was employed to analyze data using analytic induction and constant comparison techniques. Results: Twelve PTs possessed moderate (n = 9) or hardcore (n = 3) fitness orientations. Orientations were influenced by three themes: (a) declining physical education quality, (b) elite sport fitness goals, and (c) former head sports coaches and/or current strength and conditioning coaches. Discussion: Faculty must understand the diverse orientation combinations that PTs can now possess and appreciate the acculturation and professional socialization factors that influence and reinforce the development of these orientations.
Sex hormones signal why virus hits men harder
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: June 2020

Emerging role of androgens suggests potential therapies to suppress infection.
Blood vessel injury may spur disease's fatal second phase
Authors: Matacic Catherine
Published: June 2020

Damage to vessel lining may drive mysterious clotting disorders, inflammation.
Double trouble
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: June 2020

The brightest supernovae, used as cosmic yardsticks, have an unexpected trigger: pairs of dead stars.
Response to Comment on “RNA-guided DNA insertion with CRISPR-associated transposases”
Authors: Strecker Jonathan , Ladha Alim , Makarova Kira S. , Koonin Eugene V. , Zhang Feng
Published: June 2020

Rice
et al
. suggest that the CRISPR-associated transposase ShCAST system could lead to additional insertion products beyond simple integration of the donor. We clarify the outcomes of ShCAST-mediated insertions in
Escherichia coli
, which consist of both simple insertions and integration of the donor plasmid. This latter outcome can be avoided by use of a 5′ nicked DNA donor.
Serology assays to manage COVID-19
Authors: Krammer Florian , Simon Viviana
Published: June 2020

Measurement of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 will improve disease management if used correctly
Donald Kennedy (1931–2020)
Authors: Daily Gretchen C. , Ehrlich Paul R.
Published: June 2020

Eminent public intellectual who served science and society
Cetylpyridinium Chloride: Mechanism of Action, Antimicrobial Efficacy in Biofilms, and Potential Risks of Resistance
Authors: Mao Xiaojun , Auer David L. , Buchalla Wolfgang , Hiller Karl-Anton , Maisch Tim , Hellwig Elmar , Al-Ahmad Ali , Cieplik Fabian
Published: June 2020

Antimicrobial resistance is a serious issue for public health care all over the world. While resistance toward antibiotics has attracted strong interest among researchers and the general public over the last 2 decades, the directly related problem of resistance toward antiseptics and biocides has been somewhat left untended. In the field of dentistry, antiseptics are routinely used in professional care, but they are also included in lots of oral care products such as mouthwashes or dentifrices, which are easily available for consumers over-the-counter.
Host-Virus Arms Races Drive Elevated Adaptive Evolution in Viral Receptors
Authors: Wang Wenqiang , Zhao Huayao , Han Guan-Zhu
Published: June 2020

Viruses hijack cellular proteins, termed viral receptors, to assist their entry into host cells. While viral receptors experience negative selection to maintain their normal functions, they also undergo positive selection due to an everlasting evolutionary arms race between viruses and hosts. A complete picture on how viral receptors evolve under two conflicting forces is still lacking. In this study, we systematically analyzed the evolution of 96 viral receptors in primates and human populations. We found around half of viral receptors underwent adaptive evolution and exhibit significantly elevated rates of adaptation compared to control genes in primates. We also found signals of past natural selection for 58 viral receptors in human populations. Interestingly, 49 viral receptors experienced different selection pressures in different human populations, indicating that viruses represent an important driver of local adaptation in humans. Our results suggest that host-virus arms races drive accelerated adaptive evolution in viral receptors.
Enhancing Neuraminidase Immunogenicity of Influenza A Viruses by Rewiring RNA Packaging Signals
Authors: Zheng Allen , Sun Weina , Xiong Xiaoli , Freyn Alec W. , Peukes Julia , Strohmeier Shirin , Nachbagauer Raffael , Briggs John A. G. , Krammer Florian , Palese Peter
Published: June 2020

Influenza virus infections are a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Increasing evidence highlights neuraminidase as a potential vaccination target. This report demonstrates the efficacy of rewiring influenza virus packaging signals for creating vaccines with more neuraminidase content which provide better neuraminidase (NA)-based protection.
Appendiceal neurofibroma and diverticula in a neurofibromatosis type 1 patient with chronic right lower quadrant pain
Authors: Van de Steen Katrien , Riedl Robert , Strypstein Sébastien , Boerma Evert-Jan
Published: June 2020

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1, Von Recklinghausen disease) is an autosomal dominant disease with a birth incidence of 1/2500–3000. The most common presentations of NF1 are cutaneous presentations like café-au-lait spots and neurofibromas. 5%–25% of patients with NF1 have gastrointestinal manifestations of the disease. Appendiceal neurofibroma are extremely rare and only a few cases are described in literature. An appendectomy is indicated because of high risk of appendicitis and malignant transformation. We report the case of a 74-year-old male patient with a history of NF1 with chronic right lower quadrant pain. Successive imaging scans showed suspicion of chronic appendicitis. A diagnostic laparoscopy, resulting in a laparoscopic appendectomy was performed without complications. Histopathology showed appendiceal neurofibroma and diverticula. The postoperative course was uneventful. In patients with NF1 with right lower quadrant pain benign appendiceal neurofibroma should be included in the differential diagnosis. A diagnostic laparoscopy should be performed followed by an appendectomy.
Water mediated economical synthesis of chromeno[b]pyridin-3-yl cyanides using cadmium oxide nanoparticles as a highly efficient catalyst
Authors: Dahi-Azar Saman , Abdolmohammadi Shahrzad , Mokhtari Javad
Published: June 2020

A simple, practical, and economical protocol for the synthesis of a series of twelve 2-amino-5-oxo-4-aryl-5H-chromeno[4,3-b]pyridin-3-yl cyanides have been developed by the cyclocondensation reaction of 4-aminocoumarin, aromatic aldehydes, and malononirile in the presence of cadmium oxide nanoparticles (CdO NPs) as an cost-effective, reusable, and highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst in aqueous medium at 60 °C. The procedure is very simple, clean, mild, and practical for aromatic, as well as heteroaromatic, aldehydes without significant difference.
Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus velezensis population dynamics and quantification of spores after inoculation on ornamental plants
Authors: Charron-Lamoureux Vincent , Thérien Maude , Konk Assena , Beauregard Pascale B.
Published: June 2020

Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus velezensis are used in organic agriculture as an alternative to chemical pesticides to fight against phytopathogen organisms. These Gram-positive soil-dwelling bacteria are able to resist harsh conditions and survive by differentiating into endospores. Few studies have examined how bacterial populations change on plants over time, and whether they remain active or enter a dormant state. Nonetheless, these characteristics are strikingly important to determine the usage of B. subtilis and B. velezensis and their efficacy in environmental conditions. Here, we investigated the population dynamics of B. subtilis NCIB3610 and B. velezensis QST713 when applied as spores on different ornamental plants. We report that on all the plants studied (Echinacea purpurea ‘Salsa red’, Echinacea purpurea ‘Fatal attraction’, and Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidecote blue’), spores rapidly germinated and colonized the rhizoplane, maintaining a relatively low proportion of spores in the population over time, whereas the bacterial population on the leaves rapidly declined. Bacteria in the surrounding soil did not germinate and persisted as spores. Taken together, these results suggest that only cells found at the rhizosphere remain metabolically active to allow the formation of a lasting relationship with the plant, making possible beneficial effects from the inoculated bacteria.
Peer-reviewed scientific contributions from Canadian zoos and aquariums
Authors: Pyott Breanna E. , Schulte-Hostedde Albrecht I.
Published: June 2020

With the widespread loss of biodiversity, zoos and aquariums are striving to become leaders in biodiversity conservation and research. Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) is a nonprofit organization created to represent its members, including as agencies of conservation and science. However, the contribution of CAZA members to conservation and science has not been quantified. We used research productivity in the form of peer-reviewed publications to systematically quantify biodiversity conservation engagement by CAZA institutions. We extracted publications from the ISI Web of Science database and found that the annual number of publications increased over time. CAZA members published most in the area of veterinary science, with few publications in biodiversity conservation. Organization age, research-orientated mission statements, and financial assets were significant predictors of research productivity. CAZA institutions also published significantly less ([Formula: see text] = 12.5 ± 5.52 SE) than members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums ([Formula: see text] = 24.27 ± 5.08 SE), based in the United States. Zoos and aquariums are important resources in mitigating biodiversity loss, and are increasing their research output in this area. Nonetheless, only a small proportion of publications were in biodiversity conservation, and the majority of all publications occurred in zoo-centric journals.
Parametrisations of relativistic energy density functionals with tensor couplings
Authors: Typel Stefan , Alvear Terrero Diana
Published: June 2020

The relativistic density functional with minimal density dependent nucleon–meson couplings for nuclei and nuclear matter is extended to include tensor couplings of the nucleons to the vector mesons. The dependence of the minimal couplings on either vector or scalar densities is explored. New parametrisations are obtained by a fit to nuclear observables with uncertainties that are determined self-consistently. The corresponding nuclear matter parameters at saturation are determined including their uncertainties. An improvement in the description of nuclear observables, in particular for binding energies and diffraction radii, is found when tensor couplings are considered, accompanied by an increase of the Dirac effective mass. The equations of state for symmetric nuclear matter and pure neutron matter are studied for all models. The density dependence of the nuclear symmetry energy, the Dirac effective masses and scalar densities is explored. Problems at high densities for parametrisations using a scalar density dependence of the couplings are identified due to the rearrangement contributions in the scalar self-energies that lead to vanishing Dirac effective masses.
Study of the Dirac oscillator in the presence of vector and scalar potentials in the cosmic string space-time
Authors: Chen Hao , Long Zheng-Wen , Yang Yi , Long Chao-Yun
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we use the functional Bethe ansatz method to solve the radial problem of the Dirac oscillator in cosmic string space-time, and its general solution under the Killingbeck potential plus isotonic oscillator potential in the limit of the spin and the pseudo-spin symmetries are further presented. Corresponding to the expressions of energies and wave function of bound state and first excited state are given. Furthermore, some particular cases including the Cornell potential, the Kratzer potential, the Killingbeck potential and the isotonic oscillator potentials are also addressed. It shows that the energy levels of the systems depend explicitly on the potential parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and the angular deficit parameter [Formula: see text] which characterize topological defect.
Physical velocity of particles in relativistic curved momentum space
Authors: Mignemi Salvatore , Rosati Giacomo
Published: June 2020

We show in general that for a relativistic theory with curved momentum space, i.e. a theory with deformed relativistic symmetries, the physical velocity of particles coincides with their group velocity. This clarifies a long-standing question about the discrepancy between coordinate and group velocity for this kind of theories. The first evidence that this was the case had been obtained at linear order in the deformation parameter in Ref. 1 for the specific case of [Formula: see text]-momentum space. The proof was based on the recent understanding of how relative locality affects these scenarios. Here we rely again on a careful implementation of relative locality effects, and obtain our result for a generic (relativistic) curved momentum space framework at all orders in the deformation/curvature parameter. We also discuss the validity of this result when the deformation depends on the coordinates as well as on the momenta.
Improving inference with matrix elements and machine learning
Authors: Brehmer Johann , Cranmer Kyle , Kling F.
Published: June 2020

Particle physics processes bring together a high-energy amplitude described by quantum field theory and nonperturbative effects and detector interactions described by complex computer simulations. We review some recently developed multivariate inference techniques that leverage this structure and combine matrix-element information with machine learning. Automated by the MadMiner package, the new techniques have been applied to multiple problems in particle physics, allowing for stronger limits than traditional analysis methods and showing their potential to improve the sensitivity of the LHC legacy measurements.
Study of aeroelastic REsponse of cylindrical composite panels in A high-speed flow
Authors: An Xiao-Min , Sun Wei
Published: June 2020

This study aims to investigate the aeroelastic behaviors of cylindrical composite panels in a high-speed flow. A fluid-structure coupling program is applied to simulate the response of the interaction with the presence of both fluid and structural nonlinearities at [Formula: see text]. The cylindrical composite panels with different layer orientations, cross-ply and angle-ply are modeled by an assemblage of triangular finite elements and the nonlinearity caused by large displacement is described by an updated tangent stiffness matrix. The inviscid unsteady equations are discretized by an AUSMpw+ flux splitting scheme. The static divergence, flutter characteristic and post-flutter response are computed and analyzed with the increase of the dynamic pressure. The results show that static and dynamic responses vary with the layer orientation. Particularly, the dynamic response of the cross-ply panel presents as high-frequency resonant oscillation; on the contrary, the dynamic response of the angle-ply panel appears as low-frequency single mode oscillation. Nonlinearities involved with aeroelastic response, such as the movement of the multiple-shock structure, and large displacement in structure, are discussed.
Fluid–structure interaction analysis of coriolis mass flowmeter
Authors: Huang Tian-Xing , Ren Jian-Xin , Zhang Pei
Published: June 2020

Coriolis mass flowmeter (CMF) is widely used in the industrial field. In mass flow measurement, there are many impurities in measured fluids that will adhere to the inner wall of the vibrating tube of CMF. The vibration characteristics of CMF would change due to the structural change, i.e., wall clung state, which will generate the wall clung state fault. In this paper, aiming at the wall clung state fault of CMF, the finite element model of CMF is established based on ANSYS. The velocity distribution of fluid in the vibrating tube of CMF is analyzed, considering the fluid–structure interaction. The location of the wall clung state in a vibrating tube is determined. Then, the fault model is established. The mechanism of the vibration transmission characteristics outwards of CMF caused by the wall clung state is analyzed by harmonic response analysis. Finally, the failure mode of CMF is investigated.
A femtosecond laser inscribed fiber Bragg grating as a refractive index and temperature sensor based on side-polished method
Authors: He Wei , Zhu Lianqing
Published: June 2020

A fiber Bragg grating (FBG), inscribed directly by a femtosecond laser and based on the side-polished technique, was proposed and experimentally demonstrated for refractive and temperature sensing. The first-order FBG was inscribed by a 800 nm femtosecond pulsed laser, using the point-by-point method, in a fiber core with a length of 3 mm; the grating period was 537 nm. The fiber grating region was subsequently polished for 5 h and a light leak window was polished through the fiber cladding, with a length and depth of 20 mm and 37.5 [Formula: see text]m, respectively. This changed the evanescent field around the grating area to realize refractive index (RI) sensing. In the experiment, the NaCl solution RI sensitivity of the proposed fiber sensor was 854.2 nm/RIU and the linearities were 0.9989. For the temperature measurement, the sensitivity was 11.66 pm/[Formula: see text]C and the linearities were 0.9854, between 50–450[Formula: see text]C.
A NOTE ON REAL-WORLD AND RISK-NEUTRAL DYNAMICS FOR HEATH–JARROW–MORTON FRAMEWORKS
Authors: CRIENS DAVID
Published: June 2020

We show that for time-inhomogeneous Markovian Heath–Jarrow–Morton models driven by an infinite-dimensional Brownian motion and a Poisson random measure an equivalent change of measure exists whenever the real-world and the risk-neutral dynamics can be defined uniquely and are related via a drift and a jump condition.
Regularity properties of the stochastic flow of a skew fractional Brownian motion
Authors: Amine Oussama , Baños David R. , Proske Frank
Published: June 2020

In this paper we prove, for small Hurst parameters, the higher-order differentiability of a stochastic flow associated with a stochastic differential equation driven by an additive multi-dimensional fractional Brownian noise, where the bounded variation part is given by the local time of the unknown solution process. The proof of this result relies on Fourier analysis-based variational calculus techniques and on intrinsic properties of the fractional Brownian motion.
The Effect of Horizontal Spillovers from FDI on Average Wages: Evidence from Vietnamese Enterprises
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Van , Ngoc Hien Huynh Thi , Trieu Hoa Doan Xuan , Tran Khoa Tien , Nguyen Dung Hanh Phuong
Published: June 2020

This study aims to find fresh evidences of the effects of horizontal spillover, trade orientation, and firm characteristics on real wages moderated by five categories of ownership. Based on an exploration of 2007–2015 Vietnamese firm-level data collected by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the findings reveal significantly positive effects of horizontal spillover and export orientation on average wages. In contrast, import orientation negatively affects wages. The results are supported by the literature of labor market competition and productivity improvement. Importantly, the effect of horizontal spillovers from FDI and trade on average wage varies significantly across ownership types. Although horizontal spillover and the gender ratio have no overall influence on average wages, they do have negative effects on wages in Vietnamese domestic private. Besides, the firm characteristics such as firms’ real output, capital intensity, market share, and net income are also important predictors for the rise of the firm-level average wage in Vietnam.
On the longest spanning tree with neighborhoods
Authors: Chen Ke , Dumitrescu Adrian
Published: June 2020

We study a maximization problem for geometric network design. Given a set of [Formula: see text] compact neighborhoods in [Formula: see text], select a point in each neighborhood, so that the longest spanning tree on these points (as vertices) has maximum length. Here, we give an approximation algorithm with ratio [Formula: see text], which represents the first, albeit small, improvement beyond [Formula: see text]. While we suspect that the problem is NP-hard already in the plane, this issue remains open.
Sex-steroid-dependent plasticity of brain-stem autonomic circuits
Authors: Littlejohn Erica L. , Fedorchak Stephanie , Boychuk Carie R.
Published: June 2020

In the central nervous system (CNS), nuclei of the brain stem play a critical role in the integration of peripheral sensory information and the regulation of autonomic output in mammalian physiology. The nucleus tractus solitarius of the brain stem acts as a relay center that receives peripheral sensory input from vagal afferents of the nodose ganglia, integrates information from within the brain stem and higher central centers, and then transmits autonomic efferent output through downstream premotor nuclei, such as the nucleus ambiguus, the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and the rostral ventral lateral medulla. Although there is mounting evidence that sex and sex hormones modulate autonomic physiology at the level of the CNS, the mechanisms and neurocircuitry involved in producing these functional consequences are poorly understood. Of particular interest in this review is the role of estrogen, progesterone, and 5α-reductase-dependent neurosteroid metabolites of progesterone (e.g., allopregnanolone) in the modulation of neurotransmission within brain-stem autonomic neurocircuits. This review will discuss our understanding of the actions and mechanisms of estrogen, progesterone, and neurosteroids at the cellular level of brain-stem nuclei. Understanding the complex interaction between sex hormones and neural signaling plasticity of the autonomic nervous system is essential to elucidating the role of sex in overall physiology and disease.
A New Mathematical Modeling with Optimal Control Strategy for the Dynamics of Population of Diabetics and Its Complications with Effect of Behavioral Factors
Authors: Kouidere Abdelfatah , Labzai Abderrahim , Ferjouchia Hanane , Balatif Omar , Rachik Mostafa
Published: June 2020

We propose an optimal control strategy by conducting awareness campaigns for diabetics about the severity of complications of diabetes and the negative impact of an unbalanced lifestyle and the surrounding environment, as well as treatment and psychological follow-up. Pontryagin’s maximum principle is used to characterize the optimal controls, and the optimality system is solved by an iterative method. Finally, some numerical simulations are performed to verify the theoretical analysis using MATLAB.
In Vitro Antibacterial Activities of Methanolic Extracts of Fruits, Seeds, and Bark of Zanthoxylum armatum DC
Authors: Phuyal Nirmala , Jha Pramod Kumar , Raturi Pankaj Prasad , Rajbhandary Sangeeta
Published: June 2020

Crude methanol extracts of fruits, seeds, and bark of Zanthoxylum armatum were investigated in vitro for antimicrobial activities against 9 different bacterial strains: Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Staphylococcus epidermidis using agar well diffusion method, and the MBC values were determined. Only 5 bacteria, i.e., Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis exhibited antibacterial properties against the different extracts. The fruit and seed extracts showed activities against 5 bacteria, while the bark extract was active against 2 bacteria only (MRSA and Staphylococcus aureus). Staphylococcus aureus was found to be more susceptible for all the extracts compared to other strains. The maximum ZOI of 20.72 mm was produced by fruits (wild) and 18.10 mm (cultivated) against Staphylococcus aureus. Likewise, the least ZOI of 11.73 mm was produced by seeds (wild) and 11.29 mm (cultivated) against Escherichia faecalis. Similarly, the lowest MBC value of 0.78 mg/mL was obtained for fruit extracts against MRSA, 1.56 mg/mL for fruits, seeds, and bark extracts against Bacillus subtilis, MRSA, and Staphylococcus aureus, and highest value of 50 mg/mL for fruits and seeds extracts against S. epidermidis. The fruits, seeds, and bark extracts of Z. armatum exhibited remarkable antibacterial properties against different pathogenic bacteria causing several diseases, which suggests the potential use of this plant for treating different bacterial diseases such as skin infection, urinary tract infection, dental problems, diarrhea, and dysentery.
An Improved Spectral Clustering Community Detection Algorithm Based on Probability Matrix
Authors: Ren Shuxia , Zhang Shubo , Wu Tao
Published: June 2020

The similarity graphs of most spectral clustering algorithms carry lots of wrong community information. In this paper, we propose a probability matrix and a novel improved spectral clustering algorithm based on the probability matrix for community detection. First, the Markov chain is used to calculate the transition probability between nodes, and the probability matrix is constructed by the transition probability. Then, the similarity graph is constructed with the mean probability matrix. Finally, community detection is achieved by optimizing the NCut objective function. The proposed algorithm is compared with SC, WT, FG, FluidC, and SCRW on artificial networks and real networks. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can detect communities more accurately and has better clustering performance.
Optimizations for FPGA-Based Ultrasound Multiple-Access Spread Spectrum Ranging
Authors: Segers Laurent , Braeken An , Touhafi Abdellah
Published: June 2020

Indoor localization based on ultrasound signals has been carried out by several research groups. Most of the techniques rely on a single ultrasound pulse ranging, where the Time of Flight between the ultrasound emitters and a receiver is computed. Ultrasound orthogonal modulation techniques have also been investigated and allow to compute the range between the receiver and multiple simultaneous emitters with increased accuracy. However, no comparative investigation on the possibilities of each of the modulation techniques, comprising Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum, Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum, and Chirp Spread Spectrum, could be found. Also, common optimized demodulation and correlation techniques for FPGA ready implementations are not widely available. Moreover, the hardware requirements for capturing modulated ultrasound signals could not be found for all the techniques. In this work, the different modulation techniques are optimized and implemented on an FPGA. A dedicated custom ultrasound MEMS-based receiver hardware for broadband ultrasound signal capturing is developed. Several modulation parameters are developed and applied for optimized signal processing. The FPGA resource consumptions are evaluated for the implemented methods. All methods are compared against the regular pulse ranging method, in both single-access and multiple-access ranging mode. Results show that, on average, up to 8 ultrasound-modulated emitters with an orthogonal sequence of length 63 can be demodulated on a Zynq7020 FPGA. In most cases, ranging up to 8 m is demonstrated in both single- and multiple-access mode, with accuracies generally remaining at a centimeter level. The requirements and capabilities for each of the modulation schemes are highlighted in the conclusions.
Fractional Ostrowski Type Inequalities via Generalized Mittag–Leffler Function
Authors: You Xinghua , Farid Ghulam , Maheen Kahkashan
Published: June 2020

If we study the theory of fractional differential equations then we notice the Mittag–Leffler function is very helpful in this theory. On the contrary, Ostrowski inequality is also very useful in numerical computations and error analysis of numerical quadrature rules. In this paper, Ostrowski inequalities with the help of generalized Mittag–Leffler function are established. In addition, bounds of fractional Hadamard inequalities are given as straightforward consequences of these inequalities.