bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Dynamic Loading Obtained From Braced Piping Support Under Sinusoidal Shaking Condition
Authors: Shimazu Ryuya , Tamura Ichiro , Matsuura Shinichi , Sakai Michiya , Ono Yohei
Published: October 2020

Loads applied to structures by means of vibration can be classified into load-controlled and displacement-controlled loads. The realistic elastic-plastic behavior of structures subjected to seismic loads is not fully understood, and the classification of the load applied to structures by means of earthquakes is unclear. The failure mode differs depending on the load classification, and thus clarifying the classification of the load applied to the structure is useful for designing the structure. This study clarified the realistic load classification of structures under an elastic-plastic response. Vibration tests were conducted using sinusoidal waves as inputs, and the elastic-plastic behavior of the piping supports undergoing buckling or fatigue failure was obtained. The maximum restoring force and the maximum deformation relationship were obtained from the envelope of the time history data of the test results. In addition, it was shown that the classification of the load could be determined from the maximum force-deformation diagram, even in cases involving buckling and fatigue. In the maximum force-deformation diagram, when the change in the ratio of dynamic restoring force to static restoring force is small, a load-controlled load is applied to the structure because the restoring force of the structure follows the change in the input wave. By contrast, when the change in the ratio of dynamic response displacement to static displacement is small, a displacement-controlled load is applied to the structure because the response displacement of the structure follows the change in the input wave.
European Project ATLAS+: Status of the WP1 Relative to the Experimental Program on Pipes and Specimens
Authors: Moinereau Dominique , Nicak Tomas , Dahl Anna
Published: October 2020

The 4-year European project ATLAS+ (Advanced Structural Integrity Assessment Tools for Safe long Term Operation) was launched in June 2017. One of its objectives is to study the transferability of ductile material properties from small scale specimens to large scale components and validate some advanced tools for structural integrity assessment.

The study of properties transferability is based on a wide experimental program — within the framework of work-package 1 (WP 1) — which includes a full set of fracture experiments conducted on conventional fracture specimens and on large scale components (mainly pipes).

Three materials are considered in the program: a low-alloy ferritic steel 15NiCuMoNb5 (WB36) typical from feedwater line in German PWR, an aged austenitic stainless steel weld typical (narrow gap) from EPR and a typical VVER austenitic stainless steel dissimilar weld (DMW).

Several European organizations are involved in the experimental work: EDF, CEA, Framatome, ARMINES, KIWA, Framatome GmbH, VTT, BZN, MTA-EK, and CIEMAT.
Large-scale outdoor sound field control
Authors: Heuchel Franz M. , Caviedes-Nozal Diego , Brunskog Jonas , Agerkvist Finn T. , Fernandez-Grande Efren
Published: October 2020

The feasibility and the performance of controlling low frequency sound of loudspeaker systems under varying atmospheric conditions is examined experimentally. In the experiment, a control subwoofer array is canceling the sound of a primary subwoofer array over long distances (∼100 m) and in large areas (∼320 m2) using the pressure-matching method. To avoid the measurement of the sound field over the entire control area, a sound propagation model is introduced that is fitted in situ to model the radiation properties of the loudspeakers and the variation of the speed of sound. The results show that the control system reduces the sound pressure levels by up to 15–20 dB over the subwoofers' frequency range. However, the reduction can vary considerably depending on the specific atmospheric condition. The model-based approach reduces the number of required measurements and achieves similar reduction performance to the control based on direct measurements with considerably fewer microphone locations while also being more robust. Additionally, the sound propagation model enables the reduction of acoustic energy in virtual control zones that are far away from the microphone location. The investigated methodology has a direct application in the mitigation of sound from outdoor concerts.
Structure of the snapping shrimps' acoustical activity in the Black Sea shallow water
Authors: Bibikov N. G. , Makushevich I. V.
Published: October 2020

Monitoring and analysis of the ambient noise on the shelf of the Black Sea produced by snapping shrimps is provided. The deviations of this process from the pure random one, including an increase in the coefficient of variation and a positive correlation of neighboring intervals were revealed. The fractal properties of the activity, which manifested themselves in a power dependence of the Fano factors on the counting time and in the dynamic changes of the Hurst index, was noticed. The chaotic transition of the click generation process in the population from pure random to trend was observed and vice versa.
Informational masking of speech depends on masker spectro-temporal variation but not on its coherence
Authors: Roberts Brian , Summers Robert J.
Published: October 2020

The impact of an extraneous formant on intelligibility is affected by the extent (depth) of variation in its formant-frequency contour. Two experiments explored whether this impact also depends on masker spectro-temporal coherence, using a method ensuring that interference occurred only through informational masking. Targets were monaural three-formant analogues (F1+F2+F3) of natural sentences presented alone or accompanied by a contralateral competitor for F2 (F2C) that listeners must reject to optimize recognition. The standard F2C was created using the inverted F2 frequency contour and constant amplitude. Variants were derived by dividing F2C into abutting segments (100–200 ms, 10-ms rise/fall). Segments were presented either in the correct order (coherent) or in random order (incoherent), introducing abrupt discontinuities into the F2C frequency contour. F2C depth was also manipulated (0%, 50%, or 100%) prior to segmentation, and the frequency contour of each segment either remained time-varying or was set to constant at the geometric mean frequency of that segment. The extent to which F2C lowered keyword scores depended on segment type (frequency-varying vs constant) and depth, but not segment order. This outcome indicates that the impact on intelligibility depends critically on the overall amount of frequency variation in the competitor, but not its spectro-temporal coherence.
Robust neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 infection persist for months
Authors: Wajnberg Ania , Amanat Fatima , Firpo Adolfo , Altman Deena R. , Bailey Mark J. , Mansour Mayce , McMahon Meagan , Meade Philip , Mendu Damodara Rao , Muellers Kimberly , Stadlbauer Daniel , Stone Kimberly , Strohmeier Shirin , Simon Viviana , Aberg Judith , Reich David L. , Krammer Florian , Cordon-Cardo Carlos
Published: October 2020

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies persist

As the number of daily COVID-19 cases continues to mount worldwide, the nature of the humoral immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains uncertain. Wajnberg
et al.
used a cohort of more than 30,000 infected individuals with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms to determine the robustness and longevity of the anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibody response. They found that neutralizing antibody titers against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein persisted for at least 5 months after infection. Although continued monitoring of this cohort will be needed to confirm the longevity and potency of this response, these preliminary results suggest that the chance of reinfection may be lower than is currently feared.

Science
, this issue p.
1227
Nonhuman primates exposed to Zika virus in utero are not protected against reinfection at 1 year postpartum
Authors: Vannella Kevin M. , Stein Sydney , Connelly Mark , Swerczek Joanna , Amaro-Carambot Emerito , Coyle Elizabeth M. , Babyak Ashley , Winkler Clayton W. , Saturday Greg , Gai Neville D. , Hammoud Dima A. , Dowd Kimberly A. , Valencia Luis Perez , Ramos-Benitez Marcos J. , Kindrachuk Jason , Pierson Theodore C. , Peterson Karin E. , Brenchley Jason M. , Whitehead Steve S. , Khurana Surender , Herbert Richard , Chertow Daniel S.
Published: October 2020

Macaques exposed to Zika virus in utero mount a Zika virus–specific immune response that is not protective against reinfection 1 year after birth.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Bacillus
sp. Strain EB106-08-02-XG196, Isolated from High-Nitrate-Contaminated Sediment
Authors: Ge Xiaoxuan , Thorgersen Michael P. , Poole Farris L. , Deutschbauer Adam M. , Chandonia John-Marc , Novichkov Pavel S. , Adams Paul D. , Arkin Adam P. , Hazen Terry C. , Adams Michael W. W.
Published: October 2020

Bacillus
sp. strain EB106-08-02-XG196 was isolated from a high-nitrate- and heavy metal-contaminated site at the Oak Ridge Reservation. We report the draft genome sequence of this strain to provide insights into the genomic basis for surviving in this unique environment.
Early Eocene high-flux magmatism and concurrent high-temperature metamorphism in the Gangdese belt, southern Tibet
Authors: Ma Xuxuan , Xu Zhiqin , Meert Joseph G. , Tian Zuolin , Li Haibing
Published: October 2020

The Himalayan-Tibetan orogen represents one of the major Cenozoic tectonic features on Earth, and yet considerable debate continues over the timing and sequence of collisional events leading to its formation. In this contribution, we present new field relations, petrology, geochemistry, geochronology, and phase equilibria modeling in the Gangdese belt of southern Tibet in an effort to address Indo-Asian collisional events in the region. These investigations reveal that the dominantly dioritic Nymo intrusive complex was formed at ca. 50–47 Ma. We establish that the Jurassic-aged Bima volcano-sedimentary sequence underwent early Eocene (50–47 Ma) high-temperature (HT) amphibolite-facies metamorphism. Petrology and phase equilibria modeling of garnet-biotite schists in the Bima rocks reveals mineral assemblages of melt + plagioclase + garnet + biotite + magnetite + ilmenite + sillimanite formed under conditions of 5.3–7.5 kbar and 700–800 °C. We contend that the early Eocene Nymo intrusive complex represents part of the ca. 50 Ma high-flux magmatic “flare-up” that triggered the HT amphibolite-facies metamorphism within the overlying plate during Indo-Asian collision. The synchroneity of high-flux magmatism and HT metamorphism in the Gangdese belt roughly coincided with the continuing Indo-Asian collisional process, implying the early Eocene closure of the Neotethys Ocean along the southern margin of the Lhasa terrane.
Supplemental Material: Minimal stratigraphic evidence for coseismic coastal subsidence during 2000 yr of megathrust earthquakes at the central Cascadia subduction zone
Authors: Nelson A.R. , al. et
Published: October 2020

Includes tables and imagery showing core and sampling locations; figures showing stratigraphy at additional sites and results of transfer function reconstructions of elevation using diatom floras from core S; tables of foraminiferal and diatom data; summaries of previous investigations; the tidal marsh setting of our study site; methods of measuring sampling elevations; explanation of variance added to radiocarbon age errors; and listing of code for OxCal radiocarbon age models.
Spatial distribution of stillbirth and associated factors in Ethiopia: a spatial and multilevel analysis
Authors: Tesema Getayeneh Antehunegn , Gezie Lemma Derseh , Nigatu Solomon Gedlu
Published: October 2020

Objective

Although the rate of stillbirth has decreased globally, it remains unacceptably high in developing countries. Today, only 10 countries share the burden of more than 65% of the global rate of stillbirth and these include Ethiopia. Ethiopia ranks seventh in terms of high rate of stillbirths. Exploring the spatial distribution of stillbirth is critical to developing successful interventions and monitoring public health programmes. However, there is no study on the spatial distribution and the associated factors of stillbirth in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the spatial distribution and the associated factors of stillbirth.

Methods

Secondary data analysis was conducted based on the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. A total weighted sample of 11 375 women were included in the analysis. The Bernoulli model was fitted using SaTScan V.9.6 to identify hotspot areas and ArcGIS V.10.6 to explore the spatial distribution of stillbirth. For associated factors, a multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted using STATA V.14 software. Variables with a p value of less than 0.2 were considered for the multivariable multilevel analysis. In the multivariable multilevel analysis, adjusted OR (AOR) with 95% CI was reported to reveal significantly associated factors of stillbirth.

Results

The spatial analysis showed that stillbirth has significant spatial variation across the country. The SaTScan analysis identified significant primary clusters of stillbirth in the Northeast Somali region (log likelihood ratio (LLR)=13.4, p<0.001) and secondary clusters in the border area of Oromia and Amhara regions (LLR=8.8, p<0.05). In the multilevel analysis, rural residence (AOR=4.83, 95% CI 1.44 to 16.19), primary education (AOR=0.39, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.74), no antenatal care (ANC) visit (AOR=2.77, 95% CI 1.70 to 4.51), caesarean delivery (AOR=5.07, 95% CI 1.65 to 15.58), birth interval <24 months (AOR=1.95, 95% CI 1.20 to 3.10) and height <150 cm (AOR=2.73, 95% CI 1.45 to 4.97) were significantly associated with stillbirth.

Conclusion and recommendation

In Ethiopia, stillbirth had significant spatial variations across the country. Residence, maternal stature, preceding birth interval, caesarean delivery, education and ANC visit were significantly associated with stillbirth. Therefore, public health interventions that enhance maternal healthcare service utilisation and maternal education in hotspot areas of stillbirth are crucial to reducing stillbirth in Ethiopia.
Effect of ambient air pollution on the incidence of colorectal cancer among a diabetic population: a nationwide nested case–control study in Taiwan
Authors: Ma Jen-Wen , Lai Ting-Ju , Hu Sung-Yuan , Lin Tzu-Chieh , Ho Wen-Chao , Tsan Yu-Tse
Published: October 2020

Objectives

An increasing number of studies had shown that air pollution exposure may aggravate blood glucose control in patients with diabetes, an independent risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) proposed by some researchers. This study aimed to investigate the impact of exposure to ambient particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) on the incidence of CRC among a diabetic population.

Design

A nested case–control study.

Setting

A subset data retrieved from the Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database.

Participants

We identified patients with newly diagnosed diabetes (n=1 164 962) during 1999–2013. Participants who had subsequently developed an incident of CRC were placed into the case group, while controls were matched to the cases at a 4:1 ratio by age, gender, date of diabetes diagnosis and the index date of CRC diagnosis.

Methods and outcome measures

All variables associated with the risk of CRC entered into a multinomial logistic regression model. The dose–response relationship between various average concentrations of PM2.5exposure and the incidence of CRC was estimated by logistic regression.

Results

The study included a total of 7719 incident CRC cases matched with 30 876 controls of random sampling. The mean annual concentration of PM2.5was 35.3 µg/m3. After adjusting for potential confounders, a dose–response relationship was observed between the CRC risks and each interquartile increase of PM2.5concentration (Q1–Q2: 1.03 (0.95–1.11), Q2–Q3: 1.06 (0.98–1.15), ≥Q3: 1.19 (1.10–1.28) in model 2. The adjusted ORs (95% CI) of CRC incidence for each 10 µg/m3increment of PM2.5was 1.08 (1.04–1.11). Moreover, a faster growing adapted Diabetes Complications Severity Index (aDCSI) score was noticed in CRC group compared with the controls, which also showed a significant association in our multivariate analysis (adjusted OR=1.28, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.38).

Conclusions

Long-term exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5may contribute to an increased incidence of CRC among diabetic populations.
Lasers to prevent dental caries: a systematic review
Authors: Pagano Stefano , Lombardo Guido , Orso Massimiliano , Abraha Iosief , Capobianco Benito , Cianetti Stefano
Published: October 2020

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of lasers (at sub-ablative parameters) in reducing caries incidence compared with traditional prophylactic interventions (TPIs) when used alone or together with other TPIs such as pits and fissures sealant or fluoride gels or varnishes.

Design

A systematic review. Data sources include Medline (via PubMed), Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library (December 2019).

Eligibility criteria

Only randomised trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) dealing with prophylactic lasers use (vs TPI or untreated teeth) were considered as eligible. We excluded in vitro and ex vivo studies.

Data extraction

Eligible studies were selected and data extracted independently by two reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed adopting the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Data on caries incidence, sealant retention, fluoride uptake, adverse events, treatment duration, patients’ discomfort and cost-effectiveness ratio was extracted.

Data analysis

Extracted data were presented narratively due to the heterogeneity of included studies.

Results

Seven RCTs and two CCTs, all with an evident risk of bias, met inclusion criteria, pooling together 269 individuals and 1628 teeth. CO2, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet, erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG), erbium, chromium: yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) and Argon lasers were used. In the permanent dentition, lasers only when used in combination with TPIs were effective in reducing caries when compared with untreated teeth (risk ratio (RR)=0.44 (0.20–0.97); Er:YAG laser) or with TPIs used alone (RR=0.39 (0.22–0.71); CO2laser). Moreover, Argon laser significantly improved the fluoride uptake into the enamel surfaces (ANalysis Of VAriance (ANOVA) tests: 95%, p<0.0001). Likewise, sealant retention improved when acid etching was performed on previously irradiated enamel fissures by CO2laser (RR=0.63 (0.38–1.04)) or Er:YAG laser (RR=0.54 (95% CI: 0.34 to 0.87)). In addition, laser resulted safe and well tolerated by patients.

Conclusion

Despite some positive indications, an inadequate level of evidence was found in the included studies concerning the lasers’ effectiveness in preventing caries. Further studies with a higher methodological quality level are required.
NutriQuébec: a unique web-based prospective cohort study to monitor the population’s eating and other lifestyle behaviours in the province of Québec
Authors: Lapointe Annie , Laramée Catherine , Belanger-Gravel Ariane , Buckeridge David L , Desroches Sophie , Garriguet Didier , Gauvin Lise , Lemieux Simone , Plante Céline , Lamarche Benoit
Published: October 2020

Introduction

The epidemic of non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes is attributable in large part to unhealthy eating and physical inactivity. In the fall of 2016, the Québec government launched its first-ever Government Health Prevention Policy (Politique gouvernementale de prévention en santé (PGPS)) to influence factors that lead to improved health status and quality of life as well as reduced social inequalities in health in the population of Québec. NutriQuébec is a web-based prospective open cohort study whose primary aim is to provide essential data for the evaluation of the PGPS on the Québec population’s eating and other lifestyle behaviours over time.

Methods and analysis

Over a first phase of 3 years, NutriQuébec will enrol 20 000 adults living in the province of Québec in Canada through a multimedia campaign designed to reach different segments of the population, including subgroups with lower socioeconomic status. Participants will be invited to complete on a web platform nine core questionnaires on a yearly basis. Questionnaires will assess several dimensions related to lifestyle, including eating and physical activity behaviours, as well as a large number of personal characteristics and global health status. Temporal trends in eating and lifestyle behaviours will be analysed in relation to the implementation of the PGPS to provide essential data for its evaluation at a population level. Data analyses will use sociodemographic weights to adjust responses of participants to achieve, so far as is possible, representativeness of the adult Québec population.

Ethics and dissemination

Université Laval Research Ethics Board approved the NutriQuébec project. Data analysis, presentations in conferences and publication of manuscripts are scheduled to start in 2020.

Trial registration number

NCT04140071.
Mitochondrial molecular genetic results in a South African cohort: divergent mitochondrial and nuclear DNA findings
Authors: Meldau Surita , Owen Elizabeth Patricia , Khan Kashief , Riordan Gillian Tracy
Published: October 2020

Aims

Mitochondrial diseases form one of the largest groups of inborn errors of metabolism. The birth prevalence is approximately 1/5000 in well-studied populations, but little has been reported from Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the genetics underlying mitochondrial disease in South Africa.

Methods

An audit was performed on all mitochondrial disease genetic testing performed in Cape Town, South Africa.

Results

Of 1614 samples tested for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or nuclear DNA (nDNA) variants in South Africa between 1994 and 2019, there were 155 (9.6 %) positive results. Pathogenic mtDNA variants accounted for 113 (73%)/155, from 96 families. Mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes, 37 (33%)/113, Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, 26 (23%)/113, and single large mtDNA deletions, 22 (20%)/113, accounted for 76%. Thirty eight of 42 nDNA-positive results were homozygous for theMPV17pathogenic variant c.106C>T (p.[Gln36Ter, Ser25Profs*49]) causing infantile neurohepatopathy, one of the largest homozygous groups reported in the literature. The other nDNA variants were inTAZ1, CPT2, BOLA3andSERAC1. None were identified inSURF1, POLGorPDHA1.

Conclusions

Finding a large group with a homozygous nuclear pathogenic variant emphasises the importance of looking for possible founder effects. The absence of other widely described pathogenic nDNA variants in this cohort may be due to reduced prevalence or insufficient testing. As advances in therapeutics develop, it is critical to develop diagnostic platforms on the African subcontinent so that population-specific genetic variations can be identified.
In-Hospital Outcomes and Prevalence of Comorbidities in Patients with Infective Endocarditis with and without Heart Blocks: Insight from the National Inpatient Sample
Authors: Jamal Shakeel M , Kichloo Asim , Albosta Michael , Bailey Beth , Singh Jagmeet , Wani Farah , Shah Zaib Muhammad , Ahmad Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Dilawar , Soni Ronak , Aljadah Michael , Khan Hafiz Waqas , Khan Mahin , Khan Muhammad Z
Published: October 2020

Infective endocarditis (IE) complicated by heart block can have adverse outcomes and usually requires immediate surgical and cardiac interventions. Data on outcomes and trends in patients with IE with concurrent heart block are lacking. Patients with a primary diagnosis of IE with or without heart block were identified by querying the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database, specifically the National Inpatient Sample for the years 2013 and 2014, based on International Classification of Diseases Clinical Modification Ninth Revision codes. During 2013 and 2014, a total of 18,733 patients were admitted with a primary diagnosis of IE, including 867 with concurrent heart blocks. Increased in-hospital mortality (13% vs 10.3%), length of stay (19 vs 14 days), and cost of care ($282,573 vs $223,559) were found for patients with IE complicated by heart block. Additionally, these patients were more likely to develop cardiogenic shock (8.9% vs 3.2%), acute kidney injury (40.1% vs 32.6%), and hematologic complications (19.3% vs 15.2%), and require placement of a pacemaker (30.6% vs 0.9%). IE and concurrent heart block resulted in increased requirement for aortic (25.7% vs 6.1%) and mitral (17.3% vs 4.2%) valvular replacements. Conclusion was made that IE with concurrent heart block worsens in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and cost for patients. Our analysis demonstrates an increase in cardiac procedures, specifically aortic and/or mitral valve replacements, and Implantable Cardiovascular Defibrillator/Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy/ Permanent Pacemaker (ICD/CRT/PPM) placement in IE with concurrent heart block. A close telemonitoring system and prompt interventions may represent a significant mitigation strategy to avoid the adverse outcomes observed in this study.
Electrical stimulation for seizure induction during SEEG exploration: a useful predictor of postoperative seizure recurrence?
Authors: Trebuchon Agnes , Racila Renata , Cardinale Francesco , Lagarde Stanislas , McGonigal Aileen , Lo Russo Giorgio , Scavarda Didier , Carron Romain , Mai Roberto , Chauvel Patrick , Bartolomei Fabrice , Francione Stefano
Published: October 2020

Objective

Direct electrical stimulations of cerebral cortex are a traditional part of stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) practice, but their value as a predictive factor for seizure outcome has never been carefully investigated.

Patients and method

We retrospectively analysed a cohort of 346 patients operated on for drug-resistant focal epilepsy after SEEG exploration. As potential predictors we included: aetiology, MRI data, age of onset, duration of epilepsy, age at surgery, topography of surgery and whether a seizure was induced by either low frequency electrical stimulation (LFS) or high frequency electrical stimulation.

Results

Of 346 patients, 63.6% had good outcome (no seizure recurrence, Engel I). Univariate analysis demonstrated significant correlation with favourable outcome (Engel I) for: aetiology, positive MRI and seizure induced by stimulation. At multivariate analysis, informative MRI, type II focal cortical dysplasia and tumour reduced the risk of seizure recurrence (SR) by 47%, 58% and 81%, respectively. Compared with the absence of induced seizures, the occurrence of ictal events after LFS significantly predicts a favourable outcome on seizures, with only 44% chance of disabling SR at last follow-up.

Conclusion

Among the already known predictors outcome, seizure induction by LFS therefore represents a positive predictive factor for seizure outcome after surgery.
Identification of early-stage silicosis through health screening of stone benchtop industry workers in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Hoy Ryan F , Glass Deborah C , Dimitriadis Christina , Hansen Jessy , Hore-Lacy Fiona , Sim Malcolm R
Published: October 2020

Objectives

The popularity of high silica content artificial stone has been associated with emergence of severe, progressive silicosis as a major health issue affecting workers in the stone benchtop industry. This population-based health assessment programme has been implemented with the aim of identifcation of silica-associated disease at a preclinical stage.

Methods

All current and former workers from the stone benchtop industry in the State of Victoria are offered free health assessments. Primary evaluations include a standardised questionnaire, physical examination, spirometry and gas transfer assessment and International Labour Organisation-categorised chest X-ray. Secondary evaluations include high-resolution CT chest, blood tests and a respiratory physician evaluation.

Results

At the end of the first 12 months, 86/239 (36%) workers who had completed secondary evaluation were diagnosed with silicosis (65 simple silicosis and 21 complicated silicosis). 22 had worked in the industry for less than 10 years at the time of diagnosis. Of those with simple silicosis, 80% of workers reported breathlessness only with strenuous exercise (modified Medical Research Council score of 0), and lung function was well preserved (prebronchodilator forced vital capacity mean 99.8% predicted (SD 13.6), diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide mean 96.2% predicted (SD 18.0)). Antinuclear antibodies were detected in 37% with silicosis and 24% without silicosis.

Conclusion

Early results from this comprehensive health assessment programme have indicated a high proportion of referred artificial stone benchtop workers have silicosis, including many with early-stage disease. The common finding of antinuclear antibodies suggest significant potential for autoimmune disease in this occupational group.
Virtual risk assessment pathway for deep venous thrombosis: a preliminary model
Authors: Iyengar Karthikeyan P , Jain Vijay Kumar , Soni Manjusha , Hakim Zuned
Published: October 2020

Background

COVID-19 has necessitated the reduction in conventional face-to-face patient consultation to reduce the risk of novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Traditional pathways to risk assess for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) would involve face-to-face assessment to formulate an appropriate management plan following an initial presentation usually in secondary care or in-hospital settings. Appropriate antithrombotic measures can prevent complication of DVT such as pulmonary embolism with prompt early diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

This observational, pilot study evaluates the possibility of combining telemedicine technology and a virtual examination pathway for remote triage and assessment of patients with suspected DVT.

Results

Piloting and development of a virtual risk assessment pathway for DVT involves various challenges and multidisciplinary co-ordination.

Conclusion

Advances in telecommunication technology can enable clinicians, specialist nurses and hospital departments to develop a virtual examination pathway for remote triage and assessment of patients with suspected DVT. This pathway is not a replacement for conventional ‘face-to-face’ evaluation, but we believe the template can be explored and refined to act as a blueprint for future applications even when the pandemic has stabilised.
Will vaccination refusal prolong the war on SARS-CoV-2?
Authors: Marcec Robert , Majta Matea , Likic Robert
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel coronavirus that appeared in Wuhan, China in January 2020 and caused a global pandemic drastically changing everyday life. Currently, there are vaccine candidates in clinical trials and development, so it is only a matter of time before one is authorised for human use.

Materials and methods

We collected public opinion survey results about attitudes towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccination conducted in 2020 in 26 European countries.

Results

The pooled surveys were conducted on a total of 24 970 participants; on average only 58% (n=14 365/24 970) of responders across Europe were willing to get a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine once it becomes available, 16% (n=3998/24 970) were neutral, and 26% (n=6607/24 970) were not planning to vaccinate against SARS-CoV-2. Such a low vaccination response could make it exceedingly difficult to reach the herd immunity threshold for SARS-CoV-2 through vaccination.

Conclusion

It is very important to start conducting educational public health activities on the topic of vaccination as soon as possible, before a vaccine becomes available, in order to improve attitudes towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Only by educating the general public about the benefits, safety and efficacy of vaccines can we hope to avoid the unnecessary prolongation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nystagmus goggles: how to use them, what you find and what it means
Authors: Halmagyi G Michael , McGarvie Leigh A , Strupp Michael
Published: October 2020

A fundamental characteristic of peripheral vestibular nystagmus, in particular horizontal nystagmus, is that it is suppressed by visual fixation. This means that a patient with a vertigo attack of peripheral vestibular origin might have no obvious spontaneous nystagmus on clinical examination. Goggles that reduce or remove visual fixation allow the cliniican to observe nystagmus in this situation. Nystagmus goggles are essential for any clinician dealing with dizzy patients. Here, we discuss why this is so and how easy it is to acquire and use them.
Seismic fragility assessment of bridge piers incorporating high-strength steel reinforcement and concrete under near-fault ground motions
Authors: Aldabagh Saif , Khan Saqib , Alam M. Shahria
Published: October 2020

Design codes in the United States and Canada limit the use of high-strength steel (HSS) and high-strength concrete (HSC) to bridge components that are expected to remain elastic during a seismic event. Although HSS and HSC have higher tensile and compressive strengths, respectively, their lower inelastic strain capacities impose for such restrictions. To assess the seismic performance of HSS and HSC, the pier of an existing bridge is redesigned using concrete compressive strength of 50 and 80 MPa, and reinforcement yield strength of 420, 690, and 830 MPa. Static pushover and nonlinear dynamic time-history analyses were performed to generate force–deformation and seismic fragility curves. Bridge piers incorporating HSS and HSC attained the maximum load capacity yet were the least ductile. They were less seismically vulnerable than those incorporating conventional materials at minimal and repairable damage states, but not at extensive and probable replacement damage states.
Periodic solutions and their stability for some perturbed Hamiltonian systems
Authors: Guirao Juan L. G. , Llibre Jaume , Vera Juan A. , Wade Bruce A.
Published: October 2020

We deal with non-autonomous Hamiltonian systems of one degree of freedom. For such differential systems, we compute analytically some of their periodic solutions, together with their type of stability. The tool for proving these results is the averaging theory of dynamical systems. We present some applications of these results.
Effects of annealing on phase structure and magnetic characteristics of sputter deposited Ni2FeGa/Si (100) thin films
Authors: Vinodh Kumar S. , Wu Zhigang , Sun Zuoyu , Manivel Raja M. , Mahendran M.
Published: October 2020

This paper investigates the effects of post-deposition annealing on the evolution of phase structure and magnetic properties of magnetron sputtered Ni2FeGa/Si (001) thin films. The results revealed that the as-deposited film was partially crystallized in an fcc structure, i.e. [Formula: see text] phase. Crystallization of the amorphous structure into the [Formula: see text] phase was greatly encouraged following annealing at 723 K for 1 h. Annealing at higher temperatures for the same period triggered the formation of the bcc austenitic phase, which competed with the [Formula: see text] phase simultaneously for crystallization and grain growth. The evolution of phase structure and grain size also influenced the nanomechanical properties of the films according to the nanoindentation measurement. The film annealed at 873 K for 1 h showed high hardness and elastic modulus values of 11.1 GPa and 156 GPa. The [Formula: see text] phase showed stronger ferromagnetic characteristics relative to the bcc austenite due to the richer Fe content. This leads to the saturation magnetization to be maximized at 80 emu/g when annealed at 773 K for 1 h attributed to the enhanced film crystallinity and dominant volume fraction of [Formula: see text] phase in the thin film.
An analytical solution of multi-dimensional space fractional diffusion equations with variable coefficients
Authors: Verma Pratibha , Kumar Manoj
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we have considered the multi-dimensional space fractional diffusion equations with variable coefficients. The fractional operators (derivative/integral) are used based on the Caputo definition. This study provides an analytical approach to determine the analytical solution of the considered problems with the help of the two-step Adomian decomposition method (TSADM). Moreover, new results have been obtained for the existence and uniqueness of a solution by using the Banach contraction principle and a fixed point theorem. We have extended the dimension of the space fractional diffusion equations with variable coefficients into multi-dimensions. Finally, the generalized problems with two different types of the forcing term have been included demonstrating the applicability and high efficiency of the TSADM in comparison to other existing numerical methods. The diffusion coefficients do not require to satisfy any certain conditions/restrictions for using the TSADM. There are no restrictions imposed on the problems for diffusion coefficients, and a similar procedures of the TSADM has followed to the obtained analytical solution for the multi-dimensional space fractional diffusion equations with variable coefficients.
Decoupled Variational Embedding for Signed Directed Networks
Authors: Chen Xu , Yao Jiangchao , Li Maosen , Zhang Ya , Wang Yanfeng
Published: October 2020

Node representation learning for signed directed networks has received considerable attention in many real-world applications such as link sign prediction, node classification, and node recommendation. The challenge lies in how to adequately encode the complex topological information of the networks. Recent studies mainly focus on preserving the
first-order
network topology that indicates the closeness relationships of nodes. However, these methods generally fail to capture the
high-order
topology that indicates the local structures of nodes and serves as an essential characteristic of the network topology. In addition, for the
first-order
topology, the additional value of non-existent links is largely ignored. In this article, we propose to learn more representative node embeddings by simultaneously capturing the
first-order
and
high-order
topology in signed directed networks. In particular, we reformulate the representation learning problem on signed directed networks from a variational auto-encoding perspective and further develop a decoupled variational embedding (DVE) method. DVE leverages a specially designed auto-encoder structure to capture both the
first-order
and
high-order
topology of signed directed networks, and thus learns more representative node embeddings. Extensive experiments are conducted on three widely used real-world datasets. Comprehensive results on both link sign prediction and node recommendation task demonstrate the effectiveness of DVE. Qualitative results and analysis are also given to provide a better understanding of DVE.
Low-Cost and Fast-Response Resistive Humidity Sensor Comprising Biopolymer-Derived Carbon Thin Film and Carbon Microelectrodes
Authors: Joshi Shalik Ram , Kim Beomsang , Kim Shin-Kwan , Song Wonho , Park Kibog , Kim Gun-Ho , Shin Heungjoo
Published: October 2020

In this study, we present a highly responsive room-temperature resistive humidity sensor based on a shellac-derived carbon (SDC) active film deposited on sub-micrometer-sized carbon interdigitated electrodes (cIDEs). This monolithic carbon-based sensor demonstrates an excellent linear relationship with humidity and ohmic contact between the active carbon film and carbon electrodes, which results in low noise and low power consumption (∼1 mW). The active SDC film is synthesized by a single-step thermal process, wherein the temperature is found to control the amount of oxygen functional moieties of the SDC film, thereby providing an efficient means to optimize the sensor response time, recovery time, and sensitivity. This SDC–cIDEs-based humidity sensor exhibits an excellent dynamic range (0%–90% RH), a large dynamic response (50%), and high sensitivity (0.54/% RH). In addition, the two-dimensional feature (thickness ∼10 nm) of the SDC film enables a swift absorption/desorption equilibrium, leading to fast response (∼0.14 s) and recovery (∼1.7 s) under a humidity range of 0%–70% RH. Furthermore, the thin SDC-based sensor exhibited excellent selectivity to humidity from various gases, which in combination with its fast response/recovery promises its application for an instant calibration tool for gas sensors.
Modification of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propyl Methacrylate Silane Coupling Agent
Authors: Nguyen Thuy-Chinh , Nguyen Tien-Dung , Vu Duc-Toan , Dinh Duc-Phuong , Nguyen Anh-Hiep , Ly Thi-Ngoc-Lien , Dao Phi-Hung , Nguyen Thi-Len , Bach Long-Giang , Thai Hoang
Published: October 2020

This paper presents some characteristics, properties, and morphology of TiO2 nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) modified with various contents of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPM) coupling agent. The treatment process was carried out in ethanol solvent at 50oC using ammonia as a catalyst for hydrolysis reaction of silane to silanol. Infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction methods were used for determination of the characteristics, properties of nano-TiO2 before and after treatment. In addition, the contact angle and grafting efficiency of TMSPM on the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles was also evaluated. The obtained results confirmed that TMSPM was grafted to the TiO2 nanoparticles, the agglomeration of nano-TiO2 was decreased, and surface of TiO2 nanoparticles became hydrophobic after modification by TMSPM.
Spatial-Temporal Evolution Characteristics and Countermeasures of Urban Innovation Space Distribution: An Empirical Study Based on Data of Nanjing High-Tech Enterprises
Authors: Tang Shuang , Zhang Jingxiang , Niu Fangqu
Published: October 2020

Since the financial crisis in 2008, innovation has gradually become the orientation of global economic development and the strategic choice for China’s urban development. With the transformation of the urban development mode from factor-driven and capital-driven to innovation-driven, many innovation spaces have begun to emerge in cities, which attract academic attention. A large number of studies on the relation between innovation activities and geographic space mainly focus on the phenomena at the regional level, and the city is only regarded as a target of innovation activities agglomeration. The study on the distribution of innovation space within the city is insufficient. In particular, there is a lack of studies on the spatial-temporal evolution of urban innovation space distribution. However, the study on the spatial-temporal evolution characteristics of urban innovation space distribution can provide planning countermeasures for the construction of innovative cities in China. Taking Nanjing as an empirical area, the spatial-temporal evolution of urban innovation space distribution was studied through methods such as average nearest neighbor, standard deviational ellipse, kernel density estimation, and exploratory spatial data analysis based on the data of high-tech enterprises identified from 2008 to 2019. The results showed the following: (1) the distribution of urban innovation space has significant spatial agglomeration characteristics, and the degree of agglomeration continued to rise; (2) regardless of the macro- or microperspective, the distribution of urban innovation space has shown the characteristic of diffusion at the initial, but the trend of polarization in recent years is significant; and (3) the distribution of urban innovation space exhibited diverse agglomeration modes and evolution trends in different regions, and it can be divided into three categories: grouped, banded, and scattered.
A Novel Human-Like Control Framework for Mobile Medical Service Robot
Authors: Zhang Xin , Li Jiehao , Qi Wen , Zhou Xuanyi , Hu Yingbai , Quan Hao , Wang Zhen
Published: October 2020

Recently, as a highly infectious disease of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has swept the globe, more and more patients need to be isolated in the rooms of the hospitals, so how to deliver the meals or drugs to these infectious patients is the urgent work. It is a reliable and effective method to transport medical supplies or meals to patients using robots, but how to teach the robot to the destination and to enter the door like a human is an exciting task. In this paper, a novel human-like control framework for the mobile medical service robot is considered, where a Kinect sensor is used to manage human activity recognition to generate a designed teaching trajectory. Meanwhile, the learning technique of dynamic movement primitives (DMP) with the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is applied to transfer the skill from humans to robots. A neural-based model predictive tracking controller is implemented to follow the teaching trajectory. Finally, some demonstrations are carried out in a hospital room to illustrate the superiority and effectiveness of the developed framework.
Primary Choledocholithiasis 15 Years Postcholecystectomy
Authors: Simon Michael , Hassan Irfan Nazir , Ramasamy Dhanasekaran , Wilson David
Published: October 2020

Gallstone disease is extremely prevalent in the western society with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) being the standard treatment for patients with symptomatic gallstones. The prevalence of common bile duct (CBD) stones with concomitant gallstones increases with age from 8–15% in patients <60 years of age and up to 60% in the elderly. There have been only a few case reports of postcholecystectomy bile duct stones occurring more than 10 years following surgery in the literature. Most of these reports describe the presence of stones within the gallbladder/cystic duct remnant or secondary to migrating surgical clips.
Airport Arrival Flow Prediction considering Meteorological Factors Based on Deep-Learning Methods
Authors: Yang Zhao , Wang Yifan , Li Jie , Liu Liming , Ma Jiyang , Zhong Yi
Published: October 2020

This study presents a combined Long Short-Term Memory and Extreme Gradient Boosting (LSTM-XGBoost) method for flight arrival flow prediction at the airport. Correlation analysis is conducted between the historic arrival flow and input features. The XGBoost method is applied to identify the relative importance of various variables. The historic time-series data of airport arrival flow and selected features are taken as input variables, and the subsequent flight arrival flow is the output variable. The model parameters are sequentially updated based on the recently collected data and the new predicting results. It is found that the prediction accuracy is greatly improved by incorporating the meteorological features. The data analysis results indicate that the developed method can characterize well the dynamics of the airport arrival flow, thereby providing satisfactory prediction results. The prediction performance is compared with benchmark methods including backpropagation neural network, LSTM neural network, support vector machine, gradient boosting regression tree, and XGBoost. The results show that the proposed LSTM-XGBoost model outperforms baseline and state-of-the-art neural network models.