bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple concurrent feedforward and feedback streams in a cortical hierarchy
Authors: Barzegaran Elham , Plomp Gijs
Published: January 2021

Visual stimuli evoke fast-evolving activity patterns that are distributed across multiple cortical areas. These areas are hierarchically structured, as indicated by their anatomical projections, but how large-scale feedforward and feedback streams are functionally organized in this system remains an important missing clue to understanding cortical processing. By analyzing visual evoked responses in laminar recordings from six cortical areas in awake mice, we established the simultaneous presence of two feedforward and two feedback networks, each with a distinct laminar functional connectivity profile, frequency spectrum, temporal dynamics and functional hierarchy. We furthermore identified a distinct role for each of these four processing streams, by leveraging stimulus contrast effects and analyzing receptive field convergency along functional interactions. Our results support a dynamic dual counterstream view of hierarchical processing and provide new insight into how separate functional streams can simultaneously and dynamically operate in visual cortex.
TMPRSS2 structure-phylogeny repositions Avoralstat for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis in mice
Authors: Joo Sun Young , Velez Gabriel , Parsons Dylan , Li Kun , Ortiz Miguel , Sharma Shaunik , McCray Paul B. , Bassuk Alexander G. , Mahajan Vinit B.
Published: January 2021

Drugs targeting host proteins can act prophylactically to reduce viral burden early in disease and limit morbidity, even with antivirals and vaccination. Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) is a human protease required for SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and may represent such a target.1–3We hypothesized drugs selected from proteins related by their tertiary structure, rather than their primary structure, were likely to interact with TMPRSS2. We created a structure-based phylogenetic computational tool 3DPhyloFold to systematically identify structurally similar serine proteases with known therapeutic inhibitors and demonstrated effective inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infectionin vitroandin vivo.4,5Several candidate compounds, Avoralstat, PCI-27483, Antipain, and Soybean-Trypsin-Inhibitor, inhibited TMPRSS2 in biochemical and cell infection assays. Avoralstat, a clinically tested Kallikrein-related B1 inhibitor,6inhibited SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication in human airway epithelial cells. In anin vivoproof of principle,5Avoralstat significantly reduced lung tissue titers and mitigated weight-loss when administered prophylactically to SARS-CoV-2 susceptible mice indicating its potential to be repositioned for COVID-19 prophylaxis in humans.
KERA: Analysis Tool for Multi-Process, Multi-State Single-Molecule Data
Authors: Tibbs Joseph , Ghoneim Mohamed , Caldwell Colleen C. , Buzynski Troy , Bowie Wayne , Boehm Elizabeth M. , Washington M. Todd , Tabei S. M. Ali , Spies Maria
Published: January 2021

Molecular machines within cells dynamically assemble, disassemble, and reorganize. Molecular interactions between their components can be observed at the single-molecule level and quantified using colocalization single-molecule spectroscopy (CoSMoS), in which individual labeled molecules are seen transiently associating with a surface-tethered partner, or other total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) approaches in which the interactions elicit changes in fluorescence in the labeled surface-tethered partner. When multiple interacting partners can form ternary, quaternary and higher order complexes, the types of spatial and temporal organization of these complexes can be deduced from the order of appearance and reorganization of the components. Time evolution of complex architectures can be followed by changes in the fluorescence behavior in multiple channels. Here, we describe the kinetic event resolving algorithm (KERA), a software tool for organizing and sorting the discretized fluorescent trajectories from a range of single-molecule experiments. KERA organizes the data in groups by transition patterns, and displays exhaustive dwell-time data for each interaction sequence. Enumerating and quantifying sequences of molecular interactions provides important information regarding the underlying mechanism of the assembly, dynamics and architecture of the macromolecular complexes. We demonstrate KERA’s utility by analyzing conformational dynamics of two DNA binding proteins: RPA and XPD helicase.
Does green intellectual capital spur corporate environmental performance through green workforce?
Authors: Mansoor Adil , Jahan Sarwat , Riaz Madiha
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Drawing upon the intellectual capital-based view theory, this study explored the relationship between green intellectual capital (IC) and environmental performance (EP) with the intervening effect of green human resource management (GHRM).

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional data were collected from 187 human resource directors/managers working in manufacturing firms of Pakistan. A partial least squares approach was applied to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results showed a mediating effect of GHRM on the relationship between green human capital and the organizational EP. Also two dimensions of green IC (green human capital, green relational capital) were also found positively related to the EP of the firm.

Practical implications

Policymakers should devote their attention to the preservation and enhancement of their employees' knowledge as green human capital is possessed by the employees. Furthermore, managers must exchange information with key stakeholders to better understand and resolve their environmental concerns. Organizational leaders must also ensure the implementation of GHRM policies that, in turn, improve the EP with the aid of green IC.

Originality/value

The current research contributes to the literature by defining green IC as an antecedent and GHRM as an intervening variable for EP. In addition, this study underlines the significance of GHC as a valuable intangible asset for the achievement of environmental sustainability. It also illustrates the importance of GRC, which creates an exchange partnership with the stakeholders to promote corporate environmentalism.
Ease of market entry of Indian startups: formal and informal institutional influences
Authors: Scillitoe Joanne L. , Birasnav Muthuraj
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study offers a theoretical model, hypotheses and empirical analyses of how formal and informal institutions influence the ease of market entry of startups in the context of India.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model based upon institutional and market entry theories is presented with hypotheses. Structural equation modeling is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results of the study suggest that college preparations and a culture of creativity and innovation are positively related to ease of market entry by Indian startups. A culture of personal success is negatively related to ease of market entry. Government assistance related to ease of market entry is not significant.

Originality/value

This paper offers a new perspective, linking formal and informal institutional influences to startup ease of market entry. In addition, informal institutions are viewed from the cultures of personal success and creativity/innovation within the entrepreneurial domain, which is also new to the literature. This paper offers specific insights in the context of India startups and offers some interesting findings that can contribution to the literature, policy and practice.
Relationship heterogeneity in Taiwanese maritime logistics service supply chains
Authors: Lin Moses Shang-Min , Potter Andrew , Pettit Stephen
Published: January 2021

Purpose

With the diverse, heterogeneous nature of relationships being a key characteristic of service supply chains, their management is an important area for consideration. This is particularly true in the maritime logistics industry, yet the factors that lead to this heterogeneity are less well understood. This paper aims to explore the structure of relationships within the maritime logistics network and determine why they vary.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were carried out with 41 practitioners involved in the Taiwanese maritime logistics network. The data from these interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis and quasi-quantification.

Findings

The interviews identify that structural holes exist within this maritime logistics network, and that these particularly influence the relationships within this sector with ports being significantly affected. However, five factors are particularly identified that can further impact the strength of these relationships. Often, weak links between ports and both cargo owners and freight forwarders emerge as value-added services are provided by the network.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are framed in a Taiwanese context, where cultural and political norms may give different results to other geographical regions. The research also limits consideration to containerized flows.

Practical implications

By providing detailed insights into relationship structures within the maritime logistics network, managers can take steps to develop appropriate links with other members of the network, reflecting upon the factors that lead to heterogeneity.

Originality/value

This paper expands knowledge on logistics service supply chains, identifying the importance of relationships in a derived demand environment. For maritime researchers, specific factors leading to relationship heterogeneity in the network are detailed, to inform future research.
Seasonal and spatial overlap in activity between domestic dogs and dingoes in remote Indigenous communities of northern Australia
Authors: Gabriele‐Rivet V , Brookes VJ , Arsenault J , Ward MP
Published: January 2021

Free‐roaming domestic dogs in Indigenous communities of northern Australia have the potential to spread diseases at the wild–domestic dog interface. Hunting activities with domestic dogs, commonly practiced in Indigenous communities, also create opportunities for wild–domestic dog interactions in the bush, providing pathways for potential disease spread. Data from a camera‐trap study conducted in remote Indigenous communities of northern Australia were used to explore spatial and seasonal opportunities for interactions between dingoes and unsupervised domestic dogs. For each type of dog, activity indices, based on detection events per camera station with an adjustment for sampling effort, were mapped across the study area and plotted against distance to communities. Unsupervised domestic dogs were mostly active in proximity (<1 km) to the communities. However, there was a noticeable peak of activity further in the bush away from the communities, especially in the wet season, coinciding with areas commonly used for hunting activities. In contrast, the activity of dingoes was more homogeneous within the study area, with a higher peak of activity around the communities during the dry season, and in bush areas distant (>10 km) to communities during the wet season. Overall, our findings suggest that interactions between dingoes and unsupervised community dogs are more likely to occur around the communities, particularly during the dry season, whereas in the wet season, there is increased opportunity for interactions in distant areas in the bush between dingoes and, presumably, hunting dogs.
Effect of silica based sols on the optical properties and colour fastness of synthetic indigo dyed denim fabrics
Authors: Sezgin Bozok Sabiha , Ogulata Ramazan Tugrul
Published: January 2021

The colour of denim fabric, which has a large share in the textile market, is an important parameter together with comfort properties during usage. While some users prefer the colour of denim fabrics to have different colours as they use them, others want to be provided with colour stability of the fabrics during use. In this study, the effect of a sol‐gel technique on indigo dyed denim fabrics was investigated. The aim was to reduce the colour change that occurs in denim fabrics as a result of external factors by using silica‐based coatings. The sols were prepared by using TEOS (tetraethylortosilicate) and different volumes of GPTS ((3‐glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane) as precursors in acidic and alkaline conditions. Synthetic indigo dyed cotton denim fabrics were treated with the sols by applying the pad‐dry‐cure method. It was determined that the colour strength of the treated samples increased and the fabrics treated with the sols prepared in alkaline condition became darker compared to the sols in acidic condition. It is seen that the use of crosslinkers while preparing the sol could improve the rubbing and washing fastness of commercial denim samples.
Perceived Effect Of Urban Park As A Restorative Environment For Well Being In Kuala Lumpur
Authors: Mohamad Nur Allia , Hussein Hazreena
Published: January 2021

A restorative environment tells how certain types of environment help heals people mentally and physically, and many studies in the related field have drawn connection that natural and green places are more likely to be restorative to a person’s health, especially when compared those living in cities. In Kuala Lumpur, rapid urbanization and previous poor city planning result in residents becoming increasingly susceptible to mental fatigue and urban stress. Residents frequent for the very few urban parks available as a place to restore themselves, thus the restorative qualities of the urban parks are critical to elevating the quality of life. This study investigates the theory of restorative environment and highlighting its criteria in the context of Kuala Lumpur, by analyzing an existing urban park as a case study: the Perdana Botanical Garden. The methods used include site observation, interview, and a questionnaire to evaluate the quality of the environment as well as user perception. Data from finding confirms the restorative theories as perceived by users and its suggested space criteria and shows that most users come to the park as green therapy and to relieve stress and relax, as they find that the natural scenery and engaging landscaping inside the park are restorative to their overall well-being.
Numerical simulations of perforated plate liners: Analysis of the visco-thermal dissipation mechanisms
Authors: Billard R. , Tissot G. , Gabard G. , Versaevel M.
Published: January 2021

In the linear regime and in the absence of mean flow, the impedance of perforated liners is driven by visco-thermal effects. In this paper, two numerical models are employed for predicting these visco-thermal losses. The first model is the linearized compressible Navier–Stokes equations (LNSE), solved in the frequency domain. The second model is the Helmholtz equation with a visco-thermal boundary condition, accounting for the influence of the acoustic boundary layers. These models are compared and validated against measurements. The quantitative analysis of the dissipation rate due to viscosity, computed from the LNSE solutions of four perforated plates, highlights significant differences between the edge effects of a macro- and a micro-perforated plate. In the latter case, a jet is present at the entrances of the perforation. In contrast, the proposed numerical method to calculate the impedance of perforated liners, based on the Helmholtz equation and a visco-thermal boundary condition, is found to be computationally cheaper and to provide reliable predictions.
A basic investigation into the optimization of cylindrical tubes used as acoustic stethoscopes for auscultation in COVID-19 diagnosis
Authors: Jiang Chuanyang , Zhao Jiaqi , Huang Bin , Zhu Jian , Yu Jiao
Published: January 2021

During the COVID-19 outbreak, the auscultation of heart and lung sounds has played an important role in the comprehensive diagnosis and real-time monitoring of confirmed cases. With clinicians wearing protective clothing in isolation wards, a potato chip tube stethoscope, which is a secure and flexible substitute for a conventional stethoscope, has been used by Chinese medical workers in the first-line treatment of COVID-19. In this study, an optimal design for this simple cylindrical stethoscope is proposed based on the fundamental theory of acoustic waveguides. Analyses of the cutoff frequency, sound power transmission coefficient, and sound wave propagation in the uniform lossless tube provide theoretical guidance for selecting the geometric parameters for this simple cylindrical stethoscope. A basic investigation into the auscultatory performances of the original tube and the optimal tube with proposed dimensions was conducted both in a semi-anechoic chamber and in a quiet laboratory. Both experimental results and front-line doctors' clinical feedback endorse the proposed theoretical optimization.
Escherichia coli Genomic Diversity within Extraintestinal Acute Infections Argues for Adaptive Evolution at Play
Authors: Bridier-Nahmias Antoine , Launay Adrien , Bleibtreu Alexandre , Magnan Mélanie , Walewski Violaine , Chatel Jérémie , Dion Sara , Robbe-Saule Véronique , Clermont Olivier , Norel Françoise , Denamur Erick , Tenaillon Olivier
Published: January 2021

Little is known about the dynamics of adaptation in acute bacterial infections. By sequencing multiple isolates from monoclonal extraintestinal
Escherichia coli
infections in several patients, we were able to uncover traces of selection taking place at short time scales compared to chronic infection.
mSphere of Influence: the Complexity of Interferon Gamma-Mediated Pathogen Control
Authors: Bryson Bryan D.
Published: January 2021

Bryan D. Bryson works in the field of biological engineering with a specific interest in host-mycobacterium interactions.
Prescription drug safe storage practices in Arizona tribal communities
Authors: Tsatoke Andrea , Morones Robert , Ampadu Isaac , Stephens Martin
Published: January 2021

This paper provides an overview of an opioid poisoning prevention pilot project conducted in several American Indian/Alaskan Native communities using an applied public health approach. The intent of the project was to identify a prescription medication safeguarding option for use in the home environment. The authors engaged the target population to obtain their buy-in to select an intervention that was acceptable and appropriate for their needs. Focus groups and key informant interviews conducted in several tribal communities resulted in the selection of a heavy-duty, lockable storage box as the intervention. Through community-based partnerships, 55 boxes were installed in participating households. Along with the box, participants also received education on safe medication storage and disposal. At baseline, only 1% of the participants reported storing their medication securely. During a 60-day follow-up visit, 95% of the observed boxes were being used to store medications. Also at baseline, 31% of the participants reported a history of lost or stolen medications. There were no reported lost or stolen medications during the 60-day project period among the participants. During the follow-up visits, project staff also found the boxes being used to store other items valuable to the participants. Reportedly, having their medication and other valuables secured in one location provided a heightened feeling of security. Since the completion of this pilot project, several organisations and entities have replicated it in their communities.
Glossary on free trade agreements and health part 1: the shift from multilateralism and the rise of ‘WTO-Plus’ provisions
Authors: McNamara Courtney L , Labonte Ronald , Schram Ashley , Townsend Belinda
Published: January 2021

The global trading system has undergone a shift away from multilateral trade negotiations to a ‘spaghetti-bowl’ of regional and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). In this two-part glossary, we discuss why this shift has occurred, focusing on how it poses new challenges for public health. Specifically, we introduce key terms that shape this new trading environment and explain them through a public health lens. Part 1 of this glossary focuses on provisions in FTAs that build on previous agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO). These provisions are commonly designated as ‘WTO-Plus’. This approach continues into part 2 of the glossary, which also considers components of FTAs that have no precedent within WTO treaties. Following a broader discussion of how the current political context and the COVID-19 pandemic shape the contemporary trade environment, part 2 considers the main areas of trade and health policy incoherence as well as recommendations to address them.
COVID-19 related health inequality exists even in a city where disease incidence is relatively low: a telephone survey in Hong Kong
Authors: Chung Roger Yat-Nork , Chung Gary Ka-Ki , Marmot Michael , Allen Jessica , Chan Dicken , Goldblatt Peter , Wong Hung , Lai Eric , Woo Jean , Yeoh Eng-Kiong , Wong Samuel Y S
Published: January 2021

Background

We examined whether COVID-19 could exert inequalities in socioeconomic conditions and health in Hong Kong, where there has been a relatively low COVID-19 incidence.

Methods

752 adult respondents from a previous random sample participated in a telephone survey from 20 April to 11 May 2020. We examined demographic and socioeconomic factors, worry of COVID-19, general health, economic activity, and personal protective equipment (PPE) and related hygiene practice by deprivation status. The associations between deprivation and negative COVID-19 related issues were analysed using binary logistic regressions, while the associations of these issues with health were analysed using linear regressions. Path analysis was conducted to determine the direct effect of deprivation, and the indirect effects via COVID-19 related issues, on health. Interactions between deprivation and the mediators were also tested.

Results

Deprived individuals were more likely to have job loss/instability, less reserves, less utilisation and more concerns of PPE. After adjustments for potential confounders, being deprived was associated with having greater risk of low reserve of face masks, being worried about the disease and job loss/instability. Being deprived had worse physical (β=−0.154, p<0.001) and mental health (β=−0.211, p<0.001) and had an indirect effect on mental health via worry and job loss/instability (total indirect effect: β=−0.027, p=0.017; proportion being mediated=11.46%). In addition, significant interaction between deprivation and change of economic activity status was observed on mental health-related quality of life.

Conclusion

Even if the COVID-19 incidence was relatively low, part of the observed health inequality can be explained by people’s concerns over livelihood and economic activity, which were affected by the containment measures. We should look beyond the incidence to address COVID-19 related health inequalities.
Research guidelines for embryoids
Authors: Piotrowska Monika
Published: January 2021

Human embryo models formed from stem cells—known as embryoids—allow scientists to study the elusive first stages of human development without having to experiment on actual human embryos. But clear ethical guidelines for research involving embryoids are still lacking. Previously, a handful of researchers put forward new recommendations for embryoids, which they hope will be included in the next set of International Society for Stem Cell Research guidelines. Although these recommendations are an improvement over the default approach, they are nonetheless unworkable, because they rely on a poorly conceived notion of an embryoid’s ‘potential’ to trigger stringent research regulations.
Social-Chain
Authors: Yan Zheng , Peng Li , Feng Wei , Yang Laurence T.
Published: January 2021

Pervasive Social Networking (PSN) supports online and instant social activities with the support of heterogeneous networks. Since reciprocal activities among both familiar/unfamiliar strangers and acquaintances are quite common in PSN, it is essential to offer trust information to PSN users. Past work normally evaluates trust based on a centralized party, which is not feasible due to the dynamic changes of PSN topology and its specific characteristics. The literature still lacks a decentralized trust evaluation scheme in PSN. In this article, we propose a novel blockchain-based decentralized system for trust evaluation in PSN, called Social-Chain. Considering mobile devices normally lack computing resources to process cryptographic puzzle calculation, we design a lightweight consensus mechanism based on Proof-of-Trust (PoT), which remarkably improves system effectivity compared with other blockchain systems. Serious security analysis and experimental results further illustrate the security and efficiency of Social-Chain for being feasibly applied into PSN.
Solving Linear Programs in the Current Matrix Multiplication Time
Authors: Cohen Michael B. , Lee Yin Tat , Song Zhao
Published: January 2021

This article shows how to solve linear programs of the form min

Ax
=
b
,
x
≥ 0

c
⊤
x
with
n
variables in time

O
*
((
n
ω
+
n
2.5−α/2
+
n
2+1/6
) log (
n
/δ)), where ω is the exponent of matrix multiplication, α is the dual exponent of matrix multiplication, and δ is the relative accuracy. For the current value of ω δ 2.37 and α δ 0.31, our algorithm takes
O
*
(
n
ω
log (
n
/δ)) time. When ω = 2, our algorithm takes
O
*
(
n
2+1/6
log (
n
/δ)) time.

Our algorithm utilizes several new concepts that we believe may be of independent interest:

• We define a stochastic central path method.

• We show how to maintain a projection matrix √
W
A
⊤
(
AWA
⊤
)
−1
A
√
W
in sub-quadratic time under \ell
2
multiplicative changes in the diagonal matrix
W
.
To Plan or Not to Plan? A Mixed-Methods Diary Study Examining When, How and Why Knowledge Work Planning is Inaccurate
Authors: Ahmetoglu Yoana , Brumby Duncan P. , Cox Anna L.
Published: January 2021

Reliable and accurate planning is essential for modern knowledge workers. However, there is limited insight about when, how and why planning is inaccurate, and the circumstances in which those inaccuracies are troublesome. To investigate this, we asked 20 academics to keep a diary for a single work day. They estimated the duration of the tasks they wanted to achieve at the start of the day and noted down in detail the tasks they actually achieved during the day. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to complement this diary data. The diaries showed that some tasks, such as email and coding, were more susceptible to time underestimation bias while other tasks, such as writing and planning, were more susceptible to time overestimation bias in planning. Based on interviews, a typology of common reasons for delays in planned daily work is presented. It suggests that vague and optimistic planning leads to the observed discrepancy between planned and actual work. Finally, interviews suggested that participants adopted four planning strategies that vary in the frequency of planning, from minimal planning to daily, weekly and multi-level planning. We close by discussing ways support systems for accurate planning can be better designed for different use cases.
Real-Time Multipath Mitigation in Multi-GNSS Short Baseline Positioning via CNN-LSTM Method
Authors: Tao Yuan , Liu Chao , Chen Tianyang , Zhao Xingwang , Liu Chunyang , Hu Haojie , Zhou Tengfei , Xin Haiqiang
Published: January 2021

Multipath is the main systematic error of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) short baseline positioning. Multipath cannot be eliminated by the double-differenced technique and is difficult to parameterize, which severely restrict the high-precision GNSS positioning application. Based on the spatiotemporal repeatability of multipath, the sidereal filtering in coordinate-domain (SF-CD), the sidereal filtering in observation-domain (SF-OD), and the multipath hemispherical map (MHM) can be used to mitigate the multipath in real-time. However, the multipath model with large matrix for multi-GNSS multipath mitigation is difficult to achieve lightweight calculation and the SF-CD cannot be applied to mitigate the multi-GNSS multipath. In this paper, we propose a new multipath mitigation strategy in the coordinate-domain that shakes off the formation mechanism of multipath, a CNN (convolutional neural network)-LSTM (long short-term memory) method is used to mine the deep multipath features in GNSS coordinate series. Furthermore, multipath will be mitigated in real-time by constantly predicting the value of the next epoch. The experimental results show that the CNN-LSTM effectively mitigates the multi-GNSS multipath. The method can reduce the average RMS (root-mean square) of multi-GNSS positioning errors in the east, north, and vertical directions by 62.3%, 70.8%, and 66.0%. Moreover, comparing with the SF-CD, SF-OD, and MHM, CNN-LSTM can more effectively mitigate the effects of the GPS multipath, and the ability of multipath mitigation is almost not affected over time.
Failure Mode Analysis of Carbon Fiber Composite Laminates by Acoustic Emission Signals
Authors: Liu Xinye , Yao Xinyue , Cai Jinhui , Zeng Jiusun , Chiu Wingkong
Published: January 2021

Composite laminates have complex failure modes. In order to investigate the evolution of failure in the composite laminates, this paper performed an experimental study on four laminates with different layups using acoustic emission (AE) technique. Two different kinds of defects are imposed on the laminates, including a hole and a crack in the center. Tensile and bending tests are performed on the defective laminates and real‐time AE signals are collected. By analyzing the spectrograms of the obtained AE signals and integrating with the dispersion curves, the evolution of failure modes for different laminates can be observed. The tests show that the defects cause multiple failure modes, which change gradually during the experiments. It is also revealed that laminates with different layups have different failure modes. More specifically, the stacking order of different plies has a greater impact on the occurrence of delamination and fiber fracture than matrix crack. The tentative research shows that there is great potential for improving the performance of the composite laminates by careful selection of ply layups.
Spatiotemporal Distributions of Sheep and Goat Pox Disease Outbreaks in the Period 2013–2019 in Eastern Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Aregahagn Sileshi , Tadesse Belege , Tegegne Bethelihem , Worku Yalelet , Mohammed Seid
Published: January 2021

Sheep and goat pox is highly contagious viral infection of sheep and goats caused by the genus Capripox virus. Clinically, the disease is characterized by fever, macules developing into papules, and necrotic lesions in the skin and nodular lesions in internal organs. In Ethiopia, there are seroprevalence epidemiological studies on the disease. However, the spatiotemporal clustering of sheep and goat pox incidence has not been investigated. A retrospective study design using the outbreak reported data from Kombolcha Regional Laboratory for the years from September 2013 to December 2019 was performed to determine the temporal and spatial distribution of sheep and goat pox outbreaks. A total of 663 sheep and goat pox disease outbreaks were reported in all major parts of Eastern Amhara region between 2013 and 2019. In this period, sheep and goat pox was reported in all administrative zones of Eastern Amhara region (n = 5). The average incidence of sheep and goat pox outbreaks at the district level was 8.61 per 7 years. The incidence differed between areas, being the lowest in hot dry month and highest in warm and cold moist months. Sheep and goat pox outbreaks generally have a peak in November followed by August and a low in May. There is a significant difference in the occurrence of sheep and goat pox disease outbreaks between months and years (

p
<
0.001

). The forecast for the period 2020–2026 revealed that a high number of sheep and goat pox disease outbreaks will occur than the previous one. Therefore, all stakeholders should work cooperatively to combat this disease occurrence, and there should be capacity development for participatory disease search, risk analysis, laboratory diagnosis, and information management in order to respond properly to outbreak of sheep and goat pox disease; thereby, it enhances the prevention and control the disease.
Single-Object Tracking Algorithm Based on Two-Step Spatiotemporal Deep Feature Fusion in a Complex Surveillance Scenario
Authors: Chen Yanyan , Sheng Rui
Published: January 2021

Object tracking has been one of the most active research directions in the field of computer vision. In this paper, an effective single-object tracking algorithm based on two-step spatiotemporal feature fusion is proposed, which combines deep learning detection with the kernelized correlation filtering (KCF) tracking algorithm. Deep learning detection is adopted to obtain more accurate spatial position and scale information and reduce the cumulative error. In addition, the improved KCF algorithm is adopted to track and calculate the temporal information correlation of gradient features between video frames, so as to reduce the probability of missing detection and ensure the running speed. In the process of tracking, the spatiotemporal information is fused through feature analysis. A large number of experiment results show that our proposed algorithm has more tracking performance than the traditional KCF algorithm and can efficiently continuously detect and track objects in different complex scenes, which is suitable for engineering application.
Performance Evaluation of Polyethersulfone Membranes for Competitive Removal of Cd2+, Co2+, and Pb2+ Ions from Simulated Groundwater
Authors: Ahmed Salwa H. , Al-Jubouri Sama M. , Zouli Nasser , Mohammed Ahmed A. , Majdi Hasan Shaker , Salih Issam K. , Al-shaeli Muayad , Al-Rahawi Ayham. M. I. , Alsalhy Qusay F. , Figoli Alberto
Published: January 2021

This paper presents studying the performance of three types of polyethersulfone (PES) membrane for the simultaneous removal of Co2+ ions, Cd2+ ions, and Pb2+ ions from binary and ternary aqueous solutions. Co2+ ions, Cd2+ ions, and Pb2+ ions with two different initial concentrations (e.g., 10 and 50 ppm) were selected as examples of heavy metals that contaminate the groundwater as a result of geological and human activities. This study investigated the effect of types of PES membrane and metal ions concentration on the separation process. For the binary aqueous solutions, the permeation flux of the PES2 membranes was higher for the separation process of solutions containing 50 ppm of Cd2+ ions and 10 ppm of Co2+ ions (24.7 L/m2·h) and Pb2+ ions (23.7 L/m2·h). All the metals in the binary solutions had high rejection when their initial concentration was lower than the initial concentration of the other metal present in the same solution. Using PES2, the maximum rejection of Cd2+ ions was 61.3% when the initial concentrations were 50 ppm Pb2+ ions: 10 ppm Cd2+ ions and 55.4% for Pb2+ ions when the initial concentrations were 10 ppm Pb2+ ions: 50 ppm Cd2+ ions. For the ternary aqueous solutions, the rejection and the permeation flux of the PES membranes increased with decreasing the heavy metal initial concentration. Using PES2, the maximum permeation flux was 21.6 L/m2·h when the initial concentration of the metals was 10 ppm; and the maximum rejection of the metals obtained at initial concentration of 10 ppm was 50.5% for Co2+ ions, 48.3% for Cd2+ ions, and 40% for Pb2+ ions. The results of the filtration process using PES2 of simulated contaminated-groundwater indicated the efficient treatment of groundwater containing Co2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ ions.
Simultaneous Unknown Input and State Estimation for the Linear System with a Rank-Deficient Distribution Matrix
Authors: Hua Yu , Wang Na , Zhao Keyou
Published: January 2021

The classical recursive three-step filter can be used to estimate the state and unknown input when the system is affected by unknown input, but the recursive three-step filter cannot be applied when the unknown input distribution matrix is not of full column rank. In order to solve the above problem, this paper proposes two novel filters according to the linear minimum-variance unbiased estimation criterion. Firstly, while the unknown input distribution matrix in the output equation is not of full column rank, a novel recursive three-step filter with direct feedthrough was proposed. Then, a novel recursive three-step filter was developed when the unknown input distribution matrix in the system equation is not of full column rank. Finally, the specific recursive steps of the corresponding filters are summarized. And the simulation results show that the proposed filters can effectively estimate the system state and unknown input.
Lung Ultrasound and Sonographic Subpleural Consolidation in COVID-19 Pneumonia Correlate with Disease Severity
Authors: Bitar Zouheir Ibrahim , Shamsah Mohammed , Maadarani OssamaSajeh , Bamasood Omar Mohammed , Bitar Ali Zouheir , Alfoudri Huda
Published: January 2021

Introduction. One of the ultrasonic features of COVID-19 pneumonia is the presence of subpleural consolidation (SPC), and the number of SPCs varies among patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Aim. To examine the relationship between disease severity and the number of SPCs on admission. Methodology. This observational, prospective, single‐center study included patients with suspected COVID-19 infection who had been transferred to the ICU. A specialized intensivist in critical care ultrasound performed lung ultrasound (LUS) and echocardiography within 12 hours of a patient’s admission to the ICU. The aeration score was calculated, and the total number of SPCs was quantified in 12 zones of the LUS. Results. Of 109 patients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia, 77 (71%) were confirmed. The median patient age was 53 (82–36) years, and 81 of the patients (73.7%) were men. The aeration score and the counts of subpleural consolidation in each zone were significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia (

P
=
0.018

and

P
<
0.0001

, respectively). There was an inverse relationship between PO2/FiO2, the aeration score, and the number of subpleural consolidations. The higher the number of SPCs, the worse the PO2/FiO2 will be. Conclusions. Sonographic SPC counts correlate well with the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia and PO2/FiO2. The number of SPCs should be considered when using LUS to assess disease severity.
Spatiotemporal Evolution Characteristics of Fluid Flow through Large-Scale 3D Rock Mass Containing Filling Joints: An Experimental and Numerical Study
Authors: Yin Qian , Jing Hongwen , Zhu Tantan , Wu Lizhou , Su Haijian , Yu Liyuan
Published: January 2021

This study analyzes the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of seepage through a large-scale rock mass containing a filling joint. Firstly, a conceptual model was established to characterize the geomechanical occurrence of a typical water-resistant slab adjacent to a water-bearing structure. Then, a special apparatus was developed to conduct a hydromechanical test of a 3D large-scale rock mass. For a certain boundary stress and inlet water pressure, the pore water pressure in the joint first experiences a dramatic increase before approaching a constant value, and the steady pore water pressure presents a linear decrease along the joint length. A water inrush phenomenon happens as a result of connected flowing channels induced by migration of fillings. Using the finite element of COMSOL multiphysics, the influences of filling joint permeability, matrix permeability, and joint thickness as well as the inlet water pressure on seepage evolution in the jointed rock mass were, respectively, investigated. The pore water pressure increases with all these factors, and the stable pressure values increase with the inlet water pressure but decrease along the joint length. The flow velocity undergoes an increase with both the joint permeability and inlet water pressure but presents constant values independent on the matrix permeability or joint thickness. The water pressure contour planes distributed along the flowing path generally transfer from a “long funnel” shape to a “short funnel” shape before reaching a series of parallel pressure planes perpendicular to the joint direction. By using the genetic algorithm, the coupling influences of these factors on the pore water pressure and flow velocity were investigated, and the decision parameters were optimized. The calculated values show a good agreement with the numerical results, indicating a good prediction of the seepage evolution through the filling joint.
Emotion Recognition of EEG Signals Based on the Ensemble Learning Method: AdaBoost
Authors: Chen Yu , Chang Rui , Guo Jifeng
Published: January 2021

In recent years, with the continuous development of artificial intelligence and brain-computer interface technology, emotion recognition based on physiological signals, especially, electroencephalogram (EEG) signals, has become a popular research topic and attracted wide attention. However, how to extract effective features from EEG signals and accurately recognize them by classifiers have also become an increasingly important task. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an emotion recognition method of EEG signals based on the ensemble learning method, AdaBoost. First, we consider the time domain, time-frequency domain, and nonlinear features related to emotion, extract them from the preprocessed EEG signals, and fuse the features into an eigenvector matrix. Then, the linear discriminant analysis feature selection method is used to reduce the dimensionality of the features. Next, we use the optimized feature sets and train a classifier based on the ensemble learning method, AdaBoost, for binary classification. Finally, the proposed method has been tested in the DEAP data set on four emotional dimensions: valence, arousal, dominance, and liking. The proposed method is proved to be effective in emotion recognition, and the best average accuracy rate can reach up to 88.70% on the dominance dimension. Compared with other existing methods, the performance of the proposed method is significantly improved.
Long-Term Successful Outcome of Dystonic Head Tremor after Bilateral Deep Brain Stimulation of the Ventral Intermediate and Ventro-Oral Internus Nuclei: A Case Report and Literature Review of Dystonic Head Tremor
Authors: Yamahata Hayato , Horisawa Shiro , Hodotsuka Kenichi , Kawamata Takakazu , Taira Takaomi
Published: January 2021

Head tremor in patients with dystonia is referred to as dystonic tremor. During surgical treatment, numerous targets may be selected, including the internal segment of the globus pallidus and the ventral intermediate (Vim) nucleus; however, there is no consensus concerning the most effective treatment target. We report herein a case of dystonic head tremor in which improvement persisted for 5 years after deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the bilateral thalamic Vim and ventro-oral internus (Voi) nuclei. The patient, a 67-year-old woman, has a horizontal head tremor associated with cervical dystonia that had been resistant to drug treatment over 3 years. Immediately following surgery, dystonia and tremor symptoms had completely improved. Voice volume declined and dysarthria occurred but improved upon adjusting the stimulation conditions. Over 5 years, both head tremor and cervical dystonia have been completely controlled, and no other obvious complications have been observed. As the Voi nucleus receives pallidothalamic projections involved in dystonia and the Vim nucleus receives cerebellothalamic projections involved in tremors, stimulating these 2 nuclei with the same electrode appears reasonable in the treatment of dystonic tremor. This case suggests that Vim-Voi DBS may be effective for treating dystonic head tremor.
Changes in Cardiomyocyte Cell Cycle and Hypertrophic Growth During Fetal to Adult in Mammals
Authors: Bishop Sanford P. , Zhou Yang , Nakada Yuji , Zhang Jianyi
Published: January 2021

The failure of adult cardiomyocytes to reproduce themselves to repair an injury results in the development of severe cardiac disability leading to death in many cases. The quest for an understanding of the inability of cardiac myocytes to repair an injury has been ongoing for decades with the identification of various factors which have a temporary effect on cell‐cycle activity. Fetal cardiac myocytes are continuously replicating until the time that the developing fetus reaches a stage of maturity sufficient for postnatal life around the time of birth. Recent reports of the ability for early neonatal mice and pigs to completely repair after the severe injury has stimulated further study of the regulators of the cardiomyocyte cell cycle to promote replication for the remuscularization of injured heart. In all mammals just before or after birth, single‐nucleated hyperplastically growing cardiomyocytes, 1X2N, undergo ≥1 additional DNA replications not followed by cytokinesis, resulting in cells with ≥2 nuclei or as in primates, multiple DNA replications (polyploidy) of 1 nucleus, 2X2(+)N or 1X4(+)N. All further growth of the heart is attributable to hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes. Animal studies ranging from zebrafish with 100% 1X2N cells in the adult to some strains of mice with up to 98% 2X2N cells in the adult and other species with variable ratios of 1X2N and 2X2N cells are reviewed relative to the time of conversion. Various structural, physiologic, metabolic, genetic, hormonal, oxygenation, and other factors that play a key role in the inability of post‐neonatal and adult myocytes to undergo additional cytokinesis are also reviewed.
Henry James in–and out of–the Classroom
Authors: Yeazell Ruth Bernard
Published: January 2021

Henry James did not write for the classroom. His personal experience of the institution was erratic at best, and most of his work was published at a time when the novel had yet to be formally recognized as a subject of academic study. But he believed strongly that “art lives upon discussion,” and the undergraduate classroom can be an invigorating space in which to keep that discussion going. Drawing both on my own experience of teaching James's novels over the years and on an informal survey of Yale undergraduates who have studied the novelist with me in recent decades, this essay addresses some of the ways in which his work continues to resonate both in and out of the classroom.
The Hole in the Carpet: Henry James's The Bostonians
Authors: Cameron Sharon
Published: January 2021

“The Hole in the Carpet” examines the ways in which Henry James deflates and nullifies value in The Bostonians. The essay raises a question of whether a novel that has no stable repository for value creates in its stead an ethical vacuum that is costly for a reader.
“A Woman Is a Sometime Thing”: (Re)Covering Black Womanhood in Porgy and Bess
Authors: Brooks Daphne A.
Published: January 2021

This essay reexamines the legendary opera-musical Porgy and Bess by first tending to its origins in the dual phenomenon of early 1920s racialized sonic experimentation and the Southern literary conceits of DuBose Heyward, author of the 1925 novel Porgy on which the theater production was based. It traces the ways in which Heyward and George Gershwin's undertheorized fascination with “the vice of Black womanhood” effectively shaped the form and the content of a work often referred to as “America's most famous opera,” and it ultimately considers the ways that Black women artists navigated, complicated, and transformed the charged aesthetics of a Porgy and Bess. Their performance labor ultimately subverts an archetype whose novel roots threatened to circumscribe their representational and artistic possibility.