bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on high efficiency coagulation process of poly-silicic-ferric by response surface methodology
Authors: Gao D , Fu Y
Published: June 2019

The Box-Behnken response surface methodology was used to optimize the coagulation and sedimentation processes using poly-silicic-ferric (PSF) as coagulant. The quadratic regression equation with the dosage, flocculation time and precipitation time as the independent variables and the turbidity removal rate as the response value was established to determine the optimal process conditions of the PSF. The response surface results showed that the dosage of the agent, the flocculation time, the precipitation time and the interaction between them all had significant effects on the coagulation properties of the PSF. The optimal turbidity removal rate of PSF was 99.2% when the dosage of the agent, the flocculation time and the precipitation time were 7.2 mg/L, 5 min and 3 min, respectively. In addition, the predicted values were in good agreement with the measured values, and the model had high credibility. This indicated that PSF can coagulate and precipitate the impurity particles in a short time, which can shorten the time of the coagulation and sedimentation processes.
Research on the Construction Mode of Guangxi Ecological Civilization Driven by Ecotourism
Authors: Liu hong mei , Cheng dao pin
Published: June 2019

Ecotourism is considered to be highly coupled with the construction of ecological civilization and is the main effective way to realize the construction of ecological civilization. Many ethnic areas in China are suitable to develop eco-tourism based on their unique and enriched ecological resources, and exert their strong linkages to further promote the consolidation of ecological civilization features in ethnic areas. Taking Guangxi as an example, by selecting and analyzing its typical representative eco-tourism counties,this paper summarizes five eco-tourism-driven ecological civilization characteristic construction models, it provides theoretical inspiration and practical demonstration for the exploration of ecological civilization characteristic construction mode in other ethnic areas with ecological resources advantage.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) Adoption by Quantity Surveyors: A Preliminary Survey from Malaysia
Authors: Ismail Noor Akmal Adillah , Adnan Hamimah , Bakhary Nor Azmi
Published: June 2019

Inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of delivering construction projects have negatively impacted the construction industry for decades. However, the emergence of BIM technology has influenced the construction process with its many benefits towards project success. Among the benefits offered by BIM are reduced project time and cost; and enhanced team collaboration and communication through the improvement of project quality and its performance. Consequently, BIM applications are claimed to provide more reliable working practice for Quantity Surveyors especially in establishing their cost estimates. Despite its well-known advantages that drive BIM employment worldwide, its usage in Malaysia is still at infancy level, with the lack of implementation by the Quantity Surveyors. Thus, this paper aims to explore BIM usage amongst Quantity Surveyors in Malaysia. A preliminary survey was undertaken to capture their views on BIM awareness, the application of BIM software, BIM usage by project stages, prospects of BIM and its importance. The findings from the survey show that BIM implementation amongst the professionals was still low. The application of BIM tools was used mostly for cost estimating and preparing Bills of Quantities (BQ) for tender documentation purpose only. Although BIM was mostly rated as important, most of the respondents were only aware of BIM but were not using it in their practice. However, they showed their interest in knowing more on how BIM would benefit their practice. The significance of this preliminary study is in terms of getting input on BIM adoption level amongst the construction players focusing on the quantity surveying field, which could be used as a reference point and benchmark towards BIM development in Malaysia.
Research on the Innovation and Shaping of Urban Culture Brand Image from the Perspective of Regional Economy—Taking Guangzhou as an Example
Authors: Huang Min
Published: June 2019

The urban cultural brand image plays an important role in the long-term development of a city. As a kind of soft power of the city, it has become a key factor for urban planners in the current society. This paper explains the related concepts of urban cultural brand image. From the perspective of regional economy, this paper analyzes the constituent elements of Guangzhou urban cultural brand image design, and then demonstrates the path of Guangzhou urban cultural brand image innovation and shaping, in order to provide useful enlightenment for Guangzhou’s urban cultural development.
Experimental Study on Shear Properties of Interface between Clay and Cement Paste
Authors: Wang Yibo , Xia Xiong , Wu Yan
Published: June 2019

According to the typical clay in Changzhou, the shear properties of interface between cement paste and clay were studied through changing water content of clay and water cement ratio of cement paste. Rules of shear strength, internal friction angle and cohesion of contact surface between cement paste and clay changing with water content were researched. The results show that when the water cement ratio and clay moisture content remain unchanged, the shear stress increases with the increase of normal stress. After reaching a peak value, the shear stress begins to decrease. When water cement ratio and normal stress remain unchanged, the shear stress decreases with the increase of water content. When the water cement ratio is constant, the internal friction angle decreases with the increase of water content. When the water cement ratio is 0.4 and 0.45, the cohesion decreases with the increase of water content. When the water cement ratio is above 0.5, the cohesion increases first and then decreases with the water content. 17% is the optimum moisture content, at this time, the cohesion is the greatest.
The brief analysis on the structure and material selection of high-rise and super high-rise buildings
Authors: Li Jialin
Published: June 2019

The main factors that influence the structure and material selection of high-rise and super high-rise buildings are as follow: functional requirements, Structural force, economic elements and constructional level etc. Starting from the meaning of structural type selection of high-rise and super-high-rise buildings, this paper mainly discusses the influencing factors in structural type selection and material selection, which can be used for reference in future structural design.
Research on World City Evaluation System Based on the Concept of Regional Space “Flow”
Authors: Qi Luhui , Zeng Fanlong , Chen Lixin
Published: June 2019

In 2012, the United Nations published the white paper “Big Data for Development: Challenges and Opportunities”, pointing out that the “big data era” has arrived. The concept of “data stream” will continue to profoundly affect all aspects of the global economy, society and life. The “vertical” relationship between cities in the traditional urban hierarchy is gradually replaced by the “horizontal” relationship in the urban network system. As the concept of “big data” gradually moves from theory to practice, the world city evaluation system is based on the evidence of air passenger flow, port logistics, Internet information flow data, enterprise top 100 multinational corporations’ enterprise layout and scale data, and high-end productive service industry. Data research, further reorienting the path of urban competitive advantage from the perspective of world urban network, proposes the strategy of urban competitiveness improvement under the background of the world urban network system, which undoubtedly promotes the refinement of China’s big data urban and rural planning to the planning process. Scientific advancement provides guarantee and technical support for scientific and rational planning results.
Research and Application of BIM-based Specification-compliant Field Quality Management for Lean Construction
Authors: Chen Lijuan , Wu Qinglin , Xie Xiong
Published: June 2019

The construction quality is always the focus and aim of a project, and how to control and manage the quality of the project is an eternal theme. With the endless stream of new architectural design, increasingly diversity in functions and complexity in professional system, and massive tedious data information, quality and management are facing stern challenge in the new political, economic, social and technological environment. The emergence and popularization of BIM (Information Modeling Building) not only changed the production tools of practitioners, but also provided a new way for engineering quality management. This paper will conduct research and discussion in aspect of the construction quality management in the time of opportunity and challenge.
Study on Bacterial Diversities in Stored Water under Different Storage Environments
Authors: Zhang Yaojun , Mei Shaofeng , Li Yunlong , Bi Qingbo , Yang Zifan , Wang Yi , Chen Xiao , Li Xin
Published: June 2019

Stored water is one kind of survival supply in emergency preparedness, which should be biologically safe during a certain storage period. Different storage environments including temperature and condition of sealing decide the microbial quality of water. An orthogonal test were conducted to discover the regulation of biological diversities in stored water for a period of 15 days. Growth-dose-response model were applied into the growth phase to simulate the bacterial growth. Statistical analysis revealed that: (1) nutrients including AOC determined the maximum values of HPC; (2) Temperature played its role through affect the growth rate of bacterium. (3) Under sealing conditions, water sample could keep biological stability for longer time, compared with unsealing surroundings.
Study on hydrodynamic and sediment transport characteristics considering implement of the Fuhe River Diversion Project in China
Authors: Lei Wentao , Liu Tonghuan , Luo You , Kong Weina
Published: June 2019

A movable-bed physical model is presented to investigate characteristics of hydrodynamic and sediment transport (ST) in a planned excavating channel downstream the Fuhe River (FHR) and the Qinglan Lake (QLL), Jiangxi Province, China. The model is validated by the observed water level and velocity data during the low water period in May 13 and high water period in June 21 2014, respectively, which shows well agreements between simulated and observed data. With repeating 6-years cycle of the runoff discharge and suspended sediment concentration condition from the Lijiadu hydrological station downstream the FHR during 2006 and 2008∼2012, experiments are conducted to predict bed evolution process in the excavated channel and QLL after the implement. The hydrodynamic results indicate that the cross-section averaged velocity generally increases both in the QLL and upstream of the excavated channel during a 20-year return period flood. The ST results show that erosion develops mainly in the left side of the channel and deposition occurs slightly upstream of the QLL after 30 years. Some deposition becomes visible in the center of the QLL after 90 years, and a relatively stable balance between deposition and erosion is observed in the whole QLL after 150 years.
Stormwater Simulation Based on The Concept of Sustainable Development of Sponge City Construction
Authors: guo Mengjing , Liu Wenbo , Wu Wei , Wei Yingjian
Published: June 2019

In recent years, urban flood disaster has intensified due to the frequent urban stormwaters in China. It has seriously restricted the healthy sustainable development of cities. Therefore, it is very important to simulate the urban Stormwater waterlogging process by using a mathematical model, and to assess the risk of waterlogging and drainage capacity for urban flood prevention and mitigation. The stormwater of the Xiaoyi City in China is simulated by using MIKE 21 and MIKE URBAN models. The main conclusions include: (1)The Stormwater flooded area and depth has simulated in the urban stormwater, and the Stormwater on "2016.7.19" was used to verify the models. The results show that the model has good applicability. (2)Under the different rainfall intensities of 1a, 3a and 5a, the Stormwater flooded area, which water depth ≥27 cm and duration ≥30 min, is increased from 1.46 km2 to 3.21 km2 and 4.49 km2, respectively, accounting for the total waterlogging area about 42.3%, 44.3%, and 48.0%. (3)The lack of drainage capacity is the main reason for the floods in the study area. Under the current conditions, with a drainage capacity of less than 3 years, the total length of the pipe network is about 18.77 km and accounting for 86.57% of the total length of the pipe network. These results can provide technical support for the urban flood control in the study area.
Regional Environmental Features and Health Indicators Dynamics. Pollution of the Earth’s Atmosphere and International Air Quality Standards
Authors: Chernyaeva V A , Wang D H
Published: June 2019

The article conducting the problem of maintaining health and increasing the life expectancy of the population continues, which is relevant at the present time. There are many important questions in the world to which countries should jointly seek answers, but one of the main areas of interaction between countries is the environment. According to the world health organization data for 2014, approximately 3.7 million people die each year in the world due to air pollution. The level and dynamics of indicators of air quality can be used to assess the situation in the region or in the territory, to analyse the effectiveness of environmental activities, for competent and effective planning of the system of actions to improve the quality of life of the population.
Review on the development of Eco-garden in China
Authors: Han Xiaoying , Wang Jinye , Li Ning
Published: June 2019

The current research progress of Eco-garden in China is summarized to understand the current research progress and deficiencies, so as to provide references for related theoretical and practical research.Based on the CNKI periodical library and using Excel, Citespace and other software, the literature related to ecological garden was analyzed statistically and quantitatively from 1986 to 2018. The results show that the concept of Eco-garden concept is not unified; the scientific theoretical system is not formed; the research coverage is limited; the research methods are mostly qualitative and the quantitative research methods are few.Finally, this paper puts forward suggestions on the research results: constructing a complete and mature Eco-garden theory system; expanding the research content of ecological garden; deepening the research level of Eco-garden; paying attention to the evaluation of Eco-garden; and combining qualitative and quantitative analysis methods.
Study on type selection of greening plants for the protection of Yongsan Road slope
Authors: Huang Pengyu , Luo Guang
Published: June 2019

This paper discusses the action mechanism of plant in slope protection, analyzes the failure characteristics of different slopes in Yongsan Road and the capacity requirements of slope protection by plants, selects the commonly used and applicable plants in local and Guangxi areas, and recommends many plant types for slope protection according to the characteristics of slopes and plants.
A Study on the Promotion of College Students’ E-reading Behavior Based on the Reading Behavior of Colleges and Universities
Authors: Hu Jianfei , Meng Luyang , Wang Di
Published: June 2019

Reading changes people’s lives, and the depth of E-reading influences people’s life style. This paper takes the promotion and analysis of E-reading behavior as the breakthrough point, takes college students as the analysis object of reading promotion behavior, analyses the matters needing attention in the process of promoting reading behavior of college students in our country at present, and puts forward some suggestions and measures.
Abnormal Diagnosis of Dam Safety Monitoring Data Based on Ensemble Learning
Authors: Jun Zhang , Jiemin Xie , Pangao Kou
Published: June 2019

Screening out the gross errors and systematic errors of dam safety monitoring data by theoretical hypothesis will lead to the risk of misjudgment of abnormal data. In order to reduce this risk, based on the ensemble learning method in machine learning, this article extracts and integrates multiple base learners from the stepwise regression model, and proposes a matrix of abnormal indexes based on real-time data update, and analyzes the abnormal diagnosis of the measured data subsequently. The results show that the abnormal indexes have a strong practicability, which don’t need to screen out the data with systematic errors and gross errors, and can effectively identify the abnormal time points and the degree of interference between the measured values.
Summary of Research and Development of Intelligent Combustion Optimization System
Authors: Xi Yan , Kun Lu , Kai Wang
Published: June 2019

This paper summarizes the purpose and significance of intelligent combustion optimization, and mainly introduces the theoretical research on intelligent combustion optimization algorithm and the development and application of intelligent combustion optimization system software. It makes a comprehensive assessment to the research results and technology development of intelligent combustion optimization, and gives an in-depth analysis of the current challenges and future development direction of intelligent combustion optimization technology. Finally, considering the latest research results and the current domestic thermal power development situation, it points out the urgency and necessity of the development of intelligent combustion optimization system.
Optimum Synthesis Conditions of High Quality Explosive Emulsifier Sorbitol Monooleate
Authors: Zi-yang Ding , Gui-zhou Gu , Xiu-bo Hu , Dan Li , Xin-yang Song
Published: June 2019

Sorbitol monooleate (Span80) is an extensively used explosive emulsifier at present. It is a kind of non-ionic surfactant with low molecular weight polyols, which belongs to water-in-oil emulsifier and has good emulsifying performance. The low-quality oleic acid was used as raw material. In order to optimize the synthesis conditions of Span80, the effects of different types of catalyst, reaction time and reaction temperature on the acid value, saponification value and hydroxyl value of Span80 were investigated, and the synthesis conditions of Span80 were optimized. The results showed that 159g sorbitol and 360g oleic acid, with 0.2% Zinc Oxide as catalyst, reacted with 2.5h at 210°C in vacuum, at this time the acid value, saponification value and hydroxyl value of product Span80 were 5.8mgKOH/g, 154.1mgKOH/g and 207.3mgKOH/g, respectively. This method provided a reference for the synthesis of high quality and low cost emulsifiers, and had important significance for civil emulsion explosive enterprises.
Study on safe distance and strength check of natural gas flaring
Authors: Min Lu Qun , Hong Liao , Lian Shu
Published: June 2019

In this paper, the PHAST software was used to determine the safe distance considering different factors and check strength in flare. The results show that neither in the direction of downwind or on the ground, the wind velocity and outlet pressure show little influence on distribution of thermal intensity, while the diameter of riser greatly affects the distribution of thermal intensity in the direction of downwind. The results of strength check meet the requirements of flare.
Study on HPLC Fingerprint of Clematis manshurica Rupr from Different Areas
Authors: Kong Juan , Huang Xulong , Yang Xiaosong , Zhang Lingling , Li Xiaofen , Zeng Qian , Wu Hongmei , Wang Xiangpei
Published: June 2019

Objective: To establish HPLC fingerprint of Clematis manshurica Rupr from different areas. Method: 10 batches of Clematis manshurica Rupr was analyzed by RP-HPLC that the methods were used Odyssil-C18 chromatographic column, with the mobile phase of acetonitril-0.1% phosphoric acid solution, the flow rate was 0.8mL/min, the wavelength was 210 nm, and column temperature was 30°C. And the similarity was evaluated by similarity evaluation software. Result: The HPLC-UV fingerprint of Clematis manshurica Rupr was established, and 20 common peaks were determined, the similarity was between 0.974-0.823, indicating that the differences of Clematis manshurica Rupr from different regions were significant. Conclusion: The analytical method has good separation degree and feasibility, and it can provide a reliable basis for the quality control of Clematis manshurica Rupr.
UPLC-ELSD Fingerprint Research of Dipsaci Radix
Authors: Yang Xiaosong , Kong Juan , Huang Xulong , Zhang Lingling , Li Xiaofen , Yan Fenqiu , Wang Xiangpei , Wu Hongmei
Published: June 2019

Objective: To establish the UPLC-ELSD fingerprint of Dipsaci Radix and provide reference for the quality control of Dipsaci Radix. Methods: Agilent ZORBAX RRHD Eclipse Plus C18 (2.1mm×100mm, 1.8μm) column was used, the mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile-water, gradient elution, the flow rate was 0.2 mL/min, atomization temperature of evaporative light scatter detector was 60°C, the column temperature was 30°C, nitrogen carrier gas flow rate was 1.5 L/min. Similarity evaluation was used to adjust 17 batches of Dipsaci asper. Results: The UPLC-ELSD fingerprint of Dipsaci Radix Aspergillus was established. Seven common peaks were identified. The similarity of 17 batches of Dipsaci Radix. Aspergillus was between 0.659-1.000, which indicated that there were great differences among batches. Conclusion: The method is simple, efficient, rapid and reliable, it can provide reference for the quality evaluation of Dipsaci Radix.
The Characteristics and Causes of Soil’s Magnetic Susceptibility of Red Bare Lands in the Karst Region of Eastern Yunnan, China
Authors: Wang Jia-Wen , Zhou Yue , Wang Jia-Xue , Zhang Lei , Xu Lu-Yan
Published: June 2019

We sampled and tested the magnetic susceptibility of surface soil (0∼30cm) and profile soil of red bare lands in the karst area of eastern Yunnan,China. The results showed that the magnetic susceptibility of the surface soil in the 15 samples of red bare lands was lower than that of vegetated lands in the same area,which was 7∼67% lower, respectively. The mean value was 994.14×10−8m3⋅kg−1, which was 39.84% lower than that of the vegetated lands, and the variation coefficient was 36%, higher than that of the vegetated lands. The profile soil’s variation coefficients of the magnetic susceptibility in the red bare lands were 5.3% and 16.8% respectively, which were lower than those of the vegetated lands (31.5% and 25.3%). The conclusion is as follows: the soil of red bare lands is rich in magnetic minerals; the surface soil’s susceptibility is lower than those of the vegetated lands in the same region and the degree of variation is higher, while the degree of profile soil’s variation coefficients of the magnetic susceptibility is lower. We can conclude that there is a chemical erosion process which a large number of magnetic minerals are lost or transformed in the erosion process of red bare lands, and the acid rain may be one of its important causes.
Study on Electrochemical Corrosion Rate of Braided Wire Rope
Authors: Zhou Zhennan , Wang Hui , Song Bao , Liu Hui , Zhang Jianbiao
Published: June 2019

Taking 8×19 traction galvanized Braided steel wire rope as the research object, we carried out the electrochemical corrosion test of the steel wire rope matrix and the galvanized layer. And the response surface method was used to examine the influence of the interaction of three factors on the corrosion rate of steel wire rope. The results show that the corrosion rate of the braided steel wire rope matrix and the galvanized layer increases with the increase of temperature and the decrease of pH value, and increases first and then decreases with the increase of Cl− concentration. There is a nonlinear relationship between corrosion rate and temperature, Cl− concentration and pH value. In the same corrosive environment, the corrosion rate of the galvanized layer of the wire rope is greater than the corrosion rate of the matrix. The influence degree of the three factors on the corrosion rate of the steel wire rope matrix and the galvanized layer under the interaction is: pH>temperature>Cl− concentration.
Pipefish embryo oxygenation, survival, and development: egg size, male size, and temperature effects
Authors: Nygård Malin , Kvarnemo Charlotta , Ahnesjö Ingrid , Braga Goncalves Ines
Published: June 2019

In animals with uniparental care, the quality of care provided by one sex can deeply impact the reproductive success of both sexes. Studying variation in parental care quality within a species and which factors may affect it can, therefore, shed important light on patterns of mate choice and other reproductive decisions observed in nature. Using Syngnathus typhle, a pipefish species with extensive uniparental male care, with embryos developing inside a brood pouch during a lengthy pregnancy, we assessed how egg size (which correlates positively with female size), male size, and water temperature affect brooding traits that relate to male care quality, all measured on day 18, approximately 1/3, of the brooding period. We found that larger males brooded eggs at lower densities, and their embryos were heavier than those of small males independent of initial egg size. However, large males had lower embryo survival relative to small males. We found no effect of egg size or of paternal size on within-pouch oxygen levels, but oxygen levels were significantly higher in the bottom than the middle section of the pouch. Males that brooded at higher temperatures had lower pouch oxygen levels presumably because of higher embryo developmental rates, as more developed embryos consume more oxygen. Together, our results suggest that small and large males follow distinct paternal strategies: large males positively affect embryo size whereas small males favor embryo survival. As females prefer large mates, offspring size at independence may be more important to female fitness than offspring survival during development.
Value Added: Reconsidering Women-Centered Media and Viewership
Authors: Warner Kristen J
Published: June 2019

Value added: Reconsidering women-centered media and viewership explores how contemporary women audiences negotiate and connect with media products developed for them. The cutting-edge scholarship in this special issue offers keen insights into how texts designed with women in mind appeal to them even as those appeals are undervalued by mainstream classed and gendered misconceptions of the content as deficient in quality and taste even when such appeals are successful.
Mitochondrial Architecture Rearrangements Produce Asymmetrical Nonadaptive Mutational Pressures That Subvert the Phylogenetic Reconstruction in Isopoda
Authors: Zhang Dong , Zou Hong , Hua Cong-Jie , Li Wen-Xiang , Mahboob Shahid , Al-Ghanim Khalid Abdullah , Al-Misned Fahad , Jakovlić Ivan , Wang Gui-Tang
Published: June 2019

The phylogeny of Isopoda, a speciose order of crustaceans, remains unresolved, with different data sets (morphological, nuclear, mitochondrial) often producing starkly incongruent phylogenetic hypotheses. We hypothesized that extreme diversity in their life histories might be causing compositional heterogeneity/heterotachy in their mitochondrial genomes, and compromising the phylogenetic reconstruction. We tested the effects of different data sets (mitochondrial, nuclear, nucleotides, amino acids, concatenated genes, individual genes, gene orders), phylogenetic algorithms (assuming data homogeneity, heterogeneity, and heterotachy), and partitioning; and found that almost all of them produced unique topologies. As we also found that mitogenomes of Asellota and two Cymothoida families (Cymothoidae and Corallanidae) possess inversed base (GC) skew patterns in comparison to other isopods, we concluded that inverted skews cause long-branch attraction phylogenetic artifacts between these taxa. These asymmetrical skews are most likely driven by multiple independent inversions of origin of replication (i.e., nonadaptive mutational pressures). Although the PhyloBayes CAT-GTR algorithm managed to attenuate some of these artifacts (and outperform partitioning), mitochondrial data have limited applicability for reconstructing the phylogeny of Isopoda. Regardless of this, our analyses allowed us to propose solutions to some unresolved phylogenetic debates, and support Asellota are the most likely candidate for the basal isopod branch. As our findings show that architectural rearrangements might produce major compositional biases even on relatively short evolutionary timescales, the implications are that proving the suitability of data via composition skew analyses should be a prerequisite for every study that aims to use mitochondrial data for phylogenetic reconstruction, even among closely related taxa.
Time for Well-Powered Controlled Prospective Studies to Test a Causal Role for Herpes Viruses in Alzheimer’s Disease Using Antiherpetic Drugs
Authors: Goldschmidt-Clermont Pascal J , Volinsky Fred G , LaRosa Steven P , Gilbert John R , Periçak-Vance Margaret A
Published: June 2019

Twenty-six phase III studies on Alzheimer’s disease are ongoing or have been completed in 2018. Most of these studies are targeting amyloid-beta, its production, polymerization, and/or multiple interactions. None of the amyloid-beta studies seem to affect positively the clinical outcome of patients with Alzheimer’s disease thus far, no matter the advancement of disease. It is time to consider other hypotheses for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, including the potential role of human herpes viruses (HHV), and especially HHV1 (herpes simplex virus type 1), HHV3 (varicella zoster virus), HHV6A, and HHV7. With this perspective, we review the scientific evidence and make the case for appropriately powered, prospective, randomized, and controlled studies using an anti-HHV drug, to establish a causal role for HHV in Alzheimer’s disease.
The Longest-Lasting Relationship: Patterns of Contact and Well-Being Among Mid- to Later-Life Siblings
Authors: Jensen Alexander C , Nielson Makayla K , Yorgason Jeremy B
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Adults in mid to later life experience shrinking social networks, which may hinder well-being. Siblings may be important sources of social contact. Yet, little is known about adults’ patterns of contact with siblings and how contact is linked to well-being.

Method

Participants included 491 adults from across the United States (M age = 58.96, SD = 6.25; 68% female) recruited online via Amazon Mechanical Turk; they reported on their contact with their sibling in person, over the phone, via email, texting, and social media.

Results

Latent class analysis found evidence for four patterns of contact (classes) among siblings: low, medium, high, and traditional. Those with high contact reported greater life satisfaction than those in the other groups. Those in the high group reported lower self-rated health when they recalled being treated less favorably, relative to their sibling, by their mother as children.

Discussion

These findings suggest that differing patterns of sibling contact exist among older adults. In some cases, contact may promote well-being. In other cases, more contact may serve as a reminder of hurtful or painful past family experiences related to mothers’ differential treatment, in which case more contact may be linked to poorer health.
The Institutional Active Aging Paradigm in Europe (2002–2015)
Authors: López-López Raúl , Sánchez Mariano
Published: June 2019

Background and Objectives

The paradigm of active aging has been slowly gaining ground in Europe as the ideal framework for public policy and for responding to the population’s aging. Taking the work by Rune Ervik as its point of departure, this article updates his conclusions on conceptualizations and policies of active aging by performing a study of the institutional discourses in the matter produced by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the European Union (EU).

Methods

A corpus of 15 WHO, OECD, and EU documents published in the period 2002–2015 and tackling active aging were analyzed qualitatively through a combination of content and thematic analysis, based on a scheme integrated by deductive and inductive iterative manual and computerized codification.

Results

The institutional discourses on active aging analyzed have not changed dramatically in the period considered. However, a divergent path has emerged regarding the accent placed on participation and contribution in the construction of the paradigm: the more socially productive and health-oriented WHO discourse is slowly separating from the more economically productive and labor-oriented discourses of the EU and OECD.

Discussion and Implications

The institutional paradigm on active aging is evolving into a reductive treatment of a phenomenon that is multidimensional. International institutions and researchers should pay closer attention and forge a path toward an honest and critical examination of the real conditions and expectations of older people concerning the discursive and practical proposals of active aging, in all its different forms.
Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein maintains intestinal barrier during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest
Authors: Li Yongnan , Liu Mingyue , Gao Sizhe , Cai Liming , Zhang Qiaoni , Yan Shujie , Liu Gang , Ji Bingyang
Published: June 2019

OBJECTIVES

The intestinal injury during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is harmful to clinical outcomes. Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) plays a protective role in hypothermia. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of CIRBP on intestinal barrier during DHCA.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley (wild type, n = 13) and knockout of Cirbp (Cirbp−/−, n = 8) rats were used in the model of DHCA. The histomorphology of the epithelial barrier was evaluated by haematoxylin–eosin, Chiu’s scores, Gram's stain and Ki67. The function of the intestinal barrier was evaluated by serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, diamine oxidase and d-lactate. The structure of the epithelial barrier, phosphocreatine-creatine kinase system and adenosine triphosphate were assessed in the intestine.

RESULTS

The expression of CIRBP significantly increased in the intestine during DHCA. Cirbp−/− rats showed obvious destruction of intestinal barrier after DHCA. Chiu’s scores, intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, diamine oxidase and d-lactate significantly increased in the Cirbp−/− group. Ki67 showed that cell proliferation decreased in the Cirbp−/− rats. In the Cirbp−/− group, zonula occludens-1, E-cadherin and occludin levels were significantly decreased, and these proteins either disappeared or redistributed in the monolayer. Besides, Cirbp−/− resulted in decreased levels of creatine kinase B, glycine amidinotransferase, adenosine triphosphate and creatine contents in the intestine, affecting energy metabolism and balance, which is associated with the maintenance of epithelial barrier during acute injury.

CONCLUSIONS

CIRBP is related to the maintenance of the intestinal epithelial barrier during DHCA, which is expected to be a new target for the prevention of intestinal injury.
Effect of different therapeutic strategies on the clinical outcome of asymptomatic intralobar pulmonary sequestration
Authors: Li Xiao-Kun , Luo Jing , Wu Wen-Jie , Cong Zhuang-Zhuang , Xu Yang , Hua Tian-Tian , Shao Chen-Ye , Ji Sai-Guang , Diao Yi-Fei , Liu Kai-Chao , Qiang Yong , Zhou Hai , Jiang Zhi-Sheng , Shen Yi
Published: June 2019

OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital pulmonary malformation. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of different therapeutic strategies on the clinical outcome of asymptomatic intralobar pulmonary sequestration.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 37 patients diagnosed with intralobar sequestration. All the patients were asymptomatic. Seventeen patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) once diagnosed and 20 patients chose to undergo observation. Of these 20 patients, 16 patients developed symptoms during the observation period and also underwent VATS; 4 patients never showed symptoms and did not have surgery. The 33 patients who had VATS were divided into 2 groups: group 1, patients who underwent VATS once diagnosed; group 2, patients who underwent VATS once symptoms appeared. Postoperative data and respiratory function data were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Twenty of the patients were men and 17 were women (mean age 37.05 ± 7.89 years). Results of a comparative analysis of the 2 groups indicated that patients in group 1 had better values for median estimated blood loss, median duration of chest tube insertion, postoperative hospital stay and postoperative hospital stay than those in group 2. Postoperative complications were reported in 1 patient in group 1 and in 3 patients in group 2. Meanwhile, the loss of lung function between group 1 and group 2 was statistically significant, which also suggested that patients benefited from surgery once diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

For asymptomatic intralobar sequestration, VATS could be effective and safe. The surgical intervention should be performed once the condition is diagnosed to avoid manifestations occurring and to preserve patients’ quality of life.
Headache, tinnitus and hearing loss in the international Cohort Study of Mobile Phone Use and Health (COSMOS) in Sweden and Finland
Authors: Auvinen Anssi , Feychting Maria , Ahlbom Anders , Hillert Lena , Elliott Paul , Schüz Joachim , Kromhout Hans , Toledano Mireille B , Johansen Christoffer , Poulsen Aslak Harbo , Vermeulen Roel , Heinävaara Sirpa , Kojo Katja , Tettamanti Giorgio ,   COSMOS Study Group, Danker-Hopfe Heidi , Inskip Hazel , Röösli Martin
Published: June 2019

Background

Mobile phone use and exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from it have been associated with symptoms in some studies, but the studies have shortcomings and their findings are inconsistent. We conducted a prospective cohort study to assess the association between amount of mobile phone use at baseline and frequency of headache, tinnitus or hearing loss at 4-year follow-up.

Methods

The participants had mobile phone subscriptions with major mobile phone network operators in Sweden (n = 21 049) and Finland (n = 3120), gave consent for obtaining their mobile phone call data from operator records at baseline, and filled in both baseline and follow-up questionnaires on symptoms, potential confounders and further characteristics of their mobile phone use.

Results

The participants with the highest decile of recorded call-time (average call-time >276 min per week) at baseline showed a weak, suggestive increased frequency of weekly headaches at 4-year follow-up (adjusted odds ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 0.95–1.34). There was no obvious gradient of weekly headache with increasing call-time (P trend 0.06). The association of headache with call-time was stronger for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network than older Global System for Mobile Telecommunications (GSM) technology, despite the latter involving higher exposure to RF-EMF. Tinnitus and hearing loss showed no association with call-time.

Conclusions

People using mobile phones most extensively for making or receiving calls at baseline reported weekly headaches slightly more frequently at follow-up than other users, but this finding largely disappeared after adjustment for confounders and was not related to call-time in GSM with higher RF-EMF exposure. Tinnitus and hearing loss were not associated with amount of call-time.
Self-similark-Graph C*-Algebras
Authors: Li Hui , Yang Dilian
Published: June 2019

In this paper, we introduce a notion of a self-similar action of a group $G$ on a $k$-graph $\Lambda $ and associate it a universal C$^\ast $-algebra ${{\mathcal{O}}}_{G,\Lambda }$. We prove that ${{\mathcal{O}}}_{G,\Lambda }$ can be realized as the Cuntz–Pimsner algebra of a product system. If $G$ is amenable and the action is pseudo free, then ${{\mathcal{O}}}_{G,\Lambda }$ is shown to be isomorphic to a “path-like” groupoid C$^\ast $-algebra. This facilitates studying the properties of ${{\mathcal{O}}}_{G,\Lambda }$. We show that ${{\mathcal{O}}}_{G,\Lambda }$ is always nuclear and satisfies the universal coefficient theorem; we characterize the simplicity of ${{\mathcal{O}}}_{G,\Lambda }$ in terms of the underlying action, and we prove that, whenever ${{\mathcal{O}}}_{G,\Lambda }$ is simple, there is a dichotomy: it is either stably finite or purely infinite, depending on whether $\Lambda $ has nonzero graph traces or not. Our main results generalize the recent work of Exel and Pardo on self-similar graphs.
Integrated community-based intervention for urinary schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in children from Caxito, Angola
Authors: Lemos Manuel , Fançony Cláudia , Moura Sofia , Mirante Clara , Sousa Pinto de , Barros Henrique , Nery Susana , Brito Miguel
Published: June 2019

Background

Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infections are major public health problems. We aimed to study the 6-mo impact of mass drug administration with praziquantel and albendazole on urinary schistosomiasis and STH.

Methods

We examined children (aged 2–15 y) from one hamlet, who provided urine and faeces samples at baseline (n=197), 1 mo (n=102) and 6 mo (n=92); 67 completed the protocol.

Results

At baseline, 47/67 (70.1%) children presented Schistosoma haematobium (75.8% in the baseline total sample) and 12/67 (17.9%) with STH (30.5% in the initial sample, p=0.010). Among the children, 47.3% had heavy Schistosoma haematobium infection. The most frequent STH was Trichuris trichiura in 9.0%. We also found Hymenolepis nana (13.2%) and Plasmodium falciparum (9.1%) infections and anaemia (82.1%). One mo after chemotherapy there was a significant (p=0.013) reduction of Schistosoma haematobium prevalence (23.5%) and a high egg reduction rate (86.9%). Considering the sample of 67 children, the mean egg concentration was 498 at baseline, 65 at 1 mo and 252 at 6 mo (p<0.05). We also observed a reduction in STH infections, 50% in Ascaris lumbricoides, 33.3% in T. trichiura and 50% in hookworms. At 6 mo, the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium (76.1%) was similar to the baseline and the STH reduction was not significant.

Conclusions

Longitudinal studies have reported many losses in these settings, but we were able to show that mass drug administration for control of schistosomiasis and STH present low effectiveness, that reinfections occur rapidly and that stand alone anthelmintic therapy is not a sustainable choice.
Clinical trial cohort selection based on multi-level rule-based natural language processing system
Authors: Chen Long , Gu Yu , Ji Xin , Lou Chao , Sun Zhiyong , Li Haodan , Gao Yuan , Huang Yang
Published: June 2019

Objective

Identifying patients who meet selection criteria for clinical trials is typically challenging and time-consuming. In this article, we describe our clinical natural language processing (NLP) system to automatically assess patients’ eligibility based on their longitudinal medical records. This work was part of the 2018 National NLP Clinical Challenges (n2c2) Shared-Task and Workshop on Cohort Selection for Clinical Trials.

Materials and Methods

The authors developed an integrated rule-based clinical NLP system which employs a generic rule-based framework plugged in with lexical-, syntactic- and meta-level, task-specific knowledge inputs. In addition, the authors also implemented and evaluated a general clinical NLP (cNLP) system which is built with the Unified Medical Language System and Unstructured Information Management Architecture.

Results and Discussion

The systems were evaluated as part of the 2018 n2c2-1 challenge, and authors’ rule-based system obtained an F-measure of 0.9028, ranking fourth at the challenge and had less than 1% difference from the best system. While the general cNLP system didn’t achieve performance as good as the rule-based system, it did establish its own advantages and potential in extracting clinical concepts.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that a well-designed rule-based clinical NLP system is capable of achieving good performance on cohort selection even with a small training data set. In addition, the investigation of a Unified Medical Language System-based general cNLP system suggests that a hybrid system combining these 2 approaches is promising to surpass the state-of-the-art performance.
Effect of ruminally protected arginine and lysine supplementation on serum amino acids, performance, and carcass traits of feedlot steers1
Authors: Teixeira Priscilla Dutra , Tekippe Jessica A , Rodrigues Liziana Maria , Ladeira Marcio Machado , Pukrop Josey R , Kim Y H Brad , Schoonmaker Jon P
Published: June 2019

One hundred twenty Angus × Simmental steers [322 ± 4.8 kg initial body weight (BW)] were blocked by BW and randomly allocated to 4 treatments arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial to evaluate the effects of supplemental arginine (none or 63 g/d of a 15.6% metabolizable arginine), supplemental lysine (none or 40 g/d of a 25% metabolizable lysine), and their interaction on performance and carcass composition of feedlot steers during a 170-d feeding period. The basal diet [dry matter (DM) basis] contained 52% dry-rolled corn, 22% dried distillers grains with solubles, 20% corn silage, and 6% vitamin-mineral supplement. Lysine balance was estimated to be −10.3 to −10.8 g for diets that did not contain supplemental lysine, and arginine supply was estimated to be +9.7 g for diets that did not contain supplemental arginine during period 1 (days 0 to 87). Lysine and arginine supplies met or exceeded requirements in period 2 (days 88 to 170). Rumen-protected arginine and lysine were top dressed daily until slaughter at a common BW (622 ± 5.5 kg). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Body weight, average daily gain, and DM intake were not affected (P ≥ 0.14) by arginine or lysine supplementation. However, lysine increased gain:feed (P = 0.05) during period 1. Lysine decreased serum urea nitrogen (P = 0.03) on day 87, increased (P = 0.01) longissimus muscle (LM) area, decreased (P ≤ 0.01) fat thickness and yield grade, and tended (P = 0.06) to increase moisture content of LM steaks. There tended to be an interaction for moisture content of steaks (P = 0.09), where arginine supplementation increased moisture content to a greater extent in steaks from cattle supplemented with lysine compared with steaks from cattle not fed supplemental lysine. Arginine tended to increase the proportion of Choice grade carcasses (P = 0.09) but did not change lipid content of steaks (P = 0.59). Arginine tended to decrease serum glutamate (P = 0.09) and lysine (P = 0.07) after 87 d of feeding. In conclusion, supplemental rumen-protected arginine and lysine did not improve performance, but lysine can increase carcass muscle and leanness, and although arginine did not increase lipid content of steaks, it may favorably shift carcasses to a greater quality grade.