bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Injury Prediction in Competitive Runners With Machine Learning
Authors: Lövdal S. Sofie , Den Hartigh Ruud J.R. , Azzopardi George
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Staying injury free is a major factor for success in sports. Although injuries are difficult to forecast, novel technologies and data-science applications could provide important insights. Our purpose was to use machine learning for the prediction of injuries in runners, based on detailed training logs. Methods: Prediction of injuries was evaluated on a new data set of 74 high-level middle- and long-distance runners, over a period of 7 years. Two analytic approaches were applied. First, the training load from the previous 7 days was expressed as a time series, with each day’s training being described by 10 features. These features were a combination of objective data from a global positioning system watch (eg, duration, distance), together with subjective data about the exertion and success of the training. Second, a training week was summarized by 22 aggregate features, and a time window of 3 weeks before the injury was considered. Results: A predictive system based on bagged XGBoost machine-learning models resulted in receiver operating characteristic curves with average areas under the curves of 0.724 and 0.678 for the day and week approaches, respectively. The results of the day approach especially reflect a reasonably high probability that our system makes correct injury predictions. Conclusions: Our machine-learning-based approach predicts a sizable portion of the injuries, in particular when the model is based on training-load data in the days preceding an injury. Overall, these results demonstrate the possible merits of using machine learning to predict injuries and tailor training programs for athletes.
Factors Associated With Skeletal Muscle Mass Increase by Rehabilitation in Older Adults With Vertebral Compression Fractures
Authors: Ogawa Takahiro , Sueyoshi Yuki , Taketomi Shintaro , Chijiiwa Nobumasa
Published: April 2021

Age-related sarcopenia and osteoporosis-related fractures are critical health issues. Therefore, this study aimed to assess skeletal muscle mass changes in older patients with vertebral compression fractures undergoing rehabilitation and to evaluate factors associated with muscle increases. This study included 179 patients aged ≥80 years in rehabilitation wards with vertebral compression fractures. Appendicular skeletal muscle index was significantly higher at discharge (5.22 ± 1.04 kg/m2, p < .001) than on admission (5.03 ± 1.00 kg/m2). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that length of hospital stay was significantly associated with increased skeletal muscle index (odds ratios, 1.020; 95% confidence intervals [1.000, 1.032]), whereas age, sex, body mass index, functional independence measure, protein intake, and exercise therapy duration were not. Participants with vertebral compression fractures aged ≥80 years achieved significantly increased skeletal muscle mass in rehabilitation wards. In addition, length of hospital stay was the factor independently associated with increased skeletal muscle index.
Topography of transcriptionally active chromatin in glioblastoma
Authors: Xu Liang , Chen Ye , Huang Yulun , Sandanaraj Edwin , Yu John S. , Lin Ruby Yu-Tong , Dakle Pushkar , Ke Xin-Yu , Chong Yuk Kien , Koh Lynnette , Mayakonda Anand , Nacro Kassoum , Hill Jeffrey , Huang Mo-Li , Gery Sigal , Lim See Wee , Huang Zhengyun , Xu Ying , Chen Jianxiang , Bai Longchuan , Wang Shaomeng , Wakimoto Hiroaki , Yeo Tseng Tsai , Ang Beng Ti , Müschen Markus , Tang Carol , Tan Tuan Zea , Koeffler H. Phillip
Published: April 2021

Profiling of active gene-regulatory DNA elements in brain cancer tissues illuminates disease biology and therapeutic targets.
Inside the STEM pipeline: Changes in students’ biomedical career plans across the college years
Authors: Rosenzweig Emily Q. , Hecht Cameron A. , Priniski Stacy J. , Canning Elizabeth A. , Asher Michael W. , Tibbetts Yoi , Hyde Janet S. , Harackiewicz Judith M.
Published: April 2021

STEM retention efforts need to go beyond “pipeline leaks” to focus on those who remain in STEM but change career plans.
Single-cell analysis reveals effective siRNA delivery in brain tumors with microbubble-enhanced ultrasound and cationic nanoparticles
Authors: Guo Yutong , Lee Hohyun , Fang Zhou , Velalopoulou Anastasia , Kim Jinhwan , Thomas Midhun Ben , Liu Jingbo , Abramowitz Ryan G. , Kim YongTae , Coskun Ahmet F. , Krummel Daniel Pomeranz , Sengupta Soma , MacDonald Tobey J. , Arvanitis Costas
Published: April 2021

Focused ultrasound–mediated delivery of RNA-loaded nanoparticles increases brain tumor cell apoptosis through oncogene targeting.
Rapid postglacial rebound amplifies global sea level rise following West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse
Authors: Pan Linda , Powell Evelyn M. , Latychev Konstantin , Mitrovica Jerry X. , Creveling Jessica R. , Gomez Natalya , Hoggard Mark J. , Clark Peter U.
Published: April 2021

Rapid uplift of marine sectors exposed by WAIS collapse amplified GMSL rise in the past and will do so in the future.
The coherence of light is fundamentally tied to the quantum coherence of the emitting particle
Authors: Karnieli Aviv , Rivera Nicholas , Arie Ady , Kaminer Ido
Published: April 2021

Investigating light emission by free charged particles through the prism of quantum optics can unveil the emitter wave function.
Pharmacological targeting of NLRP3 deubiquitination for treatment of NLRP3-associated inflammatory diseases
Authors: Ren Guang-Ming , Li Jian , Zhang Xiao-Chun , Wang Yu , Xiao Yang , Zhang Xuan-Yi , Liu Xian , Zhang Wen , Ma Wen-Bing , Zhang Jie , Li Ya-Ting , Tao Shou-Song , Wang Ting , Liu Kai , Chen Hui , Zhan Yi-Qun , Yu Miao , Li Chang-Yan , Ge Chang-Hui , Tian Bo-Xue , Dou Gui-Fang , Yang Xiao-Ming , Yin Rong-Hua
Published: April 2021

Thiolutin, an inhibitor of the BRISC deubiquitinating enzyme complex, specifically and potently inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Gene Expression and Data Analysis Pipeline Using Cancer BioPortal in the Classroom
†
Authors: Barnes Chassidy N. , Johnson Blake P. , Leacock Stefanie W. , Ceballos Ruben M. , Hensley Lori L. , Reyna Nathan S.
Published: April 2021

At institutions with an emphasis on authentic research experiences as an integral part of the biology curriculum, COVID created a huge challenge for course instructors whose learning objectives were designed for such experiences. Moving such laboratory experiences online when remote learning became necessary has resulted in a new model for CUREs that utilizes free online databases to provide not only a novel research experience for students, but also the opportunity to engage in big data analysis.
Remote Conversations to Enhance Class Experience in the Time of COVID: Co-Teaching with a Wingman Model
Authors: Chiu Chi-hua , Piontkivska Helen
Published: April 2021

Remote delivery poses numerous challenges, particularly for discussion-based classes. Here, we describe a class management model that uses a conversational approach between instructional coleaders to introduce topics and facilitate student discussions.
Student Annotations of Published Data as a Collaboration between an Online Laboratory Course and the C. elegans Database, WormBase
Authors: Dahlberg Caroline L. , Grove Christian A. , Hulsey-Vincent Heino , Ismail Samiya
Published: April 2021

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) provide the same benefits as individual, mentored faculty research while expanding the availability of research opportunities. One important aspect of CUREs is students’ engagement in collaboration.
An Approach to Asynchronous Virtual Scientific Paper Discussions
Authors: Debbink Kari
Published: April 2021

Effectively reading and interpreting scientific literature are fundamental skills for students pursuing degrees in STEM fields. In-person classes allow for real-time discussion and dissection of scientific literature; however, with increasing focus on virtual learning environments, alternative approaches are needed to promote student development of these skills.
Three Steps to Adapt Case Studies for Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Learning†
Authors: Bixler Andrea , Eslinger Melissa , Kleinschmit Adam J. , Gaudier-Diaz Monica M. , Sankar Usha , Marsteller Patricia , Goller Carlos C. , Robertson Sabrina
Published: April 2021

Pandemic SARS-CoV-2 has ushered in a renewed interest in science along with rapid changes to educational modalities. While technology provides a variety of ways to convey learning resources, the incorporation of alternate modalities can be intimidating for those designing curricula.
Student Engagement Declines in STEM Undergraduates during COVID-19–Driven Remote Learning
Authors: Wester Emma R. , Walsh Lisa L. , Arango-Caro Sandra , Callis-Duehl Kristine L.
Published: April 2021

We examined how the shift in learning environment from in-person to online classes, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, impacted three constructs of student engagement: behavioral engagement, including students’ frequency of participating in class discussions, meeting with instructors, and studying with peers outside of class; cognitive engagement, including students’ sense of belonging and self-efficacy; and emotional engagement, including students’ attitudes toward science, their perceived value of the course, and their stress. Seventy-three undergraduate STEM students from across the country completed five-point Likert-style surveys in these areas of student engagement, both prior to their science course transitioning online and at the end of the spring 2020 semester.
Remote Laboratory Exercise to Develop Micropipetting Skills
†
Authors: Jawad Mona Noor , Bhattacharjee Abhishek , Lehmann Riley , Busza Anna , Perez-Pinera Pablo , Jensen Karin
Published: April 2021

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has fundamentally transformed our educational system. The need to protect both students and instructors from exposure to viral infection has required the implementation of remote instructional models.
Exploring Instagram to Promote Student Engagement in an Online Didactic Environment
Authors: Ganjoo Rohini , Schwartz Lisa , Barzani Yousif , Firmani Marcia
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced higher education institutions to shift to nearly 100% online delivery of didactic coursework nationally. Beside the stress and isolation that many students experience simply due to the physical distancing requirements imposed by the crisis, students new to learning in an online environment may feel further isolated and disengaged from the course content.
“Zooming” Our Way through Virtual Undergraduate Research Training: A Successful Redesign of the CONSERVE Summer Internship Program
Authors: Malayil Leena , Negahban-Azar Masoud , Goldstein Rachel Rosenberg , Sharma Manan , Gleason Jeanne , Muise Amy , Murray Rianna , Sapkota Amy R.
Published: April 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on education globally, forcing the teaching community to think outside the box and create innovative educational plans to benefit students at home. Here, we narrate how the undergraduate, laboratory-based Summer Internship Program of our CONSERVE Center of Excellence, which focuses heavily on engaging women and underrepresented minorities in STEM programming, took a turn from an in-person research experience to a fully virtual one.
Acute interface fluid syndrome after laser in situ keratomileusis in a case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) endotheliitis and secondary glaucoma
Authors: Tendolkar Sayali , Murthy Somasheila I , Chandran Kavya , Joseph Joveeta
Published: April 2021

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can cause recalcitrant recurrent keratouveitis and secondary glaucoma. We report a case of chronic recurrent anterior uveitis with secondary glaucoma presenting with acute visual loss and interface fluid 9 years after laser in situ keratomileusis. Based on clinical presentation, a viral aetiology was suspected. Aqueous tap was positive for CMV-DNA by real-time quantitative PCR of the aqueous humour. The patient was treated with systemic antivirals, topical corticosteroids and antiglaucoma medications. The interface fluid resorbed rapidly. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was controlled by trabeculectomy. There was no further corneal deterioration at 7-month follow-up and the IOP had also stabilised. We believe this is only the third reported case of CMV-related interface fluid syndrome. This case highlights the role of quantitative PCR analysis for establishing viral aetiology in recurrent unilateral hypertensive anterior uveitis and reports the unusual finding of interface fluid which resolved after starting systemic antiviral therapy.
Intimate partner violence against women and child maltreatment in a Brazilian birth cohort study: co-occurrence and shared risk factors
Authors: Buffarini Romina , Coll Carolina V N , Moffitt Terrie , Freitas da Silveira Mariângela , Barros Fernando , Murray Joseph
Published: April 2021

Background

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women and child maltreatment (CM) are major public health problems and human rights issues and may have shared causes. However, their overlap is understudied. We investigated the prevalence of IPV and CM, their co-occurrence in households and possible shared risk factors, in the general population of a Brazilian urban setting.

Methods

Prospective population-based birth cohort, including over 3500 mother–child dyads with maternal reports on both IPV and CM when children were 4 years old. Eleven neighbourhood, family and parental risk factors were measured between birth and age 4 years. Bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression models with robust variance were used to test which potential risk factors were associated with IPV, CM and their co-occurrence.

Results

The prevalence of any IPV and CM were 22.8% and 10.9%, respectively; the co-occurrence of both types of violence was 5%. Multivariate analyses showed that the overlap of IPV and CM was strongly associated with neighbourhood violence, absence of the child’s biological father, paternal antisocial behaviour in general and a mother–partner relationship characterised by high levels of criticism, maternal depression and younger maternal age. A concentration of many risk factors among 10% of the population was associated with a sixfold increase in risk for overlapping IPV and CM compared with households with no risk factors.

Conclusion

IPV and CM share important risk factors in the family and neighbourhood environments and are particularly common in households with multiple social disadvantages and family difficulties. Integrated preventive interventions are needed.
Institutional mistrust and child vaccination coverage in Africa
Authors: Stoop Nik , Hirvonen Kalle , Maystadt Jean-Francois
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Despite considerable improvements in vaccination coverage over the last decade, half of the world’s unvaccinated and undervaccinated children are located in Africa. The role of institutional trust in explaining vaccination gaps has been highlighted in several qualitative reports but so far has only been quantified in a small number of high-income countries.

Methods

We matched information on child vaccination status from the Demographic Health Surveys with information on institutional trust from the Afrobarometer surveys at the subnational level. A total of 166 953 children from 41 surveys administered in 22 African countries covering 216 subnational regions were used. Based on a principal component analysis, we constructed an institutional mistrust index that combined the level of mistrust in the head of state, parliament, electoral system, courts and local government. Associations between institutional mistrust and child vaccination uptake were assessed with multivariable fixed effects logistic regressions that controlled for time-invariant subnational region characteristics and various child, caregiver, household and community characteristics.

Results

A 1 SD increase in the institutional mistrust index was associated with a 10% (95% CI of ORs: 1.03 to 1.18) increase in the likelihood that a child had not received any of eight basic vaccines and with a 6% decrease in the likelihood a child had received all of the basic vaccines (95% CI: 0.92 to 0.97). Institutional mistrust was negatively associated with the likelihood that a child had received each of the eight basic vaccinations (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Child vaccination rates in Africa are considerably lower in areas in which the local population displays high levels of mistrust towards local authorities. Institutional mistrust is an important dimension of vaccine hesitancy, considered as one of the most important threats to global health. Empowering local authorities with resources and communication strategies to address institutional mistrust may be needed to close the remaining vaccination gaps in Africa.
Urban–rural disparity in cancer incidence in China, 2008–2012: a cross-sectional analysis of data from 36 cancer registers
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Xie Shao-Hua
Published: April 2021

Objective

The substantial differences in socioeconomic and lifestyle exposures between urban and rural areas in China may lead to urban–rural disparity in cancer risk. This study aimed to assess the urban–rural disparity in cancer incidence in China.

Methods

Using data from 36 regional cancer registries in China in 2008–2012, we compared the age-standardised incidence rates of cancer by sex and anatomic site between rural and urban areas. We calculated the rate difference and rate ratio comparing rates in rural versus urban areas by sex and cancer type.

Results

The incidence rate of all cancers in women was slightly lower in rural areas than in urban areas, but the total cancer rate in men was higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The incidence rates in women were higher in rural areas than in urban areas for cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, and liver and biliary passages, but lower for cancers of thyroid and breast. Men residing in rural areas had higher incidence rates for cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, and liver and biliary passages, but lower rates for prostate cancer, lip, oral cavity and pharynx cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest substantial urban–rural disparity in cancer incidence in China, which varies across cancer types and the sexes. Cancer prevention strategies should be tailored for common cancers in rural and urban areas.
Expanded antigen-experienced CD160+CD8+effector T cells exhibit impaired effector functions in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Bozorgmehr Najmeh , Okoye Isobel , Oyegbami Olaide , Xu Lai , Fontaine Amelie , Cox-Kennett Nanette , Larratt Loree M , Hnatiuk Mark , Fagarasanu Andrei , Brandwein Joseph , Peters Anthea C , Elahi Shokrollah
Published: April 2021

Background

T cell exhaustion compromises antitumor immunity, and a sustained elevation of co-inhibitory receptors is a hallmark of T cell exhaustion in solid tumors. Similarly, upregulation of co-inhibitory receptors has been reported in T cells in hematological cancers such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, the role of CD160, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, as one of these co-inhibitory receptors has been contradictory in T cell function. Therefore, we decided to elucidate how CD160 expression and/or co-expression with other co-inhibitory receptors influence T cell effector functions in patients with CLL.

Methods

We studied 56 patients with CLL and 25 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls in this study. The expression of different co-inhibitory receptors was analyzed in T cells obtained from the peripheral blood or the bone marrow. Also, we quantified the properties of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the plasma of patients with CLL versus healthy controls. Finally, we measured 29 different cytokines, chemokines or other biomarkers in the plasma specimens of patients with CLL and healthy controls.

Results

We found that CD160 was the most upregulated co-inhibitory receptor in patients with CLL. Its expression was associated with an exhausted T cell phenotype. CD160+CD8+T cells were highly antigen-experienced/effector T cells, while CD160+CD4+T cells were more heterogeneous. In particular, we identified EVs as a source of CD160 in the plasma of patients with CLL that can be taken up by T cells. Moreover, we observed a dominantly proinflammatory cytokine profile in the plasma of patients with CLL. In particular, interleukin-16 (IL-16) was highly elevated and correlated with the advanced clinical stage (Rai). Furthermore, we observed that the incubation of T cells with IL-16 results in the upregulation of CD160.

Conclusions

Our study provides a novel insight into the influence of CD160 expression/co-expression with other co-inhibitory receptors in T cell effector functions in patients with CLL. Besides, IL-16-mediated upregulation of CD160 expression in T cells highlights the importance of IL-16/CD160 as potential immunotherapy targets in patients with CLL. Therefore, our findings propose a significant role for CD160 in T cell exhaustion in patients with CLL.
Prognostic significance of myeloid immune cells and their spatial distribution in the colorectal cancer microenvironment
Authors: Väyrynen Juha P , Haruki Koichiro , Väyrynen Sara A , Lau Mai Chan , Dias Costa Andressa , Borowsky Jennifer , Zhao Melissa , Ugai Tomotaka , Kishikawa Junko , Akimoto Naohiko , Zhong Rong , Shi Shanshan , Chang Tzuu-Wang , Fujiyoshi Kenji , Arima Kota , Twombly Tyler S , Da Silva Annacarolina , Song Mingyang , Wu Kana , Zhang Xuehong , Chan Andrew T , Nishihara Reiko , Fuchs Charles S , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A , Giannakis Marios , Ogino Shuji , Nowak Jonathan A
Published: April 2021

Background

Myeloid cells represent an abundant yet heterogeneous cell population in the colorectal cancer microenvironment, and their roles remain poorly understood.

Methods

We used multiplexed immunofluorescence combined with digital image analysis to identify CD14+monocytic and CD15+granulocytic cells and to evaluate their maturity (HLA-DR and CD33), immunosuppressive potential (ARG1) and proximity to cytokeratin (KRT)-positive tumor cells in 913 colorectal carcinomas. Using covariate data of 4465 incident colorectal cancers in two prospective cohort studies, the inverse probability weighting method was used with multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to assess cancer-specific mortality according to ordinal quartiles (Q1–Q4) of myeloid cell densities. Immune cell–tumor cell proximity was measured with the nearest neighbor method and the G-cross function, which determines the likelihood of any tumor cell having at least one immune cell of the specified type within a certain radius.

Results

Higher intraepithelial (Ptrend=0.0002; HR for Q4 (vs Q1), 0.48, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.76) and stromal (Ptrend<0.0001; HR for Q4 (vs Q1), 0.42, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.63) densities of CD14+HLA-DR+cells were associated with lower colorectal cancer-specific mortality while, conversely, higher intraepithelial densities of CD14+HLA-DR−cells were associated with higher colorectal cancer-specific mortality (Ptrend=0.0003; HR for Q4 (vs Q1), 1.78, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.55). Spatial analyses indicated that CD15+cells were located closer to tumor cells than CD14+cells, and CD14+HLA-DR+cells were closer to tumor than CD14+HLA-DR−cells (p<0.0001). The G-cross proximity measurement, evaluating the difference in the likelihood of any tumor cell being colocated with at least one CD14+HLA-DR+cell versus CD14+HLA-DR−cell within a 20 µm radius, was associated with lower colorectal cancer-specific mortality (Ptrend<0.0001; HR for Q4 (vs Q1), 0.37, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.57).

Conclusions

Myeloid cell populations occur in spatially distinct distributions and exhibit divergent, subset-specific prognostic significance in colorectal cancer, with mature CD14+HLA-DR+and immature CD14+HLA-DR−monocytic phenotypes most notably showing opposite associations. These results highlight the prognostic utility of multimarker evaluation of myeloid cell infiltrates and reveal a previously unrecognized degree of spatial organization for myeloid cells in the immune microenvironment.
National Health Service (NHS) trust boards adopt statistical process control reporting: the impact of the Making Data Count Training Programme
Authors: Riley Samantha , Burhouse Anna , Nicholas Thomas
Published: April 2021

Background

Red, amber, green (RAG) reports persist as the tool most commonly used by NHS trust boards to understand performance and gain assurance, despite statistical process control (SPC) being a more reliable way of presenting data over time. The aim of this study is to report board members’ feedback on an educational intervention focusing on the use of SPC in NHS trust performance reports, review the presence of SPC charts in performance reports and explore board members’ experience of behavioural changes in their board or fellow board members following the intervention.

Methods

A 90-minute board training session in the use of SPC—Making Data Count—was delivered to 61 NHS trust boards between November 2017 and July 2019. This paper describes the approach taken with boards to enable them to understand the limitations of RAG reports and the benefits of using SPC and analyses the extent to which the Making Data Count training has led to boards adopting SPC. The paper provides quantitative analysis of the increase in SPC use across the 61 participating boards, summaries from the board evaluation forms and qualitative reflections of seven senior leaders from four boards who consented to participate in post-training interviews with an independent evaluator.

Results

During the period covered by this study, 583 participants of board training provided feedback. 99% of respondents agreed that the training session was a good use of their time. 97% of respondents agreed that participating in the event would enhance their ability to make good decisions. A review of the presence of SPC charts in the board papers of the 61 trusts prior to the board training revealed that 72% contained 0–5 SPC charts. A review of the same trusts’ papers 6–12 months after the training revealed a significant increase in the presence of SPC with 85% of reports containing a minimum of six charts.

Conclusion

The Making Data Count education intervention has increased the use of SPC in board reports and has had some self-reported impact on individual and collective behavioural changes by board members, including reducing the amount of time wasted by boards discussing insignificant changes in data and providing a clearer focus on those issues requiring board attention. Further research is required to see if this immediate impact is sustained over time and to identify the key enablers and barriers to organisational adoption of SPC by boards in the NHS.
A quantum route to the classical Lagrangian formalism
Authors: Ciaglia F. M. , Di Cosmo F. , Ibort A. , Marmo G. , Schiavone L. , Zampini A.
Published: April 2021

Using the recently developed groupoidal description of Schwinger’s picture of Quantum Mechanics, a new approach to Dirac’s fundamental question on the role of the Lagrangian in Quantum Mechanics is provided. It is shown that a function [Formula: see text] on the groupoid of configurations (or kinematical groupoid) of a quantum system determines a state on the von Neumann algebra of the histories of the system. This function, which we call q-Lagrangian, can be described in terms of a new function [Formula: see text] on the Lie algebroid of the theory. When the kinematical groupoid is the pair groupoid of a smooth manifold M, the quadratic expansion of [Formula: see text] will reproduce the standard Lagrangians on TM used to describe the classical dynamics of particles.
Modeling and simulating the spatial spread of an epidemic through multiscale kinetic transport equations
Authors: Boscheri Walter , Dimarco Giacomo , Pareschi Lorenzo
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we propose a novel space-dependent multiscale model for the spread of infectious diseases in a two-dimensional spatial context on realistic geographical scenarios. The model couples a system of kinetic transport equations describing a population of commuters moving on a large scale (extra-urban) with a system of diffusion equations characterizing the non-commuting population acting over a small scale (urban). The modeling approach permits to avoid unrealistic effects of traditional diffusion models in epidemiology, like infinite propagation speed on large scales and mass migration dynamics. A construction based on the transport formalism of kinetic theory allows to give a clear model interpretation to the interactions between infected and susceptible in compartmental space-dependent models. In addition, in a suitable scaling limit, our approach permits to couple the two populations through a consistent diffusion model acting at the urban scale. A discretization of the system based on finite volumes on unstructured grids, combined with an asymptotic preserving method in time, shows that the model is able to describe correctly the main features of the spatial expansion of an epidemic. An application to the initial spread of COVID-19 is finally presented.
Evaluating Sustainable Conceptual Designs Using an AHP-Based ELECTRE I Method
Authors: Nghiem Thi Bich Ha , Chu Ta-Chung
Published: April 2021

Evaluating sustainable conceptual designs is a crucial part of the development of new products in various sectors because it contributes to the survival and prosperity of companies. Such designs must be compatible with a product’s functional requirements and be sustainable in economic, environmental, and social terms. Various criteria, some qualitative and others quantitative, are considered when evaluating sustainable conceptual designs; some criteria may also have sub-criteria, and these criteria and sub-criteria may differ in importance. How to effectively evaluate various criteria and sub-criteria and weight them are the major research problem. This study developed an analytic hierarchy process (AHP)-based ELECTRE I method to resolve the evaluation problem; the method entails a two-level hierarchical structure to depict the relationships between the major criteria and sub-criteria and their corresponding weights, with weights obtained through an AHP. Furthermore, an extension based on the addition of net concordance value and net adjusted discordance value is proposed for ranking alternative designs; this extension yields more distinguishable results than the method of [Nijkamp and Van Delft Multi-Criteria Analysis and Regional Decision-Making, Vol. 8 (Springer Science & Business Media, 1977)], and the proposed extension in the ELECTRE I method captures more information in the modified summation matrix when aggregating values in the concordance matrix and the modified discordance matrix, representing an advantage over the method of [Zhang et al. Virtual network embedding using node multiple metrics based on simplified ELECTRE method, IEEE Access 6 (2018) 37314–37327]. In addition, to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method, the example of the evaluation and selection of sustainable conceptual designs in the furniture manufacturing industry is presented. Finally, a numerical comparison is made to show the advantages of the proposed method.
High HER Catalytic Activity of Bulk GeP3 System and Its further Improvement by Introducing Monovacancy: A First-Principles Investigation
Authors: Liu Jingwei , Gao Jing , Yu Guangtao , Chen Wei
Published: April 2021

The detailed density functional theory calculations were performed to investigate the structures and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalytic activities of pristine and defective bulk GeP3 systems, which has a unique structure formed by the stacking of monolayer. The (1

11

¯

), (003) and (1

1

¯

2) facets are the possible exposed surfaces, among which the former two surfaces can be more stable, in view of more favorable surface energy. All these possible exposed surfaces have very small free energy values of H* (even over a wide range of θ
H* coverage). Coupled with the excellent conductive capability, therefore, bulk GeP3 system can exhibit good HER catalytic activity, where the top sites over P/Ge atoms can serve as the most active sites. Furthermore, we proposed an effective strategy through introducing the P or Ge monovacancy to further enhance the HER activity of GeP3 system, where not only the original active sites maintain high activity, but also some new active sites are generated around the defects. Moreover, the reason for the high HER catalytic activity has been analyzed in detail. Obviously, all these intriguing findings will contribute to the design of low-cost and high-performance GeP-based HER electrocatalysts in the near future.
ZSM-5 Zeolite Support for PtAu Toward Ethanol Oxidation
Authors: Xu Mengmeng , Lei Shuangshuang , Dong Rulin , Jin Changchun
Published: April 2021

The electrocatalytic activity of the PtAu nanoparticles supported on ZSM-5 zeolite for the electrooxidation of ethanol has been investigated. The PtAu nanoparticles with a Pt/Au ratio of 1:1 were synthesized by the wet chemical co-reduction method and then deposited on ZSM-5 zeolite. Characterization of PtAu/ZSM-5 showed irregular chains and nets of the PtAu nanoparticles on the ZSM-5 zeolite surface, the alloy structure of PtAu, the variation in the lattice parameters of Pt and Au, and the electronic interaction between PtAu and ZSM-5 zeolite. The PtAu/ZSM-5 catalyst has high activity and stability for ethanol oxidation in alkaline solution. For instance, the peak intensity for PtAu/ZSM-5 is more than 2 times those for PtAu/C and Pt/ZSM-5. In addition, Pt/ZSM-5 and Au/ZSM-5 also show high catalytic activity compared to Pt/C and Au/C, respectively. The results indicate the promising applications of ZSM-5 zeolites as support materials for electrocatalysts and the superiority of the bimetallic PtAu over the monometallic Pt or Au in the catalytic activity.
Sequential Plasma Activation for Low Temperature Bonding of Aluminosilicate Glass
Authors: Takeuchi Kai , Mu Fengwen , Yamauchi Akira , Suga Tadatomo
Published: April 2021

Low temperature bonding of glass materials is a focus of research and development for the fabrication and packaging of optical and microfluidic devices. In order to bond glass materials with post-bonding annealing at no more than 200 °C, surface activation by plasma treatment is effective by forming OH groups on the bonding surfaces. In this study, sequential plasma activation using O2 plasma, N2 plasma, and N radicals are investigated for components of aluminosilicate glass. The substrates of fused silica, sapphire, and aluminosilicate glass are successfully bonded by sequential plasma activation and post-bonding annealing at 200 °C. Compared to conventional plasma activation bonding using only O2 plasma, the bond strength is improved for fused silica and aluminosilicate glass, but not for sapphire. XPS analysis reveals that the sequential plasma activation including N2 plasma leads to aluminum nitrides formation in case of sapphire and aluminosilicate glass bonding, which results in a lower bond strength than fused silica. It has been demonstrated that sequential plasma activation is effective for the bonding of SiO2 by introducing unstable and reactive silicon oxynitrides at the bonding interface.
Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis in Urothelial Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder: A Report of a Patient with a Fulminant Course Who Died of Cancer after Definitive Therapies
Authors: Tomioka Masayuki , Kawase Makoto , Kato Daiki , Takai Manabu , Iinuma Koji , Horie Kengo , Nakane Keita , Suzui Natsuko , Miyazaki Tatsuhiko , Koie Takuya
Published: April 2021

A 45-year-old Japanese man visited a community hospital with the chief complaint of asymptomatic macrohematuria. He was diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), and he received intra-arterial chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy at another institution. Twenty-eight months after chemoradiotherapy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed MIBC recurrence. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, robot-assisted radical cystectomy was performed. Pathological examination indicated high-grade urothelial carcinoma with lymphovascular invasion, a positive surgical margin, and skip lesions of cancer cells in the perivesical adipose tissue. Three months after surgery, he was brought to our hospital in an ambulance with the chief complaint of rotatory vertigo and was speaking inarticulately. Head and whole spine MRI revealed meningeal metastasis along both the vestibulocochlear nerves and cauda equina. Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed malignant cells. The patient was diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis originating from the MIBC. He received whole-brain radiotherapy followed by the administration of pembrolizumab. Unfortunately, the patient’s condition quickly deteriorated, and he died of cancer 4 months after surgery.
Applicability Analysis of Inspection and Monitoring Technologies in Wind Turbine Towers
Authors: Yue Yanchao , Tian Jingjing , Bai Yongtao , Jia Kai , He Jian , Luo Dong , Chen Tangbing
Published: April 2021

Wind turbines are one of the key systems in wind energy development. The wind tower supporting the whole wind turbine is a towering structure, which has been affected by installation, transportation, environment, and other factors. Furthermore, it is prone to experience other quality problems that would be difficult to detect for wind turbine towers. Therefore, the key to maintain the wind tower structure and to ensure the normal operation of a wind turbine is to carry out comprehensive and detailed detection and monitoring studies during its service stage. This paper sorted out several common quality problems including structural damage, deformation, flange bolts loosening, and corrosion of wind tower and relevant research on the detection and monitoring of these quality problems. In addition, some nondestructive testing technologies are introduced, including the ultrasonic phased array, time of flight diffraction, magnetic memory, acoustic emission, fiber Bragg grating and piezoelectric impedance, and applications in wind turbine towers.
Bayesian Estimation of Ammunition Demand Based on Multinomial Distribution
Authors: Li Kang , Shi Xian-ming , Li Juan , Zhao Mei , Zeng Chunhua
Published: April 2021

In view of the small sample size of combat ammunition trial data and the difficulty of forecasting the demand for combat ammunition, a Bayesian inference method based on multinomial distribution is proposed. Firstly, considering the different damage grades of ammunition hitting targets, the damage results are approximated as multinomial distribution, and a Bayesian inference model of ammunition demand based on multinomial distribution is established, which provides a theoretical basis for forecasting the ammunition demand of multigrade damage under the condition of small samples. Secondly, the conjugate Dirichlet distribution of multinomial distribution is selected as a prior distribution, and Dempster–Shafer evidence theory (D-S theory) is introduced to fuse multisource previous information. Bayesian inference is made through the Markov chain Monte Carlo method based on Gibbs sampling, and ammunition demand at different damage grades is obtained by referring to cumulative damage probability. The study result shows that the Bayesian inference method based on multinomial distribution is highly maneuverable and can be used to predict ammunition demand of different damage grades under the condition of small samples.
Real Root Polynomials and Real Root Preserving Transformations
Authors: Pongprasert Suchada , Chaengsisai Kanyarat , Kaewleamthong Wuttichai , Sriphrom Puttarawadee
Published: April 2021

Polynomials can be used to represent real-world situations, and their roots have real-world meanings when they are real numbers. The fundamental theorem of algebra tells us that every nonconstant polynomial

p

with complex coefficients has a complex root. However, no analogous result holds for guaranteeing that a real root exists to

p

if we restrict the coefficients to be real. Let

n
≥
1

and

P

n

be the vector space of all polynomials of degree

n

or less with real coefficients. In this article, we give explicit forms of polynomials in

P

n

such that all of their roots are real. Furthermore, we present explicit forms of linear transformations on

P

n

which preserve real roots of polynomials in a certain subset of

P

n

.
[Retracted] Research on Optimizing Selection and Optimizing Matching Technologies of Aeroengine Fan Rotor Blades
Authors: Li Lili , Chen Kun , Gao Jianmin , Gao Zhiyong , Liu Junkong
Published: April 2021

Aiming at the problem of low resources utilization of rotating blades in the selection process of aeroengine fan rotor blades, this paper takes the first‐order bending dispersion, first‐order torque dispersion, and gravitational moment difference of rotor blades as the selection criteria and takes the minimum remaining blades as the optimization goal. An intelligent selection algorithm of blades based on the collocation degree of blades is proposed and achieves the efficient selection and full utilization of rotating blades. Aiming at the problem of multiple installations and multiple adjustments and low assembly success rate of fan rotor blades, this paper takes the gravity moment difference of the two blades at the diagonal position of 180° as the constraint and takes the minimum residual unbalance as the optimization objective, adopts the improved simulated annealing algorithm to optimize the assembly sequence of rotating blades, and greatly reduces the residual unbalance of blades, which is beneficial to reduce the number of assembly adjustments of blades. The optimizing selection and optimizing matching methods of rotating blades realize the full utilization and efficient assembly of blades and lays a foundation for the reliability and robustness of the assembly quality and service performance of blades.
Optimization of English Learning Platform Based on a Collaborative Filtering Algorithm
Authors: Tang Jiali
Published: April 2021

This paper provides a detailed description of the recommendation system and collaborative filtering algorithm to optimize the English learning platform through the collaborative filtering algorithm and analyses the algorithmic principles and specific techniques of collaborative filtering. After introducing the recommendation system and collaborative filtering algorithm, this paper elaborates on the theoretical basis and technical principles of the recommendation algorithm based on cognitive ability and difficulty and provides an in‐depth analysis of the design and implementation of the recommendation algorithm by combining cognitive diagnosis theory, readability formula, and English knowledge map, which provides a comprehensive and solid theoretical guidance and support for the application development of the online English learning platform. The system is tested by building a Spring Cloud platform, importing actual business data, focusing on the validation of the recommendation model, and connecting the recommendation system to the formal production system to analyse the recommendation effect. Compared with the original recommendation method, the online English learning platform designed and implemented in this paper based on the cognitive ability and difficulty collaborative filtering recommendation algorithm has a better recommendation effect. The system is proved to be well designed and has certain reference and guiding value for the whole web‐based online learning platform and has a broader application prospect nowadays and in the future.
Physical Properties of Gas Hydrate-Bearing Pressure Core Sediments in the South China Sea
Authors: Wei Jiangong , Wu Tingting , Feng Xiuli , Liang Jinqiang , Li Wenjing , Xie Rui , Wu Gang
Published: April 2021

Gas hydrates are a potential future energy resource and are widely distributed in marine sediments and permafrost areas. The physical properties and mechanical behavior of gas hydrate-bearing sediments are of great significance to seafloor stability and platform safety. In 2013, a large number of pressure cores were recovered during China’s second gas hydrate drilling expedition in the South China Sea. In this study, we determined the gas hydrate distribution, saturation, physical properties, and mechanical behavior of the gas hydrate-bearing sediments by conducting Multi-Sensor Core Logger measurements and triaxial and permeability tests. Disseminated gas hydrates, gas hydrate veins, and gas hydrate slabs were observed in the sediments. The gas hydrate distribution and saturation are spatially heterogeneous, with gas hydrate saturations of 0%–55.3%. The peak deviatoric stress of the gas hydrate-bearing sediments is 0.14–1.62 MPa under a 0.15–2.3 MPa effective confining stress. The permeability is 0.006–

0.095
×

10

−
3

 
μ

m

2

, and it decreases with increasing gas hydrate saturation and burial depth.
Effects of Nopal Mucilage (Opuntia ficus-indica) as Plasticizer in the Fabrication of Laminated and Tubular Films of Extruded Acetylated Starches
Authors: Andreuccetti Caroline , Galicia-García Tomás , Martínez-Bustos Fernando , Ferreira Grosso Raimundo , González-Núñez Rubén
Published: April 2021

Normal and acetylated rice and waxy maize starches with a blend of nopal mucilage (Opuntia ficus-indica) and glycerol were used for the preparation of laminated and tubular films by extrusion and blown extrusion, respectively. The composition of the formulation was 70% starch (normal or acetylated), 20% glycerol, and 10% nopal mucilage (

w
/
w

). The degrees of substitution (DS) for acetylated rice starch (0.94) and waxy maize starch (0.76) present high potential for use as a polymeric matrix in packing materials. The use of nopal mucilage can improve the processability of extruded and tubular films by favoring the increase of some mechanical and functional properties. The films elaborated with nopal mucilage and glycerol present a homogeneous relief without breaking, adhesiveness, and contraction once formed. The elongation values of acetylated waxy maize starch films (33%) were higher than those of rice acetylated films (17%), while the blown films presented a 30% decrease in tensile strength, compared to the laminated films. Acetylation generated more hydrophobic material for the rice starch sample, which can be evidenced by a decreased solubility of the laminated films. Films of both sources of acetylated starch showed a significant decrease in water vapor permeability and showed a plasticized starch disposition-type layer without unmelted starch granules.