bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active Magnetic Bearing Design and Backstepping-Adaptive Control for High-Speed Rotors
Authors: Khayyam Umar , Boxia He , Hassan Shaheer ul
Published: June 2020

Friction and vibrations hindering high-speed are the most pertinent problems facing the rotating machines. Thus, friction and vibration attenuation are essential in improving the overall performance of turbomachines. Conventionally, high-speed flywheel energy storage systems use Active Magnetic Bearings (AMB) to nullify friction losses and to deal with unbalances but, in the present era with increasing demand for high-speed machinery, the applications of AMBs are proliferating. They are not like the traditional bearings; they generate forces through magnetic fields with no contact between bearing and rotor thus decreasing the friction and providing the ability to counteract imbalances actively. This paper investigates an optimized design methodology along with backstepping adaptive control design of an 8-pole radial AMB used for flywheel energy storage systems. Design optimization using GA, along with analytical design constraints are presented. The design details along with finite element simulations are given to verify the optimization results and system requirements. Bearing parameters then obtained are used to develop a linearized mathematical model of the system, an adaptive back-stepping controller is designed for it to regulate the deviation of the rotating shaft from its equilibrium position.
Research on Dynamic Relationship between Urban Rail Transit and Power Consumption
Authors: Zhe Liu , Fengqing Du , Xu Liu
Published: June 2020

Aiming at the problem of insufficient feature quantity and lack of correlation between feature quantity and load, based on time series analysis method, ARIMNA model is used to fit the load forecasting problem. The study found that the urban orbit data has a good autocorrelation. Compared to the Linear Regression method, when the ARIMA model is used, the algorithm can predict the trend of urban rail transit load data better.
Research on the Civil-Military Integration Logistics Support System of Warships
Authors: Liu Xiaobai , Shao Fei , Zhang Xingxing
Published: June 2020

This paper had researched the construction of the Chinese Navy warship logistics support system, on the basis of drawing lessons from foreign military work experience. It had pointed out that, the institution building of Chinese Navy warship civil-military integration logistics support should be carried out from three aspects: establishing whole life-cycle logistics support mechanism, perfecting market competition mechanism, establishing the joint logistics support mechanism. At the same time, it had suggest that we should pay more attention to improving the research and development (R&D) capability, peacetime and wartime transfer capability and quality management capability of civilian enterprises. So it would to improve the quality and efficiency of Chinese Navy civil-military integration logistics support.
Research on Adaptive Reclosing Discriminant Method Based on LMD Sample Entropy
Authors: Shang Liqun , Zhang Yuan , Yang Chenguang
Published: June 2020

Based on the adaptive time-frequency analysis characteristics of local mean decomposition and the nonlinear quantization ability of sample entropy, an adaptive reclosing discriminant method based on LMD sample entropy is proposed. Firstly, the local mean decomposition method is applied to decompose the original signal of the transmission line fault into several product function components (PF component). Then calculate the sample entropy of the first three PF components to achieve feature quantization of the PF component. Finally, the sum of the sample entropy of first three PF components is used as the eigenvalue to distinguish the fault type of the transmission line. Obtained from the simulation results, the method can identify the type of fault.
Minimum-time Trajectory Planning for Residual Vibration Suppression of Flexible Manipulator Carrying a Payload
Authors: Liu Yong , Du Zhe , Zhang Shaonan
Published: June 2020

For the purpose of eliminating residual vibration of a two-link flexible manipulator as well as minimizing time consumption, a scheme of multi-objective trajectory planning in joint space is proposed in this paper. Piecewise polynomial is applied to generate a smooth joint trajectory. Lagrangian approach and the assumed modes method is used to derive motion equations of FMs. Finally, Multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is implemented to solve time of each polynomial. The effectiveness of proposed algorithm is demonstrated by simulation results.
Design and Implementation of a Device for Reducing Road Accident at Foggy, Rainy and Drowsy Conditions
Authors: Ahmed Shihab Uddin , Junaeid Sanzid , Islam Md. Monirul , Pathik Bishwajit Banik
Published: June 2020

The main objective of this project is to design and implementation of microcontroller-based circuitry for vehicles to detect obstacles and hence to minimize road accident. The microcontroller is programmed in such a way that, it can give command to the other apparatus to work according to the receiving pulse from the LDR (Light Dependent Resistor). When reflection of light falls on LDR then the function of LED will start to work and after having this pulse, the microcontroller allows to turn on the dc motor instead of vibrator to aware the driver at foggy, rainy or drowsy conditions.
Complex Network Community Detection based on Genetic Algorithm using K-cliques
Authors: Ma Jian , Fan Jianping
Published: June 2020

Inspired by the genetic algorithm, this paper proposes a complex network community detection algorithm, which searches for complete sub-graphs in a network, the numbers of nodes are greater than or equal to k, also referred to maximum k-cliques. K-cliques are the most connected communities in a network. Using the maximum k-clique initializes the population, which can improve the accuracy and efficiency of population initialization. K-clique-based population initialization, crossover, mutation, μ+λ selection strategy, and evaluation function (Q function) are adopted to select the next generation of population, the superior traits formed by parents during the process of evolution cannot be destroyed and can also be effectively inherited by offspring individuals. Finally, community partition is optimized using the fast Newman algorithm. This step performs further clustering on the communities. The algorithm can reduce the search space of community partition and improve the search efficiency of the algorithm. It is tested on benchmark networks and real-world networks. The algorithm has an acceptable time complexity. The experimental results show that the algorithm can effectively divide the communities.
Complex morphological filtering algorithm based on multi-structure elements
Authors: Yiyan Wang , Jiang Luo
Published: June 2020

Morphological filter is a kind of nonlinear filter. Based on the erosion and dilation operations a complex morphological filter was proposed with multi-structure elements. In order to protect the image detail effectively, a noise detect method was introduced firstly. The noise pixels are removed using the proposed filter, while signal pixels hold their pixel value and are left unprocessed. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has good filtering performance, which can preserve edge details effectively during denoising. For both gray image and binary image with salt & pepper noise pollution, the proposed algorithm is superior to the conventional morphological methods in the aspect of objective performance evaluation and subjective visual effect. Meanwhile, the proposed method can also be extended to the color image processing.
Warwick electron microscopy datasets
Authors: Ede Jeffrey M
Published: June 2020

Large, carefully partitioned datasets are essential to train neural networks and standardize performance benchmarks. As a result, we have set up new repositories to make our electron microscopy datasets available to the wider community. There are three main datasets containing 19769 scanning transmission electron micrographs, 17266 transmission electron micrographs, and 98340 simulated exit wavefunctions, and multiple variants of each dataset for different applications. To visualize image datasets, we trained variational autoencoders to encode data as 64-dimensional multivariate normal distributions, which we cluster in two dimensions by t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding. In addition, we have improved dataset visualization with variational autoencoders by introducing encoding normalization and regularization, adding an image gradient loss, and extending t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding to account for encoded standard deviations. Our datasets, source code, pretrained models, and interactive visualizations are openly available at https://github.com/Jeffrey-Ede/datasets.
Format Effects of iPad Administration of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition: Cross-Sectional Evidence for Score Equivalency in Routine Clinical Practice
Authors: Young Stephanie Ruth
Published: June 2020

Objective

The literature lacks independent investigations of the influence of tablet administration of cognitive assessments in applied clinical settings. The present study examined the influence of iPad administration on (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Fourth Edition) WAIS-IV core subtest scores in a university-based clinic.

Method

Record review was conducted for a convenience sample (N = 66) of university students who were administered the WAIS-IV via iPad or traditional format. Bayesian difference testing was used to evaluate the strength of the evidence for subtest score equivalence across groups.

Results

Evidence supported score equivalency for the 10 core subtests across administration groups (BF > 3). The one exception was digit span-forward condition, for which equivalence was supported (BF = 2.44), but did not meet cut-off criteria.

Conclusions

iPad administration of WAIS-IV is unlikely to influence subtest scores in routine clinical practice with healthy young adults. Further independent research in diverse clinical populations is recommended.
Biogeographical patterns and processes in the genus group Scotussae (Acrididae: Melanoplinae): an integrative approach
Authors: Scattolini María Celeste , Lira-Noriega Andrés , Confalonieri Viviana Andrea , Pietrokovsky Silvia , Cigliano María Marta
Published: June 2020

A biogeographical study of the genus group Scotussae, a clade of grasshoppers endemic to the subtropical temperate region of the La Plata Basin, South America, was performed within a phylogenetic context to test whether wing reduction reflects evolutionary and ecological processes within the clade. We used an integrative biogeographical approach to determine the role of geohistorical events, geography, ecology and phylogenetic niche conservatism on the distribution and diversification processes of the group. We performed a total evidence phylogenetic analysis and tested the phylogenetic signal of ecological niche traits (niche optimum and niche breadth). We also assessed the degree to which phylogenetic distance is correlated with geographical and ecological niche traits and we used BioGeoBEARS to estimate ancestral ranges. The results provided evidence for phylogenetic niche conservatism as well as a significant association between phylogeny and both geographical and, more strongly, ecological traits. Two main clades were clearly associated with wing development, and evidence points to the evolutionary and ecological processes within these two groups being different. The Brachypterous clade shows evidence that allopatric speciation was the main source of diversification, while for the Macropterous clade sympatric speciation seems more likely.
Phylogenetic diversity of the lichenized algal genusTrebouxia(Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta): a new lineage and novel insights from fungal-algal association patterns of Icelandic cetrarioid lichens (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota)
Authors: Xu Maonian , De Boer Hugo , Olafsdottir Elin Soffia , Omarsdottir Sesselja , Heidmarsson Starri
Published: June 2020

Lichens have high tolerance to harsh environmental conditions, where lichen symbiont interactions (e.g. myco- and photobionts) may play a crucial role. The characterization of fungal-algal association patterns is essential to understand their symbiotic interactions. This study investigated fungal-algal association patterns in Icelandic cetrarioid lichens using a multi-locus phylogenetic framework, including fungal nrITS, MCM7, mtSSU, RPB1 and RPB2 and algal nrITS, nrLSU, rbcL and mtCOXII data. Most Icelandic cetrarioid lichenized fungi were found to be specifically associated to the known Trebouxia clade “S” (Trebouxia simplex/suecica group), whereas the lichen-forming fungus Cetrariella delisei forms a symbiosis with a previously unrecognized lineage of Trebouxia, provisionally named as the “D” clade. This new Trebouxia lineage is supported by maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses using all four included algal loci.
Signalling by Bayesian Persuasion and Pricing Strategy
Authors: Chen Yanlin , Zhang Jun
Published: June 2020

This article investigates how a privately informed seller could signal her type through Bayesian persuasion and pricing strategy. We find that it is generally impossible to achieve separation through one channel alone. Furthermore, the outcome that survives the intuitive criterion always exists and is unique. This outcome is separating, for which a closed-form solution is provided. The signalling concern forces the high-type seller to disclose inefficiently more information and charge a higher price, resulting in fewer sales and lower profit. Finally, we show that a regulation on minimal quality could potentially hurt social welfare, and private information hurts the seller.
A New High-Quality Draft Genome Assembly of the Chinese Cordyceps Ophiocordyceps sinensis
Authors: Shu Ruihao , Zhang Jihong , Meng Qian , Zhang Huan , Zhou Guiling , Li Miaomiao , Wu Peipei , Zhao Yanni , Chen Chao , Qin Qilian
Published: June 2020

Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) is an entomopathogenic fungus endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It parasitizes and mummifies the underground ghost moth larvae, then produces a fruiting body. The fungus-insect complex, called Chinese cordyceps or “DongChongXiaCao,” is not only a valuable traditional Chinese medicine, but also a major source of income for numerous Himalayan residents. Here, taking advantage of rapid advances in single-molecule sequencing, we assembled a highly contiguous genome assembly of O. sinensis. The assembly of 23 contigs was ∼110.8 Mb with a N50 length of 18.2 Mb. We used RNA-seq and homologous protein sequences to identify 8,916 protein-coding genes in the IOZ07 assembly. Moreover, 63 secondary metabolite gene clusters were identified in the improved assembly. The improved assembly and genome features described in this study will further inform the evolutionary study and resource utilization of Chinese cordyceps.
Genomics at cellular resolution: insights into cognitive disorders and their evolution
Authors: Berto Stefano , Liu Yuxiang , Konopka Genevieve
Published: June 2020

High-throughput genomic sequencing approaches have held the promise of understanding and ultimately leading to treatments for cognitive disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. Although significant progress has been made into identifying genetic variants associated with these diseases, these studies have also uncovered that these disorders are mostly genetically complex and thus challenging to model in non-human systems. Improvements in such models might benefit from understanding the evolution of the human genome and how such modifications have affected brain development and function. The intersection of genome-wide variant information with cell-type-specific expression and epigenetic information will further assist in resolving the contribution of particular cell types in evolution or disease. For example, the role of non-neuronal cells in brain evolution and cognitive disorders has gone mostly underappreciated until the recent availability of single-cell transcriptomic approaches. In this review, we discuss recent studies that carry out cell-type-specific assessments of gene expression in brain tissue across primates and between healthy and disease populations. The emerging results from these studies are beginning to elucidate how specific cell types in the evolved human brain are contributing to cognitive disorders.
What determines the size of contract research from firms to universities? The role of geographical distance and regional co-location
Authors: Spithoven André , Teirlinck Peter , Ysebaert Walter
Published: June 2020

This article explores the role of geographical distance and regional co-location as a determinant of the size of contract research from firms to domestic universities. The analysis relies on a panel of three consecutive R&D surveys for Belgium, and controls for firm, university, and network characteristics. The findings reveal that firms tend to enter into larger-sized contract research with universities that are either located nearby or farther away. Regional co-location is also positively associated with the size of contract research from firms to universities.
On the Positive Theory of Groups Acting on Trees
Authors: Casals-Ruiz Montserrat , Garreta Albert , de la Nuez González Javier
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we study the positive theory of groups acting on trees and show that under the presence of weak small cancellation elements, the positive theory of the group is trivial, that is, coincides with the positive theory of a non-abelian free group. Our results apply to a wide class of groups, including non-virtually solvable fundamental groups of 3-manifold groups, generalised Baumslag–Solitar groups and almost all one-relator groups and graph products of groups. It follows that groups in the class satisfy a number of algebraic properties: for instance, their verbal subgroups have infinite width and, although some groups in the class are simple, they cannot be boundedly simple.

In order to prove these results, we describe a uniform way for constructing (weak) small cancellation tuples from (weakly) stable elements. This result of interest in its own is fundamental to obtain corollaries of general nature such as a quantifier reduction for positive sentences or the preservation of the non-trivial positive theory under extensions of groups.
Anemia and thrombocytopenia in people living with HIV/AIDS: a narrative literature review
Authors: Marchionatti Amanda , Parisi Mariana Migliorini
Published: June 2020

Hematologic changes are frequent complications in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Anemia and thrombocytopenia are the most frequent multifactorial hematologic abnormalities and are associated with a low quality of life and high death rates. This study aims to describe the prevalence of anemia and thrombocytopenia in PLWHA and to identify the main clinical characteristics that aggravate these conditions in studies published in the last 10 y. A comprehensive search was performed on the PUBMED database, using the terms ‘HIV infection and anemia’ and ‘HIV infection and thrombocytopenia’. Additional searches were made in the reference lists of articles covering the theme. The selected studies reported an overall prevalence of anemia from 7.2% to 84% and of thrombocytopenia from 4.5% to 26.2%. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia and anemia were aggravated by a CD4+ T lymphocyte count of <200 cells/μL, increased viral load and coinfections or opportunistic infections. Antiviral therapy (ART) shows a beneficial effect, reducing the frequencies of thrombocytopenia and anemia, except in a zidovudine-based ART regimen, which worsens the anemic condition. Because anemia and thrombocytopenia are treatable comorbidities associated with increased mortality among PLWHA, physicians should monitor these risk factors in order to establish better interventions and reduce morbidity and mortality in PLWHA.
The Normative Grammar of Relational Analysis: Recognition Theory's Contribution to Understanding Short-Comings in IR's Relational Turn
Authors: Weber Martin
Published: June 2020

This Theory Note focuses on the resurgent interest in relationalism in constructivist IR theory. I begin by contextualizing current efforts to move constructivism toward this theoretical register. In particular, I focus on the framing influence of Mustafa Emirbayer's “Manifesto for a Relational Sociology,” showing how key theoretical concerns articulated there have resonated with the constructivist critique of rationalist and structuralist explanatory approaches in IR. These cross-purposes, however, also signal that the lacunae identified by Emirbayer should be of interest to IR constructivists seeking to promote a relationalist research project. I argue that in particular Emirbayer's identification of a gap on normative implications has not received adequate attention in IR debates. In the second part, I discuss Honneth's recognition theoretic approach as promising for supplementing a normative register that satisfies the “process-ontological” proclivities of relationalism as understood by IR constructivists. In the final part, I outline by way of an example some of the meta-theoretical and methodological implications of this version of recognition theory, contrast it with contending arguments in current debates, and commend its potential.
Quality of Glucosamine Products: Is it a Potential Reason for Inconsistent Clinical Outcomes in Osteoarthritis?
Authors: Asthana Chhavi , Peterson Gregory M , Shastri Madhur D , Patel Rahul P
Published: June 2020

Background

Clinical studies have reported inconsistent outcomes of glucosamine therapy in osteoarthritis patients. One possible reason could be the use of glucosamine products of varying quality.

Objective

Hence, this study aimed to assess the quality of glucosamine products marketed in Australia and India. This is the first study to investigate both the content and dissolution profiles of glucosamine products.

Method

The content and dissolution analysis of Australian (n = 25 brands) and Indian (n = 21 brands) glucosamine products was performed according to the criteria specified in the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP).

Results

The quality analysis revealed that 16% and 18% of Australian brands, as well as 24% and 19% of Indian brands, did not fulfil the USP content and dissolution criteria, respectively. In approximately half of these cases, the glucosamine content was only slightly below (<3%) that specified by the USP and dissolution was achieved within 15 min after the duration specified by the USP.

Conclusions

The majority of the brands did meet both the content and dissolution analysis criteria of the USP. The extent of deviation from the specified criteria for the other brands was probably insufficient to account for the significant variability in clinical effects. Hence, the study proposed that inter-patient pharmacokinetic variations in glucosamine could be another potential reason for inconsistent therapeutic effects.

Highlights
Development and Validation of an LC–MS-MS Method for the Detection of 40 Benzodiazepines and Three Z-Drugs in Blood and Urine by Solid-Phase Extraction
Authors: Sofalvi Szabolcs , Lavins Eric S , Kaspar Claire K , Michel Haley M , Mitchell-Mata Christie L , Huestis Marilyn A , Apollonio Luigino G
Published: June 2020

An analytical method for the detection of 40 benzodiazepines, (±)-zopiclone, zaleplon and zolpidem in blood and urine by solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated. Twenty-nine of 43 analytes were quantified in 0.5 mL whole blood for investigating postmortem, drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) and driving under the influence of drugs cases (DUID). The four different dynamic ranges of the seven-point, linear, 1/x weighted calibration curves with lower limits of quantification of 2, 5, 10 and 20 μg/L across the analytes encompassed the majority of our casework encountered in postmortem, DFSA and DUID samples. Reference materials were available for all analytes except α-hydroxyflualprazolam, a hydroxylated metabolite of flualprazolam. The fragmentation of α-hydroxyflualprazolam was predicted from the fragmentation pattern of α-hydroxyalprazolam, and the appropriate transitions were added to the method to enable monitoring for this analyte. Urine samples were hydrolyzed at 55°C for 30 min with a genetically modified β-glucuronidase enzyme, which resulted in >95% efficiency measured by oxazepam glucuronide. Extensive sample preparation included combining osmotic lysing and protein precipitation with methanol/acetonitrile mixture followed by freezing and centrifugation resulted in exceptionally high signal-to-noise ratios. Bias and between-and within-day imprecision for quality controls (QCs) were all within ±15%, except for clonazolam and etizolam that were within ±20%. All 29 of the 43 analytes tested for QC performance met quantitative reporting criteria within the dynamic ranges of the calibration curves, and 14 analytes, present only in the calibrator solution, were qualitatively reported. Twenty-five analytes met all quantitative reporting criteria including dilution integrity. The ability to analyze quantitative blood and qualitative urine samples in the same batch is one of the most useful elements of this procedure. This sensitive, specific and robust analytical method was routinely employed in the analysis of >300 samples in our laboratory over the last 6 months.
An unusual combination of persistent silent truncus arteriosus Type-II with ascending aortic aneurysm
Authors: Yusuf Mohamud Mohamed Farah , Mohamud Mohamed Abdullahi , Hussein Abdinafic Mohamud , İbrahim Ismail Gedi
Published: June 2020

Truncus arteriosus (TA) is a relatively uncommon cyanotic congenital cardiac anomaly accounting for 1.3% of all congenital cardiac malformations. TA associated with an ascending aortic aneurysm is an extremely rare congenital cardiovascular abnormality. A 15-year-old male presented with shortness of breath and cough for 2 weeks. Radiological examinations showed that the ascending aorta and main pulmonary arteries originate from a single truncus with ascending aortic aneurysm. TA has a poor prognosis if remain unrepaired and surgical intervention is necessary to avoid severe pulmonary vascular occlusive disease.
The chemical nature of the young 120-Myr-old nearby Pisces–Eridanus stellar stream flowing through the Galactic disc
Authors: Hawkins Keith , Lucey Madeline , Curtis Jason
Published: June 2020

Recently, a new cylindrical-shaped stream of stars up to 700 pc long was discovered hiding in the Galactic disc using kinematic data enabled by the Gaia mission. This stream of stars, dubbed Pisces–Eridanus (Psc–Eri), was initially thought to be as old as 1 Gyr, yet its stars shared a rotation period distribution consistent with a population that was 120 Myr old. Here, we explore the detailed chemical nature of this stellar stream. We carried out high-resolution spectroscopic follow-up of 42 Psc–Eri stars using McDonald Observatory and combined these data with information for 40 members observed with the low-resolution LAMOST spectroscopic survey. Together, these data enabled us to measure the abundance distribution of light/odd-Z (Li, Na, Al, Sc, V), α (Mg, Si, Ca, Ti), Fe-peak (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn), and neutron capture (Sr, Y, Zr, Ba, La, Nd, Eu) elements along the Psc–Eri stream. We find that the stream is (1) near-solar metallicity with [Fe/H] = –0.03 dex and (2) has a metallicity spread of 0.07 dex (or 0.04 dex when outliers are excluded). We also find that (3) the abundance of Li indicates that Psc–Eri is ∼120 Myr old, consistent with its gyrochronology age. Additionally, Psc–Eri has (4) [X/Fe] abundance spreads that are just larger than the typical uncertainty in most elements, (5) it is a cylindrical-like system whose outer edges rotate about the centre, and (6) no significant abundance gradients along its major axis except a potentially weak gradient in [Si/Fe]. These results show that Psc–Eri is a uniquely close young chemically interesting laboratory for testing our understanding of star and planet formation.
Variable Spontaneous Mutation and Loss of Heterozygosity among Heterozygous Genomes in Yeast
Authors: Nguyen Duong T , Wu Baojun , Long Hongan , Zhang Nan , Patterson Caitlyn , Simpson Stephen , Morris Krystalynne , Thomas W Kelley , Lynch Michael , Hao Weilong
Published: June 2020

Mutation and recombination are the primary sources of genetic variation. To better understand the evolution of genetic variation, it is crucial to comprehensively investigate the processes involving mutation accumulation and recombination. In this study, we performed mutation accumulation experiments on four heterozygous diploid yeast species in the Saccharomycodaceae family to determine spontaneous mutation rates, mutation spectra, and losses of heterozygosity (LOH). We observed substantial variation in mutation rates and mutation spectra. We also observed high LOH rates (1.65–11.07×10−6 events per heterozygous site per cell division). Biases in spontaneous mutation and LOH together with selection ultimately shape the variable genome-wide nucleotide landscape in yeast species.
Structure-guided DNA–DNA attraction mediated by divalent cations
Authors: Srivastava Amit , Timsina Raju , Heo Seung , Dewage Sajeewa W , Kirmizialtin Serdal , Qiu Xiangyun
Published: June 2020

Probing the role of surface structure in electrostatic interactions, we report the first observation of sequence-dependent dsDNA condensation by divalent alkaline earth metal cations. Disparate behaviors were found between two repeating sequences with 100% AT content, a poly(A)-poly(T) duplex (AA-TT) and a poly(AT)-poly(TA) duplex (AT-TA). While AT-TA exhibits non-distinguishable behaviors from random-sequence genomic DNA, AA-TT condenses in all alkaline earth metal ions. We characterized these interactions experimentally and investigated the underlying principles using computer simulations. Both experiments and simulations demonstrate that AA-TT condensation is driven by non-specific ion–DNA interactions. Detailed analyses reveal sequence-enhanced major groove binding (SEGB) of point-charged alkali ions as the major difference between AA-TT and AT-TA, which originates from the continuous and close stacking of nucleobase partial charges. These SEGB cations elicit attraction via spatial juxtaposition with the phosphate backbone of neighboring helices, resulting in an azimuthal angular shift between apposing helices. Our study thus presents a distinct mechanism in which, sequence-directed surface motifs act with cations non-specifically to enact sequence-dependent behaviors. This physical insight allows a renewed understanding of the role of repeating sequences in genome organization and regulation and offers a facile approach for DNA technology to control the assembly process of nanostructures.
World trends in sugar-sweetened beverage and dietary sugar intakes in children and adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: Della Corte Karen , Fife Jessica , Gardner Alexis , Murphy Britta L , Kleis Linda , Della Corte Dennis , Schwingshackl Lukas , LeCheminant James D , Buyken Anette E
Published: June 2020

Objective

To provide a systematic overview of world dietary sugar and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake trends in children and adolescents.

Data Sources

Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in the Cochrane Library were searched through January 2019 to identify longitudinal follow-up studies with time-trend data and repeated cross-sectional studies.

Data Extraction

Data from studies reporting ≥ 2 measurements (sugars, SSB, or sweets/candy) over ≥ 2 years and included ≥ 20 healthy, normal- or overweight children or adolescents aged 1–19 years.

Data Analysis

Data from 43 articles (n = 4 prospective cohort studies; n = 39 repeated cross-sectional studies) from 15 countries (n = 8 European countries plus Australia, Canada, China, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, and the United States) are presented narratively. According to the risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions tool, 34 studies were judged to have a moderate risk of bias, and 5 to have a serious risk of bias.

Conclusions

Consumption among US children and adolescents increased substantially in the decades preceding 2000, followed by a faster and continued decline. As a whole, other international intake trends did not reveal drastic increases and decreases in SSB and dietary sugars; they tended to change only slightly across 3 decades.
Digitization of the approach to food and nutrition respecting individual health values
Authors: Nomura Shuhei , Miyata Hiroaki
Published: June 2020

Japan’s aging population and increasing medical costs threaten the sustainability of its healthcare system. Society 5.0, Japan’s growth strategy, calls for a paradigm shift in healthcare based on digital technology. Health is a topic of great public concern, and diet and nutrition are at the heart of health. Many different values are used to define health, and Society 5.0 focuses on creating personalized values for different styles of eating and health. Health is already at the core of global business, and Japan, which is ahead of the rest of the world in its super-aging society, has a unique opportunity to be the first to create new business solutions for diet and nutrition.
Unravelling the panel contribution upon peer review evaluation of numerous, unstructured and highly interdisciplinary research proposals
Authors: Baimpos Theodoros , Dittel Nils , Borissov Roumen
Published: June 2020

In this study, we analyze the two-phase bottom-up procedure applied by the Future and Emerging Technologies Program (FET-Open) at the Research Executive Agency (REA) of the European Commission (EC), for the evaluation of highly interdisciplinary, multi-beneficiary research proposals which request funding. In the first phase, remote experts assess the proposals and draft comments addressing the pre-defined (by FET-Open) evaluation criteria. In the second phase, a new set of additional experts (of more general expertise and different from the remote ones), after cross reading the proposals and their remote evaluation reports, they convene in an on-site panel where they discuss the proposals. They complete the evaluation by reinforcing per proposal and per criterion one or another assessment, as assigned remotely during the first phase. We analyze the level of the inter-rater agreement among the remote experts and we identify its relative correlation with the funded proposals resulted after the end of the evaluation. Our study also provides comparative figures of the evolution of the proposals` scores during the two phases of the evaluation process. Finally, by carrying out an appropriate quantitative and qualitative analysis of all scores from the seven past cut-offs, we elaborate on the significant contribution of the panel (the second phase of the evaluation) in identifying and promoting the best proposals for funding.
Prevalence rates and correlates of insomnia disorder in post-9/11 veterans enrolling in VA healthcare
Authors: Colvonen Peter J , Almklov Erin , Tripp Jessica C , Ulmer Christi S , Pittman James O E , Afari Niloofar
Published: June 2020

Study Objectives

Post-9/11 veterans are particularly vulnerable to insomnia disorder. Having accurate prevalence rates of insomnia disorder in this relatively young, diverse population, is vital to determine the resources needed to identify and treat insomnia disorder. However, there are no accurate prevalence rates for insomnia disorder in post-9/11 veterans enrolling in the VA Healthcare System (VHA). We present accurate prevalence of insomnia disorder, and correlates, in a large sample of post-9/11 veterans enrolling in a VHA.

Methods

This was an observational study of 5,552 post-9/11 veterans newly enrolling for health care in a VHA. Data were collected using VA eScreening. Insomnia diagnosis was determined using a clinical cutoff score of ≥ 11 on the Insomnia Severity Index. Measures also included sociodemographic, service history, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, suicidal ideation, alcohol misuse, military sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and pain intensity.

Results

About 57.2% of the sample population had insomnia disorder. Our sample was nationally representative for age, sex, ethnicity, branch of the military, and race. The sample also was at high-risk for a host of clinical disorders, including PTSD, TBI, and pain; all of which showed higher rates of insomnia disorder (93.3%, 77.7%, and 69.6%, respectively).

Conclusions

The findings suggest alarmingly high rates of insomnia disorder in this population. Examining and treating insomnia disorder, especially in the context of co-occurring disorders (e.g. PTSD), will be a necessity in the future.
Shareholder Foundations of enterprises: the North European style of securing family businesses for the long term—rising up to the global challenge
Authors: Koele Ineke A , Feldthusen Rasmus K
Published: June 2020

This article explores how and why the traditional business succession system within family businesses needs to be reconsidered. Holding Foundations are generally overlooked although they provide a purpose-driven ownership structure with a stewardship governance that avoids family conflicts, taxation and dispersed ownership affecting the family business. In this article, the authors combine their experiences and insights from Denmark and the Netherlands with shareholder foundations of enterprises.
Long-term Buprenorphine Treatment for Loperamide Use Disorder: A Case Series
Authors: Brar Jessica K. , Broyan Viktoriya R. , Allgaier Jeffrey T. , Nye Larry , Saxon Andrew J.
Published: June 2020

Current data suggest that the opioid epidemic represents a worsening problem in the United States. However, prescribing rates of opioids have been steadily declining, suggesting that alternative opioids are becoming a major contributor to this crisis. One medication that has shown an increase in nonmedical use is loperamide. Loperamide is a peripheral mu-opioid agonist that is intended to be used for diarrhea. However, when taken at high doses and/or in combination with P-glycoprotein inhibitors, it acts centrally by penetrating the blood-brain-barrier. Loperamide crossing the blood-brain-barrier results in similar central nervous system depression as other opioids. Loperamide's over-the-counter availability and growing media presence has resulted in more cases of loperamide substance use disorder, predominantly to minimize opioid withdrawal symptoms and to produce a euphoric state. This case series presents 3 patients with loperamide-associated opioid use disorder who have been successfully treated with on-going buprenorphine treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first case-series to explore long-term buprenorphine treatment for loperamide use disorder. Our findings suggest that buprenorphine can be used for loperamide use disorder, most effectively when patients are in mild to moderate withdrawal. These cases also demonstrate how different waiting times were necessary before starting buprenorphine treatment in order to avoid precipitated withdrawal.
Comparing Surgical Experience and Skill Using a High-Fidelity, Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Model
Authors: Arora Chetna , Menzies Anya , Han Esther S. , Lee Minyi , Lauer Jacob K. , Hur Hye-Chun , Kim Jin Hee , Advincula Arnold P.
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate differences in standardized scores and surgical confidence in the completion of a standardized total laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TLH-BSO) among obstetrician–gynecologists (ob-gyns) with different levels of training, and to assess a TLH-BSO model for validity.

METHODS:

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 68 participants within four categories of ob-gyns: 1) graduating or recently graduated residents (n=18), 2) minimally invasive gynecologic surgery graduating or recently graduated fellows (n=16), 3) specialists in general obstetrics and gynecology (n=15), and 4) fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgery subspecialists (n=19) who completed a TLH-BSO simulation. Participants completed presimulation questionnaires assessing laparoscopic confidence. Participants performed a video-recorded TLH-BSO and contained specimen removal on a standardized 250-g biological model in a simulated operating room and completed a postsimulation questionnaire.

RESULTS:

Randomized videos were scored by blinded experts using the validated OSATS (Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills). The surgery was divided into five standardized segments: 1) adnexa, 2) dissection and pedicles, 3) colpotomy, 4) cuff closure, and 5) tissue extraction. Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery subspecialists averaging 8.9 years in practice scored highest in all categories (overall median score 91%, P<.001), followed by fellows (64%, P<.001), specialists in obstetrics and gynecology averaging 19.7 years in practice (63%, P<.001), and residents (56%, P<.001). Residents, fellows and specialists in obstetrics and gynecology were comparable overall. Fellows scored higher on cuff closure (63% vs 50%, P<.03) and tissue extraction (77% vs 60%, P<.009) compared with specialists in obstetrics and gynecology. Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery subspecialists were fastest overall and on each individual component. Residents were slowest in almost all categories.

CONCLUSION:

When performing a TLH-BSO of a standardized 250-g uterus on a simulation model, fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgery subspecialists achieved higher OSATS in all areas and completed all components faster. Similar performances were noted between residents, fellows, and specialists in obstetrics and gynecology in practice an average of 19.7 years.

FUNDING SOURCE:

Support from Applied Medical, Medtronic, CooperSurgical, and Karl Storz in the form of in-kind equipment was obtained through unrestricted educational grants.
Ultrasound Teleguidance to Reduce Healthcare Worker Exposure to Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Gibson Lauren E. , Low Sarah A. , Bittner Edward A. , Chang Marvin G.
Published: June 2020

The global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 has accelerated the adoption of technologies that facilitate patient care while reducing viral spread. We illustrate a proof of concept application of teleguidance to ultrasound-guided bedside procedures as an example of an innovative solution that has been used at our institution to maximize patient and provider safety.
Relationship between social capital and heroin use behaviors among patients in methadone maintenance treatment in Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Yang Shifan , Gao Bo , Gu Jing , Gong Yi , Yu Bin , Han Jiayu , Dong Peijie , Jia Peng , Yang Shujuan
Published: June 2020

Covertly using heroin during methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is very common among heroin-dependent patients, which has posed threats to the physical health of heroin-dependent patients and social safety. Covertly using heroin may be influenced by many factors, especially social capital. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between behaviors of covertly using heroin during MMT and social capital heroin-dependent patients in Sichuan Province, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted between October and November 2018, with a total of 581 heroin-dependent patients participating in the study. In addition to socio-demographic characteristics and heroin use related behaviors, the questionnaire also included the measures of social capital: social network (SN), social support (SP), community participation (CP) and social trust (ST). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the association between different measures of social capital and heroin use. The prevalence of covertly using heroin of heroin during MMT was 31.0% among our participants in the 6 months before the study. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors and heroin-use related variables, SN (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.76–0.95), SP (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83–0.95), and ST (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81–0.95) were significantly associated with heroin use. Results suggest that social capital may have a protective effect on behavior of covertly using heroin during MMT, which should be consider in the interventions for heroin-dependent patients, in order to reduce the incidence of heroin use during MMT as well as improve the compliance of MMT.
Psychometric testing of a short form, 11-item Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia–Arabic version
Authors: AL-Shudifat Abdulrahman , Farah Kawthar , Hawamdeh Ziad M. , Alqudah Ashraf , Juweid Malik E.
Published: June 2020

To examine the psychometric properties of a short form TSK-AV in Arabic-speaking patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

One hundred one CLBP patients recruited from Jordan University Hospital provided demographic information and completed the TSK-AV full version and measures of pain severity and disability. Explorative factor analysis was used to determine whether a generally accepted 2-factor model consisting of fewer TSK items applies to the TSK-AV and exhibits acceptable psychometric properties.

A 2-factor model provided an adequate-to-good fit to our data, explaining 46.54% of the variance. Factor 1 (labeled as “activity avoidance”) comprised items 1, 2, 7, 9, 14, 15, and 17. Factor 2 was labeled as “somatic focus” and comprised items 3, 6, 11, and 13. The 11-item TSK-AV comprised of the 2 factors (TSK-AV-11) as well as its subscales all remained independent significant (P < .001) predictors of pain disability in Jordanian patients with CLBP after accounting for factors such as age, gender, pain duration, and pain severity.

The short, 11-item TSK-AV (TSK-AV-11) appears to be an ideal clinical and research tool for measuring fear of movement/re (injury) in Arabic-speaking patients.
Mitochondrial DNA 10158T>C mutation in a patient with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes syndrome
Authors: Wang Shuai , Song Tao , Wang Suping
Published: June 2020

Rationale:

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke- like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is caused by mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction and oxidative phosphorylation disorder. It is a rare clinical metabolic disease involved with multiple systems.

Patient concerns:

A 22-year-old patient presented with limb convulsion accompanied by loss of consciousness, headache, partial blindness, blurred vision, and so on.

Diagnoses:

Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a high-intensity area in bilateral occipital cortex, left parietal lobe and cerebellum on diffusion-weighted imaging. These focus did not distribute as vascular territory. The pathological examination of skeletal muscle revealed several succinate dehydrogenase reactive vessels with overreaction and increased content of lipid droplets in some muscle fibers. Genetic testing showed that the patient carried m.10158T>C mutation.

Interventions:

She was provided with traditional arginine hydrochloride therapy and orally medication of coenzyme Q (10 mg).

Outcomes:

Mitochondrial DNA of blood and hair follicle of patient carried m.10158T>C mutation

Lessons:

For the suspected patients of MELAS syndrome, if the hot-spot mutation test is negative, more detection sites should be selected.