bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Earth Pressure on Retaining Wall with Surface-Inclined Cohesive Fill Based on Principal Stress Rotation
Authors: Wang Hengli , Zou Zhengsheng , Liu Jian , Wang Xinyu
Published: November 2021

When considering the friction and bonding force between the back of the retaining wall and the horizontal fill behind the wall, the principal stress of the soil element near the vertical back of the retaining wall is no longer vertical and horizontal but deflects to a certain extent. When the surface of the backfill becomes inclined, the principal stress of the soil behind the wall deflects in a more complicated way. In this paper, the cohesion of the soil element in the fill with an inclined surface is assumed, and the formulas for calculating the active and passive earth pressures of the retaining wall with inclined cohesive backfill are derived by rotating the principal stress of the soil element behind the wall. The proposed method is compared with the existing algorithm, and the influences of the inclination and the cohesion of the fill are analyzed. The results show that the proposed method is more universal. Both the active and passive earth pressures increase rapidly with the increase of the inclination of the fill. The active earth pressure and its horizontal component decrease with the increase of the cohesion of the fill, while the passive earth pressure and its horizontal component increase with the increase of the cohesion of the fill.
Patient Behavioral Analysis with Smart Healthcare and IoT
Authors: Tiwari Anurag , Dhiman Viney , Iesa Mohamed A. M. , Alsarhan Haider , Mehbodniya Abolfazl , Shabaz Mohammad
Published: November 2021

Patient behavioral analysis is the key factor for providing treatment to patients who may suffer from various difficulties including neurological disease, head trauma, and mental disease. Analyzing the patient’s behavior helps in determining the root cause of the disease. In traditional healthcare, patient behavioral analysis has lots of challenges that were much more difficult. The patient behavior can be easily analyzed with the development of smart healthcare. Information technology plays a key role in understanding the concept of smart healthcare. A new generation of information technologies including IoT and cloud computing is used for changing the traditional healthcare system in all ways. Using Internet of Things in the healthcare institution enhances the effectiveness as well as makes it more personalized and convenient to the patients. The first thing that will be discussed in the article is the technologies that have been used to support the smart class, and further, there will be a discussion on the existing problems with the smart healthcare system and how these problems can be solved. This study can provide essential information about the role of smart healthcare and IoT in maintaining behavior of patent. Various biomarkers are maintained properly with the help of these technologies. This study can provide effective information about importance of smart health system. This smart healthcare is conducted with the involvement of proper architecture. This is treated as effective energy efficiency architecture. Artificial intelligence is used increasingly in healthcare to maintain diagnosis and other important factors of healthcare. This application is also used to maintain patient engagement, which is also included in this study. Major hardware components are also included in this technology such as CO sensor and CO2 sensor.
Variability of Ground Motion Amplitudes Recorded in Bucharest Area during Vrancea Intermediate‐Depth Earthquakes
Authors: Pavel Florin
Published: November 2021

This study focuses on the assessment of the correlation and variability of ground motion amplitudes recorded in Bucharest area during Vrancea intermediate‐depth earthquakes from a database of 119 pairs of horizontal components. Empirical models for the evaluation of the peak ground velocity and displacement from spectral accelerations are proposed in this study. The distribution of the shear wave velocities from 41 boreholes at specific depths appears to follow a normal probability distribution. The analysis performed in this study has also shown that the variability of peak ground velocities and displacements does not appear to be influenced by the earthquake magnitude. In addition, it was observed that the variability in terms of shear wave velocities at specific depths is smaller than the variability of the spectral amplitudes of the recorded ground motions. The empirical site‐amplification factors from the Eurocode 8 draft fail to capture the long‐period spectral amplifications observed in Bucharest area during large magnitude Vrancea intermediate‐depth earthquakes.
Apocynum Leaf Extract Suppresses the Progress of Atherosclerosis in Rats via the FKN/SYK/p38 Signal Pathway
Authors: Zhang Dan , Gu Zehui , Wang Jianxin , Zhang Yang , Zheng Yang
Published: November 2021

To investigate the antiatherosclerotic effects of flavonoids extracted from Apocynum venetum (AVF) leaves in atherosclerotic rats and the underlying mechanisms, a total of 72 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: control group, model group, simvastatin group, low-dose AVF group, medium-dose AVF group, and high-dose AVF group. Atherosclerosis in rats was induced with a high-fat diet and an intraperitoneal injection of VD3 once daily for three contiguous days at a total injection dose of 70 U/kg. At the end of the 13th week, total serum cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) contents were measured. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was applied to evaluate the morphological changes. The ELISA method was used to detect related inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indicators. The corresponding protein expression and the mRNA level were detected by western blot analysis and reverse transcriptase PCR. HE staining showed that the thoracic aorta wall was thickened, and the aortic subendothelial foam cells and lipid vacuoles were reduced in the medium/high-AVF groups. Similarly, the TC, TG, LDL-C, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the model group were significantly higher, but the HDL-C level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were lower than those of the control group, and these effects were ameliorated by treatment with simvastatin or AVF. ELISA results showed that compared with the control group, the model group C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-

α

(TNF-

α

) results were significantly increased, and the medium AVF and high AVF could significantly reduce the expression of related inflammatory factors. The AVF inhibited intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin mRNA and related protein expression in the aorta in atherosclerotic rats. Western blot analysis also showed that AVF can significantly reduce the protein expression of fractalkine (FKN), spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) in the rat aorta. We believe that the AVF can effectively reduce blood lipid levels in rats with atherosclerosis and delay atherosclerotic progression by inhibiting excessive inflammatory factors and inhibiting related adhesion factors. The underlying mechanism may be related to the FKN/SYK/p38 signaling pathway activity. Our results contribute to validating the traditional use of the Apocynum leaf extract in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Full-Endoscopic Transforaminal Ventral Decompression for Symptomatic Thoracic Disc Herniation with or without Calcification: Technical Notes and Case Series
Authors: Gao Shangju , Wei Jingchao , Li Wenyi , Zhang Long , Cao Can , Zhai Jinshuai , Gao Bo
Published: November 2021

Background. Symptomatic thoracic disc herniation is a challenge in spinal surgery, especially for cases with calcification. Traditional open operation has a high complication rate. The authors introduced a modified full-endoscopic transforaminal ventral decompression technique in this study and evaluated its imaging and clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods. Eleven patients with symptomatic thoracic disc herniation who underwent full-endoscopic transforaminal ventral decompression in a single medical center were enrolled. The surgical technique was performed as described in detail. Dilator sliding punching, endoscope-monitored foraminoplasty, and base cutting through the “safe triangle zone” are the key points of the technique. Clinical outcomes were assessed by the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score for neurological improvement and the visual analogy score (VAS) for thoracic and leg pain. The operation time, hospital stay, and complications were also analyzed. Results. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed good decompression of the spinal cord. The mJOA improved from 7.4 (range: 5–10) to 10.2 (range: 9–11). Axial thoracic pain improved in 8 of 9 patients. Leg pain and thoracic radicular pain improved in all patients. No complications were observed. The average operation time was 136 minutes (range: 70–180 minutes). The average length of hospital stay was 5.3 days (range: 2–8 days). Conclusion. Minimally invasive full-endoscopic transforaminal ventral decompression for the treatment of symptomatic thoracic disc herniation with or without calcification is feasible and may be another option for this challenging spine disease.
Overlapping Phenotypes in Osteopetrosis and Pycnodysostosis in Asian-Indians
Authors: Kaur Parminder , Panigrahi Inusha , Kaur Harleen , Singh Thakurvir , Chaudhry Chakshu
Published: November 2021

Osteopetrosis is a disorder characterized by high bone density, hepatosplenomegaly, visual and hearing loss, and anemia. Pycnodysostosis presents with short stature, acroosteolysis, and dense bones. We, hereby, present here a family with autosomal dominant osteopetrosis and also children with recessive osteopetrosis and pycnodysostosis. The molecular confirmation was done in 3 cases. Genetic heterogeneity in clinical presentation is discussed here. Further studies will help in identifying epigenetic alterations and population-specific variants and also developing targeted therapies.
Wave Number and Input Impedance of a VLF Insulated Linear Antenna in an Anisotropic Ionosphere
Authors: Zhang Shitian , Peng Huaiyun , Wei Bing , Han Xiange , Wang Maoyan
Published: November 2021

We report a method to obtain the wave number and input impedance of a very low frequency (VLF) insulated linear antenna in an anisotropic ionosphere. Due to the anisotropy, electromagnetic fields in the ionosphere are decomposed into the ordinary wave and extraordinary wave. Wave equations for the layered structure are applied to access the wave number of the insulated antenna in the ionosphere via the derivation of the eigenvalue equation by using boundary conditions. The expression for the wave number is given based on some approximation formulas. Then, King’s antenna theory is further employed to solve the input impedance and current distribution of the antenna in the anisotropic medium. After the validation of the method is performed, near-field characteristics for an insulated antenna with different medium parameters in the anisotropic ionosphere are discussed. Effects of the electric density and geomagnetic field of the time-and space-varying anisotropic ionosphere on the distribution of normalized current are analyzed. This finding provides a promising avenue for getting electromagnetic characteristics of space-borne antennas.
Research on the Teaching of Visual Communication Design Based on Digital Technology
Authors: Bian Jianying , Ji Ying
Published: November 2021

In the era of big data, the rapid development of information technology has made the sharing of data and information more free, bringing convenience to the public, but at the same time, the massive amount of data also brings “information anxiety.” In this paper, we use the knowledge of design discipline, combined with psychological cognitive science, statistics, and communication discipline, and analyze a large number of excellent cases to effectively combine “information visualization‐visual representation‐design.” The purpose of this study is to enable audiences to efficiently access information through visual symbols in a large amount of data and to increase their interest in reading and satisfaction in accessing information. As a carrier of communication between designers and audiences in the process of visual representation of information visualization, visual symbols can effectively convey information content and emotional concepts to audiences. Finally, based on the theoretical support of the previous paper, combined with our own practical experience, we conduct a systematic study on the application of design thinking and the construction of design methods for the design of visual representations of information visualization. A comparative study on the aesthetics of different categories of APP interface design is conducted, and it is believed that different categories of APP can create distinctive and different categories of APP interface aesthetics through the differentiated design of interface layout, content expression, and visual form, which is considered as the ultimate goal that APP interface design must pursue. Visual representation is a method and means to realize information visualization as a representation practice that expresses the meaning of information in the form of visual symbols. The visual representation of information visualization uses visual symbols as a medium, and the audience interprets the visual symbols based on cognitive experience to obtain information, which helps to maximize the dissemination of information.
Vectors, Hosts, and the Possible Risk Factors Associated with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome
Authors: Wang Jin-Na , Li Tian-Qi , Liu Qin-Mei , Wu Yu-Yan , Luo Ming-Yu , Gong Zhen-Yu
Published: November 2021

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a disease caused by infection with the SFTS virus (SFTSV). SFTS has become a crucial public health concern because of the heavy burden, lack of vaccines, effective therapies, and high-fatality rate. Evidence suggests that SFTSV circulates between ticks and animals in nature and is transmitted to humans by tick bites. In particular, ticks have been implicated as vectors of SFTSV, where domestic or wild animals may play as the amplifying hosts. Many studies have identified antigens and antibodies against SFTSV in various animals such as sheep, goats, cattle, and rodents. Besides, person-to-person transmission through contact with blood or mucous of an infected person has also been reported. In this study, we reviewed the literature and summarized the vectors and hosts associated with SFTS and the possible risk factors.
Improving the Accuracy of Network Intrusion Detection with Causal Machine Learning
Authors: Zeng Zengri , Peng Wei , Zhao Baokang
Published: November 2021

In recent years, machine learning (ML) algorithms have been approved effective in the intrusion detection. However, as the ML algorithms are mainly applied to evaluate the anomaly of the network, the detection accuracy for cyberattacks with multiple types cannot be fully guaranteed. The existing algorithms for network intrusion detection based on ML or feature selection are on the basis of spurious correlation between features and cyberattacks, causing several wrong classifications. In order to tackle the abovementioned problems, this research aimed to establish a novel network intrusion detection system (NIDS) based on causal ML. The proposed system started with the identification of noisy features by causal intervention, while only the features that had a causality with cyberattacks were preserved. Then, the ML algorithm was used to make a preliminary classification to select the most relevant types of cyberattacks. As a result, the unique labeled cyberattack could be detected by the counterfactual detection algorithm. In addition to a relatively stable accuracy, the complexity of cyberattack detection could also be effectively reduced, with a maximum reduction to 94% on the size of training features. Moreover, in case of the availability of several types of cyberattacks, the detection accuracy was significantly improved compared with the previous ML algorithms.
On Analysis of Topological Aspects for Subdivision of Kragujevac Tree Networks
Authors: Kanwal Salma , Shang Shanshan , Siddiqui Muhammad Kamran , Shaikh Tahira Sumbal , Afzal Ammara , Asare-Tuah Anton
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we have taken review of certain topological topological characteristics of subdivision and the line graph of subdivision of Kragujevac tree. A Kragujevac tree is denoted by

K

,

K
∈

Kg

q
=
r

2
t
+
1

+
1
,
r

, with order

r

2
t
+
1

+
1

and size

r

2
t
+
1

, respectively. We have computed the Zagreb polynomials, forgotten polynomial, and M-polynomial for Kragujevac tree. Moreover, we have computed topological indices like Zagreb-type indices, reduced reciprocal Randić indices, family of Gourava indices as well as forgotten index. Further, some topological indices that can be directly derived from M-polynomial, i.e., first and second Zagreb index, modified second Zagreb index, Randić and reciprocal Randić index, symmetric division and harmonic index, and inverse sum and augmented Zagreb index are also computed.
Semantic Segmentation of Remote Sensing Image Based on GAN and FCN Network Model
Authors: Tian Liang , Zhong Xiaorou , Chen Ming
Published: November 2021

Accurate remote sensing image segmentation can guide human activities well, but current image semantic segmentation methods cannot meet the high-precision semantic recognition requirements of complex images. In order to further improve the accuracy of remote sensing image semantic segmentation, this paper proposes a new image semantic segmentation method based on Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) and Fully Convolutional Neural Network (FCN). This method constructs a deep semantic segmentation network based on FCN, which can enhance the receptive field of the model. GAN is integrated into FCN semantic segmentation network to synthesize the global image feature information and then accurately segment the complex remote sensing image. Through experiments on a variety of datasets, it can be seen that the proposed method can meet the high-efficiency requirements of complex image semantic segmentation and has good semantic segmentation capabilities.
Trajectory Optimization of CAVs in Freeway Work Zone considering Car-Following Behaviors Using Online Multiagent Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Zhu Tong , Li Xiaohu , Fan Wei , Wang Changshuai , Liu Haoxue , Zhao Runqing
Published: November 2021

Work zone areas are frequent congested sections considered as the freeway bottleneck. Connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) trajectory optimization can improve the operating efficiency in bottleneck areas by harmonizing vehicles’ manipulations. This study presents a joint trajectory optimization of cooperative lane changing, merging, and car-following actions for CAV control at a local merging point together with upstream points. The multiagent reinforcement learning (MARL) method is applied in this system, with one agent providing a merging advisory service at the merging point and controlling the inner-lane vehicles’ headway for smooth outer-lane vehicle merging, while other agents provide lane-changing advisory services at advance lane-changing points to control how vehicles make lane changes in advance and perform corresponding headway adjustment, similar to and jointly with the merging advisory service. Uniting all agents, the coordination graph (CG) method is applied to seek the global optimum, overcoming the exponential growth problem in MARL. Using MATLAB and the VISSIM COM interface, an online simulation platform is established. The simulation results show that MARL is effective for online computation with in-timing response. More importantly, comparisons of the results obtained in various scenarios demonstrate that the proposed system obtained smoother vehicle trajectories in all controlled sections, rather than only in the merging area, indicating that it can achieve better traffic conditions in freeway work zone areas.
Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiome Is Associated With Rupture of Cerebral Aneurysms
Authors: Kawabata Shuhei , Takagaki Masatoshi , Nakamura Hajime , Oki Hiroya , Motooka Daisuke , Nakamura Shota , Nishida Takeo , Terada Eisaku , Izutsu Nobuyuki , Takenaka Tomofumi , Matsui Yuichi , Yamada Shuhei , Asai Katsunori , Tateishi Akihiro , Umehara Toru , Yano Yoshihiro , Bamba Yohei , Matsumoto Katsumi , Kishikawa Toshihiro , Okada Yukinori , Iida Tetsuya , Kishima Haruhiko
Published: November 2021

Background and Purpose:

Environmental factors are important with respect to the rupture of cerebral aneurysms. However, the relationship between the gut microbiome, an environmental factor, and aneurysm rupture is unclear. Therefore, we compared the gut microbiome in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) and ruptured aneurysms (RAs) to identify the specific bacteria causing the rupture of cerebral aneurysms.

Methods:

A multicenter, prospective case-control study was conducted over one year from 2019 to 2020. The fecal samples of patients with stable UIAs and RAs immediately after onset were collected. Their gut microbiomes were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Subsequently, a phylogenetic tree was constructed, and polymerase chain reaction was performed to identify the specific species.

Results:

A total of 28 RAs and 33 UIAs were included in this study. There was no difference in patient characteristics between RAs and UIAs: age, sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes status, body mass index, and smoking. No difference was observed in alpha diversity; however, beta diversity was significantly different in the unweighted UniFrac distances. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of
Campylobacter
in the RA group was larger than that in the UIA group. Furthermore, the gut microbiome in the RA and UIA groups exhibited significantly different taxonomies. However,
Campylobacter
was focused on because it is widely known as pathogenic among these bacteria. Then, a phylogenetic tree of operational taxonomic units related to
Campylobacter
was constructed and 4 species were identified. Polymerase chain reaction for these species identified that the abundance of the genus
Campylobacter
and
Campylobacter ureolyticus
was significantly higher in the RA group.

Conclusions:

The gut microbiome profile of patients with stable UIAs and RAs were significantly different. The genus
Campylobacter
and
Campylobacter ureolyticus
may be associated with the rupture of cerebral aneurysms.
Active and Sharp Measures
Authors: Nehring Christopher
Published: November 2021

During the Cold War, Bulgaria was a staunch ally of the Soviet Union, and the Bulgarian State Security (DS) service worked extremely closely with the Soviet State Security Committee (KGB) on a wide range of matters, including disinformation operations as well as “sharp measures”—abductions, sabotage, and, most notably, assassinations. Not until the Cold War ended and the DS archives in Bulgaria were made accessible were scholars able to explore these intelligence operations in great depth. Although the lack of access to the KGB's foreign intelligence collections in Yasenevo poses certain limits, the availability of DS collections, including many copies of KGB records, has been a gold mine for Western scholars of Cold War–era intelligence activities. Drawing mainly on Bulgarian archival sources, this article analyzes KGB-DS intelligence cooperation regarding disinformation and “sharp measures.” Among the topics covered are recently disclosed sources on the assassination of the dissident Bulgarian writer Georgi Markov in London 1978 and the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II in May 1981. The article thus provides historical context for contemporary debates about Russian security services and their strategic use of disinformation and active measures.
Gender and Collaboration
Authors: Ductor Lorenzo , Goyal Sanjeev , Prummer Anja
Published: November 2021

We connect gender disparities in research output and collaboration patterns in economics. We first document large gender gaps in research output. These gaps persist across fifty years despite a significant increase in the fraction of women in economics during that time. We further show that output differences are closely related to differences in the coauthorship networks of men and women: women have fewer collaborators, collaborate more often with the same coauthors, and a higher fraction of their coauthors collaborate with each other. Taking into account coauthorship networks reduces the gender output gap by 18%.
Measuring the Output Gap using Large Datasets
Authors: Barigozzi Matteo , Luciani Matteo
Published: November 2021

We propose a new measure of the output gap based on a dynamic factor model that is estimated on a large number of U.S. macroeconomic indicators and which incorporates relevant stylized facts about macroeconomic data (comovements, nonstationarity, and the slow drift in long-run output growth over time). We find that (1) from the mid-1990s to 2008, the U.S. economy operated above its potential and (2) in 2018:Q4, the labor market was tighter than the market for goods and services. Because it is mainly data-driven, our measure is a natural complementary tool to the theoretical models used at policy institutions.
Returns to Scale, Productivity, Measurement, and Trends in U.S. Manufacturing Misallocation
Authors: Ruzic Dimitrije , Ho Sui-Jade
Published: November 2021

Aggregate productivity suffers when workers and machines are not matched with their most productive uses. This paper builds a model that features industry-specific markups, industry-specific returns to scale, and establishment-specific distortions and uses it to measure the extent of this misallocation in the economy. Applying the model to restricted U.S. Census microdata on the manufacturing sector suggests that misallocation declined by 13% between 1982 and 2007. The finding of declining misallocation starkly contrasts with the 29% increase implied by the widely used assumptions that all establishments charge the same markup and have constant returns to scale.
Rules of Thumb and Attention Elasticities: Evidence from Under- and Overreaction to Taxes
Authors: Morrison William , Taubinsky Dmitry
Published: November 2021

This paper tests costly attention models of consumers' misreaction to opaque taxes. We report an online shopping experiment that involves shrouded sales taxes that are exogenously varied within consumers over time. Some consumers systematically underreact to sales taxes whereas others systematically overreact, but higher stakes decrease both under- and overreaction. This is consistent with consumers using heterogeneous rules of thumb to compute the opaque tax when the stakes are low, but using costly mental effort at higher stakes. The results allow us to differentiate between various theories of limited attention. We also develop novel econometric techniques for quantifying individual differences.
Performance Pay in Insurance Markets: Evidence from Medicare
Authors: Fioretti Michele , Wang Hongming
Published: November 2021

Public procurement bodies increasingly resort to pay-for-performance contracts to promote efficient spending. We show that firm responses to pay-for-performance can widen the inequality in accessing social services. Focusing on the quality bonus payment initiative in Medicare Advantage, we find that higher quality-rated insurers responded to bonus payments by selecting healthier enrollees with premium differences across counties. Selection is profitable because the quality rating fails to adjust for differences in enrollee health. Selection inflated the bonus payments and shifted the supply of high-rated insurance to the healthiest counties, reducing access to lower-priced, higher-rated insurance in the riskiest counties.
Parental Incarceration and Children's Educational Attainment
Authors: Arteaga Carolina
Published: November 2021

This paper presents new evidence showing that parental incarceration increases children's education. I collect criminal records for 90,000 low-income parents who have been convicted of a crime in Colombia, and link the educational attainment of their children. I exploit exogenous variation resulting from the random assignment of judges and extend the standard framework to incorporate both conviction and incarceration decisions. I show that the effect of incarceration for a given conviction threshold can be identified. My results indicate that parental incarceration increases educational attainment by 0.78 years for the children of convicted parents on the margin of incarceration.
Medical Worker Migration and Origin-Country Human Capital: Evidence from U.S. Visa Policy
Authors: Abarcar Paolo , Theoharides Caroline
Published: November 2021

We exploit changes in U.S. visa policies for nurses to measure the origin-country human capital response to international migration opportunities. Combining data on all migrant departures and postsecondary institutions in the Philippines, we show that nursing enrollment and graduation increased substantially in response to greater U.S. demand for nurses. The supply of nursing programs expanded. Nurse quality, measured by licensure exam pass rates, declined. Despite this, for each nurse migrant, nine additional nurses were licensed. New nurses switched from other degree types but graduated at higher rates than they would have otherwise, increasing the human capital stock in the Philippines.
Is OTT Video a Substitute for TV? Policy Insights from Cord-Cutting
Authors: Malone Jacob B. , Nevo Aviv , Nolan Zachary , Williams Jonathan W.
Published: November 2021

The video entertainment industry is experiencing increases in over-the-top (OTT) video usage and cord-cutting behavior. Using unique panel data from 2012–2016, we document the behavior of the 2.4% of households who “cut the cord” annually. After dropping TV, these households increase internet usage by 22%, reduce payments to multiple-system operators (MSOs) by 50%, and 16% acquire new OTT video subscriptions. These results indicate meaningful substitution between OTT video and TV and suggest that competition authorities should consider broadening market definitions. MSOs appear to have little incentive to degrade OTT video, despite OTT video's contribution to declining TV revenues.
Students’ Knowledge, Awareness, and Pro-Environmental Behavior in Urban to Design Climate Change Book Serials
Authors: Sigit Diana Vivanti , Azrai Eka Putri , Suryanda Ade , Epriani Melisa , Ichsan Ilmi Zajuli , Rahman Md. Mehadi , Rogayan Danilo V.
Published: November 2021

Background and objective Problems currently occurred in the environment are caused by a lack of environmental awareness of the community. Biology students learn the environment in ecological learning. Students must explore environmental knowledge (EK) and are expected to have high environmental awareness (EA) and then apply their knowledge in daily life with pro-environmental behavior (PEB). There is a need for designing climate-change book serials for university students (CCBS-US) towards contextualized learning. This study aimed to determine the relationship between EK and EA and the PEB of biology students as a baseline for designing CCBS-US. Methods The study used a quantitative descriptive method with a correlational design. Total 136 biology students from a state university in Jakarta, Indonesia served as samples of the study. Results Research results revealed a positive relationship between EK and PEB of biology students. There was a positive relationship between EA and PEB of biology students and between EK and EA and PEB of Biology students. Moreover, 77% of students reported their EK is very high, 55% of students reported their EA is medium, and 46% of students reported their PEB is medium. Ecological learning has a vital role in shaping the EK, EA, and PEB, thus CCBS-US needs to be developed. Conclusion The study concluded that there was a relationship between EK, EA, and PEB. The study recommends the development of CCBS-US based on the survey results.
Ethiopian Federalism: Philosophical and Institutional Design Limitations and a Case for Loose Federalism
Authors: Gebreslassie Seife Hailu
Published: November 2021

This article attempts to answer the question: is Ethiopian federalism sustainable? Once deemed a thought vanguard of building Ethiopia as a new ‘multi-national’ state, existing philosophical and institutional design limitations are increasingly making its sustainability problematic amidst the revival of its rival alternatives-unitarism and secessionism. This article argues for re-inventing the system in the spirit of loose federalism, ensuring its continued relevance to the fast changing political climate in Ethiopia. To this end, it calls for a robust revisit, re-negotiation and redesign of i) distribution of self-rule and shared rule powers, ii) vertical and horizontal inter-governmental relations, and iii) House of Federation of the system.

A central challenge is how to secure sufficient political trust between the federal and regional governments and among the regional governments of the federation. This requires a ‘workable platform and rules of the game’ for running a smooth grand elite bargaining process.
The Privatization of Human Research Ethics: An American Story
Authors: Babb Sarah
Published: November 2021

In recent decades, there has been a remarkable shift in the governance of human research ethics in the United States. A model once based on review by panels of local volunteers has given way to a system dominated by large, for-profit research ethics committees. America’s reliance on for-profit ethics review is unique among wealthy industrialized countries. How can we account for this anomaly? In this article, I show that for-profit irb s represent only the most visible aspect of the privatization of human research protections in the United States. I suggest that private institutions have emerged as “workaround” solutions to systemic problems, in the absence of comprehensive policy reforms.
A review of Dinetus Panzer, 1806 with descriptions of five new species and keys to world species (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae)
Authors: JACOBS HANS-JOACHIM
Published: November 2021

A review of all known species of Dinetus Panzer, 1806 is given. Five species are described for the first time: D. arabicus sp. nov., D. deserticus sp. nov., D. jordanicus sp. nov., D. schmideggeri sp. nov. and D. vanharteni sp. nov. Separate keys for males and females of all known species are provided. The females of D. arabicus sp. nov. and D. schmideggeri sp. nov. and the males of D. cereolus Morice, 1897, D. deserticus sp. nov., D. hameri Notton, 2020, D. rakhimovi Mokrousov & Khedher, 2020, D. politus Turner, 1917 and D. vanharteni sp. nov. are unknown. With this, the total number of species increases to 21. Detailed distribution data of all examined species are presented, except the widely distributed D. pictus.
Five new species of the genus Sinophorus Förster (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae) from China
Authors: HAN YUAN-YUAN , VAN ACHTERBERG KEES , CHEN XUE-XIN
Published: November 2021

Five new species of the genus Sinophorus Förster, 1869 (Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae) are described and illustrated from China: S. dioryctriae sp. nov., S. latistrigis sp. nov., S. neimengensis sp. nov., S. petilidentis sp. nov. and S. spissus sp. nov. A key to the Chinese species of Sinophorus is provided.
Octopus djinda (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae): a new member of the Octopus vulgaris group from southwest Australia
Authors: AMOR MICHAEL D. , HART ANTHONY M.
Published: November 2021

A new Octopus Cuvier, 1797 species, Octopus djinda Amor, 2021 (previously treated as O. cf. tetricus and O. aff. tetricus), is described from the shallow waters off southwest Australia. This species was classified as conspecific with O. tetricus Gould, 1852 from Australia’s east coast and New Zealand but is shown here to be morphologically and genetically distinct. This description is based on 25 individuals across three localities in southwest Australia, encompassing most of its distribution. Greater and non-overlapping sucker counts on the males hectocotylised arm delimit east and west coast forms. DNA barcoding using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I also successfully differentiates between these taxa; 13 polymorphisms along a 349 bp partial fragment (3.7% sequence divergence). A close relative of the O. vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 species-group, O. djinda, sp. nov. supports a highly productive fishery and is currently one of two octopod fisheries worldwide to have received sustainable certification from the Marine Stewardship Council. The taxonomic description presented here provides formal recognition of the taxonomic status of southwest Australia’s common octopus, O. djinda, sp. nov. and facilitates appropriate fisheries catch reporting and management.
Three new Anaulacomera species (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae) from the Iguaçu National Park and nearby areas, southern Brazil
Authors: FIANCO MARCOS , CADENA-CASTAÑEDA OSCAR J. , SZINWELSKI NEUCIR , FARIA LUIZ R. R.
Published: November 2021

Three new species of Anaulacomera are described, Anaulacomera (Anaulacomera) mariellae sp. n. and Anaulacomera (Anallomes) arlindoi sp. n., belonging respectively to the Inermis and Lanceolata species group, and Anaulacomera angelinae sp. n., placed as incertae sedis. The individuals were collected at the Iguaçu National Park and adjacent small fragments of Atlantic Forest, in southwestern Paraná state, Brazil. The description was based on external morphology of males. We also present distribution maps for the species of the Inermis and the Lanceolata species groups.
Tropical Cyclone Flooding in the Carolinas
Authors: Liu Maofeng , Smith James A. , Yang Long , Vecchi Gabriel A.
Published: November 2021

The climatology of tropical cyclone flooding in the Carolinas is analyzed through annual flood peak observations from 411 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gauging stations. Tropical cyclones (TCs) account for 28% of the top 10 annual flood peaks, 55% of record floods, and 91% of floods with peak magnitudes at least 5 times greater than the 10-yr floods, highlighting the prominent role of TCs for flood extremes in the Carolinas. Of all TC-related flood events, the top 10 storms account for nearly 1/3 of annual flood peaks and more than 2/3 of record floods, reflecting the dominant role of a small number of storms in determining the upper tail of flood peak distributions. Analyses of the 10 storms highlight both common elements and diversity in storm properties that are responsible for flood peaks. Extratropical transition and orographic enhancement are important elements of extreme TC flooding in the Carolinas. Analyses of the Great Flood of 1916 highlight the flood peak of 3115 m3 s−1 in French Broad River at Asheville, 2.6 times greater than the second-largest peak from a record of 124 years. We also examine the hydroclimatology, hydrometeorology, and hydrology of flooding from Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Florence (2018). Results point to contrasting storm properties for the two events, including tracks as well as rainfall distribution and associated physical mechanisms. Climatological analyses of vertically integrated water vapor transport (IVT) highlight the critical role of anomalous moisture transport from the Atlantic Ocean in producing extreme rainfall and flooding over the Carolinas.
Clinical Treatment of Perioperative Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in Patients Who Underwent Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
Authors: Tomioka Kodai , Aoki Takeshi , Matsuda Kazuhiro , Enami Yuta , Fujimori Akira , Koizumi Tomotake , Kusano Tomokazu , Date Hiromi , Yamashita Takeshi , Ariyoshi Tomotake , Goto Satoru , Yamazaki Kimiyasu , Watanabe Makoto , Otsuka Koji , Murakami Masahiko
Published: November 2021

Background

It is unclear how effective recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM) treatment is in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) during the perioperative period of gastrointestinal and hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery. The current study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of rTM for perioperative DIC.

Methods

We enrolled 100 consecutive patients diagnosed with perioperative DIC after gastrointestinal surgery, and hepato-biliary-pancreatic including emergency procedures, between January 2012 and May 2021. Patients received routine rTM treatment immediately after DIC diagnosis. Then, the DIC, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were calculated and used for evaluation. The outcomes of rTM treatment and the predictors of survival were evaluated.

Results

The causative diseases of DIC were as follows: perforated peritonitis, n = 38; intestinal ischemia, n = 23; intra-abdominal abscess, n = 13; anastomotic leakage, n = 7; pneumonia, n = 7; cholangitis, n = 4; and others, n = 6. The 30-day mortality rate was 18.0%. There were significant differences in the platelet count (13.78 vs 10.41, P = .032) and the SOFA score (5.22 vs 9.89, P<.0001) at the start of DIC treatment between the survivor and non-survivor groups (day 0). The survivor group had a significantly lower DIC score (3.13 vs 4.93, P = .0006) and SOFA score (4.94 vs 12.14, P < .0001) and a higher platelet count (13.50 vs 4.34, P < .0001) than the non-survivor group on day 3.

Conclusions

Comprehensive and systemic treatment is fundamentally essential for DIC, in which rTM may play an important role in the treatment of perioperative DIC.
We are all institutionalized: Three works to challenge the conceit of a generically ‘academic’ study of religion
Authors: Wolfart Johannes
Published: November 2021

This essay encounters and considers together three very different recent works by scholars of religion, each one with strong Canadian connections: Maureen Matthews, Aaron Hughes and Donald Wiebe. The primary purpose, however, is to illuminate more broadly the importance of institutional dynamics in the formation and operation of the academic study of religion (i.e., not just in Canada). This stands in contrast to a well-established pattern of debating supposedly loftier questions of naming, disciplinary identity, idealized mandates and limits, etc. Furthermore, this essay suggests that scale of investigation matters – with a local, single-institution study revealing more, perhaps, about how we really do our work than either national or transnational efforts. In the end, reading these three books together suggests a tremendous diversity, including dynamic institutional diversity, in academic approaches to religion: scientific and non-scientific (predictably) but also, disciplined or expert and non-expert or academic administrative. Thus, the essay enjoins readers to take seriously a distinction between domains of ‘distributive’ and ‘concentrated’ expertise within the academy (e.g., Religious Studies versus, say, Civil Engineering), as well as the development of patterns of ‘altero-piety’ across the expert/nonexpert divide. In the end, such murky institutional dynamics appear to be shaping and impelling our field from the local institutional level (e.g., at the University of Winnipeg as documented by Matthews) to the transnational institutional level (e.g., in the International Association for the History of Religions as documented by Wiebe). Ultimately, one must conclude that stipulating that Religious Studies entail the academic study of religion is meaningless. ‘The academy’ is no more universal and unique ( sui generis?) than ‘religion’ itself. Rather, academic institutions are diverse and particular; and yet a variety of factors, ranging from deep colonial histories to the current global political economy of postsecondary higher education, all work to conceal the importance of the institutional basis of Religious Studies. Put another way (and pace Jonathan Z Smith): religion certainly is a creation of the scholar’s study – yet, far from imagining this scholar’s study as a place set apart (as it were), we must start imagining it as a historical, social and institutional location. That would take us one small but further step towards the all-important goal of disciplinary ‘reflexivity”.
Surgical techniques in acute Type A aortic dissection: How we do it
Authors: Velayudhan Bashi , Ibrahim Mohammed , Idhrees Mohammed
Published: November 2021

Acute Type A aortic dissection (ATAAD), a surgical emergency, has high mortality and morbidity. More than half of the patients dies within 2 weeks and the 30-day mortality is 90%. Here we describe our technique of ATAAD repair.
Role of citicoline and choline in the treatment of post-stroke depression: an exploratory study
Authors: Arcadi Francesca Antonia , Corallo Francesco , Torrisi Michele , Scarfì Chiara , Lo Buono Viviana , Formica Caterina , Bramanti Placido , Marino Silvia , Bonanno Lilla , De Cola Maria Cristina
Published: November 2021

Objective

To compare selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and nootropic drugs in the reduction of anxiety and depressive symptoms in post-stroke patients.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with post-stroke depression that were treated with either SSRIs or nootropic drugs (i.e. citicoline or choline alphoscerate). Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scales. Statistical associations between the use of nootropic drugs and mood disorder improvements were determined by measuring assessment scores at 6-months.

Results

A total of 44 post-stroke patients with depression (aged 45–75 years) were enrolled in the study: 20 were treated with SSRIs and 24 received nootropic drugs. From baseline to follow-up, the SSRI group showed a large effect size with regard depression (success rate difference [SRD] 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21, 0.79) and anxiety (SRD 0.49; 95% CI 0.14, 0.74), whereas the nootropic group showed a small effect size for depression (SRD 0.16; 95% CI –0.17, 0.46) and a small effect size for anxiety (SRD 0.36; 95% CI –0.03, 0.62).

Conclusion

The administration of nootropic drugs could be a valid therapeutic strategy to manage post-stroke patients suffering from mild–moderate anxiety or anxious-depressive syndrome, but this requires further research.
Effect of various operating parameters on the steady-state performance of the bent axis motor
Authors: Vardhan Alok , Pandey Ajit Kumar , Singh Ajay Pratap
Published: November 2021

The work presented in this article investigates the experimental study of the effects of various operating parameters such as oil temperature, speed, sizes and the load torque on the steady-state performance of the fixed displacement bent axis motor. In this respect, five different capacities of the motor are considered. The effects of the operating conditions and the capacities of the motor on its flow and torque-losses are identified. With an increase in pressure and temperature, gaps in the hydrostatic machine vary, and it also affects the viscosity of the fluid. The outcome of them on the performance of the motor is characterized. From the test data, a mathematical model of the losses is established that consider the influence of oil temperature, motor speed, load torque, capacities of motor and the system pressure. The model has shown good agreement with the test data; the overall efficiency of the different capacities motor at three different operating temperatures is compared. Such a model may be adapted to evaluate the performance of motor over a range of operating conditions. The proposed model may be utilized by the technocrats for selecting the bent axis motor drive for a given application.