bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous optimization of saturation equations for two hydrocarbons and four hydrofluoroolefins refrigerants
Authors: Koemleng Kan , Made Astina I , Darmanto Prihadi Setyo
Published: January 2020

This research exhibits a different simultaneous optimization for saturation equations of six pure refrigerants from Hydrocarbon (HCs) and Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs). The study objective is to model two different group of saturation equations in accordance with the same structural forms, one for n-butane (R600) and isobutane (R600a), and other for 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropan (R1234yf), trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafuoropropene (R1234ze(E)), cis-1,3,3,3-tetrafuoropropene (R1234ze(Z)), and trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (R1233zd(E)) refrigerants. Genetic algorithm with weighted least square regression was assigned to carry out the research objectives. The modeling equations for both groups are valid from triple points up to temperature nearby the critical points. The uncertainties respecting to each equation of R600, R600a, R1234yf, R1234ze(E), R1234ze(Z), and R1233zd(E) refrigerants are estimated to be 0.05%, 0.75%, 0.10%, 0.35%, 0.57%, and 0.22% in saturated liquid density; 0.30%, 2.68%, 0.86%, 1.48%, 4.13%, and 1.23% in saturated vapor density; and 0.73%, 2.15%, 0.08%, 0.47%, 0.97%, and 2.85% in vapor-pressures, respectively. The new ancillary equations can be used to calculate the saturation properties for engineering interests.
Performance-based analysis for life safety from fire, Case study; large structural steel manufacturing building
Authors: Laungta Jutamas , Chaisermtawan Prateep , Patvichaichod Supat
Published: January 2020

This study simulate the evacuation from structural steel manufacturing building and verified with Thai’s regulation. According to the regulation, all occupants shall be in safe place within 5 minutes in case of fire incident. Two simulation scenarios were selected for this simulation. First, all exits can be used for evacuation; evacuation time is 4.23 minute after announcement. Second, fire caused by explosion of compressed air tank near Exit A, which completely block this exit A. Simulation result shown that evacuation time for this particular case is 7.06 minute, which is exceed maximum evacuation time defined in the regulation. Therefore, the following countermeasures are propose: Expand existing stair from 1.0 m to 1.5 m., Install an additional stair with the same width on the opposite side and modify firefighting procedure.
Identification of real pitch difference in bolt-nut connection to improve anti-loosening performance and fatigue strength
Authors: Nao-Aki Noda , Xi Liu , Shutaro Kubo , Yoshikazu Sano , Yasushi Takase
Published: January 2020

In a wide industrial field, the bolt-nut joint is unitized as an important machine element and widely used. To ensure the safety of the structure and reduce cost, low-cost bolt-nut connections with good anti-loosening performance and high fatigue strength are always required. In our previous papers, the effect of pitch difference between a bolt and nut was studied. Under a small pitch difference, anti-loosening performance is not enough. Under a large pitch difference, fatigue strength is not good. Therefore, in order to improve both anti-fatigue and anti-loose performance, the choice of suitable pitch difference is very important although the manufacturing errors always appear in bolt-nut connection. Until now, the result of experiment and analysis without manufacturing error but is not match. Since even small manufacturing errors may affect anti-fatigue and anti-loose performance, in this paper how identification of real pitch difference is discussed after the pitch difference nut is produced. Also, the accuracy of the identified pitch difference is confirmed. By using the confirmed error, the machining accuracy may be improved to ensure the nut has good performance.
Current issues in uncertainty of dimensional tolerance metrology and the future development in the domain of tolerancing
Authors: Meirbek Mussatayev , Meifa Huang , Zhemin Tang
Published: January 2020

Uncertainty is an integral part of measurement result. Moreover, any problem in the specification of tolerance or in the measurement phase of tolerance is related to uncertainty, but few methods and lack of experimental data are available to integrate this knowledge. In this work we present the current situation of uncertainty in GD & T, analyzing at the same time a future prospective and including some specific areas to be taken into consideration.
Attitude control of fixed-wing UCAV based on adaptive fuzzy PID
Authors: Shuo KU , Da-li Ding , Wei-li Yang , Wen-qiang Zhu
Published: January 2020

Aiming at the nonlinear and strong coupling characteristics of the fixed-wing UCAV’s rigid body six-degree-of-freedom model, an adaptive fuzzy PID attitude control method was designed based on expert experience. The nonlinear model of UCAV was linearized with the principle of small disturbance, thus the state space expressions of longitudinal and lateral channels were obtained and the decoupling of the longitudinal and lateral channels was achieved. To verify the designed adaptive fuzzy PID controller, the simulation was carried out aiming at the pitch angle and velocity of the longitudinal channel and the roll angle of the lateral channel. The result showed that the designed controller had faster responsive speed and higher stability, and it could control the UCAV to achieve the desired attitude effectively.
Effects of extrusion temperatures on mechanical properties of B4C/Al composites
Authors: Wu ShuangP , Feng ShangY , Wang Jia , Li Qiu-Lin
Published: January 2020

This article studied the effects of extrusion at different temperatures on the microstructures and mechanical properties of B4C particle reinforced Al neutron shielding composite produced by powder metallurgy method. The results indicated that, the interfacial bonding between the B4C particles and the matrix was greatly improved by hot extrusion at studied temperatures. In addition, the mechanical properties of the composites were obviously improved after hot extrusion. However, by further increased the extrusion temperature, yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the composites decreases. Meanwhile, the fractography of extruded composite revealed that fracture mechanism changed from particle brittle cracking to matrix plastic damage as extrusion temperature increased.
Acquisition design and implement of Beidou B3I signal based on GPU
Authors: Li Gezheng , Chang Qing , Xi Chuang , Ma Xu
Published: January 2020

China’s Beidou satellite navigation system (BDS) has developed rapidly in recent years. In 2018, China recently publicized the latest Beidou system space signal interface control file (ICD) of the Beidou B3I. Since the Beidou B3I signal has only been released for a short time, there are no references for its implementation. Based on the research on the development status of signal acquisition at home and abroad, this paper studies the real-time problem of software receivers and optimize the module in the capture process on graphic processing unit (GPU) according to the characteristics of B3I signal, design and implement a Beidou B3I software receiver capture architecture and algorithm based on GPU. By comparing with acquisition on CPU, each computing module achieves a GPU/CPU acceleration ratio of 4-50 times, the overall signal acquisition speed has been improved by 2.5 times, and the real-time performance of Beidou B3I software receiver has been effectively improved. At the same time, aiming at the problem of Beidou signal acquisition accuracy, a secondary capture method is designed to improve the capture accuracy. In addition, an optimization idea based on compute unified device architecture (CUDA) programming is proposed to further parallel computing performance on GPU.
Identification and Control of Counter-traction Mechanism to Finger Traps for Fracture Reduction
Authors: Prasoetkarn N , Numanoy N , Saengsri S , Srisertpol J
Published: January 2020

Finger traps are a valuable tool that can be maintained the traction. The devices stretch the thumb and other four fingers separately in order to achieve better reduction effect. These are applied individually to the fingers and the limb is suspended, with gravity providing counter-traction to disimpact the fracture by traction. However, personal gravity can’t be used to maintain the appropriate tension. This paper proposed an experimental study on the tension of counter-traction mechanism to finger traps for fracture reduction. This mechanism is particularly useful to help for the patients. Transfer function estimation from experimental data can improve the overall identification performance and the parameter. The feedback control system design for compensating tension that loses from disturbance tension consisted of the controller as PI controller and actuator as DC motor with counter-traction mechanism. Experimental results were demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed system to maintain the appropriate tension.
Grasp Pose Detection Based On Point Cloud Shape Simplification
Authors: Liu H W , Cao C Q
Published: January 2020

In the robot grasping environment, grasping unknown objects that have neither model data nor RGB data is very important, we present a new approach for grasping unknown objects. Firstly, depth camera is used to obtain the partial 3D data of target object. Then, we perform 3D segmentation and the segmented parts are simplified to a cylinder, a sphere, an ellipsoid or a parallelepiped based on the geometric and semantic shape characteristic. Grasping constraints are used to obtain grasp candidates based on the simplified shape. The grasp descriptions are used to describe each candidates and CNN is used for grasping training. We evaluate our grasp networks both in simulation and robotic experiment, and the experiment result shows that the grasp quality score using simplified constraints is more robust than without simplified constraint when the gripper posture is uncertain.
Prediction of Marine Diesel Engine Combustion Characteristic in Transient Condition By Using Seiliger Process Cycle
Authors: Htet Sein Myo , Jian Bo Sun
Published: January 2020

Modern diesel engine cycle can be predicted by applying variety of simulation methods. These models are used for optimization of engine parameters, investigation of control strategies or evaluation phenomena that are difficult to measure. In practice, using engine cycle simulation methods, the number of expensive experiments studies could be reduced and very useful result could be obtained for prediction of engine design parameters in a short period of time. Furthermore, these models are also used to test different solutions (technologies) or control strategies which can help to reduce fuel consumption, increase power output, reduce emissions to meet emission requirement. In diesel engine modeling process, in cylinder pressure measurement is the fundamental method to investigate the combustion process and an effective way to get insight into the combustion phenomena. The main objective of the paper is focusing on the transient modeling of marine two stroke diesel engine and calculating (prediction) the parameter of the cylinder process model by using the Seiliger cycle process. The research approach is carried out using data from a MAN-10L90MC diesel engine and mathematical model of the test engine is calculated by using Microsoft Visual 6.0 VC++ programming.
Design and Simulation of the Controller for Pneumatic Self-Balancing Hoist System
Authors: Yang Liang , Yin Peng , Yin Rong
Published: January 2020

The design of the controller of the pneumatic hoist system is the most important step in the whole work process. The quality of the design of the controller is directly related to the realization of the system. This paper elaborates the detailed design of the system in a few steps. Firstly, a set of optimal control parameters kp

*, ki
*
, and kd

* are selected. Then the fuzzy self-tuning PID controller is designed for the valve-controlled cylinder system. Finally, the response characteristic simulation of the fuzzy self-tuning PID controller is designed based on Matlab/Simulink platform. From the result and analysis, it can be seen from the simulation results that through the adjustment of the fuzzy self-tuning PID controller, the system adjustment time ts
are within 0.8s, and the steady-state error rate is controlled within 3%.
Acceleration Based Approach for Position Control
Authors: Khaled Nassim
Published: January 2020

In many current control applications, redundant sensors are becoming standard. In particular, autonomous cars, airplanes and aerospace applications all have a multitude of acceleration and position sensors. The need for robust control algorithms that can utilize multiple sensors, even for SISO systems, is fundamental, especially if these algorithms can accommodate sensor failures and account for system dynamics.

In this paper, we propose a combined position and acceleration feedback strategy to control position. The proposed strategy allows seamless embedding of the acceleration properties of the plant into the design of the controller.
Design of PI Controller for PMSM using Chaos Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Rui Zuo , Xinhong Xiong , Lianbo Chen , Shifeng Guo , Yanhui Zhang , Daoqi Li , Wei Feng
Published: January 2020

The proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller parameters tuning is critical for improving the performance of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) systems. To improve the performance of particle swarm optimization (PSO) in the PID parameters tuning, the chaos particle swarm optimization (CPSO) is adopted to tune PI parameters in this work. The PMSM vector control system is selected as the research object, and its speed loop PI controller using CPSO algorithm is implemented. The optimal PI controller parameters are obtained using the CPSO algorithm with ten iterations. The simulation is conducted using MATLAB/Simulink to evaluate to the PI controller performance. Four performance indicators including overshoot, rise time, peak time and ITAE are used to evaluate the PI controller with CPSO, and the results suggest that the CPSO algorithm has better performance and stability compared with other tuning methods.
Motion Analysis of Kick Mechanism Using in Muay Thai Matial Art
Authors: Weerawat T , Jiraphon S , Kontorn Ch , Sorada Kh
Published: January 2020

The purposes of this research were to analyse speed of basic Muay Thai skills which consists of using feet and knee. By using the human motion-tracking cameras to create 3D animations that is associated with an image from a video camera and biomechanics analysis. The subjects group consisted of 5 professional boxers from Kiat Moo 9 Muay Thai camp by using purposive sampling method. The instrument used of this research was Qualisys Trach Managa (Motion Capture System). It was used to collect data motion capture and to analyses velocity Muay Thai basic skills. Statistics used for this research were arithmetic mean and standard deviation. The results showed that the average speed of basic Muay Thai skills include, Diagonal Kick, Straight Foot-thrust, Sideways Foot-thrust, Straight Knee-kick and Diagonal Knee-kick has 17.15, 6.01, 5.28 6.29 and 6.42 m/s, respectively. Standard deviation has 2.90, 1.47, 1.24, 1.01 and 1.75 respectively.
MCNT/MoS2 promoting the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries by adsorption polysulfide
Authors: Guo Weimin , Zhu Qinglin , Lu Qinghua
Published: January 2020

Li–S battery has high theoretical specific capacity and specific energy, but the shuttle effect challenges its commercial application. So many composite materials had been prepared to conquer it. In this research, MCNT/MoS2/S composite and MCNT/MoS2/S composite cathode were prepared respectively by a facile hydrothermal method and by melt diffusion method. MoS2 and MCNT showed uniformly combined together by SEM and TEM. The electrochemical properties of the MCNT/MoS2/S cathode were carried out on a Gamry electrochemical workstation. The initial capacity arrive 820 mAh·g−1 at 0.1 C, and specific capacities up to ∼460 mAh·g−1 over more than 300 cycles at 0.5 C. The improvement of electrochemical performance due to MoS2 strongly adsorbing polysulfide and the conductivity network of MCNT.
Texture-tensile properties correlation of 304 austenitic stainless steel rolled with the change in rolling direction
Authors: Rout Matruprasad
Published: January 2020

Rolling, at elevated temperature, with a change in the rolling direction (RD) have been conducted on 304 austenitic stainless steel. Two different sequences of change in RD, after each pass, have been followed viz., change in RD by 90°; designated as cross rolling (CR) and change in RD by 180°; designated as reverse rolling (RR). Effect of this change in RD on texture and tensile properties has been studied through Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and uniaxial tensile test, respectively. In addition, tensile tests have been performed to study the anisotropy in tensile properties. The result shows a significant effect on the texture component formation. RR develops strong Cu and S components whereas CR forms strong Brass component. However, both the rolling sequence produces moderate Goss orientation. The observed tensile properties are correlated with the texture developed by both the processes.
Optimal thickness of the catalytic nickel coating for the CVD synthesis of carbon nanomaterials
Authors: Abuhimd H M , Kiyashko M V , Grinchuk P S
Published: January 2020

The effect of the thickness of a catalytic nickel coating deposited on a copper substrate by an electrochemical method on the intensity of formation of carbon nanomaterials in the CVD process was investigated. It was found that the dependence of the specific nanostructured carbon yield on the coating thickness is extremal, with a maximum near 1.5 μm. Qualitative interpretation of the obtained data is proposed on the basis of the carbon growth mechanisms on the catalytic coating.
Antimicrobial Treatment of Human Plague: A Systematic Review of the Literature on Individual Cases, 1937–2019
Authors: Nelson Christina A , Fleck-Derderian Shannon , Cooley Katharine M , Meaney-Delman Dana , Becksted Heidi A , Russell Zachary , Renaud Bertrand , Bertherat Eric , Mead Paul S
Published: January 2020

Background

Yersinia pestis remains endemic in Africa, Asia, and the Americas and is a known bioterrorism agent. Treatment with aminoglycosides such as streptomycin or gentamicin is effective when initiated early in illness but can have serious side effects. Alternatives such as fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides are potentially safer but lack robust human data on efficacy.

Methods

We searched PubMed Central, Medline, Embase, and other databases for articles in any language with terms related to plague and antimicrobials. Articles that contained case-level information on antimicrobial treatment and patient outcome were included. We abstracted information related to patient demographics, clinical features, treatment, and fatality.

Results

Among 5837 articles screened, we found 762 published cases of treated plague reported from 1937 to 2019. Fifty-nine percent were male; median age was 22 years (range, 8 days–80 years). The case fatality rate was 20% overall. Most patients had primary bubonic (63%), pneumonic (21%), or septicemic (5%) plague, with associated case fatality rates of 17%, 27%, and 38%, respectively. Among those treated with an aminoglycoside (n = 407 [53%]), the case fatality rate was 13%. Among those treated with a sulfonamide (n = 322 [42%]), tetracycline (n = 171 [22%]), or fluoroquinolone (n = 61 [8%]), fatality was 23%, 10%, and 12%, respectively. Case fatality rate did not substantially differ between patients treated with 1 vs 2 classes of antimicrobials considered to be effective for plague.

Conclusions

In addition to aminoglycosides, other classes of antimicrobials including tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and sulfonamides are effective for plague treatment, although publication bias and low numbers in certain treatment groups may limit interpretation.
Plague During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Fleck-Derderian Shannon , Nelson Christina A , Cooley Katharine M , Russell Zachary , Godfred-Cato Shana , Oussayef Nadia L , Oduyebo Titilope , Rasmussen Sonja A , Jamieson Denise J , Meaney-Delman Dana
Published: January 2020

Background

Yersinia pestis continues to cause sporadic cases and outbreaks of plague worldwide and is considered a tier 1 bioterrorism select agent due to its potential for intentional use. Knowledge about the clinical manifestations of plague during pregnancy, specifically the maternal, fetal, and neonatal risks, is very limited.

Methods

We searched 12 literature databases, performed hand searches, and consulted plague experts to identify publications on plague during pregnancy. Articles were included if they reported a case of plague during pregnancy and at least 1 maternal or fetal outcome.

Results

Our search identified 6425 articles, of which 59 were eligible for inclusion and described 160 cases of plague among pregnant women. Most published cases occurred during the preantibiotic era. Among those treated with antimicrobials, the most commonly used were sulfonamides (75%) and streptomycin (54%). Among cases treated with antimicrobials, maternal mortality and fetal fatality were 29% and 62%, respectively; for untreated cases, maternal mortality and fetal fatality were 67% and 74%, respectively. Five cases demonstrated evidence of Y. pestis in fetal or neonatal tissues.

Conclusions

Untreated Y. pestis infection during pregnancy is associated with a high risk of maternal mortality and pregnancy loss. Appropriate antimicrobial treatment can improve maternal survival, although even with antimicrobial treatment, there remains a high risk of pregnancy loss. Limited evidence suggests that maternal-fetal transmission of Y. pestis is possible, particularly in the absence of antimicrobial treatment. These results emphasize the need to treat or prophylax pregnant women with suspected plague with highly effective antimicrobials as quickly as possible.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Risk of Birth Defects in Offspring
Authors: Auger Nathalie , Côté-Daigneault Justin , Bilodeau-Bertrand Marianne , Arbour Laura
Published: January 2020

Background and Aims

The relationship between inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy and birth defects is not understood. We evaluated whether Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in pregnant women were associated with the risk of birth defects in the offspring.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective cohort study of 2 184 888 pregnancies in Quebec, Canada, between 1989 and 2016. We calculated risk ratios [RR] and 95% confidence intervals [CI] for the association between inflammatory bowel disease and the risk of birth defects, using generalised estimating equations adjusted for maternal characteristics. We assessed associations in the period before 2000, when immunosuppressive biologic therapy and folic acid food fortification were not yet available, compared with the period after 2000 when these interventions were more widespread.

Results

This study included 13 099 women with Crohn’s disease and 7798 with ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease was associated with 1.90 times [95% CI 1.10–3.28] the risk of abdominal wall defects [gastroschisis, omphalocoele, and diaphragmatic hernia] and ulcerative colitis was associated with 1.53 times [95% CI 1.02–2.30] the risk of central nervous system defects. The association of Crohn’s disease with abdominal wall defects was stronger before 2000 [RR 3.62, 95% CI 1.71–7.67] than after 2000 [RR 1.23, 95% CI 0.55–2.75]. Ulcerative colitis was associated with central nervous system defects regardless of time period.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that inflammatory bowel disease is associated with the risk of abdominal wall and central nervous system defects, and that introduction of immunobiologic medications is unlikely to be associated with added risk.

Podcast

This article has an associated podcast which can be accessed at https://academic.oup.com/ecco-jcc/pages/podcast
Saproxylic Cetoniidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea): A ‘Females’ World’ or a Question of Dependence on Deadwood?
Authors: Martínez-Pérez Sandra , Sanchez-Rojas Gerardo , Galante Eduardo , Micó Estefanía
Published: January 2020

We explored the dependence of some Cetoniidae species on saproxylic environments and microhabitats in a Mediterranean oak forest by analyzing species collected using different kinds of traps—log emergence, hollow emergence, and interception traps—and the sex ratio of the species in each trap. Comparing the sex ratio of the species collected via emergence versus interception was useful to unravel the degree of dependence on saproxylic microhabitats. Among the species studied, Cetonia aurataeformis Curti, 1913 (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) was the only obligate tree hollow inhabitant. Special attention should thus be paid to the maintenance of tree hollows for the species’ conservation in Mediterranean forests. A gradient of dependence on tree hollows was established from the more dependent Protaetia (Potosia) cuprea (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and Protaetia (Potosia) opaca (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) to the less dependent Protaetia (Netocia) morio (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae). All the latter species can be considered facultatively dependent, to varying degrees, on tree hollows. By contrast, the saproxylic affinity of Protaetia (Netocia) oblonga (Gory and Percheron, 1833) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae), Tropinota squalida (Scopoli, 1783) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and Oxythyrea funesta (Poda, 1761) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) was doubtful. Generally, the sex ratio of the studied species was female-biased. A possible explanation may be local male competition for females, suggesting the Cetoniinae is a female world. However, the range of difference in the female-biased sex ratio among species suggests it is important to explore other possible causes, such as differences in dispersal abilities.
CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium
Authors: de Maat Vincent , Stege Paul B , Dedden Mark , Hamer Maud , van Pijkeren Jan-Peter , Willems Rob J L , van Schaik Willem
Published: January 2020

The Gram-positive bacterium Enterococcus faecium is becoming increasingly prevalent as a cause of hospital-acquired, antibiotic-resistant infections. A fundamental part of research into E. faecium biology relies on the ability to generate targeted mutants but this process is currently labour-intensive and time-consuming, taking 4 to 5 weeks per mutant. In this report, we describe a method relying on the high recombination rates of E. faecium and the application of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-Cas9 genome editing tool to more efficiently generate targeted mutants in the E. faecium chromosome. Using this tool and the multi-drug resistant clinical E. faecium strain E745, we generated a deletion mutant in the lacL gene, which encodes the large subunit of the E. faeciumβ-galactosidase. Blue/white screening using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal) could be used to distinguish between the wild-type and lacL deletion mutant. We also inserted two copies of gfp into the intrinsic E. faecium macrolide resistance gene msrC to generate stable green fluorescent cells. We conclude that CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to generate targeted genome modifications in E. faecium in 3 weeks, with limited hands-on time. This method can potentially be implemented in other Gram-positive bacteria with high intrinsic recombination rates.
Beijing IP Court clarifies standard of infringement for moral right of integrity
Authors: Yang Jing
Published: January 2020

Muye Zhang v China Film Co. LTD, Chuan Lu, Dream Author Film Co., Letv Film Co., No 587 (2016), Civil Final Instance, Beijing Intellectual Property Court, 8 August 2019

In Muye Zhang v China Film Co. LTD, et al, the Beijing Intellectual Property Court reversed the decision of Beijing Xicheng District Court and reiterated that ‘prejudice to author’s honour or reputation’ is not a prerequisite for infringement of the right of integrity under Article 10(4) of Copyright Law; in so doing, the court provided some much-needed guidance on evaluating a claim for infringement of the said right.
Clinical utilization of radiation therapy in Korea, 2016
Authors: Kim Eunji , Jang Won Il , Kim Mi-Sook , Paik Eun Kyung , Kim Hee Jin , Yoo Hyung Jun , Yang Kwangmo , Cho Chul Koo
Published: January 2020

Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the primary cancer treatment modalities. To estimate the actual utilization of RT and infrastructure in Korea, the current study was performed. Data from 2012 to 2016 were extracted from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. In addition, a nationwide survey was conducted to collect the statistics of RT facilities, equipment and human resources in Korea. The total number of patients treated with RT was 72 563 in 2016. The five cancers that were most commonly treated with RT in 2016 were breast, lung, colorectal, liver and prostate cancer. According to analyses of specific treatment modalities, the number of patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) and proton therapy increased from 6670, 6306 and 50 in 2012 to 21584, 9048 and 703 in 2016, respectively. Ninety radiation oncology centers were working in 2015 and there were a total of 213 megavoltage teletherapy machines. In 2015, 310 patients were treated per megavoltage RT machine, 246 patients per radiation oncologist, 501 patients per medical physicist and 111 patients per radiotherapy technologist. In conclusion, the number of patients who underwent RT in Korea has increased steadily from 2012 to 2016. The IMRT utilization rate remarkably increased in 2016, and the number of patients treated with advanced treatment modalities such as IMRT, SRT and proton therapy is expected to increase.
Genome-wide analysis reveals a switch in the translational program upon oocyte meiotic resumption
Authors: Luong Xuan G , Daldello Enrico Maria , Rajkovic Gabriel , Yang Cai-Rong , Conti Marco
Published: January 2020

During oocyte maturation, changes in gene expression depend exclusively on translation and degradation of maternal mRNAs rather than transcription. Execution of this translation program is essential for assembling the molecular machinery required for meiotic progression, fertilization, and embryo development. With the present study, we used a RiboTag/RNA-Seq approach to explore the timing of maternal mRNA translation in quiescent oocytes as well as in oocytes progressing through the first meiotic division. This genome-wide analysis reveals a global switch in maternal mRNA translation coinciding with oocyte re-entry into the meiotic cell cycle. Messenger RNAs whose translation is highly active in quiescent oocytes invariably become repressed during meiotic re-entry, whereas transcripts repressed in quiescent oocytes become activated. Experimentally, we have defined the exact timing of the switch and the repressive function of CPE elements, and identified a novel role for CPEB1 in maintaining constitutive translation of a large group of maternal mRNAs during maturation.
Effect of patient- and center-level characteristics on uptake of home dialysis in Australia and New Zealand: a multicenter registry analysis
Authors: Ethier Isabelle , Cho Yeoungjee , Hawley Carmel , Pascoe Elaine M , Roberts Matthew A , Semple David , Nadeau-Fredette Annie-Claire , Sypek Matthew P , Viecelli Andrea , Campbell Scott , van Eps Carolyn , Isbel Nicole M , Johnson David W
Published: January 2020

Background

Home-based dialysis therapies, home hemodialysis (HHD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) are underutilized in many countries and significant variation in the uptake of home dialysis exists across dialysis centers. This study aimed to evaluate the patient- and center-level characteristics associated with uptake of home dialysis.

Methods

The Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry was used to include incident dialysis patients in Australia and New Zealand from 1997 to 2017. Uptake of home dialysis was defined as any HHD or PD treatment reported to ANZDATA within 6 months of dialysis initiation. Characteristics associated with home dialysis uptake were evaluated using mixed effects logistic regression models with patient- and center-level covariates, era as a fixed effect and dialysis center as a random effect.

Results

Overall, 54 773 patients were included. Uptake of home-based dialysis was reported in 24 399 (45%) patients but varied between 0 and 87% across the 76 centers. Patient-level factors associated with lower uptake included male sex, ethnicity (particularly indigenous peoples), older age, presence of comorbidities, late referral to a nephrology service, remote residence and obesity. Center-level predictors of lower uptake included small center size, smaller proportion of patients with permanent access at dialysis initiation and lower weekly facility hemodialysis hours. The variation in odds of home dialysis uptake across centers increased by 3% after adjusting for the era and patient-level characteristics but decreased by 24% after adjusting for center-level characteristics.

Conclusion

Center-specific factors are associated with the variation in uptake of home dialysis across centers in Australia and New Zealand.
Salt-Induced Stability ofSR1/CAMTA3mRNA Is Mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species and Requires the 3’ End of Its Open Reading Frame
Authors: Abdel-Hameed Amira A E , Prasad Kasavajhala V S K , Jiang Qiyan , Reddy Anireddy S N
Published: January 2020

Soil salinity, a prevalent abiotic stress, causes enormous losses in global crop yields annually. Previous studies have shown that salt stress-induced reprogramming of gene expression contributes to the survival of plants under this stress. However, mechanisms regulating gene expression in response to salt stress at the posttranscriptional level are not well understood. In this study, we show that salt stress increases the level of Signal Responsive 1 (SR1) mRNA, a member of signal-responsive Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated transcription factors, by enhancing its stability. We present multiple lines of evidence indicating that reactive oxygen species generated by NADPH oxidase activity mediate salt-induced SR1 transcript stability. Using mutants impaired in either nonsense-mediated decay, XRN4 or mRNA decapping pathways, we show that neither the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway, XRN4 nor the decapping of SR1 mRNA is required for its decay. We analyzed the salt-induced accumulation of eight truncated versions of the SR1 coding region (∼3 kb) in the sr1 mutant background. This analysis identified a 500-nt region at the 3’ end of the SR1 coding region to be required for the salt-induced stability of SR1 mRNA. Potential mechanisms by which this region confers SR1 transcript stability in response to salt are discussed.
Polygenic Risk for Depression is Associated with the Severity and Rate of Change in Depressive Symptoms Across Adolescence
Authors: Kwong Alex S. F. , Morris Tim T. , Pearson Rebecca M. , Timpson Nicholas J. , Rice Frances , Stergiakouli Evie , Tilling Kate
Published: January 2020

Adolescence marks a period where depression will commonly onset and previous research using twin studies has suggested that genetic influences play a role in how depression develops and changes across adolescence. Recent genome-wide association studies have also shown that common genetic variants – which can be combined into a polygenic risk score (PRS) – are also implicated in depression. However, the role of PRS in adolescent depression and changes in adolescent depression is not yet understood. We aimed to examine the association between a PRS for depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms across adolescence and young adulthood, and how polygenic risk is associated with changes in depressive symptoms using two methods: cross-sectional analysis and multilevel growth curve modelling to examine the rate of change over time. Using data from over 6000 participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) we examined associations between genetic liability to depressive symptoms (PRS for depressive symptoms) and self-reported depressive symptoms (short mood and feelings questionnaire over 9 occasions from 10-24 years). We examined cross-sectional associations at each age and longitudinal trajectories of depressive symptoms in a repeated measures framework using growth curve analysis. The PRS was associated with depressive symptoms throughout adolescence and young adulthood in cross-sectional and growth curve analyses, though associations were stronger in the latter analyses. Growth curve analyses also provided additional insights, demonstrating that individuals with a higher PRS had steeper trajectories of depressive symptoms across adolescence with a greater increasing rate of change. These results show that common genetics variants as indexed by a PRS for depressive symptoms influence both the severity and rate of change in adolescent depressive symptoms. Longitudinal data that make use of repeated measures designs have the potential to provide greater insights into the factors that influence the onset and persistence of adolescent depression.
Prevalence, Characteristics, and Associated Factors of Workplace Violence Against Healthcare Professionals in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Hossain Md Mahbub , Sharma Rachit , Tasnim Samia , Al Kibria Gulam Muhammed , Sultana Abida , Saxena Tanjul
Published: January 2020

Background

Workplace violence (WPV) against doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals is a growing public health concern affecting health systems in low- and middle-income countries. In India, incidents of WPV against health workforce have become common in recent years. However, there is no synthesized evidence on the nationwide burden of WPV in healthcare. This study aims to systematically evaluate the current evidence on the prevalence, characteristics, and associated factors of WPV against healthcare professionals in India.

Methods

We systematically searched seven major databases and additional sources to retrieved published literature on WPV in India. We included empirical studies without any time restriction, which reported the prevalence of WPV against healthcare professionals in India. Following data extraction, we estimated the pooled prevalence of WPV using random-effects model in meta-analysis. The characteristics and associated factors of WPV were narratively synthesized from these empirical studies.

Results

Among 1065 articles retrieved from multiple sources, 15 studies met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of WPV among 2849 participants in those 15 studies was 63% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54%-72%). In the subgroup analyses, the pooled prevalence for male and female was 64% (95% CI, 51%-78%) and 54% (95% CI, 47%-62%) respectively. Moreover, pooled prevalence in 12-months and lifetime was 55% (95% CI, 43%-67%) and 69% (95% CI, 61%-78%) respectively. Among the participants, the prevalence of verbal violence (52%; 95% CI, 45%-60%) was higher than physical violence (8%; 95% CI, 5%-11%). The emergency department was a common location of WPV, whereas the patients’ attendants were perpetrators in most studies. Major factors associated with WPV included ineffective patient-provider communication, less experience of the healthcare professionals, overcrowding, shortage of resources, long waiting hours, lack of security measures, dissatisfaction about health services, high cost of care, the negative role of media, and other socio-behavioral problems among the patients and healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

WPV is highly prevalent among healthcare professionals in India. Critical challenges within the healthcare and social context necessitate further research, better policymaking, and multipronged interventions to address the same and prevent WPV against healthcare professionals in India.
Brief exposure to a diverse range of environmental stress enhances stress tolerance in the polyextremophilic Antarctic midge,Belgica antarctica
Authors: Gantz J. D. , Philip B. N. , Teets N. M. , Kawarasaki Y. , Potts L. J. , Spacht D. E. , Benoit J. B. , Denlinger D. L. , Lee R. E
Published: January 2020

Insects use rapid acclimation to enhance their tolerance of abiotic stresses within minutes to hours. These responses are critical adaptations for insects and other small ectotherms to tolerate drastic changes in temperature, hydration, or other factors that can fluctuate precipitously with ambient conditions or as a result of behavior. Rapid cold-hardening, where insects use brief exposure to modest chilling as a cue to enhance their cold tolerance, is the most thoroughly-studied of these responses and relatively little is known about rapid acclimation that is either triggered by or enhances tolerance of other abiotic stresses. Here, we used larvae of the Antarctic midge,Belgica antarctica, a polar extremophile that routinely experiences numerous stresses in nature, to investigate how 2 h exposure to modest environmental stresses affect stress tolerance in insects. Brief pretreatment by various stresses, including hyperosmotic challenge, hypoosmotic challenge, acidity, basicity, and UV irradiation enhanced stress tolerance inB. antarcticalarvae relative to untreated controls. These results indicate that numerous environmental cues can trigger rapid acclimation in insects and that these responses can enhance tolerance of multiple stresses.
Epitope-tagging of the endogenous murine BiP/GRP78/Hspa5locus allows direct analysis of the BiP interactome and protein misfoldingin vivo
Authors: Peng Yunqian , Chen Zhouji , Jang Insook , Arvan Peter , Kaufman Randal J.
Published: January 2020

BiP/GRP78, encoded by theHspa5gene, is the major HSP70 family member in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen, and controls ER protein folding. The essential functions of BiP in facilitating proper protein folding are mainly mediated through its dynamic interaction with unfolded or misfolded client proteins, and by serving as a negative regulator of the Unfolded Protein Response. A mechanistic understanding of the dynamics of BiP interaction with its protein partners is essential to understand ER biology, and therefore, we have sought to develop a tractable model to study misfolded protein interaction with BiP. For this purpose, we have used homologous recombination to insert a 3xFLAG epitope tag into the endogenous murineHspa5 gene, just upstream from the essential KDEL signal necessary for ER localization of BiP. Tagging BiP in this way did not alterHspa5expression under basal or ER-stress induced conditions in hepatocytesex vivoor in fibroblasts. Furthermore, the tag did not alter the cellular localization of BiP or its functionality. All of these findings in primary tissue culture were also confirmedin vivoin livers of heterozygous mice harboring one WT and one FLAG-taggedHspa5allele. Hepatocyte-specific BiP-FLAG modification did not alter liver function or UPR signaling. Importantly, immunoprecipitation with anti-FLAG antibody completely pulled down FLAG-tagged BiP from lysates of BiP-FLAG expressing livers. Affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS) of BiP-FLAG protein complexes isolated from the BiP-FLAG-expressing livers of tunicamycin (TM)- and vehicle-treated mice revealed a marked increase in interaction of glycoproteins with BiP-FLAG in response to inhibition of N-glycosylation due to TM-treatment, validating utility of our BiP-Flag mice as a tool to identify ER misfolded proteinsin vivo. Significantly, our AP-MS analysis also providedin vivoevidence demonstrating that BiP-FLAG binds to UPR transducers IRE1α and PERK under basal conditions but is released upon TM-treatment to activate UPR. We have also employed this mouse model to demonstrate that proinsulin in pancreatic β cells misfolds and interacts with BiP-FLAG in healthy mice. In summary, we generated a novel model that can be used to investigate the BiP interactomein vivounder physiological and pathophysiological conditions in a cell type-specific manner. This tool provides, for the first time, an unbiased approach to identify unfolded and misfolded BiP-client proteins, and a new approach to study ER protein misfolding in a cell-type and temporal manner to uncover the role of BiP in many essential ER processes.
Mitochondrial fostering: the mitochondrial genome may play a role in plant orphan gene evolution
Authors: O’Conner Seth , Li Ling
Published: January 2020

Plant mitochondrial genomes exhibit odd evolutionary patterns. They have a high rearrangement but low mutation rate, and a large size. Based on massive mitochondrial DNA transfers to the nucleus as well as the mitochondrial unique evolutionary traits, we propose a “Mitochondrial Fostering” theory where the organelle genome plays an integral role in the arrival and development of orphan genes (genes with no homologues in other lineages). Two approaches were used to test this theory: 1) bioinformatic analysis of nuclear mitochondrial DNA (Numts: mitochondrial originating DNA that has migrated to the nucleus) at the genome level, and 2) bioinformatic analysis of particular orphan sequences present in both the mitochondrial genome and the nuclear genome ofArabidopsis thaliana. One study example is given about one orphan sequence that codes for two unique orphan genes: one in the mitochondrial genome and another one in the nuclear genome. DNA alignments show regions of thisA. thalianaorphan sequence exist scattered throughout other land plant mitochondrial genomes. This is consistent with the high recombination rates of mitochondrial genomes in land plants. This may also enable the creation of novel coding sequences within the orphan loci, which can then be transferred to the nuclear genome and become exposed to new evolutionary pressures. Our study also reveals a high correlation between mitochondrial DNA rate transferred to the nuclear genome and number of orphan genes in land plants. All the data suggests the mitochondrial genome may play a role in nuclear orphan gene evolution in land plants.
VIPR: Vectorial Implementation of Phase Retrieval for fast and accurate microscopic pixel-wise pupil estimation
Authors: Ferdman Boris , Nehme Elias , Weiss Lucien E. , Orange Reut , Alalouf Onit , Shechtman Yoav
Published: January 2020

In microscopy, proper modeling of the image formation has a substantial effect on the precision and accuracy in localization experiments and facilitates the correction of aberrations in adaptive optics experiments. The observed images are subject to polarization effects, refractive index variations and system specific constraints. Previously reported techniques have addressed these challenges by using complicated calibration samples, computationally heavy numerical algorithms, and various mathematical simplifications. In this work, we present a phase retrieval approach based on an analytical derivation of the vectorial diffraction model. Our method produces an accurate estimate of the system phase information (without any prior knowledge) in under a minute.