bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urbanization drives an early spring for plants but not for pollinators
Authors: Fisogni Alessandro , Hautekèete Nina , Piquot Yves , Brun Marion , Vanappelghem Cédric , Michez Denis , Massol François
Published: July 2020

Urbanization is one of the major threats to wild plants and pollinators, and its global increase demands a better understanding of the mechanism driving its negative impact. Urban warming and altered local environmental conditions have the potential to affect the timing of flowering and of pollinator activity. While previous evidence has shown that plant phenology tends to advance in urban areas, little is known about its effects on pollinator phenology. In this study we simultaneously assessed the response of the timing of flowering of native plants and of the flight period of wild pollinators to increased urbanization. We collected data from 12 sites along an urbanization gradient in northern France, a region under strong anthropogenic pressure. Overall, we recorded more than 70 plant species, and we sampled more than 4300 wild bees and hoverflies belonging to 154 species. Plant flowering showed a strong response to urbanization at the community level with a striking advancement of the flowering peak in sites at high urbanization. On the contrary, pollinator communities did not show any clear shift of their flight phenology along the gradient, neither regarding abundance nor diversity. Our results indicate that phenologies of plant and pollinator communities can respond differently along the same urbanization gradient. These asymmetric responses can drive modifications in the structure of plant–pollinator networks, and potentially negatively affect the fitness of both mutualistic partners.
Cross system autonomic balance and regulation: Associations with depression and anxiety symptoms
Authors: Stone Lindsey B. , McCormack Caitlyn C. , Bylsma Lauren M.
Published: July 2020

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) has demonstrated utility for identifying alterations in emotion processing associated with common psychopathology, including depression and anxiety. To date though the majority of this ANS research has several limitations. Most studies have examined parasympathetic and sympathetic branches separately, requiring activity in the other branch be inferred. This is problematic as each branch may function independently. Composite indices such as cardiac autonomic balance (CAB) and cardiac autonomic regulation (CAR) which examine the relative input between respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and pre‐ejection period (PEP) should provide more comprehensive measures of autonomic functioning and thus stronger predictors of psychopathology. However, the sympathetic branch is driven by multiple neurotransmitter systems, thus PEP does not necessarily reflect overall SNS arousal. We propose two new metrics for assessing ANS functioning associated with psychopathology: parasympathetic effects on cardiac control (RSA) relative to sympathetic effects on the eccrine system (electrodermal activity, EDA), which we term cross‐system autonomic balance (CSAB) and regulation (CSAR). Eighty‐five women (18–37) completed a baseline physiological assessment with parasympathetic (RSA) and sympathetic indices (PEP, EDA), along with self‐reported depressive and anxiety symptoms. Lower CSAB, indicating sympathetic dominance driven by cholinergic neurotransmission, was associated with higher depressive and anxiety symptoms. Lower CAB indicating sympathetic dominance driven by beta‐adrenergic neurotransmission was associated specifically with depressive symptoms. CSAB was a more robust index than RSA. Results support the utility of assessing multiple composite ANS indices for identifying physiological substrates of alterations in emotion regulation associated with internalizing disorders.
Trends in aquaculture and conservation of sturgeons: a review of molecular and cytogenetic tools
Authors: Chandra Gyan , Fopp‐Bayat Dorota
Published: July 2020

Sturgeons are the most primitive, endangered groups of vertebrates on the planet and often referred to as ‘living fossils’. Their natural populations are decreasing due to habitat destruction, blockage of spawning migration, pollution and overexploitation for their expensive black caviar and boneless meat. Currently, existing populations have little chance to survive without artificial breeding and sustainable ranching programmes. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is regulating international trade of all Acipenseriformes and their products for effective conservation. The aim of this review paper was to describe the main innovative applications in sturgeon aquaculture and conservation, such as genome engineering techniques applied in sturgeon’s reproduction, molecular and ploidy analyses of embryo and larvae, sex determination, genome sequencing, gene expression analysis and genome transplantations. Further research is required to improve cryopreservation techniques, embryo banking and quick identification of disease in sturgeon aquaculture and conservation programme.
Same, same, but different! Qualitative evidence on how algorithmic selection applications govern different life domains
Authors: Festic Noemi
Published: July 2020

The term algorithmic governance describes institutional steering effects of algorithmic‐selection applications that increasingly pervade all domains of everyday life. Empirical evidence on algorithmic governance is lacking and mostly limited to information services. This article compares the significance of algorithmic governance – measured by use, subjective significance, awareness, risk awareness, and coping practices – for four pivotal life domains (information, recreation, commercial transactions, and socializing). Drawing on qualitative, semi‐structured interviews with Internet users, this article reveals important nuances in how differently users engage with algorithmic‐selection applications across life domains and functional types like search or recommendation. While awareness of algorithmic selection and related risks is comparatively higher for information services, the findings reveal a significant lack of knowledge for algorithmic selection in other life domains and for specific algorithmic modes of operation. This article provides input for an evidence‐based development of suitable regulation of algorithmic‐selection applications, taking everyday practices of their users into account.
Preoperative staging of the mediastinum is an essential and multidisciplinary task
Authors: Sanz‐Santos José , Call Sergi
Published: July 2020

Mediastinal staging is a crucial step in the management of patients with NSCLC. With the recent development of novel techniques, mediastinal staging has evolved from an activity of interest mainly for thoracic surgeons to a joint effort carried out by many specialists. In this regard, the debate of cases in MDT sessions is crucial for optimal management of patients. Current evidence‐based clinical guidelines for preoperative NSCLC staging recommend that mediastinal staging should be performed with increasing invasiveness. Image‐based techniques are the first approach, although they have limited accuracy and findings must be confirmed by pathology in almost all cases. In this setting, the advent of radiomics is promising. Invasive staging depends on procedural factors rather than diagnostic performance. The choice between endoscopy‐based or surgical procedures should depend on the local expertise of each centre. As the extension of mediastinal disease in terms of number of involved lymph nodes and nodal stations affects prognosis and the choice of treatment, systematic samplings are preferred over random targeted samplings. Following this approach, a diagnosis of single mediastinal nodal involvement can be unreliable if all reachable mediastinal nodal stations have not been assessed. The performance of confirmatory mediastinoscopy after a negative endoscopy‐based procedure is controversial but currently recommended. Current indications of invasive staging in patients with radiologically normal mediastinum have to be re‐evaluated, especially for central tumour location.
Eriophyoid mites (Acariformes) from wild and cultivated Solanaceae plants from Brazil⁠—new taxa, supplementary descriptions, a first report and new host plants of the tomato russet mite

Authors: Duarte Mércia Elias , De Mendonça Renata Santos , Navia Denise
Published: July 2020

The results of a survey of Eriophyoidea mites on wild and cultivated Solanaceae plants in Central Brazil are presented. Five new taxa associated with plants in the genus Solanum are described and illustrated. They include one new genus with type species belonging to Phyllocoptinae, Calacarini - Viginticus lupusmalum gen. nov. & sp. nov.; two new species in the Eriophyinae, Aceriini - Aceria solani sp. nov. and Paraphytoptus tuberacutus sp. nov., all of them associated with Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil.; and one new species in the Phyllocoptinae, Athocoptini - Aculus michereffi sp. nov., associated with Solanum acanthodes Hook.. New host plants for the tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Tryon 1917), are reported. In addition, the first record of Calacarus speciosissimum Flechtmann, 1999 for Brazil and from Capsicum as host plants, and the first record of Rhynacus lippius Duarte, Chetverikov & Navia, 2016, on solanaceous plants are presented; supplementary descriptions of these species were elaborated. Diagnostic traits for Calacarus mites collected on Solanaceae plants around the world are summarized.
Muscular Coordination of Single-Leg Hop Landing in Uninjured and Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Reconstructed Individuals
Authors: Sritharan Prasanna , Perraton Luke G. , Munoz Mario A. , Pivonka Peter , Bryant Adam L.
Published: July 2020

This study compared lower-limb muscle function, defined as the contributions of muscles to center-of-mass support and braking, during a single-leg hopping task in anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed (ACLR) individuals and uninjured controls. In total, 65 ACLR individuals and 32 controls underwent a standardized anticipated single-leg forward hop. Kinematics and ground reaction force data were input into musculoskeletal models to calculate muscle forces and to quantify muscle function by decomposing the vertical (support) and fore-aft (braking) ground reaction force components into contributions by individual lower-limb muscles. Four major muscles, the vasti, soleus, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus, were primarily involved in support and braking in both ACLR and uninjured groups. However, although the ACLR group demonstrated lower peak forces for these muscles (all Ps < .001, except gluteus maximus, P = .767), magnitude differences in these muscles’ contributions to support and braking were not significant. ACLR individuals demonstrated higher erector spinae (P = .012) and hamstrings forces (P = .085) to maintain a straighter, stiffer landing posture with more forward lumbar flexion. This altered landing posture may have enabled the ACLR group to achieve similar muscle function to controls, despite muscle force deficits. Our findings may benefit rehabilitation and the development of interventions to enable faster and safer return to sport.
RNA-Seq Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Long Terminal Repeat Retrotransposon Modulation in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells after
In Vivo
Lipopolysaccharide Injection
Authors: Pisano Maria Paola , Tabone Olivier , Bodinier Maxime , Grandi Nicole , Textoris Julien , Mallet François , Tramontano Enzo
Published: July 2020

We described the HERV and MaLR transcriptome in PBMCs, finding that about 8.4% of the LTR retrotransposon loci were expressed and identifying the betaretrovirus-like HERVs as those with the highest percentage of expressed loci. We found 4,607 HERV and MaLR loci that were modulated as a result of
in vivo
stimulation with LPS. The HERV-H group showed the highest number of differentially expressed most intact proviruses. We characterized the HERV and MaLR loci as differentially expressed, checking their genomic context of insertion and observing a general colocalization with genes that are involved and modulated in the immune response, as a consequence of LPS stimulation. The analyses of HERV and MaLR expression and modulation show that these LTR retrotransposons are expressed in PBMCs and regulated in inflammatory settings. The similar regulation of HERVs/MaLRs and genes after LPS stimulation suggests possible interactions of LTR retrotransposons and the immune host response.
Characterization of a Novel Alphaherpesvirus Isolated from the Fruit Bat
Pteropus lylei
in Vietnam
Authors: Inagaki Takuya , Yamada Souichi , Fujii Hikaru , Yoshikawa Tomoki , Shibamura Miho , Harada Shizuko , Fukushi Shuetsu , Le Mai Quynh , Nguyen Co Thach , Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy , Nguyen Thanh Thuy , Nguyen Thanh Thuy , Quach Van Tay , Thong Vu Dinh , Mori Kazuki , Sasaki Michihito , Setiyono Agus , Handharyani Ekowati , Takeyama Haruko , Hasebe Futoshi , Saijo Masayuki
Published: July 2020

A novel bat alphaherpesvirus,
Pteropus lylei
-associated alphaherpesvirus (PLAHV), was isolated from urine of the fruit bat
Pteropus lylei
in Vietnam. The whole-genome sequence was determined and was predicted to include 72 open reading frames in the 144,008-bp genome. PLAHV is circulating in a species of fruit bats,
Pteropus lylei
, in Asia. This study expands the knowledge on bat-associated alphaherpesvirology.
SERINC5 Potently Restricts Retrovirus Infection
In Vivo
Authors: Timilsina Uddhav , Umthong Supawadee , Lynch Brian , Stablewski Aimee , Stavrou Spyridon
Published: July 2020

This study examined for the first time the
in vivo
function of the
ser
ine
inc
orporator (SERINC) proteins during retrovirus infection. SERINC3 and SERINC5 (SERINC3/5) restrict a number of retroviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and murine leukemia virus (MLV), by blocking their entry into cells. Nevertheless, HIV-1 and MLV encode factors, Nef and glycosylated Gag, respectively, that counteract SERINC3/5
in vitro
. We recently developed SERINC3 and SERINC5 knockout mice to examine the
in vivo
function of these genes. We found that SERINC5 restriction is dependent on the absence of glycosylated Gag and the expression of a specific viral envelope glycoprotein. On the other hand, SERINC3 had no antiviral function. Our findings have implications for the development of therapeutics that target SERINC5 during retrovirus infection.
Data-Driven Models Reveal Mutant Cell Behaviors Important for Myxobacterial Aggregation
Authors: Zhang Zhaoyang , Cotter Christopher R. , Lyu Zhe , Shimkets Lawrence J. , Igoshin Oleg A.
Published: July 2020

Self-organization into spatial patterns is evident in many multicellular phenomena. Even for the best-studied systems, our ability to dissect the mechanisms driving coordinated cell movement is limited. While genetic approaches can identify mutations perturbing multicellular patterns, the diverse nature of the signaling cues coupled to significant heterogeneity of individual cell behavior impedes our ability to mechanistically connect genes with phenotype. Small differences in the behaviors of mutant strains could be irrelevant or could sometimes lead to large differences in the emergent patterns. Here, we investigate rescue of multicellular aggregation in two mutant strains of
Myxococcus xanthus
mixed with wild-type cells. The results demonstrate how careful quantification of cell behavior coupled to data-driven modeling can identify specific motility features responsible for cell aggregation and thereby reveal important synergies and compensatory mechanisms. Notably, mutant cells do not need to precisely recreate wild-type behaviors to achieve complete aggregation.
Oscillations in U.S. COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality Data Reflect Diagnostic and Reporting Factors
Authors: Bergman Aviv , Sella Yehonatan , Agre Peter , Casadevall Arturo
Published: July 2020

The incidence and mortality data for the COVID-19 data in the United States show periodic oscillations, giving the curve a distinctive serrated pattern. In this study, we show that these periodic highs and lows in incidence and mortality data are due to daily differences in testing for the virus and death reporting, respectively. These findings are important because they provide an explanation based on public health practices and shortcomings rather than biological explanations, such as infection dynamics. In other words, when oscillations occur in epidemiological data, a search for causes should begin with how the public health system produces and reports the information before considering other causes, such as infection cycles and higher incidences of events on certain days. Our results suggest that when oscillations occur in epidemiological data, this may be a signal that there are shortcomings in the public health system generating that information.
Thirteen-year trends in the prevalence of diabetes according to socioeconomic condition and cardiovascular risk factors in a Swiss population
Authors: de Mestral Carlos , Stringhini Silvia , Guessous Idris , Jornayvaz François R
Published: July 2020

Introduction

To estimate the prevalence of and trends in diabetes according to sociodemographic indicators and cardiovascular risk factors in a Swiss population.

Research design and methods

Annual cross-sectional study of adults residing in the state of Geneva. We included 9886 participants (51% women; mean age (SD) of 48.9 (13.4) years). Diagnosed diabetes was self-reported; undiagnosed diabetes was defined as having fasting plasma glucose level of ≥7 mmol/L and no previous diagnosis; total diabetes as the sum of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. To assess trends, we grouped survey years into three time periods: 2005–2010, 2011–2014, and 2015–2017. To assess inequalities, we constructed the relative index of inequality (RII) and the slope index of inequality (SII) for education, income, and health insurance subsidy (state program based on socioeconomic disadvantage).

Results

In total, 683 diabetes cases were identified. In 2015–2017, total diabetes prevalence was 11.8% (8.6%–14.9%) among lowest income participants, and 4.7% (3.4%–5.9%) among highest income participants (p<0.01). Similar findings were observed for education. Among participants with full health insurance subsidy, diabetes prevalence was 19.4% (12.1%–26.8%), and 6.1% (5.3%–7.0%) among those without (p<0.01). High diabetes prevalence was observed among participants who were men, older, overweight or obese, hypertensive, and hypercholesterolemic. Among participants with diabetes, 74.0% (63.5%–84.4%) in the lowest income group were diagnosed, compared with 90.2% (81.9%–98.4%) in the highest income group (p=0.04). Over the 13-year period, widening relative and absolute inequalities in total diabetes prevalence were observed for education and income. The education-RII (95% CI) increased from 1.51 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.32) in 2005–2010 to 2.54 (95% CI 1.58 to 4.07) in 2015–2017 (p=0.01), and the education-SII (95% CI) from 0.04 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.08) to 0.08 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.10; p<0.01). The income-RII increased from 2.35 (95% CI 1.44 to 3.84) to 3.91 (95% CI 2.24 to 6.85; p<0.01), and the income-SII from 0.08 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.12) to 0.011 (95% CI 0.07 to 0.14; p=0.01). Inequalities by health insurance subsidy were large (RII 3.56 (95% CI 1.90 to 6.66) and SII 0.10 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.15)) but stable across the study period.

Conclusion

Among adults living in Geneva, Switzerland, substantial differences were observed in diabetes prevalence across socioeconomic and cardiovascular risk groups over a 13-year period, and relative and absolute socioeconomic inequalities appeared to have increased.
Efficacy of zinc as adjunctive pneumonia treatment in children aged 2 to 60 months in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Brown Nick , Kukka Antti Juhani , Mårtensson Andreas
Published: July 2020

Background

Despite advances in vaccination and case management, pneumonia remains the single largest contributor to early child mortality worldwide. Zinc has immune-enhancing properties, but its role in adjunctive treatment of pneumonia in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) is controversial and research still active.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of zinc and placebo in pneumonia in children aged 2 to 60 months in LMICs. Databases included MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, SciELO, the WHO portal, Scopus, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrials.gov. Inclusion criteria included accepted signs of pneumonia and clear measure of outcome. Risk of bias was independently assessed by two authors. ORs with 95% CI were used for calculating the pooled estimate of dichotomous outcomes including treatment failure and mortality. Time to recovery was expressed as HRs. Sensitivity analyses considering risk of bias and subgroup analyses for pneumonia severity were performed.

Results

We identified 11 trials published between 2004 and 2019 fulfilling the a priori defined criteria, 7 from South Asia and 3 from Africa and 1 from South America. Proportional treatment failure was comparable in both zinc and placebo groups when analysed for all patients (OR 0.95 (95% CI 0.80 to 1.14)) and only for those with severe pneumonia (OR 0.93 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.14)). No difference was seen in mortality between zinc and placebo groups (OR 0.64 (95% CI 0.31 to 1.31)). Time to recovery from severe pneumonia did not differ between the treatment and control groups for patients with severe pneumonia (HR 1.01 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.14)). Removal of four studies with high risk of bias made no difference to the conclusions.

Conclusion

There is no evidence that adjunctive zinc treatment improves recovery from pneumonia in children in LMICs.

Trial registration number

CRD42019141602.
An incompletely erupted canine tooth compromising the nasal cavity in a pug presenting with severe brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)
Authors: Oginska Olivia , Hughes Jonathan , Liu Nai‐Chieh , Ladlow Jane
Published: July 2020

A six‐year‐old male neutered pug presented as an emergency with acute‐onset dyspnoea. The patient was stabilised with a temporary tracheostomy. Further investigations revealed the presence of anatomical malformations commonly encountered in dogs suffering from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). A CT scan of the patient's head also revealed the root of the right maxillary canine tooth (104) extending into the right nasal cavity. Rhinoscopic examination confirmed partial occlusion of the nasal airway by the presence of the tooth root. The right maxillary canine tooth was extracted, and postremoval rhinoscopy demonstrated an increase in the nasal cavity air‐filled space on the right side. Subsequently, the patient underwent BOAS surgery but was unable to tolerate long‐term removal of the tracheostomy tube postoperatively due to severe laryngeal collapse. A permanent tracheostomy was performed and the patient was discharged showing no signs of respiratory difficulties.
Brain MRI findings in a dog with late onset epileptic seizure after portosystemic shunt attenuation
Authors: Spinillo Simone , Golini Lorenzo , Motta Luca
Published: July 2020

A female Tibetan terrier aged five years and six months presented 23 months after portosystemic shunt attenuation due to generalised tonic–clonic epileptic seizure activity. Repeat MRI of the brain showed symmetrical T2‐weighted hyperintense lesions affecting the cerebral grey matter bilaterally suggestive of cerebral atrophy and polioencephalomalacia. Cerebral atrophy and polioencephalomalacia could develop after successful attenuation of portosystemic shunt surgery.
Vaquitas (Phocoena sinus) continue to die from bycatch not pollutants
Authors: Gulland Frances , Danil Kerri , Bolton Jennie , Ylitalo Gina , Okrucky Roberto Sanchez , Rebolledo Francisco , Alexander-Beloch Christian , Brownell Robert l , Mesnick Sarah , Lefebvre Kathi , Smith Cynthia R , Thomas Peter Owen , Rojas-Bracho Lorenzo
Published: July 2020

Background

The vaquita of Mexico is critically endangered, with a population less than 19 individuals in 2018. The population continues to decline and gillnet use continues in vaquita habitat.

Methods

Nine vaquita carcases were examined from 2016 to 2018 to establish cause of death. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDTs and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in blubber (n=3) were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and faeces tested for domoic acid and saxitoxin.

Results

Carcases were in good nutritional status and had lesions and full stomachs consistent with fisheries bycatch. PCB, DDT and PBDE concentrations ranged between 94 and 180 ng/g, 500 and 1200 ng/g and 97 and 210 ng/g lipid weight, respectively, which are low compared with other marine mammals. No saxitoxin or domoic acid was detected.

Conclusion

These findings support the conclusion that bycatch is the primary source of vaquita population decline and emphasise the need for stronger measures to eliminate gillnets from the Upper Gulf of California, Mexico.
Rest frame vacua of massive Klein–Gordon fields on spatially flat FLRW spacetimes
Authors: Cotăescu Ion I.
Published: July 2020

We propose a method of projecting the quantum states from a state space of a given geometry into another state space generated by a different geometry, taking care of the correct normalization which is crucial in interpreting the quantum theory. Thanks to this method we can define on any spatially flat FLRW spacetime states in which genuine Minkowskian parameters are measured. We use these Minkowskian states for separating the frequencies in the rest frames of the massive scalar particles defining thus the scalar rest frame vacuum. We show that this vacuum is stable on the de Sitter expanding universe where the energy is conserved. In contrast, on a spatially flat FLRW spacetime with a Milne-type scale factor this vacuum is found to be dynamic, corresponding to a time-dependent rest energy interpreted as an effective mass. This dynamic vacuum gives rise to cosmological particle creation which is significant only in the early Milne-type universe considered here. Some interesting features of this new effect are pointed out in a brief analysis.
A Methodology to Differentiate Parkinson’s Disease and Aging Speech Based on Glottal Flow Acoustic Analysis
Authors: Gómez-Rodellar Andrés , Palacios-Alonso Daniel , Ferrández Vicente José M. , Mekyska Jiri , Álvarez-Marquina Agustín , Gómez-Vilda Pedro
Published: July 2020

Speech is controlled by axial neuromotor systems, therefore, it is highly sensitive to the effects of neurodegenerative illnesses such as Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Patients suffering from PD present important alterations in speech, which are manifested in phonation, articulation, prosody, and fluency. These alterations may be evaluated using statistical methods on features obtained from glottal, spectral, cepstral, or fractal descriptions of speech. This work introduces an evaluation paradigm based on Information Theory (IT) to differentiate the effects of PD and aging on glottal amplitude distributions. The study is conducted on a database including 48 PD patients (24 males, 24 females), 48 age-matched healthy controls (HC, 24 males, 24 females), and 48 mid-age normative subjects (NS, 24 males, 24 females). It may be concluded from the study that Hierarchical Clustering (HiCl) methods produce a clear separation between the phonation of PD patients from NS subjects (accuracy of 89.6% for both male and female subsets), but the separation between PD patients and HC subjects is less efficient (accuracy of 75.0% for the male subset and 70.8% for the female subset). Conversely, using feature selection and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification, the differentiation between PD and HC is substantially improved (accuracy of 94.8% for the male subset and 92.8% for the female subset). This improvement was mainly boosted by feature selection, at a cost of information and generalization losses. The results point to the possibility that speech deterioration may affect HC phonation with aging, reducing its difference to PD phonation.
EXPLORING INNOVATION FACTORS AFFECTING ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN EMERGING ASIAN COUNTRIES: A MACHINE LEARNING APPROACH
Authors: LIU YUWEN , LIANG CHIN-CHIA
Published: July 2020

In this study, we aimed to identify the main innovation factors that affect the economic performance of emerging countries. We analyzed data on 21 innovation-related variables in six emerging Asian countries (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) from 1990 to 2008. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we identified six factors that explained up to 90.6% of the variation of all of the variables. Taking the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator clustering approach to variable selection, along with the other classification and estimation methods, we explored the effects of the six identified factors on economic growth. Research and development expenditure and contract enforcement (cost) had negative effects on economic growth, whereas gross enrolment ratio (tertiary), primary-school pupil–teacher ratio (inverse), paved roads and number of registered carrier departures worldwide had positive effects on economic growth.
MULTIPLES AND STOCK PRICE, NEW APPROACH FOR RELATIVE VALUATION THROUGH NEURAL NETWORK
Authors: YAMIN SAIRA , GULZAR SAQIB
Published: July 2020

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) has been used as a powerful modeling technique for forecasting. In this study, the relationship between multiples and stock prices has been investigated on the Pakistan Stock Exchange 100 Index by incorporating financial modeling through neural network. The aim is to develop multiple-based valuation model to check whether multiples are viable factor in predicting stock movements. Forecasting model has been developed by using neural network. Prediction accuracy of the developed forecasting model has been evaluated. Findings reveal that neural network outperforms in comparison to linear regression and forecasts stock prices with 98% accuracy.
ESTIMATION OF FRACTAL DIMENSION OF FRACTIONAL CALCULUS OF THE HÖLDER CONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS
Authors: LIANG YONG-SHUN
Published: July 2020

In the present paper, fractal dimension and properties of fractional calculus of certain continuous functions have been investigated. Upper Box dimension of the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral of continuous functions satisfying the Hölder condition of certain positive orders has been proved to be decreasing linearly. If sum of order of the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral and the Hölder condition equals to one, the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral of the function will be Lipschitz continuous. If the corresponding sum is strictly larger than one, the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral of the function is differentiable. Estimation of fractal dimension of the derivative function has also been discussed. Finally, the Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative of continuous functions satisfying the Hölder condition exists when order of the Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative is smaller than order of the Hölder condition. Upper Box dimension of the function has been proved to be increasing at most linearly.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FRACTAL DIMENSIONS OF BESICOVITCH FUNCTION AND THE ORDER OF HADAMARD FRACTIONAL INTEGRAL
Authors: WANG BIN , JI WENLONG , ZHANG LEGUI , LI XUAN
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we mainly research on Hadamard fractional integral of Besicovitch function. A series of propositions of Hadamard fractional integral of [Formula: see text] have been proved first. Then, we give some fractal dimensions of Hadamard fractional integral of Besicovitch function including Box dimension, [Formula: see text]-dimension and Packing dimension. Finally, relationship between the order of Hadamard fractional integral and fractal dimensions of Besicovitch function has also been given.
COMPLEXITY-BASED CLASSIFICATION OF THE CORONAVIRUS GENOME VERSUS GENOMES OF THE HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) AND DENGUE VIRUS
Authors: NAMAZI HAMIDREZA
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease that has affected almost all around the world. The most crucial step in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 is to investigate about the coronavirus itself. In this research, for the first time, we analyze the complex structure of the coronavirus genome and compare it with the other two dangerous viruses, namely, dengue and HIV. For this purpose, we employ fractal theory, sample entropy, and approximate entropy to analyze the genome walk of coronavirus, dengue virus, and HIV. Based on the obtained results, the genome walk of coronavirus has greater complexity than the other two deadly viruses. The result of statistical analysis also showed the significant difference between the complexity of genome walks in case of all complexity measures. The result of this analysis opens new doors to scientists to consider the complexity of a virus genome as an index to investigate its danger for human life.
INFORMATION AND COMPLEXITY-BASED ANALYSIS OF THE VARIATIONS OF THE CORONAVIRUS GENOME BETWEEN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
Authors: NAMAZI HAMIDREZA , DAWI NORAZRYANA BINTI MAT
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease that has had a deadly effect on all countries around the world. Since an essential step in developing a vaccine is to consider genomic variations of a virus, in this research, we analyzed the variations of the coronavirus genome between different countries. For this purpose, we benefit from complexity and information theories. We analyzed the variations of the fractal dimension and Shannon entropy of genome walks for two-hundred samples of coronavirus genomes from 10 countries, including the Czech Republic, France, Thailand, USA, Japan, Taiwan, China, Australia, Greece, and India. The result of the analysis showed the significant variations (P-value[Formula: see text]=[Formula: see text]0.0001) in the complexity and information content of genome walks between different countries, and therefore, we conclude that the structure of the coronavirus genome is significantly different among different countries. This is a novel and very significant investigation that should be considered for developing a vaccine for this deadly virus.
A FRACTAL-MONTE CARLO APPROACH TO MODEL OIL AND WATER TWO-PHASE SEEPAGE IN LOW-PERMEABILITY RESERVOIRS WITH ROUGH SURFACES
Authors: SU HAIBO , ZHANG YIDAN , XIAO BOQI , HUANG XIAOMING , YU BOMING
Published: July 2020

The capillary pressure and relative permeability are the key parameters to affect the transport properties of low-permeability reservoirs. In this paper, the Fractal-Monte Carlo technique is applied to predict the oil and water relative permeabilities of low-permeability reservoirs with rough surfaces by considering the effect of tortuosity of capillaries and capillary pressure as well as roughness of capillary walls. The oil and water relative permeabilities are expressed as a function of the pore size, the area fractal dimension of pores, porosity, the water saturation, the capillary pressure, the relative roughness, the tortuosity fractal dimension and the microstructural parameters of low-permeability reservoirs with rough surfaces. It is observed that the average capillary pressure for water phase decreases with the increase of water saturation. On the other hand, it is found that the average capillary pressure for water phase increases with tortuosity fractal dimension and relative roughness. It can be found that the oil relative permeability of low-permeability reservoirs with rough surfaces increases with the increase of driving pressure. On the contrary, it can be observed that the oil and water relative permeabilities of low-permeability reservoirs with rough surfaces decrease with the increase of tortuosity fractal dimension and relative roughness. The predicted oil and water relative permeabilities obtained by the proposed Fractal-Monte Carlo simulation are shown to have a good agreement with the available experimental results. The proposed probability models for capillary pressure and relative permeability well revealed the physical mechanisms of transport properties of low-permeability reservoirs with rough surfaces.
Stochastic Comparisons Between Coherent Systems with Active Redundancies Under Proportional Hazards and Reversed Hazards Models
Authors: Kelkinnama Maryam
Published: July 2020

This paper is concerned with the problem of stochastic comparisons between the lifetimes of two coherent systems with active redundancy. For this purpose, we consider both the active redundancy at the system level and the redundancy at the component level. We assume that the original components are identically distributed and possibly dependent. It is also assumed that for each component, there are [Formula: see text] redundant components with possibly different lifetime distributions which follow the proportional hazards (reversed hazards) model. Under some conditions on the domination function of the system, we compare the lifetimes of the systems based on majorization orders between the parameter vectors of the proportionality of the component lifetimes. We also give sufficient conditions under which adding more redundant components imply the system improvement.
The T Optimal Maintenance Time of Consecutive Linear k-out-of-r-from-n: F System and Consecutive Circular k-out-of-r-from-n: F System
Authors: Amirian Y. , Khodadadi A.
Published: July 2020

A consecutive linear (circular) [Formula: see text]-out-of-[Formula: see text]-from-[Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text] system consists of [Formula: see text] linear (circular) ordered components such that the system fails if and only if there exist a set of [Formula: see text] consecutive linear (circular) component that contains at least [Formula: see text] failed components. The optimal maintenance of the consecutive [Formula: see text]-out-of-[Formula: see text]-from-[Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text] system to linear and circular states is investigated in this paper. First, an integrated strategy of corrective maintenance and preventive maintenance is introduced. Then, for first time, optimal maintenance has been applied to these systems, and optimum maintenance time has been achieved with this strategy. Also, real-world practical examples for this system have been presented.
Analysis of Cracked Body Strengthened by Adhesively Bonded Patches by BEM-FEM Coupling
Authors: Pham Binh V. , Nguyen Thai Binh , Rungamornrat Jaroon
Published: July 2020

This paper presents an efficient numerical technique capable of handling the stress analysis of three-dimensional cracked bodies strengthened by adhesively bonded patches. The proposed technique is implemented within the framework of the coupling of the weakly singular boundary integral equation method and the standard finite element procedure. The former is applied to efficiently treat the elastic body containing cracks, whereas the latter is adopted to handle both the adhesive layers and patches. The approximation of the near-front relative crack-face displacement is enhanced by using local interpolation functions that can capture the right asymptotic behavior. This also offers the direct calculation of the stress intensity factors along the crack front. A selected set of results is reported to demonstrate the capability of the proposed technique and the influence of various parameters on the performance of the strengthening.
Quadratically varying deceleration parameter in f(R,T) gravity
Authors: Tiwari Rishi Kumar , Sofuoğlu Değer
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we have proposed a new form for the varying deceleration parameter that is a generalization of the form of Ö. Akarsu and T. Dereli [Cosmological models with linearly varying deceleration parameter, Int. J. Theor. Phys. 51(2012) 612]. LRS Bianchi type-I cosmological model filled with a perfect fluid source in [Formula: see text] gravity theory, where [Formula: see text] is the Ricci scalar and [Formula: see text] is the trace of the stress energy–momentum tensor, has been studied in order to investigate early time deceleration and late time acceleration of the universe by using this new form of time-varying deceleration parameter. The time evolution of physical and dynamical parameters have been analyzed and shown by graphs. Moreover, the deceleration parameter has been considered in terms of redshift. It has been shown that the model starts with a big bang and ends with a big rip. It is filled by a quintessence like fluid at the early time and by a phantom like fluid at the late time.
Interfacial Stresses of a Coated Square Hole Induced by a Remote Uniform Heat Flow
Authors: Tseng S. C. , Chao C. K. , Chen F. M.
Published: July 2020

This paper presents an analytical solution of a coated square hole embedded in an isotropic infinite plate under a remote uniform heat flow. Based on conformal mapping, analytic continuation theorem and the alternation technique, temperature and stress functions are derived in a compact series form. Results of temperature contours and interfacial stresses are validated using the finite element method. The comparison indicates the high accuracy of the proposed method. Numerical results of both the interfacial normal and shear stresses for different properties and geometric parameters of a coated layer are provided in a graphical form. The results indicate that the interfacial stresses are highly dependent on the thermal expansion coefficient, thickness of the coating layer and shape factor of the coated square hole. In conclusion, the interfacial shear stresses exhibit a significant increase at the corners with abrupt geometrical changes, which would cause the delamination of the coating layer system. Furthermore, increasing the thickness of the coating layer and the shape factor results in a higher interfacial stress.
Experimental Validation of Role of Cut-Out Parameters on Modal Responses of Laminated Composite — A Coupled FE Approach
Authors: Dewangan Hukum Chand , Panda Subrata Kumar , Sharma Nitin
Published: July 2020

The free vibration frequency responses of the laminated composite structure with a cut-out of variable shapes (square/circular/elliptical), position (center/eccentric) and orientation (parallel/inclined) are investigated for the first time in this research including geometrical shapes. The eigenvalues are obtained computationally for the cut-out borne structure via a linear isoparametric finite element model of the composite structure in association with cubic-order of displacement kinematics. Also, a coupled code is prepared in MATLAB environment by joining the higher-order formulation and the simulation model (ABAQUS) to achieve the generic form to investigate the influential cut-out parameter (shape, size and position) on their eigenvalues. Further, a series of experimentations are carried out using the cut-out borne composite panel and compared with the computational frequency, including the experimental properties. Finally, the key behavior is surveyed through different kinds of numerical examples for various design constraint parameters including the cut-out relevant factors (shape, position and orientation) to show the subsequent inclusiveness of the proposed model.
On the Simpson index for the Wright–Fisher process with random selection and immigration
Authors: Guillin Arnaud , Jabot Franck , Personne Arnaud
Published: July 2020

Moran or Wright–Fisher processes are probably the most well known models to study the evolution of a population under environmental various effects. Our object of study will be the Simpson index which measures the level of diversity of the population, one of the key parameters for ecologists who study for example, forest dynamics. Following ecological motivations, we will consider, here, the case, where there are various species with fitness and immigration parameters being random processes (and thus time evolving). The Simpson index is difficult to evaluate when the population is large, except in the neutral (no selection) case, because it has no closed formula. Our approach relies on the large population limit in the “weak” selection case, and thus to give a procedure which enables us to approximate, with controlled rate, the expectation of the Simpson index at fixed time. We will also study the long time behavior (invariant measure and convergence speed towards equilibrium) of the Wright–Fisher process in a simplified setting, allowing us to get a full picture for the approximation of the expectation of the Simpson index.
On a subclass of close-to-convex harmonic mappings
Authors: Rajbala  , Prajapat Jugal K.
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we introduce a new class of sense preserving harmonic mappings [Formula: see text] in the open unit disk and prove that functions in this class are close-to-convex. We give some basic properties such as coefficient bounds, growth estimates, convolution and determine the radius of convexity for the sections of functions belonging to this family. In addition, we construct certain harmonic univalent polynomials belonging to this family.
A note on C0-groups and C-groups on non-archimedean Banach spaces
Authors: El Amrani A. , Blali A. , Ettayb J. , Babahmed M.
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we introduce new classes of linear operators so called [Formula: see text]-groups, [Formula: see text]-groups and cosine families of bounded linear operators on non-archimedean Banach spaces over non-archimedean complete valued field [Formula: see text]. We show some results about it.
δ-Ideals in pseudo-complemented distributive join-semilattices
Authors: Nimbhorkar Shriram K. , Nehete Jaya Y.
Published: July 2020

The concept of a [Formula: see text]-ideal is introduced in a pseudo-complemented distributive join semilattice with [Formula: see text] and some properties of these ideals are obtained. We also give a characterization for a pseudo-complemented distributive join-semilattice to be a Stone join-semilattice. Also, in a distributive join-semilattice a characterization for an ideal to be a [Formula: see text]-ideal is proved.
Some results for a class of extended centralizers on C∗-algebras
Authors: Sarma Anamika , Goswami Nilakshi , Mishra Vishnu Narayan
Published: July 2020

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new class of generalized centralizers on [Formula: see text]-algebras which is termed as extended [Formula: see text]-centralizer. We study different properties of this class of centralizers. Moreover, we define a class of [Formula: see text]-algebras which contains the prime [Formula: see text]-algebras as a subclass. Different properties of extended centralizers with respect to this class of [Formula: see text]-algebras are discussed with suitable examples.
Living in a Toxic World
Authors: Nading Alex M.
Published: July 2020

While the proliferation of industrial toxic substances over the past century has had drastic environmental and bodily effects, conventional methods of measuring and mitigating those effects continue to produce uncertainty. The project of living in a toxic world entails ethical, technical, and aesthetic efforts to understand toxicity as a contingent encounter among beings, systems, and things, rather than as a fundamental characteristic of particular substances. Anthropologists do not just observe such encounters; they live and work within them. This review examines recent anthropological research on toxicity, proposing that responses to toxic disaster and occupational exposure, as well as acts of familial, state, or corporate care, are all modes of “toxic worlding.” The review concludes with a summary of recent research in collaborative and engaged anthropology, suggesting that such approaches are essential not so much for purifying or detoxifying the world as for making it otherwise.