bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Method for Calculating the Weights of Internet + Government Service Data Quality Assessment Indexes Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Ya Li , Heliang Song , Yingcheng Xu
Published: July 2020

In this paper, research and analysis have been carried out on the theories related to Internet + government service data quality. Based on the principles of scientificity, systematicness, development, and operability, an Internet + government service data quality assessment index system suitable for China’s big data era has been proposed, this index system is proposed from five aspects: inherent quality of data, quality of data expression, system-related scenario quality, utility quality of data, and user experience quality of data. The analytic hierarchy process method has been used to analyze the relationship between indexes at the criterion layer, the sub-criterion layer and the objective layer, and the weights of the data quality assessment indexes at each layer were determined. The method proposed in this paper provides an idea for the assessment of government service data quality and has certain practical significance, laying a theoretical foundation for the related work of Internet + government service data quality assessment.
Simulation of the FPT for Multi-Dimensional Wiener Process with Dynamic Thresholds
Authors: Gao Hongda , Wang Cheng , Liu Rui , Cui Weiping , Liu Wei
Published: July 2020

Reliability modeling and analysis has becoming an essential issue in complex system management. Degradation system reliability modeling is an important part of the reliability field due to that the failure data is more and more difficult to obtain. Degradation data can well describe the failure process of a system or product. In the stochastic process, the Wiener process has been widely used in literature due to its good properties. Multidimensional diffusion Wiener process describes the multidimensional degradation process of products. First passage time is the lifetime of a system to reach a threshold value. In this paper, a generalized model is developed for evaluating the reliability of the multidimensional degradation process. Meanwhile, we use the Monte Carlo method for the solution of the FPT with dynamic threshold value. The comparisons show that the results of the proposed model agree well with the Monte Carlo results. The research can support decision making in the reliability improving.
Investigation on Taxi Trip Characteristics Based on Taxi GPS Trajectory
Authors: Xu Weiyan , Huang Yumei
Published: July 2020

Knowledge of urban taxi trip characteristics is crucial at many levels of urban transportation planning, operations, and traffic management. In this paper, we investigate the characteristics of taxi trip through analyzing approximately 3,000 taxis spanning seven consecutive days in Lanzhou. The characteristics of taxi trip such as taxi trip speed, service time, vacation time, and spatio-temporal patterns of taxi trip are analyzed. The results show that the average speed of taxis varies between 17 km/h to 22 km/h from 7 am to 8 pm. Moreover, the average service time and vacation time are 20 minutes and 6 minutes, respectively. Although, the net flow ratio in heart of the city goes around zero, the flow direction of taxi trip is obviously different in the morning rush and the evening rush. Moreover, The rural-urban fringes have a strong positive net flow ratio which indicates that the strength of inflow is greater than that of outflow.
Loss Analysis for Networks based on Heavy-Tailed and Self-Similar Traffic
Authors: Zhuang Danna , Li Chuanhuang
Published: July 2020

Many businesses on the computer network appear heavy-tailed self-similarity (long range dependency), which means network traffic exists burst. Various service source with burst characteristic which show self-similar have a significant effect on transmission performance, network traffic control strategy and network performance indicators such as loss. Loss is an important QoS parameter at the network node, which need to be considered and controlled in all types of traffic, but there is no paper study loss analysis based on heavy-tailed self-similarity. Thus, only analyze and evaluate loss under self-similar traffic can reduce the adverse effects which caused by traffic self-similarity and optimize network performance. We adopt stochastic network calculus approach to bewrite loss lssue. Based on this, we present the loss analysis in the case of a single node network using heavy-tailed service curve and heavy-tailed self-similar arrival curve, and loss analysis under cross traffic, multi-node networks with concatenation. And we also get the relational graph between the loss and the arrival rate, service rate.
Virtual Sample Generation for Retraining the Malicious PDF Detection Model
Authors: He Kang , Liu Long , Lu Dong-Zhe , Zhu Yuefei
Published: July 2020

PDF files are adopted for launching cyberattacks because of their popularity and the increasing number of relative vulnerabilities. Machine learning algorithms are developed to detect the maliciousness of PDF files. As the exploits of new vulnerabilities occur, the assumption that the training data and the test data share the same distribution does not hold and the ability of origin model to detect exploits of new vulnerabilities weakens gradually. In a real environment, it is very difficult to obtain numerous samples of exploits with the same CVE. and the machine learning models are difficult to be improved by retraining. Virtual sample generation could be used to generate sufficient virtual samples by small sample sets to improve the generalization of the existing model. A new VSG algorithm based on prior knowledge is proposed in this paper, which performs better than other VSG algorithms in improving the detection on exploits of new vulnerabilities.
Scale-adaptive Correlation Filter Tracking Algorithm Combined with Statistical Color Histogram Feature
Authors: Wang Xinying , Wei Haiping , Yu Hongfei
Published: July 2020

The algorithm based on kernel correlation filtering shows excellent performance. Aiming at the problem that traditional correlation filtering algorithms are sensitive to deformation and cannot solve the tracking failure caused by scale changes, this paper proposes a scale-adaptive correlation filtering algorithm combining statistical color feature. Firstly, predict and train the HOG features of the correlation filter and the color histogram features to obtain the respective response values, namely the template response and the histogram response. Then adopt the block method, and perform scale prediction based on the position of each response point. Finally, the final fusion response is calculated. The experimental results demonstrate that compared with traditional KCF, when the target scale has large scale change and deformation, the improved algorithm in this paper performs better, and can still track stably.
Design and Implementation of BIM-based Fire Risk Assessment System
Authors: Zhang Hui
Published: July 2020

Integrating BIM with fire risk assessment, this thesis adopts the fire risk index method and analytic hierarchy process to assess the risk of buildings and establish fire risk assessment index system. With Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 as the development platform and C # as the development language, the secondary development was carried out based on BIM technology, which is characterized by efficiency, reliability and scientificity, and a fire risk assessment system based on BIM was successfully designed, which can realize the fire risk assessment of four types of buildings: residential building, public buildings, factory building and warehouses. The system can directly import the fire protection data of buildings needed by fire risk assessment from BIM to complete the building fire risk assessment, which not only can make fire risk assessment process simplified with less costs, but also can enable the fire risk assessment to be widely used in all kinds of buildings, thereby further promoting the fire safety level of buildings.
Research on Institutional Invalidation Caused by “Potential Rules”
Authors: Wang Yu , Tao Ding
Published: July 2020

Through the simulation study of multi-equilibrium game with “Potential Rule” strategy, we find that the behaviour of “Potential rule” can be evolved through repeated game without considering any other social preferences of the subject and any prior knowledge of the game. This paper will analyse the endogenous evolution of the third strategy, namely the “Potential Rules”, between the choices of fair and unfair strategies from the perspective of interest transmission. The experimental results show that the subjects who own the third strategy with the characteristics of “Potential Rules” will spread to other subjects in a certain institutional environment by imitating learning and adjusting strategies. The third strategy will become a guide to the behaviour of the subjects and form a deviation of the institution, which will lead to institutional failure.
A Model Driven Approach to Constructing Knowledge Graph from Relational Database
Authors: Sun Shanxin , Meng Fanchao , Chu Dianhui
Published: July 2020

Relational database is one of the main data sources in the construction of vertical domain knowledge graph. How to establish the mapping relationship between the concepts in relational database and the corresponding concepts in knowledge graph is the key to improve the efficiency of the construction of vertical domain knowledge graph. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a model driven approach to automatically constructing knowledge graph from relational database based on the Model Driven Architecture (MDA). First of all, a model driven framework is proposed to describe the relational database and knowledge graph using standard XML Schema. Then, a model driven approach is proposed, which extracts database models and data to XML, defines the conversion functions, transforms models and data from database to knowledge graph, and builds knowledge graph according to the expression forms. Finally, using a case to validate the approach. This paper uses the idea of model driven to realize the high-quality transformation from relational database to knowledge graph.
Dynamic performance improvement in motor drive systems of electric vehicle by z-source inverter
Authors: Yong-yu Wang
Published: July 2020

This paper present an integral sliding-mode controller based on equivalent control to overcome the disadvantages of non-minimum phase system, which the z-source inverter has when it is used in the motor drive system of electric vehicles. Based on the pseudo-output, which is defined by measured capacitor voltage and inductor current on z-source network, a constant capacitor voltage control strategy for z-source inverter is given. With the reaching condition imposed, the controller can guarantee the stability of closed-loop system and the robustness of system output. The simulation results show that the closed-loop control system for z-source inverter can achieve better global robustness with zero steady error, and that the capacitor voltage on z-source network can be stabilized with good performances of motor drive system.
Analysis on Demand and Development Direction of Smart Grid under the Background of Two-network Convergence
Authors: Ye Gangjin , Shang Jiayi , Yang Xuan , Wu Mengyao , Chen Zhiyuan
Published: July 2020

With regard to development strategy of “two networks integration”, based on improvement of power supply capacity, power supply security and reliability, fault response, information collection capability as well as improvement, intelligence, integration and automation upgrade on real-time monitoring capability, “two networks integration” planning strategy and implementation plan, such as planning for distribution network, distribution itself, ubiquitous power Internet of Things, are made to greatly improve overall capacity of distribution network, which further provides reference for similar projects, such as high-quality, stable, efficient and green power supply.
Study on Power Supply Structure of AC / DC Distribution Network Considering Different Proportion of New Energy Access
Authors: Yang Yanhui , Xue Yu , Liu Wenxia , Fu Mengdi , Li Yueqiao
Published: July 2020

Considering the diversification of energy and load, according to the different situation of new energy access to distribution network, three typical AC-DC hybrid distribution network power supply modes are summarized. On the basis of these three power supply modes, the indexes of AC-DC hybrid distribution network are extracted, and the comprehensive evaluation index system is established. A comprehensive evaluation model of AC / DC hybrid distribution network suitable for new energy access is proposed, which aims to maximize economic benefits. The example shows that the optimal power supply mode can be selected through the evaluation model when the proportion of new energy is different, which can lay a foundation for the future distribution network to better serve users on the premise of distribution network profitability.
Power Grid Fault Diagnosis Based on Improved Deep Belief Network
Authors: Zhang Yihui , Zhang Yuansheng , Wen Libin , Cui Zhimei , He Yini , Liu Guangshi
Published: July 2020

It is of great significance to quickly and accurately identify power system faults. This paper introduces the idea of deep learning into power system fault diagnosis research and proposes a fault diagnosis model based on improved deep confidence network. Construct a set of 30-dimensional original features that can reflect the fault characteristics of the power system as the model input, and the fault diagnosis result is the model output. Use multi-layer Boltzmann machines to train the mapping relationship between grid faults and system features. Finally, the extreme learning machine is used to supervise the labeled samples to modify the network parameters. Different system failure scenarios were set up on the New England 10-machine 39-node system to test the diagnosis ability of the model. Simulation results show that the improved deep belief network has a strong feature extraction capability. The improved deep belief network has higher accuracy and faster speed in fault categories, fault areas, and fault locations than common artificial intelligence methods.
Power transaction security check optimization model and system of AC / DC hybrid power grid applied in China Southern Power Grid
Authors: Liu Chunxiao , Wang Tao , Su Yinshen , Li Zhiyong
Published: July 2020

With the continuous and in-depth promotion of China electric power reform, the annual and monthly trading volume of electric power is increasing, the power transaction security check is mainly based on the artificial experience to add and subtract the power components that is difficult to analyse the unit group with member coupling and the power restriction relationship between transmission sections. China Southern Power Grid has developed a set of power transaction security check system using improved SCUC optimization model. The system is able to effectively locate the reason for the power transaction security check exceeding the limit and give the optimization and adjustment suggestions. The efficiency and calculation speed of the power transaction security check optimization algorithm for large scale of AC / DC hybrid power grid are successfully improved. The IEEE RTS 96 system and CSG power system are used to test the efficiency of the algorithm under different grid scales. The calculation time is proved to be reduced about 50% and generation cost is almost the same as the conventional algorithm. The construction and application of the system helps CSG to solve the surplus hydropower consumption problem.
Research on power supply reliability of AC/DC Micro-grid System in “Multi-station Fusion” Project
Authors: Zhou Xing , Liu Jiangmin
Published: July 2020

This paper studied the power supply reliability and structure of the AC/DC micro-grid in the “multi-station fusion” project of smart energy stations. According to study the deep integration of the energy storage unit and the design of the data center, proposed three power supply modes of energy storage unit application to the data center server, and proposed the wiring form of the DC micro-grid. Optimized the configuration and operation mode of the diesel generators and the UPS system. On the basis of ensuring the reliability of the power supply of each system, the construction cost and operation costs were reduced, and the overall energy efficiency of the power system was improved. It provides a reference for the design and operation of “Multi-Station Integration” projects of smart energy stations.
Blockchain-enabled power distribution side management: model and method
Authors: Yang Jianlin , Fei Fei , Wang Haiqun , Guo Mingxing , Lü Ran , Jia Kevin
Published: July 2020

With the development of the “ubiquitous power internet of things”, the shortcomings of the traditional centralized power trading mechanism in power distribution side have gradually become apparent, e.g., low flexibility in power usage. And blockchain technology gains some insight to deal with these problems due to its distributed nature. To this end, the paper implements a blockchain-based multi-channel energy management model on the Hyperledger Fabric blockchain platform to carry out a transaction-driven power management method in the power distribution side. Simulation results show its operability and effectiveness.
A Novel Model for VPP to Participate in Capacity Market Auction
Authors: Kuang Yi , Wang Xiuli , Li Nailiang , Zhao Hongyang , Qian Tao
Published: July 2020

With the development of intermittent renewable energy, power system needs more capacity resources to ensure the generation adequacy during peak load periods. Flexible resources such as electric vehicles(EVs) and demand response resources(DRRs) will play important roles in the capacity market auction. However, due to the uncertainty of outputs, they are not competitive enough in the market and face high investment risks. In order to deal with this situation, we integrate renewable energy resources(RESs), EVs and DRRs into a virtual power plant (VPP) and proposed a novel auction model for the VPP to participate in the capacity market. The objective function is to maximize the social welfare while satisfying the reliability of the system. This paper also presents the results of a case study with three scenarios to prove the validity. The proposed model provides a novel path for distributed flexible resources to participate in capacity market.
Research of self-adaptive PID drilling fluid level control algorithm based on differential flow
Authors: Li Lei , Deng Hu , Dong Zhigang
Published: July 2020

Aimed at the puzzle of traditional PID control algorithm not satisfy level control requirement when drilling fluid performance changing, the article proposed adaptive PID level control algorithm based on differential flow. Through monitoring differential flow between slurry pump outlet and buffer pry inlet, the algorithm got optimized PID control parameters and evaluated drilling fluid properties, which could be used for liquid level control under different fluid medium characteristics. In the laboratory test of drilling fluid tank, the proposed algorithm could always keep the level deviation within 5% through self-adaptive modify PID control parameters under different drilling fluid characteristics. The results shows that the algorithm has wide adaptability and high reliability, and can be applied to the liquid level control situation where the characteristics of the fluid medium change.
Network Intrusion Detection based on Deep Neural Networks for the SCADA system
Authors: Altaha Mustafa , Lee Jae-Myeong , Aslam Muhammad , Hong Sugwon
Published: July 2020

Security monitoring is one of the security strategies for the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and the intrusion detection system (IDS) is a main tool to do security monitoring. Main task of security monitoring is to develop the SCADA-specific IDS, which reflects the semantics of the SCADA domain. In this paper, we work on developing IDS based on deep learning models for the SCADA system. The target SCADA communication protocol of the detection model is the DNP3, which is currently the most commonly utilized communication protocol in the power substation. The attack of major concern is data injection or modification attacks, which is most critical attack in the SCADA system. We extract 12 data features from distributed network protocol 3 (DNP3) packets, and use them to train the deep neural network. We measure the accuracy and loss of the detection system trained based on different deep learning algorithms, and show the comparison of the results.
Overall optimization of operation cost of the boiler and SCR in coal-fired power plants
Authors: Li Wei , Xu Qiang , Kong Dean , Zhao Xiang , Gao Ning , Lv Xuguang
Published: July 2020

Coal-fired power plants are usually equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. In this paper, we considered both the denitrification cost of the SCR system and the coal burning cost of the boiler to develop an operation cost model. Furthermore, the genetic algorithm was proposed to minimize the total operation cost by optimizing the feature parameters, including the primary air pressure, secondary air volume, overheated air volume, and NH3 injection volume. Simulation experiments were performed based on the operating data of a 1000 MW coal-fired power plant, with results showing that the total operating cost of the boiler and SCR was lowered.
Electric vehicle adoption: can short experiences lead to big change?
Authors: Roberson Laura A , Helveston John P
Published: July 2020

Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) offer a promising pathway to decarbonizing the personal transportation sector, but PEV sales remains low. Prior research has found that direct experience with PEVs increases consumers’ stated purchase consideration, but these studies have used relatively long exposure times (days to months) with a PEV. To assess the effect of shorter exposure times (e.g. minutes) on stated purchase consideration, we conducted an experiment at the 2019 Washington D.C. Auto Show. Participants (n = 6518) were asked to rate their level of consideration to adopt a PEV before and after riding in one of four different PEVs for just 3–5 min. We find that the experience of riding in a PEV on average had a significant, positive effect on participants’ consideration ratings. We also find that the vast majority of respondents were unable to correctly answer basic knowledge questions about refueling a PEV and federal subsidies available for purchasing a PEV. These results suggest that while consumer knowledge about PEVs remains low, short rides or drives in a PEV could be an effective, more scalable strategy for increasing PEV consideration across larger populations.
Effect of pre-gelatinization on physicochemical and functional properties of Solenostemon rotundifolius flour
Authors: Hasna T , Muchlisyiyah J , Wardani S , Estiasih T
Published: July 2020

Solenostemon rotundifolius is one of the native tubers from Indonesia that has good potential as a flour source. Unfortunately, this kind of potato has poor quality and undesirable functional characteristics so that underutilized in the food industry. Therefore, the processing of Solenostemon rotundifolius into flour product is needed to be modified to improve the quality, obtain the added value of flour, and enhance food product development using a pre-gelatinization treatment. Pre-gelatinization is a hydrothermal process that initiated with boiling and ended with drying. This study evaluated the effect of pre-gelatinization treatment on the physicochemical and functional properties of Solenostemon rotundifolius flour at optimum temperature and time of process (60°C for 7 minutes). The pre-gelatinization treatment produced 89.58 ± 1.47 % yield of flour, reduced the density (0.55 ± 0.02 g/mL) and lightness of flour (71.30 ± 0.14 L value), and declined the amylose content (18.21 ± 1.22 %) compare to the natural flour, while increased the moisture (8.32 ± 0.31 %), ash (3.95 ± 0.06 %), protein (3.43 ± 0.23 %), fat (0.47 ± 0.01 %), starch content (65.11 ± 0.30 %), and amylopectin (46.90 ± 1.51 %). The differences in physicochemical and functional properties were observed among the pre-gelatinization Solenostemon rotundifolius flour with respect to all of parameters. Thus, Solenostemon rotundifolius flour revealed potency as an alternative flour for food diversification and can be used for substituting wheat flour in the various food products.
Interstitial disorder in iron-based superconductor: A first-principles study
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Singh Prabhakar P
Published: July 2020

FeSe in bulk, film or layer form as well as its alloys have shown many intriguing magnetic and superconducting properties. In this paper, we examine the role of interstitial disorder in changing the various electronic, magnetic and superconducting properties of FeSe using ab-initio method. We have studied the electronic properties of FeSe doped interstitially with the transition metal (TM) impurities, Fe(TM)
x
Se (where TM ≡ V, Mn, Co, Ni, and x = 0.0, 0.01, 0.04 and 0.10). Our results, analyzed in terms of density of states (DOS), band structure, Fermi surface (FS), and local and total magnetic moments, show that the excess of the transition-metal atoms substantially modify the Fermi surface of FeSe. We have also estimated the value of the electron-phonon mass enhancement factor, the Hopfield parameter and the superconducting transition temperature for these alloys.
A study on the static field of a point charge in three-dimensional electrodynamics
Authors: Pivnyak Gennadiy , Pevzner Mendel , Medvedev Andrey , Cabana Edgar Caseres , Bąk Andrzej , Bajerski Andrzej , Smoliński Adam
Published: July 2020

The static field potential in quantum electrodynamics in the space of three dimensions (QED3) produced by a point charge was investigated taking into account the polarization of the vacuum. The polarization operator is taken in the

N

−
1

approximation which was previously used to study the dynamic violation of chiral symmetry in QED3. An approximate analytical analysis is accompanied by numerical calculations; there is a good quantitative agreement between the results obtained using these methods. The case of massive dynamical fermions is considered. The limiting transition to the massless case is analyzed, as well as the confinement problem occurring in this model.
A new convention for the epithermal neutron spectrum for improving accuracy of resonance integrals
Authors: Harada H , Takayama N , Komeda M
Published: July 2020

A new convention for the epithermal neutron spectrum component is formulated in this work, aimed at improving the accuracy of resonance integrals determination. The (1 + β)/(βE + E1+α
) form here proposed, is an approximating function of the epithermal neutron spectrum based upon calculations performed by the state-of-art Monte Carlo code MVP-3. Bias effects on determination of resonance integrals, due to the application of the well-known and used so far approximating functions, such as 1/E, 1/E1+α
as well as the new form (1 + β)/(βE + E1+α
) are compared, where E is the neutron energy, α a shape factor, and β a new shape factor introduced in this work. The other bias effect is also investigated, which is caused by neglecting the position dependence of a neutron spectrum inside an irradiation capsule. To get a demonstration of the bias effects due to these assumptions, upon the determination of a neutron spectrum from a quantitative point of view in a practical case, the thermal neutron-capture cross section and resonance integral of 135Cs measured at a research reactor JRR-3 are re-evaluated. A superior property of the proposed new mathematical expression is discussed. The experimental method is proposed to determine the new shape factor β by a combinational use of triple flux monitors (197Au, 59Co, and 94Zr), and its analytical methodology is formulated.
Advanced reference materials for the characterization of molecular size and weight
Authors: Takahashi Kayori
Published: July 2020

Nano-sized advanced reference materials (RMs) based on synthetic polymers were developed using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and certain size measurement methods. These RMs have reference values of accurate molecular size and molecular weight. One of the RMs investigated was poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with no distribution in its degree of polymerization, i.e., its absolute degree of polymerization was determined as 23. SFC was used to separate molecularly uniform polymers from a commercial sample with wide polydispersity in its degree of polymerization. Because of the polydispersity, the average molecular size of the commercial polymer sample showed a distribution. This PEG 23mer RM can provide a uniform molecular size as the degree of polymerization is determined to be precisely 23.
Identifying regional COVID-19 presence early with time series analysis
Authors: Kruse Ryan , Alkhushayni Suboh
Published: July 2020

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the United States was January 20, 2020 in Washington, while the first globally confirmed cases were in China in December 2019. The CDC's Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network is used to track the amount of people who seek medical attention for influenza-like illnesses, along with the illness cause. The metric rILI- is used to assess the amount of people who test negative for influenza or any other specific cause. To assess the evidence of COVID-19 presence in the US in late December 2019 or early January 2020, rILI- data from 2010 to mid-March 2020 was used to perform three types of analysis. First, we forecast prediction intervals using data until mid-November 2019 and compared the predictions with observed values for the subsequent 16 weeks. Second, we performed residual hypothesis testing by removing the trend and seasonality in order to compare residuals from before and after November 17, 2019. Third, we used changepoint analysis to identify major changes in trend and seasonality. This study provides strong evidence of COVID-19 presence in the US in late December 2019 or early January 2020. Combined with the knowledge that COVID-19 was spreading across other parts of the world, anomalous patterns in ILINet data should have been a warning sign that COVID-19 was already spreading in the US. The purpose of the study was not to identify specific states, but South Dakota has the strongest evidence of any US state, followed by California, Delaware, Maine, and New Mexico.
Short physical performance battery as a practical tool to assess mortality risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Fermont Jilles M , Mohan Divya , Fisk Marie , Bolton Charlotte E , Macnee William , Cockcroft John R , McEniery Carmel , Fuld Jonathan , Cheriyan Joseph , Tal-Singer Ruth , Müllerova Hana , Wood Angela M , Wilkinson Ian B , Polkey Michael I ,   the ERICA consortium
Published: July 2020

Rationale

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality and common in older adults. The BODE Index is the most recognised mortality risk score in COPD but includes a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) that is seldom available in practise; the BODE Index may be better adopted if the 6MWT was replaced.

Objectives

we investigated whether a modified BODE Index in which 6MWT was replaced by an alternative measure of physical capacity, specifically the short physical performance battery (SPPB) or components, retained its predictive ability for mortality in individuals with COPD.

Methods

we analysed 630 COPD patients from the ERICA cohort study for whom UK Office for National Statistics verified mortality data were available. Variables tested at baseline included spirometry, 6MWT, SPPB and its components (4-m gait speed test [4MGS], chair stand and balance). Predictive models were developed using stratified multivariable Cox regression, and assessed by C-indices and calibration plots with 10-fold cross-validation and replication.

Results

during median 2 years of follow-up, 60 (10%) individuals died. There was no significant difference between the discriminative ability of BODE6MWT (C-index 0.709, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.680–0.737), BODESPPB (C-index 0.683, 95% CI, 0.647–0.712), BODE4MGS (C-index 0.676, 95% CI, 0.643–0.700) and BODEBALANCE (C-index 0.686, 95% CI, 0.651–0.713) for predicting mortality.

Conclusions

the SPPB, and its 4MGS and balance components, can potentially be used as an alternative to the 6MWT in the BODE Index without significant loss of predictive ability in all-cause mortality.
The power of investment tribunals to enjoin domestic criminal proceedings
Authors: Uilenbroek Luuk
Published: July 2020

The article examines the current state of play regarding interim measure requests to enjoin a host State from pursuing criminal actions within its territory. Balancing the host State’s inherent power to investigate and prosecute criminal actions that have allegedly taken place in its territory against the fundamental principle of integrity of the arbitration proceedings, it is suggested that, under exceptional circumstances, investment tribunals may restrain the host State’s police power. A severe threat to the integrity of the arbitration may merit the issuance of far-reaching interim relief, including orders to suspend domestic criminal proceedings and orders to ensure the claimant’s reasonable and confidential access to legal counsel. The author further argues that, under the most extreme circumstances, tribunals are empowered to order the temporary release of individuals who have been tried, convicted and imprisoned in the host State.
Why Are Nesting Marsh Wrens and Yellow-Headed Blackbirds Spatially Segregated?
Authors: Leonard Marty L. , Picman Jaroslav
Published: July 2020

The activity centers of Marsh Wrens (Cistothorus palustris) and Yellow-headed Blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) are spatially segregated. This segregation may occur because (1) one species excludes the other or (2) the two species prefer different habitats. These hypotheses were tested by documenting changes in the size and location of Marsh Wren territories throughout the breeding season, and by the removal of conesting Yellow-headed Blackbirds. The expansion of Marsh Wren territories into blackbird breeding areas after both the natural departure and the removal of blackbirds best supports the explanation based on the active exclusion of Marsh Wrens by Yellow-headed Blackbirds.
Estimating Stage-Specific Daily Survival Probabilities of Nests When Nest age is Unknown
Authors: Stanley Thomas R.
Published: July 2020

Estimation of daily survival probabilities of nests is common in studies of avian populations. Since the introduction of Mayfield's (1961, 1975) estimator, numerous models have been developed to relax Mayfield's assumptions and account for biologically important sources of variation. Stanley (2000) presented a model for estimating stage-specific (e.g. incubation stage, nestling stage) daily survival probabilities of nests that conditions on “nest type” and requires that nests be aged when they are found. Because aging nests typically requires handling the eggs, there may be situations where nests can not or should not be aged and the Stanley (2000) model will be inapplicable. Here, I present a model for estimating stage-specific daily survival probabilities that conditions on nest stage for active nests, thereby obviating the need to age nests when they are found. Specifically, I derive the maximumlikelihood function for the model, evaluate the model's performance using Monte Carlo simulations, and provide software for estimating parameters (along with an example). For sample sizes as low as 50 nests, bias was small and confidence interval coverage was close to the nominal rate, especially when a reduced-parameter model was used for estimation.
Female-Female Pairing in Ring-Billed Gulls
Authors: Ryder John P. , Somppi Patricia Lynn
Published: July 2020

Female-female pairs of Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) were recorded attending supernormal clutches (5-8 eggs) on Granite Island, northern Lake Superior in 1978. Female-female pairs complete their clutches usually before the peak of egg-laying in the colony. Supernormal clutches completed after the peak are thought to result from egg-dumping by several unpaired females. Compared to normal 3-egg clutches, laid early in the season, the average hatching success of supernormal clutches was lower (8-20% vs 80-90%) and over 50% of the embryos showed depressed growth and development. Although the phenomenon of homosexual pairing is likely not recent in Ring-billed Gulls, as compared to the situation in Western Gulls, the adaptive significance of such pairs is currently unknown.
Flock Stability in Relation to Social Dominance and Agonistic Behavior in Wintering Dark-Eyed Juncos
Authors: Balph Martha Hatch
Published: July 2020

This paper examines some consequences of changes in the membership and location of winter flocks of Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis). Among captives, intragroup social relationships seldom were affected by separation from or subsequent reunion with another portion of the home flock, by amalgamation with or separation from a foreign flock, or by changes in flock location. Foreign flock members usually were subordinate to, and preferentially attacked by, residents. Juncos rejoining their home flocks after a 1-week separation retained their previous social positions but engaged temporarily in a disproportionate amount of agonistic behavior with former flockmates. Some proximate and ultimate implications of winter flock stability in juncos are discussed in the light of these and other findings. Social and ecological costs that may be incurred by juncos attempting to change their flock membership or home range during the winter should select for behavior that reduces the likelihood of such changes, including geographic differentiation in the migratory habits of the sexes.
Distribution, Species Abundance, and Nesting-Site Use of Atlantic Coast Colonies of Herons and Their Allies
Authors: Custer Thomas W. , Osborn Ronald G. , Stout William F.
Published: July 2020

In 1975 and 1976, eight teams of investigators located 262 colonies of nesting herons and their allies along the Atlantic coast from Florida to Maine. Fourteen species were found in Florida, numbers decreasing to seven in Maine. Colonies censused in the extreme south and north of the study area were lower in number of species and number of adults than those in the intermediate area. More than 90% of the colony sites surveyed in 1975 were active in 1976. The total number of nesting adults per colony, number of species per colony, and number of nesting adults of each species per colony in 1976 were significantly correlated with their respective values for 1975. Abandoned and new colonies appeared to be satellites of nearby reused colonies; they had fewer individuals and species than reused colonies and were closer to reused colonies than reused colonies were to each other.
Vegetation Characteristics Associated with Abert's Towhee Numbers in Riparian Habitats
Authors: Meents Julie K. , Anderson Bertin W. , Ohmart Robert D.
Published: July 2020

Abert's Towhee (Pipilo aberti) numbers and their associations with various characteristics of riparian vegetation along the lower Colorado River were examined for 4 yr. Towhee numbers were positively correlated with horizontal patchiness, foliage density, and foliage height diversity. Correlations of towhee numbers with vegetation parameters were generally significant from January to September and nonsignificant the remainder of the year. Preferred habitats were the same throughout the year. Vegetation relationships of the resident population were obscured in the fall and early winter months because some birds dispersed into marginal habitats. Climatic and/or resource influences probably modify this pattern of dispersal.
Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) can identify individual females by their fee-bee songs
Authors: Montenegro Carolina , Service William D , Scully Erin N , Mischler Shannon K , Campbell Kimberley A , Sturdy Christopher B
Published: July 2020

Individual recognition is a social behavior that occurs in many bird species. A bird’s ability to discriminate among familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics is critical to avoid wasting resources such as time and energy during social interactions. Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are able to discriminate individual female and male chick-a-dee calls, potentially male and female tseet calls, and male fee-bee songs. In the current study, we used an operant discrimination go/no-go paradigm to determine whether female and male chickadees could discriminate between fee-bee songs produced by individual female chickadees as well as test which song component(s) enable this discrimination. Birds trained on natural categories—the songs of different females—learned to respond to rewarded stimuli more quickly than birds trained on random groupings of female songs and were able to transfer this learning to new songs from the same categories. Chickadees were also able to generalize their responding when exposed to the bee note of the fee-bee song of rewarded individuals; they did not generalize to fee notes. Our results provide evidence that Black-capped Chickadees can use female-produced fee-bee songs for individual recognition. However, the acoustic features underlying individual recognition require further investigation.
Homologous recombination repair capacity in peripheral blood lymphocytes and breast cancer risk
Authors: Shen Jie , Song Renduo , Chow Wong-Ho , Zhao Hua
Published: July 2020

Deficiency in homologous recombination repair (HRR) capacity is frequently observed in breast tumors. However, whether HRR deficiency is a tumor-specific biomarker or a risk factor for breast cancer is unknown. In this two-stage study, using a host cell reactivation assay, we assessed the relationship between HRR capacity in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and breast cancer risk. The discovery stage included 152 breast cancer patients and 152 healthy controls matched on age and race. HRR capacity was found to be significantly lower in Black women than in White women among controls (P = 0.015) and cases (P = 0.012). Among cases, triple negative breast cancer patients had significantly lower HRR capacity than ER+/PR+ breast cancer patients (P = 0.006). In risk assessment, HRR capacity was found to be significantly lower in cases than in controls (P < 0.001), and decreased HRR capacity was associated with 1.42-fold increased risk of breast cancer (95% CI: 1.21, 2.53). In the validation stage, we assessed HRR capacity in a nested case–control study using pre-diagnostic samples. We found that decreased HRR capacity was associated with 1.21-fold increased risk of breast cancer (95% CI: 1.04, 4.58). In summary, our results demonstrate that decreased HRR capacity in PBLs is a risk factor for breast cancer.
Sparganosis (Spirometra) in Europe in the Molecular Era
Authors: Kuchta Roman , Kołodziej-Sobocińska Marta , Brabec Jan , Młocicki Daniel , Sałamatin Rusłan , Scholz Tomáš
Published: July 2020

Sparganosis is a relatively neglected foodborne and waterborne disease caused by species of the tapeworm genus Spirometra, the global distribution of which has not been sufficiently recognized. Known mainly as a zoonosis of East Asia, its species are native to all inhabited continents including Europe. Spirometra has been reported from numerous wildlife species from 17 European countries, and a critical review confirmed 17 autochthonous and 8 imported human clinical cases. We present the first molecular evidence of the coincident presence of 2 species in Europe and review the current distribution to raise awareness of the parasite in this region. Spirometra erinaceieuropaei is restricted to Europe and Spirometra mansoni represents a lineage distributed mainly across Asia and Oceania that reaches Europe. The parasite is common in Eastern Europe and its distribution has potential to expand along with its invasive or migrating mammal hosts, spreading the risks of human infection.
Clinical Effectiveness of Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitor–Based Antiretroviral Regimens Among Adults With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Collaboration of Cohort Studies in the United States and Canada
Authors: Lu Haidong , Cole Stephen R , Westreich Daniel , Hudgens Michael G , Adimora Adaora A , Althoff Keri N , Silverberg Michael J , Buchacz Kate , Li Jun , Edwards Jessie K , Rebeiro Peter F , Lima Viviane D , Marconi Vincent C , Sterling Timothy R , Horberg Michael A , Gill M John , Kitahata Mari M , Eron Joseph J , Moore Richard D
Published: July 2020

Background

Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (InSTI)–based regimens are now recommended as first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) for adults with human immunodeficiency virus, but evidence on long-term clinical effectiveness of InSTI-based regimens remains limited. We examined whether InSTI-based regimens improved longer-term clinical outcomes.

Methods

We included participants from clinical cohorts in the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design who initiated their first ART regimen, containing either InSTI (ie, raltegravir, dolutegravir, and elvitegravir-cobicistat) or efavirenz (EFV) as an active comparator, between 2009 and 2016. We estimated observational analogs of 6-year intention-to-treat and per-protocol risks, risk differences (RDs), and hazard ratios (HRs) for the composite outcome of AIDS, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, end-stage renal disease, end-stage liver disease, or death.

Results

Of 15 993 participants, 5824 (36%) initiated an InSTI-based and 10 169 (64%) initiated an EFV-based regimen. During the 6-year follow-up, 440 in the InSTI group and 1097 in the EFV group incurred the composite outcome. The estimated 6-year intention-to-treat risks were 14.6% and 14.3% for the InSTI and EFV groups, respectively, corresponding to a RD of 0.3% (95% confidence interval, −2.7% to 3.3%) and a HR of 1.08 (.97–1.19); the estimated 6-year per-protocol risks were 12.2% for the InSTI group and 11.9% for the EFV group, corresponding to a RD of 0.3% (−3.0% to 3.7%) and a HR of 1.09 (.96–1.25).

Conclusions

InSTI- and EFV-based initial ART regimens had similar 6-year composite clinical outcomes. The risk of adverse clinical outcomes remains substantial even when initiating modern ART.