bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential Evapotranspiration Reduction and Its Influence on Crop Yield in the North China Plain in 1961–2014
Authors: Dong Wanlin , Li Chao , Hu Qi , Pan Feifei , Bhandari Jyoti , Sun Zhigang
Published: March 2020

Climate change has caused uneven changes in hydrological processes (precipitation and evapotranspiration) on a space-temporal scale, which would influence climate types, eventually impact agricultural production. Based on data from 61 meteorological stations from 1961 to 2014 in the North China Plain (NCP), the spatiotemporal characteristics of climate variables, such as humidity index, precipitation, and potential evapotranspiration (ET0), were analyzed. The sensitivity coefficients and contribution rates were applied to ET0. The NCP has experienced a semiarid to humid climate from north to south due to the significant decline of ET0 (−13.8 mm decade−1). In the study region, 71.0% of the sites showed a “pan evaporation paradox” phenomenon. Relative humidity had the most negative influence on ET0, while wind speed, sunshine hours, and air temperature had a positive effect on ET0. Wind speed and sunshine hours contributed the most to the spatiotemporal variation of ET0, followed by relative humidity and air temperature. Overall, the key climate factor impacting ET0 was wind speed decline in the NCP, particularly in Beijing and Tianjin. The crop yield in Shandong and Henan provinces was higher than that in the other regions with a higher humidity index. The lower the humidity index in Hebei province, the lower the crop yield. Therefore, potential water shortages and water conflict should be considered in the future because of spatiotemporal humidity variations in the NCP.
Natural Chalcones in Chinese Materia Medica: Licorice
Authors: Wang Danni , Liang Jing , Zhang Jing , Wang Yuefei , Chai Xin
Published: March 2020

Licorice is an important Chinese materia medica frequently used in clinical practice, which contains more than 20 triterpenoids and 300 flavonoids. Chalcone, one of the major classes of flavonoid, has a variety of biological activities and is widely distributed in nature. To date, about 42 chalcones have been isolated and identified from licorice. These chalcones play a pivotal role when licorice exerts its pharmacological effects. According to the research reports, these compounds have a wide range of biological activities, containing anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidative, antiviral, antidiabetic, antidepressive, hepatoprotective activities, and so on. This review aims to summarize structures and biological activities of chalcones from licorice. We hope that this work can provide a theoretical basis for the further studies of chalcones from licorice.
A Super-Resolution DOA Estimation Method for Fast-Moving Targets in MIMO Radar
Authors: Liu Song , Tang Lan , Bai Yechao , Zhang Xinggan
Published: March 2020

Direction of arrival (DOA) estimation is an essential problem in the radar systems. In this paper, the problem of DOA estimation is addressed in the multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) radar system for the fast-moving targets. A virtual aperture is provided by orthogonal waveforms in the MIMO radar to improve the DOA estimation performance. Different from the existing methods, we consider the DOA estimation method with only one snapshot for the fast-moving targets and achieve the super-resolution estimation from the snapshot. Based on a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), a denoise method is formulated to obtain a sparse approximation to the received signals, where the sparsity is measured by a new type of atomic norm for the MIMO radar system. However, the denoise problem cannot be solved efficiently. Then, by deriving the dual norm of the new atomic norm, a semidefinite matrix is constructed from the denoise problem to formulate a semidefinite problem with the dual optimization problem. Finally, the DOA is estimated by peak-searching the spatial spectrum. Simulation results show that the proposed method achieves better performance of the DOA estimation in the MIMO radar system with only one snapshot.
Are Basal-Like and Non-Basal-Like Triple-Negative Breast Cancers Really Different?
Authors: Dogra Atika , Mehta Anurag , Doval Dinesh Chandra
Published: March 2020

Objective. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 15–25% of breast cancers. It is increasingly recognized that TNBC is a motley disease. TNBC and basal-like (BL) subtype are different molecular classes of breast cancer with a high degree of overlap. However, a smaller fraction lacks the expression of basal markers in spite of being TNBC and is called non-basal-like (NBL). The aim of this study is to assess the clinicopathological features in TNBC and compare its BL and NBL subtypes.Material and Methods. A total of 200 subjects fulfilling the inclusion criteria of study were identified from the electronic medical records of institution. The tumor sections of subjects were immunohistochemically stained for basal markers, namely, 34βE12, c-Kit, and EGFR, in order to differentiate between BL and NBL subtypes. Comprehensive data were assembled from subjects’ clinical records. The features of TNBC and their associations with the two subtypes were assessed using statistical analyses.Results. TNBC constituted 22% of all breast cancers. The family history of cancer was observed to be significantly associated with stage (p=0.013). The proportions of BL and NBL subtypes were equal. Of all parameters compared between two subtypes, only lymphovascular invasion was found to have statistically significant difference (p=0.019). Though no statistical significant difference between overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of two subgroups was found, BL subtype has slightly shorter DFS and OS compared to NBL.Conclusion. Both BL and NBL subtypes occur in equal proportions; hence, basalness and triple negativity are not synonyms. Though BL and NBL are prognostically similar, BL subtype shows a trend towards slightly shorter DFS and OS compared to NBL.
Prevalence of Diabetic Foot Ulcer and Associated Factors among Adult Diabetic Patients on Follow-Up Clinic at Jimma Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia, 2019: An Institutional-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Abdissa Daba , Adugna Tesfaye , Gerema Urge , Dereje Diriba
Published: March 2020

Background. Diabetic foot ulceration is a devastating complication of diabetes mellitus and is a major source of morbidity and mortality. So far, there are few published data on diabetic foot ulcers and its determinants among diabetic patients on follow-up at Jimma Medical Center. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer and its determinants among patients with diabetes mellitus at Jimma Medical Center. Methods. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to August 30, 2019, and systematic random sampling technique was applied. The total number of study subjects who participated in the study was 277. Data were collected using an interview-administered structured questionnaire. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 software for analysis. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. A variable having a p value of <0.25 in the bivariate model was subjected to multivariate analysis to avoid confounding the variable’s effect. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were calculated at 95% confidence interval and considered significant with a p value of ≤0.05. Result. The mean of age of participants was 50.1±14.19 years. More than three-fourths of participants (82.7%) were type 2 DM. The mean duration of diabetic patients was 6.00±5.07 years. The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was 11.6% among study participants. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, previous history of ulceration (AOR=5.77; 95% CI: 2.37, 14.0) and peripheral neuropathy (AOR=11.2; 95% CI: 2.8, 44.4) were independent predictors of diabetic foot ulcer. Conclusion. The prevalence of diabetic foot ulcer was 11.6%. Previous history of ulceration and peripheral neuropathy were associated with diabetic foot ulcer. The health care providers are recommended to thoroughly give emphasis during follow-up of patients who had previous history of ulceration and peripheral neuropathy in order to decrease the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcer.
Remarks on Almost Cosymplectic 3-Manifolds with RICCI Operators
Authors: Pan Quanxiang , Wang Yajie
Published: March 2020

Let M be an almost cosymplectic 3-h-a-manifold. In this paper, we prove that the Ricci operator of M is transversely Killing if and only if M is locally isometric to a product space of an open interval and a surface of constant Gauss curvature, or a unimodular Lie group equipped with a left invariant almost cosymplectic structure. Some corollaries of this result and some examples illustrating main results are given.
Numerical Investigation of Aerodynamic Noise Reduction of Nonpneumatic Tire Using Nonsmooth Riblet Surface
Authors: Zhou Haichao , Jiang Zhen , Yang Jian , Zhai Huihui , Wang Guolin
Published: March 2020

Unlike conventional pneumatic tires, the nonpneumatic tires (NPT) are explosion proof and simple to maintain and provide low rolling resistance. At high vehicle speeds, however, the complex airflow produced by the open flexible-spoke structure of NPT yields high aerodynamic noise, which contributes to sound pollution in the vehicular traffic environment. Inspired by the idea that a nonsmooth riblet structure can affect fluid flow and offer noise reduction, the analyses of the effect of the nonsmooth riblet surface on the aerodynamic noise of an NPT and noise reduction mechanism were presented in this paper. First, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to analyze the surface pressure coefficient characteristics of a smooth flexible-spoke tire rolling at a speed of 80 km/h and subsequently validating the numerical simulation results by comparing them with published test results. Secondly, large eddy simulation (LES) and the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings (FW-H) method were, respectively, used to determine the transient flow and far-field aerodynamic noise. Then, the mechanism of noise reduction was investigated using a vortex theory. Based on the vortex theory, the positions and strengths of noise sources were determined using the Lamb vector. Finally, according to the fluid boundary layer theory, a nonsmooth riblet surface was arranged on the surface of the spokes, and the influences of the riblet structure parameters, including size, position, and direction, on aerodynamic noise were analyzed. Based on the vortex theory, it was found that the nonsmooth riblet structure can reduce the Lamb vector, suppress the generation of flow vortices, decrease acoustic source strength, and effectively decrease noise up to 5.18 dB using the optimized riblet structure. The study results provide a theoretical basis for the structural design of a new low-noise NPT.
Investigation of the Effects of Evaporation Methods on the High‐Temperature Rheological and Fatigue Performances of Emulsified Asphalt Residues
Authors: Sun Yang , Yue Jin-Chao , Wang Ri-Ran , Li Rui-Xia , Wang De-Cai
Published: March 2020

Cold recycling technology is a widely applied asphalt pavement rehabilitation technology. The properties of emulsified asphalt residues after water evaporates play an important role in the performance of the asphalt pavement. This paper investigates the rheological and fatigue properties of emulsified asphalt residues under different evaporation methods. Two different matrix asphalt binders and emulsifiers were selected to prepare the emulsified asphalt. Moreover, the direct heating method (DHM) and the EN13074 and ASTM D7497‐09 evaporation methods were used to obtain emulsified asphalt residues. Furthermore, the linear viscoelasticity, the permanent deformation resistance, and the fatigue resistance were evaluated by the temperature sweep and frequency sweep tests, the multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) test, and the linear amplitude sweep (LAS) test, respectively. The test results show that under the three evaporation conditions, the growth amplitude order of the rutting factor, recovery percent, complex modulus, and fatigue life of emulsified asphalt residues is ASTM D7497‐09 > EN13074 > DHM, and as is the attenuation amplitude order of the nonrecoverable creep compliance and phase angle. The results reveal that the evaporation process leads to oxidation and hardening of the residues. The hardening degree of the ASTM D7497‐09 evaporation method is higher than that of the EN13074 evaporation method, and the hardening degree of the EN13074 evaporation method is higher than that of the direct heating method. The rheological and fatigue performances of the emulsified asphalt residues depend on the matrix asphalt. Moreover, the residue that was prepared from 70# asphalt has good high‐temperature and fatigue properties, but it has higher temperature sensitivity and stress sensitivity.
Sunscreen Use among a Population of Saudi University Students
Authors: AlJasser Mohammed I. , Aljumah Abdullah , Alzaydi Mohannad , Alassaf Abdullah , Alassafi Suliman , Alassafi Maha T. , Almedlej Mohammed , Masuadi Emad
Published: March 2020

Introduction. Sunscreen is an important method of sun protection. Many studies were conducted worldwide on the use of sunscreen but only few done in Saudi Arabia. The aim of our study is to assess the prevalence, practices, and factors associated with sunscreen use among Saudi university students. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire on the use of sunscreen was created in English. Quota sampling technique was used since the sample was divided according to gender and college year. Results. A total of 1,011 students were enrolled. Approximately half were males (n = 510). Half of the students used sunscreen (n = 515, 51%). Female gender, high family income, previous history of sunburn, tanning bed use, and use of other sun protection methods were factors independently associated with sunscreen use. The main reasons for using sunscreen were prevention of sunburns, dark spots, skin cancer, and overall skin darkening. Eighty percent of participants used other methods of sun protection. Sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) > 30 was used in 59% of students. However, the majority did not know if the sunscreen they use provided broad-spectrum coverage or not. Only 35% of students apply sunscreen in both sunny and cloudy days. Most students apply sunscreen less than 10 minutes before going out and do not repeat the application throughout the day. More than 90% of students seem to apply insufficient amount of sunscreen. Conclusion. Almost half of the population in the study use sunscreen. We have identified several areas of improper use of sunscreen. Increasing the awareness of effective sunscreen use in our community might be needed.
Research on Indoor Scene Classification Mechanism Based on Multiple Descriptors Fusion
Authors: Ji Ping , Qin Danyang , Feng Pan , Lan Tingting , Sun Guanyu
Published: March 2020

This study aims at the great limitations caused by the non-ROI (region of interest) information interference in traditional scene classification algorithms, including the changes of multiscale or various visual angles and the high similarity between classes and other factors. An effective indoor scene classification mechanism based on multiple descriptors fusion is proposed, which introduces the depth images to improve descriptor efficiency. The greedy descriptor filter algorithm (GDFA) is proposed to obtain valuable descriptors, and the multiple descriptor combination method is also given to further improve descriptor performance. Performance analysis and simulation results show that multiple descriptors fusion not only can achieve higher classification accuracy than principal components analysis (PCA) in the condition with medium and large size of descriptors but also can improve the classification accuracy than the other existing algorithms effectively.
Dual HER2 Blockade versus a Single Agent in Trastuzumab-Containing Regimens for HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Yu Liuwen , Fu Fangmeng , Li Jing , Huang Meng , Zeng Bangwei , Lin Yuxiang , Mei Qian , Lv Jinxing , Wang Chuan
Published: March 2020

Purpose. Although trastuzumab is the standard of care for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)- positive early breast cancer (EBC), drug resistance and disease relapse occur. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab-containing dual anti-HER2 therapy compared to trastuzumab alone. Methods. A systematic search was performed to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Main outcomes including event-free survival/invasive disease-free survival (EFS/iDFS), overall survival (OS), and safety were considered. Results. Ten RCTs were included (15,284 patients). Significant improvements were observed in both EFS/iDFS (HR 0.86, p=0.0003) and OS (HR 0.86, p=0.02) with trastuzumab-based dual anti-HER2 therapy, especially in adjuvant treatment, while in the neoadjuvant setting, dual-targeted therapy also achieved a substantial pathological complete response (pCR) benefit (HR 1.34, p=0.0002). Subgroup analysis revealed that the EFS/iDFS benefit was slightly higher with trastuzumab plus pertuzumab or plus neratinib than trastuzumab plus lapatinib, while OS benefit was significant with trastuzumab plus lapatinib, but there were no subgroup differences (interaction test, p=0.80 and 0.24, resp.). In addition, EFS/iDFS benefit was unrelated to hormone receptor status but pronounced in the lymph node-positive (LN+) subgroup, which should be interpreted cautiously for lacking interaction (p=0.18). Besides, patients receiving dual therapy, especially with the lapatinib-containing regimen, experienced more toxicity, but no increase in cardiotoxicity. Conclusions. Despite being associated with more toxicity, trastuzumab-containing dual anti-HER2 therapy is superior to trastuzumab single agent for HER2-positive EBC independent of hormone receptor status. The correlation between survival and LN status needs further verification. Trastuzumab plus pertuzumab or plus neratinib is the preferred regimen with substantial efficacy and lower toxicity.
Robust Geotechnical Design for Soil Slopes considering Uncertain Parameters
Authors: Zhou Xuejun , Huang Wenxiong , Li Jie , Chen Ding
Published: March 2020

Designing the geometry of soil slope is an effective treatment for preventing slope failure. How to deal with the uncertainties involved in soil parameters in geotechnical design is a main concern of geotechnical engineers. In this study, a robust geotechnical design for soil slopes (RGDS) approach was proposed, in which the Uncertainty Theory was introduced to describe explicitly the uncertainties involved in soil parameters. The uncertain reliability is often used to describe the risk of slope failure. The design robustness describing the insensitivity between the variation in the system response and the variation of input uncertain soil parameters was evaluated by the signal-to-noise ratio. The objectives of this design are to maximize the design robustness, minimize the excavation cost, and guarantee the safety (maximize the uncertain reliability). Therefore, the RGDS was formulated as a multiobjective optimization, and the optimal design can be determined based on the concepts of Pareto front and knee point. The proposed RGDS approach was illustrated through a numerical case of a two-layer slope design. The numerical results indicate that the RGDS approach is not only more intuitive and easier to follow but also more computationally efficient.
Comparison between Second- and Third-Generation PTH Assays during Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy (MIP)
Authors: Gannagé-Yared Marie-Hélène , Younès Nada , Azzi Anne-Sophie , Sleilaty Ghassan
Published: March 2020

Context. Intraoperative PTH (IOPTH) drop of more than 50% during minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) predicts the surgery success. Comparison between second- and third-generation PTH assays (PTH 2G and PTH 3G) on IOPTH decline is scarce. The aim of this study is to compare both assays and to determine the predictors of IOPTH decline. Methods. 112 patients (of which 72.3% females) underwent MIP by the same surgeon. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), pre- and postoperative serum calcium, creatinine, 25(OH)D levels, PTH at baseline (PTH T0), and PTH at 10 minutes after adenoma resection (PTH T10) were recorded. Both PTH 2G and PTH 3G assays were assessed using the Diasorin assays. Results. The mean age was 56.1 ± 14.7 years. Mean value of BMI, preoperative calcium, 25(OH)D, and CKD-EPI-eGFR were, respectively, 26.8 ± 4.8 kg/m2, 110.9 ± 7.9 mg/L, 19.3 ± 9.2 ng/mL, and 88.6 ± 25.6 mL/min/1.73 m2. PTH 2G and PTH 3G assays were well correlated at PTH T0 and PTH T10 (respectively, correlation coefficient 0.74 and 0.72 for intraclass correlation type 3). The median PTH fall was, respectively, of 79.9% and 82.5% for PTH 2G and PTH 3G. Multivariate analysis using the combined PTH 2G and PTH 3G as a dependent variable with 2 repeated measurements (at PTH 0 and PTH 10) showed a significant effect of preoperative calcium on IOPTH fall (p=0.001, effect size 0.13), while no significant effects were observed for sex, age, BMI, and 25(OH)D. Conclusion. PTH 2G and PTH 3G assays resulted in a similar drop in IOPTH values. Elevated preoperative calcium levels are the only independent predictor of IOPTH decline. Further studies are needed to determine other factors that can influence PTH kinetics.
Dynamical Complexity and Multistability in a Novel Lunar Wake Plasma System
Authors: Yan Bo. , Prasad Punam K. , Mukherjee Sayan , Saha Asit , Banerjee Santo
Published: March 2020

Dynamical complexity and multistability of electrostatic waves are investigated in a four-component homogeneous and magnetized lunar wake plasma constituting of beam electrons, heavier ions (alpha particles, He++), protons, and suprathermal electrons. The unperturbed dynamical system of the considered lunar wake plasma supports nonlinear and supernonlinear trajectories which correspond to nonlinear and supernonlinear electrostatic waves. On the contrary, the perturbed dynamical system of lunar wake plasma shows different types of coexisting attractors including periodic, quasiperiodic, and chaotic, investigated by phase plots and Lyapunov exponents. To confirm chaotic and nonchaotic dynamics in the perturbed lunar wake plasma, 0−1 chaos test is performed. Furthermore, a weighted recurrence-based entropy is implemented to investigate the dynamical complexity of the system. Numerical results show existence of chaos with variation of complexity in the perturbed dynamics.
Acquired Immunodeficiency from Maternal Chemotherapy and Severe Primary Pneumocystis Infection in an Infant
Authors: Lim Adeline Yi Ling , Mattke Adrian Christian , Clark Julia Elizabeth , Pinzon-Charry Alberto , Alphonso Nelson , Kapur Nitin
Published: March 2020

Pneumocystis jirovecii is recognized as an opportunistic pathogen in immunosuppressed patients. We report a case of severe Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in an infant with acquired combined immunodeficiency secondary to maternal chemotherapy exposure during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The infant required cardiorespiratory support with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) for severe respiratory failure. This case highlights the potential for severe acquired immunodeficiency in this patient cohort and further postnatal surveillance is highly recommended.
Cavitary Pneumonia: A Complication of Antibiotic Noncompliance
Authors: Cotton Jake L. , Ali-Dinar Tarig , Navas-Nazario Aledie
Published: March 2020

In this report, we present a complicated case of community-acquired pneumonia in a 5-year-old boy. The patient first presented to the pulmonology clinic with the diagnosis of asthma and a recent history of recurrent pneumonia. Poor compliance to two courses of outpatient oral antibiotics resulted in persistent pneumonia symptoms with unresolved radiographic findings warranting parenteral antibiotics. Despite 2 symptom-free weeks, the patient returned to the emergency department with recurrence of symptoms where imaging revealed a cavitary lesion requiring a prolonged course of parenteral antibiotics. This report further supports the detrimental impact of partially treated infections related to poor compliance to antibiotic regimens.
Cardioprotective Potential of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. Leaf Extract against Doxorubicin‐Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Sandamali Jayasinghe A. N. , Hewawasam Ruwani P. , Jayatilaka Kamani A. P. W. , Mudduwa Lakmini K. B.
Published: March 2020

Dose‐dependent cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin may lead to irreversible congestive heart failure. Although multiple mechanisms are involved, generation of free radicals is the most commonly postulated mechanism. Therefore, free radical scavengers are considered as potential therapeutic agents. As Murraya koenigii leaves are a rich source of flavonoids and phenols, they have the ability to scavenge free radicals effectively. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective potential of Murraya leaf extract against doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Rats were randomly divided into five groups with 10 animals in each group. Doxorubicin was administered intraperitonially at 18 mg/kg while lyophilized plant extract was administered orally at 2 g/kg. Dexrazoxane, at 180 mg/kg, was used as the positive control. Cardiac damage of doxorubicin control was evident with a significant increase (p < 0.05) in cardiac troponin I, NT‐pro BNP, AST, and LDH compared to the normal control. Plant‐treated group showed cardioprotective effect by significantly reducing (p < 0.05) all of the above parameters compared to doxorubicin control (p < 0.05). Increased oxidative stress in doxorubicin control was evident with a significant reduction in reduced glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity and a significant increase in lipid peroxidation compared to the control. Interestingly, treatment with Murraya leaf extract showed a significant increase in all of the above antioxidant parameters and a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation by showing an antioxidant effect. A significant increase in myeloperoxidase activity confirmed the increased inflammatory activity in doxorubicin control group whereas plant‐treated group showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) which expressed the anti‐inflammatory effect of Murraya leaf extract. Doxorubicin‐treated group showed histological evidence of extensive damage to the myocardium while plant‐treated group showed a preserved myocardium with lesser degree of damage. Pretreatment with Murraya leaf extract may replenish cardiomyocytes with antioxidants and promote the defense against doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity.
J-Self-Adjoint Projections in Krein Spaces
Authors: Xu Xiao-Ming , Zhao Yile
Published: March 2020

Let ℋ be a Krein space with fundamental symmetry J. Starting with a canonical block-operator matrix representation of J, we study the regular subspaces of ℋ. We also present block-operator matrix representations of the J-self-adjoint projections for the regular subspaces of ℋ, as well as for the regular complements of the isotropic part in a pseudo-regular subspace of ℋ.
What are the Effects of Demographic Structures on Housing Consumption?: Evidence from 31 Provinces in China
Authors: Zhang Yu , Jin Haiyan , Xiao Yue , Gao Yumin
Published: March 2020

Housing is closely related to population. The world’s demographics have been changing greatly, like ageing, urbanization, and shrinking household. This paper takes China as the research object to study the effects of demographics on housing consumption. Demographics were considered from three aspects: natural structure, regional structure, and social structure. Based on Life Cycle Theory and Permanent Income Hypothesis, the models on housing consumption were constructed. Results show that demographic structures are important factors affecting housing consumption: (i) child-age dependency ratio (CDR), education level, and family size negatively affect housing consumption, while urbanization rate and old-age dependency ratio (ODR) have positive effects; (ii) CDR positively affects housing consumption through deposit and the indirect effect of ODR on housing consumption through deposit is negative; (iii) the influence of demographics on housing consumption is heterogeneous in different regions. It is relatively close between the central and the west to some extent but quite different in the east.
The Existence of n Periodic Solutions on One Element n-Degree Polynomial Differential Equation
Authors: Hua Ni , Li-Xin Tian
Published: March 2020

This paper deals with a class of one element n-degree polynomial differential equations. By the fixed point theory, we obtain n periodic solutions of the equation. This paper generalizes some related conclusions of some papers.
Uniform Hybrid Difference Scheme for Singularly Perturbed Differential-Difference Turning Point Problems Exhibiting Boundary Layers
Authors: Melesse Wondwosen Gebeyaw , Tiruneh Awoke Andargie , Derese Getachew Adamu
Published: March 2020

In this paper, a class of linear second-order singularly perturbed differential-difference turning point problems with mixed shifts exhibiting two exponential boundary layers is considered. For the numerical treatment of these problems, first we employ a second-order Taylor’s series approximation on the terms containing shift parameters and obtain a modified singularly perturbed problem which approximates the original problem. Then a hybrid finite difference scheme on an appropriate piecewise-uniform Shishkin mesh is constructed to discretize the modified problem. Further, we proved that the method is almost second-order ɛ-uniformly convergent in the maximum norm. Numerical experiments are considered to illustrate the theoretical results. In addition, the effect of the shift parameters on the layer behavior of the solution is also examined.
Vehicle-Borne Transient Electromagnetic Numerical Characteristic Parameter of Water-Bearing Body behind Tunnel Linings
Authors: Qian Wangping , Qi Taiyue , Liang Xiao , Qin Shaojie , Li Zongyang , Li Yan
Published: March 2020

The water-bearing body (WBB) behind tunnel linings has been some of the main causes of damage in operational tunnels. The WBB directly affects the serviceability state of tunnel linings; thus, determining a method to detect this problem is a widely studied issue regarding tunnel maintenance. In this paper, a vehicle-borne transient electromagnetic method (VBTEM) is put forward for the first time to detect WBB behind tunnel linings, and the aim is to fully investigate the transient electromagnetic response and numerical characteristics of the WBB behind tunnel linings. Firstly, the transient electromagnetic response curves of the WBB and surrounding rock are obtained and compared in detail by using the finite element method. Then, taking the distance, thickness, radius, and resistivity of the WBB as variable parameters, the parametric sensitivity rule of the response curve of the WBB is analyzed. Finally, a dimensionless response curve is proposed, a mathematical extraction equation is established, and seven numerical characteristic parameters are proposed and extracted. Based on seven numerical characteristic parameters, the technical parameters of the VBTEM equipment are put forward. The results illustrate that the transient electromagnetic response of the WBB is obviously different from that of surrounding rock. The seven numerical characteristic parameters of the dimensionless curve of the WBB can represent the entire response curve of the WBB. The results reveal that the first time gate of the VBTEM equipment needs to be less than 0.05 μs for short-distance problem, and the time span needs to reach four time spans at least. The research results can provide valuable technical references for the application of VBTEM.
Tibial Tuberosity Fracture in an Elderly Gentleman: An Unusual Injury Pattern
Authors: Brown Emma , Sohail Mohammad Taaha , West Jonathan , Davies Benjamin , Mamarelis Georgios , Sohail Mohammad Zain
Published: March 2020

Avulsion fracture of the tibial tuberosity is an infrequent injury in adolescents and an extremely rare occurrence in adults. We describe the case of an 86-year-old gentleman presenting after a fall, sustaining injury to the left knee. Radiographs of the left knee showed avulsion fracture of the tibial tuberosity. The purpose of this study was to present a rare case of tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture in an adult, the treatment performed, and the challenges faced. The case is discussed with the review of the literature.
Successful Endovascular Repair of a Ruptured Popliteal Artery Aneurysm: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Muir Duncan , Kulkarni Sachin R.
Published: March 2020

Introduction. It is rare for a popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) to present with rupture. This case reports a longer-term success in the management of a large ruptured popliteal artery aneurysm with an endovascular approach, with a literature review of management of such cases. Case Report. An 80-year-old man presented to the accident and emergency department with pain and swelling behind the left knee and at the back of the thigh. An ultrasound scan and subsequent CT angiogram revealed a large 9.4 cm ruptured PAA. The patient had significant comorbidities deeming him unfit for a major surgical intervention of drainage of haematoma and exclusion bypass. Therefore, he underwent urgent endovascular treatment of the ruptured PAA with a covered stent graft. A follow-up duplex scan at 1 year showed a patent stent with no evidence of endoleak, and the patient remained asymptomatic. A clinical follow-up at 18- and 24-month postprocedure showed a patent stent graft and complete resolution of haematoma. Conclusion. Whilst open repair with exclusion bypass may still be a treatment of choice, an endovascular approach is both safe and effective in the management of a ruptured PAA in an unfit patient with an acceptable longer-term outcome.
Material Selection of Green Design Processes for Car Body via considering Environment Property
Authors: Pu Yongfeng , Ma Fangwu , Han Lu , Wang Guowang
Published: March 2020

Facing serious environmental degradation and its resulting of climate warming, how to conserve energy and reduce emissions becomes a serious issue for government supervisors and modern vehicle enterprises. Reducing the mass of a vehicle is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions and improve fuel utilization, essential to persist the low-carbon and sustainable-development bases in industrial production processes. When it comes to the selection of lightweight material for a car body in the processes of vehicle production, it is essential to comprehensively evaluate multiple relevant attributes in order to select the optimal material from several alternatives. Thus, it can be seen as a multicriterion decision-making (MCDM) problem. However, it is difficult to consider both the uncertainty of the expert’s preference and the imprecision of the attribute estimate. Considering this, this paper uses the method integrating grey relational analysis (GRA) with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to solve the problem of lightweight material selection for a car body. The AHP method is used to determine the weight of each attribute, and the GRA method is to select the optimal material among several alternatives. Finally, a case study is applied to verify the practicability of the proposed approach. The result shows that the proposed multicriterion decision method provides a precise and objective foundation for making decisions about the material selection issue.
Iron Overload in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Complicated by Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: A Case Report
Authors: Ali Mohammad , Yassin Mohamed A.
Published: March 2020

Iron overload is commonly seen in the context of hematological diseases in patients who require frequent transfusions. On the other hand, an association between autoimmune hemolytic anemia complicating chronic lymphocytic leukemia and iron overload is unusual. Here, we report 2 cases of iron overload in patients with a background of chronic lymphocytic leukemia complicated by autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Both patients were found to have a high liver iron concentration on liver MRI (FerriScan). This observation raises the important question about the value of screening for iron overload in this group of patients.
Optical Quality Assessed by Optical Quality Analysis System in Chinese Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients and Its Correlations with Psychological Disturbances and Vision-Related Quality of Life
Authors: Zhang Yang , Bian Ailing , Hang Qijun , Zhou Qi
Published: March 2020

Purpose: To investigate if optical quality assessed by Optical Quality Analysis System (OQAS) is a new factor for psychological disturbance and vision-related quality of life (QoL) in Chinese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. OQAS, automated static perimetry, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Questionnaire, and the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) were used to assess optical quality, visual field, psychological health, and QoL in 64 POAG patients. Correlation between the OQAS parameters and QoL or psychological health was analyzed by linear regression model. Results: OQAS parameters, the modulation transfer function cutoff frequency (MTF cutoff) and the mean OQAS values (mean OV) were significantly related to mean deviation (MD). Statistically significant correlation was also found between MTF cutoff, the mean OV, and QoL in more than half of the NEI VFQ-25 subscale scores and the composite. The correlation coefficients between OQAS parameters and QoL were similar to those between MD and QoL in most of the subscale scores. HADS-Depression and HADS-Anxiety scores significantly correlated with MD in the worse eye, the composite and 3 subscales of NEI VFQ-25, general health, social function, and mental health, but were not correlated with optical quality parameters measured by OQAS. Conclusions: OQAS-assessed optical quality is negatively related to MD and is a valid indicator for vision-related QoL, but not for psychological health in our study group. OQAS might be an alternative or supplement to perimeter in POAG patients.
Seasonal Poverty and Seasonal Migration in Asia
Authors: Mobarak Ahmed Mushfiq , Reimão Maira Emy
Published: March 2020

Four in five poor people in the Asia and Pacific region live in rural areas. Crop cycles in agrarian areas create periods of seasonal deprivation, or preharvest “lean seasons,” when work is scarce and skipped meals become frequent. In this paper, we document this phenomenon of seasonal poverty and discuss existing formal mechanisms for coping with it. We then focus on seasonal migration from rural to urban areas as a potential coping strategy and review the evidence on the effects of encouraging seasonal migration through transport subsidies. Over the past 10 years, we have conducted a series of randomized control trials in Bangladesh and Indonesia that provided rural agricultural workers with small migration subsidies to pay for the cost of round-trip travel to nearby areas in search of work. This paper summarizes the lessons learned from this multicountry, multiyear series of seasonal migration trials, the implications of these results for spatial misallocation, urbanization, and growth, and the replicability and relevance of this and other policies encouraging domestic migration more broadly for other areas in the Asia and Pacific region.
Household Debt and Delinquency over the Life Cycle
Authors: Chantarat Sommarat , Lamsam Atchana , Samphantharak Krislert , Tangsawasdirat Bhumjai
Published: March 2020

This paper uses loan-level data from Thailand's National Credit Bureau to study household debt over the life cycle of borrowers. We decompose two aggregate and commonly used measures of debt—debt per capita and delinquency rate—into components that unveil the extensive and intensive margins of household indebtedness. We find a striking inverted-U life-cycle pattern of indebtedness as predicted by economic theories. However, peaks are reached at different ages for different loan products and different lenders. We also find that debt has expanded over time for all age groups. Younger cohorts seem to originate debt earlier in their lives than older generations. Meanwhile, older borrowers remain indebted well past their retirement age. Finally, we find a downward pattern of delinquency over the life cycle. Our findings have important policy implications on financial access and distress of households as well as on economic development and financial stability of the economy.
Financial Spillovers in Asian Emerging Economies
Authors: Fukuda Shin-ichi , Tanaka Mariko
Published: March 2020

This paper explores financial spillovers between emerging Asia and advanced economies using principal component analysis to extract common shocks in Asia. We first investigate stock market spillovers across the regions and find that spillovers from emerging Asia became significant after the global financial crisis. However, our industry-level analysis shows that the increased spillovers can be attributed to the first principal component (PC) in the manufacturing sector rather than to the first PC in the financial sector. This implies that the rise of the Asian manufacturing sector in the global market played a key role in enhancing the stock market spillovers. We next examine bilateral spillovers in short-term and long-term rates. In the tapering period, we find significant spillovers in long-term rates from the first PC in emerging Asia to Europe and the United States. However, these spillovers were much smaller than the stock market spillovers in magnitude.
Green Trade Patterns and the Transboundary Transmission of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Authors: Kang Sung Jin
Published: March 2020

By classifying international green and non-green trade for the period 1980–2015, this study investigates trends in green trade, exports, and imports as shares of total trade, exports, and imports, respectively. The general findings are that these green shares increased during the review period, albeit with the green shares for member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development showing different trends than those of nonmember countries. Further, three countries at different stages of economic development—the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, and the United States—each exhibit different trends in green trade over time. In particular, the green trade, export, and import shares of the People's Republic of China decreased over time, which is in contrast to the increases observed for the Republic of Korea and the United States during the review period. The findings suggest that efforts to persuade developing countries to accept international agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should also consider the transboundary transmission of these emissions and their health effects.
Harold Cohen and AARON: Collaborations in the Last Six Years (2010–2016) of a Creative Life
Authors: Sundararajan Louise
Published: March 2020

This article documents Harold Cohen’s last phase of creativity from 2010 until his death in 2016, a period that witnessed an accelerated coevolution of Cohen’s relationship with the artificial intelligence program AARON on the one hand and his technological and artistic innovations on the other, culminating in a new art form featuring the void. Implications for the human and machine interface are discussed.
Creative Works Exploring Our Information Ecosystem: 1970–1979
Authors: Lowenberg Richard
Published: March 2020

In the 1970s, Richard Lowenberg embarked upon the first in a series of experimental artworks that were conceptualized as part of a lifelong body of works addressing aspects of our information environment as ecosystem. Creative works during this period were influenced by information theory and cybernetics, the electromagnetic spectrum, the nature of signal, feedback, sensing-communicating, language and emerging media technologies. Artistic milestones included video-audio synthesis, NASA arts collaborations, interactions with Koko the gorilla, creation of sequences for the Secret Life of Plants film and EEG-EMGEKG biotelemetric performances (“Bio-Dis-Plays”). Real life offered a number of unexpected opportunities and distractions that enriched this work and helped set a course for development and realization of subsequent projects along an intended ecocultural path.
Conversations in Caves
Authors: Parrott Flora , Hawkins Harriet
Published: March 2020

This article takes the form of a discussion between Flora Parrott (an artist) and Harriet Hawkins (a geographer), who first brought together their existing interests in caves and the underground in 2015. Gully Cave (southwest England), a site of their shared “fieldwork,” and two experimental workshops offer the context to reflect on their evolving work together. This exchange, edited from a series of emails, reflects the evolving, looping form their collaboration has taken, circling around key themes including the importance of time, failure and trust in the process of development, and discussions around expertise and experimentation.
Biomorphic Protein Art: The Ensemble of Aesthetic Intuition and Scientific Intelligence in Protein Structures
Authors: Shin Jongcheon , Yoon Joonsung
Published: March 2020

This article explores the process by which biomorphic art influenced by Henri Bergson's philosophy encounters protein structures and becomes biomorphic protein art. The biomorphic presentation of proteins is a kind of art practice that applies biomorphs to protein structures by practically utilizing Bergson's “aesthetic intuition.” It not only has aesthetic peculiarity in itself but also is used to reveal the structure-function relationship and structure-identity relationship of proteins. As a result, biomorphic protein art, which presents information about the structure, function and identity of proteins through aesthetic intuition, helps us to analyze proteins in a novel way and restores our potential creativity.
Endless Forms Most Beautiful: A Garden Shows That Cancer Is a Part of Life
Authors: Winfrey Pamela , Robertson Caspian , Maley Carlo , Aktipis Athena
Published: March 2020

Endless Forms Most Beautiful is a crested cactus garden that embodies both an aesthetic and a medically transformative approach to cancer. The cacti in this garden have mutations in their meristem cells causing uncontrolled growths—which are, by some definitions, cancer. The garden was installed near the new Biodesign Institute C building on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe. Crested cacti and other fasciated plants are examples of organisms that live with cancer but do not die from it. These plants help to widen the framework for thinking about what cancer is and how to live with it and, ultimately, inspired a new center, the Arizona Cancer Evolution (ACE) Center, which investigates cancer across forms of life.