bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectral interleaving by singing humpback whales: Signs of sonar
Authors: Mercado Eduardo
Published: February 2021

The duplex sonar model of humpback whale song proposes that broadband units within songs function differently from narrowband units. Specifically, this model suggests that singing humpback whales interleave constant frequency (CF) units, which can generate prolonged reverberation focused at specific frequencies, with less reverberant broadband units that minimally overlap with the focal frequencies of preceding and following CF units (referred to as spectral interleaving) to increase the efficacy of song as a sonar source. Here, it is shown that singers recorded off the coast of Hawaii in 2015 devoted most of their time singing to spectrally interleaving broadband elements of units around quasi-CF components that consistently generated persistent reverberant tails. Singers maintained reverberant CF streams in specific frequency bands when units contained broadband elements and when singers switched from producing pairs of alternating reverberant units to producing a single reverberant unit. Additionally, singers showed the ability to flexibly control where acoustic energy was concentrated within broadband components in ways that minimized spectral overlap with the focal frequencies of reverberant tails. The consistency and precision with which singing humpback whales interleaved broadband and reverberant CF elements of units confirm two novel predictions of the duplex sonar model.
A disease-associated mutation that weakens ZAP70 autoinhibition enhances responses to weak and self-ligands
Authors: Shen Lin , Matloubian Mehrdad , Kadlecek Theresa A. , Weiss Arthur
Published: February 2021

Weakening autoinhibition of the kinase ZAP70 leads to overactive T cells and autoimmune disease.
Recalcitrant Staphylococcus aureus Infections: Obstacles and Solutions
Authors: Rowe Sarah E. , Beam Jenna E. , Conlon Brian P.
Published: February 2021

Antibiotic treatment failure ofStaphylococcus aureusinfections is very common. In addition to genetically encoded mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, numerous additional factors limit the efficacy of antibioticsin vivo.
Comprehensive Bioinformatic Assessments of the Variability of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Vaccine Candidates
Authors: Baarda Benjamin I. , Zielke Ryszard A. , Holm Alaina K. , Sikora Aleksandra E.
Published: February 2021

Neisseria gonorrhoeae
, the Gram-negative bacterium responsible for the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, is categorized as a high-priority pathogen for research and development efforts.
N. gonorrhoeae
’s “superbug” status, its high morbidity, and the serious health impact associated with gonorrhea highlight the importance of vaccine development. One of the longstanding barriers to developing an effective vaccine against
N. gonorrhoeae
is the remarkable variability of surface-exposed antigens.
Supplemental Material: Magnetostratigraphic study of a Late Cretaceous–Paleogene succession in the eastern Xining basin, NE Tibet: Constraint on the timing of major tectonic events in response to the India-Eurasia collision
Authors: He Chicheng , Zhang Yue-Qiao , al. et
Published: February 2021

This material includes a data packet, one figure, and three tables, providing the additional paleomagnetic and provenance information of the Zhongba section in detail.
Supplemental Material: Magnetostratigraphic study of a Late Cretaceous–Paleogene succession in the eastern Xining basin, NE Tibet: Constraint on the timing of major tectonic events in response to the India-Eurasia collision
Authors: He Chicheng , Zhang Yue-Qiao
Published: February 2021

This material includes a data packet, one figure, and three tables, providing the additional paleomagnetic and provenance information of the Zhongba section in detail.
Effect of redundant clinical trials from mainland China evaluating statins in patients with coronary artery disease: cross sectional study
Authors: Jia Yuanxi , Wen Jiajun , Qureshi Riaz , Ehrhardt Stephan , Celentano David D , Wei Xin , Rosman Lori , Wen Yumeng , Robinson Karen A
Published: February 2021

Objective

To identify redundant clinical trials evaluating statin treatment in patients with coronary artery disease from mainland China, and to estimate the number of extra major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) experienced by participants not treated with statins in those trials.

Design

Cross sectional study.

Setting

2577 randomized clinical trials comparing statin treatment with placebo or no treatment in patients with coronary artery disease from mainland China, searched from bibliographic databases to December 2019.

Participants

250 810 patients with any type of coronary artery disease who were enrolled in the 2577 randomized clinical trials.

Main outcome measures

Redundant clinical trials were defined as randomized clinical trials that initiated or continued recruiting after 2008 (ie, one year after statin treatment was strongly recommended by clinical practice guidelines). The primary outcome is the number of extra MACEs that were attributable to the deprivation of statins among patients in the control groups of redundant clinical trials—that is, the number of extra MACEs that could have been prevented if patients were given statins. Cumulative meta-analyses were also conducted to establish the time points when statins were shown to have a statistically significant effect on coronary artery disease.

Results

2045 redundant clinical trials were identified published between 2008 and 2019, comprising 101 486 patients in the control groups not treated with statins for 24 638 person years. 3470 (95% confidence interval 3230 to 3619) extra MACEs were reported, including 559 (95% confidence interval 506 to 612) deaths, 973 (95% confidence interval 897 to 1052) patients with new or recurrent myocardial infarction, 161 (132 to 190) patients with stroke, 83 (58 to 105) patients requiring revascularization, 398 (352 to 448) patients with heart failure, 1197 (1110 to 1282) patients with recurrent or deteriorated angina pectoris, and 99 (95% confidence interval 69 to 129) unspecified MACEs.

Conclusions

Of more than 2000 redundant clinical trials on statins in patients with coronary artery disease identified from mainland China, an extra 3000 MACEs, including nearly 600 deaths, were experienced by participants not treated with statins in these trials. The scale of redundancy necessitates urgent reform to protect patients.
Indicators of dependence and efforts to quit vaping and smoking among youth in Canada, England and the USA
Authors: Hammond David , Reid Jessica L , Rynard Vicki L , O'Connor Richard J , Goniewicz Maciej L , Piper Megan E , Bansal-Travers Maansi
Published: February 2021

Objective

The current study examined indicators of dependence among youth cigarette smokers and e-cigarette users in Canada, England and the USA, including changes between 2017 and 2019.

Methods

Data are from repeated cross-sectional online surveys conducted in 2017, 2018 and 2019 with national samples of youth aged 16–19 years, in Canada (n=12 018), England (n=11 362) and the USA (n=12 110). Measures included perceived addiction to cigarettes/e-cigarettes, frequency of experiencing strong urges to smoke/use an e-cigarette, plans to quit smoking/using e-cigarettes and past attempts to quit. Logistic regression models were fitted to examine differences between countries and changes over time.

Results

The proportion of ever-users who vaped frequently was significantly higher in 2019 compared with 2017 for all outcomes in each country. Between 2017 and 2019, the proportion of past 30-day vapers reporting strong urges to vape on most days or more often increased in each country (Canada: 35.3%, adjusted OR (AOR) 1.69, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.38; England: 32.8%, AOR 1.55, 1.08 to 2.23; USA: 46.1%, AOR 1.88, 1.41 to 2.50), along with perceptions of being ‘a little’ or ‘very addicted’ to e-cigarettes (Canada: 48.3%, AOR 1.99, 1.44 to 2.75; England: 40.1%, AOR 1.44, 1.03 to 2.01; USA: 53.1%, AOR 1.99, 1.50 to 2.63). Indicators of dependence among smokers were consistently greater than e-cigarette users, although differences had narrowed by 2019, particularly in Canada and the USA.

Conclusions

Prevalence of dependence symptoms among young e-cigarette users increased between 2017 and 2019, more so in Canada and the USA compared with England. Dependence symptom prevalence was lower for e-cigarettes than smoking; however, the gap has narrowed over time.
Large-scale model tests of a single pile and two-pile groups for an offshore platform in sand
Authors: Foglia Aligi , Abdel-Rahman Khalid , Wisotzki Elmar , Quiroz Tulio , Achmus Martin
Published: February 2021

Estimating pile group efficiency for open-ended steel piles in small group arrangements is a challenging task for designers. This paper reports on the large-scale experimental campaign performed for the BorWin gamma offshore converter platform, which involved single piles and two-pile group systems on a scale of 1:10. The experimental works included installation, dynamic end-of-driving tests, dynamic restrike tests, and static load tests of a single pile and a pair of two-pile groups in densely compacted, artificially prepared homogeneous sand. The cone penetration test (CPT) profiles and the blow counts confirmed that the foundation systems are comparable to each other. The experimental results of the single pile system were compared with conventional design methods. Such comparison indicated that CPT-based methods and load-transfer methods are applicable at the considered model scale. The bearing capacity prediction obtained via the Case Pile Wave Analysis Program (CAPWAP) method is conservative with respect to the static capacity. A consistent setup effect can be detected by analyzing the complete dynamic loading session. The pile group efficiency for the given foundation system was found to be less than 1.0 at both very small and very large soil strains, while it equaled 1.0 at failure.
Exploration of nonlinear parallel heterogeneous reaction pathways through Bayesian variable selection
Authors: Oyanagi Ryosuke X. , Kuwatani Tatsu , Omori Toshiaki
Published: February 2021

Inversion is a key method for extracting nonlinear dynamics governed by heterogeneous reaction that occur in parallel in the natural sciences. Therefore, in this study, we propose a Bayesian statistical framework to determine the active reaction pathways using only the noisy observable spatial distribution of the solid phase. In this method, active reaction pathways were explored using a Widely Applicable Bayesian Information Criterion (WBIC), which is used to select models within the framework of Bayesian inference. Plausible reaction mechanisms were determined by maximizing the posterior distribution. This conditional probability is obtained through Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations. The efficiency of the proposed method is then determined using simulated spatial data of the solid phase. The results show that active reaction pathways can be identified from the redundant candidates of reaction pathways. After these redundant reaction pathways were excluded, the controlling factor of the reaction dynamics was estimated with high accuracy.

Graphic Abstract
Cosmological constraints on GUP from modified Friedmann equations
Authors: Giardino Serena , Salzano Vincenzo
Published: February 2021

The Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP) has emerged in numerous attempts to a theory of quantum gravity and predicts the existence of a minimum length in Nature. In this work, we consider two cosmological models arising from Friedmann equations modified by the GUP (in its linear and quadratic formulations) and compare them with observational data. Our aim is to derive constraints on the GUP parameter and discuss the viability and physical implications of such models. We find for the parameter in the quadratic formulation the constraint $$\alpha ^{2}_{Q}<10^{59}$$

α
Q
2

<

10
59

(tighter than most of those obtained in an astrophysical context) while the linear formulation does not appear compatible with present cosmological data. Our analysis highlights the powerful role of high-precision cosmological probes in the realm of quantum gravity phenomenology.
Constraints on kinematic model from Pantheon SNIa, OHD and CMB shift parameter measurements
Authors: Al Mamon Abdulla
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we reconstruct the late-time cosmological dynamics using a purely kinematic approach. In particular, considering a divergence-free parametrization for deceleration parameter [Formula: see text], we first derive the jerk parameter [Formula: see text] and then confront it with combination of various cosmological datasets. We use the most recent observational datasets consisting of the 1048 Pantheon Supernovae Ia data points in the redshift range [Formula: see text], the 51 data points of observational Hubble parameter (OHD) measurements in the redshift range [Formula: see text], the Hubble constant [Formula: see text] (R19) and the CMB shift parameter measurements. We study the evolution of different cosmological quantities for the present model and compare it with the concordance [Formula: see text]CDM model. We find that only the combined Pantheon+OHD+R19 data shows good agreement with the [Formula: see text]CDM [Formula: see text] model within [Formula: see text] confidence region. We also find that our model successfully generates late time cosmic acceleration along with a decelerated expansion in the past.
TRACER (TRACe route ExploRer): A tool to explore OSG/WLCG network route topologies
Authors: Tretyakov Evgeniy , Artamonov Alexey , Grigorieva Maria , Klimentov Alexei , McKee Shawn , Vukotic Ilija
Published: February 2021

The experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) rely upon a complex distributed computing infrastructure (WLCG) consisting of hundreds of individual sites worldwide at universities and national laboratories, providing about half a billion computing job slots and an exabyte of storage interconnected through high speed networks. Wide Area Networking (WAN) is one of the three pillars (together with computational resources and storage) of LHC computing. More than 5 PB/day are transferred between WLCG sites. Monitoring is one of the crucial components of WAN and experiments operations. In the past years all experiments have invested significant effort to improve monitoring and integrate networking information with data management and workload management systems. All WLCG sites are equipped with perfSONAR servers to collect a wide range of network metrics. We will present the latest development to provide the 3D force directed graph visualization for data collected by perfSONAR. The visualization package allows site admins, network engineers, scientists and network researchers to better understand the topology of our Research and Education networks and it provides the ability to identify nonreliable or/and nonoptimal network paths, such as those with routing loops or rapidly changing routes.
Non-Wilsonian ultraviolet completion via transseries
Authors: Maiezza Alessio , Vasquez Juan Carlos
Published: February 2021

We study some of the implications for the perturbative renormalization program when augmented with the Borel–Ecalle resummation. We show the emergence of a new kind of nonperturbative fixed point for the scalar [Formula: see text] model, representing an ultraviolet self-completion by transseries. We argue that this completion is purely non-Wilsonian and it depends on one arbitrary constant stemming from the transseries solution of the renormalization group equation. On the other hand, if no fixed points are demanded through the adjustment of this arbitrary constant, we end up with an effective theory in which the scalar mass is quadratically-sensitive to the cutoff, even working in dimensional regularization. Complete decoupling of the scalar mass to this energy scale can be used to determine a physical prescription for the Borel–Laplace resummation of the renormalons in nonasymptotically free models. We also comment on possible orthogonal scenarios available in the literature that might play a role when no fixed points exist.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL PASSIVE MICROMIXER WITH VARIABLE-ANGLE GROOVES AND BAFFLES
Authors: XIONG SIYUE , CHEN XUEYE
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we have studied the effect of variable-angle grooves and baffles on the mixing efficiency of the micromixer. In order to explore the influence on the micromixer with different types of grooves and baffles, we designed grooves and baffles with different geometric parameters and placed them in T-channels to interfere with fluid flow. We studied VAM30∘ (variable-angle grooves and baffles micromixer with an angle of 30∘) directions and distributions as well as their different groove depths and baffle heights affect the mixing performance. We tried to divide the grooves and baffles into five groups, and discussed the effects of staggered depth and height on mixing efficiency. The mixing efficiencies of micromixer in the Re (Reynolds number) range of 0.1–100 were calculated, and the fluid flow in the microchannel was analyzed. The simulation results show that VAM30∘ is more favorable for solution mixing. The mixing efficiency of the micromixer could reach 98.9% with the change of different geometric parameters. This is because when the structure changes, the flow state of the fluid is improved, which is conducive to lengthening the residence time of the fluid in the channel. With the increase of Re, it is also conducive to enhancing the chaotic convection and improving the mixing efficiency.
meso-Expanded Co(III)corroles through Suzuki-Miyaura couplings: Synthesis and tunable electrocatalytic hydrogen evolutions and oxygen reductions
Authors: Zhang Xifeng , Guo Wenwu , Zhu Weihua , Liang Xu
Published: February 2021

In this study, four meso-expanded Co(III)corroles at meta-positions through Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions and their structural characterization are successfully accomplished and reported. An analysis of the structure–property relationships by spectroscopy, electrochemistry and electrochemical catalysis demonstrate how the positional isomerism influence the electronic structure and their catalytic behaviors of hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) and oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs).
Equality co-neighborhood domination in graphs
Authors: Omran Ahmed A. , Al-Harere Manal N. , Kahat Sahib Sh.
Published: February 2021

In this work, a new domination parameter is introduced in the graphs, which is called “equality co-neighborhood”. Various types of properties of this parameter have been studied. Additionally, this parameter has been determined for certain graphs, such as complete, path, cycle, wheel, star, and complete bipartite graphs. In addition, three types of graph operations have been discussed with some properties presented for the new type of domination. The first operation is a complement of the graph especially to the charts mentioned above. The second operation is the union of two graphs, and the third operation is the corona of two graphs.
Ground vibration generated by hydraulic rock breakers and its impact on the safety of nearby earthfill dam in a graphite mine
Authors: Sawmliana C. , Singh R. K. , Hembram P. , Dawngliana Orizen M. S.
Published: February 2021

A detailed impact analysis on the effects of non-explosive chemicals and hydraulic rock breakers at a graphite mine in India close to an irrigation dam was carried out in this study. The dam was 70 m from the mining lease boundary. When a single hydraulic rock breaker worked on fractured rock mass, the magnitude of ground vibration recorded at 10 m on the same working bench was 2.37 mm s
−1
but when it worked on fresh rock surface the ground vibration at 9 m on the same working bench was 4.67 mm s
−1
. Beyond 35 m on the same bench, no ground vibrations were recorded. Ground vibrations generated by three jack hammer drilling machines operating simultaneously on the same working bench were less than 0.5 mm s
−1
when measured at 7.2 m distance. The combined effect on the magnitudes of ground vibrations by two hydraulic rock breakers operating simultaneously on the same bench 6 m apart was found to be negligible. The ground vibrations generated by hydraulic rock breakers and other mining activities were found to be lower than required to cause any structural damage or threat to the stability of the dam.
Permian lamprophyres from the Western Carpathians: a review
Authors: Spišiak Ján , Vetráková Lucia , Chew David , Ferenc Štefan , Šimonová Viera , Butek Juraj , Mikuš Tomáš
Published: February 2021

Calc-alkaline lamprophyres from the Western Carpathians occur as dykes and sills in the crystalline complexes (predominantly granites and gneisses) of the Tatric Unit. Some of the lamprophyre dykes have been strongly overprinted by tectonism and hydrothermal fluid ingress. They have a similar mineralogical composition, and they are comprised of clinopyroxene, amphibole, biotite and plagioclase. Based on their modal composition, they can be classified as spessartites and kersantites, and based on their geochemical composition, most of them are of calc-alkali type. Lamprophyres from individual core complexes (e.g. the Malá Fatra Mountains and Nízke Tatry Mountains) exhibit variable Nb, Ta and Sr–Nd isotope signatures. These differences are probably due to compositional variations in the mantle source and/or the lower crust at the site of lamprophyre melt generation, or variable incorporation of crustal material. The age of the lamprophyres is Permian (
c.
265 Ma) based on U–Pb LA-ICP-MS dating of apatite micro-phenocrysts.
Integrated Task and Motion Planning
Authors: Garrett Caelan Reed , Chitnis Rohan , Holladay Rachel , Kim Beomjoon , Silver Tom , Kaelbling Leslie Pack , Lozano-Pérez Tomás
Published: February 2021

The problem of planning for a robot that operates in environments containing a large number of objects, taking actions to move itself through the world as well as to change the state of the objects, is known as task and motion planning (TAMP). TAMP problems contain elements of discrete task planning, discrete–continuous mathematical programming, and continuous motion planning and thus cannot be effectively addressed by any of these fields directly. In this article, we define a class of TAMP problems and survey algorithms for solving them, characterizing the solution methods in terms of their strategies for solving the continuous-space subproblems and their techniques for integrating the discrete and continuous components of the search.
Direct CO2 Electrolysis on Symmetric La0.8Sr0.2Cr0.5Fe0.5O3−δ
-Zr0.84Y0.16O2−δ
Electrode-Supported Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells
Authors: Cui Changsong , Wang Yue , Tong Yongcheng , Zhan Zhongliang , Chen Chusheng , Wang Shiwei
Published: February 2021

La0.8Sr0.2Cr0.5Fe0.5O3−δ
(LSCrF) is a mixed ionic and electronic conductor with excellent stability in both reducing and oxidizing atmospheres. Herein, we prepared a symmetric tri-layer structure of “porous YSZ-LSCrF ∣ dense YSZ ∣ porous YSZ-LSCrF” by the tape casting and lamination techniques. Porous scaffolds of 80 wt% LSCrF − 20 wt% YSZ showed good conductivities and reasonably high performance for direct CO2 electrolysis with a current density of 0.84 A·cm−2 at 850 °C. Infiltrating Sm0.2Ce0.8O2−δ
(SDC) catalysts into both porous scaffolds enhanced their catalytic activities for CO2 reduction and oxygen evolution reactions, yielding an increased electrolysis current density of 1.3 A·cm−2 at 850 °C and 1.5 V. Impedance measurements showed a pronounced decrease in the total interfacial polarization resistance at 1.5 V, i.e., 0.34 vs 0.66 Ω·cm2. In addition, these symmetric cells exhibited good short-term stability at various voltages from 1.0 to 1.6 V.
Communication—A Novel Method to Improve Cleaning Performance by Removing Small Particles in CMP Slurry
Authors: Lee Jaewon , Park Sang-Hyeon , Hong Seokjun , Seo Hyeonmin , Liu Pengzhan , Kim Eungchul , Kim Taesung
Published: February 2021

In the present study, a separation system with a tangential flow filter (TFF) was applied to reduce the number of small ceria particles in chemical mechanical polishing slurry. The small ceria particles were reduced by 30.7% via the TFF system, and slurry properties of particle mean diameter, pH, zeta potential, and solids concentration were maintained. There was no significant difference in removal rate between original and TFF-treated slurry. In addition, the cleaning efficiency with the TFF system was improved by 34.7% compared to that without the TFF system.
A Novel Red-Emitting Phosphor Ca2GdNbO6: Eu3+: Influences of Sintering Temperature and Eu3+ Concentration on the Photoluminescence
Authors: Zhang Xin , Cui Ruirui , Zhang Jun , Qi Xiaosi , Deng Chaoyong
Published: February 2021

A series of novel double perovskite Ca2GdNbO6: Eu3+ red-emitting phosphors have been synthesized by the conventional solid-state reaction route at various Eu3+ ion concentrations and sintering temperature. The crystal structure of phosphors was determined by an X-ray powder diffraction pattern, and the micromorphology was described by scanning electron microscope. The optical properties were analyzed through absorption spectra, photoluminescence spectra, decay curve, CIE chromaticity coordinate, and thermal stability. The synthesized Ca2GdNbO6: Eu3+ phosphors emit red light (614 nm) under 416 nm excitation. The emission intensity of the sample reaches the maximum when the Eu3+ ion concentration is of 0.5. The CIE chromaticity coordinate of Ca2GdNbO6: 0.5Eu3+ phosphor is (0.652, 0.347), located in the red region. The investigation results indicated that the Ca2GdNbO6: Eu3+ phosphors have potential application in white light-emitting diodes.
Implementation of flipped classroom combined with case- and team-based learning in residency training
Authors: Ding Chun , Wang Qin , Zou Jingling , Zhu Kewei
Published: February 2021

The core problem of Chinese resident doctor training is that medical educators present content in an attractive teaching mode to make students more motivated to learn and improve their clinical thinking ability, humanistic care, and practical ability. The traditional classroom mode of teaching cannot meet the needs of modern medical education. The purpose of this study is to explore the benefits and challenges of the flipped classroom (FC) combined with case- and team-based learning (FC-CTBL) for residency training. In this study, 60 junior surgical residents of Xiangya Medical College were enrolled. “Diabetic foot” was selected as the content of this study. Residents were divided into an FC-CTBL group and an FC group. FC-CTBL and FC were compared on the basis of residents’ feedback questionnaires, residents’ learning burden, test scores from a pre-quiz, and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE). Residents were more satisfied with the FC-CTBL model compared with FC. In the FC-CTBL group, more participants said that the course improved their teamwork skills, analytical skills and their confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems. Residents in the FC-CTBL group also spent significantly less time preparing for class and performed better in the OSCE than those in the FC group. FC-CTBL stimulates residents’ learning motivation, decreases their workload, improves their performance in the OSCE and may help to enhance clinical thinking and teamwork skills. The FC-CTBL approach is a good option for residency training.
Reconstruction of Chronic Injured Distal Tibiofibular Syndesmosis with Autogenous Tendon Graft: A Systematic Review
Authors: Xu Han-Lin , Song Yu-Jie , Hua Ying-Hui
Published: February 2021

Background. Chronic injuries of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis are common in patients who fail to receive adequate diagnosis and timely treatment. Reconstruction of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis with an autogenous tendon graft in these patients is effective, although relatively rarely reported. Purpose. To investigate clinical outcomes of syndesmosis reconstruction with an autogenous tendon graft for chronic injuries of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis by reviewing the current literature. Methods. An English literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Cochrane databases to identify published studies up to October 2017. Preset inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to identify all eligible articles. Results. Five studies (all with level IV evidence) that included a total of 51 patients who underwent reconstruction with an autogenous tendon graft were identified. It was reported that the symptoms were relieved postoperatively, including obviously improved functional outcomes and restoration of motions and exercise capacity. The mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scale score of 16 patients was 53 preoperatively and 89 postoperatively. The visual analogue scale score of 14 patients decreased from 82.4 preoperatively to 12.6 postoperatively. A total of 5 (9.8%) complication cases were reported. Conclusion. Reconstruction of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis with an autogenous tendon for chronic syndesmosis injury showed a good therapeutic effect in terms of both subjective symptoms and objective evaluation scores. The interosseous ligament could be an appropriate reconstruction target in the treatment of chronic syndesmosis injury.
Healthcare Waste Status and Handling Practices during COVID-19 Pandemic in Tepi General Hospital, Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonnen Besufekad , Solomon Nahom , Wondimu Wondimagegn
Published: February 2021

Background. Mismanagement of healthcare waste (HCW) during the COVID-19 pandemic can facilitate the transmission of coronavirus. Regarding this problem, there is gap of evidence in Ethiopia, and this study aimed to assess the HCW generation rate and management in Tepi General Hospital, southwest Ethiopia. Methods. Institution-based cross-sectional and case studies were conducted. The total amount of waste generated and its type among various case teams were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the correlation between the total numbers of patients and the total amount of HCW generated. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim, translated to English, and analyzed with Open Code version 4.02 software, and content analysis was followed. Results. The total mean weight (±SD) of waste generation rate in all service units of the hospital was 492.5 ± 11.5 kg/day. The higher proportion (61.9%) of the total HCW produced was general waste and the remaining (38.1%) was hazardous waste. There was a statistically significant (X2 = 82.1,

p
<
0.001

) difference in daily HCW generation rate among different case teams. Similarly, the hospital waste generation amount and total patient flow had a strong positive linear relationship (r = 0.7,

p
=
0.032

). COVID-19-related medical wastes were not properly handled, segregated, stored, and disposed. There was a scarcity of resources needed to manage HCW, and available resources were utilized poorly. Overall, healthcare wastes were managed as usual (pre-COVID-19). Conclusion. The mean HCW generation rate in Tepi General Hospital was high. Overall, wastes were mismanaged, and COVID-19-related HCWs have been managed as usual. Availing of important resources and training the concerned bodies should be considered during the crisis of COVID-19.
Application Research of Key Frames Extraction Technology Combined with Optimized Faster R‐CNN Algorithm in Traffic Video Analysis
Authors: Jiang Zhi-guang , Shi Xiao-tian
Published: February 2021

The intelligent transportation system under the big data environment is the development direction of the future transportation system. It effectively integrates advanced information technology, data communication transmission technology, electronic sensing technology, control technology, and computer technology and applies them to the entire ground transportation management system to establish a real‐time, accurate, and efficient comprehensive transportation management system that works on a large scale and in all directions. Intelligent video analysis is an important part of smart transportation. In order to improve the accuracy and time efficiency of video retrieval schemes and recognition schemes, this article firstly proposes a segmentation and key frame extraction method for video behavior recognition, using a multi‐time scale dual‐stream network to extract video features, improving the efficiency and efficiency of video behavior detection. On this basis, an improved algorithm for vehicle detection based on Faster R‐CNN is proposed, and the Faster R‐CNN network feature extraction layer is improved by using the principle of residual network, and a hole convolution is added to the network to filter out the redundant features of high‐resolution video images to improve the problem of vehicle missed detection in the original algorithm. The experimental results show that the key frame extraction technology combined with the optimized Faster R‐CNN algorithm model greatly improves the accuracy of detection and reduces the leakage. The detection rate is satisfactory.
Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia and Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism in an Adolescent: Presentation and Implications
Authors: Ibrahim Judy , Alashqar Mohammad , Al Zaabi Shamma , Trad Omar , Al Shibli Amar
Published: February 2021

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a disorder characterized by immune-mediated destruction of thrombocytes leading to peripheral blood platelet count of <100 × 10^9/L. Primary ITP is a terminology used in the absence of other causes or disorders that may be associated with thrombocytopenia, i.e., isolated thrombocytopenia. The term secondary ITP is used if such diseases coexist. We present here a case of a 14-year-old female diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia. When her evaluation was not strongly supportive of primary ITP, she was screened and proved to have a concomitant Hashimoto thyroiditis. Contrary to the popular belief about secondary ITP in adult population, treatment of our patient’s hypothyroidism did not improve her platelet’s count, and the patient needed multiple immunosuppressive medications to improve her condition.
Pretreatment with S‐Nitrosoglutathione Attenuates Septic Acute Kidney Injury in Rats by Inhibiting Inflammation, Oxidation, and Apoptosis
Authors: Fan Heng , Le Jian-wei , Sun Min , Zhu Jian-hua
Published: February 2021

Objective. We aimed to investigate the protective effect of s‐nitrosoglutathione (SNG) pretreatment on acute kidney injury (AKI) in septic rats. Methods. We constructed a rat model of sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture and observed the survival of the rats. We obtained kidney and blood samples from rats, observed the pathological damage to the kidney tissues, and evaluated kidney function and the expression levels of inflammatory factors. We also detected the expression of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in the kidneys by immunohistochemistry and evaluated the apoptosis of kidney tubular epithelial cells (KTEC) by TUNEL. Results. Pretreatment with SNG significantly reduced the mortality of septic rats, attenuated kidney pathological damage, and decreased the levels of serum creatinine, plasma neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin, and plasma kidney injury molecule‐1. Moreover, SNG pretreatment decreased the levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in serum and kidney and reduced the expressions of NO, iNOS, PGE2, and COX‐2 in the kidneys. Furthermore, pretreatment with SNG significantly reduced the apoptotic rate of KTEC and decreased the levels of caspase‐3 and Bax mRNA, but increased the level of Bcl‐2 mRNA. Conclusion. Pretreatment with SNG has a protective effect on AKI in septic rats, and the specific mechanisms are related to inhibition of inflammation, oxidation, and apoptosis.
Comparison and Analysis of Network Construction Methods for Seismicity Based on Complex Networks
Authors: He Xuan , Hussain Shah Syed Bilal , Wei Bo , Liu Zheng
Published: February 2021

The approach of the complex network has well described seismic complex systems. In this paper, this is the first time three classical network construction methods for seismicity are compared. By using the same dataset from the Southern California Seismic Network, three networks are constructed. They all present the scale‐free, small‐world properties, a strength‐degree correlation, and an assortative mixing feature. However, they show some differences in the hierarchical clustering feature. On observing the evolution results, three measures show a similar correlation with seismicity dynamics, but one measure shows a different result. These results show that different network construction methods will present some similarities and differences in network properties. This situation needs to be considered, especially when discussing a predictive indicator of seismicity.
An Experimental Study on the Deformation and Strength Characteristics of Q3 Loess under a Plain Strain Anisotropic Consolidation Condition
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhao Yang , Liu Jin , Meng Tian-Yi , Shao Sheng-Jun , She Fang-Tao
Published: February 2021

To study the strength, deformation characteristics, and intermediate principal stress of intact loess, vertical loading stress tests with different initial stress state k value were conducted under different confining pressures. Plane strain tests were carried out by the transformed true triaxial apparatus of Xi’an University of Technology. The study shows that loess tends to be in a plastic failure state in different confining pressures and k values, and the stress‐strain relationship curve is of a hardening type. Results reveal that loess lateral and volume deformations have nonlinear relationships with its vertical deformation, and volume deformation shrinks in the process of shearing. The effect of confining pressure on soil deformation is greater than k value. The intermediate principal stress coefficient decreases with the increase of the confining pressure and transforms from increasing to decreasing with the increase of k value (ranging from 0.2 to 0.4). In brief, the loess failure strength is closely related to k value, confining stress, and spherical stress state. When k value increases, cohesion effect reduces, whereas internal friction angle increases linearly. The influence of k value on soil strength and deformation is closely related to confining pressure.
Evaluation of Serum Leucine-Rich Alpha-2 Glycoprotein as a New Inflammatory Biomarker of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Yoshimura Tetsuhiro , Mitsuyama Keiichi , Sakemi Ryosuke , Takedatsu Hidetoshi , Yoshioka Shinichiro , Kuwaki Kotaro , Mori Atsushi , Fukunaga Shuhei , Araki Toshihiro , Morita Masaru , Tsuruta Kozo , Yamasaki Hiroshi , Torimura Takuji
Published: February 2021

Studies on serum leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), are scarce; the methods for estimating disease activity are less established, particularly for CD. This study is aimed at evaluating the utility of serum LRG as a potential inflammatory marker for IBD and to investigate the LRG gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as a possible source of serum LRG. Overall, 98 patients with UC and 96 patients with CD were prospectively enrolled and clinically evaluated; 92 age-matched individuals served as the healthy controls. The blood samples were analyzed for serum LRG levels and routine laboratory parameters. Disease activity was assessed clinically and endoscopically. Finally, LRG gene expression in the PBMCs from a different cohort (41 patients with UC, 34 patients with CD, and 30 healthy controls) was examined. The serum LRG levels were higher during active disease than during inactive disease; additionally, serum LRG levels were positively correlated with clinical disease activity, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and other laboratory parameters in patients with UC and CD and with endoscopic disease activity in UC. UC and CD showed comparable areas under the curve (AUC) values for determining clinical remission and differentiating between endoscopic remission associated with LRG and CRP. The levels of LRG mRNA were also increased in PBMCs from patients with UC and CD and reflected disease activity. These data suggest that serum LRG, originated partially from PBMCs, is an inflammatory marker in UC and CD. A large-scale well-designed study should be conducted in the future to more accurately reveal the clinical significance of LRG in patients with IBD.
Wearable Device Monitoring Exercise Energy Consumption Based on Internet of Things
Authors: Shi Xiaomei , Huang Zhihua
Published: February 2021

Computer technology and related Internet of things technology have penetrated into people’s daily life and industrial production; even in competitive sports training and competition, the Internet of things technology has also been a large number of applications. Traditional intelligent wearable devices are mainly used to calculate the steps of athletes or sports enthusiasts, corresponding physical data, and corresponding body indicators. The energy consumption calculated by these indexes is rough and the corresponding error is large. Based on this, this paper will design a wearable device which can accurately calculate and monitor sports energy consumption based on relevant sensors and Internet of things technology. The corresponding core algorithm is the step counting algorithm, which can accurately calculate the relationship between human motion and the corresponding energy consumption and feed back to the intelligent device. In the experiment, the wearable device designed in this paper is compared with the traditional intelligent device. The experiment shows that the wearable device proposed in this paper is more accurate in energy consumption estimation than the traditional device, and its corresponding energy consumption is relatively small.
Numerical Analysis of Two I‐shaped GFRP Composite Bridge with Corrugated Webs
Authors: Yan Linjun , Zhang Jingwei , Luo Kui
Published: February 2021

With the advantage of high strength, lightness, and good environmental resistance, glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) pultruded profile is regarded as an innovative way that has been used in infrastructure over the last few decades. However, some disadvantages also limited its widespread application in practice, including relatively low elastic and shear modulus and high deformability due to buckling failure. To overcome these disadvantages, some composite structure systems are proposed, such as GFRP‐concrete composite structure system. This paper presents an innovative GFRP‐concrete composite bridge prototype system, which mainly includes two I‐shaped GFRP girders with corrugated webs combined with a thin steel fiber reinforced self‐compacting concrete (SFRCC) deck. This composite bridge system is proved to improve structure shear stability and bending stiffness. Three‐dimensional finite element (FEA) models are created to simulate the flexural behavior of two‐I‐shaped‐girder composite bridge with straight webs, and the model result is validated with experimental data. Furthermore, the revised FE model that uses corrugated webs instead of straight webs is created, and the static and dynamic behaviors are investigated, including shearing stability properties, bending vibration frequency due to bending and torsion, mid‐span vertical deflection, and lateral displacement due to wind load. Further research efforts on the influence of parameters dimension variation in corrugated webs girder composite system are needed. A total of four variable parameters are selected to test, which are GFRP corrugated web width, thickness, height, and SFRCC top slab thickness, respectively. All these conclusions will provide some design recommendations and guideline of a GFRP‐concrete corrugated webs composite bridge in further study.
Comparison of Serum Triglyceride and Cholesterol Levels in Premature Neonates with or without Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
Authors: Kelishadi Roya , Barekatain Behzad , Fatahi Atefeh
Published: February 2021

Background. Deficiency or reduced transmission of long-chain fatty acids and essential fatty acids may inhibit lung growth and development. We aimed to evaluate and compare serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels in premature neonates with RDS. Methods. This study is a cross-sectional study performed on premature neonates born in Beheshti Hospital in Isfahan in 2018. Immediately after birth and after umbilical cord clumping, blood samples were taken from the umbilical artery and triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were measured. Those patients with the diagnosis of RDS were transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Data regarding the laboratory results of the lipid profile in patients were compared to that in the other group. Results. A total number of 100 neonates entered the study and were divided into 2 groups. Analysis of gender and mean gestational ages among the two groups showed no significant differences between the groups (

P
=
0.84

and

P
=
0.28

, respectively). Further analysis showed a significant decreased serum cholesterol in the group 1 of patients (

P
=
0.01

), but there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding triglyceride levels (

P
=
0.43

). There was a significant direct relationship between gestational age and serum triglyceride levels in patients with RDS (

r
=
0.550

,

P
<
0.001

). Conclusion. Here, we indicated significantly lower cholesterol levels in the cord serum of premature neonates with RDS compared to non-RDS premature neonates. Our data also showed a significant direct relationship between gestational age and serum triglyceride levels in patients with RDS. These data were in line with the previous studies.
The Hydroxyquinoline Analogue YUM70 Inhibits GRP78 to Induce ER Stress–Mediated Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Samanta Soma , Yang Suhui , Debnath Bikash , Xue Ding , Kuang Yuting , Ramkumar Kavya , Lee Amy S. , Ljungman Mats , Neamati Nouri
Published: February 2021

GRP78 (glucose-regulated protein, 78 kDa) is a key regulator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling. Cancer cells are highly proliferative and have high demand for protein synthesis and folding, which results in significant stress on the ER. To respond to ER stress and maintain cellular homeostasis, cells activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) that promotes either survival or apoptotic death. Cancer cells utilize the UPR to promote survival and growth. In this study, we describe the discovery of a series of novel hydroxyquinoline GRP78 inhibitors. A representative analogue, YUM70, inhibited pancreatic cancer cell growth in vitro and showed in vivo efficacy in a pancreatic cancer xenograft model with no toxicity to normal tissues. YUM70 directly bound GRP78 and inactivated its function, resulting in ER stress–mediated apoptosis. A YUM70 analogue conjugated with BODIPY showed colocalization of the compound with GRP78 in the ER. Moreover, a YUM70-PROTAC (proteolysis targeting chimera) was synthesized to force degradation of GRP78 in pancreatic cancer cells. YUM70 showed a strong synergistic cytotoxicity with topotecan and vorinostat. Together, our study demonstrates that YUM70 is a novel inducer of ER stress, with preclinical efficacy as a monotherapy or in combination with topoisomerase and HDAC inhibitors in pancreatic cancer.

Significance:

This study identifies a novel ER stress inducer that binds GRP78 and inhibits pancreatic cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer.