bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Money priming and children’s self-evaluations
Authors: Trzcińska Agata
Published: April 2020

Previous studies have shown that money priming changes adults’ behavior and self-esteem, making them become more congruent with market mode. Money priming has also been seen to change behavior in children who have yet develop a complete understanding of its instrumental functions. Since money’s association with markets changes people’s behavior even in childhood, it is possible that its links and ties to self-esteem are forged at an early stage in life. The studies presented in this article aimed to verify how money priming affects various types of self-evaluations made by children. Two experimental studies were conducted. A total of 83 children aged 8–10 years took part in the first study, while 103 children aged 4–6 years took part in the second study. The results demonstrate that priming with money may change some, but not all, of children’s self-evaluations. Subsequent to money priming, children’s self-evaluations became more congruent with market mode: under the influence of money priming, children’s self-evaluations increased in domains involving perceived competences (associated with feelings of agency), but did not increase in domains related to social relationships.
Ball in the Wall: Mesenteric Fibromatosis—a Rare Case Report
Authors: Deshpande Abhinav , Tamhane Ankita , Deshpande Y. S. , Pagey Radhika , Pangarkar Meena
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Mesenteric fibromatosis-desmoid tumor of mesentery is a rare benign soft tissue tumor of mesentery. On CT, it mimics gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

Case Report

A 44-year-old female with small intestinal mass, preoperatively diagnosed radiologically and pathologically as GIST.

Conclusion

Mesenteric fibromatosis is a rare tumor often mistaken for GIST. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry is the key as management of both the tumors differs.
Bivariate Kernel Deconvolution with Panel Data
Authors: Basulto-Elias Guillermo , Carriquiry Alicia L. , De Brabanter Kris , Nordman Daniel J.
Published: April 2020

We consider estimation of the density of a multivariate response, that is not observed directly but only through measurements contaminated by additive error. Our focus is on the realistic sampling case of bivariate panel data (repeated contaminated bivariate measurements on each sample unit) with an unknown error distribution. Several factors can affect the performance of kernel deconvolution density estimators, including the choice of the kernel and the estimation approach of the unknown error distribution. As the choice of the kernel function is critically important, the class of flat-top kernels can have advantages over more commonly implemented alternatives. We describe different approaches for density estimation with multivariate panel responses, and investigate their performance through simulation. We examine competing kernel functions and describe a flat-top kernel that has not been used in deconvolution problems. Moreover, we study several nonparametric options for estimating the unknown error distribution. Finally, we also provide guidelines to the numerical implementation of kernel deconvolution in higher sampling dimensions.
The comparison of the environmental impact of steel and vinyl sheet piling: life cycle assessment study
Authors: Marcinkowski A. , Gralewski J.
Published: April 2020

The literature review concerning various materials for production of sheet piles used in wet ground, waterfront and marine conditions has been presented. Polyvinyl chloride has been identified as a promising steel alternative. Despite unambiguous findings suggesting a higher environmental impact of steel sheet piles compared to polymer products, the necessity of further detailed surveys, confirming the preliminary conclusion, has been perceived. The main objective of this study has been to compare the environmental impact of steel and vinyl sheet piles taking into consideration various corrosion rate depending on the local conditions. The comparative life cycle assessment analyses have been carried out according to a cradle-to-site approach. The comparison of indicators has shown that the environmental impact of polymer products had been significantly lower than that of steel products. In case of the most aggressive environment, the differences of results have reached an order of magnitude. The dominant environmental impact has resulted from the production process of sheet piles. An uncertainty analysis has been carried out by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The study has also provided sensitivity analysis to the assumptions of the model applied. The minimum thickness of steel sheet piles after 50 years of use, including loss allowances and protective coatings, as well as different parameters of transport has been analyzed. Irrespective of the assumed conditions, the general conclusion has remained the same: steel sheet piles indicated significantly higher environmental impact than vinyl sheet piles.
Ablation of C/SiC-HfC composite prepared by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis in plasma wind tunnel
Authors: Duan Liuyang , Luo Lei , Liu Liping , Wang Yiguang
Published: April 2020

Carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide-hafnium carbide (C/SiC-HfC) composite was prepared by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis process. Then, ablation behavior of C/SiC-HfC was evaluated in plasma wind tunnel. It was found that oxide layer formed during ablation significantly influenced the surface temperature. Formation of dense HfO2-SiO2 layer under low heat flux led to stable surface temperature. Silica (SiO2) on the surface was gradually consumed when heat flux increased, resulting in conversion of HfO2-SiO2 on the surface to HfO2. Converted HfO2 with high catalytic coefficient absorbed more energy, causing gradual increase in the surface temperature. Formed oxide layer was destroyed at high heat flux and high stagnation point pressure. After carbon fiber lost the protection of HfO2-SiO2 layer, it burned immediately, leading to surface temperature jump.
Bioethical implications of end-of-life decision-making in patients with dementia: a tale of two societies
Authors: Mondragón Jaime D. , Salame-Khouri Latife , Kraus-Weisman Arnoldo S. , De Deyn Peter P.
Published: April 2020

End-of-life decision-making in patients with dementia is a complex topic. Belgium and the Netherlands have been at the forefront of legislative advancement and progressive societal changes concerning the perspectives toward physician-assisted death (PAD). Careful consideration of clinical and social aspects is essential during the end-of-life decision-making process in patients with dementia. Geriatric assent provides the physician, the patient and his family the opportunity to end life with dignity. Unbearable suffering, decisional competence, and awareness of memory deficits are among the clinical considerations that physicians should incorporate during the end-of-life decision-making process. However, as other societies introduce legislature granting the right of PAD, new social determinants should be considered; Mexico City is an example. Current perspectives regarding advance euthanasia directives (AED) and PAD in patients with dementia are evolving. A new perspective that hinges on the role of the family and geriatric assent should help culturally heterogeneous societies in the transition of their public health care policies regarding end-of-life choices.
Bioinspired Multiscale Wrinkling Patterns on Curved Substrates: An Overview
Authors: Tan Yinlong , Hu Biru , Song Jia , Chu Zengyong , Wu Wenjian
Published: April 2020

The surface wrinkling of biological tissues is ubiquitous in nature. Accumulating evidence suggests that the mechanical force plays a significant role in shaping the biological morphologies. Controlled wrinkling has been demonstrated to be able to spontaneously form rich multiscale patterns, on either planar or curved surfaces. The surface wrinkling on planar substrates has been investigated thoroughly during the past decades. However, most wrinkling morphologies in nature are based on the curved biological surfaces and the research of controllable patterning on curved substrates still remains weak. The study of wrinkling on curved substrates is critical for understanding the biological growth, developing three-dimensional (3D) or four-dimensional (4D) fabrication techniques, and creating novel topographic patterns. In this review, fundamental wrinkling mechanics and recent advances in both fabrications and applications of the wrinkling patterns on curved substrates are summarized. The mechanics behind the wrinkles is compared between the planar and the curved cases. Beyond the film thickness, modulus ratio, and mismatch strain, the substrate curvature is one more significant parameter controlling the surface wrinkling. Curved substrates can be both solid and hollow with various 3D geometries across multiple length scales. Up to date, the wrinkling morphologies on solid/hollow core–shell spheres and cylinders have been simulated and selectively produced. Emerging applications of the curved topographic patterns have been found in smart wetting surfaces, cell culture interfaces, healthcare materials, and actuators, which may accelerate the development of artificial organs, stimuli-responsive devices, and micro/nano fabrications with higher dimensions.
Clustering of mixed-type data considering concept hierarchies: problem specification and algorithm
Authors: Behzadi Sahar , Müller Nikola S. , Plant Claudia , Böhm Christian
Published: April 2020

Most clustering algorithms have been designed only for pure numerical or pure categorical data sets, while nowadays many applications generate mixed data. It raises the question how to integrate various types of attributes so that one could efficiently group objects without loss of information. It is already well understood that a simple conversion of categorical attributes into a numerical domain is not sufficient since relationships between values such as a certain order are artificially introduced. Leveraging the natural conceptual hierarchy among categorical information, concept trees summarize the categorical attributes. In this paper, we introduce the algorithmClicoT(CLustering mixed-type dataIncludingCOnceptTrees) as reported by Behzadi et al. (Advances in Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining, Springer, Cham, 2019) which is based on the minimum description length principle. Profiting of the conceptual hierarchies, ClicoT integrates categorical and numerical attributes by means of a MDL-based objective function. The result of ClicoT is well interpretable since concept trees provide insights into categorical data. Extensive experiments on synthetic and real data sets illustrate that ClicoT is noise-robust and yields well-interpretable results in a short runtime. Moreover, we investigate the impact of concept hierarchies as well as various data characteristics in this paper.
A novel approach of linguistic intuitionistic cubic hesitant variables and their application in decision making
Authors: Qiyas Muhammad , Abdullah Saleem , Muneeza
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we proposed the notion of linguistic intuitionistic cubic hesitant variables and defined some aggregation operators to deal with uncertainties in the form of linguistic intuitionistic cubic hesitant variables (LICHVs).
LICHVs operators have more flexibility due to the general fuzzy set. We developed a series of aggregation operators, namely linguistic intuitionistic cubic hesitant variable averaging and linguistic intuitionistic cubic hesitant variable geometric aggregation operators. The distinguished feature of the developed operators is discussed. At that point, we used the developed operators to design a model to solve multi-criteria decision making issues with linguistic intuitionistic cubic hesitant variables. Further, the proposed method applied to explosion incident occurred in a chemical factory. We also proved that our developed model is practical and gives the decision makers more mathematical insight during the decision making on their options. Finally, a systematic comparison is conducted with other existent methods to show the advantage of our developed method.
Spatial analysis and visualization of global data on multi-resolution hexagonal grids
Authors: Stough T. , Cressie N. , Kang E. L. , Michalak A. M. , Sahr K.
Published: April 2020

In this article, computation for the purpose of spatial visualization is presented in the context of understanding the variability in global environmental processes. Here, we generate synthetic but realistic global data sets and input them into computational algorithms that have a visualization capability; we call this a simulation–visualization system. Visualization is key here, because the algorithms which we are evaluating must respect the spatial structure of the input. We modify, augment, and integrate four existing component technologies: statistical conditional simulation, Discrete Global Grids (DGGs), Array Set Addressing, and a visualization platform for displaying our results on a globe. The internal representation of the data to be visualized is built around the need for efficient storage and computation as well as the need to move up and downresolutions in a mutually consistent way. In effect, we have constructed a Geographic Information System that is based on a DGG and has desirable data storage, computation, and visualization capabilities. We provide an example of how our simulation–visualization system may be used, by evaluating a computational algorithm called Spatial Statistical Data Fusion that was developed for use on big, remote-sensing data sets.
Partitioning the Uncertainty of Ensemble Projections of Global Glacier Mass Change
Authors: Marzeion Ben , Hock Regine , Anderson Brian , Bliss Andrew , Champollion Nicolas , Fujita Koji , Huss Matthias , Immerzeel Walter W. , Kraaijenbrink Philip , Malles Jan‐Hendrik , Maussion Fabien , Radić Valentina , Rounce David R. , Sakai Akiko , Shannon Sarah , van de Wal Roderik , Zekollari Harry
Published: April 2020

Glacier mass loss is recognized as a major contributor to current sea level rise. However, large uncertainties remain in projections of glacier mass loss on global and regional scales. We present an ensemble of 288 glacier mass and area change projections for the 21st century based on 11 glacier models using up to 10 general circulation models and four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) as boundary conditions. We partition the total uncertainty into the individual contributions caused by glacier models, general circulation models, RCPs, and natural variability. We find that emission scenario uncertainty is growing throughout the 21st century and is the largest source of uncertainty by 2100. The relative importance of glacier model uncertainty decreases over time, but it is the greatest source of uncertainty until the middle of this century. The projection uncertainty associated with natural variability is small on the global scale but can be large on regional scales. The projected global mass loss by 2100 relative to 2015 (79 ± 56 mm sea level equivalent for RCP2.6, 159 ± 86 mm sea level equivalent for RCP8.5) is lower than, but well within, the uncertainty range of previous projections.
Returning Lightning Data to the Cloud
Authors: Cohen Morris
Published: April 2020

Scientists are assembling an online database with decades of low-frequency radio measurements collected worldwide to facilitate modern research about lightning, space weather, and more.
Planetary Lightning: Same Physics, Distant Worlds
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: April 2020

Lightning on Earth needs just a few simple ingredients to generate a spark. Those ingredients exist throughout the solar system and beyond.
Lightning Research Flashes Forward
Authors: Goss Heather
Published: April 2020

A greater understanding of lightning mechanisms is spurring the development of more accurate weather forecasting, increased public health precautions, and a more sophisticated understanding of lightning itself.
This Week: Green Reads for Earth Week
Authors:   AGU
Published: April 2020

What Earth and space science stories are we recommending this week?
The misfolding mechanism of the key fragment R3 of tau protein: a combined molecular dynamics simulation and Markov state model study
Authors: Liu Hongli , Zhong Haiyang , Xu Zerong , Zhang Qianqian , Shah Syed Jawad Ali , Liu Huanxiang , Yao Xiaojun
Published: April 2020

All-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulation combined with Markov state model (MSM) were used to uncover the structural characteristics and misfolding mechanism of the key R3 fragment of tau protein at the atomic level.
Winning the fight against biofilms: the first six-month study showing no biofilm formation on zwitterionic polyurethanes
Authors: Wang Huifeng , Christiansen Daniel Edward , Mehraeen Shafigh , Cheng Gang
Published: April 2020

To prevent biofilms and biofoulings, a versatile zwitterionic polyurethane material platform was invented with an unmatched anti-fouling potency, as shown by a 6-month study where no bacterial attachment or biofilm formation was observed.
Effect of functional groups on microporous polymer based resistance switching memory devices
Authors: Song Yaru , Liu Jie , Li Wanhui , Liu Lei , Yang Ling , Lei Shengbin , Hu Wenping
Published: April 2020

Here, two large-area microporous polymer (MP) films with different substituents were synthesized at the solution/air interface.
An ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor for Pseudomonas aeruginosa assay based on a rolling circle amplification-assisted multipedal DNA walker
Authors: Zhou Huang , Duan Shaoyun , Huang Ji , He Fengjiao
Published: April 2020

An ultrasensitive electrochemical biosensor was developed based on RCA and multipedal DNA walking strategy for the assay of 16S rRNA gene, and it has great application potential in food safety, environmental monitoring, and disease diagnosis.
Dual-targeting RNA nanoparticles for efficient delivery of polymeric siRNA to cancer cells
Authors: Kim Taehyung , Hyun Ha Na , Heo Roun , Nam Keonwook , Yang Kyungjik , Kim Young Min , Lee Yoon Suk , An Jae Yoon , Park Jae Hyung , Choi Ki Young , Roh Young Hoon
Published: April 2020

A new dual-targeting polymeric siRNA nanoparticle (Dual-PSNP) was developed. The Dual-PSNP showed significantly enhanced cancer-specific intracellular delivery, gene regulation efficacy, and apoptosis-mediated cytotoxicity through additive receptor-mediated interactions of the two ligands.
Bi(iii)-catalyzed aminooxygenation of propargyl amidines to synthesize 2-fluoroalkyl imidazole-5-carbaldehydes and their decarbonylations
Authors: Li Shan , Li Yajun , Feng Bin , Liang Jian , You Geyun , Liu Xiaofeng , Xian Liqing
Published: April 2020

The first example of Bi(iii)-catalyzed aminooxygenation was developed to synthesize 2-fluoroalkyl imidazole-5-carbaldehydes that would decarbonylate efficiently in the presence of KOt-Bu.
Quantum yields of singlet and triplet chemiexcitation of dimethyl 1,2-dioxetane: ab initio nonadiabatic molecular dynamic simulations
Authors: Yue Ling , Yu Le , Xu Chao , Zhu Chaoyuan , Liu Yajun
Published: April 2020

Ab initio non-adiabatic molecular dynamic simulations for both singlet and triplet chemiexcitation of dimethyl 1,2-dioxetanes for the first time.
Substituent-dependent generation of tricyclic frameworks by the rhodium-catalyzed cycloisomerization of homopropargyl allene-alkynes: a theoretical study
Authors: Wang Ping , Zhang Jing , Han Lingli , Bi Siwei , Liu Tao
Published: April 2020

Polycyclic compounds having biological activities can be modified by employing different substituents.
δ-Cyano substituted para-quinone methides enable access to unsymmetric tri- and tetraarylmethanes containing all-carbon quaternary stereocenters
Authors: Qi Yue , Zhang Fang , Wang Lin , Feng Aili , Zhu Rongxiu , Sun Shutao , Li Wei , Liu Lei
Published: April 2020

Placing an electron-withdrawing cyano group into the δ-position of para-quinone methides enables facile access to unsymmetrical tri- and tetraarylmethanes bearing all-carbon quaternary stereocenters.
Magnetically recyclable CoFe2O4/ZnO nanocatalysts for the efficient catalytic degradation of Acid Blue 113 under ambient conditions
Authors: Krishna S. , Sathishkumar P. , Pugazhenthiran N. , Guesh Kiros , Mangalaraja R. V. , Kumaran S. , Gracia-Pinilla M. A. , Anandan S.
Published: April 2020

CoFe2O4/ZnO magnetic nanocatalysts were synthesized using a low-frequency ultrasound-assisted technique to enhance the optical, morphological, magnetic and catalytic properties of ZnO.
Effluent of biomass cooking with active oxygen and solid alkali (CAOSA): component separation, recovery and characterization
Authors: Ding Ning , Liu Huai , Zeng Xianhai , Sun Yong , Tang Xing , Lin Lu
Published: April 2020

An organic solvent precipitation approach is adopted to treat biomass pretreatment effluent and 88.9% solid alkali recovery is reached. With the simple precipitation method, component content and structure in the effluent is also determined.
Heat and pressure-resistant room temperature irreversible sealing of hybrid PDMS–thermoplastic microfluidic devices via carbon–nitrogen covalent bonding and its application in a continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Sivakumar Rajamanickam , Trinh Kieu The Loan , Lee Nae Yoon
Published: April 2020

In this study, we have introduced a facile room-temperature strategy for irreversibly sealing polydimethylsiloxane to various thermoplastics using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and [2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyl]trimethoxysilane (ECTMS).
A multiple model approach for evaluating the performance of time-lapse capsules in trapping heavy metals from water bodies
Authors: Pan Shu-Yuan , Syu Wei-Jhan , Chang Tsun-Kuo , Lee Cheng-Hsun
Published: April 2020

This article applies multiple approaches for evaluating the effect of operating factors on the adsorption of heavy metals from watershed using time-lapse capsules.
Ferrites: emerging light absorbers for solar water splitting
Authors: Kim Jeong Hun , Kim Hyo Eun , Kim Jin Hyun , Lee Jae Sung
Published: April 2020

Ferrites are promising photoelectrode materials for solar water splitting to produce clean and storable hydrogen energy.
A Cu2B2 monolayer with planar hypercoordinate motifs: an efficient catalyst for CO electroreduction to ethanol
Authors: Jia Jingjing , Zhang Haijun , Wang Zhongxu , Zhao Jingxiang , Zhou Zhen
Published: April 2020

By means of first-principles computations, we identified that metallic Cu2B2 monolayer with planar heptacoordinate motifs could effectively reduce CO to ethanol through the “carbene” mechanism with a low limiting potential and a small barrier for C–C coupling.
Hexagonal boron nitride induces anion trapping in a polyethylene oxide based solid polymer electrolyte for lithium dendrite inhibition
Authors: Li Yuhan , Zhang Libo , Sun Zongjie , Gao Guoxin , Lu Shiyao , Zhu Min , Zhang Yanfeng , Jia Zhiyu , Xiao Chunhui , Bu Huaitian , Xi Kai , Ding Shujiang
Published: April 2020

Lithium ion conductivity and mechanical strength of a PEO based composite solid polymer electrolyte are improved by adding h-BN.
Using Crowdsourced Listeners' Ratings to Measure Speech Changes in Hypokinetic Dysarthria: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Nightingale Christopher , Swartz Michelle , Ramig Lorraine Olson , McAllister Tara
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Interventions for speech disorders aim to produce changes that are not only acoustically measurable or perceptible to trained professionals but are also apparent to naive listeners. Due to challenges associated with obtaining ratings from suitably large listener samples, however, few studies currently evaluate speech interventions by this criterion. Online crowdsourcing technologies could enhance the measurement of intervention effects by making it easier to obtain real-world listeners' ratings.

Method

Stimuli, drawn from a published study by Sapir et al. (“Effects of intensive voice treatment (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment [LSVT]) on vowel articulation in dysarthric individuals with idiopathic Parkinson disease: Acoustic and perceptual findings” inJournal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 50(4), 2007), were words produced by individuals who received intensive treatment (LSVT LOUD) for hypokinetic dysarthria secondary to Parkinson's disease. Thirty-six online naive listeners heard randomly ordered pairs of words elicited pre- and posttreatment and reported which they perceived as “more clearly articulated.”

Results

Mixed-effects logistic regression indicated that words elicited posttreatment were significantly more likely to be rated “more clear.” Across individuals, acoustically measured magnitude of change was significantly correlated with pre–post difference in listener ratings.

Conclusions

These results partly replicate the findings of Sapir et al. (2007) and demonstrate that their acoustically measured changes are detectable by everyday listeners. This supports the viability of using crowdsourcing to obtain more functionally relevant measures of change in clinical speech samples.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12170112
Optical flow estimation combining with objects edge features
Authors: Liao Bin , Hu Jinlong , Li Tenghui
Published: April 2020

Optical flow estimation has been concerned with biological plausibility since the optical flow was drawn from psychology. In this Letter, optical flow estimation combining with objects edge features is proposed. Inspired of functional division and collaboration of edge detection in primary visual cortex and motion information acquisition in a motion‐selective area in the human visual cortex, a neural sub‐network is introduced to extract motion edge information as primary visual cortex does, and the other neural sub‐network is utilised to perceive motion information as a motion‐selective area in visual cortex does. The inference sub‐network in the authors’ model used augmentation features composed of objects, edge features and general features as inputs to predict the optical flow. In experiments on large displacements benchmark datasets, their approach showed promising results to improve the performance of optical flow comparing with the other models based on the visuomotor perception of visual cortex processing mechanism.
Blood pressure estimation system using human body communication‐based electrocardiograph and photoplethysmography
Authors: Sawatari Yusuke , Wang Jianqing , Anzai Daisuke
Published: April 2020

In order to realise low‐load cuffless and continuous blood pressure measurement in daily life, the authors developed a blood pressure estimation system combining human body communication‐based wearable electrocardiograph and reflectance photoplethysmography. The principle is based on a relationship between the pulse arrive time and the systolic blood pressure. The pulse arrive time is the time period between the R‐wave in electrocardiograph and peak of pulse wave. The greatest feature is the use of a human body communication‐based electrocardiograph which can provide automatic synchronisation in time between the measured electrocardiograph and pulse wave signals to obtain the pulse arrive time so that no additional synchronisation circuit is required. Using this system, the authors measured the pulse arrive time from the electrocardiograph and pulse wave signals in real time, estimated the systolic blood pressure and compared the result with that measured by a cuff sphygmomanometer. The authors found that the root mean square error of the estimated blood pressure and the actual value measured using the cuff sphygmomanometer was 4.5 mmHg or less, and the correlation coefficient was >0.6 with a P value much <0.05. These results show the validity of the developed system for cuffless and continuous blood pressure estimation.
Massive MIMO enabled joint unicast transmission to IoT devices and mobile terminals
Authors: Kumar Chandan , Kashyap Salil
Published: April 2020

We investigate the viability of downlink (DL) unicast transmission from a base station (BS) with massive number of antennas jointly to support machine‐centric communication among the internet‐of‐things (IoT) devices and human‐centric communication among the mobile terminals. Specifically, we derive a new expression for the DL sum spectral efficiency (SE) for the IoT devices with maximum ratio precoding when channel estimates are acquired via the proposed distance‐dependent grouping based hybrid pilot assignment strategy. We also derive a new DL sum SE expression for IoT devices based on non‐orthogonal pilot assignment. We show that under statistical channel inversion based power control at the BS, the proposed strategy yields the highest sum SE and can serve the largest number of IoT devices when compared against orthogonal, non‐orthogonal and distance‐independent grouping based hybrid strategies. Furthermore, we also analyse the DL sum SE of mobile terminals in the presence of IoT devices when every mobile is given an orthogonal pilot and prove that the sum SE is independent of the pilot assignment strategy employed by the IoT devices. We also obtain the max–min rate for the IoT devices and prove that it is independent of the pilot assignment strategy used by the devices.
Threshold‐oblivious on‐line web QoE assessment using neural network‐based regression model
Authors: Song Enge , Pan Tian , Fu Qiang , Zhang Rui , Jia Chenhao , Cao Wendi , Huang Tao
Published: April 2020

The evaluation of the web‐browsing quality of experience (QoE) is difficult to complete through traditional methods (e.g. deducing formulas or setting thresholds) due to the diversity of websites and their contents. To evaluate web‐browsing QoE through a general way, the authors propose a web QoE evaluation architecture based on machine learning, consisting of two parts: traffic classification sub‐system and QoE prediction sub‐system. When evaluating user experience, traffic classification sub‐system first classifies the packets generated by visiting a website into a flowthrough some fields in the packet header, to model each website separately. The traffic classification accuracy of packets over six websites reaches 96.63%. Then, in the network layer, the traffic metric cumulative traffic volume is generated from the size and arrival time of packets. When a user visits a web page, their regression model predicts the above‐the‐fold time (ATF) and thus QoE. The output of the regression model is an exact ATF value that is mapped to user experience. In addition, reversing input variables further improves the model, which is evaluated on two popular websites. The QoE prediction results of the improved method for 5400 visits are obtained within 0.0975 s, reaching 0.9 .
Range‐dependent semi‐parametric autofocusing for manoeuvring targets inverse synthetic aperture imagery
Authors: Sun Xiping , Zhang Lei , Wang Guanyong , Sheng Jialian
Published: April 2020

Phase adjustment with the autofocus process is essential to inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imagery of manoeuvring targets. Conventional parametric and non‐parametric autofocus methods usually degrade in front of error model mismatch and noise interference. Especially, the target manoeuvre also induces higher order phases that have the spatial‐variant characteristic. In this study, a range‐dependent semi‐parametric autofocus algorithm for ISAR imagery is proposed. The range‐variant phase is modelled semi‐parametrically with a discrete cosine transform kernel. Implemented by the maximum sharpness optimisation, the algorithm well adapts to complex phase forms and enhances the robustness to strong noise. Accelerated solver to the optimisation is also introduced. Simulation and real data experiments confirm the advantages of the range‐dependent semi‐parametric autofocus algorithm compared with conventional algorithms.
Novel algebraic meal disturbance estimation based adaptive robust control design for blood glucose regulation in type 1 diabetes patients
Authors: Ullah Nasim , Muhammad Al‐Sharef
Published: April 2020

This study designs a robust closed‐loop control algorithm for elevated blood glucose level stabilisation in type 1 diabetic patients. The control algorithm is based on a novel control action resulting from integrating algebraic meal disturbance estimator with back‐stepping integral sliding mode control (BISMC) technique. The estimator shows finite time convergence leading to accurate and fast estimation of meal disturbance. Moreover, compensation of the estimated disturbance in controller provides significant reduction in chattering phenomenon, which is inherent drawback of sliding mode control (SMC). The controller is applied to one of the most reliable models of type 1 diabetic patients, named Bergman's minimal model. The effectiveness and superiority of the designed controller is shown by comparing it to classical SMC and super‐twisting sliding mode control. The designed controller is subject to three different cases for detailed analysis of the controller's robustness against meal disturbance. The three cases considered are hyperglycaemia, hyperglycaemia combined with meal disturbance and three meal disturbance. The simulation results confirm superior performance of algebraic disturbance estimator based BISMC controller for all the cases mentioned above.
Spike buffer: improve deep network performance by offset mechanism
Authors: Li Daihui , Zeng Shangyou , Ma Chengxu
Published: April 2020

For a well‐designed neural network model, it is difficult to further improve its performance. This study proposes an offset mechanism called spike buffer, which can effectively improve the performance of the designed convolutional neural networks. The spike buffer introduces an offset buffer‐bit and a gradient spike function in the convolution channels to enhance the expression of effective features and suppresses the extraction of invalid features. Without significantly increasing the computational complexity of deep convolution neural networks, it can improve the feature selection performance of convolution neural networks and enhance the ability of non‐linear mapping, and can be easily embedded into various convolution neural networks. Experiments show that the performance of convolutional neural networks with integrated spike buffer can be effectively improved.
Intelligent method to cryptocurrency price variation forecasting
Authors: Farsangi Mohsen Noroozinejad , Keynia Farshid , Farsangi Ehsan Noroozinejad
Published: April 2020

Nowadays, accurate prediction of cryptocurrency price variation based on their important role in the world economy is an important and challenging issue. In this study, various parameters that affect the cryptocurrency value have been considered. For the first phase, four major price features of digital currencies have been analysed to determine the effect of each feature on the volatility prediction of future days. This study aims to understand and identify daily trends in the cryptocurrency market while gaining insight into optimal features surrounding their price. For the second phase, the price variation has been predicted with the highest possible accuracy with a new intelligent method. The proposed method consists of a neural network‐based prediction algorithm and particle swarm optimisation. The obtained results show the capbility of the proposed method.
Aortitis: Hallazgos radiológicos en relación a sus diversas etiologías
Authors: Couture Juliana , Adri Daniel , Gentile Ernestina , Pietrani Marcelo , de Arenaza Diego Pérez , Ulla Marina
Published: April 2020

La inflamación de la aorta (aortitis) es una patología poco frecuente, con etiología infecciosa (pseudoaneurisma micótico, sífilis) y no infecciosa (arteritis, aortitis idiopática, espondilitis anquilosante, entre otras) de difícil diagnóstico clínico y variable pronóstico. Por esa razón, la utilización de diversos métodos por imágenes, tales como la tomografía computada multidetector (TCMD), la tomografía computada por emisión de positrones (PET-TC), la resonancia magnética (RM) y ultrasonido (US) facilitan la identificación, seguimiento y tratamiento de esa entidad.

El siguiente trabajo tiene como objetivo realizar una revisión y actualización bibliográfica acerca de la aortitis y sus diversas etiologías, ejemplificando con casos de nuestra institución.
A U.S. Survey of Sexual Harassment in Ophthalmology Training Using a Novel Standardized Scale
Authors: Scruggs Brittni A. , Hock Lauren E. , Cabrera Michelle T. , Wang Kai , Oetting Thomas A. , Abràmoff Michael D. , Shriver Erin M.
Published: April 2020

Objective This study aimed to assess the frequency and severity of sexual harassment toward ophthalmology trainees.

Design Present study is an anonymous retrospective online survey.

Participants U.S. ophthalmology residents and fellows participated in this study.

Methods Sexual harassment comments directed toward University of Iowa ophthalmology trainees and faculty members were compiled. Statements were ranked by severity to develop the Iowa Verbal Sexual Harassment Scale. A brief, anonymous online survey incorporating the scale was sent to all United States ophthalmology residency program directors to distribute among trainees. Participants rated the prevalence, severity, and frequency of verbal and physical sexual harassment during training.

Main Outcome Measures Response to the survey questions on the prevalence, severity, and frequency of reporting of verbal and physical sexual harassment in ophthalmology training.

Results Among 112 respondents (59 men and 53 women), 72 (64.3%) experienced sexual harassment in the workplace from patients (86.8% of women vs. 44.1% of men; p < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48–2.74). Trainees rarely experienced harassment by colleagues (10.7%) or supervisors (8.9%). Women experienced more severe and frequent sexual harassment compared with men, with 54.7% women and 30.5% men experiencing sexual harassment weekly (p = 0.013, 95% CI: 1.29–5.71). Unwanted touching was the most common physical harassment type. The trainees' threshold for reporting sexual harassment was higher than their worst actual experience (p< 0.0001, F(2,282) = 67.59). Few trainees formally reported verbal (6.3%) or physical sexual harassment (1.8%). Trainees most commonly responded to harassment by redirecting the harasser (67.9%). Only 33.9% of trainees rated their institution's sexual harassment training as helpful preparation for addressing harassment.

Conclusion Most ophthalmology trainees experienced sexual harassment with almost all harassment coming from patients. Female trainees reported substantially greater severity and frequency of sexual harassment. There remains an unmet need for targeted response training in ophthalmology training programs.
Surgical Techniques for Revascularization in Abdominal Wall Transplantation
Authors: Atia Andrew , Hollins Andrew , Shammas Ronnie , Phillips Brett T. , Ravindra Kadiyala V. , Sudan Debra L. , Giele Henk , Mithani Suhail K. , Erdmann Detlev
Published: April 2020

Background Abdominal wall vascularized composite allotransplantation (AW-VCA) can be considered as a technically feasible option for abdominal wall reconstruction in patients whose abdomen cannot be closed using traditional methods. However, successful initial abdominal wall revascularization in the setting of visceral organ transplantation can pose a major challenge as graft ischemia time, operating in a limited surgical field, and variable recipient and donor anatomy must be considered. Several techniques have been reported to accomplish abdominal wall revascularization.

Methods A literature review was performed using PubMed for articles related to “abdominal wall transplantation (AWT).” The authors of this study sorted through this search for relevant publications that describe abdominal wall transplant anatomy, technical descriptions, and outcomes of various techniques.

Results A total of four distinct revascularization techniques were found in the literature. Each of these techniques was described by the respective authors and reported varying patient outcomes. Levi et al published a landmark article in 2003 that described technical feasibility of AWT with anastomosis between donor external iliac and inferior epigastric vessels with recipient common iliac vessels in end-to-side fashion. Cipriani et al described a microsurgical technique with anastomosis between donor and recipient inferior epigastric vessels in an end-to-end fashion. Giele et al subsequently proposed banking the abdominal wall allograft in the forearm to reduce graft ischemia time. Recently, Erdmann et al described the utilization of an arteriovenous loop for synchronous revascularization of abdominal wall and visceral transplants for reduction of ischemia time, operative time, while eliminating the need for further operations.

Conclusion Vascularized composite allotransplantation continues to advance with improving immunotherapy and outcomes in solid organ transplantation. Optimizing surgical techniques remains paramount as the field continues to grow. Refinement of the presented methods will continue as additional evidence and outcomes become available in AW-VCA.
Reconstructive Surgery in Children with Down Syndrome: Bioethical Implications
Authors: Tornali Cristina , Migliore Marcello , Polizzi Agata , Bragazzi Nicola L. , Martini Mariano , Ruggieri Martino , Praticò Andrea D. , Vecchio Ignazio
Published: April 2020

Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a third copy of chromosome 21. One of the main feature of the syndrome is the facial dysmorphism, characterized by broad, flat face, oblique eyelid rhymes, skin folds at the inner corner of the eyes (epicanthus), receding chin, protrusion of the tongue. These features are often social and functional obstacles, reducible with surgical interventions. The first facial plastic/cosmetic surgery approaches on Down children were performed in 1960 in Germany, Great Britain and the United States, where plastic surgeons began to reshape the Down patients physiognomy through the surgical correction of the face, tongue, eyes, nose, of the nostrils, of the neck. Recent studies have shown that in spite of the tendency to infections and early pulmonary hypertension in children with DS, surgery is not contraindicated, as previously suggested, but can be performed with very good results. This treatment has aesthetic, functional, rehabilitative, social effects, as well as favorable outcome on the familiar behavior. However different issues emerge in cases of patients presenting intellectual disability and unable to understand the consequences or the side effects related to plastic surgery. In this aspect, different Countries have enacted distinct laws directly regulating the consensuses for such intervention, with the goal to reduce the risks for the affected patients and the respect of their willing and social inclusion.
Anesthetic Challenges of an Adolescent Patient with Epidermolysis Bullosa and Gitelman's Syndrome Undergoing Posterior Spinal Fusion Surgery
Authors: Kiss Edgar E. , Chandran Neethu , Alex Gijo , Olomu Patrick
Published: April 2020

Surgical correction for scoliosis is undertaken to avoid progression to cardiopulmonary compromise as well as improve the patient's overall quality of life. In this case report, we presented a case of a 14-year-old girl with epidermolysis bullosa simplex and Gitelman's syndrome who underwent posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis. The perioperative planning and intraoperative management of a patient with this unique combination of comorbidities undergoing a complex, high-risk surgical procedure were not previously chronicled in the literature. We detailed the steps undertaken to optimize the patient prior to surgery and the unique intraoperative surgical and anesthetic considerations that led to a successful completion of the surgery and recovery.
The structure of helical lipoprotein lipase reveals an unexpected twist in lipase storage
Authors: Gunn Kathryn H. , Roberts Benjamin S. , Wang Fengbin , Strauss Joshua D. , Borgnia Mario J. , Egelman Edward H. , Neher Saskia B.
Published: April 2020

Lipases are enzymes necessary for the proper distribution and utilization of lipids in the human body. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is active in capillaries, where it plays a crucial role in preventing dyslipidemia by hydrolyzing triglycerides from packaged lipoproteins. Thirty years ago, the existence of a condensed and inactive LPL oligomer was proposed. Although recent work has shed light on the structure of the LPL monomer, the inactive oligomer remained opaque. Here we present a cryo-EM reconstruction of a helical LPL oligomer at 3.8-Å resolution. Helix formation is concentration-dependent, and helices are composed of inactive dihedral LPL dimers. Heparin binding stabilizes LPL helices, and the presence of substrate triggers helix disassembly. Superresolution fluorescent microscopy of endogenous LPL revealed that LPL adopts a filament-like distribution in vesicles. Mutation of one of the helical LPL interaction interfaces causes loss of the filament-like distribution. Taken together, this suggests that LPL is condensed into its inactive helical form for storage in intracellular vesicles.
Multiple agents managing a harmful species population should either work together to control it or split their duties to eradicate it
Authors: Lampert Adam
Published: April 2020

Significance

Harmful species are becoming increasingly prevalent due to trade globalization and climate change. A major question is how international cooperation and coordination can help to mitigate the spread of harmful species. In this study, we show that a single country may be able to abate the harmful species population effectively. However, when the countries need to control the harmful species at a low density for prolonged periods, a joint effort results in maintaining the harmful species at a lower density. In particular, controlling the harmful species in certain hot spot locations is often the key to preventing global spreads of harmful species, which implies that international cooperation is necessary for achieving effective treatment.
Widespread targeting of nascent transcripts by RsmA in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Gebhardt Michael J. , Kambara Tracy K. , Ramsey Kathryn M. , Dove Simon L.
Published: April 2020

In the opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, RsmA is an RNA-binding protein that plays critical roles in the control of virulence, interbacterial interactions, and biofilm formation. Although RsmA is thought to exert its regulatory effects by binding full-length transcripts, the extent to which RsmA binds nascent transcripts has not been addressed. Moreover, which transcripts are direct targets of this key posttranscriptional regulator is largely unknown. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput DNA sequencing, with cells grown in the presence and absence of the RNA polymerase inhibitor rifampicin, we identify hundreds of nascent transcripts that RsmA associates with in
P. aeruginosa
. We also find that the RNA chaperone Hfq targets a subset of those nascent transcripts that RsmA associates with and that the two RNA-binding proteins can exert regulatory effects on common targets. Our findings establish that RsmA associates with many transcripts as they are being synthesized in
P. aeruginosa
, identify the transcripts targeted by RsmA, and suggest that RsmA and Hfq may act in a combinatorial fashion on certain transcripts. The binding of posttranscriptional regulators to nascent transcripts may be commonplace in bacteria where distinct regulators can function alone or in concert to achieve control over the translation of transcripts as soon as they emerge from RNA polymerase.