bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reducing the Risk of COVID‐19 Transmission in Dental Offices: A Review
Authors: Ashtiani Reza Eftekhar , Tehrani Shabnam , Revilla‐León Marta , Zandinejad Amirali
Published: September 2020

The COVID‐19 epidemic has become a major public health challenge around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of August 2020 there are more than 833,556 dead and over 24,587,513 people infected around the world. This pandemic has adversely affected many professions around the globe, including dentistry. COVID‐19, caused by the Corona virus family, is transmitted mainly by direct contact with an infected person or through the spread of aerosol and droplets. Dentistry by nature is considered to be one of the most vulnerable professions with regards to the high risk of transmission between the dentist, dental team, and patients; therefore, a protocol for infection control and the prevention and spreading of the COVID‐19 virus in dental settings is urgently needed. This article reviews essential knowledge about this virus and its transmission and recommends preventive methods based on existing scientific research and recommendations to prevent the spread of this virus in dental offices and clinics.
Empirical likelihood test for the application of swqmele in fitting an arma‐garch model
Authors: Zhou Mo , Peng Liang , Zhang Rongmao
Published: September 2020

Fitting an ARMA‐GARCH model has become a common practice in financial econometrics. Because the asymptotic normality of the quasi maximum likelihood estimation (QMLE) requires finite fourth moment for both errors and the sequence itself, self‐weighted quasi maximum exponential likelihood estimation (SWQMELE) has been proposed to reduce the moment constraints but requires the errors to have zero median instead of zero mean. Because changing zero mean to zero median destroys the ARMA‐GARCH structure and has a serious effect on skewed data, this article proposes an efficient empirical likelihood test for zero mean of errors in the application of SWQMELE to ensure that the model still concerns conditional mean. A simulation study confirms the good finite sample performance before applying the test to the US housing price indexes and financial returns for the study of comovement.
Global, regional, and national endometriosis trends from 1990 to 2017
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Gong Ting‐Ting , Wang Han‐Yuan , Zhao Yu‐Hong , Wu Qi‐Jun
Published: September 2020

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus that causes pelvic pain and infertility. We used the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2017 to comprehensively analyze the burden of endometriosis between 1990 and 2017. DisMod‐MR 2.1 was used to estimate the incidence and prevalence in some countries/territories with sparse or absent data. Annual percent changes were calculated to quantify endometriosis burden estimate trends. Furthermore, the sociodemographic index (SDI) was used to assess the relationship between endometriosis burden estimates and development level. Between 1990 and 2017, endometriosis age‐standardized incidence and prevalence and years of life lived with disability (YLDs) decreased globally by 0.21% (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.23% to −0.20%), 0.29% (95% CI: −0.31% to −0.28%), and 0.28% (95% CI: −0.30% to −0.27%) per year, respectively. Apart from the high SDI quintiles with increasing trends of endometriosis incidence rate, prevalence rate, and YLDs, decreasing trends were observed in all SDI quintiles for all burden estimates. In conclusion, it appears that all endometriosis burden estimates have decreased globally between 1990 and 2017. However, these results are based on limited data and highlight the need for increased data collection on the incidence and prevalence of endometriosis.
Root exudate signals in plant–plant interactions
Authors: Wang Nan‐Qi , Kong Chui‐Hua , Wang Peng , Meiners Scott J.
Published: September 2020

Plant‐to‐plant signalling is a key mediator of interactions among plant species. Plants can perceive and respond to chemical cues emitted from their neighbours, altering survival and performance, impacting plant coexistence and community assembly. An increasing number of studies indicate root exudates as key players in plant‐to‐plant signalling. Root exudates mediate root detection and behaviour, kin recognition, flowering and production, driving inter‐ and intra‐specific facilitation in cropping systems and mixed‐species plantations. Altered interactions may be attributed to the signalling components within root exudates. Root ethylene, strigolactones, jasmonic acid, (‐)‐loliolide and allantoin are signalling chemicals that convey information on local conditions in plant–plant interactions. These root‐secreted signalling chemicals appear ubiquitous in plants and trigger a series of belowground responses inter‐ and intra‐specifically, involving molecular events in biosynthesis, secretion and action. The secretion of root signals, mainly mediated by ATP‐binding cassette transporters, is critical. Root‐secreted signalling chemicals and their molecular mechanisms are rapidly revealing a multitude of fascinating plant–plant interactions. However, many root signals, particularly species‐specific signals and their underlying mechanisms, remain to be uncovered due to methodological limitations and root‐soil interactions. A thorough understanding of root‐secreted chemical signals and their mechanisms will offer many ecological implications and potential applications for sustainable agriculture.
Spermatozoa produced during winter are superior in terms of phenotypic characteristics and oviduct explants binding ability in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Rather Haneef Ahmad , Kumaresan Arumugam , Nag Pradeep , Kumar Vimlesh , Nayak Samiksha , Batra Vipul , Ganaie Bilal Ahmad , Baithalu Rubina K. , Mohanty Tushar Kumar , Datta Tirtha Kumar
Published: September 2020

Although reduced reproductive efficiency during summer has been well documented in buffaloes, the reason for the same is yet to be understood. The present study was conducted to identify the subtle differences in sperm phenotypic characteristics (motility, membrane integrity, acrosome reaction and lipid peroxidation status), oviduct binding ability and expression of fertility‐associated genes (AK 1, ATP5D, CatSper 1, Cytochrome P450 aromatase, SPP1 and PEBP1) between winter and summer seasons in buffaloes. Cryopreserved spermatozoa from 6 Murrah buffalo bulls (3 ejaculates/bull/season) were utilized for the study. Real‐time quantitative PCR was performed for assessing the expression patterns of select fertility‐associated genes. The proportion of motile and membrane intact spermatozoa was significantly higher (p < .05) in winter as compared to summer ejaculates. The proportion of moribund and lipid peroxidized spermatozoa was significantly lower (p < .05) in winter ejaculates as compared to summer. The sperm‐oviduct binding index was significantly lower (p < .01) when spermatozoa from summer ejaculates were used as compared to winter ejaculates. The expression of fertility‐associated genes did not differ significantly between the two seasons except for PEPB1; the transcriptional abundance of PEPB1 was significantly (p < .05) lower in summer as compared to winter season. It was inferred that buffalo spermatozoa produced during winter season were superior in terms of cryotolerance, membrane and acrosome integrity, lipid peroxidation status and the ability to bind with oviduct explants.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐DQB1*02:162N allele by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Genebrier Steve , Elsermans Vincent , Nivet Carl , Chérel Mathilde , Renac Virginie
Published: September 2020

DQB1*02:162N differs from DQB1*02:02:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution at position 276 in exon 2.
Botanical monoterpenes synergise the toxicity of azamethiphos in the vector of Chagas disease, Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Authors: Reynoso Mercedes María Noel , Seccacini Emilia Ana , Zerba Eduardo Nicolás , Alzogaray Raúl Adolfo
Published: September 2020

Objective

To investigate what toxicological interactions occur when binary combinations of azamethiphos and botanical monoterpenes (eugenol, menthol or menthyl acetate) are applied to Triatoma infestans.

Methods

The toxicity of binary mixtures of azamethiphos and sublethal doses of a monoterpene (eugenol, menthol or menthyl acetate) was evaluated in nymphs of the first stage of T. infestans. Experiments using exposure to filter papers and topical application were carried out. Values of Lethal Concentration 50% (LC50) were calculated in the first case, and values of Lethal Dose 50% (LD50) in the second.

Results

The LC50 of azamethiphos applied on filter paper was 50.3 µg/cm2. However, when it was simultaneously applied with a sublethal concentration of monoterpene, its toxicity increased (LC50 with eugenol = 11.20 µg/cm2, LC50 with menthyl acetate = 5.30 µg/cm2, LC50 with menthol = 7.26 µg/cm2). When applied topically, the LD50 of azamethiphos was 7.85 µg/insect, but its toxicity drastically increased when it was applied together with sublethal doses of menthol (LD50 = 0.00016 µg/insect) or menthyl acetate (LD50 = 0.00051 µg/insect). The simultaneous application with eugenol did not significantly change azamethiphos toxicity (LD50 = 12.79 µg/insect).

Conclusions

The toxicity of azamethiphos in T. infestans was synergised when it was applied together with eugenol, menthol or menthyl acetate on a filter paper. However, only menthol and menthyl acetate synergysed azamethiphos when mixtures were topically applied. The drastic effects of menthol and menthyl acetate in topical application experiments should be further studied as they could be the basis for developing more efficient triatomicidal products with a lower content of conventional insecticides than those currently used for controlling T. infestans.
Hemochromatosis alters the sensitivity of red blood cells to mechanical stress
Authors: Richardson Kieran J. , McNamee Antony P. , Simmonds Michael J.
Published: September 2020

Background

Hemochromatosis (HH) is characterized by chronic iron accumulation, leading to deleterious effects to various organ systems. A common approach to managing iron load involves large‐volume venesection. Some countries authorize HH venesections to be used in the development of transfusable blood products, although concerns remain regarding suitability. Due to the high oxidative load associated with hyperferritinemia, it has been proposed that HH blood products may be susceptible to mechanical damage. This is particularly relevant given that typical blood product destinations (eg, transfusion, cardiopulmonary bypass) expose blood to supraphysiologic levels of mechanical stress. We sought to explore the mechanical tolerance of red blood cells (RBC) derived from HH venesections to varied magnitudes and durations of sublethal shear stress.

Study Design and Methods

Initially, 110 individuals with HH were recruited; to eliminate the effects of comorbidities, only those who were untreated and uncomplicated were included for comparisons with age‐matched healthy controls (Con). RBC were exposed to 25 discrete magnitudes (1‐64 Pa) and durations (1‐64 seconds) of shear stress. Cellular deformability was assessed before, and immediately after, each shear exposure.

Results

In the absence of prior shear exposure, RBC deformability of HH was significantly decreased by 11.5%, compared with Con. For both HH and Con, supraphysiologic shear exposure significantly impaired RBC deformability, although the rate and magnitude of deterioration were elevated for HH.

Conclusion

Given that blood products are commonly exposed to high‐shear environments (eg, during high‐volume transfusion), venesections from asymptomatic and untreated individuals with HH appear suboptimal for the development of therapeutic RBCs.
Differences in platelet aggregometers to study platelet function and coagulation dysregulation in xenotransplantation
Authors: Isidan Abdulkadir , Chen Angela M. , Saglam Kutay , Yilmaz Sezai , Zhang Wenjun , Li Ping , Ekser Burcin
Published: September 2020

Xenotransplantation (ie, cross‐species transplantation) using genetically engineered pig organs could be a limitless source to solve the shortage of organs and tissues worldwide. However, despite prolonged survival in preclinical pig‐to‐nonhuman primate xenotransplantation trials, interspecies coagulation dysregulation remains to be overcome in order to achieve continuous long‐term success. Different platelet aggregometry methods have been previously used to study the coagulation dysregulation with wild‐type and genetically engineered pig cells, including the impact of possible treatment options. Among these methods, while thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry measure the change in viscoelasticity, optical aggregometry measures the change in opacity. Recently, impedance aggregometry has been used to measure changes in platelet aggregation in electrical conductance, providing more information to our understanding of coagulation dysregulation in xenotransplantation compared to previous methods. The present study reviews the merits and differences of the above‐mentioned platelet aggregometers in xenotransplantation research.
Embedded Spherical Microlasers for In Vivo Diagnostic Biomechanical Performances
Authors: Manzo Maurizio , Cavazos Omar , Ramirez-Cedillo Erick , Siller Hector R.
Published: September 2020

In this article, we propose to use spherical microlasers that can be attached to the surface of bones for in vivo strain monitoring applications. The sensing element is made of mixing polymers, namely, PEGDA-700 (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) and Thiocure TMPMP (Evan Chemetics, Teaneck, NJ) at 4:1 ratio in volume doped with rhodamine 6G (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) laser dye. Solid-state microlasers are fabricated by curing droplets from the liquid mixture using ultraviolet (UV) light. The sensing principle relies on morphology-dependent resonances; any changes in the strain of the bone causes a shift of the optical resonances, which can be monitored. The specimen is made of a simulated cortical bone fabricated with photopolymer resin via an additive manufacturing process. The light path within the resonator is found to be about perpendicular to the normal stress' direction caused by a bending moment. Therefore, the sensor measures the strain due to bending indirectly using the Poisson effect. Two experiments are conducted: 1) negative bone deflection (called loading) and 2) positive bone deflection (called unloading) for a strain range from 0 to 2.35 × 10−3 m/m. Sensitivity values are ∼19.489 and 19.660 nm/ε for loading and unloading experiments, respectively (percentage difference is less than 1%). In addition, the resolution of the sensor is 1 × 10−3 ε (m/m) and the maximum range is 11.58 × 10−3 ε (m/m). The quality factor of the microlaser is maintaining about constant (order of magnitude 104) during the experiments. This sensor can be used when bone location accessibility is problematic.
Head Impact Characteristics Based on Player Position in Collegiate Soccer Athletes
Authors: Nelson Katelyn M. , Daidone Elizabeth H.K. , Breedlove Katherine M. , Bradney Debbie A. , Bowman Thomas G.
Published: September 2020

The study objective was to determine the magnitude and frequency of head impacts in NCAA Division III soccer athletes based on player position and type of play (offense, defense, transition). Across player position, male and female soccer defenders sustained the most head impacts (males IR = 18.89, 95% CI = 16.89–20.89; females IR = 8.45, 95% CI = 7.25–9.64; IRR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.87–2.67). The study revealed a nonstatistically significant interaction between sex, player position, and type of play for both linear (p = .42) and rotational accelerations (p = .16). Defenders sustained the majority of the head impacts in the study sample, suggesting preventative initiatives should be focused on back row players.
Privileging Difference: Negotiating Gender Essentialism in U.S. Women’s Professional Soccer
Authors: Allison Rachel
Published: September 2020

Although women athletes in professional sport are uniquely positioned to expose the limits of gender essentialist ideology and challenge its relationship with inequality, little empirical research has considered how professional women athletes understand and negotiate gender ideologies. Drawing on 19 in-depth interviews and one e-mail exchange with U.S. women’s professional soccer players, this article finds that sportswomen strategically endorse constructions of gender difference while simultaneously universalizing White, middle-class women’s experiences. “Privileging difference” is a narrative whereby players recognize belief in women’s physical inferiority to men and argue for women’s moral superiority to men as a source of value and reward for women’s sport. Sportswomen’s moral authority is defined from a position of racialized class privilege, as players construct an idealized woman player who sacrifices material reward for emotional satisfaction and who emphasizes future change over present conditions.
Fingerprint of volcanic forcing on the ENSO–Indian monsoon coupling
Authors: Singh M. , Krishnan R. , Goswami B. , Choudhury A. D. , Swapna P. , Vellore R. , Prajeesh A. G. , Sandeep N. , Venkataraman C. , Donner R. V. , Marwan N. , Kurths J.
Published: September 2020

Large volcanic eruptions enhance the coupling between the El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Indian monsoon.
High-frequency magnetoacoustic resonance through strain-spin coupling in perpendicular magnetic multilayers
Authors: Zhang De-Lin , Zhu Jie , Qu Tao , Lattery Dustin M. , Victora R. H. , Wang Xiaojia , Wang Jian-Ping
Published: September 2020

Time-resolved magnetoacoustic resonance demonstrates strong magnon-phonon coupling at extremely high frequency.
Glacier development in continental climate regions of central Asia
Authors: Batbaatar Jigjidsurengiin , Gillespie Alan R. , Koppes Michele , Clark Douglas H. , Chadwick Oliver A. , Fink David , Matmon Ari , Rupper Summer
Published: September 2020

Glaciers in central Asia that developed under a range of climatic conditions from arid to humid provide an excellent opportunity to test glacial responses to changes in climate. To do this, we mapped and dated glacial deposits at 11 sites spread over five mountain ranges in central Asia: the Altai, Tian Shan, Altyn Tagh, Qilian Shan, and Kunlun. The glacial chronologies for these sites were determined from new 10Be and 26Al exposure ages for the mapped moraines, in addition to 10Be ages available in the literature. Paleo–equilibrium-line altitudes were estimated for past glacier extents from the dated moraines. The equilibrium-line altitudes (ELAs) were also estimated for existing glaciers to characterize the spatial pattern in modern climate across the study region. Differences between the modern and paleo-ELAs (ΔELAs) were used to explore the climatic reasons for variations in the glacier sensitivities and responses to past changes in climate. The results show that the glaciers in more humid regions advanced to their maximum during marine oxygen-isotope stage (MIS) 3–2 with ΔELAs of ~1100–600 m. However, glaciers in the arid interior of central Asia, in the rain shadows of the Karakorum and Pamir ranges and in the Gobi Desert ranges, reached their maximum between MIS 6 and 4, and glacier extents during the subsequent colder/drier MIS 3–2 were significantly smaller or did not extend beyond their cirques. Comparisons of our results and the sensitivity analysis of modern glaciers suggest that depression of air temperature was the primary driver of glacier advances in central Asia but that precipitation played a major role in shaping the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of glacier advances. Precipitation was especially important in hyperarid conditions. Therefore, inferences about paleoclimate parameters from past glacial extents must be made after careful consideration of the climatic setting in which the glaciers are found, as well as their sensitivity to climatic factors.
Prehospital clinical signs are a poor predictor of raised intracranial pressure following traumatic brain injury
Authors: ter Avest Ewoud , Taylor Sam , Wilson Mark , Lyon Richard L
Published: September 2020

Background

For the prehospital diagnosis of raised intracranial pressure (ICP), clinicians are reliant on clinical signs such as the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), pupillary response and/or Cushing’s triad (hypertension, bradycardia and an irregular breathing pattern). This study aimed to explore the diagnostic accuracy of these signs as indicators of a raised ICP.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult patients attended by a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (Air Ambulance Kent, Surrey Sussex), who had sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), requiring prehospital anaesthesia between 1 January 2016 and 1 January 2018. We established optimal cut-off values for clinical signs to identify patients with a raised ICP and investigated diagnostic accuracy for combinations of these values.

Results

Outcome data for 249 patients with TBI were available, of which 87 (35%) had a raised ICP. Optimal cut-off points for systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR) and pupil diameter to discriminate patients with a raised ICP were, respectively, >160 mm Hg,<60 bpm and >5 mm. Cushing criteria (SBP >160 mm Hg and HR <60 bpm) and pupillary response and size were complimentary in their ability to detect patients with a raised ICP. The presence of a fixed blown pupil or a Cushing’s response had a specificity of 93.2 (88.2–96.6)%, and a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 5.4 (2.9–10.2), whereas sensitivity and LR− were only 36.8 (26.7–47.8)% and 0.7 (0.6–0.8), respectively, (Area Under the Curve (AUC) 0.65 (0.57–0.73)). Sensitivity analysis revealed that optimal cut-off values and resultant accuracy were dependent on injury pattern.

Conclusion

Traditional clinical signs of raised ICP may under triage patients to prehospital treatment with hyperosmolar drugs. Further research should identify more accurate clinical signs or alternative non-invasive diagnostic aids in the prehospital environment.
Prevalence of exposure to multiple occupational carcinogens among exposed workers in Australia
Authors: McKenzie Jennifer F , El-Zaemey Sonia , Carey Renee N
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Workers can be exposed to a range of different carcinogenic agents in the workplace. However, previous studies have often focused on prevalence of exposure to a single carcinogen, resulting in substantial knowledge gaps regarding the extent of multiple exposures in the workplace. This study aims to investigate the current prevalence of occupational exposure to multiple carcinogens among exposed workers in Australia.

Methods

The data for this study come from the Australian Work Exposures Study, a nationwide cross-sectional telephone survey of Australian workers aged between 18 and 65. Information was collected about the respondents’ current employment and numerous demographic factors using a web-based application (Occupational Integrated Database Exposure Assessment System) to conduct the interview, with predefined algorithms used to automatically assign exposures to carcinogens based on the respondents’ job tasks.

Results

The majority (81%) of exposed respondents were assessed as being probably exposed to more than one carcinogen, and 26% reported exposure to five or more carcinogens. We found that after adjusting for occupation, exposure to multiple carcinogens was more likely among male respondents, while older workers (aged between 55 and 65) were less likely to be exposed to multiple carcinogens.

Conclusions

This study provides information on the prevalence of exposure to multiple carcinogens in the general population that has not previously been reported. This information could be useful for the intervention and control of occupational exposures to the prioritised carcinogens identified in this study.
In a warming river, natural-origin Chinook salmon spawn later but hatchery-origin conspecifics do not
Authors: Austin Catherine S. , Essington Timothy E. , Quinn Thomas P.
Published: September 2020

Median timing of reproduction in salmonid populations is generally consistent among years, reflecting long-term patterns of natural selection from characteristics of the local environment. However, altered selection from factors related to climate change or human intervention might shift timing over generations, with implications for the population’s persistence. To study these processes, we modeled median timing of redd (nest) counts as an index of spawning timing by natural-origin Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Skagit River system in Washington State, USA. Over the last 2–6 decades, natural-origin salmon have been spawning later by 0.03–0.52 days·year–1, while a naturally spawning group that is influenced by strays from a hatchery has been spawning earlier by 0.19 days·year–1. Trends in the spawning timing of hatchery-origin strays may reflect opposing selection from the hatchery, where egg take for propagation has become earlier by 0.58 days·year–1. As mean August river temperatures have risen over the period of record, hatchery timing trends may be moving in the opposite direction from the plastic or adaptive patterns expressed by natural-origin fish.
Interacting dark matter and cosmic acceleration
Authors: Cárdenas Víctor H. , Lepe Samuel
Published: September 2020

We study the effect of an explicit interaction between two scalar fields components describing dark matter in the context of a recent proposal framework for interaction. We find that, even assuming a very small coupling, it is sufficient to explain the observational effects of a cosmological constant, and also overcome the problems of the $$\Lambda $$
Λ
CDM model without assuming an exotic dark energy.
POTENTIAL CLINICAL APPLICATION FOR COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS USING SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY
Authors: Horng Jonathan , Liu Xue-Cheng , Thometz John , Tassone Channing , Escott Benjamin
Published: September 2020

Purpose: Formetric 4D dynamic system (F4D) is a radiation-free imaging system that can be used to detect static and dynamic back contour in children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The aim of this paper is (1) to compare the F4D to other systems; (2) to review the correlation of spinal measurements taken by F4D with those taken by radiographs as well as the reproducibility of the F4D; (3) to present future clinical uses and suggest potential research studies utilizing F4D. Methods: MEDLINE (PubMed), ScienceDIRECT, SCOPUS, Cochrane, and Web of Science were queried for studies on AIS using surface topography. Papers were evaluated using PRISMA criteria. Results: Correlations between scoliosis angle as measured by F4D and Cobb angle by radiographs are from 0.7 to 0.872 in the thoracic spine and from 0.5 to 0.758 in the lumbar spine. The intraday reliability of F4D measurements by the same observer ranged from 0.65 to 0.996 across two studies. The study that evaluated reproducibility of F4D when segmented by patients with BMI below and above 24.99 kg/m2 found that the reproducibility was 0.990 and 0.995, respectively. There is potential for using F4D as a screening tool for scoliosis using an algorithm with 92% sensitivity and 74% specificity. Conclusions: F4D as a surface topography machine has great potential in screening and monitoring progression of the curvatures of AIS.
Stability Analysis of Composite Shafts Considering Internal Damping and Coupling Effect
Authors: Ri Kwangchol , Han Poknam , Kim Inchol , Kim Wonchol , Cha Hyonbok
Published: September 2020

A mathematical model is proposed to analyze the stability of composite shafts, considering the internal damping, transverse shear deformation and Poisson’s coupling effect at the same time. The strain–displacement relations are described using the Timoshenko beam theory, and the strain energy and kinetic energy are expressed using the weak form quadrature element method (QEM), for which each nodal point has 4 degrees of freedom. Then, the motion equation of the system is established using the Lagrange equation. The instability thresholds of the composite shaft are determined using the proposed model. The results were compared with those calculated by the equivalent modulus beam theory (EMBT), equivalent single layer theory (ESLT) and simplified homogenized beam theory (SHBT). Good agreement has been achieved. Therefore, the proposed model can be effectively used for the dynamic analysis of composite shafts.
EFFECT OF BASIC FITNESS FUNCTION ACCORDING TO WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION STIMULUS WITH SLOPE DURING DEADLIFT
Authors: KANG SEUNG-ROK , KO MYOUNG-HWAN , HAN KAP-SOO , KWON TAE-KYU
Published: September 2020

We aimed to investigate the effect of basic fitness function according to whole-body vibration (WBV) stimulus with slope during deadlift in adults. A total of 15 subjects performed deadlift exercise with a sound-wave vibrator. The subjects consisted of three groups: no slope and WBV group (control), WBV only group (group 1), and slope and WBV group (group 2). Slope was set at [Formula: see text], and the frequency and amplitude of WBV were 10[Formula: see text]Hz and 5[Formula: see text]mm, respectively. The participants performed Romanian deadlift 2 days a week for 4 weeks, including 10 trials per set and five sets a day. We measured basic fitness function factor including the isokinetic muscle contraction test using biodex system3. All groups showed an increase in strength of approximately [Formula: see text]%. Group 2 showed the highest increase. Moreover, maximal peak torque of the lumbar joint showed an increase trend similar to that of back muscle strength. An increase of 15.72%, 24.86%, and 51.44% was noted in the control, group 1, and group 2, respectively. The findings indicate that WBV exercise with slope is the most efficient exercise protocol for improving muscle function of the trunk. WBV with slope could help stimulate trunk muscles more and efficiently, could result in a more positive effect on muscle function compared with WBV only, and could be included in an exercise program for efficient patient rehabilitation.
A BASIC STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF VIBRATOR-ATTACHED LEG-PRESS ON THE KNEE AND ANKLE JOINT TORQUES
Authors: CHOI JIN SEUNG , KIM JUNG GIL , CHO JUN HYEONG , TACK GYE RAE
Published: September 2020

In this study, we compare the effects of vibration on the knee and ankle torques after performing leg-press exercises for four weeks. A total of 20 participants were randomly assigned to a group for leg-press with vibration (VLP group; nine males, one female, 25.8 years old, 172.3[Formula: see text]cm, and 73.8[Formula: see text]kg) and another group for regular leg-press (LP group; eight males, two females, 25.6 years old, 169.6[Formula: see text]cm, and 65[Formula: see text]kg), wherein they performed exercises for four weeks (four times a week). The frequency and amplitude of vibration applied during the exercise were 30[Formula: see text]Hz and 1.5[Formula: see text]mm, respectively. To examine the effects of the exercise, the isometric and isokinetic joint torques of the knee and ankle were measured using Biodex (Biodex Medical Systems, USA) for a total of three times, namely: before exercising and after two and four weeks. The results showed that the isometric and isokinetic joint torques of the knee and ankle improved overall for both groups after four weeks. However, the effects of the leg-press with vibration were not observed. Therefore, further studies are required to investigate the method of applying vibration to each muscle and the frequency and amplitude of vibration, as well as the effects of vibration on the elderly and patients under rehabilitation.
NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION ON PRELOAD AND AFTERLOAD SENSITIVITY FOR USING VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE ON HEART FAILURE PATIENTS
Authors: BAKOURI MOHSEN , SIKKANDAR MOHAMED YACIN
Published: September 2020

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a surgically implanted mechanical pump being used for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF). One of the significant clinical challenges in using LVADs is its remarkable changes in hemodynamic parameters during a change in body position from supine to standing. In standing position, vasodilatation of veins occurs in the legs, which decreases left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and, in turn, the preload to the LVAD. In this research, a numerical investigation is carried out to evaluate the effect of LVAD in cardiac hemodynamic parameters such as cardiac output (CO) and stroke work (SW) under preload, normal, and afterload conditions. A Proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller associated with an LVAD pump model and cardiovascular system (CVS) model is developed to study the cardiac hemodynamic and its performance during HF condition by changing system parameters in one cardiac cycle. The performance of the proposed model is then evaluated using a pump cannulae model, real-time status detection of the aortic valve (av), and left ventricular stroke volume. The model parameters associated with HF, including contractility of the left and right ventricle ([Formula: see text] & [Formula: see text]), systemic peripheral resistance ([Formula: see text]) and total blood volume ([Formula: see text]) were set 0.71[Formula: see text]mmHg.s.mL[Formula: see text], 0.53[Formula: see text]mmHg.s.mL[Formula: see text], 1.11[Formula: see text]mmHg.s.mL[Formula: see text] and 5800[Formula: see text]mL, respectively, to allow simulation of HF conditions. The findings of this study show that the CO is increasing linearly with end-diastolic left ventricular volume (LVEDV) and end-diastolic right ventricular volume (RVEDV). However, other vital parameters behavior has a nonlinear relation to CO. Results of this study prove that the LVAD model is more sensitive to preload than afterload condition under different hemodynamical conditions.
The integration of public domain lithostratigraphic data into a series of cross-border North Sea well-penetration maps
Authors: Kombrink Henk , Patruno Stefano
Published: September 2020

As geological information about the North Sea is increasingly made available to the public, there is great potential to build cross-border datasets to enable people to more rapidly filter relevant geological data and also to better understand and further study the subsurface. This paper discusses the construction of such a geological database and presents the associated map set. Public domain lithostratigraphic data from petroleum exploration and appraisal wells drilled in the Norwegian, Danish, German, Dutch and UK North Sea sectors were used to create a series of 13 well-penetration maps, ranging from Basement to Eocene age. In order to produce the maps, lithostratigraphic well tops had to be translated into a chronostratigraphic scheme, followed by building a database and subsequent mapping in a GIS. Three well categories were used for each of the maps: wells that (1) fully penetrate a chronostratigraphic interval, (2) prove it is absent or (3) reach total depth in the interval under consideration. The resulting maps, which will all be discussed and presented in this paper, form a starting point for multiple types of (petroleum) geological screening studies. The North Sea database is freely available in QGIS format and can be easily imported into any geospatial software platform.
RNNFast
Authors: Samavatian Mohammad Hossein , Bacha Anys , Zhou Li , Teodorescu Radu
Published: September 2020

Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) are an important class of neural networks designed to retain and incorporate context into current decisions. RNNs are particularly well suited for machine learning problems in which context is important, such as speech recognition and language translation.

This work presents RNNFast, a hardware accelerator for RNNs that leverages an emerging class of non-volatile memory called domain-wall memory (DWM). We show that DWM is very well suited for RNN acceleration due to its very high density and low read/write energy. At the same time, the sequential nature of input/weight processing of RNNs mitigates one of the downsides of DWM, which is the linear (rather than constant) data access time.

RNNFast is very efficient and highly scalable, with flexible mapping of logical neurons to RNN hardware blocks. The basic hardware primitive, the RNN processing element (PE), includes custom DWM-based multiplication, sigmoid and tanh units for high density and low energy. The accelerator is designed to minimize data movement by closely interleaving DWM storage and computation. We compare our design with a state-of-the-art GPGPU and find 21.8× higher performance with 70× lower energy.
Knowing What Others Think and Feel: Empathic Accuracy Across Adulthood
Authors: Riediger Michaela , Blanke Elisabeth S.
Published: September 2020

Empathic accuracy is the ability to infer another person's inner states. While early findings suggested older adults to be less empathically accurate on average than younger individuals, the context dependency of such age differences was emphasized more recently. Comparable empathic accuracy was observed in older and younger empathizers when conversational topics were positive or personally relevant or when empathic judgments were solely based on prior knowledge of the target. Motivational and cognitive mechanisms are assumed to underlie this context-dependent pattern of findings. A refined future understanding of the sources of variation in empathic skills within and across age groups will require unraveling the contributions of the empathizer, the target person, and their relationship. Moreover, improved insights into the implications of empathic skills in various phases of adulthood, including older adults’ social functioning and health, will require joint consideration of cognitive and affective components of empathy and their accompanying physiological processes.
Deletion of cardiac polycystin 2/PC2 results in increased SR calcium release and blunted adrenergic reserve
Authors: DiNello Elisabeth , Bovo Elisa , Thuo Paula , Martin Thomas G. , Kirk Jonathan A. , Zima Aleksey V. , Cao Quan , Kuo Ivana Y.
Published: September 2020

Our goal was to characterize the role of the transient receptor potential channel polycystin 2 (PC2) in cardiomyocytes following adult-onset deletion. Loss of PC2 resulted in decreased cardiac shortening and cardiac dyssynchrony and diminished adrenergic reserve. These results suggest that cardiac-specific PC2 modulates intracellular calcium signaling and contributes to the maintenance of adrenergic pathways.
Tissue optical perfusion pressure: a simplified, more reliable, and faster assessment of pedal microcirculation in peripheral artery disease
Authors: Horstick Georg , Messner Laura , Grundmann Anna , Yalcin Senay , Weisser Gerhard , Espinola-Klein Christine
Published: September 2020

This new application of photoplethysmography investigated the microcirculation in peripheral artery disease at the level of the toe pad and determined the tissue optical perfusion pressure as the first pulsatile signal during automatic cuff deflation at the ankle. It is the first time that this method has been integrated for simultaneous routine examination in an automatic oscillometric ankle-brachial index (ABI) system. This quick and simple measurement technique provides clinical information on the microcirculation downstream the routine ABI measurement at rest and in particular after stress test.
Activation of hypothalamic AgRP and POMC neurons evokes disparate sympathetic and cardiovascular responses
Authors: Jiang Jingwei , Morgan Donald A. , Cui Huxing , Rahmouni Kamal
Published: September 2020

Agouti-related peptide (AgRP)- and proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-expressing neurons of the arcuate nucleus are essential components of the brain melanocortin system that controls various physiological processes. Here, we tested the metabolic and cardiovascular effects of direct activation of these two populations of neurons. Our findings show that, in addition to stimulation of food intake, chemogenetic mediated activation of hypothalamic arcuate nucleus AgRP, but not POMC, neurons reduce renal sympathetic traffic. Despite this, chronic activation of AgRP neurons increased blood pressure. However, chronic activation of POMC neurons led to a significant reduction in blood pressure. Our findings highlight the importance of arcuate nucleus AgRP and POMC neuronal activity in autonomic and cardiovascular regulation.
The counterintuitive role of exercise in the prevention and cause of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Buckley Benjamin J. R. , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Thijssen Dick H. J.
Published: September 2020

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, characterized by irregular atrial activity. AF is related to increased risk of thromboembolic events, heart failure, and premature mortality. Recent advances in our understanding of its pathophysiology include a potentially central role for inflammation and presence of cardiovascular risk factors. The role of physical activity and exercise in the development and progression of AF, however, are not yet fully understood. Physical activity is protective for modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, including those associated with AF. Indeed, emerging research has demonstrated beneficial effects of exercise on AF-specific outcomes, including AF recurrence postablation. Counterintuitively, the prevalence of AF in veteran endurance athletes seems higher compared with the general population. In this review, we discuss the novel evidence and underlying mechanisms underpinning the role of exercise as medicine in the development and management of AF but also the counterintuitive detrimental role of excessive endurance exercise. Finally, we advocate regular (but not long-term high-intensity endurance) exercise training as a safe and effective strategy to reduce the risk of incident AF and to minimize the associated risk of secondary cardiovascular events.
Vision‐Based Three‐Dimensional Reconstruction and Monitoring of Large‐Scale Steel Tubular Structures
Authors: Tang Yunchao , Chen Mingyou , Lin Yunfan , Huang Xueyu , Huang Kuangyu , He Yuxin , Li Lijuan
Published: September 2020

A four‐ocular vision system is proposed for the three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction of large‐scale concrete‐filled steel tube (CFST) under complex testing conditions. These measurements are vitally important for evaluating the seismic performance and 3D deformation of large‐scale specimens. A four‐ocular vision system is constructed to sample the large‐scale CFST; then point cloud acquisition, point cloud filtering, and point cloud stitching algorithms are applied to obtain a 3D point cloud of the specimen surface. A point cloud correction algorithm based on geometric features and a deep learning algorithm are utilized, respectively, to correct the coordinates of the stitched point cloud. This enhances the vision measurement accuracy in complex environments and therefore yields a higher‐accuracy 3D model for the purposes of real‐time complex surface monitoring. The performance indicators of the two algorithms are evaluated on actual tasks. The cross‐sectional diameters at specific heights in the reconstructed models are calculated and compared against laser rangefinder data to test the performance of the proposed algorithms. A visual tracking test on a CFST under cyclic loading shows that the reconstructed output well reflects the complex 3D surface after correction and meets the requirements for dynamic monitoring. The proposed methodology is applicable to complex environments featuring dynamic movement, mechanical vibration, and continuously changing features.
Descriptive Epidemiology of Brain and Central Nervous System Tumours: Results from Iran National Cancer Registry, 2010-2014
Authors: Salimi Amir , Zali Alireza , Seddighi Amir Saeid , Seddighi Afsoun , Meshkat Shakila , Hosseini Morteza , Nikouei Amir , Akbari Mohammad Esmaeil
Published: September 2020

Background. Central nervous system (CNS) tumours account for only 1-2% of cancer incidence but are a major reason for mortality and morbidity due to malignancies. Recent studies show an increase in the rate of CNS tumours worldwide, especially in developing countries. Moreover, there is significant heterogeneity in epidemiological patterns worldwide. This study is aimed at representing nationwide epidemiology of CNS tumours in Iran. Methods. Iran National Cancer Registry 2010-2014 data were reviewed for CNS tumours. The epidemiological rates were calculated for both genders and all age groups using the 2011 census information. Results. Out of 17345 cases, 58.5% were men and 41.5% were women. The mean age was 45.55 years ranging from less than 1 month to 100 years old. Average total age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) was 5.19 for primary tumours. The annual percent change (APC) was 14.23% during the study period. The most frequent site and histology recorded were brain, NOS and diffuse astrocytic, respectively. Geographical distribution showed about five-fold difference in ASRs between different provinces. Conclusion. The overall ASR calculated was higher than the global rate in 2012 but lower than that of most developed countries, showing an increasing trend which may be due to either advances in diagnosing or risk factor augmentation. The mean age and incident rates were higher than those of previous reports in Iran.
Research on Speed Scheme for Precise Attack of Miniature Loitering Munition
Authors: Zhang Zhidong , Li Jie , Yang Yachao , Yang Chengwei , Mao Ruizhi
Published: September 2020

The loitering munitions are advanced new ammunitions, which reflect both the characteristics of UAV and missile and have their own novel characteristics. This paper analysed the characteristics of the attack process of a small loitering munition and proposed a speed scheme suitable for precise strike of loitering munitions based on the concept of traditional ammunition’s speed-thrust schemes. Then, the boundary conditions and the existence of the solution have been discussed. Finally, flight test results showed that the scheme was effective.
Modeling the Control of Zika Virus Vector Population Using the Sterile Insect Technology
Authors: Atokolo William , Mbah Christopher Ezike Godwin
Published: September 2020

This work is aimed at formulating a mathematical model for the control of mosquito population using sterile insect technology (SIT). SIT is an environmental friendly method, which depends on the release of sterile male mosquitoes that compete with wild male mosquitoes and mate with wild female mosquitoes, which leads to the production of no offspring. The basic offspring number of the mosquitoes’ population was computed, after which we investigated the existence of two equilibrium points of the model. When the basic offspring number of the model M0, is less than or equal to 1, a mosquito extinction equilibrium point E2, which is often biologically unattainable, was shown to exits. On the other hand, if M0>1, we have the nonnegative equilibrium point E1 which is shown to be both locally and globally asymptotically stable whenever M0>1. Local sensitivity analysis was then performed to know the parameters that should be targeted by control intervention strategies and result shows that female mating probability to be with the sterile male mosquitoes ρS, mating rate of the sterile mosquito β2, and natural death rates of both aquatic and female mosquitoesμA+μF have greater impacts on the reduction and elimination of mosquitoes from a population. Simulation of the model shows that enough release of sterile male mosquitoes into the population of the wild mosquitoes controls the mosquito population and as such can reduce the spread of mosquito borne disease such as Zika.