bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The transition to teletherapy in marriage and family therapy training settings during COVID‐19: What do the data tell us?
Authors: Morgan Amy A. , Landers Ashley L. , Simpson Jessica E. , Russon Jody M. , Case Pease Jenene , Dolbin‐MacNab Megan L. , Bland Krista N. , Jackson Jeffrey B.
Published: March 2021

In the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic, little is known about how university training programs transitioned to teletherapy. This study describes the transition of two university marriage and family therapy (i.e., master's and doctoral) training clinics to teletherapy and presents preliminary analyses of the types of clients and cases that converted to teletherapy. A series of chi‐square analyses, a t‐test, a logistic regression model, and a multiple linear regression model were employed. Four key findings emerged: (1) most cases converted to teletherapy; (2) Hispanic ethnicity was the only demographic characteristic to significantly predict conversion to teletherapy; (3) individual cases were significantly more likely to convert to teletherapy than relational cases; and (4) the number of prior in‐person sessions attended significantly predicted conversion to teletherapy. Teletherapy conversion implications are discussed across four systemic levels: client, student trainee, supervision, and larger systems.
Addiction‐related neuroadaptations following chronic nicotine exposure
Authors: Wills Lauren , Kenny Paul J.
Published: March 2021

The addiction‐relevant molecular, cellular, and behavioral actions of nicotine are derived from its stimulatory effects on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the central nervous system. nAChRs expressed by dopamine‐containing neurons in the ventral midbrain, most notably in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), contribute to the reward‐enhancing properties of nicotine that motivate the use of tobacco products. nAChRs are also expressed by neurons in brain circuits that regulate aversion. In particular, nAChRs expressed by neurons in the medial habenula (mHb) and the interpeduncular nucleus (IPn) to which the mHb almost exclusively projects regulate the “set‐point” for nicotine aversion and control nicotine intake. Different nAChR subtypes are expressed in brain reward and aversion circuits and nicotine intake is titrated to maximally engage reward‐enhancing nAChRs while minimizing the recruitment of aversion‐promoting nAChRs. With repeated exposure to nicotine, reward‐ and aversion‐related nAChRs and the brain circuits in which they are expressed undergo adaptations that influence whether tobacco use will transition from occasional to habitual. Genetic variation that influences the sensitivity of addiction‐relevant brain circuits to the actions of nicotine also influence the propensity to develop habitual tobacco use. Here, we review some of the key advances in our understanding of the mechanisms by which nicotine acts on brain reward and aversion circuits and the adaptations that occur in these circuits that may drive addiction to nicotine‐containing tobacco products.

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Combining cosmetic injectables with low‐energy, low‐density 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser: A 2.5‐year examination on the safety of same‐day treatments
Authors: Wang Jordan V. , Akintilo Lisa , Geronemus Roy G.
Published: March 2021

Combining laser treatments with cosmetic injectables can offer synergistic benefit, increased convenience for both patients and physicians, and lessened overall patient downtime. Although paired treatments can be effective, there remain theoretical concerns that this may add new risks. Theoretical risks of combining laser treatment with neurotoxin injections include unintentional spread of the neurotoxin, which may result in eyelid ptosis and muscle weakness. Potential risks with soft‐tissue fillers include unexpected loss of filler volume, necrosis, burn, and product migration. This retrospective chart review of single‐session, same‐day facial treatments using a low‐energy, low‐density 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser and cosmetic injectables found no adverse events related to this combination approach. This is important safety information that can offer reassurance to physicians using this clinical approach.
Perioral volumization using a temperature controlled fractionated radiofrequency device
Authors: Boisen Julie , Alkul Suzanne , Malone Cedar H. , Munavalli Gilly
Published: March 2021

Background and Aims

Cosmetic rejuvenation of the perioral area can be challenging due to a mix of skin laxity and volumetric loss. Current techniques including fillers, neurotoxins, and non‐ablative and ablative resurfacing have several drawbacks and can create a stiff, box‐shaped, unnatural appearance. Aside from filler, these techniques do not address deeper volume deficiency. Temperature controlled fractionated radiofrequency (FRF) provides consistent formation of new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. This has been reported to provide long‐lasting results for the treatment of skin laxity and volume loss of the face and neck with a single treatment, but it has not been previously reported for perioral rejuvenation.

Patients/Methods

We present a series of seven patients who were treated with perioral FRF, and we assessed their results objectively using a published, validated scale for lower face laxity.

Results

All of the patients in this case series showed improvement on the Facial Laxity Rating (FLR) scale after FRF treatment.

Conclusions

This case series represents the first reported use of temperature controlled FRF for perioral rejuvenation. FRF is a promising option for low‐risk, natural perioral rejuvenation with long‐lasting results and few risks.
Elongase of very long chain fatty acids 6 (ELOVL6) promotes lipid synthesis in buffalo mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Fan Xinyang , Zhu Wei , Qiu Lihua , Zhang Guangle , Zhang Yongyun , Miao Yongwang
Published: March 2021

Recent studies have shown elongase of very‐long‐chain fatty acids 6 (ELOVL6) is a vital protein for endogenous synthesis of saturated and monounsaturated long‐chain fatty acids in some mammals. Nevertheless, its role in lipid synthesis in buffalo mammary gland is still unclear. In this work, the full‐length coding sequence (CDS) of ELOVL6 was cloned and identified from buffalo mammary gland. As a result, the CDS of this gene is 795 bp, which encodes a polypeptide of 264 amino acid residues. The buffalo ELOVL6 contains an ELO domain which belongs to the ELO superfamily. Among the 10 tissues of buffalo in peak lactation detected by RT‐qPCR, the expression level of ELOVL6 was the highest in the brain, followed by the spleen, and then decreased in the mammary gland, muscle, kidney, heart, liver, rumen, intestine and lung. However, only the expression in the brain and spleen was statistically different from that in other tissues (p < 0.05). Compared with that of the dry‐off period, the mRNA abundance of ELOVL6 in the mammary gland was significantly increased in peak lactation. The experiments based on lentivirus transfection in buffalo mammary epithelial cells (BuMECs) displayed that the overexpression of ELOVL6 markedly promoted the expression of INSIG1, INSIG2, SREBP, PPARG, FASN, GPAM, DGAT2 and APGAT6 genes, and the knockdown of ELOVL6 significantly decreased the mRNA abundance of INSIG2, SREBP, FASN, SCD, GPAM, APGAT6 and TIP47 genes. In addition, the increase or decrease of ELOVL6 expression level also caused the corresponding change of total triglyceride content in the BuMECs. The results here suggest that the ELOVL6 can catalyse the synthesis of long‐chain fatty acids in the BuMECs, and it can indirectly affect the expression of genes related to milk fat synthesis through its catalytic products to promote the lipid biosynthesis of BuMECs.
Prospective model for predicting renal recovery in cardiac surgery patients with acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy
Authors: Hu Penghua , Song Li , Liang Huaban , Chen Yuanhan , Wu Yanhua , Zhang Li , Li Zhilian , Fu Lei , Tao Yiming , Liu Shuangxin , Ye Zhiming , Fu Xia , Liang Xinling
Published: March 2021

Aim

To develop a model for predicting renal recovery in cardiac surgery patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Methods

Data from a prospective randomized controlled trial, conducted in a tertiary hospital to compare the survival effect of two dosages of hemofiltration for continuous RRT in cardiac surgery patients between 20 March 2012 and 9 August 2015, were used to develop the model. The outcome was renal recovery defined as alive and dialysis‐free 90 days after RRT initiation. Multivariate logistic regression with a stepwise backward selection of variables based on Akaike Information Criterion was applied to develop the model, which was internally validated using bootstrapping. Model discrimination, calibration and clinical value were assessed using the concordance index (C‐Index), calibration plots and decision curve analysis, respectively.

Results

Totally, 211 patients with AKI requiring RRT (66.8% male) with median age of 57 years were included. The incidence of renal recovery was 33.2% (n = 70). The model included six variables: body mass index stratification, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate, hypertension, sepsis, mean arterial pressure and mechanical ventilation. The C‐Index for this model was 0.807 (95% CI, 0.744–0.870). After correction by the bootstrap, the C‐Index was 0.780 (95% CI, 0.720–0.845). The calibration plots indicated good consistency between actual observations and model prediction of renal recovery. Decision curve analysis demonstrated the model was clinical usefulness.

Conclusion

We developed and validated a model to predict the chance of renal recovery in cardiac surgery patients with AKI requiring RRT.
The nomological argument for the existence of God
Authors: Hildebrand Tyler , Metcalf Thomas
Published: March 2021

According to the Nomological Argument, observed regularities in nature are best explained by an appeal to a supernatural being. A successful explanation must avoid two perils. Some explanations provide too little structure, predicting a universe without regularities. Others provide too much structure, thereby precluding an explanation of certain types of lawlike regularities featured in modern scientific theories. We argue that an explanation based in the creative, intentional action of a supernatural being avoids these two perils whereas leading competitors do not. Although our argument falls short of a full defense, it does suggest that the Nomological Argument is worthy of philosophical attention.
Arrhythmia profile and ablation‐outcome in elderly women with atrial fibrillation undergoing first catheter ablation
Authors: Natale Veronica , Mohanty Sanghamitra , Trivedi Chintan , Baqai Faiz M. , Gallinghouse Joseph , Della Rocca Domenico Giovanni , Gianni Carola , MacDonald Bryan , Mayedo Angel , Burkhardt John David , Gallinghouse Gerald J. , Al‐Ahmad Amin , Horton Rodney , Bassiouny Mohamed , Di Biase Luigi , Natale Andrea
Published: March 2021

Background

This study evaluated the arrhythmia profile and ablation outcome in women with atrial fibrillation (AF) aged ≥75 years.

Methods

A total of 573 consecutive female patients undergoing first AF ablation were classified into group 1: ≥75 years (n = 221) and group 2: < 75 years (n = 352). Isolation of PVs, posterior wall and superior vena cava was performed in all. Non‐PV triggers from other areas were ablated based on operator's discretion.

Results

Group 1 had higher prevalence of hypertension (154 (69.7%) vs. 188 (53.4%), p < .001) and non‐paroxysmal AF (136 (61.5%) vs. 126 (35.8%), p < .001). Non‐PV triggers were detected in 194 (87.8%) patients from group 1 and 143 (40.6%) from group 2 (p < .001) and were ablated in 152 (68.8%) and 114 (32.4%) from group 1 and 2 respectively. Remaining patients (group 1: 69/221 and group 2: 238/352) received no additional ablation. At 4 years, 109 (49.3%) and 185 (52.6%) from group 1 and 2, respectively, were arrhythmia‐free, p = .69. When stratified by ablation‐strategy, success‐rate was similar across groups in patients receiving non‐PV trigger ablation (96 (63.2%) in group 1 and 76 (66.7%) in group 2, p = .61), whereas it was significantly lower in group 1 patients not receiving additional ablation compared to those from group 2 (13 (18.8%) vs. 109 (45.8%), p < .001).

Conclusion

Non‐paroxysmal AF was more common in women aged ≥75 years. Furthermore, significantly higher number of non‐PV triggers were detected in elderly women and ablation of those provided similar ablation success as that in women aged < 75 years.
Symmetric blaschkoid pityriasis rosea in a child
Authors: Bhanja Dibyendu Bikash , Sil Abheek , Chakraborty Sayantani , Panigrahi Avik , Punithakumar Esther Jane
Published: March 2021

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a common papulosquamous disorder that may be related to primary infection or endogenous reactivation of human herpesvirus 7 and 6. Based on morphology, distribution, and size of lesions, several atypical variants of PR have been described. PR following the lines of Blaschko represents an atypical variant that has seldom been described in the literature. Here, we describe a child with diabetes who developed PR in a symmetrical, blaschkolinear configuration.
Patch testing in skin of color: A brief report
Authors: Tamazian Shant , Oboite Michelle , Treat James R.
Published: March 2021

It is critical that dermatology training prepares physicians to recognize cutaneous changes in skin of color populations. Patch testing is the gold standard for identifying triggers of contact dermatitis and can be challenging to interpret in skin of color given the need to see erythema, particularly for a 1 + positive interpretation. Given the paucity of clinical images of skin of color in the literature, we provide images of two pediatric patients presenting with positive patch tests to demonstrate an approach to the clinical interpretation of patch testing in patients with more melanin in the skin.
To treat or not to treat: CFTR modulators after lung transplantation
Authors: Hayes Don , Darland Leanna K. , Hjelm Michelle A. , Mansour Heidi M. , Wikenheiser‐Brokamp Kathryn A.
Published: March 2021

Evidence for the extrapulmonary benefits of (CFTR) modulators is rapidly expanding. The use of CFTR modulators in CF patients who have undergone lung transplantation is not clear without guidance published in the medical literature to assist clinicians in the care of these patients. We discuss the potential benefits of CFTR modulators and provide insight into their use based on our experience in a small cohort of CF LTx recipients. We present pros and cons of CFTR modulator therapy for LTx recipients with CF. CFTR modulators should be considered in CF patients after lung transplantation for the time being until further research defines how to best use these therapies in transplant recipients.
Deficient auditory emotion processing but intact emotional multisensory integration in alexithymia
Authors: Wang Zhihao , Chen Mai , Goerlich Katharina S. , Aleman André , Xu Pengfei , Luo Yuejia
Published: March 2021

Alexithymia has been associated with emotion recognition deficits in both auditory and visual domains. Although emotions are inherently multimodal in daily life, little is known regarding abnormalities of emotional multisensory integration (eMSI) in relation to alexithymia. Here, we employed an emotional Stroop‐like audiovisual task while recording event‐related potentials (ERPs) in individuals with high alexithymia levels (HA) and low alexithymia levels (LA). During the task, participants had to indicate whether a voice was spoken in a sad or angry prosody while ignoring the simultaneously presented static face which could be either emotionally congruent or incongruent to the human voice. We found that HA performed worse and showed higher P2 amplitudes than LA independent of emotion congruency. Furthermore, difficulties in identifying and describing feelings were positively correlated with the P2 component, and P2 correlated negatively with behavioral performance. Bayesian statistics showed no group differences in eMSI and classical integration‐related ERP components (N1 and N2). Although individuals with alexithymia indeed showed deficits in auditory emotion recognition as indexed by decreased performance and higher P2 amplitudes, the present findings suggest an intact capacity to integrate emotional information from multiple channels in alexithymia. Our work provides valuable insights into the relationship between alexithymia and neuropsychological mechanisms of emotional multisensory integration.
Oxytocin increases pregnancy rates after fixed time artificial insemination in Kazak ewes
Authors: Lu Xiaoyu , Liu Yiyong , Zhang Jing , Wu Xinglong , Li Xiangyun
Published: March 2021

Contents

It is probable that reduced pregnancy rates in ewes after fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) is attributable, in part, to the reduced number of normal spermatozoa that colonize the oviduct. Administration of oxytocin stimulates both cervical dilation and uterine/oviductal contractility. The hypothesis that oxytocin can enhance sperm transport into the uteri and the oviducts, and thereby increase pregnancy rates, was tested in the present study. Oestrus was synchronized in 199 multiparous Kazak ewes using intravaginal flurogestone‐impregnated sponge. The sponge was left in the vagina for 12 days followed with an injection of 330 IU of eCG at sponge removal. Each ewe was intracervically inseminated twice at 50 hr and 62 hr after the removal of sponges using an insemination catheter containing 0.25 ml of diluted semen. Semen was collected from seven Texel rams and all the ejaculates were pooled and diluted in ultra‐high temperature‐treated commercial skimmed milk without (Control group, 0.05 ml of saline per mL milk, n = 144) or with oxytocin supplement (Oxytocin group, 0.5 U of oxytocin per ml milk, n = 55). Pregnancy status was determined by transabdominal ultrasound examination 45 days after insemination. Lambing performance was recorded at delivery. Significant differences were observed between the Oxytocin group and the Control group in terms of the pregnancy rate and the fecundity rate (85.5% and 92.7% versus 68.8% and 72.9%, respectively). In conclusion, low dose oxytocin supplementation of semen extender significantly increased pregnancy and fecundity rates in oestrus‐synchronized Kazak ewes after FTAI.
Task Sharing of Injectable Contraception Services in Pakistan: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chin‐Quee Dawn S. , Abrejo Farina , Chen Mario , Lashari Talib , Olsen Patrick , Habib Zaheer , Gao Xiaoming , Assad Fauzia , Midhet Farid , Chandio Shabir , Stankevitz Kayla , Saleem Sarah
Published: March 2021

Provision of injectable contraceptive services by lay health workers is endorsed by normative bodies, but support for this practice is not universal. We assessed whether lay providers (lady health workers, LHWs) could perform as well as clinically trained providers (family welfare workers, FWWs) on appropriate screening, counseling, and injection of intramuscular and subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) using a randomized controlled trial.

In the urban sample (n = 355), 88 percent of FWW DMPA clients were appropriately screened versus 77 percent of LHW clients (noninferiority test p = 0.88). In rural facilities (n = 105), over 90 percent of both providers’ clients were screened appropriately. Appropriate counseling was low overall, but LHWs were significantly noninferior to FWWs (p = 0.003). Notably, LHWs demonstrated better injection technique than FWWs.

We could not conclude that LHWs screened new DMPA users as well as FWWs from an urban sample of providers but results from the rural sample suggests that service delivery context played an important role.
Recognition of the HLA‐C*01:22 allele in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Li Chi‐Cheng , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: March 2021

One nucleotide substitution in codon 156 of HLA‐C*01:02:01:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐C*01:22.
Exercise therapy for the treatment of tendinopathies: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Alexander Lyndsay A. , Morrissey Dylan , Swinton Paul , Maclean Colin , Harrison Isabelle , Cooper Kay
Published: March 2021

Objective:

The aim of the review is to provide a map of exercise interventions and outcomes that have been reported for the treatment of any tendinopathy.

Introduction:

Tendinopathy is a common condition that affects athletic and non-athletic populations. Exercise is the mainstay of conservative management of tendinopathy, and a range of different exercise types are recommended. There is a significant body of literature on exercise for tendinopathy, but to date no scoping review has provided a clear map of interventions used and outcomes reported in the literature.

Inclusion criteria:

We will include people of any age or gender with a diagnosis of tendinopathy of any severity or duration at any anatomical location. We will exclude full-thickness/massive tears and plantar fasciitis. The exercise therapy may take place at any location, including hospital, community, or people's homes, and may be supervised or unsupervised. We will include systematic reviews, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies conducted in any developed nation.

Methods:

We will search MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMED, Embase, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, JBI Evidence Synthesis, Epistemonikos, four trial registries, and six gray literature databases. We will use Scopus to search for cited/citing articles from included studies and will perform hand searching where relevant. We will include literature from 1998 to 2020 in any language for which we can access translation. Studies will be screened by two independent reviewers at title/abstract and full-text screening stages; a third reviewer will resolve conflicts. Data will be extracted into a bespoke charting form and will be presented as figures/tables with accompanying narrative.
Adverse events from nitrate administration during right ventricular myocardial infarction: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Wilkinson-Stokes Matt , Colbeck Marc , Stewart Scott
Published: March 2021

Objective:

This systematic review will aim to summarize and evaluate the literature describing the evidence regarding adverse events from the administration of nitrates during right ventricular myocardial infarction.

Introduction:

Withholding nitrates in the setting of right ventricular myocardial infarction is currently recommended by the American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology, and in the Australian Journal of General Practice, due to the risk that decreasing preload in the setting of already compromised right ventricular ejection fraction may reduce cardiac output and precipitate hypotension or exacerbate cardiogenic shock. The original evidence from 1989 underpinning these recommendations displays methodological weaknesses including low sample size and confounding interventions. More recent and comprehensive research from 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019 conflicts with the conclusions from the 1989 study, suggesting instead that nitrate administration during right ventricular myocardial infarction results in no significant difference in the rate of adverse events. The combination of recommended practice based on 30-year-old evidence and the emergence of recent challenging evidence suggest that this topic merits systematic review.

Inclusion criteria:

The study will include both experimental and observational (descriptive and analytical) study designs that discuss the occurrence of adverse events from the administration of nitrates during a known right ventricular myocardial infarction.

Methods:

Six databases will be systematically searched: the Cochrane CENTRAL Register, PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Identified studies will be independently assessed for inclusion by two investigators using JBI critical appraisal tools. Data will be extracted for narrative and tabular synthesis.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42020172839
Diagnostic accuracy of [-2]proPSA versus Gleason score and Prostate Health Index versus Gleason score for the determination of aggressive prostate cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Anyango Ruth , Ojwando Joel , Mwita Clifford , Mugalo Edward
Published: March 2021

Objective:

The objective of this review was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of [-2]proPSA (p2PSA) and the Prostate Health Index compared to the Gleason score in determining the aggressiveness of prostate cancer.

Introduction:

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. However, the utility of currently available biomarkers for determining the aggressive form of the disease remains unknown. This review sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of two new biomarkers in determining the aggressive form of prostate cancer.

Inclusion criteria:

Diagnostic accuracy studies that enrolled men of any age and any prostate specific antigen (PSA) level with histologically confirmed prostate cancer in which Prostate Health Index and p2PSA were assessed in comparison to Gleason score for the determination of aggressive prostate cancer were considered for inclusion. There was no time limitation on study inclusion.

Methods:

A three-step search strategy was utilized to identify both published and unpublished studies in the English language in the following sources: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, MedNar, and SIGLE. Databases were searched from inception to January 2019. Study selection, critical appraisal, data extraction, and data synthesis were done according to the approach recommended by JBI.

Results:

A total of 12 studies (n = 8462) that recruited men with aggressive prostate cancer were considered in this review. The majority of included subjects had a total PSA level of 2 to 10ng/mL. The sensitivity of the Prostate Health Index ranged from 67% to 97% while specificity ranged from 6% to 64%. At a Prostate Health Index threshold of 25 and below (three studies, n = 3222), pooled sensitivity was 97% (95% confidence interval [CI], 95% to 98%) and specificity was 10% (95% CI, 6% to 16%). At a Prostate Health Index threshold of between 26 and 35 (six studies, n = 6030), pooled sensitivity was 87% (95% CI, 8% to 91%) and specificity was 45% (95% CI, 39% to 50%). At a Prostate Health Index threshold of 36 and above (five studies, n = 1476), pooled sensitivity was 72% (95% CI, 64% to 79%) and specificity was 74% (95% CI, 68% to 80%). Only one study assessed p2PSA. Sensitivity ranged from 80% to 95%, and specificity ranged from 9.9% to 27.9% with increasing threshold values from 7.9 to 10.9ng/mL.

Conclusions:

Overall, both Prostate Health Index and p2PSA have acceptable accuracy for the determination of the likelihood of aggressive prostate cancer. However, the inverse relationship between sensitivity and specificity makes it difficult to determine an optimum cut-off value for positivity. Further research is warranted to determine their utility in the management of prostate cancer.
A Geometrically Inspired Model for Brittle Damage in Compressible Elastomers
Authors: Das Sanhita , Sharma Shubham , Ramaswamy Ananth , Roy Debasish , Reddy J. N.
Published: March 2021

Regularized continuum damage models such as those based on an order parameter (phase field) have been extensively used to characterize brittle damage of compressible elastomers. However, the prescription of the surface integral and the degradation function for stiffness lacks a physical basis. In this article, we propose a continuum damage model that draws upon the postulate that a damaged material could be mathematically described as a Riemannian manifold. Working within this framework with a well-defined Riemannian metric designed to capture features of isotropic damage, we prescribe a scheme to prevent damage evolution under pure compression. The result is a substantively reduced stiffness degradation due to damage before the peak response and a faster convergence rate with the length scale parameter in comparison with a second-order phase field formulation that involves a quadratic degradation function. We also validate this model using results of tensile experiments on double notched plates.
Topological Design of Freely Vibrating Bi-Material Structures to Achieve the Maximum Band Gap Centering at a Specified Frequency
Authors: Liu Pai , Zhang Xiaopeng , Luo Yangjun
Published: March 2021

The topological design of structures to avoid vibration resonance for a certain external excitation frequency is often desired. This paper considers the topology optimization of freely vibrating bi-material structures with fixed/varying attached mass positions, targeting at maximizing the frequency band gap centering at a specified frequency. A band gap measure index is proposed to measure the size of the band gap with a specified center frequency. Aiming at maximizing this measure index, the topology optimization problem is formulated on the basis of the material-field series-expansion (MFSE) method, which greatly reduces the number of design variables and at the same time keeps the capability to describe relatively complex structural topologies with clear boundaries. As the considered optimization problem is highly non-linear and may yield multiple local minima, a sequential Kriging-based optimization solution strategy is employed to effectively solve the optimization problem. This solution strategy exhibits a relatively strong global search capability and requires no sensitivity information. With the present topology optimization model and the gradient-free algorithm, relative large band gaps with specified center frequencies have been obtained for two-dimensional (2D) beams and three-dimensional (3D) plates, without specifying the frequency orders between which the desired band gap occurs in prior.
Transformative tools for parasitic flatworms
Authors: Anderson Timothy J. C. , Duraisingh Manoj T.
Published: March 2021

Schistosome single-cell atlas and genome-wide functional dissection reveal druggable targets
Description of Shapiro steps on the potential energy surface of a Frenkel–Kontorova model, Part II: free boundaries of the chain
Authors: Quapp W. , Bofill J. M.
Published: March 2021

We explain Shapiro steps in a Frenkel–Kontorova (FK) model for a 1D chain of particles with free boundaries. The action of an external alternating force for the oscillating structure of the chain is important here. The different ’floors’ of the potential energy surface (PES) of this model play an important role. They are regions of kinks, double kinks, and so on. We will find out that the preferable movements are the sliding of kinks or antikinks through the chain. The more kinks / antikinks are included the higher is the ’floor’ through the PES. We find the Shapiro steps moving and oscillating anywhere between the floors. They start with a single jump over the highest SP in the global valley through the PES, like in part I of this series. They finish with complicated oscillations in the PES, for excitations directly over the critical depinning force. We use an FK model with free boundary conditions. In contrast to other results in the past, for this model, we obtain Shapiro steps in an unexpected, inverse sequence. We demonstrate Shapiro steps for a case with soft ’springs’ between an 8-particle FK chain.

Graphic abstract
Optomechanically induced transparency, amplification, and Fano resonance in a multimode optomechanical system with quadratic coupling
Authors: Zhang Yongchao , Zhu Zhipeng , Cui Yuanshun , Yu Hualing , Jiang Cheng , Cao Xiufeng
Published: March 2021

We explore the optical response of a multimode optomechanical system with quadratic coupling to a weak probe field, where the cavity is driven by a strong control field and the two movable membranes are, respectively, excited by weak coherent mechanical driving fields. We study the two cases that the two movable membranes are degenerate and nondegenerate. For the degenerate case, it is shown that only one transparency window occurs and the transition between optomechanically induced transparency and Fano resonance can be realized by tuning the cavity-control field detuning. For the nondegenerate case, two transparency windows are observed and the absorption spectrum can switch between a single Fano resonance and double Fano resonances. Furthermore, we show that the output probe field can be greatly amplified or completely suppressed due to the complex interference effect by tuning the amplitude and phase of the mechanical driving fields. Our results can be extended to the optomechanical system with multiple membranes, which enables us to control the light propagation more flexibly.
IS THERE J-CURVE EFFECT IN THE TRADE BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND UNITED KINGDOM? ASYMMETRIC EVIDENCE FROM INDUSTRY LEVEL DATA
Authors: USMAN AHMED , BAHMANI-OSKOEE MOHSEN , ANWAR SOFIA , ULLAH SANA
Published: March 2021

Pakistan is a country which is facing chronic trade deficit since its independence and currency devaluation have always remained an effective strategy to bridge this gap between imports and exports. Previous studies which assessed the influence of changes in exchange rate on Pakistan’s trade balance followed a symmetric or linear approach. However, in this study we adopt an asymmetric approach, according to which appreciations and depreciations have asymmetric effects on the trade balance of Pakistan. Using commodity trade data of 28 (2-digits) industries that trade between Pakistan and United Kingdom, we find pattern of the J-curve in nine industries when a linear model was estimated. However, when we estimated a nonlinear model, the concept of asymmetric J-curve was supported in 14 industries. The largest industry (clothing) which engages in 36.5% of the trade was found to benefit from rupee depreciation.
AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF CHINA’S OFDI ON THE INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE UPGRADING OF COUNTRIES ALONG THE BELT AND ROAD AND THE THRESHOLD EFFECT OF INFRASTRUCTURE LEVELS
Authors: WANG HUI , ZHONG XIN
Published: March 2021

This paper empirically investigates the impact of China’s OFDI on the industrial structure upgrading of countries along the Belt and Road (B&R) and examines the threshold effect of the infrastructure levels on that impact based on the panel data of 52 B&R countries from 2006 to 2017. The results show that China’s OFDI can significantly promote the industrial structure upgrading of B&R countries and that the Belt and Road initiative implementation can help to strengthen the promoting effects of China’s OFDI in the comprehensive FGLS, the Diff-GMM and the System GMM estimation. Moreover, China’s technology transfer OFDI has the greatest promotion effect, followed by capital transfer OFDI; labor transfer OFDI has the least promotion effect. China’s OFDI plays a larger role in promoting the industrial structure upgrading of Central Asia and South Asia countries, followed by ASEAN and CIS countries and it plays a smaller role in West Asia and Central-Eastern Europe countries. There is a threshold effect of the B&R countries’ infrastructure level. When the transportation infrastructure, energy infrastructure, communication infrastructure and overall infrastructure levels exceed the corresponding thresholds, the promoting effect of China’s OFDI will be further enhanced in the comprehensive FGLS estimation. Our study proposes that under the Belt and Road initiative, to improve the infrastructure level of the B&R countries, and to increase the effectiveness of China’s OFDI in promoting the industrial structure upgrading of the B&R countries, China should further strengthen international cooperation, expand outward investment, and strengthen the infrastructure connectivity construction with B&R countries.
PERFORMANCE OF CHINA’S CORE INFLATION MEASURES FOR MONETARY POLICY
Authors: HU YUSHAN , ZHANG PENGLONG
Published: March 2021

In this paper, China’s core inflation is defined as any price changes that are caused by the money supply. This definition is especially relevant to examining monetary policy because the money supply is controllable by China’s central bank. This paper develops a New Keynesian DSGE model with a quantity-based monetary rule that fits real aggregated data from China to analyze core inflation’s key characteristics. Eight different approaches are used to estimate core inflation in China. By constructing VAR models of output growth, money supply growth and core inflation, we estimate the response of core inflation measures to the money supply shock. By matching the response to money supply shocks in both the model and the data, we compare the performance of different core inflation measures for monetary policy in China.
Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Nutrient Uptake by Young Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.)
Authors: Dogbatse Jerome A. , Arthur Alfred , Awudzi Godfred K. , Quaye Amos K. , Konlan Sampson , Amaning Andrews A.
Published: March 2021

Sustainable cacao cultivation in Ghana has been seriously hampered by high seedling mortality due to the low soil fertility of lands used for the establishment of new cacao farms. Alleviating the low soil fertility to enhance sustainable cacao cultivation requires the use of fertilizers. A study was therefore conducted at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana to determine the effect of integrated application of poultry manure (PM) and sulphate of ammonia (SOA) fertilizers on survival, growth, and nutrient uptake by cacao seedlings under marginal field conditions. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used to evaluate the effects of six treatments. Traits assessed were percentage survival, height, trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), and nutrient uptake. Results from the study showed no significant differences in soil N and K among the treatments. PM-amended plots had significantly higher soil P than nonamended control and SOA alone. Seedling survival rate ranged from 73.3 to 89.3% with a higher proportion of surviving plants in PM amended soils. The application of PM alone and its combination with SOA improved growth. Cacao trees of T4 (75% recommended dosage of SOA + PM) had the largest TCSA increment, which was significantly different from the other soil treatments. Leaf nutrient concentrations in cacao of T4 were higher than the other soil treatments. It was therefore concluded that T4 could be used during cacao establishment in marginal areas for improved plant survival and growth.
Adsorptive Performance of Polypyrrole-Based KOH-Activated Carbon for the Cationic Dye Crystal Violet: Kinetic and Equilibrium Studies
Authors: Alghamdi Abdulaziz Ali , Al-Odayni Abdel-Basit , Abduh Naaser A. Y. , Alramadhan Safiah A. , Aljboar Mashael T. , Saeed Waseem Sharaf
Published: March 2021

The aim of this work was to investigate the adsorptive performance of the polypyrrole-based KOH-activated carbon (PACK) in the removal of the basic dye crystal violet (CV) using a batch adsorption system. The equilibrium data, obtained at different initial CV concentrations ([Formula: see text]) and temperatures (25–45°C), were interpreted using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms, with the Langmuir model providing a better fit ([Formula: see text]) and a maximum adsorption capacity of 497.51 mg/g at 45°C. Under the examined conditions, the values of the thermodynamic parameters free energy, enthalpy, and entropy indicate a spontaneous, endothermic, and physisorption adsorption process. The kinetic data of the adsorption process were very well described by a pseudo-second-order model ([Formula: see text]). However, surface diffusion seems to be the main rate-controlling step. Thus, we concluded that PACK shows commercial potential for the removal of cationic dyes such as CV from industrial effluent.
Mechanism and Characteristics of CH4/CO2/H2O Adsorption in Lignite Molecules
Authors: Wen Zhihui , Yang Yunpeng , Wang Qi , Yao Banghua
Published: March 2021

Adsorption characteristics of coalbed methane (CBM) are significant to investigate the absorption of coal, shale, and porous media. In particular, adsorption characteristics of CH4, CO2, and H2O play an important role in predicting CBM output and geologic sequestration potentials of CO2 in research fields of CO2-enhanced CBM recovery (CO2-ECBM) and sequestration of CO2. In this work, adsorption characteristics of CH4, CO2, and H2O in lignite molecules were simulated through the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method and molecular dynamics (MD) method. Research results demonstrated that given the same temperature and pressure, the ultimate adsorption capacity of lignite per unit to H2O is the highest, followed by those of CO2 and CH4 successively. All isothermal adsorption curves conform to the “I-type” characteristics. In the saturated molecular configuration, gas molecules show different distribution patterns at two sides of the lignite molecule chain. Lignite has typical physical adsorption to CH4 and CO2, with adsorption energy provided by nonbonding energy. However, lignite has both physical adsorption and chemical adsorption to H2O, with adsorption energy provided by both nonbonding energy and hydrogen bond energy. High temperature is against adsorption of CH4, CO2, and H2O. Temperature might inhibit adsorption of gas molecules. Research conclusions lay foundations for the exploitation and development of CBM and relevant studies on sequestration of CO2.
International Import and Export Trade Forecasting Algorithm Based on Heterogeneous Dynamic Edge Computing System
Authors: Yang Yingfei
Published: March 2021

As a new computing model, how to use edge computing to forecast import and export trade has become an issue of concern. This research mainly discusses the prediction algorithm of international import and export trade based on heterogeneous dynamic edge computing system. The dynamic task migration system studied in this paper mainly includes four parts: edge computing environment simulator, task generator, resource predictor, and migration decision maker. These four parts are not independent modules in the working process; they will interact with each other in the edge computing environment. In the data processing offloading strategy, the customs business personnel transfer the trade data that need to be predicted to the edge device cluster through the mobile terminal. After receiving the data transmitted by the business personnel, the edge device cluster uses data processing technology to process the data. After the data processing operation is completed, the processed data is directly used for prediction work. After the prediction work is completed, the data and results are uploaded to the central server. Finally, after the prediction work is completed, the edge device will feed back the prediction result to the mobile terminal and display the result on the user interface through the mobile terminal so that business personnel can understand the trade risk status. From August 2018 data application period, the monthly data of the import and export trade volume for the subsequent time span of ten years were regularly forecasted, and the correlation coefficient was still over 83%, and the RMSE also dropped significantly. The system designed in this study can effectively predict the annual estimated value of various economic indicators of international import and export trade.
Bounds on Co-Independent Liar’s Domination in Graphs
Authors: Prabha K. Suriya , Amutha S. , Anbazhagan N. , Cangul Ismail Naci
Published: March 2021

A set

S
⊆
V

of a graph

G
=

V
,
E

is called a co-independent liar’s dominating set of

G

if (i) for all

v
∈
V

,

N

G

v

∩
S

≥
2

, (ii) for every pair

u
,
v
∈
V

of distinct vertices,

N

G

u

∪

N

G

v

∩
S

≥
3

, and (iii) the induced subgraph of

G

on

V
−
S

has no edge. The minimum cardinality of vertices in such a set is called the co-independent liar’s domination number of

G

, and it is denoted by

γ

coi

L
R

G

. In this paper, we introduce the concept of co-independent liar’s domination number of the middle graph of some standard graphs such as path and cycle graphs, and we propose some bounds on this new parameter.
Research on Volleyball Image Classification Based on Artificial Intelligence and SIFT Algorithm
Authors: Lin Weipeng
Published: March 2021

Due to the application scenarios of image matching, different scenarios have different requirements for matching performance. Faced with this situation, people cannot accurately and timely find the information they need. Therefore, the research of image classification technology is very important. Image classification technology is one of the important research directions of computer vision and pattern recognition, but there are still few researches on volleyball image classification. The selected databases are the general database ImageNet library and COCO library. First, the color image is converted into a gray image through gray scale transformation, and then the scale space theory is integrated into the image feature point extraction process through the SIFT algorithm. Extract local feature points from the volleyball image, and then combine them with the Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) algorithm to eliminate the resulting mismatch. Analyze the characteristic data to obtain the data that best reflects the image characteristics, and use the data to classify existing volleyball images. The algorithm can effectively reduce the amount of data and has high classification performance. It aims to improve the accuracy of image matching or reduce the time cost. This research has very important use value in practical applications.
International Trade Balance Algorithm Based on the Ownership Principle of Mobile Edge Computing
Authors: Du Fangfang
Published: March 2021

As an emerging mobile computing technology, mobile edge computing is an important key technology to improve the computing services of mobile devices. This paper mainly studies the balance of international trade algorithm based on the principle of moving edge computing ownership. In order to obtain all the data needed to perform the task, each mobile device can exchange data information with its connected base station through the wireless network. On the basis of satisfying the quality of service of users, including considering the user connection and service configuration, the network energy consumption is minimized in continuous t period by shutting down some servers whose resources are not fully utilized. At the same time, in order to reduce the switching cost of edge server and ensure the stability of service, frequent switching of edge server should be avoided. At the beginning, there is division of labor economy. With the development of specialized production, the degree of international division of labor is increasing due to the effect of experience accumulation. The trade efficiency is growing endogenously. The international division of labor is further deepened, and the types and quantity of products participating in the international division of labor are greatly increased, so as to realize the upgrading of trade structure. Before constructing the structural VAR model of Bti, R/W, K/L, and TFP, we need to test its stationarity. Using Eviews 5.0 software, ADF test and PP test were carried out on the unit root of BTI, r/

w

, K/L, and TFP time series data. With the increase of user task arrival rate, the average time revenue increases continuously. However, when the arrival rate is greater than 3 kbit/slot, the average time revenue increases slowly. The results show that the research results in system model and resource optimization algorithm will provide reliable theoretical and technical support for the practical application of mobile edge computing.