bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New species of Aspidistra (Convallariaceae s.s.) in the flora of Vietnam
Authors: Averyanov Leonid V. , Nguyen Khang Sinh , Wynn‐Jones Bleddyn , Tillich H.‐J. , Maisak Tatiana V. , Nguyen Van Dzu
Published: December 2020

This paper continues the publication of Aspidistra species newly discovered and reported in the flora of Vietnam. It includes illustrated diagnosis of one species new for science, A. angustata Aver., K.S. Nguyen & Tillich and notes on two species, A. chunxiuensis C.R. Lin & Yan Liu, and A. guangxiensis S.C. Tang & Yan Liu newly recorded in the country. Color illustrations, new or updated data on morphology, ecology, phenology, tentative relationships, distribution and conservation status are provided for all three taxa.
Cutaneous reactions to pediatric cancer treatment part II: Targeted therapy
Authors: Carlberg Valerie M. , Davies Olivia M. T. , Brandling‐Bennett Heather A. , Leary Sarah E. S. , Huang Jennifer T. , Coughlin Carrie C. , Gupta Deepti
Published: December 2020

Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children. Targeted therapies may improve survivorship; however, unique side‐effect profiles have also emerged with these novel therapies. Changes in hair, skin, and nails—termed dermatologic adverse events (AEs)—are among the most common sequelae and may result in interruption or discontinuation of therapy. Though dermatologic AEs have been detailed in adults, these findings are not well described in the pediatric population. We reviewed the literature to characterize dermatologic AEs to anticancer targeted therapies available as of July 2020 and summarized the spectrum of clinical findings as well as treatment recommendations for children. Dermatologic AEs are among the most common AEs reported in pediatric patients receiving targeted therapy, but morphologic and histologic descriptions are often lacking in current publications. Pediatric dermatologists are uniquely poised to recognize specific morphology of dermatologic AEs and make recommendations for prevention and treatment that may improve quality of life and enable ongoing cancer therapy.
Dysfunction by Design: Trumpism as Administrative Doctrine
Authors: Moynihan Donald , Roberts Alasdair
Published: December 2020

The administration of President Donald Trump caused widespread damage to administrative capabilities of the American federal government. Actions of the administration can be attributed to several causes, including character weaknesses of the President himself, the disadvantages of a political insurgent, and the challenges faced by every president in an era of divided government. The actions of the administration also reflect a governing strategy we categorize as Trumpism. Important elements of Trumpism will continue to have political force in the coming years. Attempts by the Biden administration to restore administrative capabilities will be constrained by these political realities.

Evidence for Practice

Trumpism was a governing strategy that was associated with a distinctive approach toward the reconstruction of federal administrative capacities.

Trumpism revived and reinvented old strands in American political thought, such as populism, conspiracism, isolationism, and white nationalism.

Trumpism as an administrative doctrine included delegitimization of the public service, a politicized and personalized management of the executive branch, a demand for loyalty over competence among public servants, a blurring of roles between Trump and the office of the President, and a disregard for traditional forms of accountability.

As a means of managing public services, Trumpism could be judged a failure. Mismanagement of the COVID pandemic likely cost Trump his re‐election. However, his attacks on public service itself drew broad support.

While Trump is a unique political figure, elements of Trumpism will remain influential in American politics. Attempts to reconstruct and expand federal administrative capacities will be constrained by this political reality.
Toll‐like receptor‐2/7‐mediated T cell activation: An innate potential to augment CD8+ T cell cytokine production
Authors: Freen‐van Heeren Julian J.
Published: December 2020

CD8+ T cells are critical to combat pathogens and eradicate malignantly transformed cells. To exert their effector function and kill target cells, T cells produce copious amounts of effector molecules, including the pro‐inflammatory cytokines interferon γ, tumour necrosis factor α and interleukin 2. TCR triggering alone is sufficient to induce cytokine secretion by effector and memory CD8+ T cells. However, T cells can also be directly activated by pathogen‐derived molecules, such as through the triggering of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs). TLR‐mediated pathogen sensing by T cells results in the production of only interferon γ. However, in particular when the antigen load on target cells is low, or when TCR affinity to the antigen is limited, antigen‐experienced T cells can benefit from costimulatory signals. TLR stimulation can also function in a costimulatory fashion to enhance TCR triggering. Combined TCR and TLR triggering enhances the proliferation, memory formation and effector function of T cells, resulting in enhanced production of interferon γ, tumour necrosis factor α and interleukin 2. Therefore, TLR ligands or the exploitation of TLR signalling could provide novel opportunities for immunotherapy approaches. In fact, CD19 CAR T cells bearing an intracellular TLR2 costimulatory domain were recently employed to treat cancer patients in a clinical trial. Here, the current knowledge regarding TLR2/7 stimulation‐induced cytokine production by T cells is reviewed. Specifically, the transcriptional and post‐transcriptional pathways engaged upon TLR2/7 sensing and TLR2/7 signalling are discussed. Finally, the potential uses of TLRs to enhance the anti‐tumor effector function of T cells are explored.
Suicide mortality and related behavior following calls to the Veterans Crisis Line by Veterans Health Administration patients
Authors: Hannemann Claire M. , Katz Ira R. , McCarthy Megan E. , Hughes Gregory J. , McKeon Richard , McCarthy John F.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To assess outcomes for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients following calls to the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL).

Methods

158,927 VHA patients had an initial VCL call in 2010–2015 with documented identifiers. Multivariable proportional hazards regressions assessed risks of suicide and suicide‐related behavior through 12 months. Covariates included age, sex, region, mental health encounters in the prior year, time of day, weekday/weekend status, call outcome, and responder determination of caller risk.

Results

Annualized suicide rates per 100,000 within 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 797, 520, 387, and 298, respectively. Average age was 49.9 (SD = 15.2), 86.5% were male, 68.6% received mental health encounters in the prior year, and 5.9% had calls categorized as at high risk. Adjusting for covariates, suicide risk was greater among male callers and those with calls categorized as at high or moderate risk.

Conclusions

Veterans Crisis Line serves a high‐risk population at a critical time. Rates were particularly high within one month and remained substantially elevated through 12 months. Findings have directly informed ongoing efforts to enhance coordination between VCL and VHA to support suicide prevention.
Three novel HLA‐C alleles identified in Russian individuals: C*04:01:124, C*12:02:38, and C*12:03:64
Authors: Ananeva Anastasiia , Sergeeva Iuliia , Gusev Oleg , Shagimardanova Elena
Published: December 2020

Three new human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐C alleles, C*04:01:124, C*12:02:38, and C*12:03:64, alleles detected in Russian individuals.
An application of the 2018 Banff Classification for BK polyomavirus‐associated nephropathy in renal transplantation
Authors: Wang Meifang , Zhou Qin , Wang Huiping , Chen Ying , Chen Jianghua
Published: December 2020

Background

There is still a lack of a recognized morphological classification of BK viral nephropathy (BKVN) which can better reflect the clinical manifestations and prognosis.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 53 patients with BKVN in our center from January 2011 to December 2018 and evaluated the new Banff 2018 classifications' predictive value for the graft prognosis.

Results

The period between transplantation and BKVN diagnosis lasted for 10.3 months (IQR, 5.3‐21.9 months). The main reason (92.5%) for puncture was the increase of blood serum creatinine. Of the 53 patients diagnosed with BKVN, 100% were positive for urinary BK virus‐DNA, and the viral load was 1.4 × 108 copies/mL (IQR, 3.7 × 104‐1.3 × 1011 copies/mL); 75.5% were positive for blood BK virus‐DNA, and the viral load was 3.3 × 104 copies/mL (IQR, 0‐2.8 × 107 copies/mL). There were five cases in class 1, 31 cases in class 2, and 17 cases in class 3; the viral load of urine BK was 3.3 × 108, 1.4 × 108, and 6.3 × 107 copies/mL (P > .05); the viral load of blood BK was 3.3 × 104, 3.3 × 104, and 3.3 × 104 copies/mL (P > .05); the 1‐year graft survival rates were 100%, 90.3%, and 52.9%, respectively (P < .05).

Conclusion

BKVN mostly occurs within 1 year after transplantation. There is no correlation between BK virus load in hematuria and pathological damage at the time of diagnosis. The 2018 Banff Classification for BKVN can better indicate the prognosis of graft.
Nation‐wide investigation ofRHDvariants in Thai blood donors: Impact for molecular diagnostics
Authors: Thongbut Jairak , Laengsri Vishuda , Raud Loann , Promwong Charuporn , I‐Na‐Ayudhya Chartchalerm , Férec Claude , Nuchnoi Pornlada , Fichou Yann
Published: December 2020

Background

Knowledge of the molecular determinants driving antigen expression is critical to design, optimize, and implement a genotyping approach on a population‐specific basis. AlthoughRHDgene variability has been extensively reported in Caucasians, Africans, and East‐Asians, it remains to be explored in Southeast Asia. Thus the molecular basis of non‐D+ blood donors was investigated in Thailand.

Study Design and Methods

First, 1176 blood samples exhibiting an inconclusive or negative result by automated serological testing were collected in the 12 Regional Blood Centres of the Thai Red Cross located throughout Thailand. Second, theRHDgene was analyzed in all samples by 1) quantitative multiplex PCR of short fluorescent fragments, and 2) direct sequencing, when necessary, for identifying structural variants and single nucleotide variants, respectively.

Results

Additional serological typing yielded 51 and 1125 samples with weak/partial D and D‐negative (D‐) phenotype, respectively. In the first subset, partialRHD*06.03was the most common variant allele (allele frequency: 18.6%). In the second subset, the whole deletion of the gene is largely the most frequent (allele frequency: 84.9%), followed by the AsianDELallele found in 15.6% of the samples. Eight novel alleles with various mutational mechanisms were identified.

Conclusion

We report, for the first time at the national level, the molecular basis of weak/partial D and serologically D‐ phenotypes in Thai blood donors. The design and implementation of a dedicated diagnostic strategy in blood donors and patients are the very next steps for optimizing the management and supply of RBC units in Thailand.
The shortage of veterinarians in emergency practice: A survey and analysis
Authors: Booth Matthew , Rishniw Mark , Kogan Lori R.
Published: December 2020

Objective

To examine factors that impact veterinarians’ decisions to pursue a career in, or remain working in emergency medicine.

Design

Survey.

Setting

General practitioner and student members of Veterinary Information Network.

Animals

None.

Interventions

None.

Measurement and main results

Veterinarians working in (or having worked in), and students hoping to work in emergency medicine mostly enjoy this type of medicine but find the scheduling and stress of the job create impediments to remaining in the field. Fear of being left without support, especially early in their career, also hinder veterinarians from pursuing a career in or remaining in emergency medicine.

Conclusions

Programs that increase flexibility of work hours or schedules, and provide either a formal or informal mentoring environment, might help increase retention of veterinarians within the field and encourage students to consider a career in emergency medicine.
A Longitudinal Study of Power Relations in a British Olympic Sport Organization
Authors: Feddersen Niels B. , Morris Robert , Storm Louise K. , Littlewood Martin A. , Richardson David J.
Published: December 2020

The purpose was to examine the power relations during a change of culture in an Olympic sports organization in the United Kingdom. The authors conducted a 16-month longitudinal study combining action research and grounded theory. The data collection included ethnography and a focus group discussion (n = 10) with athletes, coaches, parents, and the national governing body. The authors supplemented these with 26 interviews with stakeholders, and we analyzed the data using grounded theory. The core concept found was that power relations were further divided into systemic power and informational power. Systemic power (e.g., formal authority to reward or punish) denotes how the national governing bodies sought to implement change from the top-down and impose new strategies on the organization. The informational power (e.g., tacit feeling of oneness and belonging) represented how individuals and subunits mobilized coalitions to support or obstruct the sports organization’s agenda. Olympic sports organizations should consider the influence of power when undertaking a change of culture.
Free SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein S1 Particles May Play a Role in the Pathogenesis of COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Letarov Andrey V. , Babenko Vladislav V. , Kulikov Eugene E.
Published: December 2020

The imbalance of the renin-angiotensin system is currently considered as a potentially important factor of the pathogenesis of COVID-19 disease. It has been shown previously in the murine model, that the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the cell surface is downregulated in response to the infection by SARS-CoV virus or recombinant spike protein (S protein) alone. In the case of natural infection, circulation of the S protein in a soluble form is unlikely. However, in SARS-CoV-2, a large fraction of S protein trimers is pre-processed during virion morphogenesis due to the presence of furin protease cleavage site between the S1 and S2 subunits. Therefore, S protein transition into the fusion conformation may be accompanied by the separation of the S1 subunits carrying the receptor-binding domains from the membrane-bound S2 subunits. The fate of the S1 particles shed due to the spontaneous “firing” of some S protein trimers exposed on the virions and on the surface of infected cells has been never investigated. We hypothesize that the soluble S1 subunits of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein shed from the infected cells and from the virions in vivo may bind to the ACE2 and downregulate cell surface expression of this protein. The decrease in the ACE2 activity on the background of constant or increased ACE activity in the lungs may lead to the prevalence of angiotensin II effects over those of angiotensin (1-7), thus promoting thrombosis, inflammation, and pulmonary damage. This hypothesis also suggests the association between less pronounced shedding of the S1 particles reported for the S protein carrying the D614G mutation (vs. the wild type D614 protein), and lack of increased severity of the COVID-19 infection caused by the mutant (D614G) SARS-CoV-2 strain, despite its higher infectivity and higher in vivo viral load.
Effectiveness, safety and acceptability of medical abortion at home versus in the clinic: a systematic review and meta-analysis in response to COVID-19
Authors: Gambir Katherine , Garnsey Camille , Necastro Kelly Ann , Ngo Thoai D
Published: December 2020

Background

Increased access to home-based medical abortion may offer women a convenient, safe and effective abortion method, reduce burdens on healthcare systems and support social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Home-based medical abortion is defined as any abortion where mifepristone, misoprostol or both medications are taken at home.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies (NRSs) were conducted. We searched databases from inception to 10 July 2019 and 14 June 2020. Successful abortion was the main outcome of interest. Eligible studies were RCTs and NRSs studies with a concurrent comparison group comparing home versus clinic-based medical abortion. Risk ratios (RRs) and their 95% CIs were calculated. Estimates were calculated using a random-effects model. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to assess risk of bias by outcome and to evaluate the overall quality of the evidence.

Results

We identified 6277 potentially eligible published studies. Nineteen studies (3 RCTs and 16 NRSs) were included with 11 576 women seeking abortion up to 9 weeks gestation. Neither the RCTs nor the NRS found any difference between home-based and clinic-based administration of medical abortion in having a successful abortion (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.01, I2=0%; RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.01, I2=52%, respectively). The certainty of the evidence for the 16 NRSs was downgraded from low to very low due to high risk of bias and publication bias. The certainty of the evidence for the three RCTs was downgraded from high to moderate by one level for high risk of bias.

Conclusion

Home-based medical abortion is effective, safe and acceptable to women. This evidence should be used to expand women’s abortion options and ensure access to abortion for women during COVID-19 and beyond.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020183171.
Main results of the DAMPE space detector after 4 years in orbit
Authors: Fusco Piergiorgio
Published: December 2020

The DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is a high-performance space particle detector launched in orbit in 2015 by a collaboration of Chinese, Italian and Swiss scientific institutions, coordinated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It consists of a high-resolution segmented BGO electromagnetic calorimeter with a depth of 32 radiation lengths, a silicon-tungsten tracker-converter with an angular resolution below [Formula: see text], an anti-coincidence shield and ion detector, and a neutron detector. The detector characteristics and performance, and the latest observations of cosmic electrons up to 5 TeV, protons and nuclei up to 100 TeV and gamma-rays up to 10 TeV are presented.
Particle production in modified gravity in the early and present day universe
Authors: Arbuzova E. V.
Published: December 2020

Gravitational equations of motion in modified theories of gravity have oscillating solutions, both in the early and in the present day universe. Particle production by such oscillations is analyzed and possible observational consequences are considered. This phenomenon has impact on energy spectrum of cosmic rays and abundance of dark matter particles.
Bifurcation Analysis of a Prey–Predator Model with Beddington–DeAngelis Type Functional Response and Allee Effect in Prey
Authors: Garain Koushik , Mandal Partha Sarathi
Published: December 2020

The article aims to study a prey–predator model which includes the Allee effect phenomena in prey growth function, density dependent death rate for predators and Beddington–DeAngelis type functional response. We notice the changes in the existence and stability of the equilibrium points due to the Allee effect. To investigate the complete global dynamics of the Allee model, we present here a two-parametric bifurcation diagram which describes the effect of density dependent death rate parameter of predator on dynamical changes of the system. We have also analyzed all possible local and global bifurcations that the system could go through, namely transcritical bifurcation, saddle-node bifurcation, Hopf-bifurcation, cusp bifurcation, Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation and homoclinic bifurcation. Finally, the impact of the Allee effect in the considered system is investigated by comparing the dynamics of both the systems with and without Allee effect.
Bifurcation Analysis of a Dynamical Model for the Innate Immune Response to Initial Pulmonary Infections
Authors: Shi Shujing , Huang Jicai , Wen Jing , Ruan Shigui
Published: December 2020

It has been reported that COVID-19 patients had an increased neutrophil count and a decreased lymphocyte count in the severe phase and neutrophils may contribute to organ damage and mortality. In this paper, we present the bifurcation analysis of a dynamical model for the initial innate system response to pulmonary infection. The model describes the interaction between a pathogen and neutrophilis (also known as polymorphonuclear leukocytes). It is shown that the system undergoes a sequence of bifurcations including subcritical and supercritical Bogdanov–Takens bifurcations, Hopf bifurcation, and degenerate Hopf bifurcation as the parameters vary, and the model exhibits rich dynamics such as the existence of multiple coexistent periodic oscillations, homoclinic orbits, bistability and tristability, etc. Numerical simulations are presented to explain the theoretical results.
Numerical Simulation of Localized Bulging in an Inflated Hyperelastic Tube with Fixed Ends
Authors: Lin Zehui , Li Linan , Ye Yang
Published: December 2020

When a hyperelastic tube is inflated, the inflation pressure has a maximum for almost all rubber material models, but has no maximum for commonly used arterial models. It is generally believed that the pressure having a maximum is a necessary condition for localized bulging to occur, and therefore aneurysms cannot be modeled as a mechanical bifurcation phenomenon. However, recent theoretical studies have shown that if the axial stretch is fixed during inflation, localized bulging may still occur even if a pressure maximum does not exist in uniform inflation. In this paper, numerical simulations are conducted to confirm this theoretical prediction. It is also demonstrated that if the axial pre-stretch is not sufficiently large, unloading near the two ends can reduce the axial stress to a value close to zero and Euler-type buckling then occurs.
Mock modular Eisenstein series with Nebentypus
Authors: Mertens Michael H. , Ono Ken , Rolen Larry
Published: December 2020

By the theory of Eisenstein series, generating functions of various divisor functions arise as modular forms. It is natural to ask whether further divisor functions arise systematically in the theory of mock modular forms. We establish, using the method of Zagier and Zwegers on holomorphic projection, that this is indeed the case for certain (twisted) “small divisors” summatory functions [Formula: see text]. More precisely, in terms of the weight 2 quasimodular Eisenstein series [Formula: see text] and a generic Shimura theta function [Formula: see text], we show that there is a constant [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] is a half integral weight (polar) mock modular form. These include generating functions for combinatorial objects such as the Andrews [Formula: see text]-function and the “consecutive parts” partition function. Finally, in analogy with Serre’s result that the weight [Formula: see text] Eisenstein series is a [Formula: see text]-adic modular form, we show that these forms possess canonical congruences with modular forms.
Shimura lifts of certain classes of modular forms of half-integral weight
Authors: Pandey Manish Kumar , Ramakrishnan B.
Published: December 2020

Shimura defined a family of maps from the space of modular forms of half-integral weight to the space of modular forms of integral weight. Selberg in his unpublished work found explicitly this correspondence (the first Shimura map [Formula: see text]) for the class of forms which are products of a Hecke eigenform of level one and a Jacobi theta function. Later, Cipra generalized the work of Selberg to the case where Jacobi theta functions are replaced by the theta functions associated to Dirichlet character of prime power moduli, and the level one Hecke eigenforms are replaced by newforms of arbitrary level. Hansen and Naqvi generalized Cipra’s work (on the image of a class of modular forms under the first Shimura map [Formula: see text]) to cover theta functions associated to Dirichlet characters of arbitrary moduli. In this paper, we show that the earlier results can be modified to get similar results for the [Formula: see text]th Shimura lifts [Formula: see text], for any positive square-free integer [Formula: see text].
Newly reducible polynomial iterates
Authors: Illig Peter , Jones Rafe , Orvis Eli , Segawa Yukihiko , Spinale Nick
Published: December 2020

Given a field [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we say that a polynomial [Formula: see text] has newly reducible [Formula: see text]th iterate over [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] is irreducible over [Formula: see text], but [Formula: see text] is not (here [Formula: see text] denotes the [Formula: see text]th iterate of [Formula: see text]). We pose the problem of characterizing, for given [Formula: see text], fields [Formula: see text] such that there exists [Formula: see text] of degree [Formula: see text] with newly reducible [Formula: see text]th iterate, and the similar problem for fields admitting infinitely many such [Formula: see text]. We give results in the cases [Formula: see text] as well as for [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text]. In particular, we show that for all these [Formula: see text] pairs, there are infinitely many monic [Formula: see text] of degree [Formula: see text] with newly reducible [Formula: see text]th iterate over [Formula: see text]. Curiously, the minimal polynomial [Formula: see text] of the golden ratio is one example of [Formula: see text] with newly reducible third iterate; very few other examples have small coefficients. Our investigations prompt a number of conjectures and open questions.
Deformations of certain reducible Galois representations III
Authors: Ray Anwesh
Published: December 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be an odd prime and [Formula: see text] a power of [Formula: see text]. We examine the deformation theory of reducible and indecomposable Galois representations [Formula: see text] that are unramified outside a finite set of primes [Formula: see text] and whose image lies in a Borel subgroup. We show that under some additional hypotheses, such representations have geometric lifts to the Witt vectors [Formula: see text]. The main theorem of this paper is a higher-dimensional generalization of the result of [S. Hamblen and R. Ramakrishna, Deformations of certain reducible Galois II, Amer. J. Math. 130(4) (2008) 913–944] [5].
Estimates of shifted convolution sums involving Fourier coefficients of Hecke–Maass eigenform
Authors: Jha Abhash Kumar , Vaishya Lalit
Published: December 2020

We obtain certain estimates for averages of shifted convolution sums involving the Fourier coefficients of a normalized Hecke–Maass eigenform and holomorphic cusp form.
Airway Hygiene in Children and Adults for Lowering Respiratory Droplet Exposure in Clean and Dirty Air
Authors: George Carolin Elizabeth , Salzman Jonathan , Inbaraj Leeberk Raja , Chandrasingh Sindhulina , Klein Chris , Morawska Lidia , Edwards David
Published: December 2020

Respiratory illness threatens the learning potential of hundreds of millions of children around the world. We find in a human volunteer study involving three sites and 253 volunteers that respiratory droplets — of the size and nature to potentially contain COVID-19, influenza, allergens and other contaminants — diminish in number on exhalation by up to 99% via the “airway hygiene” administration of a nasal saline rich in calcium. Exhaled particles were significantly higher and efficacy of airway hygiene greatest at the site (Bangalore India) with highest fine particle ambient air burden. We argue for the use of airway hygiene for pandemic and post-pandemic global learning.
Fintech Lending and Mortgage Credit Access
Authors: Jagtiani Julapa , Lambie-Hanson Lauren , Lambie-Hanson Timothy
Published: December 2020

Following the 2008 financial crisis, mortgage credit tightened and banks lost significant mortgage market share to nonbank lenders, including to fintech firms recently. Have fintech firms expanded credit access, or are their customers similar to those of traditional lenders? Unlike in small business and unsecured consumers lending, fintech mortgage lenders do not have the same incentives or flexibility to use alternative data for credit decisions because of stringent mortgage origination requirements. Fintech loans are broadly similar to those made by traditional lenders, despite innovations in the marketing and the application process. However, nonbanks market to consumers with weaker credit scores than do banks, and fintech lenders have greater market shares in areas with lower credit scores and higher mortgage denial rates.
Performance-Energy Trade-off in Modern CMPs
Authors: Abera Solomon , Balakrishnan M. , Kumar Anshul
Published: December 2020

Chip multiprocessors (CMPs) are ubiquitous in all computing systems ranging from high-end servers to mobile devices. In these systems, energy consumption is a critical design constraint as it constitutes the most significant operating cost for computing clouds. Analogous to this, longer battery life continues to be an essential user concern in mobile devices. To optimize on power consumption, modern processors are designed with Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) support at the individual core as well as the uncore level. This allows fine-grained control of performance and energy. For an
n
core processor with
m
core and uncore frequency choices, the total DVFS configuration space is now
m
(n+1)
(with the uncore accounting for the + 1). In addition to that, in CMPs, the performance-energy trade-off due to core/uncore frequency scaling concerning a single application cannot be determined independently as cores share critical resources like the last level cache (LLC) and the memory. Thus, unlike the uni-processor environment, the energy consumption of an application running on a CMP depends not only on its characteristics but also on those of its co-runners (applications running on other cores). The key objective of our work is to select a suitable core and uncore frequency that minimizes power consumption while limiting application performance degradation within certain pre-defined limits (can be termed as QoS requirements). The key contribution of our work is a learning-based model that is able to capture the interference due to shared cache, bus bandwidth, and memory bandwidth between applications running on multiple cores and predict near-optimal frequencies for core and uncore.
Efficient Nearest-Neighbor Data Sharing in GPUs
Authors: Nematollahi Negin , Sadrosadati Mohammad , Falahati Hajar , Barkhordar Marzieh , Drumond Mario Paulo , Sarbazi-Azad Hamid , Falsafi Babak
Published: December 2020

Stencil codes (a.k.a. nearest-neighbor computations) are widely used in image processing, machine learning, and scientific applications. Stencil codes incur nearest-neighbor data exchange because the value of each point in the structured grid is calculated as a function of its value and the values of a subset of its nearest-neighbor points. When running on Graphics Processing Unit (GPUs), stencil codes exhibit a high degree of data sharing between nearest-neighbor threads. Sharing is typically implemented through shared memories, shuffle instructions, and on-chip caches and often incurs performance overheads due to the redundancy in memory accesses.

In this article, we propose Neighbor Data (NeDa), a direct nearest-neighbor data sharing mechanism that uses two registers embedded in each streaming processor (SP) that can be accessed by nearest-neighbor SP cores. The registers are compiler-allocated and serve as a data exchange mechanism to eliminate nearest-neighbor shared accesses. NeDa is embedded carefully with local wires between SP cores so as to minimize the impact on density. We place and route NeDa in an open-source GPU and show a small area overhead of 1.3%. The cycle-accurate simulation indicates an average performance improvement of 21.8% and power reduction of up to 18.3% for stencil codes in General-Purpose Graphics Processing Unit (GPGPU) standard benchmark suites. We show that NeDa’s performance is within 13.2% of an ideal GPU with no overhead for nearest-neighbor data exchange.
Spatiotemporal factors influence sound-source segregation in localization behavior
Authors: van Bentum Guus C. , van Wanrooij Marc M. , van Opstal A. John
Published: December 2020

Sound localization requires spectral and temporal processing of implicit acoustic cues, and is seriously challenged when multiple sources coincide closely in space and time. We systematically varied spatial-temporal disparities for two sounds and instructed listeners to generate goal-directed head movements. We found that even when the auditory system has accurate representations of both sources, it still has trouble to decide whether the scene contained one or two sounds, and in which order they appeared.
The Materialization Characteristics and Ratio of a New Soil Paste Filling Material
Authors: Wang Zhi , Yu Weijian , Liu Fangfang
Published: December 2020

In this paper, the research background is the filling and mining of the landscape mineral paste body in Baixian State, Guangxi, China. The strength test of the new paste filling material is carried out by the materials of coal zircon, red soil, and cement, the best ratio between the materials is obtained, and the hydration mechanism of the new paste filling material is studied by XRD diffraction instrument and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) test. The types of hydration products and microstructure forms of filling materials in different age periods are revealed. The test results show that the optimal ratio of the new paste filling material in the coal mine is the quality ratio of coal zircon: red soil: cement as 6 : 2 : 1, and the slurry concentration is 80%, which can not only meet the transportation requirements required by the filling process but also reduce the cost of filling, and with the extension of the maintenance age, the filling material produces more gel products, and the overall structure is more encrypted.
Underwater Terrain-Aided Navigation Relocation Method in the Arctic
Authors: Liu Yanji , Zhang Guichen , Che Chidong
Published: December 2020

To solve the localization failure problem of terrain-aided navigation (TAN) system of the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) caused by large area of underwater flat terrain in the Arctic, a navigation system with relocation part is constructed to enhance the robustness of localization. The system uses particle filter to estimate the AUV’s position and reduce the nonlinear noise disturbance, and the prior motion information is added to avoid the mismatching caused by the similar altitude of low-resolution map. Based on the estimate data and the measured altitude data, the normalized innovation square (NIS) is used to evaluate the differentiation of terrain sequence, and the differentiation is used as a judgment of whether the AUV is in the switch location. A simulation experiment is carried out on the 500 m resolution underwater map of the Arctic. The results show that adding the prior motion information can restrain the divergence of the estimator; NIS can accurately reflect the sharp change of terrain sequence. After the relocation process, the AUV can still maintain the positioning accuracy within 2 km after running 50 km in the area including flat and rough terrain. This research solves the problem of localization errors in the Arctic flat terrain in the system level and provides a solution for the application of underwater navigation in the Arctic.
The Improved Least Square Support Vector Machine Based on Wolf Pack Algorithm and Data Inconsistency Rate for Cost Prediction of Substation Projects
Authors: Wang Haichao , Liang Yi , Ding Wei , Niu Dongxiao , Li Si , Wang Fenghua
Published: December 2020

Accurate and stable cost forecasting of substation projects is of great significance to ensure the economic construction and sustainable operation of power engineering projects. In this paper, a forecasting model based on the improved least squares support vector machine (ILSSVM) optimized by wolf pack algorithm (WPA) is proposed to improve the accuracy and stability of the cost forecasting of substation projects. Firstly, the optimal features are selected through the data inconsistency rate (DIR), which helps reduce redundant input vectors. Secondly, the wolf pack algorithm is used to optimize the parameters of the improved least square support vector machine. Lastly, the cost forecasting method of WPA-DIR-ILSSVM is established. In this paper, 88 substation projects in different regions from 2015 to 2017 are chosen to conduct the training tests to verify the validity of the model. The results indicate that the new hybrid WPA-DIR-ILSSVM model presents better accuracy, robustness, and generality in cost forecasting of substation projects.
Secure and Efficient Image Compression-Encryption Scheme Using New Chaotic Structure and Compressive Sensing
Authors: Tang Yongli , Zhao Mingjie , Li Lixiang
Published: December 2020

The rapid development of the Internet leads to a surge in the amount of information transmission and brings many security problems. For multimedia information transmission, especially digital images, it is necessary to compress and encrypt at the same time. The emergence of compressive sensing solves this problem. Compressive sensing can compress and encrypt at the same time, which can not only reduce the transmission bandwidth of the network but also improve the security of the system. However, when using compressive sensing encryption, the whole measurement matrix needs to be stored, and the compressive sensing can be combined with a chaotic system, so only the generation parameters of the matrix need to be stored, and the security of the system can be further improved by using the sensitivity of the chaotic system. This paper introduces a secure and efficient image compression-encryption scheme using a new chaotic structure and compressive sensing. The chaotic map used in the scheme is generated by our new and universal chaotic structure, which not only expands the chaotic range of the chaotic system but also improves the performance of the chaotic system. After analyzing the performance comparison of traditional one-dimensional chaotic maps and some existing methods, the image compression-encryption scheme based on a new chaotic structure and compressive sensing has a good encryption effect and large keyspace, which can resist brute force attack and statistical attack.
Using Guided Discovery to Improve Students’ Retention and Academic Attitudes to Financial Accounting Concepts
Authors: Ugwoke Ernest O. , Olulowo Taiwo Grace , Adedayo Ige Olugbenga
Published: December 2020

Financial Accounting is one of the specialised subjects in the Nigerian senior secondary school curriculum. It is no gain saying that without apposite comprehension of the subject, the goals of its inclusion in the curriculum might not be fully accomplished. Hence, the researchers are in quest of appropriate instructional strategies that entail students’ active participation and improve students’ learning outcomes (attitude and retention) through practice-oriented research. Consequently, this research determined the effectiveness of guided discovery instructional strategy, in relation to a conventional lecture, on learning outcomes of students in Financial Accounting concepts. This study adopted a nonrandomized pretest, posttest, control group quasiexperimental design with a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial design. 147 secondary school students in level 5 were selected from eight secondary schools in the northern part of a Southwestern state, Nigeria. The research instruments used were Teachers’ Instructional Guides on Guided Discovery, Students’ Attitude to Financial Accounting Questionnaire (r = 0.89) and a 30-item Financial Accounting Retention Test (r = 0.83). The analyzed data affirmed that the treatment improved students’ attitude (F(1,134) = 344.935;p<0.05; η2 = 0.720) and retention (F(1,134) = 385.431;p<0.05; η2 = 0.742) of accounting concepts. This study recommended that teachers should utilize the guided discovery strategy to develop attitudes and knowledge retention of learners in Financial Accounting.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of HIV-Positive Adolescents Related to HIV/AIDS Prevention in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)
Authors: Richard Azagoh-Kouadio , Roland Yeboua Kossonou , Christian Yao Kouassi , Cécile Kouassi-Kouadio Amenan , Michel Aholi Jean , Lacina Cissé , Vincent Asse Kouadio
Published: December 2020

Introduction. In sub-Saharan Africa, many adolescents living with HIV adopt behaviors and practices at risk of transmitting this infection. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HIV-positive adolescents regarding the transmission of HIV for the prevention of this disease. Methods. Knowledge Attitude Practical Survey (KAP) conducted from June 20 to August 22, 2018 in pediatrics at the University Hospital of Treichville. It included consenting HIV-positive adolescents followed up in the voluntary testing counseling unit. The variables studied related to sociodemographic aspects, knowledge, attitude, and practice relating to the transmission of HIV. The analysis was descriptive. Results. The active queue was 349 children, including 210 adolescents. Fifty adolescents (22 boys and 28 girls) participated in the study, a participation rate of 24%. The average age of the participants was 16 years (extreme 10 and 19 years). The respondent was an orphan (38%), a secondary school (58%), and separated living parents in 42%. He stated that he did not know he was infected in 62%, and that he had sex with at least one partner in 54%. He knew the modes of transmission and the means of prevention in 72% of the cases. He knew that an HIV-positive adolescent could transmit the disease in 68%, and that HIV/AIDS was incurable in 40%. 42% of respondents said that an infected person on ARVs was contagious. Twenty-nine respondents who had a partner said they had unprotected sex in 58%. All of the adolescents surveyed said that they did not talk to friends and family about HIV. Conclusion. The level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of HIV-positive adolescents regarding HIV/AIDS transmission is insufficient. We suggest setting up a therapeutic HIV/AIDS education program for these adolescents.
Development and Characterization of Soy Lecithin Liposome as Potential Drug Carrier Systems for Codelivery of Letrozole and Paclitaxel
Authors: Vu Minh Thanh , Le Ngoc Thuy Trang , Pham Truc Le-Buu , Nguyen Ngoc Hoi , Nguyen Dai Hai
Published: December 2020

In the present work, a dual-drug-loaded soy lecithin liposomal system was developed by coencapsulation of Letrozole (LET) with Paclitaxel (PTX) to improve the efficacy in breast cancer therapy. Liposomes were synthesized by the thin film layer hydration. To sufficiently evaluate the characteristics of these liposomes, the particle size, zeta potential, morphology, drug encapsulation, in vitro drug release, and cytotoxicity were ascertained. Results showed promisingly anticancer potentials, as the following parameters indicated: nanosize diameter (around 193 nm) and negative surface charge. Data collected from the coloaded drug liposomes showed suitable encapsulation efficiency (50.56% for PTX and 31.13% for LET). Controlled and sustained releases were achieved up to 72 h for both the loaded drugs following the diffusion mechanism. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity study on the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) given the dual-drug-loaded liposome showed greater inhibition of cell growth than the single drug. Consequently, LET and PTX coloaded liposomes made from soy lecithin are expected to be an ingenious drug-delivery system for combination chemotherapy.
The Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase USP18 Promotes Lipolysis, Fatty Acid Oxidation, and Lung Cancer Growth
Authors: Liu Xi , Lu Yun , Chen Zibo , Liu Xiuxia , Hu Weiguo , Zheng Lin , Chen Yulong , Kurie Jonathan M. , Shi Mi , Mustachio Lisa Maria , Adresson Thorkell , Fox Stephen , Roszik Jason , Kawakami Masanori , Freemantle Sarah J. , Dmitrovsky Ethan
Published: December 2020

Ubiquitin specific peptidase 18 (USP18), previously known as UBP43, is the IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) deconjugase. USP18 removes ISG15 from substrate proteins. This study reports that USP18-null mice (vs. wild-type mice) exhibited lower lipolysis rates, altered fat to body weight ratios, and cold sensitivity. USP18 is a regulator of lipid and fatty acid metabolism. Prior work established that USP18 promotes lung tumorigenesis. We sought to learn whether this occurs through altered lipid and fatty acid metabolism. Loss of USP18 repressed adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) expression; gain of USP18 expression upregulated ATGL in lung cancer cells. The E1-like ubiquitin activating enzyme promoted ISG15 conjugation of ATGL and destabilization. Immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that ISG15 covalently conjugates to ATGL. Protein expression of thermogenic regulators was examined in brown fat of USP18-null versus wild-type mice. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) was repressed in USP18-null fat. Gain of USP18 expression augmented UCP1 protein via reduced ubiquitination. Gain of UCP1 expression in lung cancer cell lines enhanced cellular proliferation. UCP1 knockdown inhibited proliferation. Beta-hydroxybutyrate colorimetric assays performed after gain of UCP1 expression revealed increased cellular fatty acid beta-oxidation, augmenting fatty acid beta-oxidation in Seahorse assays. Combined USP18, ATGL, and UCP1 profiles were interrogated in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Intriguingly, lung cancers with increased USP18, ATGL, and UCP1 expression had an unfavorable survival. These findings reveal that USP18 is a pharmacologic target that controls fatty acid metabolism.

Implications:

USP18 is an antineoplastic target that affects lung cancer fatty acid metabolism.
TNF-Inhibitoren verlangsamen die radiologische Progression bei Patienten mit ankylosierender Spondylitis
Authors: Mihai Carmen-Marina
Published: December 2020

Objectives: Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) have been suggested to slow radiographic progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. However, limitations such as variations in disease activity, complex drug administration and short follow-up duration make it difficult to determine the effect of TNFis on radiographic progression. The aim of the study was to investigate whether long-term treatment with TNFis can reduce radiographic progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis using 18-year longitudinal real-world data. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between January 2001 and December 2018 at a single centre. Among the 1280 patients whose electronic medical records were reviewed, data of 595 patients exposed to TNFis at least once were included. Among them, time intervals of TNFi exposure or non-exposure were determined in 338 patients (‹on the TNFis› or ‹off the TNFis› intervals, respectively). The difference in the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS) change rate between ‹on the TNFis› and ‹off the TNFis› intervals was investigated. Results: We obtained 2364 intervals of 338 patients (1281 ‹on the TNFis› and 1083 ‹off the TNFis› intervals). In the marginal structural model for inverse probability of treatment weighting, the change rate of mSASSS significantly decreased with the use of TNFis (β = –0.112, p = 0.004), and the adjusted mSASSS changes were 0.848 and 0.960 per year during ‹on the TNFis› and ‹off the TNFis› intervals, respectively. Conclusion: Compared with treatment without TNFis, treatment with TNFis slowed radiologic progression significantly.