bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One-step Liquid Phase Synthesis of LiFePO4@C Composite as High Performance Cathode Material for Lithium-ion Batteries
Authors: Yuan Meimei , Li Yongjia , Zhang Keyu , Li Yin , Yao Yaochun
Published: June 2020

A novel and economical one-step liquid phase route combining the liquid phase reaction with rotary evaporation is successfully adopted to prepare LiFePO4@C composite materials using iron phosphate dihydrate as iron source and phosphorus source. High temperature sintering was used to complete carbonization and control the size of precursor particles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that all diffraction peaks are consistent of the standard pattern of FePO4 2H2O and orthorhombic LiFePO4. The structural characterization and micro-morphology of FePO4 2H2O and as-prepared LiFePO4@C are performed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The FePO4 2H2O has the morphology of nano-flake particles with good dispersion. After carbon coating, LiFePO4@C composite with mean carbon thickness of about 3[Formula: see text]nm exhibits a high discharge capacity of [Formula: see text] at 0.2[Formula: see text]C and [Formula: see text] at 10[Formula: see text]C. This method provides a simple, economic and environmentally friendly way to prepare LiFePO4@C cathode material for lithium-ion battery.
Leslie’s prey–predator model in discrete time
Authors: Rozikov U. A. , Shoyimardonov S. K.
Published: June 2020

We consider the Leslie’s prey–predator model with discrete time. This model is given by a nonlinear evolution operator depending on five parameters. We show that this operator has two fixed points and define type of each fixed point depending on the parameters. Finding two invariant sets of the evolution operator, we study the dynamical systems generated by the operator on each invariant set. Depending on the parameters, we classify the dynamics between a predator and a prey of the Leslie’s model.
Selection of reference genes for quantitative PCR: identifying reference genes for airway epithelial cells exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Hampton Thomas H. , Koeppen Katja , Bashor Laura , Stanton Bruce A.
Published: June 2020

Most quantitative PCR (qPCR) experiments report differential expression relative to the expression of one or more reference genes. Therefore, when experimental conditions alter reference gene expression, qPCR results may be compromised. Little is known about the magnitude of this problem in practice. We found that reference gene responses are common and hard to predict and that their stability should be demonstrated in each experiment. Our reanalysis of 15 airway epithelia microarray data sets retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) identified no common reference gene that was reliable in all 15 studies. Reanalysis of published RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data in which human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) were exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa revealed that minor experimental details, including bacterial strain, may alter reference gene responses. Direct measurement of 32 TaqMan reference genes in primary cultures of HBEC exposed to P. aeruginosa (strain PA14) demonstrated that choosing an unstable reference gene could make it impossible to observe statistically significant changes in IL8 gene expression. We found that reference gene instability is a general phenomenon and not limited to studies of airway epithelial cells. In a diverse compendium of 986 human microarray experiments retrieved from the NCBI, reference genes were differentially expressed in 42% of studies. Experimentally induced changes in reference gene expression ranged from 21% to 212%. These results highlight the importance of identifying adequate reference genes for each experimental system and documenting their response to treatment in each experiment. This will enhance experimental rigor and reproducibility in qPCR studies.
Texts as Lines: Text Detection with Weak Supervision
Authors: Wu Weijia , Xing Jici , Yang Cheng , Wang Yuxing , Zhou Hong
Published: June 2020

Scene text detection methods based on deep learning have recently shown remarkable improvement. Most text detection methods train deep convolutional neural networks with full masks requiring pixel accuracy for good quality training. Normally, a skilled engineer needs to drag tens of points to create a full mask for the curved text. Therefore, data labelling based on full masks is time consuming and laborious, particularly for curved texts. To reduce the labelling cost, a weakly supervised method is first proposed in this paper. Unlike the other detectors (e.g., PSENet or TextSnake) that use full masks, our method only needs coarse masks for training. More specifically, the coarse mask for one text instance is a line across the text region in our method. Compared with full mask labelling, data labelling using the proposed method could save labelling time while losing much annotation information. In this context, a network pretrained on synthetic data with full masks is used to enhance the coarse masks in a real image. Finally, the enhanced masks are fed back to train our network. Analysis of experiments performed using the model shows that the performance of our method is close to that of the fully supervised methods on ICDAR2015, CTW1500, Total-Text, and MSRA-TD5000.
A Novel Collision-Free Navigation Approach for Multiple Nonholonomic Robots Based on ORCA and Linear MPC
Authors: Mao Run , Gao Hongli , Guo Liang
Published: June 2020

In the study of collision-free navigation methods of multirobots, much attention has been paid to the constraints of external environment. However, most of the wheeled mobile robots are subjected to nonholonomic constraints. A collision between robots may occur if the nonholonomic constraints are neglected. This paper presents an improved approach to collision-free navigation for multi-nonholonomic robots. This approach combines the Optimal Reciprocal Collision Avoidance (ORCA) algorithm and Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategy. ORCA used a simple robot model, in which kinematics and dynamics are ignored. To cope with this problem, the MPC controller is introduced. In each ORCA step, the reference trajectory, reference control inputs, and “safe zones” are generated based on the new velocity. Consequently, the derived safe zone is transformed into the constraints of decision variables for a MPC controller. Finally, quadratic programming is used to solve the MPC problem by successive linearization of an error model of the mobile robot. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The EEG-Based Attention Analysis in Multimedia m-Learning
Authors: Ni Dan , Wang Shuo , Liu Guocheng
Published: June 2020

In recent years, research on brain-computer interfaces has been increasing in the field of education, and mobile learning has become a very important way of learning. In this study, EEG experiment of a group of iPad-based mobile learners was conducted through algorithm optimization on the TGAM chip. Under the three learning media (text, text + graphic, and video), the researchers analyzed the difference in learners’ attention. The study found no significant difference in attention in different media, but learners using text media had the highest attention value. Later, the researchers studied the attention of learners with different learning styles and found that active and reflective learners’ attention exhibited significant differences when using video media to learn.
The Impact of Polyphenol on General Nutrient Metabolism in the Monogastric Gastrointestinal Tract
Authors: Swallah Mohammed Sharif , Fu Hongling , Sun He , Affoh Raïfatou , Yu Hansong
Published: June 2020

Polyphenols are bioactive compounds occurring in plant foods, which are considered significant owing to their contribution to human health and the prevention of chronic diseases. Phenolic compounds mainly depend on plant food structure and the interaction with other food constituents, mostly proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. The interaction with the food matrices can obstruct or enhance nutrient accessibility and availability and even impair others. Food digestion is a complex process where ingested foods are converted to nutrients via mechanical and enzymatic alterations. The absorption of nutrients predominantly occurs in the small and large intestine, respectively. The metabolised product, however, is the main bioactive component due to their ability to enter the systemic circulation and reach the targeted organs. There is limited knowledge on the cellular uptake, phenolic metabolite, and polyphenolic effect in the gastrointestinal ecosystem. Therefore, improved understanding of the biological properties and stages of dietary phenols is essential for the effective utilization of their therapeutic potentials. This review will explore, summarise, and collate current information on how polyphenols influence nutrient metabolism, bioavailability, and the biotransformation stages.
Qatari Genotype May Contribute to Complications in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Dakroury Youssra , Atkin Stephen L. , Dargham Soha R. , Robay Amal , Rodriguez-Flores Juan , Crystal Ronald G. , Butler Alexandra E.
Published: June 2020

Objective. There is increasing evidence of a strong genetic component in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) that may contribute to diabetes complications. Given the high prevalence of diabetes with its associated complications in the Middle East, we sought to determine if the genotype within a Middle East population may be contributory. Therefore, three genotype-based Qatari ancestral groups, Q1 Arab Bedouin, Q2 Asian/Persian, and Q3 sub-Saharan African, with a fourth admixed group were correlated with T2DM prevalence and its complications to determine if they differed between the 4 Qatari ancestries, particularly for the SLMAP allele-associated diabetic retinopathy. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 398 Qatari subjects, 220 with and 178 without T2DM, were genotyped by Affymetrix 500k SNP arrays. Ancestry was correlated with diabetes complications. Results. 398 subjects were included, the mean age was 49.8 years, and 56.8% were male. The genotype-based ancestry and T2DM prevalence were as follows: 164 (41.2%) with ancestry Q1, 60.4% with T2DM; 149 (37.4%) with ancestry Q2, 49.7% with T2DM; 31 (7.8%) with ancestry Q3, 61.3% with T2DM; and 54 (13.6%) with “admixed” ancestry, 51.9% with T2DM. For patients with diabetes, hypertension (p<0.035) and retinopathy (p<0.016) were greater in the Q3 ancestry. Conclusion. These data suggest that the genotype may contribute to complication risk, as exemplified by the increase in hypertension and retinopathy in the Q3 ancestry, though the SLMAP allele was not implicated; however, diabetes prevalence did not differ between the four Qatari ancestries.
Complex Effects of Drum Hub Forms and Structural Parameters on Coal Loading Performance
Authors: Gao Kuidong , Zhang Xiaodi , Sun Liqing , Zeng Qingliang , Jiang Kao
Published: June 2020

The extremely poor loading performance of a thin coal shearer drum affects the mining efficiency in thin seam mining seriously on account of the restriction by the complicated mining environment and seam thickness. The coal loading performance of the drum is influenced by several complex factors, such as motion parameters and structural parameters, including the structure and form of the hub. The form of the drum hub is cylindrical in general, and in order to study the influence of the hub form on the coal loading rate of the drum, seven drums with different hub forms and structures were designed. The influence of the complexity of hub structures on the coal loading performance was studied by discrete element method (DEM) simulation in this paper. The change curves with the research object of different drums, such as coal loading rate, velocity field distribution, and contact force between fallen coal particles, were obtained. The results showed that the conical hub drum can improve the coal loading performance than the cylindrical hub drum, and the curve-shaped hub drum had a more obvious promotion on the coal loading performance. The coal loading rate increased first and then decreased with the increase of hub cone angle. Compared with the conical hub drum, the curve-shaped hub drum can not only improve the coal loading rate, but also has a larger space containing coal. This study has proposed a drum with a new form hub which could increase the coal loading rate, and the methods and conclusions provide the guidance for drum hub design.
Gait and Trajectory Optimization by Self-Learning for Quadrupedal Robots with an Active Back Joint
Authors: Masuri Ariel , Medina Oded , Hacohen Shlomi , Shvalb Nir
Published: June 2020

This paper presents an efficient technique for a self-learning dynamic walk for a quadrupedal robot. The cost function for such a task is typically complicated, and the number of parameters to be optimized is high. Therefore, a simple technique for optimization is of importance. We apply a genetic algorithm (GA) which uses real experimental data rather than simulations to evaluate the fitness of a tested gait. The algorithm actively optimizes 12 of the robot’s dynamic walking parameters. These include the step length and duration and the bending of an active back. For this end, a simple quadrupedal robot was designed and fabricated in a structure inspired by small animals. The fitness function was then computed based on experimental data collected from a camera located above the scene coupled with data collected from the actuators’ sensors. The experimental results demonstrate how walking abilities are improved in the course of learning, while including an active back should be considered to improve walking performances.
Therapeutic Effects of Saline Groundwater Solution Baths on Atopic Dermatitis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Yoo Jisook , Choi Ji Young , Lee Bo Young , Shin Chang Ho , Shin Jung-Won , Huh Chang Hun , Na Jung-Im
Published: June 2020

Background. Saline groundwater, collected from the east coast of Korea, has been shown to have protective effects against 2,4‐dinitrochlorobenzene‐ (DNCB‐) induced atopic dermatitis‐like skin lesions in the murine model. Objectives. To determine the effects of saline groundwater solution baths as a treatment of mild‐to‐moderate atopic dermatitis. Methods. Twenty‐four subjects with mild‐to‐moderate atopic dermatitis were instructed to take a bath in saline groundwater solution for 20 minutes per day for two weeks. Evaluations were performed at baseline and week 2, including SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, corneometry, transepidermal water loss, visual analogue scale for pruritus, and collection of adverse events. Results. Subjects showed significant improvement with respect to the SCORAD index, skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, and pruritus at week 2 when compared with the baseline. Conclusion. Baths in saline groundwater solution may be an alternative therapeutic strategy for treating atopic dermatitis.
TREM2 Overexpression Attenuates Cognitive Deficits in Experimental Models of Vascular Dementia
Authors: Wang Qian , Yang Weixia , Zhang Jingmei , Zhao Yueran , Xu Yuzhen
Published: June 2020

Neuroinflammation plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia (VD). Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a transmembrane receptor mainly expressed on microglia and has been known for its anti-inflammatory properties during immune response. However, data evaluating the effects of TREM2 in VD are lacking. Therefore, the present study is aimed at investigating the role of TREM2 in VD. In this study, the mouse model of VD was induced by transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). We compared the hippocampal gene and protein expressions of TREM2 between the VD mice and sham-operated mice at different time points. The TREM2 mRNA and protein expression levels in the VD mice were higher than those in the sham-operated mice. The cognitive deficits of VD mice were observed in the Morris water maze test. Interestingly, overexpression of TREM2 by intracerebroventricular injection of a lentiviral vector that encoded TREM2 (LV-TREM2) significantly improved the spatial learning and memory and attenuated the hippocampal neural loss in VD mice. Further mechanistic study revealed that overexpression of TREM2 significantly inhibited microglia M1 polarization by decreasing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and proinflammatory cytokines expression levels and conversely enhanced microglia M2 polarization by increasing Arginase-1 (Arg-1) and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression levels. These results strongly suggest that TREM2 provides a protective effect in VD via modulating the phenotype of activated microglia and may serve as a novel potential therapeutic target for VD.
Medical Care Costs Associated with Cancer Survivorship in the United States
Authors: Mariotto Angela B. , Enewold Lindsey , Zhao Jingxuan , Zeruto Christopher A. , Yabroff K. Robin
Published: June 2020

Background:

The prevalence of cancer survivorship is increasing. In this study, we provide contemporary population–based estimates and projections of the overall and site-specific cancer-attributable medical care costs in the United States.

Methods:

We identified survivors aged ≥65 years diagnosed with cancer between 2000 and 2012 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database and used 2007 to 2013 claims to estimate costs by cancer site, phases of care, and stage at diagnosis. Annualized average cancer-attributable costs for medical care (Medicare Parts A and B) and oral prescription drugs (Medicare Part D) were estimated by subtracting costs between patients with cancer and matched controls. Costs are reported in 2019 U.S. dollars. We combined phase-specific attributable costs with prevalence projections to estimate national costs from 2015 through 2030.

Results:

Overall annualized average costs were highest in the end-of-life–cancer death phase, followed by the initial and continuing phases (medical care: $105,500, $41,800, and $5,300 and oral prescription drugs: $4,200, $1,800, $1,100, respectively). There was considerable variation in costs by cancer site and stage. Overall national costs in 2015 were $183 billion and projected to increase 34% to $246 billion by 2030, based only on population growth.

Conclusions:

Phase of care cancer-attributable cost estimates by cancer site and stage are key inputs for simulation models and cost-effectiveness analyses.

Impact:

The national cancer-attributed medical care costs in the United States are substantial and projected to increase dramatically by 2030, due to population changes alone, reflecting the rising burden of cancer care among cancer survivors.

See the interview with Angela B. Mariotto, PhD, recipient of the 2024 CEBP Frederick P. Li Impact Award: https://vimeo.com/992980417
Magnification Effect of Foveal Avascular Zone Measurement Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Authors: Suda Mika , Yoshikawa Yuji , Terauchi Gaku , Matsumoto Soiti , Shoji Takuhei , Shinoda Kei , Mizota Atsushi , Kobayashi Yoshiharu
Published: June 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) of healthy subjects and examine the magnification effect. Methods: A total of 33 healthy volunteers were enrolled and all subjects were eligible for analysis. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) examination scanned 3 × 3 mm of the macular area. The FAZ area was measured on the superficial OCTA en face image with and without correction by axial length. The relationship between changes in the FAZ area after correction with the axial length was examined. Results: The mean age was 21.9 ± 0.6 years. The mean axial length was 24.87 ± 1.17 mm and mean spherical equivalent (SE) value was –3.64 ± 2.83 diopters (D). The FAZ area was 0.26 ± 0.10 mm2 before the axial length correction and 0.27 ± 0.10 mm2 after the correction. In the eyes that had an axial length longer than or equal to 26 mm or SE less than or equal to –6 D, the FAZ area after correction was significantly larger than that before correction (p < 0.01). The change of FAZ area after correction with axial length was significantly correlated with the axial length (R2 = 0.88, p < 0.01) or SE value (R2 = 0.55, p < 0.01). Conclusion: FAZ areas were comparable to previous reports. In high myopic cases, the magnification effect needs to be considered when evaluating the FAZ area.
Pathophysiologic Role of Molecules Determining Arteriovenous Differentiation in Adult Life
Authors: Liu Fang , Yao Zhong , Lü Ping , Jiao Qi-Bin , Liu Qin , Wu Hong-Xiao , You Yun , Minamisawa Susumu
Published: June 2020

The structural differences between arteries and veins are genetically predetermined. Vascular identity markers, the molecular markers specific to veins and arteries, determine the differential development of vessels during embryogenesis and their expression persists in adult vessels. It is revealed that they can be reactivated under various pathophysiologic conditions even after vessel differentiation. Thus, once considered as quiescent in adults, vascular identity markers may actually play significant roles in vascular remodeling. Manipulation of vascular identity and the underlying molecular mechanisms might be a novel strategy to improve vascular remodeling for clinical application.
Intact Classical Fear Conditioning to Interpersonally Threatening Stimuli in Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Hillmann Karen , Mancke Falk , Herpertz Sabine C. , Jungkunz Martin , Olsson Andreas , Haaker Jan , Bertsch Katja
Published: June 2020

Threat hypersensitivity is regarded as a central mechanism of deficient emotion regulation, a core feature of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Here, we employed a classical fear-conditioning protocol in which interpersonally threatening, interpersonally non-threatening, and non-social (neutral) visual stimuli were predictive of an aversive auditory stimulus in a sample of 23 medication-free adult female patients with BPD and 21 age- and IQ-matched healthy women. The results did not confirm the hypothesized enhanced and prolonged conditioned skin conductance responses (SCR) and subjective stress and expectancy ratings to interpersonally threatening stimuli in patients with BPD compared to healthy women. Patients with BPD generally expected the aversive stimulus more often irrespective of stimulus category and conditioning. Furthermore, patients with BPD showed larger conditioned SCR to interpersonally non-threatening and neutral than interpersonally threatening stimuli, while interpersonally threatening stimuli elicited higher SCR compared to non-threatening or neutral stimuli in healthy controls. Together with previous studies, the results suggest no alterations in fear conditioning to generally aversive stimuli in BPD. Further studies using stimuli with BPD-specific topics, such as abandonment or rejection, and/or to investigate more interpersonal forms of learning, such as observational or instructed conditioning, are urgently needed to further elucidate the mechanisms involved in the etiology and maintenance of threat hypersensitivity in BPD.
Prognostic Assessment of Right Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction on Post–Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Short‐Term Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Grevious Salih N. , Fernandes Marcelo F. , Annor Ama K. , Ibrahim Michel , Saint Croix Garly R. , de Marchena Eduardo , G. Cohen Mauricio , Alfonso Carlos E.
Published: June 2020

Background

Right ventricular systolic dysfunction (
RVSD
) is a known risk factor for adverse outcome in surgical aortic valve replacement. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (
TAVR
), on the other hand, has been shown to be either beneficial or have no effect on right ventricular systolic function. However, the prognostic significance of
RVSD
on
TAVR
has not been clearly determined. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to define the impact of
RVSD
on outcomes in terms of 1‐year mortality in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing
TAVR
.

Methods and Results

An extensive literature review was performed, with an aim to identify clinical studies that focused on the prognosis and short‐term mortality of patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent
TAVR
. A total of 3166 patients from 8 selected studies were included.
RVSD
, as assessed with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, fractional area change or ejection fraction, was found to be a predictor of adverse procedural outcome after
TAVR
(hazard ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.1–1.55;
P
=0.002). Overall, we found that
RVSD
did affect post‐
TAVR
prognosis in 1‐year mortality rate.

Conclusions

Patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis and concomitant severe
RVSD
have a poor 1‐year post‐
TAVR
prognosis when compared with patients without
RVSD
. Right ventricular dilation and severe tricuspid regurgitation were associated with increased 1‐year morality post‐
TAVR
and should be considered as independent risk factors. Further evaluations of long‐term morbidity, mortality, as well as sustained improvement in functional class and symptoms need to be conducted to determine the long‐term effects.
Contralesional Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Functional Improvement in Ischemic Stroke Mice
Authors: Ahn Sung Min , Jung Da Hee , Lee Hong Ju , Pak Malk Eun , Jung Young Jin , Shin Yong-Il , Shin Hwa Kyoung , Choi Byung Tae
Published: June 2020

Background and Purpose:

The therapeutic use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), an adjuvant tool for stroke, induces long-term changes in cortical excitability, for example, the secretion of activity-dependent growth factors. We assessed the proper therapeutic configuration of high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) in the subacute stage of ischemic stroke and its underlying expression profiling of growth factors to propose a new method for ensuring better therapeutic effects.

Methods:

Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion, after which repetitive HD-tDCS (20 minutes, 55 µA/mm
2
, charge density 66 000 C/m
2
) was applied from subacute phases of their ischemic insult. Behavioral tests assessing motor and cognitive functions were used to determine suitable conditions and HD-tDCS stimulation sites. Gene expression profiling of growth factors and their secretion and activation were analyzed to shed light on the underlying mechanisms.

Results:

Anodal HD-tDCS application over the contralesional cortex, especially the motor cortex, was more effective than ipsilesional stimulation in attenuating motor and cognitive deficits. In the HD-tDCS application over the contralesional motor cortex, positive changes in
Bmp8b
,
Gdf5
,
Il4
,
Pdgfa
,
Pgf
, and
Vegfb
were observed in the ipsilesional site. The expression of GDF5 (growth/differentiation factor 5) and PDGFA (platelet-derived growth factor subunit A) tended to similarly increase in both ipsi- and contralesional striata. However, higher expression levels of GDF5 and PDGFA and their receptors were observed in the peri-infarct regions of the striatum after HD-tDCS, especially in PDGFA expression. A higher number of proliferating or newly formed neuronal cells was detected in ipsilesional sites such as the subventricular zone.

Conclusions:

Application of anodal HD-tDCS over the contralesional cortex may enhance beneficial recovery through the expression of growth factors, such as GDF5 and PDGFA, in the ipsilesional site. Therefore, this therapeutic configuration may be applied in the subacute stage of ischemic stroke to ameliorate neurological impairments.
Comparative Effectiveness of Rivaroxaban, Apixaban, and Warfarin in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Polypharmacy
Authors: Mentias Amgad , Heller Eric , Vaughan Sarrazin Mary
Published: June 2020

Background and Purpose:

Comparative effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and high polypharmacy are unknown.

Methods:

We used Medicare administrative data to evaluate patients with new atrial fibrillation diagnosis from 2015 to 2017, who initiated an oral anticoagulant within 90 days of diagnosis. Patients taking ≤3, 4 to 8, or ≥9 other prescription medications were categorized as having low, moderate, or high polypharmacy, respectively. Within polypharmacy categories, patients receiving apixaban 5 mg twice daily, rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily, or warfarin were matched using a 3-way propensity score matching. Study outcomes included ischemic stroke, bleeding, and all-cause mortality.

Results:

The study cohort included 6985 patients using apixaban, 3838 using rivaroxaban, and 6639 using warfarin. In the propensity-matched cohorts there was no difference in risk of ischemic stroke between the 3 drugs in patients with low and moderate polypharmacy. However, among patients with high polypharmacy, the risk of ischemic stroke was higher with apixaban compared with warfarin (adjusted hazard ratio 2.34 [95% CI, 1.01–5.42];
P
=0.05) and similar to rivaroxaban (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.38 [95% CI, 0.67–2.84];
P
=0.4). There was no difference in risk of death between the 3 drugs in patients with low and moderate polypharmacy, but apixaban was associated with a higher risk of death compared with rivaroxaban (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.03 [95% CI, 1.01–4.08];
P
=0.05) in the high polypharmacy group. Apixaban had lower bleeding risk compared with warfarin in the low polypharmacy group (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.32–0.90];
P
=0.02), but there was no difference in bleeding between the 3 drugs in the moderate and high polypharmacy groups.

Conclusions:

Our study suggests that among patients with significant polypharmacy (>8 drugs), there may be a higher stroke and mortality risk with apixaban compared with warfarin and rivaroxaban. However, differences were of borderline significance.
Spontaneous Entry into an “Offline” State during Wakefulness: A Mechanism of Memory Consolidation?
Authors: Wamsley Erin J. , Summer Theodore
Published: June 2020

Moments of inattention to our surroundings may be essential to optimal cognitive functioning. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that humans spontaneously switch between two opposing attentional states during wakefulness—one in which we attend to the external environment (an “online” state) and one in which we disengage from the sensory environment to focus our attention internally (an “offline” state). We created a data-driven model of this proposed alternation between “online” and “offline” attentional states in humans, on a seconds-level timescale. Participants (n = 34) completed a sustained attention to response task while undergoing simultaneous high-density EEG and pupillometry recording and intermittently reporting on their subjective experience. “Online” and “offline” attentional states were initially defined using a cluster analysis applied to multimodal measures of (1) EEG spectral power, (2) pupil diameter, (3) RT, and (4) self-reported subjective experience. We then developed a classifier that labeled trials as belonging to the online or offline cluster with >95% accuracy, without requiring subjective experience data. This allowed us to classify all 5-sec trials in this manner, despite the fact that subjective experience was probed on only a small minority of trials. We report evidence of statistically discriminable “online” and “offline” states matching the hypothesized characteristics. Furthermore, the offline state strongly predicted memory retention for one of two verbal learning tasks encoded immediately prior. Together, these observations suggest that seconds-timescale alternation between online and offline states is a fundamental feature of wakefulness and that this may serve a memory processing function.
Improving data handling and analysis in the study of rhyme patterns
Authors: LIST Johann-Mattis
Published: June 2020

By reviewing a recent quantitative study of rhyme patterns in Mandarin Chinese, this study shows how data handling and data analysis in the study of rhyme patterns can be improved. Suggestions for improvement include (a) a consistent annotation of rhyme data, which is exhaustive and facilitates data reuse, and (b) emphasizes the importance of automated approaches for exploratory data analysis, which can help to analyze rhyme data in an improved way, prior to applying statistical frameworks for hypothesis testing.
Al-Maqrīzī’s Compilation Technique in a Segment of His Account of Jewish History
Authors: Mazuz Haggai
Published: June 2020

In this article, I analyze a short segment of al-Maqrīzī’s account of Jews and Judaism in his al-Ḫiṭaṭ, focusing on the technique that al-Maqrīzī used in compiling it by comparing his account with sources on which he drew (sometimes verbatim). It is found that al-Maqrīzī copied from K. al-Taʾrīḫ, a seven-chapter chronicle in Judaeo-Arabic, and then inserted complementary material from Ibn Ḫaldūn’s K. al-ʿIbar and al-Ǧāḥiẓ’s K. al-Bayān wa-l-tabyīn, and may also have intertwined material from Biblical sources.
Ocean Governance in the Asia-Pacific and the Arctic
Authors: Hong Nong
Published: June 2020

This article summarizes and analyzes the main issues addressed at the 7th Asia-Pacific/Arctic Maritime Security Forum held in Halifax, Canada in Fall 2019. Experts attending this forum discussed issues such as a regional maritime security overview of the South China Sea, East China Sea, Indian Ocean and the Arctic, best practices of regional ocean governance models, maritime dispute settlement practices, maritime law enforcement, and marine environmental issues. A proposal was put forward on international cooperation with regard to maritime security, ocean governance and ocean capacity building.
Application of Back Propagation Neural Network and Information Entropy in Deep Detection of Anesthesia
Authors: Zhou Yujuan , Wang Lei , Jia Jintai , Monasterio Gema
Published: June 2020

In order to study the monitoring of anesthesia depth during general anesthesia, the EEG (electroencephalogram) signals of 30 patients with laparoscopic general anesthesia were taken as the research objects. The approximate entropy, sample entropy, ranking entropy, and wavelet entropy
of EEG signals under different anesthesia conditions were compared by BP (Back Propagation) neural network. The results showed that with the deepening of anesthesia, the four kinds of information entropies of EEG signal showed a downward trend. Among them, the sample entropy algorithm, ranking
entropy algorithm, and wavelet entropy algorithm had a higher accuracy in the classification of anesthesia depth. Whereas, the network model established by combining sample entropy index and wavelet entropy index had the highest accuracy in judging anesthesia depth, which was 99.98%. To sum
up, the method presented to monitor the depth of anesthesia by combining the characteristics of various EEG signals provides a new reference for the monitoring of the depth of anesthesia.
The Mechanism and Therapeutic Effect of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Foramen Puncture on Neuropathic Pain Based on Digital Medical Technology
Authors: Xu Qian , Gao Xuejun , Zhang Qiaohong , Zang Lei , Maree Nicholson
Published: June 2020

Lumbar disc herniation is a relatively common disease in orthopedics, most patients will experience varying degrees of waist pain after suffering from this disease, and severe cases may even be paralysed. In recent years, with the rapid progress of science and technology, minimally
invasive surgery technology is also developing rapidly, and its advantages are also very prominent. Puncture technology, as one of the most important and difficult points, has a high requirement for doctors, so it is particularly important to master this technology thoroughly. In order to
apply this technique more in clinical practice, improve its accuracy and success rate, and increase the efficiency of operation, 40 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were selected and randomly divided into experimental group (20 cases) and control group (20 cases). According
to the principle of lumbar intervertebral space puncture, its length and angle were adjusted with high precision. Percutaneous lumbar intervertebral foramen puncture locator was used for treatment in the experimental group and the control group was treated with routine nursing intervertebral
foramen puncture. The number of punctures, the time needed for successful puncture, the number of successful projections, puncture complications, and clinical efficacy of the two puncture methods were analyzed. The results showed that in the analysis of clinical puncture indicators, the number
of punctures, the time needed for puncture, and fluoroscopy times in the experimental group were significantly different from those in the control group (P < 0.01). The puncture method was determined through the design of the surgical approach to alleviate the symptoms as much as
possible after operation. In the visual analogue score, follow-up showed that the visual analogue score of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the previous one month and the last follow-up, with statistical significance (P < 0.01), and the excellent and good
rate was significantly increased by using lumbar intervertebral disc puncture, which was 94.7%. Therefore, through this study, it is found that the new type of lumbar intervertebral perforation positioning designed in this study can significantly improve the accuracy of puncture, the success
rate increased significantly, and the experiment achieved the desired results. Although there are some shortcomings in the experiment, it still provides experimental basis for the clinical application of lumbar intervertebral disc puncture in the later stage.
Evaluation and Analysis of Cardiovascular Function in Intensive Care Unit Patients by Ultrasound Image Segmentation Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Shen Jiaqi , Huang Fangfang , Ulrich Myers
Published: June 2020

Many studies have shown that cardiovascular disease has become one of the major diseases leading to death in the world. Therefore, it is a very meaningful topic to use image segmentation technology to segment blood vessels for clinical application. In order to automatically extract
the features of blood vessel images in the process of segmentation, the deep learning algorithm is combined with image segmentation technology to segment the nerve cell membrane and carotid artery images of ICU patients, and to segment the blood vessel images from a multi-dimensional perspective.
The relevant data are collected to observe the effect of this model. The results show that the three-dimensional multi-scale linear filter has a good effect on carotid artery segmentation in the image segmentation of nerve cell membranes and carotid artery. When analyzing the accuracy of vascular
image segmentation from network parameters and training parameters, it is found that the accuracy of the threedimensional multi-scale linear filter can reach about 85%. Therefore, it can be found that the combination of deep learning algorithm and image segmentation technology has a good segmentation
effect, and the segmentation accuracy is also high. The experiment achieves the desired effect, which provides experimental basis for the clinical application of the vascular image segmentation technology.
Application of CT Energy Spectrum Combined with MR Spectroscopy in the Classification of Meningiomas
Authors: Chai Ruiping , Zhang Hong , Ma Hongcan , Xu Ximi , Andrew Hamris
Published: June 2020

Objective: To study the application value of CT spectroscopy combined with MR spectroscopy in the classification and classification of meningioma, in order to provide more information for the classification and classification of meningioma from the perspective of imaging, and
to improve the intraoperative tumor resection. Provide reference for selection and evaluation of prognosis, judgment of efficacy, and prediction of recurrence. Methods: A total of 102 patients who underwent preoperative energy spectroscopy and 3.0T magnetic resonance spectroscopy were
enrolled in our hospital from March 2017 to March 2018. There were 48 patients with spectral CT scan, 43 patients with MR spectroscopy, and 11 patients with energy spectrum CT and MR spectroscopy. Correlation between grading and typing of meningiomas was performed using quantitative parameters
of energy spectrum CT and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Study and evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of quantitative parameters. Results: The results of CT spectra combined with MR spectroscopy in the pathological grading of meningiomas showed significant differences in CT values at
low energy (40–70 KeV) (P < 0.05), which showed that the CT values of WHOI-level single energy were less than WHO II grade; WHO grade I meningioma curve slope was significantly smaller than WHO II grade (P < 0.05), statistically significant; also found that WHO grade
I meningioma Cho concentration, Cr concentration, Cho/Cr ratio and WHO II grade There was a significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion: CT spectroscopy combined with MR spectroscopy imaging in the diagnosis of meningioma, the single-energy CT value and slope of the low-energy
(40–70 KeV) level of WHO grade I meningioma, the Cho concentration is significantly lower than the WHO II-level meninges. Tumor, and the Cr concentration is significantly higher than the WHO I level, the combination of the two can more accurately diagnose the meningioma.
Ultrasound Medical Image Denoising Using Threshold Based Wavelet Transformation Method
Authors: Kumar C. , Prakash R.
Published: June 2020

Ultrasound imaging is most commonly used and secure medical diagnostic approach its low cost, noninvasive nature of real time image construction. However because of signal dependant noise existence, ultrasound imaging gets degraded: A baseline phase in image processing is removing diverse
noise types from image. Noise sources of image generally occur during storage, transmission and image acquisition. Image denoising is an issue determined in diverse computer vision and image processing crisis. There are diverse prevailing approaches to denoise image. The significant property
of finest denoising of an image model has to remove noise while preserving edges. For wavelet thresholding paradigm, Fisz transformation method is brought-in in the current work. Furthermore, it has problem with poor denoising performance and hence the quality of image is minimized considerably.
In this paper, Improved Threshold based Wavelet Transformation Method (ITWTM) is suggested to rectify above mentioned crisis, to enhance the better denoising images, the soft threshold method is introduced. To enhance visual quality of noisy image, it simply changes coefficients with help
of softthresholding method. Speckle noise, additive noise, Gaussian noise and multiplicative noise factors affect the ultrasound images, which minimize the image quality and effects the human interpretation. So, ITWTM helps to minimize the noise rate considerably for the provided US image.
The experimental result confirms that the proposed ITWTM provides better performance with respect to higher PSNR, SSIM and lower MSE, execution time rather than the previous Fisz transformation and DWT methods.
Overloaded and at Work: Investigating the Effect of Cognitive Workload on Assembly Task Performance
Authors: Biondi Francesco N. , Cacanindin Angela , Douglas Caitlyn , Cort Joel
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study investigates the effect of cognitive overload on assembly task performance and muscle activity.

Background

Understanding an operator’s cognitive workload is an important component in assessing human–machine interaction. However, little evidence is available on the effect that cognitive overload has on task performance and muscle activity when completing manufacturing tasks.

Method

Twenty-two volunteers completed an assembly task while performing a secondary cognitive task with increasing levels of demand ( n-back). Performance in the assembly task (completion times, accuracy), muscle activity recorded as integrated electromyography (EMG), and self-reported workload were measured.

Results

Results show that the increasing cognitive demand imposed by the n-back task resulted in impaired assembly task performance, overall greater muscle activity, and higher self-reported workload. Relative to the control condition, performing the 2-back task resulted in longer assembly task completion times (+10 s on average) and greater integrated EMG for flexor carpi ulnaris, triceps brachii, biceps brachii, anterior deltoid, and pectoralis major.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that working under high cognitive load not only results in greater muscle activity, but also affects assembly task completion times, which may have a direct effect on manufacturing cycle times.

Application

Results are applicable to the assessment of the effects of high cognitive workload in manufacturing.
Hidden homes? Uncovering Sydney’s informal housing market
Authors: Gurran Nicole , Pill Madeleine , Maalsen Sophia
Published: June 2020

Australia faces a chronic shortage of affordable rental housing, as do many other nations in the Global North. Unable to access the formal rental sector, lower-income earners are increasingly resorting to share housing and other informal arrangements, sometimes occupying makeshift accommodation or illegal dwellings. This article examines informality in Sydney’s housing market, an important case because of the explicit policy efforts geared towards supporting diverse and higher density housing supply. It draws on analysis of the regulatory planning framework and primary data derived from interviews and focus groups with housing advocates, support workers and building compliance officers from across the metropolitan region. It seeks to understand the drivers of supply and demand within the informal housing market and constructs a typology of informal tenures and dwelling provision. The article contributes new empirical data on the outcomes of planning policies designed to enable flexible housing responses which legitimise some informal practices, and the wider dimensions of informal housing provision within formal urban systems of the Global North.
Association of high-resolution computed tomography score with ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Zhao Kun , Bai Shu-juan , Wang Zhi-tao , Zhang Yu-he , Liu Chao , Song Hai-gang , Wang Hai-bo , Li Xin , You Wen-laing
Published: June 2020

Objective

This study was performed to explore the association of the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) score with ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Method

In total, 197 patients treated for ARDS from October 2004 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multifactor regression analysis were used to determine the relationship of the HRCT score with ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality. Curve-fitting analysis and threshold analysis were further used to explore the association of the HRCT score with ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality.

Results

The multifactor regression analysis showed that the HRCT score was significantly associated with a lower rate of ventilator weaning and a higher risk of 28-day mortality in patients with ARDS. HRCT scores of 257.0 and 243.2 were the thresholds for ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality, respectively. When the HRCT score was below the threshold, every 1-point increase in the HRCT score was associated with a 4.6% decrease in the ventilator weaning rate and a 4.6% increase in the 28-day mortality rate.

Conclusion

The HRCT score was associated with ventilator weaning and 28-day mortality with a threshold of 257.0 and 243.2 points, respectively.