bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple Routes of Bluetongue Virus Egress
Authors: Labadie Thomas , Sullivan Edward , Roy Polly
Published: June 2020

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arthropod-borne virus infecting livestock. Its frequent emergence in Europe and North America had caused significant agricultural and economic loss. BTV is also of scientific interest as a model to understand the mechanisms underlying non-enveloped virus release from mammalian and insect cells. The BTV particle, which is formed of a complex double-layered capsid, was first considered as a lytic virus that needs to lyse the infected cells for cell to cell transmission. In the last decade, however, a more in-depth focus on the role of the non-structural proteins has led to several examples where BTV particles are also released through different budding mechanisms at the plasma membrane. It is now clear that the non-structural protein NS3 is the main driver of BTV release, via different interactions with both viral and cellular proteins of the cell sorting and exocytosis pathway. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in the molecular biology of BTV egress and compare the mechanisms that lead to lytic or non-lytic BTV release.
Molecular Ecology of Isoprene-Degrading Bacteria
Authors: Carrión Ornella , McGenity Terry J. , Murrell J. Colin
Published: June 2020

Isoprene is a highly abundant biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) that is emitted to the atmosphere in amounts approximating to those of methane. The effects that isoprene has on Earth’s climate are both significant and complex, however, unlike methane, very little is known about the biological degradation of this environmentally important trace gas. Here, we review the mechanisms by which bacteria catabolise isoprene, what is known about the diversity of isoprene degraders in the environment, and the molecular tools currently available to study their ecology. Specifically, we focus on the use of probes based on the gene encoding the α-subunit of isoprene monooxygenase, isoA, and DNA stable-isotope probing (DNA-SIP) alone or in combination with other cultivation-independent techniques to determine the abundance, diversity, and activity of isoprene degraders in the environment. These parameters are essential in order to evaluate how microbes might mitigate the effects of this important but neglected climate-active gas. We also suggest key aspects of isoprene metabolism that require further investigation in order to better understand the global isoprene biogeochemical cycle.
Is Lactobacillus Gram-Positive? A Case Study of Lactobacillus iners
Authors: Kim Hyaekang , Kim Taehyun , Kang Jaeku , Kim Younghoon , Kim Heebal
Published: June 2020

Lactobacillus iners is the most prevalent bacterial species in the human vaginal microbiome, and there have been few reports of its Gram-negative stain appearances despite the fact that the genus Lactobacillus is universally described as Gram-positive. Here, using transmission electron microscopy, we reveal that the thinness of the cell wall (17.39 ± 0.8 nm) gives the Gram-negative stain appearance, which can lead to over-diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Moreover, comparative genome analysis identified four genes commonly absent in L. iners genomes that might contribute to this phenotypic difference. We suggest that, along with the several niche-specific attributes identified, this unique feature may contribute to the species’ distinguished capability to thrive as the predominant species in the fluctuating vaginal environment as well.
Microbial Natural Products as Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro)
Authors: Sayed Ahmed M. , Alhadrami Hani A. , El-Gendy Ahmed O. , Shamikh Yara I. , Belbahri Lassaad , Hassan Hossam M. , Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan , Rateb Mostafa E.
Published: June 2020

The main protease (Mpro) of the newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was subjected to hyphenated pharmacophoric-based and structural-based virtual screenings using a library of microbial natural products (>24,000 compounds). Subsequent filtering of the resulted hits according to the Lipinski’s rules was applied to select only the drug-like molecules. Top-scoring hits were further filtered out depending on their ability to show constant good binding affinities towards the molecular dynamic simulation (MDS)-derived enzyme’s conformers. Final MDS experiments were performed on the ligand–protein complexes (compounds 1–12, Table S1) to verify their binding modes and calculate their binding free energy. Consequently, a final selection of six compounds (1–6) was proposed to possess high potential as anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug candidates. Our study provides insight into the role of the Mpro structural flexibility during interactions with the possible inhibitors and sheds light on the structure-based design of anti-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) therapeutics targeting SARS-CoV-2.
Leaching of Rare Earth Elements from Central Appalachian Coal Seam Underclays
Authors: Montross Scott N. , Yang Jonathan , Britton James , McKoy Mark , Verba Circe
Published: June 2020

Rare earth elements (REE) are necessary for advanced technological and energy applications. To support the emerging need, it is necessary to identify new domestic sources of REE and technologies to separate and recover saleable REE product in a safe and economical manner. Underclay rock associated with Central Appalachian coal seams and prevalent in coal utilization waste products is an alternative source of REE to hard rock ores that are mainly composed of highly refractory REE-bearing minerals. This study utilizes a suite of analytical techniques and benchtop leaching tests to characterize the properties and leachability of the coal seam underclays sampled. Laboratory bench-top and flow-through reactor leaching experiments were conducted on underclay rock powders to produce a pregnant leach solution (PLS) that has relatively low concentrations of gangue elements Al, Si, Fe, and Th and is amenable to further processing steps to recover and produce purified REE product. The leaching method described here uses a chelating agent, the citrate anion, to solubilize elements that are adsorbed, or weakly bonded to the surface of clay minerals or other mineral solid phases in the rock. The citrate PLS produced from leaching specific underclay powders contains relatively higher concentrations of REE and lower concentrations of gangue elements compared to PLS produced from sequential digestion using ammonium sulfate and mineral acids. Citrate solution leaching of underclay produces a PLS with lower concentrations of gangue elements and higher concentrations of REE than achieved with hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid. The results provide a preliminary assessment of the types of REE-bearing minerals and potential leachability of coal seam underclays from the Central Appalachian basin.
Stress Buildup Upon Crystallization of GeTe Thin Films: Curvature Measurements and Modelling
Authors: Tholapi Rajkiran , Gallard Manon , Burle Nelly , Guichet Christophe , Escoubas Stephanie , Putero Magali , Mocuta Cristian , Richard Marie-Ingrid , Chahine Rebecca , Sabbione Chiara , Bernard Mathieu , Fellouh Leila , Noé Pierre , Thomas Olivier
Published: June 2020

Phase change materials are attractive materials for non-volatile memories because of their ability to switch reversibly between an amorphous and a crystal phase. The volume change upon crystallization induces mechanical stress that needs to be understood and controlled. In this work, we monitor stress evolution during crystallization in thin GeTe films capped with SiOx, using optical curvature measurements. A 150 MPa tensile stress buildup is measured when the 100 nm thick film crystallizes. Stress evolution is a result of viscosity increase with time and a tentative model is proposed that renders qualitatively the observed features.
Enhancing the Performance of Aqueous Solution-Processed Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Photovoltaic Materials by Mn2+ Substitution
Authors: He Wenjie , Sui Yingrui , Zeng Fancong , Wang Zhanwu , Wang Fengyou , Yao Bin , Yang Lili
Published: June 2020

In this work, the Cu2MnxZn1−xSn(S,Se)4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) (CMZTSSe) alloy films were fabricated by a sol-gel method. Meanwhile, the effects of Mn substitution on the structural, morphological, electrical, optical, and device performance were studied systematically. The clear phase transformation from Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) with kesterite structure to Cu2MnSn(S,Se)4 (CMTSSe) with stannite structure was observed as x = 0.4. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) results show that the Mn can facilitate the grain growth of CMZTSSe alloy films. Since the x was 0.1, the uniform, compact, and smooth film was obtained. The results show that the band gap of the CMZTSSe film with a kesterite structure was incessantly increased in a scope of 1.024–1.054 eV with the increase of x from 0 to 0.3, and the band gap of the CMZTSSe film with stannite structure was incessantly decreased in a scope of 1.047–1.013 eV with the increase of x from 0.4 to 1. Meanwhile, compared to the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of pure CZTSSe device, the PCE of CMZTSSe (x = 0.1) device is improved from 3.61% to 4.90%, and about a maximum enhanced the open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 30 mV is achieved. The improvement is concerned with the enhancement of the grain size and decrease of the Cu instead of Zn (CuZn) anti-site defects. Therefore, it is believed that the adjunction of a small amount of Mn may be an appropriate approach to improve the PCE of CZTSSe solar cells.
Vitamin K Nutrition and Bone Health
Authors: Tsugawa Naoko , Shiraki Masataka
Published: June 2020

Vitamin K is essential for blood coagulation and plays an important role in extrahepatic metabolism, such as in bone and blood vessels, and in energy metabolism. This review discusses the assessment of vitamin K sufficiency and the role of vitamin K in bone health. To elucidate the exact role of vitamin K in other organs, accurate tools for assessing vitamin K deficiency or insufficiency are crucial. Undercarboxylated vitamin K-dependent protein levels can be measured to evaluate tissue-specific vitamin K deficiency/insufficiency. Vitamin K has genomic action through steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR); however, the importance of this action requires further study. Recent studies have revealed that the bone-specific, vitamin K-dependent protein osteocalcin has a close relationship with energy metabolism through insulin sensitivity. Among the organs that produce vitamin K-dependent proteins, bone has attracted the most attention, as vitamin K deficiency has been consistently associated with bone fractures. Although vitamin K treatment addresses vitamin K deficiency and is believed to promote bone health, the corresponding findings on fracture risk reduction are conflicting. We also discuss the similarity of other vitamin supplementations on fracture risk. Future clinical studies are needed to further elucidate the effect of vitamin K on fracture risk.
Rotavirus A in Brazil: Molecular Epidemiology and Surveillance during 2018–2019
Authors: Gutierrez Meylin Bautista , Fialho Alexandre Madi , Maranhão Adriana Gonçalves , Malta Fábio Correia , Andrade Juliana da Silva Ribeiro de , Assis Rosane Maria Santos de , Mouta Sérgio da Silva e , Miagostovich Marize Pereira , Leite José Paulo Gagliardi , Machado Fumian Tulio
Published: June 2020

Rotavirus A (RVA) vaccines succeeded in lowering the burden of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide, especially preventing severe disease and mortality. In 2019, Brazil completed 13 years of RVA vaccine implementation (Rotarix™) within the National Immunization Program (NIP), and as reported elsewhere, the use of Rotarix™ in the country has reduced childhood mortality and morbidity due to AGE. Even though both marketed vaccines are widely distributed, the surveillance of RVA causing AGE and the monitoring of circulating genotypes are important tools to keep tracking the epidemiological scenario and vaccines impact. Thus, our study investigated RVA epidemiological features, viral load and G and P genotypes circulation in children and adults presenting AGE symptoms in eleven states from three out of five regions in Brazil. By using TaqMan®-based one-step RT-qPCR, we investigated a total of 1536 stool samples collected from symptomatic inpatients, emergency department visits and outpatients from January 2018 to December 2019. G and P genotypes of RVA-positive samples were genetically characterized by multiplex RT-PCR or by nearly complete fragment sequencing. We detected RVA in 12% of samples, 10.5% in 2018 and 13.7% in 2019. A marked winter/spring seasonality was observed, especially in Southern Brazil. The most affected age group was children aged >24–60 months, with a positivity rate of 18.8% (p < 0.05). Evaluating shedding, we found a statistically lower RVA viral load in stool samples collected from children aged up to six months compared to the other age groups (p < 0.05). The genotype G3P[8] was the most prevalent during the two years (83.7% in 2018 and 65.5% in 2019), and nucleotide sequencing of some strains demonstrated that they belonged to the emergent equine-like G3P[8] genotype. The dominance of an emergent genotype causing AGE reinforces the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance to assess the impact of mass RVA immunization as well as to monitor the emergence of novel genotypes.
Variation Profile of the Orthotospovirus Genome
Authors: Nigam Deepti , Garcia-Ruiz Hernan
Published: June 2020

Orthotospoviruses are plant-infecting members of the family Tospoviridae (order Bunyavirales), have a broad host range and are vectored by polyphagous thrips in a circulative-propagative manner. Because diverse hosts and vectors impose heterogeneous selection constraints on viral genomes, the evolutionary arms races between hosts and their pathogens might be manifested as selection for rapid changes in key genes. These observations suggest that orthotospoviruses contain key genetic components that rapidly mutate to mediate host adaptation and vector transmission. Using complete genome sequences, we profiled genomic variation in orthotospoviruses. Results show that the three genomic segments contain hypervariable areas at homologous locations across species. Remarkably, the highest nucleotide variation mapped to the intergenic region of RNA segments S and M, which fold into a hairpin. Secondary structure analyses showed that the hairpin is a dynamic structure with multiple functional shapes formed by stems and loops, contains sites under positive selection and covariable sites. Accumulation and tolerance of mutations in the intergenic region is a general feature of orthotospoviruses and might mediate adaptation to host plants and insect vectors.
Geoheritage and Geotourism Resources
Authors: Santangelo Nicoletta , Valente Ettore
Published: June 2020

This Special Issue wants to outline the role of Geoheritage and Geotourism as potential touristic resources of a region. The term “Geoheritage” refers to a peculiar type of natural resources represented by sites of special geological significance, rarity or beauty that are representative of a region and of its geological history, events and processes. These sites are also known as “geosites” and, as well as archaeological, architectonic and historical ones, they can be considered as part of the cultural estate of a country. “Geotourism” is an emerging type of sustainable tourism, which concentrates on geosites, furnishing to visitors knowledge, environmental education and amusement. In this meaning, Geotourism may be very useful for geological Sciences divulgation and may furnish additional opportunities for the development of rural areas, generally not included among the main touristic attractions. The collected papers focused on these main topics with different methods and approaches and can be grouped as follows: (i) papers dealing with geosites promotion and valorisation in protected areas; (ii) papers dealing with geosites promotion and valorisation in non-protected areas; (iii) papers dealing with geosites promotion by exhibition, remote sensing analysis and apps; (iv) papers investigating geotourism and geoheritage from the tourists’ perspective.
A Two-Population Extension of the Exponential Smoothing State Space Model with a Smoothing Penalisation Scheme
Authors: Shi Yanlin , Tang Sixian , Li Jackie
Published: June 2020

The joint modelling of mortality rates for multiple populations has gained increasing popularity in areas such as government planning and insurance pricing. Sub-groups of a population often preserve similar mortality features with short-term deviations from the common trend. Recent studies indicate that the exponential smoothing state space (ETS) model can produce outstanding prediction performance, while it fails to guarantee the consistency across neighbouring ages. Apart from that, single-population models such as the famous Lee-Carter (LC) may produce divergent forecasts between different populations in the long run and thus lack the property of the so-called coherence. This study extends the original ETS model to a two-population version (2-ETS) and imposes a smoothing penalisation scheme to reduce inconsistency of forecasts across adjacent ages. The exponential smoothing parameters in the 2-ETS model are fitted by a Fourier functional form to reduce dimensionality and thus improve estimation efficiency. We evaluate the performance of the proposed model via an empirical study using Australian female and male population data. Our results demonstrate the superiority of the 2-ETS model over the LC and ETS as well as two multi-population methods - the augmented common factor model (LL) and coherent functional data model (CFDM) regarding forecast accuracy and coherence.
Development of a CO2 Sensor for Extracorporeal Life Support Applications
Authors: Bellancini Michele , Cercenelli Laura , Severi Stefano , Comai Guido , Marcelli Emanuela
Published: June 2020

Measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) in medical applications is a well-established method for monitoring patient’s pulmonary function in a noninvasive way widely used in emergency, intensive care, and during anesthesia. Even in extracorporeal-life support applications, such as Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal (ECCO2R), Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), and cardiopulmonary by-pass (CPB), measurement of the CO2 concentration in the membrane oxygenator exhaust gas is proven to be useful to evaluate the treatment progress as well as the performance of the membrane oxygenator. In this paper, we present a new optical sensor specifically designed for the measurement of CO2 concentration in oxygenator exhaust gas. Further, the developed sensor allows measurement of the gas flow applied to the membrane oxygenator as well as the estimation of the CO2 removal rate. A heating module is implemented within the sensor to avoid water vapor condensation. Effects of temperature on the sensor optical elements of the sensors are disclosed, as well as a method to avoid signal–temperature dependency. The newly developed sensor has been tested and compared against a reference device routinely used in clinical practice in both laboratory and in vivo conditions. Results show that sensor accuracy fulfills the requirements of the ISO standard, and that is suitable for clinical applications.
Direct Catalytic Fuel Cell Device Coupled to Chemometric Methods to Detect Organic Compounds of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Interest
Authors: Tomassetti Mauro , Marini Federico , Angeloni Riccardo , Castrucci Mauro , Campanella Luigi , Di Natale Corrado
Published: June 2020

Making use of a small direct methanol fuel cell device (DMFC), used as an analytical sensor, chemometric methods, organic compounds very different from one another, can be determined qualitatively and quantitatively. In this research, the following seven different organic compounds of pharmaceutical and biomedical interest, having in common only one –OH group, were considered: chloramphenicol, imipenem, methanol, ethanol, propanol, atropine and cortisone. From a quantitative point of view, the traditional approach, involving the building of individual calibration curves, which allow the quantitative determination of the corresponding organic compounds, even if with different sensitivities, was followed. For the qualitative analysis of each compound, this approach has been much more innovative. In fact, by processing the data from each of the individual response curves, obtained through the fuel cell, using chemometric methods, it is possible to directly identify and recognize each of the seven organic compounds. Since the study is a proof of concept to show the potential of this innovative methodological approach, based on the combination of direct methanol fuel cell with advanced chemometric tools, at this stage, concentration ranges that may not be the ones found in some real situations were investigated. The three methods adopted are all explorative methods with very limited computation costs, which have different characteristics and, therefore, may provide complementary information on the analyzed data. Indeed, while PCA (principal components analysis) provides the most parsimonious summary of the variability observed in the current response matrix, the analysis of the current response behavior was performed by the “slicing” method, in order to transform the current response profiles into numerical matrices, while PARAFAC (Parallel Factor Analysis) allows to obtain a finer deconvolution of the exponential curves. On the other hand, the multiblock nature of “ComDim” (Common Components and Specific Weight Analysis) has been the basis to relate the variability observed in the current response behavior with the parameters of the linear calibrations.
An Infrared Defect Sizing Method Based on Enhanced Phase Images
Authors: Wei Yanjie , Su Zhilong , Mao Shuangshuang , Zhang Dongsheng
Published: June 2020

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a full-field, contactless technique that has been widely used for nondestructive evaluation of structural materials due to many advantages. One of the major limitations of IRT is the fuzzy edge and low contrast in the inspected images—as well as the cost of the system. An efficient image post-processing with an affordable and portable device is of great interest to the engineering society. In this study, a convenient and economical inspection system using common halogen lamps was constructed. The corresponding image-processing scheme, which includes Fourier phase analysis and specific image enhancement was developed to identify defects with sharp and clear edges and good contrast. This system was applied to localized of defects in glass-fiber-reinforced composite panels. The results showed that defects with an effective diameter as small as 5 mm can be detected with excellent image quality. As a conclusion, the developed system provides an economic alternative to traditional infrared thermography which is able to identify defects with good qualities.
Fully Implantable Low-Power High Frequency Range Optoelectronic Devices for Dual-Channel Modulation in the Brain
Authors: Kim Woo Seok , Jeong Minju , Hong Sungcheol , Lim Byungkook , Park Sung Il
Published: June 2020

Wireless optoelectronic devices can deliver light to targeted regions in the brain and modulate discrete circuits in an animal that is awake. Here, we propose a miniaturized fully implantable low-power optoelectronic device that allows for advanced operational modes and the stimulation/inhibition of deep brain circuits in a freely-behaving animal. The combination of low power control logic circuits, including a reed switch and dual-coil wireless power transfer platform, provides powerful capabilities for the dissection of discrete brain circuits in wide spatial coverage for mouse activity. The actuating mechanism enabled by a reed switch results in a simplified, low-power wireless operation and systematic experimental studies that are required for a range of logical operating conditions. In this study, we suggest two different actuating mechanisms by (1) a magnet or (2) a radio-frequency signal that consumes only under 300 µA for switching or channel selection, which is a several ten-folds reduction in power consumption when compared with any other existing systems such as embedded microcontrollers, near field communication, and Bluetooth. With the efficient dual-coil transmission antenna, the proposed platform leads to more advantageous power budgets that offer improved volumetric and angular coverage in a cage while minimizing the secondary effects associated with a corresponding increase in transmitted power.
Towards Optical Imaging for Spine Tracking without Markers in Navigated Spine Surgery
Authors: Manni Francesca , Elmi-Terander Adrian , Burström Gustav , Persson Oscar , Edström Erik , Holthuizen Ronald , Shan Caifeng , Zinger Svitlana , van der Sommen Fons , de With Peter H. N.
Published: June 2020

Surgical navigation systems are increasingly used for complex spine procedures to avoid neurovascular injuries and minimize the risk for reoperations. Accurate patient tracking is one of the prerequisites for optimal motion compensation and navigation. Most current optical tracking systems use dynamic reference frames (DRFs) attached to the spine, for patient movement tracking. However, the spine itself is subject to intrinsic movements which can impact the accuracy of the navigation system. In this study, we aimed to detect the actual patient spine features in different image views captured by optical cameras, in an augmented reality surgical navigation (ARSN) system. Using optical images from open spinal surgery cases, acquired by two gray-scale cameras, spinal landmarks were identified and matched in different camera views. A computer vision framework was created for preprocessing of the spine images, detecting and matching local invariant image regions. We compared four feature detection algorithms, Speeded Up Robust Feature (SURF), Maximal Stable Extremal Region (MSER), Features from Accelerated Segment Test (FAST), and Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF (ORB) to elucidate the best approach. The framework was validated in 23 patients and the 3D triangulation error of the matched features was < 0.5 mm. Thus, the findings indicate that spine feature detection can be used for accurate tracking in navigated surgery.
Intelligent Industrial Cleaning: A Multi-Sensor Approach Utilising Machine Learning-Based Regression
Authors: Simeone Alessandro , Woolley Elliot , Escrig Josep , Watson Nicholas James
Published: June 2020

Effectively cleaning equipment is essential for the safe production of food but requires a significant amount of time and resources such as water, energy, and chemicals. To optimize the cleaning of food production equipment, there is the need for innovative technologies to monitor the removal of fouling from equipment surfaces. In this work, optical and ultrasonic sensors are used to monitor the fouling removal of food materials with different physicochemical properties from a benchtop rig. Tailored signal and image processing procedures are developed to monitor the cleaning process, and a neural network regression model is developed to predict the amount of fouling remaining on the surface. The results show that the three dissimilar food fouling materials investigated were removed from the test section via different cleaning mechanisms, and the neural network models were able to predict the area and volume of fouling present during cleaning with accuracies as high as 98% and 97%, respectively. This work demonstrates that sensors and machine learning methods can be effectively combined to monitor cleaning processes.
Well Logging Based Lithology Identification Model Establishment Under Data Drift: A Transfer Learning Method
Authors: Liu Haining , Wu Yuping , Cao Yingchang , Lv Wenjun , Han Hongwei , Li Zerui , Chang Ji
Published: June 2020

Recent years have witnessed the development of the applications of machine learning technologies to well logging-based lithology identification. Most of the existing work assumes that the well loggings gathered from different wells share the same probability distribution; however, the variations in sedimentary environment and well-logging technique might cause the data drift problem; i.e., data of different wells have different probability distributions. Therefore, the model trained on old wells does not perform well in predicting the lithologies in newly-coming wells, which motivates us to propose a transfer learning method named the data drift joint adaptation extreme learning machine (DDJA-ELM) to increase the accuracy of the old model applying to new wells. In such a method, three key points, i.e., the project mean maximum mean discrepancy, joint distribution domain adaptation, and manifold regularization, are incorporated into extreme learning machine. As found experimentally in multiple wells in Jiyang Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, DDJA-ELM could significantly increase the accuracy of an old model when identifying the lithologies in new wells.
Pedestrian Detection Algorithm for Intelligent Vehicles in Complex Scenarios
Authors: Cao Jingwei , Song Chuanxue , Peng Silun , Song Shixin , Zhang Xu , Shao Yulong , Xiao Feng
Published: June 2020

Pedestrian detection is an important aspect of the development of intelligent vehicles. To address problems in which traditional pedestrian detection is susceptible to environmental factors and are unable to meet the requirements of accuracy in real time, this study proposes a pedestrian detection algorithm for intelligent vehicles in complex scenarios. YOLOv3 is one of the deep learning-based object detection algorithms with good performance at present. In this article, the basic principle of YOLOv3 is elaborated and analyzed firstly to determine its limitations in pedestrian detection. Then, on the basis of the original YOLOv3 network model, many improvements are made, including modifying grid cell size, adopting improved k-means clustering algorithm, improving multi-scale bounding box prediction based on receptive field, and using Soft-NMS algorithm. Finally, based on INRIA person and PASCAL VOC 2012 datasets, pedestrian detection experiments are conducted to test the performance of the algorithm in various complex scenarios. The experimental results show that the mean Average Precision (mAP) value reaches 90.42%, and the average processing time of each frame is 9.6 ms. Compared with other detection algorithms, the proposed algorithm exhibits accuracy and real-time performance together, good robustness and anti-interference ability in complex scenarios, strong generalization ability, high network stability, and detection accuracy and detection speed have been markedly improved. Such improvements are significant in protecting the road safety of pedestrians and reducing traffic accidents, and are conducive to ensuring the steady development of the technological level of intelligent vehicle driving assistance.
Effects of Plyometric and Repeated Sprint Training on Physical Performance
Authors: Krakan Ivan , Milanovic Luka , Belcic Ivan
Published: June 2020

The purpose of study was to resolve the effect of plyometric training and repeated sprint training on physical performance. The study was conducted on 41 subjects in two experimental groups (plyometric/repeated sprints training). Before and after the training program, subjects were subjected to diagnostic procedures that included standard test protocols. Results proved a statistically significant difference only after the plyometric training program compared to the repeated sprint group in countermovement jump (8.65% vs. 2.21%). In variable repeated jumps, an increased value was recorded (2.9% vs. 4.29%), like in sprint variables after the training program where certain trends of progress happened after the repeated sprint ability training and the specificity of the program (5 m = 0.89%, 10 m = 1.07% and 25 m = 1.35%), while plyometric training recorded unchanged values at 5 and 10 m, and a 0.27% improvement at 25 m. Stagnation of the 20-yard test was recorded in both groups. There was no difference between training programs in any variables of functional capacities, with similar measures recorded in repeated sprint ability. After six weeks of both training types, positive changes can be expected in explosive strength of lower extremities, increases in acceleration area, and maximum speed.
Physiological Predictors of Performance on the CrossFit “Murph” Challenge
Authors: Carreker Ja’Deon D. , Grosicki Gregory J.
Published: June 2020

We examined physiological predictors of performance on the CrossFit Murph challenge (1-mile run, 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 air squats, 1-mile run). Male CrossFit athletes (n = 11, 27 ± 3 years) performed a battery of physical assessments including: (1) body composition, (2) upper and lower body strength, (3) upper body endurance, (4) anaerobic power, and (5) maximal oxygen consumption. No less than 72 h later, participants completed the Murph challenge, heart rate was monitored throughout, and blood lactate was obtained pre-post. Correlations between physiological parameters and total Murph time, and Murph subcomponents, were assessed using Pearson’s correlations. Murph completion time was 43.43 ± 4.63 min, and maximum and average heart rate values were 185.63 ± 7.64 bpm and 168.81 ± 6.41 bpm, respectively, and post-Murph blood lactate was 10.01 ± 3.04 mmol/L. Body fat percentage was the only physiological parameter significantly related to total Murph time (r = 0.718; p = 0.013). Total lift time (25.49 ± 3.65 min) was more strongly related (r = 0.88) to Murph time than total run time (17.60 ± 1.97 min; r = 0.65). Greater relative anaerobic power (r = −0.634) and less anaerobic fatigue (r = 0.649) were related to total run time (p < 0.05). Individuals wanting to enhance overall Murph performance are advised to focus on minimizing body fat percentage and improving lift performance. Meanwhile, performance on the run subcomponent may be optimized through improvements in anaerobic power.
A Serological Survey of Selected Papua New Guinea Blood Donors for Hepatitis B and Related Co-Infections
Authors: Varpit Francisca , Gummow Bruce
Published: June 2020

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious problem and earlier studies in Papua New Guinea have reported a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection. These studies were undertaken using insensitive tests and before an expanded immunization program. The current HBV status is therefore uncertain. A retrospective study to investigate the HBV status was carried out using blood donor data at Nonga General Hospital, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, from January 2003 to December 2018. Additional data for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, syphilis and hepatitis C virus were also collected. Data were analysed using NCSS statistical software. The mean hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) sero-prevalence was 21% for the period of study and showed a downward trend over the period of the study, which may reflect the effect of the extended immunization program. HBsAg prevalence in male donors (23%) was significantly higher than females (16%). Donors living in Pomio district had a significantly lower proportion of sero-positive HBsAg donors (7%) than Gazelle (22%), Kokopo (22%) and Rabaul (20%), which was attributed to this district’s geographical isolation. Ethnically, Pomios donors (8%) had significantly lower HBsAg prevalence than the Taulils, (29%), Bainings (21%) and Tolais (21%). Fifteen to nineteen year olds (23%) were the predominant age group affected, and vertical or perinatal transmission was probably the primary transmission route. Our findings call for greater awareness on the part of public policy makers and should be considered when planning future public health campaigns.
The Late Ottoman Şarkı and the Interweaving of Registers: Towards an Ideology of Song
Authors: NARDELLA Federica
Published: June 2020

This paper investigates the şarkı song form, composed in the late nineteenth century, discussed with regards to the linguistic registers that characterised the use of Turkish in the same period. It considers the production and circulation of this popular vocal repertoire in relation to reforms in language education and an intense, public conversation about the place of Turkish in a society on the verge of a controversial modernity. My aim has been to suggest new ways of thinking about the role of song in supporting or subverting – and occasionally, both – language practice and efforts at standardisation, as well as considering it in the more general framework of language debate. The material chosen is a small group of songs appeared in the newspaper Ma’lûmât in December 1895. By particularly focusing on the way that various registers interweave in the texts, I have suggested that we look at this repertoire as a reflection of wider linguistic/cultural tensions. While Ottoman-period Turkish has often been regarded as an unreadable, impenetrable language belonging to the elites, the case of the şarkı and its urban, newspaper reading public suggests that we should begin looking at it as a language spectrum encapsulating a multitude of registers, chosen according to the intended meaning and occasion. I propose to consider song in its capacity to maintain affections and authority, as well as providing a tool for self-mapping in history and tradition. In the late Ottoman scenario, this translates into reconsidering notions of cultural and social schisms in favour of a fluidity in both language and music practice, that is manifest in the şarkı text.
Repeated endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). Role of advanced instruments for performing this minimally invasive surgery
Authors: Sufianov A. , Rustamov R. , Yakimov Yu. , Sufianov R. , Alzahrani Abdulrahman
Published: June 2020

This series of studies presents the results of repeated endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in patients with occlusive hydrocephalus. 33 cases of repeated ETV were considered as a material for the study: 7 adult patients aged 18 years and older (19 % (3 men, 4 women)) and 26 children aged 0 to 17 years (81 % (15 boys, 11 girls)). The average period of clinical observation after the surgery was 42,3 ± 2,7 months. 21 patients (64 %) had the effect from the surgery, they became shunt-independent. 23 repeated endoscopic third ventriculostomy were performed using standard rigid endoscopes (Gaab, Lotta, Little Lotta Endoscopes), the other 10 surgeries were performed using miniature semi-rigid needle endoscope. There were no postoperative neurological, endocrine and infectious complications in the studied group.
Method of virtual reality for early comprehensive rehabilitation of patients with acute stroke
Authors: Nozdryukhina N. , Kabayeva E. , Kirilyuk E. , Tushova K. , Karimov A.
Published: June 2020

Despite significant advances in the treatment and rehabilitation of stroke, level of post-stroke disability remains at a fairly high level. Recent innovative developments in the rehabilitation of these patients provide good results in terms of functional outcome. One of such developments is method of virtual reality (VR), which affects not only the speed and volume of regaining movement, as well as coordination, but also normalizes the psycho-emotional background, increasing the motivation of patients to improve the recovery process. This article provides a literature review of the use of the VR method in the rehabilitation of post-stroke patients, neurophysiological aspects of recovery of lost functions using this method are considered.
Changes in inter-network functional connectivity of large-scale brain networks in patients with chronic migraine
Authors: Trufanov A. , Frunza D. , Markin K. , Litvinenko I. , Odinak M.
Published: June 2020

Migraine is a neurovascular disease characterized by headache and accompanied by mood disorders and impaired attention. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at rest allows to identify changes in the functional connectivity (FC) of various neural networks of the brain associated with the pathogenesis of pain in migraine. Previous studies of patients with migraine describe a change in FC only in certain brain structures or within some of its neural networks. However violation of the interconnected functioning of neural networks is of predominant importance within the framework of a developing theory of the common nature of the neuro- and psychopathological process. The aim of the study is to consider pathogenetic mechanism of migraine and concomitant psychopathology in the aspect of changes in the inter-network functional connectivity. Methods and patients. FMRI scanning of 25 healthy people as a control group and of 25 patients at rest between migraine attacks was performed. Post-processing and secondary analysis were performed using the CONN functional connectivity toolbox version 18b software based on an unpaired t-test and regression analysis, taking into account the Benjamini-Hochberg correction. A set of questionnaires and tests was used to clarify the qualitative characteristics of pain and the accompanying psychopathology in the patients. Results. An increase in FC in patients was observed in comparison with the control group between the salience and sensorimotor networks, the salience and default mode networks, and also within default mode networks; a decrease in FC was observed between the salience network and the dorsal attention network and within dorsal attention network. Conclusion. The obtained results indicate a common nature of pain and affective disorders in patients with migraine and identify a possible mechanism of developing chronicity. The data of the study can be used to objectify the patient’s condition in the process of clinical diagnosis.
Features of cognitive control in people using synthetic cannabinoids
Authors: Shishkova D. , Afonina A. , Petrov D.
Published: June 2020

Results of a study of cognitive sphere in patients with mental and behavioral disorders caused by the use of synthetic cannabinoids (harmful use), cognitive control, in particular, are presented in the article. Cognitive control, being an important component of the process of self-regulation, can become the target of psychotherapeutic interventions and psycho-correction in order to prevent repeated use of psychoactive substances.
Economic and social problems of providing medical care to kidney and liver recipients on an outpatient basis (on the example of a regional outpatient transplantation center)
Authors: Romanov Sergey , Zhukov Sergey , Dzyubak Svetlana
Published: June 2020

The article is devoted to the problems of providing medical care in outpatient settings to patients who have undergone organ transplantation. The authors analyzed the economic efficiency of the outpatient transplantation center and concluded that a new payment mechanism for this type of medical services is needed. In addition, the article describes the system of social measures necessary for recipients of organs that are performed in a medical organization due to the lack of a rehabilitation program for such patients.
Air ion composition of air: features of monitoring and evaluation
Authors: Burak V.
Published: June 2020

Assessment of methods for measuring concentration of light air ions in the air of the working area is given in the article. As a result of experiments and statistical processing of the obtained data, it was found that compliance with MUK (methodological guidelines) 4.3.1675-03 “General requirements for monitoring the air ion composition of the air” allows to obtain reliable results and to avoid penalties for violation of SanPiN (Sanitary Regulations and Standards) 2.2.4.1294-03 “Hygienic requirements for the air ionic composition of the air in industrial and public premises”. Carrying out measurements by the “direct” method in accordance with the operating instructions for the “MAS-01” counter of air ions is misleading regarding the optimal or impermissible content of air ions of both polarities in the air, because other data, often contradicting the previous ones, are obtained after re-measuring. Results of direct measurements should be considered as reflecting the content of air ions in the air of the working area at a given time, which cannot be applied during the entire shift and, accordingly, cannot serve as the basis for penalties. Application of “Yantar-5A” bipolar ionizer allows to unambiguously increase the content of light air ions in the air. In this case, unipolarity coefficient corresponds to hygienic standards. However, uncontrolled use of air ionizers can lead to an increase of the number of air ions above the norm, which poses a threat to the health of workers. In this regard, the use of air ionizers in the production environment is possible only in combination with devices for continuous monitoring of the concentration of air ions. Efficiency of “MAS-01” air ion counter does not depend on the location of the aspiration chamber (frontal position or at an angle) relative to the source of air ions. Significant decrease in the indicator under study has been noted in workplaces with computers.
Influence of tooth wear on the state of public health and its prevention (literature review)
Authors: Pakyrov Zh.
Published: June 2020

This article deals with the issues related to the dental pathology, tooth wear or dental attrition, and spread of this pathology in the southern regions of the Kyrgyz Republic. Literary review, in which analysis of theoretical material on the pathology of dental attrition in upper and lower jaws depending on various factors, climatic and geographical location, was made in order to study experience on this issue in world practice. Main works of domestic and foreign scientists concerning tooth wear pathology have been reviewed for this purpose. Analysis of studies is made and experience in the field of dental attrition is investigated to find ways for prevention. In order to study this problem and spread of this pathology in the region fully, main factors and methods of eliminating causes of this pathology are taken into consideration. Clinical examinations were studied and the results were analyzed to take into account etiologic factors of tooth wear. Distribution of this pathology in the regions was analyzed. Issues of prevention and role of promoting healthy lifestyle and culture of healthy life among the population are considered. Conclusions on the influence of this pathology on health of population are drawn.