bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RBSandPIXEdata analysis by two dimensional correlation mapping techniques: On the effects of ion irradiation and sulfonation on poly(ether ether ketone) membranes
Authors: Al Lafi Abdul G. , Rihawy Mohammed S.
Published: October 2020

The present work proposes the use of two‐dimensional correlation mapping (2D‐CM) methods to analyze both particle induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) and Rutherford back scattering (RBS) spectra. RBS spectra of ion irradiated (H+and He2+) poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) films were analyzed by both generalized and hybrid 2D‐CM techniques to reveal the chemistry involved in different ion irradiation types. The analysis indicated different irradiation mechanisms using He2+and H+high energy ion beams and was assigned to X‐linking and Y‐linking, respectively. The effects of sulfonation on the structure of PEEK membranes were also analyzed from their RBS and PIXE spectra. The sequential order of elemental concentration change with increasing the degree of sulfonation (DS) was determined as: N→S→O→C, and the origin of Nitrogen was assigned to the casting solvent as revealed from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. In addition, Hetro‐2D‐CM‐PIXE‐RBS analysis indicated the presence of three RBS Sulfur signals, and were assigned to Sulfur at surface, in the middle and in depth. 2D‐CM techniques could be considered as a promising approach to enrich information obtained by ion beam analysis.
Extended Divisibility Relations for Constraint Polynomials of the Asymmetric Quantum Rabi Model
Authors: Reyes-Bustos Cid
Published: October 2020

The quantum Rabi model (QRM) is widely regarded as one of the fundamental models of quantum optics. One of its generalizations is the asymmetric quantum Rabi model (AQRM), obtained by introducing a symmetry-breaking term depending on a parameter $$\varepsilon \in \mathbb {R}$$

ε
∈
R

to the Hamiltonian of the QRM. The AQRM was shown to possess degeneracies in the spectrum for values $$\epsilon \in 1/2\mathbb {Z}$$

ϵ
∈
1
/
2
Z

via the study of the divisibility of the so-called constraint polynomials. In this article, we aim to provide further insight into the structure of Juddian solutions of the AQRM by extending the divisibility properties and the relations between the constraint polynomials with the solution of the AQRM in the Bargmann space. In particular we discuss a conjecture proposed by Masato Wakayama.
Generalized Group–Subgroup Pair Graphs
Authors: Kimoto Kazufumi
Published: October 2020

A regular finite graph is called a Ramanujan graph if its zeta function satisfies an analog of the Riemann Hypothesis. Such a graph has a small second eigenvalue so that it is used to construct cryptographic hash functions. Typically, explicit family of Ramanujan graphs are constructed by using Cayley graphs. In the paper, we introduce a generalization of Cayley graphs called generalized group–subgroup pair graphs, which are a generalization of group–subgroup pair graphs defined by Reyes-Bustos. We study basic properties, especially spectra of them.
Post-Quantum Constant-Round Group Key Exchange from Static Assumptions
Authors: Takashima Katsuyuki
Published: October 2020

We revisit a generic compiler from a two-party key exchange (KE) protocol to a group KE (GKE) one by Just and Vaudenay. We then give two families of GKE protocols fromstaticassumptions, which are obtained from the general compiler. The first family of the GKE protocols is a constant-round GKE by using secure key derivation functions (KDFs). As special cases, we have such GKE fromstaticRing-LWE (R-LWE), where “static” means that the parameter size in the R-LWE does not depend on the number of group members,n, and also from the standard SI-DDH and CSI-DDH assumptions. The second family consists of two-round GKE protocols from isogenies, which are proven secure fromnewisogeny assumptions, the first (resp. second) of which is based on the SIDH (resp. CSIDH) two-party KE. The underlying newstaticassumptions are based on indistinguishability betweena product value of supersingular invariantsand a random value.
Conifold dynamics and axion monodromies
Authors: Scalisi M. , Soler P. , Van Hemelryck V. , Van Riet T.
Published: October 2020

Abstract

It has recently been appreciated that the conifold modulus plays an important role in string-phenomenological set-ups involving warped throats, both by imposing constraints on model building and for obtaining a 10-dimensional picture of SUSY-breaking. In this note, we point out that the stability of the conifold modulus furthermore prevents large super-Planckian axion monodromy field ranges caused by brane-flux decay processes down warped throats. Our findings imply a significant challenge for concrete string theory embeddings of the inflationary flux-unwinding scenario.
Length-scale effect in stability problems for thin biperiodic cylindrical shells: extended tolerance modelling
Authors: Tomczyk B. , Gołąbczak M. , Litawska A. , Gołąbczak A.
Published: October 2020

Thin linearly elastic Kirchhoff–Love-type circular cylindrical shells of periodically micro-inhomogeneous structure in circumferential and axial directions (biperiodic shells) are investigated. The aim of this contribution is to formulate and discuss a new averaged nonasymptotic model for the analysis of selected stability problems for these shells. This, so-called, general nonasymptotic tolerance model is derived by applying a certain extended version of the known tolerance modelling procedure. Contrary to the starting exact shell equations with highly oscillating, noncontinuous and periodic coefficients, governing equations of the tolerance model have constant coefficients depending also on a cell size. Hence, the model makes it possible to investigate the effect of a microstructure size on the global shell stability (the length-scale effect).
Extensive preclinical evaluation of lutetium-177-labeled PSMA-specific tracers for prostate cancer radionuclide therapy
Authors: Ruigrok Eline A. M. , van Vliet Nicole , Dalm Simone U. , de Blois Erik , van Gent Dik C. , Haeck Joost , de Ridder Corrina , Stuurman Debra , Konijnenberg Mark W. , van Weerden Wytske M. , de Jong Marion , Nonnekens Julie
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Various radiolabeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)–targeting tracers are clinically applied for prostate cancer (PCa) imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy. The PSMA binding affinities, biodistribution, and DNA-damaging capacities of these radiotracers have not yet been compared in detail. A major concern of PSMA-targeting radiotracers is the toxicity in other PSMA-expressing organs, such as the salivary glands, thus demanding careful evaluation of the most optimal and safest radiotracer. In this extensive preclinical study, we evaluated the clinically applied PSMA-targeting small molecule inhibitors DOTA-PSMA-617 (PSMA-617) and DOTAGA-PSMA-I&T (PSMA-I&T) and the PSMA nanobody DOTA-JVZ-007 (JVZ-007) using PSMA-expressing cell lines, a unique set of PCa patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and healthy human tissues.

Methods and results

In vitro displacement studies on PSMA-expressing cells and cryosections of a PSMA-positive PDX revealed high and specific binding affinity for all three tracers labeled with lutetium-177 with IC50 values in the nanomolar range. Interestingly, [177Lu]Lu-JVZ-007 could not be displaced by PSMA-617 or PSMA-I&T, suggesting that this tracer targets an alternative binding site. Autoradiography assays on cryosections of human salivary and renal tissues revealed [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 to have the lowest binding to these healthy organs compared with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T. In vivo biodistribution assays confirmed the in vitro results with comparable tumor uptake of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T at all timepoints, resulting in induction of similar levels of DNA double-strand breaks in the tumors. However, [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T demonstrated approximately 40× higher renal uptake at 4 and 8 h post injection resulting in an unfavorable tumor-to-kidney ratio.

Conclusion

[177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 has the most favorable biodistribution in mice as well as more favorable binding characteristics in vitro in PSMA-positive cells and human kidney and salivary gland specimens compared with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T and [177Lu]Lu-JVZ-007. Based on our preclinical evaluation, [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 is the best performing tracer to be taken further into clinical evaluation for PSMA-targeted radiotherapeutic development although with careful evaluation of the tracer binding to PSMA-expressing organs.
Preoperative risk assessment for ambulatory sinonasal surgery
Authors: Briner Hans Rudolf , Leunig Andreas , Schlegel Christoph , Simmen Daniel
Published: October 2020

Objectives

An increasing proportion of patients who are candidates for endoscopic sinus surgery can be treated as an outpatient. A preoperative risk assessment is needed to evaluate eligibility for day surgery. This study analyses the effectiveness of a risk assessment scoring system which examines medical, procedure-related, and socioeconomic factors.

Design

Prospective multicenter study.

Setting

Three center study including Klinik Hirslanden, Zurich, Switzerland, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Lucerne, Switzerland and HNO-Klinik München-Bogenhausen, Munich, Germany.

Participants

Patients with endoscopic sinus procedures between January 1st, 2017 and December 31st, 2018.

Main outcome measures

The “day surgery risk score” consisted of three subgroups with medical, procedure-related and socioeconomic risk factors were assessed to determine if these predicted the severity of postoperative complications.

Results

Three-hundred and one patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery were included. The score resulted in a median value of 5 [5, 5]. In the Receiver-Operating Curve (ROC—the true-positive rate against the false-positive rate), the Area Under the Curve (AUC) was 0.59 with 95% confidence interval from 0.49 to 0.69, indicating that the “day surgery risk score” may be no better at predicting the likelihood of a complication than a random classification model.

Conclusions

The “day surgery risk score” is a straightforward risk assessment which combines medical, procedure-related, and socioeconomic factors. The score is easy to use but in trying to decide whether a patient is eligible for ambulatory endoscopic sinus surgery it did not predict whether a complication was more likely to occur.
k-Gaps: a novel technique for clustering incomplete climatological time series
Authors: Carro-Calvo Leopoldo , Jaume-Santero Fernando , García-Herrera Ricardo , Salcedo-Sanz Sancho
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we show a new clustering technique (k-gaps) aiming to generate a robust regionalization using sparse climate datasets with incomplete information in space and time. Hence, this method provides a new approach to cluster time series of different temporal lengths, using most of the information contained in heterogeneous sets of climate records that, otherwise, would be eliminated during data homogenization procedures. The robustness of the method has been validated with different synthetic datasets, demonstrating that k-gaps performs well with sample-starved datasets and missing climate information for at least 55% of the study period. We show that the algorithm is able to generate a climatically consistent regionalization based on temperature observations similar to those obtained with complete time series, outperforming other clustering methodologies developed to work with fragmentary information. k-Gaps clusters can therefore provide a useful framework for the study of long-term climate trends and the detection of past extreme events at regional scales.
Do wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) use tools?
Authors: Morton F. Blake
Published: October 2020

Being able to make and use tools was once considered to be an evolutionary hallmark of our species, but has since been documented in other animals. However, for reasons that remain unclear, not all species naturally use tools. Racoons (Procyon lotor) are generalist carnivores that possess many of the physical, cognitive, and behavioural characteristics linked to tool use in other species (e.g. manual dexterity, tactile exploration, relatively large brains, extractive foraging, and sociality). Although raccoons have not been observed using tools outside of experimental captive conditions, wild data involving objective psychometric tests are needed. The current study administered a tool-related task to a wild population of raccoons from 20 locations within the Croatan National Forest, USA. The task required participants to use a stick to extract food from a pipe. To facilitate interpretations of their performances on the task, data were obtained on natural tool availability at the field site and participants’ mode of exploring the novel task. None of the participants solved the task despite natural sticks (suitable for solving the task) being widely available across testing locations. Participants were equally likely to smell versus handle novel sticks, which were provided at testing platforms. Limited tactile exploration, but not tool availability, could be at least one factor that reduces these raccoons’ opportunities to interact with and learn about novel tools like sticks.
A population-based comparison of treatment, resource utilization, and costs by cancer stage for Ontario patients with HER2-positive breast cancer
Authors: Brezden-Masley Christine , Fathers Kelly E. , Coombes Megan E. , Pourmirza Behin , Xue Cloris , Jerzak Katarzyna J.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

We sought to expand the currently limited, Canadian, population-based data on the characteristics, treatment pathways, and health care costs according to stage in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BC).

Methods

We extracted data from the publicly funded health care system in Ontario. Baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and health care costs were descriptively compared by cancer stage (I–III vs. IV) for adult women diagnosed with invasive HER2+ BC between 2012 and 2016. Resource use was multiplied by unit costs for publicly funded health care services to calculate costs.

Results

Overall, 4535 patients with stage I–III and 354 with stage IV HER2+ BC were identified. Most patients with stage I–III disease were treated with surgery (4372, 96.4%), with the majority having a lumpectomy, and 3521 (77.6%) received radiation. Neoadjuvant (NAT) and adjuvant (AT) systemic treatment rates were 20.1% (n = 920) and 88.8% (n = 3065), respectively. Systemic treatment was received by 311 patients (87.9%) with metastatic HER2+ BC, 264 of whom (84.9%) received trastuzumab. Annual health care costs per patient were nearly 3 times higher for stage IV vs. stage I–III HER2+ BC.

Conclusion

Per-patient annual costs were substantially higher for women with metastatic HER2+ BC, despite less frequent exposure to surgery and radiation compared to those with early stage disease. Increasing NAT rates in early stage disease represent a critical opportunity to prevent recurrence and reduce the costs associated with treating metastatic HER2+ BC.
Multiphase-field modelling of crack propagation in geological materials and porous media with Drucker-Prager plasticity
Authors: Späth Michael , Herrmann Christoph , Prajapati Nishant , Schneider Daniel , Schwab Felix , Selzer Michael , Nestler Britta
Published: October 2020

A multiphase-field approach for elasto-plastic and anisotropic brittle crack propagation in geological systems consisting of different regions of brittle and ductile materials is presented and employed to computationally study crack propagation. Plastic deformation in elasto-plastic materials such as frictional, granular or porous materials is modelled with the pressure-sensitive Drucker-Prager plasticity model. This plasticity model is combined with a multiphase-field model fulfilling the mechanical jump conditions in diffuse solid-solid interfaces. The validity of the plasticity model with phase-inherent stress and strain fields is shown, in comparison with sharp interface finite element solutions. The proposed model is capable of simulating crack formation in heterogeneous multiphase systems comprising both purely elastic and inelastic phases. We investigate the influence of different material parameters on the crack propagation with tensile tests in single- and two-phase materials. To show the applicability of the model, crack propagation in a multiphase domain with brittle and elasto-plastic components is performed.
The Use and Perceived Usefulness of an Online Toolbox Targeted at Employers (MiLES Intervention) for Enhancing Successful Return to Work of Cancer Survivors
Authors: Greidanus M. A. , de Rijk A. E. , Frings-Dresen M. H. W. , Tiedtke C. M. , Brouwers S. , de Boer A. G. E. M. , Tamminga S. J.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The MiLES intervention is a web-based intervention targeted at employers with the objective of enhancing successful return to work (RTW) of cancer survivors. The aim of this study is to gain insight into the employers’ use and perceived usefulness of the MiLES intervention.

Methods

Employer representatives (e.g. Human Resource managers and supervisors) were given access to the MiLES intervention, which contains, among others, interactive videos, conversation checklists and tailored tips. After six weeks, an online questionnaire gathered data on employers’ use and the perceived usefulness of the intervention. In-depth qualitative data on these topics were gathered during semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using a content analysis.

Results

Thirty-one eligible employers were included. Twenty-two of them filled out the questionnaire and twenty were interviewed. Typically, employers used the intervention 2–3 times, for 26 min per visit. The usefulness of the intervention scored 7.6 out of 10 points, and all employers would recommend it to colleagues. Employers’ use decreased when support needs were low and when the intervention did not correspond with their specific situation (e.g. complex reintegration trajectories). Employers perceived the intervention to be supporting and practically oriented. They appreciated the fact that the intervention was web-based and combined visual and textual content. The possibility of consulting specialized services for complex situations would further enhance its usefulness.

Conclusion

The MiLES intervention provides employers with a useful tool in their daily practice. Its effectiveness for enhancing employers’ managerial skills and cancer survivors’ successful RTW is subject for further research.
Roles, Facilitators and Challenges of Employment Support Specialists Assisting Young People with Mental Health Conditions
Authors: Vaingankar Janhavi Ajit , Teh Wen Lin , Roystonn Kumarasan , Goh Janrius , Zhang Yun Jue , Satghare Pratika , Shahwan Shazana , Chong Siow Ann , Verma Swapna , Tan Zhuan Liang , Tay Benjamin , Maniam Yogeswary , Subramaniam Mythily
Published: October 2020

Purpose The present study aimed to understand the roles, effective strategies and facilitators, and challenges of employment support specialists (ESS) in assisting young people with mental health conditions (MHCs) gain and sustain employment in Singapore. Methods An interpretative qualitative design using an inductive approach was adopted for this study. Using a semi-structured interview guide, in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty ESS employed with mental health service providers or other community-based centers. Verbatim transcripts of the interviews were thematically analyzed using inductive methods. ESS were broadly classified as “any professionals providing employment-related support to people with MHCs”. Results Majority of the ESS were employed at a tertiary psychiatric institute. Participants included vocational and occupational specialists, case managers and other clinical professionals. Three key themes emerged from the data: (i) descriptions of roles undertaken by the ESS depicting a wide range of services and requisite skillsets; (ii) facilitators that benefit young people with MHCs’ in terms of job placement, for example, ESS’ attitudes and attributes, and their clients’ disposition; and (iii) challenges that deter effective job placements, such as factors pertaining to the ESS themselves, their clients, and clients’ employers. Under this theme, ESS also proposed ways to improve employment opportunities of people with MHCs. Conclusions This study provided insight into a range of tasks performed and challenges faced by ESS in Singapore while assisting their clients. There is a need to address ESS’ challenges and expectations in order to enhance their efficiency and aid reintegration of young people with MHCs into the workforce and the society.
Digital Public Services in Smart Cities – an Empirical Analysis of Lead User Preferences
Authors: Wirtz Bernd W. , Müller Wilhelm M. , Schmidt Florian W.
Published: October 2020

Smart cities (SC) attract constant criticism due their technocratic conceptualization. To solve this issue, scholars call for a citizen-centric approach aligning the SC agenda to the citizens’ needs and preferences. However, examining SC user preferences is still in its infancy and only few studies provide empirical insights. By surveying 105 lead users, this article is able to predict the preferred type of SC services, the preferred channels for accessing smart services and the factors fostering SC service usage. In doing so, the study states a preliminary assessment of SC user preferences setting the scientific groundwork for citizen-centric SC concepts.
Conducting quantitative studies with the participation of political elites: best practices for designing the study and soliciting the participation of political elites
Authors: Vis Barbara , Stolwijk Sjoerd
Published: October 2020

Conducting quantitative research (e.g., surveys, a large number of interviews, experiments) with the participation of political elites is typically challenging. Given that a population of political elites is typically small by definition, a particular challenge is obtaining a sufficiently high number of observations and, thus, a certain response rate. This paper focuses on two questions related to this challenge: (1) What are best practices for designing the study? And (2) what are best practices for soliciting the participation of political elites? To arrive at these best practices, we (a) examine which factors explain the variation in response rates across surveys within and between large-scale, multi-wave survey projects by statistically analyzing a newly compiled dataset of 342 political elite surveys from eight projects, spanning 30 years and 58 countries, (b) integrate the typically scattered findings from the existing literature and (c) discuss results from an original expert survey among researchers with experience with such research (n = 23). By compiling a comprehensive list of best practices, systematically testing some widely held believes about response rates and by providing benchmarks for response rates depending on country, survey mode and elite type, we aim to facilitate future studies where participation of political elites is required. This will contribute to our knowledge and understanding of political elites’ opinions, information processing and decision making and thereby of the functioning of representative democracies.
The Utilization of Regional Anesthesia among Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: DelPizzo Kathryn , Fiasconaro Megan , Wilson Lauren A. , Liu Jiabin , Poeran Jashvant , Freeman Carrie , Memtsoudis Stavros G.
Published: October 2020

Background

The use of regional anesthesia (RA) in pediatric patients remains understudied, although evidence suggests benefits over general anesthesia.

Questions/Purposes

We sought to identify factors associated with RA use in patients under the age of 21 years undergoing ambulatory orthopedic surgery.

Methods

Patients under the age of 21 who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair or reconstruction, knee arthroscopy (KA), or shoulder arthroscopy (SA) were identified from the NY Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database (2005–2015). Frequencies of RA use (defined by femoral nerve block, spinal, epidural, caudal, or brachial plexus anesthesia) were calculated. Multivariable regression analysis identified patient- and healthcare system–related factors associated with the use of RA. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported.

Results

We identified 87,273 patients who underwent the procedures of interest (ACL n = 28,226; SA n = 18,155; KA n = 40,892). In our primary analysis, 14.4% ( n = 1404) had RA as their primary anesthetic; this percentage increased for patients who had ACL or KA. When adjusting for covariates, Hispanic ethnicity (OR 0.78; CI 0.65–0.94) and Medicaid insurance (OR 0.75; CI 0.65–0.87) were associated with decreased odds for the provision of RA. Further, we identified increasing age (OR 1.10; CI 1.08–1.11), ACL versus SA (OR 1.91; CI 1.74–2.10), and sports injuries (OR 1.20; CI 1.10–1.31) as factors associated with increased odds of RA use.

Conclusion

In this analysis, RA was used in a minority of patients under the age of 21 undergoing ambulatory orthopedic surgery. Older age was associated with increased use while Hispanic ethnicity and lower socioeconomic status were associated with lower use.
Spontaneous splenic rupture, mesenteric ischemia and spinal infarction after aortic repair for acute type A dissection in a patient with sickle cell trait
Authors: Toyoda Makoto , Kitamura Tadashi , Nakashima Kouki , Matsunaga Yoshikiyo , Nie Masaki , Miyaji Kagami
Published: October 2020

Sickle cell trait (SCT), a benign hematological condition affecting approximately 300 million individuals globally, is associated with an increased risk of vaso-occlusive disease. However, the risks related to surgery employing cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with SCT are not well established. Herein, we report the case of a 27-year-old African American man with SCT who underwent an emergency aortic repair for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection using hypothermic circulatory arrest. The patient developed a sickle cell crisis, which was followed by spontaneous splenic infarction and rupture, nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, and spinal infarction.
Towards a digital key to the lichens of Italy
Authors: Nimis Pier Luigi , Martellos Stefano
Published: October 2020

Work is in progress for the completion of a computer-aided key to all lichens known to occur in Italy, which will be freely available online, and as a free application for mobile devices. A first example, concerning the lichens of Northern Italy (2.339 infrageneric taxa), is already available online for testing. A computer-generated but manually edited dichotomous key is invoked for all species previously filtered via a multi-entry interface, where several selected characters can be specified in a single step. To optimize the two query interfaces, two different datasets are used, one for the dichotomous, the other for the multi-entry interface.
Invariance groups of functions and related Galois connections
Authors: Horváth Eszter K. , Pöschel Reinhard , Reichard Sven
Published: October 2020

Invariance groups of sets of Boolean functions can be characterized as Galois closures of a suitable Galois connection. We consider such groups in a much more general context using group actions of an abstract group and arbitrary functions instead of Boolean ones. We characterize the Galois closures for both sides of the corresponding Galois connection and apply the results to known group actions.
A Feature Inherited Hierarchical Convolutional Neural Network (FI-HCNN) for Motor Fault Severity Estimation Using Stator Current Signals
Authors: Park Chan Hee , Kim Hyunjae , Lee Junmin , Ahn Giljun , Youn Myeongbaek , Youn Byeng D.
Published: October 2020

Motors, which are one of the most widely used machines in the manufacturing field, take charge of a key role in precision machining. Therefore, it is important to accurately estimate the health state of the motor that affects the quality of the product. The research outlined in this paper aims to improve motor fault severity estimation by suggesting a novel deep learning method, specifically, feature inherited hierarchical convolutional neural network (FI-HCNN). FI-HCNN consists of a fault diagnosis part and a severity estimation part, arranged hierarchically. The main novelty of the proposed FI-HCNN is the special inherited structure between the hierarchy; the severity estimation part utilizes the latent features to exploit the fault-related representations in the fault diagnosis task. FI-HCNN can improve the accuracy of the fault severity estimation because the level-specific abstraction is supported by the latent features. Also, FI-HCNN has ease in practical application because it is developed based on stator current signals which are usually acquired for a control purpose. Experimental studies of mechanical motor faults, including eccentricity, broken rotor bars, and unbalanced conditions, are used to corroborate the high performance of FI-HCNN, as compared to both conventional methods and other hierarchical deep learning methods.
Transformation of minerals at the boundary of magma-coal contact zone: case study from Wolonghu Coal Mine, Huaibei Coalfield, China
Authors: Chen Xing , Zheng Liugen , Jiang Yalin , Jiang Chunlu
Published: October 2020

Mesozoic and Cenozoic magma activity in the Wolong Lake mining area of Huaibei is frequent, and the degree of magma intrusion into coal seams remarkable. On the one hand, magma intrusion affects the utilization of coal resources; on the other hand, the macro and trace elements in coal are redistributed to form new mineral types. This study uses the Wolong Lake magma intrusion coal seam as a research object. The mineral paragenesis for igneous rock, coke, and thermally-altered coal in an igneous intrusion zone is studied using SEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. During igneous intrusion, the temperature and pressure of igneous rock metamorphose ambient low-rank coal to high-rank coal and coke. The response mechanism of minerals and trace elements to magmatic intrusion is discussed. The results are: ① SEM analysis shows that ankerite and pyrite are formed from magma intrusion. Both minerals are strongly developed in the magma-coal contact zone, and less well developed in thermally-altered coal. ② XRD analysis shows that igneous intrusion strongly influences the types and content of minerals in coke and thermally-altered coal. In addition to the increase amounts of ankerite and pyrite, chlorite, serpentine, and muscovite, and other secondary minerals, are generated following igneous intrusion. ③ Raman analysis suggests that thermally-altered coal possesses the characteristics of both pyrite and coke. Coke from the magma-coal boundary zone possesses the typical characteristics of pyrite. Igneous rock contains a mineral similar to pyrite, confirmed by both having similar Raman peaks. The scattering intensity of Ag indicates that the formation pressure of pyrite increases from thermally-altered coal via the boundary between the coke zone and the igneous rock.
Pulp Vietnam
Authors: Daddis Gregory A.
Published: October 2020

In this compelling evaluation of Cold War popular culture, Pulp Vietnam explores how men's adventure magazines helped shape the attitudes of young, working-class Americans, the same men who fought and served in the long and bitter war in Vietnam. The 'macho pulps' - boasting titles like Man's Conquest, Battle Cry, and Adventure Life - portrayed men courageously defeating their enemies in battle, while women were reduced to sexual objects, either trivialized as erotic trophies or depicted as sexualized villains using their bodies to prey on unsuspecting, innocent men. The result was the crafting and dissemination of a particular version of martial masculinity that helped establish GIs' expectations and perceptions of war in Vietnam. By examining the role that popular culture can play in normalizing wartime sexual violence and challenging readers to consider how American society should move beyond pulp conceptions of 'normal' male behavior, Daddis convincingly argues that how we construct popular tales of masculinity matters in both peace and war.
Small Summaries for Big Data
Authors: Cormode Graham , Yi Ke
Published: October 2020

The massive volume of data generated in modern applications can overwhelm our ability to conveniently transmit, store, and index it. For many scenarios, building a compact summary of a dataset that is vastly smaller enables flexibility and efficiency in a range of queries over the data, in exchange for some approximation. This comprehensive introduction to data summarization, aimed at practitioners and students, showcases the algorithms, their behavior, and the mathematical underpinnings of their operation. The coverage starts with simple sums and approximate counts, building to more advanced probabilistic structures such as the Bloom Filter, distinct value summaries, sketches, and quantile summaries. Summaries are described for specific types of data, such as geometric data, graphs, and vectors and matrices. The authors offer detailed descriptions of and pseudocode for key algorithms that have been incorporated in systems from companies such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, Netflix and Twitter.
QUANTIFYING THE TRADE-OFF BETWEEN INCOME STABILITY AND THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS IN A POOLED ANNUITY FUND
Authors: Bernhardt Thomas , Donnelly Catherine
Published: October 2020

The number of people who receive a stable income for life from a closed pooled annuity fund is studied. Income stability is defined as keeping the income within a specified tolerance of the initial income in a fixed proportion of future scenarios. The focus is on quantifying the effect of the number of members, which drives the level of idiosyncratic longevity risk in the fund, on the income stability. To do this, investment returns are held constant, and systematic longevity risk is omitted. An analytical expression that closely approximates the number of fund members who receive a stable income is derived and is seen to be independent of the mortality model. An application of the result is to calculate the length of time for which the pooled annuity fund can provide the desired level of income stability.
A Perspective on Re-Detectable Positive SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid Results in Recovered COVID-19 Patients
Authors: He Yanfei , Dong Yu-Chao
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

There have been reports on re-detectable positive nucleic acid tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in recovered coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. In this study, we look at the clinical characteristics, possible causes, pathogenesis, and infectivity of re-detectable positive patients and provide up-to-date information to public health policy planners and clinicians.

Methods:

By consulting the latest research data and related progress data of re-detectable positive patients, this study addresses the implications that this special group brings to clinical work and disease prevention and control.

Results:

We discuss in detail the phenomenon of re-detectable positive nucleic acid tests for recovered patients. There are many possible causes of a re-detectable positive, but there is no 1 factor that can fully explain this phenomenon.

Conclusions:

It can’t be completely ruled out that the re-detectable positive patients are infectious. We should be alert to these re-detectable positive patients becoming chronic virus carriers, and virus serological IgM and IgG antibody tests should be added before patient discharge. It is urgent to find a more powerful evidence-based and virological basis for the integrity of viral ribonucleic acid and the variation of viral virulence with time through cell experiments in vitro and animal experiments in vivo.
The Structure of Tweets About Vaccine Safety Between Health Organizations, Experts, and the Public: Analyzing Risk Communication Conversations
Authors: Manheim David , Gesser-Edelsburg Anat
Published: October 2020

Objective:

This article considers how health education organizations in the World Health Organization's 9 Vaccine Safety Network (VSN) use Twitter to communicate about vaccines with the public, and whether they answer questions and engage in conversations. Almost no research in public health, to our knowledge, has explored conversational structure on social media among posts sent by different accounts.

Methods:

Starting with 1,017,176 tweets by relevant users, we constructed 2 corpuses of multi-tweet conversations. The first was 1,814 conversations that included VSN members directly, whereas the second was 2,283 conversations mentioning vaccines or vaccine denialism. The tweets and user metadata were then analyzed using an adaptation of rhetorical structure theory.

Results:

In the studied data, VSN members tweeted 12,677 times within conversations, compared to their 37,587 lone tweets. Their conversations were shorter than those in the comparison corpus (P < 0.0001), and they were involved in fewer multilogues (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

While there is diversity among organizations, most were tied to the pre-social media broadcast model. In the future, they should try to converse more, rather than tweet more, and embrace best practices in risk communication.
OnTemnocephala axenosMonticelli, 1898 (Platyhelminthes, Temnocephalida): taxonomic status and designation of a neotype
Authors: Seixas S.A. , Amato S.B. , Amato J.F.R. , Daudt L.C.C. , Damborenea C.
Published: October 2020

Temnocephala axenosMonticelli, 1898 was described based on specimens from an unidentified host collected in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Information about type locality was imprecise and the host was later identified asAegla laevis(Latreille, 1818). However, it is known thatA. laevisis not present on the eastern side of the Andes. Also, only histological preparations from one specimen studied by Monticelli are currently available in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, but it showed none of the taxonomic characters needed for the characterization of the species. Although the updated description of the species based on Uruguayan specimens, neither the author nor the several previous studies about the species showed a search for the type material, a resolution for the misidentification of the type host or the imprecise type locality due to the subsequent geographical division of the municipality cited in the description. The Uruguayan specimens were not even geographically close to the type locality and a neotype was not designed to validate the species’ taxonomic status again. Specimens from Santa Catarina and Paraná States, Brazil, were studied, as well as restudied Argentinean specimens. The new data were compared with the update description of the species. The historical background and the discussion about geographical origins and hosts of the species, as well as a designation of a neotype, allow comparative material of the type locality and type host to exist, eliminating doubts about the identification ofT. axenos.
Correlates of sugar-sweetened beverage intake among low-income women during the first 1000 days
Authors: Cheng Erika R , Batista Elizabeth , Chen Ling , Nichols Kelsey , Park Sohyun , Charles Nalini , Woo Baidal Jennifer
Published: October 2020

Objective:

To describe prenatal and postpartum consumption of water, cows’ milk, 100 % juice and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) among women enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programme in New York City (NYC) and to identify correlates of SSB intake in this population.

Design:

Cross-sectional data were collected from structured questionnaires that included validated beverage frequency questionnaires with the assistance of container samples. The association of maternal and household factors and non-SSB consumption with habitual daily energetic (kJ (kcal)) intake from SSB was assessed by using multivariable median regression.

Setting:

WIC programme in NYC, NY. Data were collected in 2017.

Participants:

388 pregnant or postpartum women (infant aged <2 years) from the NYC First 1000 Days Study.

Results:

Median age was 28 years (interquartile range (IQR) 24–34); 94·1 % were Hispanic/Latina, and 31·4 % were pregnant. Overall, 87·7 % of pregnant and 89·1% of postpartum women consumed SSB ≥ once weekly, contributing to a median daily energetic intake of 410 kJ (98 kcal) (IQR (113–904 kJ) 27–216) and 464 kJ (111 kcal) (IQR (163–1013 kJ) 39–242), respectively. In adjusted analyses, only consumption of 100 % juice was associated with greater median energetic intake from SSB (adjusted β for each additional ounce = 13; 95% CI 8, 31 (3·2; 95 % CI 2·0, 7·3).

Conclusions:

Among pregnant and postpartum women in WIC-enrolled families, interventions to reduce SSB consumption should include reduction of 100 % juice consumption as a co-target of the intervention.
The Legacy of Nitrogen Pollution
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: October 2020

Researchers track decades of nitrogen inputs and uptake across the United States, highlighting the need for policy to address the legacy effects of this essential nutrient and pollutant.
Redes Sociales Ayudan a Revelar la Causa del Tsunami en Indonesia en el 2018
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: October 2020

Videos de Twitter y YouTube ayudaron a los cient�ficos a descubrir los mecanismos f�sicos que generaron el gran tsunami en Palu Bay despu�s de un terremoto de magnitud 7.5.
Global Biogeochemical Cycle of Fluorine
Authors: Schlesinger William H. , Klein Emily M. , Vengosh Avner
Published: October 2020

This review provides a synthesis of what is currently known about the natural and anthropogenic fluxes of fluorine on Earth, offering context for an evaluation of the growing environmental impact of human‐induced F mobilization and use. The largest flux of F at the Earth's surface derives from the mobilization of F during chemical (2.2 Tg F/yr (where 1 Tg = 1012 g) and mechanical (7 Tg F/yr) weathering of rocks. Humans supplement these fluxes by mining fluorospar and apatite ores to make a variety of industrial chemicals and fertilizers, mobilizing 2.9 and 7.6 Tg F/yr, respectively. Other large anthropogenic fluxes derive from the manufacture of bricks (1.8 Tg F/yr) and extraction of groundwater (0.9 to 1.7 Tg F/yr). Rivers deliver ~3.6 Tg/yr of dissolved fluoride to the oceans, where the mean residence time of dissolved F in seawater is ~500,000 yr. F is removed from the oceans by the deposition of terrigenous (4.3 Tg F/yr) and authigenic sediments (1.24 Tg F/yr), and approximately 10 Tg F/yr is removed from the surface of the Earth by subduction of the oceanic lithosphere. Humans have increased the flux of F to the atmosphere and in rivers by more than a factor of 2, with the largest impacts stemming from the use of phosphorus fertilizers, the production of brick, and extraction of groundwater. Despite their well‐documented toxicity, perfluoroalkyl substances make only a small contribution to F emitted to the atmosphere and natural waters.
An Inclination Shallowing‐Corrected Early Triassic Paleomagnetic Pole for the North China Craton: Implication for the Mesozoic Geography of Proto‐Asia
Authors: Zhao Pan , Appel Erwin , Xu Bei
Published: October 2020

The Early Mesozoic is a key period for the formation of the Asia continent. In this study, in order to reconstruct the Early Mesozoic paleogeography of Proto‐Asia, we carried out a paleomagnetic study on the Early Triassic strata from the Chengde Basin in the northeastern North China Craton (NCC). Rock magnetic investigations reveal magnetite and hematite as the main magnetic carriers. Characteristic remanent magnetization directions from 21 sites show normal and reversed polarities and site‐mean directions pass fold tests. After inclination shallowing (IS) correction with the elongation/inclination method, a mean direction is calculated at Ds/Is = 322.5°/39.5° (ks = 32.6, α95s = 5.7°) in stratigraphic coordinates. The corresponding Early Triassic paleomagnetic pole (λ/φ = 53.5°N/9.5°E, A95 = 5.3°) overlaps with coeval poles that have also been corrected for IS reported from the western part of the NCC. This result indicates that there is no relative movement between the eastern and western parts of the NCC. With all IS‐corrected paleomagnetic poles, a mean Early Triassic pole is recalculated for the NCC at λ/φ = 59.4°N/13.4°E (A95 = 4.7°). We use this pole to reconstruct the paleogeography of Proto‐Asia and confirm previous studies that did not use IS corrections, in which two “triangle bay‐shaped” oceans, the Paleo‐Tethys Ocean and the Mongol‐Okhotsk Ocean, existed along the southern and northern margins of the unified NCC‐Mongolian Block (MOB). Clockwise rotations of the South China Craton and Siberia Craton relative to the NCC‐MOB during the Early Mesozoic led to the final closure of both oceans.
Baseline immunity and impact of chemotherapy on immune microenvironment in cervical cancer
Authors: Zhang Yi , Yu Minhua , Jing Ying , Cheng Jiejun , Zhang Caiyan , Cheng Lin , Lu Haijiao , Cai Mei-Chun , Wu Jie , Wang Wenjing , Lou Weihua , Qiu Lihua , Tan Li , Lu Huaiwu , Yin Xia , Zhuang Guanglei , Di Wen
Published: October 2020

Background

We aimed to comprehensively evaluate the immunologic landscape at baseline and upon chemotherapy in cervical cancer. The information should aid ongoing clinical investigations of checkpoint blockade immunotherapies in this disease setting.

Methods

A series of 109 cervical carcinoma patients was retrospectively assayed before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Tumour-infiltrating immune markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD56, CD68, PD-1, PD-L1) were assessed by immunohistochemistry. RNA sequencing analysis was performed on matched pre- and post-treatment fresh-frozen tissues.

Results

At diagnosis, diverse immune cell types including CD20+ B cells, CD3+ T cells, CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells, and CD68+ macrophages were detected in different proportions of cervical carcinoma. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering evidently showed that CD4+ and CD8+ T cell abundance correlated with PD-L1 expression. Based on the immune infiltration patterns, the patients could be stratified into four groups with prognostic relevance, namely, ‘immuno-active’, ‘immuno-medial’, ‘immuno-NK’, and ‘immuno-deficient’. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with increased CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD56 signals, most prominently in good responders. Transcriptomic data corroborated the improved anticancer immunity and identified immunosuppressive CD200 upregulation following chemotherapeutic intervention.

Conclusions

A subset of cervical cancer harbours active immune microenvironment, and chemotherapy treatment may further exert locoregional immunostimulation. Immune checkpoint inhibitors as combination or maintenance therapies warrant future exploration in clinic.
LncRNA MNX1-AS1 promotes progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma through the MNX1/Hippo axis
Authors: Li Fengwei , Chen Qinjunjie , Xue Hui , Zhang Lei , Wang Kui , Shen Feng
Published: October 2020

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have extremely complex roles in the progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and remain to be elucidated. By cytological and animal model experiments, this study demonstrated that the expression of lncRNA MNX1-AS1 was remarkably elevated in ICC cell lines and tissues, and was highly and positively correlated with motor neuron and pancreas homeobox protein 1 (MNX1) expression. MNX1-AS1 significantly facilitated the proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis in ICC cells in vitro, and remarkably promoted tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Further study revealed that MNX1-AS1 promoted the expression of MNX1 via recruiting transcription factors c-Myc and myc-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ). Furthermore, MNX1 upregulated the expression of Ajuba protein via binding to its promoter region, and subsequently, Ajuba protein suppressed the Hippo signaling pathway. Taken together, our results uncovered that MNX1-AS1 can facilitate ICC progression via MNX1-AS1/c-Myc and MAZ/MNX1/Ajuba/Hippo pathway, suggesting that MNX1-AS1 may be able to serve as a potential target for ICC treatment.