bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotion Recognition Algorithm Based on Panorama-plane Mapping Dataset and VGG16 in Prison Monitoring System
Authors: Zhang Zeping , He Jing , Zhang Zhiwei
Published: September 2020

This paper proposes a digital processing scheme for efficient panoramic-plane image mapping for general-purpose panoramic cameras pictures, and builds an efficient emotion recognition algorithm based on VGG16 for real-time monitoring in prison environment. Panoramic-plane mapping algorithm is used to reduce the distortion of the input images and analyse the collected facial data to predict the sentiment of the prisoners. Compared with traditional monitoring methods, this algorithm is able to automatically sense the emotional changes of prisoners, which might improve the situation that traditional prison monitoring requires a large amount of human and material resources. We have proved that the method shows a good result on reducing distortion, besides our method runs with a small computation load so it is optimized to support real-time processing through experiments. The model trained in the experiments has reached a considerable accuracy up-to 79.75% on emotion classification at the same time. It is hopeful that the research could utilize in the future development of unattended prison monitoring.
The Technology of Moving Target Detection and Tracking Based on Sequential SAR Image
Authors: Ying Liu , Long Zhuang , Xin Nie
Published: September 2020

Although the multi-channel SAR-GMTI technology can be used in ground moving target detection, but only can get trace point of the ground moving target, the ground moving target tracking and track reconstruction can’t be achieved. This article presents a new method of ground moving target detection and tracking which is based on sequence SAR images. Firstly, the moving target detection and velocity estimation can be realized using the method of multi-channel processing. Secondly, the location of moving target can be estimated accurately using a high accuracy target location method based on knowledge-aid. The method uses the matching and target tracking technique based on sequential SAR images to realize the tracking and track reconstruction of moving target. Next, the image reference locking technology is used to achieve accurate image registration for a series of sequential SAR images obtained. Finally, the moving target can be tracked. The results of measured data shows the validity of the presented method.
A High Precision Rotating Line Detection Method for the Rotation Angle Measurement Based on Machine Vision
Authors: Cheng Hao , Cai Chenguang , Wang Ying , Liu Zhihua , Yang Ming
Published: September 2020

The accuracy of the rotation angle measurement method based on machine vision with the line as the reference target is limited by line detection accuracy. The Line Segment Detector (LSD) method is a high precision and effective method, but there are detected false lines and discontinuous lines when the LSD method is actually used to detect the rotating lines in the images. In this paper, we adjust three parts of the LSD method: image scaling, gradient magnitude threshold, and aligned points density threshold to detect lines accurately. The high precision detection of the rotating line is obtained by our adjusted method. Besides, the rotation angle measurement accuracy with the lines detected by our adjusted LSD reaches the measurement error level of arcseconds, which proves its effective performance.
Interactive Color Theme Editing System for Interior Design
Authors: Yan Hai , Yang Bin , Li Xueming , Wu Hongyu , Fu Qiang
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we develop a simple yet effective system for interactive indoor scene color theme editing. Our system permits the user to synthesize material/texture with user-specified colors and attaching the synthesized results to the given 3D indoor scenes. Two main improvements are made in this paper. Firstly, we give a new strategy to decompose texture to color, grey texture image and material parameters thus enable the user editing on certain of these items. Secondly, our system is a plus-in unit that integrated into Unity3D. Thus a quick preview of the color theme edited by the user can be rendered in real time. Experiments show that our system can assist the user to create an interior color theme efficiently. Moreover, our system is simple and easy to use, and has good runtime performance.
Bank Direct Marketing Analysis Based on Ensemble Learning
Authors: Hao Ruiting , Xia Xiaoqian , Shen Siyi , Yang Xiaorong
Published: September 2020

In the era of Internet and big data, the bank has gradually realized that the traditional data analysis cannot meet the demands of the existing marketing. So the bank direct marketing based on machine learning emerges. However, there are few references which are completely based on ensemble learning. As different banks have different structures of customer data, the existing model cannot be employed directly. Therefore, this article collects the marketing data of a Portugal’s bank and compares the classification effects of six different models under three ensemble learning algorithms ---“Boosting”, “Bagging” and “Stacking”, respectively. Then we select the most appropriate model which has the best performance as the final classifier. Banks can use the classifier to judge whether a customer will order financial products and make direct marketing plans.
Electrical varieties as vertex integrable statistical models
Authors: Gorbounov Vassily , Talalaev Dmitry
Published: September 2020

We propose a new approach to studying electrical networks interpreting the Ohm law as the operator which solves certain local Yang–Baxter equation. Using this operator and the medial graph of the electrical network we define a vertex integrable statistical model and its boundary partition function. This gives an equivalent description of electrical networks. We show that, in the important case of an electrical network on the standard graph introduced in [Curtis E B et al 1998 Linear Algebr. Appl.
283 115–50], the response matrix of an electrical network, its most important feature, and the boundary partition function of our statistical model can be recovered from each other. Defining the electrical varieties in the usual way we compare them to the theory of the Lusztig varieties developed in [Berenstein A et al 1996 Adv. Math.
122 49–149]. In our picture the former turns out to be a deformation of the later. Our results should be compared to the earlier work started in [Lam T and Pylyavskyy P 2015 Algebr. Number Theory
9 1401–18] on the connection between the Lusztig varieties and the electrical varieties. There the authors introduced a one-parameter family of Lie groups which are deformations of the unipotent group. For the value of the parameter equal to 1 the group in the family acts on the set of response matrices and is related to the symplectic group. Using the data of electrical networks we construct a representation of the group in this family which corresponds to the value of the parameter −1 in the symplectic group and show that our boundary partition functions belong to it. Remarkably this representation has been studied before in the work on six vertex statistical models and the representations of the Temperley–Lieb algebra.
Screening of endophytic bacteria antagonistic against Ustilaginoidea virens in rice
Authors: Cui Yu , Guan Qin-Lan , Gong Ming-Fu , Qiu Jie , Wang Li-Yuan , Yuan Jie , Zhou Ai-Yun
Published: September 2020

Rice false smut (RFS) caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is a major disease in rice-producing areas in China. Endophytic bacteria have prominent advantages in controlling host plant diseases. To screen and obtain the antagonistic bacteria of RFS and effectively control RFS, the antagonistic strains were screened from 45 rice endophytic bacteria by the method of plate pair culture, the antagonistic activity of the fermentation broth of the antagonistic strains was measured, and the RFS field control test was performed. The results showed that 45 strains of rice endophytic bacteria had antagonistic activity against on U. virens, of which 23 strains had an antagonistic band of more than 15 mm. The fermented broth of these 23 antagonistic strains had strong antagonistic activity against on U. virens, of which 17 strains had antagonistic band of more than 20 mm, and 3 of them (REB01, REB32, and REB42) had more than 28 mm. . The three strains (REB01, REB32 and REB42) had 81.48%, 72.05% and 76.76% of respectively field control effect on RFS, which was very significant (P <0.01) higher than the field control effect of 500-fold dilution of 5% Jinggangmycin (61.72%), and showing great potential for biological control of RFS.
Fermentation properties of yogurt with fermented broth of Paecilomyces cicadae
Authors: Xiong Hua , Guan Qin-Lan , Gong Ming-Fu , Zhang Kun-Qi , Zhao Ming , Guo Jing , He Wan-Yue
Published: September 2020

Fermented broth of edible fungus is a product obtained by liquid culture with edible fungus. The yogurt adding fermented broth of edible fungus can promote the growth of lactobacillus in yogurt, increase the total number of lactobacillus in the finished product, give the product special flavor, and have higher nutritional value and new health effects. The changes in pH and lactic acid content during the fermentation, the content of polysaccharides, crude protein, and trace elements, and the changes in the total number of lactobacillus during storage of three types of yogurt, yogurt with fermented broth of Paecilomyces cicadae added (fermented broth yogurt), yogurt with fruit body of P. cicadae added (fruit body yogurt), and yogurt with no flavour added (natural yogurt), were studied. The results indicated that the speed of pH decrease, and increase of lactic acid content of fermented broth yogurt were higher than those of the other two types of yogurt. The lactic acid content of the three yogurts tended to stabilize to a certain time after fermentation. The nutrient content of crude protein, polysaccharide, iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc of fermented broth yogurt was higher than that of the other two yogurt. During storage, compared with the other two types of yogurt, the total number of lactobacillus in fermented broth yogurt declined more slowly. Fermented broth yogurt of P. cicadae promoted the growth of lactobacillus in yogurt and had high nutritional value.
Transdermal permeation research of ethanol extracts from Lycopodium clavatum
Authors: Mu Shuangshuang , Liu Ziqing , Duan Minghua , Yan Yuli , Liu Gang , Liu Shiyuan , Zhao Tianyi
Published: September 2020

This paper aims to study the characteristics of transdermal absorption of alkaloid which is the main component in Lycopodium clavatum; and to investigate the effects of different concentrations of solvents and borneol of gerneral penetration enhancer on the transdermal characteristics. The in vitro diffusion test was carried out with the drug transdermal diffusion tester. The abdominal skin of in vitro rat was selected as permeation barrier and the alkaloid content in the samples was determined by UV detection. In the results, 30% alcohol extracts from Lycopodium clavatum and 30% ethanol solution in 70% alcohol extracts could penetrate the abdominal skin of the sample rats. The borneol could promote such penetration and the cumulative infiltration capacity was 73.28µg and 82.09µg respectively. In conclusion, it is feasible and reliable to use total alkaloids as index to transdermal permeation research of alcohol extracts from Lycopodium clavatum. The alcohol extracts from Lycopodium clavatum have certain transdermal permeation research and the borneol can be used as an effective transdermal permeation promoter.
Energy efficiency assessment of anthropomorphic manipulator control algorithm
Authors: Boldareva K I , Lukyanov A D , Abderrazzak E H
Published: September 2020

Currently, developers of robotic systems are very interested in intensively developing unmanned technologies, the concept of which is to use robots to perform routine, harmful and dangerous types of work without direct human participation, which is the key to ensuring safety and high efficiency of solving tasks. Active research is conducted in the field of artificial intelligence and the development of anthropomorphic robots (AR). Modern ARS are not yet able to completely replace a person when performing complex tasks in a dynamic environment. The inability of such robots to completely replace a human is due to the short duration of work in offline mode. The reasons for the short duration of the AP are the low capacity of modern batteries and high power consumption of software and hardware components of the robot. The solution to this problem is possible by developing and modifying mathematical methods and algorithms for performing target operations in order to minimize energy consumption. The article assesses the energy efficiency of the algorithm for copying control of an anthropomorphic manipulator.
Modeling and analysis of energy efficiency of methods for maintaining temperature conditions in microbioreactors
Authors: Chistyakov V A , Lukyanov A D , Chapek S V , Donskoy Yu D , Katin O I
Published: September 2020

A mathematical model of maintaining the thermal conditions of microreactors used in biological, medical and other experiments that require stabilization or temperature control software is considered. Several heating modes are considered: using a liquid heating jacket, heating from below through the bottom, heating from the side using a flexible silicone heater. Simulated heat loss and dynamic modes of temperature control.
Development of methods for analyzing patterns of current consumption in a system for wireless monitoring the effectiveness of metalworking production
Authors: Lukyanov A D , Vernezi M A , Katin O I , Dolgov V V , Zimovnov I A , Studennikova S G
Published: September 2020

Annotation. Now the world is actively developing a trend of digitization of production enterprises. However, not all existing enterprises are equipped with a proper system for collecting and displaying information. Hence, the task of simple and fast integration of the monitoring system for the technological process produced by Metalworking equipment is quite relevant. To solve this problem, the article presents algorithms for accounting for the number and type of manufactured parts on Metalworking machines, as well as diagnosing the quality of the technological operation, based on temporary patterns of electric current consumed by the machine. This information, collected from the entire production cycle, will allow you to plan production more effectively.
Method for finding the shortest route on an auxiliary weighted digraph when filtering signals
Authors: Shrayfel I S , Marchuk V I , Mikhailov A B , Malcev I M
Published: September 2020

Annotation. This paper provides an analytical justification and results of practical testing of a new approach to signal processing, which can be considered as a piecewise constant changing function under conditions of a priori uncertainty about the signal parameters. The simulation results presented in this paper confirm the analytical results obtained, and allow us to conclude that the proposed method can be used for processing measurement results under conditions of a priori uncertainty about the useful signal function.
Flow enhances phenotypic and maturation of adult rat liver organoids
Authors: Jung Da Jung , Byeon Jae Hee , Jeong Gi Seok
Published: September 2020

A biologically relevant in vitro model of hepatic microtissue would be a valuable tool for the preclinical study of pharmacokinetics and metabolism. Although considerable advances have been made in recent years in the establishment of alternative in vitro culture systems that mimic liver tissue, generating an effective liver model remains challenging. Specifically, existing model systems still exhibit limited functions for hepatocellular differentiation potential and cellular complexity. It is essential to improve the in vitro differentiation of liver progenitor cells (LPCs) for disease modeling and preclinical pharmatoxicological research. Here, we describe a rat liver organoid culture system under in vivo-like steady-state flow conditions; this system is capable of controlling the expansion and differentiation of rat liver organoids over 10–15 d. LPCs cultured in medium flow conditions become self-assembled liver organoids that exhibit phenotypic and functional hepato-biliary modeling. In addition, hepatocytes that are differentiated using liver organoids produced albumin and maintained polygonal morphology, which is characteristic of mature hepatocytes.
Doppler narrowing, Zeeman and laser beam-shape effects in Λ-type electromagnetically induced transparency on the 85Rb D2 line in a vapor cell
Authors: Ma L , Raithel G
Published: September 2020

We study Λ-type Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) on the Rb D2 transition in a buffer-gas-free thermal vapor cell without anti-relaxation coating. Experimental data show well-resolved features due to velocity-selective optical pumping and one EIT resonance. The Zeeman splitting of the EIT line in magnetic fields up to 12 Gauss is investigated. One Zeeman component is free of the first-order shift and its second-order shift agrees well with theory. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of this magnetic-field-insensitive EIT resonance is reduced due to Doppler narrowing, scales linearly in Rabi frequency over the range studied, and reaches about 100 kHz at the lowest powers. These observations agree with an analytic model for a Doppler-broadened medium developed in (Javan et al 2002 Phys. Rev. A 66 013805; Lee et al 2003 Appl. Phys. B, Lasers Opt. (Germany) B 76, 33–9; Taichenachev et al 2000 JETP Lett.
72, 119). Numerical simulation using the Lindblad equation reveals that the transverse laser intensity distribution and two Λ-EIT systems must be included to fully account for the measured line width and line shape of the signals. Ground-state decoherence, caused by effects that include residual optical frequency fluctuations, atom-wall and trace-gas collisions, is discussed.
Recentadvances in the propertiesand synthesis of bilayer graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Gao Zhaoli , Zhao Meng-Qiang , Alam Ashik Md Masruck , Johnson Alan T Charlie
Published: September 2020

In the past few years, considerable progress has been made on the controlled synthesis of bilayer van der Waals (vdW) materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), which are of interest due to their attractive optical and electronic properties. A variety of methods have been developed to synthesize bilayer vdW materials. This review is devoted to recent advances in the properties and synthesis of bilayer graphene (BLG) and TMDs. We emphasize the intriguing properties of BLG and TMDs, depending on their composition, stacking configurations, and twisting angles. The large-scale chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of BLG and TMDs with large domain size, high quality, and strong interlayer coupling is highlighted. We then expand the discussion to the current understanding of the growth mechanisms of BLG by CVD and synthetic methods of bilayer TMDs. Finally, the crucial challenges of BLG synthesis and our perspective of the future of bilayer TMDs will be laid out for potential applications of vdW materials.
Multidimensional fiber echo state network analogue
Authors: Sorokina Mariia
Published: September 2020

Optical neuoromorphic technologies enable neural network-based signal processing through a specifically designed hardware and may confer advantages in speed and energy. However, the advances of such technologies in bandwidth and/or dimensionality are often limited by the constraints of the underlying material. Optical fiber presents a well-studied low-cost solution with unique advantages for low-loss high-speed signal processing. The fiber echo state network analogue (FESNA), fiber-based neuromorphic processor, has been the first technology suitable for multichannel high bandwidth (including THz) and dual-quadrature signal processing. Here we propose the multidimensional FESNA (MD-FESNA) processing by utilizing multi-mode fiber non-linearity. Thus, the developed MD-FESNA is the first neuromorphic technology which augments all aforementioned advantages of FESNA with multidimensional spatio-temporal processing. We demonstrate the performance and flexibility of the technology on the example of prediction tasks for hyperchaotic systems. These results will pave the way for a high-speed neuromorphic processing of multidimensional tasks, hardware for spatio-temporal neural networks and open new application venues for fiber-based spatio-temporal multiplexing.
Generation of high-energy soliton-like pulses in 1.9–2.5 µm spectral domain
Authors: Dvoyrin Vladislav V , Turitsyn Sergei K
Published: September 2020

We experimentally demonstrate the generation of soliton-like pulses with 195–230 fs duration and energy up to 20 nJ in the spectral region of 1.9–2.5 µm directly from the Tm-doped all-fiber MOPA laser. The emerged Raman solitons generated directly in the fiber amplifier exhibit unusual dynamics and spectral properties forming a supercontinuum without conventional gaps between Stokes pulses. Namely, at the output powers above 2 W, in addition to conventional soliton spectral peaks beyond 2.3 μm, we observe high spectral density over an extended range of 1.95–2.23 μm corresponding to a coherent structure that to the best of our knowledge differs from any previously observed supercontinuum regimes. The average optical power of the fiber laser is at the 3-W level, whereas the estimated peak power reached the 80-kW level. Such a relatively simple laser system with high spectral density is a promising light source for various applications ranging from advanced comb spectroscopy to ultra-fast photonics.
Correlation of stochastic and ohmic power absorption with observed RF harmonics and plasma parameters in capacitively coupled discharges
Authors: Rawat Arti , Ganguli A , Narayanan Ramesh , Tarey R D
Published: September 2020

This work attempts to correlate the plasma density and RF harmonic profiles with respect to the pressure (at 13.56, 27.12 and 40.68 MHz) with the stochastic and ohmic power absorption mechanisms in a Capacitively Coupled Discharge (CCD), over a wide pressure range (0.6–1000 mTorr). Diagnostics include calibrated capacitive probe, compensated Langmuir Probe (LP) and uncompensated floating LP for measuring plasma parameters and RF signals. Pressure profiles of stochastic and ohmic powers, P
Stoch and P
Ohm (at 13.56 MHz) are obtained from their ratio (ξ) and the power absorbed by the electrons. Normalized profiles of an effective power (∼

P

Stoch

ρ

×

P

Ohm

1
−
ρ

;

ρ : pressure dependent parameter) are tuned to reproduce closely the normalized plasma density profiles from which relative contributions of stochastic/ohmic mechanisms are determined. It is shown that up to ≈30 mTorr, plasma production is stochastic while beyond that both methods contribute jointly. The RF harmonic profiles can be analysed similarly. Higher harmonics produced by the intrinsic nonlinearity of the stochastic process should appear most clearly in the plasma at low pressures where the latter operates alone. On the other hand, the fundamental RF voltage that is always present in the plasma, can also produce higher harmonics at the probe tip by driving the nonlinear probe sheath. Thus, the harmonics produced directly by the stochastic nonlinearity are inextricably mixed up with those arising due to the probe sheath. Significantly, one may conclude therefore that it is not possible to investigate the stochastic mechanism of power absorption by a study of its harmonics when the latter are measured using invasive probes.
Convolutional neural network and impedance-based SHM applied to damage detection
Authors: de Rezende Stanley Washington Ferreira , de Moura José dos Reis Vieira , Neto Roberto Mendes Finzi , Gallo Carlos Alberto , Steffen Valder
Published: September 2020

The impedance-based structural health monitoring technique uses measured signatures changes to identify incipient damages in structures. The purpose is to perform a correlation of these changes with the physical phenomena. However, since electromechanical coupling exists, some environmental influences such as temperature changes may lead to false decision regarding the condition of the structure. As a result, innovative machine learning tools have been extensively investigated to avoid errors in structural prognosis and, in this sense, recent applications of convolutional neural networks (CNN) have emerged within the scope of SHM research, focusing mainly on vibration analysis. However, studies that aim to combine neural architectures with intelligent materials for structural monitoring purposes have been poorly evaluated. Consequently, its integration with the electromechanical impedance method is still considered as being a new application of CNN. Thus, in order to contribute to the SHM area, this work presents a combination of the CNN architecture and the EMI methodology. In the present contribution, three aluminum beams subjected to three different steady temperature levels (0 °C, 10 °C and 20 °C) were studied. For this aim, a test chamber was used for humidity and temperature control. Artificial damages such as mass addition were taken into account so that impedance signatures related to both pristine and damaged conditions can be analyzed. Thus, a one-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D CNN) was designed, trained and used for damage prediction purposes. In this context, a temperature robust model that is able to identify damage independently of environmental condition was developed.
Modelling and analysis of thermoelectric modules for self-powered WSNs node with MPPT
Authors: Hou Liqun , Chen Weinan
Published: September 2020

Generally, WSNs or IoT nodes are powered by energy-constrained batteries, which significantly limit their operating lifetime and application. Harvesting energy from the surrounding environment provides a promising solution for self-powered WSNs or IoT nodes. Compared with other energy harvesting approaches, thermoelectric energy harvesting based on thermoelectric generators (TEGs) has many advantages. However, the power output of TEGs is difficult to be maintained at its maximum power point (MPP) due to the fluctuation of ambient temperature. To achieve the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) based-on internal resistance matching method for self-powered WSNs or IoT nodes using TEG, this paper proposes a simple approach to obtain the models of TEG open-circuit voltage, Seebeck coefficient, and internal resistance. The proposed method is verified by a series of experiments on a commercial TEG module. The results indicate that the presented models are more accurate and simple than the existing models reported by other authors.
A blocking antibody against canine CSF-1R maturated by limited CDR mutagenesis
Authors: Beirão Breno C B , Raposo Teresa P , Imamura Louise M , Ingberman Max , Hupp Ted , Vojtěšek Bořivoj , Argyle David J
Published: September 2020

CSF-1R is a receptor mostly associated with the mononuclear phagocytic system. However, its expression within tumors has been linked with poor prognosis in both humans and dogs. Accordingly, several reports have demonstrated the beneficial effects of blocking CSF-1R in model systems of cancer. In this study, we generated a monoclonal antibody that could block CSF-1R in dogs as the first step to develop an anticancer drug for this species. Initially, an antibody was raised by the hybridoma methodology against the fragment responsible for receptor dimerization. mAb3.1, one of the resulting hybridoma clones, was able to bind macrophages in fixed tissues and was shown to inhibit cells of the mononuclear phagocytic line. Nevertheless, mAb 3.1 could not bind to some glycoforms of the receptor in its native form, while also demonstrating cross-reactivity with other proteins. To enhance binding properties of the mAb, five amino acids of the complementarity-determining region 2 of the variable heavy chain of mAb3.1 were mutated by PCR, and the variant scFv clones were screened by phage display. The selected scFv clones demonstrated improved binding to the native receptor as well as increased anti-macrophage activity. The resulting scFv antibody fragment presented here has the potential for use in cancer patients and in inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, this work provides insights into the use of such restricted mutations in antibody engineering.
Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Combined with Microwave Demulsification for Determination of FAME Residuals in Biodiesel Wastewater
Authors: Yu Guo-Wei , Wang Xia-Jun , Wang Peng , Zhao Yi-Ping , Nie Jing , Li Zu-Guang , Fang Xiu-Gui , Lee Maw-Rong
Published: September 2020

Biodiesel consists of various fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) that are mainly produced through transesterification of plant oil or animal fat. It is essential for biodiesel to be purified utmostly to meet its product standard before being traded, while the universal purification method has been water washing. However, water washing inevitably causes the residual of FAMEs in wastewater, which represents a loss of industrial profits. For the purpose of determination and monitoring of the FAME profile in wastewater, there is a necessity to develop a fast and reliable approach with small volume of sample in need. Hence, in this study, a combination of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and microwave demulsification is applied for the enrichment of residual FAMEs in water, followed by qualitative and quantitative analyses using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results indicate that the optimal extractant in DLLME approach is toluene. And the optimal parameters are 20 mL of water sample, 80 μL of toluene as the extractant, 60 s of ultrasonic irradiation duration, 200 W of microwave power and 2 min of microwave irradiation duration. The standard curves and linear equations obtained with these conditions are used for the quantitative analysis of biodiesel wastewater, which reveals that there was 50.35 mg·L−1 of the total FAME residuals in wastewater. To the best of our knowledge, it is for the first time that the combined technique of DLLME and microwave demulsification is applied in determination of residual FAMEs in water samples. The proposed method corresponds to small volumes of sample and extractant and short analytical period. It also has the potential to be extended to the analysis of other water pollutants.
Is It Time to Remove Total Calcium from the Basic and Comprehensive Metabolic Panels? Assessing the Effects of American Medical Association–Approved Chemical Test Panels on Laboratory Utilization
Authors: Katzman Brooke M , Bryant Sandra C , Karon Brad S
Published: September 2020

Background

The necessity of individual tests within the most commonly used disease-oriented test panels has not been well established. We evaluated test-ordering practices for total calcium, both before and after implementation of American Medical Association (AMA)–approved panels (basic metabolic panel [BMP] and comprehensive metabolic panel [CMP]) in our electronic ordering system.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of all total calcium orders placed during April and June 2018, before and after implementation of the panels. Orders from inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department (ED) care units were totaled, and the percentage of abnormal test results was calculated. We then queried institutional databases to determine the number of unique patients with calcium-related diagnoses and compared the rates from a 5-month period both before and after implementation of the panels.

Results

Total test volumes and tests per unique patient increased by more than 3-fold after implementation of calcium-containing AMA-approved panels, with the majority of those orders coming from BMPs and CMPs. The rate of low calcium values increased because of the shift toward more inpatient testing; however, the percentage of abnormal results within each patient population (inpatient, outpatient, ED) decreased. The prevalence of hypo- and hypercalcemia-related diagnoses among patients in the 5 months after implementation did not change significantly (1.29% before implementation vs 1.27% after implementation).

Conclusions

Implementation of BMPs and CMPs dramatically increased total calcium testing volumes without changing the rate of calcium-related diagnoses. The results suggest that the increase in total calcium orders associated with panel-based testing largely constitutes excess or unnecessary testing.
Biopolymers modulate microbial communities in municipal organic waste digestion
Authors: Bandini Francesca , Misci Chiara , Taskin Eren , Cocconcelli Pier Sandro , Puglisi Edoardo
Published: September 2020

The development of biopolymers has raised issues about their recalcitrance in the environment. Their disposal is mainly carried out with the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) through thermophilic anaerobic digestion and aerobic composting, bioprocesses aimed at turning organic matter into biogas and compost. However, the effects of biopolymers on OFMSW treatment, on the final compost and on the microbial communities involved are partly unexplored. In this study, the OFMSW treatment was reproduced on a laboratory-scale respecting real plant conditions and testing the impacts of mixing polylactic acid (PLA) and starch-based bioplastic (SBB) separately. The dynamics of bacterial, archaeal and fungal communities during the process was screened by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of phylogenetic amplicons. Starch-based bioplastic showed a minor and heterogeneous microbial diversity between the anaerobic and aerobic phases. Contrariwise, PLA treatment resulted in wider and more diverse bacterial and fungal communities for the compost and the aerobic biofilm. Since the biodiversity in compost may play a crucial role in its stability and safety, the modulation of environmental microbial communities induced by higher concentrations of PLA in OFMSW treatment can pose relevant issues.
Comparative genome analysis proposes three new Aureobasidium species isolated from grape juice
Authors: Onetto Cristobal A , Schmidt Simon A , Roach Michael J , Borneman Anthony R
Published: September 2020

Aureobasidium pullulans is the most abundant and ubiquitous species within the genus and is also considered a core component of the grape juice microflora. So far, a small number of other Aureobasidium species have been reported, that in contrast to A. pullulans, appear far more constrained to specific habitats. It is unknown whether grape juice is a reservoir of novel Aureobasidium species, overlooked in the course of conventional morphological and meta-barcoding analyses. In this study, eight isolates from grape juice taxonomically classified as Aureobasidium through ITS sequencing were subjected to whole-genome phylogenetic, synteny and nucleotide identity analyses, which revealed three isolates to likely represent newly discovered Aureobasidium species. Analyses of ITS and metagenomic sequencing datasets show that these species can be present in grape juice samples from different locations and vintages. Functional annotation revealed the Aureobasidium isolates possess the genetic potential to support growth on the surface of plants and grapes. However, the loss of several genes associated with tolerance to diverse environmental stresses suggest a more constrained ecological range than A. pullulans.
Physiology of Astroglial Excitability
Authors: Verkhratsky Alexei , Semyanov Alexey , Zorec Robert
Published: September 2020

Classic physiology divides all neural cells into excitable neurons and nonexcitable neuroglia. Neuroglial cells, chiefly responsible for homeostasis and defense of the nervous tissue, coordinate their complex homeostatic responses with neuronal activity. This coordination reflects a specific form of glial excitability mediated by complex changes in intracellular concentration of ions and second messengers organized in both space and time. Astrocytes are equipped with multiple molecular cascades, which are central for regulating homeostasis of neurotransmitters, ionostasis, synaptic connectivity, and metabolic support of the central nervous system. Astrocytes are further provisioned with multiple receptors for neurotransmitters and neurohormones, which upon activation trigger intracellular signals mediated by Ca2+, Na+, and cyclic AMP. Calcium signals have distinct organization and underlying mechanisms in different astrocytic compartments thus allowing complex spatiotemporal signaling. Signals mediated by fluctuations in cytosolic Na+ are instrumental for coordination of Na+ dependent astrocytic transporters with tissue state and homeostatic demands. Astroglial ionic excitability may also involve K+, H+, and Cl−. The cyclic AMP signalling system is, in comparison to ions, much slower in targeting astroglial effector mechanisms. This evidence review summarizes the concept of astroglial intracellular excitability.
The Economic Consequences of Gray Divorce for Women and Men
Authors: Lin I-Fen , Brown Susan L
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Gray divorce, which describes divorce among persons aged 50 and older, is increasingly common reflecting the doubling of the gray divorce rate since 1990. Yet, surprisingly little is known about the consequences of gray divorce and in particular how women and men fare economically during the aftermath.

Method

Using longitudinal data from the 2004–2014 Health and Retirement Study, we estimated hybrid fixed/random-effects models comparing women’s and men’s economic well-being prior to, during, and following gray divorce and subsequent repartnering.

Results

Women experienced a 45% decline in their standard of living (measured by an income-to-needs ratio), whereas men’s dropped by just 21%. These declines persisted over time for men, and only reversed for women following repartnering, which essentially offset women’s losses associated with gray divorce. No gender gap emerged for changes in wealth following divorce with both women and men experiencing roughly a 50% drop. Similarly, repartnering was ameliorative only for women’s wealth.

Discussion

Gray divorce is often financially devastating, especially for women. Although repartnering seems to reverse most of the economic costs of gray divorce for women, few form new co-residential unions after divorce. This study offers a cautionary tale about the financial aftermath of gray divorce, which is likely to contribute to growing economic disadvantage among older adults.
Estimating Fmsy from an ensemble of data sources to account for density dependence in Northeast Atlantic fish stocks
Authors: Sparholt Henrik , Bogstad Bjarte , Christensen Villy , Collie Jeremy , van Gemert Rob , Hilborn Ray , Horbowy Jan , Howell Daniel , Melnychuk Michael C , Pedersen Søren Anker , Sparrevohn Claus Reedtz , Stefansson Gunnar , Steingrund Petur
Published: September 2020

A new approach for estimating the fishing mortality benchmark Fmsy (fishing pressure that corresponds to maximum sustainable yield) is proposed. The approach includes density-dependent factors. The analysis considers 53 data-rich fish stocks in the Northeast Atlantic. The new Fmsy values are estimated from an ensemble of data sources: (i) applying traditional surplus production models on time-series of historic stock sizes, fishing mortalities, and catches from the current annual assessments; (ii) dynamic pool model (e.g. age-structured models) estimation for stocks where data on density-dependent growth, maturity, and mortality are available; (iii) extracts from multispecies and ecosystem literature for stocks where well-tested estimates are available; (iv) the “Great Experiment” where fishing pressure on the demersal stocks in the Northeast Atlantic slowly increased for half a century; and (v) linking Fmsy to life history parameters. The new Fmsy values are substantially higher (average equal to 0.38 year−1) than the current Fmsy values (average equal to 0.26 year−1) estimated in stock assessments and used by management, similar to the fishing pressure in the 1960s, and about 30% lower than the fishing pressure in 1970–2000.
Cardiac haemangioma treated with surgical resection involving reconstruction of the right ventricle
Authors: Takago Shintaro , Iino Kenji , Yamamoto Yoshitaka , Takemura Hirofumi
Published: September 2020

A right ventricular cardiac tumour was incidentally detected in a 50-year-old woman during medical check-up. Transthoracic echocardiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed that the right ventricular tumour was widely attached to the free wall of the right ventricle and extended to the right ventricular outflow tract. The tumour was excised surgically, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Histological examination revealed that the tumour was a cardiac haemangioma.
The impact of stringent prescription-only antimicrobial sale regulation (Schedule H1) in India: an interrupted time series analysis, 2008–18
Authors: Farooqui Habib Hasan , Selvaraj Sakthivel , Mehta Aashna , Mathur Manu Raj
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To assess the impact of Schedule H1 regulation notified and implemented in 2014 under the amended rules of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (DCA), 1940 on the sale of antimicrobials in the private sector in India.

Methods

The dataset was obtained from the Indian pharmaceutical sales database, PharmaTrac. The outcome measure was the sales volume of antimicrobials in standard units (SUs). A quasi-experimental research design—interrupted time series analysis—was used to detect the impact of the intervention.

Results

We observed a substantial rise in antimicrobial consumption during 2008–18 in the private sector in India, both for antimicrobials regulated under Schedule H1 as well as outside the regulation. Key results suggested that post-intervention there was an immediate reduction (level change) in use of Schedule H1 antimicrobials by 10% (P = 0.007), followed by a sustained decline (trend change) in utilization by 9% (P > 0.000) compared with the pre-intervention trend. Segregated analysis on different antimicrobial classes suggests a sharp drop (level changes) and sustained decline (trend changes) in utilization post-intervention compared with the pre-intervention trend. Our findings remained robust on carrying out sensitivity analysis with the oral anti-diabetics market as a control. Post-intervention, the average monthly difference between antimicrobials under Schedule H1 and the control group witnessed an immediate increase of 16.3% (P = 0.10) followed by a sustained reduction of 0.5% (P = 0.13) compared with the pre-intervention scenario.

Conclusions

Though the regulation had a positive impact in terms of reducing sales of antimicrobials notified under the regulation, optimizing the effectiveness of such stand-alone policies will be limited unless accompanied by a broader set of interventions.
American Burn Association Guidelines on the Management of Acute Pain in the Adult Burn Patient: A Review of the Literature, a Compilation of Expert Opinion, and Next Steps
Authors: Romanowski Kathleen S , Carson Joshua , Pape Kate , Bernal Eileen , Sharar Sam , Wiechman Shelley , Carter Damien , Liu Yuk Ming , Nitzschke Stephanie , Bhalla Paul , Litt Jeffrey , Przkora Rene , Friedman Bruce , Popiak Stephanie , Jeng James , Ryan Colleen M , Joe Victor
Published: September 2020

The ABA pain guidelines were developed 14 years ago and have not been revised despite evolution in the practice of burn care. A sub-committee of the American Burn Association’s Committee on the Organization and Delivery of Burn Care was created to revise the adult pain guidelines. A MEDLINE search of English-language publications from 1968 to 2018 was conducted using the keywords “burn pain,” “treatment,” and “assessment.” Selected references were also used from the greater pain literature. Studies were graded by two members of the committee using Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine—Levels of Evidence. We then met as a group to determine expert consensus on a variety of topics related to treating pain in burn patients. Finally, we assessed gaps in the current knowledge and determined research questions that would aid in providing better recommendations for optimal pain management of the burn patient. The literature search produced 189 papers, 95 were found to be relevant to the assessment and treatment of burn pain. From the greater pain literature 151 references were included, totaling 246 papers being analyzed. Following this literature review, a meeting to establish expert consensus was held and 20 guidelines established in the areas of pain assessment, opioid medications, nonopioid medications, regional anesthesia, and nonpharmacologic treatments. There is increasing research on pain management modalities, but available studies are inadequate to create a true standard of care. We call for more burn specific research into modalities for burn pain control as well as research on multimodal pain control.
The Body Upon the (Lynching) Tree: the Humanity of Jesus in James Cone and Reinhold Niebuhr
Authors: Tafilowski Ryan
Published: September 2020

In The Cross and the Lynching Tree, James Cone addresses Reinhold Niebuhr’s complicated record on the so-called ‘Negro Question’. Although Niebuhr was keenly aware of and sensitive to black suffering and the systemic injustices which produced it, he failed to see any explicit relationship between the crucifixion of Jesus and the lynching of black persons. But what accounts for this failure? While Cone rightly posits Niebuhr’s limited theological imagination and sparse contact with African Americans as contributing factors, this essay argues, first, that Niebuhr cannot connect cross and lynching tree because of an anaemic and implicitly docetic Christology. It then suggests, second, that only an anti-docetic Christology with a robust account of Jesus’s humanity, such as Cone’s, can interpret black suffering christologically. To state the thesis in Niebuhrian idiom: Niebuhr takes the humanity of Jesus literally, but not seriously, whereas Cone takes the blackness of Jesus’s flesh seriously, but not literally.
Ketogenic diet and cognition in neurological diseases: a systematic review
Authors: Pavón S , Lázaro E , Martínez O , Amayra I , López-Paz J F , Caballero P , Al-Rashaida M , Luna P M , García M , Pérez M , Berrocoso S , Rodríguez A A , Pérez-Núñez P
Published: September 2020

Context

In recent years, the ketogenic diet has gained special relevance as a possible therapeutic alternative to some neurological and chronic diseases.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to answer the following question: Does a ketogenic diet improve cognitive skills in patients with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, refractory epilepsy, and type 1 glucose deficiency syndrome? To define the research question, the PICOS criteria were used, following the guidelines of the PRISMA method.

Data sources

Medline/PubMed, Elsevier Science Direct, Dialnet, EBSCOhost, Mediagraphic, Sage Journals, ProQuest, and Wiley Online Library databases were used.

Data extraction

After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria in accordance with the PRISMA method, a total of 63 entries published between 2004 and 2019 were used.

Data analysis

The records extracted were analyzed from a qualitative approach, so no statistical analysis was carried out.

Conclusion

Although scientific literature on the subject is scarce and there has tended to be a lack of scientific rigor, the studies reviewed confirmed the effectiveness of this diet in improving the cognitive symptomatology of the aforementioned diseases.