bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First glimpse into the origin and spread of the Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, in the United States
Authors: Egizi Andrea , Bulaga‐Seraphin Leslie , Alt Erika , Bajwa Waheed I. , Bernick Joshua , Bickerton Matthew , Campbell Scott R. , Connally Neeta , Doi Kandai , Falco Richard C. , Gaines David N. , Greay Telleasha L. , Harper Vanessa L. , Heath Allen C.G. , Jiang Ju , Klein Terry A. , Maestas Lauren , Mather Thomas N. , Occi James L. , Oskam Charlotte L. , Pendleton Jennifer , Teator Marissa , Thompson Alec T. , Tufts Danielle M. , Umemiya‐Shirafuji Rika , VanAcker Meredith C. , Yabsley Michael J. , Fonseca Dina M.
Published: July 2020

Established populations of Asian longhorned ticks (ALT), Haemaphysalis longicornis, were first identified in the United States (US) in 2017 by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) ‘barcoding’ locus followed by morphological confirmation. Subsequent investigations detected ALT infestations in 12, mostly eastern, US states. To gain information on the origin and spread of US ALT, we (1) sequenced cox1 from ALT populations across 9 US states and (2) obtained cox1 sequences from potential source populations [China, Japan and Republic of Korea (ROK) as well as Australia, New Zealand and the Kingdom of Tonga (KOT)] both by sequencing and by downloading publicly available sequences in NCBI GenBank. Additionally, we conducted epidemiological investigations of properties near its initial detection locale in Hunterdon County, NJ, as well as a broader risk analysis for importation of ectoparasites into the area. In eastern Asian populations (China/Japan/ROK), we detected 35 cox1 haplotypes that neatly clustered into two clades with known bisexual versus parthenogenetic phenotypes. In Australia/New Zealand/KOT, we detected 10 cox1 haplotypes all falling within the parthenogenetic cluster. In the United States, we detected three differentially distributed cox1 haplotypes from the parthenogenetic cluster, supporting phenotypic evidence that US ALT are parthenogenetic. While none of the source populations examined had all three US cox1 haplotypes, a phylogeographic network analysis supports a northeast Asian source for the US populations. Within the United States, epidemiological investigations indicate ALT can be moved long distances by human transport of animals, such as horses and dogs, with smaller scale movements on wildlife. These results have relevant implications for efforts aimed at minimizing the spread of ALT in the United States and preventing additional exotic tick introductions.
Simulation of Nonlinear Heat Conduction in Perforated Material by Improved Moving Particle Semi-Implicit Method
Authors: Wang Jianqiang , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: July 2020

An improved moving particle semi-implicit (MPS) method is presented to simulate heat conduction with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity. Based on Taylor expansion, a modified Laplacian operator is proposed, and its accuracy in irregular particle distributions is verified. Two problems are considered: (1) heat conduction in a one-dimensional (1D) slab and (2) heat conduction in a perforated sector with different boundary conditions. Consistent results with a mesh-based method are obtained, and the feasibility of the proposed method for heat conduction simulation with temperature-dependent conductivity is demonstrated.
Application of damped cylindrical spreading to assess range to injury threshold for fishes from impact pile driving
Authors: Ainslie Michael A. , Halvorsen Michele B. , Müller Roel A. J. , Lippert Tristan
Published: July 2020

Environmental risk assessment for impact pile driving requires characterization of the radiated sound field. Damped cylindrical spreading (DCS) describes propagation of the acoustic Mach cone generated by striking a pile and predicts sound exposure level (LE) versus range. For known water depth and sediment properties, DCS permits extrapolation from a measurement at a known range. Impact assessment criteria typically involve zero-to-peak sound pressure level (Lp,pk), root-mean-square sound pressure level (Lp,rms), and cumulative sound exposure level (LE,cum). To facilitate predictions using DCS, Lp,pk and Lp,rms were estimated from LE using empirical regressions. Using a wind farm construction scenario in the North Sea, DCS was applied to estimate ranges to recommended thresholds in fishes. For 3500 hammer strikes, the estimated LE,cum impact ranges for mortal and recoverable injury were up to 1.8 and 3.1 km, respectively. Applying a 10 dB noise abatement measure, these distances reduced to 0.29 km for mortal injury and 0.65 km for recoverable injury. An underlying detail that produces unstable results is the averaging time for calculating Lp,rms, which by convention is equal to the 90%-energy signal duration. A stable alternative is proposed for this quantity based on the effective signal duration.
Field measurements of acoustic absorption in seawater from 38 to 360 kHz
Authors: Macaulay Gavin J. , Chu Dezhang , Ona Egil
Published: July 2020

Accurate estimates of acoustic absorption in seawater are crucial to the acoustic estimation of aquatic biomass. Estimates of acoustic absorption were obtained via a “pulse-echo” method, implemented using commonly available scientific echosounders and spherical calibration targets over a range of discrete frequencies. Below about 200 kHz, the absorption estimates were not significantly different from those of existing formulas, but at around 333 kHz, the measured absorption was 15 dB km−1 higher than estimated from existing formulas. Measurement variability was about ±2 dB km−1 for all frequencies. This is consistent with an observed anomaly between modelled and measured frequency-dependent biological backscatter. Allowing for this deviation will avoid incorrect spectral-based classification of acoustic targets and improve uncertainty in aquatic biomass estimation.
Worth the Weight? Post Weigh-In Rapid Weight Gain is Not Related to Winning or Losing in Professional Mixed Martial Arts
Authors: Kirk Christopher , Langan-Evans Carl , Morton James P.
Published: July 2020

Body mass (BM) manipulation via rapid weight loss (RWL) and rapid weight gain (RWG) is a common practice among mixed martial art (MMA) athletes to ensure qualification for the division in which the athlete wishes to compete. Professional MMA competitors in California are required to weigh in twice: 24 hr prior to competition and immediately prior to the bout after they have typically engaged in RWG. In analyzing data from five MMA events sanctioned by the Californian State Athletic Commission, the authors used Bayesian analyses to compare bout winners (n = 62) and losers (n = 62) in terms of in-competition BM (in kilograms) and the amount of BM regained between the two weigh-ins (in kilograms). These data do not support the hypothesis that differences in in-competition BM (Bayes factor [BF10] = 0.667, d = 0.23) or the amount of BM regained between the two weigh-ins (BF10 = 0.821, d = 0.23) determine winning or losing. In addition, there was no statistical difference between bouts ending via strikes, submission, or decision for either in-competition BM (BF10 = 0.686, ω2 < 0.01) or the amount of BM regained between the two weigh-ins (BF10 = 0.732, ω2 = 0.054). In conclusion, the authors report for the first time that the magnitude of RWG does not predict winning or losing in a professional cohort of MMA athletes. In addition, they also report that MMA athletes typically compete at a BM that is at least 1–2 divisions higher than the division in which they officially weighed-in. These analyses may provide impetus for governing bodies and coaches to enact changes at both professional and amateur levels to reduce negative health consequences associated with extreme RWL and RWG.
Skin Temperature, Training Load, and Subjective Muscle Soreness in Junior Endurance Athletes: A Case Study
Authors: Jones Thomas W. , Shillabeer Barry C. , Cardinale Marco
Published: July 2020

Context:The application of infrared thermography to assess the effects of athletic training is increasing. It is not known if changes in skin temperature (Tsk) as assessed by infrared thermography are affected by the training load or the muscle soreness experienced by the athlete.Purpose:To describe the variations in Tsk in body areas affected by running training and examine any relationships with subjective ratings of muscle soreness. The secondary aim was to assess the feasibility of using infrared thermography for assessing training load in 2 junior male middle-distance athletes.Methods:Data were collected over a 42-d observational period with Tsk of the quadriceps, knees, shins, lateral hamstrings, biceps femoris, and Achilles tendons, and the subjective ratings of muscle soreness were taken each morning prior to any training. All training load was quantified through heart rate, running speed, and distance covered. Changes in Tsk outside the typical error were identified. Relationships between Tsk and subjective ratings of muscle soreness were also examined.Results:Over the 42-d observational period, mean Tsk of the regions of interest was reported outside the typical error on day 31 and day 22 for athletes 1 and 2, respectively. These changes in Tsk did not follow trends similar to those of to training loadings. No significant relationships were observed between Tsk of any regions of interest and muscle soreness.Conclusions:Although Tsk changed outside the typical error throughout the 42-d observational period, these changes were not reflective of training load quantified through cardiovascular strain or subjective ratings of muscle soreness.
Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Plasma and Epithelial Lining Fluid Exposures of Amikacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Dynamic
In Vitro
Hollow-Fiber Infection Model
Authors: Heffernan Aaron J. , Sime Fekade B. , Sarovich Derek S. , Neely Michael , Guerra-Valero Yarmarly , Naicker Saiyuri , Cottrell Kyra , Harris Patrick , Andrews Katherine T. , Ellwood David , Wallis Steven C. , Lipman Jeffrey , Grimwood Keith , Roberts Jason A.
Published: July 2020

Given that aminoglycosides, such as amikacin, may be used for multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infections, optimization of therapy is paramount for improved treatment outcomes. This study aims to investigate the pharmacodynamics of different simulated intravenous amikacin doses on susceptible
P. aeruginosa
to inform ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and sepsis treatment choices. A hollow-fiber infection model with two
P. aeruginosa
isolates (MICs of 2 and 8 mg/liter) with an initial inoculum of ∼10
8
CFU/ml was used to test different amikacin dosing regimens.
Serpentoviruses: More than Respiratory Pathogens
Authors: Dervas Eva , Hepojoki Jussi , Smura Teemu , Prähauser Barbara , Windbichler Katharina , Blümich Sandra , Ramis Antonio , Hetzel Udo , Kipar Anja
Published: July 2020

During the last years, python nidoviruses (now reclassified as serpentoviruses) have become a primary cause of fatal disease in pythons. Serpentoviruses represent a threat to captive snake collections, as they spread rapidly and can be associated with high morbidity and mortality. Our study indicates that, different from previous evidence, the viruses do not only affect the respiratory tract, but can spread in the entire body with blood monocytes, have a broad spectrum of target cells, and can induce a variety of lesions.
Nidovirales
is an order of animal and human viruses that comprises important zoonotic pathogens such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2. Serpentoviruses belong to the same order as the above-mentioned human viruses and show similar characteristics (rapid spread, respiratory and gastrointestinal tropism, etc.). The present study confirms the relevance of natural animal diseases to better understand the complexity of viruses of the order
Nidovirales
.
Supplemental Material: Miocene high-temperature leucogranite magmatism in the Himalayan orogen
Authors: Gao Peng , al. et
Published: July 2020

Additional diagrams, Figures S1–S6, Metholology, and Tables S1–S7.
Recovery from work: testing the effects of chronic internal and external workload on health and well-being
Authors: Cropley Mark , Rydstedt Leif W , Andersen David
Published: July 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of reduced recovery opportunities on health, associated with chronic internal workload (ie, during work) and external workload (ie, following work).

Methods

Data from two consecutive surveys (2013 and 2016) from the Norwegian Living Conditions Survey on Work Environment were used. To assess a dose–response association between workload and health, self-reported ratings of internal workload (ie, having too much to do and skipping lunch breaks during work) and external workload (ie, using mobile technology for work-related issues during leisure time) over the two time periods were divided into tertile groups representing low, medium and high workload. Anxiety, depression, physiological and psychological fatigue and sleep were assessed as outcome symptoms.

Results

Chronic medium levels of internal workload were associated with psychological fatigue (OR=2.84, 95% CI 1.75 to 4.62) and physical fatigue (OR=1.85, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.63), and high internal workload was associated with psychological fatigue (OR=7.24, 95% CI 4.59 to 11.40), physical fatigue (OR=4.23, 95% CI 3.06 to 5.83) and sleep problems (OR=1.81, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.05). Chronic external high workload was only associated with psychological fatigue (OR=1.67, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.22) and with physical fatigue problems (OR=1.47, 95% CI,1.09–1.98) when the data were adjusted for age, gender, education level, job autonomy and occupational status.

Conclusions

This study emphasises that individuals who chronically experience high workload are at an increased risk for reporting psychological and physical fatigue, and sleep problems.
Adomian decomposition method for combined effect of Hall and ion-slip on mixed convection flow of chemically reacting Newtonian fluid in a microchannel with heat absorption/generation
Authors: Jha Basant K. , Samaila Gabriel , Malgwi Peter B.
Published: July 2020

In this work, theoretical analysis is carried out on fully developed hydromagnetic flow of heat generating/absorbing fluid in a vertical microchannel in the presence of Hall and ion-slip effects. The governing coupled flow equations are obtained in dimensional form and thereafter simplified by employing some similarity transformation variables and quantities. The transformed coupled equations are solved by adopting the Adomian Decomposition Method (ADM) and their solution represented in closed form. Interesting influences of some active parameter on different flow features are shown using line graphs and Table. The numerical values for the results obtained in this work using ADM were validated with results obtained from existing benchmark. Results from the analysis reveal that in the existence of heat generation/absorption, the primary velocity and the temperature distribution could be enhanced by growing the ion-slip and Hall current parameter, whereas its influence on velocity is contrary along the secondary direction.
Compact objects in general relativity: From Buchdahl stars to quasiblack holes
Authors: Lemos José P. S. , Zaslavskii Oleg B.
Published: July 2020

A Buchdahl star is a highly compact star for which the boundary radius [Formula: see text] obeys [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the gravitational radius of the star itself. A quasiblack hole is a maximum compact star, or more generically a maximum compact object, for which the boundary radius [Formula: see text] obeys [Formula: see text]. Quasiblack holes are objects on the verge of becoming black holes. Continued gravitational collapse ends in black holes and has to be handled with the Oppenheimer–Snyder formalism. Quasistatic contraction ends in a quasiblack hole and should be treated with appropriate techniques. Quasiblack holes, not black holes, are the real descendants of Mitchell and Laplace dark stars. Quasiblack holes have many interesting properties. We develop the concept of a quasiblack hole, give several examples of such an object, define what it is, draw its Carter–Penrose diagram, study its pressure properties, obtain its mass formula, derive the entropy of a nonextremal quasiblack hole and through an extremal quasiblack hole give a solution to the puzzling entropy of extremal black holes.
ABRASIVE WEAR BEHAVIOR OF NITRIDED TEXTURED TITANIUM
Authors: LI XINGLIANG , YUE WEN , KANG JIAJIE , ZHU LINA , TIAN BIN , SHE DINGSHUN , WANG CHENGBIAO
Published: July 2020

In order to improve the anti-friction and anti-wear performances of titanium and expand its application in aerospace and aircraft area, a commercially pure titanium grade 2 (TA2) was chosen and treated by compositing surface treatment. Dimple textures were prepared on the titanium surface by laser surface texturing (LST), and then the textured titanium was treated by ion nitriding. Tribological behaviors of the textured titanium and nitrided textured titanium were investigated under abrasive wear on a tribo-tester. The result shows that the anti-friction and anti-wear properties of textured titanium can be greatly improved by 47.1% and 79.3% after nitriding treatment, respectively. In addition, the dimple density has a significant effect on anti-friction and anti-wear behaviors.
Computational and structural studies of MeCP2 and associated mutants
Authors: Kucukkal Tugba G. , Amin Rijul U.
Published: July 2020

Rett Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder exclusively seen in girls. Approximately 95% of RTT cases is caused by mutations in the MeCP2 gene which codes for Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). In this review, first, a brief introductory review of Rett Syndrome, MeCP2 protein structure and function, mutation types and frequencies, and phenotype–genotype relationships were provided. After that, the current knowledge on the wild-type and mutant MeCP2 protein structure and dynamics as well as its binding to DNA is reviewed. The review particularly focuses on computational (such as molecular dynamics) and experimental (such as electrophoretic mobility shift assays) studies on the MeCP2 binding to different types of DNA as well as the computational and experimental (such as circular dichroism) studies on the stability changes upon mutations. In the end, a brief opinion on future outlook for further computational studies is provided.
Critical Components of Industry 5.0 Towards a Successful Adoption in the Field of Manufacturing
Authors: Javaid Mohd , Haleem Abid
Published: July 2020

The fifth industrial revolution is known as Industry 5.0 and is being evolved to focus on the personalized demand of customers. This industrial revolution is required to provide better interaction among humans and machines to achieve effective and faster outcomes. It provides a new era of personalization and solves complex problems. Digital technologies provide a new paradigm in manufacturing and eliminate repetitive jobs. It applies human intelligence to understand the requirement of a human operator. The data in manufacturing can be analyzed using machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). This paper discusses the development of all industrial revolutions and differentiates between Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. Further, it identifies the significant elements and capabilities of Industry 5.0 in the manufacturing field. This paper finally identifies 17 critical components of Industry 5.0 and discusses them briefly. Intelligent machines used in this revolution are efficiently used to solve real problems. It provides higher accuracy and speeds up the industrial automation with the help of critical thinking of human resources. Industry 5.0 provides computing power to the industry, which is to facilitate the digital manufacturing systems that are built to communicate with other systems. Thus, with mass personalization, there is customer delight with higher value addition through Industry 5.0.
Introduction to this special issue: Modeling and understanding the spread of COVID-19
Authors: Züfle Andreas , Anderson Taylor
Published: July 2020

The spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected all of us. Across the globe researchers investigate how to model and understand the spread of COVID-19, to inform and educate about the science of virus transmission and prevention, and to encourage the development of processes and actions to address this global challenge. For this purpose, the SIGSPATIAL community is in a unique position, given our experience in managing, modeling, querying, and mining spatial and spatio-temporal data for nearly three decades. Many new research projects related to COVID-19 have been started in the last months, supported, for example, by NSF, NSERC Canada, and the German DFG, and new COVID-19 funding opportunities are emerging almost daily.
Human mobility based individual-level epidemic simulation platform
Authors: Fan Zipei , Song Xuan , Liu Yinghao , Zhang Zhiwen , Yang Chuang , Chen Quanjun , Jiang Renhe , Shibasaki Ryosuke
Published: July 2020

Coronavirus has spread worldwide and about 3.5 million people have been confirmed infected and over 300 thousands people died. Scientists have reached the consensus that human mobility is the principal factor in spreading the virus and mobility should be restricted to control the epidemic. Against this background, we propose a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) fine-grained transmission model based on real-world human mobility data and develop a platform that maps the movement of people before determining transit flows and infection probabilities. Algorithms incorporate a series of incubation period and infection vector analysis. The next step is to work backward to find patients that have not yet been diagnosed by following the chain of transmission. The platform also aims to determine at-risk members of the population based on the travels of infected patients and provide early warning to those members of society. The multi-functional platform improves the opportunities for community leaders and decision-makers to implement different policies at the municipal and local levels, for a safe and healthy society. For example, local decision-makers can set optimal prevention and control policies based on the transmission within their local community.
Microblogs
Authors: Magdy Amr
Published: July 2020

Web users are long-standing sources for rich renewable datasets that are exploited in a wide variety of applications. Such datasets include significant spatial and temporal challenges that shape today's techniques and future technologies in the spatial community. This article highlights microblogs as a renewable source of user-generated data with a great fortune of spatial and temporal information about users, locations, and events that are exploited in rich applications. The articles covers both data management and analysis, discussing some of the existing challenges and future directions.
Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate-like protein-1 regulates epithelial sodium channel activity in renal distal convoluted tubule cells
Authors: Song Chang , Yue Qiang , Moseley Auriel , Al-Khalili Otor , Wynne Brandi M. , Ma Heping , Wang Lihua , Eaton Douglas C.
Published: July 2020

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) regulates blood pressure by fine-tuning distal nephron sodium reabsorption. Our previous work has shown that ENaC gating is regulated by anionic phospholipid phosphates, including phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). The PIP2-dependent regulation of ENaC is mediated by the myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate-like protein-1 (MLP-1). MLP-1 binds to and is a reversible source of PIP2 at the plasma membrane. We examined MLP-1 regulation of ENaC in distal convoluted tubule clonal cell line DCT-15 cells. Wild-type MLP-1 runs at an apparent molecular mass of 52 kDa despite having a predicted molecular mass of 21 kDa. Native MLP-1 consists of several distinct structural elements: an effector domain that is highly positively charged, sequesters PIP2, contains serines that are the target of PKC, and controls MLP-1 association with the membrane; a myristoylation domain that promotes association with the membrane; and a multiple homology 2 domain of previously unknown function. To further examine MLP-1 in DCT-15 cells, we constructed several MLP-1 mutants: WT, a full-length wild-type protein; S3A, three substitutions in the effector domain to prevent phosphorylation; S3D mimicked constitutive phosphorylation by replacing three serines with aspartates; and GA replaced the myristoylation site glycine with alanine, so GA could not be myristoylated. Each mutant was tagged with either NH2-terminal 3XFLAG or COOH-terminal mCherry or V5. Transfection with MLP mutants modified ENaC activity in DCT-15 cells: activity was highest in S3A and lowest in S3D, and the activity after transfection with either construct was significantly different from WT. In Western blots, when transfected with 3XFLAG-tagged MLP-1 mutants, the expression of the full length of MLP-1 at 52 kDa increased in mutant S3A-MLP-1-transfected DCT-15 cells and decreased in S3D-MLP-1-transfected DCT-15 cells. Several lower molecular mass bands were also detected that correspond to potential presumptive calpain cleavage products. Confocal imaging shows that the different mutants localize in different subcellular compartments consistent with their preferred location in the membrane or in the cytosol. Activation of protein kinase C increases phosphorylation of endogenous MLP-1 and reduces ENaC activity. Our results suggest a complicated role for proteolytic processing in MLP-1 regulation of ENaC.
Predicting brain organization with a computational model: 50-year perspective on lateral inhibition and oscillatory gating by dendrodendritic synapses
Authors: Shepherd Gordon M. , Hines Michael L. , Migliore Michele , Chen Wei R. , Greer Charles A.
Published: July 2020

The first compartmental computer models of brain neurons using the Rall method predicted novel and unexpected dendrodendritic interactions between mitral and granule cells in the olfactory bulb. We review the models from a 50-year perspective on the work that has challenged, supported, and extended the original proposal that these interactions mediate both lateral inhibition and oscillatory activity, essential steps in the neural basis of olfactory processing and perception. We highlight strategies behind the neurophysiological experiments and the Rall methods that enhance the ability of detailed compartmental modeling to give counterintuitive predictions that lead to deeper insights into neural organization at the synaptic and circuit level. The application of these methods to mechanisms of neurogenesis and plasticity are exciting challenges for the future.
Humans sacrifice decision-making for action execution when a demanding control of movement is required
Authors: Reynaud Amélie J. , Saleri Lunazzi Clara , Thura David
Published: July 2020

Recent hypotheses propose that choices and movements share optimization principles derived from economy, possibly implemented by one unique context-dependent regulation signal determining both processes’ speed. In the present behavioral study conducted on human subjects, we demonstrate that action properties indeed influence perceptual decision-making, but that decision duration and action vigor are actually independently set depending on the difficulty of the movement executed to report a choice.
The role of dopamine in reward-related behavior: shining new light on an old debate
Authors: Wang Allan R. , Groome Alexa , Taniguchi Lara , Eshel Neir , Bentzley Brandon S.
Published: July 2020

The role dopamine plays in reward-related behaviors has been debated for decades. Heymann et al. (Heymann G, Jo YS, Reichard KL, McFarland N, Chavkin C, Palmiter RD, Soden ME, Zweifel LS. Neuron 105: 909–920, 2020) identify subpopulations of dopamine-producing neurons that separately mediate reward association and motivation. Their results help demonstrate that dopamine signaling may partake in both reinforcement learning and incentive salience functions, instantiated by neuropeptide-defined subpopulations of the ventral tegmental area with different projection targets.
[Retracted] Epidemiological Analysis and Prognosis of Conjunctival Cancer in the Past Twenty Years: A Population‐Based Retrospective Study Using SEER Data
Authors: Diao Yumei , Li Xiaoqi , Huo Yan , Li Zongyuan , Yang Qinghua , Huang Yifei , Wang Liqiang
Published: July 2020

Epidemiological studies of malignant primary conjunctival tumors are rare. We extracted data pertaining to primary site‐labeled conjunctival cancer patients present within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 1992 to 2001 and from 2002 to 2011. The Kaplan‐Meier approach was used for comparisons of overall survival (OS) between patients, while OS‐related risk factors were identified via a Cox proportional hazards regression approach. We then constructed a nomogram that could be used to predict the 3‐ and 5‐year OS, with the accuracy of this predictive model based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. We observed a significant reduction in age‐adjusted incidence of conjunctival cancer in the 50‐69‐year‐old age group of the 2002‐2011 cohort relative to the 1992‐2001 cohort (APC, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in OS between the 1992‐2001 and 2002‐2011 conjunctival cancer patient cohorts. Being ≥30 years old (P < 0.05), male (P < 0.001), single (P < 0.05), divorced (P < 0.001), or widowed (P < 0.001) were all associated with an increased OS‐related risk of primary conjunctival cancer (1992‐2011). Our nomogram was able to accurately predict 3‐ and 5‐year OS in conjunctival cancer patients. In verification mode, the 3‐year area under the curve (AUC) was 0.697 and the 5‐year AUC was 0.752. We found that age, sex, and marital status were all associated with primary conjunctival cancer survival. Our results further suggest that conjunctival cancer incidence and survival rates have been relatively stable over the last two decades, and using these data, we were able to generate a satisfactory risk prediction model for this disease.
A Numerical Study on Gas Flow through Anisotropic Sierpinski Carpet with Slippage Effect
Authors: Qiu Shuxia , Zhang Lipei , Tian Zhenhua , Jiang Zhouting , Yang Mo , Xu Peng
Published: July 2020

A pore-scale model has been developed to study the gas flow through multiscale porous media based on a two-dimensional self-similar Sierpinski carpet. The permeability tensor with slippage effect is proposed, and the effects of complex configurations on gas permeability have been discussed. The present fractal model has been validated by comparison with theoretical models and available experimental data. The numerical results show that the flow field and permeability of the anisotropic Sierpinski model are different from that of the isotropic model, and the anisotropy of porous media can enhance gas permeability. The gas permeability of porous media increases with the increment of porosity, while it decreases with increased pore fractal dimension under fixed porosity. Furthermore, the gas slippage effect strengthens as the pore fractal dimension decreases. However, the relationship between the gas slippage effect and porosity is a nonmonotonic decreasing function because reduced pore size and enhanced flow resistance may be simultaneously involved with decreasing porosity. The proposed pore-scale fractal model can present insights on characterizing complex and multiscale structures of porous media and understanding gas flow mechanisms. The numerical results may provide useful guidelines for the applications of porous materials in oil and gas engineering, hydraulic engineering, chemical engineering, thermal power engineering, food engineering, etc.
Huaier Granule Combined with Tegafur Gimeracil Oteracil Potassium Promotes Stage IIb Gastric Cancer Prognosis and Induces Gastric Cancer Cell Apoptosis by Regulating Livin
Authors: Qi Jing , Xie Fu-juan , Liu Sheng , Yao Cheng-yu , Liu Wei-hang , Cai Gao-qiang , Liao Guo-qing
Published: July 2020

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, with high morbidity and poor survival rate. Its prognosis remains unsatisfactory, with a 5‐year survival rate of <30%. Studies have indicated that Huaier granules have good antitumor efficacy and safety in several solid malignant tumors. Recent studies have also found that Huaier polysaccharides can promote apoptosis in numerous tumor cells, although only few studies have focused on the effects of Huaier granules on gastric cancers and the mechanisms underlying their antitumor role. We retrospectively evaluated stage IIb gastric cancer patients at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, through our outpatient system from January 2013 to December 2015. Fifty‐four patients were in the Huaier+Tegafur Gimeracil Oteracil Potassium (TGOP) group and 72 in the TGOP group. Further, we conducted CCK8, colony formation, Annexin V‐FITC/PI, Western blot, RT‐PCR, and plasmid transfection assays to analyze the mechanism by which Huaier polysaccharides play an antitumor role. We confirmed that Huaier granules combined with Tegafur Gimeracil Oteracil Potassium could promote patient prognosis, with a better disease‐free survival rate (51.32 ± 2.23 vs. 44.19 ± 2.26, p = 0.034) and overall survival rate (56.81 ± 1.32 vs. 51.32 ± 1.69, p = 0.020). Moreover, through cell proliferation assays, Western blot, RT‐PCR, and detection of Livin expression at the mRNA and protein levels, we found that Huaier polysaccharides could promote gastric cancer cell apoptosis and inhibit gastric cancer cell proliferation in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Finally, we demonstrated that Huaier polysaccharides promote gastric cancer cell apoptosis through the regulation of Livin expression. Overexpression of Livin reversed the gastric cell apoptosis induced by Huaier polysaccharides. Huaier granules combined with Tegafur Gimeracil Oteracil Potassium ameliorated stage IIb gastric cancer prognosis and induced gastric cancer cell apoptosis by regulating Livin.
Double Controlled Dislocated Quasi-Metric Type Spaces and Some Results
Authors: Shoaib Abdullah , Alshoraify Shaif S. , Arshad Muhammad
Published: July 2020

The aim of this work is to introduce double controlled dislocated quasi-metric type spaces and to obtain fixed point results for a pair of multivalued mappings satisfying Kannan-type double controlled contraction in such spaces. An example has been built and a remark has been given which shows that how our result can be used when a corresponding new result in dislocated quasi b-metric type spaces cannot be used. Our results generalize and extend many existing results in the literature.
Computation of Invariant Measures and Stationary Expectations for Markov Chains with Block-Band Transition Matrix
Authors: Baumann Hendrik , Hanschke Thomas
Published: July 2020

This paper deals with the computation of invariant measures and stationary expectations for discrete-time Markov chains governed by a block-structured one-step transition probability matrix. The method generalizes in some respect Neuts’ matrix-geometric approach to vector-state Markov chains. The method reveals a strong relationship between Markov chains and matrix continued fractions which can provide valuable information for mastering the growing complexity of real-world applications of large-scale grid systems and multidimensional level-dependent Markov models. The results obtained are extended to continuous-time Markov chains.
A Multiscale CNN‐CRF Framework for Environmental Microorganism Image Segmentation
Authors: Zhang Jinghua , Li Chen , Kulwa Frank , Zhao Xin , Sun Changhao , Li Zihan , Jiang Tao , Li Hong , Qi Shouliang
Published: July 2020

To assist researchers to identify Environmental Microorganisms (EMs) effectively, a Multiscale CNN-CRF (MSCC) framework for the EM image segmentation is proposed in this paper. There are two parts in this framework: The first is a novel pixel‐level segmentation approach, using a newly introduced Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), namely, “mU‐Net‐B3”, with a dense Conditional Random Field (CRF) postprocessing. The second is a VGG‐16 based patch‐level segmentation method with a novel “buffer” strategy, which further improves the segmentation quality of the details of the EMs. In the experiment, compared with the state‐of‐the‐art methods on 420 EM images, the proposed MSCC method reduces the memory requirement from 355 MB to 103 MB, improves the overall evaluation indexes (Dice, Jaccard, Recall, Accuracy) from 85.24%, 77.42%, 82.27%, and 96.76% to 87.13%, 79.74%, 87.12%, and 96.91%, respectively, and reduces the volume overlap error from 22.58% to 20.26%. Therefore, the MSCC method shows great potential in the EM segmentation field.
Study on the Method of Fundus Image Generation Based on Improved GAN
Authors: Guo Jifeng , Pang Zhiqi , Yang Fan , Shen Jiayou , Zhang Jian
Published: July 2020

With the continuous development of deep learning, the performance of the intelligent diagnosis system for ocular fundus diseases has been significantly improved, but during the system training process, problems like lack of fundus samples and uneven sample distribution (the number of disease samples is much smaller than the number of normal samples) have become increasingly prominent. In view of the previous issues, this paper proposes a method for generating fundus images based on “Combined GAN” (Com-GAN), which can generate both normal fundus images and fundus images with hard exudates, so that the sample distribution can be more even, while the fundus data are expanded. First, this paper uses existing images to train a Com-GAN, which consists of two subnetworks: im-WGAN and im-CGAN; then, it uses the trained model to generate fundus images, then performs qualitative and quantitative evaluation on the generated images, and adds the images to the original image set to expand the datasets; finally, based on this expanded training set, it trains the hard exudate detection system. The expanded datasets effectively improve the generalization ability of the system on the public datasets DIARETDB1 and e-ophtha EX, thereby verifying the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Cervical Cytology of Samples with Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Detected by Multiplex PCR
Authors: Carneiro Fabiana Pirani , Darós Andersen Charles , Darós Adriana Cysneiro Milhomem , de Castro Tércia Maria Mendes Lousa , de Vasconcelos Carneiro Marcos , Fidelis Cecília Ramos , Vilioni Mariane Vieira , da Costa Matsunaga Michelle Egídio , Sidou Jéssica Meneses Othon , Chaves Mariana Anaue Lozi Dias , Pereira Lívia Custódio , de Resende Ceres Nunes , de Castro Moreira dos Santos Agenor , Ferreira Vânia Moraes , Motoyama Andrea Barretto
Published: July 2020

Introduction. Despite increasing application of molecular diagnostic methods for the detection of sexually transmitted infections, the cytological findings in pap smears of patients with pathogens that can be identified only by PCR are not yet well described. The aim of this study was to describe the most common cytological features in cervical pap smears of patients with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum detected by multiplex PCR. Methods. Cervical samples for conventional and liquid‐based cytology and for multiplex PCR were collected from women ranging from 23 to 54 years old, who underwent routine screening at a gynecological Unit. Results. Multiplex PCR was positive in 36.2% of the samples: Ureaplasma parvum 14.9%, Chlamydia trachomatis 10.6%, Trichomonas vaginalis 10.6%, Mycoplasma hominis 8.5%, Ureaplasma urealyticum 4.2%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 2.1%, and Mycoplasma genitalium (0). Multiple pathogens were observed in 12.8% of samples. Microscopic cervicitis (≥10 polymorphonuclear leukocytes/epithelial cell) and normal (predominantly lactobacillary) microbiota were the most frequent findings in the samples in which the pathogens were detected alone or in multiple infections, except for samples with Trichomonas vaginalis in which the coccobacillary microbiota was the most common. In samples with microscopic cervicitis and normal microbiota, those with at least one pathogen identified by multiplex PCR were significantly more frequent than those with no pathogen, 66.6% versus 33.3%. Conclusion. Failure to identify an inflammatory agent in pap smear with intense neutrophil exudate may suggest the presence of Ureaplasma parvum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Chlamydia trachomatis, or Trichomonas vaginalis. A remark on the intensity of inflammation should be made in the reports of cervical pap smears so that this cytological finding can be correlated with clinical and PCR results.
10‐Year Longitudinal Changes in Fitness Parameters in Physiotherapy Students
Authors: Lewandowski Andrzej , Sarwińska Jadwiga , Siedlaczek Marcin , Piekorz Zuzanna
Published: July 2020

Introduction. The aim of this study is to examine changes in the chosen morphological characteristics, motor conditioning, and coordination skills in physiotherapy undergraduates at a medical university in Bydgoszcz in the first decade of the millennium. We assume prevalence of a secular trend in values of morphological characteristics; however, characteristics of motor skills, particularly fitness levels, will remain relatively unchanged. Materials and Methods. The study included young people studying physiotherapy at the medical university of Bydgoszcz 2001‐2010. Basic morphological features, including waist and hip circumferences, were measured, and BMI and WHR were calculated. The Cooper test and marching over a distance of two kilometers were employed to determine endurance; right and left spinning coordination was assessed by Starosta test. Calculated Mollison indicators were used in the evaluation of dimorphic differences in subsequent observation time. Statistics. Data are presented as mean with the standard deviation. Groupwise comparison was performed with Student’s t‐test and linear relationships with Pearson’s r. Linear covariance models (ANCOVA) were built as theoretical models. Statistical significance was set at alfa = 0.05. Based on the correlation between the data and the corresponding normal score used, the Shapiro‐Wilk test is the best choice for testing the normality of data. Variables were excluded if they exceeded the tolerance level for multicollinearity. Analysis was performed with Statistica 10. Results. The study demonstrated a rising number of male students (from 13,3% to 39,2%, chi2 = 10, 13; p = 0,001) and a decrease in age of students overall but no significant changes (from 22, 25 ± 0, 75 to 20, 42 ± 1, 7; F = 32, 9; p < 0,001) in their morphological characteristics and their dimorphic differences (average results for males: BMI, from 22, 25 ± 1, 94 to 26, 27 ± 3, 56; WHR index, from 0, 78 ± 0, 06 to 0, 85 ± 0, 06; average results for females: BMI, from 20, 79 ± 2, 11 to 22, 19 ± 3, 83; WHR index, from 0, 7 ± 0, 04 to 0, 75 ± 0, 15). An overall improvement in endurance was found; however, coordination, especially amongst women, had deteriorated (turn right, from 377,1 ± 48, 1 to 343,1 ± 23, 3; turn left, from 375,0 ± 5, 61 to 345,6 ± 43, 1). We observed multidirectional changes in the analyzed motor skills and most of them were statistically significant. Conclusions. Longitudinal study of physiotherapy students revealed no differences in morphological and dimorphic characteristics and multimodal changes in assessed motor skills, thus highlighting a need for further research into the identification of their causes. Moreover, a requirement for entry motor skills assessment and curriculum reorientation towards delivery of a broader scope of physical education was suggested.
An Investigation of Time‐Dependent Deformation Characteristics of Soft Dredger Fill
Authors: Wang Wanying , Luo Qingzi , Yuan Bingxiang , Chen Xiaoping
Published: July 2020

The creep characteristics of soft clays have been studied for decades. However, the lateral deformation of soils is not allowed during the commonly used one‐dimensional consolidation tests, which cannot describe the real deformation features of soils in practice. On the other hand, the influence of drainage distance on the mechanical properties of soil is still controversial, classified as hypothesis A and hypothesis B. For a better understanding of deformation characteristics of soft clay, especially which in long‐terms, a series of conventional oedometer tests as well as novel geometric confined consolidation tests was conducted on soft dredger fill. The results show that the secondary consolidation coefficient of the soil sample Cα would increase firstly, followed by a small decrease with the increase of consolidation pressure generally. Cα would decrease with the consolidation time and also be reduced by preloading. The strain at the completion of primary consolidation would increase with the drainage distance, but the Cα would be affected little. Both compression index Cc and Cα of soft clay would reduce after preconsolidation, in which two parameters show an approximate linear relationship. The creep coefficient of soft clay under the geometric confinement is larger than that under the oedometer test Cαε. However, the trends of the relationship between the creep coefficient and loading are consistent regardless of the confinement conditions.
An Encrypted Traffic Identification Scheme Based on the Multilevel Structure and Variational Automatic Encoder
Authors: Zhai Jiangtao , Shi Huaifeng , Wang Mingqian , Sun Zhongjun , Xing Junjun
Published: July 2020

With the rapid growth of the encrypted network traffic, the identification to it becomes a hot topic in information security. Since the existing methods have difficulties in identifying the application which the encrypted traffic belongs to, a new encrypted traffic identification scheme is proposed in this paper. The proposed scheme has two levels. In the first level, the entropy and estimation of Monte Carlo π value as features are used to identify the encrypted traffic by C4.5 decision tree. In the second level, the application types are distinguished from the encrypted traffic selected above. First, the variational automatic encoder is used to extract the layer features, which is combined with the frequently-used stream features. Meanwhile, the mutual information is used to reduce the dimensionality of the combination features. Finally, the random forest classifier is used to obtain the optimal result. Compared with the existing methods, the experimental results show that the proposed scheme not only has faster convergence speed but also achieves better performance in the recognition accuracy, recall rate, and F1-Measure, which is higher than 97%.
Effect of Deposit on the Evaporation Rate of Adhered Salt in Uranium Dendrite
Authors: Kwon Sang Woon , Park Si Woo , Lee Sung Jai
Published: July 2020

Electrorefining is a key step in pyroprocessing. The solid cathode processing is necessary to separate the salt from the cathode of the electrorefiner since the uranium deposit in a solid cathode contains electrolyte salt. Moreover, it is very important to increase the throughput of the salt separation system due to the high uranium content of the spent nuclear fuel and high salt fraction of uranium dendrites. Therefore, in this study, the effect of deposit on the evaporation of the adhered salt in a uranium deposit was investigated by using the samples of salt in the uranium deposit and salt in the deposit of the surrogate material for the effective separation of the salt. It was found that the salt evaporation rate is dependent on the deposit type and bulk density in the crucible. Additionally, the evaporation rate was found to be lower when the deposit structure is complex; the rate also decreases as the bulk density of the deposit is increased owing to the retardation of the salt vapour transport process. It was concluded that the mass transfer of the salt vapour is an important parameter for the achievement of a high throughput performance in the salt distillation process.