bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foreign intervention following a humanitarian crisis: help versus harm
Authors: Betney Daniel Thomas
Published: March 2020

Recent experience of humanitarian and disaster relief efforts have demonstrated the critical importance of the local health infrastructure and its response to a disaster in both the short and long term. With increasing involvement of Foreign Medical Teams (FMT), both military and civilian, in these relief efforts, there is a necessity to review how best a FMT can involve and develop the local response; it is no longer valid to design an intervention insular from the local population. Key themes found in interventions that have damaged the local infrastructure and response include: bypassing, undermining and overstretching local capacities; poaching local staff; aid-fuelled inflation; lack of accountability; developing an intervention that the local population is incapable of providing once the FMT has gone and using the local infrastructure for service delivery for the FMT. Principles written by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development summarise concepts that can be used when designing an intervention so as to avoid damaging the local response and their infrastructure. They focus on involving the local population, understanding the complexities and history of the area and the requirement to develop and instil resilience to future crises.
Ballistic gelatin calibration standardisation
Authors: Pullen Amy , Kieser D C , Hooper G
Published: March 2020

Introduction

A review of ballistic gelatin calibration standards has highlighted that data used from studies with different calibrations methods may not be able to be compared. Calibration of ballistic gelatin did not occur until the mid-1980s when Fackler recognised the deficiencies of uncalibrated gelatin. He determined that the calibration standard should be 85±5 mm of ball bearing penetration for a 180 m/s impact velocity. This study looks to improve on and optimise current ballistic gelatin calibration standards

Methods

Nine 0.177 cal (4.5 mm) spheres were fired using a Daisy Powerline air rifle at velocities between 134 m/s and 224 m/s at 25 gelatin blocks (n=225). Velocities were measured using an Oehler Model 36 Chronograph with three Model 57 screens. Depth of penetration (DoP) was measured from the entry surface to the back end of the sphere via a Mitutoyo Absolute vernier calliper.

Results

The R-squared regression model showed that all batches had a close fit to the regression line. Using the R-squared regression model, the equation y=0.584x – 20.02 (where x is the velocity) returned a DoP of 84.918 mm for a 180 m/s impact and therefore needed minimal adjustment to align with Fackler’s 85 mm DoP. The equation can be adjusted to y=0.584x – 20.12 to return a DoP of 85 mm for 180 m/s.

Conclusions

We propose that the calibration standard of ballistic gelatin with 4.5 mm spheres is DoP=0.584x – 20.12 where DoP is the depth of penetration (mm) and x is the impact velocity (m/s), The measured DoP should be within 5% of the calculated DoP.
Drug use and torsades de pointes cardiac arrhythmias in Sweden: a nationwide register-based cohort study
Authors: Danielsson Bengt , Collin Julius , Nyman Anastasia , Bergendal Annica , Borg Natalia , State Maria , Bergfeldt Lennart , Fastbom Johan
Published: March 2020

Objective

To study the occurrence of torsades de pointes (TdP) ventricular tachycardia in relation to use of drugs labelled with TdP risk, using two nationwide Swedish registers.

Design

Prospective register-based cohort study.

Setting

Entire Sweden.

Participants

Persons aged ≥18 years prescribed and dispensed any drug classified with TdP risk during 2006–2017, according to CredibleMeds. Persons with a registered TdP diagnosis during the study period, using drugs labelled with known (TdP 1), possible (TdP 2) or conditional (TdP 3) risk at the incident of TdP were examined.

Primary outcome measures

Occurrence of TdP in relation to exposure rates for individual drugs with TdP risk.

Secondary outcome measures

Concurrent use of more than one TdP-labelled drug in a person with a TdP diagnosis.

Results

During the study period, 410 TdP cases using drugs with TdP risk labels at the incident were registered; 205 women and 205 men, mean age 74.0 and 71.5 years, respectively. Antidepressants dominated (129/410, 30%), followed by antiarrhythmics (17%). Diuretics and gastric acid-secretion inhibitors, with TdP risk related to induction of hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia, were used in 56% and 32% of the 410 TdP cases, respectively. Among the most used antidepressants, citalopram with known TdP 1 risk was associated with both a higher absolute number and incidence of TdP per 100 000 users (two to four times), compared with mirtazapine with possible (TdP 2), and sertraline with conditional (TdP 3) risk. Multiple risk factors, including advanced age, cardiovascular disease and treatment with more than one TdP-classified drug, were frequently observed.

Conclusions

Antidepressants followed by antiarrhythmics dominated among TdP risk drugs used by adults with TdP diagnosis, the majority being ≥65 years. TdP risk class and concomitant medication should be considered when prescribing antidepressants to older patients.
Sequential third-year medical student quality assurance (QA) clerkship projects appear to introduce a culture of continuous quality improvement across New Jersey family medicine practices
Authors: Ramdin Christine , Keller Steven
Published: March 2020

Background

In recent years, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Department of Family Medicine has integrated a quality assurance (QA) project as a required component of their 5-week medical student clerkship. This project requires each student to conduct a QA study at an assigned family practice and discuss the results with their preceptor. The aim of this study was to determine if sequential medical student QA projects impact physician readiness to improve guideline adherence over time.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of student reports was conducted to determine if physician readiness to improve compliance improved post implementation of the QA project using James Prochaska’s Transtheoretical Model of Behavioral Change. Fisher’s exact test or the χ2test were used as applicable to compare the change in results.

Results

In academic year 2015–2016, there were 11 (6%) instances where physicians were precontemplating on change, 43 (24%) instances where physicians were contemplating, 101 (57%) instances where physicians were preparing to make change, 18 (10%) instances where physicians were acting, and 4 (2%) of instances where a physician were maintaining previous changes. The following year, the numbers were: 15 (8%), 38 (21%), 82 (46%), 34 (19%) and 11 (6%), respectively. There were increases of physicians in stages of precontemplation (p=0.047), action (p=0.02) and maintenance (p=0.047), a decrease in physicians that were in the stage of preparation (p=0.05) and no significant change in the instances they were in a stage of contemplation (p=0.60).

Conclusion

Student QA projects appear to leverage physician readiness to improve guideline adherence. Future studies will determine if raising awareness through these clerkship projects results in practice behavioural change.
Colorectal cancer genetic variants are also associated with serrated polyposis syndrome susceptibility
Authors: Arnau-Collell Coral , Soares de Lima Yasmin , Díaz-Gay Marcos , Muñoz Jenifer , Carballal Sabela , Bonjoch Laia , Moreira Leticia , Lozano Juan José , Ocaña Teresa , Cuatrecasas Miriam , Díaz de Bustamante Aranzazu , Castells Antoni , Capellà Gabriel , Bujanda Luis , Cubiella Joaquin , Rodríguez-Alcalde Daniel , Balaguer Francesc , Ruiz-Ponte Clara , Valle Laura , Moreno Victor , Castellvi-Bel Sergi
Published: March 2020

Background

Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is a clinical entity characterised by large and/ormultiple serrated polyps throughout the colon and increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC). The basis for SPS genetic predisposition is largely unknown. Common, low-penetrance genetic variants have been consistently associated with CRC susceptibility, however, their role in SPS genetic predisposition has not been yet explored.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate if common, low-penetrance genetic variants for CRC risk are also implicated in SPS genetic susceptibility.

Methods

A case-control study was performed in 219 SPS patients and 548 asymptomatic controls analysing 65 CRC susceptibility variants. A risk prediction model for SPS predisposition was developed.

Results

Statistically significant associations with SPS were found for seven genetic variants (rs4779584-GREM1, rs16892766-EIF3H, rs3217810-CCND2, rs992157-PNKD1/TMBIM1, rs704017-ZMIZ1, rs11196172-TCF7L2, rs6061231-LAMA5). TheGREM1risk allele was remarkably over-represented in SPS cases compared with controls (OR=1.573, 1.21–2.04, p value=0.0006). A fourfold increase in SPS risk was observed when comparing subjects within the highest decile of variants (≥65) with those in the first decile (≤50).

Conclusions

Genetic variants for CRC risk are also involved in SPS susceptibility, being the most relevant ones rs4779584-GREM1, rs16892766-EIF3Hand rs3217810-CCND2.
Diverse types of genomic evidence converge on alcohol use disorder risk genes
Authors: Dai Yulin , Hu Ruifeng , Pei Guangsheng , Zhang Huiping , Zhao Zhongming , Jia Peilin
Published: March 2020

Background

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most common forms of substance use disorders with a strong contribution of genetic (50%–60%) and environmental factors. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a number of AUD-associated variants, including those in alcohol metabolism genes. These genetic variants may modulate gene expression, making individuals more susceptible to AUD. A long-term alcohol consumption can also change the transcriptome patterns of subjects via epigenetic modulations.

Methods

To explore the interactive effect of genetic and epigenetic factors on AUD, we conducted a secondary analysis by integrating GWAS, CNV, brain transcriptome and DNA methylation data to unravel novel AUD-associated genes/variants. We applied the mega-analysis of OR (MegaOR) method to prioritise AUD candidate genes (AUDgenes).

Results

We identified a consensus set of 206 AUDgenes based on the multi-omics data. We demonstrated that these AUDgenes tend to interact with each other more frequent than chance expectation. Functional annotation analysis indicated that these AUDgenes were involved in substance dependence, synaptic transmission, glial cell proliferation and enriched in neuronal and liver cells. We obtained a multidimensional evidence that AUD is a polygenic disorder influenced by both genetic and epigenetic factors as well as the interaction of them.

Conclusion

We characterised multidimensional evidence of genetic, epigenetic and transcriptomic data in AUD. We found that 206 AUD associated genes were highly expressed in liver, brain cerebellum, frontal cortex, hippocampus and pituitary. Our studies provides important insights into the molecular mechanism of AUD and potential target genes for AUD treatment.
Heterogeneity of MSI-H gastric cancer identifies a subtype with worse survival
Authors: Yang Yanmei , Shi Zhong , Bai Rui , Hu Wangxiong
Published: March 2020

Background

Microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumour patients generally have a better prognosis than microsatellite-stable (MSS) ones due to the large number of non-synonymous mutations. However, an increasing number of studies have revealed that less than half of MSI-H patients gain survival benefits or symptom alleviation from immune checkpoint-blockade treatment. Thus, an in-depth inspection of heterogeneous MSI-H tumours is urgently required.

Methods

Here, we used non-negative matrix factorisation (non-NMF)-based consensus clustering to define stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) MSI-H subtypes in samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas and an Asian cohort, GSE62254.

Results

MSI-H STAD samples are basically clustered into two subgroups (MSI-H1 and MSI-H2). Further examination of the immune landscape showed that immune suppression factors were enriched in the MSI-H1 subgroup, which may be associated with the poor prognosis in this subgroup.

Conclusions

Our results illustrate the genetic heterogeneity within MSI-H STADs, with important implications for cancer patient risk stratification, prognosis and treatment.
Clinical and genetic features of somatic mosaicism in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy
Authors: Qiu Liangliang , Ye Zhixian , Lin Lin , Wang Lili , Lin Xiaodan , He Junjie , Lin Feng , Xu Guorong , Cai Naiqing , Jin Ming , Chen Haizhu , Lin Minting , Wang Ning , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To analyse the clinical spectrum, genetic features, specific D4Z4 hypomethylation status and genotype–phenotype correlations for somatic mosaicism in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD).

Methods

This was a prospective, hospital-based, case–control, observational study of 35 participants with FSHD with somatic mosaicism recruited over 10 years, with 17 penetrant patients and 18 non-penetrant mutation carriers. This study also included a univariate comparison of 17 paired mosaic and non-mosaic patients with FSHD.

Results

Mosaic participants with FSHD varied in age of diagnosis (median 45; range 15–65 years), muscle strength (FSHD clinical score median 0; range 0–10 points), clinical severity (age-corrected clinical severity score (ACSS) median 0; range 0–467 points), D4Z4 repeats (median 3; range 2–5 units), mosaic proportion (median 55%; range 27%–72%) and D4Z4 methylation extent (median 49.82%; range 27.17%–64.51%). The genotypic severity scale and D4Z4 methylation extent were significantly associated with ACSS (p1=0.003; p2=0.002). Among the matched pairs, the 17 mosaic patients had shorter D4Z4 repeats, lower FSHD clinical scores and lower ACSS than non-mosaic patients. Additionally, 34 of 35 (97%) participants carried two mosaic arrays, while a single patient had three mosaic arrays (3%). Two cases also carried four-type non-mosaic arrays on chromosome 10 (translocation configuration).

Conclusions

Broadly, this large mosaic FSHD cohort exhibited significant clinical heterogeneity and relatively slight disease severity. Both genotypic severity scale and D4Z4 hypomethylation status served as modifiers of clinical phenotypes. Consistent with previous reports, mitotic interchromosomal/intrachromosomal gene conversion without crossover was here identified as a major genetic mechanism underlying mosaic FSHD.
Customised next-generation sequencing multigene panel to screen a large cohort of individuals with chromatin-related disorder
Authors: Squeo Gabriella Maria , Augello Bartolomeo , Massa Valentina , Milani Donatella , Colombo Elisa Adele , Mazza Tommaso , Castellana Stefano , Piccione Maria , Maitz Silvia , Petracca Antonio , Prontera Paolo , Accadia Maria , Della Monica Matteo , Di Giacomo Marilena Carmela , Melis Daniela , Selicorni Angelo , Giglio Sabrina , Fischetto Rita , Di Fede Elisabetta , Malerba Natascia , Russo Matteo , Castori Marco , Gervasini Cristina , Merla Giuseppe
Published: March 2020

Background

The regulation of the chromatin state by epigenetic mechanisms plays a central role in gene expression, cell function, and maintenance of cell identity. Hereditary disorders of chromatin regulation are a group of conditions caused by abnormalities of the various components of the epigenetic machinery, namely writers, erasers, readers, and chromatin remodelers. Although neurological dysfunction is almost ubiquitous in these disorders, the constellation of additional features characterizing many of these genes and the emerging clinical overlap among them indicate the existence of a community of syndromes. The introduction of high-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) methods for testing multiple genes simultaneously is a logical step for the implementation of diagnostics of these disorders.

Methods

We screened a heterogeneous cohort of 263 index patients by an NGS-targeted panel, containing 68 genes associated with more than 40 OMIM entries affecting chromatin function.

Results

This strategy allowed us to identify clinically relevant variants in 87 patients (32%), including 30 for which an alternative clinical diagnosis was proposed after sequencing analysis and clinical re-evaluation.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that this approach is effective not only in disorders with locus heterogeneity, but also in order to anticipate unexpected misdiagnoses due to clinical overlap among cognate disorders. Finally, this work highlights the utility of a prompt diagnosis in such a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders that we propose to group under the umbrella term of chromatinopathies.
Dynamics of fine-root production and mortality of Scots pine in waterlogged peat soil during the growing season
Authors: Repo Tapani , Domisch Timo , Kilpeläinen Jouni , Piirainen Sirpa , Silvennoinen Raimo , Lehto Tarja
Published: March 2020

Excess water in the rooting zone critically reduces tree growth and may even kill trees; however, the relative importance of damage to roots versus aboveground parts and the time course of damage are not well understood. We studied the dynamics of fine-root growth and mortality of 7-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) saplings affected by a 5-week period of waterlogging (WL) during the growing season. Two out of six WL-exposed saplings survived the treatment. After 1–2 weeks of WL, the mortality of the first-order short roots (usually mycorrhizas) started to increase and the production of these roots started to decrease. WL decreased the longevity of short and long roots. Total root length (especially of fine roots with a diameter < 0.5 mm), specific fine-root length, total root dry mass (including stump), and reverse-flow root hydraulic conductance were lower in WL saplings than in control saplings at the end of the experiment; however, several root traits were similar in control and surviving WL saplings. Because of the high importance of fine roots for tree growth and carbon sequestration, their responses to elevated water tables should be considered in sustainable use and management of boreal peatland forests, for example, by continuous cover forestry and (or) ditch network maintenance.
Parasite-modified behaviour in non-trophic transmission: trematode parasitism increases the attraction between snail intermediate hosts
Authors: Eliuk L.K. , Brown S. , Wyeth R.C. , Detwiler J.T.
Published: March 2020

Many parasites with complex life cycles cause host behavioural changes that increase the likelihood of transmission to the next host. Parasite modification is often found in trophic transmission, but its influence on non-trophic transmission is unclear. In trematodes, transmission from the first to second intermediate host is non-trophic, suggesting that free-swimming larvae (cercariae) emerging in closer proximity to the next host would have higher transmission success. We performed a series of behavioural experiments with echinostome trematodes and their snail hosts to determine if potential second hosts (ramshorn snail, genus Planorbella Haldeman, 1842) were more attracted to parasitized first hosts (marsh pondsnail, Lymnaea elodes Say, 1821). In a Y maze, a responding snail (Planorbella sp.) was placed in the base and its response to five treatments was assessed: no stimulus, turion duckweed (Lemna turionifera Landolt; a food item), non-parasitized L. elodes, parasitized L. elodes, and finally parasitized versus non-parasitized L. elodes. Snails showed some attraction to uninfected snails, but had a stronger response to infected first host snails. These results indicate that potential second host snails were more attracted to parasitized, heterospecific first host snails over non-parasitized heterospecific snails. This study demonstrates that echinostome trematodes alter snail behaviour by changing navigational choices in uninfected potential hosts through a chemical communication mechanism.
Exact solutions of Einstein-æther gravity in Bianchi type V cosmology
Authors: Roumeliotis M. , Paliathanasis A. , Terzis Petros A. , Christodoulakis T.
Published: March 2020

We present the solution space of the field equations in the Einstein-æther theory for the case of a vacuum Bianchi Type V space-time. We also find that there are portions of the initial parameters space for which no solution is admitted by the reduced equations. Whenever solutions do exist, their physical interpretation is examined through the behavior of Ricci and/or Kretsmann scalar, as well as with the identification of the effective energy momentum tensor in terms of a perfect fluid. There are cases in which no singularities appear and others where the effective fluid is isotropic.
COVID-19: An Update on the Epidemiological, Clinical, Preventive and Therapeutic Evidence and Guidelines of Integrative Chinese–Western Medicine for the Management of 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease
Authors: Chan Kam Wa , Wong Vivian Taam , Tang Sydney Chi Wai
Published: March 2020

As of 22 February 2020, more than 77662 cases of confirmed COVID-19 have been documented globally with over 2360 deaths. Common presentations of confirmed cases include fever, fatigue, dry cough, upper airway congestion, sputum production, shortness of breath, myalgia/arthralgia with lymphopenia, prolonged prothrombin time, elevated C-reactive protein, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. The reported severe/critical case ratio is approximately 7–10% and median time to intensive care admission is 9.5–10.5 days with mortality of around 1–2% varied geographically. Similar to outbreaks of other newly identified virus, there is no proven regimen from conventional medicine and most reports managed the patients with lopinavir/ritonavir, ribavirin, beta-interferon, glucocorticoid and supportive treatment with remdesivir undergoing clinical trial. In China, Chinese medicine is proposed as a treatment option by national and provincial guidelines with substantial utilization. We reviewed the latest national and provincial clinical guidelines, retrospective cohort studies, and case series regarding the treatment of COVID-19 by add-on Chinese medicine. We have also reviewed the clinical evidence generated from SARS and H1N1 management with hypothesized mechanisms and latest in silico findings to identify candidate Chinese medicines for the consideration of possible trials and management. Given the paucity of strongly evidence-based regimens, the available data suggest that Chinese medicine could be considered as an adjunctive therapeutic option in the management of COVID-19.
New Problem Transformation Method Based on the Local Positive Pairwise Dependencies Among Labels
Authors: Alluwaici Mo’ath , Junoh Ahmad Kadri , Alazaidah Raed
Published: March 2020

Multi-label classification (MLC) generalises the conventional binary and multi-class classification by allowing instances to be linked with one or more of the class labels. Therefore, class labels in MLC are not mutual exclusive as in single label classification (SLC). Consequently, the search space of the MLC problem is large compared with that of SLC and grows in an exponential way. One main approach to solve MLC problem is through forcing instances to be associated with only one class label. This approach of handling the problem of MLC has been widely known as problem transformation method (PTM). Existing PTMs depend on the frequency of class labels as a transformation criterion, which causes several problems such as imbalance class distribution, complicating the training phase and most importantly decreasing the accuracy of the classification task. Therefore, in this paper, a new PTM is proposed based on the positive local dependencies among labels. The proposed PTM aims to facilitate capturing the most accurate positive dependencies among labels and hence improve the predictive performance of the classification task. Experiments on several datasets revealed the superiority of the proposed PTM compared with the existing PTMs, especially with high cardinality datasets.
Chess Results Analysis Using Elo Measure with Machine Learning
Authors: Thabtah Fadi , Padmavathy Arun J. , Pritchard Andrew
Published: March 2020

An Elo score is a known measure of past performance in chess and other games. This paper investigates the impact of Elo ratings on chess game results and whether this measure can be used to predict future performance in matches. To achieve the aim, various machine learning classification techniques have been evaluated using chess data sourced from an online chess server. We examine how much influence the Elo score has on the prediction power of these techniques based on classifiers they derive. The prime objective of this experiment is to accurately predict the winner of a chess game from attributes that are available before the game starts. We are particularly interested in how large an impact the Elo score has on the prediction when compared with other features. Empirical results reported that classifiers derived by artificial neural network (Multilayer Perceptron), Decision Tree (J48/C4.5), Rule Induction (JRip/RIPPER) and Probabilistic (Naïve Bayes) showed how useful the Elo is at predicting chess results, at least on the dataset considered, improving classifiers’ performance with respect to accuracy, precision, recall and area under curve, among others.
Regional Cooperation in a Thriving Entrepreneurial Economy: A Holistic View on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development
Authors: Platzek Bernd Peter , Pretorius Leon
Published: March 2020

In this research, we investigate the role of innovation and entrepreneurship as well as entrepreneurial communities in the process of economic growth and development. Current research on development issues strongly focusses either on the micro-level or on the macro-level of national economies disregarding the holistic nature of economic development. Entrepreneurial communities represent a conceptual link between the macro-perspective on economic development and the micro-perspective on entrepreneurial initiatives as a tipping point for economic development. In this paper, we present a theoretical construct of entrepreneurial communities. Additionally, we introduce a qualitative model of thriving entrepreneurial economies following a holistic perspective on development issues. The theoretical analysis is based on systems thinking and systems approaches to management. Structures of entrepreneurial communities and networking between regional communities will be explored and reflected in a theoretical exploration. The introduced theoretical construct of an entrepreneurial community is based on living systems theory. The qualitative systems model of the thriving entrepreneurial economy is deduced from a descriptive model (word model).
IT’S MINE, I DECIDE WHAT TO CHANGE: THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL OWNERSHIP IN EMPLOYEES’ PROCESS INNOVATION BEHAVIOUR
Authors: LEYER MICHAEL , HIRZEL ANN-KATHRIN , MOORMANN JUERGEN
Published: March 2020

Employees play a major role in enabling organizations to innovate their processes. While conditions for participation have to be established, barriers have to be lowered and trainings take place, the motives of employees to participate in incremental and discontinuous process innovation are not well understood. One important soft factor not addressed yet sufficiently is psychological ownership of non-managerial employees that can contribute to increase process innovation activities. We apply a multi-time survey design gathering quantitative data which is analysed with structured equation modelling. The findings suggest that psychological ownership is important in fostering innovation behaviour with incremental innovation behaviour being an important mediator for the effect on radical innovation behaviour. We show how psychological ownership is useful in fostering process innovation behaviour with data from the financial services sector. Organisations should invest in establishing psychological ownership on the level of operations to increase process innovation.
A Study of Big Data-Based Employees’ Public Opinion System Construction
Authors: Li Jin , Xu Xiaobo
Published: March 2020

With the rapid development of the Internet and big data, social self-media such as Weibo, WeChat, Tiktok, and QQ space has directly contributed to the speed and the channel of employees’ public opinions. The convergence and the impact of emotion are getting faster and faster. Timely and effective understanding and grasping the changes and development of employees’ public opinion has become an important topic. The development of big data technology makes it possible and necessary to construct an employees’ public opinion system. Based on big data and theories of public opinion generation and dissemination, this paper built a big data-based employees’ public opinion system and its main functions, including big data collection, data processing, data storage, data analysis, data visualization, and early warning of employees’ public opinion. Finally, we also defined the rich connotation of employees’ public opinion index.
Adaptive Cuckoo Filters
Authors: Mitzenmacher Michael , Pontarelli Salvatore , Reviriego Pedro
Published: March 2020

We introduce the adaptive cuckoo filter (ACF), a data structure for approximate set membership that extends cuckoo filters by reacting to false positives, removing them for future queries. As an example application, in packet processing queries may correspond to flow identifiers, so a search for an element is likely to be followed by repeated searches for that element. Removing false positives can therefore significantly lower the false-positive rate. The ACF, like the cuckoo filter, uses a cuckoo hash table to store fingerprints. We allow fingerprint entries to be changed in response to a false positive in a manner designed to minimize the effect on the performance of the filter. We show that the ACF is able to significantly reduce the false-positive rate by presenting both a theoretical model for the false-positive rate and simulations using both synthetic data sets and real packet traces.
Approximate Memristive In-Memory Hamming Distance Circuit
Authors: Taha Mohammad M. A. , Teuscher Christof
Published: March 2020

Hamming Distance
(HD) is a popular similarity measure that is used widely in pattern matching applications, DNA sequencing, and binary error-correcting codes. In this article, we extend our previous work to prove that our HD circuit is scalable, tolerant to memristor model variability, and tolerant to device-to-device variation. We showed that the operation of our circuit under non-ideal fabrication conditions changes slightly, decreasing the correct classification rates for the MNIST handwritten digits dataset by <1%. Our circuit’s operation is independent of the memristor model used, as long as the model allows a reverse current. Because we leverage in-memory parallel computing, our circuit is
n
× faster than other HD circuits, where
n
is the number of HDs to be computed, and it consumes ≈100× − 1,000× less power compared to other memristive and CMOS HD circuits. Used in a full HD
Associative Content Addressable Memory
(ACAM), the proposed HD circuit consumes only 2.2% of the total system power. Our state-of-the-art, low-power, and fast HD circuit is relevant for a wide range of applications.
Xor Filters
Authors: Graf Thomas Mueller , Lemire Daniel
Published: March 2020

The Bloom filter provides fast approximate set membership while using little memory. Engineers often use these filters to avoid slow operations such as disk or network accesses. As an alternative, a cuckoo filter may need less space than a Bloom filter and it is faster. Chazelle et al. proposed a generalization of the Bloom filter called the Bloomier filter. Dietzfelbinger and Pagh described a variation on the Bloomier filter that can answer approximate membership queries over immutable sets. It has never been tested empirically, to our knowledge. We review an efficient implementation of their approach, which we call the xor filter. We find that xor filters can be faster than Bloom and cuckoo filters while using less memory. We further show that a more compact version of xor filters (xor+) can use even less space than highly compact alternatives (e.g., Golomb-compressed sequences) while providing speeds competitive with Bloom filters.
Continuous Influence Maximization
Authors: Yang Yu , Mao Xiangbo , Pei Jian , He Xiaofei
Published: March 2020

Imagine we are introducing a new product through a social network, where we know for each user in the network the function of purchase probability with respect to discount. Then, what discounts should we offer to those social network users so that, under a predefined budget, the adoption of the product is maximized in expectation? Although influence maximization has been extensively explored, this appealing practical problem still cannot be answered by the existing influence maximization methods. In this article, we tackle the problem systematically. We formulate the general continuous influence maximization problem, investigate the essential properties, and develop a general coordinate descent algorithmic framework as well as the engineering techniques for practical implementation. Our investigation does not assume any specific influence model and thus is general and principled. At the same time, using the most popularly adopted triggering model as a concrete example, we demonstrate that more efficient methods are feasible under specific influence models. Our extensive empirical study on four benchmark real-world networks with synthesized purchase probability curves clearly illustrates that continuous influence maximization can improve influence spread significantly with very moderate extra running time comparing to the classical influence maximization methods.
Salt Tolerance Mechanisms of Plants
Authors: van Zelm Eva , Zhang Yanxia , Testerink Christa
Published: March 2020

Crop loss due to soil salinization is an increasing threat to agriculture worldwide. This review provides an overview of cellular and physiological mechanisms in plant responses to salt. We place cellular responses in a time- and tissue-dependent context in order to link them to observed phases in growth rate that occur in response to stress. Recent advances in phenotyping can now functionally or genetically link cellular signaling responses, ion transport, water management, and gene expression to growth, development, and survival. Halophytes, which are naturally salt-tolerant plants, are highlighted as success stories to learn from. We emphasize that ( a) filling the major knowledge gaps in salt-induced signaling pathways, ( b) increasing the spatial and temporal resolution of our knowledge of salt stress responses, ( c) discovering and considering crop-specific responses, and ( d) including halophytes in our comparative studies are all essential in order to take our approaches to increasing crop yields in saline soils to the next level.
Polyketones as Host Materials for Solid Polymer Electrolytes
Authors: Eriksson Therese , Mace Amber , Manabe Yumehiro , Yoshizawa-Fujita Masahiro , Inokuma Yasuhide , Brandell Daniel , Mindemark Jonas
Published: March 2020

While solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have great potential for use in future lithium-based batteries, they do, however, not display conductivity at a sufficient level as compared to liquid electrolytes. To reach the needed requirements of lithium batteries it is therefore necessary to explore new materials classes to serve as novel polymer hosts. In this work, SPEs based on the polyketone poly(3,3-dimethylpentane-2,4-dione) were investigated. Polyketones are structurally similar to several polycarbonate and polyester SPE hosts investigated before but have, due to the lack of additional oxygen atoms in the coordinating motif, even more electron-withdrawing carbonyl groups and could therefore display better properties for coordination to the salt cation. In electrolyte compositions comprising 25−40 wt% LiTFSI salt, it was observed that this polyketone indeed conducts lithium ions with a high cation transference number, but that the ionic conductivity is limited by the semi-crystallinity of the polymer matrix. The crystallinity decreases with increasing salt content, and a fully amorphous SPE can be produced at 40 wt% salt, accompanied by an ionic conductivity of 3 × 10−7 S cm−1 at 32 °C. This opens up for further exploration of polyketone systems for SPE-based batteries.
Poly(Ethylene Oxide)−LiTFSI Solid Polymer Electrolyte Filaments for Fused Deposition Modeling Three-Dimensional Printing
Authors: Maurel Alexis , Armand Michel , Grugeon Sylvie , Fleutot Benoit , Davoisne Carine , Tortajada Hugues , Courty Matthieu , Panier Stéphane , Dupont Loic
Published: March 2020

Additive manufacturing technologies open the way to the direct-integration of electronics and solid-state battery within the final 3D object. Here, a 3D printable polyethylene oxide/lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PEO/LiTFSI) filament (2.18 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 90 °C) optimized to be used as solid polymer electrolyte in a lithium-ion battery is produced to feed a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D-printer. Due to its relatively poor mechanical properties compared to classical polymer filament such as polylactic acid (PLA), deep modifications of the 3D-printer were implemented in order to facilitate its printability. The solid polymer electrolyte thermal, structural, morphological, mechanical and electrical characterization is reported. Interestingly, using three different electrochemical impedance spectroscopy sample holders (lateral, sandwich and interdigitated-comb), we demonstrate that conductivity values differs for a same sample, highlighting the PEO chains orientation effect on the conductivity measurements.
Deposition of Gallium Oxide Nanostructures at Low Substrate Temperature by Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Jubu P. R. , Yam F. K. , Moses Aper Terwase
Published: March 2020

Semiconductor nanostructures (NSs) are usually synthesized at short source-substrate distances where the substrate temperature is high using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. Herein, we report for the first time the growth of

β

-Ga2O3 NSs at low substrate temperature ∼260 °C in a CVD system when gallium (III) oxide powder was reduced to Ga vapor at 1000 °C under hydrogen atmosphere. The polycrystalline nature of the Ga2O3 NSs was confirmed by high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD) analysis. Appearance of additional diffraction planes, increasing X-ray diffraction signal strength and shift of 2θ to smaller angles was observed with increasing hydrogen supply in the reactor. Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) revealed different morphologies with increasing amount of Ga2O3 on the substrate. Elemental analysis by using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) showed increasing Ga atoms, and Ga/O atomic ratio with increase in hydrogen gas flow rate. Optical reflectance measurements by UV–vis-NIR spectrophotometer revealed optical bandgaps ranging from 4.94 to 4.82 eV, attributed to increasing film compactness, Ga/O and oxygen vacancies on the prepared films.
The contribution of chymase-dependent formation of ANG II to cardiac dysfunction in metabolic syndrome of young rats: roles of fructose and EETs
Authors: Froogh Ghezal , Kandhi Sharath , Duvvi Roopa , Le Yicong , Weng Zan , Alruwaili Norah , Ashe Jonathan O. , Sun Dong , Huang An
Published: March 2020

As the highest fructose consumers, the adolescent population is highly susceptible to the metabolic syndrome, where increases in mast cell chymase-dependent formation of ANG II, ensued by cardiometabolic dysfunction, are reversible in response to inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). This study highlights chymase and sEH as therapeutic targets and unravels novel avenues for the development of optimal strategies for young patients with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome.
The Hazardous Level of Heavy Metals in Different Medicinal Plants and Their Decoctions in Water: A Public Health Problem in Brazil
Authors: Tschinkel Paula F. S. , Melo Elaine S. P. , Pereira Hugo S. , Silva Kassia R. N. , Arakaki Daniela G. , Lima Nayara V. , Fernandes Melina R. , Leite Luana C. S. , Melo Eliane S. P. , Melnikov Petr , Espindola Paulo R. , de Souza Igor D. , Nascimento Valdir A. , Júnior Jorge L. R. , Geronimo Ana C. R. , dos Reis Francisco J. M. , Nascimento Valter A.
Published: March 2020

The determination of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Na, Zn, and Pb by inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) was performed on dry matter and decoctions of the medicinal plants Cordia salicifolia, Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc., and Echites peltata used as an appetite suppressant and diuretic in Brazil. The accuracy of the measurements was analyzed by the spike recovery test. Results showed that the concentration of these seven metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Na, and Zn) in dry plant samples is below the oral concentration of elemental impurities established by the United States Pharmacopoeia Convention (USP). However, there are no concentration limits for Fe, Na, and Zn established by the USP in drug substances and excipients. Levels higher than the recommended value by the USP were observed for Pb and the lowest for Cd, Co, Cr, and Cu, both in dried plant samples and their decoctions. In the decoctions prepared from these plants were found elements such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Na, Zn, and Pb. In the decoction prepared from 40 g C. salicifolia leaves and 40 g C. alba wood, the content of Cd is above the oral daily exposure value set by the USP. Hazard index (HI) for decoctions prepared from these plants exceeded the threshold (1). Given the uncertainties associated with the estimates of toxicity values and exposure factors, futures researches should address the possible toxicity in humans. Uncontrolled selling and long‐term ingestion of medicinal plants can cause toxicity and interfere with the effect of drugs. Limited knowledge on the interaction potential of medicinal plants poses a challenge and public health problem in Brazil and other countries.
Relaparotomy Two Years after Incisional Hernia Repair Using a Free Fascia Lata Graft
Authors: Sekine Yuuki , Sugo Hiroyuki , Iwanaga Naoki , Neshime Shigefumi , Watanobe Ikuo
Published: March 2020

Although, free fascia lata autografts can be used to reconstruct various anatomical structures, little information is available about the status of such autografts several years after the procedure, especially in a clinical setting. Here, we describe our experience with a patient who underwent relaparotomy two years after incisional hernia repair using a fascia lata graft. A 79-year-old man underwent open hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. One year later, abdominal computed tomography revealed a locally recurrent tumor 1.5 cm in diameter and a giant incisional hernia measuring approximately 15×6 cm on the supraumbilical midline. After repeat hepatectomy, the incisional hernia was repaired using a free fascia lata patch as an interpositional graft. Two years later, the patient was readmitted because of recurrent tumors in the liver, and repeat hepatectomy was performed. During surgery, the fascia lata graft had survived well and become incorporated into the native fascia. We incised this fascia lata graft in the same way as for a normal laparotomy. After hepatectomy, the fascia lata graft was closed in layers with interrupted sutures. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 11 with no wound-related morbidity.
Successful A2 to B Deceased Donor Kidney Transplant after Desensitization for High-Strength Non-HLA Antibody Made Possible by Utilizing a Hepatitis C Positive Donor
Authors: Karpel H. Charli , Ali Nicole M. , Lawson Nikki , Tatapudi Vasishta S. , Friedlander Rex , Philogene Mary Carmelle , Montgomery Robert A. , Lonze Bonnie E.
Published: March 2020

Desensitization using plasma exchange can remove harmful antibodies prior to transplantation and mitigate risks for hyperacute and severe early acute antibody-mediated rejection. Traditionally, the use of plasma exchange requires a living donor so that the timing of treatments relative to transplant can be planned. Non-HLA antibody is increasingly recognized as capable of causing antibody-mediated renal allograft rejection and has been associated with decreased graft longevity. Our patient had high-strength non-HLA antibody deemed prohibitive to transplantation without desensitization, but no living donors. As the patient was eligible to receive an A2 ABO blood group organ and was willing to accept a hepatitis C positive donor kidney, this afforded a high probability of receiving an offer within a short enough time frame to attempt empiric desensitization in anticipation of a deceased donor transplant. Fifteen plasma exchange treatments were performed before the patient received an organ offer, and the patient was successfully transplanted. Hepatitis C infection was treated posttransplant. No episodes of rejection were observed. At one-year posttransplant, the patient maintains good graft function. In this case, willingness to consider nontraditional donor organs enabled us to mimic living donor desensitization using a deceased donor.
Elastic Properties Investigation on Random and Ordered ZrO2 Nanotube-Reinforced HA and β-TCP Biocomposites with Finite Element Approach
Authors: Liu Zeliang , Li Huijian , Xu Zhixin , Cao Yuying , Yang Xiao
Published: March 2020

The elastic properties of random and ordered ZrO2 nanotube- (ZrNT-) reinforced HA and β-TCP biocomposites were carried out by a numerical investigation with finite element approach. The elastic modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson’s ratio affected by various ZrNT volume fractions (5.0 vol.%, 5.5 vol.%, 6.5 vol.%, 7.5 vol.%, 8.5 vol.%, and 10.0 vol.%) and aspect ratios (3, 5, 10 and 20) for both random and ordered reinforced composites were obtained and analysed. The advantages of random and ordered reinforced composites were further discussed. The random reinforced composite is suggested to be a proper candidate for ZrO2 nanotube-reinforced biocomposite on the application of bone repair and the substitute.
A New Endophytic Fusarium Oxysporum Gibberellic Acid: Optimization of Production Using Combined Strategies of Experimental Designs and Potency on Tomato Growth under Stress Condition
Authors: Ben Rhouma Marwa , Kriaa Mouna , Ben Nasr Yosri , Mellouli Lotfi , Kammoun Radhouane
Published: March 2020

This study reports the potential of the endophytic fungi identified as a Fusarium oxysporum to produce gibberellic acid (GA3). The GA3 production was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography. To improve the production of this phytohormone under solid state fermentation (SSF), successive optimization strategies were used. Firstly, Plackett‐Burman design was applied for screening medium components and culture condition. Under the optimized condition, GA3 yield (7.14 g/kg) was 2.62‐fold higher than by the use of the initial condition (2.72 g/kg). The concentration of the most influential parameters and their interaction were optimized with a Box‐Behnken experimental design. The optimized condition led to a 1.14‐fold enhancement in GA3 production, reaching 8.16 g/kg. The GA3 crude extract obtained by SSF was then used to study its ameliorative role on adverse salinity effect on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The interactive effects of different GA3 concentrations were examined on morphological and physiological parameters of tomato plants. The application of GA3 (10-6 M) under salt stress condition (100 mM) was found to improve growth and physiological parameters including plant height, total chlorophyll, starch, and proline contents. The exogenous application of GA3 is a potent strategy to reverse abiotic stress that affect the agricultural productivity and limit plant growth and yield.