bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing the Characteristics of Cigarette Smoking and e-Cigarette and IQOS Use among Adolescents in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Yue-Chune , Chang Li-Chuan , Hsu Chieh , Chen Pei-Ching
Published: June 2020

Objectives. Our objective in this study was to identify the risk factors for cigarette, e-cigarette, and IQOS use among adolescents in Taiwan, with a particular focus on socioeconomic status, smoking status of parents and peers, cigarette promotions, and anti-tobacco campaigns. Methods. Data were obtained from the 2018 version of the annual cross-sectional Taiwan Global Youth Tobacco Survey, which is used to monitor tobacco use among Taiwanese adolescents in junior and senior high schools. The dependent variables in the study were “current cigarette smoking,” “current use of e-cigarettes,” and “current use of IQOS devices” (i.e., during the 30 days prior to survey completion). Independent variables included gender, school grade, monthly income/allowance, educational level of parents, smoking status of parents, smoking status of close friends, access to free cigarettes, exposure to cigarette advertisements, and attendance at anti-tobacco courses. Logistic regression was used in the identification of factors correlated with the current use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or IQOS. Results. We determined that 5.65% of the adolescents in the study were currently using cigarettes, 2.74% were currently using e-cigarettes, and 2.33% were currently using IQOS. Our analysis revealed a number of factors that have a bearing on smoking behavior, including gender, monthly allowance, educational level of parents, smoking status of parents and close friends, access to free cigarettes, and exposure to cigarette advertisements. Conclusions. The tobacco product that was most widely used by adolescents was cigarettes, followed by e-cigarettes and IQOS. The socioeconomic status, smoking status of parents/close friends, and access to cigarettes were all identified as important factors related to the current use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and IQOS by adolescents.
Blood Pressure Control among Hypertensive Diabetic Patients on Follow-Up at Chronic Clinic of Nekemte Referral Hospital in West Ethiopia
Authors: Dedefo Mohammed Gebre , Gemechu Dureti Bayisa , Fekadu Ginenus , Tekle Dibessa Tesfa
Published: June 2020

Background. Hypertension is a prevalent comorbid condition in diabetes, affecting ∼20–60% of patients with diabetes, depending on obesity, ethnicity, and age. Adults with diabetes historically have two or three times higher rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than adults without diabetes. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess blood pressure (BP) control and its predictors among hypertensive diabetic patients on follow-up at the chronic clinic of Nekemte Referral Hospital (NRH) in West Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among hypertensive adult patients comorbid with diabetes taking antihypertensive drugs for at least one year in NRH. Both bivariable and multivariable analyses were done. The odds ratio, along with 95% confidence level, was estimated to identify factors associated with uncontrolled BP by using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The level of statistical significance was declared at p value <0.05 levels. The patient’s written informed consent was obtained after explaining the purpose and procedures of the study. Results. A total of 186 study participants were included in this study. The mean age of the participants was 51.2 ± 12.2 years. Blood pressure and blood glucose were controlled in 104 (55.9%) and 106 (57.0%) study participants, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, age ≥60 years (AOR = 4.537, 95% CI = 1.142–18.024, p=0.032), duration with hypertension ≥5 years (AOR = 3.534, 95% CI = 1.062–11.760, p=0.040), cigarette smoking (AOR = 7.697, 95% CI = 2.356–25.146, p=0.001), nonadherence (AOR = 6.584, 95% CI = 2.337–18.553, p<0.001), and uncontrolled glycaemia (AOR = 21.630, 95% CI = 8.057–58.070, p<0.001) were independent predictors of uncontrolled blood pressure. Conclusion. Compared to the previous studies, BP was better controlled among hypertensive diabetic patients in the present study. Older age, longer duration with hypertension, cigarette smoking, nonadherence, and uncontrolled glycaemia were predictors of uncontrolled BP. Thus, interventions on modifiable factors should be done to improve BP control of patients’ comorbid with diabetes.
Boundary Value Problem for a Second-Order Difference Equation with Resonance
Authors: Wang Zhenguo , Zhou Zhan
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we study the existence and multiplicity of nontrivial solutions of a second-order discrete boundary value problem with resonance and sublinear or superlinear nonlinearity. The main methods are based on the Morse theory and the minimax methods. In addition, some examples are given to illustrate our results.
Stock Forecasting Model FS-LSTM Based on the 5G Internet of Things
Authors: Li Hui , Hua Jinjin , Li Jinqiu , Li Geng
Published: June 2020

This paper analyzed the development of data mining and the development of the fifth generation (5G) for the Internet of Things (IoT) and uses a deep learning method for stock forecasting. In order to solve the problems such as low accuracy and training complexity caused by complicated data in stock model forecasting, we proposed a forecasting method based on the feature selection (FS) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) algorithm to predict the closing price of stock. Considering its future potential application, this paper takes 4 stock data from the Shenzhen Component Index as an example and constructs the feature set for prediction based on 17 technical indexes which are commonly used in stock market. The optimal feature set is decided via FS to reduce the dimension of data and the training complexity. The LSTM algorithm is used to forecast closing price of stock. The empirical results show that compared with the LSTM model, the FS-LSTM combination model improves the accuracy of prediction and reduces the error between the real value and the forecast value in stock price prediction.
Keratinocyte Growth Factor‐2 Reduces Inflammatory Response to Acute Lung Injury Induced by Oleic Acid in Rats by Regulating Key Proteins of the Wnt/β‐Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Tenghao Shao , Ning Chen , Shenghai Wang , Qinlong Sun , Jiaqian Wu , Kuo Wang , Zhanbiao Yu , Xigang Ma
Published: June 2020

Reducing inflammation can effectively relieve acute lung injury (ALI). Objective. To test whether keratinocyte growth factor‐2 (KGF‐2) can reduce oleic acid‐induced inflammation in ALI of rats and explore its possible mechanism. Methods. 45 Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, ALI group, and ALI + KGF‐2 group. The animal model of acute lung injury was established by injecting 0.1 mL/kg oleic acid into the tail vein of rats. Rats in the control group were injected with equal volume of normal saline (NS). Each group needs pretreatment 72 hours before the preparation of the acute lung injury model. The control group and ALI group were instilled with 5 ml/kg NS through the airway, and the same amount of KGF‐2 was instilled in the ALI + KGF‐2 group. It takes 8 hours to successfully prepare the ALI model. Observe the pathological changes of lung tissue through light microscopy, ultrastructural changes through electron microscopy, and the lung wettability/dry weight (w/d) ratio and lung permeability index (LPI). By detecting changes in inflammatory factors in lung tissue and changes in the number of BALF cells, the changes in inflammation in each group were observed. The expressions of Wnt5a, β‐catenin, and APC in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The changes of key proteins in Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in the lung tissue of each group were observed. Result. Compared with the ALI group, after KGF‐2 pretreatment, the degree of lung injury was reduced, the expression of inflammatory factors was reduced, and the number of red blood cells and white blood cells in BALF was reduced. It can also be observed that the expression of Wnt5a, β‐catenin, and APC, a key protein in the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway, is reduced. The analysis showed that the number of inflammatory factors, red blood cells, and white blood cells in BALF was positively correlated with the expression of Wnt5a, β‐catenin, and APC. Conclusion. KGF‐2 may reduce the inflammatory response in ALI induced by oleic acid by regulating key proteins in the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.
Prefibrotic Myelofibrosis Presenting with Multiple Cerebral Embolic Infarcts and the Rare MPL W515S Mutation
Authors: Langabeer Stephen E. , Lee Tokar Lisa , Kearney Laura , O’Brien Cathal , Thavarajah Kowshika , Barrett Aisling , McManus John , O’Leary Hilary
Published: June 2020

Acquired, activating mutations of MPL W515 are recognised driver mutations of the myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), namely, essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis. The most common mutation at this codon is W515L with several other mutations also described at a lower frequency. Of these less common mutations, MPL W515S has only been reported sporadically with limited information on clinicopathological associations. We describe the case of an elderly man with persistent thrombocytosis presenting with an ischemic cerebral event. Bone marrow biopsy showed evidence of prefibrotic myelofibrosis with targeted sequencing demonstrating the presence of the rare MPL W515S mutation. Thrombolytic and cytoreductive therapies resulted in a favorable outcome and follow-up. This case provides additional, necessary, and phenotypic data for the rare MPN-associated MPL W515S mutation.
Nontrivial Solutions of the Kirchhoff-Type Fractional p-Laplacian Dirichlet Problem
Authors: Chen Taiyong , Liu Wenbin , Jin Hua
Published: June 2020

In this article, we consider the new results for the Kirchhoff-type p-Laplacian Dirichlet problem containing the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative operators. By using the mountain pass theorem and the genus properties in the critical point theory, we get some new results on the existence and multiplicity of nontrivial weak solutions for such Dirichlet problem.
Influence of the Amount of Steel Fibers on Fracture Energy and Drying Shrinkage of HPFRCC
Authors: Guo Weina , Zhang Peng , Tian Yupeng , Wang Bing , Ma Wan
Published: June 2020

The fracture energy of the high‐performance fiber‐reinforced cement‐based composite (HPFRCC) can be modified within wide limits by the variation of the amount of steel fibers added to the fresh mix. First of all, considering the actual engineering conditions in Qingdao, the materials commonly used in Qingdao were selected. The optimal reference mix proportion of the HPFRCC cementing material was proposed through determination of fluidity and flexural strength. Based on the optimal mix proportion, the uniaxial tensile, fracture, and dry shrinkage properties of HPFRCC with different steel fibers are systematically studied. Stress‐strain diagrams of the different samples were measured under the uniaxial tensile test, wedge splitting test, and three‐point bending test. The steel fiber content was varied between 0 and 200 kg/m3. The load bearing capacity and the fracture energy were determined experimentally. In addition, moisture loss as a function of time and shrinkage was determined in an environment of 20°C and 50% RH (relative humidity). The results indicate that the maximum load increases significantly in the HPFRCC series reinforced by 150 and 200 kg/m3 of steel fibers. Both have a hardening branch developed after the first crack deflection due to the high percentage of fibers bridging the crack surfaces. The load bearing capacity and fracture energy increased almost linearly with the steel fiber content. It was found that the three‐point bending test is more applicable in measuring the fracture energy of HPFRCC than the wedge splitting test. The addition of steel fibers decreased the moisture diffusion and consequently the drying shrinkage of HPFRCC, and there was minimum weight loss and deformation when the steel fiber content was 150 kg/m3. The results obtained will be presented and discussed.
Combining Grey Relationship Analysis and Neural Network to Develop Attractive Automobile Booth Design
Authors: Kang Xinhui
Published: June 2020

Miryoku engineering is a design concept based on customer preferences, with the goal of creating attractive products or spaces. However, traditional Miryoku engineering faces two main issues: (1) the upper Kansei factor ranks the weights by the number of mentions, but it does not represent the importance of customers; (2) the mapping connection between the upper Kansei factor and the lower specific conditions adopts a statistical analysis method, which easily leads to the omission of key information. With the development of computer-based artificial intelligence, it repeatedly simulates human thinking with simple calculation rules, which has the advantages of fewer errors and faster speed. Therefore, on the three-level evaluation grid diagram platform established by Miryoku engineering, this paper first uses grey relationship analysis to comprehensively evaluate the priority order of Kansei words. Secondly, for the key Kansei factors, a morphological deconstruction table that connects the original reasons and specific conditions is established. Orthogonal design is used to screen representative combinations of design elements and create sample models by using the 3D software. Finally, the neural network was used to establish a mapping function between the key Kansei factors and the representative product design elements, and based on this, the most perceptually attractive product design was discovered. As a case study, the automobile booth was used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method and significantly improve exhibitor design decisions and attendees’ satisfaction.
Evaluation of Microvascular Structure Changes after Conbercept Treatment on Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion
Authors: Song Wenqi , Jiao Wanzhen , Li Fengjiao , Ma Aihua , Zhao Bojun
Published: June 2020

Aims. To confirm the therapeutic efficacy of conbercept for the treatment of macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to find out the differences in therapeutic efficacy between ischemic and nonischemic retinal vein occlusion (iRVO or non‐iRVO) after conbercept treatment. Methods. In this prospective, randomized, and comparative study, 60 unilateral eyes suffered from RVO combined with macular edema were included and fellow eye as controls. After an initial intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVIC), a pro re nata (PRN) strategy was adopted, and the follow‐up time was 6 months. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vascular density of superficial capillary plexus (SCP), and vascular density of deep retinal capillary plexus (DCP), nonperfused areas (NPAs) were evaluated with OCTA on baseline and after treatment. Results. The mean intravitreal injection number was 2.9 ± 0.89 times during six months in iRVO patients and 2.1 ± 0.86 times in non‐iRVO patients, with statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). On baseline, central macular thickness (CMT) and FAZ were significantly thickened and enlarged compared to those of healthy fellow eyes; the vascular density of SCP and DCP were significantly decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Compared to baseline, after treatment, the best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was improved in either iRVO or non‐iRVO (−0.601 ± 0.387, −0.241 ± 0.341 logMAR, p < 0.05). In iRVO, the improvement was more substantial than that of the non‐iRVO group. FAZ in the non‐iRVO group had significantly decreased compared to that in iRVO group (−0.044 ± 0.040 versus 0.014 ± 0.043 mm2, p < 0.05). CMT, the vascular density of SCP, and DCP had no significant difference. Conclusions. The changes of microvascular structure can be quantitatively evaluated by using OCTA for the patients with RVO. Conbercept had a significant effect on treatment of RVO with macular edema. A more profound effect was achieved in the iRVO group on visual improvement and FAZ reduction in the non‐iRVO group after conbercept treatment.
Loss Simulation Analysis and Optimization of U-Groove Leaky Coaxial Cable
Authors: Gao Junguo , Ma Zhipeng , Yang Wenhua , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: June 2020

Leakage coaxial cable is a kind of coaxial cable with various slot structures on the outer conductor of the cable. It can transmit signal and transmit or receive signal and has dual functions of signal transmission line and antenna. Leakage cable has the advantages of strong environmental adaptability, uniform signal coverage, and less attenuation. It is not only widely used in closed or semiclosed space with high signal reception quality, such as tunnels, subway, underground parking lot, and elevators but also can realize security and theft-proof monitoring and protection in some areas, such as oil wells, mining fields and natural resource protection areas, military fortresses, museums, airports, banks, and schools. This paper introduces the classification and electrical parameters of leaky coaxial cables. On the basis of U-groove leaky coaxial cables, the relationship between the parameters of groove holes in U-groove and the loss of leaky coaxial cables is simulated and analyzed by HFSS software. The improved method of U-groove structure is obtained, and the curved hook-groove leaky coaxial cables are designed according to this method. The simulation results show that the coupling loss of the cable is lower than that of the U-groove leakage cable, and the transmission loss is still within the national standard. It lays a theoretical foundation for the design and development of leaky coaxial cable with low coupling loss.
Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy Using Bichannel Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Pao Shu-I , Lin Hong-Zin , Chien Ke-Hung , Tai Ming-Cheng , Chen Jiann-Torng , Lin Gen-Min
Published: June 2020

Deep learning of fundus photograph has emerged as a practical and cost-effective technique for automatic screening and diagnosis of severer diabetic retinopathy (DR). The entropy image of luminance of fundus photograph has been demonstrated to increase the detection performance for referable DR using a convolutional neural network- (CNN-) based system. In this paper, the entropy image computed by using the green component of fundus photograph is proposed. In addition, image enhancement by unsharp masking (UM) is utilized for preprocessing before calculating the entropy images. The bichannel CNN incorporating the features of both the entropy images of the gray level and the green component preprocessed by UM is also proposed to improve the detection performance of referable DR by deep learning.
Fault Diagnosis of Gearbox in Multiple Conditions Based on Fine-Grained Classification CNN Algorithm
Authors: Jiang Pengcheng , Cong Hua , Wang Jing , Zhang Dongsheng
Published: June 2020

The use of the convolutional neural network for fault diagnosis has been a common method of research in recent years. Since this method can automatically extract fault features, it has played a good role in some research studies. However, this method has a clear drawback that the signals will be significantly affected by working conditions and sample size, and it is difficult to improve diagnostic accuracy by directly learning faults, regardless of working conditions. It is therefore a research orientation worthy of a diagnosis of high precision defect in various working conditions. In this article, using a fine-grained classification algorithm, the operating conditions of the object system are considered an approximate classification. A specific failure in different working conditions is considered a beautiful classification. Samples of different faults in different working conditions are learned uniformly and the common characteristics are extracted from the convolutional network so that different faults of different working conditions can simultaneously be identified on the basis of the entire sample. Experimental results show that the method effectively uses the set of samples of the working conditions of the variables to obtain the dual recognition of defects and specific working conditions and the accuracy of the recognition is significantly higher than the method of learning regardless of working conditions.
An Improved Recursive Total Least Squares Estimation of Capacity for Electric Vehicle Lithium-Iron Phosphate Batteries
Authors: Wang Shaohua , Yang Yue , Guo Konghui
Published: June 2020

A battery’s capacity is an important indicator of its state of health and determines the maximum cruising range of electric vehicles. It is also a crucial piece of information for helping improve state of charge (SOC) estimation, health prognosis, and other related tasks in the battery management system (BMS). In this paper, we propose an improved recursive total least squares approach to online capacity estimation, which is based on the constrained Rayleigh quotient in terms of battery capacity. This approach accounts for errors in both the SOC and accumulated current measurements not traditionally considered in the battery capacity model to give an unbiased estimation. Moreover, the forgetting factor, updated by minimizing the Rayleigh quotient of the capacity estimation model, is applied to track the changes in the model and get a more precise estimation of the capacity. Finally, the performance of the proposed algorithm is validated via simulation and experimental studies on lithium-iron phosphate batteries. The estimation results show that the proposed algorithm improves capacity estimation accuracy.
Body Fat Distribution, Overweight, and Cardiac Structures in School‐Age Children: A Population‐Based Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Toemen Liza , Santos Susana , Roest Arno A. , Jelic Gavro , van der Lugt Aad , Felix Janine F. , Helbing Willem A. , Gaillard Romy , Jaddoe Vincent W. V.
Published: June 2020

Background

Adiposity is associated with larger left ventricular mass in children and adults. The role of body fat distribution in these associations is not clear. We examined the associations of body fat distribution and overweight with cardiac measures obtained by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in school‐age children.

Methods and Results

In a population‐based cohort study including 2836 children, 10 years of age, we used anthropometric measures, dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, and magnetic resonance imaging to collect information on body mass index, lean mass index, fat mass index, and abdominal visceral adipose tissue index. Indexes were standardized by height. Cardiac measures included right and left ventricular end‐diastolic volume, left ventricular mass, and mass‐to‐volume ratio as a marker for concentricity. All body fat measures were positively associated with right and left ventricular end‐diastolic volumes and left ventricular mass, with the strongest associations for lean mass index (all
P
<0.05). Obese children had a 1.12 standard deviation score (95%
CI
, 0.94–1.30) larger left ventricular mass and a 0.35 standard deviation score (95%
CI
, 0.14–0.57) higher left ventricular mass‐to‐volume ratio than normal weight children. Conditional on body mass index, higher lean mass index was associated with higher right and left ventricular end‐diastolic volume and left ventricular mass, whereas higher fat mass measures were inversely associated with these cardiac measures (all
P
<0.05).

Conclusions

Higher childhood body mass index is associated with a larger right and left ventricular size. This association is influenced by higher lean mass. In childhood, lean mass may be a stronger determinant of heart growth than fat mass. Fat mass may influence cardiac structures at older ages.
Recombinant Extracellular Domain (p75ECD) of the Neurotrophin Receptor p75 Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting the p‐JNK/Caspase‐3 Signaling Pathway in Rat Microvascular Pericytes
Authors: Fang Jun , Wei ZhiXiong , Zheng DeDong , Ying Teng , Hong HuaShan , Hu DanQing , Lin YunLing , Jiang XiaoLiang , Wu LingZhen , Lan TingXiang , Yang ZhiWei , Zhou XinFu , Chen LiangLong
Published: June 2020

Background

Pro‐NTs (precursor of neurotrophins) and their receptor p75 are potential targets for preventing microvascular dysfunction induced by myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). p75ECD (ectodomain of neurotrophin receptor p75) may physiologically produce neurocytoprotective effects by scavenging pro‐NTs. We therefore hypothesized that p75ECDmay have a cardioprotective effect onIRIthrough microvascular mechanisms.

Methods and Results

MyocardialIRIwas induced in Sprague‐Dawley rats by occluding the left main coronary arteries for 45 minutes before a subsequent relaxation. Compared with the ischemia–reperfusion group, an intravenous injection of p75ECD(3 mg/kg) 5 minutes before reperfusion reduced the myocardial infarct area at 24 hours after reperfusion (by triphenyltetrazolium chloride, 44.9±3.9% versus 34.6±5.7%,P<0.05); improved the left ventricular ejection fraction (by echocardiography), with less myocardial fibrosis (by Masson's staining), and prevented microvascular dysfunction (by immunofluorescence) at 28 days after reperfusion; and reduced myocardial pro‐NTs expression at 24 hours and 28 days after reperfusion (by Western blotting). A simulativeIRImodel using rat microvascular pericytes was established in vitro by hypoxia–reoxygenation (2/6 hours) combined with pro‐NTs treatment (3 nmol/L) at R. p75ECD(3 μg/mL) given at R improved pericyte survival (by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay) and attenuated apoptosis (by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick‐end labeling). In the reperfused hearts and hypoxia–reoxygenation +pro‐NTs‐injured pericytes, p75ECDinhibited the expression of p‐JNK (phospho of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase)/caspase‐3 (by Western blotting).SP600125, an inhibitor ofJNK, did not enhance the p75ECD‐induced infarct‐sparing effects and pericyte protection.

Conclusions

p75ECDmay attenuate myocardialIRIvia pro‐NTs reduction‐induced inhibition of p‐JNK/caspase‐3 pathway of microvascular pericytes in rats.
Acute and Chronic Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitor Empagliflozin on Renal Oxygenation and Blood Pressure Control in Nondiabetic Normotensive Subjects: A Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Zanchi Anne , Burnier Michel , Muller Marie‐Eve , Ghajarzadeh‐Wurzner Arlène , Maillard Marc , Loncle Nicolas , Milani Bastien , Dufour Nathalie , Bonny Olivier , Pruijm Menno
Published: June 2020

Background

The sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin has cardiorenal protective properties through mechanisms beyond glucose control. In this study we assessed whether empagliflozin modifies renal oxygenation as a possible mechanism of renal protection, and determined the metabolic, renal, and hemodynamic effects of empagliflozin in nondiabetic subjects.

Methods and Results

In this double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study, 45 healthy volunteers underwent blood and urine sampling, renal ultrasound, and blood‐oxygenation‐level–dependent magnetic resonance imaging before and 180 minutes after administration of 10 mg empagliflozin (n=30) or placebo (n=15). These examinations were repeated after 1 month of daily intake. Cortical and medullary renal oxygenation were not affected by the acute or chronic administration of empagliflozin, as determined by 148 renal blood‐oxygenation‐level–dependent magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Empagliflozin increased glucosuria (24‐hour glucosuria at 1 month: +50.1±16.3 g). The acute decrease in proximal sodium reabsorption, as determined by endogenous fractional excretion of lithium (−34.6% versus placebo), was compensated at 1 month by a rise in plasma renin activity (+28.6%) and aldosterone (+55.7%). The 24‐hour systolic and diastolic ambulatory blood pressures decreased significantly after 1 month of empagliflozin administration (−5.1 and −2.0 mm Hg, respectively). Serum uric acid levels decreased (−28.4%), hemoglobin increased (+1.7%), and erythropoietin remained the same.

Conclusions

Empagliflozin has a rapid and significant effect on tubular function, with sustained glucosuria and transient natriuresis in nondiabetic normotensive subjects. These effects favor blood pressure reduction. No acute or sustained changes were found in renal cortical or medullary tissue oxygenation. It remains to be determined whether this is the case in nondiabetic or diabetic patients with congestive heart failure or kidney disease.

REGISTRATION
: URL:
https://www.clini​caltr​ials.gov
; Unique identifier:
NCT03093103
.
Evidence of Neighborhood Effects from Moving to Opportunity: LATEs of Neighborhood Quality
Authors: Aliprantis Dionissi , Richter Francisca G.-C.
Published: June 2020

This paper estimates neighborhood effects on adult labor market outcomes using the Moving to Opportunity (MTO) housing mobility experiment. We propose and implement a new strategy for identifying transition-specific effects that exploits identification of the unobserved component of a neighborhood choice model. Estimated local average treatment effects (LATEs) are large, result from moves between the first and second deciles of the national distribution of neighborhood quality, and pertain to a subpopulation of nine percent of program participants.
The Dynamic Electoral Returns of a Large Antipoverty Program
Authors: Zimmermann Laura
Published: June 2020

Governments around the world use short-term reelection strategies. This is problematic if governments can maximize their reelection chances by prioritizing short-term spending before an election over long-term reforms. This paper tests whether longer program exposure has a causal effect on election outcomes in the context of a large antipoverty program in India. Using a regression-discontinuity framework, the results show that length of program exposure lowers electoral support for the government. The paper discusses a couple of potential explanations, finding that the most plausible mechanism is that voters hold the government accountable for the program's implementation quality.
Self-Control and Demand for Preventive Health: Evidence from Hypertension in India
Authors: Bai Liang , Handel Benjamin , Miguel Edward , Rao Gautam
Published: June 2020

Self-control problems constitute a potential explanation for the underinvestment in preventive health in low-income countries. Behavioral economics offers a tool to solve such problems: commitment devices. We conduct a field experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of different types of theoretically motivated commitment contracts in increasing preventive doctor visits by hypertensive patients in rural India. Despite achieving high take-up of such contracts in some treatment arms, we find no effects on actual doctor visits or individual health outcomes. A substantial number of individuals pay for commitment but fail to follow through on the doctor visit, losing money without experiencing health benefits. We develop and structurally estimate a prespecified model of consumer behavior under present bias with varying levels of naiveté. The results are consistent with a large share of individuals being partially naive about their own self-control problems: sophisticated enough to demand some commitment but overly optimistic about whether a given level of commitment is sufficiently strong to be effective. The results suggest that commitment devices may in practice be welfare diminishing, at least in some contexts, and serve as a cautionary tale about their role in health care.
The Impact of Contract Enforcement Costs on Value Chains and Aggregate Productivity
Authors: Boehm Johannes
Published: June 2020

I study how supplier contracting frictions shape the patterns of intermediate input use and quantify the impact of these distortions on aggregate productivity. Using the frequency of litigation between US firms as a novel measure to capture the need for formal enforcement, I find a robust relationship between countries' input-output structure and their quality of legal institutions. In countries with high enforcement costs, firms have lower expenditure shares on intermediate inputs in sector pairs where US firms litigate frequently for breach of contract. A quantitative model shows that improvement of contract enforcement institutions would lead to sizable welfare gains.
Patent-Based News Shocks
Authors: Cascaldi-Garcia Danilo , Vukotić Marija
Published: June 2020

What do patents tell us about the economic effects of future technological improvements? We identify aggregate and industry-level patent-based news shocks by exploiting changes in stock market valuations of firms that obtain patent grants. Our shocks resemble diffusion news: they do not affect total factor productivity in the short run but induce a strong permanent effect after five years. We find that patent-based news shocks produce positive co-movement between consumption, output, investment, and hours. They also generate positive responses in inflation and in the federal funds rate, consistent with standard New Keynesian models.
Coronavirus Perceptions and Economic Anxiety
Authors: Fetzer Thiemo , Hensel Lukas , Hermle Johannes , Roth Christopher
Published: June 2020

We provide one of the first systematic assessments of the development and determinants of economic anxiety at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Using a global data set on internet searches and two representative surveys from the United States, we document a substantial increase in economic anxiety during and after the arrival of the coronavirus. We also document a large dispersion in beliefs about the pandemic risk factors of the coronavirus and demonstrate that these beliefs causally affect individuals' economic anxieties. Finally, we show that individuals' mental models of infectious disease spread understate nonlinear growth and shape the extent of economic anxiety.
Never Truly Hers: Ereškigal’s Dowry and the Rulership of the Netherworld
Authors: Gadotti Alhena
Published: June 2020

This paper considers the mythological tale Nergal and Ereškigal in an attempt to investigate the nature of Ereškigal’s dominion over the Mesopotamian Realm of the Dead. By using other Mesopotamian literary composition as well as Near Eastern law, the paper demonstrates that Ereškigal never relinquished her power over the Netherworld to Nergal because such a power was never hers to lose.
Sexual dimorphism and variability in the skull of Martes foina
Authors: Özen Ahmet Selçuk
Published: June 2020

Morphometry can help to understand morphology and clarify taxonomy of species. The morphometric variability of the skull and sexual dimorphism of stone martens (Martes foina), obtained from various geographical regions of Turkey, were investigated. Measurements were made regarding 14 characters on skulls of the samples. Adults have significantly bigger skulls compared to juveniles. Regarding their sexual dimorphism, descriptive statistics revealed variability in the size of the skull between sexes, with mean values of males being higher than those of females. The most significant sexual dimorphisms (the highest variabilities) were observed in palatal width and especially frontal width. The strongest positive correlations were found between the basilar length and condylobasal length in males and between the mandibular length and total skull length in females. Furthermore, principal component analysis confirmed strong correlations between some characters of the skull in both sexes. By comparing characters with those of European populations this study contributes to a general model of the skull of Martes foina.
Infections by the trematode Microphallus nicolli and the acanthocephalan Profilicollis altmani in relation to the reproductive condition of their intermediate host, the Pacific mole crab Emerita analoga
Authors: Bhaduri Ritindra N.
Published: June 2020

Parasites can dramatically influence fecundity of their hosts, so for any host species it is important to establish whether parasite infections affect host reproduction. The Pacific mole crab, Emerita analoga, commonly harbors metacercarial cysts of the trematode Microphallus nicolli and cystacanths of the acanthocephalan Profilicollis altmani. Although these helminths are known to infect primarily larger female mole crabs, they may do so disproportionately when tied to their host’s reproductive condition. This study was undertaken to examine differences in parasite prevalence and abundance between non-ovigerous and ovigerous hosts. Crabs from Del Monte Beach, Monterey, California were collected, carapace length measured, sexed, examined for parasites, and had their reproductive state noted. The vast majority of the crabs sampled were infected with at least one parasite, and over half of the crabs had both M. nicolli and P. altmani. Ovigerous females were significantly larger than non-ovigerous crabs. Prevalence of both trematode metacercarial cysts and acanthocephalan cystacanths was significantly higher in ovigerous females than in non-ovigerous ones. Egg-bearing females were also more heavily infected by both parasites than non-egg-bearing individuals. These results suggest that larger ovigerous crabs may provide greater resources and thus are able to support higher levels of infections. This study shows that neither parasite prevalence nor abundance seemed to affect egg production in E. analoga.
Evolution of vertebrate brain size is associated with sexual traits
Authors: Zhong Mao Jun , Jin Long , Yu Jian Ping , Liao Wen Bo
Published: June 2020

The expensive tissue hypothesis predicts a trade-off between investments in the brain and other energetically costly organs due to the costs associated with their growth and maintenance within the finite energy resources available. However, few studies address the strength of relationships between brain size and investments in precopulatory (ornaments and armaments) and postcopulatory (testes and ejaculates) sexual traits. Here, in a broad comparative study, we tested the prediction that the relationship between brain size and investment in sexual traits differs among taxa relative to the importance of sperm competition within them. We found that brain size was negatively correlated with sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in anurans and primates, and it tended to decrease with SSD in ungulates and cetaceans. However, brain size did not covary significantly with armaments (e.g., canine length, horn, antler, and muscle mass). Brain size was not correlated with postcopulatory sexual traits (testes and ejaculates). The intensity of covariance between brain size and precopulatory sexual traits decreased with increasing relative testis size.
From Nativism to the Inclusion of Immigrants: Settlement and Poor Relief in Eighteenth-Century Bruges
Authors: Schepers Marjolein
Published: June 2020

This article addresses the shift in the eighteenth-century region of Bruges from nativism to including immigrants in welfare. Settlement law designated the place in which an individual could apply for poor relief. Focusing on the negotiations between authorities for changes in settlement legislation, this article provides new insights on rural-urban relations in migration governance. In addition to the economic and cost-benefit considerations driving settlement policies that are often put forward in the literature, authorities in the wider Bruges region were driven by motives of fostering reciprocity in interdependent relations within migration systems and reforming social policy for monitoring and controlling possible relief dependants. The changes regarding the inclusion of immigrants occurred because of an increased awareness of migration patterns and because the authorities deemed it more efficient to have a set, resident collection of parishioners who could be monitored and centrally administered.
The Power and Pitfalls of Patronage: Chinese Immigrants in Costa Rica during the Era of Exclusion, 1897–1943
Authors: Narváez Benjamín N.
Published: June 2020

A small number of Chinese migrated to Costa Rica between the mid-nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries. There they experienced Sinophobia, including an immigration ban from 1897–1943. Nevertheless, the community persisted. The Chinese responded to this hostility in part by seeking the support of powerful patrons, including Costa Rican politicians and American diplomats. These ties helped with business concerns, immigration issues, and legal troubles, and could alleviate harassment. However, the Chinese did not always get the help they desired. Moreover, these relationships created their own challenges, including placing the Chinese on the wrong side of Costa Rican politics and forcing them to acquiesce to the interests of the United States. Close examination of these relationships and Costa Rican Sinophobia ultimately challenges Costa Rica’s myth of exceptionalism (i.e., racial homogeneity and egalitarianism), sheds light on the construction of this myth, and deepens our larger understanding of the Chinese diaspora in the Americas.
From Macanese Opium Traders to British Aristocrats: The Trans-Imperial Migration of the Pereiras
Authors: Chan Catherine S.
Published: June 2020

This study follows the multiple migrations of a middle class ‘Portuguese’/‘Macanese’ family in two imperial contexts and explores the complex relationship between ‘race’, ‘class’ and social mobility as wider social experiences shaped by imperial traditions, personal ambitions, social networks, and identity transformations. Through an examination of four generations of the Pereira family, from the late seventeenth century to the early twentieth century, I trace their movement from Portugal to Portuguese Macau to British Hong Kong, and finally to Britain, in order to reveal the shifting meanings and strategic value of being ‘Portuguese’, ‘Macanese’, and ‘British’ under different social settings and timeframes. Ultimately, this study aims, through the lens of middle-class migrants, to understand the construct of ‘race’ beyond the coloniser-colonised spectrum and to reconsider the colonial encounter as a pragmatic response to migration opportunities, social traditions and life challenges.
Design and Implementation of Shape and Texture Based Image Segmentation on Morphological Gradient Approach
Authors: Michael Angelo Kandavalli , Abraham Lincon S.
Published: June 2020

Identifying and separating objects within an image is a significant challenge due to high object and background variability. This can be obtained through feature extraction approach. There are different ways of extracting the image features. It is based on texture, shape and colour.
The present paper aims to study and analyse the various approaches for feature extraction and object recognition. This study proposed a hybrid approach, which is a combination of enhanced Fractal Texture Analysis with Layout Descriptor to overcome the obstacles in image segmentation. It is
used to lessen the boundary complexity of the segmented image. First, the image is preprocessed to discard the noise and to retain the adequate details of the image in a perfect way through Adaptive Switching Median Filter. Secondly, it improves the power of the edges detected through a noise-protected
edge detector. Finally, it is applied with morphological gradient technique that is a twin function of both shape and texture gradient removal for extorting the qualities of the image. In this way, the proposed methodology directly performs on the colour image which supports to enhance prediction
accuracy of the object in terms of colour characteristics that offers better results than the grayscale conversion approach. Moreover, the shape feature is extracted from the preprocessed image depending on the details like compactness, rectangularity, eccentricity and moment invariants.
Exploration of Morphological Procedure on the Recognition of Fundus Image
Authors: Agnes Shifani S. , Ramkumar G. , Nanammal V. , Thandaiah Prabu R.
Published: June 2020

A gainful fuzzy k-means clustering algorithm under Morphological Image Processing (MIP) is performed. Image processing is one of quickly developing examination territory nowadays and now it is particularly coordinated with all identified with science field. Image Processing can be utilized
for breaking down various restorative and MRI Image to get the uncommon and anomaly in the image. Image segmentation manages segmentation of vein segmentation algorithm utilizing fundus Image. In this task, this segmentation is done utilizing k-means clustering and c-means clustering algorithm
and Morphological operator for better execution. This upgrades the vein variations from the norm progressively and in a moderately brief time when contrasted with numerous other clustering algorithms.
Investigation of the Effect of Different Materials on Uniform Heat Distribution Over a Solar Collector Pipe
Authors: Sriram V. , Kanimozhi B.
Published: June 2020

Collector pipe used in solar power plant is a device for converting water from ambient temperature to the raised temperature which in turn used to rotate turbine blades. The raise in temperature is not that much when compared to thermal or nuclear power plant, so researches are going
on for improving the heat carrying capacity of collector pipes. The productivity in pipe directly depends on the factors such as solar radiation incident on it, temperature distribution over the pipe, surrounding temperature, material of the pipeline used, and thickness of the pipe. When comparing
to all of such parameters, the temperature distribution over the pipe is the main parameter which determines the performance of the collector pipe. For a particular type of solar collector pipe, the temperature distribution is function of length with day variation of solar incidence over it.
In this work a collector pipe of length 2.2 m and 7 cm diameter is fabricated and tested under standard laboratory conditions for the uniform heat dissemination over the pipe. For keeping up the uniform temperature over the collector pipe, it is necessary to wound the pipe with metals like
copper, aluminum. The results show that the heat distribution over the pipe is increased in case of copper when compared with aluminium.
Clustering Protein Super Secondary Structure with Artificial Neural Network Based Self Organizing Map Machine Learning Approach Using In-Memory Computing Environment
Authors: Sivagamasundari G. , Latha Parthiban
Published: June 2020

Protein’s super secondary structure knowledge is important to understand protein functions which is vital for all living organisms. In this research, an in-memory computing approach is created to identify the super secondary structure of protein on primary protein sequences. The
Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based Self Organizing Map (SOM) algorithm was used to develop a three-way predictive model. The developed clustering model helps to assign protein super secondary structures mainly into â-Turns. Also this model is implemented in an in-memory computing
environment—SPARK. The analysis results using ANN-SOM approach in clustering protein super secondary structures provide better high accuracy in the in-memory computing environment.
Adaptive E-Learning Using Soft Computing Techniques
Authors: Muralidharan S. , Parthiban Latha
Published: June 2020

E-Learning is gaining more importance in the present education system and methodology of learning are moving from instructor-orientation to learner-orientation thereby providing learner with flexible, efficient and personalized learning environment. In this paper, adaptive e-learning
using various soft computing techniques needed for achieving adaptation in learning path in e-learning is discussed. Adaptive e-learning becomes necessary for slow learners and challenged people who take their own time for learning due to their impairment.