bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in /u/ fronting in the American Midwest
Authors: Clopper Cynthia G. , Burdin Rachel Steindel , Turnbull Rory
Published: July 2019

Previous research has suggested that a greater degree of social indexing of gender, race, and regional background is produced in linguistic contexts that promote phonetic reduction. The goal of the current study was to explore this hypothesis through an examination of the realization of an ongoing sound change in the American Midwest—/u/ fronting—as a function of four linguistic factors that contribute to phonetic reduction: lexical frequency, phonological neighborhood density, discourse mention, and speaking style. The results revealed minimal effects of the linguistic factors on the degree of /u/ fronting among talkers with greater overall advancement in the /u/ fronting change-in-progress, suggesting that the process of /u/ fronting is nearing completion among some American Midwesterners. However, the results also revealed more /u/ fronting in plain laboratory speech than in clear laboratory speech and in low-frequency, low-density words than in low-frequency, high-density words among talkers with lower overall advancement in the /u/ fronting change-in-progress. The directions of these effects are consistent with the hypothesis that social indexing is greater in reduction-promoting contexts. Further, the relative sizes of these effects suggest that speaking style contributes more to variability in social indexing than lexical properties, such as frequency and neighborhood density.
University of Alaska braces for draconian budget cuts
Authors: Price Michael
Published: July 2019

Arctic science programs could suffer, faculty fear.
Census citizenship question is dropped, but challenges linger
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: July 2019

Methods for filling in missing data will get major test.
Quantum-state–selective electron recombination studies suggest enhanced abundance of primordial HeH
+
Authors: Novotný Oldřich , Wilhelm Patrick , Paul Daniel , Kálosi Ábel , Saurabh Sunny , Becker Arno , Blaum Klaus , George Sebastian , Göck Jürgen , Grieser Manfred , Grussie Florian , von Hahn Robert , Krantz Claude , Kreckel Holger , Meyer Christian , Mishra Preeti M. , Muell Damian , Nuesslein Felix , Orlov Dmitry A. , Rimmler Marius , Schmidt Viviane C. , Shornikov Andrey , Terekhov Aleksandr S. , Vogel Stephen , Zajfman Daniel , Wolf Andreas
Published: July 2019

Enhanced abundance of primordial HeH
+

Though only recently detected in space, the helium hydride ion (HeH
+
) is thought to be the first molecule ever to have formed in the early Universe. Novotný
et al.
report state-specific rate coefficients for the dissociative reaction of HeH
+
with electrons, obtained using a cryogenic ion storage ring combined with a merged electron beam (see the Perspective by Bovino and Galli). They detect substantial rotational dependence and a decrease of the rates for the lowest states of HeH
+
, far below the values listed in astrochemistry databases and those previously applied in early-Universe models. These results suggest high abundance of this important primordial molecule at redshifts of first star and galaxy formation.

Science
, this issue p.
676
; see also p.
639
Temporal color mixing and dynamic beam shaping with silicon metasurfaces
Authors: Holsteen Aaron L. , Cihan Ahmet Fatih , Brongersma Mark L.
Published: July 2019

A dynamic metasurface in the mix

Metasurfaces have been designed and fabricated to function as many passive optical elements. A time-dependent active element can now be obtained by marrying concepts in microelectromechanics with an array of one-dimensional dielectric nanowires. Although such a static array has been used to select for desired wavelengths, the wavelength is dependent on the nanowire-to-substrate separation. Holsteen
et al.
added a voltage-controlled actuation element to the design that could steer light beams as well as select and mix certain colors. The fast actuation capability could affect applications ranging from autonomous vehicles to augmented and virtual reality systems.

Science
, this issue p.
257
China’s present and future lunar exploration program
Authors: Li Chunlai , Wang Chi , Wei Yong , Lin Yangting
Published: July 2019

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the pace of lunar exploration has accelerated, with more than a dozen probes having undertaken scientific exploration of the Moon. Prominent among these have been the robotic “Chang’E” (CE) missions of the China Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP). We discuss technological and scientific goals and achievements for the four completed, and four planned, CE missions, and longer-term goals and plans of the CLEP beyond the CE missions. The exploration plan is flexible and iterative, with an emphasis on international cooperation.
Distinct Regioselectivity of Fungal P450 Enzymes for Steroidal Hydroxylation
Authors: Lu Wei , Feng Jinhui , Chen Xi , Bao Yun-Juan , Wang Yu , Wu Qiaqing , Ma Yanhe , Zhu Dunming
Published: July 2019

The steroidal hydroxylases CYP5150AP3 and CYP5150AN1 together with the previously characterized CYP5150AP2 belong to the CYP5150A family of P450 enzymes with high amino acid sequence identity, but they showed completely different regioselectivities toward 11-deoxycortisol, suggesting the regioselectivity diversity of steroidal hydroxylases of CYP5150 family. They are also distinct from the known bacterial and fungal steroidal hydroxylases in substrate specificity and regioselectivity. Biocatalytic hydroxylation is one of the important transformations for the functionalization of steroid nucleus rings but remains a very challenging task in organic synthesis. These hydroxylases are useful additions to the toolbox of hydroxylase enzymes for the functionalization of steroids at various positions.
A Novel Gene Contributing to the Initiation of Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Sanyal Rajeshree , Singh Vani , Harinarayanan Rajendran
Published: July 2019

Fatty acid biosynthesis is an essential process conserved across life forms. β-Ketoacyl-ACP synthases are essential for fatty acid biosynthesis. FabH is a β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase that contributes to the initiation of fatty acid biosynthesis in
Escherichia coli
. In this study, we present genetic and biochemical evidence that the
yiiD
(renamed
fabY
)-encoded function contributes to the biosynthesis of fatty acid in the absence of FabH activity and that under these conditions, the expression of FabY was regulated by the stringent response factors (p)ppGpp and DksA. Combined inactivation of FabH and FabY resulted in growth arrest, possibly due to the loss of fatty acid biosynthesis. A molecule(s) that inhibits the two activities can be an effective microbicide.
Cardiac tamponade and purulent pericarditis secondary to an oesophageal pericardial fistula as an initial presentation of squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus
Authors: Abdullah Hafez Mohammad Ammar , Khan Uzma Ikhtiar , Wasekar Chetan , Omar Muhammad
Published: July 2019

Pericardial effusions resulting in a cardiac tamponade have previously been reported with oesophageal cancers. However, most of these cases have been reported in association with radiation and chemotherapy. Rarely as oesophageal pericardial fistuls (OPF) have been reported as the culprits in causing pericardial effusions in patients with oesophageal cancers. Here we present the case of a 61-year-old woman who presented clinically with cardiac tamponade. She was found to have an OPF due to oesophageal squamous cell cancer that resulted in a purulent pericardial effusion. She underwent a median sternotomy, pericardial decompression, and mediastinal debridement. An oesophageal stent was attempted unsuccessfully. The patient refused any more aggressive treatments and was discharged to a hospice where she passed away 13 days after presentation. This case and the associated literature review highlights an unusual presentation of oesophageal cancer and an uncommon cause of cardiac tamponade.
The discontinuation of contact precautions for methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusand vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus: Impact upon patient adverse events and hospital operations
Authors: Schrank Gregory M , Snyder Graham M , Davis Roger B , Branch-Elliman Westyn , Wright Sharon B
Published: July 2019

Background

Contact precautions for endemic methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus(VRE) are a resource-intensive intervention to reduce healthcare-associated infections, potentially impeding patient throughput and limiting bed availability to isolate other contagious pathogens. We investigated the impact of the discontinuation of contact precautions (DcCP) for endemic MRSA and VRE on patient outcomes and operations metrics in an acute care setting.

Methods

This is a retrospective, quasi-experimental analysis of the 12 months before and after DcCP for MRSA and VRE at an academic medical centre. The frequency for bed closures due to contact isolation was measured, and personal protective equipment (PPE) expenditures and patient satisfaction survey results were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Using an interrupted time series design, emergency department (ED) admission wait times and rates of patient falls, pressure ulcers and nosocomial MRSA and VRE clinical isolates were compared using GEEs.

Results

Prior to DcCP, bed closures for MRSA and/or VRE isolation were associated with estimated lost hospital charges of $9383 per 100 bed days (95% CI: 8447 to 10 318). No change in ED wait times or change in trend was observed following DcCP. There were significant reductions in monthly expenditures on gowns (−61.0%) and gloves (−16.3%). Patient satisfaction survey results remained stable. No significant changes in rates or trends were observed for patient falls or pressure ulcers. Incidence rates of nosocomial MRSA (1.58 (95% CI: 0.82 to 3.04)) and VRE (1.02 (95% CI: 0.82 to 1.27)) did not significantly change.

Conclusions

DcCP was associated with an increase in bed availability and revenue recovery, and a reduction in PPE expenditures. Benefits for other hospital operations metrics and patient outcomes were not identified.
Process conformance is associated with successful first intubation attempt and lower odds of adverse events in a paediatric emergency setting
Authors: O’Connell Karen J , Yang Sen , Cheng Megan , Sandler Alexis B , Cochrane Niall H , Yang JaeWon , Webman Rachel B , Marsic Ivan , Burd Randall
Published: July 2019

Background

Intubation is an essential, life-saving skill but associated with a high risk for adverse outcomes. Intubation protocols have been implemented to increase success and reduce complications, but the impact of protocol conformance is not known. Our study aimed to determine association between conformance with an intubation process model and outcomes.

Methods

An interdisciplinary expert panel developed a process model of tasks and sequencing deemed necessary for successful intubation. The model was then retrospectively used to review videos of intubations from 1 February, 2014, to 31 January, 2016, in a paediatric emergency department at a time when no process model or protocol was in existence.

Results

We evaluated 113 patients, 77 (68%) were successfully intubated on first attempt. Model conformance was associated with a higher likelihood of first attempt success when using direct laryngoscopy (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.18). The use of video laryngoscopy was associated with an overall higher likelihood of success on first attempt (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.10 to 5.88). Thirty-seven patients (33%) experienced adverse events. Model conformance was the only factor associated with a lower odds of adverse events (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99).

Conclusions

Conformance with a task-based expert-derived process model for emergency intubation was associated with a higher rate of success on first intubation attempt when using direct laryngoscopy and a lower odds of associated adverse events. Further evaluation of the impact of human factors, such as teamwork and decision-making, on intubation process conformance and success and outcomes is needed.
Concept of error and nature of nursing error detectors in military hospitals: a qualitative content analysis
Authors: Ajri-khameslou Mehdi , Aliyari Sh , Pishgooie A H , Jafari-Golestan N , Farokhnezhad Afshar P
Published: July 2019

Background and objectives

Nursing errors can cause irreparable consequences. Understanding the concept of error and the nature of nursing error detectors can significantly reduce this type of errors. The present study was conducted to explain the concept of error and the nature of nursing error detectors in military hospitals.

Materials and methods

The present study was conducted on eight nurses working in different wards of military hospitals using a qualitative approach to content analysis proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. Data were collected through in-depth semistructured interviews.

Findings

‘The concept of error’ and ‘the nature of error detectors’ in military hospitals were the two main categories extracted from data analysis. The present findings showed that the nature of errors in military hospitals is inevitable, a threat to job position and bipolar. Nurses use different resources to identify errors, including personal, environmental and organisational factors of detection.

Discussion and conclusion

Given the military nature of the study hospitals, organisational factors of detection played a key role in identifying errors. Moreover, given the perception of military nurses of errors, they were not inclined to personal detectors. The managers of military hospitals are therefore recommended to pursue a justice-oriented and supportive culture to help nurses play a more active role in identifying errors.
Detecting community structure by belonging intensity analysis of intermediate nodes
Authors: Shen Mengjia , Lv Dong , Ma Zhixin
Published: July 2019

Community structure is a common characteristic of complex networks and community detection is an important methodology to reveal the structure of real-world networks. In recent years, many algorithms have been proposed to detect the high-quality communities in real-world networks. However, these algorithms have shortcomings of performing calculation on the whole network or defining objective function and the number of commonties in advance, which affects the performance and complexity of community detection algorithms. In this paper, a novel algorithm has been proposed to detect communities in networks by belonging intensity analysis of intermediate nodes, named BIAS, which is inspired from the interactive behavior in human communication networks. More specifically, intermediate nodes are middlemen between different groups in social networks. BIAS algorithm defines belonging intensity using local interactions and metrics between nodes, and the belonging intensity of intermediate node in different communities is analyzed to distinguish which community the intermediate node belongs to. The experiments of our algorithm with other state-of-the-art algorithms on synthetic networks and real-world networks have shown that BIAS algorithm has better accuracy and can significantly improve the quality of community detection without prior information.
Juniperus communis Suppresses Melanoma Tumorigenesis by Inhibiting Tumor Growth and Inducing Apoptosis
Authors: Gao Hong-Wei , Huang Xiao-Fan , Yang Tzi-Peng , Chang Kai-Fu , Yeh Ling-Wen , Hsieh Ming-Chang , Weng Jun-Cheng , Tsai Nu-Man
Published: July 2019

Melanoma, which has a high metastatic capacity and death rate, is a common skin cancer in Western countries. The purpose of this study was to address whether Juniperus communis (JCo) extract is effective in the suppression of melanoma and to elucidate the anticancer mechanisms involved in vitro and in vivo. The antitumor capacities of JCo extract on tumor suppression and toxicity were evaluated and the results demonstrated that the tumor burden was reduced via mediation of cell cycle, reduction of autocrine signaling, and induction of apoptosis. Moreover, JCo extract significantly prolonged the survival rate of the test subjects with only low pathological and physiological toxicity. Additionally, JCo extract also reduced cancer stem cell-related angiogenic and metastatic proteins in the process of tumor elimination. Based on these results, this study suggests that JCo extract suppresses tumor growth and induces apoptosis, and JCo extract may be useful for the prevention of melanoma tumorigenesis.
Special relativity experiments explained from the perspective of the rotating frame
Authors: Sfarti A.
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we present an explanation of several fundamental tests of special relativity from the perspective of the frame co-moving with a rotating observer. The solution is of great interest for real-time applications because Earth-bound laboratories are inertial only in approximation. We present the derivation of the Sagnac, Michelson–Morley, Kennedy–Thorndike and the Hammar experiments as viewed from the Earth-bound uniformly rotating frame or, as in the case of the Mossbauer rotor experiments, from the perspective of the rotating device. An entire section is dedicated to length/time measurement and to clock synchronization and another one to the Doppler effect and aberration on uniformly rotating platforms. This paper brings new information in the following areas:

– new approach for clock synchronization on a rotating platform

– new approach for length measurement in rotating frames

– new explanation of the Doppler effect and of the Mossbauer rotor experiment

– new explanation of the Kennedy–Thorndike experiment.

The main thrust of this paper is to give a consistent explanation of various tests of special relativity as judged from the perspective of the rotating frame of the experimental setup. In addition, we correct certain misconceptions relative to clock synchronization and length measurement that have survived a long time in the specialty literature. A special chapter is dedicated to the derivation of the Doppler effect and of aberration in rotating frames. It is shown that such derivation is far from being trivial.
Augmented Reality-Based Simulation of Some Basic Electrical Circuits Which Requires Oscilloscope for Analysis without Hardware
Authors: Özüaǧ Mehmet , Cantürk İsmail , Özyilmaz Lale
Published: July 2019

This study aims to contribute to the electronics education through the use of Augmented Reality (AR) technology, and thus, limit the dependency on a physical environment and the equipment required for the experiments performed in electronics education. In this regard, an Augmented Reality-based mobile application (ARElectronicLab) has been designed to provide a technology–reality blended experience of electronic circuits in real physical life. This AR-based mobile application has been used to create simulations of diode clipper circuit and inverting operational amplifier circuit. The mobile application operates with a marker in real life and enables monitoring of 3D simulations of electronic components through a touch screen. Hence, the application offers a real-like experience and brings an innovative and enriching perspective into the electronics education.
BACK-OF-THE-ENVELOPE SWAPTIONS IN A VERY PARSIMONIOUS MULTI-CURVE INTEREST RATE MODEL
Authors: BAVIERA ROBERTO
Published: July 2019

We propose an elementary model in multi-curve setting that allows to price with simple exact closed formulas European swaptions. Swaptions can be both physical delivery and cash-settled ones. The proposed model is very parsimonious: it is a three-parameter multi-curve extension of the two-parameter J. Hull & A. White (1990) [Pricing interest-rate-derivative securities. Review of Financial Studies 3(4), 573–592] model. The model allows also to obtain simple formulas for all other plain vanilla Interest Rate derivatives and convexity adjustments. Calibration issues are discussed in detail.
Positive multipeak solutions to a zero mass problem in exterior domains
Authors: Clapp Mónica , Maia Liliane A. , Pellacci Benedetta
Published: July 2019

We establish the existence of positive multipeak solutions to the nonlinear scalar field equation with zero mass [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and the nonlinearity [Formula: see text] is subcritical at infinity and supercritical near the origin. We show that the number of positive multipeak solutions becomes arbitrarily large as [Formula: see text].
Surface Energy Effects on the Nonlinear Free Vibration of Functionally Graded Timoshenko Nanobeams Based on Modified Couple Stress Theory
Authors: Attia Mohamed A. , Shanab Rabab A. , Mohamed Salwa A. , Mohamed Norhan A.
Published: July 2019

An integrated nonlinear couple stress-surface energy continuum model is developed to study the nonlinear vibration characteristics of size-dependent functionally graded nanobeams for the first time. The nanobeam theory is formulated based on the Timoshenko kinematics, augmented by von Kármán’s geometric nonlinearity. The modified couple stress and Gurtin–Murdoch surface elasticity theories are incorporated to capture the long-range interaction and surface energy, respectively. Unlike existing Timoshenko nanobeam models, the effects of surface elasticity, residual surface stress, surface mass density and Poisson’s ratio, in addition to bending and axial deformations, are incorporated in the newly developed model. A power law function is used to model the material distribution through the thickness of the beam, considering the gradation of bulk and surface material parameters. A variational formulation of the nonlinear nonclassical governing equations and associated nonclassical boundary conditions is established by employing Hamilton’s principle. The generalized differential quadrature method is exploited in conjunction with either the Pseudo-arclength continuation or Runge–Kutta method to solve the problem with an exact implementation of the nonclassical boundary conditions. The formulation and solution procedure presented are verified by comparing the obtained results with available ones. Based on the parametric study, it is concluded that the nonclassical boundary conditions, material length scale parameter, residual surface stress, surface elasticity, bulk elasticity modulus, gradient index, nonlinear amplitude and thickness have important influences on the linear and nonlinear vibration responses of functionally graded Timoshenko nanobeams.
Coupled Dynamic Analysis of Liquid Storage Tanks Under Implosion-Generated Overpressure
Authors: Ding Yuqi , Lu Ye , Lu Qifa , Luo Min , Dai Ziwei
Published: July 2019

To deal with the effect of liquid storage on the distribution of implosion, a fluid–solid coupling model is built for the shared nodes of implosion in the liquid storage tank. The displacement compatibility and acceleration and speed coupling are achieved between the implosion field (gas, liquid) and liquid storage tank. First, using this model, the implosion-generated overpressure distribution and structural response under the working condition of half filled tank are obtained. The results show that the overpressure, displacement and stress are high on the shell near the liquid level. Then, the effects of both the TNT equivalent and liquid level on implosion in the liquid storage tank are studied. As the TNT equivalent increases, the maximum overpressure, displacement and stress on the shell near the liquid level increase. Consequently, the maximum overpressure and displacement on the shell near the liquid level exceed those at the roof-to-shell connection of the tank. In contrast, as the liquid level increases, the maximum stress and displacement first increase near the shell. After reaching the peaks near half filled level, they begin to decrease. Only when the liquid reaches a certain level, it can have an attenuating effect on the overpressure at the bottom-to-shell connection. However, if the liquid level continues to rise beyond a certain threshold, the attenuating effect is no longer prominent.
Platelet Nitrogen and Sulfur Co-Doped Ordered Mesoporous Carbon with Inexpensive Methylene Blue as a Single Precursor for Electrochemical Detection of Herbicide Amitrole
Authors: Zhou Shenghai , Xu Hongbo , Wei Yanjun , Gao Jing , Feng Yue , Wang Ning , Gao Junfeng
Published: July 2019

Heteroatom-doped ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) have currently been considered as promising electrode materials for electrochemical sensors due to the combined advantages of ordered mesoporous materials and heteroatom-doped carbon materials. Herein, a novel nitrogen and sulfur co-doped OMCs (N,S-OMC) has been prepared via a nanocasting strategy with an inexpensive methylene blue as single precursor. The obtained mesoporous carbon has platelet morphology, short mesoporous channel together with a large surface area (549[Formula: see text]m2/g) as well as rich N- and S-containing functional groups (6.8[Formula: see text]at.% N and 2.3[Formula: see text]at.% S). Compared with the graphene (GR) and carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode material, the N,S-OMC exhibited a higher electrochemical activity towards the oxidation of herbicide amitrole, ascribable to N,S-OMC’s open mesoporous structures and abundant electroactive defect sites on the carbon skeleton. And, an amitrole electrochemical sensor with N,S-OMC modified electrode as working electrode was fabricated, exhibiting a good selectivity, stability, reproducibility and wide linear range of 3–750[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M. Moreover, the N,S-OMC-based electrochemical sensor was proved feasible in river water sample analyses, showing a satisfied recovery ranging from 97.03% to 105.42%. The results not only demonstrate cheap methylene blue can be used as single precursor for the N,S-OMC preparation, but also confirm the N,S-OMC is promising in amitrole sensor fabrication.
Comparison of Test Statistics of Nonnormal and Unbalanced Samples for Multivariate Analysis of Variance in terms of Type-I Error Rates
Authors: Ateş Can , Kaymaz Özlem , Kale H. Emre , Tekindal Mustafa Agah
Published: July 2019

In this study, we investigate how Wilks’ lambda, Pillai’s trace, Hotelling’s trace, and Roy’s largest root test statistics can be affected when the normal and homogeneous variance assumptions of the MANOVA method are violated. In other words, in these cases, the robustness of the tests is examined. For this purpose, a simulation study is conducted in different scenarios. In different variable numbers and different sample sizes, considering the group variances are homogeneous σ12=σ22=⋯=σg2 and heterogeneous (increasing) σ12<σ22<⋯<σg2, random numbers are generated from Gamma(4-4-4; 0.5), Gamma(4-9-36; 0.5), Student’s t(2), and Normal(0; 1) distributions. Furthermore, the number of observations in the groups being balanced and unbalanced is also taken into account. After 10000 repetitions, type-I error values are calculated for each test for α = 0.05. In the Gamma distribution, Pillai’s trace test statistic gives more robust results in the case of homogeneous and heterogeneous variances for 2 variables, and in the case of 3 variables, Roy’s largest root test statistic gives more robust results in balanced samples and Pillai’s trace test statistic in unbalanced samples. In Student’s t distribution, Pillai’s trace test statistic gives more robust results in the case of homogeneous variance and Wilks’ lambda test statistic in the case of heterogeneous variance. In the normal distribution, in the case of homogeneous variance for 2 variables, Roy’s largest root test statistic gives relatively more robust results and Wilks’ lambda test statistic for 3 variables. Also in the case of heterogeneous variance for 2 and 3 variables, Roy’s largest root test statistic gives robust results in the normal distribution. The test statistics used with MANOVA are affected by the violation of homogeneity of covariance matrices and normality assumptions particularly from unbalanced number of observations.
Experiment and Numerical Simulation of Seawater Intrusion under the Influences of Tidal Fluctuation and Groundwater Exploitation in Coastal Multilayered Aquifers
Authors: Guo Qiaona , Huang Jiangwei , Zhou Zhifang , Wang Jinguo
Published: July 2019

The dynamic behavior of groundwater flow and salt transport is affected by tide and pumping in coastal multilayered aquifers. In this paper, two groups of experiments were conducted considering different constant head inland boundaries. The fluctuation of the groundwater level and the process of seawater intrusion in the multilayered aquifers were observed. A two-dimensional SEAWAT model is developed to simulate the seawater intrusion to coastal aquifers under the influences of tidal fluctuation and groundwater exploitation. The hydrogeological parameters in the model are calibrated by the records of the groundwater level and salinity measurements. The results showed that the simulated groundwater level and salt concentration match the observation well. The groundwater level has the characteristics of periodic fluctuation with tide. The lag time of the groundwater level fluctuation in each monitoring point increases slightly with the increasing distance from the saltwater chamber. For the low tide, the inland freshwater recharge has main effect on groundwater level fluctuation. The rising tide has a negative effect on the drawdown of the groundwater level induced by pumping. For the high tide, the tide plays a major role on groundwater level fluctuation, compared with the inland freshwater recharge. Compared with the condition of high head of inland recharge, larger saltwater intrusion lengths and area have been observed and simulated in the aquifer, which means that faster inland motion of the seawater wedge would occur when the inland recharge is small in the coastal aquifers. It revealed that inland recharge plays a major role in the seawater intrusion for the same pumping rate of groundwater in different seasons. The analysis provides insights into how the tide fluctuation, groundwater pumping, and inland recharge effect on the area and rates of seawater intrusion.
Diagnostic Sensitivity of Different Reference Bodies When Using Scheimpflug Tomography in a Myopic Population with Keratoconus
Authors: Garcerant Daniel , Jiménez-Alfaro Ignacio , Alejandre Nicolás
Published: July 2019

Purpose. To establish which reference body offers the greatest sensitivity in keratoconus (KC) diagnosis, obtain normative data for the myopic population with toric ellipsoid reference bodies, and determine the cutoff points for a population with KC.Methods. A retrospective, observational study of the entire Scheimpflug tomographer database of the Fundación Jiménez Díaz in Madrid was conducted to identify a normal myopic and a KC myopic population. Three different reference bodies were tested on all patients: best fit sphere (BFS), best fit toric ellipsoid with fixed eccentricity (BFTEFE), and best fit toric ellipsoid (BFTE). Anterior and posterior elevation measurements at the apex and thinnest point were recorded, as well as the root mean square of posterior elevations (RMS-P). Normative data were extracted, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to obtain cutoff points between the normal and KC population.Results. A total of 301 eyes were included, comprising 219 normal myopic and 82 myopic KC eyes. BFS and BFTEFE produced the best results when measuring posterior elevation at the thinnest point. BFTE had better sensitivity with the RMS-P. From all measurements, best sensitivity (100%) was achieved with a cutoff point of 8 μm of posterior elevation at the thinnest point using the BFTEFE. BFTE was found to hide the cone in certain patients.Conclusions. Posterior elevation measured at the thinnest point with a BFTEFE is the best-performing parameter and, therefore, is recommended to discriminate between normal and KC patients within a myopic population.
Research on Construction Safety Risk Assessment of New Subway Station Close‐Attached Undercrossing the Existing Operating Station
Authors: Luo Zhenhua , Zeng Li , Pan Haize , Hu Qijun , Liang Bo , Han Jianqiang
Published: July 2019

With the large‐scale construction of urban rail transit, it will lead to the intersection and transfer of various lines, resulting in more transfer stations. The transfer station is a collection point for multiple subway lines, which is difficult to construct and has a high construction risk. The construction of the new subway station and the operation of the existing subway station are mutually influenced during the close‐attached undercrossing construction. Considering the two objectives of ensuring the smooth operation of the existing subway station and the safe construction of the new subway station, this paper comprehensively analyzes the possible safety risk factors during the construction of the new subway station close‐attached undercrossing the existing operating station and identifies 75 preliminary risk factors by means of literature review and on‐site investigation. Then the Delphi Method and Entropy Weight Method are used to screen the preliminary risk factors, and the main risk factors with greater influence are retained, so that 49 key risk factors are obtained. According to the list of key risk factors, a safety risk assessment index system including 2 first‐level indexes, 12 second‐level indexes, and 49 third‐level indexes is established. Based on the index system, this paper establishes a safety risk assessment model by using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Matter Element Method (FMEM). The model first calculates the weight of each index by using AHP, calculates the comprehensive correlation degree of each index by using FMEM, classifies the risk grade of each index according to the comprehensive correlation degree, and determines the risk grade of the project. Finally, the safety risk assessment model is applied to the Dongdalu Station project of Chengdu Rail Transit Line 8. The result shows that the risk grade of this project is moderate risk, which is basically consistent with the actual situation, indicating that the model has good practicability. In this paper, a new safety risk assessment model for subway close‐attached undercrossing construction is proposed, which fills the gap in the field of safety risk assessment for the construction of the new subway station close‐attached undercrossing the existing operating station.
Integrated Optimization of Tram Schedule and Signal Priority at Intersections to Minimize Person Delay
Authors: Zhou Wen , Bai Yun , Li Jiajie , Zhou Yuhe , Li Tang
Published: July 2019

Modern trams, as a rapidly developed high-volume transport model, have strict requirements on schedule, because the delay will reduce the attractiveness of public transportation to passengers. To improve punctuality and reliability, Transit Signal Priority (TSP) has been employed at intersections, which can extend or insert green phase to trams. However, extending or inserting the green phase for every tram might lead to heavy delays to crossing vehicles. To address this problem, this study developed an integrated optimization model on tram schedule and signal priority which can balance the delay between trams and other vehicles to minimize person delay. Three conditional strategies named early green, green extension, and phase insertion are proposed for the signal priority. Simultaneously, arrival time, departure time of trams at stations, and stop line are optimized as well. The proposed model is tested with a numerical case and a real-world case at Ningbo tramline in China. The results indicate that the integrated optimization can reduce the average delay of all passengers on trams and other vehicles, compared to timetable optimization only and TSP only. It is also found that the proposed model is able to adapt to the fluctuation in the ratio of tram passenger to auto vehicle user, compared with only minimizing tram passenger delay or auto vehicle user delay.
HDAC and HMT Inhibitors in Combination with Conventional Therapy: A Novel Treatment Option for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
Authors: Vitkevičienė Aida , Skiauterytė Giedrė , Žučenka Andrius , Stoškus Mindaugas , Gineikienė Eglė , Borutinskaitė Veronika , Griškevičius Laimonas , Navakauskienė Rūta
Published: July 2019

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by PML-RARA translocation, which causes the blockage of promyelocyte differentiation. Conventional treatment with Retinoic acid and chemotherapeutics is quite satisfactory. However, there are still patients who relapse or develop resistance to conventional treatment. To propose new possibilities for acute leukemia treatment, we studied the potential of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and histone methyl transferase (HMT) inhibitor to enhance conventional therapy in vitro and ex vivo. NB4 and HL60 cell lines were used as an in vitro model; APL patient bone marrow mononuclear cells were used as an ex vivo model. Cell samples were treated with Belinostat (HDAC inhibitor) and 3-Deazaneplanocin A (HMT inhibitor) in combination with conventional treatment (Retinoic acid and Idarubicin). We demonstrated that the combined treatment used in the study had slightly higher effect on cell proliferation inhibition than conventional treatment. Also, enhanced treatment showed stronger effect on induction of apoptosis and on suppression of metabolism. Moreover, the treatment accelerated granulocytic cell differentiation and caused chromatin remodelling (increased H3K14 and H4 acetylation levels). In vitro and ex vivo models showed similar response to the treatment with different combinations of 3-Deazaneplanocin A, Belinostat, Retinoic acid, and Idarubicin. In conclusion, we suggest that 3-Deazaneplanocin A and Belinostat enhanced conventional acute promyelocytic leukemia treatment and could be considered for further investigations for clinical use.
Deuterium Incorporation Protects Cells from Oxidative Damage
Authors: Sestili Piero , Brigotti Maurizio , Calcabrini Cinzia , Turrini Eleonora , Arfilli Valentina , Carnicelli Domenica , Lucarini Marco , Mazzanti Andrea , Milelli Andrea , Righi Valeria , Fimognari Carmela
Published: July 2019

In the cold environments of the interstellar medium, a variety of molecules in which a hydrogen (H) atom has been replaced by its heavier isotope deuterium (D) can be found. From its emergence, life had to counteract the toxic action of many agents, which posed a constant threat to its development and propagation. Oxygen-reactive species are archaic toxicants that lead to protein damage and genomic instability. Most of the oxidative lesions involve cleavage of C-H bonds and H abstraction. According to free radical chemistry principles, the substitution of D for H in oxidation-sensitive positions of cellular components should confer protection against the oxidative attack without compromising the chemical identity of the compounds. Here, we show that deuterated nucleosides and proteins protect from oxidative damage. Our data suggest a new, subtle but likely role of D in terrestrial life’s evolution in that its inclusion in critical biomolecules might have facilitated their resistance during the infinite generations of life entities, cells, and organisms.
Do MCHC, MPV, and Procalcitonin Levels Determine Prognosis in Acute Coronary Syndrome?
Authors: Karaman Serhat , Coskun Abuzer
Published: July 2019

Aim. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) continues to be the main cause of mortality and morbidity globally. The aim was to assess serum procalcitonin (PCT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean platelet volume (MPV) levels in terms of complications after myocardial infarctus, triple vein coronary artery disease (TVCAD), and mortality prediction. Material and Method. This cross-sectional cohort study included 200 patients with ACS attending the emergency department of our hospital with chest pain and admitted to the cardiology clinic from January 2014 to December 2016. Patients were divided into 4 groups as inferior group, anterior group, NSTEMI group, and UA group according to diagnosis. These groups were compared in terms of complications occurring after MI, TVCAD, and mortality rates. Results. There were significant differences in terms of complications forming after ACS, TVCAD, and mortality. The inferior subgroup had high PCT and MCHC levels and was found to have more complications developing and mortality compared to other groups. Patients with high PCT and MPV values were identified to have higher mortality and TVCAD. In the anterior subgroup, ischemic heart failure was higher compared to the other groups. In the interior, anterior, and non-ST elevated myocardial infarctus (NSTEMI) groups, the 0-, 6-, and 12-hour cTnI values were significantly higher compared to the UA group, while the anterior group had a significantly higher 12-hour cTnI value compared to the NSTEMI group. Correlation analysis for PCT, MCHC, and MPV with complications developing after MI, mortality, and TVCAD found positive and statistically significant correlations. Conclusion. High PCT, MCHC, and MPV levels in acute coronary syndrome may be beneficial predictive values in terms of complications that may develop, TVCAD, and mortality.
Response Analysis of Asphalt Pavement under Dynamic Loadings: Loading Equivalence
Authors: Gao Lian-sheng , Dan Han-cheng , Li Liang
Published: July 2019

This paper establishes the equivalent relationships between the half‐sinusoidal load, triangular load, vertical stepwise load, and moving traffic load. The governing equation was established for analyzing the dynamic responses of pavement, and half‐sinusoidal load, triangular load, and vertical stepwise load functions were transformed into Fourier series expressions. The partial differential governing equations were simplified as ordinary differential equations and the analytical solutions were obtained. Further, the solutions were validated through comparing the theoretical results with numerical simulated results. Calculation results revealed that, for unchanged load periods, increasing the amplitudes of the three loads by 1.06, 1.31, and 1.35 times can better simulate the moving traffic loads. For unchanged load function amplitudes, increasing the function periods by 1.07, 2.23, and 2.1 times (for half‐sinusoidal, triangular, and vertical stepwise loads, resp.) can improve the simulation performance. The fatigue life of asphalt pavements under the moving traffic load agrees with that of the three load simulations, indicating that the fatigue life of asphalt pavements is only associated with the load amplitude but not the load patterns.
Biologics in the Treatment of Lupus Erythematosus: A Critical Literature Review
Authors: Samotij Dominik , Reich Adam
Published: July 2019

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting multiple organ systems that runs an unpredictable course and may present with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Advances in treatment over the last decades, such as use of corticosteroids and conventional immunosuppressive drugs, have improved life expectancy of SLE sufferers. Unfortunately, in many cases effective management of SLE is still related to severe drug-induced toxicity and contributes to organ function deterioration and infective complications, particularly among patients with refractory disease and/or lupus nephritis. Consequently, there is an unmet need for drugs with a better efficacy and safety profile. A range of different biologic agents have been proposed and subjected to clinical trials, particularly dedicated to this subset of patients whose disease is inadequately controlled by conventional treatment regimes. Unfortunately, most of these trials have given unsatisfactory results, with belimumab being the only targeted therapy approved for the treatment of SLE so far. Despite these pitfalls, several novel biologic agents targeting B cells, T cells, or cytokines are constantly being evaluated in clinical trials. It seems that they may enhance the therapeutic efficacy when combined with standard therapies. These efforts raise the hope that novel drugs for patients with refractory SLE may be available in the near future. This article reviews the current biological therapies being tested in the treatment of SLE.
BDD-Based Topology Optimization for Low-Power DTIG FinFET Circuits
Authors: Ni Haiyan , Hu Jianping , Zhang Xuqiang , Zhu Haotian
Published: July 2019

This paper proposed a logic synthesis method based on binary decision diagram (BDD) representation. The proposed method is optimized for dual-threshold independent-gate (DTIG) FinFET circuits. The algorithm of the BDD-based topology optimization is stated in detail. Some kinds of feature subgraph structures of a BDD are extracted by the extraction algorithm and then fed to mapping algorithm to get a final optimized circuit based on predefined DTIG FinFET logic gates. Some MCNC benchmark circuits are tested under the proposed synthesis method by comparing with ABC, DC tools. The simulations show that the proposed synthesis method can obtain performance improvement for DTIG FinFET circuits.
Analysis and Realization of Sampling Strategy in Coordinate Metrology
Authors: Mian Syed Hammad , Al-Ahmari Abdulrahman , Alkhalefah Hisham
Published: July 2019

The stringent customer demands and competitive market emphasize the importance of efficient and effective inspection in industrial metrology. Therefore, the implementation of an appropriate sampling strategy, i.e., the number of points and their distribution, has become very important in the inspection process using a coordinate measuring machine. Moreover, the quality of inspection results has frequently been influenced by sampling plan as well as workpiece size and surface characteristics. It has been an indispensable problem in the present‐day measurement processes. Thus, this paper investigates various sample sizes and different point distribution algorithms that can be employed in the evaluation of form error. The effect of specimen size and surface quality on the sampling strategy has also been investigated. Furthermore, this work employs a fuzzy based Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution approach to realize the best sampling strategy. The results have demonstrated the significance of robust optimization techniques as well as the importance of a suitable sampling strategy in coordinate metrology. This study has also established that Poisson point distribution achieved the best accuracy and the Grid point distribution had taken the least measurement time.