bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and Analysis of Spatial Differentiation of Potential Water Quality Status in Dianchi Lake Based on GF-5
Authors: Lin HU , Gan Shu , Yuan Ling
Published: October 2020

The outbreak of cyanobacterial blooms and the deterioration of potential water quality status caused by the eutrophication of Dianchi Lake is a hot topic in the research of Dianchi Lake environmental protection. Based on Gaofen No.5(GF-5) hyperspectral remote sensing data, Normalized Vegetation Index(NDVI) is used to indicate the impact of aquatic plants on potential water quality status in Dianchi Lake. And through the spatial statistical classification analysis of NDVI value range, the focus is on the spatial differentiation characteristics of the potential water quality status in Caohai and Waihai. The results are as follows: ①General quantitative statistical analysis of NDVI range shows that the mean values of NDVI in Caohai and Waihai are -0.387 and -0.713 respectively, indicating that the potential water quality status in Caohai are more serious than Waihai; ②According to the classification and statistics of NDVI range in Caohai, NDVI mid-value area accounts for 51.99% of the total area of Caohai. The spatial distribution ratios of NDVI low-value area and high-value area are less, 38.20% and 9.81% respectively; ③According to the classification and statistics of the potential water quality status in Waihai, the spatial distribution of NDVI low-value area, mid-value area and high-value area account for 47.16%, 51.45% and 1.39% of the total area of Waihai; ④The spatial distribution of the potential water quality status in Dianchi Lake shows the pattern characteristic of “north is heavy and south is light”. The potential water quality status in Caohai are generally worse than that of Waihai, and there are more serious potential water quality problems than Waihai. In general, the application of high-resolution remote sensing data can effectively monitor and identify the potential water quality status and spatial distribution of plateau lakes in real time, enriching the methods of monitoring the water quality of lakes based on hyperspectral remote sensing, which is conducive to promoting the protection and management of water resources environment in Dianchi Lake.
Integrated energy system planning method considering electric-heat-gas coupling
Authors: Wang Nan , Li Zhen , Zhao Pengxiang , Li Na , Wang Yongli , Zhang Yuli
Published: October 2020

In order to determine the optimal configuration of energy equipment types and capacities in an integrated energy system, this paper proposes a method of equipment selection and capacity planning for an integrated energy system (IES) that considers the coupling of electricity, heat, and gas. Starting from the type of optional equipment and the form of input energy, the basic structure of IES is established. On this basis, for the equipment selection and capacity planning, an optimization model with the minimum annual comprehensive cost as the objective function is established, and the mixed integer linear programming algorithm is used to optimize the equipment type and capacity at the same time. Finally, taking an IES park as an example, the planning schemes in different scenarios are given, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified.
The US sustainable energy policy during Obama Administration
Authors: Qian Xuming
Published: October 2020

In recent years, global issues such as energy and global climate change have played an increasingly prominent role in international affairs. The Obama administration of the United States has launched a sustainable energy policy, which highlights “green”, promotes the transformation of the energy industry, develops new and renewable energy, and improves the efficiency of energy use to lead a new wave of energy technology development. The “shale gas revolution” in the United States has achieved great success, freeing the United States from the current economic difficulties, alleviating the employment problem of the United States, injecting vitality into its economic recovery, and having a greater impact on the international economic landscape.
Study on fuzzy decision -making in production safety management for metal ore drilling
Authors: Zhang Xiliang , Zhang Zhongguo , Liu Lei
Published: October 2020

This paper studied a series of main and objective factors that affect production safety in the process of mining for metal ore, analyzed all kinds of safety factors and their sets, levels and weights, established the corresponding expert system, and the fuzzy mathematics model of the safety evaluation of the metal mining process was established, and it is applied to the safety evaluation of the Maoping lead zinc ore in Yunnan province.The practice shows that the model is a feasible, objective, fair, comprehensive and quantifiable safety assessment method, which realizes the quantitative assessment of metal ore production process and has good application value for the safety assessment of metal ore mining.
Simulation and analysis of polymer dispersed dissolution process on offshore platforms
Authors: Zhu Shijie , Zhu Shanshan , Shi Leiting , Zhang Hong
Published: October 2020

When the offshore oil field polymer flooding carried out field experiment to expand the scale of polymer injection, the polymer dispersed and dissolved poorly, and with floc output, because of the existing process used the previous construction parameters. Therefore, it was found that the process/method of the two-stage preparation of the mother liquor in the offshore oil field was reasonable and feasible through the parameter analysis of the dispersion process on the offshore platform. The mixing effect of the water and powder in the dissolving tank was further studied in terms of the stirring rate and stirring position of the fan blade which could change the water speed and changing the feeding position of the polymer powder. The simulation results showed that increasing the stirring rate to form a consistent circulation state with the inlet water and feeding the powder into the main stream line of the circulation were beneficial to the dispersion and dissolution of the polymer powder. Thus, the purpose of fully dispersing and dissolving polymer powder during the preparation of high concentration of polymer mother liquor was achieved.
Sensitivity Analysis of Loess Triaxial Mesoscopic Parameters Based on PFC3D
Authors: Cao Baohua
Published: October 2020

Based on PFC3D software and theory, combined with the indoor triaxial test results to calibrate the basic micro parameters of numerical simulation, through a large number of literature reading, respectively, the friction coefficient, porosity, particle size distribution are determined as the sensitivity factors affecting the triaxial numerical simulation of loess. The conventional triaxial numerical simulation of loess numerical samples under 200kPa confining pressure was conducted. The sensitivity analysis of meso-parameters is carried out by changing the degree of influence of meso-parameters such as the minimum particle radius on the macro-mechanical behavior of loess numerical samples, and the relationship between micro parameters of soil and macro mechanics is established. The results show that the order of the influence of particle mesoscopic parameters on peak strength is as follow: porosity> friction coefficient between particles>particle size distribution; the order of influence on residual strength is as follow: porosity>friction coefficient between particles>particle stiffness ratio>particle size distribution; the order of influence on the initial linear elastic modulus of the loess material is as follow: porosity>friction coefficient between particles>particle size distribution; the order of effect on softening characteristics is as follow: porosity>friction coefficient between particles>particle size distribution.
Oil relations between China and Russia- Electrochemical Behavior of organic sulfur compounds
Authors: Jinling Chen
Published: October 2020

The man purpose of this paper is that the demonstration fuel electrochemical hydrogenation desulfurization method is feasible. First, many sulfur compounds in fuels are summarized as thiophene, which is a typical representative of materials. Then, analyze and judge the reaction mechanism of thiophene electrochemical hydrogenation desulfurization. Furthermore, typical of this oil in the thiophene sulfur compounds the reaction mechanism, by analogy, that the electrochemical hydrogenation of oil desulfurization method is feasible.
Study on dynamic properties and micro-structure of exceeding lean RCC
Authors: Peng Yunfeng
Published: October 2020

In recent years, exceeding lean RCC has been widely used in the quality structure of hydraulic buildings due to its advantages of low cost and environmental friendliness. In order to study the dynamic characteristics of exceeding lean RCC under seismic action, cyclic loading test is carried out. According to the test results, the elasticity of the stress-strain relationship was determined by cyclic loading test under the condition that the maximum compressive stress did not exceed the linear range of the hard packing. On this basis, the linear range of cyclic load exceeding the limit of lean concrete is analyzed. In addition, the reaction products of each sample were tested, and it was found that ettringite with typical acicular structure was produced after adding cement. The micro-structure of exceeding lean RCC was studied by SEM and EDS.
A process of reverse electrodialysis (RED) coupled with water electrolysis (WE) for air conditioning waste heat recovering: A conceptual design
Authors: Li Yaxiao , Yang Dongxiao
Published: October 2020

Air conditioning waste heat deserves attention for its abundance, especially for the large-scale industrial and commercial systems. Hydrogen is widely accepted as an ideal energy carrier in the foreseeable future. In this paper, a process combining reverse electrodialysis (RED) and water electrolysis (WE) is proposed to convert the air conditioning waste heat to the hydrogen energy. Based on the assumption of large-scale application of the fuel cell electrical vehicle (FCEV), a conceptual design of the proposed process is investigated. The RED section of the process consumes both the air conditioning waste heat and the solar energy to generate electrical power, while the WE section produces hydrogen by using the electrical power. The concentration of the artificial brine solution for RED is designed to be 4-5 M, and its operating temperature is set to 40 °C. The RED power density in this paper is assumed to be 2.7 W/m2Furthermore, a techno-economic analysis is carried out for the process. Results showed that the proposed process shows potential to become an alternative option for air conditioning waste heat recovery. The conclusion of this paper may be interesting to the researchers in the fields of RED technology and low-grade heat recovery.
Hydrostatic Test and Simulation Verification of Pipeline with Carbon Fiber Repair
Authors: Zeng Weiguo , Zhao Hongtao , Wang Yongzhen , Li Yan , Huo Sitong
Published: October 2020

We specially designed a hydraulic blasting test for the repair capability of carbon fiber composite materials on pipelines containing defects. In the water pressure test, the location of the pipeline pressure rupture did not appear in the repair area, and the amount of pipeline deformation in the repair area was small. A finite element simulation of the compression process was carried out. After simulation verification, it was found that the ultimate pressures of the two were basically the same, and in the limit state, the stress value of the carbon fiber composite material in the repair area did not exceed its tensile failure strength. It is concluded that carbon fiber composite materials can effectively repair pipeline defects and restore the pressure bearing capacity of the defects.
Analysis of Related Factors of the Precision of Large-scale Surveying of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
Authors: Xiufeng Xin , Long Zhen Yun , Chengyu Zhang , Xuewei Wu
Published: October 2020

With the development of UAV technology, obtaining high-resolution remote sensing images through aerial photography has gradually become popular. This technique has been widely used in various aspects of geomatics. However, state of UAV when flying in the air will be affected by the valley airflow due to small size, light weight, and low flying height in UAV. In addition, the image range of the non-measurement camera equipped with the drone is small, which may lead to a large error in plane and elevation accuracy. For example, it is difficult for the accuracy of drone photogrammetry to meet the survey work of the 1:500 large-scale topographic maps in hills and mountains. Therefore, how to improve the mapping accuracy of the UAV has attract people’s attention at present. In this paper, the source of errors in the 1: 500 UAV mapping process is used as an entry point, and the related factors that affect the accuracy of the mapping are analyzed, so as to improve the design of the UAV route.
Effect of rolling motion on heat transfer characteristics of narrow rectangular channel with high subcooled boiling
Authors: Yu Shengzhi , Jia Zhen , Wang Cong , Gong Zili , Chen Lei , Yan Changqi
Published: October 2020

In this paper, the effects of vertical and rolling motion conditions on high subcooled boiling heat transfer in narrow rectangular channels of natural circulation system are investigated experimentally. To analyze the error of instantaneous heat transfer coefficient better, a calculation error method based on temperature difference is proposed. The results show that the error between the predicted heat transfer coefficient of Yan’s formula and the experimental value is less than 30% under vertical and rolling motion conditions.
The successful application of a new high temperature resistant movable gel system in HBU fault block
Authors: Yue Wang
Published: October 2020

The HBU fault block is a sandstone reservoir with the temperature as high as 118 °C, multiple longitudinal layers, severe heterogeneity, and the development of interflowing channels. After years of development, the reservoir has a high recovery rate (33.6%) and a high comprehensive water cut (93.6%). In order to improve the effect of water flooding development block, on the basis of geological research, we developed a new type of high temperature resistant movable gel displacement system, optimizing injection technology at the same time. In July 2018, deep adjustments and flooding were carried out on five oil well groups, and by May 2020, 16 Wells had increased oil by 13,000t. It was predicted that the production decline would reverse to -2.1%, which was a technical and economic success.
Experimental and numerical study of the running-in wear coefficient during dry sliding contact
Authors: Ghatrehsamani Sahar , Akbarzadeh Saleh , Khonsari M M
Published: October 2020

The steady-state performance of a tribo-pair is influenced, to a great extent, by the operating conditions at which it is run-in. To gain insight into the influence of operating conditions, experiments are conducted using a pin-on-disk test rig to evaluate the running-in duration under a combination of different loads and speeds. The wear rate and the arithmetic average of asperity heights, R

a
, and friction coefficient are measured during the running-in period. It is shown that the transient behavior during the running-in period is significantly influenced by the loading condition. At the onset of the steady-state period, the surface roughness, the wear coefficient, and friction coefficient reach a plateau. However, the steady-state friction and wear behavior is influenced by the transient history associated with the running-in period. A predictive model is developed that utilizes the principles of the continuum damage mechanics (CDM) to predict the wear coefficient for transient and steady regimes. Comparisons of the measured wear coefficient and the calculated wear coefficient show acceptable agreement.
4D printing of shape memory polymer via liquid crystal display (LCD) stereolithographic 3D printing
Authors: Shan Wubin , Chen Yifan , Hu Mo , Qin Shigang , Liu Peng
Published: September 2020

In this study, we report a new epoxy acrylate based shape memory polymer (SMP) fabricated by Liquid crystal display (LCD) Stereolithographic 3D printing. The printed 3D object has a high resolution and high transparency in visible light region. The uniaxial tensile tests showed enhanced tensile toughness and tunable mechanical properties. The fix-recovery and cycle tests indicated high shape recovery properties including high shape recovery rate and excellent cycling stability. In addition, a smart electrical valve actuator was fabricated that can be used in fast heat or electricity responsive electrical circuits. LCD 3D printing provides a low-cost and high efficient way to fabricate fast responsive SMP, which can be used in wide applications in various fields on aerospace engineering, biomedical devices, soft robots and electronic devices.
Randomness quantification for quantum random number generation based on detection of amplified spontaneous emission noise
Authors: Yang Jie , Fan Fan , Liu Jinlu , Su Qi , Li Yang , Huang Wei , Xu Bingjie
Published: October 2020

The amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise has been extensively studied and employed to build quantum random number generators (QRNGs). While the previous relative works mainly focus on the realization and verification of the QRNG system, the comprehensive physical model and randomness quantification for the general detection of the ASE noise are still incomplete, which is essential for the quantitative security analysis. In this paper, a systematical physical model for the detection and acquisition of the ASE noise with added electronic noise is developed and verified, based on which the numerical simulations are performed under various setups and the simulation results all significantly fit well with the corresponding experimental data. Then, a randomness quantification method and the corresponding experimentally verifiable approach are proposed and validated, which quantifies the randomness purely resulted from the quantum process and improves the security analysis for the QRNG based on the detection of the ASE noise. The physical model and the randomness quantification method proposed in this paper are of significant feasibility and applicable for the QRNG system with randomness originating from the detection of the photon number with arbitrary distributions.
Noise2Filter: fast, self-supervised learning and real-time reconstruction for 3D computed tomography
Authors: J Lagerwerf Marinus , A Hendriksen Allard , Buurlage Jan-Willem , Joost Batenburg K
Published: October 2020

At x-ray beamlines of synchrotron light sources, the achievable time-resolution for 3D tomographic imaging of the interior of an object has been reduced to a fraction of a second, enabling rapidly changing structures to be examined. The associated data acquisition rates require sizable computational resources for reconstruction. Therefore, full 3D reconstruction of the object is usually performed after the scan has completed. Quasi-3D reconstruction—where several interactive 2D slices are computed instead of a 3D volume—has been shown to be significantly more efficient, and can enable the real-time reconstruction and visualization of the interior. However, quasi-3D reconstruction relies on filtered backprojection type algorithms, which are typically sensitive to measurement noise. To overcome this issue, we propose Noise2Filter, a learned filter method that can be trained using only the measured data, and does not require any additional training data. This method combines quasi-3D reconstruction, learned filters, and self-supervised learning to derive a tomographic reconstruction method that can be trained in under a minute and evaluated in real-time. We show limited loss of accuracy compared to training with additional training data, and improved accuracy compared to standard filter-based methods.
Evaluation of the Truvian Easy Check COVID-19 IgM/IgG Lateral Flow Device for Rapid Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Detection
Authors: Chan Clarence W , Shahul Sajid , Coleman Cheyenne , Tesic Vera , Parker Kyle , Yeo Kiang-Teck J
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the analytical and clinical performance of the Truvian Easy Check coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) IgM/IgG anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody test.

Serologic assays have become increasingly available for surveillance through the Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization in the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. However, widespread application of serologic assays has been curbed by reports of faulty or inaccurate tests. Therefore, rapid COVID-19 antibody tests need to be thoroughly validated prior to their implementation.

Methods

The Easy Check device was analytically evaluated and its performance was compared with the Roche Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody assay. The test was further characterized for cross-reactivity using sera obtained from patients infected by other viruses. Clinical performance was analyzed with polymerase chain reaction-confirmed samples and a 2015 prepandemic reference sample set.

Results

The Easy Check device showed excellent analytical performance and compares well with the Roche Elecsys antibody assay, with an overall concordance of 98.6%. Clinical performance showed a sensitivity of 96.6%, a specificity of 98.2%, and an overall accuracy of 98.1%.

Conclusions

The Easy Check device is a simple, reliable, and rapid test for detection of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity, and its performance compares favorably against the automated Roche Elecsys antibody assay.
Diagnosis of Pediatric Hypertension: European Society of Hypertension-Recommended 24-Hour vs. 24-Hour-Day–Night Ambulatory Blood Pressure Thresholds
Authors: Sharma Ajay P , Norozi Kambiz , Grattan Michael , Filler Guido , Altamirano-Diaz Luis
Published: October 2020

Background

The impact of diagnosing pediatric hypertension based on all three-24-hour, day and night ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) thresholds (combined ABP threshold) vs. conventionally used 24-hour ABP threshold is not known.

Methods

In this cross-sectional, retrospective study from a tertiary care outpatient clinic, we evaluated the diagnosis of hypertension based on the 24-hour European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and combined ESH ABP thresholds in untreated children with essential hypertension. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Fourth Report thresholds were used to classify office blood pressure (OBP).

Results

In 159 children, aged 5–18 years, the 24-hour ESH and combined ESH thresholds classified 82% (95th confidence interval (CI) 0.68, 0.97) ABP similarly with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 (95th CI 0.80, 0.91). However, the AUC of the 2 ABP thresholds was significantly higher in the participants with office hypertension than office normotension, with OBP classified by the AAP (AUC 0.93, 95th CI 0.84, 0.98 vs. 0.80, 95th CI 0.71, 0.88) or Fourth Report (AUC 0.93, 95th CI 0.83, 0.98 vs. 0.81, 95th CI 0.73, 0.88) threshold. With OBP classified by the either OBP threshold, the combined ESH threshold diagnosed significantly more masked hypertension (MH) (difference 15%, 95th CI 4.9, 24.7; P = 0.00); however, the diagnosis of white coat hypertension (WCH) by the 2 ABP thresholds did not differ significantly (difference 4%, 95th CI 1.8, 10; P = 0.16).

Conclusions

In children with essential hypertension, the 24-hour and combined ESH thresholds have a stronger agreement for diagnosing WCH than MH.
Mapping Taste: Urban Modernities from theTatlerandSpectatortoFrederick Douglass’ Paper
Authors: Peterson Carla L
Published: October 2020

This essay, which is part of a larger book project, reflects my interest in rethinking concepts of Black modernity and speculating on its possible manifestations in different forms at different historical moments. Specifically, I posit the emergence of an urban Black modernity in US northern cities during the antebellum era. I begin by mapping a literary history of urban modernity in periodical culture over a span of 150 years. I examine its origins in Richard Steele’s Tatler (1709–11) and Joseph Addison and Steele’s Spectator (1711–12), which detail the rise of modern London and its new middle-class subjects, whose conspicuous consumption demanded the regulation of taste, deemed a crucial marker of modernity. This urban modernity is then reconfigured across the Atlantic in New York, specifically in Washington Irving’s Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent (1802) and Salmagundi (1807–08), which anatomize the behaviors of New York’s social elite. I then elucidate how a group of Black New York correspondents to Frederick Douglass’ Paper (1852–55)—notably James McCune Smith, William J. Wilson, and Philip Bell—take up and repurpose such representations of urban modernity to define the taste of the city’s Black urbanites and meet their intellectual, social, and political needs at mid-century.
Bioinformatic analysis of SMN1–ACE/ACE2 interactions hinted at a potential protective effect of spinal muscular atrophy against COVID-19-induced lung injury
Authors: Li Zheng , Li Xingye , Shen Jianxiong , Tan Haining , Rong Tianhua , Lin Youxi , Feng Erwei , Chen Zhengguang , Jiao Yang , Liu Gang , Zhang Lin , Vai Chan Matthew Tak , Kei Wu William Ka
Published: October 2020

Patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are susceptible to the respiratory infections and might be at a heightened risk of poor clinical outcomes upon contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential associations of SMA with the susceptibility to and prognostication of COVID-19 need to be clarified. We documented an SMA case who contracted COVID-19 but only developed mild-to-moderate clinical and radiological manifestations of pneumonia, which were relieved by a combined antiviral and supportive treatment. We then reviewed a cohort of patients with SMA who had been living in the Hubei province since November 2019, among which the only 1 out of 56 was diagnosed with COVID-19 (1.79%, 1/56). Bioinformatic analysis was carried out to delineate the potential genetic crosstalk between SMN1 (mutation of which leads to SMA) and COVID-19/lung injury-associated pathways. Protein-protein interaction analysis by STRING suggested that loss-of-function of SMN1 might modulate COVID-19 pathogenesis through CFTR, CXCL8, TNF and ACE. Expression quantitative trait loci analysis also revealed a link between SMN1 and ACE2, despite low-confidence protein-protein interactions as suggested by STRING. This bioinformatic analysis could give hint on why SMA might not necessarily lead to poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19.
Altered expression of ADM and ADM2 by hypoxia regulates migration of trophoblast and HLA-G expression†
Authors: Gu Changdai , Park Sohae , Seok Jin , Jang Hee Yeon , Bang Yong Ju , Kim G I Jin
Published: September 2020

Preeclampsia (PE) is a placental disorder caused by endothelial dysfunction via trophoblast inadequate invasion activity. Adrenomedullin (ADM) and ADM2 are multifunctional peptides that can support vascular activity and placental growth. However, correlation between ADMs and trophoblast functions is currently unclear. The objective of this study was to analyze changes in expression of ADMs in placenta and HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells under hypoxia and their effects on invasion activity of trophoblast cells and expression of HLA-G. In placental tissues of PE, expression levels of ADM and HLA-G were significantly increased (P < 0.05) whereas expression of ADM2 was decreased compared to that in normal term placenta. Under hypoxia, expression levels of ADM, ADM2, and HLA-G and invasion ability of trophoblast cells were increased in hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α)- dependent manner (P < 0.05). Treatment with ADMs agonists reduced HIF-1α activity whereas enhanced invasion ability under hypoxia. However, they were not changed after cotreatment of ADMs and HIF-1α inhibitor, YC-1, although expression levels of invasion-related genes MMP2, MMP9, and Rac1 were altered (P < 0.05). ADMs also increased HLA-G expression under normoxia whereasADM2 or cotreatment of ADMs under hypoxia attenuated HLA-G expression (P < 0.05). Our findings demonstrate that altered expression of ADMs plays a critical role in placental physiology, especially in trophoblast invasion and immune-modulation under hypoxia.
Fully Retroactive Minimum Spanning Tree Problem
Authors: de Andrade Júnior José Wagner , Duarte Seabra Rodrigo
Published: October 2020

This article describes an algorithm that solves a fully dynamic variant of the minimum spanning tree (MST) problem. The fully retroactive MST allows adding an edge to time $t$, or to obtain the current MST at time $t$. By using the square root technique and a data structure link-cut tree, it was possible to obtain an algorithm that runs each query in $O(\sqrt{m} \lg{|V(G)|})$ amortized, in which $|V(G)|$ is the number of nodes in graph $G$ and $m$ is the size of the timeline. We use a different approach to solve the MST problem instead of the standard algorithms, such as Prim or Kruskal, and this allows using the square root technique to improve the final complexity of the algorithm. Our empirical analysis shows that the proposed algorithm runs faster than re-executing the standard algorithms, and this difference only increases when the number of nodes in these graphs is larger.
Automated Detection of Oral Pre-Cancerous Tongue Lesions Using Deep Learning for Early Diagnosis of Oral Cavity Cancer
Authors: Shamim Mohammed Zubair M , Syed Sadatullah , Shiblee Mohammad , Usman Mohammed , Ali Syed Jaffar , Hussein Hany S , Farrag Mohammed
Published: October 2020

Discovering oral cavity cancer (OCC) at an early stage is an effective way to increase patient survival rate. However, current initial screening process is done manually and is expensive for the average individual, especially in developing countries worldwide. This problem is further compounded due to the lack of specialists in such areas. Automating the initial screening process using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect pre-cancerous lesions can prove to be an effective and inexpensive technique that would allow patients to be triaged accordingly to receive appropriate clinical management. In this study, we have applied and evaluated the efficacy of six deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) models using transfer learning, for identifying pre-cancerous tongue lesions directly using a small dataset of clinically annotated photographic images to diagnose early signs of OCC. DCNN models were able to differentiate between benign and pre-cancerous tongue lesions and were also able to distinguish between five types of tongue lesions, i.e. hairy tongue, fissured tongue, geographic tongue, strawberry tongue and oral hairy leukoplakia with high classification performances. Preliminary results using an (AI + Physician) ensemble model demonstrate that an automated pre-screening process of oral tongue lesions using DCNNs can achieve ‘near-human’ level classification performance for diagnosing early signs of OCC in patients.
Higher mortality of COVID-19 in males: sex differences in immune response and cardiovascular comorbidities
Authors: Bienvenu Laura A , Noonan Jonathan , Wang Xiaowei , Peter Karlheinz
Published: October 2020

The high mortality rate of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a critical concern of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Strikingly, men account for the majority of COVID-19 deaths, with current figures ranging from 59% to 75% of total mortality. However, despite clear implications in relation to COVID-19 mortality, most research has not considered sex as a critical factor in data analysis. Here, we highlight fundamental biological differences that exist between males and females, and how these may make significant contributions to the male-biased COVID-19 mortality. We present preclinical evidence identifying the influence of biological sex on the expression and regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is the main receptor used by SARS-CoV-2 to enter cells. However, we note that there is a lack of reports showing that sexual dimorphism of ACE2 expression exists and is of functional relevance in humans. In contrast, there is strong evidence, especially in the context of viral infections, that sexual dimorphism plays a central role in the genetic and hormonal regulation of immune responses, both of the innate and the adaptive immune system. We review evidence supporting that ineffective anti-SARS-CoV-2 responses, coupled with a predisposition for inappropriate hyperinflammatory responses, could provide a biological explanation for the male bias in COVID-19 mortality. A prominent finding in COVID-19 is the increased risk of death with pre-existing cardiovascular comorbidities, such as hypertension, obesity, and age. We contextualize how important features of sexual dimorphism and inflammation in COVID-19 may exhibit a reciprocal relationship with comorbidities, and explain their increased mortality risk. Ultimately, we demonstrate that biological sex is a fundamental variable of critical relevance to our mechanistic understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the pursuit of effective COVID-19 preventative and therapeutic strategies.
Full-length Dhh and N-terminal Shh act as competitive antagonists to regulate angiogenesis and vascular permeability
Authors: Hollier Pierre-Louis , Chapouly Candice , Diop Aissata , Guimbal Sarah , Cornuault Lauriane , Gadeau Alain-Pierre , Renault Marie-Ange
Published: October 2020

Aims

The therapeutic potential of Hedgehog (Hh) signalling agonists for vascular diseases is of growing interest. However, molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the role of the Hh signalling in vascular biology remain poorly understood. The purpose of the present article is to clarify some conflicting literature data.

Methods and results

With this goal, we have demonstrated that, unexpectedly, ectopically administered N-terminal Sonic Hh (N-Shh) and endogenous endothelial-derived Desert Hh (Dhh) induce opposite effects in endothelial cells (ECs). Notably, endothelial Dhh acts under its full-length soluble form (FL-Dhh) and activates Smoothened in ECs, while N-Shh inhibits it. At molecular level, N-Shh prevents FL-Dhh binding to Patched-1 (Ptch1) demonstrating that N-Shh acts as competitive antagonist to FL-Dhh. Besides, we found that even though FL-Hh ligands and N-Hh ligands all bind Ptch1, they induce distinct Ptch1 localization. Finally, we confirmed that in a pathophysiological setting, i.e. brain inflammation, astrocyte-derived N-Shh acts as a FL-Dhh antagonist.

Conclusion

The present study highlights for the first time that FL-Dhh and N-Hh ligands have antagonistic properties especially in ECs.
miR-130a-3p, a Preclinical Therapeutic Target for Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Zhao Jie , Wang Honggang , Zhou Jin , Qian Jun , Yang Haojun , Zhou Yan , Ding Hao , Gong Yu , Qi Xiaoyang , Jiao Yuwen , Ying Pu , Tang Liming , Sun Ye , Zhu Weiming
Published: September 2020

Background

Crohn’s disease [CD] is a chronic, relapsing and incurable inflammatory disorder. Micro RNAs [miRNAs], which modulate gene expression by binding to mRNAs, may make significant contributions to understanding the complex pathobiology and aetiology of CD. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic role and mechanism of miR-130a-3p in CD.

Methods

Differentially expressed miRNAs in colon tissues of CD patients and normal controls [NCs] were screened using an miRNA microarray and then validated by quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR [qRT-PCR]. The functional role of miR-130a-3p in the pathogenesis of CD was then demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies. The target genes of miR-130a-3p and the associated signalling pathways were identified using bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification of the interactions between the target predicted by the algorithms and dysregulated mRNAs. The therapeutic role of miR-130a-3p in trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid [TNBS]-induced colitis models was further investigated.

Results

Our data demonstrated that miR-130a-3p is the most significantly upregulated miRNA and that miR-130a knockout significantly protects mice against TNBS-induced colitis. Gain- and loss-of-function studies indicated that miR-130a-3p promotes CD development by targeting ATG16L1 via the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, an miR-130a-3p inhibitor significantly suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activity by inducing autophagy in a mouse macrophage cell line [RAW264.7]. Therapeutically, an miR-130a-3p inhibitor effectively ameliorated the severity of TNBS-induced colitis.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that miR-130a-3p promotes CD progression via the ATG16L1/NF-κB pathway and serves as a potential preclinical therapeutic target in CD.
Hospital doctors and the struggle for work-life balance: the case of Ireland
Authors: Humphries N , Creese J , Byrne J-P
Published: October 2020

Background

Ireland has a high rate of doctor emigration. Difficult working conditions, particularly in the hospital sector, are often cited as a driver of doctor emigration. In October 2019, a random sample of Ireland's hospital doctors were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey about their working conditions.

Methods

The survey was distributed via the national Medical Register (with the assistance of the Medical Council of Ireland). Invitations were sent to 5356 hospital doctors, stratified by registration status (including interns, trainees, those not in training and consultants). An overall response rate of 20% was achieved (N = 1070). This paper focusses on responses to two free-text survey questions: (1) Do you have any other comments about your work-life balance? (N = 314). (2) Do you have any other comments on your working conditions as a hospital doctor? (N = 469).

Results

Respondent hospital doctors, at all levels of seniority, were struggling to achieve a balance between work and life. Of the free-text responses received, 8/10 were negative, with work-life balance/imbalance and work-overload being the issues arising most frequently. Respondents discussed how long and unpredictable working hours, combined with a high level of work intensity, meant that they often spent their personal time recovering from work.

Conclusions

Poor work-life balance has become normalised within Irish hospital medicine. The findings call to action to critically reflect on the sustainability of this way of working for the individual doctors, the wider workforce and the Irish health system.
Impact assessment of the TFA regulation on fatty acid composition of foods in Hungary
Authors: Varga A , Sarkadi Nagy E , Zámbó L , Illés É , Bakacs M , Felkai C s , Nagy A , Boda B , Feigl E , Biró K
Published: October 2020

Trans fatty acids are formed during the industrial processing of food, and are proven to be harmful for the human body. They have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, abdominal obesity, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Decree 71/2013. (XI. 20.) of the Ministry of Human Capacities, which has been in force since 2014, defines the highest permitted amount of trans fats in food products placed on the market in Hungary. The impact of the decree on the industrially produced trans fatty acids (iTFA) availability and population intake was assessed in 2017. Results demonstrated that iTFA were replaced by other fatty acids due to the legislation. In 2019, we investigated food groups which had high measured TFA content before the regulation entered into force and compared the total fat and fatty acid profiles to the same brand or similar products being on the market afterwards. In collaboration with the World Health Organization, this was the first assessment to determine to which extent manufacturers increased saturated fat (SFA) content of foodstuffs to reduce iTFA content. In those product groups, which were identified as significant food sources of iTFA before introducing the regulation (biscuits, coffee creamers and flavorings, sweets, bakery products, confectionary, wafers, margarines) we found no significant changes in the total fat content, while in most foodstuffs the average proportion of SFA was higher after reformulation, as iTFA were mainly substituted with SFA in 61% of the products, with cis-MUFA in 25% and cis-PUFA in 14% of the products, respectively. Evidence from this analysis supports concerns that eliminating iTFA in certain foodstuffs leads to unwanted substitution with saturated fat, hence reducing the possible health benefits. Given the high SFA intake and the unfavourable cardiovascular statistics in Hungary, the consumption frequency and portion size control of these products are advised.

Key messages

Monitoring the changes of food composition is important in order to evaluate the effect of the regulation. Manufacturers should be encouraged to reduce the SFA content to a technologically feasible level.
The epidemiology of child maltreatment and its association with mental and somatic health in Norwegian teenagers – a national survey among 9240 12-16-year olds
Authors: Hafstad G S , Sætren S , Myhre M C , Bergerud-Wichstrøm M , Augusti E M
Published: October 2020

Background

Child maltreatment has emerged as a key public health issue because of its serious consequences and long-term costs. Still, there are few large epidemiological studies on the prevalence of child maltreatment in adolescents, despite being a crucial transitional period making it particularly important to study.

Aims

We aimed to estimate the prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in Norwegian adolescents, as well as health and daily functioning in abused versus non-abused youth.

Methods

A representative sample of 9240 Norwegian 12-16-year olds (response rate of 86.6%) completed a web-based survey designed to measure lifetime and last-year prevalence of physical and emotional abuse, sexual abuse by adults or peers, and neglect. We also assessed mental and physical health, and daily functioning, including sleep, school absence.

Results

Four percent of the sample (no sex difference) reported at least one episode of severe physical abuse from a caregiver during their childhood, while an additional 15% percent reported less severe abuse episodes. While 6% reported sexual abuse by an adult, 22% had experienced sexual abuse by a peer, the latter escalating significantly during adolescence. There was a large overlap in exposure types; more than 50% of those experiencing physical abuse, had also experienced emotional abuse.

Conclusions

Severe maltreatment was strongly associated with parental risk factors such as low SES, substance abuse, and immigrant status, while less severe violence was more randomly distributed. Somatic and mental health and daily functioning were significantly more negatively affected in maltreated youth compared to non-abused peers.
Shared Signature of Recent Positive Selection on theTSBP1–BTNL2–HLA-DRAGenes in Five Native Populations from North Borneo
Authors: Hoh Boon-Peng , Zhang Xiaoxi , Deng Lian , Yuan Kai , Yew Chee-Wei , Saw Woei-Yuh , Hoque Mohammad Zahirul , Aghakhanian Farhang , Phipps Maude E , Teo Yik-Ying , Subbiah Vijay Kumar , Xu Shuhua
Published: October 2020

North Borneo (NB) is home to more than 40 native populations. These natives are believed to have undergone local adaptation in response to environmental challenges such as the mosquito-abundant tropical rainforest. We attempted to trace the footprints of natural selection from the genomic data of NB native populations using a panel of ∼2.2 million genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms. As a result, an ∼13-kb haplotype in the Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II region encompassing candidate genes TSBP1–BTNL2–HLA-DRA was identified to be undergoing natural selection. This putative signature of positive selection is shared among the five NB populations and is estimated to have arisen ∼5.5 thousand years (∼220 generations) ago, which coincides with the period of Austronesian expansion. Owing to the long history of endemic malaria in NB, the putative signature of positive selection is postulated to be driven by Plasmodium parasite infection. The findings of this study imply that despite high levels of genetic differentiation, the NB populations might have experienced similar local genetic adaptation resulting from stresses of the shared environment.
Predictors of Migrant Live-in Care Workers’ Burden/Burnout and Job Satisfaction When Caring for Frail Older Persons in Israel
Authors: Cohen-Mansfield Jiska , Golander Hava
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To clarify how work characteristics affect migrant live-in care workers’ burden/burnout as well as their job satisfaction.

Methods

Data from 116 migrant live-in care workers were collected in 2013–2014 in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem through structured interviews about their job satisfaction and their degree of burden/burnout. Due to the conceptual and empirical similarity (zero-order correlation and joint internal reliability), of burden and burnout, the 2 were combined into one variable. These outcome measures were examined in connection with the older person’s level of disability, care workers’ relationship with the older person, and their employment conditions.

Results

According to the regression models, work characteristics (care recipients’ functional status and care workers’ relationship with the care recipient) had a direct impact on burden/burnout. Employment-related variables (employment conditions and satisfaction with those conditions) had an indirect effect. A combination of work characteristics (relationship with the older person) together with the care worker’s response to employment conditions (satisfaction with employment conditions) had a direct influence on the care workers’ job satisfaction. Problematic employment conditions had an indirect effect.

Discussion

The results suggest that fostering better relationships and improving employment conditions could help reduce care workers’ burden/burnout as well as improve their degree of satisfaction.
“If You Don’t Keep Going, You’re Gonna Die”: Helplessness and Perseverance Among Older Adults Living With Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Stensland Meredith
Published: October 2020

Background and Objectives

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the most common pain complaint among the rapidly growing older adult population. As part of a larger qualitative study examining the lived experience of CLBP among older adults, the objective of the present study is to understand how older pain clinic patients experience helplessness and also how they foster perseverance amid treatment-resistant CLBP.

Research Design and Methods

Using van Manen’s phenomenological method, semistructured, in-depth, one-on-one interviews were conducted with 21 older pain clinic patients (aged 66–83) living with CLBP. Data were iteratively analyzed via line-by-line thematic coding.

Results

Findings dually illustrate how participants were living a battle between helplessness and perseverance; the final thematic structure revealed 5 subthemes: (a) Feeling helpless because nothing works; (b) Feeling down and depressed; (c) Distantly wishing for an end; (d) Accepting the reality of my pain; and (e) The pain stays, I keep going.

Discussion and Implications

This study contributes a vivid illustration of older adults’ CLBP illness experiences that are substantially underpinned by helplessness, depression, and a drive to continue thriving in old age. Practice implications include the need for clinic-based mood and suicide assessment.