bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of arrhythmia detection in implantable cardiac monitors: A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing Reveal LINQ and Confirm Rx
Authors: Ip John , Jaffe Brian , Castellani Mark , Sheikh Ali , Castellani Carson , Ip Randy 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundImplantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) are increasingly used to detect arrhythmias in various clinical situations. However, the data transmission time and accuracy of detecting cardiac arrhythmias are unclear.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of data transmission and arrhythmia detection accuracy of the Reveal LINQ with TruRhythm Detection with the Confirm Rx with SharpSense Technology.MethodsIn this prospective study, 142 patients were randomized 1:1 to receive Reveal LINQ or Confirm Rx ICM system. Arrhythmic events include atrial fibrillation (AF), pauses, and bradycardia. Data transmission time is defined as the time from event occurrence to physician notification. All the arrhythmic events are adjudicated for accuracy.ResultsA total of 3510 events were transmitted in 61 patients over 7.1 ± 3.5 months. The transmission time both for all events (448 ± 271 vs 610 ± 515 minutes, P = .02) and for patient activated triggers (24 ± 103 vs 475 ± 426 minutes, P < .0001) was significantly shorter in the Confirm Rx group. The total number of events was also higher in the Confirm Rx group (25.5 ± 45.6 vs 0.9 ± 1.1 events per patient‐month, P < .01), which is likely due to event transmission setting differences between the two groups. Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed that the Confirm Rx group detected true arrhythmic episodes sooner with higher percentage of diagnosed patients during 6‐month follow‐up (P = .006). Patient‐averaged true positive detection rates were not statistically significant in the two groups (Reveal LINQ vs Confirm Rx, AF: 52% vs 38%; bradycardia: 67% vs 59%; pause: 24% vs 20%; tachycardia: 81% vs 94%).ConclusionCompared to the Reveal LINQ, Confirm Rx has shorter event transmission time, more frequent event detections, shorter duration to diagnose true arrhythmic events, and higher percentage of diagnosed patients. The accuracy of arrhythmia detection in both ICMs remains suboptimal.
A network meta‐analysis on the efficacy and safety of monotherapies for tinea capitis, and an assessment of evidence quality
Authors: Gupta Aditya K. , Bamimore Mary A. , Renaud Helen J. , Shear Neil H. , Piguet Vincent 
Published: September 2020

AbstractVarious monotherapies exist for tinea capitis; however, their relative efficacies have never been determined using a statistical approach which compares treatments’ efficacy simultaneously. The goal of this study was to determine the relative efficacy (mycologic and complete cure rates) of monotherapies for the treatment of tinea capitis. On October 5, 2019, searches were performed in Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE (Ovid), and CINAHL; there were no date restrictions. For the main network meta‐analysis, eligible studies were randomized trials that investigated the effect of tinea capitis monotherapies on subjects’ mycological and complete cure rates. Network meta‐analyses were conducted in accordance with the 2015 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses checklist for network meta‐analyses. Mycological cure rate was the primary outcome; complete cure rate and adverse events were secondary outcomes. Twelve studies met the eligibility criteria for the main network; five systemic monotherapies were identified, griseofulvin, ketoconazole, terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole. When the causative species was of the Microsporum genus, griseofulvin was most efficacious in terms of mycological cure (SUCRA = 66.1%) and complete cure (SUCRA = 80.6%). For tinea capitis caused by the Trichophyton species, terbinafine was the most efficacious in terms of both mycological and complete cure (SUCRA values of 75.2% and 78.2%, respectively). Risk of adverse events did not significantly differ across the interventions. Our results are congruent with those of previous pairwise meta‐analyses; our findings also corroborate clinical experience and anecdotal evidence.
Permissibility Is the Only Feasible Deontic Primitive
Authors: Gustafsson Johan E. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMoral obligation and permissibility are usually thought to be interdefinable. Following the pattern of the duality definitions of necessity and possibility, we have that something's being permissible could be defined as its not being obligatory to not do it. And that something's being obligatory could be defined as its not being permissible to not do it. In this paper, I argue that neither direction of this alleged interdefinability works. Roughly, the problem is that a claim that some act is obligatory or permissible entails that there is a moral law, whereas a negative claim that some act is not obligatory or not permissible does not. Nevertheless, one direction of the interdefinability can potentially be salvaged. I argue that, if we do not require the conceptual possibility of moral dilemmas, then there is a way to plausibly define obligation in terms of permissibility. I conclude that permissibility is the only feasible deontic primitive.
Rosmarinic acid improves boar sperm quality, antioxidant capacity and energy metabolism at 17°C via AMPK activation
Authors: Feng Tian‐Yu , Lv Dong‐Liang , Zhang Xing , Du Ye‐Qing , Yuan Yi‐Tian , Chen Mei‐Jie , Xi Hua‐Ming , Li Yu , Han Ning , Hu Jian‐Hong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBoar sperm are susceptible to oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) during storage. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important therapeutic target, because it is a cellular metabolism energy sensor and key signalling kinase in spermatozoa. We evaluated the effects of rosmarinic acid (RA), an antioxidant, on boar sperm during liquid storage to determine whether it protects boar sperm via AMPK activation. Boar ejaculates were diluted with Modena extender with different concentrations of RA and stored at 17°C for 9 days. Sperm quality parameters, antioxidant capacity, energy metabolism, AMPK phosphorylation and fertility were analysed. Compared with the control, 40 μmol/L significantly improved sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity (p < .05). The effective storage time of boar sperm was up to 9 days. On the third and seventh days, the sperm with RA exhibited increased total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content was significantly decreased (p < .05). Western blot showed that RA, as well as AICAR (AMPK activator), promoted AMPK phosphorylation, whereas Compound C (AMPK inhibitor) inhibited this effect. The sperm–zona pellucida binding experiment showed that 40 μmol/L RA increased the number of sperm attached to the zona pellucida (p < .05). These findings suggest meaningful methods for improved preservation of boar sperm in vitro and provide new insights into the mechanism by which RA protects sperm cells from oxidative damage via AMPK activation.
Purpose in life as a guiding framework for goal engagement and motivation
Authors: Lewis Nathan A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOne of the biggest challenges for research on goal pursuit and self‐regulation has been to understand factors that drive one's goals over the long‐term as well as day‐to‐day. Purpose in life, a component of psychological wellbeing has received increased interest in the health sciences for its ability to predict a myriad of health behaviours. The present work integrates the literature on purpose in life with goal organization and pursuit and posits that purpose in life represents a higher‐order cognitive process which reciprocally stimulates goal selection and long‐term goal maintenance and is itself promoted by such goal pursuits. Purpose in life may influence goal selection consciously through a top‐down hierarchy of goal pursuits as well as unconsciously through direction of nonconscious attentional processes. Goal pursuit may reciprocally promote feelings of purpose in life when individuals are able to continually make strides towards goals of personal relevance to their major life aims. This study aims to present a model of purpose in life and goal pursuit that will serve to guide future work in the fields of motivation, positive psychology, and health and lifespan development.
State‐NGOs relationship in the context of China contracting out social services
Authors: Mok Ka Ho , Chan Chak Kwan , Wen Zhuoyi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractChina's practice of contracting out social services raises two related questions. The first one seeks to determine “the contractual relationship” between the Chinese government and its third sector in a mixed welfare regime. The second one inquires whether China's commissioning welfare strategy has increased the power of its civil society. This study attempts to address these two issues based on the experiences of non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) in a Chinese city. It was found that the contracted NGOs were unable to obtain an equal status but were treated as assistants of local governments. The NGOs were also asked to do extra work that was not listed in the service contracts. Moreover, the service performance assessment criteria were unable to accurately evaluate the work of NGOs. Thus, the welfare participation of Chinese NGOs has not brought with them more political power. It is proposed that China's welfare reform needs to be backed up by its legal reform to put in place a mechanism that tackles the unequal power distribution between welfare purchasers and welfare providers. The study further illustrates that the Chinese government has adopted a pragmatic instrumentalism strategy by placing NGOs in a supplementary and subordinate role. This paper offers a conceptual discourse on analysing the state‐NGOs relationship against China's market reform and its search for a better welfare management strategy.
Options for ASEAN trade expansion: Within, plus three or six, European Union or the United States?
Authors: Beckman Jayson , Gopinath Munisamy , Daugherty Kamron 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have pursued trade agreements with major trade partners (Plus Three—China, Japan and Korea; and Plus Six—Plus Three, Australia, New Zealand and India). The recent ASEAN move towards further economic integration suggests potential future agreements with other major trade partners. This study examines the economic opportunities for such expansion, focusing on several options for ASEAN: removing tariffs within the trading bloc, removing the remaining tariffs on trade with the six countries that they already have trade agreements with or more external options (agreements with either the EU or the US). We use a computable general equilibrium model (CGE) to examine these options, highlighting changes to both agriculture and non‐agriculture. Agriculture is the biggest beneficiary when considering an agreement with the EU or Plus Six, while non‐agriculture gains the most in an agreement with Plus Three or the US. Deeper integration through trade facilitation and realising technological spillovers increase welfare gains from select agreements.
Overexpression of Dnmt3a ameliorates diabetic muscle atrophy by modulating the Pten/Akt pathway
Authors: Wang Manfeng , Wu Xiaowei , Gan Lu , Teng Zongyan , Zhang Haijin , Zhang Yina 
Published: September 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Does Dnmt3a play a crucial role in regulating diabetic muscle atrophy?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Muscle atrophy is one of the major long‐term complications of diabetes mellitus. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism involved. In this paper, we demonstrated that Dnmt3a overexpression effectively improves the diabetic muscle health in mice and documented the underlying mechanisms. DNMT3A might become a promising target to prevent muscle atrophy in patients with diabetes.

AbstractMuscle atrophy is one of the major long‐term complications of diabetes mellitus, which greatly affects the mobility of patients. Epigenetic processes mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) play crucial roles in the locomotor system, but little is known about the functions of DNMTs in diabetic muscle atrophy. Here, we investigated the function of Dnmt3a in diabetic muscle atrophy and explored the mechanisms involved. Adeno‐associated virus AAV2 overexpressing Dnmt3a or its vector control was injected into the tibialis anterior muscle of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice. Muscle mass and muscle cross‐sectional area were used to evaluate muscle atrophy. In vitro, adeno‐associated virus AAV2 overexpressing Dnmt3a or its vector control was transfected into C2C12 myoblasts. Horse serum was used to induce differentiation and palmitate to stimulate the C2C12 myoblasts. The expressions of myogenic regulatory factors were examined by real‐time PCR and western blot analysis. Overexpression of Dnmt3a attenuated muscle atrophy in diabetic mice and promoted myotube formation of C2C12 myoblasts. Overexpression of Dnmt3a restored the expressions of myogenic regulatory factors atrogin‐1, MuRF1, Pax7, Myod1 and myogenin, both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, overexpression of Dnmt3a activated the phosphorylation of Akt by inhibiting the activation of Pten. This study demonstrates that overexpression of Dnmt3a prevents diabetic muscle atrophy by modulating the Pten/Akt pathway.
Sulfur and Nitrogen Release From Co-Pyrolysis of Coal and Biomass Under Oxidative and Non-Oxidative Conditions
Authors: Li Yukun , Li Lingfeng , Liu Yu , Ren Xiaohan , Chen Juan , Levendis Yiannis A. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
This is an investigation on the effects of pyrolysis atmosphere on the conversion of biomass/coal blends to chars and volatile matter, and on the release of sulfur and nitrogen to the gas phase. Pulverized corn straw and lignite coal were co-pyrolyzed either in an inert carrier gas (N2) or in oxidative gases consisting of 3–7% O2 and 13–17% CO2 in a balance of 80% N2. The process occurred at temperatures in the range of 300–900 °C, under 1 atm, and lasted for 20 min. The results showed that the solid-phase conversion of coal/biomass blends ranged from 30 to 60%, increasing with increasing temperature. Increasing oxygen concentration under oxidative atmospheres promoted the solid-phase conversion at 500–900 °C, more than under the inert atmosphere, but had no discernible effect at lower temperatures (300–400 °C). Under the inert atmosphere, the co-pyrolysis of coal and biomass exhibited a synergistic effect, which promoted the transformation of solid feedstock into the gas phase or tar. To the contrary, under the oxidative atmospheres, the co-pyrolysis inhibited the evolution of volatile matter. Sulfur compounds, COS and SO2, were mainly released at temperatures in the range of 300–700 °C. Higher amounts of SO2 were released under the oxidative atmosphere, and the co-pyrolysis of coal and biomass promoted the release of COS. As for the transformation and release of nitrogen, NH3 and HCN were mainly released in the temperature range of 600–900 °C and more HCN was converted into NH3 under inert atmospheres. The effects of the oxygen content in the atmosphere on conventional gas species (CO, CH4, C2H6, and HCl) released from coal/biomass blends were also recorded.
Computational Modeling of Cardiac Ablation Incorporating Electrothermomechanical Interactions
Authors: Singh Sundeep , Melnik Roderick 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe application of radio frequency ablation (RFA) has been widely explored in treating various types of cardiac arrhythmias. Computational modeling provides a safe and viable alternative to ex vivo and in vivo experimental studies for quantifying the effects of different variables efficiently and reliably, apart from providing a priori estimates of the ablation volume attained during cardiac ablation procedures. In this contribution, we report a fully coupled electrothermomechanical model for a more accurate prediction of the treatment outcomes during the radio frequency cardiac ablation. A numerical model comprising of cardiac tissue and the cardiac chamber has been developed in which an electrode has been inserted perpendicular to the cardiac tissue to simulate actual clinical procedures. Temperature-dependent heat capacity, electrical and thermal conductivities, and blood perfusion rate have been considered to model more realistic scenarios. The effects of blood flow and contact force of the electrode tip on the treatment outcomes of a fully coupled model of RFA have been systematically investigated. The numerical study demonstrates that the predicted ablation volume of RFA is significantly dependent on the blood flow rate in the cardiac chamber and also on the tissue deformation induced due to electrode insertion depth of 1.5 mm or higher.
A Comprehensive Flowrate Optimization Design for a Novel Air–Liquid Cooling Coupled Battery Thermal Management System
Authors: Chen Siqi , Wei Xuezhe , Garg Akhil , Gao Liang 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Battery thermal management has significant effect on the performance of electric vehicles (EVs) under high current rates. In this research, a comprehensive thermal analysis and multi-objective optimization design framework is proposed to enhance the thermal performance of a novel air–liquid cooling coupled battery pack under higher discharging rate (3C). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical calculation is utilized to compare the cooling efficiency of the battery pack designs. Furthermore, a surrogate model is generated by using Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) and support vector machine. The design parameters include different mini-channels’ mass flowrates and the air flow inlet velocity, the objectives are the temperature rise, temperature distribution, and the energy consumption. Sensitivity analysis results indicate that the air flow inlet velocity is the main factor affecting the temperature rise and temperature distribution, while the mass flowrates of mini-channels have important influence on the pressure drop. Finally, the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) is used to select the optimal battery pack design, the maximum temperature, and temperature standard deviation (TSD) get improved by 1.8 K and 0.06 K, respectively. And the energy consumption of the cooling system can be controlled within the appropriate range after optimization design.
Analysis of Solar Power and Energy Variability Through Site Adaptation of Satellite Data With Quality Controlled Measured Solar Radiation Data
Authors: Bangarigadu Kaviraj , Hookoom Tavish , Ramgolam Yatindra Kumar , Kune Nadia Foo 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Satellite-based solar power data is becoming more and more important because of its continuous temporal and spatial availability. However, its reliability can be enhanced through quality control and calibration against ground-based measurement data. Here, a holistic methodology is employed for the adaptation of satellite-based data for estimating solar energy. For the purpose, high-quality ground-based measurement data and satellite-based datasets are assessed across 12 sites in three small islands located in the Indian Ocean. Initially, both datasets go through a rigorous quality control process. A quantitative analysis of irradiance and insolation data is then conducted. Eventually, site adaptation of satellite-based data is performed using bias removal technique and statistical analysis of datasets. A set of seven statistical performance indicators is used to support the assessment. Analysis of datasets shows that adaptation of peak values should be performed separately. Results showed that despite the small surface areas of the islands studied, a spatial variation of insolation can be depicted. A temporal variation of insolation is also noted with a peak in the summer and low insolation levels in winter. Peak irradiance values tend to exceed solar constant for all sites. Variations of peak irradiance can only be noticed in ground-based measurement data. While insolation levels are comparable in the summer season for all the sites, insolation levels in the winter season are higher in the sites with lower latitudes. Calibration factors for peak irradiance, monthly and annual average irradiance as well as yearly insolation are presented.
Free Vibration of Bistable Clamped–Clamped Beams: Modeling and Experiment
Authors: Song Xiaolei , Liu Haijun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBistable clamped–clamped beams have been used in a wide range of applications such as switches, resonators, energy harvesting, and vibration reduction. Most studies on this classic buckling problem focus on obtaining either the static configuration and the required critical axial load or the natural frequencies and mode shapes of postbuckling vibrations analytically. In this article, we present our study including analytical modeling and experimental method on bistable clamped–clamped beams, aiming to understand the detailed snap-through process and the ensuing vibration. In the analytical model, by decomposing the transverse deflection into static buckling configuration and linear vibration, we obtain the natural frequencies and mode shapes for the buckled beam and investigate the effects of static deflection on the symmetric and antisymmetric modes. An experimental design using noncontact methods is implemented to directly measure the response of the whole beam in the snap-through process and the sound generated by the vibrating beam. The measurements are characterized in both time and frequency domain and found to be in good agreement with the analytical model. The study presented in this article enhances the fundamental understanding of the classical problem of bistable clamped–clamped beams.
Three-Dimensional Solid Finite Element Contact Model for Rotordynamic Analysis: Experiment and Simulation
Authors: Oh Joseph , Kim Baik Jin , Palazzolo Alan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Conventional rotordynamic analyses generally treat the rotor as a continuous body without considering effect of clamped joints. However, in modern rotating machines, rotors are often assembled with multiple complex-shaped parts and joints, which may significantly affect rotordynamic behavior. Several authors have proposed methods for implementing contact effects in rotordynamic analysis, but a more general modeling method for handling arbitrary contact geometries with various levels of surface roughness is needed. The present paper suggests a new contact model for rotordynamic analysis of an assembled rotor-bearing system with multiple parts connected by multiple joints. A contact element formulation is presented using solid finite elements and statistics-based contact theories. A test arrangement was developed to validate the proposed contact model for varying interface surface roughness and preloads. An iterative computation algorithm is introduced to solve the implicit relation between contact stiffness and stress distribution. Prediction results, using the contact model, are compared with measured natural frequencies for multiple configurations of a test rotor assembly. A case study is performed for an overhung type rotor-bearing system to investigate the effect of contact interfaces, between an overhung impeller and a rotor shaft, on critical speeds.