bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Artificial-Intelligence and Machine-Learning-Based Methodology to Conduct Seemingly Strain-Controlled Fatigue Test in a Pressurized-Water-Reactor-Test-Loop-Autoclave, While Not Controlling the Strain
Authors: Mohanty Subhasish , Listwan Joseph T. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In general, low cycle fatigue analysis of pressurized water reactor (PWR) components, requires strain-controlled fatigue test data such as using strain versus life (ε–N) curves. Conducting strain-controlled fatigue tests under in-air conditions is not an issue. However, controlling strain in a PWR-test-loop-autoclave is a challenge, since an extensometer cannot be placed in a narrow autoclave (typically used in a high-temperature-pressure PWR-test-loop). This is due to lack of space inside an autoclave that houses the test specimen. In addition, installing a contact-type extensometer in the path of a high-pressure flow can be a challenge. These difficulties of using an extensometer inside an autoclave led us to use an outside-autoclave displacement sensor which measures the displacement of pull-rod-specimen assembly. However, in our study (based on in-air fatigue test data), we found that a pull-rod-controlled based fatigue test can lead to substantial cyclic hardening/softening resulting in substantially different cyclic strain amplitudes and their rates compared to the desired cyclic strain amplitudes and its rates. In this paper, we propose an Artificial-Intelligence and Machine-Learning based technique such as using k-means clustering technique to improve the pull-rod-control based fatigue test method, such that the gage-area strain amplitude and rates can reasonably be achieved. In support of this, we present the fatigue test results for both 316 SS base and 81/182 dissimilar-metal-weld specimens.
A Study of Human Balance and Coordination Using a Head Mounted Display
Authors: Gracia De Luna Daniel , Tijernia Roel , Butler Alley , Tomai Emmett , Timmer Douglas , Caruntu Dumitru I. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This paper reports on an experiment in human subject balance and coordination using a HTC Vive head mounted display to create a virtual environment. For the experiment, 30 male human subjects of college age and 30 female subjects of college age were asked to navigate along a clear path in a virtual world using a controller with their dominant hand and asked to balance a virtual ball on a virtual plate using the other controller in the non-dominant hand. The test subjects moved along a clearly marked path, with three surprise obstacles occurring: a large rock landing near the path, and explosion near the path, and a flock of birds coming across the path. Data included 6 degree of freedom trajectories for the head, and both hands, as well as data gathered by the computer system on ball location and velocity, plate location and velocity and ball status. Likert scale questionnaires were answered by the test subjects relative to video game experience, sense of presence, and ease of managing the ball movement. Statistics showed that the male students dropped the ball less frequently at p = 0.0254 and p = 0.0036. In contrast, female students were aware of their performance with correlation levels of 0.632 and 0.588.
Effects of Pulmonary Fibrosis and Surface Tension on Alveolar Sac Mechanics in Diffuse Alveolar Damage
Authors: Chen Long , Tao Weiwei , Ji Wei , Lu Yan , Zhao Xia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is a characteristic histopathologic pattern in most cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe viral pneumonia, such as COVID-19. DAD is characterized by an acute phase with edema, hyaline membranes, and inflammation followed by an organizing phase with pulmonary fibrosis and hyperplasia. The degree of pulmonary fibrosis and surface tension is different in the pathological stages of DAD. The effects of pulmonary fibrosis and surface tension on alveolar sac mechanics in DAD are investigated by using the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) method. The human pulmonary alveolus is idealized by a three-dimensional honeycomb-like geometry, with alveolar geometries approximated as closely packed 14-sided polygons. A dynamic compression-relaxation model for surface tension effects is adopted. Compared to a healthy model, DAD models are created by increasing the tissue thickness and decreasing the concentration of the surfactant. The FSI results show that pulmonary fibrosis is more influential than the surface tension on flow rate, volume, P–V loop, and resistance. The lungs of the disease models become stiffer than those of the healthy models. According to the P–V loop results, the surface tension plays a more important role in hysteresis than the material nonlinearity of the lung tissue. Our study demonstrates the differences in air flow and lung function on the alveolar sacs between the healthy and DAD models.
A two-arm parallel-group individually randomised prison pilot study of a male remand alcohol intervention for self-efficacy enhancement: the APPRAISE study protocol
Authors: Holloway Aisha , Guthrie Victoria , Waller Gillian , Smith Jamie , Boyd Joanne , Mercado Sharon , Smith Pam , Stenhouse Rosie , Sheikh Aziz , Parker Richard Anthony , Stoddart Andrew , Conaglen Philip , Coulton Simon , Stadler Gertraud , Hunt Kate , Bray Jeremy , Ferguson Jennifer , Sondhi Arun , Lynch Kieran , Rees Jessica , Newbury-Birch Dorothy 
Published: April 2021

IntroductionThe prevalence of at-risk drinking is far higher among those in contact with the criminal justice system (73%) than the general population (35%). However, there is little evidence on the effectiveness of alcohol brief interventions (ABIs) in reducing risky drinking among those in the criminal justice system, including the prison system and, in particular, those on remand. Building on earlier work, A two-arm parallel group individually randomised Prison Pilot study of a male Remand Alcohol Intervention for Self-efficacy Enhancement (APPRAISE) is a pilot study designed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an ABI, delivered to male prisoners on remand. The findings of APPRAISE should provide the information required to design a future definitive randomised controlled trial (RCT).Methods and analysisAPPRAISE will use mixed methods, with two linked phases, across two prisons in the UK, recruiting 180 adult men on remand: 90 from Scotland and 90 from England. Phase I will involve a two-arm, parallel-group, individually randomised pilot study. The pilot evaluation will provide data on the likely impact of A two-arm parallel group individually randomised Prison Pilot study of a male Remand Alcohol Intervention for Self-efficacy Enhancement (APPRAISE), which will be used to inform a future definitive multicentre RCT. Phase II will be a process evaluation assessing how the ABI has been implemented to explore the change mechanisms underpinning the ABI (figure 1) and to assess the context within which the ABI is delivered.Ethics and disseminationThe APPRAISE protocol has been approved by the East of Scotland Research Ethics Committee (19/ES/0068), National Offender Management System (2019-240), Health Board Research and Development (2019/0268), Scottish Prison Service research and ethics committee, and by the University of Edinburgh’s internal ethics department. The findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journal publications, presentations at local, national and international conferences, infographics and shared with relevant stakeholders through meetings and events.Trial registration numberISRCTN27417180.
Long-term yield of pancreatic cancer surveillance in high-risk individuals
Authors: Overbeek Kasper A , Levink Iris J M , Koopmann Brechtje D M , Harinck Femme , Konings Ingrid C A W , Ausems Margreet G E M , Wagner Anja , Fockens Paul , van Eijck Casper H , Groot Koerkamp Bas , Busch Olivier R C , Besselink Marc G , Bastiaansen Barbara A J , van Driel Lydi M J W , Erler Nicole S , Vleggaar Frank P , Poley Jan-Werner , Cahen Djuna L , van Hooft Jeanin E , Bruno Marco J 
Published: April 2021

ObjectiveWe aimed to determine the long-term yield of pancreatic cancer surveillance in hereditary predisposed high-risk individuals.DesignFrom 2006 to 2019, we prospectively enrolled asymptomatic individuals with an estimated 10% or greater lifetime risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after obligatory evaluation by a clinical geneticist and genetic testing, and subjected them to annual surveillance with both endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and MRI/cholangiopancreatography (MRI/MRCP) at each visit.Results366 individuals (201 mutation-negative familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) kindreds and 165 PDAC susceptibility gene mutation carriers; mean age 54 years, SD 9.9) were followed for 63 months on average (SD 43.2). Ten individuals developed PDAC, of which four presented with a symptomatic interval carcinoma and six underwent resection. The cumulative PDAC incidence was 9.3% in the mutation carriers and 0% in the FPC kindreds (p<0.001). Median PDAC survival was 18 months (range 1–32). Surgery was performed in 17 individuals (4.6%), whose pathology revealed 6 PDACs (3 T1N0M0), 7 low-grade precursor lesions, 2 neuroendocrine tumours <2 cm, 1 autoimmune pancreatitis and in 1 individual no abnormality. There was no surgery-related mortality. EUS detected more solid lesions than MRI/MRCP (100% vs 22%, p<0.001), but less cystic lesions (42% vs 83%, p<0.001).ConclusionThe diagnostic yield of PDAC was substantial in established high-risk mutation carriers, but non-existent in the mutation-negative proven FPC kindreds. Nevertheless, timely identification of resectable lesions proved challenging despite the concurrent use of two imaging modalities, with EUS outperforming MRI/MRCP. Overall, surveillance by imaging yields suboptimal results with a clear need for more sensitive diagnostic markers, including biomarkers.
Whole genome and exome sequencing identify NDUFV2 mutations as a new cause of progressive cavitating leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Liu Zhimei , Zhang Li , Ren Changhong , Xu Manting , Li Shufang , Ban Rui , Wu Ye , Chen Ling , Sun Suzhen , Elstner Matthias , Shimura Masaru , Ogawa-Tominaga Minako , Murayama Kei , Shi Tieliu , Prokisch Holger , Fang Fang 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundProgressive cavitating leukoencephalopathy (PCL) is thought to result from mutations in nuclear genes affecting mitochondrial function and energy metabolism. To date, mutations in two subunits of complex I, NDUFS1 and NDUFV1, have been reported to be related to PCL.MethodsPatients underwent clinical examinations, brain MRI, skin biopsy and muscle biopsy. Whole-genome or whole-exome sequencing was performed on the index patients from two unrelated families with PCL. The effects of the mutations were examined through complementation of the NDUFV2 mutation by cDNA expression.ResultsThe common clinical features of the patients in this study were recurring episodes of acute or subacute developmental regression that appeared in the first years of life, followed by gradual remissions and prolonged periods of stability. MRI showed leukoencephalopathy with multiple cavities. Three novel NDUFV2 missense mutations were identified in these families. Complex I deficiency was confirmed in affected individuals’ fibroblasts and a muscle biopsy. Functional and structural analyses revealed that these mutations affect the structural stability and function of the NDUFV2 protein, indicating that defective NDUFV2 function is responsible for the phenotypes in these individuals.ConclusionsHere, we report the clinical presentations, neuroimaging and molecular and functional analyses of novel mutations in NDUFV2 in two sibling pairs of two Chinese families presenting with PCL. We hereby expand the knowledge on the clinical phenotypes associated with mutations in NDUFV2 and the genotypes causative for PCL.
Adult phenotype of KCNQ2 encephalopathy
Authors: Boets Stephanie , Johannesen Katrine M , Destree Anne , Manti Filippo , Ramantani Georgia , Lesca Gaetan , Vercueil Laurent , Koenig Mary Kay , Striano Pasquale , Møller Rikke Steensbjerre , Cooper Edward , Weckhuysen Sarah 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundPathogenic KCNQ2 variants are a frequent cause of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.MethodsWe recruited 13 adults (between 18 years and 45 years of age) with KCNQ2 encephalopathy and reviewed their clinical, EEG, neuroimaging and treatment history.ResultsWhile most patients had daily seizures at seizure onset, seizure frequency declined or remitted during childhood and adulthood. The most common seizure type was tonic seizures (early) infancy, and tonic-clonic and focal impaired awareness seizures later in life. Ten individuals (77%) were seizure-free at last follow-up. In 38% of the individuals, earlier periods of seizure freedom lasting a minimum of 2 years followed by seizure recurrence had occurred. Of the 10 seizure-free patients, 4 were receiving a single antiseizure medication (ASM, carbamazepine, lamotrigine or levetiracetam), and 2 had stopped taking ASM. Intellectual disability (ID) ranged from mild to profound, with the majority (54%) of individuals in the severe category. At last contact, six individuals (46%) remained unable to walk independently, six (46%) had limb spasticity and four (31%) tetraparesis/tetraplegia. Six (46%) remained non-verbal, 10 (77%) had autistic features/autism, 4 (31%) exhibited aggressive behaviour and 4 (31%) destructive behaviour with self-injury. Four patients had visual problems, thought to be related to prematurity in one. Sleep problems were seen in six (46%) individuals.ConclusionSeizure frequency declines over the years and most patients are seizure-free in adulthood. Longer seizure-free periods followed by seizure recurrence are common during childhood and adolescence. Most adult patients have severe ID. Motor, language and behavioural problems are an issue of continuous concern.
Demand for tobacco products in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Nasiruddin , Mozumder Tanvir Ahmed , Hassan Md. Tariq , Huque Rumana 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundTobacco tax increase is considered as one of the most effective means to reduce tobacco consumption and its consequences. An increase in taxes, which results in an increase in the price of tobacco products, reduces consumption. Historically, a number of studies estimated the responsiveness of quantity demanded to a change in price—the price elasticity of demand—of tobacco products in Bangladesh. However, the government’s stronger commitment to reducing tobacco use, rising standard of living, rapidly changing cultural norms due to globalisation, and the substantial fall in tobacco use seen in GATS 2017 necessitate an updated measure of price elasticity of tobacco use, which will allow for more accurate answers to questions of tobacco tax policy in the country. This study endeavours to fill this gap in the literature on demand for tobacco products in Bangladesh.ObjectiveTo estimate the price elasticity of demand for tobacco products, namely cigarettes,birisand smokeless tobacco (SLT) products with the 2016 household income and expenditure survey data in Bangladesh.MethodsWe used the Deaton model (1997) to estimate the price elasticities of demand for tobacco products using the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2016 dataset of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. The HIES 2016 surveyed 46 076 households spread over 2304 primary sampling units across the country. We have calculated own price elasticities of demand for tobacco products by expenditure groups and by regions (rural and urban).ResultsThe estimates of own-price elasticity of demand for cigarette,biriand SLT products are −1.03, −1.34 and −0.30, respectively. The results show that rural households are more responsive to changes in the prices of cigarettes than urban households. Households with low expenditure are found to be more responsive to changes in the price of cigarettes than the households with high expenditure. This suggests that increases in cigarette prices at the lower end would effectively reduce cigarette consumption among the people having low expenditure and improve health equity.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the demand for smoking tobacco products is responsive to price changes. Therefore, substantial increase in the prices of tobacco products through taxation will result in significant reduction in tobacco use, particularly among the low expenditure households, while increasing government revenue.
Crack grid detection and calculation based on convolutional neural network
Authors: Xiao Liyang , Li Wei , Huyan Ju , Sun Zhaoyun , Tighe Susan 
Published: April 2021

Pavement crack detection has always been an important problem in pavement maintenance. With rapid development in computer vision technology, crack detection using deep learning has become one of the major tasks in automatic pavement condition detection and assessment. This paper aims to develop a method of crack grid detection based on convolutional neural network. First, an image denoising operation is conducted to improve image quality. Next, the processed images are divided into grids of different scales (10 × 10, 20 × 20, 30 × 30), and each grid is fed into a convolutional neural network for detection. The pieces of the grids with cracks are marked and then returned to the original images. Finally, on the basis of the detection results, threshold segmentation is performed only on the marked grids. Information about the crack parameters is obtained via pixel scanning and calculation, which realizes complete crack detection. The experimental results show that 30 × 30 grids perform the best with the accuracy value of 97.33%. The advantage of automatic crack grid detection is that it can avoid fracture phenomenon in crack identification and ensure the integrity of cracks. Thresholding smaller grids allows better combinations of the differences between objects and backgrounds, which makes segmentation results more accurate.
Neumann–Rosochatius system for (m,n) string in $$AdS_3 \times S^3$$ with mixed flux
Authors: Chakraborty Adrita , Panigrahi Kamal L. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract$$SL(2,{\mathbb {Z}})$$

S
L
(
2
,
Z
)

invariant action for probe (m, n) string in $$AdS_3\times S^3\times T^4$$

A
d

S
3

×

S
3

×

T
4

with mixed three-form fluxes can be described by an integrable deformation of an one-dimensional Neumann–Rosochatius (NR) system. We present the deformed features of the integrable model and study general class of rotating and pulsating solutions by solving the integrable equations of motion. For the rotating string, the explicit solutions can be expressed in terms of elliptic functions. We make use of the integrals of motion to find out the scaling relation among conserved charges for the particular case of constant radii solutions. Then we study the closed (m, n) string pulsating in $$R_t\times S^3$$

R
t

×

S
3

. We find the string profile and calculate the total energy of such pulsating string in terms of oscillation number $$({\mathcal {N}})$$

(
N
)

and angular momentum $$({\mathcal {J}})$$

(
J
)

.
Isotropy groups of free racks and quandles
Authors: Parker Jason 
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we characterize the (covariant) isotropy groups of free, finitely generated racks and quandles. As a consequence, we show that the usual inner automorphisms of such racks and quandles are precisely those automorphisms that are “coherently extendible”. We then use this result to compute the global isotropy groups of the categories of racks and quandles, i.e. the automorphism groups of the identity functors of these categories.
Financial and Employment Impacts of Cancer and COVID-19 Among African American Cancer Survivors
Authors: Hastert TA , Ruterbusch JJ , Best AL , Harper FWK , Thompson H , Beebe-Dimmer JL , Schwartz AG 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Financial hardship due to cancer is more common among African American than White survivors. The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout have also disproportionately affected African Americans. The purpose of this study is to describe the financial and employment impacts of COVID-19 in a population of African American cancer survivors and to compare those impacts with those experienced after a cancer diagnosis. Methods: Results include survey data from 593 participants in the population-based Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) cohort who completed the ROCS enrollment survey and a supplemental questionnaire related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their financial wellbeing and employment. Most participants (96%) were not diagnosed with COVID-19 by the time they completed the supplement and reflect the societal impact of the pandemic rather than a personal COVID-19 diagnosis. Analyses compare reports of financial hardship (using assets, borrowing money, experiencing debt, decreases in income) and employment impacts (changes to work schedules, duties, hours, employment status) due to cancer and due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: A similar proportion of ROCS participants reported financial hardship (41% vs. 42%) and borrowing money (5% vs. 6%) related to the COVID pandemic and their cancer diagnosis, respectively. Fewer survivors reported borrowing money (9% vs. 17%; p&lt;0.001) or experiencing a decrease in income due to COVID than cancer (20% vs. 28%; p = 0.001); however; more reported debt associated with COVID (30% vs. 17%; p&lt;0.001). Changes to work schedules (44% vs. 36%) and hours worked (44% vs. 28%) related to the COVID pandemic and cancer were common, and not statistically different from one another. More survivors changed their work duties due to the COVID pandemic (20%) than cancer (12%; p = 0.048). Prevalence of changes to employment status were similar for cancer (6%) and COVID (11%). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with similar levels of overall financial hardship, and higher prevalence of debt and some work changes, than individual cancer experiences. These additional burdens on a financially vulnerable population could exacerbate existing cancer-related inequities.
Hair Product Use and Ovarian Cancer Risk
Authors: White AJ , Sandler DP , O'Brien KM 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose. We evaluated whether hair products, including many known to contain carcinogens and endocrine disrupting chemicals, are related to incident ovarian cancer in a large prospective cohort. Methods. After excluding women with a history of ovarian cancer or bilateral oophorectomy, 40,559 Sister Study participants were included. Participants were aged 35–74 and had a sister with breast cancer but no history of breast cancer themselves at enrollment in 2003–2009. Participants completed questionnaires on frequency of hair product use (including hair dyes, straighteners/relaxers and hair permanents/body waves) in the 12 months prior to enrollment. Cox regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) for the association between hair product type and frequency of use in relation to incident ovarian cancer. We also assessed models stratified by tumor type (serous, non-serous). Results. After a mean of 10 years of follow-up, 241 women had self-reported an incident ovarian cancer diagnosis. Ever use of hair products in the past year (including permanent, semi-permanent and temporary hair dyes, straighteners/relaxers, and hair permanents/body waves) was not associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer. However, frequent use (&gt;4 times) of straighteners/relaxers in the past year was positively associated with ovarian cancer (HR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.27–4.73). This association was stronger for non-serous (HR = 4.25, 95% CI: 1.07–16.9) compared to serous (HR = 1.38, 95% CI:0.47–4.04) ovarian cancers. Ever use of permanent hair dye was positively associated with non-serous (HR = 1.91, 95% CI, 1.10–3.33), but inversely associated with serous (HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43–0.98) ovarian cancer (p-for-heterogeneity = 0.002). Conclusion. These results suggest that frequent use of hair straighteners/relaxers and possibly permanent hair dye may be positively associated with the occurrence of non-serous ovarian cancers.