bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental study for strengthening octagonal castellated steel beams using circular and octagonal ring stiffeners
Authors: Al-Thabhawee H W , Mohammed A 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Castellated beams made by cutting web of hot rolled steel I-section in particular zigzag pattern and recollecting the two parts by welding, to form a castellated beam with hexagonal openings, or more increasing of section depth by placing expansion plates between these parts to fabricate castellated beam with octagonal openings. The main advantage of fabrication this type of beam is increasing section depth, which leads to improve its behavior compared with original beam. So as to use the castellated beams with expansion plates into its best advantages, the failure modes due to web opening need to be avoided. This paper aims to provide added strength of castellated beams with expansion plates by using two types of stiffeners (circular and octagonal ring) around octagonal web opening. This strengthening technique was suggested to reinforce web portion and avoid failure due to web-post buckling. Standard (IPE140) were chosen as a parent section for fabricating four specimens as well as original beam. The important observation through this study is that using ring stiffener leads to have significant effect on ultimate strength. In case of using circular ring stiffeners, the ultimate strength was increased up to (188%) compare with original beam. Whereas the increment in ultimate load at using octagonal ring stiffeners was reach to about (77.6%). Consequent, using circular ring stiffeners to reinforced this type of beams was more efficient than using octagonal ring stiffeners. It is worthwhile to mention that it can be used (37%) as additional steel material (Expansion plates and ring stiffeners) for increasing the load capacity of castellated beams up to (288%) relative to original beam.
Underground ventilated wall based on TRC blocks
Authors: Pazderka J , Nývlt M , Žáková H 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Ventilated wall is an air-insulating method, which principle is to create a ventilated cavity along the surface of remediated underground wall (usually masonry). The paper describes an innovative solution of this remediation method based on the precast blocks made form textile-reinforced concrete - TRC. The main advantages of the solution (compared to traditional constructions - masonry, hollow bricks filled by cement mortar, monolithic concrete) are low labour difficulty, fast montage and high durability. Since the blocks are not structurally connected or anchored to remediated structure, it is a non-invasive method, which is also suitable for installation in historically valuable buildings. The technical solution is protected by patent CZ307501(B6).
Fire temperature influence on the textile reinforced concrete with non-woven polypropylene fabric
Authors: Žák J , Štemberk P 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Textile reinforced concrete with non-woven polypropylene fabric has variable utilization for non-load bearing structures. One of the possible uses is production of facade panels or protective layers in the interior of buildings. For that reason it is important to determine fire resistance of this material. There was examined behaviour of specimens exposed to temperature in range 100 – 650°C for times from 5 to 60 minutes. Weight loss of the specimens caused by heating was also measured. Regardless to the relatively high moisture of material, the effect of spalling didn’t occur.
Near-field effects on partially coherent light scattered by an aperture
Authors: Hyde Milo W , Havrilla Michael J 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
We investigate how the near field affects partially coherent light scattered from an aperture in an opaque screen. Prior work on this subject has focused on the role of surface plasmons, and how they affect spatial coherence is well documented. Here, we consider other near-field effects that might impact spatial coherence. We do this by examining the statistics of the near-zone field scattered from an aperture in a perfect electric conductor plane—a structure that does not support surface plasmons. We derive the near-field statistics (in particular, cross-spectral density functions) by applying electromagnetic equivalence theorems and the Method of Moments. We find, even in the absence of surface plasmons, that near-field physics can affect the coherence of the scattered field. The analysis and findings presented herein complement the existing coherence-related surface plasmons literature, and could find use in the design of photonic devices built to engineer spatial coherence.
Optimized uni-traveling carrier photodiode and mushroom-mesa structure for high-power and sub-terahertz bandwidth under zero- and low-bias operation
Authors: Liu Tao , Huang Yongqing , Wei Qi , Liu Kai , Duan Xiaofeng , Ren Xiaomin 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
In this paper, physically-based simulations are carried out to investigate and design uni-traveling carrier photodiode (UTC-PD) for high-power sub-terahertz wave generation at zero- and low-bias operation. The reliability of the physically-based simulation is demonstrated by comparing with our experimental result. Both the bandwidth and RF output power of the proposed UTC-PD is significantly improved by careful design the built-in electric field distribution under high-power input. For the optimized UTC-PD with the mesa diameter of 5 μm, its 3dB bandwidth large than 100 GHz even if the photocurrent reaches 6 mA under zero-bias operation. The device can reach a high bandwidth of 92.4 GHz, 105 GHz, and 119.5 GHz under the reverse bias of 0.5 V, 1 V, and 2 V, respectively, even the input photocurrent as high as 18.2 mA. The peak output-power of the device has enhanced at least 7 dB even at 170 GHz and zero- or low-bias operation. Besides, a novel design of mushroom-mesa UTC-PD (MM-UTC-PD) is proposed which with 4.3% improved high-speed performance. The MM-UTC-PD can trade-off between the external quantum-efficiency and bandwidth when miniaturized junction size is required.
Machine Learning Models Improve the Diagnostic Yield of Peripheral Blood Flow Cytometry
Authors: Zhang M Lisa , Guo Alan X , Kadauke Stephan , Dighe Anand S , Baron Jason M , Sohani Aliyah R 
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjectivesPeripheral blood flow cytometry (PBFC) is useful for evaluating circulating hematologic malignancies (HM) but has limited diagnostic value for screening. We used machine learning to evaluate whether clinical history and CBC/differential parameters could improve PBFC utilization.MethodsPBFC cases with concurrent/recent CBC/differential were split into training (n = 626) and test (n = 159) cohorts. We classified PBFC results with abnormal blast/lymphoid populations as positive and used two models to predict results.ResultsPositive PBFC results were seen in 58% and 21% of training cases with and without prior HM (P &lt; .001). % neutrophils, absolute lymphocyte count, and % blasts/other cells differed significantly between positive and negative PBFC groups (areas under the curve [AUC] &gt; 0.7). Among test cases, a decision tree model achieved 98% sensitivity and 65% specificity (AUC = 0.906). A logistic regression model achieved 100% sensitivity and 54% specificity (AUC = 0.919).ConclusionsWe outline machine learning-based triaging strategies to decrease unnecessary utilization of PBFC by 35% to 40%.
Do Deviations From Historical Precipitation Trends Influence Child Nutrition? An Analysis From Uganda
Authors: Epstein Adrienne , Torres Jacqueline M , Glymour M Maria , López-Carr David , Weiser Sheri D 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Changes in precipitation patterns might have deleterious effects on population health. We used data from the Uganda National Panel Survey from 2009 to 2012 (n = 3,223 children contributing 5,013 assessments) to evaluate the link between rainfall and undernutrition in children under age 5 years. We considered 3 outcomes (underweight, wasting, and stunting) and measured precipitation using household-reported drought and deviations from long-term precipitation trends measured by satellite. We specified multilevel logistic regression models with random effects for the community, village, and individual. Underweight (13%), wasting (4%), and stunting (33%) were common. Reported drought was associated with underweight (marginal risk ratio (RR) = 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.35) in adjusted analyses. Positive annual deviations (greater rainfall) from long-term precipitation trends were protective against underweight (marginal RR per 50-mm increase = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.92, 0.97) and wasting (marginal RR per 50-mm increase = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87, 0.98) but not stunting (marginal RR per 50-mm increase = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.01). Precipitation was associated with measures of acute but not chronic malnutrition using both objective and subjective measures of exposure. Sudden reductions in rainfall are likely to have acute adverse effects on child nutritional status.
CrossICC: iterative consensus clustering of cross-platform gene expression data without adjusting batch effect
Authors: Zhao Qi , Sun Yu , Liu Zekun , Zhang Hongwan , Li Xingyang , Zhu Kaiyu , Liu Ze-Xian , Ren Jian , Zuo Zhixiang 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Unsupervised clustering of high-throughput gene expression data is widely adopted for cancer subtyping. However, cancer subtypes derived from a single dataset are usually not applicable across multiple datasets from different platforms. Merging different datasets is necessary to determine accurate and applicable cancer subtypes but is still embarrassing due to the batch effect. CrossICC is an R package designed for the unsupervised clustering of gene expression data from multiple datasets/platforms without the requirement of batch effect adjustment. CrossICC utilizes an iterative strategy to derive the optimal gene signature and cluster numbers from a consensus similarity matrix generated by consensus clustering. This package also provides abundant functions to visualize the identified subtypes and evaluate subtyping performance. We expected that CrossICC could be used to discover the robust cancer subtypes with significant translational implications in personalized care for cancer patients.

Availability and Implementation
The package is implemented in R and available at GitHub (https://github.com/bioinformatist/CrossICC) and Bioconductor (http://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/CrossICC.html) under the GPL v3 License.
EPIP: a novel approach for condition-specific enhancer–promoter interaction prediction
Authors: Talukder Amlan , Saadat Samaneh , Li Xiaoman , Hu Haiyan 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Motivation
The identification of enhancer–promoter interactions (EPIs), especially condition-specific ones, is important for the study of gene transcriptional regulation. Existing experimental approaches for EPI identification are still expensive, and available computational methods either do not consider or have low performance in predicting condition-specific EPIs.

Results
We developed a novel computational method called EPIP to reliably predict EPIs, especially condition-specific ones. EPIP is capable of predicting interactions in samples with limited data as well as in samples with abundant data. Tested on more than eight cell lines, EPIP reliably identifies EPIs, with an average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.95 and an average area under the precision–recall curve of 0.73. Tested on condition-specific EPIPs, EPIP correctly identified 99.26% of them. Compared with two recently developed methods, EPIP outperforms them with a better accuracy.

Availability and implementation
The EPIP tool is freely available at http://www.cs.ucf.edu/˜xiaoman/EPIP/.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
StrainHub: a phylogenetic tool to construct pathogen transmission networks
Authors: de Bernardi Schneider Adriano , Ford Colby T , Hostager Reilly , Williams John , Cioce Michael , Çatalyürek Ümit V , Wertheim Joel O , Janies Daniel 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Summary
In exploring the epidemiology of infectious diseases, networks have been used to reconstruct contacts among individuals and/or populations. Summarizing networks using pathogen metadata (e.g. host species and place of isolation) and a phylogenetic tree is a nascent, alternative approach. In this paper, we introduce a tool for reconstructing transmission networks in arbitrary space from phylogenetic information and metadata. Our goals are to provide a means of deriving new insights and infection control strategies based on the dynamics of the pathogen lineages derived from networks and centrality metrics. We created a web-based application, called StrainHub, in which a user can input a phylogenetic tree based on genetic or other data along with characters derived from metadata using their preferred tree search method. StrainHub generates a transmission network based on character state changes in metadata, such as place or source of isolation, mapped on the phylogenetic tree. The user has the option to calculate centrality metrics on the nodes including betweenness, closeness, degree and a new metric, the source/hub ratio. The outputs include the network with values for metrics on its nodes and the tree with characters reconstructed. All of these results can be exported for further analysis.

Availability and implementation
strainhub.io and https://github.com/abschneider/StrainHub.
NACHO: an R package for quality control of NanoString nCounter data
Authors: Canouil Mickaël , Bouland Gerard A , Bonnefond Amélie , Froguel Philippe , ’t Hart Leen M , Slieker Roderick C 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Summary
The NanoStringTM nCounter® is a platform for the targeted quantification of expression data in biofluids and tissues. While software by the manufacturer is available in addition to third parties packages, they do not provide a complete quality control (QC) pipeline. Here, we present NACHO (‘NAnostring quality Control dasHbOard’), a comprehensive QC R-package. The package consists of three subsequent steps: summarize, visualize and normalize. The summarize function collects all the relevant data and stores it in a tidy format, the visualize function initiates a dashboard with plots of the relevant QC outcomes. It contains QC metrics that are measured by default by the manufacturer, but also calculates other insightful measures, including the scaling factors that are needed in the normalization step. In this normalization step, different normalization methods can be chosen to optimally preprocess data. Together, NACHO is a comprehensive method that optimizes insight and preprocessing of nCounter® data.

Availability and implementation
NACHO is available as an R-package on CRAN and the development version on GitHub https://github.com/mcanouil/NACHO.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sex Differences in Functional Brain Networks for Language
Authors: Xu Min , Liang Xiuling , Ou Jian , Li Hong , Luo Yue-jia , Tan Li Hai 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Men and women process language differently, but how the brain functions to support this difference is poorly understood. A few studies reported sex influences on brain activation for language, whereas others failed to detect the difference at the functional level. Recent advances of brain network analysis have shown great promise in picking up brain connectivity differences between sexes, leading us to hypothesize that the functional connections among distinct brain regions for language may differ in males and females. To test this hypothesis, we scanned 58 participants’ brain activities (28 males and 30 females) in a semantic decision task using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We found marked sex differences in dynamic interactions among language regions, as well as in functional segregation and integration of brain networks during language processing. The brain network differences were further supported by a machine learning analysis that accurately discriminated males from females using the multivariate patterns of functional connectivity. The sex-specific functional brain connectivity may constitute an essential neural basis for the long-held notion that men and women process language in different ways. Our finding also provides important implications for sex differences in the prevalence of language disorders, such as dyslexia and stuttering.
An Orthogonal Approach for Determination of Acetamide Content in Pharmaceutical Drug Substance and Base-Contaminated Acetonitrile by GC and GC-MS External Method
Authors: Rajana Nagaraju , Yarbagi Kaviaraj M , Balakumaran K , Madhubabu M V , Mosesbabu J , Basavaiah K , Rama Devi Dharamasoth 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Acetamide is a potential genotoxic impurity; it should control in drug substance based on daily dosage level. It forms from base-contaminated acetonitrile and by-product of some drug substances. The available methods for acetamide in drug substance and water samples were determined by GC-MS using internal standard with critical procedures. These developed and validated methods can assist in evaluating the reaction between acetonitrile and different bases and also determine trace level acetamide in drug substances. The method development was initiated with DB-624, 30 m, 0.32 width and 1.0-μm column. The column was used to validate at the 600 ppm TTC value. Similarly, the CP-SIL 5CB, 60 m, 0.32 width, the 5-μm column was used for the remaining TTC values. The validation study was performed for all TTC limits. The % RSD for precision at 600, 60, 20, 10 and 2.5 ppm was &lt;15%. The % recovery at all TTC level was in between the 70 and 130%. Solution stability study was performed up to the 24 h. At 2.5 ppm, the results were &lt;15% variation from the initial value. The linearities from the 50 to 150% concerning TTC values were more than limit of 0.98 correlation coefficient. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation values were 0.4 to the 1.3 ppm, respectively, for 2.5 ppm TTC limit method.
Effect of Monthly High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation on Acute Respiratory Infections in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Camargo Carlos A , Sluyter John , Stewart Alistair W , Khaw Kay-Tee , Lawes Carlene M M , Toop Les , Waayer Debbie , Scragg Robert 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Background
Although adults with low vitamin D status are at increased risk of acute respiratory infection (ARI), randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation have provided inconsistent results.

Methods
We performed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of 5110 adults aged 50–84 years. In 2011–2012, participants were randomized to an initial oral dose of 200 000 IU vitamin D3 followed by 100 000 IU monthly (n = 2558) or placebo (n = 2552) until late 2013 (median follow-up, 1.6 years). Participants reported upper and lower ARIs on monthly questionnaires. Cox models analyzed time to first ARI (upper or lower) by treatment group.

Results
Participants’ mean age was 66 years and 58% were male; 83% were of European/other ethnicity, with the rest Maori, Polynesian, or South Asian. Mean (SD) baseline blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level was 63 (24) nmol/L; 25% were &lt;50 nmol/L. In a random sample (n = 441), vitamin D supplementation increased mean 25(OH)D to 135 nmol/L at 3 years, while those on placebo remained at 63 nmol/L. During follow-up, 3737 participants reported ≥1 ARI: 74.1% in the vitamin D group versus 73.7% in the placebo group. The hazard ratio for vitamin D compared with placebo was 1.01 (95% CI, 0.94, 1.07). Similar results were seen in most subgroups, including those with baseline 25(OH)D &lt;50 nmol/L and in analyses of the upper/lower components of the ARI outcome.

Conclusions
Monthly high-dose vitamin D supplementation does not prevent ARI in older adults with a low prevalence of profound vitamin D deficiency at baseline. Whether effects of daily or weekly dosing differ requires further study.

Clinical Trials Registration
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, identifier ACTRN12611000402943.
Getting to the Bottom of It: Sexual Positioning and Stage of Syphilis at Diagnosis, and Implications for Syphilis Screening
Authors: Cornelisse Vincent J , Chow Eric P F , Latimer Rosie L , Towns Janet , Chen Marcus , Bradshaw Catriona S , Fairley Christopher K 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundSyphilis control among men who have sex with men (MSM) would be improved if we could increase the proportion of cases who present for treatment at the primary stage rather than at a later stage, as this would reduce their duration of infectivity. We hypothesized that MSM who practiced receptive anal intercourse were more likely to present with secondary syphilis, compared to MSM who did not practice receptive anal intercourse.MethodsIn this retrospective analysis of MSM diagnosed with primary or secondary syphilis at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between 2008 and 2017, we analyzed associations between the stage of syphilis (primary vs secondary) and behavioral data collected by computer-assisted self-interviews.ResultsThere were 559 MSM diagnosed with primary (n = 338) or secondary (n = 221) syphilis. Of these, 134 (24%) men reported not practicing receptive anal sex. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, MSM were more likely to present with secondary rather than primary syphilis if they reported practicing receptive anal intercourse (adjusted odds ratio 3.90; P &lt; .001) after adjusting for age, human immunodeficiency virus status, and condom use. MSM with primary syphilis who did not practice receptive anal intercourse almost always (92%) had their primary syphilis lesion on their penis.ConclusionsThe finding that MSM who practiced receptive anal intercourse more commonly presented with secondary syphilis—and hence, had undetected syphilis during the primary stage—implies that anorectal syphilis chancres are less noticeable than penile chancres. These men may need additional strategies to improve early detection of anorectal chancres, to reduce their duration of infectivity and, hence, reduce onward transmission.Men who practiced receptive anal intercourse (AI) were more likely to present with secondary syphilis, compared to men who exclusively practiced insertive AI. Hence, men who practice receptive AI may need additional strategies to detect anal chancres, to reduce transmission.
Human needs, consumerism and welfare
Authors: Fellner Wolfgang J , Goehmann Benedikt 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAdam Smith considered consumption the sole end and purpose of all production. This presupposes a sound connection between consumption and welfare. The consumerist conceptualisation of this connection suggests that the amount of consumption equals welfare and the level of production can consequently be an indicator for welfare. The limits and problems of production measures are widely accepted. Yet, indicators like GDP remain the focus of mainstream economic theory and policy. We trace the origin of this lock-in back to the axiom of authentic and stable preferences. The suggested alternative stems from literature about human needs in heterodox economics and psychology. This literature incorporates the relevance of social aspects and cultural change for welfare. It turns out that consumerism can be a threat to well-being and welfare, rather than a requirement for it.