Using Social Media to Evaluate Public Acceptance of Infrastructure Projects

The deficit of infrastructure quality of the United States demands groundbreaking of more infrastructure projects. Despite the potential economic and social benefits brought by these projects, they could also negatively impact the community and the environment, which could in turn affect the implementation and operation of the projects. Therefore, measuring and monitoring public acceptance is critical to the success of infrastructure projects. However, current practices such as public hearings and opinion polls are slow and costly, hence are insufficient to provide satisfactory monitoring mechanism. Meanwhile, the development of state-of-the-art technologies such as social media and big data have provided people with unprecedented ways to express themselves. These platforms generate huge volumes of user-generated content, and have naturally become alternative sources of public opinion. This research proposes a framework and an analysis methodology to use big data from social media (e.g. the microblogging site Twitter) for project evaluation. The framework collects social media postings, analyzes public opinion towards infrastructure projects and builds multi-dimensional models around the big data. The interface and conceptual implementation of each component of the framework are discussed. This framework could be used as a supplement to traditional polls to provide a fast and cost-effective way for public opinion and project risk assessment. This research is followed by a case study applying the framework to a real-world infrastructure project to demonstrate the feasibility and comprehensiveness of the framework. The California High Speed Rail project is selected to be the object of study. It is an iconic and controversial large-scale infrastructure project that faced a lot of criticism, complaints and suggestions. Sentiment analysis, the most important type of analysis on the framework, is discussed concerning its application and implementation in the context of infrastructure projects. A public acceptance model for social media sentiment analysis is proposed and examined, and the best measurement of public acceptance is recommended. Moreover, the case study explores the driving force of the change in public acceptance: the social media events. Events are defined, evaluated, and an event influence quadrant is proposed to categorize and prioritize social media events. Furthermore, the individuals influencing the perceptions of these events, opinion leaders, are also modeled and identified. Three opinion leadership types are defined with top users in each type listed and discussed. A predictive model for opinion leader is also developed to identify opinion leaders using an a priori indicator. Finally, a user profiling model is established to describe social demographic characteristics of users, and each demographic feature is discussed in detail

Influence of softening annealing on microstructural heredity and mechanical properties of medium-Mn steel

Softening annealing (SA) is often required for producing medium-Mn steels (MMS) as it lowers hardness so that they can be cold rolled to reduce thickness. The influences of different SA processes on the microstructural heredity during the processing route and the final tensile properties were studied. It was found that the SA process could either intensify or weaken the influence of the Mn segregation resulting from solidification on the subsequent microstructural evolution during the process, i.e., microstructural heredity. In the case when no SA was employed, both recrystallization and rapid growth of ferrite grains preceded the reverse austenitic transformation during the intercritical annealing (IA) in the Mn-lean regions, where very coarse ferrite grains were formed. This deteriorated ductility due to the propagation of cracking along the boundary of the coarse-grained and fine-grained regions. In contrast, SA at a sufficiently high temperature could dissolve cementite, producing uniformly distributed austenite grains. They transformed to martensite during cold rolling but were reborn during IA. As a result, ultrafine austenite and ferrite grains were uniformly distributed, which improved ductility significantly. This study hints at a new approach to altering the microstructural heredity resulting from the heterogeneous Mn distribution in MMS

Yielding behavior of triplex medium Mn steel alternated with cooling strategies altering martensite/ferrite interfacial feature

In this paper, we report the influence of cooling processes on the yielding behavior of a medium Mn steel (MMS) with triplex microstructure, i.e. austenite (γ), ferrite (α) and as-quenched martensite (α'). After the intercritical annealing (IA) at both 725 ℃ and 750 ℃, the steel was subjected to the two cooling processes, i.e. air cooling (AC) and water quenching (WQ). It exhibits the discontinuous yielding after the AC following the IA at 750 ℃ while the continuous yielding after the WQ. Compared with WQ process, both the dilatometry and the microstructural examinations show that the AC process leads to lower Ms temperature, larger retained austenite (RA) fraction and less martensite, the latter is always companied with geometry necessary dislocations (GNDs) generated near the α/α' interfaces. Considering the complexity of nanosized tri-phases in this steel, the presence of martensite with key features in the resultant specimens was systematically examined by atom probe tomography (APT) on the samples prepared by the specific target lift-out method. The APT results directly revealed the C/Mn co-segregation at the α'/α interfaces in the AC samples but not in WQ samples. The numerical simulation results further suggest that the segregation of C and Mn at the α'/α interfaces may be due to different mechanisms. We conclude that the yielding of triplex MMS is determined by both the quantity of GNDs generated near the α/α' interfaces, which increases with martensite fraction, and the extent of their immobilization resulting from the interfacial segregation of solute atoms when the presence of martensite is sufficient. WQ tends to suppress the discontinuous yielding of MMS since the rapid cooling may promote more martensite formed with the increasing quantity of GNDs and prevent the interfacial segregation of both C and Mn

Clinical Characteristics of Dermatomyositis with Interstitial Lung Disease: A Retrospective Case–Control Study

Abstract Introduction Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common complication of dermatomyositis (DM) and one of the main risk factors for poor prognosis in DM patients. The aim of this study was to reveal the clinical characteristics of DM patients with ILD. Methods Clinical data from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were used to conduct a retrospective case–control study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify risk factors for ILD in DM. Results A total of 78 DM patients were included in this study, including 38 DM patients with ILD and 40 DM patients without ILD. Compared with patients without ILD, patients with ILD were older (59.6 vs. 51.2 years, P = 0.004), and had higher rates of clinically amyopathic DM (CADM) (45 vs. 20%, P = 0.019), Gottron’s papules (76 vs. 53%, P = 0.028), mechanic’s hands (13 vs. 0%, P = 0.018), myocardial involvement (29 vs. 8%, P = 0.014), and higher positive rates of anti-SSA/Ro52 (74 vs. 20%, P < 0.001) and anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene-5 (MDA5) (24 vs. 8%, P = 0.048) antibodies, while albumin (ALB) (34.5 vs. 38.0 g/l, P = 0.006), prognostic nutritional index (PNI) (40.3 vs. 44.7, P = 0.013), the rates of muscle weakness (45 vs. 73%, P = 0.013) and heliotrope rash (50 vs. 80%, P = 0.005) were lower. In addition, the five patients who died were all DM patients with ILD (13 vs. 0%, P = 0.018). Multivariate logistic regression showed that old age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.119, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.028–1.217, P = 0.009), Gottron’s papules (OR = 8.302, 95% CI = 1.275–54.064, P = 0.027) and anti-SSA/Ro52 (OR = 24.320, 95% CI = 4.102–144.204, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for ILD in DM. Conclusions DM patients with ILD usually present with older age, higher rates of CADM, Gottron's papules, mechanic’s hands, myocardial involvement, higher positive rates of anti-MDA5 and anti-SSA/Ro52 antibodies, lower ALB, PNI, and lower rates of muscle weakness and heliotrope rash. Old age, Gottron’s papules, and anti-SSA/Ro52 were independent risk factors for ILD in DM

Relations between different components of rejection sensitivity and adjustment in Chinese children

The goal of the present study was to examine the relations between the cognitive (i.e., expectations) and emotional (i.e., anxiety, anger) components of rejection sensitivity and adjustment among Chinese children. Participants were N = 654 children (grades four to seven) in Shanghai, China. Measures of rejection sensitivity, socio-emotional functioning, and academic achievement were collected via multi-source assessment. Among the results, the anxiety component was associated with psychological problems (e.g., social anxiety, lower self-worth), whereas the anger component was associated with social and behavioral problems (e.g., peer victimization, lower peer preference, total difficulties). Rejection expectations were associated with the widest range of adjustment difficulties. The current findings suggest that rejection sensitivity poses considerable risk for Chinese youth, and that the emotional and cognitive components of rejection sensitivity should be viewed as distinct vulnerabilities for risk. Results are discussed in terms of the unique implications of rejection sensitivity in Chinese culture

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence and phylogenetic analysis of Maiwa Yak(Bos Grunniens)

Maiwa yak is a unique local strain of yak breed resource in China. The complete mitochondrial genome was identified in this work. The mitochondrial DNA is a circular molecule with 16,324 bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a non-coding control region(D-loop). The overall nucleotide ratio is A (33.70%), G (13.22%), T (27.26%), C (25.82%) with a C + G content of 39.04%. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genomes of 17 close species using MEGA7.0 showed that Maiwa yak is most related to Pali yak and polled yak

Triglyceride Glucose–Body Mass Index Is a Reliable Indicator of Bone Mineral Density and Risk of Osteoporotic Fracture in Middle-Aged and Elderly Nondiabetic Chinese Individuals

(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship of triglyceride glucose–body mass index (TyG-BMI) with bone mineral density (BMD), femoral neck geometry, and risk of fracture in middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals. (2) Methods: A total of 832 nondiabetic individuals were selected from the prospective population-based HOPE cohort. All individuals underwent DXA for assessment of BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip, as well as femoral neck geometry. The 10-year probabilities of both major osteoporotic (MOFs) and hip fractures (HFs) were calculated. (3) Results: Cortical thickness, compression strength index, cross-sectional moment of inertia, cross-sectional area, section modulus, and 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in women (all p 4) Conclusion: TyG-BMI is positively associated with BMD and geometry, and negatively associated with risk of fracture in nondiabetic middle-aged and elderly Chinese men and women

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Jialuo sheep (Ovis aries)

Jialuo sheep is one of the important production materials of herdsmen in the pastoral areas of northwestern Sichuan in China. We reported the complete mitogenome of Jialuo sheep for the first time. It is 16,617 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a control region (D-loop). In the evolutionary relationship, the mitogenome of Jialuo sheep is closer to Texel sheep. This report will help the further studies of sheep species classification and resource protection

Clinical Efficacy and Rehabilitation of Microscopic “Over the Top” for Bilateral Decompression in Degenerative Lumbar Stenosis: A Retrospective Study

Background. Recently, “over the top” (also called ULBD; microscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression) is a less invasive technique for symptomatic degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), and this minimally invasive surgical technique has demonstrated favorable therapeutic outcomes. However, the risk of postoperative complications remains controversial. Objective. This study is aimed at determining the clinical efficacy and complication and rehabilitation of the microscopic “over the top” for degenerative LSS in geriatric patients. Study Design. This was a retrospective study. Setting. All data were obtained from the People’s Hospital of a University. Methods. A retrospective analysis of 39 consecutive elderly patients treated for LSS by microscopic “over the top” between January 2016 and January 2018 was performed. A postoperative rehabilitation program for geriatric patients with restricted weight-bearing was instituted after the microscopic “over the top” treatment. Estimated blood loss, duration of operation, length of hospitalization, and total complications were also evaluated. The CT and MRI examinations of the lumbar spine were collected to evaluate the completeness of the nerve decompression. Clinical data were assessed at 6 months and 12 months after operation utilizing the visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Preoperative comorbidities, complications, and revision surgery were also recorded. Results. We enrolled a total of 39 degenerative LSS patients (27 male and 12 female patients, mean age of 75.8±9.2 years). Twenty patients had one-level of degenerative LSS; thirteen patients had two-level of LSS; six patients had three-level of LSS. The average follow-up time in our study was 14.6±7.8 months (range, 6-24 months). The overall complication rate was 10.2% (4/39), and the reoperation rates at one year were 2.5% (1/39). VAS back and leg pain score at 6 months were decreased to 1.8±0.7 and 1.4±0.6, respectively, and remained at 1.9±0.3 and 1.2±0.2 at 12 months, respectively. ODI scores improved significantly from 32.26±6.82 to 11.44±2.50 at 6 months and 10.56±2.29 at 12 months. 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey scores revealed a significant improvement throughout follow-up. Postoperative complications included dural tear (n=2), neurologic deficit (n=1), and reoperation (n=1). No infections or hematomas were reported. Limitation. Multicenter research is recommended to confirm our results and investigate the factors related to clinical and radiographic results. Conclusions. Microscopic “over the top” technique is a safe, effective option in the therapy of degenerative LSS and obtained satisfactory functional outcomes when coupled with aggressive rehabilitation, with a long recurrence-free recovery