bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ADULT MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL-BASED APPROACHES FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS: CURRENT PERSPECTIVES AND CHALLENGES
Authors: Hsiao Yi-min , Hu Chih-Chien , Chang Chih-Hsiang , Chen Mei-Feng , Chang Yuhan
Published: December 2020

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that may cause joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain. Current therapy for OA involves symptomatic treatment, mainly pain management. Therefore, it does not repair degenerated cartilage or attenuate joint inflammation. Because articular cartilage cannot heal or regenerate these tissues, tissue regeneration remains one of the most important objectives of new and potential OA therapeutics. The main features of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are simple acquisition from adult tissues, rapid proliferation in vitro, immunomodulation in vivo, and lasting existence in the host, which are beneficial for OA treatment. In the past 15 years, adult MSCs, including bone marrow-, adipose-, and synovial membrane-derived MSCs, and their secretome have been successfully used in different animal (preclinical) models or in genetic manipulation for regenerating degenerated cartilage, reducing inflammation, or relieving pain. Furthermore, the implantation of adult MSCs showed pain reduction, anti-inflammation, and cartilage protection or healing in early-phase clinical trials. Adult MSCs are the most extensively explored as potential regenerative medicine for OA because of their efficacy in chondrocyte differentiation and their immunomodulatory properties. In this review paper, we highlighted current knowledge and future perspectives regarding preclinical tests, clinical application, and MSC-based/related products for curing OA.
Dynamic Stability of Simply Supported Beams with Multi-Harmonic Parametric Excitation
Authors: Xu Chao , Wang Zhengzhong , Li Baohui
Published: December 2020

Determination of the regions of dynamic instability has been an important issue for elastic structures. Under the extreme climate, the external load acting on structures is becoming more and more complicated, which can induce dynamic instability of elastic structures. In this study, we explore the dynamic instability and response characteristics of simply supported beams under multi-harmonic parametric excitation. A numerical approach for determining the instability regions under multi-harmonic parametric excitation is developed here by examining the eigenvalues of characteristic exponents of the monodromy matrix based on the Floquet theorem, and the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method is used to calculate the dynamic responses. The accuracy of the method is verified by the comparison with classical approximate boundary formulas of dynamic instability regions. The numerical results reveal that Bolotin’s approximate formulas are only applicable to the low-order instability regions with a small value of the excitation parameter of simple parametric resonance. Multi-harmonic parametric excitation can significantly change the dynamic instability regions, it may cause parametric resonance on beams for longitudinal complex periodic loads. The influence of frequency and number of multiply harmonics on the parametrically excited vibration of the beam is explored. High-order harmonics with low-frequency have positive effects on the stable response characteristics for multi-harmonic parametric excitation. This paper provides a new perspective for the vibration suppression of parametric excitation. The developed procedure can be used for multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) systems under complex excitation (e.g. tsunami waves and strong winds).
Experimental Study of the Effect of Proximity between Adjacent Buildings on their Dynamic Response
Authors: Barrios Gonzalo , Larkin Tam , Chouw Nawawi
Published: December 2020

Most of the experimental works on adjacent structures consider a short distance between them to analyze the interaction. Additionally, the majority of these studies focus on changes in the dynamic response of the buildings (e.g. acceleration, lateral displacement, or rocking) assuming that the fundamental frequency and the damping of the structures remain the same as those for the stand-alone case. This work intends to reveal the effect of distance on the interaction between adjacent structures and the effect of neighboring buildings on the dynamic properties of a structure. This was achieved by studying the dynamic response of single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structures in a laminar box filled with sand sitting on a shake table. This study initially addressed the attenuation of the acceleration through the soil with the distance considering the structures at different distances. The second part of the study considers multiple configurations of adjacent structures to estimate the influence of the number of neighbors on the fundamental frequency and damping ratio of a subject building. An increasing fundamental frequency with an increasing number of participating structures was observed. An equation to estimate the influence of the number of neighboring buildings on the fundamental frequency of the subject structure is proposed. For the damping ratio, a considerable influence of the soil was observed. The lowest damping was obtained for an intermediate number of structures.
Monitoring of edema progression in permanent and transient MCAO model using SS-OCT
Authors: Yu Yao , Meng Ziyue , Li Ang , Lin Yang , Liu Jian , Ma Yushu , Wang Yi , Ma Zhenhe
Published: December 2020

Cerebral edema is a severe complication of acute ischemic stroke with high mortality but limited treatment. Although parameters such as brain water content and intracranial pressure may represent the global assessment of edema, optical properties can appear heterogeneously throughout the cerebral tissue relative to the site of injury. In this study, we have monitored the edema formation and progression in both permanent and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion models in rats. Edema was reflected by the decrease of optical attenuation coefficient (OAC) value in OCT system. By utilizing swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), we found that in photochemically induced permanent focal stroke model, both the edema size and edema index, steadily developed until the end of monitor (7[Formula: see text]h). Comparatively, when transient ischemia was introduced with endothelin-1 (ET-1), the edema was detected as early as 15[Formula: see text]min, and began to recover after 30[Formula: see text]min until monitor was finished (3[Formula: see text]h). Despite the majority of the edema being recovered to some extent, the condition of a small region within the edema kept deteriorating, presumably due to the reperfusion damage which might result in serious clinical outcomes. Our study has compared the edema characteristics from two different acute ischemic stroke situations. This work not only confirms the capability of OCT to temporal and spatial monitor of edema but is also able to locate focal conditions at some areas that might highly determine the prognosis and treatment decisions.
COVID-19 Testing: Frequency Wins over Sensitivity in Control of Disease Transmission
Authors: Berthiaume Francois
Published: December 2020

Emerging pathogens have no known therapies or vaccines and therefore can only be controlled via traditional methods of contact tracing, quarantine and isolation that require rapid and widespread testing. The most recent outbreak from an emerging pathogen is due to the highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19 disease, which is associated with no symptoms or mild symptoms in 80–90% of the infected individuals, while in the remainder of the patients it exhibits severe illness that can be lethal or persist for several weeks to months after infection. The first tests to diagnose infection by SARS-CoV-2 were developed soon after the genome of the virus became known, and use probes to measure viral RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). These tests are highly sensitive and specific but can require several days to return results, which makes contact tracing and more generally efforts to control the spread of the infection very difficult. Furthermore, the sensitivity threshold is orders of magnitude below the viral load necessary for transmission; therefore, individuals recovering from the infection may still be have a positive test and be required to isolate unnecessarily while they are no longer infectious. Antigen tests were subsequently developed that use antibodies mostly targeted to the nucleocapsid protein of the virus. These tests are about 100 times less sensitive than RT-PCR, yes they detect viral loads that are about 1/10 that needed for transmission. Furthermore, such tests are potentially much cheaper than RT-PCR and yield results in 15 min or less. Antibody, also known as serological testing, is available and can provide useful information to understand the extent to which a population has been exposed to the virus; however, it is not a good indicator of current infection and not useful for infection control. Viral transmission models that incorporate testing and contact tracing show that infection control is much more readily achieved by increasing testing frequency than by using higher sensitivity testing. For example, compared to no testing at all, testing once every other week has a marginal benefit, while testing weekly can decrease the number of infections to 20–40%, and testing twice weekly or more can bring about a 95%[Formula: see text] reduction in infections. These lessons learned from dealing from the COVID-19 pandemic should guide future planning against potential emerging viruses.
Investigation of Schwannomas in the Forearms, Hands, and Digits: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Suzuki Ayumi , Kanda Toshihiro , Yoshimizu Takaki , Mukoda Masashi , Inoue Yoshiya
Published: December 2020

Background: Previous reports on schwannomas of the upper extremities have mainly focused on proximal involvement. This study aimed to evaluate pre- and peri-operative findings in schwannomas of the distal upper extremities and assess the accuracy of diagnosis and surgical outcome.

Methods: We identified 24 patients with isolated tumors. Seven patients had schwannomas located in the forearm, eleven in the hand, and six in the digits. We collected the following data: preoperative clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings, provisional diagnosis, surgical findings and procedures, tumor volume, and postoperative clinical findings. Data were compared between tumors of different locations.

Results: The mean age of our cohort at the time of surgery was 48.0 years and the mean follow-up period was 10.6 months. All patients with forearm schwannomas were diagnosed preoperatively by the presence of the Tinel-like sign and suggestive magnetic resonance imaging findings. In contrast, schwannomas in the hands and digits often lacked these diagnostic features; only five patients with hand schwannomas and one with digit schwannoma were correctly diagnosed. Microsurgical enucleation was the most common treatment. Ten patients reported newly acquired paresthesia after operation, which resolved within the follow-up period in nine patients. Three of the four patients with preoperative paresthesia and one patient who underwent enucleation with surgical loupes still had paresthesia at the final follow-up.

Conclusions: In schwannomas of the distal upper extremities, a more distal location is associated with a lower occurrence of the Tinel-like sign and fewer suggestive magnetic resonance imaging findings, resulting in lower diagnostic accuracy. However, intra-operative diagnosis is usually straightforward and microsurgical enucleation does not cause iatrogenic nerve deficit. When treating soft tissue tumors in the hand and digits that present without specific or suggestive findings, the possibility of schwannoma should be considered.
An Unusual Presentation of Gout Involving the Ankle Ligaments
Authors: Cheung Tommy Tsang , Chan Helen Ka Yan , Lee Gavin Ka Wing
Published: December 2020

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis due to deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in joints and connective tissues. In contrast to joint disease, the majority of extra-articular involvement remains asymptomatic in patients with gout. Achilles tendon is the most common site of involvement and the inflammation elicited by MSU crystals can be falsely attributed to injury or overuse. In addition, tendon or ligament damage secondary to MSU crystal deposition can lead to ligament tear or tendon rupture.

However, the diagnosis of gout in patients with extra-articular involvement is often delayed or even missed because tissue sampling is not feasible in routine clinical practice. Advanced imaging techniques using ultrasound and dual-energy computer tomography (DECT) can detect MSU crystal deposition in a non-invasive manner and confirm the diagnosis of gout in patients with extra-articular involvement.

The following case demonstrates an atypical presentation of gout causing multiple ligament tears in the ankle and highlights the role of DECT in the diagnosis of gout with extra-articular involvement.
Imaging the Surface of a Polycrystalline Electrodeposited Cu Film in Real Time Using In Situ High-Speed AFM
Authors: Koorikkat Aswathi , Payton Oliver , Picco Loren , Schwarzacher Walther
Published: December 2020

We studied the surface evolution of polycrystalline Cu films electrodeposited from an organic additive-free acid sulphate electrolyte on to a gold microelectrode using a high-speed Atomic Force Microscope (HS-AFM) which images an area of 2 × 2 μm at 2 frames per second and a resolution of 1000 × 1000 pixels. The ability to acquire data at this rate opens even fast growth processes to in situ investigation. Real-time images from a film deposited at ∼0.5 nm s−1 revealed many interesting phenomena, most significantly highly non-uniform grain growth rates with several examples of grains showing accelerated growth compared to their neighbours. Grain overgrowth was also observed in different regions of the sample. Surface roughness scaling and slope analysis provided evidence for structural coarsening of the film and an increase in the mean slope θ with increasing film thickness t. We show how both grain overgrowth and an increase in θ can contribute to the coarsening of the surface structure as deposition proceeds.
Study on the Coalbed Methane Development under High In Situ Stress, Large Buried Depth, and Low Permeability Reservoir in the Libi Block, Qinshui Basin, China
Authors: Huang Jinkuang , Liu Shenggui , Tang Songlei , Shi Shixiong , Wang Chao
Published: December 2020

Coalbed methane (CBM) has been exploited in the deep area of the coal reservoir (>1000 m). The production of CBM vertical wells is low because of the high in situ stress, large buried depth, and low permeability of the coal reservoir. In this paper, efficient and advanced CBM development technology has been applied in the Libi Block of the Qinshui Basin. According to the characteristics of the coal reservoir in the Libi Block, the coiled tubing fracturing technology has been implemented in four cluster horizontal wells. Staged fracturing of horizontal wells can link more natural fracture networks. It could also expand the pressure drop range and control area of the single well. This fracturing technology has achieved good economic results in the Libi Block, with the maximum production of a single horizontal well being 25313 m3/d and the average single well production having increased by more than 60% from 5000 m3/d to 8000 m3/d. Based on the data regarding the bottom hole pressure, water production, and gas production, the production curves of four wells, namely, Z5P‐01L, Z5P‐02L, Z5P‐03L, and Z5P‐04L, were investigated. Furthermore, a production system with slow and stable depressurization was obtained. The bottom hole pressure drops too fast, which results in decreasing permeability and productivity. In this work, a special jet pump and an intelligent remote production control system for the CBM wells were developed; hence, a CBM production technology suitable for the Libi Block was established. The maximum release for the CBM well productivity was obtained, thus providing theoretical and technical support for CBM development with geological and engineering challenges.
Arterial Hypertension as a Risk Comorbidity Associated with COVID-19 Pathology
Authors: Kamyshnyi Alexander , Krynytska Inna , Matskevych Victoriya , Marushchak Mariya , Lushchak Oleh
Published: December 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an ongoing global public health challenge. Current clinical data suggest that, in COVID-19 patients, arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most common cardiovascular comorbidities; it can worsen outcomes and increase the risk of admission to intensive care unit (ICU). The exact mechanisms through which AH contributes to the poor prognosis in COVID-19 are not yet clear. The putative relationship between AH and COVID-19 may be linked to the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a key element of the AH pathophysiology. Another mechanism connecting AH and COVID-19 is the dysregulation of the immune system resulting in a cytokine storm, mediated by an imbalanced response of T helper cells subtypes. Therefore, it is essential to optimize blood pressure control in hypertensive patients and monitor them carefully for cardiovascular and other complications for the duration of COVID-19 infection. The question whether AH-linked ACE2 gene polymorphisms increase the risk and/or worsen the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection should also receive further consideration.
Locomotion Prediction for Lower Limb Prostheses in Complex Environments via sEMG and Inertial Sensors
Authors: Peng Fang , Zhang Cheng , Xu Bugong , Li Jiehao , Wang Zhen , Su Hang
Published: December 2020

Previous studies have shown that the motion intention recognition for lower limb prosthesis mainly focused on the identification of performed gait. However, the bionic prosthesis needs to know the next movement at the beginning of a new gait, especially in complex operation environments. In this paper, an upcoming locomotion prediction scheme via multilevel classifier fusion was proposed for the complex operation. At first, two motion states, including steady state and transient state, were defined. Steady-state recognition was backtracking of a completed gait, which would be used as prior knowledge of motion prediction. In steady-state recognition, surface electromyographic (sEMG) and inertial sensors were fused to improve recognition accuracy; five typical locomotion modes were recognized by random forest classifier with over 97.8% accuracy. The transient state was defined as an observation period at the initial stage of upcoming movement, in which only the sEMG signal was recorded due to the limitation of sliding window length. LightGBM classifier was validated to outperform other methods in the accuracy and prediction time of transient-state recognition. Finally, a simplified HMM model based on prior knowledge and observation result was constructed to predict upcoming locomotion. The results indicated that the locomotion prediction was over 91% accuracy. The proposed scheme implements the locomotion prediction at the initial stage of each gait and provides critical information for the gait control of lower limb prosthesis.
COVID-19 and Neutrophils: The Relationship between Hyperinflammation and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps
Authors: Borges Leandro , Pithon-Curi Tania Cristina , Curi Rui , Hatanaka Elaine
Published: December 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus-induced respiratory disease that may progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and is triggered by immunopathological mechanisms that cause excessive inflammation and leukocyte dysfunction. Neutrophils play a critical function in the clearance of bacteria with specific mechanisms to combat viruses. The aim of this review is to highlight the current advances in the pathways of neutrophilic inflammation against viral infection over the past ten years, focusing on the production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and its impact on severe lung diseases, such as COVID-19. We focused on studies regarding hyperinflammation, cytokine storms, neutrophil function, and viral infections. We discuss how the neutrophil’s role could influence COVID-19 symptoms in the interaction between hyperinflammation (overproduction of NETs and cytokines) and the clearance function of neutrophils to eliminate the viral infection. We also propose a more in-depth investigation into the neutrophil response mechanism targeting NETosis in the different phases of COVID-19.
The Recent Progress and Applications of Digital Technologies in Healthcare: A Review
Authors: Senbekov Maksut , Saliev Timur , Bukeyeva Zhanar , Almabayeva Aigul , Zhanaliyeva Marina , Aitenova Nazym , Toishibekov Yerzhan , Fakhradiyev Ildar
Published: December 2020

Background. The implementation of medical digital technologies can provide better accessibility and flexibility of healthcare for the public. It encompasses the availability of open information on the health, treatment, complications, and recent progress on biomedical research. At present, even in low-income countries, diagnostic and medical services are becoming more accessible and available. However, many issues related to digital health technologies remain unmet, including the reliability, safety, testing, and ethical aspects. Purpose. The aim of the review is to discuss and analyze the recent progress on the application of big data, artificial intelligence, telemedicine, block-chain platforms, smart devices in healthcare, and medical education. Basic Design. The publication search was carried out using Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Sciences, Medline, Wiley Online Library, and CrossRef databases. The review highlights the applications of artificial intelligence, “big data,” telemedicine and block-chain technologies, and smart devices (internet of things) for solving the real problems in healthcare and medical education. Major Findings. We identified 252 papers related to the digital health area. However, the number of papers discussed in the review was limited to 152 due to the exclusion criteria. The literature search demonstrated that digital health technologies became highly sought due to recent pandemics, including COVID-19. The disastrous dissemination of COVID-19 through all continents triggered the need for fast and effective solutions to localize, manage, and treat the viral infection. In this regard, the use of telemedicine and other e-health technologies might help to lessen the pressure on healthcare systems. Summary. Digital platforms can help optimize diagnosis, consulting, and treatment of patients. However, due to the lack of official regulations and recommendations, the stakeholders, including private and governmental organizations, are facing the problem with adequate validation and approbation of novel digital health technologies. In this regard, proper scientific research is required before a digital product is deployed for the healthcare sector.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation about Small Clearance Journal Bearings under Static Load Conditions
Authors: Niccolini Marmont Du Haut Champ Carlo Alberto , Stefani Fabrizio , Silvestri Paolo
Published: December 2020

The aim of the present research is to characterize both experimentally and numerically journal bearings with low radial clearances for rotors in small-scale applications (e.g., microgas turbines); their diameter is in the order of ten millimetres, leading to very small dimensional clearances when the typical relative ones (order of 1/1000) are employed; investigating this particular class of journal bearings under static and dynamic loading conditions represents something unexplored. To this goal, a suitable test rig was designed and the performance of its bearings was investigated under steady load. For the sake of comparison, numerical simulations of the lubrication were also performed by means of a simplified model. The original test rig adopted is a commercial rotor kit (RK), but substantial modifications were carried out in order to allow significant measurements. Indeed, the relative radial clearance of RK4 RK bearings is about 2/100, while it is around 1/1000 in industrial bearings. Therefore, the same original RK bearings are employed in this new test rig, but a new shaft was designed to reduce their original clearance. The new custom shaft allows to study bearing behaviour for different clearances, since it is equipped with interchangeable journals. Experimental data obtained by this test rig are then compared with further results of more sophisticated simulations. They were carried out by means of an in-house developed finite element (FEM) code, suitable for thermoelasto-hydrodynamic (TEHD) analysis of journal bearings both in static and dynamic conditions. In this paper, bearing static performances are studied to assess the reliability of the experimental journal location predictions by comparing them with the ones coming from already validated numerical codes. Such comparisons are presented both for large and small clearance bearings of original and modified RKs, respectively. Good agreement is found only for the modified RK equipped with small clearance bearings (relative radial clearance 8/1000), as expected. In comparison with two-dimensional lubrication analysis, three-dimensional simulation improves prediction of journal location and correlation with experimental results.
A Splint-to-CT Data Registration Strategy for Maxillary Navigation Surgery
Authors: Yamamoto Shinsuke , Hara Shigeo , Takenobu Toshihiko
Published: December 2020

Computer-assisted navigation plays an important role in modern craniomaxillofacial surgery. Although headpins and skull posts are widely used for the fixation of the reference frame, they require the use of invasive procedures. Headbands are easily displaced intraoperatively, thus reducing the accuracy of the surgical outcome. This study reported the utility of a novel splint integrated with a reference frame and registration markers for maxillary navigation surgery. A maxillary splint with a 10 cm resin handle was fabricated before surgery, to fix the reference frame to the splint. The splint was set after the incorporation of fiducial gutta-percha markers into both the splint and resin handle for marker-based pair-point registration. A computed tomography (CT) scan was acquired for preoperative CT-based planning. A marker-based pair-point registration procedure can be completed easily and noninvasively using this custom-made integrated splint, and maxillary navigation surgery can be performed with high accuracy. This method also provides maximum convenience for the surgeon, as the splint does not require reregistration, and can be removed temporarily when required. The splint-to-CT data registration strategy has potential applicability not only for maxillary surgery but also for otolaryngologic surgery, neurosurgery, and surgical repair after craniofacial trauma.
Histopathologic Parameters at Diagnosis as Early Predictors of Histologic Remission along the Course of Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Yamamoto-Furusho Jesús K. , Martínez-Benítez Braulio , Sánchez-Morales Germán E.
Published: December 2020

Background. Currently, the treatment goal in ulcerative colitis (UC) is to achieve clinical and endoscopic remission; nevertheless, histologic remission is a potential new treatment goal since it is associated with favorable long-term clinical outcome lower rates of hospitalization, complications, and colectomies. Aim. Evaluate clinical and histopathologic characteristics at diagnosis as potential predictors of histologic remission in patients with ulcerative colitis. Methods. This is a retrospective cohort study from 2007 to 2014, including 260 patients. Clinical and demographic information and Mayo endoscopic and Riley histologic grade were obtained accordingly with the follow-up. Histological evaluation was made for all 260 patients; fifty-six patients with histologic remission at the follow-up underwent separate evaluation of mucosal biopsy at the moment of diagnosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to data from these 56 patients to identify histologic features at diagnosis associated with histologic remission during follow-up. The odds ratio (OR) was determined as a measure for the strength of association. A

P

value of less than 0.05 was taken as a level of significance. Results. The frequency of histologic remission according to the Riley index in our study group was 21.5%. Factors associated with histologic remission were treatment with steroids (

P
=
0.01

,

OR
=
0.38

,

CI
 
95
%
=
0.16
‐
0.90

), reduced mucin production (

P
=
0.02

,

OR
=
0.23

,

CI
 
95
%
=
0.06
–
0.86

), and less than 10 eosinophils per high power field (

P
=
0.001

,

OR
=
6.66

,

CI
 
95
%
=
2.03
–
21.84

). Conclusion. Factors that impair histologic remission in patients with ulcerative colitis were treatment with steroids and reduced mucin production; meanwhile, less than 10 eosinophils per high power showed a predictive value for histologic remission.
Fault Slip Risk Assessment and Treating Parameter Optimization for Casing Deformation Prevention: A Case Study in the Sichuan Basin
Authors: Huang Rui , Chen Zhaowei , Zhang Fengshou , Zhou Xiaojin , Wang Qian , Cao Hu , Zhang Haozhe , Yang Xuegang
Published: December 2020

Casing deformation is a key issue that restricts the efficient development of shale gas in the Sichuan Basin, southwest China. In this study, we take the Ning209 block as an example to analyze the characteristics of casing deformation distribution and the mitigation effect of using reduced treating parameters on casing deformation. The geological structure and in-situ stress characteristics of this block indicate that the high horizontal stress difference and high pore pressure may be the main cause of casing deformation. Hence, based on the fault likelihood and 3D in-situ stress model, a geomechanical probability model of fault slip is established to identify the areas with high risk of faults to explain the distribution of casing deformation and investigate the impact of reducing pumping rate on fault slip. The results show that the faults in the upper region of the block have a higher slip probability than the faults in the lower region, consistent with field casing deformation observation. The high stress difference and high pore pressure are the main factors causing a high slip probability of faults. After reducing pumping rate, slip probability is found to change from medium risk to low risk for faults in the lower region, which led to a significant reduction of casing deformation in the lower region. Reducing pumping rate can play a significant role in mitigating casing deformation caused by medium-risk faults, which has been proved by the field practices. This paper proposes a comprehensive method for preventing casing deformation by combining the fault slip risk assessment with the treating parameters optimization, which bridges the gap between prediction and control for mitigating casing deformation in the field.
Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognitive Performance in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome: Insights from Sustained Cognitive Stress Test
Authors: Wells Rachel , Malik Varun , Brooks Anthony G. , Linz Dominik , Elliott Adrian D. , Sanders Prashanthan , Page Amanda , Baumert Mathias , Lau Dennis H.
Published: December 2020

Background

The physiology underlying "brain fog" in the absence of orthostatic stress in postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) remains poorly understood.

Methods and Results

We evaluated cognitive and hemodynamic responses (cardiovascular and cerebral: heart rate, blood pressure, end‐tidal carbon dioxide, and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) in the middle cerebral artery at baseline, after initial cognitive testing, and after (30‐minutes duration) prolonged cognitive stress test (PCST) whilst seated; as well as after 5‐minute standing in consecutively enrolled participants with POTS (n=22) and healthy controls (n=18). Symptom severity was quantified with orthostatic hypotensive questionnaire at baseline and end of study. Subjects in POTS and control groups were frequency age‐ and sex‐matched (29±11 versus 28±13 years; 86 versus 72% women, respectively; both
P
≥0.4). The CBFv decreased in both groups (condition,
P
=0.04) following PCST, but a greater reduction in CBFv was observed in the POTS versus control group (−7.8% versus −1.8%; interaction,
P
=0.038). Notably, the reduced CBFv following PCST in the POTS group was similar to that seen during orthostatic stress (60.0±14.9 versus 60.4±14.8 cm/s). Further, PCST resulted in greater slowing in psychomotor speed (6.1% versus 1.4%, interaction,
P
=0.027) and a greater increase in symptom scores at study completion (interaction,
P
<0.001) in the patients with POTS, including increased difficulty with concentration. All other physiologic responses (blood pressure and end‐tidal carbon dioxide) did not differ between groups after PCST (all
P
>0.05).

Conclusions

Reduced CBFv and cognitive dysfunction were evident in patients with POTS following prolonged cognitive stress even in the absence of orthostatic stress.
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Compared With Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion Imaging as a Guide to Optimal Medical Therapy in Patients Presenting With Stable Angina: The RESCUE Trial
Authors: Stillman Arthur E. , Gatsonis Constantine , Lima Joao A.C. , Liu Tao , Snyder Bradley S. , Cormack Jean , Malholtra Vinay , Schnall Mitchell D. , Udelson James E. , Hoffmann Udo , Woodard Pamela K. , Kim M‐S , Hegde V , Kenny  , Afaq M , Clouse M , Malhotra V , Cole  , Al‐Khori F , Scherer M , Rothenberg F , Kirsch J , Shah A , Quyyumi A , Engberding N , Becker C , Li D , Pantelic M , Duerinckx A , Martin  , Schrank J , Zachariah  , Jacob R , Borges A , Roberge E , Truong Q , Edelman R , Akers S , Marsh K , Kemp  , Reingold J , Chilakapati V , Osborne J , Lui K , Gomes A , Bajpai A , del Rio J.R. , Singh  , Thompson B , Rivard A , Jha S , Mavromatis K , Woodard P , Sinusas A
Published: December 2020

Background

The RESCUE (Randomized Evaluation of Patients with Stable Angina Comparing Utilization of Noninvasive Examinations) trial was a randomized, controlled, multicenter, comparative efficacy outcomes trial designed to assess whether initial testing with coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is noninferior to single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging in directing patients with stable angina to optimal medical therapy alone or optimal medical therapy with revascularization.

Methods and Results

The end point was first major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) (cardiac death or myocardial infarction), or revascularization. Noninferiority margin for CCTA was set a priori as a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.3 (95% CI=0, 1.605). One thousand fifty participants from 44 sites were randomized to CCTA (n=518) or SPECT (n=532). Mean follow‐up time was 16.2 (SD 7.9) months. There were no cardiac‐related deaths. In patients with a negative CCTA there was 1 acute myocardial infarction; in patients with a negative SPECT examination there were 2 acute myocardial infarctions; and for positive CCTA and SPECT, 1 acute myocardial infarction each. Participants in the CCTA arm had a similar rate of MACE or revascularization compared with those in the SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging arm, (HR, 1.03; 95% CI=0.61‐1.75) (
P
=0.19). CCTA segment involvement by a stenosis of ≥50% diameter was a better predictor of MACE and revascularization at 1 year (
P
=0.02) than the percent reversible defect size by SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging. Four (1.2%) patients with negative CCTA compared with 14 (3.2%) with negative SPECT had MACE or revascularization (
P
=0.03).

Conclusions

There was no difference in outcomes of patients who had stable angina and who underwent CCTA in comparison to SPECT as the first imaging test directing them to optimal medical therapy alone or with revascularization. CCTA was a better predictor of MACE and revascularization.

Registration Information

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
. Identifier: NCT01262625.
Exercise Reduces Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Patients With Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Saco‐Ledo Gonzalo , Valenzuela Pedro L. , Ruiz‐Hurtado Gema , Ruilope Luis M. , Lucia Alejandro
Published: December 2020

Background

Although exercise training reduces office blood pressure (BP), scarcer evidence is available on whether these benefits also apply to ambulatory blood pressure (ABP), which is a stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality. The present study aims to assess the effects of exercise training on ABP in patients with hypertension based on evidence from randomized controlled trials.

Methods and Results

A systematic search of randomized controlled trials on the aforementioned topic was conducted in PubMed and Scopus (since inception to April 1, 2020). The mean difference between interventions (along with 95% CI) for systolic BP and diastolic BP was assessed using a random‐effects model. Sub‐analyses were performed attending to (1) whether participants were taking antihypertensive drugs and (2) exercise modalities. Fifteen studies (including 910 participants with hypertension) met the inclusion criteria. Interventions lasted 8 to 24 weeks (3–5 sessions/week). Exercise significantly reduced 24‐hour (systolic BP, −5.4 mm Hg; [95% CI, −9.2 to −1.6]; diastolic BP, −3.0 mm Hg [−5.4 to −0.6]), daytime (systolic BP, −4.5 mm Hg [−6.6 to −2.3]; diastolic BP, −3.2 mm Hg [−4.8 to −1.5]), and nighttime ABP (systolic BP, −4.7 mm Hg [−8.4 to −1.0]; diastolic BP, −3.1 mm Hg [−5.3 to −0.9]). In separate analyses, exercise benefits on all ABP measures were significant for patients taking medication (all
P
<0.05) but not for untreated patients (although differences between medicated and non‐medicated patients were not significant), and only aerobic exercise provided significant benefits (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions

Aerobic exercise is an effective coadjuvant treatment for reducing ABP in medicated patients with hypertension.
Representation of a Foreign Woman in Contemporary Japan
Authors: Forero-Montoya Betsy
Published: December 2020

Under the conceptual framework of foreign Otherness in Japan, the article explores the media representation of a Latin American woman, Anita Alvarado. It proposes that she became a well-known character who was instrumental in the othering processes of foreign identities in Japan. Originally from Chile, Alvarado moved to Japan and became involved in a scandalous fraud committed by her husband. Since then, Japanese media have produced content that continue reminding audiences of the incident, while simultaneously creating an atmosphere of suspicion around her. Based on a content analysis and a textual analysis of written news, the article argues that media references to Alvarado nourish the Japanese structure of othering.
Understanding the Power Interactions between Villages and the State
Authors: Huang Qidong , Xu Jiajun
Published: December 2020

Chinese villages have been historically regarded as autonomous areas without officials from the state. Since the founding of modern China in 1949, the two forces of state and villages that once co-existed and had no influence on each other have produced ever closer relations or even conflicts. The state power has accelerated the process of infiltration into villages in the last decade. Through the observation and research of sand mining in Beicun village, we find that the villagers do not simply resist or obey the state power, but gradually seek the balance between the traditional ritual order and the modern political system. Moreover, with the entry of state power into the village, power dissimilation, such as political favouritism and politicisation of local magnates, are affecting village governance. The key point of reconstructing modern rural political ecology lies in reserving sufficient room for the development of rural conventions under the national political system and in finding balance in the power interactions the state and villages.
Citizenship through Fiction
Authors: Syed Ghazal Kazim
Published: December 2020

This study explores students’ responses to identifying two themes of citizenship, identity, and discrimination in literary texts taught to them at undergraduate level as part of their curriculum at a department of English at a government university in Sindh, Pakistan. The current study takes responses of the students who have read five novels as part of their curriculum, through questionnaires, to find out if they identify the two themes in those novels. Further to the questionnaire data, interviews are conducted under the framework of reader-response theory to investigate the factors that have led to students’ choice of certain texts over others. The study finds that students relate to and identify citizenship themes in the texts that are closer to their socio-geographic cultures. The students, however, do not identify themes in those novels that are difficult in structure as understanding the narrative technique takes up most of the effort of the readers. Based on the findings of this study, citizenship educators and teachers of English can recommend more appropriate texts to teach identity and discrimination through literature wherever explicit statutory teaching of citizenship may not be possible.
Constructing Authenticity in Discourse(s)
Authors: Thadathil Hashim
Published: December 2020

Claiming and representing “True” Islam has been a major preoccupation among the Muslim groups in Kerala in recent times. In a way, this has augmented the Muslim public sphere in which active debates happen, and also breaks with the general understanding of Islam as monolithic in its ideology and practice. This paper attempts to bring precisely this dynamics of Muslim public sphere in Malabar where prominent groups like the Sunni, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen debate constantly over the representation and following of what is called “True Islam.” The claim towards a true Islam is done by each of the groups by claiming authenticity over what they preach and practice. This paper highlights these debates in the context of the academic debates over “True” and “Authenticated” Islam.
Determinants of Multicultural Identity for Well-Being and Performance
Authors: Balakrishnan Kavitha , Harji Madhubala Bava , Angusamy Ajitha
Published: December 2020

Cultural diversity, which poses both challenges and opportunities in a multicultural education setting, necessitates recognising factors that promote multicultural identities of educators to maximise multicultural attitudes for their wellbeing and performance. This study employs structural equation modelling to examine the determinants of multicultural identities from the perspective of the cognitive-developmental model of social identity integration (CDMII) framework. Categorisation, compartmentalisation, and integration were hypothesised to explain multicultural identity and its effect on well-being and performance. Purposive sampling via survey method involved 288 educators from Malaysian Universities. The findings confirmed that multicultural identity constructs have direct and significant relationship with well-being and well-being has direct and positive relationship with the performance of multicultural team.
Concepts of Happiness and Well-Being
Authors: Charan Iftikhar Ahmed , Xin Shen , Wang Zezhuang , Yao Dewei
Published: December 2020

Culture always plays an important role in creating and affecting happiness in human beings. This study examined the predictive power of cultural factors of differences in happiness and well-being. It explored how different dimensions of cultural and psychological indices differ in their effects on happiness. Growing evidence suggests that happiness is associated with success in multiple domains, such as work, education, culture, and social relationships. We used both qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the relationship between the various factors of well-being and happiness. This study investigates the relationship between happiness and well-being in cultural and psychological resources through the concept of psychological capital, education, workplace well-being, and perceived happiness. This study compares the personal and group level cultural, social, and economic aspects of the Pakistani community that resides in cities in mainland China. Moreover, the main pillars of workplace happiness were determined to be understanding goals, finding meaning in work, and establishing social relationships at both the personal and group levels. We found that happiness and well-being are strongly associated with the behaviour of the people and leadership.
Thatched Cottage in a Fallen City
Authors: Yang Zhiyi
Published: December 2020

This article examines the construction of lyric identities by Li Xuanti, a classical-style poet, cultural celebrity and prominent civil servant in collaborationist regimes based in Nanjing during the Second Sino-Japanese War. It argues that Li used his poetry to explore the confusion, ambivalence and sense of cultural pride while living with the occupiers. Despite his collaboration, a frequent identity that appears in Li’s poetry is that of a yimin (loyalist), who has retreated to the inner world of reclusion. With the progress of the war, however, another identity eventually emerged in Li’s poetry, namely that of a patriot. Historical allusions in Li’s poems thus acquire double-entendre, expressing his ambivalent loyalty. Li was also at the social centre of a group of like-minded collaborators and accommodators in Nanjing, bound by their common practice of classical-style poetry and arts. Their community thus becomes a special case of study for the sociology of survival under the Japanese occupation.
Bacterial Community Analysis of Mine Contaminated Soils in Hechi City
Authors: Liu Tingting , Pang Caoping , Ye Fengcai , Gong Dafei , Luo Jieling , Zeng Xiaomei , Shang Changhua
Published: December 2020

Four mine contaminated soils located in northwest of Guangxi autonomous region were selected for microbial community analysis. These mine soils were contaminated by chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd). Microbial communities were described by high-throughput sequencing technology, which showed
39 different phyla in four samples. Among these phyla, Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum in all samples. Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Bacteroidetes and Chloroflexi showed higher relative abundances than other phyla.
In addition, a wide diversity of bacteria with the potential of bioremediation, such as Sphingomonas, Lysobacter and Gemmatimonas were detected in the tested mine contaminated soils. The results of microbial community analysis will provide a new target for isolation of
microorganisms with the potential of bioremediation and lay the foundation for a great enhancement of bioremediation ability through the genetic engineering modification of indigenous microorganisms in future.