bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abdominal Cocoon Syndrome: Two Cases of an Anatomical Abnormality
Authors: Sovatzidis Apostolos , Nikolaidou Eirini , Katsourakis Anastasios , Chatzis Iosif , Noussios George
Published: April 2019

Introduction. Idiopathic sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis or abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS) is a rare anatomical deformity characterized by the partial or complete encasement of the small intestine with fibrotic peritoneum. 193 cases have been described worldwide. The aim of this study is to present two cases of ACS successfully treated at the Surgical Clinic of the Agios Dimitrios General Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece.Presentation of Cases. Two men (55 and 54 years old) presented to the emergency department complaining of abdominal pain, distension, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. Neither of these patients had any previous operations. The computed tomography scan of the first patient showed considerable distension of the small bowel, suggestive of internal herniation. The second case showed distention of the jejunum with no obvious cause. Both patients underwent emergency surgery. Intraoperatively, it was found that a fibrous membrane had completely covered the small intestine of the first patient and the jejunum and part of the large intestine of the second patient. Adhesiolysis and partial excision of the membrane were performed in both cases.Discussion. ACS is a rare cause of small bowel obstruction. Although conservative management with immunosuppressants and steroids has been described, surgical treatment is the gold standard.Conclusion. Preoperative clinical suspicion of this disease can help determine the diagnosis and protect surgeons from intraoperative “surprises”.
Immediate Surgery Might Be a Better Option for Subcapsular Thyroid Microcarcinomas
Authors: Jiang Jun , Lu Hui
Published: April 2019

For high-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs), immediate surgery is recommended. This study aimed to evaluate the location of PTMCs in the thyroid lobe and determine whether location is associated with an aggressive biology and the necessity of immediate surgery. This retrospective study included 288 patients who underwent initial surgery for PTMC. Clinical data were extracted. Subcapsular thyroid microcarcinomas (STMs) and nonsubcapsular thyroid microcarcinomas (NSTMs), distinguished by ultrasound, were compared in terms of tumour size, extrathyroidal extension, cervical lymph node metastasis, and multifocality. The preoperative ultrasound features predictive of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) involvement were assessed. There were no statistical differences in tumour size (P= 0.985), multifocality (P= 0.866), lymph node metastases to the central compartment (P= 0.154), or lateral lymph node metastases (P= 0.929) between STM and NSTM groups. Macroscopic extrathyroidal extension was exclusively found in the STM group. For assessing RLN involvement, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of the presence of an abnormal thyroid capsule margin between the STM and the presumed RLN course, assessed on preoperative ultrasonography images, were 100%, 43.3%, and 43.3%, respectively. Immediate surgery appears to be a better option than conservative treatment for these high-risk STM patients.
Fuzzy State Observer‐Based Adaptive Dynamic Surface Control of Nonlinear Systems with Time‐Varying Output Constraints
Authors: Wan Min , Liu Qingyou , Zheng Jiawei , Song Jiaru
Published: April 2019

In this paper, a new fuzzy dynamic surface control approach based on a state observer is proposed for uncertain nonlinear systems with time‐varying output constraints and external disturbances. An adaptive fuzzy state observer is used to estimate the states that cannot be measured in the systems. In our method, a time‐varying Barrier Lyapunov Function (BLF) is used to ensure that the output does not violate time‐varying constraints. In addition, dynamic surface control (DSC) technology is applied to overcome the problem of “explosion of complexity” in a backstepping control. Finally, the stability and signal boundedness of the system are confirmed by the Lyapunov method. The simulation results show the effectiveness and correctness of the proposed method.
Combustion Synthesis Porous Nitinol for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Aihara H. , Zider J. , Fanton G. , Duerig T.
Published: April 2019

Porous Nitinol with a three-dimensional anisotropic interconnective open pore structure has been successfully produced by the combustion synthesis (CS) of elemental Ni and Ti powders. The resulting product can be tailored to closely match the stiffness of cancellous bone to minimize stress shielding. The average elastic modulus was approximately 1 GPa for a porosity of 60 vol% and the average pore size of 100-500 µm. The low elastic modulus meets the basic demand for orthopedic bone ingrowth applications. Furthermore, porous Nitinol was composed of cubic (austenitic) and monoclinic (martensitic) NiTi compounds without the presence of Ni metal or Ni-rich phases. The resulting product exhibits excellent corrosion resistance with breakdown potentials above 750mV. An ovine study in cortical sites of the tibia demonstrated rapid osseointegration into the porous strucutre as early as two weeks and complete bone growth across the implant at six weeks. A separate ovine study showed complete through-growth of bone at four months using a lumbar interbody fusion model, substantiating the use of porous Nitinol as an implant material for applications in the spine. Porous Nitinol is thus a promising biomaterial with proven biocompatibility and exceptional osseointegration performance which may enhance the healing process and promote long-term fixation, making it a strong candidate for a wide range of orthopedic implant applications.
Serum Uric Acid Is Independently Associated with Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Zheng Caiyu , Song Haiqu , Wang Shunhua , Liu Jing , Lin Tingting , Du Chunmin , Xie Huan , Chen Zhongyun , Zheng Silan , Li Zhibin , Li Xuejun , Liu Changqin
Published: April 2019

Purpose. We aimed to investigate the association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 212 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients was conducted in Xiamen, China. All patients underwent polysomnography (PSG) recordings for OSAHS diagnosis. Patients were grouped according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) as mild (5-14.9), moderate (15-29.9), and severe (≧30) OSAHS. Patients with AHI≤4.9 served as the control group. Weight, body mass index (BMI), SUA, liver function, renal function, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and glycemic parameters were measured. Results. A total of 158 patients (101 men and 57 women) with complete data were analyzed in this study. 127 patients were identified as OSAHS. Among the 127 patients with OSAHS, 56 (44.1%), 37 (29.1%), and 34 (26.8%) had mild, moderate, and severe OSAHS, respectively. Correlation analyses showed that the SUA level was significantly related to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (r=0.194, p=0.016). The level of SUA was significantly higher among OSAHS patients compared to the control group (control group: 333.14±80.52 μmol/L, mild group: 345.50±90.27 μmol/L, moderate group: 363.59±134.26 μmol/L, and severe group: 428.37±123.58 μmol/L and p=0.029). Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that SUA was the independent risk factor for OSAHS (OR: 1.006, 95% CI: 1.001-1.011, p=0.020). Conclusions. The SUA level is significantly associated with the severity of OSAHS and should be controlled when managing OSAHS.
Effect of Weightlessness on the 3D Structure Formation and Physiologic Function of Human Cancer Cells
Authors: Chen Zheng-Yang , Guo Song , Li Bin-Bin , Jiang Nan , Li Ao , Yan Hong-Feng , Yang He-Ming , Zhou Jin-Lian , Li Cheng-Lin , Cui Yan
Published: April 2019

With the rapid development of modern medical technology and the deterioration of living environments, cancer, the most important disease that threatens human health, has attracted increasing concerns. Although remarkable achievements have been made in tumor research during the past several decades, a series of problems such as tumor metastasis and drug resistance still need to be solved. Recently, relevant physiological changes during space exploration have attracted much attention. Thus, space exploration might provide some inspiration for cancer research. Using on ground different methods in order to simulate microgravity, structure and function of cancer cells undergo many unique changes, such as cell aggregation to form 3D spheroids, cell-cycle inhibition, and changes in migration ability and apoptosis. Although numerous better experiments have been conducted on this subject, the results are not consistent. The reason might be that different methods for simulation have been used, including clinostats, random positioning machine (RPM) and rotating wall vessel (RWV) and so on. Therefore, we review the relevant research and try to explain novel mechanisms underlying tumor cell changes under weightlessness.
Curcumin Attenuates Asthmatic Airway Inflammation and Mucus Hypersecretion Involving a PPARγ-Dependent NF-κB Signaling Pathway In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Zhu Tao , Chen Zhihong , Chen Guihua , Wang Daoxin , Tang Shuo , Deng Huojin , Wang Jing , Li Shengjin , Lan Jian , Tong Jin , Li He , Deng Xinyu , Zhang Wei , Sun Jiayang , Tu Yuesheng , Luo Wanting , Li Changyi
Published: April 2019

Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion. Curcumin possessed a potent anti-inflammatory property involved in the PPARγ-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway. Then, the aim of the current study was to explore the value of curcumin in asthmatic airway inflammation and mucus secretion and its underlying mechanism. In vivo, mice were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin (OVA) to induce chronic asthma. Airway inflammation and mucus secretion were analyzed. In vitro, BEAS-2B cells were obtained. MCP-1, MUC5AC, and PPARγ expression and the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 DNA-binding activity were measured in both the lungs and BEAS-2B cells. shRNA-PPARγ was used to knock down PPARγ expression. We found that OVA-induced airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in mice, OVA and IL-4-induced upregulation of MCP-1 and MUC5AC, suppression of PPARγ, and activation and translocation of NF-κB p65 were notably improved by curcumin both in vivo and in vitro. Our data also showed that these effects of curcumin were significantly abrogated by shRNA-PPARγ. Taken together, our results indicate that curcumin attenuated OVA-induced airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in mice and suppressed OVA- and IL-4-induced upregulation of MCP-1 and MUC5AC both in vivo and in vitro, most likely through a PPARγ-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway.
Extension of Leader‐Follower Behaviours for Wheeled Mobile Robots in Multirobot Coordination
Authors: Paniagua-Contro P. , Hernandez-Martinez E. G. , González-Medina O. , González-Sierra J. , Flores-Godoy J. J. , Ferreira-Vazquez E. D. , Fernandez-Anaya G.
Published: April 2019

This paper presents the extension of leader‐follower behaviours, for the case of a combined set of kinematic models of omnidirectional and differential‐drive wheeled mobile robots. The control strategies are based on the decentralized measurements of distance and heading angles. Combining the kinematic models, the control strategies produce the standard and new mechanical behaviours related to rigid body or n‐trailer approaches. The analysis is given in pairs of robots and extended to the case of multiple robots with a directed tree‐shaped communication topology. Combining these behaviours, it is possible to make platoons of robots, as obtained from cluster space or virtual structure approaches, but now defined by local measurements and communication of robots. Numerical simulations and real‐time experiments show the performance of the approach and the possibilities to be applied in multirobot tasks.
Evolution Mechanism of Macromolecular Structure in Coal during Heat Treatment: Based on FTIR and XRD In Situ Analysis Techniques
Authors: Wu Dun , Zhang Wenyong
Published: April 2019

Owing to the complexity and heterogeneity of coal during pyrolysis, the ex situ analytical techniques cannot accurately reflect the real coal pyrolysis process. In this study, according to the joint investigation of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), the structural evolution characteristics of lignite-subbituminous coal-bituminous coal-anthracite series under heat treatment were discussed in depth. The results of the infrared spectrum of coal show that the different functional groups of coal show different changes with the increase of coal rank before pyrolysis experiment. Based on in situ infrared spectroscopy experiments, it was found that the infrared spectrum curves of the same coal sample have obvious changes at different pyrolysis temperatures. As a whole, when the pyrolysis temperature is between 400 and 500°C, the coal structure can be greatly changed. By fitting the infrared spectrum curve, the infrared spectrum parameters of coal were obtained. With the change of temperature, these parameters show regular changes in coal with different ranks. In the XRD study of coal, the absorption intensity of the diffraction peak (002) of coal increases with increasing coal rank. The XRD patterns of coal have different characteristics at different pyrolysis temperatures. Overall, the area of (002) diffraction peak of the same coal sample increases obviously with the increase of temperature. The XRD structural parameter of coal was obtained by using the curve fitting method. The changing process of two parameters (interlayer spacing (d002) and stacking height (Lc)) can be divided into two main stages, but the average lateral size (La) does not change significantly and remains at the 2.98 ± 0.09 nm. In summary, the above two technologies complement each other in the study of coal structure. The temperature range of both experiments is different, but the XRD parameters of coal with different ranks are reduced within the temperature range of less than 500°C, which reflects that the size of coal-heated aromatic ring lamellae is reduced and the distance between lamellae is also reduced, indicating that the degree of condensation of coal aromatic nuclei may be increased. Correspondingly, the FTIR parameters of coal also reflect that, with increasing temperature, the side chains of coal are constantly cracked, the oxygen-containing functional groups are reduced, and the degree of aromatization of coal may be increased.
An Improved Principle of Rapid Oscillation Suppression of a Pendulum by a Controllable Moving Mass: Theory and Simulation
Authors: Li Chaofeng , Zhang Zijian , Liu Xiaowen , Shen Zengchuang
Published: April 2019

An improved principle is proposed in this paper to achieve a more efficient amplitude suppression of an oscillating pendulum by a controllable moving mass. By establishing the governing equation of the pendulum with a moving mass, several suppression rules are presented to stipulate the motion parameters of the moving mass. The damping ratio is introduced to quantify the suppression effects generated by the mass intermittent motion. With the verification of the accuracy of the present model, some simulation has been taken to get the maximum damping ratio and solve the problem of the nonsynchronous motion. The simulation results show that the new principle is a more powerful control method for the oscillation problem of a pendulum. It is suggested that the new method should carry out the relevant active control experiment in the future research.
Application of Elman Neural Network Based on Genetic Algorithm in Initial Alignment of SINS for Guided Projectile
Authors: Sun Lei , Yi Wenjun , Yuan Dandan , Guan Jun
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this paper is to present an in‐flight initial alignment method for the guided projectiles, obtained after launching, and utilizing the characteristic of the inertial device of a strapdown inertial navigation system. This method uses an Elman neural network algorithm, optimized by genetic algorithm in the initial alignment calculation. The algorithm is discussed in details and applied to the initial alignment process of the proposed guided projectile. Simulation results show the advantages of the optimized Elman neural network algorithm for the initial alignment problem of the strapdown inertial navigation system. It can not only obtain the same high‐precision alignment as the traditional Kalman filter but also improve the real‐time performance of the system.
Association between Alanine Aminotransferase and Growth Hormone: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Short Children and Adolescents
Authors: Ji Baolan , Zhang Mei , Zhao Qianqian , Chu Yuntian , Li Yanying , Pan Hui , Ban Bo
Published: April 2019

Objective. This study aimed to examine the relationship between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and growth hormone (GH) in children and adolescents with short stature. Methods. In this retrospective cohort study, 670 Chinese children and adolescents with short stature were included, and 253 of them received recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy. Anthropometric and biochemical indicators were measured. GH peak levels were assessed after provocation tests with L-dopa and insulin. The subjects were divided into 3 groups according to the GH peak level. The association between the GH peak and ALT was analyzed. The change of ALT during rhGH therapy was assessed by a generalized additive mixed model. Results. Serum ALT and incidence of ALT elevation were both decreased across the GH tertiles (P = 0.002, 0.012, respectively). A univariate analysis showed that the GH peak was negatively associated with ALT (β: -0.12; 95%CI: -0.22, -0.02; P = 0.023). Furthermore, multiple linear stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that the GH peak was independently related to ALT after adjusting for other confounding variables (β: -0.12; 95%CI: -0.24, -0.00; P = 0.042). Besides, mean values of the change in ALT from baseline displayed that, during the early stages of rhGH treatment, serum ALT level indicated a temporary upward trend, but it subsequently gradually decreased (β: -0.16; 95%CI: -0.23, -0.09; P < 0.001). Conclusions. GH secretion level was strongly negatively correlated with ALT in short children and adolescents. And rhGH therapy could reduce ALT level over time.
A Simplified Fractional Order Equivalent Circuit Model and Adaptive Online Parameter Identification Method for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Jianlin , Zhang Le , Xu Dan , Zhang Peng , Zhang Gairu
Published: April 2019

In order to improve the battery management system performance and enhance the adaptability of the system, a fractional order equivalent circuit model of lithium‐ion battery based on electrochemical test was established. The parameters of the fractional order equivalent circuit model are identified by the least squares parameter identification method. The least squares parameter identification method needs to rely on the harsh test conditions of the laboratory, and the parameter identification result is static; it cannot adapt to the characteristics of the lithium battery under dynamic conditions. Taking into account the dynamic changes of lithium batteries, a parameter adaptive online estimation algorithm for fractional equivalent circuit model is proposed. Based on the theory of fractional order calculus and indirect Lyapunov method, the stability and convergence of the estimator are analyzed. Finally, simulation experiments show that this method can continuously estimate the parameters of the fractional order equivalent circuit under UDDS conditions.
Dynamic Force Identification Problem Based on a Novel Improved Tikhonov Regularization Method
Authors: Ren Chunping , Wang Nengjian , Liu Qinhui , Liu Chunsheng
Published: April 2019

The main purpose of this paper is to identify the dynamic forces between the conical pick and the coal‐seam. According to the theory of time domain method, the dynamic force identification problem of the system is established. The direct problem is described by Green kernel function method. The dynamic force is expressed by a series of functions superposed by impulses, and the dynamic response of the structure is expressed as a convolution integral form between the input dynamic force and the response of Green kernel function. Because of the ill‐conditioned characteristics of the structure matrix and the influence of measurement noise in the process of dynamic force identification, it is difficult to deal with this problem by the usual numerical method. In present content, a novel improved Tikhonov regularization method is proposed to solve ill‐posed problems. An engineering example shows that the proposed method is effective and can obtain stable approximate solutions to meet the engineering requirements.
A Fully Operational Framework for Handling Cellular Automata Templates
Authors: Verardo Mauricio , de Oliveira Pedro P. B.
Published: April 2019

Cellular automata are fully discrete, computational, or dynamical systems, characterised by a local, totally decentralised action. Although extremely simple in structure, they are able to represent arbitrarily complex phenomena. However, due to the very big number of rules in any nontrivial space, finding a local rule that globally unfolds as desired remains a challenging task. In order to help along this direction, here we present the current state of cellular automata templates, a data structure that allows for the representation of sets of cellular automata in a compact manner. The template data structure is defined, along with processes by which interesting templates can be built. In the end, we give an illustrative example showcasing how templates can be used to explore a very large cellular automaton space. Although the idea itself of template has been introduced before, only now its conceptual underpinnings and computational robustness rendered the notion effective for practical use.
Thermal EHL Characteristics Investigation on Axle Box Bearings of Railway Vehicle Based on Slicing Method
Authors: Huo Junzhou , Zhou Jianjun , Li Tao , Meng Zhichao , Sun Wei
Published: April 2019

Lubrication failures of axle box bearings can lead to accidents, such as bearing burnout and hot axle cutting. Presently, the modeling of the vehicle‐track system dynamics rarely considers the nonlinear contact load of axle box bearings, and this leads to imperfection in the vehicle‐track system dynamics calculation. And then, the load distribution and lubrication characteristics of axle box bearings are difficult to obtain. Therefore, in this paper, we fully consider the time‐varying nonlinear contact load of bearings and track irregularity in establishing the bearing‐wheel‐rail system coupling‐dynamics model. The dynamic response of axle box bearings is obtained by taking the vertical, strong impact‐time‐varying load on the carrying saddles as the external excitation. The load‐balance equation of dynamic pressure lubrication is then obtained, according to the slicing method of bearing rollers. Finally, the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) model of axle box bearings is established considering thermal and scale effects. The results show that the central film thickness under thermal EHL was decreased by 13.61% compared with that under isothermal EHL. As the velocity of the contact pair increases, the thickness difference between thermal and isothermal EHL became larger. Thermal effects should be considered in the EHL model, in order to truly reflect the characteristics of EHL under a high speed.
Cancer Stem Cells from Tumor Cell Lines Activate the DNA Damage Response Pathway after Ionizing Radiation More Efficiently Than Noncancer Stem Cells
Authors: Valencia-González Heriberto Abraham , Ruíz Graciela , Ortiz-Sánchez Elizabeth , García-Carrancá Alejandro
Published: April 2019

Recently, a subpopulation of tumor cells, called cancer stem cells (CSC), has been characterized, and these have emerged as a major topic in cancer research. CSC are proposed to repair DNA damage more efficiently than the rest of tumor cells, resisting chemotherapy or radiotherapy and causing clinical recurrence and metastasis. We aimed to determine the molecular basis of radioresistance and first compared the response to ionizing radiation (IR) between cancer stem cell-enriched cultures grown as spheres and conventional tumor cell line cultures grown as monolayer, from HeLa and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. To verify that our sphere cultures were enriched in CSC, we evaluated the double staining of CD49f and ALDH activity for HeLa cells by flow cytometry. We then evaluated whether differences could exist in sensor elements in the DNA damage response pathway among these cultures. We found that CSC cultures showed less sensitivity to radiation than conventional tumor cell line cultures. We observed a higher baseline expression of activated response sensor proteins of DNA damage, such as ATM, H2A.X, and PARP1, in untreated CSC cultures. These findings provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that DNA damage response sensor proteins are present and preferentially activated in CSC, as opposed to the bulk of cells in monolayer cultures. Likewise, they provide the basis for biological differences in response to IR between CSC and other tumor cell populations. Understanding the DNA damage response pathway may provide therapeutic targets to sensitize CSC to cytotoxic therapies to improve current cancer treatments.
Default Mode Network, Meditation, and Age-Associated Brain Changes: What Can We Learn from the Impact of Mental Training on Well-Being as a Psychotherapeutic Approach?
Authors: Ramírez-Barrantes Ricardo , Arancibia Marcelo , Stojanova Jana , Aspé-Sánchez Mauricio , Córdova Claudio , Henríquez-Ch Rodrigo A.
Published: April 2019

Aging is a physiological process accompanied by cognitive decline, principally in memory and executive functions. Alterations in the connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) have been found to participate in cognitive decline, as well as in several neurocognitive disorders. The DMN has antisynchronic activity with attentional networks (task-positive networks (TPN)), which are critical to executive function and memory. Findings pointing to the regulation of the DMN via activation of TPN suggest that it can be used as a strategy for neuroprotection. Meditation is a noninvasive and nonpharmacological technique proven to increase meta-awareness, a cognitive ability which involves the control of both networks. In this review, we discuss the possibility of facilitating healthy aging through the regulation of networks through meditation. We propose that by practicing specific types of meditation, cognitive decline could be slowed, promoting a healthy lifestyle, which may enhance the quality of life for the elderly.
Association between Adipose Tissue Interleukin-33 and Immunometabolic Markers in Individuals with Varying Degrees of Glycemia
Authors: Hasan Amal , Kochumon Shihab , Al-Ozairi Ebaa , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Ahmad Rasheed
Published: April 2019

Introduction. Interleukin-33 (IL-33), the ligand for the receptor ST2, is abundant in adipose tissue, including preadipocytes, adipocytes, and endothelial cells. The IL-33/ST2 axis is protective against obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in animal models. We determined whether adipose tissue IL-33 was associated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), as well as mediators of inflammation and immune regulation and beiging of adipose tissue, among individuals with varying degrees of glycemia.Materials and Methods. A total of 91 adults with normoglycemia, prediabetes, and T2D were included. After measuring their anthropometric and biochemical parameters, subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were isolated and mRNA expression of cytokines, chemokines, chemokine receptors, pattern recognition receptors, and mediators involved in beiging of adipose tissue were measured.Results. Adipose tissue IL-33 was inversely associated with HbA1c in individuals with normoglycemia and T2D but not in those with prediabetes and was inversely correlated with fasting plasma glucose in individuals with T2D and with a better glycemic control. IL-33-to-ST2 ratio was inversely correlated with HbA1c in individuals with normoglycemia but not in those with prediabetes or T2D. IL-33 was directly associated with ST2, CD302, fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2), and PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16) but inversely correlated with chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL) 7 and CCL8 in individuals with normoglycemia. Similarly, IL-33 was directly associated with ST2, CD302, FGL2, PRDM16, and, additionally, toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 and IL-12A in individuals with T2D. However, IL-33 was not associated with any of these mediators but was directly and strongly associated with TLR9 in individuals with prediabetes.Conclusions. IL-33 and/or IL-33/ST2 dynamics and biological functions may play a role in overall glycemia among humans and may represent a novel target by which glucose-lowering managements confer their beneficial effects.
Neuroplasticity and Neuroprotective Effect of Treadmill Training in the Chronic Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Palasz Ewelina , Niewiadomski Wiktor , Gasiorowska Anna , Mietelska-Porowska Anna , Niewiadomska Grazyna
Published: April 2019

Physical training confers protection to dopaminergic neurons in rodent models of parkinsonism produced by neurotoxins. The sparing effect of physical training on dopaminergic neurons can be tested with training applied during chronic MPTP treatment, while the neurorestorative effect when training is applied after completing such treatment. In this study, the effect of the onset of training respective to chronic MPTP treatment was specifically addressed. Three groups of mice were injected with 10 doses of MPTP (12.5 mg/kg/injection) over 5 weeks. The first group remained sedentary; the second one underwent early onset training, which started 1 week before commencing MPTP treatment, continued throughout 5 weeks of treatment and 4 weeks thereafter; the third group underwent late-onset training of the same length and intensity as the former group, except that it started immediately after the end of MPTP treatment. Two groups served as controls: a saline-injected group that remained sedentary and saline-injected group, which underwent the same training as the early and late-onset training groups. Both early and late-onset physical training saved almost all nigral and VTA dopaminergic neurons, prevented inflammatory response, and increased the BDNF and GDNF levels to a similar extent. From these results one may conclude that early and late-onset training schedules were equipotent in their neuroprotective effect and that the mechanism of neuroprotection was similar. The sparing effect of early onset training may be satisfactorily explained by assuming that the increased level of BDNF and GDNF prevented the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. To explain a similar number of dopaminergic neurons detected at the end of the early and late-onset training, one should additionally assume that the former training schedule induced neurogenesis. Results of this study support the view that physical activity may be neuroprotective even at a more advanced stage of PD and justify starting physical activity at any point of the disease.
Improving the Component-Based Face Recognition Using Enhanced Viola–Jones and Weighted Voting Technique
Authors: Dagher Issam , Al-Bazzaz Hussein
Published: April 2019

This paper enhances the recognition capabilities of the facial component-based techniques using the concepts of better Viola–Jones component detection and weighting facial components. Our method starts with enhanced Viola–Jones face component detection and cropping. The facial components are detected and cropped accurately during all pose-changing circumstances. The cropped components are represented by the histogram of oriented gradients (HOG). The weight of each component was determined using a validation process. Combining these weights was done by a simple voting technique. Three public databases were used: the AT&T database, the PUT database, and the AR database. Several improvements are observed using the weighted voting recognition method presented in this paper.
Malware Detection on Byte Streams of PDF Files Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Jeong Young-Seob , Woo Jiyoung , Kang Ah Reum
Published: April 2019

With increasing amount of data, the threat of malware keeps growing recently. The malicious actions embedded in nonexecutable documents especially (e.g., PDF files) can be more dangerous, because it is difficult to detect and most users are not aware of such type of malicious attacks. In this paper, we design a convolutional neural network to tackle the malware detection on the PDF files. We collect malicious and benign PDF files and manually label the byte sequences within the files. We intensively examine the structure of the input data and illustrate how we design the proposed network based on the characteristics of data. The proposed network is designed to interpret high-level patterns among collectable spatial clues, thereby predicting whether the given byte sequence has malicious actions or not. By experimental results, we demonstrate that the proposed network outperform several representative machine-learning models as well as other networks with different settings.
Anti-PD-1 Antibody Administration following Hip Fracture Surgery Reverses Immune Dysfunction and Decreases Susceptibility to Infection
Authors: Zhang Hao , Chen Chuying , He Jiusheng , Zhang Jianzheng , Liu Zhi , Sun Tiansheng
Published: April 2019

The aim of this investigation was to assess expression of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and inflammatory status after hip fracture surgery in aged mice and to evaluate the effect of anti-PD-1 antibody intervention. Male C57BL/6 mice aged 22-28 months underwent hip fracture and femoral intramedullary pinning or a sham procedure. Expression of PD-1 was measured on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Additionally, the effects of anti-PD-1 antibody on lymphocyte apoptosis, cytokine production, bacterial clearance, and survival were determined. Expression of PD-1 on T cells was upregulated in mice after hip fracture and surgery compared to sham controls. Administration of anti-PD-1 antibody prevented T lymphocyte apoptosis, increased IFN-γ production in splenocytes, and decreased systemic inflammation. Antibody blockade of PD-1 significantly decreased susceptibility to bacteria and improved survival rates of aged mice after hip fracture and surgery followed by the induction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. This study showed that hip fracture and surgical trauma cause significant increases in PD-1 expression in aged mice. Antibody blockade of PD-1 partially reverses T cell apoptosis, decreases the systemic inflammatory response and susceptibility to bacteria, and reduces mortality.
The Prevalence of Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis in Cylindrical Dandruff Patients
Authors: Zhong Jing , Tan Yiwei , Li Saiqun , Peng Lulu , Wang Bowen , Deng Yuqing , Yuan Jin
Published: April 2019

Purpose. To compare the prevalence of and factors associated with Demodex brevis and Demodex folliculorum in patients with cylindrical dandruff (CD group) and healthy controls. Methods. Eyelashes were taken from 1680 patients with CD and 1700 healthy controls in China from March 2015 to May 2017. All patients underwent a complete eye examination, and Demodex spp. were counted. The prevalence was analyzed according to age, gender, and clinical features. Results. Mean patient age was 42.93 ± 16.52 (3–88) and 39.4 ± 13.6 (7–81) years old in the CD and healthy control groups, respectively. In the CD and healthy groups, the positive rate for Demodex folliculorum was 27.92% and 8.47%, respectively, while that for Demodex brevis was 31.67% and 6.65%, respectively. In the CD group, the prevalence of Demodex brevis was higher than that of Demodex folliculorum, no matter in the females (33.65% versus 29.01%) or the males (28.54% versus 23.88%) in the CD group. Moreover, the numbers of Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis were significantly and positively correlated with age, in both children and old patients (both P<0.001), as well as with the severity of eyelid congestion (all P<0.05). Conclusions. In a large sample population, the prevalence of Demodex brevis and Demodex folliculorum was higher in the CD group than in healthy volunteers. In addition, the severity of eyelid congestion might be exacerbated by the number of Demodex spp., which may therefore provide a good clinical reference and objective guide.
Experimental Methods to Assess the Effectiveness of Soil Conditioning with Foam in Fully Weathered Granite
Authors: Tao Liming , Chen Zhongtian , Cui Jian , Wang Huiwu , Fang Yong
Published: April 2019

The application range of the earth pressure balance (EPB) shield has been expanded due to advances in optimization methods, one of which is the application of foam conditioning. This method is widely used in EPB tunnelling owing to its strong applicability in different hydrological and geological conditions. When applying the foam conditioning method under different circumstances, it is necessary to optimize the conditioning parameters. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a test procedure for evaluating foam properties and the conditioning effect. This paper proposes a procedure to assess foaming agents by the mixing test and microscopic observation of the foam and a procedure that combines the slump test, compression test, and shear test to assess the foam-conditioned soil and determine the optimal parameters of conditioning. The test method is introduced and performed on fully weathered granite from Guangzhou Metro Line 21. The test results demonstrate that the foam injection ratio and pressure and type of the foaming agent all influence the performance of the conditioned soil. Moreover, the suggested conditioning scheme is proposed, and the application of the scheme can improve the tunnelling efficiency.
Symbiotic Root-Endophytic Soil Microbes Improve Crop Productivity and Provide Environmental Benefits
Authors: Harman Gary E. , Uphoff Norman
Published: April 2019

Plants should not be regarded as entities unto themselves, but as the visible part of plant-microbe complexes which are best understood as “holobiomes.” Some microorganisms when given the opportunity to inhabit plant roots become root symbionts. Such root colonization by symbiotic microbes can raise crop yields by promoting the growth of both shoots and roots, by enhancing uptake, fixation, and/or more efficient use of nutrients, by improving plants’ resistance to pests, diseases, and abiotic stresses that include drought, salt, and other environmental conditions, and by enhancing plants’ capacity for photosynthesis. We refer plant-microbe associations with these capabilities that have been purposefully established as enhanced plant holobiomes (EPHs). Here, we consider four groups of phylogenetically distinct and distant symbiotic endophytes: (1) Rhizobiaceae bacteria; (2) plant-obligate arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF); (3) selected endophytic strains of fungi in the genusTrichoderma; and (4) fungi in the Sebicales order, specificallyPiriformospora indica. Although these exhibit quite different “lifestyles” when inhabiting plants, all induce beneficial systemic changes in plants’ gene expression that are surprisingly similar. For example, all induce gene expression that produces proteins which detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are increased by environmental stresses on plants or by overexcitation of photosynthetic pigments. Gene overexpression results in a cellular environment where ROS levels are controlled and made more compatible with plants’ metabolic processes. EPHs also frequently exhibit increased rates of photosynthesis that contribute to greater plant growth and other capabilities. Soil organic matter (SOM) is augmented when plant root growth is increased and roots remain in the soil. The combination of enhanced photosynthesis, increasing sequestration of CO2from the air, and elevation of SOM removes C from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil. Reductions in global greenhouse gas levels can be accelerated by incentives for carbon farming and carbon cap-and-trade programs that reward such climate-friendly agriculture. The development and spread of EPHs as part of such initiatives has potential both to enhance farm productivity and incomes and to decelerate global warming.
Boron Isotopes in the Mount Vulture Groundwaters (Southern Italy): Constraints for the Assessment of Natural and Anthropogenic Contaminant Sources
Authors: Paternoster Michele
Published: April 2019

The Mt. Vulture volcanic aquifer is an important reservoir of effervescent mineral water in southern Italy. This area is included in the Vulture Regional Park and is located on a popular tourist route for its high scenic and ecological value. Unfortunately, signs of anthropogenic impact have recently increased. Among minor elements, boron and its isotopes are considered useful environmental tracers since different anthropogenic and natural sources can be distinguished. In this study, B content and (δ11B) isotope composition were determined in the Mt. Vulture groundwaters. The groundwater chemistry is strongly influenced by input of CO2-rich volcanic gases, and two different hydrofacies are observed. The first water type (BAW) has bicarbonate alkaline and alkaline-earth composition and relatively low salinity, whereas the second one (HSW) has bicarbonate-sulphate alkaline composition and higher salinity. The HSW are enriched in boron and have low δ11B values (from –9.6‰ to –4.3‰) similar to those measured in the local magmas suggesting that B contents in these waters are influenced by prolonged interaction between local meteoric water and volcanic rocks. As to BAW, a wide variability in B concentrations (from 14 μg/l to 769 μg/l) and B isotope composition (from -16.1‰ to +23‰) has been observed. A possible anthropogenic input is thought to be responsible for such variability. The water samples with high B concentrations and negative δ11B values (−12.2‰ to −16.1‰) are probably influenced by agricultural activities; for water samples characterized by positive δ11B values (from +5.8‰ to +7.9‰) and low B contents, a slight contamination by sewage effluents cannot be excluded. These conclusions are also supported by B/Cl molar ratios (7.8E−3 to 1.6E−2) different from those of the HSW group (1.1E−2 to 7.0E−2). This study highlights that also in the Mt. Vulture volcanic area B isotopes coupled to the B/Cl ratio can be a useful tool for the assessment of natural and anthropogenic contaminant sources.
Vibration Effect Produced by Raised Pavement Markers on the Exit Ramp of an Expressway
Authors: Liang Guohua , Yin Yujie , Zhang Dong , Li Rui , Wu Yan , Li Yu
Published: April 2019

Driving over raised pavement markers (RPMs) spaced at different spacing, the human body will experience different vibrations. To explore whether RPMs situated at the exit ramp of an expressway induce a good vibration warning effect, this paper determines the spacing of RPMs situated along a deceleration lane and curved ramp. Models of roads, vehicles, and RPMs are first established in the ADAMS software, after which an integrated human-chair model constructed in SolidWorks is imported into ADAMS, and then the complete model is formed so that vibration simulations of different types of vehicle at different spacing and speeds can be carried out. The results show that the vibration warning effects of the spacing proposed by the existing Chinese specifications and this paper are basically between level III and level IV, the driver’s subjective feeling is between less comfortable and uncomfortable, and both induce a good vibration warning effect. For a linear deceleration lane, when considering traffic safety, a spacing of 3 m is recommended; when considering the economy, a spacing of 6 m is recommended. For a curved deceleration lane and curved ramp, according to the actual curve radius, the spacing of RPMs can refer to the spacing recommended in the paper. In addition, the vibration warning effect for cars and semi-trailer trucks initially increases with an increase in the speed; then, after reaching a certain peak speed, the effect decreases with an increase in the speed, and finally, it tends to become gentle at speeds exceeding 100 km/h. The vibration warning effect for a semi-trailer truck is better than that for a car under the same spacing and speed.
The Collaborative Filtering Method Based on Social Information Fusion
Authors: Wang Hao , Song Yadi , Mi Peng , Duan Jianyong
Published: April 2019

In the social network, similar users are assumed to prefer similar items, so searching the similar users of a target user plays an important role for most collaborative filtering methods. Existing collaborative filtering methods use user ratings of items to search for similar users. Nowadays, abundant social information is produced by the Internet, such as user profiles, social relationships, behaviors, interests, and so on. Only using user ratings of items is not sufficient to recommend wanted items and search for similar users. In this paper, we propose a new collaborative filtering method using social information fusion. Our method first uses social information fusion to search for similar users and then updates the user rating of items for recommendation using similar users. Experiments show that our method outperforms the existing methods based on user ratings of items and using social information fusion to search similar users is an available way for collaborative filtering methods of recommender systems.
Radiotherapy for Melanoma: More than DNA Damage
Authors: Rogers Susanne J. , Puric Emsad , Eberle Brigitte , Datta Niloy R. , Bodis Stephan B.
Published: April 2019

Despite its reputation as a radioresistant tumour, there is evidence to support a role for radiotherapy in patients with melanoma and we summarise current clinical practice. Melanoma is a highly immunogenic tumour and in this era of immunotherapy, there is renewed interest in the potential of irradiation, not only as an adjuvant and palliative treatment, but also as an immune stimulant. It has long been known that radiation causes not only DNA strand breaks, apoptosis, and necrosis, but also immunogenic modulation and cell death through the induction of dendritic cells, cell adhesion molecules, death receptors, and tumour-associated antigens, effectively transforming the tumour into an individualised vaccine. This immune response can be enhanced by the application of clinical hyperthermia as evidenced by randomised trial data in patients with melanoma. The large fraction sizes used in cranial radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy are more immunogenic than conventional fractionation, which provides additional radiobiological justification for these techniques in this disease entity. Given the immune priming effect of radiotherapy, there is a strong but complex biological rationale and an increasing body of evidence for synergy in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, which are now first-line therapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic melanoma. There is great potential to increase local control and abscopal effects by combining radiotherapy with both immunotherapy and hyperthermia, and a combination of all three modalities is suggested as the next important trial in this refractory disease.