bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triage imaging and outcome measures for large core stroke thrombectomy – a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sarraj Amrou , Grotta James C , Pujara Deep Kiritbhai , Shaker Faris , Tsivgoulis Georgios
Published: May 2020

Background

Trials of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) mostly excluded patients with large core strokes so the safety and efficacy of EVT is not well established in such patients. Moreover, the definition of large core and its measurement differ between semi-quantitative (ASPECTS) and quantitative (core volume) imaging modalities. We evaluated functional and safety outcomes in studies reporting large core stroke patients treated with EVT and compared them with patients treated with medical management (MM) only.

Methods

A systemic search using three large databases was performed to identify studies evaluating functional and safety outcomes in patients with large core strokes (ASPECTS<6 or core volume ≥50 cc) on CT, MRI, and Perfusion imaging according to PRISMA guidelines. A random-effect meta-analysis model was used to pool reported outcomes.

Results

Twelve studies reporting outcomes for patients treated with EVT compared with MM in large core strokes were included. A pooled random-effect meta-analysis of large core patients by either definition (ASPECTS <6 or ischemic core volume ≥50 cc or both) demonstrated increased functional independence (mRS-scores 0–2) rates with EVT (EVT: 122/491 (25%), MM: 45/691 (7%), pooled OR: 4.39 [95% CI: 2.53 to 7.64], overall effect Z-score: 5.25, P<0.00001, I2=37%, P for Cochran Q:0.15) and decreased mortality (EVT: 101/439 (23%), MM: 215/645 (33%), pooled OR:0.53 [95% CI: 0.40 to 0.71], overall effect Z-score:4.32, P<0.0001, I2=0%, P for Cochran Q:0.78) at 90 days, without significant increase in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) (EVT: 42/462 (9%), MM: 35/663 (5%), pooled OR: 1.68 [95% CI: 0.92 to 3.09], overall effect Z-score:1.68, P=0.09, I2=26%, P for Cochran Q:0.24). Similar effects were observed in studies reporting large core outcomes based on ASPECTS <6 and ischemic core volume ≥50 cc. We observed no heterogeneity between quantitative vs semi-quantitative large core definitions, different ischemic core thresholds, and studies reporting outcomes over different time windows in subgroup analyses.

Conclusion

In large core stroke patients, EVT is associated with improved functional independence and lower mortality at 90 days without significant increase in symptomatic ICH across various definitions, thresholds of large core size, and time windows. Further randomized evidence is warranted to establish EVT efficacy and safety in this population.
Distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms treated with flow diversion: experience of a large-volume center and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Cagnazzo Federico , Fanti Andrea , Lefevre Pierre-Henri , Derraz Imad , Dargazanli Cyril , Gascou Gregory , Riquelme Carlos , Ahmed Raed , Bonafe Alain , Costalat Vincent
Published: May 2020

Background

Evidence about the safety and the efficacy of flow diversion for distal anterior cerebral artery (DACA) aneurysms is scant. To provide further insight into flow diversion for aneurysms located at, or distal to, the A2 segment.

Methods

Consecutive patients receiving flow diversion for DACA aneurysms were retrieved from our prospective database (2014–2020). A PRISMA guidelines-based systematic review of the literature was performed. Aneurysm occlusion (O’Kelly–Marotta=OKM) and clinical outcomes were evaluated.

Results

Twenty-three patients and 25 unruptured saccular DACA aneurysms treated with flow diversion were included. Aneurysm size ranged from 2 mm to 9 mm (mean size 4.5 mm, SD ±1.6). Mean parent artery diameter was 1.8 mm (range, 1.2–3 mm, SD ±0.39). Successful stent deployment was achieved in all cases. Angiographic adequate occlusion (OKM C–D) at follow-up (14 months) was 79% (19/24 available aneurysms). No cases of aneurysm rupture or retreatment were reported. Univariate analysis showed a significant difference in diameter among aneurysms with adequate (4 mm) vs incomplete occlusion (7 mm) (P=0.006).

There was one transient perioperative in-stent thrombosis, and three major events causing neurological morbidity: two stent thromboses (one attributable to the non-adherence of the patient to the antiplatelet therapy); and one acute occlusion of a covered calloso-marginal artery.

Results from systematic review (12 studies and 107 A2–A3 aneurysms) showed 78.6% (95% CI=70–86) adequate occlusion, 7.5% (95% CI=3.6–14) complications, and 2.8%, (3/107, 95% CI=0.6–8.2) morbidity.

Conclusions

Flow diversion among DACA aneurysms is effective, especially among small lesions. However, potential morbidity related to in-stent thrombosis and covered side branches should be considered when planning this strategy.
Flow modification on the internal carotid artery bifurcation region and A1 segment after M1-internal carotid artery flow diverter deployment
Authors: Cagnazzo Federico , Ahmed Raed , Lefevre Pierre-Henri , Derraz Imad , Dargazanli Cyril , Gascou Gregory , Riquelme Carlos , Frandon Julien , Bonafe Alain , Costalat Vincent
Published: May 2020

Background

Clinical and hemodynamic consequences of flow diverters extending from the M1 to the internal carotid artery (ICA), covering the A1 segment, have rarely been investigated. We aimed to provide angiographic and clinical data about flow modifications on the covered A1.

Methods

Consecutive patients receiving M1-ICA flow diverters for unruptured aneurysms were collected from our prospective database (2014–2020).

Results

42 A1 arteries covered with a single device were studied. All patients had an angiographic detected contralateral flow from the anterior communicating artery (AcomA). Immediately after flow diversion, 20 (47.6%) covered A1 showed slow flow. During a mean angiographic follow-up of 14 months, 13 (31%) and 22 (52.3%) A1 arteries were occluded and narrowed, respectively. Flow changes were asymptomatic in all cases. Vascular risk factors, sex, oversized compared with not oversized stents, immediate A1 slow flow, age, diameter of the A1, length of follow-up, and platelet inhibition rate were tested as prognosticators of A1 occlusion. Length of the angiographic follow-up was the only predictor of A1 occlusion (p=0.005, OR=3, CI=1.4 to 6.7). There were two device related ischemic events with a 2.3% rate of morbidity (one basal ganglia infarct after coverage of the M1 perforators and one transient acute instent thrombosis).

Conclusions

Covering the A1 segment during M1-ICA flow diversion seems relatively safe, if the contralateral flow is assured by the AcomA. Approximately 31% and 52% of the covered A1 showed asymptomatic occlusions and narrowing, respectively. The likelihood of flow modification was proportional to the length of follow-up. Morbidity associated with flow diversion in the ICA terminus region was 2.3%.
Evasion of HSR in the charmless decays of excited P-wave charmonia
Authors: Wang Yan , Wu Qi , Li Gang , Xie Ju-Jun , An Chun-Sheng
Published: May 2020

We investigate the charmless decays of excited P-wave charmonia $$\chi _{c1}^\prime \rightarrow VV$$χc1′→VV and $$\chi _{c2}^\prime \rightarrow VP$$χc2′→VP via intermediate charmed meson loops, where V and P denote the light vector and pseudoscalar mesons, respectively. Within the model parameters, the charmed meson loop contributions are evaluated by using the effective Lagrangian approach. For $$\chi _{c1}^\prime \rightarrow VV$$χc1′→VV, the partial widths of the $$\rho \rho $$ρρ, $$\omega \omega $$ωω, and $$K^*{\bar{K}}^*$$K∗K¯∗ channels can reach to the order of MeV, while the partial width of the $$\phi \phi $$ϕϕ channel is very small and in the order of keV. For $$\chi _{c2}^\prime \rightarrow V P$$χc2′→VP, the partial widths of $$\chi _{c2}^{\prime } \rightarrow K^*\bar{K}+c.c$$χc2′→K∗K¯+c.c turns out to be sizeable, while the partial widths of $$\chi _{c2}^{\prime } \rightarrow \rho ^+\pi ^- +c.c$$χc2′→ρ+π-+c.c is found to be much smaller than the $$K^*\bar{K}+c.c$$K∗K¯+c.c channel. Our calculations may be examined by the future BESIII experiments.
GUP black hole remnants in quadratic gravity
Authors: Kuntz Iberê , da Rocha Roldão
Published: May 2020

The Hawking radiation of static, spherically symmetric, asymptotically flat solutions in quadratic gravity is here scrutinized, in the context of the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP). Near-center and near-horizon Frobenius expansions of these solutions are studied. Their Hawking thermal spectrum is investigated out of the tunnelling method and the WKB procedure. Computing the Hawking flux of these black hole solutions shows that, for small black holes and for a precise combination of the GUP parameter and the parameters that govern the gravitational interaction in quadratic gravity, the black hole luminosity can vanish. This yields absolutely stable mini black hole remnants in quadratic gravity.
Marginally trapped surfaces in null normal foliation spacetimes: A one step generalization of LRS II spacetimes
Authors: Sherif Abbas , Goswami Rituparno , Maharaj Sunil D.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we study geometrical properties of marginally trapped surfaces in gravitational collapse, using a semi-tetrad covariant formalism, that provides a set of geometrical and matter variables. We first define a generalization (in a sense to be specified in the introduction) of LRS II spacetime — which we call NNF spacetimes — and show that the marginally trapped surfaces in NNF spacetimes (and the 3-surfaces they foliate) are topologically equivalently those of LRS II spacetimes. We then study the evolution of MTTs (3-surfaces foliated by marginally trapped surfaces), extending earlier work on LRS II spacetimes to NNF spacetimes, and in general any 4-dimensional spacetime. In addition, we perform a stability analysis for the marginally trapped surfaces in this formalism, using simple spacetimes as examples to demonstrate the applicability of our approach.
Mannheim curves and spherical curves
Authors: Wang Yongqiao , Chang Yuan
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we study cylindrical helices, Mannheim curves and Darboux developable surfaces associated to Mannheim curves. We give a method for constructing Mannheim curves from spherical curves and demonstrate that all Mannheim curves can be constructed by such a way. We also introduce the spherical Darboux images of Mannheim curves, and we give a classification of singularities of Darboux developable surfaces and spherical Darboux images. Moreover, we study the geometric properties of singularities as applications of singularity theory for spherical curves.
Speed of light on a rotating platform
Authors: Benedetto E. , Feleppa F. , Iovane G. , Laserra E.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, some analogies between the Shapiro effect in the solar gravitational field and the Sagnac phase shift have been found. Starting from Einstein equivalence principle (EEP), which states the equivalence between the gravitational force and the pseudo-force experienced by an observer in a noninertial frame of reference, we imagine an observer on a rotating platform immersed in a gravitational field. In the Shapiro effect, for example, we know that the speed of an electromagnetic signal, calculated from the Earth, is less than [Formula: see text], but, if we calculate the speed using a clock at rest in the solar gravitational field, where the photon is passing, we get that the speed of light is [Formula: see text]. Similarly, by considering the fictitious gravitational field of the rotating platform, if we look for a clock with respect to which the signal speed is [Formula: see text], we can interpret the time delay as a gravitational effect.
Kappa (κ) in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Tao Zhengru , Wang Xinyan , Zhu Baihui , Shang Tao
Published: May 2020

Kappa ([Formula: see text]) describes the amplitude decay of acceleration Fourier spectrum at high frequencies. Using the records of K-NET and KiK-net stations during the mainshock of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, we examine if the typical measurement method of [Formula: see text] can be extended to this size of event and how propagation path and site condition affect [Formula: see text]. The strength of the linear relationship between epicentral distance and [Formula: see text] is the most apparent in the KiK-net borehole data; for other data sets, the statistical significance of the best-fitting logarithmic model is more tenuous. Our study on site effects reveals that high-frequency amplitudes diminish about 20% at soft soil stations than they do at hard rock stations. The effect on high-frequency filters is around diminution in most cases. And, the effect of nonlinear site response on [Formula: see text] values can be observed.
The State of the World's Insects
Authors: Eggleton Paul
Published: May 2020

This article reviews the present state of insects, describing their taxonomic position, cost, and value as well as the threats to their well-being. Insects are an important source of both ecosystem services and ecosystem disservices. Recent studies have indicated a worrying decline in insect species, especially in flying insects in the northern temperate region, and this has spawned much media attention. Some decline has occurred, it is clear, due to agricultural intensification, urbanization, overuse of pesticides, and global climate change. A decline would seriously affect the ecosystem services that insects provide. However, there is too little data to warrant the belief that all insects are declining everywhere. There is a pressing need for more basic research on insect diversity in the context of a changing world.
Long‐Term Skid Resistance Evaluation of GAC‐16 Based on Accelerated Pavement Testing
Authors: Xu Xinquan , Yu Yunhong , Yang Jun , Wu Chuanhai
Published: May 2020

In this paper, four antiskidding surface test sections were paved to investigate the long‐term skid resistance of the improved dense‐graded asphalt concrete in Guangdong Province (GAC) using diabase fine aggregate instead of limestone. Four test sections were tested by the accelerated loading equipment (MLS11, mobile load simulator). The reduction law of the long‐term skid resistance of GAC‐16 was analyzed based on the accelerated pavement testing results. Prediction models of the GAC‐16 skid resistance were also established and verified. The evaluation indexes of the long‐term skid resistance of the asphalt pavement were introduced, and the antiskidding durability of different sections was evaluated. Results show that the initial British pendulum number (BPN) and mean texture depth (MTD) of the asphalt pavement cannot completely characterize its long‐term skid resistance. With increasing loading cycles, the attenuation law of the BPN and MTD of GAC‐16 denotes a fast reduction during the early stage, which gradually stabilizes. The relation between the skid resistance index and accelerated loading cycles was analyzed by nonlinear fitting according to the least‐squares‐method principle. The attenuation law of the BPN and MTD of GAC‐16 with loading cycles was in accordance with the exponential and logarithmic models, respectively. The long‐term antiskidding performance of the asphalt pavement could be accurately characterized using a stable BPN, loading cycles while reaching a stable BPN, the initial MTD value, and the MTD reduction rate as the evaluation indexes of the skid resistance of asphalt pavement. Compared with limestone fine aggregate, diabase fine aggregate can improve the long‐term skid resistance of the asphalt mixtures.
Projected Changes in Precipitation Extremes over Shaanxi Province, China, in the 21st Century
Authors: Li Ling , Xiao Ziniu , Luo Shuxiang , Yang Aili
Published: May 2020

Extreme precipitation events, which have intensified with global warming, will have a pernicious influence on society. It would be desirable to understand how they will evolve in the future as global warming becomes more serious with time. Thus, the primary objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the changing characteristics of the precipitation extremes in the 21st century over Shaanxi Province, a climate-sensitive and environmentally fragile area located in the east of northwestern China, based on a consecutive simulation of the 21st century conducted by the regional climate model RegCM4 forced by the global climate model HadGEM2-ES at high resolution under middle emission scenario of the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5). Basic validation of the model performance was carried out, and six extreme precipitation indices (EPIs) were used to assess the intensity and frequency of the extreme precipitation events over Shaanxi Province. The results show that RegCM4 reproduces the observed characteristics of extreme precipitation events over Shaanxi Province well. Overall for the domain, the EPIs excluding consecutive dry days (CDD) have a growing tendency during 1980–2098 although they exhibit spatial variability over Shaanxi Province. Some areas in the arid northern Shaanxi may have more heavy rainfalls by the middle of the 21st century but less wet extreme events by the end of the 21st century. And the humid central and southern regions would suffer more precipitation-related natural hazards in the future.
Delayed Diagnosis of a Diffuse Invasive Gastrointestinal Aspergillosis in an Immunocompetent Patient
Authors: Guglielmetti S. , Jaccard C. M. , Mühlethaler K. , Bigler A. , Springe D. , Ebnöther L. , Delgado M.
Published: May 2020

Invasive aspergillosis represents a clinical picture frequently associated with host’s immunosuppression which usually involves a high morbidity and mortality. In general, the most frequent fungal entry is the lungs with secondary hematogenous dissemination, but there are other hypotheses like a gastrointestinal portal of entry. There are some rare publications of cases with invasive aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients. We present the case of an immunocompetent patient without any risk factors except for age, ICU stay, and surgical intervention, who developed a septic shock by invasive gastrointestinal aspergillosis as primary infection. Due to the unusualness of the case, despite all the measures taken, the results were obtained postmortem. We want to emphasize the need not to underestimate the possibility for an invasive aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient. Not only pulmonary but also gastrointestinal aspergillosis should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis to avoid a delay of treatment.
Effect of Intercropping Beans with Maize and Botanical Extract on Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Infestation
Authors: Tanyi Clovis Bessong , Nkongho Raymond Ndip , Okolle Justin Nambangia , Tening Aaron Suh , Ngosong Christopher
Published: May 2020

African farmers are currently grappling with potential control measures for the invasive fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda), which has recently emerged as an important economic pest that is ravaging maize fields across the continent. We evaluated the efficacy of the West African black pepper extract and beans intercropping systems as viable FAW control measures and the implication on maize yields. The experiment comprised five treatments (control-no input, dwarf beans intercrop, climbing beans intercrop, West African black pepper extract, and insecticide) with three replications each. FAW severity was assessed at three to seven weeks after planting (WAP), while maize infestation was assessed at seven WAP. FAW severity increased significantly (P<0.05) across WAP for the control and dwarf beans intercrop, with the highest at four and six WAP, respectively. FAW severity also differed (P<0.05) significantly across treatments at four to seven WAP, with the lowest recorded in the extract of West African black pepper (Piper guineense) and the highest in control treatments. Maize infestation ranged from 13 to 93%, with the lowest in the West African black pepper extract and synthetic insecticide, followed by both dwarf and climbing beans intercrops and then the control. The maize yield determined at physiological maturity ranged from 2.2 to 6.3 t ha−1 across treatments and differed significantly, with the highest in the West African black pepper extract and synthetic insecticide, followed by both the dwarf and climbing beans intercrops, as compared to the control. Overall, the West African black pepper extract and beans push cropping systems demonstrated efficacy as viable sustainable alternative control measures for the invasive fall armyworm in maize fields.
Cholesterol Induces Nrf-2- and HIF-1α-Dependent Hepatocyte Proliferation and Liver Regeneration to Ameliorate Bile Acid Toxicity in Mouse Models of NASH and Fibrosis
Authors: Kaminsky-Kolesnikov Yula , Rauchbach Einat , Abu-Halaka Diana , Hahn Michal , García-Ruiz Carmen , Fernandez-Checa Jose C. , Madar Zecharia , Tirosh Oren
Published: May 2020

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is currently one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. The toxic effects of lipids and bile acids contribute to NASH. The regenerative pathway in response to damage to the liver includes activation of the inflammatory process and priming of hepatocytes to proliferate to restore tissue homeostasis. However, the effects of cholesterol on bile acid toxicity, inflammation, and fibrosis remain unknown. We have used two mouse models of bile acid toxicity to induce liver inflammation and fibrosis. A three-week study was conducted using wild-type mice receiving an atherogenic diet (1% (w/w) cholesterol and 0.5% (w/w) cholic acid) and its separate constituents. Mdr2-/- mice were fed a high-cholesterol-enriched diet or standard AIN-93 diet for 6 weeks. We measured serum transaminase levels to assess liver tissue necrosis and fibrosis; iNOS, SAA1, SAA2, and F4/80 levels to determine liver inflammation; PCNA and HGF levels to evaluate proliferative response; and Nrf-2, HIF-1α, and downstream gene expression to establish protective responses. In both studies, high bile acid levels increased serum transaminases and liver fibrosis, whereas cholesterol supplementation attenuated these effects. Cholesterol supplementation activated survival and the robustness of HIF-1α and Nrf-2 gene expression in hepatocytes, induced liver inflammation and hepatocyte proliferation, and inhibited stellate cell hyperplasia and fibrosis. In conclusion, our data show for the first time that cholesterol intake protects against bile acid liver toxicity. The balance between hepatic cholesterol and bile acid levels may be of prognostic value in liver disease progression and trajectory.
Relative Ectopic Kidney Function Quantification Using DMSA Tomoscintigraphy Modality
Authors: Njeh Ines , Chtourou Kalil , BenHamida Ahmed
Published: May 2020

The ectopic renal function estimation based on a manual region of interest (ROI) extraction could be considered as time consuming. It could also affect the clinical interpretation and thus deviate the therapeutic attitude. For this purpose, we propose an advanced tool to evaluate such function through the dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) kidney scintigraphy scans. Methods. The proposed study has been performed on one hundred patients (fifty cases with normal kidneys and fifty cases with ectopic kidneys). We present our segmentation problems as several cost functions’ optimization, each containing two terms: (i) a distribution matching prior, which evaluates a global similarity between distributions, and (ii) a smoothness prior to avoid the occurrence of small, isolated regions in the solution. Obtained following recent bound-relaxation results, the optima of the cost functions yield each kidney region in near real time. The Dice Metric (DM), the Jaccard Index (JI), and the correlation parameter have been adopted as validation parameters in order to evaluate the segmentation results. The obtained relative function of both kidneys has been then compared with that evaluated in clinical routine (planar projection) and then validated statistically by the Bland–Altman plots and the Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Results. Compared to the expert’s manual kidney segmentation, the obtained results have been judged to be acceptable for clinical use with high Mean Dice Metric (MDM) value and high Jaccard Index (JI). The evaluated relative renal function has been different from those calculated by the projection planar method usually used in clinical routines. Conclusion. The proposed system could efficiently extract the renal region. The relative function estimation could be considered as more accurate. In fact, the background noise correction and the attenuation phenomenon, which could yield an error measure for renal ectopia, have been avoided. Our clinical staff members have validated the results and have suggested using such tool in their clinical routines.
Pattern of Animal Bites and Delays in Initiating Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis among Clients Receiving Care in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital
Authors: Addai Joyce A. , Nuertey Benjamin D.
Published: May 2020

Introduction. Each year, an estimated 25000 rabies death occurs in Africa. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) remains the only proven approach in preventing rabies deaths. Most of rabies deaths occur among those who delayed, did not receive, or complete rabies PEP. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of animal bite, factors associated with delays in initiating, and nonadherence to rabies PEP regimen. Method. Data on clients reporting for rabies PEP in a tertiary hospital setting in Ghana were collected from 2013 to 2016. Demographics, place, and source of exposure were collected. Other information obtained included adherence to the PEP protocol and GPS coordinates of the town of animal bites. The shortest distance between the GPS coordinates of town of animal bite and the site of administration of the rabies PEP was calculated. A total of 1030 individuals received rabies PEP over the period. Results. Overall, 52.9% (545) were males while 47.1% (485) were females. Majority of the cases were between the age group 1–10 years accounting for 29.2%. Dog bites accounted for 96.5% (n = 994). Cats, nonhuman primates, human bites, respectively, accounted for 1.8% (n = 18), 1.2% (n = 12), and 0.6% (n = 6) of all bites. Majority of bites occurred at home (66.2% (n = 646)). Also, 31.6% (n  = 308) and 2.3% (n = 22) of bites occurred on the streets and neighbors/friends’ homes, respectively. Only, 18.7% initiated PEP within 24 hours of bite. Rabies PEP regimen completion rate was 95.2% (n = 976). The median distance travelled to access rabies PEP was 7.87 km (IQR, 3.58–16.27) km. Overall, 34.7% (n = 344) had the animal bite within 4.99 km radius of the treatment room of KBTH. Clients who delayed in initiating rabies PEP were 2.6 (95% CI, 1.3–5.1) times more likely to be males and 2.0 (1.1–3.9) times more likely to receive bites in a location more than 5 km radius from the KBTH treatment room. Gender, age, and distance of bite from the treatment room were not associated with the likelihood of not completing rabies PEP schedule. Discussion. Bites from suspected rabies infected animals remain a problem in southern Ghana. There are significant delays in initiating PEP for rabies prevention. Most animal bite victims are children ten years and below. Male gender and bites more than 5 km radius from the site of rabies PEP administration were most significant factors associated with delays in initiating rabies PEP. There is the need for adopting strategies to encourage prompt initiation and adherence to PEP.
Reliability Evaluation of Generalized ExchangedX-Cubes Based on the Condition ofg-Good-Neighbor
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Zhuang Hongbin , Zhou Shuming , Cheng Hongju , Lin Cheng-Kuan , Guo Wenzhong
Published: May 2020

In the cloud computing environment with massive information services and decision-making resources, the accuracy and reliability of information are more important than previous single closed systems. Therefore, ensuring the reliability of information and the stable operation of the system are the core problems in the research fields such as the Internet Plus and the Internet of Things. The connectivity and diagnosability are two important measures for the fault tolerance of multiprocessor systems. Theg-good-neighbor conditional connectivity (Rg-connectivity) is the minimum number of nodes that make the graph disconnected, and each node has at leastgneighbors in every remaining component. Theg-good-neighbor conditional diagnosability (g-GNCD) is the maximum number of faulty processors that has been correctly identified in a system, and any fault-free processor has no less thangfault-free neighbors. ExchangedX-cubes are a class of irregular networks, obtained by deleting links from hypercubes and some variant networks of hypercubes (X-cubes). They not only combine the advantages ofX-cubes but also reduce the interconnection complexity. ExchangedX-cubes classify its nodes into two different classes clusters with a unique connecting rule. In this paper, we propose the generalized exchangedX-cubes framework so that architecture can be constructed by different connecting rules. Furthermore, we study theRg-connectivity andg-GNCD of generalized exchangedX-cubes under the PMC and MM∗models. As applications, theRg-connectivity andg-GNCD of generalized exchanged hypercubes, dual-cube-like networks, generalized exchanged crossed cubes, and locally generalized exchanged twisted cubes are determined, respectively.
MiR-224 Executes a Tumor Accelerative Role during Hepatocellular Carcinoma Malignancy by Targeting Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element-Binding Protein 3
Authors: Miao Ke , Liu Si-Da , Huang Wei-Xin , Dong Han
Published: May 2020

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to probe the mechanism of how miR-224/cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 3 (CPEB3) axis is concerned with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The expressions and prognostic values of miR-224 and CPEB3 in HCC patients were analyzed based on the data acquired from the TCGA and GEO databases. qRT-PCR was conducted to test the mRNA expression levels of miR-224 and CPEB3. The expression level of miR-224 in SMMC-7721/HuH-7 cells was up-/downregulated by miR-224 mimic/inhibitor to explore its influence on HCC cell proliferation and motility by utilizing CCK8 and transwell assays, respectively. Luciferase activity assay was applied for verifying the target of miR-224. The relationship between miR-224 and CPEB3 was analyzed utilizing Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The protein level of CPEB3 was tested by Western blotting. Rescue assay was performed to determine whether CPEB3 involved in the process of HCC cell phenotype changes caused by miR-224 alteration. Results: MiR-224 was highly expressed and CPEB3 was lowly expressed in HCC tissues. Besides, the high expression of miR-224 and low expression of CPEB3 were correlated with worse prognosis in HCC patients. Up-/downregulation of miR-224 accelerated/restrained SMMC-7721/HuH-7 cell proliferation and motility. CPEB3 was predicted and proofed as a target gene of miR-224. We discovered that CPEB3 was negatively modulated by miR-224. We also found a sharply negative correlation between CPEB3 and miR-224. Using rescue assay, we showed that overexpression of CPEB3 suppressed the proliferation and motility of SMMC-7721 cells with overexpressed miR-224, while knockdown of CPEB3 facilitated the proliferation and motility of HuH-7 cells with downregulated miR-224. Conclusion: Our data provided evidences that miR-224 is implicated in HCC cell proliferation and motility via targeting CPEB3. The relationship between miR-224 and CPEB3 might be a novel finding, and miR-224/CPEB3 axis might be markers for providing therapeutic and prognostic information in HCC.
Cardiac Troponin I Predicts Elevated B-type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients Treated with Anthracycline-Containing Chemotherapy
Authors: Oikawa Masayoshi , Yoshihisa Akiomi , Yokokawa Tetsuro , Misaka Tomofumi , Yaegashi Daiki , Miyata Makiko , Nakazato Kazuhiko , Ishida Takafumi , Takeishi Yasuchika
Published: May 2020

Background: Anthracycline is used to treat various types of cancer; however, cardiotoxicity negatively affects patient prognosis. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate serial changes in levels of cardiac troponin I (TnI) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients treated with anthracycline-containing therapy. Methods: 91 consecutive cancer patients planned for anthracycline treatment were enrolled and followed up for 12 months. All patients underwent echocardiography and blood sampling at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: The patients were divided into two groups based on their TnI level during the follow-up period: the elevated TnI group (TnI ≥0.03 ng/mL; n = 37) and the normal TnI group (n = 54). In the elevated TnI group, the TnI levels increased at 3 and 6 months, but they returned to within normal range at 12 months after anthracycline administration. Unlike TnI, the BNP levels began to increase after 6 months, and remained increased at 12 months. The occurrence of cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction was higher in the elevated TnI group than in the normal TnI group. When we set the cut-off value of TnI at 0.029 ng/mL, sensitivity and specificity to predict an elevated BNP level of more than 100 pg/mL were 90 and 63%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated TnI was an independent predictor of elevated BNP levels. Conclusion: Elevated TnI was an independent predictor for the development of BNP increase. The different characteristics of TnI and BNP should be considered when managing patients treated with anthracycline-containing therapy.
Traffic lane controller using RFID and IoT
Authors: Boopathy E Veera
Published: May 2020

Traffic in urban areas is increasing day by day which leads to most critical issues of traffic management this paper proposes a smart and fully automatic traffic control system that will detect and control the congestion in real time, detect a stolen vehicle and also passes emergency vehicles smoothly with the use of passive RFID device. This effectively reduces travel delays and relieves congestion, it is necessary to control lane merge behaviors of freeway. Depending upon the count of vehicles green passage will be set dynamically and the proposed system provides special privileges for emergency vehicles like police vehicle, ambulance, VIP vehicles, etc.
Extraction of series resistance and mobility degradation parameter in MOSFETs using iterative method
Authors: Maouhoub Noureddine , Rais Khalid
Published: May 2020

Series resistance and mobility attenuation parameter are parasitic phenomena that limit the scaling of advanced MOSFETs. In this work, an iterative method is proposed to extract the series resistance and mobility degradation parameter in short channel MOSFETs. It also allows us to extract the surface roughness amplitude. The principle of this method is based on the exponential model of effective mobility and the least squares methods. From these, two analytical equations are obtained to determine the series resistance and the low field mobility as function of the mobility degradation. The mobility attenuation parameter is extracted using an iterative procedure to minimize the root means squared error (RMSE) value. The results obtained by this technique for a single short channel device have shown the good agreement with measurements data at strong inversion.
An annotated checklist of sea slug fauna of Gujarat coast, India
Authors: Vadher Piyush , Kardani Hitesh , Beleem Imtiyaz
Published: May 2020

An annotated checklist of sea slugs from Gujarat coastal waters was prepared, based on published literature and field observations from 2014–2019.  Ninety-five species from 62 genera belonging to 29 families were recorded.  Species are listed with synonyms and distribution status.
The Prognostic Value of Angiogenic Markers in Twin Pregnancies to Predict Delivery Due to Maternal Complications of Preeclampsia
Authors: Binder Julia , Palmrich Pilar , Pateisky Petra , Kalafat Erkan , Kuessel Lorenz , Zeisler Harald , Munkhbaatar March , Windsperger Karin , Thilaganathan Basky , Khalil Asma
Published: May 2020

The sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), PlGF (placental growth factor), and their ratio are useful for predicting delivery because of preeclampsia in singleton pregnancies. Evidence on the utility of sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in twin pregnancies is lacking. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of sFlt-1/PlGF ratio for delivery because of preeclampsia in twins. A retrospective data analysis of 164 twin pregnancies with suspected preeclampsia was performed. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, which was known to clinicians, was significantly higher in women who delivered within 1 and 2 weeks compared with those who did not (median: 98.9 and 84.2 versus 23.5 pg/mL, respectively;
P
<0.001). The area under the curve values sFlt-1/PlGF ratio levels were 0.88 (95% CI, 0.83–0.84) and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.83–0.93) for predicting delivery because of preeclampsia within 1 and 2 weeks of blood sampling, respectively. The predictive accuracy of sFlt-1/PlGF was independent of gestational age at sampling and chorionicity (
P
>0.100 for interaction). The area under the curve values of sFlt-1/PlGF were significantly higher than for PlGF alone (mean 0.88 and 0.88 versus 0.81 and 0.80) for predicting delivery because of preeclampsia within 1 and 2 weeks of blood sampling (
P
=0.055 and 0.001, respectively). sFlt-1/PlGF ratio lower than 38 was able to rule-out delivery within 1 and 2 weeks with a negative predictive value of 98.8% and 96.4% for delivery because of preeclampsia within 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. A cutoff of 38 is applicable for ruling out delivery because of preeclampsia in twin pregnancies.
Mission and Care for the Poor in Sydney Anglican Perspective
Authors: Williams David A.
Published: May 2020

Sydney Anglican theology has a number of distinctive motifs, including its ecclesiology and theology of the gospel. These motifs inform a theology of mission as proclamation that stands in a tradition that places a priority on evangelism. Where does such a missiological construction locate a theology of care for the poor? Answers to this question were explored through semi-structured interviews with faculty at Moore Theological College. The significance of caring for the poor is affirmed. Care for the poor is located in the life of the disciple of Jesus Christ and in the community life of the local church. The implications of this theological view for an understanding of the missio Dei are explored.
Missio Dei Is Missio Trinitas: Sharing the Whole Life of God, Father, Son and Spirit
Authors: Cronshaw Darren
Published: May 2020

Missio Dei (“the mission of God”), and grounding the mission of the church in the character of God as a missionary God, is one of the most important theological (re-)discoveries of the twentieth-century. The concept is limited, however, if focused on one aspect of God as sending God, model of incarnational mission or empowerment for mission. This article argues that missio Dei is missio Trinitas (“the mission of the Trinity”). It explores the richness of missio Dei from an explicitly trinitarian perspective and its implications for local congregations, in conversation with missional church writers. The article argues that missio Trinitas places primary responsibility for mission with a Trinitarian God, invites the church to join God in the dance of (co-)mission, moves mission beyond church programs to a spirituality of mission, turns church attention to a whole gospel for the whole world, and calls all Christians into mission as communities rather than individuals. Ensuring a Trinitarian understanding of God and mission helps the church to remember the importance of divine agency, spirituality of mission, holistic mission and the mission of the whole people of God.
Loyalty, Subsidiarity, and Article 18 echr: How the ECtHR Deals with Mala Fide Limitations of Rights
Authors: Heri Corina
Published: May 2020

The echr system is premised on the presumption of state good faith. However, at least one article of the Convention does not adhere to this presumption. This is Article 18 echr, an idiosyncratic and underestimated provision that prohibits bad faith limitations of rights and is just starting to come into its own. Until recently, the Court’s case-law on this article made it almost impossible to invoke, given its narrow scope, accessory nature, and the sky-high burden of proof required to do so. Since the Grand Chamber revamped its approach to the provision in the 2017 Merabishvili judgment, the Court has started to find more regular violations of Article 18. But questions remain, such as how to distinguish Article 18 from the abuse of rights clause in Article 17, and how to deal with measures that have mixed legitimate and nefarious aims. This article unravels these and other questions and suggests ways to create a more coherent case-law that allows Article 18 to fulfil its intended role.
Interdecadal Change in the Effect of Spring Soil Moisture over the Indo-China Peninsula on the Following Summer Precipitation over the Yangtze River Basin
Authors: Gao Chujie , Li Gen , Chen Haishan , Yan Hong
Published: May 2020

The land surface energy exchange over the Indo-China Peninsula (ICP) is important for regulating regional weather and climate. This work investigates the effect of spring soil moisture (SM) over the ICP on the following summer precipitation over the Yangtze River basin (YRB) during 1961–2010. The results show that the spring SM over the ICP has a significant negative correlation with the following summer YRB precipitation. However, this relationship experiences an obvious interdecadal change with a much stronger correlation in the epoch before the early 1990s (1961–91) than in the later decades (1992–2010). In spring, an abnormally lower SM over the ICP could induce less surface evapotranspiration, increasing local temperature until the summer. Before the 1990s, the resultant anomalous ICP heating raises the local geopotential height, resulting in an excessive westward extension of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH). Accordingly, the enhanced southwesterly summer monsoon would transport more moisture to the YRB, intensifying the mei-yu front and local precipitation. In the early 1990s, the East Asian summer monsoon underwent an abrupt change with an interdecadal westward extension of the climatic WPSH. Consequently, the similar abnormal ICP surface heating induced by the anomalous SM would have different influences on the monsoonal circulation, causing a much weaker effect on the YRB precipitation in the recent decades.
NOAA ProbSevere v2.0—ProbHail, ProbWind, and ProbTor
Authors: Cintineo John L. , Pavolonis Michael J. , Sieglaff Justin M. , Cronce Lee , Brunner Jason
Published: May 2020

Severe convective storms are hazardous to both life and property and thus their accurate and timely prediction is imperative. In response to this critical need to help fulfill the mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NOAA and the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) at the University of Wisconsin (UW) have developed NOAA ProbSevere—an operational short-term forecasting subsystem within the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) system, providing storm-based probabilistic guidance to severe convective hazards. ProbSevere extracts and integrates pertinent data from a variety of meteorological sources via multiplatform multiscale storm identification and tracking in order to compute severe hazard probabilities in a statistical framework, using naïve Bayesian classifiers. Version 1 of ProbSevere (PSv1) employed one model—the “probability of any severe hazard” trained on the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) criteria. Version 2 of ProbSevere (PSv2) implements four models, three naïve Bayesian classifiers trained to specific hazards: 1) severe hail, 2) severe straight-line wind gusts, 3) tornadoes; and a combined model for any of the aforementioned hazards, which takes the maximum probability of the three classifiers. This paper overviews the ProbSevere system and details the construction and selection of predictors for the models. An evaluation of the four models demonstrated that v2 is more skillful than v1 for each severe hazard with higher critical success index scores and that the optimal probability threshold varies by region of the United States. The discussion highlights PSv2 in NOAA’s Hazardous Weather Testbed (HWT) and current and future research for convective nowcasting.
Maintaining the Relationship: Relational Schemas and Women’s Intent to Seek Couple Therapy
Authors: Spiker Douglas A. , Berney Elyssa C. , Hammer Joseph H. , Jensen Katherine C.
Published: May 2020

Women face more negative health outcomes than men due to relationship distress, but little is understood about why heterosexual women do or do not seek couple therapy. The present study addressed this gap by using the theory of planned behavior within an alternative structural equation modeling framework to examine the links between relational schemas and intention to seek couple therapy in a sample of heterosexual women ( N = 302) who were unhappy in their romantic relationships. Women who suppressed their own needs (i.e., self-silence), defined themselves in the context of important relationships (i.e., relational-interdependent self-construal), valued not asking for help (i.e., self-reliance), and preferred not to disclose their feelings (i.e., emotional control) were both less and more likely to intend to seek couple therapy. Results illustrate how relational schemas create conflicting messages for women about seeking couple therapy.
Beyond Incivility: Understanding Patterns of Uncivil and Intolerant Discourse in Online Political Talk
Authors: Rossini Patrícia
Published: May 2020

This article takes up the popular argument that much online discussion is toxic and hence harmful to democracy, and argues that the pervasiveness of incivility is not incompatible with democratically relevant political talk. Instead of focusing on the tone of political talk, scholars interested in understanding the extent to which digital platforms threaten democratic values should focus on expressions of intolerance. I demonstrate the validity of this conceptual model by investigating the discursive and contextual features associated with incivility and intolerance online in the context of public comments in two different platforms—news websites and Facebook. Results show that incivility and intolerance occur in meaningfully different discussion settings. Whereas incivility is associated with features that reveal meaningful discursive engagement, such as justified opinion expression and engagement with disagreement, intolerance is likely to occur in homogeneous discussions about minorities and civil society—exactly when it can hurt democracy the most.