bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MEAN GEODESIC DISTANCE OF n-LEVEL SIERPINSKI CARPET
Authors: WANG XUEMIN , FAN JIAQI
Published: December 2020

We investigate the [Formula: see text]-level Sierpinski carpets including the classical one for [Formula: see text], which are non-p.c.f. self-similar fractals. By using the finitely, many geometric patterns and the self-similar measure, we obtain the mean geodesic distance on the [Formula: see text]-level Sierpinski carpets and their skeleton networks.
G-frame representations with bounded operators
Authors: Khedmati Yavar , Ghobadzadeh Fatemeh
Published: December 2020

Dynamical sampling, as introduced by Aldroubi et al., deals with frame properties of sequences of the form [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] belongs to Hilbert space [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] belongs to certain classes of bounded operators. Christensen et al. studied frames for [Formula: see text] with index set [Formula: see text] (or [Formula: see text]), that has representations in the form [Formula: see text] (or [Formula: see text]). As frames of subspaces, fusion frames and generalized translation invariant systems are the special cases of [Formula: see text]-frames, the purpose of this paper is to study and get sufficient conditions for [Formula: see text]-frames [Formula: see text] (or [Formula: see text] having the form [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] (or [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]). Also, we get the relation between representations of dual [Formula: see text]-frames with index set [Formula: see text]. Finally, we study stability of [Formula: see text]-frame representations under some perturbations.
Piecewise visual, linearly connected metrics on boundaries of relatively hyperbolic groups
Authors: Haulmark Matthew , Mihalik Michael
Published: December 2020

Suppose a finitely generated group [Formula: see text] is hyperbolic relative to [Formula: see text] a set of proper finitely generated subgroups of [Formula: see text]. Established results in the literature imply that a “visual” metric on [Formula: see text] is “linearly connected” if and only if the boundary [Formula: see text] has no cut point. Our goal is to produce linearly connected metrics on [Formula: see text] that are “piecewise” visual when [Formula: see text] contains cut points. Our main theorem is connected to graph of groups decompositions of relatively hyperbolic groups [Formula: see text] by work of B. Bowditch. We describe piecewise visual linearly connected metrics on connected boundaries of relatively hyperbolic groups. Our metric on [Formula: see text] agrees with the visual metric on limit sets of vertex groups and is in this sense piecewise visual.
A Thermodynamic Formulation of Home Prices in a Monocentric City
Authors: Yen Peter Tsung-Wen , Filippov Mikhail , Cheong Siew Ann
Published: December 2020

In this work, we proposed a theoretical framework inspired by physical thermodynamics to explain the housing price distributions in monocentric cities. In the same spirit as the Alonso–Muth–Mills (AMM) model, we assume that the disposable income [Formula: see text] after renting a home a distance [Formula: see text] from the center of a city is determined by the wage [Formula: see text] generated at the point-like Central Business District (CBD), the rent [Formula: see text], and the transportation cost [Formula: see text]. Unlike in the AMM model, where the scaling exponents are phenomenological, we admitted only physically reasonable exponents for the scaling of various quantities with distance [Formula: see text] from the CBD. We then determine the equilibrium rent [Formula: see text] by requiring [Formula: see text], where we assumed for simplicity the utility function [Formula: see text] (representing the demand side) has diminishing return in [Formula: see text]. In the simplest model, the equilibrium rent is given by [Formula: see text], i.e., the scaling of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] is entirely determined by [Formula: see text]. We then introduce additional home availability [Formula: see text] (representing the supply side) into the simple theory in the form of an entropic correction, [Formula: see text]. The equilibrium rent then becomes [Formula: see text]. This allows us to treat additional availability due to the two-dimensional nature of cities, as well as that due to high-rise buildings on equal footing. Finally, we compare the equilibrium theory against urban data in Singapore, London and Philadelphia. For Singapore, we find quantitative agreement between theory and data. For London, we find only qualitative agreement between theory and data because the transportation cost is zone based. For Philadelphia, the home price distribution is very different from Singapore and London, and shows clear signs of economic segregation, which is difficult to treat in our equilibrium theory.
Critical Thinking Level among Medical Sciences Students in Iran
Authors: Jafari Faranak , Azizi Seyyed Mohsen , Soroush Ali , Khatony Alireza
Published: December 2020

Background. Critical thinking is one of the most important missions of the educational planning system of medical sciences universities around the world. Hence, identifying the level of critical thinking skills and tendency of medical sciences students to think critically is of great importance. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to examine the critical thinking level in medical sciences students in Iran. Methods. To extract published studies in the field of critical thinking in Iran, a search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC, and Magiran. The keywords of critical thinking, medical sciences, and Iran were used for the purpose of the search in the two languages of Persian and English and without any time limit. The PRISMA flow diagram was applied for the selection of articles, and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used for the evaluation of these papers. Results. After evaluating the quality of searched articles, 80 articles were finally selected for the final analysis. The total sample of the articles included 12,578 students. The results indicated that out of 51 articles conducted in the field of critical thinking skills, 48 articles reported these skills at a low level, 2 papers at a medium level, and only 1 paper at a high level in the medical sciences students. Among 29 articles in the field of the level of critical thinking disposition, 13 articles reported their tendency level at a low level, 11 articles at a medium level, and 5 articles at a high level. Conclusion. In general, based on most articles, the level of critical thinking skills in the medical sciences students in Iran was reported to be at a low level and their tendency to critical thinking at a moderate level and low level. Therefore, given the importance of critical thinking for medical sciences students, future studies should consider factors influencing the increase of the critical thinking level in these students. In this regard, formation of some training workshops can also be promising. Furthermore, reviewing the medical sciences curriculum should be taken into consideration by the policymakers and educational planners so as to strengthen the level of critical thinking in the medical sciences students.
The Subchronic Toxic Effects of Mosla chinensis Maxim in Normal Rats
Authors: Lei Dan , Li Longxue , Huang Shenghong , Liu Li , Cai Pingdong , Gu Zhouyang , Shu Kun , Li Shouming , Hong Tao , Liu Zhiyong
Published: December 2020

Background. The aim of this work was to study the toxic effects and target organs of Mosla chinensis Maxim (MCM) in rats and provide theoretical basis for clinical medication. Methods. The subchronic toxicity study was conducted on 60 male and female SD rats using the fixed‐dose method for the treatment groups and 20 male and female SD rats for the control. At the subchronic toxicity study, the water extract of MCM with fixed doses of 0.2 g/kg/day, 2 g/kg/day, and 20 g/kg/day was administered for 90 days intragastric, and the control group was given the same amount of distilled water. After 90 days, the general conditions of the rats were observed. Assessment on safety of the extract was conducted by a subchronic toxicity test which mainly examined alteration occurrence in gut flora and urine metabolism. Results. There was no significant difference in physical signs, reactivity, and stool characteristics in the four groups. Compared with the control group, the number of red blood cells in the male 2 g/kg/day group and the female 0.2 g/kg/day group was significantly different (P < 0.05). The detection of serum biochemical indicators showed that MCM has an effect on liver and kidney function but has no physiological significance. The level of low‐density lipoprotein in male rats was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the blood glucose levels of female rats in the 0.2 g/kg/day, 2 g/kg/day, and 20 g/kg/day groups were significantly increased (P < 0.05). As far as the diversity of intestinal flora is concerned, feeding MCM for 90 days has an influence on the distribution of intestinal flora. The content of lactic acid bacteria increased, and the ratio of hard bacteria to Bacteroides (f/b) was also affected, but there was no significant difference. Conclusions. These findings showed that the long‐term intragastric administration of the MCM is safe to use within its dose recommendation. But it could have a slight effect on the metabolism of uric acid by changing the composition of intestinal flora and affecting the metabolism of tryptophan.
Radio Propagation Measurements in the Indoor Stairwell Environment at 3.5 and 28 GHz for 5G Wireless Networks
Authors: Al-Saman Ahmed , Mohamed Marshed , Cheffena Michael
Published: December 2020

To cover the high demand for wireless data services for different applications in the wireless networks, different frequency bands below 6 GHz and in millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) above 24 GHz are proposed for the fifth generation (5G) of communication. The communication network is supposed to handle, among others, indoor traffic in normal situations as well as during emergencies. The stairway is one of those areas which has less network traffic during normal conditions but increases significantly during emergencies. This paper presents the radio propagation in an indoor stairway environment based on wideband measurements in the line of sight (LOS) at two candidate frequencies for 5G wireless networks, namely, 3.5 GHz and 28 GHz. The path loss, root mean square (RMS) delay spread, K-factor results, and analysis are provided. The close-in free-space reference distance (CI), floating intercept (FI), and the close-in free-space reference distance with frequency weighting (CIF) path loss models are provided. The channel parameters such as the number of clusters, the ray and cluster arrival rates, and the ray and cluster decay factors are also obtained for both frequencies. The findings of the path loss show that the CI, FI, and CIF models fit the measured data well in both frequencies with the path loss exponent identical to the free-space path loss. Based on clustering results, it is found that the cluster decay rates are identical at both bands. The results from this and previous measurements indicate that at least one access point is required for every two sections of the stairway to support good coverage along the stairwell area in 5G wireless networks. Moreover, for 5G systems utilizing mm-Wave frequency bands, one access point for each stair section might be necessary for increased reliability of the 5G network in stairwell environments.
Open-Label Placebo Trial among Japanese Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Ikemoto Tatsunori , Ueno Takefumi , Arai Young-Chang , Wakao Norimitsu , Hirasawa Atsuhiko , Hayashi Kazuhiro , Deie Masataka
Published: December 2020

Background. The aim of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of open-label placebo (OLP) in Japanese patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), similar to previous reports, and to investigate its short- and medium-term effects in this study population. Methods. Fifty-two patients with CLBP were randomized into a treatment as usual (TAU) group (n = 26) or an OLP + TAU group (n = 26) for 12 weeks. The TAU included advice to remain active and exercise in conjunction with recent psychological education based on a self-management strategy. In contrast, participants in the OLP + TAU group were instructed to take two OLP capsules a day. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and at weeks 3 and 12 using the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain intensity, and the Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) test. Difference in outcomes between the two groups was compared at the two follow-up points. Results. Although all participants completed the 3-week follow-up, four patients (two in each group) were lost to follow-up beyond week 3. There were no significant intergroup differences in changes in the RMDQ score (

p
=
0.40

), pain-NRS score (

p
=
0.19

), and TUG time (

p
=
0.98

) at week 3. Two-way repeated measure analyses of covariance showed significant time-course effects but did not show group effects or any interactions between the time-course and group in terms of the RMDQ score. However, it did not show any effects in the pain-NRS score and TUG time at week 12. Conclusions. The OLP + TAU group showed no superior findings in comparison with the TAU group after 3 weeks and 12 weeks for Japanese patients with CLBP. Nonetheless, significant improvements in functional disability were observed in both groups.
Medical Image Retrieval Using Empirical Mode Decomposition with Deep Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Shaomin , Zhi Lijia , Zhou Tao
Published: December 2020

Content‐based medical image retrieval (CBMIR) systems attempt to search medical image database to narrow the semantic gap in medical image analysis. The efficacy of high‐level medical information representation using features is a major challenge in CBMIR systems. Features play a vital role in the accuracy and speed of the search process. In this paper, we propose a deep convolutional neural network‐ (CNN‐) based framework to learn concise feature vector for medical image retrieval. The medical images are decomposed into five components using empirical mode decomposition (EMD). The deep CNN is trained in a supervised way with multicomponent input, and the learned features are used to retrieve medical images. The IRMA dataset, containing 11,000 X‐ray images, 116 classes, is used to validate the proposed method. We achieve a total IRMA error of 43.21 and a mean average precision of 0.86 for retrieval task and IRMA error of 68.48 and F1 measure of 0.66 on classification task, which is the best result compared with existing literature for this dataset.
The Influential Factors and Characteristics of Tight Sandstone Gas Reservoir: A Case Study in Ordos Basin in China
Authors: Ren Dazhong , Yang Fu , Li Rongxi , Li Yuhong , Liu Dengke
Published: December 2020

To analyze the impact of the factors on physical properties and the mechanism of tightness as well as favorable accumulation space of tight sandstone reservoir, comprehensive analysis is conducted using various kinds of experiments. The results show that the predominant rock type is medium-coarse grained lithic quartzarenite, and the main accumulating space is the dissolved secondary pores. Reservoir pore-throat structures can be divided into four categories. Based on morphologies and parameters which derived from capillary pressure curves, the physical properties rank in the following descending sequence:

Type
 
I
>
Type
 
II
>
Type
 
III
>
Type
 
IV

. The reservoir quality is influenced by both sedimentation and diagenesis synthetically. The underwater distributary channel is the dominant space for favorable reservoir. Compaction and cementation play dominant roles in the reduction of permeability. The loss of primary pores caused by both those diagenesis are 20.52% and 16.91%, respectively. Secondary pores formed by dissolution improve the reservoir quality by increase the porosity (2.68%). This suggests that weak diagenesis greatly contributes to the improvement of reservoir quality.
Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Digestive System Cancers: A Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhao Feng , Li Chan , Wu Yun , Xia Jianling , Zeng Ming , Li Tao , Xie Ke
Published: December 2020

Aim. A meta‐analysis was conducted to estimate the impact of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on outcomes in patients with digestive system cancers. Methods. A systemic literature survey was performed by searching the Cochrane Library and PubMed databases for articles that evaluated the impact of CTGF on outcomes in patients with digestive system cancers. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for prognostic factors, overall and recurrence‐free survival using RevMan 5.3 software. Results. This meta‐analysis was conducted to evaluate a total of 11 studies that included 1730 patients. The results showed that elevated CTGF expression was significantly correlated with advanced age, larger tumor size, multiple tumors, and vascular invasion. Subgroup analysis by cancer type revealed increased risk for lymph node metastasis and advanced tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage in gastric cancer, compared with colorectal cancer. An unfavorable effect of elevated CTGF levels on overall survival was found in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and patients with gastric cancer, while survival was improved in colorectal cancer patients with high CTGF expression, compared to those with normal levels of CTGF. Conclusions. Elevated CTGF expression may be a novel biomarker for disease status and predicted survival outcomes in patients with specific digestive system cancers.
An UPLC-MS/MS Method for Determination of Osimertinib in Rat Plasma: Application to Investigating the Effect of Ginsenoside Rg3 on the Pharmacokinetics of Osimertinib
Authors: Ying Zhenzhen , Wei Jingyao , Liu Ruijuan , Zhao Fang , Yu Yifang , Tian Xin
Published: December 2020

Osimertinib is a novel oral, potent, and irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) for treatment of advanced T790M mutation-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer, which is commonly combined with ginsenoside Rg3 in clinic to enhance the efficacy and minimize adverse reactions. In the present study, a highly sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method was established and validated for analysis of osimertinib in rat plasma according to US FDA guideline. Separation was performed on a C18 (2.1 × 50 mm, 2.6 μm) column using a gradient elution of ammonium formate (10 mM) with 0.1% formic acid buffer (A) and ACN (B) at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Detection was carried out on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization in the MRM mode. The method was validated over a concentration range of 1–400 ng/mL for osimertinib. The intra- and interday accuracy and precision values were within ±15%. No significant degradation occurred under the experimental conditions in stability assays. There was a further investigation on the effects of multiple doses of ginsenoside Rg3 on the pharmacokinetics of osimertinib in rats for the first time. The results implied that osimertinib exhibited a slow absorption and moderate-rate elimination in rats following oral administration. Coadministeration with ginsenoside Rg3 (5 mg/kg, 7 days, i.g.) may have no effect on the pharmacokinetics of osimertinib in rats. The results provide a reference for the clinical concomitant medications of Rg3 and osimertinib.
Influences of Hydrodynamic Forces on the Identification of the Rotor-Stator-Rubbing Fault in a Rotating Machinery
Authors: Tchomeni Bernard Xavier , Sozinando Desejo Filipeson , Alugongo Alfayo
Published: December 2020

Mechanical failures of a complex machine such as rotor widely used in severe conditions often require specialized knowledge, technical expertise, and imagination to prevent its rupture. In this paper, a model for analyzing excitation of a coupled lateral-torsional vibrations of a shaft system in an inviscid fluid is proposed. The model considers the recurrent contact of the vibrating shaft to a fixed stator. The simplified mathematical model of the rotor-stator system is established based on the energy principle. The dynamic characteristics of the fluid-rotor system are studied, and the features of rub-impact are extracted numerically and validated experimentally under the effects of the unbalance and the hydrodynamic forces. The main contribution of this article is in extraction and identification of the rub features in an inviscid medium which proved to be complex by the obstruction of the fluid and required the use of appropriate signal processing tools. The results through a synchrosqueezing wavelet transform indicated that the exciting fluid force could significantly attenuate the instability and amplitude of rubbing rotor. The experimental results demonstrated that for half the first critical speed, the subharmonic

1
/
2
×
Ω

and the irregular orbit patterns provide good indices for rub detection in an inviscid fluid of the rotating shafts. Finally, it is revealed that the instantaneous frequency extraction based on wavelet synchrosqueezing is a useful tool to identify the weak and hidden peak harmonics localised in the time-frequency maps of the fluid-rotor system.
Exercise Improves Endothelial Function Associated with Alleviated Inflammation and Oxidative Stress of Perivascular Adipose Tissue in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Wang Jinju , Polaki Venkata , Chen Shuzhen , Bihl Ji C.
Published: December 2020

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), a type of adipose tissue that surrounds the blood vessels, has been considered an active component of the blood vessel walls and involved in vascular homeostasis. Recent evidence shows that increased inflammation and oxidative stress in PVAT contribute to endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Exercise is an important nonpharmacological approach for vascular diseases. However, there is limited information regarding whether the beneficial effects of exercise on vascular function is related to the PVAT status. In this study, we investigated whether exercise can decrease oxidative stress and inflammation of PVAT and promote the improvement of endothelial function in a T2D mouse model. Diabetic db/db (5-week old) mice performed treadmill exercise (10 m/min) or keep sedentary for 8 weeks. Body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, glucose, and insulin tolerance were determined. The cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-a) and adiponectin levels, macrophage polarization and adipocyte type in PVAT, oxidative stress, and nitric oxide (NO) expression in the vascular wall were evaluated. The adhesion ability of primary aorta endothelial cells was analyzed. Our data showed that (1) diabetic db/db mice had increased body weight and fasting blood glucose level, compromised glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity, which were decreased/improved by exercise intervention. (2) Exercise intervention increased the percentage of multilocular brown adipocytes, promoted M1 to M2 macrophage polarization, associating with an increase of adiponectin and IL-10 levels and decrease of IFN-γ, IL-6, and TNF-a levels in PVAT. (3) Exercise decreased superoxide production in PVAT and the vascular wall of diabetic mice, accompanied with increased NO level. (4) The adhesion ability of aorta endothelial cells to leukocytes was decreased in exercised db/db mice, accompanied by decreased intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) expressions. Of interesting, coculture with PVAT-culture medium from exercised db/db mice could also reduce ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions in primary endothelial cells. In conclusion, our data suggest that exercise improved endothelial function by attenuating the inflammation and oxidative stress in PVAT.
Constructing the Logical Regression Model to Predict the Target of Jianpi Jiedu Decoction in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Rongjie , Chen Yan , Zhou Ge , Sun Baoguo , Li Yue , Chen Zexiong
Published: December 2020

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to identify the molecular mechanism and prognosis‐related genes of Jianpi Jiedu decoction in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods. The gene expression data of hepatocellular carcinoma samples and normal tissue samples were downloaded from TCGA database, and the potential targets of drug composition of Jianpi Jiedu decoction were obtained from TCMSP database. The genes were screened out in order to obtain the expression of these target genes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The differential expression of target genes was analyzed by R software, and the genes related to prognosis were screened by univariate Cox regression analysis. Then, the LASSO model was constructed for risk assessment and survival analysis between different risk groups. At the same time, independent prognostic analysis, GSEA analysis, and prognostic analysis of single gene in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were performed. Results. 174 compounds of traditional Chinese medicine were screened by TCMSP database, corresponding to 122 potential targets. 39 upregulated genes and 9 downregulated genes were screened out. A total of 20 candidate prognostic related genes were screened out by univariate Cox analysis, of which 12 prognostic genes were involved in the construction of the LASSO regression model. There was a significant difference in survival time between the high‐risk group and low‐risk group (p < 0.05). Among the genes related to prognosis, the expression levels of CCNB1, NQO1, NUF2, and CHEK1 were high in tumor tissues (p < 0.05). Survival analysis showed that the high expression levels of these four genes were significantly correlated with poor prognosis of HCC (p < 0.05). GSEA analysis showed that the main KEGG enrichment pathways were lysine degradation, folate carbon pool, citrate cycle, and transcription factors. Conclusions. In the study, we found that therapy target genes of Jianpi Jiedu decoction were mainly involved in metabolism and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma, and there was a close relationship between the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and the genes of CCNB1, NQO1, NUF2, and CHEK1.
New Vertically Planed Pendulum Motion
Authors: Ismail A. I.
Published: December 2020

This article is concerned about the planed rigid body pendulum motion suspended with a spring which is suspended to move on a vertical plane moving uniformly about a horizontal X-axis. This model depends on a system containing three generalized coordinates. The three nonlinear differential equations of motion of the second order are obtained to the elastic string length and the oscillation angles

φ

1

and

φ

2

which represent the freedom degrees for the pendulum motions. It is assumed that the body moves in a rotating vertical plane uniformly with an arbitrary angular velocity

ω

. The relative periodic motions of this model are considered. The governing equations of motion are obtained using Lagrange’s equations and represent a nonlinear system of second-order differential equations that can be solved in terms of generalized coordinates. The numerical solutions are investigated using the approximated fourth-order Runge–Kutta method through programming packages. These solutions are represented graphically to describe and discuss the behavior of the body at any instant for different values of the different physical parameters of the body. The obtained results have been discussed and compared with some previously published works. Some concluding remarks have been presented at the end of this work. The value of this study comes from its wide applications in both civil and military life. The main findings and objectives of the current study are obtaining periodic solutions for the problem and satisfying their accuracy and stabilities through the numerical procedure.
Development and In Vivo Characterization of Probiotic Lysate‐Treated Chitosan Nanogel as a Novel Biocompatible Formulation for Wound Healing
Authors: Ashoori Yousef , Mohkam Milad , Heidari Reza , Abootalebi Seyedeh Narjes , Mousavi Seyyed Mojtaba , Hashemi Seyyed Alireza , Golkar Nasim , Gholami Ahmad
Published: December 2020

Wound healing is a physiological reaction to tissue injuries which plays a crucial role in replacing the destroyed tissues. Probiotics produce valuable compounds that possess antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory activities, immunomodulatory effects, and angiogenesis traits leading to the promotion of wound healing. Chitosan nanostructures have versatile properties making them quickly produced into gels, scaffolds, nanoparticles, beads, and sponge structures that can be incorporated into wound healing processes. In the current study, three formulations from nanogel consisting of probiotic supernatant (Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Bacillus subtilis sp. natto)‐loaded chitosan nanogels were prepared from the culture of corresponding cultures. The chitosan nanogels were previously characterized by Zetasizer, FTIR, and TEM. The prepared formulations’ effectiveness and dressing activity were assessed by evaluating wound closure and histological trials in Sprague‐Dawley rats. The results indicated that all probiotic lysate formulations have advantages over the wound healing process. However, Bacillus subtilis natto has a better wound healing quality, which is well known in pathology examination. The favorable effects of probiotic lysate nanogels, including the reasonable wound closing rate, good wound appearance, and satisfactory histological observation via in vivo examination, suggest it as a promising nominee for wound healing purposes.
Assessing Soil Nutrients Variability and Adequacy for the Cultivation of Maize, Cassava, and Sorghum in Selected Agroecological Zones of Cameroon
Authors: Nanganoa Lawrence T. , Ngome Francis A. , Suh Christopher , Basga Simon D.
Published: December 2020

Access to information on soil nutrients status and variability is essential in understanding the potential of soils and their responsiveness to management interventions in agriculture. The current study evaluated soil nutrients status in selected agroecological zones (AEZs) of Cameroon and identified variations and their adequacy for maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench)), and cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) production. A total of 163 soil samples were collected from surface (0–15 cm) layer for the determination of pH, organic matter (OM), estimated nitrogen release (ENR), sulphur (S), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), boron (B), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), aluminium (Al), phosphorus (P), total exchangeable capacity (TEC), and base saturations. The results showed different degrees of variability in soil nutrients ranging from low to very high in all the AEZs. The soils in all the AEZs were consistently deficient in available phosphorus, sulphur, boron, and zinc in varying proportion and might be inadequate to supply cultivated maize, sorghum, and cassava with the nutrients needed to achieve optimal growth. The soils were also prone to Mg-induced K deficiency, which could limit the growth of maize, sorghum, or cassava. These results therefore suggest that management of inherent soil properties should be based on-site specific situations.
Knockdown of the Long Noncoding RNA LUCAT1 Inhibits High‐Glucose‐Induced Epithelial‐Mesenchymal Transition through the miR‐199a‐5p–ZEB1 Axis in Human Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells
Authors: Zhang Li-Cai , Wei Zong-Bin , Tang Shui-Fu
Published: December 2020

Renal fibrosis, the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease and in which epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a central role, has a complex pathogenesis that is not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the role of the long noncoding RNA LUCAT1 in the EMT of renal tubular epithelial cells under high‐glucose (HG) conditions and the underlying mechanism involved. In this study, we established HG and normal glucose groups of HK‐2 cells by treating HK‐2 cells 30.0 or 5.5 mmol/L glucose, respectively. To investigate the roles of LUCAT1 and miR‐199a‐5p in HG‐induced EMT, we transfected the HG group with negative control small interfering RNA (siRNA), siRNA targeting LUCAT1, negative control microRNA, or an miR‐199a‐5p mimic. The results of the quantitative reverse transcription PCR indicated that the LUCAT1 level in the HG group was increased, whereas the miR‐199a‐5p level was decreased. The EMT in the cells was induced by treatment with HG but was weakened by LUCAT1 knockdown or miR‐199a‐5p overexpression, which both also inhibited the HG‐induced phosphorylation of SMAD3. Moreover, LUCAT1 and ZEB1 mRNA comprised the same microRNA response elements of miR‐199a‐5p. LUCAT1 knockdown had no effect on the miR‐199a‐5p level but decreased the HG‐induced upregulation of ZEB1. In conclusion, HG conditions induced the upregulation of LUCAT1, and LUCAT1 knockdown inhibited the EMT in HG‐treated HK‐2 cells. LUCAT1 likely promotes HG‐induced EMT through ZEB1 by sponging miR‐199a‐5p.
Novel PGC-1α/ATF5 Axis Partly Activates UPRmt and Mediates Cardioprotective Role of Tetrahydrocurcumin in Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy
Authors: Zhang Bing , Tan Yanzhen , Zhang Zhengbin , Feng Pan , Ding Wenyuan , Wang Qian , Liang Hongliang , Duan Weixun , Wang Xiaowu , Yu Shiqiang , Liu Jincheng , Yi Dinghua , Sun Yang , Yi Wei
Published: December 2020

Mitochondrial unfolding protein response (UPRmt) effectively resists the pathological cardiac hypertrophy and improves the mitochondrial function. However, the specific activation mechanism and drugs that can effectively activate UPRmt in the cardiac muscle are yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the regulation role of UPRmt on preventing pathological cardiac hypertrophy by tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) and explore its underlying molecular mechanism. Male C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice were divided into a control group and subjected to sham treatment for 4 weeks, and a test group which was subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery. Animals in the control and test group were orally administered THC (50 mg/kg) for 4 weeks after TAC procedure; an equivalent amount of saline was orally administered in the control sham-treated group and the TAC group. Subsequently, oxidative stress and UPRmt markers were assessed in these mice, and cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and cardiac function were tested. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC)-1α and activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) were used to determine the UPRmt activation mechanism. THC supplement partly upregulated UPRmt effectors and inhibited TAC-induced oxidative stress compared with TAC-operated WT mice, thereby substantially attenuating contractile dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy, and fibrosis. Furthermore, PGC-1α knockdown blunted the UPRmt activation and the cardioprotective role of THC. The interaction between PGC-1α and ATF5 was tested in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes under normal conditions. The results showed that PGC-1α was an upstream effector of ATF5 and partly activated UPRmt. In vitro, phenylephrine- (PE-) induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy caused ATF5 upregulating rather than downregulating corresponding to the downregulation of PGC-1α. The PGC-1α/ATF5 axis mediated the UPRmt activation and stress-resistance role of THC in vitro. Collectively, the present study provides the first evidence that PGC-1 and ATF5 can form a signaling axis to partly activate UPRmt that mediates the cardioprotective role of THC in pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
Vacunas y COVID-19 en el siglo XXI
Authors: Cerda Lorca Jaime , Jiménez de la Jara Jorge
Published: December 2020

Una de las explosiones más notables que ha ocurrido en el último año, el 2020 del siglo XXI, es la preocupación y debate sobre las vacunas para controlar la pandemia del nuevo virus SARS-CoV-2 al cumplirse un año de iniciada. Sobre esta pandemia ya se han escrito miles de comunicaciones científicas y de divulgación, incluyendo las de carácter puramente políticas o apocalípticas. A los millones de casos diagnosticados en el planeta, con sus dos millones de fallecidos, se une al cumplirse doce meses de este breve y devastador fenómeno la iniciación del proceso vacunatorio, que abre la esperanza de salir de la inmensa enfermedad cuanto antes.
Habitação de Interesse Social Generativa: a gramática da forma como instrumento
Authors: Griz Cristiana Maria Sobral , Belarmino Thaciana , Dutra Julia
Published: December 2020

Este artigo mostra a primeira etapa do desenvolvimento de um sistema para gerar projetos de habitação de pequeno porte customizadas. O processo de construção de moradias geralmente envolve investimento para o desenvolvimento do projeto e para o gerenciamento do processo de construção. Em pequenas habitações, esse investimento é deixado de lado por razões econômicas. No entanto, devido à falta dele, o projeto pode não ser adequado e sua construção pode ser ainda mais cara. Com o objetivo de contribuir para esta questão, este artigo apresenta a criação de um sistema generativo de projeto, uma gramática da forma, que busca reinterpretar o processo tradicional de design / construção de moradias.
defesa das utopias
Authors: Silva Ana Carolina Barros
Published: December 2020

Ter esperança é condição para ensinar. Trata-se de esperar sem expectativa, mas supondo que uma criança possa sempre aprender algo. Por parte do professor, é necessário, portanto, fazer uma aposta e sustentar esse lugar desejante que dá origem à transferência. Quando adultos podem sonhar um futuro para a criança, há efeitos e, por isso, ter, para elas, uma utopia, nos parece fundamental. Esta é a tese que buscamos defender ao longo do trabalho. Nossas reflexões nasceram a partir de experiências vivenciadas em escolas angolanas e moçambicanas. O objeto sobre o qual nos debruçamos nesta investigação foram as maneiras pelas quais a posição do sujeito pode se relacionar com o lugar desse sujeito no desejo do Outro e incidir, como efeito, na relação da criança com o conhecimento.
Adolescência, Ensino Médio e projetos de vida na escola pública
Authors: Jucá Vládia Jamile dos Santos
Published: December 2020

A partir de conversações realizadas com alunas de uma escola estadual, em Fortaleza (CE), apresentamos os elementos geradores de impasses na travessia do ensino médio para a vida após a formatura. A passagem entre o lugar ocupado na infância e a construção de um lugar para si no campo do Outro é atravessada pelas incertezas acerca das possibilidades concretas de continuar os estudos depois do ensino médio. Sonhos referentes ao ingresso na universidade fizeram-se presentes, mas sempre recobertos por indagações acerca da viabilidade de entrar em uma graduação. Nos casos em que os sofrimentos psíquico e social se encontravam particularmente agudizados, as adolescentes vivenciavam uma dilatação do presente, sem projeções para o futuro. O estudo aponta para a importância de espaços nos quais os jovens possam discutir seus projetos de vida durante o ensino médio. Por meio da oferta de um lugar para falar, os determinantes sociais e subjetivos relativos ao futuro podem ser trabalhados na tentativa de romper com as repetições subjetivas e políticas que atualizam as desigualdades sociais.
The Myth of Mental Illness: The Feuchtersieben Version
Authors: Laor Nathaniel
Published: December 2020

Ernst von Feuchtersieben is an eminent nineteen century Viennese psychiatrist who is almost completely ignored both by modern psychiatrists and historians of psychiatry. Flowever, he has recently been mentioned by Thomas Szasz who views him as his predecessor and ascribes to hiin his own thesis, namely, that mental illness is a mere myth (or at best a mere metaphor) which was introduced into psychiatry by Johann Heinroth. The present essay examines the question can Feuchtersieben be viewed as Szasz's forerunner.

Szasz follows the individualistic principles rigorously and argues that all goal-directed individuals are autonomous—regardless of whether they stiffer while struggling towards their goals. Hence, Szasz excludes the mentally ill from the realm of medicine and renders immoral the psychiatrists who impose on them psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For those who endorse in one and the same time both the principles of individualistic ethics and the common opinions concerning the autonomy of the mentally ill, the paradoxicality of the common opinions, in the light of Szasz's works, seems unsolvable.

Feuchtersieben endorses (the Kantian version of) the individualistic ethics yet, sensitive to the paradox, he follows Solomon Maimon's critique of Kant and rejects, at times, Kant's dogmatic view of human freedom. He thus rejects both poles of the paradox as a myth (à la Lévi-Strauss) and offers an alternative approach instead of the paradoxical one. Fie recommends we view mental health and autonomy as regulative principles in the empirical domain. The physician, the educator, the clergyman and the legislator should cooperate in diagnosing and treating defects of both mental health and human autonomy.

Szasz is therefore in error when he claims Feuchtersieben as his predecessor. The views concerning the mentally ill of these two are diametrically opposed. Moreover, I think Feuchtersleben's view is superior: indeed, whereas Szasz succumbs to or, at best, explains away the myths which prevail to the present day regarding the mentally ill, Feuchtersieben offers an explanation and a proposal of treatment.
Medizinmuseum — Museumsmedizin
Authors: Rüttimann Beat
Published: December 2020

Aus vergangenen Tagen der medizinhistorischen Sammlung und des Museums in Zürich ivird zunächst berichtet. Es stellt sich aber die Frage, ob die Medizin im Museum auch — oder bloss — museal ist. Immerhin bleibt sie aktuell dank ihren Objektstudien, Querverbindungen und ihrer Interdisziplinaritüt, ihrem Verständnis als Anamnese der Medizin und ganz besonders einer allgemeinen Medizin, als Grundlage für Unterricht und Diskussion, schliesslich dank ihrer Mittlerfunktion zwischen Medizinaltechnik und Heilkunst. Es gibt ziveifelsohne eine aktive und aktuelle Museumsmedizin.
Alfred Graefe und die Antisepsis in der Augenheilkunde
Authors: Tost Manfred
Published: December 2020

Die Einführung des Listerschen Verfahrens der Antisepsis in die Augenchirurgie ist ein Verdienst Alfred Graefes (1830—1899). Nach kurzem biographischem Überblick un d Hinweisen auf die Originalarbeiten zum Thema werden die zum Teil kontroversen Diskussionen besprochen. In das wissenschaftliche Umfeld wird das gute Verhältnis Alfred Graefes zu Richard v. Volkmann (1830—1889), damals Ordinarius Jur Chirurgie in Halle, einbezogen, auf den entscheidende Bemühungen um die Einführung der Antisepsis in der Allgemeinchirurgie zurückgehen.
La première Ecole laïque d'infirmiers et d'infirmières de Genève(1896-1901)
Authors: Droux Joëlle
Published: December 2020

La creation de la premiere Ecole laique d’infirmières et d'infirmiers du canton de Genève (1896—1901) est indissociable du contexte socio-politique et religieux mouvemente dans lequel elle a fait son apparition, et auquel eile est redevable de la plupart de ses caractéristiques : issue d'un débat polémique articulé autour de la difficile affirmation de la laicité de l'Etat et des services publics au tournant du siècle, elle devait susciter de violentes reactions de rejet chez certains partis politiques, professionals de la santé, ou sy mpathisants religieux. Elaborée pour réporidre à l'introduction des diaconesses de Berne à l'hopital de Genève en 1891 par la formation locale d un personnel soignant laic de qualité, elle n'allait rencontrer à up rès des Genevois quun accueilfrileux. A travers les débats houleux que provoqua cette école, c’est tout à lafbis le Statut professionnel des soignants, leur position floue dans la hierarchic hospitalière ainsi que les representations attachées à leur fonction qui se trouvent mis en jeu.
La tuberculose — point de départ de la chirurgie thoracique
Authors: Naef André P.
Published: December 2020

Le développement foudroyant de la Chirurgie thoracique est du à la demande extraordinaire d"interventions chirugicales dans le traitement de maladies fréquentes, la tuberculose, les valvulopathies rhumastismales et la maladie coronarienne. L’epidemic de la tuberculose enfut le point de depart. Dès 1939 les jeunes chirurgiens formes dans les sanatoria furent confroutes à la Chirurgie thoracique de guerre. C’est ainsi qu’ils se familiariserent avec les plaies du cceur et des grands vaisseaux. De retour à la vie civile il deviendront les pionniers de la chirurgie cardiaque, d'abord primitive et â Vaveugle. En 40 ans cette Chirurgie deviendra la discipline pluri-disciplinairc sophistiquée d'aujourd'hui, cou-ronnée par lagreffe du cceur devenue une operation de routine.
Theodor Kocher : Chirurgie und Ethik
Authors: Tröhler Ulrich
Published: December 2020

Der mitgestaltende Aufstieg Theodor Kochers (1841—1917) in der modernen Chirurgie und seine am Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts darin erreichte herausragende Stellung werden kurz charakterisiert. Das letzte Jahrzehnt seiner erlebte Kocher dann als eine Periode des Übergangs: Wissenschaftliche Entwicklungen in Chirurgie und Medizin stellten die bisher als einzige fortschrittliche Behandlungsmöglichkeit gesehenen Operationen in Frage. Daraus ergaben sich auch neue ethische Konflikte, zu deren Bewältigung die überlieferten moralischen Verpflichtungen des Arztes, dem Patienten zu nützen und nicht zu schaden, nicht mehr ausreichten, als nun die Fragen der Selbstbestimmung des Patienten und der Ungerechtigkeit einer sozial differenzierten Medizin auftauchten. Kocher versuchte, die ihm bewussten fachlichen und die tief empfundenen weltanschaulichen und emotionalen Anfechtungen wissenschaftlich durch Förderung der Grundlagenforschung und ethisch vor allem durch Rückbezug auf den ihm vertrauten christlichen Glauben zu meistern.
Theodor Kocher und die Anfänge der Radiologie in der Schweiz
Authors: Wieser Constant
Published: December 2020

Kocher hat schon im Januar 1896 die erste diagnostische Röntgenaufnahme veranlasst ; der Physikprofessor Aimé Förster führte sie aus. Gemeinsam planten Förster und Kocher das Röntgeninstitut des Inselspitals, das am 1. Januar 1898 seinen Betrieb auf nahm.
Anfänge römischer Medizinkritik und ihre Rezeption in Rom
Authors: Näf Beat
Published: December 2020

Our view of Cato’s (234—149 B. C.) attitude towards Greek medicine and Greek doctors has been influenced by the elder Pliny (23—79 A. D.), Evidence is shown which suggests that Cato’s rejection of Greek medicine did not prevent him from using the help of Greek physicians.
Marginalien Konrad Gessners als historische Quelle
Authors: Leu Urs B.
Published: December 2020

Conrad Gessner (1516-1565) possessed an impressive library of hundreds of books. A lot of these books distinguish themselves by their hand-written notes made by Gessner. Nobody took much notice of them until a short time ago. From his own copy of his Bibllotheca universalis it becomes clear that his marginal notes could be of interest and of importance for several aspects of the history of the early modern period.
Skull trauma in Egyptian and Hippocratic Medicine
Authors: Prioreschi Plinio
Published: December 2020

To compare the treatment of skull trauma in Egyptian and Hippocratic medicine, the author reviews the pertinent passages of the Smith Papyrus and of the Hippocratic Corpus. By examining the treatment of similar cases reported in the two documents, it is concluded that the Egyptian physician, with his more conservative approach, pursued a more effective and less dangerous course of action than the Hippocratic physician, who would aggressively intervene with trephination and scraping of the bone.