bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic can increase physical inactivity and the global burden of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Peçanha Tiago , Goessler Karla Fabiana , Roschel Hamilton , Gualano Bruno
Published: May 2020

Emerging data indicate a substantial decrease in global physical activity levels during the period of social isolation adopted worldwide to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Confinement-induced decreases in physical activity levels and increases in sedentary behavior may provoke a rapid deterioration of cardiovascular health and premature deaths among populations with increased cardiovascular risk. Even short-term (1–4 wk) inactivity has been linked with detrimental effects in cardiovascular function and structure and increased cardiovascular risk factors. In this unprecedented and critical scenario, home-based physical activity programs arise as a clinically relevant intervention to promote health benefits to cardiac patients. Many studies have demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of different models of home-based exercise programs in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and major cardiovascular events among different populations. This body of knowledge can inform evidence-based policies to be urgently implemented to counteract the impact of increased physical inactivity and sedentary behavior during the COVID-19 outbreak, thereby alleviating the global burden of cardiovascular disease.
Development and Experimental Verification of an Ergonomic Backpack
Authors: Ramadan Mohamed Z. , Al-Tayyar Sultan N.
Published: May 2020

Carrying a heavy school backpack has extensively been reported as a prime cause of children’s body strain. It is suggested that the load should not exceed 10 percent of the child’s body weight; however, ensuring this requires continuous monitoring. The study explores how ergonomically designed school backpack based on the user anthropometric data (n = 280) and ergonomic parameters help reduce force concentration on shoulders and back. It provides a validation process of the developed prototype by experimental verification. The developed design was assessed in a comparison experiment with a commercially available local school backpack. An experimental study was used which recruited thirty healthy college students (aged 19 to 23 years). Two independent variables evaluated were school backpack type (developed backpack versus commercial one) and load levels as a percentage of body weight. Three load levels were employed 10%, 15%, and 20%. These variables were measured on the responses: bag comfort scale and the percent of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) of six muscles (right and left of erector spine, right and left of external abdominal oblique muscle, and right and left of trapezius). The developed backpack provided astonishing performance at levels of 15% and 20% of body weight in terms of subjective measure and electromyography (EMG) responses. It also showed that increasing the carried weight more than 10% result in reducing activity on the erector spinal muscles, while it increases on abdominal oblique muscles. The developed backpack design confirmed the efficiency of its bases by distributing the carried weight among the trunk through side pockets, attached to the body through two upper and lower straps. It helped the body to distribute the carried weight and avoid concentrating pressure on specific areas.
Short-Term Clinical Outcomes after Using Novel Deeper Intubation Technique (DIT) of Ileus Tube for Acute Bowel Obstruction Patients
Authors: Tan Yanlu , Chen Haibin , Mao Wenji , Yuan Qin , Niu Jun
Published: May 2020

Background. The ileus tube has been widely used for the treatment of acute small bowel obstruction. However, it is difficult to get the tube sufficiently adjacent to the obstruction site due to various reasons. Methods. We developed a novel intubation technique, named Deeper Intubation Technique (DIT), by using the Zebra Urological Guidewire and digital gastrointestinal fluoroscopy, where we deepened the catheter intubation, and further compared the effects of DIT with the Traditional Intubation Technique (TIT) on the short-term clinical outcomes of 183 patients. Results. The average intubation depth of DIT apparently exceeds that of TIT (213.89±31.11 vs. 134.67±18.22 cm, P<0.001). Compared with patients in the TIT group, patients in the DIT group got a lower pain score (P<0.001), shorter recovery time for anal exhaust defecation (2.87±1.50 vs. 3.37±1.52 d, P=0.040), higher recovery rate in anal exhaust defecation (24 h, 16.8% vs. 5.7%, P=0.021; 48 h, 46.3% vs. 27.3%, P=0.009), better symptomatic remission rate and imaging relief rate (P<0.05), and increased drainage volume (1006.88±583.45 vs. 821.02±358.73 ml, P=0.009). Importantly, the emergency surgery rate in the DIT group was lower than that in the TIT group (3.2% vs. 13.6%, P=0.014). In addition, the DIT procedure was effective for patients with adhesive obstruction but not for cancerous and stercoral bowel obstruction. Conclusion. Compared to TIT, DIT produced better short-term clinical outcomes, indicating that DIT is a safe and feasible technique for the treatment of adhesive intestinal obstruction.
Medical Image Segmentation Algorithm Based on Optimized Convolutional Neural Network-Adaptive Dropout Depth Calculation
Authors: An Feng-Ping , Liu Jun-e
Published: May 2020

Medical image segmentation is a key technology for image guidance. Therefore, the advantages and disadvantages of image segmentation play an important role in image-guided surgery. Traditional machine learning methods have achieved certain beneficial effects in medical image segmentation, but they have problems such as low classification accuracy and poor robustness. Deep learning theory has good generalizability and feature extraction ability, which provides a new idea for solving medical image segmentation problems. However, deep learning has problems in terms of its application to medical image segmentation: one is that the deep learning network structure cannot be constructed according to medical image characteristics; the other is that the generalizability y of the deep learning model is weak. To address these issues, this paper first adapts a neural network to medical image features by adding cross-layer connections to a traditional convolutional neural network. In addition, an optimized convolutional neural network model is established. The optimized convolutional neural network model can segment medical images using the features of two scales simultaneously. At the same time, to solve the generalizability problem of the deep learning model, an adaptive distribution function is designed according to the position of the hidden layer, and then the activation probability of each layer of neurons is set. This enhances the generalizability of the dropout model, and an adaptive dropout model is proposed. This model better addresses the problem of the weak generalizability of deep learning models. Based on the above ideas, this paper proposes a medical image segmentation algorithm based on an optimized convolutional neural network with adaptive dropout depth calculation. An ultrasonic tomographic image and lumbar CT medical image were separately segmented by the method of this paper. The experimental results show that not only are the segmentation effects of the proposed method improved compared with those of the traditional machine learning and other deep learning methods but also the method has a high adaptive segmentation ability for various medical images. The research work in this paper provides a new perspective for research on medical image segmentation.
Adaptive Dual-Polarization Filtering Method for Countering Active Jamming
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Zhou Rui , Shi Xianbo , Zhao Yixin
Published: May 2020

In order to counter active jamming, an adaptive polarization filtering method based on dual polarization radar is put forward. First, the signal flow principle of the dual polarization radar and its signal model are introduced. Then, the weighted coefficient matrices of the polarization filter are calculated adaptively according to the actual work situation of the current radar. Finally, the specific polarization filtering algorithm and the output criterion of the optimal filtering results are given. Experimental results show that this method does not need to know the type, quantity, combination mode, polarization characteristics, and other prior knowledge of active jamming but has well effect on both active deception jamming and active blanket jamming, so it has strong engineering application value.
Permeability of Concrete and Correlation with Microstructure Parameters Determined by 1H NMR
Authors: Zhang Yurong , Xu Shengxuan , Fang Zhaofeng , Zhang Junzhi , Mao Chaojun
Published: May 2020

Water and gas permeability coefficients of concrete with different water‐binder (w/b) ratios and admixtures were measured by a self‐designed test device based on the steady‐state flow method for liquid and the method of differential pressure in stability for gas, respectively. In addition, the micropore structure of concrete was determined by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Results indicated that there are good correlations between water and gas permeability of concrete with different w/b ratios, with correlation coefficient greater than 0.90. Better correlations between water permeability and segmental contributive porosity ranged from 10 to 100 nm and 100 to 1000 nm can be identified, but the gas permeability is more relevant to the segmental contributive porosity ranging from 100 to 1000 nm. Moreover, the correlation between water permeability and contributive porosity for each pore diameter is always better than that of gas permeability. The influence of admixtures on the relationship between permeability and pore size distribution of concrete is significant. Moreover, water permeability coefficient is one or two orders of magnitude lower than the gas permeability coefficient.
Multisystem Myotilinopathy, including Myopathy and Left Ventricular Noncompaction, due to the MYOT Variant c.179C>T
Authors: Finsterer Josef , Stöllberger Claudia , Hasun Matthias , Riedhammer Korbinian , Wagner Mathias
Published: May 2020

Left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction is a myocardial abnormality of unknown etiology/pathogenesis, which is frequently associated with neuromuscular disorders or chromosomal defects. LVHT in association with a MYOT mutation has not been reported. The patient is a 72-year-old male with a history of strabismus in childhood, asymptomatic creatine-kinase elevation since age 42 years, slowly progressive lower limb weakness since age 60 years, slowly progressive dysarthria and dysphagia since age 62 years, and recurrent episodes of arthralgias and myalgias since age 71 years. He also had arterial hypertension, diverticulosis, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, and a hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis. Clinical exam revealed mild quadruparesis and proximal wasting of the legs. Whole exome sequencing revealed a known variant in the MYOT gene. Muscle biopsy, previously assessed as inclusion body myopathy, was compatible with the genotype after revision. Cardiologic work-up revealed a left anterior hemiblock, mild myocardial thickening, and noncompaction. This case shows that myotilinopathy may manifest as a multisystem disease, including noncompaction.
In Vivo Antimalarial Evaluation of Crude Extract, Solvent Fractions, and TLC‐Isolated Compounds from Olea europaea Linn subsp. cuspidata (Oleaceae)
Authors: Hailesilase Gebretekle Gebremichael , Rajeshwar Yarra , Hailu Gebremedhin Solomon , Sibhat Gereziher Gebremedhin , Bitew Helen
Published: May 2020

Malaria is a major global public health problem caused by Plasmodium parasites. Drug resistance is becoming a great challenge. New drugs with novel mechanism of action are urgently required. In malarious countries, medicinal plants are commonly used for malaria treatment. Olea europaea is traditionally used against malaria in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to isolate and evaluate antimalarial activity of chemical constituents extracted from Olea europaea against chloroquine‐sensitive Plasmodium berghei‐infected mice. Stem bark of Olea europaea was extracted with 80% methanol and fractionated with three solvents. The butanol fraction was subjected to isolation with preparative thin‐layer chromatography (PTLC). Acute oral toxicity studies were conducted in mice as per the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) guideline 425. Antimalarial activities of the test substances were evaluated using Peter’s 4‐day suppressive test. The crude extract showed significant (p < 0.01) antiplasmodial activity at all doses with a chemosuppression value of 52.40% at a dose of 600 mg/kg. All fractions also suppressed parasitaemia significantly (p < 0.05), the highest suppression (45.42%) being with butanol fraction. In the phytochemical analysis, two compounds were isolated. Both compounds showed significant (p < 0.05) antimalarial activities. Compound C inhibited parasitaemia up to 38.19% at a dose of 200 mg/kg. The crude extract, butanol fraction, and isolated compounds also prolonged survival time of mice. No sign of toxicity and mortality was seen in the test substances at up to a single dose of 2 g/kg. Findings of the current study may confirm the traditional antimalarial claim of Olea europaea and its relative safety as well as the potentiality of compound C for further investigations.
Influence of Different Damage Patterns of the Stem Taper on Fixation and Fracture Strength of Ceramic Ball Heads for Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Vogel Danny , Hembus Jessica , Jackszis Mario , Bolte Vera , Bader Rainer
Published: May 2020

Background. Modularity finds frequent application in total hip replacement, allowing a preferable individual configuration and a simplified revision by retaining the femoral stem and replacing the prosthetic head. However, micromotions within the interface between the head and the stem taper can arise, resulting in the release of wear debris and corrosion products. The aim of our experimental study was to evaluate the influence of different taper damages on the fixation and fracture stability of ceramic femoral heads, after static and dynamic implant loading. Methods. Ceramic ball heads (36 mm diameter) and 12/14 stem tapers made of titanium with various mild damage patterns (intact, scratched, and truncated) were tested. The heads were assembled on the taper with a quasistatic load of 2 kN and separated into a static and a dynamic group afterwards. The dynamic group (n = 18) was loaded over 1.5 million gait cycles in a hip wear simulator (ISO 14242‐1). In contrast, the static group (n = 18) was not mechanically loaded after assembly. To determine the taper stability, all heads of the dynamic and static groups were either pulled off (ASTM 2009) or turned off (ISO 7206‐16). A head fracture test (ISO 7206‐10) was also performed. Subsequent to the fixation stability tests, the taper surface was visually evaluated in terms of any signs of wear or corrosion after the dynamic loading. Results. In 10 of the 18 cases, discoloration of the taper was determined after the dynamic loading and subsequent cleaning, indicating the first signs of corrosion. Pull‐off forces as well as turn‐off moments were increased between 23% and 54% after the dynamic loading compared to the unloaded tapers. No significant influence of taper damage was determined in terms of taper fixation strength. However, the taper damage led to a decrease in fracture strength by approximately 20% (scratched) and 40% (truncated), respectively. Conclusion. The results suggest that careful handling and accurate manufacturing of the stem taper are crucial for the ceramic head fracture strength, even though a mild damage showed no significant influence on taper stability. Moreover, our data indicate that a further seating of the prosthetic head may occur during daily activities, when the resulting hip force increases the assembly load.
The Diagnostic Values of Ischemia-Modified Albumin in Patients with Acute Abdominal Pain and Its Role in Differentiating Acute Abdomen
Authors: Yeniocak Selman , Saraç Fatma , Yazıcıoğlu Mustafa , Karabulut Nadiye , Ünal Akın , Yücetaş Esma , Koldaş Macit , Akkoç İbrahim , Ekici Mustafa , Evrin Togay
Published: May 2020

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain and its use in differentiating acute surgical abdomen. Methods. This single-center prospective cross-sectional study included 334 adult patients who presented to the emergency department. These consisted of 194 patients (Group 1) with nontraumatic abdominal pain commencing in the preceding week, who were definitely diagnosed and either hospitalized in a specific department or planned for discharge, and a control group of 140 patients (Group 2). Results. The mean IMA value of the patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis was statistically significantly higher than that of the control group. The mean IMA value of the patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis, ovarian pathologies, and gastritis-peptic ulcer was statistically significantly higher than that of the nonspecific abdominal pain group. Conclusion. Serum IMA levels can be used as a diagnostic marker in patients with acute appendicitis. Furthermore, serum IMA levels in patients presenting to the emergency department with abdominal pain may be indicative of patients requiring surgery or of complicated cases, particularly in terms of acute appendicitis and ovarian pathologies.
The Arcsine Exponentiated-X Family: Validation and Insurance Application
Authors: He Wenjing , Ahmad Zubair , Afify Ahmed Z. , Goual Hafida
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we propose a family of heavy tailed distributions, by incorporating a trigonometric function called the arcsine exponentiated-X family of distributions. Based on the proposed approach, a three-parameter extension of the Weibull distribution called the arcsine exponentiated-Weibull (ASE-W) distribution is studied in detail. Maximum likelihood is used to estimate the model parameters, and its performance is evaluated by two simulation studies. Actuarial measures including Value at Risk and Tail Value at Risk are derived for the ASE-W distribution. Furthermore, a numerical study of these measures is conducted proving that the proposed ASE-W distribution has a heavier tail than the baseline Weibull distribution. These actuarial measures are also estimated from insurance claims real data for the ASE-W and other competing distributions. The usefulness and flexibility of the proposed model is proved by analyzing a real-life heavy tailed insurance claims data. We construct a modified chi-squared goodness-of-fit test based on the Nikulin–Rao–Robson statistic to verify the validity of the proposed ASE-W model. The modified test shows that the ASE-W model can be used as a good candidate for analyzing heavy tailed insurance claims data.
Diagnosis of Asthma Based on Routine Blood Biomarkers Using Machine Learning
Authors: Zhan Jun , Chen Wen , Cheng Longsheng , Wang Qiong , Han Feifei , Cui Yubao
Published: May 2020

Intelligent medical diagnosis has become common in the era of big data, although this technique has been applied to asthma only in limited contexts. Using routine blood biomarkers to identify asthma patients would make clinical diagnosis easier to implement and would enhance research of key asthma variables through data mining techniques. We used routine blood data from healthy individuals to construct a Mahalanobis space (MS). Then, we calculated Mahalanobis distances of the training routine blood data from 355 asthma patients and 1,480 healthy individuals to ensure the efficiency of MS. Orthogonal arrays and signal-to-noise ratios were used to optimize blood biomarker variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the threshold value. Ultimately, we validated the system on 182 individuals based on the threshold value. Out of 35 patients with asthma, MTS correctly classified 94.15% of patients. In addition, 97.20% of 147 healthy individuals were correctly classified. The system isolated 7 routine blood biomarkers. Among these biomarkers, platelet distribution width, mean platelet volume, white blood cell count, eosinophil count, and lymphocyte ratio performed well in asthma diagnosis. In brief, MTS shows promise as an accurate method to identify asthma patients based on 7 vital blood biomarker variables and threshold determined by the ROC curve, thus offering the potential to simplify diagnostic complexity and optimize clinical efficiency.
AQUACOAST: A Simulation Tool to Explore Coastal Groundwater and Irrigation Farming Interactions
Authors: Martínez-Valderrama Jaime , Ibáñez Javier , Alcalá Francisco J.
Published: May 2020

In the framework of coastal groundwater-dependent irrigation agriculture, modelling becomes indispensable to know how this renewable resource responds to complex (usually not conceptualized nor monitored) biophysical, social, and economic interactions. Friendly user interfaces are essential to involve nonmodeling experts in exploiting and improving models. Decision support systems (DSS) are software systems that integrate models, databases, or other decision aids and package them in a way that decision makers can use. This paper addresses these two issues: firstly with the implementation of a System Dynamics (SD) model in Vensim software that considers the integration of hydrological, agronomic, and economic drivers and secondly with the design of a Venapp, push-button interfaces that allow users access to a Vensim model without going through the Vensim modelling environment. The prototype designed, the AQUACOAST tool, gives an idea of the possibilities of this type of models to identify and analyze the impact of apparently unrelated factors such as the prices of cultivated products, subsidies or exploitation costs on the advance of saltwater intrusion, and the great threat to coastal groundwater-dependent irrigation agriculture systems.
Bacteriological and Phytochemical Assessment of Ficus asperifolia Linn. Infusion
Authors: Fasina Kolapo Ayoola , Adesetan Titilayo O. , Oseghale Faithfulness , Egberongbe Haneefat O. , Aghughu O. O. , Akpobome Fred A.
Published: May 2020

Ficus asperifolia Linn. known as “Eepin” in Yoruba language, or sand paper tree, is a monoecious fig tree whose leaves, bark, seeds, and roots have been used locally in treating many infectious and noninfectious diseases. The study is aimed at investigating the bacteriological and phytochemical potential of Ficus asperifolia Linn. The roots of the plant were harvested and washed, and phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard analytical techniques. Infusion was aseptically prepared, and incubation for 24 hours and microbiological analysis were carried out using the pour plate method on Plate Count Agar (PCA) and Nutrient Agar (NA). Microorganisms were subcultured and identified using morphological and biochemical tests according to “Bergey’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology.” Phytochemical analysis of the fresh and dry roots revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardenolides, and saponins, while anthraquinones and tannins were absent. Total heterotrophic bacteria count on PCA was 5.6 × 105 CFU/ml, while on NA, it was 2.3 × 105 CFU/ml, and four classes of bacteria were isolated including Klebsiella sp., Escherichia coli, Proteus sp., and Bacillus sp. Although the presence of medicinal phytochemicals in F. asperifolia Linn. indicates strong potentials for its use in infusions, the presence of potential pathogens found in the infusions makes it unsafe for consumption.
Effect of You‐Gui Yin on the Activities of Seven Cytochrome P450 Isozymes in Rats
Authors: He Fan , Jiang Ting , Hong Shizhong , Wang Lei , Chen Weidong , Liu Li
Published: May 2020

You‐Gui Yin (YGY) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction composed of eight Chinese herbs. The interaction between TCM and Western medicine has attracted much attention nowadays. It is therefore necessary to study the clinical application of YGY in combination with Western medicine from the perspective of metabolic enzymes. This study aims to investigate the effect of YGY on the activities of seven CYP450 isozymes (CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4) in rats. Twenty‐four Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: high, middle, and low‐dose YGY‐treated groups and the control group. They were given 13.78, 20.67, and 31 g/kg/d YGY decoction by oral administration and normal saline (10 mL/kg), respectively, for 14 days. Half an hour after the last administration, a mixed probe substrate (1 mg/kg) was administered by tail vein injection. Then, blood was taken from the venous plexus at different time points. The protein expression level of the CYP450 enzymes in the control and treatment groups was determined by western blot. The effect of YGY on the activity of CYP isoenzymes was studied by comparing the plasma pharmacokinetics between the control and treatment groups. Compared with the control group, YGY at a high (31 g/kg) dosage could decrease AUC(0–t), AUC(0–∞) and Cmax of diclofenac, omeprazole, and midazolam by at least 35.4%, while increase CL by at least 88.9%; this revealed that YGY could induce CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4. The results show that when we use You‐Gui Yin decoction in combination with other drugs, especially drugs metabolized by CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 enzymes, the interaction between drugs needs special attention.
State-Transition Analysis of Time-Sequential Gene Expression Identifies Critical Points That Predict Development of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Rockne Russell C. , Branciamore Sergio , Qi Jing , Frankhouser David E. , O'Meally Denis , Hua Wei-Kai , Cook Guerry , Carnahan Emily , Zhang Lianjun , Marom Ayelet , Wu Herman , Maestrini Davide , Wu Xiwei , Yuan Yate-Ching , Liu Zheng , Wang Leo D. , Forman Stephen , Carlesso Nadia , Kuo Ya-Huei , Marcucci Guido
Published: May 2020

Temporal dynamics of gene expression inform cellular and molecular perturbations associated with disease development and evolution. Given the complexity of high-dimensional temporal genomic data, an analytic framework guided by a robust theory is needed to interpret time-sequential changes and to predict system dynamics. Here we model temporal dynamics of the transcriptome of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a two-dimensional state-space representing states of health and leukemia using time-sequential bulk RNA-seq data from a murine model of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The state-transition model identified critical points that accurately predict AML development and identifies stepwise transcriptomic perturbations that drive leukemia progression. The geometry of the transcriptome state-space provided a biological interpretation of gene dynamics, aligned gene signals that are not synchronized in time across mice, and allowed quantification of gene and pathway contributions to leukemia development. Our state-transition model synthesizes information from multiple cell types in the peripheral blood and identifies critical points in the transition from health to leukemia to guide interpretation of changes in the transcriptome as a whole to predict disease progression.

Significance:

These findings apply the theory of state transitions to model the initiation and development of acute myeloid leukemia, identifying transcriptomic perturbations that accurately predict time to disease development.

See related commentary by Kuijjer, p. 3072
CREB Protects against Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Associated with Cognitive Impairment by Controlling Oxidative Neuronal Damage
Authors: Xing Jihong , Han Dongfeng , Xu Dahai , Li Xingliang , Sun Lichao
Published: May 2020

Background: Cognitive dysfunction as a common comorbidity of epilepsy often manifests as learning and memory impairments in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The pathogenetic molecular mechanisms underlying epilepsy-associated cognitive dysfunction are incompletely understood. We investigated the role of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and its downstream signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in mice with TLE. Methods: Plasmid vectors of CREB-specific short-hairpin RNAs and CREB cDNA were prepared and transfected into primary neurons. Neuronal apoptosis and mitochondrial oxidative stress were assessed by flow cytometry. For in vivo studies, TLE in mice was induced by pilocarpine injection, and TLE-associated memory decline was evaluated using the Morris water maze after treatment with the CREB inhibitor 666-15, with or without the mitochondria-specific antioxidant MitoQ. CREB and its downstream mediators were examined by Western blotting analysis and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: CREB knockdown induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis in primary neurons whereas CREB overexpression brought the opposite effects. The TLE mice exhibited elevated oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis with decreased expression of CREB and its downstream mediators including PKA, CaMKIV, arc, and c-fos. CREB inhibition exacerbated TLE-associated oxidative neuronal apoptosis and memory decline. MitoQ treatment restored the expression of CREB and its downstream mediators, and prevented TLE-associated oxidative neuronal damage and memory deficits aggravated by CREB inhibition. Conclusion: CREB plays a significant role in TLE-associated oxidative neuronal damage and memory impairment. This novel finding provides the evidence of the relationship between CREB and mitochondrial oxidative stress and cognitive dysfunction in epilepsy. Mitochondria-specific antioxidants such as MitoQ may alleviate TLE-associated cognitive dysfunction through activation of CREB and its downstream signaling pathways.
Passerine swarm optimization algorithm for solving optimal reactive power dispatch problem
Authors: Kanagasabai Lenin
Published: May 2020

This paper presents Passerine Swarm Optimization Algorithm (PSOA) for solving optimal reactive power dispatch problem. This algorithm is based on behaviour of social communications of Passerine bird. Basically, Passerine bird has three common behaviours: search behaviour, adherence behaviour and expedition behaviour. Through the shared communications Passerine bird will search for the food and also run away from hunters. By using the Passerine bird communications and behaviour, five basic rules have been created in the PSOA approach to solve the optimal reactive power dispatch problem. Key aspect is to reduce the real power loss and also to keep the variables within the limits. Proposed Passerine Swarm Optimization Algorithm (PSOA) has been tested in standard IEEE 30 bus test system and simulations results reveal about the better performance of the proposed algorithm in reducing the real power loss and enhancing the static voltage stability margin
Enrich multi-channel P2P VoD streaming based on dynamic replication strategy
Authors: Abarna K.T. Meena , Suresh T.
Published: May 2020

Peer-to-Peer Video-on-Demand (VoD) is a favorable solution which compromises thousands of videos to millions of users with completeinteractive video watching stream. Most of the profitable P2P streaming groupsPPLive, PPStream and UUSee have announced a multi-channel P2P VoD system that approvals user to view extra one channel at a time. The present multiple channel P2P VoD system resonant a video at a low streaming rate due to the channel resource inequity and channel churn. In order to growth the streaming capacity, this paper highlights completely different effective helpers created resource balancing scheme that actively recognizes the supply-and-demand inequity in multiple channels. Moreover, peers in an extra channel help its unused bandwidth resources to peers in a shortage channel that minimizes the server bandwidth consumption. To provide a desired replication ratio for optimal caching, it develops a dynamic replication strategy that optimally tunes the number of replicas based on dynamic popularity in a distributed and dynamic routine. This work accurately forecasts the varying popularity over time using Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model, an effective time-series forecasting technique that supports dynamic environment. Experimental assessment displays that the offered dynamic replication strategy which should achieves high streaming capacity under reduced server workload when associated to existing replication algorithms.
Design, simulation and implementation of an Arduino microcontroller based automatic water level controller with I2C LCD display
Authors: OO Akinwole
Published: May 2020

The paper explains utilization of Arduino Microcontroller to automatically control level of water in a tank. From a well spelt out algorithms, flowchart was drawn, from which Codes were written and compiled on Arduino IDE. IF statements were copiously used. Proteus was used to simulate the design while the project was implemented on breadboard. Liquid Crystal Display function displays the level of water on the 16 × 2 LCD thus: Very Low, Low, High and Very High. An option of I2C LCD codes was written thus providing advantage of using only two analog input A4 and A5 pins instead of 4 to 8 pins in other configurations thereby allowing other pins dedicated for other tasks. The design recommends improvements in the area of sump control so that its low water level could disable pump thus preventing it from running dry. Protection devices like circuit breaker overload and phase failure relays are recommended in order to prolong the life of the Water pump. It is believed that the design will go in long way in educating power electronic engineers in the arts of design using Arduino; also, a mass production of the device will accentuate Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs in developing countries with its concomitant economic advantages.
Disease prediction in big data healthcare using extended convolutional neural network techniques
Authors: Srinivasulu Asadi , Pushpa Asadi
Published: May 2020

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the growing fatal diseases all over the world. It leads to complications that include heart disease, stroke, and nerve disease, kidney damage. So, Medical Professionals want a reliable prediction system to diagnose Diabetes. To predict the diabetes at earlier stage, different machine learning techniques are useful for examining the data from different sources and valuable knowledge is synopsized. So, mining the diabetes data in an efficient way is a crucial concern. In this project, a medical dataset has been accomplished to predict the diabetes. The R-Studio and Pypark software was employed as a statistical computing tool for diagnosing diabetes.  The PIMA Indian database was acquired from UCI repository will be used for analysis. The dataset was studied and analyzed to build an effective model that predicts and diagnoses the diabetes disease earlier.
A chi-square-SVM based pedagogical rule extraction method for microarray data analysis
Authors: Salawu Mukhtar Damola , Arowolo Micheal Olaolu , Abdulsalam Sulaiman Olaniyi , Isiaka Rafiu Mope , Jimada-Ojuolape Bilkisu , Olumide Mudashiru Lateef , Gbolagade Kazeem A
Published: May 2020

Support Vector Machine (SVM) is currently an efficient classification technique due to its ability to capture nonlinearities in diagnostic systems, but it does not reveal the knowledge learnt during training. It is important to understand of how a decision is reached in the machine learning technology, such as bioinformatics. On the other hand, a decision tree has good comprehensibility; the process of converting such incomprehensible models into an understandable model is often regarded as rule extraction. In this paper we proposed an approach for extracting rules from SVM for microarray dataset by combining the merits of both the SVM and decision tree. The proposed approach consists of three steps; the SVM-CHI-SQUARE is employed to reduce the feature set. Dataset with reduced features is used to obtain SVM model and synthetic data is generated. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) is used to generate Rules as the Last phase. We use breast masses dataset from UCI repository where comprehensibility is a key requirement. From the result of the experiment as the reduced feature dataset is used, the proposed approach extracts smaller length rules, thereby improving the comprehensibility of the system. We obtained accuracy of 93.53%, sensitivity of 89.58%, specificity of 96.70%, and training time of 3.195 seconds. A comparative analysis is carried out done with other algorithms.
Longitudinal Improvements in Radiation Exposure in Cardiac Catheterization for Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Quinn Brian P. , Cevallos Priscila , Armstrong Aimee , Balzer David , El-said Howaida , Foerster Susan , Glatz Andrew C. , Goodman Andrea , Goldstein Bryan , Hainstock Michael , Janssen Dana , Kreutzer Jacqueline , Latson Larry , Leahy Ryan , Petit Christopher , Shahanavaz Shabana , Trucco Sara , Whiteside Wendy , Zampi Jeffrey D. , Bergersen Lisa
Published: May 2020

Background:

The C3PO-QI (Congenital Cardiac Catheterization Project on Outcomes – Quality Improvement), a multicenter registry launched in 2015, instituted quality improvement (QI) initiatives to reduce patient radiation exposure. Through regular collaboration, this initiative would allow for harmony among active participants, maximizing efforts and efficiency at achieving radiation best practices. This study sought to report these efforts with a detailed methodology for which institutions can target initiatives, reducing radiation exposure, and increasing patient safety.

Methods:

Data were collected prospectively by 8 C3PO-QI institutions between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017. Radiation exposure was measured in dose area product per body weight (dose area product/kg; µGy*m
2
/kg) and reported by expected radiation exposure categories (REC) and institution for 40 published unique procedure types. Targeted interventions addressing selected strategic domains for radiation reduction were implemented in the pediatric catheterization labs of the C3PO-QI institutions.

Results:

The study consisted of 15 257 unique cases. Median exposure (dose area product/kg) was decreased by 30% for all procedures. Dose area product/kg was reduced in all 3 REC, with the greatest improvement observed in REC I (REC I, −37%; REC II, −23%; REC III, −27%). Although the baseline radiation exposures and exact percent decrease varied across all C3PO-QI sites, each institution demonstrated improvements in radiation dose over time. These improvements occurred with the implementation of institution-specific QI interventions accelerated by participation in the C3PO-QI multicenter collaborative.

Conclusions:

Substantial radiation dose reductions can be achieved using targeted QI methodology and interventions. Participation in a multicenter QI collaborative may accelerate improvement across all centers due to enhanced engagement and shared learning between sites.
Empagliflozin in Heart Failure
Authors: Griffin Matthew , Rao Veena S. , Ivey-Miranda Juan , Fleming James , Mahoney Devin , Maulion Christopher , Suda Nisha , Siwakoti Krishmita , Ahmad Tariq , Jacoby Daniel , Riello Ralph , Bellumkonda Lavanya , Cox Zachary , Collins Sean , Jeon Sangchoon , Turner Jeffrey M. , Wilson F. Perry , Butler Javed , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Testani Jeffrey M.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors improve heart failure–related outcomes. The mechanisms underlying these benefits are not well understood, but diuretic properties may contribute. Traditional diuretics such as furosemide induce substantial neurohormonal activation, contributing to the limited improvement in intravascular volume often seen with these agents. However, the proximal tubular site of action of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors may help circumvent these limitations.

Methods:

Twenty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic, stable heart failure completed a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study of empagliflozin 10 mg daily versus placebo. Patients underwent an intensive 6-hour biospecimen collection and cardiorenal phenotyping at baseline and again after 14 days of study drug. After a 2-week washout, patients crossed over to the alternate therapy with the above protocol repeated.

Results:

Oral empagliflozin was rapidly absorbed as evidenced by a 27-fold increase in urinary glucose excretion by 3 hours (
P
<0.0001). Fractional excretion of sodium increased significantly with empagliflozin monotherapy versus placebo (fractional excretion of sodium, 1.2±0.7% versus 0.7±0.4%;
P
=0.001), and there was a synergistic effect in combination with bumetanide (fractional excretion of sodium, 5.8±2.5% versus 3.9±1.9%;
P
=0.001). At 14 days, the natriuretic effect of empagliflozin persisted, resulting in a reduction in blood volume (−208 mL [interquartile range, −536 to 153 mL] versus −14 mL [interquartile range, −282 to 335 mL];
P
=0.035) and plasma volume (−138 mL, interquartile range, −379 to 154±453 mL;
P
=0.04). This natriuresis was not, however, associated with evidence of neurohormonal activation because the change in norepinephrine was superior (
P
=0.02) and all other neurohormones were similar (
P
<0.34) during the empagliflozin versus placebo period. Furthermore, there was no evidence of potassium wasting (
P
=0.20) or renal dysfunction (
P
>0.11 for all biomarkers), whereas both serum magnesium (
P
<0.001) and uric acid levels (
P
=0.008) improved.

Conclusions:

Empagliflozin causes significant natriuresis, particularly when combined with loop diuretics, resulting in an improvement in blood volume. However, off-target electrolyte wasting, renal dysfunction, and neurohormonal activation were not observed. This favorable diuretic profile may offer significant advantage in the management of volume status in patients with heart failure and may represent a mechanism contributing to the superior long-term heart failure outcomes observed with these agents.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03027960.
Peer Exclusion: a Social Convention or Moral Decision? Cross-Cultural Insights into Students’ Social Reasoning
Authors: Ha Seung Yon , Lin Tzu-Jung , Li Wei-Ting , Kraatz Elizabeth , Chiu Ying-Ju , Hong Yu-Ru , Tsai Chin-Chung , Glassman Michael
Published: May 2020

In this study, we examined the role of culture on early adolescents’ social reasoning about peer exclusion. A total of 80 U.S. and 149 Taiwanese early adolescents (U.S.: Mage = 11.00, SDage = 0.48; Taiwan: Mage = 10.45, SDage = 0.39) independently completed a social reasoning essay about peer exclusion. Analyses of the essays based on social-moral theories showed that U.S. students tended to reason about peer exclusion based on social conventional thinking whereas Taiwanese students were more attentive to personal and moral issues. Despite this difference, both groups of students referred to some common social-moral concepts while reasoning about peer exclusion, including consideration of personal benefit, harming others’ welfare, personal concern, and punishment. The use of social reasoning strategies was similar across the two groups of students except that Taiwanese students relied more on judgment (i.e., social-moral evaluation of someone’s social conduct) whereas U.S. students generated more alternative hypotheses (i.e., presenting new hypotheses or interpretations about the given issue).
The Earth and Pregivenness in Transcendental Phenomenology
Authors: Džanić Denis
Published: May 2020

The doctrine of the pregivenness of the world features prominently in Husserl’s numerous phenomenological analyses and descriptions of the role the world plays in our experience. Properly evaluating its function within the overall system of transcendental phenomenology is, however, by no means a straightforward task, as evidenced by many manuscripts from the 1930s. These detail various epistemological and metaphysical difficulties and potential paradoxes encumbering the notion of the pre-given world. This paper contends that some of these difficulties can be alleviated by revisiting Husserl’s late concept of the earth and, more specifically, disclosing its transcendental function in the constitution of pregivenness. To test this claim, I turn to Husserl’s 1931 manuscript describing the paradox of “the originary acquisition of the world.” I argue that the paradox is dissolved by introducing the transcendental-phenomenological concept of the earth.
Phenomenology, Literature, Dissemination
Authors: Cross D.J.S.
Published: May 2020

This article analyzes the complex relation of phenomenology and literature in the work of Husserl and Derrida. In the first part, I show that the limited ideality of the literary object necessarily situates it in a derivative region of phenomenology. In the second part, however, I problematize the regional status of literature by elaborating a brief but important footnote in which Husserl broadens the concept of literature to embrace all cultural products whatsoever. Yet, because even this broadened concept of literature ultimately remains secondary for the phenomenologist, it only redoubles and ratifies the submission of literature to the more ideal objectivities of mathematical disciplines like geometry. The third part, finally, mobilizes Derrida’s notion of “dissemination,” prepared in and unintelligible apart from his early engagement with Husserlian phenomenology, in order to broach a notion of literature that the phenomenologist can neither circumscribe nor describe.
Emirati Women Leaders in the Cultural Sector
Authors: Prager Laila
Published: May 2020

During the last decade Emirati women, due to their ever increasing educational achievements—sustained by a state politics of modernization—have ventured into a great variety of occupations. As a corollary, the term “women leadership” has become fashionable in public and governmental discourses, highlighting Emirati women’s successes. In the article, I compare the state narrative on women leadership and female empowerment with the experiences of 30 Emirati women leaders from the cultural sector with whom I conducted extensive interviews (2018–19) about their career pathways, family background, achievements, and the various challenges and obstacles they face—both at work and at home. In this context, it is examined how Emirati women leaders are compelled to navigate between state feminist discourses and the still prevalent conservative gender role and value expectations in the United Arab Emirates. Finally, I discuss whether and to what extent UAE state feminism facilitates Emirati women’s empowerment.
Revolutionary Cosmopolitanism and its Limits
Authors: Seng (成国泉) Guo-Quan
Published: May 2020

This article analyzes the extent and limits of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) revolutionary cosmopolitanism in Southeast Asia. Between 1945 and 1949, the CCP intellectuals Hu Yuzhi and Wang Renshu operated a network of leftwing newspapers in Southeast Asia’s major urban centers. They championed the revolution in the homeland, while supporting anti-colonial nationalist movements in the region. Taking a comparative approach, I argue that the CCP’s revolutionary cosmopolitanism developed and diverged on the ground according to the diasporic community’s social structure, the contingency of events in the process of decolonization and initiatives taken by local CCP leaders. While the CCP in Jakarta turned neutral in the face of republican atrocities against Chinese, Singapore and Medan went on to mobilize merchants and youths to take part in local anti-colonial movements. The CCP stood for a moderate, anti-colonial Malayan nationalism in Singapore, in comparison with a more radical, non-assimilationist position in solidarity with Indonesia’s independence struggle in Medan.