bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards the Design of Effective Haptic and Audio Displays for Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality Applications
Authors: Ren Gang , Wei Side , O’Neill Eamonn , Chen Fenfang
Published: July 2018

Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) technology has potential for supporting mobile applications. However, nonvisual interaction modalities are undervalued and underused in AR/MR applications. Visual displays can be ineffective or inappropriate in some situations such as walking or driving. Meanwhile, nonvisual modalities are becoming increasingly important in mobile user experiences. In this paper, we report two studies investigating nonvisual interaction modalities such as audio and haptic displays with mobile AR/MR applications. In the first study, we investigate a range of design factors for haptic and audio displays, including rhythm, amplitude, and their combination in representing tourism information to users with a mobile phone. The results show a main effect for Interaction modality, with identification rates highest for information represented in a combined Haptic-Audio display. In the second study, we investigate target location tasks in 3D space using spatial audio feedback and a head-mounted display. We evaluate several design factors including audio feedback device, volume, rhythm, and the target’s horizontal and vertical position. Results show that the vertical positions are very difficult to locate, and overall our participants prefer audio cues with loud volume and fast rhythm. Finally, we propose practical audio and haptic display design guidelines for AR/MR applications.
Affine Discontinuous Galerkin Method Approximation of Second-Order Linear Elliptic Equations in Divergence Form with Right-Hand Side in L1
Authors: Lidouh Abdeluaab , Messaoudi Rachid
Published: July 2018

We consider the standard affine discontinuous Galerkin method approximation of the second-order linear elliptic equation in divergence form with coefficients in L∞Ω and the right-hand side belongs to L1Ω; we extend the results where the case of linear finite elements approximation is considered. We prove that the unique solution of the discrete problem converges in W01,qΩ for every q with 1≤q<d/d-1 (d=2 or d=3) to the unique renormalized solution of the problem. Statements and proofs remain valid in our case, which permits obtaining a weaker result when the right-hand side is a bounded Radon measure and, when the coefficients are smooth, an error estimate in W01,qΩ when the right-hand side f belongs to LrΩ verifying Tkf∈H1Ω for every k>0, for some r>1.
Hemorrhagic Sudden Onset of Spinal Epidural Angiolipoma
Authors: Horiuchi Kiyotaka , Yamada Tsuyoshi , Sakai Kenichiro , Okawa Atsushi , Arai Yoshiyasu
Published: July 2018

Angiolipomas are relatively rare benign tumors. Spinal angiolipomas that generally induce slow progressive cord compression are most commonly found in the thoracic region. A 49-year-old female with obesity presented with a 1-week history of progressively worsening back pain, paresthesia of lower limbs, and gait disturbance. When thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a dorsal epidural mass at the Th5–Th8 level, the patient underwent a laminectomy for gross total excision of the lesion. Both mature fatty tissue and abnormal proliferating vascular elements with thin or expanded walls were observed in the resected tumor. Nonfiltrating spinal angiolipoma was diagnosed and confirmed by pathology. After the operation, sensory loss, numbness, and gait disturbance were improved following the disappearing severe back pain. Following examinations indicated the absence of recurrence within 1 year. The angiolipomas of the spine are rare causes of spinal cord compression that generally induce slow progressive cord compression, but sudden onset or rapid worsening of neurological deterioration is observed in hemorrhagic spinal angiolipoma.
Successful Pregnancy following Myomectomy Accompanied with Abdominal Radical Trachelectomy for an Infertile Woman with Early Cervical Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Kamei Yuji , Miyoshi Ai , Wakui Nao , Hara Takeya , Kanao Serika , Naoi Hirokazu , Otsuka Hirofumi , Yokoi Takeshi
Published: July 2018

Women in the reproductive age group diagnosed with cervical cancer can receive radical trachelectomy in case they wish to preserve fertility. However, the indication for this procedure in infertile women with cervical cancer is controversial depending on the underlying cause of infertility. Here, we present a case of a successful pregnancy following myomectomy accompanied with abdominal radical trachelectomy for an infertile woman with early cervical cancer. The patient was a 38-year-old nulliparous woman with a significant past medical history of infertility of unknown origin. She had been undergoing treatment with assisted reproductive technologies including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization for over four years. During her treatment for infertility, she was diagnosed with stage IB1 cervical squamous cell carcinoma. She received abdominal radical trachelectomy and abdominal myomectomy in the same surgical procedure. Six months after the surgery, she went for the first embryo transfer and became pregnant. At 26 weeks of pregnancy, a male baby weighing 980 g was delivered with an Apgar score of 3/5/7 by cesarean section due to chorioamnionitis. The baby has received general care in a neonatal intensive care unit for four months and weighed 4520 g when discharged.
Different Spectrophotometric Methods Manipulating Ratio Spectra Applied for the Analysis of Aclidinium in Duaklir® Genuair® Inhalation Powder
Authors: Attia Khalid A. M. , El-Abasawi Nasr M. , El-Olemy Ahmed , Serag Ahmed
Published: July 2018

Two simple, accurate, and selective spectrophotometric methods were developed to determine aclidinium in the presence of formoterol as interferent compound in Duaklir Genuair inhalation powder. The methods under study are ratio derivative and ratio subtraction spectrophotometric methods. These methods are based on different mathematical processing of the obtained ratio spectra. The methods are linear over the concentration range of 5–50 µg/mL for aclidinium and validated according to the ICH guidelines. The accuracy and precision are found to be within the acceptable limits and assessed by applying the standard addition technique. The specificity of the proposed methods was tested using laboratory-prepared mixtures. Furthermore, the methods were statistically compared to the reported RP-HPLC method, and good results were obtained.
Analysis of the HPLC Fingerprint and QAMS for Sanhuang Gypsum Soup
Authors: Peng Yi , Dong Minghui , Zou Jing , Liu Zhihui
Published: July 2018

A valid and encyclopaedic evaluation method for assessing the quality of Sanhuang Gypsum Soup (SGS) has been set up based on analysis of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint combined with the quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker (QAMS) method, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and similarity analysis. 20 peaks of the common model were obtained and used for the similarity analysis and HCA analysis. Berberine was selected as an internal reference, and the relative correction factors of mangiferin, geniposide, liquiritin, epiberberine, coptisine, baicalin, palmatine, harpagosid, wogonoside, cinnamic acid, cinnamic aldehyde, baicalein, glycyrrhizic acid, and wogonin were established. The accuracy of quantitative analysis of multicomponents by the single-marker method was verified by comparing the contents of the fourteen components calculated by the external standard method with those of the quantitative analysis of multicomponents by the single-marker method. No significant difference was found in the quantitative results of the established quantitative analysis of multicomponents by a single-marker method and an external standard method. In summary, these methods were applied to evaluate the quality of SGS successfully. As a result, these evaluation methods have great potential to be widely used in the quality control of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM).
Restraining the Demand Side Power Fluctuation of Active Distribution Network Using 0°/180° Phase Controlled Electric Spring
Authors: Chen Yixi , Ma Gang , Xu Guchao , Chen Huaiyi , Zhang Hang
Published: July 2018

In active distribution network, the random power output by wind/solar distributed generation may cause the stochastic fluctuation of demand side power, which will bring difficulties to power dispatching. In this paper, a method of restraining the demand side power fluctuation of active distribution network is proposed, in which a new power electronic device—electric spring—is applied by 0°/180° phase control strategy. Firstly, the basic principles of electric spring are introduced. Secondly, the reason for demand side power fluctuation of active distribution network is analyzed. After that, the 0°/180° phase control strategy of electric spring is proposed to restrain the demand side power fluctuation of active distribution network and the selection basis of noncritical loads is also obtained. The simulation results show that the method proposed in this paper is effective and the obtained selection basis of noncritical loads is reasonable.
Electrochemotherapy Effectiveness Loss due to Electric Field Indentation between Needle Electrodes: A Numerical Study
Authors: Berkenbrock José Alvim , Machado Rafaela Grecco , Suzuki Daniela Ota Hisayasu
Published: July 2018

Electrochemotherapy is an anticancer treatment based on applying electric field pulses that reduce cell membrane selectivity, allowing chemotherapy drugs to enter the cells. In parallel to electrochemotherapy clinical tests, in silico experiments have helped scientists and clinicians to understand the electric field distribution through anatomically complex regions of the body. In particular, these in silico experiments allow clinicians to predict problems that may arise in treatment effectiveness. The current work presents a metastatic case of a mast cell tumor in a dog. In this specific treatment planning study, we show that using needle electrodes has a possible pitfall. The macroscopic consequence of the electroporation was assessed through a mathematical model of tissue electrical conductivity. Considering the electrical and geometrical characteristics of the case under study, we modeled an ellipsoidal tumor. Initial simulations were based on the European Standard Operating Procedures for electrochemotherapy suggestions, and then different electrodes’ arrangements were evaluated. To avoid blind spots, multiple applications are usually required for large tumors, demanding electrode repositioning. An effective treatment electroporates all the tumor cells. Partially and slightly overlapping the areas increases the session’s duration but also likely increases the treatment’s effectiveness. It is worth noting that for a single application, the needles should not be placed close to the tumor’s borders because effectiveness is highly likely to be lost.
Sensor-Driven Preliminary Wing Ground Plane Sizing Approach and Applications
Authors: Patil Ankur S. , Arnold Emily J.
Published: July 2018

Structurally integrated antenna arrays provide synergies allowing the integration of large apertures onto airborne platforms. However, the surrounding airframe can greatly impact the performance of the antenna array. This paper presents a sensor-driven preliminary wing ground plane sizing approach to provide insight into the implications of design decisions on payload performance. The improvement of a wing-integrated antenna array that utilizes the wing as a ground plane motivated this study. Relationships for wing span, wing chord, and thickness are derived from extensive parametric electromagnetic simulations based on optimum antenna performance. It is expected that these equations would be used after an initial wing-loading design point has been selected to provide the designer guidance into how various wing parameters might affect the integrated antenna performance.
The Use of a Hybrid Pillar and Its Importance for Aesthetic Rehabilitation and Tissue Stability: A Clinical Report
Authors: da Gama Ramos Guilherme , Ciotti Danilo Lazzari , Ferreira Samuel Rehder Wimmers , Margarido Maide Rehder Wimmers Ferreira , Dantas Raquel Adriano , Guerreiro Marina Nottingham
Published: July 2018

In the past, aesthetics had a secondary role in implant rehabilitation. Nowadays, the search for a perfect and harmonious aesthetic has stimulated the development of new materials and techniques. Due to this aesthetic requirement, the hybrid abutment (titanium link + zirconia) emerged as an alternative to metallic pillars. The hybrid abutment made a more favorable aesthetic possible, provided reliable mechanical properties, and increased biocompatibility to the surrounding tissues. Additionally, the individual zirconia abutment improves the emergency profile and the final white aesthetics. The objective of this paper is to report a clinical case with a manufactured individualized hybrid abutment for a metal-free indirect restoration, showing the applicability, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of the hybrid abutment.
The Use of Fluoroquinolones for Tuberculosis in Victoria between 2011 and 2016
Authors: Murray Hugh , Tay Ee Laine , Dinh Sarah , Matthews Helen , Street Alan , Denholm Justin T.
Published: July 2018

Setting. Tuberculosis treatment requires long regimens with multiple antibiotics and is complicated by antibiotic resistance and intolerance. Fluoroquinolones were introduced for the treatment of multidrug resistant TB and have become a vital part of therapy. Objective. Reviewing the indications for fluoroquinolones use in the treatment of active TB in Victoria, Australia. Design. This was a retrospective case-control study of Victorian patients prescribed fluoroquinolones for active tuberculosis, from January 2011 to December 2016. Indications for fluoroquinolone use were extracted from an existing public health database. Results. There were 2268 patients notified to have tuberculosis in Victoria between 2011 and 2016, 276 (12.2%) of whom received a fluoroquinolone. The indications were substitution when intolerance was present (33.3%) or anticipated (21.0%), proven drug resistance (22.5%), suspected drug resistance (13.0%), and site of disease (10.1%). Where fluoroquinolones were prescribed for suspected drug resistance, only a minority of isolates (13%) had resistance confirmed. Conclusion. Fluoroquinolones were most commonly used as replacement for first-line therapy related to adverse effects, when either present or anticipated. Where fluoroquinolones were prescribed for suspected drug resistance, only a minority of isolates ultimately had resistance confirmed. These findings reinforce the importance of fluoroquinolones in TB therapy and the need for ongoing pharmacovigilance to ensure appropriate use.
Gust Perturbation Alleviation Control of Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Based on Pressure Sensor
Authors: Ren Zijun , Fu Wenxing , Yan Jie
Published: July 2018

A gust perturbation alleviation control method based on a real-time pressure sensor is proposed. Pressure measurement provides phase-advance information on external disturbance, while the conventional inertial measurement cannot. Two pairs of pressure sensors embedded on the main wing surfaces are employed to estimate the disturbance of gust-induced rolling moment. The estimated rolling moment is incorporated into a traditional flight controller as an additional feedforward channel. The simulation results show that the additional information on flow field is helpful and that the composite controller’s architecture is more effective for alleviating gust perturbation than the conventional ones.
Oxytocin Administration in High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment of Myomata
Authors: Lozinski Tomasz , Filipowska Justyna , Krol Piotr , Kubaty Anna , Wegrzyn Piotr
Published: July 2018

Objectives. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of magnetic resonance-guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids (myomata) after application of oxytocin. Methods. 156 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids were treated using MR-guided HIFU procedure. 51 patients had additional IV administration of 40 IU of oxytocin in 5% Glucose or 0,9% NaCl solution during therapy. Before and after the procedure we performed MR and measured initial perfused volume, final perfused volume, nonperfused volume (NPV), and treated volume ratio (TVR). The follow-up was up to 15 months to assess efficacy of treatment and relief of symptoms. Results. Nonperfused volume was statistically significantly larger in oxytocin group than in control group (p=0.0019). The remaining parameters did not show significant difference between both groups. Conclusion. Oxytocin administration seems to improve efficiency of HIFU therapy although further research is required to assess its value. This study’ clinical registration number is DRKS00014794.
Spontaneous and Excellent Healing of Bilateral Brown Tumors in Mandible after Endocrinal Therapy and Subtotal Parathyroidectomy: Case Report with 4-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Yucesoy Turker , Kilic Erdem , Dogruel Fatma , Bayram Fahri , Alkan Alper , Akcan Alper Celal , Ozturk Figen
Published: July 2018

Primary hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder occurring due to increased secretion of parathormone resulting in a complex of clinical, anatomical, and biochemical alterations. On the other hand, excision of a parathyroid adenoma can normalize the metabolic status. A 24-year-old man was referred to the hospital with bilateral swelling and spontaneous gingival bleeding from posterior of the mandible also with radiolucent well-demarcated lesions bilaterally in the mandibular third molar regions. After consultations, the patient was hospitalized in the endocrinology department where further tests were performed due to highly increased PTH level as 714 pg/ml. Bilateral brown tumors started to regress spontaneously, and no additional surgery was required after subtotal parathyroidectomy was performed. The presented case is the first patient whose bilateral brown tumors in the jaws spontaneously and totally healed after subtotal parathyroidectomy and endocrinal therapy who was strictly followed up for 4 years even though the lesions were associated with impacted third molars.
Link Prediction Investigation of Dynamic Information Flow in Epilepsy
Authors: He Yan , Yang Fan , Yu Yunli , Grebogi Celso
Published: July 2018

As a brain disorder, epilepsy is characterized with abnormal hypersynchronous neural firings. It is known that seizures initiate and propagate in different brain regions. Long-term intracranial multichannel electroencephalography (EEG) reflects broadband ictal activity under seizure occurrence. Network-based techniques are efficient in discovering brain dynamics and offering finger-print features for specific individuals. In this study, we adopt link prediction for proposing a novel workflow aiming to quantify seizure dynamics and uncover pathological mechanisms of epilepsy. A dataset of EEG signals was enrolled that recorded from 8 patients with 3 different types of pharmocoresistant focal epilepsy. Weighted networks are obtained from phase locking value (PLV) in subband EEG oscillations. Common neighbor (CN), resource allocation (RA), Adamic-Adar (AA), and Sorenson algorithms are brought in for link prediction performance comparison. Results demonstrate that RA outperforms its rivals. Similarity, matrix was produced from the RA technique performing on EEG networks later. Nodes are gathered to form sequences by selecting the ones with the highest similarity. It is demonstrated that variations are in accordance with seizure attack in node sequences of gamma band EEG oscillations. What is more, variations in node sequences monitor the total seizure journey including its initiation and termination.
Stroke Prevalence in a Coastal Town on the Black Sea Coast in Turkey: Community Based Study
Authors: Köseoğlu Toksoy Cansu , Bölük Cem , Türk Börü Ülkü , Akın Seydahmet , Yılmaz Abdullah Yasir , Coşkun Duman Sanem , Taşdemir Mustafa
Published: July 2018

Background. This study aims to determine the stroke prevalence in Akçakoca which is a rural area in Turkey. Methods. The study was designed as a cross-sectional, door-to-door survey. The stroke questionnaire was completed by a trained team in the presence of the participants according to their answers. Based on the screenings, patients who had been diagnosed with stroke previously were reexamined by a neurologist and determined the prevalence values, risk factors, and stroke types. Results. A total of 3750 people over 44 years old were reached in the screenings. It was determined that 83 people had previously suffered a stroke. The prevalence rate of stroke in those above 44 years was found to be 2.2 (98% confidence level and ± 2% margin of error). 70 (84.3%) patients had suffered an ischemic stroke while 12 (14.5%) had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. Male/female ratio was 1.1. Conclusion. The results of this study give the prevalence rate of stroke among the Turkish population living in a rural area. Due to a lack of other similar studies, it is impossible to make any data comparison. However, the results of this study help shed light on the stroke prevalence rate.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation in Patients with Linear Morphea Treated with Methotrexate and High-Dose Corticosteroid
Authors: Shahidi-Dadras Mohammad , Abdollahimajd Fahimeh , Jahangard Razieh , Javinani Ali , Ashraf-Ganjouei Amir , Toossi Parviz
Published: July 2018

Background. Morphea is an inflammatory disease of the connective tissue that may lead to thickening and hardening of the skin due to fibrosis. The aim of this study was to document magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in patients with linear morphea who were treated with methotrexate (MTX) and high-dose corticosteroid. Methods. This study was conducted on 33 patients from the outpatient’s dermatology clinic of our institute, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patients received 15 mg/week of MTX and monthly pulses of methylprednisolone for three days in six months. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by MRI, modified LS skin severity index (mLoSSI), and localized scleroderma damage index (LoSDI). Results. All parameters of mLoSSI and LoSDI including erythema, skin thickness, new lesion/lesion extension, dermal atrophy, subcutaneous atrophy, and dyspigmentation were also noticeably improved after treatment. Subcutaneous fat enhancement was the most common finding in MRI. MRI scores were significantly associated with clinical markers both before and after the treatment with the exception of skin thickness and new lesion/lesion extension which were not associated with MRI scores before and after the treatment, respectively. Limitations. The lack of correlative laboratory disease activity markers, control group, and clearly defined criteria to judge the MRI changes. Conclusion. MRI could be a promising tool for the assessment of musculoskeletal and dermal involvement and also monitoring treatment response in patients with morphea.
Canadian Senate Report on Obesity: Focusing on Individual Behaviours versus Social Determinants of Health May Promote Weight Stigma
Authors: Alberga Angela S. , McLaren Lindsay , Russell-Mayhew Shelly , von Ranson Kristin M.
Published: July 2018

Very little attention has been given to unintended consequences of government reporting on obesity. This paper argues that the 2016 Senate report, “Obesity in Canada: A Whole-Of-Society Approach,” exemplifies the systemic public health issue of weight stigma. The purpose of this viewpoint is to critique the approach taken in the Report, by illustrating that it (1) takes a weight-centric approach to health, (2) does not acknowledge important limitations of the definition and measurement of obesity, (3) reifies obesity as a categorical phenomenon that must be prevented, and (4) uses aggressive framing and disrespectful terminology. The Report perpetuates a focus on the individual, thereby failing to recognize the role that governments can play in reducing weight stigma and addressing social determinants of health. If steps are taken to avoid propagating weight stigma, future reports could more constructively address health promotion, equity, and social determinants of health in their policies.
High Prevalence and Endemicity of Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter spp. in Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Hospital, Varanasi, India
Authors: Banerjee Tuhina , Mishra Anwita , Das Arghya , Sharma Swati , Barman Hiranmay , Yadav Ghanshyam
Published: July 2018

The increasing emergence of Acinetobacter spp. with healthcare associated infections (HCAI) in intensive care units (ICU) is alarming. This study was a laboratory-based audit to determine the prevalence of Acinetobacter spp. associated with HCAI in the adult ICU of a tertiary care hospital in Varanasi, north India, with special reference to antimicrobial resistance and resistance determinants over a period of 5 years. A total of 993 cases of HCAI were analyzed. Isolates were characterized as multidrug resistance and extended drug resistance (MDR/XDR) based on antimicrobial susceptibility records. Few (100) randomly selected isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) were tested for imipenem, meropenem, and polymyxin B susceptibility by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and for the presence of class A and B carbapenemases by multiplex PCR. Active surveillance of ICU environment was also performed. High prevalence of Acinetobacter related hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP) with significant resistance to imipenem (p<0.05) and 88.02% MDR and 61.97% XDR was detected along with persistence in the ICU environment. The isolates harbored blaIMP (89%), blaVIM (51%), blaNDM-1 (34%), and blaOXA-23-like (93%) genes. Specific interventional measures should be adopted to control these imipenem resistant Acinetobacter spp. which have attained the level of endemicity in our ICU setup.
Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome: Sustained Clinical Response with Anti-TNF Therapy
Authors: Taylor S. A. , Kelly J. , Loomes D. E.
Published: July 2018

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare, nonfamilial syndrome that occurs in the sixth to seventh decades of life. It is characterized by acquired gastrointestinal polyposis with an associated ectodermal triad, including alopecia, onchodystrophy, and hyperpigmentation. CCS is characteristically a progressive disease, with a high mortality rate despite medical interventions. Disease complications are typically secondary to severe malnutrition, malignancy, GI bleeding, and infection. CCS is believed secondary to immune dysregulation; however, the underlying etiology remains to be determined. Treatment for CCS is largely anecdotal, and randomized controlled therapeutic trials are lacking due to the rarity of the disease. Aggressive nutritional support in conjunction with immunosuppression has been used previously with inconsistent results. In this report, we describe the presentation and diagnosis of a case of CCS and report encouraging treatment response with anti-TNF therapy.
Temperature Dependence of Dark Count Rate and After Pulsing of a Single-Photon Avalanche Diode with an Integrated Active Quenching Circuit in 0.35 μm CMOS
Authors: Hofbauer Michael , Steindl Bernhard , Zimmermann Horst
Published: July 2018

The temperature dependence of a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) with an integrated quencher in 0.35 μm CMOS is investigated. While the dark count rate strongly decreases with decreasing temperature, the after-pulsing probability (APP) does not change a lot in the investigated temperature range from −40°C to 50°C, although the dead time of the active quenching circuit (AQC) is only 9.5 ns. This and the measured histograms of the interarrival time (IAT) suggest that the traps involved have a very short lifetime, which is not strongly temperature dependent, or alternatively that the traps are not the main source of after pulses in the investigated device. Consequently, it may be necessary to find another explanation for the after pulses.
The Application of Minimal Length in Klein-Gordon Equation with Hulthen Potential Using Asymptotic Iteration Method
Authors: Elviyanti Isnaini Lilis , Pratiwi Beta Nur , Suparmi A. , Cari C.
Published: July 2018

The application of minimal length formalism in Klein-Gordon equation with Hulthen potential was studied in the case of scalar potential that was equal to vector potential. The approximate solution was used to solve the Klein-Gordon equation within the minimal length formalism. The relativistic energy and wave functions of Klein-Gordon equation were obtained by using the Asymptotic Iteration Method. By using the Matlab software, the relativistic energies were calculated numerically. The unnormalized wave functions were expressed in hypergeometric terms. The results showed the relativistic energy increased by the increase of the minimal length parameter. The unnormalized wave function amplitude increased for the larger minimal length parameter.
The Causality Research between Syndrome Elements by Attribute Topology
Authors: Zhang Tao , Liu Mengqi , Liu Wenyuan
Published: July 2018

Background. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an empirical medical system and has its own diagnosis and treatment method. The syndrome elements are atoms to modern TCM diagnosis proposed by Professor Zhu Wenfeng. Researching and analyzing the syndrome element system is one of the active issues for TCM research. At present, most related researches focus on the correlativity and hierarchical relationship of the diseases and symptoms, but the causality researches between syndrome elements themselves have not been reported so far. Methods. To explore the causality between syndrome elements, a method named causality by attribute topology (CAT) is proposed. Based on the subordinate relations in attribute topology, the inference method analyzes and reasons the dependency relationship between the sets of objects which contain attributes. Through the removal of attributes in the attribute topology, the formal context is updated constantly. Thus, the causal relationship among the attributes is deduced. In this method, 500 records are mathematically transferred to a binary context for syndrome element analysis. Through the analysis and verification of the potential causal relationship between the syndrome elements, knowledge discovery of the diagnostic data of traditional Chinese medicine based on attribute topology structure diagram is conducted. Results. This paper has verified the causal transformation between these syndrome elements. The experimental results between the female group data and the male group data show that different genders have different characteristics and relations of syndrome elements. The experimental results are basically consistent with the traditional Chinese medicine theory. Conclusion. The experiment shows that causality by attribute topology (CAT) is feasible to describe the causality between TCM syndrome elements. Further research on possible knowledge discovery in TCM diagnostic data should be conducted through the analysis of the potential causal relationship between TCM diagnostic data and each syndrome element.
Hypertension, Sarcopenia, and Global Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Older Women: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Coelho-Júnior Hélio José , Gambassi Bruno Bavaresco , Irigoyen Maria-Claudia , Gonçalves Ivan de Oliveira , Oliveira Paula de Lourdes Lauande , Schwingel Paulo Adriano , Alves Cândida Helena Lopes , Asano Ricardo Yukio , Uchida Marco Carlos , Rodrigues Bruno
Published: July 2018

The present study aimed to investigate whether sarcopenia interferes in the association between HTN and cognitive function in community-dwelling older women. One hundred and eleven older women were recruited and dichotomized in hypertensive (n=63) and normotensive groups (n=48). Volunteers underwent evaluations of the sarcopenic state (i.e., skeletal muscle mass, short physical performance battery (SPPB), balance), hemodynamic parameters, and global cognitive status (i.e., Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)). Data demonstrated that hypertensive patients had lower global cognitive status than normotensive subjects. When volunteers were divided according to sarcopenic status, data demonstrated that hypertensive patients with low performance on SPPB (0.006), low values of sarcopenic index (0.03), and low performance on sit-to-stand (0.09) demonstrated poor cognitive status compared with hypertensive patients with normal values of these variables. In conclusion, data of the current study indicate that the sarcopenic state might interfere in the association among hypertension and poor cognitive status, once a higher frequency of hypertensive patients with low lower limb muscle function (i.e., SPPB and sit-to-stand) and muscle mass index (i.e., Janssen index) was observed in the <24 MMSE segment, in comparison with hypertensive patients with normal results in these parameters.
CircNT5E Acts as a Sponge of miR-422a to Promote Glioblastoma Tumorigenesis
Authors: Wang Renjie , Zhang Sai , Chen Xuyi , Li Nan , Li Jianwei , Jia Ruichao , Pan Yuanqing , Liang Haiqian
Published: July 2018

Circular RNA and long noncoding RNA function as efficient miRNA sponges that regulate gene expression in eukaryotes. However, the sponges of functional miRNAs in glioblastoma remain largely unknown. Here, we identify a subset of circRNAs and lncRNAs that are specifically increased in miR-422a–downregulated glioblastoma tissues. We characterized a novel circRNA derived from NT5E, named circNT5E, that is regulated by ADARB2 binding to sites flanking circRNA-forming introns. We hypothesized that circNT5E may serve as a sponge against miR-422a in glioblastoma tumorigenesis. circNT5E controlled multiple pathologic processes, including cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. circNT5E directly bound miR-422a and inhibited miR-422a activity. Furthermore, circNT5E was observed to sponge other miRNAs, exhibiting tumor suppressor–like features in glioblastoma. Taken together, these findings highlight a novel oncogenic function of circRNA in glioblastoma tumorigenesis.

Significance: Microarray profiling of circRNA/lncRNA/mRNA in glioblastoma identifies circNT5E as an oncogenic circular RNA and a sponge of miR-422a. Cancer Res; 78(17); 4812–25. ©2018 AACR.
Determination of Tumor Margins with Surgical Specimen Mapping Using Near-Infrared Fluorescence
Authors: Gao Rebecca W. , Teraphongphom Nutte T. , van den Berg Nynke S. , Martin Brock A. , Oberhelman Nicholas J. , Divi Vasu , Kaplan Michael J. , Hong Steven S. , Lu Guolan , Ertsey Robert , Tummers Willemieke S.F.J. , Gomez Adam J. , Holsinger F. Christopher , Kong Christina S. , Colevas Alexander D. , Warram Jason M. , Rosenthal Eben L.
Published: July 2018

For many solid tumors, surgical resection remains the gold standard and tumor-involved margins are associated with poor clinical outcomes. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging using molecular agents has shown promise for in situ imaging during resection. However, for cancers with difficult imaging conditions, surgical value may lie in tumor mapping of surgical specimens. We thus evaluated a novel approach for real-time, intraoperative tumor margin assessment. Twenty-one adult patients with biopsy-confirmed squamous cell carcinoma arising from the head and neck (HNSCC) scheduled for standard-of-care surgery were enrolled. Cohort 1 (n = 3) received panitumumab-IRDye800CW at an intravenous microdose of 0.06 mg/kg, cohort 2A (n = 5) received 0.5 mg/kg, cohort 2B (n = 7) received 1 mg/kg, and cohort 3 (n = 6) received 50 mg. Patients were followed 30 days postinfusion and adverse events were recorded. Imaging was performed using several closed- and wide-field devices. Fluorescence was histologically correlated to determine sensitivity and specificity. In situ imaging demonstrated tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) of 2 to 3, compared with ex vivo specimen imaging TBR of 5 to 6. We obtained clear differentiation between tumor and normal tissue, with a 3-fold signal difference between positive and negative specimens (P < 0.05). We achieved high correlation of fluorescence intensity with tumor location with sensitivities and specificities >89%; fluorescence predicted distance of tumor tissue to the cut surface of the specimen. This novel method of detecting tumor-involved margins in surgical specimens using a cancer-specific agent provides highly sensitive and specific, real-time, intraoperative surgical navigation in resections with complex anatomy, which are otherwise less amenable to image guidance.

Significance: This study demonstrates that fluorescence can be used as a sensitive and specific method of guiding surgeries for head and neck cancers and potentially other cancers with challenging imaging conditions, increasing the probability of complete resections and improving oncologic outcomes. Cancer Res; 78(17); 5144–54. ©2018 AACR.
Epistatic Oncogenic Interactions Determine Cancer Susceptibility to Immunotherapy
Authors: Etxeberria Iñaki , Teijeira Alvaro , Montuenga Luis M. , Berraondo Pedro , Melero Ignacio
Published: July 2018

Summary: Cancer genetic alterations and epigenetics control the malignant phenotype of tumor cells and the stroma. Synergistic oncogenic alterations may cooperatively dictate immunogenicity, level of infiltration by immune system cells, and response to immunotherapy in an epistatic fashion. The work of Skoulidis and colleagues shows that concomitant RAS and STK11/LKB1 mutations in non–small cell lung adenocarcinomas result in primary resistance to PD-1–based immunotherapy and poor T-cell infiltration. Cancer Discov; 8(7); 794–6. ©2018 AACR.

See related article by Skoulidis et al., p. 822.
A emergência dos artivismos das dissidências sexuais e de gêneros no Brasil da atualidade
Authors: Colling Leandro
Published: July 2018

Este texto aponta as condições de emergência, nos últimos dez anos, de dezenas de artistas ativistas das dissidências sexuais e de gêneros no Brasil. O trabalho também destaca como essas produções estão sintonizadas com as novas políticas sexuais e de gênero que se afastam de paradigmas rigidamente identitários, normalmente mais utilizados pelos movimentos LGBT.
Tchékhov e o teatro brasileiro
Authors: Nascimento Rodrigo Alves do
Published: July 2018

A recepção das peças Anton Tchékhov no Brasil é atravessada pelos principais impasses e debates que marcaram nossa história teatral dos últimos 80 anos. Ainda que reconhecido como peça chave do drama moderno, sua dramaturgia passou por uma tardia e irregular recepção nos palcos brasileiros. Neste artigo, comentarei panoramicamente essa trajetória e ao final apresentarei uma lista de suas encenações, em um esforço historiográfico e interpretativo que vai das primeiras montagens de suas peças nos anos 1940 até as encenações desconstrucionistas no início do século XXI. A partir da seleção de espetáculos e textos críticos emblemáticos, será possível ver como uma espécie de “tchekhovismo”, herança direta da leitura stanislavskiana, reboou entre diretores e críticos e foi paulatinamente problematizado a partir dos anos 1960.
O lugar da peça O homem e o cavalo no pensamento antropofágico de Oswald de Andrade
Authors: Freitas Nanci De
Published: July 2018

O artigo procura situar a peça O homem e o cavalo, de Oswald de Andrade, escrita em 1933, no percurso das transformações do pensamento antropofágico oswaldiano, revisitando o debate sobre estética e política no âmbito do modernismo brasileiro e da produção de Oswald de Andrade nos anos 1930 e nas teses dos anos 1950. O texto analisa a tensa relação entre antropofagia, matriarcado e marxismo, numa abordagem, na peça, que aponta para a construção de uma nova sociedade, sem divisão de classes e dogmas religiosos, sob os preceitos da igualdade, da técnica e da socialização da produção.
O teatro sob a tempestade: uma leitura crítica de A tempestade, de Augusto Boal
Authors: Santos Patricia Freitas dos
Published: July 2018

Escrita no período de maior isolamento profissional de Augusto Boal, A tempestade, a um só tempo, traz um balanço histórico das reiteradas derrotas políticas e artísticas da esquerda latino-americana, bem como uma resposta à paralisia largamente propagada pelos regimes ditatoriais a partir da década de 1960. A leitura que se pretende apresentar possui como principal ponto de partida a relação dialética que a obra estabelece com seu momento histórico e com o trabalho teatral produzido por Boal até então.
Linking Endogenous Factor Xa Activity, a Biologically Relevant Pharmacodynamic Marker, to Edoxaban Plasma Concentrations and Clinical Outcomes in the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 Trial
Authors: Yin Ophelia Q.P. , Antman Elliott M. , Braunwald Eugene , Mercuri Michele F. , Miller Raymond , Morrow David , Ruff Christian T. , Truitt Kenneth , Weitz Jeffrey I. , Giugliano Robert P.
Published: July 2018

Background:

We previously reported exogenous antifactor Xa (FXa) activity as a pharmacokinetic surrogate marker for edoxaban plasma concentrations. Inhibition of endogenous FXa activity is a more biologically relevant pharmacodynamic measure of edoxaban activity. Here we describe the value of endogenous FXa activity as a pharmacodynamic marker linking edoxaban concentrations and clinical outcomes in the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial (Effective Anticoagulation With Factor Xa Next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Study 48).

Methods:

In ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48, edoxaban was administered in higher dose (60/30 mg QD) and lower dose (30/15 mg QD) regimens. Both regimens incorporated a 50% dose reduction in patients with characteristics known to increase edoxaban concentration. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling was performed in a subgroup of 3029 patients who had samples collected for endogenous FXa activity (measured using an assay after endogenous FX was activated with Russell viper venom).

Results:

Endogenous FXa activity decreased with increasing edoxaban concentrations of ≤440 ng/mL, indicating that inhibition of endogenous FXa activity is saturated above this concentration threshold. Baseline endogenous FXa activity averaged 92.1±20.9% (relative to normal control samples) and was lower with older age, with lower body weight, and in male patients. Model-predicted 24-hour average percentages of inhibition of endogenous FXa activity were 35.8±5.18, 29.1±3.92, 21.9±3.80, and 16.4±2.70 for the higher dose edoxaban regimen 60 mg, dose-reduced higher dose edoxaban regimen 30 mg, lower dose edoxaban regimen 30 mg, and dose-reduced lower dose edoxaban regimen 15 mg groups, respectively. A greater average percentage of inhibition of endogenous FXa activity was associated with a lower incidence of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism and a higher risk of major bleeding (
P
<0.001). In a typical subject, the predicted risks for the 10th and 90th percentiles of inhibition of endogenous FXa activity were 1.04% and 0.57% for incidence of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism and 1.35% and 2.33% for major bleeding, respectively.

Conclusions:

The extent of inhibition of endogenous FXa activity is influenced by edoxaban dosing and clinical characteristics, and it is associated with both antithrombotic benefit and risk of bleeding. This approach of linking endogenous FXa activity to clinical outcomes may be used to guide dose selection in future clinical trials, monitor patients in certain clinical scenarios, or refine the doses of oral FXa inhibitors in patients who require precise anticoagulation therapy.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00781391.
Self-Management of Postnatal Hypertension
Authors: Cairns Alexandra E. , Tucker Katherine L. , Leeson Paul , Mackillop Lucy H. , Santos Mauro , Velardo Carmelo , Salvi Dario , Mort Sam , Mollison Jill , Tarassenko Lionel , McManus Richard J. ,   on behalf of the SNAP-HT Investigators
Published: July 2018

Hypertension affects 1 in 10 pregnancies, often persisting postpartum, when antihypertensive requirements may vary substantially. This unmasked, randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility and effects on blood pressure (BP) of self-management of postpartum hypertension. Women with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, requiring postnatal antihypertensive treatment, were randomized to self-management or usual care. Self-management entailed daily home BP monitoring and automated medication reduction via telemonitoring. Women attended 5 follow-up visits during 6 months. The primary outcome was feasibility: specifically recruitment, retention, and compliance with follow-up rates. Secondary outcomes included BP control and safety, analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Forty-nine percent (91/186) of those women approached were randomized (45 intervention, 46 control), and 90% (82/91) finished follow-up. The groups had similar baseline characteristics. After randomization, BP was lower in the intervention group, most markedly at 6 weeks: intervention group mean (SD), systolic 121.6 (8.7)/diastolic 80.5 (6.6) mm Hg; control group, systolic 126.6 (11.0)/diastolic 86.0 (9.7) mm Hg; adjusted differences (95% confidence interval), systolic −5.2 (−9.3 to −1.2)/diastolic −5.8 (−9.1 to −2.5) mm Hg. Diastolic BP remained significantly lower in those self-managing to 6 months: adjusted difference −4.5 (−8.1 to −0.8) mm Hg. This is the first randomized evaluation of BP self-management postpartum and indicates it would be feasible to trial this intervention in larger studies. Self-management resulted in better diastolic BP control to 6 months, even beyond medication cessation.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02333240.
Benefits of Intensive Blood Pressure Treatment in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Receiving Standard but Not Intensive Glycemic Control
Authors: Tsujimoto Tetsuro , Kajio Hiroshi
Published: July 2018

This study aimed to assess whether intensive blood pressure (BP) treatment has benefits in preventing cardiovascular events, including heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Using the ACCORD BP trial (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Blood Pressure) data, hazard ratios for cardiovascular events with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard models to compare the time to the first cardiovascular event in patients receiving standard (n=2362) or intensive glycemic control (n=2371). The overall mean follow-up period was 4.5 years, and cardiovascular events were confirmed in 528 patients. The cardiovascular event risk in patients receiving standard glycemic control was significantly lower in the intensive BP treatment group than in the standard BP treatment group (hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.56–0.90;
P
=0.005), whereas that in patients receiving intensive glycemic control did not differ significantly between the groups (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.83–1.36;
P
=0.61). There was a significant interaction between the BP treatment strategy and glycemic control (
P
=0.02). The stroke risk in patients receiving standard glycemic control was significantly lower in the intensive BP treatment group, but not in patients receiving intensive glycemic control. Although not significant, all-cause mortality in patients receiving intensive glycemic control was higher in patients receiving intensive BP treatment than in those receiving standard BP treatment (hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–1.92;
P
=0.05). Benefits of intensive BP treatment were observed only in ACCORD BP participants receiving standard glycemic control without additional risk factors.
The identity of Coniogramme wilsonii (Pteridaceae)
Authors: ZHAO JUNWEN , YANG WENLI , WANG CAIHONG , ZHANG GANGMIN
Published: July 2018

Most of Chinese specimens identified as Coniogramme wilsonii were actually C. fauriei. Based on field observation on C. sinensis around the type locality, type examination, and a review of the literature, C. sinensis is proposed as a synonym of C. wilsonii.