bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management strategies of potentially resectable colorectal liver metastases in a cohort of Bangladeshi patients
Authors: Rabbi Hashim , Rashid Md Mamunur , Ahmed AHM Tanvir , Arefin Mirza Shamsul , Nayeem Sarder Rizwan , Ali Mohammad , Hakim HA Nazmul , Chowdhury Ajmal Quader , Islam Aminul , Islam Kazi Mazharul , Mohammad Sarder Mahmud , Alam ANM Nure , Mohammad Masud Zafor
Published: September 2019

Background: Colorectal cancer with liver metastases (CRLM) is stage IV disease. Only 60% patients present with palpable liver or a liver mass and at laparotomy 80% hepatic metastases can be detected. Synchronous CRLM (SCRRLM) is indicative of poor prognosis than metachronous (MCRLM) counterpart. Only 13-15% of SCLM are eligible for curative resection. Surgical intervention offers long term cure with overall survival in 37-58% patients. This study was designed to validate different approaches of management to patients with CRLM in Bangladeshi patients.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, we observed different management approaches in 41 Bangladeshi individuals with CRLM from January 2010 to January 2018 in different tertiary care hospitals of Dhaka. They were thoroughly evaluated and prepared for surgical resection. After detection both synchronous and metachronous CRLM, patients were treated surgically with colonic resection and liver resection with simultaneous approach, lesion first approach, liver first approach. Intraoperative ultrasound was valuable in localization of liver lesions. Patients were followed up for a minimum 6 months to maximum period of 61 months.

Results: The study included 41 patients between ages of 21 to 70 years, of them 22 (53.65%) males and 19 (46.34%) were female. Among them, 19 patients (46.34%) had synchronous lesion and 22 (53.66%) had metachronous lesion. Neoadjuvant therapy was given in 9 (21.95%) patients. All the patients received adjuvant therapy. Multiple metastetectomy was done in 31 (75.60%) patients. In our series, following margin negative hepatic resection,14 (34.14%) patients survived 3 years and 3(7.31 %) patients survived 5 years.

Conclusion: CRLM signifies an advanced disease at presentation. Hepatic resection following resection of colorectal primary is curative. Simultaneous liver with colonic resection is safe and effective in cases of small hepatic metastases.

Birdem Med J 2019; 9(3): 207-212
Ultrasonographic findings in patients with shoulder pain
Authors: Khan Md Shah Zaman , Rahman Nayema , Ferdousi Mahfuz Ara , Khatoon Rabeya , Taher Mohd Abu
Published: September 2019

Background: Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal condition and high frequency ultrasonography is an accurate non-invasive imaging technique for evaluating patients with painful shoulder. This study was designed to determine the ultrasonographic findings in patients with shoulder pain and to compare the clinical diagnosis established by physical examination to high frequency ultrasonographic findings.

Methods: Thirty patients with shoulder pain were included in the study between the period from December 2017 to April 2018 in BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. All had a physical examination performed by a physician. Ultrasonographic examination was carried out within three days of the physical examination by two sinologists, who had no knowledge of the clinical findings.

Results: Total patients were 30 with mean age 52.20±7.52 years and male female ratio 2:3. On examination out of these thirty patients, impingement syndrome was positive in 93.3% (Neer) and 76.7% (Hawkin), supraspinatus tendinitis in 83.3% (Jobe’s), biceps tendinitis in 30.0% (Yergason’s test) and 33.3% (Speed’s maneuver), subscapularis tendinitis in 3.3% (Gerbers lift off test) patients. Sonographic alteration was found in a total of 28 (93.33%) patients. Forty five pathologies were detected; 46.67% patients had single pathology, 40% had two and 6.67% had three pathologies. The structure most frequently involved was the supraspinatus tendon (35.50%). The long head of biceps tendon (17.78%) and the acromioclavicular joint (26.67%) were also frequently involved. Infraspinatus tendinopathy, subscapularis tendinopathy and subcaromial bursitis were present in small percentage. Significant difference was found between clinical examination and ultrasound findings.

Conclusion: Ultrasonography may be a useful tool to improve diagnosis in painful shoulder.

Birdem Med J 2019; 9(3): 218-222
Answer to Medical Quiz: Images Vol 9(3)
Authors: Uddin Khwaja Nazim
Published: September 2019

Abstract not available

Birdem Med J 2019; 9(3): 263
Variability, heritability and genetic advance of maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes
Authors: Bartaula Sampurna , Panthi Urbashi , Timilsena Kiran , Acharya Subarna Sharma , Shrestha Jiban
Published: September 2019

The selection efficiency for certain traits in crops can be broadened using estimates of genetic parameters, which are fundamental for plant breeding. Ten maize genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the field of Lamahi Municipality, Dang district of Nepal to assess the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for growth, yield and yield contributing traits during summer season (June to August), 2018. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for all traits. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) recorded for all traits. The grain yield showed the highest PCV (50.78%) and GCV (51.24%) whereas the lowest PCV (4.51%) and GCV (4.50%) were recorded for test weight; test weight showed high heritability (0.99) with low genetic advance as a percent of mean (9.26). Grain yield showed positive and significant phenotypic correlation with test weight (r=0.960), kernel per row (r=0.924), kernel rows per cob (r=0.900) and cob length (r=0.840), respectively. Traits namely grain yield, number of kernels per cob and kernel rows per cob showed high GCV, PCV. Therefore these traits can be used further in crop improvement program.

Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.6(2): 163-169, August 2019
Quantitative assessment of ionic status of pond water for irrigation and aquaculture usage in the selected sites of Mymensingh areas, Bangladesh
Authors: Akter Taslima , Ghosh Shampa Rani , Sarker Sitesh Chandra , Rahman Md Mokhlesur , Nabi KM Eadun
Published: September 2019

Ponds are considered to be self-contained, land lock ecosystem which is often teeming with rich vegetation and diverse organismal life. The pond water contains different organic and inorganic components. The experiment was carried out in laboratory, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh through collection of pond water from Gouripur and Muktagacha under Mymensingh division for assessment of major ionic status and suitability parameters for irrigation and aquaculture usage in quantitative way. Around 30 samples were collected from different location. On the basis of HCO3 ion, all water samples except 3 samples were not suitable for irrigation because this anion exceeded the acceptable limit (1.5 meL-1). On the other hand, HCO3 ion was not treated as problematic in all samples except 2 samples for aquaculture usages. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, K, PO4 and SO4 were far below the recommended limit. Considering aquaculture usage, Cl ion was considered as hazardous in all the pond water samples because this anion was above the legal limit (<0.003mgL-1). pH value of pond ranged from 7.02 to 7.87 indicating alkaline in nature and were not problematic for irrigation and aquaculture usage. Among the major ionic constituents, the remarkable significant correlations existed between Ca vs Mg, Ca vs K, Mg vs SO4, K vs Na, Na vs SO4.

Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.6(2): 301-313, August 2019
Fisheries and socio-economic condition of fisher’s community of Eshulia beel at Gouripur upazila under Mymensingh district
Authors: Bornali Jinat Jahan , Chowdhury Md Afjal Hossain , Bhattacharya Sudip , Akter Farzana , Yesmin Rabeya , Islam Rashedul , Moniruzzaman Md
Published: September 2019

The study was conducted to determine the present status of fisheries and socio-economic conditions of the fisher’s community of Eshulia beel at Gouripur upazila under Mymensingh district for a period from February to November, 2013. Relevant information and pertinent data were collected by personal observation and other three participatory methods such as questionnaire interview, focus group discussion (FGD) and cross-check interview. A total of 58 fish species belong to 18 families were identified in the catches of different gears. Among them 37 species were resident, 14 species were non-resident and 7 species were exotic. Thirteen different kinds of fishing gears were identified under 5 major groups including 5 nets, 3 traps, 2 hooks, 2 spears and khata/zag in the beel. It was found that 65% of the fishermen were Muslim and 35% were Hindu. Most of the fishermen belonged to the age group of 36-50 years. In case of education, 32.5% were illiterate, 40% can sign only, 15% of the fishers had literacy up to primary level , 7.5% had literacy up to secondary level and 5% had higher secondary and above. 75% of the fishermen's houses are katcha, 17.5% are tinshed and only 7.5% are half building. About 5% of the fishermen had high (TK 100000-TK 200000) income; 42.5% had medium (TK 51000-TK 100000) income and 52.5% had low (TK 25000-TK50000) income. No fisheries management regulations were followed in the beel. Recommendations were made to improve beel fisheries management through fish stocking, habitat restoration and active community participation for sustainable catch.

Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.6(2): 353-361, August 2019
La necesidad de investigación-acción como mejora educativa
Authors: De Villalobo Maruja , Echevers Berta
Published: September 2019

Este número recrea el recorrido conceptual de la educación especial y se sitúa en el contexto escolar inclusivo en que participa el estudiante y los docentes, de manera activa desde el aula de clases, presentándose artículos relevantes sobre la educación inclusiva, sobre estilos de enseñanza y aprendizaje, fugas para incluirse y estudios específicos en el contexto panameño, sobre las personas sordas en Panamá y competencia lectora y escritora de los estudiantes con discapacidad en la República de Panamá.
Sordedad y sordera: su implicación en la cultura y en el desarrollo evolutivo psico y sociolingüístico en la educación bilingüe
Authors: Noel Daniel
Published: September 2019

La “sordera”, como visión de un modelo clínico que se tiene de los sordos, en contraste con la “sordedad”, la cual es la realidad como se miran estas personas así mismas, genera un profundo análisis de ambas perspectivas y su implicación en la cultura y en el desarrollo evolutivo, psico y sociolingüístico que asegure una educación bilingüe a esta población. Los aportes señalados por Martínez (2008) permiten comprender la importancia de la adquisición de la lengua (Lengua de señas, lengua escrita, lengua oral); la lengua es una de las manifestaciones socio culturales y psicoevolutiva evidentes de la superioridad del hombre. Estos argumentos hacen un llamado a los lectores, para que profundicen en los estudios lingüísticos, psicolingüísticos, sociolingüísticos y antropológicos que surgen de ambas perspectivas: lo clínico y lo social. Adicionalmente, este documento muestra la comprensión de la naturaleza humana, sus avances y evolución sin importar que una condición física (sordera) prive al individuo (sordedad) de su aprendizaje.
Perbandingan Diagnosis Klinis dan Radiologis Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia pada Pasien HIV/AIDS di RSUP Sanglah Denpasar
Authors: Sitanggang Firman Parulian , Mardewi I Gusti Ayu
Published: September 2019

Background: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a lung infection caused by fungus Pneumocystis carinii. More than half (70 - 80%) of people with AIDS get at least one episode of PCP on their clinical course, with mortality ranging from 10% to 40%. Usually, there is no abnormality in pulmonary physical examination. Chest radiographic examination is one of the non-invasive examinations to make the diagnosis of PCP. Radiographic examination may find an abnormal picture or normal picture.Purpose: To compare the diagnosis of PCP in HIV/AIDS patients made by clinical versus radiology examination at Sanglah Hospital.Method: Type of this research is descriptive cross sectional study. The number of samples in this study were 51 samples obtained by total sampling technique. Data obtained from secondary data is from medical record.Result: After univariate and bivariate analyze, from 51 samples, 68.8% of the samples were radiologic diagnose with PCP and 76.5% were clinical diagnose with PCP. From bivariate analysis 82.9% were diagnosed PCP radiologically and clinically.Conclusion: Thorax imaging is a good imaging modality in early diagnosis and excludes the differential diagnosis of PCP.
Development of User-Integrated Semi-Autonomous Lawn Mowing Systems: A Systems Engineering Perspective and Proposed Architecture
Authors: Patterson Albert E. , Yuan Yang , Norris William R.
Published: September 2019

This concept paper outlines a conceptual framework for the design and development of user-integrated semi-autonomous lawn mowing systems. This is approached from a systems engineering perspective, considering both hardware and software elements and integration with the user. This is an important and emerging field of study within the several engineering communities, including robotics, agricultural engineering, smart city development, and general systems engineering. In several sections of this paper, a review of current progress on this problem is presented (both in general and related to specific aspects of the system), followed by a discussion of the problem from a systems engineering perspective, a general system architecture developed by the authors, a preliminary set of design requirements, and a discussion of some practical implementation strategies. This work is meant to provide a baseline and motivation for the further development and refinement of these systems within the agricultural engineering and robotics communities and is relevant to both academic and commercial research.
Influence of Zeolite and Phosphorus Applications on Water Use, P Uptake and Yield in Rice under Different Irrigation Managements
Authors: Zheng Junlin , Chen Taotao , Chi Daocai , Xia Guimin , Wu Qi , Liu Guangyan , Chen Wei , Meng Weizhong , Chen Yinglong , Siddique Kadambot H. M.
Published: September 2019

Phosphorus (P) deficiency often occurs in paddy fields due to its high fixation, and low solubility and mobility in soils, especially under water stress. Available soil P and plant P uptake could be improved through the application of zeolite. However, little is known about the impact of zeolite on P uptake in rice under water stress. A two-year lysimetric experiment using a split-split plot design investigated the effects of zeolite (0 or 15 t ha−1) and P (0 or 60 kg ha−1) applications on water use, P uptake, and grain yield in rice under two irrigation management systems (continuous flooding irrigation (CF) and improved alternate wetting and drying irrigation (IAWD)). Both irrigation systems produced equivalent effective panicles and grain yield. Compared with CF, IAWD reduced water use and aboveground P uptake and improved water-use efficiency (WUE) in rice. The applications of zeolite or P alone increased grain yield, WUE, soil available P, and stem, leaf, and panicle P concentration, and aboveground P uptake, but had no significant effect on water use. The enhanced grain yield induced by zeolite was related to the increase in aboveground P uptake. The zeolite application enhanced NH4+–N retention in the topsoil and prevented NO3−–N from leaching into deeper soil layers. Moreover, Zeolite made lower rates of P fertilizer possible in paddy fields, with benefits for remaining P supplies and mitigating pollution due to excessive P. These results suggest that the combined application of zeolite and P under improved AWD regime reduced water use, improved P uptake and grain yield in rice, and alleviated environment risk.
Planting Locations with Higher Temperature Produce More Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacities of Wheat
Authors: Pu Zhien , Liu Qianqian , Li Zhengyang , Chen Shihao , Liu Yongjian , Qi Pengfei , Wei Yuming , Zheng Youliang
Published: September 2019

Bioactive compounds such as phenols and phytic acid in wheat contribute to antioxidant capacities. (1) Background: Prior studies drew a general conclusion that the environment affected bioactive compounds greatly, but how the single environmental factor affects these characteristics remains unclear. (2) Methods: We conducted that twenty-eight winter wheat genotypes were grown in replicated trials at seven locations in China for two consecutive years and subdivided the environmental factor into five soil factors and six meteorological factors to evaluate the impact on the antioxidant capabilities and bioactive compounds contents of wheat grains by using principal component analysis (PCA). RT-PCR was used to identify gene expression of bioactive compounds under different conditions. (3) Results: Temperature affects bioactive compounds contents and antioxidant capacities greatly in wheat grains. Accumulation time, daylight length, and daily maximum temperature showed a high correlation with bioactive compounds contents and antioxidant capacities, especially in the vegetative growth phase. The gene TaMIPs related to phytic acid and TaPAL1, TaC3H1, TaC4H, Ta4CL1, and TaCOMT1 related to total phenolics had higher gene expression level with larger temperature differences in wheat grains. (4) Conclusions: The planting locations with higher temperatures and longer daylight length could produce higher contents of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacities and the cooler temperatures of a planting location might produce wheat grains with lower phytic acid contents in wheat grains.
Deciphering the Patterns of Genetic Admixture and Diversity in the Ecuadorian Creole Chicken
Authors: Toalombo Vargas Paula Alexandra , León José Manuel , Fiallos Ortega Luis Rafael , Martinez Amparo , Villafuerte Gavilanes Alex Arturo , Delgado Juan Vicente , Landi Vincenzo
Published: September 2019

Latin American Creole chickens are generally not characterized; this is the case in Ecuador, where the lack of scientific information is contributing to their extinction. Here, we developed a characterization of the genetic resources of Ecuadorian chickens located in three continental agroecosystems (Pacific coastal, Andean, and Amazonian). Blood samples of 234 unrelated animals were collected in six provinces across Ecuador: Bolívar, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Guayas, Morona Santiago, and Tungurahua, in order to perform a genetic characterization and population structure assessment using the AVIANDIV project microsatellites panel (30 loci) and D-loop sequences of mitochondrial DNA and comparing with reference data from other breeds or genetic lines. The results indicate that Ecuadorian Creole chickens are the result of the admixture of different genetic groups that occurred during the last five centuries. While the influence of South Spanish breeds is demonstrated in the colonial age, genetic relationships with other breeds (Leghorn, Spanish fighter cock) cannot be discarded. The geographical configuration of the country and extreme climate variability have influenced the genetic isolation of groups constituting a homogeneous genetic status into the whole population. This is not only a source of genetic variation, but also a critical point because genetic drift produces a loss of genetic variants.
Association of Age with the Expression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factors HIF-1α, HIF-2α, HIF-3α and VEGF in Lung and Heart of Tibetan Sheep
Authors: He Yanyu , Munday John S , Perrott Matthew , Wang Guan , Liu Xiu
Published: September 2019

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) play an important role in mediating the physiological response to low oxygen environments. However, whether the expression of HIFs changes with age is unknown. In the present study, the effect of aging on HIF-1α, HIF-2α, HIF-3α and VEGF expression in the heart and lung of 30 Tibetan sheep that were adapted to hypoxia was evaluated. The 30 sheep were subdivided into groups of 10 animals that were 1, 2 or 6 years of age. Immunohistochemistry for HIF-1α, HIF-2α, HIF-3α and VEGF revealed that the immunostaining intensity of VEGF protein in the heart and lung was significantly higher than the intensity of immunostaining against the HIFs (p < 0.05). HIF-1α and HIF-2α protein translocated into the nucleus of cardiac muscle cells. However, immunostaining for HIF-3α was restricted to the cytoplasm of the myocardial cells. Immunostaining for HIF-1α, HIF-2α, HIF-3α and VEGF was detected within alveolar macrophages. The concentration of HIF-1α and HIF-2α was higher in the lung of 1-year-old than 6-year-old sheep (p < 0.05). In contrast, HIF-3α and VEGF immunostaining was most prominent in the hearts of the oldest sheep. However, when RT-PCR was used to evaluate RNA within the tissues, the expression of all four studied genes was higher in the lung than in the heart in the 1-year-old sheep (p < 0.05). Furthermore, VEGF and HIF-3α gene expression was higher in the heart from 1-year old than 6-year old sheep (p < 0.05). However, in the lung, HIF-1α and HIF-2α gene expression was lower in 1-year old than 6-year old sheep (p < 0.05). We conclude that HIF-3α and VEGF may play be important in how the heart responds to hypoxia. Additionally, HIF-1α and HIF-2α may have a role in the adaptation of the lung to hypoxia. The expression of these proteins in alveolar macrophages suggests a potential role of these cells in the physiological response to hypoxia. These results are useful in understanding how age influences the hypoxia adaption mechanisms of the heart and lung and may help to better understand chronic mountain sickness that is commonly observed in Tibetan people living on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau.
Mitochondrial Genome (mtDNA) Mutations that Generate Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Hahn Anne , Zuryn Steven
Published: September 2019

Mitochondria are critical for the energetic demands of virtually every cellular process within nucleated eukaryotic cells. They harbour multiple copies of their own genome (mtDNA), as well as the protein-synthesing systems required for the translation of vital subunits of the oxidative phosphorylation machinery used to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Molecular lesions to the mtDNA cause severe metabolic diseases and have been proposed to contribute to the progressive nature of common age-related diseases such as cancer, cardiomyopathy, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. As a consequence of playing a central role in cellular energy metabolism, mitochondria produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a by-product of respiration. Here we review the evidence that mutations in the mtDNA exacerbate ROS production, contributing to disease.
Modelling the Effects of Aerosol on Mei-Yu Frontal Precipitation and Physical Processes
Authors: Zhang Yun , Wu Zuhang , Zhang Lifeng , Xie Yanqiong , Lei Hengchi , Zheng Hepeng , Ma Xiaolin
Published: September 2019

The Mei-Yu front is a significantly important summer precipitation system in eastern Asia. In recent years, anthropogenic air pollution over the Yangtze-Huaihe region of China has been aggravating continuously. A cloud-resolving model coupled with an idealized frontal model is used to investigate the response of aerosols on the Mei-Yu frontal precipitation. The results indicate that increasing droplet concentrations lead to significant precipitation enhancement with the current pollution levels in Mei-Yu frontal system. Under the polluted conditions, the enhanced cold-cloud process is of great importance. Moreover, with the “towing” of active cold-cloud process, cold-cloud and warm-cloud processes developed mutually. These account for the complicated and special microphysical mechanism for aerosol impacts on Mei-Yu frontal system. Furthermore, two types of “microphysical-dynamic positive feedback loop” caused by the interactions of various physical processes and effects (direct dynamic effect, frontogenesis effect, and vapor pump effect) can be found in the Mei-Yu precipitation, which in turn reinforce the microphysical processes. The combined effect is to increase Mei-Yu front precipitation. The interaction of microphysical processes and dynamic processes, and the positive feedback loops they create are the main physical mechanisms behind the significant impacts of aerosol on Mei-Yu frontal precipitation. This may also be an important feature of climate change in eastern Asia.
Evaluation of the Potential Toxicity of Effluents from the Textile Industry before and after Treatment
Authors: Castro Ana Margarida , Nogueira Verónica , Lopes Isabel , Rocha-Santos Teresa , Pereira Ruth
Published: September 2019

The textile industry has an important role in the economic development of several countries; however, it consumes large amounts of water and generates huge quantities of wastewater. These effluents are of great environmental concern due to their complex chemical content, known by their toxicity and low biodegradability, which can cause harmful effects to the aquatic environment. In the present study, bioassays with aquatic species were employed to evaluate the toxicity of effluent samples collected before and after the treatments performed by the textile company. The toxic effects were investigated using four organisms, namely Aliivibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Daphnia magna and Lemna minor, to represent different trophic levels. The ecotoxicological data confirmed that the raw textile effluent was very toxic, with A. fischeri being the most sensitive organism. While the toxicity of the effluent collected after the treatment performed by the textile company was clearly reduced, we still recorded sublethal toxicity to D. magna. These results highlight the importance of the bioassays for continuous monitoring of the toxicity of the treated effluents to prevent adverse effects on the environment. Further, results suggest that ecotoxicological data should be required in parallel with chemical data to better evaluate the safety of environmental discharges of wastewaters.
Improving Energy Recovery Rate of the Regenerative Braking System by Optimization of Influencing Factors
Authors: Xu Lei , He Xiaohui , Shen Xinmin
Published: September 2019

The braking energy can be recovered and recycled by the regenerative braking system, which is significant to improve economics and environmental effect of the hydraulic hybrid vehicle. Influencing factors for the energy recovery rate of regenerative braking system in hydraulic hybrid vehicle were investigated in this study. Based on the theoretical analysis of accumulator and energy recovery rate, modeling of the regenerative braking system and its energy management strategy was conducted in the simulation platform of LMS Imagine Lab AMESim. The simulation results indicated that the influencing factors included braking intensity, initial pressure of the accumulator, and initial braking speed, and the optimal energy recovery rate of 87.61% was achieved when the parameters were 0.4, 19 MPa, and 300 rpm, respectively. Experimental bench was constructed and a series of experiments on energy recovery rate with different parameters were conducted, which aimed to validate the simulation results. It could be found, that with the optimal parameters obtained in the simulation process, the actual energy recovery rate achieved in the experiment was 83.33%, which was almost consistent with the simulation result. The obtained high energy recovery rate would promote the application of regenerative braking system in the hydraulic hybrid vehicle.
Exact Solutions for Buckling and Second-Order Effect of Shear Deformable Timoshenko Beam–Columns Based on Matrix Structural Analysis
Authors: Hu Zheng-Ping , Pan Wen-Hao , Tong Jing-Zhong
Published: September 2019

Shear deformable beams have been widely used in engineering applications. Based on the matrix structural analysis (MSA), this paper presents a method for the buckling and second-order solutions of shear deformable beams, which allows the use of one element per member for the exact solution. To develop the second-order MSA method, this paper develops the element stability stiffness matrix of axial-loaded Timoshenko beam–columns, which relates the element-end deformations (translation and rotation angle) and corresponding forces (shear force and bending moment). First, an equilibrium analysis of an axial-loaded Timoshenko beam–column is conducted, and the element flexural deformations and forces are solved exactly from the governing differential equation. The element stability stiffness matrix is derived with a focus on the element-end deformations and the corresponding forces. Then, a matrix structural analysis approach for the elastic buckling analysis of Timoshenko beam–columns is established and demonstrated using classical application examples. Discussions on the errors of a previous simplified expression of the stability stiffness matrix is presented by comparing with the derived exact expression. In addition, the asymptotic behavior of the stability stiffness matrix to the first-order stiffness matrix is noted.
The PLC as a Smart Service in Industry 4.0 Production Systems
Authors: Langmann Reinhard , Stiller Michael
Published: September 2019

Industrial controls, and in particular, Programmable Logic controllers (PLC) currently form an important technological basis for the automation of industrial processes. Even in the age of industry 4.0 and industrial internet, it can be assumed that these controllers will continue to be required to a considerable extent for the production of tomorrow. However, the controllers must fulfill a range of additional requirements, resulting from the new production conditions. Thereby, the introduction of the service paradigm plays an important role. This paper presents the concept of smart industrial control services (SICS) as a new type of a PLC. As a distributed service-oriented control system in an IP network, a SICS controller can replace the traditional PLC for applications with uncritical timing in terms of Industry 4.0. The SICS are programmed as usual in industry, according to the standard IEC 61131-3, and run in a SICS runtime on a server or in a cloud. The term Smart Service is introduced and the uses of SICS as a smart service, including a clearing system for the creation of new business models based on control as a service, are described. As a result, two different SICS prototype implementations are described and two application examples from manufacturing automation, as well as the evaluation of the real-time features and the engineering of a SICS controller, are discussed in the paper.
An Efficient Resource Allocation Algorithm for Device-To-Device Communications
Authors: Saraereh Omar A. , Mohammed Saleem Latteef , Khan Imran , Rabie Khaled , Affess Sofeine
Published: September 2019

In order to solve the problem of interference and spectrum optimization caused by D2D (device-to-device) communication multiplexing uplink channel of heterogeneous cellular networks, the allocation algorithm based on the many-to-one Gale-Shapley (M21GS) algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively solve the resource allocation problem of D2D users multiplexed cellular user channels in heterogeneous cellular network environments. In order to improve the utilization of the wireless spectrum, the algorithm allows multiple D2D users to share the channel resources of one cellular user and maintains the communication service quality of the cellular users and D2D users by setting the signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) threshold. A D2D user and channel preference list are established based on the implemented system’s capacity to maximize the system total capacity objective function. Finally, we use the Kuhn–Munkres (KM) algorithm to achieve the optimal matching between D2D clusters and cellular channel to maximize the total capacity of D2D users. The MATLAB simulation is used to compare and analyze the total system capacity of the proposed algorithm, the resource allocation algorithm based on the delay acceptance algorithm, the random resource allocation algorithm and the optimal exhaustive search algorithm, and the maximum allowable access for D2D users. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has fast convergence and low complexity, and the total capacity is close to the optimal algorithm.
Added Value of Atmosphere-Ocean Coupling in a Century-Long Regional Climate Simulation
Authors: Kelemen Fanni Dóra , Primo Cristina , Feldmann Hendrik , Ahrens Bodo
Published: September 2019

A twentieth century-long coupled atmosphere-ocean regional climate simulation with COSMO-CLM (Consortium for Small-Scale Modeling, Climate Limited-area Model) and NEMO (Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean) is studied here to evaluate the added value of coupled marginal seas over continental regions. The interactive coupling of the marginal seas, namely the Mediterranean, the North and the Baltic Seas, to the atmosphere in the European region gives a comprehensive modelling system. It is expected to be able to describe the climatological features of this geographically complex area even more precisely than an atmosphere-only climate model. The investigated variables are precipitation and 2 m temperature. Sensitivity studies are used to assess the impact of SST (sea surface temperature) changes over land areas. The different SST values affect the continental precipitation more than the 2 m temperature. The simulated variables are compared to the CRU (Climatic Research Unit) observational data, and also to the HOAPS/GPCC (Hamburg Ocean Atmosphere Parameters and Fluxes from Satellite Data, Global Precipitation Climatology Centre) data. In the coupled simulation, added skill is found primarily during winter over the eastern part of Europe. Our analysis shows that, over this region, the coupled system is dryer than the uncoupled system, both in terms of precipitation and soil moisture, which means a decrease in the bias of the system. Thus, the coupling improves the simulation of precipitation over the eastern part of Europe, due to cooler SST values and in consequence, drier soil.
New Perspectives in Liver Transplantation: From Regeneration to Bioengineering
Authors: Bizzaro Debora , Russo Francesco Paolo , Burra Patrizia
Published: September 2019

Advanced liver diseases have very high morbidity and mortality due to associated complications, and liver transplantation represents the only current therapeutic option. However, due to worldwide donor shortages, new alternative approaches are mandatory for such patients. Regenerative medicine could be the more appropriate answer to this need. Advances in knowledge of physiology of liver regeneration, stem cells, and 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering have accelerated the race towards efficient therapies for liver failure. In this review, we propose an update on liver regeneration, cell-based regenerative medicine and bioengineering alternatives to liver transplantation.
Connexin43 is Dispensable for Early Stage Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Adipogenic Differentiation But is Protective against Cell Senescence
Authors: Shao Qing , Esseltine Jessica L. , Huang Tao , Novielli-Kuntz Nicole , Ching Jamie E. , Sampson Jacinda , Laird Dale W.
Published: September 2019

In the last couple of decades, there has been a growing optimism surrounding the potential transformative use of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for regenerative medicine and disease treatment. In order for this to occur, it is first essential to understand the mechanisms underpinning their cell-fate specification, which includes cell signaling via gap junctional intercellular communication. Here, we investigated the role of the prototypical gap junction protein, connexin43 (Cx43), in governing the differentiation of iPSCs into MSCs and MSC differentiation along the adipogenic lineage. We found that control iPSCs, as well as iPSCs derived from oculodentodigital dysplasia patient fibroblasts harboring a GJA1 (Cx43) gene mutation, successfully and efficiently differentiated into LipidTox and perilipin-positive cells, indicating cell differentiation along the adipogenic lineage. Furthermore, the complete CRISPR-Cas9 ablation of Cx43 from iPSCs did not prevent their differentiation into bona fide MSCs or pre-adipocytes, strongly suggesting that even though Cx43 expression is upregulated during adipogenesis, it is expendable. Interestingly, late passage Cx43-ablated MSCs senesced more quickly than control cells, resulting in failure to properly differentiate in vitro. We conclude that despite being upregulated during adipogenesis, Cx43 plays no detectable role in the early stages of human iPSC-derived MSC adipogenic differentiation. However, Cx43 may play a more impactful role in protecting MSCs from premature senescence.
Biodistribution and Biosafety of a Poly(Phosphorhydrazone) Dendrimer, an Anti-Inflammatory Drug-Candidate
Authors: Fruchon Séverine , Bellard Elisabeth , Beton Nicolas , Goursat Cécile , Oukhrib Abdelouahd , Caminade Anne-Marie , Blanzat Muriel , Turrin Cédric-Olivier , Golzio Muriel , Poupot Rémy
Published: September 2019

Dendrimers are nanosized, arborescent polymers of which size and structure are perfectly controlled. This is one reason why they are widely used for biomedical purposes. Previously, we showed that a phosphorus-based dendrimer capped with anionic azabisphosphonate groups (so-called ABP dendrimer) has immuno-modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties towards human immune cells in vitro. Thereafter, we have shown that the ABP dendrimer has a promising therapeutic efficacy to treat models of chronic inflammatory disorders. On the way to clinical translation, the biodistribution and the safety of this drug-candidate has to be thoroughly assessed. In this article, we present preliminary non-clinical data regarding biodistribution, hematological safety, genotoxicity, maximal tolerated doses, and early cardiac safety of the ABP dendrimer. One of the genotoxicity assays reveals a potential mutagen effect of the item at a concentration above 200 µM, i.e., up to 100 times the active dose in vitro on human immune cells. However, as the results obtained for all the other assays show that the ABP dendrimer has promising biodistribution and safety profiles, there is no red flag raised to hamper the regulatory pre-clinical development of the ABP dendrimer.
Physiological Correlates of Moral Decision-Making in the Professional Domain
Authors: Balconi Michela , Fronda Giulia
Published: September 2019

Moral decision-making is central to guide our social behavior, and it is based on emotional and cognitive reasoning processes. In the present research, we investigated the moral decision-making in a company context by the recording of autonomic responses (skin conductance response, heart rate frequency, and variability), in three different moral conditions (professional fit, company fit, social fit) and three different offers (fair, unfair, neutral). In particular, the first professional fit condition required participants to accept or reject some offers proposing the money subdivision for a work done together with a colleague. The second company fit condition required participants to evaluate offers regarding the investment of a part of the money in the introduction of some company’s benefits. Finally, the third social fit condition required participants to accept or refuse a money subdivision to support a colleague’s relative with health problems financially. Results underlined the significant effect of both the condition, with increased autonomic effects more for personal and social than company fit, and the offer type, with differences for fair and neutral offers compared to unfair ones. This research shows how individual, situational, and contextual factors influence moral decision-making in a company context.
The Bidirectional in Bilingual: Cognitive, Social and Linguistic Effects of and on Third-Age Language Learning
Authors: Pot Anna , Porkert Joanna , Keijzer Merel
Published: September 2019

Bilingualism has been put forward as a life experience that, similar to musical training or being physically active, may boost cognitive performance and slow down age-related cognitive decline. In more recent years, bilingualism has come to be acknowledged not as a trait but as a highly individual experience where the context of use strongly modulates any cognitive effect that ensues from it (cf. van den Noort et al., 2019). In addition, modulating factors have been shown to interact in intricate ways (Pot, Keijzer and de Bot, 2018). Adding to the complexity is the fact that control processes linked to bilingualism are bidirectional—just as language control can influence cognitive control, individual differences in cognitive functioning often predict language learning outcomes and control. Indeed, Hartsuiker (2015) posited the need for a better understanding of cognitive control, language control as well as the transfer process between them. In this paper, we aim to shed light on the bidirectional and individual cognitive, social and linguistic factors in relation to bilingualism and second language learning, with a special focus on older adulthood: (1) we first show the intricate clustering of modulating individual factors as deterministic of cognitive outcomes of bilingual experiences at the older end of the lifespan; (2) we then present a meta-study of work in the emergent field of third-age language learning, the results of which are related to lifelong bilingualism; (3) objectives (1) and (2) are then combined to result in a blueprint for future work relating cognitive and social individual differences to bilingual linguistic outcomes and vice versa in the context of third-age language learning.
Evaluation of the Adhesion between Overlays and Substrates in Concrete Floors: Literature Survey, Recent Non-Destructive and Semi-Destructive Testing Methods, and Research Gaps
Authors: Szymanowski Jacek
Published: September 2019

Non-destructive testing (NDT) and semi-destructive testing (SDT) have recently been more frequently used for the evaluation and condition assessment of concrete floors in various types of buildings. The subject of the article is to briefly introduce the reader to the problem of adhesion between overlays and substrates in concrete floors and to illustrate the current state of knowledge on the subject. The aim of this paper was to briefly describe the recently used non-destructive and semi-destructive testing methods and the parameters useful for characterizing the adhesion between overlays and substrates in concrete floors, as well as the methods useful to characterize the functional properties of the overlays. A recent literature survey, related to the adhesion between the overlays and substrates in concrete floors, is thus shown. Special emphasis was placed on the critical review of the current research results. Based on the analysis of the literature review, research gaps have been presented in order to highlight future research directions.
Local Treatment of Breast Cancer Liver Metastasis
Authors: Bale Reto , Putzer Daniel , Schullian Peter
Published: September 2019

Breast cancer represents a leading cause of death worldwide. Despite the advances in systemic therapies, the prognosis for patients with breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) remains poor. Especially in case of failure or cessation of systemic treatments, surgical resection for BCLMs has been considered as the treatment standard despite a lack of robust evidence of benefit. However, due to the extent and location of disease and physical condition, the number of patients with BCLM who are eligible for surgery is limited. Palliative locoregional treatments of liver metastases (LM) include transarterial embolization (TAE), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and selective internal radiotherapy (SIRT). Percutaneous thermal ablation methods, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA), are considered potentially curative local treatment options. They are less invasive, less expensive and have fewer contraindications and complication rates than surgery. Because conventional ultrasound- and computed tomography-guided single-probe thermal ablation is limited by tumor size, multi-probe stereotactic radiofrequency ablation (SRFA) with intraoperative image fusion for immediate, reliable judgment has been developed in order to treat large and multiple tumors within one session. This review focuses on the different minimally invasive local and locoregional treatment options for BCLM and attempts to describe their current and future role in the multidisciplinary treatment setting.
Epigenetic Regulation of p21cip1/waf1 in Human Cancer
Authors: Ocker Matthias , Al Bitar Samar , Monteiro Ana Carolina , Gali-Muhtasib Hala , Schneider-Stock Regine
Published: September 2019

p21cip1/waf1 is a central regulator of cell cycle control and survival. While mutations are rare, it is commonly dysregulated in several human cancers due to epigenetic mechanisms influencing its transcriptional control. These mechanisms include promoter hypermethylation as well as additional pathways such as histone acetylation or methylation. The epigenetic regulators include writers, such as DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs); histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone lysine methyltransferases; erasers, such as histone deacetylases (HDACs); histone lysine demethylases [e.g., the Lysine Demethylase (KDM) family]; DNA hydroxylases; readers, such as the methyl-CpG-binding proteins (MBPs); and bromodomain-containing proteins, including the bromo- and extraterminal domain (BET) family. We further discuss the roles that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play in the epigenetic control of p21cip1/waf1 expression and its function in human cancers.
The Potential Use of Electrochemotherapy in the Treatment of Uveal Melanoma: In Vitro Results in 3D Tumor Cultures and In Vivo Results in a Chick Embryo Model
Authors: Fiorentzis Miltiadis , Viestenz Arne , Siebolts Udo , Seitz Berthold , Coupland Sarah E. , Heinzelmann Joana
Published: September 2019

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular tumor that arises from neoplastic melanocytes in the choroid, iris, and ciliary body. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) has been successfully established for the treatment of skin and soft tissue metastatic lesions, deep-seated tumors of the liver, bone metastases, and unresectable pancreas lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ECT in vitro in 3D spheroid culture systems in primary and metastatic UM cell lines. We also investigated the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) as an in vivo model system for the growth and treatment of UM tumors using ECT. The cytotoxic effect of ECT in 3D spheroids was analyzed seven days following treatment by assessment of the size and MTT [(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium reduction] assay. The cytotoxicity of ECT after intratumoral or intraarterial administration was evaluated histologically. In vitro and in vivo ECT caused a significant reduction in tumor size and viability compared to electroporation or chemotherapy in both sections of our study. The current results underline the effectiveness of ECT in the treatment of UM and prepare the way for further investigation of its potential application in UM.