bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Triglyceride-Glucose Index Predicts Coronary Artery Disease Severity and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Mao Qi , Zhou Denglu , Li Youmei , Wang Yuqing , Xu Shang-Cheng , Zhao Xiao-Hui
Published: June 2019

Non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease worldwide. Several recent studies have shown the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and vascular disease; however, the role of the TyG index in NSTE-ACS has not been extensively assessed. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association of the TyG index with cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes in NSTE-ACS. Overall, 438 patients with NSTE-ACS were enrolled to examine the association of the TyG index with the SYNTAX score and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). The TyG index was calculated as ln fasting triglyceride mg/dL×fasting glucose mg/dL/2. The severity of coronary lesions was quantified by the SYNTAX score. MACEs included cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, congestive heart failure, and nonfatal stroke. All the patients underwent a 12-month follow-up for MACEs after admission. Multivariate regression analysis identified metabolic risk factors as independent parameters correlated with the TyG index. The prevalence of glucose metabolism disorder, metabolic syndrome, and MACEs increased with increasing TyG index. The TyG index showed a strong diagnostic performance for cardiovascular risk factors and was independently associated with the SYNTAX score (OR 6.055, 95% CI 2.915–12.579, P<0.001). The risk of MACEs (12.8% and 22.8% for the low TyG index and high TyG index groups, respectively; adjusted HR=1.791, 95% CI 1.045–3.068, P=0.034) significantly increased in the high TyG index group as compared with the low TyG index group. The multivariate Cox regression analysis further revealed that the TyG index was an independent predictor of MACEs (HR 1.878, 95% CI 1.130–3.121, P=0.015). In conclusion, the TyG index might be an independent predictor of coronary artery disease severity and cardiovascular outcomes in NSTE-ACS.
Accuracy of mRNA HPV Tests for Triage of Precursor Lesions and Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Macedo Ana Cristina L. , Gonçalves João Carlos N. , Bavaresco Daniela Vicente , Grande Antonio José , Chiaramonte Silva Napoleão , Rosa Maria Inês
Published: June 2019

Objective. This systematic review evaluates the accuracy of the mRNA HPV biomarker in cervical smears to identify cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3 and cervical cancer. Data Source. Eligible studies were identified by performing a search of electronic databases on Medline via Pubmed, Lilacs, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Grey literature for papers published between January 1990 and June 2018. Study Eligibility Criteria. As no randomized studies were identified, this review focuses on observational studies in which the mRNA HPV diagnostic test was compared to a histopathology reference standard. We analyzed studies that included women screened for cervical cancer using mRNA HPV. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods. After screening, 61 studies including 29,674 patients met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Dichotomization was performed by defining CIN2 or worse (CIN2+) versus CIN1, HPV infection, and normal (CIN 1-). The analysis was discriminated by the following tests: Aptima, PreTect HPV Profeer, NucliSens EasyQ HPV, OncoTect, and Quantivirus. Results. Analyzing by technique, Aptima, with 28 studies, exhibited superior performance, showing for the outcomes CIN2+ and CIN3+ an AUC of 0.88 (0.82-0.95) and 0.91 (0.84-0.99), a pooled sensitivity of 92.8% (95%CI 91.9-93.7) and 95.6% (95%CI 94.5-96.5), and a pooled specificity of 60.5% (95%CI 59.8-61.3) and 61.9% (95%CI 61.1-62.7), respectively. Conclusion. This study supports the current hypothesis that the mRNA HPV assay is an adequate tool for secondary cervical cancer screening.
Alveolar Differentiation Potency of Human Distal Airway Stem Cells Is Associated with Pulmonary Pathological Conditions
Authors: Wang Yujia , Lu Yi , Wu Yingchuan , Sun Yufen , Zhou Yueqing , Ma Qiwang , Zheng Yawen , Yu Qianwen , Cao Yujie , Chen Guangdong , Zhang Ting , Dai Xiaotian , Ren Tao , Ma Yu , Zuo Wei
Published: June 2019

Background. This study is aimed at characterizing the human distal airway stem cells (DASCs) and assessing their therapeutic potential in patients with chronic, degenerative lung diseases. These findings will provide a comprehensive understanding for further clinical applications utilizing autologous airway stem cells as therapeutic intervention in respiratory diseases. Methods. DASCs were isolated from healthy subjects or patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), or interstitial lung disease (ILD). Differentiation capacity, a key property of the stem cells, was studied using a novel monolayer differentiation system. The differentiated cells were evaluated for alveolar and bronchial cell marker expression, and the quantified expression level of differentiated cells was further examined for their relationship with age and pulmonary function of the subjects. Results and Conclusions. Differentiation of DASCs and tracheal stem cells (TSCs) yielded an alveolus-like structure and a tube-shaped structure, respectively, with distinct marker gene expression. Additionally, single-cell-derived clones showed diverse differentiation fates, even if the clones arise from identical or different individuals. More importantly, the alveolar differentiation potency was higher in DASCs derived from patients than from healthy people. The differentiation efficiency of DASCs also correlates with age in patients with bronchiectasis and ILD.
Lump and Lump-Type Solutions of the Generalized (3+1)-Dimensional Variable-Coefficient B-Type Kadomtsev-Petviashvili Equation
Authors: Zhang Yanni , Pang Jing
Published: June 2019

Based on the Hirota bilinear form of the generalized (3+1)-dimensional variable-coefficient B-type Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation, the lump and lump-type solutions are generated through symbolic computation, whose analyticity can be easily achieved by taking special choices of the involved parameters. The property of solutions is investigated and exhibited vividly by three-dimensional plots and contour plots.
Recurrent Neural Network-Based Model Predictive Control for Multiple Unmanned Quadrotor Formation Flight
Authors: Zhang Boyang , Sun Xiuxia , Liu Shuguang , Deng Xiongfeng
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a dynamical recurrent neural network- (RNN-) based model predictive control (MPC) structure for the formation flight of multiple unmanned quadrotors. A distributed hierarchical control system with the translation subsystem and rotational subsystem is proposed to handle the formation-tracking problem for each quadrotor. The RNN-based MPC is proposed for each subsystem, where the RNN is introduced as the predictive model in MPC. And to improve the modeling accuracy, an adaptive updating law is developed to tune weights online for the RNN. Besides, the adaptive differential evolution (DE) algorithm is utilized to solve the optimization problem for MPC. Furthermore, the closed-loop stability is analyzed; meanwhile, the convergence of the DE algorithm is discussed as well. Finally, some simulation examples are provided to illustrate the validity of the proposed control structure.
A Semianalytical Approach for Free Vibration Characteristics of Functionally Graded Spherical Shell Based on First‐Order Shear Deformation Theory
Authors: Pang Fuzhen , Gao Cong , Cui Jie , Ren Yi , Li Haichao , Wang Hongcheng
Published: June 2019

This paper describes a unified solution to investigate free vibration solutions of functionally graded (FG) spherical shell with general boundary restraints. The analytical model is established based on the first‐order shear deformation theory, and the material varies uniformly along the thickness of FG spherical shell which is divided into several sections along the meridian direction. The displacement functions along circumferential and axial direction are, respectively, composed by Fourier series and Jacobi polynomial regardless of boundary restraints. The boundary restraints of FG spherical shell can be easily simulated according to penalty method of spring stiffness technique, and the vibration solutions are obtained by Rayleigh–Ritz method. To verify the reliability and accuracy of the present solutions, the convergence and numerical verification have been conducted about different boundary parameters, Jacobi parameter, etc. The results obtained by the present method closely agree with those obtained from the published literatures, experiments, and finite element method (FEM). The impacts of geometric dimensions and boundary conditions on the vibration characteristics of FG spherical shell structure are also presented.
The Modeling Framework for Through‐Metal‐Wall Ultrasonic Power Transmission Channels Based on Piezoelectric Transducers
Authors: Yang DingXin , Hou BaoJian , Tian Dong
Published: June 2019

The investigation of the wireless ultrasonic energy and signal transmission through metal barrier into hermitical metallic structures has become an interesting field of research. The most often constructed acoustic‐electric ultrasonic power transmission channels are based on piezoelectric transducers. Effective modeling methods with accuracy are essential to the performance prediction and optimal design of such channels. Up to now, there exists a variety of modeling methods including theoretical analytical method, equivalent circuit method, two‐port network method, and finite element modeling method. However there is a little chaos about how to choose an appropriate modeling method among them. There is also a lack of a systematic modeling framework presented involving principles, advantages, disadvantages, and constraint conditions of these methods. In this review, a common modeling framework for through‐metal‐wall acoustic‐electric channels based on piezoelectric transducers is presented. The principles of the major modeling methods are introduced and the adoptability and constraints of each method are discussed. For each modeling method, simulation and or experimental results are also presented to validate the accuracy of the corresponding modeling method.
A Comparative Study on “Mai” and “Blood Vessels” in Early Chinese and Western Medicine: Based on Hippocratic Corpus and Cauterization Canon of the Eleven Vessels of the Foot and Forearm
Authors: Huang Chang , Liang Jiankang , Zhang Qicheng , Lu Tao
Published: June 2019

This study compared the theory describing the “four pairs of blood vessels” in the Hippocratic Corpus with the description of vessels (Mai, 脉) in the Cauterization Canon of the Eleven Vessels of the Foot and Forearm. The two theories are comparable because of the time period in which they were written, the similarities between the descriptions of the Mai and blood vessels, and the treatment methods for symptoms corresponding to their dysfunctions. We discovered that the Mai theory and the blood vessel theory in the Hippocratic Corpus were conceived with similar motivations. They had a lot of coinciding information with regard to the route of flow, but they proposed opposite cyclic directions. Interestingly, neither of them had established that a definitive relationship exists between the vessels and the heart, but other internal organs, such as the liver, were considered to have connections with the Mai and blood vessels in the two literatures. Furthermore, there were similarities among the descriptions of symptoms, and the ancient Western treatments for these symptoms were largely the same as those recorded in the ancient Chinese medical literature, especially the treatment for backache. The comparisons put forward in this study not only reflect the consistencies between the understanding of the human body and the way diseases were treated in Chinese and Western medicine in the early days, but also demonstrate that the two types of medicine had finally embarked on different developmental paths because of the differences in the philosophies and cultural backgrounds in their respective regions.
Uncertainty Estimation of Robot Geometric Parameters and End‐Effecter Position Based on New Generation GPS
Authors: Wen Xiulan , He Shun , Qiao GuiFang , Wang Dongxia , Song Aiguo , Kang ChuanShuai , Lv Zhongyan
Published: June 2019

The robot end‐effecter positioning accuracy can be improved by the calibration of robot geometric parameters errors. According to the requirements of new generation geometrical product specification (GPS), the calibration uncertainty should be given when the calibration results are given. In this paper, the modified Denavit‐Hartenberg method (MDH) of six‐joint series robot is established and the joint movement trajectory method is applied to calibrate the robot geometric parameters. The uncertainty contributors significant are analyzed and the calibration uncertainty of robot geometric parameters is estimated based on the guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM). In order to overcome the limitations of GUM for highly nonlinear model and reduce computational cost based on Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) error estimation, an adaptive MCS (AMCS) is proposed to estimate the uncertainty distribution of robot end‐effector position. Simulation and practical example are illustrated and the experiments results confirm that not only can the proposed method evaluate the calibration uncertainty of geometric parameters, but also the uncertainty distribution of end‐effecter positions in the whole robot workspace can be estimated by AMCS in which the number of MCS trials can be selected adaptively and the quality of the numerical results can be controlled directly. The proposed method not only can evaluate the uncertainty of six‐joint series robot geometric parameters and end‐effecter position rapidly and accurately, but also can be popularized to the estimation of calibration uncertainty of other kinds of robot geometric parameters.
Running States Estimation of Autonomous Four‐Wheel Independent Drive Electric Vehicle by Virtual Longitudinal Force Sensors
Authors: Xia Qiu , Chen Long , Xu Xing , Cai Yingfeng , Jiang Haobin , Chen Te , Pan Guangxiang
Published: June 2019

Exact sideslip angle estimation is significant to the dynamics control of four‐wheel independent drive electric vehicles. It is costly and difficult‐to‐popularize to equip vehicular sensors for real‐time sideslip angle measurement; therefore, the reliable sideslip angle estimation method is investigated in this paper. The electric driving wheel model is proposed and applied to the longitudinal force estimation. Considering that electric driving wheel model is a nonlinear model with unknown input, an unknown input estimation method is proposed to facilitate the longitudinal force observer design, in which the adaptive high‐order sliding mode observer is designed to achieve the state estimation, the analytic formula of longitudinal force is obtained by decoupling electric driving wheel model, and the longitudinal force estimator is designed by recurrence estimation method. With the designed virtual longitudinal force sensor, an adaptive attenuated Kalman filtering is proposed to estimate the vehicle running state, in which the time‐varying attenuation factor is applied to weaken the past data to the current filter and the covariance of process noise and measurement noise can be adjusted adaptively. Finally, simulations and experiments are conducted and the effectiveness of proposed estimation method is validated.
Human Systems Biology and Metabolic Modelling: A Review—From Disease Metabolism to Precision Medicine
Authors: Angione Claudio
Published: June 2019

In cell and molecular biology, metabolism is the only system that can be fully simulated at genome scale. Metabolic systems biology offers powerful abstraction tools to simulate all known metabolic reactions in a cell, therefore providing a snapshot that is close to its observable phenotype. In this review, we cover the 15 years of human metabolic modelling. We show that, although the past five years have not experienced large improvements in the size of the gene and metabolite sets in human metabolic models, their accuracy is rapidly increasing. We also describe how condition-, tissue-, and patient-specific metabolic models shed light on cell-specific changes occurring in the metabolic network, therefore predicting biomarkers of disease metabolism. We finally discuss current challenges and future promising directions for this research field, including machine/deep learning and precision medicine. In the omics era, profiling patients and biological processes from a multiomic point of view is becoming more common and less expensive. Starting from multiomic data collected from patients and N-of-1 trials where individual patients constitute different case studies, methods for model-building and data integration are being used to generate patient-specific models. Coupled with state-of-the-art machine learning methods, this will allow characterizing each patient’s disease phenotype and delivering precision medicine solutions, therefore leading to preventative medicine, reduced treatment, andin silicoclinical trials.
Production of Coconut Aroma in Solid-State Cultivation: Screening and Identification ofTrichodermaStrains for 6-Pentyl-Alpha-Pyrone and Conidia Production
Authors: Hamrouni Rayhane , Molinet Josiane , Miché Lucie , Carboué Quentin , Dupuy Nathalie , Masmoudi Ahmed , Roussos Sevastianos
Published: June 2019

The polyketide, 6-pentyl-alpha-pyrone (6-PP), has a characteristic coconut aroma and is produced by manyTrichodermaspecies. In this study, we screened formerly isolatedTrichodermastrains for 6-PP production grown using solid-state fermentation (SSF). Sugarcane bagasse supplemented with a nutrient solution was used as the support material for the culture. We detected outstandingly strong 6-PP production in the case of twoTrichodermastrains in this experiment. The strains were identified based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis asTrichoderma asperellum(G7 and G18). We also investigated the production of 6-PP in the case of the bestTrichodermastrain selected (T. asperellumG7) from two types of cultivation (SSF and liquid cultivation (LC)). The same liquid medium was used to impregnate sugarcane bagasse. Results led to a 6-PP production 80 times higher (85.11 μg·g·DM−1) in SSF than that found in LC (10.00 μg·L−1) after eight days of cultivation. For this, the SSF is the best option to produce 6-PP compared to liquid cultures.
Plasmodium vivax Infection in Multiple Family Members in Texas, USA
Authors: Al Hammoud Roukaya , Murphy James R. , Chang Michael L.
Published: June 2019

We report a cluster of 6 pediatric residents of Houston, Texas, USA, who presented with Plasmodium vivax infection within an eight-week period. All had immigrated to the United States from Afghanistan within the previous year. The clustering raises the possibilities of local mosquito vectored infection and/or synchronous relapses. Molecular typing and local mosquito testing are crucial in delineating the source of similar clusters in nonendemic regions. Single-dose hypnozoite eradication treatment may be considered in emigrating children to malaria nonendemic countries.
Second-Order Sliding Mode Guidance Law considering Second-Order Dynamics of Autopilot
Authors: Zhang Kuanqiao , Yang Suochang
Published: June 2019

Aiming at the requirement that some missiles need to meet certain impact angles when attacking targets, we consider the second-order dynamic characteristics of autopilot, thereby proposing a second-order sliding mode guidance law with impact angle constraint. Firstly, based on the terminal sliding mode control, we design a fast nonsingular terminal sliding mode guidance law with impact angle constraint. Based on the second-order sliding mode control, a second-order sliding mode guidance law with impact angle constraint is proposed. We have proved its finite time convergence characteristics and presented the specific convergence time expression. Subsequently, the dynamic characteristics of the autopilot are approximated to the second-order link. Combined with the dynamic surface control theory, we proposed a second-order sliding mode guidance law considering the second-order dynamic characteristics of the autopilot and proved its finite-time convergence characteristics. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed guidance law are verified by comparative simulation experiments.
A Case Report of Thalamic Infarction after Lumbar Drain: A Unique Cause of Perioperative Stroke?
Authors: Kianpour Daniel N. , Nguyen Thomas M. , Lam Arthur M.
Published: June 2019

In the case presented, a patient has an unexplained episode of hypertension during aneurysm clipping. Following the procedure, the patient was discovered to have bilateral thalamic infarctions unrelated to the vascular location of the aneurysm. After a review of the case, it becomes apparent that intracranial hypotension caused by lumbar over drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the likely cause of both the episode of intraoperative hypertension and the thalamic infarcts. It is often presumed that having an open dura protects against intracranial hypotension and subsequent herniation. We present this case to suggest that opening the dura might not be protective in all cases and anesthesiologists must pay particular attention to the rate of CSF drainage. Lumbar CSF drainage is a technique frequently employed during neurological surgery and it is important for anesthesiologists to understand the signs, symptoms, and potential consequences of intracranial hypotension from rapid drainage.
Turning Foetal Breech Presentation at 32-35 Weeks of Gestational Age by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Authors: Brici Paolo , Franconi Giovanna , Scatassa Cristina , Fabbri Elisabetta , Assirelli Paolo
Published: June 2019

Introduction. Foetal breech presentation is an obstetric problem that often leads to caesarean section. Stimulation of the acupoint BL67 by moxibustion may correct breech presentation. Methods. We observed 93 pregnant women in the 32nd-35th week of gestation with normal pregnancy and ultrasound diagnosis of breech presentation. The patients received stimulation of acupoint BL67 by self-administered moxibustion once a day for two weeks and if foetuses still were in breech presentation, moxibustion, and needle in the points BL65 and SI1, lasting 30 minutes, for three days in one week. The main outcome was vaginal birth with vertex presentation at delivery; the secondary outcome was compliance in the self-administration of the moxibustion treatment. Results. We observed cephalic version and natural childbirth in 62.4% of all treated women. The treatment was accepted by 98.9% women (93/94), and compliance was 91.4% (85/93) for self-administered moxibustion and 37.5% (12/32) for moxibustion and needle treatment. Conclusions. On the basis of our results, self-administered home treatment moxibustion followed by moxibustion and needle stimulations may be an effective and low-cost treatment for inducing cephalic version.
Ethyl Acetate Extract of Asclepias curassavica Induced Apoptosis in Human Cancer Cells via Activating p38 and JNK MAPK Signaling Pathways
Authors: Zheng Xi , Xu Ying , Liu Bei , Qi Yan , Zhang Ying , Li Xiaosi , Zhang Xia , Pu Xiaojia , Li Siwen , Chen Zhe , Wan Chunping
Published: June 2019

Background. Asclepias curassavica L. (Asclepiadaceae), as a traditional medicinal plant, is used as treatment for tumors in traditional Chinese and Indian medical practice. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unresolved. The current study investigated its antitumor activity and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Method. Cell viability was detected by a real-time cell analysis system and MTT assay. Antitumor effect of ethyl acetate extract of Asclepias curassavica (EAAC) on NIC-H1975 tumors in vivo was assessed in BALB/c-nu/nu mouse. Apoptosis was measured using Hoechst33342 staining and Annexin V/PI-staining. Apoptosis-related proteins and MAPK signaling pathways were analyzed based on Western blot assay. Results. EAAC exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity in vitro than other polar parts. Meanwhile, EAAC could inhibit sensitive cell line NIC-H1975 proliferation in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, EAAC had a significant inhibitory effect on NIC-H1975 tumor growth in BALB/c-nu/nu mouse. NIC-H1975 cells showed obvious apoptosis characteristics after EAAC treatment. Fas, caspase family members caspase 3, caspase 9, and caspase 8 showed dose-dependent induction by EAAC treatment, with increasing PARP cleavage. Additionally, EAAC significantly downregulated antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2, XIAP, survivin, and Mcl-1 and upregulated proapoptosis proteins Bak, Bax, as well as activation of p38 and JNK MAPK signaling pathways. Moreover, inhibiting p38 and JNK MAPK by pharmacological inhibitors abrogated EAAC-induced apoptosis. Conclusion. Our data indicated that EAAC exerted potent antitumor effect both in vitro and in vivo by triggering the apoptotic pathway.
Epileptic Patient with Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia and Epilepsy (MOGHE): A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Verentzioti A. , Blumcke I. , Alexoudi A. , Patrikelis P. , Siatouni A. , Korfias S. , Sakas D. , Gatzonis S.
Published: June 2019

Introduction. There is an emerging interest in the literature about MOGHE (Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia and Epilepsy). We report the case of an epileptic patient with MOGHE. Case Report. A 33-year-old male patient was suffering from refractory focal epilepsy since adolescence. MRI demonstrated increased T2/FLAIR signal intensity of right frontal lobe. Presurgical evaluation led to definition of epileptogenic network in a specific area of right frontal lobe. The resected specimen revealed MOGHE. Discussion. MOGHE appears to be a brain entity which shares some unique histopathological features. Review of the literature is in accordance with our patient’s findings. The major neuropathological finding consists of areas with blurred gray-white matter boundaries due to heterotopic neurons in white matter and increased numbers of subcortical oligodendroglial cells with increased proliferation. MR abnormalities are present in T2/FLAIR sequences. It concerns patients with refractory frontal lobe epilepsy and appears to associate with unfavourable postsurgical outcome in seizure control. Conclusion. More cases are needed in order to establish more data about this distinct entity in frontal lobe epilepsy. This could be valuable knowledge to patients and doctors concerning expectations or management of undesirable outcome in frontal lobe epilepsy surgery.
Ultrasound Assessment of Muscle Injury Associated with Closed Limb Fracture
Authors: Liu Wenfen , Wang Dong , Ouyang Hui , Chen Ningning , Chang Boyang , Zhu Qingtang , Li Jiachun
Published: June 2019

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess muscle injury associated with upper and lower closed limb fracture using ultrasound, and to develop ultrasound classification criteria for muscle injury. Patients and Methods. Thirty patients with limb fracture and muscle injury participated in this study. Ultrasonography was used to assess muscle fibre, hematoma, vascular injury, and diameter growth rate. Injury was classified into three grades according to the ultrasound imaging: scores of less than, equal to, or greater than 9. Results. Of 30 patients, focal fibre rupture was observed in 11 cases; in 9 cases, the injured area exceeded 30% of the muscle area. Six patients had muscle hematoma (the largest reaching 39 mm); in 4 patients, the hematoma showed a honeycombed pattern. Vascular rupture was observed in 6 patients, of which 2 had decreased main arterial diameter and blood flow. The greatest increase in muscle thickness was 17 mm. Of all patients, 11 showed an increase in the diameter growth rate of the muscle exceeding 50%. In addition, among the 30 patients, 11 patients with scores ranging from 4 to 8 received conservative treatment; 9 patients with scores ranging from 10 to 14 received operative treatment; and 10 patients with scores equal to 9 received either conservative or operative treatment. Conclusions. Ultrasonography is useful for diagnosing muscle injury associated with closed limb fracture. The ultrasound classification criteria for muscle injury can be used to assess the severity of injury and guide the decision of treatment.
Comparative Study on Steady and Unsteady Flow in a Centrifugal Compressor Stage
Authors: Kim Changhee , Son Changmin
Published: June 2019

Steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation with the mixing-plane approach is the most common procedure to obtain the performance of a centrifugal compressor in an industrial development process. However, the accurate prediction of complicated flow fields in centrifugal compressors is the most significant challenge. Some phenomena such as the impeller-diffuser flow interaction generates the unsteadiness which can affect the steady assumption. The goal of this study is to investigate the differences between the RANS and URANS simulation results in a centrifugal compressor stage. Simulations are performed at three operating points: near surge (NS), design point (DP), and near choke (NC). The results show that the RANS simulation can predict the overall performance with reasonable accuracy. However, the differences between the RANS and URANS simulation are quite significant especially in the region that the flows are highly unsteady or nearly separated. The RANS simulation is still not very accurate to predict the time-dependent quantities of the flow structure. It shows that the URANS calculations are necessary to predict the detailed flow structures and performance. The phenomena and mechanisms of the complex and highly unsteady flow in the centrifugal compressor with a vaned diffuser are presented and analyzed in detail.
Wave Dispersion and Propagation in Linear Peridynamic Media
Authors: Zhang Xiaolong , Xu Zhenying , Yang Qing
Published: June 2019

We detail the linear peridynamic wave equation with a nonlocal integral form based on the linear peridynamic and dynamic theory. Wave dispersion in an infinite maraging steel material is obtained by analyzing the linear peridynamic wave equation. The dispersion curves, group velocity, phase velocity, and other wave parameters of the shear and longitudinal waves in an infinite media are obtained using numerical methods. We obtained the optimal calculation parameters by analyzing the weight function, horizon, mesh size, and other numerical calculation parameters on the dispersion curve. We simulated the propagation of waves in an infinite media by applying these parameters into the peridynamic wave equation. We conclude that the wave model can generate waves that propagate in all directions with initial loads. The wavefront is an ellipsoid.
A Thought-Operated Digital Random-Access Memory
Authors: Ben-Ami Lee , Bachelet Ido
Published: June 2019

The capacity and reliability of biological memory could be exceeded by a constantly growing flux of information to remember and operate by. Yet, our memory is fragile and could be easily impaired, and the prevalence of memory disorders is increasing in correlation with the population’s mean age. As expected, auxiliary memory devices (such as writing pads and computers) are abundant but are operated indirectly using significant effort compared with biological memory. We report a working prototype of a simplified, 4 KB random-access memory (RAM) that can be written to or read from using thought and could be embedded more seamlessly than other artificial memory aids. The system analyses EEG signals to extract attention levels, which trained subjects can use to write messages into an RFID sticker, or read from it on a display. We describe basic modes of using memory by a single subject, emulate common forms of social communication using this system, and highlight new forms of social usage and allocation of memories that are linked to specific persons. This preliminary prototype highlights the technical feasibility and the possibilities of implantable thought-operated memory devices and could be developed further to provide seamless aid to people suffering from memory disorders in the near future.
Statistical Investigation of Bearing Capacity of Pile Foundation Based on Bayesian Reliability Theory
Authors: Luo Zuolong , Dong Fenghui
Published: June 2019

In order to improve the estimation accuracy of bearing capacity of pile foundation, a new forecast method of bearing capacity of pile foundation was proposed on Jeffrey’s noninformative prior using the MCMC (Markov chain Monte Carlo) method of the Bayesian theory. The proposed approach was used to estimate the parameters of Normal distribution. Numerical simulation was used to produce pseudosamples. The parameter estimation of the maximum likelihood method and the Bayesian statistical theory was used to estimate the parameter estimation of the Normal distribution, which has been compared with the theoretical value of the pseudosample of Normal distribution. The result indicates that the forecast model of Normal distribution using the Bayesian method is better than that of the maximum likelihood method, and the performance of the proposed method was improved with increasing of pseudosample number. At last, the proposed method was applied to estimate the parameter of Normal bearing capacity distribution of pile foundation, which shows that the proposed method has a high precision and good applicability.
Quality of Life and Bowel Dysfunction after Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery for Rectal Cancer: One Third of Patients Experience Major Low Anterior Resection Syndrome
Authors: van Heinsbergen Maarten , Leijtens Jeroen W. , Slooter Gerrit D. , Janssen-Heijnen Maryska L. , Konsten Joop L.
Published: June 2019

Background/Aims: The low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) severely affects quality of life (QoL) after rectal cancer surgery. Studies investigating LARS and the effect on QoL after transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) for rectal cancer are scarce. The aim of our study was to assess bowel dysfunction and QoL after TEM. Methods: Seventy-three ­patients who underwent TEM for stage I rectal cancer were included in this single-centre, cross-sectional study Bowel dysfunction was assessed by the LARS-Score, QoL by the ­European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and -CR29 questionnaires. Results: Fifty-five respondents (75.3%) could be included for the analyses. The median interval since treatment was 4.3 years, and the median age at the follow-up point was 72 years. “Major LARS” was observed in 29% of patients and “minor LARS” in 26%. Female gender (OR 4.00; 95% CI 1.20–13.36), neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (OR 3.63; 95% CI 1.08–12.17) and specimen thickness in millimetres (OR 1.10 for each mm increase in thickness; 95% CI 1.01–1.20) were associated with the development of major LARS. Patients with major LARS fared worse in most QoL domains. Conclusion: This is the first study demonstrating major LARS after TEM treatment for rectal cancer, with a negative effect on QoL, even years after treatment. Our data provides an adequate counselling before TEM in terms of postoperative bowel dysfunction and its effect on QoL.
Description of interference in the measurement of troponin T by a high-sensitivity method
Authors: Aliste-Fernández Miguel , Sole-Enrech Gemma , Cano-Corres Ruth , Teodoro-Marin Silvia , Berlanga-Escalera Eugenio
Published: June 2019

Introduction: Measurement of high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) has become an essential step in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. This high-sensitivity method allows quantifying the concentration of troponin T in blood of healthy subjects with a lower inaccuracy compared to previous reagent generations. However, the presence of certain compounds in the sample may interfere with the result. We present a patient who had repeatedly high concentrations of hs-TnT in the serum sample that did not agreed with the signs and symptoms. In addition, ultrasensitive troponin I concentration was undetectable. Materials and methods: To investigate the presence of an interfering compound, different analysis were carried out. In order to discard macro complexes in the sample, the serum was precipitated with polyethylene glycol. In addition, the serum was incubated with Scantibodies Heterophilic Blocking Tube, which can block heterophilic antibodies. Finally, a size exclusion chromatography of the sample was performed by the manufacturer. What happened: The interfering substance was allocated into fractions with proteins of 150kDa, corresponding to high molecular weight proteins like immunoglobulin G (IgG). This compound was responsible for the falsely elevated hs-TnT results and it affected only the high-sensitivity methods. Main lesson: The detected interfering compound was probably an IgG. This type of interference must be kept in mind in front of discordant results, even if they are extremely rare. Therefore, interdisciplinary cooperation between clinicians, laboratory and manufacturer is essential.
An abrupt rise of coagulation error messages on ACL TOP automated analysers
Authors: Calcoen Bas , Desmet Koen , Vermeersch Pieter
Published: June 2019

Introduction: Blood coagulation tests (BCT) are very important for clinicians to diagnose bleeding or thrombotic disorders and to monitor anticoagulant
therapy.
Case description: On a Saturday morning, a laboratory technician noted an abrupt rise in the number of coagulation error messages on our ALC
TOP analysers. Visual inspection revealed the presence of partially and/or fully clotted citrate tubes and prompted the clinical biologist to further
investigate a potential preanalytical cause.
Considered causes: Partially or fully clotted blood in citrate tubes can have multiple causes including improper mixing of the tube, under- or overfilling
or combining blood samples from different tubes into one citrate tube.
What happened: The affected citrate tubes originated mostly from the same clinical departments. Moreover, all the affected tubes shared the
same lot number (1 of 7 in use at the time). Visual inspection of 7 unopened boxes of 100 citrate tubes of this lot number revealed one box with nine
completely empty and two partially filled tubes and one box with two partially filled tubes. No under-filled tubes were found in the other 5 boxes.
Discussion: The blood to additive ratio is crucial for BCT. A sudden rise in clot errors should trigger a thorough investigation to identify the cause.
Main lesson: Laboratories should regularly monitor and evaluate the percentage of clotted samples as a quality indicator at scheduled time points.
A problem with the volume of additive in citrate tubes should be considered as a possible cause.
Early Life Exposure to Air Pollution, Cognitive Development, and Labor Market Outcome
Authors: Shrestha Rashesh
Published: June 2019

In this paper, I study the impact of early life exposure to air pollution caused by the 1997 Indonesian forest fires on cognitive ability, an important determinant of success in the labor market. To isolate the effect of pollution exposure, I use a difference-in-differences approach where exposure to pollution is determined by timing and region of birth. The results suggest that pollution lowered cognitive test score at age 8–9 years by 6 percent. I also estimate how this might translate into lost earnings on a different but comparable sample. The estimates suggest that natural disasters can reduce earnings by 5 to 8 percent by hampering cognitive ability. Lost earnings due to interrupted cognitive development could be an additional cost of exposure to air pollution.
A Head Movement Approach to Talmy’s Typology
Authors: Folli Raffaella , Harley Heidi
Published: June 2019

We propose that the well-known verb-framed/satellite-framed variation observed by Talmy ( 1975 , 1985 , 2000 ) is a true syntactic parameter of a well-understood type: a head movement parameter. We claim that it depends on an uninterpretable feature bundled with the particular v head used in change-of-state constructions that forces the head of the Res(ult)P complement of v to undergo head movement to v in Italian. The technical apparatus employed is a feature-driven head movement parameter, of the same kind that accounts for the familiar V-to-T or T-to-C movement variation crosslinguistically. We argue that in Talmy’s class of verb-framed languages, head movement of the embedded Res head to change-of-state v is mandatory, just as head movement of v to finite T is mandatory in V-to-T movement languages. Unlike previous proposals, this approach does not ascribe a deficiency to verb-framed languages, either in their semantic composition inventory or in their inventory of structural operations, both deficiencies being prima facie implausible from a biolinguistic/Minimalist perspective.
A new species of Naushonia Kingsley, 1897 (Decapoda: Thalassinidea: Laomediidae) from Vietnam and the Philippines with notes on the genus Espeleonaushonia Juarrero & Martinez-Iglesias, 1997
Authors: DWORSCHAK PETER C. , MARIN IVAN , ANKER ARTHUR
Published: June 2019

Naushonia carinata n.sp. is described from five specimens collected from burrows of the largesized callianassid shrimp, Glypturus armatus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1870), in Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam, and Panglao I., Philippines. The new species differs from all other congeners by the presence of one median and two submedian carinae on first to fifth abdominal somites and broad propodi of the chelipeds. The genus Espeleonaushonia Juarrero & Martínez-Iglesias, 1997 is redefined and the cave inhabiting laomediid, Naushonia manningi Alvarez, Villalobos & Iliffe, 2000, from the Bahamas, is transferred to this genus.
An annotated checklist of the Syncarida (Crustacea, Malacostraca) of the world
Authors: CAMACHO ANA I.
Published: June 2019

An annotated list of the 256 species and subspecies of Syncarida known to occur in the world is presented, including synonymies, information on habitat type (caves, springs, wells, etc.), type locality, other localities where the taxa have been found, and an abbreviated reference to the original description and other important taxonomic references when available. Critical remarks about the validity of some taxa are included. A summary of genera and species known per continent and a map of the world distribution of genera is presented. The work includes a comprehensive list of syncarid literature.
First caddisfly species from Mexican amber (Insecta: Trichoptera)
Authors: WICHARD WILFRIED , KRAEMER MÓNICA M.S. , LUER CLAUS
Published: June 2019

The first 4 new species of caddisflies (Trichoptera) are described from Mexican amber: Culoptila aguilerai n. sp. (Glossosomatidae), Plectropsyche alvarezi n. sp. (Hydropsychidae), Antillopsyche mexicana n. sp. (Dipseudopsidae), and Xiphocentron chiapasi n. sp. (Xiphocentronidae). Culoptila, Plectropsyche, and Xiphocentron are typical members of the Neotropical fauna and the fauna of Mexico; they now are also represented in Miocene Mexican amber. The genus Antillopsyche, previously known from the Greater Antilles and from Dominican amber, is now reported from Mexican amber.
Polymastiidae and Suberitidae (Porifera: Demospongiae: Hadromerida) of thedeep Weddell Sea, Antarctic
Authors: PLOTKIN ALEXANDER S. , JANUSSEN DORTE
Published: June 2019

The Antarctic deep-water fauna of Polymastiidae and Suberitidae is revised using recently collected material from the Weddell Sea. The former family appeared to be more abundant and diverse than the latter family in the studied area. Seven species within five polymastiid genera and three species within three suberitid genera are described. Relatively high sponge abundance at two stations deeper than 4700 m was mainly constituted by a polymastiid species Radiella Antarctica sp. nov. Previously, representatives of Radiella have never been found in the Antarctic. An eurybathic species, Polymastia invaginata, well known from the Antarctic and subantarctic, appeared to be especially abundant at less than 1000 m depth. Another eurybathic polymastiid species, Tentorium cf. semisuberites, known for its bipolar distribution, was the third abundant species at the depths between 1000–2600 m, with the highest density found at the deeper stations. Tentorium papillatum, endemic of the Southern Hemisphere, was registered only at a depth of about 1000 m. Other species studied were less abundant. Astrotylus astrotylus, the representative of the endemic Antarctic genus, was found exclusively deeper than 4500 m, often together with R. antarctica. Acanthopolymastia acanthoxa, the endemic deepwater Antarctic species, was registered at 3000 m. The discovery of suberitid Aaptos robustus sp. nov. at about 2300 m is the first signalization of Aaptos in the Antarctic and at such a considerable depth. The finding of Suberites topsenti deeper than 4700 m is also remarkable. In general the results achieved confirm the high degree of geographical endemism of the Antarctic deep-water sponge fauna and the eurybathic distribution of many Antarctic sponge species.
Five new species of Myrsidea Waterston (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) from saltators and grosbeaks (Passeriformes: Cardinalidae)
Authors: PRICE ROGER D. , JOHNSON KEVIN P. , DALGLEISH ROBERT C.
Published: June 2019

Five new species of Myrsidea parasitic on members of the avian family Cardinalidae are described. They and their type hosts are M. lightae ex the Buff-throated Saltator, Saltator maximus (Statius Müller, 1776), M. markhafneri ex the Slatecolored Grosbeak, S. grossus (Linnaeus, 1766), M. pittendrighi ex the Streaked Saltator, S. striatipectus Lafresnaye, 1847, and M. johnklickai and M.sychrai ex the Blue-black Grosbeak, Cyanocompsa cyanoides (Lafresnaye, 1847). Results from sequences of a portion of the mitochondrial COI gene for several specimens of two of these species and other species of Myrsidea are presented.
Combined approach using morphology and ITS-sequences for description of three new species of Macrocheles (Acari: Macrochelidae)
Authors: NIOGRET JEROME , NICOT ANTOINE
Published: June 2019

Three new phoretic mites from France and Gabon are described. Macrocheles lumareti sp. nov. (from France) was collected on Copris lunaris (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae). Both M. bertrandi sp. nov. and M. ovoidalis sp. nov. (from Gabon) were collected on Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera). On the basis of morphological characteristics, M. lumareti and M. bertrandi were identified as belonging to the M. glaber and M. muscadomesticae groups respectively. Genetic analyses using an ITS marker confirmed that M. lumareti belongs to the M. glaber-group s. str., more closely related to M. glaber than all other species. The analysis did not support M. bertrandi as a member of the M. muscaedomesticae group. The third species, M. ovoidalis, using both morphological and genetical markers, appeared clearly isolated from all other known Macrocheles species.
Untying the Gordian Knot: on Tanais novaezealandiae Thomson (Crustacea, Tanaidacea, Tanaidae) from New Zealand, with descriptions of two new Zeuxoides species
Authors: BIRD GRAHAM J
Published: June 2019

Tanais novaezealandiae Thomson, 1879 is redescribed based on material from the type locality and re-assigned to the genus Zeuxo. The taxon Anatanais novaezealandiae sensu Sieg from the subantarctic Auckland Islands is a distinct species and requires new material to fully assess its taxonomy. Two new species which could be confused with Z. novaezealandiae, Zeuxoides aka sp.nov. and Zeuxoides rimuwhero n.sp., are described. Both show a close resemblance to some newly-described Australian species and Zeuxoides helleri and support the view that the Australasian/New Zealand region is a hot-spot for species richness within the Tribe Anatanaini. The confused taxonomy of the Subfamily Tanainae is remarked on, with a new phylogenetic review desirable.