bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coastal dune environments of southeastern Lake Michigan: Geomorphic histories and contemporary processes
Authors: DeVries-Zimmerman* Suzanne J. , Hansen Edward C. , Fisher Timothy G. , Bodenbender Brian E. , Yurk Brian P. , van Dijk Deanna
Published: July 2019

This field guide discusses the dune types and processes, ecology, and geomorphic history of the largest freshwater dune systems on the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan. From north to south, stops include P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, Gilligan Lake/Green Mountain Beach Dune, Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area, and Grand Mere and Warren Dunes State Parks, Michigan. All of the sites are low, perched transgressive dune complexes. Moving from the lake inland, the typical dune complex in this area consists of incipient foredunes, an established foredune ridge, a parabolic dune complex, and a back-dune ridge complex. All stages of ecological succession are typically present in the larger dune complexes. Surface changes in Lake Michigan dunes are driven by spatial gradients in sand flux, which, in turn, are determined by a complex interaction among wind dynamics, vegetation patterns, and preexisting topography. Surface change patterns are modified by seasonal effects, with the majority of sand transport being associated with strong storms in the autumn, winter, and early spring. Sand can be temporarily stored in niveolian deposits during the winter, leading to oversteepened slopes, which collapse during the spring thaw. Current dune complexes largely formed during and after the rise in lake levels to the Nipissing high lake level, ca. 4.5 ka. Broad fields of relatively low dunes developed during the lake-level drop following the Nipissing high. Beginning with the rise to the Algoma high lake level, ca. 3.2 ka, the lakeward edges of these fields were episodically reworked, forming large parabolic dune complexes. A period of widespread dune stability formed the Holland Paleosol, a spodic inceptisol. Dune growth and migration resumed prior to European settlement of the area and continues today. Foredune complexes grow wider and higher during periods of low lake levels, but narrow during periods of high lake level due to scarping at their lakeward edges.
The Quaternary geology of the southern Chicago metropolitan area: The Chicago outlet, morainic systems, glacial chronology, and Kankakee Torrent
Authors: Curry B. Brandon , Caron Olivier J. , Thomason Jason F.
Published: July 2019

The Eagle Lake basin was formed by collapse of the ablating Lake Michigan lobe over a tunnel valley and subsequent reoccupation of the collapse basin by the lobe during local final phase of glaciation. Latest collapse occurred prior to about 16,250 but after 18,600 cal yr B.P. A hydrologically open lake occupied Eagle Lake basin from 16,250 cal yr B.P. to the present. The lake was described in 1834 by the original land survey, but was drained for agriculture by 1939.
Monuments, museums, and skyscrapers: The building and decorative stones of downtown Indianapolis
Authors: Hannibal Joseph T. , Holstein Ann L.
Published: July 2019

This walking trip examines local and imported stones used for a wide variety of monuments, museums, skyscrapers, and other structures in downtown Indianapolis. These include Christ Church Cathedral, the Indiana War Memorial, the Indiana Statehouse, the Indiana State Museum, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian Art, and an assortment of skyscrapers and other buildings of interest because of the local and imported stones used in their construction. Special attention is given to the spectacular use of stone for the Indiana War Memorial, which is patterned after the tomb of Mausoleus. The origin, composition, weathering, and in some cases replacement of stone used for these varied structures built over a span of a century-and-a-half is discussed. Attention is also given to the use of faux stone, use of stone versus glass, weathering and cleaning of stone, bowing of marble, and biocolonization of building stone.
On the backs of giants: Geology of the Kentland impact structure, Newton County (Kentland) Quarry, Indiana (USA)—Building on Ray Gutschick’s legacy
Authors: Weber* John C. , Elmore R. Douglas , Hamilton Christina , Alder Andrew , Koeberl Christian , Pope Mike
Published: July 2019

We summarize and then build on the three decades of geological mapping and analyses done by Ray Gutschick at the Newton County (Kentland) quarry. We present our own new data and ideas on the kinematics and significance of radial faults, shock metamorphism, petrography and diagenesis of impact breccia dikes, impactite geochemistry, and a preliminary new paleomagnetically determined Jurassic age for the crater. We list and describe the stops for this field excursion.
The science and industry of the Permian Hutchinson Salt
Authors: Schulmeister Marcia K. , Andeskie Anna Sofia , Benison Kathleen C.
Published: July 2019

The 120-m-thick Hutchinson Salt Member of the Permian Wellington Formation of central Kansas supports multiple industries. Composed of bedded halite, gypsum/anhydrite, and minor siliciclastic mudstone, it was deposited by shallow saline waters in a warm, dry climate. Underground salt mines access the purest horizon, producing salt that is distributed through the United States and Canada. The vast space left by mining supports a prosperous commercial storage enterprise and a popular underground tourist attraction. Vertical solution-mined caverns host the nation’s primary midcontinent liquid petroleum gas storage industry. This field trip will explore the origin and use of the Hutchinson Salt in core samples and subsurface outcrops while meeting in an underground salt cavern, and above ground at a solution-mined storage cavern.
Windows into the Cretaceous mantle of the North American midcontinent—Kimberlites of Riley County, Kansas
Authors: Kempton* Pamela D. , Rogers KayLeigh , Brueseke Matthew E.
Published: July 2019

This field guide covers a half-day tour of three localities representative of the Cretaceous kimberlites of Riley and Marshall Counties in northeastern Kansas: Stockdale, Bala, and Winkler Crater. The kimberlites are porphyritic with phenocrysts of olivine and smaller amounts of pyroxene, magnetite, ilmenite, pyrope garnet, and/or phlogopite. Most of the kimberlites include abundant shallow crustal xenoliths of altered shale or sedimentary carbonate; igneous and metamorphic xenoliths from the lower crust and upper mantle occur but are less common. The kimberlites can be divided into two types, micaceous and non-micaceous. Examples of both kimberlite types will be examined during the field trip—Stockdale and Winkler Crater are micaceous kimberlites, whereas Bala is non-micaceous. The existence of kimberlites in the midcontinent of North America has long been controversial. In Kansas, they erupted through Proterozoic (1.8–1.6 Ga) basement that was accreted to the southeastern margin of North America, raising the question of how the conditions for kimberlitic melt genesis can be met so far from thick Archean craton (e.g., thick lithosphere >200 km where volatile and trace element–enriched melts can form and accumulate). However, recent geophysical data indicate that the kimberlites were generated within the boundary between thick Proterozoic lithosphere to the east, where depth to the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) is at least 200 km, and regions to the west where the LAB is <190 km as thick cratonic lithosphere thins into Mesozoic extensional basins. New ground gravity data show that the kimberlite pipes are oriented in a NE–SW direction, parallel to the Precambrian Midcontinent rift, which occurs in the subsurface west of the kimberlite field. The data indicate that the kimberlites took advantage of preexisting structural weaknesses that were reactivated in the Cretaceous.
Clinical practice guideline adaptation methods in resource-constrained settings: four case studies from South Africa
Authors: McCaul Michael , Ernstzen Dawn , Temmingh Henk , Draper Beverly , Galloway Michelle , Kredo Tamara
Published: July 2019

Developing a clinical practice guideline (CPG) is expensive and time-consuming and therefore often unrealistic in settings with limited funding or resources. Although CPGs form the cornerstone of providing synthesised, systematic, evidence-based guidance to patients, healthcare practitioners and managers, there is no added benefit in developing new CPGs when there are accessible, good-quality, up-to-date CPGs available that can be adapted to fit local needs. Different approaches to CPG development have been proposed, including adopting, adapting or contextualising existing high-quality CPGs to make recommendations relevant to local contexts. These approaches are attractive where technical and financial resources are limited and high-quality guidance already exists. However, few examples exist to showcase such alternative approaches to CPG development. The South African Guidelines Excellence project held a workshop in 2017 to provide an opportunity for dialogue regarding different approaches to guideline development with key examples and case studies from the South African setting. Four CPGs represented the topics: mental health, health promotion, chronic musculoskeletal pain and prehospital emergency care. Each CPG used a different approach, however, using transparent, reportable methods. They included advisory groups with representation from content experts, CPG users and methodologists. They assessed CPGs and systematic reviews for adopting or adapting. Each team considered local context issues through qualitative research or stakeholder engagement. Lessons learnt include that South Africa needs fit-for-purpose guidelines and that existing appropriate, high-quality guidelines must be taken into account. Approaches for adapting guidelines are not clear globally and there are lessons to be learnt from existing descriptions of approaches from South Africa.
Thiamine dose response in human milk with supplementation among lactating women in Cambodia: study protocol for a double-blind, four-parallel arm randomised controlled trial
Authors: Whitfield Kyly C , Kroeun Hou , Green Tim , Wieringa Frank T , Borath Mam , Sophonneary Prak , Measelle Jeffrey R , Baldwin Dare , Yelland Lisa N , Leemaqz Shalem , Chan Kathleen , Gallant Jelisa
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency remains a concern in Cambodia where women with low thiamine intake produce thiamine-poor milk, putting their breastfed infants at risk of impaired cognitive development and potentially fatal infantile beriberi. Thiamine fortification of salt is a potentially low-cost, passive means of combating thiamine deficiency; however, both the dose of thiamine required to optimise milk thiamine concentrations as well as usual salt intake of lactating women are unknown.

Methods and analysis

In this community-based randomised controlled trial, 320 lactating women from Kampong Thom, Cambodia will be randomised to one of four groups to consume one capsule daily containing 0, 1.2, 2.4 or 10 mg thiamine as thiamine hydrochloride, between 2 and 24 weeks postnatal. The primary objective is to estimate the dose where additional maternal intake of thiamine no longer meaningfully increases infant thiamine diphosphate concentrations 24 weeks postnatally. At 2, 12 and 24 weeks, we will collect sociodemographic, nutrition and health information, a battery of cognitive assessments, maternal (2 and 24 weeks) and infant (24 weeks only) venous blood samples (biomarkers: ThDP and transketolase activity) and human milk samples (also at 4 weeks; biomarker: milk thiamine concentrations). All participants and their families will consume study-provided saltad libitumthroughout the trial, and we will measure salt disappearance each fortnight. Repeat weighed salt intakes and urinary sodium concentrations will be measured among a subset of 100 participants. Parameters of Emaxdose–response curves will be estimated using non-linear least squares models with both ‘intention to treat’ and a secondary ‘per-protocol’ (capsule compliance ≥80%) analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained in Cambodia (National Ethics Committee for Health Research 112/250NECHR), Canada (Mount Saint Vincent University Research Ethics Board 2017–141) and the USA (University of Oregon Institutional Review Board 07052018.008). Results will be shared with participants’ communities, as well as relevant government and scientific stakeholders via presentations, academic manuscripts and consultations.

Trial registration number

NCT03616288.
Joint UK societies’ 2019 consensus statement on renal denervation
Authors: Lobo Melvin D , Sharp Andrew S P , Kapil Vikas , Davies Justin , de Belder Mark A , Cleveland Trevor , Bent Clare , Chapman Neil , Dasgupta Indranil , Levy Terry , Mathur Anthony , Matson Matthew , Saxena Manish , Cappuccio Francesco P
Published: July 2019

Improved and durable control of hypertension is a global priority for healthcare providers and policymakers. There are several lifestyle measures that are proven to result in improved blood pressure (BP) control. Moreover, there is incontrovertible evidence from large scale randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that antihypertensive drugs lower BP safely and effectively in the long-term resulting in substantial reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Importantly, however, evidence is accumulating to suggest that patients neither sustain long-term healthy behaviours nor adhere to lifelong drug treatment regimens and thus alternative measures to control hypertension warrant further investigation. Endovascular renal denervation (RDN) appears to hold some promise as a non-pharmacological approach to lowering BP and achieves renal sympathectomy using either radiofrequency energy or ultrasound-based approaches. This treatment modality has been evaluated in clinical trials in humans since 2009 but initial studies were compromised by being non-randomised, without sham control and small in size. Subsequently, clinical trial design and rigour of execution has been greatly improved resulting in recent sham-controlled RCTs that demonstrate short-term reduction in ambulatory BP without any significant safety concerns in both medication-naïve and medication-treated hypertensive patients. Despite this, the joint UK societies still feel that further evaluation of this therapy is warranted and that RDN should not be offered to patients outside of the context of clinical trials. This document reviews the updated evidence since our last consensus statement from 2014 and provides a research agenda for future clinical studies.
Land use planning based on soil and water assessment tool model in a mountainous watershed to reduce runoff and sediment load
Authors: Hemmat Jou Mohammad Hossein , Namdar Khojasteh Davood , Besalatpour Ali Asghar
Published: July 2019

Soil erosion is a major environmental threat to the sustainability and productive capacity of soils. This study aimed to identify optimal land use types for Zayandehrood watershed in central Iran for the first time which is large and mountainous to minimize runoff production and soil loss. Two different types of land use data for two scenarios were developed using soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) in combination with Sequential Uncertainty Fitting Program (SUFI-2) at the subbasin level with uncertainty analysis to explicitly quantify hydrological components on a daily time step. In the first scenario, the current land use map of the study area was used, and the second scenario was constructed using an optimal land use map obtained from a land evaluation study. Promotion of the land uses in the second scenario resulted in a noticeable reduction in discharge and sediment productions in the watershed. The simulated mean discharge values by the scenarios 1 and 2 were approximately 14 658 and 13 290 m3 yr−1, respectively. The mean annual sediment yield simulated by the scenario 1 (approximately 122 220 t yr−1) decreased to that of the scenario 2 (94 440 t yr−1). This study provides a strong basis for reducing runoff and sediment yields in central Iran; however, its general analytical framework could be applied to other parts of the world that are facing similar challenges.
Malaysian AIDS Council: The “PutItOn” Campaign
Authors: Lau Li Lin , Quoquab Farzana , Hamid Abu Bakar Abdul
Published: July 2019

This case illustrates the issues pertaining to the “PutItOn” campaign promotion launched by the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC). This case primarily discusses the social marketing challenges encountered by MAC with the task to promote intervention programs on condom use and women’s safe sex practices to influence social change. However, promoting condom use is regarded as taboo and is not allowed to be mentioned in Malaysian mainstream mass media because of restrictions by the Communications and Multimedia Act. The government also cannot openly advocate condom use because of sociocultural sensitivity. In addition, some people might misinterpret promoting condom use as encouraging promiscuity. On the other hand, official statistics show that new HIV cases have shifted the trend from men to women in recent years, and the major factor for women infected by HIV was through sexual transmission.

Dr. Suzi, communication manager of MAC, is in charge of the “PutItOn” campaign. She faced difficulty in increasing awareness among women about the campaign with the consideration of social and cultural issues. The campaign was launched in December 2014, but not many people seemed aware of this campaign after four months of its launch. The chairman of MAF, Dr. Roselina, advised her to come up with an effective promotional strategy for the “PutItOn” campaign by April. Dr. Suzi had only one month to devise a plan to solve the problem; otherwise, MAC has to close the campaign. Dr. Suzi was worried about the sociocultural pressure to promote the “PutItOn” campaign.
Kerry Logistics — Paving the New Silk Road
Authors: Chen Ivy S. N. , Luk Sherriff T. K. , Tao Jinghui
Published: July 2019

China’s logistics spending was roughly 14.5% of its GDP, higher than other developing countries like India and South Africa. With economic growth slowing, there was a need for more efficient logistics systems to move production resources at lower costs so that Chinese firms could remain competitive. Kerry Logistics, a third party logistics service provider, had grown rapidly in China and by now had established business centres in 32 provinces. Although it had many foreign clients who wanted to move goods in and out of China, it had difficulty gaining the trust of local clients who wanted a logistics firm with extensive local network. Kerry also wanted a share of the booming e-commerce delivery business but the market situation here was chaotic, unregulated and in a cut-throat price war. As its business was trade driven, there was an urgency to start extending its network along China’s “Belt and Road” initiative.
Semi-supervised learning with summary statistics
Authors: Qin Huihui , Guo Xin
Published: July 2019

Nowadays, the extensive collection and analyzing of data is stimulating widespread privacy concerns, and therefore is increasing tensions between the potential sources of data and researchers. A privacy-friendly learning framework can help to ease the tensions, and to free up more data for research. We propose a new algorithm, LESS (Learning with Empirical feature-based Summary statistics from Semi-supervised data), which uses only summary statistics instead of raw data for regression learning. The selection of empirical features serves as a trade-off between prediction precision and the protection of privacy. We show that LESS achieves the minimax optimal rate of convergence in terms of the size of the labeled sample. LESS extends naturally to the applications where data are separately held by different sources. Compared with the existing literature on distributed learning, LESS removes the restriction of minimum sample size on single data sources.
Health, fun, and engagement: Computing technologies that support physical activity
Authors: Woźniak Paweł W. , Knierim Pascal , Hoppe Matthias
Published: July 2019

More and more interactive systems accompany us when we engage in physical activity. But can technologies actually make sports more fun? Or perhaps we will become better at sports through technology?
Uremic metabolites impair skeletal muscle mitochondrial energetics through disruption of the electron transport system and matrix dehydrogenase activity
Authors: Thome Trace , Salyers Zachary R. , Kumar Ravi A. , Hahn Dongwoo , Berru Fabian N. , Ferreira Leonardo F. , Scali Salvatore T. , Ryan Terence E.
Published: July 2019

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to increased skeletal muscle fatigue, weakness, and atrophy. Previous work has implicated mitochondria within the skeletal muscle as a mediator of muscle dysfunction in CKD; however, the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in CKD are not entirely known. The purpose of this study was to define the impact of uremic metabolites on mitochondrial energetics. Skeletal muscle mitochondria were isolated from C57BL/6N mice and exposed to vehicle (DMSO) or varying concentrations of uremic metabolites: indoxyl sulfate, indole-3-acetic-acid, l-kynurenine, and kynurenic acid. A comprehensive mitochondrial phenotyping platform that included assessments of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) conductance and respiratory capacity, hydrogen peroxide production ( JH2O2), matrix dehydrogenase activity, electron transport system enzyme activity, and ATP synthase activity was employed. Uremic metabolite exposure resulted in a ~25–40% decrease in OXPHOS conductance across multiple substrate conditions ( P < 0.05, n = 5–6/condition), as well as decreased ADP-stimulated and uncoupled respiratory capacity. ATP synthase activity was not impacted by uremic metabolites; however, a screen of matrix dehydrogenases indicated that malate and glutamate dehydrogenases were impaired by some, but not all, uremic metabolites. Assessments of electron transport system enzymes indicated that uremic metabolites significantly impair complex III and IV. Uremic metabolites resulted in increased JH2O2 under glutamate/malate, pyruvate/malate, and succinate conditions across multiple levels of energy demand (all P < 0.05, n = 4/group). Disruption of mitochondrial OXPHOS was confirmed by decreased respiratory capacity and elevated superoxide production in cultured myotubes. These findings provide direct evidence that uremic metabolites negatively impact skeletal muscle mitochondrial energetics, resulting in decreased energy transfer, impaired complex III and IV enzyme activity, and elevated oxidant production.
p38-Regulated/activated protein kinase plays a pivotal role in protecting heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury and preserving cardiac performance
Authors: Zhao Yu Tina , Du Jianfeng , Yano Naohiro , Wang Hao , Wang Jianguo , Dubielecka Patrycja M. , Zhang Ling X. , Qin Gangjian , Zhuang Shougang , Liu Paul Y. , Chin Y. Eugene , Zhao Ting C.
Published: July 2019

p38-Regulated/activated protein kinase (PRAK) plays a critical role in modulating cellular survival and biological function. However, the function of PRAK in the regulation of myocardial ischemic injury remains unknown. This study is aimed at determining the function of PRAK in modulating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and myocardial remodeling following myocardial infarction. Hearts were isolated from adult male homozygous PRAK−/− and wild-type mice and subjected to global ischemia-reperfusion injury in Langendorff isolated heart perfusion. PRAK−/− mice mitigated postischemic ventricular functional recovery and decreased coronary effluent. Moreover, the infarct size in the perfused heart was significantly increased by deletion of PRAK. Western blot showed that deletion of PRAK decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Furthermore, the effect of deletion of PRAK on myocardial function and remodeling was also examined on infarcted mice in which the left anterior descending artery was ligated. Echocardiography indicated that PRAK−/− mice had accelerated left ventricular systolic dysfunction, which was associated with increased hypertrophy in the infarcted area. Deletion of PRAK augmented interstitial fibrosis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive myocytes. Furthermore, immunostaining analysis shows that CD31-postive vascular density and α-smooth muscle actin capillary staining decreased significantly in PRAK−/− mice. These results indicate that deletion of PRAK enhances susceptibility to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, attenuates cardiac performance and angiogenesis, and increases interstitial fibrosis and apoptosis in the infarcted hearts.
Short-term resistance training with instability reduces impairment in V wave and H reflex in individuals with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Silva-Batista Carla , Lira Jumes Leopoldino de Oliveira , David Fabian J. , Corcos Daniel M. , Mattos Eugenia Casella Tavares , Boari Coelho Daniel , de Lima-Pardini Andrea C. , Torriani-Pasin Camila , de Freitas Tatiana Beline , Ugrinowitsch Carlos
Published: July 2019

This study had two objectives: 1) to compare the effects of 3 wk of resistance training (RT) and resistance training with instability (RTI) on evoked reflex responses at rest and during maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and 2) to determine the effectiveness of RT and RTI in moving values of evoked reflex responses of individuals with PD toward values of age-matched healthy control subjects (HCs) ( z-score analysis). Ten individuals in the RT group and 10 in the RTI group performed resistance exercises twice a week for 3 wk, but only the RTI group included unstable devices. The HC group ( n = 10) were assessed at pretest only. Evoked reflex responses at rest (H reflex and M wave) and during MVIC [supramaximal M-wave amplitude (Msup) and supramaximal V-wave amplitude (Vsup)] of the plantar flexors were assessed before and after the experimental protocol. From pretraining to posttraining, only RTI increased ratio of maximal H-reflex amplitude to maximal M-wave amplitude at rest (Hmax/Mmax), Msup, Vsup/Msup, and peak torque of the plantar flexors ( P < 0.05). At posttraining, RTI was more effective than RT in increasing resting Hmax and Vsup and in moving these values to those observed in HCs ( P < 0.05). We conclude that short-term RTI is more effective than short-term RT in modulating H-reflex excitability and in increasing efferent neural drive, approaching average values of HCs. Thus short-term RTI may cause positive changes at the spinal and supraspinal levels in individuals with PD.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Maximal H-reflex amplitude (Hmax) at rest and efferent neural drive [i.e., supramaximal V-wave amplitude (Vsup)] to skeletal muscles during maximal contraction are impaired in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Short-term resistance training with instability was more effective than short-term resistance training alone in increasing Hmax and Vsup of individuals with Parkinson’s disease, reaching the average values of healthy control subjects.
Stereotactic system for accurately targeting deep brain structures in awake head-fixed mice
Authors: Katz Yonatan , Sokoletsky Michael , Lampl Ilan
Published: July 2019

Deep brain nuclei, such as the amygdala, nucleus basalis, and locus coeruleus, play a crucial role in cognition and behavior. Nonetheless, acutely recording electrical activity from these structures in head-fixed awake rodents has been very challenging due to the fact that head-fixed preparations are not designed for stereotactic accuracy. We overcome this issue by designing the DeepTarget, a system for stereotactic head fixation and recording, which allows for accurately directing recording electrodes or other probes into any desired location in the brain. We then validated it by performing intracellular recordings from optogenetically tagged amygdalar neurons followed by histological reconstruction, which revealed that it is accurate and precise to within ~100 μm. Moreover, in another group of mice we were able to target both the mammillothalamic tract and subthalamic nucleus. This approach can be adapted to any type of extracellular electrode, fiber optic, or other probe in cases where high accuracy is needed in awake, head-fixed rodents.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Accurate targeting of recording electrodes in awake head-restrained rodents is currently beyond our reach. We developed a device for stereotactic implantation of a custom head bar and a recording system that together allow the accurate and precise targeting of any brain structure, including deep and small nuclei. We demonstrated this by performing histology and intracellular recordings in the amygdala of awake mice. The system enables the targeting of any probe to any location in the awake brain.
Predictive Analysis of Settlement Risk in Tunnel Construction: A Bow‐Tie‐Bayesian Network Approach
Authors: Liu Wen , Zhai Shihong , Liu Wenli
Published: July 2019

A hybrid method consisting of bow‐tie‐Bayesian network (BT‐BN) analysis and fuzzy theory is proposed in this research, in order to support predictive analysis of settlement risk during shield tunnel excavation. We verified the method by running a probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) for a tunnel section in the Wuhan metro system. Firstly, we defined the “normal excavation phase” based on the fuzzy statistical test theory. We eliminated the noise records in the tunnel construction log and extracted the occurrence probability of facility failures from the denoised database. We then obtained the occurrence probability of environmental failures, operational errors, and multiple failures via aggregation of weighted expert opinions. The expert opinions were collected in the form of fuzzy numbers, including triangular numbers and trapezoidal numbers. Afterwards, we performed the BT‐BN analysis. We mapped the bow‐tie analysis to the Bayesian network and built a causal network PSA model consisting of 16 nodes. Causes of the excessive surface settlement and the resulting surface collapse were determined by bow‐tie analysis. The key nodes of accidents were determined by introducing three key measures into the Bayesian inference. Finally, we described the safety measures for the key nodes based on the PSA results. These safety measures were capable of reducing the failure occurrence probability (in one year) of excessive surface settlement by 66%, thus lowering the accident probability caused by excessive surface settlement.
Bilateral Phacoemulsification in an African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
Authors: Cerreta Anthony J. , McMullen Jr Richard J. , Scott Heather E. , Ringenberg Jennifer D. , Hempstead Julie E. , DeVoe Ryan S. , Loomis Michael R. , Minter Larry J.
Published: July 2019

A 37-year-old bull African elephant (Loxodonta africana) at the North Carolina Zoo (NCZ) was diagnosed with bilateral cataracts leading to behavioral changes and significant weight loss secondary to functional blindness. On initial examination, a weight loss of 234 kg, a mature cataract in the right eye, and a focal cataract in the left eye were diagnosed. Ultrasound and electroretinography (ERG) indicated normal retinal attachment and both eyes were viable candidates for surgery. After careful planning and behavioral training, the left cataract was surgically removed via phacoemulsification and irrigation/aspiration. The right eye subsequently developed a ventral lens subluxation, and phacoemulsification and irrigation/aspiration were performed six months after the first procedure. Four years after surgery, menace response, palpebral reflex, dazzle reflex, and pupillary light reflexes were present in both eyes. Body weight was 5,515 kg, 88kg more than at the time of the second surgery. This is the first published report of an African bull elephant undergoing bilateral cataract removal using phacoemulsification and irrigation/aspiration. The lack of significant postoperative inflammation and uneventful recovery of the elephant suggests that this surgical procedure along with proper preoperative planning and postoperative medical management can be a safe and effective treatment option for elephants with cataracts.
Pathomechanisms of Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in ALS
Authors: Kakaroubas Nicholas , Brennan Samuel , Keon Matthew , Saksena Nitin K.
Published: July 2019

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) are responsible for controlling the microenvironment within neural tissues in humans. These barriers are fundamental to all neurological processes as they provide the extreme nutritional demands of neural tissue, remove wastes, and maintain immune privileged status. Being a semipermeable membrane, both the BBB and BSCB allow the diffusion of certain molecules, whilst restricting others. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases, these barriers become hyperpermeable, allowing a wider variety of molecules to pass through leading to more severe and more rapidly progressing disease. The intention of this review is to discuss evidence that BBB hyperpermeability is potentially a disease driving feature in ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. The various biochemical, physiological, and genomic factors that can influence BBB permeability in ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases are also discussed, in addition to novel therapeutic strategies centred upon the BBB.
CXCL16 Induces the Progression of Pulmonary Fibrosis through Promoting the Phosphorylation of STAT3
Authors: Zuo Sheng , Zhu Zhen , Liu Yi , Li Hong , Song Shuang , Yin Shaojun
Published: July 2019

Aim. The transmembrane chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 16 (CXCL16) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of organ fibrosis, including the liver and kidney. However, the detailed biological function of CXCL16 is still not fully understood in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis (PF). The aim of present study is to examine the function of CXCL16 in PF. Materials and Methods. In this study, we constructed the PF model on mouse by using bleomycin and analyzed the effect of the mouse recombinant protein CXCL16 on mouse lung fibroblast L929 (LF) as well. To further examine the connection between CXCL16 and STAT3 in mouse LF cells, the STAT3 inhibitor AG490 was utilized to inhibit the expression of STAT3. Meanwhile, lipopolysaccharide was used to enhance the phosphorylation of STAT3 (p-STAT3) in mouse LF cells. Results. Our results indicated that the level of CXCL16/CXCR6 was significantly upregulated in the mouse PF model. Moreover, the level of p-STAT3 was also promoted. In addition, the mouse recombinant protein CXCL16 not only contributed to the proliferation of mouse LF cells but also induced the expression of p-STAT3 in LF cells. However, the effect of CXCL16 was deeply abolished by the STAT3 inhibitor AG490 in LF cells. Meanwhile, the antibody of CXCL16 deeply reduced the phosphorylation of STAT3 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) cultured cells. Conclusions. All these results demonstrated that CXCL16 promoted the phosphorylation of STAT3 and further demonstrated that STAT3 was a critical component in CXCL16/CXCR6 signaling pathway. This research not only enhanced the comprehension of CXCL16 but also indicated its potential value as a target in the treatment for human PF.
Study on the Influence of Pulse Current Cathodic Protection Parameters of Oil Well Casing
Authors: Xu Xiang-qian , Zhou Hao-bin
Published: July 2019

Pulse current cathodic protection had obvious advantages over traditional DC cathodic protection, but when square-wave pulse current was used for cathodic protection of oil well casing, the influence of pulse protection parameters on potential distribution was not very clear. Therefore, according to the current situation of oil fields in China, the typical formation characteristic structure of oil wells was selected and the cathodic protection model of pulse current for oil well casing was established. Based on the established model, the effects of pulse current parameters (frequency and duty cycle) and anode distance on the cathodic protection effect of square-wave pulse current were studied. The results showed that better protection effect could be obtained by choosing appropriate anode distance, high frequency, and moderate duty cycle.
A Unified Approach of Free Vibration Analysis for Stiffened Cylindrical Shell with General Boundary Conditions
Authors: Li Xue-Qin , Zhang Wei , Yang Xiao-Dong , Song Lu-Kai
Published: July 2019

A unified approach of free vibration analysis for stiffened cylindrical shell with general boundary conditions is presented in this paper. The vibration of stiffened cylindrical shell is modeled mathematically involving the first‐order shear deformation shell theory. The improved Fourier series is selected as the admissible displacement function while the arbitrary boundary conditions are simulated by adjusting the equivalent spring stiffness. The natural frequencies and modal shapes of the stiffened shell are obtained by solving the dynamic model with the Rayleigh‐Ritz procedure. Various numerical results of free vibration analysis for stiffened cylindrical shell are obtained, including natural frequencies and modes under simply supported, free, and clamped boundary conditions. Moreover, the effects of stiffener on natural frequencies are discussed. Compared with several state‐of‐the‐art methods, the feasibility and validity of the proposed method are verified.
Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies for Postoperative Opioid Abuse
Authors: Zhao Shuai , Chen Fan , Feng Anqi , Han Wei , Zhang Yuan
Published: July 2019

Worldwide, 80% of patients who undergo surgery receive opioid analgesics as the fundamental agent for pain relief. However, the irrational use of opioids leads to excessive drug dependence and drug abuse, resulting in an increased mortality rate and huge economic loss. The crisis of opioid overuse remains a great challenge. In this review, we summarize several key factors in opioid abuse, including race, region, income, genetic factors, age and gender, smoking and alcohol abuse, history of chronic pain and analgesic drug abuse, surgery, neuropsychiatric illness, depression and antidepressant use, human factors, national policies, hospital regulations, and health insurance under treatment of pain. Furthermore, we present several prevention strategies, such as perioperative measures, opioid substitutes, treatment of the primary illness, emotional regulation, use of opioid antagonists, efforts of the state, hospitals, doctors and pharmacy benefit managers, gene therapy, and vaccines. Greater understanding and better assessment are required of the risks associated with opioid abuse to ensure the safety and analgesic effects of pain treatment after surgery.
Ball Screw Fault Detection and Location Based on Outlier and Instantaneous Rotational Frequency Estimation
Authors: Guo Liang , Huang Yingqi , Gao Hongli , Zhang Li
Published: July 2019

Ball screw, as a crucial component, is widely used in various rotating machines. Its health condition significantly influences the efficiency and position precision of rotating machines. Therefore, it is important to accurately detect faults and estimate fault location in a ball screw system to make sure that the ball screw system runs safely and effectively. However, there are few research studies concerning the topic. The aim of this paper is to fill the gap. In this paper, we propose a method to automatically detect and locate faults in a ball screw system. The proposed method mainly consists of two steps: fault time estimation and instantaneous rotational frequency extraction. In the first step, a statistics‐based outlier detection method is proposed to involve the fault information mixing in vibration signals and estimate the fault time. In the second step, a parameterized time‐frequency analysis method is utilized to extract the instantaneous rotational frequency of the ball screw system. Once the fault time and instantaneous rotational frequency are estimated, the fault location in a ball screw system is calculated through an integral operation. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, two fault location experiments under the constant and varying speed conditions are conducted in a ball screw failure simulation testbed. The results demonstrate that the proposed method is able to accurately detect the faults in a ball screw system and estimate the fault location within an error of 22%.
On Calculating the Packing Efficiency for Embedding Hexagonal and Dodecagonal Sensors in a Circular Container
Authors: Prvan Marina , Ožegović Julije , Mišura Arijana Burazin
Published: July 2019

In this paper, a problem of packing hexagonal and dodecagonal sensors in a circular container is considered. We concentrate on the sensor manufacturing application, where sensors need to be produced from a circular wafer with maximal silicon efficiency (SE) and minimal number of sensor cuts. Also, a specific application is considered when produced sensors need to cover the circular area of interest with the largest packing efficiency (PE). Even though packing problems are common in many fields of research, not many authors concentrate on packing polygons of known dimensions into a circular shape to optimize a certain objective. We revisit this problem by using some well‐known formulations concerning regular hexagons. We provide mathematical expressions to formulate the difference in efficiency between regular and semiregular tessellations. It is well‐known that semiregular tessellation will cause larger silicon waste, but it is important to formulate the ratio between the two, as it affects the sensor production cost. The reason why we have replaced the “perfect” regular tessellation with semiregular one is the need to provide spacings at the sensor vertices for placing mechanical apertures in the design of the new CMS detector. Archimedean {3,122} semiregular tessellation and its more flexible variants with irregular dodecagons can provide these triangular spacings but with larger number of sensor cuts. Hence, we construct an irregular convex hexagon that is semiregularly tessellating the targeted area. It enables the sensor to remain symmetric and hexagonal in shape, even though irregular, and produced with minimal number of cuts with respect to dodecagons. Efficiency remains satisfactory, as we show that, by producing the proposed irregular hexagon sensors from the same wafer as a regular hexagon, we can obtain almost the same SE.
Positive STAT5 Protein and Locus Amplification Status Predicts Recurrence after Radical Prostatectomy to Assist Clinical Precision Management of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Haddad Bassem R. , Erickson Andrew , Udhane Vindhya , LaViolette Peter S. , Rone Janice D. , Kallajoki Markku A. , See William A. , Rannikko Antti , Mirtti Tuomas , Nevalainen Marja T.
Published: July 2019

Background:

A significant fraction of prostate cancer patients experience post–radical prostatectomy (RP) biochemical recurrence (BCR). New predictive markers are needed for optimizing postoperative prostate cancer management. STAT5 is an oncogene in prostate cancer that undergoes amplification in 30% of prostate cancers during progression.

Methods:

We evaluated the significance of a positive status for nuclear STAT5 protein expression versus STAT5 locus amplification versus combined positive status for both in predicting BCR after RP in 300 patients.

Results:

Combined positive STAT5 status was associated with a 45% disadvantage in BCR in Kaplan–Meier survival analysis in all Gleason grade patients. Patients with Gleason grade group (GG) 2 and 3 prostate cancers and combined positive status for STAT5 had a more pronounced disadvantage of 55% to 60% at 7 years after RP in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, including the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment Postsurgical nomogram (CAPRA-S) variables, combined positive STAT5 status was independently associated with a shorter BCR-free survival in all Gleason GG patients (HR, 2.34; P = 0.014) and in intermediate Gleason GG 2 or 3 patients (HR, 3.62; P = 0.021). The combined positive STAT5 status improved the predictive value of the CAPRA-S nomogram in both ROC-AUC analysis and in decision curve analysis for BCR.

Conclusions:

Combined positive status for STAT5 was independently associated with shorter disease-free survival in univariate analysis and was an independent predictor for BCR in multivariate analysis using the CAPRA-S variables in prostate cancer.

Impact:

Our results highlight potential for a novel precision medicine concept based on a pivotal role of STAT5 status in improving selection of prostate cancer patients who are candidates for early adjuvant interventions to reduce the risk of recurrence.
MCF-7 as a Model for Functional Analysis of Breast Cancer Risk Variants
Authors: Booms Alix , Coetzee Gerhard A. , Pierce Steven E.
Published: July 2019

Background:

Breast cancer genetic predisposition is governed by more than 142 loci as revealed by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The functional contribution of these risk loci to breast cancer remains unclear, and additional post-GWAS analyses are required.

Methods:

We identified active regulatory elements (enhancers, promoters, and chromatin organizing elements) by histone H3K27 acetylation and CTCF occupancy and determined the enrichment of risk variants at these sites. We compared these results with previously published data and for other cell lines, including human mammary epithelial cells, and related these data to gene expression.

Results:

In terms of mapping accuracy and resolution, our data augment previous annotations of the MCF-7 epigenome. After intersection with GWAS risk variants, we found 39 enhancers and 15 CTCF occupancy sites that, between them, overlapped 96 breast cancer credible risk variants at 42 loci. These risk enhancers likely regulate the expression of dozens of genes, which are enriched for GO categories, including estrogen and prolactin signaling.

Conclusions:

Ten (of 142) breast cancer risk loci likely function via enhancers that are active in MCF-7 and are well suited to targeted manipulation in this system. In contrast, risk loci cannot be mapped to specific CTCF-binding sites, and the genes linked to risk CTCF sites did not show functional enrichment. The identity of risk enhancers and their associated genes suggests that some risk may function during later processes in cancer progression.

Impact:

Here, we report how the ER+ cell line MCF-7 can be used to dissect risk mechanisms for breast cancer.