bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Simulation of Pigging for a Gas Pipeline Using a Bypass Pig
Authors: Zhang Liang , Zhou Jiawei , He Honggang
Published: July 2020

The pipeline inspection gauge (PIG, lowercase pig is commonly used) with a bypass valve is widely used in pipeline inspection because it operates at a low speed without reducing the flow rate. Understanding the dynamics of a bypass pig in a gas pipeline would contribute to the design of the pig and the control of pig speed. This paper deals with the dynamic model for the process of a bypass pig travelling through a hilly gas pipeline. The method of characteristics (MOC) is used to solve the equations of unsteady gas flow. The backward flow of the gas in the bypass valve and pipe is shown by a simulation of pigging for a hilly gas pipeline. Parametric sensitivity analysis of pigging in the horizontal gas pipe using a bypass pig is then carried out. The results indicate that the speed of a bypass pig is most sensitive to the gas speed in the pipe followed by the bypass area and the friction of the pig. A formula, obtained from the results of the simulations using response surface methodology (RSM), is presented to predict the steady speed of a bypass pig in the horizontal gas pipeline.
Development and Cross-Validation of Anthropometric Predictive Equations to Estimate Total Body Fat Percentage in Adult Women in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rathnayake Nirmala , Alwis Gayani , Lenora Janaka , Lekamwasam Sarath
Published: July 2020

Attempts have been made to estimate body fat using anthropometry, and most of them are country-specific. This study was designed to develop and cross-validate anthropometric predictive equations to estimate the total body fat percentage (TBFP) of Sri Lankan adult women. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Galle, Sri Lanka, with two groups: Group A (group for equation development) and Group B (cross-validation group) (n = 175 each) of randomly selected healthy adult women aged 30–60 years. TBFP (%) was quantified with total body DXA (TBFPDXA). Height (m), weight (kg), and skinfold thickness (SFT, mm) at six sites and circumferences (cm) at five sites were measured. In the first step, four anthropometric equations were developed based on the data obtained from multiple regression analyses (TBFPDXA = dependent variable and anthropometric measurements and age = independent variables) with Group A. They were developed on the basis of circumferences (TBFP1), SFTs (TBFP2), circumferences and SFTs (TBFP3), and highly significant circumferences and SFTs (r ≥ 0.6) (TBFP4). In the second step, the newly developed equations were cross-validated using Group B. Three equations (TBFP1, TBFP2, and TBFP4) showed the agreement with cross-validation criteria. There were no differences between TBFPDXAand TBFP estimated by these equations (p>0.05). They showed higher measurement concordance with TBFPDXA; correlation between measured TBFP with DXA and estimated with TBFP1, TBFP2, and TBFP4, respectively, was 0.80 (R2 = 0.65, SEE = 3.10), 0.83 (R2 = 0.69, SEE = 2.93), and 0.84 (R2 = 0.72, SEE = 2.78). Three anthropometric measurements based on predictive equations were developed and cross-validated to satisfactorily estimate the TBFP in adult women.
Stable Portfolio Selection Strategy for Mean-Variance-CVaR Model under High-Dimensional Scenarios
Authors: Shi Yu , Zhao Xia , Jiang Fengwei , Zhu Yipin
Published: July 2020

This paper aims to study stable portfolios with mean-variance-CVaR criteria for high-dimensional data. Combining different estimators of covariance matrix, computational methods of CVaR, and regularization methods, we construct five progressive optimization problems with short selling allowed. The impacts of different methods on out-of-sample performance of portfolios are compared. Results show that the optimization model with well-conditioned and sparse covariance estimator, quantile regression computational method for CVaR, and reweighted L1 norm performs best, which serves for stabilizing the out-of-sample performance of the solution and also encourages a sparse portfolio.
Gene Expression, Network Analysis, and Drug Discovery of Neurofibromatosis Type 2-Associated Vestibular Schwannomas Based on Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Huang Qiao , Zhai Si-Jia , Liao Xing-Wei , Liu Yu-Chao , Yin Shi-Hua
Published: July 2020

Neurofibromatosis Type 2- (NF2-) associated vestibular schwannomas (VSs) are histologically benign tumors. This study aimed to determine disease-related genes, pathways, and potential therapeutic drugs associated with NF2-VSs using the bioinformatics method. Microarray data of GSE108524 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened using GEO2R. The functional enrichment and pathway enrichment of DEGs were performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes Genomes (KEGG). Furthermore, the STRING and Cytoscape were used to analyze the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of all differentially expressed genes and identify hub genes. Finally, the enriched gene sets belonging to the identified pathways were queried against the Drug-Gene Interaction database to find drug candidates for topical use in NF2-associated VSs. A total of 542 DEGs were identified, including 13 upregulated and 329 downregulated genes, which were mainly enriched in terms of focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Rap1 signaling pathway, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton. 28 hub genes were identified based on the subset of PPI network, and 31 drugs were selected based on the Drug-Gene Interaction database. Drug discovery using bioinformatics methods facilitates the identification of existing or potential therapeutic drugs to improve NF2 treatment.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Assisted by Gemini Cationic Surfactant
Authors: Zhang Tao , Xiao Xiufeng
Published: July 2020

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) has been synthesized by a hydrothermal treatment in the presence of a Gemini cationic surfactant. This process is a new strategy of synthesis and mainly consists of two parts, i.e., an ordinary hydrothermal treatment and a liquid-solid-solution reaction (LSS strategy). Crystalline HAp nanorods or nanogranules with length of 50-180 nm and width of 30-40 nm were produced by ordinary hydrothermal treatment. By contrary, HAp spheres with a 3D architecture were fabricated with Gemini cationic surfactant by LSS strategy. For Gemini cationic surfactant concentration of 0.05%, spherical HAp particles with an average diameter of 1.7 μm were obtained.
Stability and Asymptotic Behavior of a Regime-Switching SIRS Model with Beddington–DeAngelis Incidence Rate
Authors: Wang Shan , Peng Youhua , Wang Feng
Published: July 2020

A regime-switching SIRS model with Beddington–DeAngelis incidence rate is studied in this paper. First of all, the property that the model we discuss has a unique positive solution is proved and the invariant set is presented. Secondly, by constructing appropriate Lyapunov functionals, global stochastic asymptotic stability of the model under certain conditions is proved. Then, we leave for studying the asymptotic behavior of the model by presenting threshold values and some other conditions for determining disease extinction and persistence. The results show that stochastic noise can inhibit the disease and the behavior will have different phenomena owing to the role of regime-switching. Finally, some examples are given and numerical simulations are presented to confirm our conclusions.
Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum associated with Ventriculo-Coronary Arterial Communication in a Fetus at 21 Weeks of Gestation
Authors: Yozgat Can Yilmaz , Yilmazer Yanki Celik , Yozgat Yilmaz
Published: July 2020

Pulmonary atresia with the intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS) is a rare anomaly that has an absent communication between the right ventricle and pulmonary arterial circulation. PA-IVS has a hypoplastic and hypokinetic and thickened right ventricle with the intact ventricular septum. It can be diagnosed with PA-IVS in routine obstetric ultrasound examination because the four-chamber view of PA-IVS is generally abnormal. The size of the right ventricular cavity is proportional to the Z value of the diameter of the tricuspid valve. The essential associated cardiac finding of PA-IVS is ventricular-coronary arterial communications (VCAC). The hypertensive RV forces blood through the intramyocardial sinusoids with continuous fistulous contact with the epicardial branches of RCA. It is called the VCAC. A color Doppler can detect VCAC due to its location in the pericardium along the coronary artery. If patients have VCAC and tricuspid Z score below -4, all of these conditions are infallible signs of high mortality rates in their fetal or postnatal lives. Our aim in presenting this case is to remind perinatologists if they detect an abnormal four-chamber view of the fetus’s heart, they should also carefully examine whether VCAC exists. Herein, we report a case of PA-IVS and VCAC at 21 weeks’ gestation with fetal echocardiographic images.
New Design of Solar Photovoltaic and Thermal Hybrid System for Performance Improvement of Solar Photovoltaic
Authors: Hossain Ridwone , Ahmed Al Jumlat , Islam Sheik Md Kazi Nazrul , Saha Nirupam , Debnath Preetom , Kouzani Abbas Z. , Mahmud M. A. Parvez
Published: July 2020

Solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems are most widely used renewable energy technologies. Theoretical study indicates that the energy conversion efficiency of solar photovoltaic gets reduced about 0.3% when its temperature increases by 1°C. In this regard, solar PV and thermal (PVT) hybrid systems could be a solution to draw extra heat from the solar PV panel to improve its performance by reducing its temperature. Here, we have designed a new type of heat exchanger for solar PV and thermal (PVT) hybrid systems and have studied the performance of the system. The PVT system has been investigated in comparison with an identical solar PV panel at outdoor condition at Dhaka, Bangladesh. The experiments show that the average improvement of open circuit voltage (Voc) is 0.97 V and the highest improvement of Voc is 1.3 V. In addition, the overall improvement of output power of solar PV panel is 2.5 W.
Stability of Sources of Resistance to Cowpea Aphid (Aphis craccivoraKoch, Hemiptera: Aphididae) across Major Cowpea Production Zones in Ghana
Authors: Kusi Francis , Nboyine Jerry A. , Attamah Patrick , Awuku Justice F. , Sugri Issa , Zakaria Mukhtaru , Lamini Salim , Mensah Gloria , Larweh Victoria , Owusu Robert K. , Agyare Richard Y. , Yirzagla Julius , Asante Michael , Laary Joseph K.
Published: July 2020

Aphids (Aphis craccivoraKoch) are an important vegetative stage pest of cowpea in Africa. The use of resistant cultivars is among the best management option for this pest, but the success of this strategy is influenced by the stability of the resistant genotype to the cowpea aphid biotypes present in the major cowpea growing areas in a country. This work, therefore, aimed at identifying cultivars/genotypes with stable resistance to aphid infestation across different cowpea growing ecologies in Ghana and estimating yield loss due to aphid infestation at the seedling stage. To ascertain the stability of aphid-resistant cultivars/genotypes, four cultivars/genotypes (SARC1-57-2, SARC1-91-1, IT97K-499-35, and Zaayura) and a susceptible check (Apagbaala) were tested across 18 locations in Ghana. An on-station experiment was used to quantify yield losses due to aphid attack at the seedling stage in the five cultivars/genotypes mentioned above together with 5 additional cultivars/genotypes [i.e., IT99K-573-3-2-1, IT99K-573-1-1, Padituya, Resistant BC4F3(Zaayura//(Zaayura × SARC1-57-2)), and Susceptible BC4F3(Zaayura//(Zaayura × SARC1-57-2))]. The results showed that SARC1-57-2 was stable in all ecologies, in terms of its resistance to aphids; it had high vigour score (3.8 ± 0.03) and low plant mortality (3.7 ± 0.22%) compared to the susceptible genotypes. The number of days to flowering and maturity were significantly higher in aphid-infested plants than in the uninfested ones. Grain yield loss was estimated to range between 3.8 and 32.8%. Except for SARC1-57-2, Resistant BC4F3,and Padituya, the remaining cultivars/genotypes sustained significant yield losses under aphid infestation. Thus, the aphid-resistance gene in SARC1-57-2 is stable against aphids. This resistance genotype can be incorporated into cowpea improvement programmes to breed for aphid-resistant cultivars. Also, the cultivation of such improved cultivars will reduce pesticide usage in cowpea production.
Maximum Sizes of Fluid-Occupied Pores within Hydrate-Bearing Porous Media Composed of Different Host Particles
Authors: Liu Lele , Wu Nengyou , Liu Changling , Meng Qingguo , Tian Haitao , Wan Yizhao , Sun Jianye
Published: July 2020

Hydraulic properties of hydrate-bearing sediments are largely affected by the maximum size of pores occupied by fluids. However, effects of host particle properties on the maximum size of fluid-occupied pores within hydrate-bearing sediments remain elusive, and differences in the maximum equivalent, incircle, and hydraulic diameters of fluid-occupied pores evolving with hydrate saturation have not been well understood. In this study, numerical simulations of grain-coating and pore-filling hydrate nucleation and growth within different artificial porous media are performed to quantify the maximum equivalent, incircle, and hydraulic diameters of fluid-occupied pores during hydrate formation, and how maximum diameters of fluid-occupied pores change with hydrate saturation is analyzed. Then, theoretical models of geometry factors for incircle and hydraulic diameters are proposed based on fractal theory, and variations of fluid-occupied pore shapes during hydrate formation are discussed. Results show that host particle properties have obvious effects on the intrinsic maximum diameters of fluid-occupied pores and introduce discrepancies in evolutions of the maximum pore diameters during hydrate formation. Pore-filling hydrates reduce the maximum incircle and hydraulic diameters of fluid-occupied pores much more significantly than grain-coating hydrates; however, hydrate pore habits have minor effects on the maximum equivalent diameter reduction. Shapes of fluid-occupied pores change little due to the presence of grain-coating hydrates, but pore-filling hydrates lead to much fibrous shapes of fluid-occupied pores.
Interval Nonprobabilistic Reliability Analysis for Ancient Landslide considering Strain‐Softening Behavior: A Case Study
Authors: Zhou Zilong , Lin Chenglong , Cai Xin , Lan Riyan
Published: July 2020

Uncertainties in geotechnical parameters significantly affect the stability evaluation of an ancient landslide, especially when considering the strain‐softening behavior. Due to the great difficulty in obtaining the probability density distribution of geoparameters, an interval nonprobability reliability analysis framework combined with numerical strain‐softening constitutive relations was established in this paper. Interval variables were defined as the uncertain parameters in the strain‐softening model. The interval nonprobabilistic reliability was defined as the minimum distance from the origin point to the failure surface in the standard normal space, which is the key index for describing the ability of a system to tolerate the variation of uncertain parameters. The proposed method was used to evaluate the reliability of Baishi ancient landslide. The parameter sensitivity analysis was also conducted. Through the proposed method, it is considered that Baishi ancient landslide is safe and stable, and the strain threshold kr is the dominant parameter. The results calculated by the proposed method agree well with the actual situation. This indicates the proposed method is more applicable than the traditional probability method when the data are scare.
Time-Dependent Effect of Chitosan Nanoparticles as Final Irrigation on the Apical Sealing Ability and Push-Out Bond Strength of Root Canal Obturation
Authors: Ratih Diatri Nari , Sari Nikita Ika , Santosa Pribadi , Kaswati Nofa Mardia Ningsih
Published: July 2020

Background/Objectives. Root canal irrigation is a crucial stage during root canal treatment since it can affect the root canal obturation; as a result, the success of root canal treatment can be achieved. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of 0.5% chitosan nanoparticles as a final irrigation solution with different application times on the apical sealing ability and the bond strength of root canal obturation. Materials and Methods. Fifty-six premolars were used in this study and divided by two evaluations: 28 teeth for apical sealing ability and 28 others for bond strength. Each study was assigned randomly into two groups of fourteen teeth: Group-1, final irrigation with 17% EDTA; Group-2, with 0.5% chitosan nanoparticles. Each group was further divided into two groups of 7 each: Group-A, final irrigation was applied for 1 minute; Group-B, for 3 minutes. All teeth were obturated with epoxy resin-based sealer and gutta-percha. In the apical sealing ability study, the obturated teeth were immersed in 2% methylene blue and observed under a stereomicroscope (8x magnification). In the bond strength study, the teeth were tested using the push-out technique and observed under a stereomicroscope (40x magnification) to determine the failure type. Data from each evaluation were analysed with two-way ANOVA followed by the LSD test. Results. Final irrigation using 0.5% chitosan nanoparticles produced the same apical sealing ability and bond strength as 17% EDTA (p>0.05). A significant difference occurred between application times (p<0.05). The failure type was observed predominantly as cohesive, and the least was adhesive. Conclusion. Regardless of the final irrigation solution used, 3-minute application time produced greater apical sealing ability and push-out bond strength than 1-minute application time.
Changes in Amino Acid and Acylcarnitine Plasma Profiles for Distinguishing Patients with Multiple Sclerosis from Healthy Controls
Authors: Kasakin Marat F. , Rogachev Artem D. , Predtechenskaya Elena V. , Zaigraev Vladimir J. , Koval Vladimir V. , Pokrovsky Andrey G.
Published: July 2020

McDonald criteria and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS); nevertheless, it takes a considerable amount of time to make a clinical decision. Amino acid and fatty acid metabolic pathways are disturbed in MS, and this information could be useful for diagnosis. The aim of our study was to find changes in amino acid and acylcarnitine plasma profiles for distinguishing patients with multiple sclerosis from healthy controls. We have applied a targeted metabolomics approach based on tandem mass-spectrometric analysis of amino acids and acylcarnitines in dried plasma spots followed by multivariate statistical analysis for discovery of differences between MS (n=16) and control (n=12) groups. It was found that partial least square discriminant analysis yielded better group classification as compared to principal component linear discriminant analysis and the random forest algorithm. All the three models detected noticeable changes in the amino acid and acylcarnitine profiles in the MS group relative to the control group. Our results hold promise for further development of the clinical decision support system.
Prevalidation of an ELISA for Detection of a New Clinical Entity: Leishmania donovani-Induced Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Authors: Deepachandi Bhagya , Weerasinghe Sudath , Gunathilake Himali , Andrahennadi Thisira P. , Wickramanayake Mahendra N. , Siri Shantha , Chandrasekharan Vishvanath , Soysa Preethi , Siriwardana Yamuna
Published: July 2020

Human leishmaniasis which is considered a neglected tropical parasitic disease presents in three main clinical forms (i.e., cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL)) that are mainly determined by its causative species. Leishmania donovani, the most virulent and visceralizing parasite, is increasingly reported to cause CL in many countries in the world. Although CL is generally not considered to evoke a humoral immune response except for a nonrobust and a variable response in minority of cases, VL is associated with a clear strong humoral response. However, humoral response in L. donovani-induced CL has not been well evaluated before. A suitable serology-based assay is an essential primary step in such a study. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on Leishmania promastigote crude antigen (Ag) was designed and optimized in order to utilize in further serological studies on this new clinical entity. Optimization included quantification of crude Ag, checkerboard titration method for determination of optimal concentrations for coating Ag, human sera and secondary antibody (Ab) with suitable coating buffer, blocking buffer, and incubating temperatures. The selected coating buffer was 0.02 M phosphate buffer, pH 6.8, and the blocking buffer was 2% fetal bovine serum with 0.01 M phosphate-buffered saline. At least 1 μg of crude Ag was required for coating the ELISA plate, while 1 : 1000 serum was used as primary Ab. The optimized concentration of secondary Ab was 1 : 64000 which might be altered according to manufacturer recommendations. The assay specificity was pre-evaluated using sera (n = 20 from each category) from confirmed CL patients and controls (other skin diseases which mimic CL, other systemic diseases that mimic VL, nonendemic healthy controls, and endemic healthy controls). This procedure described an optimization procedure of an ELISA technique for detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies in patients with L. donovani caused CL.
The Floating Acromion: A Rare and Previously Unreported Injury Possibly Requiring Surgical Stabilization
Authors: Stoots Simone J. M. , Derksen Robert J.
Published: July 2020

Acromion fractures are increasingly seen as a postoperative complication following reversed shoulder arthroplasty. However, traumatic fractures of the acromion, usually caused by direct trauma, are rare. Therefore, the current literature lacks standardized clinical guidelines regarding the surgical treatment of these kinds of fractures. We present a traumatic acromion fracture and concomitant distal clavicle fracture, resulting in a so-called “floating acromion.” A fifty-four-year-old female patient was presented at the Emergency Department following a fall from the stairs. She complained of severe pain in the left shoulder. Radiographic evaluation of the left shoulder revealed an acromion fracture and concomitant distal clavicle fracture. Initially, since there was no dislocation, this “floating acromion” was treated conservatively. However, after 4 weeks, no improvement in pain was seen and a control CT scan revealed no callus formation. Considering the possibility that this could be a biomechanically unstable injury, together with the persistent severe pain, it was decided to proceed with surgical treatment. A lateral clavicle plate was used to stabilize the acromion fracture. Postoperatively, the patient was provided with a sling. She was regularly seen at the outpatient clinic. After two weeks of circumduction exercises, she was allowed to build up active movement under the supervision of a shoulder physiotherapist. Nevertheless, she developed a frozen shoulder. However, our patient fully recovered with complete restoration of shoulder function. Therefore, for operative management of acromion fractures, we suggest the use of a lateral clavicle plate which fits remarkably well on the lateral spine and acromion.
Evidencing a Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Subpopulation Sensitive to the Proteasome Inhibitor Carfilzomib
Authors: Fraunhoffer Nicolas A. , Abuelafia Analía Meilerman , Bigonnet Martin , Gayet Odile , Roques Julie , Telle Emmanuel , Santofimia-Castaño Patricia , Borrello María Teresa , Chuluyan Eduardo , Dusetti Nelson , Iovanna Juan
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal cancer with a survival rate less than 5%. Multiple chemotherapeutic drugs have been tested to improve patient prognosis; however, the clinical efficacy of these treatments is low. One of the most controversial family of drugs are the proteasome inhibitors, which have displayed promising effects in preclinical studies, but low clinical performance. Here, we unravel a specific transcriptomic signature that discriminates a subgroup of patients sensitive to the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib.

Experimental Design:

First, we identified a subpopulation of PDAC-derived primary cells cultures (PDPCC) sensitive to the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib. Then, we selected a transcriptomic signature that predicts carfilzomib chemosensitivity using independent component analysis on the transcriptome of PDPCC. Finally, we validated the signature in an independent cohort of PDAC biopsy-derived pancreatic organoids.

Results:

Sensitive phenotype was characterized by a high expression of genes related with a cornified/squamous pathway and a downregulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition genes. Interestingly, carfilzomib-sensitive transcriptomic profile did not show any association with the proteasome activity but strongly correlates with ATF4 and CHOP expression, which are key markers of the unfolded protein response and critical to trigger the cell death program. Concordantly, sensitive phenotype showed a high level of the de novo RNA and protein synthesis compared with the resistant one and, most important, cell death induced by carfilzomib is dependent of the translational activity.

Conclusions:

We demonstrate the existence of a carfilzomib-sensitive PDAC subgroup with a specific transcriptomic phenotype that could explain the biological reason for this responsiveness.
Efficacy of Various Corticosteroid Treatment Modalities for the Initial Treatment of Idiopathic Sudden Hearing Loss: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tong Busheng , Wang Qiang , Dai Qingqing , Hellstrom Sten , Duan Maoli
Published: July 2020

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of systemic and intratympanic steroid treatment in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Methods: Ninety patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 30 per group). Group I patients were given oral methylprednisolone (MEPD) tablets, group II received intravenous MEPD injection, and group III received intratympanic MEPD injection. Pure-tone average (PTA) hearing threshold was recorded before and after treatment as well as 1 month later. The general efficacy rate was the ratio of patients whose hearing improved by >10 dB in each group. Results: Thirty-two of the 60 patients (53.3%) in groups I and II together showed a hearing improvement of >10 dB hearing level (HL) in the pure-tone audiogram, compared to 21 patients (70%) in group III, respectively. The mean improvements were 16.1, 14.3, and 21.6 dB HL measured in Groups I, II, and III, respectively. Both the general efficacy rate and hearing improvement were significantly greater in group III than in groups I and II. Conclusions: Our study showed that intratympanic injection rendered better treatment efficacy than systemic administration.
Risk Associated with Severe Hematological Toxicity in Patients with Urothelial Cancer Receiving Combination Chemotherapy of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin
Authors: Takahashi Noriko , Sunaga Tomiko , Fujimiya Tatsuhiro , Kurihara Tatsuya , Nagatani Akiko , Yamagishi Motoki , Watanabe Toru , Sasaki Haruaki , Ogawa Yoshio , Sasaki Tadanori
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Combination chemotherapy of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) is the standard treatment for patients with urothelial cancer (UC). However, hematological toxicity is a major side effect of GC therapy in patients with UC. In particular, discontinuation of the GC therapy is associated to adverse events such as hematological toxicity. Some studies have reported general risk factors of hematological toxicity such as age. However, little is known about risk factors for GC therapy-associated hematological toxicity in patients with UC. Objective: We aimed to identify risk factors for hematological toxicity in patients with UC receiving GC therapy. Methods: We performed a retrospective evaluation of the data of 128 patients with UC who received GC therapy. The study end point was defined as the occurrence of grade 4 neutropenia and grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors that were significantly associated with neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Results: In total, 62 (48.4%) patients experienced grade 4 neutropenia, and 27 (21.1%) patients experienced grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia. In the multivariate analysis, performance status (PS) ≥1 (odds ratio [OR] 3.764, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.410–10.047, p = 0.008) and neutrophil count (OR 0.648, 95% CI 0.468–0.898, p = 0.009) were significantly associated with grade 4 neutropenia. Platelet count (PLT) (OR 0.896, 95% CI 0.832–0.966, p = 0.004) and potassium (K) level (OR 6.966, 95% CI 1.313–36.989, p = 0.023) were also significantly associated with grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia. Conclusions: PS ≥ 1, neutrophil count, PLT, and K level were important risk factors for GC therapy-induced hematological toxicity in patients with UC. To continue GC therapy, further management systems by hematological toxicity risk factors for patients with UC will be required.
A Ki-67 Index to Predict Treatment Response to the Capecitabine/Temozolomide Regimen in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Yu , Peng Ying , Jin Kai-Zhou , Li Yuan-Liang , Liang Yao , Tan Huang-Ying , Yu Xian-Jun , Zhou Zhi-Wei , Chen Jie
Published: July 2020

Objective: The efficacy of the capecitabine/temozolomide (CAPTEM) regimen has been demonstrated in metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), but because of varying response rates among the patients, biomarkers to predict its response are greatly needed. Here, we investigated the clinical utility of a Ki-67 index to predict the CAPTEM regimen objective responses and select patients who could benefit from this regimen. Methods: Metastatic NENs patients treated with the CAPTEM regimen from 4 high-volume medical centers were selected and grouped in a training and validation cohort. The classification and regression tree (CART) was generated to identify the optimal threshold of Ki-67 for stratifying the patients into different Ki-67 range groups based on their response to the CAPTEM regimen. Results and Conclusions: The overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate of the entire cohort (N = 151) were 26.5 and 76.2%, respectively, with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 12.0 months. CART analysis showed that patients in the Ki-67 range group 10–40% demonstrated a significantly higher ORR than those in Ki-67 >40 and <10% groups (p < 0.001 in the training cohort and p = 0.036 in the validation cohort). Response to the CAPTEM regimen was not influenced by the expression of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase or primary tumor location. Multivariate analysis identified the Ki-67 index as the only independent prognostic factor for overall survival (p = 0.031) and PFS (p = 0.006). The proposed Ki-67 index was externally validated and could be used to clinically identify suitable metastatic NENs patients who could achieve an optimal cytoreduction using the CAPTEM regimen.
Application of thermal imaging for detecting cold air leak location in cold storage
Authors: Pathmanaban P. , Anandan Shanmuga Sundaram , Gnanavel B. K. , Murigan C. P.
Published: July 2020

Nowadays Cold storage has been playing an important role in preserving the perishable food products like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fish, and meat etc. The major problem of cold storage is unwanted energy transmission during the operation. It is necessary to maintain the constant temperature during storing the products. There are different kinds of energy loss happening during the operation. One of the major causes is cold air leaking from the inside of the cold room to outside. It is due to poor insulation and improper maintenance of cold storage. It is very difficult to identify the exact location of the leak by the naked eye. In this research work, the cold storage was inspected with the thermal imaging system. Thermal cameras are highly sensitive to temperature and it can detect the variation of temperature ranging from 0.1°C. The measured temperatures are further converted into a colour based pattern. It is known as thermogram. These colour-based thermal patterns are further processed for identifying energy transmission location. It is done by applying various image processing methods such as histogram equalization, diffusion error, otsu thresholding and morphologic function. These techniques were applied to images of cold storages and exact cold air transmission locations were identified.
Ultrasonographic findings of child acute appendicitis incorporated into a scoring system
Authors: Pop GN , Costea FO , Lungeanu D , Iacob ER , Popoiu CM
Published: July 2020

INTRODUCTION This study aimed to investigate the ultrasonographic features of paediatric acute appendicitis and incorporate them into a scoring algorithm that will quantify the risk of complications and the strength of recommendation for surgical intervention. METHODS 179 patients with suspected appendicitis who had undergone ultrasonographic examination were included in this study. Based on their medical evaluation and post-surgical histopathological results, patients were categorised into confirmed appendicitis (n = 101) and non-appendicitis (n = 78) groups. RESULTS In the appendicitis group, the appendix was visualised in 66 (65.3%) patients. In cases where the appendix was not visualised, we looked out for secondary inflammatory signs, which were present in 32 (31.7%) patients. Using stepwise logistic regression, Blumberg’s sign, free fluid or collection, hyperaemia, non-compressible appendix and an appendix diameter > 7 mm were found to be significant predictive factors for appendicitis. A new scoring system called POPs was developed, combining inflammatory predictors and ultrasonography findings, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.958 (95% confidence interval 0.929–0.986). CONCLUSION The newly developed POPs-based diagnosis scheme proved a promising alternative to existing scoring systems such as the Alvarado score. Although further calibration would be beneficial, the proposed scoring scheme is simple and easy to understand, memorise and apply in the emergency room.
Medical Negligence Litigation and Apologies: An Empirical Examination
Authors: Tumelty Mary-Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

Research has evidenced the various aims of patient-plaintiffs and/or their families in medical negligence litigation, with emphasis frequently placed on the importance of an apology. Drawing on the findings of an empirical study conducted in Ireland, this article contributes to the discourse on apologies in medical negligence disputes. In particular, with reference to the findings of the research and the literature, it discusses components of apologies deemed to be important by patient-plaintiffs and/or their families. The article concludes by arguing that legislative protection for apologies in isolation will not necessarily increase the use or effectiveness of apologies in medical negligence disputes, and a combination of measures is required.
From Fear to Awe in Luzzatto’s Mesillat Yesharim
Authors: Garb Jonathan
Published: July 2020

Perhaps the key term in musar writing is yir’ah. In early modern musar texts, usually incorporating kabbalistic discourse, this term is rendered as ‘fear.’ A striking exception is R. Moshe Ḥayyim Luzzatto’s Mesillat Yesharim, arguably one of the canonical texts of Jewish modernity. A close reading of the chapters devoted to yir’ah reveals that Luzzatto frames this term as ‘awe,’ moving away from the discourse on punishment and hell typical of early modern musar. An examination of the psychology behind this move shows that Luzzatto associates fear with the lower instinct of self-preservation, calling for its sublimation into self-abnegation in awe of divine presence. Mesillat Yesharim then became foundational for similar moves in later Jewish modernity. Without wishing to venture into claims as to inter-religious influence and response, it is instructive to compare Luzzatto’s approach to that of his Christian contemporaries, the ‘fire and brimstone’ preachers of the Great Awakening.
Description of the first extinct member of the tribe Anaglyptini (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from European Tertiary
Authors: ALEKSEEV VITALII IGOREVICH , VITALI FRANCESCO
Published: July 2020

New longhorn beetle taxon, Acanthoglyptus picollus gen. et sp. nov., is described and figured from Baltic amber found in the Baltic Sea coast, Yantarny settlement, Kaliningrad Region, Russia. The new amber inclusions presented here prove the occurrence of the tribe Anaglyptini in the ‘Baltic amber forest’, giving this group at least a Palaeogene age. The closest living relative of the extinct beetle appears to be the Chinese genus Yoshiakioclytus Niisato, 2007. A brief updated list of the described longhorn beetles from European ambers, including 6 subfamilies, 17 tribes, 25 genera, and 27 species is compiled.
A new species of the laomediid mud shrimp genus Naushonia Kingsley, 1897 (Decapoda: Gebiidea) from Japan
Authors: KOMAI TOMOYUKI , HIRABAYASHI ISAO
Published: July 2020

A new species of the laomediid mud shrimp genus Naushonia Kingsley, 1897, N. kiiensis, is described and illustrated on the basis of a single male specimen from Kii Peninsula, central Japan, at a sublittoral depth of 14 m. The new species is morphologically closest to N. serratipalma Komai & Anker, 2010, known from French Polynesia and the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, among the 15 known congeners, but is distinguished from the latter by the spinulose middorsal and submedian gastric carinae on the carapace, the rugose posterior dorsum of the carapace, stronger but fewer spines on the distomesial lobe of the pereopod 1 merus and fewer spinules consisting of the serration of the palm lateral margin. From Japanese waters three species have been recorded, of which only N. japonica Komai, 2004 is known from the temperate mainland. The new species is the second occurring in the Japanese mainland.
A new species of Toccolosida, a Pyralinae from the Western Ghats, India (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) and the revised status of Lixa as a synonym
Authors: SINGH NAVNEET , KIRTI JAGBIR SINGH , RANJAN RAHUL , CHANDRA KAILASH
Published: July 2020

A new species, Toccolosida ganeshgudiensis N. Singh, Kirti & Ranjan, sp. nov. is described from the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India, the furthest southern known distribution for the genus in India. Additionally, Lixa Walker, 1866 is synonymised with Toccolosida Walker, 1863 and L. productalis Walker is newly combined as Toccolosida productalis (Walker), comb. nov. An updated checklist and a taxonomic key to the known species of Toccolosida are also provided.
Lepidepecreoides stoddartae sp. nov. from the Falkland Islands (Amphipoda: Tryphosidae)
Authors: HUGHES LAUREN ELIZABETH
Published: July 2020

Lepidepecreoides stoddartae sp. nov. is described from the Falkland Islands. Previous reports of Lepidepecreoides K.H. Barnard, 1931 species usually include only a few specimens. The material examined is considered a large collection, with 12 individuals collected during benthic sampling by commercial oil and gas exploration. Lepidepecreoides stoddartae sp. nov. is the seventh species described in the genus, and can be presently defined by the gnathopod 1 propodus palm acute, pereopod 7 basis posterior margin serrations, and variation in the position, size and sculpturing of the projections on the pereopods 5 basis, pleonites and urosomite 1. An updated world key to the known species of Lepidepecreoides K.H. Barnard, 1931 is provided.
The M2 Cotidal Chart in the Bohai, Yellow, and East China Seas from Dynamically Constrained Interpolation
Authors: Zheng Junyong , Mao Xinyan , Lv Xianqing , Jiang Wensheng
Published: July 2020

The harmonic constants extracted from tidal gauge stations and satellite altimeter observations are usually sparsely distributed in the continental marginal seas, but they are precious data for addressing the main characteristics of different constituents. In this paper, a dynamically constrained interpolation methodology (DCIM) is developed and applied to interpolate the observed harmonic constants of the M2 constituent from satellite altimeter observations in the Bohai, Yellow, and East China Seas (BYECS) with those from tidal gauge stations for validation. In the DCIM, the tide model provides dynamical constraints to interpolate the observations, and the adjoint assimilation method provides iterative optimization for the interpolated results by adjusting key model parameters. In particular, a substantial quantity of enhanced “observations” generated from the interpolated results of the domain are further interpolated with the sparse observations in the subdomain. The final interpolated results for each subdomain, naturally blending the dynamical constraints from the dynamical model with statistical information from observations, can describe the main characteristics of the M2 constituent in the BYECS, the continental shelf sea of the East China Sea, and the Zhejiang–Fujian coastal area, respectively. The results indicate that the DCIM is feasible and effective to utilize the observations to obtain high-accuracy cotidal charts for regional ocean.
Operative Versus Nonoperative Management of Hemorrhage in the Postoperative Kidney Transplant Patient
Authors: Buggs Jacentha , Shaw Robert , Montz Frederic , Meruva Venkat , Rogers Ebonie , Kumar Ambuj , Bowers Victor
Published: July 2020

Background

Postoperative hemorrhage has been described at rates of 14% in kidney transplant (KT) literature. The preferred management of postoperative hemorrhage in this population is not well described. We hypothesized a difference in outcomes with operative versus nonoperative management of hemorrhage after kidney transplantation.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive KTs from 2012 to 2019 (living and deceased donors). We defined hemorrhage based on the objective finding of hematoma on either ultrasound or CT scan. Management was defined as operative (surgical intervention with or without transfusion) or nonoperative (with or without transfusion).

Results

We performed 1758 KTs of which 135 (8%) demonstrated hematoma on ultrasound or CT scan (66 operative vs 69 nonoperative management). The clinical signs and symptoms of low urine output ( P = .044), drop in hemoglobin ( P < .001), abdominal pain ( P = .005), and MAP < 70 mm Hg ( P = .034) were 92.5% predictive of postoperative hemorrhage in our KT patients. There were no differences between groups based on medical history, preop anticoagulation, anastomosis type, cold ischemic time, lowest hemoglobin, delayed graft function, or complications. Patients with nonoperative treatment of postoperative hemorrhage had shorter lengths of stay ( P = .003), better graft survival ( P = .01), and better patient survival ( P = .01).

Discussion

We found better outcomes of graft and patient survival with shorter lengths of stay when we utilized nonoperative management of postoperative hemorrhage in KT patients. Our findings suggest a role for conservative nonoperative management in select patients. Ultimately, it is the surgeon’s choice on how best to manage postoperative hemorrhage.
Review of COVID-19 Outcomes in Surgical Patients
Authors: Aziz Hassan , Filkins Alexandra , Kwon Yong Kyong
Published: July 2020

COVID-19 emerged as a viral pandemic in the year 2019. The practice and scope of surgery and medicine transformed radicially as the virus spread across the world. There is an urgent need to understand the outcomes of COVID-19 infected patients who undergo surgery. We present a comprehensive review of the current literature on the management of surgical patients who develop COVID-19.

Findings

Poor outcomes were most frequent in general surgery or oncological surgery patients who were older with chronic comorbidities. In contrast, outcomes among transplant surgery and obstetric patients were not signficantly altered by COVID-19. Surgical societies have released specialty specific guidelines on the managment of patients who require surgical care during the pandemic.

Conclusion

COVID-19 is associated with adverse outcomes and increased mortality in surgical patients. Data is currently limited, often restricted to single sites and smaller cohorts. As the sequelae of the virus is better understood, the revisions to the guidelines on managment of surgical patients may help improve outcomes.
Incidence of Celiac Disease in Down Syndrome: A Longitudinal, Population-Based Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Ostermaier Kathryn K. , Weaver Amy L. , Myers Scott M. , Stoeckel Ruth E. , Katusic Slavica K. , Voigt Robert G.
Published: July 2020

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for children with Down syndrome (DS) include assessment for celiac disease (CD), although data to support this recommendation have been inconsistent. We determined the incidence of CD among children with DS in a population-based birth cohort of children born from 1976 to 2000 in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Individuals with karyotype-confirmed DS and CD (using diagnosis codes, positive serology, and duodenal biopsies) were identified. The incidence of CD in DS was compared with the published incidence of CD for Olmsted County residents (17.4 [95% confidence interval = 15.2-19.6] per 100 000 person-years). Among 45 individuals with DS from the birth cohort, 3 (6.7%) were identified with positive celiac serology and confirmatory biopsies at ages 9, 12, and 23 years, for an incidence of 325 per 100 000 person-years. Thus, individuals with DS have more than 18 times the incidence rate of CD compared with the general population, supporting the AAP guidelines.
Developing the concept of society: Institutional domains, regimes of inequalities and complex systems in a global era
Authors: Walby Sylvia
Published: July 2020

This article develops the concept of society to meet the challenge of cross-border and global processes. Global processes have made visible the inadequacy of interpreting the concept of society as if it were a nation-state, since there is a lack of congruence of institutional domains (economy, polity, civil society, violence) and regimes of inequality (class, gender, ethnicity). The article engages with two strands of intellectual heritage in sociological analysis of society as a macro concept: the differentiation of institutions and the relations of inequality. The concepts of society and societalisation are developed by hybridising these two approaches rather than selecting only one or the other. To achieve this, the concept of system is developed by drawing on complexity science. This enables the simultaneous analysis of differentiated institutional domains (economy, polity, violence, civil society) and multiple regimes of inequality without reductionism. In turn, this facilitates the fluent theorisation of variations in the temporal and spatial reach of social systems.