bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validity of energy expenditure estimation methods during 10 days of military training
Authors: Siddall Andrew G. , Powell Steven D. , Needham‐Beck Sarah C. , Edwards Victoria C. , Thompson Jane E.S. , Kefyalew Sarah S. , Singh Priya A. , Orford Elise R. , Venables Michelle C. , Jackson Sarah , Greeves Julie P. , Blacker Sam D. , Myers Steve D.
Published: May 2019

Wearable physical activity (PA) monitors have improved the ability to estimate free‐living total energy expenditure (TEE) but their application during arduous military training alongside more well‐established research methods has not been widely documented. This study aimed to assess the validity of two wrist‐worn activity monitors and a PA log against doubly labeled water (DLW) during British Army Officer Cadet (OC) training. For 10 days of training, twenty (10 male and 10 female) OCs (mean ± SD: age 23 ± 2 years, height 1.74 ± 0.09 m, body mass 77.0 ± 9.3 kg) wore one research‐grade accelerometer (GENEActiv, Cambridge, UK) on the dominant wrist, wore one commercially available monitor (Fitbit SURGE, USA) on the non‐dominant wrist, and completed a self‐report PA log. Immediately prior to this 10‐day period, participants consumed a bolus of DLW and provided daily urine samples, which were analyzed by mass spectrometry to determine TEE. Bivariate correlations and limits of agreement (LoA) were employed to compare TEE from each estimation method to DLW. Average daily TEE from DLW was 4112 ± 652 kcal·day−1 against which the GENEActiv showed near identical average TEE (mean bias ± LoA: −15 ± 851 kcal.day−1) while Fitbit tended to underestimate (−656 ± 683 kcal·day−1) and the PA log substantially overestimate (+1946 ± 1637 kcal·day−1). Wearable physical activity monitors provide a cheaper and more practical method for estimating free‐living TEE than DLW in military settings. The GENEActiv accelerometer demonstrated good validity for assessing daily TEE and would appear suitable for use in large‐scale, longitudinal military studies.
Challenging Geographical Disadvantages and Social Exclusion: A Case Study of Gendered Rural Transformation in Mountain Villages in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey
Authors: Suzuki Him Miki , Gündüz Hoşgör Ayşe
Published: May 2019

This article discusses the gender‐specific effect of the changing economic structure of mountain villages in Turkey. Rural women, who are conventionally unpaid family workers, have begun entering into off‐farm work due to declining household incomes in recent years. The implications of this for gender relations are found to be contradictory in much recent research. In this study, we employed the concepts of the hybridity of rural communities and the multiplicity of social exclusion in a globalising countryside. We used a qualitative methodology employing multiple sources of data. In addition to in‐depth interviews with 27 village women, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with village headmen and structured interviews with 218 village women to understand the structural context behind the women’s narratives. We found that the dimension of social exclusion varies with gender and age within the community. While middle‐aged men are increasingly unemployed and have withdrawn into uncompetitive rural life, young women engage in wage work and challenge geographical disadvantages by spending their meagre earnings on transportation and communication technologies. The reconfiguration of marginality within the community, rather than the total marginalisation of villagers, is an ongoing process.
Industrial Decline and Resilience in Small Towns: Evidence From Three European Case Studies
Authors: Lazzeroni Michela
Published: May 2019

This paper concerns the future of small towns with an old industrial specialisation which have undergone growth processes during the 1900s and now experience de‐industrialisation and identity crises in an economic scenario characterised by the role played by global cities and emerging countries. The concept of resilience has been adopted as the main analytical tool to study this phenomenon. Following an evolutionary approach, resilience is here understood as the dynamic capabilities a system can use to react to negative events and changes, to emphasise its distinctive contextual factors and promote new development trajectories, by also considering the contribution of institutions and urban strategies. With regard to the empirical part of the research, three comparable small industrial towns have been examined: Sochaux, the historical town of Peugeot; Ivrea, developed around the Olivetti company; Pontedera, the town of Piaggio and the famous Vespa.
Phylogenetic and population structural inference from genomic ancestry maintained in present‐day common wheat Chinese landraces
Authors: Wu Xiyan , Ding Baoxu , Zhang Bingqi , Feng Jiaojiao , Wang Yibing , Ning Chao , Wu Haidan , Zhang Fan , Zhang Qun , Li Ning , Zhang Zhibin , Sun Xuhan , Zhang Quanchao , Li Wenying , Liu Bao , Cui Yinqiu , Gong Lei
Published: May 2019

Hexaploid common wheat is one of the most important food crops worldwide. Common wheat domestication began in the Fertile Crescent of the Near East approximately 10 000 years ago and then spread west into Europe and eastward into East Asia and China. However, the possible spreading route into and within China is still unclear. In this study, we successfully extracted DNA from single ancient wheat seeds and sequenced the whole genome of seven ancient samples from Xiaohe and Gumugou cemeteries in Xinjiang, China. Genomic inference and morphological observation confirmed their identity as hexaploid common wheat grown in prehistoric China at least 3200 years before present (BP). Phylogenetic and admixture analyses with RNA‐seq data of modern hexaploid wheat cultivars from both China and Western countries demonstrated a close kinship of the ancient wheat to extant common wheat landraces in southwestern China. The highly similar allelic frequencies in modern landraces of the Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau with the ancient wheat support the previously suggested southwestern spreading route into highland China. A subsequent dispersal route from the Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau margins to the Yangtze valley was proposed in this study. Furthermore, the common wheat populations grown in the Middle and Lower Yangtze valley wheat zones were also proposed to be established by population admixture with the wheat grown in the Upper Yangtze valley. Our study reports ancient common wheat sequences at a genome‐wide scale, providing important information on the origin, dispersal, and genetic improvement under cultivation of present‐day wheat landraces grown in China.
Surgical correction of a meningoencephalocele in a thoroughbred filly
Authors: Buck Amy M. , Hunt Robert J.
Published: May 2019

Objective

To describe the surgical correction of a closed meningoencephalocele in a thoroughbred filly.

Study design

Case report.

Animal

One thoroughbred filly, 1.5 months old at the time of surgery.

Methods

A meningoencephalocele was identified at birth and diagnosed with radiography and MRI. The abnormal tissue was excised and submitted for histopathology, the dura was closed, and the defect in the skull was corrected with a titanium mesh.

Results

Histopathology confirmed the presence of neural parenchyma consisting of neurons and glial cells. The filly remained without neurologic deficits 7 months after surgery.

Conclusion

Surgical correction of a meningoencephalocele was performed and considered successful, with no long‐term neurologic deficits postoperatively.

Clinical significance

Given the paucity of neural tube defect cases in the equine population, no surgical corrective techniques have been reported in the literature. This Case Report describes the first successful surgical treatment of a meningoencephalocele in a horse.
Influence of WeChat Use on the College Students Campus Life Satisfaction-A Perspective on Bridging Social Capital
Authors: Zhang Ranni , Zheng Yuxin , Chen Ze , Li Bin , Yang Songping
Published: May 2019

The theories of social capital and Rosenberg's self-esteem scale were used to measure the campus life satisfaction of college students, this paper made an empirical analysis on the WeChat media use of 1000 college students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and mainland China (M=18.81 years old, SD=0.96) of a University in Guangdong province, and discussed the relationship among college students' social media use intensity, campus life satisfaction and social capital. The study found that there was a significant positive correlation between WeChat use intensity of college students and social capital, that the intensity of WeChat use had a direct effect on college students' satisfaction with campus life, and that self-esteem had a moderating effect between WeChat use intensity and social capital.
Flotillin-mediated endocytosis and ALIX–syntenin-1–mediated exocytosis protect the cell membrane from damage caused by necroptosis
Authors: Fan Weiliang , Guo Jia , Gao Beichen , Zhang Wenbin , Ling Liucong , Xu Tao , Pan Chenjie , Li Lin , Chen She , Wang Hua , Zhang Jing , Wang Xiaodong
Published: May 2019

Two independent trafficking pathways remove phosphorylated MLKL from the plasma membrane to avert necroptosis.
Stage-Specific and Selective Delivery of Caged Azidosugars into the Intracellular Parasite
Toxoplasma gondii
by Using an Esterase-Ester Pair Technique
Authors: Tomita Tadakimi , Wang Hua , Wu Peng , Weiss Louis M.
Published: May 2019

Selective delivery of small molecules into intracellular parasites is particularly problematic due to the presence of multiple membranes and surrounding host cells. We have devised a method that can deliver caged molecules into an intracellular parasite,
Toxoplasma gondii
, that express an uncaging enzyme in a stage-specific manner without affecting host cell biology. This system provides a valuable tool for studying many intracellular parasites.
Respiratory symptoms in a child with IgE-non-dependent hypersensitivity to wheat
Authors: Sullo Federica , Parisi Giuseppe Fabio , Bongiovanni Annarita , Leonardi Salvatore
Published: May 2019

Food allergy (FA) is a serious health problem, and its incidence has been increasing especially in children. Wheat is one of the five most common foods that trigger allergic reactions in children. It is an increasingly recognised trigger for immune-mediated FAs, both Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and non-IgE mediated. We describe the case of a 4-year-old boy with a combination of symptoms due to IgE-mediated asthma worsened by IgE-non-dependent hypersensitivity to wheat demonstrated by a positive patch test. With the avoidance of wheat oral intake, we observed a progressive clinical improvement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with IgE-non-dependent allergy to wheat presenting with chronic symptoms in one body system outside of the gastrointestinal tract and with negative skin prick test.
Do multidisciplinary cancer care teams suffer decision-making fatigue: an observational, longitudinal team improvement study
Authors: Soukup Tayana , Gandamihardja Tasha A K , McInerney Sue , Green James S A , Sevdalis Nick
Published: May 2019

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine effectiveness of codesigned quality-improving interventions with a multidisciplinary team (MDT) with high workload and prolonged meetings to ascertain: (1) presence and impact of decision-making (DM) fatigue on team performance in the weekly MDT meeting and (2) impact of a short meeting break as a countermeasure of DM fatigue.

Design and interventions

This is a longitudinal multiphase study with a codesigned intervention bundle assessed within team audit and feedback cycles. The interventions comprised short meeting breaks, as well as change of room layout and appointing a meeting chair.

Setting and participants

A breast cancer MDT with 15 members was recruited between 2013 and 2015 from a teaching hospital of the London (UK) metropolitan area.

Measures

A validated observational tool (Metric for the Observation of Decision-making) was used by trained raters to assess quality of DM during 1335 patient reviews. The tool scores quality of information and team contributions to reviews by individual disciplines (Likert-based scores), which represent our two primary outcome measures.

Results

Data were analysed using multivariate analysis of variance. DM fatigue was present in the MDT meetings: quality of information (M=16.36 to M=15.10) and contribution scores (M=27.67 to M=21.52) declined from first to second half of meetings at baseline. Of the improvement bundle, we found breaks reduced the effect of fatigue: following introduction of breaks (but not other interventions) information quality remained stable between first and second half of meetings (M=16.00 to M=15.94), and contributions to team DM improved overall (M=17.66 to M=19.85).

Conclusion

Quality of cancer team DM is affected by fatigue due to sequential case review over often prolonged periods of time. This detrimental effect can be reversed by introducing a break in the middle of the meeting. The study offers a methodology based on ‘team audit and feedback’ principle for codesigning interventions to improve teamwork in cancer care.
Feasibility of telephone-administered interviews to evaluate long-term outcomes of trauma patients in urban Ethiopia
Authors: Laytin Adam D , Seyoum Nebyou , Azazh Aklilu , Zewdie Ayalew , Juillard Catherine J , Dicker Rochelle A
Published: May 2019

Background

Little is known about long-term functional outcomes of trauma patients in low-income and middle-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa most studies of injury only collect data through emergency department disposition or hospital discharge, and methods of collecting long-term data are subject to significant bias. With the recent increase in access to mobile telephone technology, we hypothesized that structured, telephone-administered interviews now offer a feasible means to collect data about the long-term functional outcomes of trauma patients in urban Ethiopia.

Methods

We piloted a telephone-administered interview tool based on the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended. Using departmental logbooks, 400 consecutive patients presenting to two public referral hospitals were identified retrospectively. Demographics, injury data, and telephone numbers were collected from medical records. When a telephone number was available, patients or their surrogates were contacted and interviewed 6 months after their injuries.

Results

We were able to contact 47% of subjects or their surrogates, and 97% of those contacted were able and willing to complete an interview. At 6-month follow-up, 22% of subjects had significant persistent functional disability. Many injuries had an ongoing financial impact, with 17% of subjects losing or changing jobs, 18% earning less than they had before their injuries, and 16% requiring ongoing injury-related medical care. Lack of documented telephone numbers and difficulty contacting subjects at recorded telephone numbers were the major obstacles to data collection. Language barriers and respondents’ refusal to participate in the study were not significant limitations.

Discussion

In urban Ethiopia, many trauma patients have persistent disability 6 months after their injuries. Telephone-administered interviews offer a promising method of collecting data about the long-term trauma outcomes, including functional status and the financial impact of injury. These data are invaluable for capacity building, quality improvement efforts, and advocacy for injury prevention and trauma care.

Level of evidence

III, retrospective cohort study.
Multi-crop recognition using UAV-based high-resolution NDVI time-series
Authors: Latif Muhammad Ahsan
Published: May 2019

Multi-crop recognition is a highly nonlinear task in nature as it involves many dynamic factors to address. In this paper, a decision tree based approach is presented to classify and recognize 17 different crops. High spatial and temporal normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) signatures were extracted from multispectral imagery using a multispectral sensor onboard the quadrotor. Detailed datasets were prepared through sampling based on normal distribution with different standard deviations. The impact of reduced dimensions was also tested using principal component analysis. A very high degree of accuracy was achieved for classification. The results also indicate that NDVIs pertaining to early-to-mid season have much more weight in the classification process for multiple crops.
Symmetrical phthalocyanine bearing four triptycene moieties: Synthesis, photophysical and singlet oxygen generation
Authors: Al-Raqa Shaya Y. , Ghanem Bader S. , Kaya Esra Nur , Durmuş Mahmut , El-Khouly Mohamed E.
Published: May 2019

Novel metal-free (7) and zinc(II) (8) phthalocyanine derivatives bearing four substituted triptycene moieties were synthesized and fully characterized by various spectroscopic methods including 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, mass, FT-IR and UV-vis. Photophysical and photochemical properties such as electronic absorption, fluorescence emission, fluorescence lifetimes and singlet oxygen generation were investigated in toluene. The UV-vis spectra of 7 and 8 exhibited absorption bands in the visible region. The fluorescence lifetimes of 7 and 8 phthalocyanines were found to be 6.2 and 3.6 ns, respectively. The ability of the examined zinc(II) (8) and metal-free (7) to produce the singlet oxygen has been determined by both chemical and direct methods. While the chemical method 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) as a singlet oxygen quencher was used in the first method, the direct determination has been done by recording the weak emission band of the singlet oxygen in the near-infrared region (1270 nm). From the direct process, the quantum yields of the singlet oxygen were found to be 0.28 (for 7) and 0.60 (for 8) and similar values were also obtained by the chemical method. The fluorescence quenching behavior of the studied phthalocyanine compounds (8 and 7) by electron-accepting 1,4 benzoquinone (BQ) was also studied in toluene. The powerful nanosecond laser flash photolysis technique was also employed to record the transient absorption spectra of the long-lived triplet states of the investigated compounds.
Modular synthesis of silicon (IV) phthalocyanine conjugates bearing glycosylated axial ligands
Authors: Cooper Shamus A. L. , Graepel Kevin W. , Steffens Ricarda C. , Dennis David G. , Cambroneo Gabriel A. , Wiggins Raymond Q. , Ruppel Joshua V. , Snyder Nicole L.
Published: May 2019

Phthalocyanines (Pcs) are near-infrared photosensitizers with therapeutic potential for the treatment of bacterial infections and cancer. However, their clinical utility has been hindered by poor solubility in biological fluids, lack of specificity, and limited clearance from affected tissues. Glycosylated Pcs have the potential to overcome these issues by providing increased solubility and tumor specific targeting. However, reliable methods for their synthesis remains challenging. Here we present our first approach towards the synthesis of a series of silicon (IV) phthalocyanine conjugates bearing axial carbohydrate ligands (CPcCs). The novelty of our approach lies in the installation of axial alkyne ligands which can be functionalized with readily accessible acetyl protected azido glycosides, thus providing a modular approach for the synthesis of these complex macromolecules.
Millimeterwave and Submillimeterwave Laboratory Spectroscopy in Support of Observational Astronomy
Authors: Widicus Weaver Susanna L.
Published: May 2019

The recent advancements in far-infrared (far-IR) astronomy brought about by the Herschel, SOFIA, and ALMA observatories have led to technological advancements in millimeterwave and submillimeterwave laboratory spectroscopy that is used to support molecular observations. This review gives an overview of rotational spectroscopy and its relationship with observational astronomy, as well as an overview of laboratory spectroscopic techniques focusing on both historical approaches and new advancements. Additional topics discussed include production and detection techniques for unstable molecular species of astrochemical interest, data analysis approaches that address spectral complexity and line confusion, and the current state of and limitations to spectral line databases. Potential areas for new developments in this field are also reviewed. To advance the field, the following challenges must be addressed: ▪ Data acquisition speed, spectral sensitivity, and analysis approaches for complex mixtures and broadband spectra are the greatest limitations—and hold the greatest promise for advancement—in this field of research. ▪ Full science return from far-IR observatories cannot be realized until laboratory spectroscopy catches up with the data rate for observations. ▪ New techniques building on those used in the microwave and IR regimes are required to fill the terahertz gap.
CO2-saturated Salinity Environment Effects on Ni-Mo Alloys at Gas Hydrate Formation Temperatures
Authors: Ozigagu Christopher , Zhou Ting , Sanders Stephen , Golden Teresa
Published: May 2019

Corrosion and gas hydrate formation are flow assurance problems that can cause serious safety problems in deep water environments. One aspect that has been given less attention is the corrosion behavior of materials in salinity environment where gas hydrate formation and CO2 (sweet) corrosion can both occur. This type of environment is common in oil and gas deep water environments. The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of CO2-saturated salinity environment on Ni-Mo alloys at gas hydrate formation temperatures using electrochemical, SEM/EDX, and XRD surface characterization techniques. The immersion test solutions were sweet low-salinity (CO2 + 1 wt% salt + 5 oC) and sweet high- salinity (CO2 + ~24 wt% salt + 5 oC) environments, respectively. The as-deposited Ni-Mo alloy coating has the highest corrosion resistance of 33.28 kΩ cm2. The corrosion resistance dropped to 14.36 kΩ cm2 and 11.11 kΩ cm2 after 20 hrs of immersion in the sweet low-salinity and sweet high-salinity test solutions respectively. From grazing incidence XRD, the (111) reflection peak of the Ni-Mo coating was depressed and broaden after immersion in both test solutions due to increase in oxide layer formation on the surface of the Ni-Mo coating. SEM revealed a cracked surface morphology after immersion in sweet high-salinity test solution and elemental analysis shows the presence of oxygen after immersion in both test solutions. The oxygen content increased from 1.70 wt% after immersion in sweet low-salinity test solution to 2.37 wt% after immersion in sweet high-salinity test solution.
Application of an Improved Ensemble Local Mean Decomposition Method for Gearbox Composite Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Wang Zhijian , Wang Junyuan , Cai Wenan , Zhou Jie , Du Wenhua , Wang Jingtai , He Gaofeng , He Huihui
Published: May 2019

In industrial production, it is highly essential to extract faults in gearbox accurately. Specifically, in a strong noise environment, it is difficult to extract the fault features accurately. LMD (local mean decomposition) is widely used as an adaptive decomposition method in fault diagnosis. In order to improve the mode mixing of LMD, ELMD (ensemble Local Mean Decomposition) is proposed as local mode mixing exists in noisy environment, but white noise added in ELMD cannot be completely neutralized leading to the influence of increased white noise on PF (product function) component. This further leads to the increase in reconstruction errors. Therefore, this paper proposes a composite fault diagnosis method for gearboxes based on an improved ensemble local mean decomposition. The idea is to add white noise in pairs to optimize ELMD, defined as CELMD (Complementary Ensemble Local Mean Decomposition) then remove the decomposed high noise component by PE (Permutation Entropy) while applying the SG (Savitzky‐Golay) filter to smooth out the low noise in PFs. The method is applied to both simulated signal and experimental signal, which overcomes mode mixing phenomenon and reduces reconstruction error. At the same time, this method avoids the occurrence of pseudocomponents and reduces the amount of calculation. Compared with LMD, ELMD, CELMD, and CELMDAN, it shows that improved ensemble local mean decomposition method is an effective method for extracting composite fault features.
Effects of the Loading and Unloading Conditions on Crack Propagation in High Composite Slope of Deep Open‐Pit Mine
Authors: Chang Zhiguo , Cai Qingxiang , Zhou Wei , Jiskani Izhar Mithal , Wang Rui
Published: May 2019

In the process of open‐pit excavation and stacking of dump along the side wall, the rock mass inside the composite slope undergoes complicated loading and unloading effect, which are manifested as triaxial stress → horizontal unloading → axial loading. In this study, a corresponding mechanical model of crack propagation in composite slope under loading and unloading effects was established. The stress‐strain curves and deformation characteristics of rock under different stress paths were studied. A series of different tests under unloading pressure condition were carried out to study the behavior of the rock fracture under different confining pressure paths. The results showed that under the same initial stress conditions, the deviator stress required for rock unloading failure was less than that of the conventional triaxial compression. The axial deformation of rock samples was gradually increased with the increase of unloading, and the unloading easily led to rock failure. By analyzing the crack propagation mechanism under loading and unloading stress field, the analytic relation of the limit height of the composite slope with the crack morphology as the variation was determined when crack propagation occurred near the slope surface. This study provides a technical note on local damage and cracks propagation of a fractured rock mass under the loading‐unloading effects in high composite slope.
The Amphoteric Ion Exchange Membrane Based on CS/CMC for Tobacco-Protein Adsorption and Separation from Tobacco Extract
Authors: Ling Jun , Li Yixiao , Zhou Bo , Zhu Baokun , Zhang Xinru , Wang Yonghong , Zhang Tiandong , Feng Wanying
Published: May 2019

A macroporous amphoteric ion exchange membrane was prepared by blending chitosan (CS) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in aqueous solution, with glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent and silica particles as porogens. The good compatibility between CS and CMC was confirmed by attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). A scanning electron microscope was used to observe the morphology of CS/CMC blend membranes, in which a three-dimensional opening structure was formed, and no phase separation was discovered. Tobacco extract was used as a separation model to get tobacco protein. And the effects of the pH value, adsorption time, CS/CMC content, initial protein concentration, and CS/CMC composition on tobacco protein adsorption were investigated by coomassie blue staining during the adsorption process. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of 271.78 mg/g can be achieved under the condition of pH 6.15, adsorption time of 8 h, initial protein concentration of 1.52 mg/mL, and CS/CMC weight of 0.05 g with a mass ratio of 80 : 20. Tobacco proteins were successfully separated from tobacco extract by adjusting the pH of the feed and the desorption solutions to change their electrostatic force. It was found that the high desorption capacity and protein desorption efficiency can be achieved at pH 9.40. The blend membranes also demonstrated good reusability after 3 adsorption-desorption cycles.
Portal Vein Thrombosis in a 21-Year-Old Man with Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis and Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Seleznev Ilya , Jumadilova Dinara , Naushabayeva Assiya , Kabulbayev Kairat , Karashasheva Gulaiym , Cainelli Francesca
Published: May 2019

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, one of the main causes of nephrotic syndrome, is associated with a state of hypercoagulability that leads to increased risk of thrombotic events. Portosystemic collaterals may reopen due to reversal of the flow within the existing veins and be a presenting feature of thrombosis. We describe a patient who presented with large portosystemic collaterals and signs of portal hypertension and was subsequently found to be affected by membranous proliferative glomerulonephritis. Proteinuria and microscopic haematuria in a patient with signs of portal hypertension and no pre-existing liver disease should raise the suspicion of an underlying kidney disease.
A Novel Antifragility Measure Based on Satisfaction and Its Application to Random and Biological Boolean Networks
Authors: Pineda Omar K. , Kim Hyobin , Gershenson Carlos
Published: May 2019

Antifragility is a property that enhances the capability of a system in response to external perturbations. Although the concept has been applied in many areas, a practical measure of antifragility has not been developed yet. Here we propose a simply calculable measure of antifragility, based on the change of “satisfaction” before and after adding perturbations, and apply it to random Boolean networks (RBNs). Using the measure, we found that ordered RBNs are the most antifragile. Also, we demonstrated that seven biological systems are antifragile. Our measure and results can be used in various applications of Boolean networks (BNs) including creating antifragile engineering systems, identifying the genetic mechanism of antifragile biological systems, and developing new treatment strategies for various diseases.
Clinical Steps for Restoration of Fractured Anterior Teeth: Color Protocol with Non-VITA Scale
Authors: Gaião Ubiracy , da Cunha Leonardo Fernandes , de Almeida Kintopp Cibele , Garcia André Vivan , Gonzaga Carla Castiglia , Moro Alexandre , Correr Gisele Maria
Published: May 2019

Direct composite resin restorations are commonly provided because of their satisfactory esthetics and minimal wear of opposing tooth structure. Recent restorative systems may not follow the nomenclature of the classical VITA shade guide, using instead a simplified resin color system. A better understanding of these systems and their behavior regarding the incidence of light is an excellent approach to anterior restorations, especially for fractured anterior teeth. This paper demonstrates the color selection and clinical sequence for the natural reproduction of tooth structure using a resin system that does not follow the VITA classical scale.
Whole Transcriptome Sequencing Reveals How Acupuncture and Moxibustion Increase Pregnancy Rate in Patients Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transplantation
Authors: Cheng Jie , Jin Xun , Shen Jie , Mu Yanyun , Li Qian , Xia Liangjun , Gao Youling , Xia Youbing
Published: May 2019

Background. In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) technology has been widely used in the therapy of refractory infertility. Previous studies showed that acupuncture can effectively increase the clinical pregnancy rate of IVF-ET. However, the molecular mechanism is unknown. Materials and Methods. In this study, we performed whole transcriptome sequencing for endometrial samples from infertile women who underwent acupuncture and moxibustion therapy or not. Differentially expressed noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and mRNAs were identified and their functions were predicted. Besides, a competitive endogenous RNA network was constructed to further interpret the molecular mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on infecund patients. In addition, real-time PCR was applied to validate the RNA-seq results. Results. We identified 317 differentially expressed mRNAs and 82 ncRNAs in acupuncture and moxibustion therapy group compared with control group. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that these genes were significantly enriched in GO-BP terms associated with cellular transport, such as ATP hydrolysis coupled proton transport, vacuolar acidification, transferrin transport, and proton transport and metabolic process, including small molecule metabolic process and metabolic process. Pathway enrichment analysis enriched 11 terms, including oxidative phosphorylation, synaptic vesicle cycle, mineral absorption, and metabolic pathways. Four of five selected differentially expressed genes were validated by real-time PCR. Conclusion. Our results suggested that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy might increase the pregnancy rate of patients undergoing IVF-ET by the regulation of ncRNAs.
Preparation, Characterization, and Application of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer for Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution
Authors: El Alouani Marouane , Alehyen Saliha , El Achouri Mohammed , Taibi M’hamed
Published: May 2019

Metakaolin-based geopolymers are aluminosilicate materials that can be used as cationic dye adsorbents in aqueous system treatment. Our aim in this paper is to study the ability of geopolymer powder produced from metakaolin and alkaline activators to act as an adsorbent to remove methylene blue (MB). The solid materials were systematically analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometery (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and the point of zero charge. XRF, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX analyses confirmed the formation of a geopolymer composite by geopolymerization reaction. The influence of various experimental factors such as geopolymer dosage, pH, initial dye concentration, contact time, and temperature was assessed. Adsorption isotherms were evaluated by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms. Kinetics data were studied using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models. The thermodynamic parameters, namely, Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°), and entropy (ΔS°), were determined. The results indicated that the maximum decolorization was found in high pH values. The collected isotherm data were best fitted by the Langmuir isotherm, and the maximum adsorption capacity of dye onto the geopolymer was 43.48 mg/g. The experiment kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The thermodynamic results demonstrated that the adsorption of the obtained material occurs spontaneously as an endothermic process. The results confirmed that the prepared adsorbent can be used for remediation of water contaminated by MB dye.
Carnosine Protects Mouse Podocytes from High Glucose Induced Apoptosis through PI3K/AKT and Nrf2 Pathways
Authors: Zhao Kunxiao , Li Ying , Wang Ziqiang , Han Ning , Wang Ying
Published: May 2019

Diabetic nephropathy is the complication of diabetes mellitus that can lead to chronic renal failure. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production plays an important role in its pathological process. Previous studies showed that carnosine may reduce diabetic nephropathy by antioxidant effect. However, the molecular mechanism of its antioxidant was not fully understood. In the current study, we developed high glucose containing different concentrations of carnosine to reduce ROS levels and podocytes apoptosis, and Cell Counting Kit-8 test was used to observe the cell viability. Carnosine (5-20mM) was found to protect mouse podocytes (MPC5) cells from HG-induced injury. Quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining revealed that high glucose induced ROS levels and podocytes apoptosis were downregulated by PI3K/AKT and Nrf2 signaling pathways. The current findings suggest that carnosine may reduce ROS levels and MPC5 cells apoptosis by PI3K/AKT and Nrf2 signaling pathways activation.
A Coupling Electromechanical Cell-Based Smoothed Finite Element Method Based on Micromechanics for Dynamic Characteristics of Piezoelectric Composite Materials
Authors: Zheng Jianxiao , Duan Zhishan , Zhou Liming
Published: May 2019

Coupling electromechanical cell-based smoothed finite element method (CSFEM) with the asymptotic homogenization method (AHM) is presented to overcome the overstiffness of FEM. This method could accurately simulate the dynamic responses and electromechanical coupling effects of piezoelectric composite material (PCM) structures. Firstly, the efficient performances for active compounds of round cross-section fibers are calculated based on AHM. Secondly, in the CSFEM, electromechanical multi-physic-field FEM is coupled with gradient smoothing technique. CSFEM returns the nearly exact stiffness of continuum structures, which auto discretes the elements in complex areas more readily and thus remarkably reduces the numerical errors. Static and dynamic characteristics of four PCM structures are investigated using CSFEM with AHM. Results are compared with analytical solution and those of FEM, which proves that CSFEM with AHM is more accurate and reliable than the standard FEM when solving problems of complex structures. Additionally, CSFEM could provide results of higher accuracy even using distorted meshes. Therefore, such method is a robust tool for analyzing mechanical properties of PCM structures.
Addressing Risks of Violence against Healthcare Staff in Emergency Departments: The Effects of Job Satisfaction and Attachment Style
Authors: Berlanda Sabrina , Pedrazza Monica , Fraizzoli Marta , de Cordova Federica
Published: May 2019

Violence in the workplace is one of the most serious issues affecting the healthcare sector. The incidence of violent behaviour towards healthcare workers is increasing worldwide. It is difficult to assess the extent of the problem, however, as violent incidents are underreported. In fact, many doctors and nurses see violence—perpetrated primarily by patients and visitors (friends and relatives of patients)—as a part of their job. Several studies indicate that violent behaviour against healthcare workers has serious consequences for the professionals involved, as well as for the wider healthcare system. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of patient and visitor violence in a number of emergency departments in northeastern Italy and to explore the relationship between violence and certain psychosocial factors (adult attachment style, age, and job satisfaction). Data were collected using an online questionnaire. Our results demonstrate that patient and visitor violence in emergency departments is a serious risk for nurses and doctors and that it is affected by several factors relating to both patient pathologies and the way the workplace and work patterns are organised. Previous studies indicate that the most common form of violence experienced in these contexts is emotional violence and that nurses are more likely than doctors to suffer emotional and physical violence. Based on multiple regression analysis of the data, it appears that greater age and higher scores in secure attachment are associated with reduced experience of emotional violence from patients and visitors. Furthermore, our results show that the relationship between secure attachment and the amount of patient-and-visitor-perpetrated emotional violence experienced is mediated by levels of job satisfaction. We also discuss the potential implications of these results in terms of using staff training to prevent and manage patient and visitor violence and improve the safety of healthcare professionals.
Residual Compressive Strength of High-Strength Concrete Exposed to Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Elsanadedy Hussein M.
Published: May 2019

High-strength concrete (HSC) has several well-known technical, aesthetic, and economic advantages over normal-strength concrete (NSC), which explains the increasing popularity of the former material in the construction domain. As in the case of NSC, however, high temperature adversely affects HSC mechanical properties even more than in NSC, as indicated by the many studies performed so far on HSC at high temperature (hot properties) or past a thermal cycle at high temperature (residual properties). Since many code provisions concerning concrete properties versus high temperature were developed for ordinary concrete and the available models (in terms of stress-strain relationship) come mostly from the tests on NSC—as the tests on HSC are less numerous—developing predictive relationships for HSC exposed to high temperature is still an open issue, especially with reference to many parameters affecting concrete compressive strength, like temperature as such, heating rate, water-to-binder ratio, and strength in compression, to cite the most relevant parameters. To this purpose, a large database (more than 600 tests) is examined in this paper, which is focused on HSC residual properties and on the variables affecting its residual strength. Available design models from various guidelines, standards, codes, and technical reports are tested against the database, and new regression-based models and design formulae are proposed for HSC strength in compression, after the exposure to high temperature.
Reliability and Sensitivity Analysis Method for a Multistate System with Common Cause Failure
Authors: Qin Jinlei , Li Zheng
Published: May 2019

With the increasing complexity of industrial products and systems, some intermediate states, other than the traditional two states, are often encountered during reliability assessments. A system with more than two states is called a multistate system (MSS) which has already become a general phenomenon in the components and/or systems. Moreover, common cause failure (CCF) often plays a very important role in the assessment of system reliability. A method is proposed to assess the reliability and sensitivity of an MSS with CCF. Some components are not only in a failure state that can cause failure itself, but also in a state that can cause the failure of other components with a certain probability. The components that are affected by one type of CCF make up some sets which can overlap on some components. Using the technology of a universal generating function (UGF), the CCF of a component can be incorporated in the expression of its UGF. Consequently, indices of reliability can be calculated based on the UGF expression of an MSS. Sensitivity analysis can help engineers to judge which type of CCF should be eliminated first under various resource limitations. Examples illustrate and validate this method.
Novel Molecular Targets Participating in Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Cardioprotection
Authors: Liu Nan-Bo , Wu Min , Chen Chen , Fujino Masayuki , Huang Jing-Song , Zhu Ping , Li Xiao-Kang
Published: May 2019

Worldwide morbidity and mortality from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and related heart failure remain high. While effective early reperfusion of the criminal coronary artery after a confirmed AMI is the typical treatment at present, collateral myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and pertinent cardioprotection are still challenging to address and have inadequately understood mechanisms. Therefore, unveiling the related novel molecular targets and networks participating in triggering and resisting the pathobiology of MIRI is a promising and valuable frontier. The present study specifically focuses on the recent MIRI advances that are supported by sophisticated bio-methodology in order to bring the poorly understood interrelationship among pro- and anti-MIRI participant molecules up to date, as well as to identify findings that may facilitate the further investigation of novel targets.
Pyelolithotomy in a Patient with Complete Coraliform Calcification Induced by a Double-J Ureteral Stent
Authors: Bonfitto Miguel , de Oliveira Cury Analaura , Caroline Pagelkopf Victoria , Ramos Bezerra de Morais Vinicius , Abib Cury Carlos
Published: May 2019

The placement of a double-J ureteral stent enables the treatment of upper urinary tract obstruction. Despite advances, forgetting the stent favors the occurrence of calcification, leading to increased morbidity rates, lawsuits, and a financial burden on the healthcare system. This paper describes a successful pyelolithotomy for the removal of a calcified double-J ureteral stent.
A Pilot Study of a Grape Seed Procyanidin Extract for Lung Cancer Chemoprevention
Authors: Mao Jenny T. , Lu Qing-Yi , Xue Bingye , Neis Patricia , Zamora Felix D. , Lundmark Laurie , Qualls Clifford , Massie Larry
Published: May 2019

Grape seed procyanidin extract (GSE) had been reported to exert antineoplastic properties in preclinical studies. A modified phase I, open-label, dose-escalation clinical study was conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability, MTD, and potential chemopreventive effects of leucoselect phytosome (LP), a standardized GSE complexed with soy phospholipids to enhance bioavailability, in heavy active and former smokers. Eight subjects ages 46–68 years were enrolled into the study and treated with escalating oral doses of LP for 3 months. Bronchoscopies with bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial biopsies were performed before and after 3 months of LP treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin stain for histopathology grading and IHC examination for Ki-67 proliferative labeling index (Ki-67 LI) were carried out on serially matched bronchial biopsy samples from each subject to determine responses to treatment. Two subjects were withdrawn due to issues unrelated to the study medication, and a total of 6 subjects completed the full study course. In general, 3 months of LP, reaching the highest dose per study protocol was well tolerated and no dosing adjustment was necessary. Such a treatment regimen significantly decreased bronchial Ki-67 LI by an average of 55% (P = 0.041), with concomitant decreases in serum miR-19a, -19b, and -106b, which were oncomirs previously reported to be downregulated by GSE, including LP, in preclinical studies. In spite of not reaching the original enrollment goal of 20, our findings nonetheless support the continued clinical translation of GSE as an antineoplastic and chemopreventive agent against lung cancer.
Comparison between Findings in Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography and in Fluorescein Angiography in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Enders Christian , Baeuerle Franziska , Lang Gabriele E. , Dreyhaupt Jens , Lang Gerhard K. , Loidl Max , Werner Jens Ulrich
Published: May 2019

Objective: To compare typical findings of diabetic retinopathy in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and fluorescein angiography (FA). Subjects/Methods: 42 patients were enrolled in this study. We performed FA and obtained en face 3 × 3 mm OCTA images of the macular region. The count of microaneurysms (MAs) and the size of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were compared. The assessability of the imaging modalities was graded in each eye. Results: 53 eyes of 42 patients with a mean age of 61 years were included. 36/53 eyes revealed nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, 17/53 eyes had proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The mean size of the FAZ was 0.39 mm2 in FA and 0.42 mm2 in OCTA. The mean MA count was 14 in FA and 13 in OCTA. The assessability was favorable to OCTA in 38–41/53 eyes regarding the FAZ and favorable to FA in 45–49/53 eyes regarding MAs. Conclusion: We found a good agreement for the size of the FAZ and a weak agreement regarding the count of MAs in both imaging modalities. The readers favored OCTA for the assessment of the FAZ and FA for the assessment of MAs. Complementary use of FA and OCTA ensures the best diagnostic approach in patients with diabetic retinopathy.