bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
012 Cost-effectiveness of long-term continuous monitoring with an insertable cardiac monitor to detect atrial fibrillation in patients with cryptogenic stroke: an australian payer perspective
Authors: Thijs Vincent , Guarnieri Carmel , Makino Koji , Tilden Dominic , Huynh Marianne
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) is required to initiate oral anticoagulation (OAC) after cryptogenic stroke. However, paroxysmal AF can be difficult to diagnose with short term cardiac monitoring. Taking an Australian payer perspective, we evaluated whether long-term continuous monitoring with an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) is cost-effective for preventing recurrent stroke in patients with cryptogenic stroke.

Methods

A lifetime Markov model was developed to simulate the follow-up of patients, comparing long-term continuous monitoring with an ICM to monitoring by conventional care. We used a linked evidence approach to estimate the rates of recurrent stroke when AF detection leads to initiation of oral anticoagulation, as detected using ICM during the lifetime of the device, or as detected using usual care. All diagnostic and patient management costs were modelled. Other model inputs were determined by literature review. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) was undertaken to explore the effect of parameter uncertainty according to CHADS2 score and oral anticoagulation treatment effect.

Results

In the base-case analysis, the model predicted an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of A$29 570 per quality adjusted life year (QALY). Amongst CHADS2sub-groups analyses, the ICER ranged from A$26,342/QALY (CHADS2=6) to A$42,967/QALY (CHADS2=2). PSA suggested that the probabilities of ICM strategy being cost-effective were 53.4% and 78.7%, at thresholds of $30 000 (highly cost-effective) and $50 000 per QALY (cost-effective), respectively.

Conclusion

Long-term continuous monitoring with ICM is a cost-effective intervention to prevent recurrent stroke in patients following cryptogenic stroke in the Australian context.
016 What is the actual prevalence of migraine?
Authors: Yeh Wei Z , Blizzard Leigh , Taylor Bruce V
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Population prevalence studies of migraine report prevalence rates of between 2.6% to 21.7%, with an average of ~12%. However, migraine prevalence among neurologists is reported to be between 27.6% and 48.6%. Our study examines migraine prevalence among three groups of attendees at a national neurology meeting i) neurologists, ii) neurology registrars, and iii) others (non-neurologists and non-neurology registrars). We hypothesise that there would be a step-wise increase in migraine prevalence, depending on the level of knowledge of the protean manifestations of migraine presentation. If our hypothesis is correct, this would suggest that the true population prevalence is higher than has been previously identified, and therefore only careful phenotyping of groups will allow for differences in genetic and biomarker outcomes to be determined.

Methods

A survey was designed with questions regarding demographics, history of migraine and specific questions aimed at neurologist respondents. Attendees at the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists Annual Scientific Meeting (ANZAN ASM) 2017 were surveyed anonymously.

Results

313 out of 606 attendees responded (51.7%). 65.9% of neurologists, 57.4% of neurology trainees and 52.5% of non-neurologist/neurology registrar respondents had a personal history of migraine, with the difference between neurologist and non-neurologist/neurology registrar groups being statistically significant (p=0.03). Migraine in migraineurs and non-migraine headache in non-migraineurs were nearly all self-diagnosed. Among neurologist migraineurs, 51.2% experienced migraine with aura and 43% migraine without aura.

Conclusion

Migraine prevalence is significantly higher in neurologists compared to non-neurologists and at least 2–3 times higher than reported in population prevalence studies. This may be due to significant under-recognition of migraine in non-neurologists and the population migraine prevalence is highly likely to be significantly higher than previously determined. This under-recognition of migraine may significantly influence the search for genetic predictors and biomarkers of migraine.
034 The susceptibility vessel sign: a clinical-radiological case of propagating left MCA thrombus with resolving neurological deficits
Authors: Nham Benjamin , Hawke Simon
Published: May 2018

Introduction

The susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) is a radiological sign on the SWI sequence of MRI that can predict cardioembolic source and increased recanalisation rates in stroke.1 We present a case of an 86 year old female with resolving neurological deficits from a propagating left MCA thrombus with positive SVS on imaging.

Case

An 86 year old female presented with sudden onset right sided weakness and expressive aphasia in the context of new atrial fibrillation. Her NIHSS was 4. Initial CT angiogram showed complete occlusion of the proximal M1 segment of the left middle cerebral artery. She was within the thrombolysis window but her deficits largely resolved (NHISS 0) before thrombolysis could be administered. A repeat CT angiogram one hour after the first scan showed complete resolution of the MCA occlusion. An MRI brain showed curvilinear gradient signal hypointensity in the distal left M2 segment of the MCA (positive SVS) with a small area of infarction and restricted diffusion. She was discharged on apixaban without neurological deficit. This is a unique case of a stroke patient, with proximal large vessel occlusion, presenting with neurological deficits that self-resolved within minutes without thrombolysis or thrombectomy. There was a positive SVS on MRI. This radiological sign allows direct visualisation of the hypointense thrombo-embolus on the SWI sequence. It occurs as there is a higher level of deoxy-haemoglobin content in the thrombo-embolus and is predictive of a cardioembolic source as cardioembolic thrombi are rich in erythrocytes1.

Conclusion

Our case demonstrated interesting clinical-radiological-pathological correlation in cardioembolic stroke with resolving neurological deficits. The patient’s clinical improvement matched the radiological improvement and corresponded to the pathophysiological course of thrombus from embolization, propagation, occlusion, dissolution and then recanalisation. The SVS is a useful radiological sign to predict cardioembolic sources of stroke and is associated with higher vessel re-canalisation rates.

Reference

. Cho KH, Kim JS, Kwon SU, et al. Significance of susceptibility vessel sign on T2*-weighted gradient echo imaging for identification of stroke subtypes. Stroke2005;36:2379–2383.
007 The impact of demographic changes on the presentation and outcome of stroke: experiences of the oldest old in the murrumbidgee region
Authors: Powell Alice , Finucane Paul , Jude Martin , Mewburn Jenna , Mohr Katherine , Kerr Stephen
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Demographic changes are leading to an ageing population with a disproportionate increase in the oldest old. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in Australia and is particularly prevalent in the elderly. The Murrumbidgee region has a population profile that is 14 years ahead of national Australia and therefore data from this population portends how stroke may present nationally in the future. Existing research suggests that stroke risk factors, subtype, treatment provided and outcomes differ between younger and older demographic groups. This study seeks to build a profile of the experiences of stroke in the oldest old and compare variables with two younger cohorts to test a number of hypotheses about background, treatment and outcomes.

Methods

Data was collected retrospectively from the electronic medical records of 100 stroke patients consecutively admitted to the Wagga Wagga Rural Referral Hospital Acute Stroke Unit. They were split into three demographic groups; young old, 65–74 old (75 to 84) and oldest old (85 and older) and comparisons were made of baseline functional status and risk factor profile, stroke type, stroke treatment and outcomes.

Results

Older people admitted with stroke were more likely to be female with poorer premorbid functional status and higher numbers living in residential care. Atrial fibrillation (p=0.008) and hypertension (p=0.01) were significantly more common with advancing age while rates of smoking (p=0.006) were higher in younger patients. Stroke mechanism was predominantly cardioembolic in older patients and embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) in the youngest group. Stroke severity and stroke treatment did not vary according to age. However, outcomes were poorer with rates of dependency (p=0.03) and residential aged care facility placement (p=0.06) increased among older patients post stroke.

Conclusion

These data provide an indication of how stroke may manifest in our ageing population in the future.
Republished: Mechanical thrombectomy for repeated cerebral tumor embolism from a thoracic sarcomatoid carcinoma
Authors: Pop Raoul , Mihoc Dan , Manisor Monica , Richter Johann Sebastian , Lindner Veronique , Janssen-Langenstein Ralf , Simu Mihaela , Wolff Valerie , Beaujeux Remy
Published: May 2018

Cerebral embolism originating from intracardiac tumors represents a rare cause of stroke and has been documented in both adult and pediatric populations. We present a patient recently diagnosed with a right pulmonary hilum tumor, invading the pulmonary veins and the left atrium. Two consecutive episodes of large cerebral vessel occlusion in separate vascular territories occurred in the same day and were treated by mechanical thrombectomy. Embolic material retrieved on both occasions contained tumor fragments with peripheral endothelialization. To our knowledge, this is the first report with histological confirmation of cerebral embolism from an invasive extracardiac tumor.
Republished: Recurrence of a totally occluded aneurysm after treatment with a pipeline embolization device
Authors: Trivelato Felipe Padovani , Ulhôa Alexandre Cordeiro , Rezende Marco Tulio , Castro-Afonso Luis Henrique , Abud Daniel Giansante
Published: May 2018

Treatment with a pipeline embolization device (PED) is widely accepted as an excellent option for patients harboring giant, wide neck, saccular intracranial aneurysms. It has been shown to be safe and very effective. We describe a previously unreported case of a large middle cerebral artery aneurysm, related to the carotid tip, that was treated with a PED and coils. The 6 month follow-up angiogram demonstrated complete occlusion of the aneurysm. However, the 9 month angiogram revealed recurrent filling of the aneurysm sac. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe recanalization of an aneurysm totally occluded on the control angiography after treatment with a PED. Unanswered questions include the mechanism of recanalization and the need for additional control angiograms and MRI following a previous examination revealing total aneurysm occlusion.
Vehicle swept path analysis based on GPS data
Authors: Ilić Vladan , Gavran Dejan , Fric Sanja , Trpčevski Filip , Vranjevac Stefan
Published: May 2018

Vehicle swept path analysis presents an essential step while working on at-grade intersection and roundabout designs. Following the intensive development of computer-aided design (CAD) software in the past two decades, numerous CAD-based computer programs for vehicle movement simulation have been developed and commercially distributed. The accuracy of these simulation programs is usually verified by conducting experimental field tests in which real movement trajectories of design vehicles, equipped with global positioning system (GPS) receivers, are recorded. This paper proposes an improved methodology for retrieving vehicle movement trajectories from collected GPS data. The proposed methodology reduces the trajectory inaccuracy resulting from pavement grading characteristics and the inability to accurately install GPS receivers in relation to streamlined vehicle body. Results of field experiments show that the reduction of positioning errors in the horizontal projection is not smaller than 50.0 mm compared with previous studies.
Finite groups having nonnormal T.I. subgroups
Authors: Kızmaz M. Yasi̇r
Published: May 2018

In the present paper, the structure of a finite group [Formula: see text] having a nonnormal T.I. subgroup [Formula: see text] which is also a Hall [Formula: see text]-subgroup is studied. As a generalization of a result due to Gow, we prove that [Formula: see text] is a Frobenius complement whenever [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-separable. This is achieved by obtaining the fact that Hall T.I. subgroups are conjugate in a finite group. We also prove two theorems about normal complements one of which generalizes a classical result of Frobenius.
FRETTING FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF COMBINED PLASMA ZIRCONIUMING AND SHOT PEENING ON Ti6Al4V ALLOY
Authors: TANG JINGANG , LIU DAOXIN , ZHANG XIAOHUA , DU DONGXING , YU SHOUMING , LIU CHENGSONG
Published: May 2018

Low wear resistance and high sensitivity to fretting fatigue (FF) damage limit the application of titanium alloys. In order to improve its wear resistance, surface plasma Zirconium (Zr) alloying is a candidate through solution strengthening with its property of infinite solid solution with [Formula: see text]–Ti and [Formula: see text]–Ti. In this work, the plasma Zr metallurgy technique was used to improve the FF resistance of Ti6Al4V alloy combined with shot peening (SP), which is different from the combined treatments of the surface modification with high hardness and SP, and may explain the impacts of ductility and strength in improving FF resistance. The results indicate that the Zr metallurgy layer is composed of a Zr–Ti solid solution with low surface hardness and density, which induce the reduction of the fretting wear (FW) resistance and FF resistance of the Ti6Al4V alloy. Instead, when SP was used as the post treatment, the FW and FF behavior of the titanium alloy were increased obviously after prior plasma Zr metallurgy, especially to high cycle fatigue. This indicates that residual stress introduced by SP is beneficial for improving both FW and resistance.
Synthesis, structure and photophysical properties of dibenzofuran-fused boron dipyrromethenes
Authors: Wu Qinghua , Yuan Jin , Yu Changjiang , Wei Yun , Mu Xiaolong , Jiao Lijuan , Hao Erhong
Published: May 2018

Regioselective functionalization of core per-substituted boron dipyrromethenes (BODIPYs) has been achieved efficiently based on tetrabromoBODIPY, which affords a series of dibenzofuran-fused chromophores, via a regioselective nucleophilic substitution reaction followed by direct palladium-catalyzed two-fold intramolecular ring fusion. These rigid dibenzofuran-fused BODIPYs showed impressive photophysical properties such as clearly red-shifted absorption and emission bands, enhanced absorption coefficients upon and intense fluorescence (close to unity).
PATENT OWNERSHIP FRAGMENTATION AND MARKET VALUE: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: ENTEZARKHEIR MAHDIYEH
Published: May 2018

Patent ownership Fragmentation following the U.S. pro-patent shifts has built overlapping intellectual property rights or patent thickets. This has made the use of others’ innovations costlier due to transaction costs, licensing fees, and hold-up. Using panel data on 2,441 public U.S. manufacturing firms for 1976–2002, I find that patent thickets lower firms’ expected profit and their market value. I also find that firms with a large patent portfolio experience a smaller effect, likely because stronger bargaining position lowers the hold-up likelihood. There is no systematic time effect from patent thickets on firms’ market value with a large patent portfolio size.
Macroscopic Theory for Evolving Biological Systems Akin to Thermodynamics
Authors: Kaneko Kunihiko , Furusawa Chikara
Published: May 2018

We present a macroscopic theory to characterize the plasticity, robustness, and evolvability of biological responses and their fluctuations. First, linear approximation in intracellular reaction dynamics is used to demonstrate proportional changes in the expression of all cellular components in response to a given environmental stress, with the proportion coefficient determined by the change in growth rate as a consequence of the steady growth of cells. We further demonstrate that this relationship is supported through adaptation experiments of bacteria, perhaps too well as this proportionality is held even across cultures of different types of conditions. On the basis of simulations of cell models, we further show that this global proportionality is a consequence of evolution in which expression changes in response to environmental or genetic perturbations are constrained along a unique one-dimensional curve, which is a result of evolutionary robustness. It then follows that the expression changes induced by environmental changes are proportionally reduced across different components of a cell by evolution, which is akin to the Le Chatelier thermodynamics principle. Finally, with the aid of a fluctuation-response relationship, this proportionality is shown to hold between fluctuations caused by genetic changes and those caused by noise. Overall, these results and support from the theoretical and experimental literature suggest a formulation of cellular systems akin to thermodynamics, in which a macroscopic potential is given by the growth rate (or fitness) represented as a function of environmental and evolutionary changes.
A Novel Query Method for Spatial Data in Mobile Cloud Computing Environment
Authors: Chen Guangsheng , Nie Pei , Jing Weipeng
Published: May 2018

With the development of network communication, a 1000‐fold increase in traffic demand from 4G to 5G, it is critical to provide efficient and fast spatial data access interface for applications in mobile environment. In view of the low I/O efficiency and high latency of existing methods, this paper presents a memory‐based spatial data query method that uses the distributed memory file system Alluxio to store data and build a two‐level index based on the Alluxio key‐value structure; moreover, it aims to solve the problem of low efficiency of traditional method; according to the characteristics of Spark computing framework, a data input format for spatial data query is proposed, which can selectively read the file data and reduce the data I/O. The comparative experiments show that the memory‐based file system Alluxio has better I/O performance than the disk file system; compared with the traditional distributed query method, the method we proposed reduces the retrieval time greatly.
DC Performance Variations of SOI FinFETs with Different Silicide Thickness
Authors: Yoon Jun-Sik
Published: May 2018

DC performance and the variability of n-type silicon-on-insulator dopant-segregated FinFETs with different silicide thickness (Tsili) are analyzed. DC parameters including threshold voltage, low-field-mobility-related coefficient, and parasitic resistance are extracted from Y-function method for the comparison of DC performance and variability, and the correlation analysis. All the devices show similar subthreshold characteristics, but the devices with thicker Tsili have greater threshold voltages. The devices with thicker Tsili suffer from the DC performance degradation and its greater variations because the Schottky barrier height at the NiSi/Si interface increases and fluctuates greatly. This effect is validated by greater threshold voltages, larger parasitic resistances, and high correlations among all the DC parameters for the thicker Tsili. The devices with thicker Tsili also have higher low-frequency noise because of larger parasitic resistances and their correlated mobility degradations. Therefore, the device with relatively thin Tsili is expected to have better DC performance and variability concerns.
Two-Dimensional Numerical Study on the Migration of Particle in a Serpentine Channel
Authors: Liu Yi , Li Qucheng , Nie Deming
Published: May 2018

In this work, the momentum exchange scheme-based lattice Boltzmann method is adopted to numerically study the migration of a circular particle in a serpentine channel for the range of 20 ≤ Re ≤ 120. The effects of the Reynolds number, particle density, and the initial particle position are taken into account. Numerical results include the streamlines, particle trajectories, and final equilibrium positions. Close attention is also paid to the time it takes for the particle to travel in the channel. It has been found that the particle is likely to migrate to a similar equilibrium position irrespective of its initial position when Re is large. Furthermore, there exists a critical solid-to-fluid density ratio for which the particle travels fastest in the channel.
On Detecting and Removing Superficial Redundancy in Vector Databases
Authors: DeCastro-García Noemí , Muñoz Castañeda Ángel Luis , Fernández Rodríguez Mario , Carriegos Miguel V.
Published: May 2018

A mathematical model is proposed in order to obtain an automatized tool to remove any unnecessary data, to compute the level of the redundancy, and to recover the original and filtered database, at any time of the process, in a vector database. This type of database can be modeled as an oriented directed graph. Thus, the database is characterized by an adjacency matrix. Therefore, a record is no longer a row but a matrix. Then, the problem of cleaning redundancies is addressed from a theoretical point of view. Superficial redundancy is measured and filtered by using the 1-norm of a matrix. Algorithms are presented by Python and MapReduce, and a case study of a real cybersecurity database is performed.
Pandemic Avian Influenza and Intra/Interhaemagglutinin Subtype Electrostatic Variation among Viruses Isolated from Avian, Mammalian, and Human Hosts
Authors: Righetto Irene , Filippini Francesco
Published: May 2018

Host jump can result in deadly pandemic events when avian influenza A viruses broaden their host specificity and become able to infect mammals, including humans. Haemagglutinin—the major capsid protein in influenza A viruses—is subjected to high rate mutations, of which several occur at its “head”: the receptor-binding domain that mediates specific binding to host cell receptors. Such surface-changing mutations may lead to antigenically novel influenza A viruses hence in pandemics by host jump and in vaccine escape by antigenic drift. Changes in haemagglutinin surface electrostatics have been recently associated with antigenic drift and with clades evolution and spreading in H5N1 and H9N2 viruses. We performed a comparative analysis of haemagglutinin surface electrostatics to investigate clustering and eventual fingerprints among representative pandemic (H5 and H7) and nonpandemic (H4 and H6) avian influenza viral subtypes. We observed preferential sorting of viruses isolated from mammalian/human hosts among these electrostatic clusters of a subtype; however, sorting was not “100% specific” to the different clusters. Therefore, electrostatic fingerprints can help in understanding, but they cannot explain alone the host jumping mechanism.
On the Use of LoRaWAN for Indoor Industrial IoT Applications
Authors: Luvisotto Michele , Tramarin Federico , Vangelista Lorenzo , Vitturi Stefano
Published: May 2018

Low‐Power Wide‐Area Networks (LPWANs) have recently emerged as appealing communication systems in the context of the Internet of Things (IoT). Particularly, they proved effective in typical IoT applications such as environmental monitoring and smart metering. Such networks, however, have a great potential also in the industrial scenario and, hence, in the context of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which represents a dramatically growing field of application. In this paper we focus on a specific LPWAN, namely, LoRaWAN, and provide an assessment of its performance for typical IIoT employments such as those represented by indoor industrial monitoring applications. In detail, after a general description of LoRaWAN, we discuss how to set some of its parameters in order to achieve the best performance in the considered industrial scenario. Subsequently we present the outcomes of a performance assessment, based on realistic simulations, aimed at evaluating the behavior of LoRaWAN for industrial monitoring applications. Moreover, the paper proposes a comparison with the IEEE 802.15.4 network protocol, which is often adopted in similar application contexts. The obtained results confirm that LoRaWAN can be considered as a strongly viable opportunity, since it is able to provide high reliability and timeliness, while ensuring very low energy consumption.
Weight-Loss Cognitive-Behavioural Treatment and Essential Amino Acid Supplementation in a Patient with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Obesity
Authors: El Ghoch Marwan , Bazzani Paola Vittoria , Calugi Simona , Dalle Grave Riccardo
Published: May 2018

Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic neuromuscular disease characterised by muscle atrophy, hypotonia, weakness, and progressive paralysis. Usually, these patients display increased fat mass deposition and reductions in fat-free mass and resting energy expenditure—an unfavourable condition that facilitates the development of obesity. However, weight management of these patients remains poorly described. Hence, the aim of this case report was to describe the clinical presentation and weight management of a 31-year-old male patient with spinal muscular atrophy type III, class I obesity, and metabolic syndrome treated for 1 year by means of a personalised multistep cognitive-behavioural treatment for obesity. The treatment produced a weight loss of 7.2 kg (7.1%), which was associated with a marked improvement in both the patient’s self-reported general conditions and obesity-related cardiometabolic profile, and no adverse effects in terms of spinal muscular atrophy (i.e., reductions in fat-free mass or resting energy expenditure).
Latent Fingerprint Segmentation Based on Ridge Density and Orientation Consistency
Authors: Liu Manhua , Liu Shuxin , Yan Weiwu
Published: May 2018

Latent fingerprints are captured from the fingerprint impressions left unintentionally at the surfaces of the crime scene. They are often used as an important evidence to identify criminals in law enforcement agencies. Different from the widely used plain and rolled fingerprints, the latent fingerprints are usually of poor quality consisting of complex background with a lot of nonfingerprint patterns and various noises. Latent fingerprint segmentation is an important image processing step to separate fingerprint foreground from background for more accurate and efficient feature extraction and matching. Traditional methods are usually based on the local features such as gray scale variance and gradients, which are sensitive to noise and cannot work well for latent images. This paper proposes a latent fingerprint segmentation method based on combination of ridge density and orientation consistency, which are global and local features of fingerprints, respectively. First, a texture image is obtained by decomposition of latent image with a total variation model. Second, we propose to detect the ridge segments from the texture image, and then compute the density of ridge segments and ridge orientation consistency to characterize the global and local fingerprint patterns. Finally, fingerprint segmentation is performed by combining the ridge density and orientation consistency for latent images. The proposed method has been evaluated on NIST SD27 latent fingerprint database. Experimental results and comparison demonstrate the promising performance of the proposed method.
Emotional Availability, Neuropsychological Functioning, and Psychopathology: The Context of Parental Substance Use Disorder
Authors: Porreca Alessio , Biringen Zeynep , Parolin Micol , Saunders Hannah , Ballarotto Giulia , Simonelli Alessandra
Published: May 2018

Parental Substance Use Disorder (SUD) constitutes a high-risk condition for parent-child interactions and child development. Empirical evidence indicates high rates of psychopathology and neuropsychological impairments in individuals with SUD. Despite research indicating that parenting skills are related to psychological well-being and cognitive/neuropsychological functioning, prior studies have not examined the associations between these areas of parental functioning and the quality of parent-child interactions in the context of SUD. Aim(s). The present study adopts an integrated perspective to investigate the way in which maternal neuropsychological functioning and psychopathology are associated with mother-child emotional availability (EA), in the context of parental Substance Use Disorder. Methods. Twenty-nine mothers with SUD were assessed in interaction with their children, as well as with respect to their neuropsychological functioning and psychopathology. Results. In this group, high rates of maternal neuropsychological impairments and psychopathology, as well as generally low levels of EA, were uncovered. Regression analyses showed that maternal neuropsychological functioning was significantly associated with mother-child EA, specifically sensitivity; the role of maternal psychopathology, however, was only marginally significant. Conclusion. In the context of SUD, maternal neuropsychological impairments are significantly associated with mother-child EA. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed.
Hydration Properties of STS‐Refining Slag‐Blended Blast Furnace Slag Cement
Authors: Cho Bong Suk , Choi Young Cheol
Published: May 2018

The refining process using an aluminum deoxidizer for fabricating stainless steel generated steel slag (STS‐refining slag (SRS)) that contains a large amount of Al2O3 and is a compound of mainly 12CaO·7Al2O3 and 3CaO·Al2O3. When SRS was mixed with slag cement, rapid exothermic reaction occurred in the initial phase of hydration. During the hydration of slag cement and SRS, a large quantity of xCaO‐yAl2O3‐zH2O hydrate was observed. Until 10% weight replacement ratio of SRS to slag cement, the compressive strength was in the same level as in the existing slag cement. However, 20% replacement was accompanied by much strength degradation and high drying shrinkage. When a mixture of SRS and gypsum was added to slag cement, ettringite (3CaO·Al2O3·3CaSO4·32H2O) was actively created in the initial hydration phase. The compressive strength of the OPC‐BFS‐SRS‐gypsum binder at 91 days was 91% of that of slag cement (B50) and was similar to that of OPC (O100). Besides, drying shrinkage was almost half that of slag cement, which indicates excellent performance for shrinkage. In case SRS is adequately used, which is an industrial by‐product of the steel‐making process, high shrinkage, a basic problem of slag cement, will be mitigated.
A Two-Phase Flowback Model for Multiscale Diffusion and Flow in Fractured Shale Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Wang Huimin , Wang J. G. , Gao Feng , Wang Xiaolin
Published: May 2018

A shale gas reservoir is usually hydraulically fractured to enhance its gas production. When the injection of water-based fracturing fluid is stopped, a two-phase flowback is observed at the wellbore of the shale gas reservoir. So far, how this water production affects the long-term gas recovery of this fractured shale gas reservoir has not been clear. In this paper, a two-phase flowback model is developed with multiscale diffusion mechanisms. First, a fractured gas reservoir is divided into three zones: naturally fractured zone or matrix (zone 1), stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) or fractured zone (zone 2), and hydraulic fractures (zone 3). Second, a dual-porosity model is applied to zones 1 and 2, and the macroscale two-phase flow flowback is formulated in the fracture network in zones 2 and 3. Third, the gas exchange between fractures (fracture network) and matrix in zones 1 and 2 is described by a diffusion process. The interactions between microscale gas diffusion in matrix and macroscale flow in fracture network are incorporated in zones 1 and 2. This model is validated by two sets of field data. Finally, parametric study is conducted to explore key parameters which affect the short-term and long-term gas productions. It is found that the two-phase flowback and the flow consistency between matrix and fracture network have significant influences on cumulative gas production. The multiscale diffusion mechanisms in different zones should be carefully considered in the flowback model.
The Place of PET to Assess New Therapeutic Effectiveness in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Dupont Anne-Claire , Largeau Bérenger , Guilloteau Denis , Santiago Ribeiro Maria Joao , Arlicot Nicolas
Published: May 2018

In vivo exploration of neurodegenerative diseases by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has matured over the last 20 years, using dedicated radiopharmaceuticals targeting cellular metabolism, neurotransmission, neuroinflammation, or abnormal protein aggregates (beta-amyloid and intracellular microtubule inclusions containing hyperphosphorylated tau). The ability of PET to characterize biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels enables early detection and identification of molecular mechanisms associated with disease progression, by providing accurate, reliable, and longitudinally reproducible quantitative biomarkers. Thus, PET imaging has become a relevant imaging method for monitoring response to therapy, approved as an outcome measure in bioclinical trials. The aim of this paper is to review and discuss the current inputs of PET in the assessment of therapeutic effectiveness in neurodegenerative diseases connected by common pathophysiological mechanisms, including Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and also in psychiatric disorders. We also discuss opportunities for PET imaging to drive more personalized neuroprotective and therapeutic strategies, taking into account individual variability, within the growing framework of precision medicine.
Quaternionic Serret-Frenet Frames for Fuzzy Split Quaternion Numbers
Authors: Yormaz Cansel , Simsek Simge , Elmas Serife Naz
Published: May 2018

We build the concept of fuzzy split quaternion numbers of a natural extension of fuzzy real numbers in this study. Then, we give some differential geometric properties of this fuzzy quaternion. Moreover, we construct the Frenet frame for fuzzy split quaternions. We investigate Serret-Frenet derivation formulas by using fuzzy quaternion numbers.
In Vitro Antioxidant Potential and Effect of a Glutathione‐Enhancer Dietary Supplement on Selected Rat Liver Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Activity
Authors: N’guessan Benoit B. , Amponsah Seth K. , Dugbartey George J. , Awuah Kwabena D. , Dotse Eunice , Aning Abigail , Kukuia Kennedy K. E. , Asiedu-Gyekye Isaac J. , Appiah-Opong Regina
Published: May 2018

Background. There is considerable evidence that many people take dietary supplements including those of herbal origin as an alternative therapy to improve their health. One such supplement, with an amalgam of constituents, is CellGevity®. However, the effect of this dietary supplement on drug‐metabolizing enzymes is poorly understood, as it has not been studied extensively. Therefore, we investigated the effect of CellGevity dietary supplement on selected rat liver microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, the most common drug‐metabolizing enzymes. We also determined the total antioxidant potential of this dietary supplement in vitro. Methods. To determine the antioxidant potential of CellGevity dietary supplement, 2,2‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH), total phenolic, and flavonoid assays were used after initial preparation of a solution form of the supplement (low dose, LD; 4 mg/kg and high dose, HD; 8 mg/kg). Rats received oral administration of these doses of the supplement for 7 days, after which the effect of the supplement on selected liver CYP enzymes was assessed using probe substrates and spectroscopic and high‐performance liquid chromatographic methods. Rats which received daily administration of 80 mg/kg of phenobarbitone and distilled water served as positive and negative controls, respectively. Results. The IC50 value of the supplement 0.34 ± 0.07 mg/ml compared to 0.076 ± 0.03 mg/ml of the BHT (positive control). The total phenolic content of the supplement at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml was 34.97 g gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g while its total flavonoid content at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml was 6 g quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g. The supplement significantly inhibited rat CYP2B1/2B2 (LDT 92.4%; HDT 100%), CYP3A4 (LDT 81.2%; HDT 71.7%), and CYP2C9 (LDT 21.7%; HDT 28.5%) while it had no significant inhibitory effect on CYPs 1A1/1A2, CYP1A2, and CYP2D6. Conclusion. CellGevity dietary supplement possesses moderate antioxidant activity in vitro and has an inhibitory effect on selected rat liver CYP enzymes, suggesting its potential interaction with drugs metabolized by CYP enzymes.
Autologous Stem Cell Therapy in Critical Limb Ischemia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Xie Baocheng , Luo Houlong , Zhang Yusheng , Wang Qinghui , Zhou Chenhui , Xu Daohua
Published: May 2018

Objective. Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most dangerous stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Many basic researches and clinical treatment had been focused on stem cell transplantation for CLI. This systematic review was performed to review evidence for safety and efficacy of autologous stem cell therapy in CLI. Methods. A systematic literature search was performed in the SinoMed, PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register databases from building database to January 2018. Results. Meta-analysis showed that cell therapy significantly increased the probability of ulcer healing (RR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.45–2.06), angiogenesis (RR = 5.91, 95% CI = 2.49–14.02), and reduced the amputation rates (RR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.46–0.76). Ankle-brachial index (ABI) (MD = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.11–0.15), TcO2 (MD = 12.22, 95% CI = 5.03–19.41), and pain-free walking distance (MD = 144.84, 95% CI = 53.03–236.66) were significantly better in the cell therapy group than in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusions. The results of this meta-analysis indicate that autologous stem cell therapy is safe and effective in CLI. However, higher quality and larger RCTs are required for further investigation to support clinical application of stem cell transplantation.
Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies One De Novo Variant in theFGD6Gene in a Thai Family with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Thongnak Chuphong , Hnoonual Areerat , Tangviriyapaiboon Duangkamol , Silvilairat Suchaya , Puangpetch Apichaya , Pasomsub Ekawat , Chantratita Wasun , Limprasert Pornprot , Sukasem Chonlaphat
Published: May 2018

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism is complex and it is unclear. Genetic testing such as microarray or sequencing was widely used to identify autism markers, but they are unsuccessful in several cases. The objective of this study is to identify causative variants of autism in two Thai families by using whole-exome sequencing technique. Whole-exome sequencing was performed with autism-affected children from two unrelated families. Each sample was sequenced on SOLiD 5500xl Genetic Analyzer system followed by combined bioinformatics pipeline including annotation and filtering process to identify candidate variants. Candidate variants were validated, and the segregation study with other family members was performed using Sanger sequencing. This study identified a possible causative variant for ASD, c.2951G>A, in theFGD6gene. We demonstrated the potential for ASD genetic variants associated with ASD using whole-exome sequencing and a bioinformatics filtering procedure. These techniques could be useful in identifying possible causative ASD variants, especially in cases in which variants cannot be identified by other techniques.
The Displacement Analysis Investigation for Variable Gradient Parameters Functionally Graded Materials Based on Strip Element Method
Authors: Tian J. H. , Ma L. L.
Published: May 2018

This paper adopted the strip element method to research the displacement response of functionally graded material structure with variable gradient parameters under mechanical loading. Based on the dynamic equilibrium equation of the system, strip element method theory was established through the principle of virtual work to get the control equations of functionally graded materials plane problem, using the modal superposition method to complete the solution of the equation and obtain the displacement distribution of the FGM plates with variable gradient parameters. The accuracy of the calculation method was verified by comparison with the result of finite element method. The results show that the displacement response of the strip element method is consistent with the finite element method. With the increase of the gradient coefficient, the ceramic content is increased and the material stiffness is also increased; then the displacement response caused by external loading is decreased. With the increase of the gradient coefficient, the influence of the gradient coefficient on the displacement response is decreased gradually.
An Assignment Problem and Its Application in Education Domain: A Review and Potential Path
Authors: Faudzi Syakinah , Abdul-Rahman Syariza , Abd Rahman Rosshairy
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a review pertaining to assignment problem within the education domain, besides looking into the applications of the present research trend, developments, and publications. Assignment problem arises in diverse situations, where one needs to determine an optimal way to assign n subjects to m subjects in the best possible way. With that, this paper classified assignment problems into two, which are timetabling problem and allocation problem. The timetabling problem is further classified into examination, course, and school timetabling problems, while the allocation problem is divided into student-project allocation, new student allocation, and space allocation problems. Furthermore, the constraints, which are of hard and soft constraints, involved in the said problems are briefly elaborated. In addition, this paper presents various approaches to address various types of assignment problem. Moreover, direction and potential paths of problem solving based on the latest trend of approaches are also highlighted. As such, this review summarizes and records a comprehensive survey regarding assignment problem within education domain, which enhances one’s understanding concerning the varied types of assignment problems, along with various approaches that serve as solution.
Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs in Conservatively Treated Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis Compared with Healthy Controls
Authors: Wei Biaofang , Wei Wei , Wang Liang , Zhao Baoxiang
Published: May 2018

Deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) contributes to nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH-N), but the differentially expressed circulating miRNAs in patients with ONFH-N receiving nonsurgical therapy are unknown. This study aimed to determine the miRNAs expression profile of patients with ONFH-N receiving conservative treatments. This was a case-control prospective study of 43 patients with ONFH-N and 43 participants without ONFH-N, enrolled from 10/2014 to 10/2016 at the Department of Orthopedics of the Linyi People’s Hospital (China). The two groups were matched for age, gender, and living area. Microarray analysis and quantitative RT-PCR were used to examine the differentially expressed miRNAs. Bioinformatics was used to predict miRNA target genes and signaling pathways. Microarray and quantitative RT-PCR revealed that nine miRNAs were downregulated and five miRNAs were upregulated in ONFH-N(n=3)compared with controls(n=3). Bioinformatics showed that calcium-mediated signaling pathway, regulation of calcium ion transmembrane transporter activity, cytoskeletal protein binding, and caveolae macromolecular signaling complex were probably regulated by the identified differentially expressed miRNAs. In the remaining 80 subjects (n=40/group), miR-335-5p was downregulated(P=0.01)and miR-100-5p was upregulated(P=0.02)in ONFH-N compared with controls. In conclusion, some miRNAs are differentially expressed in conservatively treated ONFH-N compared with controls. Those miRNAs could contribute to the pathogenesis of ONFH-N.
Design of Output‐Input Inversed Polarity Pulse Power Divider for Ultra‐Wideband Communications
Authors: Li Yufu , Yin XiaoXing
Published: May 2018

The implementation of a output‐input inverse polarity pulse power divider based on the use of a SMA directly feed asymmetric coplanar stripline phase inverter for ultra‐wideband communication is proposed. The novelty of the proposed power divider can be demonstrated that the electromagnetic energy guided by the CPW divides naturally into the slots of two asymmetric coplanar striplines and the polarity of the input pulse be reversed by asymmetric coplanar stripline to SMA transition. SMA connectors are mounted directly to the output asymmetric coplanar striplines and seven pairs of metal rods are soldered vertically to the substrate with seven resistors on top for improving the isolation and matching performance. The simulated and measured result in frequency domain agree well showing equal power division with less than 2 dB of additional insertion loss and in‐phase for the outputs ports across the desired band of 0.4 GHz to 4.0 GHz (one decade) which indicates an ultra‐wideband feature. The return loss for all the ports and the isolation between the two output ports are better than 10 dB which demonstrates good matching and isolation performance. To illustrate the short pulse performance of the proposed power divider, Inverse Fourier Transformation is used to calculate the input and output signals. The Gaussian pulse with a −10 dB bandwidth is utilized as the stimulus signal and the port signals in time domain are derived from the measured scattering parameters and discussed. Time domain results show that the same magnitude of the pulse is obtained between the two outputs and the polarity of the output pulse has been inversed compared to the input one. Simulated and measured results in both frequency and time domain agree well and show the feasibility and validity of the proposed power dividers.
SMAD4 Protein Expression Is Downregulated in Ileal Epithelial Cells from Patients with Crohn’s Disease with Significant Inverse Correlation to Disease Activity
Authors: Klausen Pia , Karstensen John Gásdal , Coskun Mehmet , Săftoiu Adrian , Vilmann Peter , Cowland Jack Bernard , Riis Lene Buhl
Published: May 2018

Background. Small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD)4 and SMAD7 are key regulatory components in the immunosuppressive transforming growth factor- (TGF-) β signaling pathway, which is defective in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). SMAD4 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of IBD as indicated in experimental models of colitis. Aims. To examine the ileal expression levels of SMAD4 and to correlate these with CD disease activity. Methods. The material comprised 29 CD patients (13 with active disease, 16 in remission) and 9 asymptomatic patients referred for ileocolonoscopy as part of an adenoma surveillance program serving as controls. Patients were examined with ileocolonoscopy. Corresponding ileal biopsies were obtained for histological analysis and assessment of SMAD4 and SMAD7 protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results. The protein expression of SMAD4 was significantly downregulated in ileal tissue sections from CD patients as compared to healthy controls (p<0.001). Further, luminal SMAD4 expression was inversely correlated with endoscopic (rs=−0.315; p=0.05) and histopathological activity (rs=−0.40; p=0.013). Conclusions. The SMAD4 epithelial protein level was markedly downregulated in CD patients and inversely correlated with disease activity. This may contribute to defective mucosal TGF-β signaling in active IBD.