bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporalidades permeables: Intersecciones entre medio ambiente y salud. Introducción al monográfico
Authors: Begueria Arantza , Zafra-Aparici Eva
Published: February 2022

A partir de la segunda mitad del siglo XX, el desarrollo tecnológico en diversos campos industriales ha provocado que los seres humanos convivan, en mayor o menor medida, con diversos compuestos químicos sintéticos presentes en la atmósfera, el agua, la tierra y los alimentos. Estos compuestos han afectado, afectan y afectarán la salud de diversos grupos de población en distintas formas. El presente trabajo propone una visión del cuerpo contemporáneo pensado a partir de las múltiples relaciones entre medio ambiente y salud. En primer lugar, se realiza un somero recorrido por la literatura antropológica en torno a estos temas, sus planteamientos y preocupaciones, en el ámbito de la salud, el riesgo, la cultura, las instituciones políticas, la ciencia, y, especialmente, la alimentación. A continuación, se plantea el concepto de «corporalidades permeables» para designar el momento en que la toxicidad proveniente del medio ambiente se incorpora en los cuerpos humanos y los convierte en cuerpos permeables, relacionales y abiertos al mundo que los rodea. Finalmente, se presentan los trabajos que forman parte de este monográfico. Aquí se incluyen tres trabajos etnográficos en zonas con alta contaminación en Ghana, Argentina y Vietnam. Completan el monográfico otras tres contribuciones que tienen como eje el riesgo en la alimentación y que tratan sobre los alimentos funcionales en Argentina, los alimentos y su toxicidad en embarazadas y lactantes en España, y sobre las clasificaciones y elecciones alimentarias en la sociedad española.
Aproximación dialógica a los desastres tóxicos. El agente naranja en el valle A Luoi (Vietnam)
Authors: Uesugi Tak
Published: February 2022

En la década de 2000, una consultora medioambiental canadiense llevó a cabo una investigación científica que impulsó una campaña de salud pública en el valle A Luoi de Vietnam central. En ella se informaba a los habitantes —por vez primera— sobre los riesgos y daños asociados al defoliante químico «agente naranja» y su dioxina tóxica y contaminante rociada durante la Segunda Guerra Indochina (1961-1975). En este artículo, en lugar de poner el foco en la identidad política formada a partir de esa información (aproximación «biosocial»), exploro cómo los habitantes experimentan el riesgo ante la sustancia tóxica en encuentros dialógicos con diferentes signos ambientales, así como con interlocutores reales e imaginarios.
inergias contaminantes y hegemonías duraderas en el centro de la Pcia. de Buenos Aires, República Argentina
Authors: Sarlingo Marcelo
Published: February 2022

El artículo describe las características socioambientales del Partido de Olavarría, ubicado en la Región Centro de la Pcia. de Buenos Aires. Siendo una de las regiones más ricas del mundo, los rápidos cambios en el uso del suelo se articulan con las dinámicas de cambio tecnológico acelerado en la producción agrícola minera y cementera. Esta articulación está generando sinergias glocales, entre las cuales la estructuración de condiciones para la producción de cuerpos disciplinados y permeables a sustancias contaminantes emitidas por los sectores fabriles constituye una dimensión opacada por las políticas corporativas y estatales. La construcción social de hegemonías naturales y de la salud colectiva a nivel regional es inseparable analíticamente de la legitimación simbólica de las políticas neoliberales a escala sistémica. Los regímenes de gubernamentalidad que se despliegan temporalmente durante casi un siglo en el centro de la Pcia. de Buenos Aires sirven para pensar la opacidad de otros procesos actuales; por ejemplo, la reprimarización de la base económica nacional, siempre enmarcados en la consolidación del neoliberalismo en América Latina.
Alimentos funcionales entre las nuevas y viejas corporalidades
Authors: Aguirre Patricia
Published: February 2022

Este artículo aborda las prácticas y representaciones de distintos sectores de ingresos en el AMBA (Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, Argentina) como principios de inclusión de los alimentos funcionales (aquellos que aportan beneficios para la salud) que se presentan como alimentos-medicamentos, y cuyo consumo se ha masificado creciendo exponencialmente en los últimos 25 años. Basándonos en fuentes primarias y secundarias, analizaremos las representaciones del cuerpo, de los alimentos mismos y de la comensalidad en distintos sectores de ingresos de la población del Área. Tales representaciones dan sentido a la inclusión de ciertos alimentos en las canastas de consumo. Luego compararemos estos hallazgos con las mismas categorías en la investigación y desarrollo de alimentos funcionales. Estos, si bien se presentan como la culminación de la alimentación científica, explotan versiones reductoras de la corporalidad, borrando el sentido y la dinámica social y remitiendo a la mera biología, como si el comensal fuera un intestino al que se debe controlar y modelar desde dentro. Los valores que dan sentido a su consumo corresponden a los sectores de mayores ingresos, pero se imponen a todo el agregado a través de un mercadeo agresivo y engañoso junto a su aura de modernidad. Así, han modelado una demanda a la medida de la oferta, a despecho de necesidades, recomendaciones y posibilidades.
Presentación
Authors: Flores Martos Juan Antonio , López Martínez Sergio
Published: February 2022

Nos sentimos especialmente afortunados de abrir este número con la entrevista a Paul Stoller Los desafíos de contar historias en la actualidad, que le hicimos durante nuestro último Congreso Internacional AIBR en Granada. En esa conversación, podemos disfrutar de las reflexiones y experiencias de un antropólogo con una de las trayectorias y obras más interesantes de nuestro tiempo. Habiéndose forjado en trabajos de campo de larga duración con sociedades y maestros de espíritus y de vida, ha apostado por escribir y contar historias en soportes y modos próximos a una antropología pública y comprometida —la de nuestro tiempo actual—. Aprovechamos para anunciar una próxima publicación de un texto original de Paul Stoller en AIBR, al que se hace mención en la entrevista: Antropología lenta en un mundo rápido.
Presentación
Authors: Flores Martos Juan Antonio , Gómez-Pellón Eloy
Published: February 2022

Probablemente nunca hasta este número —Escenarios de parentalidad— habíamos publicado un monográfico tan directamente conectado con la aportación que la antropología proporciona a los debates y la transformación de las realidades del parentesco, desde puntos de vista tan variados como el social, el político, el normativo y el de la ampliación de derechos. Los coordinadores del mismo, Anna Piella y José María Uribe, nos ofrecen una guía imprescindible en su Parentesco y parentalidad para introducirnos en un terreno donde las mutaciones son globales y de gran calado. Como lectores comprendemos, así, el auge de los trabajos sobre parentalidades, su peso en la agenda pública y el ascenso de los mismos en la vanguardia social con un gran dinamismo y actividad propositiva dentro y fuera de la Academia, y, al mismo tiempo, como corriente principal de la antropología del parentesco.
Cronografías procreativas: Ejemplos etnográficos analizados desde una nueva perspectiva
Authors: Fons Virginia , Casado Irina , Imaz Elixabete , Lázare Sarah , Sáez Meritxell
Published: February 2022

Este artículo ofrece un panorama etnográfico sobre la procreación humana en distintas sociedades. Es fruto de los resultados de investigaciones etnográficas llevadas a cabo por un grupo de antropólogas, donde además de los datos etnográficos que permiten entrever distintos modelos de pensar la procreación, se presenta una técnica de análisis de investigación etnográfica, la cronografía procreativa, que ha hecho posible llegar a analizar con el mayor detalle procesual todo lo que configura una estructura procreativa, con sus significados profundos y correlaciones con otros muchos aspectos sociales y culturales que fundamentan cada una de las sociedades.
Plasma atomic layer etching for titanium nitride at low temperatures
Authors: Shim Dahee , Kim Jihyun , Kim Yongjae , Chae Heeyeop
Published: February 2022

Isotropic plasma atomic layer etching (ALE) was developed for titanium nitride (TiN) through a three-step process: plasma oxidation, plasma fluorination, and thermal removal at low temperatures. In the plasma oxidation step, TiN was oxidized to form a titanium oxide (TiO2) layer with O radicals generated from O2 plasma at 100 °C. The TiO2 thickness was found to be saturated with plasma after an exposure time of 300 s, and the saturated thickness increased from 0.29 to 1.23 nm with increasing temperature and RF power. In the plasma fluorination step, the TiO2 layer was converted to titanium oxyfluoride (TiO2−xFx) with F radicals generated in the CF4 plasma at 100 °C. The F atomic fraction on the surface was found to be saturated at 12%, with RF powers below 15 W in the fluorination step. The process temperature was increased during the removal step, and the TiO2−xFx formed by plasma fluorination was completely removed above 150 °C. The removal rates of TiN ranged from 0.24 to 1.71 nm/cycle by controlling the thickness of the TiO2 layer determined earlier. The average surface roughness of TiN decreased from 1.27 to 0.26 nm after 50 cycles of the ALE process. This work demonstrated that plasma oxidation and fluorination with thermal removal can remove TiN at the atomic scale at low temperatures for atomic-scale three-dimensional devices.
Absolute measurement of vacuum ultraviolet photon flux in an inductively coupled plasma using a Au thin film
Authors: Du Linfeng , Ruchhoeft Paul , Economou Demetre J. , Donnelly Vincent M.
Published: February 2022

A new method for absolute measurement of the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photon flux at the edge of a plasma is described. The light produced by the plasma was allowed to strike a negatively biased, gold-coated copper substrate remote from the plasma. The resulting photoelectron emission current was measured, and the absolute photon flux was then found from the known photoelectron yield of Au. The method was used to quantify the amount of VUV light produced by an Ar/He inductively coupled plasma (ICP). Strong emissions at 104.82 and 106.67 nm, corresponding to the 1s2 and 1s4 resonant states of Ar, were observed. The maximum, integrated VUV photon flux measured at the remote location was 3.2 × 1013 photons/cm2 s. This was estimated to correspond to a flux of 5 × 1015 photons/cm2 s at the edge of the ICP, in the range of reported values under similar conditions.
Probing temporal modulation detection in white noise using intrinsic envelope fluctuations: A reverse-correlation study
Authors: Varnet Léo , Lorenzi Christian
Published: February 2022

Part of the detrimental effect caused by a stationary noise on sound perception results from the masking of relevant amplitude modulations (AM) in the signal by random intrinsic envelope fluctuations arising from the filtering of noise by cochlear channels. This study capitalizes on this phenomenon to probe AM detection strategies for human listeners using a reverse correlation analysis. Eight normal-hearing listeners were asked to detect the presence of a 4-Hz sinusoidal AM target applied to a 1-kHz tone carrier using a yes-no task with 3000 trials/participant. All stimuli were embedded in a white-noise masker. A reverse-correlation analysis was then carried on the data to compute “psychophysical kernels” showing which aspects of the stimulus' temporal envelope influenced the listener's responses. These results were compared to data simulated with different implementations of a modulation-filterbank model. Psychophysical kernels revealed that human listeners were able to track the position of AM peaks in the target, similar to the models. However, they also showed a marked temporal decay and a consistent phase shift compared to the ideal template. In light of the simulated data, this was interpreted as an evidence for the presence of phase uncertainty in the processing of intrinsic envelope fluctuations.
Psychological Responses to Intermittent Activities in Children With and Without Asthma
Authors: Schwartz Anna E. , Beemer Lexie R. , Ajibewa Tiwaloluwa A. , Scott-Andrews Katherine Q. , Lewis Toby C. , Robinson Leah E. , Hasson Rebecca E.
Published: February 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological responses to intermittent activities of varying intensities and types among children with and without asthma. Methods: A total of 37 children and adolescents (51% male, aged 8–16 y, 54% nonwhite, and 54% without asthma) participated in this study. Participants completed 5 exercises in the same order: self-paced walking, resistance activities, dance video, gamified obstacle course, and step test. In-task mood was assessed using the Feeling Scale, in-task perceived exertion was assessed via the ratings of perceived exertion scale, and postactivity enjoyment was assessed using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. Results: There was a significant main effect of exercise type on mood (P < .001), ratings of perceived exertion (P < .001), and enjoyment (P < .002). There was not a significant main effect of asthma status on mood, ratings of perceived exertion, or enjoyment (Ps > .05). Children with asthma reported significantly lower in-task mood during the step exercise (P < .037) and reported significantly lower postactivity enjoyment after the walk and obstacle course exercises (Ps < .03). Conclusions: Regardless of differences by asthma status for in-task mood during the obstacle course and for postactivity enjoyment during the walk and step exercises, both children with and without asthma reported high in-task mood and postactivity enjoyment during all 5 exercises.
Molecular organization and mechanics of single vimentin filaments revealed by super-resolution imaging
Authors: Nunes Vicente Filipe , Lelek Mickael , Tinevez Jean-Yves , Tran Quang D. , Pehau-Arnaudet Gerard , Zimmer Christophe , Etienne-Manneville Sandrine , Giannone Gregory , Leduc Cécile
Published: February 2022

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are involved in key cellular functions including polarization, migration, and protection against large deformations. These functions are related to their remarkable ability to extend without breaking, a capacity that should be determined by the molecular organization of subunits within filaments. However, this structure-mechanics relationship remains poorly understood at the molecular level. Here, using super-resolution microscopy (SRM), we show that vimentin filaments exhibit a ~49-nanometer axial repeat both in cells and in vitro. As unit-length filaments (ULFs) were measured at ~59 nanometers, this demonstrates a partial overlap of ULFs during filament assembly. Using an SRM-compatible stretching device, we also provide evidence that the extensibility of vimentin is due to the unfolding of its subunits and not to their sliding, thus establishing a direct link between the structural organization and its mechanical properties. Overall, our results pave the way for future studies of IF assembly, mechanical, and structural properties in cells.
Extracorporeal CO2reduction for COVID-19: hypercapnic respiratory failure post extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Taxiera John J , Cambria Gaetano , Mackay Emily
Published: February 2022

COVID-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has challenged medical providers. In severe cases, patients present with poor lung compliance, requiring not only lung protective mechanical ventilation strategies, but also extracorporeal support. Due to the nature of the pandemic, the extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal device called Hemolung Respiratory Assist System became available under the Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization for patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS. This allowed application of the device to treat patients with recrudescent ARDS following an acute aspiration pneumonia following two previous veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxidation treatment series, in the setting of hypercapnic respiratory acidosis.
Progress and challenges in research of the mechanisms of anhedonia in major depressive disorder
Authors: Su Yun-Ai , Si Tianmei
Published: February 2022

There is an increasing heavy disease burden of major depressive disorder (MDD) globally. Both high diagnostic heterogeneity and complicated pathological mechanisms of MDD pose significant challenges. There is much evidence to support anhedonia as a core feature of MDD. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, anhedonia is further emphasised as a key item in the diagnosis of major depression with melancholic features. Anhedonia is a multifaceted symptom that includes deficits in various aspects of reward processing, such as anticipatory anhedonia, consummatory anhedonia, and decision-making anhedonia. Anhedonia is expected to become an important clinicopathological sign for predicting the treatment outcome of MDD and assisting clinical decision making. However, the precise neurobiological mechanisms of anhedonia in MDD are not clearly understood. In this paper, we reviewed (1) the current understanding of the link between anhedonia and MDD; (2) the biological basis of the pathological mechanism of anhedonia in MDD; and (3) challenges in research on the pathological mechanisms of anhedonia in MDD. A more in-depth understanding of anhedonia associated with MDD will improve the diagnosis, prediction, and treatment of patients with MDD in the future.
Coefficients of catalan states without nesting and maximal number of returns
Authors: Dabkowski M. K. , Merrill A. D.
Published: February 2022

We find and study properties of the coefficients [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of Catalan states with the maximal number of returns and no nesting in the Kauffman bracket sum of an [Formula: see text] lattice crossing [Formula: see text]. We show that, up to a power of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are polynomials in variable [Formula: see text] with unimodal and palindromic coefficients. Our results can be viewed as a step toward obtaining closed form formulas for coefficients of an arbitrary Catalan state obtained from [Formula: see text].
Symbolic defects of edge ideals of unicyclic graphs
Authors: Mandal Mousumi , Pradhan Dipak Kumar
Published: February 2022

We introduce the concept of minimum edge cover for an induced subgraph in a graph. Let [Formula: see text] be a unicyclic graph with a unique odd cycle and [Formula: see text] be its edge ideal. We compute the exact values of all symbolic defects of [Formula: see text] using the concept of minimum edge cover for an induced subgraph in a graph. We describe one method to find the quasi-polynomial associated with the symbolic defects of edge ideal [Formula: see text]. We classify the class of unicyclic graphs when some power of maximal ideal annihilates [Formula: see text] for any fixed [Formula: see text]. Also for those class of graphs, we compute the Hilbert function of the module [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text]
Comparison of two reader modes of computer-aided diagnosis in lung nodules on low-dose chest CT scan
Authors: Hu Qiongjie , Wang Shaofang , Chen Chong , Kang Shichao , Sun Ziyan , Wang Yujin , Xiang Min , Guan Hanxiong , Liu Yiwen , Xia Liming
Published: February 2022

Low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) scanning is of great significance for monitoring and management of pulmonary nodules on chest computerized tomography (CT). Nevertheless, the malignant potential of these nodules is often difficult to detect, especially for some smaller pulmonary nodules on LDCT images. Recent advances using the state-of-art computer-aided detection (CAD) system have attempted to address this problem by identifying small nodules that can be easily missed during clinical practice. CAD is used in two reading modes: Concurrent-reader (CR) mode or second-reader (SR) mode. In this study, we prospectively evaluated the efficiency of a CAD system’s SR and CR modes in detecting pulmonary nodules on LDCT. We found that the SR mode improves pulmonary nodule detection regardless of the dose and experience level, especially for interns in the low-dose setting. The CR mode maintains the sensitivity of SR mode while significantly decreasing reading times.
High-Platinum-Content Catalysts on Atomically Dispersed and Nitrogen Coordinated Single Manganese Site Carbons for Heavy-Duty Fuel Cells
Authors: Chen Mengjie , Li Chenzhao , Zhang Bingzhang , Zeng Yachao , Karakalos Stavros , Hwang Sooyeon , Xie Jian , Wu Gang
Published: February 2022

Fuel cells for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) have attracted considerable attention because of their unique scalability, better fuel economy, the less demand for hydrogen refilling infrastructure. However, the potential application requires more stringent fuel cell durability up to 25,000 h. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) made from platinum group metal (PGM) catalyst with relatively high loading 0.3 mgPt cm−2 play a crucial role in ensuring high-power and long-term durability. Integrating fine PGM nanoparticles and robust carbon support with strengthened interactions is critical for improving MEA performance and durability. Herein, a unique atomically dispersed and nitrogen coordinated single Mn site-rich carbon (M–N–C) support was developed for high content (40 wt%) platinum catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) cathode with reduced thickness. Compared with two controls studied in this work (e.g., a porous graphitic carbon-supported Pt and a commercial TKK Pt/C catalysts), the Pt (40 wt%)/Mn–N–C catalyst exhibited much enhanced catalytic activity and stability for the ORR in both aqueous acidic electrolyte and polymer electrolyte-based MEA. We carefully elucidated the—role of the Mn–N–C support in promoting Pt catalyst concerning its high surface area, partially graphitic structure, and nitrogen dopants, providing better Pt nanoparticle dispersion, and strengthened interactions between Pt and carbon. Consequently, the MEA from the Pt (40 wt%)/Mn–N–C catalyst generated a 1.61 A cm−2 at 0.7 V based on HDV conditions (0.2 mgPt cm−2 and 250 kPa air). More importantly, the MEA is highly durable and can retain 1.31 A cm−2 at 0.7 V after 30,000 voltage cycles (∼19% loss), surpassing the commercial Pt/C catalyst (loss of ∼56%). Therefore, the Mn–N–C carbon-supported Pt catalyst holds a great promise to meet the challenging DOE target (1.07 A cm−2 at 0.7 V after 150,000 cycles) for HDVs.
A Simple Conceptual Model for Estimating the First Bending Natural Frequency of Bridge Superstructures
Authors: Karimi Farnoush , Akbari Reza , Maalek Shahrokh
Published: February 2022

Several parameters affect the bridge’s natural frequencies while parameters related to the geometric characteristics of bridge components are more important. Maximum span length (SL) (length of the main or longest span), deck width, number of girders and spans, and girder’s height can be regarded as the main influencing parameters. In this paper, the first bending natural frequency (FBNF) of bridge superstructures of typical structural systems is assessed analytically using a simple conceptual model considering the main analytical parameters. The results show that the FBNF of bridges is strongly related to the SL of the longest span. It means that the other parameters are considered indirectly and may not be essentially considered as influencing parameters.
Optimization of the Stirring Blade Structure of the Pumping Unit Based on the Improvement of Concrete Suction Efficiency
Authors: Jiang Shengqiang , Wan Hong , Cao Guodong , Tan Yuanqiang , Liu Jingang , Yang Shiping , Xiao Xiangwu , Tong Zhenggang , Yu Quanxu
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a discrete element method (DEM) is used to simulate the suction process of fresh concrete in the pumping system, and the influence of the stirring blade on the suction is explored. The Hertz‐Mindlin with JKR Cohesion contact model is used to establish the DEM model of fresh concrete, and the suction work is realized by an API function of DEM, and the movement of particles in the suction cylinder can be completed smoothly. The changes of the concrete flow field during the suction process are further studied, and the influence mechanism of the stirring blade on the suction process is explained. A numerical simulation scheme is designed to explore the influence of the rotation speed, installation angle, and edges distance of the stirring blade on the suction efficiency and the stirring resistance torque, and the structure of the stirring blade is optimized according to the influence law. The simulation results show that the stirring resistance torque of the optimized stirring blade is reduced without the suction efficiency of the pumping system reduced, and the stirring energy consumption of the pump suction is reduced.
Parotid Gland Solitary Fibrous Tumor Presenting as a Long Duration Mass: A Case Report
Authors: Abdulhaleem Khadijah , Dababo Mohammad Anas , Othman Eyas
Published: February 2022

The solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a tumor of uncertain histogenesis, affecting deep soft tissues, particularly the pleura (pulmonary) and extrapulmonary sites including thighs, retroperitoneum, other serosal surfaces, and cranial and spinal meninges. SFT and hemangiopericytoma are now considered the same entity, with general agreement on referring to this group of tumors as “SFT.” SFTs are generally benign tumors with small subsets of malignant ones. Moreover, they are well-circumscribed with a good prognosis after surgical resection. SFTs are uncommon in the head and neck and are quite rare in the parotid gland region. Here, we present a case of a 48-year-old female with SFT of the parotid gland region; the diagnosis was confirmed by positive immunohistochemical staining for Bcl-2, CD34, and STAT6. STAT6 immunohistochemistry is sensitive and specific for SFTs.
Rainfall Infiltration under Various Building Layouts Using Concrete Microseepage Wells
Authors: Liu Xiaolan , Li Shunqun , Bai Yunfeng
Published: February 2022

Low-impact development measures are a kind of ecological technology system that can easily realize urban rainwater collection and utilization to alleviate the contradiction between flooding/water logging disasters and water shortages. But most of the low-impact development measures are difficult to solve the problem of deep soil infiltration and fully utilize runoff regulation and seepage benefits. Therefore, this paper proposes the concrete microseepage well with the optimum proportion of crushed stone, cement, and water of 1 : 0.13 : 0.11 and 2% steel fiber content. The artificial rainfall experiment is applied to verify the high-infiltration of concrete microseepage well in deep soil. The numerical analysis shows that the concrete microseepage well around a single building and two adjacent buildings can all decrease 15%–40% of the pore water pressure, decrease 11%–33% of total head, and improve 43–55 times of infiltration velocity. The concrete microseepage well with 0.1 m in diameter and 1 m in height can affect the infiltration area of 1 m2. Each building being surrounded by seepage wells is the optimal layout scheme to alleviate the flooding/water logging disasters. This study provides a scientific reference for the development of sponge cities with low-impact development measures to reduce the problem of flooding/water logging disasters and water shortages.
Otosyphilis with Clinical and Serologic Responses with Weekly Intramuscular Penicillin: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Etemady-Deylamy Ali , Abate Getahun
Published: February 2022

With the increasing prevalence of syphilis in different parts of the world, it is important to be cognizant of serious forms of syphilis. Otosyphilis is a rare form of syphilis with an extremely high rate of complications. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent a complete loss of hearing and decrease mortality. We present a unique case of otosyphilis who presented with left hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo, with audiometric findings confirming the hearing loss. An MRI brain showed asymmetric enhancement of the left cochlea and vestibular apparatus. She initially received oral steroids and trans-tympanic steroid injections with transient improvement of symptoms. She was diagnosed with syphilis through contact tracing after her ex-boyfriend tested positive. She received three weekly doses of intramuscular penicillin. Interestingly, her symptoms, rapid plasma regain (RPR) titer, and audiometry findings markedly improved. Once a diagnosis of otosyphilis was established, she received 14 days of intravenous penicillin.
Hodgkin Lymphoma Mimicking Lumbar Spine Tuberculosis
Authors: Djossou H. Julien , Ghassem Mohamed Ahmed , Toufik Hamza , Oukabli Mohamed , Bezza Ahmed , Achemlal Lahsen
Published: February 2022

Introduction. The clinical manifestations of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) can closely mimic spine and lymph node tuberculosis (TB). Case Description. A 48-year-old man was initially treated for retroperitoneal lymph nodes TB, and this diagnosis was made without bacteriological and histopathological confirmation. After four months of regular therapy for TB, he did not improve and was admitted to our department for lumbar spine pain. We first made diagnosis of tuberculous spondylodiscitis, and anti-TB treatment was strengthened. But, after three weeks of hospitalization, his condition worsened clinically with onset of swelling of the left supraclavicular lymph node. So, after surgical excision and anatomopathological examination of the lymph node, the diagnosis of nodular sclerosis classic Hodgkin lymphoma was made. He was treated by chemotherapy, and his condition improved significantly after the first 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Conclusion. Repeated investigations may be helpful in establishing a correct diagnosis and starting an effective treatment in this highly curable disease.
Comparative Physicochemical Screening and Toxicology of Hydroethanol Extracts of the Parts of Pterocarpus santalinoides l’Hér. ex DC. (Fabaceae) in Wistar Rats
Authors: Ayéna Aimé Cézaire T. , Dosseh Kossivi , Idoh Kokou , Agbonon Amegnona , Gbeassor Messanvi
Published: February 2022

Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the phytochemical profile and acute and chronic toxicity of hydroethanolic extracts of three parts of P. santalinoides. Methods. Seven major chemical groups (alkaloids, flavonoids, saponosides, coumarins, tannins, triterpenes, and steroids) were studied. The single dose limit test of 5000 mg/kg body weight was used to evaluate the acute toxicity of each organic extract. Subacute toxicity was evaluated after daily oral doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight were administered to rats for 28 days. Results. At a single dose of 5000 mg/kg, none of the extracts (leaf, trunk bark, and root) caused death in experimental rats. However, the trunk bark extract of P. santalinoides induced coat change and lethargy in treated rats. Macroscopic observation of the internal organs (liver and kidneys) of the rats showed no abnormalities. In the subacute test, only the trunk extracts induced signs of toxicity such as mobility disorders, diarrhea, and loss of body weight at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. Conclusion. This study showed that the hydroethanol extracts of the leaves, trunk bark, and root bark of P. santalinoides divergently concentrated the main chemical groups of interest. Administration of a single dose of extracts from all three P. santalinoides is not toxic to the consumer. However, when used over a long period of time, they can have a harmful effect on the consumer. In view of the different results of the trunk bark extract and in a context of conservation of the species, we recommend the use of the hydroethanolic extract of the leaves in the different treatments in which the three organs are involved.
Demonstration of Smart Railway Level Crossing Design and Validation Using Data from Metro Rail, South Africa
Authors: Tshaai D.C. , Mishra A.K. , Pidanic Jan.
Published: February 2022

Long waiting time at railway level crossings poses a risk on the safety and affects capacity of rail and road traffic. However, in most cases, the long closing time can be prevented by reducing the time lost at a railway level crossing. The emphasis of this study is to present a numerical optimisation algorithm to reduce the time lost per train trip at a railway level crossing. Thus, attributes with the highest impact on the railway level crossing closing time were extracted from the data analysis of rail-road level crossings on the southern corridor of the Western Cape metro rail. Powell’s optimisation algorithm was formulated on the minimisation of the time lost at the railway level crossing per trip. Thus, time lost is constrained by the technical and train’s traction constraints. The upper and lower bounds of Powell’s algorithm were defined by the threshold closing time in addition to the actual and expected probability density functions. The algorithm was implemented in Matlab. Furthermore, the algorithm was trained on 8000 data sets and tested on 2000 data sets. The developed algorithm proved to be effective and robust in comparison to the current state of railway level crossings under study. Thus, the algorithm was validated to reduce the time lost at the railway level crossing by at least 50%.
A New Variant of JM Software Reliability Model
Authors: Kaswan Kuldeep Singh , Choudhary Sunita , Singh Santar Pal , Pise Anil Audumbar , Hinga Simon Karanja
Published: February 2022

Software reliability is the probability of failure-free operations of software in a specific environment in a given time period. Various software reliability models have been designed by the researchers, but the JM model is the first influential model. The JM model was developed with the basic assumption that the faults are independent in this model and the debugging process is perfect. But practically, all debugging processes may not be perfect, especially when the faults are dependent; in this case, the fault that is actually to have been removed may also remove more than one fault and cause it to add some new faults. To handle this behavior of faults mutual dependency, we need a new model which may be less reliable or the result accuracy of the model may be lower than that of the existing ones, but it can handle more practical situations in the fault removal process. In this paper, we proposed a new software reliability model with the same assumption that at whatever time a failure is detected, it is not completely eradicated and there is a possibility of raising some new faults because of wrong analysis or inaccurate modifications in the software or the removal of the existing fault may also remove some other faults. The proposed model is more practical than the existing ones.
A Digital Feature Recognition Technology Used in Ballet Training Action Correction
Authors: Sun Jia
Published: February 2022

In order to improve the effect of ballet training, this paper combines digital technology to improve the motion recognition process, analyzes the imaging process, analyzes the system process combined with the human node model, and combines digital feature recognition technology to construct a ballet training motion correction system. Moreover, this paper inputs the ballet training action recognition results into the system and compares the standard actions to judge the rationality of the actions and builds a ballet training action correction system based on digital feature recognition. In addition, this paper designs experiments to conduct ballet training movements in the system effect evaluation. The experimental research verifies that the digital feature recognition technology proposed in this paper can play an important role in ballet movement recognition and has a good action correction effect.
Downregulation of MicroRNA-1 and Its Potential Molecular Mechanism in Nasopharyngeal Cancer: An Investigation Combined with In Silico and In-House Immunohistochemistry Validation
Authors: Wen Jia-Ying , Qin Li-Ting , Chen Gang , Huang He-Qing , Shen Ming-Jun , Pang Jin-Shu , Tang Yu-Xing , Lu Wei , Wang Ren-Sheng , Luo Jia-Yuan
Published: February 2022

Background. This study was aimed at elucidating the molecular biological mechanisms of microRNA-1 (miR-1) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Method. In this study, we performed a pooled analysis of miR-1 expression data derived from public databases, such as GEO, ArrayExpress, TCGA, and GTEx. The miRWalk 2.0 database, combined with the mRNA microarray datasets, was used to screen the target genes, and the genes were then subjected to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis using the DAVID 6.8 database. We then used the STRING 11.0 database and Cytoscape 3.80 software to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for screening hub genes. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was further used to validate the expression of hub genes. Finally, potential therapeutic agents for NPC were screened by the Connectivity Map (cMap) database. Results. Pooled analysis showed that miR-1 expression was significantly decreased in NPC (

SMD
=
−
0.57

;

P
<
0.05

). The summary receiver operating characteristic curve suggested that miR-1 had a good ability to distinguish cancerous tissues from noncancerous tissues (

AUC
=
0.78

). The results of GO analysis focused on mitotic nuclear division, DNA replication, cell division, cell adhesion, extracellular space, kinesin complex, and extracellular matrix (ECM) structural constituent. The KEGG analysis suggested that the target genes played a role in key signaling pathways, such as cell cycle, focal adhesion, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, ECM-receptor interaction, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The PPI network suggested that cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) was the hub gene, and the CDK1 protein was subsequently confirmed to be significantly upregulated in NPC tissues by IHC. Finally, potential therapeutic drugs, such as masitinib, were obtained by the cMap database. Conclusion. miR-1 may play a vital part in NPC tumorigenesis and progression by regulating focal adhesion kinase to participate in cell mitosis, regulating ECM degradation, and affecting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. miR-1 has the potential to be a therapeutic target for NPC.
Prognostic Value of Lymphocyte-to-White Blood Cell Ratio for In-Hospital Mortality in Infective Endocarditis Patients
Authors: Zhang Mengying , Ge Qiuxia , Qiao Tengfei , Wang Yaman , Xia Xiaohong , Zhang Xiang , Zhou Jun
Published: February 2022

Background. The prognosis of Infective endocarditis (IE) is poor, and we conducted this investigation to evaluate the worth of admission lymphocyte-to-white blood cell ratio (LWR) for prediction of short-term outcome in IE patients. Methods. We retrospectively assessed the medical records of 147 IE patients from January 2017 to December 2019. Patients were divided into the survivor group and nonsurvivor group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to estimate the independent factors contribution to in-hospital death, and receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to check the performance. Results. The levels of LWR (0.17 ± 0.08 vs. 0.10 ± 0.06) were significantly increased among the survivor group compared with the nonsurvivor group (

P

 = 0.001). Multivariate analysis displayed that LWR (hazard ratio (HR): 1.755, 1.304–2.362,

P

 < 0.001) was not interfered by other confounding factors for early death. Moreover, ROC analysis suggested that LWR (cutoff value = 0.10) performed the best among assessed indexes for the forecast of primary outcome (area under curve (AUC) = 0.750, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.634–0.867,

P

 < 0.001, sensitivity = 70.0%, specificity = 76.4%), and the proportion of in-hospital mortality was remarkably inferior in patients with LWR > 0.10 than in those with LWR ≤ 0.10. (5.83% vs. 31.8%,

P

 < 0.001). Conclusions. LMR is an independent, simple, universal, inexpensive, and reliable prognostic parameter to identify high-risk IE patients for in-hospital mortality.
CO2 Adhesion Characteristics on Solid Surfaces under CO2 Geologic Sequestration Environment
Authors: Sun Jingyue , Xu Haopo , Chen Cong , Li Tonglai , Li Weizhong , Qin Yan
Published: February 2022

Wettability at mineral-CO2 interface in CGS (carbon geosequestration) is a key parameter for risk assessments and storage capacity estimations. Many studies of wettability achieved inconsistent results, while adhesion could be a potential mechanism causing huge wettability alteration. CO2 adhesion characteristics have been revealed for CO2/brine/mica system under a wide range of pressures, temperatures, and salinities by analyzing static and dynamic contact angles. Under all experiment conditions, the average static CA ranges from 19.5° to 32.1°. In 8 MPa experiments, CA decreases from 26.0° to 19.5° with the increasing salinity. Similar trends were also observed under 12 MPa condition. However, CA does not show clear dependence on pressure. A concentric probe was designed by which vertical position of the probe can be changed by rotating the screw of the probe holder while horizontal degrees of freedom are restricted. With this concentric probe, contact angles were obtained at different positions of the same sample to investigate the effect of heterogeneity of sample surface. Uncertainty and large hysteresis of dynamic contact angles were found which related with measurement positions. These large hystereses as obvious sign of adhesion had good repeatability at specific surface positions. Further electron microscope test demonstrated the correlation between large hysteresis and smoother surfaces which is consistent with the DLVO theory-based water film thickness hypothesis on adhesion. This study enriched the data on the wettability of mica and may shed light on CO2 adhesion on solid surfaces for better understanding the fate of CO2 during sequestration.
Machine Learning-Based MRI LAVA Dynamic Enhanced Scanning for the Diagnosis of Hilar Lesions
Authors: Wang Haijin , Wang Song , Zhou Lihua
Published: February 2022

Objective. To explore the value of machine learning-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) liver acceleration volume acquisition (LAVA) dynamic enhanced scanning for diagnosing hilar lesions. Methods. A total of 90 patients with hilar lesions and 130 patients without hilar lesions who underwent multiphase dynamic enhanced MRI LAVA were retrospectively selected as the study subjects. The 10-fold crossover method was used to establish the data set, 7/10 (154 cases) data were used to establish the training set, and 3/10 (66 cases) data were used to establish the validation set to verify the model. The region of interest was extracted from MRI images using radiomics, and the hilar lesion model was constructed based on a convolutional neural network. Results. There were significant differences in respiration and pulse frequency between patients with hilar lesions and without hilar lesions (P <0.05). The subjective scores of the images in the first three phases of dynamic enhanced scanning in the training set were higher than those in the validation set (

P
<
0.05

). There was no significant difference between the training and validation set in the last three phases of dynamic enhanced scanning. Conclusion. Machine learn-based MRI LAVA dynamic enhanced scanning for diagnosing hilar lesions has high diagnostic efficiency and can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic method.
FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy Study of Soot Deposits Produced in the Infrared Multiphoton Dissociation of Vinyl Bromide
Authors: Samoudi B. , Bendaou O. , Hanafi I. , Asselman A. , Haboubi K.
Published: February 2022

Even at low concentrations, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons found in soot have substantial health implications. Soot deposits have been reported and studied using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Using a CO2 photolysis laser, the samples were obtained via infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) of vinyl bromide (VBr, C2H3Br) molecules. The solid deposit formed in the IRMPD of VBr when a relatively high fluence of the order of 204 J.cm−2 was analyzed by FTIR, and it was discovered that the majority of its composition is aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Significant fullerene-type carbonaceous soot particles are also found, which could correspond to C60 and C70 or other carbonaceous agglomerates of a higher order; however, the disappearance of this fullerene on Raman spectra cast doubt on this explanation. Our samples’ Raman spectroscopy has been compared to Tamor and Vassell’s research, which may indicate that they have a lesser degree of hardness and density than these authors’ results, indicating a larger hydrogen content in our samples. The optical gap has been calculated, yielding a very limited range of values ranging only between 1.0 and 1.2 eV, resulting in a crystalline size of 0.58 to 1.12 nm.
Suctioning Flexible Ureteroscopy with Automatic Control of Renal Pelvic Pressure versus Mini PCNL for the Treatment of 2–3-cm Kidney Stones in Patients with a Solitary Kidney
Authors: Deng Xiaolin , Xie Donghua , Huang Xin , Huang Jianrong , Song Leming , Du Chuance
Published: February 2022

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the treatment outcomes between suctioning flexible ureteroscopic lithotomy (SF-URL) with automatic control of renal pelvic pressure and minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) for the management of 2–3-cm renal stones in patients with a solitary kidney. Materials and Methods: A total of 127 patients with a solitary kidney who underwent SF-URL (n = 57) or MPCNL (n = 70) for large renal stones (>2 cm) between June 2015 and October 2020 were consecutively analyzed. The stone characteristics, operative times, stone-free rate (SFR), hospital stays, and incidences of complications were compared. Results: There was a significantly shorter operative time with MPCNL than with SF-URL (43.4 ± 18.9 min vs. 61.8 ± 21.1 min, p = 0.012). SFR at 30 days were 80.7% (46/57) and 90.0% (63/70) for SF-URL and MPCNL, respectively (p > 0.05). The SFR at the 3-month follow-up was comparable in both groups (91.2% vs. 95.7%, p > 0.05). The hemoglobin decline value, hospital stay, serum cystatin C, and percentage of patients requiring blood transfusions in the SF-URL group were obviously better than those in the MPCNL group: (0.8 ± 0.4) versus (3.9 ± 2.7) g/dL (p = 0.007), (3.6 ± 1.5) versus (6.9 ± 3.1) days (p = 0.013), (1.02 ± 0.48) versus (2.54 ± 0.69) mg/L (p = 0.011), and 0 (0.0%) versus 7 (10.0%) (p = 0.016), respectively. The percentages of patients with thrombosis and perirenal hematoma in the MPCNL group were higher than those in the SF-URL group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: For the treatment of 2–3-cm renal stones in patients with a solitary kidney, both SF-URL and MPCNL are effective. MPCNL has the advantage of a shorter operation time. However, SF-URL is characterized by less bleeding, shorter hospital stay, and less damage to kidney function.
Detection of Acute Kidney Injury in Neonates after Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Webb Tennille N.
Published: February 2022

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CS-AKI) in neonates has been associated with poor outcomes. Early detection and intervention of acute kidney injury (AKI) are needed in order to mitigate some of these sequalae. Currently, serum creatinine (SCr) remains the gold standard for AKI diagnosis; however, changes are not seen until days after injury thus delaying the diagnosis. Serum creatinine in neonates varies based on multiple factors such as prematurity, the presence of maternal SCr and renal tubule immaturity. Acute kidney injury biomarkers, such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), are useful for early AKI diagnosis. In addition to SCr and AKI biomarkers, a risk-based assessment of neonates at risk for CS-AKI could prove useful for early AKI diagnosis and intervention.