bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Future gasoline engine ignition: A review on advanced concepts
Authors: Yu Shui , Zheng Ming
Published: September 2020

To meet the future requirements of fuel economy and exhaust emissions, high-efficiency gasoline engines tend to employ diluted combustion concepts along with intensified charge motion and stratified mixtures. Securing the ignition of such mixtures over the full engine operation range is challenging, because of the lowered mixture reactivity and increased discrepancy of stoichiometry. In recent years, increasing research efforts have been spending on innovations of ignition technologies to tackle the challenges. In this paper, the directions of ignition improvement are highlighted based on the fundamental understanding of the ignition mechanisms. The working principles of the primary types of advanced ignition systems are introduced; and relevant engine and combustion vessel test results are reviewed. The ignition systems are categorized as: (1) high-energy spark ignition, (2) pulsed nanosecond discharge ignition, (3) radio-frequency plasma ignition, (4) laser-induced plasma ignition, and (5) pre-chamber ignition. The advanced ignition systems are commented, regarding the ignition effectiveness and the implementation challenges, according to the literatures and the extensive empirical work at the authors’ laboratory.
Development of a Kalman filter estimator for simulation and controlof NOx and PM in a SCR catalyston a DPF
Authors: Rajesh Chundru Venkata , Parker Gordon G , Johnson John H
Published: September 2020

The goal of a control system for a SCR catalyst on a DPF (SCR-F) is to minimize the fuel consumption due to back pressure while maximizing the NOx conversion across the SCR-F. To meet these goals, prediction of the internal states of the 2D spatial distribution of temperature, PM mass retained and NH3 coverage fraction in an SCR-F is required. To predict these internal states, a state estimator capable of simulating the PM oxidation rate, SCR reactions, filtration efficiency and pressure drop across the SCR-F based on inlet conditions and outlet sensor data is required. A 2D model of the SCR-F capable of predicting the SCR-F internal states was developed and validated using experimental data from a Johnson Matthey SCRF® and Cummins 2013 ISB engine. To reduce the computational cost, an estimator model with a coarser mesh and a quasi-steady state solution for the chemical species and energy conservation equations was developed which was faster than real time. The model was combined with the outlet thermocouple, pressure drop and NOx sensor data from the engine control unit using an extended Kalman filter to create the SCR-F state estimator. The estimator was able to predict the target internal states to within 5% of the experimental data. The estimator was able to compensate for calibration parameter errors by up to 5% using the sensor data along with filtering of the sensor noise. A DOC estimator was used to obtain the SCR-F inlet NOx concentrations and temperatures.
Modeling of diesel spray tip penetration during start-of-injection transients
Authors: Zhou Xinyi , Li Tie , Yi Ping
Published: September 2020

Multiple-injection strategy that has been applied widely in diesel engines usually features a short duration for each injection pulse. As a result, the shortened injection makes the needle opening and closing transients increasingly important for spray in an injection event. Owing to the needle movement, the spray development during the transient processes is complex and quite different from the spray at the quasi-steady state. However, so far modeling of the spray development during the transient processes is far from adequate. Particularly, a theoretical zero-dimensional (0-D) spray tip penetration model considering the needle opening and sac pressurization processes as well as ambient and injection conditions during the start-of-injection (SOI) transients is still absent. In this paper, considering the sac pressurization processes, the 0-D model of spray tip penetration during the SOI transients is derived. Then, the model is validated against the experimental spray data using a long-distance microscope together with an ultrahigh speed CMOS camera. The model and experimental results show that the spray tip penetration shows a t3/2 dependence at the initial stage of injection rather than the t dependence suggested by Hiroyasu’s model. Later, the spray tip penetration shows a t3/4 dependence owing to the spray breakup, and a t1/2 dependence with the completion of sac pressurization. The models and analysis are believed to provide new insights into the transient spray behaviors and valuable reference for engineers and researchers who are considering the model-based development of next-generation diesel engines.
Real design practice, real design computation
Authors: Wang Zichu Will
Published: September 2020

The business model of architecture has been accused of being technologically deficient. Through case studies, this paper investigates alternatives to the status quo of computation in architecture, with a focus on design-oriented service providers. It first examines the discourse on computation within the field, then describes the experiments of a relevant design firm before discussing implications for the wider industry. In the process, the paper articulates the gap between theoretical computing applications and the realities of the architecture business. It addresses difficult technological adaptations within the industry with concrete use cases of integrated computing expertise, highlighting opportunities, benefits, and, more importantly, the need for a computational workforce.
Relation of Helicobacter pylori infection to peripheral arterial stiffness and 10-year cardiovascular risk in subjects with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yang Yun-Feng , Li Yun , Liu Ju-Hua , Wang Xiao-Ming , Wu Bi-Hua , He Cheng-Shi , Gu Jian-Wei
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

This study was conducted to investigate the relation of HP infection to peripheral arterial stiffness and 10-year cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods:

DM subjects who underwent the C13-breath test were enrolled and divided into DMHP+ and DMHP− groups. Peripheral arterial stiffness was measured using brachial to ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Framingham score (FRS) and Chinese evaluation method of ischemic cardiovascular diseases (ICVD) were used to clarify 10-year cardiovascular risk.

Results:

A total of 6767 subjects were included, baPWV and proportion of subjects with severe peripheral arterial stiffness were lower in DMHP− group than DMHP+ group (1556.68 ± 227.54 vs 2031.61 ± 525.48 cm/s, p < 0.01; 21.9% vs 62.7%, p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HP infection was independently associated with baPWV. Furthermore, cardiovascular risk score and the proportion of subjects with high risk were lower in DMHP− group than DMHP+ group (FRS: 12.09 ± 3.77 vs 13.91 ± 3.77, 17.2% vs 38.8%; ICVD: 8.56 ± 2.99 vs 10.22 ± 3.16, 43.9% vs 65.4%, with all p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

DM subjects with HP infection had more severe peripheral arterial stiffness compared those without HP infection, a higher cardiovascular risk score and 10-year cardiovascular risk stratification were observed in those subjects.
When your child is your cellmate: The ‘maternal pains of imprisonment’ in a Belgian prison nursery
Authors: Nuytiens An , Jehaes Esther
Published: September 2020

The experience of imprisonment is different for women and men: women suffer more, and they also suffer in more distinctive ways. For mothers in prison, the major pains of imprisonment are related to their motherhood status; the so-called maternal pains of imprisonment. Studies on those who have experienced motherhood in prison focus primarily on female prisoners who have been separated from their children. We explored whether women who cohabit with their child(ren) in prison also experience maternal pains of imprisonment, and how these pains are shaped. We draw upon the results of two small-scale qualitative studies conducted in a prison nursery in Belgium. Interviews with cohabiting mothers in this nursery revealed that although the mothers recognized several advantages of cohabitation, they also experienced maternal pains of imprisonment. These pains were related to witnessing and worrying about their child’s pains of imprisonment; the restriction of maternal autonomy; the overwhelming responsibility for their child; and for women with long-term sentences, worrying about the inevitable separation from their child.
Rules in information sharing for security
Authors: Chan Janet , Logan Sarah , Bennett Moses Lyria
Published: September 2020

Information sharing has become a central concern for security agencies since 9/11. Previous research has identified a number of barriers to information sharing among agencies: a combination of legal or policy constraints, interagency rivalry and mistrust, and technology. Drawing on ideas from the sociology of information and trust, this article conceptualises the sharing/withholding of information between agencies as dependent on rules as a system of trust. Adapting Richard Ericson’s framework of the different contexts of rule-following and making use of an Australian case study, the article demonstrates how law, culture and technology are intertwined in constraining or enabling access to information. The implications of this model for legal and policy interventions are discussed.
The TAT Protein Transduction Domain as an Intra-Articular Drug Delivery Technology
Authors: Mailhiot Sarah E. , Thompson Matthew A. , Eguchi Akiko E. , Dinkel Sabrina E. , Lotz Martin K. , Dowdy Steven F. , June Ronald K.
Published: September 2020

Objective

Intra-articular drug delivery holds great promise for the treatment of joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the TAT peptide transduction domain (TAT-PTD) as a potential intra-articular drug delivery technology for synovial joints.

Design

Experiments examined the ability of TAT conjugates to associate with primary chondrocytes and alter cellular function both in vitro and in vivo. Further experiments examined the ability of the TAT-PTD to bind to human osteoarthritic cartilage.

Results

The results show that the TAT-PTD associates with chondrocytes, is capable of delivering siRNA for chondrocyte gene knockdown, and that the recombinant enzyme TAT-Cre is capable of inducing in vivo genetic recombination within the knee joint in a reporter mouse model. Last, binding studies show that osteoarthritic cartilage preferentially uptakes the TAT-PTD from solution.

Conclusions

The results suggest that the TAT-PTD is a promising delivery strategy for intra-articular therapeutics.
Does Relative Deprivation within Schools Influence Adolescent Depression?
Authors: Kim Jinho
Published: September 2020

Research on relative deprivation (RD) and health has focused primarily on adult populations. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study examines the link between RD and adolescent depression and is the first to test the mechanisms that underlie this relationship. This study finds that controlling for school fixed effects, family income, and observed characteristics of students and their families, students with higher RD within schools exhibit more depressive symptoms. This study also considers how RD may influence adolescent depression. Sobel-Goodman mediation tests reveal that a combination of lowered self-esteem and future expectations (especially about educational attainment) explains nearly half of the association between RD and adolescent depression. Results of this study suggest that social inequality and stratification may implicate population health in the next generation through socioeconomic stratification within schools.
Occupational Credentials for Jobs in the Subbaccalaureate Economy: The Case of the Emerging Energy Sector in Ohio
Authors: Bozick Robert , Doss Christopher , Gonzalez Gabriella , Siler-Evans Kyle
Published: September 2020

Using data on a mid-sized community college in northeast Ohio as a case study, we examine patterns of enrollment in petroleum technology credential programs and labor market returns to those credentials. The enrollment analysis yields mixed results. Strong industry conditions represented by an increase in oil prices is associated with a decline in program enrollment; however, higher wages for petroleum workers is associated with increased program enrollment. Earning analyses were unambiguous: Obtaining a certificate or an associate’s degree was associated with outsized quarterly earnings returns of $2,900 and $5,500, respectively. This study suggests that partnerships that align subbaccalaureate postsecondary education to the needs of local labor markets may result in occupational credentials with substantially larger returns than those observed in the literature.
Impact of Supervised Exercise on One-Year Medication Use in Older Veterans with Multiple Morbidities
Authors: Pepin Marc J. , Valencia Willy M. , Bettger Janet Prvu , Pearson Megan , Manning Kenneth M , Sloane Richard , Schmader Kenneth E. , Morey Miriam C.
Published: September 2020

Exercise is touted as the ideal prescription to treat and prevent many chronic diseases. We examined changes in utilization and cost of medication classes commonly prescribed in the management of chronic conditions following participation in 12-months of supervised exercise within the Veterans Affairs Gerofit program. Gerofit enrolled 480 veterans between 1999 and 2017 with 12-months participation, with 453 having one or more active prescriptions on enrollment. Active prescriptions overall and for five classes of medications were examined. Changes from enrollment to 12 months were calculated, and cost associated with prescriptions filled were used to estimate net cost changes. Active prescriptions were reduced for opioids (77 of 164, 47%), mental health (93 of 221, 42%), cardiac (175 of 391, 45%), diabetes (41 of 166, 25%), and lipid lowering (56 of 253, 22%) agents. Cost estimates resulted in a net savings of $38,400. These findings support the role of supervised exercise as a favorable therapeutic intervention that has impact across chronic conditions.
Case Report: 100-year-old COVID-positive Hip Fracture Patient for Hemiarthroplasty Under Spinal Anesthesia
Authors: Beathe Jonathan C. , Memtsoudis Stavros G.
Published: September 2020

Elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery represent a myriad of perioperative challenges and risks. The arrival of the global pandemic of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) adds an unprecedented challenge to the management of hip fracture patients. We describe the unique experience and favorable outcome of a 100-year-old COVID-positive hip fracture patient that underwent spinal anesthesia for hemiarthroplasty and subsequent hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) therapy. Multiple factors of varying known benefit may have contributed to our outcome, including preoperative medical consultation and assessment, early surgical intervention, regional anesthesia with little to no sedation, early mobilization and HCQ therapy.
The prognostic value of histopathological pattern of the pelviureteric junction in the outcome of pyeloplasty in children
Authors: Sebaey Ahmed , Sherif Hammouda , Abdelrahman Mohamed , Elshazli Ali , Abdelsamee Tagreed , Gharib Tarek
Published: September 2020

Background

The cause of pyeloplasty failure remains unclear; therefore, increasing interest has been directed to identify the reason for dissatisfactory surgical results. Some studies attempted to investigate the role of the histopathological pattern. The aim of the work is to study the correlation between the histopathological pattern of obstructed pelviureteric junction (PUJ) segment and the outcome of pyeloplasty in children with the PUJ.

Methods

Fifty-four patients with pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) were included in the study; patients were evaluated preoperative. All patients were operated by the same surgeon using Anderson–Hynes pyeloplasty; the resected obstructed PUJ segment examined histopathological using light microscope and image analyzer system to identify mean renal pelvis smooth muscle thickness (mRPSMT), collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio and elastin content.

Results

The study includes 50 patients with mean age Mean 24.48 ± 15.3 months. Two patients show no improvement, while 24 improved at 3 months, 16 improved at 6 months, and 8 improved at 12 months. mRPSMT showed significant difference between improvement groups (136.02 ± 44.4, 173.47 ± 49.69 and 258.56 ± 96.82 μm), while elastin content or collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio showed no significant difference.

Conclusions

Our data showed a clear relationship between mRPSMT and the time over which radiological improvement occurs; increase in mRPSMT is associated with a delay in postoperative radiological improvement time. We found no relation between elastin content nor collagen-to-smooth muscle thickness and postoperative improvement course.
Atypical hemolytic and uremic syndrome due to C3 mutation in pancreatic islet transplantation: a case report
Authors: Bahougne Thibault , Olagne Jérome , Munch Marion , Braun-Parvez Laura , Chenard Marie-Pierrette , Frémeaux-Bacchi Véronique , Caillard Sophie , Baltzinger Philippe , Greget Michel , Kessler Laurence , Moulin Bruno
Published: September 2020

Background

We here report on the first observation of a C3 mutation that is related to atypical hemolytic and uremic syndrome (aHUS), which occurred in a pancreatic islet transplant patient. Immunosuppressive treatments, such as calcineurin inhibitors, have been linked to undesirable effects like nephrotoxicity.

Case presentation

A 40-year-old man with brittle diabetes, who was included in the TRIMECO trial, became insulin-independent 2 months after pancreatic islet transplantation. About 15 months after islet transplantation, the patient exhibited acute kidney injury due to aHUS. Despite plasma exchange and eculizumab treatment, the patient developed end-stage renal disease.

A genetic workup identified a missense variant (p.R592Q) in the C3 gene. In vitro, this C3 variant had defective Factor I proteolytic activity with membrane proteins as cofactor proteins, which was thus classified as pathogenic. About 1 year after the aHUS episode, kidney transplantation was carried out under the protection of the specific anti-C5 monoclonal antibody eculizumab. The patient had normal kidney function, with preserved pancreatic islet function 4 years later.

Conclusions

Pancreatic islet transplantation could have triggered this aHUS episode, but this link needs to be clarified. Although prophylactic eculizumab maintains kidney allograft function, its efficacy still needs to be studied in larger populations.
Moyamoya-like vasculopathy associated to MYH9-related thrombocytopenia manifested by multiple cerebral ischemic lesions: a case report
Authors: Ribigan Athena Cristina , Badea Raluca Stefania , Ciocan Alida , Stefan Dana , Casaru Bogdan , Ioan Patricia , Antochi Florina , Băjenaru Ovidiu
Published: September 2020

Background

Moyamoya-like vasculopathy (MMV) and myosin heavy chain 9-related platelet disorders (MYH9-RPDs) or macrothrombocitopenias are rare syndromes. Their association is even more infrequent.

Case presentation

A 29-year-old female with history of MYH9-RPD, presented to our department for episodes suggesting transient ischemic attacks. Based on the imaging studies that revealed multiple ischemic lesions and stenoses of both distal internal carotid arteries and the arteries of the circle of Willis, the diagnosis of MMV was established. The treatment with Verapamil was initiated, leading to symptom remission. Two months later, the patient presented one episode of dysarthria, followed by involuntary movements of the right upper limb, few days later. Long-term electroencephalogram monitoring depicted epileptiform abnormalities. Resolution of symptoms was obtained after increasing the dose of Verapamil, and initiating Levetiracetam.

Conclusions

This is an interesting case of a patient with two rare pathologies, who presented with cerebral ischemic strokes. To our knowledge there are few cases described in the literature presenting with cerebral hemorrhagic events but none of them with multiple cerebral ischemic lesions. As these cases are very rare, it is important to gather evidence regarding the best approach and treatment strategy.
Ultrasonographic diagnosis, classification, and treatment of cervical lymphatic malformation in paediatric patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Li Jiaoling , Zhong Wei , Geng Xiuping , Liu Xiaofang , Zhang Xiangxiang , Wang Yurun , Li Haibo
Published: September 2020

Background

To explore the imaging features, key diagnostic points, classification, treatment, and prognosis of cervical lymphatic malformation.

Methods

Overall, 320 patients diagnosed with cervical lymphatic malformation were retrospectively analysed in our hospital between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2017. Imaging modalities included colour Doppler ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Cervical lymphatic malformations were classified by cyst diameter. Treatments included interventional therapy, surgery, and expectant treatment.

Results

Cervical lymphatic malformation was identified in 320 of 1192 patients with lymphatic malformation. Four were excluded due to misdiagnosis by ultrasonography. Cervical lymphatic malformation was classified as mixed, macrocystic, and microcystic in 184 (57.5%), 117 (36.56%), and 19 (5.94%) patients, respectively. Sixty-four (20%), ten (3.12%), seven (2.19%), and three (0.94%) patients experienced intracystic haemorrhage, infection, concurrent intracystic haemorrhage and infection, and calcification, respectively. Among 260 (81.25%) patients who underwent interventional sclerotherapy, 163 (50.94%) received it once and 96 (30%) received it two or more times. Twenty-eight (8.75%), five (1.56%), and 27 (8.44%) patients underwent surgical resection, interventional sclerotherapy plus surgery, and expectant management, respectively.

Conclusions

Ultrasonography is useful for diagnosing definite cervical lymphatic malformation. Interventional therapy is the first choice for children with confirmed cervical lymphatic malformation.
Medical service demand forecasting using a hybrid model based on ARIMA and self-adaptive filtering method
Authors: Huang Yihuai , Xu Chao , Ji Mengzhong , Xiang Wei , He Da
Published: September 2020

Background

Accurate forecasting of medical service demand is beneficial for the reasonable healthcare resource planning and allocation. The daily outpatient volume is characterized by randomness, periodicity and trend, and the time series methods, like ARIMA are often used for short-term outpatient visits forecasting. Therefore, to further enlarge the prediction horizon and improve the prediction accuracy, a hybrid prediction model integrating ARIMA and self-adaptive filtering method is proposed.

Methods

The ARIMA model is first used to identify the features like cyclicity and trend of the time series data and to estimate the model parameters. The parameters are then adjusted by the steepest descent algorithm in the adaptive filtering method to reduce the prediction error. The hybrid model is validated and compared with traditional ARIMA by several test sets from the Time Series Data Library (TSDL), a weekly emergency department (ED) visit case from literature study, and the real cases of prenatal examinations and B-ultrasounds in a maternal and child health care center (MCHCC) in Ningbo.

Results

For TSDL cases the prediction accuracy of the hybrid prediction is improved by 80–99% compared with the ARIMA model. For the weekly ED visit case, the forecasting results of the hybrid model are better than those of both traditional ARIMA and ANN model, and similar to the ANN combined data decomposition model mentioned in the literature. For the actual data of MCHCC in Ningbo, the MAPE predicted by the ARIMA model in the two departments was 18.53 and 27.69%, respectively, and the hybrid models were 2.79 and 1.25%, respectively.

Conclusions

The hybrid prediction model outperforms the traditional ARIMA model in both accurate predicting result with smaller average relative error and the applicability for short-term and medium-term prediction.
Inter-embryo gene expression variability recapitulates the hourglass pattern of evo-devo
Authors: Liu Jialin , Frochaux Michael , Gardeux Vincent , Deplancke Bart , Robinson-Rechavi Marc
Published: September 2020

Background

The evolution of embryological development has long been characterized by deep conservation. In animal development, the phylotypic stage in mid-embryogenesis is more conserved than either early or late stages among species within the same phylum. Hypotheses to explain this hourglass pattern have focused on purifying the selection of gene regulation. Here, we propose an alternative—genes are regulated in different ways at different stages and have different intrinsic capacities to respond to perturbations on gene expression.

Results

To eliminate the influence of natural selection, we quantified the expression variability of isogenetic single embryo transcriptomes throughout fly Drosophila melanogaster embryogenesis. We found that the expression variability is lower at the phylotypic stage, supporting that the underlying regulatory architecture in this stage is more robust to stochastic variation on gene expression. We present evidence that the phylotypic stage is also robust to genetic variations on gene expression. Moreover, chromatin regulation appears to play a key role in the variation and evolution of gene expression.

Conclusions

We suggest that a phylum-level pattern of embryonic conservation can be explained by the intrinsic difference of gene regulatory mechanisms in different stages.
Type 2 diabetes is an independent predictor of lowered peak aerobic capacity in heart failure patients with non-reduced or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Abe Takahiro , Yokota Takashi , Fukushima Arata , Kakutani Naoya , Katayama Takashi , Shirakawa Ryosuke , Maekawa Satoshi , Nambu Hideo , Obata Yoshikuni , Yamanashi Katsuma , Nakano Ippei , Takada Shingo , Yokota Isao , Okita Koichi , Kinugawa Shintaro , Anzai Toshihisa
Published: September 2020

Background

Although type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most frequent comorbidities in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), the effects of T2DM on the exercise capacity of CHF patients are fully unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the coexistence of T2DM lowers CHF patients’ peak aerobic capacity.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 275 Japanese CHF patients with non-reduced ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≥ 40%) or reduced EF (LVEF < 40%) who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing. We divided them into diabetic and nondiabetic groups in each CHF cohort.

Results

The mean peak oxygen uptake (VO2) value was 16.87 mL/kg/min in the non-reduced LVEF cohort and 15.52 mL/kg/min in the reduced LVEF cohort. The peak VO2 was lower in the diabetics versus the nondiabetics in the non-reduced LVEF cohort with the mean difference (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) of − 0.93 (− 1.82 to − 0.04) mL/kg/min and in the reduced LVEF cohort with the mean difference of − 1.05 (− 1.96 to − 0.15) mL/kg/min, after adjustment for age-squared, gender, anemia, renal function, LVEF, and log B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). The adjusted VO2 at anaerobic threshold (AT), a submaximal aerobic capacity, was also decreased in the diabetic patients with both non-reduced and reduced LVEFs. Intriguingly, the diabetic patients had a lower adjusted peak O2 pulse than the nondiabetic patients in the reduced LVEF cohort, but not in the non-reduced LVEF cohort. A multivariate analysis showed that the presence of T2DM was an independent predictor of lowered peak VO2 in CHF patients with non-reduced LVEF and those with reduced LVEF.

Conclusions

T2DM was associated with lowered peak VO2 in CHF patients with non-reduced or reduced LVEF. The presence of T2DM has a negative impact on CHF patients’ exercise capacity, and the degree of impact is partly dependent on their LV systolic function.
Evaluating effectiveness of screening house eaves as a potential intervention for reducing indoor vector densities and malaria prevalence in Nyabondo, western Kenya
Authors: Ng’ang’a Peter Njoroge , Okoyo Collins , Mbogo Charles , Mutero Clifford Maina
Published: September 2020

Background

Mosquito-proofing of houses using wire mesh screens is gaining greater recognition as a practical intervention for reducing exposure to malaria transmitting mosquitoes. Screening potentially protects all persons sleeping inside the house against transmission of mosquito-borne diseases indoors. The study assessed the effectiveness of house eaves screening in reducing indoor vector densities and malaria prevalence in Nyabondo, western Kenya.

Methods

160 houses were selected for the study, with half of them randomly chosen for eaves screening with fibre-glass coated wire mesh (experimental group) and the other half left without screening (control group). Randomization was carried out by use of computer-generated list in permuted blocks of ten houses and 16 village blocks, with half of them allocated treatment in a ratio of 1:1. Cross-sectional baseline entomological and parasitological data were collected before eave screening. After baseline data collection, series of sampling of indoor adult mosquitoes were conducted once a month in each village using CDC light traps. Three cross-sectional malaria parasitological surveys were conducted at three month intervals after installation of the screens. The primary outcome measures were indoor Anopheles mosquito density and malaria parasite prevalence.

Results

A total of 15,286 mosquitoes were collected over the two year period using CDC light traps in 160 houses distributed over 16 study villages (mean mosquitoes = 4.35, SD = 11.48). Of all mosquitoes collected, 2,872 (18.8%) were anophelines (2,869 Anopheles gambiae sensu lato, 1 Anopheles funestus and 2 other Anopheles spp). Overall, among An. gambiae collected, 92.6% were non-blood fed, 3.57% were blood fed and the remaining 0.47% were composed of gravid and half gravid females. More indoor adult mosquitoes were collected in the control than experimental arms of the study. Results from cross-sectional parasitological surveys showed that screened houses recorded relatively low malaria parasite prevalence rates compared to the control houses. Overall, malaria prevalence was 5.6% (95% CI: 4.2–7.5) n = 1,918, with baseline prevalence rate of 6.1% (95% CI: 3.9–9.4), n = 481 and 3rd follow-up survey prevalence of 3.6% (95% CI: 2.0–6.8) n = 494. At all the three parasitological follow-up survey points, house screening significantly reduced the malaria prevalence by 100% (p < 0.001), 63.6% (p = 0.026), and 100% (p < 0.001) in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd follow-up surveys respectively.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated that house eave screening has potential to reduce indoor vector densities and malaria prevalence in high transmission areas.
A case of long-term survival after splenectomy for solitary splenic metastasis from gastric cancer
Authors: Obana Ayato , Komatsu Nobuo , Aiba Kazuma , Nakanishi Shinya , Abe Masakazu , Yamaguchi Toshiyuki , Hayashi Masahiro , Obi Hayato , Koyama Masamichi , Hashimoto Shinichi
Published: September 2020

Background

Very rarely does a splenic solitary metastasis arise from a gastric carcinoma because splenic metastasis is usually seen in association with widespread visceral metastasis. Splenectomy is considered to be a curative treatment; however, long-term prognosis after splenectomy has scarcely been reported. We report a case of a metachronous and solitary metastasis to the spleen from gastric cancer in which the patient achieved 5-year recurrence-free survival after splenectomy.

Case presentation

An 84-year-old man underwent an open total gastrectomy involving D1+ lymph nodes dissection for gastric cancer located in the cardia (pT3N1M0, pStage IIB). Eighteen months later, a 2-cm solitary hypodense lesion was detected in the spleen by computed tomography (CT). Twenty-three months later, the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) value elevated to 19.9 ng/ml, and abdominal CT revealed an increase in tumor size to 5 cm. Positron-emission tomography (PET)-CT revealed intense 18F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-glucose (FDG) uptake in the spleen without the involvement of other organs and lymph nodes. We diagnosed him with solitary splenic metastasis from gastric cancer and performed a splenectomy 26 months after the first surgery. Histological examination revealed that the splenic tumor was a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, which was very similar to the primary gastric tumor; the lesion was diagnosed as a metastatic tumor from the previous gastric carcinoma. The patient remains healthy to date without recurrence, 5 years after the splenectomy.

Conclusion

We experienced a case of a solitary splenic metastasis from gastric cancer in which 5-year recurrence-free survival was achieved after splenectomy. To determine the surgical indication in patients with splenic metastasis, it is important to differentiate between a solitary lesion or multiple metastasis. Especially, occult metastasis should be excluded by means of several months of follow-up with imaging tests and systemic FDG-PET surveys before splenectomy.
Development of a novel prognostic score combining clinicopathologic variables, gene expression, and mutation profiles for lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Guofeng , Wang Guangsuo , Guo Yanhua , Li Shixuan , Zhang Youlong , Li Jialu , Peng Bin
Published: September 2020

Background

Integrating phenotypic and genotypic information to improve prognostic prediction is under active investigation for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In this study, we developed a new prognostic model for event-free survival (EFS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) based on the combination of clinicopathologic variables, gene expression, and mutation data.

Methods

We enrolled a total of 408 patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas Lung Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-LUAD) project for the study. We pre-selected gene expression or mutation features and constructed 14 different input feature sets for predictive model development. We assessed model performance with multiple evaluation metrics including the distribution of C-index on testing dataset, risk score significance, and time-dependent AUC under competing risks scenario. We stratified patients into higher- and lower-risk subgroups by the final risk score and further investigated underlying immune phenotyping variations associated with the differential risk.

Results

The model integrating all three types of data achieved the best prediction performance. The resultant risk score provided a higher-resolution risk stratification than other models within pathologically defined subgroups. The score could account for extra EFS-related variations that were not captured by clinicopathologic scores. Being validated for RFS prediction under a competing risks modeling framework, the score achieved a significantly higher time-dependent AUC as compared to that of the conventional clinicopathologic variables-based model (0.772 vs. 0.646, p value < 0.001). The higher-risk patients were characterized with transcriptional aberrations of multiple immune-related genes, and a significant depletion of mast cells and natural killer cells.

Conclusions

We developed a novel prognostic risk score with improved prediction accuracy, using clinicopathologic variables, gene expression and mutation profiles as input, for LUAD. Such score was a significant predictor of both EFS and RFS.

Trial registration

This study was based on public open data from TCGA and hence the study objects were retrospectively registered.
A linear-time algorithm that avoids inverses and computes Jackknife (leave-one-out) products like convolutions or other operators in commutative semigroups
Authors: Spouge John L. , Ziegelbauer Joseph M. , Gonzalez Mileidy
Published: September 2020

Background

Data about herpesvirus microRNA motifs on human circular RNAs suggested the following statistical question. Consider independent random counts, not necessarily identically distributed. Conditioned on the sum, decide whether one of the counts is unusually large. Exact computation of the p-value leads to a specific algorithmic problem. Given$$n$$nelements$$g_{0} ,g_{1} , \ldots ,g_{n - 1}$$g0,g1,…,gn-1in a set$$G$$Gwith the closure and associative properties and a commutative product without inverses, compute the jackknife (leave-one-out) products$$\bar{g}_{j} = g_{0} g_{1} \cdots g_{j - 1} g_{j + 1} \cdots g_{n - 1}$$g¯j=g0g1⋯gj-1gj+1⋯gn-1($$0 \le j < n$$0≤j<n).

Results

This article gives a linear-time Jackknife Product algorithm. Its upward phase constructs a standard segment tree for computing segment products like$$g_{{\left[ {i,j} \right)}} = g_{i} g_{i + 1} \cdots g_{j - 1}$$gi,j=gigi+1⋯gj-1; its novel downward phase mirrors the upward phase while exploiting the symmetry of$$g_{j}$$gjand its complement$$\bar{g}_{j}$$g¯j. The algorithm requires storage for$$2n$$2nelements of$$G$$Gand only about$$3n$$3nproducts. In contrast, the standard segment tree algorithms require about$$n$$nproducts for construction and$$\log_{2} n$$log2nproducts for calculating each$$\bar{g}_{j}$$g¯j, i.e., about$$n\log_{2} n$$nlog2nproducts in total; and a naïve quadratic algorithm using$$n - 2$$n-2element-by-element products to compute each$$\bar{g}_{j}$$g¯jrequires$$n\left( {n - 2} \right)$$nn-2products.

Conclusions

In the herpesvirus application, the Jackknife Product algorithm required 15 min; standard segment tree algorithms would have taken an estimated 3 h; and the quadratic algorithm, an estimated 1 month. The Jackknife Product algorithm has many possible uses in bioinformatics and statistics.
A novel signature of two long non-coding RNAs in BRCA mutant ovarian cancer to predict prognosis and efficiency of chemotherapy
Authors: Pan Yinglian , Jia Li Ping , Liu Yuzhu , Han Yiyu , Li Qian , Zou Qin , Zhang Zhongpei , Huang Jin , Deng Qingchun
Published: September 2020

Background

In this study we aimed to identify a prognostic signature in BRCA1/2 mutations to predict disease progression and the efficiency of chemotherapy ovarian cancer (OV), the second most common cause of death from gynecologic cancer in women worldwide.

Methods

Univariate Cox proportional-hazards and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identifying prognostic factors from data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve was assessed, and the sensitivity and specificity of the prediction model were determined.

Results

A signature consisting of two long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs), Z98885.2 and AC011601.1, was selected as the basis for classifying patients into high and low-risk groups (median survival: 7.2 years vs. 2.3 years). The three-year overall survival (OS) rates for the high- and low-risk group were approximately 38 and 100%, respectively. Chemotherapy treatment survival rates indicated that the high-risk group had significantly lower OS rates with adjuvant chemotherapy than the low-risk group. The one-, three-, and five-year OS were 100, 40, and 15% respectively in the high-risk group. The survival rate of the high-risk group declined rapidly after 2 years of OV chemotherapy treatment. Multivariate Cox regression associated with other traditional clinical factors showed that the 2-lncRNA model could be used as an independent OV prognostic factor. Analyses of data from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) indicated that these signatures are pivotal to cancer development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Z98885.2 and AC011601.1 comprise a novel prognostic signature for OV patients with BRCA1/2 mutations, and can be used to predict prognosis and the efficiency of chemotherapy.
Hermite–Hadamard-type inequalities via n-polynomial exponential-type convexity and their applications
Authors: Butt Saad Ihsan , Kashuri Artion , Tariq Muhammad , Nasir Jamshed , Aslam Adnan , Gao Wei
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we give and study the concept of n-polynomial $(s,m)$
(
s
,
m
)
-exponential-type convex functions and some of their algebraic properties. We prove new generalization of Hermite–Hadamard-type inequality for the n-polynomial $(s,m)$
(
s
,
m
)
-exponential-type convex function ψ. We also obtain some refinements of the Hermite–Hadamard inequality for functions whose first derivatives in absolute value at certain power are n-polynomial $(s,m)$
(
s
,
m
)
-exponential-type convex. Some applications to special means and new error estimates for the trapezoid formula are given.
An app-, web- and social support-based weight loss intervention for adults with obesity: the ‘HelpMeDoIt!’ feasibility randomised controlled trial
Authors: Simpson Sharon Anne , Matthews Lynsay , Pugmire Juliana , McConnachie Alex , McIntosh Emma , Coulman Elinor , Hughes Kathryn , Kelson Mark , Morgan-Trimmer Sarah , Murphy Simon , Utkina-Macaskill Olga , Moore Laurence Anthony Russell
Published: September 2020

Background

Social support has an important role in successful weight loss. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an app-, web- and social support-based intervention in supporting adults with obesity to achieve weight loss.

Methods

The intervention and evaluation methods were tested in a feasibility randomised controlled trial. Adults in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board area of Scotland with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 were recruited and randomised 2:1 (intervention to control). The feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and trial methods were assessed against pre-specified progression criteria, via process, economic and outcome evaluation. Three primary outcomes were explored: BMI, diet and physical activity, as well as a number of secondary outcomes. The intervention group had access to the HelpMeDoIt! intervention for 12 months. This encouraged them to (i) set goals, (ii) monitor progress and (iii) harness social support by inviting ‘helpers’ from their existing social network. The control group received a healthy lifestyle leaflet.

Results

One hundred and nine participants were recruited, with 84 participants (77%) followed-up at 12 months. The intervention and trial methods were feasible and acceptable. Participants and helpers were generally positive. Of the 54 (74%) participants who downloaded the app, 48 (89%) used it. Interview data indicated that HelpMeDoIt! promoted social support from existing social networks to support weight loss. This support was often given outside of the app.

Outcomes were compared using linear regression models, with randomised group, the baseline measurement of the outcome, age and gender as predictor variables. These analyses were exploratory and underpowered to detect effects. However, all pre-specified primary outcome effects (BMI, diet and physical activity) had wide confidence intervals and were therefore consistent with clinically relevant benefits. Objective physical activity measures perhaps showed most potential (daily step count (p = 0.098; 1187 steps [− 180, 2555])) and sedentary time (p = 0.022; − 60.8 min [− 110.5, − 11.0]). However, these outcomes were poorly completed.

Conclusions

The study demonstrated that a novel social support intervention involving support from participants’ close social networks, delivered via app and website, has potential to promote weight loss and is feasible and acceptable.

Trial registration

ISRCTN, ISRCTN85615983. Registered 25 September 2014
cGAS/STING: novel perspectives of the classic pathway
Authors: Gao Menghui , He Yuchen , Tang Haosheng , Chen Xiangyu , Liu Shuang , Tao Yongguang
Published: September 2020

Cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) is a cytosolic DNA sensor and innate immune response initiator. Binding with exogenous or endogenous nucleic acids, cGAS activates its downstream adaptor, stimulator of interferon genes (STING). STING then triggers protective immune to enable the elimination of the pathogens and the clearance of cancerous cells. Apparently, aberrantly activated by self-DNA, cGAS/STING pathway is threatening to cause autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The effects of cGAS/STING in defenses against infection and autoimmune diseases have been well studied, still it is worthwhile to discuss the roles of cGAS/STING pathway beyond the “classical” realm of innate immunity. Recent studies have revealed its involvement in non-canonical inflammasome formation, calcium hemostasis regulation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, perception of leaking mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), autophagy induction, cellular senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) production, providing an exciting area for future exploration. Previous studies generally focused on the function of cGAS/STING pathway in cytoplasm and immune response. In this review, we summarize the latest research of this pathway on the regulation of other physiological process and STING independent reactions to DNA in micronuclei and nuclei. Together, these studies provide a new perspective of cGAS/STING pathway in human diseases.
Analysis of the Companys Business Strategy As a Method of Strategic Audit (on the Example of the Information Technology Sector)3�
Authors: Kazakova Nataliya
Published: September 2020

The article presents a toolkit for strategic audit and considers one of the alternative methods that allow analyzing the company’s development strategy, assessing not only the effectiveness of the strategy in accordance with which the company has developed, but also the competence of its strategic stakeholders. The results of evaluating the company’s business strategy are presented on the example of the actively developing information technology sector.
Features of Calculating and Paying Compulsory Insurance Contributions to Extra-Budgetary Funds by Persons Engaged in Business Activities Without the Involvement of Hired Labor
Authors: Boboshko D.
Published: September 2020

The article deals with the system of mandatory state insurance, types of insurance premiums to non-budgetary funds of the Russian Federation and features of their payment by entrepreneurs who carry out their activities without employing employees in the status of individual entrepreneurs and self-employed. The procedure for calculating and paying mandatory insurance premiums by individual entrepreneurs «for themselves» is analyzed. The expediency and procedure of registration of self-employed persons as insurers in the pension system of the Russian Federation for payment of insurance premiums on a voluntary basis in order to form a future insurance pension is considered.