bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of gastrectomy for gastric cancer treatment on faecal microbiome and metabolome profiles
Authors: Erawijantari Pande Putu , Mizutani Sayaka , Shiroma Hirotsugu , Shiba Satoshi , Nakajima Takeshi , Sakamoto Taku , Saito Yutaka , Fukuda Shinji , Yachida Shinichi , Yamada Takuji
Published: January 2020

Objective

Recent evidence points to the gut microbiome’s involvement in postoperative outcomes, including after gastrectomy. Here, we investigated the influence of gastrectomy for gastric cancer on the gut microbiome and metabolome, and how it related to postgastrectomy conditions.

Design

We performed shotgun metagenomics sequencing and capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analyses on faecal samples collected from participants with a history of gastrectomy for gastric cancer (n=50) and compared them with control participants (n=56).

Results

The gut microbiota in the gastrectomy group showed higher species diversity and richness (p<0.05), together with greater abundance of aerobes, facultative anaerobes and oral microbes. Moreover, bile acids such as genotoxic deoxycholic acid and branched-chain amino acids were differentially abundant between the two groups (linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe): p<0.05, q<0.1, LDA>2.0), as were also Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes modules involved in nutrient transport and organic compounds biosynthesis (LEfSe: p<0.05, q<0.1, LDA>2.0).

Conclusion

Our results reveal alterations of gut microbiota after gastrectomy, suggesting its association with postoperative comorbidities. The multi-omic approach applied in this study could complement the follow-up of patients after gastrectomy.
Climate change: ‘no get out of jail free card’
Authors: Smith Pete , Balmford Andrew
Published: January 2020

Pete Smith and Andrew Balmford argue that methane from livestock is an important contributor to climate change and that it should not be creatively discounted.
Axially loaded piles in inundated collapsible soils under compression and tension forces
Authors: Ashour Mohamed , Abbas Aser
Published: January 2020

The paper studies the behavior of axially loaded piles driven into inundated collapsible soils under compression and tension forces. Collapsible soils exhibit a considerable drop in the void ratio (i.e., significant changes in dry unit weight, friction angle, and shear strength) with the increase of water content. Several sandy and silty specimens of collapsible soils with different initial conditions are utilized to develop a correlation that evaluates the post-inundation soil properties and stress–strain relationship (as obtained from the conventional triaxial test). The developed model is integrated into a pile–soil model to predict the axial response of piles loaded after the inundation of the collapsible soils (i.e., no negative skin friction). The developed technique allows the assessment of the axial load transfer (t-z) and pile-head load–displacement curves. Comparisons between predicted and measured stress–strain curves of inundated collapsible soils and responses of axially loaded piles in such soils are presented for validation.
Non-axisymmetric elastohydrodynamic solid-liquid-solid dewetting: Experiments and numerical modelling
Authors: Chudak Maciej , Kwaks Jesse S. , Snoeijer Jacco H. , Darhuber Anton A.
Published: January 2020

We have studied the dewetting dynamics of partially wetting liquid films confined between a soft elastic hemisphere and an elastomer layer by means of systematic experiments. We focused on the experimentally most relevant case of non-axisymmetric dewetting, which initiated at the locations of minimum film thickness near the perimeter of the contact area. We found the contact line speed to be highly anisotropic in this case. It is significantly faster in the azimuthal direction along the perimeter of the contact spot than in the radially inwards direction. We developed a three-dimensional, fully coupled numerical model that reproduces many features observed in the experiments.

Graphical abstract
Constraints on warm power-law inflation in light of Planck results
Authors: Ghadiri Zahra , Aghamohammadi Ali , Refaei Abdollah , Sheikhahmadi Haidar
Published: January 2020

The constraints on a general form of the power-law potential and the dissipation coefficient in the framework of warm single field inflation imposed by Planck data will be investigated. By considering a quasi-static Universe, besides a slow-roll condition, the suitable regions in which a pair of theoretical free parameters are in good agreement with Planck results will be estimated. In this method, instead of a set of free parameters, we can visualize a region of free parameters that can satisfy the precision limits on theoretical results. On the other side, when we consider the preformed quantity for the amplitude of scalar perturbations, the conflict between obtained results for free parameters in different steps will be dramatically decreased. As done in prominent literature, based on the friction of the environment, we can divide the primordial Universe into two different epochs, namely weak and strong dissipative regimes. For the aforementioned eras, the free parameters of the model will be constrained and the best regions will be obtained. To do so, the main inflationary observables such as tensor-to-scalar ratio, power-spectra of density perturbations and gravitational waves, scalar and tensor spectral indices, running spectral index and the number of e-folds in both weak and strong regimes will be obtained. Ultimately, it can be visualized, this model can make concord between theoretical results and data originated from cosmic microwave background and Planck 2013, 2015 and 2018.
Non-line-of-sight Reconstruction Using Efficient Transient Rendering
Authors: Iseringhausen Julian , Hullin Matthias B.
Published: January 2020

Being able to see beyond the direct line of sight is an intriguing prospect and could benefit a wide variety of important applications. Recent work has demonstrated that time-resolved measurements of indirect diffuse light contain valuable information for reconstructing shape and reflectance properties of objects located around a corner. In this article, we introduce a novel reconstruction scheme that, by design, produces solutions that are consistent with state-of-the-art physically based rendering. Our method combines an efficient forward model (a custom renderer for time-resolved three-bounce indirect light transport) with an optimization framework to reconstruct object geometry in an analysis-by-synthesis sense. We evaluate our algorithm on a variety of synthetic and experimental input data, and show that it gracefully handles uncooperative scenes with high levels of noise or non-diffuse material reflectance.
Secure Assay Execution on MEDA Biochips to Thwart Attacks Using Real-Time Sensing
Authors: Liang Tung-Che , Shayan Mohammed , Chakrabarty Krishnendu , Karri Ramesh
Published: January 2020

Digital microfluidic biochips (DMFBs) have emerged as a promising platform for DNA sequencing, clinical chemistry, and point-of-care diagnostics. Recent research has shown that DMFBs are susceptible to various types of malicious attacks. Defenses proposed thus far only offer probabilistic guarantees of security due to the limitation of on-chip sensor resources. A micro-electrode-dot-array (MEDA) biochip is a next-generation DMFB that enables the real-time sensing of on-chip droplet locations, which are captured in the form of a droplet-location map. We propose a security mechanism that validates assay execution by reconstructing the sequencing graph (i.e., the assay specification) from the droplet-location maps and comparing it against the golden sequencing graph. We prove that there is a unique (one-to-one) mapping from the set of droplet-location maps (over the duration of the assay) to the set of possible sequencing graphs. Any deviation in the droplet-location maps due to an attack is detected by this countermeasure because the resulting derived sequencing graph is not isomorphic to the original sequencing graph. We highlight the strength of the security mechanism by simulating attacks on real-life bioassays. We also address the concern that the proposed mechanism may raise false alarms when some fluidic operations are executed on MEDA biochips. To avoid such false alarms, we propose an enhanced sensing technique that provides fine-grained sensing for the security mechanism.
Target Faults for Test Compaction Based on Multicycle Tests
Authors: Pomeranz Irith
Published: January 2020

The use of multicycle tests, with several functional capture cycles between scan operations, contributes significantly to the ability to compact a test set. Multicycle tests have the added benefit that they can contribute to the detection of defects with complex behaviors that are not detected by single-cycle or two-cycle tests. To ensure that this benefit is materialized when test compaction is applied to transition faults, this article suggests to incorporate into the test compaction procedure an additional fault model whose fault coverage increases when multicycle tests are used. To ensure that the computational complexity of test compaction is not increased by a fault model with a large number of faults, or faults with complex behaviors, the added fault model is required to have the same characteristics as the transition fault model. A type of transition fault called unspecified transition fault satisfies these requirements. The article describes a test compaction procedure for transition faults that incorporates unspecified transition faults, and presents experimental results for benchmark circuits to demonstrate the levels of test compaction and fault coverage that can be achieved.
Plate Tectonics and the Archean Earth
Authors: Brown Michael , Johnson Tim , Gardiner Nicholas J.
Published: January 2020

If we accept that a critical condition for plate tectonics is the creation and maintenance of a global network of narrow boundaries separating multiple plates, then to argue for plate tectonics during the Archean requires more than a local record of subduction. A case is made for plate tectonics back to the early Paleoproterozoic, when a cycle of breakup and collision led to formation of the supercontinent Columbia, and bimodal metamorphism is registered globally. Before this, less preserved crust and survivorship bias become greater concerns, and the geological record may yield only a lower limit on the emergence of plate tectonics. Higher mantle temperature in the Archean precluded or limited stable subduction, requiring a transition to plate tectonics from another tectonic mode. This transition is recorded by changes in geochemical proxies and interpreted based on numerical modeling. Improved understanding of the secular evolution of temperature and water in the mantle is a key target for future research. ▪  Higher mantle temperature in the Archean precluded or limited stable subduction, requiring a transition to plate tectonics from another tectonic mode. ▪  Plate tectonics can be demonstrated on Earth since the early Paleoproterozoic (since c. 2.2 Ga), but before the Proterozoic Earth's tectonic mode remains ambiguous. ▪  The Mesoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic (3.2–2.3 Ga) represents a period of transition from an early tectonic mode (stagnant or sluggish lid) to plate tectonics. ▪  The development of a global network of narrow boundaries separating multiple plates could have been kick-started by plume-induced subduction.
Effects of Nondigestible Oligosaccharides on Obesity
Authors: Nie Qixing , Chen Haihong , Hu Jielun , Tan Huizi , Nie Shaoping , Xie Mingyong
Published: January 2020

Obesity is a major public health concern that has almost reached the level of pandemic and is rapidly progressing. The gut microbiota has emerged as a crucial regulator involved in the etiology of obesity, and the manipulation of it by dietary intervention has been widely used for reducing the risk of obesity. Nondigestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) are attracting increasing interests as prebiotics, as the indigestible ingredients can induce compositional or metabolic improvement to the gut microbiota, thereby improving gut health and giving rise to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) to elicit metabolic effects on obesity. In this review, the role NDOs play in obesity intervention via modification of the gut microecology, as well as the physicochemical and physiological properties and industrial manufacture of NDOs, is discussed. Our goal is to provide a critical assessment of and stimulate comprehensive research into NDO use in obesity.
Whole Food–Based Approaches to Modulating Gut Microbiota and Associated Diseases
Authors: Han Yanhui , Xiao Hang
Published: January 2020

Intake of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, may confer health benefits to the host. The beneficial effects of fruits and vegetables were mainly attributed to their richness in polyphenols and microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs). Components in fruits and vegetables modulate composition and associated functions of the gut microbiota, whereas gut microbiota can transform components in fruits and vegetables to produce metabolites that are bioactive and important for health. The progression of multiple diseases, such as obesity and inflammatory bowel disease, is associated with diet and gut microbiota. Although the exact causality between these diseases and specific members of gut microbiota has not been well characterized, accumulating evidence supported the role of fruits and vegetables in modulating gut microbiota and decreasing the risks of microbiota-associated diseases. This review summarizes the latest findings on the effects of whole fruits and vegetables on gut microbiota and associated diseases.
A compartmentalized mathematical model of mouse atrial myocytes
Authors: Asfaw Tesfaye Negash , Tyan Leonid , Glukhov Alexey V. , Bondarenko Vladimir E.
Published: January 2020

Various experimental mouse models are extensively used to research human diseases, including atrial fibrillation, the most common cardiac rhythm disorder. Despite this, there are no comprehensive mathematical models that describe the complex behavior of the action potential and [Ca2+]i transients in mouse atrial myocytes. Here, we develop a novel compartmentalized mathematical model of mouse atrial myocytes that combines the action potential, [Ca2+]i dynamics, and β-adrenergic signaling cascade for a subpopulation of right atrial myocytes with developed transverse-axial tubule system. The model consists of three compartments related to β-adrenergic signaling (caveolae, extracaveolae, and cytosol) and employs local control of Ca2+ release. It also simulates ionic mechanisms of action potential generation and describes atrial-specific Ca2+ handling as well as frequency dependences of the action potential and [Ca2+]i transients. The model showed that the T-type Ca2+ current significantly affects the later stage of the action potential, with little effect on [Ca2+]i transients. The block of the small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ current leads to a prolongation of the action potential at high intracellular Ca2+. Simulation results obtained from the atrial model cells were compared with those from ventricular myocytes. The developed model represents a useful tool to study complex electrical properties in the mouse atria and could be applied to enhance the understanding of atrial physiology and arrhythmogenesis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY A new compartmentalized mathematical model of mouse right atrial myocytes was developed. The model simulated action potential and Ca2+ dynamics at baseline and after stimulation of the β-adrenergic signaling system. Simulations showed that the T-type Ca2+ current markedly prolonged the later stage of atrial action potential repolarization, with a minor effect on [Ca2+]i transients. The small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ current block resulted in prolongation of the action potential only at the relatively high intracellular Ca2+.
Combination of Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Diameter and QRS Duration Strongly Predicts Good Response to and Prognosis of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Guo Zhinian , Liu Xiaoyan , Cheng Xiaofeng , Liu Chuan , Li Ping , He Yongming , Rao Rongsheng , Li Chun , Chen Yunlong , Zhang Yong , Luo Xiaoyu , Wang Jiang
Published: January 2020

Background. Approximately 20–40% of recipients of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) do not respond to it based on the current patient selection criteria. The purpose of this study was to identify baseline parameters that can predict CRT response and to evaluate the effect of those predictive parameters on long-term prognosis. Methods. This was a retrospective, nonrandomized, noncontrolled cohort study. Patients who received CRT in our centre were divided into responders and nonresponders by the definition of CRT response (an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≥5% and improvement of ≥1 New York Heart Association (NYHA) class from baseline to the 6-month follow-up). Results. Of the 101 patients, 68 were responders and 33 were nonresponders. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD; OR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81–0.95, P=0.001) and QRS duration (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04–1.10, P<0.001) were independent predictors of CRT response. The combination of LVEDD and QRS duration was more valuable for predicting CRT response (AUC 0.836; 95% CI: 0.76–0.91; P<0.001). Moreover, the combination of LVEDD ≤ 71 mm and QRS duration ≥ 170 ms had a low incidence of all-cause mortality, HF hospitalisation, and the composite endpoint. In addition, baseline LVEDD had a positive correlation with QRS duration (R=0.199, P=0.046). Responders to CRT had better LV reverse remodeling. Conclusion. The combination of LVEDD and QRS duration provided more robust prediction of CRT response. Moreover, the combination of LVEDD ≤ 71 mm and QRS duration ≥ 170 ms was associated with a low incidence of all-cause mortality, HF hospitalisation, and the composite endpoint. Our results may be useful to provide individualized patient selection for CRT.
Research on the Influence of Bounded Rationality and Product Differentiation on the Stability of Steel Industry Market
Authors: Duan Ye , Han Zenglin , Mu Hailin , Yang Jun , Li Yonghua
Published: January 2020

At present, the problems of homogenization and low quality in China’s iron and steel industry are particularly prominent and the ability of the enterprises to cope with change is insufficient. Adopting product differentiation strategy and dynamic adjustment strategy can allow steel enterprises and the industry to better adapt to future changes. By introducing the product differentiation degree (substitution coefficient) and the bounded rationality strategy to simulate these two strategic means, this paper constructs an extended two-stage dynamic game model to analyse the dynamic game scenarios and steel market stability in China. As new findings, we report the following: (1) The system is more likely to fall into an unbalanced state when multiple enterprises adopt the policy of dynamic output adjustment simultaneously. (2) Enterprises with large output and small output have different output adjustment policies. When enterprises with big-scale output adopt a bit larger adjustment policies, enterprises with small output will be strongly impacted, and the available adjustment space will be sharply compressed. (3) The gradual increase in the difference between products reduces the stability of the market. (4) When product differentiation and bounded rationality strategies coexist, the steel market may fall into an unbalanced state when the degree of product difference increases excessively and the enterprise adopts more drastic output adjustment policies. Therefore, there are pros and cons to product differentiation strategy and bounded rationality adjustment strategy. When each steel oligopoly enterprise formulates a production plan, it needs to comprehensively consider the output changes of the other enterprises and carefully weigh the strategic issues.
Application of Molecular Hydrogen as a Novel Antioxidant in Sports Science
Authors: Kawamura Takuji , Higashida Kazuhiko , Muraoka Isao
Published: January 2020

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, and minimal molecule with high flammability. Although H2 has been thought to be an inert gas in living bodies for many years, an animal study reported that inhalation of H2 gas decreased oxidative stress and suppressed brain injury caused by ischemia and reperfusion injury due to its antioxidant action. Since then, the antioxidant action of H2 has attracted considerable attention and many studies have reported on its benefits. Most studies have reported the effects of H2 on diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cerebral infarction, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, little is known regarding its effects on healthy subjects and exercise. Thus far, including our study, only 6 studies have explored the effect of H2 on exercise. H2 is the smallest molecule and therefore can easily penetrate the cellular membrane and rapidly diffuse into organelles. H2 is thought to be able to selectively reduce hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite and does not affect physiologically reactive species. H2 can be supplied to the body through multiple routes of administration, such as oral intake of H2 water and H2 bathing. Therefore, H2 may be a potential alternative strategy for conventional exogenous antioxidant interventions in sports science. The purpose of this review is to provide evidence regarding the effects of H2 intake on changes in physiological and biochemical parameters, centering on exercise-induced oxidative stress, for each intake method. Furthermore, this review highlights possible future directions in this area of research.
Analysis on Illegal Crossing Behavior of Pedestrians at Signalized Intersections Based on Bayesian Network
Authors: Ma Yingying , Lu Siyuan , Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: January 2020

Pedestrians do not always comply with the crossing rules of when and/or where to cross the road at signalized intersections. This risky behavior tends to undermine greatly the effectiveness of safety countermeasures at such locations. Thus, it is very important to understand illegal behavior to develop more effective and targeting measures. In order to address the problem, this paper aimed to analyze characteristics of illegal crossings and their impact on behavior choice. Firstly, illegal crossing behaviors at signalized intersections were classified into two categories, including “crossing at a red light” and “crossing outside of a crosswalk.” Secondly, two sets of data were collected to understand the behaviors. One set of data was collected from video-based observation conducted at 3 signalized intersections in Guangzhou, China, capturing 3334 valid illegal crossing cases in total. Another set of data, from a questionnaire survey conducted online, resulted in 275 valid responses. Finally, presentational characteristics of illegal crossings at signalized intersection were analyzed and two Bayesian network-based behavior models were developed to investigate the characteristics and their impacts on the two types of illegal crossing behaviors, “crossing at a red light” and “crossing outside of a crosswalk,” respectively. Findings reveal that, (i) illegal crossings occur at various types of signalized intersections, with a higher probability for “crossing outside of a crosswalk” compared to “crossing at a red light;” (ii) Arc routing crossing has the highest probability to occur at signalized intersections compared to other types of out-side-crosswalk crossings. (iii) The location of origin and destination of a pedestrian has a significant effect on crossing outside of a crosswalk, the location of origin and destination of “one is inside of a crosswalk and another is outside of a crosswalk” has a highest proportion. These findings provide better understanding of illegal crossings and their impact factors so that the effectiveness of management and control of pedestrians at signalized intersections can be improved.
Circulating IL-17A Levels in Postmenopausal Women with Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Dozio E. , Passeri E. , Vianello E. , Palmieri S. , Eller-Vainicher C. , Corsi Romanelli M. , Corbetta S.
Published: January 2020

Background. Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common cause of secondary osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Th17 lymphocytes and the released cytokine IL-17A play an important role in bone metabolism. Th17 cells have been shown to be activated by PTH, and peripheral blood T cells from patients affected with PHPT express higher levels of IL-17A mRNA than controls. Aim. To investigate circulating levels of IL-17A and the ratio RANKL/OPG, as markers of osteoclastogenesis, in 50 postmenopausal PHPT women compared with postmenopausal osteoporotic non-PHPT women (n=20). Results. Circulating levels of IL-17A were similarly detectable in most PHPT and non-PHPT osteoporotic women (12.9 (8.4-23.1) vs. 11.3 (8.3-14.3) pg/ml, median (range interquartile), P=0.759), at variance with premenopausal women where IL-17A was undetectable. In PHPT women, any significant correlations could be detected between circulating IL-17A levels and PTH levels. Nonetheless, significant negative correlations between circulating IL-17A and ionized calcium levels (r=‐0.294, P=0.047) and urine calcium excretions (r=‐0.300, P=0.045) were found. Moreover, PHPT women were characterized by positive correlations between IL-17A levels and femur neck (r=0.364, P=0.021) and total hip (r=0.353, P=0.015) T-scores. Circulating IL-17A levels did not show any significant correlation with sRANKL, OPG, and sRANKL/OPG ratio in PHPT women. Conclusions. In postmenopausal PHPT women, circulating IL-17A levels were similar to those detected in postmenopausal non-PHPT women, showing a disruption of the relationship observed in postmenopausal osteoporosis among circulating PTH, sRANKL, OPG, IL-17A, and bone demineralization in postmenopausal PHPT women. The data support an osteogenic effect of IL-17A in postmenopausal PHPT women.
Mean Arterial Pressure Is Related to Incident Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among the Nonobese Female with Normal Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels: A Large Cohort Study in China
Authors: Xu Shangbo , Chen Lan , Hong Danhua , Yang Lihua , Li Xiaozhi , Wang Xin
Published: January 2020

Aim. We aimed to demonstrate the independent effect of mean arterial pressure (MAP) on incident nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among the nonobese Chinese with normal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Methods. 16,153 nonobese participants without NAFLD at baseline were enrolled and then assigned to four groups by quartiles of MAP (Q1-Q4). A subgroup analysis by gender was also conducted. Participants were diagnosed with NAFLD by ultrasonography. Results. During a mean follow-up of 2.80 years, the cumulative incidence of NAFLD was 14.37 and the incidence rate was 513.17 per 10,000 person-years. The cumulative incidence of NAFLD for the whole population or gender groups gradually increased with the quartiles of MAP (all P<0.001). In the Q4 of MAP, the cumulative incidence of NAFLD for the whole population, male, and female reached up to 6.22 (5.75-6.70), 6.70 (6.21-7.19), and 5.69 (5.24-6.14), respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, as compared with Q1, the hazard ratio for NAFLD was 1.328 (1.072-1.647), 1.625 (1.276-2.069), and 1.697 (1.231-2.340) for Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. In subgroup analysis, the respective hazard ratio for NAFLD in Q2, Q3, and Q4 of MAP was 1.760 (1.276-2.429), 2.080 (1.433-3.019), and 2.377 (1.452-3.890), compared with female in the Q1 of MAP. But MAP was not associated with incident NAFLD in male. Besides, MAP had a larger area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves than SBP or DBP, with optimal cutoff point of 88 mmHg in male and 89 mmHg in female. Conclusions. MAP is an independent predictor for incident NAFLD among nonobese female with normal LDL levels.
In Situ Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO/Chitosan Nanocomposite as an Adsorbent for Removal of Congo Red from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Nguyen Nhu Thanh , Nguyen Ngoc Thinh , Nguyen Van Anh
Published: January 2020

ZnO/chitosan nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by in-situ precipitation method. The material was characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, FTIR, BET, and TGA. Results show that ZnO/chitosan nanocomposite has spherical shape with the average size of 20–25 nm. BET surface area and the average pore size of ZnO/chitosan nanocomposite are 2.2436 (m2/g) and 12.2 nm, respectively. The material was applied as an adsorbent for congo red removal from aqueous solutions. The congo red adsorption is better described by the Langmuir model (R2=0.996) than by the Freundlich model (R2=0.962). Therefore, it can be presumed that congo red was adsorbed in a single monolayer with the theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of 227.3 (mg/g). This is comparable to other available adsorbents. It can be suggested that ZnO/chitosan nanocomposite could serve as promising adsorbent for congo red in wastewater treatment technology.
Analysis of a Flexible Transit Network in a Radial Street Pattern
Authors: Shi Hongguo , Gao Mingyao
Published: January 2020

Traditional transit systems are usually composed of fixed routes and stops, which are suitable in densely populated areas. This paper presents a reformulation of the flexible transit model developed by Nourbakhsh and Ouyang (2012) to adapt it to many low demand cities in the world, especially those characterized by radial street patterns. Unlike traditional ones, buses of the proposed transit network are allowed to traverse in a predetermined service area and their precise trajectories hinge on the exact locations of passengers. To identify the optimal topology structure of the flexible transit system, continuous approximation approaches are developed to explore the optimal value of design parameters of the whole system, defining the optimal network layout through minimizing its objective function. To exhibit its advantages, numerical experiments are conducted to compare the flexible transit system with its two variants. The results show that the flexible transit system proposed in this paper outperforms the other two variants. The higher the access cost is, the more it would tilt towards the flexible transit system with a significant margin. Besides, the flexible transit system in a radial pattern competes more effectively than that in a grid structure. This is encouraging because the proposed transit system can be applied in a number of real-world cases.
Warped Product Pointwise Semi Slant Submanifolds of Sasakian Space Forms and their Applications
Authors: Alluhaibi Nadia , Khan Meraj Ali
Published: January 2020

In this study, we attain some existence characterizations for warped product pointwise semi slant submanifolds in the setting of Sasakian space forms. Moreover, we investigate the estimation for the squared norm of the second fundamental form and further discuss the case of equality. By the application of attained estimation, we obtain some classifications of these warped product submanifolds in terms of Ricci soliton and Ricci curvature. Further, the formula for Dirichlet energy of involved warping function is derived. A nontrivial example of such warped product submanifolds is also constructed. Throughout the paper, we will use the following acronyms: “WP” for warped product, “WF” for warping function, “AC” for almost contact, and “WP-PSS” for the warped product pointwise semi slant.
Design and Multiobjective Optimization of Magnetorheological Damper considering the Consistency of Magnetic Flux Density
Authors: Dong Zhizhen , Feng Zhimin , Chen Yuehua , Yu Kefan , Zhang Gang
Published: January 2020

The consistency of magnetic flux density of damping gap (CMDG) represents the balancing magnetic flux density in each damping gap of magnetorheological (MR) dampers. It can make influences on the performances of MR dampers and the accuracy of relevant objective functions. In order to improve the mechanical performances of the MR damper with a two-stage coil, the function for calculating CMDG needs to be found. By establishing an equivalent magnetic circuit model of the MR damper, the CMDG function is derived. Then, the multiobjective optimization function and the working flow of optimal design are presented by combining the parallel-plate model of the MR damper with the function posed before. Taking the damping force, the dynamic range, the response time, and the CMDG as the optimization objective, and the external geometric dimensions of the SG-MRD60 damper as the bound variable, this paper optimizes the internal geometric dimensions of MR damper by using a NSGA-III algorithm on the PlatEMO platform. The results show that the obtained scheme in Pareto-optimal solutions has existed with better performance than that of SG-MRD60 scheme. According to the results of the finite element analysis, the multiobjective optimization design including the CMDG function can improve the uniformity of magnetic flux density of the MR damper in damping gap, which meets the requirements of manufacture and application.
Experimental Study of Moisture Content Effect on Geotechnical Properties of Solidified Municipal Sludge
Authors: Chen Yijun , He Xingxing , Wang Ping , Wan Yong , Tan Xun
Published: January 2020

Moisture content is an important factor affecting the geotechnical properties of solidified municipal sludge (MMS). Typical municipal sludge in China was chosen to investigate the effects of initial moisture content (defined as w0) on geotechnical properties of MMS solidified by self-developed CERSM solidifying agent. In addition, the microstructure changes of solidified sludge samples in this study were explored with scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Mechanical experiment results showed that the unconfined compressive strength, cohesion, and internal friction angle of the MMS increased with the decrease in initial moisture content, but the permeability coefficient changed oppositely. The permeability coefficient of solidified sludge samples was between 10−8 and 10−10 cm/s. But after the drying-saturated process, the permeability coefficient of MMS can be increased up to 4 times, mainly due to the formation of a considerable number of microconnected pores and microcracks in the process of drying. The research results are of great significance to the safe disposal and utilization of municipal sewage sludge in China.
Plasma Adipokines in Patients Resuscitated from Cardiac Arrest: Difference of Visfatin between Survivors and Nonsurvivors
Authors: Chen Yuan-Zhuo , Zhou Shu-Qin , Chen Yan-Qing , Peng Hu , Zhuang Yu-Gang
Published: January 2020

Background. Adipokines are a group of cytokines or peptides secreted by adipose tissue to exert numerous biological functions. In the present study, we measured the plasma levels of four adipokines (adiponectin, leptin, fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), and visfatin) in cardiac arrest patients following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Methods. Totally, 21 patients who experienced cardiac arrest and successful ROSC with expected survival of at least 48 hours (from January 2016 to December 2017) were consecutively enrolled into this prospective observational clinical study. Of the 21 enrolled patients, ten survived, and other eleven died between 2 days and 6 months post ROSC. Venous blood was drawn at three time points: baseline (<1 hour post ROSC), 2 days post ROSC, and 7 days post ROSC. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, FABP4, and visfatin were determined using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results. The plasma visfatin levels at 2 or 7 days post ROSC increased significantly compared with the baseline (P<0.01), while plasma levels of adiponectin, leptin, and FABP4 did not change. Moreover, plasma visfatin levels in survivors at 2 or 7 days post ROSC were higher than those in nonsurvivors (P<0.01). Plasma visfatin levels at 2 or 7 days post ROSC were negatively correlated with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and time to ROSC. Moreover, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the plasma visfatin levels at 2 or 7 days post ROSC were good predictors for survival of the patients. Conclusion. Elevated plasma visfatin levels may be a marker for better outcome of cardiac arrest patients post ROSC.
Neuropathy Caused by Metal Hypersensitivity after Placement of Stainless Steel Plate
Authors: Niempoog Sunyarn , Kukreja Seksan
Published: January 2020

Metal hypersensitivity is a rare complication for implants especially with neuropathy involvement. There was not any previous report suggesting metal hypersensitivity manifested in the form of neuropathy or tendinopathy from metal plate implantation. Here, we present a case of a 42-year-old female with chronic ulnar wrist pain and unremarkable physical and radiological findings. Ulna shortening osteotomy with small stainless steel-made DCP and screw fixation was done. On the third day postoperative, the patient developed pain, swelling, ulnar neuropathy, and flexor tendon contracture. Severe adhesion was found around the implant and the ulnar nerve. Minimal skin patch testing reaction and pathological study suggest a cell-mediated delayed type IV hypersensitivity reaction. A titanium-made LCP was later implanted in place of the stainless steel-made DCP. The patient’s clinical status significantly improved after the operation. Metal hypersensitivity in this patient was unprecedented and unique. The severity of the reaction and its location close to the ulnar nerve may predispose to the intensity of the reaction.
Optimal Support of Wound Healing: New Insights
Authors: Baron Jens Malte , Glatz Martin , Proksch Ehrhardt
Published: January 2020

Background: The ultimate goal of wound healing following minor injury is to form a tissue regenerate that has functionality and visual appearance as close to the original skin as possible. The body’s physiological response to any wound is traditionally characterised by three distinct steps: inflammation, proliferation and remodelling. Summary: New insights suggest that the three phases overlap (and even occur in parallel) in both time and space in the wound, necessitating a clinical approach that targets each stage simultaneously to ensure rapid repair and wound closure without further complications. Ingredients that exhibit activity across each of the three phases, such as dexpanthenol, are of value in the context of minor wound care and scar management. Key Messages: In addition to treatment and ingredient selection, it is also important to consider broader clinical best practices and self-care options that can be used to optimise the management of minor wounds. An individualised approach that can account for a patient’s unique requirements and preferences is critical in achieving effective wound recovery.
Changing Patterns of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Treatment with Direct Antiviral Agents
Authors: El Fayoumie Mohammed , Abdelhady Mahmoud , Gawish Ahmed , Hantour Usama , Abdelkhaleek Ismail , Abdelraheem Mohamed , Alsawak Alaa , Alwassief Ahmed , Elbahrawy Ashraf
Published: January 2020

Introduction: The impact of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial. One important aspect of this controversy is the changing pattern of HCC. Objective: In this study, we attempted to assess the changes in the pattern of HCC after treatment with DAAs. Methods: A total of 51 HCC patients after DAA treatment and 54 HCC patients without DAA treatment were included. The diagnosis of HCC was based on typical dynamic CT and/or MRI criteria in both groups. Liver status was assessed by means of the fibrosis 4 index (Fib-4), Child-Pugh classification, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). HCC infiltrative pattern, portal vein thrombosis (PVT), local and distant metastases, and α-fetoprotein (AFP) level were compared in the 2 groups. The staging of HCC and treatment decisions were made in both groups following the Milan criteria, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging, tumor-node-metastasis staging, and Cancer of the Liver Italian Program categorization. Results: The mean age of the HCC patients after DAA treatment (59.1± 7.4 years) was older than that of the HCC patients without DAA treatment. There was no significant difference between groups regarding sex distribution. The mean Fib-4 score (4.84 ± 3.53) was significantly lower in HCC patients after DAA treatment than in those without DAA treatment. The frequency of the infiltrative HCC pattern, PVT, and regional lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in HCC patients after DAA treatment than in those without DAA treatment (p ≤ 0.05); mean AFP level (5,085.2 ± 11,883.2 ng/mL) was also significantly higher. HCC patients after DAA treatment had significantly advanced stages and limited treatment options (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: The changing HCC pattern after DAA treatment may suggest the need for new HCC staging and treatment protocols.
Cytogenetic Investigation in 136 Consecutive Stillbirths: Does the Tissue Type Affect the Success Rate of Chromosomal Microarray Analysis and Karyotype?
Authors: Marquès Borja , Benitez Leticia , Peguero Anna , Madrigal Irene , Gómez Olga , Figueras Francesc , Borrell Antoni
Published: January 2020

Background: Chromosomal anomalies are a recognized cause of stillbirth, accounting for 6–17% of the cases. As a diagnostic laboratory method in this setting, conventional karyotyping has two main drawbacks: the need for viable fetal cells in a dead fetus and its limited resolution as compared to alternative techniques. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of cytogenetic analysis in stillbirths between different testing methods and different sampled tissues. Methods: From 2011 to 2017, 145 stillborn fetuses (defined as fetal losses after 22 weeks) were delivered in our center. The stillbirth protocol includes genetic testing by means of a karyotype, QF-PCR, or chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), depending on the presence of fetal structural anomalies and the study time period. The success rates were compared between tests and between different sampled tissues. Results: Consent was granted for cytogenetic analysis in 136 stillbirths. Test success rate was 100% (38/38) for CMA independent of the sampled tissue, 99% (65/66) for QF-PCR, and 66% (65/98) for karyotyping. The success rate for karyotyping was 48% (69/145) of the total tissues samples, showing great variation according to the tissue sampled: 83% (40/48) in amniotic fluid, 78% (21/27) in the placenta, 13% (7/54) in fetal skin, and 6.3% (1/16) in fetal blood. Four full or partial aneuploidies (trisomy 9, trisomy 22, tetrasomy 18p, and monosomy X) and 2 microdeletions (del2p16.3 and del1q13.2q13.4) were found, resulting in a 3.9% (4/103) prevalence for full or partial aneuploidy and a 5.3% prevalence (2/38) for submicroscopic abnormalities. Conclusions: Amniotic fluid should be the preferred tissue source in the cytogenetic analysis of stillbirth due to its high success rate. Between tests, CMA is a preferable method because of its higher test success rate, independent of the sampled tissue, and higher diagnostic yield including chromosomal and submicroscopic anomalies.
Efficacy and Safety of Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Office Workers with Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Trial
Authors: Matsuda Yuki , Kito Shinsuke , Igarashi Yoshio , Shigeta Masahiro
Published: January 2020

Objectives: Major depression is a highly prevalent disorder that causes economic burden in office workers. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) in office workers with treatment-resistant depression. Methods: In this study, we randomized office workers taking administrative leave for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder with current major depressive episode. dTMS treatment was applied at 120% resting motor threshold with 18 Hz over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The treatment sessions delivered a total of 1,980 pulses a day, 5 days a week, for 4–6 weeks. The primary outcome was change in the total score on the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-21) from baseline to the end of study in an intent-to-treat analysis. The secondary outcomes were the response and remission rates. We also assessed changes in cognitive function and adverse events. Results: Forty patients were randomized to active or sham dTMS groups (1:1). The change in the total score on the HDRS-21 was more significantly improved in the active group than in the sham group at 6 weeks (p = 0.045). There were no significant differences in the response and remission rates or cognitive measures between the active and sham groups. No serious adverse events were observed in either group. Conclusions: These results suggest that dTMS might be effective and safe in office workers with treatment-resistant depression. Further well-designed studies are needed.
Robinow Syndrome and Brachydactyly: An Interplay of High-Throughput Sequencing and Deep Phenotyping in a Kindred
Authors: Mishra Ranjana , Jain Vibha , Gupta Deepti , Saxena Renu , Kulshreshtha Samarth , Ramprasad Vedam L. , Verma Ishwar C. , Dua Puri Ratna
Published: January 2020

We report a family with a spectrum of short stature, craniofacial dysmorphism, and digital anomalies in a father and 2 daughters, with the youngest (proband) displaying a severe phenotype. Clinically, autosomal dominant Robinow syndrome (ADRS) was diagnosed. Whole-exome sequencing identified a heterozygous pathogenic BMP2 variant in the father and his daughters. The phenotype of short stature, facial dysmorphism, and skeletal anomalies with or without cardiac anomalies related to BMP2 haploinsufficiency has some facial and digital resemblance to ADRS. Although this variant segregated in the affected members, it failed to explain the severe phenotype of the proband. A reanalysis of the girl's raw data confirmed 2 disorders: a de novo likely pathogenic DVL1 variant implicated in ADRS and the familial BMP2 variant. A close interplay of high-throughput sequencing and deep phenotyping unraveled the complexities of the blended phenotype in the proband.
Guerra do Pacífico
Authors: Neiva Ruth Cavalcante
Published: January 2020

A Guerra do Pacífico (1879-1884) foi um conflito bélico que envolveu o Chile, o Peru e a Bolívia. O objetivo desse artigo consiste em refletir sobre as consequências desse confronto para o Estado peruano. Para tanto, analisamos duas fontes históricas que foram produzidas por intelectuais que pegaram em armas e lutaram em batalhas: Cartas a Piérola sobre la ocupación chilena de Lima (entre 1880 e 1889), de Ricardo Palma e Discurso en el Politeama (1888), de Manuel González Prada. O primeiro alegou que o motivo do fracasso do Peru no combate beligerante contra os chilenos se deu porquê o país tinha uma população massivamente indígena, considerada inferior e inútil; ao passo que o segundo afirmou que a razão do fiasco bélico se deu justamente pelo fato dos índios serem subalternizados e tratados como serviçais, e não como cidadãos da República peruana. Esse trabalho faz uma reflexão dessas duas perspectivas distintas e demonstra o quanto a questão indígena foi um tema importante, no contexto dos fins do século XIX, para discutir as razões da derrota do Peru na Guerra do Pacífico.
A influência dos movimentos sociais nos processos decisórios do Mercosul
Authors: Santos Luana Marina dos
Published: January 2020

A partir dos elementos propulsores da globalização, esta pesquisa pretende identificar em que medida os movimentos sociais logram êxito em impactar, ou não, os processos decisórios e as formas de aplicação de normas dentro do bloco econômico do Mercosul. A partir do método hipotético-dedutivo, aliado ao levantamento bibliográfico e documental, foi possível identificar que, de fato, o processo de globalização logra êxito em transformar a maneira como os indivíduos convivem em sociedade, bem como alavanca o fomento de novos movimentos sociais, que se mostram aptos a impactar a forma de produzir direito dentro dos blocos econômicos.