bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics, Distribution, and Source Analysis of the Main Persistent Toxic Substances in Karst Groundwater at Jinan in North China
Authors: Shang Hao , Qi Xiaofan , Zhang Mengnan , Li Hu , Li Gang , Yang Lizhi
Published: February 2020

Karst water in northern China is an important water source for economic and social development in its distribution area and water source for ecological function guarantee. With the enhancement of human activities, the water quality of karst water in the north has deteriorated and the bearing capacity of economic activities and social and ecological environment has weakened. The study on the distribution characteristics and source analysis of toxic substances in typical karst springs in northern China is of great practical significance for the sustainable development of karst areas in northern China. Based on the abundant karst water samples, the concentration, detection, and spatial distribution of toxic heavy metals and typical organic substances in karst waters were analyzed, the quality was evaluated, and the source of substances was analyzed. The results show that the toxic substances in karst water in Jinan are mainly distributed in the northern part of the Jinan urban karst water subsystem and Baiquan karst water subsystem in Jinan city, and the detection rate is low in other areas. The main distribution areas of toxic substances in karst water are the northeast and southwest parts of Jinan city. In the recharge area and runoff area of the karst spring area, the contribution rate of toxic substances to the comprehensive quality evaluation of karst water is relatively low and relatively high in the drainage area of the spring area. The organic index contributes more to the comprehensive quality evaluation of karst water. The distribution of toxic substances is related to the historical and current industrial layouts, and industrial discharge or leakage is the primary source of pollutants in karst water. The concentration of toxic substances in karst water has persistence and inheritance. This study enriches the research results on the distribution and sources of toxic substances in typical karst springs in northern China and provides essential data support for scientific understanding of the changes in karst water quality and optimization of water resource management in northern China.
Nonlinear Adaptive Line-of-Sight Path Following Control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles considering Sideslip Amendment and System Constraints
Authors: Cui Zhengyang , Wang Yong
Published: February 2020

With growing worldwide interests in commercial, scientific, and military issues, there has been a corresponding rapid growth in demand for the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with more reliable and safer motion control abilities. This paper presents a new nonlinear path following scheme integrated with a heading control law for achieving accurate and reliable path following performance. Both backstepping and finite-time techniques are employed for developing the path following and heading control strategies capable of minimizing cross-track errors in finite-time with elegant transient performance, while the barrier Lyapunov function scheme is adopted to limit turning rates of the UAV for preventing it from capsizing which may be induced by overquick steering actions. A fixed-time nonlinear estimator, based on UAV kinematics, is designed for estimating the uncertainties with sideslip angles caused by external disturbances and inertial motions. To avoid the complicated calculation of derivatives of virtual control terms in backstepping, command filters and auxiliary systems are likewise introduced in the design of control laws. Extensive numerical simulation studies on a nonlinear UAV model are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies.
Piezoresistivity of Cement Matrix Composites Incorporating Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes due to Moisture Variation
Authors: Wang Yanfeng , Zhao Xiaohua , Zhao Yi
Published: February 2020

Cementitious composites usually work under moisture condition. Presently, the piezoresistivity of cementitious composites incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) due to moisture variation was experimentally investigated. The variation of moisture content was controlled by drying specimens in an oven. In most cases of moisture content, the composites were observed to present positive piezoresistivity during the process of cyclic compression. While moisture content was in a specific range, the composites exhibited negative piezoresistivity. The whole transition from positive piezoresistivity to negative piezoresistivity and then positive piezoresistivity was obtained with moisture variation. Moreover, the amplitude of piezoresistivity changed in the process. These phenomena may be explained through the combination of ionic conduction and electronic conduction. A theoretical model of piezoresistivity, able to predict the effects of porosity, the volume fraction of MWCNTs, and the connectivity parameters, is proposed. Numerical results with the model show that the calculated piezoresistive responses of specimens agree reasonably well with testing data.
Seasonal Variations of the Near-Surface Atmospheric Boundary Layer Structure in China’s Gurbantünggüt Desert
Authors: Mamtimin Ali , Wang Yu , Sayit Hajigul , Yang XingHua , Yang Fan , Huo Wen , Zhou Chenglong
Published: February 2020

As the largest fixed and semifixed desert in China, the Gurbantünggüt Desert has a longperiod of snow in winter and the rapid growth of ephemeral plants in spring, presentingthe obvious seasonal changes in the underlying desert surface type, which could lead to the significantvariety in the near-surface boundary layer over this desert. To clarify the influence of the underlying surface change on the near-surface atmospheric boundary layer, gradient tower data and Eddy covariance data in 2017 were analyzed. The results were as follows: the wind profile can be divided into the nocturnal stable boundary layer and the daytime unstable boundary in spring, summer, and autumn, while the wind profile dominating nighttime stability in winter. During the study period, the four-season temperature profiles can be divided into four types: night radiation type, morning transition type, daylight solar radiation type, and evening transition type, and the temperature difference between spring and summer is more than that of autumn and winter. The vertical temperature lapse rate can reach 4.5°C/100 m in spring and summer, while the vertical temperature lapse rate is 0.5°C/100 m in winter. The special humidity value in summer and spring is greater than autumn and winter. The profile is almost in the inverse humidity state at almost all periods in winter. The inverse humidity phenomenon occurred on the autumn night. Besides, the specific humidity is closely related to the temperature and the near-surface wind speed. The “rapid change” of the underlying surface of the spring desert region affects the surface energy budget, which affects the turbulent energy and the stability of the near-surface layer, thus affecting the changes in temperature, humidity, and wind profile.
A Geometric Property of the Laplacian matrix of a Connected Nonsingular Mixed Graph
Authors: Zhou Zheng-Da , Gong Shi-Cai
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we give a geometric interpretation of the Laplacian matrix of a connected nonsingular mixed graph which generalizes the results of M. Fiedler (M. Fiedler, Geometry of the Laplacian, Linear Algebra Appl., 2005, 403: 409–413). In addition, the relations of geometric properties between a connected (singular or nonsingular) mixed graph, and all its resigned graphs will be characterized.
Development and Validation of a Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for the Determination of Asparagine in Human Serum
Authors: Lu Haoyang , Zeng Xiaoyun , Yu Lihua , Wang Zhanzhang , Lin Danna , Ni Xiaojia , Shang Dewei , Zhang Ming , Hu Jinqing , Deng Shuhua , Zhu Xiuqing , Chen Yuqing , Xie Huanshan , Yang Lihua , Wen Yuguan
Published: February 2020

L-Asparagine (ASN) is the catalyze substrate of L-asparaginase (ASNase), which is an important drug for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. The ASN level is found to be closely associated with the effectiveness of ASNase treatment. In this study, a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of ASN in the human serum using a stable isotope-labeled internal standard (ASN-D3). Serum samples were prepared by a one-step precipitation procedure using methanol and separated by an Agilent HILIC Plus column with the mobile phase of methanol-water (95 : 5, v/v, containing 5 mM ammonium formate and 0.1% formic acid), at a constant flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Mass spectrometric analysis was conducted using multiple-reaction monitoring in the positive electrospray ionization mode. Serum ASN concentrations were determined over a linear calibration curve range of 2–200 μM, with acceptable accuracies and precisions. The validated HILIC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to the quantification of ASN levels in the serum from patients with ALL. Collectively, the research may shed new light on an alternative rapid, simple, and convenient quantitative method for determination of serum ASN in ALL patients treated with ASNase.
Developmental Timing Determines the Protective Effect of Maternal Electroacupuncture on Perinatal Nicotine Exposure‐Induced Offspring Lung Phenotype
Authors: Dai Jian , Ji Bo , Zhao Guozhen , Lu Yawen , Liu Yitian , Mou Qiujie , Sakurai Reiko , Xie Yana , Zhang Qin , Xu Shuang , Rehan Virender K.
Published: February 2020

Introduction. Environmental exposure of the developing offspring to cigarette smoke or nicotine is an important predisposing factor for many chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and so forth, in the exposed offspring. Studies showed that electroacupuncture (EA) applied to maternal “Zusanli” (ST36) acupoints during pregnancy and lactation protects against perinatal nicotine exposure‐ (PNE‐) induced lung damage. However, the most effective time period, that is, prenatal vs. postnatal, to attain this effect has not been determined. Objective. To determine the most effective developmental timing of EA’s protective effect against PNE‐induced lung phenotype in the exposed offspring. Methods. Pregnant rats were given (1) saline (“S” group); (2) nicotine (“N” group); (3) nicotine + EA, exclusively prenatally (“Pre‐EA” group); (4) nicotine + EA, exclusively postnatally (“Post‐EA,” group); and (5) nicotine + EA, administered both prenatally and postnatally (“Pre‐ and Post‐EA” group). Nicotine was injected once daily (1 mg/kg, 100 μl) and EA was administered to bilateral ST36 acupoints once daily during the specified time‐periods. At the end of the experimental periods, key hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis markers in pups and dams, and lung function, morphometry, and the central molecular markers of lung development in the offspring were determined. Results. After nicotine exposure, alveolar mean linear intercept (MLI) increased, but mean alveolar number (MAN) decreased and lung PPARγ level decreased, but glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and serum corticosterone (Cort) levels increased, in line with the known PNE‐induced lung phenotype. In the nicotine exposed group, maternal hypothalamic corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) level decreased, but pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum Cort levels increased. In the “Pre‐ and Post‐EA” groups, PNE‐induced alterations in lung morphometry, lung development markers, and HPA axis were blocked. In the “Pre‐EA” group, PNE‐induced changes in lung morphometry, GR, and maternal HPA axis improved; lung PPARγ and serum Cort levels were slightly but not significantly improved. In contrast, the exclusive “Post‐EA” group showed none of these benefits. Conclusions. Maternal EA applied to ST36 acupoints during both pre‐ and postnatal periods preserves offspring lung structure and function despite perinatal exposure to nicotine. EA applied during the “prenatal period” affords only limited benefits, whereas EA applied during the “postnatal period” is ineffective, suggesting that the EA’s effects in modulating PNE‐induced lung phenotype are limited to specific time‐periods during lung development.
Multi-Period Multi-Product Supply Chain Network Design in the Competitive Environment
Authors: Wang Jian , Wang Xueyan , Yu Mingzhu
Published: February 2020

This paper studies a supply chain network design model with price competition. The supply chain provides multiple products for a market area in multiple periods. The model considers the location of manufacturers and retailers and assumes a probabilistic customer behavior based on an attraction function depending on both the location and the quality of the retailers. We aim to design the supply chain under the capacity constraint and maximize the supply chain profit in the competitive environment. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear programming model. To solve the problem, we propose two heuristic algorithms—Simulated Annealing Search (SA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)—and numerically demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. Through the sensitivity analysis, we give some management insights.
HSP70 Inhibition Leads to the Activation of Proteasomal System under Mild Hyperthermia Conditions in Young and Senescent Fibroblasts
Authors: Bozaykut Perinur , Sozen Erdi , Kaga Elif , Ece Asli , Ozaltin Esra , Bergquist Jonas , Kartal Ozer Nesrin , Karademir Yilmaz Betul
Published: February 2020

Aging has been characterized with the accumulation of oxidized proteins, as a consequence of progressive decline in proteostasis capacity. Among others, proteasomal system is an efficient protein turnover complex to avoid aggregation of oxidized proteins. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is another critical player that is involved in some key processes including the correct folding of misfolded proteins and targeting aggregated proteins to the proteasome for rapid degradation. The aim of this study was to determine the role of proteasomal system and heat shock proteins to maintain proteome balance during replicative senescence in mild hyperthermia conditions. Our results demonstrated that HSP40/70 machinery is induced by mild hyperthermia conditions independent from senescence conditions. Since HSP70 is largely responsible for the rapidly inducible cell protection following hyperthermia, the activation of “heat shock response” resulted in the elevation of HSP40/70 expressions as well as the proteasome activity. Interestingly, when HSP70 expression was inhibited, increased proteasomal activation was shown to be responsive to mild hyperthermia. Since HSP70 is involved in various stress-related pathways such as oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, depletion of HSP70 expression may induce proteasomal degradation to maintain proteome balance of the cell. Thus, our data suggests that in mild heat stress conditions, molecular chaperone HSP70 plays an important role to avoid protein oxidation and aggregation; however, activities of proteasomal system are induced when HSP70 expression is depleted.
Evaluation of Section Speed Enforcement System Using Empirical Bayes Approach and Turning Point Analysis
Authors: Shim Jisup , Kwon Oh Hoon , Park Shin Hyoung , Chung Sungbong , Jang Kitae
Published: February 2020

Speeding is a major risk factor for traffic-related injuries. As a countermeasure against speeding, automated speed enforcement systems (ASES) have been deployed in many countries. However, drivers’ awareness of enforcement locations allows themselves to adjust vehicle speeds in the vicinity of the enforcement locations. This enforcement avoidance behavior leads to a criticism of the effectiveness of ASES, in which the system promotes abrupt changes in vehicle speed near enforcement locations, increasing crash risk as a side effect. To address this issue, the section speed enforcement system (SSES), which enforces overspeeding vehicles by their average travel speed over a section, has been devised. In this study, we evaluate traffic speed and safety data that were collected from sections with SSES on Korean expressways. The speed analysis showed that the vehicles reduced their speeds inside the enforcement section, and this reduction in speed variations across vehicles was also noticeable, signifying that the risk of traffic crash should be lower. In view of this, we have performed before and after comparative analysis using the empirical Bayes method with the comparison group. The outcomes estimate 43% reduction in crash occurrence after installation of SSES. Furthermore, turning point analysis confirmed that the reduction in crash occurrence ensued immediately after installation of SSES.
Effects of Sleep-Related Disorders on the Prognosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Reyhani Aylin , Benbir Senel Gulcin , Karadeniz Derya
Published: February 2020

Background/Objective: In this study, we demonstrated the effects of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on the prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the effects of sleep-related disorders other than breathing problems are still waiting to be delineated. Methods: In this longitudinal retrospective and prospective study, we investigated 73 patients with ALS compared to 20 healthy subjects, to determine sleep-related disorders and their impact on disease prognosis. Results: In patients with ALS, the mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was 28.0/h, which was significantly higher than that in the controls (p < 0.001). OSAS was present in 67% of the patients, sleep-related hypoxemia was observed in 13.7% of the patients, and 5.4% had central sleep apnea syndrome. In patients with bulbar-onset disease, higher RDI was almost significantly associated with lower survival (p = 0.056). The mean index of periodic leg movements in sleep was significantly higher in patients with ALS (34.0 ± 19.9/h) than that in the controls (12.5 ± 15.5/h; p < 0.001). Periodic leg movements disorder (PLMD) was diagnosed in 23 patients with ALS (31.5%); fragmentary myoclonus was present in 13.7% of patients, and REM-sleep behavior disorder was diagnosed in 4 patients (5.4%). The presence of PLMD in addition to OSAS was significantly associated with worse prognosis and poorer survival (p = 0.040). Conclusions: These findings emphasize that sleep-related disorders other than OSAS deserve attention in ALS. ALS is a catastrophic and frustrating disease for both patients and physicians; thus, the diagnosis and treatment of comorbid sleep disorders could improve the survival of patients with ALS.
Anti-Ganglioside Antibody-Negative Miller Fisher and AMSAN Variant Guillain-Barré Overlap Syndrome
Authors: Wattanasit Prangsai , Sathirapanya Pornchai
Published: February 2020

A case of Miller Fisher and acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) variant Guillain-Barré (MFS/AMSAN-GBS) overlap syndrome is presented. The neurological presentation of the overlap syndrome was preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. Eventually, severe weakness of bulbar and limb muscles, areflexia, ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and respiratory insufficiency developed. The electroneuromyography revealed symmetrical axonal polyneuropathy which was dominant in both upper limbs. Although a panel of anti-ganglioside antibodies including anti-GQ1b was negative, immediate treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin resulted in dramatic response.
Evaluation of Biomechanically Corrected Intraocular Pressure Measurements in Keratoconus and Forme Fruste Keratoconus
Authors: Nishida Tomoya , Kojima Takashi , Kataoka Takahiro , Isogai Naoki , Yoshida Yoko , Nakamura Tomoaki
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Although biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP) is available, the effectiveness of intraocular pressure (IOP) correction in keratoconus and forme fruste keratoconus (FFK) eyes has not been investigated. Objective: Evaluation of bIOP measurements in eyes with keratoconus and FFK. Methods: Forty-two eyes in 21 patients with keratoconus in one eye and FFK in the fellow eye were examined (KC/FFK group; mean age 24.62 ± 8.6 years; 16 males and 5 females). The control group consisted of 62 eyes in 31 unaffected subjects (mean age 26.26 ± 3.64 years; 15 males and 16 females). The bIOP was determined using a Scheimpflug-based tonometer (Corvis Scheimpflug Technology [Corvis ST®]) after measuring the IOP with a conventional non-contact tonometer (NIOP). The agreement between NIOP and bIOP values was examined using the Bland-Altman plot. The difference between NIOP and bIOP (bIOP correction amount) was compared between keratoconus and FFK eyes. Results: In the control group, there were no significant differences between right and left eyes in both NIOP and bIOP values (p = 0.975 and p = 0.224, respectively). In the KC/FFK group, NIOP values were significantly lower in the keratoconus eyes (9.93 ± 1.96 mm Hg) than in the FFK eyes (12.23 ± 3.03 mm Hg; p = 0.0003). There was no significant difference in bIOP values between the right and left eyes of the KC/FFK group (p = 0.168). The bIOP correction amount was significantly increased in keratoconus eyes (3.58 ± 2.12 mm Hg) compared to in FFK eyes (1.80 ± 3.32 mm Hg; p = 0.011). Conclusions: For eyes with keratoconus and FFK, the bIOP method is effective to adjust IOP measurements based on corneal biomechanical properties.
Antonio Candido leitor de Oswald de Andrade
Authors: Fonseca Maria Augusta
Published: February 2020

Este ensaio procura examinar diferentes textos crí-ticos de Antonio Candido sobre Oswald de Andrade envolvendo questionamentos, concordâncias e con-trovérsias. No conjunto dinâmico dessas reflexões destacam-se suas avaliações pioneiras sobre a obra ficcional de Oswald, alinhadas ao reconhecimento precursor de seu papel fundamental no âmbito do Modernismo brasileiro e de sua grande importância na vida cultural do país.
Antonio Candido, criador da área de Teoria Literária e Literatura Comparada
Authors: Nitrini Sandra
Published: February 2020

Amparado na sua atuação de crítico literário, ainda como professor de Sociologia, Antonio Candido percebeu que havia uma carência de estudos gerais introdutórios e estudos teóricos espe-cializados, indispensáveis para uma boa formação acadêmica dos estudantes de Letras, ao contrário do que ocorria em outras faculdades e em outros cursos, nas quais já existiam disciplinas com este objetivo. Ele se valerá desta observação para fundamen-tar sua sugestão de se criar uma disciplina deste teor no curso de Letras, encaminhada à Congregação da, então, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras da USP e aprovada em 1959.

A atuação de Antonio Candido como professor que inaugurou o campo de estudos teóricos e comparativos na USP constitui o foco principal deste artigo, que contempla também um memento dos colaboradores que contribuíram e dos que contribuem atual-mente para o desenvolvimento da Área de Teoria Literária e Literatura Comparada.
Utilization of Cardiac Surveillance Tests in Survivors of Breast Cancer and Lymphoma After Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy
Authors: Ruddy Kathryn J. , Sangaralingham Lindsey R. , Van Houten Holly , Nowsheen Somaira , Sandhu Nicole , Moslehi Javid , Neuman Heather , Jemal Ahmedin , Haddad Tufia C. , Blaes Anne H. , Villarraga Hector R. , Thompson Carrie , Shah Nilay D. , Herrmann Joerg
Published: February 2020

Background:

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Society of Clinical Oncology recommend consideration of the use of echocardiography 6 to 12 months after completion of anthracycline-based chemotherapy in at-risk populations. Assessment of BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) has also been suggested by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Heart Failure Society of America for the identification of Stage A (at risk) heart failure patients. The real-world frequency of the use of these tests in patients after receipt of anthracycline therapy, however, has not been studied previously.

Methods and Results:

In this retrospective study, using administrative claims data from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse, we identified 31 447 breast cancer and lymphoma patients (age ≥18 years) who were treated with an anthracycline in the United States between January 1, 2008 and January 31, 2018. Continuous medical and pharmacy coverage was required for at least 6 months before the initial anthracycline dose and 12 months after the final dose. Only 36.1% of patients had any type of cardiac surveillance (echocardiography, BNP, or cardiac imaging) in the year following completion of anthracycline therapy (29.7% echocardiography). Surveillance rate increased from 37.5% in 2008 to 42.7% in 2018 (25.6% in 2008 to 40.5% echocardiography in 2018). Lymphoma patients had a lower likelihood of any surveillance compared with patients with breast cancer (odds ratio, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.74–0.85];
P
<0.001). Patients with preexisting diagnoses of coronary artery disease and arrhythmia had the highest likelihood of cardiac surveillance (odds ratio, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.39–1.69] and odds ratio, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.3–1.53];
P
<0.001 for both), although no single comorbidity was associated with a >50% rate of surveillance.

Conclusions:

The majority of survivors of breast cancer and lymphoma who have received anthracycline-based chemotherapy do not undergo cardiac surveillance after treatment, including those with a history of cardiovascular comorbidities, such as heart failure.
Effect of 4-(methymercapto) benzaldehyde (MTAD) pretreatment on microtensile bond strengths of two resin cements on dentin surface
Authors: Chen Lelu , Gu Xinhua
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study, as pretreated by MTAD, is to evaluate the resin adhesive strength. Samples were divided four groups: untreated dentin, dentin surface treated with tri-steamed water, dentin surface treated with phosphoric acid, dentin surface treated with EDTA, and dentin surface
treated with MTAD. These were then glued to the pulp using two resins: Panavia F 2.0 and Relyx Unicem. This setup was is placed in water and divided and then It subjected to SEM characterization. The binding strength of MTAD-treated teeth was higher than that of the other three groups. After
MTAD treatment, the adhesive force of the two resins on the tooth surface was greatly enhanced.
Succinyl rotundic acid inhibits growth and promotes apoptosis in the HeLa cervical cancer cell line
Authors: He Yufang , Sun Jiaming , Nan Minlun , Wang Xue , Lin He , Lv Guangfu , Li Yong , Duan Minghua , Ye Hongbo
Published: February 2020

Rotundic acid (RA) is a kind of pentacyclic triterpene saponins, which widely exists in holly and other plants. It has anti-tumor and lipid-lowering effects, and has been widely used in the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases. Succinyl RA (SRA) is a kind of circular acid derivative
with strong water solubility. However, SRA’s effect and mechanism about the therapy of cervical cancer is still not clarified. The inhibitory effect of SRA on Hela cells and its molecular mechanism were investigated in this study. Hela cell line was used to establish an in vitro
model to study the effect of SRA. The effects of SRA on cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry and detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazole-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazole bromide. The experimental results show that SRA can inhibit the growth of Hela and diffusion,
inducing cell apoptosis. SRA can also reduce the expression of CyclinD 1 and p21. It was also decreased the expression of apoptosis inhibitor B cell lymphoma (Bcl-2), and increased the expression of Bcl-2-related X-protein and Caspase-3. This study provides evidence for
the progress of SRA in inhibiting Hela cells and presents potential applications of SRA as an alternative therapy for cervical cancer.
Fabrication and characterization of solvent evaporation-assisted sodium caseinate emulsion films
Authors: Yin Yan , Peng Yonghong , Xie Haiwei
Published: February 2020

As plastic pollution increases, the development of degradable film has attracted much attention. Sodium caseinate was suitable to be a degradable film material for its mechanical performance and appearance. Maize oil was added to improve the properties of film material by microfluidization
and solvent evaporation. Microfluidization could improve the droplet distribution of maize oil in the film building dispersions and the performance of film material. Solvent evaporation could further control the droplet distribution and the characteristics of film materials. The introduction
of ethyl acetate could refine the droplet of maize oil distributing in the film building dispersions. The mechanical characteristics, water blocking properties and microscopic structure of solvent evaporation-assisted sodium caseinate emulsion films were improved.
Effects of P-gpMAbNano-structured material nanoparticles on epilepsy and expression of SRY-related HMG Box 21 in epilepsy
Authors: Li Qi , Deng Jing , Yang Juan , Xu Tao , Yu Xinyuan , Yuan Jinxian , Li Rong , Fu Jie , Jiang Qian , Chen Yangmei
Published: February 2020

SRY-related HMG box (SOX)21, one of the most highly expressed transcription inhibitors in the central nervous system (CNS), is involved in neurogenesis-related transcription and proliferation, which are associated with certain neurological disorders. However, it is the role of SOX21
in the pathogenesis of epilepsy remains unclear. In this study, our aim was to examine the expression and function of SOX21 in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), as well as pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindled rats, and to identify the possible roles of SOX21 in epileptogenesis. We found
that SOX21 localized in neurons is upregulated, especially in TLE patients. SOX21 is present in the hippocampus or adjacent temporal cortex in the PTZ-kindled epileptic rat model. In addition, the P-gpMAbNano-structured material (PNM) nanoparticles carrying anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) were
injected into the epileptic model rats using an intravenous injection. The expression of tumor necrosis factor peptide in the rats was detected to verify whether the drug-carrying nanoparticles could bypass macrophages and reach the target for treatment. We also found an interaction between
SOX21 and SOX2 in PTZ-kindled rats. These results indicate that SOX21 is mainly located in neurons and may regulate the pathogenesis of epilepsy, possibly in association with SOX2. Moreover, PNM nanoparticles equipped with AEDs can reach the target through macrophages in vivo, providing
a new approach for the clinical treatment of epilepsy.
Investigation of the microstructure, mechanical properties and tensile behavior of a low carbon nickel-manganese dual-phase transformationinduced plasticity steel by heavy warm rolling
Authors: Ahmad Sohail , Wang Xiangyu , Fu Liming , Ahmad Javed , Abbas Waseem , Han Zheng , Wang Huanrong , Wang Wei , Shan Aidang
Published: February 2020

A dual phase (martensite–austenite) low carbon nickel-manganese transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) steel was fabricated by heavily warm rolling (HWR), and the effect of annealing on the phase fraction, mechanical properties and tensile deformation behavior of the heavily
warm rolled (HWRed) steel was investigated. The results showed that the reverse transformation of γ-austenite from α′-martensite occurs and that the γ-austenite volume fraction (VA) decreases from 91% to 55% as the annealing
temperature increases from 400 °C to 800 °C, respectively. The HWRed steel annealed at 400 °C exhibits a high strength-high ductility combination with yield strength of 706 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 1573 MPa, total elongation (TEL) of 21.6%, and the product of the
strength and elongation (PSE: UTS×TEL) is 34 GPa%. These excellent mechanical properties are principally attributed to the formation of a large volume fraction of austenite (γ) by the reverse transformation and subsequent TRIP effect during tensile deformation. It was found
that the HWRed and annealed steels exhibit a special tensile behavior with a large yielding strain followed by pronounced strain hardening. The tensile curve can be readily divided into three obviously different stages. The strain-induced martensite (SIM) transformation (γ -α′)
occurs in the early yielding deformation stage and in the intermediate rapidly hardening deformation stage, indicating that the TRIP effect dominates the process of these two stages. However, the retained γ-austenite remains very stable, and no TRIP effect is observed in the final
hardening deformation stage. The load-unload reload (LUR) test was performed to evaluate the back stress (σb) hardening effect during tensile testing. It is believed that the pronounced strain hardening behavior after yielding is mainly associated with the σb
enhancement induced by the strain partitioning between the soft retained γ-austenite and the hard α′-martensite due to the SIM transformation during tensile deformation.
A Basic Effect of Cloud Radiative Effects on Tropical Sea Surface Temperature Variability
Authors: Li Ying , Thompson David W. J. , Olonscheck Dirk
Published: February 2020

Cloud radiative effects (CREs) are known to play a central role in governing the long-term mean distribution of sea surface temperatures (SSTs). Very recent work suggests that CREs may also play a role in governing the variability of SSTs in the context of El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Here, the authors exploit numerical simulations in the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model with two different representations of CREs to demonstrate that coupling between CREs and the atmospheric circulation has a much more general and widespread effect on tropical climate than that indicated in previous work. The results reveal that coupling between CREs and the atmospheric circulation leads to robust increases in SST variability on time scales longer than a month throughout the tropical oceans. Remarkably, cloud–circulation coupling leads to more than a doubling of the amplitude of decadal-scale variability in tropical-mean SSTs. It is argued that the increases in tropical SST variance derive primarily from the coupling between SSTs and shortwave CREs: Coupling increases the memory in shortwave CREs on hourly and daily time scales and thus reddens the spectrum of shortwave CREs and increases their variance on time scales spanning weeks to decades. Coupling between SSTs and CREs does not noticeably affect the variance of SSTs in the extratropics, where the effects from variability in CREs on the surface energy budget are much smaller than the effects from the turbulent heat fluxes. The results indicate a basic but critical role of CREs in climate variability throughout the tropics.
How do victims of bullying in Australian schools view their perpetrators – As individuals or as groups? Implications for educators
Authors: Rigby Ken
Published: February 2020

Bullying in schools, defined as a systematic abuse of power in interpersonal relations, may be undertaken individually and/or by groups. The extent to which schoolchildren report that they are bullied by their peers in each of these ways was examined in a survey of Australian schoolchildren (N = 1688) in Years 5–10 attending 36 coeducational primary or secondary schools. Being bullied by an individual student was reported by both males and females as occurring significantly more often than being bullied by groups. Applying multiple regression analysis, the reported frequency of individual and group bullying, after controlling for age and gender, independently predicted the severity of negative outcomes as assessed by measures of negative emotional impact, such as feeling unsafe from bullying, absenteeism due to bullying and reported negative impact on school work. Although group bullying was less commonly reported, its negative effects on student well-being were generally more severe. Implications are examined for student education about bullying and addressing individual and group-based bullying in appropriate ways.
African Economies in the Shadow of China: Effects of Bilateral Trade Structure on Economic Growth in Africa
Authors: Maswana Jean-Claude
Published: February 2020

This study aimed at assessing the effects of bilateral trade intensity by export categories in the China–Africa trade links on economic growth in Africa, by using a production function approach in a panel system GMM estimator. The findings suggest that conditional on the level of the logistics index and China’s FDI to Africa, economic growth tends to be greater in countries with higher index of trade intensity in manufactured exports to China. Another noticeable finding is that the potential contribution of manufactured exports to economic growth is higher than that of primary exports; African countries are constrained in their trade expansion with China by low-logistics quality. Surprisingly, the current logistics infrastructure, as low quality as they are, remain somehow adequate for primary commodity exports to China.

JEL Codes: F14, F43, O19, O47, O55
Preliminary Development of a Postmortem Bodily Integrity Concerns Scale Among the University Students in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Shui Hung , Chow Amy Yin Man
Published: February 2020

The idea of keeping a body intact has been a major barrier that hinders people from making decision for posthumous organ donation or making consent for their deceased family member. The present research thus attempted to bridge the knowledge gap by conducting an exploratory study to identify the underlying beliefs, and a preliminary validation study to confirm the scale developed thereof. Nineteen university students participated in 5 semistructured focus groups; 115 participated in the exploratory factor analysis, while 96 in the confirmatory factor analysis. An 18-item scale, the Postmortem Bodily Integrity Concerns Scale was developed with 4 subscales: Filial Piety Beliefs, Worries of Organ Removal, Postmortem Mutilation Anxiety, and Detachment to Death. The corresponding measures were established and validated with acceptable psychometric properties and a model of good fit. The findings provided implications for the policymakers to devise plans in dealing with the postmortem bodily integrity issue.
Power load forecasting in energy system based on improved extreme learning machine
Authors: Chen Xu-Dong , Hai-Yue Yang , Wun Jhang-Shang , Wu Chien-Hung , Wang Ching-Hsin , Li Ling-Ling
Published: February 2020

Through the accurate prediction of power load, the start and stop of generating units in the power grid can be arranged economically and reasonably. The safety and stability of power grid operation can be maintained. First, chicken swarm optimizer based on nonlinear dynamic convergence factor (NCSO) optimizer is proposed based on chicken swarm optimizer (CSO) optimizer. In NCSO optimizer, nonlinear dynamic inertia weight and levy mutation strategy are introduced. Compared with CSO optimizer, the convergence speed and effect of NCSO optimizer are obviously improved. Second, the random parameters of extreme learning machine (ELM) model are optimized by NCSO optimizer, and NCSOELM model is established to predict the power load. Finally, the NCSO optimization extreme learning machine (NCSOELM) model is used to predict the power load, and compared with back propagation (BP), support vector machine (SVM) and CSO optimization extreme learning machine (CSOELM) model. The experimental results show that the fitting accuracy of NCSOELM model is high, and the determination coefficient r2 is above 90%. And the root mean square error value of the NCSOELM model is 0.87, 0.41, and 0.25 smaller than the root mean square error values of the support vector machine, BP, and CSOELM models, respectively. Experiments show that the model proposed in this study has high fitting effect and low prediction error, which is of positive significance for the realization of economic and safe operation of energy system.
Poor Tom and the linguistic performance of monstrosity in King Lear
Authors: Compagnoni Michela
Published: February 2020

Edgar’s disguise in King Lear draws upon a popular early modern figure, the Bedlam beggar. This article argues that Poor Tom transcends the cultural representations of the Bedlamites, inasmuch as his liminality and otherness turn him into a monstrous creature. Tom’s monstrosity emerges from his language rather than his appearance or actions. Close readings reveal how the fashioning of Tom in 2.2 is anticipated by Edmund’s and Gloucester’s words, which foretell the metaphorical self-birth whereby Edgar delivers his own monstrous alter ego through language, in a multifaceted linguistic performance made of overlapping voices that are monstrous in structure and content.
Serotonin mediates the panicolytic-like effect of oxytocin in the dorsal periaqueductal gray
Authors: De Oliveira Sergio Thatiane , Frias Alana Tercino , Vilela-Costa Heloisa Helena , De Oliveira Danielle CG , Zuardi Antônio W , Zangrossi Hélio
Published: February 2020

Introduction and objectives:

Oxytocin (OT) has been widely linked to positive social interactions, and there is great interest in OT as a therapy for a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions. Recent evidence also suggests that OT can play an important role in the mediation of anxiety-associated defensive responses, including a role for serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission in this action. However, it is presently unknown whether OT additionally regulates the expression of panic-related behaviors, such as escape, by acting in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG), a key panic-regulating area. This study aimed to investigate the consequence of OT injection in the dPAG on escape expression and whether facilitation of 5-HT neurotransmission in this midbrain area is implicated in this action.

Methods:

Male Wistar rats were injected with OT in the dPAG and tested for escape expression in the elevated T-maze (ETM) and dPAG electrical stimulation tests. Using the latter test, OT’s effect was also investigated after previous intra-dPAG injection of the OT receptor antagonist atosiban, the preferential antagonists of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, WAY-100635 and ketanserin, respectively, or systemic pretreatment with the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor p-CPA.

Results:

OT impaired escape expression in the two tests used, suggesting a panicolytic-like effect. In the ETM, the peptide also facilitated inhibitory avoidance acquisition, indicating an anxiogenic effect. Previous administration of atosiban, WAY-100635, ketanserin, or p-CPA counteracted OT’s anti-escape effect.

Conclusions:

OT and 5-HT in the dPAG interact in the regulation of panic- and anxiety-related defensive responses. These findings open new perspectives for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Development and Assessment of Rapid Tests for Construction of Asphalt-Treated Cold Recycled Pavements
Authors: Diefenderfer Brian K. , Boz Ilker , Habbouche Jhony , Jones David , Hand Adam J.
Published: February 2020

Pavement recycling techniques, including full depth reclamation, cold in-place recycling, and cold central plant recycling, are effective at rehabilitating existing pavements and constructing new pavements while reducing construction costs, environmental impacts, and construction time. Despite these benefits, these techniques are not used as often as they could be, in part because agencies are unable to assess rapidly the quality of the recycled material or to determine when a recycled pavement has sufficient structural capacity to handle traffic or construction equipment for surfacing, or both, without causing damage, especially at early ages. To describe better the time-critical properties of recycled materials, a series of tests was conducted to assess the stiffness, penetration resistance, and shear and raveling properties of laboratory-produced recycled mixtures sampled from field projects. These tests were conducted to evaluate their potential to discriminate among various factors affecting the behavior of the materials in the laboratory. The study found that penetration resistance tests were most sensitive to the factors assessed, followed by stiffness and then torque values from shear and raveling tests. These tests will be further validated using additional mixture types in the laboratory, and their performance in the field will be studied.
Clinical Efficacy of Intra-articular Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blinded Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Garza Jaime R. , Campbell Richard E. , Tjoumakaris Fotios P. , Freedman Kevin B. , Miller Lawrence S. , Santa Maria Daniel , Tucker Bradford S.
Published: February 2020

Background:

Currently, there are limited nonoperative treatment options available for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Cell-based therapies have emerged as promising treatments for knee OA. Autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) has been identified as an efficient medium for intra-articular administration of progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue.

Hypothesis:

Patients receiving intra-articular SVF would show significantly greater improvement than patients receiving placebo injections, and this improvement would be dose dependent.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods:

This was a multisite prospective double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Adult patients with symptomatic knee OA were eligible. Thirty-nine patients were randomized to high-dose SVF, low-dose SVF, or placebo (1:1:1). SVF was obtained via liposuction, processed to create the cellular implant, and injected during the same clinical visit. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores and magnetic resonance images were obtained preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months after injection. The Wilcoxon rank sum nonparametric test was utilized to assess statistical significance, and the Hodges-Lehmann location shift was used to assess superiority.

Results:

The median percentage change in WOMAC score at 6 months after injection for the high-dose, low-dose, and placebo groups was 83.9%, 51.5%, and 25.0%, respectively. The high- and low-dose groups had statistically significant changes in WOMAC scores when compared with the placebo group (high dose, P = .04; low dose, P = .02). The improvements were dose dependent. The median percentage change in WOMAC score from baseline to 1 year after injection for the high-dose, low-dose, and placebo groups was 89.5%, 68.2%, and 0%, respectively. The high- and low-dose groups displayed a greater percentage change at 12 months when compared with the placebo group (high dose, P = .006; low dose, P = .009). Magnetic resonance image review revealed no changes in cartilage thickness after treatment. No serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusion:

Intra-articular SVF injections can significantly decrease knee OA symptoms and pain for at least 12 months. The efficacy and safety demonstrated in this placebo-controlled trial support its implementation as a treatment option for symptomatic knee OA.

Registration:

NCT02726945 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier)