bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating women into combat roles: comparing the UK Armed Forces and Israeli Defense Forces to understand where lessons can be learnt
Authors: Fieldhouse Anne , O'Leary T J
Published: July 2020

In October 2018, women became eligible to serve in all roles in the UK Armed Forces. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have employed women in limited ground close combat (GCC) roles since 1995. Integration of women into some IDF combat units has improved our understanding of injury risk for servicewomen. While the research findings from physiological studies on women in IDF GCC roles helped inform the integration of women into UK GCC roles, the applicability of the data is limited by the differences between Israeli and UK approaches to recruitment, training and operational deployability of servicewomen. Women in IDF combat roles do, therefore, not provide a good model on the health and performance implications for women in UK Armed Forces combat roles. Further original research to better understand and develop mitigations against any health risks facing UK servicewomen in GCC roles is warranted.
Extending existing recommended military casualty evacuation timelines will likely increase morbidity and mortality: a UK consensus statement
Authors: Scallan Nicholas James , Keene D D , Breeze J , Hodgetts T J , Mahoney P F
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Future conflicts may have limited use of aviation-based prehospital emergency care for evacuation. This will increase the likelihood of extended evacuation timelines and an extended hold at a forward hospital care facility following the completion of damage control surgery or acute medical interventions.

Methods

A three-round Delphi Study was undertaken using a panel comprising 44 experts from the UK armed forces including clinicians, logisticians, medical planners and commanders. The panel was asked to consider the effect of an extended hold at Deployed Hospital Care (Forward) from the current 2-hour timeline to +4, +8, +12 and +24 hours on a broad range of clinical and logistical issues. Where 75% of respondents had the same opinion, consensus was accepted. Areas where consensus could not be achieved were used to identify future research priorities.

Results

Consensus was reached that increasing timelines would increase the personnel, logistics and equipment support required to provide clinical care. There is a tipping point with a prolonged hold over 8 hours, after which the greatest number of clinical concerns emerge. Additional specialties of surgeons other than general and orthopaedic surgeons will likely be required with holds over 24 hours, and robust telemedicine would not negate this requirement.

Conclusions

Retaining acute medical emergencies at 4 hours, and head injuries was considered a particular risk. This could potentially be mitigated by an increased forward capacity of some elements of medical care and availability of a CT scanner and intracranial pressure monitoring at over 12 hours. Any efforts to mitigate the effects of prolonged timelines will come at the expense of an increased logistical burden and a reduction in mobility. Ultimately the true effect of prolonged timelines can only be answered by close audit and analysis of clinical outcomes during future operations with an extended hold.
Pharmacists’ roles in supporting people living with severe and persistent mental illness: a systematic review protocol
Authors: El-Den Sarira , McMillan Sara S , Wheeler Amanda J , Ng Ricki , Roennfeldt Helena , O'Reilly Claire L
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) can significantly impact a person’s social, personal and professional life. Previous studies have demonstrated pharmacists’ roles in mental healthcare; however, limited studies to date have focused on pharmacists’ roles in providing healthcare services, specifically, to people living with SPMI. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the pharmacists’ roles in providing support to people living with SPMI.

Methods and analysis

A systematic search will be conducted in Medline, Embase (Ovid), PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses to identify potentially relevant primary research for inclusion. This will be guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols checklist for systematic reviews. All primary research publications regardless of study design exploring or reporting on pharmacists’ involvement in supporting people living with SPMI will be considered for inclusion. A tabular summary will be completed using data extracted from each included publication. Data synthesis and quality assessment methods will be chosen based on included study designs.

Ethics and dissemination

The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and used to inform the development of a pharmacist-specific training package to support people living with SPMI.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020170711.
Effects of respiratory rehabilitation on patients with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia in the rehabilitation phase: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Feilong , Zhang Ming , Gao Min , Zeng Cheng , Wang Dan , Hong Qianqin , Chen Wei
Published: July 2020

Introduction

The recent viral pneumonia caused by the COVID-19 has gained the attention of the people all over the world. We aim to investigate the effects of respiratory rehabilitation therapy on patients infected with the novel coronavirus by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods and analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis have been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and Viper information databases will be searched from inception time to date without restricting research types to find relevant studies. We will also look into reference lists of relevant trials and reviews, and manually search grey literature, such as trial registries. Two reviewers will independently extract data and perform quality assessment of included studies. Review Manager V.5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration) and Stata V.16.0 software will be used to conduct this meta-analysis. The mean difference or standardised mean difference with 95% CIs is used in the computation of continuous variables to synthesise data.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required due to the nature of this meta-analysis, which is based on published papers. The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal once we finish this study.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020180214.
At-home telemedicine for medical abortion in Australia: a qualitative study of patient experiences and recommendations
Authors: Fix Laura , Seymour Jane W , Sandhu Monisha Vaid , Melville Catriona , Mazza Danielle , Thompson Terri-Ann
Published: July 2020

Introduction

This study aimed to explore patient experiences obtaining a medical abortion using an at-home telemedicine service operated by Marie Stopes Australia.

Methods

From July to October 2017, we conducted semistructured in-depth telephone interviews with a convenience sample of medical abortion patients from Marie Stopes Australia. We analysed interview data for themes relating to patient experiences prior to service initiation, during an at-home telemedicine medical abortion visit, and after completing the medical abortion.

Results

We interviewed 24 patients who obtained care via the at-home telemedicine medical abortion service. Patients selected at-home telemedicine due to convenience, ability to remain at home and manage personal responsibilities, and desires for privacy. A few telemedicine patients reported that a lack of general practitioner knowledge of abortion services impeded their access to care. Most telemedicine patients felt at-home telemedicine was of equal or superior privacy to in-person care and nearly all felt comfortable during the telemedicine visit. Most were satisfied with the home delivery of the abortion medications and would recommend the service.

Conclusion

Patient reports suggest that an at-home telemedicine model for medical abortion is a convenient and acceptable mode of service delivery that may reduce patient travel and out-of-pocket costs. Additional provider education about this model may be necessary in order to improve continuity of patient care. Further study of the impacts of this model on patients is needed to inform patient care and determine whether such a model is appropriate for similar geographical and legal contexts.
Psychological distress in women and men living with HIV in Spain: a cross-sectional telephone survey
Authors: Garriga Cesar , Gutiérrez Trujillo Lourdes , Del Romero Jorge , Montero Marta , Pérez-Elías María Jesús , Culqui Lévano Dante , Gutierrez Félix , Gómez-Sirvent Juan Luis , Peña-Monje Alejandro , Blanco José Ramón , Rodríguez-Arenas María Angeles
Published: July 2020

Background

Psychological distress includes a broader range of experiences, varying from less severe symptoms of depression and anxiety to severe psychiatric disease. Global estimates for depression and anxiety in 2017 were 3.4% and 3.8%, respectively. While for people living with HIV, global estimates were 16% and 33%, respectively.

Objective

We aimed to determine the prevalence of psychological distress by gender and associated characteristics in patients living with HIV.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted within the Spanish HIV Research Network CoRIS. Participants were interviewed by telephone between 2010 and 2014 about their psychological distress, sociodemographics, drug consumption, self-perceived health and combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) adherence. Laboratory tests and medical history details were collected from CoRIS. Logistic regression was used to identify characteristics associated with psychological distress.

Findings

We interviewed 99 women and 464 men, both living with HIV. A greater proportion of women (51, 51.5%) reported psychological distress than men (179, 38.6%; p<0.01). Non-adherence to cART (OR 4.6 and 2.3, 95% CI 1.4‒15.1 and 1.3‒4.2) and non-use of cART (8.4 and 1.8, 2.2‒32.4 and 1.1‒2.8) were related to psychological distress in women and men, respectively. Spending little time in leisure-based physical activity was related to psychological distress in women (3.1, 1.1‒9.0). Living alone (2.0, 1.3‒3.0) and being unemployed (2.3, 1.4‒3.6) were related to psychological distress in men.

Conclusions and clinical implications

As people living with HIV have a high prevalence of psychological distress, their regular screening appointments should include psychological assessment. A gendered approach is needed to detect and manage psychological distress.
Glycosphingolipid-associated β-1,4 galactosyltransferase is elevated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sadras Vignesh , Petri Michelle A , Jones Steven Richard , Peterlin Barbara Lee , Chatterjee Subroto
Published: July 2020

Objective

β-1,4 galactosyltransferase-V (β-1,4 GalT-V) is an enzyme that synthesises a glycosphingolipid known as lactosylceramide, which has been implicated in general inflammation and atherosclerosis. We asked if β-1,4 GalT-V was present at elevated levels in patients with SLE, a disease which is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis.

Methods

In this case–control observational study, serum samples were obtained from patients with SLE who are part of the Johns Hopkins Lupus Cohort. Control serum samples were obtained from healthy adult community members recruited from the Baltimore area. All serum samples (n=50 in the SLE group and n=50 in the healthy control group) were analysed with enzyme-linked immunoassays. These assays used antibodies raised against antigens that enabled us to measure the absorbance of oxidised phosphocholines per apolipoprotein B-100 (ox-PC/apoB) and the concentration of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and β-1,4 GalT-V.

Results

Absorbance of ox-PC/apoB and concentrations of Lp(a) and β-1,4 GalT-V were significantly higher in the SLE serum samples as compared with the control serum (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

We conclude that patients with SLE have elevated levels of β-1,4 GalT-V and ox-PC, which have previously been recognised as risk factors for atherosclerosis.
Worldwide 1-month case fatality of ischaemic stroke and the temporal trend
Authors: Zhang Runhua , Wang Yu , Fang Jiming , Yu Miaoxin , Wang Yongjun , Liu Gaifen
Published: July 2020

Background

The 1-month case fatality of ischaemic stroke is an essential epidemiological metric. Whereas the case fatality after ischaemic stroke and the temporal trend is uncertain. We aimed to estimate the 1-month case fatality of ischaemic stroke and its temporal trend, as well as its regional variation.

Methods

We searched PubMed and Embase to identify the studies for 1-month case fatality of ischaemic stroke . The population-based studies were included. Two investigators extracted the data and assessed the quality independently. One-month case fatality of ischaemic stroke was estimated using a random effects model. The temporal trend was evaluated using a mixed-effect meta-regression model.

Results

A total of 59 articles with 77 time periods were included. The worldwide 1-month case fatality of ischaemic stroke was 13.5% (95% CI 12.3% to 14.7%). The case fatality was 10.8% (95% CI 8.3% to 13.5%) in Asia, 14.2% (95% CI 12.6% to 15.9%) in Europe, 14.0% (95% CI 11.2% to 17.1%) in South America and Caribbean, 14.0% (95% CI 9.5% to 19.1%) in North America and 12.5% (95% CI 11.1% to 13.9%) in Australia and New Zealand. Overall, there was a non-significant decrease of 0.1% per year in case fatality. It decreased significantly in Europe (−0.2% annually, 95% CI −0.4% to −0.01%) and North America (−0.2% annually, 95% CI −0.4% to −0.04%), increased significantly in Australia and New Zealand (0.2% annually, 95% CI 0.1% to 0.4%), while no evidence of change in other regions.

Conclusion

The 1-month case fatality of ischaemic stroke and its temporal trend were divergent across regions. Further studies are needed to address the reason of the regional difference, which will be helpful to guide the effort of reducing stroke burden.
Assessing cigarette packaging and labelling policy effects on early adolescents: results from a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Barrientos-Gutierrez Inti , Islam Farahnaz , Cho Yoo Jin , Salloum Ramzi George , Louviere Jordan , Arillo-Santillán Edna , Reynales-Shigematsu Luz Myriam , Barnoya Joaquin , Saenz de Miera Juarez Belen , Hardin James , Thrasher James F.
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Cigarette packaging is a primary channel for tobacco advertising, particularly in countries where traditional channels are restricted. The current study evaluated the independent and interactive effects of cigarette packaging and health warning label (HWL) characteristics on perceived appeal of cigarette brands for early adolescents in Mexico.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted with early adolescents, aged 12–14 years (n=4251). The DCE involved a 3×25design with six attributes: brand (Marlboro, Pall Mall, Camel), tobacco flavour (regular, menthol), flavour capsule (none, 1 or 2 capsules), presence of descriptive terms, branding (vs plain packaging), HWL size (30%, 75%) and HWL content (emphysema vs mouth cancer). Participants viewed eight sets of three cigarette packs and selected a pack in each set that: (1) is most/least attractive, (2) they are most/least interested in trying or (3) is most/least harmful, with a no difference option.

Results

Participants perceived packs as less attractive, less interesting to try and more harmful if they had plain packaging or had larger HWLs, with the effect being most pronounced when plain packaging is combined with larger HWLs. For attractiveness, plain packaging had the biggest influence on choice (43%), followed by HWL size (19%). Interest in trying was most influenced by brand name (34%), followed by plain packaging (29%). Perceived harm was most influenced by brand name (30%), followed by HWL size (29%).

Conclusion

Increasing the size of HWLs and implementing plain packaging appear to reduce the appeal of cigarettes to early adolescents. Countries should adopt these policies to minimise the impact of tobacco marketing.
Out with the old and in with the new: T90 codends improve size selectivity in the Canadian redfish (Sebastes mentella) trawl fishery
Authors: Cheng Zhaohai , Winger Paul D. , Bayse Shannon M. , Kebede Gebremeskel Eshetu , DeLouche Harold , Einarsson Haraldur Arnar , Pol Michael V. , Kelly David , Walsh Stephen J.
Published: July 2020

The size selectivity of four codends were compared in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, redfish fishery (Sebastes mentella), including the regulated diamond mesh codend with a mesh opening of 90 mm (T0) and three experimental codends of different mesh openings (90, 100, 110 mm) in which the netting is turned 90° to the direction of tow (T90). Results for the regulated codend showed that there was little size selection, catching greater than 97% of redfish over all of the length classes observed. Considering the fished population, the smallest T90 codend would catch 30% fewer redfish under the minimum landing size (MLS) of 22 cm compared with the T0 codend, but would also lose 16% of catch above 22 cm. The T90 codend with 100 mm mesh opening had the same size selectivity as the smallest T90 codend. The 110 mm T90 codend would catch 50% less redfish below MLS but lose 40% of redfish above MLS. Overall, results show that T90 codends improve size selectivity in which large proportions of undersized fish are successfully released.
Absorption and translocation of dicamba in dicamba-tolerant wild tomato
Authors: Zangoueinejad Rouzbeh , Alebrahim Mohammad Taghi , Tseng Te-Ming
Published: July 2020

Herbicide tolerance is commonly associated with reduced absorption and translocation of the herbicide; we hypothesized that the mechanism of dicamba tolerance in wild tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) accessions is due to these characteristics. The absorption and translocation of dicamba were investigated at a drift rate of 2.8 g a.e. ha−1in three predetermined dicamba-tolerant (DT) wild accessions (TOM199, TOM198, and TOM300) and compared with two dicamba-susceptible (DS) commercial tomato cultivars [Money Maker (MM) and Better Boy (BB)]. Dicamba was quantified in three different parts of the tomato plant: two upper leaves, two lower leaves, and the roots at 1, 3, and 7 d after treatment. Both MM and BB absorbed more dicamba then all the three DT accessions. The overall translocation pattern of dicamba was similar between DS cultivars and DT accessions, thus suggesting that tolerance to dicamba in wild accessions may not be associated with reduced translocation but instead with reduced uptake of the herbicide. Additionally, reduced dicamba absorption in DT accessions may be attributed to their leaf characteristics, such as the presence of narrower leaves (3.42 leaf length/width ratio) and higher trichome density (20 no. mm−2) in DT accessions, than compared with DS cultivars (1.92 leaf length/width ratio and 8 no. mm−2trichome density).
Bifurcation Analysis for a Food Chain Model with Nonmonotonic Nutrition Conversion Rate of Predator to Top Predator
Authors: Wang Shaoli , Wang Xiao , Wu Xiaotian
Published: July 2020

In this paper, a prey–predator-top predator food chain model with nonmonotonic functional response in the predators is studied. With an emphasis on the nutrition conversion rate of predator to top predator, one can get two important thresholds: the top predator extinction threshold and the coexistence threshold. The top predator will die out if the nutrition conversion rate of predator to top predator is less than the top predator extinction threshold; the prey, predator and top predator will coexist if the rate is larger than the coexistence threshold. While between the two thresholds is a bistable interval. When the nutrition conversion rate of predator to top predator is in the bistable interval, the system will see the emergence of bistability. The bifurcation analysis of the system depending on parameters indicates that it exhibits saddle-node bifurcation and Hopf bifurcation phenomena.
Limit Cycles for a Class of Zp-Equivariant Differential Systems
Authors: Gao Jing , Zhao Yulin
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we study a class of [Formula: see text]-equivariant planar polynomial differential systems [Formula: see text]. It is shown that for any [Formula: see text] there is a differential system of the above type having at least [Formula: see text] limit cycles. This is proved by estimating the number of zeros of the first-order Melnikov function.
A Chaotic Circuit for Producing Gaussian Random Numbers
Authors: Sprott J. C. , Thio W. J.
Published: July 2020

One of the main applications for chaotic circuits is the production of aperiodic signals with many of the characteristics of noise for secure communications and similar uses. However, the probability distribution function (pdf) of such signals is usually far from Gaussian. This paper describes a new chaotic circuit based on the recently proposed signum thermostat that produces signals whose pdf is accurately Gaussian. Data from the constructed circuit are analyzed and shown to be in agreement with the theoretical prediction.
Introducing Robust Evolutionary Optimization in Noisy Fractional-Order Systems
Authors: Du Wei , Tong Le
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates the problem of searching for the robust initial values of noisy fractional-order chaotic systems when the desired output is given. The problem is addressed under the framework of robust evolutionary optimization. Two different ways of adding noise are considered: (1) the noise is added to the initial point; (2) the noise is added to the orbit of the system. A series of experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness of robust evolutionary optimization. The experimental results reveal that robust initial values of noisy fractional-order chaotic systems can be obtained in an efficient way by introducing robust evolutionary optimization.
Homoclinic Bifurcations and Chaos in the Fishing Principle for the Lorenz-like Systems
Authors: Leonov G. A. , Mokaev R. N. , Kuznetsov N. V. , Mokaev T. N.
Published: July 2020

In this article using an analytical method called Fishing principle we obtain the region of parameters, where the existence of a homoclinic orbit to a zero saddle equilibrium in the Lorenz-like system is proved. For a qualitative description of the different types of homoclinic bifurcations, a numerical analysis of the obtained region of parameters is organized, which leads to the discovery of new bifurcation scenarios.
Constitutions and the Metropolis
Authors: Hirschl Ran
Published: July 2020

Extensive urbanization and the consequent rise of megacities are among the most significant demographic phenomena of our time. Our constitutional institutions and constitutional imagination, however, have not even begun to catch up with the new reality. In this article, I address four dimensions of the great constitutional silence concerning the metropolis: ( a) the tremendous interest in cities throughout much of the social sciences, as contrasted with the meager attention to the subject in constitutional theory and practice; ( b) the right to the city in theory and practice; ( c) a brief account of what national constitutions actually say about cities, and more significantly what they do not; and ( d) the dominant statist stance embedded in national constitutional orders, in particular as it addresses the sovereignty and spatial governance of the polity, as a main explanatory factor for the lack of vibrant constitutional discourse concerning urbanization in general and the metropolis in particular.
Cu Electrodeposition on Nanostructured MoS2 and WS2 and Implications for HER Active Site Determination
Authors: Wu Longfei , Dzade Nelson Y. , Chen Ning , van Dijk Bas , Balasubramanyam Shashank , Sharma Akhil , Gao Lu , Hetterscheid Dennis G. H. , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Bol Ageeth A. , De Leeuw Nora H. , Hofmann Jan P.
Published: July 2020

Cu electrodeposition in both underpotential and overpotential regimes on nanostructured MoS2 and WS2 prepared by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition has been studied in detail. A combination of electrochemical methods, advanced characterization by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) as well as theoretical modelling were employed to reveal Cu adsorption modes on transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) from initial stages until bulk deposition. Since Cu UPD on TMDs has been used recently to evaluate the number of electrochemically active sites (N
AS) for H2 evolution reaction, we evaluate and discuss here the implications of the Cu electrodeposition phenomena on nanostructured MoS2 and WS2 gauging the general applicability of the Cu UPD method for number of HER active sites determination in TMDs. Although an apparently better correlation of HER current density with Cu UPD charge than with double layer capacitance is found, the Cu UPD method cannot be used quantitatively because of the absence of a clear H UPD phenomenon on the studied nanostructured TMDs. This is in contrast to platinum group metal catalysts where H UPD and Cu UPD sites are strongly correlated.
Phase Singularities to Polarization Singularities
Authors: Ruchi  , Senthilkumaran P. , Pal Sushanta Kumar
Published: July 2020

Polarization singularities are superpositions of orbital angular momentum (OAM) states in orthogonal circular polarization basis. The intrinsic OAM of light beams arises due to the helical wavefronts of phase singularities. In phase singularities, circulating phase gradients and, in polarization singularities, circulatingϕ12Stokes phase gradients are present. At the phase and polarization singularities, undefined quantities are the phase andϕ12Stokes phase, respectively. Conversion of circulating phase gradient into circulating Stokes phase gradient reveals the connection between phase (scalar) and polarization (vector) singularities. We demonstrate this by theoretically and experimentally generating polarization singularities using phase singularities. Furthermore, the relation between scalar fields and Stokes fields and the singularities in each of them is discussed. This paper is written as a tutorial-cum-review-type article keeping in mind the beginners and researchers in other areas, yet many of the concepts are given novel explanations by adopting different approaches from the available literature on this subject.
Plaque Index, Oral Hygiene Habits, and Depressive Symptomatology as Predictors of Clinical Attachment Loss: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rodríguez Franco Norma Idalia , Moral de la Rubia José
Published: July 2020

Background. The effect of depressive symptomatology on periodontitis is not clear in its path of action. Objective. To test a model to predict clinical attachment loss by direct effect of the dental plaque accumulation, which is a direct effect of worse oral hygiene habits and an indirect effect of greater depressive symptomatology. Methods. Three incidental samples were collected: 35 dental patients with periodontitis, 26 mental health patients with depressive symptomatology, and 29 people from the general population. The Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Oral Hygiene Habits Scale were applied. Plaque index and clinical attachment loss were assessed. Path analysis was used to test the model. The parameters were estimated by the maximum-likelihood method. Results. Depressive symptomatology had no direct effect on oral hygiene habits nor an indirect effect (mediated by oral hygiene habits) on the plaque index in any of the 3 samples. Oral hygiene habits had a large-size direct effect on plaque index and a medium-size indirect effect on clinical attachment loss in the general population sample. The plaque index had a direct effect on clinical attachment loss with a large effect size in general population sample and with a medium effect size in dental patients and depressive symptomatology patients. Conclusion. The model shows that dental plaque accumulation has a direct effect on clinical attachment loss in the 3 samples, and oral hygiene habits have an indirect effect on attachment loss mediated by dental plaque accumulation only in the general population sample. However, depressive symptomatology is not a relevant variable.
SOCS2 Inhibits Mitochondrial Fatty Acid Oxidation via Suppressing LepR/JAK2/AMPK Signaling Pathway in Mouse Adipocytes
Authors: Zhang Tiantian , Chen Yizhe , Cai Jiarui , Pan Miao , Sun Qian , Zhang Jing , Sun Chao
Published: July 2020

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) plays an important role in fat deposition, skeletal muscle, central nervous system development, and mitochondria biogenesis. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanisms of SOCS2 on mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) remain unclear. Leptin could inhibit food intake and increase thermogenesis through leptin receptor (LepR), which was present in the hypothalamus and certain peripheral organs, including adipose tissue. With strong interest, we focused on the connection between leptin and SOCS2 and their effect on FAO in adipocytes. In our study, we found that the mRNA level of SOCS2 and the protein levels of PGC-1α, CPT-1b, FAT, and p-ACC were elevated by leptin in the inguinal adipose tissue of mice. On the contrary, the protein levels of FABP4, FATP1, and FAS were declined. The genes related to fatty acid oxidation such as PGC-1α, NRF-1, TFAM, CPT-1b, AOX1, COX2, and UCP2 were attenuated by SOCS2, but elevated by leptin. Moreover, fatty acid oxidation enzyme MCAD, LCAD, and Cyt C levels were reduced in response to SOCS2. These reductions correspond well with the reduced release of free fatty acid and the reduction of mitochondrial complexes I and III by SOCS2. Furthermore, JAK2/AMPK pathway-specific inhibitors could block the mitochondrial FAO; hence, this pathway was implied to have a potential impact on FAO. Together, these studies suggested that SOCS2 had a negative effect on mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and the LepR/JAK2/AMPK pathway played a crucial role in this process.
Streptococcus constellatus Causing Empyema and Sepsis, Necessitating Early Surgical Decortication
Authors: Chrastek D. , Hickman S. , Sitaranjan D. , Vokshi I. , Kakisi O. , Kadlec J. , Bartosik W. , Van Tornout F. , Kouritas V.
Published: July 2020

Streptococcus constellatus is an oropharyngeal commensal Gram-positive coccus, frequently associated with the respiratory tract. S. constellatus is part of the Streptococcus anginosus or milleri group, which has traditionally been considered to have propensity to cause empyema and purulent abscesses, a property that is sometimes overlooked as the severity of infections it causes may have a varying degree. In this case, we present the case of a 54-year-old male with known liver cirrhosis who developed a severe empyema during an acute liver failure episode, requiring extensive decortication and prolonged hospital admission.
Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, Control, and Related Factors of Hypertension among Tajik Nomads Living in Pamirs at High Altitude
Authors: Wang Lin , Li Nanfang , Heizhati Mulalibieke , Abulikemu Suofeiya , Zhang Delian , Luo Qin , Zhou Ling , Hong Jing , Hu Junli , Cai Li , Zhao Xin , Sun Le , Shao Liang
Published: July 2020

Background. Hypertension is a global problem, for which high-altitude residents exhibit higher burden. Hypertension in Tajik nomads from Pamirs with an average altitude above 4000 m remains less studied. We aimed to determine the prevalence, awareness, treatment, control, and risk factors associated with hypertension among Tajik population in Pamirs. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and September 2015 using stratified three-stage random sampling in Taxkorgan county, Pamirs, China. Hypertension is defined as mean systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) ≥140/90 mmHg and/or taking antihypertensive medication within the past two weeks. The prevalence (SBP ≥130 or DBP ≥80 mmHg) was also estimated using the 2017 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) High Blood Pressure Guideline. The awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and associated factors were evaluated. Results. Totally, 797 subjects aged ≥18 years were enrolled with 46.3% men and 88.8% nomads with the mean age of 42.3 ± 15.2 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 24.2% (140/90 mmHg), and the prevalence was as high as 40.3%, based on the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline. Overall awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were 52.8%, 40.9%, and 9.3%, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression, BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2 (OR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.44–4.04) was a risk factor for prehypertension, and age ≥60 years (OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.15–3.61), BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2 (OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.15–3.61), and abdominal obesity (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.09–3.22) were risk factors for hypertension. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers were the most commonly used antihypertensive medication (45.4%) as monotherapy, and 13.6% of treated hypertensive patients used two drugs. Conclusions. There is a considerable prevalence of hypertension with low awareness, treatment, and control rates among Tajik nomads in Pamirs, where health programs improving the hypertension status are urgently needed, with the excess weight loss as a strategy.
Regional Variation of Pancreatic Cancer Incidence in the Nile Delta Region of Egypt over a Twelve-Year Period
Authors: Baum Christina , Soliman Amr S. , Brown Heidi E. , Seifeldin Ibrahim A. , Ramadan Mohamed , Lott Breanne , Nguyen An , El-Ghawalby Ahmed , Hablas Ahmed
Published: July 2020

Background. Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, with incidence rates rising in many countries around the world. Geographic variation in pancreatic cancer incidence has not been studied extensively, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to characterize the distribution of pancreatic cancer incidence in the central Nile Delta region of Egypt and to examine differences by urban and rural patient residence using the nation’s only population-based cancer registry. Methods. Utilizing the Gharbiah province population-based cancer registry, data were abstracted for 1,089 pancreatic cancer cases diagnosed over twelve years from 1999 to 2010. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates were calculated and compared for urban and rural areas of the eight districts of Gharbiah. Results. Age-adjusted incidence of pancreatic cancer within Gharbiah varied considerably by urban/rural patient residence and by district. Incidence rates were 1.3 times higher in urban compared to rural areas (4.45 per 100,000 in urban areas and 3.43 per 100,000 in rural areas). The highest incidence rates were observed in urban centers of Kotour, El Santa, and Kafr El-Zayat districts (12.94, 8.32, and 7.89, respectively). Conclusion. Incidence rates varied greatly by urban and rural areas and by district of residence in the Nile Delta region of Egypt. Future studies should examine potential environmental risk factors that may contribute to the geographic distribution of pancreatic cancer in this region.
Unordered Multisecret Sharing Based on Generalized Chinese Remainder Theorem
Authors: Li Xiaoping , Chen Hefeng , Liu Yanjun , Chang Chin-Chen
Published: July 2020

Multisecret sharing schemes have been widely used in the area of information security, such as cloud storage, group authentication, and secure parallel communications. One of the issues for these schemes is to share and recover multisecret from their shareholders. However, the existing works consider the recovery of multisecret only when the correspondences between the secrets and their shares are definite. In this paper, we propose a multisecret sharing scheme to share and recover two secrets among the participants based on the generalized Chinese Remainder Theorem (GCRT), where the multisecret and their shares are unordered. To overcome the leakage of information, we propose an improved scheme including the improved sharing phase and the recovery phase. The improved scheme has not only a more secure performance but also a lower computation complexity. The conditions for recovery failure and success are also explored.
Isomap-Based Three-Dimensional Operational Modal Analysis
Authors: Wang Cheng , Fu Weihua , Huang Haiyang , Chen Jianwei
Published: July 2020

In order to identify the modal parameters of time invariant three-dimensional engineering structures with damping and small nonlinearity, a novel isometric feature mapping (Isomap)-based three-dimensional operational modal analysis (OMA) method is proposed to extract nonlinear features in this paper. Using this Isomap-based OMA method, a low-dimensional embedding matrix is multiplied by a transformation matrix to obtain the original matrix. We find correspondence relationships between the low-dimensional embedding matrix and the modal coordinate response and between the transformation matrix and the modal shapes. From the low-dimensional embedding matrix, the natural frequencies can be determined using a Fourier transform and the damping ratios can be identified by the random decrement technique or natural excitation technique. The modal shapes can be estimated from the Moore–Penrose matrix inverse of the low-dimensional embedding matrix. We also discuss the effects of different parameters (i.e., number of neighbors and matrix assembly) on the results of modal parameter identification. The modal identification results from numerical simulations of the vibration response signals of a cylindrical shell under white noise excitation demonstrate that the proposed method can identify the modal shapes, natural frequencies, and ratios of three-dimensional structures in operational conditions only from the vibration response signals.
False-Negative CSF Cryptococcal Antigen with Cryptococcus gattii Meningoencephalitis in Southeastern United States: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Esperti Shawn , Stoelting Austen , Mangano Andrew , Patel Dveet , Sansbury Jilian , Sherertz Robert
Published: July 2020

A 70-year-old immunocompetent male in South Carolina was admitted secondary to altered mental status and headache without focal neurological deficits. Head CT was negative. Lumbar puncture (LP) revealed normal glucose, elevated protein, and lymphocytosis. Opening pressure was 15 cm of H20. CSF lateral flow assay was negative for cryptococcal antigen; CSF cultures showed no growth. The patient rapidly improved on acyclovir and was diagnosed with presumed viral meningitis, as viral PCR and fungal culture were pending at time of discharge. The patient’s condition quickly worsened and the patient returned one day later with right arm weakness and dysarthria. Brain MRI revealed T2/flair signal abnormalities in the left frontal lobe with associated parenchymal enhancement. Repeat LP revealed increasing white blood cell count with a worsening lymphocytosis and decreasing glucose, and opening pressure remained normal. CSF fungal culture from the first admission grew Cryptococcus gattii, and repeated CSF cryptococcal antigen and culture returned positive. The patient was started on IV steroids, induction Amphotericin and Fluconazole, followed by maintenance oral Fluconazole. The patient’s clinical course was complicated by a brainstem lacunar infarction, which led to demise. We present this case of Cryptococcus gattii meningoencephalitis to highlight the risk factors, characteristics, and challenges in diagnosis and treatment of an emerging disease in the Southeastern United States.
Shear Stress and Hemolysis Analysis of Blood Pump under Constant and Pulsation Speed Based on a Multiscale Coupling Model
Authors: Wang Shuai , Tan Jianping , Yu Zheqin
Published: July 2020

Current researches show that the constant speed mode adopted by the existing commercial blood pump may cause damage to the body. The way to solve this problem is to produce pulsating flow by changing the speed of the blood pump’s impeller. But at present, the flow field of the blood pump is not clear, when it changes speed, and the coupling between blood pump and body has not been considered in the simulation of the flow field. A multiscale coupling model combining hemodynamics (0D) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (3D) was established in this paper to solve the problem, and a speed change curve consistent with the ventricular motion was selected. The hemodynamics, shear stress, and hemolysis changes of 6000 rpm at different amplitude (2000, 3000, and 4000 rpm) were simulated, analyzed, and compared with the constant speed (7000 rpm). The results show that the pressure difference obtained by simulation is consistent with the experimental results, and the flow generated by the natural heart still flows through the blood pump, thus changing the working point of the blood pump. When the blood pump works at the changing speed, it could produce more pulsation, and the shear stress and hemolysis in the blood pump increase with the rising of speed and flow. But according to the hemolysis score of a single cardiac cycle, the hemolysis value of the changing speed model at an amplitude of 4000 rpm is only 11.71% higher than that of constant speed at 7000 rpm.
How to Construct a Power Knowledge Graph with Dispatching Data?
Authors: Fan Shixiong , Liu Xingwei , Chen Ying , Liao Zhifang , Zhao Yiqi , Luo Huimin , Fan Haiwei
Published: July 2020

Knowledge graph is a kind of semantic network for information retrieval. How to construct a knowledge graph that can serve the power system based on the behavior data of dispatchers is a hot research topic in the area of electric power artificial intelligence. In this paper, we propose a method to construct the dispatch knowledge graph for the power grid. By leveraging on dispatch data from the power domain, this method first extracts entities and then identifies dispatching behavior relationship patterns. More specifically, the method includes three steps. First, we construct a corpus of power dispatching behaviors by semi-automated labeling. And then, we propose a model, called the BiLSTM-CRF model, to extract entities and identify the dispatching behavior relationship patterns. Finally, we construct a knowledge graph of power dispatching data. The knowledge graph provides an underlying knowledge model for automated power dispatching and related services and helps dispatchers perform better power dispatch knowledge retrieval and other operations during the dispatch process.
Intelligent Differential Evolution Scheme for Network Resources in IoT
Authors: Quoc Huu Dang , The Loc Nguyen , Doan Cuong Nguyen , Thanh Toan Phan , Xiong Neal N.
Published: July 2020

Scheduling is a fundamental factor in managing the network resource of the Internet of things. For IoT systems such as production lines, to operate effectively, it is necessary to find an intelligent management scheme, i.e., schedule, for network resources. In this study, we focus on multiskill resource-constrained project scheduling problem (MS-RCPSP), a combinational optimization problem that has received extensive attention from the research community due to its advantages in network resource management. In recent years, many approaches have been utilized for solving this problem such as genetic algorithm and ant colony optimization. Although these approaches introduce various optimization techniques, premature convergence issue also occurs. Moreover, previous studies have only been verified on simulation data but not on real data of factories. This paper formulated the MS-RCPSP and then proposed a novel algorithm called DEM to solve it. The proposed algorithm was developed based on the differential evolution metaheuristic. Besides, we build the reallocate function to improve the solution quality so that the proposed algorithm converges rapidly to global extremum while also avoiding getting trapped in a local extremum. To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, we conduct the experiment on iMOPSE, the simulated dataset used by previous authors in their research studies. In addition, DEM was verified on real dataset supported by a famous textile industry factory. Experimental results on both simulated data and real data show that the proposed algorithm not only finds a better schedule compared with related works but also can reduce the processing time of the production line currently used at the textile industry factory.
Key-Frame Detection and Super-Resolution of Hyperspectral Video via Sparse-Based Cumulative Tensor Factorization
Authors: Zhou Ruofei , Wang Gang , Li Bo , Wang Jinlong , Liu Tianzhu , Liu Chungang
Published: July 2020

Thanks to the rapid development of hyperspectral sensors, hyperspectral videos (HSV) can now be collected with high temporal and spectral resolutions and utilized to handle invisible dynamic monitoring missions, such as chemical gas plume tracking. However, using such sequential large-scale data effectively is challenged, because the direct process of these data requires huge demands in terms of computational loads and memory. This paper presents a key-frame and target-detecting algorithm based on cumulative tensor CANDECOMP/PARAFAC (CP) factorization (CTCF) to select the frames where the target shows up, and a novel super-resolution (SR) method using sparse-based tensor Tucker factorization (STTF) is used to improve the spatial resolution. In the CTCF method, the HSV sequence is seen as cumulative tensors and the correlation of adjacent frames is exploited by applying CP tensor approximation. In the proposed STTF-based SR method, we consider the HSV frame as a third-order tensor; then, HSV frame super-resolution problem is transformed into estimations of the dictionaries along three dimensions and estimation of the core tensor. In order to promote sparse core tensors, a regularizer is incorporated to model the high spatial-spectral correlations. The estimations of the core tensor and the dictionaries along three dimensions are formulated as sparse-based Tucker factorizations of each HSV frame. Experimental results on real HSV data set demonstrate the superiority of the proposed CTCF and STTF algorithms over the comparative state-of-the-art target detection and SR approaches.
CAMK1D Triggers Immune Resistance of Human Tumor Cells Refractory to Anti–PD-L1 Treatment
Authors: Volpin Valentina , Michels Tillmann , Sorrentino Antonio , Menevse Ayse N. , Knoll Gertrud , Ditz Madlen , Milenkovic Vladimir M. , Chen Chih-Yeh , Rathinasamy Anchana , Griewank Klaus , Boutros Michael , Haferkamp Sebastian , Berneburg Mark , Wetzel Christian H. , Seckinger Anja , Hose Dirk , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Ehrenschwender Martin , Witzens-Harig Mathias , Szoor Arpad , Vereb Gyorgy , Khandelwal Nisit , Beckhove Philipp
Published: July 2020

The success of cancer immunotherapy is limited by resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. We therefore conducted a genetic screen to identify genes that mediated resistance against CTLs in anti–PD-L1 treatment–refractory human tumors. Using PD-L1–positive multiple myeloma cells cocultured with tumor-reactive bone marrow–infiltrating CTL as a model, we identified calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 1D (CAMK1D) as a key modulator of tumor-intrinsic immune resistance. CAMK1D was coexpressed with PD-L1 in anti–PD-L1/PD-1 treatment–refractory cancer types and correlated with poor prognosis in these tumors. CAMK1D was activated by CTL through Fas-receptor stimulation, which led to CAMK1D binding to and phosphorylating caspase-3, -6, and -7, inhibiting their activation and function. Consistently, CAMK1D mediated immune resistance of murine colorectal cancer cells in vivo. The pharmacologic inhibition of CAMK1D, on the other hand, restored the sensitivity toward Fas-ligand treatment in multiple myeloma and uveal melanoma cells in vitro. Thus, rapid inhibition of the terminal apoptotic cascade by CAMK1D expressed in anti–PD-L1–refractory tumors via T-cell recognition may have contributed to tumor immune resistance.