bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA Methyltransferase Inhibition Promotes Th1 Polarization in Human CD4+CD25high FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells but Does Not Affect Their Suppressive Capacity
Authors: Landman Sija , Cruijsen Marjan , Urbano Paulo C. M. , Huls Gerwin , van Erp Piet E. J. , van Rijssen Esther , Joosten Irma , Koenen Hans J. P. M.
Published: April 2018

Regulatory T cells (Treg) can show plasticity whereby FOXP3 expression, the master transcription factor for Treg suppressor function, is lost and proinflammatory cytokines are produced. Optimal FOXP3 expression strongly depends on hypomethylation of the FOXP3 gene. 5-Azacytidine (Aza) and its derivative 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC) are DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) that are therapeutically used in hematological malignancies, which might be an attractive strategy to promote Treg stability. Previous in vitro research primarily focused on Treg induction by DAC from naïve conventional CD4+ T cells (Tconv). Here, we examined the in vitro effect of DAC on the stability and function of FACS-sorted human naturally occurring CD4+CD25high FOXP3+ Treg. We found that in vitro activation of Treg in the presence of DAC led to a significant inhibition of Treg proliferation, but not of Tconv. Although Treg activation in the presence of DAC led to increased IFNγ expression and induction of a Thelper-1 phenotype, the Treg maintained their suppressive capacity. DAC also induced a trend towards increased IL-10 expression. In vivo studies in patients with hematological malignancies that were treated with 5-azacytidine (Vidaza) supported the in vitro findings. In conclusion, despite its potential to increase IFNγ expression, DAC does preserve the suppressor phenotype of naturally occurring Treg.
Ranolazine for Angina in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Amin Akhtar , Kim Bernard
Published: April 2018

Ranolazine is an antianginal and works by inhibiting late-sodium current (INaL). However, its use is limited mostly to patients with coronary artery disease. However, literature has shown its potential benefit in relieving angina in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Hereby, we discuss two cases where ranolazine led to improvement in angina refractory to beta-blockers. In conclusion, ranolazine can be considered as a potential antianginal drug in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy refractory to beta-blockers.
Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Berberine Hydrochloride in an LPS‐Induced Murine Model of Mastitis
Authors: Wang Xichun , Feng Shibin , Ding Nana , He Yanting , Li Cheng , Li Manman , Ding Xuedong , Ding Hongyan , Li Jinchun , Wu Jinjie , Li Yu
Published: April 2018

Berberine hydrochloride is an isoquinoline type alkaloid extracted from Berberidaceae, Rutaceae, and other plants. Previous reports have shown that berberine hydrochloride has anti‐inflammatory properties. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, a lipopolysaccharide‐ (LPS‐) induced murine model of mastitis was established to explore the anti‐inflammatory action of berberine hydrochloride. Sixty mice that had been lactating for 5–7 days were randomly divided into six groups, including control, LPS, three berberine hydrochloride treatment groups (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg), and a dexamethasone (DEX) (5 mg/kg) group. Berberine hydrochloride was administered intraperitoneally 1 h before and 12 h after LPS‐induced mastitis, and all mice were sacrificed 24 h after LPS induction. The pathological and histopathological changes of the mammary glands were observed. The concentrations and mRNA expressions of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 were measured by ELISA and qRT‐PCR. The activation of TLR4 and NF‐κB signaling pathways was analyzed by Western blot. Results indicated that berberine hydrochloride significantly attenuated neutrophil infiltration and dose‐dependently decreased the secretion and mRNA expressions of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 within a certain range. Furthermore, berberine hydrochloride suppressed LPS‐induced TLR4 and NF‐κB p65 activation and the phosphorylation of I‐κB. Berberine hydrochloride can provide mice robust protection from LPS‐induced mastitis, potentially via the TLR4 and NF‐κB pathway.
xTrek: An Influence-Aware Technique for Dijkstra’s and A⁎ Pathfinders
Authors: Amador Gonçalo P. , Gomes Abel J. P.
Published: April 2018

We propose a new pathfinding technique called xTrek that combines conventional pathfinding and influence fields; that is, we are introducing a new influence-sensitive pathfinder or influence-aware pathfinder. The leading idea of influence-aware pathfinding is to avoid unwanted regions and/or converge to desired regions of the search space during the path search. As shown throughout the paper, this region avoidance/convergence is more striking using our technique than in other field-aware pathfinders as, for example, risk-adverse pathfinders and constraint-aware navigation pathfinders. Furthermore, our technique constrains the search space even more than such state-of-the-art influence-aware pathfinders, aiming to reduce the memory space consumption, to speed up pathfinding computations, and at the same time to have better control on the paths to be discovered.
Experimental Investigation on the Deformation, Strength, and Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Sandstone under True Triaxial Compression
Authors: Li Zhaolin , Wang Lianguo , Lu Yinlong , Li Wenshuai , Wang Kai
Published: April 2018

The study of deformation, strength, and other mechanical characteristics of sandstone under true triaxial compression is significant for understanding failure mechanisms in rock and evaluating the stability of underground structures. Conventional and true triaxial compression tests for sandstone are conducted for different stress states in this study using the self‐developed true triaxial electrohydraulic servo test system combined with acoustic emission (AE) testing. This study presents an in‐depth and systematic investigation of deformation, strength, and AE characteristics. The results show significant differences in deformation, strength, and acoustic emission characteristics for the rock under conventional triaxial and true triaxial compression tests, respectively. The peak strength, axial strain, lateral strain, and incremental strain (in unstable crack growth stage) increase with increasing confining pressure under conventional triaxial compression, and the AE count gradually decreases while shear crack proportion gradually increases, indicating that increasing confining pressure gradually inhibits the shear slip effect along fractures, delays perforation of the rock shear fracture surface, and enhances the ability of the rock to withstand deformation and load. Under true triaxial compression, the peak strength increases and then decreases with increasing intermediate principal stress σ2 and the axial strain ε1 and lateral strain ε2 gradually decrease; besides, the lateral strain (expansion) of the rock is mainly in the minimum principal stress σ3 direction, and lateral expansion tends to decrease before increasing. AE events first weaken and then enhance with increasing σ2, and the proportion of shear cracks increases first and then decreases, indicating that the confining pressure gradually changes from the shear slip effect that controls crack offset to the damage effect that promotes crack tension with increasing σ2. In addition, the protective effect of confining pressure improves when σ3 increases.
Construction of Quasi‐Cyclic LDPC Codes Based on Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic
Authors: Zhu Hai , Pu Liqun , Xu Hengzhou , Zhang Bo
Published: April 2018

Quasi‐cyclic (QC) LDPC codes play an important role in 5G communications and have been chosen as the standard codes for 5G enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) data channel. In this paper, we study the construction of QC LDPC codes based on an arbitrary given expansion factor (or lifting degree). First, we analyze the cycle structure of QC LDPC codes and give the necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of short cycles. Based on the fundamental theorem of arithmetic in number theory, we divide the integer factorization into three cases and present three classes of QC LDPC codes accordingly. Furthermore, a general construction method of QC LDPC codes with girth of at least 6 is proposed. Numerical results show that the constructed QC LDPC codes perform well over the AWGN channel when decoded with the iterative algorithms.
The Effect of Clay/Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Fillers on the Properties of Elastomer Nanocomposites
Authors: Song Sung Ho
Published: April 2018

The hybrid fillers of 1D multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and 2D montmorillonite (MMT) have led to excellent physical and chemical properties in high performance elastomer nanocomposites. In this study, the hybridization of PDDA (polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride) functionalized MWNT (P-MWNT) and hydroxyl-functionalized MMT (H-MMT) was prepared by the electrostatic interaction between the positive charge on the MWNT and the negative charge on the MMT using a simple solution mixing process. Also, a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) nanocomposite containing the hybrid nanofillers was prepared to improve the dispersion of nanofillers with SBR latex. The SBR nanocomposites with the hybrid nanofillers exhibited outstanding mechanical properties including modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break, due to the enhanced interfacial bonding with the elastomer matrix. Furthermore, the hybrid nanofillers in the SBR matrix showed superior thermal and electrical properties and gas barrier performance at low loadings. The synergistic effects of the SBR produced by the hybridized nanofillers will open up new opportunities for elastomer composites with high performance.
Successful Utilization of Mechanical Thrombectomy in a Presentation of Pediatric Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kim Esther S. , Mason Erica K. , Koons Andrew , Quinn Shawn M. , Williams Robert L.
Published: April 2018

Guidelines regarding the management of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the pediatric population using mechanical recanalization procedures are lacking. We present a case of a 14-year-old male diagnosed in the Emergency Department with an acute onset stroke who underwent successful mechanical clot removal by interventional radiology.
Electric Resistance Tests on Compacted Clay Material under Dynamic Load Coupled with Dry‐Wet Cycling
Authors: Lu Zheng , Wu Xiaowen , Hu Zhi , Xian Shaohua , Fang Ran
Published: April 2018

The study of compacted clay material under dynamic load coupled with dry‐wet cycling is one of the most important areas in the field of transportation. In this paper, experiments in terms of compacted clay under dynamic load coupled with dry‐wet cycling are performed, and synchronous resistivity tests are also conducted. According to the test results, the influences of cumulative plastic strain, dry‐wet cycles, and amplitudes on the soil resistivity are analyzed. Then a new damage factor based on resistivity is proposed to evaluate the long‐term performance of compacted clay material. The result of research shows that the evolution of the soil resistivity can be divided into two stages, which has a contrary tendency with that of cumulative plastic strain. The dry‐wet cycles and amplitudes have a significant effect on the damage of the compacted soil, which indicates that the dry‐wet cycling of compacted soil materials should not be ignored in road engineering, especially in rainy and humid areas.
Older Patients Are Less Affected by Radiochemotherapeutic Treatment than Younger
Authors: Weiling Max J. , Losensky Wencke , Wächter Katharina , Schilling Teresa , Frank Fabian , Haas Matthias , Fietkau Rainer , Distel Luitpold V. , Weiss Stephanie
Published: April 2018

Purpose. The general assumption is that cancer therapy impairs the quality of life in elderly patients more than in younger ones. We were interested in the effects of radiochemotherapeutic treatment on the quality of life of elderly patients compared to younger patients and compared to normative data of a general German population. Methods and Materials. A total of 465 patients completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Repetitive completion of the questionnaire over time led to 1407 datasets. Our patient cohort contained 197 (42.4%) patients with colorectal cancer followed by 109 (23.4%) patients with head and neck cancer, 43 (9.2%) patients with lung cancer, and 116 (25%) with other types of cancer. Patients were categorized into five age groups, the respective cut-offs being 40, 50, 60, and 70 years. Normative data were drawn from a population study of a general German population. Results. Functional scores and symptom scores were approximately stable between the different age groups. Our data does not suggest a significant difference between the investigated age groups. Advancing age evened out the differences between the normative data of the general German population and the cancer patients in 11 of 15 scores. Conclusions. The general belief about younger patients having fewer physical and psychological problems related to radiochemotherapy needs to be reconsidered. Overall resilience of older patients is apparently underestimated.
Preliminary Data on the Safety of Phytoene- and Phytofluene-Rich Products for Human Use including Topical Application
Authors: Havas Fabien , Krispin Shlomo , Meléndez-Martínez Antonio J. , von Oppen-Bezalel Liki
Published: April 2018

The colorless carotenoids phytoene and phytofluene are comparatively understudied compounds found in common foods (e.g., tomatoes) and in human plasma, internal tissues, and skin. Being naturally present in common foods, their intake at dietary levels is not expected to present a safety concern. However, since the interest in these compounds in the context of many applications is expanding, it is important to conduct studies aimed at assessing their safety. We present here results of in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity studies, revealing no significant cytotoxic or genotoxic potential and of short- and long-term human in vivo skin compatibility studies with phytoene- and phytofluene-rich tomato andDunaliella salinaalga extracts, showing a lack of irritancy or sensitization reactions. These results support the safe use of phytoene- and phytofluene-rich products in human topical applications.
Acute Clinical Manifestation of Mesenteric Heterotopic Pancreatitis: A Pre- and Postoperative Confirmed Case
Authors: de Kok Bente M. , de Korte Fleur I. , Perk Lars E. , Terpstra Valeska , Mieog J. Sven D. , Zijta Frank M.
Published: April 2018

Heterotopic pancreas is a relatively uncommon congenital anomaly, defined as pancreatic tissue in ectopic sites without an anatomic and vascular continuity with the main body of the pancreas. We report the case of a 58-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with the clinical suspicion of a mild, acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, transabdominal ultrasound, and endoscopic ultrasound revealed a normal orthotopic pancreas and the suspicion of a large heterotopic pancreas in the small bowel mesentery with signs of acute inflammation. The diagnosis of mesenteric heterotopic pancreatitis was preoperatively confirmed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration and consequently histologically established after surgical resection.
Nontraumatic Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Leading to Acute Kidney Injury in a Sickle Trait Positive Individual on Renal Biopsy
Authors: Janga Kalyana C. , Greenberg Sheldon , Oo Phone , Sharma Kavita , Ahmed Umair
Published: April 2018

A 26-year-old African American male with a history of congenital cerebral palsy, sickle cell trait, and intellectual disability presented with abdominal pain that started four hours prior to the hospital visit. The patient denied fever, chills, diarrhea, or any localized trauma. The patient was at a party at his community center last evening and danced for 2 hours, physically exerting himself more than usual. Labs revealed blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 41 mg/dL and creatinine (Cr) of 2.8 mg/dL which later increased to 4.2 mg/dL while still in the emergency room. Urinalysis revealed hematuria with RBC > 50 on high power field. Imaging of the abdomen revealed no acute findings for abdominal pain. With fractional excretion of sodium (FeNa) > 3%, findings suggested nonoliguric acute tubular necrosis. Over the next couple of days, symptoms of dyspepsia resolved; however, BUN/Cr continued to rise to a maximum of 122/14 mg/dL. With these findings, along with stable electrolytes, urine output matching the intake, and prior use of proton pump inhibitors, medical decision was altered for the possibility of acute interstitial nephritis. Steroids were subsequently started and biopsy was taken. Biopsy revealed heavy deposits of myoglobin. Creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels drawn ten days later after the admission were found to be elevated at 334 U/dl, presuming the levels would have been much higher during admission. This favored a diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to exertional rhabdomyolysis. We here describe a case of nontraumatic exertional rhabdomyolysis in a sickle cell trait (SCT) individual that was missed due to findings of microscopic hematuria masking underlying myoglobinuria and fractional excretion of sodium > 3%. As opposed to other causes of ATN, rhabdomyolysis often causes FeNa < 1%. The elevated fractional excretion of sodium in this patient was possibly due to the underlying inability of SCT positive individuals to reabsorb sodium/water and concentrate their urine. Additionally, because of their inability to concentrate urine, SCT positive individuals are prone to intravascular depletion leading to renal failure as seen in this patient. Disease was managed with continuing hydration and tapering steroids. Kidney function improved and the patient was discharged with a creatinine of 3 mg/dL. A month later, renal indices were completely normal with persistence of microscopic hematuria from SCT.
Same Phenotype in Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency and Resistance
Authors: Ioimo Irene , Guarracino Carmen , Meazza Cristina , Domené Horacio M. , Bozzola Mauro
Published: April 2018

By definition, about 2.5% of children show a short stature due to several causes. Two clinical conditions are characterized by serum IGF-I low levels, idiopathic GH deficiency (IGHD), and GH insensitivity (GHI), and the phenotypic appearance of these patients may be very similar. We studied two children with short stature and similar phenotypes. The first case showed frontal bossing, doll face, acromicria, and truncal obesity, with a GH peak <0.05 ng/ml after stimuli and undetectable serum IGF-I levels. After PCR amplification of the wholeGH1gene, type IA idiopathic GHD was diagnosed. The second case had cranium hypoplasia, a large head, protruding forehead, saddle nose, underdeveloped mandible, and a micropenis. Basal GH levels were high (28.4 ng/ml) while serum IGF-I levels were low and unchangeable during the IGF-I generation test. Laron syndrome was confirmed after the molecular analysis of the GH receptor (GHR) gene. IGHD type IA and Laron syndrome is characterized by opposite circulating levels of GH, while both have reduced levels of IGF-I, with an overlapping clinical phenotype, lacking the effects of IGF-I on cartilage. These classical cases show the importance of differential diagnosis in children with severe short stature.
Efficacy of Statin Therapy Related to Baseline Renal Function in Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Zou Rongjun , Shi Wanting , Tao Jun , Lin Xifeng , Zhang Dingwen , Yang Songran , Hua Ping
Published: April 2018

Background. Renal impairment increases the risk of cardiovascular events and perioperative complications in patients with heart valve disease. This study aimed to determine the perioperative benefit of statin treatment related to baseline renal function in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) who had cardiac surgery. Methods and Results. We performed a retrospective study on 136 patients with RHD who underwent valve replacement surgery. The mean age of the patients was 56.2 years, 59.6% were female, 8.8% patients had diabetes mellitus, and 27.2% of patients had hypertension. Overall, 3 patients died, 2 underwent reoperation, and 25 underwent thoracentesis during the study period. For patients with renal impairment, there was a higher risk of thoracic puncture (odds ratio [OR]: 3.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36, 8.11; P<0.01) and a longer time of drainage (difference in means: 1; 95% CI: 0.88, 1.12; P<0.01), intensive care unit (ICU) stay (difference in means: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.23; P=0.02), and hospital stay (difference in means: 6.6; 95% CI: 6.15, 7.05; P<0.01) compared with normal renal function. Furthermore, statins were associated with a reduction in drainage time (difference in means: −1.50; 95% CI: −1.86, −1.14; P=0.02), ICU stay (difference in means: −0.30; 95% CI: −0.40, −0.20; P=0.05), and hospital stay (difference in means: −5.40; 95% CI: −6.57, −4.23; P<0.01) in patients with renal impairment (interaction, P≤0.05 for all), but not in those with normal renal function. Conclusion. Statins have a greater clinical benefit in perioperative cardiac surgery with renal impairment. Statins are associated with a comparatively lower risk of thoracic puncture, as well as a reduced trend toward a reduction in drainage time, ICU stay, and hospital stay.
Young Man with Hepatomegaly: A Case of Glycogenic Hepatopathy
Authors: Abboud Walid , Abdulla Saif , Al Zaabi Mohammed , Moufarrej Ramzi
Published: April 2018

Glycogenic hepatopathy is a rare but potentially reversible condition characterized by hepatomegaly and elevated liver enzymes occurring in poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus patients and often requires a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. We present the case of a young man who was admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis in the setting of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus type 1 and was noted to have significantly elevated transaminases that continued to worsen despite appropriate treatment of the diabetic ketoacidosis. A liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of glycogenic hepatopathy and the patient improved with diabetes control. The aim of this report is to shed light on possible causes of significant elevation of liver enzymes in patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis. In addition, we would like to raise awareness about the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of glycogenic hepatopathy and how to differentiate it from other hepatic conditions that have a similar presentation.
Hydraulic Tomography for Estimating the Diffusivity of Heterogeneous Aquifers Based on Groundwater Response to Tidal Fluctuation in an Artificial Island in Taiwan
Authors: Wen Jet-Chau , Lin Hong-Ru , Yeh Tian-Chyi Jim , Wang Yu-Li , Lin Keng-Li , Huang Shao-Yang
Published: April 2018

This study investigated the hydraulic properties of the heterogeneous aquifers of an artificial island (Yunlin Offshore Industrial Park) in Taiwan. The research was based on the groundwater level response affected by tidal fluctuation using the hydraulic tomography (HT) to analyze the hydraulic diffusivity (α). Specifically, the power spectrum ratio of groundwater and tidal fluctuations derived from the Gelhar solution was used to estimate α in homogeneous aquifers; this, however, could not be applied in the artificial island. Next, the spatial distribution of the groundwater level response affected by tidal fluctuation was analyzed and found to be irregular, proving the existence of hydrogeological heterogeneity in the artificial island. Furthermore, the results of the estimated α using the HT showed low error and high correlation, 0.41 m2/hr and 0.83, respectively, between the optimal estimated heterogeneous and reference α fields in the synthetic aquifer. Last, the HT was used in the real tested scenario. By comparing the predicted groundwater levels of the optimal estimated heterogeneous α field and the observed groundwater levels of the real aquifer, it was found that the correlation was higher than 0.99. Therefore, the HT can be used to obtain the optimal estimated heterogeneous α field in the artificial island.
A Smart Trust Management Method to Detect On-Off Attacks in the Internet of Things
Authors: Caminha Jean , Perkusich Angelo , Perkusich Mirko
Published: April 2018

Internet of Things (IoT) resources cooperate with themselves for requesting and providing services. In heterogeneous and complex environments, those resources must trust each other. On-Off attacks threaten the IoT trust security through nodes performing good and bad behaviors randomly, to avoid being rated as a menace. Some countermeasures demand prior levels of trust knowledge and time to classify a node behavior. In some cases, a malfunctioning node can be mismatched as an attacker. In this paper, we introduce a smart trust management method, based on machine learning and an elastic slide window technique that automatically assesses the IoT resource trust, evaluating service provider attributes. In simulated and real-world data, this method was able to identify On-Off attackers and fault nodes with a precision up to 96% and low time consumption.
Microwave Thermal Ablation in an Unusual Case of Malignant and Locally Advanced Rare Tumor of Pancreas in ASA IV Old Male Patient and Literature Review
Authors: D’Amico Francesco , Finotti Michele , Di Renzo Chiara , Pasquale Alessio , Bertacco Alessandra , Caturegli Giorgio , Gondolesi Gabriel E. , Cillo Umberto
Published: April 2018

Pancreatic intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm is a rare primary neoplasm of unknown pathogenesis. This kind of tumor represents 0.2–2.7% of all pancreatic cancers and they may proceed to malignant lesions. In this study, we describe a case of pancreatic intraductal papillary-mucinous tumor (4.3 cm) with normal tumoral markers and nuclear atypia. We perform also a systematic review of the literature on MEDLINE and find only one relevant study that used microwave ablation for the palliative treatment of pancreatic tumor. We describe the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian male who was diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor with biliary tree dilatation. The patient underwent computed tomography (CT), percutaneous biopsy, and an endoscopic positioning of prosthesis in the biliary tree. Due to the worsening of jaundice and cholestasis, and considering the severe systemic disease status, palliative surgery with microwave thermoablation in the head of pancreas was performed. No complications were observed. The hospitalization lasted for 11 days after surgery, with normal liver and pancreatic lab tests at discharge. The patient followed a line of chemotherapy for 6 months with a complete response for 8 months. One month after the treatment, a staging CT scan was performed showing the size of the cephalopancreatic lesion had decreased from 43 to 35 mm with signs of complete ablation. The patient had a total response at the imaging of 10 months. One year later, a CT scan follow-up showed progression of the pancreatic disease. The disease remained stable for 18 months. The patient died due to cardiovascular complications with an overall survival of 30 months. Microwave ablation in our case report has been demonstrated to be feasible and safe without complications. It can be used as a phase of multimodality treatment in patients with severe systemic disease status and advanced intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm.
The Way‐Finding in Educational Modular Buildings: The Case of the Male Engineering Building at Qatar University
Authors: Azzali Simona , Abdel Sabour Eman
Published: April 2018

Way‐finding is the ability of people to perceive routes, flow patterns, or passageways inside and/or around a building. In other words, it is the capability of a person to know their whereabouts in a space. Modular buildings and complex spatial plan structure, in general, can be very confusing, especially from a way‐finding point of view. This research attempts to measure the way‐finding performance of a modular building by assessing the users’ experience in finding their way inside the Male Engineering Building at Qatar University. The study involved students, faculty, and staff members that utilize that space daily. The research focused on accessing indoor spaces as well as the walkways and spaces connected to the building. Results show that parameters as the use of colours and numbers can improve capability and swiftness in way‐finding. In future research, several types of signage and visual elements will be tested, in order to understand how they can enhance way‐finding efficiency and user performance within indoor spaces.
Arsenic and Antimony in Hydrothermal Plumes from the Eastern Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Zeng Zhigang , Wang Xiaoyuan , Qi Haiyan , Zhu Bowen
Published: April 2018

Studies on the concentrations of arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) in seawater columns are very important for tracing hydrothermal plumes and understanding fluid characteristics of seafloor hydrothermal systems. The total As, Sb, Mn, and Cl− concentrations of three hydrothermal plume seawater column samples have been studied at Stations 18G, 18K, and 18B in the eastern Manus back-arc basin, Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea. At Stations 18G and 18K, the plumes above North Su and near the Suzette site in the SuSu Knolls hydrothermal field are both enriched in As, Sb, and Mn and depleted in Cl, as a result of contribution of As-Sb-Mn-enriched and Cl-depleted vent fluid outputs to the hydrothermal plume, which is most likely generated in the subseafloor by fluid-rock interaction, magma degassing, or phase separation (boiling of hydrothermal fluid). The plume at Station 18B is enriched in As, Sb, Mn, and Cl, suggesting that As-Sb-Mn-Cl-enriched fluid discharges from vents, which have been generated by fluid-rock interaction. The concentrations of As and Sb anomalous layers, like manganese (Mn), are higher than those of the other layers in the three hydrothermal plume seawater columns. As and Sb with Mn showed a positive correlation (R2>0.8, p<0.05), and the distributions of As and Sb within the hydrothermal plume are not controlled by particle adsorption or biogeochemical cycles, suggesting that As and Sb, like Mn, can be used to detect and describe the characteristics of hydrothermal plumes in seawater environment. In addition, anomalous layer with As/Sb ratio lower than those of ambient seawater at the same temperature is found in the eastern Manus basin, suggesting that the As/Sb ratio may also act as an effective tracer reflecting the effect of hydrothermal activity on As and Sb in the seawater column.
Diabetes Downregulates Allergen-Induced Airway Inflammation in Mice
Authors: Carvalho Vinicius F. , Barreto Emiliano O. , Arantes Ana Carolina S. , Serra Magda F. , Ferreira Tatiana Paula T. , Jannini-Sá Yago A. P. , Hogaboam Cory M. , Martins Marco A. , Silva Patrícia M. R.
Published: April 2018

Previous studies described that allergic diseases, including asthma, occur less often than expected in patients with type 1 diabetes. Here, we investigated the influence of diabetes on allergic airway inflammation in a model of experimental asthma in mice. Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of alloxan into 12 h-fasted A/J mice, followed by subcutaneous sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3), on days 5 and 19 after diabetes induction. Animals were intranasally challenged with OVA (25 μg), from day 24 to day 26. Alloxan-induced diabetes significantly attenuated airway inflammation as attested by the lower number of total leukocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, mainly neutrophils and eosinophils. Suppression of eosinophil infiltration in the peribronchiolar space and generation of eosinophilotactic mediators, such as CCL-11/eotaxin, CCL-3/MIP-1α, and IL-5, were noted in the lungs of diabetic sensitized mice. In parallel, reduction of airway hyperreactivity (AHR) to methacholine, mucus production, and serum IgE levels was also noted under diabetic conditions. Our findings show that alloxan diabetes caused attenuation of lung allergic inflammatory response in A/J mice, by a mechanism possibly associated with downregulation of IgE antibody production.
Light WIMP Searches Involving Electron Scattering
Authors: Vergados J. D. , Moustakidis Ch. C. , Cheung Yeuk-Kwan E. , Ejiri H. , Kim Yeongduk , Lee Jeong-Yeon
Published: April 2018

In the present work we examine the possibility of detecting electrons in light dark matter searches. These detectors are considered to be the most appropriate for detecting dark matter particles with a mass in the MeV region. We analyze theoretically some key issues involved in such detection. More specifically we consider a particle model involving WIMPs interacting with fermions via Z-exchange. We find that for WIMPs with mass in the electron mass range the cross section for WIMP-atomic electron scattering is affected by the electron binding. For WIMPs more than 20 times heavier than the electron, the binding affects the kinematics very little. As a result, many electrons can be ejected with energy which increases linearly with the WIMP mass, but the cross section is somewhat reduced depending on the bound state wave function employed. On the other hand for lighter WIMPs, the effect of binding is dramatic. More specifically at most 10 electrons, namely, those with binding energy below 10 eV, become available even in the case of WIMPs with a mass as large as 20 times the electron mass. Even fewer electrons contribute if the WIMPs are lighter. The cross section is, however, substantially enhanced by the Fermi function corrections, which become more important at low energies of the outgoing electrons. Thus events of 0.5–2.5 per kg-y become possible.
Pelvic Tuberculosis Diagnosed during Operative Laparoscopy for Suspected Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Martingano Daniel , Cagle-Colon Kayla , Chiaffarano Jeanine , Marcus Alan , Contreras Diana
Published: April 2018

Background. While the combination of a pelvic mass, very high serum level of CA-125, chest adenopathy, and ascites is concerning for advanced-stage ovarian cancer, the etiology of such a presentation can be due to disseminated pelvic tuberculosis. Case. A 67-year-old para 2 African-American woman presented with abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Subsequent CT and MR imaging demonstrated chest adenopathy, a pelvic mass, omental caking, and ascites. The patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy with biopsy revealing noncaseating granulomas and subsequent tissue culture revealed Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The patient was diagnosed with disseminated pelvic tuberculosis and multidrug therapy was initiated. Conclusion. Pelvic tuberculosis can mimic advanced-stage ovarian cancer; thus obtaining a tissue sample may be beneficial to more appropriately direct treatment and planning for neoadjuvant therapies given the ineffectiveness of extensive surgical procedures in treating pelvic tuberculosis commonly employed in the treatment of advanced-stage ovarian cancer.
A Rare Case of Human Coronavirus 229E Associated with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a Healthy Adult
Authors: Vassilara Foula , Spyridaki Aikaterini , Pothitos George , Deliveliotou Athanassia , Papadopoulos Antonios
Published: April 2018

Human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) is one of the first coronavirus strains being described. It is linked to common cold symptoms in healthy adults. Younger children and the elderly are considered vulnerable to developing lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). In particular, immunocompromised patients have been reported with severe and life-threatening LRTIs attributed to HCoV-229E. We report for the first time a case of LRTI and acute respiratory distress syndrome developed in a healthy adult with no comorbidities and HCoV-229E strain identified as the only causative agent. A 45-year-old female with a clear medical history presented with fever, cough, and headache. Respiratory tract infection was diagnosed, and empirical antibiotics were started. Within two days, she developed bilateral pleural effusions, diffuse consolidations, and ground glass opacities involving all lung fields. She needed immediate oxygen supply, while ABGs deteriorated and chest imaging and PaO2/FiO2indicated ARDS. Early administration of systemic corticosteroids led to gradual clinical improvement. Multiplex PCR from nasal secretions was positive only for HCoV-229E and negative for multiple other pathogens. It remains to be elucidated how an immunocompetent adult developed a life-threatening LRTI caused by a “benign considered” coronavirus strain, the HCoV-229E.
Mandibular Osteitis Fibrosa Cystica as First Sign of Vitamin D Deficiency
Authors: Mellouli Nour , Belkacem Chebil Raouaa , Darej Marwa , Hasni Yosra , Oualha Lamia , Douki Nabiha
Published: April 2018

Introduction. Brown tumors of hyperparathyroidism are locally destructive bone lesions. They are the late clinical consequence of the disease. They can occur in primary, secondary, and rarely tertiary forms. They affect usually long bones and less frequently those of the maxilla. Case Report. Our 45-year-old female patient presented with a mandibular tumor next to the first right lower molar. At first, we have chosen tooth extraction and tumor excision. When the histological report showed the giant cell tumor we suspected a metabolic bone disorder. Biochemical tests screened hyperparathyroidism and severe vitamin D deficiency, and parathyroid scintiscan revealed parathyroid adenoma. Discussion. The association of hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D deficiency leads to diagnostic uncertainty. First, secondary hyperparathyroidism can be due vitamin D deficiency. Second, data available show that vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism than in general population. Hyperparathyroidism management is based on correct and precise diagnosis. Furthermore, the resolution of brown tumors depends on the cure of hyperparathyroidism. In fact, bone lesions should regress after biological tests’ normalization. Conclusion. Clinicians should be aware of such rare and complicated presentation. They must consider the diagnosis of the brown tumor to avoid extensive surgical excision and teeth extractions.
Placenta Percreta and Uterine Rupture in the First Trimester of Pregnancy
Authors: Ambrogi Gabriel , Ambrogi Gilberto , Marchi Ailton Augustinho
Published: April 2018

Spontaneous uterine rupture in the first trimester of pregnancy is uncommon and difficult to diagnose. Although extremely rare, it is important to consider the occurrence of placenta percreta as differential diagnosis of acute hemorrhagic abdomen at the beginning of pregnancy. We describe below a case of uterine rupture in the first trimester of pregnancy related to placenta percreta.
Concurrently Deniable Group Key Agreement and Its Application to Privacy‐Preserving VANETs
Authors: Zeng Shengke , Chen Yong
Published: April 2018

VANETs need secure communication. Authentication in VANETs resists the attack on the receipt of false information. Authenticated group key agreement (GKA) is used to establish a confidential and authenticated communication channel for the multiple vehicles. However, authentication incurs privacy leakage, that is, by using digital signature. Therefore, the deniability is deserved for GKA (which is termed as DGKA) due to the privacy protection. In the DGKA protocol, each participant interacts with intended partners to establish a common group session key. After this agreement session, each participant can not only be regarded as the intended sender but also deny that it has ever participated in this session. Therefore, under this established key, vehicles send confidential messages with authentication property and the deniability protects the vehicles privacy. We present a novel transformation from an unauthenticated group key agreement to a deniable (authenticated) group key agreement without increasing communication round. Our full deniability is achieved even in the concurrent setting which suits the Internet environment. In addition, we design an authenticated and privacy‐preserving communication protocol for VANETs by using the proposed deniable group key agreement.
Radiation Dose Optimization in Interventional Cardiology: A Teaching Hospital Experience
Authors: Badawy M. K. , Clark T. , Carrion D. , Deb P. , Farouque O.
Published: April 2018

Radiological interventions play an increasingly relevant role in cardiology. Due to the inherent risks of ionizing radiation, proper care must be taken with monitoring and optimizing the dose delivered in angiograms to pose as low risk as possible to staff and patients. Dose optimization is particularly pertinent in teaching hospitals, where longer procedure times are at times necessary to accommodate the teaching needs of junior staff, and thus impart a more significant radiation dose. This study aims to analyze the effects of different protocol settings in routine coronary angiograms, from the perspective of a large tertiary center implementing a rapid dose reduction program. Routine coronary angiograms were chosen to compare baseline levels of radiation, and the dose imparted before and after dose optimization techniques was measured. Such methods included lowering dose per pulse, fluoroscopic pulse rates, and cine acquisition frame rates. The results showed up to 63% reduction in radiation dose without adverse impact on clinical or teaching outcomes. A 10 fps/low and 5 pps/low setting was found to achieve maximum dose optimization, with the caveat that settings require incremental changes to accommodate for patient complexities.
Wideband Channel Modeling for mm‐Wave inside Trains for 5G‐Related Applications
Authors: Moreno García-Loygorri Juan , Briso-Rodríguez César , Arnedo Israel , Calvo César , Laso Miguel A. G. , He Danping , Jiménez Florentino , González Posadas Vicente
Published: April 2018

Passenger trains and especially metro trains have been identified as one of the key scenarios for 5G deployments. The wireless channel inside a train car is reported in the frequency range between 26.5 GHz and 40 GHz. These bands have received a lot of interest for high‐density scenarios with a high‐traffic demand, two of the most relevant aspects of a 5G network. In this paper we provide a full description of the wideband channel estimating Power‐Delay Profiles (PDP), Saleh‐Valenzuela model parameters, time‐of‐arrival (TOA) ranging, and path‐loss results. Moreover, the performance of an automatic clustering algorithm is evaluated. The results show a remarkable degree of coherence and general conclusions are obtained.
A Complete MCDM Model for NPD Performance Assessment in an LED-Based Lighting Plant Factory
Authors: Chen Wen-Chin , Lin Yen-Fu , Liu Kai-Ping , Chang Hui-Pin , Wang Li-Yi , Tai Pei-Hao
Published: April 2018

Globally, industries and economies have undergone rapid development and expansion over the last several decades. As a result, global warming and environmental contaminations have resulted in climate change and jeopardized food security. In many developing countries, already decreasing crop yields are threatened by extreme weather and soil damaged by genetically modified food, making environmental problems worse and increasing food and organic product prices. For these reasons, this study proposes a hybrid multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) model for new product development (NPD) in the light-emitting diode- (LED-) based lighting plant factory. First, literature reviews and expert interviews are employed in constructing a list of decision-making objectives and criteria for new product development. Then, a fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) is used to screen the elements of the objectives and criteria, while a fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (FDEMATEL) is used to determine the relationships among the objectives and criteria. Finally, a fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) and a composite priority vector (CPV) are manipulated to determine the relative importance weights of the critical objectives and criteria. Results show that the proposed method can create a useful and assessable MCDM model for decision-making applications in new product development, and a case study is herein performed to validate the feasibility of the proposed model in a Taiwanese LED-based lighting plant factory, which not only provides the decision-makers with a feasible hierarchical data structure for decision-making guidance but also increases the competitive advantages of trade-offs on developing novel products.
Functional Role of Internal and External Visual Imagery: Preliminary Evidences from Pilates
Authors: Montuori Simone , Curcio Giuseppe , Sorrentino Pierpaolo , Belloni Lidia , Sorrentino Giuseppe , Foti Francesca , Mandolesi Laura
Published: April 2018

The present study investigates whether a functional difference between the visualization of a sequence of movements in the perspective of the first- (internal VMI-I) or third- (external VMI-E) person exists, which might be relevant to promote learning. By using a mental chronometry experimental paradigm, we have compared the time or execution, imagination in the VMI-I perspective, and imagination in the VMI-E perspective of two kinds of Pilates exercises. The analysis was carried out in individuals with different levels of competence (expert, novice, and no-practice individuals). Our results showed that in the Expert group, in the VMI-I perspective, the imagination time was similar to the execution time, while in the VMI-E perspective, the imagination time was significantly lower than the execution time. An opposite pattern was found in the Novice group, in which the time of imagination was similar to that of execution only in the VMI-E perspective, while in the VMI-I perspective, the time of imagination was significantly lower than the time of execution. In the control group, the times of both modalities of imagination were significantly lower than the execution time for each exercise. The present data suggest that, while the VMI-I serves to train an already internalised gesture, the VMI-E perspective could be useful to learn, and then improve, the recently acquired sequence of movements. Moreover, visual imagery is not useful for individuals that lack a specific motor experience. The present data offer new insights in the application of mental training techniques, especially in field of sports. However, further investigations are needed to better understand the functional role of internal and external visual imagery.
Optical Bistability in a Controllable Giant Self-Kerr Nonlinear Gaseous Medium under Electromagnetically Induced Transparency and Doppler Broadening
Authors: Le Thi Minh Phuong , Le Van Doai , Dinh Xuan Khoa , Nguyen Huy Bang
Published: April 2018

We study optical bistability (OB) in a controllable giant self-Kerr nonlinear atomic gaseous medium placed in a unidirectional ring cavity. The medium is coherently excited by strong controlling field and a weak probe laser field under electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Doppler broadening. In a weak field limit of the probe light, an analytic OB equation for the probe light field is derived as an analytic function of parameters of the controlling field and temperature of the medium. It is shown that OB characters can be manipulated with the parameters due to the controllable properties of the self-Kerr nonlinearity. Furthermore, enhancement of the Kerr nonlinearity reduces the switching intensity threshold and width of the OB.