bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence of a distinct group of Black African patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sibanda Elopy N , Chase-Topping Margo , Pfavayi Lorraine T , Woolhouse Mark E J , Mutapi Francisca
Published: September 2018

Background

The autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occurs more frequently in patients of African descent with high morbidity and mortality. Current SLE diagnostic criteria including antinuclear antibody (ANA) reactivity are derived largely from non-African populations. This study characterises ANA reactivity patterns and relates them to SLE clinical presentation in Black African patients.

Methods

Sera from Black participants (61 patients with SLE and 100 controls) aged 1–81 years were analysed for reactivity against the antigens: uridine 1-ribonuclear protein, Smith uridine-1-5 ribonuclear protein antigen, soluble substance-A, recombinant Ro-52, soluble substance-B, Scl-70, cytoplasmic histidyl-tRNA synthetase antigen, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), nucleosomes, ribonuclear P-protein, antimitochondrial antibody M2 (AMA-M2), histones, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), centromere protein B and polymyositis–sclerosis overlap antigen.

Findings

A significantly higher proportion (97%) of the 61 patients with SLE had detectable autoantibody reactivity compared with 15% of the 100 controls (p<0.001). The highest frequencies of autoantibody reactivity in patients with SLE were against the dsDNA antigen (41%) and PCNA (54%). Anti-PCNA and anti-dsDNA reactivity were mutually exclusive (p<0.001) giving rise to two distinct groups of Black African patients with SLE. The first group (n=25) had reactivity profiles consistent with international standard SLE definitions, including anti-dsDNA reactivity, and was 13 times more likely to present with joint symptoms. The larger, second group (n=34), characterised by anti-PCNA and anti-AMA-M2 reactivity, was nine times more likely to present with only cutaneous symptoms.

Interpretation

Our study demonstrates a need to extend autoantibody panels to include anti-PCNA in the diagnostic process of Black African patients and further refine the predictive values of the reactivity to different antigens to differentiate SLE syndromes in African populations.
Impact of residence altitude on readmission in patients with heart failure
Authors: Saito Makoto , Yamaoka Manami , Ohzawa Mayuri , Tominaga Emi , Takahashi Kayo , Morofuji Toru , Sumimoto Takumi , Inaba Shinji
Published: September 2018

Objective

Mountain districts normally have tougher geographic conditions than plain districts, which might worsen heart failure (HF) conditions in patients. Also, those places frequently are associated with social problems of ageing, underpopulation and fewer medical services, which might cause delay in detection of disease progression and require more admissions. We investigated the association of residence altitude with readmission in patients with HF.

Methods

We followed 452 patients with HF to determine all-cause readmissions over a median of 1.1 years. The altitude of patient residences, population, proportion of the elderly and number of hospitals or clinics in a minor administrative district (Cho-Aza district) located at the residences were examined using data from the 2010 census and Google Maps.

Results

All-cause readmissions were observed in 269 (60%) patients. The altitude of ≥200  m was significantly associated with readmissions (HR, 1.49; 95 % CI 1.12 to 1.96; p=0.006) after adjustment for physical and haemodynamic parameters, left ventricular ejection fraction, brain natriuretic peptide and components of the established score for predicting readmission for HF. Altitude was significantly associated with ageing, underpopulation, fewer hospitals or clinics and lower temperature (all p<0.01), with an increased tendency for readmission during the winter season; however, it was not associated with patient clinical parameters.

Conclusions

High altitude residence may be an important predictor for readmission in patients with HF. This relationship may be confounded by unfavourable sociogeographic conditions at higher altitudes.
Effects of citrus leaf extract on aortic vascular reactivity in hypertensive rats fed repeatedly heated vegetable oil
Authors: Siti Hawa Nordin , Kamisah Yusof , Mohamed Suhaila , Jaarin Kamsiah
Published: September 2018

The prolonged intake of diet containing repeatedly heated vegetable oil can cause hypertension in the long run. In this study, the effects of citrus leaf extract (CLE) supplementation on vascular reactivity, plasma nitrite, and aortic structure in hypertensive rats that consumed were investigated by the consumption of repeatedly heated vegetable oil. Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 56) were divided into 7 groups corresponding to the respective diets. For 16 weeks, 1 group was given standard rat chow (control) while other groups were given diets containing 15% w/w of palm oil, fresh palm oil (FPO), palm oil heated 5 times (5HPO), and palm oil heated 10 times (10HPO), with or without the incorporation of 0.15% w/w CLE (FPO+CLE, 5HPO+CLE, or 10HPO+CLE). Plasma nitrite levels were measured before and at 16 weeks of treatment. After 16 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and aortae were harvested for measuring vascular reactivity and for microscopic study. CLE supplementation had significantly reduced the loss of plasma nitrite and attenuated the vasoconstriction response to phenylephrine in the 5HPO group but not in the 10HPO group. However, CLE had no significant effect on the vasorelaxation response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. The elastic lamellae of tunica media in 5HPO, 10HPO, and 10HPO+CLE groups appeared disorganised and disrupted. Obtained findings suggested that CLE was able to enhance nitric oxide bioavailability that might dampen the vasoconstriction effect of phenylephrine.
Investigating the influence of diffractive interactions on ultrahigh-energy extensive air showers
Authors: Arbeletche L. B. , Gonçalves V. P. , Müller M. A.
Published: September 2018

The understanding of the basic properties of the ultrahigh-energy extensive air showers is dependent on the description of hadronic interactions in an energy range beyond that probed by the LHC. One of the uncertainties present in the modeling of air showers is the treatment of diffractive interactions, which are dominated by nonperturbative physics and usually described by phenomenological models. These interactions are expected to affect the development of the air showers, since they provide a way of transporting substantial amounts of energy deep in the atmosphere, modifying the global characteristics of the shower profile. In this paper, we investigate the impact of diffractive interactions in the observables that can be measured in hadronic collisions at high energies and ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray interactions. We consider three distinct phenomenological models for the treatment of diffractive physics and estimate the influence of these interactions on the elasticity, number of secondaries, longitudinal air shower profiles and muon densities for proton-air and iron-air collisions at different primary energies. Our results demonstrate that even for the most recent models, diffractive events have a non-negligible effect on the observables and that the distinct approaches for these interactions, present in the phenomenological models, still are an important source of theoretical uncertainty for the description of the extensive air showers.
Nonlocal symmetries and the nth finite symmetry transformation or AKNS system
Authors: Hao Xiazhi , Liu Yinping , Tang Xiaoyan , Li Zhibin , Ma Wen-Xiu
Published: September 2018

In this paper, by introduction of pseudopotentials, the nonlocal symmetry is obtained for the Ablowitz–Kaup–Newell–Segur system, which is used to describe many physical phenomena in different applications. Together with some auxiliary variables, this kind of nonlocal symmetry can be localized to Lie point symmetry and the corresponding once finite symmetry transformation is calculated for both the original system and the prolonged system. Furthermore, the nth finite symmetry transformation represented in terms of determinant and exact solutions are derived.
WHO: A New Evolutionary Algorithm Bio-Inspired by Wildebeests with a Case Study on Bank Customer Segmentation
Authors: Motevali Mohammad Mahdi , Shanghooshabad Ali Mohammadi , Aram Reza Zohouri , Keshavarz Hamidreza
Published: September 2018

Numerous evolutionary algorithms have been proposed which are inspired by the amazing lives of creatures, such as animals, insects, and birds. Each inspired algorithm has its own advantages and disadvantages, and has its own way to accomplish exploration and exploitation. In this paper, a new evolutionary algorithm with novel concepts, called Wildebeests Herd Optimization (WHO), is proposed. This algorithm is inspired by the splendid life of wildebeests in Africa. Moving and migration are inseparable from wildebeests’ lives. When a wildebeest wants to choose its path during migration, it considers the best path known to itself, the location of the more mature wildebeests in the crowd, and the direction of wildebeests with high mobility. The WHO algorithm imitates these traits, and can concurrently explore and exploit the search space. For validating WHO, it is applied to optimization problems and data mining tasks. It is demonstrated that WHO outperforms other evolutionary algorithms, such as genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization, in the assessed problems. Then, WHO is applied to the customer segmentation problem. Customer segmentation is one of the most important tasks of data mining, especially in the banking sector. In this paper, the customers of a bank with current accounts are segmented using WHO based on four aspects: profitability, cost, loyalty and credit; some of these aspects are calculated in a novel way. The results were welcome by the bank authorities.
Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice Change: Contrasts, Commonalities, and Causes
Authors: Maksym Ted
Published: September 2018

Arctic sea ice has declined precipitously in both extent and thickness over the past four decades; by contrast, Antarctic sea ice has shown little overall change, but this masks large regional variability. Climate models have not captured these changes. But these differences do not represent a paradox. The processes governing, and impacts of, natural variability and human-induced changes differ markedly at the poles largely because of the ways in which differences in geography control the properties of and interactions among the atmosphere, ice, and ocean. The impact of natural variability on the ice cover is large at both poles, so modeled ice trends are not entirely inconsistent with contributions from both natural variability and anthropogenic forcing. Despite this concurrence, the coupling of natural climate variability, climate feedbacks, and sea ice is not well understood, and significant biases remain in model representations of the ice cover and the processes that drive it.
The Neurobiology and Pharmacotherapy of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Abdallah Chadi G. , Averill Lynnette A. , Akiki Teddy J. , Raza Mohsin , Averill Christopher L. , Gomaa Hassaan , Adikey Archana , Krystal John H.
Published: September 2018

New approaches to the neurobiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are needed to address the reported crisis in PTSD drug development. These new approaches may require the field to move beyond a narrow fear-based perspective, as fear-based medications have not yet demonstrated compelling efficacy. Antidepressants, particularly recent rapid-acting antidepressants, exert complex effects on brain function and structure that build on novel aspects of the biology of PTSD, including a role for stress-related synaptic dysconnectivity in the neurobiology and treatment of PTSD. Here, we integrate this perspective within a broader framework—in other words, a dual pathology model of ( a) stress-related synaptic loss arising from amino acid–based pathology and ( b) stress-related synaptic gain related to monoamine-based pathology. Then, we summarize the standard and experimental (e.g., ketamine) pharmacotherapeutic options for PTSD and discuss their putative mechanism of action and clinical efficacy.
Cysteine-Based Redox Sensing and Its Role in Signaling by Cyclic Nucleotide–Dependent Kinases in the Cardiovascular System
Authors: Cuello Friederike , Eaton Philip
Published: September 2018

Oxidant molecules are produced in biological systems and historically have been considered causal mediators of damage and disease. While oxidants may contribute to the pathogenesis of disease, evidence continues to emerge that shows these species also play important regulatory roles in health. A major mechanism of oxidant sensing and signaling involves their reaction with reactive cysteine thiols within proteins, inducing oxidative posttranslational modifications that can couple to altered function to enable homeostatic regulation. Protein kinase A and protein kinase G are regulated by oxidants in this way, and this review focuses on our molecular-level understanding of these events and their role in regulating cardiovascular physiology during health and disease.
Two Cases of Catastrophic AAA Rupture in Young Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Noorvash David , King Kevin , Gebrael Meera
Published: September 2018

We present two cases of young women with a past medical history significant for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), who presented to the Emergency Department with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). These cases are of particular interest because the patients did not fit the typical demographic for patients who present with a ruptured AAA. Based on these cases and a review of the relevant literature, ED providers should maintain a higher index of suspicion for AAA rupture in patients with autoimmune diseases, especially SLE.
Is Strip Cropping an Effective Way for Maize Biofortyfication?
Authors: Głowacka Aleksandra , Szostak Bogdan , Klebaniuk Renata , Kiełtyka-Dadasiewicz Anna
Published: September 2018

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of strip cropping on the content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium in maize. A field experiment was conducted during 2008–2010 in South Poland. The two cropping methods of maize were studied: sole cropping and strip cropping with common bean and spring barley. Maize was harvested in two different cycle stages: for silage in milky-wax phase and for grain in full maturity phase. Strip cropping significantly increased the accumulation of Mg and Ca by maize biomass and grain. However, the phosphorus content was higher only in maize grain. The row position in the strip influenced the macronutrients content in maize biomass and in grain. The placement adjacent to the bean resulted in higher Ca and Mg content in maize biomass and in grain. The phosphorus content in maize grain was also significantly higher in neighbouring rows with common bean strip. The least amounts of P and N were found in maize from the row adjacent to the barley strip. The results obtained indicated that strip cropping of maize with appropriate plant species, especially pulses, that is, common bean, seems to be an effective way to biofortify maize grain with Ca, especially in regions where it is the staple food. Furthermore, this may mitigate the deficiency of Mg and Ca in maize forage.
Oral Rehabilitation of Oral Cancer Patients Using Zygomatic Implant-Supported Maxillary Prostheses with Magnetic Attachment: Three Case Reports
Authors: Ozaki Hisashi , Sakurai Hiromasa , Yoshida Yukie , Yamanouchi Hideyuki , Iino Mitsuyoshi
Published: September 2018

Maxillectomy for malignant tumor often results in a maxillary defect and serious oral dysfunction. A prosthesis is usually provided for postoperative oral rehabilitation of such patients with maxillary defects. However, the further the resected region extends, the less stable the prosthesis becomes, due to insufficient bone and tooth support. Therefore, in many cases, conventional resection dentures may not be adequate to restore the oral function. Effective utilization of dental and zygomatic implants may help to restore oral function in patients with severe maxillary defects. This clinical report describes the management of three patients with severe maxillary defects following cancer ablative surgery who were rehabilitated using maxillary prostheses with magnetic attachments supported by dental and zygomatic implants. Occlusal reconstruction was performed with removable prostheses supported with two or four implants and magnetic attachment. The oral function was evaluated before and after prosthodontic treatment with implants using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and functional chewing score. Results indicated improvement in all cases. These findings show that quality of life (QOL) and oral function were improved.
Pectin-Coated Curcumin-Chitosan Microparticles Crosslinked with Mg2+ for Delayed Drug Release in the Digestive System
Authors: Hwang Seung Won , Shin Jae Sup
Published: September 2018

Curcumin-loaded chitosan-pectin microparticles based on polymeric microencapsulation were prepared by two methods to delay the release of curcumin in the digestive system, employing Mg2+ as a pectin-crosslinking agent for the first time. Pectin-coated curcumin-chitosan microparticles (C-g-PMg) and curcumin-loaded chitosan-pectin composite microparticles (C-PMg-g) were formulated, and their release profiles at pH 1.2 and at pH 6.8 were tested. The former (C-g-PMg) showed slower curcumin release profiles than the latter (C-PMg-g) because the C-g-PMg are composed of two layers, a chitosan-glutaraldehyde layer and a pectin-Mg2+ layer, which together hold the curcumin for a longer duration. Of the pectin-coated microparticles, those crosslinked with Mg2+ showed a slower release rate than those crosslinked with Ca2+, but the former showed a faster release rate at pH 6.8 in the presence of pectinase, acting as a promising drug delivery carrier for treating a colonic disease. The pectin layer and the pectin-crosslinking agent play a vital role in prolonging the release of curcumin until pectin is degraded by pectinase.
IgG4-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis Involving the Intrahepatic Bile Ducts Diagnosed with Liver Biopsy
Authors: Thinesen Malene Theilmann , Schaffalitzky de Muckadell Ove B. , Detlefsen Sönke
Published: September 2018

IgG4-related disease is characterized by lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and fibrosis, often leading to mass-forming lesions in different organs. When IgG4-related disease affects the bile ducts, it is called IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis. A 74-year-old male complained of dysphagia and abdominal pain. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and magnetic resonance cholangiography revealed bile duct changes suspicious of a bile duct carcinoma or cholangitis. Liver biopsy showed storiform fibrosis, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, obliterative phlebitis, and a portal-based inflammatory nodule with expansion of a portal tract. Hot spots revealed 339 IgG4-positive cells per high power field (HPF) and an IgG4/IgG ratio of 72%. Eight months earlier, an inguinal lymph node had been removed, showing expanded interfollicular zones and increased plasma cells. Hot spots revealed 593 IgG4-positive cells and an IgG4/IgG ratio of 92%. The serum IgG4 of the patient was elevated nearly 10 times upper limit of normal. The diagnosis of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis associated with IgG4-related lymphadenopathy was made. There was good response to treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine. The differentiation of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis from primary sclerosing cholangitis and bile duct carcinoma is often difficult. Liver biopsy only rarely contributes to this setting, but we describe and report in detail a case where liver biopsy showed a portal-based inflammatory nodule with the characteristic features of this disease.
Free Vibration Analysis of Rotating Pretwisted Functionally Graded Sandwich Blades
Authors: Liu L. T. , Hao Y. X. , Zhang W. , Chen J.
Published: September 2018

A new structural dynamic model for the free vibration characteristic analysis of rotating pretwisted functionally graded (FG) sandwich blades is developed. The sandwich blade is made up of two functionally graded skins and a homogeneous material core. The thick shell theory is applied to derive the basic equations of motion of the rotating FG sandwich blade by considering the effects of centrifugal and Coriolis forces. The mode shapes are expanded in terms of two-dimensional algebraic polynomials in the Rayleigh–Ritz method, and the static and dynamic natural frequencies of the blade are obtained. The convergence analysis is studied, and the accuracy of the proposed model is verified by comparing with the literature results and ANSYS data. The effects of frequency parameters such as the twist angle, the thickness ratio, the aspect ratio, the layer thickness ratio, the scalar parameter of volume fraction, the stagger angle, and the rotation velocity on the vibration characteristics for pretwist FG sandwich blade are investigated in detail. In addition, the phenomena of frequency locus veering and mode shape exchanging occur in the static and dynamic states. Frequency locus veering is essentially caused by the coupling between different modes.
Airport Emergency Rescue Model Establishment and Performance Analysis Using Colored Petri Nets and CPN Tools
Authors: Yu Qingkun , Cai Liangcai , Tan Xiao
Published: September 2018

The airport emergency rescue is a typical discrete event dynamic system. In this paper, we can use colored Petri net discrete event modeling technology to establish the airport emergency rescue (AER) model in the CPN tool software according to the rescue process and the rescue activities’ relationship. We draw the basic flow chart of AER and, on this basis, propose the basic algorithm of establishing an AER colored Petri net. Firstly, the Weifang Nanyuan Airport emergency rescue (WNAER) drill data is analyzed, and the time function of each activity is obtained. Then, we establish the WNAER colored Petri net model, and the simulation results are analyzed in depth. The results show that the total time is far less than the time required in the AER plan, indicating that the model is feasible for the practical work; by calculation of time of different routes, we find a key route named “Route 2,” and it is proposed to increase the number of fire engines. By changing the value of the “num” parameter, the airport adds a fire engine, and an average of 18 s shortened. The rescue time reliability can be obtained at different times; for example, the time reliability in the 963 s is 91%, indicating that the probability of completing the rescue within this time period is very high, and the time reliability in the 958 s is 1.85%, indicating that the probability of completing the rescue within this time period is very low. The research results can not only allow the airport managers to master the level of rescue forces but also guide the formulation of plans and the implementation of activities.
Patterns of Biomass and Carbon Allocation across Chronosequence of Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii) Forest in Pakistan: Inventory-Based Estimate
Authors: Amir Muhammad , Liu Xiaodong , Ahmad Adnan , Saeed Sajjad , Mannan Abdul , Muneer Muhammad Atif
Published: September 2018

The quantitative relationship between carbon sequestration potential and stand ages of Pine (Pinus roxburghii) forest is not documented in Pakistan. Using field inventory data, this study underlines the patterns of biomass and carbon allocation across a chronosequence of Chir Pine forest. Based on the uniform shelterwood silvicultural management system, the forest was classified into three stand age classes representing the young stand (<50 years), mature stand (50–75 years), and overmature stand (> 75 years). The results showed an increasing trend in living tree biomass carbon with stand age. However, soil carbon showed gradually decreasing trend from young to overmature stand. Similarly, deadwood, litter, and understory biomass carbon showed an increase pattern of changes. Altogether, the results highlighted that the mean carbon values of all components varied between 90.3 t·C·ha−1 in the young stand and 309.5 t·C·ha−1 in the overmature stand. Furthermore, our results confirm that the current management operations affect the forest floor and soil carbon. Therefore, we suggest that different protection measures should be considered during management operations to enhance soil and forest floor carbon.
The Augment of the Stability in Locking Compression Plate with Intramedullary Fibular Allograft for Proximal Humerus Fractures in Elderly People
Authors: Chen Hua , Yin Peng , Wang Song , Li Jiantao , Zhang Lihai , Khan Kamran , Zhang Licheng , Tang Peifu
Published: September 2018

Objective. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and complications between the locking compression plate (LCP) and LCP with fibular allograft in the treatment of patients with displaced proximal humerus fracture (PHF) in elderly people. Material and Methods. Between January 2010 and December 2013, a total of 97 elderly patients with displaced PHF were treated by LCP or LCP with fibular allograft, and finally 89 patients were included in our study. All the patients were divided into Group I (patients treated by LCP) and Group II (patients treated by LCP with fibular allograft). Function results were assessed by the disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score and Constant-Murley score (CMS), and complications were also recorded in each group. Results. The average follow-up was 35.2 months (range, 24-48 months) in Group I and 33.5 months (range, 24-48 months) in Group II. DASH in patients of Group I was significantly higher than that in patients in Group II and patients of Group I had CMS scores significantly lower than patients in Group II (P<0.05). The rates of varus malunion, screw perforation, and loss of reduction>5mm were significantly higher in Group I than in Group II (P<0.05). Conclusions. The present results showed that that patients treated by LCP with fibular allograft had a better functional outcome and a lower complication rate compared to patients treated by LCP alone. Suitable void filler in the proximal humerus for supporting the head fragment, medial cortical bone, and greater tuberosity might play a key role in reducing the incidence of the complications in elderly patients, especially with osteoporosis.
Hypoglycemic Properties of the Aqueous Extract from the Stem Bark of Ceiba pentandra in Dexamethasone‐Induced Insulin Resistant Rats
Authors: Fofié Christian Kuété , Nguelefack-Mbuyo Elvine Pami , Tsabang Nole , Kamanyi Albert , Nguelefack Télesphore Benoît
Published: September 2018

Parts of Ceiba pentandra are wildly used in Africa to treat diabetes and previous works have demonstrated their in vivo antidiabetic effects on type 1 diabetes models. In addition, it has been recently shown that the decoction and the methanol extract from the stem bark of C. pentandra potentiate in vitro, the peripheral glucose consumption by the liver and skeletal muscle slices. But nothing is known about its effect on type II diabetes, especially on insulin resistance condition. We investigated herein the antihyperglycemic, insulin‐sensitizing potential, and cardioprotective effects of the dried decoction from the stem bark of Ceiba pentandra (DCP) in dexamethasone‐induced insulin resistant rats. DCP phytochemical analysis using LC‐MS showed the presence of many compounds, including 8‐formyl‐7‐hydroxy‐5‐isopropyl‐2‐methoxy‐3‐methyl‐1,4‐naphthaquinone, 2,4,6‐trimethoxyphenol, and vavain. Wistar rats were given intramuscularly (i.m.) dexamethasone (1 mg/kg/day) alone or concomitantly with oral doses of DCP (75 or 150 mg/kg/day) or metformin (40 mg/kg/day) for 9 days. Parameters such as body weight, glycemia, oral glucose tolerance, plasma triglycerides and cholesterol, blood pressure, and heart rate were evaluated. Moreover, cardiac, hepatic and aortic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase), malondialdehyde level, and nitric oxide content were determined. DCP decreased glycemia by up to 34% and corrected the impairment of glucose tolerance induced by dexamethasone but has no significant effect on blood pressure and heart rate. DCP reduced the total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides as compared to animals treated only with dexamethasone. DCP also increased catalase, glutathione, and NO levels impaired by dexamethasone, without any effect on SOD and malondialdehyde. In conclusion, the decoction of the stem bark of Ceiba pentandra has insulin sensitive effects as demonstrated by the improvement of glucose tolerance, oxidative status, and plasma lipid profile. This extract may therefore be a good candidate for the treatment of type II diabetes.
Performance Evaluation of Contour Based Segmentation Methods for Ultrasound Images
Authors: Hemalatha R. J. , Vijaybaskar V. , Thamizhvani T. R.
Published: September 2018

Active contour methods are widely used for medical image segmentation. Using level set algorithms the applications of active contour methods have become flexible and convenient. This paper describes the evaluation of the performance of the active contour models using performance metrics and statistical analysis. We have implemented five different methods for segmenting the synovial region in arthritis affected ultrasound image. A comparative analysis between the methods of segmentation was performed and the best segmentation method was identified using similarity criteria, standard error, and F-test. For further analysis, classification of the segmentation techniques using support vector machine (SVM) classifier is performed to determine the absolute method for synovial region detection. With these results, localized region based active contour named Lankton method is defined to be the best segmentation method.
Dynamic Path Planning of Unknown Environment Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Lei Xiaoyun , Zhang Zhian , Dong Peifang
Published: September 2018

Dynamic path planning of unknown environment has always been a challenge for mobile robots. In this paper, we apply double Q-network (DDQN) deep reinforcement learning proposed by DeepMind in 2016 to dynamic path planning of unknown environment. The reward and punishment function and the training method are designed for the instability of the training stage and the sparsity of the environment state space. In different training stages, we dynamically adjust the starting position and target position. With the updating of neural network and the increase of greedy rule probability, the local space searched by agent is expanded. Pygame module in PYTHON is used to establish dynamic environments. Considering lidar signal and local target position as the inputs, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are used to generalize the environmental state. Q-learning algorithm enhances the ability of the dynamic obstacle avoidance and local planning of the agents in environment. The results show that, after training in different dynamic environments and testing in a new environment, the agent is able to reach the local target position successfully in unknown dynamic environment.
Remote Cerebellar Haemorrhage: A Potential Iatrogenic Complication of Spinal Surgery
Authors: Naveed Muhammad Atif , Mangla Rajiv , Idrees Hajra , Mehta Rashi I.
Published: September 2018

We report the case of a 51-year-old man with no significant past medical history, who underwent elective revision spinal surgery and subsequently developed intracranial hypotension, remote cerebellar haemorrhage (RCH), and mild hydrocephalus on the fourth postoperative day. Remote cerebellar haemorrhage is a known complication of supratentorial surgery. This iatrogenic phenomenon may also occur following spinal surgery, due to dural tearing and rapid cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leakage, resulting in intracranial hypotension and cerebellar haemorrhage. This complication may result in severe permanent neurologic sequelae; hence, it is of pertinence to diagnose and manage it rapidly in order to optimise patient outcome.
A Rare Case of Burkholderia cepacia Complex Septic Arthritis
Authors: Koo John , Deans Gregory D.
Published: September 2018

Bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex have rarely been reported to cause septic arthritis. Cases have been reported in patients who were immunocompromised, at extremes of age or who had history of steroid injection or penetrating trauma. A 67-year-old man with a history of opioid use disorder, osteoarthritis, and gout but no known immunocompromise was admitted to hospital with pain and swelling of his right knee. Cultures of synovial fluid and urine grew Burkholderia cepacia complex. Microscopy of synovial fluid also identified intracellular calcium pyrophosphate crystals. The patient’s symptoms improved with joint irrigation and debridement and prolonged antimicrobial therapy. This case highlights the importance of diagnostic aspiration of an acutely inflamed joint to obtain a specific etiological diagnosis.
An Innovative Approach for Modelling Urban Road Traffic Using Timed Automata and Formal Methods
Authors: Valente Eduardo , Avram Camelia , Machado José , Astilean Adina
Published: September 2018

Modelling and implementing adequate controllers for urban road traffic control constitute a huge challenge nowadays because of the complexity of systems, as well as possible scenarios and configurations, in each road in a city. A series of issues related to modelling these behaviours are common to arise when using formalisms, tools, and computation machines to perform complex calculations and limitations. This paper presents a formal, flexible, and adaptable approach, with no limitations, from the scientific point of view. For this purpose, modelling formalisms (cellular automata and timed automata) and analysis techniques (simulation and formal verification) are proposed to reach the main goals of modelling complex and adaptable behaviours in urban road traffic with multiple over time changeable configurations. A case study is presented, in order to illustrate the approach and demonstrate in detail the unlimited application of the presented approach.
VEGFR2 Expression Is Differently Modulated by Parity and Nulliparity in Mouse Ovary
Authors: Di Nisio Valentina , Rossi Gianna , Iorio Roberto , Pellegrini Cristina , Macchiarelli Guido , Tiboni Gian Mario , Petricca Sabrina , Cecconi Sandra
Published: September 2018

Parity and nulliparity exert opposite effects on women's health, as parity is considered a protective factor for several reproductive diseases. This study is aimed at determining if ovarian VEGF and VEGFR2 expression are differently modulated in the ovaries of parous and nulliparous mice. To this end primiparous and nulliparous fertile mice were sacrificed at postovulatory stage. Whole ovaries, corpus luteum, and residual stromal tissues were analyzed to assess VEGF/VEGFR2 expression levels. Ovarian mRNA amounts of Vegfa (120 and 164) and Vegfr2 were comparable between primiparous and nulliparous mice; both isoforms and receptor were accumulated mainly in corpus luteum tissues. VEGF 120 and 164 protein accumulation and distribution mirrored that of mRNA. Conversely, VEGFR2 protein content was significantly higher in ovaries of nulliparous mice and was more efficiently phosphorylated in ovaries of primiparous mice. In both groups, VEGFR2 was preferentially expressed in corpus luteum, while its phosphorylated form was equally distributed in two somatic compartments. We suggest that parity influences VEGFR2/phospho-VEGFR2 expression and tissue distribution. This difference could be part of a more complex mechanism that at least in mice is activated after the first pregnancy and likely aims to preserve female health.
Landslide Susceptibility Mapping in Darjeeling Himalayas, India
Authors: Chawla Amit , Chawla Sowmiya , Pasupuleti Srinivas , Rao A. C. S. , Sarkar Kripamoy , Dwivedi Rajesh
Published: September 2018

Landslide susceptibility map aids decision makers and planners for the prevention and mitigation of landslide hazard. This study presents a methodology for the generation of landslide susceptibility mapping using remote sensing data and Geographic Information System technique for the part of the Darjeeling district, Eastern Himalaya, in India. Topographic, earthquake, and remote sensing data and published geology, soil, and rainfall maps were collected and processed using Geographic Information System. Landslide influencing factors in the study area are drainage, lineament, slope, rainfall, earthquake, lithology, land use/land cover, fault, valley, soil, relief, and aspect. These factors were evaluated for the generation of thematic data layers. Numerical weight and rating for each factor was assigned using the overlay analysis method for the generation of landslide susceptibility map in the Geographic Information System environment. The resulting landslide susceptibility zonation map demarcated the study area into four different susceptibility classes: very high, high, moderate, and low. Particle Swarm Optimization‐Support Vector Machine technique was used for the prediction and classification of landslide susceptibility classes, and Genetic Programming method was used to generate models and to predict landslide susceptibility classes in conjunction with Geographic Information System output, respectively. Genetic Programming and Particle Swarm Optimization‐Support Vector Machine have performed well with respect to overall prediction accuracy and validated the landslide susceptibility model generated in the Geographic Information System environment. The efficiency of the landslide susceptibility zonation map was also confirmed by correlating the landslide frequency between different susceptible classes.
Is Mother’s Education or Household Poverty a Better Predictor for Girl’s School Dropout? Evidence from Aggregated Community Effects in Rural India
Authors: Patel Rachana , Singh Ajay K , Chandra Murari , Khanna Tina , Mehra Sunil
Published: September 2018

Neighbourhoods and families are key social institutions instilled with development of early life course of adolescents. Limited research in India has examined exposure to community along with socioeconomic conditions for school-dropouts of girls. Multidimensional benefits of female education are increasingly recognized in recent years; hence, it becomes imperative to study the community components of school discontinuation particularly in rural area. This study aims to analyse effect of mother’s education, community poverty, and gender equitable attitudes associated with a girl’s school dropout. This study uses baseline survey data from an intervention program from poor-performing districts of India. Collinearity among individual predictors validated by variance inflation factor proceeded step-wise binary-logistic regression. Result suggests that communities with high concentrations of poverty and mother illiteracy are disadvantages with low gender perception and high levels of dropouts. Result suggests that girls living in poor communities are three times more likely to dropout and 70% more if belonged to communities with lower mother literacy. Girls who scored low on Gender Equitable Scale had less probability to dropout. The study concludes that girls from poor communities with low levels of mother literacy and non-egalitarian gender attitudes are at higher risk of school dropout.
A Fluid-Solid Coupling Mathematical Model of Methane Driven by Water in Porous Coal
Authors: Huang Bingxiang , Lu Weiyong
Published: September 2018

The existence of the water-driven-methane effect in gassy coal has been verified by field tests and laboratory experiments. However, a water-driven-methane mathematical model that considers methane adsorption and desorption has not yet been established. Based on the water-driven-methane process, a fluid-solid coupling mathematical model of methane driven by water is established. The model’s reliability is verified by the results of a water-driven-methane physical experiment and by using a solution of the COMSOL Multiphysics software. The space-time distribution regularities of the pore pressure, water-methane two-phase saturation, and pore pressure gradient in the water-driven-methane process are analysed. The results reveal the following. (1) The water-driven-methane fluid-solid coupling mathematical model for porous coal is reliable. (2) In the water-driven-methane process, there is an increasing zone and a decreasing zone of pore pressure in the coal sample. The increasing zone of pore pressure is closest to the side of the water inlet, and its area gradually decreases. The decreasing zone of pore pressure is closest to the side of the methane outlet, and its area gradually increases. Over time, the methane pressure in the increasing zone of pore pressure first increases and then decreases, and the methane pressure in the decreasing zone of pore pressure continuously decreases. The change (increase or decrease) rate of the methane pressure gradually decreases from both ends towards the middle of the coal sample. (3) The curve of the water saturation over time changes from a lower concave curve to a straight line, while the curve of the methane saturation with time changes from an upper convex curve to a straight line. The methane saturation in the decreasing zone of pore pressure is greater than that in the increasing zone of pore pressure. Over time, the water saturation of a specific point in space continuously increases while its methane saturation continuously decreases. Both of the increase rate of the water saturation and the decrease rate of the methane saturation gradually reduce over time. (4) The pore pressure gradient along the driving direction first decreases and then increases. The decreasing zone of the pore pressure gradient is located in the increasing zone of pore pressure, and the increasing zone of the pore pressure gradient is located in the decreasing zone of pore pressure. Over time, the pore pressure gradient at the side of the water inlet increases, and its increase rate decreases. The pore pressure gradient at the side of the methane outlet decreases, and its decrease rate decreases. The rate of increase in the pore pressure gradient at the side of the water inlet is greater than the rate of decrease in the pore pressure gradient at the side of the methane outlet.
Normative Values of Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in a Middle Eastern Population
Authors: Al-Sa’ad Mouna M. , Shatarat Amjad T. , Amarin Justin Z. , Badran Darwish H.
Published: September 2018

Purpose. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness is subject to high variability. Normative values of pRNFL thickness remain undocumented in the Middle East. The aim of our study is to assess the normative values of pRNFL thickness in a Middle Eastern population. Methods. A retrospective chart review of 74 patients was conducted. Outpatients who had presented to the ophthalmology clinic at the Jordan University Hospital between January 2016 and July 2018 were consecutively sampled. Measurements had been recorded using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography. Multivariable regression models were developed to generate predicted normative values with adjustments to candidate confounders. Results. The mean global pRNFL thickness was 99 ± 11 μm. The mean quadrantic pRNFL thickness increased from the nasal quadrant (75 ± 16 μm) to the temporal (82 ± 20 μm), superior (114 ± 20 μm), and inferior (125 ± 20 μm) quadrants. Gender and eye sidedness did not contribute to the variability in pRNFL thickness. The relationship between aging and pRNFL thinning is independent of diabetes mellitus type 2 and systemic hypertension. Both systemic conditions significantly predicted pRNFL changes despite negative fundoscopic findings. Conclusions. Our set of predicted normative data may be used to interpret measurements of pRNFL thickness in Middle Eastern patients. Our findings suggest that systemic conditions with potential ocular manifestations may require consideration in predictive models of pRNFL thickness, even in the absence of gross fundoscopic findings. Normative data from additional Middle Eastern populations are required to appraise our models, which adjust for common clinical confounders.
Autonomous Jerk Oscillator with Cosine Hyperbolic Nonlinearity: Analysis, FPGA Implementation, and Synchronization
Authors: Rajagopal Karthikeyan , Takougang Kingni Sifeu , Fautso Kuiate Gaetan , Kamdoum Tamba Victor , Pham Viet-Thanh
Published: September 2018

A two-parameter autonomous jerk oscillator with a cosine hyperbolic nonlinearity is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the stability of equilibrium points of proposed autonomous jerk oscillator is investigated by analyzing the characteristic equation and the existence of Hopf bifurcation is verified using one of the two parameters as a bifurcation parameter. By tuning its two parameters, various dynamical behaviors are found in the proposed autonomous jerk oscillator including periodic attractor, one-scroll chaotic attractor, and coexistence between chaotic and periodic attractors. The proposed autonomous jerk oscillator has period-doubling route to chaos with the variation of one of its parameters and reverse period-doubling route to chaos with the variation of its other parameter. The proposed autonomous jerk oscillator is modelled on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and the FPGA chip statistics and phase portraits are derived. The chaotic and coexistence of attractors generated in the proposed autonomous jerk oscillator are confirmed by FPGA implementation of the proposed autonomous jerk oscillator. A good qualitative agreement is illustrated between the numerical and FPGA results. Finally synchronization of unidirectional coupled identical proposed autonomous jerk oscillators is achieved using adaptive sliding mode control method.
The Empirical and Theoretical Miscible Characterization Method in Gas-Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Chengjun Wang , Xiaorui Li
Published: September 2018

The determination of miscible characteristic is one of the key technologies for enhancing oil recovery of gas flooding. If the miscible characteristic at each development period of gas flooding can be known in real time, it will be helpful to guide gas flooding development scheme. The minimum miscible pressure (MMP) is mostly used to describe miscible characteristic. Currently, the MMP forecasting methods can be classified into two categories—the empirical method and theoretical calculation method. In this paper, the main controlling factors affecting MMP are analyzed combined with reservoir engineering method, phase equilibrium theory, reservoir numerical simulation technology, and so on. Based on this, new empirical and theoretical MMP forecasting model was built. Meanwhile, new ideas for improving forecasting accuracy through modifying miscible criterion were proposed. The calculation accuracies of the two MMP forecasting models can be improved to over 90% that is more accurate and adapted than other methods. This research result can supply new ideas for gas flooding MMP forecasting.