bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Broadband Microwave Absorber Containing a 2D Artificial Electromagnetic Material Composed of Cross Section Resonator Sub-Unit Cells Inserting Ferromagnetic Materials
Authors: Zhuang Hai-Yan , Wang Xiao-Kun , Ye Zhi-Ming , Yang Yi , Tang Dong-Ming , Zhang Bao-Shan , Huang Cong-Shu , Wang Jing-Jing
Published: February 2020

This paper provides a new method to improve microwave absorption properties of ferromagnetic materials. A 2D artificial electromagnetic material is designed using a square combination of cross section resonator sub-unit cells, and then inserted into carbonyl iron powder layers to realize
a broadband microwave absorber. Both the simulation and experiment results show that the absorber can realize the wideband and high efficiency absorption.
Degeneration of Line-Edge Roughness-Induced Variability for Dual-Metal Gate Fin Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Dai Liang , Lü Wei-Feng
Published: February 2020

We investigate, for the first time, the effect of line-edge roughness (LER)-induced variability for dual-metal gate (DMG) Fin field-effect transistors (FinFETs) using a computer-aided-design simulation. The Gaussian autocorrelation function is utilized for generating the LER sequence.
From the standard deviations of subthreshold swing (SS), threshold voltage (VTH), and transconductance (gm), the simulation results indicate that the LER-induced electrostatic integrity variability is related to the ratio of control gate to total gate lengths.
The variability caused by LER degrades with respect to the length of control gate near the source. Our work fills a gap in the study of LER-induced variability for DMG FinFETs, and suggests that the length of the control gate near the source should be greater than or equal to the screen gate
near the drain in the entire gate.
Effects of High-Concentration Alkali Treatment on Surface Bioactivity of Porous Titanium
Authors: Fan Xingping
Published: February 2020

Various surface treatment methods have been used to modify the surface activation of dense titanium. In this study, a high concentration of sodium hydroxide solution was used to treat porous titanium prepared by adding porous agent at different times. The results of the study showed
that after alkali treatment, porous titanium was implanted into the back muscle of the dog and the implanted sample was taken out for bone formation protein-2 enzymatic immunoassay after 6 months. The porous titanium inner wall has been covered. The microstructures vary with the treatment
time. The treated surface can induce the formation of hydroxyapatite deposition and promote the expression of BMP-2, which shows good bone induction. High concentration alkali treatment of porous titanium, the method is simple, can shorten the HA formation time, can effectively activate porous
titanium inner and outer surfaces, is an effective method to prepare bioactive porous titanium.
Yf-H-2015005, a New CXCR4 Antagonist, in the Mobilization of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Randomized-Controlled Phase 3 Study
Authors: Liu Weiping , Li Yufu , Wang Quanshun , Ding Kaiyang , Su Hang , Shuang Yue-rong , Gao Sujun , Jing Hongmei , Chai Ye , Zou Dehui , Liu Hui , Wang Chunling , LIU Lihong , Zhang Yicheng , Lin Jinying , Zhu Haiyan , Shang Meixia , Yan Xiaoyan , Yao Chen , Chang Fengyuan , Zhu Jun , Song Yuqing
Published: February 2020

Background:

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is an important therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of YF-H-2015005, a new CXCR4 antagonist, when used to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells in patients with NHL eligible for treatment with AHSCT.

Methods:

This phase III, multicenter, randomized (1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled patients (age range, 18 to 65 years) with NHL, and who were in their first or second complete or partial remission. The patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF, 10 mg/kg/day) each morning for up to 8 days. Treatment with YF-H-2015005 (0.24 mg/kg/day) or placebo was initialed during the evening of the fourth day of G-CSF administration, and then continued for up to 4 days. Starting on day 5, apheresis was performed for 9 to 10 hours after each dose of YF-H-2015005 or until ≥ 5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg had been collected. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who collected ≥ 5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg during the course of 4 or fewer apheresis days. The secondary endpoints were the percentage of patients who collected ≥ 2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg during the course of 4 or fewer apheresis days, the number of apheresis days required to reach ≥ 2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg, the number of apheresis days required to reach ≥ 5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg, and patient safety.

Results:

A total of 101 patients with NHL were randomly assigned to the YF-H-2015005 group (n = 51or placebo group (n = 50), respectively. The percentage of patients who met the primary endpoint was 57% (29/51) in the YF-H-2015005 group and 12% (6/50) in the placebo group (P < 0.001). A larger proportion of patients in the YF-H-2015005 group (86%) achieved the secondary endpoint of collecting ≥ 2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg in 4 or fewer apheresis days when compared with the placebo group (38%, P < 0.001). Patients in the YF-H-2015005 group required shorter time periods to collect ≥ 2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg (1 days vs. 4 days) and ≥ 5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg (3 days vs. not reached). Treatment-related adverse event were observed in 37 patients (20 in the YF-H-2015005 group and 17 in the placebo group). The most common adverse events in the YF-H-2015005 group were diarrhea (14%), hyperhidrosis(6%), elevated alkaline phosphatase (6%). No serious treatment-related adverse event occurred.

Conclusions:

The combination of YF-H-2015005 and G-CSF was a tolerable regimen for use in rapidly mobilizing and collecting CD34+ cells for transplantation in patients with NHL.

Disclosures

Zhu: Mundipharma: Research Funding.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Function in β-Thalassemia Is Impaired and Is Rescued By Targeting the Bone Marrow Niche
Authors: Aprile Annamaria , Gulino Alessandro , Villa Isabella , Beretta Stefano , Merelli Ivan , Rubinacci Alessandro , Ponzoni Maurilio , Marktel Sarah , Tripodo Claudio , Lidonnici Maria Rosa , Ferrari Giuliana
Published: February 2020

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are regulated by signals from the bone marrow (BM) niche and little is known about their fate in altered hematological conditions associated to non-malignant diseases. In β-thalassemia ineffective erythropoiesis and secondary alterations, as abnormal regulation of bone metabolism, iron overload and hormonal factors, induce changes in the BM homeostasis with a potential impact on HSC-niche interaction. We addressed these unexplored issues in the murine disease model and in patients' cells.

We investigated hematopoiesis in thalassemic Hbbth3/+ (th3) mutant mice and we found lower frequency, reduced quiescence and reconstituting potential of HSC. th3 HSC have impaired self-renewal, which is rescued upon transplantation in a normal BM, proving an active role of the niche microenvironment. Both stromal and hematopoietic components of the BM niche are altered in th3 mice. Consistently with the common finding of osteoporosis in patients, we found reduced bone deposition with decreased levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is a key regulator of bone metabolism but also of HSC activity. Low PTH negatively affects bone deposition and expression of the Notch-ligand Jag1 by th3 mesenchymal and osteolineage cells, thus reducing the activation of Notch1 in HSC and consequently impairing their function. In vivo activation of PTH signaling through the reestablished Jag1-Notch1 pathway restores the functional pool of th3 HSC by correcting HSC-niche crosstalk.

In addition to the stromal component of the BM, hematopoietic cells with a key role in regulating the fate of HSC, such as megakaryocytes (Mk), were found defective in maturation, possibly due to reduced circulating levels of thrombopoietin (TPO). We are currently investigating the molecular causes of dysmegakaryopoiesis and the Mk-HSC interaction in thalassemic mice.

Strikingly, reduced HSC quiescence was confirmed in samples from patients affected by β-thalassemia, along with impaired stromal niche and megakaryopoiesis, thus highlighting the clinical relevance of our findings. Further investigation will unravel the multiple molecular mechanisms that affect in trans HSC functions in the complexity of the stressed thalassemic BM microenvironment. Our results uncover a defect of HSC in β-thalassemia, induced by an altered BM niche and provide new relevant insight for improving transplantation and gene therapy approaches.

Disclosures

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Hemopexin Replacement Therapy Protects Sickle Cell Disease Mice from Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Ghosh Samit , Orikogbo Oluwaseun , Hazra Rimi , Flage Bethany , Crosby Danielle , Ofori-Acquah Solomon Fiifi
Published: February 2020

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major clinical concern during episodes of acute chest syndrome and vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease (SCD). AKI increases the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD). We previously showed that alpha-1-microglobulin (A1M), a low affinity heme-binding protein that carries heme for renal clearance is elevated in patients and mice with homozygous SCD (SS). Hemopexin (Hx), which primarily scavenges circulating heme to the liver, is exhausted in SCD. In this study, we explored the idea that acquired Hx deficiency in SCD is a risk factor for AKI development in SCD. We studied mice with a global knockout of Hx with no detectable plasma Hx at baseline. Plasma A1M was significantly elevated in the Hx-/-mice compared to control (Hx+/+) mice (n=5; p<0.01). We then transplanted whole bone marrow cells from SS mice into Hx+/+and Hx-/-mice to create bone marrow chimeric SSHx+/+and SSHx-/-mice with SCD phenotype. The chimeras had elevated plasma A1M compared to recipient littermates (Hx+/+and Hx-/-) and low baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Modest elevation of circulating heme with infusion of hemin (20 μmoles/kg bw) worsened GFR and caused severe AKI. Next, to determine whether hemin induced AKI is attenuated by elevation of circulating Hx, we infused SS mice with purified Hx, and control SS mice with either purified A1M or vehicle immediately prior to the hemin challenge. We observed improved GFR in the Hx-treated SS mice, while vehicle and A1M-treated mice suffered 23% and 39% loss of GFR respectively compared to their baseline. In agreement with the GFR data, the levels of several AKI diagnostic markers, plasma creatinine (plasma Cr), urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) and kidney injury molecule (uKIM-1) were elevated significantly in vehicle and A1M treated mice following hemin challenge. In Hx-treated mice, these biomarkers remained unaltered. Importantly, Hx infusions re-directed excess heme in SS mice to the liver, while A1M infusion significantly increased total heme content in the kidneys. Two-way ANOVA analysis of GFR (p<0.01) and plasma Cr (p<0.001) revealed significant exacerbation of kidney injury in A1M treated SS mice compared to vehicle treated mice. Histopathology of renal tissue showed considerable tissue damage in vehicle and A1M infused SS mice, while Hx treated SS mice kidneys appeared relatively normal. This study provides genetic evidence that hemopexin deficiency promotes AKI development in SCD, and we provide proof-of-principle for hemopexin replacement therapy to treat AKI in SCD.

Disclosures

Ofori-Acquah: Shire Human Genetic Therapies Inc: Other: Financial Relationship.
Hax1 Is Indispensable for Neutrophil Development in Zebrafish
Authors: Doll Larissa , Aghaallaei Narges , Welte Karl , Skokowa Julia , Bajoghli Baubak
Published: February 2020

Inherited deficiency of HCLS1-associated protein X1 (HAX1) in human leads to the development of severe congenital neutropenia (CN), which is characterized by impaired neutrophil development. Patients with HAX1 deficiency are prone to life-threatening infections beginning in their first months of life unless treated by recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) or bone marrow transplantation. But approximately 10% of these patients do not respond to the rhG-CSF therapy. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new tailored therapeutic strategies for the treatment of this disease. However, there is a lack of an animal model that allows high-throughput compound screening for the HAX1 associated neutropenia. In this study, we sought to determine the role of hax1 in zebrafish hematopoiesis. We used two approaches to interfere with the zebrafish hax1. First, we injected antisense morpholino that efficiently blocked the translation of hax1 mRNA. As a second approach, we used the CRISPR-Cas9 technique to introduce mutations in the zebrafish hax1 gene. Both approaches were used in the in wild-type embryos and transgenic (mpo:gfp) reporter line, where the neutrophils are labeled with GFP. We found that hax1 knockdown reduced the number of neutrophils, without affecting the development of HSPCs and monocytes/macrophages. Compared with their wild-type counterparts, hax1 morphants exhibited reduced expression levels of hcls1 and cebpa. Whereas the expression level of cebpb, a marker of emergency granulopoiesis, was upregulated. Next, we examined whether hax1 knockdown impairs the cellular viability because CN patients who harbor HAX1 mutations exhibit increased apoptosis of myeloid progenitors. Although zebrafish hax1 morphants showed increased cell death throughout the embryo, apoptosis was not triggered in the hematopoietic site. Therefore, our results suggested that reduced neutrophil numbers in zebrafish hax1 morphants is due to decreased production of neutrophils rather than increased cell death. To determine whether our zebrafish model is suitable for discovering human drugs, we treated zebrafish hax1 morphants with human G-CSF and rescued the quantitative reduction of neutrophils. Overall, we have successfully established a novel in vivo model for studying the HAX-1 role in the granulopoiesis, which might open new avenues for developing therapeutic strategies for CN.

Disclosures

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The Tetraspanin CD53 Regulates Early B Cell Development By Promoting IL-7R Signaling
Authors: Greenberg Zev J. , Monlish Darlene A. , Bartnett Rachel L. , Bednarski Jeffrey J. , Schuettpelz Laura G.
Published: February 2020

The tetraspanin CD53 has been implicated in B cell development and function. Tetraspanins are a family of transmembrane proteins important for organization of the plasma membrane and regulation of cellular migration, adhesion, and activation. CD53 has been shown to be a transcriptional target of EBF1, a critical transcription factor for early B cell development. Additional signaling for early B cell development occurs through the IL-7 receptor (IL-7R), where ligation promotes continued B cell differentiation and pro-survival/anti-apoptotic gene expression. Human deficiency of CD53 results in recurrent infections and reduced serum immunoglobulins. While prior studies have implicated a role for CD53 in regulating mature B cells, its role in early B cell development is not well understood.

Herein, we show that CD53 expression rapidly increases throughout B cell development, beginning at the pre-pro-B cell stage. With a CRISPR-generated knockout mouse, we show that Cd53-/- mice have significantly reduced bone marrow (25% fewer, p<0.005), splenic (35% fewer, p<0.05), lymphatic (65% fewer, p<0.0001), and peripheral (30% fewer, p<0.005) B cells compared to wild-type (WT) littermate controls. Mirroring the human phenotype, Cd53-/- mice have significantly reduced serum IgG and IgM (40% reduced, p<0.01). In addition, hematopoietic stem cells isolated from Cd53-/- mice give rise to 30% fewer B cells compared to controls in vitro (p=0.005). Analysis of bone marrow B cell development demonstrates that this loss of B cells originates with early B cell progenitors, which express nearly 50% less IL-7Ra than WT and reduced IL-7 signaling. Using mass cytometry, we identified differential signaling pathways downstream of IL-7R in B cell progenitors. Specifically, we observe impaired PI3K and STAT5 activation in pre-pro- and pro-B cells in the absence of CD53, with a consequent increase in apoptosis in these populations (p<0.01). Decreased STAT5 phosphorylation was confirmed by western blot. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrate a physical interaction between CD53 and IL-7Ra, suggesting that these proteins associate at the cell surface. Together, these data suggest a novel role for CD53 during IL-7 signaling to promote early B cell development. Ongoing studies are focused on determining the CD53 residues required for interaction with IL-7R.

Disclosures

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Dissimilarity of the gut–lung axis and dysbiosis of the lower airways in ventilated preterm infants
Authors: Gallacher David , Mitchell Emma , Alber Dagmar , Wach Richard , Klein Nigel , Marchesi Julian R. , Kotecha Sailesh
Published: February 2020

Background

Chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD), also called bronchopulmonary dysplasia, is a major consequence of preterm birth, but the role of the microbiome in its development remains unclear. Therefore, we assessed the progression of the bacterial community in ventilated preterm infants over time in the upper and lower airways, and assessed the gut–lung axis by comparing bacterial communities in the upper and lower airways with stool findings. Finally, we assessed whether the bacterial communities were associated with lung inflammation to suggest dysbiosis.

Methods

We serially sampled multiple anatomical sites including the upper airway (nasopharyngeal aspirates), lower airways (tracheal aspirate fluid and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) and the gut (stool) of ventilated preterm-born infants. Bacterial DNA load was measured in all samples and sequenced using the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene.

Results

From 1102 (539 nasopharyngeal aspirates, 276 tracheal aspirate fluid, 89 bronchoalveolar lavage, 198 stool) samples from 55 preterm infants, 352 (32%) amplified suitably for 16S RNA gene sequencing. Bacterial load was low at birth and quickly increased with time, but was associated with predominant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in all sample types. There was dissimilarity in bacterial communities between the upper and lower airways and the gut, with a separate dysbiotic inflammatory process occurring in the lower airways of infants. Individual OTUs were associated with increased inflammatory markers.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings suggest that targeted treatment of the predominant organisms, including those not routinely treated, such asUreaplasmaspp., may decrease the development of CLD in preterm-born infants.
The modular nature of protein evolution: domain rearrangement rates across eukaryotic life
Authors: Dohmen Elias , Klasberg Steffen , Bornberg-Bauer Erich , Perrey Sören , Kemena Carsten
Published: February 2020

Background

Modularity is important for evolutionary innovation. The recombination of existing units to form larger complexes with new functionalities spares the need to create novel elements from scratch. In proteins, this principle can be observed at the level of protein domains, functional subunits which are regularly rearranged to acquire new functions.

Results

In this study we analyse the mechanisms leading to new domain arrangements in five major eukaryotic clades (vertebrates, insects, fungi, monocots and eudicots) at unprecedented depth and breadth. This allows, for the first time, to directly compare rates of rearrangements between different clades and identify both lineage specific and general patterns of evolution in the context of domain rearrangements. We analyse arrangement changes along phylogenetic trees by reconstructing ancestral domain content in combination with feasible single step events, such as fusion or fission. Using this approach we explain up to 70% of all rearrangements by tracing them back to their precursors. We find that rates in general and the ratio between these rates for a given clade in particular, are highly consistent across all clades. In agreement with previous studies, fusions are the most frequent event leading to new domain arrangements. A lineage specific pattern in fungi reveals exceptionally high loss rates compared to other clades, supporting recent studies highlighting the importance of loss for evolutionary innovation. Furthermore, our methodology allows us to link domain emergences at specific nodes in the phylogenetic tree to important functional developments, such as the origin of hair in mammals.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that domain rearrangements are based on a canonical set of mutational events with rates which lie within a relatively narrow and consistent range. In addition, gained knowledge about these rates provides a basis for advanced domain-based methodologies for phylogenetics and homology analysis which complement current sequence-based methods.
Optical coherence tomography features of retinal lesions in Chinese patients with endogenous Candida endophthalmitis
Authors: Zhuang Hong , Ding Xinyi , Gao Fengjuan , Zhang Ting , Ni Yingqin , Chang Qing , Xu Gezhi
Published: February 2020

Background

To evaluate the optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of retinal lesions in Chinese patients with endogenous Candida endophthalmitis (ECE).

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with ECE at one medical center. The medical records of the patients including predisposing risk factors, treatment and visual acuity were reviewed. And we focused on the analysis of OCT images of retinal lesions before and after treatment.

Results

A total of 16 Chinese patients (22 eyes) were included in this study. The most frequent predisposing risk factors were intravenous use of corticosteroids or antibiotics, lithotripsy for urinary calculi, and diabetes. After treatment, visual acuity was improved in 13 (59.1%) of the 22 eyes, and remained the same in the other 9 (40.9%) eyes. Pre-treatment OCT images obtained at presentation were available for 17 of the 22 eyes. Four types of the OCT manifestations of retinal lesions were identified: type 1 (subretinal macular lesions), type 2 (lesions are located in the inner retinal layer), type 3 (lesions involve the full-thickness retina and accompanied with macular edema), type 4 (sub-inner limiting membrane lesions). Pre-treatment OCT imaging of the 17 eyes revealed five as type 1, four as type 2, six as type 3, and two as type 4. After treatment, OCT images revealed epiretinal membrane and subretinal fibrosis as the most common post-treatment complications of ECE. Epiretinal membrane was detected in 2/4 type 2 lesions, in 4/6 type 3 lesions, and in 1/2 type 4 lesions, while subretinal fibrosis was mainly seen in type 1 lesions (4/5). Among the types, visual prognosis was best in eyes with type 2 lesions.

Conclusions

In this case series, the OCT manifestations of retinal lesions in ECE could be classified into four types. The post-treatment OCT manifestations were different in four types of lesions. We preliminarily found that the OCT morphology of retinal lesions was associated with the visual prognosis of ECE.
Better influenza vaccines: an industry perspective
Authors: Chen Juine-Ruey , Liu Yo-Min , Tseng Yung-Chieh , Ma Che
Published: February 2020

Vaccination is the most effective measure at preventing influenza virus infections. However, current seasonal influenza vaccines are only protective against closely matched circulating strains. Even with extensive monitoring and annual reformulation our efforts remain one step behind the rapidly evolving virus, often resulting in mismatches and low vaccine effectiveness. Fortunately, many next-generation influenza vaccines are currently in development, utilizing an array of innovative techniques to shorten production time and increase the breadth of protection. This review summarizes the production methods of current vaccines, recent advances that have been made in influenza vaccine research, and highlights potential challenges that are yet to be overcome. Special emphasis is put on the potential role of glycoengineering in influenza vaccine development, and the advantages of removing the glycan shield on influenza surface antigens to increase vaccine immunogenicity. The potential for future development of these novel influenza vaccine candidates is discussed from an industry perspective.
The efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments for lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Authors: Wang Qi , Luo Mengqi , Xiang Bo , Chen Siyuan , Ji Yi
Published: February 2020

Background

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, low-grade multisystem neoplastic disease. Most LAM patients are at a high risk of losing lung function at an accelerated rate and developing progressive dyspnea. Recently, several studies have reported their experience with pharmacological treatments for LAM. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of these therapies.

Methods

PubMed (Medline), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and EBSCO Host were searched (until March 31, 2019) for eligible prospective studies regarding LAM patients treated with pharmacological treatments. Random effect models were used for quantitative analysis.

Results

Fourteen prospective studies regarding five pharmacological treatments (including sirolimus, everolimus, doxycycline, triptorelin, and a combination therapy of sirolimus and hydroxychloroquine) were enrolled in our systematic review, and ten of them were used for the meta-analysis. Seven prospective studies reported that sirolimus was effective at improving or stabilizing lung function and alleviating renal angiomyolipoma (AML) in LAM patients. Subsequent quantitative analyses showed that during sirolimus treatment, the pooled values of lung function and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) were not significantly changed (P > 0.05), with the pooled response rate of AML being 0.62 (95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 0.43 to 0.82, I2 = 65%). Regarding everolimus, three prospective studies reported similar effects to those of sirolimus with regard to preserving lung function and reducing AMLs. The meta-analysis showed that the changes in lung function during everolimus treatment were not statistically significant (P > 0.05), while the pooled response rate of AML was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.68 to 0.88, I2 = 8%). Neither the qualitative nor the quantitative results confirmed the benefits of doxycycline or triptorelin treatment, and the effects of the combination therapy were unclear in LAM patients. Most of the adverse events during pharmacological treatments were low or moderate grade and tolerable.

Conclusions

Overall, sirolimus and everolimus were recommended for the treatment of LAM because they could stabilize lung function and alleviate renal AML. Doxycycline and triptorelin were not recommended for the treatment of LAM because no beneficial outcomes were consistently observed. The efficacy and safety of combination therapy remain to be further explored.
Epileptic seizure classifications using empirical mode decomposition and its derivative
Authors: Karabiber Cura Ozlem , Kocaaslan Atli Sibel , Türe Hatice Sabiha , Akan Aydin
Published: February 2020

Background

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders associated with disruption of brain activity. In the classification and detection of epileptic seizures, electroencephalography (EEG) measurements, which record the electrical activities of the brain, are frequently used. Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and its derivative, ensemble EMD (EEMD) are recently developed methods used to decompose non-stationary and nonlinear signals such as EEG into a finite number of oscillations called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Our main objective in this study is to present a hybrid IMF selection method combining four different approaches (energy, correlation, power spectral distance, and statistical significance measures), and investigate the effect of selected IMFs extracted by EMD and EEMD on the classification. We have applied the proposed IMF selection approach on the classification of EEG signals recorded from epilepsy patients who are under treatment at our collaborator hospital. Multichannel EEG signals collected from epilepsy patients are decomposed into IMFs, and then IMF selection was performed. Finally, time- and spectral-domain, and nonlinear features are extracted and feature sets are created for the classification.

Results

The maximum classification accuracies obtained using various combinations of IMFs were 94.56%, 95.63%, 96.8%, and 96.25% for SVM, KNN, naive Bayes, and logistic regression classifiers, respectively, by using EMD analysis; whereas, the EEMD approach has provided maximum classification accuracies of 96.06%, 97%, 97%, and 96.25% for SVM, KNN, naive Bayes, and logistic regression, respectively. Classification performance with the same features obtained using direct EEG signals instead of the decomposed IMFs was worse than the aforementioned 2 approaches for every combination.

Conclusion

Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed IMF selection approach affects the classification results. Also, EEMD provides a robust method for feature extraction from EEG signals in order to classify pre-seizure and seizure segments.
Effects of very early start of norepinephrine in patients with septic shock: a propensity score-based analysis
Authors: Ospina-Tascón Gustavo A. , Hernandez Glenn , Alvarez Ingrid , Calderón-Tapia Luis E. , Manzano-Nunez Ramiro , Sánchez-Ortiz Alvaro I. , Quiñones Egardo , Ruiz-Yucuma Juan E. , Aldana José L. , Teboul Jean-Louis , Cavalcanti Alexandre Biasi , De Backer Daniel , Bakker Jan
Published: February 2020

Background

Optimal timing for the start of vasopressors (VP) in septic shock has not been widely studied since it is assumed that fluids must be administered in advance. We sought to evaluate whether a very early start of VP, even without completing the initial fluid loading, might impact clinical outcomes in septic shock.

Methods

A total of 337 patients with sepsis requiring VP support for at least 6 h were initially selected from a prospectively collected database in a 90-bed mixed-ICU during a 24-month period. They were classified into very-early (VE-VPs) or delayed vasopressor start (D-VPs) categories according to whether norepinephrine was initiated or not within/before the next hour of the first resuscitative fluid load. Then, VE-VPs (n = 93) patients were 1:1 propensity matched to D-VPs (n = 93) based on age; source of admission (emergency room, general wards, intensive care unit); chronic and acute comorbidities; and lactate, heart rate, systolic, and diastolic pressure at vasopressor start. A risk-adjusted Cox proportional hazard model was fitted to assess the association between VE-VPs and day 28 mortality. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed also including those patients requiring VP support for less than 6 h.

Results

Patients subjected to VE-VPs received significantly less resuscitation fluids at vasopressor starting (0[0–510] vs. 1500[650–2300] mL, p < 0.001) and during the first 8 h of resuscitation (1100[500–1900] vs. 2600[1600–3800] mL, p < 0.001), with no significant increase in acute renal failure and/or renal replacement therapy requirements. VE-VPs was related with significant lower net fluid balances 8 and 24 h after VPs. VE-VPs was also associated with a significant reduction in the risk of death compared to D-VPs (HR 0.31, CI95% 0.17–0.57, p < 0.001) at day 28. Such association was maintained after including patients receiving vasopressors for < 6 h.

Conclusion

A very early start of vasopressor support seems to be safe, might limit the amount of fluids to resuscitate septic shock, and could lead to better clinical outcomes.
Nutritional support in sepsis: when less may be more
Authors: van Niekerk Gustav , Meaker Charné , Engelbrecht Anna-Mart
Published: February 2020

Despite sound basis to suspect that aggressive and early administration of nutritional support may hold therapeutic benefits during sepsis, recommendations for nutritional support have been somewhat underwhelming. Current guidelines (ESPEN and ASPEN) recognise a lack of clear evidence demonstrating the beneficial effect of nutritional support during sepsis, raising the question: why, given the perceived low efficacy of nutritionals support, are there no high-quality clinical trials on the efficacy of permissive underfeeding in sepsis? Here, we review clinically relevant beneficial effects of permissive underfeeding, motivating the urgent need to investigate the clinical benefits of delaying nutritional support during sepsis.
Seismic Hazard Function (SHF) study of coastal sources of Sumatra Island: SHF evaluation of Padang and Bengkulu cities
Authors: Triyoso Wahyu , Suwondo Aris , Yudistira Tedi , Sahara David P.
Published: February 2020

Significant earthquakes on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, have predominantly been earthquakes with a thrust mechanism that occurred due to the subduction process and seismotectonics near coastal cities of West and South Sumatra, which could be affected by earthquakes triggered by these seismic sources. We compared the Seismic Hazard Function (SHF) of two coastal cities of Sumatra: Bengkulu and Padang. The results showed that the SHF of Bengkulu is higher than that of Padang. Estimated earthquake hazards are presented in the form of seismic hazard maps expressed as the PGA of 10% rate of exceedance probability in 50 years. In estimating the seismic potential in Sumatra, the seismic moment rate was jointly estimated from the smoothed mean seismicity rate and the pre-seismic subduction surface strain rate model. In this study, the island of Sumatra was chosen as a master model for Seismic Hazard Analysis (SHA). The motivation for choosing Sumatra for the SHA was because of the large body of complete historical earthquake data of the North Western Sunda Arc. The SHF is calculated based on a magnitude range of 6.0 to 9.0 during 50 years with the radius distance from the source less than or equal to 100 km.
Migration as one of several adaptation strategies for environmental limitations in Tunisia: evidence from El Faouar
Authors: Sobczak-Szelc Karolina , Fekih Naima
Published: February 2020

Water scarcity and management of this problem are increasingly acknowledged in development policies as well as in adaptation and migration discourse. In South Mediterranean countries, insufficient water supplies in oases are the biggest limitation on yields of sufficient quantity and quality and increase in arable land, in short, the development of agriculture. Insufficient income from agriculture, when it is the main source of revenue, can push people to migrate. However, migration does not have to be the measure of last resort. Proper adaption to this limitation, including proactive migration, can reduce forced movements from this region in the future. The main aim of this paper is to identify and analyse household strategies, including migration, to cope with and adapt to the impact of environmental changes and limitations on agricultural development in the South Mediterranean. This paper is based on field research carried out in the El Faouar oasis area in Tunisia using a mixed-method approach. The results show that the inhabitants of El Faouar must cope with unforeseen crop destruction limiting their daily expenses by selling livestock or, in years of drought, migrating to look for additional sources of income. The results also show that local households try to increase their resistance to climate change, environmental limitations, and permanent migration by developing their agricultural capacity, provided they have additional resources from such endeavours as work outside El Faouar or remittances. Moreover, migration has become part of a wider process of socio-economic transformation in which people leave in order to cope with or adapt to environmental changes.
Impact of manual correction over automated segmentation of spectral domain optical coherence tomography
Authors: de Azevedo Alexandre Gomes Bortoloti , Takitani Guilherme Eiichi da Silva , Godoy Bruno Rebello , Marianelli Bruna Ferraço , Saraiva Vinicius , Tavares Ivan Maynart , Roisman Luiz
Published: February 2020

Objective

To study the automated segmentation of retinal layers using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the impact of manual correction over segmentation mistakes.

Methods

This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, comparative study that compared the automated segmentation of macular thickness using Spectralis™ OCT technology (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) versus manual segmentation in eyes with no macular changes, macular cystoid edema (CME), and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Automated segmentation of macular thickness was manually corrected by two independent examiners and reanalyzed by them together in case of disagreement.

Results

In total, 306 eyes of 254 consecutive patients were evaluated. No statistically significant differences were noted between automated and manual macular thickness measurements in patients with normal maculas, while a statistically significant difference was found in central thickness in patients with CNV and with CME. Segmentation mistakes in macular OCTs were present in 5.3% (5 of 95) in the normal macula group, 16.4% (23 of 140) in the CME group, and 66.2% (47 of 71) in CNV group. The difference between automated and manual macular thickness was higher than 10% in 1.4% (2 of 140) in the CME group and in 28.17% (20 of 71) in the CNV group. Only one case in the normal group had a higher than 10% segmentation error (1 of 95).

Conclusion

The evaluation of automated segmented OCT images revealed appropriate delimitation of macular thickness in patients with no macular changes or with CME, since the frequency and magnitude of the segmentation mistakes had low impact over clinical evaluation of the images. Conversely, automated macular thickness segmentation in patients with CNV showed a high frequency and magnitude of mistakes, with potential impact on clinical analysis.
Peace journalism in Turkish-Greek relations: A dream or a goal?
Authors: Paksoy Alaaddin
Published: February 2020

Several studies in the literature analysed the media coverage of Turkish-Greek relations both in Turkish and Greek press. However, only a few attributions were made to the notion of peace journalism and its meaning in Turkish-Greek relations. This paper focuses on the notion of peace journalism and tries to define it both in literature and in practical terms. To do this, the paper also seeks to understand what is meant by pro-war journalism and what are its differences compared to peace journalism. The paper also presents the critiques on peace journalism and discusses if this type of journalism can be really useful in practice. Besides, the empirical work of the paper is based on the Turkish press coverage of Turkish-Greek relations. The news items focusing on Turkish-Greek relations and including the word “peace” will be examined by using content analysis. The time sample of the research will be between 2004 and 2017. As it is technically not possible to focus on all news items throughout the period, the news items will be chosen from different important political events related to Turkish-Greek relations (e.g. The Annan Plan period, bilateral visits of politicians). The papers selected from the Turkish press for this study are Cumhuriyet, Hürriyet, Milliyet, Sabah, and Türkiye. One can argue that the papers can represent different political stances and different media company ownership. All in all, the paper seeks to answer this main research question: “How does the notion of ‘peace’ is being used by the Turkish press in the news items about Turkish-Greek relations”. As this paper presents the preliminary findings of the research, the findings in the paper are limited and do not represent the complete research.
Super-Kamiokande neutrino oscillations and the supersymmetric model
Authors: Faessler A.
Published: February 2020

The standard model predicts a ratio of 2 for the number of atmospheric muon to electron neutrinos, while super-Kamiokande and others measure a much smaller value (1.30±0.02 for super-Kamiokande). Super-Kamiokande is also able to measure roughly the direction and the energy of the neutrinos. The zenith-angle dependence for the muon neutrinos suggests that the muon neutrinos oscillate into a third neutrino species, either into the r neutrino or a sterile neutrino. This finding is inves- tigated within the supersymmetric model. The neutrinos mix with the neutralinos, this meaning the wino, the bino and the two higgsinos. The 7 x 7 mass matrix is calculated on the tree level. One finds that the mass matrix has three linearly dependent rows, which means that two masses are zero. They are identified with the two lightest neutrino masses. The fit of the super-Kamiokande data to oscillations between three neutrinos yields, together with the result of supersymmetry, that the third neutrino mass lies between 2x10^-2 and 10^-1 eV. The two lightest neutrino masses are in supersymmetry on the tree level zero. The averaged electron neutrino mass which is the essential parameter in the neutrinoless double-beta decay is given by {m_ve) ~ m_v3 P_ze < 0.8 x10^-2 eV (95% confidence limit). It is derived from the super-Kamiokande data in this supersymmetric model to be two orders smaller than the best value (1 eV) from the neutrinoless double-beta decay.
Study of the proton deformation using the Out-Of-Plane Spectrometers
Authors: Kaloskamis N. I. , Papanicolas C. N. , OOPS Collaboration And the
Published: February 2020

Nucleon deformation can be studied through electro-excitation to the first nucleon resonance, the Δ+(1232), and quantified through the quadrupole amplitudes in the γ*Ν --> Δ transition. A search for these small amplitudes has been the fo­ cus of a series of measurements undertaken at Bates-MIT. A first set of in-plane data show evidence for strong resonant and non-resonant ("background") ampli­ tudes in the longitudinal-transverse interference, which is sensitive to leading order to quadrupole contributions. Using beams of polarized electrons and the technique of out-of-plane detection, a second data set was collected on the two hadronic decay channels. It contains the first measurement of the fifth structure function on the nucléon, which provides an important theoretical constraint on the "background" amplitudes. Planned future measurements will focus on refining the resonance- background decomposition which is absolutely necessary before conclusions on the issue of nucléon deformation can be drawn.
Alpha particle transmission coefficients from a global optical potential
Authors: Nicolis N. G. , Papachristodoulou C. A.
Published: February 2020

Statistical model calculations involving a large number of emitted particles can be greatly facilitated by using transmission coefficients in a parametrized form. Thus, the execution and storage of the results of extensive optical model calculations can be avoided. Along these lines, a parametrization of optical model transmission coefficients, involving n, p, 2H, 3He and 4He on many targets, was produced some years ago. In the present work, we question the validity of this technique in the description of low-energy alpha particle evaporation. We propose a new parametrization with an improved low energy behavior.
Heavy-ion RBS characterization of multilayer TiNx-SiO2-Si structures
Authors: Aslanoglou X. , Evangelou E. , Konofaos N. , Dimitriades Ch. , Kossionides E. , Kaliampakos G.
Published: February 2020

Multilayer structures consisting of TiNx-SiO2-Si layers operating as MOS devices were constructed and tested for their electrical properties. RBS measurements were performed for the characterization of the structure of the devices. The results show a correlation between the structure found by RBS and the electrical performance of the devices.
New developments in Time-Asymmetry of Quantum Field Theories
Authors: Syros C.
Published: February 2020

Time-asymmetric evolution is derived from time-reversal invariant fundamental QFT-equations. Chrono-topology, the disconnected time topological space J4, is the playground for the generalized random and infinitely divisable quantum fields, a new development in time-asymmetry. Based on the properties of this time space and using the theory of random quantum fields previously developed a non-unitary, complexity evolution operator, C(J4), is derived. C(J4) breaks down, by Bohr- quantizing the field-action integral, alternatively into two, spontaneously renormal- ized parts: One, (unitary) Uu(r), implying U - processes and one (non-measure- preserving), Knmp(r), producing R - processes. Unmp(r), breaks time-symmetry and provides a basis for CP-violation in QFT and in particular in the K0-meson decay. Functional integrals arising in the theory have as a limit Feynman's path integral in accordance with the measure theoretical requirements. Irreversibility and time-symmetry are not incompatible (compare Boltzmann, Poincaré) in chrono-topology.
The diversity of immune reactions to balneotherapy and their accompaniments
Authors: Struk Zoryana , Mel’nyk Oksana , Zukow Walery , Popovych Igor
Published: February 2020

Background.Earlier have been shown that the immune responses to course of drinking of Naftussya bioactive water from Truskavet’s spa are ambiguous and individual. However, at Truskavets’ spa water monotherapy is a rare exception for specific contingents, whereas the vast majority of patients use a balneotherapy complex: drinking of Naftussya, application of ozokerite and mineral baths. The immune responses to balneotherapeutic complex are also ambiguous which is a separate manifestation of the multivariate effects of balneological agents as well stressors on the body. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze variants of immune responses to balneotherapeutic complex of Truskavets’ spa. Material and methods. Theobjectofobservationwere 34menand 10 womenaged24-70yearsold,whocametotheTruskavets’ spa for the treatment of chronic pyelonephritis combined withcholecystitis inremission. The survey was conducted twice, before and after balneotherapy (drinking Naftussya bioactive water three times a day, ozokerite applications, mineral baths every other day for 7-10 days). Immune status evaluated on a set of I and II levels recommended by the WHO. In portion of capillary blood we counted up Leukocytogram and calculated two variants of Adaptation Index as well as two variants of Strain Index by IL Popovych. We calculated also the Entropy of Immunocytogram and Leukocytogram. The condition of Microbiota is evaluated on the results of sowing of feces and urine. Results. Four variants of the immune responses to balneotherapeutic complex have been identified. In 40,9% of patients, initially normal immune status did not change significantly. In 31,8%, the lower boundary level of immunity is completely normalized. In 22,7% moderate immunosuppression is reduced, but not up to normal. However, in 4,5% of people, initially normal level of immunity are transformed into moderate immunosuppression. Discriminant analysis was conducted to identify exactly the parameters of the immunity and microbiota, in which the four immune response clusters differ significantly from each other. 24 parameters were characteristic, 12 of them related to the immune parameters of the blood, one of the saliva, 5 of the feces microbiota and 3 related to urinary syndrome as well as 4 parameters are information. The other 25 parameters were outside the discriminatory model. Conclusion. The immunotropic effect of balneotherapy on certain individuals is not effective enough, and in some cases even unfavorable.