bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebellitis as a rare manifestation of scrub typhus fever
Authors: Gupta Samiksha , Grover Sahil , Gupta Monica , Kaur Daljinderjit
Published: May 2020

Scrub typhus is a mite-borne rickettsial disease caused byOrientia tsutsugamushi,a gram-negative coccobacilli transmitted through the bite of chigger mite. Scrub typhus has diverse clinical manifestations, often presenting either as a simple febrile illness or as a complicated multi-organ dysfunction. Neurological complications in scrub typhus are diverse but their exact incidence is unknown. Cerebellitis is another rare neurological manifestation associated with scrub typhus. Here, we report the case of a 26-year-old woman with serologically confirmed scrub typhus presenting with fever and gross cerebellar dysfunction. MRI was normal. She was managed with antimicrobials and made an uneventful recovery.
Spatial expression of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor and caveolin-1 in hepatocytes with macrovesicular steatosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Yokomori Hiroaki , Ando Wataru
Published: May 2020

Objective

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) mediates β cell function. Its receptor agonists, currently used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, might be effective against NASH. GLP-1R, a G protein-coupled receptor family member, preferentially localises to caveolae. Therefore, we ascertained the cellular localisation of GLP-1R and caveolin (CAV)-1 in NASH liver.

Methods

Liver biopsies were obtained from three patients with NASH and were compared with those of four normal patients. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) were used to compare GLP-1R and CAV-1 expression in the livers of patients with metastatic liver cancer and normal patients.

Results

IHC showed that GLP-1R localised to basolateral membranes of hepatocytes with macrovesicular steatosis and was expressed in monocytes infiltrating hepatic sinusoids. CAV-1 was minimally associated with low-electron density lipid droplets (LDs) in hepatocytes. IEM showed small clusters of GLP-1R molecules on the peripheral rims of LDs and on cytoplasmic leaflets of endoplasmic reticulum membranes and vesicles, whereas CAV-1 molecules were found in LD caveolae.

Conclusions

GLP-1R is present in the lipid microdomains of hepatocytes with macrovesicular steatosis. These results may help inform future studies about the liver-specific mechanisms of GLP-1 modulation in NASH therapy.
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and the management of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Yousaf Muhammad Nadeem , Chaudhary Fizah S , Ehsan Amrat , Suarez Alejandro L , Muniraj Thiruvengadam , Jamidar Priya , Aslanian Harry R , Farrell James J
Published: May 2020

Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in western countries. Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancers plays a key role in the management by identification of patients who are surgical candidates. The advancement in the radiological imaging and interventional endoscopy (including endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic enteral stenting techniques) has a significant impact in the diagnostic evaluation, staging and treatment of pancreatic cancer. The multidisciplinary involvement of radiology, gastroenterology, medical oncology and surgical oncology is central to the management of patients with pancreatic cancers. This review aims to highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic role of EUS in the management of patients with pancreatic malignancy, especially pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
How to prevent and address safeguarding concerns in global health research programmes: practice, process and positionality in marginalised spaces
Authors: Aktar Bachera , Alam Wafa , Ali Samiha , Awal Abdul , Bayoh Margaret , Chumo Ivy , Contay Yirah , Conteh Abu , Dean Laura , Dobson Skye , Edstrom Jerker , Elsey Helen , Farnaz Nadia , Garimella Surekha , Gray Linsay , Gupte Jaideep , Hawkins Kate , Hollihead Beth , Josyula Kunhi Lakshmi , Kabaria Caroline , Karuga Robinson , Kimani Joseph , Leyland Alastair H , te Lintelo Dolf , Mansaray Bintu , MacCarthy Joseph , MacGregor Hayley , Mberu Blessing , Muturi Nelly , Okoth Linet , Otiso Lilian , Ozano Kim , Parray Ateeb , Phillips-Howard Penny , Rao Vinodkumar , Rashid Sabina , Raven Joanna , Refell Francis , Saidu Samuel , Sobhan Shafinaz , Saligram Prasanna Subramanya , Sesay Samira , Theobald Sally , Tolhurst Rachel , Tubb Phil , Waldman Linda , Wariutu Jane , Whittaker Lana , Wurie Haja
Published: May 2020

Safeguarding is rapidly rising up the international development agenda, yet literature on safeguarding in related research is limited. This paper shares processes and practice relating to safeguarding within an international research consortium (the ARISE hub, known as ARISE). ARISE aims to enhance accountability and improve the health and well-being of marginalised people living and working in informal urban spaces in low-income and middle-income countries (Bangladesh, India, Kenya and Sierra Leone). Our manuscript is divided into three key sections. We start by discussing the importance of safeguarding in global health research and consider how thinking about vulnerability as a relational concept (shaped by unequal power relations and structural violence) can help locate fluid and context specific safeguarding risks within broader social systems. We then discuss the different steps undertaken in ARISE to develop a shared approach to safeguarding: sharing institutional guidelines and practice; facilitating a participatory process to agree a working definition of safeguarding and joint understandings of vulnerabilities, risks and mitigation strategies and share experiences; developing action plans for safeguarding. This is followed by reflection on our key learnings including how safeguarding, ethics and health and safety concerns overlap; the challenges of referral and support for safeguarding concerns within frequently underserved informal urban spaces; and the importance of reflective practice and critical thinking about power, judgement and positionality and the ownership of the global narrative surrounding safeguarding. We finish by situating our learning within debates on decolonising science and argue for the importance of an iterative, ongoing learning journey that is critical, reflective and inclusive of vulnerable people.
Using video calling to simulate arthroscopic surgery in a resource-poor setting
Authors: Stoddart Michael Thomas , Rolt Lucy Mary Frances
Published: May 2020

There is high demand for arthroscopic procedures in the developing world. Simulation allows trainees to develop basic arthroscopic skills away from theatre, where there may be reduced surgical exposure compared with centres with established arthroscopic practice. Smartphones are widely available and accessible throughout the world. We propose a method to create a low-cost, low-fidelity arthroscopic simulator that can be used at home by using the video call function of smartphones. We used readily available materials from a local market. An adequately sized cardboard box was used to house exercises, LED head torch as a light source, bamboo skewers as probes and a smartphone with video call function allowed visualisation without the need to purchase additional equipment. The whole simulator was constructed using less than 50 ZAR (US$3) of new materials. The arthroscopic simulator can be built simply and is easily portable. Established training exercises can be practised and allow development of basic arthroscopic skills. Our home-made simulator is inexpensive, simple to construct and does not require additional hardware (or software) purchases by the trainee. It is a perfect solution for individuals who want to practise their arthroscopic skills, either at home or at the workplace.
Mnemonics for diagnostic criteria of DSM V mental disorders: a scoping review
Authors: Kadiyala Pavan Kumar
Published: May 2020

A multitude of psychiatric disorders have been described in classification systems like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM V). Diagnosing a specific mental disorder requires memorising specific symptom criteria, and their improper recall may result in misdiagnosis. Clinicians may use mnemonics, considering them as narratives or anecdotes of the diagnostic criteria. A scoping review of previously described mnemonics for DSM diagnostic criteria was carried out. An electronic search was done in PubMed, Google Scholar, Google Books and Google Search engine using a prespecified search strategy. Reference lists of relevant articles and chapters were hand searched to identify original and additional articles. Mnemonics retrieved from websites were manually searched in Google to identify published journal articles or chapters for the same mnemonics. Additionally, some mnemonics were developed, modified or added based on the author’s knowledge. The comprehensive search identified 93 records (44 journal articles, 45 books and 4 websites) eligible for the review. Most of the mnemonics retrieved were related in some way to the disorder itself. They were listed under the heading of their respective disorders and indexed in the same order as in DSM V. The mnemonics that reflect a facet of their respective disorders were elaborated in detail.
Update on cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome
Authors: Lin Yen-Heng , Liu Hon-Man
Published: May 2020

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is a clinical syndrome following a revascularization procedure. In the past decade, neurointerventional surgery has become a standard procedure to treat stenotic or occluded cerebral vessels in both acute and chronic settings, as well as endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. This review aims to summarize relevant recent studies regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of CHS as well as to highlight areas of uncertainty. Extracranial and intracranial cerebrovascular diseases in acute and chronic conditions are considered. The definition and diagnostic criteria of CHS are diverse. Although impaired cerebrovascular autoregulation plays a major role in the pathophysiology of CHS, the underlying mechanism is still not fully understood. Its clinical characteristics vary in different patients. The current findings on clinical and radiological presentation, pathophysiology, incidence, and risk factors are based predominantly on carotid angioplasty and stenting studies. Hemodynamic assessment using imaging modalities is the main form of diagnosis although the criteria are distinct, but it is helpful for patient selection before an elective revascularization procedure is conducted. After endovascular thrombectomy, a diagnosis of CHS is even more complex, and physicians should consider concomitant reperfusion injury. Management and preventative measures, including intensive blood pressure control before, during, and after revascularization procedures and staged angioplasty, are discussed in detail.
Predictors of poor clinical outcome despite complete reperfusion in acute ischemic stroke patients
Authors: van Horn Noel , Kniep Helge , Leischner Hannes , McDonough Rosalie , Deb-Chatterji Milani , Broocks Gabriel , Thomalla Goetz , Brekenfeld Caspar , Fiehler Jens , Hanning Uta , Flottmann Fabian
Published: May 2020

Background

In patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke from large vessel occlusion (LVO), mechanical thrombectomy (MT) often leads to successful reperfusion. Only approximately half of these patients have a favorable clinical outcome. Our aim was to determine the prognostic factors associated with poor clinical outcome following complete reperfusion.

Methods

Patients treated with MT for LVO from a prospective single-center stroke registry between July 2015 and April 2019 were screened. Complete reperfusion was defined as Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) grade 3. A modified Rankin scale at 90 days (mRS90) of 3–6 was defined as ‘poor outcome’. A logistic regression analysis was performed with poor outcome as a dependent variable, and baseline clinical data, comorbidities, stroke severity, collateral status, and treatment information as independent variables.

Results

123 patients with complete reperfusion (TICI 3) were included in this study. Poor clinical outcome was observed in 67 (54.5%) of these patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified greater age (adjusted OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.17; p=0.001), higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.28; p=0.024), and lower Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.84; p=0.007) as independent predictors of poor outcome. Poor outcome was independent of collateral score.

Conclusion

Poor clinical outcome is observed in a large proportion of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with MT, despite complete reperfusion. In this study, futile recanalization was shown to occur independently of collateral status, but was associated with increasing age and stroke severity.
Relationship of white matter lesion severity with early and late outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel stroke
Authors: Albo Zimbul , Marino Jose , Nagy Muhammad , Jayaraman Dilip K , Azeem Muhammad U , Puri Ajit S , Henninger Nils
Published: May 2020

Background

White matter lesions (WML) are associated with poor outcome after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for large vessel stroke; the reasons are uncertain. To elucidate this issue we sought to determine the association of WML with multiple early and late outcome measures after MT.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 181 MT patients prospectively included in our local stroke registry (January 2012 to November 2016). Using multiple regression modeling, we assessed whether WML was independently associated with early outcomes (successful recanalization, degree of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) improvement, hemorrhagic transformation, duration of hospitalization) as well as an unfavorable 90-day modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) (≥3) and 90-day survival. Explorative analyses examined the association with the 90-day home-time and 90-day risk for hospital readmission.

Results

WML were not significantly associated with early outcome measure (P>0.05, each). Patients with moderate-to-severe WML more often had an unfavorable mRS (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.04 to 8.33) and risk of death (HR 1.98, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.84) after adjustment for pertinent confounders. Patients with moderate-to-severe WML had a significantly shorter home-time (19±32 vs 47±38 days, P<0.001) and Kaplan–Meier analyses indicated a significantly greater risk for hospital readmission within 90 days (log rank P=0.045), with the most frequent reasons being recurrent stroke and transient ischemic attack.

Conclusion

Our analyses suggest that poor outcomes among patients with moderate-to-severe WML were related to factors unrelated to procedural success and risk. WML should not be used to render treatment decisions in otherwise eligible patients. Aggressive monitoring of medical complications after MT could represent a viable strategy to improve outcome in affected patients.
Workplace violence and health in human service industries: a systematic review of prospective and longitudinal studies
Authors: Nyberg Anna , Kecklund Göran , Hanson Linda Magnusson , Rajaleid Kristiina
Published: May 2020

Objectives

To provide systematically evaluated evidence of prospective associations between exposure to physical, psychological and gender-based violence and health among healthcare, social care and education workers.

Methods

The guidelines on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were followed. Medline, Cinahl, Web of Science and PsycInfo were searched for population: human service workers; exposure: workplace violence; and study type: prospective or longitudinal in articles published 1990–August 2019. Quality assessment was performed based on a modified version of the Cochrane’s ‘Tool to Assess Risk of Bias in Cohort Studies’.

Results

After deduplication, 3566 studies remained, of which 132 articles were selected for full-text screening and 28 were included in the systematic review. A majority of the studies focused on healthcare personnel, were from the Nordic countries and were assessed to have medium quality. Nine of 11 associations between physical violence and poor mental health were statistically significant, and 3 of 4 associations between physical violence and sickness absence. Ten of 13 associations between psychological violence and poor mental health were statistically significant and 6 of 6 associations between psychological violence and sickness absence. The only study on gender-based violence and health reported a statistically non-significant association.

Conclusion

There is consistent evidence mainly in medium quality studies of prospective associations between psychological violence and poor mental health and sickness absence, and between physical violence and poor mental health in human service workers. More research using objective outcomes, improved exposure assessment and that focus on gender-based violence is needed.
Global review of tobacco product flavour policies
Authors: Erinoso Olufemi , Clegg Smith Katherine , Iacobelli Michael , Saraf Sejal , Welding Kevin , Cohen Joanna E
Published: May 2020

Objective

We determined which countries prohibit flavoured tobacco products and the details of those restrictions in order to identify possible gaps and opportunities for these and other countries to address.

Methods

We reviewed the grey literature, scanned news articles and consulted with key informants and identified 11 countries and the European Union (EU) that ban or restrict tobacco product flavours. We reviewed policy documents for their stated policy rationale, terms and definitions of flavours, tobacco products covered and restrictions on the use of flavour imagery and terms on tobacco product packaging.

Results

Countries with a tobacco product flavour policy include the USA, Canada, Brazil, Ethiopia, Uganda, Senegal, Niger, Mauritania, EU (28 Member States), Moldova, Turkey and Singapore. Most of the countries’ policies provide a rationale of dissuading youth from taking up tobacco use. Ten of the 12 policies use the terms ‘flavours’ (n=6) or ‘characterising flavours’ (n=4). Six policies cover all products made entirely or partly of tobacco leaf. Countries consistently prohibit flavours associated with fruits, vanilla and spices. The USA and Niger make an exception for menthol, while Mauritania and Uganda do not specify the scope of flavours or ingredients covered by their policies. Eight policies make no specific reference to restricting flavour descriptors on tobacco product packaging.

Conclusion

Countries looking to implement policies restricting flavours in tobacco products can build on existing comprehensive policies. Future research could examine the implementation and impacts of these policies, to inform other countries interested in acting in this policy domain.
Serial hemoglobin monitoring in adult patients with blunt solid organ injury: less is more
Authors: Madbak Firas , Price Dustin , Skarupa David , Yorkgitis Brian , Ebler David , Hsu Albert , Kerwin Andrew James , Crandall Marie
Published: May 2020

Background

Patients who sustain blunt solid organ injury to the liver, spleen, or kidney and are treated nonoperatively frequently undergo serial monitoring of their hemoglobin (Hb). We hypothesized that among initially hemodynamically stable patients with blunt splenic, hepatic, or renal injuries treated without an operation, scheduled monitoring of serum Hb values may be unnecessary as hemodynamic instability, not merely Hb drop, would prompt intervention.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients admitted to our urban Level 1 trauma center following blunt trauma with any grade III, IV, or V liver, spleen, or kidney injury from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016. Patients who were hemodynamically unstable and went directly to the operating room or interventional radiology were excluded. Patients who required any urgent or unplanned operative or angiographic intervention were compared with patients who did not require an intervention. Routine demographic and outcome variables were obtained and bivariate and multivariate regression statistics were performed using Stata V.10.

Results

A total of 138 patients were included in the study. Age (39.3 vs 41.4, p=0.51), mean injury severity score (26.7 vs 22.1, p=0.12), and admission Hb (11.9 vs 12.8, p=0.06) did not differ significantly between the two groups. The number of Hb draws (9.2 vs 10, p=0.69) and the associated change in Hb (3.7 vs 3.5, p=0.71) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Only splenic grade predicted need for urgent intervention (3.5 vs 2, p<0.001). All patients who required an operative or radiologic intervention did so based on change in hemodynamics or severity of splenic grade, per our institutional protocol, and not Hb trend.

Discussion

Among patients with blunt solid organ injury, a need for emergent intervention in the form of laparotomy or angioembolization occurs within the first hours of injury. Routine scheduled Hb measurements did not change management in our cohort.

Level of evidence

Level III.
Variability in subcutaneous fat composition of Iberian pigs reared in free-range conditions in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Tejeda J.F. , Hernández-Matamoros A. , García-Cascos J.M. , González E.
Published: May 2020

A total of 80 free-range Iberian pigs reared with acorns and grass in eight different free-range systems (n = 10) in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula were used to determine the relationship between fatty acid, tocopherol, and neophytadiene subcutaneous fat composition. The pigs were fed extensively for 79.1 ± 9.5 d from 110.9 ± 11.9 kg live weight at the beginning of the final fattening phase to 175.0 ± 15.9 kg slaughtered weight. Quercus suber and Quercus rotundifolia acorns were characterised by a high content of C18:1n-9 (58.3 and 63.1%, respectively) and γ-tocopherol [43.7 and 43.0 mg kg−1 dry matter (DM), respectively], while grass exhibited a high content of C18:3n-3 (42.5%), α-tocopherol (366.5 mg kg−1 DM) and neophytadiene (136.2 relative area units). The C18:1n-9 (54.4%–57.7%) and γ-tocopherol (2.7–4.1 mg kg−1 DM) contents in subcutaneous fat from Iberian pigs differed (p < 0.001) between the free-range systems studied. Pasture intake had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on subcutaneous fat content of C18:3n-3 (0.5%–0.8%), α-tocopherol (7.8–13.1 mg kg−1 DM) and neophytadiene (2.6–6.3 relative area units). However, the results demonstrated no correlations between accumulated levels of these compounds throughout the free-range period. In conclusion, the absence of correlations corroborated the heterogeneity of extensive rearing systems, with variations between years and geographical areas where the Iberian pigs were reared.
Mixed state entanglement for holographic axion model
Authors: Huang Yi-fei , Shi Zi-jian , Niu Chao , Zhang Cheng-yong , Liu Peng
Published: May 2020

We study the mixed state entanglement in a holographic axion model. We find that the holographic entanglement entropy (HEE), mutual information (MI) and entanglement of purification (EoP) exhibit very distinct behaviors with system parameters. The HEE exhibits universal monotonic behavior with system parameters, while the behaviors of MI and EoP relate to the specific system parameters and configurations. We find that MI and EoP can characterize mixed state entanglement better than HEE since they are less affected by thermal effects. Specifically, the MI partly cancels out the thermal entropy contribution, while the holographic EoP is not dictated by the thermal entropy in any situation. Moreover, we argue that EoP is more suitable for describing mixed state entanglement than MI. Because the MI of large configurations are still dictated by the thermal entropy, while the EoP will never be controlled only by the thermal effects.
Positivity in the effective field theory of cosmological perturbations
Authors: Ye Gen , Piao Yun-Song
Published: May 2020

Requiring the existence of a unitary, causal and local UV-completion places a set of positivity bounds on the corresponding effective field theories (EFTs). We discuss the obstructions and possibility in applying the positivity bound to cosmology, in particular the EFT of cosmological perturbations. Taking a $$c_T=1$$cT=1 beyond-Horndeski EFT as an illustrative example, we derive such bounds, which incorporate the cosmological correction of order $$H^2/\Lambda ^2$$H2/Λ2, $$\Lambda $$Λ being the cutoff scale. The derived bounds are applied to slow-roll inflation with beyond Horndeski operators. It is found that the cosmological positivity bounds may be either stronger or weaker than their flat space counterpart.
Comparison of topological charge definitions in Lattice QCD
Authors: Alexandrou Constantia , Athenodorou Andreas , Cichy Krzysztof , Dromard Arthur , Garcia-Ramos Elena , Jansen Karl , Wenger Urs , Zimmermann Falk
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we show a comparison of different definitions of the topological charge on the lattice. We concentrate on one small-volume ensemble with 2 flavours of dynamical, maximally twisted mass fermions and use three more ensembles to analyze the approach to the continuum limit. We investigate several fermionic and gluonic definitions. The former include the index of the overlap Dirac operator, the spectral flow of the Wilson–Dirac operator and the spectral projectors. For the latter, we take into account different discretizations of the topological charge operator and various smoothing schemes to filter out ultraviolet fluctuations: the gradient flow, stout smearing, APE smearing, HYP smearing and cooling. We show that it is possible to perturbatively match different smoothing schemes and provide a well-defined smoothing scale. We relate the smoothing parameters for cooling, stout and APE smearing to the gradient flow time $$\tau $$τ. In the case of hypercubic smearing the matching is performed numerically. We investigate which conditions have to be met to obtain a valid definition of the topological charge and susceptibility and we argue that all valid definitions are highly correlated and allow good control over topology on the lattice.
How Alfven’s theorem explains the Meissner effect
Authors: Hirsch J. E.
Published: May 2020

Alfven’s theorem states that in a perfectly conducting fluid magnetic field lines move with the fluid without dissipation. When a metal becomes superconducting in the presence of a magnetic field, magnetic field lines move from the interior to the surface (Meissner effect) in a reversible way. This indicates that a perfectly conducting fluid is flowing outward. I point this out and show that this fluid carries neither charge nor mass, but carries effective mass. This implies that the effective mass of carriers is lowered when a system goes from the normal to the superconducting state, which agrees with the prediction of the unconventional theory of hole superconductivity and with optical experiments in some superconducting materials. The 60-year old conventional understanding of the Meissner effect ignores Alfven’s theorem and for that reason I argue that it does not provide a valid understanding of real superconductors.
Solving the k-Coverage and m-Connected Problem in Wireless Sensor Networks through the Imperialist Competitive Algorithm
Authors: SHEIKHI HEMMAT , BARKHODA WAFA
Published: May 2020

This study presents a new method based on the imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA-based) to solve the k-coverage and m-connected problem in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) through the least sensor node count, where the candidate positions for placing nodes are pre-specified. This dual featured problem in WSNs is a nondeterministic polynomial (NP)-hard problem therefore, ICA the social-inspired evolutionary algorithm is assessed and ICA-based scheme is designed to solve the problem. This newly proposed ICA-based scheme provides an efficient algorithm for representing the imperialistic competition among some of the best solutions to the problem in order to decrease the network cost. The mathematical formulation is presented for the node placement problem. The main issue of concern here is the deployed sensor node count. The simulation results confirm that ICA-based method can reduce the required sensor node count unlike other genetic-based and biogeography-based evolutionary algorithms. The experimental results are presented for WSN_Random and WSN_Grid scenarios.
Population transfer through multiple channels in two harmonic laser pulses
Authors: Wang Rong , Niu Ying-Yu
Published: May 2020

The processes of population transfer in the ground electronic state of HCl molecule through the three transition schemes are investigated by numerically solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. Two harmonic pulses are employed to induce population transfer and the relative phase of the two pulses can control the final population distributions. In the ladder transition scheme, the variation range of the target population with the relative phase is nearly 100% which is larger than that in the multi-photon transition scheme. It is more efficient for the mixed transition scheme to control population transfer between the initial and target states by using the relative phase. Comparing with the multi-photon and ladder schemes, the transition probability of the target population is more sensitive to the two pulse amplitudes in the mixed transition scheme.
Handling of Constraints in Efficient Global Optimization
Authors: Wang Hu , Hu Wei , Li Enying
Published: May 2020

Although the Efficient Global Optimization (EGO) algorithm has been widely used in multi-disciplinary optimization, it is still difficult to handle multiple constraint problems. In this study, to increase the accuracy of approximation, the Least Squares Support Vector Regression (LSSVR) is suggested to replace the kriging model for approximating both objective and constrained functions while the variances of these surrogate models are still obtained by kriging. To enhance the ability to search the feasible region, two criteria are suggested. First, a Maximize Probability of Feasibility (MPF) strategy to handle the infeasible initial sample points is suggested to generate feasible points. Second, a Multi-Constraint Parallel (MCP) criterion is suggested for multiple constraints handling, parallel computation and validation, respectively. To illustrate the efficiency of the suggested EGO-based method, several deterministic benchmarks are tested and the suggested methods demonstrate a superior performance compared with two other constrained algorithms. Finally, the suggested algorithm is successfully utilized to optimize the fiber path of variable-stiffness beam and lightweight B-pillar to demonstrate the performance for engineering applications.
The Degradation Kinetics Study of Aromatic Organics with Different Functional Compounds on Anatase 001 Surface
Authors: Ni Zitao , Fan Wenzhong , Sun Tao , Wang Rongfei , Yang Jie , Zhang Jin , Zhou Yao , Chen Anran , Yang Yu , Xiang Chaoyu
Published: May 2020

Anatase TiO2 photocatalysts with exposed (001) facets have attracted great attention for environmental protection technology due to their high reactivity for degradation of organic species. In this work, potassium hydrogen phthalate (denoted as KHP), as the most commonly used reference standard solution for calibrating photoelectrochemical chemical oxygen demand (denoted as PeCOD) instrument, was selected as the study sample. The intrinsic degradation kinetics of KHP on (001) surface was investigated by a photoelectrochemical (denoted as PEC) method with a purposely (001) faceted double-layered structure TiO2 photoanode. The high kinetics constants of fast process of KHP and other acids indicate that the (001) surface possesses a higher reactivity of aromatic carboxylic acid as theoretically predicted. Meanwhile, the investigation of the KHP adsorption properties on A001 photoanode provides the possibility of using this photoanode as a sensor in a new type of PeCOD instrument for organic acid determination.
Graphene-Based Hall Effect Biosensor for Improved Specificity and Sensitivity of Label-Free DNA Detection
Authors: Cui Naiyuan , Wang Fei , Ding Hanyuan
Published: May 2020

There is a broad interest in using graphene or graphene oxide (GO) sheets as a transducer for selective and label-free detection of biomolecules such as DNA, tumor marker, biological ions, etc. Here, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene-based Hall effect biosensor used for ultrasensitive label-free detection of DNA via DNA hybridization is reported. Hall effect measurements based on the Van der Pauw method are used to perform single-base sequence selective detection of DNA on graphene sheets, which are prepared by CVD. The mobility decreases and the sheet resistance increases with the adding of either complementary or one-base mismatched DNA to the graphene device. The hole carrier concentration of the graphene devices increases apparently with the addition of complementary DNA while it is hardly affected by the one-base mismatched DNA. The detection limit as low as 1[Formula: see text]pM was realized with a linear range from 1[Formula: see text]pM to 100[Formula: see text]nM. Moreover, the Hall effect biosensor was able to distinguish the complementary DNA from one-base mismatched DNA with a high specificity of [Formula: see text]6.2 which is almost two orders of magnitude higher than that of the previously reported graphene biosensors based on DNA–DNA hybridization.
On the domination number of a graph and its total graph
Authors: Murugan E. , Paulraj Joseph J.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we investigate the upper and lower bounds for the sum of domination number of a graph and its total graph and characterize the extremal graphs.
Management of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Rheumatological Toxicities
Authors: Fong Pak Yui , Chow Shing Chuen , Kwong Bernard Ming Hong , Lau Charlene Cheuk Lam , Lau Christy Yik Ching , Lee Athena Hoi Ting , Nip Ha Ying , Wong Cheuk Yin , Yan Benedict Tsz Hin , Chung Ho Yin
Published: May 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have forged a new direction for the treatment of cancer. However, ICIs – programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors – are also known to cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Rheumatological adverse events are uncommon and often low grade, but flares of underlying rheumatological diseases may be triggered. Guidelines are available for the effective management of the rheumatological adverse events that more frequently arise from the use of ICIs, such as inflammatory arthritis, inflammatory myopathies, Sjogren syndrome, scleroderma, and polymyalgia rheumatica and eosinophilic fasciitis.
Sensitivity and regression analysis of acoustic parameters for determining physical properties of frozen fine sand with ultrasonic test
Authors: Zhang Ji-wei , Murton Julian , Liu Shu-jie , Sui Li-li , Zhang Song , Wang Lei , Kong Ling-hui , Ding Hang
Published: May 2020

Determining the development of artificial frozen walls by present methods is challenging where substantial seepage occurs because fixed monitoring points only indicate physical properties in small areas. Here we use ultrasonic acoustic methods to determine the physical properties between two freezing pipes during freezing. Sensitivity analysis indicates that wave velocity is sensitive to physical properties, and the sensitivity rank is water content > temperature > density. The attenuation coefficient has a low sensitivity to physical parameters, whereas dominant frequency is sensitive to temperature and water content but insensitive to density. Wave velocity increases with temperature and density in a quadratic relationship, and with water content in a linear relationship. Dominant frequency increases with temperature and water content in a quadratic relationship. A multiple regression model of wave velocity and dominant frequency established by stepwise regression can be used to predict the relationship between wave velocity and temperature of frozen fine sand in different areas where the soil properties are similar to those reported here. Wave velocity and dominant frequency measured in the laboratory can be used to predict the relationship between acoustic parameters and temperature in field conditions after curve move based on the first data point from field measurements. The procedure of curve moving involves calculating the difference in value of the first data point between laboratory and field measurements at the same temperature level, and then moving the predicted curve of the laboratory test upward or downward according to the difference.

Supplementary material:
Experimental datasets are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.12268970
Governing the Belongings of the Precariously Housed: A Critical Legal Geography
Authors: Blomley Nicholas , Flynn Alexandra , Sylvestre Marie-Eve
Published: May 2020

Precariously housed people face serious challenges in securing their personal possessions from the actions of both private and public actors. This is despite evidence of widespread destruction, seizure, and theft; associated violations of equality and dignity rights; the significance of the belongings to their owners; and the heightened vulnerability that the loss of their belongings may place people in. Law seems to provide minimal recognition and protection of precariously housed people's possessions. There is a significant lack of scholarly and policy attention given to the issue. We lay out some preliminary concepts for the analysis of this important topic, focusing on critical legal geography, evaluation, governance, and personhood, before introducing our own research project.
A comparison of the effectiveness of dissection and prosection on short-term anatomic knowledge retention in a reciprocal peer-teaching program
Authors: Lackey-Cornelison Wendy L. , Bauler Laura D. , Smith Jacob
Published: May 2020

Few discussions regarding instructional methods incite as much passion as the debate over dissection versus prosection. Despite numerous analyses, few studies have isolated the impact of dissection versus prosection from the numerous variables that are involved in anatomy education. This study used a retrospective design to assess the effect of peer teaching with dissection or prosection on anatomical knowledge retention of the peer teachers. Exam scores were analyzed from three cohorts of students ( N = 184) who were enrolled in a Musculoskeletal System course in an allopathic medical school between academic years 2014–2017. Students in the first 2 yr learned anatomy of an assigned region through traditional dissection, whereas students in the third year learned anatomy of the same regions on prosected specimens. The effect of these instructional methods on anatomical knowledge retention was measured by student performance on a teaching-readiness quiz, written exam, and practical examination. One advantage of this study is the stability of variables between cohorts. Student groups peer taught the same objectives; course sequencing and content remained consistent between years; students spent the same amount of time learning their material, regardless of learning modality (dissection or prosection); and students were tested in the same manner. Comparisons of student performance data suggest that anatomy knowledge was equivalent, regardless of the instructional method (dissection or prosected cadavers) but is strongly associated with prior anatomy experience. Findings from this study support previous studies that conclude that there are no disparities in the effectiveness of learning anatomy via dissection or prosection.
Coordinated regulation of cell survival and cell cycle pathways by DDR2-dependent SRF transcription factor in cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Titus Allen Sam , V Harikrishnan , Kailasam Shivakumar
Published: May 2020

Relative resistance to apoptosis and the ability to proliferate and produce a collagen-rich scar enable cardiac fibroblasts to play a central role in myocardial response to injury. This study reports novel findings that mitogen-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts exploit a common regulatory mechanism involving collagen receptor (DDR2)-dependent activation of ERK1/2 MAPK and serum response factor to achieve coordinated regulation of apoptosis resistance and cell cycle progression, which could facilitate their survival and function in the injured myocardium.
Effect of Concentric Annular Gap Flow on Wall Shear Stress of Stationary Cylinder Pipe Vehicle under Different Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Jia Xiaomeng , Sun Xihuan , Song Jiaorong
Published: May 2020

The tube-contained raw material pipeline hydraulic transportation technology is an optimization and improvement of traditional hydraulic capsule pipeline (HCP) transport. It has the advantages of lower resource consumption, environmental protection, and less demand for human resources and has the ability to directly transport solids, liquids, and gases. The cylinder pipe vehicle is the core component of tube-contained raw material pipeline hydraulic transportation; its motion characteristics and energy consumption are affected by wall shear stress. When the cylinder pipe vehicle is stationary, the annular gap flow will affect the wall shear stress. This paper studies the wall shear stress and annular flow field distribution of a stationary cylinder pipe vehicle under different Reynolds numbers. The results show that as the Reynolds number increases, both the wall shear stress and the annular gap flow velocity show a gradually increasing trend. The wall shear stress and the velocity of the annular gap flow show some correlation, but there are differences in the trend of axial and circumferential wall shear stress along the length of the cylinder pipe vehicle. The research in this article will further improve the theoretical system of hydraulic conveyance of barrel-loading pipelines and provide a theoretical basis for the realization of industrial applications as soon as possible.
Determination of Chromium in Natural Water by Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry UsingIn SituBismuth Film Electrode
Authors: Thị Hue Nguyen , Van Hop Nguyen , Thai Long Hoang , Hai Phong Nguyen , Uyen Tran Ha , Quoc Hung Le , Nhi Phuong Nguyen
Published: May 2020

Development of adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV) combined within situprepared bismuth film electrode (in situBiFE) on glassy carbon disk surface using diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) as a complexing agent andNO3−as a catalyst to determine the trace amount of chromium (VI) is demonstrated. According to this method, in the preconcentration step atEdep = −800 mV, the bismuth film is coated on the surface of glassy carbon electrodes simultaneously with the adsorption of complexes Cr(III)-DTPA. In addition to the influencing factors, the stripping voltammetry performance factors such as deposition potential, deposition time, equilibration time, cleaning potential, cleaning time, and technical parameters of differential pulse and square wave voltammetries have been investigated, and the influence of Cr(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Ca(II), Fe(III),SO42−, Cl−, and Triton X has also been investigated. This method gained good repeatability with RSD <4% (n = 9) for the differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DP-AdSV) and RSD < 3% (n = 7) for the square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SqW-AdSV), and low limit of detection: LOD = 12.10−9 M ≈ 0.6 ppb (at a deposition potential (Edep) of −800 mV and the deposition time (tdep) of 50 s) and LOD = 2.10−9 M ≈ 0.1 ppb (atEdep = −800 mV andtdep = 160 s) for the DP-AdSV and SqW-AdSV, respectively. This method has been successfully applied to analyze chromium in natural water.
Plant‐Derived Lectins as Potential Cancer Therapeutics and Diagnostic Tools
Authors: Mazalovska Milena , Kouokam J. Calvin
Published: May 2020

Cancer remains a global health challenge, with high morbidity and mortality, despite the recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. Multiple compounds assessed as novel potential anticancer drugs derive from natural sources, including microorganisms, plants, and animals. Lectins, a group of highly diverse proteins of nonimmune origin with carbohydrate‐binding abilities, have been detected in virtually all kingdoms of life. These proteins can interact with free and/or cell surface oligosaccharides and might differentially bind cancer cells, since malignant transformation is tightly associated with altered cell surface glycans. Therefore, lectins could represent a valuable tool for cancer diagnosis and be developed as anticancer therapeutics. Indeed, several plant lectins exert cytotoxic effects mainly by inducing apoptotic and autophagic pathways in malignant cells. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the basis for the use of lectins in cancer diagnosis and therapy, providing a few examples of plant‐derived carbohydrate‐binding proteins with demonstrated antitumor effects.
Automatic Detection and Classification of Road, Car, and Pedestrian Using Binocular Cameras in Traffic Scenes with a Common Framework
Authors: Song Yongchao , Yao Jieru , Ju Yongfeng , Jiang Yahong , Du Kai
Published: May 2020

In order to solve the problems of traffic object detection, fuzzification, and simplification in real traffic environment, an automatic detection and classification algorithm for roads, vehicles, and pedestrians with multiple traffic objects under the same framework is proposed. We construct the final V view through a considerate U-V view method, which determines the location of the horizon and the initial contour of the road. Road detection results are obtained through error label reclassification, omitting point reassignment, and so an. We propose a peripheral envelope algorithm to determine sources of vehicles and pedestrians on the road. The initial segmentation results are determined by the regional growth of the source point through the minimum neighbor similarity algorithm. Vehicle detection results on the road are confirmed by combining disparity and color energy minimum algorithms with the object window aspect ratio threshold method. A method of multifeature fusion is presented to obtain the pedestrian target area, and the pedestrian detection results on the road are accurately segmented by combining the disparity neighbor similarity and the minimum energy algorithm. The algorithm is tested in three datasets of Enpeda, KITTI, and Daimler; then, the corresponding results prove the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed approach. Meanwhile, the real-time analysis of the algorithm is performed, and the average time efficiency is 13 pfs, which can realize the real-time performance of the detection process.
Numerical Simulation of the Hydraulic Performances and Flow Pattern of Swallow-Tailed Flip Bucket
Authors: Zhang Lifang , Zhang Jianmin , Guo Yakun , Peng Yong
Published: May 2020

In this study, the evolution process of the swallow-tailed flip bucket water nappe entering into the plunge pool is simulated by using the standard k-ε turbulence model and the volume-of-fluid method. The effects of the upstream opening width ratio and downstream bucket angle on the flow pattern, the unit discharge distribution, and the impact pressure distribution are studied. Based on the numerical results, the inner and outer jet trajectories are proposed by using the data. Results show that the longitudinal stretching length decreases with the increase of the upstream opening width ratio and increases with the increase of the downstream bucket angle. The water nappe enters the plunge pool in a long strip shape. Thus, the unit discharge distribution of water nappe entry is consistent with the pressure distribution at the plunge pool bottom. The upstream opening width ratio and downstream bucket angle should be chosen as their intermediate values in order to have a uniform discharge distribution and to reduce the pressure peak at the plunge pool floor, which is effectively to avoid instability and destruction of plunge pool floor.