bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of iron nanoparticles infused polyethersulphone (Fe‐NPs/PES) membrane during treatment of BTEX‐contaminated wastewater
Authors: Unuigbe Chinwe F. , Fayemiwo Oluwademilade M. , Daramola Michael O.
Published: August 2019

In this study, polyethersulfone (PES) was infused with iron nanoparticles (Fe‐NPs) obtained from the leaf of pomegranate plant to enhance hydrophilicity of the PES membrane. The resulted nanocomposite Fe‐NPs/PES membrane obtained via phase inversion was characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for the morphology; a texture analyzer for the mechanical strength; an atomic force microscope (AFM) for the surface roughness; and water contact angle measurement for the degree of hydrophilicity. The separation performance of the membrane was evaluated using BTEX‐containing wastewater. SEM images show that Fe‐NPs were distributed uniformly within the membrane with improved mechanical strength. Mechanical strength of PES was enhanced at increasing Fe‐NPs loading from 1.2 MPa for the pure PES to 8.94 MPa for 20 wt.% Fe‐NPs loaded membrane. AFM analysis reveals that membrane roughness increased with increase in Fe‐NPs loading. Also, the contact angle measurement indicates that the hydrophilicity of the composite membrane was enhanced by the addition of Fe‐NPs. The permeation properties reveal that pure water flux of the composite membrane increased with increasing Fe‐NPs loading. In addition, the highest BTEX rejection obtained was 64.55% at 10 wt.% Fe‐NPs loading when compared to the rejection 41.4% obtained from the pure PES membrane evaluated at similar conditions.
Robust reformulations of ambiguous chance constraints with discrete probability distributions
Authors: Yanıkoğlu İhsan
Published: August 2019

This paper proposes robust reformulations of ambiguous chance constraints when the underlying family of distributions is discrete and supported in a so-called ``p-box'' or ``p-ellipsoidal'' uncertainty set. Using the robust optimization paradigm, the deterministic counterparts of the ambiguous chance constraints are reformulated as mixed-integer programming problems which can be tackled by commercial solvers for moderate sized instances. For larger sized instances, we propose a safe approximation algorithm that is computationally efficient and yields high quality solutions. The associated approach and the algorithm can be easily extended to joint chance constraints, nonlinear inequalities, and dependent data without introducing additional mathematical optimization complexity to that of the original robust reformulation. In numerical experiments, we first present our approach over a toy-sized chance constrained knapsack problem. Then, we compare optimality and computational performances of the safe approximation algorithm with those of the exact and the randomized approaches for larger sized instances via Monte Carlo simulation.
A thirteenth-century theory of speech
Authors: Harvey J. S. , Smithson H. E. , Siviour C. R. , Gasper G. E. M. , Sønnesyn S. O. , McLeish T. C. B. , Howard D. M.
Published: August 2019

This historical paper examines a pioneering theory of speech production and perception from the thirteenth century. Robert Grosseteste (c.1175—1253) was a celebrated medieval thinker, who developed an impressive corpus of treatises on the natural world. This paper looks at his treatise on sound and phonetics, De generatione sonorum [On the Generation of Sounds]. Through interdisciplinary analysis of the text, this paper finds a theory of vowel production and perception that is notably mathematical, with a formulation of vowel space rooted in combinatorics. Specifically, Grosseteste constructs a categorical space comprising three fundamental types of movements pertaining to the vocal apparatus: linear, circular, and dilational-constrictional; these correspond to similarity transformations of translation, rotation, and uniform scaling, respectively. That Grosseteste's space is categorical, and low-dimensional, is remarkable vis-a-vis current theories of phoneme perception. As well as his description of vowel space, Grosseteste also sets out a hypothetical framework of multisensory integration, uniting the production, perception, and representation in writing of vowels with a set of geometric figures associated with “mental images.” This has clear resonances with contemporary studies of motor facilitation during speech perception and audiovisual speech. This paper additionally provides an experimental foray, illustrating the coherence of mathematical and scientific thinking underpinning this early theory.
Within-organ contrast in second language perception: The perception of Russian initial /r-l/ contrast by Chinese learners
Authors: Yang Yuxiao , Chen Xiaoxiang
Published: August 2019

This study examined the perception of the Russian initial /r-l/ contrast by Chinese learners in an attempt to extend the Perceptual Assimilation Model with the Articulatory Organ Hypothesis (PAM-AOH) to second language (L2) perception. Results of a perceptual assimilation task and a discrimination test showed that the assimilation pattern of Russian /r-l/ relative to Mandarin was uncategorized categorized, the discriminability of this within-organ contrast, however, was only moderate even for the more advanced Chinese learners of Russian. These findings suggest that L2 perception could be susceptible to both the L1/L2 assimilation patterns and the contrast types as suggested by PAM-AOH.
The Acute Effects of a “Reduced Sitting Preschool Day” on Executive Function and Musculoskeletal Health in Preschoolers: A Randomized Cross-Over Study
Authors: Ellis Yvonne G. , Cliff Dylan P. , Howard Steven J. , Okely Anthony D.
Published: August 2019

Purpose: To examine the acute effects of a reduced sitting day on executive function (EF) and musculoskeletal health in preschoolers. Methods: A sample of 29 children (54% boys; 4–5 y) participated in a randomized cross-over trial. Each child completed 2 protocols, which simulate a day at childcare in random order for 2.5 hours; a typical preschool day (50% sitting) and a reduced preschool day (25% sitting) where most sitting activities were replaced with standing activities. Sitting, standing, and stepping time were objectively assessed using an activPAL accelerometer. EF was evaluated using tablet-based EF assessments (inhibition, working memory, and task shifting). Musculoskeletal health was assessed using a handheld dynamometer and goniometer. Results: Compared with the typical preschool day, the reduced sitting day showed no significant differences for EF scores. Effect sizes for inhibition (d = 0.04), working memory (d = 0.02), and shifting (d = 0.11) were all small. For musculoskeletal health, no significant differences were reported after the reduced preschool day. The effect sizes for the hip extension force, hamstring flexibility, gastrocnemius length, and balancing on 1 leg were all small (d = 0.21, d = 0.25, d = 0.28, and d = 0.28). Conclusions: This study suggests that reducing sitting time is unlikely to result in acute changes in EF and musculoskeletal health among preschoolers.
The Aspergillus fumigatus Mismatch Repair
MSH2
Homolog Is Important for Virulence and Azole Resistance
Authors: dos Reis Thaila Fernanda , Silva Lilian Pereira , de Castro Patrícia Alves , do Carmo Rafaela Andrade , Marini Marjorie Mendes , da Silveira José Franco , Ferreira Beatriz Henriques , Rodrigues Fernando , Lind Abigail Lee , Rokas Antonis , Goldman Gustavo H.
Published: August 2019

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) has emerged as one of the most common life-threatening fungal diseases in immunocompromised patients, with mortality rates as high as 90%. Systemic fungal infections such as IA are usually treated with triazoles; however, epidemiological research has shown that the prevalence of azole-resistant
Aspergillus fumigatus
isolates has increased significantly over the last decade. There is very little information about the importance of genomic stability for
A. fumigatus
population structure, azole resistance, and virulence. Here, we decided to investigate whether the mismatch repair system could influence
A. fumigatus
azole resistance and virulence, focusing on one of the components of this system,
MSH2
. Although the mutation frequency of
mshA
(the
A. fumigatus
MSH2
homologue) is low in environmental and clinical isolates, our results indicate that loss of
mshA
function can provide increased azole resistance and virulence when selected for. These results demonstrate the importance of genetic instability in
A. fumigatus
as a possible mechanism of evolving azole resistance and establishing fitness in the host.
Case report and literature review of auto-brewery syndrome: probably an underdiagnosed medical condition
Authors: Malik Fahad , Wickremesinghe Prasanna , Saverimuttu Jessie
Published: August 2019

Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), also known as gut fermentation syndrome, is a rarely diagnosed medical condition in which the ingestion of carbohydrates results in endogenous alcohol production. The patient in this case report had fungal yeast forms in the upper small bowel and cecum, which likely fermented carbohydrates to alcohol. Treatment with antifungal agents allowed subsequent ingestion of carbohydrates without symptoms. He had been exposed to a prolonged course of antibiotics before this occurred. We postulate that the antibiotic altered his gut microbiome, allowing fungal growth. This diagnosis should be considered in any patient with positive manifestations of alcohol toxicity who denies alcohol ingestion. The aim of this case report was confirmation and treatment of ABS using a standardised carbohydrate challenge test followed by upper and lower endoscopy to obtain intestinal secretions to detect fungal growth. These fungi were speciated and antifungal sensitivity performed. This allowed the use of appropriate therapy. The patient was kept on a carbohydrate-free diet during the initial 6-week period of therapy. A single-strain probiotic for competitive inhibition of fungal growth was given to the patient. This probiotic was later replaced by a multistrain bacterial probiotic hoping that the multiple bacteria would inhibit fungi better than a single-strain. The beneficial role of probiotics in this condition has not been studied. The patient was rechallenged for endogenous alcohol production prior to reintroducing carbohydrates in his diet.
Chronic multimorbidity among older adults in rural South Africa
Authors: Chang Angela Y , Gómez-Olivé Francesc Xavier , Payne Collin , Rohr Julia K , Manne-Goehler Jennifer , Wade Alisha N , Wagner Ryan G , Montana Livia , Tollman Stephen , Salomon Joshua A
Published: August 2019

Introduction

The rapid ageing of populations around the world is accompanied by increasing prevalence of multimorbidity. This study is one of the first to present the prevalence of multimorbidity that includes HIV in the complex epidemiological setting of South Africa, thus filling a gap in the multimorbidity literature that is dominated by studies in high-income or low-HIV prevalence settings.

Methods

Out of the full sample of 5059 people aged 40+, we analysed cross-sectional data on 10 conditions from 3889 people enrolled in the Health and Ageing in Africa: A longitudinal study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI) Programme. Two definitions of multimorbidity were applied: the presence of more than one condition and the presence of conditions from more than one of the following categories: cardiometabolic conditions, mental disorders, HIV and anaemia. We conducted descriptive and regression analyses to assess the relationship between prevalence of multimorbidity and sociodemographic factors. We examined the frequencies of the most prevalent combinations of conditions and assessed relationships between multimorbidity and physical and psychological functioning.

Results

69.4 per cent (95% CI 68.0 to 70.9) of the respondents had at least two conditions and 53.9% (52.4–55.5) of the sample had at least two categories of conditions. The most common condition groups and multimorbid profiles were combinations of cardiometabolic conditions, cardiometabolic conditions and depression, HIV and anaemia and combinations of mental disorders. The commonly observed positive relationships between multimorbidity and age and decreasing wealth were not observed in this population, namelydue to different epidemiological profiles in the subgroups, with higher prevalence of HIV and anaemia in the poorer and younger groups, and higher prevalence of cardiometabolic conditions in the richer and older groups. Both physical functioning and well-being negatively associated with multimorbidity.

Discussion

More coordinated, long-term integrated care management across multiple chronic conditions should be provided in rural South Africa.
Time to NIV and mortality in AECOPD hospital admissions: an observational study into real world insights from National COPD Audits
Authors: Jayadev Anita , Stone Robert , Steiner Michael C , McMillan Viktoria , Roberts C Michael
Published: August 2019

Background

Randomised control trial (RCT)-derived survival figures for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admissions managed with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) have not been replicated in UK clinical audits. Subsequent guidelines have emphasised the need for timely NIV application.

Methods

Data from the 2008 and 2014 national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease audits was used to analyse the association between time to NIV and mortality

Results

1032 patients received NIV in 2008, and 1612 in 2014. Overall mortality rates reduced between the audits from 24.9% in 2008 to 16.8% in 2014 but time to NIV lengthened. In 2014, 20.9% of patients received NIV within 60 min versus 24.9% in 2008 (p=0.001). The proportion of patients receiving NIV between 3 and 24 hours increased from 31.3% in 2008 to 39% in 2014 (p=0.001). Patients admitted with hypercapnic acidotic respiratory failure who received NIV within 3 hours had lower in-patient mortality than those who received NIV between 3 and 24 hours, 15.9% versus 18.4%, but this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.425), but acidotic patients receiving NIV >24 hours after admission had significantly higher mortality (28.9%, p=0.002). A second cohort admitted with hypercapnia but normal range pH, who developed later acidosis, had higher mortality (24.6%), compared with those acidotic on admission (18% p≤0.001) and an extremely high mortality when NIV was given >24 hours after admission (42.6%).

Conclusion

Survival rates for those treated with NIV has improved between the two audits but remains lower than reported in RCTs. Patients who developed acidosis after admission and received NIV later in the hospital stay have even higher mortality and deserve further study and clinical attention.
Marital status and age of systemic lupus erythematous diagnosis: the potential for differences related to sex and gender
Authors: Brailovski Eugene , Vinet Evelyne , Pineau Christian A , Lee Jennifer , Lukusa Luck , Kalache Fares , Grenier Louis-Pierre , DaCosta Deborah , Bernatsky Sasha
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Chronic rheumatic diseases can challenge social and family relationships. We compared marital status in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) with their general population counterparts, stratified by sex and age of SLE onset.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of 382 patients with SLE at our centre (349 females, 33 males). We determined how many were married or living common-law at the time of last study visit. Patients were then divided into: SLE diagnosis before 18, between 18 and 30, between 31 and 44 and after 45 years of age. We then compared marital status among male and female patients with SLE, to Quebec age-specific marital statistics.

Results

Of 382 patients with SLE, 202 (52.9%) were married or living common-law, which was 9% lower than general population rates (95% CI 2% to 16%). One-third of women with paediatric-onset SLE were married or living common-law, which was 28% lower than their general population counterparts (95% CI 6% to 46%). Half of women diagnosed between age 18 and 30 were married or living common law, which was 14% less than general population rates (95% CI 4% to 25%). We could not establish significant differences for women diagnosed after age 30, or for males, versus their general population counterparts.

Conclusions

Women diagnosed with SLE before age 30 were less likely to be married/living common-law, versus general population rates. This was not apparent for those diagnosed later in life. We did not clearly establish this effect in males, possibly due to power issues (vs a true effect of sex/gender). Additional studies (eg, focus groups) could elucidate reasons for our findings.
The scales of (algorithmic) justice
Authors: Sun Matthew , Gerchick Marissa
Published: August 2019

Every day, governmental and federally funded agencies --- including criminal courts, welfare agencies, and educational institutions --- make decisions about resource allocation using automated decision-making tools (Lecher, 2018; Fishel, Flack, & DeMatteo, 2018). Important factors surrounding the use of these tools are embedded both in their design and in the policies and practices of the various agencies that implement them. As the use of such tools is becoming more common, a number of questions have arisen about whether using these tools is fair, or in some cases, even legal (
K.W. v. Armstrong
, 2015; ACLU, Outten & Golden LLP, and the Communications Workers of America, 2019).
Illegal Wildlife Trade: Scale, Processes, and Governance
Authors: ‘t Sas-Rolfes Michael , Challender Daniel W.S. , Hinsley Amy , Veríssimo Diogo , Milner-Gulland E.J.
Published: August 2019

Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) has increased in profile in recent years as a global policy issue, largely because of its association with declines in prominent internationally trafficked species. In this review, we explore the scale of IWT, associated threats to biodiversity, and appropriate responses to these threats. We discuss the historical development of IWT research and highlight the uncertainties that plague the evidence base, emphasizing the need for more systematic approaches to addressing evidence gaps in a way that minimizes the risk of unethical or counterproductive outcomes for wildlife and people. We highlight the need for evaluating interventions in order to learn, and the importance of sharing datasets and lessons learned. A more collaborative approach to linking IWT research, practice, and policy would better align public policy discourse and action with research evidence. This in turn would enable more effective policy making that contributes to reducing the threat to biodiversity that IWT represents.
Nonempirical Interactions for the Nuclear Shell Model: An Update
Authors: Stroberg S. Ragnar , Hergert Heiko , Bogner Scott K. , Holt Jason D.
Published: August 2019

The nuclear shell model has perhaps been the most important conceptual and computational paradigm for the understanding of the structure of atomic nuclei. While the shell model has been used predominantly in a phenomenological context, there have been efforts stretching back more than half a century to derive shell model parameters based on a realistic interaction between nucleons. More recently, several ab initio many-body methods—in particular, many-body perturbation theory, the no-core shell model, the in-medium similarity renormalization group, and coupled-cluster theory—have developed the capability to provide effective shell model Hamiltonians. We provide an update on the status of these methods and investigate the connections between them and their potential strengths and weaknesses, with a particular focus on the in-medium similarity renormalization group approach. Three-body forces are demonstrated to be important for understanding the modifications needed in phenomenological treatments. We then review some applications of these methods to comparisons with recent experimental measurements, and conclude with some remaining challenges in ab initio shell model theory.
Data-Driven Approaches to Understanding Visual Neuron Activity
Authors: Butts Daniel A.
Published: August 2019

With modern neurophysiological methods able to record neural activity throughout the visual pathway in the context of arbitrarily complex visual stimulation, our understanding of visual system function is becoming limited by the available models of visual neurons that can be directly related to such data. Different forms of statistical models are now being used to probe the cellular and circuit mechanisms shaping neural activity, understand how neural selectivity to complex visual features is computed, and derive the ways in which neurons contribute to systems-level visual processing. However, models that are able to more accurately reproduce observed neural activity often defy simple interpretations. As a result, rather than being used solely to connect with existing theories of visual processing, statistical modeling will increasingly drive the evolution of more sophisticated theories.
Adipocyte-specific deletion of IL-6 does not attenuate obesity-induced weight gain or glucose intolerance in mice
Authors: Whitham Martin , Pal Martin , Petzold Tim , Hjorth Marit , Egan Casey L. , Brunner Julia S. , Estevez Emma , Iliades Peter , Zivanovic Borivoj , Reibe Saskia , Hughes William E. , Findeisen Maria , Hidalgo Juan , Febbraio Mark A.
Published: August 2019

It has been suggested that interleukin-6 (IL-6) produced by adipocytes in obesity leads to liver insulin resistance, although this hypothesis has never been definitively tested. Accordingly, we did so by generating adipocyte-specific IL-6-deficient (AdipoIL-6−/−) mice and studying them in the context of diet-induced and genetic obesity. Mice carrying two floxed alleles of IL-6 (C57Bl/6J) were crossed with Cre recombinase-overexpressing mice driven by the adiponectin promoter to generate AdipoIL-6−/− mice. AdipoIL-6−/− and floxed littermate controls were fed a standard chow or high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 wk and comprehensively metabolically phenotyped. In addition to a diet-induced obesity model, we also examined the role of adipocyte-derived IL-6 in a genetic model of obesity and insulin resistance by crossing the AdipoIL-6−/− mice with leptin-deficient ( ob/ob) mice. As expected, mice on HFD and ob/ob mice displayed marked weight gain and increased fat mass compared with chow-fed and ob/+ (littermate control) animals, respectively. However, deletion of IL-6 from adipocytes in either model had no effect on glucose tolerance or fasting hyperinsulinemia. We concluded that adipocyte-specific IL-6 does not contribute to whole body glucose intolerance in obese mice.
Spontaneous Conception during In Vitro Fertilization prior to Embryo Transfer without the Opportunity for Preimplantation Genetic Testing
Authors: Bavan Brindha , Milki Amin A.
Published: August 2019

In addition to the potential for multiple pregnancy, spontaneous conception during in vitro fertilization (IVF) can lead to undesired genetic outcomes. We present a case of a patient undergoing IVF with the intention of subsequent frozen embryo transfer after preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Unprotected intercourse 6 days prior to egg retrieval resulted in a spontaneous pregnancy before the opportunity for embryo transfer. This case report highlights that spontaneous conception during IVF compromises the ability to transfer embryos that are euploid, unaffected by single gene disorders, or intended for gender balancing within a family when desired.
Damage Ratio Based on Statistical Damage Constitutive Model for Rock
Authors: Chen Ying , Zhang Lin , Xie Hui , Liu Jianfeng , Liu Hong , Yang Baoquan
Published: August 2019

The study of damage characteristics of rock mass is of great significance to the analysis of rock mass structure. According to the characteristics of the microscopic unit strength of rock with random distribution, the Weibull distribution is widely used as the statistical functions of the strength of the microunit of rock to establish the damage constitutive model. The concepts of damage ratio De and damage index Cc are proposed. Damage ratio is mainly used to describe the law of damage evolution in rock. Damage index can be used to evaluate the damage degree of rock. The influence of confining pressure on distribution parameters and damage ratio is analyzed through uniaxial and triaxial compression tests of sandstone. The results show that damage ratio is an index of structural characteristics of rock damage, which can reflect the evolution characteristics of microcracks in rock under spatial stress. Critical damage ratio refers to the damage ratio corresponding to the peak stress of rock and can be used as a parameter to characterize the strength of rock for corresponding to the peak strain one to one. The critical damage ratio is linearly related to the logarithmic function of confining pressure. Its relationship is as follows: Der = Ccln⁡σ3 + b. With the increase of σ3, the increasing trend of Der slows down and gradually tends to a certain value. The larger the damage index is, the more serious the damage of rock is. The smaller the damage index is, the less serious the damage of rock is. Therefore, the damage index can be used to evaluate the damage degree of rock. It will be an important direction of rock damage mechanics research to distinguish the severity of rock damage by using damage index as the limit value.
Panax ginseng Total Protein Facilitates Recovery from Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy through the Activation of Glucose Consumption in C2C12 Myotubes
Authors: Jiang Rui , Wang Manying , Shi Lei , Zhou Jingyuan , Ma Rui , Feng Kai , Chen Xuenan , Xu Xiaohao , Li Xiangyan , Li Tong , Sun Liwei
Published: August 2019

Background. The clinical anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone (DEX) can cause many side effects such as muscle atrophy for long-term use. Muscle atrophy induced by DEX may be caused by decrease of glucose consumption. Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer was previously considered to be an antiatrophic agent for glucocorticoid- (GC-) treated therapies. As one of the main components, it remains unclear whether ginseng total protein (GP) facilitates recovery from muscle atrophy induced by DEX. Methods. In this study, GP was extracted and purified with Sephadex-G50. C2C12 myoblasts was induced with 2% horse serum to differentiate into C2C12 myotubes. Cell viability was analyzed by the MTT assay, and Ca2+ concentration was analyzed by a flow cytometer. The release of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and the glucose consumption were analyzed by spectrophotometry. The phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) and the expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) were analyzed by Western blotting. The phosphorylation of AS160 was quantified by Immunofluorescence staining. Results. We found that GP increased cell viability and increased myotube diameter in high-dose DEX-treated C2C12 myotubes for 24 h, but this activity was not found in the enzymatic hydrolyzed GP group. GP reduced muscle atrophy by decreasing the expression of key proteins such as muscle RING-finger protein-1 and muscle atrophy F-box, reducing the Ca2+ concentration, and decreasing the release of LDH in DEX-injured C2C12 myotubes. Moreover, GP improved glucose consumption and increased the phosphorylation of AMPK, PI3K, Akt, and AS160 and the expression of GLUT4 in DEX-treated C2C12 myotubes. Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that GP has effects on recovering DEX-induced muscle atrophy and cell injury, which may improve glucose consumption via the AMPK and PI3K/Akt pathways in high-dose DEX-treated C2C12 myotubes. This study provides in vitro mechanistic insights into the recovery of muscle atrophy with GP treatment.
Imbalanced Regional Development of Acute Ischemic Stroke Care in Emergency Departments in China
Authors: Li Jianguo , Liu Jingming , Ma Yuefeng , Peng Peng , He Xiaojun , Guo Wei
Published: August 2019

Objective. Most patients of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) receive treatments in the department of emergency in China. We aimed to examine the status of AIS diagnosis and treatment and the impact of green pathway operation in different regions of China. Methods. In this nationwide survey, information regarding the emergency care of AIS was collected from 451 hospitals in different regions of China, by interviewing 484 physicians from these hospitals. Structured questionnaire was used to explore the status of AIS care and impact of the green pathway. Results. 445 hospitals from 18 provinces, 4 municipalities, and 3 ethnic autonomous regions in China were included in the present study. Overall, the proportion of door-to-needle time (DNT) less than 60 min was 66.08% in the enrolled hospitals (n = 298). Stratified by regions, the results suggested that hospitals located in East regions had shorter DNT time (P=0.036), and more proportion of rtPA (P<0.001) than those in West regions. Further analysis suggested that hospitals with a green channel were more likely to shorten DNT and improve the proportion of rtPA (P<0.01). Conclusion. Considerable regional differences were observed in terms of DNT time and thrombolysis rates in the departments of emergency in China. Further studies are required to confirm the regional differences in AIS care in China.
Comprehensive Risk Identification Model for SCADA Systems
Authors: Elhady Abdelghafar M. , El-bakry Hazem M. , Abou Elfetouh Ahmed
Published: August 2019

The world is experiencing exponential growth in the use of SCADA systems in many industrial fields. The increased and considerable growth in information and communication technology has been forcing SCADA organizations to shift their SCADA systems from proprietary technology and protocol-based systems into internet-based ones. This paradigm shift has also increased the risks that target SCADA systems. To protect such systems, a risk management process is needed to identify all the risks. This study presents a detailed investigation on twenty-one scientific articles, guidelines, and databases related to SCADA risk identification parameters and provides a comparative study among them. The study next proposes a comprehensive risk identification model for SCADA systems. This model was built based on the risk identification parameters of ISO 31000 risk management principles and guidelines. The model states all risk identification parameters, identifies the relationships between those parameters, and uses a hierarchical-based method to draw complete risk scenarios. In addition, the proposed model defines the interdependency risk map among all risks stated in the model. This risk map can be used in understanding the evolution of the risks through time in SCADA systems. The proposed model is then transformed into a benchmark database containing 19,163 complete risk scenarios that can affect SCADA systems. Finally, a case study is presented to demonstrate one of the usages of the proposed model and its benchmark database. This case study provides 306 possible attack scenarios that Hacktivist can use to affect SCADA systems.
Feasibility Study of the Use of Handheld NIR Spectrometer for Simultaneous Authentication and Quantification of Quality Parameters in Intact Pineapple Fruits
Authors: Amuah Charles L. Y. , Teye Ernest , Lamptey Francis Padi , Nyandey Kwasi , Opoku-Ansah Jerry , Adueming Peter Osei-Wusu
Published: August 2019

The potential of predicting maturity using total soluble solids (TSS) and identifying organic from inorganic pineapple fruits based on near-infrared (NIR) spectra fingerprints would be beneficial to farmers and consumers alike. In this study, a portable NIR spectrometer and chemometric techniques were combined to simultaneously identify organically produced pineapple fruits from conventionally produced ones (thus organic and inorganic) and also predict total soluble solids. A total of 90 intact pineapple fruits were scanned with the NIR spectrometer while a digital refractometer was used to measure TSS from extracted pineapple juice. After attempting several preprocessing techniques, multivariate calibration models were built using principal component analysis (PCA), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to identify the classes (organic and conventional pineapple fruits) while partial least squares regression (PLSR) method was used to determine TSS of the fruits. Among the identification techniques, the MSC-PCA-LDA model accurately identified organic from conventionally produced fruits at 100% identification rate. For quantification of TSS, the MSC-PLSR model gave Rp = 0.851 and RMSEC = 0.950 °Brix, and Rc = 0.854 and RMSEP = 0.842 °Brix at 5 principal components in the calibration set and prediction set, respectively. The results generally indicated that portable NIR spectrometer coupled with the appropriate chemometric tools could be employed for rapid nondestructive examination of pineapple quality and also to detect pineapple fraud due to mislabeling of conventionally produced fruits as organic ones. This would be helpful to farmers, consumers, and quality control officers.
Research on the Resonance Characteristics of Rock under Harmonic Excitation
Authors: Li Siqi , Tian Shenglei , Li Wei , Yan Tie , Bi Fuqing
Published: August 2019

In order to study the resonance characteristics of rock under harmonic excitation, two vibration models have been presented to estimate the natural frequency of rock encountered during the drilling. The first one is a developed single‐DOF model which considers the properties and dimensions of the rock. The second one is a multi‐DOF model based on the principle of least action. Subsequently, the modal characteristics, as well as the influence of excitation frequency, the mechanical properties, and dimensions of the rock on its resonance frequency, are analyzed by using FEM. Finally, the ultrasonic test on artificial sandstones and materials of drill tools are carried out indoor, and the FFT transform method is adopted to obtain their resonance frequencies. Based on the analysis undertaken, it can be concluded that the natural frequency of the rock increases with the change of vibration mode. For the same kind of rock, the resonance frequency is inversely proportional to mass, while for the different kinds of rocks, the mechanical parameters, such as density, elastic modulus, and Poisson’s ratio, determine the resonance frequency of the rock together. Besides, the shape of the rock is also one of the main factors affecting its resonance frequency. At last, the theoretical research results are further verified by ultrasonic tests.
Block‐Extraction and Haar Transform Based Linear Singularity Representation for Image Enhancement
Authors: Hou Yingkun , Qu Xiaobo , Liu Guanghai , Lee Seong-Whan , Shen Dinggang
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we develop a novel linear singularity representation method using spatial K‐neighbor block‐extraction and Haar transform (BEH). Block‐extraction provides a group of image blocks with similar (generally smooth) backgrounds but different image edge locations. An interblock Haar transform is then used to represent these differences, thus achieving a linear singularity representation. Next, we magnify the weak detailed coefficients of BEH to allow for image enhancement. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves better image enhancement, compared to block-matching and 3D filtering (BM3D), nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT), and guided image filtering.
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Presents as an Ectopic Tubal Pregnancy, a Rare Entity
Authors: Al-Maghrabi Haneen , Saleh Daniyah , Meliti Abdelrazak
Published: August 2019

Ectopic molar pregnancy is an uncommon event in clinical practice. In this paper, we report a case of ectopic complete molar pregnancy in a 39-year-old lady who presented to the emergency department with lower abdominal pain, abdominal distention, and low-grade fever. Based on radiological and laboratory investigations, the differential diagnosis included ruptured ectopic pregnancy versus metastatic diseases. Ectopic hydatidiform molar pregnancies can occur at any extrauterine pelvic sites, yet more frequently affecting fallopian tubes. The histopathological examination remains the gold standard for the diagnosis.
Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping of Magnetic Quadrupole Moments
Authors: Cho Junghun , Zhou Dong , Kee Youngwook , Spincemaille Pascal , Wang Yi
Published: August 2019

We modeled the magnetic field up to the quadrupole term to investigate not only the average susceptibility (dipole), but also the susceptibility distribution (quadrupole) contribution. Expanding the magnetic field up to the 2nd order provides the quadrupole (0th: monopole, 1st: dipole). Numerical simulations were performed to investigate the quadrupole contribution with subvoxel nonuniformity. Conventional dipole and our dipole + quadrupole models were compared in the simulation, the phantom and human brain. Furthermore, the quadrupole field was compared with the anisotropic susceptibility field in the dipole tensor model. In a nonuniformity case, numerical simulations showed a nonnegligible quadrupole field contribution. Our study showed a difference between the two methods in the susceptibility map at the edges; both the phantom and human studies showed sharper structural edges with the dipole + quadrupole model. Quadrupole moments showed contrast mainly at the structural boundaries. The quadrupole moment field contribution was smaller but nonnegligible compared to the anisotropic susceptibility contribution. Nonuniform and uniform source distributions can be separately considered by quadrupole expansion, which were mixed together in the dipole model. In the presence of nonuniformity, the susceptibility maps may be different between the two models. For a comprehensive field model, the quadrupole might need to be considered along with susceptibility anisotropy and microstructure effects.
Tau-Reactive Endogenous Antibodies: Origin, Functionality, and Implications for the Pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Hromadkova Lenka , Ovsepian Saak Victor
Published: August 2019

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), tau pathology manifested in the accumulation of intraneuronal tangles and soluble toxic oligomers emerges as a potential therapeutic target. Multiple anti-tau antibodies inhibiting the formation and propagation of cytotoxic tau or promoting its clearance and degradation have been tested in clinical trials, albeit with the inconclusive outcome. Antibodies against tau protein have been found both in the brain circulatory system and at the periphery, but their origin and role under normal conditions and in AD remain unclear. While it is tempting to assign them a protective role in regulating tau level and removal of toxic variants, the supportive evidence remains sporadic, requiring systematic analysis and critical evaluation. Herein, we review recent data showing the occurrence of tau-reactive antibodies in the brain and peripheral circulation and discuss their origin and significance in tau clearance. Based on the emerging evidence, we cautiously propose that impairments of tau clearance at the periphery by humoral immunity might aggravate the tau pathology in the central nervous system, with implication for the neurodegenerative process of AD.
A High Throughput HPLC-MS/MS Method for Antihypertensive Drugs Determination in Plasma and Its Application on Pharmacokinetic Interaction Study with Shuxuetong Injection in Rats
Authors: Wei Juan , Ma Wenjuan , Yao Guangzhe , Jia Qi , Cheng Xuejing , Ouyang Huizi , Chang Yanxu , Chen Xiaopeng , He Jun
Published: August 2019

A high-throughput HPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of four antihypertensive drugs including metoprolol tartrate, hydrochlorothiazide, nifedipine, and valsartan in rat plasma. The Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: A Group: gastric-administration of metoprolol tartrate, hydrochlorothiazide, nifedipine, or valsartan; B Group: a single intravenous injection of SXT, then dosing as the A group; C Group: daily injection of SXT through the tail vein for 8 consecutive days and dosing as the A group on the eighth day. For metoprolol tartrate and valsartan, blood samples were collected before administration and at time points 0.03, 0.08, 0.17, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 h from the fossa orbitalis vein. For hydrochlorothiazide and nifedipine, the time points were 0, 0.08, 0.17, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 h. The plasma samples containing different individual antihypertensive drug were mixed and prepared by protein precipitation with methanol. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 3.5 μm) using gradient elution with mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water (containing 0.1% formic acid). The flow rate was 0.3 mL/min. The detection was accomplished on a tandem mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in both positive and negative modes. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic interaction study of Shuxuetong injection on the antihypertensive drugs. The results suggested that SXT could increase the total amount of metoprolol tartrate and nifedipine in plasma and showed little influence on the pharmacokinetic behaviors of hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan.
Fractional Soliton Dynamics and Spectral Transform of Time‐Fractional Nonlinear Systems: A Concrete Example
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Wei Yuanyuan , Xu Bo
Published: August 2019

In this paper, the spectral transform with the reputation of nonlinear Fourier transform is extended for the first time to a local time‐fractional Korteweg‐de vries (tfKdV) equation. More specifically, a linear spectral problem associated with the KdV equation of integer order is first equipped with local time‐fractional derivative. Based on the spectral problem with the equipped local time‐fractional derivative, the local tfKdV equation with Lax integrability is then derived and solved by extending the spectral transform. As a result, a formula of exact solution with Mittag‐Leffler functions is obtained. Finally, in the case of reflectionless potential the obtained exact solution is reduced to fractional n‐soliton solution. In order to gain more insights into the fractional n‐soliton dynamics, the dynamical evolutions of the reduced fractional one‐, two‐, and three‐soliton solutions are simulated. It is shown that the velocities of the reduced fractional one‐, two‐, and three‐soliton solutions change with the fractional order.
Partial and Local Argument Properties of Holomorphic and Meromorphic Complex Functions in Several Variables
Authors: Zhou Jun , Duan Zhaoxia
Published: August 2019

The study describes a general argument analysis technique for holomorphic and meromorphic complex functions in several variables, or simply n‐variable complex functions with n ≥ 2. Argument analytic relationships for n‐variable complex functions with significance similar to the argument principle for one‐variable ones are retrieved partially and locally. More precisely, argument analysis in n‐variable complex functions is carried out one‐by‐one in terms of each and all variables, namely, partially, so that argument‐principle‐like relations are established in poly‐disc neighborhoods of the variable domains, namely locally. The technique is applicable graphically with loci plotting, independent of Cauchy integral contour and locus orientations; it is also numerically tractable without loci plotting via argument incremental integration. Numerical examples are included to illustrate the main results.
Investigation on Domain Pinning Mechanism in Nanometer Hard Magnetic Materials
Authors: Sun Yan , Ni Qingbao
Published: August 2019

The domain pinning mechanism was investigated in nanometer hard magnetic materials. The pinning fields of domain wall at different inhomogeneities were studied respectively. And exchange-coupling coefficient αex was investigated too. The results showed that αex is proportional to the ratio of inhomogeneity thickness ro to wall width δm for narrow inhomogeneity, while it decreases with enhancement of ro/δm for extended inhomogeneity. At a certain value of ro, exchange-coupling coefficient and pinning fields will reach the maximum. Exchange-coupling interaction and pinning fields are greatly influenced by inhomogeneity. Control range of inhomogeneity may obtain higher coercivity.
Equation of States and Charmonium Suppression in Heavy-Ion Collisions
Authors: Nilima Indrani , Agotiya Vineet Kumar
Published: August 2019

The present article is the follow-up of our work Bottomonium suppression in quasi-particle model, where we have extended the study for charmonium states using quasi-particle model in terms of quasi-gluons and quasi quarks/antiquarks as an equation of state. By employing medium modification to a heavy quark potential thermodynamic observables, viz., pressure, energy density, speed of sound, etc. have been calculated which nicely fit with the lattice equation of state for gluon, massless, and as well massive flavored plasma. For obtaining the thermodynamic observables we employed the debye mass in the quasi particle picture. We extended the quasi-particle model to calculate charmonium suppression in an expanding, dissipative strongly interacting QGP medium (SIQGP). We obtained the suppression pattern for charmonium states with respect to the number of participants at mid-rapidity and compared it with the experimental data (CMS JHEP) and (CMS PAS) at LHC energy (Pb+Pb collisions, sNN = 2.76 TeV).
MDM2 Derived from Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma Extracellular Vesicles Induces MMP2 Production from Preadipocytes
Authors: Casadei Lucia , Calore Federica , Braggio Danielle A. , Zewdu Abeba , Deshmukh Ameya A. , Fadda Paolo , Lopez Gonzalo , Wabitsch Martin , Song Chi , Leight Jennifer L. , Grignol Valerie P. , Lev Dina , Croce Carlo M. , Pollock Raphael E.
Published: August 2019

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is frequently diagnosed late, and patients typically respond poorly to treatments. DDLPS is molecularly characterized by wild-type p53 and amplification of the MDM2 gene, which results in overexpression of MDM2 protein, a key oncogenic process in DDLPS. In this study, we demonstrate that extracellular vesicles derived from patients with DDLPS or from DDLPS cell lines are carriers of MDM2 DNA that can be transferred to preadipocytes, a major and ubiquitous cellular component of the DDLPS tumor microenvironment, leading to impaired p53 activity in preadipocytes and increased proliferation, migration, and production of matrix metalloproteinase 2; treatment with MDM2 inhibitors repressed these effects. Overall, these findings indicate that MDM2 plays a crucial role in DDLPS by enabling cross-talk between tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment and that targeting vesicular MDM2 could represent a therapeutic option for treating DDLPS.

Significance:

Extracellular vesicles derived from dedifferentiated liposarcoma cells induce oncogenic properties in preadipocytes.