bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Capital in Russian Power Generating Corporations
Authors: Pletnev Dmitri , Kazadayev Maxim , Barkhatov Victor
Published: March 2020

The Russian energy industry is on the verge of major changes. The potential of existing technologies has been exhausted, and to ensure economic growth, the development and implementation of new approaches in the field of electricity generation is necessary. The human capital of enterprises is the most important driver of changes in the energy sector. The purpose of the article is to analyze the influence of factors characterizing human capital on the effectiveness of Russian power generating corporations. The study found that the efficiency of power generating corporations is most strongly influenced by the share of managers in the structure of employment and labor productivity. Such indicators as the share of specialists with higher education and staff turnover did not significantly affect the efficiency of power generating corporations.
Management and economic efficiency criteria in the organization of safe rail transportation
Authors: Kazanskaya Liliya , Shaykina Elvira
Published: March 2020

Ensuring safety in rail transportation is achieved by creating a certain management structure of the company, which contributes to the improvement of economic sustainability and organization of safe traffic. The analysis of indicators to assess the state of traffic safety in JSC “Uzbekistan Temir Yullari” (the object of the study) allowed the authors to formulate the purpose of the study, which is to develop algorithms for carrying out measures to ensure traffic safety on the basis of economic criteria of management efficiency. Following stages of planning as the analysis of indicators of safety and identification of problems, analysis of causes of the identified problems, development of ideas objectives, setting measurable goals, checking the achievement of objectives, developing options for action achieve the goals. For each stage on the basis of methods of correlation, regression and factor analysis algorithms of their carrying out are developed. The concept of measures is developed to improve the economic efficiency of traffic safety management, depending on the method of management. With the functional approach, the main direction of the plan is to strengthen control, and with the process approach-the regulation of technological processes and training of production personnel. The authors believe that the implementation of the proposed recommendations for decision - making on traffic safety is a comprehensive preventive measure to ensure a guaranteed level of safety, which will improve the overall economic efficiency of traffic safety management in the railway company.
Time influence of tunnel support on the factor of safety
Authors: Nedevska Ivana , Zafirovski Zlatko , Ognjenovic Slobodan , Nedevska Ivona , Gacevski Vasko
Published: March 2020

Before taking any measures to build a tunnel, the rock (soil) is in a primary stress state, which means that the stress state is a function of the thickness of the overburden. At the moment when the measures necessary to excavate a tunnel are taken, the rock state changes from primary to secondary, leading to stress concentration, especially in the tunnel abutments. If the rock is capable of accepting these stresses, a state of equilibrium is reached after certain deformations. Plastic deformations can occur if the stresses are larger than the strength of the rock mass. To avoid excessive deformations or collapse of the rock and the tunnel excavation, it is necessary to place a support. The achieved factor of safety is a function of both the support type and the time when the support is installed. This paper shall present a numerical example of different pressures considered in order to obtain the rock’s reaction curve.
Mathematical modeling of aerodynamic processes in railway tunnels on high-speed railways
Authors: Ledyaev Alexander , Kavkazskiy Vladimir , Vatulin Yan , Svitin Valeriy , Shelgunov Oleg
Published: March 2020

The study of aerodynamic processes in railway tunnels on highspeed railways in the absence of practical experience in operation should be carried out with a sufficient degree of accuracy only by mathematical modeling. A multi-factor experiment was performed, which resulted in solving the optimization task of determining the tunnel cross-sectional area, taking into account aerodynamic processes. Based on the analysis of the results, the conclusion is made about the applicability of the method to the prognosis of aerodynamic effects on prospective tunnel structures of high-speed railways and optimization of geometric parameters of the tunnels.
About the influence of fiber on the deformation of compressed flanges at 3.6 h′f, 4.8 h′f, 8 h′f overhangs of reinforced rubber concrete t-beams with reinforcement of 2.50%
Authors: Polikutin Aleksei E. , Pinaev Sergey A. , Zyabukhin Pavel A. , Oforkaja Theophilus O.
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of fiber reinforcement on deformations arising from the applied load in the compressed flanges of reinforced rubber concrete beams of a T-section.This article presents the results of testing prototypes of rubber concrete and fiber rubber concrete beams of a T-section, tested to a pure bending. The strain curves for compressed flanges (3.6h’f , 4.8h’f , 8h’f overhangs) of reinforced rubber concrete beams of T-section are obtained.
Optimization of fused filament fabrication system by response surface method
Authors: Kandananond Karin
Published: March 2020

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is a 3D printing or additive manufacturing method used for rapid prototyping and manufacturing. The characterization and optimization of process parameters in FFF is of critical importance because the quality of the specimens produced by this method substantially depends on the appropriate setting of various significant factors. In this study, the FFF printing process using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) as the filament material was investigated for the optimization of significant factors in the process. Three potential factors, namely nozzle temperature, bed temperature, and printing speed, were included in this study as the inputs, while surface roughness of the specimens was considered as the output. Roughness measurements were made on the flat surfaces at the top and bottom of the specimens. As the ranges for optimal factor settings were recommended by the manufacturer, the Box-Behnken design, which is a response surface method (RSM), was utilized in this study. In each treatment, two replicas of the test specimens were used for the confirmation test. The results of the statistical analyses indicated that the bed temperature and the printing speed had a significant impact on the surface roughness. Another finding was that there was a non-linear relationship between the bed temperature and the surface roughness. The optimal settings for the factors arrived at in this study can serve as guidelines for the practitioners to achieve the highest performance when they use FFF with ABS filaments.
High-order Galerkin method for Helmholtz and Laplace problems on multiple open arcs
Authors: Jerez-Hanckes Carlos , Pinto José
Published: March 2020

We present a spectral Galerkin numerical scheme for solving Helmholtz and Laplace problems with Dirichlet boundary conditions on a finite collection of open arcs in two-dimensional space. A boundary integral method is employed, giving rise to a first kind Fredholm equation whose variational form is discretized using weighted Chebyshev polynomials. Well-posedness of the discrete problems is established as well as algebraic or even exponential convergence rates depending on the regularities of both arcs and excitations. Our numerical experiments show the robustness of the method with respect to number of arcs and large wavenumber range. Moreover, we present a suitable compression algorithm that further accelerates computational times.
Hepatitis-associated Aplastic Anaemia in Children
Authors: Böske Anne-Kathrin , Sander Annette , Sykora Karl-Walter , Baumann Ulrich , Pfister Eva-Doreen
Published: March 2020

Background Children with idiopathic acute liver failure (IALF) are at a high risk of developing life-threatening bone marrow failure (BMF). The aim of the study was to describe the development, therapy and prognosis of this hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia (HAAA) in comparison to isolated acquired aplastic anaemia.

Results We retrospectively found 18 patients (9 female) of HAAA between 1984 and 2017 with an age of 1.4–16.4 years. Fifteen of them fulfilled the SAA criteria, 3 had a bone marrow hypoplasia. Eleven of these children received liver transplantation (LTx) (these were 11 of 42 (26%) children receiving LTx for IALF), 6 patients recovered without LTx. The first signs of BMF, thrombocytopaenia and leucocytopaenia, occurred before LTx in all cases. During the follow-up period 8 patients reached haematological remission, 6 received haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Seven children died in a median of 304 days after the first symptoms mostly because of bleedings and infections. To date, extensive investigations failed to detect a genetically, viral or immunological aetiology. No AA was diagnosed in the 41 patients receiving liver transplants during the same period for ALF of known aetiology. As a comparison group, we collected the data of patients with isolated SAA. 73% achieved a remission after Immunosuppressive therapy (IST) without HSCT, and none of them died during the follow-up period.

Conclusion Blood counts should be examined early and regularly (0–22 days after onset) in patients with IALF. Aggressive treatment with LTx, IST and HSCT appears to improve the prognosis.
How Reliable Is a Statewide Prescription Monitoring Program for Identifying Post-Cesarean Opioid Use?
Authors: Premkumar Ashish , Speedy Sedona E. , Miller Emily S.
Published: March 2020

Objective This study was aimed to estimate the percentage of women taking opioids post-cesarean who could be detected in a state prescription monitoring program (PMP) and characteristics of those not able to be detected.

Study Design This observational cohort study included all women with an Illinois address who delivered via cesarean section and used opioids within 24 hours prior to discharge at a tertiary care hospital between August 21, 2017 and March 1, 2018. The Illinois PMP was queried for presence of an opioid prescription filled within the first 3 months postpartum. Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with an undetectable PMP record were evaluated in bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results A total of 517 women underwent a cesarean delivery during the study period, of whom 344 (66.5%) met inclusion criteria. Of these women, 169 (49%) did not have a detectable PMP record of filling any outpatient postpartum prescription opioid. On bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis, year of delivery (2018 vs. 2017) was significantly associated with a higher incidence of detectable postpartum prescription opioid record in the PMP with increasing relative risk of detectable records in the second year of analyses (n = 110/244 [45%] in 2017 vs. n = 59/100 [59%] in 2018, adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.64, p = 0.013). No other sociodemographic or clinical characteristics was significantly associated.

Conclusion Nearly half of women who underwent a cesarean section and who were administered opioids 24 hours prior to discharge did not have a detectable postpartum opioid prescription in the PMP. While identification of prescription filling improved with time, many of women were not detectable in the PMP system. These data call into question the accuracy of PMPs in identifying prescription opioid filling patterns in the postpartum setting.
Segregating socioeconomic classes leads to an unequal redistribution of wealth
Authors: Pansini Riccardo , Campennì Marco , Shi Lei
Published: March 2020

Social living groups are organised in social hierarchies often exhibiting inequalities in beings. Investigating class segregation and the use of punishment applied downward in the rank acts as a key aspect to ascertain how dominant and subordinate partners cooperate to achieve mutual profit. In human subjects coming from countries with an uneven wealth distribution, this mutual profit may be reduced, especially for the lower socioeconomic classes. We implemented an Iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma Game experiment in one such country with starkly high inequality, China. We split relatively richer and poorer subjects into separate classes and gave only one the authority to punish the other. When rich subjects could unidirectionally punish poor subjects (as in a segregated society), rich subjects decreased their cooperation effort while punishing poor subjects. When rich and poor subjects, instead, could punish each other in random combinations (as in an integrated society) they decreased defections so they could punish more. In the segregated society model, the punishing classes earned twice as much as the non-punishers. Conversely, in the integrated society model, weak differences in earnings were found, leading to a decrease in inequality. These results were confirmed by an agent-based simulation mirroring the human experiments and repeated during a very large number of rounds. From our research, we conclude that, especially in developing economies, if the states enacted that the dominant and subordinate individuals relinquished their almost segregated state, this would lead to a redistribution of wealth and power.
Electrical stimulation affects adsorption dynamics in a conductive, biocompatible polymer
Authors: Mandel Savannah
Published: March 2020

Application of electrical stimulation on a conductive, partially biodegradable copolymer results in increased adsorption and heightened growth of fibroblast cells.
Scandium(III) Triflate as a Lewis Acid Catalyst of Oxime Ligation
Authors: Cistrone Philip A. , Dirksen Anouk , Ingale Sampat , Dawson Philip E.
Published: March 2020

Imine-forming reactions are widely applicable in bioconjugation owing to their high chemoselectivity. The ligation of a ketone or aldehyde with an aminooxy functional group to form a physiologically stable oxime bond is often used to link complex and precious biomolecules. Although the reaction proceeds modestly in acidic solution, the abundance of protonated carbonyl species at pH 7 limits its utility in many biological applications. The use of nucleophilic aryl amines, such as aniline or a phenylenediamine, allows a high population of protonated Schiff base to undergo transimination to the oxime product. Although this method affords significant enhancements at low pH, reactions can still be sluggish at neutral pH, especially with ketones such as acetophenone that are commonly used in bioconjugation. Here, we employ scandium(iii) trifluromethanesulfonate (triflate) (Sc(OTf)3), a uniquely water-stable Lewis acid, as a co-catalyst with ortho-phenylenediamine in the oxime ligation to yield up to an order of magnitude rate enhancement over the catalysts when applied individually.
Targeting the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in metastatic melanoma
Authors: Sharma Samanta , Zhang Tian , Michowski Wojciech , Rebecca Vito W. , Xiao Min , Ferretti Roberta , Suski Jan M. , Bronson Roderick T. , Paulo Joao A. , Frederick Dennie , Fassl Anne , Boland Genevieve M. , Geng Yan , Lees Jacqueline A. , Medema Rene H. , Herlyn Meenhard , Gygi Steven P. , Sicinski Piotr
Published: March 2020

Significance

Melanomas are notorious due to their propensity to form lethal metastases. Currently, no treatments are available to stop the metastatic spread. We observed that in malignant melanomas, a protein called the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) is essential for melanoma metastasis. Using mouse and human melanoma cells, we demonstrated that in this tumor type CDK5 promotes the metastatic spread by directly phosphorylating a mesenchymal-type intermediate filament, vimentin. We found that a genetic shutdown of CDK5 in a mouse model of melanoma abrogated metastasis, while chemical inhibition of CDK5 kinase in mice carrying patient-derived tumors impeded the metastatic spread of tumor cells. Our results indicate that inhibition of CDK5 might represent a therapeutic strategy to block the metastatic dissemination of melanoma cells.
Intersubjectification in constructional change
Authors: Hilpert Martin , Bourgeois Samuel
Published: March 2020

This paper addresses constructional change in a dialogical construction that is illustrated by utterances such assarcastic much?, which typically serve the purpose of an interactional challenge. Drawing on web-based corpus data, we argue that this construction is currently undergoing a process of change that expands its range of possible uses. Specifically, we observe the emergence of uses with a different intersubjective function, in which the writer does not aim for confrontation but is rather seeking the solidarity and alignment of the addressee. We offer an account of this development in terms of constructional change, and we use this case study to explore how intersubjectification and the dialogic nature of language can be accommodated more thoroughly in a constructional theory of language change.
Belief at first sight
Authors: Kosminsky Doris , Walny Jagoda , Vermeulen Jo , Knudsen Søren , Willett Wesley , Carpendale Sheelagh
Published: March 2020

Data visualizations are often represented in public discourse as objective proof of facts. However, a visualization is only a single translation of reality, just like any other media, representation devices, or modes of representation. If we wish to encourage thoughtful, informed, and literate consumption of data visualizations, it is crucial that we consider why they are often presented and interpreted as objective. We reflect theoretically on data visualization as a system of representation historically anchored in science, rationalism, and notions of objectivity. It establishes itself within a lineage of conventions for visual representations which extends from the Renaissance to the present and includes perspective drawing, photography, cinema and television, as well as computer graphics. By examining our tendency to see credibility in data visualizations and grounding that predisposition in a historical context, we hope to encourage more critical and nuanced production and interpretation of data visualizations in the public discourse.
Civil society events: Ambiguities and the exertion of cultural power
Authors: Citroni Sebastiano
Published: March 2020

Cultural ‘events’ such as festivals and performances are increasingly used by civil society actors for a variety of goals, including the pursuit of social inclusion. Current debates around such events focus on their contradictions and associated failures, not least the illusory nature of their participatory character or their inadequacy in tackling structural dimensions such as inequality or poverty. This paper shifts the emphasis from what civil society events do not do, to what they do, illustrating how this production occurs not in spite of but through the promises that sustain events’ development. The analysis focuses on a case study of a local civic project promoted by ten non-profit groups in Milan from 2006 to 2010. As well as accounting for the growing number of civil society events, this paper highlights how events act as effective weapons of cultural power as they invite participation in pursuit of general goals, such as the promotion of social inclusion, while at the same time allowing events’ organisers to subtly control the specific meanings of the goals they are pursuing.
Particle dynamics and transport enhancement in a confined channel with position-dependent diffusivity
Authors: Li Yongge , Mei Ruoxing , Xu Yong , Kurths Jürgen , Duan Jinqiao , Metzler Ralf
Published: March 2020

This work focuses on the dynamics of particles in a confined geometry with position-dependent diffusivity, where the confinement is modelled by a periodic channel consisting of unit cells connected by narrow passage ways. We consider three functional forms for the diffusivity, corresponding to the scenarios of a constant (D
0), as well as a low (D
m) and a high (D
d) mobility diffusion in cell centre of the longitudinally symmetric cells. Due to the interaction among the diffusivity, channel shape and external force, the system exhibits complex and interesting phenomena. By calculating the probability density function, mean velocity and mean first exit time with the Itô calculus form, we find that in the absence of external forces the diffusivity D
d will redistribute particles near the channel wall, while the diffusivity D
m will trap them near the cell centre. The superposition of external forces will break their static distributions. Besides, our results demonstrate that for the diffusivity D
d, a high dependence on the x coordinate (parallel with the central channel line) will improve the mean velocity of the particles. In contrast, for the diffusivity D
m, a weak dependence on the x coordinate will dramatically accelerate the moving speed. In addition, it shows that a large external force can weaken the influences of different diffusivities; inversely, for a small external force, the types of diffusivity affect significantly the particle dynamics. In practice, one can apply these results to achieve a prominent enhancement of the particle transport in two- or three-dimensional channels by modulating the local tracer diffusivity via an engineered gel of varying porosity or by adding a cold tube to cool down the diffusivity along the central line, which may be a relevant effect in engineering applications. Effects of different stochastic calculi in the evaluation of the underlying multiplicative stochastic equation for different physical scenarios are discussed.
The true corrugation of a h-BN nanomesh layer
Authors: de Lima L H , Greber T , Muntwiler M
Published: March 2020

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanomesh, a two-dimensional insulating monolayer, grown on the (111) surface of rhodium exhibits an intriguing hexagonal corrugation pattern with a lattice constant of 3.2 nm. Despite numerous experimental and theoretical studies no quantitative agreement has been found on some details of the adsorption geometry such as the corrugation amplitude. The issue highlights the differences in chemical and electronic environment in the strongly bound pore regions and the weakly bound wire regions of the corrugated structure. For reliable results it is important to probe the structure with a method that is intrinsically sensitive to the position of the atomic cores rather than the electron density of states.

In this work, we determine the corrugation of h-BN nanomesh from angle- and energy-resolved photoelectron diffraction measurements with chemical state resolution. By combining the results from angle and energy scans and comparing them to multiple-scattering simulations true adsorbate-substrate distance can be measured with high precision, avoiding pitfalls of apparent topography observed in scanning probe techniques. Our experimental results give accurate values for the peak-to-peak corrugation amplitude (0.80 Å), the bonding distance to the substrate (2.20 Å) and the buckling of the boron and nitrogen atoms in the strongly bound pore regions (0.07 Å).

These results are important for the development of theoretical methods that involve a quantitative description of van der Waals systems as required for the understanding of the physics of two-dimensional sp2 layers.
Law at a Critical Juncture: The US Army’s Command Responsibility Trials at Manila, 1945-1947
Authors: Fellows Jamie
Published: March 2020

The US Army’s war crimes trials of the hundreds of Japanese military personnel tried at Manila from 1945 to 1947 represent an opportunity to gain valuable insights into Allied ‘justice’ at a time when many aspects of war crimes jurisprudence were at a formative stage. Specifically, the Manila trials offer a unique portal into the jurisprudence of the doctrine of command responsibility. The ‘command responsibility trials’ at Manila, as they became known, are important for understanding the jurisprudential path to finding superiors criminally responsible for the criminal acts of their subordinates. This paper examines five trials from the US Army’s Manila trials in relation to the doctrine of command responsibility and in so doing, shows how the Manila trials significantly contributed to the development of the very important doctrine known as command responsibility.
Factors Affecting Asbestosis Mortality Among Asbestos-Cement Workers in Italy
Authors: Girardi Paolo , Merler Enzo , Ferrante Daniela , Silvestri Stefano , Chellini Elisabetta , Angelini Alessia , Luberto Ferdinando , Fedeli Ugo , Oddone Enrico , Vicentini Massimo , Barone-Adesi Francesco , Cena Tiziana , Mirabelli Dario , Mangone Lucia , Roncaglia Francesca , Sala Orietta , Menegozzo Simona , Pirastu Roberta , Azzolina Danila , Tunesi Sara , Miligi Lucia , Perticaroli Patrizia , Pettinari Aldo , Cuccaro Francesco , Nannavecchia Anna Maria , Bisceglia Lucia , Marinaccio Alessandro , Pavone Venere Leda Mara , Magnani Corrado
Published: March 2020

Objectives

This study was performed with the aim of investigating the temporal patterns and determinants associated with mortality from asbestosis among 21 cohorts of Asbestos-Cement (AC) workers who were heavily exposed to asbestos fibres.

Methods

Mortality for asbestosis was analysed for a cohort of 13 076 Italian AC workers (18.1% women). Individual cumulative asbestos exposure index was calculated by factory and period of work weighting by the different composition of asbestos used (crocidolite, amosite, and chrysotile). Two different approaches to analysis, based on Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) and Age-Period-Cohort (APC) models were applied.

Results

Among the considered AC facilities, asbestos exposure was extremely high until the end of the 1970s and, due to the long latency, a peak of asbestosis mortality was observed after the 1990s. Mortality for asbestosis reached extremely high SMR values [SMR: males 508, 95% confidence interval (CI): 446–563; females 1027, 95% CI: 771–1336]. SMR increased steeply with the increasing values of cumulative asbestos exposure and with Time Since the First Exposure. APC analysis reported a clear age effect with a mortality peak at 75–80 years; the mortality for asbestosis increased in the last three quintiles of the cumulative exposure; calendar period did not have a significant temporal component while the cohort effect disappeared if we included in the model the cumulative exposure to asbestos.

Conclusions

Among heaviest exposed workers, mortality risk for asbestosis began to increase before 50 years of age. Mortality for asbestosis was mainly determined by cumulative exposure to asbestos.
Estimation in linear errors-in-variables models with unknown error distribution
Authors: Nghiem Linh H , Byrd Michael C , Potgieter Cornelis J
Published: March 2020

Parameter estimation in linear errors-in-variables models typically requires that the measurement error distribution be known or estimable from replicate data. A generalized method of moments approach can be used to estimate model parameters in the absence of knowledge of the error distributions, but it requires the existence of a large number of model moments. In this paper, parameter estimation based on the phase function, a normalized version of the characteristic function, is considered. This approach requires the model covariates to have asymmetric distributions, while the error distributions are symmetric. Parameters are estimated by minimizing a distance function between the empirical phase functions of the noisy covariates and the outcome variable. No knowledge of the measurement error distribution is needed to calculate this estimator. Both asymptotic and finite-sample properties of the estimator are studied. The connection between the phase function approach and method of moments is also discussed. The estimation of standard errors is considered and a modified bootstrap algorithm for fast computation is proposed. The newly proposed estimator is competitive with the generalized method of moments, despite making fewer model assumptions about the moment structure of the measurement error. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a real dataset containing measurements of air pollution levels.
A Systems Model of Repeat Court-Ordered Removals: Responding to Child Protection Challenges Using a Systems Approach
Authors: Wise Sarah
Published: March 2020

Repeat removals, where parents lose successive infants and children to out-of-home care, is a systems problem requiring a systems approach to broaden our thinking and expand our choices for action. A transdisciplinary group of key stakeholders in Australia jointly constructed a causal loop diagram to bring forth the systemic structure underlying the issue and identify system conditions that need to be altered. Analysis of the causal loop diagram surfaced eight dynamic positive feedback loops which result in a self-reinforcing system. While the model reflects the understanding of a relatively small group and requires further testing, it adds to current conceptualisations of repeat removal by hypothesising systemic causes and offers new directions for prevention. Stakeholders homed in on stigmatised stereotypes of recurrent birth mothers and the child protection culture, practitioner decision-making, parent–practitioner interactions and parental participation in child protection case planning as ways of correcting against vicious feedback loops. A systems approach contributed useful insights into the problem of repeat removals and could productively be used in respect of a range of other complex child protection challenges.
Nebulized heparin for inhalation injury in burn patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lan Xiaodong , Huang Zhiyong , Tan Ziming , Huang Zhenjia , Wang Dehuai , Huang Yuesheng
Published: March 2020

Background

Smoke inhalation injury increases overall burn mortality. Locally applied heparin attenuates lung injury in burn animal models of smoke inhalation. It is uncertain whether local treatment of heparin is benefit for burn patients with inhalation trauma. We systematically reviewed published clinical trial data to evaluate the effectiveness of nebulized heparin in treating burn patients with inhalation injury.

Methods

A systematic search was undertaken in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, the Chinese Journals Full-text Database, the China Biomedical Literature Database and the Wanfang Database to obtain clinical controlled trails evaluating nebulized heparin in the treatment of burn patients with inhalation injury. Patient and clinical characteristics, interventions and physiological and clinical outcomes were recorded. Cochrane Risk of Bias Evaluation Tool and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale were used to evaluate data quality. Potential publication bias was assessed by Egger’s test. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the stability of the results. The meta-analysis was conducted in R 3.5.1 software.

Results

Nine trials were eligible for the systematic review and meta-analysis. Nebulized heparin can reduce lung injury and improve lung function in burn patients with inhalation injury without abnormal coagulation or bleeding, but the findings are still controversial. Mortality in the heparin-treated group was lower than that of the traditional treatment group (relative risk (RR) 0.75). The duration of mechanical ventilation (DOMV) was shorter in the heparin-treated group compared to the traditional treatment group (standardized mean difference (SMD) −0.78). Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter than that in the traditional treatment group (SMD −0.42), but incidence rates of pneumonia and unplanned reintubation were not significantly different in the study groups (RRs 0.97 and 0.88, respectively). No statistically significant publication biases were detected for the above clinical endpoints (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Based on conventional aerosol therapy, heparin nebulization can further reduce lung injury, improve lung function, shorten DOMV and length of hospital stay, and reduce mortality, although it does not reduce the incidence of pneumonia and/or the unplanned reintubation rate.
Measuring and validating concentrations of steroid hormones in the skin of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Authors: Bechshoft Thea , Wright Andrew J , Styrishave Bjarne , Houser Dorian
Published: March 2020

A previously published analytical method demonstrated the quantification of the hormone cortisol in cetacean skin. However, little is known about the transfer of hormones between blood and skin. Recognizing that such information is essential to effectively using skin samples within marine mammal stress research, the primary goals of this study were to (i) expand on the number of steroid hormones proved quantifiable in the cetacean skin matrix and (ii) validate the use of cetacean skin as a matrix for measuring stress-related hormones. Five adult bottlenose dolphins were subjected to an out of water stress test. Non-invasive sloughed skin samples were collected from each dolphin: once ~3 and once ~1 week prior to the stress test; at the time of the stress test; and twice weekly for 11 to 17 weeks subsequent to the stress test. LCMS/MS analysis of the samples recovered consistent data on three corticosteroids (cortisol, aldosterone, corticosterone), two androgens (testosterone, DHEA) and one progestagen (progesterone). A range of other hormones were also quantifiable, although not consistently so across samples. Results demonstrated that the hormonal response to an acute stressor could be detected in skin: the time from stress test to skin cortisol peak was an average of 46 days, whereas it was 55 days for corticosterone and 47 days for aldosterone. Results also showed that baseline hormonal concentrations were obtainable from skin samples collected during or immediately after the animals were subjected to the acute stressor. This study further develops and validates a non-invasive method for measuring cortisol and other hormones related to stress, health, and reproduction in the skin of cetaceans, potentially supporting investigations of acute and chronic stress, such as cetacean endocrine responses to distinct (e.g. naval sonar exposure) or prolonged stressors (e.g. shipping noise).
Non-coding RNA therapeutics for cardiac regeneration
Authors: Braga Luca , Ali Hashim , Secco Ilaria , Giacca Mauro
Published: March 2020

A growing body of evidence indicates that cardiac regeneration after myocardial infarction can be achieved by stimulating the endogenous capacity of cardiomyocytes (CMs) to replicate. This process is controlled, both positively and negatively, by a large set of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Some of the microRNAs (miRNAs) that can stimulate CM proliferation is expressed in embryonic stem cells and is required to maintain pluripotency (e.g. the miR-302∼367 cluster). Others also govern the proliferation of different cell types, including cancer cells (e.g. the miR-17∼92 cluster). Additional miRNAs were discovered through systematic screenings (e.g. miR-199a-3p and miR-590-3p). Several miRNAs instead suppress CM proliferation and are involved in the withdrawal of CMs from the cell cycle after birth (e.g. the let-7 and miR-15 families). Similar regulatory roles on CM proliferation are also exerted by a few long ncRNAs. This body of information has obvious therapeutic implications, as miRNAs with activator function or short antisense oligonucleotides against inhibitory miRNAs or lncRNAs can be administered to stimulate cardiac regeneration. Expression of miRNAs can be achieved by gene therapy using adeno-associated vectors, which transduce CMs with high efficiency. More effective and safer for therapeutic purposes, small nucleic acid therapeutics can be obtained as chemically modified, synthetic molecules, which can be administered through lipofection or inclusion in lipid or polymer nanoparticles for efficient cardiac delivery. The notion that it is possible to reprogramme CMs into a regenerative state and that this property can be enhanced by ncRNA therapeutics remains exciting, however extensive experimentation in large mammals and rigorous assessment of safety are required to advance towards clinical application.
Failure rates among metal brackets cured with two high-intensity LED light-curing lamps: anin vivostudy
Authors: Albertin Silvia Americo , Pinzan-Vercelino Célia Regina Maio , Flores-Mir Carlos , Gurgel Júlio de Araújo
Published: March 2020

Objective

The objective of this split-mouth clinical trial was to compare bonding failure rates of metal brackets bonded with two different light-emitting diode (LED) light-curing lamps with different high-intensity power outputs.

Materials and methods

Forty patients were included for a total of 800 brackets that were randomly bonded (left and right sides in a 1:1 ratio) in maxillary and mandibular arches using two different LED devices. An LED of 3200 mW/cm2 and an LED of 5000 mW/cm2 were used in this split-mouth clinical trial. Bonding failures during the initial 6 months of orthodontic treatment were recorded as maxillary versus mandibular, anterior teeth versus posterior teeth, and left side versus right side.

Results

Five dropouts were recorded for discontinuing orthodontic treatment and 700 brackets were analysed in total. The bonding failure rates for 3200 and 5000 mW/cm2 LEDs were 6.0 and 7.4 per cent, respectively (P = 0.450), which were not statistically significantly different. There were no significant differences in bracket survival rates between the LEDs used (P = 0.866). The posterior teeth presented a higher index of bond failures (odds ratio, 3.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.68–5.87; P < 0.001).

Limitations

Direct comparison was only done between two high-intensity LED lights rather than against conventionally used halogen lights.

Conclusion

Similar bonding failures were recorded using both LED devices (3200 and 5000 mW/cm2). Significantly more bonding failures occurred in premolar teeth than in anterior teeth.
Parental consumption of ultra-processed, high-fat products has no association with childhood overweight/obesity: an epidemiological study among 10–12-years-old children in Greece
Authors: Kanellopoulou Aikaterini , Antoniou Eleni , Notara Venetia , Antonogeorgos George , Rojas-Gil Andrea-Paola , Kornilaki Ekaterini , Kordoni Maria-Eleni , Velentza Anna , Mesimeri Magdalini , Lagiou Areti , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B
Published: March 2020

Background

Overweight and obesity during childhood consist two of the most important public health issues in the 21st century. Consumption of high-fat processed food has been increased alarmingly.

Objective

To examine the association between parental ultra-processed, high-fat products’ consumption and childhood overweight/obesity.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey, conducted among 422 children, aged 10–12 years, and their parents, during school years 2014–16. Parental and child data were collected through self-administered, anonymous and validated questionnaires. Among others, high-fat ultra-processed food consumption was also recorded. Children’s weight status was based on gender- and age-specific tables derived from the International Obesity Task Force body mass index (BMI) cut-offs.

Results

The prevalence of obesity in the reference population was 2.9%, whereas the prevalence of overweight was 19.3%. A strong correlation was observed between children’s and their parents’ BMI status (P < 0.001). Multi-adjusted data analysis revealed no association between parental intake of ultra-processed, high-fat products and children overweight/obesity. Similarly, when the data analysis accounted for family income and physical activity status of the children, the aforementioned results remained insignificant.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that parents’ specific dietary habits seem not to affect their children’s weight status, public health programs should consider parental nutrition education and mobilization as a preventive measure for childhood overweight/obesity.
Long-term combined administration of Bifidobacterium bifidum TMC3115 and Lactobacillus plantarum 45 alleviates spatial memory impairment and gut dysbiosis in APP/PS1 mice
Authors: Wang Feng , Xu Tong , Zhang Yujie , Zheng Tingting , He Yunling , He Fang , Jiang Yugang
Published: March 2020

This study aimed to determine the effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum TMC3115, Lactobacillus plantarum 45 (LP45) and their combined use on cognitive performance and gut microbiota in APP/PS1 mice. The APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into four groups: Alzheimer's disease (AD) model group, TMC3115 group [1 × 109 colony forming unit (CFU)], LP45 group (1 × 109 CFU) and a mixture group of TMC3115 (5 × 108 CFU) and LP45 (5 × 108 CFU). The wild-type littermates were chosen as normal control. The mice were sacrificed at the end of 22 weeks after behavioral evaluation. Collected cecum content was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Combined use of TMC3115 and LP45 significantly increased the times across the platform, time spent in the target quadrant compared with the AD, TMC3115 and LP45 groups in Morris water maze test. Microbiota analysis showed that combined TMC3115 and LP45 supplementation significantly increased observed species and beta diversity, and reversed gut dysbiosis by decreasing the abundance of Bacteroides and increasing the abundance of Acetatifactor and Millionella. These results indicate the long-term combined administration of TMC3115 and LP45 can improve spatial memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice and suggest that modifying the gut microbiome may provide potential benefits for AD patients.
Diabetes mellitus type 2 drives metabolic reprogramming to promote pancreatic cancer growth
Authors: Velazquez-Torres Guermarie , Fuentes-Mattei Enrique , Choi Hyun Ho , Yeung Sai-Ching J , Meng Xiangqi , Lee Mong-Hong
Published: March 2020

Background

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a modifiable risk factor associated with pancreatic carcinogenesis and tumor progression on the basis of epidemiology studies, but the biological mechanisms are not completely understood. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate direct evidence for the mechanisms mediating these epidemiologic phenomena. Our hypothesis is that DM2 accelerates pancreatic cancer growth and that metformin treatment has a beneficial impact.

Methods

To determine the effect of glucose and insulin in pancreatic cancer proliferation, we used conditioned media to mimic DM2 conditions. Also, we studied the effect of anti-diabetic drugs, particularly metformin and rosiglitazone on pancreatic cancer growth. We established orthotopic/syngeneic (Leprdb/db) mouse cancer models to evaluate the effect of diabetes on pancreatic tumor growth and aggressiveness.

Results

Our results showed that diabetes promotes pancreatic tumor growth. Furthermore, enhanced tumor growth and aggressiveness (e.g. epithelial–mesenchymal transition) can be explained by functional transcriptomic and metabolomic changes in the mice with diabetes, namely via activation of the AKT/mTOR pathway. Metformin treatment suppressed the diabetes-induced AKT/mTOR pathway activation and tumor growth. The metabolic profile determined by mass spectrum showed important changes of metabolites in the pancreatic cancer derived from diabetic mice treated with metformin.

Conclusions

Diabetes mellitus type 2 has critical effects that promote pancreatic cancer progression via transcriptomic and metabolomic changes. Our animal models provide strong evidence for the causal relationship between diabetes and accelerated pancreatic cancers. This study sheds a new insight into the effects of metformin and its potential as part of therapeutic interventions for pancreatic cancer in diabetic patients.
Analysis of pneumothorax recurrence risk factors in 843 patients who underwent videothoracoscopy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax: results of a multicentric study
Authors: Cattoni Maria , Rotolo Nicola , Mastromarino Maria Giovanna , Cardillo Giuseppe , Nosotti Mario , Mendogni Paolo , Rizzi Alessandro , Raveglia Federico , Siciliani Alessandra , Rendina Erino A , Cagini Lucio , Matricardi Alberto , Filosso Pier Luigi , Passone Erika , Margaritora Stefano , Vita Maria Letizia , Bertoglio Pietro , Viti Andrea , Imperatori Andrea
Published: March 2020

OBJECTIVES

Risk factors for pneumothorax recurrence after videothoracoscopy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax are still being debated. The goal of this study was to assess whether the pleurodesis technique and other variables are possibly associated with the postoperative ipsilateral recurrence of pneumothorax.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data of 1178 consecutive ≤40-year-old patients who underwent videothoracoscopy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax in 9 centres between 2007 and 2017. We excluded patients with hybrid pleurodesis and/or incomplete follow-up, leaving for analysis 843 cases [80% men; median age (interquartile range) 22 (18–28) years]. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed by logistic regression and tested by Cox regression model to assess factors related to ipsilateral pneumothorax recurrence including age, gender, body mass index, smoking habit, cannabis smoking, respiratory comorbidity, dystrophic severity score, surgical indication, videothoracoscopy port number and side, lung resection, pleurodesis technique and postoperative prolonged air leak (>5 days).

RESULTS

Blebs/bullae resection was performed in 664 (79%) patients. Pleurodesis was achieved by partial pleurectomy in 228 (27%) cases; by pleural electrocauterization in 176 (21%); by pleural abrasion in 121 (14%); and by talc poudrage in 318 (38%). During a median follow-up period of 70.0 months (95% confidence interval 66.6–73.4), pneumothorax recurred in 79 patients (9.4%); among these, 29 underwent redo surgery; 34, chest drain/talc slurry; and 16, clinicoradiological observation. The only independent risk factor for recurrence was postoperative prolonged air leak (P < 0.001) that was significantly related to blebs/bullae resection (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In this multicentric series, postoperative ipsilateral pneumothorax recurrence was remarkable and independently related to prolonged postoperative air leak; besides the retrospective study setting, the pleurodesis method did not have an impact on recurrence. To prevent prolonged air leak, blebs/bullae treatment should be accurate and performed only if indicated.