bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypophosphatasia mimicking hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy: early recognition and management
Authors: Picton Aled , Nadar Ruchi , Pelivan Alexandra , Garikapati Vidya , Saraff Vrinda
Published: January 2020

Background

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare inherited disorder affecting bone and teeth development. Perinatal HPP is the most severe form and associated with a high mortality. Features include respiratory distress, skeletal abnormalities and low alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity.

Case

A baby boy developed respiratory distress, hypotonia and seizures within an hour of birth. Blood gas showed mixed acidosis and abnormal base deficit. Hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) was suspected and managed with therapeutic hypothermia. Subsequent investigations identified low ALP activity and abnormal bone mineralisation, leading to a diagnosis of HPP. On day 5 of life, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) was commenced, its first use via direct NHS England funding since UK licensing in 2017.

Conclusions

Early hypotonia is an atypical presentation for perinatal HPP. Combined with acidosis and encephalopathy, it can clinically mimic HIE. Early recognition of biochemical and radiological features of HPP is essential for rapid diagnosis and timely initiation of life-saving ERT.
Bubble versus other continuous positive airway pressure forms: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bharadwaj Shruti K , Alonazi Abdullah , Banfield Laura , Dutta Sourabh , Mukerji Amit
Published: January 2020

Background

Use of bubble continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has generated considerable interest in neonatal care, but its comparative effectiveness compared with other forms of CPAP, especially in developed countries, remains unclear.

Objective

To systematically review and meta-analyse short-term clinical outcomes among preterm infants treated with bubble CPAP vs all other forms of CPAP.

Methods

Prospective experimental studies published from 1995 onward until October 2018 comparing bubble versus other CPAP forms in preterm neonates <37 weeks’ gestational age were included after a systematic review of multiple databases using pre-specified search criteria.

Results

A total of 978 articles were identified, of which 19 articles were included in meta-analyses. Of these, 5 had a high risk of bias, 8 had unclear risk and 6 had low risk. The risk of the primary outcome (CPAP failure within 7 days) was lower with bubble CPAP (0.75; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.98; 12 studies, 1194 subjects, I2=21%). Among secondary outcomes, only nasal injury was higher with use of bubble CPAP (risk ratio (RR) 2.04, 95% CI 1.33 to 3.14; 9 studies, 983 subjects; I2=42%) whereas no differences in mortality (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.92; 9 studies, 1212 subjects, I2=20%) or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (RR 0.8, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.21; 8 studies, 816 subjects, I2=0%) were noted.

Conclusion

Bubble CPAP may lead to lower incidence of CPAP failure compared with other CPAP forms. However, it does not appear to translate to improvement in mortality or BPD and potential for nasal injury warrants close monitoring during clinical application.

Trial registration number

CRD42019120411.
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction due to β2microglobulin-amyloidosis in a patient on high-flux haemodialysis
Authors: De Mulder Pieter , Cokelaere Kristof , Terryn Wim
Published: January 2020

Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) or β2microglobulin (β2m)-amyloidosis is a disorder caused by the inability to clear a protein called β2m in patients with chronic kidney disease. It results in deposition of β2m as amyloid fibrils, most commonly in bones and joints. Infrequently, visceral organs may be involved. With modern high-flux haemodialysis, DRA has become a rare disease, yet it may occur. We present a case of DRA in an 86-year-old woman. This case is particularly notable for its rare presentation as chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. It is of paramount importance to recognise this entity in order to reduce delay in treatment and avoid patients being frustrated not getting a diagnosis.
Gestational diabetes and long-term risk for dyslipidemia: a population-based historical cohort study
Authors: Chodick Gabriel , Tenne Yaara , Barer Yael , Shalev Varda , Elchalal Uriel
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To assess the course of lipid levels over time in postpartum women according to gestational diabetes status, taking into account potential confounders, such as comorbid conditions and body weight.

Methods

The data for the present analysis were collected from a 2.3 million member integrated care provider in Israel. Included were all female members aged 15–50 years who performed a 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT) between March 1995 and May 2009. We collected all follow-up lipid consecration tests performed from date of delivery following the GCT (index date) until April 2017. Data analysis was performed for each lipid component individually (triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)) and the effects of the several risk factors (history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), age at delivery, obesity status and smoking status) were investigated using general linear model taking into account potential confounders.

Results

A total of 160 527 women (6.1 million person-years of actual follow-up) were eligible for the analysis, including 10 234 women with GDM (6.4% of the entire cohort). During the study follow-up period, a total of 2.1 million lipid tests were performed. When adjusting for follow-up time, age at index date, body mass index status, and smoking status, GDM was associated with a 1.8-fold risk (95% CI 1.73 to 1.88) for dyslipidemia defined by TG, 1.45-fold risk (95% CI 1.38 to 1.52) for dyslipidemia defined by LDL-C, and 1.44-fold risk (95% CI 1.39 to 1.50) for dyslipidemia defined by HDL-C.

Discussion

The results of this retrospective cohort analysis indicate that gestational diabetes confers added risk for developing hyperlipidemia post partum, particularly dyslipidemia defined by TG, as compared with women with normal glucose tolerance.
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the effects of inorganic nitrate in hypertension-induced target organ damage: protocol of the NITRATE-TOD study in the UK
Authors: Lau Clement Wai Zhen , Hamers Alexander Jozua Pedro , Rathod Krishnaraj Sinhji , Shabbir Asad , Cooper Jackie , Primus Christopher Peter , Davies Ceri , Mathur Anthony , Moon James C , Kapil Vikas , Ahluwalia Amrita
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Arterial stiffness and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy are the key markers of hypertensive target organ damage (TOD) associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We have previously shown that dietary inorganic nitrate supplementation lowers blood pressure (BP) in hypertension, however, whether this approach might also improve markers of hypertensive TOD is unknown. In this study, we will investigate whether daily dietary inorganic nitrate administration reduces LV mass and improves measures of arterial stiffness.

Methods and design

NITRATE-TOD is a double-blind, randomised, single-centre, placebo-controlled phase II trial aiming to enrol 160 patients with suboptimal BP control on one or more antihypertensives. Patients will be randomised to receive 4 months once daily dose of either nitrate-rich beetroot juice or nitrate-deplete beetroot juice (placebo). The primary outcomes are reduction in LV mass and reduction in pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central BP.

The study has a power of 95% for detecting a 9 g LV mass change by cardiovascular MRI (~6% change for a mildly hypertrophied heart of 150 g). For PWV, we have a power of >95% for detecting a 0.6 m/s absolute change. For central systolic BP, we have a>90% power to detect a 5.8 mm Hg difference in central systolic BP.

Secondary end points include change in ultrasound flow-mediated dilation, change in plasma nitrate and nitrite concentration and change in BP.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the London—City and East Research Ethics Committee (10/H0703/98). Trial results will be published according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement and will be presented at conferences and reported in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT03088514
The CUPID-Mo experiment for neutrinoless double-beta decay: performance and prospects
Authors: Armengaud E. , Augier C. , Barabash A. S. , Bellini F. , Benato G. , Benoît A. , Beretta M. , Bergé L. , Billard J. , Borovlev Yu. A. , Bourgeois Ch. , Briere M. , Brudanin V. B. , Camus P. , Cardani L. , Casali N. , Cazes A. , Chapellier M. , Charlieux F. , de Combarieu M. , Dafinei I. , Danevich F. A. , De Jesus M. , Dumoulin L. , Eitel K. , Elkhoury E. , Ferri F. , Fujikawa B. K. , Gascon J. , Gironi L. , Giuliani A. , Grigorieva V. D. , Gros M. , Guerard E. , Helis D. L. , Huang H. Z. , Huang R. , Johnston J. , Juillard A. , Khalife H. , Kleifges M. , Kobychev V. V. , Kolomensky Yu. G. , Konovalov S. I. , Leder A. , Loaiza P. , Ma L. , Makarov E. P. , de Marcillac P. , Marini L. , Marnieros S. , Misiak D. , Navick X. -F. , Nones C. , Novati V. , Olivieri E. , Ouellet J. L. , Pagnanini L. , Pari P. , Pattavina L. , Paul B. , Pavan M. , Peng H. , Pessina G. , Pirro S. , Poda D. V. , Polischuk O. G. , Previtali E. , Redon Th. , Rozov S. , Rusconi C. , Sanglard V. , Schäffner K. , Schmidt B. , Shen Y. , Shlegel V. N. , Siebenborn B. , Singh V. , Sorbino S. , Tomei C. , Tretyak V. I. , Umatov V. I. , Vagneron L. , Velázquez M. , Weber M. , Welliver B. , Winslow L. , Xue M. , Yakushev E. , Zolotarova A. S.
Published: January 2020

CUPID-Mo is a bolometric experiment to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay ($$0\nu \beta \beta $$0νββ) of $$^{100}\hbox {Mo}$$100Mo. In this article, we detail the CUPID-Mo detector concept, assembly and installation in the Modane underground laboratory, providing results from the first datasets. The CUPID-Mo detector consists of an array of 20 $$^{100}\hbox {Mo}$$100Mo-enriched 0.2 kg $$\hbox {Li}_2\hbox {MoO}_4$$Li2MoO4 crystals operated as scintillating bolometers at $$\sim 20\hbox { mK}$$∼20mK. The $$\hbox {Li}_2\hbox {MoO}_4$$Li2MoO4 crystals are complemented by 20 thin Ge optical bolometers to reject $$\alpha $$α events by the simultaneous detection of heat and scintillation light. We observe a good detector uniformity and an excellent energy resolution of 5.3 keV (6.5 keV) FWHM at 2615 keV, in calibration (physics) data. Light collection ensures the rejection of $$\alpha $$α particles at a level much higher than 99.9% – with equally high acceptance for $$\gamma $$γ/$$\beta $$β events – in the region of interest for $$^{100}\hbox {Mo}$$100Mo$$0\nu \beta \beta $$0νββ. We present limits on the crystals’ radiopurity: $$\le 3~\mu \hbox {Bq/kg}$$≤3μBq/kg of $$^{226}\hbox {Ra}$$226Ra and $$\le 2~\mu \hbox {Bq/kg}$$≤2μBq/kg of $$^{232}\hbox {Th}$$232Th. We discuss the science reach of CUPID-Mo, which can set the most stringent half-life limit on the $$^{100}\hbox {Mo}$$100Mo$$0\nu \beta \beta $$0νββ decay in half-a-year’s livetime. The achieved results show that CUPID-Mo is a successful demonstrator of the technology developed by the LUMINEU project and subsequently selected for the CUPID experiment, a proposed follow-up of CUORE, the currently running first tonne-scale bolometric $$0\nu \beta \beta $$0νββ experiment.
String clouds and radiation flows as sources of gravity in static or rotating cylinders
Authors: Bronnikov K. A.
Published: January 2020

Static and stationary cylindrically symmetric space-times in general relativity are considered, supported by distributions of cosmic strings stretched in the azimuthal ([Formula: see text]), longitudinal ([Formula: see text]) or radial ([Formula: see text]) directions or and by pairs of mutually opposite radiation flows in any of these directions. For such systems, exact solutions are obtained and briefly discussed, except for radial strings (a stationary solution for them is not found); it is shown that static solutions with [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-directed radiation flows do not exist while for [Formula: see text]-directed strings a solution is only possible with negative energy density. Almost all solutions under discussion contain singularities, and all stationary solutions have regions with closed timelike curves, hence, most probably, only their well-behaved regions admit application to real physical situations.
Scalar fields in generalized theories of gravity: Limit to general relativity
Authors: Kuusk Piret
Published: January 2020

The general action functional for a scalar-tensor theory of gravitation without derivative couplings is considered together with its special case of the Brans–Dicke theory. The aim of the paper is to clarify the problem of anomalous limit of the Brans–Dicke to the Einstein gravity.
Gravitational wave detector OGRAN as multi-messenger project of RAS-MSU
Authors: Rudenko V. N. , Gavrilyuk Yu. M. , Gusev A. V. , Krichevskiy D. P. , Oreshkin S. I. , Popov S. M. , Yudin I. S.
Published: January 2020

Modernized version of the combined opto-acoustical gravitational wave detector OGRAN is presented. Located in the deep underground of the Baksan Neutrino Observatory this setup is aimed to work on the program of collapsing stars searching for in multi-channel manner with the neutrino telescope BUST. The both instruments have the sensitivity allowing a registration of collapses in our Galaxy as rare events with the estimated probability [Formula: see text] year[Formula: see text]. The OGRAN narrow band sensitivity at the kilohertz frequency is limited by its acoustical mode thermal noise achieving [Formula: see text] in term of metric perturbations. A possible algorithm of the joint data analysis for the both instruments is developed and resulting formulae of the right detection probability are given. A future increasing of the OGRAN sensitivity associated with the moderate cooling (nitrogen temperature) of the acoustical mode is also discussed.
Hamiltonian of new general relativity using differential forms
Authors: Hohmann Manuel
Published: January 2020

In a recent work we derived the kinematic Hamiltonian and primary constraints of the new general relativity class of teleparallel gravity theories and showed that these theories can be grouped in 9 classes, based on the presence or absence of primary constraints in their Hamiltonian. Here we demonstrate an alternative approach towards this result, by using differential forms instead of tensor components throughout the calculation. We prove that also this alternative derivation yields the same results and show how they are related to each other.
Quantization and topology: SL(2,R)-de Sitter invariant fields in two dimensions
Authors: Epstein Henri , Moschella Ugo
Published: January 2020

We explore the interplay between quantization, local commutativity and the analyticity properties of the two-point functions of a quantum field in a non trivial topological cosmological background in the example of the two-dimensional de Sitter manifold and its double covering. The global topological differences make the many of the well-known features of de Sitter quantum field theory disappear. In particular there is nothing like a Bunch-Davies vacuum and there are no [Formula: see text]-invariant fields whose mass is less than 1/2.
Muon collider operating by means of the focusing crystals
Authors: Chesnokov M. Yu. , Chesnokov Yu. A. , Yanovich A. A.
Published: January 2020

The idea of a muon collider has been developed since the 70s. In these projects, muons are produced at targets at low or intermediate energies. Then, after reducing the emittance, they should accelerate very quickly, since the lifetime is very short ([Formula: see text]s in the rest frame). Here, we want to propose the option of the collider, where the muons can be obtained on the hadron collider at high energy using a focusing bent crystals.
The large diffusion limit for the heat equation with a dynamical boundary condition
Authors: Fila Marek , Ishige Kazuhiro , Kawakami Tatsuki
Published: January 2020

We study the heat equation on a half-space with a linear dynamical boundary condition. Our main aim is to show that, if the diffusion coefficient tends to infinity, then the solutions converge (in a suitable sense) to solutions of the Laplace equation with the same dynamical boundary condition.
Horizontal Newton operators and high-order Minkowski formula
Authors: Guidi Chiara , Martino Vittorio
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we study the horizontal Newton transformations, which are nonlinear operators related to the natural splitting of the second fundamental form for hypersurfaces in a complex space form. These operators allow to prove the classical Minkowski formulas in the case of real space forms: unlike the real case, the horizontal ones are not divergence-free. Here, we consider the highest order of nonlinearity and we will show how a Minkowski-type formula can be obtained in this case.
Operads for algebraic quantum field theory
Authors: Benini Marco , Schenkel Alexander , Woike Lukas
Published: January 2020

We construct a colored operad whose category of algebras is the category of algebraic quantum field theories. This is achieved by a construction that depends on the choice of a category, whose objects provide the operad colors, equipped with an additional structure that we call an orthogonality relation. This allows us to describe different types of quantum field theories, including theories on a fixed Lorentzian manifold, locally covariant theories and also chiral conformal and Euclidean theories. Moreover, because the colored operad depends functorially on the orthogonal category, we obtain adjunctions between categories of different types of quantum field theories. These include novel and interesting constructions such as time-slicification and local-to-global extensions of quantum field theories. We compare the latter to Fredenhagen’s universal algebra.
Rational Conjugacy Classes of Maximal Tori in Groups of Type Dn
Authors: Fiori Andrew
Published: January 2020

We give a concrete characterization of the rational conjugacy classes of maximal tori in groups of type [Formula: see text], with specific emphasis on the case of number fields and [Formula: see text]-adic fields. This includes the forms associated to quadratic spaces, all of their inner and outer forms as well as the Spin groups, their simply connected covers. In particular, in this work, we handle all (simply connected) outer forms of [Formula: see text].
Rota–Baxter cosystems and coquasitriangular mixed bialgebras
Authors: Ma Tianshui , Makhlouf Abdenacer , Silvestrov Sergei
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we present a dual version of T. Brzeziński’s results about Rota–Baxter systems which appeared in [Rota–Baxter systems, dendriform algebras and covariant bialgebras, J. Algebra 460 (2016) 1–25]. Then as a generalization to bialgebras, we introduce the notion of Rota–Baxter bisystem and construct various examples of Rota–Baxter bialgebras and bisystems in dimensions 2, 3 and 4. On the other hand, we introduce a new type of bialgebras (named mixed bialgebras) which consist of an associative algebra and a coassociative coalgebra satisfying the compatible condition determined by two coderivations. We investigate coquasitriangular mixed bialgebras and the particular case of coquasitriangular infinitesimal bialgebras, where we give the double construction. Also, we show in some cases that Rota–Baxter cosystems can be obtained from a coquasitriangular mixed bialgebras.
Parafermion theory from the q-deformed algebra with q a root of unity
Authors: Chung Won Sang , Hassanabadi Hassan
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we find the [Formula: see text]-deformed algebra with the finite- and infinite-dimensional Fock space and both the fermionic limit and the bosonic limit. Using the cardinality of set theory, we propose the Hamiltonian interpolating bosonic case and fermionic case, which enables us to construct the proper partition function and internal energy. As examples, we discuss the specific heat of free [Formula: see text] parafermion gas model and [Formula: see text] parafermion star.
'Everything fails all the time'
Authors: Hoffmann Leah
Published: January 2020

Werner Vogels, an expert on ultra-scalable systems, talks about listening to customers, reconceptualizing the stack, and building a product-centered culture.
Automating visual privacy protection using a smart LED
Authors: Zhu Shilin , Zhang Chi , Zhang Xinyu
Published: January 2020

The ubiquity of mobile camera devices has been triggering an outcry of privacy concerns, whereas existing privacy protection solutions still rely on the cooperation of the photographer or camera hardware, which can hardly be enforced in practice. In this paper, we introduce LiShield, which automatically protects a physical scene against photographing, by illuminating it with smart LEDs flickering in specialized waveforms. We use a model-driven approach to optimize the waveform design, so as to ensure protection against the (uncontrollable) cameras and potential image-processing-based attacks. We have also designed mechanisms to unblock authorized cameras and enable graceful degradation under strong ambient light interference. Our prototype implementation and experiments show that LiShield can effectively destroy unauthorized capturing while maintaining robustness against potential attacks.
Are we losing momentum?
Authors: Iglesias Carlos , Thakur Dhanaraj , Best Michael L.
Published: January 2020

Estimating when the second half of the world will come online.
Unraveling Disease Pathophysiology with Mathematical Modeling
Authors: Foy Brody H. , Gonçalves Bronner P. , Higgins John M.
Published: January 2020

Modeling has enabled fundamental advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of health and disease for centuries, since at least the time of William Harvey almost 500 years ago. Recent technological advances in molecular methods, computation, and imaging generate optimism that mathematical modeling will enable the biomedical research community to accelerate its efforts in unraveling the molecular, cellular, tissue-, and organ-level processes that maintain health, predispose to disease, and determine response to treatment. In this review, we discuss some of the roles of mathematical modeling in the study of human physiology and pathophysiology and some challenges and opportunities in general and in two specific areas: in vivo modeling of pulmonary function and in vitro modeling of blood cell populations.
Genomic and Epigenomic Alterations in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Nadeu Ferran , Diaz-Navarro Ander , Delgado Julio , Puente Xose S. , Campo Elías
Published: January 2020

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a common disease in Western countries and has heterogeneous clinical behavior. The relevance of the genetic basis of the disease has come to the forefront recently, with genome-wide studies that have provided a comprehensive view of structural variants, somatic mutations, and different layers of epigenetic changes. The mutational landscape is characterized by relatively common copy number alterations, a few mutated genes occurring in 10–15% of cases, and a large number of genes mutated in a small number of cases. The epigenomic profile has revealed a marked reprogramming of regulatory regions in tumor cells compared with normal B cells. All of these alterations are differentially distributed in clinical and biological subsets of the disease, indicating that they may underlie the heterogeneous evolution of the disease. These global studies are revealing the molecular complexity of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and provide new perspectives that have helped to understand its pathogenic mechanisms and improve the clinical management of patients.
Gestation and lactation exposure to nicotine induces transient postnatal changes in lung alveolar development
Authors: Blaskovic Sanja , Donati Yves , Zanetti Filippo , Ruchonnet-Métrailler Isabelle , Lemeille Sylvain , Cremona Tiziana P. , Schittny Johannes C. , Barazzone-Argiroffo Constance
Published: January 2020

Harmful consequences of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure during lung development can already manifest in infancy. In particular, early life exposure to nicotine, the main component of CS, was shown to affect lung development in animal models. We aimed to characterize the effect of nicotine on alveoli formation. We analyzed the kinetics of normal alveolar development during the alveolarization phase and then looked at the effect of nicotine in a mouse model of gestational and early life exposure. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the wave of cell proliferation [i.e., vascular endothelial cells, alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) type II and mesenchymal cell] occurs at postnatal day (pnd) 8 in control and nicotine-exposed lungs. However, FACS analysis of individual epithelial alveolar cells revealed nicotine-induced transient increase of AEC type I proliferation and decrease of vascular endothelial cell proliferation at pnd8. Furthermore, nicotine increased the percentage of endothelial cells at pnd2. Transcriptomic data also showed significant changes in nicotine samples compared with the controls on cell cycle-associated genes at pnd2 but not anymore at pnd16. Accordingly, the expression of survivin, involved in cell cycle regulation, also follows a different kinetics in nicotine lung extracts. These changes resulted in an increased lung size detected by stereology at pnd16 but no longer in adult age, suggesting that nicotine can act on the pace of lung maturation. Taken together, our results indicate that early life nicotine exposure could be harmful to alveolar development independently from other toxicants contained in CS.
Astrocytic glutamate transporters reduce the neuronal and physiological influence of metabotropic glutamate receptors in nucleus tractus solitarii
Authors: Martinez Diana , Rogers Richard C. , Hermann Gerlinda E. , Hasser Eileen M. , Kline David D.
Published: January 2020

Astrocytic excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are critical to restraining synaptic and neuronal activity in the nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS). Relief of nTS EAAT restraint generates two opposing effects, an increase in neuronal excitability that reduces blood pressure and breathing and an attenuation in afferent [tractus solitarius (TS)]-driven excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) amplitude. Although the former is due, in part, to activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors, there remains a substantial contribution from another unidentified glutamate receptor. In addition, the mechanism(s) by which EAAT inhibition reduced TS-EPSC amplitude is unknown. Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) differentially modulate nTS excitability. Activation of group I mGluRs on nTS neuron somas leads to depolarization, whereas group II/III mGluRs on sensory afferents decrease TS-EPSC amplitude. Thus we hypothesize that EAATs control postsynaptic excitability and TS-EPSC amplitude via restraint of mGluR activation. To test this hypothesis, we used in vivo recording, brain slice electrophysiology, and imaging of glutamate release and TS-afferent Ca2+. Results show that EAAT blockade in the nTS with (3 S)-3-[[3-[[4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]amino]phenyl]methoxy]-l-aspartic acid (TFB-TBOA) induced group I mGluR-mediated depressor, bradycardic, and apneic responses that were accompanied by neuronal depolarization, elevated discharge, and increased spontaneous synaptic activity. Conversely, upon TS stimulation TFB-TBOA elevated extracellular glutamate to decrease presynaptic Ca2+ and TS-EPSC amplitude via activation of group II/III mGluRs. Together, these data suggest an important role of EAATs in restraining mGluR activation and overall cardiorespiratory function.
Evidence for the involvement of peripheral cold-sensitive TRPM8 channels in human cutaneous hygrosensation
Authors: Typolt Oliver , Filingeri Davide
Published: January 2020

In contrast to other species, humans are believed to lack hygroreceptors for sensing skin wetness. Yet, the molecular basis of human hygrosensation is currently unknown, and it remains unclear whether we possess a receptor-mediated sensing mechanism for skin wetness. The aim of this study was to assess the role of the cutaneous cold-sensitive transient receptor potential melastatin-8 (TRPM8) channel as a molecular mediator of human hygrosensation. To this end, we exploited both the thermal and chemical activation of TRPM8-expressing cutaneous Aδ cold thermoreceptors, and we assessed wetness sensing in healthy young men in response to 1) dry skin cooling in the TRPM8 range of thermosensitivity and 2) application of the TRPM8 agonist menthol. Our results indicate that 1) independently of contact with moisture, a cold-dry stimulus in the TRPM8 range of activation induced wetness perceptions across 12 different body regions and those wetness perceptions varied across the body following regional differences in cold sensitivity; and 2) independently of skin cooling, menthol-induced stimulation of TRPM8 triggered wetness perceptions that were greater than those induced by physical dry cooling and by contact with an aqueous cream containing actual moisture. For the first time, we show that the cutaneous cold-sensing TRPM8 channel plays the dual role of cold and wetness sensor in human skin and that this ion channel is a peripheral mediator of human skin wetness perception.
Experimental Approaches for Manufacturing of Simulated Cladding and Simulated Fuel Rod for Mechanical Decladder
Authors: Kim Young-Hwan , Cho Yung-Zun , Hur Jin-Mok
Published: January 2020

We are developing a practical-scale mechanical decladder that can slit nuclear spent fuel rod-cuts (hulls + pellets) on the order of several tens of kgf of heavy metal/batch to supply UO2 pellets to a voloxidation process. The mechanical decladder is used for separating and recovering nuclear fuel material from the cladding tube by horizontally slitting the cladding tube of a fuel rod. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) is improving the performance of the mechanical decladder to increase the recovery rate of pellets from spent fuel rods. However, because actual nuclear spent fuel is dangerously toxic, we need to develop simulated spent fuel rods for continuous experiments with mechanical decladders. We describe procedures to develop both simulated cladding tubes and simulated fuel rod (with physical properties similar to those of spent nuclear fuel). Performance tests were carried out to evaluate the decladding ability of the mechanical decladder using two types of simulated fuel (simulated tube + brass pellets and zircaloy-4 tube + simulated ceramic fuel rod). The simulated tube was developed for analyzing the slitting characteristics of the cross section of the spent fuel cladding tube. Simulated ceramic fuel rod (with mechanical properties similar to the pellets of actual PWR spent fuel) was produced to ensure that the mechanical decladder could slit real PWR spent fuel. We used castable powder pellets that simulate the compressive stress of the real spent UO2 pellet. The production criteria for simulated pellets with compressive stresses similar to those of actual spent fuel were determined, and the castables were inserted into zircaloy-4 tubes and sintered to produce the simulated fuel rod. To investigate the slitting characteristics of the simulated ceramic fuel rod, a verification experiment was performed using a mechanical decladder.
Public Health Implications of Solar UV Exposure during Extreme Cold and Hot Weather Episodes in 2018 in Chilton, South East England
Authors: Rendell Rebecca , Higlett Michael , Khazova Marina , O’Hagan John
Published: January 2020

Consideration of the implications of solar UV exposure on public health during extreme temperature events is important due to their increasing frequency as a result of climate change. In this paper public health impacts of solar UV exposure, both positive and negative, during extreme hot and cold weather in England in 2018 were assessed by analysing environmental variations in UV and temperature. Consideration was given to people’s likely behaviour, the current alert system and public health advice. During a period of severe cold weather in February-March 2018 UV daily doses were around 25–50% lower than the long-term average (1991–2017); however, this would not impact on sunburn risk or the benefit of vitamin D production. In spring 2018 unseasonably high temperatures coincided with high UV daily doses (40–75% above long-term average) on significant days: the London Marathon (22 April) and UK May Day Bank Holiday weekend, which includes a public holiday on the Monday (5–7 May). People were likely to have intermittent excess solar UV exposure on unacclimatised skin, causing sunburn and potentially increasing the risk of skin cancers. No alerts were raised for these events since they occurred outside the alerting period. During a heat-wave in summer 2018 the environmental availability of UV was high—on average of 25% above the long-term average. The public health implications are complex and highly dependent on behaviour and sociodemographic variables such as skin colour. For all three periods Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) positive correlation between maximum daily temperature and erythema-effective UV daily dose. Public health advice may be improved by taking account of both temperature and UV and their implications for behaviour. A health impact-based alert system would be of benefit throughout the year, particularly in spring and summer.
L-Glutamine Supplementation Improves the Benefits of Combined-Exercise Training on Oral Redox Balance and Inflammatory Status in Elderly Individuals
Authors: Almeida Ewin B. , Santos Juliana M. B. , Paixão Vitória , Amaral Jonatas B. , Foster Roberta , Sperandio Adriane , Roseira Tamaris , Rossi Marcelo , Cordeiro Telma G. , Monteiro Fernanda R. , Amirato Gislene R. , Santos Carlos A. F. , Vieira Rodolfo P. , Vaisberg Mauro , Barros Marcelo P. , Bachi André L. L.
Published: January 2020

Although regular combined aerobic-resistance exercises can ameliorate the inflammatory status and redox balance in elderly population, it is unclear whether protein or specific amino acid supplementation could improve such benefits. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the inflammatory status and redox indexes through of the saliva of 34 elderly subject nonpractitioners (NP group, 73.3±6.6 years) and 49 elderly subject practitioners of a combined-exercise training in moderate intensity (CET group, 71.9±5.8 years) before (pre) and after (post) 30 days of supplementation with L-glutamine (Gln) or placebo (PL). Our results showed that, both in pre- and postsupplementation, the salivary levels of nitric oxide (NO⋅) and TNF-α were lower, whereas the levels of uric acid and IL-10 (as well as IL-10/TNF-α ratio) were higher in the CET groups than in the NP groups. In postsupplementation, both groups supplemented with Gln (NP-Gln and CET-Gln) showed higher salivary uric acid levels compared to baseline. In addition, lower NO⋅ levels were found in the CET-Gln group postsupplementation than presupplementation values. Whereas the CET-Gln group showed lower GSH levels postsupplementation, NP-Gln subjects showed lower GSSG levels at the same time point, both compared to baseline. Interestingly, salivary peroxidase activity was lower only in NP groups (NP-PL and NP-Gln) postsupplementation than baseline values. A positive significant correlation between salivary peroxidase activity and GSH levels, and also between salivary peroxidase activity and uric acid levels were observed in the CET-Gln group both pre- and postsupplementation. No differences were found in albumin, total antioxidant activity (TEAC), and reducing power analysis between groups, pre- or postsupplementation. In conclusion, the elderly subjects from the CET group showed a better inflammatory response and redox balance and, for the first time, it was shown that daily supplementation with Gln for 30 days can improve these benefits with putative association with a healthy aging.
Load Estimation of Complex Power Networks from Transformer Measurements and Forecasted Loads
Authors: Rong Haina , de León Francisco
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a load estimation method applicable to complex power networks (namely, heavily meshed secondary networks) based on available network transformer measurements. The method consists of three steps: network reduction, load forecasting, and state estimation. The network is first mathematically reduced to the terminals of loads and measurement points. A load forecasting approach based on temperature is proposed to solve the network unobservability. The relationship between outdoor temperature and power consumption is studied. A power-temperature curve, a nonlinear function, is obtained to forecast loads as the temperature varies. An “effective temperature” reflecting complex weather conditions (sun irradiation, humidity, rain, etc.) is introduced to properly consider the effect on the power consumption of cooling and heating devices. State estimation is adopted to compute loads using network transformer measurements and forecasted loads. Experiments conducted on a real secondary network in New York City with 1040 buses verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Laparoscopic Suture versus Mesh Rectopexy for the Treatment of Persistent Complete Rectal Prolapse in Children: A Comparative Randomized Study
Authors: Yehya AbdelAziz , Gamaan Ibrahim , Abdelrazek Mohamed , Shahin Mohamed , Seddek Ashraf , Abdelhafez Mohamed
Published: January 2020

Purpose. To compare laparoscopic mesh rectopexy with laparoscopic suture rectopexy. Patients and Methods. The prospective study was conducted at Pediatric Surgery Department, Al-Azhar University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt between Feb 2010 and Jan 2015. Seventy-eight children with persistent complete rectal prolapse were subjected to laparoscopic rectopexy. Fourteen parents refused to participate. All patients received initial conservative treatment for more than one year. The remaining 64 patients were randomized divided into two equal groups. Group A; 32 patients underwent laparoscopic mesh rectopexy and group B, 32 underwent laparoscopic suture rectopexy. The operative time, recurrence rate, post-operative constipation, and effect on fecal incontinence, were reported and evaluated for each group. Results. Sixty-four cases presented with persistent complete rectal prolapse were the material of this study. They were 40 males and 24 females. Mean age at operation was 8 (5–12) years. All cases were completed laparoscopically. Mean operative time in laparoscopic suture rectopexy was shorter than laparoscopic mesh rectopexy group. No early post-operative complications were encountered. No cases of recurrence with mesh rectopexy group while in suture rectopexy group it was 4 cases (14.2%). Post-operative constipation occurred in one case (3.57%) in suture rectopexy group and occurred in one case (3.3%) in mesh rectopexy group. Fecal incontinence improved in 26/28 cases (92.8%) in suture rectopexy while in mesh rectopexy it was improved in 30/30 cases (100%) of cases. Conclusion. Both laparoscopic mesh and suture rectopexy are feasible and reliable methods for the treatment of complete rectal prolapse in children. However, no recurrence, low incidence of constipation and high improvement of incontinence at follow up more than 36 months with mesh rectopexy accordingly, we considered mesh rectopexy to be the procedure of choice in treatment of complete rectal prolapse.
Preliminary Antimicrobial Profile of Solanum incanum L.: A Common Medicinal Plant
Authors: Sbhatu Desta Berhe , Abraha Haftom Baraki
Published: January 2020

Medicinal plants and plant remedies have been in use in Ethiopia for centuries. Studies on ethnobotany, ethnomedicine, and ethnoveterinary estimate that nearly 80% of Ethiopians use some type of medicinal plants and plant remedies. Medicinal plants are regarded as the most important and sometimes the only source of therapeutics in the country. Some 800 plant species are used as sources of medicine to treat about 300 physical and mental disorders. However, because these plant species are not adequately studied, there is a big limitation in their documentation, profiling, and management. Moreover, there is a continuous loss of knowledge about medicinal plants because the communities and people are adopting new lifestyles. Hence, this article reports the finding of a study aimed at providing the gross phytochemical characteristics and antimicrobial activities of ethanol and aqueous extracts of fruit, leaf, and stem of Solanum incanum L. against two Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi) and two Gram‐positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria for developing gross antimicrobial profile of the plant. Phytochemical screening of fruit, leaf, and stem extracts of S. incanum has shown that it is the source of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, and steroids. According to agar disc‐diffusion tests, 100 mg/mL extracts of the plant produced bacterial growth inhibition zones of 0.00 to 16.06 mm. Ethanol and aqueous leaf extracts produced inhibition zones ranging from 11.34 to 16.06 mm against all bacterial species. The greatest inhibition zone of 16.06 mm was recorded in E. coli subjected to ethanol leaf extract. The same extract resulted in a growth inhibition zone of 16.04 mm in S. aureus. The greatest growth inhibition zones in B. subtilis (13.34 mm) and S. typhi (11.56 mm) were observed with ethanol leaf and fruit extracts, respectively. Aqueous leaf extracts produced growth inhibition zones ranging from 10.45 mm (for S. typhi) to 14.02 mm (for E. coli). Ethanol leaf extracts resulted in the lowest Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) of 1.56 mg/mL in E. coli and S. aureus. Therefore, fruits, leaves, and stems of S. incanum can be regarded as good sources of some bioactive compounds. The findings are important for taking measures for conservation and sustainable use of the plant as well as for further elucidation of its phytochemistry and antimicrobial efficacy of its constituents.
Inverting the Truck-Drone Network Problem to Find Best Case Configuration
Authors: Rich Robert
Published: January 2020

Many industries are looking for ways to economically use truck/rail/ship fitted with drone technologies to augment the “last mile” delivery effort. While drone technologies abound, few, if any studies look at the proper configuration of the drone based on significant features of the problem: delivery density, operating area, drone range, and speed. Here, we first present the truck-drone problem and then invert the network routing problem such that the best case drone speed and range are fitted to the truck for a given scenario based on the network delivery density. By inverting the problem, a business can quickly determine the drone configuration (proper drone range and speed) necessary to optimize the delivery system. Additionally, we provide a more usable version of the truck-drone routing problem as a mixed integer program that can be easily adopted with standardized software used to solve linear programming. Furthermore, our computational metaheuristics and experiments conducted in support of this work are available for download. The metaheuristics used herein surpass current best-in-class algorithms found in literature.
Resveratrol Supplementation Prevents Hypertension in Hypertensive Pregnant Rats by Increasing Sodium Excretion and Serum Nitric Oxide Level
Authors: Jia Xiaowen , Zhang Rong , Guo Jinzhu , Yue Hua , Liu Qiuxia , Guo Lipei , Zhang Qunchang
Published: January 2020

Background. Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy worldwide. This study was designed to study the blood pressure-lowering effect of resveratrol (RES) in a salt-induced hypertensive pregnant rat model. Methods. Forty female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into 4 groups: Normal Preg (0.9% salt diet), Normal Preg + RES (0.9% salt diet plus daily oral RES for 4 weeks), Salt Preg (8% salt diet), and Salt Preg + RES (8% salt diet plus daily oral RES for 4 weeks). Noninvasive blood pressure was recorded on gestational days 7 and 14. On the gestational day 19, foetuses were weighed, and blood and urine samples were harvested for electrolytes and biochemical assays. Results. RES significantly reduced SBP, DBP, and MAP on gestational days 7 and 14 in the Salt Preg + RES group compared to the Salt Preg group (all P<0.05). Compared to the Salt Preg group, the foetal weight, serum NO level, urinary sodium, and 24 hour urine volume were significantly increased in the Salt Preg + RES group (all P<0.05). On the contrary, the levels of serum urea, serum creatinine, and urinary protein were significantly decreased in the Salt Preg + RES group compared to the Salt Preg group (all P<0.05). Conclusions. RES decreases blood pressure in a hypertensive pregnant rat model. Increasing sodium excretion and serum nitric oxide level might be, at least part of, the underlying mechanisms.
A Generation of Special Triangular Boundary Element Shape Functions for 3D Crack Problems
Authors: Xie Guizhong , Zhou Fenglin
Published: January 2020

This paper focuses on tackling the two drawbacks of the dual boundary element method (DBEM) when solving crack problems with a discontinuous triangular element: low accuracy of the calculation of integrals with singularity and crack front element must be utilized to model the square-root property of displacement. In order to calculate the integrals with higher order singularity, the triangular elements are segmented into several subregions which consist of subtriangles and subpolygons. The singular integrals in those subtriangles are handled by the singularity subtraction technique in the integration space and can be regularized and accurately calculated. For the nearly singular integrals in those subpolygons, the element subdivision technique is employed to improve the calculation accuracy. In addition, considering the location of the crack front in the element, special crack front elements are constructed based on a 6-node discontinuous triangular element, in which the displacement extrapolation method is introduced to obtain the stress intensity factors (SIFs) without consideration of orthogonalization of the crack front mesh. Several numerical results are investigated to fully verify the validation of the presented approach.