bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A field-programmable gate array system for sonar image recognition based on convolutional neural network
Authors: Wang Chong , Jiang Yu , Wang Kai , Wei Fenglin
Published: July 2020

Subsea pipeline is the safest, most reliable, and most economical way to transport oil and gas from an offshore platform to an onshore terminal. However, the pipelines may rupture under the harsh working environment, causing oil and gas leakage. This calls for a proper device and method to detect the state of subsea pipelines in a timely and precise manner. The autonomous underwater vehicle carrying side-scan sonar offers a desirable way for target detection in the complex environment under the sea. As a result, this article combines the field-programmable gate array, featuring high throughput, low energy consumption and a high degree of parallelism, and the convolutional neural network into a sonar image recognition system. First, a training set was constructed by screening and splitting the sonar images collected by sensors, and labeled one by one. Next, the convolutional neural network model was trained by the set on the workstation platform. The trained model was integrated into the field-programmable gate array system and applied to recognize actual datasets. The recognition results were compared with those of the workstation platform. The comparison shows that the computational precision of the designed field-programmable gate array system based on convolutional neural network is equivalent to that of the workstation platform; however, the recognition time of the designed system can be saved by more than 77%, and its energy consumption can also be saved by more than 96.67%. Therefore, our system basically satisfies our demand for energy-efficient, real-time, and accurate recognition of sonar images.
Mid-Holocene environmental change and human response at the Neolithic Wuguishan site in the Ningbo coastal lowland of East China
Authors: Huang Jing , Lei Shao , Tang Liang , Wang Aihua , Wang Zhanghua
Published: July 2020

Coastal wetlands provided a favorable settling site for Neolithic people because of their highly exploitable biomass, but were vulnerable to marine hazards such as coastal flooding. The Chinese Hemudu culture persisted for ~2000 years (7200–5300 cal. year BP) in the Ningbo coastal lowland of East China. This study explores the Hemudu people’s survival strategy using sedimentological and chronological records, and organic and acetic-acid-leachable alkaline-earth (Ca, Sr, and Ba) chemistry on a well-dated profile from the coastal Wuguishan site in the Ningbo Plain. Analyses of alkaline-earth elements in surficial sediments collected from present-day alluvial plain, tidal river, and saltmarsh/tidal flat environments in the Ningbo Plain were also undertaken to explain sedimentary environmental changes and their linkage to Hemudu activity at the Wuguishan site. Results indicate high sediment acetic-acid-leachable Ca and Sr contents with high Sr/Ba ratios, and high sediment total inorganic carbon contents at the site during 6300–6000 cal. year BP, which coincided with a marine incursion at the nearby Neolithic Yushan site. However, the increasing sediment total organic carbon contents and decreasing δ13C values suggest that the Wuguishan site evolved from an upper tidal flat to a saltmarsh environment, attracting settlement by the prehistoric Hemudu people after ~6200 cal. year BP. Sr and Ca contents and Sr/Ba ratios decreased after ~6000 cal. year BP, indicating that the site developed into a low-salinity marsh in the supratidal environment after rapid accumulation caused by a storm event at ~6020 cal. year BP. Furthermore, the high Sr and Ba contents in the layers of Hemudu Culture Period III indicate the Hemudu people’s consumption of seafood and their adaption strategy for living in the vulnerable coastal wetland.
The impact of early trans-Eurasian exchange on animal utilization in northern China during 5000–2500 BP
Authors: Dong Guanghui , Du Linyao , Wei Wenyu
Published: July 2020

Transcontinental exchange emerged and intensified in northern China since the late fifth millennium BP (Before present), especially in the arc, which was the core area of the eastern part of the trans-Eurasian exchange during the Late Neolithic and the Bronze Age. In the arc, the exchange profoundly affected the human subsistence strategy and human-environment relationship. Relative to the crop patterns and human diets during the Bronze Age in northern China, systematic investigations of zooarcheological data based on broad spatial and temporal framework to understand the influence of introduced livestock and indigenous livestock on human subsistence are lacking. To show the spatial-temporal variation in animal utilization patterns and its relation to prehistoric trans-Eurasian exchange, the zooarcheological data from 40 sites in northern China dated between 5000 and 2500 BP were analyzed. The strategy of animal utilization in northern China changed substantially from 5000 to 2500 BP, with notable spatial features in different chronological phases. From 5000 to 4300 BP, wild mammals and indigenous livestock (pig, dog) use dominated in the arc and the North China Plain (NCP). During 4300–3500 BP, the importance of introduced livestock (cattle, sheep/goat, horse) exceeded that of indigenous livestock in the arc, whereas indigenous livestock continued to dominate in the NCP. Indigenous livestock acted as the most important animal subsistence in northern China, although the exploitation of introduced livestock increased during 3500–2000 BP. These spatio-temporal differences in animal utilization appear to be closely associated with the prehistoric trans-Eurasian exchange, but were also affected by local environment, agriculture development, and climate change.
A failure criterion revision method for composite materials
Authors: Qiu Ju , Stiharu Ion
Published: July 2020

Failure criterion predictions often have substantial errors due to the complexity of failure mechanism or different material behaviors, especially composite failure. In this study, an example of delamination is employed to demonstrate the general failure criterion revision of composites. In the present research, the failure function can be raised to a higher order, and also be reduced to a lower one, by fitting the exponents of failure criterion. This method can be easily used to describe the observed, experimented, or computed data, particularly with no law or no rules. Further, the importance of this exponent revision is amplified when the failure surface becomes more complicated. The proposed approach is also to define and calculate the failure criteria of multiplying laminates.
No harm, no foul? Body integrity identity disorder and the metaphysics of grievous bodily harm
Authors: Gibson Richard B.
Published: July 2020

Sufferers of body integrity identity disorder (BIID) experience a severe, non-delusional mismatch between their physical body and their internalised bodily image. For some, healthy limb amputation is the only alleviation for their significant suffering. Those who achieved an amputation, either self-inflicted or via surgery, often describe the procedure as resulting in relief. However, in England, surgeons who provide ‘elective amputations’ could face prosecution for causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) under section 18 of the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861. Whether such a therapeutic intervention should be classified as GBH depends on the presence of harm, as, without harm, it is hard to argue that GBH has occurred. However, there is no agreed-upon definition of what constitutes harm. Such a definitional absence then begs the question, what is harm? It is this question which this article addresses, using the provision of healthy limb amputation in cases of BIID as an example. Drawing on metaphysics, this article will seek to clarify three separate contemporary models of harm: the counter-temporal, the counterfactual, and the non-comparative. Each model will be applied to the scenario of a surgeon carrying out a BIID-induced, therapeutic, healthy limb amputation, and in each, how harm may, or may not, be understood to have been caused will be explored. It concludes that an unexamined conception of harm is ill-equipped for employment in suspected cases of GBH when it is unclear whether harm has been caused and that a better-informed understanding of harm is required in cases where there is potential disagreement, be that in instances of BIID or a myriad of other borderline scenarios.
The archaeology of the social brain revisited: rethinking mind and material culture from a material engagement perspective
Authors: Barona Anna M
Published: July 2020

The social brain hypothesis (SBH) has played a prominent role in interpreting the relationship between human social, cognitive and technological evolution in archaeology and beyond. This article examines how the SBH has been applied to the Palaeolithic material record, and puts forward a critique of the approach. Informed by Material Engagement Theory (MET) and its understanding of material agency, it is argued that the SBH has an inherently cognitivist understanding of mind and matter at its core. This Cartesian basis has not been fully resolved by archaeological attempts to integrate the SBH with relational models of cognition. At the heart of the issue has been a lack of meaningful consideration of the cognitive agency of things and the evolutionary efficacy of material engagement. This article proposes MET as a useful starting point for rethinking future approaches to human social cognitive becoming in a way that appreciates the co-constitution of brains, bodies and worlds. It also suggests how MET may bridge archaeological and 4E approaches to reconsider concepts such as the ‘mental template’ and Theory of Mind.
Cooking a Pot of Beef Stew: Navigating Through Difficult Times Through Slow Philosophy
Authors: Behrisch Tanya J.
Published: July 2020

The Slow Movement offers feminist scholars permission to inhabit multiple identities and recognizes the inherent value of care work as work. Against an intimate living backdrop of pancreatic cancer, COVID-19, and overwork, I practice Slow scholarship by embodied caring for three elders while experiencing powerful anxiety. Identifying as a daughter, mother, carer, student, friend, leader, and scholar, I look to a variety of wisdom sources outside universal concepts of value and time to ground myself in the present. Zen, Taoism, and existentialism suggest staying with anxiety as a viable means to live in an uncomfortable present.
Systematic Application of Rapid Sequence Intubation With Remifentanil During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bevilacqua Sergio , Bottari Vanessa , Galeotti Ilaria
Published: July 2020

In this letter, the authors wonder about the need to apply some of the precautions that have been repeatedly suggested during the recent COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 19) pandemic not only to suspected or documented cases of infection but also to all the new cases entering the hospital. In this regard, orotracheal intubation has been universally recognized as a maneuver with a high risk of viral transmission. On the other hand, rapid sequence induction, which represents the gold standard for limiting the risk of transmission for health care professionals, implies side effects that can be potentially harmful for patients with impaired hemodynamics. In this regard, the authors report a particular type of rapid induction that they are performing in a systematic way during the recent pandemic in cardiac surgery patients. This is performed after the patient reaches a deep analgesic plan, thanks to the unique characteristics of the opioid remifentanil. This type of induction, already tested in vasculopathic patients who underwent carotid surgery, is characterized by great hemodynamic stability and is very advantageous, in the writer’s experience, when rapid sequence induction has to be systematically applied to cardiovascular patients, especially if you only want to protect operators.
Moral foundations theory in autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative investigation
Authors: Dempsey Erin E , Moore Chris , Richard Annie E , Smith Isabel M
Published: July 2020

Morality is important for how humans treat each other and non-human animals. Differences in moral reasoning have been found between autistic and neurotypical individuals. Research in this area has relied on accounts of moral psychology that suggest increasingly mature moral principles that develop from taking the perspectives of others. Yet, even autistic individuals, who sometimes differ in their ability to take others’ perspectives, make moral judgements that are similar to neurotypical individuals. Moral foundations theory suggests that moral psychology is not hierarchical but differs depending on culture. Moral foundations theory has not yet been investigated among autistic individuals. This qualitative study used interviews and qualitative analysis as a first attempt at understanding how moral foundations theory fits with autistic moral thinking. We found that all five moral foundations of moral foundations theory were represented in the interviews, yet certain foundations appeared more prominent than others. The autistic adults interviewed in our study discussed issues of care and fairness more than of loyalty, authority or purity when prompted to discuss moral transgressions. Future research should use quantitative methods to compare groups of autistic and neurotypical individuals to clarify similarities and differences in moral thinking between the groups.

Lay abstract

Morality is important for how humans treat each other and non-human animals. Differences in moral thinking have been found between autistic and neurotypical individuals. This research has relied on ways of thinking about moral psychology that suggest that mature morals develop as individuals learn to take the perspectives of others. Yet, even autistic individuals, who sometimes differ in their ability to take others’ perspectives, make moral judgements that are similar to neurotypical individuals. Moral foundations theory suggests that moral psychology is not hierarchical but differs depending on culture. This theory could therefore help make sense of similarities and differences in autistic and neurotypical moral thinking. Moral foundations theory has not yet been investigated among autistic individuals. In this study, we interviewed autistic adults as a first attempt at understanding how moral foundations theory fits with autistic moral thinking. We found that all five moral foundations of moral foundations theory were represented in the interviews, yet certain foundations appeared more prominent than others. The autistic adults interviewed in our study discussed issues of care and fairness more than of loyalty, authority or purity when prompted to discuss moral transgressions. Future research should use quantitative methods to compare groups of autistic and neurotypical individuals to clarify similarities and differences in moral thinking between the groups.
Biocontamination of surfaces in controlled environment rooms: The influence of environmental parameters and the design of the air conditioning system
Authors: Sabuco-Tébar Emiliana A. , Arense-Gonzalo Julián J. , Campayo-Rojas F. Javier
Published: July 2020

This research aims to evaluate the relationship between the environmental and design parameters of the air conditioning system, and the presence of colony-forming units (CFUs) of bacteria on surfaces. This retrospective study was carried out in controlled environment rooms in 12 hospitals in Spain, as part of a periodic environmental biosecurity assessment programme. Between 2010 and 2017, a total amount of 1027 samples were collected from floors and 861 from hand contact surfaces (HCSs), and the environmental parameters (temperature, relative humidity, fungal and bacterial CFUs present in the air) and design parameters (air changes per hour (ACH), differential pressure and position of the high efficiency particulate air filter) were monitored. The multivariate analysis concluded that, for each increased degree Celsius of temperature, the bacterial CFUs increased by 22.4% (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.224, 1.05–1.43) and by 25.9% (IRR: 1.259, 1.06–1.50) on HCSs and floors, respectively, and for each increase in ACH, the CFUs decreased 3.9% (IRR: 0.961, 0.94–0.99) and 2.5% (IRR: 0.975, 0.95–1.00) on HCSs and floors, respectively. Our results show the influence of the environmental and design parameters of air conditioning on the number of CFUs on surfaces and floors.
Contact behavior of functionally graded fractal surface
Authors: Jana Tamonash , Mitra Anirban , Sahoo Prasanta
Published: July 2020

Functionally graded surface has been a domain of research interest due to its use in various technologically advanced applications. The work focuses on static and dynamic analysis of rough fractal surface with exponentially graded material properties. The rough fractal surface is modeled in ANSYS with the coordinate points generated using the two variable modified Weierstrass–Mandelbrot function. Material gradation is applied to the rough surface model in such a way that, for any value of the gradation or inhomogeneity parameter, material properties at the top of the rough surface always remain constant. Force–displacement behavior of the fractal surface in contact with a rigid flat surface is determined through finite element simulation. A parameter representing the nonlinearity of the system is extracted from the force–displacement plot. It is found that higher is the inhomogeneity parameter, higher is the nonlinearity of the system. Furthermore, for a certain change in inhomogeneity parameter, the change in nonlinearity is higher for rougher topography. The dynamic contact system is found to be softening in nature, and the softening nature increases with higher inhomogeneity parameter. The phase plot of the vibrating contact system becomes more asymmetric with respect to the velocity axis for higher value of inhomogeneity parameter.
“The African family is large, very large” mobility and the flexibility of kinship – examples from Cameroon
Authors: Geschiere Peter
Published: July 2020

When I started fieldwork among the Maka in SE Cameroon in 1971 I was suprised that for them kinship was hardly about ascribing people a fixed position. In retrospect this makes me realize how deeply Talcott Parsons’ famous pattern variables – notably ‘ascription’ versus ‘achievement’ influenced our perspective. But Maka people turned out to be true masters in ‘working’-with kinship, constantly ‘discovering’ kin in unexpected contexts, making creative equations and switch-es. My subsequent research in the area (up till now) highlighted how over time this plasticity of their kinship arrangements increased with growing urbanization and even more with transcontinental migration. Cameroon’s famous ‘bush-fallers’ have developed their own ways for ‘working’ with kinship. However, this plasticity should not only be studied as stemming from new and shifting conditions. I hope to show as well that such a more dynamic view on kinship is valuable for re-evaluating classical kinship theory.
Migration, mobility and the dynamics of kinship: New barriers, new assemblages
Authors: Andrikopoulos Apostolos , Duyvendak Jan Willem
Published: July 2020

Although kinship has long since been established as a topic in migration research, migration scholars often lacked an analytical concept of kinship and relied on their own ethnocentric understandings and legal definitions. Reconciling insights from the anthropology of kinship and migration studies, we outline how a new theorization of kinship could be suitable and helpful for the study of migration and mobility. First, we need a conceptualization that accounts for kinship’s flexible and dynamic character in changing settings. Second, it is imperative to pay close attention to the intricate ways kinship interrelates with state politics. Lastly, an analytical notion of kinship should take into account that kinship relations can also have negative implications for the persons concerned. Articles in this Special Issue are attentive to these caveats and approach through the prism of kinship different issues of migration and mobility.
Experiencing vertical living: Affects, atmospheres, and technology
Authors: Shilon Mor , Eizenberg Efrat
Published: July 2020

This article argues that high-rise residential projects—a dominant form of contemporary cities—are playing a pivotal role in generating new urban experience for city dwellers. Drawing on an affect-based research approach, we empirically examine high-rise residential projects built from 1998 to 2016 in two medium-size cities in central Israel. We address three moments of new affective experience of residents: (1) the view and the practice of viewing; (2) bodies and sound; and (3) bodies becoming a body. The article contributes a conceptual shift to urban planning for studying present-day urban experience. Accordingly, it derives insights to better understand contemporary socio-spatial relations in cities.
Undiagnosed sleep apnoea in cardiac rehabilitation: Age-dependent effect on diastolic function in coronary artery disease patients with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Alonderis Audrius , Raskauskiene Nijole , Gelziniene Vaidute , Zaliunaite Violeta , Brozaitiene Julija
Published: July 2020

Background

Focusing on detection of sleep apnoea early in the cardiac rehabilitation process may improve the recovery process and reduce recurrence of cardiovascular events. Patients who continue to be undiagnosed may experience a significantly worse outcome during their cardiac rehabilitation and recovery. Diastolic dysfunction has both diagnostic and prognostic importance in the management of coronary artery disease. We hypothesise that undiagnosed/untreated sleep apnoea in middle-aged coronary artery disease patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction changes the pattern of diastolic filling close to that in elderly patients without sleep apnoea.

Methods and results

This cross-sectional study included the 450 coronary artery disease patients with undiagnosed sleep apnoea who had left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% and were referred consecutively to the Clinic of Cardiovascular Rehabilitation within two weeks after treatment for acute coronary syndrome. Polysomnographic and echocardiographic measurements were analysed. Mild to severe sleep apnoea was defined as the apnoea-hypopnea index ≥5. Age was dichotomised into under the age of 60 years and age 60 years or over. Up to 35% of coronary artery disease patients were likely to have undiagnosed sleep apnoea. There was a statistically significant interaction between the effect of sleep apnoea and age group on diastolic function defined as the ratio peak flow velocity in early diastole/peak flow velocity in atrial contraction ratio (p = 0.036). This ratio was significantly (p = 0.029) lower in the mild-severe sleep apnoea group (0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.88–1.06) than in the non-sleep apnoea group (1.09, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.15) among middle aged (<60 years) coronary artery disease patients. Therefore, filling patterns in the middle aged (<60 years) patients with sleep apnoea resemble those observed in the elderly (≥60 years) patients without sleep apnoea. The effect of sleep apnoea on left ventricular filling pattern in elderly was not observed.

Conclusions

Age modifies the effect of sleep apnoea on cardiovascular outcomes. The findings that undiagnosed sleep apnoea impairs diastolic function in a middle-aged coronary artery disease patient underscore the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnoea. It is recommended to train and educate cardiac rehabilitation staff on the importance of sleep disorders in this population.
Differential Association of Aggression With Sadness for People With Moderate and Severe Dementia
Authors: O’Rourke Hannah M. , Fraser Kimberly D. , Duggleby Wendy
Published: July 2020

Little is known about how individual behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) impact the person with dementia. This cross-sectional, retrospective study examined the association between one BPSD, aggressive behavior, and a patient-identified outcome, sadness, among people with moderate and severe dementia (n = 5001) using clinical administrative Resident Assessment Instrument 2.0 data. For people with moderate or severe cognitive impairment, the odds of sadness were significantly higher if verbal aggression was exhibited 4 to 6 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.85, P < .001) or 1 to 3 (aOR = 2.28, P < .001) times per week, or daily (aOR = 1.77, P = .003). People with severe cognitive impairment and who displayed physical aggression either daily (OR = 2.16, P = .002) or 1 to 3 times per week (OR = 1.45, P = .023) also had an increased odds of sadness. Aggression may harm the person with dementia’s mental well-being, depending on the level of cognitive impairment, and type and frequency of aggression. Prospective studies can build on these correlational findings.
Arteriovenous fistulas of the Vein of Galen region in adults: Endovascular treatment
Authors: Paúl Laura , Casasco Alfredo , Gil Alberto , Aleu Aitziber , Guimaraens Leopoldo
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Arteriovenous fistulas of the Vein of Galen region in adults (Ad-VGAVF) are an uncommon entity with specific anatomic features. The aim of this article is to present our experience in the endovascular treatment of this pathology and to propose a therapeutic strategy based precisely on the angioarchitecture of these lesions.

Materials and methods

During a 20-year period, 10 patients underwent endovascular treatment of Ad-VGAVF. They were nine men and one woman with a mean age of 50 years (23–66 years) treated with the same embolization strategy. Clinical presentation, angiographic characteristics, therapeutic strategy, and clinical outcomes were recorded.

Results

All patients were treated exclusively by endovascular approach. Transarterial access was performed in eight patients and combined transvenous and transarterial access in two. Complete obliteration of the fistula was obtained in all patients. There were no intraprocedural complications. Post-embolization neurological symptoms occurred in 5 of 10 with complete resolution at six months in all of them.

Conclusion

Arteriovenous fistulas of the Vein of Galen region in adults present uniform angioarchitecture despite their low prevalence. Based on this constant angioarchitecture and especially on the features of its venous drainage, judicious embolization strategy is feasible and effective. Ten cases treated entirely by endovascular approach with excellent clinical and angiographic outcomes show this treatment like a curative alternative for this entity of deep topography and severe prognosis.
Institutional and news media denominations of COVID-19 and its causative virus: Between naming policies and naming politics
Authors: Prieto-Ramos Fernando , Pei Jiamin , Cheng Le
Published: July 2020

From the beginning of the COVID-19 global pandemic, it became clear that the practices of naming the disease, its nature and its handling by the health authorities, the news media and the politicians had social and ideological implications. This article presents a sociosemiotic study of such practices as reflected in a corpus of headlines of eight newspapers of four countries in the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis. After an analysis of the institutional naming choices of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, the study focuses on the changes in newspapers’ naming patterns following the WHO’s announcement of the disease name on 11 February 2020. A subsequent political controversy related to naming in the United States is then examined in reports of The New York Times and The Washington Post as a further illustration of how public discourses and perceptions can rapidly evolve in the context of health crises.
Efficacy and safety of regorafenib as beyond second-line therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: an adjusted indirect meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Wu Yinying , Fan Yangwei , Dong Danfeng , Dong Xuyuan , Hu Yuan , Shi Yu , Jing Jiayu , Li Enxiao
Published: July 2020

Background:

The evidence base for optimum third-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is not conclusive. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of regorafenib as third-line therapy in mCRC. This indirect meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of regorafenib with other available third-line therapies for mCRC.

Methods:

A literature search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of fruquintinib, regorafenib, TAS-102, and nintedanib as third-line therapies in patients with mCRC. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were the primary outcomes, while objective response rate (ORR) and safety were the secondary outcomes. Hazard ratio (HR) and relative risk (RR) with their respective 95% confidence interval (CI) were used for analysis of survival, clinical response, and safety data. An adjusted indirect meta-analysis with placebo as the common comparator was performed.

Results:

We identified eight RCTs comparing regorafenib (two studies), fruquintinib (two studies), TAS-102 (three studies), and nintedanib (one study) against placebo. The OS with regorafenib was significantly better when compared with nintedanib (HR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.95, p = 0.02) but was similar to that of fruquintinib (HR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.52, p = 0.94) and TAS-102 (HR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.68, 1.38, p = 0.88). The PFS and ORR for regorafenib were slightly better than those of TAS-102 (PFS: HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.54, 1.37, p = 0.5; ORR: RR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.11, 11.05, p = 0.92) and nintedanib (PFS: HR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.42, 1.10, p = 0.12; ORR: not reported) but were lower than those for fruquintinib (PFS: HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.93, 2.52, p = 0.08; ORR: RR = 0.68269, 95% CI: 0.045, 10.32, p = 0.79). Safety analysis showed that the RR of adverse events (AEs) was lesser in patients treated with regorafenib in comparison with that in patients treated with fruquintinib, but was similar to that in patients treated with nintedanib and TAS-102.

Conclusion:

Regorafenib has efficacy similar to that of TAS-102 and better safety when compared with fruquintinib. Considering the mechanism of action of regorafenib, which targets multiple factors in the angiogenic pathway, it could be an ideal option for treatment in the beyond second-line setting.
Fundamental British Values
Authors: Hodkinson Alan
Published: July 2020

In 2014, the United Kingdom Coalition Government, after the now infamous Trojan Horse incident, insisted that all children learn Fundamental British Values. Cameron, as Prime Minister, argued that such values, coupled with “muscular liberalism” would “challenge extremist ideology, exposing it for the lie that it is.” This article exists at the place of the apostrophe—as the scare mark (‘ ’) becomes an enclosure, enclosing a manufactured possession.

“Is Britishness just a made up concept? Who determines what is or is not fundamental?

I want to problematize what they include and exclude in their concept of “British Values.” What is this “British” they talk about and why do they feel a need for this “Britain” to exist? Within the enclosures provided by ‘ten scare marks’, I present research into historical and contemporary formulations of Britishness taken from academic texts, school textbooks, and websites. In addition, by invoking the work of Serres, Bhabba, and Billig, I seek to confront Cameron’s challenging discourse. Within this article, I do not though attempt to detail an authentic Britishness but rather from the outset argue that there is, and

This analysis is disturbing. It disturbs my thoughts but also my personal history- it is troubling.

never was any authenticity in this concept. What I seek to argue here is that their “British-ness” is nothing more than a portable, lean-to concept of violence. A “manufactured concept” (Nationalism and the origins of prejudice, International Journal of Historical Teaching, Learning and Research) which locates an inclusion but by default formulates an exclusion whose antecedents lie more in the government counter terrorists’ strategies than any substantial historical fact

If it is manufactured where does this leave my schooling – which told me Britain was great?

(Britishness from a linguistic perspective in school textbooks). The paper concludes by suggesting that their “Britain” is a rhetorical trope. It is itself a Trojan horse—which through flagging and banal nationalism (Banal nationalism) indoctrinates and radicalizes our children into an invented—pererted nationalism that the political elite employs to deal with a perceived/conceived/contrived threat of an internal other to our geographical, historical, and ideological borders.
Effects of emodin on intestinal mucosal barrier by the upregulation of miR-218a-5p expression in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis
Authors: Tan Yang , Zhang Wei , Wu Hai-ying , Xia Jing , Zhang Huang-bo , Liu Ming-wei , Qian Chuan-yun
Published: July 2020

Emodin is an effective component in rhubarb to cure intestinal dysfunction, but the specific mechanism remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of emodin on intestinal dysfunction caused by acute severe pancreatitis and reveal the functional mechanism of emodin in the treatment of this condition. An acute severe pancreatitis model was prepared using taurocholate. In the treatment group, 50 mg/kg emodin was injected intravenously 2 h before the induction of acute severe pancreatitis at an interval of 8 h. After 24 h, the gene expression and protein levels of miR-218a-5p, RhoA, ROCK1, Akt, Notch1, Bax, Bcl-2, Fas, FasL, caspase-3, and caspase-9 were determined through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The protein levels of occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and E-cadherin in the intestinal tract were also determined through Western blot analysis. The effects of miR-218a-5p on the apoptosis of rat intestinal epithelial cell-18 were observed through flow cytometry. The effects of emodin on intestinal cell apoptosis induced by acute severe pancreatitis were observed via TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling). Pathological changes in the pancreas and intestine of rats in each group were observed through hematoxylin and eosin staining. After 24 h of acute severe pancreatitis induced by taurocholate, emodin reduced the expression of miR-218a-5p in the intestinal tract; increased the expression of Notch1 and Bcl-2; decreased the expression levels of RhoA, ROCK1, Akt, Bax, Fas, FasL, caspase-3, and caspase-9; inhibited the intestinal cell apoptosis caused by acute severe pancreatitis; increased the protein expression levels of occludin, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and E-cadherin in the intestinal tract; and alleviated intestinal dysfunction caused by acute severe pancreatitis. Emodin could regulate Notch1 and RhoA/ROCK pathways by regulating the miR-218a-5p expression in the intestine. It could also inhibit intestinal cell apoptosis induced by acute severe pancreatitis and improve the intestinal dysfunction caused by severe acute pancreatitis.
In vitro estimation of superfluid critical extracts of some plants for their antimicrobial potential, phytochemistry, and GC–MS analyses
Authors: Suleiman Waleed Bakry
Published: July 2020

Background

Along with swift economic evolution and continuous amelioration of lifestyle, people at present are paying more attention to health issues. Synthetic drugs will be compensated with other natural ones that belong to natural origin. Plants have always been considered as sources of several compounds that are used in many fields, especially human and animal health, starting from boosting immunity to the treatment of infectious diseases caused by some pathogenic microbes such as bacteria, fungi as well as viruses. This study aimed to incorporate some types of plants within the antimicrobial portfolio through the examination of different six plants which wereCichorium intybus,Cinnamomum camphora,Commiphora myrrha,Foeniculum vulgare,Nerium oleander, andSpartium junceum. As well, attempting to identify the active constituents of their extracts using GC–MS.

Materials and methods

All selected plants were analyzed to determine their phytochemical composition such as phenolics, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and so on. The extraction step was done by sophisticated equipment called supercritical fluid extractor SFE through adjustment of specific conditions include temperature, time, flow rate and pressure to change the behavior of CO2. Testing the antimicrobial activity of each plant extract via agar well diffusion method through the formation of clear zones against a wide range of test microorganisms including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as yeasts. Finally, attempting to primarily identify the constituents of each plant extract using GC–MS.

Results and discussion

The crude extract ofF. vulgareshowed the highest potency againstC. albicans,E. faecalisandS. typhimurium, it contains some unique compounds such as squalene, eugenol and isoeugenol while, Extract ofC. intybusshowed a moderate activity especially againstC. lipolyticaand MRSA and it includes Vitamin A like compound which indicates antioxidant property.

Conclusion

Conclusively, fennel gave a promising result as a good wide spectrum antimicrobial agent because it contains some compounds act as antimicrobial agents such as eugenol which was used as food preservatives in addition to squalene which acts as an antioxidant and antimycotic agent so, it will be useful especially while it was used in highly purified form excluding all undesirable subcomponents.
Inhibitory effect of endostar combined with radiotherapy on gastric cancer animal models
Authors: Chen Qitian , Chen Ran , Dong Youhong
Published: July 2020

Background

Inhibitory effect of endostar combined with radiotherapy on gastric cancer (GC) animal models and its effect on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and inter-leukin-10 (IL-10) were evaluated.

Methods

Forty mice of GC model xenograft tumors were prepared and randomly divided into blank control group, endostar group, radiotherapy group, and endostar combined with radiotherapy group (combination group). From the 14th day, a vernier caliper was used for measuring the long and short diameters of the xenograft tumors. The formula V = ab2/2 was used for calculating the tumor volume and to obtain its average value. Tumor growth curves were plotted to calculate the tumor inhibition rate. The growth of xenograft tumors and the behavioral changes of mice were observed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for detecting the expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-β1.

Results

The tumor growth in the combination group was significantly inhibited, and the tumor volume was the smallest compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the blank control group, the tumor inhibition rate was 11.8% in endostar group, 33.0% in radiotherapy group, and 52.1% in combination group (p < 0.01). Endostar combined with radiotherapy had an interaction in decreasing the expression levels of TGF-β1 and IL-10 (F = 4.35 and 5.12, p < 0.05). Leucocyte count was significantly higher in control and combination groups than that in endostar and radiotherapy groups. The body weight of mice in endostar and radiotherapy groups decreased after treatment (p < 0.05). The body weight of mice after treatment in control and combination groups increased, with a statistically significant difference compared to that before treatment (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference among all groups after treatment (F = 198.1, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Endostar combined with radiotherapy can inhibit tumor growth and downregulate the expression levels of TGF-β1 and IL-10 through synergistic action.
Tumor volume is more reliable to predict nodal metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer of 3.0 cm or less in the greatest tumor diameter
Authors: Jia Bei , Chen Biao , Long Hao , Rong Tiehua , Su Xiaodong
Published: July 2020

Background

In this study, we sought to evaluate the correlation between TV, GTD, and lymph node metastases in NSCLC patients with tumors of GTD ≤ 3.0 cm.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of clinicopathologic variables for lymph node involvement in 285 NSCLC patients with tumors of GTD ≤ 3.0 cm who accepted curative surgical resection. The TVs were semi-automatically measured by a software, and optimal cutoff points were obtained using the X-tile software. The relationship between GTD and TV were described using non-linear regression. The correlation between GTD, TV, and N stages was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The one-way ANOVA was used to compare the GTD and TV of different lymph node stage groups.

Results

The relationship between GTD and TV accorded with the exponential growth model: y = 0.113e1.455x (y = TV, x = GTD). TV for patients with node metastases (4.78 cm3) was significantly greater than those without metastases (3.57 cm3) (P < 0.001). However, there were no obvious GTD differences in cases with or without lymph node metastases (P = 0.054). We divided all cases into three TV groups using the two cutoff values (0.9 cm3 and 3.9 cm3), and there was an obvious difference in the lymphatic involvement rate between the groups (P < 0.001). The tendency to metastasize was greater with higher TV especially when the TV was > 0.9–14.2 cm3 (P = 0.010).

Conclusions

For NSCLC tumors with GTD ≤ 3.0 cm, TV is a more sensitive marker than GTD in predicting the positive lymph node metastases. The likelihood for metastasis increases with an increasing TV especially when GTD is > 2.0–3.0 cm.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist combined with hormone replacement therapy does not improve the reproductive outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle in elderly patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Dong Mei , Sun Li , Huang Li , Yi Yanhong , Zhang Xiqian , Tan Ying , Song Ge , Liu Liling , Wei Fu , Liu Fenghua
Published: July 2020

Background

With the rapid development of whole embryo freezing technology, more and more frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) was used in assisted reproductive technology. However, the best FET program for elderly women has not been finalized. We intended to explore the reproductive outcomes of traditional hormone replacement treatment and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) combined with hormone replacement treatment in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle of elderly patients.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, we analyzed 1264 elderly patients (aged 38 years or older) who underwent FET at three reproductive centers between 2015 and 2017. According to the endometrial preparation protocol, we divided the patients into a GnRHa combined with hormone replacement treatment (GnRHa-HRT) group and traditional hormone replacement treatment (HRT) group. The clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, live birth, and abortion rates were compared between groups.

Results

One-way analysis of variance of the two groups revealed no significant difference in the clinical (33.58% vs. 37.15%) and ongoing pregnancy rates (19.40% vs. 25.10%) between the GnRHa-HRT and HRT groups. The live birth rate (17.54% vs. 24.10% p = 0.0229) of the GnRHa-HRT group was lower than that of the HRT group, whereas the abortion rate (45.56% vs. 32.97% p = 0.0252) was higher than that of the HRT group. However, multivariate analysis showed no significant difference in the live birth rate (p = 0.1333) or abortion rate (p = 0.1881) between the GnRHa-HRT and HRT groups. The number of embryos transferred, level of the embryo, and age and ovarian reserve of the patient significantly affected final reproductive outcomes.

Conclusion

A GnRH agonist combined with hormone replacement therapy did not improve the reproductive outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo cycles in elderly patients.
Knockdown of THOC1 reduces the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma and increases the sensitivity to cisplatin
Authors: Cai Shijiao , Bai Yunpeng , Wang Huan , Zhao Zihan , Ding Xiujuan , Zhang Heng , Zhang Xiaoyun , Liu Yantao , Jia Yan , Li Yinan , Chen Shuang , Zhou Honggang , Liu Huijuan , Yang Cheng , Sun Tao
Published: July 2020

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant cancers with poor prognosis and high incidence. The clinical data analysis of liver hepatocellular carcinoma samples downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas reveals that the THO Complex 1 (THOC1) is remarkable upregulated in HCC and associated with poor prognosis. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. We hypothesize that THOC1 can promote the proliferation of HCC. The present study aims to identify THOC1 as the target for HCC treatment and broaden our sights into therapeutic strategy for this disease.

Methods

Quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to measure gene and protein expression. Colony formation and cell cycle analysis were performed to evaluate the proliferation. The gene set enrichment analysis were performed to identify the function which THOC1 was involved in. The effects of THOC1 on the malignant phenotypes of hepatocellular cells were examined in vitro and in vivo.

Results

The gene set enrichment analysis reveals that THOC1 can promote the proliferation and G2/M cell cycle transition of HCC. Similarly, experimental results demonstrate that THOC1 promotes HCC cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. The knockdown of THOC1 leads to R-loop formation and DNA damage and confers sensitivity to cisplatin. In addition, in vivo data demonstrate that THOC1 can enhance tumorigenesis by increasing tumor cell proliferation. Furthermore, virtual screening predicts that THOC1 as a direct target of luteolin. Luteolin can induce DNA damage and suppress the proliferation of HCC by targeting THOC1. Furthermore, the inhibition of THOC1 activity by luteolin enhances the chemosensitivity of HCC tumor cells to cisplatin.

Conclusions

THOC1 was identified as a predictive biomarker vital for HCC-targeted treatments and improvement of clinical prognosis. Luteolin combined with cisplatin can effectively suppress HCC tumor growth, indicating a potential and effective therapeutic strategy that uses luteolin in combination with conventional cytotoxic agents for HCC treatment.
Rapid biodegradable microneedles with allergen reservoir for skin allergy test
Authors: Tran Le-Giang , Park Woo-Tae
Published: July 2020

With the increasing allergy cases worldwide, this study introduces a biodegradable microneedle system to facilitate allergy testing process. Dissolving microneedle provides a minimally invasive manner to go through skin barrier while avoiding needle phobia among patents, especially children. The microneedles were fabricated using copolymer polyvinylpyrrolidone-co-methacrylic acid (PVP-MAA) material. To ensure the successful insertion of microneedles into the skin, we tailored the mechanical strength of the copolymer by adjusting the weight ratio of two constituted polymers. A reservoir was designed to load allergy specimen for the allergy test. This system is expected to offer a simple and effective allergy testing that can facilitate the allergy testing protocol.