bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic and Predictive Factors in Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Magnes Teresa , Wagner Sandro , Kiem Dominik , Weiss Lukas , Rinnerthaler Gabriel , Greil Richard , Melchardt Thomas
Published: May 2021

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous disease arising from the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract. Despite multimodality treatments approximately half of all patients with locally advanced disease relapse and the prognosis of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC is dismal. The introduction of checkpoint inhibitors improved the treatment options for these patients and pembrolizumab alone or in combination with a platinum and fluorouracil is now the standard of care for first-line therapy. However, approximately only one third of unselected patients respond to this combination and the response rate to checkpoint inhibitors alone is even lower. This shows that there is an urgent need to improve prognostication and prediction of treatment benefits in patients with HNSCC. In this review, we summarize the most relevant risk factors in the field and discuss their roles and limitations. The human papilloma virus (HPV) status for patients with oropharyngeal cancer and the combined positive score are the only biomarkers consistently used in clinical routine. Other factors, such as the tumor mutational burden and the immune microenvironment have been highly studied and are promising but need validation in prospective trials.
Sleep Well and Recover Faster with Less Pain—A Narrative Review on Sleep in the Perioperative Period
Authors: Sipilä Reetta M. , Kalso Eija A.
Published: May 2021

Sleep disturbance, pain, and having a surgical procedure of some kind are all very likely to occur during the average lifespan. Postoperative pain continues to be a prevalent problem and growing evidence supports the association between pain and sleep disturbances. The bidirectional nature of sleep and pain is widely acknowledged. A decline in sleep quality adds a risk for the onset of pain and also exacerbates existing pain. The risk factors for developing insomnia and experiencing severe pain after surgery are quite similar. The main aim of this narrative review is to discuss why it is important to be aware of sleep disturbances both before and after surgery, to know how sleep disturbances should be assessed and monitored, and to understand how better sleep can be supported by both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
Cardiac Autonomic Response to Active Standing in Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis
Authors: Torres-Arellano José M. , Echeverría Juan C. , Ávila-Vanzzini Nydia , Springall Rashidi , Toledo Andrea , Infante Oscar , Bojalil Rafael , Cossío-Aranda Jorge E. , Fajardo Erika , Lerma Claudia
Published: May 2021

Aortic stenosis is a progressive heart valve disorder characterized by calcification of the leaflets. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has been proposed for assessing the heart response to autonomic activity, which is documented to be altered in different cardiac diseases. The objective of the study was to evaluate changes of HRV in patients with aortic stenosis by an active standing challenge. Twenty-two volunteers without alterations in the aortic valve (NAV) and twenty-five patients diagnosed with moderate and severe calcific aortic valve stenosis (AVS) participated in this cross-sectional study. Ten minute electrocardiograms were performed in a supine position and in active standing positions afterwards, to obtain temporal, spectral, and scaling HRV indices: mean value of all NN intervals (meanNN), low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) bands spectral power, and the short-term scaling indices (α1 and αsign1). The AVS group showed higher values of LF, LF/HF and αsign1 compared with the NAV group at supine position. These patients also expressed smaller changes in meanNN, LF, HF, LF/HF, α1, and αsign1 between positions. In conclusion, we confirmed from short-term recordings that patients with moderate and severe calcific AVS have a decreased cardiac parasympathetic supine response and that the dynamic of heart rate fluctuations is modified compared to NAV subjects, but we also evidenced that they manifest reduced autonomic adjustments caused by the active standing challenge.
Multidimensional Evaluation of Awareness in Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Cobo Jesús , Coronas Ramón , Pousa Esther , Oliva Joan-Carles , Giménez-Palop Olga , Esteba-Castillo Susanna , Novell Ramon , Palao Diego J. , Caixàs Assumpta
Published: May 2021

There are no studies about insight or awareness of illness in patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). The objective of this study was to explore the level of awareness of the disorder, of the need for medication, and of the social consequences of the disease, as well as of its main symptoms in PWS. We also aimed to explore relationships between awareness and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and to compare all data with a matched sample of patients with psychosis. Insight was assessed by an Adapted version of the Scale of Unawareness of Mental Disorder in a cross-sectional pilot study at a University Hospital. Thirty-six individuals with PWS (58.3% women) were included. Results showed that PWS patients had a good awareness of the illness and of the effects of medication, in contrast to a lack of awareness of illness’ social consequences. Awareness of obesity/overweight was excellent, as was the awareness of excessive appetite. Awareness of excessive food intake was only mild. Insight correlated with age and functionality, but not with BMI. PWS patients showed a better insight into the illness but a similar awareness of the effects of the medication and of the social consequences of the disease as compared to schizophrenia-spectrum patients. This profile of insight may have relevant clinical implications.
Hyperferritinemia—A Clinical Overview
Authors: Sandnes Miriam , Ulvik Rune J. , Vorland Marta , Reikvam Håkon
Published: May 2021

Ferritin is one of the most frequently requested laboratory tests in primary and secondary care, and levels often deviate from reference ranges. Serving as an indirect marker for total body iron stores, low ferritin is highly specific for iron deficiency. Hyperferritinemia is, however, a non-specific finding, which is frequently overlooked in general practice. In routine medical practice, only 10% of cases are related to an iron overload, whilst the rest is seen as a result of acute phase reactions and reactive increases in ferritin due to underlying conditions. Differentiation of the presence or absence of an associated iron overload upon hyperferritinemia is essential, although often proves to be complex. In this review, we have performed a review of a selection of the literature based on the authors’ own experiences and assessments in accordance with international recommendations and guidelines. We address the biology, etiology, and epidemiology of hyperferritinemia. Finally, an algorithm for the diagnostic workup and management of hyperferritinemia is proposed, and general principles regarding the treatment of iron overload are discussed.
Firefighting Equipment Arrangement Optimization for an Offshore Platform Considering Travel Distances
Authors: Lee Byeong Cheol , Choi Youngsu , Chung Hyun
Published: May 2021

The offshore plant, due to its characteristics, is subject to many restrictions on the material and design of the pipes. Because the design of the firefighting piping depends on the pre-set fire protection design, it is possible to reduce the cost of the piping design by optimizing the arrangement of the firefighting equipment. Existing studies have low accuracy in obtaining service areas under these conditions. In addition, the arrangement optimization problem is generally modeled as a set cover problem (SCP). However, except for the traditional greedy approximation, this problem is not well researched for general solutions. In this paper, first, a modified iterative-deepening search (MIDS), which accurately obtains a service area according to the travel distance in the grid space, is proposed before optimization. Additionally, this paper seeks to define a set cover problem by combining the subsets obtained by MIDS. Second, by using the traditional greedy algorithm, we obtained the initial arrangement of the firefighting equipment. Then, we proposed a method to obtain an approximate optimization solution using a modified greedy method including rearrangement. The validity of the proposed coverage area acquisition and arrangement optimization method is verified by comparing the performance with other algorithms. Finally, this study was applied to the drawings of an actual offshore platform.
Modeling of Bank Credit Risk Management Using the Cost Risk Model
Authors: Yanenkova Iryna , Nehoda Yuliia , Drobyazko Svetlana , Zavhorodnii Andrii , Berezovska Lyudmyla
Published: May 2021

This article deals with the issue of managing bank credit risk using a cost risk model. Modeling of bank credit risk management was proposed based on neural-cell technologies, which expand the possibilities of modeling complex objects and processes and provide high reliability of credit risk determination. The purpose of the article is to improve and develop methodical support and practical recommendations for reducing the level of risk based on the value-at-risk (VaR) methodology and its subsequent combination with methods of fuzzy programming and symbiotic methodical support. The model makes it possible to create decision support subsystems for nonperforming loan management based on the neuro-fuzzy approach. For this paper, economic and mathematical tools (based on the VaR methodology) were used, which made it possible to analyze and forecast the dynamics of overdue payment; assess the quality of the credit portfolio of the bank; determine possible trends in bank development. A scientific and practical approach is taken to assess and forecast the degree of credit problematicity by qualitative criteria using a mathematical model based on a fuzzy technology, which can forecast the increased risk of loan default at an early stage in the process of monitoring the loan portfolio and model forecasting changes in the degree of credit problematicity on change of indicators. A methodology is proposed for the analysis and forecasting of indicators of troubled loan debt, which should be implemented as software and included in the decision support system during the process of monitoring the risk of the bank’s credit portfolio.
Effects of Machined Surface Integrity on High-Temperature Low-Cycle Fatigue Life and Process Parameters Optimization of Turning Superalloy Inconel 718
Authors: Ren Xiaoping , Liu Zhanqiang , Liang Xiaoliang , Cui Pengcheng
Published: May 2021

Machined surface integrity characteristics, including surface stresses, physical-mechanical properties and metallographic structures, play important roles in the fatigue performance of machined components. This work aimed at investigating the effects of machined surface integrity on high-temperature low-cycle fatigue life. The process parameters were optimized to obtain required surface integrity and fatigue life of the turning superalloy Inconel 718. The relationships between low-cycle fatigue life and machined surface integrity characterization parameters were established based on the low-cycle fatigue tests at a high temperature (650 °C). The sensitivities of turning process parameters to high-temperature low-cycle fatigue life were analyzed, and the optimization parameters were proposed with the goal of antifatigue manufacturing. Experimental results indicated that the impact order of the characterization parameters of machined surface integrity on the high-temperature low-cycle fatigue life were the degree of work hardening RHV, the residual stress in the cutting speed direction S22, the fatigue stress concentration factor Kf, the degree of grain refinement RD and the residual stress in the feed direction S33. In the range of turning parameters of the experiments in this research, the cutting speeds could be 80~110 m/min, and the feed rate could be 0.10~0.12 mm/rev to achieve a longer high-temperature low-cycle fatigue life. The results can be used for guiding the fatigue-resistant manufacturing research of aeroengine superalloy turbine disks.
Ablation of Bone Tissue by Femtosecond Laser: A Path to High-Resolution Bone Surgery
Authors: Gemini Laura , Al-Bourgol Samy , Machinet Guillaume , Bakkali Aboubakr , Faucon Marc , Kling Rainer
Published: May 2021

Femtosecond lasers allow for high-precision, high-quality ablation of biological tissues thanks to their capability of minimizing the thermal loads into the irradiated material. Nevertheless, reported ablation rates remain still too limited to enable their exploitation on a clinical level. This study demonstrates the possibility to upscale the process of fs laser ablation of bone tissue by employing industrially available fs laser sources. A comprehensive parametric study is presented in order to optimize the bone tissue ablation rate while maintaining the tissue health by avoiding excessive thermal loads. Three different absorption regimes are investigated by employing fs laser sources at 1030 nm, 515 nm and 343 nm. The main differences in the three different wavelength regimes are discussed by comparing the evolution of the ablation rate and the calcination degree of the laser ablated tissue. The maximum of the ablation rate is obtained in the visible regime of absorption where a maximum value of 0.66 mm3/s is obtained on a non-calcined tissue for the lowest laser repetition rate and the lowest spatial overlap between successive laser pulses. In this regime, the hemoglobin present in the fresh bone tissue is the main chromophore involved in the absorption process. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest ablation rate obtained on porcine femur upon fs laser ablation.
Numerical Analysis of Particulate Migration Behavior within Molten Pool during TIG-Assisted Droplet Deposition Manufacturing of SiC Particle-Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites
Authors: Zhang Yubin , Du Jun , Wang Huafeng , Li Hua , Zhao Xiaoyun
Published: May 2021

A transient three-dimensional (3D) numerical model was established to illustrate the heat transfer, fluid flow and particle migration behaviors in the molten pool during TIG-assisted droplet deposition manufacturing (DDM) of SiC particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (AMCs). The effect of temperature-dependent physical properties and the interaction between the SiC reinforcement and the liquid metal matrix were considered. A double-ellipsoidal volumetric heat source model was adopted to simulate the energy interactions between the pulse square-wave variable polarity TIG welding arc and the moving substrate. Free surface fluctuations of molten pool due to arc force and sequential droplet impact are calculated with volume of fluid (VOF) method in a fixed Eulerian structured mesh. The numerical model, capable of capturing the impact, simultaneous spread, and phase change of the droplets as well as the motion trajectory and terminate distribution state of the reinforcement particles, is key tool to understand the formation mechanism of the TIG-assisted DDM of SiC particle-reinforced AMCs. The numerical model was validated by the metallographic observations, and the calculated particle distribution and solidification morphology of deposited layer agree well with the experimental measurements.
The Effects of Modifying the Activity of Nitriding Media by Diluting Ammonia with Nitrogen
Authors: Cojocaru Mihai Ovidiu , Branzei Mihai , Ghinea Andrei Mihai , Druga Leontin Nicolae
Published: May 2021

This paper discusses the issue of the effects of modifying the activity of nitriding media by diluting ammonia with nitrogen and the concomitant variation in the degree of ammonia dissociation on the layer’s growth kinetics and their phase composition. To understand and quantify the effects of the variation in the main parameters that influence the layer growth kinetics, the experimental programming method was used and mathematical models of interactions between influence and kinetics parameters were obtained for two metallic materials: Fe-ARMCO and 34CrAlMo5 nitralloy steel. It was concluded that the nitriding operating temperature and the degree of nitrogen dilution of the ammonia have statistically significant influences on the kinetics of the nitrided layer. In the same context, it was analytically proved and experimentally confirmed that the ammonia degree dissociation from the gaseous ammonia-nitrogen mixture, along with the dilution degree of the medium with nitrogen, significantly influences the nitrogen potential of the gaseous mixture used for nitriding and thus the concentration of nitrogen in balance at the medium thermochemically processed metal product interface.
Numerical Investigation of the Composite Action of Axially Compressed Concrete-Filled Circular Aluminum Alloy Tubular Stub Columns
Authors: Ding Faxing , Liao Changbin , Wang En , Lyu Fei , Xu Yunlong , Liu Yicen , Feng Yuan , Shang Zhihai
Published: May 2021

This paper studied the composite action of concrete-filled circular aluminum alloy tubular (CFCAT) stub columns under axial compression. A fine-meshed finite three-dimensional (3D) solid element model making use of a tri-axial plastic-damage constitutive model of concrete and elastoplastic constitutive model of aluminum alloy was established. A parametric study utilizing the verified finite element (FE) model was carried out and the analytical results were exploited to investigate the composite actions of concrete-filled circular aluminum alloy tubular stub columns subjected axial compression. Compared with the concrete-filled steel tube (CFCST) stub columns, the aluminum alloy tube exerted a weaker constraint effect on the infilled concrete due to its lower elastic modulus. Based on the FE analytical results and regression method, the composite action model of concrete-filled circular aluminum alloy tubular stub columns was proposed. By generalizing the stress nephogram of the concrete-filled circular aluminum alloy tubular stub column at the limit state, a design formula was proposed to estimate the ultimate bearing capacity the columns using the superposition method. The predicted results of the proposed formula show a good agreement with both the experimental and FE analytical results. The comparison between the proposed formula and current design methods indicates that the proposed formula is more accurate and convenient to use.
Vibro-Thermal Wave Radar: Application of Barker Coded Amplitude Modulation for Enhanced Low-Power Vibrothermographic Inspection of Composites
Authors: Hedayatrasa Saeid , Segers Joost , Poelman Gaétan , Paepegem Wim Van , Kersemans Mathias
Published: May 2021

This paper proposes an efficient non-destructive testing technique for composite materials. The proposed vibro-thermal wave radar (VTWR) technique couples the thermal wave radar imaging approach to low-power vibrothermography. The VTWR is implemented by means of a binary phase modulation of the vibrational excitation, using a 5 bit Barker coded waveform, followed by matched filtering of the thermal response. A 1D analytical formulation framework demonstrates the high depth resolvability and increased sensitivity of the VTWR. The obtained results reveal that the proposed VTWR technique outperforms the widely used classical lock-in vibrothermography. Furthermore, the VTWR technique is experimentally demonstrated on a 5.5 mm thick carbon fiber reinforced polymer coupon with barely visible impact damage. A local defect resonance frequency of a backside delamination is selected as the vibrational carrier frequency. This allows for implementing VTWR in the low-power regime (input power < 1 W). It is experimentally shown that the Barker coded amplitude modulation and the resultant pulse compression efficiency lead to an increased probing depth, and can fully resolve the deep backside delamination.
Characterization of Frequency Domains of Bandlimited Frame Multiresolution Analysis
Authors: Zhang Zhihua
Published: May 2021

Framelets have been widely used in narrowband signal processing, data analysis, and sampling theory, due to their resilience to background noise, stability of sparse reconstruction, and ability to capture local time-frequency information. The well-known approach to construct framelets with useful properties is through frame multiresolution analysis (FMRA). In this article, we characterize the frequency domain of bandlimited FMRAs: there exists a bandlimited FMRA with the support of frequency domain G if and only if G satisfies G⊂2G, ⋃m2mG≅Rd, and G\G2⋂G2+2πν≅∅(ν∈Zd).
An Investigation on Internal Material Loads and Modifications in Precision Turning of Steel 42CrMo4
Authors: Zielinski Tjarden , Vovk Andrey , Riemer Oltmann , Karpuschewski Bernhard
Published: May 2021

The functional properties of a workpiece are determined by a modification of the surface and subsurface materials. In this work, the correlation between thermo-mechanical material loads and the modification of the residual stresses is presented. While the resulting residual stresses were measured by X-ray diffraction after machining experiments, the material loads were determined using a process simulation. The experimental data (measured process forces and results from previous experiments) are used to validate the simulation, which is then applied to calculate the internal thermo-mechanical loads of the maximal temperature and the equivalent von-Mises-stresses per volume element during the machining experiments. In conclusion, a higher depth impact of mechanical loads compared to a lower depth impact of thermal loads in precision machining is observed. For the sake of novelty, the thermo-mechanical loads were plotted and interpreted in a three-dimensional fashion. Finally, cross sections of this mutual representation at certain constant material loads—thermal and mechanical—result in a process signature, which can prospectively improve the prediction of functional workpiece properties.
Design and Optimization of the Resonator in a Resonant Accelerometer Based on Mode and Frequency Analysis
Authors: Li Yan , Jin Biao , Zhao Mengyu , Yang Fuling
Published: May 2021

This study aims to develop methods to design and optimize the resonator in a resonant accelerometer based on mode and frequency analysis. First, according to the working principle of a resonant accelerometer, the resonator is divided into three parts: beam I, beam II, and beam III. Using Hamilton’s principle, the undamped dynamic control equation and the ordinary differential dynamic equation of the resonant beam are obtained. Moreover, the structural parameters of the accelerometer are designed and optimized by using resonator mode and frequency analysis, then using finite element simulation to verify it. Finally, 1 g acceleration tumbling experiments are built to verify the feasibility of the proposed design and optimization method. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed accelerometer has a sensitivity of 98 Hz/g, a resolution of 0.917 mg, and a bias stability of 1.323 mg/h. The research findings suggest that according to the resonator mode and frequency analysis, the values of the resonator structural parameters are determined so that the working mode of the resonator is far away from the interference mode and avoids resonance points effectively. The research results are expected to be beneficial for a practical resonant sensor design.
Microfluidic Assessment of Drug Effects on Physical Properties of Androgen Sensitive and Non-Sensitive Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Luo Da , Liu Na , Chen Yang , Peng Yan , Yue Tao , Cao Shan , Liu Yuanyuan
Published: May 2021

The identification and treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer are both challenging and significant. In this work, high-throughput deformability cytometry was employed to assess the effects of two anti-cancer drugs, docetaxel and enzalutamide, on androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells (LNCaP) and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells (PC-3), respectively. The quantified results show that PC-3 and LNCaP present not only different intrinsic physical properties but also different physical responses to the same anti-cancer drug. PC-3 cells possess greater stiffness and a smaller size than LNCaP cells. As the docetaxel concentration increases, PC-3 cells present an increase in stiffness and size, but LNCaP cells only present an increase in stiffness. As the enzalutamide concentration increases, PC-3 cells present no physical changes but LNCaP cells present changes in both cell size and deformation. These results demonstrated that cellular physical properties quantified by the deformability cytometry are effective indicators for identifying the androgen-independent prostate cancer cells from androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells and evaluating drug effects on these two types of prostate cancer.
Influence of Weak Interlayer on the Mechanical Performance of the Bolted Rock Mass with a Single Free Surface in Deep Mining
Authors: Ding Shuxue , Gao Yuan , Jing Hongwen , Shi Xinshuai , Qi Yanjun , Guo Jiaqi
Published: May 2021

The existence of the weak interlayer in the roadway surrounding rock mass presents a huge threat to the stability of the underground structure and the safety of mining engineering. By the characteristics of strong adaptability, superior anchoring effect and high efficiency of construction, rock bolt has been widely applied in mine reinforcement. However, the influence of the weak interlayer on the compressive performance of the bolted rock mass is still poorly understood due to the challenges in constructing an efficient experimental platform and complex testing processes. Here, we used the self-developed test system to investigate the influence of the thickness, uniaxial compressive strength, and dip angle of the weak interlayer on the compressive behavior of the bolted rock mass with a single free surface. The results show that the weak interlayer has a great weakening effect on the peak strength and elastic modulus of the specimens due to its low mechanical properties, as well as influencing the crack distribution and failure mode of the samples. As the strength of the weak interlayer is lower than 1.27 MPa, the thickness exceeds 20 mm, and the dip angle exceeds 15°, the synergistic bearing effect will be significantly reduced and affect the mechanical performance of the specimens. The evolution of the bolt force and bending moment are greatly impacted by the deformation process which could be divided into distinct stages of destruction, thereby providing an excellent detection method for judging the stability of the surrounding rock of the mine. The discovery of this research promote a better understanding of the impact of the weak interlayer on mining engineering and guide the mine reinforcement in the future.
Computational Design of Novel Allosteric Inhibitors for Plasmodium falciparum DegP
Authors: Shehzad Sadaf , Pandey Rajan , Malhotra Pawan , Gupta Dinesh
Published: May 2021

The serine protease, DegP exhibits proteolytic and chaperone activities, essential for cellular protein quality control and normal cell development in eukaryotes. The P. falciparum DegP is essential for the parasite survival and required to combat the oscillating thermal stress conditions during the infection, protein quality checks and protein homeostasis in the extra-cytoplasmic compartments, thereby establishing it as a potential target for drug development against malaria. Previous studies have shown that diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) and the peptide SPMFKGV inhibit E. coli DegP protease activity. To identify novel potential inhibitors specific to PfDegP allosteric and the catalytic binding sites, we performed a high throughput in silico screening using Malaria Box, Pathogen Box, Maybridge library, ChEMBL library and the library of FDA approved compounds. The screening helped identify five best binders that showed high affinity to PfDegP allosteric (T0873, T2823, T2801, RJC02337, CD00811) and the catalytic binding site (T0078L, T1524, T2328, BTB11534 and 552691). Further, molecular dynamics simulation analysis revealed RJC02337, BTB11534 as the best hits forming a stable complex. WaterMap and electrostatic complementarity were used to evaluate the novel bio-isosteric chemotypes of RJC02337, that led to the identification of 231 chemotypes that exhibited better binding affinity. Further analysis of the top 5 chemotypes, based on better binding affinity, revealed that the addition of electron donors like nitrogen and sulphur to the side chains of butanoate group are more favoured than the backbone of butanoate group. In a nutshell, the present study helps identify novel, potent and Plasmodium specific inhibitors, using high throughput in silico screening and bio-isosteric replacement, which may be experimentally validated.
Polyphenols Extracted from Shanxi-Aged Vinegar Inhibit Inflammation in LPS-Induced RAW264.7 Macrophages and ICR Mice via the Suppression of MAPK/NF-κB Pathway Activation
Authors: Du Peng , Song Jia , Qiu Huirui , Liu Haorui , Zhang Li , Zhou Junhan , Jiang Shengping , Liu Jinyu , Zheng Yu , Wang Min
Published: May 2021

Shanxi-aged vinegar, a traditional Chinese grain-fermented food that is rich in polyphenols, has been shown to have therapeutic effects on a variety of diseases. However, there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of polyphenols extracted from Shanxi-aged vinegar (SAVEP) to date. The anti-inflammatory activities of SAVEP, both in RAW 264.7 macrophages and mice, were extensively investigated for the potential application of SAVEP as a novel anti-inflammatory agent. In order to confirm the notion that polyphenols could improve inflammatory symptoms, SAVEP was firstly detected by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In total, 19 polyphenols were detected, including 12 phenolic acids. The study further investigated the protective effect of SAVEP on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages and ICR mice. The results showed that compared with those of the model group, SAVEP could remarkably recover the inflammation of macrophage RAW264.7 and ICR mice. SAVEP can normalise the expression of related proteins via the suppression of MAPK/NF-κB pathway activation, inhibiting the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins, and consequently the production of inflammatory factors, thus alleviating inflammatory stress. These results suggest that SAVEP may have a potential function against inflammation.
Protective Effects of Swertiamarin against Methylglyoxal-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Improving Oxidative Stress in Rat Kidney Epithelial (NRK-52E) Cells
Authors: Parwani Kirti , Patel Farhin , Patel Dhara , Mandal Palash
Published: May 2021

Increased blood glucose in diabetic individuals results in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), causing various adverse effects on kidney cells, thereby leading to diabetic nephropathy (DN). In this study, the antiglycative potential of Swertiamarin (SM) isolated from the methanolic extract of E. littorale was explored. The effect of SM on protein glycation was studied by incubating bovine serum albumin with fructose at 60 °C in the presence and absence of different concentrations of swertiamarin for 24 h. For comparative analysis, metformin was also used at similar concentrations as SM. Further, to understand the role of SM in preventing DN, in vitro studies using NRK-52E cells were done by treating cells with methylglyoxal (MG) in the presence and absence of SM. SM showed better antiglycative potential as compared to metformin. In addition, SM could prevent the MG mediated pathogenesis in DN by reducing levels of argpyrimidine, oxidative stress and epithelial mesenchymal transition in kidney cells. SM also downregulated the expression of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β. This study, for the first time, reports the antiglycative potential of SM and also provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms by which SM prevents toxicity of MG on rat kidney cells.
Prospects of Using Biocatalysis for the Synthesis and Modification of Polymers
Authors: Nikulin Maksim , Švedas Vytas
Published: May 2021

Trends in the dynamically developing application of biocatalysis for the synthesis and modification of polymers over the past 5 years are considered, with an emphasis on the production of biodegradable, biocompatible and functional polymeric materials oriented to medical applications. The possibilities of using enzymes not only as catalysts for polymerization but also for the preparation of monomers for polymerization or oligomers for block copolymerization are considered. Special attention is paid to the prospects and existing limitations of biocatalytic production of new synthetic biopolymers based on natural compounds and monomers from biomass, which can lead to a huge variety of functional biomaterials. The existing experience and perspectives for the integration of bio- and chemocatalysis in this area are discussed.
Differential Response of Pentanal and Hexanal Exhalation to Supplemental Oxygen and Mechanical Ventilation in Rats
Authors: Müller-Wirtz Lukas M. , Kiefer Daniel , Knauf Joschua , Floss Maximilian A. , Doneit Jonas , Wolf Beate , Maurer Felix , Sessler Daniel I. , Volk Thomas , Kreuer Sascha , Fink Tobias
Published: May 2021

High inspired oxygen during mechanical ventilation may influence the exhalation of the previously proposed breath biomarkers pentanal and hexanal, and additionally induce systemic inflammation. We therefore investigated the effect of various concentrations of inspired oxygen on pentanal and hexanal exhalation and serum interleukin concentrations in 30 Sprague Dawley rats mechanically ventilated with 30, 60, or 93% inspired oxygen for 12 h. Pentanal exhalation did not differ as a function of inspired oxygen but increased by an average of 0.4 (95%CI: 0.3; 0.5) ppb per hour, with concentrations doubling from 3.8 (IQR: 2.8; 5.1) ppb at baseline to 7.3 (IQR: 5.0; 10.8) ppb after 12 h. Hexanal exhalation was slightly higher at 93% of inspired oxygen with an average difference of 0.09 (95%CI: 0.002; 0.172) ppb compared to 30%. Serum IL-6 did not differ by inspired oxygen, whereas IL-10 at 60% and 93% of inspired oxygen was greater than with 30%. Both interleukins increased over 12 h of mechanical ventilation at all oxygen concentrations. Mechanical ventilation at high inspired oxygen promotes pulmonary lipid peroxidation and systemic inflammation. However, the response of pentanal and hexanal exhalation varies, with pentanal increasing by mechanical ventilation, whereas hexanal increases by high inspired oxygen concentrations.
TO THE QUESTION OF CONCRETE QUALITY CONTROL
Authors: Loganina V. , Zaitseva M.
Published: May 2021

The article provides information on the results of assessing the quality of concrete internal wall panels. The requirements of various regulatory documents for the rules for accepting a batch of concrete are considered. The procedure of statistical sampling control on a quantitative basis is described. According to the statistical data of the factory laboratory of Open Joint Stock Company “ZhBK-1” (Penza) on the quality of grade 300 concrete in the manufacture of internal wall panels, the influence of the type of cement on the variability of concrete strength indicators is considered. The influence of the type of cement on the decision to accept a batch of concrete is established. Due to the higher value of the standard deviation of the quality indicators of Haldenberg cement in comparison with Sengileevsky cement, the acceptance of a batch of concrete depends on the level of product defectiveness. It is revealed that, depending on the number of samples during testing, the decision on batch acceptance, made in accordance with GOST 10180-2012 and GOST R ISO 12491-2011, may be different. It is proposed to amend GOST 10180-2012 in paragraph 4 regarding the number of samples for testing, taking into account the requirements of GOST R ISO 12491. This will contribute to a more objective decision on the acceptance of the batch. The effect of the type of cement on the reproducibility of the production process is shown.
Make Them Better Citizens: YMCA Training in Late Imperial Ethiopia (1950s-1970s)
Authors: Bromber Katrin
Published: May 2021

In Ethiopia, activities of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) during the late Imperial period are usually associated with sports and public lectures. This perception obscures the fact that since the early 1950s, the YMCA’s work revolved around the transformation of boys and young men into what it deemed intelligent, responsible, and loyal citizens. YMCA citizenship training, which gradually spread from Addis Ababa to eighteen towns all over Ethiopia and Eritrea, was primarily an urban phenomenon. Under the substantial influence of the International Committee of YMCAs of North America, programs and activities were shaped to highlight universal social citizenship as part of the developmental paradigm during the Cold War. By targeting the minds, spirits, and bodies of urban male youths, YMCA citizenship training developed refined techniques of social engineering. Making use of documents from the YMCA archives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA and the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this article focuses on the “Future Citizen Program” (since 1959) and the “Operation Better Boys” (since 1967). It will explore the specifics of an urban citizenship that the Ethiopian YMCA tried to develop, ask how related ideas were communicated, and determine who stood behind these activities.
La catastrophe de la décharge de Räpi à Addis-Abeba : éléments de compréhension par l’analyse des politiques publiques et des recompositions socio-spatiales
Authors: Tamru Bezunesh
Published: May 2021

L’effondrement de la décharge de Räpi survenu le 11 mars 2017 à Addis-Abeba est analysé en considérant la densification des quartiers limitrophes, au travers des tensions politiques aboutissant à la fermeture du nouveau site de de Sändafa, ainsi que par les retards du chantier de la nouvelle usine d’incinération des déchets du l’Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP). En prenant comme hypothèse principale, le lien entre l’utilisation d’une décharge saturée et la survenue de la catastrophe, cet article étudie le contexte général du ramassage et des traitements des ordures à Addis-Abeba en insistant sur la multiplicité de ses acteurs officiels comme informels. Les tcharis ou chiffonniers, pour qui la décharge de Räpi et tout autant un lieu de résidence et d’activités, ont été les plus éprouvés par le désastre. Cette population que les habitants de la capitale désignent sous le terme argotique et péjoratif de qoshés (saletés) et parfois de kishous (lépreux), montre une assez grande diversité tant par ses origines ethniques que par ses stratégies d’insertions urbaines. La catastrophe a ainsi révélé l’existence autour de la décharge d’un ancien espace marginalisé mais aujourd’hui plus convoité, les aides et dédommagements apportés par les pouvoirs municipaux ont été inégalitaires en favorisant les habitants légalement installés. Les concepts de citadinité et de déni de citadinité permettent ainsi une analyse des revendications d’insertion urbaine des Tcharis de Räpi en particulier des plus jeunes.
Hargeisa, Somaliland : des citoyens producteurs de la ville aux citadins consommateurs urbains
Authors: Pinauldt Géraldine
Published: May 2021

Il y a 30 ans, la ville d’Hargeisa a été rasée par l’aviation somalienne, et la majorité de ses habitants a fui dans les camps de réfugiés de Djibouti et d’Éthiopie, ou s’est exilée en Europe, en Amérique et dans la Péninsule arabique. Remise de cette rupture majeure, la ville est aujourd’hui reconstruite, repeuplée, étendue et devenue capitale du nouvel État – non reconnu – du Somaliland. Elle a fait montre d’une résilience importante dans la trajectoire de sa croissance urbaine. Hargeisa fait face depuis sa reconstruction à des problématiques foncières et d’aménagement multiples. Pourtant le statut du pays limite les possibilités de financements internationaux. La ville est par ailleurs installée à la croisée de plusieurs territoires claniques qui l’organisent en partie. Une spécificité de la citadinité ici se joue dans la superposition et l’articulation d’une administration urbaine formelle et d’investissements communautaires ou claniques informels mais fonctionnels. La «citoyenneté urbaine » est ainsi à l’image du Somaliland non reconnu : la ville appartient à ses habitants, qui la produisent. Pourtant, cette articulation est mise à mal par une spéculation foncière croissante qui transforme à la fois le paysage de la ville et les logiques d’acteurs.
How Has a Local Settlement Urbanized in Mekelle, Ethiopia? Case of Ïnda Mesqel’s Development as One of the Aspects of Urbanization Process
Authors: Shimizu Nobuhiro , Tesfay Alula , Okazaki Rumi , Telele Ephrem , Miyake Riichi
Published: May 2021

Urban expansion has often caused the absorption of traditional settlements into urban areas. By tracing the case of one specific settlement in Mekelle named Ïnda Mesqel, this paper explores how a settlement has been transformed in accordance with population and building increases by analyzing the spatial and building aspects with respect to different scales : settlements, parcels (a block of land held by the same land-right holder(s)), buildings and residents. A field survey in 2014 clarified that the recent increase of land-right holders, residents, parcels and buildings in the Ïnda Mesqel is spatially accompanied by continual land segmentalization and subsequent reformation process. Newly emerged parcels are formed by the application of a traditional domestic layout. However, the appearance of parcels varies because they are highly affected by land tenure systems of different periods, the statuses of land inheritance, existing buildings, the potential of the site, and more personal economic and familial issues of the landright holders. In the case of the targeted settlement, existing landright holders are likely to erect new buildings for renters or their relatives despite insufficient funds. Therefore, the newly built houses often resulted in less desirable buildings. These results show that settlement urbanization is, at least on one hand, developed by the landright-holders’ continual individual actions, which are directed by their situation-oriented attitude that is influenced by varied local contexts. The comparative analysis with central Mekelle, whose urbanization has been also developed by the land-right-holders’ continual individual actions since the end of xixth century, clarifies that different spatial and building appearances have been formed by the different concrete actions stemming from the different historical and familial contexts of each place.
Les problèmes de l’échelle dans les céramiques grecques à reliefs
Authors: Siebert Gérard
Published: May 2021

La céramique à reliefs partage, pour ce qui est de l’échelle de la représentation, un certain nombre de règles communes avec la peinture de vases. Tant que jouent la loi du cadre et celle de la soumission du décor à la forme, des proportions cohérentes existent entre les figures. Tel est notamment le cas pour les frises modelées des vases attiques à reliefs polychromes. Mais la technique de fabrication au moule conduit à une organisation paratactique des frises et à la perte des repères spatiaux. Les fonds décorés de côtelures isolent les appliques dans un espace fictif. Extraites de leur ancien contexte narratif et réemployées en motifs isolés, des figures se transforment en signes, hors espace et hors échelle, sur des céramiques funéraires étrusques et apuliennes. L’histoire des bols à reliefs hellénistiques montre la déperdition progressive de l’échelle, depuis les séries homériques – dont les parois inscrites supprimaient déjà l’effet de profondeur – jusqu’aux vases purement ornementaux. L’utilisation de poinçons crée alors des échelles préfabriquées dans un univers décoratif sans espace.
Recherches sur le vocabulaire politique d’Aristote :δῆμος et πλῆθος dans la Constitution d’Athènes et dans le livre III de la Politique
Authors: Parmentier-Morin Édith
Published: May 2021

Conformément à l’usage du IVe siècle, la Constitution d’Athènes donne à δῆμος son sens institutionnel de «peuple agissant en assemblée » . Face à δῆμος, πλῆθος ne se charge d’aucun contenu politique ou social : dans tout le traité aristotélicien, il conserve son sens propre de «grand nombre » . De fait, les deux termes appartiennent à des champs sémantiques différents : l’un est politique, l’autre numérique. Dans le livre III de la Politique, où les occurrences de πλῆθος sont pourtant beaucoup plus nombreuses que celles de δῆμος, le mot πλῆθος a une valeur numérique parfaitement neutre, y compris dans l’expression κύριόν ἐστι τὸ πλῆθος, préférée à l’habituel κύριός ἐστιν ὁ δῆμος. En effet, pour Aristote, la légitimité du δῆμος ne se fonde pas sur la défense des intérêts de la majorité des citoyens, mais sur l’exercice de la libre discussion entre un grand nombre de gens réunis : le principe fondateur de la souveraineté du δῆμος, c’est le λόγος.
De l’intérêt des Excerpta historica iussu Imp. Constantini Porphyrogeniti pour la lecture de la dernière décade de Dion Cassius
Authors: Molin Michel
Published: May 2021

Les dix derniers livres de Dion Cassius sont le témoignage de l’auteur sur les événements de son époque, mais la tradition directe est perdue. Leur trame est fournie par les Epitomai de Xiphilin rédigées au cours de la seconde moitié du Xle siècle, mais un certain nombre de passages parmi les plus intéressants ne sont transmis que par les Excerpta Constantiniana collationnés au Xe siècle, donc avant la composition par Xiphilin de ses Epitomai.
Histoire et roman dans les fragments du Roman de Ninos
Authors: Billault Alain
Published: May 2021

Les fragments du Roman de Ninos mettent en scène deux personnages historiques, Ninos et Sémiramis. Ninos ressemble à l’image qu’en donne Diodore, mais Sémiramis n’a aucun point commun avec le souvenir que les historiens antiques ont conservé de la reine. En la peignant dans sa jeunesse, le romancier veut opposer son début dans la vie à sa destinée future, mais déjà connue du lecteur. Il joue avec l’idée que cette destinée aurait pu être différente. Il montre ainsi la même subtilité et la même inventivité qui se reflètent dans son oeuvre.
The Hippocratic Treatise Humors, Chapter 1: A Humorous Student Commentary
Authors: Scurlock Jo Ann
Published: May 2021

Un comparaison entre textes scolaires grecs et akkadiens nous permet de mieux comprendre un chapitre difficile d’un traité hippocratique.
La pratique de la crémation en Syrie : un usage marginal ?
Authors: Tenu Aline
Published: May 2021

In the Near East, the practice of cremation has received little attention from researchers. This is due to its relative scarcity. Often seen as a Levantine practice dating to the 1st millennium BC, it is, however, attested in a much larger area, and in other periods, as well. These attestations, and their significance are presented here.
Incinération et inhumation à l’époque médio-assyrienne (XIIIe-XIIe s. av. J.-C.) : le cas de Tell Mohammed Diyab (Syrie du Nord-Est)
Authors: Sauvage M.
Published: May 2021

L’apparition en Haute-Mésopotamie à l’âge du fer de nécropoles à incinérations a été précédée, dès le Bronze récent, à l’époque médio-assyrienne, des premières attestations ponctuelles de ce type de pratique funéraire. Dans des contextes d’habitat des XIIIe-XIIe s. av. J.-C., on trouve en effet en Haute-Mésopotamie quelques rares exemples d’urnes cinéraires associées à des inhumations en jarres ou en tombes construites. Cela pose le problème de la mixité des pratiques funéraires au sein d’une même population. On illustre cette question par l’exemple du niveau médio-assyrien de l’opération 3 de Tell Mohammed Diyab (Syrie du Nord-Est).