bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dirichlet Type Problem for 2D Quaternionic Time-Harmonic Maxwell System in Fractal Domains
Authors: Pérez Yudier Peña , Blaya Ricardo Abreu , Bosch Paul , Reyes Juan Bory
Published: January 2020

We investigate an electromagnetic Dirichlet type problem for the 2D quaternionic time-harmonic Maxwell system over a great generality of fractal closed type curves, which bound Jordan domains in R2. The study deals with a novel approach of h-summability condition for the curves, which would be extremely irregular and deserve to be considered fractals. Our technique of proofs is based on the intimate relations between solutions of time-harmonic Maxwell system and those of the Dirac equation through some nonlinear equations, when both cases are reformulated in quaternionic forms.
Elevated Serum TNF-α Is Related to Obesity in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Is Associated with Glycemic Control and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Alzamil Hana
Published: January 2020

Background. Diabetes and obesity are very common associated metabolic disorders that are linked to chronic inflammation. Leptin is one of the important adipokines released from adipocytes, and its level increases with increasing body mass index (BMI). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine that is released by adipocytes and inflammatory cells in response to chronic inflammation. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is believed to be associated with low-grade chronic inflammation. The current study aims to investigate the involvement of leptin and TNF-α in T2DM associated with obesity. Methodology. This is a cross-sectional study involving 63 healthy volunteers and 65 patients with T2DM. Body composition was measured, and fasting venous blood samples were analyzed for blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), basal insulin, leptin, and TNF-α. HbA1c was measured by the affinity column method. Insulin, leptin, and TNF-α immunoassays were performed by the ELISA technique. Insulin resistance and beta-cell function were assessed using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR and HOMA-B). Results. Our study showed a significantly higher level of TNF-α in T2DM patients compared to controls (7.51 ± 2.48 and 6.19 ± 3.01, respectively; p=0.008). In obese diabetic patients, the serum level of TNF-α was significantly higher in comparison with nonobese diabetic patients (p<0.018) and obese nondiabetic group (p<0.001). TNF-α correlated positively with HbA1c (r = 0.361, p=0.003) and HOMA-IR (r = 0.296, p=0.017) in patients with T2DM. Conclusion. TNF-α is associated with concurrent obesity and T2DM and correlates with HbA1c. This suggests that TNF-α needs further investigation to explore if it has a role in monitoring the effectiveness of management in individuals with obesity and T2DM.
Application of Antibiotics/Antimicrobial Agents on Dental Caries
Authors: Qiu Wei , Zhou Yujie , Li Zixin , Huang Tu , Xiao Yuhan , Cheng Lei , Peng Xian , Zhang Lixin , Ren Biao
Published: January 2020

Dental caries is the most common oral disease. The bacteriological aetiology of dental caries promotes the use of antibiotics or antimicrobial agents to prevent this type of oral infectious disease. Antibiotics have been developed for more than 80 years since Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, and systemic antibiotics have been used to treat dental caries for a long time. However, new types of antimicrobial agents have been developed to fight against dental caries. The purpose of this review is to focus on the application of systemic antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents with respect to their clinical use to date, including the history of their development, and their side effects, uses, structure types, and molecular mechanisms to promote a better understanding of the importance of microbial interactions in dental plaque and combinational treatments.
Postinfectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans in Children: Diagnostic Workup and Therapeutic Options: A Workshop Report
Authors: Jerkic Silvija-Pera , Brinkmann Folke , Calder Alistair , Casey Alicia , Dishop Megan , Griese Matthias , Kurland Geoffrey , Niemitz Mandy , Nyilas Sylvia , Schramm Dirk , Schubert Ralf , Tamm Michael , Zielen Stefan , Rosewich Martin
Published: January 2020

Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a rare, chronic form of obstructive lung disease, often initiated with injury of the bronchiolar epithelium followed by an inflammatory response and progressive fibrosis of small airways resulting in nonuniform luminal obliteration or narrowing. The term BO comprises a group of diseases with different underlying etiologies, courses, and characteristics. Among the better recognized inciting stimuli leading to BO are airway pathogens such as adenovirus and mycoplasma, which, in a small percentage of infected children, will result in progressive fixed airflow obstruction, an entity referred to as postinfectious bronchiolitis obliterans (PIBO). The present knowledge on BO in general is reasonably well developed, in part because of the relatively high incidence in patients who have undergone lung transplantation or bone marrow transplant recipients who have had graft-versus-host disease in the posttransplant period. The cellular and molecular pathways involved in PIBO, while assumed to be similar, have not been adequately elucidated. Since 2016, an international consortium of experts with an interest in PIBO assembles on a regular basis in Geisenheim, Germany, to discuss key areas in PIBO which include diagnostic workup, treatment strategies, and research fields.
The Comparison of Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection with Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction versus Mini-Laparotomy Specimen Extraction for Colorectal Tumours: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Short-Term Outcomes
Authors: He Jun , Hu Jun-Feng , Shao Shu-Xian , Yao Hai-Bo , Zhang Xiu-Feng , Yang Guan-Gen , Shen Zhong
Published: January 2020

Aim. The aims of this study were to compare the short-term outcomes of natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) and conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLAPS) for colorectal tumours and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of NOSES in colorectal resection. Methods. A literature review was performed on the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases up to March 2019. Papers conforming to the inclusion criteria were used for further analysis. The short-term outcomes included intraoperative outcomes and postoperative recovery results. The weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated for continuous outcomes and odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous results. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) or the 6-item Jadad scale. Results. Eight studies comprising 686 patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared with CLAPS, NOSES had more advantages in terms of postoperative complications, postoperative pain, recovery of gastrointestinal function, duration of hospital stay, and cosmetic results. The lymph nodes harvested and intraoperative blood loss in NOSES were comparable with CLAPS; however, a prolonged operative time was observed in NOSES. Conclusions. NOSES was shown to be a safe and viable alternative to CLAPS in colorectal oncology in terms of short-term results. Further long-term and randomized trials are required.
Abscisic Acid, Stress, and Ripening (TtASR1) Gene as a Functional Marker for Salt Tolerance in Durum Wheat
Authors: Hamdi Karama , Brini Faiçal , Kharrat Najla , Masmoudi Khaled , Yakoubi Inès
Published: January 2020

In semiarid Mediterranean agroecosystems, drought and salinity are the main abiotic stresses hampering wheat productivity and yield instability. Abscisic acid, stress, and ripening (ASR) are small plant proteins and play important roles in different biological processes. In the present study, the TtASR1 gene was isolated and characterized for the first time from durum wheat (Tritucum turgidum L. subsp. durum). TtASR1 is a small gene, about 684 bp long, located on chromosome 4AL, encoding a protein of 136 amino acid residues consisting of a histidine‐rich N terminus and C‐terminal conserved ABA‐WDS domain (Pfam PF02496). Our results showed that TtASR1 protein could function as a chaperone‐like protein and improve the viability of E. coli under heat and cold stress and increase the Saccharomyces cerevisiae tolerance under salt and osmotic stress. Transcript expression patterns of TtASR1 revealed that ASRs play important roles in abiotic stress responses in diverse organs. Indeed, TtASR1 was upregulated in leaves by different developmental (ABA) and environmental signals (PEG, salt). In cv. Mahmoudi (salt‐tolerant Tunisian durum landraces) roots, TtASR1 was upregulated by salt stress, while it was downregulated in cv. Azizi (salt‐sensitive Tunisian durum landraces), supporting the implication of this gene in the salt tolerance mechanism. Taken together and after validation in the plant system, the TtASR1 gene may provide a potential functional marker for marker‐assisted selection in a durum wheat breeding program for salt tolerance.
Effect of Straw Fiber Modification Methods on Compatibility between Straw Fibers and Cement‐Based Materials
Authors: Jiang Demin , An Penghui , Cui Suping , Sun Shiguo , Zhang Jingzong , Tuo Tianfu
Published: January 2020

To improve the utilization of crop straws as a resource and the compatibility between straw fibers and cement‐based materials, the hydration of modified straw fiber cement‐based composite (SFCC) was studied. The structural characteristic of SFCC was investigated by FTIR, SEM, and XRD. The results show that the setting time of several modified straw fiber SFCC pastes was shorter than that of the unmodified straw fiber SFCC paste, and the best method of fiber modification to improve the setting time of the SFCC paste is Na2O·nSiO2 treatment. The recommended fiber modification method for improving the compatibility between straw fibers and cement‐based materials is alkali modification, followed by pure acrylic emulsion modification and Na2O·nSiO2 modification. To improve the strength of SFCC, the straw fiber should be modified by alkali, followed by pure acrylic emulsion and Na2O·nSiO2 modification and the method of water modification is also recommended. The phase types and relative contents of crystalline hydration products mixed with the modified straw fiber SFCC are significantly higher than those of the unmodified fiber SFCC. The fiber treatment method that was most helpful to increase the structural density of hydrates of SFCC was alkali treatment and pure acrylic emulsion treatment, followed by Na2O·nSiO2 treatment.
Bioconversion of Agroindustrial Waste in the Production of Bioemulsifier by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia UCP 1601 and Application in Bioremediation Process
Authors: Nogueira Ianne Batista , Rodríguez Dayana Montero , da Silva Andradade Rosildeide F. , Lins Amanda Barbosa , Bione Ana Paula , da Silva Israel Gonçalves Sales , Franco Luciana de Oliveira , de Campos-Takaki Galba M.
Published: January 2020

This study investigated the potential of the bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia UCP 1601 to produce a new biomolecule with emulsifying properties by determining the hemolytic activity, obtaining a halo of 9 mm in blood agar. Fermentations were carried out in saline mineral medium supplemented with 10% waste soybean oil (WSO) and different concentrations of glucose, peptone, ZnCl2, and MgSO4, according to a 24 full-factorial design. The results showed that the best results were obtained in condition 6 (medium composed of 4% glucose, 1% peptone, 2.72% ZnCl2, and 2.46% MgSO4), with excellent high emulsification index of 82.74%, using burned motor oil. The emulsifying property of the biomolecule produced was confirmed by the emulsification index of 78.57, 54.07, and 58.62%, using soybean, corn, and diesel oils, respectively, and the stability at different values of pH, temperature, and NaCl concentrations. The yield of the produced bioemulsifier was 2.8 g/L, presenting an anionic character and polymeric nature (37.6% lipids, 28.2% proteins, and 14.7% carbohydrates), confirmed by FTIR. The new bioemulsifier demonstrated promising potential for bioremediation of hydrophobic contaminants in the environment, since it had the ability to reduce the viscosity of WSO and burned motor oil, as well as excellent dispersion capacity of the burned motor oil in water (69.94 cm2 of oil displacement area), and removing 71.7% of this petroleum derivative from sandy soil.
A Case Series of Vaping-Induced Lung Injury in a Community Hospital Setting
Authors: Ali Mohammed , Khan Kashmala , Buch Mihir , Ramos- Ramirez Manuel , Sharma Munish , Patel Seema , Choudhury Saiara , Anjum Humayun , Khan Alamgir , Surani Salim
Published: January 2020

Acute and subacute injury to the lung parenchyma can be caused by multiple products. Over the past few years, vaping (also known as E-cigarettes) has become a popular trend and has been considered “safer” alternative to smoking cigarettes, especially among young adults. The use of E-cigarettes has rapidly increased, and according to the most recent report by CDC released at the end of December 2019, 2,506 cases and more than 54 associated deaths due to vaping/E-cigarette-associated lung injury were reported. Though vitamin E acetate and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have been found in most of the bronchoalveolar lavage samples, there are still small numbers of cases that have not reported to using THC-containing compounds. Research looking into other possible constituents in E-cigarettes that can account for the etiology of disease and effects of vaping as it relates to pulmonary physiology still remains limited and uncertain. We hereby present a case series of 5 patients who were admitted primarily for respiratory symptoms of cough, dyspnea, and fevers and were diagnosed with vaping-induced pulmonary injury.
Predictive Biomarkers for Adjuvant Capecitabine Benefit in Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in the FinXX Clinical Trial
Authors: Asleh Karama , Brauer Heather Ann , Sullivan Amy , Lauttia Susanna , Lindman Henrik , Nielsen Torsten O. , Joensuu Heikki , Thompson E. Aubrey , Chumsri Saranya
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

Recent studies have demonstrated a benefit of adjuvant capecitabine in early breast cancer, particularly in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, TNBC is heterogeneous and more precise predictive biomarkers are needed.

Experimental Design:

Tumor tissues collected from TNBC patients in the FinXX trial, randomized to adjuvant anthracycline–taxane–based chemotherapy with or without capecitabine, were analyzed using a 770-gene panel targeting multiple biological mechanisms and additional 30-custom genes related to capecitabine metabolism. Hypothesis-generating exploratory analyses were performed to assess biomarker expression in relation to treatment effect using the Cox regression model and interaction tests adjusted for multiplicity.

Results:

One hundred eleven TNBC samples were evaluable (57 without capecitabine and 54 with capecitabine). The median follow-up was 10.2 years. Multivariate analysis showed significant improvement in recurrence-free survival (RFS) favoring capecitabine in four biologically important genes and metagenes, including cytotoxic cells [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.38; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.16–0.86, P-interaction = 0.01], endothelial (HR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.20–2.22, P-interaction = 0.02), mast cells (HR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.49–1.27, P-interaction = 0.04), and PDL2 (HR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.12–0.81, P-interaction = 0.03). Furthermore, we identified 38 single genes that were significantly associated with capecitabine benefit, and these were dominated by immune response pathway and enzymes involved in activating capecitabine to fluorouracil, including TYMP. However, these results were not significant when adjusted for multiple testing.

Conclusions:

Genes and metagenes related to antitumor immunity, immune response, and capecitabine activation could identify TNBC patients who are more likely to benefit from adjuvant capecitabine. Given the reduced power to observe significant findings when correcting for multiplicity, our findings provide the basis for future hypothesis-testing validation studies on larger clinical trials.
Impact of Septal Myectomy Volume on Mitral-Valve Replacement Rate in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients
Authors: Polanco Antonio R. , D’Angelo Alex , Shea Nicholas , Yu Sarah N. , Chiang Yuting P. , Shimada Yuichi , Weiner Shepard D. , Takayama Hiroo
Published: January 2020

Objective: Mitral regurgitation (MR) induced by systolic anterior motion in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can frequently be abolished with a proficient septal myectomy (SM) without the need for mitral-valve replacement (MVR). ACC guidelines stress the importance of volume in improving outcomes after SM, but there is a lack of data measuring the impact of volume on the need for MVR during SM. This study was designed to assess the impact of institutional volume on MVR rates using national outcomes data. Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried from 1998 to 2011 and a total of 6,207 patients had a diagnosis of HCM and a procedure code for SM. Outcomes were compared between patients who underwent SM (group I) and SM and MVR (group II). Furthermore, patients were stratified into 3 groups based on the number of SMs at the performing institution: low experience (1–24 cumulative SMs), medium experience (25–49 SMs), and high experience (>50 SMs). These patients underwent multivariable analysis to determine the impact of institutional volume on MVR rate. Results: The total MVR rate was 26%. Perioperative outcomes were worse, i.e., there were higher rates of mortality, kidney injury, and urinary complications, in group II than in group I. Only 37.6% of patients were operated on at institutions meeting the guideline criteria of >50 cumulative SMs. When compared to patients in the high-experience group, patients in the low- (OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.3–3.2, p < 0.05) and medium-experience (OR 3.0, 95% CI 2.5–3.6, p < 0.05) groups were more likely to undergo MVR. Conclusion: Compared to reports from SM reference centers, national data suggest that MVR rates are quite high at SM. Patients undergoing SM at centers that do not meet the guideline standard have >2.5× the odds of undergoing MVR compared to those operated on at guideline-endorsed centers.
Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema with Multiple Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implants: Evidence from Real-Life Experience
Authors: De Geronimo Daniele , Giorno Paola , Scarinci Fabio , Boninfante Antonluca , Varano Monica , Parravano Mariacristina
Published: January 2020

Objective: To gain information about multiple dexamethasone intravitreal implant (DEX-I) injections in diabetic macular edema (DME) eyes in real-life clinical settings. Methods: Patients with DME treated with multiple (≥5) DEX-I injections between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018, were retrospectively enrolled regardless of previous treatment with anti-VEGF agents. All patients were evaluated with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logMAR, ocular fundus, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) at baseline and at 3 months after the last DEX-I injection. Multiple DEX-I injections were administered when necessary in case of DME recurrence. Main efficacy measures were changes in BCVA and central retinal thickness (CRT) from baseline to 3 months after the last DEX-I injection; main secondary measures were an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), the need for cataract surgery, endophthalmitis, and vitreous hemorrhage. Results: Seventeen patients (18 eyes) with DME and mean age (± SD) of 54.3 ± 8.16 years were treated with DEX-I injections between 2014 and 2018. The majority of eyes (77.8%) had been treated with a mean of 6.3 ± 3.2 anti-VEGF agents before switching to DEX-I. During a mean follow-up period of 37.6 months and after a mean number of 5.9 DEX-I injections, visual acuity improved or stabilized in 77.8% of all eyes, accompanied by a significant reduction in CRT. An increase in IOP was recorded in 38.8% of all patients, while a surgical procedure was needed for cataract in 73.3% of all phakic patients. Conclusions: In this real-life experience in Italy, multiple DEX-I treatments showed good efficacy with no new safety concerns. The follow-up duration of >3 years and a greater number of DEX-I intravitreal injections compared to other observations confirm the positive balance between risks and benefits of DEX-I in the long term.
Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin and Retinol-Binding Protein-4 as Biomarkers for Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Abbasi Fatemeh , Moosaie Fatemeh , Khaloo Pegah , Dehghani Firouzabadi Fatemeh , Fatemi Abhari Seyede Marzie , Atainia Bahar , Ardeshir Maryam , Nakhjavani Manouchehr , Esteghamati Alireza
Published: January 2020

Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the conflicting association between 2 tubular protein markers including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) with albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and calculate the accuracy of the role of NGAL and RBP-4 in diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type2 diabetes. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that included 133 patients with type 2 diabetes. There were 3 diabetic study groups with normoalbuminuria, moderately increased albuminuria, severely increased albuminuria, and non-diabetic control group without any renal disease. We analyzed the difference of urinary NGAL (uNGAL) and RBP-4 between nondiabetics and diabetics, as well as within the diabetic group. We also assessed the association between albuminuria and NGAL and RBP-4. Results: The urinary levels of NGAL and RBP-4 were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to nondiabetics as well as in albuminuric diabetics compared to nonalbuminuric patients with diabetes (p value <0.001). These 2 proteins were higher in patients with severely increased albuminuria compared to patients with moderately increased albuminuria, even after adjustment for other metabolic factors (all p < 0.01). Moreover, areas under the curve of NGAL and RBP-4 for the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease were 80.6 and 74.6%, respectively. Conclusion: uNGAL and RBP-4 are potential markers of tubular damage that may increase before the onset of glomerular markers such as albuminuria and GFR in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, these markers can be used as complementary measurements to albuminuria and GFR in the earlier diagnosis of DN.
A Phase II Trial of Everolimus in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Refractory or Intolerant to Platinum-Containing Chemotherapy (NECTOR Trial)
Authors: Okuyama Hiroyuki , Ikeda Masafumi , Okusaka Takuji , Furukawa Masayuki , Ohkawa Shinichi , Hosokawa Ayumu , Kojima Yasushi , Hara Hiroki , Murohisa Gou , Shioji Kazuhiko , Asagi Akinori , Mizuno Nobumasa , Kojima Motohiro , Yamanaka Takeharu , Furuse Junji
Published: January 2020

Background: Platinum-containing regimens are widely used as first-line chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), but second-line chemotherapies have yet to be established. Objectives: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of everolimus in patients with pancreatic NEC refractory or intolerant to platinum-containing chemotherapy. Methods: This study was a prospective, multicenter, phase II trial in patients with pancreatic NEC after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Everolimus treatment was continued until disease progression or intolerable toxicity was observed. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Participants comprised 25 patients. Median age was 63 years, median PFS was 1.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9–3.1 months), median overall survival was 7.5 months (95% CI 3.1–13.5 months), overall response rate was 0%, and disease control rate was 39.1%. Common grade 3/4 adverse events were hyperglycemia (20%), thrombocytopenia (16%), and anemia (16%). Conclusion: The efficacy of everolimus was limited in patients with unresectable pancreatic NEC.
Post-Essential Thrombocythemia Myelofibrosis and Multiple Isodicentric Y Chromosomes: A Unique Case among a Rare Association
Authors: Dahlen Eric , Sarghi Sinziana I. , Renosi Florian , Ferrand Christophe , Collonge-Rame Marie-Agnes , Kuentz Paul
Published: January 2020

Multiple isodicentric Y chromosomes [idic(Y)] is a rare cytogenetic abnormality, most exclusively described in constitutional karyotypes. Only recently has this entity been reported in hematologic neoplasms such as myeloid disorders, albeit these cases remain very scarce. The possible involvement of increasing copies of potential proto-oncogenes located on the multiple idic(Y) led to consider one of them, CRLF2, as a target for kinase inhibitors. We report here, to our knowledge, the first case of multiple idic(Y) in a patient with myelofibrosis secondary to essential thrombocythemia. The patient received ruxolitinib therapy with initial good clinical response.
Tetrasporidium javanicum Möbius (Chlorophyta), a rare species recorded from Arpa River in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Dwivedi Rakesh Kumar
Published: January 2020

The freshwater green alga Tetrasporidium javanicum Möbius (Chlorophyta) has been reported from the Arpa River in Bilaspur, and for the first time from Chhattisgarh State of the India.  The alga is threatened due to the destruction of the habitat by sand mining activities in the river.
A citizen science approach to monitoring of the Lion Panthera leo (Carnivora: Felidae) population in Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal
Authors: Dagorne Dimitri , Kanté Abdoulaye , Rose John B.
Published: January 2020

A voluntary citizen science approach was used in a pilot study of the relict population of the Critically Endangered western African Lion Panthera leo in Niokolo-Koba National Park (NKNP) in Senegal.  In total, 93 observations involving 253 lion sightings were made by NKNP guides and their clients over a period of four and a half years in the central tourist area of the Park which represents about 3% of the total area of NKNP.  Identification sheets were produced for 10 individual lions on the basis of whisker spot patterns measured from photographs contributed by the tourists.  Although we were not able to identify a sufficient number of individual lions to estimate the lion population in the zone, extensive data on the geographic distribution, age-class and sex, and behaviour of the observed lions are presented.  Data are also presented to tentatively support a relationship between the annual variations in lion observations and the total rainfall in the preceding year.  The advantages of this citizen science approach in terms of complementing mainstream science, as well as in promoting tourism development and conservation sensitisation, are discussed, and recommendations are made for pursuing this cooperative effort at a higher level of effectiveness.
The Bed and the Tomb
Authors: Weiberg Erika L.
Published: January 2020

Building on recent work on the materiality of props in Greek tragedy, this article focuses attention on Proteus’ tomb in Euripides’ Helen as a potent stage property that becomes central to the play’s developing discourse of recognition tokens. Analyzing the play’s allusions to Odyssey 23, this article argues that Helen raises expectations of a bed as sign in the recognition scene between Helen and Menelaus, an expectation that the recognition scene fulfills by positing the eidolon as an ‘empty bed’. After the couple’s delayed recognition, the tomb of Proteus replaces the phantom as material sign of the couple’s union, a solid ‘bed’ that enables their escape and is subsequently incorporated into an evolving discourse of signs known only to them. The cenotaph employed in the couple’s escape plan troubles this discourse of signs by replacing the material tomb with an empty one.
Self-help for taxonomists: three things we must do for taxonomy to survive
Authors: BOXSHALL GEOFF A.
Published: January 2020

Knapp & Boxshall (2010) concluded that “at the very time when the importance of biodiversity has been realised, our capability of describing and documenting it has been eroded to a crisis point.” It seems to me that little has changed since then but other contributions are focusing on the overall problem so I want to use this article to highlight three practical challenges for taxonomy going forwards.  1. Maintaining and enhancing the system of Reciprocal Illumination. 2. Building and maintaining taxonomic information systems. 3. Addressing issues of societal relevance.
The Ongoing Need for High-Resolution Regional Climate Models: Process Understanding and Stakeholder Information
Authors: Gutowski W. J. , Ullrich P. A. , Hall A. , Leung L. R. , O’Brien T. A. , Patricola C. M. , Arritt R. W. , Bukovsky M. S. , Calvin K. V. , Feng Z. , Jones A. D. , Kooperman G. J. , Monier E. , Pritchard M. S. , Pryor S. C. , Qian Y. , Rhoades A. M. , Roberts A. F. , Sakaguchi K. , Urban N. , Zarzycki C.
Published: January 2020

Regional climate modeling addresses our need to understand and simulate climatic processes and phenomena unresolved in global models. This paper highlights examples of current approaches to and innovative uses of regional climate modeling that deepen understanding of the climate system. High-resolution models are generally more skillful in simulating extremes, such as heavy precipitation, strong winds, and severe storms. In addition, research has shown that fine-scale features such as mountains, coastlines, lakes, irrigation, land use, and urban heat islands can substantially influence a region’s climate and its response to changing forcings. Regional climate simulations explicitly simulating convection are now being performed, providing an opportunity to illuminate new physical behavior that previously was represented by parameterizations with large uncertainties. Regional and global models are both advancing toward higher resolution, as computational capacity increases. However, the resolution and ensemble size necessary to produce a sufficient statistical sample of these processes in global models has proven too costly for contemporary supercomputing systems. Regional climate models are thus indispensable tools that complement global models for understanding physical processes governing regional climate variability and change. The deeper understanding of regional climate processes also benefits stakeholders and policymakers who need physically robust, high-resolution climate information to guide societal responses to changing climate. Key scientific questions that will continue to require regional climate models, and opportunities are emerging for addressing those questions.
Parental Knowledge and Attitudes About Universal Lipid Screening Among Children Aged 9 to 11 Years
Authors: Kern Leah , Eichberger Lisa , Wang Helen , Lin Tuo , Rhee Kyung E.
Published: January 2020

Nationally recommended universal lipid screening (ULS) in children aged 9 to 11 years is low. Little is known about parents’ understanding of screening. We conducted a survey exploring parental knowledge and attitudes regarding ULS. Of 91 parent respondents, 81.3% were female, 69.2% were non-Hispanic white, 90.1% had a college/graduate degree, and 63.7% had a family history of abnormal cholesterol. Overall, 45.5% agreed that ULS should be done for all children, 30.8% disagreed, and 23.1% were unsure. Parents’ support for ULS was significantly associated with their attitudes toward screening rather than their knowledge about cholesterol, family history of cardiovascular disease or abnormal cholesterol, age, race/ethnicity, or gender. Parents were less likely to agree that ULS should be done if they thought that cholesterol screening should be done based on a child’s health or family history rather than for all children ( P < .001), or if they thought that cholesterol screening was unnecessary ( P < .001).
Development and characterization of WE43/nano-TiC surface composite by friction stir processing technique
Authors: Singla Shivali , Kang Amardeep Singh , Sidhu TS
Published: January 2020

In present research work, an attempt has been made on the development of titanium carbide–reinforced magnesium-based surface composites through friction stir processing technique. Particularly, attempt has been made to observe the influence of input processing conditions, namely tools-pin geometry, travel speed, and rotational speed for the mechanical importance (surface hardness and elastic modulus) of the developed composites. Further, the, incurred modifications in the metallurgical characteristics and corrosion behaviour of the developed composites have also been analysed through microscopic and scanning electron microscopy, and immersion fluid test, respectively. It has been found that the quality characteristics of the composites have been greatly influenced by the selected range of input variables. As noticed, the grain size of the magnesium alloy has been significantly reduced from 22.42 to 6.6 µm. Furthermore, the maximum level of the micro-hardness (180 HV0.3) of the processed composite with square-shaped tool-pin geometry. Moreover, the degradation rate of the processed composite is found to be 45% lesser than the unprocessed magnesium alloy.
Secure opinion sharing for reputation-based systems in mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Sangi Abdur Rashid , Liu Jianwei , Alkatheiri Mohammed S , Anamalamudi Satish
Published: January 2020

Due to the basic nature of mobile ad hoc networks, that is, infrastructure-less, it is prone to individual or collective misbehaviors by participating node(s). Participating nodes could act selfishly and does cause massive loss to network performance because of limited resources or belonging to a different administrative domain. Reputation-based solutions are widely used to mitigate selfishness. These solutions are to some extent depend on the feedback from participating nodes for any given node which required its secure exchange in an adverse environment. This paper introduces a secure opinion sharing based on network coding to ensure the effectiveness of any reputation against selfishness in an adverse environment. The proposed scheme addresses the threat to opinion exchange in any reputation-based solution with minor changes. In addition, it can be used to exchange secure data in an adverse environment, for example, virtual currency and feedback exchange for credit payment and game theory–based solutions, respectively. Simulation results proved that this scheme achieves excellent opinion exchange ratio, moderate delay, and affordable per cycle overhead.
The real-time visual measurement system of rail creeping of high-speed railway
Authors: Xu Jingbo , Cui Xiaomeng , Ma Wenbo
Published: January 2020

Changes in temperature and stress will lead to the rail creeping of high-speed railway, which becomes a hidden danger in the operation of trains. This paper studies a real-time visual measurement system for creeping displacement monitoring. The bilateral line extraction to determine the target location overcomes the influence of ambient light on image grayscale. The dynamic region of interest setting method is produced to lock and track the target. The self-calibration technology makes the system suitable for field application. The remote transmission of monitoring data is realized through narrow band internet of things (NB-IOT). These methods solve the problems in practical application. The monitoring system provides a reliable guarantee for the safe and stable operation of high-speed railway.
Aerodynamic performance of a Hex-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle with different rotor spacing
Authors: Lei Yao , Cheng Mingxin
Published: January 2020

In this paper, an attempt was made to obtain the aerodynamic performance of a Hex-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle with different rotor spacing. The hover efficiency of the Hex-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle is analyzed by both experimental tests and numerical simulations. First, a series of index to characterize the aerodynamic performance of the Hex-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle are analyzed theoretically, and then both tests and simulations on a Hex-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle with different rotor spacing ratio ( i = 0.50, 0.56, 0.63, 0.71, 0.83) were presented in details. For a custom-designed test platform, the thrust, power loading and hover efficiency of the Hex-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle were obtained in this paper. Finally, computational fluid dynamics simulations are performed to obtain the streamline distributions of the flow field, pressure and velocity contour of the Hex-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle. Results show that the aerodynamic performance of the Hex-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle is varied by changing the rotor spacing. Specifically, the smaller rotor spacing may improve the aerodynamic performance of the Hex-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle by increasing the rotor interferences. In the meantime, the effects of mutual interference between the rotors are gradually reduced with the increase of the rotor spacing. Moreover, the uniformity of the streamline distribution, the shape and the symmetry of the vortex are necessary conditions for the Hex-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle to generate a larger thrust. It was also noted that the thrust increased by 5.61% and the overall efficiency increased by about 8.37% at i = 0.63 for the working mode (2200 r/min), which indicated that the rotor spacing ratio at i = 0.63 obtained a best aerodynamic performance.
Alteration of Exon Definition Causes Amelogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Kim Y.J. , Kang J. , Seymen F. , Koruyucu M. , Zhang H. , Kasimoglu Y. , Bayram M. , Tuna-Ince E.B. , Bayrak S. , Tuloglu N. , Hu J.C.-C. , Simmer J.P. , Kim J.-W.
Published: January 2020

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a collection of genetic disorders affecting the quality and/or quantity of tooth enamel. More than 20 genes are, so far, known to be responsible for this condition. In this study, we recruited 3 Turkish families with hypomaturation AI. Whole-exome sequence analyses identified disease-causing mutations in each proband, and these mutations cosegregated with the AI phenotype in all recruited members of each family. The AI-causing mutations in family 1 were a novel AMELX mutation [NM_182680.1:c.143T>C, p.(Leu48Ser)] in the proband and a novel homozygous MMP20 mutation [NM_004771.3:c.616G>A, p.(Asp206Asn)] in the mother of the proband. Previously reported compound heterozygous MMP20 mutations [NM_004771.3:c.103A>C, p.(Arg35=) and c.389C>T, p.(Thr130Ile)] caused the AI in family 2 and family 3. Minigene splicing analyses revealed that the AMELX missense mutation increased exonic definition of exon 4 and the MMP20 synonymous mutation decreased exonic definition of exon 1. These mutations would trigger an alteration of exon usage during RNA splicing, causing the enamel malformations. These results broaden our understanding of molecular genetic pathology of tooth enamel formation.
Modeling Normal and Dysbiotic Subgingival Microbiomes: Effect of Nutrients
Authors: Baraniya D. , Naginyte M. , Chen T. , Albandar J.M. , Chialastri S.M. , Devine D.A. , Marsh P.D. , Al-hebshi N.N.
Published: January 2020

Screening for microbiome modulators requires availability of a high-throughput in vitro model that replicates subgingival dysbiosis and normobiosis, with a tool to measure microbial dysbiosis. Here, we tested various formulations to grow health- and periodontitis-associated subgingival microbiomes in parallel, and we describe a new subgingival dysbiosis index. Subgingival plaque samples pooled from 5 healthy subjects and, separately, 5 subjects with periodontitis were used to inoculate a Calgary Biofilm Device containing saliva-conditioned, hydroxyapatite-coated pegs. Microbiomes were grown for 7 d on either nutrient-rich media—including a modification of SHI medium, brain-heart infusion (BHI) supplemented with hemin and vitamin K, and a blend of SHI and BHI, each at 3 sucrose concentrations (0%, 0.05% and 0.1%)—or nutrient-limited media (saliva with 5%, 10%, or 20% inactivated human serum). The microbiomes were assessed for biomass, viability, and 16S rRNA profiles. In addition to richness and diversity, a dysbiosis index was calculated as the ratio of the sum of relative abundances of disease-associated species to that of health-associated species. The supplemented BHI and blend of SHI and BHI resulted in the highest biomass, whereas saliva-serum maximized viability. Distinct groups of bacteria were enriched in the different media. Regardless of medium type, the periodontitis-derived microbiomes showed higher species richness and alpha diversity and clustered with their inoculum separate from the health-derived microbiomes. Microbiomes grown in saliva-serum showed the highest species richness and the highest similarity to the clinical inocula in both health and disease. However, inclusion of serum reduced alpha diversity and increased dysbiosis in healthy microbiomes in a dose-dependent manner, mainly due to overenrichment of Porphyromonas species. The modification of SHI stood second in terms of species richness and diversity but resulted in low biomass and viability and significantly worsened dysbiosis in the periodontitis-derived microbiomes. Overall, saliva with 5% human serum was optimal for replicating subgingival microbiomes from health and disease.
Efficacy of gabapentin mouthwash in managing oral mucositis pain in patients undergoing chemotherapy: a prospective, randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ala Shahram , Zamani Neda , Akbari Jafar , Salehifar Ebrahim , Janbabai Ghasem , Koulaeinejad Neda
Published: January 2020

Background and aims

Gabapentin has been used for the management of radiotherapy and chemotherapy induced stomatitis in a number of studies. Due to lack of sufficient evidence, the present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of gabapentin mouthwash in oral mucositis associated pain in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy.

Methods and results

This study was a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The patients were randomly divided into two groups receiving either the gabapentin or placebo mouthwash. Patients were advised to rinse their mouth with 7 ml of solution for 30 s three times a day and were visited 10 days after initiation of the trial. The intensity of pain and severity of oral mucositis were assessed. Thirty-one patients received gabapentin mouthwash while 27 patients received placebo. Both gabapentin and placebo mouthwashes had decreased the pain intensity almost equally and did not show a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.73). Also both gabapentin and placebo had reduced and improved swallowing, inflammation and erythema. But there was no noticeable difference between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that gabapentin mouthwash did not show a significant activity as a pain relieving agent in chemotherapy induced oral mucositis associated pain.
Cityscape Transformation and the Temporal Metamorphosis of East Kolkata Wetlands: A Political Ecology Perspective
Authors: Huque Sana , Pattanaik Sarmistha , Parthasarathy D.
Published: January 2020

Cities are changing globally because neoliberalism demands so. But the impacts of these changes do not remain confined within urban limits only. Kolkata similarly is attempting to change itself in leaps and bounds because it has to keep up with the demands of neoliberalism. However, along with the city, the wetlands in the eastern vicinity of Kolkata are also undergoing a major transformation. This article attempts to look at these transformations that have been the result of changing times. The focus is upon tracing the details of how the city and the wetlands have changed over the years of its existence and examine those changes through the lens of political ecology perspective.
Making Digital Territory: Cybersecurity, Techno-nationalism, and the Moral Boundaries of the State
Authors: Möllers Norma
Published: January 2020

Drawing on an analysis of German national cybersecurity policy, this paper argues that cybersecurity has become a key site in which states mobilize science and technology to produce state power. Contributing to science and technology studies (STS) work on technoscience and statecraft, I develop the concepts of “territorialization projects” and “digital territory” to capture how the production of state power in the digital age increasingly relies on technoscientific expertise about information infrastructure, shifting tasks of government into the domain of computer scientists and network engineers. The notion of territorialization projects describes states’ ongoing struggle to mobilize science and engineering in order to transform globally distributed information infrastructure into bounded national territory and invest it with patriotic meaning: making digital territory. Digital territory, in other words, is nationalized information infrastructure: it includes building and monopolizing infrastructure as well as normative ideas about nation—who is a digital citizen, and who isn’t; or what constitutes “good” and “bad” digital citizens. Nationalizing information infrastructure and placing statecraft into the hands of scientists and engineers might indicate an emerging form of “techno-nationalism”—a combination of nationalist and technocratic tendencies—raising urgent questions for STS scholarship to investigate the consequences of territorialization projects for justice, democracy, and civic life.
Immigration Crisis: The United States Under President Donald J. Trump
Authors: Pineo Ronn
Published: January 2020

Rising crime, homicide, economic despair, infant mortality. The common narrative of the situation in the Northern Triangle nations of Central America, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, points to these grim circumstances to explain the exodus of families leaving for America. But it is not the case that conditions have worsened there in recent years; the best available data show improvement in many socioeconomic measures.

 This article draws upon the best sources from the Northern Triangle, Mexico, US, and international organizations. Socioeconomic studies and analysis by universities, policy groups, and government agencies from the region provide details on the day-to-day experiences of ordinary people, the realities of poverty, crime, and violence.

 The conclusions from these studies do not always match common suppositions. Homicides are down, but El Salvador and Honduras remain two of the most dangerous countries in the world. In the Northern Triangle, economic growth has been above the regional average, while the percentage of families living in poverty in Guatemala is actually increasing as income distribution worsens. More Central American families are migrating to the USA than ever before, but far fewer total immigrants are coming to America as the immigration from Mexico has declined.

 This article concludes with policy recommendations. Since the US economy is creating more jobs than entrants into the workforce. US immigration policies should be adjusted to match economic needs and must be changed to reflect its highest humanitarian values.
Thomas Coryate versus John Taylor: the emergence of the early modern celebrity
Authors: Aune MG
Published: January 2020

By pursuing traditional and emergent forms of patronage and by establishing himself as a travel writer in Jacobean London, Thomas Coryate created a public persona that allowed him to promote himself to a broad audience but also made himself vulnerable to appropriation and parody. John Taylor, the Water Poet, took advantage of Coryate’s project and used the traveller as the subject of a series of pamphlets and poems. Plagued by Taylor’s industriousness, Coryate failed to create a reliable public persona but, at the same time, emerged as an early example of a media celebrity.
Why India Is Not Quite a Part of the Asian Miracle
Authors: Desai Meghnad
Published: January 2020

This paper seeks to explain the low growth trajectory of India vis-a-vis East Asia in a historical and cultural perspective. It is argued that the Indian subcontinent was culturally separated from Buddhism and therefore from an egalitarian social possibility after the first millennium CE. A brief history of Indian economic development since independence is provided in light of the introductory historical account.

JEL: N15, O10, O53