bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Follistatin-Like 1 Attenuates Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Cardiomyocytes via Regulation of Autophagy
Authors: Yang Weijun , Duan Qunjun , Zhu Xian , Tao Kaiyu , Dong Aiqiang
Published: April 2019

Background. The cardioprotective effect of FSTL1 has been extensively studied in recent years, but its role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of FSTL1 pretreatment on myocardial IRI as well as the possible involvement of autophagic pathways in its effects. Methods. The effects of FSTL1 on the viability and apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes were investigated after exposure of cardiomyocytes to hypoxia/ischemia by using the CCK-8 assay and Annexin V/PI staining. Further, western blot analysis was used to detect the effects of FSTL1 pretreatment on autophagy-associated proteins, and confocal microscopy was used to observe autophagic flux. To confirm the role of autophagy, the cells were treated with the autophagy promoter rapamycin or the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine, and cell viability and apoptosis during IRI were observed. These effects were also observed after treatment with rapamycin or 3-methyladenine followed by FSTL1 administration and IRI. Results. FSTL1 pretreatment significantly increased viability and reduced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes exposed to hypoxia/ischemia conditions. Further, FSTL1 pretreatment affected the levels of the autophagy-related proteins and enhanced autophagic flux during IRI. In addition, cell viability was enhanced and apoptosis was decreased by rapamycin treatment, while these effects were reversed by 3-MA treatment. However, when the myocardial cells were pretreated with rapamycin or 3-methyladenine, there was no significant change in their viability or apoptosis with FSTL1 treatment during IRI. Conclusions. FSTL1 plays a protective role in myocardial IRI by regulating autophagy.
Prosthetic Rehabilitation on Edentulous Patients with Microstomia: About Three Cases
Authors: Tayari Oumaima , Jaouadi Jamila , Jemli Safa , Haloui Hela , Ben Rahma Ali
Published: April 2019

Limited oral opening is an acquired or congenital abnormal condition that compromises patient esthetics, nutrition, and quality of life. In addition, it may hinder conventional prosthetic procedures of edentulous patients, make it challenging, and present difficulties at all its stages. This clinical report presents different clinical treatment options suitable to be chosen by the prosthodontic carer in the case of reduced oral aperture.
Use of ECT in Major Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder with Treatment-Resistant Behavioral Disturbance following an Acute Stroke in a Young Patient
Authors: Rodenbach Kyle E. , Varon Daniel , Denko Timothey , Peterson Ryan , Andreescu Carmen
Published: April 2019

The following case describes the utilization of bitemporal ECT as a treatment of last resort in a 47-year-old woman with profoundly treatment-resistant behavioral disturbance poststroke. The use of ECT led to improvement in symptoms sufficient for discharge from an inpatient psychiatric unit to the nursing home. Neuropsychiatric sequelae of stroke include poststroke depression, anxiety, mania, psychosis, apathy, pathological laughter and crying, catastrophic reaction, and mild and major vascular neurocognitive disorders. Behavioral disturbance is common and may pose diagnostic and therapeutic difficulty in the poststroke patient. In most cases, first-line treatment includes pharmacologic intervention tailored to the most likely underlying syndrome. Frequent use of sedating medications is a more drastic option when behaviors prove recalcitrant to first-line approaches and markedly affect quality of life and patient safety. ECT is generally safe, is well tolerated, and may be effective in improving symptoms in treatment-resistant behavioral disturbance secondary to stroke with major neurocognitive impairment, as suggested in this case.
Salvianolic Acid B Attenuates Apoptosis of HUVEC Cells Treated with High Glucose or High Fat via Sirt1 Activation
Authors: Zhai Jinghui , Tao Lina , Zhang Yueming , Gao Huan , Qu Xiaoyu , Song Yanqing , Zhang Sixi
Published: April 2019

High glucose and high fat are important inducements for the development and progression of diabetic cardiopathy. Salvianolic acid B (SAB), which is the most abundant and bioactive compound in Danshen, attenuates oxidative stress-related disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases, cerebral ischemia, and diabetes. However, the effect of SAB on diabetic cardiopathy is not clear. The aim of study was to investigate the effect and the underlying molecular mechanisms of SAB on diabetic cardiopathy in vitro model. The human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cells were treated with high glucose (HG, 30 mM) or high fat (palmitic acid, PA, 0.75 mM) in the presence or absence of SAB (100, 200, and 400 mg/L) and incubated for 24 h. We found that HG or PA induced apoptosis of HUVEC cells, while treatment with SAB inhibited the apoptosis. We also found that SAB reversed HG- or PA-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis cell cytokines production, and expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). Moreover, SAB increased HG- or PA-induced expression of Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide- (NAD+-) dependent histone deacetylase. Exposure of HUVEC cells to Ex527 (Sirt1 inhibitor) suppressed the effect of SAB on acetyl-p53 and procaspase-3 expressions. In conclusion, the results suggested that SAB could attenuate HUVEC cells damage treated with HG or PA via Sirt1 and might be a potential therapy agent for the diabetic cardiopathy treatment.
Adaptive integral backstepping controller for linear induction motors
Authors: Mahmoudi Omar , Boucheta Abdelkrim
Published: April 2019

Linear induction motors offer the possibility to perform a direct linear motion without the nead of mechanical rotary to linear motion transformers. The main problem when controlling this kind of motors is the existence of indesirable behaviours such as end effect and parameter variations, which makes obtaining a precise plant model very complicated. This paper proposes an adaptive backstepping control technique with integral action based on lyapunov stability approach, which can guarantee the convergence of position tracking error to zero despite of parameter uncertainties and external load disturbance. Parameter adaptation laws are designed to estimate mover mass, viscous friction coefficient and load disturbance, which are assumed to be unknown constant parameters; as a result the compensation of their negative effect on control design system. The performance of the proposed control design was tested through simulation. The numerical validation results have shown good performance compared to the conventional backstepping controller and proved the robustness of the proposed controller against parameter variations and load disturbance.
Os impasses do feminino e os possíveis entrelaçamentos com a maternidade
Authors: Cavalcante Lina , De Oliveira Débora Passos
Published: April 2019

Mesmo diante de mudanças culturais e conquistas de direitos para as mulheres, ouve-se, no senso comum, que a mulher só se completa ao ser mãe. Partindo desta premissa, a pesquisa aborda os impasses entre a maternidade e o feminino, ancorando-se nas teorias psicanalíticas de Freud e de Lacan, e trabalha a possibilidade de a maternidade poder representar uma posição fálica. Assim, ela não teria como dar conta das feminilidades. Quais os encontros e desencontros nessa relação entre ser mãe e ser mulher? Além da psicanálise, está presente a poesia de Francisco Buarque de Hollanda, conhecido por seus eus líricos femininos.
Quem sou eu, quem é você? O lugar da infância na contemporaneidade
Authors: Ribeiro Karla Cristina Rocha , Abrão Jorge Luís Ferreira
Published: April 2019

O objetivo deste artigo é discutir o cenário atual da infância, a partir da reconfiguração familiar em dois aspectos principais: a monoparentalidade feminina e a diminuição do papel exercido pelo pai. Trata-se de uma pesquisa teórica qualitativa, cuja finalidade é refletir o lugar disponível para que o processo de subjetivação infantil ocorra contemporaneamente.
Human visceral leishmaniasis and relationship with vector and canine control measures
Authors: Costa Danielle Nunes Carneiro Castro , Bermudi Patricia Marques Moralejo Bermudi , Rodas Lilian Aparecida Colebrusco , Nunes Caris Maroni , Hiramoto Roberto Mitsuyoshi , Tolezano José Eduardo , Cipriano Rafael Silva , Cardoso Graziela Cândido Diniz , Codeço Cláudia Torres , Chiaravalloti-Neto Francisco
Published: April 2019

OBJECTIVE: Estimate the coverage of control measures of visceral leishmaniasis and relate them with the occurrence of human visceral leishmaniasis in endemic urban area. METHODS: Cases of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis were considered as study population and evaluated by a serological survey conducted in Araçatuba, state São Paulo, from 2007 to 2015. The cases of human visceral leishmaniasis were geocoded by the address of the patients and the canine disease by the address of the dogs’ owners. The coverage of serological survey, euthanasia, and insecticide spraying was calculated, as well as the canine seroprevalence and the incidence rates of human visceral leishmaniasis. The relationship between human visceral leishmaniasis and control measures was evaluated, as well as the seroprevalence by comparing maps and by linear regression. The relationship between the canine and the human disease was also evaluated by the Ripley’s K function. RESULTS: The incidence rates of human visceral leishmaniasis showed a period of decline (2007 to 2009) and a period of stability (2010 to 2015), a behavior similar to that of canine seroprevalence. In general, the coverage of control measures was low, and the non-association with the incidence of human visceral leishmaniasis can be a result of the period analyzed and of the small number of analyzed units (sectors of the Superintendence for the Control of Endemic Diseases). The distribution of human cases showed spatial dependence with the distribution of seropositive dogs from 2007 to 2009. CONCLUSIONS: This study reaffirmed the relationship between the occurrence of the disease in humans and dogs, it verified a decrease in the rates of visceral leishmaniasis in Araçatuba over time, even at low coverage of control activities. However, further studies are needed to determine if factors beyond monitoring and control measures are involved in the reduction of incidences.
Significance of Cellular Cross-Talk in Stromal Vascular Fraction of Adipose Tissue in Neovascularization
Authors: Sun Yuan , Chen Song , Zhang Xicheng , Pei Ming
Published: April 2019

Adult stem cell–based therapy has been regarded as a promising treatment for tissue ischemia because of its ability to promote new blood vessel formation. Bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells are the most used angiogenic cells for therapeutic neovascularization, yet the side effects and low efficacy have limited their clinical application. Adipose stromal vascular fraction is an easily accessible, heterogeneous cell system comprised of endothelial, stromal, and hematopoietic cell lineages, which has been shown to spontaneously form robust, patent, and functional vasculatures in vivo. However, the characteristics of each cell population and their specific roles in neovascularization remain an area of ongoing investigation. In this review, we summarize the functional capabilities of various stromal vascular fraction constituents during the process of neovascularization and attempt to analyze whether the cross-talk between these constituents generates a synergetic effect, thus contributing to the development of new potential therapeutic strategies to promote neovascularization.
Targeting Filamin A Reduces Macrophage Activity and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Bandaru Sashidar , Ala Chandu , Salimi Reza , Akula Murali K. , Ekstrand Matias , Devarakonda Sravani , Karlsson Joakim , Van den Eynden Jimmy , Bergström Göran , Larsson Erik , Levin Max , Borén Jan , Bergo Martin O. , Akyürek Levent M.
Published: April 2019

Background:

The actin-binding protein FLNA (filamin A) regulates signal transduction important for cell locomotion, but the role of macrophage-specific FLNA during atherogenesis has not been explored.

Methods:

We analyzed FLNA expression in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques by immunofluorescence. We also produced mice with
Flna
-deficient macrophages by breeding conditional
Flna
-knockout mice (
Flna

o/fl

) with mice expressing
Cre
from the macrophage-specific lysosome M promoter (
LC
). Atherosclerosis in vivo was studied by transplanting bone marrow from male
Flna

o/fl

/
LC
mice to atherogenic low-density lipoprotein receptor–deficient (
Ldlr
–/–
) mice; and by infecting
Flna

o/fl

and
Flna

o/fl

/
LC
mice with AdPCSK9 (adenoviral vector overexpressing proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9). Furthermore, C57BL/6 mice were infected with AdPCSK9 and then treated with the calpain inhibitor calpeptin to inhibit FLNA cleavage.

Results:

We found that macrophage FLNA expression was higher in advanced than in intermediate human atherosclerotic plaques.
Flna

o/fl

/
LC
macrophages proliferated and migrated less than controls; expressed lower levels of phosphorylated AKT and ERK1/2; exhibited reduced foam cell formation and lipid uptake; and excreted more lipids. The deficiency of
Flna
in macrophages markedly reduced the size of aortic atherosclerotic plaques in both
Ldlr

–/–BMT:
Flnao/fl/LC

and AdPCSK9-infected
Flna

o/fl

/
LC
mice. Intima/media ratios and numbers of CD68-positive macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques were lower in
Flna
-deficient mice than in control mice. Moreover, we found that STAT3 interacts with a calpain-cleaved carboxyl-terminal fragment of FLNA. Inhibiting calpain-mediated FLNA cleavage with calpeptin in macrophages reduced nuclear levels of phosphorylated STAT3, interleukin 6 secretion, foam cell formation, and lipid uptake. Finally, calpeptin treatment reduced the size of atherosclerotic plaques in C57BL/6 mice infected with AdPCSK9.

Conclusions:

Genetic inactivation of
Flna
and chemical inhibition of calpain-dependent cleavage of FLNA impaired macrophage signaling and function, and reduced atherosclerosis in mice, suggesting that drugs targeting FLNA may be useful in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Public Diplomacy in the Digital Age
Authors: Bjola Corneliu , Cassidy Jennifer , Manor Ilan
Published: April 2019

As data fast become the ‘new oil’, the opportunities for public diplomacy to grow as a field of practice are real and game-changing. Drawing on social informatics research, this article seeks to advance our understanding of how digital technologies shape the context in which public diplomacy operates by reshaping the medium of public communication, blurring the boundary between foreign and domestic affairs and empowering new actors. Despite inevitable challenges, the future of public diplomacy in the digital age remains bright, as digital technologies create tremendous opportunities for public diplomacy to build stronger, more diverse and more enduring bridges between offline and online communities.
Die Schreibsprache der Briefe von Wilhelm von Berg (1401–1428)
Authors: Kusamoto Akira
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study was to discover the language preferences of a letter writer for Wilhelm von Berg (1401–1428) in 15th century Westphalia. Various written languages such as Ripuarian, Westphalian and Eastphalian were already established in the region and it is known that writers sometimes mixed one language variation with the other. The study also considers other questions: i) Did writers maintain their prior-developed writing habits? ii) Did they learn the written language practiced at a new location when changing their place of work? The research uses a collection of correspondences between Wilhelm and his siblings, most of which are published here for the first time. They cover his frequent moves from within North-Western Germany when he either wrote letters himself or had them written for him. The study starts with distinguishing the handwritings of his letters, and then moves to an analysis of language variations used through a comparison of specific words. Results show that changing location for one writer (probably Wilhelm himself) did not greatly influence his language use, but that he took on new variants of certain words in his letters.
Zur Morphologie der Substantive in altniederländischen Ortsnamen
Authors: Quak Arend
Published: April 2019

Old Dutch place names from the period 700–1100 are here used for the reconstruction of the morphology of Old Dutch nouns. The genitive singular and plural of the strong masculine and neuter are here scrutinized, as well as the dative plural of all nouns. In the course of the paper the meaning of some place names is revised as well.
Conclusion: Notions of the Secular
Authors: Karis Tim , Buss Johanna
Published: April 2019

This conclusion summarises and compares the two preceding case studies: “Secular Voices on Air: The British Debate on Thought for the Day” (Tim Karis) and “The Understanding of dharmanirapekṣa (“secular”) in the Nepali Online Newspaper Nagarik” (Johanna Buss).
Three Research Notes on the Silk Manuscript *Tianwen qixiang zazhan 天文氣象雜占
Authors: Songchang Chen
Published: April 2019

This paper specifically discusses three issues regarding the silk manuscript *Tianwen qixiang zazhan (Miscellaneous Prognostications Concerning Astronomy and Meteorology); they are its production and format, the scribes involved, and the date it was copied. Through comparison and analysis, I argue that the manuscript’s production was done by first drawing images and then by copying the text. The images and text were done by different scribes, and more than one scribe was involved in copying the text. Its date of copying was probably about the same time as the copying of the silk manuscript Xingde (Punishment and Virtue) A, that is, around the eleventh year of Emperor Gaozu of Han (195 b.c.e.).
A review of the genus Antonina Signoret in China (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), with description of a new species
Authors: WU SAN-AN , LU YUAN , NAN NAN
Published: April 2019

The mealybug genus Antonina Signoret (Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) in China is reviewed and 12 species are recognized. Of these, Antonina nanlingensis Wu & Lu sp. nov. is a new species, collected from Ruyuan county, Guangdong Province, under the leaf sheaths of Indocalamus longianritus (Poaceae). The adult female and first- and second-instar nymphs of A. nanlingensis are described and illustrated. Additionally, A. sandakanae Williams is recorded from China for the first time, but all previous records of A. zonata Green from China are believed to be misidentifications of A. milleri Williams. A key to the adult females of Antonina species from China is included, as are keys to the first- and second-instar nymphs where these stages are known.
Two new Gobiid fishes of the genus Eviota from the Indian Ocean (Teleostei: Gobiidae)
Authors: GREENFIELD DAVID W. , JEWETT SUSAN L.
Published: April 2019

Two new species from the Indian Ocean are described, Eviota notata and Eviota springeri. Eviota notata has a completecephalic sensory pore system (pattern 1), a dorsal/anal fin-ray formula of 7/7, some branched pectoral-fin rays, and threeprominent dark transverse marks on the nape. Eviota notata is known from the Seychelle Islands, Mauritius, and ChagosArchipelago. Eviota springeri lacks the IT pore belonging to cephalic sensory pore system pattern 2, has a dorsal/anal fin-ray formula of 8/7, unbranched pectoral-fin rays, and a small fifth pelvic-fin ray. Eviota springeri is known from the Sey-chelle Islands, Mauritius, Chagos Archipelago, and the Amirante Islands. An Errata concerning the type material of Eviota atriventris Greenfield & Suzuki is presented.
A new species of freshwater crab of the genus Phallangothelphusa Pretzmann, 1965, from Colombia (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pseudothelphusidae)
Authors: CARDONA LUISA , CAMPOS MARTHA R.
Published: April 2019

A new species of Phallangothelphusa Pretzmann, 1965, is described from Cesar Department, Colombia, increasing thenumber of species in the genus to four: P. dispar (Zimmer, 1912), P. magdalenensis Campos, 1998, P. juansei Campos,2010, and P. martensis new species. The new species is distinguished from its congeners primarily by the morphology ofthe first male gonopod, specifically the greater curvature of the angle between distal and proximal projections of the mesialprocess, the shape of the distal projection and outline of the apex, and the orientation of the lateral process. An updated key for the identification of the species of Phallangothelphusa is given.
Probittacomorpha brisaci n. sp. (Ptychopteridae, Bittacomorphinae) from the Late Miocene of Montagne d’Andance, Saint Bauzile, Ardèche (France)
Authors: KRZEMINSKI WIESŁAW , KANIA IWONA , NEL ANDRÉ
Published: April 2019

A new species of phantom crane flies (Ptychopteridae: Bittacomorphinae), Probittacomorpha brisaci n. sp., is described based on a single specimen from the Late Miocene volcano-sedimentary paleolake of Montagne d’Andance (Saint Bauzile, Ardèche, France). This is the second known species of the fossil genus Probittacomorpha. Previously described species has been found in the Paleocene-Eocene Fur-Formation (Moler) of Denmark.
On the nursery-web spider genus Hypsithylla Simon, 1903 (Araneae: Pisauridae) and its synonymy with Hygropoda Thorell, 1894
Authors: DA SILVA ESTEVAM L. CRUZ
Published: April 2019

The spider genus Hypsithylla was proposed by Simon (1903) and comprises only two species (Platnick, 2012). The type-species, Hypsithylla linearis Simon, 1903, is based on an immature female and Hypsithylla celebesiana Strand, 1913, is known from a single female from Sulawesi.
New Zealand Ceratocumatidae and Nannastacidae (Crustacea: Cumacea)
Authors: GERKEN SARAH
Published: April 2019

The cumacean fauna of New Zealand has been little studied, and recent collecting on the Chatham Rise and ChallengerPlateau has yielded many new species and new genera. The first record of the family Ceratocumatidae is reported fromNew Zealand waters, Cimmerius sp. Within the Nannastacidae, there are only two previously described nannastacidspecies from New Zealand, Campylaspis rex Gerken & Ryder 2002 and Scherocumella pilgrimi (Jones 1963). The recentcollections yielded one new nannastacid genus, Aotearocumella n. gen., and 22 new nannastacid species, Aotearocumellaacantha n. sp. A. echinoseta n. sp., A. watlingi n. sp., Atlantocuma confunda n. sp., Campylaspenis tangaroae n. sp.,Campylaspis apheles n. sp., C.bituberculata n. sp., C. hatchae n. sp., C. macrosulcata n. sp., C. microsulcata n. sp., C.millsae n. sp., C. normani n. sp., C. rufus n. sp., C. schnabelae n. sp., C. sculptaspinosa n. sp., C. zealandiaensis n. sp., C.zimmeri n. sp., Procampylaspis chathamensis n. sp., P. rhypakoceros n. sp., P. rhypakos n. sp., Schizocuma delicata n. sp., and Styloptocuma gordoni n. sp. In addition, a neotype for C. rex is designated.
Taxonomy of Dolerus subfasciatus auct. and D. subfasciatus F. Smith with notes on the sawfly subgenus Equidolerus (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae)
Authors: HEIDEMAA MIKK , SMITH DAVID R. , SHINOHARA AKIHIKO
Published: April 2019

Dolerus (Equidolerus) subfasciatus F. Smith 1874 is a valid species. Dolerus subfasciatus auct. is shown to include threedistinct species: the Nearctic D. (Equidolerus.) neoaprilis MacGillivray, 1908, spec. rev. and two Palaearctic species,D. (E.) pseudoanticus Malaise, 1931, spec. rev. and D. (E.) rhodogaster Zhelochovtsev, 1935, stat. nov. Distributionrecords and imaginal diagnostic characters of the species are provided, and the male of D. (E.) subfasciatus is described.Lectotypes are designated for Dolerus picinus Marlatt, 1898, D. picinus rhodogaster Zhelochovtsev, 1935,D. pseudoanticus Malaise, 1931, and D. yokohamensis Rohwer, 1925. Dolerus lucidus Freymuth, 1870 and D. purusJakowlew, 1891 are associated with the subgenus Equidolerus and D. glabratus Wei, 2002 is transferred from Equidolerus to Dolerus s. str.Kew words: Sawflies, lectotype, nomenclature
New crickets of the subfamilies Phaloriinae and Pteroplistinae (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) from Singapore
Authors: GOROCHOV ANDREJ V. , TAN MING KAI
Published: April 2019

Three new species of Phaloriinae [Trellius (Protrellius) neesoon sp. n., Tremellia timah sp. n., Phaloria? jerelynae sp. n.] and a new genus with a new species of Pteroplistinae [Singapuriola separata gen. et sp. n.] are described from Singapore. So, the southern part of Malacca is here indicated as a most western locality for the genus Tremellia Stål and possibly for the genus Phaloria Stål (except the widely distributed Phaloria insularis Bolívar).
A new species of Lyctocoridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicoidea) feeding on the exuded sap of Sawtooth Oak, Quercus acutissima, in Japan
Authors: YAMADA KAZUTAKA , YASUNAGA TOMOHIDE , ICHIKAWA TOSHIHIDE
Published: April 2019

A new species of the family Lyctocoridae, Lyctocoris ichikawai Yamada & Yasunaga sp. nov., is described from Shikoku and Kyushu, southwestern Japan. The species was found to inhabit near the sap-exuding parts on the trunk of Sawtooth Oak, Quercus acutissima Carruth. (Fagaceae). Lyctocoris ichikawai is considered to be most closely related to L. zhangi Bu & Zheng, 2001 from continental China and L. variegatus Péricart, 1969 from the Caucasus. The unique biology of the new species, including its habitat use, feeding activities, and phenology, is documented and discussed. A key is provided to distinguish among the three Japanese species of Lyctocoris.
A new species of Entimus Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) from southeastern Brazil
Authors: MORRONE JUAN J. , ABADIE ESTEBAN I. , GODINHO JR. CELSO
Published: April 2019

Entimus serpafilhoi, a new species of the weevil genus Entimus from southeastern Brazil is described. It is distinguished from other species of the genus because it lacks the green, blue and gold iridescent scales typical of most other species. Superficially this species is similar to E. arrogans, which also lacks such scales, but the phylogenetic analysis shows it to be more closely related to E. excelsus and E. nobilis. The new species inhabits the ‘restinga’ forest, in contrast to other species from the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) that are found in the Atlantic forest further from the coast.
Sensory modulation, physical activity and participation in daily occupations in young children
Authors: Hertzog Dan , Cermak Sharon , Bar-Shalita Tami
Published: April 2019

Background.

Physical activity (PA) promotes children’s health. While sensory processing is integral to motor output, research regarding PA in children with sensory processing challenges is sparse.

Purpose.

This study aimed to examine the PA pattern and its association with daily life participation of children with sensory processing challenges.

Method.

Forty-four children ages 5 to 7 years were divided into the study group (children with sensory processing challenges; n = 22; 16 males) and an age-matched typically developing control group ( n = 22; nine males). Parents completed the Short Sensory Profile, a demographic questionnaire, Participation in Childhood Occupations Questionnaire, and Participation in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire–Modified. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlational analysis.

Findings.

Structured PA was reported in 45% and 77% of the study and control groups, respectively ( p = .030). In the study group, the level of participation in PA was found to be significantly correlated with play and leisure activities.

Implications.

Promoting structured and group PA opportunities may be important for children with sensory processing challenges.
Surface functionalization of Ag/polypyrrole-coated cotton fabric by in situ polymerization and magnetron sputtering
Authors: He Shan , Chen Zhuoming , Xin Binjie , Zhang Fuli , Wang Xiaoying , Liu Yan , Peng Aoxin , Yang Ying
Published: April 2019

Flexible electronic devices have attracted considerable attention in recent years, and textile fabrics are usually used as the substrates because of their good moisture absorption performance and high flexibility. However, ordinary textile fabrics are electrically insulating, which limits their strain sensing sensitivity. In this study, cotton fabric endowed with high electrical conductivity was prepared by a two-step process of in situ polymerization and direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering. It was firstly modified with a continuous polypyrrole (PPy) thin film by using the in situ polymerization method and then coated with silver (Ag) thin film by using a DC magnetron sputtering system. The experimental results revealed that the resultant Ag/PPy-coated cotton deposited with a sputtering power of 200 W for 25 min has the highest electrical conductivity and its average sheet resistance is 11.7 Ω/sq. Moreover, the Ag/PPy-coated cotton exhibited the advantages of high hydrophobicity, thermal stability, electromechanical performance and washing fastness. Overall, the effective flexibility and high electrical conductivity of the Ag/PPy-coated cotton have been validated effectively and make it one of the promising candidates for preparing electromagnetic shielding and antistatic and smart wearable textile products, especially flexible electronic devices.
Introducing KiVa school-based antibullying programme to the UK: A preliminary examination of effectiveness and programme cost
Authors: Clarkson Suzy , Charles Joanna M. , Saville Christopher W. N. , Bjornstad Gretchen J. , Hutchings Judy
Published: April 2019

Bullying is an internationally recognized problem and school-based bullying is particularly pervasive. KiVa is a robustly evidenced school-based antibullying programme developed and evaluated at Turku University, Finland, and subsequently disseminated across Finland. Following a positive UK trial of Unit 2 (for 10- to 12-year-olds), further UK dissemination has taken place. This study presents (a) pupil self-reported levels of victimization and bullying prior to, and after, one year of KiVa implementation (Units 1 and 2) with 7- to 11-year-olds from 41 schools, and (b) programme training and delivery costs. Data from 41 primary schools were analysed using a linear mixed model effects analysis. Results revealed statistically significant reductions in victimization and bullying after one year of programme implementation. Ongoing costs were small, at £2.84 per Key Stage 2 pupil per annum. These promising results highlight the need for further more rigorous evaluation of KiVa in the UK, including the exploration of factors associated with effective implementation, and the importance for educators and policy makers of evaluating both impact and costs when implementing programmes to prevent and reduce bullying.
Hypoglycemic thalamic activation in type 1 diabetes is associated with preserved symptoms despite reduced epinephrine
Authors: Nwokolo Munachiso , Amiel Stephanie A , O'Daly Owen , Byrne Megan L , Wilson Bula M , Pernet Andrew , Cordon Sally M , Macdonald Ian A , Zelaya Fernando O , Choudhary Pratik
Published: April 2019

Brain responses to low plasma glucose may be key to understanding the behaviors that prevent severe hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the impact of long duration, hypoglycemia aware type 1 diabetes on cerebral blood flow responses to hypoglycemia. Three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 15 individuals with type 1 diabetes and 15 non-diabetic controls during a two-step hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp. Symptom, hormone, global cerebral blood flow and regional cerebral blood flow responses to hypoglycemia were measured. Epinephrine release during hypoglycemia was attenuated in type 1 diabetes, but symptom score rose comparably in both groups. A rise in global cerebral blood flow did not differ between groups. Regional cerebral blood flow increased in the thalamus and fell in the hippocampus and temporal cortex in both groups. Type 1 diabetes demonstrated lesser anterior cingulate cortex activation; however, this difference did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Thalamic cerebral blood flow change correlated with autonomic symptoms, and anterior cingulate cortex cerebral blood flow change correlated with epinephrine response across groups. The thalamus may thus be involved in symptom responses to hypoglycemia, independent of epinephrine action, while anterior cingulate cortex activation may be linked to counterregulation. Activation of these regions may have a role in hypoglycemia awareness and avoidance of problematic hypoglycemia.
A PET study in healthy subjects of brain exposure of 11C-labelled osimertinib – A drug intended for treatment of brain metastases in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Varrone Andrea , Varnäs Katarina , Jucaite Aurelija , Cselényi Zsolt , Johnström Peter , Schou Magnus , Vazquez-Romero Ana , Moein Mohammad M , Halldin Christer , Brown Andrew P , Vishwanathan Karthick , Farde Lars
Published: April 2019

Osimertinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) of the mutated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFRm) with observed efficacy in patients with brain metastases. Brain exposure and drug distribution in tumor regions are important criteria for evaluation and confirmation of CNS efficacy. The aim of this PET study was therefore to determine brain distribution and exposure of 11C-labelled osimertinib administered intravenously in subjects with an intact blood–brain barrier. Eight male healthy subjects (age 52 ± 8 years) underwent one PET measurement with 11C-osimertinib. The pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax (brain) (standardized uptake value), Tmax (brain) and AUC0–90 min brain/blood ratio were calculated. The outcome measure for 11C-osimertinib brain exposure was the total distribution volume ( VT). 11C-osimertinib distributed rapidly to the brain, with higher uptake in grey than in white matter. Mean Cmax, Tmax and AUC0–90 min brain/blood ratio were 1.5 (range 1–1.8), 13 min (range 5–30 min), and 3.8 (range 3.3–4.1). Whole brain and white matter VT were 14 mL×cm−3 (range 11–18) and 7 mL×cm−3 (range 5–12). This study in healthy volunteers shows that 11C-osimertinib penetrates the intact blood–brain barrier. The approach used further illustrates the role of molecular imaging in facilitating the development of novel drugs for the treatment of malignancies affecting the brain.
Computer aided diagnosis for ASPECT rating: initial experiences with the Frontier ASPECT Score software
Authors: Goebel Juliane , Stenzel Elena , Zuelow Stefan , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Forsting Michael , Moenninghoff Christoph , Radbruch Alexander
Published: April 2019

Background

Computer-aided diagnosis is increasingly used in radiology and may support not only unexperienced readers but also senior radiologists. It appears promising, especially in the sometimes challenging detection of early ischemic changes in stroke CT.

Purpose

To compare the new post-processing software prototype Frontier_ASPECTS against two senior radiologists in ASPECTS evaluation.

Material and Methods

Retrospectively, pre-interventional CTs of 100 patients, who underwent endovascular revascularization for acute middle cerebral artery ischemia, were blindly re-analyzed with respect to ASPECTS by two neuroradiologists (separately and in consensus) and by use of Frontier_ASPECTS. In addition to a fully automatic Frontier_ASPECTS reading (Frontier_1), Frontier_ASPECTS readings subsequently manually corrected for old cerebral defects (Frontier_2a), the affected hemisphere (known from CT angiography, Frontier_2b), and both (Frontier_3) were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed by intraclass correlation and Bland–Altman analysis.

Results

Median ASPECTS was 10 for Frontier_3 (range = 5–10), 10 for radiologist_1 (range = 4–10), 9 for radiologist_2 (range = 2–10), and 10 for consensus reading (range = 2–10). All Frontier_ASPECTS variants correlated lowly with consensus reading (Frontier_1, r = 0.281; Frontier_2a, r = 0.357; Frontier_2b, r = 0.333; Frontier_3, r = 0.350; always P < 0.01), while both radiologists and consensus reading correlated highly (radiologist_1, r = 0.817; radiologist_2, r = 0.951; always P < 0.001). Bland–Altman analysis confirmed a worse agreement between Frontier_3 and consensus reading than between both radiologists and consensus reading.

Conclusion

We found only low agreement between the post-processing software Frontier_ASPECTS and expert consensus reading in ASPECTS evaluation. Notably, performance of Frontier_ASPECTS improved by simple manual corrections but is–at Frontier_ASPECTS’ current development status–inferior to the performance of senior radiologists.
Importance of the free amine groups in acellular scaffold during tissue repairing or regeneration process
Authors: Pan Tengfei , Tao Jian , Meng Qingqiang , Zhao Wei , Song Bingkui , Qi Shuting
Published: April 2019

In addition to serve as a physical scaffold, acellular scaffold should be involved in tissue repair processes such as hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling/regeneration as a bioactive material. The biological activities of acellular scaffold related to free amine groups may have a great influence on tissue repairing process after in situ implantation. In order to investigate the role of free amine groups in acellular scaffold on tissue repairing/regeneration process, the amine-blocked acellular scaffolds and amine-unblocked acellular scaffolds were prepared by using bovine pericardia. The scaffolds were in situ implanted in a dog model. The in vitro and in vivo experiment results showed that free amine groups in acellular scaffolds were indispensable for the biological activities of acellular scaffolds. Free amine groups of the acellular scaffold directly or indirectly took part in tissue repairing process including integration of acellular scaffold with the damaged tissue and the remolding process of the damaged tissue. Lack of the free amine groups made the acellular scaffolds difficult to integrate with the damaged tissue and impeded extracellular matrix dynamic process, which made the tissue remolding/regeneration process impossible.
A novel 3D-printed silk fibroin-based scaffold facilitates tracheal epithelium proliferation in vitro
Authors: Zhong Nongping , Dong Tao , Chen Zhongchun , Guo Yongwei , Shao Zhengzhong , Zhao Xia
Published: April 2019

The functional epithelial regeneration is important for repairing tracheal defects. However, the potential of 3D-printed SF-based scaffolds for tracheal epithelial regeneration is still unknown. In this study, we developed a novel silk fibroin-based scaffold prepared by 3D printing of silk fibroin/hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (SF/HPMC) thixotropic hydrogel and evaluated the tracheal epithelium proliferation on this scaffold in vitro. Combined with the freeze-dried technology, the 3D-printed SF/HPMC scaffolds had porous structures in the printed bars. After evaluation of their pore sizes, porosities, water contents and mechanical properties, the scaffolds were co-cultured with the normal human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) for seven days. We detected the BEAS-2B cells proliferation on the scaffolds using a CCK-8 assay, determined their mucin secretion and intercellular tight junction formation by immunofluorescence, as well as observed their cell viability and morphology by live/dead staining and scanning electronic microscopy. The results showed that the SF/HPMC scaffolds had good porosity, water content and mechanical properties. In addition, the BEAS-2B cells proliferated well on SF/HPMC scaffolds, during the seven-day co-culture, with high viability, mucin expression, and intercellular tight junction formation. In summary, these results demonstrated that the BEAS-2B cells could attach and proliferate on the 3D-printed SF/HPMC scaffolds, which were expected to have potential for facilitating tracheal epithelial regeneration.
Switch angle design: Formulation, inferences, and uses
Authors: Hasan Nazmul , Porkess Halley
Published: April 2019

Jerk, lateral acceleration, and unbalanced superelevation are induced at the point of switch due to the combined effect of the switch angle and speed. Two sets of formula are derived to compute the values of jerk, lateral acceleration, and unbalanced superelevation due to the switch angle and speed separately. A sudden change in the direction of motion by the switch induces jerk which affects passenger comfort. The jerk due to the sudden change in the direction of motion is formulated in this paper by using the cubic spiral formula. It is demonstrated that the jerk at the point of switch has a positive (direct) relation with the speed and switch angle, but has a negative (inverse) relation with the pivot pitch. It is demonstrated that the switch angle should be optimized to reduce the lateral jerk. To capture the effect of the speed, the effective radius at the point of switch is formulated first and then formulas are derived for the jerk, lateral acceleration, and unbalanced superelevation at the point of switch due to speed. Finally, the aforementioned formulas are added to obtain the total values at the point of switch. The formulas are applied on American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) turnouts and validated by computer simulation using Vampire. These formulas would be helpful for the practicing designers and engineers.
High accuracy determination of Angelica dahurica origin based on near infrared spectroscopy and a random forest pruning algorithm
Authors: Xu Yonghao , Liu Li , Huang Meizhen , Xu Ning
Published: April 2019

A near infrared spectroscopy method combined with a random forest pruning algorithm based on margin optimization and principal component analysis (PCA-MORFP) was proposed to identify the origin of Angelica dahurica. One hundred and ninety-six samples of A. dahurica were collected from four original cultivation regions; their NIR diffuse reflectance spectra were measured by a custom-built near infrared spectrometer which works in the range of 900–1700 nm with a resolution (full width at half maximum [FWHM]) of 4 nm. Combinations of Savitzky–Golay smoothing, standard normal variates, and first derivative transformations were used to preprocess the spectral data. Then the PCA-MORFP classification model was constructed. Meanwhile, the was compared with other classifying approaches, including: principal component analysis-K-nearest neighbor, principal component analysis-support vector machine, and principal component analysis-random forest. Experimental results showed that the PCA-MORFP achieved the best prediction performance over other compared methods. The recognition rates of the PCA-MORFP model were up to 100% for the calibration set and 98.2% for the prediction set, respectively. The method provides a rapid and convenient detection technique for the origin identification of A. dahurica.
Near infrared spectroscopy as an alternative method for rapid determination of the solidification point of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene in production
Authors: She Chongchong , Li Min , Hou Yunhui , Chen Lizhen , Wang Jianlong , Cao Duanlin
Published: April 2019

The solidification point is a key quality parameter for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). The traditional solidification point measurement method of TNT is complicated, dangerous, not environmentally friendly and time-consuming. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) analysis technology has been applied successfully in the chemical, petroleum, food, and agriculture sectors owing to its characteristics of fast analysis, no damage to the sample and online application. The purpose of this study was to study near infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometric methods to develop a fast and accurate quantitative analysis method for the solidification point of TNT. The model constructed using PLS regression was successful in predicting the solidification point of TNT ([Formula: see text] = 0.999, RMSECV = 0.19, RPDCa = 33.5, [Formula: see text] = 0.19, [Formula: see text] = 0.999). Principal component analysis shows that the model could identify samples from different reactors. The results clearly demonstrate that the solidification point can be measured in a short time by NIR spectroscopy without any pretreatment for the sample and skilled laboratory personnel.
Effect of chemical heat treatment on cavitation erosion resistance of stainless steel
Authors: Ding Hongqin , Jiang Shuyun , Xu Jiang
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of chemical heat treatments on cavitation erosion resistance of the 304 stainless steel. Three types of diffusion layers are prepared on the 304 stainless steel using gas nitriding, gas carburizing, and carbonitriding treatments. Phase composition and surface microstructure of the diffusion layers are characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. And then, the cavitation erosion behavior of the diffusion layers are tested and compared with the one of the 304 stainless steel. The cavitation test is performed in an ultrasonic vibration system integrated with an electrochemical workstation. The mass loss, scanning electron microscopic morphology, and electrochemical test are adopted to assess the surface damage of the diffusion layers. A measurement for the mechanical properties of the diffusion layers shows that the hardness and the elastic modulus of the gas nitrided diffusion layer, carbonitrided diffusion layer, carburized diffusion layer, and 304 stainless steel are 5.3 GPa and 260 GPa, 4.2 GPa and 236 GPa, 4.0 GPa and 210 GPa, 2.5 GPa and 193 GPa, respectively. A cavitation erosion test of 14 h shows that mass loss of the gas nitrided diffusion layer, carbonitrided diffusion layer, carburized diffusion layer, and 304 stainless steel is 5.19 mg, 8.97 mg, 14.37 mg, and 6.62 mg, respectively. The electrochemical test results also indicate that the gas nitrided diffusion layer has a higher corrosion resistance than the carburized diffusion layer, carbonitrided diffusion layer, and stainless steel under cavitation erosion condition. As a conclusion, the gas nitrided diffusion layer is capable of enhancing the cavitation erosion resistance of the stainless steel, while the carburized diffusion layer and carbonitrided diffusion layer increases the mass loss of the stainless steel under cavitation erosion condition.
Performance analysis of cryogenically treated plus tempered carbide inserts in turning of Inconel 718 using cryogenic minimum quantity lubrication cooling technique
Authors: Allu Venkat Pradeep , Raju D Linga , Ramakrishna S
Published: April 2019

The present study deals with performance investigation of cryogenically treated plus tempered carbide inserts during machining of Inconel 718. A novel cooling approach of combined minimum quantity lubrication with cryogenic coolant, cryogenic minimum quantity lubrication is examined to improve the machinability of Inconel 718 and compared with dry, wet, minimum quantity lubrication, and cryogenic cooling conditions. Tool wear, cutting forces, and chip morphology were analyzed to evaluate the effect of cooling under different conditions. The results revealed that minimum quantity lubrication and cryogenic conditions exhibited superior performance than wet and dry conditions. However, severe tool fracture and cutting forces were observed in cryogenic machining which is an outcome of hardened surface of nickel alloy due to cryogenic fluid. Cryogenic minimum quantity lubrication was understood to be the best machining condition generating least cutting force and tool wear. Furthermore, examining chip morphology under scanning electron microscopy revealed that cryogenic minimum quantity lubrication performed stable machining.