bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Importance of trauma‐related fear in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and early adverse life events
Authors: Rahal Harman , Videlock Elizabeth J. , Icenhour Adriane , Shih Wendy , Naliboff Bruce , Gupta Arpana , Mayer Emeran A. , Chang Lin
Published: June 2020

Background

Although early adverse life events (EALs) are prevalent among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the impact of fear or dissociation experienced during the trauma has not been evaluated. We investigated the prevalence of fear at the time of trauma and its association with IBS status among individuals with early‐life trauma before the age of 18.

Methods

Among participants with ≥1 EAL, association of fear and dissociation with IBS status was determined with logistic regression, and improvement in prediction of IBS over ETI score alone was determined with the likelihood ratio test. Controlling for age, sex, and IBS status, we then examined the association of each EAL with reported fear.

Key Results

Compared to healthy controls (HCs), IBS subjects reported a higher prevalence of fear (60.4% vs 36.2%, P < .0005) and dissociation (23.5% vs 13.0%, P < .0005) at the time of EAL. Fear, but not dissociation, improved prediction of IBS over the total number of EALs (odds ratio = 2.00, P < .0001).

Conclusions and Inferences

This study highlights the importance of EAL‐related factors such as fear in addition to the presence or absence of EALs in IBS pathophysiology.
Long‐term risk of adult overweight and obesity among achalasia patients who underwent Heller Myotomy
Authors: Perez‐Ortiz Andric C. , Narváez‐Chávez Sofia , Furuzawa‐Carballeda Janette , Coss‐Adame Enrique , Valdovinos‐Díaz Miguel A , Peralta‐Figueroa José , Olvera‐Prado Hector , López‐Verdugo Fidel , Sánchez-García Ramos Emilio , Torres‐Villalobos Gonzalo
Published: June 2020

Background

It is unknown whether surgically treated achalasia cases regain or surpass their usual weight into obesity or overweight in the long‐term post‐operative period. Here, we aimed to assess the incidence of overweight/obesity (Ob/Ow) and the risk for reoccurrence up to 48 months post‐laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM).

Methods

We performed a cohort of 114 achalasia cases undergoing LHM. All patients had a confirmed diagnosis of achalasia and had no added comorbidities. We followed up the body mass index (BMI) at the immediate post‐operative period, and at one‐, six‐, 12‐, 24‐, and 48 months after LHM. We measured the incidence of Ob/Ow and its reoccurrence risk with Cox regression.

Key Results and Conclusions

In the immediate post‐operative period, the incidence of Ob/Ow was significantly less than the usual BMI (before the onset of symptoms) (28.2% vs 66.3%). From the sixth to the 48th month, there was a progressive increase in the incidence of Ob/Ow and at this timepoint the percent of Ob/Ow was not statistically different from the usual BMI. The most significant hazard for Ob/Ow reoccurrence in the long term following LHM is a usual BMI with obesity grade I or III and males lacking pre‐surgical weight loss.

Inferences

Achalasia cases undergoing surgical treatment should be monitored closely in the post‐operative period for weight regain, regardless of their pre‐operative BMI. Notably, males who before the onset of symptoms were obese or overweight are at significantly increased risk of regaining or surpassing their weight, despite most having lost weight pre‐surgically.
Influence of light, dark, temperature and drought on metabolite and ion composition in nectar and nectaries of an epiphytic bromeliad species (Aechmea fasciata)
Authors: Göttlinger T. , Lohaus G.
Published: June 2020

Research into the influence of stress factors, such as drought, different temperatures and/or varied light conditions, on plants due to climate changes is becoming increasingly important. Epiphytes, like many species of the Bromeliaceae, are particularly affected by this, but little is known about impacts on nectar composition and nectary metabolism.

We investigated the influence of drought, different temperatures and light–dark regimes on nectar and nectaries of the epiphytic bromeliad species, Aechmea fasciata, and also the influence of drought with the terrestrial bromeliad, Billbergia nutans. The content of sugars, amino acids and ions in nectar and nectaries was analysed using HPLC. In addition, the starch content and the activities of different invertases in nectaries were determined.

Compositions of nectar and nectaries were hardly influenced, neither by light nor dark, nor by different temperatures. In contrast, drought revealed changes in nectar volumes and nectar sugar compositions in the epiphytic bromeliad as well as in the terrestrial bromeliad. In both species, the sucrose‐to‐hexose ratio in nectar decreased considerably during the drought period. These changes in nectar sugar composition do not correlate with changes in the nectaries. The total sugar, amino acid and ion concentrations remained constant in nectar as well as in nectaries during the drought period.

Changes in nectar composition or in the production of floral pollinator rewards are likely to affect plant–pollinator interactions. It remains questionable how far the adaptations of the bromeliads to drought and diverse light or temperature conditions are still sufficient.
SJI 2020 special issue: A catalogue of Ovarian Cancer targets for CAR therapy
Authors: Benard Emmanuelle , Casey Nicholas P. , Inderberg Else Marit , Wälchli Sébastien
Published: June 2020

Ovarian Cancer (OC) is currently difficult to cure, mainly due to its late detection and the advanced state of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, conventional treatments such as debulking surgery and combination chemotherapy are rarely able to control progression of the tumour, and relapses are frequent. Alternative therapies are currently being evaluated, including immunotherapy and advanced T cell‐based therapy. In the present review, we will focus on a description of those Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) that have been validated in the laboratory or are being tested in the clinic. Numerous target antigens have been defined due to the identification of OC biomarkers, and many are being used as CAR targets. We provide an exhaustive list of these constructs and their current status. Despite being innovative and efficient, the OC‐specific CARs face a barrier to their clinical efficacy: the tumour microenvironment (TME). Indeed, effector cells expressing CARs have been shown to be severely inhibited, rendering the CAR T cells useless once at the tumour site. Herein, we give a thorough description of the highly immunosuppressive OC TME and present recent studies and innovations that have enabled CAR T cells to counteract this negative environment and to destroy tumours.
Nanotechnology‐based wastewater treatment
Authors: Cheriyamundath Sanith , Vavilala Sirisha L.
Published: June 2020

Water contamination is a global challenge impacting both the environment and human health with significant economic and social costs. The growing scarcity of usable water resources requires effective treatment of wastewater. In this context, developing cheaper, safer and more efficient wastewater treatment technologies are the need of the hour. One promising approach that several studies have reported success has been the usage of nanomaterials in water and waste water management. The rapid progress of research in nanomaterial sciences has shown their growing potential; however, there has not been a great amount of information available on their implementation. This review focuses on developments in nanotechnology that hold strong potential for wastewater treatment. The review covers key techniques in nanomaterial‐based water treatments including adsorption, filtration and photocatalysis with recent examples showing how to improve their properties and efficiencies according to the need.
Lorentz contraction during acceleration from one inertial frame to another
Authors: Singal Ashok K.
Published: June 2020

We analyze here the changes that may occur in the length of a rod due to Lorentz contraction, when the rod, initially stationary in one inertial frame, is accelerated so as to come to rest in another inertial frame. The rod that earlier appeared shorter due to the Lorentz contraction in one frame should later appear shorter in the other frame. Has the rod length been reduced during acceleration, as might appear in one of the frames, or has it expanded as may seem in the other frame? What exactly lies behind the genesis of Lorentz contraction during an acceleration? Actually, the accelerations at two ends of the rod, even if applied simultaneously in one frame, may not seem so in the other frame. This, in turn, may result in a lengthening or shortening of the rod in a frame, depending upon the relative timings of accelerations applied, e.g., whether the accelerations applied at the rod ends were non-simultaneous in that frame and, if so, which end started getting accelerated earlier than the other. Of particular interest is the case where the rod transits through a series of inertial frames, with a constant proper acceleration in each successive instantaneous rest frame. The rod could then be considered to be stationary in a comoving accelerated frame. In this case, the applied acceleration may everywhere be temporally constant; however, it will spatially vary along the length of the rod. Strange though it may appear, all sections of the rod, in spite of their differential accelerations, come to rest simultaneously in each inertial frame, with no change in the proper length of the rod in successive frames.
NIH requires disclosure about sexual harassment by grantees
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: June 2020

Changes aimed in part at making sure institutions don't "pass the harasser."
Squalene-Tetrahymanol Cyclase Expression Enables Sterol-Independent Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Wiersma Sanne J. , Mooiman Christiaan , Giera Martin , Pronk Jack T.
Published: June 2020

The laboratory experiments described in this report simulate a proposed horizontal gene transfer event during the evolution of strictly anaerobic fungi. The demonstration that expression of a single heterologous gene sufficed to eliminate anaerobic sterol requirements in the model eukaryote
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
therefore contributes to our understanding of how sterol-independent eukaryotes evolved in anoxic environments. This report provides a proof of principle for a metabolic engineering strategy to eliminate sterol requirements in yeast strains that are applied in large-scale anaerobic industrial processes. The sterol-independent yeast strains described in this report provide a valuable platform for further studies on the physiological roles and impacts of sterols and sterol surrogates in eukaryotic cells.
Supplemental Material: Eolian megaripple stripes
Authors: Gough Tyler , al. et
Published: June 2020

Data and discussion on megaripple stripe morphometrics, grain size, analysis of Oceano Dunes and model DSM, modeled wind, figures supporting the hypotheses, and model videos.
Supplemental Material: A Chronostratigraphic Framework for the Rise of the Ediacaran Macrobiota: New Constraints from istaken Point Ecological Reserve, Newfoundland
Authors: Matthews Jack J. , al. et
Published: June 2020

Further information on samples, methodologies, and U-Pb data.
Strong phonon interaction between two distant magnetic films inserted into a cavity
Authors: Feng Peng
Published: June 2020

Phonon and magnon excitations can be modulated by magnetoelastic and magneto-optical coupling effects, respectively. The photons not only mediate the interaction between two distant magnetic films inserted into a cavity, but also affect the phonon excitations in each film by the magnetoelastic coupling. In this work, an indirect interaction mechanism is presented for the phonons in two distant magnetic films inserted into a cavity. Although the phonons in no way pass through a very long distance from one film to the other in a vacuum environment, they can establish a correlation between two films through the magneto-optical and magnetoelastic couplings in each film. This really corresponds to an indirect interaction. In this work, the relationship between the phonon interaction and the laser intensity is studied using a quantum theory. It is found that when the laser frequency is equal to magnon frequency and the laser intensity is in a certain range, this phonon interaction energy takes very large negative values so as to satisfy the application requirement. According to a generating functional integral approach, a formula for the phonon interaction energy is derived, and an experimental approach to detect this effect is suggested. This indirect interaction effect of phonons not only adds to our understanding of the essence of matter interaction, but also reveals some potential applications to the heat management of electronic devices, long-range transfer of heat energy, and ultrasonic signal transmission in a vacuum environment.
Mechanism and effects of fructose diphosphate on anti-hypoxia fatigue and learning memory ability
Authors: Liu Chunna , Shao Chunhua , Du Qi , He Chaoran , Sun Xinyuan , Lou Anqi , Ma Zhijie , Yu Junxian
Published: June 2020

This study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which fructose diphosphate (FDP) causes anti-hypoxia and anti-fatigue effects and improves learning and memory. Mice were divided into three groups: low-dose FDP (FDP-L), high-dose FDP (FDP-H), and a control group. Acute toxic hypoxia induced by carbon monoxide, sodium nitrite, and potassium cyanide and acute cerebral ischemic hypoxia were used to investigate the anti-hypoxia ability of FDP. The tests of rod-rotating, mouse tail suspension, and swimming endurance were used to explore the anti-fatigue effects of FDP. The Morris water maze experiment was used to determine the impact of FDP on learning and memory ability. Poisoning-induced hypoxic tests showed that mouse survival time was significantly prolonged in the FDP-L and FDP-H groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In the exhaustive swimming test, FDP significantly shortened struggling time and prolonged the time of mass-loaded swimming; the rod-rotating test showed that endurance time was significantly prolonged by using FDP (p < 0.05). FDP significantly decreased lactate and urea nitrogen levels and increased hepatic and muscle glycogen and glucose transporter-4 and Na+-K+-ATPase (p < 0.05). To conclude, FDP enhances hypoxia tolerance and fatigue resistance and improves learning and memory ability through regulating glucose and energy metabolism.
Further Study on Reverse 1-Center Problem on Trees
Authors: Sepasian Ali Reza , Tayyebi Javad
Published: June 2020

This paper studies two types of reverse 1-center problems under uniform linear cost function where edge lengths are allowed to reduce. In the first type, the aim is that the objective value is bounded by a prescribed fixed value [Formula: see text] at minimum cost. The aim of the other is to improve the objective value as much as possible within a given budget. An algorithm based on dynamic programming is proposed to solve the first problem in linear time. Then, this algorithm is applied as a subroutine to design an algorithm to solve the second type of the problem in [Formula: see text] time in which [Formula: see text] is a fixed number dependent on the problem parameters. Under the similarity assumption, this algorithm has a better complexity than the Nguyen algorithm (2013) with quadratic-time complexity. Some numerical experiments are conducted to validate this fact in practice.
Quantum phase crossover in the spherical mean-field plus quadrupole–quadrupole and pairing model with two j-orbits
Authors: Li Bo , Pan Feng , Ding Xiao-Xue , Draayer J. P.
Published: June 2020

The shape phase crossover in the mean-field plus the geometric quadrupole–quadrupole and pairing model within two [Formula: see text]-orbits is analyzed, for which a simple description of [Formula: see text]Sn confined in the lowest [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] orbits above the [Formula: see text]Sn core is demonstrated to reveal the crossover behavior of the model. It is shown that [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] in this case may serve as effective order parameters for even–even and odd-A systems, respectively, from which the shape phase crossover from the rotation-like phase to the superconducting-like phase can be observed with variation of the number of valence neutrons.
Weighted lp − l1 minimization methods for block sparse recovery and rank minimization
Authors: Cai Yun
Published: June 2020

This paper considers block sparse recovery and rank minimization problems from incomplete linear measurements. We study the weighted [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] norms as a nonconvex metric for recovering block sparse signals and low-rank matrices. Based on the block [Formula: see text]-restricted isometry property (abbreviated as block [Formula: see text]-RIP) and matrix [Formula: see text]-RIP, we prove that the weighted [Formula: see text] minimization can guarantee the exact recovery for block sparse signals and low-rank matrices. We also give the stable recovery results for approximately block sparse signals and approximately low-rank matrices in noisy measurements cases. Our results give the theoretical support for block sparse recovery and rank minimization problems.
Nonlinear Analysis of Laminated Beams with Braided Fiber Piezoelectric Composite Actuators
Authors: Zhou Bo , Ma Xiao , Xue Shifeng
Published: June 2020

This paper presents a novel approach for improving the reliability and driving capability of piezoelectric actuators by developing braided fiber piezoelectric composite (BFPC) actuators. The nonlinear analysis of laminated beams integrated with the BFPC actuators under electric load is presented. According to Timoshenko beam theory and von Kármán nonlinear geometric relation, the strain components of the piezoelectric laminated beams are obtained. The nonlinear governing equations of the piezoelectric laminated beams are derived by the Galerkin method and principle of minimum potential energy, and then are solved through the direct iterative method. The accuracy of this method is demonstrated by its comparison with the published results. The driving capability of the BFPC actuator and the existing piezoelectric composite actuator is compared. The influences of the fiber volume fraction, actuator thickness, simply supported beam thickness and applied voltage on the driving capability of the BFPC actuators are discussed through a comprehensive parametric study. The numerical results illustrate that the BFPC actuators with excellent driving capability can effectively control the deformation of smart structures.
Volume change behaviour of an expansive clay blended with lime and pond ash – controlling swell
Authors: Phanikumar B. R.
Published: June 2020

This paper presents the influence of lime content on free swell index (FSI) of an expansive clay powder passing through a 425 µm sieve and on some significant swell-compressibility characteristics of oven-dry, expansive clay with grains of a size <4.75 mm. One-dimensional swell-consolidation tests were conducted on the expansive clay passing through a 4.75 mm sieve to which lime powder (CaOH
2
) was added at 0, 1, 2 and 4% by dry weight of the clay. Swell potential, swelling pressure, coefficient of compressibility (

a
v

), compression index (
C
c
) and linear shrinkage (
LS
) were evaluated. While

a
v

,
C
c
and
LS
decreased significantly with increasing lime content, swelling pressure increased. Heave and swell potential also decreased with increasing lime content but only up to 2% and were found to have increased at 4% lime content. The paper also compares the swell-compressibility behaviour of 2% lime-blended expansive clay lumps and powders. Heave and swell potential were higher for clay powder than for clay lumps at 2% lime. However, swelling pressure (
p
s
) was found to be more for clay lumps than clay powder. Furthermore, the paper also presents the variation of FSI and swell-compressibility characteristics of another expansive clay powder (of different properties) blended with pond ash contents of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%. One-dimensional swell-consolidation tests were conducted on clay–pond ash blends in an oedometer. Swell potential and swelling pressure decreased up to 15% of pond ash content and increased thereafter, when pond ash content was increased to 20%. FSI of the ash-blended clay specimens was also determined. FSI continuously decreased with increase in pond ash content.
WProfX: A Fine-grained Visualization Tool for Web Page Loads
Authors: Nejati Javad , Balasubramanian Aruna
Published: June 2020

Web page performance is crucial in today's Internet ecosystem, and Web developers use various developer tools to analyze their page load performance. However, existing tools cannot be used to identify the critical bottlenecks during the page load process. In this work, we design an online tool called WProfX that allows Web developers to visually identify bottlenecks in their page structure. The key to WProfX is that unlike existing Web performance tools, WProfX not only visualizes the page load activity timings, but also extracts the dependencies between the activities. Using the dependency structure, WProfX identifies the critical bottleneck activities. This lets a developer quickly identify why their page is loading slow and conduct what-if analyses to study the effect of different optimizations.

WProfX uses low-level tracing information exposed by most major browsers to extract the relationship between page load activities. The result is that WProfX works with most major browsers and newer browser versions. WProfX visualizes the page load process as a dependency graph of semantically meaningful Web activities and identifies the critical bottlenecks. We evaluate WProfX with 14 Web developers who perform three what-if analysis tasks involving identifying the page load bottleneck and evaluating the effect of a page optimization. All the participants were able to complete the tasks with WProfX, compared to less than 60% when using the popular developer tools available today. WProfX is currently being used by Web developers in a large telecom and at a Silicon Valley startup.
CrowdUI: Supporting Web Design with the Crowd
Authors: Oppenlaender Jonas , Tiropanis Thanassis , Hosio Simo
Published: June 2020

Web design is a complex and challenging task. It involves making many design decisions that materialise preconceived notions of user needs that may or may not be true. In this paper, we investigate supporting the co-design of a website with visual feedback elicited from the website's community of users. Website users can express their needs by re-arranging and modifying the website's layout and design. To explore and validate this idea, we present CrowdUI, a web-based tool that enables members of the community of a website to visually express their design improvement ideas, frustrations and needs, and to send this feedback to the person in charge of designing or maintaining the website.

CrowdUI is validated in a study with 45 users of a popular social media and networking website. Second, our qualitative evaluation with 60 experienced web developers shows that CrowdUI is able to elicit diverse and meaningful feedback. Put together, our results suggest that CrowdUI's approach constitutes a productive setting for eliciting visual feedback from the user community as a complement to traditional ways of eliciting feedback and participatory design. Finally, based on our experiences, we discuss a design space for crowdsourced web design and provide design recommendations for similar future tools.
Designing Mid-Air Haptic Gesture Controlled User Interfaces for Cars
Authors: Young Gareth , Milne Hamish , Griffiths Daniel , Padfield Elliot , Blenkinsopp Robert , Georgiou Orestis
Published: June 2020

We present advancements in the design and development of in-vehicle infotainment systems that utilize gesture input and ultrasonic mid-air haptic feedback. Such systems employ state-of-the-art hand tracking technology and novel haptic feedback technology and promise to reduce driver distraction while performing a secondary task therefore cutting the risk of road accidents. In this paper, we document design process considerations during the development of a mid-air haptic gesture-enabled user interface for human-vehicle-interactions. This includes an online survey, business development insights, background research, and an agile framework component with three prototype iterations and user-testing on a simplified driving simulator. We report on the reasoning that led to the convergence of the chosen gesture-input and haptic-feedback sets used in the final prototype, discuss the lessons learned, and give hints and tips that act as design guidelines for future research and development of this technology in cars.
DG3: Exploiting Gesture Declarative Models for Sample Generation and Online Recognition
Authors: Dessì Stefano , Spano Lucio Davide
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we introduce DG3, an end-to-end method for exploiting gesture interaction in user interfaces. The method allows to declaratively model stroke gestures and their sub-parts, generating the training samples for the recognition algorithm. In addition, we extend the algorithms of the $-family for supporting the online (i.e., real-time ) stroke recognition and their parts, as declared in the models. Finally, we show that the method outperforms existing approaches for online recognition and has comparable accuracy with offline methods after a few gesture segments.
Advanced Design of a Full-Scale Active Morphing Droop Nose
Authors: De Gaspari Alessandro , Cavalieri Vittorio , Ricci Sergio
Published: June 2020

This paper describes the design of a morphing droop nose conceived to increase the performance in high-lift conditions of a twin-prop regional aircraft, while ensuring the natural flow laminarity of the wing. Starting from the results obtained in a previous phase, mainly concerned with the performance augmentation, a detailed structural design is conducted. The main aim is the achievement of a feasible solution based on the use of conventional materials, such as aluminium alloy for the internal structure and glass-fibre for the skin. A finite element model of the complete device is generated for the three-dimensional shape quality evaluation and for the skin structural verification. Stress analyses on high-fidelity models of the single adaptive ribs are also performed. At the same time, various design aspects are evaluated, such as installation and inspection issues, actuation power, and weight considerations. All these requirements contribute to the definition of an advanced and complete solution for the device, up to the realization of a detailed CAD model. Final verification on the virtual prototype assesses the functionality of the device when attached to the wing-box. Moreover, the bird impact safety of the leading edge is demonstrated according to the certification rules.
Review on the Role of Host Immune Response in Protection and Immunopathogenesis during Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Infection
Authors: Dubie Teshager , Mohammed Yasin
Published: June 2020

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a major public health problem worldwide and spreads to human via the bite of sand flies during blood meal. Following its inoculation, the promastigotes are immediately taken up by phagocytic cells and theseleishmania-infected host cells produce proinflammatory cytokines that activate other immune cells and these infected host cells produce more cytokines and reactive nitrogen and oxygen species for efficient control ofleishmaniainfection. Many experimental studies showed that resistance to infection withleishmaniaparaites is associated with the production of proinflammatory cytokines and activation of CD4+Th1 response. On the other hand, vulnerability to this parasitic infection is correlated to production of T helper 2 cytokines that facilitate persistence of parasites and disease progression. In addition, some studies have also indicated that CD8+T cells play a vital role in immune defense through cytokine production and their cytotoxic activity and excessive production of proinflammatory mediators promote amplified recruitment of cells. This could be correlated with excessive inflammatory reaction and ultimately resulted in tissue destruction and development of immunopathogenesis. Thus, there are contradictions regarding the role of immune responses in protection and immunopathogenesis of CL disease. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to review the role of host immune response in protection and its contribution to disease severity for CL infection. In order to obtain more meaningful data regarding the nature of immune response toleishmania, further in-depth studies focused on immune modulation should be conducted to develop better therapeutic strategies.
D‐Lactic Acid as a Metabolite: Toxicology, Diagnosis, and Detection
Authors: Pohanka Miroslav
Published: June 2020

Two enantiomers of lactic acid exist. While L‐lactic acid is a common compound of human metabolism, D‐lactic acid is produced by some strains of microorganism or by some less relevant metabolic pathways. While L‐lactic acid is an endogenous compound, D‐lactic acid is a harmful enantiomer. Exposure to D‐lactic acid can happen by various ways including contaminated food and beverages and by microbiota during some pathological states like short bowel syndrome. The exposure to D‐lactic acid cannot be diagnosed because the common analytical methods are not suitable for distinguishing between the two enantiomers. In this review, pathways for D‐lactic acid, pathological processes, and diagnostical and analytical methods are introduced followed by figures and tables. The current literature is summarized and discussed.
Impacts of Pore-Throat System on Fractal Characterization of Tight Sandstones
Authors: Liu Dengke , Gu Zhaolin , Liang Ruixiang , Su Junwei , Ren Dazhong , Chen Bin , Huang Chuanqing , Yang Chao
Published: June 2020

The pore-throat structures play a dominant role in the evaluation of properties of tight sandstone, but it remains difficult to determine the related parameters and understand their impact on reservoir quality. Hence, toward this end, we analyze the experimental data that are indicative of the pore-throat system, then we investigate the effect of fractal dimensions of pore-throat structures on petrologic and physical properties, and finally, the optical observations, fractal theory, and prediction model were integrated to explore the qualities of various reservoir types in tight sandstones. The results show that the fractal dimensions of the mercury intrusion curve correspond to three pore-throat types and those of the mercury extrusion curve could correspond to two pore-throat types. Five types of reservoirs were identified, the best reservoir type has a high percentage of interparticle and dissolution pores but a low proportion of clay-related pores, and the differences in pore-throat connectivity of various types affect storage capacity significantly. The storage ability prediction models of various reservoir types are raised by integrated experimental data. This work employed a comprehensive fractal theory based on capillary pressure curves and helps to explore how pore-throat systems influence reservoir quality in tight sandstones.
Cloud computing survey on services, enhancements and challenges in the era of machine learning and data science
Authors: Hassan Wajid , Chou Te-Shun , Tamer Omar , Pickard John , Appiah-Kubi Patrick , Pagliari Leslie
Published: June 2020

Cloud computing has sweeping impact on the human productivity. Today it’s used for Computing, Storage, Predictions and Intelligent Decision Making, among others. Intelligent Decision Making using Machine Learning has pushed for the Cloud Services to be even more fast, robust and accurate. Security remains one of the major concerns which affect the cloud computing growth however there exist various research challenges in cloud computing adoption such as lack of well managed service level agreement (SLA), frequent disconnections, resource scarcity, interoperability, privacy, and reliability. Tremendous amount of work still needs to be done to explore the security challenges arising due to widespread usage of cloud deployment using Containers. We also discuss Impact of Cloud Computing and Cloud Standards. Hence in this research paper, a detailed survey of cloud computing, concepts, architectural principles, key services, and implementation, design and deployment challenges of cloud computing are discussed in detail and important future research directions in the era of Machine Learning and Data Science have been identified.
Neural network dealing with Arabic language
Authors: Souri Adnan , Al Achhab Mohammed , Elmohajir Badr Eddine , Zbakh Abdelali
Published: June 2020

Artificial Neural Networks have proved their efficiency in a large number of research domains. In this paper, we have applied Artificial Neural Networks on Arabic text to prove correct language modeling, text generation, and missing text prediction. In one hand, we have adapted Recurrent Neural Networks architectures to model Arabic language in order to generate correct Arabic sequences. In the other hand, Convolutional Neural Networks have been parameterized, basing on some specific features of Arabic, to predict missing text in Arabic documents. We have demonstrated the power of our adapted models in generating and predicting correct Arabic text comparing to the standard model. The model had been trained and tested on known free Arabic datasets. Results have been promising with sufficient accuracy.
Arduino based gas leakage and temperature monitoring and control system
Authors: Boniface Adoyi , Nasir A.Y. , Hassan A. M.
Published: June 2020

Gas leakage is a major problem with industrial sectors, residential premises and gas powered vehicles like CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) buses etc. One of the preventive methods to stop accidents associated with the gas leakage is to install a gas leakage detection device at vulnerable places. The aim of this project is to develop such a device that can automatically detect and control gas leakages and also monitor temperature in vulnerable areas. The system detects the leakage of the LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) using a gas sensor and then also monitors the temperature using a temperature sensor. When the LPG concentration in the air exceeds a certain level, the gas sensor senses the gas leakage and the output of the sensor goes LOW, the system then opens the exit windows, and then uses the GSM to alert the person about the gas leakage via SMS. Also, when the temperature of the environment exceeds a certain limit, it then turns ON the LED (indicator) and make an alarm through the buzzer. An LCD (16x2) displays the current temperature and gas leakage status in degree Celsius and PPM respectively.
Editorial - Superação e abandono
Authors: Moraes Anita Martins Rodrigues de , Natali Marcos , Pinto Lúcia Ricotta Vilela , Moreschi Marcelo
Published: June 2020

Apresentação dos textos do dossiê composto por leituras críticas da obra de Antonio Candido.
Fora do eixo
Authors: Santos Carolina Correia dos
Published: June 2020

O artigo busca compreender e discutir a teoria que subjaz Formação da literatura brasileira de Antonio Candido através, principalmente, dos conceitos propostos por Adriana Cavarero, Donna Haraway e Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak: a “inclinação”, a “simbiose”, “performar o outro”. Uma vez que Candido expõe seus pressupostos teóricos sobretudo na “Introdução” do livro, este texto visa discutir concepções expostas nas primeiras páginas da obra, desenvolvendo ressalvas tipicamente feministas. Ao levar os pressupostos teóricos de Formação ao limite, este texto, ainda, propõe um debate sobre a literatura-mundo, acreditando na familiaridade dos conceitos envolvidos nos âmbitos desta metodologia e da obra de Candido.
Extended‐Release Oral Milrinone for the Treatment of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Nanayakkara Shane , Byrne Melissa , Mak Vivian , Carter Kaye , Dean Eliza , Kaye David M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (
HF
p
EF
) is an increasingly prevalent form of heart failure, representing half of the total burden of heart failure. We hypothesised that modulation of the phosphodiesterase type 3/cyclic
AMP
using a novel oral formulation of milrinone might exert favorable effects
HF
p
EF
via pulmonary and systemic vasodilation and enhancement of ventricular relaxation. We assessed the safety and efficacy of oral milrinone on quality of life and functional outcomes in patients with
HF
p
EF
.

Methods and Results

The Mil
HFPEF
(Extended Release Oral Milrinone for the Treatment of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction) study was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study in 23 patients with symptomatic
HF
p
EF
. Efficacy end points included changes from baseline in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire summary score and 6‐minute walk distance. The primary safety end point was the development of clinically significant arrhythmia. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score improved significantly in milrinone‐treated patients compared with placebo (+10±13 versus −3±15;
P
=0.046). Six‐minute walk distance also tended to improve in the treatment group compared with placebo (+22 [−8 to 49] versus −47 [−97 to 12];
P
=0.092). Heart rate (−1±5 versus −2±9 bpm;
P
=0.9) and systolic blood pressure (−3±18 versus +1±12 mm Hg;
P
=0.57) were unchanged. Early filling velocity/early mitral annular velocity (−0.3±3.0 versus −1.9±4.8;
P
=0.38) was unchanged. One patient in the placebo arm was hospitalized for heart failure. Holter monitoring did not demonstrate evidence of a proarrhythmic effect of milrinone.

Conclusions

In this novel pilot study, extended release oral milrinone was well tolerated and associated with improved quality of life in patients with
HF
p
EF
. Further longer‐term studies are warranted to establish the role of this therapeutic approach in 
HF
p
EF
.

Registration

URL
:
https://www.anzctr.org.au/
; Unique identifier:
ACTRN
12616000619448.
Angiotensin Receptor‐Neprilysin Inhibition Attenuates Right Ventricular Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Sharifi Kia Danial , Benza Evan , Bachman Timothy N. , Tushak Claire , Kim Kang , Simon Marc A.
Published: June 2020

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (
PH
) results in increased right ventricular (
RV
) afterload and ventricular remodeling. Sacubitril/valsartan (sac/val) is a dual acting drug, composed of the neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril and the angiotensin receptor blocker valsartan, that has shown promising outcomes in reducing the risk of death and hospitalization for chronic systolic left ventricular heart failure. In this study, we aimed to examine if angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibition using sac/val attenuates
RV
remodeling in
PH
.

Methods and Results

RV
pressure overload was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats via banding the main pulmonary artery. Three different cohorts of controls, placebo‐treated
PH
, and sac/val‐treated
PH
were studied in a 21‐day treatment window. Terminal invasive hemodynamic measurements, quantitative histological analysis, biaxial mechanical testing, and constitutive modeling were employed to conduct a multiscale analysis on the effects of sac/val on
RV
remodeling in
PH
. Sac/val treatment decreased
RV
maximum pressures (29% improvement,
P
=0.002), improved
RV
contractile (30%,
P
=0.012) and relaxation (29%,
P
=0.043) functions, reduced
RV
afterload (35% improvement,
P
=0.016), and prevented
RV
‐
pulmonary artery
uncoupling. Furthermore, sac/val attenuated
RV
hypertrophy (16% improvement,
P
=0.006) and prevented transmural reorientation of
RV
collagen and myofibers (
P
=0.011). The combined natriuresis and vasodilation resulting from sac/val led to improved
RV
biomechanical properties and prevented increased myofiber stiffness in
PH
(61% improvement,
P
=0.032).

Conclusions

Sac/val may prevent maladaptive
RV
remodeling in a pressure overload model via amelioration of
RV
pressure rise, hypertrophy, collagen, and myofiber reorientation as well as tissue stiffening both at the tissue and myofiber level.
En privé & en public: The Epistolary Preparation of the Dutch Stadtholders
Authors: Green Michaël , Nørgaard Lars Cyril , Bruun Mette Birkedal
Published: June 2020

In his educational treatise, the Instruction du prince chrétien (1642), André Rivet, the tutor of the future Willem II (1627-1650), presents his ideal of a virtuous prince well versed in the skills required to govern himself and his subjects. In the educational correspondences surrounding the future Dutch stadtholders we see some of these theoretical principles played out in epistolary practice. Reading the correspondence against the foil of Rivet’s treatise brings to the fore a number of characteristics of his ideal prince: the intimate educational nexus between tutor, parents, and pupil; the way in which the prince is taught to navigate the interrelated spheres of self, household, and society; and finally, the ways in which the dichotomy between public and private is at once dissolved and affirmed in the educational molding of an early modern prince.
Letting Yourself Be Skinned Alive: Jerónimo Gracián and the Globalization of Martyrdom
Authors: Cañeque Alejandro
Published: June 2020

This article explores the close connection that existed between an increasingly globalized world and the revived ideal of martyrdom that characterized early modern Europe. This ideal energized Catholic societies, the Spanish Empire above all, in their impulse to convert the entire world to Christianity, in that way decisively expanding the geographical horizons of many of its inhabitants. The article focuses on the Spanish Discalced Carmelite Jerónimo Gracián, a close friend and ally of Teresa of Ávila. Despite being hardly known nowadays, he can be considered a prototypical figure of the period, because of the forceful and compelling ways in which he expressed the intersection of martyrdom and world evangelization.
Pectoral muscle transcriptome analyses reveal high-altitude adaptations in Tibetan chickens
Authors: Hu Yaodong , Su Jiayu , Cheng Liyuan , Lan Dan , Li Diyan
Published: June 2020

The largest muscles in fowl are the pectorals, which provide the power required for birds to fly. Tibetan chickens show specific adaptations to high-altitude conditions, but changes in the muscle transcriptome associated with these adaptations have not been characterized yet. Therefore, in this study, we used next-generation sequencing technologies to generate eight libraries of mRNA sequences for four Tibetan chickens and four Beijing fatty chickens. A comprehensive transcriptome analysis was performed. In the eight samples, 12 333 annotated protein-coding genes were expressed. Among these, 48 differentially expressed genes were found; all of which were upregulated in Tibetan chickens. These differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in kidney morphogenesis, which indicates that hypoxia has an important effect on renal tubule development. Only nine genes were involved in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, such as the endocytosis pathway, the MAPK signaling pathway, the calcium signaling pathway and the TGF-beta signaling pathway. The differentially expressed genes identified in this study will be used to facilitate future research into the Tibetan chicken.
Models of Governance for Innovation in Medicine and Health Research
Authors: O’Sullivan Siobhán
Published: June 2020

Personalised medicine, digital innovations, and neuro-technologies all offer significant potential benefit for human health and welfare, but also raise complex governance challenges. A variety of approaches have been adopted in the governance of innovative medicines and health technologies, including risk assessment, ethics and self-governance. Recently anticipatory or ‘upstream’ modes of governance have garnered favour. Anticipatory regulation demands a closer relationship between regulators and innovators, to shape the trajectories of the technology. In the EU context, responsible research and innovation has emerged as a key mechanism of governance. This is linked but distinct from a human rights governance which has the advantage of exerting both legal and moral force. What is needed in the healthcare context are governance models which ensure human rights considerations are taken into account from the earliest stages of innovation, to maximise the likelihood that developments are from the outset beneficial and oriented towards protecting ethical values.
Meanings and Understandings in the History of Ideas
Authors: Blau Adrian
Published: June 2020

This paper presents a framework of four types of meaning and understanding in the history of political thought and intellectual history. Previous frameworks have overlooked a whole type of meaning – the type often prioritised by political theorists and philosophers. I call this “extended meaning.” Correcting a wrong turn in philosophy of language in the 1950s, I show how extended meaning has robust intellectual foundations, and I illustrate its value for textual interpreters. Even historians often need extended meaning, for example to help resolve ambiguous passages. So, the main types of meaning are not alternatives: scholars interested in one kind of meaning still need others. This paper thus celebrates both diversity and unity.
A taxonomic study of Cucujus Fabricius, 1775 from Asia (Coleoptera: Cucujidae), with descriptions of new species and notes on morphological classification
Authors: Hsiao Yun
Published: June 2020

Cucujus Fabricius is widely distributed throughout the Holarctic region. In this study, the taxonomy of Asian Cucujus is investigated and diagnostic characters are discussed. Six species-groups are recognized based on external features, terminalia and genitalia of both sexes. Six new species are described: C. chuensis sp. nov. (China), C. euphoria sp. nov. (China), C. evangelium sp. nov. (China), C. kachin sp. nov. (Myanmar), C. shennong sp. nov. (China) and C. tibetensis sp. nov. (China and Nepal). Several described species are redescribed, including C. bicolor Smith, C. cinnaberinus (Scopoli), C. clavipes clavipes (Fabricius), C. clavipes puniceus Mannerheim, C. coccinatus Lewis, C. grouvellei Reitter, C. haematodes haematodes Erichson, C. haematodes opacus Lewis, C. janatai Háva, Zahradník & Růžika, C. kempi Grouvelle, C. mniszechi Grouvelle and C. nigripennis Lee & Satô. A neotype for C. kempi is designated. A key to the Asian Cucujus species is provided. Several new faunistic records are reported.
Is tofacitinib a game‐changing drug for ulcerative colitis?
Authors: Magro Fernando , Estevinho Maria Manuela
Published: June 2020

The increasing knowledge on ulcerative colitis’ pathophysiology has contributed to the expansion of the therapeutic arsenal for this condition. However, to date, 25–40% of patients with ulcerative colitis remain primary or secondary non‐responders to therapy, and up to 10% need to eventually undergo a colectomy. Janus kinase inhibitors block cytokine signalling involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory conditions. Tofacitinib is the first drug of this class approved for moderate‐to‐severely active ulcerative colitis in patients for whom disease worsened and those who did not improve with conventional therapy (aminosalicylates, corticosteroids and immunosuppressants) or monoclonal antibodies. We aimed to review the main aspects and concerns related to the current use of tofacitinib and to explore its future application.