bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of the Interaction Point of Multi-Passage Swirlers on the Swirling Flow Field
Authors: Vashahi Foad , Lee Jeekeun
Published: February 2019

An experimental study is conducted to understand the mean and instantaneous behavior of the swirling flow issued from a triple swirler influenced by a single critical geometrical parameter, termed as the passage length. The investigated geometrical parameter defines the interaction point of the inner axial swirlers with the outer radial swirler, which consequently defines the primary air–fuel mixture characteristics and the resultant combustion state. Experiments were performed under cold flow conditions, and planar particle image velocimetry was employed to measure the velocity field. The mean flow pattern exhibited significant differences in terms of the swirl-jet width and angle and altered the number of stagnation points on the swirler axis. When the passage length was reduced to half, two stagnation points appeared on the swirler axis due to an initially developed smaller recirculation zone at the swirler mouth. Also, the turbulent activity at the vicinity of the swirler increased with as the passage length reduced. Investigations on the relocation of the second stagnation point on the axis through an arbitrary window revealed identical standard deviation in x and y directions. The energetic coherent structures extracted from the proper orthogonal decomposition also identified major differences in terms of the spatial distribution of the modes and their corresponding energy levels. The experimental results indicated that if the passage length is altered, the number of stagnation points on the swirler axis increases, and a breakdown of both the bubble and cone vortex may appear at the same time as different energy levels.
Experimental Simulation on Imbibition of the Residual Fracturing Fluid in Tight Sandstone Reservoirs
Authors: Ren Xiaoxia , Li Aifen , Memon Asadullah , Fu Shuaishi , Wang Guijuan , He Bingqing
Published: February 2019

Fracturing is a fundamental technique for enhancing oil recovery of tight sandstone reservoir. The pores in tight reservoirs generally have small radii and generate tremendous capillary force; accordingly, the imbibition effect can significantly affect retention and absorption of the fracturing fluid. In this study, the imbibition behaviors of the fracturing fluid were experimentally investigated, and the effects of interfacial tension, (IFT) permeability, oil viscosity, and the salinity of the imbibition fluid were determined. In addition, combining with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based core analysis, fluid distribution, and the related variations in imbibition and displacement processes were analyzed. Finally, some key influencing factors of imbibition of the residual fracturing fluid, the difference and correlation between imbibition and displacement, as well as the contribution of imbibition to displacement were explored so as to provide optimization suggestions for guiding the application of oil-displacing fracturing fluid in exploration. Results show that imbibition recovery increased with time, but the imbibition rate gradually dropped. There exists an optimal interfacial tension that corresponds to maximum imbibition recovery. In addition, imbibition recovery increased as permeability and salinity increases and oil viscosity decreases. Furthermore, it was found that extracted oil from the movable pore throat space was almost equal to that from the irreducible pore throat space during imbibition and their contribution in the irreducible pore throat space was greater than in the movable pore throat space in the displacement process. Hence, imbibition plays a more important role during the displacement process in the reservoirs with finer porous structure than previously thought.
A Practical Review on Linear and Nonlinear Global Approaches to Flow Instabilities
Authors: Fabre D. , Citro V. , Ferreira Sabino D. , Bonnefis P. , Sierra J. , Giannetti F. , Pigou M.
Published: February 2019

This paper aims at reviewing linear and nonlinear approaches to study the stability of fluid flows. We provide a concise but self-contained exposition of the main concepts and specific numerical methods designed for global stability studies, including the classical linear stability analysis, the adjoint-based sensitivity, and the most recent nonlinear developments. Regarding numerical implementation, a number of ideas making resolution particularly efficient are discussed, including mesh adaptation, simple shift-invert strategy instead of the classical Arnoldi algorithm, and a simplification of the recent nonlinear self-consistent (SC) approach proposed by Mantič-Lugo et al. (2014, “Self-Consistent Mean Flow Description of the Nonlinear Saturation of the Vortex Shedding in the Cylinder Wake,” Phys. Rev. Lett., 113(8), p. 084501). An open-source software implementing all the concepts discussed in this paper is provided. The software is demonstrated for the reference case of the two-dimensional (2D) flow around a circular cylinder, in both incompressible and compressible cases, but is easily customizable to a variety of other flow configurations or flow equations.
Experimental Characterization and Finite Element Prediction of Large Strain Spring-Back Behavior of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)
Authors: Mathiesen D. , Kakumani A. , Dupaix R. B.
Published: February 2019

Spring-back of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at large strains, various embossing temperatures, and release temperatures below glass transition is quantified through modified unconfined recovery tests. Cooling, as well as large strains, is shown to reduce the amount of spring-back. Despite reducing the amount of spring-back, these experiments show that there is still a substantial amount present that needs to be accounted for in hot embossing processes. Spring-back is predicted using finite element simulations utilizing a constitutive model for the large strain stress relaxation behavior of PMMA. The model's temperature dependence is modified to account for cooling and focuses on the glass transition temperature region. Spring-back is predicted with this model, capturing the temperature and held strain dependence. Temperature assignment of the sample is found to have the largest effect on simulation accuracy. Interestingly, despite large thermal gradients in the PMMA, a uniform temperature approximation still yields reasonably accurate spring-back predictions. These experiments and simulations fill a substantial gap in knowledge of large strain recovery of PMMA under conditions normally found in hot embossing.
The Glucoamylase Inhibitor Acarbose Has a Diet-Dependent and Reversible Effect on the Murine Gut Microbiome
Authors: Baxter Nielson T. , Lesniak Nicholas A. , Sinani Hamide , Schloss Patrick D. , Koropatkin Nicole M.
Published: February 2019

The gut microbial community has a profound influence on host physiology in both health and disease. In diabetic individuals, the gut microbiota can affect the course of disease, and some medications for diabetes, including metformin, seem to elicit some of their benefits via an interaction with the microbiota. Here, we report that acarbose, a glucoamylase inhibitor for type 2 diabetes, changes the murine gut bacterial community structure in a reversible and diet-dependent manner. In both high-starch and high-fiber diet backgrounds, acarbose treatment results in increased short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate, as measured in stool samples. As we learn more about how human disease is affected by the intestinal bacterial community, the interplay between medications such as acarbose and the diet will become increasingly important to evaluate.
Compliance with ethical standards in the reporting of donor sources and ethics review in peer-reviewed publications involving organ transplantation in China: a scoping review
Authors: Rogers Wendy , Robertson Matthew P , Ballantyne Angela , Blakely Brette , Catsanos Ruby , Clay-Williams Robyn , Fiatarone Singh Maria
Published: February 2019

Objectives

The objective of this study is to investigate whether papers reporting research on Chinese transplant recipients comply with international professional standards aimed at excluding publication of research that: (1) involves any biological material from executed prisoners; (2) lacks Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and (3) lacks consent of donors.

Design

Scoping review based on Arksey and O’Mallee’s methodological framework.

Data sources

Medline, Scopus and Embase were searched from January 2000 to April 2017.

Eligibility criteria

We included research papers published in peer-reviewed English-language journals reporting on outcomes of research involving recipients of transplanted hearts, livers or lungs in mainland China.

Data extraction and synthesis

Data were extracted by individual authors working independently following training and benchmarking. Descriptive statistics were compiled using Excel.

Results

445 included studies reported on outcomes of 85 477 transplants. 412 (92.5%) failed to report whether or not organs were sourced from executed prisoners; and 439 (99%) failed to report that organ sources gave consent for transplantation. In contrast, 324 (73%) reported approval from an IRB. Of the papers claiming that no prisoners’ organs were involved in the transplants, 19 of them involved 2688 transplants that took place prior to 2010, when there was no volunteer donor programme in China.

Discussion

The transplant research community has failed to implement ethical standards banning publication of research using material from executed prisoners. As a result, a large body of unethical research now exists, raising issues of complicity and moral hazard to the extent that the transplant community uses and benefits from the results of this research. We call for retraction of this literature pending investigation of individual papers.
Neuropsychiatric Genetics of African Populations-Psychosis (NeuroGAP-Psychosis): a case-control study protocol and GWAS in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda
Authors: Stevenson Anne , Akena Dickens , Stroud Rocky E , Atwoli Lukoye , Campbell Megan M , Chibnik Lori B , Kwobah Edith , Kariuki Symon M , Martin Alicia R , de Menil Victoria , Newton Charles R J C , Sibeko Goodman , Stein Dan J , Teferra Solomon , Zingela Zukiswa , Koenen Karestan C
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder account for a large proportion of the global burden of disease. Despite their enormous impact, little is known about their pathophysiology. Given the high heritability of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, unbiased genetic studies offer the opportunity to gain insight into their neurobiology. However, advances in understanding the genetic architecture of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have been based almost exclusively on subjects of Northern European ancestry. The Neuropsychiatric Genetics of African Populations-Psychosis (NeuroGAP-Psychosis) project aims to expand our understanding of the causes of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder through large-scale sample collection and analyses in understudied African populations.

Methods and analysis

NeuroGAP-Psychosis is a case-control study of 34 000 participants recruited across multiple sites within Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. Participants will include individuals who are at least 18 years old with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (‘psychosis’) or those with no history of psychosis. Research assistants will collect phenotype data and saliva for DNA extraction. Data on mental disorders, history of physical health problems, substance use and history of past traumatic events will be collected from all participants.

DNA extraction will take place in-country, with genotyping performed at the Broad Institute. The primary analyses will include identifying major groups of participants with similar ancestry using the computation-efficient programme single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) weights. This will be followed by a GWAS within and across ancestry groups.

Ethics and dissemination

All participants will be assessed for capacity to consent using the University of California, San Diego Brief Assessment of Capacity to Consent. Those demonstrating capacity to consent will be required to provide informed consent. Ethical clearances to conduct this study have been obtained from all participating sites. Findings from this study will be disseminated in publications and shared with controlled access public databases, such as the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes, dbGaP.
Trends in investigations of abuse or neglect referred by hospital personnel in Ontario
Authors: Fallon Barbara , Filippelli Joanne , Joh-Carnella Nicolette , Miller Steven P , Denburg Avram
Published: February 2019

Background

There is a dearth of literature surrounding mandated reporters to child welfare services in the Canadian context. This paper examines 20 years of reporting patterns from hospitals, which represent 5% of all referrals to child welfare services in Ontario.

Methods

The Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (OIS) is a representative study that has taken place every 5 years since 1993. The OIS is a multistage cluster sample design, intended to produce an estimate of reported child abuse and neglect in the year the study takes place.

Results

There have been significant changes in referral patterns over time. Hospital referrals in 2013 are more likely to involve a concern of neglect, risk of maltreatment or exposure to intimate partner violence. In 1993, children were more likely to be referred from a hospital for a concern of physical abuse. Between 1993 and 1998, there was a significant drop in the number of sexual abuse investigations referred from a hospital. Hospitals have low rates of substantiation across all of the OIS cycles.

Conclusion

This is the first study to examine hospital-based referral patterns in Canada. The relatively low percentage of hospital referrals across the cycles of the OIS is consistent with the extant literature. The findings warrant further discussion and research. This study is foundational for future research that can assist in identifying and developing responses across sectors that meet the complex needs of vulnerable families and that ultimately promote children’s safety and well-being.
Healing experience for family caregivers after an intensive care unit death
Authors: DeSanto-Madeya Susan , Willis Dan , McLaughlin Julie , Boslet Aristotle
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Family caregivers suffer a high burden of emotional and psychological distress following the death of a loved one in the intensive care unit and often struggle to heal in the weeks following their loss. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe and interpret the experience of healing for family caregivers six weeks following the death of a loved one in the ICU.

Methods

Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of twenty-four family caregivers six weeks following the death of their loved ones in the ICU. Qualitative analysis techniques were used to identify common themes central to the experience of healing across all interviews.

Results

Seven themes were interpreted from the data: searching for clarity from a time of uncertainty; riding an emotional rollercoaster; seeking peace in one’s decisions; moving forward with each new day; taking comfort in the memories; valuing layers of support; and discovering life on one’s own.

Conclusion

By identifying and gaining an understanding of healing following the death of a loved one in the ICU, nursing and other healthcare providers have an opportunity to promote healing and positively impact family caregiver’s bereavement.
Association between Trace Element Concentrations and Anemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study
Authors: Pan Chi-Feng , Lin Cheng-Jui , Chen Shu-Hua , Huang Chi-Feng , Lee Chun-Chuan
Published: February 2019

Anemia is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may be affected by trace element concentrations. While the concentrations of trace elements are known to be altered in CKD, the relationship between trace element and hemoglobin concentrations has not been systematically investigated in a large cohort. This study aims to examine associations between trace element concentrations and anemia in patients with CKD. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected from 2011 to 2014 were used for this analysis. The participants who were more than 20 years old were included. A total of 3057 participants were included; the final cohort was divided into two groups based on CKD status. The concentrations of hemoglobin, iron, zinc, and manganese were significantly lower in participants with than without CKD (all p<0.05). Multivariate analyses showed that in patients without CKD, hemoglobin concentrations correlated positively with iron, zinc, and cadmium (β=0.005, 0.009, and 0.33, respectively), but correlated negatively with copper levels (β=−0.002). In patients with CKD, hemoglobin concentrations correlated positively with cadmium and selenium, but negatively with copper levels (β=0.57, 0.007, and −0.008, respectively). The serum iron concentration was found to correlate positively with zinc, cadmium, and selenium, but negatively with copper and manganese concentrations in the total study population (all p<0.05). The associations between serum concentrations of trace elements and hemoglobin differ between patients with and without CKD. Further investigations are warranted to determine whether patients with CKD have distinct trace element requirements.
Epidemiology of genital warts in the British population: implications for HPV vaccination programmes
Authors: Sonnenberg Pam , Tanton Clare , Mesher David , King Eleanor , Beddows Simon , Field Nigel , Mercer Catherine H , Soldan Kate , Johnson Anne M
Published: February 2019

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of, and describe risk factors for, genital warts (GWs) in the British population, following the introduction of the bivalent (human papillomavirus (HPV)-16/18) vaccination programme in girls, and prior to the switch to quadrivalent (HPV-6/11/16/18) vaccine (offering direct protection against GWs) and compare this with GW diagnoses in the prevaccination era.

Methods

Natsal-3, a probability sample survey in Britain, conducted in 2010–2012, interviewed 9902 men and women aged 16–44. Natsal-2, conducted in 1999–2001, surveyed 11 161 men and women aged 16–44. Both surveys collected data on sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted infection diagnoses using computer-assisted interview methods.

Results

In Natsal-3, 3.8% and 4.6% of sexually experienced men and women reported ever having a diagnosis of GWs, with 1.3% of men and 1.7% of woman reporting a GWs diagnosis in the past 5 years. GWs were strongly associated with increasing partner numbers and condomless sex. Diagnoses were more frequent in men who have sex with men (MSM) (11.6% ever, 3.3% past 5 years) and in women reporting sex with women (10.8% ever, 3.6% past 5 years). In the age group who were eligible for vaccination at the time of Natsal-3 (16–20 years), a similar proportion of same-aged women reported a history of GWs in Natsal-2 (1.9%, 1.1–3.4) and Natsal-3 (2.6%, 1.5–4.4).

Conclusions

These data provide essential parameters for mathematical models that inform cost-effectiveness analyses of HPV vaccination programmes. There was no evidence of population protection against GWs conferred by the bivalent vaccine. Even with vaccination of adolescent boys, vaccination should be offered to MSM attending sexual health clinics.
Pseudomonas aeruginosastimulates nuclear sphingosine-1-phosphate generation and epigenetic regulation of lung inflammatory injury
Authors: Ebenezer David L , Berdyshev Evgeny V , Bronova Irina A , Liu Yuru , Tiruppathi Chinnaswamy , Komarova Yulia , Benevolenskaya Elizaveta V , Suryadevara Vidyani , Ha Alison W , Harijith Anantha , Tuder Rubin M , Natarajan Viswanathan , Fu Panfeng
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various pulmonary disorders. Nuclear sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been shown to regulate histone acetylation, and therefore could mediate pro-inflammatory genes expression.

Methods

Profile of sphingolipid species in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lung tissue of mice challenged withPseudomonas aeruginosa(PA) was investigated. The role of nuclear sphingosine kinase (SPHK)2 and S1P in lung inflammatory injury byPAusing genetically engineered mice was determined.

Results

Genetic deletion ofSphk2, but notSphk1, in mice conferred protection fromPA-mediated lung inflammation.PAinfection stimulated phosphorylation of SPHK2 and its localisation in epithelial cell nucleus, which was mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) δ. Inhibition of PKC δ or SPHK2 activity reducedPA-mediated acetylation of histone H3 and H4, which was necessary for the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α. The clinical significance of the findings is supported by enhanced nuclear localisation of p-SPHK2 in the epithelium of lung specimens from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Conclusions

Our studies define a critical role for nuclear SPHK2/S1P signalling in epigenetic regulation of bacterial-mediated inflammatory lung injury. Targeting SPHK2 may represent a potential strategy to reduce lung inflammatory pulmonary disorders such as pneumonia and CF.
The effect of radiographic emphysema in assessing lung cancer risk
Authors: Yong Patrick C , Sigel Keith , de-Torres Juan Pablo , Mhango Grace , Kale Minal , Kong Chung Yin , Zulueta Javier J , Wilson David , Brown Stacey-Ann Whittaker , Slatore Christopher , Wisnivesky Juan
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Lung cancer risk models optimise screening by identifying subjects at highest risk, but none of them consider emphysema, a risk factor identifiable on baseline screen. Subjects with a negative baseline low-dose CT (LDCT) screen are at lower risk for subsequent diagnosis and may benefit from risk stratification prior to additional screening, thus we investigated the role of radiographic emphysema as an additional predictor of lung cancer diagnosis in participants with negative baseline LDCT screens of the National Lung Screening Trial.

Methods

Our cohorts consist of participants with a negative baseline (T0) LDCT screen (n=16 624) and participants who subsequently had a negative 1-year follow-up (T1) screen (n=14 530). Lung cancer risk scores were calculated using the Bach, PLCOm2012 and Liverpool Lung Project models. Risk of incident lung cancer diagnosis at the end of the study and number screened per incident lung cancer were compared between participants with and without radiographic emphysema.

Results

Radiographic emphysema was independently associated with nearly double the hazard of lung cancer diagnosis at both the second (T1) and third (T2) annual LDCT in all three risk models (HR range 1.9–2.0, p<0.001 for all comparisons). The number screened per incident lung cancer was considerably lower in participants with radiographic emphysema (62 vs 28 at T1 and 91 vs 40 at T2).

Conclusion

Radiographic emphysema is an independent predictor of lung cancer diagnosis and may help guide decisions surrounding further screening for eligible patients.
Theoretical study on pipe friction parameter identification in water distribution systems
Authors: Liu Yongxin , Song Li , Luo Peng , Jin Hong
Published: February 2019

In water distribution systems (WDSs), operational modeling results could be affected by accuracy of pipe friction parameters (PFPs). Under a single hydraulic condition, unique values of PFPs cannot be achieved, even with the availability of pressure and discharge values at every node. This study established a theoretical model of PFP identification in WDSs by decoupling variables. Then, equations for identifying PFPs were expressed through energy conservation equations of a tree and relationships between pressure losses and flows in pipes under different hydraulic conditions. Further, equations for identifying PFPs can be transformed into linear simultaneous equations by substituting variables whose solvability is easy to study. The aim of this study is to develop a theoretical framework for identifying unique values of PFPs and provide a theoretical basis for an actual problem of PFP identification in a WDS. Moreover, a theoretical demonstrative example is presented to illustrate processes of obtaining unique and acceptable values of PFPs.
Integrated NFV/SDN Architectures
Authors: Bonfim Michel S. , Dias Kelvin L. , Fernandes Stenio F. L.
Published: February 2019

Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) are new paradigms in the move towards open software and network hardware. While NFV aims to virtualize network functions and deploy them into general purpose hardware, SDN makes networks programmable by separating the control and data planes. NFV and SDN are complementary technologies capable of providing one network solution. SDN can provide connectivity between Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) in a flexible and automated way, whereas NFV can use SDN as part of a service function chain. There are many studies designing NFV/SDN architectures in different environments. Researchers have been trying to address reliability, performance, and scalability problems using different architectural designs. This Systematic Literature Review (SLR) focuses on integrated NFV/SDN architectures, with the following goals: (i) to investigate and provide an in-depth review of the state of the art of NFV/SDN architectures, (ii) to synthesize their architectural designs, and (iii) to identify areas for further improvements. Broadly, this SLR will encourage researchers to advance the current stage of development (i.e., the state of the practice) of integrated NFV/SDN architectures and shed some light on future research efforts and the challenges faced.
STRAM
Authors: Cho Jin-Hee , Xu Shouhuai , Hurley Patrick M. , Mackay Matthew , Benjamin Trevor , Beaumont Mark
Published: February 2019

Various system metrics have been proposed for measuring the quality of computer-based systems, such as dependability and security metrics for estimating their performance and security characteristics. As computer-based systems grow in complexity with many subsystems or components, measuring their quality in multiple dimensions is a challenging task. In this work, we tackle the problem of measuring the quality of computer-based systems based on the four key attributes of trustworthiness we developed: security, trust, resilience, and agility. In addition to conducting a systematic survey on metrics, measurements, attributes of metrics, and associated ontologies, we propose a system-level trustworthiness metric framework that accommodates four submetrics, called STRAM (Security, Trust, Resilience, and Agility Metrics). The proposed STRAM framework offers a hierarchical ontology structure where each submetric is defined as a sub-ontology. Moreover, this work proposes developing and incorporating metrics describing key assessment tools, including vulnerability assessment, risk assessment, and red teaming, to provide additional evidence in the measurement and quality of trustworthy systems. We further discuss how assessment tools are related to measuring the quality of computer-based systems and the limitations of the state-of-the-art metrics and measurements. Finally, we suggest future research directions for system-level metrics research toward measuring fundamental attributes of the quality of computer-based systems and improving the current metric and measurement methodologies.
Formal Approaches to Secure Compilation
Authors: Patrignani Marco , Ahmed Amal , Clarke Dave
Published: February 2019

Secure compilation is a discipline aimed at developing compilers that preserve the security properties of the source programs they take as input in the target programs they produce as output. This discipline is broad in scope, targeting languages with a variety of features (including objects, higher-order functions, dynamic memory allocation, call/cc, concurrency) and employing a range of different techniques to ensure that source-level security is preserved at the target level. This article provides a survey of the existing literature on formal approaches to secure compilation with a focus on those that prove fully abstract compilation, which has been the criterion adopted by much of the literature thus far. This article then describes the formal techniques employed to prove secure compilation in existing work, introducing relevant terminology, and discussing the merits and limitations of each work. Finally, this article discusses open challenges and possible directions for future work in secure compilation.
Increased Transfection of the Easily Oxidizable GC-Rich DNA Fragments into the MCF7 Breast Cancer Cell
Authors: Kostyuk Svetlana V. , Mordkovich Nadezhda N. , Okorokova Natalya A. , Veiko Vladimir P. , Malinovskaya Elena M. , Ershova Elizaveta S. , Konkova Marina S. , Savinova Ekaterina A. , Borzikova Maria A. , Muzaffarova Tatiana A. , Porokhovnik Lev N. , Veiko Nataly N. , Kutsev Serguey I.
Published: February 2019

Objective. Easily oxidizable GC-rich DNA (GC-DNA) fragments accumulate in the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) of patients with various diseases. The human oxidized DNA penetrates the MCF7 breast cancer cells and significantly changes their physiology. It can be assumed that readily oxidizable GC-DNA fragments can penetrate the cancer cells and be expressed.Methods. MCF7 cells were cultured in the presence of two types of GC-DNA probes: (1) vectors pBR322 and pEGFP and (2) plasmids carrying inserted human rDNA (pBR322-rDNA and pEGFP-rDNA). pEGFP and pEGFP-rDNA contained a CMV promoter and a fluorescent protein geneEGFP.ROS generation rate, accumulation of the DNA probes in MCF7, 8-oxodG content, expression ofEGFPandNOX4, and localization of EGFP, NOX4, and 8-oxodG in MCF7 were explored. The applied methods were qPCR, fluorescent microscopy (FM), immunoassay, and flow cytometry (FCA).Results. When GC-DNA is added to the cell culture medium, it interacts with the cell surface. At the site of GC-DNA contact with the cell, NOX4 is expressed, and ROS level increases. The ROS oxidize the GC-DNA. When using the plasmids pEGFP and pEGFP-rDNA, an increase in the amount of the DNAEGFP, RNAEGFP, and EGFP proteins was detected in the cells. These facts suggest that GC-DNA penetrates the cells and theEGFPgene is expressed. Insertions of the rDNA significantly increase the GC-DNA oxidation degree as well as the rate of plasmid transfection into the cells and theEGFPexpression level. In the nucleus, the oxidized GC-rDNA fragments, but not the vectors, are localized within the nucleolus.Conclusions. GC-rich cfDNA fragments that are prone to oxidation can easily penetrate the cancer cells and be expressed. The cfDNA should become a target for the antitumor therapy.
A Rare Case of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor with a Liver Metastasis Infiltrating the Inferior Vena Cava and Extending to the Right Atrium with an Early Recurrence after Surgical Extraction
Authors: Siamkouris Dimitrios , Schloesser Marc , Yousef Amr , Offers Elmar
Published: February 2019

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The major cause of GIST is the presence of an abnormal form of tyrosine protein kinase (KIT) protein also known as CD117, which causes uncontrollable growth of the gastrointestinal cells. Most studies report incidences between 10 and 15 cases of GISTs per million. Metastases to the liver and peritoneum are the most frequent. We report a case of advanced GIST with a liver metastasis infiltrating the inferior vena cava (IVC) and extending to the right atrium in the form of a large, floating, isolated intracardiac liver metastasis with diastolic prolapsing through the tricuspid valve. This is a very rare manifestation. One week after heart surgery and removal of a 5×6 cm tumor mass from the right atrium and the IVC, echocardiography depicted an early recurrence.
A Novel Nonlinear Function Fitting Model Based on FOA and GRNN
Authors: Zhang Yongli , Niu Jianguang , Na Sanggyun
Published: February 2019

The nonlinear function fitting is an essential research issue. At present, the main function fitting methods are statistical methods and artificial neural network, but statistical methods have many inherent strict limits in application, and the back propagation (BP) neural network used widely has too many optimized parameters. For the gaps and lacks of existing researches, the FOA‐GRNN was proposed and compared with the GRNN, GA‐BP, PSO‐BP, and BP through three nonlinear functions from simplicity to complexity for verifying the accuracy and robustness of the FOA‐GRNN. The experiment results showed that the FOA‐GRNN had the best fitting precision and fastest convergence speed; meanwhile the predictions were stable and reliable in the Mexican Hat function and Rastrgrin function. In the most complex Griewank function, the prediction of FOA‐GRNN was becoming unstable and the model did not show better than GRNN model adopting equal step length searching method, but the performance of FOA‐GRNN is superior to that of GA‐BP, PSO‐BP, and BP. The paper presents a new approach to optimize the parameter of GRNN and also provides a new nonlinear function fitting method, which has better fitting precision, faster calculation speed, more few adjusted parameters, and more powerful processing ability for small samples. The processing capacity of FOA for treating high complex nonlinear function needs to be further improved and developed in the future study.
Dynamic Behaviors of a Competitive System with Beddington-DeAngelis Functional Response
Authors: Yu Shengbin , Chen Fengde
Published: February 2019

This article studies a competitive system with Beddington-DeAngelis functional response and establishes sufficient conditions on permanence, partial extinction, and the existence of a unique almost periodic solution for the system. The results supplement and generalize the main conclusions in recent literature. Numerical simulations have been presented to validate the analytical results.
Accidental Strangulation with Cervical Nerve Root Injury Caused by the Entrapment of Clothing in a Soybean Milling Machine
Authors: Omori Kazuhiko , Takeuchi Ikuto , Yanagawa Youichi
Published: February 2019

The clothing of a forty-five-year-old man became entrapped by the mixing rotator while he was operating a soybean milling machine. His clothing was wound around the rotator, and tightened around his neck and chest, causing strangulation and a loss of consciousness. He was rescued by his coworkers and transported to our hospital by helicopter. Upon arrival, he regained consciousness. A physiological examination revealed multiple petechiae on his face and strangulation marks with subcutaneous hemorrhage on his neck and upper trunk. In addition, he had motor weakness of the right upper extremity and bilateral paresthesia from C5 to Th1. All radiological studies were negative. He was admitted for observation. After the patient’s creatine phosphokinase level peaked and his focal neurological signs improved, he was discharged on foot on the 6th hospital day. Accidental ligature strangulation with cervical nerve root injury, in which an article of clothing is caught in an electrical machine and strangles the wearer, is very rare. This case is presented for its rarity and the unique pattern of injury.
Automated Diagnosis of Hepatitis B Using Multilayer Mamdani Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Ahmad Gulzar , Khan Muhammad Adnan , Abbas Sagheer , Athar Atifa , Khan Bilal Shoaib , Aslam Muhammad Shoukat
Published: February 2019

In this research, a new multilayered mamdani fuzzy inference system (Ml-MFIS) is proposed to diagnose hepatitis B. The proposed automated diagnosis of hepatitis B using multilayer mamdani fuzzy inference system (ADHB-ML-MFIS) expert system can classify the different stages of hepatitis B such as no hepatitis, acute HBV, or chronic HBV. The expert system has two input variables at layer I and seven input variables at layer II. At layer I, input variables are ALT and AST that detect the output condition of the liver to be normal or to have hepatitis or infection and/or other problems. The further input variables at layer II are HBsAg, anti-HBsAg, anti-HBcAg, anti-HBcAg-IgM, HBeAg, anti-HBeAg, and HBV-DNA that determine the output condition of hepatitis such as no hepatitis, acute hepatitis, or chronic hepatitis and other reasons that arise due to enzyme vaccination or due to previous hepatitis infection. This paper presents an analysis of the results accurately using the proposed ADHB-ML-MFIS expert system to model the complex hepatitis B processes with the medical expert opinion that is collected from the Pathology Department of Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. The overall accuracy of the proposed ADHB-ML-MFIS expert system is 92.2%.
Multiplicity of Solutions for a Class of Elliptic Problem of p-Laplacian Type with a p-Gradient Term
Authors: Chaouai Zakariya , Maatouk Soufiane
Published: February 2019

We consider the following problem: -Δpu=c(x)|u|q-1u+μ|∇u|p+h(x)  in  Ω,  u=0  on  ∂Ω, where Ω is a bounded set in RN (N≥3) with a smooth boundary, 1
0, μ∈R⁎, and c and h belong to Lk(Ω) for some k>N/p. In this paper, we assume that c≩0 a.e. in Ω and h without sign condition and then we prove the existence of at least two bounded solutions under the condition that ck and hk are suitably small. For this purpose, we use the Mountain Pass theorem, on an equivalent problem to (P) with variational structure. Here, the main difficulty is that the nonlinearity term considered does not satisfy Ambrosetti and Rabinowitz condition. The key idea is to replace the former condition by the nonquadraticity condition at infinity.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Poly(4,4'-Cyclohexylidene Bisphenol Oxalate) for Solid-Phase Extraction of DNA
Authors: Al balawi Aisha Nawaf , Yusof Nor Azah , Kamaruzaman Sazlinda , Mohammad Faruq , Wasoh Helmi , Al Abbosh Khulood Fahad , Al-Lohedan Hamad A.
Published: February 2019

The present study has synthesized poly(4,4'-cyclohexylidene bisphenol oxalate) by the condensation of oxalyl chloride with 4,4'-cyclohexylidene bisphenol, where its efficacy was tested for the solid-phase extraction of DNA. The synthesized polymer in the form of a white powder was characterized by FTIR, TGA-DTG, SEM, and BET analysis. The study utilized solid-phase application of the resulting polymer to extract DNA. The analysis of results provided the information that the extraction efficiency is a strong dependent of polymer amount and binding buffer type. Among the three types of buffers tested, the GuHCl buffer produced the most satisfactory results in terms of yield and efficiency of extraction. Moreover, the absorbance ratio of A260/A280 in all of the samples varied from 1.682 to 1.491, thereby confirming the capability of poly(4,4'-cyclohexylidene bisphenol oxalate) to elute pure DNA. The results demonstrated an increased DNA binding capacity with respect to increased percentage of the polymer. The study has concluded that poly(bisphenol Z oxalate) can be applied as one of the potential candidates for the high efficiency extraction of DNA by means of a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly approach compared to the other traditional solid-phase methods.
Morbidity and Mortality following Surgery for Hip Fractures in Elderly Patients
Authors: Zaki Hebattu-allah E. , Mousa Shereen M. , El Said Salma M. S. , Mortagy Ahmed K.
Published: February 2019

Aim. To determine morbidity and mortality in elderly patients following hip fracture surgery in Egypt and its correlates and to determine the utility of the POSSUM scale to predict morbidity and mortality among our population.Methodology. We assessed postoperative morbidity and mortality following hip fracture surgery in a 6-month prospective observational study of 100 elderly patients who were undergoing surgical repair at the beginning of the study. The exclusion criteria included surgically unfit patients and patients refusing to participate in the study. The study was conducted in Ain Shams University Hospital, Ain Shams Specialized Hospital, and El-helal Hospital.Results. The subjects were categorized as survivors and nonsurvivors according to the 6-month mortality, and the groups were compared statistically according to this classification. The observed 6-month mortality was 19.56%. POSSUM had high specificity for predicting 6-month survival (97.3%). A multivariate regression analysis revealed that postoperative admission to the intensive care unit and lack of ambulation were major risk factors associated with the 6-month mortality.Conclusions. The POSSUM system had high specificity for predicting survivors (97.3%) but failed to predict mortality (sensitivity = 5.6%). The major risks for 6-month mortality are intensive care unit admission and lack of ambulation.
Textile Multiantenna Technology and Relaying Architectures for Emergency Networks
Authors: Crespo-Bardera Estefanía , Vega Delgado Adrián , Garrido Martín Aarón , Fernández-Durán Alfonso , Sánchez-Fernández Matilde
Published: February 2019

Every year around 200 million people are affected by hazards of different nature. In most of these situations public protection and disaster relief personnel are usually the first responders to provide help. To provide differential relief coverage in these scenarios, novel communication and network functionalities are being demanded, relegating today’s narrowband private radio (PMR) emergency systems to the background. These are data-support, increased coverage, broadband communication, and high reliability which will be addressed by novel communication technologies such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced-pro, and future 5G. In this work we tackle two key technological solutions for future emergency communication networks such as an architecture based on relay nodes and enhanced user equipment by means of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) techniques.
Determination of Haematological Reference Ranges in Healthy Adults in Three Regions in Ghana
Authors: Addai-Mensah Otchere , Gyamfi Daniel , Duneeh Richard Vikpebah , Danquah Kwabena O. , Annani-Akollor Max E. , Boateng Lillian , Owiredu Eddie-Williams , Amponsah Francis A. , Afriyie Edward Y. , Asare Renate , Ofosu David Ntiamoah
Published: February 2019

Laboratory results interpretation for diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making in this period of evidence-based medicine requires cut-off values or reference ranges that are reflective of the geographical area where the individual resides. Several studies have shown significant differences between and within populations, emphasizing the need for population-specific reference ranges. This cross-sectional experimental study sought to establish the haematological reference values in apparently healthy individuals in three regions in Ghana. Study sites included Nkenkaasu, Winneba, and Nadowli in the Ashanti, Central, and Upper West regions of Ghana, respectively. A total of 488 healthy participants were recruited using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (United States National Consensus Committee on Laboratory Standards, NCCLS) Guidance Document C28A2. Medians for haematological parameters were calculated and reference values determined at2.5thand97.5thpercentiles and compared with Caucasian values adopted by our laboratory as reference ranges and values from other African and Western countries. RBC count, haemoglobin, and haematocrit (HCT) were significantly higher in males compared to females. There were significant intraregional and interregional as well as international variations of haematological reference ranges in the populations studied. We conclude that, for each geographical area, there is a need to establish geography-specific reference ranges if accurate diagnosis and concise clinical decisions are to be made.
Passive Initialization Method Based on Motion Characteristics for Monocular SLAM
Authors: Yang Yu , Xiong Jing , She Xiaoyu , Liu Chang , Yang ChengWei , Li Jie
Published: February 2019

Visual SLAM techniques have proven to be effective methods for estimating robust position and attitude in the field of robotics. However, current monocular SLAM algorithms cannot guarantee timeliness of system startup due to the problematic initialization time and the low success rates. This paper introduces a rectilinear platform motion hypothesis and thereby converts the estimation problem into a verification problem to achieve fast monocular SLAM initialization. The proposed method is simulation tested on a fixed‐wing UAV. Tests show that the proposed method can produce faster initialization of visual SLAM and that the advantages are more profound on systems with sparse image features.
Topologically Protected Edge State in Two-Dimensional Su–Schrieffer–Heeger Circuit
Authors: Liu Shuo , Gao Wenlong , Zhang Qian , Ma Shaojie , Zhang Lei , Liu Changxu , Xiang Yuan Jiang , Cui Tie Jun , Zhang Shuang
Published: February 2019

Topological circuits, an exciting field just emerged over the last two years, have become a very accessible platform for realizing and exploring topological physics, with many of their physical phenomena and potential applications as yet to be discovered. In this work, we design and experimentally demonstrate a topologically nontrivial band structure and the associated topologically protected edge states in an RF circuit, which is composed of a collection of grounded capacitors connected by alternating inductors in the x and y directions, in analogy to the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model. We take full control of the topological invariant (i.e., Zak phase) as well as the gap width of the band structure by simply tuning the circuit parameters. Excellent agreement is found between the experimental and simulation results, both showing obvious nontrivial edge state that is tightly bound to the circuit boundaries with extreme robustness against various types of defects. The demonstration of topological properties in circuits provides a convenient and flexible platform for studying topological materials and the possibility for developing flexible circuits with highly robust circuit performance.