bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of the Brimmond Sand Fairway
Authors: van Oorschot L. A. , Pyle J. R. , Byerley G. W. , Rose P. T. S.
Published: July 2019

The Eocene age Brimmond Sand Fairway is situated along the north-eastern flank of the Paleocene Forties Field (UKCNS blocks 21/10 and 22/6). Located along the western margin of this Brimmond Fairway are well imaged remobilized sands that form the reservoir interval for the Maule and Tonto Fields and, along with deep-water channels, the Brimmond Field. These Eocene Brimmond sandstones are encased in the Horda Shale which provides the sealing lithology.

The interpretation of these remobilized and injected sands is driven from geometries derived from 3D seismic and historic logging of thin sandstones in the Eocene interval. Conical shape features with sills and steep dykes are mapped, with seismic evidence of injection along active faults and fractures.

The developments of the Brimmond, Maule and Tonto Fields has been successful due to impressive seismic imaging with inversion and Direct Hydrocarbon Indicator (DHI) volumes allowing the identification of hydrocarbon bearing remobilized sandstones, along with 4D data imaging un-swept areas.
Depositional environments of the Early to Middle Triassic northern North Sea in a syn-rift to a post-rift setting
Authors: Orre Linn T. E. , Folkestad Atle
Published: July 2019

In the northern North Sea, the Early to Middle Triassic Teist and Lomvi formations (Induan–Landinian age) have received little attention and have historically been of limited interest for exploration. The northern North Sea has now become a mature hydrocarbon province in demand of new exploration targets and these Triassic formations may extend its lifetime. The Triassic succession was influenced by the Permo-Triassic rift-phase and experienced a climatic change from arid and desert environments in the Late Permian to more humid conditions in the Jurassic above. Analysis of cored intervals, petrology of thin sections and wireline log-signatures suggest that the Teist and Lomvi formations range from aeolian sandstones to playa-lake and lacustrine-deltaic depositional environments. The distribution of these different depositional environments shows an association with the Permo-Triassic faults where lacustrine deposits were confined to hanging-wall areas and footwall highs formed areas above the groundwater table allowing aeolian deposits to accumulate. This observation may aid exploration of the under-developed Lomvi Formation.
Scaling static analyses at Facebook
Authors: Distefano Dino , Fähndrich Manuel , Logozzo Francesco , O'Hearn Peter W.
Published: July 2019

Key lessons for designing static analyses tools deployed to find bugs in hundreds of millions of lines of code.
ALERA
Authors: Banerjee Suvadeep , Chatterjee Abhijit
Published: July 2019

The successful deployment of autonomous real-time systems is contingent on their ability to recover from performance degradation of sensors, actuators, and other electro-mechanical subsystems with low latency. In this article, we introduce ALERA, a novel framework for real-time control law adaptation in nonlinear control systems assisted by system state encodings that generate an error signal when the code properties are violated in the presence of failures. The fundamental contributions of this methodology are twofold—first, we show that the time-domain error signal contains perturbed system parameters’ diagnostic information that can be used for quick control law adaptation to failure conditions and second, this quick adaptation is performed via reinforcement learning algorithms that relearn the control law of the perturbed system from a starting condition dictated by the diagnostic information, thus achieving significantly faster recovery. The fast (up to 80X faster than traditional reinforcement learning paradigms) performance recovery enabled by ALERA is demonstrated on an inverted pendulum balancing problem, a brake-by-wire system, and a self-balancing robot.
The Future of Smart Parking Systems with Parking 4.0
Authors: Misra Prasant , Vasan Arunchandar , Krishnan Balasubramaniam , Raghavan Venkatachari , Sivasubramaniam Anand
Published: July 2019

Parking is important for mobility, access, and the economic development of cities. Evolving technology, new business opportunities, and a growing awareness are expanding the role of smart parking in sustainable city-scale mobility. The benefits from smart parking can get amplified manyfold as part of a cohesive, collaborative ecosystem. In this article, we present our vision of Parking 4.0 as a digital reimagination of the end-to-end value parking chain as part of a collaborative eco-system. We discuss the key market drivers and barriers in smart parking; assess the current readiness levels; and outline a path to Parking 4.0 while identifying opportunities and open research challenges.
Skycore
Authors: Moradi Mehrdad , Sundaresan Karthikeyan , Chai Eugene , Rangarajan Sampath , Mao Z. Morley
Published: July 2019

Deploying LTE networks on modern UAVs requires a redesign of the key components of the LTE architecture. In this article, we propose a radical, edge-EPC design, called SkyCore, that pushes one of its central functionalities, namely its evolved packet core (EPC) to the extreme edge of the LTE network - collapses the EPC into a single, lightweight, selfcontained entity that is co-located with each of the UAV base-stations. SkyCore incorporates elements that are designed to address the unique challenges facing such a distributed design in the UAV environment, namely the resource-constrained nature of UAV platforms, and the distributed management of UAV and user mobility. We build and deploy a fully functional SkyCore system on a multi-UAV LTE network and showcase its (i) ability to interoperate with commercial LTE basestations as well as smartphones, (ii) support for both hotspot and standalone multi-UAV deployments, and (iii) robust control and data plane performance compared to other EPC variants in this inherently dynamic, unreliable environment.
Mesenchymal stem cells promote mesenteric vasodilation through hydrogen sulfide and endothelial nitric oxide
Authors: Te Winkel Jan , John Quincy E. , Hosfield Brian D. , Drucker Natalie A. , Das Amitava , Olson Ken R. , Markel Troy A.
Published: July 2019

Mesenteric ischemia is a devastating process that can result in intestinal necrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are becoming a promising treatment modality. We hypothesized that 1) MSCs would promote vasodilation of mesenteric arterioles, 2) hydrogen sulfide (H2S) would be a critical paracrine factor of stem cell-mediated vasodilation, 3) mesenteric vasodilation would be impaired in the absence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) within the host tissue, and 4) MSCs would improve the resistin-to-adiponectin ratio in mesenteric vessels. H2S was measured with a specific fluorophore (7-azido-3-methylcoumarin) in intact MSCs and in cells with the H2S-producing enzyme cystathionine β synthase (CBS) knocked down with siRNA. Mechanical responses of isolated second- and third-order mesenteric arteries (MAs) from wild-type and eNOS knockout (eNOSKO) mice were monitored with pressure myography, after which the vessels were snap frozen and later analyzed for resistin and adiponectin via multiplex beaded assay. Addition of MSCs to the myograph bath significantly increased vasodilation of norepinephrine-precontracted MAs. Knockdown of CBS in MSCs decreased H2S production by MSCs and also decreased MSC-initiated MA dilation. MSC-initiated vasodilation was further reduced in eNOSKO vessels. The MA resistin-to-adiponectin ratio was higher in eNOSKO vessels compared with wild-type. These results show that MSC treatment promotes dilation of MAs by an H2S-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, functional eNOS within the host mesenteric bed appears to be essential for maximum stem cell therapeutic benefit, which may be attributable, in part, to modifications in the resistin-to-adiponectin ratio.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Stem cells have been shown to improve survival, mesenteric perfusion, and histological injury scores following intestinal ischemia. These benefits may be due to the paracrine release of hydrogen sulfide. In an ex vivo pressure myography model, we observed that mesenteric arterial dilation improved with stem cell treatment. Hydrogen sulfide release from stem cells and endothelial nitric oxide synthase within the vessels were critical components of optimizing stem cell-mediated mesenteric artery dilation.
Cellular and morphological changes with EAA supplementation before and after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Muyskens Jonathan B. , Foote Douglas M. , Bigot Nathan J. , Strycker Lisa A. , Smolkowski Keith , Kirkpatrick Tessa K. , Lantz Brick A. , Shah Steven N. , Mohler Craig G. , Jewett Brian A. , Owen Erin C. , Dreyer Hans C.
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the underlying cellular basis of muscle atrophy (Placebo) and atrophy reduction (essential amino acid supplementation, EAAs) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients by examining satellite cells and other key histological markers of inflammation, recovery, and fibrosis. Forty-one subjects (53–76 yr) scheduled for TKA were randomized into two groups, ingesting 20 g of EAAs or placebo, twice-daily, for 7 days before TKA and for 6 wk after surgery. A first set of muscle biopsies was obtained from both legs before surgery in the operating room, and patients were randomly assigned and equally allocated to have two additional biopsies at either 1 or 2 wk after surgery. Biopsies were processed for gene expression and immunohistochemistry. Satellite cells were significantly higher in patients ingesting 20 g of essential amino acids twice daily for the 7 days leading up to surgery compared with Placebo (operative leg P = 0.03 for satellite cells/fiber and P = 0.05 for satellite cell proportions for Type I-associated cells and P = 0.05 for satellite cells/fiber for Type II-associated cells.) Myogenic regulatory factor gene expression was different between groups, with the Placebo Group having elevated MyoD expression at 1 wk and EAAs having elevated myogenin expression at 1 wk. M1 macrophages were more prevalent in Placebo than the EAAs Group. IL-6 and TNF-α transcripts were elevated postsurgery in both groups; however, TNF-α declined by 2 wk in the EAAs Group. EAAs starting 7 days before surgery increased satellite cells on the day of surgery and promoted a more favorable inflammatory environment postsurgery.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Clinical studies by our group indicate that the majority of muscle atrophy after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in older adults occurs rapidly, within the first 2 wks. We have also shown that essential amino acid supplementation (EAAs) before and after TKA mitigates muscle atrophy; however, the mechanisms are unknown. These results suggest that satellite cell numbers are elevated with EAA ingestion before surgery, and after surgery, EAA ingestion positively influences markers of inflammation. Combined, these data may help inform further studies designed to address the accelerated sarcopenia that occurs in older adults after major surgery.
Durable Clinical Benefit in Patients with Advanced Cutaneous Melanoma after Discontinuation of Anti-PD-1 Therapies Due to Immune-Related Adverse Events
Authors: Swami Umang , Monga Varun , Bossler Aaron D. , Zakharia Yousef , Milhem Mohammed
Published: July 2019

Introduction. Anti-PD-1 therapies, pembrolizumab and nivolumab, are currently the standard of care for treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma. Treatment is usually continued until toxicity or disease progression. Though these therapies are well tolerated, some patients discontinue them due to immune-related adverse events (irAE). Discontinuation of therapy brings challenges to their management due to limited treatment options and lack of long-term prognostic information for these patients. Herein, we reviewed patients at our institution to analyze their clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods. Charts of 1264 consecutive patients enrolled between 8/1/2012 and 7/31/2017 at Melanoma Skin & Ocular Tissue Repositories at Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic were reviewed. Eligible patients were those who received single-agent anti-PD-1 therapy and subsequently discontinued it due to irAE. Reviewed data included patient demographics, prior medical history, baseline disease parameters, and outcomes. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was done to determine progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results. Overall 169 patients with advanced, unresectable, or metastatic cutaneous melanoma received anti-PD-1 therapy of which 16 (9.5%) white, non-Hispanic patients with median age of 64.5 (range 35 to 81 years) discontinued treatment due to irAE. Fifteen patients received pembrolizumab and one received nivolumab. The median duration of treatment was 4.7 (range 0.7 to 11.5) months. Median follow-up was 30.3 (range 4.6 to 49.4) months. Median PFS was 24.6 months and median OS was not reached. Durable clinical benefit (time to progression or next treatment of more than 6 months from last treatment) was observed in 13 (81.2%) patients. At the time of analysis, 8 patients had progressed and 4 patients died (all-cause). Discussion. Our results suggest that advanced melanoma patients discontinuing anti-PD-1 therapy due to irAE usually experience durable clinical benefit. However, caution is needed with these agents in patients with underlying autoimmune diseases.
Diagnostic Performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases according to Published Meta-Analyses
Authors: Treglia Giorgio
Published: July 2019

Purpose. To date, several meta-analyses have reported data about the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in infectious and inflammatory diseases. This article aims to summarize the published evidence-based data about the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in this setting. Methods. A comprehensive computer literature search of meta-analyses published in PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane library database from January 2009 through December 2018 and regarding the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in infectious and inflammatory diseases was carried out. This combination of key words was used: (i) “PET” OR “positron emission tomography” OR “FDG” OR “fluorodeoxyglucose” AND (ii) meta-analysis. Only records on inflammatory or infectious diseases were selected. Results. The diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in detecting inflammatory and infectious diseases has been summarized taking into account 36 meta-analyses published in the literature. Evidence-based data demonstrated good diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT for several inflammatory and infectious diseases, in particular cardiovascular infectious and inflammatory diseases and some musculoskeletal infections. Conclusions. Evidence-based data about the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in infectious and inflammatory diseases are increasing, with good diagnostic performance of this imaging method for some indications. More prospective multicenter studies and cost-effective analyses are warranted.
A Rare Case of Steroid Cell Tumor, Not Otherwise Specified (NOS), of the Ovary in a Young Woman
Authors: Tan Eek Chaw , Khong Chit Chong , Bhutia Kazila
Published: July 2019

Steroid cell tumour is a rare sex cord-stromal tumor of the ovary. It may produce steroids and is associated with testosterone secretion which causes symptoms like hair loss, hirsutism, and oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea due to hormonal activity and virilizing properties of tumor. In this article, we reported a 27-year-old woman who presented with hirsutism, hoarseness of voice, scalp hair fall, and amenorrhea for 8 years. Clinical and diagnostic evaluation revealed a left adnexal mass and elevated serum levels of testosterone and she was diagnosed as having a Sertoli Leydig cell tumour of ovary. She underwent left salpingooophorectomy and both histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis. Her serum testosterone levels normalized 3 days after the surgery and her menses resumed spontaneously a few months after the operation. In addition, we reviewed the literature on the epidemiology, clinical presentations, imaging and histological findings, and the treatment options on this disease.
Exponential Synchronization of Chaotic Xian System Using Linear Feedback Control
Authors: Pérez-Cruz J. Humberto , Tamayo-Meza Pedro A. , Figueroa Maricela , Silva-Ortigoza Ramón , Ponce-Silva Mario , Rivera-Blas R. , Aldape-Pérez Mario
Published: July 2019

In this paper, a new linear feedback controller for synchronization of two identical chaotic systems in a master‐slave configuration is presented. This controller requires knowing a priori Lipschitz constant of the nonlinear function of the chaotic system on its attractor. The controller development is based on an algebraic Riccati equation. If the gain matrix and the matrices of Riccati equation are selected in such a way that a unique positive definite solution is obtained for this equation, then, with respect to previous works, a stronger result can be guaranteed here: the exponential convergence to zero of the synchronization error. Additionally, the nonideal case is also studied, that is, when unmodeled dynamics and/or disturbances are present in both master system and slave system. On this new condition, the synchronization error does not converge to zero anymore. However, it is still possible to guarantee the exponential convergence to a bounded zone. Numerical simulation confirms the satisfactory performance of the suggested approach.
First Evidence for Two Independent and Different Leishmaniasis Transmission Foci in Sri Lanka: Recent Introduction or Long-Term Existence?
Authors: Siriwardana Yamuna , Deepachandi Bhagya , Weliange Shreenika de S. , Udagedara Chandanie , Wickremarathne Chandanie , Warnasuriya Wipula , Ranawaka Ranthilaka R. , Kahawita Indira , Chandrawansa P. H. , Karunaweera Nadira D.
Published: July 2019

Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by a genetic variant of L. donovani is being reported from Sri Lanka since year 2001. Patients presented from different geographical locations (600 patients from North or South and a minority of cases from other foci, 2001-2013) were studied. Analysis revealed two different sociodemographic and clinical profiles of leishmaniasis in Northern and Southern Sri Lanka. Also, the same different profiles were present in these foci since the onset of the recent outbreak and had independently propagated within each focus over the time. A profile of 14 parameters identified in the Northern focus was further examined with regard to other locations. Northwestern (10/14) and Central parts (9/14) of the island were more similar to Northern focus (14/14). Infection would have originated in one focus and spread to other 2 in Northern Sri Lanka. Southern focus was different from and appeared older than all others (2/14). Western focus that accommodates a large transient population had a mixed picture of North and South features (4/14). Lesions in North showed a slow progression and a nonulcerative nature (128/185, 69.2%), while those in South showed a rapid progression and less nonulcerative lesions (193/415, 46.5%). Clinical analysis favoured a parasite aetiology (considerable strain differences) rather than a host aetiology (age, gender, or genetics). Both foci demonstrated a biannual seasonal variation since the onset of the epidemic. Two peaks were observed during the early and latter parts of the year. Furthermore, long-term existence and recent spatiotemporal expansion and detection of leishmaniasis in this country rather than a recent introduction and establishment were indicated by these findings. Vigorous antimalarial activities that existed in Sri Lanka until few decades ago, lack of professional awareness, and more recent military activities that brought human population in close contact with a sylvatic cycle would have played a role in silent propagation of Leishmania parasites and subsequent increment in human cases, respectively, in this country.
Fractal Characteristics of Transverse Crack Propagation on CRTSII Type Track Slab
Authors: He Yue-Lei , Shen Jian-Kang , Li Zai-Wei , Lu Hong-Yao
Published: July 2019

Objectives of this study are to examine influence of the surface crackles fractal characteristics of CRTSII track slab on its propagation velocity and stress intensity factor (SIF) and to improve the service performance of track slab. In this paper, fractal dimension D of transverse crack on the surface of CRTSII track slab was calculated by image processing, digital image technology, and box‐counting method. Based on the fractal structure of transverse crack on track slab surface, a fractal transverse crack propagation model was established. The impact of fractal effect on the surface crack propagation velocity and SIF of CRTSII track slab was analyzed quantitatively. The fractal dimension D of transverse crack is 1.0652 on the surface of CRTSII track slab. The actual measured crack propagation velocity V0 on the surface of the track slab can be corrected as the true crack propagation velocity V. When the V0/Cr = 0.899 < 1, the SIF K′(L(1.0652, t), V) of transverse dynamic fractal crack propagation on the surface of track slab has been equal to 0, and the V0 is always lower than Rayleigh wave velocity. In addition, the true attenuation rate of SIF for CRTSII track slab surface transverse dynamic crack propagation is faster than the actual measured value.
Adaptive Configuration of Mobile Roadside Units for the Cost-Effective Vehicular Communication Infrastructure
Authors: Lee Jaeho , Ahn Sanghyun
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we target to figure out an adaptive and efficient mechanism that deploys roadside units (RSUs), which are the major components of the vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, so that vehicles on the road can have satisfactory connectivity to the vehicular communication infrastructure in a cost-effective way. Only with the conventional fixed RSUs (fRSUs), the coverage requirement of vehicles from the perspective of V2I communications cannot be easily met because of high vehicular mobility compared to the static nature of fRSUs and the high deployment and operational expenditure of fRSUs. Recently, mobile RSUs (mRSUs) mounted on public and commercial vehicles like buses are considered as the substitutes or the supplements of fRSUs. The research on mRSUs is in its early stage and mostly focuses on the deployment of mRSUs from a static viewpoint. In this paper, we consider the environment with densely deployed mRSUs, such as the city environment, thanks to low cost, in which multiple active mRSUs generate lots of control messages to form the mRSU backbone network. To overcome this inefficiency, we propose a mechanism in which each mRSU adaptively and effectively determines its own state, active or inactive, according to the states of its neighboring mRSUs and vehicles. For the NP-hardness proof, we formulate the problem as a 0-1 integer linear programming problem. We evaluate the performance of our mechanism in terms of the ratio of vehicles covered by active mRSUs and the control message overhead compared with the case of nonadaptive mRSU configuration (i.e., the case of all mRSU being active).
Development and Preliminary Validation of a Stroke Physical Activity Questionnaire
Authors: Phusuttatam Thunyakamon , Saengsuwan Jittima , Kittipanya-ngam Pajeemas
Published: July 2019

Objective. The aim of the current study was to develop and then to determine preliminary validity of a physical activity questionnaire specifically designed for ambulatory, chronic stroke patients. Methods. This cross-sectional study recruited 92 chronic stroke patients. In Phase I, the SPAQ was developed and its content validity index (CVI) determined. In Phase II, we examined (1) the concurrent validity of SPAQ vs. the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF); (2) the convergent validity of SPAQ vs. the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), vs. the six-minute walk test (6-MWT), vs. the timed up and go test (TUGT), vs. the Motricity Index, vs. the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and vs. the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS); and (3) the discriminant validity of the SPAQ vs. the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The concurrent validity and convergent and divergent validity were analysed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The agreement between the SPAQ and IPAQ-SF was assessed using the Kappa statistic. Results. The SPAQ has 12 items in 3 main components which covers low (7 items), moderate (3 items), and vigorous (2 items) physical activity. The SPAQ had a CVI of 0.93. Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rs) for SPAQ vs. IPAQ-SF was 0.53 (p < 0.001). The SPAQ yielded substantial agreement with the IPAQ-SF (Kappa = 0.65). For convergent validity, the SPAQ had a moderate correlation with the 6-MWT, MI, NIHSS, FAC, TUGT, and MRS (p < 0.05). For discriminant validity, the SPAQ was not correlated with the MoCA (rs = 0.061, p = 0.68). Conclusion. The SPAQ can be used to practically assess physical activity in chronic stroke patients, and it has acceptable psychometric properties which are comparable to other standard physical activity questionnaires. Future work should determine the validity of the SPAQ using an objective device such as an accelerometer.
Total Polysaccharides of Lily Bulb Ameliorate Menopause-Like Behavior in Ovariectomized Mice: Multiple Mechanisms Distinct from Estrogen Therapy
Authors: Zhou Xi-Dan , Zheng Yu , Sharma Rakesh , Zhang Zhang-Jin
Published: July 2019

Our previous study has demonstrated the effects of aqueous extract of lily bulb in alleviating menopause-related psychiatric symptoms in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. This study sought to further investigate the psychotropic effects of total polysaccharides of lily bulb (TPLB) against anxiety, depression, and cognitive deterioration and the underlying mechanisms in OVX mice using behavioral, neurochemical, molecular, and proteomic approaches in comparison with estrogen therapy. While TPLB and estradiol showed similar effects in reducing OVX-induced anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment, the psychotropic effects of TPLB were more closely associated with the predominant activation of estrogen receptors (ERs) and regulation of brain regional neurotransmitters and neurotrophins with minor effects on the uterus. Estradiol had similar potencies in binding affinity at ERα and ERβ, which caused widespread genetic and epigenetic effects. In contrast, TPLB displayed a higher affinity at ERβ than ERα, triggering the specific Ras/Akt/ERK/CREB signaling pathway without affecting any epigenetic activity. TPLB additionally modulated multiple proteins associated with mitochondrial oxidative stress, but estradiol did not. These results indicate that TPLB has comparable efficacy in reducing menopause-associated neuropsychological symptoms with a better safety profile compared to estrogen therapy. We suggest that TPLB could serve as a novel agent for menopause syndrome.
Quantitative Anisotropic Damage Mechanism in a Forged Aluminum Alloy Studied by Synchrotron Tomography and Finite Element Simulations
Authors: Shen Yang , Morgeneyer Thilo F. , Garnier Jérôme , Allais Lucien , Helfen Lukas , Crépin Jérôme
Published: July 2019

A highly anisotropic toughness behavior has been revealed on a forged AA6061 aluminum alloy by toughness tests with CT specimens. The toughness values with specimens loaded on the longitudinal direction are larger than that loaded on the transverse direction due to the anisotropic shape and distribution of coarse precipitates induced by the morphological anisotropy of grains during forging process. Synchrotron radiation computed tomography analysis on as-received material and arrested cracks revealed different fracture modes for the two loading configurations. The damage mechanism has been validated by finite element simulations based on the Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman micromechanical damage model with different sets of damage parameters for the two loading configurations obtained from quantitative void volume fraction analysis on SRCT data, in situ SEM experiments, and SRCT microstructural analysis.
Machine Learning Model for Imbalanced Cholera Dataset in Tanzania
Authors: Leo Judith , Luhanga Edith , Michael Kisangiri
Published: July 2019

Cholera epidemic remains a public threat throughout history, affecting vulnerable population living with unreliable water and substandard sanitary conditions. Various studies have observed that the occurrence of cholera has strong linkage with environmental factors such as climate change and geographical location. Climate change has been strongly linked to the seasonal occurrence and widespread of cholera through the creation of weather patterns that favor the disease’s transmission, infection, and the growth of Vibrio cholerae, which cause the disease. Over the past decades, there have been great achievements in developing epidemic models for the proper prediction of cholera. However, the integration of weather variables and use of machine learning techniques have not been explicitly deployed in modeling cholera epidemics in Tanzania due to the challenges that come with its datasets such as imbalanced data and missing information. This paper explores the use of machine learning techniques to model cholera epidemics with linkage to seasonal weather changes while overcoming the data imbalance problem. Adaptive Synthetic Sampling Approach (ADASYN) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to the restore sampling balance and dimensional of the dataset. In addition, sensitivity, specificity, and balanced-accuracy metrics were used to evaluate the performance of the seven models. Based on the results of the Wilcoxon sign-rank test and features of the models, XGBoost classifier was selected to be the best model for the study. Overall results improved our understanding of the significant roles of machine learning strategies in health-care data. However, the study could not be treated as a time series problem due to the data collection bias. The study recommends a review of health-care systems in order to facilitate quality data collection and deployment of machine learning techniques.
Rapid Progression of Tracheoesophageal Fistula Caused by Immunotherapy Administered after Tracheal Stent Placement
Authors: Mizuguchi Shinjiro , Takahama Makoto , Nakajima Ryu , Inoue Hidetoshi , Ito Ryuichi , Yamamoto Ryoji
Published: July 2019

Development of a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a serious complication of treatment for esophageal or lung cancer, especially following radiation therapy. However, development of a TEF as a complication of chemotherapy or tracheal stenting after surgical debulking is quite uncommon. We herein report a rare case involving a patient with advanced adenocarcinoma invading the mediastinum who rapidly developed a TEF after placement of a tracheal stent and administration of nivolumab immunotherapy. A 55-year-old heavy ex-smoker was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma with mediastinal invasion. Nine months after first-line therapy (chemotherapy and radiation therapy), he underwent treatment with nivolumab (3 mg/kg) as fourth-line therapy. Two weeks after the first dose, he underwent mechanical debulking of the tumor with tracheal stenting because of the rapid development of paraesophageal lymph node swelling and severe tracheal stenosis. He received a second dose of nivolumab 2 weeks later; however, imaging studies 12 days after this second dose revealed a huge fistula between the upper trachea and esophagus through a metastatic lymph node. Neither an additional stent nor replacement of the stent was considered because of the fistula site expansion and suffocation risk. Despite further treatment, the patient died of his primary disease 2 months later. Our findings will be of great interest to the readers, especially those involved in the clinical treatment of patients with advanced lung cancer treated by immunotherapy. The knowledge of potentially devastating TEF formation in the presence of transmural tracheal metastasis/invasion will allow clinicians to provide the best possible care for their patients.
Tangeretin Inhibits Oxidative Stress and Inflammation via Upregulating Nrf-2 Signaling Pathway in Collagen-Induced Arthritic Rats
Authors: Li Xing , Xie Peigen , Hou Yu , Chen Shudong , He Peiheng , Xiao Zhifeng , Zhan Jiheng , Luo Dan , Gu Minghui , Lin Dingkun
Published: July 2019

Background/Aims: Tangeretin (TAN), a major phytochemical in tangerine peels and an important Chinese herb, has multiple biological properties, especially antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanisms remain unclear. Based on these findings, the aim of the present study was to assess the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of TAN in bovine type II collagen-induced arthritis rats. Methods: TAN (50 mg/kg) was given orally once daily for 14 days. The effects of treatment were evaluated by biochemical assay (articular elastase, myeloperoxidase, end products of lipid peroxidation [MDA], antioxidant enzyme, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione), nitric oxide, and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], ­IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], interferon-γ [IFN-γ], and prostaglandin E2 [PGE2]). The protective effects of TAN against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were evident from the decrease in arthritis scoring. Furthermore, the Nrf-2 signaling pathway was assessed to illustrate the molecular mechanism. Results: TAN had therapeutic effects on RA by decreasing the oxidative stress damage and regulating inflammatory cytokine expression, including suppression of the accumulation of MDA products, decreasing the IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and PGE2 levels, enhancing the IL-10 and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which was through upregulating Nrf-2 signaling pathway. Conclusion: TAN might have potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA.
Regulation of iRhom-2/Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Converting Enzyme Pathway and Oxidative Stress Protects the Renal Injury with Anemonin in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy Neonatal Rat Model
Authors: Qiao Lingyan , Liu Yusheng , Li Cheng , Ge Juan , Li Tang
Published: July 2019

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic complication of diabetes, and thus the present investigation evaluates the nephroprotective effect of anemonin against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN rats. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (50 mg/kg) on day 2 and 3 postnatal, and rats were kept as such for the duration of 12 weeks. Thereafter, rats were treated with anemonin 75 and 150 mg/kg per oral for the period 4 week which means between the period of 12–16 weeks. Effect of anemonin was estimated by determining the blood glucose, markers of nephropathy, and mediators of inflammation in the serum and activity of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)converting enzyme (TACE) in the kidney tissue of DN rats. Moreover, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay were determined in the kidney tissue homogenate of DN rats. Histopathology study was done by Periodic acid-Schiff’s and masson staining for the pathological changes and apoptosis of podocytes in the kidney tissue of DN rats. Moreover, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was estimated in the kidney tissue by 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein staining. Data of study reveal that anemonin significantly reduces (p < 0.01) the blood glucose and markers of renal injury in the serum and urine of DN rats. There was a reduction in the level of cytokines in the serum, and production of ROS and activity of TACE were reduced in the kidney tissue of the anemonin-treated group than in the DN group. Expression of iRhom-2, TACE, TNF-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein and histopathology of kidney tissue were attenuated in the anemonin-treated group in DN rats. In conclusion, data of study reveal that treatment with anemonin ameliorates progression of renal injury by regulating TACE/iRhom-2 signaling pathway.
Central Airway Obstruction due to Mediastinal Malignant Lymphoma Requiring Venovenous-Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Ueda Yoshihiro , Hirayama Ichiro , Horie Ryohei , Doi Kent , Morimura Naoto
Published: July 2019

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy might be controversial when patients with advanced malignant disease develop heart or lung failure refractory to conventional management. Especially as for the hematological malignancy patients, the induction of ECMO therapy must be considered carefully, since it is often associated with bleeding complications or infectious diseases. Here, we report a case of life-threatening airway obstruction requiring ECMO. The trachea of the patient was narrowed by an anterior mediastinal tumor too highly to ventilate both lungs, so she had to be connected to venovenous-ECMO (VV-ECMO) before pathological examination and radical treatment were planned. During the intensive care with ECMO, she was diagnosed with malignant lymphoma and the chemotherapy was started. The chemotherapy brought such an immediate result that the trachea regained its patency and ECMO was disconnected 9 days after the initiation of the chemotherapy. Then, the patient was able to leave the intensive care unit with no sequelae. Central airway obstruction is a life-threatening situation, in which prompt decisions are essential. On the other hand, if the airway is impaired by hematological malignancy, it might be generally challenging to consider ECMO as a bridge until the chemotherapy takes an effect. The prognosis of hematological malignancy differs according to its subtype or stage, so it may be reasonable to take ECMO therapy into consideration for some population.
PULMONARY AND INTRACRANIAL RADIOGRAPHIC PRESENTATIONS OF LANGERHANS CELL HISTIOCYTOSIS
Authors: Mohammed D. , Patel S. B.
Published: July 2019

Background. Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis is a rare disease that affects 1 to 2 adults per million worldwide and often consists of systemic manifestations including pulmonary, intracranial and osteolytic lesions and endocrinologic abnormalities such as Diabetes Insipidus.

Objective. The objective of this case report was to expand the medical literature of this rare disease.

Methods. A case report of a 51-year-old female patient presenting with systemic symptoms as a result of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis is presented.

Results. A 51-year-old female presented with epistaxis, fatigue, polydipsia, polyuria, headaches and dyspnea. After initial x-rays showed multiple lung and liver nodules and the patient suffered subsequently from a unilateral pneumothorax, an open lung biopsy was recommended. On a pathological basis, the patient was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis. This report focuses on the radiological presentations of the manifestations of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, particularly the presentations in the lung and intracranial regions.

Conclusions. Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis is an incredibly rare disease that presents systemically. Recognizing and differentiating radiographic presentation of these patients is important to determine the need for confirmation by biopsy and early chemotherapeutic intervention.
SIGNIFICANCE OF ADDITIONAL CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES FOR THE OUTCOMES AFTER THE SECOND LINE NILOTINIB THERAPY IN THE CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA PATIENTS
Authors: Dmytrenko I. V. , Minchenko Zh. M , Fedorenko V. V. , Dyagil I. S.
Published: July 2019

Background. There is limited information about impact of additional chromosome aberrations (ACA) on the efficacy of the 2nd line nilotinib therapy. Objective. The aim of the study was to analyze significance of ACAs for the outcome after second line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) therapy with nilotinib in the chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, who experienced previous imatinib therapy failure. Methods. The CML patients in chronic phase treated with nilotinib after imatinib failure were analyzed for outcomes. Results. Among a total of 114 patients, 18 patients (15.8%) had ACAs at the beginning of the 2nd line therapy with nilotinib. Seven patients (38.9%) of 18 had variant translocations and 11 patients (61.1%) had other chromosomal abnormalities in addition to t(9;22), known as clonal evolution. Complete cytogenetic response (CCR) at 12 months was achieved in 37.5%, 42.8% and 45.5% (p=0.842) of patients with classic t(9;22) translocation, variant translocations and ACAs respectively. In the patients with variant translocations t(9;V;22) or clonal evolution treated with nilotinib after the imatinib failure, the CCR and major molecular response (MMR), event free survival (EFS), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates did not differ from those in the CML patients with t(9;22) only. At the same time quantitative characteristics of leukemic and ACA clones had prognostic value for CCR. The increased number of Ph-positive cells and the number of cells with the ACA at the start of nilotinib therapy reduced the probability of CCR. Conclusions. Higher nilotinib inhibitory activity compare with imatinib allows us to overcome imatinib resistance in the CML patients regardless of the ACA presence at the beginning of nilotinib therapy.
EFFICACY OF GRANULOCYTE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR AND ENTEROSORPTION IN MELPHALAN-INDUCED BONE MARROW SUPPRESSION IN GUERIN CARCINOMA GRAFTED RATS
Authors: Shevchuk O. O. , Todor I. M. , Lukianova N. Yu. , Rodionova N. K. , Nikolaev V. G. , Chekhun V. F.
Published: July 2019

Background. Side effects of antineoplastic agents (especially leukopenia and neutropenia) could be the main limiting factors for efficient treatment.

Objective. The research is aimed at the study of myeloprotective capability of biosimilars of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granular carbon oral adsorbent C2 in melphalan-induced bone marrow suppression in Guerin carcinoma-grafted rats.

Methods. Melphalan at the dose of 5.5 mg/kg was used to promote bone marrow suppression in the Guerin carcinoma grafted rats. To fight myelosuppression, we used filgrastim and its analogue, designed and produced by IEPOR, a recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (r-GCSF). Carbon granulated enterosorbent C2 was used for enteral sorption therapy (bulk density γ=0.18 g/cm3, diameter of granules 0.15-0.25 mm, BET pore surface – 2162 m2/g). All rats were sacrificed on the 17th day after carcinoma cells inoculation or on the 8th day after Melphalan injection.

Results. Alkylating cytostatic agent caused severe leukopenia (by 95.7%), neutropenia (by 73.9%), and thrombocytopenia (by 84.9%) in the experimental rats. Mortality rate was 57%. Filgrastim and enterosorption with carbon oral adsorbent C2 increased the studied indices, but the most prominent results were observed when combination of both factors was used. Studied means did not affect the anti-tumor efficacy of Melphalan alone and in combination.

Conclusions. Our results are perspective for further investigation of the efficacy of the combination of carbon oral adsorbents and hematopoietic cytokines in cases of ameliorate anti-cancer chemotherapy side effects, and its implementation into clinics.
ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES ACTIVITY IN EXPERIMENTAL ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION INJURY
Authors: Volotovska N. V. , Kashchak T. V.
Published: July 2019

Background. Blood loss during civil and military limb trauma is the most common cause of preventable death. Complications due to the use of a hemostatic tourniquet are widely investigated nowadays. Therefore, the standards of the past have to be improved.

Objective. The aim of the research is to study the reaction of the enzyme chain of the liver antioxidant system in the presence of modifications of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).

Methods. 210 white male-rats, aged 5-5.5 months, were used in the research. The dynamics of antioxidant enzymes activity catalase (Cat) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue in cases of modifications of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) were studied. The period of investigation was in 24 hours, 3, 7, 14 days after the injury.

Results. In cases of simulated IRI the catalase level mainly decreased at each period of the experiment. The peak of SOD activity was evidenced on the 1st, 3rd or 7th days after the experimental IRI according to the degree of trauma severity. Thus, IRI combined with severe blood loss and mechanical trauma caused the severest affection of the antioxidant system. Even a single application of hemostatic tourniquet caused similar wavelike reactions at different times.

Conclusions. The development of IRI is accompanied by a significant depression of the liver antioxidant system. The most significant changes were evidenced in cases of IRI combined with blood loss and mechanical trauma, but even a single application of a tourniquet caused active response of the antioxidant enzymes.
(Re)examinando horizontes nos estudos feministas de tradução: em direção a uma terceira onda?
Authors: Barboza Beatriz , Castro Olga
Published: July 2019

Os feminismos são uma dessas teorias marco cujas contribuições revelam-se em todos os âmbitos da sociedade, inclusive nos Estudos da Tradução. A materialização mais evidente dessa interação é o surgimento, nos anos 80, de uma corrente de tradução feminista no Canadá, capaz de colocar o gênero como centro do debate sobre tradução. Na atualidade, apesar das críticas e posteriores redefinições do conceito de tradução feminista, a proposta canadense continua sendo vista como paradigma da interação entre feminismos e tradução em geral. Neste artigo, proponho novas abordagens à prática de traduzir e paratraduzir a partir dos feminismos, dentro de uma terceira onda de tradução feminista. Além disso, pretendo abrir o debate (re)examinando áreas de interesse mútuo para os estudos de tradução e os feminismos no plano conceitual, historiográfico e crítico, tendo como propósito o surgimento de novas linhas de pesquisa futuras.