bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Circular RNA ciRS‐7 in Various Cancers: A PRISMA‐Compliant Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Tian Guangwei , Li Guang , Guan Lin , Wang Zihui , Li Nan
Published: January 2020

Background. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been shown to be involved in tumorigenesis. As a member of circRNAs, ciRS‐7 is thought to be a negative prognostic indicator in multiple types of cancer. The present study aimed to comprehensively explore the value of ciRS‐7 in tumor malignancy. Materials and Methods. A systematic review of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library was carried out to examine the related studies. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated from the available publications by STATA 12.0. Subgroup analysis, publication bias, sensitivity analysis, and meta‐regression were conducted. Results. This meta‐analysis included 1,714 patients from 13 cohorts. The results suggested that high ciRS‐7 expression was significantly associated with overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.50–3.15, P < 0.001) in various cancers. Stratified analyses indicated that elevated levels of ciRS‐7 appeared to be a powerful prognostic biomarker for patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (HR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.07–6.07, P = 0.035), colorectal cancer (CRC) (HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.34–2.84, P < 0.001), and gastric cancer (GC) (HR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.48–3.64, P < 0.001). A similar effect was also observed in subgroup of sample size, analysis method, and cutoff value, except for ethnicity. The increased ciRS‐7 expression was associated with a higher tumor stage (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.69–3.13, P < 0.001). Conclusions. High expression of ciRS‐7 has a significant correlation with the high stage in various cancers, and ciRS‐7 is intimately associated with an adverse OS in numerous cancers. Thus, ciRS‐7 may act as a potential biomarker for the development of malignancies.
Optimization of Central Pattern Generator-Based Torque-Stiffness-Controlled Dynamic Bipedal Walking
Authors: Suliman William , Albitar Chadi , Hassan Lama
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we propose a central pattern generator-based model to control the walking motion of a biped robot. The model independently controls the joint torque and joint stiffness in real time. Instead of the phase-dependent neural model used by Huang in 2014, we adopt the same structure for all the walking phases, reducing the number of connections between neurons. This reduction enables the employment of the particle swarm algorithm to find the optimal values of these parameters which lead to different solutions with different performance criteria. The simulation of the proposed method on a seven-link bipedal walking model gave a good performance in the range of walking speeds, which is referred to as versatility, and in walking pattern transition. The achieved walking gaits are 1-period cyclic motions for all the input control signals except for few gaits. Besides, these 1-period cyclic motions have a good local and global stability. Finally, we expanded our neural model by adding connections that work only when the robot walks on uneven terrains, which improved the robot’s performance against this kind of perturbation.
Application of Multistep Inversion Method for Online Monitoring Aerosol Particle Size Distribution and Aerosol Concentration
Authors: He Zhenzong , Xu Liang , Mao Junkui , Han Xingsi , Zhang Biao
Published: January 2020

Aerosol concentration in the flow is usually time varying, and aerosol particle size distribution (PSD) is considered to be unchanged, which increases the difficulty of the measurement of aerosol PSD and concentration online. To solve these problems, a kind of multistep inversion method based on the angular light-scattering (ALS) signals is proposed. First, the aerosol PSD is estimated using shuffled frog-leaping algorithms (SFLAs) from relative ALS signals. Then, with aerosol PSD as priori information, the aerosol concentration is obtained by the Kalman filter (KF) algorithm, widely used in the real-time control system of industrial facilities for its ability of fast predictions. The result reveals that the performance of the improved SFLA is better than that of the original SFLA in solving the aerosol PSD. Moreover, in studying the aerosol concentration, more accurate results can be obtained with larger standard deviation of process noise or smaller standard deviation of measurement noise, while decreasing sampling time interval can improve the accuracy of retrieval results and reduce time delay to a certain degree. So, to improve retrieval accuracy, the noise should be controlled, and appropriate sampling time interval should be selected. All the numerical simulations confirm that the methodology provides effective and reliable results in real-time estimating.
Some Fixed Point Theorems in Modular Function Spaces Endowed with a Graph
Authors: Jeddi Jaauad , Kabil Mustapha , Lazaiz Samih
Published: January 2020

The aim of this paper is to give fixed point theorems for G-monotone ρ-nonexpansive mappings over ρ-compact or ρ-a.e. compact sets in modular function spaces endowed with a reflexive digraph not necessarily transitive. Examples are given to support our work.
Influence of Generational Cohorts on the Preferences for Information and Communication Technologies in Latin American Patients with Obstructive Lung Diseases
Authors: Cherrez-Ojeda Ivan , Mata Valeria L. , Vanegas Emanuel , Felix Miguel , Bernstein Jonathan A. , Jiménez Fanny M. , Calderon Juan Carlos , Chedraui Peter , Gavilanes Antonio WD
Published: January 2020

Background. Advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) represent a growing platform for the expansion of healthcare related services, but there is little information on how generational differences might account for distinct patterns of use and interest for ICTs. Our study aims to achieve a better understanding on how generational cohorts might influence the use and preferences for ICTs among patients with obstructive lung diseases in Latin America. Materials and Methods. We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey-based study, involving 968 patients with obstructive lung diseases (OLD) in Latin America. Patients rated their frequency of use and preferences of ICTs through a modified version of the Michigan Questionnaire. Chi-square test for association and adjusted regression analyses were performed. Results. Of all, 63.6% of participants had Internet access. Younger generations, in particular Generation Z and Millennials, had the highest rate of Internet access and smartphone ownership, as well as of overall frequency of ICT use. Web-based Internet was found to be the main source to seek information about the disease (36.9%) across all generational cohorts. Generation Z and Millennials presented the highest odds to be interested in using Twitter (OR 31.79 and 8.86) for receiving health-related information, and email (OR 4.87 and 4.86) as the preferred way to ask physicians information related to their disease through ICTs. Conclusion. Generational cohorts influence the use and preferences for ICTs among patients with obstructive lung diseases. Younger generational cohorts were associated with higher access to the Internet and smartphone ownership, as well as higher interest for using ICTs to receive and ask for health-related information.
Flexure Performance of Externally Bonded CFRP Plates-Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Members
Authors: Yuan Xin , Zhu Chaoyu , Zheng Wei , Hu Jiangbei , Tang Baijian
Published: January 2020

This paper investigates the flexural behavior of CFRP plate-strengthened concrete structures. Specimens of the CFRP plate-reinforced beam were designed and tested by the four-point flexural test. The load-deflection relationship, failure modes, and crack propagation were analyzed. The results showed that the postcracking stiffness and bearing capacity of the test beams can be improved by the additional anchoring measures for CFRP strengthening. The relationship between flexural moment and curvature was analyzed by introducing a MATLAB program. The calculation model between curvature, flexural moment, and stiffness was derived for the CFRP plate-strengthened structure. The recommended calculation model was applied in the analysis of deflection, and the theoretical values were compared with the test results.
Shunting Strategy for Placing-In and Taking-Out Wagons on Branch-Shaped Freight Operation Network with Simulation Method
Authors: Li Bing , Qu Wenyao , Xuan Hua , Xu Chunqiu , Wang Xueyuan , Geng Yifei
Published: January 2020

Because of China’s vast territory, large population, and huge demand for bulk materials, the railway transportation mode has always received considerable attention. For long-haul transportation, railway transportation can provide a scheduled-based transport plan, all-weather transport service, and cheaper carry instead of other transport modes. The study described in this paper attempts to develop a simulation platform for optimizing the placing-in and taking-out wagons system on the branch-shaped freight operation network (PTWS-BSFON). The operation process of PTWS is thoroughly analyzed from three aspects of decoupling-coupling wagons subsystem, placing-in local wagons subsystem, and taking-out local wagons subsystem. And then the simulation platform encompassing two typically shunting modes of PTWS are developed by Arena software. Under scenarios of PTWS-SO and PTWS-SSMS, the hierarchical structure of the shunting strategies is, respectively, outlined in the simulation platform. Finally, the shunting strategies based on the simulation platform are carried out by concrete examples, which prove the rationality of the methodology in applying different strategies and enhancing the performances of the PTWS-BSFON.
Effect of Hataedock Treatment on Epidermal Structure Maintenance through Intervention in the Endocannabinoid System
Authors: Kim Hee-Yeon , Ahn Sang-hyun , Yang In-Jun , Park Sun-Young , Kim Kibong
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Hataedock (HTD) on skin barrier maintenance through the endocannabinoid system (ECS) intervention in Dermatophagoides farinae‐induced atopic dermatitis (AD) NC/Nga mice. Douchi (fermented Glycine max Merr.) extracts prepared for HTD were orally administered to NC/Nga mice at a 20 mg/kg dose. Then, Dermatophagoides farinae extract (DfE) was applied to induce AD‐like skin lesions during the 4th–6th and 8th–10th weeks. Changes in the epidermal structure of the mice were observed by histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL assay. The results showed that HTD significantly reduced the clinical scores (p < 0.01) and effectively alleviated the histological features. In the experimental groups, increased expression of cannabinoid receptor type (CB) 1, CB2, and G protein‐coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) and distribution of filaggrin, involucrin, loricrin, and longevity assurance homolog 2 (Lass2) indicated that HTD maintained the epidermal barrier through intervening in the ECS. The expression of E‐cadherin and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) was increased, and the levels of cluster of differentiation 1a (CD1A) were low. Moreover, the apoptosis of inflammatory cells was elevated. The production of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐related kinase (p‐ERK), phosphorylated c‐Jun amino‐terminal kinase (p‐JNK), and phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p‐mTOR) was low, and epidermal thickness was decreased. Besides, the expression levels of involucrin were measured by treating genistein, an active ingredient of Douchi extract, and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), one of the ECS agonists. The results showed that genistein had a better lipid barrier formation effect than PEA. In conclusion, HTD alleviates the symptoms of AD by maintaining skin homeostasis, improving skin barrier formation, and downregulating inflammation, through ECS intervention.
Electrospun High-Thermal-Resistant Inorganic Composite Nonwoven as Lithium-Ion Battery Separator
Authors: Xu Yuan , Zhu Jian-Wei , Fang Jun-Bo , Li Xiao , Yu Miao , Long Yun-Ze
Published: January 2020

Separators are key materials to ensure the safety of lithium-ion batteries and improve their performance. Currently, commercial lithium-ion battery separators are mainly polyolefin organic diaphragms, but their temperature instability leads to battery short circuit and fire risk. A flexible SiO2 nanofiber membrane combined with a poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofiber membrane is prepared by an electrospinning method. The mechanical strength of the SiO2/PVDF-HFP composite nanofiber membrane (SPF) is twice as high as the pure SiO2 nanofiber membrane and at 200°C, there are almost no dimensional changes of the SPF separators. Compared to commercial polyethylene (PE) separators, SPF shows excellent thermal stability and large-area closed cells at 180°C when used in lithium-ion battery separators. The porosity of SPF is 89.7%, which is more than twice than that of an ordinary PE separator. The liquid absorption rate of SPF is much higher than an ordinary PE separator and has reached 483%. Furthermore, the cycle and rate performance of lithium-ion batteries prepared by SPF has been improved significantly. These excellent properties, as well as the potential for large-scale production of electrospinning technology, make SPF an ideal choice for high-power battery separators.
Improvement of Sintering Performance of Nanosilver Paste by Tin Doping
Authors: Yang Hui , Wu Jihui
Published: January 2020

Nanosilver paste, an interconnect solder, is a common choice in the electronics packaging industry. However, higher sintering temperature and lower sintering strength limit its application. At present, doped nanosilver paste has been studied for use in chip interconnection. In order to improve the sintering properties and shear strength of nanosilver paste, we have developed a new tin-doped nanosilver paste (referred to as silver tin paste), and according to the decomposition temperature of the organic dispersant in the slurry, a corresponding sintering process with a maximum temperature of 300°C was developed. The product after sintering of the silver tin paste is a mixture of a solid solution of Ag and an Ag3Sn phase. Among them, the hard and brittle phase Ag3Sn diffuse distribution in the silver matrix for strengthening, and the solid solution of Ag acts as a replacement solid solution strengthening. As the content of doped Sn increases, the sintering strength increases remarkably. When the Sn content is 5%, the joint shear strength reaches the highest value of 50 MPa. When it exceeds 5%, the sintering strength gradually decreases, which may be caused by the excessive formation of the intermetallic compound IMC as the dopant content increases. This new tin-doped nanosilver technology has the characteristics of low-temperature sintering and high-temperature service, so it is expected to be widely used in semiconductor power devices.
Effects of a Landau-Type Quantization Induced by the Lorentz Symmetry Violation on a Dirac Field
Authors: Vitória R. L. L. , Belich H.
Published: January 2020

Inspired by the extension of the Standard Model, we analyzed the effects of the spacetime anisotropies on a massive Dirac field through a nonminimal CPT-odd coupling in the Dirac equation, where we proposed a possible scenario that characterizes the breaking of the Lorentz symmetry which is governed by a background vector field and induces a Landau-type quantization. Then, in order to generalize our system, we introduce a hard-wall potential and, for a particular case, we determine the energy levels in this background. In addition, at the nonrelativistic limit of the system, we investigate the effects of the Lorentz symmetry violation on thermodynamic aspects of the system.
A Scoping Review on the Attributes of Cluster Randomized Controlled Trials in Long-Term Care Facilities
Authors: Kraut Roni Y. , Katz Lauren S. , Babenko Oksana , Diaz Carvallo Fabiola , Alexanders Roberto , Chan Derek S. , Campbell Sandy , Eurich Dean T. , Garrison Scott
Published: January 2020

Cluster randomized trial design, where groups of participants are randomized instead of individual participants, is increasingly being used in long-term care research. The purpose of this review was to determine the characteristics of cluster randomized trials in long-term care facilities. A medical librarian conducted the literature search. Two independent reviewers reviewed each paper. Studies were included if the design was cluster randomized and participants were from long-term care facilities. For each included study, two independent data extractors captured data on study attributes, including: journal, location, year published, author discipline, funding, methodology, number of participants, and intervention target. The literature search yielded 7,679 unique studies, with 195 studies meeting the selection criteria and being included for data extraction. The included studies were published between 1976 and 2017, with 53% of studies published after 2009. The term cluster randomized was in the title of only 45% of the studies. The studies were conducted worldwide; the United States had the largest number of studies (23%), followed by the United Kingdom (18%). Ten percent of studies were published in journals with an impact factor >10. The most frequent discipline of the first and last authors was medicine (34%), followed by nursing (17%). Forty-nine percent of the studies had government funding, while only 20% had medical industry funding. In studies with <1000 residents, 85% of the studies obtained consent from the resident and/or their proxy, while in studies with ≥ 1000 residents, it was 31%. The most frequent intervention targets were infection (13%), falls/fracture (13%), and behavior/physical restraint (13%). Cluster randomized controlled trials in long-term care have a unique set of characteristics. Results of this review will provide guidance to researchers conducting studies in long-term care facilities.
Hyperhomocysteinemia Associated with Multiple Organ Failure in Acute Pancreatitis Patients
Authors: Li Jiang , Luo Saiqun , Tan Chaochao , Shi Ting , Wang Yupeng , Wang Hongbo
Published: January 2020

Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of hyperhomocysteinemia on multiple organ failure (MOF) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Method. In this cohort study, a total of 1880 AP patients were enrolled and divided into the hyperhomocysteinemia group (study group) and the control group based on serum homocysteine (HCY) levels. Clinical data including demographics, clinical outcomes, and characteristics were collected for analysis. Risk factors of MOF in AP patients were determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results. The hyperhomocysteinemia group showed higher multiple organ failure rates (31.83% vs 20.77%, P < 0.001), compared with the control group. A positive correlation between homocysteine level and APACHE II score was obtained by Pearson correlation analysis (r = 0.420, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis disclosed that the hyperhomocysteinemia was independently associated with MOF (hazard ratio, 1.103; 95% CI, 1.010–1.189; P = 0.012). Conclusion. A high serum homocysteine level may be an independent risk factor of multiple organ failure in patients with acute pancreatitis.
The Correlation between Dietary Selenium Intake and Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross‐Sectional Population‐Based Study on North Chinese Adults
Authors: Siddiqi Sultan Mehmood , Sun Changhao , Wu Xiaoyan , Shah Imranullah , Mehmood Anam
Published: January 2020

The relationship between selenium (Se) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains controversial. In previous animal and cell studies, Se was found to be insulin mimic and antidiabetic, whereas recent epidemiological and interventional trials have shown an unexpected association between high Se intake and increased risk of T2D. The present study aimed to investigate the significance of dietary Se and T2D in North Chinese adults. A large sample of the population was enrolled through cluster sampling in Northern China (N = 8824). Information on basic characteristics, anthropometric measures, and dietary Se intake was collected from each subject for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the association between dietary Se and T2D through adjusted odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). The average nutritional Se intake was 52.43 μg/day, and the prevalence of T2D was 20.4% in the studied population. The OR for developing T2D was 1.66 (95% CI: 1.38, 1.99; P for linear trend <0.005), comparing the highest to the lowest quintile of energy‐adjusted Se intake in multivariate logistic regression analysis. The mediation analysis discovered that glucose metabolism (indicated by FBG and HbA1c) mediated this association. In conclusion, our research adds further support to the role of high dietary Se in the incidence of T2D. The results also suggested that this association was mediated by glucose metabolism.
Circulating Tumor DNA Using Tagged Targeted Deep Sequencing to Assess Minimal Residual Disease in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Cirmena Gabriella , Garuti Anna , De Mariano Marilena , Coco Simona , Ferrando Lorenzo , Isnaldi Edoardo , Barbero Valentina , Fregatti Piero , Del Mastro Lucia , Ferrando Fabio , Gonella Roberta , Garlaschi Alessandro , Friedman Daniele , Ballestrero Alberto , Zoppoli Gabriele
Published: January 2020

In breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery, there is an unmet need for noninvasive predictive biomarkers of response. The analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in particular has been the object of several reports, but few of them have studied the applicability of tagged targeted deep sequencing (tTDS) to clinical practice and its performance compared with droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Here, we present the first results from an ongoing study involving a prospectively accrued, monocentric cohort of patients affected by invasive breast cancer, undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery with curative intent as per clinical practice. A pretreatment tumor biopsy and plasma samples were collected before and during treatment, after surgery, and every six months henceforth or until relapse, whichever came first. Pretreatment biopsies were sequenced with a 409-gene massive parallel sequencing (MPS) panel, allowing the identification of target mutations and their research in plasma by tTDS and ddPCR as a complementary approach. Using tTDS, we demonstrated the presence of at least one deleterious mutation in all the relapsed cases we studied (n = 4), with an average lead time of six months before clinical relapse. The association with ddPCR was suboptimal, and only one relapsed patient could be identified with such method. tTDS shows potential as an early noninvasive method for the detection of MRD in BC patients.
Self-Collected Specimens Revealed a Higher Vaccine- and Non-Vaccine-Type Human Papillomavirus Prevalences in a Cross-Sectional Study in Akuse
Authors: Awua Adolf K. , Severini Alberto , Wiredu Edwin K. , Afari Edwin A. , Zubach Vanessa A. , Adanu Richard M. K.
Published: January 2020

Background. Population-specific epidemiologic data on human Papillomavirus infection, which are limited in most of the SubSaharan African countries, are necessary for effective cervical cancer prevention. This study aimed to generate population-specific data on human Papillomavirus infections, and determine which of these, self-collected and provider-collected specimens, gives a higher estimate of the prevalence of human Papillomaviruses, including vaccine and non-vaccine-type human Papillomavirus. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, following a questionnaire-based collection of epidemiological data, self-, and provider-collected specimens, obtained from women 15−65 years of age, were analysed for human Papillomavirus types by a nested-multiplex polymerase chain reaction, and for cervical lesions by Pap testing. HPV data were categorised according to risk type and vaccine types for further analysis. Results. The difference between the overall human Papillomavirus infection prevalences obtained with the self-collected specimens, 43.1% (95% CI of 38.0–51.0%) and that with the provider-collected samples, 23.3% (95% CI of 19.0–31.0%) were significant (p≤0.001). The prevalence of quadrivalent vaccine-type human Papillomaviruses was 12.3% with self-collected specimens, but 6.0% with provider-collected specimens. For the nonavalent vaccine-types, the prevalences were 26.6% and 16.7% respectively. There were multiple infections involving both vaccine-preventable and nonvaccine preventable high-risk human Papillomavirus genotypes. Conclusion. The Akuse subdistrict can, therefore, be said to have a high burden of human Papillomavirus infections, which included nonvaccine types, as detected with both self-collected and provider-collected specimens. These imply that self-collection is to be given a higher consideration as a means for a population-based high-risk human Papillomavirus infections burdens assessment/screening. Additionally, even with a successful implementation of the HPV vaccination, if introduced in Ghana, there is still the need to continue with the screening of women.
Cognitive Styles and Gender as Predictors of Students’ Achievement in Summary Writing in Selected Secondary Schools in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Olagbaju Oladotun Opeoluwa
Published: January 2020

Performance in the English language especially in public examinations in Nigeria has been very poor with summary writing identified as one of the dreaded aspects of the subject. Research efforts have shown that instructional practices in English studies are not tailored to learners’ personality traits such as cognitive style and gender. Cognitive style is an individual’s preferred means of receiving, processing, and making use of information. Gender also plays an important role in the teaching-learning process. This study considered the global and analytic dimensions of cognitive style. This study determines to what extent cognitive style and gender can predict students’ achievement in summary writing. The research design is descriptive with 350 participants drawn from four senior secondary schools in Ibadan. Data were analyzed using regression analysis, and the results show that cognitive style and gender are predictors of students’ achievement in summary writing. Teachers are encouraged to individualise instruction through the knowledge of learner-related variables.
Comparative Study of Clostridium difficile Clinical Detection Methods in Patients with Diarrhoea
Authors: Xiao Yanyan , Liu Yong , Qin Xiaosong
Published: January 2020

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of three methods for detecting Clostridium difficile in fecal samples. Methods. One hundred and fifty fecal specimens were collected and tested for C. difficile using three methods: (1) the toxigenic culture (TC); (2) the VIDAS enzyme immunoassay (EIA): the VIDAS glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) assay and toxin A/B assay were used to detect GDH antigen and A/B toxin; and (3) the GeneXpert PCR assay. The toxigenic culture was used as a reference to evaluate the performance of the VIDAS EIA and the GeneXpert PCR assay. Results. Of 150 specimens, 26 carried both A and B toxin genes, and none of the samples were positive for the binary toxin gene. Toxin-producing C. difficile was found in 17.3% (26/150) of the samples. Thirty-seven GDH-positive samples were detected using the VIDAS GDH assay, and 15 toxin-positive samples were detected using the VIDAS toxin A/B assay. The GeneXpert PCR assay was used to detect C. difficile in 79 specimens simultaneously, and a total of 18 positive specimens were detected. Conclusion. The VIDAS GDH assay is useful for initial screening of C. difficile. The GeneXpert PCR assay is a simple and quick method.
Resveratrol’s Impact on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Hyporeactivity: The Role of Rho‐Kinase Inhibition
Authors: Wiciński Michał , Malinowski Bartosz , Rajewski Paweł , Szychta Paweł , Wódkiewicz Eryk , Walczak Maciej , Górski Karol , Pawlak-Osińska Katarzyna , Słupski Maciej
Published: January 2020

Resveratrol (3,5,4′‐trihydroxystilbene) is a chemical compound belonging to the group of polyphenols and flavonoids. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of resveratrol application along with certain modulating factors, such as 8Br‐cGMP‐activator of cGMP‐dependent protein kinases, HA‐1077‐Rho‐kinase inhibitor, and Bay K8644‐calcium channel agonist, on VMSCs constriction triggered by phenylephrine. Resveratrol at a dose of 10 mg/kg/24 h administered for 4 weeks reduced the reactivity of the arteries to the pressure action of catecholamines. Tests performed after four weeks of resveratrol administration showed that 8Br‐cGMP at the concentrations of 0.01 mM/l and 0.1 mM/l intensifies this effect. Simultaneous resveratrol and Bay K8644 administration led to a significant decrease in contractility compared to the vessels collected from animals (Res−). This effect was dependent on the concentration of Bay K8644. Resveratrol seems to be counteractive against Bay K8644 by blocking L‐type calcium channels. As the concentration of HA‐1077 increased, there was a marked hyporeactivity of the vessels to the pressure effects of phenylephrine. The results indicate synergy between resveratrol and Rho‐kinase inhibition.
Development of Multilayer Partially Reflective Surfaces for Highly Directive Cavity Antennas: A Study
Authors: Abdulkareem Sapna B. , Gopalakrishnan Srivatsun
Published: January 2020

This paper proposes a novel triple-layer partially reflecting surface (PRS) for designing a highly directive antenna. The proposed PRS design has 54% improvement in impedance bandwidth with existing design. The design has multiple cavities, optimized for improved gain and bandwidth performance. The PRS arrays are printed on the dielectric substrate, placed above the ground plane at a height of approximately half wavelength. The reference square microstrip patch antenna operating at a frequency of 5.8 GHz with a gain of 3.77 dBi is enhanced to 13.54 dBi. The measured S11 of the fabricated prototype is −22.12 dB with a VSWR of 1.17 : 1. Measured 3 dB gain bandwidth of the antenna is 390 MHz which is an improvement of 50% compared with the reference antenna. This highly directive antenna is suitable for WiMAX wireless application.
ANG1005, a Brain-Penetrating Peptide–Drug Conjugate, Shows Activity in Patients with Breast Cancer with Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis and Recurrent Brain Metastases
Authors: Kumthekar Priya , Tang Shou-Ching , Brenner Andrew J. , Kesari Santosh , Piccioni David E. , Anders Carey , Carrillo Jose , Chalasani Pavani , Kabos Peter , Puhalla Shannon , Tkaczuk Katherine , Garcia Agustin A. , Ahluwalia Manmeet S. , Wefel Jeffrey S. , Lakhani Nehal , Ibrahim Nuhad
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

ANG1005, a novel taxane derivative, consists of three paclitaxel molecules covalently linked to Angiopep-2, designed to cross the blood–brain and blood–cerebrospinal barriers and to penetrate malignant cells via LRP1 transport system. Preclinical and clinical evidence of efficacy with ANG1005 has been previously shown.

Patients and Methods:

A multicenter, open-label phase II study in adult patients with measurable recurrent brain metastases from breast cancer (BCBM), with or without leptomeningeal carcinomatosis was conducted (n = 72 BCBM; n = 28 leptomeningeal carcinomatosis subset). ANG1005 was administered intravenously at 600 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Tumor assessment was based on central nervous system (CNS) RECIST 1.1 for intracranial, and RECIST 1.1 for extracranial response. The primary endpoint was determination of intracranial objective response rate (iORR).

Results:

Median age was 47.5 years. Safety profile was similar to that of paclitaxel with myelosuppression as the predominating toxicity. Average number of prior CNS-directed therapies was 2.8 and 94% of the patients had prior taxane treatment. Patient benefit (stable disease or better) was seen in 77% (intracranial) and 86% (extracranial) of the evaluable patients, with iORR of 15% (investigator) or 8% (independent radiology facility [IRF] review). In the leptomeningeal carcinomatosis subset, 79% of the patients had intracranial disease control and estimated median overall survival of 8.0 months (95% CI, 5.4–9.4).

Conclusions:

Even though the study preset rule for iORR per IRF was not met in this heavily pretreated population, a notable CNS and systemic treatment effect was seen in all patients including symptom improvement and prolonged overall survival compared to historical control for the subset of patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (n = 28).
A tRial Evaluating Mid Cut-Off Value Membrane Clearance of Albumin and Light Chains in HemoDialysis Patients: A Safety Device Study
Authors: Krishnasamy Rathika , Hawley Carmel M. , Jardine Meg J. , Roberts Matthew A. , Cho Yeoungjee , Wong Muhgeot , Heath Anne , Nelson Craig L. , Sen Shaundeep , Mount Peter F. , Pascoe Elaine M. , Vergara Liza A. , Paul-Brent Peta-Anne , Toussaint Nigel D. , Johnson David W. , Hutchison Colin A.
Published: January 2020

Background: A new class of dialysis membrane, the mid cut-off (MCO) dialyzer, has been developed to improve the clearance of uremic toxins in hemodialysis (HD). The a tRial Evaluating Mid cut-Off Value membrane clearance of Albumin and Light chains in HemoDialysis patients (REMOVAL-HD) study aimed to determine if regular use of MCO dialyzer was safe and specifically did not result in a significant loss of albumin. Methods: This investigator initiated, crossover, longitudinal, device study was conducted across 9 centers in Australia and New Zealand (n = 89). Participants had a 4-week wash-in with high-flux HD, followed by 24-week intervention with MCO HD and a subsequent 4-week wash-out with high-flux HD. The primary outcome was change in serum albumin between weeks 4 and 28. Secondary outcomes included trends in serum albumin, changes in kappa- and lambda-free light chains (FLC), 6-min walk test (6MWT), malnutrition inflammation score (MIS), restless legs score and quality of life. Results: Participants had a mean age of 66 ± 14 years, 62% were men, 45% were anuric, and 51% had ­diabetes. There was no reduction in serum albumin following treatment with MCO HD (mean reduction –0.7 g/L, 95% CI –1.5 to 0.1). A sustained, unexplained reduction in serum albumin (>25%) was not observed in any participant. A reduction in FLC was observed 2 weeks into MCO HD (lambda-FLC: Δ –9.1 mg/L, 95% CI –14.4 to –3.7; kappa-FLC: Δ –5.7 mg/L, 95% CI –9.8 to –1.6) and was sustained for the rest of the study intervention. Both FLC increased after the cessation of MCO use. There was no improvement in restless legs symptoms, quality of life, 6MWT or MIS scores. Conclusions: Regular HD using the MCO dialyzer did not result in a significant fall in serum albumin. There were no effects on quality of life, functional status or nutrition. Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number (ANZCTRN) 12616000804482.
Desenvolvimento de plug-ins voltados para a análise de requisitos da Norma de Desempenho Brasileira
Authors: Silva Juliano Lima da , Mussi Andréa Quadrado , Silva Thaísa Leal da , Zardo Paola , Ribeiro Lauro André
Published: January 2020

Entre as potencialidades do Building Information Modeling está a tomada de decisões com base em verificações e simulações de um modelo. Contudo, este processo pode tornar-se complexo se as informações não são acessíveis ou se o software BIM utilizado não conta com funcionalidades para manipulá-las. Neste cenário, a programação na engenharia e arquitetura surge como uma maneira de customizar soluções, ultrapassar as limitações de software e consequentemente, ampliar a capacidade de tomada de decisão em etapas cada vez mais preliminares do projeto. No presente trabalho, tem-se como objetivo o desenvolvimento de ferramentas de programação para projetos, por meio de plug-ins voltados para a integração de informações, possibilitando análise e exploração de alternativas em um modelo. Para atingir este objetivo, foram desenvolvidas ferramentas voltadas para verificação de requisitos da Norma de Desempenho em um software BIM. O método utilizado para conduzir a pesquisa é o Design Science Research, abordagem construtiva voltada para o desenvolvimento de artefatos vinculados a um tema específico, como um meio de prescrever uma solução para um problema de cunho prático. Como resultado, é apresentada a etapa de construção de artefatos da pesquisa na forma de dois plug-ins: um voltado para a estimativa do desempenho acústico de vedações verticais, e outro para a estimativa da iluminância interna de ambientes. Conclui-se que o processo de criação de ferramentas pelos projetistas possibilita, além de automatizar muitos dos processos de verificação de projeto, a adequação às particularidades de uma variedade de possíveis cenários específicos, podendo tornar a programação de softwares BIM uma maneira de ultrapassar limitações de plataformas e auxiliar na tomada de decisões de projeto em etapas preliminares do processo de desenvolvimento do mesmo.
Design paramétrico e generativo
Authors: Mineiro Érico Franco , Magalhães Claudio Freitas de
Published: January 2020

A despeito de seu potencial de aplicação, conhecimentos sobre práticas de design paramétrico e generativo se encontram dispersos e se confundem entre conhecimentos de natureza técnica, metodológica e teórico-conceitual. Este artigo tem como objetivo caracterizar práticas de design paramétrico e generativo, bem como evidenciar aspectos determinantes para estas práticas, para então discutir implicações de sua adoção em processos de design. A fim de alcançar este objetivo foi conduzida uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre práticas e abordagens de design paramétrico e generativo. Nesta revisão foram consideradas, em especial, as trajetórias tecnológicas relacionadas a estas práticas, modos operativos, limitações e avanços recentes destas práticas. A partir desta revisão é proposta uma tipologia conceitual das práticas de design auxiliadas por computador e mediadas por algoritmos. O fenômeno de formação de comunidades de prática online é apontado como um espaço possível para fazer frente à aprendizagem técnica necessária à adoção destas práticas. Limitações e avanços recentes relacionados a estas práticas são sintetizados. Em seguida são feitas considerações acerca do risco de determinismo tecnológico em processos de design auxiliado por algoritmos. Por fim, implicações da adoção destas práticas em processos de design são discutidas em termos de suas dinâmicas e potencialidades. Nesse sentido, práticas de design paramétrico e generativo são reveladas como modos de explorar a complexidade situada nas relações constitutivas de artefatos, entre artefatos, entre artefatos e usuários, e, entre artefatos e ambiente. Muito além da representação de algo pré-concebido, do auxílio computadorizado baseado em modelos (ainda que dinâmico e contínuo), dos arranjos de funções padrão e das simulações com dinâmicas pré-definidas, práticas de design paramétrico e generativo encontram seu objeto ideal na criação um meio digital rico para a exploração da complexidade, um meio que permita a experimentação com variações de parâmetros e de dinâmicas particulares situadas.
Relato de experiência piloto para adoção de método para programa de inovação em instituição de educação tecnológica
Authors: Benevides Júnior Acursio Ypiranga , Mota Sheila Cordeiro
Published: January 2020

Este artigo contém o resultado de uma dissertação de mestrado profissional em design, na qual foi realizado um estudo de caso de Projeto de Design na Implementação de Programa de Inovação em entidades de Educação Tecnológica. Utilizando-se da metodologia do design thinking da Stanford d.school para guiar os passos da implementação, a proposta objetiva: (1) estruturar, a partir da imersão da empatia, um modelo tático para ser utilizado na implementação do programa de inovação; (2) executar um projeto piloto que espelhe as nuances enfrentadas pela implementação de programa de inovação na educação tecnológica; e (3) implementar, a partir do design, o programa de inovação na educação tecnológica. Os resultados impuseram uma nova abordagem à educação profi ssional nas escolas aplicadas, como conectaram a estratégia da entidade frente às novas tendências da aprendizagem industrial.
Simulação de visibilidade e oclusão em quarteirões históricos: análise comparativa dos softwares Arcgis, Cityengine e Cityzoom
Authors: Turkienicz Benamy , Dalcin Guilherme Kruger , Lersch Rodrigo Pereira , Silveira Renato
Published: January 2020

A equilibrada coexistência entre novas construções e conjuntos históricos costuma ajudar a preservar ambiências urbanas e a reforçar o protagonismo de edifícios de inegável valor plástico e cultural. Muitas vezes, restrições construtivas originadas em descrições subjetivas do espaço urbano geram excessos indesejáveis como a redução da atratividade de investimentos e a estagnação das relações sociais e econômicas existentes nestes lugares. Nos dias de hoje, ferramentas computacionais e tecnologias de visualização podem ser utilizadas para aumentar a percepção sobre limiares de interferência visual de novas construções sobre edificações históricas e, se criteriosamente utilizadas, podem contribuir para subsidiar a análise objetiva de impactos urbanísticos conferindo celeridade ao licenciamento das novas construções. Modelos computacionais podem ser utilizados para descrever, numérica e graficamente, espaços oclusos de áreas históricas e “mapear” a interferência de novas edificações. Tecnologias utilizadas para edição de projetos de arquitetura hoje disponíveis não oferecem este mapeamento: este artigo compara o desempenho de ferramentas computacionais que utilizam conceitos elementares de oclusão e visibilidade na aferição de impactos visuais urbanos. A comparação tem por objetivo diferenciar características funcionais destas ferramentas para representar e mensurar espaços dentro e fora dos campos visuais de transeuntes. O trabalho se divide em quatro partes. A primeira parte descreve os modelos conceituais de oclusão e visibilidade e suas aplicações computacionais em três softwares escolhidos para a análise comparativa: ArcGIS, CityEngine e Cityzoom. A segunda parte apresenta os métodos utilizados pelos três softwares para simulação e mensuração de “envelopes oclusos” em quarteirões históricos. Os métodos são testados, na terceira parte, em estudo de caso constituído por quadras do Centro Histórico da cidade de Pelotas - RS. Os resultados obtidos mostram diferenças entre modelos de dados: ArcGIS e CityEngine computam as partes visíveis dos volumes existentes, enquanto Cityzoom computa volumes virtuais em oclusão. Se os três softwares analisados contribuem para a aferição do impacto de novas edificações em ambiente urbano contendo edificações históricas, o software Cityzoom permite a modelagem e mensuração automática, conferindo maior rapidez de resposta em relação aos dois outros softwares.
Potes, Pratos e Contatos Culturais
Authors: Lemos Rennan , Frizzo Fábio
Published: January 2020

Até recentemente, a literatura especializada na Núbia do Reino Novo (1.550-1.070 a.C.) enfatizava a egipcianização das populações núbias, isto é, a adoção, quase que completa, de práticas culturais egípcias por tais populações. Nuanças desse tipo de abordagem incluíam identificar focos de resistência especialmente por parte dos chefes núbios, que escolheriam se egipcianizar como forma de obter, entre outras coisas, poder e prestígio. Hoje em dia, pelo contrário, novas pesquisas e escavações no Sudão, em sítios que datam do Reino Novo, estão revelando interações mais complexas entre as culturas egípcias e núbias no cotidiano dessas populações. Tais interações materializavam-se, entre outros tipos de objetos, em potes e pratos associados aos atos de armazenar, preparar e servir comida encontrados em sítios urbanos, sobretudo na Alta Núbia. Este artigo busca analisar as interações entre egípcios e núbios com base na coleção cerâmica produzida por escavações em diferentes sítios do Sudão e em dados bioarqueológicos relativos à dieta dessas populações à luz de uma teoria da consubstancialidade das relações de gênero, raça e classe. O objetivo é demonstrar como práticas culturais tão enraizadas como preparar, servir e consumir alimentos são difíceis de serem modificadas e guardam, portanto, um potencial de resistência cultural frente à imposição imperial de determinados costumes.
Escravidão e a Eflorescência Econômica de Atenas
Authors: Porter Jason Douglas
Published: January 2020

Seguindo uma recente onda de argumentação bibliográfica a favor de um crescimento significativo na economia grega antiga, diversos livros pioneiros buscaram explicar esse fenômeno pelas lentes da Nova Economia Institucional (NEI). O inegável prevalecimento da escravidão por toda a história grega antiga, entretanto, não foi integrado substancialmente nessas novas análises. Esse artigo pretende se tratar desse problema, elucidando alguns dos modos pelos quais a escravidão contribuiu para a eflorescência econômica do final do Período Arcaico e do Período Clássico da Grécia (600-300 a.C.) dentro de uma abordagem focalizada institucionalmente.  Examinando especialmente o caso do Estado de Atenas, esse estudo argumenta não apenas que o sistema da escravidão importou uma vasta quantidade de trabalho de outras regiões do Mediterrâneo para dentro da política ateniense, mas também que ela direcionou o trabalho para objetivos economicamente produtivos que foram, por outro lado, limitados pela estrutura social ateniense. O uso de escravos em operações de moagem nos provê de um exemplo-chave e frequentemente ignorado, que será aqui usado como um estudo de caso.
Uma análise das representações de Havana em La fiesta vigilada de Antonio José Ponte
Authors: Coelho Paula De Carvalho
Published: January 2020

A ideia de se conceber a cidade como texto ou signo, que permite por meio da análise de seus espaços e de suas construções a leitura de sua história e a compreensão da sociedade que nela vive é uma noção que pode ser recuperada em trabalhos de intelectuais como Walter Benjamin como em seu inacabado projeto das Passagens (2006), e também em trabalhos mais recentes, como no ensaio “Os vazios de Berlim” (1999) do crítico literário Andreas Huyssen.

Com base neste conceito, propomos uma análise das representações de Havana desenvolvidas por Antonio José Ponte, no “romance” La fiesta vigilada (2007), com objetivo de investigar como os espaços da cidade no texto mencionado nos permitem associá-los com alguns eventos históricos transcorridos em Cuba durante a segunda metade do século XX.
A construção da memória social no pós-Guerra Civil em La caída de Madrid (2000)
Authors: Franco Gabriele
Published: January 2020

O presente artigo propõe uma análise da estrutura do texto e dos procedimentos utilizados por Rafael Chirbes, em La caída de Madrid (2000), refazendo os caminhos do narrador onisciente e dos monólogos observando quais os recursos e as técnicas utilizados para que o fluir da consciência ganhe textura narrativa e rememore a história da Espanha. Através dos relatos dos personagens José, Tomas e Quini há uma reconstrução da memória social espanhola. Esse processo de rememoração só é possível por meio da representação do fluxo de consciência, pois os personagens são influenciados pelo silenciamento que as políticas e a historiografia da Guerra Civil e a ditadura deixaram como herança.
Absurdos, alienados e vanguardistas
Authors: Verneck Bruno
Published: January 2020

Tópico recorrente das historiografias teatrais chilenas e argentinas, a categoria de vanguarda instaura ruídos na produção dos dramaturgos que despontam no final da década de 1950. O presente trabalho recompõe as polêmicas do período, a fim de questionar o lugar "fora da história" que grande parte da crítica legou à produção de alguns autores do período. O itinerário parte das revisões crítica das obras da argentina Griselda Gambaro e do chileno Jorge Díaz, dramaturgos que a crítica local vinculou ao "teatro do absurdo" hispano-americano.