bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Staphylococcus-induced glomerulonephritis: potential role for corticosteroids
Authors: Nogueira Rui Filipe , Oliveira Nuno , Sousa Vítor , Alves Rui
Published: January 2021

Staphylococcus aureusis a troublesome pathogen, responsible for a broad range of clinical manifestations, ranging from benign skin infections to life-threatening conditions such as endocarditis and osteomyelitis. The kidney can be affected through a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis mediated by an inflammatory reaction against a superantigen deposited in the glomerulus during the infection’s course. This glomerulopathy has a poor prognosis, often leading to chronically impaired kidney function, eventually progressing to end-stage renal disease. Treatment rests on antibiotherapy. Despite the inflammatory role in this disease’s pathophysiology, most authors discourage a simultaneous immunosuppressive approach given the concomitant infection. However, there are some reports of success after administration of systemic corticosteroids in these patients. We present a 66-year-old man with a staphylococcus-induced glomerulonephritis brought on by a vascular graft infection, with rapidly deteriorating kidney function despite extraction of the infected graft and 3 weeks of antibiotherapy with achievement of infection control. Kidney function improved after the introduction of corticosteroids. This case highlights the potential role of corticosteroids in selected cases of staphylococcus-induced glomerulonephritis, particularly those in which the infection is under control.
Challenging diagnosis of indolent systemic mastocytosis isolated to the GI tract
Authors: Horton Luke , Al-Kourainy Nabil , Kabbani Dana , Bishop Carter R
Published: January 2021

Mastocytosis is a rare group of disorders that presents with heterogenous phenotypes depending on the organ system involved. In the absence of cutaneous involvement—mast cell aggregates that may present as papules, nodules or plaques—classically associated with indolent systemic mastocytosis (SM), the diagnosis of this rare condition is particularly challenging. When localised to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, symptoms of indolent SM are often non-specific and mimic common conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. Diagnosis may be suspected by clinical presentation, but biopsy with histopathological analysis is necessary to confirm. We present a rare case of indolent SM without cutaneous features. In the absence of typical cutaneous features, indolent SM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with persistent GI symptoms refractory to medical treatment, as failure to do so can lead to delay in the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Delayed postoperative interface keratitis due toEnterococcus faecalisafter Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty
Authors: Sudana Priyanka , Chaurasia Sunita , Joseph Joveeta , Mishra Dilip Kumar
Published: January 2021

To report the clinical course and management of interface keratitis due toEnterococcus faecalisafter Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). A 64-year-old man underwent DMEK, with unevenful immediate postoperative course, with a visual recovery of 20/30 at 2 weeks. At 3 months of clinical visit, interface keratitis was noted. DMEK graft removal with stromal bed scrapings was performed. A diagnosis ofE. faecalisinterface keratitis was made. The patient responded favourably to antibiotic susceptibility-guided intensive treatment with vancomycin 5% with complete resolution of infection. After 2 months of graft removal, Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) was performed. The corneal clarity was restored and the best corrected visual acuity was 20/40 at last follow-up of 1 year.E. faecalisshould be kept as a differential in delayed onset interface keratitis after DMEK. After microbiological cure with antibiotic therapy, visual rehabilitation with DSEK restores corneal clarity and results in favourable visual outcome.
NeonatalEscherichia coliinfection in twins: clinical spectrum and management dilemma
Authors: Ehman Dylan , Mugarab Samedi Veronica , Kalaniti Kaarthigeyan , Daspal Sibasis
Published: January 2021

The clinical manifestation ofEscherichia colicould vary from asymptomatic bacteraemia to systemic bloodstream infection and meningitis. We describe an unusual course ofE. coliinfection in twins, emphasising commencement of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. A set of male dichorionic diamniotic twins were delivered at 34 weeks of gestation by caesarian section. Pregnancy was complicated by diabetes, pre-eclampsia and cholestasis. Antenatal ultrasounds noted a congenital pulmonary airway malformation in twin A. Following delivery, twin A developed respiratory distress, but twin B was asymptomatic. Partial septic work-up at admission in the neonatal intensve care unit was done. Twin A’s blood culture grewE. coli, while twin B’s blood culture was negative. Twin A was treated with 7 days of intravenous antibiotics. At 11 days of age, twin B acutely developed a scrotal swelling. On suspicion of testicular torsion, he was taken for urgent surgery, which revealed a scrotal abscess positive forE. coli. The scrotum was irrigated and successfully treated with 4 weeks of antibiotics. Both twins were doing well at 3 months of follow-up.
Surfactant dysfunction disorder masquerading as meconium aspiration syndrome and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
Authors: Gupta Shelly , Agrawal Gopal , Balde Manish , Wazir Sanjay
Published: January 2021

About 10% of term neonates present with respiratory distress at birth. The most common aetiologies include transient tachypnoea of the newborn, pneumonia and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Hyaline membrane disease (HMD) in a term infant occurs either as primary HMD, secondary surfactant deficiency or congenital surfactant dysfunction. A detailed history supported with appropriate radiological and laboratory investigations can help a clinician reach a diagnosis. We report a case of surfactant dysfunction disorder which presented as severe MAS and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. In the infant described, the significant history of a sibling death with severe neonatal respiratory disease led us to think of diffuse developmental lung diseases especially surfactant dysfunction syndromes. Exome sequencing detected a heterozygous missense variation in exon 21 of the ATP binding cassette protein member 3 (ABCA3) gene. Based on the clinical picture supported with the exome sequencing, a diagnosis of surfactant dysfunction disorder (ABCA3 deficiency) was confirmed.
Moyamoya angiopathy unmasking systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Das Shambaditya , Dubey Souvik , Pandit Alak , Ray Biman Kanti
Published: January 2021

A 47-year-old woman with history of seizure disorder (semiology of seizure unknown), not well controlled with antiepileptic drugs since last 30 years presented with 1-year history of intermittent throbbing headache. On the day prior to admission, she experienced worst headache, followed by loss of consciousness. On regaining consciousness, she had neck pain without any focal neurological deficit, but examination was marked by positive meningeal signs. She had history of oral ulceration, photosensitivity and small joints pain for which no medical consultancy was sought until. Following relevant investigations, this case came out to be moyamoya angiopathy secondary to underlying systemic lupus erythematosus. She was put on immunosuppressive and immunomodulator as per recommendations. Among neurological symptoms, headache improved dramatically without any further seizure recurrence till the 6 months of follow-up.
Penetrating abdominal injury: UK military experience from the Afghanistan conflict
Authors: Leong MJ , Edgar I , Terry M
Published: January 2021

Aims

To identify the prevalence, injury patterns and mortality of penetrating abdominal injury in patients treated at the UK Role 3 Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.

Methods

All patients with a penetrating abdominal injury were identified from the UK Joint Theatre Trauma Registry (JTTR). Demographics, predicted survival and observed mortality were compared. Sub-group analyses of UK military patients were conducted, comparing changes in survival as the campaign progressed and identifying the anatomical distribution of abdominal injuries.

Results

Between June 2006 and June 2013, 1331 of the 8558 (16%) patients recorded on the JTTR had a penetrating abdominal injury; 393 were UK military, of whom 175 (45%) survived. 71% of UK military fatalities had the maximum New Injury Severity Score (NISS) of 75 compared to 4.6% of UK military survivors. The survival rate of UK military patients increased in the later stages of the campaign. Fatal injury in UK military patients was associated with significant vascular or hepatic injuries.

Conclusions

This study has defined the epidemiology of penetrating abdominal injury in a modern conflict. Continued training and further research into injury prevention and management will help to ensure that the improved outcomes observed in Afghanistan continue on future operations.
Theorising the neurotypical gaze: autistic love and relationships inThe Bridge(Bron/Broen 2011–2018)
Authors: McDermott Catherine
Published: January 2021

In popular media, autistic subjectivity is most often produced through the lens of the neurotypical gaze. Dominant understandings of autism therefore tend to focus on perceived deficits in social communication and relationships. Accordingly, this article has two primary concerns. First, it uses the Danish/Swedish television seriesThe Bridge(Bron/Broen, 2011–2018) and critical responses to the series as examples of how the neurotypical gaze operates, concentrating on the pleasures derived from looking at autism, how autism is ‘fixed’ (Frantz Fanon, 1986) as a socially undesirable subject position, and the self-interested focus of the gaze. Second, it analyses key scenes from the series to expose and challenge the dominance of the neurotypical perspective in scholarly accounts of autistic sexuality and relationality. Using Lauren Berlant’s (2012) work on love, I argue that the non-normative ways of being constructed by the series do not fit easily within neuroconventional frameworks of love and desire. Consequently, autistic expressions of love are rendered both undesirable and illegible to the neurotypical gaze. The article therefore offers a flexible framework for understanding how the neurotypical gaze functions across cultural and academic spheres and gives vital insight into how autistic love and relationships are narratively constructed.
BET proteins are associated with the induction of small airway fibrosis in COPD
Authors: Zakarya Razia , Chan Yik L , Rutting Sandra , Reddy Karosham , Bozier Jack , Woldhuis Roy R , Xenaki Dikaia , Van Ly David , Chen Hui , Brandsma Corry-Anke , Adcock Ian M , Oliver Brian G
Published: January 2021

Rationale

In COPD, small airway fibrosis occurs due to increased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in and around the airway smooth muscle (ASM) layer. Studies of immune cells and peripheral lung tissue have shown that epigenetic changes occur in COPD but it is unknown whether airway mesenchymal cells are reprogrammed.

Objectives

Determine if COPD ASM cells have a unique epigenetic response to profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1).

Methods

Primary human ASM cells from COPD and non-COPD smoking patients were stimulated with TGF-β1. Gene array analysis performed to identify differences in ECM expression. Airway accumulation of collagen 15α1 and tenascin-C proteins was assessed. Aforementioned ASM cells were stimulated with TGF-β1 ± epigenetic inhibitors with qPCR quantification of
COL15A1
and
TNC
. Global histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity were assessed. chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR for histone H3 and H4 acetylation at
COL15A1
and
TNC
promoters was carried out. Effects of bromoterminal and extraterminal domain (BET) inhibitor JQ1(+) on expression and acetylation of ECM target genes were assessed.

Measurements and main results

COPD ASM show significantly higher
COL15A1
and
TNC
expression in vitro and the same trend for higher levels of collagen 15α1 and tenascin-c deposited in COPD airways in vivo. Epigenetic screening indicated differential response to HDAC inhibition. ChIP-qPCR revealed histone H4 acetylation at
COL15A1
and
TNC
promoters in COPD ASM only. ChIP-qPCR found JQ1(+) pretreatment significantly abrogated TGF-β1 induced histone H4 acetylation at
COL15A1
and
TNC
.

Conclusions

BET protein binding to acetylated histones is important in TGF-β1 induced expression of
COL15A1
and
TNC
and maintenance of TGF-β1 induced histone H4 acetylation in cell progeny.
Asthma diagnosis: into the fourth dimension
Authors: Wang Ran , Murray Clare S , Fowler Stephen J , Simpson Angela , Durrington Hannah Jane
Published: January 2021

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease in the UK; however, the misdiagnosis rate is substantial. The lack of consistency in national guidelines and the paucity of data on the performance of diagnostic algorithms compound the challenges in asthma diagnosis. Asthma is a highly rhythmic disease, characterised by diurnal variability in clinical symptoms and pathogenesis. Asthma also varies day to day, seasonally and from year to year. As much as it is a hallmark for asthma, this variability also poses significant challenges to asthma diagnosis. Almost all established asthma diagnostic tools demonstrate diurnal variation, yet few are performed with standardised timing of measurements. The dichotomous interpretation of diagnostic outcomes using fixed cut-off values may further limit the accuracy of the tests, particularly when diurnal variability straddles cut-off values within a day, and careful interpretation beyond the ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ outcome is needed. The day-to-day and more long-term variations are less predictable and it is unclear whether performing asthma diagnostic tests during asymptomatic periods may influence diagnostic sensitivities. With the evolution of asthma diagnostic tools, home monitoring and digital apps, novel strategies are needed to bridge these gaps in knowledge, and circadian variability should be considered during the standardisation process. This review summarises the biological mechanisms of circadian rhythms in asthma and highlights novel data on the significance of time (the fourth dimension) in asthma diagnosis.
Agonistic interactions and island biogeography as drivers of carnivore spatial and temporal activity at multiple scales
Authors: Farmer M.J. , Allen M.L. , Olson E.R. , Van Stappen J. , Van Deelen T.R.
Published: January 2021

Carnivore communities can be diverse and complex, and lack of knowledge regarding intraguild interactions and alternative drivers of carnivore distributions can preclude effective conservation of co-occurring species. As such, our objectives were to evaluate the relative importance of intraguild interactions and island biogeography to carnivore community spatiotemporal activity at multiple spatial scales. We monitored the carnivore community of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wisconsin, USA) using a grid of camera traps from 2014 to 2018. We used generalized linear mixed-effects models and information-theoretic model selection to evaluate whether subordinate carnivore presence was related to dominant carnivore relative abundance (interactions) or to island biogeography at the island level and camera site level, and we calculated temporal overlap between each pair of species to determine whether subordinate carnivores were using temporal segregation. At the island level, the relative importance of interactions and island biogeography was species dependent. At the site level, relative abundance of dominant carnivores was not a significant predictor of subordinate carnivore presence, and all pairs exhibited high or neutral temporal overlap. At the island level, island biogeography and interactions may both impact species distributions; however, at finer spatial scales, the carnivore community may be using alternative segregation strategies, or the island system may preclude segregation.
Effects of nonstandard interaction on temporal and spatial correlations in neutrino oscillations
Authors: Sarkar Trisha , Dixit Khushboo
Published: January 2021

Effects of physics beyond the standard model in the neutrino sector are conveniently incorporated through non-standard interaction parameters. Assuming new physics in the form of dimension-6 vector operators, a recent global analysis of neutrino oscillation data including results from COHERENT experiment suggests two favourable new physics scenarios. These are LMA-Light (with normal mass ordering) and LMA-Dark (with inverted mass ordering) sectors of parameters. In this work, we study the effects of new physics solutions on Leggett–Garg-type (LGtI) inequality which quantifies temporal correlations in the system along with flavour entropy and genuine tripartite entanglement which can be considered as measures of spatial correlations. We show that the violation of LGtI for $$\nu _{\mu }$$

ν
μ

energy around 3 GeV in the DUNE experimental set-up can not only be an indication of presence of new physics but such a new physics is expected to be in the form of LMA-Dark sector with inverted ordering. Further, we show that the LMA-Light solution, in general, decreases the values of all measures of quantum correlations in comparison to their SM predictions. On the other hand, the Dark solution can significantly enhance the values of these measures.
Improved simplified and highly stable lattice Boltzmann methods for incompressible flows
Authors: Gao Yuan , Yang Liuming , Yu Yang , Hou Guoxiang , Hou Zhongbao
Published: January 2021

In this work, improved simplified and highly stable lattice Boltzmann methods (SHSLBMs) are developed for incompressible flows. The SHSLBM is a newly developed scheme within the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) framework, which utilizes the fractional step technology to resolve the governing equations recovered from lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) and reconstructs the equations in the Lattice Boltzmann frame. By this treatment, the SHSLBM directly tracks the macroscopic variables in the evolution process rather than the distribution functions of each grid node, which greatly saves virtual memories and simplifies the implementation of physical boundary conditions. However, the Chapman–Enskog expansion analysis reveals that the SHSLBM recover the weakly compressible Navier–Stokes equations with the low Mach number assumption. Therefore, the original SHSLBM can be regarded as an artificial compressible method and may cause some undesired errors. By modifying the evolution equation for the density distribution function, the improved SHSLBMs can eliminate the compressible effects. The incompressible SHSLBMs are compared with the original SHSLBM in terms of accuracy and stability by simulating several two-dimensional steady and unsteady incompressible flow problems, and the results demonstrate that the present SHSLBMs ensure the second order of accuracy and can reduce the compressible effects efficiently, especially for the incompressible flows with large pressure gradients. We then extended the present SHSLBMs to study the more complicated two-dimensional lid-driven flow and found that the present results are in good agreement with available benchmark results.
Cause-Related Product Pricing with Regular Product Reference
Authors: Li Xin , Xu Minghui , Yang Dongsheng
Published: January 2021

Inspired by the universal application of cause marketing (CM) campaign, this paper develops a game theoretical model to investigate cause-related product pricing problem. By considering the customer’s prosociality level and reference behavior, where the overall utility of regular product as a reference point, we separately study the cause-related product pricing strategies for competitor with and without response. Analytical results show that consumers’ purchase behaviors (i.e., differential levels of prosociality and reference recognition) significantly influence the cause-related product pricing decisions. When faced with consumers who have different purchase behaviors, the cause-related product pricing strategies should be adjusted accordingly.
An Alternative Approach to Dealing with the Composition Approach for Series Network Production Processes
Authors: Sahoo Biresh K. , Saleh Hilda , Shafiee Morteza , Tone Kaoru , Zhu Joe
Published: January 2021

To deal with efficiency assessment in a two-stage production process, Despotis et al. (2016b) proposed an innovative composition approach to calculate the two-stage efficiencies, whose minimum is defined as overall efficiency of the network production process. The underlying proposed programming method in this approach is nonlinear and requires the application of a very time-consuming bi-section procedure to obtain the stage efficiencies. In this paper, we have, therefore, proposed a simple linear network DEA model to carry out the same stage efficiency assessment, which is computationally efficient, and is also readily applicable to any multi-stage production process. Additionally, unlike the Despotis et al.’s (2016b) method, our proposed alternative is extended to deal with dynamic efficiency assessment. Finally, we have considered both synthetic and real-life data to demonstrate the ready applicability of our proposed models for both static and dynamic efficiency assessments.
The effects of the dark energy on the static Schrödinger–Newton system — An Adomian Decomposition Method and Padé approximants based approach
Authors: Mak Man Kwong , Leung Chun Sing , Harko Tiberiu
Published: January 2021

The Schrödinger–Newton system is a nonlinear system obtained by coupling together the linear Schrödinger equation of quantum mechanics with the Poisson equation of Newtonian mechanics. In this work, we will investigate the effects of a cosmological constant (dark energy or vacuum fluctuation) on the Schrödinger–Newton system, by modifying the Poisson equation through the addition of a new term. The corresponding Schrödinger–Newton-[Formula: see text] system cannot be solved exactly, and therefore for its study one must resort to either numerical or semianalytical methods. In order to obtain a semianalytical solution of the system we apply the Adomian Decomposition Method, a very powerful method used for solving a large class of nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations. Moreover, the Adomian series are transformed into rational functions by using the Padé approximants. The semianalytical approximation is compared with the exact numerical solution, and the effects of the dark energy on the structure of the Newtonian quantum system are fully investigated.
A Survey on the Susceptibility of PUFs to Invasive, Semi-Invasive and Noninvasive Attacks: Challenges and Opportunities for Future Directions
Authors: Mispan Mohd Syafiq , Halak Basel , Zwolinski Mark
Published: January 2021

Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) are considered to be a promising technology that provides a hardware root-of-trust for integrated circuit (IC) applications. PUFs exploit the intrinsic process variations that map a set of challenges to a set of responses. The intrinsic process variations are caused by uncontrollable deviations in the IC manufacturing process, which are unique and random from die to die and wafer to wafer. As the PUF output is device-specific, PUFs can, therefore, be used in IC identification and authentication, and cryptographic key generation. Nevertheless, many different successful attack techniques have already revealed vulnerabilities in certain PUFs, including invasive, semi-invasive and noninvasive attacks. In this work, we survey some of the known attacks on PUFs. We also survey the countermeasures to these types of attack presented in recent literature, and finally, discuss the future challenges. Through this survey, the susceptibility of PUFs to attacks is highlighted and this information may be used to improve the quality of future PUF-based application designs.
ENERGETICALLY AND STERICALLY FAVORABLE ASSEMBLY OF IDENTICAL GOLD NANORODS WITH VARYING CONCENTRATIONS OF NANOSPHERES
Authors: AHMAD IMTIAZ , HUSSAIN AKHLAQ , ALI AMBREEN , JAN RAHIM
Published: January 2021

Gold nanorod ribbon-like arrays as well as shape-separation effect of rods from sphere-like nanoparticles have been evaluated for identical nanorod suspension with various concentration of nanospheres. These sphere-rod mixtures are prepared with help of different amounts of AgNO3. Deposits of nanoparticles at various positions of the coffee-stain ring are observed in different arrangements. For instance, face-to-face aligned nanorods get settled in ribbon-like superstructures and these arrays are observed to be self-separated from spheres. Self-assembly and shape-separation effect are observed more systematic at the outer-edges than the inner-region of the coffee-stain ring. Experimentally, it has been observed that face-to-face formation of nanorods in suspension is energetically more probable arrangement. As the separation between two nanorods increases, the depth of potential well decreases, indicating that the upper layers of nanorods are more under the influence of lower placed nanorods than those placed in the same plane. Energetically and sterically, more feasible arrangements are observed.
On rings with xn − x nilpotent
Authors: Abyzov A. N. , Tapkin D. T.
Published: January 2021

For [Formula: see text] and for a ring [Formula: see text] the notation [Formula: see text] means that [Formula: see text] is nilpotent for all [Formula: see text]. In this paper, rings [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] holds are completely characterized for any integers [Formula: see text]. This answers a question which was raised in [T. Kosan, Y. Zhou, T. Yildirim, Rings with [Formula: see text] nilpotent, J. Algebra Appl. 19(4) (2020) 2050065].
Some remarks on evolution algebras corresponding to permutations
Authors: Narkuziyev B. A.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we describe absolute nilpotent and some idempotent elements of an [Formula: see text]-dimensional evolution algebra corresponding to two permutations and we decompose such algebras to the direct sum of evolution algebras corresponding to cycles of the permutations.
Meshless Numerical Analysis of Phase Change Problems in Artificial Freezing Technology Applied in Geo-Media
Authors: Chen Peipei , Yang Guangchang , Wu Nan
Published: January 2021

Numerical solutions to heat conduction problems involving phase change have traditionally been obtained using the grid-based finite difference or finite element methods. However, due to the unique mathematical form of the equations and the limitations of the grid algorithm, difficulties may arise in solutions. In this study, smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is used to calculate heat conduction with phase change so as to obtain reasonable numerical solutions. An SPH-based program is presented, and its practicality and reliability are verified through a benchmark problem. Based on the unidirectional freezing test, the validity and accuracy of the soil freezing model considering the phase change effect is verified compared with the finite element results. Then, artificial freezing technology is applied in geo-media, where the heat conduction with phase change during soil freezing is simulated. The temperature distribution characteristics around freezing pipes and the development of thermal regime of characteristic points with time are obtained. The frozen front development is analyzed, considering different freezing-pipe temperatures and different thermal parameters for the media. The findings of this study may provide a reference for the design of future engineering applications using artificial freezing technology.
Minimal surfaces in ℍ2 × ℝ: Non-fillable curves
Authors: Coskunuzer Baris
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we study the asymptotic Plateau problem in [Formula: see text]. We construct the first examples of non-fillable finite curves with no thin tail in [Formula: see text].
Symplectic embeddings of the ℓp-sum of two discs
Authors: Ostrover Yaron , Ramos Vinicius G. B.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we study symplectic embedding questions for the [Formula: see text]-sum of two discs in [Formula: see text], when [Formula: see text]. In particular, we compute the symplectic inner and outer radii in these cases, and show how different kinds of embedding rigidity and flexibility phenomena appear as a function of the parameter [Formula: see text].
On concomitants of dual generalized order statistics from Bairamov–Kotz–Becki Farlie–Gumbel–Morgenstern bivariate distributions
Authors: Alawady M. A. , Barakat H. M. , Xiong Shengwu , Abd Elgawad M. A.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we study the concomitants of [Formula: see text]-dual generalized order statistics ([Formula: see text]-DGOS) from Bairamov–Kotz–Becki Farlie–Gumbel–Morgenstern bivariate distributions as an extension of several recent papers. This study can also be applied to the model of [Formula: see text]-generalized order statistics ([Formula: see text]-GOS) as a parallel model of [Formula: see text]-DGOS. Furthermore, the joint distribution of [Formula: see text]-DGOS of concomitants for this family is studied. Some useful recurrence relations between single and product moments of concomitants are obtained. Moreover, most of the paper results are extended to any arbitrary distribution. Finally, an application of these results is given for bivariate generalized exponential distribution.
On δ(k)-coloring of generalized Petersen graphs
Authors: Ellumkalayil Merlin Thomas , Naduvath Sudev
Published: January 2021

The chromatic number, [Formula: see text] of a graph [Formula: see text] is the minimum number of colors used in a proper coloring of [Formula: see text]. In an improper coloring, an edge [Formula: see text] is bad if the colors assigned to the end vertices of the edge is the same. Now, if the available colors are less than that of the chromatic number of graph [Formula: see text], then coloring the graph with the available colors leads to bad edges in [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we use the concept of [Formula: see text]-coloring and determine the number of bad edges in generalized Petersen graph ([Formula: see text]). The number of bad edges which result from a [Formula: see text]-coloring of [Formula: see text] is denoted by [Formula: see text].
Increasing the Cooling Rate of the Vapor Compression Cycle by Heating
Authors: Abd-Elhady M. S. , Bishara E. , Halim M. A.
Published: January 2021

Refrigeration and air conditioning cycles consume a large amount of electrical energy and the shortage in traditional sources of energy is the main reasons for governments to use renewable energy. The most power consuming part in the Vapor Compression Cycle (VCC) is the gas compressor. Therefore, the objective of this research is to increase the cooling rate of the VCC using the same compressor, and that is done by heating the refrigerant coming out from the compressor. The proposed cycle is similar to the VCC except that the compression processes is done in two stages, the first stage via a gas compressor and in the second stage by heating the refrigerant under constant volume. The heating process can be done using solar energy. An experimental setup has been developed to study the influence of heating the refrigerant on the cooling rate of the VCC. The heating process is performed after the compressor, and it is done under constant volume in order to increase the pressure of the refrigerant. Four experiments have been performed; the first experiment is a normal VCC, i.e., without heating, while in the second, third and fourth experiments, the refrigerant has been heated to 50∘C, 100∘C and 150∘C, respectively. It has been found that the cooling power increases with the heating temperature. Heating increases the pressure of the refrigerant in VCC, and consequently increases the mass flow rate of the refrigerant that results in an increase in the refrigeration power for the same compressor power. However, the disadvantage of heating the refrigerant is that it increases the evaporator temperature, which limits the possibility of the VCC to be used in freezing applications.
Domestic Investment, Foreign Direct Investment, and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case of Industrial Investment in Cameroon
Authors: Tougem Tasinda Odette , Ze Tian , Amowine Nelson , Adiyoh Imanche Sunday
Published: January 2021

This study empirically examines the impact of Domestic Investment (DI) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on the economic development of Cameroon from 1990 to 2018. The four factors investigated include financial development, institution, infrastructure, and social capital. Both the dynamic panel estimate and standing panel lapse methods were used to evaluate the connection between DI and FDI concerning the economic development based on the factors enumerated. The results show that DI has a positive influence on and correlates with the growth of the economy. In addition, it indicated that there is an improvement in the financial progress when FDI is on the increase. Moreover, this study indicates that the increase in the institutions, human capital, and the monetary system improves the economic development of the country. It can be inferred from the results that Cameroon had a significant increase in her infrastructures and school enrolment from 2001 to date because of the increase in DI and FDI. The results show that FDI negatively affects some social capital of the Cameroon people such as the displacement of schools and markets, which is consistent with previous studies and results from the literature reviewed.
Cloud Computing in Solving Problems of COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Singh Ravi Pratap , Haleem Abid , Javaid Mohd , Kataria Ravinder , Singhal Sandeep
Published: January 2021

Cloud computing facilitates collaboration, communication, and essential online services during the COVID-19 crisis. The current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has compelled people to work from their homes, but they have to communicate, collaborate online. Thus, we see an essential role of cloud computing in taking up this challenge of working from home and delivering efficiently. A brief review of Cloud Computing service in the context of COVID-19 pandemic is done using recent papers’ by searching keywords such as “Cloud Computing” and “COVID-19” from PubMed’s database SCOPUS and Google Scholar. During the lockdown situation, cloud computing technology helps provide commendable service in the healthcare domain. It provides an advanced infrastructure for facilitating digital transformation. A brief discussion has been made on how cloud computing components are vital for overcoming the ongoing situation. This paper also studies the remote working of cloud computing for the COVID-19 pandemic and finally identified significant cloud computing applications for the COVID-19 pandemic. All countries focus on reducing this virus’s spread, so this technology helps minimize the spread of this virus by providing online services. It provides an innovative environment that enhances the creativity and productivity of healthcare workers. This technology is efficient in detecting, tracking, and monitoring newly infected patients. In the future, this technology will insight and provide control over this infection to save millions of lives worldwide. This technology is also quite helpful to forecast the future impact of the SARS-Co-2 virus.
Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method for Mid-Frequency Acoustics of Cavities
Authors: Natarajan Sundararajan , Padmanabhan Chandramouli
Published: January 2021

In this paper, a semi-analytical framework, based on the scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM), is proposed, to study interior acoustic problems in the mid-frequency range in two and three dimensions. The SBFEM shares the advantages of both the finite element method (FEM) and the boundary element method (BEM). Like the FEM, it does not require the fundamental solution (Green’s function) and similar to the BEM only the boundary is discretized, thus reducing the spatial dimensionality by one. The solution within the domain is represented analytically, while on the boundary, it is represented by finite elements. Although different boundary representations are possible, only the Lagrangian description is investigated in this paper. The proposed framework is validated using closed-form solutions, and direct comparisons are made with the conventional FEM based on Lagrangian description; this will be demonstrated using two 2D cavities from literature as well as one 3D cavity. The improved accuracy and reduced computational time can be attributed to the semi-analytical formulation combined with the boundary discretization.
Lymphatic Vasculature: An Emerging Therapeutic Target and Drug Delivery Route
Authors: Xu Wenjing , Harris Natalie R. , Caron Kathleen M.
Published: January 2021

The lymphatic system has received increasing scientific and clinical attention because a wide variety of diseases are linked to lymphatic pathologies and because the lymphatic system serves as an ideal conduit for drug delivery. Lymphatic vessels exert heterogeneous roles in different organs and vascular beds, and consequently, their dysfunction leads to distinct organ-specific outcomes. Although studies in animal model systems have led to the identification of crucial lymphatic genes with potential therapeutic benefit, effective lymphatic-targeted therapeutics are currently lacking for human lymphatic pathological conditions. Here, we focus on the therapeutic roles of lymphatic vessels in diseases and summarize the promising therapeutic targets for modulating lymphangiogenesis or lymphatic function in preclinical or clinical settings. We also discuss considerations for drug delivery or targeting of lymphatic vessels for treatment of lymphatic-related diseases. The lymphatic vasculature is rapidly emerging as a critical system for targeted modulation of its function and as a vehicle for innovative drug delivery.
Advances in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Ferrera Michael C. , Labaki Wassim W. , Han MeiLan K.
Published: January 2021

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disorder with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its prevalence, COPD is underdiagnosed, and many patients do not receive a diagnosis until the disease is clinically advanced. Recent basic science and clinical research have focused on the early physiologic and pathobiologic changes in COPD with the hopes of improving diagnosis, providing targets for disease-modifying therapy, and identifying patients most likely to benefit from early intervention. Available treatments for COPD have grown substantially in the past 20 years with the introduction of new oral and inhaled medications as well as novel surgical and bronchoscopic procedures. This article summarizes some of the recent advances in our understanding of disease pathogenesis and treatment paradigms.
Corrosion Products Electrochemical Behaviour into Molten LiF-NaF: Investigation of Cr(II) System
Authors: Massot L. , Gibilaro M. , Quaranta D. , Chamelot P.
Published: January 2021

In this work, a detailed electrochemical study of the molten LiF-NaF-CrF2 system is provided on Ag electrode in the 750 °C–900 °C temperature range. The first part was dedicated to the electrochemical study, by cyclic and square wave voltammetries, allowing the determination of thermodynamic and physico-chemical data such as CrF2/Cr standard potential, diffusion coefficient, activity coefficient, transfer energy and nucleation overvoltage. The influence of Li2O addition on the electrochemical reduction pathway of dissolved CrF2 on a silver electrode was investigated. The results showed that an increase of Li2O activity in the solution causes CrF2 disproportionation into solid chromium oxide and metallic Cr.
Optimizing Cycling Conditions for Anode-Free Lithium Metal Cells
Authors: Louli A. J. , Coon Matt , Genovese M. , deGooyer Jack , Eldesoky A. , Dahn J. R.
Published: January 2021

Optimizing the performance of the lithium metal anode is required to enable the next generation of high energy density batteries. Anode-free lithium metal cells are particularly attractive as they facilitate the highest energy density cell architecture. In this work, we investigate the performance of anode-free cells cycled under different protocols. We demonstrate the impact of charge and discharge current density with three different cycling conditions: a symmetric charge-discharge, an asymmetric faster charge and an asymmetric slower charge. We show that the relative rate of charge vs discharge is more important than the absolute current densities, and that cycling with an asymmetric slower charge protocol is optimal in agreement with previous studies on cells with lithium metal anodes. We also examine the effect of depth of discharge and demonstrate how the lower voltage cut-off can be chosen to form a lithium reservoir in situ. We show that the capacity of the lithium reservoir significantly benefits lifetime for cells cycled with a limited depth of discharge. Finally, we develop a specialized intermittent high depth of discharge cycling protocol optimized for anode-free lithium metal cells.
Not yet a dinosaur: the chalk talk
Authors: Singh Nina , Phoon Colin K. L.
Published: January 2021

This article discusses the chalk talk’s potential as an active learning method. Although chalk talks are a form of interactive lecture, they have received little attention in the medical education literature compared with other active learning methods such as team-based learning and simulation. One of the authors (C. K. L. Phoon) has used chalk talks to teach congenital heart defects to first- and third-year NYU medical students for many years. His chalk talks have consistently earned among the highest teaching scores, and students have noted their strengths of being more interesting, clear, and tangible than didactic lectures. Using the teacher and student perspectives, we examine the chalk talk’s strengths and weaknesses compared with common passive and active learning methods. Chalk talks create a real-time, shared space that facilitates the active learning goals of helping students build, test, and revise mental models (conceptual frameworks). The limited amount of information that can be presented and the ability to solicit and arrange students’ ideas on the board lead to the cocreation of valuable conceptual frameworks. Chalk talks require less restructuring of teaching sessions than other active learning methods and are best suited to topics that hinge on understanding of concepts. We advocate for the chalk talk to be reexamined as a promising educational tool given its strengths and the successes that other active learning methods have shown. Furthermore, we provide guidance to help educators deliver chalk talks and discuss future studies that would advance understanding of this powerful teaching tool.
Suppression of lncRNA HOTAIR alleviates RCC angiogenesis through regulating miR-126/EGFL7 axis
Authors: Guo Yan-Ping , Wang Zhi-Feng , Li Na , Lei Qian-Qian , Cheng Qiong , Shi Li-Gang , Zhou Sheng-Li , Wang Xin-Hua , Sun Yang , Kong Ling-Fei
Published: January 2021

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has the highest mortality rate among urological cancers and tumor angiogenesis that plays a critical role in RCC progress. Epidermal growth factor-like domain multiple 7 (EGFL7) has been recently identified as a regulator in RCC tumor angiogenesis and progression. Long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) HOTAIR has been considered as a pro-oncogene in multiple cancers, but its precise mechanism of tumor angiogenesis has rarely been reported. MicroRNA-126 (miR-126) functions as a tumor suppressor in RCC. However, the underlying tumor angiogenesis mechanism of HOTAIR/miR-126 axis in RCC has not been studied. The proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and expression of EGFL7 and related proteins in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) signal pathway were determined to examine the effect and mechanism of HOTAIR and miR-126 on RCC progress. The regulatory relationship of HOTAIR and miR-126, as well as miR-126 and EGFL7 were tested using dual-luciferase reporter assay. Aenograft RCC mice model was used to examine the effect of HOTAIR on RCC tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. HOTAIR knockdown and miR-126 overexpression suppressed the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of RCC cells. HOTAIR regulated EGFL7 expression by competitively binding to miR-126. Knockdown of HOTAIR significantly suppressed the RCC tumor progression and lung metastasis in vivo. These findings suggest that lncRNA HOTAIR regulate RCC angiogenesis through miR-126/EGFL7 axis and provide a new perspective on the molecular pathways of angiogenesis in RCC development, which might be potential therapeutic targets for RCC treatment.
Epithelial cell transforming 2 is regulated by Yes-associated protein 1 and mediates pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis
Authors: Li Ce , Peng Zhenzi , Wang Yizhou , Lam Gloria , Nissen Nicholas , Tang Jie , Yuan Xiaopu , Lewis Michael , Greene Mark I. , Pandol Stephen J. , Wang Qiang
Published: January 2021

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest forms of human cancers. In this study, we identified a novel signaling mechanism involved in PDAC progression and metastasis. Yes-associated protein 1 mediates the expression of epithelial cell transforming 2, which is elevated in PDAC and correlates with poor survival. Epithelial cell transforming 2 is required for PDAC growth and metastasis. This study provides insights into the development of novel methods for early detection and treatment of PDAC.
Intratracheal administration of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles reduces lung injuries in a chronic rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Porzionato Andrea , Zaramella Patrizia , Dedja Arben , Guidolin Diego , Bonadies Luca , Macchi Veronica , Pozzobon Michela , Jurga Marcin , Perilongo Giorgio , De Caro Raffaele , Baraldi Eugenio , Muraca Maurizio
Published: January 2021

Early therapeutic effect of intratracheally (IT)-administered extracellular vesicles secreted by mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-EVs) has been demonstrated in a rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) involving hyperoxia exposure in the first 2 postnatal weeks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of IT-administered MSC-EVs in the long term. EVs were produced from MSCs following GMP standards. At birth, rats were distributed in three groups: (a) animals raised in ambient air for 6 weeks ( n = 10); and animals exposed to 60% hyperoxia for 2 weeks and to room air for additional 4 weeks and treated with (b) IT-administered saline solution ( n = 10), or (c) MSC-EVs ( n = 10) on postnatal days 3, 7, 10, and 21. Hyperoxia exposure produced significant decreases in total number of alveoli, total surface area of alveolar air spaces, and proliferation index, together with increases in mean alveolar volume, mean linear intercept and fibrosis percentage; all these morphometric changes were prevented by MSC-EVs treatment. The medial thickness index for <100 µm vessels was higher for hyperoxia-exposed/sham-treated than for normoxia-exposed rats; MSC-EV treatment significantly reduced this index. There were no significant differences in interstitial/alveolar and perivascular F4/8-positive and CD86-positive macrophages. Conversely, hyperoxia exposure reduced CD163-positive macrophages both in interstitial/alveolar and perivascular populations and MSC-EV prevented these hyperoxia-induced reductions. These findings further support that IT-administered EVs could be an effective approach to prevent/treat BPD, ameliorating the impaired alveolarization and pulmonary artery remodeling also in a long-term model. M2 macrophage polarization could play a role through anti-inflammatory and proliferative mechanisms.