bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
065 Presence of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies in the serum of two patients following alemtuzumab therapy for suspected multiple sclerosis
Authors: Seneviratne Sinali , Marriott Mark , Monif Mastura
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody mediated disease is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder which can resemble multiple sclerosis (MS).1 2 Thus, this condition can be misdiagnosed and treated as MS.3 We present the clinical trajectory of two cases initially diagnosed as MS, treated with Alemtuzumab followed by clinical and radiological deterioration. Both were subsequently found to have anti MOG antibody in their serum.

Methods

This is a retrospective case study based on a medical record search of neuroimmunology clinics in two teaching hospitals in Victoria. We searched for patients treated with Alemtuzumab who subsequently tested positive for MOG antibody.

Results

We found two young women who fulfilled the eligibility criteria. One patient presented with dizziness and vertigo, the other with unilateral optic neuritis. Both had supratentorial MRI lesions and were both diagnosed as having MS. Both patients experienced multiple relapses while on treatment for MS. Hence, they were commenced on Alemtuzumab therapy. Unexpectedly, both patients experienced a decline in their clinical status with worsening of expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and an increasing lesion load on MRI brain. Their serum anti MOG antibodies were then found to be positive. Subsequently, patients were treated with rituximab and plasma exchange with a favorable response.

Conclusions

These two cases demonstrate that Alemtuzumab is ineffective and in fact can worsen cases of anti-MOG antibody associated encephalomyelitis. This highlights the importance of anti MOG antibody testing when patients diagnosed with MS do not respond to Alemtuzumab and in those patients presenting with atypical features of MS.

References

Weber MS, Derfuss T, Metz I, Bruck W. Defining distinct features of anti-MOG antibody associated central nervous system demyelination. Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2018;11:1756286418762083.

Narayan R, Simpson A, Fritsche K, Salama S, Pardo S, Mealy M, et al. MOG antibody disease: A review of MOG antibody seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2018;25:66–72.

Wildemann B, Jarius S, Schwarz A, Diem R, Viehover A, Hahnel S, et al. Failure of alemtuzumab therapy to control MOG encephalomyelitis. Neurology 2017;89(2):207–9.
066 Avxs-101 gene-replacement therapy (GRT) for spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1): pivotal phase 3 study (STR1VE) update
Authors: Day John W , Chiriboga Claudia A , Crawford Thomas O , Darras Basil T , Finkel Richard S , Connolly Anne M , Iannaccone Susan T , Kuntz Nancy L , Pena Loren DM , Schultz Meredith , Shieh Perry B , Smith Edward C , Farrar Michelle , Feltner Douglas E , Ogrinc Francis G , Macek Thomas A , Kernbauer Elaine , Muehring Lynlee M , L’Italien James , Sproule Douglas M , Kaspar Brian K , Mendell Jerry R
Published: July 2019

Introduction

SMA1 is a neurodegenerative disease caused by bi-allelic survival motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1) deletion/mutation. In the phase 1 study, SMN GRT onasemnogene abeparvovec (AVXS-101) improved outcomes of symptomatic SMA1 patients. We report preliminary data of STR1VE, a pivotal study (NCT03306277) evaluating efficacy and safety of a one-time intravenous AVXS-101 infusion.

Methods

STR1VE is a phase 3, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study in SMA1 patients aged <6 months (bi-allelic SMN1 loss, 2xSMN2). Primary outcomes: independent sitting for ≥30 seconds (18 months) and survival (14 months). Secondary outcomes: ability to thrive and ventilatory support (18 months). Exploratory outcomes: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP-INTEND) and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development scores.

Results

Enrollment is complete with 22 patients dosed. Mean age at symptom onset, genetic diagnosis, and enrollment was 1.9 (0–4.0), 2.1 (0.5–4.0), and 3.7 (0.5–5.9) months. At baseline, no patient required ventilatory/nutritional support, and all exclusively fed by mouth. Mean baseline CHOP-INTEND score was 32.6 (17.0–52.0), which increased 6.9 (-4.0–16.0, n=20), 10.4 (2.0–18.0, n=12), and 11.6 (-3.0–23.0, n=9) points at 1, 2, and 3 months. Updates will be provided at the congress.

Conclusions

Preliminary data from STR1VE show rapid motor function improvements in SMA1 patients, paralleling phase 1 findings.
073 Acute spinal infarction: treatment and outcomes with and without hyperbaric oxygen therapy at fiona stanley hospital
Authors: Ashton Catherine , Banham Neil , Needham Merrilee
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Spinal cord infarction is a potentially devastating disorder commonly presenting with anterior spinal artery syndrome developing over minutes to hours, accounting for an estimated 1% of stroke presentations. Aetiologies range from aortic surgical complications, systemic hypotension and other rare causes including fibrocartilaginous embolism and vascular malformations. Diagnosis is clinical combined with restriction on diffusion-weighted MRI. There are no specific treatment guidelines. The evidence for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in acute spinal infarction is mixed. This case series describes ten cases of acute spinal infarction at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH), half of which received HBOT.

Methods

Data for all MRI-proven spinal cord infarctions at FSH between 2014 and 2018 were reviewed.

Results

Ten patients, median age 55years (31–74), 60% male. Aetiologies: three fibrocartilaginous emboli, five likely atheroembolic disease, one antiphospholipid syndrome, one cryptogenic. Sixty percent presented with flaccid paraplegia ranging from levels C4 to T11. Five patients received HBOT within a median time of 31 hours from symptom onset, with average 15 treatments. Three patients received triple therapy of HBOT, pentoxyfiline and high-volume lumbar-puncture drainages and had median MRC muscle power of 5- on discharge, compared with 2+ power in those who did not. Nine required inpatient rehabilitation, of average eight weeks’ duration, with median disability at discharge of 3 on the Modified Rankin Scale.

Conclusion

Spinal infarctions can be severely disabling. Fibrocartilaginous embolism may be more common than previously thought. More research is needed on the role of acute triple therapy with pentoxyfiline, spinal drains and HBOT given the marked difference in this case series.
079 Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy associated with cerebral micro-infarction and poor therapeutic response
Authors: MacDonald Allycia , Triplett James , Vijayan Srimathy , Bynevelt Michael , Lakshmanan Rahul , Chemmanam Thomas
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a lesser recognised immune-mediated meningo-encephalomyelitis, which is steroid responsive in the majority of cases. Neuroimaging is unique with a distinctive symmetric white matter perivascular linear and punctate enhancement pattern. We present a case with classical phenotype but delayed clinical response, and highlight the importance of early recognition and treatment.

Case

A 59-year-old Caucasian female presented with a two month history of headache, gait disturbance, insomnia, agitation, disorientation and reduced oral intake. Examination revealed a high frequency upper limb tremor, hypertonicity and pathologically brisk reflexes with impaired cognitive function. MRI brain and spinal cord demonstrated high T2 signal and striking perivascular and punctate enhancement in supratentorial white matter, cervical and upper thoracic cord. CSF examination revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein. Brain biopsy demonstrated reduced GFAP expression, perivascular T-lymphocytic infiltrate, and recent white matter microinfarction. CSF and serum GFAP antibodies were positive.

Motor deterioration accompanied progression to a stuporous state. High dose corticosteroids were commenced, followed by intravenous immunoglobulin and mycophenolate. While there was marked improvement of perivascular contrast enhancement on imaging, the patient continued to demonstrate prominent tremor, gait disturbance and behavioural issues 9 months following symptom onset.

Conclusions

The persistence of disability in this case is likely the result of axonal loss from the initial insult, reflected by the biopsy evidence of microinfarction. Awareness of the unique pattern on MRI and the clinical phenotype will aid in early recognition and prompt treatment of this condition, thus preventing the potential long term morbidity.
007 The outcome of a cohort of pregnancies in australian women with epilepsy
Authors: Vajda Frank JE , Graham Janet E , Hitchcock Alison A , Lander Cecilie M , O’Brien Terry J , Eadie Mervyn J
Published: July 2019

Background

The Australian Pregnancy Register (APR) established in 1998, collects data concerning the hazard of foetal malformations from intrauterine exposure to antiepileptic drugs.

Methods

4 telephone interviews, ethical approval, informed consent, observational study, statistical analyses.

Results

By December 2017, the APR recorded 1879 pregnancies, followed prospectively. There had been 1766 live births (94.0%), 5 stillbirths (0.3%), 54 spontaneous abortions (2.9%), and 30 induced abortions (1.6%), while 24 pregnancies had an unknown outcome due to loss of contact with the women involved (1.3%). Foetal malformations had occurred in 71 of the live-born infants. Of the induced abortions, 15 had been for intrauterine foetal death, 10 for major foetal malformation (spina bifida, anencephaly and left heart underdevelopment), 2 for detected chromosome defects and 3 for maternal reasons (major illness in 2).

By the end of the post-pregnancy year a further 99 pregnancies had become unavailable for follow-up (resulting in an 84.9% live-born infant final retention rate). An additional 33 pregnancies that had resulted in late recognised foetal malformations had been identified, nearly all in the first 6 months after birth. Intrauterine valproate exposure was involved in 447 of the 1731 antiepileptic drug treated pregnancies, a malformation-carrying pregnancy rate of 11.86%, as compared with a rate of 2.70% in the 148 drug-unexposed pregnancies (O.R. = 4.84; 95% C.I. 1.72, 13.62), used as comparators.

Conclusion

This report confirms previous interpretations of the APR data, also providing insights into the pregnancies of women with epilepsy that did not result in live- born offspring.
087 Endovascular clot retrieval (ECR) in the elderly. For better or worse in the real world?
Authors: Jankelowitz Stacey K , Tastula Kylie , Mitchell Nicola , Tang Patrick , Ang Tim , Brunacci David , Parker Geoffrey , Winters Stephen , Wong Johnny , Allen Rodney , Worthington John
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Across multicentre trials ECR is safe and effective in octogenarians. Despite RCT evidence elderly patients may be denied ECR due to perceived poor risk-benefit. We examine impact of age on ECR outcomes and outcomes in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) cases (where stroke risk is high), in a real world setting.

Methods

We analysed 311 consecutive ECR cases between 2016 and 2019 in 10 year age bands for ECR outcomes including 90 day mRS and mortality. Impact of premorbid function (mRS), NIHSS, recorded co-morbidities, and aetiology was assessed. TAVI case outcomes were examined.

Results

Thirty one percent of ECR outcome cases were over 79 years of age; 90 day mortality was 34%; 25% had a 90 day mRS 0–2. Early NIHSS improvement was 5. Ninety-day mortality and mRS 0–2 for 10–19 (n=3), 20–29 (n=2), 30–39 (n=4), 40–49 (n=23), 50–59 (n=27), 60–69 (n=69), 70–79 (n=84),80–89 (n=62) and 90–99 (n=11) years were 0 and 100%, 0 and 100%, 33 and 67%, 4 and 78%, 15 and 52%, 13 and 49%, 17 and 33%, 24 and 2% and 55 and 18%, respectively. There was 9% lost to follow-up.

Six TAVI cases had a NIHSS of 8–20 and pre-morbid mRS<3, four with mRS 0. Mean 24 hour NIHSS improvement was 8.

Conclusion

Without age exclusions older patients had worse unadjusted outcomes. However, patients over 79 years had clinically important early improvement in NIHSS score and ninety day outcomes were comparable to favourable RCT data and TAVI patients also had early improvement.
008 Associations between comorbidities and adverse events of antiepileptic drugs and quality of life: a survey of epilepsy patients in australia
Authors: Welton Jeremy M , Walker Christine , Riney Kate , Ng Alvin , Todd Lisa M , D’Souza Wendyl
Published: July 2019

Introduction

This study explored the impact of specific types of comorbidities and adverse events (AEs) from antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on quality of life (QoL) among adult patients with epilepsy (PwE) in Australia.

Methods

Cross-sectional surveys were completed by PwE, or caregiver proxies, recruited via the online pharmacy application MedAdvisor and Australian PwE Facebook groups from May–August 2018 Data were collected on demographics, epilepsy severity and management, AEs, comorbidities, and QoL (using QOLIE-10-P total score).1 Multiple linear regression models were constructed to explore associations between AEs or comorbidities and QOLIE-10-P, with possible confounders determined using stepwise selection.

Results

978 responses were included (mean age 44.5 years, 64% female, 52% employed). 97% reported recent AED use, 47% on AED monotherapy, 35% exposed to ≤2 lifetime AEDs, and 55% seizure-free for >1 year. After stepwise selection, control variables included in both models were: time since diagnosis, employment status, seizure frequency, number of currently prescribed AEDs, and number of general practitioner visits per year. In the model for comorbidities, ‘psychiatric disorders’ was associated with the largest QOLIE-10-P decrease (-23.30, p<0.001). In the model for AEs, which additionally controlled for depression and anxiety disorder, ‘memory problems’ was associated with the largest decrease in QOLIE-10-P (-14.27, p<0.001).

Conclusions

In this survey of Australian PwE, of which many had relatively well-controlled epilepsy, psychiatric and memory problems were common and associated with the greatest detrimental impact on QoL. Further research is needed to understand causality, relationships between possibly interrelated or overlapping symptoms, and management strategies. UCB Pharma-sponsored.

Reference

Cramer JA, Perrine K, Devinsky O, Meador K. A brief questionnaire to screen for quality of life in epilepsy: The QOLIE-10. Epilepsia 1996;37:577–582.
093 How to diagnose lewy body dementia? Prevalence and underlying relationship between clinical and neuropsychological features of DLB
Authors: Matar Elie , Ehgoetz Martens Kaylena A , Halliday Glenda M , Lewis Simon JG
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Despite its importance for management, prognostication and selection of patients for clinical trials, the diagnosis of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) remains challenging. Complicating this is a recent change in the diagnostic criteria which has arguably shifted the expected phenotype of DLB patients. In this study we aimed to characterize and examine the relationship between cognitive and clinical diagnostic variables in DLB patients to uncover latent symptom clusters that may streamline future diagnostic approaches in the clinic.

Methods

The clinical and neuropsychological profile of 27 prospectively recruited participants diagnosed with probable DLB and 25 age-matched controls was characterized according to the most recent consensus criteria.Symptoms were scored using a novel combination of established clinical and research instruments.

Results

We demonstrate comparable sensitivity of formal neuropsychological testing and bedside screening tools (MOCA/MMSE) for identifying domain-specific differences between controls and patients(p<0.001). Optimal sensitivity thresholds for diagnosis of Parkinsonism (88.9%) were explored yielding a prevalence range of 50%-90% within our cohort.Factor analysis using all core and supportive features of the diagnostic criteria identified 6 independent factors accounting for 81% of the total variance. Unique relationships identified included between hallucinations and fluctuations and excessive daytime somnolence; between REM sleep behavior disorder and orthostatic hypotension; and Parkinsonism and urinary disturbance. ‘Prodromal’ symptoms including autonomic and early neuropsychiatric features are represented in the remaining factors.

Conclusion

Parsimonious delineation of clinical variables using identified symptom clusters can aid DLB diagnosis.Clusters are also used to highlight latent pathological relationships. Appropriate instruments and thresholds for detecting dementia and core and suggestive features are presented.
095 Predicting parkinson’s and dementia with lewy bodies (pre-D) research study – a sydney-based longitudinal biobanking program
Authors: Matar Elie , Ehgoetz Martens Kaylena A , Soberats Maria Comas , Halliday Glenda M , Lewis Simon JG
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Idiopathic REM sleep behaviour(iRBD) disorder represents the most specific prodromal marker of an impending synucleinopathy with over 90% developing either Parkinson’s disease(PD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies(DLB) or Multiple System Atrophy(MSA) after 15 years. This finding has stimulated efforts to actively register and track progression of such patients. Here we present experience of a biobanking program established with the aim of identifying prodromal synucleinopathies to facilitate recruitment to neuroprotective trials as they become available.

Methods

Patients with iRBD were prospectively and sequentially recruited. Cross-sectional comparator groups consisting of healthy controls, idiopathic PD (within 5 years of diagnosis) and DLB were also recruited. Patients underwent a standardized assessment protocol including clinical phenotyping, neuropsychometric testing, multimodal MRI, polysomnography, quantitative electroencephalography, chronobiology (melatonin and clock gene expression profiling) and gait testing. Subjects were invited for annual and biennial review.

Results

102 patients have been recruited into the study since July 2016 including 35 patients with iRBD, 26 DLB, 19 early PD and 16 controls. 15 patients have returned for follow-up with 3 converting to a synucleinopathy(2 DLB, 1 PD). 75% of participants were able to complete all elements of assessment protocol. Preliminary evaluation of iRBD participants reveals early changes in clock gene expression(BMAL1) and subtle changes in patterns of gait compared to older controls.

Conclusions

Our preliminary findings demonstrate utility and feasibility of a prodromal biobanking program within the Australian context aimed at identifying prodromal synucleinopathies. Similar models can be applied to other centers to improve access and create an extended national collaborative network.
097 Associations between cognitive and memory problems, employment and quality of life: a survey of epilepsy patients in australia
Authors: Welton Jeremy M , Walker Christine , Riney Kate , Ng Alvin , Todd Lisa M , D’Souza Wendyl
Published: July 2019

Introduction

This analysis explored relationships between memory/cognitive issues, quality of life (QoL), and employment among patients with epilepsy (PwE) in Australia.

Methods

Cross-sectional surveys were completed by PwE, or caregiver proxies, recruited via the online pharmacy application MedAdvisor and Australian PwE Facebook groups from May–August 2018. Data were collected on adverse events from antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), comorbidities, epilepsy severity and management, QoL (using QOLIE-10-P total score)1 and demographics. Descriptive statistics were stratified by employment status: employed; not looking for work (NLW); looking for work (LW); or unable to work (UW), and differences in means or distributions were analysed using chi-squared, Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Regression models were constructed to explore associations between memory/cognition-related variables and QOLIE-10-P within each employment group.

Results

950 eligible responses reporting current AED use were included (71% via MedAdvisor, 29% via Facebook; 55% seizure-free for >1 year). Mean QOLIE-10-P score was significantly different across employment groups (p<0.001): 49.61 in employed PwE (n=493), 48.87 in NLW (n=227), 32.75 in LW (n=52), and 25.97 in UW (n=178). After controlling for possible confounders, presence of memory problems from AEDs was associated with a -7.50 decrease in QOLIE-10-P only among employed PwE (p=0.002). The extent that PwE felt bothered by memory difficulties, however, was significantly associated with QOLIE-10-P in all employment groups; generally, as level of concern about memory difficulties increased, estimated QOLIE-10-P decreased.

Conclusions

Self-reported memory problems are prevalent among PwE in Australia and may impact QoL differentially depending on employment status. UCB Pharma-sponsored.

References

Cramer JA, Perrine K, Devinsky O, Meador K. A brief questionnaire to screen for quality of life in epilepsy: The QOLIE-10. Epilepsia 1996;37:577–582.
098 A case of delayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy complicating drug overdose
Authors: Fong Min , Rigby Nicholas , Pun Paul , Mitchell Roger , Schweitzer Daniel , Swayne Andrew
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Delayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy (DPHL) is a syndrome characterised by neurological deterioration following a period of recovery after an initial hypoxic event with striking white-matter change on magnetic resonance imaging. We present a case characterised by insidious onset and a fluctuating course of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Methods

Single case report.

Results

A 61 year old lady, with a background history of previously well managed bipolar affective disorder, was found unresponsive following an intentional overdose of temazepam and tramadol. She was hypotensive, hypoxic and required ventilatory and inotropic support. Following extubation, the patient had residual left-sided weakness and MRI confirmed a right frontal watershed infarction. A three week period of clinical improvement was followed by marked deterioration firstly with fluctuating mood and other neuropsychiatric symptoms which progressed to severe impairment of cognition and alertness. There was generalised slowing on the EEG and the CSF was unremarkable. Repeat neuroimaging undertaken on day 41 of the admission, revealed new symmetric and confluent cerebral white matter changes with high signal on the Diffusion Weighted Images (DWI) and Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) images. The patient was managed with supportive care and sustained a clinically significant recovery (MOCA 26/30), despite ongoing cognitive impairments including working memory and deficits in social cognition including mood instability and disinhibition. Repeat neuroimaging 3 months after initial presentation revealed partial resolution of the white matter changes.

Conclusion

A diagnosis of DPHL should be considered in patients with variable mood and cognition following initial improvement after a hypoxic event.
106 Haemorrhagic spinal cord infarct – a rare complication of sympathomimetic amine toxicity
Authors: Wall Ellen L , Leow Jerome A , Ho Jonathan , Hwang Yun T
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Sympathomimetic amines are recreational substances, available illegally as amphetamine derivatives (eg, ‘ecstasy’ and ‘speed’). Ingestion can lead to significant medical complications such as hyperthermia, tachyarrhythmia, seizures and strokes, attributed to catecholamine surge and sympathetic overstimulation.

Method

We report an unusual case of sympathomimetic amine ingestion manifesting as hypertension followed by acute onset flaccid paralysis of lower limbs bilaterally and T11 level anaesthesia in a 64 year old woman secondary to haemorrhagic cord infarct.

Results

An MRI spine showed features compatible with spinal cord infarction from thoracic level 6/7 to conus associated with cord haemorrhage. There was no evidence of vascular malformations on imaging and the screen for inflammatory myelitides was negative. A urine drug screen tested positive for sympathomimetic amines and the patient acknowledged ingesting a pill of ‘unknown identity’.

Conclusion

This case highlights a previously unreported complication of recreational sympathomimetics associated with significant patient morbidity. Unfortunately, this woman failed to make significant improvements during admission with ongoing severe motor and sensory deficits of her lower limbs.
Ethics of limb disposal: dignity and the medical waste stockpiling scandal
Authors: Hanna Esmée , Robert Glenn
Published: July 2019

We draw on the concept of dignity to consider the ethics of the disposal of amputated limbs. The ethics of the management and disposal of human tissue has been subject to greater scrutiny and discussion in recent years, although the disposal of the limbs often remains absent from such discourses. In light of the recent UK controversy regarding failures in the medical waste disposal and the stockpiling of waste (including body parts), the appropriate handling of human tissue has been subject to further scrutiny. Although this scandal has evoked concern regarding procurement and supply chain issues, as well as possible health and safety risks from such a ‘stockpile’, the dignity of those patients’ implicated in this controversy has been less widely discussed. Drawing at Foster’s (2014) work, we argue that a dignity framework provides a useful lens to frame consideration of the disposal of limbs after amputation. Such a framework may be difficult to reconcile with the logic of business and the ‘biovalue’ of the medical waste, but would we argue afford more patient-centred approaches towards disposal. It may also facilitate better practices to help mitigate future stockpiling incidences.
Orthorexia: eating right in the context of healthism
Authors: Hanganu-Bresch Cristina
Published: July 2019

Orthorexia is a putative new eating disorder vying for a place in the DSM, roughly meaning “eating right”. While a continuum can be drawn between anorexia and orthorexia, there are enough differences to make this disorder a distinct one. In this paper, I trace the origins of the term and its clinical career to date, employing Ian Hacking’s concept of “ecological niche” to establish the place of orthorexia as a contemporary cyberpathy, a digitally transmitted disorder inwardly and narrowly focused on health through the consumption of “pure” foods. I critique both the notions of “health” and “purity” in this context, showing that orthorexia can only be understood in the context of healthism, an individual preoccupation with health in the context of neoliberalism. Using Jordan Younger'sBreaking Veganmemoir (2015) and “Balanced Blonde” blog as a case study, I argue that orthorexia replicates via a digital proliferation of entrepreneurship of the self. Ultimately, this excessive preoccupation with health as a neoliberal cultural pathology bares life of meaning.
Bekenstein–Hawking entropy for discrete dynamical systems on sites
Authors: Najmizadeh Sh. , Toomanian M. , Molaei M. R. , Nasirzade T.
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we extend the notion of Bekenstein–Hawking entropy for a cover of a site. We deduce a new class of discrete dynamical system on a site and we introduce the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy for each member of it. We present an upper bound for the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy of the iterations of a dynamical system. We define a conjugate relation on the set of dynamical systems on a site and we prove that the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy preserves under this relation. We also prove that the twistor correspondence preserves the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy.
Enhancement of O-atom density through collisions with Ne by laser-produced plasma in Ne–O2 gas mixtures and possible energy transfer mechanism
Authors: Khan Muhammad Ibrahim , Khan Muhammad Aslam , Zaman Muhammad Iqbal , ur Rehman Najeeb , Masood Asad , Ullah Naqib
Published: July 2019

Laser-produced plasma in Ne and O2 gases and Ne–O2 gas mixture with different O2 fractions have been investigated. The plasma were produced by focusing a laser beam of 5 ns pulse duration from a Nd:YAG laser ([Formula: see text] = 1064 nm) through a lens of 5 cm focal length into the chamber filled with different gas species at different pressures. Possible enhancement in O-atom densities through collisions with metastable Ne atoms by the laser-created plasma in Ne–O2 gas mixtures and possible energy transfer mechanism was studied. Study of energy transfer through collisions was carried out by comparisons of the line intensities of the emitted spectra from laser-created plasma in gas mixtures and pure gases with the technique of optical emission spectroscopy (OES). Strong evidence of energy transfer from Ne to O was recorded. From the result, it was suggested that the high-lying metastable levels of Ne were responsible for enhancement of O-atoms density in gas mixture and Ne also play important role in energy transfer mechanism through collision. Also, behaviors of the line intensities under different laser energies were studied. Behaviors of line intensities and line widths were the main parameters measured. Stark broadening of lines in Ne with different laser energies was recorded. The electron temperature T[Formula: see text] and number density N[Formula: see text] were found to be 1.01 eV and 9.44 × 10[Formula: see text] cm[Formula: see text] in Ne at different laser energy/pulse with total pressure of 1000 mbar.
Novel solitons and elliptic function solutions of (1 + 1)-dimensional higher order nonlinear Schrödinger equation with derivative non-Kerr nonlinear terms and its applications
Authors: Arshad Muhammad , Seadawy Aly R. , Lu Dianchen , Abdullah
Published: July 2019

The propagations are generally described through nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) in the optical solitons. In the NLSEs, the higher order NLSE with derivative non-Kerr nonlinear terms is a model that depicts propagation of pulses beyond ultra-short range in optical communication system. Several novel exact solutions of different kinds such as solitons, solitary waves and Jacobi elliptic function solutions are achieved via using modified extended mapping technique. Different kinds of exact results have prestigious exertions in engineering and physics. Structures of solitons different kinds are shown graphically by giving suitable values to parameters. The physical interpretations of solutions can be understand through structures. Several exact solutions and computing work confirm the supremacy and usefulness of the current technique.
A New Tune-Dependent Multiple-Gated Transistor Linearization Technique
Authors: Rezaei Farzan
Published: July 2019

In this paper, a new multiple-gated transistor (MGTR) linearization technique is presented. To simultaneously keep linearity and tuning capability of proposed operational transconductance amplifier (OTA), the auxiliary transistors which are employed for [Formula: see text] cancellation of differential pair (DP) stage are body-driven through a tune-dependent voltage. By this way, the third-order nonlinearity of DP is reduced for a wide range of transconductance values from 5.1 to 35.6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A/V. The OTA works with 1.2[Formula: see text]V supply voltage and its power consumption changes between 137.4 and 156[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]W at the entire tuning range. For [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A/V ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]V) and for 0.6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] input voltage, the simulation results show 6[Formula: see text]dB reduction in the total harmonic distortion (THD) of proposed OTA when the MGTR linearization technique is used and 15[Formula: see text]dB reduction when the tune-dependent body driving is also utilized. The proposed OTA is employed in a third-order low-pass Butterworth filter which is tunable from 2 to 18[Formula: see text]MHz. The in-band IIP3 of filter is 16.9 and 12.4[Formula: see text]dBm, respectively, for 2 and 18[Formula: see text]MHz cutoff frequencies while the two-tone input voltage is applied at 1[Formula: see text]MHz.
Two-sided expansions of monoids
Authors: Kudryavtseva Ganna
Published: July 2019

We initiate the study of expansions of monoids in the class of two-sided restriction monoids and show that generalizations of the Birget–Rhodes prefix group expansion, despite the absence of involution, have rich structure close to that of relatively free inverse monoids.

For a monoid [Formula: see text] and a class of partial actions of [Formula: see text], determined by a set, [Formula: see text], of identities, we define [Formula: see text] to be the universal [Formula: see text]-generated two-sided restriction monoid with respect to partial actions of [Formula: see text] determined by [Formula: see text]. This is an [Formula: see text]-restriction monoid which (for a certain [Formula: see text]) generalizes the Birget–Rhodes prefix expansion [Formula: see text] of a group [Formula: see text]. Our main result provides a coordinatization of [Formula: see text] via a partial action product of the idempotent semilattice [Formula: see text] of a similarly defined inverse monoid, partially acted upon by [Formula: see text]. The result by Fountain, Gomes and Gould on the structure of the free two-sided restriction monoid is recovered as a special case of our result.

We show that some properties of [Formula: see text] agree well with suitable properties of [Formula: see text], such as being cancellative or embeddable into a group. We observe that if [Formula: see text] is an inverse monoid, then [Formula: see text], the free inverse monoid with respect to strong premorphisms, is isomorphic to the Lawson–Margolis–Steinberg generalized prefix expansion [Formula: see text]. This gives a presentation of [Formula: see text] and leads to a model for [Formula: see text] in terms of the known model for [Formula: see text].
Rack invariants of links in L(p,1)
Authors: Horvat Eva
Published: July 2019

We describe a presentation for the augmented fundamental rack of a link in the lens space [Formula: see text]. Using this presentation, the (enhanced) counting rack invariants that have been defined for the classical links are applied to the links in [Formula: see text]. In this case, the counting rack invariants also include the information about the action of [Formula: see text] on the augmented fundamental rack of a link.
General form of the analytic function f(T) in diverse dimension for a static planar spacetime
Authors: Nashed Gamal
Published: July 2019

We derive an exact static solution in diverse dimension, without any constraints, to the field equations of [Formula: see text] gravitational theory using a planar spacetime with two unknown functions, i.e. [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The black hole solution is characterized by two constants, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], one is related to the mass of the black hole, [Formula: see text], and the other is responsible to make the solution deviate from the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity (TEGR). We show that the analytic function [Formula: see text] depends on the constant [Formula: see text] and becomes constant function when [Formula: see text] which corresponds to the TEGR case. The interesting property of this solution is the fact that it makes the singularity of the Kretschmann invariant much softer than the TEGR case. We calculate the energy of this black hole and show that it is equivalent to ADM mass. Applying a coordinate transformation, we derive a rotating black hole with nontrivial values of the torsion scalar and [Formula: see text]. Finally, we examine the physical properties of this black hole solution using the laws of thermodynamics and show that it has thermodynamical stability.
Three-dimensional static black hole with Λ and nonlinear electromagnetic fields and its thermodynamics
Authors: Tataryn M. B. , Stetsko M. M.
Published: July 2019

Static black hole with the Power Maxwell invariant (PMI), Born–Infeld (BI), logarithmic (LN), exponential (EN) electromagnetic fields in three-dimensional spacetime with cosmological constant was studied. It was shown that the LN and EN fields represent the Born–Infeld type of nonlinear electrodynamics. It the framework of General Relativity the exact solutions of the field equations were obtained, corresponding thermodynamic functions were calculated and the [Formula: see text] criticality of the black holes in the extended phase-space thermodynamics was investigated.
INFLUENCE OF SLUG FLOW ON LOCAL CORROSION OF PIPELINES
Authors: FENG ZIYAN , CUI MINGWEI
Published: July 2019

The influence of slug flow on local corrosion of pipeline was studied, and the protection measures for slug flow corrosion were well done to improve the safety of oil-gas-water-humidity mixed pipeline. An indoor loop test was designed to simulate the slug flow in real undulating pipelines. The surface microstructures of X70 hanging pieces were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) under slug flow conditions at different test stages. At the beginning of the test, there was much pitting corrosion on the surface of the hanging pieces, but at the end of the test, only some pitting or pitting spots developed into serious local corrosion. The flow corrosion of slug in pipe had obvious characteristics of cavitation corrosion. Its occurrence was the result of synergistic action of various mechanisms. The strong impact force, high impact velocity and mechanical action of multi-frequency micro-jet produced by cavitation annihilation significantly affected the development process and characteristics of electrochemical corrosion, which resulted in that the cavitation corrosion was mostly pitting corrosion. The damage of corrosion product film caused by high-speed micro-jet impact caused by cavitation cracking was local, and the pitting tendency increased at the local damage of corrosion product film. However, with the formation of electrochemical corrosion products, the destroyed corrosion product film was repaired continuously, but did not develop into local corrosion. Local corrosion occurred only when the high-speed micro-jet with cavitation breakdown repeatedly impacted a point of pitting tendency, but this probability was smaller than that of pitting tendency.
Description and Analysis of Multi-Fingered Hand Grasping with a New Finger-Object Contact Model
Authors: Zhang Yin , Zhan Qiang , Li Chunhong
Published: July 2019

The proper description of finger-object contact state is critical to the analysis and control of multi-fingered hand grasping. At present, most studies assume that the finger-object contact state is invariable. However, in different stages of hand grasping, finger-object contact state is usually variable due to different contact factors, therefore, current finger-object contact models are not very suitable for describing it and the existing description and analysis of the hand grasping may be not appropriate. In this paper, we proposed a new method for describing and analyzing the multi-fingered hand grasping under various finger-object contact states, including a new finger-object contact model for describing the actual finger-object contact state, a grasp matrix for describing the hand grasping, and the condition number of the grasp matrix for analyzing the hand grasping. Taking a three-fingered hand grasping a sphere as an example, the hand grasping under four types of contact states was investigated. Simulations and experimental results both validated the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Classification of vacuum classes of plane fronted gravitational waves via proper conformal vector fields in f(R) gravity
Authors: Hussain Fiaz , Shabbir Ghulam , Ramzan Muhammad , Malik Shabeela
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we have studied proper conformal vector fields of pp-wave space-times in the [Formula: see text] theory of gravity using algebraic and direct integration techniques. From this study, we found that a very special class of pp-waves known as plane fronted gravitational waves (GWs) is a solution in the [Formula: see text] theory of gravity. In order to find proper conformal vector fields, plane GWs are further classified in ten cases. Studying each case in detail it turns out that in two cases proper conformal vector fields exist while in the rest of eight cases, conformal vector fields become homothetic vector fields.
Facile Fabrication of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Silicon Co-Doped Porous Carbon as an Efficient Oxygen Reduction Catalyst for Primary Zn-Air Battery
Authors: Huang Renxing , Lei Ying , Zhang Dandan , Xie Huaming , Liu Xingyong , Wang Honghui
Published: July 2019

It is highly pleasurable but challenging to develop economical and efficient catalysts for accelerating the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) endowed with sluggish kinetics involved in renewable energy conversion and storage systems such as Zn-air batteries. Herein, N, P and Si tri-doped porous carbon (SiN-PA900) catalysts was prepared by a simple one-step pyrolysis strategy using the mixture of the ionic liquid formed by phytic acid (PA) and N-methylimidazole and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as N, P, Si and carbon sources, and the PA as pore-foaming agent. The resulting SiN-PA900 shows favorable catalytic activity toward ORR with an onset potential of 0.94 V versus RHE, half-wave potential of 0.81 V versus RHE, robust stability and excellent tolerance for methanol in alkaline medium, which are comparable to those of the commercial 20% Pt/C. More impressively, the assembled primary Zn-air battery employing the SiN-PA900 as cathode catalysts can achieve a peak power density of 181.4[Formula: see text]mW/cm2. Those encouraging properties could be attributed to a synergistic effect of the doped N, P and Si atoms in the carbon matrix, good surface wettability, high surface areas and hierarchical porous structures for sufficient contact and rapid transportation of the reactants in terms of composition and structures.
Adsorption properties of natural biomass tube clusters for dyes
Authors: Xie Jiangyang , Wu Chen , Fan Fenfen , Li Xiaoxia , Guo Aining , Zhang Xiaoyan , Gu Jinxiang , Deng Qiliang
Published: July 2019

In this research, the adsorption properties of biomass tube clusters (dandelion pappi) and carbonized biomass tube clusters toward dyes were investigated, respectively. The results showed that both biomass tube clusters and carbonized biomass tube clusters exhibited excellent adsorption properties for cationic dyes (alkaline orange and methyl violet). The adsorption properties of biomass tube clusters are better than that of carbonized biomass tube clusters. The adsorption capacity of biomass tube clusters to alkaline orange and methyl violet are 162.25[Formula: see text]mg[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] and 258.34[Formula: see text]mg[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], respectively, and carbonized biomass tube clusters are 158.50[Formula: see text]mg[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] and 136.95[Formula: see text]mg[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], respectively. Moreover, these materials display the excellent performance in terms of adsorption kinetics, and can reach adsorption equilibrium within 40[Formula: see text]min due to the characteristic of tubular structure. Simulation results demonstrated that the adsorption isotherm and the adsorption kinetics of the two materials were well matched with the Langmuir model and the pseudo first-order kinetic model, respectively. Besides the excellent adsorption property, many other advantages such as wide sources, environmental friendliness and low-cost make the present tube clusters potential application value in the field of dye wastewater treatment.
Multiferroicity in the YFeO3 crystal
Authors: Shang Mingyu , Liu Haochuan , Zhang Lin , Sun Fengyue , Yuan Hongming , Zhao Chao
Published: July 2019

In this paper, orthoferrite YFeO3 was synthesized by hydrothermal method. The space group of YFeO3 is Pnma and the spin state of [Formula: see text] ion is low spin (LS). The YFeO3 crystal exhibits a weak antiferromagnetic behavior by magnetic measurement. For the electrical polarization measurement, micron-scale Pt electrodes were deposited on the both sides of the YFeO3 crystal by FIB-induced deposition. The saturation polarization value is 0.1994[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]C/cm2 at room temperature. The crystal exhibits ferroelectric behavior through the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction induced by additional spin canting of the antiferromagnetic ordering. This work may be applied to further study of the multiferroicity in rare-earth orthoferrites RFeO3.
Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Linking Operational and Algebraic Semantics for MDESL
Authors: Sheng Feng , Zhu Huibiao , He Jifeng , Yang Zongyuan , Bowen Jonathan P.
Published: July 2019

Verilog is a hardware description language (HDL) that has been standardized and widely used in industry. Multithreaded discrete event simulation language (MDESL) is a Verilog-like language. It contains interesting features such as event-driven computation and shared-variable concurrency. This article considers how the algebraic semantics links with the operational semantics for MDESL. Our approach is from both the theoretical and practical aspects. The link is proceeded by deriving the operational semantics from the algebraic semantics. First, we present the algebraic semantics for MDESL. We introduce the concept of head normal form. Second, we present the strategy of deriving operational semantics from algebraic semantics. We also investigate the soundness and completeness of the derived operational semantics with respect to the derivation strategy. Our theoretical approach is complemented by a practical one, and we use the theorem proof assistant Coq to formalize the algebraic laws and the derived operational semantics. Meanwhile, the soundness and completeness of the derived operational semantics is also verified via the mechanical approach in Coq. Our approach is a novel way to formalize and verify the correctness and equivalence of different semantics for MDESL in both a theoretical approach and a practical approach.
Digital Heritage as a Scholarly Field—Topics, Researchers, and Perspectives from a Bibliometric Point of View
Authors: Münster Sander
Published: July 2019

Digital heritage comprises a broad variety of approaches and topics and involves researchers from multiple disciplines. Against this background, this article presents a four-stage investigation on standards, publications, disciplinary cultures, as well as scholars in the field of digital heritage and particularly tangible objects as monuments and sites, carried out in 2016 and 2017. It includes results of (1) the inquiry of nearly 4,000 publications from major conferences, (2) a workshop-based survey involving 44 researchers, (3) 15 qualitative interviews, as well as (4) two online surveys with 1,000 and 700 participants, respectively. As an overall finding, the community is driven by researchers from European countries, especially Italy, with a background in humanities. Cross-national co-authorships are promoted by cultural and spatial closeness and—probably due to funding policy—EU membership. A discourse is primarily driven by technologies, and the most common keywords refer to the technologies used. Most prominent research areas are data acquisition and management, visualization, and analysis. Recent topics are, for instance, unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV)-based 3D surveying technologies, augmented and virtual reality visualization, metadata and paradata standards for documentation, and virtual museums. Since a lack of money is named as the biggest obstacle nowadays, competency and human resources are most frequently named as demand. An epistemic culture in the scholarly field of digital heritage is closer to engineering than to humanities. Moreover, conference series are most relevant for a scientific discourse, and especially EU projects set pace as most important research endeavors.