bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute subdural hematomas secondary to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage confer poor prognosis: a national perspective
Authors: Kaur Gurmeen , Dakay Katarina , Sursal Tolga , Pisapia Jared , Bowers Christian , Hanft Simon , Santarelli Justin , Muh Carrie , Gandhi Chirag D , Al-Mufti Fawaz
Published: August 2020

Background

Aneurysmal ruptures typically cause subarachnoid bleeding with intraparenchymal and intraventricular extension. However, rare instances of acute aneurysmal ruptures present with concomitant, non-traumatic subdural hemorrhage (SDH). We explored the incidence and difference in outcomes of SDH with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) as compared with aSAH alone.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study from 2012 to 2015 from the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) (20% stratified sample of all hospitals in the United States). NIS database (2012 to September 2015) queried to identify all patients presenting with aSAH. From this population, the patients with concomitant SDH were identified.

Results

A total of 10 075 patients with both cerebral aneurysms and aSAH were included. Of these, 335 cases of concomitant SDH and aSAH were identified. There was no significant change in the rate of SDH in aSAH over time. SDH with aSAH patients had a mortality of 24% compared with 12% (p=0.003) in the SAH only group, and only 16% were discharged home vs 37% (p=0.003) in the SAH group.

Conclusions

There is a 3.5% incidence of acute SDH in patients presenting with non-traumatic aSAH. Patients with SDH and aSAH have nearly double the mortality, higher rate of discharge to nursing home and rehabilitation, and a significantly lower rate of discharge to home and return to routine functioning. This information is useful in counseling and prognostication of patients with concomitant SDH and aSAH.
Center of skew PBW extensions
Authors: Lezama Oswaldo , Venegas Helbert
Published: August 2020

In this paper we compute the center of many noncommutative algebras that can be interpreted as skew [Formula: see text] extensions. We show that, under some natural assumptions on the parameters that define the extension, either the center is trivial, or, it is of polynomial type. As an application, we provided new examples of noncommutative algebras that are cancellative.
On the symmetry and conservation law classification of the de Sitter–Schwarzschild metric and the corresponding wave and Klein–Gordon equations
Authors: Bokhari Ashfaque H. , Kara A. H. , Zaman F. D. , Gadjagboui B. B. I.
Published: August 2020

The main purpose of this work is to focus on a discussion of Lie symmetries admitted by de Sitter–Schwarzschild spacetime metric, and the corresponding wave or Klein–Gordon equations constructed in the de Sitter–Schwarzschild geometry. The obtained symmetries are classified and the variational (Noether) conservation laws associated with these symmetries via the natural Lagrangians are obtained. In the case of the metric, we obtain additional variational ones when compared with the Killing vectors leading to additional conservation laws and for the wave and Klein–Gordon equations, the variational symmetries involve less tedious calculations as far as invariance studies are concerned.
Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Titanate Nanotubes Loaded with Platinum with Enhanced Selectivity for Photocatalytic H2 Evolution from Methanol
Authors: Chen Hsiu-Yu , Lo Shang-Lien , Chang Hsiang-Ling
Published: August 2020

Titanate nanotubes (TNTs) fabricated through microwave-assisted synthesis were examined for their ability to catalyze hydrogen production from a 20% v/v methanol solution under UV and visible light irradiation. Herein, TiO2 was used not only as the raw material for TNT synthesis but also as a reference support to compare its performance with that of TNTs. The UV–Vis spectral analyses of the TNT composites showed greater shifts toward the visible region after Pt loading than the spectra of Pt/TiO2. Moreover, using the Kubelka–Munk equation and Tauc Plot method, we determined that the direct allowed transition in TNT composites was more probable than the indirect allowed transition. The photocatalytic performances were evaluated by measuring the hydrogen production, and the experimental results showed that Pt/TNTs exhibited higher activity than Pt/TiO2. Furthermore, bare TNTs and Pt/TNTs showed lower CO generation than bare TiO2 and Pt/TiO2. As such, TNT composites enhanced the photocatalytic selectivity for H2 generation from formic acid to a greater extent than Pt/TiO2, because the kinetic diameter of CO (0.38[Formula: see text]nm) is larger than that of CO2 (0.33[Formula: see text]nm). This result may be attributed to the inability of CO to diffuse into the pores of TNTs because of the diameter difference. Also, XPS results showed negative shifts of Pt binding energies and positive shifts of Ti binding energies due to the strong metal-support interaction between Pt and TNTs. Thus, the remarkably high photocatalytic efficiency of TNT composites facilitates their application as promising photocatalysts.
A Critical Review of Using the Peukert Equation and its Generalizations for Lithium-Ion Cells
Authors: Galushkin N. Е. , Yazvinskaya N. N. , Galushkin D. N.
Published: August 2020

In this paper, the Peukert’s equation was studied experimentally and theoretically at various discharge currents for lithium-ion cells. The classical Peukert’s equation is not applicable at small discharge currents as according to this equation, at the discharge current decrease, the capacity released by the cells tends to infinity. The generalized Peukert’s equationC = Cm/(1+(i/i0)n) corresponds well to the experimental data obtained at small and middle discharge currents. However at high discharge currents, the capacity released by the lithium-ion cells drops much faster than it is predicted by the known Peukert’s equation generalizations. In this paper both experimentally and theoretically, it is proved that the reason of the sharp decrease of the cells capacity at high discharge currents is the voltage drop at cells internal resistance. Based on the obtained results, the following equation was proposed:C = Cm(1−i/i1)/((1−i/i1)+in/i0n). This equation corresponds well to the experimental data at any discharge currents, as it takes into consideration the voltage drop, caused by the cell internal resistance.
On the Impact of Internal Cross-Linking and Connection Properties on the Current Distribution in Lithium-Ion Battery Modules
Authors: Schindler Markus , Durdel Axel , Sturm Johannes , Jocher Philipp , Jossen Andreas
Published: August 2020

The often-observed current distribution between parallel-connected lithium-ion cells within battery modules is probably evoked by the properties of the connection, inhomogeneous contact and power line resistances, the impedance behavior of single cells and of the DoD. The extent to which each of the contributors and the interaction between them affects the current distribution within the battery module is crucial to improve the system’s efficiency, which is investigated here via various electrically cross-linked, physicochemical-thermal simulations with variable system terminal (ST). Consequently, cross-connectors balance the system and reduce DoD shifts between cells. Furthermore, if one compares ST-side and ST-cross, the position of the ST is negligible for topologies that incorporate at least two cells in serial and parallel. Depending on the ST configuration, point and axis symmetry patterns appear for the current distribution. Compared to welding seam and cross-connector resistances, the string connector resistance dominates the current distribution. Like the behavior of a single cell, the system’s rate capability shows a non-linear decrease with increasing C-rate under constant current discharge. As a recommendation for the assembly of battery modules using multiple lithium-ion cells, the position of the ST is of minor importance compared to the presence of cross-connectors and low-resistance string connectors.
Review—Potentiometric Determination of Phosphate Using Cobalt: A Review
Authors: Zeitoun Reem , Biswas Asim
Published: August 2020

Inorganic phosphorus (orthophosphate) determination is crucial within environmental applications. Conventional accredited measurement methods of orthophosphate provide accurate measurements for a limited number of samples due to cost, time, and labor involved with laboratory analysis and are insufficient to characterize phosphate variability within environmental applications. Precise electrochemical sensing has the potential to provide accurate phosphate measurements and has the advantage of being inexpensive to produce and portable. Cobalt is a robust metal that has shown a unique selectivity towards phosphate in potentiometric sensors. In this manuscript, we reviewed the cobalt phosphate ion-selective electrodes with cobalt matrices in the form of pure metal, microelectrode, thin-film, and heterogeneous metal membrane in building integrated probes for determining phosphate concentrations in aqueous solutions. We reviewed different proposals of the cobalt-phosphate chemical reactions on the electrode surface, the factors affecting the stability of the phosphate measurement, and the success stories in the form of the limit of detection, linear range, and sensitivity. With strong progress in recent decades, we restricted ourselves at the time between 1995 and 2018. We discussed future opportunities of cobalt sensors towards more reliable phosphate sensing using novel approaches like cobalt alloys, three in one cobalt phosphate sensors, and external interference elimination methods.
Review—2D Graphene and Graphene-Like Materials and Their Promising Applications in the Generation of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Yu Tian , Breslin Carmel B.
Published: August 2020

The in situ formation of hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, is an attractive alternative to the current energy demanding and complex anthraquinone synthetic process. In this paper 2D materials, including graphene, graphitic carbon nitride (g–C3N4) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), are reviewed as electrocatalysts and photocatalysts for the selective two electron reduction of oxygen to give H2O2. Following an introduction to the complex oxygen reduction reaction, graphene is considered, followed by an account of g–C3N4 and hBN in generating H2O2. It is readily evident that graphene combined with carbon-based supports, doped with N, B or BN, decorated with single atom catalysts and prepared as aerogels can be employed to enhance the production of H2O2. Although the mechanism of this two electron oxygen reduction reaction remains unclear, mildly oxidised graphene is more effective and this is fortunate as fully reduced graphene is difficult to form and maintain. While hBN and g–C3N4 are much less studied as electrocatalysts, there is clear evidence that these 2D materials can be modified to give composites that favour the two electron oxygen reduction reaction, while g–C3N4-based materials are becoming well established as photocatalysts, effectively employing visible light, for the production of H2O2.
Metabolism of vascular smooth muscle cells in vascular diseases
Authors: Shi Jia , Yang Yi , Cheng Anying , Xu Gang , He Fan
Published: August 2020

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the fundamental component of the medial layer of arteries and are essential for arterial physiology and pathology. It is becoming increasingly clear that VSMCs can alter their metabolism to fulfill the bioenergetic and biosynthetic requirements. During vascular injury, VSMCs switch from a quiescent “contractile” phenotype to a highly migratory and proliferative “synthetic” phenotype. Recent studies have found that the phenotype switching of VSMCs is driven by a metabolic switch. Metabolic pathways, including aerobic glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and amino acid metabolism, have distinct, indispensable roles in normal and dysfunctional vasculature. VSMCs metabolism is also related to the metabolism of endothelial cells. In the present review, we present a brief overview of VSMCs metabolism and how it regulates the progression of several vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, systemic hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, vascular calcification, and aneurysms, and the effect of the risk factors for vascular disease (aging, cigarette smoking, and excessive alcohol drinking) on VSMC metabolism to clarify the role of VSMCs metabolism in the key pathological process.
Honeybush Extracts (Cyclopia spp.) Rescue Mitochondrial Functions and Bioenergetics against Oxidative Injury
Authors: Agapouda Anastasia , Butterweck Veronika , Hamburger Matthias , de Beer Dalene , Joubert Elizabeth , Eckert Anne
Published: August 2020

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a major role not only in the pathogenesis of many oxidative stress or age-related diseases such as neurodegenerative as well as mental disorders but also in normal aging. There is evidence that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are the most upstream and common events in the pathomechanisms of neurodegeneration. Cyclopia species are endemic South African plants and some have a long tradition of use as herbal tea, known as honeybush tea. Extracts of the tea are gaining more scientific attention due to their phenolic composition. In the present study, we tested not only the in vitro mitochondria-enhancing properties of honeybush extracts under physiological conditions but also their ameliorative properties under oxidative stress situations. Hot water and ethanolic extracts of C. subternata, C. genistoides, and C. longifolia were investigated. Pretreatment of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells with honeybush extracts, at a concentration range of 0.1-1 ng/ml, had a beneficial effect on bioenergetics as it increased ATP production, respiration, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) after 24 hours under physiological conditions. The aqueous extracts of C. subternata and C. genistoides, in particular, showed a protective effect by rescuing the bioenergetic and mitochondrial deficits under oxidative stress conditions (400 μM H2O2 for 3 hours). These findings indicate that honeybush extracts could constitute candidates for the prevention of oxidative stress with an impact on aging processes and age-related neurodegenerative disorders potentially leading to the development of a condition-specific nutraceutical.
Akkermansia muciniphila Enhances the Antitumor Effect of Cisplatin in Lewis Lung Cancer Mice
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Qian Xiang , Chen Shasha , Fu Xiaoxuan , Ma Guanjun , Zhang Aiqin
Published: August 2020

Recently, intestinal flora plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of tumors and there is link between cancer immunotherapy and Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk). However, the therapeutic efficacy of Akk in lung cancer remained unclear. Hence, our study is aimed at investigating the antitumor effects of cisplatin (CDDP) combined with Akk on lung cancer. Using the murine lung cancer model by subcutaneously inoculating Lewis lung cancer model, 50 mice were divided into five groups: normal, model, CDDP, CDDP+Akk, and CDDP+antibiotics. After treatment within 5 weeks, compared with the model group, the administered group improved the changes of tumor pathomorphology. Compared with the CDDP group, CDDP combining with Akk slowed down the growth of tumor volume, downregulated the levels of ki-67, p53, and factor-associated suicide (Fas) ligand proteins and upregulated Fas proteins, increased the levels of interferon-γ, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, and suppressed the expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg in mouse peripheral blood and spleen. In addition, transcriptome analysis indicated that Akk combining with CDDP increased obviously the levels of IFI27l2 and IGFBP7 and was related to those pathways including the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, Th17 cell differentiation, FOXO, JAK-STAT, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. These results suggested that the therapeutic efficacy of the combined treatment of Akk and CDDP was superior to the only CDDP treatment, which could enhance immune regulation and would be a promising strategy for the treatment of lung cancer.
Improved Finite Control Set Optimal Control for PMSM in Rocket Launcher Servo System
Authors: Shi Di-fen , Hou Yuan-long , Gu Xiao-hui , Hou Run-min
Published: August 2020

Permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) have been widely applied in the shipborne rocket launcher systems due to their high torque density and high efficiency. However, since there are many external disturbances from the shipborne rocket launcher, the tracking performance under random noises needs to be improved. In this paper, an improved finite control set optimal control (IFCSOC) based on a super-twisting extended state observer (SESO) is investigated for position tracking control of PMSMs. The SESO can improve the anti-interference ability of the proposed controller. Moreover, in order to improve tracking accuracy, Taylor’s formula is used to solve the phase-lag problem of nonlinear tracking differentiator in IFCSOC. Simulation shows that compared with conventional FCSOC, IFCSOC exhibits better robustness under random disturbances. Furthermore, the semiphysical experiment is conducted to verify the proposed IFCSOC strategy.
Effect of Pre-Existing Symmetrical Cracks on Propagation Behaviors of a Blast-Induced Crack
Authors: Wan Duanying , Zhu Zheming , Zhou Changlin , Li Jianfei , Ying Peng , Wang Meng
Published: August 2020

Defects such as voids, pores, and joints will transform into big scale cracks in the rock of tunnel surrounding under dynamic load like blasting and earthquake. In this paper, three kinds of symmetrical cracks were chosen as an example, and experiments and numerical simulations were conducted to study the effect of symmetric cracks on a blast-induced crack. The relationship of main crack propagation characteristic and distribution of symmetrical cracks was investigated. Some circular specimens using two kinds of material, PMMA and sandstone, including a center hole charged with a detonator and pre-existing cracks were used in the experiments. The test system consisted of an oscilloscope and an ultradynamic strain amplifier and crack propagation gauges (CPGs) were employed in monitoring propagation velocity. AUTODYN code was applied in numerical simulation to investigate the propagation behavior of main crack between symmetrical cracks. Linear equation of state and a modified major principal stress failure criterion was utilized to describe the status of rock material. Based on experimental and numerical results, it can be concluded that (1) the pre-existing symmetrical cracks have arrest effect on main crack propagation, (2) compressive stress in y-direction plays very important roles in crack arrest, and (3) the spacing of parallel cracks has a great influence on crack propagation length and velocity.
Despite Blocking Doxorubicin-Induced Vascular Damage, Quercetin Ameliorates Its Antibreast Cancer Activity
Authors: Henidi Hanan A. , Al-Abbasi Fahad A. , El-Moselhy Mohamed A. , El-Bassossy Hany M. , Al-Abd Ahmed M.
Published: August 2020

Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonol present in many foods. Doxorubicin is an effective anticancer agent despite its dose-limiting cardiovascular toxicity. Herein, we investigated the potential protective effects of quercetin against doxorubicin-induced vascular toxicity and its effect on the therapeutic cytotoxic profile of doxorubicin in breast cancer cell lines. The incubation of isolated aortic rings with doxorubicin produced concentration-dependent exaggeration of vasoconstriction responses to phenylephrine but impaired vasodilation responses to acetylcholine. Coincubation with quercetin completely blocked the exaggerated vasoconstriction responses and the impaired vasodilation. In addition, doxorubicin incubation increased reactive oxygen species generation from the isolated aorta, while coincubation with quercetin inhibited ROS generation back to normal values. On the other hand, quercetin in combination with doxorubicin, doubled the IC50 of doxorubicin alone in MCF-7 cells from

0.4
±
0.03
 
to
 
0.8
±
0.06

 μM. To a lesser extent, the IC50 of doxorubicin did not change after combination with quercetin in MDA-MB-231 cells. These findings indicate a significant antagonistic interaction between quercetin and doxorubicin in the aforementioned cell lines. Only in T47D cells, quercetin combination with doxorubicin was an additive interaction (

CI
−
value
=
1.17

). Yet, quercetin significantly impaired the immediate phase of intracellular ROS generation by doxorubicin within breast cancer cells from

125.2
±
3.6
%

to

102.5
±
3.9
%

of control cells. Using annexin-V/FITC staining technique, the quercetin/doxorubicin combination showed a significantly lower percent of apoptotic cells compared to doxorubicin alone treated cells. Cell cycle distribution in breast cancer cells was performed using DNA content flowcytometry after propidium iodide staining. Quercetin induced significant accumulation of cells in the S phase as well as in the G2/M phase within both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines and interfered with doxorubicin-induced cell cycle effects. Interestingly, quercetin was found to inhibit the P-glycoprotein ATPase subunit with a consequent enhanced intracellular concentration of doxorubicin in MDA-MB-231 and T47D cells. In conclusion, quercetin, despite its potent vascular protective activity against doxorubicin, was found to influence doxorubicin-induced antibreast cancer effects via pharmacodynamic as well as cellular pharmacokinetic aspects.
Multiobjective Sizing of an Autonomous Hybrid Microgrid Using a Multimodal Delayed PSO Algorithm: A Case Study of a Fishing Village
Authors: Mouachi Raja , Jallal Mohammed Ali , Gharnati Fatima , Raoufi Mustapha
Published: August 2020

Renewable energy (RE) systems play a key role in producing electricity worldwide. The integration of RE systems is carried out in a distributed aspect via an autonomous hybrid microgrid (A-HMG) system. The A-HMG concept provides a series of technological solutions that must be managed optimally. As a solution, this paper focuses on the application of a recent nature-inspired metaheuristic optimization algorithm named a multimodal delayed particle swarm optimization (MDPSO). The proposed algorithm is applied to an A-HMG to find the minimum levelized cost of energy (LCOE), the lowest loss of power supply probability (LPSP), and the maximum renewable factor (REF). Firstly, a smart energy management scheme (SEMS) is proposed to coordinate the power flow among the various system components that formed the A-HMG. Then, the MDPSO is integrated with the SEMS to perform the optimal sizing for the A-HMG of a fishing village that is located in the coastal city of Essaouira, Morocco. The proposed A-HMG comprises photovoltaic panels (PV), wind turbines (WTs), battery storage systems, and diesel generators (DGs). The results of the optimization in this location show that A-HMG system can be applied for this location with a high renewable factor that is equal to 90%. Moreover, the solution is very promising in terms of the LCOE and the LPSP indexes that are equal to 0.17$/kWh and 0.12%, respectively. Therefore, using renewable energy can be considered as a good alternative to enhance energy access in remote areas as the fishing village in the city of Essaouira, Morocco. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is applied to highlight the impact of varying each energy source in terms of the LCOE index.
The Effects of Alpha-Linolenic Acid on the Secretory Activity of Astrocytes and β Amyloid-Associated Neurodegeneration in Differentiated SH-SY5Y Cells: Alpha-Linolenic Acid Protects the SH-SY5Y cells against β Amyloid Toxicity
Authors: Litwiniuk Anna , Domańska Anita , Chmielowska Magdalena , Martyńska Lidia , Bik Wojciech , Kalisz Małgorzata
Published: August 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Amyloid β- (Aβ-) induced mitochondrial dysfunction may be a primary process triggering all the cascades of events that lead to AD. Therefore, identification of natural factors and endogenous mechanisms that protect neurons against Aβ toxicity is needed. In the current study, we investigated whether alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), as a natural product, would increase insulin and IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor I) release from astrocytes. Moreover, we explored the protective effect of astrocytes-derived insulin/IGF-I on Aβ-induced neurotoxicity, with special attention paid to their impact on mitochondrial function of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. The results showed that ALA induced insulin and IGF-I secretion from astrocytes. Our findings demonstrated that astrocyte-derived insulin/insulin-like growth factor I protects differentiated SH-SY5Y cells against Aβ1-42-induced cell death. Moreover, pretreatment with conditioned medium (CM) and ALA-preactivated CM (ALA-CM) protected the SH-SY5Y cells against Aβ1-42-induced mitochondrial dysfunction by reducing the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, increasing mitochondrial biogenesis, restoring the balance between fusion and fission processes, and regulation of mitophagy and autophagy processes. Our study suggested that astrocyte-derived insulin/insulin-like growth factor I suppresses Aβ1-42-induced cytotoxicity in the SH-SY5Y cells by protecting against mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, the neuroprotective effects of CM were intensified by preactivation with ALA.
Lungenmetastasenchirurgie verbessert das Überleben bei Patienten mit Chondrosarkom
Authors: Hekmat Khosro
Published: August 2020

Aims: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the role of pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) in patients affected by lung metastasis (LM) of grade 2 and 3 chondrosarcoma (CS). Patients and Methods: The study included 61 patients affected by LM. Patients unfit for PM were treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Results: The patients’ mean age was 51 years, ranging from 17 to 84 years; 44 (66.7%) patients had grade 2 CS, while 17 (25.8%) patients had grade 3 CS. Fifty-one patients presented multiple nodules: 44 of those cases were bilateral LM (72.1%). Twenty-nine (47.5%) patients underwent PM, whereas 32 (52.5%) patients underwent chemotherapy and stereotactic radiotherapy alone. At the final follow-up (average of 83 months, range 13–298), 47 (77.0%) patients had died of the disease. A better post-relapse survival rate was observed in patients who underwent PM (55.1 vs. 13.1% at 5-year follow-up, p < 0.001) and in patients with unilateral LM (60.4 vs. 25.6% at 5-year follow-up, p = 0.016). The number of LM also played a prognostic role. Conclusions: Until significant improvements in chemotherapy can be made, PM can be a valid option in the attempt to improve post-metastatic survival.
Chronisch-obstruktive Lungenerkrankung: Verbesserung von Schlaf und Tagesmüdigkeit durch pneumologische Rehabilitation
Authors: Gafina Guzel , Spielmanns Marc
Published: August 2020

Background: Dyspnea, fatigue, and decline in sleep quality are symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulmonary rehabilitation programs have been shown to ameliorate dyspnea and fatigue. However, only a few studies have investigated the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on the sleep quality of COPD patients. In this study, we analyzed the benefits of a pulmonary rehabilitation program to sleep quality and daytime somnolence in COPD patients. Methods: This study was a study of 30 moderate-severe COPD patients. All patients were evaluated by a pulmonologist and underwent polysomnography before participating in the study. For this study, we selected only ex-smokers and patients with sleep apnea were referred to the sleep clinic. These participants were prospectively recruited and not selected based on program completion. Before the start of the program, sleep quality and daytime somnolence of the participants were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), respectively. Rehabilitation program consisted of muscular training sessions conducted at the gym 3 times per week for 12 weeks. After rehabilitation program, the patients were reassessed and their sleep quality and daytime somnolence were reevaluated using the PSQI and the ESS, respectively. Results: Before rehabilitation, PSQI evaluation revealed that 73% of the participants had poor sleep quality, and ESS evaluation showed that 86.7% of the participants experienced daytime somnolence. After pulmonary rehabilitation, the PSQI specifically improved in terms of subjective sleep quality and sleep duration (< 0.001), habitual sleep efficiency (0.001), and sleep latency and sleep alterations (0.002) and there was also improvement in the ESS (< 0.001). Conclusion: Pulmonary rehabilitation program of gradually increasing intensity has the potential to provide sleep-related benefits to patients with COPD who have poor sleep quality and daytime somnolence. Trial registration: Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) RBR62b4z2.
Endothelial Dysfunction and Thrombosis in Patients With COVID-19—Brief Report
Authors: Nagashima Seigo , Mendes Monalisa Castilho , Camargo Martins Ana Paula , Borges Nícolas Henrique , Godoy Thiago Mateus , Miggiolaro Anna Flavia Ribeiro dos Santos , da Silva Dezidério Felipe , Machado-Souza Cleber , de Noronha Lucia
Published: August 2020

Objective:

Alveolar-capillary endothelial cells can be activated by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection leading to cytokine release. This could trigger endothelial dysfunction, pyroptosis, and thrombosis, which are the vascular changes, commonly referred to as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) endotheliopathy. Thus, this study aimed to identify tissue biomarkers associated with endothelial activation/dysfunction and the pyroptosis pathway in the lung samples of patients with COVID-19 and to compare them to pandemic influenza A virus H1N1 subtype 2009 and control cases.

Approach and Results:

Postmortem lung samples (COVID-19 group =6 cases; H1N1 group =10 cases, and control group =11 cases) were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and the following monoclonal primary antibodies: anti-IL (interleukin)-6, anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α, anti-ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1), and anticaspase-1. From the result, IL-6, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and caspase-1 showed higher tissue expression in the COVID-19 group than in the H1N1 and control groups.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrated endothelial dysfunction and suggested the participation of the pyroptosis pathway in the pulmonary samples. These conditions might lead to systemic thrombotic events that could impair the clinical staff’s efforts to avoid fatal outcomes. One of the health professionals’ goals should be to identify the high risk of thrombosis patients early to block endotheliopathy and its consequences.
Cardiovascular Imaging of Biology and Emotion
Authors: Meadows Judith L. , Shah Samit , Burg Matthew M. , Pfau Steven , Soufer Robert
Published: August 2020

Central activation in response to emotion and cognitive stress induces perturbations in the heart and the peripheral vasculature that differ in physiology and clinical manifestations when compared with exercise-induced changes. While our conventional framework of epicardial coronary artery disease is foundational in cardiology, an expanded paradigm is required to address the cardiovascular response to mental stress (MS) and its associated risks, thus addressing the intersection of the patient’s ecological and psychosocial experience with cardiovascular biology. To advance the field of MS in cardiovascular health, certain core challenges must be addressed. These include differences in the trigger activation between exercise and emotion, identification and interpretation of imaging cues as measures of pathophysiologic changes, characterization of the vascular response, and identification of central and peripheral treatment targets. Sex and psychosocial determinants of health are important in understanding the emerging overlap of MS–induced myocardial ischemia with microvascular dysfunction and symptoms in the absence of obstructive disease. In overcoming these critical knowledge gaps, integration of the field of MS will require implementation studies to guide use of MS testing, to support diagnosis of MS induced cardiac and vascular pathophysiology, to assess prognosis, and understand the role of endotying to direct therapy.
Auditory but Not Audiovisual Cues Lead to Higher Neural Sensitivity to the Statistical Regularities of an Unfamiliar Musical Style
Authors: Zioga Ioanna , Harrison Peter M. C. , Pearce Marcus T. , Bhattacharya Joydeep , Luft Caroline Di Bernardi
Published: August 2020

It is still a matter of debate whether visual aids improve learning of music. In a multisession study, we investigated the neural signatures of novel music sequence learning with or without aids (auditory-only: AO, audiovisual: AV). During three training sessions on three separate days, participants (nonmusicians) reproduced (note by note on a keyboard) melodic sequences generated by an artificial musical grammar. The AV group (n = 20) had each note color-coded on screen, whereas the AO group (n = 20) had no color indication. We evaluated learning of the statistical regularities of the novel music grammar before and after training by presenting melodies ending on correct or incorrect notes and by asking participants to judge the correctness and surprisal of the final note, while EEG was recorded. We found that participants successfully learned the new grammar. Although the AV group, as compared to the AO group, reproduced longer sequences during training, there was no significant difference in learning between groups. At the neural level, after training, the AO group showed a larger N100 response to low-probability compared with high-probability notes, suggesting an increased neural sensitivity to statistical properties of the grammar; this effect was not observed in the AV group. Our findings indicate that visual aids might improve sequence reproduction while not necessarily promoting better learning, indicating a potential dissociation between sequence reproduction and learning. We suggest that the difficulty induced by auditory-only input during music training might enhance cognitive engagement, thereby improving neural sensitivity to the underlying statistical properties of the learned material.
Distributed Code for Semantic Relations Predicts Neural Similarity during Analogical Reasoning
Authors: Chiang Jeffrey N. , Peng Yujia , Lu Hongjing , Holyoak Keith J. , Monti Martin M.
Published: August 2020

The ability to generate and process semantic relations is central to many aspects of human cognition. Theorists have long debated whether such relations are coarsely coded as links in a semantic network or finely coded as distributed patterns over some core set of abstract relations. The form and content of the conceptual and neural representations of semantic relations are yet to be empirically established. Using sequential presentation of verbal analogies, we compared neural activities in making analogy judgments with predictions derived from alternative computational models of relational dissimilarity to adjudicate among rival accounts of how semantic relations are coded and compared in the brain. We found that a frontoparietal network encodes the three relation types included in the design. A computational model based on semantic relations coded as distributed representations over a pool of abstract relations predicted neural activities for individual relations within the left superior parietal cortex and for second-order comparisons of relations within a broader left-lateralized network.
Body RemiXer: Extending Bodies to Stimulate Social Connection in an Immersive Installation
Authors: Desnoyers-Stewart John , Stepanova Ekaterina R. , Riecke Bernhard E. , Pennefather Patrick
Published: August 2020

Body RemiXer is a mixed reality installation that connects immersants across the virtual/actual divide through emergent tactility and abstract embodiment. Using a virtual reality headset, Kinect and projections, the installation explores the potential of immersive technology to create copresent experiences that foster intercorporeal relationships between immersants wearing a headset and those using the projections. Immersants’ bodies are at the center of the installation, activated as a site for social exchange. Body RemiXer has been exhibited at an art festival and at several smaller events. The authors’ observations during these exhibits reveal Body RemiXer's capacity to disrupt social norms and stimulate new connections.
Ypsolopha admirandella sp. n. (Lepidoptera: Ypsolophidae), a new European species from the steppes of Russia
Authors: SACHKOV SERGEY A. , ZOLOTUHIN VADIM V.
Published: August 2020

A new species, Ypsolopha admirandella sp. nov., is described from clay-steppes of the Ulyanovsk Region (European Russia). The holotype of the new species is deposited in the collection of the Samara State University. The new species is associated with Ephedra distachya. The holotype and its genitalia, in addition those of the closely related Y. colleaguella Baraniak, 2007 are illustrated.
Leveraging Connectivities: Comparative Diaspora Strategies and Evolving Cultural Pluralities in China and Singapore
Authors: Ho Elaine Lynn-Ee
Published: August 2020

Migrant-sending states are connecting systematically with their emigrants and diasporic descendants through policies known as “diaspora strategies.” Underlying diaspora strategizing are the manifold ways in which states capitalize on past migration and present mobility patterns to advance national developmental agendas. Such agendas are conceived in terms of economic and (soft) political power, respectively referred to as “diaspora-and-development” and “diaspora diplomacy.” This article undertakes a comparative analysis of the diaspora strategies by China and Singapore to ask critical questions about, first, the connectivities between migrant-sending states. Doing so elicits the multidirectional migration flows that connect nation-states, showing how the diaspora outreach of one affects the other. Second, the article examines the (multi)cultural logics that underpin diaspora strategizing and its possible impacts on domestic agendas. Such an approach urges researchers to study the race/ethnicity politics that underpin diaspora strategies.
Comparisons of Risk Factors for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Coronary Heart Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Xiao Jun , Borné Yan , Bao Xue , Persson Margaretha , Gottsäter Anders , Acosta Stefan , Engström Gunnar
Published: August 2020

Even though abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and coronary heart disease (CHD) are both related to atherosclerosis, there could be important differences in risk factors. Based on Malmö Diet and Cancer Cohort, the incidence of AAA and CHD was followed prospectively. Cox regression was used to calculate the association of each factor with AAA and CHD and hazards ratio were compared using a modified Lunn-McNeil method; 447 participants developed AAA and 3129 developed CHD. After multivariate adjustments, smoking, antihypertensive medications, lipid-lowing medications, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 (inversely), ApoB, ApoB/ApoA1 ratio, total leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were associated with the risks of both AAA and CHD. When comparing risk factor profiles for the 2 diseases, smoking, diastolic blood pressure, ApoA1, and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio had stronger associations with risk of AAA than with risk of CHD, while diabetes and unmarried status showed increased risk of CHD, but not of AAA (all P values for equal association <.01). The results from this big population study confirm that the risk factor profiles for AAA and CHD show not only many similarities but also several important differences.
Classification of Mosquitoes with Infrared Spectroscopy and Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Sroute Lamyae , Byrd Brian D. , Huffman Scott W.
Published: August 2020

Mosquito-borne diseases are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality globally. Given the absence of effective vaccines for most arthropod-borne viruses, mosquito control efforts remain the dominant method of disease prevention. Ideal control efforts begin with entomologic surveillance in order to determine the abundance, identity, and infection status of pathogen-vectoring mosquito populations. Traditionally, much of the surveillance work involves morphological species identification by trained entomologists. Limited operational funding and lack of specialized training is a known barrier to surveillance and effective control efforts for many operational mosquito control personnel. Therefore, there is a need for surveillance workflow improvements and rapid mosquito identification methods. Herein, is presented a proof of concept study in which infrared spectroscopy coupled with partial least squares-discriminant analysis was explored as a means of automatically classifying mosquitoes at the species level. The developed method resulted in greater than 94% accuracy for four mosquitoes of public health relevance: Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Aedes japonicus, and Aedes triseriatus.
Human gender revelation based on facial features and shape and structure of finger nails
Authors: Ghosh Sayantani , Setua Sanjit Kumar
Published: August 2020

The research on face recognition has become an integral part in the field of many engineering areas. The variation in the appearance of an human image makes proper face recognition a difficult task. However, face identification is an extremely important aspect of human identification system especially in gender identification system. Thus, this paper has aimed to detect the gender of human beings based on different frontal facial features. In this case we have considered facial images with different emotions like neutral, happy, sad, angry and surprised, respectively. To perform gender identification, frontal facial features are detected and extracted based on Region of Interest principle. Then, Fast Fourier Transform and Discrete Cosine Transform algorithmic logics have been incorporated to transform the input data from spatial domain to frequency domain, and on the resultant data further operations are performed to accomplish the task of gender identification. This has made the proffered algorithm different and unique from the existing algorithms. In addition, an alternate approach has also been proposed for gender identification and revelation based on the shape and structure of human finger nails. The latter method has primarily emphasized on the structural organization of finger nails in both male and female. The propounded algorithm has also succeeded in determining the gender of human being based on the shape and structure of human finger nails.
Stiffness-toughness balance in PP/EPDM/SiO2 ternary blend-nanocomposites: The role of microstructural evolution
Authors: Hajibabazadeh S , Razavi Aghjeh MK , Mehrabi Mazidi M
Published: August 2020

The effect of microstructural evolution with hydrophilic-nanosilica (SiO2) concentration, ranging from 0 to 5 wt%, on mechanical properties and deformation micromechanisms of PP/EPDM/SiO2 (80/20/x) ternary blend-nanocomposites was investigated. Morphological observations revealed that, SiO2 nanoparticles tend to localize either around the dispersed EPDM particles or at the PP/EPDM interface, promoting the formation of three dimentional network-like EPDM/SiO2 composite structures dispersed in the PP matrix, especially at higher SiO2 loadings. This type of dispersion state was further confirmed by the rheological analysis. Synergistic toughening effect of soft EPDM particles and rigid SiO2 particles under Izod impact test was observed in these ternary systems, so that the materials with a better balance of stiffness/toughness were achieved. The results demonstrated that the extent of impact toughness increase is higher, where a large amount of the SiO2 nanoparticles surrounded the EPDM dispersed particles distributed in the PP matrix. This significant increase was attributed to the change in the size of stress concentration region and evolution of stress distribution throughout the material. The failure mechanisms were studied, and the underlying toughening micromechanisms were proposed.
Exploring Changes in Racial/Ethnic Disparities of HIV Diagnosis Rates Under the “Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America” Initiative
Authors: McCree Donna Hubbard , Chesson Harrell , Bradley Erin L.P. , Williams Austin , Gant Zanetta , Geter Angelica
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Racial/ethnic disparities in HIV diagnosis rates remain despite the availability of effective treatment and prevention tools in the United States. In 2019, President Trump announced the “Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America” (EHE) initiative to reduce new HIV infections in the United States at least 75% by 2025 and at least 90% by 2030. The objective of this study was to show the potential effect of the EHE initiative on racial/ethnic disparities in HIV diagnosis rates at the national level.

Methods

We used 2017 HIV diagnoses data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National HIV Surveillance System. We developed a counterfactual scenario to determine changes in racial/ethnic disparities if the 2017 HIV diagnosis rates were reduced by 75% in the geographic regions targeted by the EHE initiative. We used 4 measures to calculate results: rate ratio, population-attributable proportion (PAP), Gini coefficient, and Index of Disparity.

Results

The relative measures of racial/ethnic disparity decreased by 9%-21% in the EHE scenario compared with the 2017 HIV diagnoses data. The largest decrease was in the Hispanic/Latino:white rate ratio (−20.6%) and in the black:white rate ratio (−18.2%). The PAP measure decreased by 11.5%. The absolute versions of the Index of Disparity (unweighted and weighted) were approximately 50% lower in the EHE scenario than in the 2017 HIV diagnoses data.

Conclusions

EHE efforts could reduce but will not eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in HIV diagnosis rates. Efforts to address racial/ethnic disparities should continue, and innovative approaches, specifically those that focus on social and structural factors, should be developed and implemented for populations that are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States.
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in Early Adulthood: National Estimates for College and Non-College Students
Authors: Mumford Elizabeth A. , Potter Sharyn , Taylor Bruce G. , Stapleton Jane
Published: August 2020

Young adults are at high risk for sexual harassment and sexual assault. Although attention has been given to prevention on college campuses, the need for prevention may be at least as high for young adults who do not attend college as for young adults who do. In October 2019, we administered a nationally representative survey of 893 adults to measure sexual harassment and sexual assault victimization during a recall period defined as “during college years” for respondents who had enrolled in college at any time or “ages 18-24” for respondents not in college. Reported rates of sexual harassment (32.7%) and sexual assault (24.6%) during early adulthood were similar for respondents who reported having ever enrolled in college and for respondents who reported never attending college. Women were more likely than men to report both sexual harassment (37.4% vs 22.4%) and sexual assault (36.0% vs 16.0%) during early adulthood. Compared with respondents aged ≥30, respondents aged 18-29 were 105% more likely to report sexual harassment and 65% more likely to report sexual assault. Moreover, sexual harassment experiences predicted sexual assault victimization (adjusted odds ratio = 18.1). This study highlights the importance of attending to sexual harassment and sexual assault risks for young adults through research, policy, and criminal justice structures beyond institutions of higher education. Evidence that sexual harassment is strongly associated with sexual assault victimization of young adults highlights the importance of naming and stemming early behavioral transgressions across the US population.