bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COMPLEXITY-BASED CLASSIFICATION OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)
Authors: NAMAZI HAMIDREZA , KULISH VLADIMIR V.
Published: May 2020

COVID-19 is a pandemic disease, which massively affected human lives in more than 200 countries. Caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, this acute respiratory illness affects the human lungs and can easily spread from person to person. Since the disease heavily affects human lungs, analyzing the X-ray images of the lungs may prove to be a powerful tool for disease investigation. In this research, we use the information contained within the complex structures of X-ray images between the cases of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, whereas the case of healthy lungs is taken as the reference point. To analyze X-ray images, we benefit from the concept of Shannon’s entropy and fractal theory. Shannon’s entropy is directly related to the amount of information contained within the X-ray images in question, whereas fractal theory is used to analyze the complexity of these images. The results, obtained in this study, show that the method of fractal analysis can detect the level of infection among different respiratory diseases and that COVID-19 has the worst effect on the human lungs. In other words, the complexity of X-ray images is proportional to the severity of the respiratory disease. The method of analysis, employed in this study, can be used even further to analyze how COVID-19 progresses in affected patients.
HAFNIUM AND NITROGEN INTERACTION AT Hf/GaN(0001) INTERFACE
Authors: LEWANDKÓW RAFAŁ , WASIELEWSKI RADOSŁAW , MAZUR PIOTR
Published: May 2020

The growth and stability of hafnium films on [Formula: see text]-GaN(0001) surface with native oxide was investigated with X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS). It is shown that hafnium creates a continuous and stable layer on GaN substrate. Thermal treatment at [Formula: see text]C of Hf/GaN system causes decomposition of GaN and reaction of hafnium with atomic nitrogen from the substrate. XPS spectra demonstrate the reaction by a strong shift of the N 1s and Hf 4f lines. An attempt for bringing on the same reaction with molecular nitrogen under pressure of [Formula: see text] mbar was not successful. UPS spectra show a metallic character of the hafnium adlayer in such instances.
Study of Fluid–Structure Interaction in a Functionally Graded pH-Sensitive Hydrogel Micro-Valve
Authors: Mazaheri Hashem , Ghasemkhani Amir , Sabbaghi Soroush
Published: May 2020

In this work, fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulations, as well as non-FSI ones, are conducted to study the behavior of a functionally graded (FG) pH-sensitive micro-valve. The FEM analysis of the hydrogel is performed in ABAQUS while the fluid domain is analyzed in ANSYS fluent. To investigate the FSI and FG effects, both FSI and non-FSI simulations are performed for pH-sensitive micro-valve with homogeneous cross-linking distribution beside the FG cases. Two simulation domains are coupled by using a third-party software named MpCCI for both FSI and non-FSI simulations. For the FG hydrogel, linear and exponential property distributions are considered. The obtained results show a significant difference between the FG and homogeneous hydrogel behavior for both simulation methods. Additionally, the results emphasize that FSI consideration has a crucial role in the design of these smart devices. Especially, remarkable difference is observed for the closing pH of the micro-valve as well as the flow-rate diagrams. For example, a leakage is observed in FSI simulations for the closing pH of the non-FSI simulations that indicates the importance of the FSI effect. Finally, the effect of the cross-linking density distribution and the inlet pressure of micro-valve are studied and the results are analyzed.
Fabrication of Biomass-Derived N, S Co-doped Carbon with Hierarchically Porous Architecture for High Performance Supercapacitor
Authors: Jiang Minhua , Yu Xiaofang , Gao Ruirui , Yang Tao , Xu Zhaoxiu , Cao Lihua
Published: May 2020

Multi-element doped porous carbon materials are considered as one of the most promising electrode materials for supercapacitors due to their large specific surface area, abundant mesoporous structure, heteroatom doping and good conductivity. Herein, we propose a very simple and effective strategy to prepare nitrogen, sulfur co-doped hierarchical porous carbons (N-S-HPC) by one-step pyrolysis strategy. The effect of sole dopants as a precursor was a major factor in the transformation process. The optimized N-S-HPC-2 possesses a typical hierarchically porous framework (micropores, mesopores and macropores) with a large specific surface area (1284.87[Formula: see text]m2 g[Formula: see text] and N (4.63 atomic %), S (0.53 atomic %) doping. As a result, the N-S-HPC-2 exhibits excellent charge storage capacity with a high gravimetric capacitance of 360[Formula: see text]F g[Formula: see text] (1 [Formula: see text]A g[Formula: see text] in three-electrode systems and 178[Formula: see text]F g[Formula: see text] in two-electrode system and long-term cycling life with 87% retention after 10,000 cycles in KOH electrolyte.
Nanoflake assembled hierarchical porous flower-like α-Fe2O3 with large specific surface area for enhanced acetone sensing
Authors: Zhang Jianxia , Liu Li , Tang Xiaonian , Sun Dan , Tian Chunxia , Yang Yang
Published: May 2020

High porosity [Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 has attracted a lot of attention due to its exceptional structure. In this paper, nanoflake assembled hierarchical porous flower-like [Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 was prepared by hydrothermal and calcination methods without any additional templates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphological characterization results show that with the increase of calcination temperature (400∘C, 450∘C, 500∘C, 550∘C, 600∘C), pores appeared. However, the results of nitrogen adsorption show that the specific surface area of the [Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 reaches the maximum value (52.19[Formula: see text]m2/g) when the calcination temperature is 500∘C. The gas sensing performance of flower-like [Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 with different calcination temperature is compared, interestingly, with the increase of calcination temperature, the response of the samples increased first and then decreased, and reached the maximum value (44.2–100 parts per million (ppm) acetone) when the calcination temperature was 500∘C. The minimum concentration for acetone was 200 ppb (response value is 2.0). Moreover, calcined at 500∘C, hierarchical porous [Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 has a fast response recovery (4/25 s) and low working temperature (210∘C). These excellent gas sensing properties are mainly due to porous structure, large specific surface area, and oxygen vacancies on the surface, which make it a promising material for acetone sensors.
Ag nanoparticles stabilized on cubic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane cross-linked poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide-co-itaconic acid): An efficient catalyst for 4-nitrophenol reduction
Authors: Rahimkhoei Vahid , Akbari Ali , Zirak Maryam , Eftekhari-Sis Bagher
Published: May 2020

Ag nanoparticles were synthesized and stabilized on a polymeric support, poly([Formula: see text]-isopropyl acrylamide-co-itaconic acid)/POSS, by simply reducing Ag[Formula: see text] ions adsorbed in the interior of the polymeric network. The prepared Ag@p(NIPAM-IA)/POSS was used as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for removal of the 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) contaminant by NaBH4-induced reduction to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in aqueous solution. Different conditions including Ag content and amount of the nanocomposite, and also temperature of the 4-NP reduction were investigated. Also, two kinetic models, zero-order and first-order kinetics, were studied for the reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP.
Temperature-Dependent Electrical Characteristics of Ni/Au Vertical Schottky Barrier Diodes on β-Ga2O3 Epilayers
Authors: Sheoran Hardhyan , Tak B. R. , Manikanthababu N. , Singh R.
Published: May 2020

Temperature dependent current transport mechanism in Ni/β-Ga2O3 Schottky Barrier Diodes was studied using current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) characterization techniques in the range of 78–350 K. Schottky barrier height ϕ

b0
and ideality factor ɳ from I-V characteristics were found to be 1.27 eV and 1.12, respectively, at room temperature. Plots of barrier height and ideality factor with inverse of temperature show strong temperature dependency and a deviation from barrier height obtained from C-V characteristics. The temperature dependence of barrier height and ideality factor assigned to barrier inhomogeneity at Ni/β-Ga2O3 interface, and modulated by the potential fluctuation model. Diode turn-on voltage and turn-on resistance at 300 K were found to be 1.08 eV and 7.80 mΩ-cm2, respectively. A large rectification ratio of the order of 1012 was obtained at room temperature and also the rectification ratio of the order of 109 was consistent over the whole temperature range (78–350 K).
Exosomes: Potential Therapies for Disease via Regulating TLRs
Authors: Guo Hong-Yan , Cheng An-Chun , Wang Ming-Shu , Yin Zhong-Qiong , Jia Ren-Yong
Published: May 2020

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles that retain various substances such as proteins, nucleic acids, and small RNAs. Exosomes play crucial roles in many physiological and pathological processes, including innate immunity. Innate immunity is an important process that protects the organism through activating pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which then can induce inflammatory factors to resist pathogen invasion. Toll-like receptor (TLR) is one member of PRRs and is important in pathogen clearance and nervous disease development. Although exosomes and TLRs are two independent materials, abundant evidences imply exosomes can regulate innate immunity through integrating with TLRs. Herein, we review the most recent data regarding exosome regulation of TLR pathways. Specifically, exosome-containing materials can regulate TLR pathways through the interaction with TLRs. This is a new strategy regulating immunity to resist pathogens and therapy diseases, which provide a potential method to cure diseases.
Bacterial Foraging Optimization Based on Self-Adaptive Chemotaxis Strategy
Authors: Chen Huang , Wang Lide , Di Jun , Ping Shen
Published: May 2020

Bacterial foraging optimization (BFO) algorithm is a novel swarm intelligence optimization algorithm that has been adopted in a wide range of applications. However, at present, the classical BFO algorithm still has two major drawbacks: one is the fixed step size that makes it difficult to balance exploration and exploitation abilities; the other is the weak connection among the bacteria that takes the risk of getting to the local optimum instead of the global optimum. To overcome these two drawbacks of the classical BFO, the BFO based on self-adaptive chemotaxis strategy (SCBFO) is proposed in this paper. In the SCBFO algorithm, the self-adaptive chemotaxis strategy is designed considering two aspects: the self-adaptive swimming based on bacterial search state features and the improvement of chemotaxis flipping based on information exchange strategy. The optimization results of the SCBFO algorithm are analyzed with the CEC 2015 benchmark test set and compared with the results of the classical and other improved BFO algorithms. Through the test and comparison, the SCBFO algorithm proves to be effective in reducing the risk of local convergence, balancing the exploration and the exploitation, and enhancing the stability of the algorithm. Hence, the major contribution in this research is the SCBFO algorithm that provides a novel and practical strategy to deal with more complex optimization tasks.
Corneal Opacity Induced by Antiglaucoma Agents Other Than Brimonidine Tartrate
Authors: Kasuya Yuka , Sano Ichiya , Makino Shinji , Kawashima Hidetoshi
Published: May 2020

The aim of this study is to report a patient with corneal opacity that developed after the use of topical antiglaucoma medications other than brimonidine tartrate (BT). An 85-year-old woman presented with corneal opacity and neovascularization in both eyes. A diagnosis of glaucoma was made 20 years previously, and antiglaucoma agents were prescribed (latanoprost, tafluprost, timolol maleate, travoprost, bimatoprost, ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate, and brinzolamide/timolol maleate) for both eyes. Ocular examination revealed semicircular fan-shaped corneal sterile infiltration with neovascularization. Anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed marked corneal opacity and thickened corneal stroma. The topical drugs were discontinued and replaced with 0.1% betamethasone eye drops. Two weeks after topical drugs were discontinued and replaced with betamethasone, the corneal sterile infiltration markedly improved, although the corneal opacity remained across the stromal layer. In addition, corneal opacity, intermixed with separate transparent sections, was observed as a striped shape. OCT showed an improvement of the thickened corneal stroma. Six weeks after the initial visit, the remaining corneal opacity could be seen as a mixture of opaque and nonopaque areas in stripes. The corneal stromal thickness decreased almost back to the normal range, while the area of the corneal opacity remained unchanged. In vivo laser confocal microscopy showed hyperreflective materials with needle-like structures in the corneal stroma. The corneal opacity showed several similarities to the previous reports of the cases treated with BT. Therefore, clinicians should be mindful of a possible development of corneal opacity in patients treated with antiglaucoma medications other than BT.
Therapeutic Effect of Mongolian Medicine RuXian‐I on Hyperplasia of Mammary Gland Induced by Estrogen/Progesterone through CRYAB‐Promoted Apoptosis
Authors: Liu Jia , Zhang Jun-Fei , Gong Guo-Hua , Zhang Bin , Wei Cheng-Xi
Published: May 2020

The traditional Mongolian medicine (TMM) RuXian‐I is an empirical formula specifically used for treating the hyperplasia of mammary gland (HMG) in clinic based on the principles of traditional Mongolian medicine, but the treatment mechanism is not completely clear. In this paper, we elaborated the mechanism of RuXian‐I in the treatment of HMG induced by estrogen and progestogen from its toxicity and activity. Firstly, RuXian‐I exhibited no toxic effect on HMG rats through no changes of body weight and food intake measurement and no pathologic changes of the organs (heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney) detected. Secondly, RuXian‐I could decrease the increased nipple height and diameter and remarkably relieve the pathologic changes of HMG rats and also alleviate serum sex hormone levels (estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P), and testosterone (T)) of HMG rats. Finally, RuXian‐I could obviously inhibit the upregulation level of antiapoptotic protein CRYAB of HMG rats and promote mammary gland cell apoptosis of HMG rats via increases of promoting apoptosis protein caspases‐3, 8, and 9 and Bax and tumor suppressor protein p53, decreases of antiapoptosis protein Bcl‐2, and release of cytochrome c. These results suggested that RuXian‐I has protective and therapeutic effects on HMG rats induced by estrogen and progestogen possibly via promoting apoptotic pathway regulated by CRYAB and is a promising agent for treating HMG.
Exosomes Derived from Stem Cells from the Apical Papilla Promote Dentine-Pulp Complex Regeneration by Inducing Specific Dentinogenesis
Authors: Zhuang Xueying , Ji Lingli , Jiang Huan , Liu Yao , Liu Xuemei , Bi Jing , Zhao Weidong , Ding Zhenjiang , Chen Xu
Published: May 2020

Regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) are a new option for the treatment of dental pulp or periapical diseases in permanent teeth with open apices. Histologically, the new tissues formed in the root canal after REPs are mainly cementum- or bone-like mineralised tissues, but not the real dentine-pulp complex. Therefore, how to promote dentine-pulp complex regeneration and improve the clinical effects of REPs has become a prominent research topic. Stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) are derived from the dental papilla that can differentiate into primary odontoblasts and dental pulp cells that produce root dentine and dental pulp. Exosomes are the key regulator for the paracrine activity of stem cells and can influence the function of recipient cells. In this study, SCAP-derived exosomes (SCAP-Exo) were introduced into the root fragment containing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and transplanted subcutaneously into immunodeficient mice. We observed that dental pulp-like tissues were present and the newly formed dentine was deposited onto the existing dentine in the root canal. Afterwards, the effects of SCAP-Exo on the dentinogenesis of BMMSCs were elucidated in vitro. We found that the gene and protein expression of dentine sialophosphoprotein and mineralised nodule formation in BMMSCs treated with SCAP-Exo were significantly increased. In summary, SCAP-Exo were endocytosed by BMMSCs and obviously improved their specific dentinogenesis. The use of exosomes derived from dental stem cells could comprise a potential therapeutic approach for dentine-pulp complex regeneration in REPs.
Determinants of Selected Cardiovascular Diseases among Adult Patients at Cardiac Clinic of Debre Berhan Referral Hospital, Ethiopia: Unmatched Case-Control Study
Authors: Aragaw Shenkut , Tesfahun Esubalew , Derseh Behailu Tariku , Mamo Betegiorgis
Published: May 2020

Background. Africans are experiencing a rapid epidemiological transition characterized by urbanization and lifestyle changes, which are thought to contribute to increased incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in many African countries, including Ethiopia. Despite this, however, there is scarcity of evidence on cardiovascular disease risk factors among adults in the current research setting. This study thus aimed at assessing determinants of selected cardiovascular diseases among adult patients at Debre Berhan Referral Hospital (DBRH). Methodology. An unmatched case-control study was conducted on 143 newly diagnosed patients with CVDs and 286 controls at the cardiac clinic of DBRH from June to September 2017. Primary data were collected using the WHO-STEPS wise structured questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential risk factors for cardiovascular diseases at p values < 0.05. Result. The mean age of study participants is estimated as 45.5±13.8 and ranges from 25 to 64 years. Sixty-one (42.7%) of cases and 147 (51.4%) of controls are males. Half of the cases (49.9%) had ischemic heart diseases (IHD), and 44.1% of cases had hypertensive heart disease (HHD), whereas the rest had chronic valvular heart disease (CRVHD) (4.2%) and peripheral and vascular disease (2.1%). This study identified older age as a risk factor for CVD: age group 35–44 years (adjusted odds ratio AOR=2.20; 95% CI: 1.05–4.62), 45-54 years (AOR=4.23; 95% CI: 2.19–8.16), and 55-64 years (AOR=5.98; 95% CI: 3.26–10.98). Other risk factors were smoking history (AOR=9.52; 95% CI: 2.12–42.8), low level of physical activity (AOR=2.19; 95% CI: 1.10–5.02), and higher waist circumference (AOR=2.75; 95% CI: 1.16–6.56). Conclusion. This study has demonstrated that the most frequent risk factors for CVD were older age, cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, and abdominal obesity. Therefore, behavior change communication focusing on lifestyle modification including regular physical activities, smoking cessation, and a balanced diet should be strengthened.
AEBP1 is a Novel Oncogene: Mechanisms of Action and Signaling Pathways
Authors: Majdalawieh Amin F. , Massri Mariam , Ro Hyo-Sung
Published: May 2020

Adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1) is a transcriptional repressor involved in the regulation of critical biological processes including adipogenesis, mammary gland development, inflammation, macrophage cholesterol homeostasis, and atherogenesis. Several years ago, we first reported the ability of AEBP1 to exert a positive control over the canonical NF-κB pathway. Indeed, AEBP1 positively regulates NF-κB activity via its direct interaction with IκBα, a key NF-κB inhibitor. AEBP1 overexpression results in uncontrollable activation of NF-κB, which may have severe pathogenic outcomes. Recently, the regulatory relationship between AEBP1 and NF-κB pathway has been of great interest to many researchers primarily due to the implication of NF-κB signaling in critical cellular processes such as inflammation and cancer. Since constitutive activation of NF-κB is widely implicated in carcinogenesis, AEBP1 overexpression is associated with tumor development and progression. Recent studies sought to explore the effects of the overexpression of AEBP1, as a potential oncogene, in different types of cancer. In this review, we analyze the effects of AEBP1 overexpression in a variety of malignancies (e.g., breast cancer, glioblastoma, bladder cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, and skin cancer), with a specific focus on the AEBP1-mediated control over the canonical NF-κB pathway. We also underscore the ability of AEBP1 to regulate crucial cancer-related events like cell proliferation and apoptosis in light of other key pathways (e.g., PI3K-Akt, sonic hedgehog (Shh), p53, parthanatos (PARP-1), and PTEN). Identifying AEBP1 as a potential biomarker for cancer prognosis may lead to a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and/or treatment of various types of cancer.
Management of Discolored Failure Root Canal-Treated Upper Lateral Incisor
Authors: Rozainah Nik Abdul Ghani Nik , Farah Azih Nurul , Karobari Mohmed Isaqali
Published: May 2020

Root canal treatment failure can be determined based on a patient’s complaint and on the basis of clinical examination and radiographic findings. Most of the signs and symptoms for the failure are pain and discomfort, swelling and sinus formation at the surrounding soft tissue, and discoloration of the subjected tooth. Factors such as mechanical perforation during the procedures, overfilled or underfilled root canal, and missed or unfilled canals are the main factors for the failure outcome. This case report presents a discolored and infected upper lateral incisor which was previously root canal treated. The tooth was successfully managed under nonsurgical and surgical retreatment followed by an internal bleaching and full porcelain veneer. Apical tissue healing and acceptable tooth appearance was observed during a 12-month review.
Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Double-Blinded Clinical Trial
Authors: Bordbar Ghasem , Miri Mohammad Bagher , Omidi Mahmoud , Shoja Saeed , Akhavan Malihe
Published: May 2020

Background. The unresponsiveness to conventional pharmacological treatments and their side effects have led patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to use complementary and alternative medicine such as herbal remedies. Beside, Zataria multiflora Boiss (ZM), Trachyspermum ammi L. (TA), and Anethum graveolens L. (AG) are being used as an antiseptic, carminative, and antispasmodic in traditional medicine. This trial investigated the efficacy and safety of a combination of ZM, AG, and TA essential oils in the treatment of IBS. Method. The present study was a randomized double-blind clinical trial with parallel groups in Iran. Patients in the control arm received three tablets of 10 mg hyoscine butylbromide daily for two weeks, and the intervention arm was daily treated with two 250 mg softgel capsules containing 180 mg of essential oils of ZM, AG, and TA for two weeks. Primary outcomes were the response rates based on the IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), IBS Adequate Relief (IBS-AR), and IBS Global Assessment Improvement (IBS-GAI) at the end and two weeks after the end of the intervention. Secondary outcomes were the improvement rates in IBS-SSS scores, improving the quality of life, safety, and tolerability. Results. The posttreatment improvement percentage based on IBS-AR, IBS-GAI, and IBS-SSS scales was 83.9%, 75%, and 87% in the intervention group and 37.9%, 27.5%, and 34.4% in the control group, respectively (P<0.001). Also, the improvement of the quality of life in the herbal medicine arm was significantly more than that in the control arm (P<0.001). Conclusions. According to the results, the herbal medicine investigated in this study can be considered an appropriate alternative treatment for IBS.
Self-Perceived Dentists’ Knowledge of Temporomandibular Disorders in Krakow: A Pilot Study
Authors: Osiewicz Magdalena , Kojat Paulina , Gut Maria , Kazibudzka Zuzanna , Pytko-Polończyk Jolanta
Published: May 2020

Introduction. The most common nondental orofacial pain conditions are temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). TMD basic examination and clinical management are included in a curriculum of each dentistry programme taught in Poland, but it is not clear how the dentists cope with diagnosis and possible treatment in their routine dental practices. The objective of the present study was to assess a level of self-perceived knowledge of TMD amongst dentists in Poland. Materials and methods. The participants, of whom all studied and graduated from a Polish university, were randomly selected from dental offices in Krakow (Poland). The selected dentists were administered an anonymous questionnaire, which contained questions measuring self-assessment of knowledge of TMD diagnosis and therapy and assessing knowledge of ethology and TMD symptoms. Results. Only 6.5% of the participants identified their TMD knowledge as very good, 32.3% assessed it as good, 39.3% thought it was sufficient, 20.4% as insufficient, and 1.49% considered it as poor. 9.4% of all participants have attempted to diagnose and treat TMD patients very often, 26.4% declared performing it often, 45.8% rarely, and 18.4% had never made such an attempt. There was a significant relationship between the dentists’ knowledge and their attempts at diagnosing and treating TMD patients (p<0.05). Conclusion. The level of TMD knowledge amongst the Polish dentists is still insufficient. Raising its level would considerably help the dentists to refer their patients to right specialists for a diagnosis and TMD treatment and/or interdisciplinary management of TMD patients.
A Parallel Algorithm Framework for Feature Extraction of EEG Signals on MPI
Authors: Xiong Qi , Zhang Xinman , Wang Wen-Feng , Gu Yuhong
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we present a parallel framework based on MPI for a large dataset to extract power spectrum features of EEG signals so as to improve the speed of brain signal processing. At present, the Welch method has been wildly used to estimate the power spectrum. However, the traditional Welch method takes a lot of time especially for the large dataset. In view of this, we added the MPI into the traditional Welch method and developed it into a reusable master-slave parallel framework. As long as the EEG data of any format are converted into the text file of a specified format, the power spectrum features can be extracted quickly by this parallel framework. In the proposed parallel framework, the EEG signals recorded by a channel are divided into N overlapping data segments. Then, the PSD of N segments are computed by some nodes in parallel. The results are collected and summarized by the master node. The final PSD results of each channel are saved in the text file, which can be read and analyzed by Microsoft Excel. This framework can be implemented not only on the clusters but also on the desktop computer. In the experiment, we deploy this framework on a desktop computer with a 4-core Intel CPU. It took only a few minutes to extract the power spectrum features from the 2.85 GB EEG dataset, seven times faster than using Python. This framework makes it easy for users, who do not have any parallel programming experience in constructing the parallel algorithms to extract the EEG power spectrum.
Modeling of Complex Geological Body and Computation of Geomagnetic Anomaly
Authors: Jia Zhuo , Liu Sixin , Cheng Siyuan , Zhao Xueran , Zhang Gongbo
Published: May 2020

Modeling plays an important role in engineering exploration. However, the traditional rectangular mesh cannot meet the requirement because the actual shape of the model may be very complex. Therefore, this paper chooses the Delaunay grid for modeling and applies this method to magnetic numerical simulation. At the same time, we make use of the advantages of the Delaunay grid and choose to use grid encryption technology in the boundary and complex area of the model. Then, the formula for calculating the magnetic anomaly of tetrahedron is deduced in detail, and the magnetic anomaly with surface fluctuation is calculated. For a synthetic data model, Delaunay grids with different densities are used to model and calculate surface anomalies. The two results are compared with the analytical solution of the model. The results show that the method has high accuracy. Then, the method is applied to the actual geological body modeling in the Jinchuan mining area. According to local needs, a three-dimensional model with inhomogeneous grid density is established and the surface magnetic field of the model is calculated. Finally, the simulation data are compared with the measured data. The results show that the Delaunay grid modeling method has strong applicability.
Treatment of Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Mantle–Cell Lymphoma with Zanubrutinib, a Selective Inhibitor of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase
Authors: Song Yuqin , Zhou Keshu , Zou Dehui , Zhou Jianfeng , Hu Jianda , Yang Haiyan , Zhang Huilai , Ji Jie , Xu Wei , Jin Jie , Lv Fangfang , Feng Ru , Gao Sujun , Guo Haiyi , Zhou Lei , Elstrom Rebecca , Huang Jane , Novotny William , Wei Rachel , Zhu Jun
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

Mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) is an incurable mature B-cell neoplasm with high initial response rates followed almost invariably by relapse. Prognosis for patients following relapse is poor, and treatment choices are limited. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of zanubrutinib, an investigational selective Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor.

Patients and Methods:

Patients with relapsed/refractory MCL were enrolled in this ongoing phase II, single-arm, open-label study, and treated with oral zanubrutinib 160 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint is overall response rate (ORR) assessed by an independent review committee (per Lugano 2014 classification); secondary endpoints include duration of response (DOR), time to response, progression-free survival (PFS), and safety.

Results:

Eighty-six patients (median age, 60.5 years) were enrolled after a median of 2 prior lines of therapy, received ≥1 dose of the study drug, and were evaluable for safety and efficacy. After a median follow-up of 18.4 months, 72 (84%) patients achieved an objective response, with 59 (68.6%) achieving a complete response (CR). Median DOR and PFS were 19.5 and 22.1 months, respectively; 12-month event-free estimates for DOR and PFS are 78% and 76%, respectively. Most common grade ≥3 adverse events (AE) were neutropenia (19.8%) and lung infection/pneumonia (9.3%). Three patients experienced major bleeding events, and there were no reports of atrial fibrillation. Eight (9.3%) patients discontinued zanubrutinib for AEs.

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate high and durable ORR and CR rates in patients with relapsed/refractory MCL. Zanubrutinib was generally well tolerated; grade ≥3 BTK inhibitor-associated toxicities (hemorrhage, rash, hypertension, diarrhea, atrial fibrillation) were uncommon.
A Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patient with TSC1 Mutations Benefits from Treatment with Everolimus: A Case Report
Authors: Shi Hua-Sheng , Wang Shuo , Li Man-Jiang , Wu Li-Qun
Published: May 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high degree of malignancy and poor prognosis. Treatment options for patients with advanced HCC are limited. There is currently no evidence to approve the accumulation of targeted therapies for HCC to support the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway as an effective therapeutic strategy. We report on a patient with advanced HCC carrying the TSC1 gene mutation who responded well to the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus. Computed tomography revealed tumor shrinkage and maintenance of partial remission after everolimus treatment for >12.3 months. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical case report showing benefit from everolimus treatment in HCC patients with TSC1 gene mutations. Therefore, everolimus may be used as a potential targeted therapy for HCC with TSC1 gene mutation.
Does Crizotinib Auto-Inhibit CYP3A in vivo?
Authors: Bland Abigail R. , Shrestha Nensi , Rosengren Rhonda J. , Ashton John C.
Published: May 2020

Crizotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive lung cancer. There is in vitro evidence that crizotinib may auto-inhibit cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) activity, with important implications for crizotinib pharmacokinetics. In order to test whether crizotinib treatment alters CYP3A activity in vivo, mice were treated with 5 and 25 mg/kg crizotinib (p.o.) daily for 14 days. Results showed that crizotinib treatment did not alter CYP3A activity as determined by erythromycin N-demethylation. In addition, CYP3A polypeptide expression as measured by Western blot was unchanged. Therefore, our results do not support CYP3A inhibition by crizotinib in vivo.
Mechanisms of Podocyte Detachment, Podocyturia, and Risk of Progression of Glomerulopathies
Authors: Trimarchi Hernán
Published: May 2020

Background: Glomerulopathies are the main cause of ESRD. Primary or secondary causes of glomerular diseases comprise more than 70% of cases that end up in renal replacement therapies. Summary: The total glomerular mass that each individual contains is key to maintaining normal kidney function. Diabetes, hypertension, and any primary or secondary glomerulopathy may threaten the normal glomerular function. In fact, any glomerular insult may alter the glomerular filtration barrier, which in turn is composed by the podocyte, the glomerular basement membrane, and the capillary endothelial cell. Deposition of immune complexes, antibodies, or complement components at the subepithelial, intramembranous, or subendothelial space, and mutations in podocyte, slit diaphragm, or glomerular basement membrane proteins or enzymes are the main etiologies of glomerular alterations. Podocytes are glomerular cells that do not divide under normal circumstances. In this respect, maintenance of the absolute podocyte number per glomer­ulus is critical for normal glomerular function. As the insult progresses, podocytes start to detach from the glomerular basement membrane. When the podocyte loss is over 40% in a glomerulus, glomerulosclerosis develops, and obliteration of the glomerulus is the rule. In clinical grounds, this phenomenon is diagnosed mainly by proteinuria and a decline in glomerular filtration rate. Key messages: In this review article, the impact of podocyturia in glomerular diseases and the main mechanisms of podocyte detachment are discussed. Finally, potential targets of therapeutic approach are suggested.
Need for Objective Assessment of Volume Status in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: The Tri-POCUS Approach
Authors: Koratala Abhilash , Ronco Claudio , Kazory Amir
Published: May 2020

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread across the globe, the knowledge of its epidemiology, clinical features, and management is rapidly evolving. Nevertheless, the data on optimal fluid management strategies for those who develop critical illness remain sparse. Adding to the challenge, the fluid volume status of these patients has been found to be dynamic. Some present with several days of malaise, gastrointestinal symptoms, and consequent hypovolemia requiring aggressive fluid resuscitation, while a subset develop acute respiratory distress syndrome with renal dysfunction and lingering congestion necessitating restrictive fluid management. Accurate objective assessment of volume status allows physicians to tailor the fluid management goals throughout this wide spectrum of critical illness. Conventional point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) enables the reliable assessment of fluid status and reducing the staff exposure. However, due to specific characteristics of COVID-19 (e.g., rapidly expanding lung lesions), a single imaging method such as lung POCUS will have significant limitations. Herein, we suggest a Tri-POCUS approach that represents concurrent bedside assessment of the lungs, heart, and the venous system. This combinational approach is likely to overcome the limitations of the individual methods and provide a more precise evaluation of the volume status in critically ill patients with COVID-19.
Beta Thalassemia Minor: Patients Are Not Tired but Depressed and Anxious
Authors: Eren Rafet , Karışmaz Abdülkadir , Aslan Ceyda , Doğu Mehmet Hilmi , Altındal Şermin , Yokuş Osman , Suyanı Elif
Published: May 2020

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether the severity of fatigue and the incidences of depression and anxiety of patients with beta thalassemia minor (BTm) are different from healthy individuals using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Subjects and Methods: BTm patients who were followed at the University of Health Sciences Istanbul Training and Research Hospital Hematology Clinic between 2016 and 2017 and who had normal biochemical parameters, thyroid function tests and C-reactive protein levels, and did not use any medications, consume alcohol or tobacco, have any chronic diseases or sleep disturbances were included in the study. Healthy control subjects who were matched with age, sex, marital status, educational status, and body mass index (BMI) were also included for comparison. Results: Thirty-nine BTm patients and 25 healthy controls were included in the study. The BTm and the control groups were comparable in terms of gender, age, BMI, educational status and marital status (p = 0.368, 0.755, 0.851, 0.785, and 0.709, respectively). FSS score was ≥4 in 23 (59.0%) BTm subjects and in 15 (60%) control subjects (p = 1.0). HADS anxiety score was ≥10 in 20 (51.3%) BTm subjects and in 5 (20.0%) control subjects (p = 0.018), and HADS depression score was ≥7 in 20 (51.3%) BTm subjects and in 6 (24.0%) healthy control subjects (p = 0.039).There was no correlation of hemoglobin with FSS score (p = 0.526, r = –0.105), HADS anxiety score (p = 0.703, r = –0.063), or HADS depression score (p = 0.718, r = –0.06) in the BTm group. Conclusion: We found that both depression and anxiety were higher in BTm patients than in healthy individuals, but this difference was not feasible for fatigue.
Expansão do senso comum: A violência sexual contra crianças e adolescentes interrogando o sujeito ético contemporâneo
Authors: Silva Filipe Gonçalves de Souza Nogueira da
Published: May 2020

O presente trabalho resulta de uma pesquisa de iniciação científica realizada por mim em 2012 a respeito de percepções de abuso e exploração sexual de crianças e adolescentes. Parto do pressuposto de que a forma como socialmente nos relacionamos com a violência sexual contra crianças e adolescentes pode ser compreendida como uma expressão do senso comum, nos termos de Clifford Geertz em seu ensaio O senso comum como um sistema cultural. Fazendo uma genealogia de tal senso comum, chegamos à conclusão de que nossa relação com a violência sexual cria formas de sujeição bastante problemáticas e excludentes. Dados os limites na normalização desse sujeito, minha proposta é, a partir de indicações feitas por Michel Foucault, sugerir novas possibilidades de criação de um sujeito ético a partir de uma experiência de violência nesse contexto de saturação do senso comum.
A Volta do Sagrado
Authors: Alves Rubem A.
Published: May 2020

A VOLTA DO SAGRADO: OS CAMINHOS DA SOCIOLOGIA DA RELIGIÃO NO BRASIL. Rubem A. Alves
Parque Dom Pedro II: uma antítese do espaço livre público em meio à metrópole paulistana
Authors: Vidotte Ciro Cesar
Published: May 2020

Este artigo apresenta uma discussão referente aos espaços livres, conceituando-os brevemente e abordando questões concernentes a suas transformações morfológicas ao longo dos anos. Elementos fundamentais na organização da forma urbana e lócus da vida cotidiana nas cidades, os espaços livres não são tidos como prioritários, seja por agentes públicos ou privados. Adota-se como estudo de caso o Parque Dom Pedro II, espaço livre público que sempre esteve presente nas discussões referentes ao planejamento urbano paulistano. Por meio de revisão bibliográfica buscou-se analisar as principais intervenções que incidiram sobre esse espaço desde as primeiras melhorias na região anteriormente conhecida como Várzea do Carmo, passando pela implantação do Parque Dom Pedro II e seu desmonte como espaço livre destinado ao lazer e à recreação em prol do discurso da modernidade urbana. A discussão demonstra a desarticulação existente entre as políticas públicas brasileiras e a fragilidade dos espaços livres públicos.
Palliative Care Consultation Reduces Heart Failure Transitions: A Matched Analysis
Authors: Diop Michelle S. , Bowen Garrett S. , Jiang Lan , Wu Wen‐Chih , Cornell Portia Y. , Gozalo Pedro , Rudolph James L.
Published: May 2020

Background

Palliative care supports quality of life, symptom control, and goal setting in heart failure (
HF
) patients. Unlike hospice, palliative care does not restrict life‐prolonging therapy. This study examined the association between palliative care during hospitalization for
HF
on the subsequent transitions and procedures.

Methods and Results

Veterans admitted to hospitals with
HF
from 2010 to 2015 were randomly selected for the Veterans Administration External Peer Review Program. Variables pertaining to demographic, clinical, laboratory, and usage were captured from Veterans Administration electronic records. Patients receiving hospice services before admission were excluded. Patients who received palliative care were propensity matched to those who did not. The primary outcomes were whether the patient experienced transitions or procedures in the 6 months after admission. Transitions included multiple readmissions (≥2) or intensive care admissions and procedures included mechanical ventilation, pacemaker implantation, or defibrillator implantation. Among 57 182 hospitalized
HF
patients, 1431 received palliative care, and were well matched to 1431 without (standardized mean differences ≤ ±0.05 on all matched variables). Palliative care was associated with significantly fewer multiple rehospitalizations (30.9% versus 40.3%,
P
<0.001), mechanical ventilation (2.8% versus 5.4%,
P
=0.004), and defibrillator implantation (2.1% versus 3.6%,
P
=0.01). After adjustment for facility fixed effects, palliative care consultation was associated with a significantly reduced hazard of multiple readmissions (adjusted hazard ratio=0.73, 95% CI, 0.64–0.84) and mechanical ventilation (adjusted hazard ratio=0.76, 95% CI, 0.67–0.87).

Conclusions

Palliative care during
HF
admissions was associated with fewer readmissions and less mechanical ventilation. When available, engagement of
HF
patients and caregivers in palliative care for symptom control, quality of life, and goals of care discussions may be associated with reduced rehospitalizations and mechanical ventilation.
Digital Activism in Asia: Good, Bad, and Banal Politics Online
Authors: Barendregt Bart , Schneider Florian
Published: May 2020

This article introduces the special issue on ‘Digital Activism’ by exploring some of the trends in social media activism and scholarship thereof. The authors ask to what extent this literature helps us understand Asian forms of online activism, which forms of activism have relatively done well, and whether Asian activism requires its own theorizing. Most of all, it is a plea for a careful and ethnographically informed approach to digital activism. Although outwardly they look similar and use the same templates, manuals, or even similar media strategies, not all forms of online activism promote democratic values. Furthermore, we argue that much of what happens under the banner of digital activism is not necessarily politics with a capital P but, rather, consists of everyday forms of engagement, with sometimes seemingly vulgar contents and often familiar routines and natural forms, yet in their impact such ‘banal activism’ may have political implications.
Rethinking Tibetan Buddhism in Post-Mao China, 1980–2015
Authors: Caple Jane
Published: May 2020

The literature on Tibetan Buddhism in post-Mao China presents a bifurcated history: ethnic nationalism and (traditional) identity are foregrounded in scholarship on the revitalization of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet; consumption and/or (global) modernism are emphasized in studies of its spread in Sinophone China. Although there are considerable historical and social differences between these different constituencies, these characterizations do not fully capture the social differences, as well as convergences, that have shaped everyday engagements with Tibetan Buddhism among Tibetans and Chinese. Drawing on ethnographic data collected in northeastern Tibet and other recent ethnographic studies, I attempt to complicate this picture, arguing that we need to pay greater attention to the affective dimension of Chinese engagements, the social embeddedness of Tibetan Buddhist institutions in the Tibetan context, and the transformations that have taken place in Tibetan areas, as elsewhere in China.
Laelia × meavei: A new natural hybrid between L. dawsonii fo. dawsonii and L. rubescens fo. peduncularis (Orchidaceae: Laeliinae) from Oaxaca, Mexico

Authors: CETZAL-IX WILLIAM , CARNEVALI GERMÁN , JIMÉNEZ-MACHORRO ROLANDO , PÉREZ-GARCÍA EDUARDO A.
Published: May 2020

We describe and illustrate a new nothospecies in the genus Laelia: L. × meavei Cetzal & E.A. Pérez-García. This new taxon is most likely the result of the introgression between Laelia rubescens fo. peduncularis and L. dawsonii fo. dawsonii. The description of L. × meavei is based on cultivated plants coming from a single locality: Sola de Vega, Oaxaca, on Mexico’s Sierra Madre del Sur. One of the putative parents, L. dawsonii fo. dawsonii, is widely cultivated in the region and known in the wild, but current wild populations are small and scattered. In turn, L. rubescens is typically a lowland species, but in this region it is known to grow at higher elevations and these populations are referable to L. rubescens fo. peduncularis. Flowers of Laelia × meavei are similar to those of L. rubescens, but they are larger and longer lasting, whereas the plants look more like a small L. dawsonii fo. dawsonii. Furthermore, to be consistent with the broad circumscription of Laelia followed here, we provide a new combination for the recently described Encarbacenia perezgarciae Archila & Szlachetko. Finally, the following new combination is proposed, L. dawsonii fo. chilapensis (Soto-Arenas) E.A. Pérez-García & Cetzal.
A new Werauhia (Tillandsioideae, Bromeliaceae) from Mexico with observations about its reproductive biology

Authors: AGUILAR-RODRÍGUEZ PEDRO A. , DÍAZ JIMÉNEZ PEDRO , ESPEJO-SERNA ADOLFO , LÓPEZ-FERRARI ANA ROSA , HENTRICH HEIKO , DÖTTERL STEFAN , YOVEL YOSSI , MACSWINEY-G. M. CRISTINA
Published: May 2020

Werauhia maculata a new species from Tabasco, Mexico is described and illustrated. The new taxon possesses a large tank-rosette, with conspicuous and irregularly disposed dark purple marks on the basal portion of the leaves abaxial surface, a simple inflorescence, with secund and numerous whitish-flowers densely arranged on the rachis. The new taxon is compared with W. pectinata and W. noctiflorens, species with similar characteristics. In addition, some data about its reproductive biology are presented.