bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ki-67 labeling index and the grading of cerebral gliomas by using intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging and three-dimensional arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Wang Chaochao , Dong Haibo
Published: December 2019

Background

Intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) and three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) have been applied to brain tumors; however, the relationship between their parameters and the Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI) for the grading of gliomas have yet to be investigated.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to compare multiple parameters obtained from IVIM-DWI and 3D-ASL with the Ki-67 LI when grading gliomas.

Material and Methods

Fifty-two patients with pathologically confirmed gliomas had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including IVIM-DWI and 3D-ASL imaging. Mann–Whitney U tests were conducted and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to determine parameters for distinguishing high-grade gliomas (HGGs) from low-grade gliomas (LGGs). These parameters included the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true diffusivity (D), pseudo diffusivity (D*), perfusion fraction ( f), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and their relative values (rADC, rD, rD*, r f, and rCBF). Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the correlations of the parameters of MRI with the Ki-67 LI.

Results

The rADC, rD, and r f were significantly lower in HGGs than in LGGs ( P < 0.005 for all). The rD had a significantly greater area under the ROC curve than that of the other parameters in the differentiation of HGGs from LGGs ( P < 0.05). Both the rD and r f were moderately negatively correlated with the Ki-67 LI.

Conclusion

Both the rD and r f can be used for the quantitative prediction of the Ki-67 LI. Among the extracted parameters, the rD had the significantly greatest diagnostic efficacy.
Governing the End Times? Planet Politics and the Secular Eschatology of the Anthropocene
Authors: Rothe Delf
Published: December 2019

This article furthers the debate on the political implications of the Anthropocene – the most recent geological epoch marked by catastrophic environmental change – by engaging it through the lens of political theology. The article starts from the observation that discourses on the Anthropocene and related political projects are deeply influenced by a linear temporality and a common orientation towards the threat of the end of time. It distinguishes three competing discourses of the Anthropocene, eco-catastrophism, eco-modernism and planetary realism. The article analyses how these discourses invoke and update key symbols, images, and storylines of Christian political theology. Furthermore, it studies how each discourse mobilises these secularised Christian motifs to promote competing planet political projects. Each of these projects develops a different position towards the unfolding planetary crisis and the related threat of the end of time. Eco-catastrophism calls for a planetary emergency management, eco-modernism promotes ongoing experimentation with the planet, whereas planetary realism translates into what could be called a ‘realpolitik of resilience’. Revealing the Western theological roots of the Anthropocene and planet politics is essential if the emerging literature on the Anthropocene wants to live up to its promise of pluralising and decolonising IR.
Bolsonaro’s take on the ‘absence of racism’ in Brazil
Authors: Alfonso Daniel Angyalossy
Published: December 2019

Historically, the myth has grown up of Brazil as a racial democracy, despite its marginalisation of its substantial Black population, and the writing out of the Black presence from the national narrative. This article seeks to analyse the extremist political position of Jair Bolsonaro in relation to the Black population of Brazil, within the context of the historical trajectory of official discourses surrounding the question of race. The current far-right president has made racist statements throughout his political career, during his campaign and as president. These are framed here within a broader perspective, relating their content to other views of the state, its agents and its ideologues concerning the Black presence in Brazil since the nineteenth century, at the time of the Brazilian Empire and the struggles by Black organisations to assert their place in the nation.
Adolescent Mental Health Following Exposure to Positive and Harsh Parenting in Childhood
Authors: Kingsbury Mila , Sucha Ewa , Manion Ian , Gilman Stephen E. , Colman Ian
Published: December 2019

Objectives:

The purpose of the present study was to assess longitudinal associations between positive and harsh parenting in childhood and adolescent mental and behavioral difficulties.

Methods:

Data were drawn from Canada’s population-based National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (data collected from 1994 to 2009, analyzed 2018). The sample included 9,882 adolescents aged 12/13 years old. Parents self-reported positive and harsh parenting when children were 6/7, 8/9, and 10/11 years old. Symptoms of depression/anxiety, hyperactivity, physical aggression, social aggression, and suicidal ideation were self-reported by adolescents at age 12/13. Linear regression was used to examine the associations between parenting behaviors at each age and adolescent psychiatric symptoms, adjusted for children’s baseline symptoms.

Results:

Harsh parenting at 10/11 was associated with elevated symptoms of early-adolescent physical aggression, social aggression, and suicidal ideation for boys only, and for all children at earlier ages. Beginning at age 8/9, harsh discipline was associated with elevated symptoms of depression/anxiety for boys only. Overall, positive parenting at age 6/7 was protective against depression/anxiety, physical aggression, and social aggression. Significant sex differences emerged beginning at age 8/9, with positive parenting associated with higher symptoms of depression/anxiety for boys only. Positive parenting at age 10/11 was associated with increased depression/anxiety, physical aggression, social aggression, and suicidal ideation among boys, but decreased symptoms of physical aggression, social aggression, and suicidal ideation among girls.

Conclusions:

Results suggest that the impact of positive and harsh parenting may depend on age and sex, with harsh parenting being more detrimental to boys as they approach adolescence.
Collaborative Kinesthetic English Learning With Recognition Technology
Authors: Hwang Wu-Yuin , Manabe Kinnosuke , Cai Dong-Jhe , Ma Zhao-Heng
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study is to present three contributing factors to kinesthetic learning. This study employed advanced recognition technologies, pedagogical mechanisms, and interesting activity design. First, kinesthetic learning with a speaking accuracy measuring function to facilitate English as foreign language (EFL) learning is proposed. Namely, this function is about measuring the learners’ speaking accuracy and recognizing whether their body movements and facial expressions match their English speaking content via recognition technology. This function is expected to improve the learners’ pronunciation and motivation during the experiment. Second, we propose Collaborative Kinesthetic English Learning System based on the second-language acquisition method Total Physical Response. By integrating our system with Total Physical Response, it helps the learners improve EFL learning with physical movements and stimulates their memorization and motivation from collaborative perspectives. Finally, the last significant contribution of this study is to design and implement interesting interactive activities: Experience-based Sentence-Making and Interactive Dialogue. These two activities are to help learners produce their English output. In this study, our experimental results show Experience-based Sentence-Making and Interactive Dialogue can significantly improve EFL learning.
pH-sensitive, dynamic graft polymer micelles via simple synthesis for enhanced chemotherapeutic efficacy
Authors: Li Dapeng , Qin Jiejie , Sun Min , Yan Guoqing , Tang Rupei
Published: December 2019

To promote chemotherapeutic efficacy and easier clinical transformation, a series of pH-sensitive and dynamic drug delivery systems with facile two-step synthesis and simple structure have been successfully constructed by the tunable grafting reaction between pH-sensitive ortho ester and poly(vinyl alcohol). The amphipathic graft macromolecules (PVA- g-OE x, x represents the percentage of feed between ortho esters and hydroxyl groups of polyvinyl alcohol) could self-assemble into micelles and doxorubicin was embedded. These micelles exhibited pH-sensitivity to both extracellular and intracellular pH and demonstrated the following characteristics: (i) maintaining long-term storage and blood circulation stability at pH 7.4; (ii) responding to tumoral extracellular pH value following gradually larger nanoparticles for improved drug accumulation and retention; (iii) being sensitive to tumoral intracellular pH value following disintegration for rapid drug release to improve toxicity to tumor cells. Moreover, the doxorubicin-loaded micelle (PVA- g-OE30-DOX) showed similar cytotoxicity to free doxorubicin in vitro, but stronger tumor penetration and inhibition ability in vitro human liver carcinoma cell line multicellular tumor spheroids. In vivo biodistribution and tumor inhibition examinations demonstrated that PVA- g-OE30-DOX had more superior efficacy in significantly enhancing drug accumulation in tumor, restraining tumor growth while decreasing drug concentration in normal tissues. The pH-sensitive, dynamic graft polymer micelles via simple synthesis could be considered as a promising and effective drug carrier in tumor therapy.
Additive manufacturing of smart materials exhibiting 4-D properties: A state of art review
Authors: Kumar Sudhir , Singh Rupinder , Batish Ajay , Singh TP
Published: December 2019

This review highlights the additive manufacturing (AM) of smart materials, exhibiting 4-D properties under the affect of external stimulus. The smart materials are special in nature because they acquire different shapes, dimensional features (which may be altered a number of times in controlled fashion) when exposed to different external stimuli. Commercially, a number of smart materials are available that can be AM/3-D printed as metamaterials. Overall, this review outlines the applications of 3-D-printed material with 4-D properties for various applications (like biomedical, engineering, space science, structures, composites, etc.). A case study to evaluate the feasibility for in-house preparation of smart composite feedstock filament for fused deposition modelling-based 3-D printing has been presented for nonstructural engineering applications. The prepared filament in this case study has shown magnetic properties (which are considered essential for smart composite), so that when it may be triggered by external magnetic field to show 4-D behavior.
The role of stiffness variation in switches and crossings: Comparison of vehicle–track interaction models with field measurements
Authors: Grossoni Ilaria , Le Pen Louis M , Jorge Pedro , Bezin Yann , Watson Geoff VR , Kostovasilis Dimitrios , Powrie William
Published: December 2019

The performance of switches and crossings compared with plain line is complicated by the presence of movable parts, changing rail geometry and non-uniformities in the composite and/or trackbed stiffness. These features lead to complex vehicle–track interactions and higher maintenance costs. The trackbed stiffness is the least well-controlled engineering property. A greater variability in trackbed stiffness leads to higher differential trackbed settlement and associated poorer track quality. At switches and crossings, changes in trackbed stiffness are exacerbated by changing rail properties which also contribute to changes in the overall composite track stiffness. This work focuses on the role of variations in stiffness on the performance of switches and crossings. Field measurements of bearer displacement were carried out using geophones at a switch and crossing equipped with under sleeper pads. The vehicle–switch and crossing interaction was modelled using a multi-body system and finite element method. The trackbed stiffness along the whole of the switch and crossing was inferred using the measurements of track deflections in an iterative back-calculation taking account of changing rail properties. It is shown that not including the variation in trackbed/composite stiffness leads to significant under/overestimates of the wheel–rail contact forces. Under sleeper pads are shown to reduce absolute maximum loads, but may increase the variation in deflection.
Is Shadow Education Becoming the ‘New’ Formal? Effects of Pedagogical Approaches of IIT-JEE Coaching on School Education in the City of Delhi
Authors: Punjabi Shalini
Published: December 2019

Formal education has always been the principal model through which societies educate their young. Today, however, schools are seen as non-analytical and are being replaced by logic-based approach of competitive examinations. In India, the growth of shadow education, which is preponderant at the level of secondary education, is providing informal avenues through which the youth garner knowledge and skills. One such avenue is the private coaching for the Joint Entrance Exam to enter into the premier Indian Institute of Technology(s). The article draws on an exploratory study carried out in the city of Delhi and examines the credentialing strategies of IIT aspirants through Joint Entrance Exam coaching and how the pedagogical practices of coaching institutes influence the perceptions and proclivities of aspirants and their families towards school education. I also discuss the policy implications of such practices for formal schooling.
The Role of Strategic Ambiguity in Moral Injury: A Case Study of Dutch Border Guards Facing Moral Challenges
Authors: Kalkman Jori Pascal , Molendijk Tine
Published: December 2019

There is widespread agreement that lower level organizational members face moral challenges because their personal values conflict with organizational directions. Yet we argue that intentional strategic ambiguity, too, may lead to moral challenges, particularly among organizational members operating in high-stake situations. Drawing on interviews with border guards deployed during the European migration crisis, we use vignettes to present two coping strategies. First, members may disengage from moral challenges and redefine their work as a clear-cut duty. Second, they may embrace moral disorientation and conflicts, and follow felt moral obligations. Both may lead to “moral injury.” Moral injury refers to psychological suffering that is engendered by performing, failing to prevent, or falling victim to actions that conflict with one’s moral belief system. We make three theoretical contributions by (a) identifying the roots of moral challenges in strategic decision-making, (b) signaling different coping mechanisms, and (c) challenging pragmatic perspectives on strategic ambiguity.
Computer-aided engineering analysis for the performance augmentation of a fin-tube heat exchanger using vortex generator
Authors: Gupta Sachin , Roy Aditya , Gupta Arvind
Published: December 2019

The heat transfer performance of fin-tube heat exchangers can be enhanced with the help of longitudinal vortex generators. In this work, we investigate the effect of employing a rectangular winglet having a punched hole on heat transfer and flow resistance characteristics in a fin-tube heat exchanger with the help of numerical simulations. Studies were performed on two configurations, namely, common flow down and common flow up at upstream and downstream locations. Performance characteristics such as Colburn’s factor ( j), friction factor ( f), and performance evaluation criterion were considered for evaluating the thermohydraulic performance. Investigations were performed considering Reynolds number in the range of 1500–9000, keeping the angle of attack as 45°. The shear stress transport k-ω turbulence model was used for performing numerical simulations. A significant augmentation of up to 71% in the thermohydraulic performance of fin-tube heat exchanger was observed with the common flow down configuration located upstream over the common flow up configuration located upstream, which displayed the least improvement.
Economic Perception to Political Performance Evaluation: Establishing Precursors to Economic Voting in Africa
Authors: Rhee Inbok
Published: December 2019

Empirical support for economic voting is well documented in advanced democracies. We know less, however, about the extent and dynamics of economic voting in the developing democracies of sub-Saharan Africa. The relationship between economic perceptions and incumbent performance evaluations is a critical precursor to vote choice. I evaluate this link using more than fifty-five thousand individual-level observations across sixteen sub-Saharan African countries. I find that there exists a strong association between economic perception and performance evaluation while controlling for a host of covariates, including ethnicity, partisanship, information, and public goods provision. Contrary to previous findings, however, I show that the influence of economic perception is stronger than many other factors considered in the models such as coethnicity with the incumbent. Moreover, my findings indicate that coethnicity—but not copartisanship—conditions the influence of economic perception on performance evaluation. I use an instrumental variables approach to further validate the findings.
Correlation Between the APOB rs1042034 SNP and Blood Lipid Characteristics of 2 Ethnic Groups in China
Authors: Zhang Fen-Han , Yin Rui-Xing , Yao Li-Mei , Yan Rong-Qin , Lu Li , Su Yuan
Published: December 2019

The apolipoprotein (Apo) B gene ( APOB) is a susceptible gene for dyslipidemia. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the relationship between the APOB rs1042034 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and serum lipid levels in the Maonan and Han populations. A total of 598 Maonan participants and 609 Han participants were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the genotypes were also verified by sequencing. There were no differences in genotype and allele frequencies between the 2 ethnic groups or between males and females. The levels of triglyceride (TG) in Maonans were higher and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower in the A allele carriers than the A allele noncarriers; the A allele carriers in Hans had higher TG levels and lower ApoA1/ApoB ratio than the A allele noncarriers ( P < .05 for all). Subgroup analysis showed that the A allele carriers in Maonan females had higher TG levels and the A allele carriers in Han females had higher TG levels and lower ApoA1/ApoB ratio than the A allele noncarriers ( P < .05 for all). In our study populations, there may be ethnicity- and/or sex-specific associations between the APOB rs1042034 SNP and serum lipid levels.
Identifying the stiffness and damping of a nonlinear system using its free response perturbed with Gaussian white noise
Authors: Tang Bin , Wang Shibo , Brennan Michael J , Feng Liyan , Chen Weichun
Published: December 2019

Measurement uncertainty can affect the accuracy of estimating parameters of vibrating systems. This article is concerned with the development of a method for estimating parameters from the free vibration response of a nonlinear system in which the response signal is contaminated with Gaussian white noise. The backbone curve and envelope of the response are first estimated from the free vibration signal. An algorithm based on the Bayesian approach is then used to identify the stiffness and damping parameters of a nonlinear system excited at a single resonant frequency. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the proposed method, which is then applied to the experimental data from a nonlinear vibration absorber system that was excited at its first resonant frequency. The proposed approach provides the distribution and confidence intervals of the parameter estimates, which is an improvement on methods that provide a single number for each estimate. As the signal-to-noise ratio decreases, the variances of the posterior distributions increase as do the confidence intervals, reflecting greater uncertainty in the parameter estimates. The approach is effective provided that the signal-to-noise ratio is greater than about 10.
Evaluation of longitudinal connected track under combined action of running train and long-term bridge deformation
Authors: Chen Zhaowei
Published: December 2019

With long-term operation of high-speed railways, bridge deformation is hard to avoid, which directly affects the mechanical property of longitudinal connected track. To ensure the structural stability of longitudinal connected track and operation safety of train, this work proposes a work to evaluate longitudinal connected track under combined action of running train and long-term bridge deformation. First, the methodology of evaluating longitudinal connected track subject to train load and long-term bridge deformation has been proposed, in which an accurate train–track–bridge dynamic model and the method to determine long-term bridge deformation are settled. Then, the long-term bridge deformations caused by concrete creep, shrinkage, temperature, and pier settlement are investigated. On this basis, the evaluation of longitudinal connected track subject to long-term bridge deformation and running train is conducted, and the safety value of pier settlement for Chinese high-speed railways with longitudinal connected track is suggested. Results show that the long-term bridge deformations are even larger than the amplitude of random rail irregularity. With smaller settlement, influences of creep, shrinkage, and temperature play the leading role in affecting the mechanical behavior of longitudinal connected track, while influence of pier settlement occupies the dominant position with larger settlement. It is suggested that the pier settlement for Chinese high-speed railways with longitudinal connected track should be less than 7.7 mm to ensure structural stability of track and operation safety of train.
A circular Eshelby inclusion interacting with a non-parabolic open inhomogeneity with internal uniform anti-plane stresses
Authors: Wang Xu , Yang Ping , Schiavone Peter
Published: December 2019

Using conformal mapping techniques and analytic continuation, we prove that when subjected to anti-plane elastic deformations, a non-parabolic open inhomogeneity continues to admit an internal uniform stress field when a circular Eshelby inclusion is placed in its vicinity and the surrounding matrix is subjected to uniform remote stresses. Explicit expressions for the non-uniform stress distributions in the matrix and in the circular Eshelby inclusion are obtained. The internal uniform stress field is independent of the shape of the inhomogeneity and the presence of the circular Eshelby inclusion, whereas the existence of the circular Eshelby inclusion exerts a significant influence on the shape of the non-parabolic open inhomogeneity as well as on the non-uniform stress distributions in the matrix and in the circular Eshelby inclusion itself.
Aglepristone and cloprostenol combination in the termination of late-term pregnancy in queens
Authors: Karakas Alkan Kubra , Alkan Hasan , Tez Gizem , Kanca Halit
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Termination rates for the highly recommended aglepristone (AGL) treatment are low in late-term pregnancy in queens. We studied the effects of an AGL and cloprostenol (CLO) combination in the termination of late-term pregnancy.

Methods

Pregnant queens were assigned to two groups. Queens in the AGL group (n = 10) received AGL 10 mg/kg, twice, 24 h apart. Queens in the AGL-CLO group (n = 9) were additionally injected with a single dose of CLO (5 μg/kg) 24 h after the second dose of AGL. Progesterone, 17beta(β)-oestradiol, cortisol, oxytocin and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2α) metabolite were measured in sera obtained at days 0, 1 and 2, and on the day of abortion.

Results

Average gestational age in both groups was similar (AGL 38.61 ± 0.91 days vs AGL-CLO 39.39 ± 1.35 days; P >0.05). Termination rates were 80% and 100% in the AGL and AGL-CLO groups, respectively ( P <0.05). Fetal expulsion time was significantly longer ( P <0.001) in the AGL group (96.9 ± 6 h) compared with the AGL-CLO group (69.8 ± 3.3 h). Duration of abortion was 19.8 ± 2.6 h and 12.6 ± 1.4 h in the AGL and AGL-CLO groups, respectively ( P <0.05). Both treatments were well tolerated. Significantly ( P <0.05) lower serum progesterone concentrations were observed in both groups at the day of abortion and concentrations in the AGL-CLO group (4.19 ± 0.80 ng/ml) were lower than in the AGL group (9.89 ± 2.21 ng/ml; P <0.05).

Conclusions and relevance

AGL and CLO combination increases pregnancy termination rate in late-term pregnant queens. In addition, CLO contributes to a decrease in luteal function in AGL-treated late-term pregnant queens.
Reflecting and acting on datafication – CryptoParties as an example of re-active data activism
Authors: Kannengießer Sigrid
Published: December 2019

CryptoParties are events in which people meet to pass on their knowledge or to learn about encrypting online communication and digital media technologies or safe Internet browsing. While some people offer help in realizing these practices, others attend with their laptops, tablets and smartphones to learn how to encrypt. CryptoParties are organized by different people in different locations. The article presents results of an exploratory ethnographic study, in which public CryptoParties in Germany were analysed. The study shows that people participating in CryptoParties reflect on and criticize current processes of datafication. Moreover, they aim at shaping datafication by encrypting their online communication and digital media technologies. Therefore, CryptoParties are discussed as examples of re-active data activism in this article. Applying a critical perspective hierarchies and inequalities at these events are revealed.
Trolling as transgression: Subversive affirmations against neoliberal austerity
Authors: Mylonas Yiannis , Kompatsiaris Panos
Published: December 2019

This article draws attention to one of the neglected aspects of trolling in current literature: its potential to stand as a form of cultural politics that may inform counter-hegemonic challenges to prevalent ideologies. Rather than merely perceiving trolling as a threat to normality or a proof of the internet’s dystopic character, we look at the ways that certain trolls employ the method of ‘subversive affirmation’ for effectively addressing current events, and to mock hegemonic ideological currents, lifestyles and contexts in Greece today. We argue that the trolls we study are positioned against the hegemonic neoliberal framework and its attempts to achieve consensus on the supposed necessity of austerity reforms and the maintenance of the euro currency, as well as against a prevailing conservativism and nationalism that blend with the broader neoliberal assemblage of discourses, policies and practices in Greek society. By developing a thematic analysis on selected Facebook trolls’ posts, we discuss the ways that trolls function politically, transgressing the limits of the hegemonic discourses and identities, as well as the norms of mediated dialogue, deliberation and critique. The key mechanisms deployed by the trolls are the overlapping practices of over-identification and humour. This article suggests seeing trolling as a form of cultural production that not only damages, but redirects desires, produces identifications and instils passionate investments in political ideologies.
Fostering social change among advantaged and disadvantaged group members: Integrating intergroup contact and social identity perspectives on collective action
Authors: Di Bernardo Gian Antonio , Vezzali Loris , Stathi Sofia , McKeown Shelley , Cocco Veronica Margherita , Saguy Tamar , Dixon John
Published: December 2019

Recent research on intergroup contact has shown how interactions with outgroup members may both decrease and increase motivations to achieve social equality. Similarly, social identity theory has identified the conditions that lead individuals to challenge unequal social systems. Integrating these two major theories, the current study examined the processes underlying the relationship between intergroup contact and participants’ willingness to engage in collective action to challenge social inequality. Specifically, we tested sociostructural variables (status legitimacy and stability, and permeability of group boundaries) as potential mediators of contact in a sample of both advantaged (Italian high school students, N = 392) and disadvantaged (immigrant high school students, N = 165) group members. We found that contact was positively associated with motivation for change, an effect mediated by decreased perceived legitimacy of status differences. Moreover, for the advantaged group, membership salience moderated the effects of quality (but not quantity) of contact. Indirect effects were instead not moderated by content of contact (an index considering the extent to which contact was characterized by a focus on differences vs. commonalities between groups). Theoretical and practical implications of findings are discussed.
The ILO Social Protection Floors Recommendation and its relevance in the European context
Authors: Dijkhoff Tineke
Published: December 2019

This article discusses the Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202). This instrument takes account of the global recognition that social security plays a key role in addressing major challenges such as financial instability, growing inequality, insecure labour markets, large-scale migration flows, and population ageing. A national social protection floor is meant as a tool to prevent and reduce poverty and social insecurity by providing, over the lifecycle, health care and income security for all, at least at a basic level. After briefly depicting the background, objectives and substance of the Recommendation, the article examines its relevance for EU countries. The usefulness of the Recommendation for states with well-developed welfare systems, is demonstrated by pointing to several topical social security issues that constitute a lack of compliance with the concept of social protection floors.
An evidential evaluation of nuclear safeguards
Authors: Gao Shang , Deng Yong
Published: December 2019

Nuclear safeguards evaluation is a complicated issue with many missing values and uncertainties. By invoking Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence, the missing values are assigned to a subset of a set of multiple objects, at the same time, by combining different evaluation values, and the effect of uncertainty will be decreased. In this way, both the missing values and uncertainties are considered in the final evaluations. This method has been used in considering the International Atomic Energy Agency experts’ evaluation for nuclear safeguards. The result shows that ([Formula: see text], 0.1897) is the biggest belief degree.
Computer simulation and system realization of jacquard weft-knitted fabric
Authors: Jin Lanming , Xu Qiao
Published: December 2019

Jacquard weft-knitted fabric is a type of multilayer knitting fabric which has a stereoscopic surface with complex patterns. A computer simulation system was established, based on a virtual fabric Unity3D platform, to minimize the time required for computer simulation and to enhance the simulation results. The three-dimensional fabric data were unified and coordinate data were obtained to achieve the establishment. Three factors of simulation algorithm for jacquard weft-knitted fabric were used to establish and control the effect of a fabric model. By integrating three-dimensional model data, two-dimensional spatial data, and gray model, virtual simulation based on three-dimensional engine Unity3D platform was realized. Based on the real-fabric data, the final fabric patterns were predicted from macroscopic angle instead of two-dimensional and microscopic simulations. The system is proved to be more effective for the prediction and simulation of jacquard weft-knitted fabric and other fabrics having similar stereoscopic surfaces.
Adaptive compound second-order terminal sliding mode control for the longitudinal attitude control of the fully submerged hydrofoil vessel
Authors: Liu Sheng , Niu Hongmin , Zhang Lanyong , Guo Xiaojie
Published: December 2019

Due to the ever-existing environmental disturbance of ocean wave and nonlinear of the system, it is difficult to obtain a satisfying control performance for the longitudinal attitude and desired height tracking of the fully submerged hydrofoil vessel. To solve such problems, an adaptive compound second-order terminal sliding mode controller is proposed. First, a combination of the complementary sliding mode surface and second-order terminal sliding mode control is introduced. Therefore, the closed system is uniformly ultimately bounded, and the steady-state errors converge to a small neighborhood of equilibrium point. Second, the chattering problem in an actual controller is solved by eliminating the sign function contained in the controller after integration without influencing the stability of the closed-loop system. Besides, a revised adaptive radial basis function neural network is introduced to estimate the derivative of the unknown environmental disturbances without the prior information of the disturbance. Finally, the stability of the system is proved by the Lyapunov stability theory. Numerical experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method possesses fast tracking ability and can decrease the stabilization error and the tracking error simultaneously.
Outcomes of catheter‐directed thrombolysis vs. standard medical therapy in patients with acute submassive pulmonary embolism
Authors: D’Auria Stephen , Sezer Ahmet , Thoma Floyd , Sharbaugh Michael , McKibben Jeffrey , Maholic Robert , Avgerinos Efthymios D. , Rivera‐Lebron Belinda N. , Toma Catalin
Published: December 2019

Background

Catheter‐directed thrombolysis (CDL) is increasingly being used for the treatment of submassive and massive pulmonary embolism. Although this therapy has been shown to be effective at reducing right ventricle strain, the impact on clinical outcomes remains unclear. We therefore aimed to evaluate the outcomes of CDL compared to standard anticoagulation for submassive pulmonary embolism patients in a large cohort.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study of consecutive patients with a primary diagnosis of submassive pulmonary embolism admitted to an intensive care unit within our health system between June 2014 and April 2016. We compared the outcome of patients treated with systemic anticoagulation (medical therapy) vs. catheter‐based delivery of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) (CDL). CDL patients were matched with medical therapy controls using a propensity‐score matching algorithm based on the components of the simplified pulmonary embolism severity index (sPESI) score.

Results

Unadjusted mortality rates were 3.0% for CDL vs. 10.4% for medical therapy at 30 days and 8.1% for CDL vs. 22.9% for medical therapy at 1 year. In the propensity‐score matched cohort, mortality rates were 3.1% for CDL vs. 6.1% for medical therapy at 30 days and 8.2% for CDL vs. 18.2% for medical therapy at 1 year. Length of stay was significantly shorter in the CDL group. The index admission bleeding and transfusion rates were not increased in the CDL group.

Conclusions

In patients presenting with acute submassive pulmonary embolism who are admitted to an intensive care unit, the group treated with CDL experienced reduced mortality at 30 days and 1 year when compared to medical therapy without increase in bleeding. Further randomized studies are required to confirm these findings.
Sugen–morphine model of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Agarwal Stuti , Harter Zachery J. , Krishnamachary Balaji , Chen Ling , Nguyen Tyler , Voelkel Norbert F. , Dhillon Navneet K.
Published: December 2019

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a fatal disease associated with pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular hypertrophy. Pre‐clinical animal models that reproduce the human pulmonary arterial hypertension process and pharmacological response to available therapies are critical for future drug development. The most prevalent animal model reproducing many aspects of angioobliterative forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension is the rat Sugen/hypoxia model in which Sugen, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor antagonist, primarily causes initiation of endothelial injury and later in the presence of hypoxia promotes proliferation of apoptosis‐resistant endothelial cells. We previously demonstrated that exposure of human pulmonary microvascular endothelium to morphine and HIV‐proteins results in initial apoptosis followed by increased proliferation. Here, we demonstrate that the double‐hit of morphine and Sugen 5416 (Sugen–morphine) in rats leads to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension with significant medial hypertrophy of pre‐acinar pulmonary arteries along with neo‐intimal thickening of intra‐acinar vessels. In addition, the pulmonary smooth muscle and endothelial cells isolated from Sugen–morphine rats showed hyperproliferation and apoptotic resistance, respectively, in response to serum starvation. Our findings support that the dual hit model of Sugen 5416 and morphine provides another experimental strategy to induce significant pulmonary vascular remodeling and development of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension pathology in rats without exposure to hypoxia.
Clinical outcomes with ustekinumab as rescue treatment in therapy‐refractory or therapy‐intolerant ulcerative colitis
Authors: Ochsenkühn Thomas , Tillack Cornelia , Szokodi Daniel , Janelidze Shorena , Schnitzler Fabian
Published: December 2019

Background

Recently, ustekinumab a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin‐12 and −23 and successfully used in Crohn’s disease also has been shown to be effective in induction and maintaining remission in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in a large phase 3 trial. However, no observational data on the use of ustekinumab in ulcerative colitis in daily clinical practice is available.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes achieved with ustekinumab as rescue treatment in therapy‐refractory or ‐intolerant ulcerative colitis in a real‐life setting.

Methods

A retrospective data analysis was performed in 19 ulcerative colitis patients who were intolerant or refractory to all of the following drugs: steroids, purine‐analogues, tumour necrosis factor antibodies and vedolizumab. To all patients ustekinumab was provided as a rescue treatment (intravenous induction with 6 mg/kg, followed by week subcutaneous injection once every eight weeks of 90 mg). The primary outcome was achievement of clinical remission at one year, defined as score of ≤ 3 points in the Lichtiger score (colitis activity index). Patients were evaluated regularly and a colonoscopy was performed before the start and at the end of the observation. Ethical approval was provided by Ethikkommission Ärztekammer Hamburg (PV 5539).

Results

In five patients, therapy was stopped due to refractory disease or side effects. In all remaining 14 patients the median colitis activity index dropped from 8.5 points (range 1–12) at start to 2.0 points at one year (range 0–5.5) and Mayo endoscopy scores fell from a median of two points (range 1–3, mean of 2.3) at start to a median of one point (range 1–3, mean of 1.4) at one year. Including the five drop‐outs, clinical remission was achieved in 53% of the 19 patients at one year.

Conclusions

In accordance with the UNIFI (A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Ustekinumab Induction and Maintenance Therapy in Participants With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis) trial our real‐life data support ustekinumab as an effective and safe treatment option in therapy refractory moderate to severe ulcerative colitis with a history of biological therapies.
Long non-coding RNA MCM3AP-AS1 promotes growth and migration through modulating FOXK1 by sponging miR-138-5p in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Yang Ming , Sun Shijuan , Guo Yao , Qin Junjie , Liu Guangming
Published: December 2019

Background

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a type of malignant gastrointestinal tumor. Long non-coding RNA MCM3AP antisense RNA 1 (MCM3AP-AS1) has been reported to stimulate proliferation, migration and invasion in several types of tumors. However, the role of MCM3AP-AS1 in PC remains unclear.

Methods

MCM3AP-AS1, microRNA miR-138-5p (miR-138-5p) and FOXK1 levels were detected using quantitative real time PCR. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were analyzed. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the relationship between MCM3AP-AS1 and miR-138-5p, between miR-138-5p and FOXK1. Protein levels were identified using western blot analysis.

Results

MCM3AP-AS1 overexpression promoted proliferation, migration and invasion in PC cells. MCM3AP-AS1 silencing showed a suppressive effect on cell growth in PC cells. Moreover, MCM3AP-AS1 knockdown suppressed tumor growth in mice. Dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrated MCM3AP-AS1 could sponge microRNA-138-5p (miR-138-5p), and FOXK1 could bind with miR-138-5p. Positive correlation between MCM3AP-AS1 and FOXK1 was testified, as well as negative correlation between miR-138-5p and FOXK1. MCM3AP-AS1 promoted FOXK1 expression by targeting miR-138-5p, and MCM3AP-AS1 facilitated growth and invasion in PC cells by FOXK1.

Conclusion

MCM3AP-AS1 promoted growth and migration through modulating miR-138-5p/FOXK1 axis in PC, providing insights into MCM3AP-AS1/miR-138-5p/FOXK1 axis as novel candidates for PC therapy from bench to clinic.
OsPGIP1-Mediated Resistance to Bacterial Leaf Streak in Rice is Beyond Responsive to the Polygalacturonase of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola
Authors: Wu Tao , Peng Chune , Li Beibei , Wu Wei , Kong Lingguang , Li Fuchuan , Chu Zhaohui , Liu Fang , Ding Xinhua
Published: December 2019

Polygalacturonase-inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) have been shown to recognize fungal polygalacturonases (PGs), which initiate innate immunity in various plant species. Notably, the connection between rice OsPGIPs and PGs in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), which causes bacterial leaf streak (BLS), remains unclear. Here, we show that OsPGIP1 was strongly induced after inoculating rice with the Xoc strain RS105. Furthermore, OsPGIP1-overexpressing (OV) and RNA interference (RNAi) rice lines increased and decreased, respectively, the resistance of rice to RS105, indicating that OsPGIP1 contributes to BLS resistance. Subsequently, we generated the unique PG mutant RS105Δpg, the virulence of which is attenuated compared to that of RS105. Surprisingly, the lesion lengths caused by RS105Δpg were similar to those caused by RS105 in the OV lines compared with wild-type ZH11 with reduced Xoc susceptibility. However, the lesion lengths caused by RS105Δpg were still significantly shorter in the OV lines than in ZH11, implying that OsPGIP1-mediated BLS resistance could respond to other virulence factors in addition to PGs. To explore the OsPGIP1-mediated resistance, RNA-seq analysis were performed and showed that many plant cell wall-associated genes and several MYB transcription factor genes were specifically expressed or more highly induced in the OV lines compared to ZH11 postinoculation with RS105. Consistent with the expression of the differentially expressed genes, the OV plants accumulated a higher content of jasmonic acid (JA) than ZH11 postinoculation with RS105, suggesting that the OsPGIP1-mediated resistance to BLS is mainly dependent on the plant cell wall-associated immunity and the JA signaling pathway.
The use of data science to analyse physiology of oxygen delivery in the extracorporeal circulation
Authors: Lukaszewski Marceli , Lukaszewski Rafal , Kosiorowska Kinga , Jasinski Marek
Published: December 2019

Background

Recent scientific reports have brought into light a new concept of goal-directed perfusion (GDP) that aims to recreate physiological conditions in which the risk of end-organ malperfusion is minimalized. The aim of our study was to analyse patients’ interim physiology while on cardiopulmonary bypass based on the haemodynamic and tissue oxygen delivery measurements. We also aimed to create a universal formula that may help in further implementation of the GDP concept.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed patients operated on at the Wroclaw University Hospital between June 2017 and December 2018. Since our observations provided an extensive amount of data, including the patients’ demographics, surgery details and the perfusion-related data, the Data Science methodology was applied.

Results

A total of 272 (mean age 62.5 ± 12.4, 74% male) cardiac surgery patients were included in the study. To study the relationship between haemodynamic and tissue oxygen parameters, the data for three different values of DO2i (280 ml/min/m2, 330 ml/min/m2 and 380 ml/min/m2), were evaluated. Each set of those lines showed a descending function of CI in Hb concentration for the set DO2i.

Conclusions

Modern calculation tools make it possible to create a common data platform from a very large database. Using that methodology we created models of haemodynamic compounds describing tissue oxygen delivery. The obtained unique patterns may both allow the adaptation of the flow in relation to the patient’s unique morphology that changes in time and contribute to wider and safer implementation of perfusion strategy which has been tailored to every patient’s individual needs.
A bio-psycho-social approach for frailty amongst Singaporean Chinese community-dwelling older adults – evidence from the Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study
Authors: Teo Nigel , Yeo Pei Shi , Gao Qi , Nyunt Ma Shwe Zin , Foo Jie Jing , Wee Shiou Liang , Ng Tze Pin
Published: December 2019

Background

Few empirical studies support a bio-psycho-social conceptualization of frailty. In addition to physical frailty (PF), we explored mental (MF) and social (SF) frailty and studied the associations between multidimensional frailty and various adverse health outcomes.

Methods

Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were conducted using data from a population-based cohort (SLAS-1) of 2387 community-dwelling Singaporean Chinese older adults. Outcomes examined were functional and severe disability, nursing home referral and mortality. PF was defined by shrinking, weakness, slowness, exhaustion and physical inactivity, 1–2 = pre-frail, 3–5 = frail; MF was defined by ≥1 of cognitive impairment, low mood and poor self-reported health; SF was defined by ≥2 of living alone, no education, no confidant, infrequent social contact or help, infrequent social activities, financial difficulty and living in low-end public housing.

Results

The prevalence of any frailty dimension was 63.0%, dominated by PF (26.2%) and multidimensional frailty (24.2%); 7.0% had all three frailty dimensions. With a few exceptions, frailty dimensions share similar associations with many socio-demographic, lifestyle, health and behavioral factors. Each frailty dimension varied in showing independent associations with functional (Odds Ratios [ORs] = 1.3–1.8) and severe disability prevalence at baseline (ORs = 2.2–7.3), incident functional disability (ORs = 1.1–1.5), nursing home referral (ORs = 1.5–3.4) and mortality (Hazard Ratios = 1.3–1.5) after adjusting for age, gender, medical comorbidity and the two other frailty dimensions. The addition of MF and SF to PF incrementally increased risk estimates by more than 2 folds.

Conclusions

This study highlights the relevance and utility of PF, MF and SF individually and together. Multidimensional frailty can better inform policies and promote the use of targeted multi-domain interventions tailored to older adults’ frailty statuses.