bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multi-disciplinary investigation of the AFEN Slide: the relationship between contourites and submarine landslides
Authors: Gatter Ricarda , Clare Michael A. , Hunt James E. , Watts Millie , Madhusudhan B. N. , Talling Peter J. , Huhn Katrin
Published: February 2020

Contourite drifts are sediment deposits formed by ocean bottom currents on continental slopes worldwide. Although it has become increasingly apparent that contourites are often prone to slope failure, the physical controls on slope instability remain unclear. This study presents high-resolution sedimentological, geochemical and geotechnical analyses of sediments to better understand the physical controls on slope failure that occurred within a sheeted contourite drift within the Faroe–Shetland Channel. We aim to identify and characterize the failure plane of the late Quaternary landslide (the AFEN Slide), and explain its location within the sheeted drift stratigraphy. The analyses reveal abrupt lithological contrasts characterized by distinct changes in physical, geochemical and geotechnical properties. Our findings indicate that the AFEN Slide likely initiated along a distinct lithological interface, between overlying sandy contouritic sediments and softer underlying mud-rich sediments. These lithological contrasts are interpreted to relate to climatically controlled variations in sediment input and bottom current intensity. Similar lithological contrasts are likely to be common within contourite drifts at many other oceanic gateways worldwide; hence our findings are likely to apply more widely. As we demonstrate here, recognition of such contrasts requires multi-disciplinary data over the depth range of stratigraphy that is potentially prone to slope failure.
Dichotomies in Ontology-Mediated Querying with the Guarded Fragment
Authors: Hernich André , Lutz Carsten , Papacchini Fabio , Wolter Frank
Published: February 2020

We study ontology-mediated querying in the case where ontologies are formulated in the guarded fragment of first-order logic (GF) or extensions thereof with counting and where the actual queries are (unions of) conjunctive queries. Our aim is to classify the data complexity and Datalog rewritability of query evaluation depending on the ontology
O
, where query evaluation w.r.t.
O
is in PT
ime
(resp. Datalog rewritable) if all queries can be evaluated in PT
ime
w.r.t.
O
(resp. rewritten into Datalog under
O
), and
co
NP-hard if at least one query is
co
NP-hard w.r.t.
O
. We identify several fragments of GF that enjoy a dichotomy between Datalog-rewritability (which implies PT
ime
) and
co
NP-hardness as well as several other fragments that enjoy a dichotomy between PT
ime
and
co
NP-hardness, but for which PT
ime
does not imply Datalog-rewritability. For the latter, we establish and exploit a connection to constraint satisfaction problems. We also identify fragments for which there is no dichotomy between PT
ime
and
co
NP. To prove this, we establish a non-trivial variation of Ladner’s theorem on the existence of NP-intermediate problems. Finally, we study the decidability of whether a given ontology enjoys PT
ime
query evaluation, presenting both positive and negative results, depending on the fragment.
The Role of Conformational Dynamics and Allostery in Modulating Protein Evolution
Authors: Campitelli Paul , Modi Tushar , Kumar Sudhir , Ozkan S. Banu
Published: February 2020

Advances in sequencing techniques and statistical methods have made it possible not only to predict sequences of ancestral proteins but also to identify thousands of mutations in the human exome, some of which are disease associated. These developments have motivated numerous theories and raised many questions regarding the fundamental principles behind protein evolution, which have been traditionally investigated horizontally using the tip of the phylogenetic tree through comparative studies of extant proteins within a family. In this article, we review a vertical comparison of the modern and resurrected ancestral proteins. We focus mainly on the dynamical properties responsible for a protein's ability to adapt new functions in response to environmental changes. Using the Dynamic Flexibility Index and the Dynamic Coupling Index to quantify the relative flexibility and dynamic coupling at a site-specific, single-amino-acid level, we provide evidence that the migration of hinges, which are often functionally critical rigid sites, is a mechanism through which proteins can rapidly evolve. Additionally, we show that disease-associated mutations in proteins often result in flexibility changes even at positions distal from mutational sites, particularly in the modulation of active site dynamics.
The Glial Perspective on Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
Authors: Artiushin Gregory , Sehgal Amita
Published: February 2020

While neurons and circuits are almost unequivocally considered to be the computational units and actuators of behavior, a complete understanding of the nervous system must incorporate glial cells. Far beyond a copious but passive substrate, glial influence is inextricable from neuronal physiology, whether during developmental guidance and synaptic shaping or through the trophic support, neurotransmitter and ion homeostasis, cytokine signaling and immune function, and debris engulfment contributions that this class provides throughout an organism's life. With such essential functions, among a growing literature of nuanced roles, it follows that glia are consequential to behavior in adult animals, with novel genetic tools allowing for the investigation of these phenomena in living organisms. We discuss here the relevance of glia for maintaining circadian rhythms and also for serving functions of sleep.
Effect of acetazolamide on susceptibility to central sleep apnea in chronic spinal cord injury
Authors: Ginter Geoffrey , Sankari Abdulghani , Eshraghi Mehdi , Obiakor Harold , Yarandi Hossein , Chowdhuri Susmita , Salloum Anan , Badr M. Safwan
Published: February 2020

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an established risk factor for central sleep apnea. Acetazolamide (ACZ), a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, has been shown to decrease the frequency of central apnea by inducing mild metabolic acidosis. We hypothesized that ACZ would decrease the propensity to develop hypocapnic central apnea and decrease the apneic threshold. We randomized 16 participants with sleep-disordered breathing (8 SCI and 8 able-bodied controls) to receive ACZ (500 mg twice a day for 3 days) or placebo with a 1-wk washout before crossing over to the other drug arm. Study nights included polysomnography and determination of the hypocapnic apneic threshold and CO2 reserve using noninvasive ventilation. For participants with spontaneous central apnea, CO2 was administered until central apnea was abolished, and CO2 reserve was measured as the difference in end-tidal Pco2 ([Formula: see text]) before and after. Steady-state plant gain, the response of end-tidal Pco2 to changes in ventilation, was calculated from [Formula: see text] and V̇e ratio during stable sleep. Controller gain, the response of ventilatory drive to changes in end-tidal Pco2, was defined as the ratio of change in V̇e between control and hypopnea to the ΔCO2 during stable non-rapid eye movement sleep. Treatment with ACZ for three days resulted in widening of the CO2 reserve (−4.0 ± 1.2 vs. −3.0 ± 0.7 mmHg for able-bodied, −3.4 ± 1.9 vs. −2.2 ± 2.2 mmHg for SCI, P < 0.0001), and a corresponding decrease in the hypocapnic apnea threshold (28.3 ± 5.2 vs. 37.1 ± 5.6 mmHg for able-bodied, 29.9 ± 5.4 vs. 34.8 ± 6.9 mmHg for SCI, P < 0.0001), respectively. ACZ significantly reduced plant gain when compared with placebo (4.1 ± 1.7 vs. 5.4 ± 1.8 mmHg/L min for able-bodied, 4.1 ± 2.0 vs. 5.1 ± 1.7 mmHg·L−1·min for SCI, P < 0.01). Acetazolamide decreased apnea-hypopnea index (28.8 ± 22.9 vs. 39.3 ± 24.1 events/h; P = 0.05), central apnea index (0.6 ± 1.5 vs. 6.3 ± 13.1 events/h; P = 0.05), and oxyhemoglobin desaturation index (7.5 ± 8.3 vs. 19.2 ± 15.2 events/h; P = 0.01) compared with placebo. Our results suggest that treatment with ACZ decreases susceptibility to hypocapnic central apnea due to decreased plant gain. Acetazolamide may attenuate central sleep apnea and improve nocturnal oxygen saturation, but its clinical utility requires further investigation in a larger sample of patients.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Tetraplegia is a risk factor for central sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and is associated with narrow CO2 reserve (a marker of susceptibility to central apnea). Treatment with high-dose acetazolamide for 3 days decreased susceptibility to hypocapnic central apnea and reduced the frequency of central respiratory events during sleep. Acetazolamide may play a therapeutic role in alleviating central SDB in patients with cervical spinal cord injury, but larger clinical trials are needed.
Mechanisms of nasal high flow therapy in newborns
Authors: Mazmanyan Pavel , Darakchyan Mari , Pinkham Maximilian I. , Tatkov Stanislav
Published: February 2020

In newborns, it is unclear how nasal high flow (NHF) generates positive airway pressure. In addition, the reported benefits of NHF such as reduction in work of breathing may be independent of airway pressure. The authors hypothesized that during NHF the area of leak and the flow determine airway pressure and that NHF can reduce the required minute ventilation to maintain gas exchange. In response to NHF, pressure was measured in the upper airways of 9 newborns and ventilation was measured in another group of 17 newborns. In a bench model, airway pressures were measured during NHF with different prong sizes, nare sizes, and flows. The airway pressures during 8 L/min NHF were greater when a larger cannula versus a smaller cannula was used ( P < 0.05). NHF reduced minute ventilation in 16 of 17 neonates, with a mean decrease of 24% from a baseline of 0.66 L/min (SD 0.21) ( P < 0.001), and was unrelated to changes in airway pressure; arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry ([Formula: see text]) and tissue CO2were unchanged. In the bench model, the airway pressure remained <2 cmH2O when <50% of the “nare” was occluded by the prongs. As the leak area decreased, because of a smaller nare or a larger cannula, the airway pressure increased exponentially and was dependent on flow. In newborns NHF using room air substantially reduced minute ventilation without affecting gas exchange irrespective of a decrease or an increase of respiratory rate. NHF generates low positive airway pressure that exponentially increases with flow and occlusion of the nares.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY In healthy newborns, nasal high flow (NHF) with room air reduced minute ventilation by one-fourth without affecting gas exchange but, in contrast to adults, produced variable response in respiratory rate during sleep. During NHF, pressure in the upper airways did not exceed 2 cmH2O at 8 L/min (3.4 L·min−1·kg−1) and was unaffected by opening of the mouth. NHF can generate higher pressure with larger prongs that decrease the leak around the cannula or by increasing the flow rate.
Colonic Wall Thickening Reported in Abdominal CT: Does It Always Imply Malignancy?
Authors: Akbas A. , Bakir H. , Dasiran M. F. , Dagmura H. , Daldal E. , Ozsoy Z. , Ozmen Z. , Demir O. , Okan I.
Published: February 2020

Aim/Background. Early diagnosis of patients with colon cancer is one of the most important parameters affecting the survival of patients. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of the age, hemoglobin (Hb), albumin, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), thrombocyte lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet values (MPV) on the separation of benign and malignant diseases in patients with suspected colon wall thickness (CWT) observed in abdominal computed tomography (CT) examination. Method. The study included 116 patients between the ages of 18 and 95 who had CT examination where the colon wall could be evaluated and who also had colonoscopy. Patients suspected for CWT in CT with difficulties in differential diagnosis were divided into two groups according to colonoscopic-histopathological evaluations. Normal or benign pathological causes were included in the first group, while malignant causes constituted the second group. Whether the two groups differed in terms of CWT, Hb, age, albumin, NLR, PLR, and MPV values was investigated with descriptive statistics. Results. One hundred and sixteen patients (74 males, 42 females) with CT examinations and colonoscopic sampling were included in the study. After colonoscopic and histopathological evaluations, there were 64 cases in the first group and 52 in the second group. According to the results of the univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression, CWT, Hb, NLR, and MPV were identified to be independent variables for determining colon cancer. Conclusion. A combined evaluation of Hb, NLR, and MPV values in patients with CWT in abdominal CT examination may contribute to the separation of benign and malignant pathologies.
Sick Child Feeding Practice and Associated Factors among Mothers of Children Less Than 24 Months Old, in Burayu Town, Ethiopia
Authors: Degefa Nega , Tadesse Hiwot , Aga Fekadu , Yeheyis Tomas
Published: February 2020

Background. Growing evidence suggests that inadequate intake, poor caring practices, and disease process were some of the immediate and major causes of undernutrition in children. This points out that infant and young child feeding were the basic grounds to improve child survival and promote healthy growth and development. The first two years of a child’s life are particularly important, as optimal nutrition during this period lowers morbidity and mortality, reduces the risk of chronic disease, and enhances the chances of better development. The study was aimed to assess sick infant and young child feeding practice and associated factors among mothers of children aged less than 24 months old in the Burayu town Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods. Institutional based cross-sectional study design was utilized. The study was conducted from April-May, 2015 among 362 mother–child pair attending the maternal and childcare (MCH) units of the two public health facilities in the Burayu town. Bivariate and multivariable analysis was done to test the relationship between the explanatory and outcome variables and the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and the p-value was used to ascertain statistical significance. Result. More than half (53.6%) of all mothers fed their child more frequently at the time of illness than at a time of health. The mean age of respondents was 25.41 ± 3.56 and ranged from 15−30 years. Nearly three out of five (60.8%) of the respondents attended no formal education. A mother who had got counseling on sick child feeding were nearly three times more likely to feed their child appropriately than their counterparts (AOR: 2.95; 95% CI; 1.78, 4.91). Mothers who were housewives were 55% times less likely to feed their sick child appropriately than those who were working (AOR: 0.45; 95% CI; 0.26, 0.79). Those mothers who have a child aged less than 6 months were 88% less likely to practice appropriate sick child feeding than those who have a child aged more than 6 months (AOR: 0.22; 95% CI; 0.12,0.40). Conclusion. Respondents who do not receive counseling on infant and young child feeding have poor sick child feeding practice. Working mother had owned better practices of feeding child particularly at the time of illness. Infants below the age of 6 months deserve more concern in providing frequent breastfeeds at the time of illness.
Chronic Pain following Chest Trauma: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Psychosocial Impact
Authors: Kahloul Mohamed , Kacem Imene , Sboui Mohamed Mehdi , El Maalel Olfa , Daami Hana , Hafsia Meriam , Limam Manel , Aissa Sana , Ben Kbaier Imene , Mrizak Nejib , Chaouch Ajmi , Naija Walid
Published: February 2020

Background. Chronic pain (CP) is a real public health concern. It is a common cause of poor quality of life and workplace absenteeism. It is well studied in many medical and surgical fields. However, only few data are available as regards to its occurrence in trauma patients. Purpose. To assess the prevalence, associated factors, and psychosocial impact of CP following chest trauma. Methods. This is an observational, descriptive, and analytic cross-sectional study performed in a Tunisian department of anesthesia and intensive care over a two-month period. Adult patients admitted one year ago for isolated chest trauma were enrolled. Data were collected by a phone interview. Studied variables were sociodemographic characteristics, traumatic injuries and their management, the occurrence of CP, and its psychosocial impact. CP was diagnosed by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) considering an evolution period of at least 3 months. Its impact was assessed by the BPI and the Posttraumatic stress disorder Checklist Scale (PCLS). Results. Fifty-four patients were included in the study. The prevalence of CP was 79.6%. The average CP intensity was 3.18 ± 1.4. It was neuropathic in 90.7%. Its main associated factors were pleural effusion (p=0.016), time to ICU admission (p=0.05), and posttraumatic stress disorders (p=0.017). After a multivaried analysis, only pleural effusion was associated with CP (p=0.01, OR = 6.9 CI 95% [1.2–37.3]). Probable or very likely PTSDs were noted, respectively, in 10 and 9 cases. Regarding the psychosocial impact of CP, the most commonly affected dimensions were general activity, work, sleep, and mood. Conclusion. CP following chest trauma is frequent and severe requiring preventive measures such as high risk patients screening, better management of acute pain, and a multidisciplinary approach for patients with diagnosed CP.
Is Dietary Milk Intake Associated with Cataract Extraction History in Older Adults? An Analysis from the US Population
Authors: Mustafa Osama M. , Daoud Yassine J.
Published: February 2020

Background. Galactose accumulation in the lens tissue is known to be cataractogenic. Whether consistent dietary intake of lactose—which consists of glucose and galactose—predisposes to senile cataract remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the association between a number of dietary milk intake indicators and cataract extraction history in a representative sample of older adults from the US population. Methods and Materials. This is a cross-sectional, population-based study. Participants of the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2008 who were ≥50 years old and provided a complete history of their usual daily dietary intake were included. Exclusion criteria were special diets, extreme daily energy intake, and missing outcome (i.e., cataract extraction history). Indicators of milk intake used were early-life intake regularity, current daily milk/total dairy intake amounts, and estimated lifelong milk exposure. Odds ratios (OR) and 99% confidence intervals (99% CI) were calculated with fitting weights to better represent the population-based estimates. Results. Among the 5930 studied participants, early-life milk intake regularity was not associated with cataract extraction history in age/sex/ethnicity-adjusted and multivariable-adjusted models (p trend = 0.064 and 0.094, respectively). Current daily milk intake was associated with a slight reduction in the likelihood of cataract extraction in the age/sex/ethnicity-adjusted model (OR = 0.885 per cup equivalents, 99% CI = 0.795–0.986) and in the multivariable model (OR = 0.871 per cup equivalents, 99% CI = 0.746–0.993). However, no such association was observed between quartiles of current dietary milk intake and cataract extraction history (p=0.154 and p=0.317 for age/sex/ethnicity-adjusted and multivariable-adjusted models, respectively). Neither current total dairy intake nor estimated lifelong milk exposure was significantly associated with the outcome in the final multivariable models. Conclusion. There appears to be no direct relationship between several indicators of dietary milk consumption and cataract extraction history in the general American population.
Left Bundle Branch Block Chest Pain Conundrum
Authors: Seetharam Karthik , Cheema Ayesha , Friedman Gary , Pachulski Roman
Published: February 2020

Left bundle branch block is a pattern of altered ventricular depolarization and subsequently affects repolarization. These obscure patterns can affect the traditional ST segment shift criteria for the electrocardiographic detection of coronary insufficiency syndromes. Previously, patients with coronary ischemic pain and LBBB judged to be “new” (not previously documented) were considered to have ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) warranting acute thrombolytic therapy. Current STEMI management favors emergent invasive angiography; however, recent data suggests the prevalence of coronary obstructive pathology may be as low as 50%. The application of more specific, less-sensitive Sgarbossa electrocardiographic criteria may reduce angiographic assessment in an otherwise high-risk population unlikely to tolerate further myocardial injury. We present a case that may facilitate a more nuanced EKG-based approach to distinguish those who may benefit from acute invasive angiography while reducing the frequency of unnecessary angiographic evaluation.
Extensive Surgical Emphysema in a Child after Primary Closure of Tracheocutaneous Fistula
Authors: Gurung R. , Shakya B. M. , Dutta H.
Published: February 2020

A 4-year-old child had closure of tracheocutaneous fistula under general anaesthesia. He developed extensive surgical emphysema over the face, chest, and upper abdomen immediately in the recovery room. We gave him oxygen supplementation, removed surgical stitch, and inserted a 4 mm tracheostomy tube to secure airway. Chest X-ray ruled out pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum. After a week, a tight bandage was applied which approximated the tissue and helped in the closure of stoma; no suture was applied. The patient was discharged home on the fourth postoperative day. The patient needs close observation in the postoperative period with likely complication in mind. Recognizing early signs and symptoms of respiratory distress with quick intervention is lifesaving during the complication of tracheocutaneous fistula surgery. In absence of pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum, extensive surgical emphysema occurring during primary closure of tracheocutaneous fistula can be treated without inserting any drainage tube.
Bird Diversity and Community Composition in Kafta Sheraro National Park, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Girmay Teklay , Teshome Zeyede , Tesfamichael Tesfay
Published: February 2020

Birds are one of the most important components of biodiversity that has huge ecological, economical, and esthetic values. The main objective of this study was to assess diversity and species composition of bird community in Kafta Sheraro National Park, Northern Ethiopia. Data were collected from August 2017 to March 2018 in the national park. Point count method was employed to collect data on bird species diversity and species composition. Direct observations of birds and discussion with local people and scouts to assess potential threats of avifauna in the park were made. Shannon diversity index was used to calculate the species diversity. A total of 158 bird species belonging to 52 different families and 20 orders were identified. Of the recorded species, there were 76.6% residents, 15.8% Palaearctic migrants (PM), 5.7% Intra-African migrants (IM), and 1.9% partial migrants. Accipitiridae (11.4%) had the highest species followed by Columbidae, Estrilidae, and Ploceidae with 7%, 5.7%, and 4.4% species, respectively. The highest Shannon–Weiner diversity index (H′ = 4.50) was recorded during February while the lowest (H′ = 2.18) was recorded during March. Species richness of the park showed no significance difference among the study months (χ2 = 10.046, df = 5, P>0.05). Agricultural expansions, fire, livestock grazing, mining, and poaching were the major threats of the park bird species. Kafta Sheraro National Park is one of the areas with high avian composition in Ethiopia. In the park, wildlife watching in general and ornithological tourism in particular should be developed. Anthropogenic disturbances should also be minimized to conserve avian diversity of the park.
Generalized Phenomenological Models of Dark Energy
Authors: Paul Prasenjit , Sengupta Rikpratik
Published: February 2020

It was first observed at the end of the last century that the universe is presently accelerating. Ever since, there have been several attempts to explain this observation theoretically. There are two possible approaches. The more conventional one is to modify the matter part of the Einstein field equations, and the second one is to modify the geometry part. We shall consider two phenomenological models based on the former, more conventional approach within the context of general relativity. The phenomenological models in this paper consider a Λ term firstly a function of a¨/a and secondly a function of ρ, where a and ρ are the scale factor and matter energy density, respectively. Constraining the free parameters of the models with the latest observational data gives satisfactory values of parameters as considered by us initially. Without any field theoretic interpretation, we explain the recent observations with a dynamical cosmological constant.
Electrochemical Preparation of Polyaniline- Supported Cu-CuO Core-Shell on 316L Stainless Steel Electrodes for Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensor
Authors: Le Hai V. , Le Quang T.
Published: February 2020

In this article, we reported the elaboration of a nonenzymatic glucose sensor based on the polyaniline-supported Cu-CuO core-shell structure prepared on the 316L stainless steel electrode by electrochemical methods. In the first step, polyaniline (PANI) film was electrodeposited on the 316L substrate from a solution of 0.1 M aniline and 0.5 M sulfuric acid in absolute ethanol by the cyclic voltammetry (CV) method. In the second step, the copper particles were electrodeposited on the PANI film from CuCl2·2H2O 0.01 M precursor prepared in a KCl 0.1 M solution by the CV method. In the third step, Cu particles were partially oxidized to CuO by the CV method in a NaOH 0.1 M electrolyte to form a Cu-CuO core-shell structure supported on the PANI film. The as-prepared electrode (Cu-CuO/PANI/316L) was used to detect glucose in a NaOH 0.1 M solution. The Cu-CuO/PANI/316L sensor exhibited a linear range of 0.1–5 mM (R2 = 0.995) with a detection limit of 0.1 mM (S/N = 3) and high sensitivity of (25.71 mA·mM−1·cm−2). In addition, no significant interference was observed from sucrose, maltose, lactose, and ascorbic acid. The results showed that the polyaniline-supported Cu-CuO core-shell structure has the potential to be applied as an electrode material for the nonenzymatic glucose sensor.
Exponential Polynomials and Nonlinear Differential-Difference Equations
Authors: Xu Junfeng , Rong Jianxun
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we study finite-order entire solutions of nonlinear differential-difference equations and solve a conjecture proposed by Chen, Gao, and Zhang when the solution is an exponential polynomial. We also find that any exponential polynomial solution of a nonlinear difference equation should have special forms.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Ameliorates Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury through Inhibiting NF-κB Activation and iNOS Protein Expression
Authors: Wang Meng , Deng Jielin , Lai Huanzhu , Lai Yanqiu , Meng Guannan , Wang Zhenya , Zhou Zhen , Chen Hu , Yu Zhiyao , Li Shuyan , Jiang Hong
Published: February 2020

Objective. In renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RIRI), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) initiates the expression of multiple genes involved in inflammatory disease. Inhibition of NF-κB-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression can ameliorate RIRI. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) protects against various organs I/R injury. The present study was designed to elucidate the protective effect of VNS on RIRI and its influence on iNOS protein expression. Methods. Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into the sham group, the I/R group, and the VNS+I/R group, 6 rats per group. An RIRI model was induced by a right nephrectomy and blockade of the left renal pedicle vessels for 45 min. After 6 h of reperfusion, the blood samples and renal samples were collected. The VNS treatment was performed throughout the I/R process in the VNS+I/R group using specific parameters (20 Hz, 0.1 ms in duration, square waves) known to produce a small but reliable bradycardia. Blood was used for evaluation of renal function and inflammatory state. Renal injury was evaluated via TUNEL staining. Renal samples were harvested to evaluate renal oxidative stress, NF-κB p65 levels, and iNOS protein expression. Results. The VNS treatment reduces serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Simultaneously, the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) were significantly increased in the I/R group, but VNS treatment markedly ameliorated this inflammatory response. Furthermore, the VNS ameliorated oxidant stress and renal injury, indicated by a decrease in 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) formation and MDA and MPO levels and an increase in the SOD level compared to that in the I/R group. Finally, the VNS also significantly decreases NF-κB p65, iNOS, and nitrite/nitrate levels compared to that in the I/R group. Conclusion. Our findings indicate that NF-κB activation increased iNOS expression and promoted RIRI and that VNS treatment attenuated RIRI by inhibiting iNOS expression, oxidative stress, and inflammation via NF-κB inactivation.
Multi-Time Scale Optimal Dispatch for AC/DC Distribution Networks Based on a Markov Chain Dynamic Scenario Method and MPC
Authors: Liu Jie , Ji Xingquan , Li Kejun , Zhang Kaiyuan
Published: February 2020

A multi-time scale optimal dispatch model based on the scenario method and model predictive control (MPC) in the AC/DC distribution network is established due to the uncertainty of wind and load. A Markov chain dynamic scenario method is proposed, which generates scenarios by characterizing the forecast error via empirical distribution. Considering the time correlation of the forecast error, Markov chain is adopted in the Markov chain dynamic method to simulate the uncertainty and variability in wind and load with time. A multi-time scale optimal dispatch strategy based on MPC is proposed. The operation scheduling of operation units is solved in day-ahead and intraday optimal dispatch by minimizing the expected value of total cost in each scenario. In the real-time optimal dispatch, the stability and robustness of system operation are considered. MPC is adopted in the real-time optimal dispatch, taking the intraday scheduling as reference and using the roll optimization method to compute real-time optimal dispatch scheduling to smooth the output power. The simulation results in a 50-node system with uncontrollable distributed energy demonstrate that the proposed model and strategy can effectively eliminate fluctuations in wind and load in AC/DC distribution networks.
Multiscale Method for Seismic Response of Near‐Source Sites
Authors: Li Shutao , Liu Jingbo , Yang Zhou , Bao Xin , Wang Fei , Wang Xiaofeng , Saleh Asheghabadi Mohsen
Published: February 2020

The traditional source‐site‐structure model for the calculation of seismic response of underground structures at near‐source sites is restricted by the grid scale and the size of the structure. As a result, an excessive number of elements in the model make the numerical solving process difficult. To solve problems such as an inefficient computation and challenging nonlinear simulation, a multiscale analysis method for the calculation of the seismic response of underground structures at near‐source sites is developed. The generalized free‐field seismic response of the near‐source region is obtained by establishing a large‐scale calculation model of the source site and is used to simulate the fracture mechanism of faults and the process of seismic wave propagation. Then, using the method of seismic wave input based on artificial boundary substructures, the free‐field motion of the wave is transformed into the equivalent seismic load, which is the seismic wave input data for the small‐scale region of interest. Finally, with the help of local elements with special shapes to realize the grid transition of different scales, a small‐scale model with reasonable soil‐underground structure interaction is established, and the seismic response of the overall model can be effectively solved. The calculation and analysis of the seismic response of underground structures in irregular terrain are carried out. Compared with the results obtained directly from the source‐site‐structure model, the multiscale method has satisfactory accuracy and meets the needs of engineering design. Since the number of elements is fewer and the calculation time is much shorter than those required by the traditional model, the advantages in computational efficiency of the new method are highlighted. In addition, the reflected waves are too weak to have a considerable impact on structures because of the great energy loss at the reflection interface, which further proves the feasibility of the closed artificial boundary substructure method.
Pulmonary Onset of Adult Onset Still’s Disease Complicated with Kikuchi Lymphadenitis
Authors: Kodithuwakku G. D. E. , Fonseka C. L. , Nanayakkara S. , Herath H. M. M.
Published: February 2020

Background. Adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a rare inflammatory disorder with a variety of clinical presentations. Even though pneumonitis and pleurisy are known to occur in AOSD, pulmonary onset presentations are exceedingly rare. Case Presentation. We present a 40-year-old male, presenting with fever and bilateral alveolar shadows with pleural effusions mimicking community-acquired severe pneumonia. He was initially treated as severe pneumonia with poor response to broad spectrum antibiotics. Subsequently, he was managed as AOSD-induced pneumonitis, as he fulfilled Yamaguchi criteria. Few weeks later, he developed macular rash and arthralgia with generalized lymphadenopathy with lymph node histology, showing Kikuchi lymphadenitis. He responded well to steroids and had a complete recovery. Conclusion. Non-infective causes of pneumonitis should be suspected in the setting of poorly resolving pneumonias, especially when microbiological and serological investigations does not support an infective etiology. Presence of systemic symptoms with arthralgia, rash, and disproportionately elevated ferritin level supports the diagnosis of AOSD. Kikuchi lymphadenitis is a reported association with AOSD, and there could be a causal link between the two disorders.
A Nomogram Based on Apelin-12 for the Prediction of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention among Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Zhao Enfa , Xie Hang , Zhang Yushun
Published: February 2020

Objective. This study aimed to establish a clinical prognostic nomogram for predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods. Information on 464 patients with STEMI who performed PCI procedures was included. After removing patients with incomplete clinical information, a total of 460 patients followed for 2.5 years were randomly divided into evaluation (n = 324) and validation (n = 136) cohorts. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify the significant factors associated with MACEs in the evaluation cohort, and then they were incorporated into the nomogram. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by the discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness. Results. Apelin-12 change rate, apelin-12 level, age, pathological Q wave, myocardial infarction history, anterior wall myocardial infarction, Killip’s classification > I, uric acid, total cholesterol, cTnI, and the left atrial diameter were independently associated with MACEs (all P<0.05). After incorporating these 11 factors, the nomogram achieved good concordance indexes of 0.758 (95%CI = 0.707–0.809) and 0.763 (95%CI = 0.689–0.837) in predicting MACEs in the evaluation and validation cohorts, respectively, and had well-fitted calibration curves. The decision curve analysis (DCA) revealed that the nomogram was clinically useful. Conclusions. We established and validated a novel nomogram that can provide individual prediction of MACEs for patients with STEMI after PCI procedures in a Chinese population. This practical prognostic nomogram may help clinicians in decision making and enable a more accurate risk assessment.
Relationship between Tectonism and Composition and Pore Characteristics of Shale Reservoirs
Authors: Shang Fuhua , Zhu Yanming , Gao Haitao , Wang Yang , Liu Ruiyin
Published: February 2020

Tectonism is one of the major controlling factors of shale gas accumulation and enrichment in China. To explore the relationship between tectonism and composition and pore characteristics of shale reservoirs, this research carried out mineralogy tests, organic geochemistry tests, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) experiments, and low-pressure gas adsorption (LPGA, N2 and CO2) experiments on the shale samples of various deformation intensities from Southwestern China. Based on the FE-SEM image analyses, it can be found that there are large differences in pore characteristics in shale samples with different deformation intensities. The samples with strong deformation have more organic pores, mainly related to the clay-organic aggregates and rigid grains. Tectonism can cause organic matter (OM) and clay minerals to be mixed or OM to fill in the clay layers, resulting in the retention of some organic pores. It is the presence of pressure shadows around the rigid grains that can resist tectonic extrusion and protect some organic pores. LPGA experiment results also show that micropore-specific surface areas and pore volumes of the samples with strong deformation are larger than those with weak deformation. The shale samples with strong deformation also have more microchannels and microfractures. Tectonism can also cause some micropores to become macropores; for example, tectonism can cause the rigid grains to slide and rotate, enlarging the dissolution pores at the edges of rigid grains. Shale samples with strong deformation have a smaller mesopore volume; but due to the presence of organic-clay aggregates, a larger mesopore-specific surface area embarks on these samples. According to fractal dimension calculations, it is found that in strong deformed shale, more multiple dimensions of the pore system tend to represent rougher pore surfaces and more irregular shapes. Besides, rougher pore surfaces are eager to provide more adsorption sites and enhance the adsorption capacity of the deformed shale. This study investigates the relationship between tectonism and composition and pore characteristics of shale reservoirs and may promote understanding of the accumulation of shale gas in highly deformed areas.
An Alternative Fuel Refueling Station Location Model considering Detour Traffic Flows on a Highway Road System
Authors: Hwang Seong Wook , Kweon Sang Jin , Ventura Jose A.
Published: February 2020

With the development of alternative fuel (AF) vehicle technologies, studies on finding the potential location of AF refueling stations in transportation networks have received considerable attention. Due to the strong limited driving range, AF vehicles for long-distance intercity trips may require multiple refueling stops at different locations on the way to their destination, which makes the AF refueling station location problem more challenging. In this paper, we consider that AF vehicles requiring multiple refueling stops at different locations during their long-distance intercity trips are capable of making detours from their preplanned paths and selecting return paths that may be different from original paths for their round trips whenever AF refueling stations are not available along the preplanned paths. These options mostly need to be considered when an AF refueling infrastructure is not fully developed on a highway system. To this end, we first propose an algorithm to generate alternative paths that may provide the multiple AF refueling stops between all origin/destination (OD) vertices. Then, a new mixed-integer programming model is proposed to locate AF refueling stations within a preselected set of candidate sites on a directed transportation network by maximizing the coverage of traffic flows along multiple paths. We first test our mathematical model with the proposed algorithm on a classical 25-vertex network with 25 candidate sites through various scenarios that consider a different number of paths for each OD pair, deviation factors, and limited driving ranges of vehicles. Then, we apply our proposed model to locate liquefied natural gas refueling stations in the state of Pennsylvania considering the construction budget. Our results show that the number of alternative paths and deviation distance available significantly affect the coverage of traffic flows at the stations as well as computational time.
Radiogenomic-Based Survival Risk Stratification of Tumor Habitat on Gd-T1w MRI Is Associated with Biological Processes in Glioblastoma
Authors: Beig Niha , Bera Kaustav , Prasanna Prateek , Antunes Jacob , Correa Ramon , Singh Salendra , Saeed Bamashmos Anas , Ismail Marwa , Braman Nathaniel , Verma Ruchika , Hill Virginia B. , Statsevych Volodymyr , Ahluwalia Manmeet S. , Varadan Vinay , Madabhushi Anant , Tiwari Pallavi
Published: February 2020

Purpose:

To (i) create a survival risk score using radiomic features from the tumor habitat on routine MRI to predict progression-free survival (PFS) in glioblastoma and (ii) obtain a biological basis for these prognostic radiomic features, by studying their radiogenomic associations with molecular signaling pathways.

Experimental Design:

Two hundred three patients with pretreatment Gd-T1w, T2w, T2w-FLAIR MRI were obtained from 3 cohorts: The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA; n = 130), Ivy GAP (n = 32), and Cleveland Clinic (n = 41). Gene-expression profiles of corresponding patients were obtained for TCIA cohort. For every study, following expert segmentation of tumor subcompartments (necrotic core, enhancing tumor, peritumoral edema), 936 3D radiomic features were extracted from each subcompartment across all MRI protocols. Using Cox regression model, radiomic risk score (RRS) was developed for every protocol to predict PFS on the training cohort (n = 130) and evaluated on the holdout cohort (n = 73). Further, Gene Ontology and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis were used to identify specific molecular signaling pathway networks associated with RRS features.

Results:

Twenty-five radiomic features from the tumor habitat yielded the RRS. A combination of RRS with clinical (age and gender) and molecular features (MGMT and IDH status) resulted in a concordance index of 0.81 (P < 0.0001) on training and 0.84 (P = 0.03) on the test set. Radiogenomic analysis revealed associations of RRS features with signaling pathways for cell differentiation, cell adhesion, and angiogenesis, which contribute to chemoresistance in GBM.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that prognostic radiomic features from routine Gd-T1w MRI may also be significantly associated with key biological processes that affect response to chemotherapy in GBM.
Constitutive CHK1 Expression Drives a pSTAT3–CIP2A Circuit that Promotes Glioblastoma Cell Survival and Growth
Authors: Khanna Anchit , Thoms Julie A.I. , Stringer Brett W. , Chung Sylvia A. , Ensbey Kathleen S. , Jue Toni Rose , Jahan Zeenat , Subramanian Shruthi , Anande Govardhan , Shen Han , Unnikrishnan Ashwin , McDonald Kerrie L. , Day Bryan W. , Pimanda John E.
Published: February 2020

High-constitutive activity of the DNA damage response protein checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) has been shown in glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines and in tissue sections. However, whether constitutive activation and overexpression of CHK1 in GBM plays a functional role in tumorigenesis or has prognostic significance is not known. We interrogated multiple glioma patient cohorts for expression levels of CHK1 and the oncogene cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A), a known target of high-CHK1 activity, and examined the relationship between these two proteins in GBM. Expression levels of CHK1 and CIP2A were independent predictors for reduced overall survival across multiple glioma patient cohorts. Using siRNA and pharmacologic inhibitors we evaluated the impact of their depletion using both in vitro and in vivo models and sought a mechanistic explanation for high CIP2A in the presence of high-CHK1 levels in GBM and show that; (i) CHK1 and pSTAT3 positively regulate CIP2A gene expression; (ii) pSTAT3 and CIP2A form a recursively wired transcriptional circuit; and (iii) perturbing CIP2A expression induces GBM cell senescence and retards tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, we have identified an oncogenic transcriptional circuit in GBM that can be destabilized by targeting CIP2A.

Implications:

High expression of CIP2A in gliomas is maintained by a CHK1-dependent pSTAT3–CIP2A recursive loop; interrupting CIP2A induces cell senescence and slows GBM growth adding impetus to the development of CIP2A as an anticancer drug target.
Role of Plasma Exchange in a Steroid- and IVIG-Refractory Patient with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis: A Case Report
Authors: Tripathi Parmatma Prasad , Hans Rekha , Sharma Ratti Ram , Lamba Divjot Singh , Paul Preeti , Sankhyan Naveen , Bhagwat Chandana , Singh Paramjeet
Published: February 2020

Background: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a demyelinating disease usually affecting children and is treated with high-dose steroid therapy. Case Report: An 8-year boy presented with limbs weakness and complete loss of vision and was resistant to steroid therapy. He was further treated with plasma exchange and showed full recovery from the neurological deficit. Conclusion: Therapeutic plasma exchange appears to be effective in ADEM patients in reversing the neuropathological process especially refractory to steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin.
Neuroanatomical Distribution of the Serotonergic System in the Brain and Retina of Holostean Fishes, The Sister Group to Teleosts
Authors: Lozano Daniel , González Agustín , López Jesús M.
Published: February 2020

Among actinopterygian fishes, holosteans are the phylogenetically closest group to teleosts but they have been much less studied, particularly regarding the neurochemical features of their central nervous system. The serotonergic system is one of the most important and conserved systems of neurotransmission in all vertebrates. By means of immunohistochemistry against serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), we have conducted a comprehensive and complete description of this system in the brain and retina of representative species of the 3 genera of holostean fishes, belonging to the only 2 extant orders, Amiiformes and Lepisosteiformes. Serotonin-immunoreactive cell groups were detected in the preoptic area, the hypothalamic paraventricular organ, the epiphysis, the pretectal region, the long and continuous column of the raphe, the spinal cord, and the inner nuclear layer of the retina. Specifically, the serotonergic cell groups in the preoptic area, the epiphysis, the pretectum, and the retina had never been identified in previous studies in this group of fishes. Widespread serotonergic innervation was observed in all main brain regions, but more abundantly in the subpallium, the hypothalamus, the habenula, the optic tectum, the so-called cerebellar nucleus, and the area postrema. The comparative analysis of these results with those in other groups of vertebrates reveals some extremely conserved features, such as the presence of serotonergic cells in the retina, the pineal organ, and the raphe column, while other characteristics, like the serotonergic populations in the preoptic area, the paraventricular organ, the pretectum, and the spinal cord are generally present in all fish groups, but have been lost in most amniotes.