bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pain Rehabilitation During Adolescence; Work in Adulthood? A Long‐Term Follow‐Up Study to Explore the Facilitators and Barriers for Work
Authors: Achten Diana , Westendorp Tessa , Herweijer Hester , Reneman Michiel F.
Published: February 2020

Background

Adolescents with chronic musculoskeletal pain face different impairments in daily life. After an inpatient pain rehabilitation program, adolescents function better on several domains. The aim of this study was to explore the long‐term work participation of adults who followed inpatient pain rehabilitation during adolescence because of chronic musculoskeletal pain and to identify potential facilitators and barriers regarding work in later life.

Methods

A mixed‐methods study with standardized questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews. The questionnaires measured pain, disability, work status, and the quality and quantity of the work. The interviews contained questions about work participation. Potential participants were all patients who had participated in an inpatient pain rehabilitation program 15 to 20 years previously. Analyses were performed by thematic analysis. Using the Sherbrooke model as guidance, themes were classified into 4 systems: healthcare, workplace, legislative/insurance, and personal.

Results

Fourteen patients consented to participate (12 females). Seventy‐one percent of them had paid work. The mean self‐reported quality of the work delivered was 9.6 (standard deviation = 0.5). Eighteen facilitators and 12 barriers regarding work participation later on in life were mentioned. The inpatient pain rehabilitation program was the most frequently mentioned facilitator (n = 5), while the personal system and coping‐related factors were the most frequently mentioned barriers (n = 5).

Conclusions

Ten out of 14 participants are currently working, most of them despite experiencing pain. Several factors based on the 4 systems of the Sherbrooke model contribute as facilitators or barriers regarding current work participation. Pain rehabilitation is mostly regarded as a facilitator for work participation later on in life.
Distal‐type bronchiolar adenoma of the lung expressing p16INK4a – morphologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and genomic analysis – report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Tachibana Mitsuhiro , Saito Masao , Kobayashi Jun , Isono Tadahiro , Yatabe Yasushi , Tsutsumi Yutaka
Published: February 2020

Bronchiolar adenoma (BA) of the lung is a rare benign neoplasm. Because of a chest abnormal shadow indicated by health checkup, a 77‐year‐old female nonsmoker underwent computed tomography, revealing an 8 mm ground glass nodule in the peripheral field of the right lower lobe. Wedge resection of the nodule was performed, with a frozen diagnosis of primary lung adenocarcinoma. The localized, 8 × 4 × 3 mm‐sized, jelly‐like mass microscopically revealed a lepidic‐growing lesion composed of ciliated columnar cells, mucous cells and basal cells surrounded by mucin pool. Neither nuclear atypia nor mitotic activity was noted. Immunohistochemically, the ciliated, mucous and basal cells were positive for TTF‐1 and p16INK4a. Mucous cells were positive for napsin A and focally expressed MUC5AC. MUC6 was negative. Basal cells were positive for CK5/6, p40, p63 and podoplanin. Human papillomavirus genome was undetectable by in situ hybridization. Ultrastructurally, the bronchiolar epithelial tubules consisted of two layers, the inner nonciliated microvillous cells and the outer basal‐like cells, and some of the inner cells were filled with mucin granules in cytoplasm. Molecular analysis of the tumor failed to show driver mutations. The final diagnosis was distal‐type BA. The postoperative course was uneventful for 6 months.
Effects of relevance and response frequency on P3b amplitudes: Review of findings and comparison of hypotheses about the process reflected by P3b
Authors: Verleger Rolf
Published: February 2020

Diverse psychological correlates have been ascribed to “P300,” the conspicuous P3b component of event‐related potentials (ERPs) recorded in many laboratory tasks. Traditionally, hypotheses on P3b have conceived of this component being independent from implementing the response to the present stimulus. This has changed in the recent decade when P3b has been related to aspects of the decision process. The present review first focusses on effects of the classic variables stimulus frequency and relevance on P3b amplitude. It turns out that already these effects are related to response requirements because effects of stimulus frequency actually are effects of frequency of response‐defined stimulus categories and effects of relevance may be defined as effects of graduating the response requirements. Then, constructs and hypotheses on psychological functions reflected by P3b are evaluated for their abilities in explaining those effects. The tested constructs are information, relevance, and capacity, and the hypotheses are priming, cognitive processing, memory storage, context updating, closure, response facilitation, decision, stimulus–response (S–R) link reactivation, and conscious representations. S–R link reactivation hypothesis performed best, closely followed by memory storage and closure hypotheses. To make further progress, more studies should conduct tests between competing hypotheses.
Anti‐Müllerian hormone in dogs and cats reproduction
Authors: Walter Beate
Published: February 2020

The anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a glycoprotein secreted by Sertoli cells in males and granulosa cells in females. It has first been determined in blood serum of dogs and cats by Place et al. in 2011 with the use of a human‐based ELISA test. Meanwhile, different immunoassays have been validated for AMH determination in animals and a variety of studies have demonstrated the clinical significance of AMH. This review summarizes the current knowledge about AMH in dogs and cats and describes future opportunities for its diagnostic use.
Overexpression of MsGH3.5 inhibits shoot and root development through the auxin and cytokinin pathways in apple plants
Authors: Zhao Di , Wang Yantao , Feng Chen , Wei Yan , Peng Xiang , Guo Xiao , Guo Xinwei , Zhai Zefeng , Li Jian , Shen Xiaoshuai , Li Tianhong
Published: February 2020

Phytohormonal interactions are crucial for plant development. Auxin and cytokinin (CK) both play critical roles in regulating plant growth and development; however, the interaction between these two phytohormones is complex and not fully understood. Here, we isolated a wild apple (Malus sieversii Roem) GRETCHEN HAGEN3 (GH3) gene, MsGH3.5, encoding an indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA)‐amido synthetase. Overexpression of MsGH3.5 significantly reduced the free IAA content and increased the content of some IAA‐amino acid conjugates, and MsGH3.5‐overexpressing lines were dwarfed and produced fewer adventitious roots (ARs) than the control. This phenotype is consistent with the role of GH3 in conjugating excess free active IAA to amino acids in auxin homeostasis. Surprisingly, overexpression of MsGH3.5 significantly increased CK concentrations in the whole plant, and altered the expression of genes involved in CK biosynthesis, metabolism and signaling. Furthermore, exogenous CK application induced MsGH3.5 expression through the activity of the CK type‐B response regulator, MsRR1a, which mediates the CK primary response. MsRR1a activated MsGH3.5 expression by directly binding to its promoter, linking auxin and CK signaling. Plants overexpressing MsRR1a also displayed fewer ARs, in agreement with the regulation of MsGH3.5 expression by MsRR1a. Taken together, we reveal that MsGH3.5 affects apple growth and development by modulating auxin and CK levels and signaling pathways. These findings provide insight into the interaction between the auxin and CK pathways, and might have substantial implications for efforts to improve apple architecture.
A first view on the unsuspected intragenus diversity of N‐glycans in Chlorella microalgae
Authors: Mócsai Réka , Figl Rudolf , Sützl Leander , Fluch Silvia , Altmann Friedrich
Published: February 2020

Chlorella microalgae are increasingly used for various purposes such as fatty acid production, wastewater processing, or as health‐promoting food supplements. A mass spectrometry‐based survey of N‐glycan structures of strain collection specimens and 80 commercial Chlorella products revealed a hitherto unseen intragenus diversity of N‐glycan structures. Differing numbers of methyl groups, pentoses, deoxyhexoses, and N‐acetylglucosamine culminated in c. 100 different glycan masses. Thirteen clearly discernible glycan‐type groups were identified. Unexpected features included the occurrence of arabinose, of different and rare types of monosaccharide methylation (e.g. 4‐O‐methyl‐N‐acetylglucosamine), and substitution of the second N‐acetylglucosamine. Analysis of barcode ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 rDNA sequences established a phylogenetic tree that essentially went hand in hand with the grouping obtained by glycan patterns. This brief prelude to microalgal N‐glycans revealed a fabulous wealth of undescribed structural features that finely differentiated Chlorella‐like microalgae, which are notoriously poor in morphological attributes. In light of the almost identical N‐glycan structural features that exist within vertebrates or land plants, the herein discovered diversity is astonishing and argues for a selection pressure only explicable by a fundamental functional role of these glycans.
An insight into Indonesian current thalassaemia care and challenges
Authors: Wahidiyat Pustika Amalia , Sari Teny Tjitra , Rahmartani Ludi Dhyani , Setianingsih Iswari , Iskandar Stephen Diah , Pratanata Anastasia Michelle , Yapiy Ivana , Yosia Mikhael , Tricta Fernando
Published: February 2020

Thalassaemia is one of the most prevalent inherited blood disorders in Indonesia, with highly diverse mutations ranging from mild to severe that can be found across the nation. Nevertheless, thalassaemia management in Indonesia is still limited to supportive treatment, such as blood transfusion, iron chelation, complications monitoring, psychosocial support and a comfortable transition from child to adult clinic. However, these managements are still suboptimal in most parts of the nation. Indonesia still has a long way from implementing the optimal curative treatment for thalassaemia. Iron chelators are sometimes not available, especially in rural areas. The cost for optimal dosages of iron chelation also cannot be fully covered by the current national health insurance scheme. However, it still benefits our patients, considering it is the only treatment to decrease iron deposition in organs. With that situation, our patients, both paediatric and adults, have normal cardiac haemosiderosis, moderate‐to‐severe hepatic haemosiderosis and normal to mild pancreatic haemosiderosis. Therefore, the number of deaths, especially those due to heart failure and infection, was significantly reduced. An improvement in thalassaemia supportive treatments is in line with the increase in patients’ life expectancy. Without curative treatment options, the lifelong cost for treatment will extremely burden the national health budget. To date, thalassaemia stands for the 5th most costly disease in Indonesia. Therefore, a screening programme must be realized soon; hence, the treatment cost can be allocated for initiating the transplant unit or improving other important areas.
Observations of low-frequency, long-range acoustic propagation in the Philippine Sea and comparisons with mode transport theory
Authors: Chandrayadula Tarun K. , Periyasamy Sivaselvi , Colosi John A. , Worcester Peter F. , Dzieciuch Matthew A. , Mercer James A. , Andrew Rex K.
Published: February 2020

The year-long Philippine Sea (2010–2011) experiment (PhilSea) was an extensive deep water acoustic propagation experiment in which there were six different sources transmitting to a water column spanning a vertical line array. The six sources were placed in an array with a radius of 330 km and transmitted at frequencies in the 200–300 Hz and 140–205 Hz bands. The PhilSea frequencies are higher than previous deep water experiments in the North Pacific for which modal analyses were performed. Further, the acoustic paths sample a two-dimensional area that is rich in internal tides, waves, and eddies. The PhilSea observations are, thus, a new opportunity to observe acoustic modal variability at higher frequencies than before and in an oceanographically dynamic region. This paper focuses on mode observations around the mid-water depths. The mode observations are used to compute narrowband statistics such as transmission loss and broadband statistics such as peak pulse intensity, travel time wander, time spreads, and scintillation indices. The observations are then compared with a new hybrid broadband transport theory. The model-data comparisons show excellent agreement for modes 1–10 and minor deviations for the rest. The discrepancies in the comparisons are related to the limitations of the hybrid model and oceanographic fluctuations other than internal waves.
Time-warping in underwater acoustic waveguides
Authors: Brown Michael G.
Published: February 2020

The traditional way to isolate fixed mode number contributions to a transient wavefield in an underwater acoustic waveguide involves measuring the wavefield on a dense water-column-spanning vertical array and exploiting orthogonality over depth of the modes at each frequency. Recently it has been demonstrated that essentially the same goal can be accomplished in an ideal shallow water waveguide using measurements made on an isolated receiver by employing a signal processing technique known as time-warping. Time-warping makes use of a special nonuniform temporal sampling of the measured signal for which contributions from individual mode numbers are isolated in the frequency spectrum of the time-warped signal. The time-warping transformation in a general underwater acoustic waveguide is derived here. The general time-warping transformation is shown to reduce to the ideal shallow water waveguide time-warping transform as a special case. Use of the general time-warping transformation is illustrated with simulations in both a mid-latitude deep ocean environment and a high-latitude environment.
Archaeosine Modification of Archaeal tRNA: Role in Structural Stabilization
Authors: Turner Ben , Burkhart Brett W. , Weidenbach Katrin , Ross Robert , Limbach Patrick A. , Schmitz Ruth A. , de Crécy-Lagard Valérie , Stedman Kenneth M. , Santangelo Thomas J. , Iwata-Reuyl Dirk
Published: February 2020

Archaeosine is ubiquitous in archaeal tRNA, where it is located at position 15. Based on its molecular structure, it was proposed to stabilize tRNA, and we show that loss of archaeosine in
Thermococcus kodakarensis
results in a strong temperature-sensitive phenotype, while there is no detectable phenotype when it is lost in
Methanosarcina mazei
. Measurements of tRNA stability show that archaeosine stabilizes the tRNA structure but that this effect is much greater when it is present in otherwise unmodified tRNA transcripts than in the context of fully modified tRNA, suggesting that it may be especially important during the early stages of tRNA processing and maturation in thermophiles. Our results demonstrate how small changes in the stability of structural RNAs can be manifested in significant biological-fitness changes.
Association between vitamin D and fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Jelsness-Jørgensen Lars Petter , Grøvle Lars , Julsrud Haugen Anne
Published: February 2020

Objectives

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fatigue is an important complaint with a significant impact on quality of life. Vitamin D has modulatory effects on cells of the immune system and may potentially affect RA disease activity and thereby RA-related fatigue. The purpose of this study was to explore associations between fatigue and vitamin D status in patients with RA.

Design

Hypothesis-generating cross-sectional study.

Setting

Scheduled follow-up visits at a hospital-based general rheumatology clinic.

Participants

Patients (n=169) with established RA.

Primary outcome measures and anlyses

Fatigue, assessed by the Chalder fatigue questionnaire, and serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), assessed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Associations were analysed by correlation, and multivariate linear regression with adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, RA disease activity as measured by the Disease Activity Score 28-joint count C reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), psychological distress, pain and sleep. Fatigue was also compared across four groups based on the levels of serum 25(OH)D with cut points at 30, 50 and 75 nmol/L using one-way analysis of variance.

Results

Two-thirds of the patients (116/169, 69%) were classified with low RA disease activity, that is, a DAS28-CRP score below 3.2. Their mean (SD) serum 25(OH)D concentration was 56.3 (21.2) nmol/L, with 77 (45.6%) having values below 50 nmol/L and 12 patients (7.1%) below 30 nmol/L. The correlation between fatigue and serum concentrations of 25(OH)D was weak and not statistically significant, r = −0.14 (95% CI: −0.29 to 0.03, p=0.08). In the multivariate model, fatigue was significantly associated with RA disease activity, psychological distress and pain, but not with serum 25(OH)D. Fatigue did not differ across groups with varying levels of serum 25(OH)D.

Conclusion

This cross-sectional study found no evidence of association between vitamin D and fatigue in patients with RA.
Patients’ experiences of life after bariatric surgery and follow-up care: a qualitative study
Authors: Coulman Karen D , MacKichan Fiona , Blazeby Jane M , Donovan Jenny L , Owen-Smith Amanda
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Bariatric surgery is the most clinically effective treatment for people with severe and complex obesity, however, the psychosocial outcomes are less clear. Follow-up care after bariatric surgery is known to be important, but limited guidance exists on what this should entail, particularly related to psychological and social well-being. Patients’ perspectives are valuable to inform the design of follow-up care. This study investigated patients’ experiences of life after bariatric surgery including important aspects of follow-up care, in the long term.

Design

A qualitative study using semistructured individual interviews. A constant comparative approach was used to code data and identify themes and overarching concepts.

Setting

Bariatric surgery units of two publicly funded hospitals in the South of England.

Participants

Seventeen adults (10 women) who underwent a primary operation for obesity (mean time since surgery 3.11 years, range 4 months to 9 years), including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band and sleeve gastrectomy, agreed to participate in the interviews.

Results

Experiences of adapting to life following surgery were characterised by the concepts of ‘normality’ and ‘ambivalence’, while experiences of ‘abandonment’ and ‘isolation’ dominated participants’ experiences of follow-up care. Patients highlighted the need for more flexible, longer-term follow-up care that addresses social and psychological difficulties postsurgery and integrates peer support.

Conclusions

This research highlights unmet patient need for more accessible and holistic follow-up care that addresses the long-term multidimensional impact of bariatric surgery. Future research should investigate effective and acceptable follow-up care packages for patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
The Lanczos potential and Chern–Simons theory
Authors: Roberts Mark D.
Published: February 2020

In electromagnetism, the Faraday tensor [Formula: see text] can be constructed from the vector potential [Formula: see text], it is possible to add term to the Lagrangian depending on [Formula: see text] but not its derivatives called Chern–Simons terms. In gravitation, the Weyl tensor [Formula: see text] can be constructed from the Lanczos potential [Formula: see text], I pursue the analogy to see if terms of Chern–Simons form can be added to the Lagrangian.

A new tensor [Formula: see text] is introduced which is constructed from the Lanczos potential and is of the same form as that of the Weyl tensor [Formula: see text] expressed in terms of the Lanczos potential except that covariant differentiation is replaced by transvection with a vector [Formula: see text]. The new tensor has associated invariants [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the first of these can be interpreted as a Chern–Simons term for Weyl [Formula: see text] gravity. Both invariants allow various tensors to be constructed and some of their properties are investigated by using exact examples.
Theory of Multicomponent Phenomena in Cation-Exchange Membranes: Part II. Transport Model and Validation
Authors: Crothers Andrew R. , Darling Robert M. , Kusoglu Ahmet , Radke Clayton J. , Weber Adam Z.
Published: February 2020

Multicomponent mass-transport in cation-exchange membranes involves the movement of multiple species whose motion is coupled one to another. This phenomenon mediates the performance of numerous electrochemical and water purification technologies. This work presents and validates against experiment a mathematical model for multicomponent mass transport in phase-separated cation-exchange membranes (e.g., perfluorinated sulfonic-acid ionomers). Stefan-Maxwell-Onsager theory describes concentrated-solution transport. Hydrodynamic theory provides constitutive relations for the solute/solvent, solute/membrane, and solvent/membrane friction coefficients. Classical porous-medium theories scale membrane tortuosity. Electrostatic relaxation creates friction between ions. The model uses calculated ion and solvent partitioning between the external solution and the membrane from Part I of this series and incorporates the corresponding ion speciation into the transport coefficients. The proposed transport model compares favorably to properties (e.g., membrane conductivity, transference numbers, electroosmosis, and permeability) measured in dilute and concentrated aqueous binary and ternary electrolytes. The results reveal that the concentration and type of ions in the external solution alter the solvent volume fraction and viscosity in the hydrophilic pathways of the membrane, changing macroscale ionomer conductivity, permeability, and transference numbers. This work provides a physicochemical framework to predict ion-exchange-membrane performance in multicomponent systems exhibiting coupled transport.
Theory of Multicomponent Phenomena in Cation-Exchange Membranes: Part III. Transport in Vanadium Redox-Flow-Battery Separators
Authors: Crothers Andrew R. , Darling Robert M. , Kushner Douglas I. , Perry Mike L. , Weber Adam Z.
Published: February 2020

Transport through vanadium redox-flow-battery membranes strongly influences cell performance. In this work, we use a multicomponent concentrated-solution model of transport and thermodynamics in phase-separated cation-exchange membranes, the most common separator type, to develop structure-performance relationships. The model incorporates species partitioning into the membrane, thermodynamic nonidealities, and Stefan-Maxwell-Onsager frictions between species. Molecular-thermodynamics and -transport theories parameterize the model. We validate the calculations against measured Coulombic and voltage efficiencies of a vanadium flow battery as a function of current density. Our model shows that species transport is the result of collective interactions between all species present in the system. The magnitude of coupling suggests that predictions made using dilute-solution theory for transport in these systems will be misleading in many situations. As a demonstration of the capabilities of the model, we predict cell performance, incorporating these interactions, as a function of electrolyte concentration and composition and membrane equivalent weight and backbone modulus. We find that electrolytes with high sulfuric acid concentrations provide the greatest cell performance (quantified by maximizing power density at a target energy efficiency). In the case of membrane properties, low equivalent-weight polymers perform better; at high equivalent weights, a low membrane modulus is preferred.
Quantitative Detection of In‐Service Strength of Underground Space Strata considering Soil‐Water Interaction
Authors: Lv Xiangfeng , Zhou Hongyuan
Published: February 2020

The in‐service strength test of underground space strata is a hot issue in geotechnical engineering. In this study, we conducted mechanical analyses on the soil and the cutting bit involved in a rotary drilling process, which revealed the key factors influencing drilling. This allowed us to establish theoretical relationships among torque, propulsion, and soil strength parameters (i.e., unconfined compressive strength, shear strength, and cohesion). Moreover, with consideration of the effects of water content and geostatic stresses, we used an independently developed rotary drilling system with a 3D flexible boundary loading device to conduct 75 rotary drilling model indoor tests on silty clay in 15 groups. Based on the test results, we simplified the theoretical relationships and determined model parameters to obtain 15 quantitative relationships with 5 different water contents (4.8%, 9.7%, 14.8%, 19.6%, and 24.9%). Finally, through field application, we verified the quantitative relationships and we discussed their scope of application. The results showed it is feasible to predict the soil in‐service strength based on rotary drilling parameters. Under the premise that water content is considered, the drilling parameters were found correlated linearly (correlation coefficients are all greater than 0.85) with strength parameters. In field application, absolute errors between the prediction and investigation results were less than 5%, satisfying engineering requirements.
Cervical Cancer Screening Acceptance among Women in Dabat District, Northwest Ethiopia, 2017: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Eshete Meried , Abdulwuhab Atta Mohammedbirhan , Yeshita Hedija Yenus
Published: February 2020

Background. Cervical cancer is a global health problem. It is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, and it is the most frequent form and the leading cause of cancer mortality among Ethiopian women. Cervical cancer screening can reduce at least 50% of cervical cancer deaths. In Ethiopia, practice of cervical cancer screening is below 1%. Hence, this study aimed at assessing cervical cancer screening acceptance and determinant factors among women in Dabat district of Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Dabat district in Northwest Ethiopia, 2016. The multistage sampling method was used to recruit 790 women from the selected rural and urban kebeles. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis method was employed to determine factors significantly associated with the acceptance of cervical cancer screening with a 95% CI at p value <0.05. Results. The overall awareness of cervical cancer screening was 12.1% (95% CI: 9.6, 14.5), and 17.1% (95% CI 14.4, 19.8) of them accepted the screening. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, having knowledge about cervical cancer (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.7, 3.8), parity women who had more children (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.7, 5.5) and those who perceived the severity of the disease (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI (1.3–3.1)) were statistically significant factors for acceptance of cervical cancer screening. Conclusions. Most of the women had poor awareness and acceptance of cervical cancer screening. The findings also revealed that women of multiparous, knowledge about cervical cancer, and perceived the disease as severe were shown to be significant factors of acceptance for cervical cancer screening. Hence, continuous health education and appropriate counseling to women should be performed.
Indications Selection for Surgeons Training in the Translaminar Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy Based on Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Li Jingchi , Xu Wenqiang , Jiang Qingfeng , Xi Zhipeng , Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Nan , Xie Lin , Liu Yang
Published: February 2020

Background. Translaminar percutaneous endoscopic discectomy (PED) was used widely in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH), especially for the training of novice surgeons. A larger range of osteotomy was a suitable method to get enough operation space and reduce intraoperative risks. But osteotomy, especially facetectomy, may be associated with the biomechanical deterioration and resulting adjacent segment diseases (ASD). Hence, the objects of this study were to investigate whether different levels of surgical experience in performing different ranges of osteotomy (especially facetectomy) affected the risk for ASD and to identify the safe indications for the training of PED novice surgeons. Study Design. In this study, a three‐dimensional lumbosacral model was constructed and validated. Corresponding translaminar PED models with different ranges of osteotomy for armpit, periradicular, and shoulder types of LDH were constructed. The von Mises stress on the endplates, the shear stress on the annulus, the intradiscal pressure, and the range of motion (ROM) in the L3‐L4 segment disc were computed. Results. Computational results in our well‐validated model indicated that large ranges of osteotomy led to deterioration in most of the biomechanical indicators, and this trend was most significant in the shoulder‐type LDH model. Conclusions. To ensure the appropriateness of the surgical prognosis, armpit and periradicular types of LDH can be seen as suitable indications for the training of novice PED surgeons, and shoulder‐type LDH should be excluded from such indications until novices can perform PED within a relatively small range of osteotomy. Mini Abstract. Based on biomechanical variations in our finite element analysis, armpit and periradicular types of LDH can be seen as suitable indications for the training of novice PED surgeons, and shoulder‐type LDH should be excluded until novices can perform PED within a relatively small range of osteotomy.
Defect Detection in Composite Products Based on Sparse Moving Window Principal Component Thermography
Authors: Jie Jing , Dai Shiqing , Hou Beiping , Zhang Miao , Zhou Le
Published: February 2020

As a nondestructive testing (NDT) technology, pulsed thermography (PT) has been widely used in the defect detection of the composite products due to its efficiency and large detection range. To enhance the distinction between defective and defect-free region and eliminate the influence of the measurement noise and nonuniform background of the thermal image generated by PT, a number of thermographic data analysis approaches have been proposed. However, these traditional methods only consider the correlations among the pixel while leave the time series correlations unmodeled. In this paper, a sparse moving window principal component thermography (SMWPCT) method is proposed to incorporate several thermal images using the moving window strategy. Also, the sparse trick is used to provide clearer and more interpretable results because of the structure sparsity. The effectiveness of the method is verified by the defect detection experiment of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic specimens.
Effect of Modification Methods of Wheat Straw Fibers on Water Absorbency and Mechanical Properties of Wheat Straw Fiber Cement‐Based Composites
Authors: Jiang Demin , An Penghui , Cui Suiping , Sun Shiguo , Zhang Jingzong , Tuo Tianfu
Published: February 2020

Five modification methods are adopted for wheat straw fibers (WSFs). The effects of modification methods on the water absorbency of wheat straw fiber/wheat straw fiber cement‐based composite (WSFCC) and the mechanical properties of WSFCC are analyzed. The crystallinity, chemical structure, and micromorphology of WSFs and WSFCC 28‐day specimens are characterized by XRD, FTIR, and SEM methods. The results show that the water absorption of WSFs modified with sodium silicate solution, pure acrylic acid emulsion, and silicone waterproof emulsion surface spraying is 10.67%, 5.18%, and 1.05% lower than that of unmodified WSFs, respectively. Alkali modification is the ideal method for improving the strength of WSFCC. Establishing a fitting formula of the relationship between water absorption of WSFs and strength of WSFCC specimens has important theoretical and practical guiding significance for development and application of WSFCC.
Randomized Controlled Trials of Tianma Gouteng Decoction Combined with Nifedipine in the Treatment of Primary Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Tai Jia , Zou Junbo , Zhang Xiaofei , Wang Yu , Liang Yulin , Guo Dongyan , Wang Mei , Cui Chunli , Wang Jing , Cheng Jiangxue , Shi Yajun
Published: February 2020

Background. Hypertension is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Tianma Gouteng decoction (TGD), originating from Zabingzhengzhixinyi, has been used for thousands of years in China to treat hypertension, giddiness, and migraine. This updated meta‐analysis aimed at assessing the efficacy and safety of TGD combined with nifedipine in the treatment of primary hypertension. Methods. Related research published prior to September 1, 2019, was found in electronic databases without language limitations. Fourteen studies were selected and analyzed for specified criteria, including the quality of the studies. All outcomes were recorded exhaustive. Data management and analysis were performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results. A total of 1,537 (769 cases in the experimental group and 768 cases in the control group) patients were enrolled. The total efficacy rate was improved significantly for the combination of nifedipine with TGD compared to nifedipine treatment alone (I2 = 22%, RR = 1.17, and 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.22). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms of patients were obviously improved in the experimental group than in the control group (I2 = 44%, RR = 1.26, and 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.36). TGD combined with nifedipine shows a better effect than nifedipine in decreasing diastolic blood pressure (I2 = 95%, MD = −5.32, and 95% CI: −8.19 to −2.45) and systolic blood pressure (I2 = 98%, MD = −9.35, and 95% CI: −15.03 to −3.67) of patients. A sensitivity analysis was conducted for SBP and DBP by removing 2 studies and recalculated the combined estimate on remaining studies. The results of SBP showed a small heterogeneity (I2 = 17%, MD = −13.95, 95% CI: −14.86 to −13.05, and P < 0.00001) when two studies (shicaihong 2017 and xiaoyugao 2017) were removed. And the results of DBP showed no heterogeneity (I2 = 0, MD = −8.36, 95% CI: −8.91 to −7.81, and P < 0.00001) when two studies (panzhixiong 2019 and shicaihong 2017) were removed. Conclusion. The combination of TGD and nifedipine has a better effect in the treatment of hypertension, including blood pressure lowering and patients’ TCMs improving. However, our findings must be handled with care because of the small sample size and low quality of clinic trials cited. Other rigorous and large‐scale RCTs are in need to confirm these results.
Misaponin B Induces G2/M Arrest, Cytokinesis Failure and Impairs Autophagy
Authors: Won Gunho , Jung Ji Hoon , Sohn Eun Jung , Park Ji Eon , Kim Hyungjin , Lee Hyo-Jung , Shim Bum Sang , Kim Sung-Hoon
Published: February 2020

Saponins are a group of naturally occurring plant glycosides with the features of their strong foam‐forming properties and multibiological effects such as antitumor activity. Though Misaponin B, one of the triterpenoid saponins from Madhuca longifolia, is known to have spermicidal and antioxidant activity, the other biological activities have been never reported so far. Thus, in the present study, the antitumor mechanism of Misaponin B was investigated in A549 and AsPC‐1 cancer cells. Misaponin B exerted significant cytotoxicity in A549, H460, SKOV3, and AsPC‐1 cancer cells. Among them, A549 and AsPC‐1 cells were more susceptible to Misaponin B. Misaponin B induced G2/M arrest and cytokinesis failure and increased the expression of LC3B and p62 with autophagic vacuoles and GFP‐LC3 punctae in A549 and AsPC‐1 cells. Furthermore, Misaponin B suppressed autophagy flux in A549 cells transfected by GFP‐mRFP‐LC3 constructs by showing merged yellow color by autophagy flux assay. Overall, our findings provide evidences that Misaponin B induces G2M arrest and impairs autophagy in A549 and AsPC‐1 cells.
Development of Smart Plate Number Recognition System for Fast Cars with Web Application
Authors: Shobayo Olamilekan , Olajube Ayobami , Ohere Nathan , Odusami Modupe , Okoyeigbo Obinna
Published: February 2020

Traffic law violation has been recognized as a major cause for road accidents in most parts of the world with majority occurring in developing countries. Even with the presence of rules and regulations stipulated against this, violators are still on the increase. This is due to the fact that the rules are not properly enforced by appropriate authorities in those parts of the world. Therefore, a system needs to be designed to assist law enforcement agencies to impose these rules to improve road safety and reduce road accidents. This work uses a Vehicle Plate Number Recognition (VNPR) system which is a real-time embedded system to automatically recognize license plate numbers. It provides an alternative means to VPNR using an open-source library known as openCV. The main aim of the system is to use image processing to identify vehicles violating traffic by their plate numbers. It consists of an IR sensor for detecting the vehicle. During testing, a minimum time was set for the sensor to detect the object which was recorded by the microprocessor. Once it was less than the set time, the camera was triggered to capture the plate number and store the image on the Raspberry Pi. The image captured is processed by the Raspberry Pi to extract the numbers on the image. The numbers on the capture imaged were viewed on a web page via an IP address. The system if implemented can be used to improve road safety and control traffic of emerging smart cities. It will also be used to apply appropriate sanctions for traffic law violators.
CPT‐Based Probabilistic Characterization of Undrained Shear Strength of Clay
Authors: Tian Mi , Sheng Xiaotao
Published: February 2020

Applying random field theory involves two important issues: the statistical homogeneity (or stationarity) and determination of random field parameters and correlation function. However, the profiles of soil properties are typically assumed to be statistically homogeneous or stationary without rigorous statistical verification. It is also a challenging task to simultaneously determine random field parameters and the correlation function due to a limited amount of direct test data and various uncertainties (e.g., transformation uncertainties) arising during site investigation. This paper presents Bayesian approaches for probabilistic characterization of undrained shear strength using cone penetration test (CPT) data and prior information. Homogeneous soil units are first identified using CPT data and subsequently assessed for weak stationarity by the modified Bartlett test to reject the null hypothesis of stationarity. Then, Bayesian approaches are developed to determine the random field parameters and simultaneously select the most probable correlation function among a pool of candidate correlation functions within the identified statistically homogeneous layers. The proposed approaches are illustrated using CPT data at a clay site in Shanghai, China. It is shown that Bayesian approaches provide a rational tool for proper determination of random field model for probabilistic characterization of undrained shear strength with consideration of transformation uncertainty.
Analysis of a Delayed Free Boundary Problem with Application to a Model for Tumor Growth of Angiogenesis
Authors: Xu Shihe , Zhang Fangwei
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we consider a time-delayed free boundary problem with time dependent Robin boundary conditions. The special case where n=3 is a mathematical model for the growth of a solid nonnecrotic tumor with angiogenesis. In the problem, both the angiogenesis and the time delay are taken into consideration. Tumor cell division takes a certain length of time, thus we assume that the proliferation process leg behind as compared to the process of apoptosis. The angiogenesis is reflected as the time dependent Robin boundary condition in the model. Global existence and uniqueness of the nonnegative solution of the problem is proved. When c>0 is sufficiently small, the stability of the steady state solution is studied, where c is the ratio of the time scale of diffusion to the tumor doubling time scale. Under some conditions, the results show that the magnitude of the delay does not affect the final dynamic behavior of the solutions. An application of our results to a mathematical model for tumor growth of angiogenesis is given and some numerical simulations are also given.
Co-Expression of Membrane-Bound Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Receptor Types 1 and 2 by Tumor Cell Lines
Authors: Alshevskaya Alina A. , Belomestnova Irina , Lopatnikova Julia A. , Zhukova Julia , Evsegneeva Irina , Koneva Olga , Karaulov Aleksander V. , Sennikov Sergey Vitalievich
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Density and co-expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors may vary among cell populations. However, the role and potential of these changes remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the density of expression and co-expression of TNFR1/2 and the dose-dependent effect of soluble TNF on these parameters. Methods: Epithelial-like (HEp-2, K-562, MCF-7, ZR-75/1) and lymphoblast-like (MOLT-4, HL-60, Raji, RPMI-8226, IM-9) cell lines were characterized for co-expression of TNFR1/2 using a modified flow cytometry protocol. The dose-dependent effects of rhTNF on TNF receptor expression in these lines were studied. Results: This study reports a protocol for the simultaneous quantitative evaluation of the of TNF receptor number and co-expression of membrane-bound TNFR1/2. Cells within one tumor cell line were found to differ regarding their expression of type 1 and 2 TNFα receptors; simultaneously, cells with all 4 variants of co-expression may be present in culture. Conclusion: We demonstrated a dose-dependent effect of TNF on changes in the expression of TNFR1/2 by the percentage of positive cells and by the number of receptors, which may be used to control TNF-mediated processes in target cells.
Predictors of Early Distant Relapse in Rectal Cancer Patients Submitted to Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Restivo Angelo , Delrio Paolo , Deidda Simona , Spolverato Gaya , Rega Daniela , Cerci Michela , Barina Andrea , Perin Alessandro , Pace Ugo , Zorcolo Luigi , Pucciarelli Salvatore
Published: February 2020

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer. CRT leads to a better local control; however, this does not translate into a survival benefit. Long-term survival is mostly affected by the development of distant metastases after surgery. This study aimed to evaluate predictive clinical factors for the development of early metastatic disease after CRT. Methods: Clinical data of patients with stage II/III rectal cancer submitted to CRT between January 2000 and October 2014 were collected from prospectively maintained electronic databases of three Italian institutes. Patients were divided into two groups: those who developed metastasis within 12 months from surgical resection (Group A) and patients without or with late distant relapse (Group B). Results: Among 635 patients, 86 (13.5%) had early distant relapse within 1 year from surgery (Group A), and 549 (86.5%) did not (Group B). A higher rate of early distant relapse was associated with CEA levels above 3 ng/dL (20% vs. 10%; p <0.001), tumor lying under 5 cm from anal verge (20% vs. 9%; p <0.001), and age under 63 years (17% vs. 11%; p = 0.036). Multivariate analysis confirmed these factors to be independently correlated with a higher risk of early metastasis. Conclusions: Younger age, low tumors, and high serum CEA may be associated with unfavorable early oncological outcomes after CRT and surgery for rectal cancer. These clinical factors could be useful to select patients for more aggressive therapeutic strategies.
Non-Invasive Hemodynamic Whole-Body Bioimpedance Indices for the Early Detection of Cancer Treatment-Related Cardiotoxicity: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Schamroth Pravda Nili , Lev Shaul , Itzhaki Ben Zadok Osnat , Kornowski Ran , Iakobishvili Zaza
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Patients undergoing chemotherapy are extremely vulnerable to cardiotoxicity. Early detection of cardiac dysfunction is of vital importance to optimize the management of these patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of non-invasive hemodynamic whole-body bioimpedance (WBI) technology as a modality to detect heart failure in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Methods: This retrospective observational trial included 84 patients treated at the cardio-oncology outpatient clinic of the Rabin Medical Center. Clinical assessments were performed including biomarker testing and measurement of hemodynamic and volume status parameters as measured by WBI. Results: We included 84 patients with a median age of 64.8 years, and 40.5% were males. Clinical heart failure was detected in 43% of the whole group. Patients were divided into two groups according to baseline NT-proBNP levels with a cut-off of 900 pg/mL. Left ventricular ejection fraction did not differ between the groups. Those with NT-proBNP >900 pg/mL had lower levels of stroke index, cardiac index, and Granov-Goor index (GGI; 25.9 vs. 34.0, 2.0 vs. 2.3, 8.3 vs. 11.4, respectively, with p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The optimal cut-off value for the GGI to detect NT-proBNP >900 pg/mL was 8.3. The area under the curve of a GGI cut-off <8.3 to detect NT-proBNP >900 pg/mL was 0.81 (positive predictive value 95% and negative predictive value 72%), with a 51% sensitivity and 98% specificity. Conclusion: GGI, a parameter measured by WBI, can reliably correlate to biomarker evidence of heart failure in patients after chemotherapy. Its use as a screening tool for cardiotoxicity in patients with ongoing anticancer therapy is promising.