bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SIRT1 Mediates Neuropathic Pain Induced by Sciatic Nerve Chronic Constrictive Injury in the VTA-NAc Pathway
Authors: Li Yangyang , Wang Lei , Zhang Guotao , Qiao Xueli , Zhang Mingxing
Published: August 2020

Background. Mounting evidence has shown that sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a class III histone deacetylase, alleviated several types of neuropathic pain in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion and regulated some aberrant behaviors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Methods. In this context, the effect of SIRT1 on neuropathic pain in the VTA-NAc pathway was investigated in the model of chronic constrictive injury (CCI). Results. SIRT1 was localized in the VTA neurons in naive mice. The expression of SIRT1 was decreased in the contralateral VTA of CCI mice. After microinjection of SRT1720 (an activator of SIRT1) in the contralateral VTA of CCI mice, the established thermal hyperalgesia was attenuated. However, it was further exacerbated by EX-527 (an inhibitor of SIRT1). The elevated level of acetyl-histone 3 was reduced by SRT1720 but further elevated by EX-527 in the contralateral VTA of CCI mice. The increased expression of Fos in both VTA and NAc was downregulated by SRT1720 but further upregulated by EX-527 in CCI mice. Conclusions. The discovery of the effect of SIRT1 on neuropathic pain in the VTA represents an important step forward in understanding the analgesic mechanisms of the VTA-NAc pathway.
New Restricted Liu Estimator in a Partially Linear Model
Authors: Wu Jibo , Li Yong
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we introduce a new restricted Liu estimator in a partially linear model when addition linear constraints are assumed to hold. We also consider the asymptotic normality of the new estimator. Finally, a numerical example and a simulation study are listed to illustrate the performance of the new estimator.
Model-Free Adaptive Control of pH Value of Wet Desulfurization Slurry under Switching of Multiple Working Conditions
Authors: Liu Jian , Li Xiaoli , Li Jihan , Wang Kang , Wang Fuqiang , Cui Guimei
Published: August 2020

In limestone-gypsum wet flue gas desulfurization process, the change process of pH value of slurry in absorption tower is a typical nonlinear system with time delay and various uncertainties, so it is difficult to establish an accurate mathematical model of slurry pH control process. According to the pH control process of the slurry of wet flue gas desulfurization process, a model-free adaptive control algorithm based on compact form dynamic linearization (CFDL-MFAC) is designed to realize the tracking control of the pH value of the slurry. Due to various interference factors in the pH control process of slurry in absorption tower, it is easy to cause jump change of control system parameters and even structure. Therefore, a model-free adaptive control algorithm based on switching strategy is proposed in this paper. According to different working conditions, several model-free adaptive controllers are established. The stability of the algorithm is analyzed for the two cases of fixed system parameters and jumping system parameters. It was found that the model-free adaptive controller based on the switching strategy can switch multiple controllers under the condition of system parameter jump, so as to realize the fast tracking control of the slurry pH value of the system absorption tower under different working conditions. Through this method, the overshoot can be reduced and the control quality can be improved.
An Improved Adaptive Kalman Filter for Underwater SINS/DVL System
Authors: Wang Di , Xu Xiaosu , Hou Lanhua
Published: August 2020

The main challenge of Strap-down Inertial Navigation System (SINS)/Doppler velocity log (DVL) navigation system is the external measurement noise. Although the Sage–Husa adaptive Kalman filter (SHAKF) has been introduced in the integrated navigation field, the precision and stability of the SHAKF are still the tricky problems to be overcome. The primary aim of this paper is to improve the precision and stability of underwater SINS/DVL system. To attain this, a SINS/DVL tightly integrated model is established, where beam measurements are used without transforming them to 3D velocity. The proposed improved SHAKF algorithm is based on variable sliding window estimation and fading filter. The simulations and vehicle test results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed underwater SINS/DVL tightly integrated navigation method based on the improved SHAKF. In addition, the position accuracy of the designed method outperforms that of the SHAKF method.
Molecular Serotyping and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Escherichia coli Isolated in Hospital Catering Service in Morocco
Authors: Ghita Benjelloun Touimi , Bennani Laila , Berrada Sanae , Benboubker Moussa , Bennani Bahia
Published: August 2020

Escherichia coli is related to foodborne disease and outbreaks worldwide. It mainly affects persons at high risk as newborns, infants, and individuals with impaired immune system in hospitals. Multidrug-resistant E. coli is currently spreading both in community and hospital settings. Our study aims to evaluate the presence of E. coli and the incidence of its antibiotic resistance in samples obtained from various cooked and raw foods (N = 300), food contact surfaces (N = 238), and food handlers (N = 40) in Moroccan hospital catering service. E. coli was identified using API 20E, and the antibiotic resistance patterns were obtained using the agar disk diffusion methods. However, PCR method was used for O157 and H7 typing. The samples analysis showed that 14.33%, 24.16%, and 45% of food, surfaces, and food handlers harbored E. coli, respectively, with the highest rates obtained in raw meats (34.88%) and salads (34.88%). Molecular amplification shows that 14 E. coli isolates carried the flagellar antigen H7, while there are no isolates showing amplification for O157. The high rate of resistance was noted against ampicillin (100%), amoxicillin-clavulanate acid (100%), nalidixic acid (61.62%), and cefotaxime (59.49%), and isolates obtained from food handler’s hands showed the highest rates of resistance. None of the isolates are extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producing, while 27.7% of the isolates were metallo-beta-lactams producing. This first study conducted on Moroccan hospital catering services may draw the authorities’ attention to the necessity of setting up a surveillance system to monitor the food preparation process and the safety of prepared food in healthcare settings.
Synchronization of Time Delay Coupled Neural Networks Based on Impulsive Control
Authors: Fang Jie , Zhang Yin , Xu Danying , Sun Junwei
Published: August 2020

This paper investigates the impulsive synchronization of time delay coupled neural networks. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory and impulsive control method, a distributed delayed impulsive controller is designed to realize synchronization of the coupled neural networks. A new impulsive delayed inequality is proposed, where the control effect of distributed delayed impulses is fully considered. In addition, a suitable Lyapunov-like function is established to prove the stability of the synchronization system. Numerical simulation examples are introduced to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the main results.
Comparison of 27-Gauge and 25-Gauge Microincision Vitrectomy Surgery for the Treatment of Vitreoretinal Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ma Jinlan , Wang Qing , Niu Haoyu
Published: August 2020

Background. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of 27-gauge (27-G) microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) compared with 25-guage (25-G) MIVS for the treatment of vitreoretinal disease. Methods. A systematic electronic search was conducted in March 2020 in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library. Eligible criteria for including studies were controlled trials comparing 27-G vitrectomy with 25-G vitrectomy in patients with vitreoretinal disease. The main outcomes included operation time; best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logMAR; postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP); primary anatomical success rate for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) cases and postoperative central macular thickness (CMT) for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) cases; intraoperative/postoperative complications. Odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) were synthesized under fixed or random effects models. Results. Eleven studies enrolling 940 eyes were identified. Among those 11 studies, six studies were on the treatment of RRD and five studies were on the treatment of ERM, so subgroup analyses were conducted. The total pooled results indicated that 27-G surgery system had obvious advantages in improving BCVA at six months after the vitrectomy (P = 0.004) and reducing intraoperative/postoperative complications (P = 0.03). However, the mean operation time was significantly longer by three minutes for 27-G compared with 25-G vitrectomy (P = 0.002). In subgroup analyses, for the treatment of ERM cases, 27-G group was associated with less complications and longer operation time. However, for the treatment of RRD cases, 27-G groups and 25-G groups were comparable in operation time, postoperative BCVA, postoperative IOP, and primary anatomical success rate. Conclusions. This meta-analysis confirmed that 27-G MIVS was an effective and safe surgical system compared with 25-G MIVS for the treatment of RRD and ERM cases, even though 27-G system needs a longer surgical time.
The Value of Real‐Time Shear Wave Elastography before and after Rehabilitation of Upper Limb Spasm in Stroke Patients
Authors: Liu Jun , Pan Huijuan , Bao Yong , Zhao Yanna , Huang Li , Zhan Weiwei
Published: August 2020

Objective. Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of muscle spasm before and after rehabilitation by comparing shear wave propagation velocity (SWV) and Young’s modulus (YM) in the normal and spastic biceps brachii in stroke patients. Methods. A study of 60 stroke patients with upper limb spasm was performed; these patients were admitted from April 2018 to September 2019. The modified Ashworth scale (MAS) scores of the spastic biceps brachii before and after rehabilitation treatment were compared. SWV and YM on the spastic and normal biceps brachii before rehabilitation treatment, SWV and YM on the spastic and normal biceps brachii after rehabilitation treatment, and SWV and YM on the spastic biceps brachii before and after rehabilitation treatment were compared. Whether SWV and YM on the spastic biceps brachii are related to MAS was compared. Results. There was a statistically significant difference in SWV and YM between the normal and spastic biceps brachii before (P < 0.01) and after (P < 0.05) the rehabilitation treatment. There was no statistically significant difference in SWV and YM in the normal biceps brachii before and after the rehabilitation treatment (P > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in SWV and YM in the spastic biceps brachii before and after the rehabilitation treatment (P < 0.01). SWV and FM of the spastic biceps brachii are correlated with MAS before and after rehabilitation treatment, and the correlation coefficient for SWV was 0.563 and 0.605 for YM (P < 0.05). Conclusion. SWE can be used as a means of assessment before and after rehabilitation treatment.
Altered Gut Microbiota and Shift in Bacteroidetes between Young Obese and Normal‐Weight Korean Children: A Cross‐Sectional Observational Study
Authors: Shin Saeam , Cho Ky Young
Published: August 2020

Emerging data suggest that the gut microbiome is related to the pathophysiology of obesity. This study is aimed at characterizing the gut microbiota composition between obese and normal‐weight Korean children aged 5‐13. We collected fecal samples from 22 obese and 24 normal‐weight children and performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The relative abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes was lower in the obese group than in the normal‐weight group and showed a significant negative correlation with BMI z‐score. Linear discriminative analysis (LDA) coupled with effect size measurement (LEfSe) analysis also revealed that the Bacteroidetes population drove the divergence between the groups. There was no difference in alpha diversity, but beta diversity was significantly different between the normal‐weight and obese groups. The gut microbial community was linked to BMI z‐score; blood biomarkers associated with inflammation and metabolic syndrome; and dietary intakes of niacin, sodium, vitamin B6, and fat. The gut microbiota of the obese group showed more clustering of genera than that of the normal‐weight group. Phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt) analysis revealed that the functions related to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in the microbiota were more enriched in the normal‐weight group than in the obese group. Our data may contribute to the understanding of the gut microbial structure of young Korean children in relation to obesity. These findings suggest that Bacteroidetes may be a potential therapeutic target in pediatric obesity.
A Polynomial Splines Identification Method Based on Control Nets
Authors: Wang Zhihua , Kang Hongmei
Published: August 2020

In this study, based on Polynomial Splines with control nets, an identification method is investigated. We introduce polynomial splines with control nets defined over T-mesh. The basic idea is to extend T-vertices such that those T-vertices become interior cross vertices or boundary vertices. To this end, we introduce the design-suitable T-mesh for constructing polynomial splines with control net. In design-suitable T-meshes, there are no extra basis vertices produced by an appropriate extension of T-vertices. The basis functions are defined over each vertex in a design-suitable T-mesh by the means of constructing PHT-splines basis functions.
Effect of a DPP‐4 Inhibitor on Orthodontic Tooth Movement and Associated Root Resorption
Authors: Qi Jiawei , Kitaura Hideki , Shen Wei-Ren , Ogawa Saika , Ohori Fumitoshi , Noguchi Takahiro , Marahleh Aseel , Nara Yasuhiko , Adya Pramusita , Mizoguchi Itaru
Published: August 2020

Objectives. Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors are used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus and have also recently been applied to enhance bone quality and density, and increase the expression of bone markers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a DPP‐4 inhibitor on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and related root resorption in a mouse model. Materials and Methods. Mice were randomly divided into three groups: those undergoing OTM with the addition of a DPP‐4 inhibitor (30 μg), those undergoing OTM and receiving phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), and those without force loading (control group). OTM was achieved by means of a nickel–titanium closed coil spring that moved the first molar in a mesial direction for 12 days. The distance of OTM was measured using silicone impression. Maxillae were removed for histological analysis or real‐time PCR analysis. Results. The distance of OTM and the number of osteoclasts were significantly decreased after administration of the DPP‐4 inhibitor, which also significantly suppressed the number of odontoclasts and root resorption after OTM. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL) were decreased in DPP‐4 inhibitor‐treated mice compared with those receiving PBS and control animals. Conclusion. The DPP‐4 inhibitor inhibited tooth movement and associated root resorption by blocking the formation of osteoclasts and odontoclasts, respectively. It also appeared to inhibit osteoclastogenesis and odontoclastogenesis by suppressing the expression of TNF‐α and/or RANKL.
Decision-Making Analysis Based on Fermatean Fuzzy Yager Aggregation Operators with Application in COVID-19 Testing Facility
Authors: Garg Harish , Shahzadi Gulfam , Akram Muhammad
Published: August 2020

This research article is devoted to establish some general aggregation operators, based on Yager’s t-norm and t-conorm, to cumulate the Fermatean fuzzy data in decision-making environments. The Fermatean fuzzy sets (FFSs), an extension of the orthopair fuzzy sets, are characterized by both membership degree (MD) and nonmembership degree (NMD) that enable them to serve as an excellent tool to represent inexact human opinions in the decision-making process. In this article, the valuable properties of the FFS are merged with the Yager operator to propose six new operators, namely, Fermatean fuzzy Yager weighted average (FFYWA), Fermatean fuzzy Yager ordered weighted average (FFYOWA), Fermatean fuzzy Yager hybrid weighted average (FFYHWA), Fermatean fuzzy Yager weighted geometric (FFYWG), Fermatean fuzzy Yager ordered weighted geometric (FFYOWG), and Fermatean fuzzy Yager hybrid weighted geometric (FFYHWG) operators. A comprehensive discussion is made to elaborate the dominant properties of the proposed operators. To verify the importance of the proposed operators, an MADM strategy is presented along with an application for selecting an authentic lab for the COVID-19 test. The superiorities of the proposed operators and limitations of the existing operators are discussed with the help of a comparative study. Moreover, we have explained comparison between the proposed theory and the Fermatean fuzzy TOPSIS method to check the accuracy and validity of the proposed operators. The influence of various values of the parameter in the Yager operator on decision-making results is also examined.
Semantic Segmentation Algorithm Based on Attention Mechanism and Transfer Learning
Authors: Ye Jianfeng , Lu Chong , Xiong Junfeng , Wang Huaming
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we propose a semantic segmentation algorithm (RoadNet) for auxiliary edge detection tasks with an attention mechanism. RoadNet improves the dispersion of the low-level features of the network model and further enhances the performance and applicability of the semantic segmentation algorithm. In RoadNet, a fully convolutional neural network is used as the basic model, an auxiliary loss in the image classification, multitask learning in machine learning, and attention mechanism in natural language processing. To improve the generalization of the model, we select and analyze a proper domain difference measure. Subsequently, the context semantic distribution module and the annotation distribution loss are designed based on the context semantic encoding structure. The domain discriminator based on the adversarial training and the adversarial training algorithm based on transfer learning are then well integrated to provide a transfer learning-based semantic segmentation algorithm (TransRoadNet). The experimental results indicate that the proposed TransRoadNet and RoadNet overperform their equivalent comparison models.
Complete Heart Block Complicating Takotsubo Syndrome: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: McGee Michael J. , Yu William , McCarthy Joshua , Barlow Malcolm , Hackworthy Rosemary
Published: August 2020

An 81-year-old woman presents with shortness of breath resulting in a diagnosis of picornavirus and complete heart block. Troponin was elevated and there was concern about acute coronary syndrome. The final diagnosis after echocardiogram and coronary angiogram was Takotsubo syndrome in addition to the heart block which required pacemaker insertion.
Spread Sea Clutter Suppression in HF Hybrid Sky-Surface Wave Radars Based on General Parameterized Time-Frequency Analysis
Authors: Wang Zhuo-qun , Li Ya-jun , Shi Jun-nan , Wang Peng-fei , Liu Ai-hua , Xia Xin-fan , Chen De-hong
Published: August 2020

In high-frequency (HF) hybrid sky-surface wave radar, the first-order sea clutter broadening is severe under the action of ionospheric phase disturbance and bistatic angles. In this paper, a cascaded method is described to suppress the spread sea clutter. Firstly, the radar configuration and sea clutter broadening model are introduced based on the newly developed integrated HF sky-surface wave experimental system. In the cascaded processing method, a new ionospheric decontamination method based on general parameterized time-frequency (GPTF) analysis is proposed to estimate or correct the ionospheric phase distortion with large amplitude. Then, the forward-backward linear prediction (FBLP) algorithm is used to suppress the spread sea clutter caused by bistatic angle. Simulation results show that such ionospheric decontamination method based on GPTF is helpful for the large-amplitude ionospheric contamination when the target masking effect happens even after ionospheric phase decontamination. Finally, the proposed method is examined by the measured data. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method can well suppress the broadening sea clutter for HF hybrid sky-surface wave radars.
Multiobjective Design Optimization Framework for Multicomponent System with Complex Nonuniform Loading
Authors: Zhang Hong , Bai Guangchen , Song Lukai
Published: August 2020

To improve the accuracy and efficiency of multiobjective design optimization for a multicomponent system with complex nonuniform loads, an efficient surrogate model (the decomposed collaborative optimized Kriging model, DCOKM) and an accurate optimal algorithm (the dynamic multiobjective genetic algorithm, DMOGA) are presented in this study. Furthermore, by combining DCOKM and DMOGA, the corresponding multiobjective design optimization framework for the multicomponent system is developed. The multiobjective optimization design of the carrier roller system is considered as a study case to verify the developed approach with respect to multidirectional nonuniform loads. We find that the total standard deviation of three carrier rollers is reduced by 92%, where the loading distribution is more uniform after optimization. This study then compares surrogate models (response surface model, Kriging model, OKM, and DCOKM) and optimal algorithms (neighbourhood cultivation genetic algorithm, nondominated sorting genetic algorithm, archive microgenetic algorithm, and DMOGA). The comparison results demonstrate that the proposed multiobjective design optimization framework is demonstrated to hold advantages in efficiency and accuracy for multiobjective optimization.
Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Factors among the Outpatient Department in Akaki Kality Subcity Health Centers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Haye Tadesse Bedada , Tolera Agama Berhanu
Published: August 2020

Background. Fatalities from hypertension in East Africa are increasing, even though they decreased in western industrial regions. Older age, being female, illiterate, smoking, physical inactivity, and high waist circumferences are major risk factors for the development of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension among Federal Ministry Civil servants in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has found to be high; which is an indication for institution-based hypertension-screening programs. Objective. Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among the outpatient department in Akaki Kality Subcity Health Centers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methodology. Facility-based cross-sectional study was carried out on systematically sampled 401 out-department patients whose age was greater than or equal to 18 years in four government health centers in Addis Ababa. Data collection took place from March 10, 2018, to April 06 2018. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify predictors of hypertension. Results. Patients had a mean age of 41.17 years (95% CI: 39.77–42.57). The prevalence of hypertension was 14% (95% CI: 13.653–14.347), and 30 (53.57%) were males. Alcohol drinkers were 11.844 times more likely to be hypertensive as compared to non-alcohol drinkers (AOR = 11.844, 95% CI: 3.596–39.014). Cigarette smokers were 16.511 times more likely to be hypertensive as compared to non-cigarette smokers (AOR = 16.511, 95% CI: 4.775–57.084). Khat chewers were 6.964 times more likely to be hypertensive as compared to non-khat chewers (AOR = 6.964, 95% CI: 1.773–26.889). Conclusion. The prevalence of patients with hypertension was 14%. Alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, khat chewing, body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, and age ≥44 years old are major determinants identified by this study. Hence, appropriate management of patients focusing on the relevant associated factors would be of great benefit in controlling hypertension.
Performance Evaluation of MPPM-Coded Wireless Optical MIMO System with Combined Effects over Correlated Fading Channel
Authors: Zhang Yue , Wang Huiqin , Cao Minghua , Bao Zhongxian
Published: August 2020

The performance of wireless optical MIMO system with multiple pulse position modulation (MPPM) over correlated fading channel is investigated. The combined effects of atmospheric attenuation, atmospheric turbulence, and pointing error are taken into consideration. The bit error rate (BER) and the ergodic channel capacity are analyzed by utilizing the Poisson counting model and the exponential correlation model. Moreover, their approximate expressions are derived. The simulation results demonstrate that the pointing error is the most prominent influence factor over weak correlated channel. The performance degradation caused by a high channel correlation coefficient is more than that of pointing error in strong correlated channel. Therefore, the use of pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) system and reasonable arrangement of the number and spacing of antennas at the transceiver are the keys to improve system performance.
Electroacupuncture Attenuates Inflammation after Ischemic Stroke by Inhibiting NF‐κB‐Mediated Activation of Microglia
Authors: Liu Rong , Xu Neng-Gui , Yi Wei , Ji Chang
Published: August 2020

Microglial activation and microglia‐mediated inflammation play an important role in the occurrence, development, and outcome of stroke. Brain injury induces the activation and release of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin‐ (IL‐) 1β, and IL‐6. Many studies have confirmed that acupuncture is effective in treating ischemic stroke. However, its protective mechanism against ischemic brain injury is complex and multifactorial. In this study, we observed the effects of electroacupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14) on microglial activation and inflammation in the cortical ischemic penumbra (IP) of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) rats. It was found that electroacupuncture inhibited the degeneration and necrosis of microglia in the cortical IP and ameliorated mitochondrial damage. Immunofluorescence and western blot analysis showed that microglia were in a resting state or weakly activated in the normal brain. After cerebral ischemia, the expression of microglial markers (Iba‐1 and CD11b) increased, and NF‐κB p65, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α expression gradually increased. The dynamic changes were generally temporally consistent. Electroacupuncture downregulated the expressions of Iba‐1 and CD11b. Additionally, it inhibited the expression of NF‐κB p65, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α and reduced the conversion of microglia to the M1 phenotype after ischemia. Electroacupuncture regulated the activation of microglia and microglia‐mediated inflammation after cerebral ischemia, confirming the relevant theories regarding the effect of acupuncture treatment on cerebral ischemia and guiding clinical practice.
Arsenic Accumulation of Realgar Altered by Disruption of Gut Microbiota in Mice
Authors: Xu Wenfeng , Zhang Shanshan , Jiang Wenqing , Xu Shuo , Jin Pengfei
Published: August 2020

Objective. To investigate the influence of gut microbiota on arsenic accumulation of realgar in mice. Methods. Mice were treated with antibiotics to form a mouse model of gut microbial disruption. Antibiotic‐treated and normally raised mice were given 15 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 750 mg/kg realgar by gavage and 0.2 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg arsenic solution by subcutaneous injection for 7 days. The concentration of arsenic in mice whole blood was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Arsenic accumulation in antibiotic‐treated mice and normally raised mice was compared. Results. After exposure to low dose (15 mg/kg) and middle dose (150 mg/kg) of realgar, significantly, more arsenic was accumulated in the whole blood of antibiotic‐treated mice compared to normally raised counterparts, which indicated that the disruption of gut microbiota could lead to higher arsenic load of realgar in mice. The homeostasis of gut microbiota was supposed to be disrupted by high dose (750 mg/kg) of realgar because after exposure to high dose of realgar, there was no significant difference in arsenic accumulation between antibiotic‐treated and normally raised mice. Furthermore, arsenic solution was administered by subcutaneous injection to mice to investigate the influence of gut microbial differences on arsenic accumulation in addition to the absorption process, and there was no significant difference in arsenic accumulation between mice with these two different statuses of gut microbiota. Conclusions. Gut microbiota disruption could increase arsenic accumulation of realgar in mice.
Multiobjective Optimization on Hierarchical Refugee Evacuation and Resource Allocation for Disaster Management
Authors: Wang Jian , Shen Danqing , Yu Mingzhu
Published: August 2020

This paper studies a location-allocation problem to determine the selection of emergency shelters, medical centers, and distribution centers after the disaster. The evacuation of refugees and allocation of relief resources are also considered. A mixed-integer nonlinear multiobjective programming model is proposed to characterize the problem. The hierarchical demand of different refugees and the limitations of relief resources are considered in the model. We employ a combination of the simulated annealing (SA) algorithm and the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm method to solve the complex model. To optimize the result of our proposed algorithm, we absorb the group search, crossover, and mutation operator of GA into SA. We conduct a case study in a district of Beijing in China to validate the proposed methodology. Some computational experiments are conducted to analyze the impact of different factors, such as the target weight setting, selection of candidate shelters, and quantity of relief resources.
The Local Discontinuous Galerkin Method with Generalized Alternating Flux Applied to the Second-Order Wave Equations
Authors: Zhang Rongpei , Liu Jia , Jiang Shaohua , Wang Di
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we propose the local discontinuous Galerkin method based on the generalized alternating numerical flux for solving the one-dimensional second-order wave equation with the periodic boundary conditions. Introducing two auxiliary variables, the second-order equation is rewritten into the first-order equation systems. We prove the stability and energy conservation of this method. By virtue of the generalized Gauss–Radau projection, we can obtain the optimal convergence order in L2-norm of Ohk+1 with polynomial of degree k and grid size h. Numerical experiments are given to verify the theoretical results.
An Innovative Excited‐ACS‐IDGWO Algorithm for Optimal Biomedical Data Feature Selection
Authors: Segera Davies , Mbuthia Mwangi , Nyete Abraham
Published: August 2020

Finding an optimal set of discriminative features is still a crucial but challenging task in biomedical science. The complexity of the task is intensified when any of the two scenarios arise: a highly dimensioned dataset and a small sample‐sized dataset. The first scenario poses a big challenge to existing machine learning approaches since the search space for identifying the most relevant feature subset is so diverse to be explored quickly while utilizing minimal computational resources. On the other hand, the second aspect poses a challenge of too few samples to learn from. Though many hybrid metaheuristic approaches (i.e., combining multiple search algorithms) have been proposed in the literature to address these challenges with very attractive performance compared to their counterpart standard standalone metaheuristics, more superior hybrid approaches can be achieved if the individual metaheuristics within the proposed hybrid algorithms are improved prior to the hybridization. Motivated by this, we propose a new hybrid Excited‐ (E‐) Adaptive Cuckoo Search‐ (ACS‐) Intensification Dedicated Grey Wolf Optimization (IDGWO), i.e., EACSIDGWO. EACSIDGWO is an algorithm where the step size of ACS and the nonlinear control strategy of parameter of the IDGWO are innovatively made adaptive via the concept of the complete voltage and current responses of a direct current (DC) excited resistor‐capacitor (RC) circuit. Since the population has a higher diversity at early stages of the proposed EACSIDGWO algorithm, both the ACS and IDGWO are jointly involved in local exploitation. On the other hand, to enhance mature convergence at latter stages of the proposed algorithm, the role of ACS is switched to global exploration while the IDGWO is still left conducting the local exploitation. To prove that the proposed algorithm is superior in providing a good learning from fewer instances and an optimal feature selection from information‐rich biomedical data, all these while maintaining a high classification accuracy of the data, the EACSIDGWO is employed to solve the feature selection problem. The EACSIDGWO as a feature selector is tested on six standard biomedical datasets from the University of California at Irvine (UCI) repository. The experimental results are compared with the state‐of‐the‐art feature selection techniques, including binary ant‐colony optimization (BACO), binary genetic algorithm (BGA), binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO), and extended binary cuckoo search algorithm (EBCSA). These results reveal that the EACSIDGWO has comprehensive superiority in tackling the feature selection problem, which proves the capability of the proposed algorithm in solving real‐world complex problems. Furthermore, the superiority of the proposed algorithm is proved via various numerical techniques like ranking methods and statistical analysis.
The Effects of Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) on Soils and Plant Communities in the Deserted Rangelands of Bahrain
Authors: Sadeq Manal A. M. , Abido Mohammed S. , Salih Ahmed A. , Alkhuzai Jameel A.
Published: August 2020

The influence of mesquite trees (Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) D.C.) on the physicochemical properties of soils and annual understory plants was investigated in the deserted rangelands of Bahrain. Soil properties were measured in the understory and the uncanopied adjacent areas of mesquite trees. Likewise, the number of plant species was assessed in four 1 × 1 m randomly distributed quadrates in the understory and the uncanopied adjacent areas. The results showed that sand particles exceed 96% of soil composition. Soil bulk density at the 0–5 cm soil depth was significantly higher in the understory of trees compared to the uncanopied adjacent areas. However, moisture at a depth of 40–60 cm was significantly higher in the uncanopied adjacent areas. No differences in the pH, EC, K, Na, and Ca were found between understory and the uncanopied areas in all soil depths. Levels of N, P, Mg, and organic matter were significantly higher in the understory of trees compared to the uncanopied adjacent areas. Organic matter was twice the amount in the upper 20 cm of soil layers in the understory of mesquite trees. Species richness did not differ between the understory and the uncanopied areas. Nevertheless, the density of ephemerals in the understory of mesquite trees was higher than the uncanopied areas by 18%. The Shannon-Weaver index of diversity was higher in the uncanopied areas compared to the understory. The study concluded that the canopy effects of mesquite trees on soil vary with depth. Nonetheless, the influence of mesquite on flora could be beneficial for annual understory plants but subject to many operating factors, including density and cover of mesquite trees.
A Multivariate and Multistage Medium- and Long-Term Streamflow Prediction Based on an Ensemble of Signal Decomposition Techniques with a Deep Learning Network
Authors: Sibtain Muhammad , Li Xianshan , Saleem Snoober
Published: August 2020

The accuracy and consistency of streamflow prediction play a significant role in several applications involving the management of hydrological resources, such as power generation, water supply, and flood mitigation. However, the nonlinear dynamics of the climatic factors jeopardize the development of efficient prediction models. Therefore, to enhance the reliability and accuracy of streamflow prediction, this paper developed a three-stage hybrid model, namely, IVL (ICEEMDAN-VMD-LSTM), which integrated improved complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with additive noise (ICEEMDAN), variational mode decomposition (VMD), and long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network. Monthly data series of streamflow, temperature, and precipitation in the Swat River Watershed, Pakistan, from January 1971 to December 2015 was used as a case study. Firstly, the correlation analysis and the two-stage decomposition approach were employed to select suitable inputs for the proposed model. ICEEMDAN was employed as a first decomposition stage, to decompose the three data series into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and a residual component. In the second decomposition stage, the component of high frequency (IMF1) was decomposed by VMD, as the second decomposition. Afterward, all the components obtained through the correction analysis and the two-stage decomposition approach were predicted by using the LSTM network. Finally, the predicted results of all components were aggregated, to formulate an ensemble prediction for the original monthly streamflow series. The predicted results showed that the performance of the proposed model was superior to the other developed models, in respect of several evaluation benchmarks, demonstrating the applicability of the proposed IVL model for monthly streamflow prediction.
Application of Thermal Insulation Gunite Material to the High Geo‐Temperature Roadway
Authors: Wang Junhui , Wan Zhijun , Zhang Hongwei , Wu Dong , Zhang Yuan , Wang Yi , Xiong Luchang , Wang Guoli
Published: August 2020

Thermal insulation gunite (TIG) in roadways is an effective method for regional thermal hazard control in mines. The development of mine TIG materials is the foundation of thermal insulation technique. However, some conventional and advanced insulation materials are inapplicable to deep mines which are rather humid with high in situ stress and high geo‐temperature. In this study, a kind of fly ash‐inorganic mineral TIG material was developed and applied to the modelling of a high geo‐temperature roadway. Moreover, the thermal insulation effect of the TIG layer was analyzed, and the temperature field characteristics of the TIG surrounding rock were discussed. Results reveal that (1) the TIG layer has a significant impact on the heat release of the wall and stability of the surrounding rock temperature field; (2) the initial temperature disturbance times, temperature disturbance ranges, and temperature drop rates differ with whether a TIG layer exists or not; (3) after the TIG roadway starts to be ventilated, the thermal flux densities tend to be consistent, which indicates the end of temperature disturbance; besides, the dimensionless temperature shares an exponential relation with the dimensionless radius; and (4) the characteristics of temperature drops vary with the radial positions of the surrounding rock. The research results provide a certain reference for thermal hazard control, temperature prediction, and ventilation network adjustment.
Stability Analysis and Parameter Optimization of Deep Excavation Supporting System in Granular Soils
Authors: Dong Manman , Jia Pengjiao
Published: August 2020

Deep excavations are prone to result in excessive ground surface settlement displacement of surrounding existing structures, which could cause severe economic damage, even casualties. Hence, the optimization of pile parameters and evaluation of the stability of the excavation are of paramount importance. This paper aims to evaluate the security of deep excavation and optimize the parameters of supported piles in granular soils. An excavation case in granular soils is used to evaluate the stability of deep excavation using displacement least squares method. The stability of case history, Changqingqiao subway station, using pile and inner support system is evaluated by using the least square method. Subsequently, the finite element method is used to optimize the critical parameters of the supported piles, and it needs to be emphasized that the correctness and reasonability of the finite element (FE) models are evaluated according to field measurements. The optimum pile diameter and embedment ratio for single‐ and double‐row retaining pile are 1.0 m and 0.4. The maximum vertical displacement of surrounding soil and horizontal displacement of piles can be calculated by the equations obtained in this research which can provide useful guidance for the designing of deep excavation.
Serum and Urine Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Levels Measured at Admission Predict Progression to Chronic Kidney Disease in Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury Patients
Authors: Tuan Pham Ngoc Huy , Quyen Dao Bui Quy , Van Khoa Huynh , Loc Nguyen Duc , Van My Pham , Dung Nguyen Huu , Toan Nguyen Duy , Quyet Do , Thang Le Viet
Published: August 2020

Background. To evaluate the ratio of acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) patients of the intensive care unit (ICU) and predictive value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) measured at the admission time in the progression of AKI to CKD. Methods. A study of 121 consecutive adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) diagnosed as SA-AKI. AKI and CKD were defined based on Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by the CKD-EPI formula. Serum and urine NGAL was measured using the BioVendor Human Lipocalin-2/NGAL ELISA with a blood sample taken at hospital admission time. Results. The ratio of AKI to CKD in SA-AKI patients was 22.3%. Mean concentration of serum and urine NGAL in AKI to the CKD group was 790.99 ng/ml and 885.72 ng/ml, higher significantly than those of recovery patients (351.86 ng/ml and 264.68 ng/ml), p<0.001. eGFR, both serum and urine NGAL had a predictive value for AKI to CKD (eGFR: AUC=0.857, Se=74.1%, Spe=92.6%, p<0.001. Serum NGAL: AUC=0.868, Se=77.8%, Spe=91.5%. Urine NGAL: AUC=0.869, Se=77.8%, Spe=92.6%, p<0.001. Conclusion. Serum and urine NGAL, measuring at hospital admission time, were good prognostic biomarkers of AKI to CKD in SA-AKI patients.
Levetiracetam Induced Behavioral Abnormalities in a Patient with Seizure Disorder: A Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: Ogunsakin Oluwaseun , Tumenta Terence , Louis-Jean Scarlet , Mahbub Ayesha , Rabel Peterson , Olupona Tolu , Alam Shaheen
Published: August 2020

Levetiracetam is a second-generation antiepileptic drug that is chemically unrelated to other antiepileptic drugs. Levetiracetam is a broad-spectrum antiseizure medication that is approved as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in children and adults with epilepsy. The mechanism by which Levetiracetam induces behavioral changes remains unknown. Its proposed mechanism of action involves binding to synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) and this leads to neuronal inhibition. Though, the drug has a convenient dosing regimen and is relatively well tolerated, neuropsychiatric side effects can emerge beyond the initial titration period and may be the most common reason for drug discontinuation. Levetiracetam has been reported to cause varying degrees of psychiatric adverse effects including behavioral disturbance such as agitation, hostility and psychosis, and mood symptoms and suicidality. It has been shown to induce psychiatric side effects in 13.3% of adults, with only 0.7% presenting with severe symptoms such as depression, agitation, or hostility. The prevalence rate of development of psychosis in these patients is estimated to be about 1.4%. A review of literature has demonstrated a relative correlation between Levetiracetam use and the development of neurobehavioral symptoms which is increased in predisposed individuals. This research describes the case of a 28-year-old woman with seizure disorder and a psychiatric history of schizoaffective disorder who developed aggressive behavior, paranoia, and severe hostility following administration of Levetiracetam 750 mg orally twice daily. She developed acute behavioral symptoms which were reversed with cessation of Levetiracetam. This report emphasizes the need for developing an appropriately high index of suspicion in promoting surveillance and prompt identification of behavioral adverse effects associated with Levetiracetam especially in high-risk patient population.
Antioxidant Activity of Lactobacillus plantarum DY-1 Fermented Wheat Germ Extract and Its Influence on Lipid Oxidation and Texture Properties of Emulsified Sausages
Authors: Wu Juan , Cheng Yu , Dong Ying
Published: August 2020

The nutrient compositions and in vitro antioxidant activities of water-soluble extract from Lactobacillus plantarum DY-1 fermented wheat germ and its effect on the lipid oxidation and texture properties of emulsified sausages were investigated. The optimal hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity of 72.8 ± 2.9% was demonstrated for fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) by terms of the fermentation conditions as follows: fermentation time of 26 h, fermentation temperature of 35°C, initial pH of 3.0, solid to liquid ratio of 1/10, and inoculum amount of 0.48 g. The enhancement in FWGE content could improve the oxidation stability of emulsified sausages by retarding the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARSs) during 7 days of storage at 4°C. However, a higher FWGE content (2.14%) resulted in 78% of increase in cooking loss (p<0.05) and 41.4% of decrease in hardness (p<0.05) of emulsified sausages. It was suggested that the biotransformation of wheat germ with lactic acid bacteria could improve its nutritional quality and functional properties.
Modulation of Gut Microbiota Profile and Short-Chain Fatty Acids of Rats Fed with Taro Flour or Taro Starch
Authors: Surono Ingrid S. , Venema Koen
Published: August 2020

To investigate the effect of flour and starch of the Indonesian native tuber “taro” on the composition and activity of the gut microbiota in diabetic rats, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were fed normal chow (AIN), or AIN in which corn starch was replaced by either taro flour or purified taro starch for 4 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks, and the composition of microbial communities was measured using 16S rRNA sequencing, while SCFAs were measured using ion chromatography. Bodyweight declined upon DM induction with STZ. Feeding taro starch led to a lower reduction in bodyweight than feeding taro starch, but this was only significant for taro starch in weeks 2, 3, and 4 (p=0.02, p=0.01, and p<0.01, respectively). Both taro starch and taro flour induced changes in the gut microbiota composition compared to AIN, which were different for taro flour and taro starch. Bifidobacterium, Sutterella, and Prevotella were markers for taro flour feeding, while Anaerostipes was a marker for taro starch feeding. Induction of diabetes also led to changes in the microbiota composition. Random Forest correctly predicted for 16 of 18 samples whether rats were diabetic or not and correctly predicted 6 of 12 microbiota samples belonging to either taro flour- or taro starch-fed groups, indicating also some significant overlap in the substrate, as expected. Taro starch and taro flour both led to a significant increase in the fecal concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate.