bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The histopathological features of the nail plate in pachyonychia congenita
Authors: Stewart Campbell L. , Takeshita Junko , Hansen C. David , Rubin Adam I.
Published: December 2019

Background

Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder of keratinization mediated by genetic mutations in KRT6A, KRT6B, KRT6C, KRT16, or KRT17. While nail dystrophy in PC has a significant impact on quality of life, the histopathological features of the nail plate in PC have not been previously reported. We report the histopathological features of nail plates provided by 19 patients with genetically confirmed PC.

Methods

Nineteen patients with genetically confirmed PC provided a total of 56 nail plates for histopathologic examination. The nail plates were examined for the presence of hyphae, yeast, bacteria, neutrophils, parakeratosis, plasma globules, and hemorrhage. Specimens with onychomycosis (three patients) were excluded from the analysis.

Results

No specific histopathological feature was identified in PC nails. Parakeratosis and plasma globules were the most prominent features in both clinically affected and unaffected PC nails. There was a significant association between clinical dystrophy of all 20 nails and KRT6A mutations, and a lack of dystrophy of all 20 nails in KRT6B mutations.

Conclusions

Parakeratosis and plasma globules in the absence of other inflammatory disorders should raise PC in the histopathologic differential diagnosis. The presence of onychomycosis in a nail plate does not exclude a diagnosis of PC.
Graduating dentists’ perceptions about their professional competence in Finland and Lithuania
Authors: Mustakallio Sakari , Näpänkangas Ritva , Narbutaite Julija , Virtanen Jorma I.
Published: December 2019

Aims

Efforts to harmonise dental education in Europe have been put into action by the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE). The aim of the study was to explore graduating dentists’ perceptions about their professional readiness for clinical work in Finland and Lithuania.

Materials and methods

The survey targeted fifth‐year dental students at the University of Oulu and the University of Turku in Finland, and at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania (Lithuanian and international students) in 2016‐2017. The competences were evaluated in the questionnaire in 21 dental procedures based on ADEE competences by options: “I’d manage well,” “I’d need more training” or “It would not quite succeed.” The option “I’d manage well” was chosen in the analyses.

Results

Students felt that they were most competent in producing and maintaining accurate patient records (91.9%), implementing sterilisation and hygiene in dental practice (91.3%) and working with other members of dental team and health profession (90.0%). The largest differences between Finnish and Lithuanian students were in designing and adjusting occlusal splints (87.0% vs. 14.3%) and in undertaking subgingival scaling (95.7% vs. 57.1%). The biggest differences between Lithuanian and international students were in identifying (and treating) abnormal and anxiety‐related patient (73.1% vs. 25.5%) and implementing tobacco cessation (65.3% vs. 31.9%).

Conclusions

The graduating dental students in Finland and Lithuania manage well in most of the clinical procedures based on the ADEE competences. The students were most confident when dealing with tasks that are common in dental practice.
Mesoscopic mechanisms in fatigue crack initiation in an aluminium alloy
Authors: Nijin I. S. , Banerjee Anuradha
Published: December 2019

The mechanistic aspects of process of initiation of a mode‐I fatigue crack in an aluminium alloy (AA 2219‐T87) are studied in detail, both computationally as well as experimentally. Simulations are carried out under plane strain conditions with fatigue process zone modelled as stress‐state–dependent cohesive elements along the expected mode‐I failure path. An irreversible damage parameter that accounts for the progressive microstructural damage due to fatigue is employed to degrade cohesive properties. The simulations predict the location of initiation of the fatigue crack to be subsurface where the triaxiality and the opening tensile stresses are higher in comparison with that at the notch surface. Examination of the fracture surface profile of fracture test specimens near notch tip reveals a few types of regions and existence of a mesoscopic length scale that is the distance of the location of highest roughness from the notch root. A discussion is developed on the physical significance of the experimentally observed length scale.
Ovarian germ cell tumour classification: views from the testis
Authors: Berney Daniel M , Stoneham Sara , Arora Rupali , Shamash Jonathan , Lockley Michelle
Published: December 2019

The classification of ovarian germ cell tumours has remained unchanged for many years, while there have been considerable changes in the testicular classification. In recent years there has been concern about the overtreatment of clinical stage 1 testicular germ cell tumours with increasing use of surveillance for low‐risk disease. We outline here the current classification of germ cell tumours of the ovary with particular regard to treatment and outcome and highlight some areas which may cause confusion, particularly pertaining to immature teratomas and mixed germ cell tumours. We suggest that some minor changes to the classification, evidenced by a recent retrospective series by some of the authors, may lead to less adjuvant chemotherapy for immature teratomas and may obviate the need for the grading of immature teratomas, by aligning with testicular experience in pure post‐pubertal teratomas. Adoption of this will require retrospective and prospective re‐evaluation, but may avoid long‐term patient morbidity.
Identification of differentially expressed genes by single‐cell transcriptional profiling of umbilical cord and synovial fluid mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Jia Zhaofeng , Wang Shijin , Liu Qisong
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study was to measure the heterogeneity in human umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC‐MSCs) and human synovial fluid–derived mesenchymal stem cells (hSF‐MSCs) by single‐cell RNA‐sequencing (scRNA‐seq). Using Chromium™ technology, scRNA‐seq was performed on hUC‐MSCs and hSF‐MSCs from samples that passed our quality control checks. In order to identify subgroups and activated pathways, several bioinformatics tools were used to analyse the transcriptomic profiles, including clustering, principle components analysis (PCA), t‐Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t‐SNE), gene set enrichment analysis, as well as Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. scRNA‐seq was performed on the two sample sets. In total, there were 104 761 163 reads for the hUC‐MSCs and 6 577 715 for the hSF‐MSCs, with >60% mapping rate. Based on PCA and t‐SNE analyses, we identified 11 subsets within hUC‐MSCs and seven subsets within hSF‐MSCs. Gene set enrichment analysis determined that there were 533, 57, 32, 44, 10, 319, 731, 1037, 90, 25 and 230 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the 11 subsets of hUC‐MSCs and 204, 577, 30, 577, 16, 57 and 35 DEGs in the seven subsets of hSF‐MSCs. scRNA‐seq was not only able to identify subpopulations of hUC‐MSCs and hSF‐MSCs within the sample sets, but also provided a digital transcript count of hUC‐MSCs and hSF‐MSCs within a single patient. scRNA‐seq analysis may elucidate some of the biological characteristics of MSCs and allow for a better understanding of the multi‐directional differentiation, immunomodulatory properties and tissue repair capabilities of MSCs.
Development of an Isavirus minigenome system to study the function of the pocket RNA‐binding domain of the viral nucleoprotein (NP) in salmon cells
Authors: Toro‐Ascuy Daniela , Santibañez Alvaro , Peña Victor , Beltran‐Pavez Carolina , Cottet Luis , Molina Cristian , Montoya Margarita , Sandoval Nicolas , Vásquez‐Martínez Yesseny , Mascayano Carolina , Cortez‐San Martín Marcelo
Published: December 2019

The Isavirus is an orthomyxovirus with a genome composed of eight segments of negative single‐strand RNA (−ssRNA). It has been proposed that the eight genomic segments of the Isavirus are organized as a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex called a minigenome, which contains all the viral RNA segments, a viral heterotrimeric polymerase and multiple copies of the viral nucleoprotein (NP). Here, we develop an Isavirus minigenome system and show the importance of the formation of active RNPs and the role of viral NP R189, R194, R302 and K325 residues in the NP RNA‐binding domain in the context of RNPs. The results indicate it is possible to generate a minigenome in salmon cells, a composite ISAV RNPs with EGFP‐based chimeric vRNA with heterotrimeric polymerase (PB1, PB2, PA) and NP protein using CMV‐based auxiliary plasmids. It was also shown that NP R189, R194, R302 and K325 residues are important to generate viral mRNA from the constituted RNPs and a detectable reporter protein. This work is the first salmon cell‐based minigenome assay for the Isavirus, which was evaluated by a bioinformatic and functional study of the NP protein in viral RNPs, which showed that correct NP‐vRNA interaction is key to the functioning of RNPs.
Novel topical formulation applied to the nipple‐areola complex improves female orgasm
Authors: Krychman Michael , Goren Andy , Brandt Len , McCoy John
Published: December 2019

Background

The nipple‐areola complex (NAC) is an often overlooked but important erogenous zone in the female sexual response and sexual functional repertoire. Research suggests that nipple stimulation is significant to female sexual satisfaction in as many as 80% of women. Previously, we have reported that stimulation of the arrector pili muscle in the NAC increases nipple sensitivity and has a positive impact on female sexual function.

Aims

To study the effect of RJ‐101 on female orgasm.

Methods

A randomized double‐blinded placebo‐controlled study of RJ101, a novel topical formulation that stimulates the arrector pili muscle of the NAC, in 59 women. Each subject completed a survey composed of Likert scale questions in order to identify changes in orgasm after topical application of RJ101 or placebo.

Results

We demonstrated a positive increase in the perceived intensity of orgasm and orgasmic satisfaction/pleasure in women using RJ101 vs those in the placebo group. After 4 weeks of treatment, 76% of the women in the RJ101 arm reported a positive improvement in satisfaction with orgasm versus 47% in the placebo cohort. The mean change in score for overall satisfaction with orgasm in the RJ101 group was statistically significant (P = .007) compared to placebo.

Conclusion

The application of RJ101 to the NAC 30 minutes prior to sexual activity can improve orgasmic strength, pleasure, and satisfaction.
Nutritional requirements for reproduction and survival in the blowfly Lucilia sericata
Authors: Alqurashi S. , English S. , Wall R.
Published: December 2019

Insects with access to finite energy resources must allocate these between maintenance and reproduction in a way that maximizes fitness. This will be influenced by a range of life‐history characteristics and the environment in which any particular insect species lives. In the present study, females of the blowfly Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were fed diets differing in protein and carbohydrate (sucrose) content and the allocation of lipid to reproduction was quantified using a spectrophotometric method of analysis. Immediately after adult emergence, total body lipid, scaled for differences in body size, showed an initial decline as it was utilized to meet the metabolic demands of cuticle deposition, muscle maturation and then flight. When flies were denied access to sucrose, stored lipid then continued to decrease until flies died, usually within 4 days of emergence. However, flies given access to sucrose were able to increase body lipid content, demonstrating that carbohydrate is essential for homeostasis and that it can be used to synthesize lipid. Nevertheless, female flies fed sucrose only were unable to synthesize egg yolk. Only flies provided with protein were able to mature eggs. However, the rate of egg maturation and number and size of eggs matured were greater for female flies given liver compared with flies provided with pure whey protein powder. The results demonstrate the importance of different dietary components for different elements of the life‐history of L. sericata, namely survival and reproduction.
Whistleblowing: A concept analysis
Authors: Gagnon Marilou , Perron Amélie
Published: December 2019

The concept of whistleblowing, which began to emerge in the 1970s, has gained significant traction over time and across disciplines, including law, management, public administration, sociology, psychology, and health sciences. Interestingly, nurses and nursing students account for the majority of the participants in studies pertaining to whistleblowing. Nursing research conducted in the past two decades provide a good foundation on which to build a better understanding of the context in which whistleblowing takes place, the process of whistleblowing itself, and the repercussions experienced by whistleblowers, but major conceptual gaps remain. In fact, limited attention has been given to the conceptual underpinnings and the use of the concept of whistleblowing in nursing. The goal of the present conceptual analysis was to start addressing this gap and raise some critical questions about the future application of this concept in nursing, including potential opportunities and limitations. Our analysis allowed us to identify a number of antecedents, attributes, and consequences of whistleblowing in nursing. It also revealed three areas needing more attention: the concept itself, organizational culture, and research into the complexities of whistleblowing.
Randomized trial of mask or prongs for nasal intermittent mandatory ventilation in term infants with transient tachypnea of the newborn
Authors: Ilhan Ozkan , Bor Meltem
Published: December 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to compare nasal masks (NM) with binasal prongs (NP) for applying nasal intermittent mandatory ventilation (NIMV) by assessing the duration of respiratory distress, rate of intubation, and nasal trauma in term infants with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN).

Methods

Infants with a gestational age ≥37 weeks and birthweight ≥2,000 g who had NIMV administered for TTN were enrolled. We randomly allocated 80 neonates to the NM (n = 40) or NP (n = 40) group. Duration of respiratory distress was the primary outcome of this study.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for the duration of tachypnea and NIMV (P = 0.94 and P = 0.13, respectively). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of duration of oxygen supplementation and length of hospitalization (P = 0.72 and P = 0.70, respectively). The incidence of any grade of trauma and moderate trauma (grade II) was significantly higher in the NP group than in the NM group (P = 0.004 and P = 0.04, respectively). The rate of NIMV failure and other complications, including pneumothorax, pneumonia and feeding intolerance, was not significantly different in the groups.

Conclusions

In term infants with TTN, delivering NIMV using NP in comparison to using NM appears to be similar with regard to the duration of respiratory distress and preventing intubation. However, the use of NP involves a greater risk of trauma than that of NM.
Comparison of native and citrated whole blood samples for rapid thromboelastography in Beagles
Authors: Wang Hyebin , Nam Aryung , Song Kunho , Youn Hwa Young , Seo Kyoung Won
Published: December 2019

Objective

To examine the extent to which rapid thromboelastography (r‐TEG) could decrease the testing time in comparison with that required for kaolin‐activated thromboelastography (TEG), and to compare 2 types of blood samples (ie, native and citrated whole blood [WB]), for determining r‐TEG values in healthy dogs.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Sixteen healthy Beagles.

Interventions

Kaolin‐activated TEG test using citrated WB samples and r‐TEG test using native and citrated WB samples were performed in 16 dogs. At 60 minutes after the initial blood sampling, further samples were collected from a subset of 6 dogs in the same manner to evaluate intraindividual repeatability of r‐TEG.

Measurements and Main Results

The mean time to maximum amplitude (MA) for r‐TEG with native and citrated WB samples was recorded as 1313.9 ± 250.9 seconds and 1351.3 ± 264.6 seconds (mean ± SD), respectively, and 1779.9 ± 197.0 seconds for kaolin‐activated TEG. Coefficients of variation with native and citrated WB samples for r‐TEG values, TEG‐activated clotting time, clot formation time, α angle, and MA, were determined to be 13.4% versus 18.8%, 11.1% versus 16.6%, 4.2% versus 5.1%, and 10.0% versus 10.0%, respectively. Intraindividual variations were lower for native WB samples than for citrated WB samples.

Conclusions

The r‐TEG test significantly decreased the mean time to MA compared with the kaolin‐activated TEG test. In addition, native WB samples showed lower coefficients of variation and intraindividual variation than citrated WB samples in r‐TEG analysis; this suggests that native WB samples can provide more consistent results. Therefore, the r‐TEG method using native WB samples is recommended for assessment of dogs’ hemostatic status when an early diagnosis is required.
Evaluation of an automated point‐of‐care test system for measuring thrombin–antithrombin complex in dogs
Authors: Kato Daiki , Takahashi Masashi , Yonezawa Tomohiro , Ohmi Aki , Takeda Sawako , Nakagawa Taisuke , Hosoda Saburou , Kanemoto Hideyuki , Fukushima Kenjiro , Ohno Koichi , Matsuki Naoaki , Tsujimoto Hajime
Published: December 2019

Objective

To evaluate the utility of the chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) method for point‐of‐care (POC) measurement of canine plasma thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT) concentration.

Assessment and Main Results

Plasma TAT concentration was measured in 54 healthy dogs and in 72 dogs with various diseases. A significant correlation was found between TAT concentration measured by CLEIA and that measured by an ELISA that was previously used in dogs. The upper limit of the reference value of TAT concentrations measured by CLEIA was determined to be 0.2 ng/mL based on the TAT concentration in 54 healthy dogs. TAT concentrations exceeded the reference interval in a portion of dogs when a hypercoagulable state may be present.

Conclusions

Canine plasma TAT concentrations measured using CLEIA were correlated with that measured using ELISA. Hence, a POC testing instrument may be used for early detection of activation of thrombin generation in emergency and critical care settings.
Global prevalence of human pegivirus‐1 in healthy volunteer blood donors: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Na , Dai Run , Zhang Xiaojun
Published: December 2019

Background and objectives

The local prevalence of HPgV‐1 has been reported from different countries worldwide, but the global prevalence of HPgV‐1 remains unknown. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to gather data from the literature to estimate the prevalence of HPgV‐1 in healthy volunteer blood donors in the world.

Materials and methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Google Scholar databases for records up to January 2019 and included studies reporting HPgV‐1 virus prevalence amongst healthy volunteer blood donors based on the detection of HPgV‐1 RNA.

Results

In all, we included 79 studies for the systematic review and 63 for the meta‐analysis. Based on the random effect meta‐analysis of 35 468 volunteer blood donors, we found the global prevalence of HPgV‐1 to be 3·1% (95% CI, 2·4–4·1). The pooled prevalences of HPgV‐1 were 1·7% (95% CI, 1·1–2·6) in North America, 9·1% (95% CI, 6·4–12·7) in South America, 2·3% (95% CI, 2%, 2·8) in Europe and 2·4% (95% CI, 1·4–4) in Asia. Subgroup analyses based on age, gender or risk factors were not possible.

Conclusion

Approximately 3 in 100 blood donations worldwide are positive for HPgV‐1 increasing the risk of infection from transfusion of their components to subsequent recipients. Further research on virus pathogenicity is required before recommending routine screening of HPgV‐1 for healthy volunteer blood donors.
Ablating the Rab‐GTPase activating protein TBC1D1 predisposes rats to high‐fat diet‐induced cardiomyopathy
Authors: Barbeau Pierre‐Andre , Houad Jacy M. , Huber Jason S. , Paglialunga Sabina , Snook Laelie A. , Herbst Eric A. F. , Dennis Kaitlyn M. J. H. , Simpson Jeremy A. , Holloway Graham P.
Published: December 2019

Key points

Although the role of TBC1D1 within the heart remains unknown, expression of TBC1D1 increases in the left ventricle following an acute infarction, suggesting a biological importance within this tissue.

We investigated the mechanistic role of TBC1D1 within the heart, aiming to establish the consequences of attenuating TBC1D1 signalling in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy, as well as to determine potential sex differences.

TBC1D1 ablation increased plasma membrane fatty acid binding protein content and myocardial palmitate oxidation.

Following high‐fat feeding, TBC1D1 ablation dramatically increased fibrosis and induced end‐diastolic dysfunction in both male and female rats in the absence of changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics.

Altogether, independent of sex, ablating TBC1D1 predisposes the left ventricle to pathological remodelling following high‐fat feeding, and suggests TBC1D1 protects against diabetic cardiomyopathy.

TBC1D1, a Rab‐GTPase activating protein, is involved in the regulation of glucose handling and substrate metabolism within skeletal muscle, and is essential for maintaining pancreatic β‐cell mass and insulin secretion. However, the function of TBC1D1 within the heart is largely unknown. Therefore, we examined the role of TBC1D1 in the left ventricle and the functional consequence of ablating TBC1D1 on the susceptibility to high‐fat diet‐induced abnormalities. Since mutations within TBC1D1 (R125W) display stronger associations with clinical parameters in women, we further examined possible sex differences in the predisposition to diabetic cardiomyopathy. In control‐fed animals, TBC1D1 ablation did not alter insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake, or echocardiogram parameters, but increased accumulation of a plasma membrane fatty acid transporter and the capacity for palmitate oxidation. When challenged with an 8 week high‐fat diet, TBC1D1 knockout rats displayed a four‐fold increase in fibrosis compared to wild‐type animals, and this was associated with diastolic dysfunction, suggesting a predisposition to diet‐induced cardiomyopathy. Interestingly, high‐fat feeding only induced cardiac hypertrophy in male TBC1D1 knockout animals, implicating a possible sex difference. Mitochondrial respiratory capacity and substrate sensitivity to pyruvate and ADP were not altered by diet or TBC1D1 ablation, nor were markers of oxidative stress, or indices of overt heart failure. Altogether, independent of sex, ablation of TBC1D1 not only increased the susceptibility to high‐fat diet‐induced diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular fibrosis, independent of sex, but also predisposed male animals to the development of cardiac hypertrophy. These data suggest that TBC1D1 may exert cardioprotective effects in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
El patrimonio cultural de un callejón
Authors: Manjarrez Cuéllar María Graciela , Bailleres Landero Jaime Alfredo
Published: December 2019

La reflexión presente considera que la ciudad de Guanajuato, México, es representada como un patrimonio universal por su cultura emblemática de sitios históricos y artísticos. Sin embargo, el vecindario de un callejón tiene lugares y rasgos culturales significativos basados en otros objetos de valor, como son las experiencias laborales, ambientales, sociales y afectivas. Aquí no importan tanto los objetos del patrimonio institucionalizado sino las experiencias de vida de los habitantes en su relación diaria con ellos. Su valor no solo está representado en las piezas de arte o históricas en sí mismas, sino en el uso que los habitantes les dan en sus interrelaciones.
What’s the Deal with Graphene?
Authors: Siegel R.P.
Published: December 2019

In spite of its wondrous laboratory-scale properties, engineers have been hesitant to incorporate graphene into their mission-critical designs. There is still a lot that is not known about this material, including, how much of an environmental and health risk will it pose. A number of products and prototypes have failed to meet expectations. Some manufacturers, however, are starting to produce graphene at scale and edging into limited uses for the material in applications as diverse as touch screens and auto parts. This study delves into the current status and future of graphene.
Parameter Estimation of Limited Failure Population Model With a Weibull Underlying Distribution
Authors: Koutsellis Themistoklis , Mourelatos Zissimos P.
Published: December 2019

For many data-driven reliability problems, the population is not homogeneous; i.e., its statistics are not described by a unimodal distribution. Also, the interval of observation may not be long enough to capture the failure statistics. A limited failure population (LFP) consists of two subpopulations, a defective and a nondefective one, with well-separated modes of the two underlying distributions. In reliability and warranty forecasting applications, the estimation of the number of defective units and the estimation of the parameters of the underlying distribution are very important. Among various estimation methods, the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) approach is the most widely used. Its likelihood function, however, is often incomplete, resulting in an erroneous statistical inference. In this paper, we estimate the parameters of a LFP analytically using a rational function fitting (RFF) method based on the Weibull probability plot (WPP) of observed data. We also introduce a censoring factor (CF) to assess how sufficient the number of collected data is for statistical inference. The proposed RFF method is compared with existing MLE approaches using simulated data and data related to automotive warranty forecasting.
An Improved Model of Estimation Global Solar Irradiation From in Situ Data: Case of Algerian Oranie’s Region
Authors: Naim Houcine , Fares Redouane , Bouadi Abed , Hassini Abdelatif , Noureddine Benabadji
Published: December 2019

The total monthly average of daily radiation on a horizontal surface at the site of Oran (35.38 deg N, 0.37 deg W) is achieved by applying two models. We present a comparison between the first one which is a regression equation of the Angstrom type and the second model, developed by the present authors: Some modifications were recommended using relative humidity as the input meteorological parameter) and longitude, latitude, and altitude as the astronomical parameters. The process of examining similarities is made using root mean square error (RMSE), the mean bias error (MBE), mean absolute error (MAE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). This comparison shows that the second model is closer to the experimental values of the Angstrom model.
Thermal Environment Analysis and Improvement on Isolated Cold Aisle Data Centers
Authors: Su Lin , Huang Zhilin , Dong Kaijun
Published: December 2019

Isolated cold aisle airflow distribution is a transitional form from non-isolated airflow distribution to closed cold aisle airflow distribution. With the increase of the power of racks, cooling failure may happen in the layout of the isolated cold aisle. This paper presents the study on cooling performance of the racks which are improved through bottom ventilating reform and adjustment. Inlet/outlet air temperature and mass flow rate of the racks are investigated in detail under conditions of various bottom ventilated areas and various porosities of the raised floor. The characteristics of airflow distribution are contrastively analyzed through calculating indexes of the thermal environment of data centers. Results show that adequate ventilation through the bottom of the racks is good for improvement of the state of airflow distribution. There is an optimization range (0.1–0.3 m and 0.05–0.15 m, respectively) of the ventilated area at the bottom of the racks. And high porosity (above 50%) of the ventilated area can reduce the inlet and outlet temperatures of the racks and the racks in different positions have a better temperature uniformity. In conclusion, bottom ventilation of racks is a feasible plan to improve airflow distribution, and schemes of ventilated area and porosity of corresponding raised floor should be designed respectively under consideration of the layout of racks and AC.
Deficiency of T cell CD40L has minor beneficial effects on obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction
Authors: Reiche Myrthe E , den Toom Myrthe , Willemsen Lisa , van Os Bram , Gijbels Marion J J , Gerdes Norbert , Aarts Suzanne A B M , Lutgens Esther
Published: December 2019

Objective

Obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction increases the risk of multiple diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The importance of the co-stimulatory CD40-CD40L dyad in diet-induced obesity (DIO), with opposing phenotypes arising when either the receptor (aggravating) or the ligand (protective) is deleted, has been described previously. The functions of CD40 and CD40L are cell type dependent. As co-stimulation via T cell-mediated CD40L is essential for driving inflammation, we here investigate the role of T cell CD40L in DIO.

Research design and methods

CD4CreCD40Lfl/flmice on a C57BL/6 background were generated and subjected to DIO by administration of 15 weeks of high fat diet (HFD).

Results

HFD-fed CD4CreCD40Lfl/flmice had similar weight gain, adipocyte sizes, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels as their wild-type (WT) counterparts. Insulin and glucose tolerance were comparable, although CD4CreCD40Lfl/flmice did have a decreased plasma insulin concentration, suggesting a minor improvement of insulin resistance. Furthermore, although the degree of hepatosteatosis was similar in both genotypes, the gene expression of fatty acid synthase 1 and ATP-citrate lyase had decreased, whereas expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α had increased in livers of CD4CreCD40Lfl/flmice, suggesting decreased hepatic lipid uptake in absence of T cell CD40L.

Moreover, CD4CreCD40Lfl/flmice displayed significantly lower numbers of effector memory CD4+T cells and regulatory T cells in blood and lymphoid organs compared with WT. However, immune cell composition and inflammatory status of the adipose tissue was similar in CD4CreCD40Lfl/fland WT mice.

Conclusions

T cell CD40L deficiency results in a minor improvement of insulin sensitivity and hepatic steatosis in DIO, despite the strong decrease in effector T cells and regulatory T cells in blood and lymphoid organs. Our data indicate that other CD40L-expressing cell types are more relevant in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction.
Seeking connections between wormholes, gravastars, and black holes via noncommutative geometry
Authors: Kuhfittig Peter K. F. , Gladney Vance D.
Published: December 2019

Noncommutative geometry, an offshoot of string theory, replaces point-like objects by smeared objects. The resulting uncertainty may cause a black hole to be observationally indistinguishable from a traversable wormhole, while the latter, in turn, may become observationally indistinguishable from a gravastar. The same noncommutative-geometry background allows the theoretical construction of thin-shell wormholes from gravastars and may even serve as a model for dark energy.
The Role of Descending Pain Modulation in Chronic Primary Pain: Potential Application of Drugs Targeting Serotonergic System
Authors: Tao Zhuo-Ying , Wang Pei-Xing , Wei Si-Qi , Traub Richard J. , Li Jin-Feng , Cao Dong-Yuan
Published: December 2019

Chronic primary pain (CPP) is a group of diseases with long-term pain and functional disorders but without structural or specific tissue pathologies. CPP is becoming a serious health problem in clinical practice due to the unknown cause of intractable pain and high cost of health care yet has not been satisfactorily addressed. During the past decades, a significant role for the descending pain modulation and alterations due to specific diseases of CPP has been emphasized. It has been widely established that central sensitization and alterations in neuroplasticity induced by the enhancement of descending pain facilitation and/or the impairment of descending pain inhibition can explain many chronic pain states including CPP. The descending serotonergic neurons in the raphe nuclei target receptors along the descending pain circuits and exert either pro- or antinociceptive effects in different pain conditions. In this review, we summarize the possible underlying descending pain regulation mechanisms in CPP and the role of serotonin, thus providing evidence for potential application of analgesic medications based on the serotonergic system in CPP patients.
Modeling Dark Sector in Horndeski Gravity at First-Order Formalism
Authors: Santos F. F. , Neves R. M. P. , Brito F. A.
Published: December 2019

We investigate a cosmological scenario by finding solutions using first-order formalism in the Horndeski gravity that constrains the superpotential and implies that no free choice of scalar potential is allowed. Despite this, we show that a de Sitter phase at late-time cosmology can be realized, where the dark energy sector can be identified. The scalar field equation of state tends to the cosmological scenario at present time and allows us to conclude that it can simulate the dark energy in the Horndeski gravity.
Failure Mechanism of a Coal‐Rock Combined Body with Inclinations of Structural Planes and a Calculation Model for Impact Energy
Authors: Zhao Yi-Chao , Gao Ming-Shi , He Yong-Liang , Xu Dong
Published: December 2019

A coal‐rock (CR) combined body can be used to simulate structures of coal and rock strata, and its impact‐induced failure characteristic conforms more close to engineering practice. Exploring the mechanical properties and impact energy in a CR combined body contributes to better predictions of rock bursts in coal mines. In the study, the mechanical properties of CR combined bodies with four different inclinations (0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°) of structural planes were measured, and also their failure mechanism was analysed. Based on the theory of particle mechanics, a calculation model for impact energy in a CR combined body with inclinations was established and then verified by using monitored acoustic emission (AE) data. The test results showed that inclination affected mechanical properties and failure characteristics of the CR combined body, i.e., the larger the inclination, the lower the strength and impact energy in the CR combined body and the lower the level of damage. The proposed calculation model for impact energy revealed the mechanical essence of energy accumulation and release of a CR combined body, providing a reference for investigating rock burst in coal mines.
Predicting Lung Cancer Occurrence in Never-Smoking Females in Asia: TNSF-SQ, a Prediction Model
Authors: Chien Li-Hsin , Chen Chung-Hsing , Chen Tzu-Yu , Chang Gee-Chen , Tsai Ying-Huang , Hsiao Chin-Fu , Chen Kuan-Yu , Su Wu-Chou , Wang Wen-Chang , Huang Ming-Shyan , Chen Yuh-Min , Chen Chih-Yi , Liang Sheng-Kai , Chen Chung-Yu , Wang Chih-Liang , Lee Mei-Hsuan , Chung Ren-Hua , Tsai Fang-Yu , Hu Jia-Wei , Katki Hormuzd A. , Chatterjee Nilanjan , Chanock Stephen J. , Rothman Nathaniel , Lan Qing , Yang Pan-Chyr , Chen Chien-Jen , Chang I-Shou , Hsiung Chao A.
Published: December 2019

Background:

High disease burden suggests the desirability to identify high-risk Asian never-smoking females (NSF) who may benefit from low-dose CT (LDCT) screening. In North America, one is eligible for LDCT screening if one satisfies the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) criteria or has model-estimated 6-year risk greater than 0.0151. According to two U.S. reports, only 36.6% female patients with lung cancer met the USPSTF criteria, while 38% of the ever-smokers ages 55 to 74 years met the USPSTF criteria.

Methods:

Using data on NSFs in the Taiwan Genetic Epidemiology Study of Lung Adenocarcinoma and the Taiwan Biobank before August 2016, we formed an age-matched case–control study consisting of 1,748 patients with lung cancer and 6,535 controls. Using these and an estimated age-specific lung cancer 6-year incidence rate among Taiwanese NSFs, we developed the Taiwanese NSF Lung Cancer Risk Models using genetic information and simplified questionnaire (TNSF-SQ). Performance evaluation was based on the newer independent datasets: Taiwan Lung Cancer Pharmacogenomics Study (LCPG) and Taiwan Biobank data after August 2016 (TWB2).

Results:

The AUC based on the NSFs ages 55 to 70 years in LCPG and TWB2 was 0.714 [95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.660–0.768]. For women in TWB2 ages 55 to 70 years, 3.94% (95% CI, 2.95–5.13) had risk higher than 0.0151. For women in LCPG ages 55 to 74 years, 27.03% (95% CI, 19.04–36.28) had risk higher than 0.0151.

Conclusions:

TNSF-SQ demonstrated good discriminative power. The ability to identify 27.03% of high-risk Asian NSFs ages 55 to 74 years deserves attention.

Impact:

TNSF-SQ seems potentially useful in selecting Asian NSFs for LDCT screening.
Effects of Tobacco Smoking on the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: de la Iglesia Janis V. , Slebos Robbert J.C. , Martin-Gomez Laura , Wang Xuefeng , Teer Jamie K. , Tan Aik Choon , Gerke Travis A. , Aden-Buie Garrick , van Veen Tessa , Masannat Jude , Chaudhary Ritu , Song Feifei , Fournier Michelle , Siegel Erin M. , Schabath Matthew B. , Wadsworth J. Trad , Caudell Jimmy , Harrison Louis , Wenig Bruce M. , Conejo-Garcia Jose , Hernandez-Prera Juan C. , Chung Christine H.
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who actively smoke during treatment have worse survival compared with never-smokers and former-smokers. We hypothesize the poor prognosis in tobacco smokers with HNSCC is, at least in part, due to ongoing suppression of immune response. We characterized the tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) of HNSCC in a retrospective cohort of 177 current, former, and never smokers.

Experimental Design:

Tumor specimens were subjected to analysis of CD3, CD8, FOXP3, PD-1, PD-L1, and pancytokeratin by multiplex immunofluorescence, whole-exome sequencing, and RNA sequencing. Immune markers were measured in tumor core, tumor margin, and stroma.

Results:

Our data indicate that current smokers have significantly lower numbers of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and PD-L1+ cells in the TIM compared with never- and former-smokers. While tumor mutation burden and mutant allele tumor heterogeneity score do not associate with smoking status, gene-set enrichment analyses reveal significant suppression of IFNα and IFNγ response pathways in current smokers. Gene expression of canonical IFN response chemokines, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11, are lower in current smokers than in former smokers, suggesting a mechanism for the decreased immune cell migration to tumor sites.

Conclusions:

These results suggest active tobacco use in HNSCC has an immunosuppressive effect through inhibition of tumor infiltration of cytotoxic T cells, likely as a result of suppression of IFN response pathways. Our study highlights the importance of understanding the interaction between smoking and TIM in light of emerging immune modulators for cancer management.
Divine Decrees and Human Choices: Grotius on the Law of Fate and Punishment
Authors: Iurlaro Francesca
Published: December 2019

Hugo Grotius’s Philosophorum sententiae de fato et de eo quod in nostra est potestate (from hereafter:
psf
) has, so far, received little scholarly attention, even though it provides us with an interesting insight into Grotius’s philosophical interests (and the intellectual debates that these interests were reacting to). This text, published posthumously in 1648 (Paris and Amsterdam) by Grotius’s wife, Maria van Reigensberg, contains translations of texts from various philosophers on the question of fate.

The aim of this article is to 1) place the debate on fate, in which Grotius was actively involved throughout all his life and career, in the wider context of the theological and philosophical debates on free will and divine foreknowledge; 2) acknowledge the importance played by Grotius’s
psf
, a gnomological collection of philosophical sources ranging from Pythagorean philosophers to early patristic authors all providing different, although converging arguments in favor of the existence of free will; and 3) suggest that debates on fate are distinctively linked by Grotius with those on the importance of law and punishment as a guarantee of order. This “legalistic” interpretation of fate ultimately allows Grotius to reconcile divine decrees with human liberty.
The Limits of Natural Law: Liability for Wrongdoing in the Inleidinge
Authors: Sampson Joe
Published: December 2019

This article focuses on Grotius’s treatment of obligations arising from wrongdoing in his Inleidinge. The work has clear parallels with the natural law formulation of the same topic in De Jure Belli ac Pacis, and this article explores the extent of the similarities. It focuses on points of divergence, suggesting that the theoretical coherence of the natural law approach to obligations arising from wrongdoing was challenged primarily by extant legislative enactments. These provided either for region-specific doctrines, or rules that proved difficult to reconcile with the underlying principles of natural law, especially the primacy of fault. While much of the Inleidinge’s treatment of liability arising from wrongdoing is consonant with Grotius’ approach to the topic in De Jure Belli ac Pacis, these discrete points of dissimilarity serve as a reminder of the limits of theoretical accounts of private law.
Проблема наследования престола в XVIII веке
Authors: Марасинова Елена
Published: December 2019

Статья посвящена размышлениям Екатерины II о проблеме передачи императорской власти, которые отразились в черновых проектах, отдельных записях, поисках в мировой истории прецедентов наследования престола не по нисходящей мужской линии, и наконец, в собственноручном конспекте «Правды воли монаршей». Взгляды императрицы исследуются на основе архивных источников, некоторые из которых впервые вводятся в научный оборот, и рассматриваются в исторической перспективе отношения к Уставу 1722 года о престолонаследии в период предыдущих правлений, именуемых в историографии «эпохой дворцовых переворотов». Вопрос о прерогативах правящего монарха в передаче власти представлен как часть более широкой проблемы сущности самодержавия.
Amana baohuaensis (Liliaceae), a new species from East China

Authors: WANG LONG , XING QIAN , LU GENG-YU , LU XU , ZHAO QUN , SONG XIANG-WEN , HAN BANG-XING
Published: December 2019

Amana baohuaensis is described and illustrated as a new species from Jurong City, Jiangsu Province, East China. The new species is morphologically similar to A. edulis, but differs from the latter by having three verticillate linear bracts, white or purple-red solitary flowers, and purplish-brown anthers. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS, chloroplast matK and rps16 intron sequences confirmed that this new species is distinct from morphologically similar species.
Comparison of the Therapeutic Effects of Gold Nanoclusters and Gold Nanoparticles on Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Zhao Yao , He Zhesheng , Wang Ruoping , Cai Pengju , Zhang Xiangchun , Yuan Qing , Zhang Jinsong , Gao Fuping , Gao Xueyun
Published: December 2019

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation and progressive cartilage and bone damage. In our previous studies, we found that Au clusters using glutathione as a template (GACs) produced profound anti-inflammatory effects in vitro
on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and type II collagen-induced rat RA in vivo. In this study, we examined whether the template for Au clusters synthesis has an effect on its anti-inflammatory effect and whether Au nanoparticles with
larger particle diameter produce the same anti-inflammatory effect. We synthesized Au clusters with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a template (BACs), Au clusters with glutathione (GSH) as a template (GACs), and Au nanoparticles with glutathione as a template (GANs) and compared their anti-inflammatory
effects in vitro and in vivo. These three Au nanomaterials can inhibit the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proinflammatory mediators and ameliorate type II collagen-induced rat RA. However, although the three Au nanomaterials produced similar anti-inflammatory
effects, the GANs with larger particle sizes were less stable in vivo and accumulated in the peritoneum after intraperitoneal injection, resulting in poor absorption in vivo. The BACs showed relatively high liver accumulation due to the larger molecular weight of the outer shell.
Therefore, we believe that the GACs are potential reliable nanodrugs for the treatment of RA.
How is equity approached in universal health coverage? An analysis of global and country policy documents in Benin and Senegal
Authors: Paul Elisabeth , Deville Céline , Bodson Oriane , Sambiéni N’koué Emmanuel , Thiam Ibrahima , Bourgeois Marc , Ridde Valéry , Fecher Fabienne
Published: December 2019

Background

Equity seems inherent to the pursuance of universal health coverage (UHC), but it is not a natural consequence of it. We explore how the multidimensional concept of equity has been approached in key global UHC policy documents, as well as in country-level UHC policies.

Methods

We analysed a purposeful sample of UHC reports and policy documents both at global level and in two Western African countries (Benin and Senegal). We manually searched each document for its use and discussion of equity and related terms. The content was summarised and thematically analysed, in order to comprehend how these concepts were understood in the documents. We distinguished between the level at which inequity takes place and the origin or types of inequities.

Results

Most of the documents analysed do not define equity in the first place, and speak about “health inequities” in the broad sense, without mentioning the dimension or type of inequity considered. Some dimensions of equity are ambiguous – especially coverage and financing. Many documents assimilate equity to an overall objective or guiding principle closely associated to UHC. The concept of equity is also often linked to other concepts and values (social justice, inclusion, solidarity, human rights – but also to efficiency and sustainability). Regarding the levels of equity most often considered, access (availability, coverage, provision) is the most often quoted dimension, followed by financial protection. Regarding the types of equity considered, those most referred to are socio-economic, geographic, and gender-based disparities. In Benin and Senegal, geographic inequities are mostly pinpointed by UHC policy documents, but concrete interventions mostly target the poor. Overall, the UHC policy of both countries are quite similar in terms of their approach to equity.

Conclusions

While equity is widely referred to in global and country-specific UHC policy documents, its multiple dimensions results in a rather rhetorical utilisation of the concept. Whereas equity covers various levels and types, many global UHC documents fail to define it properly and to comprehend the breadth of the concept. Consequently, perhaps, country-specific policy documents also use equity as a rhetoric principle, without sufficient consideration for concrete ways for implementation.