bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the directivity of transducer array based on typical array elements
Authors: Zhen-yang Xu , Xin-peng Wang , Jing-yuan Zhang
Published: July 2019

In order to analyze the directivity of the array composed of different shape array elements, a line array is made up of the point source, circular, annular and rectangular piston sound source, and the directivity of the array is analyzed by simulation software. The results show that the directivity of line array is influenced by many factors, such as array element spacing, geometric dimensions, array shape, number of array elements, wave number or frequency, etc. When the condition is equivalent, the directivity of the transducer array composed of annular array element is relatively optimal.
High Speed Test System of Current Pulse for Phase Change Memory Devices
Authors: Wang Yuhan , Zeng Ziqiang , Wang Yuchan , Xu Xia , Gu Liangling
Published: July 2019

The high-speed test system of current pulses for T-shaped phase change memory (PCM) cells has been studied. This system, which is able to provide the narrowest width of 500 ns, can apply direct current source pulses to the PCM device to do SET and RESET operation. The reliability of the system has been verified through the fixed resistor and the real PCM cells. The test results are presented and analyzed.
Resonant Overvoltage Mechanism of Electromagnetic Voltage Transformer in 6kV Non-Direct Grounding System
Authors: Sheng Tingran , Han Tongxin , Wang Zhliang
Published: July 2019

This paper expounds the principle and conditions of ferromagnetic resonance generation, and analyzes the ferromagnetic resonance accident of Hetan substation. The article explains the concept of “illusive grounding” caused by ferromagnetic resonance, combined with the Peterson curve. The conditions for the generation of ferromagnetic resonance are analyzed, and the common measures to eliminate ferromagnetic resonance are given.
High Voltage Intelligent Power Module Layout Design for Parasitic Inductance Reduction
Authors: Hua Qing , Zheng Jiaxing , Wang Shixin , Pan Zhijian , Leng Yan , Sun Jianhui , Ren Junfeng
Published: July 2019

When designing the high voltage intelligent power module, layout design is as important as circuit design. Appropriate layout design can avoid many problems associated with these types of power modules. This paper relates generally to the layout design of the power stage components within a 600V/30A high voltage SiC intelligent power module for low inductance. Several crucial aspects when designing the power stage layout have been pointed out. It also presents how to optimize the layout design to minimize the parasitic inductance.
Upgrade of relay valve of SD type braking system for urban rail vehicles
Authors: Chen Fan
Published: July 2019

Based on the structure and principle of the seven-stages relay valve of the SD type brake system of the existing urban rail vehicle, it is simply modified to double increase the number of stages of the braking force by each additional solenoid valve and piston-diaphragm. Therefore, the adjustment of the braking force is finer and more suitable for the precise positioning and parking of urban rail transit vehicles.
Research on Temperature Control Multilayer Manufacturing Method Based on Paving Quilting Cutting System
Authors: Liu Zhibin , Zhang Yidan , Shan Ming , Wang Yu
Published: July 2019

With the increasing investment of the country in the field of satellite manufacturing, the mode of satellite manufacturing is gradually changing from single development to batch production, and the existing research and production capacity is facing great challenges, so it is urgent to establish a product system to meet the requirements of multi-task, multi-model and batch production. This paper elaborates the automatic manufacturing process of multilayer insulation components in satellite thermal control system. Firstly, through designing special tooling, improving system design, optimizing process flow, and then conducting process tests, the optimal parameters are obtained and applied, which improves the production efficiency, stabilizes the production quality and meets the needs of largescale scientific research and production.
Application Research of Parallel Optimization Technology in Hydrological Model
Authors: Liu Fang , Zhou Shuai
Published: July 2019

Hydrological model parameters are generally considered to be a simplified representation that characterizes hydrologic processes, As hydrological models continue to deepen the application of hydrological processes in the basin, they face enormous calculations. Meanwhile, in pursuit calibrating the model parameters by optimal algorithms for higher accuracy, the computation burden of optical techniques has become much heavier. Therefore, in order to solve this problem of low efficiency of hydrological model calculation, this paper uses parallel PSO algorithm to calibrate the TOPMODEL model parameters, and then uses parallel computing to process the flow generation in each sub-basin. The results show that the daily runoff simulation value of tangnaihai hydrological station fits well with the measured hydrological process; Whether PSO or sub-basin all can improve computational efficiency by using parallel optimization techniques, the former and the latter increased by 3.22 and 2.57 times, respectively. The results provide a reference for further understanding the application of parallel computing in hydrological models.
Modeling and Design of a Wideband Electromagnetic Logging Detector
Authors: Song Xinai , Chen Hong , Cheng Xi , Cao Xing , Gui Pengfei
Published: July 2019

Due to the increasing complexity of oil and gas exploration objects, it is necessary to study the electrical properties of rocks in different frequency bands. At present, electrical properties of formation such as resistivity and phase change of electromagnetic propagation have attracted great attention in petroleum industry. In this paper, the influence of working frequency for tools, coil distance, mud in borehole, formation conductivity and other measuring conditions on detector signal is studied through numerical modeling, and the key circuit design technology of data acquisition of detector for wideband electromagnetic logging is preliminarily discussed. The modeling results can provide theoretical analysis for the design of parameters and data acquisition circuit of the detector, and lay a foundation for the accurate study of oil saturation of rock and the determination of reservoir fluid properties.
Steepest descent method based LSSVM model
Authors: Liang Jinjin
Published: July 2019

A new least square support vector machine SPLSSVM is constructed in the primal space, and the steepest descent method is designed to figure out the optimal solution by defining the optimal condition as the energy of the system. We rewrite the objective function by replacing the two norms of the slack vector with the slack obtained from the equality constraints, and we derive an unconstrained optimization model. By setting gradient of the obtained objective function equal to zero, a linear system is derived. An energy function is defined and an interactive method is designed to figure out the optimal solution. The incomplete Cholesky factorization is used in the nonlinear space to approximate the kernel map before applying the steepest descent method. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed SPLSSVM has higher precision and lower training time than SVM and LSSVM.
Research on Neural Machine Translation Model
Authors: Chen Mengyao , Li Yong , Li Runqi
Published: July 2019

In neural machine translation (NMT), cyclic neural networks, especially long-term and short-term memory networks and gated recurrent neural networks, have been regarded as the latest methods for sequence modeling and transduction problems for a long time, such as language modeling and machine translation. When the cyclic neural network is running, the sequence information is processed one by one, strictly following the order from left to right or from right to left, processing one word at a time, and parallel operation cannot be realized, resulting in slow running speed. With the rapid development of neural machine translation (NMT) network architecture, cyclic neural network has been effectively replaced by convolution network and self - attention. Convolution neural network has replaced the divine circulation neural network due to its parallel computation of convolution. The Transformer model replaces the long-term and short-term memory network with a complete self-attention structure, and abandons the traditional encoder and decoder model which must combine the inherent mode of convolutional neural network or circular neural network and only uses the self-attention mechanism. Although the biggest innovation of Transformer architecture is to use full self - attention, there are several other factors, such as multi-head attention and residual connection. The model flexibly combine several common building blocks in the Transformer architecture with the cyclic neural network. By borrowing the framework of the Transformer architecture without using full self - attention, experiments show that the cyclic model can be very close to the performance of the Transformer Our model achieved 26.7 BLEU in the WMT 2014 English to German translation task and 37.8 BLEU in the WMT 2014 English to French translation task. Using these two scores alone is very close to the score of the Transformer architecture using full attention, so even if the cyclic neural network is used instead of full self - attention, it can perform well on the data set.
Host location technology of campus network based on MAC address
Authors: Ma Ding , Wang Xuelong
Published: July 2019

With the increasingly strong nature of campus network teaching and service in the university, network management and security management are slowly catching up with the development of campus network construction. How to strengthen network security and public opinion supervision, how to locate the suspected computer location in the campus network has become an important problem. This paper proposes the campus network platform of colleges and universities as an example, expounds the process of computer physical location, analyzes the problems generated in the tracking process, and finally summarizes the application.
Design and Research of Electrostatic Sensor Based on Aero-engine Airway Electrostatic Monitoring Technology
Authors: Hao Zhang , Yin Zhang , Zhensheng Sun , Yu Hu , Guang Wang
Published: July 2019

Aero-engine airway electrostatic monitoring technology is a new type of aero-engine airway fault monitoring technology, which has a good development prospect. The principle of this technology is to realize the acquisition of the electrostatic signal of solid charged particles in the engine tail nozzle through the electrostatic sensor, and to judge the fault degree of the engine air circuit through the analysis of the electrostatic signal. In this paper, the electrostatic sensor is designed and manufactured according to the principle of electrostatic induction, what’s more, the measurement circuit is designed and manufactured, and the noise and interference in the electrostatic signal are eliminated. The validity of the measurement circuit is verified by simulation test. Finally, according to the self-designed test platform of gas-path electrostatic monitoring based on small turbojet engine, the test of electrostatic sensor and measurement circuit was completed, and the electrostatic signal was collected, which preliminarily verified the feasibility and effectiveness of gas-path electrostatic detection method.
Research on innovation design of corn cutting platform based on evolution of technology system
Authors: Lv Bing , Li Zequn , Chen Mengjia , Wang Jianqiang , Yan Jie
Published: July 2019

In order to accurately predict the future direction of corn cutting platform technology and rapidly develop a new generation of technologies and products, it is crucial to determine the current position of the corn cutting platform technology in the life cycle. Corn cutting platform had problems such as inefficient design, relatively high purchase costs, and short life. After quantitative and qualitative analysis of patents related to corn cutting platform technology, the S-curve law of technical system evolution theory was used to predict that the current corn cutting platform technology is in a recession period in the S-curve. In this period the super-system evolution law should be used in the innovative design of the corn cutting platform. Thereby the design efficiency of the corn header is improved. The causal chain analysis method was used to analyze the reasons for the high cost of the corn cutting platform. It is inferred that the above problems can be solved from the “single corn cutting platform function” and “too long corn cutting platform idle time”. The corn cutting platform that harvests both grain corn and silage corn was derived by applying the technical contradiction method and the super-system evolution rule.
Static Strength Analysis and Scheme Optimization of Mounting Seat of Energy Absorption Structure on Aluminum Alloy Metro vehicle
Authors: Li Yana , Wu Xuming
Published: July 2019

The strength of the mounting seat under static strength conditions determines the stability and reliability of the energy-absorbing structure on the metro vehicle. In this paper, five improvement schemes were proposed and the optimal scheme was determined under the worst static strength load condition for the mounting seat of energy-absorbing structure. The results showed that reinforcements had no obvious effect on the stress distribution at the weld seam of the mounting seat. According to the characteristic of transferring deformation and force, the effect of changing the position of the weld seam and moving it away from the stress concentration area was more feasible method.
Research for the Unified Description Mechanism of the 3D model of the Launch Vehicle Based on Ontology
Authors: Wang Teng , Nie Rongmei
Published: July 2019

Aiming at the 3D model of the Launch vehicle, the article raises the unified description method based on the ontology and creates the hierarchical ontology model for the launch vehicle. At the end of the paper, an example of the tank which is based on the ontology is verified by the unified description method.
Kinematics Modeling and Analysis of Leveling Mechanism of Orchard Work Platform Based on Screw Theory
Authors: Guiju Fan , Zhao Li , Tiantao Feng , Hao Zhang , Fu Qin , Xiaohan Sun
Published: July 2019

In view of the previous development of the orchard work platform leveling mechanism, the terrain change was introduced and simplified into a five-degree-of-freedom series linkage mechanism. The kinematics model based on the spin theory was established, and the Jacobian matrix of the workbench was derived. The key factors affecting the movement of the workbench was analysed, the experimental model was built. The results show that the maximum error is only 0.65°, which indicates that the kinematics model is accurate and reliable, and provides a theoretical basis for real-time control of the leveling mechanism.
Study on MgO: APLN Crystal for Multi-Optical Parametric Oscillation
Authors: Liu Hang , Wang Yuheng , Liu Heyan , Li Lujie , Yu Yongji , Jin Guangyong
Published: July 2019

In this paper, the expression of polarization structure for superlattice materials with phase mismatch and relative coefficient is established. Based on this method, a MgO:APLN crystal with two reciprocal lattice vectors is designed to generate 1.47μm, 3.84μm and 1.57μm, 3.3μm parametric light pumped by 1064 nm fundamental frequency light. Comparing the Fourier coefficients of MgO:APLN crystals with different structures, it is found that the Fourier coefficients of the two reciprocal lattice vectors are equal when the relative coefficient is 1:1. Based on this crystal, the experiment of external cavity MgO:APLN-MOPO is carried out to optimize the output transmittance of parametric optical coupling. With 20kHz high repetition rate 1064nm laser pumping, 1.57μm and 3.84 μm are achieved and the average power are 4.1W and 3.7W, respectively. The corresponding light-to-light conversion efficiency are 17.1% and 15.4%.
Simulation Study on Pipeline Deformation Defect Detection Based on Eddy Current Effect
Authors: Chen Jinzhong , Xin Jiaxing , Li Xiaolong , Ma Yilai , He Renyang , He Renbi , Zhu Hongwu
Published: July 2019

Oil and gas pipeline deformation detector is of great significance for pipeline deformation detection. In view of the poor throughput of small diameter oil and gas pipelines, this paper presents an internal deformation detection technology based on eddy current effect. Based on the eddy current theory, a mathematical model for eddy current testing of pipeline deformation defects is established. The relationship between probe lift-off value and magnetic field intensity is studied by numerical calculation method. The results show that under the same lift-off value, the composite magnetic field intensity is negatively correlated with the axis distance of the excitation coil, and at the same position, the composite magnetic field intensity is positively correlated with the lift-off value. The research in this paper has certain guiding significance for the internal detection technology of pipeline deformation defect.
Secreted Monocyte miR-27a, via Mesenteric Arterial Mas Receptor-eNOS Pathway, Causes Hypertension
Authors: Zou Xue , Wang Jialiang , Chen Caiyu , Tan Xiaorong , Huang Yu , Jose Pedro A , Yang Jian , Zeng Chunyu
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

Essential hypertension is associated with increased plasma concentrations of extracellular vesicles (EVs). We aimed to determine the role of monocyte miR-27a in EVs on arterial Mas receptor expression, and its involvement in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

METHODS

THP-1 cells were transfected with miR-27a mimic and miR-27a inhibitor, and EVs were collected. Mas receptor expression and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation were determined by immunoblotting. Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats received EVs via tail-vein injection. Blood pressure (BP) was measured with the tail-cuff method. The vasodilatory response of mesenteric arteries was measured using a small vessel myograph.

RESULTS

EVs from THP-1 cells increased rat BP by impairing Ang-(1–7)-mediated vasodilation in mesenteric arteries, which was further exaggerated by EVs from lipopolysaccharides-treated THP-1 cells. As the receptor and key signaling of Ang-(1–7), next experiments found that Mas receptor expression and eNOS phosphorylation were decreased in mesenteric arteries from EVs-treated SD rats. Screening studies found miR-27a in EVs may be involved in this process. Through transfection with miR-27a inhibitor or miR-27a mimic, we found that miR-27a downregulates Mas receptor expression in endothelial cells. Injection of EVs from miR-27a-transfected HEK-293 cells decreased Mas receptor and eNOS phosphorylation in mesenteric arteries, impaired Ang-(1–7)-mediated vasodilation and increased BP. Earlier effects were reversed using cells with downregulation of miR-27 in EVs.

CONCLUSIONS

Monocyte miR-27a in EVs decreases Mas receptor expression and eNOS phosphorylation in endothelium, impairs Ang-(1–7)-mediated vasodilation, and causes hypertension. Understanding the contributions of EVs in the pathogenesis of hypertension may facilitate their use as a diagnostic biomarker.
Species interactions modulate the response of saltmarsh plants to flooding
Authors: Edge Ryan S , Sullivan Martin J P , Pedley Scott M , Mossman Hannah L
Published: July 2019

Background and Aims

The vegetation that grows on coastal wetlands is important for ecosystem functioning, a role mediated by plant traits. These traits can be affected by environmental stressors and by the competitive environment the plant experiences. The relative importance of these influences on different traits is poorly understood and, despite theoretical expectations for how factors may interact, empirical data are conflicting. Our aims are to determine the effect of flooding, species composition and their interaction on plant functional traits, and assess the role of biodiversity and species composition in driving community-level responses to flooding.

Methods

We conducted a factorial glasshouse experiment assessing the effects of species composition (all combinations of three saltmarsh species, Aster tripolium, Plantago maritima and Triglochin maritima) and flooding (immersion of roots) on a suite of functional traits. We also related biomass in mixed species pots to that expected from monocultures to assess how species interactions affect community-level biomass.

Key Results

Species composition frequently interacted with flooding to influence functional traits and community-level properties. However, there was also considerable intraspecific variability in traits within each treatment. Generally, effects of flooding were more pronounced for below-ground than above-ground biomass, while composition affected above-ground biomass more than below-ground biomass. We found both negative and positive interactions between species (indicated by differences in above- and below-ground biomass from expectations under monoculture), meaning that composition was an important determinate of community function.

Conclusions

While the effect of flooding alone on traits was relatively weak, it interacted with species composition to modify the response of both individual plants and communities. Our results suggest that responses to increased flooding will be complex and depend on neighbourhood species interactions. Furthermore, intraspecific trait variability is a potential resource that may dampen the effects of changes in flooding regime.
Herbivory may promote a non-native plant invasion at low but not high latitudes
Authors: Lu Xinmin , He Minyan , Tang Saichun , Wu Yuqing , Shao Xu , Wei Hui , Siemann Evan , Ding Jianqing
Published: July 2019

Background and Aims

The strengths of biotic interactions such as herbivory are expected to decrease with increasing latitude for native species. To what extent this applies to invasive species and what the consequences of this variation are for competition among native and invasive species remain unexplored. Here, herbivore impacts on the invasive plant Alternanthera philoxeroides and its competition with the native congener A. sessilis were estimated across latitudes in China.

Methods

An common garden experiment spanning ten latitudinal degrees was conducted to test how herbivore impacts on A. philoxeroides and A. sessilis, and competition between them change with latitude. In addition, a field survey was conducted from 21°N to 36.8°N to test whether A. philoxeroides invasiveness changes with latitude in nature as a result of variations in herbivory.

Key Results

In the experiment, A. sessilis cover was significantly higher than A. philoxeroides cover when they competed in the absence of herbivores, but otherwise their cover was comparable at low latitude. However, A. philoxeroides cover was always higher on average than A. sessilis cover at middle latitude. At high latitude, only A. sessilis emerged in the second year. Herbivore abundance decreased with latitude and A. philoxeroides emerged earlier than A. sessilis at middle latitude. In the field survey, the ratio of A. philoxeroides to A. sessilis cover was hump shaped with latitude.

Conclusion

These results indicate that herbivory may promote A. philoxeroides invasion only at low latitude by altering the outcome of competition in favour of the invader and point to the importance of other factors, such as earlier emergence, in A. philoxeroides invasion at higher latitudes. These results suggest that the key factors promoting plant invasions might change with latitude, highlighting the importance of teasing apart the roles of multiple factors in plant invasions within a biogeographic framework.
CHA2DS2-VASc Stroke Risk Index and Executive Functioning in Older Adults
Authors: Duda Bryant M , Keith Cierra M , Sweet Lawrence H
Published: July 2019

Objective

CHA2DS2-VASc is a stroke risk classification system developed to improve the precision of stroke risk classification. The current study examined the validity of CHA2DS2-VASc in a sample of healthy older adults using executive function measures of processing speed, working memory, and cognitive flexibility that are sensitive to cerebrovascular risk factors.

Methods

Participants included 51 community-dwelling, healthy older adults (ages 53–86) recruited from both the community and cardiology clinics. CHA2DS2-VASc was utilized as a measure of stroke risk. Measures of executive functioning and processing speed included the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) Number–Letter Switching, and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) Coding.

Results

CHA2DS2-VASc scores significantly predicted scores on the PASAT, DKEFS Number-Letter Switching, and RBANS Coding, such that greater stroke risk was associated with poorer performances on tests of executive functioning and processing speed. These relationships were observed over and above the potential influence of educational attainment and symptoms of depression.

Conclusion

Significant relations between stroke risk classification and performance on several measures of executive functioning provide support for a wider and more generalized use of CHA2DS2-VASc with healthy older adults. These findings further highlight the importance of early identification and treatment of stroke risk factors associated with cognitive decline. Findings suggest that CHA2DS2-VASc is a practical and useful tool for patients and their providers in the early detection of stroke risk and development of individualized treatment plans.
Pair bonds, reproductive success, and rise of alternate mating strategies in a social carnivore
Authors: Ausband David E
Published: July 2019

Monogamy is commonly observed across a wide variety of species and taxa and arises when young are altricial, parental investment in young is high, and mate monopolization is generally not possible. In such species, pairs may bond for multiple breeding seasons while successfully rearing young. Individuals, however, may attempt to bypass the dominant mating strategy particularly when breeding opportunities are limited. Currently, we do not know how pair bond duration affects the efficacy of alternative mating strategies in populations with a monogamous mating system. Additionally, inferences about pair bond effects on reproductive success (i.e., both clutch size and recruitment) are largely limited to long-lived birds and little is known about effects on mammalian cooperative breeders. I used genetic sampling and pedigrees to examine the effects of pair bond duration on reproductive success (i.e., litter size, recruitment) and mating strategies in a population of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Idaho, USA. There was a positive, marginally significant relationship between pair bond duration and apparent survival of offspring. Increased pair bond duration was also associated with a dampening in the prevalence of other alternative mating strategies such as sneaker males and polygamy. The selective advantage of alternative mating strategies is a combination of population, group (for applicable species), individual, and social influences such as pair bonds. The distribution of pair bonds in a monogamous population affects the selective advantage, and hence frequency, of various mating strategies observed.
Auxin-inducible protein degradation as a novel approach for protein depletion and reverse genetic discoveries in mammalian oocytes†
Authors: Camlin Nicole J , Evans Janice P
Published: July 2019

The disruption of protein expression is a major approach used for investigating protein function in mammalian oocytes. This is often achieved with RNAi/morpholino-mediated knockdown or gene knockout, leading to long-term loss of proteins of interest. However, these methods have noteworthy limitations, including (a) slow protein turnover can prohibit use of these approaches; (b) essential roles in early events precludes characterization of functions in subsequent events; (c) extended protein loss can allow time for compensatory mechanisms and other unanticipated events that confound interpretation of results. The work presented here examines the use of auxin-inducible degradation, a powerful new approach that overcomes these limitations through the depletion of one's protein of interest through controllable ubiquitin-mediated degradation. This method has been employed in yeast and mammalian cell lines, and here we demonstrate the utility of auxin-inducible degradation in mouse oocytes at multiple stages of meiosis, through degradation of exogenously expressed EGFP. We also evaluate important parameters for experimental design for use of this system in oocytes. This study thus expands the toolkit of researchers in oocyte biology, establishing the use of this unique and versatile approach for depleting proteins in oocytes, and providing researchers with valuable information to make use of this system.
Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Plus Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder and Severe Injection-related Infections
Authors: Fanucchi Laura C , Walsh Sharon L , Thornton Alice C , Nuzzo Paul A , Lofwall Michelle R
Published: July 2019

In a pilot randomized trial in persons with opioid use disorder hospitalized with injection-related infections, an innovative care model combining outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy with buprenorphine treatment had similar clinical and drug use outcomes to usual care (inpatient intravenous antibiotic completion) and shortened hospital length of stay by 23.5 days.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03048643.
Was Keynes a socialist?
Authors: Fuller Edward W
Published: July 2019

This paper addresses the controversy over Keynes’s political thought. Robert Skidelsky portrays Keynes as a liberal who wanted to save capitalism. By contrast, Rod O’Donnell argues Keynes was a socialist. This paper presents unexplored evidence that shows Keynes was a non-Marxist socialist from 1907 until his death in 1946. First, the paper demonstrates that Keynes described himself as a socialist and aligned himself with socialism. Next, the paper shows Keynes can be defined as a socialist because he advocated socialist policy. Finally, the paper discusses Keynes’s socialist political and journalistic activities. Keynes was a non-Marxist socialist, meaning Skidelsky has misinterpreted Keynes’s political philosophy.
Inflammatory leucocyte infiltrates are associated with recovery in biopsy-proven acute interstitial nephritis: a 20-year registry-based case series
Authors: Wendt Ralph , Schliecker Jennifer , Beige Joachim
Published: July 2019

Background

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a renal injury causing renal function deterioration and requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) in a substantial number of cases. Therapy is based on withdrawal of suspicious causative drugs or the underlying diseases and/or steroid application if renal function is not restored after cessation of the underlying condition. Hard clinical evidence for augmenting steroid therapy is not available.

Methods

We reviewed the course and diagnosis for >20 years among all 1126 biopsied samples of our tertiary renal centre.

Results

49 (4.4%) were diagnosed with primary AIN, corresponding to an annual incidence of 1/100 000 population; 17 out of 49 biopsy-proven AIN patients required short-term or long-term (n = 5) RRT. According to a combined outcome criterion of coming off dialysis and/or reaching serum creatinine <200 µmol/L, 19 patients reached recovery whereas 20 did not. Among 39 patients with a comprehensive clinical and histopathological data set, presence of cortical scars, AIN histological activity (acute leucocyte infiltrates) and proteinuria were baseline parameters discriminating significantly between groups with or without recovery. No associations with the presence of specific drugs were found. Therapeutic use of steroids was associated with a lower probability of recovery (P = 0.008), presumably due to inclusion bias.

Conclusions

Following our basic finding of the importance of histopathological parameters of acuity associated with recovery, we argue for the inauguration of grading measures to characterize this issue quantitatively and make it usable for future controlled investigations. Finally, we provide a suggestion for a therapeutic algorithm in the management of AIN.
Education level and hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions: an education approach is required
Authors: Buja Alessandra , Fonzo Marco , Sperotto Milena , De Battisti Elisa , Baldovin Tatjana , Cocchio Silvia , Furlan Patrizia , Saia Mario , Scapellato Maria Luisa , Viel Guido , Baldo Vincenzo , Bertoncello Chiara
Published: July 2019

Background

Studies in several different countries and settings suggest that ambulatory care–sensitive conditions (ACSCs)-related hospitalizations could be associated more with socioeconomic variables than with the quality of primary healthcare services. The aim of the present study was to analyze the potential links between education levels or other social determinants and ACSC-related hospitalization rates.

Methods

We analyzed a total of 467 504 records of ordinary discharges after acute hospitalization in 2015–16 for patients 20–74 years old residing in the Veneto Region. We calculated the prevention quality indicators (PQIs) developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated with a set of Poisson regressions to measure the relative risk by sociodemographic level.

Results

Hospitalizations for ACSCs accounted for 3.9% of all hospital admissions (18 436 discharges), and the crude hospitalization rate for ACSCs among 20- to 74-year-olds was 26.6 per 10 000 inhabitants (95% CI, 25.8–27.4). For all conditions, we found a significant association with formal education. In the case of the overall composite PQI#90, e.g. poorly educated people (primary school or no schooling) were at significantly higher risk of hospitalization for ACSCs than the better educated (RR, 4.50; 95% CI, 4.13–4.91).

Conclusions

Currently available administrative data regarding ACSCs may be used effectively for reveal equity issues in the provision of health care. Our results indicate that an educational approach inside Primary Health Care could address the extra risk for preventable healthcare demands associated with poorly educated patients.
A Comprehensive Survey on the Terpene Synthase Gene Family Provides New Insight into Its Evolutionary Patterns
Authors: Jiang Shu-Ye , Jin Jingjing , Sarojam Rajani , Ramachandran Srinivasan
Published: July 2019

Terpenes are organic compounds and play important roles in plant growth and development as well as in mediating interactions of plants with the environment. Terpene synthases (TPSs) are the key enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of terpenes. Although some species were employed for the genome-wide identification and characterization of the TPS family, limited information is available regarding the evolution, expansion, and retention mechanisms occurring in this gene family. We performed a genome-wide identification of the TPS family members in 50 sequenced genomes. Additionally, we also characterized the TPS family from aromatic spearmint and basil plants using RNA-Seq data. No TPSs were identified in algae genomes but the remaining plant species encoded various numbers of the family members ranging from 2 to 79 full-length TPSs. Some species showed lineage-specific expansion of certain subfamilies, which might have contributed toward species or ecotype divergence or environmental adaptation. A large-scale family expansion was observed mainly in dicot and monocot plants, which was accompanied by frequent domain loss. Both tandem and segmental duplication significantly contributed toward family expansion and expression divergence and played important roles in the survival of these expanded genes. Our data provide new insight into the TPS family expansion and evolution and suggest that TPSs might have originated from isoprenyl diphosphate synthase genes.
Patients’ Perceive Biologics to Be Riskier and More Dreadful Than Other IBD Medications
Authors: Koliani-Pace Jenna L , Haron Anna M , Zisman-Ilani Yaara , Thompson Kimberly D , Siegel Corey A
Published: July 2019

Background

Biologic medications have advanced the management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) but are underutilized in the treatment algorithm. One reason may be related to patients’ concerns about adverse events and their perceptions of risk. The aim of this study was to compare patients’ perceptions of risk of IBD treatment with their perceived risk of everyday occurrences and other medications and how these perceptions may be influenced by personality traits.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of consecutive IBD patients was conducted at a single tertiary care center. Participants were asked to report about their perception of risk of IBD medications, non-IBD medications, invasive procedures, and everyday life occurrences. Participants responded also to the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale to characterize beliefs about control over health outcomes.

Results

A total of 130 patients with IBD completed the questionnaires. There was a broad range of disease severity and prior medication use. Biologics elicited the highest dread of all IBD medications, but this was still lower than their fear of surgery. Patients believed that biologics were of higher benefit than immunomodulators and mesalamines, but riskier. Having the personality trait of an internally developed locus of control was associated with the perception that biologics are less dreadful.

Conclusions

Patients with IBD perceive biologics to be of higher benefit but riskier and more dreadful as compared with immunomodulators. Risk perception may be about more than their knowledge base but also about how much control patients typically believe they have over their daily lives.
Drones, Surveillance, and Violence: Theory and Evidence from a US Drone Program
Authors: Mir Asfandyar , Moore Dylan
Published: July 2019

We investigate the impact of the US drone program in Pakistan on insurgent violence. Using details about US-Pakistan counterterrorism cooperation and geocoded violence data, we show that the program was associated with monthly reductions of around nine to thirteen insurgent attacks and fifty-one to eighty-six casualties in the area affected by the program. This change was sizable, as in the year before the program, the affected area experienced around twenty-one attacks and one hundred casualties per month. Additional quantitative and qualitative evidence suggests that this drop is attributable to the drone program. However, the damage caused in strikes during the program cannot fully account for the reduction. Instead, anticipatory effects induced by the program played a prominent role in subduing violence. These effects stemmed from the insurgents’ perception of the risk of being targeted in drone strikes; their efforts to avoid targeting severely compromised their movement and communication abilities, in addition to eroding within-group trust. These findings contrast with prominent perspectives on air-power, counterinsurgency, and US counterterrorism, suggesting select drone deployments can be an effective tool of counterinsurgency and counterterrorism.
Modelling subsurface geologic structures at the Ikogosi geothermal field, southwestern Nigeria, using gravity, magnetics and seismic interferometry techniques
Authors: Abraham Ema M , Alile Owens M
Published: July 2019

We present results and a technique for imaging the subsurface structures of a geothermal field with particular focus on the Ikogosi geothermal field in Nigeria. The intent was to provide an understanding of the subsurface structural setup in the region and assess its viability for further geothermal resources exploitation. High-resolution aeromagnetic and gravity data were used for the study. A constrained 2D forward modelling technique was applied to these datasets to map the shape and corresponding depths of geologic structures in the region. This study has gone deeper to ascertain the basement structure and configurations and how it influences the heat source of the Ikogosi Warm Spring (IWS) region. The dominant host quartzite rock unit at the IWS location reaches average depths of 2.5–3.0 km and is located directly on an intruded high-density geologic formation in the subsurface. Fault structures traversing the IWS source have also been uncovered. We infer that these structural setups are central to the geothermal system of the IWS. Valid reflection responses from the profile model have been retrieved from randomly induced noise sources, using a passive seismic interferometry technique. Pre-stack depth migration of the reflected responses suitably imaged the reflectors within the subsurface of the IWS region, tracing fault boundaries and delineating intruded geological structures. This has provided pre-survey insights into the subsurface seismic imagery of the region. Results derived from this study could assist informed decision making regarding geothermal exploration and exploitation in the region.
The heterogeneity and electro-mechanical characteristics of coal at the micro- and nanoscale
Authors: Wang Weixiang , Song Dazhao , He Xueqiu , Liu Xianfeng , Li Zhenlei , Tian Xianghui
Published: July 2019

With regard to the mechanism of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) excited by deformation and failure of coal and rock, the present study employed the optical microscope, digital microhardness tester and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to measure surface morphology, surface microhardness and electro-mechanical characteristics, including elastic modulus and surface potential of coal. The results show that micro-mineral composition and micro-mechanical properties of coal are clearly heterogeneous. The elastic modulus values measured are 62.3 MPa–4.0 GPa and the surface potential values tested are 21.2–166.2 mV. The proportion distributions of the two parameters mentioned follow the normal distribution, which indicates the electro-mechanical characteristics of coal are clearly inhomogeneous at the micro- and nanoscales. Finally, the effects of the inhomogeneous elastic modulus and surface potential on the EMR from the microscopic perspective were analyzed. In this experiment, the change of the micro-elastic modulus and the existence of the surface potential on the coal surface were directly observed. The findings reveal the mechanism of EMR induced by deformation and failure of coal and rock.
The Struggle Against Torture: Challenges, Assumptions and New Directions
Authors: Kelly Tobias
Published: July 2019

This short essay offers a broad and necessarily incomplete review of the current state of the human rights struggle against torture and ill-treatment. It sketches four widespread assumptions in that struggle: 1) that torture is an issue of detention and interrogation; 2) that political or security detainees are archetypal victims of torture; 3) that legal reform is one of the best ways to fight torture; and 4) that human rights monitoring helps to stamp out violence. These four assumptions have all played an important role in the history of the human rights fight against torture, but also resulted in limitations in terms of the interventions that are used, the forms of violence that human rights practitioners respond to, and the types of survivors they seek to protect. Taken together, these four assumptions have created challenges for the human rights community in confronting the multiple forms of torture rooted in the deep and widespread inequality experienced by many poor and marginalized groups. The essay ends by pointing to some emerging themes in the fight against torture, such as a focus on inequality, extra-custodial violence, and the role of corruption.
Clinical Utility of GlioSeq Next-Generation Sequencing Test in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients With Brain Tumors
Authors: Roy Somak , Agnihotri Sameer , El Hallani Soufiane , Ernst Wayne L , Wald Abigail I , Santana dos Santos Lucas , Hamilton Ronald L , Horbinski Craig M , Wadhwani Nitin R , Born Donald E , Pollack Ian F , Nikiforov Yuri E , Nikiforova Marina N
Published: July 2019

Brain tumors are the leading cause of death in children. Establishing an accurate diagnosis and therapy is critical for patient management. This study evaluated the clinical utility of GlioSeq, a next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay, for the diagnosis and management of pediatric and young adult patients with brain tumors. Between May 2015 and March 2017, 142 consecutive brain tumors were tested using GlioSeq v1 and subset using GlioSeq v2. Out of 142 samples, 63% were resection specimens and 37% were small stereotactic biopsies. GlioSeq sequencing was successful in 100% and 98.6% of the cases for the detection of mutations and copy number changes, and gene fusions, respectively. Average turnaround time was 8.7 days. Clinically significant genetic alterations were detected in 95%, 66.6%, and 66.1% of high-grade gliomas, medulloblastomas, and low-grade gliomas, respectively. GlioSeq enabled molecular-based stratification in 92 (65%) cases by specific molecular subtype assignment (70, 76.1%), substantiating a neuropathologic diagnosis (18, 19.6%), and diagnostic recategorization (4, 4.3%). Fifty-seven percent of the cases harbored therapeutically actionable findings. GlioSeq NGS analysis offers rapid detection of a wide range of genetic alterations across a spectrum of pediatric brain tumors using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens and facilitates integrated molecular-morphologic classification and personalized management of pediatric brain tumors.
Anesthesia
Authors: Sivak Wesley N. , Sivak Erica L. , Shestak Kenneth C.
Published: July 2019

Regional anesthesia, or rendering only a targeted part of the body anesthetized, has numerous benefits for both the surgeon and patient. Local anesthetic agents are essential to create and maintain regional blockades, and detailed knowledge of these agents is essential to providing safe and effective care. This chapter begins with review of the basic pharmacology, indications, and contraindications for the use of regional anesthesia. Numerous specific blockades used to anesthetize distinct regions of the body are reviewed with specific focus on anatomy and technique. When safely performed, regional anesthesia can provide an optimal experience for both surgeon and patient.
Wound Closure
Authors: Daar David A. , Evangelista Maristella S.
Published: July 2019

In order to successfully allow for healing, proper wound assessment and planning are of paramount importance. Proper wound closure relies on the optimization of patient and wound characteristics. Factors such as a patient’s age, nutritional status, medical history, medications, and current or previous therapeutic interventions all require consideration. In addition, wound characteristics such as size, shape, contamination, drainage, and odor must also be considered. This chapter will review important principles in wound assessment, patient optimization, and techniques for primary closure. Adjuncts of tissue expansion, dermal substitutes, and negative pressure wound therapy will also be covered briefly.