bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impaired fasting glucose and development of chronic kidney disease in non-diabetic population: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Kim Hyoungnae , Park Suyeon , Kwon Soon Hyo , Jeon Jin Seok , Han Dong Cheol , Noh Hyunjin
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor of chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, the relationship between fasting glucose and CKD remains controversial in non-diabetic population. This study aimed to assess causal relationship between genetically predicted fasting glucose and incident CKD.

Research design and methods

This study included 5909 participants without diabetes and CKD from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. The genetic risk score (GRS9) was calculated using nine genetic variants associated with fasting glucose in previous genome-wide association studies. Incident CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2and/or proteinuria (≥1+). The causal relationship between fasting glucose and CKD was evaluated using the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

Results

The GRS9was strongly associated with fasting glucose (β, 1.01; p<0.001). During a median follow-up of 11.6 years, 490 (8.3%) CKD events occurred. However, GRS9was not significantly different between participants with CKD events and those without. After adjusting for confounding factors, fasting glucose was not associated with incident CKD (OR 0.990; 95% CI 0.977 to 1.002; p=0.098). In the MR analysis, GRS9was not associated with CKD development (OR per 1 SD increase, 1.179; 95% CI 0.819 to 1.696; p=0.376). Further evaluation using various other MR methods and strict CKD criteria (decrease in the eGFR of ≥30% to a value of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2) found no significant relationship between GRS9and incident CKD.

Conclusions

Fasting glucose was not causally associated with CKD development in non-diabetic population.
Mapping tuberculosis prevalence in Ethiopia: protocol for a geospatial meta-analysis
Authors: Alene Kefyalew Addis , Wagaw Zeleke Alebachew , Clements Archie C A
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB), a major public health concern in Ethiopia, is distributed heterogeneously across the country. Mapping TB prevalence at national and subnational levels can provide information for designing and implementing control strategies. Data for spatial analysis can be obtained through systematic review of the literature, and spatial prediction can be done by meta-analysis of published data (geospatial meta-analysis). Geospatial meta-analysis can increase the power of spatial analytic models by making use of all available data. It can also provide a means for spatial prediction where new survey data in a given area are sparse or not available. In this report, we present a protocol for a geospatial meta-analysis to investigate the spatial patterns of TB prevalence in Ethiopia.

Methods and analysis

To conduct this study, a national TB prevalence survey, supplemented with data from a systematic review of published reports, will be used as the source of TB prevalence data. Systematic searching will be conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for studies published up to 15 April 2020 to identify all potential publications reporting TB prevalence in Ethiopia. Data for covariates for multivariable analysis will be obtained from different, readily available sources. Extracted TB survey and covariate data will be georeferenced to specific locations or the centroids of small administrative areas. A binomial logistic regression model will be fitted to TB prevalence data using both fixed covariate effects and random geostatistical effects based on the approach of model-based geostatistics. Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation will be conducted to obtained posterior parameter estimations, including spatially predicted prevalence.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval will not be required for this study as it will be based on deidentified, aggregate published data. The final report of this review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and will also be presented at relevant conferences.
Faecal microbiota transplant to ERadicate gastrointestinal carriage of Antibiotic Resistant Organisms (FERARO): a prospective, randomised placebo-controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Merrick Blair , Robinson Emily , Bunce Catey , Allen Liz , Bisnauthsing Karen , Izundu Chi Chi , Bell Jordana , Amos Gregory , Shankar-Hari Manu , Goodman Anna , Shawcross Debbie L , Goldenberg Simon D
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance is rising, largely due to the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials. The human gut is the largest reservoir of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB). Individuals colonised with ARB have the potential to spread these organisms both in the community and hospital settings. Infections with ARB such as extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing enterobacteriales (ESBL-E) and carbapenemase producing enterobacteriales (CPE) are more difficult to treat and are associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. Presently, there is no effective decolonisation strategy for these ARB. Faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) has emerged as a potential strategy for decolonisation of ARB from the human gut, however there is significant uncertainty about the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of using this approach.

Methods and analysis

Prospective, randomised, patient-blinded, placebo-controlled feasibility trial of FMT to eradicate gastrointestinal carriage of ARB. Eighty patients with a recent history of invasive infection secondary to ESBL-E or CPE and persistent gastrointestinal carriage will be randomised 1:1 to receive encapsulated FMT or placebo. The primary outcome measure is consent rate (as a proportion of patients who fulfil inclusion/exclusion criteria); this will be used to determine if a substantive trial is feasible. Participants will be followed up at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months and monitored for adverse events as well as gastrointestinal carriage rates of ARB after intervention.

Ethics and dissemination

Research ethics approval was obtained by London—City and East Research Ethics Committee (ref 20/LO/0117). Trial results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international conferences.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN registration number 34 467 677 and EudraCT number 2019-001618-41.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) performed by optometrists for patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Jones Lee , Konstantakopoulou Evgenia , Gazzard Gus
Published: May 2020

Introduction

In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are amending guidelines to support use of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as a first-line treatment for patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The procedure is quick, effective in lowering intraocular pressure, cost-effective for the National Health Service and offers an equivalent safety profile to other therapies. The procedure is typically performed by an ophthalmologist; however, there is potential for suitably trained non-medical professionals to deliver the therapy. This scoping review will identify service delivery models where SLT is delivered by non-medical professionals worldwide, with a focus on optometrists.

Methods and analysis

A systematic search of the following databases will be conducted: CINAHL; MEDLINE Complete; Embase; HMIC and Ovid Emcare. For inclusion, studies must examine healthcare models of SLT delivery by optometrists and describe one of the following outcomes: training procedures; clinical effectiveness; safety and cost-effectiveness. A search of grey literature will be conducted via professional societies; national health departments; medicine regulatory bodies; charities and conference proceedings. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts and full-texts articles, followed by charting of data. This evidence synthesis will summarise findings narratively, supplemented with tables and descriptive statistics.

Ethics and dissemination

The review focuses on published articles and therefore ethical approval is not required. The findings will be relevant to key stakeholders including health service managers, policymakers, clinicians and patients. The findings of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and summary reports for key stakeholders.
In-depth plasma proteomics reveals increase in circulating PD-1 during anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Babačić Haris , Lehtiö Janne , Pico de Coaña Yago , Pernemalm Maria , Eriksson Hanna
Published: May 2020

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved the outcome in metastatic cutaneous melanoma (CM). However, therapy response is limited to subgroups of patients and clinically useful predictive biomarkers are lacking.

Methods

To discover treatment-related systemic changes in plasma and potential biomarkers associated with treatment outcome, we analyzed serial plasma samples from 24 patients with metastatic CM, collected before and during ICI treatment, with mass-spectrometry-based global proteomics (high-resolution isoelectric focusing liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HiRIEF LC-MS/MS)) and targeted proteomics with proximity extension assays (PEAs). In addition, we analyzed plasma proteomes of 24 patients with metastatic CM treated with mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors (MAPKis), to pinpoint changes in protein plasma levels specific to the ICI treatment. To detect plasma proteins associated with treatment response, we performed stratified analyses in anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) responders and non-responders. In addition, we analyzed the association between protein plasma levels and progression-free survival (PFS) by Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Unbiased HiRIEF LC-MS/MS-based proteomics showed plasma levels’ alterations related to anti-PD-1 treatment in 80 out of 1160 quantified proteins. Circulating PD-1 had the highest increase during anti-PD-1 treatment (log2-FC=2.03, p=0.0008) and in anti-PD-1 responders (log2-FC=2.09, p=0.005), but did not change in the MAPKis cohort. Targeted, antibody-based proteomics by PEA confirmed this observation. Anti-PD-1 responders had an increase in plasma proteins involved in T-cell response, neutrophil degranulation, inflammation, cell adhesion, and immune suppression. Furthermore, we discovered new associations between plasma proteins (eg, interleukin 6, interleukin 10, proline-rich acidic protein 1, desmocollin 3, C-C motif chemokine ligands 2, 3 and 4, vascular endothelial growth factor A) and PFS, which may serve as predictive biomarkers.

Conclusions

We detected an increase in circulating PD-1 during anti-PD-1 treatment, as well as diverse immune plasma proteomic signatures in anti-PD-1 responders. This study demonstrates the potential of plasma proteomics as a liquid biopsy method and in discovery of putative predictive biomarkers for anti-PD-1 treatment in metastatic CM.
Assessment of computed tomography perfusion software in predicting spatial location and volume of infarct in acute ischemic stroke patients: a comparison of Sphere, Vitrea, and RAPID
Authors: Rava Ryan A , Snyder Kenneth V , Mokin Maxim , Waqas Muhammad , Zhang Xiaoliang , Podgorsak Alexander R , Allman Ariana B , Senko Jillian , Shiraz Bhurwani Mohammad Mahdi , Hoi Yiemeng , Davies Jason M , Levy Elad I , Siddiqui Adnan H , Ionita Ciprian N
Published: May 2020

Background

CT perfusion (CTP) infarct and penumbra estimations determine the eligibility of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) for endovascular intervention. This study aimed to determine volumetric and spatial agreement of predicted RAPID, Vitrea, and Sphere CTP infarct with follow-up fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI infarct.

Methods

108 consecutive patients with AIS and large vessel occlusion were included in the study between April 2019 and January 2020 . Patients were divided into two groups: endovascular intervention (n=58) and conservative treatment (n=50). Intervention patients were treated with mechanical thrombectomy and achieved successful reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b/2 c/3) while patients in the conservative treatment group did not receive mechanical thrombectomy or intravenous thrombolysis. Intervention and conservative treatment patients were included to assess infarct and penumbra estimations, respectively. It was assumed that in all patients treated conservatively, penumbra converted to infarct. CTP infarct and penumbra volumes were segmented from RAPID, Vitrea, and Sphere to assess volumetric and spatial agreement with follow-up FLAIR MRI.

Results

Mean infarct differences (95% CIs) between each CTP software and FLAIR MRI for each cohort were: intervention cohort: RAPID=9.0±7.7 mL, Sphere=−0.2±8.7 mL, Vitrea=−7.9±8.9 mL; conservative treatment cohort: RAPID=−31.9±21.6 mL, Sphere=−26.8±17.4 mL, Vitrea=−15.3±13.7 mL. Overlap and Dice coefficients for predicted infarct were (overlap, Dice): intervention cohort: RAPID=(0.57, 0.44), Sphere=(0.68, 0.60), Vitrea=(0.70, 0.60); conservative treatment cohort: RAPID=(0.71, 0.56), Sphere=(0.73, 0.60), Vitrea=(0.72, 0.64).

Conclusions

Sphere proved the most accurate in patients who had intervention infarct assessment as Vitrea and RAPID overestimated and underestimated infarct, respectively. Vitrea proved the most accurate in penumbra assessment for patients treated conservatively although all software overestimated penumbra.
In‐treatment monitoring and use of a novel topical therapy shorten the duration to eliminate Taylorella asinigenitalis in donkey stallions
Authors: May Catherine , Guthrie Alan John , Schulman Martin Lance
Published: May 2020

Postarrival quarantine testing of a consignment of imported miniature donkeys (Equus asinus) with a duplex Taylorella equigenitalis/asinigenitalis real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay and bacteriological culture identified T asinigenitalis in one donkey stallion from the third set of samples collected at weekly intervals. Following transportation to an approved quarantine station, further testing showed the second companion donkey stallion to be additionally positive for T asinigenitalis. Daily topical treatment included the off‐label application of a bovine intramammary antimicrobial preparation to the predilection sites with concurrent in‐treatment sampling for qPCR to determine treatment end point. Treatment successfully eliminated colonisation with the organism in both donkey stallions within seven days. This report strongly supported multiple sampling opportunities and the inclusion of a duplex qPCR during postimportation screening. The modified treatment regimen appeared to facilitate the rapid interval to elimination of the organism and the prompt determination of treatment end point.
Effects of aspect ratio on higher-order moments, conditional statistics, TKE budget and anisotropy in narrow open channel flow
Authors: Mahananda M. , Hanmaiahgari Prashanth Reddy , Balachandar R. , Roussinova V.
Published: May 2020

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the influence of aspect ratio on the higher- order statistics of velocity fluctuations, conditional statistics, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) fluxes, TKE budget, and Reynolds stress anisotropy in hydraulically rough narrow open channel flow (OCF). In the experiments, the aspect ratios were maintained low and varied between 2.5 and 4. The velocities were measured with an acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV). The higher-order moments, quadrant analysis, and TKE budget from the present experiments were compared with available literature data in wide and narrow OCFs to elucidate the effect of the aspect ratio. In this analysis, the third-order moments of velocity fluctuations were found to be sensitive to the aspect ratio in the outer region. The fractional contributions of all quadrant events are approximately equal in magnitude in lower aspect ratio flows, whereas ejections and sweeps are the dominant events as the aspect ratio increases. The upward transfer of TKE flux increases in the outer layer with increase in aspect ratio. In the inner layer, the TKE production and rate of dissipation are found to be increasing with decreasing aspect ratio. Therefore, the production and dissipation of TKE are dependent on the aspect ratio of the flow. The analysis of Reynolds stress AIM reveals that for low aspect ratio flows turbulence tends to attain rod-like axisymmetric turbulence only in the intermediate layer whereas for higher aspect ratio, turbulence attains rod-like axisymmetric turbulence throughout the depth.
Effect of tool pin profile on the hook geometry and mechanical properties of a friction stir spot welded AA6082-T6 aluminum alloy
Authors: Aydın Hakan , Tunçel Oğuz , Tutar Mümin , Bayram Ali
Published: May 2020

AA6082-T6 alloy was joined by friction stir spot welding using five different pin profiles, namely cylindrical, conical, triangular, hexagonal, and cylindrical with two grooves, at different dwell time. The joints welded by cylindrical pins had larger effective weld width. However, grooves on the cylindrical pin decreased the effective weld width. In the weld made with the hexagonal pin, the hook was bent downward from the interface of the sheets and had the smallest effective weld width. When the conical pin was used, the effective weld width increased with increasing dwell time. In the case of using tools with cylindrical and conical pins, HAZ hardness was relatively lower. With increasing dwell time, HAZ hardness of the joints made with the conical pin decreased. Effective weld width determined the weld strength under the tensile shear loading condition: larger effective weld width resulted in higher weld strength. Weld strength of the joints made with cylindrical pins was higher. The joints fabricated with hexagonal pins had the lowest weld strength. In general, higher dwell time led to higher weld strength. The welds with the higher strength experienced both brittle and ductile fractures, while the joints with the lower strength exhibited completely brittle fracture.
Correspondence between Feynman diagrams and operators in quantum field theory that emerges from tensor model
Authors: Amburg N. , Itoyama H. , Mironov Andrei , Morozov Alexei , Vasiliev D. , Yoshioka R.
Published: May 2020

A novel functorial relationship in perturbative quantum field theory is pointed out that associates Feynman diagrams (FD) having no external line in one theory $$\mathbf{Th}_1$$Th1 with singlet operators in another one $$\mathbf{Th}_2$$Th2 having an additional $$U(\mathcal{N})$$U(N) symmetry and is illustrated by the case where $$\mathbf{Th}_1$$Th1 and $$\mathbf{Th}_2$$Th2 are respectively the rank $$r-1$$r-1 and the rank r complex tensor model. The values of FD in $$\mathbf{Th}_1$$Th1 agree with the large $$\mathcal{N}$$N limit of the Gaussian average of those operators in $$\mathbf{Th}_2$$Th2. The recursive shift in rank by this FD functor converts numbers into vectors, then into matrices, then into rank 3 tensors and so on. This FD functor can straightforwardly act on the d dimensional tensorial quantum field theory (QFT) counterparts as well. In the case of rank 2-rank 3 correspondence, it can be combined with the geometrical pictures of the dual of the original FD, namely, equilateral triangulations (Grothendieck’s dessins d’enfant) to form a triality which may be regarded as a bulk-boundary correspondence.
The impact of the charge barrier height on Germanium (Ge) detectors with amorphous-Ge contacts for light dark matter searches
Authors: Wei W.-Z. , Panth R. , Liu J. , Mei H. , Mei D.-M. , Wang G.-J.
Published: May 2020

Germanium (Ge) detectors with ability of measuring a single electron–hole (e–h) pair are needed in searching for light dark matter (LDM) down to the MeV scale. We investigate the feasibility of Ge detectors with amorphous-Ge (a-Ge) contacts to achieve the sensitivity of measuring a single e-h pair, which requires extremely low leakage current. Three Ge detectors with a-Ge contacts are used to study the charge barrier height for blocking electrons and holes. Using the measured bulk leakage current and the Döhler–Brodsky model, we obtain the values for charge barrier height and the density of localized energy states near the Fermi energy level for the top and bottom contacts, respectively. We predict that the bulk leakage current is extremely small and can be neglected at helium temperature ($$\sim $$∼4 K). Thus, Ge detectors with a-Ge contacts possess the potential to measure a single e–h pair for detecting LDM particles.
On Stefan–Boltzmann law and the Casimir effect at finite temperature in the Schwarzschild space–time
Authors: Santos A. F. , Ulhoa S. C. , Khanna Faqir C.
Published: May 2020

This paper deals with quantum field theory in curved space–time using the Thermo Field Dynamics. The scalar field is coupled to the Schwarzschild space–time and then thermalized. The Stefan–Boltzmann law is established at finite temperature and the entropy of the field is calculated. Then the Casimir energy and pressure are obtained at zero and finite temperature.
Numerical study of toroidal magnetic field on the self-gravitating protoplanetary disks
Authors: Ghanbarnejad Hanifeh , Ghasemnezhad Maryam
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we study the self-gravitating accretion disks by considering the toroidal component of magnetic field, [Formula: see text] and wind/outflow in the flow and also investigate the effect of two parameters, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] corresponding to magnetic field on the latitudinal structure of such accretion disks. The cooling of the disk is parameterized simply as, [Formula: see text] (where [Formula: see text] is the internal energy and [Formula: see text] is the cooling timescale and [Formula: see text] is a free constant) and the heating rate is decomposed into two components, magnetic field and viscosity dissipations. We have shown that when the toroidal magnetic field becomes stronger, the heating process (viscous and resistivity) and the radiative cooling rate increase. Ohmic heating is much bigger than viscous heating and cooling, so we must consider the role of the magnetic field in the energy equation. Our numerical solutions show that the thickness of the disk decreases with strong toroidal component of magnetic field. The magnetic field leads to production of the outflow in the low latitude. So, by increasing the toroidal component of the magnetic field, the regions which belong to inflow decrease and the disk is cooled.
Investigations on the superheavy nuclei with magic number of neutrons and protons
Authors: Manjunatha H. C. , Sowmya N. , Manjunath N. , Seenappa L.
Published: May 2020

It was recognized that the magic numbers of nuclei 2, 20, 28, 50, 82 and 126 are predicted to be more stable than the neighbor nuclei. Later on the researchers predicted that the magic numbers for protons are 114, 122, 124 and 164 and the magic numbers for neutrons are 184, 196, 236 and 318. The predicted second generation magic number for proton and neutron comes in the superheavy nuclei region. The superheavy nuclei with magic number of protons/neutrons are [Formula: see text]114, [Formula: see text]114, [Formula: see text]122, [Formula: see text]122, [Formula: see text]124, [Formula: see text]124, [Formula: see text]126 and [Formula: see text]126. All the possible decay modes have been studied by using three different models such as modified generalized liquid drop model, dynamical cluster model and coulomb-proximity potential model. In the second part of this study, we have made detailed investigations to synthesize the above said nuclei using fusion reactions with modified Woods–Saxon potential model. This study also identifies the most possible projectile target combinations for the synthesis of the predicted magic nuclei in the superheavy nuclei region.
Latency-efficient Data Collection Scheduling in Battery-free Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhu Tongxin , Li Jianzhong , Gao Hong , Li Yingshu
Published: May 2020

The lifetime of battery-powered Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are limited by the batteries equipped in sensors. The appearance of Battery-free Wireless Sensor Networks (BF-WSNs) breaks through this limitation, in which battery-free sensors harvest energy from sustainable but uncontrollable energy sources in ambient environment, such as solar power, wind power, radio frequency signal power, and so on. The energy characteristics of BF-WSNs make it more challenging for data collection scheduling in BF-WSNs. Latency of data collection is a crucial measurement to evaluate the performance of data collection schedules. In this article, we study the problem of generating data collection schedules with minimum latency for BF-WSNs and propose latency-efficient data collection scheduling algorithms for line BF-WSNs and general BF-WSNs, respectively. Theoretical analysis and extensive simulations are conducted to verify the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Distributed Optimal Control of Transient Stability for a Power Information Physical System
Authors: Chen Shiming , Li Kaiqiang
Published: May 2020

The development of power energy structures and information communication technology has promoted the renewal of smart grid information-physical structures. At the same time, the changes in the smart grid energy structure and the vulnerability of the information network threaten the stability of the power system and uses multiagent control theory to improve the transient stability of the power grid which has strong practicability. In this paper, an optimized distributed control scheme is proposed for application to the smart grid model so that the grid system can flexibly adapt to the external operating conditions and recover to stable operating conditions after being disturbed. In this paper, an intelligent power grid information-physical network simulation system is established. According to the information exchange within the multiagent system, groups of coherent generators in the disturbed power grid in different regions are identified and controlled. Distributed control is applied to maintain the exponential frequency synchronization and phase angle aggregation of the synchronous generators to achieve transient stability. Finally, the effectiveness and rapidity of the proposed distributed optimal control scheme are verified by simulation analysis of the IEEE 39 node model.
Ultrasound-Assisted Enzymatic Extraction of Adenosine from Vietnamese Cordyceps militaris and Bioactivity Analysis of the Extract
Authors: Vuong Hoai Thanh , Nguyen Cao Phuc , Phan Le Thao My , Do Tran Dat , Hoang Minh Nam , Ha Huynh Ky Phuong , Mai Thanh Phong , Nguyen Huu Hieu
Published: May 2020

Vietnamese Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) has long been recognized as one of the most valuable traditional Chinese medicines. In this study, adenosine was extracted from Vietnamese C. militaris by ultrasound-assisted enzymatic extraction method (UAEE) using water as a solvent. Then, the effects of five single factors on adenosine content including pH, enzyme-to-material ratio, ultrasonic power, ultrasonic time, and ultrasonic temperature were determined. After that, three factors consisting of ultrasonic power, ultrasonic time, and ultrasonic temperature were chosen based on their effects on adenosine content. The simultaneous influence of these factors on the adenosine content was investigated by response surface method using central composite design. The adenosine content was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography method. Under the optimal conditions, the extract was evaluated for antioxidant and anticancer bioactivities. In addition, different extraction methods including aqueous extraction (AE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) methods were carried out to compare with UAEE. As a result, it can be concluded that UAEE is a promising method for adenosine extraction and further studies regarding isolation and purification need to be conducted.
Global Dynamics of Some Exponential Type Systems
Authors: Khan A. Q. , Arshad H. M. , Younis B. A. , Osman KH. I. , Ibrahim Tarek F. , Ahmed I. , Khaliq A.
Published: May 2020

We explore the boundedness and persistence, existence of an invariant rectangle, local dynamical properties about the unique positive fixed point, global dynamics by the discrete-time Lyapunov function, and the rate of convergence of some 2,3-type exponential systems of difference equations. Finally, theoretical results are numerically verified.
Elevated CA-125 as Humoral Biomarker of Congestive Heart Failure: Illustrative Cases and a Short Review of Literature
Authors: Frigy Attila , Belényi Boglárka , Kirchmaier Ádám , Fekete Nándor , Szabó István Adorján
Published: May 2020

Despite the recent, remarkable achievements in cardiology, heart failure (HF) remains a major public health problem due to its increasing prevalence, frequent hospitalizations, and significant mortality. Humoral biomarkers in HF are capable to reflect different aspects of the cardiac morpho-functional changes and the related pathophysiological processes and could have important diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutical roles. CA-125 is a well-known tumor marker (mainly for ovarian cancer), and also a useful, but less applied cardiac biomarker. Practical aspects, possible pitfalls related with increased CA-125 levels are illustrated by two cases, both with HF, with the biomarker determined for other reasons and having high levels in the context of the cardiac decompensation. The paper presents a short review of the main biochemical, pathophysiological, and clinical data linked to CA-125, with special accent on its utility in patients with HF.
On Picard–Krasnoselskii Hybrid Iteration Process in Banach Spaces
Authors: Abdeljawad Thabet , Ullah Kifayat , Ahmad Junaid
Published: May 2020

In this research, we prove strong and weak convergence results for a class of mappings which is much more general than that of Suzuki nonexpansive mappings on Banach space through the Picard–Krasnoselskii hybrid iteration process. Using a numerical example, we prove that the Picard–Krasnoselskii hybrid iteration process converges faster than both of the Picard and Krasnoselskii iteration processes. Our results are the extension and improvement of many well-known results of the literature.
Hereditary Hyperferritinemia-Cataract Syndrome in 3 Generations of a Family in East Tennessee
Authors: Worth Heidi A. , Marlette Zachary , Aljadir David , Lands Ronald
Published: May 2020

Hereditary hyperferritinemia and cataracts syndrome (HHCS) without iron overload is a syndrome first identified less than 3 decades ago. While investigators have dissected the gene where several responsible mutations reside, it remains a relatively unknown genetic disorder to clinicians. The result is often an expensive, invasive evaluation for iron overload, followed by a well-intended prescription for a series of phlebotomies that delivers morbidity instead of benefit. We present a father with an elevated ferritin and heterozygosity for H63D HFE mutation whose clinical course followed this path. His treatment rendered him symptomatic from iron deficiency with no reduction in his ferritin. On re-evaluation, a review of his past medical history clarified the cataract surgery noted in his record had occurred at a young age. Furthermore, one of his daughters required cataract surgery as a teenager. With this information, we strongly suspected HHCS. His phlebotomies were discontinued, and within weeks, his iatrogenic iron deficiency resolved and his health returned to normal.
An Intranasal Vaccination with a Recombinant Outer Membrane Protein H against Haemorrhagic Septicemia in Swamp Buffaloes
Authors: Muenthaisong Anucha , Nambooppha Boondarika , Rittipornlertrak Amarin , Tankaew Pallop , Varinrak Thanya , Muangthai Korkiat , Atthikanyaphak Kheemchompu , Sawada Takuo , Sthitmatee Nattawooti
Published: May 2020

Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) is an important infectious disease in cattle and buffaloes, caused by Pasteurella multocida B:2 and E:2. The intranasal recombinant OmpH-based vaccine was successfully used to protect dairy cattle from HS in a previous study. Thus, this study aimed to examine the protective ability of that vaccine among buffaloes. Four groups of Thai swamp buffaloes received different vaccines and were labeled as 100 or 200 μg of the rOmpH with CpG-ODN2007, commercial HS bacterin vaccine, and nonvaccinated control groups. Sera and whole blood were collected to examine the antibody levels and cellular immune response using indirect ELISA and MTT assay, respectively. Challenge exposure was performed with virulent P. multocida strain M-1404 serotype B:2 on day 72 of the experiment. The antibody titers to P. multocida among immunized buffaloes were significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.01), especially the 200 μg of the rOmpH group. The stimulation index (SI) of the intranasally vaccinated groups revealed significantly higher levels than the nonvaccinated group (p<0.01), but not different from the intramuscularly commercial HS vaccine. The clinical signs and high fever were observed after challenge exposure in the nonvaccinated group, while it was not observed among the 200 μg of rOmpH immunized buffaloes. The other immunized groups showed partial protection with transient fever. In conclusion, the rOmpH-based intranasal vaccine could elicit protective ability and induce antibody- and cell-mediated immune response against virulent P. multocida strain among swamp buffaloes.
A New Extended-XFamily of Distributions: Properties and Applications
Authors: Zichuan Mi , Hussain Saddam , Iftikhar Anum , Ilyas Muhammad , Ahmad Zubair , Khan Dost Muhammad , Manzoor Sadaf
Published: May 2020

During the past couple of years, statistical distributions have been widely used in applied areas such as reliability engineering, medical, and financial sciences. In this context, we come across a diverse range of statistical distributions for modeling heavy tailed data sets. Well-known distributions are log-normal, log-t, various versions of Pareto, log-logistic, Weibull, gamma, exponential, Rayleigh and its variants, and generalized beta of the second kind distributions, among others. In this paper, we try to supplement the distribution theory literature by incorporating a new model, called a new extended Weibull distribution. The proposed distribution is very flexible and exhibits desirable properties. Maximum likelihood estimators of the model parameters are obtained, and a Monte Carlo simulation study is conducted to assess the behavior of these estimators. Finally, we provide a comparative study of the newly proposed and some other existing methods via analyzing three real data sets from different disciplines such as reliability engineering, medical, and financial sciences. It has been observed that the proposed method outclasses well-known distributions on the basis of model selection criteria.
Novel Au‐Based Solder Alloys: A Potential Answer for Electrical Packaging Problem
Authors: Xu Jiachen , Wu Mingfang , Pu Juan , Xue Songbai
Published: May 2020

With the development of electronical technology and the construction of the fifth‐generation cellular networks, electronic devices with higher integrated level and power are widely applied. Hence, greater demands are being placed on electronic packaging materials. High‐Pb solder alloys were widely used for low‐ and medium‐temperature soldering for the past decades but have been prohibited due to toxicity. Au‐based solder alloys with proper melting and mechanical properties show great potential to replace high‐Pb solder alloys and are being emphasized recently. But in comparison with Pb‐containing solder alloys, the investigation on novel Au‐based solder alloys is quite insufficient, and their performance and reliability are still unclear. In this paper, the recent research studies on Au‐based solder alloys with low temperature and medium temperature were reviewed and their microstructure, mechanical performance, and reliability were introduced and analyzed. Moreover, the novel processing technologies of Au‐based solder alloys were discussed and compared.
Increased Expression of Sox9 during Balance of BMSCs/Chondrocyte Bricks in Platelet-Rich Plasma Promotes Construction of a Stable 3-D Chondrogenesis Microenvironment for BMSCs
Authors: Ba Ruikai , Kong Liang , Wu Guofeng , Liu Shiyu , Dong Yan , Li Bei , Zhao Yimin
Published: May 2020

Sox9 is an intrinsic transcription factor related to the determination and maintenance of chondrogenic lineage of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). In recent research, we have proved that fragmented chondrocyte aggregates (cell bricks) could promote chondrogenesis of BMSCs in vivo. However, it is still unknown whether the ratio of BMSCs/chondrocyte bricks has a significant influence on 3-D cartilage regeneration and related molecular mechanism. To address this issue, the current study subcutaneously injected three groups of cell complex with different rabbit BMSCs/chondrocyte bricks’ ratios (1 : 2, 1 : 1, and 2 : 1) into nude mice. Gross morphology observation, histological and immunohistochemical assays, biochemical analysis, gene expression analysis, and western blot were used to compare the influence of different BMSCs/chondrocyte bricks’ ratios on the properties of tissue-engineered cartilage and explore the related molecular mechanism. The constructs of 1 : 1 BMSCs/chondrocyte bricks, (B1CB1) group resulted in persistent chondrogenesis with appropriate morphology and adequate central nutritional perfusion without ossification. The related mechanism is that increased expression of Sox9 in the B1C1 group promoted chondrogenesis and inhibited the osteogenesis of BMSCs through upregulating Col-II as well as downregulating RUNX2 and downstream of Col-X and Col-I by upregulating Nkx3.2. This study demonstrated that BMSCs/chondrocyte bricks 1:1 should be a suitable ratio and the Sox9-Nkx3.2-RUNX2 pathway was a related mechanism which played an important role in the niche for stable chondrogenesis of BMSCs constructed by chondrocyte bricks and PRP.
Energy Consumption Prediction for 3-RRR PPM through Combining LSTM Neural Network with Whale Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Gao Yin , Chen Ke , Gao Hong , Zheng Hongmei , Wang Lei , Xiao Ping
Published: May 2020

In the process of minimizing the energy consumption of a 3-RRR planar parallel manipulator (3-RRR PPM) and even general parallel kinematic manipulators, obtaining optimal results usually depends on particular functional relation between the instantaneous position of the moving platform and the kinetic time, which is called a displacement model (DM). Nevertheless, it is likely that although the movement time and path of a moving platform are the same, different amounts of energy are consumed for different DMs of the moving platform. To address this, a method of using long short-term memory neural network (LSTM-NN) instead of a complex theoretical model to predict the energy consumption of a 3-RRR PPM was presented. Subsequently, inverse dynamic equations of 3-RRR PPM were established based on the Newton–Euler method and solved using QR decomposition. Meanwhile, energy consumption between any two points in workspace of the 3-RRR PPM was programmed to provide the LSTM-NN with abundant precise training data. In view of time-varying characteristics of energy consumption prediction, the network architecture was developed based on the principle of LSTM-NN, and root-mean-square error (RMSE) was taken as the loss function. After acquiring training data, the RMSE of the LSTM-NN reached 0.00041 using whale optimization algorithm (WOA) with no need for the gradient of the loss function, so the lack of solving precision in training LSTM-NN was effectively improved. Finally, two different DMs of a moving platform with the same path and movement time were chosen to compare the total energy consumption of the 3-RRR PPM from the simulations, predictions, and experiments. The results showed that the relative error between predicted and experimental data was less than 2.50%. Therefore, the energy consumption prediction based on the LSTM-NN will be useful for achieving the intelligent application of 3-RRR PPMs.
Direct Interval Prediction of Landslide Displacements Using Least Squares Support Vector Machines
Authors: Wang Yankun , Tang Huiming , Wen Tao , Ma Junwei
Published: May 2020

Accurate and reliable predictions of landslide displacements are difficult to perform using traditional point prediction approaches due to the associated uncertainty. Prediction intervals are effective tools for quantifying the uncertainty of point predictions by estimating the limit of future landslide displacements. In this paper, under the framework of the original lower upper bound estimation method, a direct interval prediction approach is proposed for landslide displacements based on the least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) and differential search algorithms. Two LSSVM models are directly implemented to generate the interval of future displacements, and the optimal model parameters are derived by the differential search algorithm. The Baishuihe landslide and the Tanjiahe landslide located on the shoreline of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China, are used to test the proposed approach. Compared with other models, the proposed method performed best and presented the smallest coverage width-based criterion values of 0.8927 and 1.0562 at monitoring stations XD01 and ZG118 for the Baishuihe landslide, respectively, and 0.1316 and 0.1191 at monitoring stations ZG289 and ZG287 for the Tanjiahe landslide, respectively. The results indicate that the proposed approach can provide high-quality prediction intervals for landslide displacements in the Three Gorges Reservoir area.
Effects of GABA Supplementation on Intestinal SIgA Secretion and Gut Microbiota in the Healthy and ETEC-Infected Weanling Piglets
Authors: Zhao Yuanyuan , Wang Jing , Wang Hao , Huang Yonggang , Qi Ming , Liao Simeng , Bin Peng , Yin Yulong
Published: May 2020

Pathogenic enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) has been considered a major cause of diarrhea which is a serious public health problem in humans and animals. This study was aimed at examining the effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) supplementation on intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) secretion and gut microbiota profile in healthy and ETEC-infected weaning piglets. A total of thirty-seven weaning piglets were randomly distributed into two groups fed with the basal diet or supplemented with 40 mg·kg−1 of GABA for three weeks, and some piglets were infected with ETEC at the last week. According to whether ETEC was inoculated or not, the experiment was divided into two stages (referred as CON1 and CON2 and GABA1 and GABA2). The growth performance, organ indices, amino acid levels, and biochemical parameters of serum, intestinal SIgA concentration, gut microbiota composition, and intestinal metabolites were analyzed at the end of each stage. We found that, in both the normal and ETEC-infected piglets, jejunal SIgA secretion and expression of some cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-13, and IL-17, were increased by GABA supplementation. Meanwhile, we observed that some low-abundance microbes, like Enterococcus and Bacteroidetes, were markedly increased in GABA-supplemented groups. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the nitrogen metabolism, sphingolipid signaling pathway, sphingolipid metabolism, and microbial metabolism in diverse environments were enriched in the GABA1 group. Further analysis revealed that alterations in microbial metabolism were closely correlated to changes in the abundances of Enterococcus and Bacteroidetes. In conclusion, GABA supplementation can enhance intestinal mucosal immunity by promoting jejunal SIgA secretion, which might be related with the T-cell-dependent pathway and altered gut microbiota structure and metabolism.
Simple Techniques for Antegrade Guiding Catheter Engagement after Retrograde CTO Crossing
Authors: Leibundgut Gregor , Quagliana Angelo , Riede Florian , Büttner Heinz-Joachim
Published: May 2020

Interventional treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is nowadays counting on a wide span of procedural possibilities, and retrograde approaches are becoming more and more frequent as they warrant high success rates at the cost of a slightly higher incidence of donor vessel damage. Retrograde lesion crossing needs to be followed by procedural conversion to an antegrade approach to dilate and stent the lesion, and new techniques are being proposed to address this issue and achieve a safer recanalization of the vessel. In this context, we propose novel and simple techniques to antegrade guiding catheter engagement by the retrograde wire, enhancing the chances for procedural success.
Analysis of Learning Curve in Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Performed by a Surgeon
Authors: Slusarenco Roman I. , Mikheev Konstantin V. , Prostomolotov Artem O. , Sukhanov Roman B. , Bezrukov Evgeny A.
Published: May 2020

This study aimed to report the learning curve in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) performed by one surgeon who is experienced in laparoscopic prostatectomies. The records of 145 RARP cases performed between 2015 and 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 comprised the first 49 cases, group 2 comprised 50–88 cases, and the rest of the cases were assigned to group 3. Continence was defined as the necessity to use at least one pad during a day. Additionally, erectile function recovery was defined as having erection sufficient for sexual intercourse regardless of using a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. Continence and erectile function recovery were assessed during interviews at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. First, all procedures were successfully performed without conversions or blood transfusions. The median follow-up period was 22 months. Moreover, the median skin-to-skin operative time (OT) was 220 minutes. The median blood loss was 150 ml, and the mean hospital stay was 8.9 ± 3.87 days. The median prostate volume was 36 cm³. The overall positive surgical margin rate was 13.1%. Overall, 38 (26.2%) postoperative complications were observed, and 17.9% of them were graded as minor. Anastomotic leakage decreased significantly from group 1 to group 3 (26.5% and 7%, respectively). The continence recovery (0-1 pad) rates were 60.6%, 75.7%, and 84.9% at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, respectively. Subsequently, the erectile function recovery rates were 50.9% and 65.4% at 6 and 12 months after surgery, respectively. In conclusion, there are several types of learning curves for RARP. First, the shallowest learning curve was observed for the OT. Regarding the analysis of “advanced learning curve,” demonstrating the improvement of OT and blood loss is considered insufficient. Therefore, additional oncological and functional results that require a longer period of investigation are required.