bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Virtual Environment for Construction and Analysis of Manufacturing Prototypes
Authors: Chuter Christopher J. , Ramaswamy S. , Barber K. S.
Published: March 2021

The building of a virtual environment for the construction, analysis, and design of a three dimensional virtual manufacturing prototype is discussed. An agent-based framework is used to specify the visual environment. The environment is built to be flexible enough to support research efforts in scheduling, planning, and behavior modeling. The implementation consists of a heterogeneous, distributed interactive virtual environment using the virtual environment tool, DIVE.
Thermal Simulation and Visualization of Virtual Source Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Doumanidis Charalabos C. , Marquis Brian P.
Published: March 2021

This article addresses visualization of the thermally generated distributions of material structure and properties in the manufactured products, and provides a methodology for offline design of the process conditions in virtual source thermal techniques. These are implemented by timesharing a single heat source, scanning the external surface of the processed part to generate a flexible heat input distribution, and thus a specified temperature field yielding the desired thermal quality of the product. A numerical simulation of generic thermal processing is developed, integrating a solid conduction description to a flow model in molten regions. This computational model is validated by a comparative thermal study of classical and a novel scan welding process, in which the torch reciprocates along the joint to provide uniform thermal features. Virtual source processing is currently simulated for other thermal manufacturing processes and their real-time control with infrared thermal feedback.
Virtual Prototyping for Product Demanufacture and Service Using a Virtual Design Studio Approach
Authors: Rosen David W. , Bras Bert , Mistree Farrokh , Goel Ashok
Published: March 2021

Virtual prototyping is the replacement of hardware prototypes by computational prototypes of systems and the processes that they may undergo. The particular domain of investigation is product demanufacture and service. By catching downstream problems early in the design process through the use of virtual prototypes, more environmentally friendly and easily serviceable products should result. The approach to virtual prototyping pursued here is to combine simulation and human interaction with virtual environment technologies, resulting in a Virtual Design Studio. In the Studio, people will simulate demanufacturing and servicing processes on product models, then incorporate the simulation results into design decision making. The Studio will operate on a design studio metaphor, analogous to the desk-top metaphor utilized in Macintosh computers. This paper represents work in progress. The research program undertaken to construct such a Studio is reported and motivated, an initial design studio metaphor is articulated, and current progress is summarized.
Using EXPRESS to Implement Concurrent Engineering Databases
Authors: Hardwick Martin , Loffredo David
Published: March 2021

EXPRESS has been used by the ISO STEP and other industry standard groups to define information models for design, manufacturing and other applications. When these models are mapped into a database system they can be used to define databases for concurrent engineering. We describe four mappings that were implemented for four database systems, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each from the perspective of the mapping implementor and the database user.
Relationship Between 3 Single-Leg Functional Performance Tests for Netball Noncontact Knee Injury Prevention Screening in Uninjured Female Adult Players
Authors: Clark Nicholas C. , Mullally Elaine M.
Published: March 2021

Context:Single- versus double-leg landing events occur the majority of the time in a netball match. Landings are involved in large proportions of netball noncontact knee injury events. Of all landing-induced anterior cruciate ligament injuries, most occur during single-leg landings. Knowledge of whether different single-leg functional performance tests capture the same or different aspects of lower-limb motor performance will therefore inform clinicians’ reasoning processes and assist in netball noncontact knee injury prevention screening.Objective:To determine the correlation between the triple hop for distance (THD), single hop for distance (SHD), and vertical hop (VH) for the right and left lower limbs in adult female netball players.Design:Cross-sectional.Setting:Local community netball club.Participants:A total of 23 players (age 28.7 [6.2] y; height 171.6 [7.0] cm; mass 68.2 [9.8] kg).Interventions:There were 3 measured trials (right and left) for THD, SHD, and VH, respectively.Main Outcome Measures:Mean hop distance (percentage of leg length [%LL]), Pearson intertest correlation (r), and coefficient of determination (r2).Results:Values (right and left; mean [SD]) were as follows: THD, 508.5 (71.8) %LL and 510.9 (56.7) %LL; SHD, 183.4 (24.6) %LL and 183.0 (21.5) %LL; and VH, 21.3 (5.2) %LL and 20.6 (5.0) %LL. All correlations were significant (P ≤ .05),r/r2values (right and left) were THD–SHD, .91/.83 and .87/.76; THD–VH, .59/.35 and .51/.26; and SHD–VH, .50/.25 and .37/.17. A very large proportion of variance (76%–83%) was shared between the THD and SHD. A small proportion of variance was shared between the THD and VH (25%–35%) and SHD and VH (17%–25%).Conclusion:The THD and SHD capture highly similar aspects of lower-limb motor performance. In contrast, the VH captures aspects of lower-limb motor performance different to the THD or SHD. Either the THD or the SHD can be chosen for use within netball knee injury prevention screening protocols according to which is reasoned as most appropriate at a specific point in time. The VH, however, should be employed consistently alongside rather than in place of the THD or SHD.
Differences between diploid donors are the main contributing factor for subgenome asymmetry measured in either gene ratio or relative diversity in allopolyploids
Authors: Ye Xueling , Hu Haiyan , Zhou Hong , Jiang Yunfeng , Gao Shang , Yuan Zhongwei , Stiller Jiri , Li Chengwei , Chen Guoyue , Liu Yaxi , Wei Yuming , Zheng You-Liang , Wang You-Gan , Liu Chunji
Published: March 2021

Subgenome asymmetry (SA) has routinely been attributed to different responses between the subgenomes of a polyploid to various stimuli during evolution. Here, we compared subgenome differences in gene ratio and relative diversity between artificial and natural genotypes of several allopolyploid species. Surprisingly, consistent differences were not detected between these two types of polyploid genotypes, although they differ in times exposed to evolutionary selection. The estimated ratio of shared genes between a subgenome and its diploid donor was invariably higher for the artificial allopolyploid genotypes than those for the natural genotypes, which is expected as it is now well-known that many genes in a species are not shared among all individuals. As the exact diploid parent for a given subgenome is unknown, the estimated ratios of shared genes for the natural genotypes would also include difference among individual genotypes of the diploid donor species. Further, we detected the presence of SA in genotypes before the completion of the polyploidization events as well as in those which were not formed via polyploidization. These results indicate that SA may, to a large degree, reflect differences between its diploid donors or that changes occurred during polyploid evolution are defined by their donor genomes.
Functional limit theorems for power series with rapid decay of moving averages of Hermite processes
Authors: Gehringer Johann Rudolf
Published: March 2021

We aim to obtain a homogenization theorem for a passive tracer interacting with a fractional, possibly non-Gaussian, noise. To do so, we analyze limit theorems for normalized functionals of Hermite–Volterra processes and extend existing results to cover power series with fast decaying coefficients. We obtain either convergence to a Wiener process, in the short-range dependent case, or to a Hermite process, in the long-range dependent case. Furthermore, we prove convergence in the multivariate case with both, short- and long-range dependent components. Applying this theorem, we obtain a homogenization result for a slow/fast system driven by such Hermite noises.
Optimization of Lithium-Ion Battery Pouch Cell for Maximization of Energy Density while Preventing Internal Short Circuit Caused by Separator Failure under Crush Load
Authors: Kim Ji-San , Lee Dong-Chan , Lee Jeong-Joo , Kim Chang-Wan
Published: March 2021

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for electric vehicles are exposed to large deformations and damage caused by vehicle accidents. Therefore, there exists an internal short circuit (ISC) risk owing to separator failure. This paper proposes a framework for optimizing the energy density while preventing the separator failure of a LIB pouch cell. In this study, the separator failure of the pouch cell was evaluated according to the SAE J2464 crush test standard using a representative sandwich (RS) mechanical model. The energy density and power density performance were evaluated by constant current discharge using an electrochemical model. The constraints of the optimization process were the separator strain evaluated by the crush test and the power density of the initial design. The optimal solution was obtained using a metamodel and global optimization algorithm. The optimization improved the energy density by 9.57% and ensured the safety of the LIB pouch cell separator under a crush load.
Research on Financing of Small and Micro Enterprises in Postepidemic Period: Based on Evolutionary Game and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Xu Yun , Liu Quan
Published: March 2021

Small and microenterprises are most affected during the COVID-19 epidemic period. Despite the government introducing many preferential policies, financing for small and microenterprises is still difficult. Based on evolutionary game theory and Matlab r2017b software, this paper discusses the causes of financing problems from two aspects. By taking loan amount, loan interest rate, guarantee value, and intermediary business income as variables, the research shows that banks not only pay attention to the comprehensive return of small and microenterprises but also pay more attention to the coverage of loan principal and interest by the value of collateral. Relying on collateral for credit is still the main way, and the lack of collateral causes financing difficulties of small and microenterprises. Accordingly, this paper puts forward the countermeasures and suggestions to improve the guarantee compensation mechanism and innovate the financing mode.
The Effect of the Difference in Intensity and Track of Tropical Cyclone on Significant Wave Height and Wave Direction in the Southeast Indian Ocean
Authors: Haryanto Yosafat Donni , Riama Nelly Florida , Purnama Dendi Rona , Sigalingging Aurel Dwiyana
Published: March 2021

This study aims to analyze the effect of the differences in intensity and track of tropical cyclones upon significant wave heights and direction of ocean waves in the southeast Indian Ocean. We used the tropical cyclone data from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) starting from December 1997 to November 2017. The significant wave height and wave direction data are reanalysis data from Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS), and the mean sea level pressure, surface wind speed, and wind direction data are reanalysis data from European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) from December 1997 to November 2017. The results show that the significant wave height increases with the increasing intensity of tropical cyclones. Meanwhile, the direction of the waves is influenced by the presence of tropical cyclones when tropical cyclones enter the categories of 3, 4, and 5. Tropical cyclones that move far from land tend to have higher significant wave height and wider affected areas compared to tropical cyclones that move near the mainland following the coastline
Lora RTT Ranging Characterization and Indoor Positioning System
Authors: Liu Qiang , Bai XiuJun , Gan Xingli , Yang Shan
Published: March 2021

In recent years, indoor positioning systems (IPS) are increasingly very important for a smart factory, and the Lora positioning system based on round‐trip time (RTT) has been developed. This paper introduces the ranging characterization, RTT measurement, and position estimation method. In particular, a particle filter localization method‐aided Lora pseudorange fitting correction is designed to solve the problem of indoor positioning; the cumulative distribution function (CDF) criteria are used to measure the quality of the estimated location in comparison to the ground truth location; when the positioning error on the x‐axis threshold is 0.2 m and 0.6 m, the CDF with pseudorange correction is 61% and 99%, which are higher than the 32% and 85% without pseudorange correction. When the positioning error on the y‐axis threshold is 0.2 m and 0.6 m, the CDF with pseudorange correction is 71% and 99.9%, which are higher than the 52% and 94.8% without pseudorange correction.
Probabilistic Assessment of the Safety of Main Cables for Long‐Span Suspension Bridges considering Corrosion Effects
Authors: Tian Hao , Wang Jiji , Cao Sugong , Chen Yuanli , Li Luwei
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a reliability analysis to assess the safety of corroded main cables of a long‐span suspension bridge. A multiscale probability model was established for the resistance of the main cables considering the length effect and the Daniels effect. Corrosion effects were considered in the wire scale by relating the test results from accelerated corrosion tests to the corrosion stages and in the cable scale by adopting a corrosion stage distribution of the main cable section in NCHRP Report 534. The load effects of temperature, wind load, and traffic load were obtained by solving a finite element model with inputs from in‐service monitoring data. The so‐obtained reliability index of the main cables reduces significantly after operation for over 50 years and falls below the design target value due to corrosion effects on the mechanical properties of the steel wire. Multiple measures should be taken to delay the corrosion effects and ensure the safety of the main cables in the design service life.
Intelligent Recognition System Based on Contour Accentuation for Navigation Marks
Authors: Du Yanke , Sun Shuo , Qiu Shi , Li Shaoxi , Pan Mingyang , Chen Chi-Hua
Published: March 2021

Sensing navigational environment represented by navigation marks is an important task for unmanned ships and intelligent navigation systems, and the sensing can be performed by recognizing the images from a camera. In order to improve the image recognition accuracy, this paper combined a contour accentuation algorithm into a multiple scale attention mechanism‐based classification model for navigation marks. Experimental results show that the method increases the accuracy of navigation mark classification from 95.98% to 96.53%. Based on the classification model, an intelligent navigation mark recognition system was developed for the Changjiang Nanjing Waterway Bureau, in which the model is deployed and updated by the TensorFlow Serving.
Mining Network Traffic with the k‐Means Clustering Algorithm for Stepping‐Stone Intrusion Detection
Authors: Wang Lixin , Yang Jianhua , Xu Xiaohua , Wan Peng-Jun
Published: March 2021

Intruders on the Internet usually launch network attacks through compromised hosts, called stepping stones, in order to reduce the chance of being detected. With stepping‐stone intrusions, an attacker uses tools such as SSH to log in several compromised hosts remotely and create an interactive connection chain and then sends attacking packets to a target system. An effective method to detect such an intrusion is to estimate the length of a connection chain. In this paper, we develop an efficient algorithm to detect stepping‐stone intrusion by mining network traffic using the k‐means clustering. Existing approaches for connection‐chain‐based stepping‐stone intrusion detection either are not effective or require a large number of TCP packets to be captured and processed and, thus, are not efficient. Our proposed detection algorithm can accurately determine the length of a connection chain without requiring a large number of TCP packets being captured and processed, so it is more efficient. Our proposed detection algorithm is also easier to implement than all existing approaches for stepping‐stone intrusion detection. The effectiveness, correctness, and efficiency of our proposed detection algorithm are verified through well‐designed network experiments.
Disastrous Mechanism of Water Discharge in Abandoned Gob above the Stope in Mining Extra-Thick Coal Seam
Authors: Lin Haixiao , Yang Feng , Cao Zhengzheng , Wang Yue , Jiao Xiaojian
Published: March 2021

The Datong mining area is a typical double system coal seam mining area in China, where the Jurassic and Carboniferous coal seams are mined simultaneously. The upper Jurassic coal seam has been largely mined, leaving a large amount of gob area. Besides, a large amount of harmful water is accumulated. With the exploitation of the 3-5# extra-thick coal seam in the Carboniferous system, the scope of overburden damage is greatly increasing, and the mining fracture field is further developed. Once the mining-induced fractures connect with the overlying gob, it is easy to induce the water discharge disaster. With the mining geological conditions of the 8202 working face in the Tongxin coal mine as references, the disastrous mechanism of water discharge in the abandoned gob above the stope in the mining extra-thick coal seam is researched by numerical simulation with the UDEC numerical software, and the research results are obtained. The water in the overlying gob percolates through the mining-induced fractures in the higher key layer forming a “shower” seepage pattern. The water in the above gob converges in the key fracture channel, flowing into the working face. The seepage in the fractures in the high key stratum experiences the process of increase, decrease, and stabilization, related with the stretching and extrusion deformation between the high key stratum blocks. Compared with other fractures, the flow rates in the No.2 and No.4 fractures in the far field key lay are larger, because the fractures are in the tension state, forming the “saddle-shaped” flow pattern. The influencing distance of mining-induced seepage is about 80 m in front of the working face. The research results provide a guided reference for the prediction and prevention of water discharge disaster in an abandoned gob above the stope in a mining extra-thick coal seam.
Oral Pregabalin in Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Xian-xue , Dai Jing , Hu Xing-guo , Zhou Ai-guo , Pan Dao-bo
Published: March 2021

Background. Pregabalin has received wide clinical attention as a new type of analgesic. We undertake a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the effect of pregabalin on postoperative pain in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library (from inception to July 2020) for eligible studies. The primary outcomes were the total morphine consumption at 24 h. A secondary outcome was intraoperative fentanyl consumption, extubation time postoperative, and length of stay in hospital. We calculated pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs using random‐ or fixed‐effects models. Results. Seven trials involving 463 patients were listed. Meta‐analysis showed that the total morphine consumption at 24 h in the pregabalin group was significantly less than the control group (WMD: ‐5.44, 95% CI: ‐10.42–0.46, P = 0.03). We found that there is no significant difference between the two groups in intraoperative fentanyl consumption. Compared with the control group, the length of stay in hospital in the pregabalin group was significantly shorter (WMD = ‐0.87, 95% CI: ‐1.42−0.32, P = 0.002). And we found that there were no significant differences between the two groups in extubation time (WMD: 17.24, 95% CI: ‐24.36−58.84, P = 0.42). Conclusions. Oral pregabalin for cardiac surgery patients can effectively reduce the patient’s 24‐hour morphine consumption after surgery, shorten the patient’s hospital stay, and is more conducive to early postoperative recovery.
Portable wireless node design for smart agricultural system based on Internet of Things
Authors: Al Tahtawi Adnan Rafi , Andika Erick , Harjanto Wildan Nurfauzan
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a pair of portable wireless nodes for a smart agricultural system to control and monitor the agricultural parameters based on Internet of Things (IoT). This system utilizes low-cost wireless communication through an nRF24L01 module between the sensor node and the controller node. The sensor node is placed on the agricultural area with a Li-Ion battery as a power supply, while the controller node is placed at the control and monitoring station. On the sensor node, there is a YL-69 soil moisture sensor and DS18B20 temperature sensor, while in the controller node there is a relay that can set watering on/off condition. In the controller node, there is also an ESP8266 WiFi module that serves to send data to the internet cloud for user monitoring. Both hardware nodes are built in small and portable size. The experimental result shows that the sensor node can transmit soil moisture and temperature data via RF wireless communication to the controller node. Watering is done automatically based on the condition of sensor values. In addition, this system can also be monitored through a website interface, so the users can easily find out the condition of their plant as long as there is internet access.
Gene Expression Signature in Patients With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Newman Jonathan D. , Cornwell MacIntosh G. , Zhou Hua , Rockman Caron , Heguy Adriana , Suarez Yajaira , Cheng Henry S. , Feinberg Mark W. , Hochman Judith S. , Ruggles Kelly V. , Berger Jeffrey S.
Published: March 2021

Objective:

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an atherothrombotic disease of the lower limbs with substantial morbidity and mortality. We used next-generation sequencing to identify genome-wide expression signatures associated with prevalent PAD and its outcomes.

Approach and Results:

We performed whole blood RNA sequencing among patients with severe symptomatic PAD undergoing lower extremity revascularization and controls. Dysregulated pathways and blood transcriptional modules were identified by comparing patients with PAD (n=42) to age- and sex-matched controls (N=29). The identified signature was compared in patients with PAD before LER with or without incident major adverse cardiac or limb events (MACLE). A novel microRNA associated with prevalent PAD and incident MACLE was then evaluated in a mouse hindlimb ischemia model. One hundred twenty-seven transcripts were differentially expressed (77 upregulated and 50 downregulated; adjusted
P
<0.05, |log2foldchange| >0.5) and analyzed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed blood modules enriched for immune activation, secretory granules, and coagulation in patients with PAD. Of these 127 differentially expressed transcripts, 40 were significantly associated with MACLE (log-rank false discovery rate <0.1). MicroRNA-4477b was significantly increased in patients with PAD with subsequent MACLE and in a mouse hindlimb ischemia model.

Conclusions:

A whole blood transcript signature identified patients with symptomatic PAD and PAD patients at increased risk of MACLE. A previously uncharacterized transcript microRNA-4477b was overexpressed in prevalent PAD, incident MACLE, and in a mouse hindlimb ischemia model. Our novel transcriptomic signature provides insight into potential mechanisms of patients with severe symptomatic PAD.
Three new Xenasmatella (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) species from China
Authors: ZONG TONG-KAI , WU JIAN-RONG , ZHAO CHANG-LIN
Published: March 2021

Three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Xenasmatella rhizomorpha, X. tenuis and X. xinpingensis spp. nov., are proposed based on a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular BLAST analyses. Xenasmatella rhizomorpha is characterized by annual, resupinate, gossypine basidiomata with rhizomorphs, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and ellipsoid, thin-walled, warted basidiospores measuring 3.1–4.9 × 2.3–3.3 µm. Xenasmatella tenuis is characterized by annual, resupinate, very thin basidiomata with ceraceous to membranous, white to lilac hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and ellipsoid, thin-walled, warted basidiospores. Xenasmatella xinpingensis is characterized by annual, resupinate basidiomata, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae and subglobose to globose, thin-walled, warted basidiospores (3.5–4.9 × 3–4.2 µm).
Planothidium marganaiensis sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta), a new cavum-bearing species from a karst spring in south-western Sardinia (Italy)
Authors: LAI GIUSEPPINA G. , ECTOR LUC , PADEDDA BACHISIO M. , WETZEL CARLOS E.
Published: March 2021

Planothidium marganaiensis sp. nov. is described from periphytic samples collected at the karst spring San Giovanni at Domusnovas, Sardinia (Italy). Light and scanning electron microscope observations revealed that the taxon shares similarities with species within the Planothidium frequentissimum sensu lato, such as P. naradoense and P. victori. Planothidium marganaiensis seems to be morphologically closely related to P. frequentissimum but stands out for its smaller valves, lower striae density, subrostrate to slightly protracted apices, and areolation pattern of the striae in the rapheless valve (four to five areolae per stria). Planothidium marganaiensis was found in slightly alkaline waters presenting medium hardness and mineralization and phosphorus enrichment.
Pneumomediastinum as a Complication of Oral and Maxillofacial Injuries: Report of 3 Cases and a 50-Year Systematic Review of Case Reports
Authors: Papadiochos Ioannis (Yiannis) , Sarivalasis Stavros-Evangelos , Chen Meg , Goutzanis Lampros , Kalyvas Aristotelis
Published: March 2021

Objectives:

Pneumomediastinum (PM) secondary to oromaxillofacial trauma (OMF) is a rare but well-described complication/pathologic finding. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to report our experience in treatment of maxillofacial trauma patients with PM, and second, to review the literature regarding the clinical features, severity, course, and management of the aforementioned complication.

Material and methods:

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and charts of patients who suffered from maxillofacial trauma and treated in our hospital between September 1, 2013 and September 31, 2017. The inclusion criteria were patients with radiologically confirmed PM. In addition, the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct were queried for articles reporting PM cases secondary to OMF injuries and published in English, French, and German language.

Results:

Three cases of PM out of 3,514 cases of craniomaxillofacial trauma were found; there were 3 male patients who presented in our emergency department with the chief complaint of cervicofacial swelling. Literature search isolated 58 selected articles and 63 cases were assessed in total; posttraumatic repeated blowing of nose was proved as most frequent triggering factor among them. Furthermore, the outcomes of review showed that thoracic pain, respiratory distress, and swallowing difficulties were not frequently reported in patients with ME due to facial trauma.

Conclusions:

Both our experience and the results of systematic literature review indicated that patients with PM due to OMF injuries present mild clinical course. If properly managed, this specific pathologic condition may have no further complications or relative comorbidities. The exact etiology and mechanism of PM in the context of maxillofacial injuries always needs to be identified. Radiographic, laboratory, and endoscopic examinations should be applied to rule out the more serious and frequently diagnosed aerodigestive, thoracic, and abdominal causes of PM.
The Preauricular Transmasseteric Approach: A Novel Option for the Exposure of Mandibular Condyle Fracture
Authors: Silveira Roger Lanes , Costa Samuel Macedo , Amaral Marcio Bruno Figueiredo
Published: March 2021

Background:

Mandibular Condyle fractures are common and the traditional method for the exposure is the retromandibular approach, however it presents some limitations and considerations among facial nerve palsy and parotid gland fistulae. This technical note present a novel approach to the subcondylar fractures, using preauricular incision with an innovative transmasseteric dissection.

Study Design:

Technical note.

Objective:

Present a novel approach to the subcondylar fractures, using preauricular incision with an innovative transmasseteric dissection.

Methods:

Patients diagnosed for mandibular condyle fractures in a Level 1 Trauma Center in Brazil. All the procedures were performed in the shortest possible time since the trauma. Traditional preauricular incision with gentle lower dissection through the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, the facial nerve branches are exposed and retracted. The parotid gland capsule plane is outlined and the parotid gland is retracted posteriorly. The masseteric fascia is exposed and the masseteric muscle is incised and the blunt dissection continues toward the periosteum and the mandibular condyle.

Results:

Eight patients were surgically managed in the acute trauma with a mean of 2.57 days to the operation. Transient parotid gland fistulae was observed in only 12.5% of the patients. Facial nerve palsy was observed in 37.5% of the patients in the first 7 days of postoperative time, with no records of persistent facial nerve paralysis.

Conclusions:

The preauricular transmasseteric approach is a reliable and versatile option for the exposure of the mandibular condyle, being a safe and aesthetic incision on the management of the subcondylar area. The surgical team use it as a novel tool in the approach for condyle fractures.
STAU2 protein level is controlled by caspases and the CHK1 pathway and regulates cell cycle progression in the non-transformed hTERT-RPE1 cells
Authors: Condé Lionel , Gonzalez Quesada Yulemi , Bonnet-Magnaval Florence , Beaujois Rémy , DesGroseillers Luc
Published: March 2021

Background

Staufen2 (STAU2) is an RNA binding protein involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. In neurons, STAU2 is required to maintain the balance between differentiation and proliferation of neural stem cells through asymmetric cell division. However, the importance of controlling STAU2 expression for cell cycle progression is not clear in non-neuronal dividing cells. We recently showed that STAU2 transcription is inhibited in response to DNA-damage due to E2F1 displacement from theSTAU2gene promoter. We now study the regulation of STAU2 steady-state levels in unstressed cells and its consequence for cell proliferation.

Results

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated and RNAi-dependent STAU2 depletion in the non-transformed hTERT-RPE1 cells both facilitate cell proliferation suggesting that STAU2 expression influences pathway(s) linked to cell cycle controls. Such effects are not observed in the CRISPR STAU2-KO cancer HCT116 cells nor in the STAU2-RNAi-depleted HeLa cells. Interestingly, a physiological decrease in the steady-state level of STAU2 is controlled by caspases. This effect of peptidases is counterbalanced by the activity of the CHK1 pathway suggesting that STAU2 partial degradation/stabilization fines tune cell cycle progression in unstressed cells. A large-scale proteomic analysis using STAU2/biotinylase fusion protein identifies known STAU2 interactors involved in RNA translation, localization, splicing, or decay confirming the role of STAU2 in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. In addition, several proteins found in the nucleolus, including proteins of the ribosome biogenesis pathway and of the DNA damage response, are found in close proximity to STAU2. Strikingly, many of these proteins are linked to the kinase CHK1 pathway, reinforcing the link between STAU2 functions and the CHK1 pathway. Indeed, inhibition of the CHK1 pathway for 4 h dissociates STAU2 from proteins involved in translation and RNA metabolism.

Conclusions

These results indicate that STAU2 is involved in pathway(s) that control(s) cell proliferation, likely via mechanisms of posttranscriptional regulation, ribonucleoprotein complex assembly, genome integrity and/or checkpoint controls. The mechanism by which STAU2 regulates cell growth likely involves caspases and the kinase CHK1 pathway.
The efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, methotrexate triple therapy in preventing relapse among patients with rheumatoid arthritis achieving clinical remission or low disease activity: the study protocol of a randomized controlled clinical Trial (ESCoRT study)
Authors: Zhao Juan , Zhou Wei , Wu Yangfeng , Ji Ping , Yang Li , Yan Xiaoyan , Zhang Zhuoli
Published: March 2021

Background

Tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNFi) is effective for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who fail to conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). Because of high cost, the discontinuation is common but often lead to disease relapse. The study aims to investigate, if the combination therapy of csDMARDs is more effective in reducing disease relapse than methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy, and more cost-effective than continuing TNFi and MTX.

Methods

It will be a two-stage trial. In the first stage, all RA patients who failed to csDMARDs treatment [disease activity score 28 (DAS28)-CRP > 3.2] will receive MTX plus TNFi for no more than 12 weeks. Patients achieving DAS28-CRP < 3.2 during the first stage will be randomized into three groups at 1:1:1 ratio: (A) add hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and sulfasalazine (SSZ) for the first 12 weeks and then remove TNFi but continue other treatments for the next 48 weeks; (B) maintain TNFi + MTX for 60 weeks; and (C) maintain TNFi + MTX for the first 12 weeks and then remove TNFi but continue MTX monotherapy for the next 48 weeks. The primary outcome will be disease relapse (DAS28-CRP increases by at least 0.6 and > 3.2). Secondary outcomes will include the incremental cost per reducing 1 case of relapse; patient reported intolerance to the treatment; adverse events; change of mean disease activity measured by DAS28, clinical disease activity index (CDAI) and simplified disease activity index (SDAI); the proportion of modified Sharp score increase < 0.3; ultrasound-detected remission in hands; Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and health related quality of life [the five-level EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D-5L) and short form-6D (SF-6D)].

Discussion

The aim of this trail will be to seek effective treatment options of preventing relapse of RA. The results of the current study may provide an instructive recommendation for more economical application of TNFi treatment in RA.

Trial registration NCT, NCT02320630. Registered on 16 December 2014. https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/LoginUser?ts=3&cx=-jg9qo2.
Multiple aplasia cutis congenita type V and fetus papyraceous: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Thadchanamoorthy V. , Dayasiri Kavinda , Thirukumar M. , Thamilvannan N. , Chandraratne S. H.
Published: March 2021

Background

Aplasia cutis congenita is regarded as congenital focal absence of skin in the newborn, and occurrence of more than three similar skin defects is rare. The etiology is thought to be multifactorial, and precise etiopathogenesis is unknown.

Case presentation

A 13-day-old newborn Sri Lankan Tamil girl was referred to the dermatologic clinic with multiple skin defects at birth. There were six lesions on the body, and two of them had healed during intrauterine period, leaving scars. This was a second twin of her pregnancy. Her first twin fetus had demised before 19 weeks of pregnancy and was confirmed to be fetus papyraceous based on ultrasound-guided fetal assessment. The said child was thoroughly investigated and found to have no other congenital abnormalities. Chromosomal studies yielded normal findings. She was treated with tropical antibacterial ointment, and all lesions resolved spontaneously within 4 weeks, leaving scars. Physiotherapy was commenced to prevent contracture formation, and follow-up was arranged in collaboration with the plastic surgical team.

Conclusions

Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare condition of uncertain etiology, but consanguinity may play a role. This report described a newborn with type V cutis aplasia congenita in whom the diagnosis was confirmed based on clinical features and revision of antenatal history. The management depends on the pattern, extent, location, severity, underlying causes, and associated anomalies.
On a class of stochastic fractional kinetic equation with fractional noise
Authors: Lu Min , Liu Junfeng
Published: March 2021

In this article we study a class of stochastic fractional kinetic equations with fractional noise which are spatially homogeneous and are fractional in time with$H>1/2$H>1/2. The diffusion operator involved in the equation is the composition of the Bessel and Riesz potentials with any fractional parameters. We prove the existence of the solution under some mild conditions which generalized some results obtained by Dalang (Electron. J. Probab. 4(6):1–29, 1999) and Balan and Tudor (Stoch. Process. Appl. 120:2468–2494 , 2010). We study also its Hölder continuity with respect to space and time variables with$b=0$b=0. Moreover, we prove the existence for the density of the solution and establish the Gaussian-type lower and upper bounds for the density by the techniques of Malliavin calculus.
Economic burden of eating disorders in South Korea
Authors: Lee Sang Min , Hong Minha , Park Saengryeol , Kang Won Sub , Oh In-Hwan
Published: March 2021

Background

Few studies have investigated the epidemiology of eating disorders using national representative data. In this study, we investigated the treatment prevalence and economic burden of eating disorders in South Korea.

Methods

The aim of this study was to estimate the treatment prevalence and the medical expenditure of diagnosed eating disorders (ICD F50.x) in South Korea between 2010 and 2015. We also examined the economic costs of eating disorders, including the direct medical cost, direct non-medical costs, and indirect costs, in order to calculate the economic burden of such disorders.

Results

The total treatment prevalence of eating disorders in South Korea was 12.02 people (per 100,000) in 2010, and 13.28 in 2015. The cost of medical expenditures due to eating disorders increased from USD 1229724 in 2010 to USD 1843706 in 2015. The total economic cost of eating disorders was USD 5455626 in 2015. In 2015, the economic cost and prevalence of eating disorders was the highest in the 20–29 age group.

Conclusions

The results showed the eating disorders are insufficiently managed in the medical insurance system. Further research is therefore warranted to better understand the economic burdens of each type of eating disorder.
Inhibition of BCL11B induces downregulation of PTK7 and results in growth retardation and apoptosis in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Li Kehan , Chen Cunte , Gao Rili , Yu Xibao , Huang Youxue , Chen Zheng , Liu Zhuandi , Chen Shaohua , Luo Gengxin , Huang Xin , Przybylski Grzegorz K. , Li Yangqiu , Zeng Chengwu
Published: March 2021

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive subtype of leukemia with poor prognosis, and biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets are urgently needed for this disease. Our previous studies have found that inhibition of the B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 11B (BCL11B) gene could significantly promote the apoptosis and growth retardation of T-ALL cells, but the molecular mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. This study intends to investigate genes downstream of BCL11B and further explore its function in T-ALL cells. We found that PTK7 was a potential downstream target of BCL11B in T-ALL. Compared with the healthy individuals (HIs), PTK7 was overexpressed in T-ALL cells, and BCL11B expression was positively correlated with PTK7 expression. Importantly, BCL11B knockdown reduced PTK7 expression in T-ALL cells. Similar to the effects of BCL11B silencing, downregulation of PTK7 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in Molt-4 cells via up-regulating the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and p27. Altogether, our studies suggest that PTK7 is a potential downstream target of BCL11B, and downregulation of PTK7 expression via inhibition of the BCL11B pathway induces growth retardation and apoptosis in T-ALL cells.
On two extensions of the canonical Feller–Spitzer distribution
Authors: Vinogradov Vladimir Vladimirovich , Paris Richard Bruce
Published: March 2021

We introduce two extensions of the canonical Feller–Spitzer distribution from the class of Bessel densities, which comprise two distinct stochastically decreasing one-parameter families of positive absolutely continuous infinitely divisible distributions with monotone densities, whose upper tails exhibit a power decay. The densities of the members of the first class are expressed in terms of the modified Bessel function of the first kind, whereas the members of the second class have the densities of their Lévy measure given by virtue of the same function. The Laplace transforms for both these families possess closed–form representations in terms of specific hypergeometric functions. We obtain the explicit expressions by virtue of the particular parameter value for the moments of the distributions considered and establish the monotonicity of the mean, variance, skewness and excess kurtosis within the families. We derive numerous properties of members of these classes by employing both new and previously known properties of the special functions involved and determine the variance function for the natural exponential family generated by a member of the second class.
MicroRNAs in central nervous system disorders: current advances in pathogenesis and treatment
Authors: Hussein Mona , Magdy Rehab
Published: March 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short, non-coding, regulatory RNA molecules that function as post transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Altered expression of multiple miRNAs was found to be extensively involved in the pathogenesis of different neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease. miRNAs are implicated in the pathogenesis of excitotoxicity, apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and blood–brain barrier protection. Consequently, miRNAs can serve as biomarkers for different neurological disorders. In recent years, advances in the miRNA field led to identification of potentially novel prospects in the development of new therapies for incurable CNS disorders. MiRNA-based therapeutics include miRNA mimics and inhibitors that can decrease or increase the expression of target genes. Better understanding of the mechanisms by which miRNAs are implicated in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders may provide novel targets to researchers for innovative therapeutic strategies.
Alveolar cleft and maximum cleft width as predictors for difficult laryngoscopy and intubation in patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate
Authors: Abdelhameed Gamal A. , Ghanem Wael A. , Armanios Simon H. , Abdelrahman Tamer Nabil
Published: March 2021

Background

Cleft lip and palate is one of the commonest congenital anomalies, which have an impact on feeding, speech, and dental development away from the significant psychosocial sequel. Early surgical repair aims to restore appearance and function, and the modern techniques can leave many defects undetectable. Therefore, the anesthetic challenge facing the pediatric airway with such abnormalities is still of a great impact. The aim of our study among 189 patients enrolled is to correlate alveolar gap and maximum cleft width measurements as predictors of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation in infants with unilateral complete cleft lip/palate aging from 1 to 6 months. As a secondary outcome, their weight is to be correlated too as another parameter.

Results

The alveolar gap and maximum cleft width are both of equal high predictive power (p value ≤ 0.001) with 100% sensitivity for both and specificity of 76.10% and 82.39% respectively, with a cut off value of ≤ 10 mm and 11 mm for these dimensions respectively, and odds ratio of incidence of difficult intubation is 4.18 and 5.68 respectively, while body weight ≤ 5.75 kg has an odds ratio of 2.32.

Conclusion

Alveolar cleft and maximum cleft width can be used as predictors for anticipation of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation infant patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate, while body weight ≤ 5.75 kg increases the risk more than twice.
Steroids—has the time come to extend their use to AML?
Authors: Farrugia Mariah , Cutajar Catriona , Agius Jean Calleja , Wismayer Pierre Schembri
Published: March 2021

Background

In 2018, leukaemia accounted for 2.6% of all new cancers, it being the 13th most common cause of cancer and the 10th most common cause of cancer death. Glucocorticoids are commonly used in lymphoid leukaemia treatment, where they are cytotoxic. The aim of this review is to highlight ongoing research of steroid use in myeloid leukaemias.

Main text

Glucocorticoids increase infection risks in acute myeloid leukaemia, but with adequate antifungal cover, they can help in hyperleucocytic disease. They also show some benefits in sensitising multidrug-resistant AML cell lines to cytotoxic agents, induce differentiation marker expression and can also induce CD38 expression, making AML cells possible targets of daratumumab.

Cardiotonic steroids, like digitalis, are being recognised as sensitising AML cells to the chemotherapeutic effects of many cytotoxic agents, primarily by inhibiting efflux pumps, thus minimising AML resistance.

Ecdysteroids enhance sensitivity in multidrug-resistant AML, but also in non-resistant AML cell lines, through pathways including the activation of mitochondrial apoptosis. Their anti-apoptotic effects on non-malignant cell lines help their target specificity. Sensitisation is chemotherapy-specific, enhancing the effects of doxorubicin and tubulin inhibitors but increasing resistance to cisplatinum.

Short conclusion

Cardiotonic steroids and ecdysteroids both show chemosensitisation to the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy on AML cell lines. It is likely time to consider clinical trials to assess whether these, as well as traditional glucocorticoids, can contribute to the AML armamentarium, particularly in chemo-resistant disease.