bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unexpected Role of CD8 T Cells in Accelerated Clearance of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium from H-2 Congenic mice
Authors: Labuda Jasmine C. , Depew Claire E. , Pham Oanh H. , Benoun Joseph M. , Ramirez Nora A. , McSorley Stephen J.
Published: August 2019

Salmonellainfection can cause gastroenteritis in healthy individuals or a serious, systemic infection in immunocompromised patients and has a global impact. CD4 Th1 cells represent the main lymphocyte population that participates in bacterial clearance during both primary and secondary infections in mice of the H-2bhaplotype.
Transcriptional Response of Ovine Lung to Infection with Jaagsiekte Sheep Retrovirus
Authors: Karagianni Anna Eleonora , Vasoya Deepali , Finlayson Jeanie , Martineau Henny M. , Wood Ann R. , Cousens Chris , Dagleish Mark P. , Watson Mick , Griffiths David J.
Published: August 2019

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma is a chronic respiratory disease of sheep caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV). OPA is a significant economic problem for sheep farmers in many countries and is a valuable animal model for some forms of human lung cancer. Here, we examined the changes in host gene expression that occur in the lung in response to JSRV infection. We identified a large number of genes with altered expression in infected lung, including factors with roles in cancer and immune system function. We also compared the data from OPA to previously published data from human lung adenocarcinoma and found a large degree of overlap in the genes that were dysregulated. The results of this study provide exciting new avenues for future studies of OPA and may have comparative relevance for understanding human lung cancer.
Novel Functions of IFI44L as a Feedback Regulator of Host Antiviral Responses
Authors: DeDiego Marta L. , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , Topham David J.
Published: August 2019

Excessive innate immune responses can be deleterious for the host, and therefore, negative feedback is needed. Here, we describe a completely novel function for IFI44L in negatively modulating innate immune responses induced after virus infections. In addition, we show that decreasing IFI44L expression impairs virus production and that IFI44L expression negatively modulates the antiviral state induced by an analog of dsRNA or by IFN treatment. IFI44L binds to the cellular protein FKBP5, which in turn interacts with kinases essential for type I and III IFN induction and signaling, such as the kinases IKKα, IKKβ, and IKKε. IFI44L binding to FKBP5 decreased the phosphorylation of IRF-3 and IκBα mediated by IKKε and IKKβ, respectively, providing an explanation for the function of IFI44L in negatively modulating IFN responses. Therefore, IFI44L is a candidate target for reducing virus replication.
Metabolomics Analysis Identifies Sphingolipids as Key Signaling Moieties in Appressorium Morphogenesis and Function in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Liu Xiao-Hong , Liang Shuang , Wei Yun-Yun , Zhu Xue-Ming , Li Lin , Liu Ping-Ping , Zheng Qing-Xia , Zhou Hui-Na , Zhang Yong , Mao Li-Juan , Fernandes Caroline Mota , Del Poeta Maurizio , Naqvi Naweed I. , Lin Fu-Cheng
Published: August 2019

Our untargeted analysis of metabolomics throughout the course of pathogenic development gave us an unprecedented high-resolution view of major shifts in metabolism that occur in the topmost fungal pathogen that infects rice, wheat, barley, and millet. Guided by these metabolic insights, we demonstrated their practical application by using two different small-molecule inhibitors of sphingolipid biosynthesis enzymes to successfully block the pathogenicity of
M. oryzae
. Our study thus defines the sphingolipid biosynthesis pathway as a key step and potential target that can be exploited for the development of antifungal agents. Furthermore, future investigations that exploit such important metabolic intermediates will further deepen our basic understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment of fungal blast disease in important cereal crops.
Type IV Pili Can Mediate Bacterial Motility within Epithelial Cells
Authors: Nieto Vincent , Kroken Abby R. , Grosser Melinda R. , Smith Benjamin E. , Metruccio Matteo M. E. , Hagan Patrick , Hallsten Mary E. , Evans David J. , Fleiszig Suzanne M. J.
Published: August 2019

Host cell invasion can contribute to disease pathogenesis by the opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Previously, we showed that the type III secretion system (T3SS) of invasive
P. aeruginosa
strains modulates cell entry and subsequent escape from vacuolar trafficking to host lysosomes. However, we also showed that mutants lacking either type IV pili (T4P) or T4P-dependent twitching motility (i) were defective in traversing cell multilayers, (ii) caused less pathology
in vivo
, and (iii) had a reduced capacity to exit invaded cells. Here, we report that after vacuolar escape, intracellular
P. aeruginosa
can use T4P-dependent twitching motility to disseminate throughout the host cell cytoplasm. We further show that this strategy for intracellular dissemination does not depend on flagellin and resists both host actin and host microtubule disruption. This differs from mechanisms used by previously studied pathogens that utilize either host actin or microtubules for intracellular dissemination independently of microbe motility appendages.
Strategies for Building Computing Skills To Support Microbiome Analysis: a Five-Year Perspective from the EDAMAME Workshop
Authors: Shade Ashley , Dunivin Taylor K. , Choi Jinlyung , Teal Tracy K. , Howe Adina C.
Published: August 2019

High-throughput sequencing and related statistical and bioinformatic analyses have become routine in microbiology in the past decade, but there are few formal training opportunities to develop these skills. A weeklong workshop can offer sufficient time for novices to become introduced to best computing practices and common workflows in sequence analysis. We report our experiences in executing such a workshop targeted to professional learners (graduate students, postdoctoral scientists, faculty, and research staff).
Making Workshops Work: Insights from EDAMAME
Authors: Taroni Jaclyn N.
Published: August 2019

Microbiology, like many areas of life science research, is increasingly data-intensive. As such, bioinformatics and data science skills have become essential to leverage microbiome sequencing data for discovery. Short intensive courses have sprung up as formal computational training opportunities at individual institutions fail to meet demands. In this issue, Shade et al. (A. Shade, T. K. Dunivin, J. Choi, T. K.
Job type and other socio-demographic factors associated with participation in a national, cross-sectional study of Danish employees
Authors: Johnsen Nina Føns , Thomsen Birthe Lykke , Hansen Jørgen Vinsløv , Christensen Birgitte Schütt , Rugulies Reiner , Schlünssen Vivi
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Participation in population-based surveys and epidemiological studies has been declining over the years in many countries. The aim of this study was to examine the association between job type and participation in the work environment and health in Denmark survey with/without taking into account other socio-demographic factors.

Design

Cross-sectional survey using questionnaire data on working environment and registry data on job type, industry and socio-economic variables.

Setting

The work environment and health study.

Participants

A total of 50 806 employees (15 767 in a stratified workplace sample; 35 039 in a random sample) working at least 35 hours/month and earning at least 3000 Danish Krones.

Outcome measures

The outcome was participation (yes/no) and logistic regression was used to estimate the OR for participation with 95% CI.

Results

In the random sample, women were more likely to participate than men, and married/non-married couples were more likely to participate than persons living alone or more families living together. Participation increased with higher age, higher annual personal income, higher education and Danish origin, and there were marked differences in participation between job types and geographical regions. For armed forces, craft and related trade workers, and skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers, the association between job type and participation was strongly attenuated after adjustment for sex and age. Additional adjustment for annual income, education, cohabitation, country of origin and geographical region generally attenuated the association between job type and participation. Similar results were found in the stratified workplace sample.

Conclusion

In this population of Danish employees, participation varied across types of jobs. Some but not all the variation between job types was explained by other socio-demographic factors. Future studies using questionnaires may consider targeting efforts to (sub-)populations, defined by job type and other factors, where response probability is particularly important.
Relationship between metabolic syndrome and its components and cardiovascular disease in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population: a national cross-sectional survey
Authors: Li Wenzhen , Song Fujian , Wang Xiaojun , Wang Dongming , Chen Dajie , Yue Wei , Zhang Hong , Wang Zhihong , Lu Zuxun
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components and cardiovascular disease (CVD) according to different criteria of MetS, as well as whether the estimated association between MetS and CVD was affected by different definitions of MetS among the Chinese population.

Design

Population-based, cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data were from a large-scale national stroke screening survey, China National Stroke Screening and Prevention Project.

Participants

A nationally representative sample of 109 551 Chinese adults aged ≥40 years in 2014–2015 were included.

Primary outcome measures

CVD conditions (stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD) and atrial fibrillation (AF)) diagnosed by clinicians were self-reported.

Results

ORs after adjusting for CHD, stroke, AF and CVD in those with MetS using the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criterion were 1.56 (95% CI 1.48 to 1.63), 1.23 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.30), 1.14 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.21) and 1.40 (95% CI 1.35 to 1.45); 1.51 (95% CI 1.44 to 1.58), 1.20 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.26), 1.09 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.15) and 1.34 (95% CI 1.29 to 1.38) with the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criterion; and 1.41 (95% CI 1.35 to 1.48), 1.24 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.30), 1.12 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.18) and 1.31 (95% CI 1.27 to 1.35) with the International Diabetes Federation criterion, respectively. Elevated blood pressures were all highly related to the prevalence of stroke and AF, and reduced high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was associated with a higher OR for CHD than other individual components of MetS.

Conclusions

MetS is significantly associated with CVD, and the prevalence of CVD was more evident when MetS was defined according to the NCEP ATP III criterion. Developing effective public health strategies for the prevention, detection and treatment of MetS should be an urgent priority to reduce the burden of CVD in China.
Delivery room interventions to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants: a protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Mitra Souvik , Disher Timothy , Pichler Gerhard , D'Souza Brandon , Mccord Helen , Chayapathi Varsha , Jones Karlee , Schmölzer Georg
Published: August 2019

Introduction

As gestational age decreases, incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and chronic lung disease increases. There are many interventions used in the delivery room to prevent acute lung injury and consequently BPD in these patients. The availability of different treatment options often poses a practical challenge to the practicing neonatologist when it comes to making an evidence-based choice as the multitude of pairwise systematic reviews including Cochrane reviews that are currently available only provide a narrow perspective through head-to-head comparisons.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic review of all randomised controlled trials evaluating delivery room interventions within the first golden hour after birth for prevention of BPD. The primary outcome includes BPD. Secondary outcomes include death at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or before discharge; severe intraventricular haemorrhage (grade 3 or 4 based on the Papile criteria); any air leak syndromes (including pneumothorax or pulmonary interstitial emphysema); retinopathy of prematurity (any stage) and neurodevelopmental impairment at 18–24 months. We will search from their inception to August 2018, the following databases: Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials as well as grey literature resources. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts, review full texts, extract information and assess the risk of bias and the confidence in the estimate (with Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach). This review will use Bayesian network meta-analysis approach which allows the comparison of the multiple delivery room interventions for prevention of BPD. We will perform a Bayesian network meta-analysis to combine the pooled direct and indirect treatment effect estimates for each outcome, effectiveness and safety of delivery room interventions for prevention of BPD.

Ethics and dissemination

The proposed protocol is a network meta-analysis, which has been registered on PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42018078648). The results will provide an evidence-based guide to choosing the right sequence of early postnatal interventions that will be associated with the least likelihood of inducing lung injury and BPD in preterm infants. Furthermore, we will identify knowledge gaps and will encourage further research for other therapeutic options. Therefore, its results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Due to the nature of the design, no ethics approval is necessary.
Real-time navigation during hepatectomy using fusion indocyanine green-fluorescence imaging: protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: Gon Hidetoshi , Komatsu Shohei , Murakami Sae , Kido Masahiro , Tanaka Motofumi , Kuramitsu Kaori , Tsugawa Daisuke , Awazu Masahide , Toyama Hirochika , Fukumoto Takumi
Published: August 2019

Introduction

In-vivo fluorescence imaging techniques using indocyanine green (ICG) to identify liver tumours and hepatic segment boundaries have been recently developed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of fusion ICG-fluorescence imaging for navigation during hepatectomy.

Methods and analysis

This will be an exploratory single-arm clinical trial; patients with liver tumours will undergo hepatectomy using the ICG-fluorescence imaging system. In total, 110 patients with liver tumours scheduled for elective hepatectomy will be included in this study. Preoperatively, ICG will be intravenously injected at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight within 2 days. To detect liver tumours intraoperatively, the hepatic surface will be initially observed using the ICG-fluorescence imaging system. After identifying and clamping the portal pedicle corresponding to the hepatic segments, including the liver tumours to be resected, additional ICG will be injected intravenously at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight to identify the boundaries of the hepatic segments. The primary outcome measure will be the success or failure of the ICG-fluorescence imaging system in identifying hepatic segments. The secondary outcomes will be the success or failure in identifying liver tumours, liver function indicators, operative time, blood loss, rate of postoperative complications and recurrence-free survival. The findings obtained through this study are expected to help to establish the utility of ICG-fluorescence imaging systems, and therefore contribute to prognostic outcome improvements in patients undergoing hepatectomy for various causes.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has been approved by the Kobe University Clinical Research Ethical Committee. The findings of this study will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

UMIN000031054 and jRCT1051180070
BET 1: The role of topical phenylephrine in non-traumatic epistaxis
Authors: Howard Laura , Baombe Janos
Published: August 2019

A short cut review of the literature was carried out to establish whether topical phenylephrine was an effective treatment for non-traumatic epistaxis. A single paper looked at this modality comparing it to another topical treatment. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses are tabulated. It is concluded that further more robust studies are needed to answer this question.
Emergencies and critical issues in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Simonet Cristina , Tolosa Eduardo , Camara Ana , Valldeoriola Francesc
Published: August 2019

Complications from Parkinson’s disease may develop over the disease course, sometimes unexpectedly, and require prompt or even urgent medical intervention. The most common are associated with aggravation of motor symptoms; serious non-motor complications, such as psychosis, orthostatic hypotension or sleep attacks, also occur. Here we review such complications, their clinical presentation, precipitating factors and management, including those related to using device-aided therapies. Early recognition and prompt attention to these critical situations is challenging, even for the Parkinson’s disease specialist, but is essential to prevent serious problems.
Beta-adrenergic blockade for attenuation of catecholamine surge after traumatic brain injury: a randomized pilot trial
Authors: Schroeppel Thomas J , Sharpe John P , Shahan Charles Patrick , Clement Lesley P , Magnotti Louis J. , Lee Marilyn , Muhlbauer Michael , Weinberg Jordan A , Tolley Elizabeth A , Croce Martin A , Fabian Timothy C
Published: August 2019

Background

Beta-blockers have been proven in multiple studies to be beneficial in patients with traumatic brain injury. Few prospective studies have verified this and no randomized controlled trials. Additionally, most studies do not titrate the dose of beta-blockers to therapeutic effect. We hypothesize that propranolol titrated to effect will confer a survival benefit in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Methods

A randomized controlled pilot trial was performed during a 24-month period. Patients with traumatic brain injury were randomized to propranolol or control group for a 14-day study period. Variables collected included demographics, injury severity, physiologic parameters, urinary catecholamines, and outcomes. Patients receiving propranolol were compared with the control group.

Results

Over the study period, 525 patients were screened, 26 were randomized, and 25 were analyzed. Overall, the mean age was 51.3 years and the majority were male with blunt mechanism. The mean Injury Severity Score was 21.8 and median head Abbreviated Injury Scale score was 4. Overall mortality was 20.0%. Mean arterial pressure was higher in the treatment arm as compared with control (p=0.021), but no other differences were found between the groups in demographics, severity of injury, severity of illness, physiologic parameters, or mortality (7.7% vs. 33%; p=0.109). No difference was detected over time in any variables with respect to treatment, urinary catecholamines, or physiologic parameters. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation scores all improved over time. GCS at study end was significantly higher in the treatment arm (11.7 vs. 8.9; p=0.044). Finally, no difference was detected with survival analysis over time between groups.

Conclusions

Despite not being powered to show statistical differences between groups, GCS at study end was significantly improved in the treatment arm and mortality was improved although not at a traditional level of significance. The study protocol was safe and feasible to apply to an appropriately powered larger multicenter study.

Level of evidence

Level 2—therapeutic.
Contingent strategies of risk management by snowshoe hares
Authors: Morris Douglas W.
Published: August 2019

Prey individuals employ several adaptive behaviours to reduce predation risk. We need to learn how those behaviours interact in an overall strategy of risk management, how strategies vary with changing conditions, and whether some behaviours might compensate for others. I addressed these issues with manipulative experiments evaluating how snowshoe hares’ ( Lepus americanus) vigilance varies with their giving-up densities (GUDs) in artificial food patches. I tested whether the results, collected when there was no evidence of predation, were congruent with an earlier study under higher predation. When predator sign was common, vigilance depended directly on habitat. But when risk was low, habitat’s influence on vigilance was indirect. Hares were least vigilant during the new moon where the distance to escape habitat was far, but only in open risky habitat. Hares were more vigilant during the full moon, but only at stations far from escape habitat. Moon phase and additional cover had no effect on GUDs that were highest at open risky stations far from escape habitat. The results suggest that reduced risk allowed hares to allocate less time to vigilance, but they needed to forage for similar amounts of food during each moon phase to maintain their energetic state.
Effect of thermal fluctuations on dynamics of small Josephson junctions
Authors: Askerzade I. N.
Published: August 2019

In this study, we carried out the analysis of the thermal fluctuations on the dynamics of small Josephson junction (JJ). An expression for the fluctuation of Coulomb blockade edge in the case of low and high growing rate of voltage was obtained. It was shown that dynamics of small-sized JJ under thermal fluctuations is determined by the energy ratio-parameter, temperature and growing rate of voltage.
On the size of Diophantine m-tuples in imaginary quadratic number rings
Authors: Adžaga Nikola
Published: August 2019

A Diophantine [Formula: see text]-tuple is a set of [Formula: see text] distinct integers such that the product of any two distinct elements plus one is a perfect square. It was recently proven that there is no Diophantine quintuple in positive integers. We study the same problem in the rings of integers of imaginary quadratic fields. By using a gap principle proven by Diophantine approximations, we show that [Formula: see text]. Our proof is relatively simple compared to the proofs of similar results in positive integers.
Securitization of Climate Change in China: Implications for Global Climate Governance
Authors: Trombetta Maria Julia
Published: August 2019

Despite the traditional resistance to consider climate change as a national security issue, the security impact of climate change has been increasingly recognized by official discourses in China over the past few years. The Chinese perception on climate change has shifted from a development issue to a security topic; and two driving forces are behind the emergence of the climate security discourse: the shift of China’s economy towards a “New Normal” and the commitments China made in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Meanwhile, two modalities of discourse that characterize the Chinese context are also discerned. One that involves national security has a rather fixed procedure about how security can be spoken of and by whom; the other is more relevant for issues like climate change and air pollution. In both cases, even if the language of security is used with regard to climate issues, they are handled as normal politics and governmental actions are legitimized by the use of security language. Although China has taken on more climate responsibilities, it seems unprepared for global climate leadership because security considerations not only determine the country’s participation but also limit its international commitments in global climate governance.
Expansion Microscopy: Scalable and Convenient Super-Resolution Microscopy
Authors: Tillberg Paul W. , Chen Fei
Published: August 2019

Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a physical form of magnification that increases the effective resolving power of any microscope. Here, we describe the fundamental principles of ExM, as well as how recently developed ExM variants build upon and apply those principles. We examine applications of ExM in cell and developmental biology for the study of nanoscale structures as well as ExM's potential for scalable mapping of nanoscale structures across large sample volumes. Finally, we explore how the unique anchoring and hydrogel embedding properties enable postexpansion molecular interrogation in a purified chemical environment. ExM promises to play an important role complementary to emerging live-cell imaging techniques, because of its relative ease of adoption and modification and its compatibility with tissue specimens up to at least 200 μm thick.
Statics and Dynamics of Soft Wetting
Authors: Andreotti Bruno , Snoeijer Jacco H.
Published: August 2019

The laws of wetting are well known for drops on rigid surfaces but change dramatically when the substrate is soft and deformable. The combination of wetting and the intricacies of soft polymeric interfaces have provided many rich examples of fluid–structure interactions, both in terms of phenomenology and from a fundamental perspective. In this review we discuss experimental and theoretical progress on the statics and dynamics of soft wetting. In this context we critically revisit the foundations of capillarity, such as the nature of solid surface tension, the microscopic mechanics near the contact line, and the dissipative mechanisms that lead to unexpected spreading dynamics.
Postabortion Contraception Acceptance and Associated Factors in Dessie Health Center and Marie Stopes International Clinics, South Wollo Northeast, Amhara Region, 2017
Authors: Abebe Ayele Mamo , Wudu Kassaw Mesfin , Estifanos Shewangashaw Nathan
Published: August 2019

Introduction. Abortion is termination of pregnancy before the viability of the pregnancy. It is one of the major causes for maternal mortality in the world and in Ethiopia. Unintended pregnancies which end up in abortion occur due to contraception method nonuse or misuse. To limit unintended pregnancies and avoid repeated abortions promoting immediate postabortion contraception is crucial. Objective. To assess the proportion of postabortion contraception acceptance among women who got abortion care service and factors associated with it in Marie stopes international clinic and Dessie health center, Dessie, North eastern Amhara, 2017. Methods. An institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted from May 1 to May 30, 2017, at Marie stopes international clinics and Dessie health center. A sample of 125 women were selected by means of systematic sampling techniques and 118 abortion clients were interviewed in Marie stopes international clinic and Dessie on the use/acceptance of postabortion family planning (PAFP). Data were collected through pretested structured questionnaire. Data was cleaned and checked. Chi-square test was done to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. Odds ratio was done to assess the strength of association. Frequency tables, pie chart, and graphs were used to present the finding of the study. Results. From a total of 125 participants recruited, 118 participated in the study while 7 were unwilling to participate in the study, yielding the response rate of 94.4%. Among the 118 study participants, 79 (66.9%) were within the age group 25-34. This study found a strong positive association between Postabortion contraception acceptance and age [P = 0.007 [X2 test= 9.989, COR=2.625)]. Study subjects aged 15–24 years were 3 times more likely to accept postabortion family planning as compared with those aged >35 years. Conclusion and Recommendation. This study revealed that the acceptance of postabortion family planning method was 84%. Age of women, marital status, ever use of history family planning, involvement of others in decision making, and family planning counseling were significantly associated with postabortion family planning acceptance. Therefore it is better to give emphasis on health education about family planning.
A Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm Based on Multipopulation Coevolution for Weapon‐Target Assignment
Authors: Fu Guangyuan , Wang Chao , Zhang Daqiao , Zhao Jiufen , Wang Hongqiao
Published: August 2019

Weapon‐target assignment (WTA) is critical to command and decision making in modern battlefields and is a typical nondeterministic polynomial complete problem. To solve WTA problems with multiple optimization objectives, a multipopulation coevolution‐based multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is proposed to realize the rapid search for the globally optimal solution. The algorithm constructs a master‐slave population coevolution model. Each slave population corresponds to an objective function and is used to search for noninferior solutions. The master population receives all the noninferior solutions from the slave populations, repairs the gaps between the noninferior solutions, and generates a relatively optimal Pareto optimal solution set. In addition, to accelerate the slave populations searching for noninferior solutions and master population repairing the gaps between noninferior solutions, the particle velocity update method is improved. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has higher computational efficiency and achieves better solutions than existing algorithms capable of providing a good solution. The method is suitable for rapidly solving multiobjective WTA (MOWTA) problems.
Comparison of Outcomes after Phacoemulsification with Two Different Corneal Incision Distances Anterior to the Limbus
Authors: Wang Lijun , Zhao Lin , Yang Xiting , Zhang Yi , Liao Dingying , Wang Jianming
Published: August 2019

Purpose. To compare visual performance and visual quality outcomes after phacoemulsification with two different clear corneal incision (CCI) distances anterior to the limbus in senile cataract patients. Methods. Retrospective case series. Patients who had undergone phacoemulsification were divided into two groups according to the CCI distances anterior to the limbus. The CCI distances in group A range from 1 mm to 1.5 mm, while those in group B range from 0.5 mm to 1 mm. The visual acuity, refraction, surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), corneal aberrations, anterior segment parameters, and subjective vision quality were evaluated. Results. This study enrolled 54 eyes, with 27 eyes per group. Both groups had significant improvement in postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant between-group differences in postoperative UDVA, CDVA, SIA, corneal aberrations, anterior segment parameters, or VF-QOL questionnaire performance (P>0.05). Conclusions. The phacoemulsification with CCI distances ranging from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm is an effective and safe therapy to senile cataract. The CCI distance anterior to the limbus that ranges from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm is recommended for routine phacoemulsification.
Preparation and Performance of Capric-Myristic Acid Binary Eutectic Mixtures for Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storages
Authors: Zhou Dongyi , Zhou Yuhong , Liu Yicai , Luo Xianzhi , Yuan Jiawei
Published: August 2019

The capric-myristic acid (CA-MA) binary eutectic mixture phase change material (PCM) was prepared for low-temperature latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES). The thermal properties, thermal stability, and long-term cycling reliability of the PCMs were measured. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the CA-MA binary eutectic mixture at the mass ratio (72/28 wt%) indicated a high-performance PCM for its suitable phase change temperature (Tm: 18.21°C, Tf: 17.40°C) and high latent heat (Hm: 148.5 J/g, Hf: 134.0 J/g). Thermal gravimetric analysis results indicated that the CA-MA binary eutectic mixture had excellent thermal stability in its operating temperature range. The thermal cycling tests and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results revealed that the CA-MA binary eutectic mixture had good long-term cycling thermal chemical reliability. In summary, in terms of thermal property, thermal stability, and reliability, the prepared CA-MA PCM could be applied particularly for low-temperature LHTES systems and backfill materials of ground source heat pump systems.
Research on Multiple Griffith Cracks at the Interface of Fine‐Grained Piezoelectric Coating/Substrate
Authors: Hu Shuaishuai , Liu Jiansheng , Li Junlin
Published: August 2019

The behavior of a fine‐grained piezoelectric coating/substrate with multiple Griffith interface cracks under electromechanical loads is investigated. In this work, double coupled singular integral equations are proposed to solve the fracture problems. Both the singular integral equation and single‐valued conditions are simplified into an algebraic equation and solved by numerical calculation. Thereby, the intensity factors of electric displacement and stress obtained are used to obtain the expression of the energy release rate. Furthermore, numerical results of the energy release rate with material parameters are demonstrated. Based on the obtained results, it could be concluded that the energy release rate is closely related to the size of the interface cracks and the mechanical‐electrical loading. For a bimaterial structure, the fine‐grained piezoelectric structure exhibited better material performance compared to the large one.
Evaluation of Dynamic Uncertainty of Rolling Bearing Vibration Performance
Authors: Ye Liang , Xia Xintao , Chang Zhen
Published: August 2019

The variation trend, failure trajectory, probability distribution, and other information vary with time and working conditions for rolling bearing vibration performance, which makes the evaluation and prediction of the evolution process difficult for the performance reliability. In view of this, the chaos theory, grey bootstrap method, and maximum entropy method were effectively fused to propose a mathematical model for the dynamic uncertainty evaluation of rolling bearing vibration performance. After reconstructing the phase space of the vibration performance time series, four local prediction methods were applied to predict the vibration values of bearings to verify the effectiveness and validity of chaos theory. The estimated true value and estimated interval were calculated using the grey bootstrap method (GBM) and maximum entropy method. Finally, the validity of the proposed model was verified by comparing the probability that the original data fall into the estimated interval with the given confidence level. The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively predict the variation trend and failure trajectory of the vibration performance time series so as to realize the dynamic monitoring of the evolution process for rolling bearing vibration performance online.
Exploring a Cold Plasma-2d Black Hole Connection
Authors: Williams Floyd L.
Published: August 2019

Using a resonance nonlinear Schrödinger equation as a bridge, we explore a direct connection of cold plasma physics to two-dimensional black holes. Namely, we compute and diagonalize a metric attached to the propagation of magnetoacoustic waves in a cold plasma subject to a transverse magnetic field, and we construct an explicit change of variables by which this metric is transformed exactly to a Jackiw-Teitelboim black hole metric.
Pinwheel-Shaped Titanium Plates Should Be Fixed to the Skull Using All Screw Holes to Protect the Plates from Being Bent
Authors: Yamada Shoko Merrit , Gorai Katsuya , Gonda Koichi
Published: August 2019

Introduction. In cranioplasty, pinwheel-shaped titanium mini plates are frequently used to cover bone defects produced by burr holes, and it is common to insert screws through only a few of the holes in cranial flap fixation. Presentation of Case. A 69-year-old man who had undergone clipping surgery for subarachnoid hemorrhage 16 years previously visited our clinic because a titanium plate had penetrated his scalp one month after he was hit on the head by a wall cabinet. Imaging studies revealed that part of the titanium plate had bent outwards and penetrated the skin. The plate was surgically removed, a relief skin incision was made 6 cm posterior to the skin defect to suture the defected portion without causing tension, and a skin graft was applied to the relief skin incision portion. Two months after the maneuver, the skin graft had been successfully incorporated without infection. Discussion. Even after the subcutaneous and the cutaneous tissue have completely covered the pinwheel-shaped titanium mini plate, an edge without screw fixation can be easily bent by a hard blow to the overlying scalp. We recommend fixation of pinwheel-shaped titanium plates used in cranioplasty through all screw holes to protect against the plate being bent.
A Novel Numerical Model for Simulating the Quantity of Tailing Oil in the Mixed Segment between Two Batches in Product Pipelines
Authors: He Guoxi , Yang Na , Liao Kexi , Wang Baoying , Sun Liying
Published: August 2019

Cutting mixed oil in product pipelines has a great influence on the economy of the pipeline operation processes. The reasonable prediction of CDMS (the concentration distribution in the mixed segment) is important for cutting mixed segments. The classical model cannot explain the tailing phenomenon well which should not be neglected during operation processes. Based on Fick’s diffusion law, a new model for calculating the diffusion coefficient is proposed in this article, which originates from the essence of the diffusion phenomenon and considers the effects of both physical properties of oil products and the turbulence. At the same time, the dynamic fluid equilibrium model of CDMS near the pipe wall is given which has considered the adsorption effect of wall roughness. Based on these two factors, a novel numerical model for simulating the quantity of tailing oil is proposed, which is solved via the characteristic method and the finite difference method. The effects of different physical properties, as well as the adsorption, on both LFMS (the length of the front of the mixed segment) and LTMS (the length of the tail of the mixed segment), are analyzed. The comparison between the simulation results and the experimental data is utilized to validate the proposed numerical model. The simulation results show that the novel model can well describe the mixed segment tailing phenomenon and also explain the mixing essence of two miscible but dissimilar fluids in the pipeline more clearly. To sum up, this model can provide theoretical guidance for the prediction of CDMS and cutting process in practical operation processes; therefore, more economic benefit can be obtained.
Anticorrosion Behaviour ofRhizophora mangleL. Bark-Extract on Concrete Steel-Rebar in Saline/Marine Simulating-Environment
Authors: Okeniyi Joshua Olusegun , Ikotun Jacob Olumuyiwa , Akinlabi Esther Titilayo , Okeniyi Elizabeth Toyin
Published: August 2019

This paper investigates anticorrosion behaviour of the bark-extract fromRhizophora mangleL. on steel-rebar in concrete slabs in 3.5% NaCl medium of immersion (for simulating saline/marine environment). Corrosion-rate, corrosion-current, and corrosion-potential were measured from the NaCl-immersed steel-reinforced concrete cast with admixture of different plant-extract concentrations and from positive control concrete immersed in distilled water. Analyses indicate excellent mathematical-correlation between the corrosion-rate, concentration of the bark-extract admixture, and electrochemical noise-resistance (ratio of the corrosion-potential standard deviation to that of corrosion-current). The 0.4667%Rhizophora mangleL. bark-extract admixture exhibited optimal corrosion-inhibition performance,η= 99.08±0.11% (experimental) orη= 97.89±0.24% (correlation), which outperformed the positive control specimens, experimentally. Both experimental and correlated results followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm which suggests prevalent physisorption mechanism by the plant-extract on the reinforcing-steel corrosion-protection. These findings supportRhizophora mangleL. bark-extract suitability for corrosion-protection of steel-rebar in concrete structure designed for immersion in the saline/marine environmental medium.
Consolidation Effect of Prefabricated Vertical Drains with Different Lengths for Soft Subsoil under Vacuum Preloading
Authors: Lou Chenhui , Ni Junfeng , Chai Jingchun , Fu Hongtao , Hu Xiuqing , Xu Donghai , Lyu Youchang , Guan Zhi , Xia Zhengde , Ye Qiang
Published: August 2019

The application of vacuum preloading to prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) with different lengths is widely used in practical engineering to investigate their consolidation at the same depths of even and multilayer subsoils from the seabed. In a laboratory, model experiment was conducted using even subsoil and embedded PVDs with lengths of 0.6 and 1.2 m. The obtained results showed that in the even subsoil, the 1.2 m PVDs maintained a higher vacuum pressure in the shallow layer and demonstrated better consolidation behavior as compared to those of the 0.6 m PVDs. In the upper subsoil layer, the average vane shear strengths of these two systems increased to 18.2 and 22.6 kPa, respectively. The degree of consolidation of the upper subsoil layers in the two model experiments calculated from the pore water pressures under boundary drainage conditions were 51% and 68%, respectively. For practical verification purposes, similar experiments were conducted for multilayer subsoil by inserting PVDs with lengths of 6 and 15 m into different test sites. As a result, the vane shear strengths of the upper 6 m subsoil layers increased to 26.3 and 33 kPa, while the degree of consolidation were 72.1% and 80.9%, respectively, although some irregularities were observed at different depths.
Use of Erbium Laser in the Treatment of a Patient with Acute Purulent Periostitis and a Resistant Form of Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Larionova Elena , Tarasenko Svetlana , Morozova Elena , Diachkova Ekaterina
Published: August 2019

In our article, we described a clinical case of a patient with an acute periostitis of the maxilla with a comorbidity (primary immune thrombocytopenia, resistant form) who was treated using laser technology allowing us to provide good results: an intensive regeneration process and a decreased risk of developing infection complications and unpleasant signs for the patient, such as postoperative edema and intraoperative and postoperative pain syndrome.
Least-Norm of the General Solution to Some System of Quaternion Matrix Equations and Its Determinantal Representations
Authors: Rehman Abdur , Kyrchei Ivan , Akram Muhammad , Ali Ilyas , Shakoor Abdul
Published: August 2019

We constitute some necessary and sufficient conditions for the system A1X1=C1, X1B1=C2, A2X2=C3, X2B2=C4, A3X1B3+A4X2B4=Cc, to have a solution over the quaternion skew field in this paper. A novel expression of general solution to this system is also established when it has a solution. The least norm of the solution to this system is also researched in this article. Some former consequences can be regarded as particular cases of this article. Finally, we give determinantal representations (analogs of Cramer’s rule) of the least norm solution to the system using row-column noncommutative determinants. An algorithm and numerical examples are given to elaborate our results.
Isolation, Characterization, and Safety Evaluation of Human Skin-Derived Precursors from an Adherent Monolayer Culture System
Authors: Dai Ru , Hua Wei , Chen Wei , Xiong Lidan , Li Li , Li Yiming
Published: August 2019

Background. Skin-derived precursors (SKPs) are promising candidates for regenerative medicine. Several studies have transcultured human SKPs (termed tSKPs) from fibroblasts (FBs) expanded in monolayer culture. Herein, we optimized the procedure by treating flasks with poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (poly-HEMA). Methods. tSKPs generated from our adherent monolayer culture system were investigated for protein expression and differentiation capacity. The aggregated cells and the proliferative cells within tSKP spheres were detected by mix-culturing FBs expressing two different fluorescent proteins and BrdU- or EdU-positive cells, respectively. To distinguish tSKPs from FBs, we compared their phenotypes and transcriptomes. The tumorigenicity of tSKPs and FBs was also assessed in our study. Results. tSKPs expressed Versican, Fibronectin, Vimentin, Sox2, and Nestin. Under appropriate stimuli, tSKPs could differentiate to mesenchymal or neural lineages. While these spheres were heterogeneous populations consisting of both proliferative and aggregated cells, the rate of proliferative cells correlated with a seeding density. tSKPs, isolated from FBs, were distinctive from FBs in cell cycle, marker expression, neural differentiation potential, and transcript profiles despite the two sharing partial similarity in certain properties. As for tumorigenesis, both tSKPs and FBs could be considered as nontumorigenic ex vivo and in vivo. Conclusion. tSKPs were heterogeneous populations presenting similar characteristics as traditional SKPs, while being different from FBs. The potential mixture of FBs in spheres did not affect the biosafety of tSKPs, as both of which had normal karyotype and nontumorigenicity. Taken together, we suggested tSKPs had potential applications in regenerative medicine.
Circulating Tumor DNA Sequencing Analysis of Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Maron Steven B. , Chase Leah M. , Lomnicki Samantha , Kochanny Sara , Moore Kelly L. , Joshi Smita S. , Landron Stacie , Johnson Julie , Kiedrowski Lesli A. , Nagy Rebecca J. , Lanman Richard B. , Kim Seung Tae , Lee Jeeyun , Catenacci Daniel V.T.
Published: August 2019

Purpose:

Gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) has a poor prognosis and few therapeutic options. Utilizing a 73-gene plasma-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA-NGS) test, we sought to evaluate the role of ctDNA-NGS in guiding clinical decision-making in GEA.

Experimental Design:

We evaluated a large cohort (n = 2,140 tests; 1,630 patients) of ctDNA-NGS results (including 369 clinically annotated patients). Patients were assessed for genomic alteration (GA) distribution and correlation with clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes.

Results:

Treatment history, tumor site, and disease burden dictated tumor-DNA shedding and consequent ctDNA-NGS maximum somatic variant allele frequency. Patients with locally advanced disease having detectable ctDNA postoperatively experienced inferior median disease-free survival (P = 0.03). The genomic landscape was similar but not identical to tissue-NGS, reflecting temporospatial molecular heterogeneity, with some targetable GAs identified at higher frequency via ctDNA-NGS compared with previous primary tumor-NGS cohorts. Patients with known microsatellite instability-high (MSI-High) tumors were robustly detected with ctDNA-NGS. Predictive biomarker assessment was optimized by incorporating tissue-NGS and ctDNA-NGS assessment in a complementary manner. HER2 inhibition demonstrated a profound survival benefit in HER2-amplified patients by ctDNA-NGS and/or tissue-NGS (median overall survival, 26.3 vs. 7.4 months; P = 0.002), as did EGFR inhibition in EGFR-amplified patients (median overall survival, 21.1 vs. 14.4 months; P = 0.01).

Conclusions:

ctDNA-NGS characterized GEA molecular heterogeneity and rendered important prognostic and predictive information, complementary to tissue-NGS.

See related commentary by Frankell and Smyth, p. 6893