bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Application of Fuzzy PID Controller Based on MATLAB
Authors: Han Jinyu
Published: November 2024

In an era where the development of intelligent technology is a pivotal force propelling economic advancement, enhancing production efficiency, diminishing costs, and reshaping daily life, the field of intelligent vehicle control technology has garnered significant attention among automotive researchers. The dynamics of smart cars during driving often exhibit nonlinearity and are susceptible to external environmental disturbances, such as wind resistance and road surface inequality. Traditional PID controllers have limited ability to suppress these interferences, so this study uses fuzzy PID algorithms to solve the inherent challenges in intelligent vehicle control. Through comprehensive analysis of the current landscape and technological advancements in intelligent vehicle control systems, coupled with rigorous MATLAB/Simulink simulations and real-world testing, the study showed that the overshoot of the adaptive fuzzy PID was reduced by 86% compared to the traditional PID. Consequently, it markedly enhances the precision and stability of speed control in intelligent vehicles, providing a groundbreaking perspective and practical methods for the enhancement of intelligent vehicle control systems with considerable application potential.
Advances in Value Addition in Jackfruit Bulb (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) for Food and Nutritional Security of Rural Women in Koderma District, Jharkhand, India
Authors: Kumari Chanchila , Sinha Jyoti , Srivastava A K , Rai A K
Published: November 2024

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.), an underutilized yet highly nutritious fruit, holds significant potential for improving food security and generating income in rural areas. The recent advancements in value addition for jackfruit bulbs, including dehydration, canning, and processing into various food products, have opened up new economic opportunities, particularly for rural women. Jackfruit bulbs are rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making them a valuable resource for enhancing the nutritional status of rural households. Value-added products such as jackfruit flour, canned jackfruit, and ready-to-eat snacks offer rural women the opportunity to engage in small-scale entrepreneurship and contribute to household income while improving local food systems. In districts like Koderma, Jharkhand, where jackfruit production is quite high, a focus on appropriate value addition of jackfruit may be a source of income for the rural women. However, challenges such as limited access to technology and training need to be addressed to fully realize the benefits of these advancements.
Executive summary of AAPM Report Task Group 113: Guidance for the physics aspects of clinical trials
Authors: Moran Jean M. , Molineu Andrea , Kruse Jon J. , Oldham Mark , Jeraj Robert , Galvin James M. , Palta Jatinder R. , Olch Arthur J.
Published: June 2018

The charge of AAPM Task Group 113 is to provide guidance for the physics aspects of clinical trials to minimize variability in planning and dose delivery for external beam trials involving photons and electrons. Several studies have demonstrated the importance of protocol compliance on patient outcome. Minimizing variability for treatments at different centers improves the quality and efficiency of clinical trials. Attention is focused on areas where variability can be minimized through standardization of protocols and processes through all aspects of clinical trials. Recommendations are presented for clinical trial designers, physicists supporting clinical trials at their individual clinics, quality assurance centers, and manufacturers.
Safety and benefit of using a virtual bolus during treatment planning for breast cancer treated with arc therapy
Authors: Tyran Marguerite , Tallet Agnes , Resbeut Michel , Ferre Marjorie , Favrel Veronique , Fau Pierre , Moureau‐Zabotto Laurence , Darreon Julien , Gonzague Laurence , Benkemouche Ahcene , Varela‐Cagetti Leonel , Salem Naji , Farnault Bertrand , Acquaviva Marie‐Aimee , Mailleux Hugues
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This study evaluates the benefit of a virtual bolus method for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan optimization to compensate breast modifications that may occur during breast treatment.

Methods

Ten files were replanned with VMAT giving 50 Gy to the breast and 47 Gy to the nodes within 25 fractions. The planning process used a virtual bolus for the first optimization, then the monitors units were reoptimized without bolus, after fixing the segments shapes. Structures and treatment planning were exported on a second scanner (CT) performed during treatment as a consequence to modifications in patient's anatomy. The comparative end‐point was clinical target volume's coverage. The first analysis compared the VMAT plans made using the virtual bolus method (VB‐VMAT) to the plans without using it (NoVB‐VMAT) on the first simulation CT. Then, the same analysis was performed on the second CT. Finally, the level of degradation of target volume coverage between the two CT using VB‐VMAT was compared to results using a standard technique of forward‐planned multisegment technique (Tan‐IMRT).

Results

Using a virtual bolus for VMAT does not degrade dosimetric results on the first CT. No significant result in favor of the NoVB‐VMAT plans was noted. The VB‐VMAT method led to significant better dose distribution on a second CT with modified anatomies compared to NoVB‐VMAT. The clinical target volume's coverage by 95% (V95%) of the prescribed dose was 98.9% [96.1–99.6] on the second CT for VB‐VMAT compared to 92.6% [85.2–97.7] for NoVB‐VMAT (P = 0.0002). The degradation of the target volume coverage for VB‐VMAT is not worse than for Tan‐IMRT: the median differential of V95% between the two CT was 0.9% for VMAT and 0.7% for Tan‐IMRT (P = 1).

Conclusion

This study confirms the safety and benefit of using a virtual bolus during the VMAT planning process to compensate potential breast shape modifications.
High‐dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy pretreatment dwell position verification using a transparent applicator
Authors: Otani Yuki , Sumida Iori , Nose Takayuki , Shimamoto Shigetoshi , Okubo Hirofumi , Ogawa Kazuhiko
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The major errors in HDR brachytherapy are related to treatment distance, almost all of which are caused by incorrect applicator information. The aim of this study is to propose a quick pretreatment verification method to evaluate channel length and dwell position with a transparent applicator, which, in addition, is suitable as an education tool to assist in the understanding of the applicator structure.

Methods

A transparent applicator model was fabricated using a three‐dimensional printer and transparent resin. Its aim is to be a replica of a real gynecological applicator. The pretreatment verification is performed by observing the planned dwell positions of a check cable inside a transparent applicator. A digital camera acquired images and the dwell positions of the radioactive source and check cable were evaluated by comparing them with respect to the theoretical dwell positions marked by the proper x‐ray marker. The potential effectiveness of verification using a transparent applicator was also evaluated using brachytherapy events reported in the literature.

Results

The transparent applicator closely resembles the real applicator in shape and had an error of less than 0.2 mm. The average dwell position displacement between the radioactive source and check cable was 0.4 mm. The analysis of brachytherapy events showed that channel‐length, dwell‐position, and step‐size errors made up 50% of all events, but affected 64% of all patients.

Conclusions

The transparent applicator model enables a noninvasive, repeatable verification of the channel length and dwell positions to be performed before treatment. This verification has the potential to help prevent common errors in treatment delivery. In addition, the transparent applicator model can be used as a teaching tool to help clinicians understand the operation of the applicator, lowering the risk of events.
7 Tesla MRI of Balo's concentric sclerosis versus multiple sclerosis lesions
Authors: Behrens Janina R. , Wanner Julia , Kuchling Joseph , Ostendorf Lennard , Harms Lutz , Ruprecht Klemens , Niendorf Thoralf , Jarius Sven , Wildemann Brigitte , Gieß René M. , Scheel Michael , Bellmann‐Strobl Judith , Wuerfel Jens , Paul Friedemann , Sinnecker Tim
Published: June 2018

Background

Baló's concentric sclerosis (BCS) is a rare condition characterized by concentrically layered white matter lesions. While its pathogenesis is unknown, hypoxia‐induced tissue injury and chemotactic stimuli have been proposed as potential causes of BCS lesion formation. BCS has been suggested to be a variant of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we aimed to elucidate similarities and differences between BCS and MS by describing lesion morphology and localization in high‐resolution 7 Tesla (7 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Methods

Ten patients with Baló‐type lesions underwent 7 T MRI, and 10 relapsing remitting MS patients served as controls. The 7 T MR imaging protocol included 3D T1‐weighted (T1w) magnetization‐prepared rapid gradient echo, 2D high spatial resolution T2*‐weighted (T2*w) fast low‐angle shot and susceptibility‐weighted imaging.

Results

Intralesional veins were visible in the center of all but one Baló‐type lesion. Four Baló‐type lesions displayed inhomogeneous intralesional T2*w signal intensities, which are suggestive of microhemorrhages or small ectatic venules. Eight of 10 BCS patients presented with 97 additional lesions, 36 of which (37%) had a central vein. Lesions involving the cortical gray matter and the U‐fibers were not detected in BCS patients.

Conclusion

Our findings support the hypothesis that BCS and MS share common pathogenetic mechanisms but patients present with different lesion phenotypes.
Three‐Component Synthesis of Quinolines Based on Radical Cascade Visible‐Light Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Choi Jun‐Ho , Park Cheol‐Min
Published: June 2018

Synthesis of highly substituted quinolines has been developed based on three‐component radical cascade based on visible‐light photoredox catalysis. This tandem coupling reaction has been coordinated to proceed with high chemoselectivity based on the differential electronic properties of coupling partners. Subjection of electron‐rich β‐aminoacrylates with electron‐deficient halides and alkenes to the optimized conditions leads to the formation of quinolines in good yields after in situ oxidation of tetrahydroquinolines. Detailed mechanistic studies which reveal an unexpected reaction pathway is described.

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Stable Zero‐Valent Nickel Nanoparticles in Glycerol: Synthesis and Applications in Selective Hydrogenations
Authors: Reina Antonio , Favier Isabelle , Pradel Christian , Gómez Montserrat
Published: June 2018

Small (mean diameter, ca. 1.2 nm) and well‐dispersed zero‐valent nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) stabilized by cinchona‐based alkaloids and TPPTS (tris(3‐sulfophenyl)phosphine trisodium salt), were synthesized from the organometallic precursor [Ni(cod)2] in neat glycerol under hydrogen pressure. NiNPs were fully characterized ((HR)‐TEM, EDX, XPS, XRD, IR, magnetization), both at solid state and directly from the corresponding colloidal solutions in glycerol due to its negligible vapour pressure. NiNPs dispersed in glycerol were applied in hydrogenation reactions, in particular in semihydrogenation of alkynes to give (Z)‐alkenes under satisfactory conditions (3 bar H2, 1 mol% Ni, 100 °C), showing remarkable activity and selectivity. The catalytic phase was recycled at least ten times without loss of activity, affording in each case metal‐free organic products. Other functional groups such as nitro, nitrile and formyl groups were efficiently hydrogenated to the corresponding anilines, benzylamines and benzylalcohols respectively (77–95% yields).

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Construction of Quaternary Stereocenters by Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbopalladation‐Initiated Cascade Reactions
Authors: Ping Yuanyuan , Li Yuxiu , Zhu Jieping , Kong Wangqing
Published: June 2018

The enantioselective synthesis of molecules containing quaternary stereocenters is a field of intense research interest and development. Among the known organic transformations, carbopalladation‐initiated domino transformations constitutes a general method for the construction of compounds containing cyclic or spiro quaternary stereocenters. In this Minireview, recent achievements in palladium‐catalyzed domino Heck/C−H functionalizations and developments in enantioselective carbopalladation‐initiated domino processes are summarized.
Materials Nanoarchitectonics for Mechanical Tools in Chemical and Biological Sensing
Authors: Jackman Joshua A. , Cho Nam‐Joon , Nishikawa Michihiro , Yoshikawa Genki , Mori Taizo , Shrestha Lok Kumar , Ariga Katsuhiko
Published: June 2018

In this Focus Review, nanoarchitectonic approaches for mechanical‐action‐based chemical and biological sensors are briefly discussed. In particular, recent examples of piezoelectric devices, such as quartz crystal microbalances (QCM and QCM‐D) and a membrane‐type surface stress sensor (MSS), are introduced. Sensors need well‐designed nanostructured sensing materials for the sensitive and selective detection of specific targets. Nanoarchitectonic approaches for sensing materials, such as mesoporous materials, 2D materials, fullerene assemblies, supported lipid bilayers, and layer‐by‐layer assemblies, are highlighted. Based on these sensing approaches, examples of bioanalytical applications are presented for toxic gas detection, cell membrane interactions, label‐free biomolecular assays, anticancer drug evaluation, complement activation‐related multiprotein membrane attack complexes, and daily biodiagnosis, which are partially supported by data analysis, such as machine learning and principal component analysis.
Profiling of hepatic metabolizing enzymes and nuclear receptors in rats with adjuvant arthritis by targeted proteomics
Authors: Kawase Atsushi , Tateishi Shunsuke , Kazaoka Akira
Published: June 2018

Inflammatory conditions alter the expression and activity of factors influencing pharmacokinetics, such as metabolizing enzymes. The study examined alterations of hepatic protein levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP), UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and nuclear receptors in rats with adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AA rats), an inflammatory animal model, by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry‐based targeted proteomics. The protein levels of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A1, CYP2A3, CYP2C6, CYP2C12, CYP2D3, CYP2E1, CYP3A9, UGT1A1 and UGT1A2/3 in liver microsomes of AA rats were significantly lower than those in control rats. The protein levels of constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) in the cytoplasm and nucleus were also significantly decreased, to approximately 60% of the control levels. The decreased protein levels of CYP1A2, CYP2C6, CYP2D3, CYP2E1 and UGT1A1 were potentially associated with downregulation of CAR or RXRα expression in the nucleus.
Hepatocyte‐like cells generated by direct reprogramming from murine somatic cells can repopulate decellularized livers
Authors: Chen Chen , Pla‐Palacín Iris , Baptista Pedro M. , Shang Peng , Oosterhoff Loes A. , van Wolferen Monique E. , Penning Louis C. , Geijsen Niels , Spee Bart
Published: June 2018

Direct reprogramming represents an easy technique to generate induced hepatocytes (iHeps) from somatic cells. However, current protocols are accompanied by several drawbacks as iHeps are heterogenous and lack fully mature phenotypes of primary hepatocytes. Here, we established a polycistronic expression system to induce the direct reprogramming of mouse embryonic fibroblasts towards hepatocytes. The resulting iHeps are homogenous and display key properties of primary hepatocytes, such as expression of hepatocyte markers, albumin secretion, and presence of liver transaminases. iHeps also possess the capacity to repopulate decellularized liver tissue and exhibit enhanced hepatic maturation. As such, we present a novel strategy to generate homogenous and functional iHeps for applications in tissue engineering and cell therapy.
How to engineer glucose oxidase for mediated electron transfer
Authors: Arango Gutierrez Erik , Wallraf Anne‐Maria , Balaceanu Alexandra , Bocola Marco , Davari Mehdi D. , Meier Thomas , Duefel Hartmut , Schwaneberg Ulrich
Published: June 2018

Glucose oxidase (GOx) is of high industrial interest for glucose sensing because of its high β‐d‐glucose specificity. The efficient and specific electrochemical communication between the redox center and electrodes is crucial to ensure accurate glucose determination. The efficiency of the electron transfer rates (ETR) with GOx, together with quinone diamine based mediators, is low and differs even among mediator derivatives. To design optimized enzyme–mediator couples and to describe a mediator binding model, a joint experimental and computational study was performed based on an oxygen‐independent GOx variant V7 and two quinone diimine based electron mediators (QDM‐1 and QDM‐2), which differ in polarity and size, and ferrocenemethanol (FM). A site saturation library at position 414 was screened with all three mediators and yielded four beneficial substitutions Tyr, Met, Leu, and Val. The variants showed increased mediator activity for the more polar QDM‐2 with a simultaneously decreased activity for the less polar and smaller QDM‐1 and for FM. The variant GOx V7‐I414Y exhibited the biggest change for the quinone diimine derivatives compared with V7 (QDM‐1: 55.9 U/mg V7, 33.2 U/mg V7‐I414Y; QDM‐2: 2.7 U/mg V7, 12.9 U/mg V7‐I414Y). Theoretical ETR calculated based on the Marcus theory were in good agreement with the experimental results. Molecular docking studies revealed a preferable binding of the two QD mediators directly in the active site, 3.5 Å away from the N5 atom of the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and in direct vicinity to position 414. In summary, position 414 in the active site was identified to modulate the electron shuttling from the FAD of the GOx to small water‐soluble mediators dependent on the polarity and size of residue 414 and on the polarity and size of the mediator. The presented mediator binding model offers a promising possibility for the design of optimized enzyme–mediator couples.
Scale‐up of the ex vivo expansion of encapsulated primary human T lymphocytes
Authors: Kaiser Patrick , Werner Melanie , Jérôme Valérie , Freitag Ruth
Published: June 2018

A number of evolving medical therapies call for the controlled expansion of primary human T lymphocytes. After encapsulation in sodium cellulose sulfate–poly(diallyldimethyl) ammonium chloride polyelectrolyte capsules, T lymphocytes can be expanded without persisting activation. Here, the challenge of scaling up this process is addressed. Encapsulated T lymphocytes were cultured in spinner flasks as well as in several types of the bioreactor, including fixed and fluidized beds, a waved cell bag, and a standard stirred tank reactor (STR; 1‐L scale). Two proprietary T lymphocyte culture media as well as a standard RPMI‐based medium were used. As before, encapsulation coincided with the presence of only a low fraction of activated T lymphocytes (peripheral blood T cells) in the total population. Unexpectedly, growth rates were lower in well‐mixed reactors than those in cultivations under static conditions, that is, in T‐flasks. Switching the STR to low oxygen conditions (40% air saturation) improved the growth rates to the level of the static cultures and thus forms the potential basis for efficient scale‐up of T lymphocyte expansion.
Lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels and biochemicals: A comprehensive review with a focus on ethanol organosolv pretreatment technology
Authors: Zhou Ziyuan , Lei Fuhou , Li Pengfei , Jiang Jianxin
Published: June 2018

Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the potential feedstocks to produce second‐generation cellulosic ethanol and biochemicals. To enhance the enzymatic digestibility of lignocellulosic biomass for efficient enzymatic saccharification, a variety of pretreatment methods have been studied. Among these, organosolv pretreatment using ethanol is a promising pretreatment method owing to its inherent advantages, such as low solvent cost, lack of toxicity, the ability to retain most cellulose fraction in substrates for enzymatic hydrolysis, coproduction of high‐purity lignin and hemicellulosic sugars, easy solvent recovery, and reuse. In this review, the research progress regarding different types of ethanol organosolv pretreatment processes has been summarized in terms of methods, substrate properties, reaction mechanisms, delignification kinetic as well as the impact of pretreatment methods on the enzymatic digestibility. Attempts are also made to provide insights into the complete utilization of lignocellulosic biomass to achieve high potential revenues. Though some ethanol organosolv processes have been studied or are being developed towards commercialization, ethanol organosolv pretreatment is still facing some challenges. Finally, the direction for future work is given to develop a proper ethanol organosolv pretreatment for commercialization.
Interpopulation Variability in the Essential Oil Composition of Cistus creticus subsp. eriocephalus from Sardinia
Authors: Mastino Patrizia Monica , Marchetti Mauro , Costa Jean , Usai Marianna
Published: June 2018

Cistus genus is widespread in the Mediterranean regions with several species and is traditionally known as a natural remedy, but few previous phytochemical researches have been reported on Cistus species growing in Sardinia. The aim of this work was to study the interpopulation variability of the volatiles of C. creticus subsp. eriocephalus to find out the natural chemotypes of this taxon for chemotaxonomic purposes. Plant material was collected from seven wild populations in Sardinia. The oils from aerial part were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS enabling to identify 185 compounds. The seven samples showed appreciable variations in their chemical composition. MA was found almost exclusively linear hydrocarbons (85%) and MN presented fatty acids (36.97%) as major fraction. CP and MN had high quantity of non‐terpenic carbonylic compounds (63% and 69%, respectively) and in CP was found also sclareol, a well‐known antimicrobial compound. PCA analysis showed the existence of a high interpopulation variability within the essential oils of C. creticus subsp. eriocephalus growing in Sardinia. For example, MN and CP are very close to each other as CG is close to PM. BN is isolated from the others Cistus populations due to lacking essential oil. These data suggest that the basis of variation in the volatile composition of seven C. creticus subsp. eriocephalus populations depends on hybridization and that the sample without essential oil is the only one no‐hybridized.
A novel technique for lead sparing tricuspid valve replacement in the case of a transvenous ICD lead
Authors: Paech Christian , Wagner Franziska , Karthe Bianca , Bakthiary Farhad , Gebauer Roman Antonin
Published: June 2018

Key Clinical Message

Tricuspid valve (TV) surgery represents a complex consideration regarding lead management in patients with a transvenous ICD. The presented case shows favorable short‐term results after lead sparing TV replacement, leaving an ICD lead in a paravalvular position. The described technique can be used in challenging cases of TV replacement.
Transition Metal Carbide Complex Architectures for Energy‐Related Applications
Authors: Meng Tao , Cao Minhua
Published: June 2018

Transition metal carbides (TMCs), as a family of special interstitial alloys, exhibit novel intrinsic characteristics such as high melting point, high electronic conductivity, excellent mechanical and chemical stability, and good corrosion resistance, and hence have attracted ever‐growing attention as promising electrode materials for energy‐related applications. In this regard, we give a comprehensive overview of the structural design of transition metal carbide complex architectures and their structure advantages for energy‐related applications. After a brief classification, we summarize in detail recent progress in controllable design and synthesis of TMCs with complex nanostructures (e.g., zero‐, one‐, two‐, and three‐dimensional, and self‐supported electrodes) for electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications including metal‐ion batteries, supercapacitors, rechargeable metal‐air batteries, fuel cells, and water splitting. Finally, we end this review with some potential challenges and research prospects of TMCs as electrode materials for energy‐related applications.
Morphological Growth and Theoretical Understanding of Gold and Other Noble Metal Nanoplates
Authors: Xia Jing , Dong ZhiLi , Cai Yongqing , Guan Guijian , Zhang Shuangyuan , Kovács András , Boothroyd Chris , Phang In Yee , Liu Shuhua , Wu Mingda , Zhang Yong Wei , Hu Xiao , Han Ming‐Yong
Published: June 2018

For the last decades, the chemical reduction of Au3+ to Au0 has been widely employed to produce various gold nanostructures. In comparison with the fast reduction, the slow reduction is systematically investigated in this research to provide more insights to reveal intermediary process and further disclose the underlying mechanism for growing gold nanostructures by using a series of simple ligands with aldehyde groups as weak reducing agents. The different binding energies of ligands to Aun+ (n=3, 1 and 0) exhibit variable binding affinities in starting, intermediate, and final gold species. For example, formic acid has much stronger binding affinity to Au+ than Au3+, and thus Au+ intermediate is able to be stabilized/captured during slow reduction of Au3+. Upon the disproportionation of Au+ to Au0 and Au3+, formic acid has much stronger binding affinity to the newly formed Au0 than other ligands for the controlled formation of gold nanostructures. Meanwhile, the adsorption of ligands causes substantially decreased surface energies on different gold planes. There are much higher energies on {110} planes compared to the other two {111} and {100} planes with certain ratios in these energies, leading to morphological growth of gold nanosheets. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate anisotropic growth of gold nanosheets by using various ligands with weak reducing and appropriate coordination capabilities, and further provide insights to understand their morphological growth mechanism behind. This synthetic strategy is successfully extended to prepare silver, palladium, and platinum nanoplates.
Severe bradyarrhythmia linked to left atrial dysfunction in Fabry disease—A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Di Lu Zhao , Pichette Maxime , Nadeau Réginald , Bichet Daniel G. , Poulin Frédéric
Published: June 2018

Background

Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by an enzymatic deficiency. Conduction abnormalities and bradyarrhythmias are common and can occur prior to the onset of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. We aimed to describe the clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic, including left atrial (LA) function, determinants of bradyarrhythmic events in FD.

Hypothesis

Bradyarrhythmic events are frequent in patients with FD and are associated with LA dysfunction.

Methods

We designed a cross‐sectional study that includes 53 FD patients (mean age, 45 years; 42% male). Clinical characteristics and electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data were collected. LA function was measured using biplane volumes and 2D speckle‐tracking echocardiography. Bradyarrhythmic events were defined as pause of more than 2 seconds (sinus pause or atrioventricular block) recorded on Holter, severe bradycardia (≤ 40 bpm on ECG) or implantation of a permanent pacemaker.

Results

Six (11%) patients had installation of a pacemaker, 4 (8%) patients had cardiac pause and 2 (4%) patients had an episode of severe bradycardia. Patients with bradyarrhythmic events were older and had a lower resting heart rate. On echocardiography, a significantly higher LV mass, a lower LV ejection fraction, and a more affected LA reservoir function were found in those with bradyarrhythmic events. Patients also experienced tachyarrhythmias frequently. Atrial fibrillation occurred in 11 (21%) patients and ventricular tachycardia in 4 (8%) patients.

Conclusions

Bradyarrhythmia are common manifestations of cardiac involvement in FD. Age, LV mass, LV ejection fraction and LA reservoir dysfunction can be useful markers associated with bradyarrhythmia.
Coordinate transformation aided finite element method for contour detection of breast tumors in microwave imaging
Authors: Ozgun Ozlem , Kuzuoglu Mustafa
Published: June 2018

A coordinate transformation based finite element method is presented for detecting contours of breast cancer tissues in the context of microwave imaging. The geometry and location of a single or multiple cancerous tumors inside a breast tissue are identified by constructing an inverse problem based on the genetic optimization algorithm. The expensive forward solution phase during repeated cost function evaluations is accelerated by placing a transformation medium inside the finite element mesh. This allows using a uniform or rectangular mesh even when irregular tumor geometries are considered. Therefore, the computational load is reduced. The algorithm is implemented in MATLAB using parallel programming tools. A realistic numerical breast phantom repository, which is available in the University of Wisconsin‐Madison webpage, is used to test the algorithm. The performance of the algorithm is also tested by utilizing the Monte Carlo approach, where the inverse problem is run several times and the statistical parameters of the runs are determined. Various simulation results are demonstrated.
Anatomy of the Holocene inundation of an isolated carbonate platform: Bermuda North Lagoon, western Atlantic
Authors: Gischler Eberhard , Kuhn Gerhard
Published: June 2018

The detailed Holocene inundation history of the Bermuda North Lagoon may be used as model for transgressive and highstand sequences in carbonate platforms. Sedimentation and facies development were controlled largely by sea‐level rise and antecedent topography. Four late Pleistocene to Holocene sequences may be identified in North Lagoon based on a combined analysis of 200 km shallow reflection seismics and 39 cores including 29 radiometric and U/Th‐ages. The sequences were deposited during sea‐level highstands and are separated by subaerial exposure horizons that formed during sea‐level lowstands. Sequence 1 (inferred MIS 7) consists of well‐cemented carbonate sands. Sequence 2 (MIS 5) is up to 20 m thick and consists of well‐sorted, inter‐reefal sands and reef sediments with mound‐like structures. Sequence 3 (inferred MIS 3) is up to ca 6 m thick and accumulated in topographic lows of the underlying sequences some 20 m below modern sea‐level. Sequence 4 (MIS 1, Holocene) includes lagoonal sediments up to 10 m thick, and reefs that accumulated on topographic highs of the MIS 5 sequences. Holocene sediments in topographic lows include peat, peaty sediment, freshwater mud, restricted marine carbonates, and open lagoonal carbonate sediments deposited in seagrass beds, shallow water, and deeper lagoon areas. Upward fining is an expression of deepening and the development of a reef‐protected lagoon environment. Holocene sedimentation on topographic highs usually lacks freshwater and transitional facies and starts with shallow marine mollusc shell accumulations overlain by carbonate sediments that show fining upward. Packstone (68%), wackestone (22%), grainstone (9%) and mudstone (1%) textures occur in cores, with Halimeda, molluscs, coralline algae and foraminifera being the most common constituent particles; coral fragments are rare. During the Holocene, an estimated volume of 1 km3 of carbonate sediments was deposited in North Lagoon. Average sedimentation rates are estimated to be 0.32 m/kyr.
A laboratory experiment on the incipient motion of boulders by high‐energy coastal flows
Authors: Bressan L. , Guerrero M. , Antonini A. , Petruzzelli V. , Archetti R. , Lamberti A. , Tinti S.
Published: June 2018

Studies on coastal boulders transported inland by high‐energy events, such as tsunamis, focus mainly on the nature, magnitude and characteristics of past events and contribute to coastal hazard assessments. However, uncertainties on the transport models used in the literature are widely acknowledged.

To study the minimum flow conditions for boulders transport, a laboratory experiment was carried out at the Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory (LIDR) of the University of Bologna, Italy. The main objective was to provide experimental data on boulders incipient motion and on the relationships linking boulders weight, geometry and orientation with the flow velocity and flow depth thresholds for transport initiation. The experiments reproduce idealized cases to highlight the contribution of the flow and transport processes, while the complexities due to the environment and irregular boulder shapes are reduced to a simple slope and to cubic and rectangular blocks.

The most important result is that boulders move when only partially submerged by the flow, but this case is not even considered in the literature. Even for this oversimplified case, the hydrodynamic approach currently used to predict incipient motion strongly overestimates the minimum conditions for boulder transport. The main conclusions are that the drag and lift coefficients commonly used in the literature are not adequate to correctly estimate the minimum conditions for transport and need to be fine‐tuned. The main reason for this discrepancy is that the practical hydrodynamic formulas do not account for the flow variability induced by turbulence that plays a key role in influencing the start of instability. To take into account this intrinsic uncertainty, we suggest determining two dynamic thresholds, separating three distinct regimes: one where transport is impossible, one where it is certain, and an intermediate one where it is possible depending only on the actual turbulence bursts.

Data are made freely available (ftp://137.204.48.34). © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patterns of debris flow initiation and periglacial sediment sourcing in the Colorado Front Range
Authors: Patton Annette I. , Rathburn Sara L. , Bilderback Eric L. , Lukens Claire E.
Published: June 2018

During an extreme storm in the Colorado Front Range in September 2013, 11 debris flows initiated at high elevations in Rocky Mountain National Park. We characterized these debris flows to determine controls on their initiation and found that eight of the 11 initiated in areas of convergent topography, and eight initiated at elevations > 2800 m. The high proportion of debris flows in areas of convergent topography emphasizes the importance of local topographic control on initiation. Debris flows at high elevations in the Front Range are atypical; this event broadens our understanding of debris flow regimes in the Front Range. Survey data (scarp dimensions, transport distance) suggest that transport is influenced by downslope processes rather than characteristics of the initiation site. At one site with evidence of multiple debris flows sourced from the same colluvial hollow, we obtained relative ages of debris flow deposits through geomorphic mapping and fan stratigraphy. We used radiocarbon and beryllium‐10 (10Be) analysis to age stratigraphic deposits and debris flow levees. Radiocarbon ages (n = 6) were highly variable and were interpreted to reflect secondary hillslope processes rather than debris flow ages. Large ranges in cosmogenic exposure age and anomalously old samples indicate that sampled boulders (n = 14) contained inherited 10Be concentrations. Beryllium‐10 concentrations were likely acquired as exposed bedrock surfaces or during intermediate storage in the colluvial hollow. We suggest that 10Be inheritance limits the utility of cosmogenic exposure dating of debris flows with short transport distances (10−1 to 101 km). Despite these limitations, we documented field evidence for four to seven debris flows in the last 75 ka, including two in the last 8 ka. Considered collectively, 10Be sample ages from all levees suggest that greatest sediment production occurred during Quaternary glacial stages due to periglacial processes. Subsequent evacuation of the colluvial hollow likely occurred during wetter periods of the mid‐Holocene. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactive oxygen species inhibits Listeria monocytogenes invasion into HepG2 epithelial cells
Authors: Chen Guo‐wei , Wu Man , Liu Wu‐kang , Xie Man‐man , Zhang Wei‐sheng , Fan En‐guo , Liu Qing
Published: June 2018

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) can colonize human gastrointestinal tract and subsequently cross the intestinal barrier. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by NADPH oxidase. However, the role of ROS in bacterial invasion remains to be less understood. Herein, we investigated the impact of ROS on Lm invasion to HepG2 using NADPH oxidase inhibitor, diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), as well as the ROS scavenger, N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC). Our results showed that inhibiting ROS increased the invasive capability of Lm. Moreover, after Lm infection, inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin 1beta (IL‐1β) in HepG2 were significantly upregulated. However, after inhibiting ROS, the expression levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β were downregulated, indicating a failure of host cells to activate the immune mechanism. Taken together, ROS in Lm might be as a signal for host cells to sense Lm invasion and then stimulate cells to activate the immune mechanism.
Characterization of obstetric patients with sepsis identified by two diagnostic scales at a fourth‐level clinic in Colombia
Authors: Escobar María F. , Nasner Daniela , Hurtado Carlos F. , Fernández Paula A. , Echavarria Maria P.
Published: June 2018

Objective

To compare the characterization of an obstetric population diagnosed with sepsis using systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and sepsis‐related organ failure assessment (SOFA).

Methods

The present retrospective observational descriptive study was conducted at a fourth‐level clinic in Colombia among pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria (two SIRS criteria plus infection) between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2016. Patients with systemic compromise were admitted to the high‐complexity obstetric unit (HCOU), whereas those with multiorgan dysfunction were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The SIRS scale was deemed positive if all four criteria were met. A SOFA score of at least 2 was considered a positive result.

Results

The study included 688 patients. The SIRS test at admission was positive among 431 patients (62.6%); 279 (64.7%) in the HCOU group and 152 (35.2%) in the ICU group. The SOFA test at admission was positive in 69 (38.5%) of 179 patients with complete data. The concordance—measured using the κ statistic—between SIRS and SOFA was low (0.016).

Conclusion

Using the SIRS scale could promote early sepsis management by identifying patients who require admission to the HCOU or ICU; however, low concordance between the SIRS and SOFA results suggested a need to create diagnostic scales specifically for the obstetric population.
Tensor regularized total variation for denoising of third harmonic generation images of brain tumors
Authors: Zhang Zhiqing , Groot Marie L. , de Munck Jan C.
Published: June 2018

Third harmonic generation (THG) microscopy shows great potential for instant pathology of brain tissue during surgery. However, the rich morphologies contained and the noise associated makes image restoration, necessary for quantification of the THG images, challenging. Anisotropic diffusion filtering (ADF) has been recently applied to restore THG images of normal brain, but ADF is hard‐to‐code, time‐consuming and only reconstructs salient edges. This work overcomes these drawbacks by expressing ADF as a tensor regularized total variation model, which uses the Huber penalty and the L1 norm for tensor regularization and fidelity measurement, respectively. The diffusion tensor is constructed from the structure tensor of ADF yet the tensor decomposition is performed only in the non‐flat areas. The resulting model is solved by an efficient and easy‐to‐code primal‐dual algorithm. Tests on THG brain tumor images show that the proposed model has comparable denoising performance as ADF while it much better restores weak edges and it is up to 60% more time efficient.
Haplotype‐based association of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor gene polymorphisms with urothelial bladder cancer risk in Tunisian population
Authors: Ben Wafi Safa , Kallel Amani , Ben Fradj Mohamed Kacem , Sallemi Ahmed , Ben Rhouma Sami , Ben Halima Meriam , Sanhaji Haifa , Nouira Yassine , Jemaa Riadh , Feki Moncef
Published: June 2018

Background/Aim

Accumulated data suggested that Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor is a major mediator in vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and recently in tumorigenesis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate for the first time the association between VEGF gene variants (‐2549I/D (rs35569394), ‐2578C/A (rs699947), and +936C/T (rs3025039)) with urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) in Tunisian population.

Methods

A total of 218 UBC patients and 204 controls were recruited and genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to access the association between the VEGFA gene polymorphisms and UBC.

Results

We found a significant decreased risk association of ‐2578 C/A polymorphism with UBC (OR (95% CI), 0.62 (0.41‐0.94), P = .026) for CA genotype and (OR (95% CI), 0.40 (0.21‐0.76), P = .005) for double homozygous mutant genotype. No associations were found in case of both polymorphic sites of VEGF, vis. ‐2549I/D and +936C/T, respectively. Haplotype analysis revealed a strong linkage disequilibrium between ‐2578C/A and ‐2549I/D and CIC combination is the significant haplotype associated with increased risk of UBC (OR (95% CI), 3.63 (1.47‐8.97), P = .005). Regarding tumor grade/stage and family history of cancer, no associations were found for ‐2578C/A polymorphism.

Conclusion

CIC haplotype of VEGF gene may be important risk factor for UBC development in Tunisia.
Development and evaluation of armored RNA‐based standards for quantification of BCR‐ABL1p210/p190 fusion gene transcripts
Authors: Fu Yu , Zhang Rui , Wu Qisheng , Zhang Jiawei , Bao Lihua , Li Jinming
Published: June 2018

Background

Standards play an important role in detection of the BCR‐ABL1 fusion gene (FG) transcript. However, the standards widely used in laboratories are mainly based on plasmids or cDNA, which cannot accurately reflect the process of RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis. Therefore, we aimed to develop armored RNA‐based standards for p210 and p190 BCR‐ABL1FG transcripts’ quantification.

Methods

Using overlapping polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, we first linked a segment of the p210 or p190 BCR‐ABL1FG transcript with four control genes (CGs; ABL1, BCR, GUSB, and B2M) to form p210FG‐CG and p190FG‐CG. Subsequently, using armored RNA technology, we prepared p210FG‐CG‐ and p190FG‐CG‐armored RNAs and the p210FG‐CG and p190FG‐CG standards, the values of which were assigned by digital PCR (dPCR).

Results

The p210FG‐CG and p190FG‐CG standards were stable and homogeneous, and were significantly linear with r2 > 0.98. A field trial including 52 laboratories across China showed that the coefficient of variation (CV%) of BCR‐ABL1 values among samples was in the range of 58.6%‐129.6% for p210 samples and 73.2%‐194.0% for p190 samples when using local standards. By contrast, when using the p210FG‐CG and p190FG‐CG standards, the CV% of BCR‐ABL1 values was decreased to 35.6%‐124.9% and 36.6%‐170.6% for p210 and p190 samples, respectively. In addition, 33.3% (3/9) of the p210 and p190 samples had CV% values <50.0%, whereas 44.4% (4/9) and 77.8% (7/9) of the samples had lower CV% values when using the p210FG‐CG and p190FG‐CG standards.

Conclusion

The overall variability of detection of BCR‐ABL1 transcripts decreased significantly when using the p210FG‐CG or p190FG‐CG standards, especially the p190FG‐CG standard.
Altering the substrate specificity of a myofibril‐bound serine proteinase from Crucian carp by site‐directed mutagenesis
Authors: Li Ting , Li Meng‐Si , Mei Xue‐Jiao , Sun Le‐Chang , Liu Hong , Zhang Ling‐Jing , Cao Min‐Jie , Liu Guang‐Ming
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Myofibril‐bound serine proteinase (MBSP) comprises a class of trypsin‐type serine proteinases that can specifically cleave the carboxyl side of peptide bonds of arginine or lysine residues. To obtain higher specificity MBSPs, mutants were designed based on the substrate‐binding pocket and constructed through site‐directed mutagenesis.

RESULTS

The wild‐type (WT) and mutants were expressed in Pichia pastoris, and its enzymatic properties indicated that the mutants D170S, D170T, D170K and D170T/G203A were not biologically active. However, S171A specifically cleaved arginine residues and G203A preferably hydrolyzed lysine residues. The secondary structures of mutants were approximately similar to that of the WT according to the results of circular dichroism spectroscopy. Additionally, molecular docking showed that substrates were able to combine with S171A within the critical areas through hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bonds and van der Waals electrostatic force.

CONCLUSION

The structural stability of MBSP was consistent using amino acid substitution. Due to the interaction pattern of substrates and mutant enzyme changes, only S171A was selective in cutting Arg residues, which illustrates how the catalytic triad and substrate‐binding pocket of MBSP plays an important role during enzymatic hydrolysis of substrates. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
A nonsequential approach to the study of operant renewal: a reverse translation
Authors: Sullivan William E. , Saini Valdeep , Roane Henry S.
Published: June 2018

ABA renewal is a model of treatment relapse that describes the recurrence of severe problem behavior when behavior learned in one context (e.g., home; A) and treated in a separate context (e.g., clinic; B) reemerges when the original context is reintroduced (A). However, in the typical environment and during the usual course of treatment for severe problem behavior, the target behavior is exposed to the baseline context periodically (e.g., the child returns home after several hours in a clinic setting). Due to the difficulty of studying what effect this may have on treatment relapse during ABA renewal in a strictly applied investigation, we developed a human‐laboratory translation to study renewal in a nonsequential manner. Using undergraduate students as subjects, we directly compared levels of recurrence using the standard ABA renewal procedure and a modified nonsequential ACA procedure, one modeled from the typical course of treatment for problem behavior. Both methods produced renewal at comparable levels, and patterns during nonsequential ACA renewal were similar to those during sequential ABA renewal. We discuss the implications of these findings in the framework of treatment for severe problem behavior.